Fall Has Arrived! Great Traditions Return to Daniel Island

The fall transition has begun! Evening temperatures are dipping down into the 50s, the crisp air is free of humidity and each weekend, instead of hitting the beaches, Lowcountry residents are busy with football, oyster roasts and other fun fall traditions!

There’s never a dull moment on Daniel Island during the fall season. Check out the great events coming to the island soon!

Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure
Saturday, October 16 | 7:00 AM
Each year, thousands descend upon Daniel Island to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s mission of eradicating breast cancer through advancing research, education, screening and treatment. Through events like the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure, the foundation has invested more than $3 million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in 13 counties in the Lowcountry region. Komenlowcountry.org
Harvest Tour of Homes
Saturday, October 16 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Four classic Daniel Island homes will be showcased at the 3rd annual Harvest Tour of Homes, which will benefit the Friends of the Berkeley Library. Located in a variety of beautiful island settings, the homes will also feature local authors for book signings and light refreshments. Ticket holders are also encouraged to “Dine Around for the Library” and visit island restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner or take out! The restaurants will then make a contribution to the library for each tour diner that day. Tickets to the Harvest Tour of Homes are $20 in advance and can be purchased at the Daniel Island Sales Center, A Floral Affair and Island Expressions on Daniel Island, and Zinnia in Mt. Pleasant.

Park Day on Daniel Island
Saturday, October 23 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Come celebrate Ten Years of Park Day on Daniel Island! In Children’s Park along the banks of the Wando River, the festival will feature musical performances, arts and crafts, children’s games, boat rides, garden clinics, an oyster roast, educational wildlife exhibitions, dog activities and more. New this year is a Pie Baking Contest presented by the Daniel Island News. The winner will win $250 plus another $250 for their charity of choice! Participants must register by October 15. Download the application HERE. Parkdayondanielisland.com

Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island
October 25 – October 31
The Daniel Island Club’s Ralston Creek course is serving as the host site of the PGA Tour’s Nationwide Tour Championship through 2011. The tournament is the Nationwide Tour’s final event each year, concluding the season-long competition to identify the 25 players who earn PGA Tour cards for the following season based on the Tour’s final money list. Nationwidetourchampionship.com

Pumpkin Carving Party
Friday, October 29 | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Prepare for the Pumpkin Walk & Drum Circle the following evening with all your friends at the Pierce Park Pavilion. Get carvin’ and creative!

Pumpkin Walk & Drum Circle
Saturday, October 30 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Barfield Park will be a ‘glow with jack-o-lanterns and luminaries as the sounds of Adande African Drummers in the woods adds ambience to this family friendly event. Food and beverages will be available through Orlando’s Pizza and T&T’s Kettle Korn. Tickets are $5 for families who bring a carved pumpkin with a candle and $10 for those without. Tickets are available the Daniel Island POA office or at the Carving Party. Contact Jennifer Carrigan at Jennifer.carrigan@dicommunity.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Daniel Island Holiday Festival
December 4 – 5 | 12:00 – 5:00 PM
On Saturday and Sunday, December 4-5, the annual Daniel Island Holiday Festival will take place at the Family Circle Tennis Center from 12:00 pm to 5:00pm. The festival will feature a great market full of unique gifts, holiday decorations and more. While shopping, guests will enjoy music and entertainment throughout the afternoon. There will also be plenty of food options for everyone!

Daniel Island Garden Club “Christmas Tour of Homes”
Saturday, December 4 | 1:00 – 5:00 PM
On Saturday, December 4th, the Daniel Island Garden Club will host their inaugural “Christmas Tour of Homes”. The tour will feature six beautiful Daniel Island homes, all decorated “to the nines” in their best holiday decor and open for ticket holders to view! Guests are welcome to stop by a reception at the last house on the tour to enjoy some holiday drinks and treats.

Everyone is invited to spend the holidays on Daniel Island this year! For more information about both of these events, visit www.dicommunity.org or call the Daniel Island Property Owners’ Association at (843) 971-9200.

Daniel Island Club Hosts Island-Wide Golf Tournament

Each year, the Daniel Island Club opens up its beautiful (and award-winning!) Beresford Creek course to all island residents and employees for the annual Daniel Island-Wide Golf Tournament. This special golf tournament, taking place on Tuesday, September 21, is open to anyone who lives or works on Daniel Island. Players will meet and greet at a buffet lunch in the clubhouse ballroom before hitting the course at 12:00 pm. After play is finished, everyone is invited to the awards reception in the clubhouse.

This year the island-wide tournament proceeds will go to Student Transportation of America Education Foundation (STAEF). STAEF is the host organization of the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island. The goal of STAEF is to provide scholarships to high school seniors of all social strata. All money raised during this tournament will go directly to scholarships in the Charleston area. In 2010, STAEF provided 16 local high school seniors with scholarships.

The Nationwide Tour Championship will return to Daniel Island October 25-31. The tournament is the Nationwide Tour’s final event each year, concluding the season-long competition to identify the 25 players who earn PGA Tour cards for the following season based on the Tour’s final money list. For more information, visit www.nationwidetourchampionship.com.

To register for the Daniel Island-Wide Golf Tournament, download the sign up form HERE. Registration deadline is September 14.

Daniel Island Teen to Take On the U.S. Open

It was just this past April that we heard the name Shelby Rogers for the first time. The 17-year old Daniel Island teen had just won a “wild card” entry into the 2010 Family Circle Cup (see our first article about Shelby HERE).

Fast forward five months and Shelby has not only gone Pro, but she’s also landed herself a spot as a qualifier for the main draw in the U.S. Open (August 30 – September 12) after winning the USTA’s Girls National Tennis Championship in San Diego on August 15. Shelby will be the youngest competitor in this year’s U.S. Open.

Shelby isn’t the only reason for Daniel Island and Charleston residents to tune into this year’s U.S. Open. Charleston is in the running to be named “America’s Best Tennis Town,” which will be announced on Labor Day during the television coverage of the tournament on CBS, ESPN2 or the Tennis Channel.

Make sure the volume is up as you cheer on Daniel Island’s Shelby Rogers take the court AND watch to see if Charleston is, in fact, “America’s Top Tennis Town!”

Hammett’s Landing Dives Into Daniel Island

Hammett’s Landing opened on Seven Farms Drive in mid-June, and looking at its Facebook page, it seems like the restaurant just dove right into Daniel Island’s bustling community! Between Kids’ and Ladies’ Nights, Jr. Chef classes, live music, Happy Hours and nightly dinner specials, the folks at Hammett’s Landing have been busy.

Specializing in seafood and game, the new dining establishment is the brainchild of Bo and Tamra Hammett, who have both been involved in the restaurant business for years. After moving around the country for work, the couple decided it was time to pursue their dream of opening a family restaurant in the south.

“We were tired of moving places that we didn’t want to live, so when we sat down and discussed where we wanted to spend the rest of our lives….Charleston was our only choice,” said Tamra. “When we began searching for locations and found Daniel Island, we knew the community would be perfect for us, our family and our business.”

Hammett’s Landing boasts an eclectic menu ranging from fried alligator tail and crab fondue to blackened bourbon quail and lobster ravioli. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant takes reservations, take-out orders and catering for special events.

Do you have a Facebook page? Then become a fan of Hammett’s Landing HERE to stay updated on nightly specials and events! Also visit their website for a complete menu and hours of operation.

Fall Festivals, Food, Philanthropy & Fun in the Lowcountry

The kids are back in school and summer is swiftly coming to an end but Daniel Island residents and visitors have much to look forward to in the coming months. Whether a bluegrass music lover, an avid arts patron or even a passionate “foodie,” there’s something for everyone this fall in Charleston!

Piggly Wiggly BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival
Sunday, September 5 | 12:00 – 9:00 PM
Boone Hall Plantation welcomes professional barbecue teams to compete in a cook-off for cash and other prizes at this annual event. Locals and amateurs are also invited to show-off their talents in barbecue and tailgating competitions. Samples will be offered and full plates will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors. Highlights also include live music from nationally recognized bluegrass bands, including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Boonehallplantation.com

Charleston Restaurant Week
September 8 – September 19
Following the success of a statewide restaurant week in January this year, Charleston will launch its own Restaurant Week this fall. The 12-day event allows diners to enjoy the city’s impressive culinary offerings without overextending the wallet. A set three-course meal will be offered for just $30 at participating fine dining establishments and $20 at participating casual restaurants. More than 50 restaurants are expected to take part in this city-wide event. Restaurantweekcharleston.com

MOJA Arts Festival
September 23 – October 3
This annual arts festival is a celebration of the African-American and Caribbean arts and culture that have influenced our city. The festival features exhibitions at museums and galleries throughout the city, theatrical performances, outdoor block parties and tons of live music, including jazz, gospel and R&B concerts. Highlights of this year’s event include a concert by Patti LaBelle and R&B group Boyz II Men. Mojafestival.com

30th Annual Taste of Charleston
October 8 – October 10
This three-day celebration of Lowcountry cuisine will feature some of Charleston’s finest, nationally renowned chefs. Named one of the “Top 20 Events in the Southeast” by the Southeastern Tourism Society, this year’s Taste of Charleston will feature an Iron Chef Competition, as well as an attempt to create the world’s largest snow-cone at the main event on Sunday at Boone Hall Plantation. Officials from the Guinness Book of World Records will attend to judge. Charlestonrestaurantassociation.com

Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure
Saturday, October 16 | 7:00 AM
Each year, thousands descend upon Daniel Island to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s mission of eradicating breast cancer through advancing research, education, screening and treatment. Through events like the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure, the foundation has invested more than $3 million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in 13 counties in the Lowcountry region. Komenlowcountry.org

Daniel Island Harvest Tour of Homes
Saturday, October 16
The Harvest Tour of Homes is back for its second annual tour of homes on Daniel Island. Benefiting the the Friends of the Berkeley Library, the tour features four beautiful island homes and the talents of  local florists and decorators. Nationally known local authors will be present in each home for book signings.

Park Day on Daniel Island
Saturday, October 23 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
A fall tradition in Charleston for ten years, Daniel Island’s Park Day is an entertaining day of events, games, food and live music for the entire family. This popular Lowcountry festival has evolved into one of Charleston’s broadest scope charitable events, raising money and awareness for more than 20 area non-profit organizations. The day features a line-up of entertainment and events in a waterfront setting overlooking the Wando River. Danielislandparkday.com

Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island
October 25 – October 31
The Daniel Island Club’s Ralston Creek course is serving as the host site of the PGA Tour’s Nationwide Tour Championship through 2011. The tournament is the Nationwide Tour’s final event each year, concluding the season-long competition to identify the 25 players who earn PGA Tour cards for the following season based on the Tour’s final money list. Nationwidetourchampionship.com

Charleston Named One of Three Finalists Vying for ‘Top Tennis Town’!

UPDATE: Charleston, SC has been chosen as one of the Top 3 Finalists for the Top Tennis Town! The Grand Prize winner will be named the “2010 Best Tennis Town” and will receive $100,000 to be used for tennis programming and facility enhancements. The announcement will be made at this year’s US Open (August 30 – September 12).

There’s never been any doubt that Charleston is an active, sports-loving city. Residents have easy access to golfing, water sports, professional sports teams and more. And now Charleston is being recognized as one of the top tennis destinations in the country!

The USTA has selected Charleston as a finalist in the “2010 Best Tennis Town” competition, and now it’s up to residents, visitors and friends of the ‘Holy City’ to help win the title!

The winner will be determined by a nationwide online vote at www.besttennistown.com that will be active until July 26th at 11:59 a.m. The Grand Prize, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be announced at this year’s US Open. The winning city will be awarded $100,000 to be used for tennis programming or facility enhancements community wide.

Daniel Island’s own Family Circle Tennis Center has played a large role in creating Charleston’s strong tennis reputation. Ten years ago, the Family Circle Cup made the move from Hilton Head Island to Daniel Island, bringing with it a staff of professional instructors, a new top-notch tennis facility and an annual professional women’s tournament that has brought the world’s top players and tennis fanatics to Charleston each spring.

What Are Your Favorite Picnic Spots on Daniel Island?

With hundreds of acres of parks, miles and miles of trails and shorelines, Daniel Island is the perfect place for couples, families and friends to enjoy a nice, relaxing and fun summer picnic.

What is your favorite place on Daniel Island for a picnic? We want to hear from you!

Email us your favorite spot at contact@myislandtown.com. Include a photo from your island picnic if you have one.

Daniel Island’s 4th of July Weekend-Long Celebration A Success!

Did you miss the Daniel Island Property Owners’ fantastic Independence Day celebrations? If so, then you missed the biggest and best Patriotic party in town!

On Friday, July 2 more than 400 island residents, guests and visitors ate, drank and danced the night away at the Island-Wide Block Party at the Daniel Island Grill. Plane Jane belted out popular tunes like “Margaritaville” while parents relaxed and visited with friends and neighbors and the kids took turns going down the inflatable water slide. Even Daniel Island dogs had a great (and clean!) time at the Splish-Splash Doggy Bath.

On Saturday morning, folks came out to the Family Circle Tennis Center to fill up on a pancake breakfast before the annual 4th of July parade. After breakfast, the streets of Daniel Island were covered with red, white and blue-decorated bicycles, wagons, golf carts, strollers and people! Everyone got into the holiday spirit as they paraded from downtown Daniel Island to the Pierce Park Pool & Pavilion for an afternoon of fun pool games and relaxation.

Each year, the Daniel Island POA and residents really out do themselves to make the island’s 4th of July celebration the best in town. It’s very apparent at events like last weekend’s that we live in a very special community.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard organizing everything and thanks to everyone who participated! We are all already looking forward to next year!

Take a look at photographer Mandy Hostetler’s photos from the festivities!

Pictures are available for purchase at www.collages.net. Just enter the Username: Daniel Island and Password: 29656.

Paint the Town Red, White & Blue at Daniel Island’s 4th of July Celebrations!

Looking for a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate the 4th of July? Look no further! Each year, the Daniel Island Property Owners Association and other island businesses and organizations host a huge, multi-day party and this year is no exception! Take a look below and start planning your July 4th weekend.

Island-Wide Block Party
Friday, July 2 | 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Daniel Island Grill
Sponsored by the Daniel Island POA, the Daniel Island Grill & Camp Bow Wow

Bring the entire family, including your favorite four-legged member, to Daniel Island Grill on Seven Farms Drive for a fun, island-wide block party featuring food, music, games for the kids and much much more!

Food will be available for purchase from the Daniel Island Grill but feel free to bring your favorite appetizer, salad or dessert to share. Et Cetera Gourmet will be selling their delicious gelato – a tasty treat to keep you cool!

It wouldn’t be a party without entertainment! Family-friendly Rick Hubbard will kick off the party with his guitar, banjo, steel drum and, best of all, his kazoo! Then Plane Jane, voted Charleston’s #1 party and cover band for 8 years, will keep the crowd dancing with an assortment of tunes ranging from shag and disco to funk and rock-n-roll favorites.

Other entertainment will include a “Splish-Splash Doggy Bath” hosted by Camp Bow Wow of Charleston, an inflatable water slide to keep the kids cool, face painting and a “Pride Your Ride” tent with patriotic decorations for your bikes, wagons, strollers and golf carts for the parade on Saturday.

Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, July 3 | 8:30 – 10:00 am
Family Circle Tennis Center
Sponsored by Jim N’ Nick’s Bar-B-Q, the Family Circle Tennis Center and the Daniel Island POA

On Saturday morning, head over to the Family Circle Tennis Center for the 2nd annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast! The menu, provided by Jim N’ Nick’s Bar-B-Q, will feature buttermilk pancakes, hickory-smoked ham, cheese biscuits and watermelon.

Tickets are $5 per person if purchased in advance at the Daniel Island Property Owners Association office. Limited tickets will be available the day of the event for $7 per person.

Pre-Parade Festivities
Saturday, July 3 | 10:00 – 11:00 am
Family Circle Tennis Center

The Daniel Island Property Owners Association certainly has a “star spangled” day planned from start to finish! After the pancake breakfast, stick around the Family Circle Tennis Center to watch some amazing performances by local talent including the North Charleston High School Band, Broadway stars Brad and Jennifer Moranz, local singing sensation Caroline Rhett and family-favorite, Rick Hubbard!

Annual Daniel Island 4th of July Parade
Saturday, July 3 | 11:00 am
Family Circle Tennis Center

Everyone is invited to join the parade, marching from the Family Circle Tennis Center to the Pierce Park Pool & Pavilion, on bikes, wagons, strollers and golf carts. (Don’t forget to get patriotic and decorate your ride at the Island-Wide Block Party on Friday night!)

Cookout & Poolside Celebration
Saturday, July 3 | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Pierce Park Pool & Pavilion
This event is for Daniel Island residents and their guests.

Once the parade is over, the party will keep going at the Pierce Park Pool & Pavilion for a cookout and games! The Daniel Island Grill will be serving up delicious food and cold drinks, and there’ll be a number of fun aquatic games for the kids and music provided by the ‘DJ Doctor’.

We look forward to seeing everyone next weekend to celebrate!

Top Ten Daniel Island Gifts For Daniel Island Dads!

Looking for the perfect gift for your Daniel Island dad? Check out our recommendations below:

1. Head over to the Golf Shop at the Daniel Island Club. You don’t have to be a member to shop and they have a wide variety of dad-friendly gifts — Daniel Island logo shirts, ties, bathing suits, leather bags, dopp kits and more. Perfect for any Daniel Island dad!

2. Get him tickets to a Charleston Battery game! The Battery’s 2010 season is in full swing with a number of home matches left, including the July 17th match against the Barclays English Premier League’s Bolton Wanderers, who currently have four players competing in the World Cup. Something tells us dad would love tickets!

3. There’s a new restaurant on Daniel Island and it sounds right up Dad’s alley! Hammett’s Landing specializes in seafood and game, boasting a varied menu including alligator tail, bison and duck burgers, mahi mahi and more. Grab Dad a gift certificate and treat him to dinner for Father’s Day.

4. The craft beer frenzy has kicked into high gear in Charleston so every dad needs his own refillable beer growler from Laura Alberts Tasteful Options. Want to know the best part? Dad can bring his growler to “Growler Hour” each Wednesday to fill up on newly tapped beer for just $3. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

5. Get the golfer in your life what he really wants – a new set of golf clubs, which can be purchased at the Daniel Island Club Golf Shop, and golf lessons from the Club’s head teaching professional and former PGA Tour player Ron Cerrudo. Help dad get into the swing of things!

6. You know dad will want to watch the World Cup this weekend! Pick up a gift certificate to the Daniel Island Grill and treat him to a night out with the boys.

7. Living so close to the water, there are a ton of great recreational ideas for dad! Rent kayaks and take a cruise with the whole family through Daniel Island’s many creeks and waterways. Or call Captain Greg Peralta to charter a fishing trip. Either way, dad will have a memorable time!

8. For the dad who loves gourmet food, stop by Et Cetera Gourmet and build a custom gift basket filled with imported specialty cheeses, cured meats, oils and vinegars, pastries and other sweets.

9. Cook dad dinner with local ingredients from the Daniel Island Farmers’ Market! Grab fresh shrimp, scallops or fish from Capt. Haitt and then head over to the produce stand for green beans, squash and new potatoes. Complete your culinary masterpiece with peach cobbler made with juicy SC peaches. Dad will certainly be impressed!

10. For the Lowcountry lover, head down to the Daniel Island Sales Center and purchase nature photographer Tom Blagden Jr’s book “Lowcountry: The Natural Landscape.” Filled with beautiful images of the Lowcountry’s salt marshes, Carolina bays, beaches, barren islands, rivers and other natural beauties, this gift will remind dad why he calls Daniel Island home.

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