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Since May 2007

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CHARLESTON SC
PERMIT NO 437
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Volume 10 Issue 3

May 20, 2016

FREE

BIFMC raises
$172,000 at
golf fundraiser
TOURNAMENT
HELD AT CASSIQUE
GOLF COURSE
BY ARIELLE ALPINO
For The Island Connection

Island women build


hope and a home
Kiawahs Women Build contingent: Front: Joyce Nothwang, Deb Rowland, Nancy Johnson,
Joan Collar, Barbara Pilecki, Wendy Kulick. Middle: Mary Conroy, Doreen Chapman, Karen
Lombardo, Rebecca Hinkle. Back: Betsy Feldman, Allison Lang, Lynne Parsons

BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

omen Build is a group comprised of nearly 200


women from the Lowcountry who are committed to
the mission of creating A world where everyone has
a decent place to live. They spend a week each year building a
house for someone who doesnt. The group completed its sixteenth
contribution last month as part of its voluntary commitment to
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity.
Gray, sometimes drizzly weather over the course of the project
wasnt helpful, but didnt dampen participation; Banner Hughes
led 12 hearty souls from Seabrook, Diane Lehder and Wendy
Kulick rallied 18 from Kiawah, and Fire Chief Colleen Walz
brought most of the office staff from the Saint Johns Fire District.
Cathy Pumphrey, one of ten first time volunteers from
Kiawah, was amazed at how even inexperienced people could
collaborate to put up a building.
You [get] up early, drive to the site and are awed by the

Summer Concert & Cinemas

Page5

building in progress, she said. You meet the buyer who stands
with you as they line you up and start describing the jobs to
choose from; climbing ladders, measuring, sawing, caulking. So
you wait to volunteer hoping the next task will be something you
can safely do. Then, you get into your job, and hit your thumb
with the hammer, hard, twice. But no one notices. They are all
building.
2016 was a year of firsts, apparently. Chief Walz is the
first woman to manage SJFD and this was the first year the
organization as a whole participated in Women Build (she had
participated herself previously). She indicated hammer and
heels related jokes were rampant in the days before the event. I
thought my controller was going to show up in her heels because
she is never without them, but Ramona showed up in more

Women Build continues on page 5

Chilli Cook Off

Page 6

ongtime Johns Island resident


Wayne Dubose credits Barrier
Islands Free Medical Clinic, a
non-profit organization that provides
free health care to uninsured, low
income adults who live or work on Johns,
Wadmalaw and James Islands, with
saving his life. Approximately two years
ago, Dubose could barely walk through
the doors of BIFMC. His legs were cold
and blue. Without health insurance, he
was unable to seek the medical care he
desperately needed to treat his condition.
At BIFMC, he was diagnosed with
peripheral vascular disease that was
preventing oxygen to his legs. The medical
professionals at BIFMC coordinated
surgery for stent placement, saving the
use of both legs. The Clinic arranged
heart catheterization and a stress test for
Dubose, leading to hospitalization and
an additional stent being placed in his
heart. Today, Dubose is healthy and he
continues to receive free medical care
from the clinic to control his hearts
strength, all of which is fully funded
through generous community donations,
grants and fundraisers.
The largest fundraiser is the Celebrity
Golf Invitational, held this year on April
25, 2016 at Kiawah Island Clubs Cassique
golf course. The ninth annual tournament
raised $172,000 for the clinic, which
will support more than 2,800 patient
care visits. The proceeds will provide
operational costs for BIFMC, which cares
for more than 4,000 patients and averages
300 monthly visits.
We cannot express our appreciation

BIFMC continues on page 7

Costume Change

Page 8

May 20, 2016

civic

Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com
Jennifer Tuohy
managing editor
jennifer@luckydognews.com
Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Alejandro Ferreyros
graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Ralph Secoy
contributing photographer
Staff Writers
Gregg Bragg
Contributors
Sarah Wittenauer
Arielle Alpino
Ashley Brady
Carol Antman
Jessie Bagley
Stephanie Braswell
Sandra Nikolajevs
Martha Zink
Ali Holliday

Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: May 25
for submissions for the
June 3 Issue
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of
Lucky Dog News or its writers.

The Island
Connection

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC


Publishers of Island Eye News,
The Island Connection,

Town of Kiawah May 2016 council


meeting report
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

Citizens Comments

Kiawahs town council meeting got an


early start May 3, 2016. There had been a
public hearing scheduled 30 minutes prior
to the council meeting which was over far
more quickly than the time allotted. The
suggestion to follow Seabrooks example
of scheduling non-controversial hearings
closer to the scheduled start of council
meetings was made while everyone
waited. Those on the neighboring spend
less time waiting and if the public hearing
runs long and delays the start of council,
its because residents are talking about
what matters to them, creating a win/win.
Two sets of minutes were approved when
the council meeting did start, and the first
round of citizens comments began.
Kiawah resident Wendy Kulick was
first in line.
The minutes from the last council
meeting reflect the Mayors response
regarding the towns lack of involvement
regarding Kiawah Island Utilitys stock
transfer. My recollection was different,
so I checked and my memory
served me correctly. In 2012, the Town
intervened regarding KIUs request for a
determination regarding internal transfer
of stock.
Since the town has previously
intervened regarding an internal stock
transfer, why would it not do so again?
Property owners look to the Town to
protect our interests regarding the Utility.
The town has previously asked the Public
Service Commission to permit the Towns
intervention out of time or after the
filing deadline. I urge council to do so
again. Since the stock transfer was never
presented to the PSC, I dont believe it
was a legitimate action for the Utility to
take.
At the April Ways & Means
Committee meeting, Kiawah Partners

requested support from the town for


its Party in the Park over Thanksgiving
weekend, which cost them $330,000 last
year. KP indicated they would ask the
town, the Kiawah Island Community
Association and the Resort to contribute a
quarter of the total cost, with KP picking
up the remaining quarter W&M voted
to recommend contributing $50,000 to
Party in the Park. I would like to reiterate
my suggestion that the town reject KPs
request. Yesterday, I urged KICA not to
provide any funds [and argued] I do not
pay my assessment for it to be used to
support a commercial real estate activity.
If KP believes this is a worthwhile event,
they should fund it themselves.
Thanks to Dorota [town treasurer]
for doing such a good job preparing the
budget, continued Kulick. I know I
have asked before, but the salary line does
not reflect the individuals who earn more
than $50,000 per year. This is information
which could be made public.
Regarding overpayments to employees
Kulick added, When the Mayor
announced the alleged improprieties
of the former town administrator and
former town treasurer, he said the town
was not in the business of providing
loans to employees. By allowing the four
[other] town employees to repay monies
owed with no interest over a three-year
period, isnt providing loans exactly what
the town is doing? Where in the budget
are these repayments reflected?

New Business

The lack of old business gave way to


new business and a first reading of the
2016-2017 fiscal year budget. The trouble
with budgets is all the financial detail,
where the devil typically resides, and a
review is necessarily protracted. Residents
are encouraged to conduct their own
analysis by getting a copy from town hall

and/or eventually on-line. Some of the


highlights of the lengthy debate included:
General approval of another $90,000
for the car show committee (co-chaired by
council member Wilson and KICA board
chair Bruce Stemerman).
General disapproval of adding 1-2
employees to assist with communications.
Councilmember Mary Johnson was vocal
in her support of this, arguing the lack of
an advertising budget made the position
essential. Wilson said he didnt want to
be tempted to fill any empty space at the
new municipal center, saying weve done
without it for this long [why is it a priority
now]. This point ping ponged for quite
a while
Councilmember
Weaver
argued
anything in the budget denoted as a place
holder should be taken out because,
all too often, they were forgotten and
ultimately included.
The $200,000 cap on charitable
donations was reduced by the amount
normally given to the conservancy. This
also produced a drawn-out debate. The
conservancy would continue to receive
funding similar to past budgets but be paid
from different buckets, due to the research
they conduct. Other charities would also
receive similar funding but from the same
charitable donations allotment.
Again, residents are encouraged to
review the budget for areas of particular
interest and present their ideas to council.
The budget will be taken up again at the
next W&M committee meeting (check
website) and next months town council
meeting (June 6), keeping in mind that
changes get more difficult as time passes.
The next two items of new business
involved settling the McGill lawsuit. For
the sake of review, the case charged that
FOIA had been violated in the run up to
buying land for the new municipal center,

K iawah Island Town H all


21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9166
Planning Commission Fax: 768-4764
June 1, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Seabrook Island Town H all

Civic Calendar
Town of Kiawah
Ways and Means
Committee Meeting
Tues, May 24, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Arts and Cultural
Events Council Meeting
Thurs, June 2, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Town Council
Meeting
Tues, June 7, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Planning Commission
Meeting
Wed, June 8, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Planning Commission
Meeting
Wed, June 8, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Communications
Committee Meeting
Tues, June 14, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Public Safety
Committee Meeting
Wed, June 15, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Town of Seabrook
Town Council
May 24, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Ways & Means


June 21, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Town Council
June 28, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

2001 Seabrook Island Road


Seabrook Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9121
Fax: 768-9830
Email: lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org

Johns Island Council


Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric
Co-op located at 3351 Maybank Hwy, Johns
Planning Commission Island.
July 6, 2:30 p.m.
Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
Seabrook Town Hall
Ways & Means
July 19, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Town Council
July 26, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Charleston County Council


4045 Bridge View Dr, N. Charleston
958-4700
City of Charleston
75 Calhoun St.
724-3745

May 20, 2016

civic

employees had been overpaid and the


town had violated its own procurement
ordinances. Both measures were passed
unanimously but councilmember Wilson
commented the town had needlessly
spent $40,000 defending itself from the
lawsuit, which could have been spent on
other things. The comment is potentially
interesting given the signed agreements
in which both parties agreed to release
each other from any and all allegations.
Wilsons comment would be chum in
the waters of the next round of citizens
comments.
The final act of new business was a
motion to amend the communications
committee
charter.
Basically,
councilmember Weaver wanted to
dissolve the committee and allow it to
continue without council oversight.
Councilmember Johnson pushed back
hard and often on the move, wondering
why the change was necessary. The debate
went on for some time, and it wasnt
possible to pinpoint who muttered oh for
gods sake. However, Weaver insisted the
committee would continue to function,
potentially better, without his oversight.
The measure passed unanimously, despite
the rumpus.

Committee Reports

Finance committee: Wilson met with


Wells Fargo representatives who informed
him the town could get the loan they
needed for the new Municipal Campus.
Audit committee: Wilson said most
of the controls suggested by the forensic
auditor had been put in place, leaving
only a few things left to implement.
Mary Johnson said the environmental
committee reported discovery of 2 bobcat
dens with 2 kittens each, and Arts Council
would wind down for the year with the oft
reported pair of Piccolo Spoleto events.
The town administrator said salaries
for employees making less than $50,000
would be reported and those making
more than $50,000 would be represented
by a range possibly on the Municipal
Association of South Carolinas website.
She also said council had been invited to
a MASC sponsored meeting of elected
officials to be held at Charleston Place in
July. She seemed excited by the prospect
and was awaiting instructions.
The mayor reported on the ground
breaking ceremony for the new Municipal
Center held earlier in the day.

Citizens
round)

Comments

(second

Dennis McGill wasted no time


taking umbrage with an earlier comment
Wilson had made about the costs the
town incurred as a result of his lawsuit.
McGill felt his suit had cut a path to
open, candid transactions, and public
indications of what goes on in this town.
As McGill continued his comments, he
was told his time was up, but not without
some rather heated comments delivered
by councilmember Wilson and Labriola.
You are disingenuous as hell. If you
thought the town had done something
wrong, you should have followed through
on your case, said the latter.
The towns attorney, meanwhile stood
up behind the dais and was shouting at
McGill above what had descended into
a fray. You said you were just doing
this as a hobby, he said. The counselor
then moved rapidly around the rooms
perimeter and through the aisles, talking
loudly and looking for support from
audience members.
Kiawah resident Roger Warren,

President of The Kiawah Island Golf


Resort brought the ruckus to a conclusion
by making his own comments. He said
the resort had no plans to fund any part
of KPs Party in the Park which he, too,
characterized as a private, for profit event.
Warren went on to say this was the first
he had heard about KIGR contributing to
Party in the Park. Warren also expressed
concern about the budget process and
what he called community money,
saying the funds belonged to all of us and
should reflect what the entire community
wants.
Kiawah resident Mike Shalosky spoke
next. The town had recently decided
to insource construction permitting
and inspection functions previously
outsourced to SafeBuilt. Shalosky advised
caution, reminding town officials they
would be 100 percent responsible and
asked if the town had done any risk
management [impacts of sick leave,
vacation, hit by a bus, and necessary
contingency planning].There are only
three people and thats a lot of liability,
warned Shalosky.
Wendy Kulick was back for the second
round. The town had indicated it would
request meetings with Charleston County
[Council] Chair Elliott Summey, Kiawahs
representative on CCC Joe Qualey, and
others to discuss the roads situation in
the County, she said. Have any meetings
been scheduled and/or held?
Mayor Lipuma responded saying
Seabrook mayor Ron Ciancio had initiated
the meeting request with a letter signed
by Kiawah representatives. However, said
Lipuma, Mayor Ciancio had failed to
include Johns Island CCC representative
Anna Johnson in his request and the
whole thing had fallen apart as a result of
the oversight.
Kulick then reminded Lipuma he shad
previously said he would direct the towns
attorney to contact the U.S. Attorney to
find out why no action has been taken
against the former town administrator and
former town treasurer about their alleged
embezzlement of funds from the town.
Has the towns attorney met with the
U.S. Attorney yet? Kulick asked.
Lipuma also responded to this
question saying the towns attorney had
not received any information. The towns
attorney said he was considering a letter
to Congressman Sanford to move things
off the dime.
Kiawah resident Cathy Pumphrey
wrapped up citizens comments by saying
how refreshing it was to get answers from
the town.
There being no further business and
no executive session, the meeting was
adjourned.

May 20, 2016

civic

daily

Air ambulance memberships


available for Kiawah residents

OLMCO hires new


director of development

BY SARAH WITTENAUER

May 20, 2016

daily

For The Island Connection

iawah Island, South Carolina, has


entered into an agreement with
Meducare Air for a county-wide
membership coverage.
Meducare Air is a participating
provider in the AirMedCare Network,
the largest air ambulance membership
network in the United States. AirMedCare
Network participating providers have
more than 245 air medical bases across 32
states, providing air ambulance services
for residents who suffer a life- or limbthreatening illness or injury.
In the event an insured Kiawah Island
resident is flown by Meducare Air, or
any AirMedCare Network participating

provider, for a life- or limb-threatening


emergency from within Charleston
County South Carolina, that AMCNparticipating air medical service will
work with the benefits provider to
secure payment for the flight. Whatever
the patients benefits provider pays is
considered payment in full. Even with
medical insurance, an air medical
transport may leave patients and their
families with unexpected out-of-pocket
expenses. If the resident transported
is uninsured at the time of transport,
Med-Trans Corporation will bill the
covered person at the Medicare Allowable
Rate for the transport.
Kiawah Island residents may also
take advantage of upgrading to a full
AirMedCare Network Membership at a
discounted rate, to gain full coverage with
no pickup location or insurance coverage
restrictions.
For questions about membership in
the AirMedCare Network program,
call 800.793.0010 or visit www.
airmedcarenetwork.com.
Locally,
AirMedCare
Network
Membership
Manager Wes McAden can be reached at
843.708.6192 or Wes.McAden@amgh.us.

Women Build continues from cover

Michelle Boudet joined Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services in March
2016. She is originally from Kansas, but has called Charleston home for the past 10
years. Michelle brings 11 years of nonprofit experience with her and is fluent in Spanish
and French. She received her BA from the University of Kansas in French. Having spent
significant time in Central America and Europe, Michelle brings a unique perspective to
her role and works well in diverse environments.

appropriate shoes, Walz said.


There were plenty of firsts among
the Seabrook contingent as well. Banner
Hughes said the group from Seabrook got
an early start and was treated to beautiful
weather.
Twelve women from Seabrook worked
on Saturday, April 9. The day was perfect
and great camaraderie was illustrated by
two mother-daughter teams. It was the
first day of the project and we were happy
to get two walls up and two ready to go,
she said. We used a lot of muscle, were all
a little sore the next day and learned as we
went, getting pretty efficient by the end of
the day. We were sorry the day was over.
According to Hughes, the local chapter
of Habitat for Humanity is among the
most active and productive in the country,

building as many as 30 or more homes per


year.
There are plenty of volunteer
opportunities available whenever you
are, so call! she said. However, Hughes
saved her most effusive praise to describe
working side by side with the property
owner.
We were blessed by the presence of
Kimberly Gaillard, the lady who will live
in this house and [her neighbor] who will
be living in the house next door, also in
the very early stages of construction. They
were putting in some of their 'sweat' time
and getting to know each other as well,
said Hughes.
There are plenty of requirements for
receiving a house from Habitat. Recipients
have to be drug free and employed, for
example, and they must contribute to the
construction of their house. The gesture
on the part of Gaillard to join in the fun
builds a rapport with volunteers who get
to see, first hand, they arent just building
a house, they are manufacturing HOPE.
The volunteers from Kiawah included;
Pat Baker, Joan Collar, Rose Marie
Comeau, Mary Conroy, Betsy Feldmann,
Nancy Johnson, Wendy Kulick, Allison
Lang, Diane Lehder, Karen Lombardo,
Diana Mezzanotte, Joyce Nothwang,
Lynne Parsons, Barbara Pilecki, Cathy
Pumphrey, Deb Rowland, Eileen
VanHorn and Phyllis Wills.
The Volunteers from Seabrook were;
Banner Hughes, Charlotte Moran,
Caroline Devons, Catherine Skully, Kathy
Ciarlante, Susan Lord, Tehan Skully,
Louanne Simpson, Anne Smith, Susan
Colatsky, Macky Farber and Liz Devons.

daily

Freshfields Village hosts


Summer Concert and
Starlight Cinema series

BY ASHLEY BRADY

For The Island Connection

reshfields Village kicks off the


summer season with its annual
Summer Concert Series on May
27, 2016. The Memorial Day Weekend
celebration is a free event, with two
nights of live music on the Village Green.
Fridays performance will feature Swingin
Richards, a high energy band playing all
the classics from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy a mix of
rock and blues by Tullamore Road, on
both Friday and Saturday night.
The annual Starlight Cinema on the

Village Green begins June 1 and runs


through August 31, 2016. Starting at 8:30
p.m., enjoy a free movie every Wednesday
throughout the summer season. The series
will kick off with the family box office hit,
Free Willy. Beach chairs and blankets are
encouraged for both events.
Both series take place on the grounds
of Freshfields Village at 445 Freshfields
Drive. More information can be found at
freshfieldsvillage.com or Facebook.com/
FreshfieldsVillage

Chili cook off brings home


the bacon for Backpack Buddies

May 20, 2016

PHOTOS BY TERESA HILL

The results of the fabulous fundraising effort of the Bohicket Backpack Buddies Chili
Cook, held Saturday, March 19, 2016, are in. According to event organizer and The
Ice Cream Boat owner, Todd Gerhart, the event raised over $18,600 for the children of
Frierson, Angel Oak and Mount Zion elementaries, and Haut Gap middle school who
participate in the Backpack buddies program.
The program provides healthy food for children to take home from school on Fridays,
to ensure they have adequate nutrition over the weekend. It costs $195 a year to fund a
child to receive a backpack of food.
Over one thousand people attended the event, which featured a chili contest and live
music from a six piece band.

May 20, 2016

BIFMC continues from cover


and thanks enough for the numerous
sponsors, donors and golfers who
participated in the Barrier Islands Free
Medical Clinics golf invitational, said
Dr. Jim Hayes, Chairman of the Board
and Volunteer Doctor. These past eight
years have seen remarkable growth for
the clinic, all centered around serving our
communitys needs.
The tournament attracted 90 golfers,
as well as 90 sponsors and donors. A
cocktail hour, silent auction, buffet
dinner and awards ceremony followed
the tournament. During the event, there
were additional opportunities to donate
to the clinic, including prize contests for
putting, holes in one, closest to the pin
and longest drive.
Sponsors for the 2016 BIFMC
Celebrity Golf Invitational include
Kiawah Island Real Estate, Town of
Kiawah Island, Bauer Advising, Lien,
Karen & Scott Hutchinson, Ed & Tracy
Shehab, Claneil Foundation, Robert &
Linda Fetch, Drs. Scott & Colleen Parker
and Roper St. Francis, among others.
Kiawah Island Club was proud to
host and sponsor the annual BIFMC golf
tournament on Cassique, said Townsend

daily

Clarkson, Chief Operating Officer for


Kiawah Partners. We are thrilled with
the amount raised for the organization
and the event was a great way to connect
our community around an important
mission.
Since opening its doors in 2008,
BIFMC has provided more than 31,000
free medical office visits to the deserving
residents in the community who may not
have otherwise been able to see a doctor.
Now, eight years later the clinics grown
rather significantly BIFMC has 35
volunteer doctors, 26 volunteer nurses and
more than 45 administrative volunteers.
BIFMC provides healthcare options to
the estimated 22 percent of residents on
Johns, Wadmalaw and James Islands who
live 200 percent below the Federal Poverty
level and cannot pay for health insurance.
The clinic provides free primary care
and urgent care, including lab tests and
imaging. BIFMC helps patients address
their medical needs treating everything
from a common cold to chronic diseases,
including
diabetes,
hypertension,
coronary disease and depression.
Doctors, nurses, interpreters, diabetic
meters and strips, lab tests and x-rays
(in-kind donation from Roper St. Francis
Healthcare) are free for all patients. In

addition, medicine is taken care of by


the clinic. While each visit is free for
the patient, each visit costs the clinic
$60 (a substantial benefit to the overall
community when compared to $2,200
costs per visit to an emergency room). All
clinic costs are funded through donations,
grants and fundraisers.

To make a donation to the Barrier


Islands Free Medical Clinic, fill out the
online donation form or mail a physical
donation form to 3226 Maybank Highway
Suite 1-A Johns Island, SC 29455. For
more information on the Barrier Islands
Free Medical Clinic, visit www.bifmc.org
or emailbarrierislands01@gmail.com.

May 20, 2016

arts & events

Costume Change

PORGY & BESS LOOKS TO INSPIRE


SOCIAL CHANGE ONCE MORE

Annie Simone costume sketches for Spoletos Porgy and Bess.

BY CAROL ANTMAN

For The Island Connection

onathan Green says that costume


designer Annie Simon understands
his vision for Porgy and Bess in
a glorifying way. But it took awhile.
After all, the internationally acclaimed
Lowcountry artist is using the opera to
change a paradigm that has plagued the
African American community incessantly.
When Spoleto Festival director Nigel
Redden approached Green about creating
the operas visual design and costumes,
he agreed only if he could do it from
the perspective of free Africans. In the
rural Gullah community of Gardens
Corner, S.C. where he grew up, extended
families live close to the land. Colorful
traditions, crafts, and stories are passed
down. Fishing and farming provide a
shared prosperity. Contrarily, the image
of African Americans in the wider culture
is much less flattering. He points to
our general populations impression of
Africa: wild animals and abject poverty.
An entire continent summed up bleakly,
simplistically, ignorantly.

The image of enslaved derelicts, I


dont know anything about that culture
and I never saw it. I know my culture,
he said. So Green insisted that his design
concept would be Africans coming to
the United States not as slaves, but as
immigrants like anyone else. He wanted
to shift the paradigm to a modern day
people, to give them back their culture,
not built on slavery.
Annie Simon is a Brooklyn based

costume designer who received her MFA in


Design for Film and Theater in 2010 from
NYU. Shes designed for dozens of feature
films, music videos, commercials, theater
productions and dance performances. The
operas director David Herskovits, with
whom shed worked previously, brought
her to the project. Jonathan, she says with
the utmost admiration, was hired to bless
us with his image and creativity. Her
goal was to realize his vision of combining
traditional African clothing and 1930s
dress. It required a ton of research but
blending genres was not new to her. She
won the Kennedy Centers Outstanding
Costume Design Award for Bartholomew
Fair which melded 1600s English
clothing styles with punk rock.
She began sketches for each of the 72
costumes, head wraps and accessories
months ago. Greens paintings inspired
her: women standing in the wind with
billowing patterned dresses, puffy
shoulders and high waists. She worked
until she could really feel his paintings,
and then sent the sketches to Green for
approval. When he gave positive feedback,
she felt fantastic.
Next she supervised turning the
costumes from sketches to clothing for
the 55 actors and singers in the show. I
never buy fabric on-line because you cant
touch it and the colors are different,
she says. So she shops in Harlem where
African fabrics are plentiful and theres a
little man with a sewing machine, who
can whip up prototypes. Three shops in
Harlem worked non-stop to complete the
job. Once the costumes were sewn they
were shipped to Charleston and fitted
by the expert seamstresses in the Spoleto
costume shop. Finally she met with the
actors to personalize the head wraps,
wigs and accessories for each role. Its a
labor intensive process that lasts until the
operas premier on May 27.
Pushing the envelope this way is
not new to the opera. It has been an
agent for social change throughout its
history. Musically, Gershwin had to
defend this folk opera that brought
the drama, the humor, the superstition,
the religious fervor, the dancing and
the irrepressible high spirits of African
Americans to the operatic stage. I have
created a new formquite naturally out
of the material. Outraged critics called

May 20, 2016

arts & events

Gershwin a Tin-Pan Alley hack and an


affront to Wagner and Mozart. Socially,
turmoil and controversy have surrounded
it too. Gershwin didnt debut it at the
Metropolitan Opera in 1930 because they
insisted on actors in black-face. Instead,
it premiered five years later where an
integrated audience was the first of many
it prompted. Despite 124 Broadway
performances and a national tour, it was
a financial and critical failure. It has
endured a love/hate relationship with
black critics. Journalist William Warfield
wrote In 1952 the black community
wasnt listening to anything about plenty

of nothing being good enough for me. But


overseas its been a sensation. La Scala had
never hosted a cast of African Americans
before 1955 when Maya Angelou played
Ruby: Time and again, the audience
came to their feet, yelling and applauding.
We had performed Porgy and Bess as
never before
In Charlestons own Dock Street
Theater, a plan to integrate the audience
for the first time in 1954 was met with
such backlash that the performances were
cancelled. It wasnt until 1970 that it
was performed to an integrated audience
in Charleston. Critic Rodney Milnes
wrote, If ever a twentieth century opera
aspires to make the world a better place
it is Porgy and Bess. So in the hands
of Jonathan Green and Annie Simon it
is again doing what the arts do so well:
entertain, inform and create change.
Porgy and Bess was created by
George Gershwin, Dubose and Dorothy
Heyward, and Ira Gershwin. The
performance will be conducted by Stefan
Asbury, directed by David Herskovits with
Visual Design by Jonathan Green. On
Sunday, May 29 at 3 p.m. Herskovits and
Green will participate in an artists talk at
Emmett Robinson Theatre at College of
Charleston. Porgy and Bess runs May
27, 30, June 1, 3, 8, 12 at The Charleston
Galliard Center. Call 843.579.3100 for
ticketing availbality.

Live Broadcast of Porgy and Bess

Monday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Marion Square and Tuesday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. at
West Ashley High School, the opera will be broadcast live for free. The live broadcast
of the performances taking place at the Charleston Gaillard Center will be shown on
a jumbotron screen at both venues and will significantly expand the audience for the
highly-anticipated production that is part of the Festivals 40th season.

Tid e Char t
Date

High Tide

Low Tide

May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
Jun 02

7:54am/8:29pm
8:35am/9:07pm
9:14am/9:44pm
9:52am/10:19pm
10:29am/10:54pm
11:08am/11:32pm
11:51am
12:16am/12:40pm
1:06am/1:36pm
2:03am/2:37pm
3:04am/3:40pm
4:07am/4:42pm
5:09am/5:43pm
6:10am/6:42pm

1:56am/1:53pm
2:37am/2:30pm
3:16am/3:06pm
3:55am/3:43pm
4:34am/4:22pm
5:14am/5:04pm
5:57am/5:50pm
6:44am/6:42pm
7:34am/7:42pm
8:29am/8:47pm
9:26am/9:55pm
10:24am/11:02pm
11:21am
12:05am/12:18pm

Hurricanes, storms, etc., are NOT included in the predictions.


Tidal current direction changes and tide time predictions can be
very different. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they can be
wrong so use common sense.
Source: saltwatertides.com

arts & events

Spoleto Festival Finale at


Middleton Place, June 12
BY JESSIE BAGLEY

For The Island Connection

harleston area acts The High


Divers, Jordon Igoe, and SUSTO
will perform on the main stage
at Spoleto Festival USAs popular Wells
Fargo Festival Finale on Sunday, June
12 at Middleton Place. These three acts
precede a performance by eight-piece soul
band Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night
Sweats at 8:30 p.m. and the Festivals
traditional fireworks display.
The schedule for the main stage is:
4 5 p.m.: The High Divers
The High Divers are a Charlestonbased rock-and-roll band who sing about
pursuing what you love with reckless
abandon. Named one of the Top 5 Bands
to Watch by South Carolina Music
Guide in 2015.
5:15 6:15 p.m.: Jordan Igoe
Singer, songwriter, and multiinstrumentalist Jordan Igoe uses her
expressive voice to sing songs that are
southern and soulful.
6:30 7:45 p.m.: SUSTO
SUSTO frontman Justin Osborne
pulled from Southern folk and country
styles to form this five-piece indie
band. Band member Johnny Delaware
performed on the Finale main stage last
year.

8:30 10 p.m.: Nathaniel Rateliff &


The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
blend soul and rock and roll and has been
hailed as one of rocks best new acts by
Rolling Stone. The bands Spoleto Festival
USA concert is one of several high profile
music festival appearances this summer
including Coachella, Bonnaroo, and
Austin City Limits.
Gates and the Middleton Place Beer
Garden will open at 3:30 p.m. Tickets may
be purchased online at spoletousa.org, over
the phone at 843.579.3100, or in person
at the Charleston Visitor Center (375
Meeting Street) and Charleston Gaillard
Center (95 Calhoun Street). Tickets for
children ages 6 to 12 are $15 and adults
are $40 ($45 at the gate). Children 5 and
under are admitted free of charge. To avoid
lines on the day, Will Call tickets can be
picked up from the Charleston Visitor
Center (375 Meeting Street) or Charleston
Gaillard Center (95 Calhoun Street) until
2 p.m. on Sunday, June 12.
Ticket holders are permitted to bring their
own food and beverages. The Beer Garden
will sell vouchers until 8:30 p.m, serve alcohol
until 9 p.m., and serve food until 9:30 p.m.
The Middleton Place Gardens and Stableyards
will be open until 7:30 p.m. and guests
are encouraged to take self-guided tours.
Middleton Place is located at 4300 Ashley
River Road. This event is rain or shine.

10

May 20, 2016

arts & events

arts & events

Piccolo Comes to
KITTIWAH

Little Piccolo has big


plans for you

BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL
For The Island Connection

ocusing primarily on artists of the


Southeast region, Piccolo Spoleto
is the perfect complement to the
international scope of Spoleto Festival
USA, its parent festival, and its 500 events
in 17 days transform Charleston into an
exhilarating celebration of performing,
literary and visual arts. Piccolo Spoletos
traditional program offerings include
visual arts exhibits, classical music, jazz,
dance, theatre, poetry readings, childrens
activities, choral music, ethnic cultural
presentations, crafts and film.
This year Spoleto will celebrate its
40th festival with a landmark production
of Charlestons own Porgy and Bess.
The Kiawah Arts and Cultural Events
Council in collaboration with the Office
of Cultural Affairs is celebrating this

important anniversary and continuing


the Porgy and Bess theme with Piccolo
Comes to Kittiwah, a gala end of season
event at Mingo Point.
In Act 2 of Porgy and Bess, the denizens
of Catfish Row take boats to a church
picnic on nearby Kittiwah Island, an
early alternative spelling of Kiawah.
What better way to get in the spirit of this
opera set in Charleston and Kiawah than
to enjoy an oyster roast and barbeque at
Mingo Point on the banks of the Kiawah
River and be entertained by Piccolo artists
singing the music of George Gershwin as
well as other tunes by his contemporaries.
The Kiawah Island Resort is offering
a 20 percent discount on villas for ticket
holders. Reservations can be made by
calling 800.654.2924 or 843.768.2121
(local). Guests must reference 13826 or
KIAC-Piccolo Comes to Kiawah.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Mingo Point, Oyster Roast 5:30-6:30 p.m., Dinner Buffet- 5:30-7 p.m.
Performance begins at 6:30 p.m. Adults: $47, Children ages 4 12: $25.
Children under 4: free. Casual seating/Cash Bar
Tickets Available at Kiawah Town Hall 843.768.9166 or online at www.
kiawahisland.org/specialevents

BY CAROL ANTMAN

For The Island Connection

iccolo Spoleto is little but by no


means small, says Charlestons
Office of Cultural Affairs
Director Scott Watson. In fact, the 17
day festival that begins on May 27 will
include over 500 performing literary and
visual arts events. Begun as a companion
to the major Spoleto Festival, Piccolo
is dedicated to making arts experiences
accessible to everyone. Ticket prices are
low; many events are free; venues include
many neighborhoods and programming
appeals to a wide variety of ages and
artistic tastes.
Regional and local artists are
particularly spotlighted. In a cultural
capital like Charleston, you will discover
that just about everyone has something to
contribute to our rich artistic life and to
our shared cultural heritage, said John
Techlenburg, Charlestons new mayor and
a performing jazz pianist. The mainstays
of the artistic community reprise their
best acts. Art Gaillard, Founder of Art
Forms and Theater Concepts, has been
producing for Piccolo for most of its 38
years. This years production is It Aint

Nothin But the Blues a musical revue


with dozens of songs and a live band.
There are newcomers to Charleston
like Gracie and Lacy who sing vintage
vocals and tap dance. Regional artists
from across the Southeast fill stages at
churches, schools, auditoriums and parks.
New collaborations are inspired such as a
cello concert with a live rendering of the
musicians brain functioning by Norbert
Lewandowski and Jacobo Mintzer. New
venues are enlivened: the reopening
of Colonial lake, a 3-day mini-festival
in Avondale, a Piccolo Party at West
Ashley High School and a gala orchestra
Experience with Ben Folds and the
Charleston Symphony on Daniel Island.
Although the festivals draw thousands of
visitors from around the world, Piccolo
is a great opportunity for an inspiring
staycation.
A program guide with complete festival
listings is available around town or by
emailing
CulturalAffairs@charleston-sc.
gov. Tickets are available online and at the
festival box office at the Gaillard Center at
95 Calhoun Street.

May 20, 2016

11

arts & events

gardening

CMC concludes season


with Piccolo Spoleto
Spotlight performance

Kiawah Island
Garden Club Party

BY MARTHA ZINK

For The Island Connection

n May 9, the Kiawah Island


Garden Club enjoyed a Garden
Party at the lovely home of Edna
Roberds. Members were greeted in the
driveway and offered Bellinis for their
stroll through the gardens which surround
her Southern style home.
A native of Charleston, Edna of course
has created a Charleston courtyard garden
as well as a boxwood garden, an area where
native grasses thrive and a bog garden.
They are arranged as a series of garden
rooms and abound with flowering
plants, areas in which to sit and surprises
around every corner.
Members contributed to the brunch
menu to add to Ednas delicious food.
There were tea sandwiches, deviled eggs,
fruit, croissants, petit fours and much
more.
After brunch the members were
invited to walk a short distance to Lois
Bryants lovely garden which she, like all
experienced gardeners, calls a garden-inprogress. Lois gave a guided tour, offered
to share plants, and pointed out her new
Roji path which is made with pieces of
marble which once were part of her father-

BY SANDRA NIKOLAJEVS
For The Island Connection

hamber
Music
Charleston
concludes the 2015-2016 concert
season with a special performance
on the Spotlight Concert Series of the
Piccolo Spoleto Festival on Friday, June 3,
2016 at 6 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church
(98 Wentworth Street).
Guest narrator Ann Caldwell joins
violinists Jenny Weiss and Frances Hsieh,
violist Ben Weiss and cellist Timothy
OMalley for a program including
Dvoraks American String Quartet and
Circle Unbroken.
While Dvoraks American Quartet
is a standard masterwork of the chamber
music repertoire, Circle Unbroken is a
relatively new creation that has garnered
international acclaim. Set to the childrens

book of the same name by author Margot


Theis Raven, Circle Unbroken recounts
the history of the sweetgrass basket as
musicians perform music of William
Grant Still and illustrations from the book
are projected on a large screen. This music
and spoken word project was previously
produced as a DVD which received
awards at the La Jolla Film Festival and
the Berlin Black International Cinema
Festival.
Tickets are available through the Piccolo
Spoleto Festival at the door beginning
at 5:30 p.m. on June 3 or in advance
online at piccolospoleto.com or by calling
843.724.7305.

in-laws bank building in the 1970s.


Guests in both gardens were given
printed guides to the gardens and plants.
It was a perfect ending to a fun and
informative year of the Kiawah Island
Garden Club and members were happy
tour and experience both gardens created
by such talented and gracious gardeners.

Island Connection Calendar

May 21
Mondays

Intermediate Oil Classes


At the Todd & Huff Art Center located
at Bohicket Marina, Wednesdays and
Fridays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Topics include
value work, applying composition elements
to your paintings, edge work, brush and
palette knife use. Painting from still life
and photos. Email toddhuffcenter@gmail.
com for information.
Monday Bridge Group
9 a.m. at the Lake House. The Monday
Bridge Group needs new players. For more
information, please contact Ilse Calcagno
at 843.768.0317.

Tuesdays

Mah Jongg Practice


1 - 4 p.m. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesday
of the month. Located at The Lake
HouseOsprey 2. Open to all new
players, those returning to the game, and
anyone else who wants a chance to practice
with others who are learning the game.
If you have any questions, please contact
Helen Thompson at hmtsbsc@gmail.com.
Bookmobile
The Charleston County Bookmobile comes
to Freshfields Village on the first Tuesday
of every month from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
The Bookmobile will be parked in the lot
behind Heges and Java Java.

Wednesdays

SATURDAY, MAY 21

SUNDAY, MAY 22,

TUESDAY, MAY 24

SATURDAY, MAY 28

Fridays

Cars & Coffee


9 a.m. - 11 a.m. This event, featuring
antique, unique, classic and other cool
cars, allows car enthusiasts to scope classic
car trends from the area while all guests
enjoy coffee and breakfast from Java Java.
Open to the public, the monthly event will
continue to be held every third Saturday.

Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series


7 a.m. 12 p.m., James Island County
Park. Celebrating its 26th year, this
five-race series includes a .3-mile swim,
a 12-mile bike ride, and a 5K run.
Participants are divided into the following
categories: Open/Elite, Age Group and
Masters, Clydesdale (men 200 pounds
or greater and under age 40), Masters
Clydesdale (men 200 pounds or greater
and age 40+), and Athena (women 150
pounds or greater). Participants must be
comfortable swimming 600M in open
water and riding a bicycle on roads open
to traffic. Registration options vary.
Visit CharlestonCountyParks.com for
information.

Mira of Napa Complimentary Wine


Tasting
6 p.m. FortyEight - A Wine Bar is pleased
to welcome Mira, luxury wines grown and
crafted in Napa Valley, California. Several
of Miras extraordinary wines will be
poured and discussed. Event page: www.
facebook.com/events/1047449615301874/

Freshfields Memorial Day Weekend


Concert
6-9 p.m. Tullamore Road: performs on the
village green, free. Featuring a wide mix
of rock and blues covers, Tullamore blend
a range of influences in crafting a unique
sound and vibe in their music. They also
perform an increasing number of originals
in their sets. The band recently finished
in the top 3 of a major battle of the bands
contest in Atlanta.

Lake House Yoga


8:30 a.m. Join us for Rise and Shine Yoga
with Patti Romano, formerly known at
Gentle Flow Yoga. Rise and Shine Yoga
is an all-levels practice focused around
finding your days intention, set up yourself
for success and be ready to shine.
Friday Indoor Pickleball
12:30 - 2:30 p.m. at St. Christophers
Camp. For further information, please
contact Mary Torello at 843.768.0056.

Saturdays

Homegrown
10 a.m. 2 p.m. Johns Island Farmers
Market. Every Third Saturday at 3546
Maybank Highway Johns Island.
For more information, visit www.
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com.

Coastal Islands Horse Show


7 a.m. Mullet Hall Equestrian Center
hosts horse shows that are open to the
public. Events include Hunter, Jumper,
and Open shows consisting of Hunter,
Equitation, and Western. Spectators are
invited to enjoy the shows for free. Contact
Terri Skinner atskinnertraining@aol.com.

2015 Sea Island Cars and Coffee


9 - 11 a.m. The third Saturday each month
at Freshfields Village.

Jane Austen Society


1:30 p.m., Johns Island Regional Library,
May meeting of the Jane Austen Society.
Sponsored by the Jane Austen Society of
North America (JASNA, South Carolina
Region). Refreshments will be provided.

Sundays

SATURDAY, MAY 21

Sunday Afternoon Matinees


The Lake House hosts Sunday Matinees
at 1 p.m. in the Live Oak Hall. You are
welcome to bring your favorite snacks or
refreshments. Water and popcorn will be
provided.

Sleeping Beauty & The Magic Spell


The Charleston Ballet Theatre Center
For Dance Education & Coastal Ballet
USA presents this performance 7 pm,
at the Charleston Music Hall. www.
charlestonballet.com for information and
tickets.

MONDAY, MAY 23
Cystic Fibrosis Benefit Dinner
HM Chef Shay MacDonald will join
four top Charleston-area chefs, including
his brother Randy MacDonald, Executive
Chef, Seabrook Island Club, as they cook
for a cause at the Wine & Dine for CF
dinner and silent auction 6 to 10 p.m.,
May 23 at James Island County Park,
Edisto Hall.$75 per person - $2 donation
at the gate required for state park, tickets
teamlittlemac.com/wine-dine-for-cf.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25
Mondavi 50th Anniversary Tasting
6 p.m. A tasting to celebrate fifty years of
Mondavi excellence. Complimentary, no
reservation is necessary. Event page: www.
facebook.com/events/1686857251577669/

FRIDAY, MAY 27
Freshfields Memorial Day Weekend
Concert
6-9 p.m. Swingin Richards performs on
the village green, free. TSWR are unlike
any other acoustic cover act youve seen
before. Great vocals, thunderous acoustics,
backed up by a percussionist that is tight,
powerful and unique make for a band that
stands out.
Patriots and Pops
A Choral Festival of Song presented by the Sea
Island Lady Singers and the Island Choraliers.
4 p.m., Holy Spirit Catholic Church . 3871
Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island.

SUNDAY, MAY 29
Memorial Day Weekend Art Show
On the Green at Freshfields, 11
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Art exhibit, sale and
demonstrations by Seabrook Island Artists
Guild.The event will showcase a wide
selection of fine art in numerous mediums
capturing the beauty of the Lowcountry.
Many of the exhibitors, who display at
downtown galleries, will be painting live
at the event. This is a unique opportunity
to see great art and experience the creative
process. The event will be held on the
green at Freshfields Village and is free and
open to all.

MONDAY, MAY 30
Memorial Day

June 8
Memorial Day Concert
The Charleston Mens Chorus presents
its annual Memorial Day Concert in
tribute to fallen military heroes, veterans
and current armed forces members. The
solemn, yet uplifting concert is part of the
Piccolo Spoleto Festival and takes place
Monday, May 30th at 12:00 noon at St.
Philips Episcopal Church, 142 Church
Street. Admission is $20 for adults/seniors/
students.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1
June 2016 Artist of the Month
Art works created by members of the
Seabrook Island Artists Guild who recently
participated in art workshops under
nationally and internationally recognized
artists such as Master coastal landscape
painter Sergio Roffo, colorist Laurie Meyer,
and landscape artist Mark Horton, will be
displayed during the entire month of June
in the Lake House gallery. An opening day
reception will be held at the LakeHouse
on Wednesday, June 1, 5-7 p.m. All are
cordially invited.
Freshfields Starlight Cinema
8:30 p.m. The series kicks off with Free
Willy: (PG; 112 min; 1993), the touching
story of a boy and his killer whale made
this family drama a surprise box office hit.
See story page 5.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8
Piccolo Comes to KITTIWAH
Mingo Point, Oyster Roast 5:306:30 p.m., Dinner Buffet 5:30-7 p.m.,
Performance begins at 6:30 p.m. Adults:
$47, Children ages 4 12: $25. Children
under 4: free. Casual seating. Attendance
is limited to 300, so dont delay! Tickets
available at Kiawah Town Hall 843-7689166 or online at www.kiawahisland.org/
specialevents

May 20, 2016

arts & events

First annual Cystic Fibrosis


benefit dinner features
Seabrook Island Club chefs

Yacht Club announces


new Commodoreable

BY ALI HOLLIDAY

STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

M
Chef
S h a y
MacDona ld
will join four top
Charleston-area chefs,
including his brother
Randy MacDonald
of Seabrook Island
Club, as they cook
for a cause at the
Wine & Dine for
CF dinner and silent
auction on May 23 at
James Island County
Park Edisto Hall.
The event begins at 6
p.m., with dinner at 7
p.m., including a silent auction.
Combining the talents and philanthropy
of local executive chefs, the first annual
Cystic Fibrosis benefit dinner aims to
increase awareness and raise funds for a cure
to help the 30,000 people in the U.S. battling
CF, one of whom is Chef MacDonalds
nephew Cole, a.k.a. Little Mac.
The following local chefs will partner
with Chef MacDonald to prepare the

5-course dinner,
complete
with
wine pairings:
R a n d y
MacDonald,
Executive Chef,
Seabrook Island
Club
Phil Gaulin,
Chef,
Francis
Marion Hotel
J o n a t h a n
Hawks, Executive
Chef, Mills House
Hotel
Angela Minor,
Pastry
Chef,
Seabrook Island Club
All proceeds from the dinner will
benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in
support of Cole and all others living with
the disease so they can have the possibility
of a long, healthy, happy life.
Visit the Team Little Mac website
teamlittlemac.com for more information.
Tickets are $75 per person, a $2 donation
is required at the gate to the County Park.

For The Island Connection

n April 28, 2016, the Seabrook


Island Lakes Yacht Club met
at the home of long time
residents Doug and Lee Hurd. The
Hurds founded the club when, as early
island settlers, they wanted to create a
way to meet neighbors and later greet
new homeowners to share valuable
information and experiences.
Each Spring and Fall on their
adjacent lot, under a great live oak,
club members enjoy a drink or two
provided by the club and bring some
food to share at what may be the oldest
(22 years in a row) ongoing social
event on the Island. Many long term
friendships have evolved.
This year Commodore Will Wiehn
passes the cap of command to Ellen
Coughlin, as the new Commodore or
as the female club leaders are called,
our new Commodoreable. Ellen will
take command beginning with the fall
Regatta.

15

May 20, 2016

financial focus

A 529 plan can help with


those college bills
BY DIMI MATOUCHEV
For The Island Connection

ere at the end of another school


year. If you have younger kids,
you might be thinking about
summer camps and other activities. But in
the not-too-distant future, your children
will be facing a bigger transition as they
head off to college. Will you be financially
prepared for that day?

For the 20152016


school year, the
average expense
tuition, fees,
room and board
was $19,548 at
a public fouryear school and
$43,921 at a fouryear private
school

A college education is a good investment


college graduates earn, on average, $1

million more over their lifetimes than


high school graduates, according to a
study by Georgetown University but a
bachelors degree doesnt come cheap. For
the 20152016 school year, the average
expense tuition, fees, room and board
was $19,548 at a public four-year school
and $43,921 at a four-year private school,
according to the College Board. And
by the time your children are ready for
college, these costs may be considerably
higher, because inflation is alive and well
in the higher education arena.
Your children may be eligible for some
types of financial aid and scholarships.
But even so, you may want to consider
some college-savings vehicles and one of
the most popular is a 529 plan.
A 529 plan offers a variety of benefits,
including the following:
High contribution limits A 529
plan wont limit your contributions
based on your income. In all
likelihood, you can contribute as
much as you want to a 529 plan,
as many states have contribution
limits of $300,000 and up. And
you can give up to $14,000

($28,000 for a married couple


filing jointly) per year, per child,
without incurring any gift taxes.
Tax advantages Your earnings
can accumulate tax free, provided
they are used for qualified higher
education expenses. (529 plan
distributions not used for qualified
expenses may be subject to federal
and state income tax, and a 10%
IRS penalty on the earnings.)
Furthermore, your 529 plan
contributions may be eligible for
a state tax deduction or credit if
you participate in your own states
plan. But 529 plans vary, so check
with your tax advisor regarding
deductibility.
Freedom to invest in any states
plan. You can invest in a 529
plan from any state but that
doesnt mean your child has to
go to school there. You could live
in one state, invest in a second
states plan, and send your student
to school in a third state, if you
choose.
Money can be used for virtually

any program Upon graduating


high school, not all kids are
interested in, or prepared for, a
traditional four-year college. But
you can use your 529 plan to help
pay for qualified expenses at a
variety of educational institutions,
including two-year community
colleges and trade schools.
Of course, a 529 plan does have
considerations you will need to think about
before opening an account. For example,
your 529 plan assets can affect your childs
needs-based financial aid, but it might
not doom it. As long as the 529 assets are
under your control, they typically will
be assessed at a maximum rate of 5.64%
in determining your familys expected
contribution under the federal financial aid
formula, as opposed to the usual 20% rate
for assets held in the students name.
In any case, though, a 529 plan is worth
considering. But dont wait too long as
you well know, your kids seem to grow up
in the blink of an eye.
This article was written by Edward Jones
for use by your local Edward Jones Financial
Advisor.

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