SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES AT WWW.MOUNTPLEASANTPODCAST.COM ALL THINGS FALL • FOOTBALL SEASON • HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Gridiron Gurus Coaches & Schedules Auto Advice Road Trip Tips Boys of Fall Photo by Mark Staff Photographer. FRIDAY NIGHT LEGENDS Spooky Season Haunted Estates & Graveyards
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1 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com 104 Summers Creek Court 26 Saturday Road 2437 Darts Cove Way 1489 Menhaden Lane HISTORIC CHARLESTON ISLE OF PALMS WILD DUNES FOLLY BEACH SULLIVAN'S ISLAND MT. PLEASANT KIAWAH / SEABROOK Real Estate 800.476.8444 • Vacation Rentals 888.250.8730 • dunesproperties.com Since 1989, Nobody knows the Charleston Coast better® 41 Vincent Drive | Listed by Tim Reese 843.906.1861 Listed by Jennifer O'Brien 610.283.0867 Listed by Laurie Minges 843.270.7633 Listed by Layne McCombs Kipp & Bethany White (Layne) 803.586.9553 Listed by Ginn Maiers 843.696.7402
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4 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com V I S I T BEWELLATHOME.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION DO YOU HAVE A RETIREMENT GAME PLAN? Just like athletes and coaches, planning is the key to a successful retirement. Be Well at Home offers comprehensive asset protection and financial security to give you peace of mind in your golden years. Our wellness coordination ensures your long-term healthcare needs are met, so you can focus on enjoying life in your home. Think of us as your retirement playbook, guiding you through the unexpected and keeping you secure. It’s also the best gift you can give your family, knowing you are well taken care of. Call us today at 843-375-5035 to learn more about how we can help you achieve a well-prepared and protected retirement. ASSET PROTECTION LONG-TERM CARE WELLNESS COORDINATION GIFT FOR FAMILY
5 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com 100 CHURCH ST. | MT. PLEASANT, SC 29464 | 843.352.9510 | @tavernandtable HISTORIC SHEM CREEK Fall on the creek brings perfect temps, happier hours spent lounging on the dock, and sunsets that look painted. It’s our favorite time of the year and it’ll be yours too! LUNCH | HAPPY HOUR | DINNER | SUNDAY BRUNCH ALL MENUS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: TAVERNANDTABLE.COM BEEF + PORK BOLOGNESE >
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8 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Publisher's Note...............................................11 Staff Box.........................................................11 From the Editor...............................................13 About the Cover..............................................14 Contributors. .................................................. 16 On the Web.....................................................17 Social Buzz.....................................................18 content FALL EDITION • VOL. 14, ISSUE 5 Best Of Voting.........................................19 Hurricane Hunter....................................20 Hurricane Forecast with Rob Fowler........22 Hurricane Hugo: 35 Years Later...............24 Hurricane Preparedness............................28 Seafair Village at Patriots Point.................33 Ride Along with Mount Pleasant P.D......35 She’s The Veteran......................................37 Gridiron Gurus: Coaching Profiles............39 Our Town.............................. 20 22 14 28 Fall Favorites........................................................46 Fall into Fabulous.................................................49 Spooky Estates.....................................................51 Burial Customs and Beyond.................................57 All Things Fall............................. 39 35 37 46 51
9 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com content FALL EDITION • VOL. 14, ISSUE 5 MINDZERO....................................62 Suicide Awareness..............................63 Breast Cancer Awareness...................65 Childhood Cancer.............................67 Prostate Cancer.................................69 Halloween Diet.................................70 Health and Wellness......... The Critic........................................72 Charleston Adventure Forest............73 Calendar of Events...........................75 Live Music Schedule.........................78 Wando Football Schedule.................81 Lucy Beckham Football Schedule.....81 Bishop England Football Schedule.......81 Phillip Simmons Football Schedule......81 Oceanside Football Schedule............81 Clemson Football Schedule..............82 South Carolina Football Schedule........82 Entertainment.................... La Hacienda.......................................85 Tailgate Heroes...................................86 What’s on the Menu: Summit Coffee....87 Behind the Bar: Locals........................89 VIVA Tacos & Tequila........................90 Fall Flavors.........................................91 Izzy’s Scoops & Sweets........................92 Food and Beverage........... Reggie’s Report...............................117 Woof Gang Bakery.........................118 Happy Hour with Portside Vet 119 Pets. ............................... East Cooper Neighbors....120 34 Waterway..................................110 Tony Pope from State Farm............111 Top 10 Homes - Daniel Island........113 Top 10 Homes - I’On.....................114 Top 10 Homes - Snee Farm............115 Top 10 Homes - Dunes West..........116 Dwellings......................... Georgetown to Olympics...............106 Georgetown: Then vs Now...........................107 Georgetown’s First Brewery............108 On the Coast.................... Road Trip Tips.................................95 British Car Club Show.....................97 Starling Chevrolet............................99 Rad Rydz.......................................103 How to pack Your Car....................104 Auto................................ 107
10 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Follow us @shopmptc for up-to-date shopping, restaurant and event information With shops, restaurants, experiences, and events year round, there are endless ways to spend a day out on the Towne. mtpleasanttownecentre.com THERE’S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SPEND A DAY on the Towne 12:45PM BLUEMERCURY Treating my skin to an at-home spa day. 3:30PM REEDS JEWELERS Something sparkly for someone special. (Me.) 11:25AM COPPER PENNY This little black dress can’t help but show off. 10:15AM ARHAUS Elevating my everyday? It’s all in the details. 5:15PM SAVI CUCINA + WINE BAR Really good wine helps you savor the moment.
11 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com When Hurricane Hugo slammed into the South Carolina coastline just after midnight on Sept. 21, the high tides were higher than normal and the moon’s orbit at that time, combined to increase those tides and the storm surge even further. Some accounts say 12 feet, others say 20 feet. Whatever heights they did reach, they caused extensive damage all along our coast. At the time, Hugo was the strongest storm to strike the U.S. in 20 years and the costliest with losses exceeding $7 billion in damages. When Hugo made landfall, Mount Pleasant Magazine had a little publishing office for more than a decade where Walgreens is now on Highway 17 next to Staples. Since our office was on the same electrical grid as the old East Cooper Hospital location, we had electricity before most homes did. Within a short period of time our office had all the comforts of home. Anyone who knows me knows I always look for the silver lining. Hugo’s silver lining was not obvious at first. Although disasters like Hugo cause chaos, destruction and in some cases deaths, they also unite people in a common cause of recovery and healing. Immediately after Hugo, our publishing offices quickly became a gathering place for Hugo survivors. Our team, advertisers and readers started dropping in on a regular basis to tell their Hugo stories; where they were, the extent of damage to their homes and how they survived this monster storm. The harrowing experiences of people who came into the office pulled at our heartstrings and filled our eyes with tears. I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience — well, hopefully just once. To read about one such Hugo experience and other storm-related articles, visit hugomagazine.com. Positively yours, Bill Macchio Publisher • Publisher@MountPleasantMagazine.com publisher’s note Fall Edition • VOL. 14, ISSUE 5 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 BRITTANY GEORGE BRITTANY@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM DIGITAL/WEB EDITORS GEORGE CONKLIN ALLYAH HARRAR COPY EDITOR COLIN MCCANDLESS SOCIAL MEDIA/EVENT COORDINATOR JOHANNA ROGERS JOHANNA@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM ANTHONY MACCHIO SOCIALMEDIA@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM AD DESIGNERS BETHANY LONG KIM HALL TECHNOLOGY GEORGE CONKLIN BRIAN SMITH WRITERS GILLIAN BEVILLE • KATIE FINCH • MAURICE FRAZIER BRITTANY GEORGE • ALLYAH HARRAR BROOKE KAPING • CLARK LEACH COLIN MCCANDLESS • JOHANNA ROGERS SARAH ROSE • ANNE TOOLE • BROOKE WATSON PHOTOGRAPHER MARK STAFF INDEPENDENT MEDIA CONSULTANTS STACEY MCLOUGHLIN STACEY@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM BRITTANY GEORGE BRITTANY@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM SARAH ROSE SARAH@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM ALLYAH HARRAR ALLYAH@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM JOHANNA ROGERS JOHANNA@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM ADMINISTRATION & BOOKKEEPING GINGER SOTTILE BOSS DOG REGGIE 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 2024. 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 Storms have silver linings, too
12 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com 1117 Market Center Blvd, Ste 100 Mount Pleasant, SC| 843‑388‑5074 | body20.com/mount‑pleasant Photos by Cooper River Photography
13 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Oof! That’s the sound of a satisfying grunt after a job well done. I spent the long Labor Day weekend musing about my blue-collar adolescence. I wouldn’t change my backwoods childhood for the world because I learned some coming-of-age lessons and sage advice that I’ve carried with me from boyhood to manhood. Contrary to popular belief, I’m no stranger to physical labor. Ask anybody who knows me, except for my wife; her opinion is biased and based on whether the household chores are done. Which, in fact, they’re not. Sorry, honey. I promise I’ll take out the trash after these digressions. Growing up against the rural backdrop of the Green Mountains that swathe Vermont, it’s easy to get swallowed up in the daily grind of breaking your back to make a modest living. I watched my parents make that hard-earned dollar the notso-easiest of ways. My old man was a carpenter and mama was a bartender. I always knew that I was destined to work with my hands, but I wanted that to look a tad bit different than my folks. So, I became a writer, which counts as a hands-on trade in my book. Here are my takeaways from the chapters that bind my upbringing: Always be the hardest working person in the room. Like in sports, you may not always be able to outsmart your opponent, but you can muster the will to outwork them. The expression, “work smarter, not harder” holds true, but don’t let it turn into complacency or laziness. Show everyone the same respect and gratitude regardless of whether they are the CEO or janitor of your company. Your title or salary doesn’t make you a better human. Making an honest living, whether it's a lot or a little, and earning it in the dirt is what defines a person’s character. Like any other life skill, true grit can only be developed over time, never purchased or bought. Thanks to our town employees from all professions. Your sweat equity is what makes Mount Pleasant so magical and the most desirable place to live in East Cooper and beyond the coast. Positively Yours, Zach Giroux Managing Editor from the editor Hard Work Pays Dividends SCAN • CLICK SUBSCRIBE YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 ALL THINGS FALL • FOOTBALL SEASON • HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Gridiron Gurus Coaches & Schedules Auto Advice Road Trip Tips Spooky Season Haunted Estates & Graveyards
14 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com of this nature. I can’t say the same for my daredevil photographer, who will go to extreme measures to get the perfect shot. Case in point. We most certainly pushed the envelope with this one and the end result was a pyrotechnic masterpiece if you ask me. This cover is dedicated to the players and coaches living out their glory days. Keep that spark alive and never let the passion that fuels your fire burn out or be extinguished by anything or anyone. Every starry-eyed football guy’s dream is to play under blinding floodlights with packed bleachers at their high school’s stadium. I felt those ‘Friday Night Lights’ vibes reignite while creating this cover and I hope your child or the child inside you feels that similar sensation. One cool summer night, my photographer Mark Staff had a stroke of genius, per usual. We were plotting ways to mesh the traditions and pageantry of football with the teenage angst and edginess that embodies team spirit. These late-night musings led us to setting football helmets ablaze in Staff’s backyard, under bright construction lights while blaring Greta Van Fleet like a couple of madmen. There was a method to the madness, and I’ll do my best to convey that. After building a contraption to showcase all the helmets, we had to choose the angles and order. We strategically placed the helmets in a sequence that best portrayed the bitter rivalries between the schools. Then, we created a homemade flamethrower using a lighter and brake fluid (don’t try this at home like we did). The flames dripping off the helmets like molten chocolate on a hot fudge sundae were truly the cherry on top of this fiery creation. If you play with fire enough times you will eventually get burned. Fortunately, I was spared. This will be my first and last time conducting a science experiment SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES AT WWW.MOUNTPLEASANTPODCAST.COM ALL THINGS FALL • FOOTBALL SEASON • HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Gridiron Gurus Coaches & Schedules Auto Advice Road Trip Tips Boys of Fall Photo by Mark Staff Photographer. FRIDAY NIGHT LEGENDS Spooky Season Haunted Estates & Graveyards BY ZACH GIROUX Friday Night Flames Editor’s Note: No football helmets were harmed during the making of our front cover. Here I am assisting our photographer Mark Staff in creating our iconic "helmets on fire" cover. about the cover
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16 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Katie Finch is an Alabama native (War Eagle, anyone?) and a former small business owner, Katie loves connecting with local Lowcountry business owners while putting her marketing degree to good use. Gillian Beville is a senior at the College of Charleston, where she is pursuing a major in communications and a minor in marketing. Her passion for writing began in grade school and continues to fuel her studies and career ambitions in the field of communications. 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. contributors 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. Brittany George, our digital director, offers a great variety of skills to our team. Not only does she have an extensive background in print media, she has a wide breadth of knowledge in the digital realm. Having her join our team has allowed us to expand our digital horizon. Brooke Kaping, a Mount Pleasant local, is a rising junior at the University of Florida, where she is majoring in public relations, advertising and applied communications. Her passion for writing and creativity has been evident from a young age. Maurice J. Frazier is a freelance writer living on Daniel Island. Born in the Bronx, New York, and raised in the North Charleston/ Summerville area, he has been working in the TV and film industry for the last eight years. 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. 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. 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 decadeslong career in interior design and has traveled and lived all over the world. Johanna Rogers is a recent James Madison University communications graduate, social media manager, contributing writer and sales representative. Her friends call her “Jojo” and her hobbies include going to the beach, reading and crafts. 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.
17 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.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, businesses 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 into 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! on the web C The Perch offerings: • Open Daily for Lunch, Happy Hour and Supper • Full Bar with Craft Cocktails, Wine and Beer • Thursday Night Trivia: 6pm • Friday Evening: $10 Low Country Boils and Buckets of Beer • Saturday Evening: $2 Oysters, Buckets of Beer and College Football One stop shop for homemade prepared foods, thoughtful gifting & an upscale bar and café! www.GetCarriedAway.com | 644 Coleman Blvd. | 843-483-0170 Market: Mon-Wed 10am-6pm/ Thu-Sat 10am-8pm | The Perch: Tues-Sat 11am- As Long As Good Football is On!
18 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com social buzz Social media in today’s age of print and digital marketing is the portal to boosting your company’s brand and taking business to the next level. Whether it’s editorial or marketing stories, our social media platforms at Mount Pleasant Magazine have the bandwidth to reach customers and future clients you never expected to reach. The numbers don’t lie and these analytics are living proof that the reach of our product is limitless. If you’re interested in broadening your horizons, contact Publisher@ MountPleasantMagazine.com or 843-530-0403. @salonalexandriachs SalonAlexandria.com | 843-881-6554 1031 SC-41 Ste. 600, Mt Pleasant, SC 2024 ® CALL, TEXT OR BOOK ONLINE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT “Because we love what we do, we do our best - and we want to do our best for you!” - Alex, Salon Owner
19 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com That Time of Year Election season is upon us. We’re talking about voting for the 2025 Best Of Mount Pleasant Awards. Like clockwork, it’s that time of year to stop what you’re doing and cast your vote for your most beloved businesses in town. Before you fill out your ballot, ask yourself: Who comes to mind when you think of a friendly, reliable and trustworthy business or person? For us, we’re biased because we love all of our local businesses, so that’s why we’re leaving the voting to you. In total, there are 280 individual awards spanned across six categories which include: Health & Wellness, Food & Drink, Shopping & Goods, Personalities & Services, Entertainment & Leisure and Pets. There’s something for everybody to voice their opinion, but vote wisely and honestly. Last year's contest yielded 76,007 votes, the highest number of votes on record since our Best Of awards first launched in 1990. Since its inception, the total number of votes has soared over more than half-a-million. Voting has begun and ends Monday, Oct. 7 at midnight. The official voting web address is www. VOTEbestofMP.com. Best of luck to our local businesses and may the odds be ever in your favor. As in the past, the results of the 2025 Best of Winners will be published in our annual Best of Issue in January 2025. Best Of Mount Pleasant 2025 Voting 2025 best of mount pleasant www.VoteBestofMP.com 2025 ® SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS Best of 2025 VOTING IS NOW OPEN!
20 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Although I didn’t realize it at the time, my longtime relationship with hurricanes started in 1969 when Camille hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A Category 5 storm with 190 mph sustained winds, Camille was the most powerful hurricane ever to make landfall in the United States. All the destruction and death caused by this act of Mother Nature happened one day after I left Biloxi, Mississippi, where I was training with the U.S. Air Force. There was no Weather Channel, internet or sophisticated software to fully document Hurricane Camille back then, but advances were well underway by 1989 when Hurricane Hugo struck the coast of South Carolina. Founded in 1982, the Weather Channel took delight in visiting the historic city of Charleston and the surrounding islands. Viewers were able to instantly see the horrific results of this fierce hurricane that slammed into the coastline during high tide the night of Sept. 21. Hurricane Hugo’s high winds and pressure were quickly approaching the South Carolina shoreline while my art director and I were feverishly working to make the impending deadline for East Cooper Magazine, the predecessor of Mount Pleasant Magazine. Everyone around me was frantically preparing for what ended up being a Category 4 hurricane when it hit South Carolina. My focus was getting the magazine completed and to our printer in Florida. The trouble was that with Hugo on the way, the last flight out of Charleston International Airport was already gone. I received a call from my wife, Kim, who knows firsthand (for 30 years now) how passionate I am about my craft. She knew I would do anything to get my magazine to the printer, even facing the wrath of Hurricane Hugo. I can remember her purposeful words: “You know Bill, the only way to get East Cooper Magazine to the printer is to drive to Columbia and get it on a flight from there.” Those were the exact words I needed to hear. I packed up the family and the material for East Cooper Magazine and headed to Columbia before the rest of the Lowcountry’s population evacuated and clogged up the highways leading out of Charleston. It was the right call. Early the following morning, I sent my magazine to the printer, driving to the Columbia airport to place the material on one of the last flights out of South Carolina’s capital city. From there, we headed to Charlotte, as Hugo would do a few days later. I had no idea I would be facing the wrath of that violent storm, and that later my passion for publishing would lead me into the path of similar hurricanes. After Hugo ran us out of Charlotte, we headed to Chimney Rock. Soon after, we decided to return to Mount Pleasant. The reports of power outages and the devastation caused by this massive hurricane caused anxiety for the whole family. As we edged closer to our home, the anxiety intensified, though I tried to keep it to a minimum. After all, we hadn’t seen for ourselves what had really happened in Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island. As a family, I knew we needed to keep as calm as possible because we didn’t know what was ahead of us. As we traveled closer to Charleston, Hugo’s destruction became more obvious with each mile. Like everyone around us, we were in a bit of a daze. Everyone’s world had been turned upside down overnight. Loud and clunky generators could be heard throughout East Cooper. For those of us lucky enough to have one, they were the only source of electricity. Fortunately, at the time, the office of East Cooper The Story of a Hurricane Chaser our town Bill Macchio, right, with Bill Gray, former hurricane forecaster with the University of Colorado and guest speaker at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference (1989).
21 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Magazine was on the same electrical grid as the old East Cooper Hospital, where Vibra Hospital of Charleston stands today. We had electricity, and my small, nondescript office became a hub of activity. It seemed like everyone in town passed through our doors at one time or another. We really didn’t know what to do. My family, as well as everyone else, was dealing with the essentials, but our little publishing office was attracting Hurricane Hugo storytellers. The two most common questions were, “Where were you when Hugo hit?” and “How bad did your home get hit?” We had all lived through a horrific storm and could tell our stories in vivid detail and in heartfelt dialogue. After all, we were all survivors of this massive storm that had invaded our South Carolina shoreline, taken 61 lives and caused damages of $9.47 billion in 1989 dollars. As time went on and the flow of photographers, writers, editors and friends continued through our doors, I had an epiphany. I couldn’t support anything through advertising because my clients were devastated. Everyone was dealing with surviving. Some were just packing up and heading out of town. Since it seemed everyone loved telling their stories – why couldn’t we tell the story of Hugo? Why couldn’t we publish a 100-page magazine titled Hurricane Hugo – Storm of the Century? We spent weeks encouraging survivors to submit their stories and talking to newscasters, including Bill Walsh and Rob Fowler. We even interviewed Bob Sheets, head of the National Hurricane Center at the time. Sheets had gathered infrared satellite images of Hugo at different times, showing its massive strength as it smashed into our coast. Every member of the Storm of the Century staff was a survivor. Each day and night we would spend hours and hours preparing Hugo stories of survival, paired with numerous photos of destruction for our documentary. As we sent my first-ever hurricane publication to the printer, the heaviness and anxiety Hugo had caused each of us was lifted off our shoulders. It was as if we had all gone through a Hurricane Hugo therapy session. It was an extraordinary feeling. It complemented the feeling I had knowing that this documentary we were publishing would be around long after I’d enjoyed my time on this planet. Parts of Charleston, Mount Pleasant and the islands that dot our Carolina shoreline were still a mess when our keepsake magazine hit the newsstand. Everyone wanted a copy. They treated it like their personal Hugo journal. The pictures of devastation and stories of survival were something they knew they would pass down to their children. The process of documenting Hugo and telling the stories of survivors and the popularity of our historic document encouraged me to take up hurricane chasing. And, over time, I became up close and personal with other hurricanes, as well as their survivors: Hurricane Bob, which hit Cape Cod and New England in August 1991; Hurricane Andrew, which battered South Florida in August 1992; Hurricane Bertha, which blasted Wilmington, North Carolina, in July 1996; Hurricane Fran, which also hit Wilmington in August 1996; and Hurricane Georges, which struck South Florida and Key West in September 1998. With Hurricane Andrew, which is a story for another time, I became close to Florida’s Division of Emergency Management. For several years, our little South Carolina company published the program for the Governor’s Hurricane Conference, the largest hurricane conference in the nation. Documenting Hurricane Hugo and Hurricane Andrew were my most adventurous publishing undertakings and put every aspect of my craft to the test. I learned that even in the harshest of weather conditions and amid utmost destruction, communities still strive to pull together – and they still need to tell their stories. Even years after the storms, I continue to tell my readers about the hurricane stories and adventures in Mount Pleasant Magazine. our town The Ben Sawyer Bridge, which connects Mount Pleasant with Sullivan’s Island, was a victim of Hurricane Hugo. Hurricane Hugo left destruction in its wake in East Cooper and all along the South Carolina coast.
22 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com The forecasts for the 2024 hurricane season came in fast and furious, with the annual Colorado State University forecast from lead forecaster Dr. Phil Klotzbach first out of the chute. The numbers are staggering! Twenty-three named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes. In an average season, we would expect 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. Dr. Klotzbach and his team are pointing to two main factors behind the active forecast. The waters in the Tropical Atlantic are much warmer than normal this early, and a shift from the normally tropical inhibiting El Nino pattern to a more conducive La Nina episode during the peak months of August, September and October. This upcoming year, there are forecast probabilities for a landfall, or landfalls. Dr. Klotzbach believes there is a 62 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall somewhere along the coast of the United States. The long-term average is 43 percent. When it comes to the East Coast, from Maine to Florida, the probability is 34 percent, which is much higher than the long-term average of 21 percent. As you know, we have been so very lucky, and have not experienced a major hurricane landfall since Hurricane Hugo in September 1989. When you look at the return average of a major hurricane every 22 years, the phrase “we are due” is not a stretch. So, what can we do to make sure we are prepared for whatever the tropical season has in store? Preparation is key. It’s important to have a plan. First thing is to know your risks. Are you in a flood zone? Are you susceptible to storm surge, flooding from heavy rainfall, strong winds, tornadoes or even rip currents? We know in the Charleston area we flood quite a bit, even on a sunny day due to higher- thannormal tides. HURRICANE KIT ESSENTIALS • Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation) • Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food) • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert • Flashlight • First aid kit • Extra batteries • Whistle (to signal for help) • Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) • Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place) • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation) • Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities) • Manual can opener (for food) • Local maps • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery Note: Ready.gov is a great resource to make your checklist. You will also want to video or take photographs of your property and belongings, just in case you need to show your insurance company. It’s also a good idea to check with your insurer first, to make sure you have everything in place just in case you are impacted by a storm. Finally, know where you are going to go if you do evacuate, and make sure you communicate that to family and friends. This will help to eliminate possible confusion after a storm has come and gone. Brace Yourself Expecting above-average hurricane season BY ROB FOWLER CHIEF METEOROLOGIST, NEWS 2 our town
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24 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our town Night of Wind and Water I would like to have been somewhere where I could have seen it,” said a Lowcountry resident who lost everything to Hugo. It’s a reaction shared by many. As the fiercest storm in modern history made landfall on the Isle of Palms, two young Medical University of South Carolina students were there and lived to tell about it. The point in time most vivid to Michael A. Pulliam was acceptance of the belief that he would die. He and friend Kevin Williams were swept from the second floor of a house on Front Beach and were propelled through 12foot whitewater currents for a city block, landing on the roof of a one-story house. Sense of time was suspended, he said; the water, the wind and ink-black darkness were his only perceptions. Their experience with Hugo began calmly on Wednesday night as the two headed for the island to board up Pulliam’s family beach house at 2910 Palm Blvd. The young men went with the intention of remaining there during the hurricane. “It was half crazy, I guess,” Pulliam said. “But I really like the outdoors in bad weather. We didn’t want it (Hugo) to hit, but we were excited about the onslaught.” With no radio and a television that didn’t work, they Editor’s Note: The following harrowing tale originally appeared in Hurricane Hugo – The Storm of the Century. For more survival tales about this powerful 1989 storm, visit the digital version of the magazine at www.HugoMagazine.com. BY KATHY KEARNEY
25 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com were unaware that by 6 p.m. on Thursday, the storm was upgraded to Category 4, with winds of 135 mph predicted. “We weren’t concerned at first,” Pulliam said, “because the winds were only 70 to 80 mph. But we had no television. If we had known the storm was upgraded, we’d have left.” The two were in touch by phone with parents and friends in Columbia. Pulliam’s mother called the Isle of Palms Police Department to report the presence of the two on the island, Pulliam said. His grandfather called to instruct them to leave the two-story brick house, and go to the house next door, which was on stilts: “My grandfather was worried about the 12-to-18-foot tidal surge predicted. He didn’t think the house would stand. There was nowhere for the water to go.” They left at 8:30, when the power went out. “We gathered the candles and went next door,” to the house owned by Othniel Wienges of St. Matthews. “It was very, very dark.” By 9 p.m., Hugo began to flex its muscles. “The house started to shake and glass began to break upstairs,” said Pulliam. They found a weather radio and learned that, incredibly, the storm was not predicted to make landfall for another three hours: “We realized then we were in for quite a ride.” In the hours to come, said Pulliam, “the water became the most terrifying thing of all.” In less than an hour, the water had risen by 15 feet to seep into air conditioning ducts in their second-floor refuge. The floor’s linoleum would later become “a giant bubble, with water underneath.” Waves battered the structure. The noise of the water and wind was not the only sensory input affecting Pulliam and Williams. As the eye approached, barometric pressures plummeted, causing ears to “pop” in a manner similar to ascending in an airplane. A five-gallon water cooler in the house began to bubble. The strange calm of the hurricane’s eye lasted about 30 to 40 minutes. “The wind slowed and it got quieter,” Pulliam said. “All you could hear was water under the house. We realized we’d both lost our cars (which were floating out front), but that didn’t bother us. We thought we were lucky to be alive.” They also believed the worst was over. “I thought, well, the house made it through the first part of the storm, and the second part can’t be as bad.” As anyone who experienced the storm, even hundreds of miles inland discovered, this was not the case. “In the first part of the storm, the wind came from the front of the house,” said Pulliam, “and blew the water from the house. When the wind changed direction, it blew the our town
26 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com water toward the house. The house started shaking and water started coming in through the sliding glass door. There were serious prayers going on in the kitchen.” He recalled that the darkness was overwhelming: “I looked out the window. The houses are only 20 feet apart, but I couldn’t see my house. I thought it was gone.” The young men realized a critical decision was in order. Should they risk a retreat to the volatile third floor or take their chances with the tides on the second floor? “I went to the front door and opened it to see how high the water was,” Pulliam said. With Williams holding on to his shoulder, “I stuck a foot out the door. The wind sucked us out and the porch collapsed. It was like whitewater rapids. You don’t sink in water like that; you’re just carried along.” Pulliam didn’t recall how long they lay face down on the our town DRESSING THEM IN THE BEST FROM TINY TO TEEN FOR 70 YEARS! DANCE SHOP | PUMPKIN PATCH | GAME DAY | HOLIDAY | COTILLION | COORDINATING OUTFITS | PICTURE PERFECT | LOYALTY PROGRAM PREPPED AND POSED FOR ANY OCCASION! Children’s Boutique Newborn to size 7 Their Very Own Shop! For Girls & Boys 7-16 All the Top Brands in Shoes! Full Service Shoe & Dance Shop 2024 ®
27 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our town roof of the one-story house a block away – maybe an hour he said. At approximately 3 a.m. “you could start to barely see again, and then the water went out as fast as it went in.” As dawn broke at the still-standing Pulliam house, Michael recalled the scene of destruction: “There was a piano and furniture in the front yard which I thought at first was ours. There were appliances on the beach. It was like there was no civilization and you were alone. It was hard to imagine the peninsula was still there and functioning.” When Hugo made landfall on the Isle of Palms, the two young men felt the storm in life-threatening dimensions but did not understand the full reach of its power. Hugo hit in the darkness of night, and sight was useless. Understanding, if it came at all, would not begin until morning. 940 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. | Suite 100 | Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 843.606.2397 | buxtonandcollie.com FOR ALL OF LIFE’S TRANSACTIONS. BUSINESS LAW | REAL ESTATE ® VOTED BEST FIRM FOR REAL ESTATE & BUSINESS LAW 4 YEARS IN A ROW! Watch your insurance rate fall this season... When you give Greer a call Greer Narowski (843) 816-8780 Greer@hhiandb.com
28 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our town Preparing for hurricane weather is a normal yearly occurrence for longtime Mount Pleasant residents. But if you are new to the area or have never experienced what hurricanes can do to homes and places along the coast, now is the time to get ready in case the worst happens this fall – and it very well could. “The Charleston and Mount Pleasant areas are in a zone that averages 50-69 hurricane storms every 100 years,” said John Cangialosi, senior hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center in Miami. “And since the height of tropical storms and hurricanes for this area is in September, it’s a good idea to prepare now.” Shannon Whitehead, emergency management & resilience officer for the Town of Mount Pleasant, added that adhering to recommended safety guidelines can substantially lessen the impact of hurricanes. “By taking steps such as installing hurricane shutters, reinforcing roofs and clearing yards of debris, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of property damage,” Whitehead said. “And in the event of an evacuation order, allow yourself plenty of time to evacuate.” To this end, forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), headquartered in Washington, D.C., advise these steps, a complete list of which can be found at noaa.gov/hurricane-prep: RISK FROM WIND AND WATER • Know if you live in an area prone to storm surge flooding. • Make sure your home is hurricane proof with storm shutters. • Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions. DEVELOP AN EVACUATION PLAN • Plan several routes. • If you don’t have a vehicle, check with local officials to see what transportation options are available. Hurricane Preparedness BY L. C. LEACH III Don’t wait until it’s too late
29 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com ASSEMBLE DISASTER SUPPLIES • If sheltering-in-place, have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of three days. • Keep a battery-powered radio and flashlights on hand, as electricity could be out for weeks. RELY ON AND UNDERSTAND FORECAST INFORMATION • Stay up to date from the National Hurricane Center and your local National Weather Service office. • Know your alerts and the difference between a watch and a warning. GET MOVING WHEN A STORM THREATENS • Cover windows, and secure doors and loose items. • Have medical supplies, charge your phone, pack bags and have your vehicle ready to go. Other NOAA advice includes staying protected during storms and using caution after storms, such as returning home only when directed. “One recurring issue I have observed is the tendency of individuals to disregard evacuation warnings, which can lead to dangerous situations such as being stranded on roads or having to seek shelter at home during the storm,” said Whitehead. Cangialosi added that in the past several years, more people have died in the preparation and recovery stage than in the storm itself. “Electrocutions, vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning and falls have unfortunately been too common before and after these events,” Cangialosi said. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 44.4 million people live in the Atlantic coastline region. This area comprises 14 states and more than 160 counties – making it the most populous of all the nation’s coastline regions. Cangialosi said that while some fatalities are inevitable, most needless deaths occur because “people either didn’t prepare or they ignored the warnings.” “Using your own common sense will also best serve all preparations,” Cangialosi said, “especially if you find yourself in a spot you didn’t plan for.” Such was the case with Ian Moore, a former College of Charleston student who was in Charleston during the fall of 2016 when Hurricane Matthew hit. Heavy rains from the storm flooded Moore out of the home where he was staying and with his chance of our town Full-Service Roofing and Storm Damage Restoration 5starsroofing.com | info@5starsroofing.com | 843-300-8400 2024 ®
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31 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our town evacuating unexpectedly compromised, he was forced to shelter-in-place – but he wasn’t sure where he would be safe. Acting on advice from his dad Harold, who lives in Greenville, Moore took refuge in a downtown Charleston parking garage next to his car, which was parked on an upper level, well above the potential flooding zone. Moore camped out in a tent for three days until the storm cleared. “Doing so made the experience more of a memory rather than an ordeal,” Moore said. “And while I wouldn’t want to be trapped in hurricane weather again, I was able to utilize a public place right in Charleston until the storm’s flood waters subsided.” Since 2000, South Carolina has been hit or affected by 22 hurricanes. And whether you are skilled or unskilled in handling hurricanes, both Cangialosi and Whitehead emphasized that there is no such thing as being too ready. “Much of the damage caused by hurricanes in Mount Pleasant can be mitigated or minimized through proactive planning and preparation,” Whitehead said. “Creating a comprehensive emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, essential contact numbers and a three-day emergency go bag for each household member ensures that families are prepared and can stay safe.” 1 www.RetiringToSC.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.ReadMP.com senior living Your Complete Retirement Resource LIFE AFTER WORK, STAYING FIT AND MORE … Fitness for a Lifetime LOCAL SENIORS INSPIRING US ALL A Lowcountry Love Story Barbara Pierce and ‘Poppy’ Bush Some Day, We’ll Meet Again Where Heaven and Rainbow Bridge Meet M O U N T P L E A S A N T SENIOR LIVING Published by www.CharlestonRetirementLifestyle.com For more info Publisher@MPSeniorLiving.com 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 Senior Community Directory www.CharlestonRetirementLifestyle.com | www.RetiringToSC.com | www.HotRetirementTowns.com Time to Spare? VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Service with a Smile TWO RESERVISTS SHARE STORIES Calling all Brainiacs! What to Eat and Do for Mental Sharpness In Your Own Words How to Write a Memoir M O U N T P L E A S A N T SENIOR LIVING Published by www.CharlestonRetirementLifestyle.com For more info Publisher@MPSeniorLiving.com 2 0 2 0 - 2 1 www.CharlestonRetirementLiving.com | www.MPSeniorLiving.com senior living 1 Surf’s Still Up THE COUNTRY’S OLDEST ACTIVE SURF CLUB Bonding with Grandkids Spending time with family A Wealth of Knowledge Planning for Retirement M O U N T P L E A S A N T SENIOR LIVING Published by www.CharlestonRetirementLifestyle.com For more info Publisher@MPSeniorLiving.com 2 0 2 1 - 2 2 Franke at Seaside 25 years in Mount Pleasant 177 www.RetiringToSC.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.ReadMP.com senior living A Loving Link Boomers and their pets Roots of the Family Tree Being a gRandpaRenT Managing Diabetes In Your Golden Years Be Young, Be Fit ... ... and Be Happy M O U N T P L E A S A N T SENIOR LIVING Published By Mount Pleasant Magazine For more info Publisher@MPSeniorLiving.com For more information visit www.RetiringToSC.com www.CharlestonRetirementLiving.com Publisher@RetiringToSC.com | 843-884-4814 Your resource for relocating or retiring to Chaleston and Coastal Carolina. STATEWIDE DISTRIBUTION
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33 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com BY SARAH ROSE A Dream Realized Patriots Point to debut luxury hotel: Seafair Village With Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler naming Charleston the No. 1 vacation destination in the world year after year, developing Patriots Point demanded a clearly defined master plan, according to Ian Duncan, development director of the Bennett Hospitality Group. Having updated sketches of the vision for the project continuously over the last 10 years, Duncan said the plans for a blend of commercial and residential properties that have been in place since 2011 have since evolved into an upscale, world class mixed-use 6.2-acre development called Seafair Village, located within the 30.32-acre Patriots Annex development. Additionally, Jake Carter, planner for the Town of Mount Pleasant, shared that the site as it exists today consists of the current entrance drive to the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, parking lot area and existing underground utilities adjacent to the critical line against the Cooper River. According to Duncan, the Bennett Hospitality Group is collaborating with the USS Yorktown to ensure that the first phase will not interfere with operations at Patriots Point. “As the Yorktown brings thousands of visitors each year, we have been working closely together to make sure we are good neighbors,” Duncan said. Working hand in hand with high-profile and seasoned Atlanta-based Rabun Architects, Duncan said that Phase One of the long-term project includes a top-of-the-line resort boasting a three-story hotel with 105 rooms, as well as an adjacent 12 cottages, each of which are outfitted with a kitchenette, living room and covered porch. Amenities will include a pool, bar, spa, fitness facility and conference center. Further, outdoor areas incorporating gazebos, tiki huts, fire pits, open areas with views of the our town
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