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Volume 9 Issue 23

February 26, 2016

FREE

Trump woos
Kiawah
PRESIDENTIAL
C A N D I D AT E
S T O P S I N AT
THE LEGENDS
ROOM
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

Cars & Coffee follows

Art & Wine

FRESHFIELDS VILLAGE KICKS OFF THE

S E A S O N E A R LY W I T H A R T WA L K
STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

alentines Day weekend kicked off at Freshfields Village

with the 11th annual Art & Wine Walk, a celebration
that married wine, art, music and more. Residents and
visitors meandered through the shops, galleries and restaurants
to view works from local and visiting artists, including
photographer Patricia Schaefer, local Seabrook Island artist Bob
LeFevre and Sharlyne Duffy, a resident artist living on Kiawah
and specializing in painting the nature on the island. Attendees
also sampled a variety of wines and hors d'oeuvres and enjoyed
the sounds of The Williams Duo, a two-piece jazz duo and youth
violin group Heart Strings.

Lowcountry Wildflowers

Page 10

As the season kicks into gear next up is Cars & Coffee, one of
Freshfields Villages premiere monthly events. Held the morning
of March 19, 2016 Cars & Coffee features antique, unique,
classic and other cool cars. Car enthusiasts are encouraged to
come out and scope classic car trends from the area while all
guests enjoy coffee and breakfast from Java Java.
Open to the public, the monthly event will continue to be
held every third Saturday, other than in April, due to The Kiawah
Motoring Retreat.

Arts & Wine pictures on page 12

Sharing Blessings

Page 13

uxurious accommodations at the

Kiawah Island Golf Resorts Turtle
Point Club House were a stark
contrast to the political stumps of lore.
The announcement of a press event for
presidential candidate Donald Trump
surprised many, coming just two days
before the Feb. 18 event. Short notice
didnt diminish enthusiasm, however, and
with only four days remaining until the
South Carolina Republican primary, the
visit to Kiawah made perfect sense.
Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu famously
advised, Where high roads intersect,
join hands with your allies, and Trump
is no stranger to Kiawah. He bought the
Doonbeg golf course from the original
iteration of Kiawah Development Partners
when they were consolidating assets and
was rumored to have been in negotiations
to purchase the Kiawah Island Club.
Trumps association with Kiawah
helped secure the Legends room, which
would fill to the rafters with attendees
and equipment, well in advance of the
candidates scheduled 11 a.m. arrival.
The parking lot at Turtle Point
was closed to attendees (shuttles were
provided from Night Heron Park) but was
filled by staff, police, secret service and
media vehicles. Every bag was checked,
each person passed through a metal
detector and was also wanded for metal.
Instructions for attendance said the doors
would open at 9 a.m. The meeting room
was full by 10 a.m. despite the lengthy, if
courteous, security screening.

Trump continues on page 11

Kiawah's Roy Barth

Page 14

February 26, 2016

civic

Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com
Jennifer Tuohy
managing editor
jennifer@luckydognews.com
Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Alejandro Ferreyros
graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Ralph Secoy
contributing photographer
Staff Writers
Gregg Bragg
Contributors
Stephanie Braswell
Alberta Barron
Martha Zink
Jonathon Braden
Connie Sage Conner
Roberta Boatti
William Nelson

Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: March 2
for submissions for the
March 11 Issue
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of
Lucky Dog News or its writers.

The Island
Connection

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC

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

Kiawah Town Council report,

Feb. 9 2016
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

iawah town councils Feb. 9, 2016

meeting began on time-ish. The
room was full and the agenda was,
too. It included four sets of minutes for
approval, which usually doesnt take too
long. Two of the meeting minutes were
approved seconds after parliamentary
obligations were satisfied. The remaining
two items were deferred.
Citizens Comments
The primary topic addressed by residents
requires an introduction. Since last
August, Mayor Lipuma has mentioned the
Kiawah Island Community Associations
interest in buying the existing town hall
many times (consistently floating a value
of $2.5 million). A TOKI appraisal of
the property produced the same value,
and the amount became an integral
part of funding the proposed municipal
complex. James Bailey, KICA COO,
initially corrected the mayors comments
saying KICA had agreed only to discuss
the topic.
During opening remarks at KICAs
Jan. 27, 2016 Meet the Candidates
Night, Bailey told attendees that the
town had begun a legal process intended
to invalidate the longstanding lease with
KICA (view his comments here www.
youtube.com/watch?v=DlSk5Aaq6C4&
feature=youtu.be) following a failure to
agree upon a price. Bailey later shared an
email from the mayor with The Island
Connection that demonstrated KICA has
made sequential offers of $1, $1.5 and $1.6
million, each of which TOKI deemed
were insufficient.
There was a long line for citizens
comments with Marilyn Larach in the
lead off position.
I live on Terrapin Court, Kiawah
Island. As all of you are aware, I am
both a citizen of TOKI and a member
of KICA. On Feb. 20, 1997, TOKI and

KICA signed a 20-year legal agreement

governing the terms under which KICA
would share this municipal building
with the Town. The agreement also gave
KICA the right to two additional 15-year
renewals upon receipt by the Town of
written notice from KICA. Notice of
KICAs intent to exercise this option for
two additional 15-year renewals was
delivered to the Town [2 years early] in
2014.
For 19 years, the Town has abided by
the terms of this legal agreement. KICA
will have paid more than $1,000,000 to
the Town by the time the initial 20-year
term expires next year. Now as the Town
explores ways to finance a new municipal
building on its recently annexed Betsy
Kerrison property, Mayor Lipuma has
notified the KICA board that the Town
intends to initiate a lawsuit to invalidate
the original 1997 agreement.
Since KICA has not yet been served, I
urge the Town Council to reconsider this
unwise decision. The Town needs to abide
by the terms of its current legal agreement
with KICA. If the Town wishes to sell
the current municipal building, then it
should enter into good faith negotiations
with KICA. Good faith negotiations do
not include threats of lawsuits that will be
expensive for both parties and generate a
great deal of adverse publicity.
Even if the Town were to prevail in
this lawsuit, a Town victory would result
in massive KICA assessments that you
and all of your neighbors will have to pay.
Do you really think your fellow Kiawah
property owners and friends will thank
you for imposing this financial burden on
them?
Kiawah resident Wendy Kulick
amplified Larachs comments, asking why
the town had refused to meet publicly
with KICA to discuss the matter. She also

Civic Calendar
Town of
Seabrook

Ways & Means

April 19, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
March 2, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Town Council
April 26, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Ways & Means

March 15, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
May 4, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Town Council
March 22, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Town of Kiawah

Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
April 6, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Town Council Public

Hearing
March 1, 1:30 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Town Council
Meeting
March 1, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

asked when a vote was taken since the only

time the matter had been discussed was in
executive sessions, which invariably end
with the disclaimer, No votes were taken
and no decisions were made that would
bind the town to a course of action.
KICA board candidate Dave DeStefano
also opened with kudos to his predecessors
in his comments. He informed council
that Bailey had given all the candidates a
heads up about the phone call regarding
the prospective declaratory judgement,
prior to them meeting voters on Jan. 27,
2016.
If you dont accept our final offer
were going to sue? asked DeStefano
rhetorically. The mayor denied making
such a call but DeStefano would later
amend his comments saying it was details
of an email from the mayor which Bailey
had shared with board members, not a
phone call.
New Business
Councilmember Labriola introduced
the topic of Charitable Contributions
by spending a moment to thank Kiawah
volunteers who give so generously of their
time to local schools, fire departments,
clinics, TOKI committees etc. before
detailing the $200,000 awarded to local
charities. The South Carolina Aquarium, a
newcomer to the list, was awarded $5,000,
Teachers Supply Closet received $10,000
and the Kiawah Island Conservancy was
granted the lions share of $45,000.
Councilmember Johnson pointed out
KIC receives funding from other TOKI
streams with a total closer to $95,000 and
just didnt want anyone to start adding
up the numbers, and get confused. I
dont think Kiawah gets enough credit
for this [charitable giving], Johnson
concluded. The donations were approved
by a unanimous vote.

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
Planning Commission Phone: 768-9121
Meeting
Fax: 768-9830
March 2, 3p.m.
Email: lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
Kiawah Town Hall
Arts and Cultural
Events Council
Meeting
March 3, 3p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Special Town Council
Meeting
March 8, 1p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

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

February 26, 2016

civic

The next two items of new business

consisted of approving the towns
organizational chart along with both the
charters and members of eight TOKI
committees. Lengthy discussions of
each item wrapped up with the mention
of trying to improve upon announcing
open committee positions. However, the
last piece of new business would generate
still more discussion. Town administrator
Stephanie Tillerson had some cost and
time saving ideas listed under the heading
of Freedom of Information Act Request
Rate Structure.
Tillerson had paid a visit to the City
of Folly Beachs website, used their FOIA
Procedure as a template and created a new
form. The information demanded of those
making requests was straightforward
enough, though a radical departure from
the informal, hand written notes residents
have become accustomed to. The hitch
was her plan to charge $0.25 for each page
copied, plus a charge for staff/contractor
time which would include a page by
page review for information requiring
redaction.
Each
municipality
determines
reasonable charges, said Tillerson
adding people would be advised of the
charges before incurring costs.
Councilmember
Johnson
began
discussion of the proposal asking What
if they dont pick it up? Then were out!
Councilmember Wilson speculated
requests might be reduced once salary
and other routine information was posted
on the towns website but followed up
by tasking Tillerson with producing a
quarterly report to gauge request volume.
Councilmember Labriola ended the
debate observing Without a plan, this is
just bureaucracy. However, the decision
to forge ahead and develop a procedure
and fee schedule was approved.

Committee Reports
Committee reports were more robust
this month. Councilmember Wilson
reported attending a transportation
committee meeting where a number of
ideas were floated to reduce congestion
on Rt. 26. Rapid transit bus routes
and a light rail system were among the
concepts marked for honorable mention
but without a means to fund them.
Hopes of resuscitating the completion of
I526 also dimmed against a budget short
fall of $300 million, with only 120 days
remaining to fill the gap. Completing as
much of the route as funds allowed was
also nixed. He did however, mention
meeting with a group from Johns Island,
who support the idea of a third route off
the island.
Councilmember Labriola said nine
firms had applied for consideration
to build the new municipal complex
and the Municipal Committee had
completed their evaluations. The list
has been winnowed down to four firms,
who will submit bids in the next week.
Responding to councilmember Weavers
oft repeated question, Labriola confirmed
an official TOKI vote on the budget for
the municipal complex should be possible
for next months meeting of town council.
Councilmember
Johnsons
Arts
Council report followed, noting this
and the next few months were the
busiest of the year for the group. She
provided a review of recent events and
described a slate of upcoming dates.
Johnson concluded by announcing the
Environmental Committee had met and
reported 5 bobcats had been collared with
another six planned and Kiawah could
boast 158 species of birds after their study
had been completed.
Councilmember Weaver said the Public
Safety meeting had been moved but was
still scheduled. He also said the countys

Tid e Char t
Date

High Tide

Low Tide

Feb 26
Feb 27
Feb 28
Feb 29
Mar 01
Mar 02
Mar 03
Mar 04
Mar 05
Mar 06
Mar 07
Mar 08
Mar 09
Mar 10

10:14am/10:42pm
10:50am/11:19pm
11:28am
12:00am/12:10pm
12:48am/1:00pm
1:44am/1:57pm
2:46am/2:59pm
3:50am/4:01pm
4:49am/5:00pm
5:45am/5:55pm
6:37am/6:48pm
7:26am/7:39pm
8:15am/8:29pm
9:03am/9:19pm

4:08am/4:18pm
4:46am/4:51pm
5:27am/5:28pm
6:12am/6:11pm
7:04am/7:02pm
8:02am/8:02pm
9:04am/9:06pm
10:04am/10:10pm
11:00am/11:10pm
11:53am
12:06am/12:42pm
12:59am/1:30pm
1:51am/2:18pm
2:42am/3:05pm

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

addition of Quick Response Vehicles had

reduced non-transit response times from
20 minutes to 9. The vast improvement
does not reflect transportation to a
hospital, which remains an open issue.
Helicopter service in the range of $25,000
per ride cost has been examined in the past.
However, Weaver reported the possibility of
a helicopter subscription service, which, if
verified, would limit the cost of air transport
to whatever a patients insurance allowed.
The service, if viable, would be available to
both residents and non-residents.
The town administrators report
included mention of an idea pitched as a
time saving measure. Tillerson proposed
limiting the first round of citizens
comments to items listed on the agenda.
The second round would remain open to
any topic. Why do we need two rounds
of citizens comments? asked the mayor
while councilmember Weaver expressed
support for the idea.
The mayor reported he and
councilmember Labriola had met with
KICA to set meeting parameters for
discussion of the price for the existing
town hall. The mayor announced Labriola
would be joined by councilmember
Wilson along with KICA board members
Bruce Stemerman and Larry Kreyling
to settle the matter and avoid litigation.
Residents will wait for the outcome to
gauge the financial impact of the planned
municipal complex.
Citizens Comments, second round
Marilyn Larach opened the second
round of citizens comments voicing her
emphatic opposition to limits on free
speech. She insisted comment periods

had never strained the boundaries of time

limits TOKI placed on resident input.
Were trying to present a different point
of view before decisions are made, she
concluded.
Kiawah resident Virginia Abbott
went where she had gone before, to
the podium. I am distressed by this
proposal [Tillersons proposed limits on
free speech]. She punctuated her point
succinctly by insisting council could spare
the 30 minutes to hear from the people
they represent.
Wendy Kulick softened the rooms tenor
when she suggested the proposed FOIA
request form be named The Wendy and
Dennis [McGill] Memorial Request Form.
Dave DeStefano chimed in from the gallery
to say they WISH it was memorial, to the
chuckled approvals of most everyone. Kulick
remained resolute, however, in demanding
the 28 year tradition of two unencumbered
comment periods be preserved. She left the
podium and council wondering why FOIA
requests should incur costs of time from
staff who were already on the clock.
Dennis McGill also opposed limiting
comments but addressed the bulk of his
final address to the subject of charges for
FOIA requests. McGill said the previous
town administrator had outlined charges
for his many FOIA requests but had
always complied and never charged him,
a practice he thought should be persevered
for the sake of transparency.
The meeting adjourned after councils
executive session where, once again, No
votes were taken and no decisions were
made that would bind the town to a
course of action.

civic

February 26, 2016

Seabrook Island Club, Seabrook Island Property

Owners Association 2016 annual meetings

he annual meetings for both the

Seabrook Island Club and the
Seabrook Island Property Owners
Association were scheduled to begin at 9
a.m. on a Saturday morning. The early
start deterred no one from attending the
Feb. 13 gathering. There was no place to
park by 8:50 a.m. and only floor space
to sit on by 9 a.m., despite the spacious
accommodations at the SIC club house.
Every seat was occupied and every inch of
wall space was lined with residents, anxious
to hear the results of accompanying
elections and financial reports, which
hadnt always been awesome.
Mayor Ron Ciancio spoke with The
Island Connection about Seabrooks
sometimes checkered bouts with success
of long ago. Seabrook based developer
Robert Russell fell on hard times in 1989.
Two years later, foreclosure proceedings
left residents without the amenities which
added so much to Seabrooks allure.
Speaking metaphorically, the fields were
all fallow and the beasts were all feral seems
an apt description of the mayors reaction
to memories of dandelions sprouting
across Seabrooks untended golf courses.
The angst such conditions generated only

BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

increased as rumors began to circulate

of Japanese investors (or country singer
Kenny Rogers) who planned to seize
control of everything residents held dear.
Twelve core residents were having
none of it and drafted a business plan to
purchase the foreclosed assets. Their more
the merrier idea required a minimum of
500 participants and the On Board by
April campaign was launched. The plan
succeeded, too. The exercise in social
activism produced a package of cash
and loans which satisfied lenders. Frozen
resources were secured and Seabrook
began a phoenix-like ascent, paving the
way to the more encouraging financial
reports of the present.
Visitors are our future and we have to
support this demand, said SIC President
Bill Greubel, who kicked off the event
with an informative presentation more
entertaining than a standup comedian.
The club had beaten its budget for the
fifth consecutive year and dues would be
increased by a manageable 1% increase
despite economic headwinds.
1,784 members helps [defray
increases] said Greubel with a note of
pride in the number of residents who

joined the club since earlier times.

The report from Joe Salvo, Broker in
Charge with Seabrook Island Real Estate,
was equally good. The volume of sales was
up for the sixth straight year and 2016
is ahead of the same period last year, he
boasted good naturedly. The average price
at closing is also up. The change in price
from $417,000 to $484,000 represents a
16 percent increase residents could take to
the bank, he intimated, assuring attendees
about the wisdom of Seabrook as their
choice.
Seabrook Island is much more of a
community said Salvo, parroting the
comments of a visitor from neighboring
Kiawah Island. A recent Seabrook buyer
echoed the sentiment claiming Kiawah
amenities are too complicated, said
Salvo, quoting his customer.
Outgoing members of the SIC
were thanked, incoming members
were announced and welcomed before
soliciting questions from the audience.
Both questions involved the Island One
program instituted as another facet of
efforts to save the club and amenities for
residents. Grandfather clauses aside,
most residents are members of SIC and

new residents are required to select

from an array of membership types.
Greubel informed resident Dave Glover
membership was part of the amenities
plan and the requirement would stay in
place. He also informed resident Michael
Lehane SCI surcharges were permanent
and any surplus would be put in a reserve
fund. The meeting would end ahead of
schedule, allowing time for a return to a
lavish breakfast buffet.
Seabrook deserves credit for putting
the continent in continental breakfast.
Tables arranged in front windows with
panoramic ocean views stretched across
county lines. There was juice and coffee
and fruit and muffins and those powdered
cinnamon-sugar coated cake donettes,
which just have to be bad for you.
Everybody knows eating them is wrong
but there were fewer donettes left than
anything else when the time arrived for
SIPOAs meeting.
SIPOA President Chuck Fox began the
meeting with the announcement polling
for new board members would close in 5,
4 1.
This is the 29th annual meeting of
SIPOA, he said. Keeping with long

February 26, 2016

tradition, new property owners were

recognized, applauded and welcomed to
the Seabrook family.
Dennis Nagy, SIPOA Secretary,
took the reins to dispense with some
formalities.
There are 2,553 possible votes and
SIPOA received 1,371, 93 votes more than
the required minimum for a quorum, he
said. The fact was significant since less
than a quorum would have meant the cost
and trouble of redefining minimums and
repeating the balloting process.
SIPOA financials were as positive as
their SIC counterparts. The organization
earned $400,000 more than budgeted
and spent $90,000 less. Fox would later
remind members such surpluses are
significant to the reserve fund for projects
like The Cut. The project to re-channel
the Kiawah River and protect Seabrook
residents from erosion, for example, cost
SIPOA plenty. It would need to be done
again in the distant future. Saving now
would mean lower assessments later. The
project is just one of a raft of high ticket
undertakings.
Election results were announced and
came with a bit of a surprise. Seabrook
resident Phil Squire had won election
in his third attempt to win a spot with
SIPOA. It was the first time in nearly ten
years a non-club member had been elected
to the board and the first time residents
had elected anyone who wasnt endorsed
by the SIPOA nominating committee.
Squire placed third out of 7 candidates
with 590 votes.
I am very pleased to be elected to
the SIPOA board of directors. I have
heard from a great many owners who are
concerned about declining property values
and the overall direction of the island. I
look forward to working collaboratively
with the other 11 board members in
addressing [owners] legitimate concerns,
he would later tell The Island Connection.
Chuck Fox would wrap up the business
portion of the meeting with an overview of
remaining projects on SIPOAs plate. He
then thanked departing board members,
welcomed new members and opened the
floor to questions. One hundred percent
agreement is hard to achieve but in classic
all who step forward will be heard fashion,
ten residents got a straight up response from
their elected representatives. The meetings
had been scheduled for a collective three
hours but even after the question and answer
period, the meetings ended in around two.
Fox adjourned the meeting with a piece of
sage advice to travelers; tell the pilot to keep
the shiny side up.

civic
Seabrook Island Club Report

By Caleb Elledge, General Manager

Its a blessing to be able to deliver good
news year after year and this is just what
you will hear today. The Clubs financial
position continues to strengthen, enabling
our thinking and actions to be more
progressive in addressing the growing needs
and demands of our members and guests.
Its a far cry from not too many years ago
when our maintenance budget consisted of
a new case of duct tape and a hammer. Or,
when our office staff had to reuse staples.
Success breeds success and our positive
momentum allows us to pursue ways to
improve the club experience and react to the
continually evolving needs of our members
and guests. Three of these projects we are
particularly excited about and Id like to
mention today. To provide cover from the
sun, some degree of protection from rain
and to eliminate the use of umbrellas (which
are expensive to maintain and pose a safety
risk) we will add a shade structure, similar
in style to the Beach Club shade structure
we installed last year, to the open deck of
the Pelican Nest.
Also at the Beach Club we will relocate
the Capn Sams grill to inside the pool area
with improved equipment. This season
a pool-side grill will serve as a quick and
easy dining option to pool patrons, while
alleviating a degree of pressure from the
Pelicans Nest.
As you may know we partnered with
Rees Jones, Inc. to complete a master plan
of our golf courses and practice facilities to
ensure that changes and improvements are
carried out in the most efficient manner
possible and consistent with the trends
in the golf world and on Seabrook. I am
pleased that we will take the first step in
executing our master plan this summer
with the renovation of our driving range tee.
The driving range experience is no longer a
side item in the golf experience, but a key
ingredient in cultivating new players and
retaining existing. Range rats, as they
are often called, are essential to growing
the game in times of strong competition
for our members and guests recreational
dollar and time. Our range is too small for
a 36 hole facility with our level golf traffic
and this project will increase the tee area
by 14,000 square feet, or 35%. We will also
install mats along the back of the range tee
to allow the tee days of rest and promote
healthier turf and improved conditions.
Contrary to anecdotal reports that
regurgitate aging golf statistics from ten
years ago, golf is growing. According to the
PGA of America 38 of 49 states (Alaska did
not participate in the survey) experienced

3.4% year-over-year growth in rounds

played and 2.7% growth in golf revenues.
Seabrook Island Club experienced 2.1%
increase in rounds and 3.1% growth in
golf revenues. It should also be noted that
lesson revenue is up 28% at Seabrook Island
Club, a testament to Brian Thelan and our
golf professional staff and to the number
of golfers working to improve their games
and to new players being introduced to the
game. Lesson revenue, in my opinion, is
truly the litmus test of growth.
So, while golf may not be in the same
boom times as it was in the 90s, golf is
growing, both locally and nationally. While
gloom and doom articles and blogs litter
our minds with notions that golf is a dying
pasttime, perhaps we can take a bit of relief
from the multitude of facts that speak to
the contrary and to the reality in which we
live. Golf is looking up on Seabrook and it is
time for the naysayers to stop looking back.
While a new amenity to the Clubs
portfolio, our new pickleball courts provide
a great opportunity to grow racquet sports
on Seabrook. Not only are we introducing
a new recreational product for our members
and guests, but we are providing an
enhanced instructional environment for
our young tennis stars with the courts being
dually used for QuickStart Tennis, a USTAdeveloped growth initiative geared towards
kids. This is also a sign to our visitors, who
we hope will one day become Seabrook
Island property owners and members, that
we are always willing to evolve and pursue
new opportunities, even if not within our
comfort zone. Additionally, I would like to
point out that we built the pickleball courts
in record time! According to a statistic that

I just made up, it typically takes close to

three years to build two pickleball courts,
but hereonly eleven months!
Seabrook Island is a wonderful place,
there is no doubt about this. It is a wonderful
place to live, work and visit. While all three
of these groups must work in harmony
(members/property owners, employees and
visitors) it is always important to remember
where the vast majority of our members
and property come fromCleveland. Its
important to remember how your Seabrook
experience began. Most of you, I bet,
began as visitorsvacationing, attending a
wedding or perhaps even a conference. From
there you evolve to a repeat visitor, then to
a part-time owner and then to a full time
owner and resident. While property owners
are incredibly important for the obvious
reasons, let us not forget the importance
of our visitors and how easily we can
turn them away or establish a permanent
connection. They are the future and they
are the ones who determine the value of the
Island. As Joe can attest to, property values
are only as strong as demand and it is all
of our jobs to do what we can to promote
and encourage demand. A strong club
and friendly environment are the keys to
growing demand.that and an incredible
Broker-In-Charge! So I ask that we all
work together to promote this demand and
remember the importance of our Seabrook
Island visitor.
Thanks to all our members, for your
ongoing support in helping us have a great
2015 and what Im sure will be a fantastic
2016!

arts & events

February 26, 2016

Jazz, ballet and piano on tap for spring

Arts Council performances
BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL
For The Island Connection

Piano Bar Series

Wed. March 2, 16 and 30, 5-7 p.m.,

Sandcastle /No Tickets Required. Sponsored
by the Town of Kiawah Island Arts and
Cultural Events Council.
Back by popular demand... Piano
Bar Series at the Sandcastle. Not meant
to be concerts, these two additional
Wednesdays are to enjoy with friends who
plan to come, or for the chance meeting
and the opportunity to meet neighbors
outside your comfort circle for some
Island socializing. Relax outside on the
patio with the beverage of your choice or
inside closer to the music. The Sandcastle
will be the happening place at 5 p.m.
Island time. Bring the beverage of choice
and any snack to tide you over.

Columbia City Ballet

Aladdin

presents

Saturday, March 5, 2016, two same day

performances 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., East
Beach Conference Center. Complimentary
Tickets available at Kiawah Town Hall
843 - 768 - 9166 or online at www.
kiawahisland.org/specialevents. Sponsored

by the Town of Kiawah Island Arts and

Cultural Events Council.
Conceptualized and choreographed by
Artistic and Executive Director William
Starrett in 1995 in Columbia, South
Carolina, Columbia City Ballet presents

the premiere of Aladdin for one day only

on March 5. Join Aladdin and Jasmine on
their magic carpet and journey as we turn
the East Beach Conference Center into
ancient Persia.
Columbia City Ballet turns the musical
score of composer Ludwig Minkus, into a
classic fairytale based on Arabian Nights.
Aladdin is a huge epic ballet, technically
demanding for the dancers, visually
thrilling for the audience and perfect
for the entire family. It is such fun to
see Aladdin and Jasmine flying on their
magic carpet as the Genie grants Aladdins
famous three wishes, says Starrett.
Downright awesome, The State has
called it. This three-act performance is
developed from four of Minkus most
memorable ballets including Paquita, and
La Bayadere; excerpts are incorporated
into the score of Aladdin. Ballerina
Regina Willoughby and Principal Dancer
Christopher Miro will dance the roles of
Princess Jasmine and Aladdin. Reinaldo
Soto will be featured as the Genie. Other
favorites from South Carolina Ballet include
Claire McCaa, Autumn Hill, Bonnie BoiterJolley, Claire Richards and Annie Ruiz.

Quentin Baxter presents Christian

Tamburr Quartet

Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.,

Turtle Point Clubhouse. $20 Tickets
available now via www.baxtermusic.com
or 843.766.8814, Sponsored by the Town of
Kiawah Island Cultural Events Fund
Grammy-nominated
musician/
producer and world-renowned drummer
Quentin E. Baxter presents an amazing
three-concert series on Kiawah Island!
The third artist on the agenda is jazz
vibraphonist and composer Christian
Tamburr, featuring Kevin
Bales on piano, Billy Thornton on
bass, and Quentin E. Baxter on drums.
Christian Tamburr first started performing
jazz at the age of 14. Now 35, he has had
the opportunity to tour and perform with
many jazz legends, including Dave Brubeck,
Michael Feinstein, Clark Terry, James
Moody, Bunky Green, Kenny Barron, Benny
Green, Milt Hinton, Bucky Pizzarelli, Tal
Farlow, Nicholas Payton, Billy Drummond,
Matt Wilson, Eric Marienthal, Marcus
Printup, Mark Murphy, Clint Holmes, and
Ren Marie. Christian toured as pianist and
musical director for Julio Iglesias (2006-

February 26, 2016

arts & events

08) and joined Cirque du Soleil in 2009

as assistant composer and musical director
for a new show in Macau, China. In 2014
Christian performed as featured artist and
musical director of Rose Rabbit Lie at the
Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas.
Christian, recognized by Downbeat
Magazine with the Outstanding Solo
Jazz Performer Award and the 2013
Critics Choice Top Rising Star Award
on vibraphone, currently leads the
critically acclaimed quintet around the
world to sold out audiences. His newest
album Voyage reached the top 10 on

the jazz charts in 2014 and features the

same rhythm section performing at
Turtle Point Clubhouse. The album led
to performances at some of the most
prestigious venues around the world,
including the The Kennedy Center for
the Performing Arts in Washington,
DC, Jazz at Lincoln Center Dizzys
Club Coca-Cola in NYC, Pizza Express
Dean Street in London, the Olympia
Theater in Paris, Jazz at the St. Regis in
Doha, Qatar and stops in China, Tokyo
and Amsterdam. Christian is the 2015
Artist in Residence at Florida Institute of
Technology in Melbourne, Florida. He
often travels to high schools and colleges,
presenting workshops and master classes
on performance, composition, arranging,
and music business. He also presents
leadership and teambuilding workshops
to executives at Fortune 500 Companies
highlighting unique attributes found both
on stage and in the corporate environment.
Tamburr and his Group are well
within the jazz tradition. He sets the pace
of collective improvisation with neverending energy, with the mallets going
from a slow feathery touch to a blurring
speed. His phrasing when soloing is
thoughtful and slowly simmers as he
resolves his musical ideas. Jack McCray

News Updates Online at

facebook.com/
islandconnectionnews

civic

Republican
Primary Results
STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

hile Republicans in South Carolina may have overwhelmingly opted

for Donald Trump in the Presidential primary on Feb. 20, 2016,
Republicans on Seabrook and Kiawah chose Marco Rubio, whom
Gov. Nikki Haley endorsed earlier in the week. Interestingly, both islands voted
in almost exactly the same way, turning the candidates in in the same order,
handing Kasich a strong second place with Trump a distant third. The unofficial
results are below.
Kiawah Island
Marco Rubio (REP)
38.65% 257
John R Kasich (REP)
26.47% 176
Donald J Trump (REP)
19.70% 131
Jeb Bush (REP)
9.17% 61
Ted Cruz (REP)
5.11% 34
Ben Carson (REP)
0.90% 6
Total Ballots
665
Seabrook Island
Marco Rubio (REP)
35.56% 272
John R Kasich (REP)
26.80% 205
Donald J Trump (REP)
19.74% 151
Jeb Bush (REP)
9.67% 74
Ted Cruz (REP)
6.54% 50
Ben Carson (REP)
1.70% 13
Total Ballots
765
Source: http://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/Charleston/59158/159339/en/reports.html

Island Connection Calendar

February 26
Mondays

Intermediate Oil Classes

At the Todd & Huff Art Center located
at Bohicket Marina, Wednesdays and
Fridays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Topics include
value work, applying composition elements
to your paintings, edge work, brush and
palette knife use. Painting from still life
and photos. Email toddhuffcenter@gmail.
com for information.
Monday Bridge Group
9 a.m. at the Lake House. The Monday
Bridge Group needs new players. For more
information, please contact Ilse Calcagno
at 843.768.0317.

Tuesdays

Mah Jongg Practice

1 - 4 p.m. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesday
of the month. Located at The Lake
HouseOsprey 2. Open to all new
players, those returning to the game, and
anyone else who wants a chance to practice
with others who are learning the game.
If you have any questions, please contact
Helen Thompson at hmtsbsc@gmail.com.
Bookmobile
The Charleston County Bookmobile comes
to Freshfields Village on the first Tuesday
of every month from 10 11:30 a.m.
The Bookmobile will be parked in the lot
behind Heges and Java Java.

Wednesdays

Lake House Yoga

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

Fridays

Friday Indoor Pickleball

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

Saturdays

Sandcastle. No Tickets Required.

Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island
Arts and Cultural Events Council.
The Seat of Justice
Feb. 19 - Mar. 6, 2016 at the Dock Street
Theatre. Tickets at www.charlestonstage.
com. Julian Wiles's acclaimed play
chronicles the courageous journey of the
historic Briggs v. Elliott desegregation
case from rural Clarendon County, South
Carolina to the halls of the United States
Supreme Court.

2015 Sea Island Cars and Coffee

9 - 11 a.m. The third Saturday each month
at Freshfields Village (not April).

Johns Island Regional Library

Storytimes
Babygarten (0 to 18 months with adult),
Monday, March 7 at 10:30 a.m. Young
and Restless (18 to 30 months with adult),
Mondays, March 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 10:30
a.m. Time for Twos (24-36 months with
adult), Tuesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22 and
29 at 10:30 a.m. Preschool Storytime (3
6 years with adult), Wednesdays, March 9,
16, 23 and 30 at 10:30 a.m.

Ongoing

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Piano Bar Series

Wed. March 2, 16 and 30, 5-7 p.m.,

Butcher & Bee Night Market

9pm - 1am., local artists and craftsmen
showcase their work while giving the
public access to one of a kind artwork,
accessories and street food. Vendors, artists
and food trucks will transform the parking
lot of The Daily, High Wire Distilling,
ObviousLee Marketing, Hed Hi Media

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

Seabrook Artist of the Month

Tina Mayland is the Artist of the Month
for March, view her work at the Lake
House Hall Gallery all month. An opening
reception takes place there Tuesday, March
1, from 5 7:00 p.m.

and Butcher & Bee into a night bazaar,

celebrating the unique cultural experiences.
$5 entry fee with a portion of the proceeds
to benefit Redux Contemporary Art
Center.
"The Chocolate Affair"
6:30 p.m. The Chocolate Affair gala and
auction supports Communities In Schools
(CIS) of the Charleston Area, Inc. Held at
6:30 p.m. at the Memminger Auditorium,
live entertainment and over 200 auction
items are a featured part of this event
and include jewelry, vacation packages,
restaurant, ticket packages, and original art
from talented Charleston artists. In addition
to these wonderful auction items, dozens
of Charleston bakeries and restaurants will
vie for the 6th annual competitive title of
Most Artistic or Most Delicious dessert.
Creations will be judged by Chocolate
Affair attendees. Tickets may be purchased
by calling 843.740.6793 or at www.
thechocolateaffair.net.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28
4th Annual 'South Atlantic Bank'
Oyster Roast & Chili Cook-Off
2 p.m. - 5 p.m. at Hobcaw Yacht Club in
Mt. Pleasant. This family-friendly event
will have all you can eat oysters provided
by Sticky Fingers, hot dogs and fixins, a
delicious chili cook-off and live music.
Adults 21 $35, Under 21 $15. Tickets
can be purchased by visiting www.
FlorenceCrittentonSC.org.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29
World Affairs Council
Dr. Harold Trinkunas, an expert on Brazil,
discusses Brazil - This summers Olympics
host: a nation with global ambitions
but with big challenges. At the Citadel
Alumni Center at 69 Hagood Ave. right
across from the stadium. Members and
guests will assemble for a social hour at
5:15 p.m. The lecture will begin at 6 p.m.
followed by Q & A. Membership is $65
for an individual and $110 for a couple,
join online at waccharleston.org or at the
meeting. Guests may attend once per year
for a fee of $20 payable at the meeting.

TUESDAY, MARCH 1
Seabrook Artist of the Month Reception

Tina Mayland is the Artist of the Month

for March. An opening reception takes
place at the Lake House Hall Gallery
Tuesday, March 1, from 5 7:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 3
Seabrook Island Photography Club
presents Tim Grey
Tim Grey, Professional Photographer,
Author & Educator discussed
Photographing a Scene, 6:30 p.m. at The
Lake House. Open to all island residents
and their guests without charge.
Bob LeFevre drawing workshop
1-4 p.m. Lake House Eagles Nest room,
contact Gary Kunkelman at garyk1@
comcast.net or call 484.400.4390 to
register.

FRIDAY, MARCH 4
Mullet Hall Annual Oyster Roast &
Trail Ride
Friday - Sunday, March 4 - 6, Mullet
Hall Equestrian Center, 2662 Mullet
Hall Road, Johns Island. Join Mullet Hall
Equestrian Center, Dream Wranglers
Ranch, Cooler Horsmanship, Mitch
Lowery, and the Lowcountry Horse
Preservation for a fun weekend of trail
riding, a Cowboy Course competition,
guided trail rides (must have your own
horse), music and food. Register at online.
activecommunities.com/charleston/
Activities/ActivitiesDetails.asp
Charleston Friends of the Library Book Sale
With great bargains, good books and a
chance to support your library system,
all are in invited Friday, March 4 and
Saturday, March 5 at the Otranto Regional
Library, 2261 Otranto Road, Charleston,
SC 29406. For more information on the
Otranto Regional Sale, please visit www.
CharlestonLibraryFriends.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 5
Columbia City Ballet presents Aladdin
Saturday, March 5, 2016, two same day
performances 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., East
Beach Conference Center. Complimentary
Tickets available at Kiawah Town
Hall 843.768. 9166 or online at www.
kiawahisland.org/specialevents. Sponsored
by the Town of Kiawah Island Arts and

Cultural Events Council.

Where the Wild Things Run/Walk 5K
8:30 a.m. race start at the Caw Caw
Interpretive Center. Walkers, joggers, and
runners are invited to explore their wild
side on the scenic nature trails at Caw Caw
Interpretive Center. The 5K trail run and
walk starts at 8:30 a.m., and an award
ceremony with local food and beverages
will be held immediately afterward. Kids'
yoga and crafts for ages 6-12 will keep
children entertained throughout the
morning. Online registration at www.
ccprc.com.
Quentin Baxter presents Christian
Tamburr Quartet
Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.,
Turtle Point Clubhouse. $20 tickets
available now via www.baxtermusic.com or
843.766.8814, Sponsored by the Town of
Kiawah Island Cultural Events Fund

SUNDAY, MARCH 6
Customer Appreciation Day at
Charleston County Parks
All Charleston County Parks. Come enjoy
all the play with none of the pay during
Customer Appreciation Day! On Sunday,
March 6, your Charleston County Parks say
thank you by offering free gate admission
to Ravenel Caw Caw Interpretive Center,
North Charleston Wannamaker, Mount
Pleasant Palmetto Islands and James Island

March 12
County Parks. Plus, enjoy free parking at
Kiawah Beachwalker Park, Folly Beach
County Park and Isle of Palms County
Park. Fishing will be free for the day at the
Folly Beach Fishing Pier and the Mount
Pleasant Pier. Visit charlestoncountyparks.
com for further details.

TUESDAY, MARCH 8
South Carolina History Series
11:15 a.m. Traditional Gullah Folk Music:
Call and Response with Sharon CooperMurray, a renowned storyteller and artist.
This interactive program affords the
audience the opportunity to participate in
the hand clapping, percussion instruments
and movement. Free, John's Island
Regional Library.

THURSDAY, MARCH 10
Seabrook Island Natural History Group
presents Amy Armstrong
Amy Armstrong discusses South Carolina
Environmental Law. Refreshments, 7 p.m.,
Program 7:30 p.m., at The Lake House. All
Seabrook Island residents and guests are
welcome. There is a $5 donation which is
waived for SINHG members. Information
about future programs and SINHG
membership can be found at the SINHG
web site, sinhg.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 11
Seabrook Island Garden Club presents

Ryan Watkins
9:30 a.m. at the Seabrook Island Lake
House.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12
Hogs for the Cause Block Party
Home Team BBQ is organizing this shindig
with friends and neighbors near its soon-toopen new downtown location from 12 to 4
p.m. at 1071 Morrison Drive, Charleston.
Restaurants coming together for the event
include The Atlantic Room Restaurant at
Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Craftsmen
Kitchen & Tap House, Home Team BBQ,
Edmunds Oast, and Lewis Barbecue.
There will be live music by Guilt Ridden
Troubadour. Tickets are $30 per person
plus tax for a food pass. There will be drink
tickets sold for cocktails and beer. All of
the food, beverages and entertainment has
been donated to this event to raise funds
for Hogs for the Cause. Kids under 12 are
free. To purchase tickets, visit http://bit.
ly/1UDxRJY.
St. Paddys Pawlooza
This dog-friendly special event will give
people and their pets the chance to
celebrate St. Patricks Day together at North
Charleston Wannamaker County Park from
noon to 4 p.m. Attendees will enjoy live
music, beverages, and food. St. Patricks Day
attire is encouraged for all, especially for the
four-legged friends. For more information or
to register, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com
or call 843.795.4386.

10

February 26, 2016

gardening

gardening

Seabrook Island Garden Club

Wildflowers of the
Carolina Lowcountry

THE ART OF LANDSCAPING

IN THE SOUTH
BY ALBERTA BARRON
For The Island Connection

he next meeting of the Seabrook Island

Garden Club is scheduled for Friday,
March 11, at 9:30 a.m. The club will
welcome guest speaker Ryan Watkins to the
meeting at the Seabrook Island Lake House.
Watkins will present The Art & Science of
Southern Landscaping. A third generation
grower, Lead Landscape Designer and
General Manager at Brownswood Nursery,
Ryan was born and raised in Charleston,
and studied at the Oral Roberts University,
graduating with a Management Degree.
Ryan is a Certified Nursery Professional
and for three years served as a Horticulture
Instructor for the City of Charleston. His
Landscape Design and Installation work has
been featured on WCSC Channel 5, The
DIY Network, and HGTV. He was also
nominated and selected as a top 3 finalist in
the Young Retailer Award by Green Profit
Magazine in 2014.
At the February meeting, with winters
chill still lingering in the air, the Seabrook
Island Garden Club members and guests
were happy to have an excuse to be indoors
and to welcome guest speaker Amy
Dobbs. Amy is the Clemson Extension
Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener
Coordinator for Berkeley, Charleston and

Dorchester counties. Her presentation

on the use of Ornamental Grasses in the
landscape was intriguing on many levels.
As a newcomer to the Lowcountry, Ive
often been captivated by the rustic grasses
of the marshlands and the beautiful and
dramatic grasses decorating the landscape
of many grand homes and farmlands
throughout the South. In her lively and
interactive presentation, Amy was adamant
in teaching us the difference between good
grass and bad invasive grass and the need
for public awareness of this difference in
order to ensure the long-term protection of
our natural environment. We also learned
and talked about the art of maintaining and
safeguarding the ornamental grasses for
their continual good health and survival.
If you have yet to discover the
Seabrook Island Garden Club, be sure
to drop in, and join us. We welcome all
Seabrook Island homeowners and guests.
It is a great place to meet new friends, ask
questions and learn from each other as
well as the prominent guest speakers that
are featured each month.
For information on membership please
contact Cheryl Schumann, cschumann@
seabrookislandrealestate.com.

KIAWAH GARDEN CLUB

DISCOVERS THE WONDERFUL
WORLD OF WILDFLOWERS
BY MARTHA ZINK

For The Island Connection

he Kiawah Island Garden Club

were guests of the Kiawah Island
Nature Conservancy for a fun and
informative talk by Dr. Richard Dwight
Porcher, retired biology professor at the
Citadel and author of several books. He
was the author of A Guide to Wildflowers
of South Carolina and is working on
Wildflowers of the Carolina Lowcountry,
with Dr. Joel Gramling.
Dr. Porcher mentioned that much of
the land in the Nature Conservancy is
where he explores and takes his digital
photography. Since he wrote a book on
the lowcountry wildflowers years ago,
which is now out of print, so much of
the nomenclature has changed and hes
thankful that Dr. Gramling, who took
over his professorship at the Citadel, is
researching that aspect of the book. Dr.
Gramling runs the Herbarium at the
Citadel also.
There is incredible natural diversity
of the Carolina Lowcountry, a natural
transition stretching from Cape Fear
to Florida, with over 2000 plants in the
plain alone. Some plants are contained
in remnant communities from when
the glaciers receded, such as Beech trees
(a mountain species) along creeks. The
Waccamaw River and Sugarloaf Mountain
areas contain remnant communities, as
do native shell deposits.
Two million years ago the coastline
reached far inland, to near Columbia,
and the deposits laid down then form
the limestone and marl formations over
which our land stretches, and on which
many calcium loving plants thrive. The
ancient sand hills in the Upstate are the
old shore line. The Maritime grassland
thrives because freshwater is lighter than
saltwater and sits atop sand, and it is there
that the Common Marsh Pink grows.
The tidal freshwater marsh is formed as
freshwater backs up when the tide comes
in; thousands of acres of abandoned rice
fields which were built there have reverted
to marshland.
Another unique habitat is formed in
peat-based Carolina Bays. The origins
are debated but they could have been
formed by wind and water affecting the
barren landscape left when the ocean
receded. Sweet Bay and Loblolly Bay trees
grow in these areas. There are also claybased Carolina Bays where the clay base
holds water and hardwoods cant thrive:
the result is many wildflowers including
all sorts of orchids. Many of the Bays have
been drained for agriculture.
Native Americans used over 4,000
plants for medicine and food. Indian
Pink was used to treat intestinal worms,
Black Willow which contains salicylic
acid was chewed for pain, and Blood
Root was used for dye as well as insect
repellent. A distant cousin of Dr. Porcher,

Francis Peyre Porcher (1823-95) was

asked by the Confederate army to identify
more than 400 of these same plants as
a source of medicine for the soldiers,
such as Marions Weed, a substitute
for quinine used by Francis Marion in
the Revolutionary War. Another was
Longleaf pine which was boiled and
used as an astringent to treat dysentery.
There were three kinds of Native
American shell deposits: rings, mounds
and middens. They would live on a
hummock in rivers and toss the oyster
shells around them. There are 25 middens
along our coast and maritime shell forests
have grown on them, deciduous forests in
a generally evergreen region. The Native
Americans used rare plants on these
middens for dye and food, such as Indian
Midden Morning Glory whose tubers
are edible. Another plant most likely
introduced by the Natives was trillium, as
it is only dispersed by ants, who could not
swim to the middens. These plants were
also used in traditional black medicine,
such as Rabbit Tobacco, used for
toothache, cramps, etc.
St. Johns Parrish in Berkeley County,
which was flooded when Lake Moultrie
was formed, was the home of four very
famous botanists. Thomas Walter (174089) came from England and was the
author of Flora Caoliniana, published in
1788 and introducing 88 plants new to
science. Every young botanist makes a
pilgrimage to his grave if he can. Henry
Ravenel (1814-1887), and a great uncle of
our speaker, had many plants named in his
honor. Francis Porcher was the botanist
called by the Confederacy for help with
native medicinal plants to treat the army.
With his entertaining and interesting talk,
and his research, authorship, teaching and
mentoring career, Dr. Richard Porcher
certainly carries on a distinguished
tradition of scholarship.
The next Garden Club event will be on
March 14 at the Cassique Club, where the
chef will demonstrate cooking with flowers,
followed by luncheon featuring those flowers.
There are a few spots left, with details in the
Club newsletter.

February 26, 2016

11

daily

PHOTO COURTESY DONALDTRUMP.COM

Trump continues from cover

Trumps scheduled arrival time came
and went without adverse effect on the
crowd. The audience practiced chants
and waved signs to television crews as
one participant extolled those around
her Cmon! Everybody! Lets practice for
when he gets here. However, most were
content to visit and keep their powder dry
for the real thing. Forty extra minutes
of waiting later, a few people with lunch
plans trickled out, only to be replaced
by a flood of eager voters who had been
waiting in the hall. When the candidate
arrived at 11:50 a.m., there wasnt even
standing room.
The speech itself was a combination
of formats that could be described as
extemporaneous script. Trump was
prepared and speaking off the cuff at
the same time, which endeared him to
participants. He used a number of now
familiar talking points. He would circle
one topic, connect it to the next circle
on both ends and kept moving in what
ended up impressing the room as a solid
chain of logic (judging from the cheers
of affirmation). For example, Trump has
often touted his skills of negotiation. He
promised those skills could be applied to
enforcing both the letter and spirit of free
trade, forcing China to cease currency
manipulations; Three cars (e.g. topics) in
a train of logic.
I dont poll what I say. I say what I
think. This is a group that gets it, said
the candidate, connecting with the room.
He was rewarded with cheers of approval.
Carrier, Ford and Nabisco moving jobs
to Mexico? That wouldnt happen in my
administration. I would call them, tell
them they were free to do that but warn
them to expect to be taxed on the products
they bring back in to the country, said
Trump to raucous applause.
The bombast so often ascribed to

Trump, especially following several of

the Republican debates, was absent.
Maybe the candidate has become more
comfortable with his delivery after a year
on the campaign trail. Maybe the bar
fight/every man for himself mentality
elicited by a debate format was the
missing element. Trump was pitching his
candidacy to be sure and still impugned
the Presidents lack of negotiating skills
and his Republican rivals excesses.
Bush spent $40 million in New
Hampshire and lost. I spent $3 million
and won, he said. You spend it differently
when its your own money. Youre more
efficient, more effective and thats what
Ill do in Washington. However, it didnt
seem to be the venue or audience which
affected the tone of his message.
One Kiawah resident, who asked to
remain anonymous, was surprised at how
few people they recognized in the room.
I was surprised at how many
people were there from Johns Island
and Charleston. I even spoke to people
attending who were just vacationing on
Kiawah. Whatever the difference, the
message resonated well with attendees.
Johns Island resident Randall Horres
brought the whole family.
We need an outsider that has
succeeded in business and not a career
politician, said his wife Joanna. He
does not need anything for himself, yet
he feels truly called to serve this country.
The time for playing nice and smiling
and being politically correct are over. We
must have someone who not only knows
how to get things done but also has the
courage, strength and determination to
get it done.
Kiawah Resident Cici Lehman put it
this way:
In all [my] years of listening to
political speeches, no one educated me
more on the problems in the U.S. and the
solutions to correct them than Donald
Trump. He has such logical ideas that the
other candidates are following suit. Free
Trade while America is going down the
drain? Companies leaving due to high
taxes here [without] paying taxes on the
items coming back in? Yeah, we need
Donald Trump.
Months of campaign work lay ahead.
However, if the meeting in the Legend
room is any indication, or the win in
South Carolina, the idea of being on
the same team with a billionaire may be
gaining traction.

arts & events

SINGH brings
Amy Armstrong to
The Lake House
ARMSTRONG TO DISCUSS SC
E N V I R O N M E N TA L L AW
STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

eabrook Island Natural History

Group presents South Carolina
Environmental Law by Amy
Armstrong, Thursday, March 10, 2016 at
7:30 p.m.
Amy Armstrong is the Executive
Director and General Counsel of the
South Carolina Environmental Law
Project. She was a staff attorney at SCELP
for over eight years prior to assuming
her present position. Amy received her
B.S. in Biology from the University
of Michigan in 1992 and began work
with the South Carolina Department of
Natural Resources. In 2002 she graduated
from University of South Carolina with a
Juris Doctor and Masters in Earth and
Environmental Resource Management.
She currently serves on the Coastal
Community Foundation Board and is

Chair of the Bunnelle Foundation. She

is also a Liberty Fellow and serves as a
municipal court judge for the City of
Georgetown.
Ms. Armstrong has been actively
involved with important local issues
such as the Captain Sams Spit and the
proposed seismic testing for offshore oil
and gas reserves.
Refreshments will be served at 7
p.m., the program begins at 7:30 p.m.
at The Lake House. All Seabrook Island
residents and guests are welcome. There is
a $5 donation which is waived for SINHG
members. Information about future
programs and SINHG membership can
be found at the SINHG web site, sinhg.
org.

12

February 26, 2016

arts & events

PHOTOS BY TRISH PRUITT

Art & Wine continued from cover

13

February 26, 2016

Sharing blessings,
changing lives
OLOMCO RAISES $130,000

AT F U N D R A I S E R

ur Lady of Mercy Community Outreachs 19th Annual Sharing

Blessings. Changing Lives auction, held at the Marriott Hotel
downtown on Jan. 31, 2016, was attended by 224 guests and raised
$130,000. The proceeds from this fundraising event will go to support the
services provided by the organization: dental and pre-natal care; direct services
to meet emergency needs such as food and clothing along with hot lunches served
at the Neighborhood House; and diverse educational opportunities including
early childhood development, after-school programs and money management,
GED and English as a Second Language classes.

Attendees and supporters Henry and Laurel Greer.

Attendees and supporters Derek and Kelsey Low.

Board members and supporters Arthur McFarland and Richard Albenesius.

14

February 26, 2016

daily

arts & events

Kiawah's Roy Barth

Coastal landscape painter
receives highest honor Sergio Roffo presents at
from USTA Southern guild, teaches workshops
BY ROBERTA BOATTI
For The Island Connection

Roy Barth, left, receives the Jacobs Bowl from USTA Southern Nominating Committee
Chairman Randy Stephens. Photo by Trey Love/All-American Imaging.

BY JONATHON BRADEN
For The Island Connection

oy Barth, of Charleston, South

Carolina, was presented the USTA
Southerns 2015 Jacobs Bowl at its
annual meeting this month. The highest
award presented by the USTA Southern,
the Jacobs Bowl honors a volunteer who
has exhibited outstanding service to
USTA Southern.
Barth has been the Director of Tennis
at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort since
1976, and teaches at the tennis facility
that bears his name. He is presently the
president of the Professional Tennis
Registry. He has been certified as a Master
PTR professional since 2007.
Barth has an outstanding background
as a player, coach and teaching professional.
He was a two-time All-American at
UCLA where he was a doubles finalist
in the NCAA championships. He also
was ranked in the top 14 in four years,
reaching as high as No. 8 in singles and
No. 2 in doubles in the United States.
He also reached the top 50 in the world

during his pro career from 1969-1976.

With his son, Jonathan, who is also a
pro at the resort, they won the 60 & over
USTA National Father/Son Clay Court
Championships in 2008.
A native of San Diego, Roy was
inducted into the San Diego Sports Hall of
Fame in 2014, the South Carolina Tennis
Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Southern
Tennis Hall of Fame in 1998. His family
was honored with the 2007 USTA Family
of the Year. He is the author of Tips for
Better Tennis in book and DVD along
with articles in Tennis magazine.
A former USTA South Carolina
president and chairman of the USTA
Davis Cup Committee, Barth is currently
a member of the USTA Southern Adult
Competition and the Southern Tennis
Hall of Fame committees. He has also
served in numerous other USTA Southern
committees over his long-time volunteer
career.

he Seabrook Island Artist Guild will

again welcome one the countrys
premier coastal landscape painters
at its March 15 meeting at the Lake
House, Live Oak room at 3 p.m. Sergio
Roffo, an elected Fellow member of both
the American Society of Marine Artists
and the Guild of Boston Artists, holds the
honor of being one of the youngest artists
to be designated a Copley Master by the
Copley Society of Boston. Mr. Roffo will
show his work, discuss and demonstrate
his artistic process and follow with a
two-day workshop on March 16 and 17.
Mr. Roffo has been inspired by the work
of American traditional painters such as
Inness & Bierstadt, among others and
his representations of coastal landscapes
reveal a luminous, masterful feeling.
Upon viewing his art, you will discover
a precise sense of value and atmospheric
perspective that conveys a relaxed sense of
calmness; a characteristic that defines and
informs all of his works.
A serious artist, Roffo continually strives
to capture the elusive essence that is Nature.
He describes his mission as trying to convey
to the viewer the spirituality and sacredness
of my work, indicating the harmony of
nature through color and light. Roffo
offers that As artists, our creative goals will
never be accomplished. We will always be
students of nature, because nature does it so
beautifully. We live each day passionately,
others only dream of!
Mr. Roffo's captivating depictions of the
New England landscape have been included
in a variety of museum exhibitions and have
earned him many awards, including two
prestigious "Grumbacher Gold Medals" and
the Yankee Sagendorph Award; presented
by Yankee Magazine. In 1994, Mr. Roffo
was the winner of the Massachusetts Duck
Stamp, winning on his first attempt, where
others spend years trying. He has also
been selected for inclusion in numerous
publications and featured several times
in American Art Collector Magazine.
His work is included in many private and
publicly owned collections.
The Workshops
The workshop will consist of a two
day plein air series taught by Mr. Roffo
on March 16 and 17. This event presents
a rare opportunity to paint Seabrooks
stunning vistas with an American Society
of Marine Artists Fellow.
Mr. Roffo will focus on the techniques
and principles of plein air painting of
coastal marine landscapes. The objective
of this two day course is to sensitize the
class to the aspects of outdoor painting
(weather permitting) including, learning
how to see natures details, understanding
the interplay of light and shadow, knowing
how to mix the right colors and eliminating
the fear of outdoor painting. The series will
be a combination of initial in-house studio
instruction to fully prepare students for the
"ala prima" plein air experience.
Mr. Roffo's goal is to ensure that students
are prepared ahead of time to properly

observe, evaluate and then create art, in

one sitting, from what they observe before
them and gain the maximum experience
and benefit from painting outdoors. The
studio instruction will be followed by
painting outdoors, on the second day.
Students will receive individual personal
instruction and encouragement while
completing their paintings.
The workshop fee will be $250 for Art
Guild members and $300 for non-members.
The workshop series is open to artists of all
levels in oils only and a material list will be
available. Register by contacting Bob Lefevre
at 843.768.3284 or e-mail him at rodory@
gmail.com Dont delay, space is limited only a
few openings remain. To learn more about the
artist guild, its events and membership visit the
website at www.seabrookislandartistguild.com.
Improve your perceptual skills to
improve your drawing
On Thursday, March 3, Seabrook
Island Artist Guild president, Bob Lefevre
will teach a workshop on Improving
your Perceptual Skills to Improve your
Drawing. The class is free and open to all
interested Seabrookers.
Contrary to what many people think,
the ability to draw does not depend on
innate talent or a unique gift! In fact,
you might be amazed at how well you
can learn to draw by just learning and
practicing some fundamental perceptual
skills or, in other words, learning to see as
an artist sees.
This workshop will be a hands-on class
held in the Eagles Nest room at the Lake
House from 1 p.m. until approximately 4
p.m. Both experienced artists and those
with no experience may benefit from this
workshop. Supplies you will need include
drawing paper, soft eraser and drawing
pencils and a desire to learn.
To register for the class call Gary
Kunkelman at 484.400.4390 or e-mail
him at garyk1@comcast.net. Space is
limited so sign up soon. Visit the guilds
website a www.seabrookislandartistguild.
com to learn more about the organization
and upcoming events.
Outdoor Artist Guild Shows in March
and April
The weather is warming up and the
Seabrook Island Artist Guild members
are ready to show off what they have
done to ward off cabin fever. On tap
for Easter weekend, and in conjunction
with the Freshfields Village Spring
Festival the artists will set up near
the mall and be ready to show on
Saturday, March 26 from 9:30 a.m. to
3 p.m. Next up is the Sunday, April 10
show from 2 to 7 p.m. You can view or
purchase art while enjoying Blues By
the Sea at the same time.

15

February 26, 2016

arts & events

arts & events

Seabrook Island
Photography Club
presents Tim Grey

WAC addresses Brazil as it faces

Zika virus, summer Olympics

BY WILLIAM NELSON
For The Island Connection

eabrook Island Photography Club

welcomes professional photographer,
author and educator Tim Grey to
its March 3 meeting. He will discuss
Photographing a Scene. The event,
which begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Lake
House is open to all island residents and
their guests without charge.
Grey is regarded as one of the top
educators in digital photography and

imaging, offering clear guidance on

complex subjects through his writing
and speaking. He has written more than
a dozen books on digital imaging for
photographers, and has also had hundreds
of articles published in magazines. Tim
teaches through workshops, seminars, and
appearances at major events worldwide.
Visit his website at www.timgrey.com.
A lot of thought can go into creating
a photograph. Sometimes those thoughts
are conscious, and sometimes we don't
even realize we're thinking. In this
presentation Tim Grey will share his
approach to photographing a scene and
to managing the resulting images. You'll
learn the stories behind some of Tim's
favorite photographs, how he makes
decisions about where to position the
camera, what equipment to use, and what
settings to use. Along the way you'll gain
insights that may help you become a more
thoughtful photographer, and that may
help you be better able to locate favorite
photos later.

BY CONNIE SAGE CONNER

For Island Connection

razil, the host of this summers

Olympics, is now confronted with
the outbreak of the mosquito-borne
Zika virus and other major challenges.
Dr. Harold Trinkunas, an expert on
Brazil, is the Feb. 29, 2016 speaker at the
World Affairs Council of Charleston. His
talk is Brazil - This summers Olympics
host: a nation with global ambitions but
with big challenges.
The site of the meeting is The Citadel
Alumni Center at 69 Hagood Ave. right
across from the stadium. Members and
guests will assemble for a social hour at
5:15 p.m. The lecture will begin at 6 p.m.
followed by Q & A.
Attendance is by membership the cost
of which has just been reduced to reflect
the beginning of our second half of the
season. It is $65 for an individual and $110
for a couple defined as any two people
in a household. One may join online at
waccharleston.org or at the meeting.
Guests may attend once per year for a fee
of $20 payable at the meeting.
By far South America's largest and
most important country, Brazil has
long aspired to play a major role in the
world commensurate with its size and

population, and it pushed hard to land the

2016 Olympics. Trinkunas will explain
why the nation has long failed to live up to
its aspirations, why its current situation is
bleak, and what this means for the United
States.
Trinkunas holds the Charles W.
Robinson Chair at the Brookings
Institution in Washington where he is
Senior Fellow and Director of the Latin
America Initiative. He was previously
professor and Chair of the Department
of National Security Affairs at the Naval
Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif.,
and a visiting professor at Stanford and
the University of California, San Diego.
He is a graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania and holds a Ph.D. from
Stanford University. He writes regularly
on Brazilian and Latin American issues
and is author of Aspirational Power - How
Brazil Tries to Influence the International
Order and Why it So Often Fails, to be
by Brookings.
Those who attend will meet interesting
people and their understanding of
international issue will be expanded.