PRESORT STANDARD
US POSTAGE PAID
Vol. 2 Issue 14 Folly Beach’s Newspaper
Celebrating 20 years of the Sea & Sand Festival
 By Sharon Geiger
T
he  20th Annual Sea and Sand Festival was blessed with perfect weather and a
record crowd came out to enjoy the fun, sunshine, food, music and shopping.
The 5K fun run kicked off the day with a record 117 participants. Thanks to
Piggly Wiggly and the Technology Office for sponsoring this event.
Children’s Fun in the Park was busy all day. Thanks to Community First Bank, Key
Logistics and Charleston Jump Castles for providing funding for the jump castle, pony
rides and the juggling show. The climbing wall was a big hit as usual thanks to the City
of Folly Beach, Charleston County PRT and Fred Holland Realty.
There were more than 90 booths this year and business was very good. Seven non-
profit groups participated to raise funds for their charities, which was a record for the
Sea and Sand Festival. All of them reported that fundraising was better than in previous
years. Their booth spaces were donated by the Folly Beach Association of Business. Sales
I
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FOLLY BEACH, SC
PERMIT NO 27
April 30, 2010 w FREE
photo by ed geiger
by artisans and businesses were reported to be better than at previous festivals.  The
20th Annual Sea and Sand t-shirt was a big hit and sold out completely.
There was music on center stage from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. by Sarah Smile, The
Shakin’ Martinis, and the Mason Dixon Band.  Gary Rowland and The Landsharks
closed out the end of a perfect day with music and dancing on the beach to our favorite
Jimmy Buffett tunes. Thanks to the Holiday Inn for their sponsorship of this event.
Thanks to all the volunteers for their efforts in making this another great year.  A
special thanks to the City of Folly Beach and, in particular, our Public Safety Department
for all of their hard work in making this a safe and enjoyable event.
This will be my last year as Event Coordinator and it has been a pleasure to work with
the Folly Association of Business and the City of Folly Beach in presenting this festival.
Thanks again to everyone who provided support over the past 20 years!
off center page 5 Movie review page 12
2 April 30, 2010
New Folly Beach mayor takes the oath
N
ewly-elected Mayor Tim Goodwin was sworn in
on April 13 in the engine bay at the Folly Beach
fire station. Open on both ends, the fire engine
bay was the perfect spot to accommodate the overflow
crowd, as residents mingled and chatted their way from
one group of friends to the next. The day was sunny, the
mood was festive and the cool breeze blew away the bad
feelings many folks had about the last administration.
Toni Connor-Rooks, who began her job as City
Administrator 14 years ago when Bob Linville was mayor,
probably knows more about what it means to hold public
office in Folly Beach than anyone else around. “I respect
what these people do and the demands on their time are
enormous,” she said as she introduced the new officials.
“Being Mayor of Folly Beach is the hardest job anyone
can ever have and the pay is bad, too.”
After everyone had a good chuckle, Goodwin was
sworn in by City Clerk Marlene Estridge. “Change is
what brought us here today,” Goodwin said, “but we
don’t want to change too much.”
“The Folly Beach I first came to had an amusement
park with a Ferris wheel, but all that’s changed and now
we have a big hotel and condos instead,” he continued,
“but as I look out over the crowd here today, I see the one
thing that never changes. We still protect, nurture and
care for each other.”
Goodwin thanked his supporters and promised to
do his best to protect and nurture Folly Beach for all its
residents.
As is Folly custom, Paul Hume was sworn in as a new
City Councilman by his wife Debbie. “I’m amazed at
CIVIC
By Lauren dean
photo by toni connor-rooks
Goodwin is sworn into office.
how many have shown up today,” Hume said. “We take
our community very seriously. I hope that, starting today,
City Council can become a part of the community again
and we can all work together to keep as much of our
community as possible for ourselves.”
Pennell Clamp was sworn in by his wife Patricia. “I
don’t have a fancy speech like the others did,” Clamp
said. “The only thing I can say is thanks and I’m very
proud to be here.”
Afterwards, folks headed for a long table piled high
with submarine sandwiches, finger foods, chips, and
cookies for the munch and mingle part of the event. A
huge cake at the end of the table proclaimed “Welcome
Mayor and Council Members.”
Clamp had regularly attended Council meetings as
www.follycurrent.com
an observer for several years and had sometimes come to
the podium to make comments and suggestions that he
thought were basically ignored by the previous mayor.
“Now Tim is going to have to put up with me for four
years,” he quipped.
“I wish more people would come to Council meetings,”
Clamp added, “or at least enjoy some adult refreshment
and watch us at home on Channel 60.”
Mike Henning, Goodwin’s campaign manager,
described Goodwin as a person who loves Folly Beach
and cares about its people. “This is reflected in what he
and his wife have done over the years – the playground,
the memorial park, to name a few,” Henning said. “I
expect he will work with Council to make Folly ‘Folly’
again.”
Chris Lewis concurred. “He brings a fresh attitude to
Folly Beach.”
So here we go again – out with the old, in with the
new. The mayor swept into office is swept out four years
later by the same people who put him in before. A new
broom sweeps clean, they say, but each new incarnation
brings its own brand of disillusionment. It happens over
and over again at Folly Beach. But, like ever-hopeful
Gamecock fans, Folly residents are resilient. They still
come out to vote and the fresh breeze blows through the
engine bay as they talk about how different the next four
years will be.
Toni Connor- Rooks could be right. Being Mayor of
Folly Beach might be the toughest job in the world.
April 30, 2010 3
civic

Beck runs off with runoff election Lynn Pierotti

By Lauren Dean publisher

T
he results of a runoff election
often hinge on who is better at
getting their supporters to the
polls. Incumbent Laura Beck pulled out
all the stops and was rewarded with a win
over Susan Breslin in the election for the
third vacant City Council seat, besting
her 57% to 43%.
Voting was “steady and even all
day,” according to Folly Beach Election
Commission chairman Bob Clair.
Lavern James, former mayor and election
commission chair for many years, called it
the best ever turnout for a runoff election
for City Council. “Normally we get less
than half what the regular election gets,”
he said. There were 901 votes cast in the
regular election and 656 votes cast in the
runoff.
The April 6 election put Pennell Clamp
and Paul Hume in office, but none of the
other five candidates garnered enough
votes to win outright. Breslin led Beck
slightly in the previous election, but
Beck’s decisive win in the runoff has put
her back in the City Council seat she has
held since 2006.
“I am excited and appreciative and
I am looking forward to working with
Tim and the other new and old Council
members,” Beck said as she gave new
Mayor Tim Goodwin a big hug.
Beck said it was her ability to work
with people of different backgrounds and
opinions that won her the victory. “A lot
of people really understand the value of
listening to the varying points of view we
have here on Folly Beach,” she said.
“Laura did a great job of pulling out
the vote,” said Breslin, citing the number
of younger residents, especially those
with children, who showed up to cast
their vote. “It’s important to Folly Beach
that young people be involved,” she said,
adding that she believes those voters
identified with Beck.
Beck, the only candidate with young
children, had positioned herself as the
candidate best suited to represent the
interests of young families. She also
had strong support from the business
community, particularly the bar and
restaurant establishments. DJ Rich, owner
of Planet Follywood and a candidate for
City Council in the April 6 election,
threw his support to Beck and offered on
his website to shuttle Beck supporters to
and from the polls.
lynn@luckydognews.com
In the causeway wars, Beck won
hands down. She had more signs and her Kristin Hackler
supporters painted the boat, but the piece managing editor
de resistance was the red zeppelin that kristin@luckydognews.com
floated above the marsh urging residents Lauren Dean
to “Vote for Laura Beck.” editor
Breslin used the more traditional “get lauren@luckydognews.com
out the vote” method of identifying her
Swan Richards
supporters and contacting them directly
senior graphic designer
to remind them to vote. “I appreciate swan@luckydognews.com
every vote I got,” she said, “and it was a
great experience.” Ellie Smith
Beck and Breslin greeted voters all day graphic designer
outside the polling place, and Beck said
Lori Dalton
many people had told her it was a difficult sales manager
choice and they wished both candidates lori@luckydognews.com
could be elected.
Asked if she would run again in the Richard Brendel
special election in July to fill the seat
advertising
843-478-0896
formerly held by newly-elected Mayor richard@luckydognews.com
Tim Goodwin, Breslin said she was
“inclined to say no.” Don’t count me out, •
though, she added. “Going through a Contributors
Robert Bohrn, Jr
campaign and standing here on Election
Megan Carroll
Day impresses upon you what a great Charleston CVB
place Folly Beach is. The voters don’t David Farrow
come out like this in other places.” Sharon Geiger
Sarah Harper
Richards Hricik
Dr John Nelson
Vince Perna

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4 April 30, 2010
Op-Ed
Are they really the “Forgotten Sons of the Union?”
By Robert E. Bohrn Jr.
I
thought that finding the  19 remains deadly it actually was. While encamped
of African American soldiers from the they were under constant threat by
Civil War on Folly Beach in 1987 was Confederate artillery shells being hurled
the hard part. It wasn’t.  Then in 2009  I at them from Morris Island, and diseases
thought that raising funds for a South such as typhoid, dysentery and others
Carolina historical marker to honor these were taking more lives than the enemy. All
soldiers was going to be difficult. It wasn’t. troops, black and white, were vulnerable
And now, in 2010, I thought that inviting and they died by the hundreds.
a few  politicians to attend an unveiling Every one of the 19 soldiers found in
ceremony for their Historical Marker 1987 were victims of diseases contracted
would be easy. It wasn’t. on Folly, though the main cause was found
The conditions on Folly Island were to be dysentery according to accounts by
deadly  in 1863, and when the 55th the 55th. These soldiers did not die easily.
Massachusetts African-American regiment They withered away, slowly and painfully,
arrived on the island, they found out how under the pines and palmettos of their
sea island field hospital. There was no
“glorious death” by an enemy bullet and
the disease spread like wild fire amongst
the troops. One can only imagine their
last thoughts while dying for their country
in such a pitiful manner, but die they did,
and for a cause in which they believed.
The City of Folly Beach’s public
officials have been a huge help not only in
helping to raise money for the Historical
Marker for these soldiers, they have also
helped to organize an unveiling ceremony
for the first of hopefully many markers
commemorating activities on the island
during the Civil War. I am indeed forever
in their debt for their generosity.
But try as I have to involve our public
Notice: Folly Beach residents
P
lease take a few minutes to complete the Folly Beach Parks and
Recreation Activity and Facilities Survey.  Thanks also go to everyone who
The Survey will assist in facility and program planning. It takes
approximately five minutes to complete. Please complete only one Survey per
household that reflects the interests and opinions of all household members.
The Survey is completed on-line by logging on to www.cityoffollybeach.com
and clicking the Link to Survey Monkey.
After completing the Survey and providing contact info, you will be eligible
for a drawing of gift certificates to the following Folly Beach restaurants:
BLU Restaurant and Bar, The Crab Shack, Locklears Beach City Grill, Lost
Dog Cafe, Rita’s Seaside Grill, Surf Bar, and Taco Boy. There are still plenty
of chances to win a gift certificate. Please complete the Survey and enter your
contact info by June 15, 2010.
www.follycurrent.com
officials from the State of South Carolina
and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
I have yet to have one politician  answer
countless emails and phone calls to attend
the unveiling ceremony. I have spent
months trying to persuade Governors,
Senators, Congressmen, State Senators
and House members to attend and honor
those who gave their lives for our country
so long ago. Maybe I am alone in thinking
that the sacrificing of one’s life for their
country no matter what war or what the
race would merit the attention of our
politicians. But maybe I am just naive.
What I have found to be true is this:
I  have  been contacted by hundreds of
people from across the United States
willing to donate money and their time in
remembrance of these fallen soldiers of the
Folly Beach Exchange Club
April update
by Robert Lucas
Sea and Sand Festival
The Folly Beach Exchange Club
celebrated National Child Abuse
Prevention Month by distributing one
hundred children’s identification forms
and DNA sample kits during the Sea
and Sand Festival. The Exchange also
distributed child abuse prevention
literature and child-sized United States
flags at the event. Thanks go to those
who participated.
volunteered and made purchases at the
Exchange concession tent during the
Sea and Sand Festival. Over $800 was
raised to fund scholarships, DNA kits
and club programs.
Exchange Club Fish Fry – May 22,
2010
The Exchange is holding a Fish Fry
Fundraiser on May 22. The event will
take place at the Exchange Hut (206
West Indian). Tickets are $12 and
include fish, hush puppies, sides, tea
Union. Their sentiments for these soldiers
have been that they did not die in vain,
that their sacrifices should be honored and
acknowledged by any means possible, and
that they should not be forgotten again.
The date for the unveiling ceremony
will be July 17, 2010, with or without
the support of our State’s politicians. The
deeds of these brave souls of the 55th
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry will be
forever told on a small rectangular piece of
aluminum here on Folly Beach.
Any help in getting the attention of our
elected officials before the July date would
be greatly appreciated. Please contact
me via the Folly Current (email info@
luckydognews.com)
“Less we forget”.
and dessert. Tickets will be available
from members and at Rose Hardware.
Exchange outreach
The Exchange has voted to assist
HALOS (Helping and Lending
Outreach Support) in its mission
to assist those suffering from child
neglect and abuse, as well as support
their caregivers. Look for volunteer
opportunities and a fundraiser for
HALOS during the summer.
Exchange Club scholarships
Applications for the Exchange Club’s
two $500 college scholarships will be
available at Rose Hardware. Full-time
college students who are permanent
Folly Beach residents or children of
current Exchange Club members
may apply. Criteria for eligibility and
judging are given on the application.
Applications will be available at
Rose Hardware. The deadline for
applications is June 25.
April 30, 2010 5
FOLLY OLD AND NEW

Slightly Off Center

By Lauren Dean

S
lightly Off Center brings a touch of
Bohemian elegance to Folly Beach
and shows what three friends can
do when they get together and let their
imaginations take flight. Located at
103 West Erie, Slightly Off Center was
originally conceived as a simple art gallery
but has taken on a life of its own and
become a uniquely Folly sort of place that
includes an art gallery, framing shop, gift
shop, tea and pastry emporium, and an
open air market where fresh vegetables,
herbs and flowers will be sold and local
artists will display their work.
Sherry Browne was the force that
brought it all together, and Browne
should know what Folly wants and needs.
She came to Folly Beach for the summer
in 1980 and never left. “I had found
Shangri-La,” Browne said. “Folly Beach
gallery closed and Browne was looking for
a new start. She was ready for something
different.
Then last year Browne met Jane Word
at the Folly Beach Garden Club. She knew
Word was a sculptor, but had never seen her
work until both were displaying their art
work at an exhibit in North Charleston.
“I was absolutely blown away by Jane’s
work,” Browne said, and she asked Word
if she would have any interest in going into
business with her. Word said she thought
about the offer for about thirty seconds
before agreeing to come on board. She
had a house already overflowing with her
sculptures and it would be good to have a
permanent place to display them.
Anne Warner, an interior designer,
had gotten to know Browne through
her framing business and she and Word
said Warner, who is enthusiastic about
being able to offer something different
than what is available on Center Street.
“Folly residents should not have to go
downtown or to South Windermere to
find original, elegant gifts,” she said.
“Boy, this sure feels different,” Browne
said, recalling her past experiences.
“Everything just came together. Jane
wanted an art gallery, Anne asked if she
could have a gift shop, and I just wanted
to stay in business.”
What happens when three smart ladies
get together? As in any good collaboration,
each one feeds on the other’s ideas. The
vision has expanded to include a market
with fresh flowers, vegetables and herbs,
freshly baked pies by European pastry
chef Carin Ellegala, and award-winning
private label teas.

photo by lauren dean

was the quaintest, funkiest little beach
town back then.”
An artist specializing in paper-cut
collage, Browne took a risk and in 2001
started Studio Open, a small gallery
and frame shop next to Lil Mama’s on
West Hudson. In 2008 she partnered
with Suzanne O’Neill and moved her
art gallery to At the Bridge, but that
partnership lasted less than two years. The
were friends. When Word mentioned the
upcoming venture, Warner asked if there
was room for a gift shop. She had worked
in large retail gift shops, but was itching
to make her own imprint on a small
shop where she could offer the things she
loved best – unique original jewelry and
clothing accessories, fine linens, European
soap, ribbons, candles, Chinese lanterns.
“I opened my mouth at the right time,”
A covered deck with bistro tables and
comfortable chairs adjoins the shop, and
on the way to the deck a bookcase stuffed
with recent and not-so-recent hardbound
books beckons customers to grab a book
along with a cup of tea and relax on the
deck. Regular coffee will be available, but
the owners opted not to offer specialty
coffees because they did not want to draw
business away from the coffee shop on
Sherry Browne, co-owner of Slightly Off
Center.
Center Street.
“We would love for you to buy a cup of
coffee at Black Magic or bring a sandwich
from somewhere else and come sit on our
deck and just relax and enjoy yourself.
We want everyone to feel welcome here,”
Word said.
“We’re all Folly people. We know what
it’s like to be trapped on the island in the
summer,” Word continued. “We wanted
a place on the island where people could
get fresh vegetables and flowers and where
people would feel at home.”

The shop will be open from 11:00 a.m.

to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
and the open-air market will operate from
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday through
Sunday.

www.follycurrent.com
6 April 30, 2010

Letters to the editor...
Dear Editor,
I read the letters to the editor in
the April 16 edition of “The Folly
Current” and would like to comment.
The common thread in all that was
written concerns whether Folly Beach is
a commercial enterprise or a residential
neighborhood. I’ve been out here about
30 years now and in my mind it is and
has been a small, oblong neighborhood.
  We have a commercial district that is
intentionally confined (by law) to the
center of the island. There, it serves the
needs of our residents and guests but does
not interfere with the quiet laid back life
style of the rest of the neighborhood.
I live down the road from Mike and
Jenny Dietrich. When I walk past their
house some evenings it sounds like I am
approaching a disorganized, outdoor rock
concert with several bands trying to play
at once. I frankly don't see why they have
had to put up with that racket as long as
they have.
I play in a band and I enjoy good music.
Outside venues can hire acoustic acts for
evening shows and lower the volume so
the folks in the immediate area can hear
and enjoy the music. Enclosed venues can
have whatever kind of music they choose
without disturbing the neighborhood.
This is not a unique concept. Try playing
a boom box at full volume on the Battery
one evening and see what happens.
In the past couple of years, business
folks brought more bars, restaurants, and
other stores out here than our residents
and our nearby neighbors can support.
(I'd venture to say that a majority of our
full time residents seldom go to those
establishments.) Now the owners are
reaching further out to the surrounding
to the Pig on the weekends and restrict the
traffic in that lane to our residents who
are just trying to get home. We should
have enough police officers and auxiliary
officers to coordinate and control the
flow of traffic. They can use the parking
permits to see who's who.
We enjoy showing off our neighborhood
to visitors and welcome them. After all, it
is their federal tax money that renourishes
our beaches. If they spend a few dollars
out here and we can benefit from it, that's
great. Visitors come here as our guests but
like house guests, it is not appropriate for
them to walk into our home, turn the
stereo volume up full blast, get drunk,
and curse the paint off the wall. It is not

County recycling
areas through their "Festival of the Week acceptable behavior for guests to drink
Program” to attract more customers. They beer, eat pizza, change the baby and toss
expect the rest of us to suffer whatever the cans, boxes, and diapers in our living

to collect cardboard
During the 11th Annual Earth Day Festival, Charleston County Council
inconvenience this brings so they can
make more money.
I would like to see Mr. Kirages make
room.
Our new mayor and city council have
their work cut out for them but from what
member Colleen Condon announced that Charleston County’s Environmental a decent living at "Snapper Jacks" and be I have seen and heard, they are capable
Management Department has expanded its recycling program to accept corrugated an asset to the community by providing of finding solutions to these problems.
cardboard as part of its residential curbside recycling program. Corrugated good food and good music. But I have Businesses should be able to operate at
cardboard is considered cardboard boxes with a middle “waffle-like” layer. to take exception to his idea of the role a profit but residents have the RIGHT
of businesses out here. He asks: "Are the to enjoy our neighborhood and live in
 In addition to cardboard, the County is now also accepting all paper items to
rights of a hundred customers outweighed peace.
include envelopes with plastic windows, gift wrapping paper, etc.
by 10 non-customers?" If those 10 non
“We are excited to announce that Charleston County now accepts cardboard customers are his neighbors the answer Best Regards,
and all types of paper in our curbside bins and drop sites,” Condon said. “If you is HELL YES! And I mean no offense
can tear it, recycle it in your bin.”
Mike Ferguson
here; but allowing club owners to write 209 E. Hudson
 How to recycle cardboard: noise ordinances is like asking Hunter S.
• Residents with curbside service can now place cardboard at the curb with Thompson to write our drug laws!
their regular recyclables that are placed in one bin for plastic bottles, glass John Fitzpatrick (what a great Irish
bottles, aluminum cans, steel cans and aerosol cans, and in another bin name) has some good ideas about solutions
for paper, such as magazines, newspaper, junk mail, paperboard (examples: to our traffic problems. We should at least
cereal boxes, tissue boxes, etc.) and office paper. give them some thought and maybe a
• Curbside residents should flatten and place cardboard boxes, up to three feet trial run. We could look at reversing one see letters on page 7
by three feet in size, between or under their two bins or inside a separate outbound lane from the bridge at Crosby's
bin. Curbside recycling in Charleston County is collected bi-weekly in the
urban areas starting at 7 a.m.
• Rural residents, as well as curbside users who have cardboard pieces larger
than three feet by three feet, can drop their cardboard off at the drop site
locations and County staffed Convenience Centers. Charleston County
Environmental Management maintains 40 cardboard drop sites and eight
Convenience Centers located throughout the County.
Sudoku
• Residents in the rural parts of the County can utilize drop sites and
Convenience Centers for recycling services. Drop site locations are open 24
hours per day and seven days a week and are not staffed. Convenience Centers
are staffed by Environmental Management Department employees.

Residents can call 720-7111 or visit recycle.charlestoncounty.org to find out their

recycling collection day, the nearest drop site location, and Convenience Center addresses
and hours of operation.

Level: Hard Solution on page 10

www.follycurrent.com
April 30, 2010
letters from page 6
Dear Editor,
Excluding any past beach festivals, the
“Folly Fun Festival - ’89” was birthed in
the minds of Lee Roeber and Ed Nygren.
At the time, they were members of the
FAB (Folly Association of Business)
whose focus was to encourage community
business, beach fun, and to increase city
revenue.
The crowd-pleasing event took place on
May 6, 1989. Co-chairmen Lee and Ed
worked tirelessly coordinating publicity,
flyers, TV appearances, scheduling
performances by Rivers and Company,
Dixie Ramblers Barbershop Quartet,
the US Navy “Pride” Band,
Floyd’s country and western songs, and
more. Throughout that day there were
demonstrations of cloggers, ballet, Karate,
aerobics, skateboarding and rollerblading,
including skating by the then-prevailing
Chief of Police, Reuben Greenberg and
his group. The closely supervised kiddie
attractions were in a secured one block
square area featuring, games, pony rides,
and lots of popcorn. Center St. was lined
with choices of food and refreshment
stands, artists, clowns, High School
choral groups, and street dancing to
four live bands starting at 8 p.m. with
entertainment lasting until midnight.
The above in mind, it’s reasonable
to assume the start of successful Folly
Beach festivals was due to the combined
efforts and dedicated community spirit
contributed by the incredible Lee Roeber,
my deceased husband, Ed Nygren, and
the FAB. Not only were their goals
accomplished sans cell phones, e-mails,
and other technological communication
aids, they incurred very little, if any, out-of-
pocket expenses; memorabilia magic!
Rose Nygren
94 W. Mariner’s Cay
Folly Beach
www.follycurrent.com
Burt
Time for an old-timey
spring picnic
By Kristin Hackler
F
or a while it was known as the Sweet
Corn Festival, but even though one
of the most delicious and nostalgic
things in the world is that first bite of
sweet corn straight off the stalk and still
warm from the afternoon sun, “It was just
too bloomin’ hot,” said Thomas Legare.
So instead of waiting until mid-June for
the first crop of sweet corn to mature, the
Legare family has moved their harvest
celebration to May 1, and in doing so, has
revived an exciting old-time tradition.
“We’ve been holding spring picnics
every year since 1978,” said Helen
Legare Floyd, sister of Thomas Legare
and co-owner of Legare Farms, on Johns
Island. “It all started when Daddy planted
too much corn one year and we invited
family and friends over for a corn boil.”
The family get-togethers had been
going on long before then, however. For
as long as the Legares can remember,
they spent every Saturday afternoon at
their grandmother’s house. Their aunts
would set up croquet and horseshoes and
everyone would play games and enjoy a
potluck of homemade food.
“When we were kids, we were either
at someone’s house or they were at our
home,” said Linda Legare. “Now we
really only see each other at weddings and
funerals.”
Although the spring picnic has been
more or less for family since the late 70s,
last year the Legares decided to open it up
to the public.
“We want to bring that sense of
closeness and community back to the
island,” said Thomas. And while the
Legares already have close relationships
with their CSA (Community Supported
(l to r) Helen, Linda and Thomas Legare hope to continue to bring the island
communities together through thier annual Spring Picnic.
7
Agriculture) members, they felt that they
needed to reach out to the rest of the
island and surrounding areas, as well.
“We didn’t want 600, 700 people in our
CSA,” Helen pointed out. “We wanted to
get to know everyone. I mean, right now
I know that one of our customers can’t
stand asparagus and another absolutely
hates cantaloupe. I know their kids
and ask about their families. We create
relationships, which is how it should be.”
This year will be the second Spring
Festival hosted by the Legare family at
Legare Farms. Along with yard games, a
bonfire and a bluegrass jam session with
Ricky Rio (if you like to play, you’re
welcome to join in!), the Legares will be
serving fresh sweet corn from a friend’s
farm in Florida, hamburgers and sausage
dogs made from their own beef, and potato
salad with spring onions and tomato and
cucumber salad from their own farm.
There will even be homemade ice cream
with strawberries from neighboring
Ambrose Farms.
Proceeds from the celebration will
go to fund the Legare Farms Education
Foundation, the mission of which is to help
raise awareness and educate Lowcountry
communities and school children on
the agricultural heritage of this region
and the need to maintain this legacy for
future generations. The program provides
school field trips, community educational
opportunities, and special educational
events.
Event is scheduled for May 1. Tickets
can be purchased by calling the office at
559-0788 or by e-mailing legarefarms@
bellsouth.net. The cost is $20 for adults and
$10 for children.
 Folly Current Calendar
Friday, April 30
Folly Beach Exchange Club scholarships
The Folly Beach Exchange Club is offering two
(2) five hundred dollar college scholarships.
Full time college students who are permanent
Folly Beach residents or children of current
Exchange Club members may apply. Criteria
is given on the application, which is available
at Rose Hardware. Deadline for application is
June 25.  
North Charleston Arts Festival
April 30 – May 8, 2010. The art celebration
will feature local, regional and national artists
within a variety of disciplines. Ticketed
events such as plays, concerts, workshops and
street parties will also be available. For more
information, please call 740-5854 or visit
www.northcharleston.org.
Saturday, May 1
May Day
Legare Farms Old Fashion Spring Picnic
Enjoy Legare Farms hamburgers, sausage dogs,
potato salad, corn on the cob, homemade
ice cream, and more. Bring your musical
instrument and jam with Ricky Rio. Tickets
can be purchased by calling the office (559-
0788) or e-mail legarefarms@bellsouth.net.
The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children.
SSC Points Contest #3: Washout
May 1 & 2. Southern South Carolina District
of the Eastern Surfing Association points
contest #1 at the Washout, Folly Beach. Entry
deadline is April 25. Mail entry to SSC-ESA
PO Box 740, Folly Beach, SC 29439 or bring
to any local surf shop by closing time on the
Sunday before the contest.www.ssc.surfesa.org.  Full time college students who are permanent
Monday, May 3
Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Classes -
Intro to SUP
SUP are a “go anywhere” water craft. Get
started right with instruction in safety and
proper technique that will allow you to
progress comfortably at your own pace. Pre-
registration required 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at
James Island County Park. Course # 22034.
Fee: $18. Ages 16 & up. For more info, call
795-4386 or visit www.ccprc.com.
April 30 - May 14
Tuesday, May 4
National Teacher’s Day
Coastal Exploration Series: Discovering the
ACE Basin
This event will take place aboard the E/V
Discovery, traveling into the heart of the
ACE Basin with speakers Dr. Al Segars, Kim
Counts, and Kattie McMilian. The group will
also travel to Otter Island to experience an
undeveloped barrier island.  Depart by boat
from McKenzie Field Station, ACE Basin.
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Register at:  www.dnr.
sc.gov/marine/NERR/seminarseries.html. For
more info, call 953-9354.
Wednesday, May 5
Cinco de Mayo
Thursday, May 6
Salute to the Military
Reception includes presentation of community
services awards to active-duty, reservists,
civilians and a local business. Keynote
Speaker: United States Transportation
Command Senior Leader (invited). Dress is
business casual/uniform of the day. Charleston
Area Convention Center from 5:30 p.m. –
8:30 p.m. Register www.charlestonchamber.
net.
Friday, May 7
40th Annual Charleston Greek Festival
May 7-9 at the Greek Orthodox Church of the
Holy Trinity at 30 Race Street. Free parking
with a shuttle at Joe Riley Stadium. For more
information contact Carol at 577-2063.
Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve Bird Walk
Birding experts explore Folly Beach in this
partnership program. This walk focuses on the
southern shoreline of Folly Beach and starts
at Folly Beach County Park. The program is
free, however, pre-registration is required. 8:30
a.m.-10:30 a.m. Course # 22106. For more
information or to register, call 795-4386 or
visit www.ccprc.com.
Charleston Ballet’s Decadent Divas
The glamour returns to kick off the North
Charleston Arts Festival as CBT’s highly
acclaimed fashion, music and dance
celebration Decadent Divas makes a one night
only appearance at the North Charleston
Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Tickets
available only by calling 1.800.745.3000 at
the NPAC Ticket Windows or online at www.
ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster Outlets
Adults  $30/$35. For more info, call 723-7334
or go to www.charlestonballet.org
Native Plant Spring Symposium
The South Carolina Native Plant Society will
host their 2010 Symposium May 7 – 9 at
Magnolia Plantation and the Quality Suites
Convention Center in North Charleston.
Events include a barbeque and silent auction,
a Lowcountry Boil with the Gullah Singers
and viewing of the movie, The Great Catesby,
as well as many great lectures and workshops.
Register at www.regonline.com/2010_native_
plant_symposium. For more info, contact Lisa
Lord at 937-8807 ex. 13 or llord@tnc.org
Saturday, May 8
Folly River Family Kayaking
Join us for a beautiful paddle along Folly
River. Bring Mom or Dad and work on
your kayaking skills. A registered and paid
chaperone is required for participants ages 15
and under. Fee: $34. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Course
# 22109. For more info or to register, call 795-
4386 or visit www.ccprc.com.
Summer Pier Fishing Kickoff Tournament
Kick off the summer with a fishing
tournament on the Folly Beach Fishing
Pier, the second largest pier on the east
coast! Registration for all tournaments
begins at 6 a.m. and takes place on-site only.
Tournaments end at 4 p.m. and prizes are
awarded at 4:15 p.m. For more info, call the
Folly Beach Fishing Pier at 588-FISH (3474).
6th Annual Blues by the Sea
2 p.m. - 7 p.m.at the Freshfields Village
Green. Enjoy an all day concert featuring
some of the top touring blues acts in America.
This free event is presented by Kiawah Island
Accomodations Tax Committee, Bill &
Marilyn Blizard (Kiawah’s Friends of the
Blues), and Lowcountry Blues Bash. Bring
your lawn chair, blanket, and sunscreen for
this great family-oriented event. For more info,
visit www.bluesbash.com/kiawah.
Sunday, May 9
Mother’s Day
Tuesday, May 11
Coastal Exploration Series: Wetlands Night
Sounds
This event, led by Tony Mills, a herpetologist
with The Lowcountry Institute, will begin
with a presentation highlighting a few animals
from the isolated wetlands of the Donnelley
Wildlife Management Area, an 8,000-acre
tract of land managed by the DNR. 5 p.m. to
9 p.m. Register at:  www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/
NERR/seminarseries.html. For more info, call
953-9354.
Wednesday, May 12
Nurse’s Day
Thursday, May 13
Coastal Exploration Series: Exploring Lewis
Ocean Bay
Come explore the plethora of natural wonders
that abound at Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage
Preserve with Deanna Ruth of the DNR. We
hope to find native orchids and carnivorous
plants along the way. 9:00 a.m. to Noon.
Register at:  www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/NERR/
seminarseries.html. or call 953-9354.
Friday, May 14
Folly Beach Exchange Club scholarships
The Folly Beach Exchange Club is offering
two five hundred dollar college scholarships.
Folly Beach residents or children of current
Exchange Club members may apply. Criteria
is given on the application. Applications will
be available at Rose Hardware. Deadline for
application is June 25.
Folly Moonlight Mixer
Dance the night away under the stars at the
Folly Beach Fishing Pier. Local DJ Jim Bowers
will spin the hottest oldies and beach music
around from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Beverages and
food will be available. Tickets: $10. For more
info, call 795-4FUN (4386).
10
By Lauren Dean
Were they naked?
On 3/22 about 5:30 p.m., Folly Beach
Public Safety officers responded to a call
from a resident in the 500 block of E.
Ashley who had three trespassers locked
in the shower under his house. He said
three young men drove up under his
house, parked their car, and went into
the showers that are located under the
residence. When the officers arrived, they
unlocked the shower and made contact
with the subjects who explained that they
were cold and just wanted to get warm.
One of the officers noticed a suitcase of
Budweiser in the car with two open cans
visible. All three subjects were issued
citations for open container and minor in
possession of beer.
I thought you wanted me to leave
About 10:30 p.m. on 4/1 officers
responded to a call from Rita’s Seaside
Grill about an aggressive individual
who was grossly intoxicated, using
vulgarities loudly, and obnoxiously
harassing patrons. When officers arrived,
the suspect was being held down by
several bystanders and patrons because
he had become violent when he was
asked to leave. The subject was arrested
for trespass and disorderly conduct and
transported to jail.
Now that’s using your head
Officers were dispatched to the Folly
Beach fishing pier about 7:00 p.m. on 4/3
because several individuals had jumped
off the pier into the ocean and one of
the jumpers was hurt. When the officers
arrived they found one individual lying
unconscious on the beach next to the
pier. Fire and EMS personnel were called
and administered medical attention at the
scene. The two uninjured subjects told
Public Safety they had jumped in feet
first, but the injured subject had dived
in head first. Apparently there was only
about four feet of water at that time of
day. The injured jumper was transported
to the hospital and his friends were
released to ride with him.
Just a case of he said/he said
On 4/4 about 2:00 a.m. officers were
dispatched to Snapper Jack’s regarding an
assault. The victim stated that a man he
did not know hit him in the face and he
did have a red mark and some swelling
on his face. The suspect said he did not
hit the man but he also stated he knew
some of the victim’s friends and did not
like them because they used to pick on
him when he was younger. The victim
stated again that the man did hit him on
the cheek and he did show signs of being
hit. The subject was charged with simple
assault and issued a summons to appear
in Folly Beach City Court.
He should have bought a bigger bag of
Doritos
Just after midnight on 4/3 an officer
on patrol on Center Street observed a
subject attempt to conceal an open can
of Yuengling behind a bag of Doritos.
The officer approached the subject who
appeared to be under age to drink and
Police Reports
requested identification. The man said he
didn’t have an ID on him, but claimed
to be 21. When no information could
be located on DMV files in his claimed
home state of Maryland, the officer
advised the suspect that he believed he
was lying and should give his correct
information or face arrest. He then
revised his age to 18 and was placed
under arrest for under-age drinking and
giving false statements to police.
But he could stand up for his rights
A Charleston County Deputy working
traffic control at the intersection of
Center Street and Ashley Avenue just
after midnight on 4/3 was flagged down
by some bystanders in reference to a
vehicle that was leaving the scene of an
accident. The vehicle passed the officer,
who attempted to perform a traffic stop,
but he was not able to stop the vehicle
until it had reached the third block of
E. Ashley, which was four blocks from
where the accident had occurred.
The subject was escorted to Center
Street and a Folly Beach Public Safety
officer was called to assist. The subject
was visibly impaired and failed all his
sobriety tests, falling down during the
one-legged stand and failing to complete
a simple finger count.
He was placed under arrest and taken
to the accident site where a car legally
parked had been side-swiped with such
violence that the occupant suffered
whiplash sufficient to cause a lacerated
forehead. The victim was transported
to the hospital by EMS, and the subject
was charged with leaving the scene of an
accident with injuries and transported to
Charleston County jail where he refused
a breathalyzer test and was booked into
the detention center.
Like father, like son
On 4/5 at about 5:00 p.m. a Public Safety
Officer responded to a hit and run that
witnesses said occurred when the subject
turned from E Arctic onto 4th Street
East and attempted a U-turn around a
legally parked vehicle. While attempting
to go around the vehicle, the suspect’s
vehicle collided with the rear bumper
of the victim’s vehicle and collided with
the right front bumper while trying to
squeeze between the victim’s vehicle and
the stop sign. The suspect vehicle then
www.follycurrent.com
left the scene going the wrong way on E
Arctic. Witnesses stated there were two
people in the vehicle, the driver being a
young male and the passenger being an
older male.
About an hour later, a different PSO
responded to a report of a suspicious
vehicle at the entrance to Mariner’s Cay,
which had damage consistent with the
damage to the vehicle in the earlier hit
and run. The two subjects were passed
out in the vehicle and smelled strongly of
alcohol. When awakened, the driver said
he felt as if he was going to have a seizure
and needed EMS. It was determined
that the passenger, the driver’s father,
was wanted by the Charleston County
Sheriff’s office on a bench warrant. The
father was taken into custody and the son
was transported by EMS to MUSC for
treatment and then transported to the
detention center for lodging.
Do you really think so?
At about 8:00 p.m. on 4/6 an officer
dispatched to an assault and battery
found the complainant sitting in her yard
with a large dog that barked continuously
and attempted to jump on the responding
officer, who asked her to put the dog
inside. The complainant refused, saying
the dog was for her protection. Finally
she did put the dog up and stated that
she had been pushed to the ground and
kicked in the head and left side after
leaving the Sand Dollar and going to a
friend’s house, where she said the incident
occurred. According to the complainant,
the suspect was at the friend’s house and
the two of them started arguing and
when she made a comment toward their
argument, the suspect attacked her. She
said a friend drove her home when the
Sudoku -solution
Solution from page 6
April 30, 2010
officer noticed her SUV was warm.
During his investigation, the officer
noticed the complainant was intoxicated
to the point that she didn’t realize she
kept telling conflicting stories about
who kicked her, whether the alleged
suspect was at the Sand Dollar or not,
how she got home and how the driver
got back. She kept saying she wasn’t sure
she wanted to report the assault and she
did not have visible injuries and refused
EMS. She also had locked herself out of
the house when she went to put the dog
up. The officer suggested she go through
the front window that he had noticed
was slightly open with no screen when
the dog continued to bark through the
window the entire time he was there.
While the complainant was climbing
through the window, the officer returned
to his cruiser to advise Detective McTeer
of the situation. The complainant came
over to ask him what he was doing in
his car and said she felt intimidated.
When the officer exited his vehicle, the
complainant stormed off and when he
asked her to talk to him, she went inside
and slammed the door in his face.
Earlier in the evening, a woman with
the same name as the complainant’s
friend had called 911 to say that a woman
inside the Sand Dollar was
drunk and was harassing
people and refusing to leave.
The officer stated in his
report that he believed both
incidents were related.
April 30, 2010 11
Op-ed

By Megan Carroll

W
ith a title like Hot Tub Time
Machine, you would think the
film would be as shallow as a
kiddie pool, but think again. This “best
buddy” comedy is actually a hilarious
must-see film.
When their buddy Lou (Rob Corddry-
-who is absolutely brilliant) winds up in
the hospital after an apparent suicide
attempt, friends Adam and Nick (John
Cusack and Craig Robinson) decide  to
relive their glory days and head out to
their favorite ski resort. Adam’s nephew
Jacob (Clarke Duke) is also along for the
ride. They quickly find out that their old
stomping ground is a ghost of its former
self, but after a night of intense alcohol
consumption and a dip in the tub, they
awake refreshed and surrounded by leg
warmers, jheri curl, jump suites and
acid-washed everything. Welcome back
to 1986!  of  uninspired  remakes,  Hot Tub
In life we often wish we could go back
and fix our mistakes--make things right.
As adults, we often shake our heads and
wonder “How did I get here and what
went wrong?” These characters, however,
are given a chance at redemption and as
the audience we get to enjoy the hilarity
that ensues.   Adam is obsessed with
his mistake of dumping the “perfect
girl.” Nick gave up a budding music
career. Lou never got over the feeling of
abandonment by his friends and Jacob
never knew who his father was. But they
have to tread lightly because, as Jacob
says in the film, “What if we step on a bug
and the internet never gets invented?”
Hot Tub Time Machine relies heavily
on clichés and absurd trends from the
80s, but with a well written, tight script
and superior comic timing from veteran
actors, you often find yourself laughing
out loud. Comedy is hard and misses
the mark more often than not. When
you jump head first into “stupid funny”
it is almost an insurmountable task, but
director Steve Pink and screenwriter Josh
Heald walked the line perfectly.
In a year chock-full
Time Machine  is an excellent
example of inventive,  creative work.
At times incredibly raunchy and
silly, the film deserves mad kudos
and  strong  support  from audiences.
Take a chance on this film; you will be
pleasantly surprised!     

Chill & Grill

4/30 – Guilt Ridden Troubadour
5/1 – The Masker Band
Folly music
5/4 – Eric Penrod scene
5/5 – Rawberry Jam
5/6 – The Hawkes Sand Dollar
5/7 – Suspicious Package 5/8 – Kurly Wolf
5/8 – Elise & the Freeloaders 5/14 & 15 – Johnny Mac & the Booty Ranch
5/11 – Eric Penrod
5/12 – Skitch Folly Beach Crab Shack Folly Beac h Tide Char t
5/13 – The Hawkes Sundays – Jamisun
5/14 – The Hole Dwellers
5/15 – The Cultivation
Mondays –Open Mic Night Date High Tide Low Tide
Tuesdays - Trivia
Wednesdays – Dave Grunstra
Lazo’s Fridays – Folly Dogs
Apr 30 10:13am/10:47pm 3:59am/3:56pm
5/1 – Whiskey Ramblin Saturdays – Sarah Smile May 1 10:59am/11:33pm 4:46am/4:41pm
5/7 – Dub Vee
5/8 – Three Legged Will May 2 11:45am 5:32am/5:26pm
Drop In Deli
5/14 – Louie B unplugged 4/30 – The Fairygodmuthas May 3 12:19am/12:33pm 6:19am/6:13pm
5/15 – Eric Penrod group 5/1 – Jerry Cooper
5/21 – Charles Cook Band May 4 1:07am/1:24pm 7:06am/7:04pm
5/3 – The Hawkes
5/22 – Rawberry Jam 5/4 – Charles Cook May 5 1:57am/2:17pm 7:55am/7:59pm
5/28 – Three Legged Will
5/29 – Whiskey Ramblin May 6 2:49am/3:13pm 8:44am/8:59pm
Folly Beach Brewing Company
4/30 – Eric Penrod May 7 3:41am/4:07pm 9:33am/9:59pm
BLU 5/7 – Justin Burke
Planet Follywood May 8 4:33am/4:59pm 10:21am/10:55pm
5/8 – Mark Jackson
Fridays and Saturdays – Dan Clamp 5/14 – Cris Williams May 9 5:23am/5:48pm 11:07am/11:47pm
5/15 – Jerry Cooper May 10 6:11am/6:34pm 11:51am
Surf Bar
Sundays – Dangermuffin Woody’s
May 11 6:57am/7:18pm 12:35am/12:34pm
5/1 – Jason & the Juggernauts 5/3 & 5/17 – Malin Wagnon May 12 7:41am/8:00pm 1:21am/1:16pm
5/7 – Geoff Norwood Tuesdays – Jerry Cooper
5/14 – Mac Leaphart Thursdays - Trivia
May 13 8:24am/8:42pm 2:06am/1:59pm

Vince Perna is a Folly Beach real estate expert who also loves music. If you want to know if
you can live on Folly, you can find him at 31 Center Street or by calling 588-3800.
www.follycurrent.com
12 April 30, 2010
Do You Know your Charleston?

Collecting memories of Charleston

By David Farrow

T
he mists of time drift like fog
through the oak trees down at
White Point Gardens. If you’re
quiet and of the right frame of mind, you
can hear the plaintive call of the shrimp
man, the kids riding their bikes to school;
scads of children, all cousins, who still
know each other from their days at East
Bay Playground.
That Charleston is gone and soon the
memory will follow. That’s not good or
bad. It just is. The families who grew
up downtown and remained make up a
small percentage of the population below
Broad.
Eccentrics are no longer tolerated.
I once watched a cousin of mine stare
down at a drain at the corner of King and
Tradd for 4 ½ hours. During that period,
various people stopped at the intersection
including police cars. Everyone just shook
their heads.
“That’s Bill,” they laughed and went
on their merry way. Today, he would be
institutionalized. Boeing will arrive in full force. Everything the various experiences of different people
You see, we knew his tragic story. Did will change again. Most would argue for who grew up all over the peninsula.
we find humor at this poor man’s expense? the better. It sounds easy. It’s not, believe me.
Yes. Did we find what he was doing Some wouldn’t. The hardest part is figuring out who
actionable? No. As some of you may know, I have been I want and where I want this to go. I
Those days are over. learning how to create have had someone contact me about this
Family meant everything. film. About a month project and perhaps get involved. There
Few downtown today know ago, I decided I was good are actually over 100 people I’d like to
what their grand-mother’s enough to try this project. interview. Every time I think I’ve come to
maiden name was, nor would We’ll see how it works. the end of that list 10 more pop up.
they understand why they What I am undertaking If you want to see snippets of interviews
should care. Money is again is filming a number of with Arthur Ravenel, Jane Thornhill,
the currency of the realm. people about growing up Danny Petterson and Priestley Coker
The houses that were in Charleston. I actually go to: http://davidfarrow.wordpress.
built as monuments to self- tried this ten years ago, com/2010/04/15/coming-soon-to-a-dvd-
importance have reassumed but the guy I worked for near-you. If you are on Facebook, go to
that mantle. Downtown has had no clue what he had. “Historic Charleston Walking Tours.”
become one huge cruise ship There are scenes of older There are plenty of clips coming.
David Farrow.
– that whole commodity Charlestonians now gone We’ll see how this works over all,
versus community thing. that are priceless. but count on giving Charleston for
Again, one can rage against the machine Thus it is that I am filming about 30 Christmas.
until one is blue in the face, and all that Charleston natives about growing up in
would be accomplished would be a rather Charleston. By Christmas I hope to have
interesting hue on one’s cheeks. Soon, the first of a series of the three videos of

Film your way to a Charleston vacation

provided by Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

T
his year’s dream family vacation
could be only a video recorder
away. Charleston’s popular
Rediscover the Family Vacation contest
returns this spring, inviting families to
submit videos detailing why Charleston
would be their ultimate getaway. Now
through June 15, 2010, families can log
on to www.charlestonvacationgiveaway.
com to submit smile-generating and
laugh-provoking videos, explaining why
they love Charleston and what they would
most look forward to during their visit
if they won. Five prizes will be awarded
to five families who submit the funniest,
silliest and/or most creative videos.
Videos should be no longer than
three minutes. Entries will be voted
on shortly after June 15, 2010, by a
panel of travel professionals. Once
the winners are announced, the five
winning entries will be posted to www.
charlestonvacationgiveaway.com, where
the general public will have an opportunity
to review them and vote on a grand prize
winner, who will additionally receive
$2,000. Families are encouraged to submit
soon, as the first 25 entries will receive a
$50 Visa gift card to spend together as a
family.
Each prize* is themed and covers a five-
night hotel stay, attractions, and dining:
• Endless Summer Famification: Stay
at Kiawah Island’s oceanfront resort, The
Sanctuary, with dining at the Mingo Point
Oyster Roast, Charleston Crab House,
and Sticky Fingers. Includes golfing for
four.
• R evel in R eal History: Stay at the
Ansonborough Inn and experience the
Ghosts & Dungeons Walking Tour, a
cruise on the Charleston Belle, a visit to
Boone Hall Plantation and surf lessons.
• Urban Fork Safari: Stay at the
Fulton Lane Inn with dinner reservations
at some of Charleston’s best restaurants:
Halls Chophouse, Il Cortile Del Re,
Maverick Southern Kitchens, McCrady’s,
and Circa 1886.
• Barrier Island Eco Trek: Stay at
Wild Dunes, a 1,600 acre eco-friendly
resort, and take off into the island estuaries
with Island Adventure VIP passes for
kids, a one-hour massage for parents, and
tickets to the S.C. Aquarium.
• Heritage and Hits: Stay at the Mills
House and enjoy breakfast daily. Be the
“Guests of honor” at a Riverdogs baseball
game. Tour Fort Sumter with a Heritage
Passport to nine historic attractions.
Families looking for a bit of inspiration
before breaking out the video recorder can
visit www.charlestonvacationgiveaway.
com/winners_2009.html to watch the five
winning video entries from 2009.
The mission of the Charleston Area
Convention & Visitors Bureau is to unify and
lead the local travel industry in marketing
the Charleston area as an individual,
meeting, incentive and group destination
to both the domestic and international
markets. For more information, visit www.
explorecharleston.com
*Giveaway packages are valid for the
month of August, based on availability.
All travel must be completed by August
31, 2010.

www.follycurrent.com
April 30, 2010 13
wHAT THE FOLLY? Dargan’s Birds

Great Egret
By Sarah Dargan Harper

T
he Great Egret is a year-round resident in the Lowcountry and is also found
from Canada south to Argentina, in Europe, Australia, and Asia. Adults have
identical plumage and weigh about two pounds. They feed in a variety of
wetlands, including marshes and swamps, and their diet consists mostly of fish and
small invertebrates, although they will also feed on amphibians, small mammals, and
even small birds. They are distinguished from the Snowy Egret by their larger size,
dark legs and feet (Snowy Egrets have dark legs and yellow feet), and their yellow beaks
(Snowy Egrets have black beaks).
They nest in colonies over water, oftentimes on small islands in ponds. I photographed
this egret recently in a breeding colony in Dill Plantation on James Island. (This individual
is actually in non-breeding plumage.) This rookery, found on two small islands within a
pond, currently contains over 40 pairs of Wood Storks, a handful of Little Blue Herons,
White Ibises, Snowy Egrets, and Anhingas, not to mention alligators! The Highway
Department is still considering extending I526 through Dill Plantation in very close
proximity to the heron ponds. Hopefully the presence of breeding Wood Storks, an
endangered species, will prevent this from happening.

PHOTO BY Laura Olsen Imagery/ www.lauraolsen.com

Do you recognize this image? It was taken somewhere on Folly Beach. If you know
what it is, let us know at info@luckydognews.com and you could win a free medium
one-topping pizza from Woody’s! Tim and Jenn of E. Ashley guessed last issues
"What the Folly?" it the Corona sign on the deck of Snapper Jack's.

Brought to you by Woody’s Pizza and

Laura Olsen Imagery.
Great Egret
Photo by Sarah Dargan Harper

www.follycurrent.com
14
Mystery plant: beauty in the fallen
W
hile walking through the woods, it’s very
humbling to arrive at a scene like this. To
see an enormous tree in a natural setting
is enough to inspire silence, but to see one snapped
in half reminds us of the enduring majesty of these
forest behemoths, even when fallen.
This mystery plant is a ‘red’ oak. It had been
known for years as one of the largest trees on the
western side of Congaree National Park in central
South Carolina. In fact, this individual was officially
recognized as the national champion of its kind,
one of nine different champions present at the Park.
Soaring over 150 feet into the sky, it was easily 24 feet
round with a diameter of more than six feet across.
It was still upright and alive during the summer of
2004, but was broken during a storm which most
likely occured in the fall of that year. Its branches
still retained the dead leaves in April 2005 (when this
picture was taken). At the time, an outing hosted by
the Friends of the Congaree Swamp provided access
to it, with the skillful and perennial leadership of
John Cely who is renowned as one of the key experts
of this National Park
This particular oak species produces characteristic
leaves which are deeply lobed and prominently bristle-
tipped. In the fall, the leaves turn a wonderful, deep
red before dropping. Its acorns, which are prized by
wildlife, are fairly large, often over an inch long, with
a scaly cap covering a little less than a third of the nut.
The bark on large trees tends to be grey and ridged,
or sometimes striped with thin fissures. Mature trees
April 30, 2010
By Dr. John Nelson
generally have an open, rounded crown, and make
excellent shade trees, adapting well along streets and
in urban parks. Its wood is hard and very strong, and
is a superior source for lumber, veneer, and interior
flooring.
This is a canopy species that is fairly common on
low grounds; you won’t find it at high elevations. It is
primarily a Southeastern species, occurring through
much of the Mississippi River valley up to Indiana
and Ohio, over to northern Florida, and then
North through the Carolinas to Pennsylvania (and
southern Ontario). Although it prefers periodically
wet bottomland habitats, it does not tolerate flooding
very well.
Sadly, our champion is dethroned … but its
youngsters are coming up here and there in the area.
The tree is gone, but in a sense, it will still be with us
for many decades, its rotting log providing shelter and
food for a myriad of organisms. Sic transit gloria!
For more information about Congaree Swamp, visit
www.nps.gov/cosw/index.htm. To learn more about
the activities of The Friends of Congaree Swamp, visit
www.friendsofcongaree.org, and to learn about the
process of selecting champion trees, contact the National
Register of Big Trees at 800-368-5748. John Nelson
is the curator of the Herbarium at the University of
South Carolina. As a public service, USC offers free
plant identifications. For more information about the
Photo by John Nelson
herbarium and submitting plants for identification,
visit www.herbarium.org or call 803-777-8196. [Answer: “Shumard oak,” “Swamp red oak,” Quercus shumardii]
www.follycurrent.com
16
golf
Appreciating our every day angels
premium on quiet that is the customary domain of the
links was shattered and I reveled in the contrast.
But as I recalled bygone days of golf mixed with jets,
something else in the sky caught my attention. Further
up, at altitudes that were far above the performance, there
was a lone commercial jet airliner leaving a nondescript
vapor trail across the sky. It was being flown at a steady
speed in a perfectly straight line, a model of efficiency as
it was leaving Charleston airspace.
The jet airliner was utilitarian in every respect, fulfilling
its mission of going from one place to another governed
by a mandate to provide a safe and uneventful experience
for its passengers. Planes only make news today when
they don’t land properly; safe landings are expected and
April 30, 2010
number and their skill is underappreciated.
I did a little checking. A Blue Angel applicant need
only have 1250 hours of flight time while the standard to
become an airline pilot typically requires at least 3,000
hours total flight time.
I may not clap when the next flight I am on safely
touches down, but I will at least say thank you. And
the next time I play with my jet-airline-pilot-of-a-playing-
partner, I am going to be sure to tip my hat to his skill,
as well.
Until next time, play well.

A
s many saw and almost everyone heard, the
Blue Angels were in town recently. We lined
the banks of Charleston Harbor and for nearly
an hour we turned our eyes and attention to the sky. I
was mesmerized as I watched them fly past at dizzying
speeds, displaying the raw power of a jet fighter. The
pilots and their planes danced and conducted their aerial
acrobatics to the delight of the crowd. Painted in sharp
contrast of bright blue and yellow, both the planes and
the performance were visually stunning and captured my
attention with every move.
I went to law school in southern Virginia and used
to play golf at Eaglewoods located on Langley Air Force
taken for granted.
When the vast majority of us play golf, it is not in front
of any cameras or crowds. No one is watching what we
are doing. There is nothing special or spectacular about
our ability to hit or control a golf ball and shots executed,
even many of our very best, are sub-standard compared
to those who play the game at its highest level.
In golf, tour players are the equivalent of the Blue
Angels. They do what we dream. Hitting drives incredible
distances, shaping shots and imposing their will on the
flight of the ball, commanding it to turn left or right, fly
high or low, run out or land soft. They are our heroes and
the ones we try to emulate.

photo by steven suggs

Base. While the course has some unique features,
including power lines that criss-cross a few holes (if you
hit them you get to replay the shot – no penalty), what
made the course truly unique was the presence of jets.
The Thunderbirds, the Air Force equivalent of the Blue
Angels, used to practice fairly regularly at Langley. I’ll
never forget playing the first hole and getting ready to putt
when the noise – that noise that is unique to their planes
– began in the near distance and grew louder and louder
until it was so deafening that I could have screamed at the
top of my lungs and no one would have heard me. The
If any of you play golf regularly, then you probably
know a player or two that doesn’t hit the ball terribly
long, consistently finds the fairway, doesn’t ever seem to
get in much trouble, has a decent short game, putts pretty
well and no matter what the round usually ends up at a
The Blue Angels
final score in the 70s or low 80s. They never really have
either a great day or a bad day.
And that’s the thing. Golf’s ultimate measuring stick Richard is a golf enthusiast, local lawyer and part-time
is not power or flash, but score. Those players who master writer seeking publication of a novel about golf. Contact him
and possess a mundane and seemingly ordinary but at donseve@bellsouth.net. ©2010 Richard Hricik.
consistent game always seem to find a way to post their

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