Teacher Michelle Lee (left) and several James Island High School students joined John Crisco of the FBMP (right), and in an hour they picked up nine bags of trash from an eight-block area.

By Lauren Dean

With unusual foresight, Folly Beach City Council passed a resolution right before the 2009 Fourth of July debacle that transferred $15,000 in funds allocated for beach management to create a civilian beach patrol. The Beach Management Patrol, which originally consisted of Ali Akhyari , Eric Cadiz and John Crisco, was quickly put together in the aftermath of that disastrous weekend and the three young men could be seen walking or cycling up and down the beach wearing identical gray polo shirts. It was a hard, hot job that paid eight bucks an hour.

Only John Crisco is left, a dynamo who has trudged the beaches ever since – just about every day, all year long – to keep Folly’s beaches free of the stuff people leave behind and the stuff that washes up on the beach. Flotsam and jetsam and then some. “John is truly an unsung hero,” said Zoning Administrator Aaron Pope. “He has been selflessly working behind the scenes performing the kind of invisible service that people take for granted.”

“If you’re too cool to pick up trash on the beach, you’re part of the problem,” said Crisco. “It makes such a difference when you see other people out there picking up trash. It’s a hard day when you find things like dirty diapers on the beach, then you see someone else walking down the beach picking up trash and you’re reenergized.”

The Beach Management Patrol has been picking up trash from the beach front, beach access areas, parking areas, and roadsides since mid August of 2009. A conservative estimate of litter collected thus far is almost 900 kitchen-sized bags of assorted trash, according to Crisco. “Each bag weighs an average of 35 pounds, which means that in less than one year we have physically removed no less than 14 tons of litter, nearly half of which was recyclable,” he said.

This figure does not include such things as construction debris or damaged sand fencing, which would bring the total debris collected to about 20 tons. “If we had a utility vehicle at our disposal, our effectiveness and efficiency would easily be magnified tenfold,” Crisco said.

He’s not out there alone anymore, Crisco said, adding that there are about a dozen active reliable volunteers of the Beach Management Patrol like Nancy Smith, who can be found regularly cleaning her section of the beach in the mornings or Paul Hume, who cleans up on the West side. “One of our best volunteers, Chris Peters, found a twenty dollar bill while he was picking up litter and used the money to buy a grabber from Lowe’s so he could pick up trash faster,” Crisco said.

There are many other unsung heroes picking up trash, according to Crisco, who said he has a long list of people who support the program and attend scheduled beach sweeps and other events. He said several local residents deserve special recognition. Long-time local Julia Scott has formed a group that meets across from the Crab Shack every Saturday at 7:00 p.m. to clean the roadsides within a block of Center Street. “Then there’s Danny. Nearly every morning like clockwork out by the pier, Danny is guaranteed to be lugging a bag of garbage around. He has rarely spoken with me and seems to prefer discretion, but this guy is truly an inspiration,” Crisco said.

Volunteerism takes many forms and is a fundamental aspect of the Beach Management program, according to Crisco. “We know that certain areas of the beach are covered, so we focus our efforts elsewhere. Without all these volunteers, we simply would not have been able to make such a significant impact on the health of our beach and the environmental awareness of our community.”

In addition to removing trash, damaged sand fencing, and large debris that has washed in, the Beach Patrol serves as a liaison to Public Safety and Public Works, reporting violations and erosion. As the local volunteer base has grown, the Beach Management Patrol has placed buckets in local businesses for donations to help defray the cost of materials.

Surfriders, the US Coast Guard, local schools, and other organizations and community groups have organized their own beach clean-up efforts or joined forces with Crisco, and the Beach Management Patrol sponsors events like the “After Fourth Beach Blitz” and the “Sunday Sweeps” that give residents an opportunity to become more actively involved in helping to keep our beach clean.

Crisco has been relentless in achieving his goals. Although he had been repeatedly told that Charleston County would never agree to the recycling bins he wanted for the beach access points, he managed to acquire 20 brand new 95-gallon recycling roll carts. “Prior to the placement of these recycling bins, there were no bins on the West side except the one at Third Street,” Crisco said. “The new bins clearly made a big difference with this year’s holiday trash pileup. It gives people a chance to do the right thing.”

Crisco’s long range goals include continued community activism and volunteer support, recycling improvements, and the acquisition of a used ATV. The Beach Management Patrol recently received $25,000 in funding from the accommodations tax and City Administrator Toni Connor-Rooks is looking for grant money to augment that funding. “I wish I had a magic wand to wave that would make this happen overnight,” she said, “but it takes time to really get things up and running.”

Kevin Boniface has recently joined the Beach Management Patrol as a paid employee and Crisco would like to hire several other part-time employees who are CPR trained and can work with Public Safety. In addition to an ATV, Crisco would like to purchase a john boat so the team can remove litter and debris from the marshes. “I would eventually like to see Beach Management grow into Island Management, covering all roadsides and accessible marshy areas,” he said.

“Bottom line is that people are less inclined to litter when the beach is clean,” Crisco pointed out. “Our ultimate goal is to increase community awareness to the point that people don’t litter and those who do stick out like a sore thumb.”

Italics: Anyone who would like to volunteer or coordinate the work they are already doing with the Beach Management Patrol can contact John Crisco at follybeachcleanup@gmail.com or call Aaron Pope at 588-2447, extension #3.

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City Council did not meet on July 13 because that was Election Day. Their next regular meeting will be July 27 at 7:00 p.m. in Council chambers. Agenda items were to include ordinances amending the current rules for dogs on the beach, requiring non-residents to purchase a license tag for pets they bring to the beach, and establishing rules for the use of golf carts within the City of Folly Beach, but Mayor Goodwin has decided to have a workshop on those issues so residents can come forward to express their ideas and opinions. The date of the workshop will be announced soon. On the agenda for the July 27 meeting are the repeal of the Red Bay Laurel Ordinance and discussion of the vacation rental management ordinance. Residents are encouraged to attend and speak their minds. To make a citizen comment, all you have to do is show up and sign in. It is not necessary to be placed on the agenda in advance.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission met on July 12 and the first order of business was to swear in Elton Culpepper, Pennell Clamp’s appointee to the Planning Commission. Then the Planning Commission got down to business.

Zoning Administrator Aaron Pope introduced an ordinance he described as “a regulatory mechanism to manage short-term rentals and the problems associated with them” that will establish requirements for obtaining a business license to rent property on a short-term basis.

One of the issues discussed was limiting the number of occupants and including a list of all occupants on the rental agreement. Sam Robinson said there should be a maximum number of renters based on the number of bedrooms. “It’s a health issue because of the demands on the septic system,” he said, “and a safety issue in the event of a fire.” Kirk Grant thought it would be difficult to enforce occupancy limits, but LaJuan Kennedy said two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests conforms to maximum occupancy guidelines elsewhere and should be enforceable.

Another major issue was how to make sure owners as well as renters were aware of the rules regarding such issues as noise, trash, parking, animals, sea turtles and golf carts. “Some people don’t have a clue,” said Chairman LaJuan Kennedy. “The agents will abide by the rules, but we need to educate the people who don’t have agents.”

There was some squabbling about whether the rules should be included in the actual rental agreements that resulted in a vote of three for and three against with Kennedy recusing herself from the vote since she works for a rental agency. Tie votes fail, so the Planning Commission will recommend to City Council that the rules become part of the rental agreement vacationers must sign. The listing of all renters was scrapped, but Planning did vote to require the number of occupants to be included on the rental agreement.

The rules and regulations must also be posted in a prominent position in the homes. It was agreed that the door would be the best place to post the rules. “Keep it short so they will read and understand it,” said Millard Smith. Culpepper went even further. “It needs to be something a ten-year-old can understand,” he said. Grant suggested that the City provide a bulleted poster.

Carl Hally made the point that under current law, the owner is responsible for violations. “This will make the renters responsible, so they should know what the consequences are.” Culpepper agreed. “The owner is getting rental income, but he is not the one creating the problem.”

“How do we determine what constitutes a violation?” Pope asked. “That’s where we got derailed last time we tried to do this. The City has the right to revoke licenses, but we don’t have any parameters.”

“If we are going to have it this year, we have got to get something to City Council,” said Kennedy. “If we don’t have it in their hands by October, we will have to wait until next year.”

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to have their suggestions incorporated into the ordinance that will receive first reading at the City Council meeting on July 27. Council will hash it over and send it back to Planning for a public hearing. That’s when residents who will be affected by the new laws – and isn’t that just about everyone? – as well as owners of vacation rentals can most effectively contribute to the dialogue. The Planning Commission makes recommendations; City Council makes laws.

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Rich, the owner of Planet Follywood, received 54 percent of the vote and city planner Susan Breslin garnered 46 percent of the vote. Both Rich and Breslin were candidates in the April 6 election, but neither received enough votes to win. Breslin squared off against Council member Laura Beck in a runoff election on April 22 in which Beck was able to retain her seat on City Council.

Rich said he was excited about the win and ready to get to work on City Council. “We always knew the winner would be the one who could get the most supporters out to vote,” Rich said. “I was pretty sure I had 300 supporters who would definitely vote for me.” Rich received 317 votes.

Breslin said she enjoyed the campaign and the opportunity to meet so many people and talk about their concerns regarding the direction in which Folly Beach was headed. But after three campaigns in four months, she said she was ready to move on to other ventures. She added that she would continue to attend city meetings and work behind the scenes. “I love Folly Beach,” she said. “Nothing will change that.”

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Although their contributions have had a dramatic effect on the parish, custodian Jim Laurey, 88; sacristan Catherine Eyer, 92; music director and organist Margaret Sheedy, 99; and church decorator Claire Martin, 71, are modest about their achievements. And while each is stepping down from some of the responsibilities they assumed, none is leaving the parish community they love or their call to serve.

Jim Laurey and his wife Retta moved from James Island to their home on Folly Beach on Saint Patrick’s Day, 1975. For 35 years they have been actively involved in the community and the church. Uncomfortable in the limelight of this recognition, Jim Laurey points to the many people have joined him in serving the priests who served the parish. On weekdays, Joe Moran and Jim assist at Mass and especially at funeral liturgies. When the first resident priest moved in to his cottage on Huron Street, Richard Jones and Jim helped to complete the renovations. With help from Larry Martin, they painted the inside of the priest’s residence. When sexton Don Longenecker is out of town, Jim takes responsibility for opening the church each day.

Jim’s custodial service to the parish is the kind of thing that is most noticeable if left undone. He changes the air filters and takes out the trash. He looks for cost-saving opportunities: turning off the air conditioner when the hall is not in use, cleaning the refrigerator filter, and shopping for supplies for the hall at the discount stores. Because this community is like a family, retiring from it is not something Jim imagines he will do. “I’ll still do my share,” he said. “Maybe it’s not all that much, but you never give up.”

Giving up is not something that Catherine Eyer is likely to do, either. A resident of James Island since the late 1960s, Catherine “discovered” the mission church on Folly Beach around 1987. She was drawn to the familiar art and architecture in the traditional space and felt at peace. At that time the parish had no resident priest, so various priests of the diocese were assigned to minister to the small congregation. Monsignor Donald Hamburger instructed Catherine on the proper care of altar linens. Eventually, Catherine served as Our Lady of Good Counsel sacristan for 20 years, caring for the altar cloths, vestments, and sacred vessels of our church under the direction of nine resident priests and countless visiting priests. She also coordinated the work of the Altar Guild. Catherine’s attention to detail and circumspection challenged everyone to be mindful of the privilege and responsibility of handling the sacred vessels, and to value the sacred traditions of our faith. “It was a joy to do it,” she said.

Catherine announced her “retirement” in March 2009, and the parish recognized her contribution at a Mass and with a permanent remembrance in the parish memorial garden. She continues to serve as extraordinary minster of the Eucharist and as a member of the Altar Guild.

Earlier this year, in honor of Margaret Park Sheedy’s many years of service as organist, music director and choir director, the choir presented parish administrator Father Jesuprathap Narichetti with a gold ciborium. While “Miss Margaret” gave her time to the Folly Beach parish for 17 years, she was no stranger to service. Active in her beloved Charleston community since 1939, she volunteers with the American Red Cross, is an associate member of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy, has served as an usher for the Dock Street Theatre, and is an active member of the Theresians. She continues to worship with the parishioners of Our Lady of Good Counsel and is a rich resource for the music ministry.

Another one of the honorees who will continue to serve is Claire Martin, who has been in charge of church decorations for 17 years. As a graduate of Hixson’s School of Floral Design in Lakewood, Ohio, Claire’s natural talents were given professional polish when she began arranging flowers for weddings, receptions and holidays. In 1993, Claire and her husband Larry relocated to Folly Beach from Philadelphia. Around the same time Father Ronald Cellini, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, was appointed as administrator of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Claire was just the sort of self-starter that Father Cellini was hoping to find. Before long she was engaging others in her vision. For Claire, the work was never a chore. The joy was in making the sanctuary beautiful because for her, it enhances the experience of worship. Since those early days, many more people have joined in the mission. Throughout it all, Claire saw the hand of God at work. “I learned so much by doing this,” said Claire. “Some days I might be frustrated and wonder how it was going to work out. Then, I’d turn around and someone would be standing there ready to help.” Claire says she’s not going to stop serving the parish, which she called “wonderful”. “I could never totally walk away from the neatest parish in the whole wide world. It’s just time for someone else to be in charge.”

Who will take center stage as this cast of four step out of the limelight? The future is in the hands of God. Now is the time for Jim, Catherine, Margaret and Claire to take a bow.

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Blue Mountain front man Cary Hudson from Sumrall / Oxford, Mississippi, returns to Charleston to play the Surf Bar on Thursday, July 29, for his first show on Folly Beach.

Folly Beach attracts interesting characters from all corners of the world: authors, actors, artists, musicians, poets, athletes, politicians, diplomats, vagabonds and everything in between. This month, two highly-regarded singer-songwriters will make their first trips to the island – Cary Hudson of Blue Mountain and Bret Mosley.

“I played the Lowcountry for the first time in February of 2009, in Beaufort,” Mosley says. “Right after my set, a grinning six-and-a-half-foot tall Bubba in a tie-dye t-shirt walked up to me and said, ‘You in gee-tar country – WE LIKE YOU.’ I’ve been back every month or two since then. The soulfulness and the generosity of spirit in the south – that’s the thing about it that draws me, the audiences, the artists. Their hearts are available to one another. When I sing the words, ‘feel the Love, y’all’ down here, it lands and it sticks.”

Mosley hails from Brooklyn and plays a very original, hybrid brand of alternative rock, roots music and funk. Some critics refer to it as “Bluebilly Funkjam.” Touring tirelessly, he has shared the stage with Trombone Shorty, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, The Subdudes, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Garry Burnside, Jackie Greene, Outformation, Kaki King, Kelly Joe Phelps, Jerry Joseph and Stockholm Syndrome. Mosley has also drawn comparisons to Chris Whitley, Steve Earle, Van Morrison, Keller Williams, Ben Harper, Taj Mahal and Beck.

Cary Hudson comes from Sumrall, Mississippi, but has relocated a handful of times to Oxford, where he made his stand in the late 1980s as the frontman for the seminal blues-rock and alt-country act Blue Mountain (originally the Hilltops). The original lineup included Hudson and twin brother-sister duo John Stirratt (of Uncle Tupelo and Wilco) and Laurie Stirratt. After the divorce of Hudson and Laurie Stirratt, the band went on a decade-long hiatus, but has reformed in the past three years and toured nationally with a new energy, a couple of new albums and a rejuvenated fan base.

Hudson and Blue Mountain have been credited as being pioneers of the alt-country movement. The band graced the cover of the second issue of No Depression Magazine, and is perhaps most well-known for their hit songs “Soul Sister” and “Jimmy Carter.”

Follywood Productions strives to be the Lowcountry’s most complete event coordinating service, handling live entertainment and promotion for local and regional artists, venues, festivals, fundraisers, universities and special events. This is Follywood – This is The Edge.

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(1) operate the golf cart on a secondary highway or street within two miles of his residence or place of business during daylight hours only; and

(2) cross a primary highway or street while traveling along a secondary highway or street within two miles of his residence or place of business during daylight hours only.

Only licensed drivers can operate a golf cart on secondary streets.

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If you haven’t been to an animated film in a while, well, let’s just say things have changed. Today’s animation is a far cry from Porky Pig, Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny. Characters that were once good for a thin plot and a good helping of slapstick have become more substantial and plots follow believable story lines. While Disney pioneered this movement toward more developed characters in animation with Snow White and Cinderella, current films such as Despicable Me are taking animation to a whole new level.

Our story opens amongst manicured lawns and picket fences where a run-down, gloomy house hides in the shadows of an otherwise bright and cheerful community. Unbeknownst to all residing around those dark and dank walls is a mediocre villain, Gru (Steve Carell) who is plotting to become the world’s greatest super villain of all time. His goal? To shrink and steal the moon!

The next logical question would be why? The answer: just to show everyone, especially his mommy, that he is the “baddest” super villain around!

Gru, along with the help of his army of little yellow minions, enlists the aid of three oblivious orphan girls to help him “one-up” his biggest competitor in the race to become the greatest super villain; a smug cipher (Jason Segel) who calls himself Vector. The competition between the two and the hilarity that ensues is very reminiscent of Mad Magazine’s Spy vs. Spy. The best part of the film is the relationship that is built between Gru and the girls. At first, knowing nothing about children, Gru places the girl’s food and water in dog bowls and sets newspapers out labeled “pee” and “poop”, but just as caring for children comes unnaturally to Gru, the girls naturally melt his villainous heart.

Along the lines of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and How to Train Your Dragon, Despicable Me is one of those non-Pixar animated films that actually rocks! While it doesn’t have the history of Toy Story 3, Despicable Me is a clever, humorous film that will be enjoyed by every member of the family. I saw the film in 3-D and I feel the extra two dollars is worth it (something that can’t be said for all of the 3-D out there today). The effects where well done and the rollercoaster scene is not to be missed.

Despicable Me has everything you want in a film: delightful characters, humor, action, heart, a great plot and for the kiddies and a 95 minute running time!

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So it’s not against the law to . . .

A couple engaging in sexual relations on a blanket strewn with empty beer bottles was cited for glass on beach just after midnight on June 23. The officer asked for IDs and when he ran their information he discovered the 39-year-old man was wanted by Charleston County for check law violations. After being taken into custody and searched, a small amount of marijuana was discovered in his cigarette pack. The subject admitted to having more marijuana in the console of his truck, which measured in at 2.5 grams. The woman was ticketed for glass on the beach and the man was issued a summons for simple possession of marijuana and released to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Department on the outstanding warrant.

Sittin’ on the dock . . .

A 46-year-old man who reportedly stole a beer from a convenience store was arrested minutes later drinking the beer on a fishing pier. On June 24 about 9:00 a.m. Public Safety was dispatched to the Kangaroo by employees who said a man had taken a can of Earthquake Malt Liquor and left the store without paying for it. The manager of the Kangaroo followed the suspect to the Folly River Park where Chief Boatwright and the responding officer caught him at the dead end of the fishing pier, where he was arrested for open container. When asked when and where he had purchased the beer, the suspect said he had bought it an hour earlier, but the officer noticed the beer was still cold. Both the manager and the cashier at the Kangaroo positively identified the suspect as the one who had stolen the beer. The man was taken to jail and charged with the maximum fines on shoplifting, open container and giving false information to police.

Nap attack

Public Safety was dispatched to the Folly Road Piggly Wiggly about 5:00 p.m. on June 25 to help with a medical call regarding a man passed out in his vehicle. The suspect told officers that he had been out on the beach all day and had drunk a few beers and thought he needed to get some rest. It was obvious to the responding office that the subject had been drinking heavily and he was issued a citation for disorderly conduct by intoxication. The subject graciously accepted the citation and apologized for the trouble he had caused and the officer called a friend to drive him home.

Road rage

Two men were walking down East Arctic about 6:30 p.m. on June 26 when a car following them started honking the horn and yelling at them to get out of the way. The vehicle passed them and stopped and the driver got out and approached one of the men and pushed him backwards causing him to fall to the ground, striking his head on a parked vehicle in the process. The driver returned to his car and drove off, but a witness got his license number. The victim suffered lacerations to his head and back. Damage to the parked vehicle was estimated at $500. Charges of assault and battery, 3rd degree, and vandalism will be served on the suspect when he is located.

Officer, I was just holding that post up

About 1:00 p.m. on June 27 Public Safety was dispatched to the Crab Shack because a 23-year-old woman was causing a disturbance with several patrons and had refused to leave. While officers were meeting with the Crab Shack employees, the woman came outside and had to hold onto a post to keep from falling down and it was apparent she was grossly intoxicated. The responding officer had dealings with the same woman the previous day at her residence when it was also apparent that she was grossly intoxicated. She was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct and transported to the Charleston County Detention Center for booking and to await a bond hearing.

Cracking the case

A vehicle with a cracked windshield was stopped on a safety violation about 6:00 p.m. on July 1 and the officer noticed that the driver and passenger appeared overly nervous. The driver stated that he and his girlfriend had an argument and he kicked the windshield in. When the officer walked around to the passenger side to get a better look at the windshield, he noticed that the passenger was breathing so heavily that his tee shirt was bouncing off his chest. The officer asked the driver if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and he said “Look for yourself.” The passenger was asked to step from the vehicle and the officer patted him down for weapons. As he was doing this the suspect began to sweat profusely and his legs started to shake, and the officer asked if he could search his person. During the search the officer removed the suspect’s baseball cap and when he turned it upside down and shook it, two white rock-like objects fell from under the brim. The suspect was arrested for possession of cocaine base and transported to Charleston County Detention Center.

Catch me if you can

On July 3 about 8:00 p.m. Public Safety was alerted to four cars leaving 10th Street East whose occupants appeared to be highly intoxicated. An officer stopped one of the cars and the others turned into the parking lot of 208 E Ashley. The officer responding to that address found the 19-year-old driver of one of the vehicles so intoxicated that he could not stand and the driver was not given the chance to take a field sobriety test due to concerns for his safety. He was placed under arrest for DUI, double-cuffed, placed in the back of the control car and belted in. While in route to the Charleston County Detention center the suspect bragged that he had been doing this for seven years without being caught.

When he blew a .18 on the Data-Master test, he was advised that his license was suspended and lodged into the detention center without further incident.

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If you thought July 3 was a strange date to pick for Independence Day fireworks, you weren’t the only one. Believe it or not, there was a good reason. The City could either do it on July 3 or not do it at all; the reason being that the City discovered late in the process that the pyrotechnic group hired to display the City’s fireworks had its license pulled in another state for unsafe practices. The City, after researching other companies, finally found a local pyrotechnic group who was licensed to display the fireworks for Folly. There was one glitch: they were already completely booked for the 4th of July. Based on this information and knowing that there were no other pyrotechnics who could do it on July 4 , the City of Folly Beach decided to hire the local group and display the fireworks on July 3.

In an effort to notify the residents of the change, the City put this information on the City’s web site, announced it at council meetings, put it on the sign located near the Toll Booth property and put flyers up in the commercial district announcing July 3 as the date fireworks would be d

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