Lowcountry

Lowcountry

Lowcountry Land Trust Protects 240 Acres Adjacent to Old Sheldon Church Ruins

February 3, 2022 by 0 Comments
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The protection of Sheldon Plantation ensures rural character for popular historic site and state scenic byway in Beaufort County, South Carolina 

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Lowcountry Land Trust (LLT) has announced the permanent protection of 240 acres surrounding one of the most iconic sites in the Lowcountry, the Old Sheldon Church Ruins, a nationally significant historic site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The protected property also fronts on the Old Sheldon Church Road, a State Scenic Byway in Beaufort County, South Carolina, and lies in the ACE Basin, one of the largest intact ecosystems on the East Coast. 

The protection of Sheldon Plantation reinforces the integrity of Beaufort County’s historical, natural, and rural resources, and guarantees that development will never threaten one of the most treasured sites in the Lowcountry. The conservation easement also advances a stated goal of the 2010 Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan to “preserve the outstanding historic, natural, and scenic resources of Old Sheldon Church Road.” 

“The opportunity to protect land in the Lowcountry is an honor in all cases. When the land is adjacent to sites such as Old Sheldon Church, it speaks to the distinct public benefit of conservation easements. I cannot personally imagine anything but native forest and vegetation surrounding this historic landmark, and now it will remain that way in perpetuity because of the landowner’s commitment to protect the property,” commented Ashley Demosthenes, President and CEO, Lowcountry Land Trust. “As coastal South Carolina continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in the country, it is imperative that land is set aside to provide undeveloped, open space that preserves wildlife habitat, mitigates flooding, enhances water quality, buffers historic resources, and so on.” 

Conserving Sheldon Plantation adds to the remarkable mosaic of protected lands in the ACE Basin, a 1.5 million acre watershed recognized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a priority focus area for wildlife,

and national success story of landscape-scale conservation and public-private partnerships. In its 35-year history, the ACE Basin partnership has protected over 300,000 acres of public and private land. The protection of Sheldon Plantation comes during a time of organizational growth for LLT, who officially merged with East Cooper Land Trust (ECLT) on January 1st, 2022. The two organizations joined forces, and continue to operate as LLT, with a revitalized portfolio of protected properties and environmental outreach programs to serve as the premier conservation organization in the Lowcountry. 

“Old Sheldon Church is a local and national treasure,” says Sheldon Plantation owner and easement donor Christine Jacobs. “I am honored and proud to protect this newly acquired portion of Sheldon Plantation, and to be a small part in the larger plan to preserve and protect the Ace Basin. LLT, as a 

group, were not only helpful but a great resource as we sought to protect this land for generations to come. Together with the Parish of St. Helena we share the common goal of protecting this sacred land in perpetuity.” 

Old Sheldon Church was constructed between 1745 and 1755 and was originally known as Prince William’s Parish Church. Centuries later, the building’s outer walls and Greek-inspired pillars remain as a testament to the rich history of the site. The building was burnt by the British during the Revolutionary War, rebuilt in 1826, only to be desecrated again during the Civil War. What remains is a reminder of the history that built the United States and an opportunity for people to experience that history. With the conservation of Sheldon Plantation, the Church will remain in its historical state and the rural character of the area will persist. The property on which the ruins sit is privately owned and managed by the Parish Church of St. Helena in Beaufort. 

The Reverend Shay Gaillard, rector of the Parish Church of St. Helena remarked, “It is a relief to know that the church’s property is stabilized by the protection of the surrounding 240 acres. It is a sacred spot where parishioners and visitors come to worship, or to simply gaze at the historic ruins, and experience the beauty of this space. Generations to come will benefit from the adjacent landowner’s charitable gift of a conservation easement on the surrounding land. Stewardship and conservation of God’s Creation are hallmarks of the Christian life.” 

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About Lowcountry Land Trust Founded in 1986, the Lowcountry Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to honor the relationship between people and land by protecting irreplaceable Lowcountry lands and treasured places. Lowcountry Land Trust has protected over 150,000 acres across 17 counties in South Carolina. More information about Lowcountry Land Trust is available at www.lowcountrylandtrust.org.

Lowcountry

Know the remarkable story of Irena Sendler who saved over 2500 orphaned Jews from Poland during the Holocaust

February 2, 2022 by 1 Comment
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Who Was Irena Sendler?

When the Nazis invaded in 1939, Irena Sendler was a social worker and so had access to the Warsaw Ghetto, where hundreds of thousands of Jews were imprisoned. As a member of Żegota (aka Konrad Żegota Committee, the Council to Aid Jews), she helped rescue 2,500 Jewish children from the ghetto. For her courageous actions during the Holocaust, in 1965, Israel’s Yad Vashem honored her as “Righteous Among the Nations.” Sendler died in Warsaw in 2008.

Early Life

Sendler was born Irena Krzyżanowska on February 15, 1910, in Otwock, Poland. Her parents were members of the Polish Socialist Party, and her father, Stanisław Krzyżanowski was a medical doctor who died of typhus when Sendler was a child. In 1931 Sendler married Mieczysław Sendler, and the couple moved to Warsaw before the outbreak of World War II.

Warsaw Ghetto 

In Warsaw, Sendler became a social worker, overseeing the city’s “canteens,” which provided assistance to people in need. When the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, Sendler and her colleagues also used the canteens to provide medicine, clothing and other necessities to the city’s persecuted Jewish population. In 1940, the Nazis forced Warsaw’s more than 400,000 Jewish residents into a small locked ghetto area, where thousands died every month from disease and starvation. As a social worker, Sendler was able to enter the ghetto regularly to help the residents and soon joined Żegota, the Council to Aid Jews. Putting themselves at great risk, she and about two dozen of her colleagues set out to save as many Jewish children as possible from death in the ghetto or deportation to concentration camps. 

Żegota began by saving Jewish orphans. They had several ways of smuggling them out of the ghetto: Some were carried out in caskets or potato sacks; others left in ambulances or snuck out through underground tunnels. Still others entered the Jewish side of a Catholic church that straddled the ghetto boundary and left on the other side with new identities. Sendler then helped place the children at convents or with non-Jewish families. 

As the situation became more dire for the ghetto’s inhabitants, Sendler went beyond rescuing orphans and began asking parents to let her try to get their children to safety. Although she couldn’t guarantee the children’s survival, she could tell parents that their children would at least have a chance. Sendler kept detailed records and lists of the children she helped buried in a jar. Her plan was to reunite the rescued children and their parents after the war. However, most of the parents did not survive.

On October 20, 1943, the Nazis arrested Sendler and sent her to Pawiak Prison. There they tortured her, trying to get her to reveal the names of her associates. She refused and was sentenced to death. However, Żegota members bribed the prison guards, and Sendler was released in February 1944.

Sendler continued her work until the war ended, by which time she and her colleagues had rescued some 2,500 children. It has been estimated that Sendler personally saved about 400. 

Personal Life

After the war, Sendler’s first marriage ended in divorce. In 1947 she married Stefan Zgrzembski, with whom she had three children, daughter Janka, and sons Andrzej (who died in infancy) and Adam. After the death of Zgrzembski, Sendler remarried her first husband, Mieczysław Sendler, but their reunion didn’t last and they again divorced.

Honors and Awards

In 1965, Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial organization, named Sendler as Righteous Among the Nations for her work saving Jewish children. In 2003, Poland honored her with its Order of the White Eagle. In 2008, Sendler was nominated for (but did not win) a Nobel Peace Prize. The story of her life was also captured in a 2009 TV movie The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, which starred Anna Paquin in the title role. 

Death

Sendler died on May 12, 2008, in Warsaw, Poland, at the age of 98.    

Let us never forget Irena’s courage and strength

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Food & Bev - Lowcountry

Charleston Wine Co. Grand Opening set for Friday, February 4, 2022 – The City’s First Urban Winery

February 2, 2022 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, SC – February 2, 2022 – Charleston’s first and only urban winery, Charleston Wine Co., will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, February 4 at 2 p.m. The location at 63 S. Market Street will bring globally-sourced grapes from the best wine-making regions of the world to the Holy City. 

At the helm of Charleston Wine Co. is attorney-turned-winemaker Lindsey Williams, who launched Davidson Wine Co. in 2018 in the suburbs of Charlotte. Lindsey is proud to be a part of the 1% of winery owners who are African American. A native of Ohio, Lindsey’s journey is as exceptional and varied as her wines. 

“I’ve admired the city of Charleston for many years and couldn’t be more thrilled to bring the urban winery concept to the Holy City,” said Williams. “We’re looking forward to providing locals and visitors alike with a variety of unique wines and local bites in a warm atmosphere.”

Charlotte, NC- January 27th 2021 – Libdsey William and her Wine restaurant. Photographed in Charlotte, NC on January 27 2021. Photo by Peter Taylor

Charleston Wine Co.’s menu includes over a dozen wines, each with a nod to the Lowcountry such as Market Street, an Italian Nebbiolo, Gullah Geechee, a crisp and refreshing white with sweet and nutty flavors, and Sweetgrass, a delicate Riesling with floral aromas. To pair with their wine menu, Charleston Wine Co. will offer charcuterie and dessert options from CHS Coastal Charcuterie. 

The innovative winery will also offer membership to the City Sippers Wine Club, providing customers with their choice of either two bottles every month, or six bottles quarterly, for delivery or curbside pickup downtown. Each bottle bundle comes complete with tasting notes and suggested food pairings. City Sippers also receive a 10% discount in-store, as well as access to exclusive wine tastings and VIP events. Charleston Wine Co. also offers shipping to most states, perfect for out-of-town guests. 

Charleston Wine Co. will be open 12-9 p.m. Sunday – Wednesday and 12-10 p.m. Thursday – Saturday. 

Lowcountry - Mount Pleasant, SC - Real Estate

The Cassina Group Ends 2021 as the Best Year on Record with $586M in Closed Sales

January 31, 2022 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, S.C. — It was a record-breaking year for Charleston’s innovation-driven real estate company, The Cassina Group. The boutique firm, with only 42 Realtors, closed more than $586 million in sales during 2021.  

This is the highest annual sales volume ever recorded for the company and represents a 52% increase over their unprecedented 2020 sales volume. The company closed 619 transactions in 2021, helping many clients throughout the Lowcountry.

“We are so thankful to our customers and clients who entrusted us with one of their biggest financial decisions over this past year,” said Owen Tyler, managing broker and partner of The Cassina Group. “Our Realtors are the best in Charleston, and in this competitive real estate market, it is essential to have a premier agent working on your behalf.”

The company, known for its cutting-edge marketing techniques and high-touch service, works with buyer and seller clients throughout Charleston. The Cassina Group again ended the year as the leading boutique firm in Charleston for properties $500,000+, $1 million+ and $2 million+.

More than 25% of the company’s transactions were recorded at $1 million or higher, with significant sales in downtown Charleston, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Hobcaw Point, Old Village, Kiawah Island, and The Crescent.  
Some notable sales include:

  • 147 Flyway Drive, Kiawah Island (one of the highest priced back-flag lots ever sold on the island, which closed for $11,650,000 with Robertson Allen representing the seller).
  • 2411 Atlantic Ave., Sullivan’s Island (an oceanfront home that sold for $6,850,000 with Robertson Allen representing both the buyers and sellers).
  • 2508 Atlantic Ave., Sullivan’s Island (which closed for $4,713,000 with Jimmy Dye representing the buyers).
  • 4001 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms (which closed for $4,250,000 with Jason Ogden representing the sellers).
  • 106 Charleston Blvd., Isle of Palms (which closed for $4,350,000 with Meghan Webster representing the sellers).
  • 212 Wandolea Drive, Mount Pleasant (a waterfront home in Hobcaw Point that sold for $4,950,000 with Laura Rembert representing the buyers).
  • 734 Pitt St., Mount Pleasant (a custom Old Village home that closed for $4,200,000 with Jimmy Dye representing the sellers and Will Prendergast representing the buyers).

For more information on The Cassina Group, visit www.CassinaGroup.com.

About The Cassina Group
The Cassina Group is a boutique real estate brokerage with offices in Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Charleston, S.C. The firm is managed by Owen Tyler, partner and managing broker, and founding partners Jimmy Dye and Robertson Allen. Recent awards include top honors from Charleston Magazine, Inc. 5000, T3 Sixty and SC Biz News. For more information, visit www.CassinaGroup.com or call 843-628-0008.

Photo credit is Keen Eye Marketing

Lowcountry

Queen Street Hospitality Group Establishes College of Charleston Scholarship Benefitting Hospitality Students

January 28, 2022 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, SC – Queen Street Hospitality Group proudly announces the establishment of an endowed fund to provide scholarships to students involved in hospitality and tourism management in the School of Business at the College of Charleston. 

The annual scholarship is a celebration of the retirement of Charleston culinary community icon, Steve Kish. Kish is the proud owner of 82 Queen, Florence’s Lowcountry Kitchen and Jalisco Taqueria & Tequila. As a founding member of the American Culinary Federation, a Charleston Restaurant Association Board member, and a Taste of Charleston and Lowcountry Oyster Festival Chairman, Kish has passionately served the restaurant community for 40 years, and now looks forward to awarding a deserving student with a similar passion for the industry. 

“To see my life’s work celebrated by the development of this scholarship is a true honor,” said Kish. “I’m humbled to have had such a successful and longstanding career in Charleston’s ever-evolving culinary scene, and to be able to propel the next generation of culinary professionals forward brings it all full circle.”

Fitting seamlessly into the vibrant hospitality and tourism industry of the city, College of Charleston’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program is committed to providing students with a high-quality, comprehensive hospitality management education with applied opportunities throughout the community.  

“I would like to thank Steve Kish for making a difference in the lives of our hospitality students,” said  Alan T.  Shao, Dean of the College of Charleston School of Business. “His meaningful generosity illustrates how intertwined the School of Business is with the business community, and we are grateful for the opportunities it awards our students.”

The first recipient of the Queen Street Hospitality Group scholarship will be named in Fall 2022. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need as determined by the College of Charleston Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Office and Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA), and those who are working in the restaurant industry while attending college. The recipient will be selected by the scholarship committee in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management based on the outlined criteria. Students can apply via the Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS).

“Because of Steve’s support, students will be able to fully immerse themselves in a guest-focused destination education where academics, community and industry meet in a unique way. I congratulate Steve on his retirement and thank him for paying it forward with our students,” said Brumby McLeod, Chair of the Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

Lowcountry

Don’t Blink Now..Life is happening (You may cry)

January 26, 2022 by 0 Comments
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“Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away. Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away”
– Elderly Woman Behind a Counter in a Small Town – Pearl Jam

I was walking the beach one evening. The air was crisp, the waves crashed in the distance and the reflection of the stars off the face of the ocean created a mystical light show reinforcing the wonder that is all around us.
It was in the moment, deep in thought that I reminded myself of the importance of perception. We all have good and bad in our lives. It is those that can soak the positive energy that feel the presence of true happiness. We all have the ability to feel the goodness of a warm breeze and the scent of fresh lilacs. When we are overpowered by the negative, we often fall into an abyss which we cannot return from. I enjoy swimming in the positive.Advertisements

In all the frailty of existence we must continue to take advantage of this gift of life. To often we exhibit behaviors of greed, addiction, laziness, routine and denial instead of embracing the endless path of adventure knocking on our door. 

Each breathe is a miracle.
Every step is the beginning of a new journey.

Life is as fragile as a bird in flight guided by the freedom of the wind but subject to the poisons that surround us. As we grow, we become aware of our senses and capabilities and begin the journey that will create a unique path that will be looked back upon for generations to come. Others will learn from the choices we make. Our pathway is a personal adventure of discovery, one that will force us to make decisions that will shape the next move in the chess game of life.


Our very being is a shelter for mind, body and soul, protected from the elements but aware of the piercing pain the thorns can inflict. This being will be forever etched never to be forgotten. 

How often are you asked the question “What are you skills?” whether that is on a date, an interview, in casual discussion or in a personal moment of reflection. As we are raised, our mental capacities become more aware of our surroundings and capabilities. Like superheroes, we start to see areas of excellence that sets us apart from one another. Once we have discovered these gifts, we have a duty to utilize them for good. No good for ourselves alone but the good we can bestow on others and the legacy we leave as our footsteps are washed away by the oceans powerful waters.

In the blink of an eye, life begins

Crawling across the room, falling and laughing
Building a fort out of a cardboard box
Playing on the swings
Going to camp and leaving your parents for the first time
The innocence and passion of the first kiss
Hitting the game winning shot in the State Championship in front of a thousand screaming fans
Holding up that diploma with pride and seeing your family weep in tears of happiness
Sitting up at 2 AM writing a paper and feeling the pressure of responsibility
Making decisions about your future for the first time
First day on the job
The grief of watching a loved one lowered into the ground
Falling in love
Declaring forever your dedication to the person you will spend all eternity with
Welcoming a new life into this world as you looking into the baby blues of your newborn
Watching your children run around the house
Waving them off to school for the first time
Watching the car pull away as they begin the next phase of their lives
Sitting on the rocking chair, sipping ice tea and remembering why you fell in love in the first place.
Watching the setting sun…

Life is a dream.
It is a series of opportunities to make imagination a reality
It gives you the potential to reach for the stars or lay under them with someone you love

Don’t forget to dance…The music is all around you.

Lowcountry

10 Fastest Growing Cities in the United States – New Video

January 24, 2022 by 0 Comments
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Travel Planner has created a video around the massive population shift.

Here are the 10 fast growing cities in the United States

Where does Charleston fall on the list?

10 – Charlotte, North Carolina

9 – Phoenix, Arizona

8 – Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas

7 – San Antonio, Texas

6 – Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida

5 – Houston, Texas

4 – Charleston, South Carolina

3 – Orlando, Florida

2 – Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

1 – Austin, Texas

Lowcountry

To all the Charleston moms: It was always you; my child, my new hope – Original Poem

January 24, 2022 by 0 Comments
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By Mark A. Leon

Let your heart be your guide
Its an unspoken truth led by the power of the soul
It is a journey unexpected; undiscovered
Often unfulfilled

I know you
I always have
A shining light; an evening star

Born to shine
That is what we saw looking into your eyes
A glimmer of wonder
A prayer for the future

You carry us with you in that pouch of rainbows and smiles

As you look behind, I see independence more powerful than the wind
A child no more
The force of a hurricane
The gentleness of a flower showered by a morning mist
As beautiful as a bed of roses in an open field
You are but a natural wonder created from the heavens

We can teach no more; nor have we taught at all
We learned from each other
In sickness and health; tears and laughter; triumph and defeatAdvertisements

We saw a world together from coast to coast, cheek to cheek

I can’t imagine my journey without you
You bore my second chance
Gave me hope when I lost my way

Somehow you knew
Without the ability to walk or talk, you knew

It was always you
Every day; in every way
It was always you

You will always be the rainbow penetrating grey skies
A warm ray energy intensifying this beating heart

Go on now
Go on and don’t look back
Be infinite leaving footprints in the sand

Lowcountry - North Charleston, SC

Top National Balloon Company to Open Doors in Prime North Charleston Location – Balloon Therapy Charleston

January 24, 2022 by 0 Comments
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Balloon Therapy, the nation’s premier balloon installation and event company, has announced that it will be opening the doors of its newest location in North Charleston, South Carolina, at 3125 Ashley Phosphate Road, Suite 118. The grand opening will begin at 10:00AM on February 1st.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your party or event with a dramatic balloon garland, stand out from the crowd with our signature 5’ tall metal balloon numbers, brighten someone’s day with a fully-customizable unique balloon bouquet, or simply stand out with some of our memorable 36” accent balloons, Balloon Therapy Charleston is sure to quickly become the Lowcountry’s go-to for special events!

“We are so excited to use our fun, different, edgy displays to bring joy and excitement to our customers here in our city. After all, who doesn’t want a unique and memorable badass display at their event or party?”
– Chad Woods, Owner of Balloon Therapy Charleston

That past two years have been challenging for all of us to say the least as we had no choice but to pivot into the land of Zoom meetings, virtual education and FaceTime visits with our loved ones. But there’s a party at the end of the tunnel in the form of fun live events and memorable in-person celebrations. And it’s filled with balloons!

About Balloon Therapy
Balloon Therapy is a Dallas, TX-based company with franchise locations across the country, the newest being in our very own North Charleston. For all inquiries, please visit BalloonTherapyChs.com or contact Chad Woods, owner, directly at chad@balloontherapychs.com.

Lowcountry

For all the Charleston Lovers: The Heaven I Found in You – Original Poem

January 23, 2022 by 0 Comments
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By Mark A Leon

My love lays silently waiting for my kiss in the darkness

A wind blows the light on the windowsill waking up the moonlight and exposing the silouette of my baby resting; a sight for these sore well traveled eyes

Heavy and old, now light and free at the dim sight the rests before me

I stay hypnotized
Frozen to the beauty by my side
Words void in this moment of reunion
Each one a new beginning

My words and songs are my own reminder of how much I miss her by my side
They are for me
The audience is a humble distraction

Someday others will know the heaven I already found in you

My love
My inspirational force nestled inside

I close these weary eyes to hear the harmony of your breath echo off the satin pillows massaging the wavy hair to your side

I still feel the fire burning inside as I counted the hours, minutes, seconds I’d return and the flames would subside

I’m home now
Under these sheets I’ll slide
The touch of your skin
The longing to be inside

Heaven is warm
Heaven is safe
Heaven is a reminder to thank the moments you are by my side