by 
By Mark A Leon
Life is beautiful
So beautiful
So beautiful
Every breath inhaling Heaven
Every sunrise a new day
Every sunset a new perspective
through the darkness
Life is beautiful
So beautiful
Come into my vessel
Let's sail away
Discover all we've never known
Discover the moon to the depths
of the deep blue sea
Discover hearts unbroken, dreams fulfilled, individuals with the courage to be different
Discover the taste of the flavors of life
Discover what we have feared for
so long
Discover the beautiful disasters
Throw away all we know and discover
what we can be
Life is beautiful
So beautiful
Life is beautiful
But beyond there is more
Discover the playful exchange of
lovers
The secret smile
The purposeful embrace
Visualize and sketch the scene
What a breathtaking site to see
It is all clear where we need to be
Life is beautiful
So beautiful
Life is beautiful
Come celebrate every awakened
moment with me
Wherever I go
Whatever I see
No matter whether the sun rises
in the East or West
No matter if I'm on land or sea
Sun or clouds
Rain or dessert
My favorite view is always you
Life is beautiful
So beautiful
Life is beautiful
A cinema masterpiece
Made for you and me
Lowcountry
Local Business Spotlight : Charleston Business Owner Creates Gorgeous Shell Necklaces Named After Special Women in her Life
Charleston, S.C.– October 6- Tori Nardone, Founder of The Balancing Effect and Creator of A Toast to Women, has launched She Shells – a jewelry company that celebrates women and the Charleston coast. Her first collection contains 25 unique necklaces made with local shells named for women in her life who inspire her.
The idea spurred when Nardone and her husband started taking their new pup to the IOP beach for off leash hours in September 2020. “I became enamored with picking up pretty shells while we walked, and my husband would giggle and ask what on Earth I would do with all of them. I told him I’d make jewelry out of them one day when I was ready,” said Nardone.
As she collected shells, she noticed that each of them reminded her of a special person in her life. She’d find a speckled shell that made her think of a spunky friend, or she’d find a creamy white shell that made her think of a calming friend. She knew then that each jewelry piece would be named for the person she felt the shell and accompanying beads embodied. And so, She Shells was born. Each piece embodies and tells the story of an extraordinary woman in Nardone’s life. Future collections will tell the stories of more extraordinary women.
After a year of collecting and honing her craft, Nardone officially launched She Shells in September 2021.
“I have always been enthralled by jewelry and the act of accessorizing. I’m a firm believer that the perfect piece can take an outfit from good to great. I also strive to keep a minimal wardrobe, and so I’ve found that having special pieces of jewelry make my repeat outfits feel new and different. My hope is that each piece, whether it be from a set collection or a custom order, makes women feel special, beautiful, and capable of whatever they set their mind to.”
You can shop collection one ($45-$90) at www.sheshellschs.com
Mount Pleasant Local Business Non Disclosure Apparel Donates a Portion of Its Sales in October to Local Nonprofit Share Our Suzy
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – Mount Pleasant-based bra company Non Disclosure Apparel will donate a portion of all bra sales in October to local nonprofit, Share Our Suzy.
Many women love the comfort and style of a bralette, but struggle to find one that is concealing without a lot of bulky padding. Non Disclosure Apparel’s non-padded Elli Bralette has a permanent concealer built into each cup.
Throughout October, 40% of the sale of pink bras and 25% of the sales from all other bras will be donated to Share Our Suzy, which helps breast cancer patients in the Lowcountry cover critical expenses that insurance companies do not, such as transportation, groceries, utility bills, child care, rent/mortgage payments and wigs or prosthetics.
Windi McKeithan, owner of Ragamuffin Children’s Boutique in Mount Pleasant, will match the amount raised by the sale of the Elli Bralettes. If any other Charleston area businesses would like to match the fundraising effort, email becky@ndapparel.com.
Share Our Suzy, a volunteer-run organization based in Mount Pleasant, honors the spirit of Suzy McGrane, a photographer who was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 20s. She ultimately lost her battle with breast cancer when the disease returned in 2004.
Last year as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Non Disclosure Apparel founder Becky Connelly donated 45 bralettes to women undergoing breast cancer treatment at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.
Connelly has heard from several of her customers who are undergoing radiation treatment or surgery that the Non Disclosure Apparel bralette is comfortable and soft on their irritated skin.
“I was really moved by Share Our Suzy’s mission helping breast cancer patients cover critical daily expenses so they can focus on what matters most: fighting their cancer and getting well,” Connelly said. “This is the perfect time to stock up a couple of new concealing bralettes while also supporting women right here in our community as they battle breast cancer.”
Mount Pleasant resident Connelly began developing the bralette in 2014 after spending years searching for her dream bra: lightweight, no padding, no pre-molded cups or underwire, yet still concealing. When she couldn’t find the bra she wanted, she decided to make it herself and started Non Disclosure Apparel, releasing her first bralettes in 2020.
About Non Disclosure Apparel
Many women love the comfort and style of a bralette, but struggle to find one that is concealing without a lot of bulky padding. Non Disclosure Apparel’s non-padded Elli Bralette has a permanent concealer built into each cup so women never have to worry about their nipples showing through their clothing. Becky Connelly started the company in Mount Pleasant in 2014, frustrated by the lack of comfortable, nipple-concealing bras. In 2020, she launched the company’s first product, The Elli Bralette, in three sizes and colors. In May 2021, The Elli Excel style and two new colors were added to the lineup. The bras are seamless, wire-free, non-padded and have a patent-pending concealer inside each cup. For more information, visit www.ndapparel.com.
New Video: Top 5 Attractions in Charleston, SC with Rita Adkins
Join the wonderful Rita Adkins as she shares her Top 5 attractions in Charleston, South Carolina
Do you agree? We’d love to hear your views
Historic Bonny Hall Plantation Sells for $4.75M in Beaufort County
Beaufort County, SC – On October 1, 2021, The historic 86-acre Bonny Hall Plantation exchanged hands for $4,750,000. The c. 1897 Georgian-style main home encompasses 6,000 square feet with five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and one-half bathroom. Two separate guest cottages, a six-stall barn, and a pecan orchard are just a few of the amenities on the extensive grounds.
Originally part of a land grant to Joseph Blake, the Combahee River property richly reflects the area’s history, the influence of its private owners, and the convergence of notable designers. In the 1930s, famed Long Island landscape architect Umberto Innocenti designed the home’s walled garden featuring twelve-foot gates, parterres, specimen camellias, towering live oaks, and terracotta sculptures. Most recently, Glenn Keyes, renowned Charleston-based preservation architect, was enlisted to help the previous owners update the home to modern standards in 2005.
Bonny Hall Plantation was listed by Middleton Rutledge of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty and sold for $100,000 over asking price. The buyer was represented by Todd Crosby at Crosby Land Company. Both agents declined comment.
Serving the Lowcountry for 38 years, Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty has closed over $2 billion in real estate sales, all without litigation. Joining the Sotheby’s International Realty brand in 2007, the company has taken its local market expertise and expanded into the international arena through a close partnership with the Sotheby’s Auction House and a powerful referral network across affiliate offices worldwide.
Property listings from Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty also are marketed on the SothebysRealty.com global web sites, as well as on the firm’s local website, DanielRavenelSIR.com.
Laken Foster – Chief Marketing Officer
Laken@DanielRavenelSIR.com
Lowcountry Native; NBA World Champion; Olympic Gold Medalist Khris Middleton – New celebratory video courtesy of North Charleston
NBA champion and an Olympic gold medalist found his love for the game in North Charleston. We wish continued success for Lowcountry native Khris Middleton!
A Video Look Inside the Luxurious World of Zero George
Take a short video journey with us as we explore the beauty and elegance of Zero George courtesy of Private Upgrades
CARTA to Provide a Safe and Free Connection Across the North Bridge for Cyclists and Pedestrians
ROUTE 32 SERVICE ACROSS BRIDGE WILL DOUBLE IN FREQUENCY
NORTH CHARLESTON (September 22, 2021) – The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority(CARTA) received unanimous board approval for enhancements to Route 32 aimed at bridging the gap for cyclists and pedestrians seeking to cross the North Bridge.
The new initiative will begin October 3, 2021, and will provide free transportation between bus stops on either side of the bridge for both cyclists and pedestrians. In addition, the policy change will allow bicycles on the bus from one side of the bridge to the other for free. In the event that bicycle racks are full, this change allows bicycles to be brought on board the bus in-between stops.
“CARTA is committed to connecting the region by providing safe and reliable transportation to anyone who needs it,” said CARTA Board of Directors Chairman Mike Seekings. “This new offering will help bridge the safety gap that currently exists so that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic ability will be able to safely cross the North Bridge.”
As part of the effort, the service frequency for Route 32 will be doubled, cutting wait times in half. The enhanced service will begin on October 3, 2021, to align with the new accommodations for cyclists and pedestrians, and will occur every half-hour Monday through Saturday, and every hour on Sunday.
Route 32 provides hourly connections between North Charleston and West Ashley via North Bridge, with major stops being the North Charleston Superstop, Ashley Landing Mall, and Citadel Mall. Currently, North Bridge has no pedestrian or cycling amenities.
Data from the South Carolina Department of Transportation from 2014-2017 identified nine pedestrian/bicycle – motor vehicle collisions on the bridge. A further three pedestrian/bicycle – motor vehicle fatalities have occurred since 2018.
“Increasing the frequency of Route 32 and allowing bikes on the 32 bus as needed are important and appreciated steps toward a better, more accessible North Bridge crossing for all,” said Charleston Moves Executive Director Katie Zimmerman. “These improvements will offer more safe crossing opportunities to work, appointments, and visiting family.”
Efforts are underway to bring about needed structural changes to the bridge via the Better North Bridge project. The project is a collaborative effort between Charleston County, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, and Charleston Moves with the goal to bring about a permanent, standalone bike and pedestrian crossing to provide a safe and equitable connection between North Charleston and West Ashley. The project is currently in the study phase.
Full route details and bus tracking will be available in the Transit App, which can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. Riders can also view traffic conditions and municipal information for all area beaches via the Beach Reach app, also available for Apple and Google.
ABOUT CARTA
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority is a public transportation system dedicated to providing affordable transit in the Charleston community through local fixed routes, on-demand paratransit service and express commuter routes. For the latest on CARTA, visit ridecarta.com, like us on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @RideCARTA. All customers are encouraged to plan rides and track buses with the CARTA-endorsed Transit app.
SC Attorney General Awards Grant to Carolina Youth Development Center
CHARLESTON, SC — Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) has been selected by the Office of South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson to receive more than $363,000 in grant funds to support victims of crime, and women who have experienced violence.
Attorney General Wilson will hold a press conference in North Charleston today to honor CYDC and other Lowcoutry grant recipients chosen for funding through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and State Victim Assistance Program (SVAP).
“It is such an honor for CYDC to be chosen by the Office of the Attorney General as a recipient of these funds. We are committed to serving youth and families in crisis and this funding will allow us to continue to provide programs and support for victims, particularly young women who have experienced violence and abuse,” said CYDC CEO, Beverly Hardin.
“Support from community partners like the Office of Attorney General allows us to provide services and support to victims while also expanding programs that can break the cycle of abuse,” she added.
The grants are administered through the South Carolina Department of Crime Victim Assistance Grants (DCVAG). The department’s mission is to enhance South Carolina’s capacity to assist crime victims and to provide leadership in the promotion of justice and healing. Through grant funding, victims can receive services including:
- Victim Advocacy;
- Counseling;
- Residential Shelter;
- Forensic Interviews and Forensic Nurse Examination and;
- Emergency Assistance.
“Women and youth may become victims for a variety of reasons, being able to provide access to support and services in their community, can help put them on the path to recovery and leading successful lives,” said CYDC Board Chair Rita Daily. “Receiving funding support from the Attorney General and the DCVAG helps ensure we are able to open our programs to reach more victims in need of support.”
About Carolina Youth Development Center:Founded in 1790 as the Charleston Orphan House, Carolina Youth Development Center’s mission is to empower and equip our community’s children by providing a safe environment, educational support, and career readiness, in collaboration with families and community partners. Our vision is that all children have loving and stable families and a nurturing community that empowers them to lead successful lives. For more information visit CYDC.org.
New Program Gives Charleston Area Moms a Meal, Care Package, Support
Beyond Delivery Launches Oct. 1, Providing Charleston Area
Moms with a Meal, Care Package, Support
Postpartum Support Charleston partners with
Summerville Medical Center on pilot program
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Postpartum Support Charleston is launching a new program aimed at providing new moms in the Charleston area with basic necessities and support as they head home from the hospital with their infant.
Beyond Delivery launches Oct. 1 in a pilot program with Summerville Medical Center. The first delivery will be made on Oct. 16. New moms can learn more and register for the program at www.ppdsupport.org/beyond-delivery.
Postpartum Support Charleston is thrilled to partner with Summerville Medical Center, which has been a long-time supporter of Postpartum Support Charleston’s work supporting new moms struggling with a maternal mental illness, such as postpartum depression or anxiety.
For almost 30 years, Summerville Medical Center has committed to serving moms and babies with high-quality care close to home. The hospital delivers more than 2,800 babies each year and is one of the largest obstetric programs in South Carolina. In recent years, Summerville Medical Center has opened a new women’s and neonatal tower with 30 private postpartum rooms, 12 labor and delivery rooms, 16-bed Level II Special Care Nursery, high-risk obstetric Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic, and a roster of board-certified physicians specializing in women’s care.
Through the Beyond Delivery program, moms who are discharged from Summerville Medical Center will receive a homemade lasagna, an infant care package with diapers, wipes and butt paste as well as materials about maternal mental health and resources provided by Postpartum Support Charleston. All moms who give birth at Summerville Medical Center are eligible for Beyond Delivery.
“Each day it is an honor to care for expecting moms and their families during the pregnancy journey and beyond,” said Donna Riordan, AVP of Women’s & Children’s Services at Summerville Medical Center. “Maternal mental illness is a critical issue in our community. We are proud to partner with Postpartum Support Charleston to continue caring for new moms after they go home, and to shine a light on the resources and support system available to help mom get back to her active life.”
An estimated 1 in 5 new moms will suffer from a maternal mental illness. In the Charleston tri-county area, that means about 2,000 moms every year will suffer. Lack of basic infant necessities such as diapers and poor social support are risk factors to a new mom. Through this free community program Postpartum Support Charleston aims to alleviate some of these risk factors with care packages and its peer support services.
“Having a new baby can be so overwhelming to a first-time mom, but when you add in a lack of social support and in many cases lack of access to basic necessities, such as diapers, it compounds the situation with more stress and worry,” said Elaine DeaKyne, executive director of Postpartum Support Charleston. “That’s why we’re so excited to launch Beyond Delivery. We want to provide a warm outreach to moms while also allowing us to provide educational materials and support for moms who may be suffering from a maternal mental illness.”
Postpartum Support Charleston received a $5,000 Community Engagement Grant from Postpartum Support International to help fund the launch of the Beyond Delivery program. The grant was awarded to innovative programs that address disparities, bridge gaps in care, or address financial and socioeconomic needs.
Other organizations supporting the program launch are Martin Luther Lutheran Church on James Island, which is offering use of its kitchen for storing prepared meals, and Lasagna Love, which will help coordinate the lasagna preparation with Charleston area volunteer chefs.
In 2022, Postpartum Support Charleston plans to expand Beyond Delivery to other hospitals in the Charleston region.
Anyone can donate to the program or shop an Amazon wishlist of lasagna ingredients and diapers. Learn how to support Beyond Delivery at www.ppdsupport.org/beyond-delivery.
About Postpartum Support Charleston
Founded in 2000, Postpartum Support Charleston is a nonprofit organization that supports mothers across the Charleston tri-county area struggling with maternal mental illness such as postpartum depression and anxiety. Through our extensive moms-for-moms network, connection to diverse mental and physical health expertise and genuine empathy, Postpartum Support Charleston is uniquely positioned to help mothers move into motherhood. For more information, visit www.ppdsupport.org.
About Summerville Medical Center
Summerville Medical Center is a 124-bed, acute-care hospital serving families in Dorchester, Berkeley and surrounding communities for almost 30 years. The hospital has a 24-hour emergency room, including a dedicated ER for children, a wide range of surgical services, and comprehensive medical services. Summerville Medical Center is recognized for its emergency, cardiac, imaging, women’s and pediatric, orthopedic, and stroke services for the growing Summerville Medical Center is part of Trident Health, which has earned recognition as a leader in the delivery of healthcare in the Lowcountry. Trident Health is one of the South Carolina Lowcountry’s largest employers with more than 3,100 employees and has a medical staff of nearly 500 physicians. In 2019 it provided $47 million in uncompensated care and paid $33.5 million in local, state and federal taxes. To learn more about how Trident Health is growing to meet the needs of our growing region and how to join our team go to www.tridenthealthsystem.com.