Updates from the Daufuskie Island Front Porch News

Dear Front Porch Readers, Please note the following: From the Farmer’s Market: Every Saturday from 11AM until 1PM. Located at the County Dock at the end of Haig Point Road (next to Marshside Mamas) ************************** From the First Union African Baptist Church: Vacation Bible School is returning to Daufuskie. The week of July 15-19, VBS will be held at the First Union African Baptist Church on School Road. More details to follow, but let the excitement begin. This Sunday, please join us at the First Union African Baptist Church for a fantastic worship experience, featuring the music of Bill Alston and the preaching of Dr. Clarence Edmondson. Bible Study starts at 9:20, with the Church Service and Children's Chapel starting at 10:00 am. All are welcome! *************************** From Bloody Point Golf Club: 1st Annual Firecracker Open Shotgun Start July 3rd, 10AM Call 843.341.5566 to sign up! Join us for our 2nd Annual 4th of July Celebration!! Noon - 6:00PM, Free Admission BBQ Grill Out, Oyster Roast, Cart Parade, Face painting, Inflatables, Slide Pool Open to the Public! Cart Parade Lineup - 2:30PM, Cart Parade - 3:00PM Cart Parade Categories: Most Original, Most Daufuskie, Most Patriotic. Winners receive $50 Gift Card! *************************** From Melrose on the Beach: Pool • Picnic • Party 4th of July at Melrose on the Beach What’s more American than American Idol? Celebrate the 4th of July with American Idol Season 10 Finalist Casey Abrams We’ll Provide the Red and Blue ... You Wear the White! Join us at the Beach Club on Thursday, July 4th: • Poolside Cocktails • All-American Buffet • Live Concert with American Idol Finalist All-American Buffet Dinner featuring: $32/adult $20/children 13 and under children 5 and under free 6:00 - Poolside Cocktail Party with DJ 7:00 - Dinner RESERVATIONS REQUIRED 888-851-4971 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 7:45 - 9:00 Casey Abrams LIVE in Concert Open to the Public - No Charge Cash Bar RESERVATIONS SUGGESTED 888-851-4971 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- After Concert - Enjoy Hilton Head and Savannah fireworks from Melrose Beach Bring Your Own Blankets and Beach Chairs NO PERSONAL COOLERS ALLOWED ****************************** Best regards, Paula Nickels Editor, the Daufuskie Front Porch www.thedaufuskiefrontporch.com

More ferry services could be coming to Daufuskie Island

Posted: Jun 21, 2013 9:26 PM EST Updated: Jun 21, 2013 9:31 PM EST By Jonathan Burton - email WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather DAUFUSKIE ISLAND, SC (WTOC) -Beaufort County's $99.4 million budget for the 2014 fiscal year includes $200,000 for ferry services, and a study that would test long term transportation options to get to and form Daufuskie Island. The proposal calls for $150,000 to go towards the operation of the current ferry service, and $50,000 will be used for the study. The ferry service currently runs twice a day, and two Saturdays a month. County officials say this proposed study will increase ferry services, which will have a positive impact on the Island's economy and property value. Many county residents, like Doug James, say this is a great idea. "Right now, folks who live on the island are handicapped by the lack of transportation," said James. "It is also hurting the sale and resale of homes over there. If I was looking to buy something over there, I wouldn't consider it because of the lack of transportation." According to the county and area real estate agents, property value on Daufuskie Island has decreased by 43 percent over the past five years. The average cost of a home in 2008 was nearly $572,000, and now it's $400,000. Some agents say there are some properties on the Island that have a listing price of just $1. "If we can find a solution to the ferry situation it will help the property values out there because more people will get out there," said Joy Nelson, spokesperson for Beaufort County. County officials are trying to recruit experts from states with successful ferry systems to come up with a lasting solution for Daufuskie Island. According to Nelson, some council members are on the fence about the budget because it also raises property taxes. Nelson says the county has not had a property tax increase in nearly five but raising taxes is one way to avoid county-wide layoffs. If the taxes are increased, those who live in house worth $100,000 will pay $11 more in taxes, and those who live in a home worth $200,000 will pay $15 more. County council is expected to vote on the budget at their upcoming meeting, which is scheduled for next Monday. Copyright 2013 WTOC. All rights reserved.

Plan your Daufuskie Island Golf Getaway at Bloody Point

Stay at the new Osprey Inn at Bloody Point. Plan your golf trip or weekend getaway now by calling or emailing them. 843.341.5522 http://www.bloody-point.com Bloody Point Golf Club and Resort 56 Fuskie Lane Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, 29915 Phone: Eagle's Nest Restaurant & Reservations: 843.341.5522 Pro Shop, General Store, & Administration: 843.341.5566 Membership Office: 843.341.5505 Email: info@bloodypointgolf.com

Marge Agins Low Country Photographs

Marge Agins catches a sunset.

Updates from the Daufuskie Island Front Porch Newspaper

Dear Front Porch Readers, Please note the following: Daufuskie Farmers' Market Every Saturday from 11AM until 1PM. Located at the County Dock at the end of Haig Point Road (next to Marshside Mamas) ************************* From the Daufuskie Island Foundation: You are invited to celebrate the 37th Annual Daufuskie Day Celebration JUNE 22, 2013 Contact Ervin Simmons 912-660-0500 or Amelia Stevens 843-384-9941 for details. ************************* From the Daufuskie Turtle Team: We had an exciting day Sunday (May 9th). About 12:15 in the afternoon a Loggerhead crawled ashore and nested. Thank you again for your support in reporting this event and your cooperation on the beach observing this event. There were a total of 118 eggs laid. Best regards, Paula Nickels Editor, The Daufuskie Front Porch www.thedaufuskiefrontporch.com

Daufuskie Island resort could face legal action after workers disturb nesting ground

By MATT McNAB — mmcnab@beaufortgazette.com A Daufuskie Island resort could face legal action after a miscommunication led to the disturbance of a nesting ground for an endangered bird species. Maintenance workers at the Melrose on the Beach resort disturbed a rookery for wood storks and other birds while clearing brush last month. While the brush-clearing didn't actually damage the rookery -- located on two small islands in a lagoon near the resort buildings -- the incursion into the area may have interrupted the bird's nesting, according to Catherine Tillman, the resort's communications director. Tillman said some wood storks left the area, exposing several nests to the elements, which could cause eggs not to hatch. The incident occurred a day after the resort issued a statement saying it was committed to protecting the rookery. Tillman said the resort's owner, the Pelorus Group,and managing partner JT Bramlette were "sick that this has happened" and were working with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create a management plan for the area. The resort still might face legal action. Morgan Wolf, a Fish and Wildlife Service biologist, visited the rookery May 31 to survey the impact of the brush-clearing. She said it's not yet clear how much the brush-clearing affected nesting. "We're going to mine through the data and see how the eggs were affected and if they were in the nests," she said. "It's not clear yet whether the storks were incubating eggs or not, but at this point in time biologically, it's likely that they were." Wolf said she would turn over the results of her preliminary investigation to the Fish and Wildlife Service's law enforcement division. The division and the U.S. Justice Department will decide whether to pursue legal action. The resort could be fined or required to correct the problem, Wolf said. Despite the mishap, Daufuskie Island Conservancy president Laura Winholt said she was "convinced JT (Bramlette) is committed to protecting the rookery" after the conservancy met with him Wednesday. "I cannot reinforce enough how horrible JT felt," Winholt said. "It appears to just be a very unfortunate miscommunication and an error. They seem committed to taking future steps to protect the rookery." Winholt said the conservancy and resort have a presentation planned June 12, which will take place after Bramlette meets with DNR and the Fish and Wildlife Service. DNR biologist Christy Hand, who investigated the impact the brush-clearing had on the rookery with Wolf, will discuss the rookery during the event. In December, resort workers damaged the rookery while landscaping nearby, but an investigation by the Beaufort County Code Enforcement Office determined the removal of vegetation there was legal. There were no state or federal sanctions in that case because birds were not present when the vegetation was removed. At the time, Bramlette was not in charge of the resort, Tillman said. Instead, an equity partner who had since moved on to a property in Atlanta, was in charge. She added that Bramlette "wants to protect the rookery" from further harm. "We completely understand why locals were upset and the passion they have for the area," she said. "We are looking forward to collaborating with them to protect this beautiful area." Related content Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2013/06/06/2532240/daufuskie-island-resort-could.html#storylink=cpy