19
PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID CHARLESTON SC PERMIT NO 437 POSTAL PATRON ROBERT YELLIN Page 8 Rent A Chick Volume 6 Issue 23 March 8, 2013 FREE SINCE MAY 2007 Page 15 Cirque Du Soleil Charleston Page 18 Dolphin Photographer Awarded T ucked back off of Betsy Kerrison Parkway, surrounded by oaks and tulip poplars and azalea bushes, rest the memories of life on Johns Island from centuries ago. Travel back to 1870 and take a walk through Walnut Hill School House, a one room building used to educate white children living on the southwestern end of Johns Island. You’re likely to find students sitting on benches, writing on chalkboard slabs while listening to their teacher lecture on arithmetic, spelling, or literature. No calculators. No electricity. No projectors or overheads or whiteboards. e building may seem small and simple now, but back then, it contained a world full of knowledge. Long after the days of the Civil War, Walnut Hill continued to educate students until the 1930s, when it began being used as a courthouse. Around the same time, the former schoolhouse also operated as a newlywed home, explains Colin Cuskley, founder of the Johns Island Conservancy. “Couples would get married and before they had a place of their own, they would live here,” he says. “If the building needed Memories of Johns Island WALNUT HILL SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM BOASTS NEW EXHIBIT BY HANNAH DOCKERY School House continues on page 3

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Page 1: The Island Connection - March 8, 2013

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ROBERT YELLIN

Page 8 Rent A Chick

Volume 6 Issue 23 March 8, 2013FREE

Since May 2007

Page 15 Cirque Du Soleil Charleston

Page 18 Dolphin Photographer Awarded

Tucked back off of Betsy Kerrison Parkway, surrounded by oaks and tulip poplars and azalea bushes, rest the memories of life on

Johns Island from centuries ago. Travel back to 1870 and take a walk through

Walnut Hill School House, a one room building used to educate white children living on the southwestern end of Johns Island. You’re likely to find students sitting on benches, writing on chalkboard slabs while listening to their teacher lecture on arithmetic, spelling, or literature. No calculators. No electricity.

No projectors or overheads or whiteboards. The building may seem small and simple now, but back then, it contained a world full of knowledge.

Long after the days of the Civil War, Walnut Hill continued to educate students until the 1930s, when it began being used as a courthouse. Around the same time, the former schoolhouse also operated as a newlywed home, explains Colin Cuskley, founder of the Johns Island Conservancy. “Couples would get married and before they had a place of their own, they would live here,” he says. “If the building needed

Memories of Johns IslandW A L N U T H I L L S C H O O L H O U S E M U S E U M B O A S T S N E W E X H I B I T

BY HANNAH DOCKERY

School House continues on page 3

Page 2: The Island Connection - March 8, 2013

The IslandConnection

Lynn Pierottipublisher

[email protected]

Hannah Dockerymanaging editor

[email protected]

Swan Richardssenior graphic designer

[email protected]

Lori McGeesales manager

[email protected]

Jerry Plumbgraphic designer

[email protected]

ContributorsChad KellySarah Diaz

Lisa StewardPatty Bennett-Uffelman

Janet SegalBrenda TilsonFalph SecoySC AquariumJohn NelsonAlan GreenBob Hooper

Published byLucky Dog Publishingof South Carolina, LLC

P.O. Box 837 Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482

843-886-NEWS

Future deadlines: March 13 for submissions

for the March 22 issue

Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Lucky Dog News or its writers.

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC Publishers of Island Eye News,

The Island Connection

Civic Calendar

CIVIC

Seabrook Council continues on page 3

Kiawah island Town hall

21 Beachwalker DriveKiawah Island, SC 29455Phone: 768-9166Fax: 768-4764

seabrooK island Town hall

2001 Seabrook Island RoadSeabrook Island, SC 29455Phone: 768-9121 Fax: 768-9830 Email:[email protected]

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. Charleston958-4700t

CiTy of CharlesTon

75 Calhoun St.724-3745

2 March 8, 2013

Mayor Holtz called the meeting to order and approved the minutes from January 22, 2013.Financials

Mayor Holtz reported that business licenses and checks are continuing to come in, so it is hard to determine the budget the first few months of the new year. “I can’t complain,” he said. “The objective is to spend our money wisely.” Holtz said that there would not be much to discuss until a better financial base is developed. He congratulated the Council for building up the emergency fund to $1,004,000. Landscaping Improvements

Nick Strehle of Sunburst Landscaping addressed Council regarding several landscaping issues on the island that the Mayor wanted him to look at, specifically in regards to flooding during high tide and heavy rains. Strehle said that in order to alleviate flooding, he plans to install flapper valves onto existing drainage pipes around Seabrook and Bohicket that would allow water to flow outward, but not inward. Mayor Holtz asked if this would prevent the giant puddles from forming on the roads, and Strehle said that it would help, specifically in regards to overall safety. “Normally we don’t have this type of flooding,” Strehle said. “This February we had the second highest rainfall on record.”

Holtz made a motion to approve $29,270 needed to address drainage and landscaping issues. Councilman Ciancio suggested adding additional contingency funds. Council unanimously approved moving $45,000 from the general fund into the landscaping fund to address additional landscaping issues outside of the preexisting contract.Completion of I-526

Councilman Reed reported that the environmental permits needed to complete I-526 should be secured by mid-2014. A Request for Proposal was sent out for the proposed greenway, but there were no responsive bidders on the project. “I think

it’s in limbo at this point,” Reed said. Johns Island Superstreet

Councilman Reed said that he has received several negative comments regarding the Superstreet at the intersection of Highway 17 and Main Road on Johns Island. Reed said that he hopes representatives from the Department of Transportation will make an effort to present the plans and findings to Council. Charleston County Council approved the $3.5 million project unanimously. Mayor Holtz said that his biggest concern with the project had to do with the evacuation route. “The back up on Johns Island during an emergency is tremendous,” he said. “I don’t see how this could work easily.”Fire Commission

Reed continued to report that things have “settled down” at the St. Johns Fire District. The governor approved the addition of two commissioners from Kiawah, John Olson and Craig Weaver.Bohicket Merchants Association Request for Funding

Councilman Ahearn said that the Bohicket Merchants Association, being a part of the Town of Seabrook Island, requested funding to support activities like “Kick It at Bohicket” during the summer months. The event includes face painting, jump castles, music, and other family-friendly activities. The BMA is requesting $700 a week for the stretch of the summer, coming up just shy of $10,000. In providing funding for the event, Seabrook will become an official event sponsor. Ahearn expressed concern over potential liabilities that may be incurred from the jump castle. “We’re trying to measure out how effective this will be in the future, if we do approve it. It’s hard to quantify,” he said. Ciancio suggested having BMA come up with a contract, and assuring that they have adequate insurance in

place. Ahearn commented that the Town’s communication efforts are in place to make Seabrook Island more known. “It’s not in support of any group, it’s to get people out here to see what we have,” he said. “All of us are going to sell our house at some point, or have it sold by estate. We need people to be interested in buying that house.” Reed said that the Town was walking a fine line, because a lot of the reason people find Seabrook appealing is because it is quiet. Ahearn agreed, and noted that the publicity efforts could be shut down at any point.Branding Initiative

Ahearn said that the Branding Initiative is still in the process of coming up with a tagline for the Town, and has hired Obviouslee Marketing to help with their efforts. “It will be quiet the next couple of weeks, and nothing will happen from our end,” he said.New Hotel at Freshfields Village

Ahearn reported that the new “boutique hotel” in Freshfields Village is scheduled to open in January or February next year. The hotel will be called the “Andell Inn.”HAM Radio Class

Councilman Cummin reported on the success of the Town sponsored HAM radio training class that took place over the weekend of February 23 – 24. Instruction involved 12 hours of PowerPoint presentations covering over 350 questions. Mayor Holtz dropped by the class to wish the participants “good luck” and thank them for their efforts. Six volunteer examiners conducted testing and 14 out of 15 students passed, garnering a 93 percent success rate. The Town provided coffee and danishes for breakfast, and boxed lunches included

Wednesday, March 14Kiawah Communications Committee10:30 a.m.Kiawah Town Hall

Seabrook Planning Commission2:30 p.m.Seabrook Town Hall

Monday, March 19Kiawah BZA4 p.m.Kiawah Town Hall

Tuesday, March 20

Kiawah Public Safety Committee

3 p.m.Kiawah Town Hall

Tuesday, March 26Kiawah Ways & Means Committee9 a.m.Kiawah Town Hall

Seabrook Town Council2:30 p.m.Seabrook Town Hall

Monday, April 2Kiawah Environmental Committee3 p.m.Kiawah Town Hall

Seabrook Town Council – February 26, 2013

Page 3: The Island Connection - March 8, 2013

CIVICSeabrook Council continues from page 2

www.islandconnectionnews.com

March 8, 2013 3

none other than ham sandwiches. Seabrook Island now has 26 licensed HAM radio operators. Councilman Ciancio and Town Administrator Pierce both took the class and passed the exam. The cost of the class came in around $1,277, which composed of $781 for food and $440 for manuals. “I am very pleased with the results of all this,” Cummin said. “We have been planning this since 2011.”

Bond Anticipation NoticeCouncilman Ciancio says that

Council should plan to have a second reading of the bond anticipation ordinance in April, due to the 60-day waiting period required for activation. The Town will work with the McNair Law firm to authorize and prep an ordinance which would authorize anticipation of a bond or bond notes in case of an emergency, with the principal amount at $4 million. “This

is not something we would anticipate using,” Ciancio said. “It’s only in the event of an emergency. We are not making a commitment, we are preparing ourselves to make that decision at a later date,” he said. The cost of preparing the ordinance and assisting in the negotiation process is $4,500. Council unanimously approved the motion to engage with McNair Law Firm in prepping and executing an ordinance regarding bond anticipation.

Water and Sewer CommissionJeff Bostock reported that January

financials were within expectations. “Operations are normal…nothing unusual at all,” he said. The treatment project is complete and all new facilities are operating.

The next Seabrook Town Council meeting will be Tuesday, March 26, at 2:30 p.m.

Dear Editor, As The Island Connection is a leader

in driving local culture, we need your support, and the support of your readers, in our Spread the Word to End the Word campaign to help make a stand against a word that has gained popularity in culture, but is offensive to many. The “R-word” or “retard(ed)” has found a place in common language and seems to be accepted by most, despite the fact that its use, casual or otherwise, is hurtful to millions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those that love them.

The word hurts, even if it is not directed at a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For too long, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have had to overcome the challenges society has put forth through stereotypes. It is time for a change and you and your readers can help.

Special Olympics South Carolina athletes and Best Buddies participants accomplish great things, are members of our local communities and churches and deserve the same respect and dignity that each of us expects from others in return in our daily lives.

Help drive much needed change that will bring acceptance and inclusion to our community – include the R-word into your “Not Fit to Print” publishing guidelines alongside other hurtful and profane words. Your paper reaches thousand of people in the Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Goat Island, and Dewees Island community and with that influence you can help us get all of those members of the community to take the pledge at www.r-word.org. If the role of a local leader like Charleston Post & Courier is to inform and effect positive change in the community, what better way than helping us to Spread the Word to End the Word and in turn,

create communities of acceptance and inclusion for all people? Please, we need you and your readers to pledge at www.r-word.org.

Sincerely, Paula ByersSpecial Olympics South CarolinaMontgomery RdCharleston

Dear Editor,For years developers and others

promoting a four lane highway through the forests and farms of Johns Island have used the code words “safer roads “ to promote their agenda of building the oddly named “Greenway.”

In the January Seabrook Island Town Council meeting Councilman Sam Reed reported he heard the PGA

announced they would not bring any more tournaments to the area unless there were “safer roads.”

That might be convincing enough to sway some County Council members to favor the Greenway if only it was true.  Make up your own mind about the veracity of such a statement after considering the words of Mr. Kerry Haigh, PGA spokesman and Chief Championship Officer, “ I would again like to reiterate that we have no intention and absolutely no desire to dictate, mandate or request any potential venue to change their infrastructure simply to accommodate an event.  If it is the desire of the people within a community to support or make any changes then it is solely their choice.”

Harry PolychronLong Bend DriveSeabrook Island

Letters to the Editor

Page 4: The Island Connection - March 8, 2013

4 March 8, 2013SARAH’S BIRDS

The Bonaparte’s Gull is a small gull, which spends winters throughout the coastal United States. Along the East coast, this species is often confused with the Laughing Gull. The Bonaparte’s Gull, unlike the Laughing Gull, has prominent

black ear spots in its nonbreeding plumage. It is also notably smaller than a Laughing Gull. During the winter, Bonaparte’s Gulls congregate in huge groups that sometimes number in the thousands. Large “rafts” of Bonaparte’s gulls are regularly seen in the Great Lakes and in the ocean close to the shoreline. In the nonbreeding season, this species feeds mostly on aquatic invertebrates and the occasional small fish, while, in the breeding season, insects are common food items. In the Spring, Bonaparte’s Gulls migrate to Canada and Alaska, where they breed secretively in scattered coniferous forests close to water sources. This species is the only gull that nests in trees. Both males and females participate in building the nests, incubating the eggs, and feeding the young. Breeding pairs become fearlessly aggressive and have been known to attack humans or other perceived predators that come within a half-mile of their nests. Due to their unusual breeding behavior and their tendency to nest in high trees, relatively little is known about the habits of this unusual species.

Bonaparte’s GullBY SARAH DIAZ

Page 5: The Island Connection - March 8, 2013

www.islandconnectionnews.com

CHARLESTON COLLEGIATE

“I really can’t explain how I feel, the outpouring of support has been overwhelming,” says Dianne

Dulin, when describing her experience with Charleston Collegiate School on Johns Island. “We love CCS so much, I really don’t know how to describe it.”

Dianne and her late husband Gary Dulin have been dubbed CCS’s “Number One Fans” due to their dedication to the school’s basketball teams, riding on the players’ bus to attend every game last year, including the state tournament playoffs where the Sun Devils advanced to the semi-finals.

They were back in their front row seats this season, cheering on their team with as much enthusiasm as the students themselves. 

So when Gary passed away unexpectedly last month, the entire school community rallied to show just how much he is missed.

“We will all miss Gary, and the basketball players have decided to dedicate their season to his memory,” says Head of School Hacker Burr. “He was a wonderful person, with an infectious smile and a great sense of humor.”

At the hospital, Dianne and Gary were presented with a basketball signed by all the players during his final hours.

“I went down to the ICU at Roper to visit with Gary and Dianne, and I can’t tell you how appreciative Dianne was,” says Burr. “Gary was unconscious, but I’m hoping he could hear us. He was in bed with the basketball that the players had all signed, and Dianne was sitting by his side.” That same basketball was placed next to the urn at his funeral and Dianne says that it will be buried alongside her and Gary when she passes.

“There’s something different about Charleston Collegiate,” Dianne says. “It’s a very special place, it’s impossible to put into words. What they are doing at that school is so unique, I’ve never seen a school like it.”

The Dulins, who have vacationed on Kiawah and Seabrook Islands for the past 30 years, became involved with Charleston Collegiate when their grand-niece entered the preschool class two years ago. 

Avid college basketball fans, their nephew invited them to attend one of the varsity boys’ basketball games and

they quickly became enamored with the talented group of young players whom seldom lost a game and displayed amazing sportsmanship on and off the court. From that point on, they were hooked and never missed a game.

“We rode the bus with the players to games,” she says. “I have never met such a polite group of kids and such a close-knit school community where everyone sincerely cares about each other.”

It’s that level of caring that has touched Dianne so deeply since her husband’s passing. 

“The love people have shown, it’s not just the kids but the whole school,” she says. “This school has just wrapped its arms around us.”

“At a time when family is so important, our family (CCS) was able to give theirs tremendous love and support, and this makes me very proud of who we are as a school,” says Burr. “I am thankful for the amazing community in which we have the opportunity to work, learn and grow.”

Dianne returned to Charleston last week from her home in Maryland to attend the state play-off games.  “I feel the need to come back,” she said. “I’m so excited to see the kids.” 

 

Number One FansC H A R L E S T O N C O L L E G I AT E R E C O G N I Z E S

S U P P O R T F R O M M A R Y L A N D C O U P L EBY LISA STEWARD

The Dulin’s, dubbed CCS’s Number One Fans, support the boys at a basketball game.

The kids at CCS, and the community at large, show support for Gary and Dianne.

March 8, 2013 5

Page 6: The Island Connection - March 8, 2013

6 March 8, 2013

www.islandconnectionnews.com

DAILY

For most of us lucky enough to have pets, the saying that our pets are our family members strikes a

familiar tone. When our pets become ill, or injured, we want the very best medical care possible.

The good news is, veterinary medicine has truly evolved over the last fifteen years to be able to provide highly trained veterinarians outside of university settings. When I started in general practice thirty years ago, it was extremely difficult to provide advanced care without clients driving hours to regional veterinary centers. Today, many general practice (family) veterinarians are highly trained, and have access to advanced care training and continuing education. Private specialty hospitals, where veterinarians that have gone on for post graduate advanced training and degrees are more common and available than ever before.

Our specialists mirror those in human medicine. People are always amazed when we tell them we have board certified veterinary Neurologists and Neurosurgeons, Cardiologists, Internists, Oncologists, Criticalists, Dermatologists, Ophthalmologists, Surgeons, Dentists(!), Behaviorists, and more. Because of the

brilliant doctors and their training, we are able to save more lives than ever before.

As many of you have undoubtedly experienced there can be significant financial costs to many of these situations. What you may not know is that there are now more credible insurance plans to assist in the event of a medical crisis. Only one percent of Americans have pet health insurance. There are approximately fifteen million dogs and cats in the US. There are a lot of pets that need to be insured.

Like insurance in general, for years these plans were confusing, expensive, and quite frankly, not worth it. I never used to recommend pet health insurance as the fine print was endless, and client satisfaction was low. In all fairness I need to alert you to the fact I was recently asked to be on the Advisory Board of Trupanion Pet Health Insurance. I happen to believe that Trupanion is the most practical plan out there and the easiest to understand. For those of you who are interested, there are independent web sites that compare companies (http://www.topconsumerreviews.com/pet-insurance). Trupanion and some of these other companies do not cover wellness care. I believe if you are going to insure your pet

it should be for serious illness or accidents, not wellness. The average pet owner in the US will spend about four to five hundred dollars per year for preventive and wellness care. Complicated and serious medical and surgical conditions can run into the thousands of dollars.

Insurance premiums vary from company to company. Some vary with deductibles. Some are determined by zip code ( e.g. the cost of veterinary care in Los Angeles is significantly higher than Indianapolis). Many of the websites are designed to put in your pet, breed, age, zip code, etc, and you can get quotes. Some of the companies offer free 30 day trials. We know of one client that signed up for that, and unfortunately the puppy got loose and broke his leg. Ninety percent of that medical bill was covered before the client paid a single premium. We do not recommend getting the most out of your insurance plan in that way.

Frequently, the most heart wrenching and difficult part of being a veterinarian is being faced with a pet owner that wants to proceed with a treatment or a surgery, but cannot afford to. The reality of providing great veterinary care is that like any business, a hospital owner cannot

afford to give services away. The costs of staffing, equipping and running a large hospital are sobering. Because of the emotional component to what we do, we are sometimes expected by some to be the solution. I believe we need to do a better job at educating pet owners about the fact that with ownership comes financial responsibility, and there are many reasonable options to protect yourselves and your pet families when serious medical and surgical problems arise.

I urge all pet owners to investigate pet health insurance as a viable protection from serious and catastrophic illness. I urge veterinarians to do more when it comes to educating their clients about the reality and availability of pet health insurance. Like other types of insurance, we hope you never need to use it. For the sake of our beloved pets, however, I strongly feel better safe than sorry.

Dr. Alan Green is the owner and Chief of Staff of Charleston Veterinary Referral Center. CVRC is a state of the art 24-hour emergency and Specialty Center located in West Ashley. You can reach them at 614-VETS (8387) or visit them online at www.CharlestonVRC.com.

Pet Health Insurance: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

BY ALAN E GREEN DVM

Page 7: The Island Connection - March 8, 2013

March 8, 2013 7

www.islandconnectionnews.com

WHAT’S HOT

Tide Cha r t

Date High Tide Low Tide

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.

Mar 8Mar 9Mar 10Mar 11Mar 12Mar 13Mar 14Mar 15Mar 16Mar 17Mar 18Mar 19Mar 20Mar 21

Source: saltwatertides.com

5:11am/5:25pm 6:07am/6:21pm7:58am/8:12pm 8:44am/8:58pm 9:28am/9:42pm 10:09am/10:23pm 10:50am/11:02pm 11:29am/11:42pm 12:10pm12:23am/12:53pm 1:08am/1:42pm 1:59am/2:36pm 2:55am/3:34pm 3:55am/4:33pm

11:15am/11:34pm 12:07pm12:29am/1:56pm 2:20am/2:41pm 3:08am/3:24pm 3:53am/4:05pm 4:36am/4:45pm 5:19am/5:24pm 6:01am/6:03pm 6:44am/6:45pm 7:31am/7:33pm 8:22am/8:26pm 9:19am/9:26pm 10:16am/10:26pm

Over the last few weeks we have gotten a lot of rain. One problem with this is in many areas our

man made or natural drainage is not equipped to handle this amount of run off. This leads to flooding so I would like to take a moment to remind everyone of some safety tips when in or approaching flooded areas.

According to NOAA on average 94 people die in flood related incidents, there were 113 people who died in 2011 due to flooding alone. Of these deaths 63% were while driving, 15% fell into the water, 7% were trying to go through the water by walking, running or swimming, 4% were boating, and 6% were unknown/other. Most people think they are safe from flooding in their home but 4% of the fatalities related to flooding in 2011 were in their home.

Things to remember: 1. Do not walk through flowing water – Drowning is the number one cause of

flood related deaths. Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.

2. Do not drive through water – More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Do not drive through water as the condition of the road may have changed or be washed out.

3. Stay away from power lines – Electrical current will travel through water and lines may still be energized.

4. Turn off your electricity – Electrical appliances and wiring needs to be dried, cleaned and checked prior to using after getting wet.

5. Watch for animals – Many animals will try to seek shelter in your home or vehicle.

6. Look before you step – Flood water will move debris from one location to another. You may have broken glass, nails, etc in the area where they normally are not.

7. Gas leaks – The water may have damaged gas connections, piping or tanks. Even if you do not have gas at your home a neighbor may. Do not use candles, lanterns or open flames to inspect for damage instead use a flashlight or other battery operated device.

8. Carbon monoxide – Always use generators, other gas operated machines, camping stoves, gas grills and charcoal outdoors.

9. Don’t drink the water – During a flood the water, municipal supply or wells, may become contaminated. Make sure you boil or purify all nonbottled water prior to using.

9. Clean everything – Debris is not the only thing floating on/in the water, you will also have sewage, oils, trash, spoiled food, dead animals, and medicines. Therefore if it got wet clean it.

10. Take care of yourself and your family – Have and practice a plan for flooding before, during and after the flood.

11. Pay attention – Weather reports and warnings are issued to protect you and your family. Please do not ignore the warnings.

As always if you have any questions, would like a fire and life safety program or need a smoke detector installed feel free to contact the St. John’s Fire/Rescue, Fire Prevention Division.

St. Johns Fire Department is located at 3327 Maybank Highway, Johns Island. For more information, contact Captain Chad Kelly at 864-4384.

Flood SafetyBY CAPTAIN CHAD KELLY

Page 8: The Island Connection - March 8, 2013

CIVICSeabrook Council continues from page 2

www.islandconnectionnews.com

March 8, 2013 3

none other than ham sandwiches. Seabrook Island now has 26 licensed HAM radio operators. Councilman Ciancio and Town Administrator Pierce both took the class and passed the exam. The cost of the class came in around $1,277, which composed of $781 for food and $440 for manuals. “I am very pleased with the results of all this,” Cummin said. “We have been planning this since 2011.”

Bond Anticipation NoticeCouncilman Ciancio says that

Council should plan to have a second reading of the bond anticipation ordinance in April, due to the 60-day waiting period required for activation. The Town will work with the McNair Law firm to authorize and prep an ordinance which would authorize anticipation of a bond or bond notes in case of an emergency, with the principal amount at $4 million. “This

is not something we would anticipate using,” Ciancio said. “It’s only in the event of an emergency. We are not making a commitment, we are preparing ourselves to make that decision at a later date,” he said. The cost of preparing the ordinance and assisting in the negotiation process is $4,500. Council unanimously approved the motion to engage with McNair Law Firm in prepping and executing an ordinance regarding bond anticipation.

Water and Sewer CommissionJeff Bostock reported that January

financials were within expectations. “Operations are normal…nothing unusual at all,” he said. The treatment project is complete and all new facilities are operating.

The next Seabrook Town Council meeting will be Tuesday, March 26, at 2:30 p.m.

Dear Editor, As The Island Connection is a leader

in driving local culture, we need your support, and the support of your readers, in our Spread the Word to End the Word campaign to help make a stand against a word that has gained popularity in culture, but is offensive to many. The “R-word” or “retard(ed)” has found a place in common language and seems to be accepted by most, despite the fact that its use, casual or otherwise, is hurtful to millions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those that love them.

The word hurts, even if it is not directed at a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For too long, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have had to overcome the challenges society has put forth through stereotypes. It is time for a change and you and your readers can help.

Special Olympics South Carolina athletes and Best Buddies participants accomplish great things, are members of our local communities and churches and deserve the same respect and dignity that each of us expects from others in return in our daily lives.

Help drive much needed change that will bring acceptance and inclusion to our community – include the R-word into your “Not Fit to Print” publishing guidelines alongside other hurtful and profane words. Your paper reaches thousand of people in the Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Goat Island, and Dewees Island community and with that influence you can help us get all of those members of the community to take the pledge at www.r-word.org. If the role of a local leader like Charleston Post & Courier is to inform and effect positive change in the community, what better way than helping us to Spread the Word to End the Word and in turn,

create communities of acceptance and inclusion for all people? Please, we need you and your readers to pledge at www.r-word.org.

Sincerely, Paula ByersSpecial Olympics South CarolinaMontgomery RdCharleston

Dear Editor,For years developers and others

promoting a four lane highway through the forests and farms of Johns Island have used the code words “safer roads “ to promote their agenda of building the oddly named “Greenway.”

In the January Seabrook Island Town Council meeting Councilman Sam Reed reported he heard the PGA

announced they would not bring any more tournaments to the area unless there were “safer roads.”

That might be convincing enough to sway some County Council members to favor the Greenway if only it was true.  Make up your own mind about the veracity of such a statement after considering the words of Mr. Kerry Haigh, PGA spokesman and Chief Championship Officer, “ I would again like to reiterate that we have no intention and absolutely no desire to dictate, mandate or request any potential venue to change their infrastructure simply to accommodate an event.  If it is the desire of the people within a community to support or make any changes then it is solely their choice.”

Harry PolychronLong Bend DriveSeabrook Island

Letters to the Editor

Page 9: The Island Connection - March 8, 2013

www.islandconnectionnews.com

MYSTERY PLANT

Answer: “Trailing Arbutus” “Mayflower” Epigaea Repens

March 8, 2013 9

Gardeners will tell you that the soil has a lot to do with what will grow in it. One aspect of

understanding the nature of soils involves their chemistry, specifically concerning the organic matter and the minerals within it, and whether they are naturally acidic, or alternatively circumneutral, or “basic.” The more acidic a given soil is, the more likely it is that many plants will have a hard time absorbing nutrients from it. That is why, for the garden, acidic soils are frequently improved by the addition of substances like lime. (If you are serious about gardening, you probably need to test the soil you are working with. Your local Extension Office will know how to do this, and then give you recommendations for improving it.)

Some plants, though, prefer acidic soils. A good example would be most members of the rhododendron, or “heath” family, or “Ericaceae”. This week’s mystery plant is a member of this large, well-known plant group.

This is a low, evergreen plant, technically a small shrub, which creeps along the ground. The genus name means “upon the ground”, which is a good way to describe it. It has hairy stems, and stiff, leathery leaves. Although it’s an evergreen, some of the leaves at the end of the winter are a bit tattered and browned. It really does prefer acidic soils, especially in sandy or rocky places. This species is very widely distributed across eastern North America, from Labrador to central Canada, and then as far south as Florida. In the Carolinas it is most common in the sand hills of the fall-line counties, and also in the mountains, but it is also probably present in all the piedmont counties as well. Down here where I live, it usually begins blooming in late February (we have one very early blooming specimen at the

Herbarium from early February, 1938), and it’s a cheerful reminder that winter is just about over. Farther north, it blooms somewhat later, as you might expect, and well into May. The blossoms are pink, or sometimes white, and there are five of them, fused at the base into a short tube, and then projecting into prominent lobes. There will be ten tiny little stamens inside the corolla. The pink flowers are magnificent, and have one of the most

exquisite fragrances in nature: charmingly sweet. Of course, if you do find some of this in bloom, you’ll have to get down on your elbows and knees…or maybe even lower…to enjoy it.

In the Southeast, this species is probably not as common as it once was, due to habitat destruction: it can’t stand much disturbance wherever it grows. And, it is usually doesn’t survive being transplanted

from the wild, so please don’t dig up any. (Mother Nature and Plantman thank you!)

John Nelson is the curator of the A. C. Moore Herbarium at the University of South Carolina, in the Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia SC 29208. As a public service, the Herbarium offers free plant identifications. For more information, visit www.herbarium.org or call 803-777-8196.

Rhododendron RiddleBY JOHN NELSON

Photo by Linda Lee

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10 March 8, 2013Island Connection Calendar March 17FRIDAY, MARCH 8Seabrook Island Garden ClubThe Garden Club will host John and Nora Wise, owners of Garden Wise and Nursery Center on Bohicket Road. John and Nora will be speaking about “Container Gardening, Recipes for Success.” The Garden Club meets the second Friday of each month at the Lake House, beginning at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and conversation, followed by a brief business meeting, with special presentations beginning at approximately 10:20. All members of the community are invited to attend.

Charleston Storytelling FestivalThis inaugural festival brings together the best storytellers from across the nation, region, and lowcountry. Presented by Charleston County Public Library. Wragg Square. 342 Meeting Street, Charleston. For more info, call 805-6930. Poetry Society of SC: Keith FlynnKeith Flynn, founder and editor of The Asheville Poetry Review, has authored four collections of poetry, most recently The Golden Ratio (2007). His poems have appeared in The Carolina Quarterly, The Colorado Review, Crazyhorse, Rattle, and hundreds of others. He has been nominated six times for the Pushcart Prize, was awarded the Paumanok Poetry Prize in 1996, and has given thousands of performances from his work across North America and abroad. In 2005 and 2006, Flynn served as the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet for North Carolina,

working to promote the cultural importance of poetry in his home state. Readings are free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Charleston Library Society. 7 p.m. 164 King Street.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9Preservation Walk: Mausoleum of Magnolia CemeteryJoin Adrienne Jacobson of Glenn Keyes Architects and Hillary King of Bennett Preservation Engineers as they lead a tour of this remarkable landscape, and highlight the efforts to save the Receiving Tomb, a 2011 Seven to Save site. Magnolia Cemetery Gatehouse. 70 Cunnington Avenue, Charleston. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

HGTV Dream Home on KiawahTour the HGTV Dream Home on beautiful Kiawah Island. All proceeds benefit Communities In Schools of the Charleston Area. This 3,000-square-foot Platinum LEED Certified home is located in Indigo Park. Generous views of tidal waterways and a spacious rear deck with a “plunge” pool are a sight to see! Don’t miss your chance to tour this elegant Southern home. Tour schedule: March 9, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., March 10, noon – 5 p.m. Last tour begins at 4 p.m. Tickets $20.

COVAR MeetingCOVAR will meet at the Lake House from 10 a.m. to noon. Topics will include: an open discussion about the Sense of Place Final Report, a demonstration of gotomeeting.com

software mentioned in February’s COVAR CORNER article in the Seabrooker which allows involvement of non-resident members or traveling members to participate in Regime/Association business, Wayne Billian will discuss changes and distribution of the Exchange Club Phone Books, an update of Freshfields Hotel, and election of officers for 2013-2014. All are invited to attend.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10Late Night with Leonard BernsteinThis is a multi-media highly personal program, hosted and narrated by the composer and maestro’s daughter, Jamie Berstein, who will be with us in person. Program is an affectionate portrait and recital of Bernstein’s most intimate and favorite music (including works by Copland, Schuber, and Chopin), personal stories, and more. Program debuted a year ago at a sold-out performance at Lincoln Center in New York. This genius and these world-class performers will dazzle audiences. 7:30 p.m. Church of Our Savior. 4416 Betsy Kerrison

Pkwy, Johns Island.Chefs Feast Benefiting Lowcountry Food BankThis benefit is held each year to raise money for childhood hunger programs on behalf of Lowcountry Food Bank. Featured dishes included popular items by lowcountry chefs including Marc Collins of Circa 1886, Robert Carter of Carter’s Kitchen, and Nate Whiting of Tristan. Live music provided by Ray Michaels Band. $175/person, $2000/table of 10. 6 p.m. Black Tie optional. Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, N Charleston. For more info, visit www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/chefs-feast.

KPOG Progressive DinnerThe annual POPS Progressive Dinner will be held today. Mark your calendars as this event is always great fun. For more information, contact Frances Boyd.

MONDAY, MARCH 11Lighten Up Kiawah and SeabrookPresented by Janis Newton, Assistant Director, MUSC Wellness Center, “The

Anatomy of a Good Exercise Plan” will discuss what you should be thinking about when you set your exercise goals.  Learn the top 10 facts you should know about your body and your lifestyle that will help get the results you want, and learn how to do a “self-evaluation” that will help you focus on your health and wellness for long-term results. RSVP for this complimentary program to 768-3875 or [email protected] by March 8. 1 p.m. Sandcastle Community Center.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12Apple Bytes WorkshopThis presentation by Stony River Technologies will describe the architecture and design of the entire Apple ecosystem, how each device works, and will allow the audience to learn through interactive participation.  Attendees will leave with a better understanding of apps for their devices, how to use them better and why it all fits together.  Wine and cheese will be served following this complimentary presentation. RSVP to 768-3875 or [email protected]. 2 p.m. Sandcastle Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13Eliza Lucas Pinckney: Her Life, Letters and ReceiptsEliza Lucas Pinckney was an amazing colonial business woman who cultivated indigo on her three plantations and was the mother of two statesmen, Charles and Thomas Pinckney. In this presentation, Dr. Faye Jensen, Executive Director of the SC Historical Society, will describe Eliza’s life and her many accomplishments as seen through her letterbook and “receipts,” or recipes.  Event will include a tasting of Pinckney’s recipes, provided by acclaimed chef, blogger and author Sarah Graham.  $20/per person. Complimentary wine and sodas included. Payment due by March 8. RSVP to 768-3875 or [email protected] 5 – 7 p.m. Sandcastle Community Center.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14Seabrook Natural History GroupThe Seabrook Island Natural History Group will have Dr. George W. McDaniel, Executive Director of Drayton Hall, as

our featured speaker. Presentation will cover recent research documenting the oral histories of Charles Drayton, and African-American descendants of former slaves who worked exhaustively at Drayton Hall. The last owner of Drayton Hall, Charles Drayton, was a resident of Seabrook Island. Refreshments 7 p.m, followed by program at 7:30 p.m. The Lake House. Seabrook residents and guests welcom. $5 donation for non-SINHG members.

Seabrook Art Guild: Architectural ShapesGlenn Borregard, architect, will concentrate on architectural shapes and perspective. Glenn will be joined by Seabrooker, Jeff Burden, also an architect. These two professionals will offer instruction on drawing buildings, perspectives, as well as sharing comments on local history as well as historic preservation during this class. 1 – 3 p.m. Seabrook Lake House, Eagle’s Nest.

Opera Lite – OffenbachJoin us Thursday afternoons for enjoyment

mixed with enlightenment as we bring back our Opera Lite Series. The works are supplemented by historical and literary background presented by John Benzel. All performances are abbreviated to fit the 90-minute showing and will be subtitled in English. All are welcome and no previous knowledge of Opera is necessary. For more information, please

contact John Benzel at 768-1174. 3:30 – 5 p.m. The Lake House.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17Annual Greenspace GalaThe Green Space Conservancy’s annual fundraiser will be held at the Seabrook Island Club. This Gala offers a silent auction with a return of the popular grab bags of last year. A dinner followed by the live auction will complete the event. We have many unique items this year that are offered and/or created by Seabrook residents. Reservations can be made with any board member. $75/person.

Tenor Sax Madness with Mark Sterbank and Robert Lewis Join Tenor Madness for an evening of jazz saxophone music. Experience the Madness as two tenor saxes, played by Mark Sterbank and Robert Lewis, team up for some upbeat, spirited Tenor Saxophone music which includes some classic tenor sax “battles” as well as modern interpretations of music written for or made popular by tenor saxophones. Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island Arts Council. Complimentary Tickets are available at the Visitors Center at Kiawah Island Town Hall. 7:30 p.m. at Turtle Point Clubhouse. For more information call 768-9166.

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Babygarten (birth to 18 months with adult)Monday, March 4 and 11 at 10:30 a.m. Registration required for Babygarten. Please call the Children’s Department at 559-1945.

Wee Reads (birth to 18 months with adult) Mondays, March 18, and 25 at 10:30 a.m. Time for Twos (2-3 years old with adult)Tuesdays, March 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Storytime (3-6 years with adult)Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Zone (3-6 years with an adult)Fridays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 10:30 a.m.Science and reading adventures for kids.

Computer Basics (adults/young adults) Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. This class provides a basic introduction to the personal computer and its parts.  Learn how to use the mouse and navigate the computer screen.  There is time for hands-on practice.  No computer experience is necessary.

Excel 2007 Basics (adults/young adults) Tuesday, March 19 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. An introduction to spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. This session provides a basic overview and common uses for spreadsheets. Learn basic Excel functions and build a simple budget spreadsheet. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience using MS Word will be helpful.

Excel: Beyond the Basics (adults/young adults)Tuesday, March 26 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. A follow-up session to Excel Basics. Learn some additional features of the program, such as sorting and filtering. Learn how to use additional types of formulas. Prerequisite: Excel Basics or some experience using MS Excel will be helpful.

Keyboard Basics (adults/young adults)Saturday, March 16 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Basic orientation to using the computer keyboard. Learn to be a more efficient keyboarder. General instruction and hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Word 2007 Basics (adults/young adults)Tuesday, March 5 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. An introduction to the basic tools of Microsoft Word. Learn how to enter and format text, change margins and line spacing, and copy and paste text. Saving and printing tips will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Word: Beyond the Basics (adults/young adults)Tuesday, March 12 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Registration starts 2/26In this follow-up to Word Basics learn how to set tabs, create columns, paste text from the Internet, insert page numbers, add ClipArt and photographs, and format text as you design a simple newsletter. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience with MS Word will be helpful.

All computer classes are free. For more information please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session.

Art All Day (all ages) Fridays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 all day Enjoy an array of art activities all day on Fridays during the month of March!

AARP Free Income Tax Preparation (adults) Saturdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.Free income tax preparation and electronic filing will be offered by AARP volunteers through April 13. A current picture ID and Social Security card are required, along with the Social Security cards of any dependents. First come, first served with the last person accepted at 1 p.m. Assistance in Spanish will be available.

Family Fun and Games (all ages)Saturdays, March 2, 9, 16, and 30 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Bring the family to the library to play Wii games and more!

Knitting and Crocheting Group (adults)Thursdays, March 7 and 21 from 6-7 p.m. Enjoy the company of other crafters and meet to exchange ideas. Bring your projects and knit or crochet with friends. Please join us, beginners welcome. 

March 8

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For thirty years, Prime Cuts salon has been serving the residents and visitors of Kiawah, Seabrook, and Johns Island. Needless to

say, the team is experienced in the salon world. Their journey over the decades has led them to and from their spot at Bohicket, but regardless of where they travel to on the islands, fortunately for locals, their services aren’t going anywhere.

Prime Cuts first opened in cozy Bohicket Marina back in 1983, before Kiawah and Seabrook were even incorporated as Towns. Things were a little quieter back in those days. Three years later, the salon fell into the hands of current owner, Pandora Carroll. “I just love the industry,” she says. “I jumped on the opportunity to own my own salon.” The talent and professionalism of those working at the salon caught on quickly, and it soon became one of the most popular spots in the area. After moving into the Island Center off of Betsy Kerrison for nearly 15 years, Prime Cuts relocated in 2011 to their former home of younger days in Bohicket Marina…this time though, the location was bigger, brighter, and all around better. It’s hard to be the view right outside their backdoor.

For any business to have a successful track record for thirty years, it’s clear that they must be doing something right. “We care about every individual client,” Carroll says. “There aren’t any cookie-cutter services here. Everything is personal and individualized.” The small team of five, specializing in hair and nail services and waxing, works together like a family and view

their clients as their friends. “We really love the people we service,” says Corey Payne, hair stylist. “Some of our clients have their hair done all over the world, in places like London, Paris, and Milan, so it is truly a pleasure to work with them.”

Carroll praises her talented team, and credits the success of her company to their work and professionalism. “Our number one goal is happy clients,” she says. “We want to be talked about on the golf and tennis courts. That’s the way we get our business…it’s referral. We want every person who walks in our door to have a great experience.” Carroll certain has the experience to backup her advice. The stylist spent ten years as an educator for Wella, a professional hair care line in operation since the 1920s. “It’s crucial that our staff here is educated,” the owner comments.

From Lydia and Haily greeting customers at the front desk, to the talented team of professionals making every client comfortable, Prime Cuts Salon will continue to bring something wonderful to the islands.

Prime Cuts is located between the Bohicket Tackle & Supply and Red’s Ice House in the Bohicket Marina, 1880 Andell Bluff Blvd. For more information, or to book an appointment, call 768-0911. Prime Cut hours are Monday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tuesday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Prime Cuts Salon offers hair cut/color, manicures/pedicures, and waxing services. Walk-ins are welcome.

A Prime Time for a New DoP R I M E C U T S C E L E B R AT E S T W O Y E A R A N N I V E R S A R Y AT B O H I C K E T

BY HANNAH DOCKERY

Corey, Cindy, Haily, Edie, and Pandora work together to make Prime Cuts Salon a wonderful place to pamper up

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to be used as a courthouse, they would just slide the furniture out of the way.”

Visit the building today, and you will find the property has been brilliantly restored into a Johns Island Museum, containing artifacts, books, and artwork from across the ages. Walk by the back window and you’ll find beer bottles used by Union soldiers. Old textbooks rest alongside the teacher’s curriculum. Shards of painted glass from nineteenth century pottery on display still look just as beautiful. It all echoes the rich history running through the veins of the island.

The schoolhouse museum is an area treasure, preserving pieces of history that otherwise could have easily been forgotten. To get the building in the shape that it is now was largely by happenstance and a lot of goodwill. In 1991, the old Walnut Hill School, which originally rested near Pumpkin Hill Road, was A to be torn down as a part of a road-widening project. “I hate seeing special buildings like that destroyed, so I had to do something about it,” explains Betty Stringfellow, granddaughter of William Andell, of Andell Plantation. Stringfellow obtained the rights to the building and had it relocated to her property, where it currently resides. In 2001, the schoolhouse began operating as a museum, but it closed down in 2010; thanks to the work of the Johns Island Conservancy, and Stringfellow’s dedication, volunteers dug deep to clean up the place and enhance the exhibits, reopening the museum last year.

Ninety-one year old Stringfellow is as much a Johns Islander as the island itself. Her grandparents, William and Margaretha Andell, moved from Germany to Johns Island in the 1870s. In 1880, the Andell’s purchased the island. Stringfellow’s mother, Marie Andell Hamilton, attended Walnut Hill School as a young girl. “Mama used to ride her horse with her brothers to school,” Stringfellow says. “They wanted her to ride side-saddle like a lady, but she never did cause she would fall off or couldn’t keep up!”

On Saturday, February 16, Stringfellow joined Cuskley and the Johns Island Conservancy to kick off a special exhibit at the museum entitled, “The Tree of Life.” The display features special photography showcasing the history of African-Americans on Johns Island from the late 1800s through the Civil Rights Movement. Working with several other volunteers and in conjunction with the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston, Cuskley got together the display of fascinating photos, quotes, and music from the book Ain’t You Got a Right to the Tree of Life by Candie and Guy Carawan. “What a lot of people don’t realize is that from the 1870s until the 1940s, life didn’t change for African Americans on Johns Island a whole lot,” Cuskley explains. “It really wasn’t until the bridges started coming up that we began to see things change.”

People will continue to come to Johns Island, Kiawah, and Seabrook for years to come. Its luscious beauty and beaches attract many from all over the world. But next time you’re traveling down Betsy Kerrison, take time to stop in the Walnut Hill Schoolhouse. You’ll be surprised at what all there is to learn.

The Johns Island Scholhouse Museum is located at 4455 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, just before Freshfields Village. The Tree of Life exhibit will be on display on Saturday (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and Sunday (noon – 4 p.m.) through March 31 The exhibit is also open weekdays by appointment. For more information, visit www.jicsc.org or call 637-4160.

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(CAPTION) New Executive Director Jill Ledford

School House continues from page 12

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Happenings at the Seabrook Art GuildS P R I N G A R T C L A S S E S A N N O U N C E D

BY BRENDA TILSON

At February’s monthly Art Guild meeting, the following classes for March were announced. These sessions offer a comfortable, informal setting to further your artistic interests. Mark your calendar for the following:

March 14: Architectural Shapes. Glenn Borregard, architect, will concentrate on architectural shapes and perspective. Glenn will be joined by Seabrooker, Jeff Burden, also an architect. These two professionals will offer instruction on drawing buildings, perspectives, as well as sharing comments on local history as well as historic preservation during this class.

March 21: Art Therapy. Using expressive therapy to enhance the creative process will be the topic for this class. Judy Keegan, art therapist professional, plans an interesting afternoon with workshop exercises to explore your self-awareness and creativity.

April 4: Watercolors. Well known Seabrook artist Pat Van de Graaf will give instruction of watercolors. Watch for details!All sessions will be held at the Lake House,

Eagle Nest from 1 – 3:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please contact Walter Czander at 768-9086 or e-mail at [email protected] to reserve your place.

Upcoming for April:

Upcoming March Art Guild Meeting:The regular monthly meeting will be held on

Wednesday afternoon, March 19, 3:00 at the Lake House. The featured artist will be Charleston artist, Rick Reinert

The artist’s statement: Nature and sunlight have provided me with the ultimate reference library.

I believe that it is possible to study painting for a lifetime and never have to venture more than one square mile for constant challenges and a wealth of subject matter. Every day offers unique and exciting opportunities for the artist who follow the light.

Plan to attend this meeting and watch as Rick demonstrates and paints for the Art Guild.

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As many have heard, Java has been found to be the culprit for many viruses (malware) that were

installed using a flaw in the software…. So what the heck is Java? Google it and you get all kinds of answers but the easiest answer is that it’s a programming language that is hardware independent and supports graphics. So what did I just say? Okay, it is something that runs on websites to help with graphics and does not care what kind of computer you used to get to the website. It can be a smart phone, tablet (Mac or Android) windows based laptop/desktop or Mac product. The problem with the program goes back years some say, while Oracle (who owns Java) just says it’s fixed the problem and everything is fine.

I am inclined to remove the software and only install the latest product if I go to a website that requires it. Most Realtors will need Java as well as other businesses, but the general public may find it’s not needed. There are “plug-ins” for both Internet Explorer and Firefox that need to be disabled as well. If you

Google disabling Java you will see all kinds of helpful hints, or you can call a professional which will disable Java and do a check of you computer to see if anything bad is running. There are some viruses that run the background and seemingly do nothing but in fact are using your computer’s hard drive as a storage place and can go on the internet without your knowledge or permission. A check of you computer is always a good idea at least every six months.

One of the more hideous hidden viruses is the one that uses your computer to access the internet, act as storage for porn and allow people to download the stuff from your hard drive. This is called making your computer a bot or zombie and allows the attacker to take over your computer remotely and do whatever they want. If you have ever had your computer suddenly start playing music or you hear voices coming from it in the middle of the night, call a professional immediately as you are most likely infected. Or your house is and that I don’t fix!

So remember to check about Java, don’t

dismiss music or voices in the background and be vigilant while on the internet. If you have a wireless signal (a wireless router) make sure it is secure and that you have to put in a password to get on the web. One more note, there is a program

called JavaScript and it’s fine.Look forward to some good questions

and helping you out. If you need immediate assistance you can always call Rent A Bob at 822-7794 or email at [email protected].

Java, Java, Java.. What is it?BY BOB HOOPER AKA RENT A BOB

Tickets for the general public are available today at www.cirquedusoleil.com/quidam, by phone at 1 800 -745-3000.

Quidam had its world premiere in Montreal under the Big Top in April 1996. Since that time, the production has toured on five continents and been experienced by millions of people. In December 2010, Quidam embarked on a new journey, performing the same captivating production, but

now in arenas throughout North America. The international cast features 52 world-class acrobats, musicians, singers and characters.

Young Zoé is bored; her parents, distant and apathetic, ignore her. Her life has lost all meaning. Seeking to fill the void of her existence, she slides into an imaginary world— the world of Quidam—where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul.

Cirque Du Soleil Circling Into CharlestonQUIDAM PERFORMANCE SCHEDULED FOR NORTH CHARLESTON COLISEU M

Show Schedule:• Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.• Thursday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.• Friday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m.• Saturday, March 30 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30

p.m.• Sunday, March 31 at 2:00 p.m.

Ticket Information:• Adults: From $35 to $70• Children, Military, Seniors & Students:

From $31.50 to $63

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

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NATURE & WILDLIFE

Seabrook Island photographer Ralph J. Secoy was recently awarded an Honorable Mention Prize on behalf

of the National Wildlife Federation’s 2012 Photography Contest. Secoy’s dolphin image stood out to judges amongst 28,000 entries, from professional and amateur photographers

from all around the world. The photo is pictured below, and was the first in a four-part series, with the other three images fon the left Congratulations to Mr. Secoy! To view more of his photos, visit seabrookislandimages.shutterfly.com.

Dolphins DelightS E A B R O O K P H O T O G R A P H E R W I N S N AT I O N A L A W A R D

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Kick off the spring season at Freshfields Village, the shopping and dining destination located

at the crossroads of Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns Islands, with a family-friendly line-up of events. A free Spring Concert Series will be offered Fridays (March 22, March 29 and April 5) on the Village Green. Celebrate Easter at the annual Easter Festival on Saturday, March 30 with a variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Finally, take part in an uplifting, non-denominational Easter

service outside on the Village Green on Sunday, March 31.

Visitors can groove to beach music, Motown, Top 40, rock and more at the Spring Concert Series on Fridays from 6 p.m.  to 9 p.m. on the Village Green. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to bring a beach chair or blanket.

March 22- Port Authority is a dynamic quartet performing Shag, Funk, Rock & Roll, Motown, ‘60s and ‘70s hits.

March 29- The Local Motion Party Band will perform music in styles ranging from Beach, Motown, R&B, Dance and popular music from the ‘60s to today.

April 5- Chris Crosby Group is a band with a unique sound and diverse music styles, including Acoustic, Folk, Jazz, Rock, Country, Beach and Motown.

Celebrate Easter on the sea  islands at the annual Easter Festival Saturday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Children›s activities such as a jump castle, inflatable slide, face-painting and Easter crafts will be available, as will interactive performer, John Cusatis, who will form a band with members from the audience, so come prepared for lots of dancing and singing. Plus, the Easter Bunny will be hopping through the Village for photos. Artwork from the Kiawah and Seabrook Artists guilds and boats from Barrier Island Marine, Butler Marine of Charleston, Hall Marine Charleston and Longshore Boats will be on display. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Wrap up the holiday weekend at an Easter Service Sunday, March 31 at 9:30 a.m. on the Freshfields Village Green. The Cavalry of the Sea Islands Church will lead the service. Please bring a chair or blanket.

Freshfields Village is at the crossroads of Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns islands. With more than 55 locally owned shops, galleries, restaurants, services and businesses, Freshfields is an upscale lifestyle destination that also hosts cultural events, art exhibits and seasonal festivals throughout the year. Visit FreshfieldsVillage.com or www.facebook.com/FreshfieldsVillage information on new stores, events and other announcements. 

Spring Flings into FreshfieldsF R E S H F I E L D S V I L L A G E L A U N C H E S B U S Y 2 0 1 3 C A L E N D A R

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February 14 was a big day for two rescued sea turtles successfully rehabilitated at the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rescue Program. Bulls

Bay, a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle, and Mini Ming, a juvenile green sea turtle, were released back into the ocean. Both sea turtles were admitted to the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rescue Program last year with a variety of illnesses. Earlier last week, staff veterinarian Dr. Shane Boylan medically cleared both turtles just in time for a Coast Guard cutter to release them in the Gulf Stream off of North Carolina.

Bulls Bay: Bulls Bay, a 57-pound juvenile loggerhead sea turtle was brought to the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital in June of last year. S/he was caught in the nets of a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) research vessel and was found to be thin, lethargic, have very poor blood work and a minor wound near the eye. Treatment for Bulls Bay included antibiotic and vitamin injections,

wound treatment, and fluid therapy. Bulls Bay is now back to optimal health and ready to be released into the open ocean.

Mini Ming: Mini Ming is one of the smaller patients treated at the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital weighing

just under 5 pounds. Mini Ming was brought to the Aquarium in October 2012 after s/he was found floating at Mingo Point on Kiawah Island. In addition to being positively buoyant, s/he was dehydrated and lethargic. Treatment included antibiotics, fluids, and injectable vitamins. Now healthy, Mini Ming’s energy level indicates s/he is

ready to return to the Atlantic Ocean. The two sea turtles were transferred to North Carolina

on Wednesday of last week and were then loaded onto the Coast Guard cutter Block Island. The crew from Block Island released Bulls Bay and Mini Ming along with 39 other turtles from North Carolina, in the Gulf Stream where turtles their species and size currently reside. The

South Carolina Aquarium›s Sea Turtle Rescue Program has successfully rehabilitated and released 102 sea turtles to date.

How to help:You can help care for sea turtles in recovery at the

Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital by going to www.scaquarium.org and making a donation. While online you can also visit the Sea Turtle Hospital’s blog at http://seaturtlehospital.blogspoit.com/ to track the progress of patients currently being cared for at the hospital. You can also find out more about visiting the hospital as part of a behind-the-scenes tour.

In partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program works to rescue, rehabilitate and release sea turtles that strand along the South Carolina coast. Located in the Aquarium, the Sea Turtle Hospital admits 20 to 30 sea turtles each year. Many of these animals are in critical condition and some are too sick to save. According to SCDNR, over the last 10 years the average number of sea turtle standings on South Carolina beaches each year is 130. Of these, roughly 10% are alive and successfully transported to the Sea Turtle Hospital. To date, the South Carolina Aquarium has successfully rehabilitated and released 102 sea turtles and is currently treating 23 patients. The average cost for each patient’s treatment is $36 a day with the average length of stay reaching nine months.

Two Times the Love on Valentine’s Day for Two Lucky Sea Turtles

B U L L S B AY A N D M I N I M I N G A R E G O I N G H O M E !PROVIDED BY THE SC AQUARIUM

Page 19: The Island Connection - March 8, 2013