FALL 2025 WIN CAROLINA VS CLEMSON TICKETS & FAN MERCH GIVEAWAY (PAGES 52 & 57) Tailgate Essentials Auto Directory Palmetto Pride Game Day Directory CHARLESTON RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE ANY GIVEN SATURDAY Vote for Best Of Mount Pleasant 2026
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8 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com contents FALL EDITION • VOL. 15, ISSUE 5 Staff Box.........................................................11 Publisher's Note...............................................11 From the Editor...............................................13 About the Cover..............................................15 Contributors. .................................................. 17 Social Buzz.....................................................18 On the Web.....................................................19 Patriots Point Turns 50.............................29 Hurricane Hugo Anniversary...................33 Rutledge Tomb.........................................35 East Cooper Hauntings............................38 New Principals.........................................40 Homeschool Heroes.................................43 Christ Our King-Stella Maris...................45 Bishop England HS..................................47 Our Town.............................. 23 20 29 Playcallers. ...........................................................49 Wando Band........................................................53 Bucks Sports Cards...............................................55 Clemson vs Carolina jokes....................................56 College Football Schedules...................................57 Our Sports................................. 47 35 43 49 Calendar of Events...............................................20 Live Music Schedule.............................................22 Boone Hall Fright Nights.....................................23 Photography by Anne...........................................25 Vanity Salon.........................................................28 Arts and Entertainment..................
9 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com contents FALL EDITION • VOL. 15, ISSUE 5 Auto Directory..................................61 East Cooper Auto Pros......................63 Charleston Cars & Coffee.................65 Shop Talk..........................................67 Golf Carts Gone EV..........................69 Auto................................ Game Day Directory........................71 Tailgate Essentials.............................74 New Fare..........................................75 Behind the Bar.................................76 Food on Wheels...............................77 Staff Chili Recipes............................79 Tomato Pie.......................................81 La Hacienda.....................................82 Food and Beverage........... Senior Living Directory......................85 Mount Pleasant Gardens.....................87 Sandwich Generation..........................88 Senior Volunteers................................90 SpaceLove...........................................92 Assisted Living Chefs..........................93 Second Act..........................................95 Charleston Retirement Lifestyle. .......................... Reggie's Report..............................117 Rescues of the Month.....................118 PAWtober....................................... 119 Pets. ............................... East Cooper Neighbors....120 Pawleys Island New Listing............112 Crown Coast Properties..................113 Top 10 Homes - Old Village..........114 Top 10 Homes - S. Mount Pleasant.115 Top 10 Homes - N. Mount Pleasant.116 Dwellings......................... Georgetown Wooden Boat Show....108 Coastal Carolina Bird Watching Guide...110 Wild Birds Unlimited.....................111 On the Coast.................... Breast Cancer Awareness..................97 Breast Cancer Survivor...................100 Neuroblastoma............................... 101 Fall Makeovers...............................103 Totality Medispa............................105 Yoga Daily......................................107 Health and Beauty...........
10 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com JOIN US Wednesday, October 8th 6:00 - 9:30 pm FOR THE BEST OF 2025 PARTY PARTY with the BEST!! Party wi 2024 GET YOUR TICKETS HERE! For more information www.BestofMPparty.com Alambra Hall in the Old Village overlooks the Charleston Harbor 131 Middle Street • Oyster Roast • Lowcountry cuisine by Dish & Design and other Food & Bev winners • Beer and Wine • DJ Seth Brown • Axe Throwing • Photo Booths (you're on the cover) • Cornhole Register to Win Clemson/Carolina Palmetto Bowl Tickets VOTE BEST OF 2026 While You're Here Includes a fun-filled evening with Mount Pleasant’s finest! All you can eat, drink, and play for just $35!
11 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Every year when we publish our football issue, I think about our past football editions. Since we are all passionate about football and our school rivalries, they are always interesting and fun to put together. Everyone here loves to go the extra mile for our Clemson and Carolina alumni and fans. Our first football cover was in 2012, titled “Divided: Preparing for Football Rivalry.” Check out the cover here. My favorites are the original art pieces designed by our art director Dana Coleman, specifically these covers from 2014 and 2016. For this year's cover, I’m sure you will agree that Dana stepped up to the plate again. To celebrate our football issues, we’ve compiled all our covers and the content from each of these special issues that pertain to football. We’ve decided to publish a special digital issue that includes all covers, starting with the first one from 2012. Together with each of our football covers will be the content of each Clemson and Carolina article that makes up this special digital football keepsake. Visit this one-of-a-kind digital magazine at CarolinaClemsonmags. com, where you can read interviews with the coaches, along with their wives and discover their favorite Clemson and Carolina football recipes. Meet avid fans who passionately support their team. The football excitement doesn’t end there. Mount Pleasant Magazine is giving away tickets to the 2025 Palmetto Bowl to be held Saturday, Nov. 29, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. See Page 57 for the different places to register on the Isle of Palms and in Mount Pleasant. Happy tailgating, Bill Macchio Publisher Publisher@MountPleasantMagazine.com publisher’s note Fall Edition • VOL. 15, 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 ALLYAH HARRAR ALLYAH@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM DIGITAL/WEB EDITOR GEORGE CONKLIN COPY EDITOR COLIN MCCANDLESS SOCIAL MEDIA/EVENT COORDINATOR ALYSSA FRANCO THEDIGITALTOUCHCHS@GMAIL.COM AD DESIGNERS BETHANY LONG KIM HALL WRITERS MARY COY • KATIE FINCH • ALLYAH HARRAR WILL HAYNIE • CARI LAWSON • CLARK LEACH • COLIN MCCANDLESS • LEAH MOORE • SARAH ROSE ANNE TOOLE • BROOKE WATSON PHOTOGRAPHER MARK STAFF BRAND ASSISTANTS ADLAI ALLARD • TAYLOR HEYL • MADELINE REYNOLDS INDEPENDENT MEDIA CONSULTANTS STACEY MCLOUGHLIN STACEY@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM PAUL SMITH PAUL@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM COLLEEN KASSNER COLLEEN@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM SHARI SEBUCK SHARI@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM ADMINISTRATION & BOOKKEEPING GINGER SOTTILE BOSS DOG REGGIE DISTRIBUTION/DIRECT MAIL U.S. POST OFFICE • HARRIS TEETER • CVS Mount Pleasant Magazine is published locally by a team of independent contractors. Mount Pleasant Magazine is published six times per year by Media Services, Inc. 1013 Chuck Dawley Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Copyright © Media Services 2025. All rights reserved. Reproduction electronically or in print format without the expressed written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited and a violation of U.S. copyright laws. Inquiries to: Mount Pleasant Magazine P.O. Box 22617, Charleston, SC 29413 843-881-1481 Celebrating Our Football Culture fall 2012 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com DIVIDED! PreParing for football rivalry DFinrnieernds Skip the Going Out; Keep the Gourmet with Ed Barbee Speaks Out: Flavors of Fall: Taste of Charleston Returns Local Road Projects ® _MPM 2.3-2Cover.indd 3 7/24/12 3:25 PM
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13 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Pardon my French, but my three favorite “F” words may come as a shock to you: Fall, Football and Food. If you use that type of language too then this issue you’re holding is specially tailored for all your needs. Fall is the best season of all for many reasons and a few that come to mind include: football, tailgate food, mild temperatures, sweater weather and South Carolina versus Clemson. For a full rundown of our state’s football rivalry read About the Cover on Page 15. Enter our giveaway contest to win free tickets to the Palmetto Bowl and fan merchandise on Pages 52 and 57. There's less leaf color change in the Lowcountry due to the subtropical vegetation, but the scenery becomes clearer and less humid. As the oppressive summer heat fades, outdoor activities are far more enjoyable. And yes, tailgating is a professional sport down South. Seriously y’all, tailgating is not for the faint of heart. It requires a lot of school pride and a few trips to your local sporting goods store. To give you a better idea of how to properly pre-game this fall, check out our fanatic tailgate spread on Pages 58-59. A special thanks to Low Country Volkswagen, Mount Pleasant Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Buffalo Wild Wings, kookoomonkey and the Fair, Lee, Schill and Stafani families for supplying all the ingredients for a stellar photoshoot. And thanks to Mount Pleasant Towne Centre and their accommodating staff for hosting us and graciously blocking off a parking lot on a Friday night. Go shop local! Can’t make it to the game but still want to watch it in a lively sports setting? Our Game Day Directory has you covered. A complete curation of all the best places in town to watch the game. Wear your favorite team’s jersey and go hungry. Wings always taste better on an empty stomach. May the best team win unless you’re a fan of the Gamecocks. I bleed orange. Go Tigers! Yours truly, Zach Giroux Managing Editor from the editor My 3 Favorite “F” Words FALL 2025 WIN CAROLINA VS CLEMSON TICKETS & FAN MERCH GIVEAWAY (PAGES 52 & 57) Tailgate Essentials Auto Directory Palmetto Pride Game Day Directory CHARLESTON RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE ANY GIVEN SATURDAY Vote for Best Of Mount Pleasant 2026 FALL 2025 WIN CAROLINA VS CLEMSON TICKETS & FAN MERCH GIVEAWAY (PAGES 52 & 57) Tailgate Essentials Auto Directory Palmetto Pride Game Day Directory CHARLESTON RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE ANY GIVEN SATURDAY Vote for Best Of Mount Pleasant 2026 Your Community, Your Magazine SCAN • CLICK SUBSCRIBE YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR MAGAZINE FAMILY EDITION 2025 DENTAL DIRECTORY | VETERINARY DIRECTORY | WEDDING DIRECTORY Legendary Legacies Multi-Generational Family Businesses Simmons Seafood otographer. Influential Moms Homemade Content Creators Superdads First Responder Fathers SCAN • CLICK • SUBSCRIBE
14 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com American Eagle Burtons Grill & Bar Athleta Southern Tide by M. Dumas & Sons The Wine Cellar Fall Festival LŌLEO Juice Bar THERE’S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SPEND A DAY ON THE TOWNE
15 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com about the cover Editor’s Note: Special thanks to photographer Thomas Runion who took photos of each school’s mascot for Mount Pleasant Magazine several football seasons ago. P.S. Go Tigers! For fans it’s all about bragging rights. For coaches and players it’s about legacy and chasing eternal glory. For mascots it’s about upholding traditions and wearing school spirit like a badge of honor. This year marks the 122nd Palmetto Bowl meeting between Clemson and South Carolina dating back to 1896. In terms of overall wins and losses, Clemson has dominated the series with 73 wins compared to USC’s 44. And four ties. But the most important number is the final on the scoreboard. Houses are divided and family feuds are inevitable. Grudges between siblings who attend rival schools are to be expected. Best friends will become bitter enemies, but only for that week. Let’s get to the crux of the rivalry: the mascots. In one corner, we have Clemson’s mascot, the Tiger, who first debuted in 1954 after replacing the long-standing “Southern Gentleman” mascot. Chosen for its strength and spirit, the Tiger quickly became a fierce symbol of Clemson pride. In the other, we have USC’s mascot Cocky, who originated in 1980 as the spirited successor to “Big Spur.” Originally booed by fans, Cocky won them over with charisma, clever antics and flashy entrances. Known for dancing, taunting rivals and even signing autographs in ASL, Cocky is a fan favorite and multiple-time national mascot champion. The Palmetto Bowl isn’t just a football game; it’s a feathered and furred fight for state superiority and neither mascot plans to blink first. FALL 2025 WIN CAROLINA VS CLEMSON TICKETS & FAN MERCH GIVEAWAY (PAGES 52 & 57) Tailgate Essentials Auto Directory Palmetto Pride Game Day Directory CHARLESTON RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE ANY GIVEN SATURDAY Vote for Best Of Mount Pleasant 2026 A Tale of Two Mascots Cocky vs. Tiger The Common • 210 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant • 843-884-4814 www.ragamuffinchildrensboutique.com DANCE SHOP | PUMPKIN PATCH | GAME DAY | HOLIDAY | COTILLION | COORDINATING OUTFITS | PICTURE PERFECT | LOYALTY PROGRAM Children’s Boutique Newborn to size 7 All the Top Brands in Shoes! Full Service Shoe & Dance Shop Tween Shop! Just for Girls and Boys Sizes 7-16 PREPPED AND POSED FOR ANY OCCASION! Locally owned and operated for 70 years! @RagamuffinChildrensBoutique @Strideritemountpleasant @Radical Rags 2025 ® Voted Best Children’s Boutique!
16 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Corporate Video Production unimediaproductions.com AUTO INSURANCE HOME INSURANCE HEALTH INSURANCE LIFE INSURANCE BOAT INSURANCE RENTERS INSURANCE CONDO INSURANCE FLOOD INSURANCE JEWELRY INSURANCE EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE UMBRELLA INSURANCE RV INSURANCE CLASSIC CAR INSURANCE GOLF CART INSURANCE MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE IDENTITY THEFT INSURANCE BONDS BUSINESS INSURANCE As a local independent insurance agency, Ridpath Insurance is committed to treating our customers like family. We listen to your needs and work with you to find the personal and business insurance solutions that best fit your needs and protect your investments. You want peace of mind to know that your family, your business, and your biggest investments are protected. You can find that when you choose the experienced team at Ridpath Insurance. Get In Touch, Today! 3520 Park Ave. Blvd, Suite 102 Mount Pleasant, SC Liza@ridpathins.com Greg@ridpathins.com 843-936-1721 Mon-Fri | 9:00am-5:00pm Liza and Greg Ridpath Out of our Mount Pleasant, SC insurance office, we serve those in Charleston County and beyond. We’re licensed to write insurance policies in South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, Iowa, Georgia, West Virginia, and Tennessee. At Ridpath Insurance, we’ll help you find the right path to best protect what matters to you. CHARLESTONCOUNTYPARKS.COM Adventure awaits! PALMETTO ISLANDS COUNTY PARK
17 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com contributors Katie Finch joined our extended family as a media consultant in 2021. 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. Mary Coy is a fifth-generation Charlestonian and city tour guide. She is also the author of a book on Charleston’s Revolutionary War history. As a freelance journalist, her articles have appeared in national and local publications. She has written for Mount Pleasant Magazine for more than a decade. 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 in math and statistics from Ursinus College and has been trying to convince her dog Russ to become her data analyst sidekick. Clark Leach is a business and health writer with more than 20 years of experience. He has written for universities, magazines, businesses, newspapers, nonprofits and niche publications. Since 2015, his work has appeared in Greenville Business, Charleston Business, Charleston Women, HealthLinks and The Tennessean. Cari Lawson is a school counselor by day and writer by night. Writing provides an outlet to connect further to the community. She loves to spend time with her husband, toddler and puppy at Disney World! Colin McCandless is a Charleston-based 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. 843-790-2034 | TrueBeautySC.com | FOLLOW @TRUEBEAUTYSC TO STAY CONNECTED Malissa LaRoche, PA-C Rebecca Zerwick Johnson, PA-C Bringing you over 20 years of combined cosmetic injection experience. Trust us to find your natural, TRUE BEAUTY! NOW OFFERING HEAD SPA SERVICES Come check out our NEW LOCATION! 1100 Queensborough Blvd Suite 101
18 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com social buzz Creek 1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mt. Pleasant 843-800-5025 PerspectiveArtGallery.com Kerry Strathman “Morning Walk” 40”x30” oil on canvas
19 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com on the web @MountPleasantMagazine @MountPleasantMagazine Mount Pleasant Magazine @MtPMag Listen to first person stories of community leaders, business owners and residents. This platform gives more community insights and stories. Up-to-date, relevant content and weekly posts for all of Mount Pleasant Magazine. Subscribe for more detailed videos, covering project highlights and town meetings. Stay connected and share your thoughts on posts. Local inspiration, from beautiful photography to community highlights. Catch Mount Pleasant Magazine, online for all events, links, and digital information. 2025 ®
20 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com ROCKIN' THE MOUNT PLEASANT COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! TUNE IN TO HEAR OUR WEEKDAY LINE UP ON 98.1 FM OR AT MY98ROCK.COM FIND US @MY98ROCK Middays with Mistress Carrie Afternoons with Kotter Evenings with Rob Humphrey
21 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com ONGOING Mount Pleasant Farmers Market When: Tuesdays from 3:30.-7 p.m. throughout September Where: 645 Coleman Blvd. Offering a wide selection of fresh produce, farm goods, food vendors and live music. The Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is an amazing place to shop locally and support local vendors. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Charleston Farmers Market When: Saturdays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. through November Where:: Marion Square Weekly farmers market with produce, prepared foods and other goods from local vendors, arts and crafts and live performances. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boone Hall Fright Nights When: Starts at the end of September and runs through Halloween Where: Boone Hall Plantation Be prepared to get your scream on. Boone Hall Fright Night is getting ready for another haunting season full of frights and terror. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch When: Sept. 26 through Oct. 26 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Boone Hall Plantation This family-friendly autumn tradition brings everyone together for some fun activities and great autumn food. --------------------------------------------------------------------- North Charleston Food Truck and Craft Beverage Festival When: 9/6 from noon-6 p.m. Where: Riverfront Park Get ready to fill your stomach with delicious food and drinks at the Food Truck and Craft Beverage Festival! There will be a wide variety of fan favorite foods as well as unique beverages from all types of vendors. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dancing on the Cooper When: 9/12 from 7-10 p.m. Where: Mount Pleasant Pier Island Party Band will perform the greatest hits of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Perfect for an evening of relaxing, dancing and listening to live music. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Megan Moroney When: 9/12 at 8 p.m. Where: Credit One Stadium Join fans at Megan Moroney’s “Am I Ok?” tour at Credit One Stadium. Listen to hits you hear on the radio and have a blast singing along with friends. Calendar of Events SEPTEMBER
22 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com From Los Altos of Jalisco Mexico to Daniel Island. Family owned taco kitchen + tequilera.Craft, handmade margaritas made with 100% blue agave tequila. Over 100 tequilas, mezcals, and sotol. VIVATacosTequila.com | 864 Island Park Drive, DanieI Island 2024 ® TopTenHomesSold.com Your real estate resource begins on page 114. Want to stay on top of the local real estate market? What is the price of homes in your favorite neighborhood? To be included in online Agent Directory Publisher@MountPleasantMagazine.com or 843-530-0403
23 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Cast Off Fishing Tournament When: 9/13 from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Mount Pleasant Pier Compete with others to catch some prize-winning fish. Anyone can participate and the competition happens rain or shine. Get geared up and ready to cast off! --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Lumineers When: 9/26 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Credit One Stadium Listen to some fan favorite songs with The Lumineers. Hang out and enjoy some amazing music. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Jason Aldean When: 9/27 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Credit One Stadium With special guests Nate Smith and RaeLynn, join Jason Aldean at Credit One for his “Full Throttle” tour 2025. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Incredible Con When: 9/27-9/28 Where: Charleston Area Convention Center Incredible Con is a two-day anime experience with stars from your favorite anime series. Enjoy vendors and meet and greets from all your favorite stars. --------------------------------------------------------------------- MOJA Arts Festival When: Sept. 25 through Oct. 5 Where: Multiple Locations MOJA Arts Festival is an annual event that celebrates Black arts and culture. Learn more about the unique arts and experiences at mojafestival.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Isle of Palms Connector Run When: 10/4 at 8 a.m. Where: Race start is on Palm Boulevard The IOP Connector Run features a 10K and 5K road race across the Isle of Palms Connector, with proceeds being donated to local agencies that prevent child abuse in the Lowcountry. A post-race family-friendly festival will feature live music, free beer (21+), kids’ area, cash prizes, awards ceremony and vendor exhibits. Register at ioprun.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Riverfront Revival When: 10/10-10/11 Where: Riverfront Park Catch an incredible lineup of live music and musicians all weekend long at the Riverfront Revival featuring Darius Rucker, Riley Green, Flatland Cavalry, The Red Clay Strays, Whiskey Myers and more. --------------------------------------------------------------------- IOP Farmers Market When: 10/16 from 4-7 p.m. Where: 24 28th Avenue The market features fresh produce, food vendors, live music, family-friendly activities and more. Parking is available on site. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Children’s Day Festival When: 10/19 from noon-5 p.m. Where: Park West Recreation Complex Families are encouraged to come and enjoy carnival rides, inflatable slides, live entertainment, games and delicious food. Admission and all activities are free. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina Park Trunk or Treat When: 10/24 from 4:30-7 p.m. Where: Carolina Park Recreation Complex Join families for a fun-filled evening with multiple activities. There will be trick-or-treating, a DJ, photo booth, petting zoo and food and drink vendors. Costumes are encouraged! --------------------------------------------------------------------- IOP Golf Cart Parade and Carnival When: 10/31 from 4-6 p.m. Where:: 24 28th Ave. The golf cart parade will begin at 4 p.m. and there will be activities such as inflatables and a drive-thru haunted house, as well as trick-or-treat bags for the kiddos and food vendors. OCTOBER arts & entertainment
24 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Live Music SEPTEMBER-------------- ZACH DEPUTY When: 9/12 at 9 p.m. Where: Music Farm Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Zach Deputy wants to bring people together and live in the moment through his music. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SIERRA FERRELL When: 9/13 at 7 p.m. Where: Firefly Distillery Country singer Sierra Ferrell, who has been featured in songs with Zach Bryan and Post Malone, is bringing her music to Charleston. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JAKE KOHN AND LOW WATER BRIDGE BAND When: 9/16 at 9 p.m. Where: The Pour House Jake Kohn is bringing his music to the stage after supporting Sierra Ferrell and Wyatt Flores in 2024. He has also made several appearances at music lineups and festivals. Low Water Bridge Band blends country, bluegrass and alt-country music. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ VANCE JOY When: 9/18 at 6:30 p.m. Where: Firefly Distillery Best known for his song “Riptide,”Vance Joy is going on tour with his new album “In Our Own Sweet Time.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE PAPER KITES WITH SPECIAL GUEST HAYDEN EVERETT When: 9/19 at 8 p.m. Where: Music Farm The Paper Kites are an Australian indie/folk rock band. They will be featuring their newest song “When the Lavender Blooms,” which was released on July 24. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND When: 9/20 at 8:45 p.m. Where: The Pour House This New Orleans-based brass band incorporates funk and bebop into the traditional New Orleans jazz style. The band won a Grammy Award for Best American Roots Performance in 2023. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JAMES MCMURTRY WITH BETTYSOO When: 9/23 at 8 p.m. Where: The Pour House James McMurtry is a rock, folk and Americana singersongwriter who brings unique elements to his music. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE LUMINEERS WITH CHANCE PENA When: 9/26 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Credit One Stadium The Lumineers are touring across North America in support of their new album “Automatic.” OCTOBER----------------- THE BENDS When: 10/1 at 8 p.m. Where: Music Farm The Bends is a rock band from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They reimagine the sound of early 2000s garage rock with their own unique twist. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SWAMPTOOTH When: 10/3 at 6 p.m. Where: The Pour House Swamptooth is a bluegrass string band that has become popular in the country subgenre. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ALEX WARREN When: 10/3 at 7 p.m. Where:: Firefly Distillery As part of his North America tour, the “Cheaper Than Therapy Tour” will be stopping at the Firefly Distillery. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ WAX MONKEY When: 10/4 at 6 p.m. Where: The Pour House Wax Monkey combines a blend of Southern rock, psychedelic rock and improvisational jams. Their music is inspired by The Grateful Dead, Phish and The Allman Brothers Band. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MICKEY AND THE MOTORCARS When: 10/7 at 6 p.m. Where: The Pour House Mickey and the Motorcars are a country band based in Austin, Texas. They have released nine albums, including two live albums. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ KEVIN GATES When: 10/15 at 8 p.m. Where: North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center Kevin Gates is an American rapper whose music career began in 2007. He mixes his rapping with themes of a Southern beat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ YOKE LORE When: 10/17 at 8 p.m. Where: Music Farm Yoke Lore is the moniker for Adrian Galvin, an indie rock singer and multi-instrumentalist recognized for his work with Walk The Moon.
25 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Mount Pleasant has its very own mastermind of scare. He’s the brainchild behind the thrills and shrills at Boone Hall Fright Nights. He’s the king of horrors, the genius of gore … his name is Ryan Neal and his gruesome creations live rent free in your wildest nightmares. A Charleston native, Neal has been bringing adolescent fears to life since he joined the staff at Boone Hall in 2009 as a DJ after touring the country performing at weddings, resorts and on several major cruise lines. Now he’s in the business of scaring the socks off youngsters and making grown men cry like big babies, to which my wife can personally attest. A few years later, Neal was named a Forty Under 40 recipient by the Charleston Regional Business Journal after founding Live Productions, a professional sound, lighting and staging equipment company that manages the production of more than 200 individual special events annually. In 2017, Neal was promoted to event director and now manages a cast of 300 psychopaths (co-workers) who terrorize the youth on weekend nights throughout the fall at Boone Hall. “It’s never a boring day at the office,” he laughed. Neal’s affinity for horror began when he was just a kid. His mother would let him host a haunted house in his front yard for all the trick-or-treaters in his neighborhood. Halloween is his holiday season and instead of bringing tidings of joy he’s delivering a true nightmare before Christmas. Speaking of horror, Neal shared his top-five movies that are a must watch this spooky season: • “Trick ‘r Treat” (anthology horror) • “Nightmare on Elm Street” series (classic slasher) • “Scream” series (comedy horror) • “The Hills Have Eyes” (gore) • “Maximum Overdrive” (trash but good entertainment) Without giving away too much of the scare, Neal promised that this year’s theatrics will be even more terrifying than the last. He divulged that his latest house of horrors will include The Academy, a school full of demented students creeping behind the corner of every hallway; Phobia, a 25,000-square-foot attraction that takes 18 minutes to escape larger-than-life animatronics that include clowns, spiders, snakes and other classic creepy crawlers; and The Hay Ride, a 30-minute ride that twists and turns through the hallowed grounds of Boone Hall’s 200 acres of centuriesold plantation land. Pro tip: sit next to someone more scared than you are. "The quality and professionalism is every bit as good if not better than any haunted attractions featured at major theme parks. Disney and Universal have nothing on Boone Hall,” the late 95.9 FM radio personality Mike Edwards once said of Fright Nights. This fall marks Boone Hall Fright Nights 20th year in operation and is nationally recognized by the Haunted Attraction Association and certified as one of the top haunted attractions nationwide. “We are humbled by the fact that it’s become an annual tradition for families and a rite of passage for teenagers,” Neal added. Mr. October Mastermind behind Boone Hall Fright Nights Tickets and details are available online at boonehallfrightnights.com. BY ZACH GIROUX arts & entertainment Boone Hall Fright Nights Event Director Ryan Neal (center) and his merry band of maniacs. NIGHTS OF OPERATION Sept. 27 • Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, 31 • Nov. 1 HOURS OF OPERATION • Gates open at 6:30 p.m. nightly with our preshow ceremony and the attractions opening at dark each night. • Gate admissions close at 9:30 p.m. on Sundays and at 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Attractions close 30 minutes after gates.
26 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Want to join the Palmetto Christian Academy family? Check out today! At Palmetto Christian Academy, we believe that providing a strong, Christ-centered foundation for your child is an important investment in today’s world. Whether it’s in the classroom, on a eld, in a church or in the community, respect, compassion and integrity are qualities we have worked to instill in our students since the very beginning — and they will continue to be a part of our school’s legacy for generations to come. SURROUNDED BE THE CHARM OF PAWLEYS ISLAND A bike ride away, including award-winning dining, renowned golf courses, charming boutiques, luxurious spas, and scenic walking and biking trails. Island Bungalow $499,000 Bedrooms 2 | Full Baths 2 christywhitlock.erawilderrealty.com Christy Whitlock, CLHMS, NAR, LRES Direct: (843) 318-9609 Office: (843) 429-1399 rxmomofthree@gmail.com YOU CAN COUNT ON THE SAME KNOWLEDGEABLE AND FRIENDLY SERVICE IN 2025 1198 Shadow Drive (off of Chuck Dawley in Mt. Pleasant) 843-881-2820 | eastcooperautopros.com When you bring your car in for service or visit, you can register to win a Palmetto Bowl ticket. All Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers are WELCOME. SERVING EAST COOPER FAMILIES SINCE 1994, POINT & SCAN For More Info
27 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Anne Caufmann’s new Photography by Anne ‘Gallery' marks a shift from creating images for others to creating from within. The Gallery invites Caufmann to reconnect with the reasons she picked up a camera in the first place: to explore light, form and emotion through the lens. This isn’t a retreat from the commercial world, but rather a reclamation of creative space where intuition leads, and the work reflects something deeper and more enduring for Caufmann and her clientele. This new Gallery challenges Caufmann to slow down and trust that each work can stand on its own and be enjoyed by others. It’s not abandoning the past but instead building upon it in a way that feels more aligned with who she is as an artist. "Sometimes you have to change up what you do and try something new; creativity, growth and fulfillment all live just beyond the edge of the familiar,” she said. Caufmann is excited to share her online Gallery, especially her lifestyle images from a recent trip to the South of France, alongside other incredibly talented photographers. In this new space, photography becomes a way to explore ideas rather than just capturing moments. Photography becomes a strong visual language for what can’t be easily said. Caufmann’s online gallery features Lifestyle + Travel, Botanicals and Lowcountry Aerials alongside other categories. Most artwork is available framed and ready to hang as well as in individual prints. Art Rediscovered Photography By Anne For more information, visit photographybyanne.us. BY BROOKE WATSON arts & entertainment
28 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com arts & entertainment After 15 years of styling Mount Pleasant one cut, color and blowout at a time, Vanity Salon has entered a new chapter by moving ... just around the corner. Now located at 1903 North Highway 17, Suite 100, next to Marble Slab Creamery, the beloved salon is blending its deep local roots with a fresh, modern space that reflects how far it’s come. For owner Kim Coleman, the move isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about evolution. “We wanted a space that matched the energy and growth of the salon itself,” she said. “Our clients have supported us for 15 years, and this move is about giving them an even better experience.” The new location offers a brighter, more open layout, increased service capacity, and elevated touches, while keeping the welcoming, down-to-earth vibe that made Vanity a local favorite. Clients can still count on the high-level artistry Vanity is known for, whether it’s dimensional color, customized cuts, professional makeup, bridal styling or their signature blowouts. Vanity Salon isn’t just a place to get your hair done; it’s an experience built on trust, transformation, and connection. That spirit has earned the salon a longrunning spot in the Best of Mount Pleasant awards and glowing client reviews that speak to the talent and care of its stylists. Vanity Salon is now welcoming clients at 1903 N Hwy 17, Suite 100, Mount Pleasant, SC. Learn more or book your appointment at vanitysalonsc.com. And keep an eye on our social media and website for information on our housewarming event, which will be lled with giveaways, promotions, and glamour. We can’t wait for you to see our new digs. Book your next appointment at our new location today! After 15 years in business, we feel like we've earned a space upgrade! But we haven't gone far... we're right around the corner next to Marble Slab Creamery. We’ve Moved! Same amazing stylists, now located at 1903 North Highway 17, Suite 100 | VanitySalonSC.com | 843.216.7181 New Location, Same Dedication Vanity Salon
29 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com BY MARY COY CHARTING History Some things just improve with age. That adage seems to apply perfectly to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, which turned 50 this year. What began as a venture to lure tourist dollars to the Charleston area in the economically-starved 1970s has become a place that visitors as well as locals can’t live without. That’s because it has something to please everyone. Five decades ago, the allure of Charleston was not yet known to the rest of the country. Sure, there were beaches and plantations, but few tourists. Most transplants to our area were active-duty service members or military retirees. The economy of the entire region relied on the Charleston Naval Shipyard in North Charleston, so it seemed reasonable that the notion of igniting a tourist-based economy might begin with focusing on military history. It started with a simple idea: take a mothballed naval vessel, sink it in the pluff mud and tourists would pay to come see it. Add a submarine and a Navy destroyer and they would flock here for the opportunity to board actual naval ships and learn how the U.S. Navy carries out its sea operations. There was plenty of space available on Hog Island on the east bank of the Cooper River to accommodate the project. Patriots Point celebrates 50 years of maritime memories
30 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com 2025 ® Find out why we were voted one of THE BEST Auto Repair Shops in Mount Pleasant! Make Ascue’s Best Auto Repair Shop for 2026, Vote Now!
31 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Most of the island had been created over the decades from the silt, sand and mud that had been dredged up from harbor deepening and dumped there. But to anchor “The Fighting Lady” and her flotilla, a more respectable name would have to be given to the spot. Thus, Patriots Point was born. Perhaps some of the tourists coming to see the ships might enjoy a round of golf while in town. Since the area lacked any public golf course east of the Cooper at the time, even locals would like the idea. Of course, the golfers coming from “off” would need a place to stay. There were only a handful of small motels in Mount Pleasant, but the harbor views and access to the budding tourist site made Patriots Point the perfect location for a hotel. This couldn’t be just any hotel, though. It would have to complement that picturesque view. Visiting boaters would need a safe harbor too, leading to the construction of Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. Many history buffs coming to the Naval & Maritime Museum would want to visit Fort Sumter without having to trek to downtown Charleston to catch the ferry from there. Subsequently, boats to the fort, harbor tours and dinner cruises were added from the dock at Patriots Point. One look at all that water would certainly make folks yearn for seafood. So, a couple of restaurants were added to what was becoming a growing complex. With land still available and the College of Charleston looking for a place where its athletic facilities could expand, Patriots Point seemed the ideal spot. Later, the Charleston Battery professional soccer team would seize on the idea and establish its program at Patriots Point, too. Patriots Point’s Executive Director Allison Hunt explained that the entity acts as a landlord to the different business enterprises that comprise the 465-acre complex. The star attraction is, of course, the USS Yorktown and the Naval & Maritime Museum, but there are also lots of independent ventures. “There are so many layers of Patriots Point – and lots of moving parts,” Hunt said. A master plan is in place to continue to develop the property wisely. The idea of using the property for something other than a dumping ground for dredged material was first conceived in the 1960s by a group of businessmen who planned to develop a resort on the site. But their plan was upended by the Charleston County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Commission (PRT), which hoped instead to create a public park there. In 1973 the South Carolina General Assembly established the Patriots Point Development Authority to chart yet a different course, one that could do for the Charleston area what Disneyworld had done for the city of Orlando; the development of what would become the vast complex we know today. It seems that the idea has been a huge success! our town Locally Owned and Operated BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT 843-518-1479 Relax, Your Home is Completely Comfortable with 1stChoiceforAC.com 2025 ® VOTED THE BEST HEATING & AIR COMPANY GET THE BEST SOLUTION FOR YOUR HOME AND BUDGET. RELIABLE, UPFRONT SERVICE FOR YOUR HOME’S A/C, HEATING, PLUMBING & GAS. Join the My Choice Wellness Club and save money
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33 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Editor’s Note: This article on Hurricane Hugo was originally published by Mount Pleasant Magazine in 2012. I t’s 8 a.m., Sept. 25, four days after Hurricane Hugo. Following an all-night drive from Atlanta, I’ve boarded the harbor-tour boat at Patriots Point for a return to the devastated Isle of Palms. Standing there in a gloomy downpour of rain, we’re a ragtag crowd gathered from all points of shelter. I’ve run the curfew gantlets, dodged fallen trees and avoided dangling electrical lines. I try to bring my weary brain back into balance, reminding myself: “No, this is not a war. We are not bound for a concentration camp. We are only displaced persons, now on a mission for rejuvenation and renewal.” Could this be a kind of prayer? This is the first boat to the island and the first time any of us has been able to get back since the storm drove us away. To add another warlike dimension to the scene, we had to give our name, rank and serial number before boarding the boat. That’s right – you had to have your proper ID to prove your right to take the “Isle of Palms Clipper.” “Where are you taking us, Captain?” We receive the disheartening response: “To the only place the boat can berth – the Wild Dunes marina.” It was the other end of the island, opposite of where most of us wanted to go. Rain blows relentlessly across the dock. The man sitting next to me is an airline pilot who had just come to Mount Pleasant from New York. He wore shorts and a sport shirt and was protected only by an umbrella. “I didn’t have time to find clothes. I’ve rented out my house on the island for the winter, and I need to find out if the people can move in,” he said. As it turned out, he did not have a house to rent. We hear voices of hope: “The lighthouse is still standing. Stella Maris Church looks OK. Some places don’t look too bad.” We’ve been on the river for nearly an hour and are just passing Goat Island. It looks as though a water-going street sweeper has passed by, throwing docks and chairs, boats and chimneys, toilet bowls and bookcases all upon the shore. For a mile, the land is littered with household furnishings and debris, while in the background an occasional desolate and gutted dwelling raises its broken body. Now the scene and circumstances start to become weirder. The ill-clothed and bleary-eyed crowd stands and stares at a bridge, askew at a 35-degree angle, useful now only for a wild, high-jumping water skier. “How could the wind blow down the Ben Sawyer Bridge like that?” someone asks. No answer. As if foretelling the future, a red-bearded man with a cowboy hat says, “The Corps of Engineers ought to be able to raise it and put it back on track.” Up the Intracoastal Waterway, passing Sullivan’s Island, the awful fury of Hugo becomes more and more visible. Roofs are missing; houses are sliced in two; one is standing on its side. Where docks stood we could see only sticks poking out of the water. “My God,” screams one lady. “That’s where my friend lived!” Her voice dies to a whisper. “No more. It’s been broken to pieces.” The landing is now in sight. We pass a graveyard of boats, maybe a hundred or so tossed like matchsticks onto the land. I look at the bigger homes, the ones known as “million dollar mansions.” They suffered extensive damage – walls washed away, yards gone. We hug our rain gear and lift our bags as we move toward the gangplank. The captain’s voice comes over the speaker: “This boat will leave at 12 o’clock sharp. You do not want to be left behind. There is no food and no place to stay overnight.” The Voyage Back One resident remembers the hardest ride of his life BY JIM COX our town
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