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Volume 9 Issue 7

July 17, 2015

FREE

Kiawah expands
forensic audit
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY RALPH SECOY

Fun, fireworks and

festivities on the Fourth
KIAWAH ISLAND HOSTS
B I K E PA R A D E , F I R E W O R K S

Seabrook Hatchlings

Page 4

Delicious Corn Salad

Page 10

he Town of Kiawah Island held

an executive session on June 15
to review initial findings from the
forensic audit it had commissioned. The
resulting motion was an expansion of the
scope of the investigation to go back to
2013, as well as looking at 2015 year to
date and 2014, specifically in regard to
payroll.
The agenda for a second executive
session, scheduled for July 10, was initially
publicised to discuss the investigation
of financial allegations and receive legal
advice on the same. However on July 9 at
approximately 10:30 a.m., the agenda was
amended to the following:
To discuss the allegations of improper
financial transactions and to discuss in
conjunction with our communications
consultants the appropriate manner,
method and extent to which the Town
may properly disclose such information,
and to receive legal advise (sic) on the
same subject matters.
As reported inside, TOKI has
recently hired a pair of public relations
firms. Councilmember Weaver, as chair
of the Communications Committee,
recommended using BHP Jumpstart
as well as former Kiawah Development
Partner employee, Mike Touhill, on
an as needed basis to help with
communications support.
The July 10 executive session lasted
five hours and eight minutes. As witnesses
filed into chambers, a motion was made,
seconded and passed unanimously to
return to regular session. The mayor made
the usual post executive session disclaimer,
No decisions were made and no actions
were taken that would bind the town to a
course of action...
The statement was followed by a motion
to adjourn. The motion quickly received
a second and passed unanimously. The
public portion of the meeting lasted three
minutes and ten seconds.

Buzz in Charlotte

Page 14

July 17, 2015

civic

Kiawah Town Council,

July 7, 2015

Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com
Jennifer Tuohy
managing editor
jennifer@luckydognews.com
Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Alejandro Ferreyros
graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Ralph Secoy
staff photographer
Staff Writer
Gregg Bragg
Contributors
Teri Hinkebein
Erin Billmayer
Allison R. Leggett
Sarah Reynolds
Chief Gary Lohr
Emily Periman Abedon
Zachary Huey
Marilyn Markel
Hannah Markowitz
Carol Antman
Bob Hooper

Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: July 22
for submissions for the
June 30 Issue
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of
Lucky Dog News or its writers.

The Island
Connection

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC

Publishers of Island Eye News,
The Island Connection,
The Folly Current

BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

he Kiawah town council chambers

always fill for scheduled events
these days, the July 7 council
meeting illustrated the point even without
armed guards this month. The habit of a
jocular, perhaps overly emphatic, gavel
to order is now required to pierce the
hubbub of idle conversation. Participants,
municipal observers and plain old
fashioned spectators gathered and chewed
on ears until the last minute when Roberts
Rules of Order go into effect.
Citizen's Comments
Resident Diane Lehder, who couldnt
attend, asked Wendy Kulick to read a
letter into the record. It went like this, in
part;
Like many Kiawah property owners,
I am concerned about the town's
suspension of [both] town administrator
and treasurer, and the potential negative
impact of bad press on both property
values and the Town's ability to conduct
its business.
"With results of the Town's forensic
audit still unknown, it seems the town
will be disadvantaged in negotiating the
best possible rate on bonds [necessary
to finance the new municipal complex].
It is essential that we negotiate the best
possible deal for the community, rather
than accept any possible deal. Further,
this is a monumental project to undertake
with a staff short two key playersboth
a town administrator and town treasurer.
"I urge town council to step back and
slow this process down. Let's see how the
audit comes out and what monies the
Town actually has at its disposal for this
purpose. The delay of a few months in the
construction of a new municipal center is
inconsequential.
"The press the town has received in

the last few weeks has been worse than

embarrassing. If anything is certain at
this point in time, it is that our every
move going forward will be watched and
critiqued. Let's make sure we get this
right.
Councilmember Wilson responded,
saying accounts for the municipal project
were unaffected by recent events, hoping
to allay funding concerns. A chorus of
councilmembers also remarked on how
the town has been getting everything
done despite being short of staff.
Rich Thomas of Johns Island stepped
up with a list of recommendations
resulting from acts of stupidity on the
bike path. A friend of his was injured the
previous weekend, was blamed unjustly,
and left to hurt on her own by angry,
helmetless visitors. Thomas suspected
they had checked out their brains when
they checked in to the island. He went on
to recommend;
1. Kids be required to wear helmets
[even if they are on vacation]
2. All bike rentals should include
helmets
3. Rules of the road should handed
out at check-in
4. Signs be posted at both ends of the
path restating those Rules of the
Road
Art Morgenstern had a couple of
concerns/suggestions starting with a
planned second waterline to the island.
He wanted to know if residents affected
by the proposed construction would be
protected. He noted DHEC had published
a notice on July 6, indicating the Kiawah
Island Utility had applied for a permit to
construct a second water line. Given the
Town's responsibility for the health and
safety of residents, he asked council to

Civic Calendar
Tue, August 4
Kiawah Town Council
Meeting
Council Chambers,
Kiawah Town Hall
2-4 p.m.

Wed, August 5
Planning Commission
Meeting
Kiawah Town Hall
3-5 p.m.
Seabrook Planning
Commission Work
Session
2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Thurs, August 6
Arts & Cultural
Events Council

Kiawah Town Hall

3-5 p.m.

Tues, August 11
Communications
Committee Meeting
Kiawah Town Hall
3-5 p.m.

Wed, August 12
Public Safety
Committee Meeting
Kiawah Town Hall
2-4 p.m.
Seabrook Planning
Commission
Regular Meeting
2:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug 13
Municipal Center

Committee
Kiawah Town Hall
1-3 p.m.

Monday, Aug 17
Board of Zoning and
Appeals
Kiawah Town Hall
4-5 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug 25
Ways and Means
Committee Meeting
Kiawah Town Hall
2-4 p.m.

hire an independent engineering firm to;

1. Review the proposed project
2. Provide comments to the
community and
3. Oversee the construction project
for the benefit of the entire
community and, in particular,
those neighborhoods that are
most likely to be impacted by the
project.
In the event the town does not already
have an engineering firm reviewing the
water project, Morgenstern suggested the
town request a DHEC hearing by August
5, the deadline for commenting on the
DHEC notice, since the short notice
time may be inadequate for engineers to
complete their review.
Morgenstern then suggested the Town
consider using Code Red (an automated
phone alert system) when there are major
traffic problems, like the one caused by
the accident last week. Email notices are
ineffective since most people don't have
their computers available and connected
all day, he contended, but phones were
another matter.
Councilmember Weaver said the Public
Safety Committee would be discussing
the possibility [of using Code Red this
way] at its next meeting, although he
thought few people were connected to the
towns communication systems.
Wendy Kulick of Kiawah spoke to
agree that signs [bike path and elsewhere]
might be a good idea. Her anecdote on
safety pitted pedestrians against cars
while shopping at Freshfields. Odds
usually favor the car in this example and
Kulick speculated some look both ways
signs might prevent such contests. Kulick
went on to ask if the towns hiring of not
one but two Public Relations firms had

K iawah Island Town H all

21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9166
Fax: 768-4764
Seabrook Island Town H all
2001 Seabrook Island Road
Seabrook Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9121
Fax: 768-9830
Email: lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
Johns Island Council
Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric
Co-op located at 3351 Maybank Hwy, Johns
Island.
Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113

Charleston County Council

4045 Bridge View Dr, N. Charleston
Thursday, Aug 27 958-4700t
Municipal Center
City of Charleston
Committee
75 Calhoun St.
Kiawah Town Hall
724-3745
1 p.m.

July 17, 2015

civic

been put out to bid, as legally required.

An official answer is pending but
councilmember Weaver responded saying
he had spoken to a couple of firms.
Kulick reiterated Morgensterns earlier
point, saying the town had a responsibility
to thoroughly review anything dealing
with public health most especially the
proposed, second waterline. She finished
her comments with applause to town
officials for supporting efforts to take
down the [Confederate] flag in front of
the State House in Columbia.
Kiawah resident and Kiawah Island
Community Association board member
Bruce Stemerman commented on a
car show recently funded to the tune
of $90,000 by TOKI (Bruce sits on
the board of the event). He spoke in
defense of funding the show, saying all
procedures to secure TOKI funding had
been satisfied. His comments came in the
wake of an article in the Post & Courier
newspaper on the event. Stemerman
reiterated the event's capacity to bring
visitors to Kiawah and the benefits to three
local charities. We will be advertising
nationally and have hired professionals to
help, concluded Stemerman as he made
his case for the use of ATAX money.
Kiawah resident Kathy Parks, who
had been quoted in the same P&C
article, wasnt as worried about the shows
adherence to procedure as the choice of
priorities. Kiawah has needs that are not
being met, said Parks.
She went on to suggest a shuttle service
be used to alleviate parking issues at
Beachwalker Park and leverage space at
Freshfields and Ace Hardware. Parks also
asked council to assist in making the same
signs/rules (previously suggested) for the
bike paths effective inside the gates.
Charlie Bianco spoke asking for the
results of the recent forensic audit to be
made public. Criminal conduct, if found,
should be turned over to authorities for
full prosecution without concern for
appearances, he insisted.
We are not a private organization
that has to be concerned [with image and
share price]. It is a civic responsibility.
They worked for all of us and should be
held accountable, said Bianco.
Old Business
There was a single item of Old Business
on the agenda. Ordinance 2015-07 passed
a second reading unanimously. There
was very little discussion of the matter
exhaustively debated in previous meetings.
Passage of the ordinance is a victory for
Fred Petersons Planning Commission,
emancipating residents from permitting
fees for anything less than $1,000.
New Business.
The beach re-nourishment project at
the east end of the island was recently
completed. A representative of Coastal
Science and Engineering, armed with
a robust presentation and plenty of
time, walked through every detail of
the project, which will be posted on the
Towns web site. There is some excellent
detail including an overflight of the
finished project. It shows the solution at
work which also illustrates why they think
it will keep working in the near term.
LS3P needs about $438,000 to
continue work on the new municipal
center. Councilmember Labriola took
the reins and pains to appear transparent.
There are three critical dates, [for
the project] said Labriola. On or about
September 1, council will share estimates
based on schematic drawings. Design

and development will be available around

October 6 and construction is planned
for about December 1. He continued by
saying the project is not on a fast track,
with pivotal public sessions scheduled for
July and August.
A contract with ADP was approved
unanimously. ADP and its package of
software includes some controls previous
payroll/accounting systems did not. For
example, the mayor would be the only
person authorized to alter/update pay
rates under the new system.
A two month extension to the contract
with Charleston County Sheriffs office
was approved unanimously.
Discussion then shifted to a proposal
to hire two public relations firms.
Councilmember Weaver, as chair of the
Communications Committee made the
recommendations based on the towns
need for communications support;
BHP Jumpstart should be hired
for three months and
Mike Touhill, formerly of Kiawah
Development Partner PR fame, be
hired as needed and compensated
at a rate of $75/hr.
Weaver went on to compliment
existing efforts. Town Notes, the TOKI
newsletter has been expanded. The
publication is a glossy finish, full color,
celebration of TOKI success stories,
which is augmented by more frequent
email blasts to resident subscribers. The
request for communications support
was justified, argued Weaver, given the
recent loss of key personnel and increase
in demands for information. The resulting
motion passed unanimously.
A proposal from Audit Services, to
perform annual audits in the future, was
considered.
Reports
Next, the Arts Councils summary of
last years offerings followed by highlights
of the year to come was presented.
Submission of a financial statement
from the Kiawah Conservancy was
acknowledged, followed by unanimous
acceptance of the 2015 HUD Mayors
Challenge, which took a bit of a turn. The
challenge proposes to end homelessness
amongst veterans this very year. As there
are so few homeless veterans currently
camping on Kiawah, the motion gave
council pause to wonder if they would
be on the hook to provide oceanfront
accommodations. In the end, however, it
was treated as a simple proclamation and
passed unanimously.
Correspondence to the Town was
discussed next. A letter to Representative
McCoy and Senator Campsen made its
way into the record. The request for their
support to remove the Confederate flag
from the Statehouse grounds met with the
approval of council and attendees alike.
An Executive Session followed and the
meeting was adjourned.

Tid e Char t
Date

High Tide

Low Tide

Jul 17
Jul 18
Jul 19
Jul 20
Jul 21
Jul 22
Jul 23
Jul 24
Jul 25
Jul 26
Jul 27
Jul 28
Jul 29
Jul 30

9:53am/10:07pm
10:37am/10:46pm
11:19am/11:24pm
12:02pm
12:02am/12:45pm
12:41am/1:29pm
1:24am/2:16pm
2:10am/3:06pm
3:01am/3:59pm
3:55am/4:52pm
4:51am/5:45pm
5:47am/6:38pm
6:42am/7:29pm
7:36am/8:20pm

3:44am/3:44pm
4:25am/4:27pm
5:03am/5:08pm
5:40am/5:50pm
6:16am/6:34pm
6:53am/7:21pm
7:34am/8:12pm
8:19am/9:08pm
9:09am/10:06pm
10:03am/11:03pm
10:59am/11:58pm
11:55am
12:51am/12:49pm
1:42am/1:43pm

Hurricanes, storms, 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.
Source: saltwatertides.com

July 17, 2015

wildlife

Seabrook sees first

hatches of the season
BY TERI HINKEBEIN
For The Island Connection

he Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol has been

anxiously awaiting the arrival of its first turtle
hatchlings and that joyous occasion occurred on
Monday, July 6. July is an especially busy time, with
turtle mamas still laying nests and the first nests laid in
May hatching.

With this
summers heat,
the nests are
emerging a
little earlier,
sometimes only
52 days.

PHOTO BY TERI HINKEBEIN

Once a turtle mama lays a nest, the eggs mature for

approximately 60 days. With this summer's heat, the nests
are emerging a little earlier, sometimes only 52 days. The
Turtle Patrol checks each nest daily for indentations that
indicate there is movement in the nest. Once tracks are
spotted emerging from the nest, the patrol "inventories"

the nest. Inventories are held three days after the first
emergence and involve opening the nest to count the
hatched eggs and releasing any babies that may still be
trapped in the nest. All the collected data is turned over
to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Inventories usually draw a crowd and the Nest #2
inventory on Thursday, July 9 was no different. Patrol
members take time to educate the onlookers about sea
turtles and what they can do to help the babies survive.
Inventories are especially fun when trapped baby turtles
are ushered to their forever home, the sea.

Help Save Sea Turtles

Remove all furniture and tents off the beach

each night
Turn out your outside lights if you live near the
beach
Fill in all holes after a day on the beach and
knock down all sandcastles
Remove your trash from the beach each day
For more information and Seabrook Island Turtle
news, visit siturtlepatrol.com.

July 17, 2015

fundraising

fundraising

Freshfields feeds
kids this weekend

Communities In Schools
welcomes new board
members, officers

STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

he weekend of July 17 through July

20 the community of merchants
in Freshfields Village along with
Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island, are
partnering to fight childhood hunger for
local, hungry school children.
BPBSI is an all volunteer non-profit,
whos mission it is to supply local, hungry,
elementary school children with nutritious
food and snacks for the weekend.
When shopping this weekend look
for the "Proud Sponsor Freshfields Feeds
Kids" and Backpack Buddies logo, and
you too will be helping to feed hungry
children.
The following merchants are donating
a percentage of sales to BPBSI:
Coastal Footwear, Derma Medical
Aesthetics, Holly & Brooks, (Friday
only), Indigo Books, Island Mercantile,
Kiawah Fine Jewelry, Kiawah Spirits,
Kiawah Wine, Lilly Pulitzer, (Sunday
only), Palmetto Island, Featuring Tommy
Bahama, Peyton William Jewelry, Roberta
Roller Rabbit, The Resort Shop, The Spot,
Seacoast Sports and Outfitters, Southern
Sports Presented by Island Tides, Urban
Nirvana Hair, Urban Nirvana Spa.
In addition to percentages above, some
stores are participating in a special and
fun way, they are as follows:
Derma Medical Aesthetics a
percentage of the total number
of microdermabrasion treatments
purchased or pre-paid for from
7/17 to 7/20 as well as gift cards
purchased, which can be used
toward any service or product.
Java Java is donating $1.00 from
each white chocolate cherry latte.
Kiawah Fine Jewelry will donate
15 percent from all Seabrook or
Kiawah bangle bracelets as well as
10 percent from all other sales!
JMcLaughlin is hosting a "Sip N
Shop" on Saturday with 15 percent
of sales to benefit BPBSI,
King Street Grill and Village
Dentistry are making monetary
donations
Ladles is donating $1 from each

cold soup it sells over the weekend.

LaTela is having a Backpack
Buddies Pizza special. All proceeds
from this special pizza will be
donated to BPBSI,
Leggiadro is hosting a $250 raffle
to the store and all raffle proceeds
comes to BPBSI
Lilly Pulitzer Sunday between 12
and 6 p.m.. A mystery gift with
purchase a $150 purchase, a raffle
for all to enter, and sips and sweets.
Peyton William Jewelry hosting a
Sip N' Shop, Friday evening July
17 between 4 and 8 p.m..
Village Optical is donating 25
percent from any sale of their
"Lifestyle Collection" which is
their frame and lens package.
Vincent's Drugstore and Soda
Fountain is having a Backpack
Buddies Banana Split, all proceeds
benefit BPBSI.
Harris Teeter and The Station at
Freshfields are donating food for
the recipients during the school
year.
Wonderworks is donating toys for
the recipients
Unfortunately,
the
previously
advertised event at The Resort Shop, sea
glass jewelry designer, Judith Paixao, will
not be participating this year.

BY ERIN BILLMAYER
For The Island Connection

ommunities In Schools of the

Charleston Area, a dropout
prevention organization that is part
of the national Communities In Schools
network, is pleased to welcome four new
members to its board of directors. Joining
the organization are Ann Marconi, Agent/
Broker with Shoreline International Real
Estate; Harry Sosa, Crime Prevention
Officer with the City of Charleston Police
Department; David Burt, Vice President
of LS3P Associates; and Lynne Bernthal,
President of Benefit Concepts, Inc.
Additionally, the organization has elected
its executive officers for the 2015-2016 fiscal
year. The newly elected chairman is attorney,
Samuel M. Buddy Streit. Lydia Applegate,
attorney at Yarborough Applegate, was
elected to serve as vice-chair. Robert Peiffer,
Administrative Manager for the MUSC
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences, was elected to serve as treasurer and
Dana Collier, Director of Talent Acquisition
and Human Resources at Blackbaud, was
elected to serve as secretary. Jack Mitchell,
Regional Director of AT&T; Art Jones,
Kiawah community leader; and Daniel

Kassis, General Manager-Electric Services

of SCE&G, were also elected to serve on the
organizations executive committee with the
four newly appointed officers.
Communities In Schools surrounds
students with a community of support,
empowering them to stay in school and
achieve in life. Through a school-based
site coordinator, Communities In Schools
connects students and their families to
critical community resources, tailored to
local needs. Working in 2,200 schools
and community-based sites, in the most
challenged communities in 26 states and
the District of Columbia, Communities
In Schools serves 1.3 million young people
and their families every year. Nationally,
Communities In Schools has been shown
through an independent evaluation to be
the countrys only dropout prevention
organization proven to both increase
graduation rates and reduce dropout rates.
Now in its 27th year, CIS of Charleston
serves more than 13,000 students in 25
Charleston and Berkeley County schools.
Visit www.cischarleston.org for more
information.

July 17, 2015

whats hot

arts & events

Seat belt safety

Food & wine celebration

features acclaimed chefs

BY CHIEF GARY LOHR

For The Island Connection

ecent polls identified that teenagers reported fewer risky driving behaviors
who died in passenger vehicle and half the crash risk in the last year as
crashes in 2012, approximately teens who described their parents as being
55 percent were not
less involved.
wearing a seatbelt at
Parents, there are
the time of the crash.
several things that
Six
out
of
10
Only 65 percent of
you should do when it
drivers killed
teenagers
regularly
comes to your teenage
wear their seatbelts as
driver.
Make sure
between the
both a passenger and
that
you
talk
to your
ages 16-20 were
driver. Six out of 10
teen drivers about the
drivers killed between unrestrained and importance of seat belt
the ages 16-20 were
roughly two out usage and remember
unrestrained
and
to lead by example
roughly two out of three of three teenage when driving your
teenage passengers who
passengers who own vehicle. Require
were killed were also
your teenage driver
were killed
unrestrained. Research
to ensure everyone
shows that seat belts
were also
is buckled properly
reduce serious crashbefore the vehicle is
unrestrained.
related deaths and
in motion. Placing a
injuries by about half
piece of tape over the
and yet teenagers
buckle is an easy way
have the lowest seat belt usage rates of to determine if seat belts are being worn.
any group, which will lead to deadly If the tape isnt torn or removed then
consequences.
you may have an issue. Finally, consider
Results from a national survey show limiting or eliminating passengers in
that your parenting approach may even the vehicle until your teen driver gains
save your teenagers life by lowering more experience behind the wheel. This
crash risk. Teenagers who described their will help to eliminate peer pressure and
parents as authoritative (highly supportive help your driver develop the proper skills
and involved, set rules, and monitor) without outside interference.

July 17, 2015

daily

EVENTS OFFER FREE INFO AND

SCHOOL SUPPLIES, RAISE MONE Y F O R T H E PA R K L A N D S F O U N D AT I O N S G E N E S I S P R O J E C T

BY ALLISON R. LEGGETT

BY SARAH REYNOLDS
For The Island Connection

For The Island Connection

evening. The Gala takes place in several

venues at The Sanctuary, starting with a
wine tasting and silent auction, moving
to the Grand Ballroom for more tastings
and a live auction, and finishing with
the festive Champagne and Chocolates
Afterglow featuring a live band, signature
drinks and desserts.
The fun, packed weekend concludes
Sunday with a Farewell Brunch, salute to
the chefs, and a golf outing on Kiawahs
famed Ocean Course. Gourmet & Grapes
tickets may be purchased for the entire
weekend or individual events, and special
room rates are available as well. A range
of sponsorships are also available for all
events.
Since its inception in 2009, Gourmet &
Grapes has raised more than $1,000,000
for cancer research programs at Hollings
Cancer Center. With declining federal
funding, this contribution has proved
invaluable to cancer research conducted
in South Carolina.

Tickets

Gourmet & Grapes tickets may be

purchased for the entire weekend
or individual events. A range of
sponsorships are also available for all
events. For event details, visit www.
gourmetandgrapes.com or contact
the Hollings Cancer Center Office
of Development at 843.792.9335
orgourmetandgrapes@musc.edu.

daily

Back to School Bash in Famed artist, Shepard Fairey,

joins islanders in fight
Hollywood, Johns Island

EIGHTH ANNUAL GOURMET &

GRAPES BENEFITING HOLLINGS
CANCER CENTER TO BE
H E L D AT T H E S A N C T U A R Y

he Eighth Annual Gourmet &

Grapes Culinary Extravaganza
benefiting the Hollings Cancer
Center at the Medical University of South
Carolina is set for February 19-21, 2016,
at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf
Resort. The event showcases the very
best of local and regional cuisine paired
with outstanding wines from around the
world, with the ultimate focus on raising
money for research at the Hollings Cancer
Center at the Medical University of South
Carolina.
Growing in participation and
popularity every year, this festive weekend
boasts a number of events geared to all
levels of appreciation for great food and
wine from casual dinner to connoisseur
with a line-up of top chefs from across
the Southeast and an array of wines.
Throughout the weekend, participants
are encouraged to savor the best in food
and wine offerings while supporting the
Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC in a
number of ways. The effort is supported
through ticket sales, a live and silent
auction, and through generous donations
of time and product from some of the
regions best chefs and wine suppliers.
Designed to encourage interaction,
Gourmet & Grapes also offers a unique
opportunity for the chefs and winemakers
who turn out for this effort to mingle with
patients, physicians, researchers, and longtime supporters of the work at Hollings
Cancer Center.
Events include a Friday evening
black-tie seated dinner featuring a fivestar menu paired with select world
class wines. Saturday offerings include
a culinary luncheon, wine seminars,
and the highlight of the weekend, the
elegant Wine Odyssey Gala held Saturday

amilies in the Johns Island and

Hollywood areas are invited to a free
Back to School Bash in each of the
communities to celebrate the beginning
of a new school year. Two events will
offer free fun, information, and school
supplies, with one also raising funds
for The Parklands Foundation to build
swimming pools.
On Saturday, Aug. 8 from 11 a.m.
2 p.m., the Charleston County Park
and Recreation Commission and The
Parklands Foundation will host a Back
to School Bash and Basketball Showcase
at Schroder Community Center in
Hollywood. Admission is free of charge
for families with school-aged children
(K-12). The highlight of the event will be
a coed basketball showcase, which will
benefit efforts to build pools in areas like
Hollywood through The Genesis Project.
Other activities will include a cheerleader
performance, a mascot appearance, a
jump castle, sidewalk chalk art contest,
haircuts, school supply giveaways, library
card signups, plus music and food.
Schroder Community Center is at 7224
Hwy. 162 in Hollywood.
Then on Thursday, Aug. 13 from
5 8 p.m., CCPRC will host a Back to
School Bash at Haut Gap Middle Schools
Community Recreation facility on
Johns Island. Families with school-aged
children (K-12) are invited to attend for
free. The Haut Gap Recreation Complex
Back to School Bash will serve as an
opportunity for parents and their children
to meet some of the CCPRC Community
Recreation staff, who provide recreational
programming in the Johns Island
community. Parents can learn about
upcoming sports and programs to be
offered in the fall season. Activities will

be set up for children to enjoy including a

jump castle and a climbing wall. Families
can also visit vendor booths on site, and
receive free, donated school supplies while
they last. Haut Gap Middle School is at
1861 Bohicket Rd.
Schroder and Haut Gap Recreation
Complexes are two of three locations
at which CCPRC offers Community
Recreation programming and activities
for local citizens. Developed through a
cooperative effort with the Charleston
County School District, these facilities
offer a full range of recreation programs
that benefit the schools that house them,
local athletic leagues, and the community
at large. CCPRC uses these facilities to
provide recreation, sports, and leisure
experiences the entire family will enjoy,
including summer camps, community
classes and activities for adults and
children, open gym hours, and a variety
of sports programs like football, archery
and basketball. Amenities at Haut Gap
include a basketball court, disc golf
course, multi-purpose ball fields, paved
walking trail, picnic shelter, playground,
tennis courts, and a volleyball court.
Amenities at Schroder include multipurpose athletic fields, gymnasium,
activity rooms, fitness area, picnic area,
and walking trail. St. James Santee
Elementary in McClellanville also houses
a CCPRC Community Recreation site.
For more information on the Back to
School Bash, Charleston County Parks
or the Community Recreation facilities,
visit CharlestonCountyParks.com, call
843.795.4386, or download the Charleston
County Parks mobile app.

against offshore drilling

BY EMILY PERIMAN ABEDON
For The Island Connection

ince news outlets first reported that

seismic testing permits had been
granted off South Carolinas coast,
an anti-drill movement has surged across
the state, with Sullivans Island taking a
lead role among an increasing number
of municipalities, businesses, non-profit
agencies and individuals, who have joined
forces to protect the pristine shore.
The widespread protest is now
experiencing a new proliferation of
support, thanks to the internationally
esteemed artist and Charleston native,
Shepard Fairey, who has donated the use
of his work to the campaign.
Sarah Church, the Sullivan's Island
councilwoman who garnered Faireys
help, is a founding member of Don't Drill
SC-Lowcountry, which has partnered
with numerous other groups, including
Dont Drill NC, the Coastal Conservation
League, Oceana SC, and the Pawleys
Island-based SODAPOP.
We are over the moon to have the gift
of Shepards extraordinary work to create
a visual identity for the united voice that is

Illustration by Shepard Fairey

rising up against drilling, Church said.

For more information on how to get
involved, go to dontdrillsc-lowcountry.org.

July 17, 2015

July 17, 2015

volunteer spotlight

Janet Abbatista
PROVIDING A WARM WELCOME
FOR THOSE IN NEED
BY ZACHARY HUEY

For The Island Connection

Editors Note: Volunteer Spotlight

is a column in The Island Connection
highlighting members of the community who
give their time to help others. If you know of
a volunteer who deserves the spotlight email
jennifer@luckydognews.com.

providing the material resources they

need to overcome the obstacles to their
goals. Lastly the client can give back by
volunteering and playing a crucial role
for the organization. It is at that point
Janet says she feels a true difference
has been made. A client has gone from
receiving services to helping others. The
great change all begins with the smile of a
caring volunteer.
To someone who wants to volunteer,
Janet would say there are so many ways
to get involved, it is nigh impossible
to not find something that works for
ones interests. She encourages any new
volunteer to come to an orientation, learn
more about the organization, and see how
they can be part of making a difference.

ver the past few years Our Lady

of Mercy Community Outreach
has gone through some changes
as the organization has evolved to meet
the needs of an ever-changing public. The
transition to new staff members, increased
programs, and different methods of help
has been successful due in no small
part to amazing volunteers. People like
Janet Abbatista, who has been with the
organization for years, have helped make
the transition possible. By providing
a positive constancy, her presence
exemplifies the importance of volunteers
as the heart of the organization.
Janet has been a teacher almost all
of her life. She worked as a permanent
substitute teacher with North Plainfield
high school for twenty years. Her family
purchased a villa in Seabrook in 1989,
and moved permanently to the Island
in 2006. She was greeted by a friendly,
civic-minded community where most
people volunteered. Through her friends
and acquaintances she learned about Our
Lady of Mercy Community Outreach and
began volunteering. When she arrived,
the organization needed help in the
clothing room on Thursdays and she has
been volunteering there ever since.
Volunteers like Janet are important
for their warm and welcoming presence
to clients. Being personable is not only
important, but also fun. Janet enjoys all
the interesting people she gets to interact
with from staff to clients. The volunteers
never pry into peoples lives, but they
do make a connection. Janet relays one
story about helping a gentleman. When
he comes in, they know he likes to try
on suits so they help him match ties and
jackets taking the time to share. It is a
small thing, but caring helps a person

Phyllis Cafiero and Janet Abbatista in the clothing room.

believe in themselves.
It is a person valuing themselves that
makes the biggest difference in a clients
life. Many clients have barriers to success
which makes it difficult for them to believe
they can reach their goals. However when

they see someone else believes in them,

they can start to believe in themselves.
The self-belief is generated from small, but
important interactions with volunteers.
The organization is then able to engage
with an increasingly optimistic person,

You, too, can get involved with Our

Lady of Mercy Community Outreach and
make a positive change in someones life. For
more information on how to get involved
with Our Lady of Mercy Community
Outreach contact Zachary Huey via phone
843.559.4109 or email zachary.huey@
olmoutreach.org.

10

southern seasons

Corn and Field Pea Salad

BY MARILYN MARKEL
For Island Connection

his simple and original salad melds the flavors of summer

into a refreshing dish that is perfect for sharing on a warm
day. Corn, peas, tomatoes and bell peppers- nothing says
summer more than a colorful dish made from the bounty of the
garden or farmers market.

Ingredients

4 ears of corn (3 cups)

2 cups field peas
1/2 cup soft wheat berries
2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
12 sugar snap peas, sliced thinly on the diagonal
4 green onions, sliced on a diagonal
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup Balsamo's Kitchen 7 salad dressing, or more, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Remove the corn from the cob and toast in a dry pan
until tender, about 4 minutes.
2. Place the corn and cooled peas into a large bowl.
3. Cover the wheat berries with 2 cups of water and cook
until tender (45 minutes to an hour). Add more water if
necessary.
4. Add tomatoes, snap peas, green onions, red pepper and
salad dressing to bowl. Add cooled wheat berries and
season to taste.

July 19, 2015

July 17, 2015

arts & events

Carolina Day celebrated

at Fort Moultrie
STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

ort Sumter National Monument

celebrated Carolina Day at Fort
Moultrie on Sullivan's Island last
month with a weekend of celebrations
including a concert by the 282nd Army
Band from Fort Jackson, SC and living
history demonstrations featuring the
life of a Revolutionary War soldier and
musket demonstrations.

PHOTOS BY STEVE ROSAMILIA.

Carolina Day, observed every

June 28 throughout South Carolina,
commemorates the successful defeat of
British land and naval forces by Carolina
and Virginia patriots on June 28, 1776.
This was the first decisive victory of the
American Colonies in their fight for
independence and prevented the British
from gaining a foothold into South
Carolina for another four years.

12

July 17, 2015

July 17, 2015

13

daily

Growing for the poor and the hungry

F O U N D E D B Y A K I A W A H R E S I D E N T, S W E E T G R A S S
GARDENS FEEDS MANY ON THE SEA ISLANDS

ne mile down Plow Ground Road

on Johns Island between Bohicket
and River Roads sits Sweetgrass
Garden. A small farm where volunteers
raise healthy organic food for those who
cannot afford it, Sweetgrass Garden grows
all kinds of vegetables and flowers which
are donated to various organizations that
distribute the food to those in need. They
also have several beehives.
A resident from Kiawah Island bought
the two-acre property in 2010 when he
saw that people in the area did not have
enough to eat and were not eating well. At
the same time, a non-profit organization
called Sweetgrass Garden was established,
and the property was donated to this
501(c)(3). An eight-member board of
directors currently runs Sweetgrass
Gardens. Dale Snyder has been the Chair
of the Board since the beginning. Jennifer
Wicker is the treasurer and serves as the
volunteer coordinator. Dale has been with
the organization since the beginning.
Jennifer started volunteering in 2011.

BY HANNAH MARKOWITZ
For The Island Connection

PHOTOS BY HANNAH MARKOWITZ

We started talking about it as a

volunteer opportunity at our church,
Circular Congregational Church, which
was founded in 1681 on Meeting Street
in Charleston, Jennifer said. Many of
the volunteers came from the church and
through word of mouth. Jennifer also
created a Facebook page to get the word
out about the farm and to attract more
volunteers. Other volunteers included Girl
Scouts who helped to make signs with the
names of the crops that were planted. The
volunteers work every Saturday morning,
year round and in all types of weather,
including the 100-degree heat we recently
experienced. Dale and Jennifer also get
the word out by setting up a booth at
environmental and bee expos.
Sweetgrass Garden originally gave the
food to the Lowcountry Food Bank in
Charleston. The first year of crops, 6,000
pounds of produce were donated to the
food bank. The farm grows green beans,
cabbage, blueberries, tomatoes, peas,
and peppers. Today, all the produce is
donated to Sea Island Hunger Awareness
Foundation, an umbrella organization
that is linked to eleven local organizations
that help people to receive the food,
including the food pantries at Holy
Spirit Catholic Church and Church of
our Saviour on Johns Island. Sweetgrass
Garden's also process the honey and sell
it locally.
Sweetgrass Garden is self-funding and
is able to continue through donations and
grants.
We received two separate grants of
$10,000 each from the Southeastern
Sustainable
Agriculture
Research
Education Program, which is administered
by the United States Department of
Agriculture," Dale Snyder said. "The
grant helps to pay the taxes and what little
water and electricity we use.
The first grant was to study saltwater
fish composting and its effects on crops
and how they grow. The second grant was
to compare freshwater fish composting to
saltwater fish composting. Donations have
also come in from the Town of Kiawah,
Kiawah and Seabrook Exchange Club,

Johns Island Rotary Club and Circular

Congregational Church. Two fundraisers
a year raise between $5,000 and $6,000
each. Sweetgrass Gardens operates with a
very small budget of $20,000 to $30,000
per year, which is used primarily for the
cost of the supplies, crops, machinery
and equipment, and any repairs, but no
salaries.
Theres a lot of problem solving and
thinking and planning out involved in
running the farm, Snyder said.
The farm also has several buildings.
The architecture program at Clemson
University received a grant three years ago
to build the farm a vegetable washroom,
known as a GAP (Good Agricultural
Practices) shed. Another grant helped build
a state of the art kitchen, or Crop Stop.
This facility is a model the architecture
program used to build a similar structure
in Greenville. The South Carolina
Department of Agriculture inspected
and approved the kitchen so that users

could provide safe food for schools and

institutions. It is a commercial kitchen
that other farmers can apply to use to add
value to their produce. Several businesses
have sponsored the Crop Stop, including
Triangle Char and Bar and Boeing.
Sweetgrass Garden is beginning to
expand its operations. About a year ago,
the farm was offered a lease on another
four acres on Wadmalaw Island. Four
beehives with Russian honeybees are
currently thriving there, including
one beehive that belongs to Jennifer.
Those bees have been working hard and
producing a lot of honey.
Sweetgrass Garden is a great place to
volunteer and to support those who are
hungry. If you are interested in more
information or donating, visit www.
facebook.com/sweetgrassgarden. To
volunteer, come to 3121 Plow Ground
Road in Johns Island any Saturday
morning before noon and you will be
welcome to dig in.

14

roadtrips charleston

July 17, 2015

Get your big city

buzz in Charlotte
BY CAROL ANTMAN

For The Island Connection

Maw maw biscuits with bacon jam.

n 1941, sick and confined to bed,

unable to stand at an easel and paint,
it seemed Henri Matisses artistic life
was over. Critics had labeled him the
wild beast for his startlingly bold colors.
Now he was a broken man. But Matisse
was not bowed. He began each day with
poetry which he compared to oxygen,
just as when you leap out of bed you fill
your lungs with fresh air. From his bed he
began painting with scissors, cutting out
huge color-saturated shapes and arranging
them with the help of his assistants and
grandchildren until they filled his room.
You see, as I am obliged to remain often
in bedI have made a little garden all
around me where I can walk There are
leaves, fruits, a bird. He continued to
create for 13 more years, pushing his art
further than ever. He called it his grace
period. He even attached a piece of chalk
to a long pole and drew the faces of his
grandchildren on the ceiling so he could
look up at them while he went to sleep. I
am deeply contented, happy, he said.

Dunhill Hotel.

Christopher Lawing, Vice President

for Programming and Research for
the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art,
enthusiastically recounted this inspiring
story as we toured the light-filled galleries
where 80 framed prints of these collages
are on display through Sept. 7 as part of
the exhibition The Art Books of Henri
Matisse. Jazz is the most famous with its
imagery drawn from the circus and music

halls. Its considered one of the greatest

illustrated books of the 20th century.
Christopher pointed out Matisses
masterful use of positive and negative
space, how he riffed on philodendron
and his preoccupation with color and
light that fueled his intense joie de vivre.
Mario Botta, the museums architect also
curated light in the diminutive building
where soaring windows frame skyscrapers.
Christopher explained that critics
responded with shock, amazement and
occasional laughter to Matisses work, but
we need artists to shock and awe to move
us forward. We speculated together on
which contemporary artists were moving
us forward now. I left inspired, full of new
ideas.
The exhibit was a perfect introduction
to Charlotte, a big city full of the vitality
and creative energy, where history
combines with modernity. The Dunhill
Hotel is a stellar example. Built in 1929,
the ten-story hotel has been fully restored.
The independent hotel is an Historic
Inn of America. Its refined architecture
with
neo-classical
embellishments
adds character to Charlottes modern
big-city shape. But it is decidedly a 21st
century luxury hotel with all the modern
conveniences in its 60 well-appointed
guest rooms. As downtown Charlotte
pulses and hums around it, the Dunhill
is a quiet, elegant oasis right in its center.
We parked our car upon arrival and never
needed it again. Within walking distance
are many attractions: the Mint Museum,
the McColl Center for Art, Discovery
Place, the Blumenthal Performing Arts
center, the Bank of America Stadium, the
Time Warner Arena, Spirit Square, the
Levine Museum and others. The Dunhill
offers a package with the Bechtler with
discounts and amenities.
In 2014 the hotel challenged Chris
Coleman to come aboard and create a
fresh, new Southern concept that would
put its restaurant The Asbury on the A
list for discerning culinary travelers. A
devout locavore, Chris sources from about
40 local farmers, fishermen and food
artisans. His inspirations are the bounty
of the region, his grandmother and his
sense of humor. I like to mix it up a
little. He tops deviled eggs with cheeky

July 17, 2015

15

roadtrips charleston

Henri Matisse, Le cow-boy (The Cowboy), plate XIV of XX, from Jazz, 1947

fried cornichon, he decorates plates with

colorful nasturtiums and serves a cast iron
skillet of Maw Maws biscuits with sassworthy Bacon-Onion. When the world
seems crazy and nothing much seems to
make sense anymore, turn to Bacon Jam.
It makes comfort foods comfortable
Watch your cares magically melt away.
Creative sparks were also flying up
the street at 5 Church where the hostess
Mercury Arteaga explained, I love this
restaurant. Its more of a museum. The
entire book Art of War was inscribed
on the ceiling! Sea-creature-inspired light
fixtures, undulating sculptures and ironic
murals gave the space a funky, lively vibe
as a young crowd toasted brunch with
mimosas and ate sunny-side egg pizzas.

Word on the street is that this restaurant is

opening on Market Street in Charleston.
Outside the windows teams of crazily
speeding bicyclists were racing a course
through cordoned off streets. The big city
buzz was electrifying.
Ill return to Charlotte again, perhaps
for a girlfriends get-away, NASCAR,
a Panthers or Hornets game, concerts
or culture. A few days in a big city of
skyscrapers and vitality is like a Red Bull
for the mind and Charlotte is only 3
hours away. In a cab after a long night
out that included Margaret Cho at the
Comedy Zone followed by late night
blues at the Double Door, we were happily
satiated by our big-city experience.

Island Connection Calendar

July 17
ONGOING EVENTS
Artists of the Month
See new works at the Seabrook Island
Lake House featuring Artist of the Month,
Brooke Jellison, and Photographer of the
Month, Charles Moore.
Full Moon Bonfire
8:07 p.m. moonrise. 8:32 sunset.
Thursday, July 30; Saturday, August
29; Sunday, September 27. Come on
down for a time of visiting and enjoying
the beauty of Seabrook Island at night.
Well gather just north of Boardwalk 1.
With the completion of the cut and the
abundance of turtle nests near Boardwalk
6, the bonfire will return to just north
of Boardwalk 1. Each person brings
what they want food, drinks, chairs,
and sticks of firewood for a big bonfire.
Nothing will be provided but a beautiful
beach, a bonfire and, hopefully, a full
moon.
Kiawah Island Resort Events:
Mondays: Mingo Point Oyster Roast &
BBQ: every monday 6 - 9 p.m.
Tuesdays: Straw Market Social: West
Beach Straw Market 6 - 9 p.m.
Thursdays: Sunset Raw Bar: At the Ryder
Cup Bar 6 - 9 p.m.
Thursdays: Dive in Movie: Loggerhead
Grill - Sanctuary Pool 8:30 p.m.
Fridays: Family Seaside Buffet: Loggerhead
Grill 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays: Summer Concert Series: Most

Saturdays from 5 - 8 p.m.

Mondays

Monday Bridge Group

9 a.m. at the Lake House. The Monday
Bridge Group needs new players. For more
information, please contact Lori Muenow
at 843.768.2314 or Ilse Calcagno at
843.768.0317.
Seabrook Stitchers
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. June 1 - August 25 at the
Lake House. For more information, please
contact Denise Doyon at dendoyon@
gmail.com.
Farmers Market at Freshfields Village
4 - 8 p.m. Pick from the freshest produce
and local crafts all summer long at the
weekly Farmers Market at Freshfields
Village.
Storytime at Johns Island Regional
Library
10:30 a.m. Mondays, July 20 and 27 is
Babygarten Storytime (under 24 months
with adult). 10:30 a.m. Mondays, July 20
and 27 is Young and Restless Storytime (18
30 months with adult).
Mingo Point Oyster Roast & BBQ
6 - 9 p.m. Continues through August 31.
Enjoy an authentic Lowcountry experience
at Kiawahs most popular family outing.
A riverside oyster roast, an all-you-can-eat
buffet featuring Southern BBQ specialties,

live entertainment, a kids coolzone, live

gator presentations and a local artisan craft
market.

ice cream social by Inn Side Scoop, weekly

wine tastings, a sidewalk sale along the
boardwalk and arts & crafts for kids!

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Mah Jongg Practice

1 - 4 p.m. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesday
of the month. Located at The Lake
HouseOsprey 2. Open to all new
players, those returning to the game, and
anyone else who wants a chance to practice
with others who are learning the game.
If you have any questions, please contact
Helen Thompson at hmtsbsc@gmail.com.
Storytimes at Johns Island Regional
Library
10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: June 16, 23, and
30. Time for Twos (2 3 years old with
caregiver).
Kick it at Bohicket
Every Tuesday night from Memorial Day
through Labor Day. Kick It has been a
HUGE HIT, featuring a jump castle, face
painter, DJ, and shag dancing on the patio!
Come Join us every Tuesday throughout
the Summer! Special thanks to the Town
of Seabrook Island, and the Bohicket
Merchants Association for their support!
Straw Market Social
6 - 9 p.m. Continues through August 11
at the Kiawah Resort. Enjoy an evening
filled with live music, buckets of beer and
dining specials from Southern Kitchen, an

from every Challenge Pass ticket sold

for that day. For more information, or
consideration of your local cause, please
contact Jacqueline@wildblueropes.com.

Lake House Yoga

8:30 a.m. Join us for Rise and Shine Yoga
with Patti Romano, formerly known at
Gentle Flow Yoga. Rise and Shine Yoga
is an all-levels practice focused around
finding your days intention, set up yourself
for success and be ready to shine.

Summer Wonder Workshops

First class: 10 a.m. Second Class: 11 a.m.
Join Wonder Works in Freshfields for their
weekly Summer Wonder Workshops with
various themes and activities. Call the shop
at 843.768.4383 to reserve your spot today.

Freshfields Village family movie nights

8:30 p.m. Freshfields Village is about to get
a bit more star-studded, with 15 weeks of
movies under the moonlight. The weekly
series kicks off May 27 with Big Hero 6,
a Disney Animation adaptation of the
popular Marvel Comics series, and ends
September 2 with Jurassic Park. Perfect
for families with children of all ages, the
Starlight Cinema series features a crowdpleasing movie on the Village Green.

Sunset Raw Bar at The Ocean Course

6 - 9 p.m. through September 3 Kiawah
Resort hosts live jazz guitarists at The
Ocean Course raw bar. Raw oysters on the
half shell, shellfish shooters, ceviche and
lobster rolls are offered along with beer,
wine and signature cocktails. Priced a la
carte.

Bay Creek Park Arts and Crafts Market

9 a.m. - 4 p.m., through October 27. The
picturesque Bay Creek Park in Edisto is
also the setting for the weekly Arts and
Crafts Market, featuring many local
artisans.
Climb for a Cause
Each Wednesday throughout this summer,
Wild Blue Ropes on Folly Road will
designate a local charity to receive $5

Thursdays

Fridays

Photographics Art Shows

4 - 8 p.m. July through August.
PhotoGraphics Portrait Photography and
Art Gallery in Freshfields Village will
be hosting art shows. July 17 & July 24:
Sally Reynolds. July 31 & Aug 7: Sheryl
Stalnaker. Aug 14 & Aug 21: Chris
Rutigiano. Aug 28: Group show.
Concerts on the Village Green
6 - 9 p.m. Enjoy the sweet sounds of
summer every Friday at Freshfields Village
during the Music on the Green concert
series, which features popular acts from
around the Southeast.

Saturdays

TaeBo with Elizabeth

9:45 a.m. Throughout June at The Lake
House. TaeBo is a program combining the
best variety of different exercise disciplines
to provide an overall workout.

Preschool Zone
10:30 a.m. All throughout April. 351
Maybank Highway, Johns Island
Regional Library. 3 - 6 years old must
be accompanied with an adult. Call
843.559.1945 for more information.

Homegrown
10 a.m. 2 p.m. Johns Island Farmers
Market. Every Third Saturday at 3546
Maybank Highway Johns Island.
For more information, visit www.
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com.

Friday Indoor Pickleball

12:30 - 2:30 p.m. at St. Christophers
Camp. For further information, please
contact Mary Torello at 843.768.0056.

2015 Sea Island Cars and Coffee

9 - 11 a.m. The third Saturday each month
at Freshfields Village.

July 25
Sippin Saturdays at Irvin House
Vineyards
12 4 p.m., the winery and distillery
will serve up a different local food vendor
and musical group to entertain locals and
visitors. There is no admission fee, but
patrons are encouraged to bring their cash
and credit for a wide variety of libations
and food options. Bring lawn chairs and
blankets to picnic under the oaks and
relish in the Lowcountry beauty. For more
information, visit www.charlestonwine.
com.

SATURDAY, JULY 18
Special Needs Swim Night
8:30 p.m. At the Whirlin Waters
Adventure Waterpark. People with special
needs and their families are invited to an
unforgettable night at Whirlin Waters
Adventure Waterpark! Enjoy the lazy river,
race down the slides, and take a dip in the
pool. To avoid the line, advanced purchase
is recommended. A paid chaperone is
required for all participants. Fee: $9 per
person/Free: Super Splash Pass Holders
and children ages 2 & under.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22
Invitational Billfish Tournament
As summer hits its peak next month, the
Marina at Edisto Beach will hold the
Invitational Billfish Tournament. This
year, boat participation will be widened

to include those participating in the

Governors Cup Series in addition to
local and regional boats. New activities,
including entertainment, will add to the
draw this year.

THURSDAY, JULY 23
Johns Island Regional Library Book
Sale
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July
23 (members event). 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
on Friday, July 24. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on
Saturday, July 25. Runs through July
25. The book sale will be held at Johns
Island Regional Library. Prices start at 50
cents during this fantastic sale on fiction,
non-fiction, childrens books and more.
Proceeds benefit the Charleston County
Public Library.

SATURDAY, JULY 25
Jump in the Park
12 4 p.m. at the Wannamaker County
Park. Enjoy a day of family fun in the park
meadow. Multiple jump castles on site,
with unlimited jumps available for $5. One
inflatable attraction will be available for 2
to 4-year-olds only. Facepainting will also
be on site, as well as fresh popcorn, ice
cream, and drinks for sale. Park admission
fee is $1 per person or free with the Gold
Pass; $5 for wristband to jump is a separate
charge.

18

computer corner

July 17, 2015

Get set for 10

BY BOB HOOPER

For The Island Connection

uly 29 is the date for the "new, improved

best ever OS" from Microsoft /
Windows. Ask them and they will tell
you this. over and over and over. Makes
you all warm and fuzzy, doesn't it?
I've been watching, reading, testing it
and all in all it is much better than 8/8.1
but that's not saying much. Windows
wants to get so far away from the 8 series
that they jumped 9 and went right to 10
and overall I think it's going to be OK to
buy a new computer with this operating
system (OS). Will I be upgrading my
Windows 7 laptop/desktop anytime soon?
Three months ago I was on the bandwagon
to upgrade after a couple of months of the
product being out, two months ago I was
still there but a bit more cautious. Today
with some of the news as to what 10 will
do in the background I am a bit hesitate to
upgrade an existing computer.
If you own a computer that has
Windows 7 Home OS(or 8/8.1), which
would be most if bought several years ago,
then upgrading to 10 home will disable
your choice as to what can be updated
by Microsoft (Windows). What does that
mean? With 10, the "updates" for 10 will
be installed without you having a choice
and will include the "important" updates
as well as "recommended" and other
updates that Microsoft deems you need.
The "deems you need" part can include
ads for new Windows products, trial apps
that after a period would require you to
purchase, ads for 3rd party vendors, etc.
It could install updates for a product that
you do not want updated, for example a
game that you play and like the way the
layout is, then suddenly you open it and
it looks completely different because it has
been updated overnight. This "benefit" is
to help you keep up to date and since you
are not a "PRO" user you need all the help
you can get, right?
Which leads to what to do if you have
Windows 7/8/8.1 Pro, then upgrading
to 10 Pro allows you to opt out of the
updates and receive only what you want,
including declining anything other than
"important" updates. If you have the
Home version you can upgrade to Pro

prior to doing the free upgrade to 10 and

you will end with 10 Pro. There is an
option to upgrade to 10 Pro at the time
of upgrading from home as well but it's a
bit murky how that works and costs just
under $100.
The other bit of news that seems to be
hiding right in plain view is the collection
of "user data." Hopefully all have heard
of anonymized (anonymous) data, which
is data about general use of products
sent to manufacturers to help in product
improvement which sounds like a load
of hogwash to me! Several websites are
reporting that 10 has the "capability to
track and log keystrokes, capture voice
data and more." Does the term "big
brother" come to mind? Other sites say
this is nothing new as the capture of
anonymized data has been going on for a
while and who cares anyway? It seems that
in today's world the capture of your most
private thoughts through the keystrokes
on your computer or what you might say
to your loved one in the privacy of your
home is "no big deal."
In reality, I think most of these
problems will be addressed once the
product is released to the general public
and Windows gets some serious user
feedback. Android Apple have received
comments and slams about user data
and anonymous data collection, most
have added tools to limit the collection
of that data. iOS for iPads and iPhones
have opt-out options for data collection
and advertising under privacy in settings,
Android is a bit harder to find and does
not limit as much but at least they are
there. My hope is the same will happen
with 10, it may be an opt-out option
which I will happily share here when it
becomes available.
As always if you have questions or need
help you can call or email me, Rent A Bob at
843.822.7794 or email at rentabob@live.
com.