From May to November of 2011, in quiet residential areas and other spots around Mount Pleasant, a dedicated group of talented locals was gathering regularly, often at night, to exercise their craft. These filmmakers, actors and crew members met at locations including a Belle Hall neighborhood, houses in Park West and Hamlin Plantation, U.S. Highway 17 and Pitt Street … [Read more...]
Local Film Gets Distribution Deal
As announced on November 13, 2011, Mount Pleasant production company Reserve Productions' first film, “Documenting the Grey Man,” was signed to a distribution deal for North American DVD and digital distribution with Camp Motion Pictures/POP Cinema. The film was written and directed by Wayne Capps and produced by Matthew Slechter. “Documenting the Grey Man,” a feature … [Read more...]
Taking a Political Break: Paul Gawrych Leaves the Door Open
Serving as an elected official in a small town can be a rewarding endeavor or a frustrating attempt to balance the needs of your constituents with those of your family and your profession. Taking the oath of office in one of the fastest-growing municipalities in South Carolina might go a long way toward extinguishing the fire that drew you to public service in the first place. … [Read more...]
Our Past on a Corner Post: Old Village Street Names
Mapped references to the area now known as Mount Pleasant first appeared in the late 1600s. A 1672 map created for the Lords Proprietors refers to the land surrounded by Charleston Harbor, Shem Creek and Cove Inlet as North Point, while a later undated map indicates it is Oldwanus Point. The earliest known inhabitants of the land were members of the Sewee and Wandoe [sic] … [Read more...]
Expanding Into History – Sweetgrass Basket Stands
The U.S. highway 17 widening project in Mount Pleasant goes right through the middle of the Gullah/ Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, which extends from Wilmington, North Carolina, to St. Augustine, Florida, and was designated as a National Heritage Area by Congress in 2006. Still under development – the first draft of the management plan is out for comments – the Gullah/ … [Read more...]
Special Deliveries: Our First Babies
Remember when you were little and believed that big, white birds delivered babies in pastel pink and blue bundles? Now you know that wasn’t so, but storks can bring pleasant surprises for the families of newborn babies – at least in Mount Pleasant. Each year, East Cooper Medical Center and Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital welcome hundreds of babies to the … [Read more...]
Crackin’ Open a Tradition: Nearly Three Decades of Oysters
As the weather chills, excitement builds. A favorite winter-season event approaches. The lowcountry Oyster Festival, believed to be the world’s largest oyster roast, marks its 29th year on Jan. 29, 2012. Boone Hall Plantation off Long Point Road hosts the event, but the Charleston Restaurant Association organizes the annual fest. Flash back to January 1984. A News & … [Read more...]
No Guns Allowed: Mount Pleasant Citizens Police Academy
When my wife, Judy, and I packed up the Jeep and headed for Mount Pleasant, we were relying on luck to guide us. Except for a whirlwind weekend trip to purchase a home, we knew nothing about the Lowcountry. We later learned that many of our new friends had vacationed here, had children and relatives here and had all kinds of other roots in Mount Pleasant. The only local we knew … [Read more...]
Billy Swails, From Lowcountry Boy To All-America Mayor
Billy Swails is the top elected official in South Carolina’s fourth largest municipality, a vibrant and growing town that has attracted a wide range of cultural and culinary events and festivals, as well as the attention of the National Civic League and its coveted designation of All-America City. Swails, mayor of Mount Pleasant since winning a three-man race among a trio of … [Read more...]
An Elite Fivesome: Kiawah Hosting 2012 PGA Championship
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island will join an elite group of golf venues in August 2012, when the best golfers in the world compete for top honors at the 94th PGA Championship. Kiawah, located 21 miles south of Charleston, will earn the distinct honor of being only the fifth course to host the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup and the Senior PGA Championship. The others are … [Read more...]