Eleven Foot Osprey Finds a Home On Daniel Island

After an extensive search, the Daniel Island Garden Club recently commissioned Mt. Pleasant artist David Springer to design and create a sculpture of an osprey in flight as a central focal point for the island’s Osprey Trail, a garden oasis located in front of the Daniel Island School on Daniel Island Drive. The piece is an 11-foot tall copper and stainless steel design titled “Island Sonata” that incorporates a huge nest and two magnificent birds. An unveiling and dedication ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 11 at 11:00 a.m.

Springer’s sculpture is a copper and stainless steel interpretation of an osprey approaching the nest with a new branch clamped firmly in strong copper and steel talons. Its mate is watching from a perch on the other side of the nest. The contrast of shiny stainless steel and the colors of the copper patina repeat throughout the piece and reflect the common unity of bird, water and fish.

Planning for the Osprey Trail – which is named after the Daniel Island School mascot and the several osprey nests located in areas near the school property – began in 2008 when members of the Daniel Island Garden Club set out to improve an overgrown wooded area that served as a buffer between the Daniel Island School and Daniel Island Drive. With funding provided in part by the Daniel Island Community Fund, the two-acre site was transformed into a series of beautiful gardens connected by a meandering trail. The gardens showcase a variety of plants that thrive in the conditions of the Lowcountry: A Woodland Shade Garden, Southern Garden, Rose Garden, Bird and Butterfly Garden, Children’s Garden and a Japanese Garden.

“Once the initial plantings and elements of the trail were in place, we set out to raise money for a sculpture that would serve as a primary focal point for the trail,” says Melody Bundschuh, project coordinator for the Daniel Island Garden Club. “We knew we wanted to use a local artist, and we knew that a priority was to raise enough money for a significant piece that would draw attention to the name of the garden oasis that has been created on this site.”

Funds for the continued expansion of the Osprey Trail – including the addition of the new sculpture – have come from proceeds of house and garden tours organized by the Garden Club, along with additional contributions from the Daniel Island Community Fund.

“We’d also like to offer a very special thank you to the artist, David Springer, for working with us to help make the dream of adding a ‘real’ osprey to the trail become a reality,” said Bundschuh.

Although the Garden Club has worked on several community beautification projects over the years, the group is particularly proud that this trail and series of gardens have become an educational resource and tranquil retreat for students at the Daniel Island School, as well as residents and visitors to the community. Most plants along the trail are identified with name plates, a detail that is intended to help educate visitors about the area’s native plants.  Over the years, additional plantings and special features have been added to enhance the site.

Daniel Island Kitchens & Gardens on Display

Back for its second year, the Daniel Island Kitchen & Garden Tour will take place on Saturday, April 28 from 2pm – 5pm. Sponsored by the Charleston County Medical Society Alliance (CCMSA), the event benefits area organizations that provide critical healthcare services to Lowcountry communities in need.

Smythe Park is the focus of the event this year, and four lovely homes in this island neighborhood will be open for tour. Each home will feature both a unique kitchen and garden. The featured designs and demonstrations at each location have been carefully planned and will offer food tastings, beautiful tablescapes and outdoor retreats. Participating sponsors include Et Cetera Gourmet, Laura Alberts Tasteful Options, Coastal Cupboard and Our Local Foods.

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at Island Expressions, Laura Alberts Tasteful Options and Zinnia, or at any of the tour homes the day of the event. For more information about the Charleston County Medical Society Alliance visit www.ccmsalliance.org

Deadline for “My Island Town Video Contest” Extended to June 1

Island pools are open for business, boating season is well underway, and school activities are wrapping up for the year – with so much going on, Daniel Island Real Estate is extending the entry deadline for the “My Island Town Video Contest” to June 1. If you haven’t submitted an entry yet, there’s still plenty of time to get out and have some fun with your smart phone or video camera. And if you have already entered, why not consider entering again? There’s no entry fee, and no limit to the number of entries per person. Remember – more than $3,000 in cash prizes will be given away to winners in two age categories: Youth (children through 8th grade) and Adult (ages 15 and older).

Anyone can create a winning entry. They can be simple clips or fully-edited segments, as long as they depict life on Daniel Island, from nature and activities in parks and on the trails, to island events, favorite island businesses, neighborhood gatherings and more. Judges – including representatives from Daniel Island Real Estate, the Daniel Island News and others in the Daniel Island business community – will be evaluating the entries for originality and creativity. You don’t need to be a professional photographer or video producer to win!

It’s a perfect time of year to explore the island – get out, start shooting, and share what you love about Daniel Island! For complete details and entry instructions, click here.

Get Ready to Roll!

One of Charleston’s most unique and popular annual fundraising events takes right here on Daniel Island, and it’s just around the corner. The 12th annual Bocce Bash, a fundraiser for Special Olympics South Carolina, is scheduled for May 19 at Blackbaud Stadium. 128 teams of four will compete in this bracket-style competition for all skill levels. See below for photos from previous years.

The $500 entry fee for your team of four includes lunch and cold beverages for all players during the event. This year, food is being provided through a “Food Truck Rodeo,” featuring selections from the Daniel Island Grill, Taco Boy and Hubee D’s. Just a few team slots remain available. Please contact Paula Byers at Pbyers1@comcast.net as soon as possible if you are interested in registering a team.

The action starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 19. It’s great fun for the entire family to come out and support your favorite players during the day, and it’s all for a great cause. Special Olympics South Carolina aims to be the leader in unified sports programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The organization helps empower athletes to be valued members of their community and respected members of society. You may even meet some of the athletes during the Bocce Bash as they come out to show their support for Special Olympics!

Check out these photos from previous Bocce Bash showdowns!

Sign Up for the 9th Annual Moms’ 5K Run and Family Fun Day on Daniel Island

Join us on Daniel Island this Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 12 for the 9th Annual Moms’ 5K Run, benefitting the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation for Postpartum Depression Awareness. This is the largest fundraiser for this foundation, with proceeds benefiting education, support and healing for women in the Lowcountry suffering from postpartum depression.

“This event is for all of the mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, girlfriends and husbands out there who have felt the sting of this illness. For the rest of the population, the Moms’ Run is a perfect opportunity to enjoy some family-friendly fun while supporting a very worthy cause,” says island resident Dr. Risa Mason, the Foundation’s executive director.

The event’s Family Fun Day takes place on May 12 from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm at Blackbaud Stadium. Complimentary food and beverages for race participants, music and games will provide hours of entertainment for the entire family. A $10 donation is appreciated from those not running in the race who wish to be part of Family Fun Day.

Packet Pickup and Race Day Registration starts at 6:30 am on Saturday, May 12. Registration will close at 7:45 am. The run kicks off promptly at 8:00 am from Blackbaud Stadium, and will be followed by the awards ceremony at 9:00 am. The course proceeds along Daniel Island Drive through Etiwan Park, and the finish line is located just outside Blackbaud Stadium.

On Friday, May 11 stop by TrySports in Mt. Pleasant from 4-8 pm for early packet pick up, and hear guest runner Holly Ortlund speak from 6-7 pm about Energy Gel Basics.

For more information about the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation, and details how to register to participate in the Moms’ 5K, visit ppdsupport.org.

Daniel Island Farmers’ Market Opens April 19!

The Daniel Island Farmers’ Market is back! Be sure to stop by every Thursday from 4:00 pm to dusk throughout the summer. The market is conveniently located directly on Island Park Drive across from the Publix shopping center. A wide variety of vendors will be offering farm-fresh produce and homemade bread as well as handcrafted jewelry and children’s clothing.  Load up on sugar snap peas, green beans, vine ripe tomatoes, corn, peppers, onions and much more. There’s nothing better than enjoying farm fresh produce all summer long!

 

Island Town Optometrist Offers Innovative Services

Dr. Charles Turner opened Island Eye Care on Daniel Island seven years ago. Originally from Indiana, Dr. Turner was ready to establish his business not only in a place that offered a warmer climate, but also in a town that offered a convenient location. Daniel Island offered both, and so much more.

“I wanted to open my business in a place where I could ride my bike to work – Daniel Island was the perfect fit,” says Dr. Turner. “I love having my office here. I wanted a site that was not only convenient, but that was centrally located and offered plenty of parking. Daniel Island offers all of that and more.”

Dr. Turner’s business has grown exponentially since 2005. Not only does he carry the largest inventory of contact lenses in South Carolina, but he is also the only optometrist in the nation that offers a special recycling program for contact lenses.

“I thought it would be really great to create a program where patients would get excited about recycling their contacts,” says Dr. Turner. “With more and more people switching to daily lens wear, you start to think about all the packaging and plastic that it generates.”

With over 1,000 of his patients wearing contact lenses, that’s a lot of excess waste. Dr. Turner decided to formerly introduce the One Million Lens Challenge. This is a contest where each contact lens patient receives a recycling container. In return, they receive incentives each time they come in for an appointment.

“The patient is to place the recycling container next to their sink or waste basket in their bathroom. That way, each day when they open a new pair of contact lenses they can dispose of the plastic cases properly in the bag. Our goal is to recycle one million lenses and we are on our way!” says Dr. Turner.

Dr. Turner offers a range of prizes for patients that bring in their recycled contacts. This is certainly innovative thinking for a small town optometry business located on Daniel Island.

“I’m always trying to stay on the cutting edge of the eye wear business,” says Dr. Turner. “This includes staying on top of the latest products for innovative care.”

Dr. Turner enjoys promoting his business by being involved in the community and volunteering at the Daniel Island School. He is also the official eye doctor for the Charleston Battery soccer team.

“I really enjoy being active in the community. I particularly like being the guest science teacher for the 8th graders at the Daniel Island School, where I have them dissect an eyeball. They just love it!” says Dr. Turner.

Island Eye Care currently has three full-time employees, including Dr. Turner’s father, and is getting ready to expand.

“I’m really excited about the growth my business has experienced and look forward to being on Daniel Island for many more years to come,” says Dr. Turner.

Island Eye Care is located in the heart of downtown Daniel Island at 250 Seven Farms Drive. Committed to improving the vision of the entire family, Dr. Turner’s unique training has prepared him to perform eye exams tailored for newborns, children and adults with eye health problems. Island Eye Care is a Charleston practice that specializes in providing the highest level of customer service — focusing on fulfilling each patient’s needs and providing the best optical experience in the Lowcountry.  For more information, visit www.dieyecare.com

Non-Stop Action at the Family Circle Cup!

The world’s top tennis stars are on Daniel Island this week for the Family Circle Cup, and the action is getting more intense by the day. Warm temperatures and an all-star lineup have helped draw record crowds for the 40th anniversary of this WTA Premier event.

Among the players who have moved on to the second round of the tournament are Nadia Petrova and Venus Williams, who returned to the WTA just a few weeks ago at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami after an injury last fall. The second round began Tuesday, with No.2 seed Sam Stosur, No.4 seed Vera Zvonareva and No. 5 seed Serena Williams among the winners. Stosur was the 2010 Family Circle Cup champion, and Zvonareva is a two-time runner-up here: She lost to Serena Williams in 2008 and to Stosur in 2010.

On Thursday, the folks from ESPN2 will begin their coverage of the tournament, which continues through Sunday, April 8.

But the tournament goes well beyond serving up great tennis. All week long, the Grand Lawn has been the central gathering spot, with an open bar and live music – a great place to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Family Circle Cup. And on Saturday, a very special event will commemorate the tournament’s 40th anniversary. “40 Love: A Night of Empowerment Celebrating 40 Years of the Family Circle Cup” will feature appearances by Billie Jean King and many other former Family Circle Cup Champions.

The Family Circle Cup is a great time to be out and about on Daniel Island. There are still tickets available – visit familycirclecup.com for details. And if you can’t make it, be sure to tune into ESPN2 this weekend to check out the action.

Show Your Support for the Charleston Battery

It’s never been easier to show your support for the “home team.” Fans of Charleston Battery soccer can now look online to purchase authentic Charleston Battery jerseys, plus official t-shirts, hats and accessories. The Battery recently launched a new online store, just in time for the 2012 season, which begins this month.

The Battery will host its home opener — and kick-off official celebrations of the team’s 20th anniversary – on Saturday, April 14 when they face the Richmond Kickers at Blackbaud Stadium. Look out for their special “retro ’93″ jerseys, and be sure to stay after the match for a celebratory fireworks display.

Single-game, group and season tickets are available for the 2012 season, starting at just $10. For more information and to purchase tickets visit charlestonbattery.com or call (843) 971-GOAL (4625).

More Pocket Paleo, Please!

Daniel Island Resident & Entrepreneur Makes Popular Healthy Snack

When Jason Burke visited Charleston in June 2008, little did he know that he and his wife would soon make Daniel Island their home.

“Kristin and I were living in Tampa, Florida. I was in the financial service business and was working more than eighty hours a week. I knew I couldn’t sustain that lifestyle much longer,” says Jason.

That’s when Jason and Kristin decided to a take spontaneous road trip to Charleston. “We stayed in the historic district and fell in love the city. Charleston just felt right. We loved the charm of the city.”

Soon after returning home, Jason visited Charleston again. It wasn’t until he was called for an interview at Blackbaud, a leading manufacturer of software for non-profit organizations, that he discovered Daniel Island.

“I just loved this place. It was perfect – I could walk or ride my bike to work,” commented Jason. “I had lived in Tampa all my life and nothing I’d seen before compared to what Daniel Island had to offer. It seemed too good to be true.”

Jason accepted the job offer at Blackbaud and he and Kristen purchased a condominium located in downtown Daniel Island. But it wasn’t long before Jason started dreaming of owning his own business.

“I enjoy my work at Blackbaud, but I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart,” says Jason. “Even as a kid, instead of loaning my video games to friends, I would rent my games to them!”

In addition to an entrepreneurial spirit, Jason has an appreciation for Daniel Island’s healthy lifestyle. “I started to notice that Daniel Island was a very active community and thought that a natural foods store would do well on the island.”

That’s when he started doing CrossFit and learned about the Paleo diet and all the benefits that it had to offer. (The Paleo diet mimics the diets of our hunter-gatherer ancestors and includes lean meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, and nuts.) However, Jason also found that eating on the go and quick meals were not easy while following the strict guidelines of the Paleo diet. “When eating Paleo, you have to plan and prepare a lot of your meals. Its not as easy as grabbing a bag of chips and a soda.”

Jason started experimenting with making homemade, grass-fed beef jerky, a popular Paleo diet snack. Beef jerky has long been a favorite snack with hikers and campers due to its long shelf life and high protein content.

“I came up with a pretty good formula and decided to test it out with the CrossFit community,” says Jason.

The response was very positive. So, he decided to explore the idea even further by adding a variety of nuts and dried fruit. Thus, Pocket Paleo was born. “People just loved the stuff and pretty soon were placing orders. I would come home from work and immediately start making beef jerky.”

This went on for about six months until he got an order for 500 Pocket Paleos from a national online sports equipment retailer.

“That’s when I knew that this had become something with real potential,” says Jason.

Jason decided to put the natural foods store on hold and instead work on getting his USDA Grant of Inspection, researching manufacturing methods and concentrate more on marketing efforts. In June of last year, he moved to a new space and started regularly producing Pocket Paleo for the retail market.

“We get orders from all over the world – it’s amazing how popular the Pocket Paleo is with athletes, bikers, campers, and boaters,” says Jason.

Pocket Paleo can be purchased online at www.thenewprimal.com. It can also be found at Our Local Foods located near Daniel Island just off of Clements Ferry Road and at various CrossFit gyms throughout the region.  Soon it will be readily available in many other retail outlets.

“I’m very excited about the path we’re headed down. We’re currently researching alternate flavors, selling the beef jerky on its own, and even experimenting with some all-natural nut butters,” says Jason.

Jason also plans on taking the Pocket Paleo on the road and promoting it through a variety of athletic and endurance events.

And speaking of events, The New Primal is sponsoring the New Primal Games right here on Daniel Island. Similar to an all-day school “field day,” the New Primal Games will take place on Saturday, June 23rd on Wando Fields.  It will be a fun-filled day with events that include an obstacle course, climbing walls, running and even a slip ‘n slide for the true primal at heart! For more information, click here.

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