Volume 40:11
Presorted Standard
U.S. Postage Paid
Postal Permit 03
Folly Beach SC
November, 2016
Volume 41:1
January 2017
Publisher: Folly Beach Civic Club, est. 1938
Editor: Susan Breslin, [email protected], (843) 588-3026
POSTAL PATRON
FOLLY BEACH 29438
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What’s Next for the Beach?
The winds and tides of Hurricane Joaquin, which passed by
offshore earlier this year, did serious damage to the dunes,
but Hurricane Matthew, which hit onshore at high tide,
obliterated many of them. The east side was hit hardest.
contractor to rebuild the old groins on the beach from East
8th Street to the Washout, using City and State funds.
What should individual beachfront owners do? Building
Engineer Eric Lutz says in most cases, this is not the right
situation to install sand fences. He recommends planting
sea oats. He urges that private walkovers be rebuilt a foot
above adjacent elevations, not sand levels under the
walkovers (which tend to be lower).
Major steps to protect the beach in the future had already
been taken before this year’s hurricanes. The storms
brought renewed energy and new initiatives.
Before the storms, the City’s coastal engineering consultant
(and resident) Dr. Nicole Elko did periodic surveys of the
beach, measuring changes at benchmark sites to determine
if the damage required to trigger a new renourishment had
been met (it has now been met and more).
Some property owners are building sea walls. Owners on
East 12th Street got together to build a common wall. The
process destroys most dunes that are left, but OCRM (Office
of Coastal Resource Management) requires that they be
rebuilt.
A major study of sand in the Folly River revealed that there
are a million cubic yards of available sand in the Folly River,
and another million in the Stono shoals. Most of that sand
came from the beach, and is good beach quality. The Corps
of Engineers supports using river sand, but it must be
removed carefully, because Bird Key and Skimmer Flats are
major bird sanctuaries, especially for pelicans. It’s also
close, and that reduces costs. Elko estimates that in the last
renourishment, $10 million in costs was added because the
borrow pit was four miles out to sea.
The City has been putting funds into a separate
renourishment account, and the State has approved funds
to help. But the cost of another renourishment is unknown.
The last renourishment was very costly -- $30 million –
because the sand was sucked up four miles out, and
because there was so much renourishment being done up
and down the coast that only two companies would bid on
the Folly project.
The damage from Matthew was substantial, especially on
the east end. Most dunes were wiped out, in Folly Beach
and up and down the southeast coast. Water comes under
many houses in the 1600 and 1700 blocks at high tide. A
100-foot hole was punched in the Washout. Overall,
250,000 cubic yards of sand were washed away from the
beach – 33% of the total.
The big question is when or whether the Federal
government will sign on to funding and performing a new
renourishment. There’s a formal assessment every June,
and the City hopes the results will feed into approval of a
new renourishment in 2018.
photo by Eric Lutz
Water comes under many east end houses at high tide. This
house has no protection; the house in the distance has a seawall.
Mayor Tim Goodwin has written the Corps of Engineers,
formally requesting repair of damage from Joaquin and
Matthew. The City is working with the Department of
Transportation and FEMA on a revetment of the hole in the
Washout. Council has just approved a plan to hire a
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Folly Clubs and Organizations
chairs for viewing the metal windmill surrounded with
ornamental vine from their daughter's wedding arbor. Daisy
flowers and lantana lead to the trellis covered with Carolina
jasmine. An arching live oak shields the area, with Cindy's
first bike, a blue western flyer, standing nearby. Matthew
even blew a treasure box into the marsh for contemplating.
Congrats to the Bonitz’s for their ongoing experimental
gardening. New structures are already being prepared.
Civic Club
Happy 2017. I want to thank our past President, Regina
Anderson, for a wonderful year, and invite everyone to join
us Tuesday January 17th at 7 pm in the Community Center
for continued discussion about Folly Beach’s Boards and
Commissions. Speakers for the January meeting are Beth
Saunders for the Planning Commission, Toni Catoe for the
Board of Zoning Appeals, and Gary Brown for the Design
Review Board. They will explain how their committees work
and answer your questions about them.
The Garden Club will meet Tuesday, January 24th at noon in
the Community Center. All interested parties are welcome.
Happy 2017.
Lynn Ray Smalley (843) 588-0093
[email protected]
Please visit your local clubs and join with your neighbors to
better know and improve our community.
Exchange Club
Congratulations to our “Light up Folly” contest winners. The
Board named the following winners (names are owners or
renters of record):
First: ($200) 1208 East Arctic – Elton & Charlotte Culpepper
Second: ($100) 307 West Indian – Chad & Heather Wall
Third (tie): ($50) 414 West Cooper – Lisa Ritter
1402 East Ashley -- Andrea Weathers
Runners-Up:
208 West Hudson – Rudolph Ritchie
301 West Indian – Gordon & Sue King
Exchange wants to thank everyone who supported our yard
sale December 3rd and our Christmas Parade booth
December 10th. Funds raised will help with our hut repair.
The parade was awesome this year and we want to thank
everyone involved with its organization and flow, and
letting us be a part of it.
We wish everyone a very merry Christmas and happy
holiday season. As you enjoy this time with friends and
family, we ask that you be safe and make prudent decisions.
We want everyone to join us in making 2017 an even better
year! Members, our Holiday Party will be in January and the
info will be sent out after our board meeting.
If you want to receive a hard copy of the Sandspur in your
PO Box, please contact Toni Catoe at 843-588-2055 or
[email protected] if you want it in the mail; otherwise you can
view it online at the City of Folly Beach website or on our
Facebook page.
“D” Doyle Word 843-588-2297
Speaking of 2017, join us for our Exchange Club and Folly
Association of Business golf tournament on January 31st at
the Muni. Visit our Exchange Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/events/1886599954894658/ for more
information. We look forward to seeing you there!
DJ Rich (843) 475-9787
[email protected]
Home and Garden Club
2017's first Yard of the Month is 347 Shadow Race Lane,
home of Cindy and Don Bonitz. They chose Folly two years
ago, when they retired from North Carolina, having visited
numerous times. The people on Folly are the main
enticement.
[email protected]
Senior Citizens
The Folly Beach Seniors will meet January 5th at 11 am in
the Community Center. All 55 and older are invited.
We will enjoy chili, cooked by Marie Lowther. Please
bring a covered dish or dessert to complete our meal.
Their home is centered by three tall palmettos in a circular
bed they created after removing vines from the entry
staircase. One high nandina lives behind, with crepe myrtles
anchoring each side while a silver ball mirrors the scene.
Hydrangeas and hostas reside below one of the many large
live oaks in the left side bed. A colorful bottle tree is hanging
from a limb.
Our speaker will be a representative of the South
Carolina Sea Grant Consortium. They will speak about
what they do and how they support the community and
the Low Country.
We thank our December speaker from the Charleston
Water Keeper. He enlightened us on the safety of our
water.
An unusual bounty is found to the far right. Succulents in a
bird bath lead to yuccas below a wind-curved oak, all
encased by repurposed pilings. More succulents found a
home in a lengthy chunk of wood along the marsh. Tall
lemongrass waves among bird feeders accented with locust
fence wood from an ancestral cemetery near Bryson City.
Help us have a happy and healthy 2017 by joining us
January 5th at our first 2017 meeting. We have good food
and good fellowship. Thanks
A haven has been created near the marsh. Cindy's favorite,
peaceful grasses, offer soft music. There are Adirondack
Pauline Ray (843) 588-9580
[continued on page 3]
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books every month to children in 12 Charleston County
communities.
[continued from page 2]
Green Team
BWB is an early literacy program for babies and toddlers that
encourages parents to read daily to their youngest children,
by giving them high-quality tools that make it easy and fun to
introduce babies and toddlers to the joy of reading.
Update on Green Team adventures:
The Green Team’s next (and sixth) water bottle station will
be up and running at the Children’s playground at Pirate’s
Cove before the new year – hopefully.
To be eligible, children must be 4 years/10 months old or
younger and must live in Folly Beach or one of 12 other
eligible zip codes in Charleston County. Enrollment forms
are now available at the Folly Beach branch of the Public
Library and at City Hall. Parents may also enroll children
online at www.beginwithbooks.org/enroll_your_child.
About 6-8 weeks after a child is enrolled, the first book will
arrive by mail, and a new, age-appropriate book will arrive
every month until the child turns five. There is no cost to
participating families. Costs are underwritten by the
Dollywood Foundation and by donations from local
supporters.
Designs are in the works for new critter signs for the beach
– a ghost crab with the message “litter makes me crabby.’
Don’t forget that the plastic bag ban on the beach goes into
effect January 1st. Best suggestion for removing your trash:
pack it in and pack it out – in paper.
We meet the first Thursday of every month, 6 pm at the
Community Center. Everyone is welcome.
Penny Travis (843) 259-1143
from the City…..
…..Public Safety’s annual Shred Day will be Friday, January
13th from 10 am-noon in the Public Safety parking lot
behind City Hall. Bring documents you don’t want people to
read (ordinary paper documents can be put in your
recycling bin).
Melissa Gasser 843-513-1845
…..The City will recycle Christmas Trees to use for mulch in
City paths and parks, courtesy of Winthrop Tree Service.
Please remove all tinsel, ornaments, etc. You may bring your
tree to the Community Garden on West Michigan or put it at
the curb for pickup in January.
Eric Lutz 843-708-9982
The Folly Beach campaign is led by Andie Weathers of
Carolina One Realty. The Miss Sea and Sand Festival
Pageant, Loggerhead’s Beach Grill, the Folly Association of
Business, and many individuals contributed to the campaign
and helped reach the start-up goal.
Andrea Weathers [email protected]
Lights on the Folly River Bridge
SCE&G is completing the installation of street lights on the
Folly River Bridge. The lights are a Shepherd’s Crook design,
the same one as the lights on Center Street. There will be
seven on each side.
The installation is financed by a portion of the franchise tax ,
called the non-standard service fund, which customers pay
as part of their bill. Any extra installation costs, and
continued maintenance, is paid as a “lease” item in
customers’ bills.
….. There is a vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Board.
Send applications, including resume and letter of interest,
to Colleen Jolley by January 27th. Here’s the background:
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD § 33.105
PURPOSE: To provide children of all ages with safe, clean,
well-maintained places to play and exercise that meet the
legal standards, to provide citizens of all walks of life with
clean, well-maintained areas in which to exercise, relax,
have community related activities, and to provide
opportunities for walking by the water, passive water-based
recreation opportunities, and to provide additional restrooms,
picnic areas by the water.
QUALIFICATIONS: Members shall be residents or
property owners of the city.
Colleen Jolley (843) 513-1836 [email protected]
There is a lot of foot traffic day and night over the Folly River
Bridge, especially from residents of the condos on the river
and on Little Oak Island. The lights will also help bicyclists.
….. Business licenses expired December 31st. Please renew
your license at City Hall.
Eric Lutz (843) 513-1838
Letter to the Editor
BEGIN WITH BOOKS announces the opening of enrollment in
Folly Beach. BEGIN WITH BOOKS is the local affiliate of Dolly
Parton’s Imagination Library and delivers more than 3,600
photo by Eric Lutz
3
From the Desk of the Mayor
keys with a trusted neighbor or nearby storekeeper, not
under a plant, doormat, on a ledge or in a flower pot. Set
timers on lights when you are away from home or your
business is closed, so they appear to occupied. Illuminate
places where intruders might hide: the spaces between
bushes and shrubs, stairwells, alleys, or other entry ways.
Police departments cannot be everywhere. It is important
for the community to be a good neighbor, to watch out for
each other. If you see something out of place, like a vehicle
that just doesn’t look right, report this immediately to the
police department. Public Safety often hears of crimes or
potential crimes too long after the fact.
Welcome to 2017, another year promising to be full of new
and exciting work accompanied by the ongoing efforts of
your City Administration and City Council. This work will
include, but not exclusively, the completion of Center Street
Project, the ongoing work on our parks and playgrounds,
another balanced budget, and efforts to make Folly Beach
the greatest place to live and raise a family!
As we have all seen, the curbs on Center Street are
complete, the lights are being placed on the Folly River
bridge and the Center Street facelift is well underway. What
will come is the re-paving of Center Street with the new
traffic patterns and turn lane. What you haven’t seen yet,
but soon will, is the new planters and plantings that will
help to beautify our main entrance into town. This will
come with the $10,000 PARD grant that City Administrator
Spencer Wetmore, and staff obtained. This money will be a
big boost in the beautification effort. Thanks to all involved.
I would like to take a minute to announce, if you haven’t
heard, the Citizens of the year for 2016 are Julie Hensley
and Alan Kinter. This dynamic duo has spent much time,
effort, and professional time in the effort of making our
little island the great place it is today. Everything from
serving on the Parks and Recreation Committee to serving
on the Design Review Board respectively, to undertaking
special projects. Julie has been an integral part of
developing the Folly River Park, Center Street, and all other
parks and playgrounds at Folly. Alan has lent his
architectural expertise to building handicap beach accesses
and changing stations, that helped obtain $75,000 in
Coastal Access Grants and many, many, more projects over
the years. Please join me in thanking this very reserved and
civic-minded couple for their service over the years and
congratulating them on their selection. Thank you, Julie
and Alan, and congratulations!
Being good neighbors and early detection of intruders by
alarm systems are a patrol officer’s best friend; keep your
eyes open for crimes suspected, and always report crimes
witnessed right-away. Get involved. Together, we can
make a difference.
Steve Mims 843-588-7003
[email protected]
Letter from the Editor
In the last three months, the Sandspur has carried stories
about the option of “going digital.” Several Civic Club board
members think that only a few residents want a paper copy,
and it would be cheaper and more efficient to print a few
copies and mail them. The remaining readers would look up
the digital copy every month.
Now these Board members are saying that only 60 residents
want paper copies. The rest, they say, want digital copies –
even though only five readers said they wanted digital
copies. That’s a ten to one ratio
It turns out those Board members thought they were
requesting PO box numbers from the handful of readers
they think want a paper copy. None of the notices
explained that clearly. In fact, I thought they were doing a
public opinion survey. In my view, the only way to get a
universal response is to say “in x days, you will no longer get
a Sandspur in your box unless you say you want one.”
2017 will be a busy time. If you have questions or concerns,
I’m at [email protected] or 843 729 0298.
MayorTim
They can’t say that because the Board and the membership
have not voted on the digital plan. There are many complex
financial implications, and many questions about who
would do the work of putting on labels, etc.
The Chief’s Corner
Year round in times of economic distress, many people are
concerned about the threats of rising property crimes in
their community. Fortunately, there are ways to help
protect your home and your neighborhood from crime –
simple steps such as locking doors and vehicle. A large
percentage of property thefts from vehicles on Folly occur
when doors have been left unlocked and valuables are in
plain view.
One thing, however, is clear. If you want to continue
getting a paper copy, you must end the confusion and email Toni Catoe ([email protected]). I’m not trying to get you to
vote one way or another – you know what’s best for you. I
am trying to get a fair, honest process to make a very
important decision.
The Sandspur belongs to you. It’s in your hands.
Susan Breslin 843-588-3026
[email protected]
Statistics have shown something as simple as keeping your
neighborhood clean and orderly reduces crime. Keep spare
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New Restaurant Among Several Developments Coming Soon
A strikingly modern restaurant design has gotten
preliminary approval from the Design Review Board.
Final approval will likely be given at the next DRB
meeting.
The restaurant (not yet named) is only one of several
big projects before the DRB:
The project will be located at 106 East Ashley, on the
lot next to Snapper Jack’s. Chico Feo is also in that
block, and Bert’s, with its Wooden Spoon, is a block
away. The through-block lot currently has two houses
and a shed, which will be demolished.

Harris Teeter is planning a strip of four new retail
spaces, each 1,200 square feet, which will be near
the gas station and run parallel to Sol Legare.

A six-room inn is planned for the vacant lot on
Center Street next to the boat landing.

A restaurant is planned for 106 East Hudson.
Aaron Pope, the city’s Zoning Administrator, notes
that the DRB in the past often hasn’t had to meet
every month – there just wasn’t enough business.
Now the Board is scrambling to review all the projects
coming through the door. He thinks it’s a shame that
the DRB and the Planning Commission rarely have an
audience. They are both considering matters large
and small, which will change the face of Folly Beach.
The restaurant doesn’t have a name yet, but it has a
developing the restaurant, Kara Lee, was also involved
in developing Taco Boy and other successful
restaurants.
Renderings of the restaurant are striking. Here are two
from the submission to the DRB:
Civic Club Calendars
The Civic Club’s fabulous 2017 calendar is still
available at a bargain price of $10. The
coupons in it alone are worth more than that.
You can find it at Bert’s or at City Hall.
Glass walls create a spectacular bath of light and color
at night.
This year, the Civic Club also has cards with
envelopes, and postcards, both featuring
some of the stunning photographs in the
calendar. Find out more about them by emailing Toni Catoe at [email protected].
The view to the east from Snapper Jack's.
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Folly Fun Stuff!
☼
☼
Publisher: Folly Beach Civic Club
PO BOX 884 – FOLLY BEACH, SC 29439
☼
The Baptist Church has a full schedule of programs for young and
old. "Youth on the Edge" Bible study and dinners for youth on
Tuesday nights at 6:30 pm. Men's Bible Study is on Monday nights
at 7:15 pm. Soup Kitchen is on Mondays at noon. And a new
Women's Bible Study beginning Monday night on January
th
9 : "One in a Million" by Priscilla Shirer. After January 9th, it
will be offered for six weeks on Tuesdays at 9:30 am and 6:30 pm.
☼
☼
www.facebook.com/Folly Beach Civic Club
Printer: Print Shop of West Ashley
City web page: www.cityoffollybeach.com
City Radio Station: 1610 AM
LIBRARY HOURS OF OPERATION
MONDAY 10-6
WEDNESDAY 12-8
FRIDAY 10-6
2nd SATURDAY 10-2
CLOSED January 2nd
☼
At its regular meeting at 7 pm on Tuesday, January 17th, the Civic
Club has speakers describing the Planning Commission, the Board
of Zoning Appeals, and the Design Review Board.
CALENDAR FOR JANUARY
Council Chambers
5th
FOLLY BEACH LIBRARY
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! We will be closed
Monday, January 2nd in observance of the New Year and Monday,
January 16th for MLK Day. We have Story time and a craft on Mondays at
10:30 am and our new After-School Club meets at 3:30 pm. Come get
homework help, eat snacks and play fun games with your Folly Friends!
Wednesdays at 6 pm we have Knitting on the Edge. The Book Club will
meet Wednesday, January 11th at 2:30 pm discuss Elsewhere by Richard
Russo. We will be open Saturday, January 14th from 10 am – 2 pm, and
show Alice Through the Looking Glass and a fun craft at 11 pm.
We got such a great response for our call for LEGO donations. Now we
are asking for board games. We’d love to add to our collection so if you’d
like to clear out your closets we’ll take them! For more information on
any of these programs feel free to give us a call or like us on Facebook.
Mary Bushkar 843-588-2001
County Parks and Recreation
Folly Beach Bird Walks: Seawatch
Help experienced birders scan the ocean for a variety of ducks, seabirds,
and shorebirds to learn how to spot 'bunches' of Red Knots, 'rafts' of
scoters, and much more. A registered and paid chaperone is required for
participants ages 15 and under.
Jan. 10
Tue
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
Course # 48614
Meets at: Folly Beach Fishing Pier
Age: 12 & up
Fee: $6/$5 CCR Discount/$4 Move IT Pass Holder
Folly Beach Bird Walks: Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve
This walk focuses on the incredibly diverse northeast end of Folly Island.
Hopefuls include Red-throated Loon and Piping Plover. A registered and
paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under.
Jan. 13
Fri
8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Course # 48611
Meets at: Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve
Age: 12 & up
Fee: $9/$7 CCR Discount/$5 Move IT Pass Holder
6
13th
19th
Planning Commission
Council meeting
Design Review Board
7pm
7pm
6pm
Clubs, Organizations & Committees
3rd
4th
5th
5th
5th
12th
17th
19th
24th
Art Guild
Save the Light
Senior Citizens
Exchange Club Board
Green Team
Folly Association of Business
Civic Club
Exchange Club
Garden Club
6:30pm
7pm
11am
7pm
6pm
6pm
7pm
7pm
noon
Library
5th, 12th, 19th Story Time, craft
10:30am
5th, 12th, 19th After-School Club
3:30pm
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Knitting on the Edge
6pm
h
14
Book Club
2:30pm
Elsewhere
10th
2nd
Open Saturday
10am-2pm
Alice Through the Looking Glass
11am
Closed for Christmas
Recycing
3rd, 17th, 30th
Volunteer Fire Fighters
5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
Special Events
1st
1st
2nd
7th
10th
13th
16th
21st
New Year’s Day
Polar Plunge
New Year’s Day observed
Orthodox Christmas
Seawatch at the Pier (birdwatch)
Folly Beach Bird Walk
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Taste of Folly
6pm