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Volume 10 Issue 20

January 6, 2017

FREE

Saying goodbye to 2016

A

PHOTO BY RALPH SECOY

s the sun sets on 2016, The Island Connection takes a look back over some of the
highlights of the year with a photo essay capturing the spirit of life in Kiawah
and Seabrook islands in 2016. Heres to a happy healthy 2017 for all.

Briars Creek Scholarships

Page 4

Turn to page 6

People You Meet

Page 9

Hoosiers Anniversary

Page 11

January 6, 2017

civic

Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com
Amy Mercer
amy@luckydognews.com
managing editor
Jennifer Tuohy
jennifer@luckydognews.com
contributing editor
Alejandro Ferreyros
senior graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Swan Richards
graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Carla Foxworth
sales executive
carla@luckydognews.com
Staff Writers
Gregg Bragg
Contributors
Bonnie Scapellato
Dimi Matouchev
David Lucas
Valerie Doane
Alan Armstrong
Roberta Boatti
John Benzel
Jennifer Meshanko

Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: Jan. 11 for
submissions for the
Jan. 20 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,

Seabrook Island Town Council

wraps up 2016
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

hose hoping for a shorter Seabrook

Island town council meeting
during the holiday season grew
apprehensive upon being handed a very
busy looking agenda. The gathering got an
early start with the mayor announcing the
opening of public comments on Seabrooks
2017 budget. Mayor Ciancio didnt wait
around, and got right to work approving
three sets of minutes before turning to
the financial report for the month of
November.
Mayor Ciancio reported revenue was
up $119,341 for the month of November.
He credited the abundance to benevolent
timing in the receipt of funds from
accommodations tax (ATAX) and local
option sales tax. The figure puts Seabrook
ahead of forecast by $236,745.09 with
another month left in the reporting
period. Expenses exceeded projections for
the month of Nov. by $14,000. The cost
overrun was largely attributed to roadway
repairs in the wake of Hurricane Matthew,
said the mayor. Expenses are still down
$75,000 for the year to date, and the general
fund boasts $2,146,665. This represents an
increase of $371,666 over last year.
Council member John Gregg reported
the clubs long range planning committee
met on the 28th of Nov. to review their
most recent survey. They met again
the following day to review the same
results with the clubs membership. The
committee will meet again on the 12th of
Jan. to hash out objectives.
Gregg reported the public safety
committee met on the 12th of Dec. They
reviewed emergency contact information
for the refrigerator magnet the town will
distribute to residents, once the project
is approved by council. Gregg seemed
pleased to report updates to the websites
emergency preparation content have been
completed, forwarded to the vendor, and

are already in place. The committee also

reviewed the Comprehensive Emergency
Plan.
The plan had been revised in the wake
of Hurricane Matthew to include lessons
learned from the event. Updates are still
being digested, but should be in place
before the start of the next hurricane
season in June. Changes will begin in
earnest during a meeting to be held on
Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. Gregg also alerted
attendees the Disaster Recovery team is
planning an exercise to be held the 5th
and 6th of Jan. 2017. The exercise will be
overseen by Scott Cave of Coastal Science
Engineering (CSE). The usual array of
county officials will be invited, including;
South Carolina Emergency Management
Division (SCEMD), Charleston County
Sheriffs Department and the St. Johns Fire
District.
Gregg concluded his report for public
safety by saying the town has completed the
process of applying for public assistance to
help defray costs associated with Matthew.
The process is a cumbersome interplay
of SCEMD and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA). However,
if the request is approved, Seabrook stands
to regain as much as 80 percent of their
stated losses. So far, the application seems
to be moving along nicely. Copies of
receipts have been requested and a tour of
the damage is being scheduled for SCEMD
and FEMA representatives.
Council member John Turner reported
another recent test of the towns ham
radio system had vexed him, but seemed
less alarmed than in previous months.
Interference produced by the towns LED
lighting system is now the widely accepted
culprit and while a solution is still being
sought, we can always turn out the lights
in an emergency, Turner said. He also
reported Randy Pierce helped him map

Civic Calendar
Town of Kiawah
Town Council
Meeting
Tue., Jan. 10, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Planning Commission
Meeting
Wed., Jan. 11, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Municipal Center
Committee Meeting
Wed., Jan. 18, 11:30 a.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Public Safety
Committee Meeting
Wed., Jan. 18, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Town Council
Meeting
Tue., Feb. 7, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Ways and Means

Committee Meeting
Tue., Jan. 24, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Planning
Commission Meeting
Wed., Feb. 8, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

CERT Team Meeting

Wed., Jan. 25, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Town of Seabrook
Town Council
Jan. 24, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

News Updates
Online at

facebook.com/
islandconnectionnews

out locations for the marker buoy system,

intended to highlight dog on/off leash areas
along the beach. The system marks a line in
the sand from the dunes into the surf, but a
better fix for mooring is needed. He hopes
to rectify any issues before the Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) arrives to
count Piping Plovers, one of the primary
reasons for the protective system. Turner
concluded his report with a summary of
the Environmental Committee meeting.
They met to review the results of the deer
study. The data showed no population
growth, which would require a cull of the
population at this time, he said.
Council member John Wells reported
meeting with Robert George Engineering
Services on Dec. 7th. Plans for drainage
improvements along Seabrook road
between the town hall and the traffic
circle are on schedule for early February
completion. Wells also took advantage
of the opportunity to thank Obviouslee
Marketing for five years of dedicated
and productive service. Ashley Brady of
Obviouslee stepped in and described 2016
as a productive year. Seabrook continued
advertising with the Charleston Visitors
Bureau, Southern Living Magazine, and
Southwest Airs inflight magazine. She
noted, however, those programs have been
narrowed to the South Carolina/North
Carolina region for better effect.
Council member Skip Crane reported
operations at both Bohicket Marina and
Camp St. Christopher are back to normal
after the hurricane. He said the Seabrook
Island Property Owners Association
(SIPOA) had approved both a strategic
plan and a budget for 2017. He also
reported 1605 subscribers to SIPOAs
Tidelines blog, making it an invaluable
communications tool.
SIPOA recently held a food drive with
a goal of 1,000 pounds, Crane said. The

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
958-4700
City of Charleston
75 Calhoun St.
724-3745

January 6, 2017

civic

community association far exceeded the

mark collecting 3,500 pounds of food
for local pantries. Additionally, SIPOA
approved a special assessment of $210
per property (not per member) to cover
hurricane related expenses. John Turner
observed owners of multiple homes on the
island would need to pay the assessment for
each property.
The report of the ad hoc ATAX
advisory committee was ready in time for
inclusion in the 2017 budget after their
Oct. 26th meeting. Much like last year,
the committee recommended $5,000 for
the Allen Fleming Sr. Tennis Tournament,
$17,000 for Kick It at Bohicket events,
$8,000 for the annual Billfish Tournament,
and $4,200 for overflow parking associated
with the Billfish Tournament. The
committee denied a pair of requests from
the marina for $1,000 in kiosk upgrades,
and $2,000 for message boards.
Reports of town officers were extensive
this month, but handled with the usual
efficiency. The town council meeting
schedule for 2017 was approved, John
Gregg was approved for another year
as Mayor Pro Tem, and town attorney
Stephen Brown of Clement, Young, and
Rivers was appointed for an additional
year. The mayor stated Browns rates were
reasonable, and his performance exemplary.
The Planning Commissions three seats
remained occupied by incumbents, as did
the six seats on the ATAX committee.
However, the Board of Zoning Appeals has
a few changes. Longtime chair Joe Sanders
is retiring his seat amid sincere thanks
from Mayor Ciancio. His seat will be filled
by Robert Leggett, and a second vacancy
will be filled by Walter Sewell.
Minor changes were made to the towns
zoning map and the town decided to
spend slightly more than $3,000 on a Fire
King fireproof filing cabinet. The much
needed filing space will be paid for out

of miscellaneous funds with an existing

balance of $9,000. The conclusion of town
officers reports paved the way for a bit of a
surprise from the utility.
Tim Morawski, the newest member
of the utility commission presented his
first status report to town council. He
apologized for the financials being slightly
behind because Hawthorne Services (utility
management) is upgrading software.
The utility showed positive income of
$25,000 for the most recent period, but
expects an annual loss of $12,000 for
2016. The commission also approved
their annual budget and hopes to add
four new generators for lift stations on the
island. Asked if the equipment was new or
damaged by Matthew, Morawski said it was
new equipment. He did say the equipment
was being considered because of potential
vulnerabilities Matthew revealed, but not
because of damage. He further qualified
this information by saying the equipment
will be purchased throughout 2017
depending on cash flow. He concluded his
report by reminding attendees the utility
was instituting a 6 percent rate increase
in waste water treatment, making a point
to mention this was the first rate increase
since 1996. Kiawahs utility, by contrast,
filed for a 25.57 percent rate increase on
both waste and fresh water on the heels of
an increase in 2012, and future increases
are expected.
There were no ordinances for first
reading putting the 2017 budget at the plate
for a second reading. The measure passed
unanimously (after months of review) with
few questions and little discussion needed,
despite four minor changes.
There were a few informational questions
during the second round of citizens
comments which ended quickly. There
being no further business the meeting was
adjourned in a brisk 50 minutes.

Tid e Char t
Date

High Tide

Low Tide

Jan 06
Jan 07
Jan 08
Jan 09
Jan 10
Jan 11
Jan 12
Jan 13
Jan 14
Jan 15
Jan 16
Jan 17
Jan 18
Jan 19

1:40am/2:11pm
2:47am/3:17pm
3:54am/4:23pm
4:58am/5:25pm
5:59am/6:24pm
6:55am/7:20pm
7:48am/8:13pm
8:39am/9:04pm
9:27am/9:53pm
10:13am/10:42pm
10:58am/11:31pm
11:43am
12:21am/12:28pm
1:12am/1:17pm

8:01am/8:28pm
9:11am/9:29pm
10:18am/10:30pm
11:20am/11:28pm
12:18pm
12:24am/1:12pm
1:18am/2:03pm
2:09am/2:52pm
2:59am/3:39pm
3:48am/4:25pm
4:37am/5:11pm
5:27am/5:56pm
6:18am/6:42pm
7:12am/7:30pm

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

January 6, 2017

daily

Briars Creek McNair Invitational

provides scholarships

daily

When You Retire, Where Can

You Find Investment Income?

Wandering Upstate
elk finds new home

BY DIMI MATOUCHEV
For The Island Connection

For The Island Connection

Eve VanderWeele - Director of Golf, and Jim Coyne

- General Manager at The Golf Club at Briars Creek
present a check for $173,000 on behalf of The Robert and
Janice McNair Educational Foundation and the Members
of Briars Creek to Charleston Collegiate School. Students
- McAlley Burr, Karrington Stoney, Laila Halls, and the
Head of School - Hacker Burr, accepted the check which
will provide up to 18 scholarships to promising students
to attend Charleston Collegiate School. Photo courtesy
Charleston Collegiate School

Collegiate Scholars Program. Scholarship students are at

the top of their class, previously attended at-risk schools,
are leaders on sports teams and in extracurricular
activities, and are on track to attend college often as the
first in their family.
In addition to the scholarships provided, Briars
Creek is also launching a program to offer an internship
and work program for Charleston Collegiate students.
These opportunities will provide a valuable mentorship
experience for students to learn hospitality, caddying,
public relations, and business skills with professionals at
Briars Creek.
Words cant adequately express the gratitude that we
feel towards Briars Creek, Robert and Janice McNair
and the generous members and benefactors who came
together to make the tournament such a staggering
success. The dollars raised for education, as a result of
this tournament, will literally change lives. says Hacker
Burr, Head of Charleston Collegiate School.
The overwhelming support of this tournament
from our members far surpassed our expectations. Mr.
and Mrs. McNair are very passionate about education
and we felt it was very important to support the local
community, while assisting our employees in their
educational pursuits, says Jim Coyne, General Manager
of Briars Creek.

financial focus

BY BONNIE SCAPELLATO

n Wednesday, Nov. 9th, The Golf Club at

Briars Creek hosted the first annual Robert and
Janice McNair Invitational. Seventy-two golfers
participated in the 18-hole scramble raising funds to
provide financial assistance for tuition and other related
college or vocational training. These funds will cover
not only opportunities for Briars Creek employees, but
will also provide financial assistance for deserving PK-12
grade children in the community to attend Charleston
Collegiate School on Johns Island. The tournament
raised over $173,000, which was then matched by Robert
and Janice McNair, making the total amount raised to
over $346,000.
The gifts from the Robert and Janice McNair
Invitational established the Briars Creek Scholarship
Fund which will assist any employee from all departments
at the club. The scholarships will provide tuition assistance
for continuing education that will further the employees
job growth, further the betterment of the club, enhance
the employees future employment opportunities and
other educational endeavors.
The tournament gifts will also provide between 15-18
scholarships for promising students to attend Charleston
Collegiate School. Charleston Collegiate is a PK -12
independent school located on Johns Island. Diversity
is a cornerstone of their educational experience and they
provide support for the areas many different cultural,
racial, and socio-economic groups through the Charleston

January 6, 2017

s an investor, your main goals will

change at different times in your
life. During your working years,
you need to grow as many resources as
possible for retirement. Once you retire,
however, you will likely need to focus more
on getting income from your investments.
But what are your options?
Theres no shortage of incomeproducing investments, of course. You
might immediately think of bonds, which
can provide regular interest payments
and probable preservation of principal,
provided the bonds are considered
investment grade. Still, if interest rates
are low when you retire as they have
been for several years now bonds might
not provide you with as much income as
you need. And just as importantly, the
income you receive from most bonds wont
rise over time, leaving you susceptible to
inflation and the loss of purchasing power.

some stocks have

not only paid but
also increased
their dividends
for many years

Consequently, you may also need to

explore other types of income-generating
vehicles, including dividend-paying stocks
and real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Some stocks have not only paid but
also increased their dividends for many
consecutive years. These stocks have
historically provided the potential for
rising income to help combat inflation
and are typically well-run companies
that strive to reward their investors.
Nonetheless, you need to recognize that
even these stocks are not obligated to pay
you dividends, and they are free to lower
or discontinue them at any time without
notice.

Now, lets turn to a second type of

potential income-producing asset: Real
estate investment trusts (REITs).
Different types of REITs are available.
For example, equity REITs invest in and
own commercial properties, such as hotels
and shopping centers, while mortgage
REITs, as the name suggests, own and
invest in property mortgages. Is one form
of REIT better than another? Theres
no simple answer. On the one hand,
mortgage REITs are considered riskier
than equity REITs. However, mortgage
REITs often pay quite large dividends,
although the payout can be inconsistent.
(Like all REITs, mortgage REITs must
pay 90% of their taxable income to
investors in the form of dividends. Due to
this requirement, REITs generally need to
raise capital to finance their growth plans,
and this necessity can affect their share
prices.)
Other factors, such as changing
interest rates, will affect the value of
mortgage and equity REITs differently.
Specifically, rising interest rates will likely
cause the market value of the property
mortgages inside mortgage REITs to
fall, whereas equity REITs, which own
actual buildings, might actually benefit
if the Federal Reserve raises interest rates,
as such a move would indicate a strong
economy, more jobs and greater demand
for office space. In the short term, though,
even equity REITs can react negatively to
an interest-rate increase. But over the long
term, this movement can be offset by the
benefits of earnings and dividend growth
driven by a growing economy.
Clearly, theres much to think about
when considering potential incomeproducing options such as bonds,
dividend-paying stocks and REITs.
Ultimately, you will need to weigh the
merits and risks of these investments
including interest rate risk, credit risk and
market risk and determine which of
them, or which combination of them, are
most appropriate for your needs.
This article was written by Edward Jones
for use by your local Edward Jones Financial
Advisor.

The now-infamous wandering elk that

visited rural neighborhoods in the Upstate
of South Carolina during November.
Photo courtesy SCDNR

BY DAVID LUCAS

For The Island Connection

fter efforts to encourage the

now-infamous Upstate S.C. elk
to return to its home herd in North
Carolina proved unsuccessful, the animal
has been relocated to the S.C Department
of Parks, Recreation and Tourisms
Charles Towne Landing State Historic
Site, where it will become a part of the
Animal Forest exhibit there.
However, it will be some time before
visitors to Charles Towne Landing
will be able to see the elk, say SCPRT
officials. It will remain under observation
in a quarantine pen under until it is
determined that it is safe for it to join the
other animals in the exhibit area.
People began spotting the young bull
elk, estimated by SCDNR biologists to
weigh about 500 pounds, in late October
at various spots in Pickens County.
Biologists believe the young bull elk was
pushed away from his home territory in
Haywood County, N.C., by larger bulls.
Despite repeated warnings not to
approach or feed the elk, word of the rare
visitor quickly spread on social media, and
photos and video of people doing just that
began to circulate.
This elk is a wild animal and not
domesticated, said S.C. Department
of Natural Resources wildlife biologist
Tammy Wactor. It has become
accustomed to people, so it will
allow people to approach it, but it is

unpredictable, and this behavior can

create dangerous situations.
In order to protect the elk (and the
public), biologists from the SCDNR and
the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
eventually relocated it to a remote part
of the mountains in Oconee County.
When the elk then moved on its own
to a spot near Devils Fork State Park,
biologists were hopeful that it might keep
moving north and rejoin the herd, but
unfortunately, that didnt happen.
The elk was tranquilized Friday
morning, (Dec. 16) in a neighborhood
south of Devils Fork State Park in
Oconee County, said Wactor. It had
been in this neighborhood for the past
two weeks, and did not show any sign of
moving. It had become more aggressive
and was showing no sign of going back
to North Carolina. SCDNR biological
staff decided it was time to move it, and
Charles Towne Landing was willing to
accept the animal.
According to information on the
Charles Towne Landing website, the
Animal Forest is unlike most zoos. While
the animals are still the attraction, their
ties to the history of Colonial South
Carolina is the lesson. The exhibit is
home to a variety of species that inhabited
the Carolinas at the time when Charles
Towne was a newly settled English colony.
Through informational signs along the
paved trail through the exhibit, visitors
are reminded of the challenges faced by
those pioneers, of daily life in a wild world,
of predators and prey . . . as you walk the
trail, you can imagine life this way and
how each of the animals in the zoo played
a role in the lives of the colonists.
Elk were present in the mountains of
the Carolinas and other southeastern states
at the time of European colonization, but
by the 1800s, overhunting and loss of
habitat led to their disappearance. Elk
were reintroduced to the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park in 2001, and
that herd has grown to approximately 150
animals. Legislation passed in 2009 by
the S.C. General Assembly protects elk
in the Palmetto State, in anticipation that
they might eventually begin to show up
here.

Year in review 2016

January

January 6, 2017

March 25 - Freshfields Spring Festival

April 21 - Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Safety Fair

Jan. 31 - OLMCO Outreach Fundraiser

Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach hosted its

19th annual auction and fundraiser. This years event
will be the organizations 20th, and is scheduled for
Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 at the Charleston Marriott.

Freshfields Village annual Spring Festival Weekend

featured live music, food vendors, artwork by the
Seabrook Artist Guild and lots of fun for children and
adults. Including a visit from the Easter Bunny.

March

April

March 19 - Bohickett Backpack

Buddies Chili Cook Off

Addressing the growing need for the Backpack

Buddies program in local schools on Johns Island,
Todd Gerhart of The Ice Cream Boat started this
annual fundraiser. In its second year the event,
which featured chili dishes from St. Johns FD, Urban
Nirvana and Lokal Restaurant, among others, raised
over $28,000. Photo by Teresa Zachary Hill

April 15 - Kiawah Island Motoring

Retreat

The second incarnation of the Kiawah Island Car

show rolled onto the Ocean Course for the weekend.
With over 200 cars participating, the Concourse
raised funds for Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic,
CATR and the Kiawah Conservancy. This years
event is scheduled for April 21 to 23.
Photo by Teresa Zachary Hill

Night Heron Park hosted the first annual Kiawah

Island Golf Resort Safety Fair, an event that brought
together St. Johns FD, Kiawah Island Golf Resort
and Kiawahs Community Emergency Response
Team to stress safety and accident prevention on the
island.

April 25 - BIFMC Celebrity Golf

Invitational

The largest fundraiser for the Barrier Islands

Free Medical Clinic raised $172,000 for the clinic,
attracting 90 golfers and 90 sponsors and donors.

January 6, 2017

April 30 - Seabrook Turns 25

A night of live music, dancing, cocktails and cuisine

marked the Silver Jubilee of the Seabrook Island Clubs
opening in 1991.

May
May 3 - Town Hall Groundbreaking

Kiawah Town Council, staff and guests gathered

underneath a large oak tree on Betsy Kerrison Road
for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the towns new
Municipal Center, scheduled for completion in 2017.
Photo by Michael Cyra - KiawahIslandPhoto.com

May 13 - Gullah Celebration

Sea Island Hunger Awareness Foundation raised over

$115,000 at its second annual Gullah Celebration at
Freshfields Village. The monies raised go toward local
charities working to end hunger on the Sea Islands,
including Backpack Buddies of Seabrook, Meals on
Wheels and Sweetgrass Garden Co-Op.
Photo by Eileen DAgostino

June

September

June 16 - Disaster Awareness Day

Sept. 17 - Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Triathlon

Seabrook Island Club hosted the islands Disaster

Awareness Day bringing together local safety organizations
and municipalities to help the islands prepare.

The fourth annual triathlon started with a splash with an

ocean swim, followed by a 25 mile bike ride and 6 mile
run. The Lowcountrys largest triathlon, the event featured
428 individuals and 38 relay teams.
Photo by Jamie Cathcart

July
July 4 - Fourth of July Celebrations

Celebrations swept the islands as both Seabrook and

Kiawah got into the holiday spirit with festive parades,
parties and family friendly events.
Photo by Ralph Secoy

August
Aug. 31 - Naturally Kiawah Pathways
launches

A new app helping locals and visitors get the most out
of the islands history and nature debuted this month.
The Naturally Kiawah Pathways app, which provides five
guided tours of the islands, is available on the Apple App
store or Google Play. The program was developed by the
Kiawah Conservancy.

Sept. 21 - Sea Turtle Recovery Center

Breaks Ground

A much-needed expanded South Carolina Aquarium Sea

Turtle Hospital took its first step toward concrete reality,
with a ceremonial groundbreaking at the South Carolina
Aquarium. Opening in May 2017, the Recovery Center
will replace the Madagascar experience and will provide
a glimpse into how the aquariums sea turtle hospital
continues its mission of conservation and care.
Photo by Steve Rosamilia

October
Oct. 2 - Lowcountry Beer & Wine
Festival

The 10th annual festival at Freshfields Village benefited

the Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic.

Oct. 22 - 10th Annual Dogtoberfest

November

January 6, 2017

Seabrook Island Tree Lighting

Nov. 7 - Veterans Day Golf Tournament

Seabrook Kiawah Exchange Club raises $10,000 with

its 5th Annual Seabrook Island Veterans Day Charitable
Golf Tournament. The monies were donated to the Fisher
House and Veterans Hospital.
Photo by Ralph Secoy

Nov. 10 - Alan Fleming Sr. Open

Tournament
The Dogs, Dine and Wine Pet Expo at Freshfields Village
is hosted by Kiawah Island Community Association and
presented by the Charleston Animal Society. The event
brings together pet rescue organizations from around the
Lowcountry and offers the chance to adopt or support
these organizations worthy causes.

The annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony at the

Lake House came complete with smores, hot dogs,
hot chocolate and holiday music by Bob Becker, plus a
special guest appearance by Santa.
Photo by Ralph Secoy

Dec. 6 - Kiawah Elects a new mayor

Oct. 7 - Hurricane Matthew

The category 1 hurricane arrived at the barrier islands

on Friday, Oct. 7, bringing with it strong winds, heavy
rains and much flooding. Thankfully both islands suffered
minimal damage, with most homes spared, although
many trees were downed and there was significant
erosion and flooding damage across Kiawah and
Seabrook.
Photo by Gregg Bragg

The National Championship level tournament returned

after being pushed into November by Hurricane Matthew.
Photo by Ralph Secoy

December
Holiday Festivities at Freshfields
Councilmember Craig Weaver becomes Kiawah Islands
new Mayor following an election on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

The Freshfields Holiday Festival - which was actually

in the last weekend of November! - attracted lots of
attendees to enjoy the free festivities and holiday cheer.
Photo by Ralph Secoy

Happy New Year!

From The Island Connection

January 6, 2017

people you meet

Using a camera like a paintbrush

BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

rie deZanger, a Kiawah resident,

was born in New York City (circa
a while back) and found his
calling before most of us were allowed to
date. He discovered photography when he
was twelve, which led him to the School
of Performing Arts. SPA was a featured
program of Metropolitan High School,
akin to what we now might think of as a
magnet school. People think photography
is a matter of go snap but a camera is a tool
just like a paintbrush, says deZanger.

People think
photography
is a matter of
go snap but
a camera is a
tool just like a
paintbrush
Arie deZanger
After graduation he declined a scholarship
to Trinity College and apprenticed with
Morton Berger Advertising instead where
he learned about fashion photography, still
shots, and what made em work, he says.
Eventually opened his own studio.
The resume deZanger assembled in
the following years is more finely tailored
than the regimented formats of today.
There are no dates of service, summary
of responsibilities or titles, but simply a
list of accomplishments. It is a very long
list, requiring a two page accounting. For
example, he fulfilled advertising campaigns
for Lancome, Sears, Bulova, Glaxo, Chevas,
Campbells, Dannon, Citibank, Ralston
Purina, Diners Club, AARP, and dozens
of others. The list of publishers he worked
for is a whos who in the industry including;
McGraw Hill, McMillan, Dutton, Golden
Books and American Heritage, to name a
few. He was also the artist behind 30 books.
Two of deZangers favorites are Time/
Life Foods of the World, and Time/Life
Wines and Spirits. He winks when he says
what a shame it is all the pictures for the

Arie and Wilma deZanger

Wines and Spirits were out of focus, but

you can visit www.ariedezanger.com and
judge for yourself. deZangers acclaim grew
through engagements with such papers
and magazines as The New York Times,
Newsweek, Fortune, People, Money, and
others swirled into the mix. His renown
extended beyond the U.S., too, and he
shared a newspaper clipping written by
Magda Sabet (date/periodical unknown)
celebrating his arrival in Beirut, with a
headline singling him out as one of the
worlds best photographers.
deZangers reputation, combined with
New York Times experience, made him a
hot commodity in the print news business.
Six months after marrying Wilma deZanger,
he moved to Florida and found himself in
an interview with the Fort Lauderdale News
(currently the Fort Lauderdale Sen-Sentinel),
who hailed him as the boy wonder in a
subsequent press release (late 1950s). The
managing editor offered me a salary of $150/
week. I politely informed him I made that
much for a single picture in New York, but
we worked it out, and I was there for several
years. One of my favorite assignments was
the HNLMS Karel Dorman.
The HMS Venerable was originally
commissioned in 1944, and the UK sold
the 20 ton, 192 meter long aircraft carrier
four years later to the Netherlands. In 1959
the HNLMS Karel Dorman steamed into
Fort Lauderdale and deZanger was literally
on deck to cover the event for the Fort
Lauderdale News. However, he wouldnt stay

in dry dock forever, and took his camera back

on the road, and even into the sky. Assigned
to produce marketing materials for the Tahiti
InterContental Hotel (ICH), deZanger was
forced to think even more creatively than
usual, which meant a helicopter.
You enter this hotel at the top [floor]
and go down, which makes [shooting] it
more difficult. The French Airforce was kind
enough to help with a helicopter. There was
a pilot, co-pilot and a third guy to hold onto
me. We removed the door and agreed on
a series of hand signals [to direct the flight
path], and off we went, with me hanging out

of the door upside down. It wasnt until we

landed that we realized none of us had been
strapped in, said deZanger. Not every hotel
project was as accommodating.
A similar assignment took him to the
Mandarin ICH in Hong Kong. I always
introduced myself to the general manager
when I arrived. Tony Ross was British, and
very gruff! I told him I needed 6 stand-ins
and 5 professional models for the shoot.
He said he wasnt going to pay for that, NY
[corporate] has some nerve, and who did I
think I was. He went on like this for nearly
ten minutes. I waited for him to finish and
said, Im still going to need 5 professionals.
He acquiesced, and it must have gone well
because when Ross opened a new coffee
shop, I was the first person he asked for,
deZanger recalled.
deZanger was an active member and
eventual president of the resident advocacy
organization, the Kiawah Property Owners
Group, and contributed to their monthly
newsletter. His photographs have also set
the tone for local charities like the Arts Etc.
Art & House Tour.
Wilma and I have been together for 58
years. We went everywhere together. She
helped with logistics, and did food prep
for the cookbooks we produced. I couldnt
have done it without her. I would love to
relive my life if I could marry the same
woman, deZanger concluded.

arts & events

January 6, 2017

Learning how to capture

wide open spaces

Kenny McKeithan

BY VALERIE DOANE
For The Island Connection

ne of the Seabrook Island Photo

Clubs (SIPC) favorite local
photographer and guest lecturer
is Kenny McKeithan and hes back
to kick-off our 2017 season. Kennys
presentation on "Wide Open Spaces,
Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Better
Landscape Photography" targets beginner
to intermediate level photographers.
Kenny will cover equipment, composition,
intimate landscapes, night photography,
HDR, panoramic photography and
post processing. Theres something for
everyone in Kennys lecture.
Although completely self-taught,
McKeithan has 25 years experience in
photography and photo finishing and
possesses a wealth of knowledge that he is
eager to share. His interest in photography
goes back to his pre-teen years when his
parents bought him his first box camera.
He spent many of his early years in the
business working for local photo retailers
but has since moved on to a position
that enables him to share his technical
expertise. Kenny McKeithan Photography
teaches hands on photography workshops
in the field with day trips locally and 4
and 5-day outings to North Carolina,

West Virginia, Tennessee and Florida.

He is an award winning nature
photographer whose portfolio contains
"a little bit of everything" Among
McKeithan's favorites are aviation,
fashion, glamour, and portraiture, but he
has always been drawn to the outdoors.
His images have appeared in Charleston
Magazine, Art Mag, Camera in the Wild,
Where Magazine, and on greeting cards
and calendars. McKeithan is a regional
co-coordinator for the Carolinas Nature
Photographers Association and an
instructor with The Charleston Center
for Photography. Currently living in
Summerville, he is a native to the Low
country, born and raised (as they say) on
James Island.
This January meeting is open to all
Seabrook Island residents without charge.
The Club will be collecting 2017 dues
of $30 for its regular members and new
members. If you enjoy this presentation
and would like to become a member of the
club, membership forms will be available
at the meeting. For more information go
to: seabrookislandphotoclub.com

January 6, 2017

arts & events

Hoosiers celebrate
200th anniversary

The cake celebrating the 200th anniversary of Indianas admittance to the union. Photo
by Val Doane

BY ALAN ARMSTRONG
For The Island Connection

he 6th Annual Seabrook Island

Indiana Day celebrated the 200th
anniversary of Indianas admission
to the union. On Dec. 11, 1816 Indiana
was admitted to the union and 40 Hoosiers
gathered on that same date in 2016 to
commemorate the event. Festivities
kicked off in the afternoon with a good
old Hoosier Hayride at Legare Farms on
Johns Island. Later in the day the group
moved to the Oyster Catcher Community
Center for dinner, drinks, games, auction,
and singing.
During dinner, the participants were
treated to the music of famous Hoosier

composers Cole Porter and Hoagy

Carmichael. After dinner, the senior
Hoosier attending the event, Sam Reed,
had the honor of cutting the 200th
Anniversary Cake.
The winning Quiz Team was composed
of B.J. Schlieier, Ron Ciancio, Nancy
Bryant, Cindy Willis, Joan Reed, and
Kimber Smith. The event concluded with
the usual singing of Back Home Again
in Indiana. The Organizing Committee
is composed of Sam Reed, Jim Bannwart,
Pat Greubel, Cindy Willis, Max Willis,
and Alan Armstrong.

January 6

Mondays

WHAT: Seabrook Island Bridge Group

WHERE: The Lake House
WHEN: 9 a.m.
MORE INFO: The Monday Bridge
Group needs new players. For more
information, please contact Ilse Calcagno
at 843.768.0317.

Tuesdays

WHAT: Seabrook Island Mah Jongg

Practice
WHERE: The Lake HouseOsprey 2
WHEN: 1 - 4 p.m. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
Tuesday of the month.
MORE INFO: 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.
WHAT: Bookmobile
WHERE: Freshfields Village
WHEN: The first Tuesday of every month
from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: The Charleston County
Bookmobile will be parked in the lot
behind Heges and Java Java.

Wednesdays

WHAT: Lake House Yoga

WHERE: The Lake House
WHEN: 8:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Rise and Shine Yoga with
Patti Romano, formerly known at Gentle
Flow Yoga. Rise and Shine Yoga is an all-

January 25

Island Connection Calendar

levels practice focused around finding your
days intention, set up yourself for success
and be ready to shine.
WHAT: Kids Art Classes, Acrylic on
Canvas
WHERE: 3280 Loft at Bohicket Marina,
1897 Andell Bluff Way, Seabrook Island
WHEN: 10-11 a.m.
MORE INFO: ages 3-12, $15,
843.494.8784, 3280loft.com

WHERE: The Lake House, Live Oak Hall

WHEN: 1 p.m.
MORE INFO: You are welcome to bring
your favorite snacks or refreshments. Water
and popcorn will be provided.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10

WHAT: Indoor Pickleball

WHERE: St. Christophers Camp
WHEN: 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: contact Mary Torello at
843.768.0056.

WHAT: SC History Series: The Grand

Skedaddle: Refugee Conditions in Civil
War South Carolina
WHERE: Johns Island Regional Library,
3531 Maybank Highway
WHEN: 10:15 a.m.
MORE INFO: (young adults and
adults) The movement of Federal troops
through our state during the years 18611865 displaced thousands of people and
disrupted traditional food production
and distribution networks. As the war
raged on, many people struggled to find
the basic necessities of life. Join CCPLs
historian, Dr. Nic Butler, for a discussion
of the civilian conditions related to South
Carolinas largest refugee crisis.

Saturdays

THURSDAY JANUARY 12

Fridays

WHAT: Adult art classes, multimedia

WHERE: 3280 Loft at Bohicket Marina,
1897 Andell Bluff Way, Seabrook Island
WHEN: 10 a.m. - noon
MORE INFO: $40, 843.494.8784,
3280loft.com.

WHAT: Homegrown
WHERE: 3546 Maybank Highway Johns
Island.
WHEN: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Every Saturday
MORE INFO: visit
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com.

Sundays

WHAT: Sunday Afternoon Matinees

WHAT: Sea Islands Parkinsons Care

Partners Support Group
WHERE: Church of Our Saviour at 4416
Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island
WHEN: 12:30 p.m. monthly on the
second Thursday of each month
MORE INFO: This group is open to
all who are Care Partners to someone
with Parkinsons Disease. To learn more

about this support group, contact Susan at

deandrsj@comcast.net.

PRICE: $18/$15 CCR Discount/$12 Move

IT Pass Holder

FRIDAY, JANUARY, 13

WHAT: Fred Hersch Trio

WHERE: Turtle Point Clubhouse
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Sponsored by the Town
of Kiawah Arts and Cultural Events. An
eleven-time Grammy nominee, Fred Hersch
is a select member of jazzs piano pantheon.
He is a pervasively influential creative force
who has shaped the musics course over
more than three decades as an improviser,
composer, educator, bandleader, collaborator
and recording artist. In addition to the
eight Grammy nominations he has received,
Fred Hersch continues to earn jazzs
most prestigious awards, including recent
distinctions as a 2016 Doris Duke Artist
and 2016 Jazz Pianist of the Year from the
Jazz Journalists Association.

WHAT: The Seabrook Island Garden

Club
WHERE: Seabrook Island Lake House
WHEN: 9:30 AM
MORE INFO: Be sure to join the next
club meeting as we welcome our special
guest and speaker Sara Petrowski from
Hyams Garden Center in Charleston.
Sara will lead the discussion on how to
Snazz Up Your Winter with new colorful
planters. We hope to see you there! For
information on membership please contact:
Nancy Wair at: nwair@neo.rr.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14
WHAT: Unveiling McLeod Plantation
Historic Site: Radical Reconstruction at
McLeod
WHERE: McLeod Plantation Historic Site
WHEN: 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.
MORE INFO: Reconstruction in
the South for some carries a negative
connotation. However, facts reveal a
compelling story. Investigate McLeod
when it was occupied by the federal
government and how the government
protected freedom on James Island. A
registered and paid chaperone is required
for participants ages 15 and under. Preregistration required.
Course # 48832. Age: 8 & up

WHAT: Harriets Return: Based Upon

The Legendary Life Of Harriet Tubman
WHERE: Dock Street Theatre, 135
Church Street, Charleston, SC
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Harriets Return is a
full theatrical production (approx. 90
minutes - 15 minutes intermission) that
takes audiences on a deeply personal,
high energy journey into the private and
public life of this famed Underground
Railroad conductor, spiritual icon,
revolutionary, and entrepreneur, whose
life spanned nine decades and still
influences the consciousness of people

throughout the world. This show has

been performed throughout the country
and this production will mark the long
awaited Charleston premiere, presented by
Charleston Black Theatre in association
with the Office of Cultural Affairs.
For ticket information: http://conta.
cc/2hFVOXF.

THURSDAY JANUARY 19
WHAT: Sea Islands Parkinsons Support
Group
WHERE: Church of Our Saviour, 4416
Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island.
WHEN: 5:00 p.m. monthly on the 3rd
Thursday of each month
MORE INFO: We will have a short
meeting at which April Goyer, a trainer
at the Lake House who has worked
with Parkinsons people, will talk to us.
Following our short meeting, we will have a
social from 5:30-6:30. We are asking people
to please bring an appetizer or a beverage
(wine, beer, soft drinks, water, etc.) to
share. For more information, please contact
Floyd at deandrsj@comcast.net.
WHAT: Hello Pops: A Tribute to Louis
Armstrong feat. Wycliffe Gordon
Quintet
WHERE: East Beach Conf. Center.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Sponsored by the Town
of Kiawah Arts and Cultural Events.
Renowned musician and composer,
trombonist WYCLIFFE GORDON,

brings to life some of the most popular

Louis Armstrong songs in this tribute
to Pops. Backed with a variety of
instruments, the WYCLIFFE GORDON
QUINTET pays tribute to the legendary
Louis Armstrong while bringing their own
artistic vibes and original songs.
WHAT: Photography Series: Sunrise
Session
WHERE: McLeod Plantation Historic
Site
WHEN: 7 a.m.-9 a.m.
MORE INFO: Bring your camera and let
a park naturalist lead you to inspirational
locations. A registered and paid chaperone
is required for participants ages 15 and
under. Pre-registration required. Course #
48657. Age: 12 & up
PRICE: Fee: $9/$7 CCR Discount/$5
Move IT Pass Holder

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22
WHAT: The Kings Counterpoint
WHERE: Church of our Saviour
WHEN: 4:00 p.m.
MORE INFO: Sponsored by the Town of
Kiawah Arts and Cultural Events. Join us
on Kiawah Island in welcoming The Kings
Counterpoint, a unique professional vocal
ensemble. Based out of Charleston, South
Carolina, The Kings Counterpoint main
mission is the variety and beauty found in a
capella music. The group specializes in the
performance of sacred and secular music
from the Middle Ages through the modern

era, combining polyphony, literature, art

and dialogue to create exceptional music
all within a historical context.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25
WHAT: Introduction to Islam
WHERE: Johns Island Regional Library,
3531 Maybank Highway
WHEN: 11 a.m.
MORE INFO: What is Islam? Who was the
Prophet Mohammed and what are the duties
of a Muslim? Learn about the Quran, the
holy book of Islam, the Hadith (an integral
part of Sharia law) and what they say about
social issues, including womens rights.
Presented by Penny B. Travis, PhD.
WHAT: Bill Charlap Trio
WHERE: East Beach Conf. Center
WHEN: 7:30pm
MORE INFO: Join us for an unforgettable
evening on Kiawah Island with celebrated
jazz musicians, pianist Bill Charlap along
with bassist Peter Washington and drummer
Kerry Washington as they create an evening
of spectacular jazz music featuring songs off
of their new album, Notes from New York.
Dont miss out on your chance to see this
celebrated group of talented artists! Join us
at the East Beach Conference Center on
Kiawah sponsored by the Kiawah Arts and
Cultural Events Council. $10 tickets are
available beginning Jan. 11, 2017, and can be
purchased online at kiawahisland.org/specialevents or in person at Kiawah Island Town
Hall 843-768-9166.

14

January 6, 2017

arts & events

Whats your perspective?

ARTIST GUILD WORKSHOP WITH
WA LT E R C Z A N D E R
BY ROBERTA BOATTI
For The Island Connection

alter Czander, painter and

former Vice President of
Education for the Seabrook
Island Artist Guild will teach a free,
member mini-workshop on perspective
and how to render it. The workshop is for
guild members only and will be held on
January 19 from 2:00 4:00 p.m. in the
Eagles Nest room at the Lake house.
Czander will discuss employing
perspective in your drawings and how
to scale up from a small picture to a
larger picture. The class will learn how
to construct various types of perspective
projections. This process will equip
students with a more acute sense of
observation and feeling for form, resulting
in more convincing and realistic drawings.
The second part of the class will focus
on how to use the ruler for scaling up
from a small picture, or a subject in a
picture to a larger drawing. Participants
should bring paper, pencil, eraser and an
image to enlarge.
Czanders passion for art started
in high school and was nurtured by
Margaret Sullivan, a renowned artist and
instructor. After a career in engineering

Artist Walter Czander

that focused on the planning, concept and

design of buildings for the pharmaceutical
and chemical industries, he retired to
Seabrook and pursued his early dream of
becoming an artist. Walter paints a variety
of subjects in oils, acrylic and watercolor.
As a member of the Artist Guild
since 2007, Walter has responsibility
for the monthly hanging of the Guild
members artworks in the Lake House
Hallway Gallery and coordination of the
monthly art classes taught by fellow Guild
members.
For more information on the workshop
contact Walter Czander at 843.768.9086 or
ccczander@bellsouth.net. To learn more about
the guilds events, workshops and membership
please visit www.seabrookislandartistguild.
com

arts & events

Experience Opera Lite

at Seabrook
BY JOHN BENZEL

For The Island Connection

eginning in 2002, the intriguing

world of opera its history,
development over 400 years, cultural
context, and performance has been
presented on Seabrook Island during the
fall and winter months. Many residents
and guests have enjoyed these sessions.
But it is hoped that many more, perhaps
unaware of their existence, will choose to
include them in their Island activities.
The Opera Lite series runs for 9-10
weeks from January thru March and
again from September to November. All
sessions are FREE and previous exposure/
knowledge of opera is not necessary.
Indeed, newcomers are encouraged to give
it a try.
Each opera is self-contained in the 90
minute session with the opera shown in an
abridged fashion featuring the high points.
Each week brings a different production
with the works ranging from current to
vintage. These sessions are informal and
fun with performances supplemented by
text subtitles in English. The voices and
acting are amazing. You may be surprised
how dramatic and enjoyable this art form
can be.
I was inspired to create this program
because my own exposure to opera came
late. I am not a musician, and spent my

career as a physician specializing in blood

disorders. I was a classical music fan during
my teenage years, but shunned opera until
I heard Pavarotti. He exposed me to some
truly fantastic works of art which stirred my
interest in opera history and performance.
I first presented this material at a senior
learning center in Delaware and brought
it out again when we moved to Kiawah in
2001, where I also run sessions.
Join us Thursdays from 3:30 p.m.
to 5:00 p.m. for enjoyment mixed with
enlightenment as we bring back our Opera
Lite Series beginning January 5 thru
March 9.
Schedule of Operas:
1/5 - Luisa Fernanda
1/12 - Carmen
1/19 - Don Carlo Part I
1/26 - Don Carlo Part Ii
2/2 - Roberto Devereux
2/9 - Tannhauser
2/16 - The Bartered Bride
2/23 - La Rondine
3/2 - The Barber Of Seville
3/9 - Legacy Of The Ballet
The series will be located in Osprey 2
For more information, please contact me
at 843.768.1174 or jdocbenz@gmail.com.

15

January 6, 2017

volunteer spotlight

Dr. Ralph Principe

Dr. Ralph Principe with Roper St. Francis nurse, Kelsey

Low.

BY JENNIFER MESHANKO
For The Island Connection

r. Ralph Principe has been involved with Our

Lady of Mercy Community Outreach since its
inception and continues to help those in the
local community. Growing up in Kenosha, Wisconsin,
Dr. Principe looked up to and respected the towns
family physician. This role model sparked his interest in
medicine. Dr. Principe set an example as the first person
in his family to go to college.

Education is very
important. With
education, you
can do whatever
you want

Education is very important. With education,

you can do whatever you want, says Dr. Principe. He
graduated from St. Louis Universitys School of Medicine
in 1964. During his time in St. Louis, he met his wife,
Tissy, and theyve been married for 54 years. They have

three children and four grandchildren.

After graduating from medical school, Dr. Principe
completed a rotating internship at a Navy hospital in San
Diego, California, followed by Navy flight school for six
months. He then served as a flight surgeon for two years.
In 1971, Dr. Principe completed a three-year residency
in obstetrics and gynecology. The Navy sent Dr. Principe
and his family to Charleston for a two-and-a-half-year
commitment. After six months of living in Charleston,
his wife stated that they were not leaving and have been
living here ever since. In 1973, he got out of the Navy and
soon joined a practice in Charleston.
In 1989, Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach
was established, and Dr. Principe was asked to serve on
the Board of Directors. After his retirement in 2003,
he volunteered to care for the OBGYN patients. He
enjoys volunteering at the Wellness Center, because its
the ideal situation to take care of people. Dr. Principe
says, Patients receive outstanding care and are offered
the same level of service as in private practice. With the
support of Roper St. Francis Hospital, eligible patients
are able to get their medical needs addressed without
worrying about finances. As a volunteer, Dr. Principe is
able to focus on the patient, without the business-related
distractions. He encourages potential volunteers to visit
our facilities and come see what we do!
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 amy@luckydognews.com. If you d like to get
involved with Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach
email jennifer. meshanko@olmoutreach.org.