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7 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. VOICE forMP. com 76 contents MAY/JUNE 2021 • VOL. 11, ISSUE 3 Publisher’s Note .................................................. 11 From the Editor .................................................. 13 Contributors. ...................................................... 14 On the Web......................................................... 15 From the Farm to Mount Pleasant.......................... 16 Nigel Redden on Spoleto Festival 2021................... 17 MPPD Chief Richie Discusses Service and Retirement.....19 Deputy Chief Mark Arnold Steps into New Role. .....23 Add Some Sweat Equity to Your Home. ................ 27 The Future of Solar Energy in South Carolina. ....... 31 Mother-Daughter Getaways.................................... 58 Inspired by Family: Recipes from Charleston Chefs. .. 64 Curating the Perfect Gift Basket. ........................... 71 What Makes Cool Sculpting So Cool?................... 74 Mental Health in Mothers..................................... 76 Beautiful Gate Center Offers a Helping Hand....... 79 Top Ten Homes Sold per Neighborhood.............. 130 Features 46 58 15 Family Ties History of Mother’s & Father’s Day. ............................................. 34 Outstanding Moms & Dads......................................................... 35 In Praise of the Family Road Trip.................................................. 40 Sharing Your Passion with Your Children...................................... 43 Celebrating with Fur Babies.......................................................... 46 35 19 27 Expert Advice The Schirmer Agency.................................................................... 39 King Street Agency........................................................................ 49 East Cooper Community Outreach...............................................51 SOL Southwest Kitchen.................................................................53
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9 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. VOICE forMP. com contents MAY/JUNE 2021 • VOL. 11, ISSUE 3 Smiling Faces North Mount Pleasant north mount pleasant www.Nor thMountPl easant . com | www. Par kWes tNe i ghborhoods . com | www. Br i ckyardHomes . com NMP A Road to the Past FOLLOWTHE KING’S HIGHWAY TOTHE OLD BRICK CHURCH WWW.NORTHMOUNTPLEASANT.COM | PUBL ISHED BY MOUNT PLEASANT MAGAZINE GETOUTSIDE! Enjoying the Great Outdoors Keeping it Clean CLEANING UP THE FRANCIS MARION FOREST GET LOST in theWoods OUTTO ‘LAUNCH’ Discreet Boat Ramps NORTHMOUNT PLEASANT MAGAZINE 2021-22 Organizations Offer Free Dental Services to Those in Need..........84 Dr. Katrina Myers: Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery. ................ 86 AWonderful Work Environment............................................................ 89 Dentist Directory.......................................................................................... 97 Expert Advice Smile Carolina Dental Group................................................................... 88 Pleasant Family Dentistry......................................................................... 91 Sedation Dentistry of Charleston.......................................................... 93 Wando Family Dentistry............................................................................ 95 Dr. Tara Griffin ............................................................................................... 99 Sewee Dental Care....................................................................................101 Advanced Dentistry..................................................................................102 Endodontics Ltd.........................................................................................103 Water’s Edge Dentistry. ...........................................................................104 Your Nature Fix Near North Mount Pleasant. .................................108 Out to“Launch”...........................................................................................113 Keeping Things Clean and Green........................................................114 King’s Highway to the Old Brick Church of Wambaw. ............... 116 Getting Lost in theWoods .....................................................................121 Expert Advice Eleven81........................................................................................................123 Signe Spine & Rehab. ...............................................................................125 Mount Pleasant Gardens. .......................................................................126 deGuise Interiors........................................................................................127 Set in Stone Hardscapes. ........................................................................128 Oyster Candle Company and Coastal Gifts. ....................................129 Top Ten Homes Sold in North Mount Pleasant..............................130 108 121 84 105 89 93 101
10 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. VOICE forMP. com Mt . P l e a s an t & Summe r v i l l e ( NOW OPEN ) ( 8 4 3 ) 3 8 8 - 3 9 3 5 | www . h a v e n s f u r n i t u r e . c om "A l i t t l e p i e c e o f H i gh Po i n t i n t he Lowc oun t r y" Ma r k e t a t Oak l and l o c a t i on c omi ng t h i s s umme r ! PARTY WITH THE BESTIES Party with local businesses who were voted 2021 Best of Mount Pleasant. While you’re there meet the Publishing Family behind the magazine and get the scoop on 2022 Best of voting. Let's rock to the FAT BASTARDS!! THE BEST OF TICKETS ARE LIMITED. GET YOURS HERE www.bestofmptickets.com www.BestofmpPARTY.com Your picture can be on the front cover of Mount Pleasant Magazine through the magic of our special front cover photo booth. Come to the Best of Party! Friday, September 17 at Alhambra Hall. Tickets are $35.00 and include food catered by local restaurants, Lowcountry oysters, beer, wine, dancing, photo booths and a good time!
Podcasts-VfRE, MPPodcast-FP Ad STAY INFORMED Listen & Learn To be included on these podcasts or for podcast marketing information contact; Publisher@MountPleasantMagazine.com, or call 843-345-7012 www.MountPleasantPodcast.com www.VOICEforRealEstate.com
11 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. VOICE forMP. com This is one of my personal favorite issues to bring to our readers: the family edition. With Mother’s and Father’s Day happening during the distribution cycle of Mount Pleasant Magazine’s May/June issue, it simply makes sense to focus on the structure of family. Let’s face it — family is everything! Being part of a strong family, personally or professionally, will make life’s challenges a bit easier to overcome. Family is important to the greater community as well. The stronger the families, the stronger the community that surrounds those families. There is no doubt in my mind that Mount Pleasant’s strength comes from having a strong family base, and it all stems from our incredible wealth of local opportunities. When families choose to relocate to Charleston, Mount Pleasant is often their first pick because of our outstanding school system. Local families also enjoy an exceptional recreation department, town-sponsored family events, an amount of green space unheard of for towns this size — and the list goes on. Managing Editor Lindsay Bishop and her family recently moved from another part of Charleston to Mount Pleasant so her daughter would experience the best school systems available. Lindsay told me she felt like her family had moved to a real neighborhood, where people were riding bicycles, waving, smiling and doing other neighborly things. She said she already felt a real sense of community being in Mount Pleasant, despite the very recent move. Of course, I am sure being so involved with the community through the pages of Mount Pleasant Magazine gives her insight not many people have. While Mount Pleasant’s strong foundation begins with the large population of young families, it continues with a wide variety of residents from different demographics who also call East Cooper home. We have the seniors who move here to either retire and relax or to be closer to their grandchildren. We have recent empty nesters who have been visiting their children at College Of Charleston and found themselves falling in love with the area. And let’s not forget the loyal seasonal visitors and single professionals. Ultimately, the list of “VIRs” (Very Important Residents) is as wide and deep as the reasons why people fall in love with the greater Lowcountry. One thing is certain as far as we’re concerned — one of their favorite places to call their new home is Mount Pleasant. The residents who make our town their home are the nucleus of its strength and continued popularity. In other words, our entire giant family of East Cooper is made up of many smaller families, yours included. Until next time, Bill Macchio Publisher • Publisher@MountPleasantMagazine.com publisher’s note Vol. 11, Issue 3 • May/June 2021 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR BILL MACCHIO Publisher@MountPleasantMagazine.com MANAGING EDITORS LINDSAY C. BISHOP THERESA STRATFORD COPY EDITOR DENISE K. JAMES ART DIRECTOR DANA COLEMAN PRODUCTION MANAGER BETHANY THURM AD DESIGNERS KIM HALL REBECCA SOTTILE BETHANY THURM WEBMASTER GEORGE CONKLIN INTERNET GENE PHAN WRITERS FAY M. BOUDET • EILEEN CASEY ALYSSA DISALVO • STACY DOMINGO MEREDITH A. HAGEN • JENNY HARRISON PAMELA JOUAN • COLIN MCCANDLESS JANET E. PERRIGO • LEAH RHYNE ANNE SEMMES • JEANNE TAYLOR RICHARD TODD • ANNE SHULER TOOLE JOHN TORSIELLO • KATHERINE WATERS PHOTOGRAPHERS WILLIAM BEEBE • JENN CADY TANYA DALES • LAUREN MCDUFFIE MARK STAFF SALES MANAGER CULLEN MURRAY-KEMP Cullen@MountPleasantMagazine.com INDEPENDENT MEDIA CONSULTANTS ANDY BIMONTE Andy@MountPleasantMagazine.com CHRIS LONG Chris@MountPleasantMagazine.com MANDY WILLIS Mandy@MountPleasantMagazine.com ADMINISTRATION & BOOKKEEPING GINGER SOTTILE DISTRIBUTION U.S. POST OFFICE • HARRIS TEETER • PUBLIX • 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 2021. 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 Info@MountPleasantMagazine.com
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13 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. VOICE forMP. com As the editorial team and I began to plan our annual Family Issue, I started to realize just how central family is to every aspect of our lives. We included the obvious nods to family, including a “History of Mother’s and Father’s Day” (page 34), Outstanding Moms and Dads nominated by their loved ones (page 35) and a fun feature by Pamela Jouan full of fantastic locations perfect for a weekend getaway with your mom (page 58). Then we dug deeper into family, starting with an insightful piece by Jenny Harrison about the importance of bonding with your children over shared hobbies – both yours and theirs (page 43). We touched on topics that were a little less sunny – the lack of education and support for struggling postpartum mothers (page 76) and a heartfelt story written by Richard Todd of 105.5 The Bridge about a road trip he and his son took after the passing of his wife (page 40). And then there were topics that didn’t seem connected to family at all, but as I examined them closer, the ties became more apparent. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview the retiring Mount Pleasant Police Chief, Carl Richie, and his successor, Deputy Chief Mark Arnold, in “Changing of the Guard” (page 19). After speaking to them both – 32-year and 25-year veterans respectively – it was hard to miss the feeling of family that the department has fostered here in Mount Pleasant, both within and with the community. It was also impossible not to realize how great a sacrifice these men have made, having to work extremely hard to maintain a work-life balance with their own families in order to protect ours. Even if you don’t feel strongly connected to family, there’s a good chance that you have some cute fur babies to celebrate with on this year’s Mother’s and Father’s Day, and we’ve got plenty of ideas on page 46. And you’ll be motivated to head into your kitchen and cook up some nostalgic dishes after reading how local chefs were inspired by their family experiences on page 64. Whether your family is near or far, I hope that these pages move you to find closeness with them in this season, which is truly all about celebrating the one thing that is always a constant – family. Lindsay C. Bishop Managing Editor editor@mountpleasantmagazine.com managing editor’s note Photo by S t ephen Atoh i . The cover of our family issue always features some of our nominees for Outstanding Moms & Dads (page 35), and this year we were fortunate enough to feature two in one family! Olivia Lee nominated her mom, Adriana, and her dad, John, and you can tell from their photos together that this is one special family. Jenn Cady photographed this image at the pier on Isle of Palms and couldn’t have done a better job of capturing their fun, outgoing spirits. about the cover A Stand-Alone Memory Care Community. Come see what makes us different! Serving those with Alzheimer’s and other related conditions. We are a member of the JEA Senior Living family of assisted living communities. JEA is committed to being the leader in providing quality personal services for our residents while honoring the experience of aging. 843.216.1001 1025 Hungryneck Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 jeaseniorliving.com Call for a free tour!
14 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. VOICE forMP. com contributors Jenny Harrison taught secondary English for eight years before deciding to stay at home and raise her two beautiful daughters. After leaving the classroom, Jenny never stopped writing and teaching. Early this year, she started a new small business, Harrison Academic Mentors. In addition to working with students all over the Charleston area, Jenny writes for various local publications, including Mount Pleasant Magazine. Pamela Jouan was raised in London and has lived in Los Angeles and New York City. She now resides in Mount Pleasant with her husband and two children and serves as chair of the Mount Pleasant Constituent School Board. After many years of working in radio promotion for Atlantic Records, she decided to pursue her love of writing. Pamela has written over 250 magazine articles for celebrity chefs and restaurants and is always in pursuit of the next great story. A native of Lexington, South Carolina, Fay M. Boudet lived in Nevada for seven years before moving to the Lowcountry in 2018. Her background is in grants management, writing and working with nonprofits, and she has been freelance writing since 2020. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, dog-walking and all things Jurassic Park. She lives with her family in Goose Creek. In 2013, Janet E. Perrigo fled a lifetime of long, dark Northern winters for South Carolina’s warmth and sunshine. She and her husband Bob currently reside in Wagener, South Carolina with “Wagner,” their handsome husky rescue dog. In addition to freelance writing, she’s passionate about her work as director of Christ Central Institute, a ministry dedicated to helping those who cannot help themselves. 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. Changing the Lives of Charleston Two Hands at a Time. HealthLinks CHARLESTON BEST in HHEALTHH acebook! urrin FIRST 10 CALLERS to mention this ad will receive a consultation, exam, any necessary x-rays* SUMMER SPECIAL FOR ONLY $37a $415 Value *Does not apply to Medicare and Medicaid participants. After several visits to the ER and my primary doctor, I started seeing Dr. Murrin for neck/back issues that were resulting in numbness. After consistently seeing Dr. Murrin, I no longer have the pain or numbness! –Scott Fulton CHIROPRACTICUSASC.COM 1004 ANNA KNAPP BLVD. MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 29464 Find us on facebook @DrMatthewMurrin 843.881.0046 WWW. BESTOFMP.COM DR. MATTHEW MURRIN DC, BSc Kin, CEP, CFC
15 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. VOICE forMP. com e love engaging with our readers and providing up-to-date, relevant content for all of Mount Pleasant and East Cooper. To stay abreast with our real-time updates, follow us on Instagram, @MountPleasantMagazine, and on Facebook.com/MountPleasantMagazine. To share our digital edition with friends and family, go to ReadMPM.com, or visit our website at MountPleasantMagazine.com for more local articles, photos and information. This is our special family edition of Mount Pleasant Magazine. We also cover North Mount Pleasant, and we feature a special section called Smiling Faces, which highlights many of the successful oral doctors and dentists we have right here in our hometown. Visit NorthMountPleasant.com and ChsDentists.com. We can all learn from the businesses who were voted Best Of 2021. Watch, Listen and LEARN from the businesses who were voted Best on our new podcast, BestOfMPpodcast.com. To listen to the original Mount Pleasant Magazine podcast, click here: MountPleasantPodcast.com. Seems like everyone’s talking about real estate, so meet coastal Carolina’s leading Realtors, mortgage bankers, builders and insurance companies on our newest podcast at VOICEforRealEstate.com. Listen to or watch CharlestonWomenPodcast.com for in-depth interviews with some of the women featured on the pages of Charleston Women Magazine. We are already planning another great edition of Charleston Women for July/August that you won’t want to miss. Do you have an idea for a feature? Share your story ideas with us, including photos and/or local business information, to editor@mountpleasantmagazine.com. We’d love to hear from you. on the web W $50 OFF A SEASON PACKAGE 843-884-8661 LowCountry.MosquitoSquad.com No Bugs. No Bites. No Kidding. Annoyed by outdoor pests? Fight Back! Protect your family and pets from the nuisance and dangers of mosquitoes. Get rid of them with Mosquito Squad, the original and most trusted mosquito eliminator for over 10 years. • 21-day Traditional Protection • 14-day All-Natural Protection • Up to 90% Pest Reduction • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed First time customers only. Limit one coupon per property. Not valid with other offers.
16 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. VOICE forMP. com around town As the vaccines continue to .roll out, we are starting to mark up our calendars again. Speaking of which, we hope to have the calendar section back in the next issue of Mount Pleasant Magazine to keep you in the know. In the meantime, read about how the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market and Spoleto adapted to bring local produce and nationally acclaimed artists back into our lives. FROM THE FARM TO MOUNT PLEASANT The town of Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is back, and from the look of the first few weeks, it’s as bustling as ever. An integral part of the Old Village scene, the market draws visitors from far and wide and is considered a tourist attraction. Tracy Richter, farmers market manager, is excited about the season. “Last year, we worked very hard to provide a safe environment for all our shoppers. We are following those same guidelines: encouraging social distancing, wearing masks and hand-washing or sanitizing frequently. In addition, many of the vendors have received their immunizations.” You might notice that the number of vendors has grown. It’s not surprising, as more businesses seek alternative ways to do business and an outdoor location is always welcomed. “We ended last season with around 26 vendors. We have increased to around 40 with more choices for shoppers,” Richter said. She also noted that The Mayor at the Market program will resume this summer, as well as their shopping bag sponsorship opportunities. In addition to fresh produce and locally made pantry items, the market offers dining options to make your evening meal that much easier. The Clemson Extension Master Gardeners are always on hand to help you with tips on how to make what’s in your own backyard that much more bountiful and beautiful. “There’s a very positive vibe about the environment this season,” added Richter. “Everyone seems to be happy to be able to shop local and support the farmers that work so hard at their craft to bring us what is in season.” BY PAMELA JOUAN Mount Pleasant and Charleston Opening Back Up The Town of Mount Pl easant Farmer s Mar ket i s back wi th more opt i ons for v i s i tor s than ever be fore. Photo by E r i c LaFonta i ne .
17 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i l der s . com Imagine getting a sneakpreview of your life at the age of 14. That’s when Nigel Redden first traveled to Spoleto, Italy during a school trip and happened upon a series of sculptures by the likes of Alexander Calder and David Smith, commissioned for the 1962 Festival dei due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds). “The juxtaposition of art to setting was fascinating. You saw the city and the pieces in a completely different way. That’s the same intention we have in Charleston,” Redden said. Spoleto, Italy is a hilly, medieval jewel of a town and, yes, an old world apart from low-lying Charleston, South Carolina — yet there is something very symbiotic about the two locations. Redden returned to Spoleto and started working for the festival when he was 18 and eventually became the American manager for five years. He wasn’t part of the decision to make Charleston the ‘companion place’ but considers it an “absolutely brilliant choice. It’s comparable in that it is a city that has a sense of self, a walkable city. While Spoleto had its Umbrians and Romans and so forth over the years, there is no other American city that has had the singular impact that Charleston had in this country through the end of the Civil War.” Call it optimism that prompted Redden and his team to commit to planning for this season last August. He admitted they thought everything would be further along in terms of vaccines and openings. “We were hoping at least to be in more theatres at limited-capacity, but that is simply not the case.” They rejiggered the festival repeatedly over the past eight months and started working with a team of MUSC advisers about five months ago. “When you work all year-round to make 17 days fabulous, it would be devastating to cancel it.” Instead, they forged forward and Redden is thrilled to present what he finds to be a good representation “of what we do in terms of theatre, dance and music.” There will be the usual suspects at the College of BY PAMELA JOUAN 17 Glorious Days Spoleto Festival USA’s Nigel Redden Talks About This Year’s Return Ni ge l Redden . Photo by Le i gh Webbe r.
18 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i lder s . com Charleston Cistern Yard: jazz, bluegrass and vocalists. There will be chamber music at the Dock Street Theatre. This year, dance comes to the Rivers Green, where sets were created to match existing elements for seamless decor. The Bus Shelter downtown will be transformed nightly for a performance of “The Woman in Black.” While transforming spaces is in the festival’s wheelhouse — think about past performances like the Peony Pavilion in the Festival Hall, complete with a moat filled with ducks — but of course this year, the parameters were thrust upon the festival organizers by a pandemic and their ability to meet the moment. Speaking of which, there’s plenty of introspection and illusion to engage those who aren’t ready to venture out just yet. Scott Silven’s “The Journey” is played out live via an internet platform from the artist’s home in Scotland, and “A Thousand Ways (Part One): A Phone Call” is a daringly intimate, interactive event created by 600 Highwaymen, who have performed at previous festivals. “I wanted to find events that wouldn’t exist on any other stage,” explained Redden. “I feel that we have seen enough streamed performances over the last year to last a lifetime. With the telephone piece, it’s like going to the theatre. You just have to give into it. It can be quite cathartic.” Perhaps the biggest disappointment — or greatest anticipation of 2022, depending on whether you are a glass half-empty or half-full person — is the postponement of the festival’s commissioned opera, “Omar.” “The hallmark of what we do in the arts is tell stories, and this one in particular, based upon the life and autobiography of Omar Ibn Said, a Muslim-African man who was captured in his mid-30s and brought to Charleston in 1807 where he was sold, is extraordinary.” To say that this story fits the times is an understatement, and Redden stood by the statement on the website that reads: Spoleto is a catalyst for cultural change in Charleston. “I agree that Spoleto has an immense opportunity to be a big part of the conversation, and this year, “Two Wings: The Music of Black America in Migration” is a telling example because you can’t really understand America without acknowledging the influence of this melting pot of people on the arts.” 2021 will mark Spoleto’s return and Redden’s exit after 35 years at the helm of Spoleto. As he contemplated his next moves and, dare we say, a bit of time off, one thing is for sure: he’s not planning on missing any one of those 17 glorious days this year. Preser vat i on Ha l l Jazz Band. The Journey. Photo by C . Go l eman . Photo by Dav i d Wi l k i nson , Emp i r i ca l Photography.
19 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i l der s . com From booming real estate to a mask ordinance and from new bike paths to extended parking on Isle of Palms, East Cooper has had a year filled with change. Mount Pleasant Police Department hasn’t been immune to this, as they prepare for the retirement of Chief Carl Richie and usher Deputy Chief Mark Arnold into the role. This change is understandably monumental — it involves the retirement of someone who has been a role model and positive beacon within the organization over the course of 32 years. But it won’t begin with a jarring transition, as you so often see when an outsider is brought into an important position. Rather, Arnold and Richie have worked together for 25 years, with Arnold having already been a large part of the decision-making process at MPPD. This is one change that Mount Pleasant residents can ease into, knowing that their town will still be protected in the same community-oriented way. I was fortunate to sit down with both Chief Richie and Deputy Chief Arnold for an inside look into their experience as officers and what the future holds for them as individuals and for the town of Mount Pleasant. BY L I NDSAY C . B I SHOP Changing of the Guard Police Chief Passes theTorch to Long-Time Colleague
20 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i lder s . com MOUNT PLEASANT MAGAZINE: You have served the town of Mount Pleasant for more than 30 years. How has Mount Pleasant changed from the perspective of a member of MPPD during that time? CHIEF RICHIE: Obviously, there’s the growth of the town, which used to end at Snee Farm. We only had 30 police officers here to cover the entire area, and that was adequate. I’ve seen the addition of the 526 bridge and the IOP connector, and, in turn, more traffic. The community itself has changed a lot, but it’s still a welcoming town. MPM: Working in law enforcement is both extremely difficult and extremely rewarding. What have you found to be one of the most difficult things about serving with MPPD over the last 32 years? CR: I would say responding to suicide calls. I don’t think you ever get used to that. Before I took over as the chief, we were responding to either a suicide or attempted suicide almost daily. We were responding to the same individual who attempted suicide two, three, four times, turning that person over to EMS, and then moving on to the next call. Then on the third or fourth time, we would respond to the same individual and they had finally completed the act. As chief, I worked on a program to help reduce that. Now we have victim advocates available, so when we respond to an attempted suicide, we immediately assign an advocate and let them know they’re not alone. We have dramatically reduced the number of suicides and suicide attempts here. MPM: What have you found to be the most rewarding? CR: After the Emmanuel 9 tragedy, I had the honor of leading the unity walk over the Ravenel Bridge. I knew how much Charleston PD had on their plate, so I reached out to [the chief ] and I said, ‘Don’t worry about it. We’ll make sure it’s handled.’ There turned out to be 10,000+ people. And I had the opportunity to lead that march starting on the Mount Pleasant side. I worked directly with the organizers and community activists and really took the time to build a relationship with them. Then last year, when local activist groups asked to march across the bridge again, I had a meeting and just said, ‘Tell me what you’re trying to accomplish.’ Instead of having a repeat of the unrest happening across the nation, I was able to successfully gain their trust and help people walk across the bridge and back peacefully. In other words, being able to do that in a world that seems so divided stands out to me. feature
21 www.ReadMPM.com | www.VOICEforRealEstate.com | www.MountPleasantBuilders.com MPM: Both you and Deputy Chief Arnold have had long careers with MPPD, which is really very rare, I think, in policing. What is it about the town of Mount Pleasant and the department that have led you to serve its citizens for so long? CR: I got my start with North Charleston PD and enjoyed my time there, but coming here to Mount Pleasant, it just seemed like a family atmosphere from day one. The people of Mount Pleasant respect the police department, and we have respect for our community, and that goes a long way. The mayor and council have always been very supportive of the police department, and the Town Administrator has a succession plan that allows us to promote from within and provide opportunities to develop officers at all levels. MPM: What do you think makes Deputy Chief Arnold the right person to step in and fill your shoes? CR: Deputy Chief Arnold has the support of the officers and the other staff below him, which I think is so important. He has demonstrated to me that he truly cares about this agency and the citizens that we serve. I’ve watched him in some very stressful situations throughout his career, and he’s handled them very well. He’s also well respected by the surrounding agencies, which we work closely with on a regular basis. If we can’t work together, we can’t succeed, so that’s very important. MPM: Being a police officer and husband and father definitely is not easy. And I think it’s probably even more difficult as chief. What are you looking forward to doing with your family when you retire? CR: Being present for my family. And what I mean by that is, quite frankly, that I have not had a vacation in probably eight years. I’ve taken a weekend off here and there. But even then, I’m constantly on call. I have to check emails, texts, take phone calls and be ready to deal with something at any time of day. MPM: Being part of the police force means that you never have two days that look alike. You live in a constant state of adrenaline and have to be prepared for high-intensity situations at any time, which is kind of the opposite of being retired. How do you plan on combating the boredom of doing the same thing every day and not having a high-intensity situation always looming over you? CR: I’m starting a new job the Monday after I retire, actually. I’ll be working with a company called MUR Strategic, which is owned by a retired police officer. I will be the Director of Education and Training and will be feature
22 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i lder s . com responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations for the company’s global training initiatives. The company provides leadership and tactical operations training for public safety and military operations. I’ll only work a couple of days a week to start, but I think it’s important to keep my mind active and busy. MP: What is the very first thing that you plan to do when you walk out of those doors on your last day at MPPD? CR: I’m going to let it sink in that I’m no longer the chief and won’t be serving our citizens the same way. I’m also going to reflect on how proud I am of having been able to serve this great community — and how knowing the people in leadership positions are going to continue keeping this town safe, which makes me feel really good. • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE We Match & Beat Any Estimate 1237 Ben Sawyer Blvd 843-216-1599 1084 Johnnie Dodds 843-881-1078 Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm LIMIT ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER PER VISIT • Custom Exhaust • Tires • Diagnostic Service • Air Conditioning Repairs • Shocks-Struts • Brakes • Transmission • Tune-Ups • Alignments • Engines • Timing Belts FREE Tire Rotation & Brake Inspection With this MPMCoupon. This coupon is not valid with any other coupon offers. Expires 6/30/21. Oil Change & Filter w/21 Pt. Vehicle Inspection $1999 With this MPMCoupon. This coupon is not valid with any other coupon offers. Expires 6/30/21. Most Cars Reg. $29.63 FREE Tire Repair With this MPMCoupon. This coupon is not valid with any other coupon offers. Expires 6/30/21. $10 OFF Any Service $100 or More With this MPMCoupon. This coupon is not valid with any other coupon offers. Expires 6/30/21. Any Brand Tire $500 Over Cost (per tire) Mounting &Tire Balance Fees Apply With this MPMCoupon. This coupon is not valid with any other coupon offers. Expires 6/30/21. FREE Testing of Battery, Alternator & Starter Reg. Price $37.50 With this MPMCoupon. This coupon is not valid with any other coupon offers. Expires 6/30/21. Complete A/C Check $4825 With this MPMCoupon. This coupon is not valid with any other coupon offers. Expires 6/30/21. Freon Extra Coolant Flush $3999 With this MPMCoupon. This coupon is not valid with any other coupon offers. Expires 6/30/21. Coolant Extra ® Ben Sawyer Blvd. Harris Teeter Automotive Excellence Mt. Pleasant Animal Hospital Regions Bank Wendy’s ChuckDawley Blvd. Sunoco Rifle Range Rd. TWO LOCATIONS! Automotive Excellence feature
23 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i l der s . com BY L I NDSAY C . B I SHOP The Man Behind the Title Incoming Polic Chief Mark Arnold Photo by Hungr y Ghos t Photography. Photo by Hungr y Ghos t Photography.
24 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i lder s . com MOUNT PLEASANT MAGAZINE: You’ve served the town of Mount Pleasant for 25 years, how has Mount Pleasant changed from the perspective of a police officer during that time? DEPUTY CHIEF ARNOLD: The geography, the population, those of course have changed. Our tactics and the things that we do have changed over the years, and we’ve improved significantly. We’re a nationally accredited police department, so we are constantly looking for ways to improve our responses and one particular area for example would be how we interact with individuals that are experiencing mental health crisis. That has changed a lot in the last several years, and we’ve focused a lot on training. All of our officers have been through critical response training and mental health training as part of their in-service training. So, officers today are a lot more educated on what to look for and how to interpret what they’re seeing. A lot of things have changed over the years, in my opinion for the better. MPM: What would you say has been the most rewarding part of your career thus far? DCA: It it sounds like a little bit of a cliché, but helping people. It’s not just any one thing, and there are tons of examples over the years. When I started as an officer, helping people meant solving cases and crimes. Now it’s about helping officers become the best they can be and serve the community. MPM: Both you and the Chief have had long careers with MPPD, which is very rare in policing. What is it about the town of Mount Pleasant and the department that has led you to serve our citizens here for the past 25 years? DCA: For me, it boils down to the way we do business. There’s a level of professionalism that has always existed since I started here. The commitment to improving that exists here is really important. And, of course, the people that I work with. There’s really not any other police department I would rather serve. Mount Pleasant citizens really respect the police department, and we have a a great partnership with the community. So, the way I look at it is if you’re going to work in law enforcement, this is the best place to be. MPM: You have worked along Chief Richie throughout your entire career. What will you miss most about having him around every day? DCA: As we began this transition, he really took on a mentorship role, and has been there as a sounding board for me, someone to bounce ideas off of. So, once he retires, I’m not going be able to call him while he’s riding his motorcycle in Sturgis. MPM: Being a police officer and a husband and father at the same time is definitely not easy. How do you plan on having balance, once you become chief, between work and your home life? DCA: It’s a challenge. It’s one of those things that I wouldn’t be able to do it if I didn’t have the support of my family. And you literally just have to make it a point to find ways to spend meaningful time together. I was going for a walk with my wife yesterday and we were talking about, as we move forward with this, finding ways to make the time to continue doing that. Whether it’s family game night, going to the beach together, or walking our dogs, when I’m at home I tried to be a husband and a dad. MPM: Mount Pleasant has seen an unprecedented amount of growth over the last few years, and the town continues to change. What excites you about the Mount Pleasant of the future? feature
25 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i l der s . com DCA: I’m optimistic that, despite our growth, Mount Pleasant still has a smalltown feel, a sense of community. You still want to walk down the street and smile and wave and say, ‘Hi!’ to your neighbor. In terms of the department, I’m excited to evolve as a police department. I enjoy problem solving and figuring out a better way to do something, whether that’s accomplished through technology, policies and practices, or how we do things. MPM: What’s the first thing that you plan to do when you walk in the doors on your first day as Chief? DCA: When someone is coming in from outside of the organization, they tend to make big changes and do things differently. It’s different when you’ve been with the department for 25 years and you’ve been helping shape the organization as part of this executive team. I’m going to come to work and it’s going to be very similar to what I am doing today. We’ve got a great department, and when you’ve got a great department, there’s no need to commit to huge sweeping changes. It’s going to be like it has been over the years, we will constantly be self-evaluating and saying, ‘How can we do things better? What can we do to improve?’ “When you’re raising four teenagers, you learn a thing or two about teamwork.” Mark Mitchell 843.847.7980 mmitchell@dunesproperties.com Lisa Mitchell 843.864.4601 lmitchell@dunesproperties.com feature
26 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i lder s . com facebook.com/drybarcharleston @drybarcharleston We can’t think of a better way to throwa birthday party than with braids and blowouts for YOU+ YOUR BESTIES! Drybar Charleston at 556 King Street offers private event space and can customize the party for your needs. Email anna@drybarcharleston.com to plan your celebration A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY Soundwave Therapy Proud provider of WE SPECIALIZE IN TESTOSTERONE Low or sub-optimal testosterone could be impacting your life. • Feeling less motivated? • More irritable? • Most physicians never even check a man’s testosterone level. Visit www.charlestonmensclinic.com or call 843.941.4950 to learn how we can help enhance your quality of life. 1300 Hospital Dr, Suite 310, Mount Pleasant
27 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i l der s . com When the real estate market is as hot as our market here in Mount Pleasant, there isn’t much that you need to do for your home to sell quickly. Is it clean? Are there door frames? (Yes, this is legitimately important, I recently toured a home without door frames.) If you’ve answered yes to both of these questions, you’re probably OK. However, if you want to get the most out of your current home, a few weekends of do-it-yourself projects can make a world of difference. As I write this, I’m getting my own home ready to sell. This is the third house that I’ve purchased, renovated and sold with very little help from professional contractors, so while I’m certainly not an expert, I think I’ve earned the “jill of all trades, master of none” title, and that qualifies me to give advice – though it should probably be taken with a grain of salt. Before you roll up your sleeves and get to work, you’ll BY L I NDSAY C . B I SHOP Adding Sweat Equity Tips from a Do-It-Yourself Veteran Photos by Mend i O’Ne i l l , CVH360. com cour tesy of Lara Schel lenger, Carol ina One. I f you l i ve i n a ranch , chances are you have a s t range wrought i ron feature somewhere. We bare l y touched the out s i de of the house, but repl ac i ng the i ron sc ro l l s wi th a Cra f t sman- esque pi l l ar and modern go l d number s makes i t fee l f resh and updated.
28 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i lder s . com want to get prepared on a personal level. To start with, make sure that those sleeves are attached to a shirt that you’re at peace with throwing in the trash at the end of the project because grout, caulk, stain and various other construction materials do not come off in the wash. That goes for shoes, too. Next, locate your closest Little Caesars. Even if you’re not a fan, it’s inevitable that you’ll end up looking up from your project to find that it’s 8:00 p.m., you’re starving, and you’re not in the mood to prepare even the simplest of meals. And Little Caesars is about the only place you’ll want to show your face when you have paint in your hair. On to the real advice: when it comes to renovating, the majority of cosmetic projects aren’t complicated, but they are hard work. Which means that if you watch enough YouTube videos – never watch only one video on something; you need to hedge your bets — and read enough blogs, you can probably rip up carpet and lay hardwood flooring yourself. You will be exhausted, and your fingertips will all have blisters (use gloves!), but it can be done. I think that the most important skill that you need to tackle cosmetic DIY projects is confidence. That being said, if this is your first foray into home improvements, start small. Paint will give you the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to transforming a room, and it’s also very easy. Chat up the experts at your favorite paint store to make sure that you have the right type of paint for the room, along with the correct roller and brushes. Here’s my biggest painting tip: forget the tape! Putting up painter’s tape is time-consuming and, unless you take it off at the exact right nanosecond, you’re either going to get blobs of wet paint on your baseboards or you’ll rip the dry paint and need to touch up. I recommend edging by hand instead. Search YouTube for tips and practice by making a few straight lines in the middle of the wall. It’s even easier when you try it in a corner. Don’t let it intimidate you; the worst thing that can happen is you’ll need to touch it up – which you’ll need to do with tape, too – so just get it on the wall and make sure you have a sample size of the ceiling and baseboard color for mistakes. Another great way to add value to your home is with trim. Whether you choose a chair rail, board and batten or beadboard, it will add tons of personality to your home and make it feel more custom. This job will require a miter saw and nail gun, but did you know that you can rent Add func t i ona l i t y to an empt y space wi th an eat - i n banquet te, wh i ch prov i des seat i ng, s torage and charac ter. Create the i l l us i on of an open space wh i l e s t i l l keepi ng the func t i ona l i t y of de f i ned rooms by add i ng wi ndows , wh i ch wi l l l et more l i ght i n and ser ve as a beaut i fu l des i gn feature.
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