SUMMER EDITION 2025 THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES AT WWW.MOUNTPLEASANTPODCAST.COM KITCHEN & BATH | BOATING & FISHING | EAST COOPER DINING GUIDE (p84) Wave Watchers Photo by Mark Staff Photographer. Island Time Loveable Landmarks Mountain Strong Western NC Rebounds All Tides Lead to the Beach Local Shrimp Matter Supporting Our Shrimpers
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8 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Staff Box ............................................................11 Publisher's Note...................................................11 From the Editor...................................................13 About the Cover..................................................15 Contributors. ...................................................... 17 Social Buzz.........................................................18 On the Web.........................................................19 contents SUMMER EDITION • VOL. 15, ISSUE 4 Mayor's Message.....................................25 Freedom Fighters.....................................27 TJ Phillips...............................................29 Scanlonville............................................. 30 Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park..............33 Clements Ferry Road...............................37 Debbie Antonelli.....................................40 Level Up Video.......................................41 UniMedia Productions............................42 Our Town................................... Our Sports.................................. Girls Spring State Champs..............................44 Boys Spring State Champs...............................46 Special Olympics State Champs.......................50 50 58 Arts & Entertainment.................... Calendar of Events..........................................20 Live Music Schedule........................................23 The Islands...............................51 Island Guide...................................................52 Boating & Fishing Guide................................55 Local Shrimp Matter.......................................58 Hurricane Preparedness...................................61 25 15 30 37 20
9 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com contents SUMMER EDITION • VOL. 15, ISSUE 4 Reggie's Report.............................107 Rescue of the Month.....................108 Hurricane Pet Safety.....................109 Dog Sitting..................................110 Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming...111 Our Pets......................... East Cooper Neighbors.... 112 TOP TEN HOMES SOLD IN 2025 Old Village..................................102 Rivertowne.................................. 103 McClellanville. ............................ 104 Dunes West.................................105 Snee Farm....................................106 On the Coast................................. Miss Ruby’s School..........................................63 Pawleys Island Resort......................................67 Magnolia & McKenzie Beach..........................69 63 67 Upstate. ....................................71 Mountain Strong: Western North Carolina......72 Kitchen & Bath.......................75 Expert Directory.............................................76 Luxury Kitchens..............................................77 Master Baths...................................................81 Food & Beverage......................... Dining Guide..................................................84 New Fare.........................................................87 Behind the Bar................................................89 Summer Spoonfuls..........................................90 Food on Wheels..............................................94 81 94 97 77 Dwellings................... 101 Health & Wellness...................... Spas & Retreats................................................95 Indoor/Outdoor Fitness...................................97 Novant Health.................................................99
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11 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com For me, July is special for several reasons. At the top of the list is the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Four of the 56 men who signed this treasured document had ties to the Carolina coast, two of whom were among the youngest to sign. Edward Rutledge and Thomas Lynch Jr. were just 26 at the time. Thomas Lynch Jr. was born on Hopsewee Plantation just over 40 miles up the coast from Mount Pleasant. The other South Carolina signers were Thomas Heyward Jr. and Arthur Middleton. This time of year, I usually reflect on the words Benjamin Franklin said in the room filled with the 56 men getting ready to sign the Declaration of Independence: “We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” I just think that it is so courageous to believe in something for which you might have to give your life. Yes, the Declaration of Independence is our country’s founding document, but for me it was also the mindset represented by the people who were in that room — independent-thinking people — who started our country down the road of free enterprise and entrepreneurial innovation. Those same ideas expressed in that room by the signers of America’s founding document live on to this day, inside every small business in Mount Pleasant, Charleston, up the coast and throughout the country. This is why I also have love and respect for the Carolinas and those who call it home. I’m not saying Carolinians are willing to be hanged for their beliefs, but I do believe they are bold, adventurous and free-spirited. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, you didn’t just happen upon the Carolina coast. Your desire to explore brought you here where signers of the Declaration of Independence once lived along with heroes of the Revolutionary War — where some of the first victories in the American Revolution happened. Yes, it is a special place: yesterday, today and tomorrow. Unapologetically yours, Bill Macchio Publisher • Publisher@MountPleasantMagazine.com publisher’s note Summer Edition • VOL. 15, ISSUE 4 PUBLISHER BILL MACCHIO PUBLISHER@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM MANAGING EDITOR ZACH GIROUX EDITOR@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM ART DIRECTOR DANA COLEMAN PRODUCTION MANAGER BETHANY LONG BRAND AMBASSADOR STACEY MCLOUGHLIN STACEY@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM DIGITAL DIRECTOR ALLYAH HARRAR ALLYAH@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM DIGITAL/WEB EDITOR GEORGE CONKLIN COPY EDITOR COLIN MCCANDLESS SOCIAL MEDIA/EVENT COORDINATOR ALYSSA FRANCO THEDIGITALTOUCHCHS@GMAIL.COM AD DESIGNER KIM HALL BETHANY LONG WRITERS MARY COY • KATIE FINCH • ALLYAH HARRAR WILL HAYNIE • CARI LAWSON • CLARK LEACH COLIN MCCANDLESS • SARAH ROSE ANNE TOOLE • BROOKE WATSON PHOTOGRAPHER MARK STAFF INDEPENDENT MEDIA CONSULTANTS STACEY MCLOUGHLIN STACEY@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM SARAH ROSE SARAH@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM ALLYAH HARRAR ALLYAH@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM PAUL SMITH PAUL@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM ADMINISTRATION & BOOKKEEPING GINGER SOTTILE BOSS DOG REGGIE DISTRIBUTION/DIRECT MAIL U.S. POST OFFICE • HARRIS TEETER • CVS Mount Pleasant Magazine is published locally by a team of independent contractors. Mount Pleasant Magazine is published six times per year by Media Services, Inc. 1013 Chuck Dawley Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Copyright © Media Services 2025. All rights reserved. Reproduction electronically or in print format without the expressed written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited and a violation of U.S. copyright laws. Inquiries to: Mount Pleasant Magazine P.O. Box 22617, Charleston, SC 29413 843-881-1481 A Special Place Yesterday and Today
12 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com OR buying selling A HOME? HAPPY CLIENTS 698 LET'S WORK TOGETHER! In 2024 Top 1% of all Realtors in the Tri-County area with $54.8 million sold and 51 families served In 2024 ranked in the Top 4% of all Coldwell Banker teams worldwide RealTrends 2024 America's Best #3 Small Team by Volume in South Carolina The team has sold over 698 homes and over $442 million in real estate. @katherinecox.co @katherinecoxco KatherineCoxHomes.com Contact us at MP@katherinecoxhomes.com
13 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Happy birthday, America! You don’t look a day over a bicentennial. 2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the United States — also known as a semiquincentennial or twoand-a-half centuries old — celebrating our country’s sovereignty via the Declaration of Independence. Charleston was fortunate enough to have four signers represent the Lowcountry: Edward Rutledge, Arthur Middleton, Thomas Heyward Jr. and Thomas Lynch Jr. There’s no debate that the men who pledged their signatures were true patriots. However, in today’s age, the term ‘patriot’ can be a bit ambiguous or carry connotations that are rather politically charged. We the people will always share differences of opinion. After all, freedom of speech is one of the greatest liberties afforded by our fair nation. In the spirit of unification, I’ve sought mutual aid from an unbiased source (ChatGPT) to help better define what it means to be a patriot. Here’s what our AI ally had to say on the subject: • Love of Country: Deep, unwavering respect and affection for the United States, its ideals and its people. • Civic Engagement: Voting, staying informed and participating in democratic processes. • Service: Contributing and honoring those who serve your community through volunteerism, public service or military duty. • Respect for the Constitution: Upholding the principles of freedom, equality and justice as laid out in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. • Unity over Division: Placing country above partisanship and striving for a more perfect union. • Defense of Liberty: Protecting the rights of all citizens, including those with differing opinions. • Support for Law and Justice: Believing in the rule of law and working toward a fair and just society. Upholding the principles of freedom, equality and justice. Cheers to a safe and happy Fourth of July with loved ones. God bless the US of A! Positive vibes only, Zach Giroux Managing Editor from the editor United We Stand SUMMER EDITION 2025 THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES AT WWW.MOUNTPLEASANTPODCAST.COM KITCHEN & BATH | BOATING & FISHING | EAST COOPER DINING GUIDE (p84) Wave Watchers Photo by Mark Staff Photographer. Island Time Loveable Landmarks Mountain Strong Western NC Rebounds All Tides Lead to the Beach Local Shrimp Matter Supporting Our Shrimpers SUMMER EDITION 2025 THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES AT WWW.MOUNTPLEASANTPODCAST.COM KITCHEN & BATH | BOATING & FISHING | EAST COOPER DINING GUIDE (p84) Wave Watchers Photo by Mark Staff Photographer. Island Time Loveable Landmarks Mountain Strong Western NC Rebounds All Tides Lead to the Beach Local Shrimp Matter Supporting Our Shrimpers Your Community, Your Magazine SCAN • CLICK SUBSCRIBE YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR MAGAZINE FAMILY EDITION 2025 DENTAL DIRECTORY | VETERINARY DIRECTORY | WEDDING DIRECTORY Legendary Legacies Multi-Generational Family Businesses Simmons Seafood otographer. Influential Moms Homemade Content Creators Superdads First Responder Fathers SCAN • CLICK • SUBSCRIBE
14 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Charleston’s ORIGINAL clinic for all things men’s health. ChsMensClinic.com | (843) 410-5100 | 1300 Hospital Drive, Ste 310, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 OUR NEW TREATMENT FOR HAIR RESTORATION. Meet TED! • A comfortable, trauma-free, and painless experience • Noticeable results in one treatment • Quick and simple 20-30 minute treatment session EAST COOPER EATS Daniel Island | N. Mount Pleasant S. Mount Pleasant | Isle of Palms | Sullivan's Island Finding your new favorite restaurant just became a lot easier, with options that include cuisine, price range, outdoor dining availability, and more. Scan this dining QR Code or visit www.EastCooperDining.com. To be listed in the East Cooper Dining Guide email, Publisher@MountPleasantMagazine.com POINT, SCAN, CLICK
15 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com about the cover Formally known as the Charleston Light, the lighthouse locally referred to as the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse was first lit on June 15, 1962. The illumination was recognized as the last major lighthouse in the United States built by the federal government. It was also the second brightest lighthouse in the Western Hemisphere, according to the National Park Service. The lighthouse was erected to replace the defunct Morris Island Light, which was rebuilt in the 1870s after being destroyed in the Civil War. Morris Island Light was at risk of being destroyed again by erosion and was later decommissioned. Standing at 162.5 feet tall, approaching vessels in the Charleston Harbor could see the flash of the lighthouse’s 28-million candlepower beam from more than 50 miles offshore. Five years after its construction, its wattage was reduced to 1.2-million candlepower, but it was still visible more than 25 miles away. When the Coast Guard automated the lighthouse in 1975, it no longer needed a keeper. In 2008, the Coast Guard relinquished ownership to the National Park Service. The lighthouse became eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the structures in the Coast Guard Historic District in 2012. Today, the lighthouse stands as one of the most technologically advanced for its time. It is the only lighthouse in America that has both an elevator and air conditioning. The National Park Service celebrates National Lighthouse Day every August by opening the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse grounds to the public. Sea Gazing History of Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse To read the full story behind the architect that constructed the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, visit mountpleasantmagazine.com/2023/places/sullivansisland-lighthouse-last-of-its-kind-beacon-of-the-beach. The support your family deserves. For nearly 30 years, our women-led firm has provided trusted family law counsel across South Carolina. Our experienced attorneys prioritize your needs, always guided by what’s best for your family. COMPASSION IN COUNSEL CONFIDENCE IN COURT ANNE FRANCES BLEECKER 519 SAVANNAH HIGHWAY, CHARLESTON 843-571-2725 | BLEECKERFAMILYLAW.NET | Photo by Mark Staff Photographer. BY ZACH GIROUX
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17 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com contributors Katie Finch is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for supporting local businesses through Discovery Map of Mount Pleasant. Her love of the Lowcountry is topped only by her (healthy) obsession with her family and introducing them to all things Mount Pleasant! Mary Coy is a fifth-generation Charlestonian and city tour guide. She is also the author of a book on Charleston’s Revolutionary War history. As a free-lance journalist, her articles have appeared in national and local publications. She has written for Mount Pleasant Magazine for more than a decade. Interested in contributing to Mount Pleasant Magazine? Email your contact information (name, phone, mailing address) and one sample of work you have created (or a link to your work online) with the subject “Aspiring MPM Contributor” to Editor@MountPleasantMagazine.com. Allyah Harrar is an SEO specialist and certified data nerd. Raised in the Outer Banks, she moved to Charleston in early 2024. She got her bachelor's degree from Ursinus College and has been trying to convince her dog Russ to become her data analyst sidekick. Clark Leach is a business and health writer with more than 20 years of experience. He has written for several publications. His work has appeared in Greenville Business, Charleston Business, Charleston Women, HealthLinks and The Tennessean. Cari Lawson is a school counselor by day and writer by night. Writing provides an outlet to connect further to the community. She loves to spend time with her husband, toddler and puppy at Disney World! Sarah Rose brings a local and global perspective to her freelance writing, editing and independent research. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, a decades-long career in interior design and has traveled and lived all over the world. Colin McCandless is a Charlestonbased freelance writer and copy editor who enjoys writing about nature and wildlife, travel, history and outdoor recreation. He has more than 15 years of writing experience working for magazines and newspapers and developing blog and website content. Brooke Watson is a College of Charleston student born and raised in Mount Pleasant, where she studies both creative writing and classics. When not writing or studying, she does her best to collect an assortment of hobbies like watchmaking or resin crafting to fuel that spark of creativity. Anne Toole was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, where she still resides with her husband and two children. She works in a school by day and has been moonlighting as a freelance writer for more than a decade. Anne finds joy in writing about the people, places, cultures, history and food that uniquely shapes the Lowcountry. Leah Moore is a freelance writer and nonprofit professional based in Dorchester County. She’s been honored to work for organizations like the Charleston Library Society, Charleston Literary Festival, Turn90 and Trident United Way. Leah loves serving her community in diverse, meaningful ways.
18 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com social buzz There’s comfort in being anchored! anchorheatingandair.com 843-564-7777 female owned & operated
19 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com on the web @MountPleasantMagazine @MountPleasantMagazine Mount Pleasant Magazine @MtPMag Listen to first person stories of community leaders, business owners and residents. This platform gives more community insights and stories. Up-to-date, relevant content and weekly posts for all of Mount Pleasant Magazine. Subscribe for more detailed videos, covering project highlights and town meetings. Stay connected and share your thoughts on posts. Local inspiration, from beautiful photography to community highlights. Catch Mount Pleasant Magazine online for all news, events and community stories! Take charge of your health with trusted care close to home. Whether it’s your annual wellness visit, managing chronic conditions, or keeping the whole family healthy and active this summer – Dr. Ann Gregory Kelly is here for you. WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS Call (854) 444-7676 to schedule your appointment today! 1200 Two Island Court, Suite E, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 LOCATED OFF THE ISLE OF PALMS (IOP) CONNECTOR A Healthier Summer Starts Here! PRIMARY CARE & PEDIATRICS www.PalmettoPrimaryCare.com
20 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com ONGOING Charleston Farmers Market When: Saturdays April-November 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Marion Square Weekly farmers market with produce, prepared foods and other goods from local vendors, arts and crafts and live performances. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mount Pleasant Farmers Market When: Tuesdays April-September from 3:30-7 p.m. Where: 645 Coleman Blvd. Features vendors selling local farm-fresh produce, meats, sauces, baked goods and other specialty foods in a festival atmosphere. Live music, free admission. Plenty of parking available. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Isle of Palms Farmers Market When: Every third Thursday from June-October from 4-7 p.m. Where: IOP Rec Center 24 28th Ave. The market will feature fresh produce, food vendors, live music and more! Parking is available on site. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! When: 5/23-8/15 Where: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens Wander through gardens adorned with striking, larger-thanlife sculptures and see a majestic fox in radiant hues, birds frozen in mid-flight and intricate creatures crafted from over 800,000 Lego bricks. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 10th Annual Charleston Caribbean Jerk Festival When: 7/19 from 6-10 p.m. Where: Riverfront Park The Charleston Caribbean Jerk Festival is a family-friendly event that celebrates the best in Caribbean food, culture and music. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 20th Annual Sweetgrass Festival When: 7/26 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Memorial Waterfront Park The annual festival promotes and brings attention to the contributions of the Gullah Geechee people’s history, culture, traditions and their sweetgrass basket art form that originated in Mount Pleasant and continues to exist in our town and surrounding communities today. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunrise for Sea Turtles When: 7/27 from 5-8:30 a.m. Where: Bulls Island Join Coastal Expeditions for a special fundraising expedition that takes you behind the scenes of sea turtle conservation in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Calendar of Events JULY
21 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- First Friday Artwalk When: 8/1 from 5-8 p.m. Where: Participating art galleries throughout downtown Charleston Discover the vibrant art scene of Charleston and indulge in the delightful festivities of First Friday Artwalks. Maps can be found at participating galleries or at charlestongalleryassociation.com/artwalk. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Trail Running Film Festival When: 8/3 at 6:30 p.m. Where: New Beginnings Community Church Palmetto Ultras is proud to present a special screening of the 2025 Trail Running Film Festival, part of the Trail Film Festival Global Tour. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Charleston Sprint Triathlon When: 8/10 from 7:15-11:15 a.m. Where: James Island County Park An exhilarating challenge featuring a series of events with a 600-yard swim, 12-mile bike ride and 5K run at James Island County Park. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Birthplace of World Trade When: 8/14 from 6-7 p.m. Where: Charleston Library Society Join historian and author Dr. Kim Cliett Long and artist Jonathan Green to explore the often-overlooked history of international commerce and trade. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Wine on the Piazza at the Edmondston-Alston House When: 8/21 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Where: Edmondston-Alston House Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Edmondston-Alston House followed by a glass of wine on the second-story piazza overlooking Charleston Harbor. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Cabaret When: 8/22-9/7 Where: Queen Street Playhouse This blockbuster, multiple Tony Award-winning musical centers around the adventures of American writer Clifford Bradshaw and his relationship with English cabaret singer Sally Bowles. Visit footlightplayers.net/cabaret for dates and show times. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Yappy Hour When: 8/28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: James Island County Park Dogs and their owners are invited to the dog park for an evening of live music, cold beverages and fun! Yappy Hour is free with regular park admission of $2 a person. Gold Pass members are free. AUGUST arts & entertainment
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23 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Live Music July/August JULY---------------------- LUKE BRYAN WITH GEORGE BIRGE, AVERY ANNA, DRAKE MILLIGAN AND DJ ROCK When: 7/18 at 7 p.m. Where: Credit One Stadium Luke Bryan is one of the defining figures of bro-country, the strand of party-hearty music that dominated mainstream country in the 2010s. --------------------------------------------------------------------- DANCING ON THE COOPER: SHEM CREEK BOOGIE BAND When: 7/18 from 7-10 p.m. Where: Mount Pleasant Pier at Memorial Waterfront Park On Friday evenings during the summer you can find the Mount Pleasant Pier alive with the rhythm of live music and dancing. --------------------------------------------------------------------- THE WALLFLOWERS WITH SPECIAL GUEST JACKSON MELNICK When: 7/20 at 8 p.m. Where: Charleston Music Hall The Wallflowers are the rock solo project of American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jakob Dylan. --------------------------------------------------------------------- JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT When: 7/20 at 7 p.m. Where: Gaillard Center Singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor Jason Isbell is critically acclaimed for his raw, emotional honesty. --------------------------------------------------------------------- FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER: DISCO THROWDOWN When: 7/25 at 8 p.m. Where: Music Farm A live band disco show and party featuring some of Charleston’s best musicians. --------------------------------------------------------------------- KENNY & DOLLY: THE LEGACY TRIBUTE When: 7/26 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Charleston Music Hall Get ready for an unforgettable evening of timeless hits, heartfelt duets and country magic. --------------------------------------------------------------------- MUMFORD & SONS When: 7/27 at 7 p.m. Where: Credit One Stadium Mumford & Sons play a fusion of bluegrass, folk, country and rock. AUGUST------------------ ANBERLIN WITH THE HANDLERS, THE ALMOST AND WATASHI WA When: 8/1 at 8 p.m. Where: Music Farm For more than two decades, Anberlin have remained a formidable force in the alt-rock world. --------------------------------------------------------------------- REGGAE NIGHTS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: MYSTIC VIBRATIONS When: 8/1 from 8-11 p.m. Where: James Island County Park Reggae Nights features traditional old-school roots reggae with a new-school attitude in a beautiful outdoor setting. --------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS AND DEER TICK When: 8/5, 8/6 at 6 p.m. Where: The Windjammer Acclaimed alt-country rockers Drive-By Truckers skew Southern stereotypes with rowdy yet high-concept work. --------------------------------------------------------------------- COLLECTIVE SOUL AND LIVE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS OUR LADY PEACE, GREYLIN JAMES RUE When: 8/6 at 7 p.m. Where: Credit One Stadium Nineties alternative rock icons Collective Soul and Live share the stage in a co-headlining tour. --------------------------------------------------------------------- CYPRESS HILL AND ATMOSPHERE WITH LUPE FIASCO AND THE PHARCYDE When: 8/9 at 6 p.m. Where: Firefly Distillery Influential hip hop group Cypress Hill have sold over 20 million albums worldwide. --------------------------------------------------------------------- BUMPIN UGLIES AND KASH’D OUT WITH LOGAN REX When: 8/13 at 6 p.m. Where: The Windjammer Annapolis, Maryland-based Bumpin Uglies music is a melody-driven, free-spirited blend of ska, reggae and punk. --------------------------------------------------------------------- THE WOOD BROTHERS When: 8/15 at 7:30 p.m. Where: The Refinery Get ready for a night of soul, folk and bluesy grooves you won’t forget! --------------------------------------------------------------------- OLD MERVS When: 8/16 at 9 p.m. Where: Charleston Music Hall The Old Mervs are an Australian indie rock group.
24 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Heads and Tails is a candid, heartfelt, and often humorous podcast hosted by longtime couple Jay and Kate White— a psychologist and an OB/GYN who’ve been married for 26 years. Named for their dual perspectives on the mind and body, this show dives into the real challenges of midlife with warmth, wisdom, and occasional glass of wine. REAL TALK. REAL LAUGHS. REAL LIFE. BECAUSE MIDLIFE ISN’T A CRISIS— IT’S A RECALIBRATION. Follow us! @headsandtailspodcast Heads and Tails offers down-to-earth advice on midlife relationships, family, and career—with Jay’s psychological insight and Kate’s physical wellness tips, all in a warm tone that feels more like a conversation in your living room than a lecture. headsandtailspodcast.com Wander through gardens adorned with striking, larger-than-life sculptures and see a majestic fox in radiant hues, a dragonfly frozen mid-flight, and intricate creatures crafted from over 800,000 LEGO® bricks. Perfect for all ages, Sean Kenney’s Nature POP!® is more than an exhibition, it’s an invitation to see the wonders of Magnolia through a lens of color, creativity, and conservation. 3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC (843) 571-1266 | magnoliaplantation.com 9AM - 5PM DAILY Exhibit access is included with General Garden Admission Online Tickets at magnoliaplantation.com NOW THRU 8/15 40+ LARGER-THAN-LIFE SCULPTURES LEGO® BRICK
25 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our town Hurricane preparedness from a government standpoint has come a long way in my eight years as mayor. We learned at the recent Preparedness Summit held in the Lowcountry by Gov. Henry McMaster that other states are observing and learning from our region about how to coordinate effectively across multiple local and state agencies to prepare for and respond after a big storm. Regionally, I have noticed more and better communication, training and equipment to keep our citizens safe. This edition of Mount Pleasant Magazine will delve more deeply into such details. What I want to share with you are personal lessons I have learned as a long-time citizen who, beginning with the infamous Hurricane Hugo in 1989, has learned some hard lessons about hurricanes. Here is some hurricane wisdom that I’ve been taught or learned the hard way over the last four decades: • There is a lesson in sailing about shortening the sail when a storm is approaching. It goes like this: “When is it time to shorten sail? Answer: the first time you ask if it’s time.” I’ve experienced the wisdom of this more than once on offshore sailing trips. This wisdom applies to hurricane preparedness as well. It’s time to prepare when you first think about it. • Another lesson from sailing or boating when bad weather looms. “It’s better to be on the dock wishing you were on the water than to be out on the water wishing you were on the dock.” I had to learn this one the hard way, both in sailing and about hurricane evacuation. When Hurricane Hugo hit, I was in my 20s, overconfident and had never been through anything over a Category 1 storm. As Hugo came up the coast from the Caribbean, I told myself I had plenty of time to decide whether to leave, and by then, it was too late. When the winds and the water rose, I realized the foolishness of my young man's ways. Lesson learned. • We are all tempted to stay in our homes thinking our presence will mitigate damage or give us an early start on recovery. Wrong. See above. If we do get a direct hit from a major storm, we must plan on a loss of all utilities, debris blocking roads and lord forbid, floodwater everywhere. Our being in this does nothing to mitigate the property damage and puts our lives in danger. • Finally, if for some reason you do find yourself caught in a hurricane, emergency experts say, “Hide from wind, flee from water.” Most hurricane casualties are caused by flooding, not wind, though the mortal dangers of both are obvious. As a resident of Mount Pleasant, you’ve got a huge team of trained professionals equipped and ready for a hurricane. But they will tell you that only you can completely protect yourself by removing yourself from ground zero before the storm hits. Property can be replaced, but you can’t be. BY WILL HAYNIE MAYOR OF MOUNT PLEASANT Mayor’s Message Hard Hurricane Lessons Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie gives a storm emergency press conference.
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27 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our town BY MARY COY You may have heard that our nation is preparing for a big birthday party next year celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. But if you remember any of your history from high school, you may also recall that the Declaration in 1776 wasn’t the beginning nor was it the end of the colonists’ attempt to separate from Great Britain. It took years of conflict that started with a tea party in 1773 and ended with a treaty signed in Paris in 1783 for the United States of America to finally achieve its goal. Many Americans consider the New England and Mid-Atlantic colonies to have been the setting for the Revolutionary War, but more battles were fought in South Carolina against the British and their loyalists than in any other of the Thirteen Colonies. And some of the most ardent leaders in the push for independence came from right here in the Lowcountry. CHARLES PINCKNEY You are likely familiar with Snee Farm, an established Mount Pleasant neighborhood. But did you know the land was originally the plantation of one of our nation’s Founding Fathers, Charles Pinckney? His former home on Long Point Road is a National Historic Site. And well it should be, since he not only signed the U.S. Constitution, but proposed the majority of what ended up in it. He was one of four men from the Lowcountry Freedom Fighters Lowcountry Patriots Who Paved The Way
28 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our town to hold the title of Founding Father. His older cousin, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, is another. Interestingly, the elder Pinckney’s mother was the famous Eliza Lucas Pinckney of Lowcountry indigo fame. His home was what is now Hampton Plantation State Historic Site near McClellanville. JOHN RUTLEDGE Another Founding Father from our area was John Rutledge, whose family’s former plantation is now Laurel Hill Park and the Phillips community. A historical marker on Highway 41 attests to this fact. Patriotism ran in the family. Rutledge’s younger brother Edward had signed the Declaration of Independence 11 years before the U.S. Constitution was written. ARTHUR MIDDLETON, THOMAS HEYWARD JR. & THOMAS LYNCH JR. Historically speaking, the men who signed the Declaration of Independence are not considered Founding Fathers, since that label is given to those who drew up the U.S. Constitution in 1787. But without the Declaration jump-starting things in 1776, that whole independence movement may not have ever happened to begin with. We salute those signers on July 4 every year. Charlestonians Arthur Middleton and Thomas Heyward Jr. along with Thomas Lynch Jr., who lived just up the road at Hopsewee Plantation in Georgetown, joined Edward Rutledge as the four South Carolina delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia where that bold move took place. It took a lot of courage for these men to make that decision, one that could potentially fail and have catastrophic results for the colonists — and for them personally. But what about the leadership and bravery of other men who literally fought in the trenches, often in hand-to-hand combat, against British soldiers and loyalist Americans? Those names are not as well known. WILLIAM WASHINGTON One of them is William Washington, a Virginian and cousin of the future president. Washington saw action at many battles throughout South Carolina, including one at Lenud’s Ferry on the bank of the Santee River near Jamestown in 1780. That battle was waged against Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, perhaps the most notorious and despised British officer, known for his ruthless battle tactics. THOMAS SUMTER Perhaps you have heard of Thomas Sumter, aka the “Fighting Gamecock,” a moniker given to him to describe his fervor in fighting the enemy. The fort at the entrance to Charleston Harbor is named after him. And Fort Moultrie? That one’s named for Gen. William Moultrie, who commanded 453 patriots on Sullivan’s Island in June 1776 when they successfully repelled British ships attempting to enter the harbor. On hand at the fort that day was Sgt. William Jasper, who braved enemy fire to ensure that his militia’s flag was repositioned after it was shot down. That flag later became the prototype for our beloved state flag. WILLIAM THOMSON Moultrie’s troops got some help from Col. William “Danger” Thomson, who held down the fort on the northern end of the island at Breach Inlet when 3,000 British troops attempted to attack there. The whole story is chronicled at Thomson Park at Breach Inlet. FRANCIS MARION A name you may recognize is a soldier who served with Thomson’s men at Breach Inlet, Francis Marion, also known as the “Swamp Fox.” This famous patriot provided the model for Mel Gibson’s fictional character in the blockbuster movie “The Patriot.” Fighting alongside Marion at Breach Inlet and in many other battles was his right-hand man, an enslaved person of color named Oscar. According to the National Liberty Memorial, at least 121 African Americans served with patriot soldiers in South Carolina. HENRY LAURENS Marion was of French Huguenot descent as was Col. Maurice Simons, who was commandant of the Charles Town militia when the city fell to the British in 1780. Huguenots had settled along the Cooper and Santee rivers a century earlier, and many of their descendants became patriots during the Revolutionary War. A high-profile Huguenot was Henry Laurens, one of the wealthiest men in America at the time. Laurens owned six plantations, including Mepkin near Moncks Corner and Wambaw on the Santee River. Laurens had been in colonial politics long before the war began and was an integral force in the movement for independence. There were countless other patriots whose names we may never know — men who did not claim wealth and are not written about in history books but had a passion for the cause. You owe it to yourself — and to the memory of all of them — to visit Thomson Park, the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, Fort Moultrie, Hampton Plantation and Hopsewee Plantation. Take the time also to wander among the graves at Christ Church on Highway 17 North and at the site of the old Wappetaw Congregational Church in Awendaw, where other Revolutionary War patriots are buried. Their grave markers often tell of their valor. Because after all, where would we be without them?
29 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our town Editor’s Note: Jessica Chandler was a close friend and colleague of radio personality TJ Phillips and the longtime co-host of “TJ & Jessica in the Morning” on 92.5 Kickin’ Country. Our work week was a little different than most. 4:30 a.m. arrival, always a dark empty parking lot. We would say hello to each other and regroup the events of our daily lives and then share it with the world. The “show” to TJ was everything. He wanted to entertain and inform our listeners every single day. It was his goal to give people an escape from whatever was going on in their lives, and he was humbled that people chose to spend their time with the “TJ and Jessica” show. He told real life stories that always made me question the validity. Like that one time he wrestled a bear. I didn’t believe him at all, but a few weeks after he told the story, he nonchalantly walked into the studio and handed me a picture. There he was, with his arm around a bear! TJ had the biggest heart. We ended every show with happy stories, and he usually could not even finish the story because he was crying. His passions were pets and kids. His work with pet charities is legendary, and anyone who listened knows how he loved taking care of stray cats. He reveled in hosting the Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital (Cares for Kids) Radiothon. Honestly, there was not a cause that he would not get behind if it helped someone less fortunate. He would joke that his wife gave him an allowance because if he had full access to the bank account, he would give all of their money away. If I had to choose a defining word for TJ Phillips, it would be “local.” TJ had an incredible way of acknowledging the massive growth of Charleston (which he wasn’t the biggest fan of), but he always reminded people of the local treasures. He also loved to brag that he had his own breakfast sandwich at Page’s Okra Grill. It is called TJ’s Hot Mess. You know you have “made it” when you get your own sandwich named after you! And TJ loved his country music. He knew the artists. He knew the songwriters. He loved anything that pertained to storytelling, and he had so much respect for songwriting. He had personal relationships with Garth (Brooks) and Darius (Rucker). He would often text Darius during the show. But one of his favorite artists was Kris Kristofferson. Kris is who really sparked his love for country music. Vince Gill was also one of his favorites, and little did we all know that on June 6 at the PAC (North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center) it would be TJ’s last concert. TJ was deeply touched by his song lyrics, and his post after the show in some ways sums up TJ Phillips’ view of the world. Referring to Vince Gill’s lyrics, he said: “They made me realize that I am not alone in this bizarro world we are living in.” I miss him so much already. Eternal Echo On Air with TJ Phillips BY JESSICA CHANDLER Jessica Chandler and TJ Phillips.
30 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Perhaps you’ve noticed the vacant lot as you’ve turned off Highway 17 onto Mathis Ferry Road, just past the first traffic circle. More likely than not, however, you haven’t paid it much attention. But that’s about to change. The empty lot on the corner of 5th Avenue will soon become the site of a new park — but not just any park. This one will serve as a heritage memorial site, honoring the founders of the Scanlonville community. The area, often referred to as Remley’s Point, has been home to generations of African Americans. Its first residents settled there after the Civil War when freedman John Scanlon purchased 614 acres of the Remley Plantation. He divided most of it into residential lots and sold them to other formerly enslaved people. Today, less than 10% of Scanlonville belongs to descendants of the original residents. That Worship Meets Fellowship Scanlonville Praise House Park BY MARY COY our town
31 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our town half-acre lot on Mathis Ferry is part of that percentage. Jackie Gore, a lifelong Scanlonville resident and treasurer of the nonprofit East Cooper Civic Club said, “We have worked for years with the town to ensure that preservation efforts in the Scanlonville community are addressed.” The result is the planned parklet which will be known as Scanlonville Praise House Park. James Aton, the Town of Mount Pleasant’s deputy director, Capital Projects & Transportation and project manager for the plan, explained, “The Scanlonville residents are an asset to the community. We wanted to create space for the public to enjoy, so using funds from the budget for Mount Pleasant Way, the town stepped in to help with infrastructure.” A walk-and-bike trail along Mathis Ferry Road will connect the Scanlonville Praise House Park to an existing path along Wingo Way that runs to the park. “We wanted to ensure that this park blends into the surroundings but also reflects our heritage,” Gore stated, adding that “a competition for the park’s design was held among landscape architecture students at North Carolina A&T State University, a historically black, landgrant research university in Greensboro. The name Praise House Park was also coined by the students to reflect the importance of the praise house in African American settlement communities.” A praise house was a simple wooden building used for worship and other gatherings. It was the center of the community. This park is meant to also be a gathering place for spiritual reflection and community awareness. The students were tasked with the challenge of creating a unique experience and making a small park stand out in a town with many parks. Three considerations were deemed most important: a celebration of the battles and triumphs of the community’s founders, recognition of the region’s cultural history and development of a deeper shared understanding of Scanlonville. A panel of town officials, professional landscape engineers and Scanlonville residents chose the winning design from the students’ submissions. The work will be done in phases beginning in August with the construction of sidewalks. Plantings of sweetgrass and indigo will be woven into the natural landscape of live oaks. Statues of a Gullah woman as well as a Sewee Indian, representing the earliest inhabitants of the area, are also planned. Additionally, in the future, visitors will be able to use their cell phones and other devices to listen to stories of past community residents. “The East Cooper Civic Club has a great vision for this property,” said Liz Boyles, division chief in the town’s Office of Neighborhood Livability. “As part of the town’s Mount Pleasant Way, the non-motorized path will eventually go from one end of town to the other. Various segments of the trail will be named after what is already there. We look for opportunities to partner where we can, so the Scanlonville section will be named Praise House Trail.” In April, Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie officially announced the project, stating that “it exemplifies progress while honoring the past.” Because the land is protected in perpetuity by the Lowcountry Land Trust, there’s no chance that development can overtake or overshadow the site’s significant cultural and historical importance. The final design was completed in April, with a projected cost of $635,000. The National Heritage Corridor awarded a $150,000 grant, with the remainder covered by public and private funding. Additions including statues and audio capabilities are dependent on donations. For more information, visit eastcoopercivicclub.org.
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