Mount Pleasant Magazine Nov/Dec 2022

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 C H A R L E S T O N W O M E N ‘Tis the Season for Giving Back How YOU can get Involved Motorcylists Ride Highway to Hope for Many Causes The Greatest Gift of All Journeys through IVF PRESENTS, PARADES AND PARTIES, OHMY! Home for the Holidays

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8 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com 67 contents NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 • VOL. 12, ISSUE 6 Publisher’s Note................................................... 11 Editor’s Note. ...................................................... 13 Our Contributors. ............................................... 14 On the Web......................................................... 15 Coleman Blvd. Alliance. ...................................... 16 Social Buzz......................................................... 17 About the Cover. ................................................. 18 Macy’s Parade Connects with the Lowcountry......... 20 Calendar of Events............................................... 24 Explore Charleston Museum................................. 32 Party with the Best of Mount Pleasant 2022...... 33 Ways to Oyster Roast All Winter. ...................... 36 Discover Mount Pleasant’s first airport............... 39 Welcome to Mount Pleasant Pet Day................. 41 The Ripple Effect: Nonprofit in Old Cigar Factory... 48 Giving Back This Holiday Season. ..................... 63 Riding For a Cause............................................. 67 A Bright Future at Oceanside Collegiate Academy.....77 Charleston Women A Journey Through IVF.......................................... 51 South Carolina Ports Authority’s First Female CEO. .. 54 Features 51 54 20 41 24 33

9 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com Expert Advice Cigars on 17. ....................................................... 75 Compass Vision Care........................................... 80 Automotive Excellence. ...................................... 107 SOCiETY Cycling. ............................................ 109 Bakies. ............................................................... 115 Dwellings Heaven’s Marketplace........................................... 79 Meet the Broker................................................... 83 Oyster Candle Company...................................... 85 Southern Welcome............................................... 87 More Space Place. ................................................ 89 Meet Susan Matthews. ......................................... 91 Meet Erica Zepp. ................................................. 93 Top Ten Homes Sold in I’On. .............................. 95 Live in I’On......................................................... 95 Top Ten Homes Sold in Belle Hall........................ 97 Top Ten Homes Sold in Edisto Island................... 99 Top Ten Homes Sold in Sullivan’s Island............. 101 Top 25 Women in Real Estate. ........................... 103 Wine Celebrating Winter Wines.................................. 117 Books Most Anticipated Titles of 2023. ........................ 119 East Cooper Neighbors Meet Your Neighbors. ........................................ 120 contents NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 • VOL. 12, ISSUE 6 75 95 117 79 119

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11 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com Confession: I love being part of the team that publishes Mount Pleasant Magazine. In the process, there are always a few articles that rise to the top for me—articles that are close to my heart. Something about them just brings them closer to me — something special in their words, topics and photos. Through the magazine’s partnership with WCIV News 4 and Lowcountry Live, Mount Pleasant Pet sponsored Pet Day on Friday, September 9. It was an hour that focused on our fourlegged family members. Writer and photographer Chesley Lanford was able to capture everything in his editorial and photos about Pet Day. This was one of “those” stories for me, and it begins on page 41. Mount Pleasant Magazine has always worked to support our local nonprofit organizations, and these stories are also among my favorites of this issue, also known as our “giving back” issue. We have several articles that focus on philanthropy, like “Five Ways You Can Give Back” on page 63, penned by Heather Artushin. Every time we publish our holiday issue, we meet some really special people, like the motorcyclists we interviewed in “Riding for a Cause,” page 67. Writer Colin McCandless did a great job wordsmithing, and Mark Staff came up with some amazing images to bring this incredible piece to life. Before Mount Pleasant Magazine, there was East Cooper Magazine, which started in 1983. The article mentioned above was inspired by an East Cooper Magazine cover we published over three decades ago, in 1990. We featured three local icons on the cover: Gene Reid, Ron Rabron and Tommy Boals. We want to thank Tommy—who left us this past year— for the inspiration to publish this article. You can read a tribute to Tommy alongside this article. Before I leave you, I want to say a few words about our town and local businesses. Mount Pleasant Magazine is published for the sole purpose of telling the stories of those living east of the Cooper. We always accent the positive aspects of the town we call home and so deeply care about. The businesses within our digital and print pages are part of our local landscape. They are the reasons we can bring you our print and digital magazine. I cannot tell you the number of times a reader has come up to me and said, “Bill, I don’t know how you can bring such a quality magazine to our town for free.” The answer? It’s local business. Y’all, please support all of our East Cooper businesses, but, if you don’t mind, offer a special thank you to businesses that support your community magazine. Thank you for reading, and happy holidays! Until next time, Bill Macchio Publisher • Publisher@MountPleasantMagazine.com publisher’s note Vol. 12, Issue 6 • November/December 2022 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR BILL MACCHIO Publisher@MountPleasantMagazine.com MANAGING EDITOR LORNA HOLLIFIELD COPY EDITORS DENISE K. JAMES COLIN MCCANDLESS ART DIRECTOR DANA COLEMAN PRODUCTION MANAGER BETHANY LONG AD DESIGNERS KIM HALL REBECCA SOTTILE BETHANY LONG TECHNOLOGY GEORGE CONKLIN BRIAN SMITH GENE PHAN WRITERS ISABEL ALVAREZ ARATA • DENISE K. JAMES BARBARA SKIDMORE • LEAH RHYNE SHERRY WHITING • COLIN MCCANDLESS MARY COY • CHESLEY LANFORD STACY E. DOMINGO • HEATHER ARTUSHIN BILL FARLEY • LC LEACH III • GINGER SOTTILE PHOTOGRAPHERS MARK STAFF BRAND AMBASSADOR STACEY MCLOUGHLIN STACEY@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM INDEPENDENT MEDIA CONSULTANTS ANDY BIMONTE ANDY@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM KATIE FINCH KATIE@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM KIM MARTIER KIM@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM ADMINISTRATION & BOOKKEEPING GINGER SOTTILE SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS CHESLEY LANFORD ANTHONY MACCHIO 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 2022. 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

12 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com Ruthie Ravenel is a top producing agent in the marketplace, with strong ties to the community and a long track record of closing record breaking transactions. A consistent recipient of the Realtor of Distinction award given to the top agents in Charleston's market. With a low number of transactions, and a high average transaction amount, Ruthie has long focused on quality over quantity, with a solid commitment to client service above all else. Ruthie Ravenel 843.696.8858 RUTHIE@DANIELRAVENELSIR.COM WWW.RUTHIERAVENEL.COM $82.6 Million Sold in 2021 97.4% LIST PRICE ACHIEVED IN 2021 $1.8M AVERAGE SOLD PRICE IN 2021 $26.4M SOLD YEAR TO DATE Exceptional properties deserve the finest representation. Marketing Matters Successfully Selling from the Battery to the Beaches 1077 Cottingham Drive | Cooper Estates | Under Contract in 48 Hours | Sold for Asking at $1,295,000 3741 Juneberry Court | Carolina Park Record Breaking Sale at $1,500,000 87 Secession Street | I’On Sold for $2,500,000 Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. Statistics based on information from MLS providers and internal off-market sales

13 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com editor’s note I love every issue of the magazine we put out. Every time, I think it’s my favorite because I’ve gotten personal with the content. I connect with all the stories and photos that jog across my desk every day and love getting to know the personalities in our community as much as any of our readers. However, the impact this issue is sure to have on the community makes my heart smile the biggest, toothiest, brightest grin it has so far. This is our holiday issue, so it’s naturally packed with memories of past parades, perfect gift ideas and seasonable wine selections that you’ll practically taste from the page. It also includes some inspirational stories of local philanthropists, as well as suggestions on how you all can give back this holiday season. We planned for stories that showcase this like our piece that highlights five different organizations that could use a lending hand. However, many of the stories that were intended for some other type of highlight or entertainment ended up offering up suggestions on volunteering, donating or uplifting community members as well. It occurred naturally, which is even sweeter. When people are just doing good for the sake of good, it restores my faith in humanity. I tend to be a positive person. I don’t dwell on the things that are wrong with the world, but sometimes it’s hard. Too many times, we turn on the TV hoping for relaxation, only to discover violence, political discord or natural disasters dominating the airwaves. That’s not what you’ll find in these pages. You will find neighbors supporting neighbors, organizations giving a fighting chance to those less fortunate and good old-fashioned fun for the sake of fun. We are blessed to live in the beautiful Lowcountry. I think that shines through businesses, groups and individuals who cannot help but pay it forward. I think it shines in the pride of every float that carries a happily waving community member wearing a Santa hat. It shines in this publication because of the people who bring these stories to life, the wonderful people who make this town the warmest place to come home to for the holidays—and this time, humidity has nothing to do with it. -Lorna Hollifield Managing Editor At Veris, we meet with you throughout the year to identify life changes that may alter your tax outcome. Then we recommend strategies PRIOR to the deadline so there are no surprise tax bills! Accepting new clients in Summerville! On average, we identify over $15,194 in tax savings for Veris advanced tax planning clients! ® IS YOUR ACCOUNTANT SAVING YOUMONEY? Summerville (843) 376-5640 West Ashley (843) 266-5400 Mount Pleasant (843) 881-4477 VerisCPA.com

14 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com contributors Leah Rhyne is a professional writer with a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Montclair State University. She spent four years as the festival director of the Charleston to Charleston Literary Festival and specializes in event management, marketing and public relations. British-born professional photographer and director/ producer Mark Staff moved to Charleston in 2018. His work mainly consists of lifestyle and portrait photography and video. Staff enjoys mountain climbing, riding motorcycles and hanging out with his wife and two dogs. His work has taken him to many interesting places across America and abroad. Check out his website, MarkStaffPhoto.com, and give him a follow on Instagram to join him on the journey. Heather Artushin is a clinical social worker, parent supporter, writer and homeschooling mama to two sweet boys. Originally from Detroit, Heather and her family have loved living in the Lowcountry for the past four years. You’ll often find them walking through Old Village or digging in the sand at the beach. With a background as a child and family therapist, motherhood sparked a passion for empowering the world’s children by inspiring their parents. She is the founder of Southern Parent, where she offers parenting classes and individual support to equip parents to do their job with passion and insight. Join her in the trenches of nurturing parenting at SouthernParent.com. Chesley Lanford was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. Though he spent many years in the insurance industry, he continued to hone the crafts of portrait and landscape photography in his free time, even studying the art in college. His work has been featured in a plethora of magazines, airports and prominent tourist attractions. He also won photo of the year with WNC Magazine. Drawn by the natural beauty, he is now relocating to the Lowcountry to continue his pursuit of the perfect photo. Stacy E. Domingo is native to the South Carolina Lowcountry and is a freelance writer with a background in magazine and local television. A graduate of the College of Charleston, she enjoys all things Charleston. When not working, she can be found cheering on the sidelines with her husband at their children’s sporting events or spending time with her large group of family and friends that live throughout the tricounty area. Sherry Whiting is a freelance writer and fulltime project analyst. She has over 15 years of experience developing and editing marketing materials, newsletters, policies and technical documents. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia. When not working, she can be found checking out the food scene, attending a RiverDogs game or going to her favorite Burpees and Brews class. 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.

15 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com atch Mount Pleasant Magazine online at MountPleasantMagazine.com, and flip through the digital magazine at ReadMPM.com. For up-to-date, relevant content for all of Mount Pleasant and East Cooper, follow us on Instagram @MountPleasantMagazine, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/ MountPleasantMagazine. Don’t forget to comment on our posts with your thoughts on the events, business or personalities featured. We want to connect with you. Your voice could become featured in our “Social Buzz” section. We have so much to offer the community beyond these pages. We invite all of our readers to enjoy our podcasts, in addition to our online publications. Both MountPleasantPodcast.com and BestOfMPpodcast.com offer amazing insights to our community through the first-person stories of our leaders, business owners and beloved residents. This is a chance to watch, listen and learn from your neighbors. Want to get involved with the content chosen for Mount Pleasant Magazine? Give us your ideas for a feature story. Email Editor@MountPleasantMagazine.com with your ideas, supporting photos and contact information. We’d love to hear from you! C on the web

16 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com Mount Pleasant’s Main Street starts at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge and moves down Coleman Boulevard toward Sullivan’s Island. A special street adjacent to the old village and original East Cooper stomping grounds, Coleman is lined with local retail stores, quaint restaurants and swaying palm trees. This is a street where businesses are owned by Mount Pleasant residents, whose top priority is to greet their neighbors and customers with a smile. This is a place where business, friendship and family intersect. Mount Pleasant’s Main Street is home to more local shops than any other street in the town, so it’s no surprise that they have joined together to form an alliance based on commerce and camaraderie. The newly formed group aims to promote and endorse merchants along this historically significant area of Mount Pleasant. These merchants are committed to the integrity of business, customer service and commerce that have helped shape our town into what it is today. The goal is to nurture the growth and deeply rooted values of these businesses, while signaling to consumers that they are in the best hands. When members proudly display the logo of the organizations inside their stores, restaurants or service centers, the people of Mount Pleasant will immediately understand the values and citizenship present at the venue. Mount Pleasant Magazine is proud to be a part of this endeavor and proud to celebrate the efforts of local business owners hundreds of years in the making. Coleman Boulevard New Merchant Alliance Emerges around town MERCHANT ALLIANCE ColemanBoulevard.com Access information about MOUNT PLEASANT’S MAIN STREET POINT • CLICK • SCAN EVERYONE TURNS TO COLEMAN BOULEVARD FOR ALL THEIR NEEDS

17 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com social buzz Mount Pleasant residents love their town history. We recently posted a photo of the Sea Island Shopping Center on Coleman Boulevard from the 1960s, and it generated comments with all the feels. We love being a part of your memories. A simple image of the old Belk and Piggly Wiggly set residents astir. Here’s what they had to say about it! “I remember what it looked like in the ‘80s. It got renovated after Hugo did a lot of damage to the shopping center.” – Tommy Wolfe “I remember this shopping center. It was my grandmother’s two favorite stores.” – Telina L. Bennett-Reed “I remember those days! I shopped in that Belk and Piggly Wiggly. I also shopped in the old Gwynn’s store! Thank you for sharing.” – Kathaleen Evaskis Hill “Thanks for bringing back such great memories. I loved going to Belk with my mom. I grew up on Venning Street in the Old Village in the 1960s.” – Carlene Hanckel 2022HOTTEST HOLIDAYS TOYS DOPE SLIME TONIES SQUISHMALLOWS Holiday Layaway•Complimentary Gift Wrapping•Curbside Pickup•Open 7 Days a Week MOUNT PLEASANT & DOWNTOWN •WWW.WONDERWORKSTOYS.COM Charleston’s Favorite Toy Store for Over 30 Years!

18 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com Community Cheer Floats Around The Mount Pleasant Christmas Parade Member s f rom the rec depar tment c i rca ear l y 1990s . Photos prov i ded by J enn i f e r Magwood.

19 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com People love parades. They bring community members together in the best kind of way. A celebration of the holidays spills onto businesses and organizations all over town, then spills into our hearts. It’s a togetherness filled with children’s laughter, pride for the town and excitement for what the future holds. There is also an incredible air of gratefulness for what we all collectively enjoy every day that puts the cherry on top—that and Santa Claus, of course! The cover of this issue features an image from a past parade. As we searched for the perfect photograph to put on the holiday issue, we all kept brainstorming what image could represent Mount Pleasant as a whole. We wanted something that could speak to every person, while also representing the season of giving and celebration. We think we landed in the perfect place. This is our parade. The parade will be held December 11 at 5:30 p.m. this year. It will include brightly lit floats and fireworks. The nighttime spectacular is sure to draw a huge crowd as the sun goes down. However, this parade began as a daytime event close to three decades ago. Jennifer Magwood Ray fondly recalls the earlier years of the parade. Her stepfather, Fred Tetor, was Mount Pleasant’s fire chief during the event’s beginnings. Back then, it was the fire department that facilitated the celebration. “I was there as a teenager helping out and walking the routes with him,” offered Ray. “I just think it’s a great way to bring people together. My now-grown son and daughters grew up riding with the fire department. It was always a family affair. I still help at the starting line every year, and I hope I can always continue doing that.” Ray’s voice went up an octave with each new memory as we spoke, and the joy the event had brought to her and her loved ones was clear. It’s a joy many in this town have likely experienced, with many others destined to join. Though there are many highlights, both Tetor and Ray especially enjoy watching the children’s faces come alive when Santa appears. The parade begins at Live Oak Drive and heads south to Patriot’s Point. Don’t miss this spectacular evening event with those you love most. We wish you all the happiest holiday season ever. about the cover NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 C H A R L E S T O N W O M E N ‘Tis the Season for Giving Back How YOU can get Involved Motorcylists Ride Highway to Hope for Many Causes The Greatest Gift of All Journeys through IVF PRESENTS, PARADES AND PARTIES, OHMY! Home for the Holidays Here comes Santa Cl aus ! Th i s was the h i gh l i ght of the day parade and i s s t i l l a f avor i te at t rac t i on at the n i ght parade.

20 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com Whether in person or on screen, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a favorite since 1924, ushering in the holiday season and delighting the young and old with an assortment of colorful floats, passionate performances and giant, soaring balloons bearing the shapes of beloved characters. Many dedicated people are the key to this parade remaining a success for almost a century, including, more recently, one of our own Mount Pleasant families. In 2005, Jane Yager-Baumrind, who was living in New Jersey at the time, got introduced to a new way to spend Thanksgiving Day — in New York City, as part of an iconic holiday spectacle. The suggestion came from Sid Hamburger, a longtime parade participant whose daughter was friends with Jane’s daughter. According to Jane, Sid asked a group of local moms if they wanted to be “balloon handlers” in the parade – never mind that the moms didn’t have a clue what that meant. “It was 10 of us, all moms from town. We had no training and no idea what to do. Our balloon was Garfield, and we were all on the street like, what are we doing?! It was cold with a mix of rain and snow,” Jane recalled with a chuckle. “Then the sandbags were gone, and the balloon rose into the air.” After that first parade experience, Jane, who had participated without her husband Michael that year, knew Flying High Meet the Mount Pleasant Family in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade BY DEN I SE K . JAMES feature The c rew wi th f l oat i n New Yor k Ci t y. Photo prov i ded.

21 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com she had to report back to him how much fun it was: “I felt like Mick Jagger on stage at Madison Square Garden — the crowd goes crazy, the adrenaline kicks in, people are screaming as you go in front of Macy’s … then it’s over, and we turn the corner and deflate the balloon. But you’re still on that high and want to do it again. I said to my husband, you would really like this; it’s so cool.” The following year, both Jane and Michael were balloon handlers. The role of a parade balloon handler is just what it sounds like — controlling a giant balloon. But it’s not just handlers who manage these balloons. Because they are so enormous, each balloon has its own entire team of people assigned to it. That team includes three pilots, who manage the balloon and the flying environment; captains, who coach the balloon handlers; and, of course, the handlers themselves, who literally hold onto the strings with a handle. So, how high do these gigantic balloons fly to require a team this large? It depends on the size and type of the balloon, but, according to the Baumrinds, they can soar as high as 55 feet — and they can be as wide as almost an entire city street. Fortunately, the parade runs like clockwork, says Jane, and each participant is keenly aware of position and timing. feature

22 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com See the Aquarium in a whole new light! To buy tickets, visit scaquarium.org/aglow SELECT EVENINGS NOV 18–DEC 31

23 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com Since discovering the parade in 2006, Michael Baumrind has worked his way up to the role of “Pilot B,” meaning he stays at the rear of the balloon and provides direction to handlers in the back rows. The two other pilots are Pilot A, who stays a half block in front of the balloon and ensures the wind and path are passable, and the Main Pilot, who stays at the front of the balloon. Pilots and captains communicate with each other and with the vehicle team via headset. All pilots, captains and members of the vehicle team are known as “flight management” and are required to attend at least one field training per year. The day of our chat, Michael was preparing to attend the weekend of October 1, but he would not know his official balloon assignment until October 12. The Baumrind family relocated to Mount Pleasant in 2013, and Jane, who had dropped out of the parade several years prior, went back with her husband — an enthusiastic participant in each parade since 2006. As of 2018, it’s become somewhat of a family affair, Jane said — between herself, Michael and their four grown children, at least half of them are usually there, shepherding airborne balloons as they smile at the crowd in New York City. But out of everyone in the family, Jane says, her husband’s grin is most definitely the broadest. “He stays overnight [in NYC] on Tuesday, and then they inflate the balloon on Wednesday,” she said. “And on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, he’s like a Christmas tree — I cannot explain it. He just loves it so much.” feature Photo prov i ded. The “pi l ot ” team at the Mac y ’s parade. Farmers Market Pavilion Saturday, Dec. 10 11 am - 4 pm Holiday Market & Craft Show #VotetheFloatMP W. Coleman Boulevard Sunday, Dec. 11 5:30 pm Christmas Light Parade ExperienceMountPleasant.com/play Where does Santa spend the holidays?

24 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com NOVEMBER Election Day When: 11/8/2022 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Where: South Carolina Mark your calendar to vote! Find your voting place at scvotes.gov. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Holiday Festival of Lights Fun Run and Walk When: 11/9/2022 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Where: James Island County Park Join this exclusive preview of the Holiday Festival of Lights. Runners and walkers will be the first in Charleston to experience more than 200 magical light displays. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Brewery Bingo When: 11/10/2022 at 6 p.m. Where: Ghost Monkey Brewery Join a fun night of bingo. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Best Night Ever: A Dance Party From Your Wildest Dreams When: 11/11/2022 at 8 p.m. Where: Music Farm Join for one epic night of dancing to all the hits from Taylor Swift, One Direction, Olivia Rodrigo and more. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Holiday Festival of Lights When: 11/11/2022 - 12/31/2022 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Where: James Island County Park Visit Santa, sip hot chocolate and create memories at the annual event of over 200 light displays. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Steeplechase of Charleston When: 11/13/2022 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Where: Stono Ferry Racetrack With deep roots in southern heritage, this Charleston tradition began in 1792. The family-friendly Sunday event will feature high-stakes races with coveted titles on the line. Pack your coolers, and grab your big hats and bow ties for a fun event. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Straight No Chaser When: 11/14/2022 at 4 p.m. Where: Gaillard Auditorium Straight No Chaser is the captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music. Calendar of Events

25 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com calendar of events --------------------------------------------------------------------- Oyster Roast When: 11/17/2022 at 6 p.m. Where: Bohemian Bull Every third Thursday November through February, come out to enjoy oysters and more! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic When: 11/17/2022 - 11/20/2022 Check for times. Where: TD Arena The Charleston Classic is a three-day invitational college basketball season opening tournament. An ESPN-owned and operated event, it is contested at TD Arena, home of the College of Charleston Cougars. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Aquarium Aglow When: 11/18/2022 - 12/31/2022 Check for times. Where: South Carolina Aquarium Gather friends and loved ones to journey through the Aquarium. Becoming immersed in waves of color from tens of thousands of lights. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Lights Up! When: 11/19/2022 at 6 p.m. Where: Towne Centre Enjoy the holiday spirit as they light up Towne Centre. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Christmas Tree Festival When: 11/25/2022 - 11/27/2022 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Where: Boone Hall Plantation Kick off the Holidays with Boone Hall Farms at the inaugural Christmas Tree Festival. This celebration is perfect for families and children of all ages. Browse a huge selection of fresh-cut trees, handmade wreaths and beautiful winter plants. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Middleton Place Annual Holiday Market When: 11/26/2022 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Where: Middleton Place Kick off the holiday season by shopping local! You can expect to find everything from sweetgrass baskets to pork rinds. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Night of a Thousand Candles When: 11/26/2022 - 1/1/2023 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Where: Brookgreen Gardens See Brookgreen Gardens come to life amid the soft glow of more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and sparkling lights. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Nutcracker Tea Party When: 11/27/2022 1 p.m - 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Where: Towne Centre Enjoy a whimsical experience with the Nutcracker characters and delicious refreshments.

26 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com East Cooper specialists with 50+ years combined real estate experience. CharlestonFineHomes.com WE ARE CHARLESTON REAL ESTATE

27 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com --------------------------------------------------------------------- National Geographic Live Alizé Carrère: Adaptation When: 11/29/2022 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Gaillard Auditorium In partnership with the SC Aquarium, explore the ways people around the world are adapting to our changing planet with environmental anthropologist and filmmaker Alizé Carrère. --------------------------------------------------------------------- A Christmas Carol When: 11/30/2022 - 12/21/2022 Check for times. Where: Dock Street Theater A new production of Dickens’ classic features colorful new sets, costumes and holiday scores. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Uncorked When: 12/2/2022 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Where: Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation Boone Hall Plantation and the Charleston Radio Group are excited to present “Uncorked,” an exclusive, black tieoptional Christmas holiday event. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Nutcracker When: 12/2/2022 - 12/4/2022 Check for times. Where: Sottile Theatre Mount Pleasant Performing Arts Company brings the classic holiday favorite featuring enchanting choreography, luxurious sets and fun costumes. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Holiday Street Festival When: 12/3/2022 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. Where: Isle of Palms Enjoy artisans, food vendors, children’s activities and live entertainment. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Margo Price: Until The Wheels Fall Off Tour When: 12/3/2022 at 7 p.m. Where: Music Farm Margo Rae Price is an American country singer-songwriter and producer based in Nashville, Tennessee. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Wine Under The Oaks When: 12/4/2022 at 1 p.m. Where: Boone Hall Plantation Wine Under The Oaks has grown to be one of the highlights for the Christmas holidays. --------------------------------------------------------------------- One Christmas Night in Memphis When: 12/8/2022 7 p.m. Where: Charleston Music Hall One Christmas Night in Memphis loosely recreates the night of December 4, 1956, when four of the biggest names in early rock ‘n’ roll ended up at Sun Records at the same time. The cast will transport the audience to Memphis, bringing to life the music of Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Laughzilla When: 12/8/2022 at 7 p.m. Where: Music Farm Enjoy a night of stand-up comedy. calendar of events DECEMBER

28 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com Celebrating 250 Years of Collecting, Preserving & Educating CHARLESTONMUSEUM.ORG 843-722-2996 360 MEETING STREET 629 JOHNNIE DODDS BLVD., UNIT 100 MOUNT PLEASANT | 843-971-1491 | DEGUISEINTERIORS.COM It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

29 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dolly Disco When: 12/9/2022 at 8 p.m. Where: Music Farm Polish those boots for a night of Dolly Parton-inspired country western disco. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Nutcracker When: 12/10/2022 - 12/11/2022 Check for times. Where: Sottile Theatre Dance Conservatory of Charleston is delighted to present The Nutcracker. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever When: 12/10/2022 - 12/17/2022 Check for times. Where: Dock Street Theater When the Herdmans, the worst kids in town, somehow wrangle the leading roles in the local Christmas Pageant, it seems everything that is sacred will be lost. Yet, through these rough and tumble kids, the true meaning of Christmas is rediscovered. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade When: 12/11/2022 at 5:30 p.m. Where: Coleman Boulevard Join the renowned Christmas parade with local businesses and community groups all shiny and bright! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Charleston Christmas Special When: 12/15/2022 - 12/23/2022 Check for times. Where: Charleston Music Hall Brad and Jennifer Moranz are back to delight Charleston audiences with their holiday musical show featuring some of the country’s most talented singers, dancers and musicians. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Nutcracker When: 12/16/2022 - 12/18/2022 Check for times. Where: Sottile Theatre Palmetto City Ballet, Charleston’s only professional ballet company, brings a new Charleston Nutcracker this holiday season. This classical tale has an original twist with a dash of a Lowcountry flair. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Charleston Wonderland When: 12/31/2022 at 8:30 p.m. Where: Festival Hall Welcome to Charleston Wonderland, the premier Charleston New Year’s Eve experience for the past nine years. --------------------------------------------------------------------- New Year’s Eve Gala When: 12/31/2022 at 8 p.m. Where: Forte Jazz Lounge Forte Jazz Lounge has created an evening you will be talking about all year. The Joe Clarke Big Bands brings you the great Frank Sinatra hits and classics of the 1940s. --------------------------------------------------------------------- New Year’s Eve Meditation When: 12/31/2022 9:45 p.m. - 10:45 p.m. Where: TargetMarket Join New Year Eve’s Meditation with Sahaja Yoga Meditation. Learn, practice and unwind. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Bulldogs Breakaway New Year’s 5K When: 1/7/2023 at 7 a.m. Where: The Citadel Come join for a 5K run for the new year. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Destination Charleston When: 1/29/2023 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Where: Omar Shrine Auditorium This is your special invitation to the most unique bridal show of the year! calendar of events JANUARY

30 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com For more information on these products please visit MountPleasantMagazine.com. For Distribution and Marketing information please contact Stacey@MountPleasantMagazine.com or call 917-208-5633. NAME DATE ADDRESS YEAR - MAKE - MODEL VIN# CITY, STATE, ZIP PHONE LIC# ODOMETER READING DESCRIPTION OF WORK: QTY PART NO. DESCRIPTION UNIT AMOUNT SUBTOTAL DISCOUNT TAX TOTAL ® 44

31 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com Holiday Support the South Carolina Aquarium with gifts that give back all year long. Gift your loved one a South Carolina Aquarium membership! Not only can members visit the Aquarium as often as they like, but they receive exclusive benefits like special discounts, invitations to member-only events and more. Your purchase helps us continue our mission of educating the conservationists of tomorrow and caring for the sea turtles who need us most today. scaquarium.org Shopping at Nellie & Lo is the newway to candle! These refillable candles are sustainable and easy to use! Simply pour the wax beads into the glass vessel and enjoy! When a small amount of wax remains, pop it out and refill! Made in Spartanburg, SC using 100% natural wax & non toxic fragrance. @nellieandlo • 843-388-5306 • nellieandlo.com Wonder Works is Charleston’s Best Toy Store! The store has been locally owned for over 30 years. They carry the season’s hottest toys and gifts, encourage learning through hands-on play, and offer exceptional customer service (including layaway & complimentary gift wrapping). Wonder Works is the perfect place to find gifts for every age of imagination! wonderworkstoy s.com Welcome to kookoomonkey, where we offer anything and everything personalized or with your design/logo. Need one piece for a gift? Several for a family vacay? Hundreds for business promotion?We have you covered! Located at 1031 Hwy. 41, Suite 500 inMount Pleasant, we are your one-stop shop for gifts. From newborns to women’s 4XL and men’s 6XL and all sizes in between. Plenty of “sizeless” options like bags, candles, tumblers, hats & local artisan pieces. Come in and see what the buzz is about! GET YOURMONKEY ON!!! 843-606-2900 www.kookoomonkey.com

32 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com America’s first museum is celebrating the extraordinary milestone of turning 250 in 2023. The Charleston Museum’s age is impressive, but perhaps even more so are its offerings. It is more than just home to an abundance of artifacts. Special workshops in sweetgrass basket weaving, indigo dying and more are also part of the museum’s focus and take place on a continual basis. There is no shortage of diverse opportunities for knowledge-seekers either living in or visiting the Lowcountry. Susan McKellar, the museum’s chief of operations, said, “We also annually host a special children’s event to celebrate the end of the school year, called ‘Nighttime at The Museum,’ with a scavenger hunt using flashlights so children can explore the museum and discover fun activities stationed throughout the galleries. Parents are always asking us to do an adult version of it.” That will finally happen soon, along with several other special events planned for the second week of January to kick off the year-long celebration. As part of the museum’s birthday tribute, a commemorative book, “The Charleston Museum: America’s First Museum,” was recently published by the University of South Carolina Press. The hard cover coffee table book includes beautiful photos of many of the objects in the permanent collection. The Charleston Museum has something for everyone— archaeology, natural history, Revolutionary and Civil War history, arts, weaponry, historic textiles and more. Then there’s Kidstory, a hands-on exhibit for the youngest explorers. Finally, the museum’s two historic houses, the Joseph Manigault House and the Heyward-Washington House, are huge attractions. The Dill Sanctuary on James Island is also associated with the museum and allows visitors even more insight into local history and culture. The museum’s collection spans 4.6 billion years of history. With such an extensive inventory, a special yearlong exhibit entitled “America’s First Museum: 250 years of Collecting, Preserving and Educating” will showcase a “best of,” pulling from all collections. Some of the less-seen objects will be displayed, including a dress and shoes worn by Eliza Lucas Pinckney. McKellar explained, “Survival of clothing from the 18th century is somewhat rare. This dress is very fragile, so it will be laid flat rather than mounted on a mannequin and will be on exhibit for less than two months, which follows the recommendation of the conservator.” When the Charleston Museum was founded in 1773, items were collected from around the world. However, the mission changed in the 1980s to tell a more localized story. The special year-long exhibit will include some of the museum’s earlier acquisitions, including Japanese Samurai armor, objects from ancient Rome and a grass helmet from the Sandwich Islands, now Hawaii. The celebration kicks off on January 12 with guest speaker Anthea M. Hartig, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. A reception will follow. The adult version of “Nighttime at The Museum” will be the next night, featuring an open bar and food. Guests are welcome to come dressed as their favorite character from history— or even as an exotic animal. A family day is planned for Saturday. Here’s to wishes for a happy birthday for the Charleston Museum. If you haven’t visited lately, now is the time. Happy Birthday to the Charleston Museum 250Years and Counting BY MARY COY around town A d i nosaur ske l eton on d i spl ay at Char l es ton Museum. Photo prov i ded by Char l es ton Museum

33 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com The music could be faintly heard as guests made way down the Avenue of Oaks. Among the warm evening, salty air and scent of fresh oysters was also a buzz of energy. The Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation was brimming with food, music and entertainment, but the single most important thing it held was the best thing about the town of Mount Pleasant: its people. A quick glance around the venue is all it took to see what kind of party this was meant to be. It was a celebration of community, even more so than a celebration of business. John Price and the Moonshine Gang set the mood playing upbeat classics, which put a little pep in the step of everyone entering the check-in line. Then, once outside on the dock, guests enjoyed the first hints of the fall breeze and beautiful creekside views. Many also partook in the finely stocked bar and cigar selections, courtesy of Striped Pig Distillery and Cigars On 17. Inside the wooden rustic building, there was a constant stream of guests flowing through buffet lines to experience the Lowcountry boil prepared by Dish & Design Catering. An assortment of desserts overflowed from their platters, putting the sweet cherry on top. As great as the food selections were, the tastiest ingredient was the conversation. The room was abuzz talking business, fashion, family and, most importantly, how to get a hold of one of those cool remote control BY CHESLEY LANFORD Best Night of the Year Mount Pleasant’s Best Of Party 2022 Photos by Chesley Lanford. We l come to the 2022 Bes t Of Mount Pl easant !

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