15 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com This year’s Best Of Mount Pleasant Magazine cover photoshoot took place on the dock behind Shem Creek’s Geechee Seafood alongside the Richardson Brothers I and II shrimp boats. In the background, tall marsh grasses swayed amongst choppy waters and the blustery cold wind. Warming the gray winter morning were several boxes of Annie's Hot Donuts of the sprinkled, French toast and holiday variety, as well as coffee and hot chocolate. Running the show was our captain, photographer Mark Staff, who styled the set with rustic beat-up chairs and boxes alongside heavy chains, ropes and nets borrowed from the commercial vessels. Strategically placed were a pair of white boots traditionally worn by shrimpers. As Staff positioned our award winners to capture the perfect shot, editor Zach Giroux held down the lighting equipment to make sure it didn’t get swept out to sea by the gales. Other deckhands included publisher Bill Macchio, brand ambassador Stacey McLoughlin, social media manager Johanna Rogers, media consultants Allyah Harrar and Paul Smith and production manager Bethany Long, who was onsite celebrating her birthday. BY SARAH ROSE about the cover About the Boats Deckhand of the Richardson Brothers I and II shrimp boats on Shem Creek, Michael Damon has been working in the industry since he was 14 years old. Over his 40-year career, Damon has experienced countless changes. “Shrimping is a dying business. That’s why there are only eight boats left on Shem Creek,” he said, adding that the vessels started dwindling about 10-15 years ago due to stores selling farm-raised crustaceans. Despite the ups and downs, Damon is in the business for the long haul, he said, because he loves being on the ocean, away from the hustle and bustle. While boat I goes out daily, boat II anchors out to sea for three or four days at a time, according to Damon. He recently gutted and remodeled the interior of the latter’s floating apartment, which accommodates four, with spectacular woodwork framing out the two tight quarters, each fitted with a bunk bed, a bathroom that has a shower, a fully operational kitchen, a dining space and wheelhouse. Below deck is the engine room. During the off-season from January-April, Damon and his colleague Stephen White maintain the boats by freshening the paint, replacing ropes and chains that have become stretched out and checking the engines and generators to ensure they are running properly. When conditions are just right, Damon said, the crew have been known to catch around 700 shrimp in one day. He emphasized that buying local and fresh sustains the business. Best of Mount Pleasant winners (pictured from left to right) Kathi Herrmann, Mount Pleasant Towne Centre; Deniece Guyan, Metabolic Medical Center; Ashish Radhakishun, SouthState Bank; Tim Myers, 1st Choice Heating & Air; Troy Ascue, Ascue's Paint & Body; Ava Phan, 843 Nail & Spa; Andrew Gloudeman, Gloudeman Electric; Katie Carter, Children's Discovery Center; Mandi Yager, Crescent Care Veterinary Clinic; Erin Straughan, Tidewater Pharmacy; Richard Thomasson, Bohemian Bull; Sam Schirmer, Schirmer Insurance Group; Carolyn Murray, WCBD News 2. Photo by Mark Staff. Of course, a Mount Pleasant Magazine shoot wouldn’t be complete without some sort of excitement. This time, when five pups arrived to have their photos taken, our dog-friendly crew made a point of making sure they felt as included as the humans. Not as adorable were the pigeons that swooped in to help themselves to the donuts and attacked Harrar as she tried shooing them away. While no birds or people were harmed in the incident, the same cannot be said of all the donuts.
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