Mortgage Broker in Sullivan's Island, SC

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – The South Carolina Circuit Court has ruled to preserve the Sullivan’s Island Maritime Forest. This comes after the town’s previous council approved a settlement agreement that would allow development to take place where the forest currently sits.

The circuit court ruled in favor of the Town of Sullivan’s Island’s request to invalidate the settlement agreement that was agreed upon by the previous town council.

“I was thrilled,” Sullivan’s Island resident Cyndy Ewing said. “It’s a monumental ruling.”

Many Sullivan’s Island neighbors and elected officials are pleased with the ruling that will protect the island’s 200-acre maritime forest from development.

“The judge agreed that that agreement was not legal under state law,” Sullivan’s Island Mayor Patrick O’Neil said. “And one main issue there was that one sitting council for a municipality may not tie the hands of subsequent councils for a municipality.”

The ruling, which was handed down earlier this week, gives Sullivan’s Island Town Council complete authority over the forest.

“They can talk about how we can manage this land for the safety and enjoyment of all the residents,” Ewing said. “It’s thrilling.”

Ewing is thrilled because she says without the forest, the island would be nearly uninhabitable.

“It actually holds the land,” she said, “the plants out here, hold our land together. It also protects us from storm surge and hurricanes and flooding.”

In addition to keeping the island whole, and protecting residents from storms, O’Neil says the maritime forest is special for another reason.

“This is land which has been growing,” he said, “it’s been accreting. Whereas nearly every other barrier island along the East Coast is eroding. So, our island is getting bigger.”

Town residents say after years of dispute, they’re elated the court finally saw the forest for the trees.

“What we are looking forward to is being able to celebrate this incredible resource that we’ve been given instead of having to fight to protect it,” Ewing said.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Folly Beach residents voted to decide if a cap should be placed on the number of short-term rentals on the island.

“This is our referendum vote today on whether to put a cap on short-term rentals,” Folly Beach resident Elton Culpepper said.

There are currently more than 1100 active short-term rentals on the island, however the cap would limit that number to 800.

“It was put in as an arbitrary number earlier on because basically that was at the time the petition was proposed,” Folly Beach resident Ann Peets said.

The petition was proposed by a group of residents who go by Save Folly’s Future. They say the presence of too many short-term rentals has diminished their quality of life.

“Some of them work really well,” Peets said, “the landlords are great, and they really manage them well. But the downside of others is that the partying has gotten out of hand. We have people racing golf carts in the middle of the night. We have people lighting up fireworks in the street.”

They also believe the rentals put a lot of strain on the city’s resources and infrastructure.

“It adds stress to the traffic on the island,” Folly Beach resident Bubba Catoe said. “It adds stress to the municipal works; the trash pickup, the response from our public safety.”

But some residents are against the proposed cap because they believe it would adversely affect their home’s property value.

“This cap starts us on the progressive path to becoming Sullivan’s Island,” Culpepper said. “They want 800 now, then they want 600 later, 400, 200. Sullivan’s Island doesn’t have the uniqueness we have here at Folly Beach. I don’t want that type of lifestyle.”

Residents are hoping Tuesday’s election turns out in their favor.

“I’d like to see the vote be yes in favor of an investment short-term rental cap,” Catoe said.

“I’m very optimistic,” Culpepper said.

“We’re hoping for a yes vote to cap those investment short-term rentals going forward,” Peets said.

The unofficial election results provided by the Charleston County Board of Elections: 655 YES // 578 NO.

The Town of Sullivan’s Island and Fort Moultrie are hosting Carolina Day events to commemorate the Battle of Sullivan’s Island that took place on June 28, 1776.

The Town of Sullivan’s Island, along with Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, is hosting a morning event on June 25 to honor the historic Revolutionary War battle.

Even though the entire conflict took place on the island and was one of the first great American victories of the Revolutionary War, little had been done on Sullivan’s Island to mark the event until 2019 when the town, along with Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, began to reestablish a commemoration to complement activities in downtown Charleston organized by the Palmetto Society. Since then the Sullivan’s Island event has grown steadily.

Carolina Day festivities on Sullivan’s Island will take place on the plaza in front of Town Hall on at 9 a.m. Activities will include raising of the Moultrie flag, a proclamation by Mayor Patrick O’Neil, participation by the Daughters of the American Revolution and a special speaker on the history of the battle.

An extra special treat will be the firing of a musket salute by members of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, Col. Moultrie’s own unit. Invocation and benediction will be by Rev. Daniel Massie. Refreshments including doughnuts, coffee and orange juice will be served.

Everyone, including students of all ages, islanders both old and new, visitors and anyone interested in learning more about the first significant event in Sullivan’s Island history are encouraged to attend the ceremony on June 25.

Additionally, Fort Moultrie will celebrate the 246th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island with events on June 25 and 26.

At Fort Moultrie from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be living history soldiers in period uniforms, musket and cannon drills and firing demonstrations.

Visitors of all ages have the chance to experience the American Revolution through the life of a soldier at Fort Moultrie. The park entrance fee has been waived June 25.

Cannon demonstrations will be on Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. Musket demonstrations will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m.

Patriots and Loyalists will be represented with the 2nd South Carolina Regiment and 33rd Regiment of Foot.

Fort Moultrie is located at 1214 Middle Street on Sullivan’s Island. The park represents the history of static seacoast defense in the United States, from the American Revolution to the end of World War II.

For more information call 843-883-3123 or visit www.nps.gov/fosu.

Residents and island visitors gathered on a clear Saturday at the steps of Town Hall Plaza on Sullivan’s Island to commemorate the 246^th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, an annual event hosted by Battery Gadsden Cultural Center.

On June 28, 1776, Sgt. William Jasper and others from the Second South Carolina Regiment, which was commanded by Col. William Moultrie, hoisted a regimental flag upon a partially completed palmetto log fort to defend colonial Charleston against a major land and sea assault led by British Admiral Sir Peter Parker and Gen. Henry Clinton.

On Saturday, emcee Chuck Galis welcomed the gathering crowd to a Carolina Day celebration. Sullivan’s Island Mayor Patrick O’Neil read a proclamation to kick off the ceremony. Members of Boy Scout Troop 59, which meets regularly at Stella Maris Church on the island, led a presentation and raising of the bright blue Moultrie Flag, followed by a dramatic musket salute by members of the modern-day Second South Carolina Regiment.

Maggie Adams, regent for St. Sullivan Chapter-NSDAR, recalled the life, death and courageous example of Col. Michael Kovats, a Hungarian cavalryman who trained and led the Continental Army during the British siege of Charleston. In January 1777, Kovats penned a letter to then-American Ambassador in France, Benjamin Franklin, in which he pledged his sword to defend the Continental Army’s cause. He famously closed the letter with the salutation, “Most faithful unto death.” Kovats ultimately gave his life in the American War for Independence on May 11, 1779. (Wikipedia reports, “To this date, Michael de Kovats is celebrated by cadets at The Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina, where part of the campus is named in his honor. The Hungarian Embassy in Washington, D.C., has a statue sculpted by Paul Takacs and executed by Attila Dienes.”)

Mike Walsh, president of the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, closed the ceremony by conveying the 2022 Cultural Stewardship Award to former Sullivan’s Island resident Wayne Stelljes. The Rev. Dr. Daniel W. Massie offered a benediction.

Rob Byko is a local Realtor and avid photographer. All photos in this story are by Rob Byko Photography and are copyrighted. All rights reserved.

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND — Sullivan’s Seafood Restaurant was an island staple from 1988 until Sept. 6, 2020, when owners Sammy Rhodes and Donna Rhodes Hiott permanently closed the local favorite. Ben and Kate Towill hope their restaurant — which opened in the 2019 Middle St. space May 17 — will honor the building’s past while ushering it into the future.

Sullivan’s Fish Camp is now open, serving customers local seafood and beach-themed cocktails Tuesday through Sunday.

The Towills are the owners of design and hospitality firm Basic Projects. Kate, head of design for the Charleston-based company, has led the design of residential and commercial properties, including an athletic club and Basic Projects’ two other restaurants: Basic Kitchen and Post House.

Alongside her husband, Basic Projects head of operations Eva Suarez and other members of the team, Kate led the two-year renovation of Sullivan’s Fish Camp, where she set out to create a 1970s-inspired beachside aesthetic. Her goal was to give the space a fresh look with elements honoring Sullivan’s Seafood, like a framed flag and original menu.

A place that feels new and nostalgic all at once.

“That’s been the biggest compliment that we have received is (people saying) ‘Oh it feels like it’s been here forever,’ ” Kate Towill said.

Leading the kitchen as executive chef is Davis Hood, who grew up on Isle of Palms with his brother Nathan, culinary director of Basic Projects. Hood, who recalls walking by the Middle Street building on his way to Sullivan’s Island Elementary School, is focusing on sustainability at the new Sullivan’s Island restaurant.

Local purveyors like Abundant Seafood, Tarvin Seafood, Lowcountry Oyster Co., Vertical Roots and Peculiar Pig Farm dot the Sullivan’s Fish Camp menu.

“It’s not your average fish camp in my eyes,” Hood said. “The whole concept of snout to tail cooking, we’re trying to bring that vibe but with fish. Understanding that the ocean is such an important part of our lives and not trying to have any waste.”

If there is one dish that epitomizes this approach, it’s the Sullivan’s Island Gumbo that features Tarvin Seafood shrimp, clams, okra, lobster broth, dayboat fish and Anson Mills Charleston Gold Rice. The West African style gumbo’s gluten-free base is made using chicken bones, lobster shells, shrimp shells, fennel, celery, palm oil and Bradford Family Farm okra, which replaces a roux as the stew’s thickening agent.

Ben Towill said the gumbo, along with the pan-roasted fish of the day and tempura nori tuna with furikake aioli have been some of the restaurant’s top sellers in its first weeks of service.

“We feel like the menu’s been received really well,” Ben Towill said. “Guests and everyone have felt really comfortable which has been a big bonus.”

Fresh seafood isn’t the only element that gives Sullivan’s Fish Camp that desired beachside feel. Self-described “fruity” cocktails like the tequila-based Sumter’s Watch, rum-based Sullivan Swizzle and the frozen paloma will immediately put patrons on island time.

Sullivan’s Fish Camp is open for dinner from 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and lunch is currently served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The restaurant plans to eventually serve lunch and dinner daily.

For more information, visit sullivansfishcamp.com or call 843-883-2100.