lowcountry life 2011

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OutdoorAdventures

Hop aboard Captain Rupert’s

17' Maverick for the best

Inshore Fishing, Crabbing, GiggingSightseeing & Sunset Cruises

Shelling & Dolphin ViewingNew Summer Kids Program!

Captain Addison RupertUSCG Licensed and Insured

843.557-3476www.lowcountryoutdooradventures.comIP

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OPEN DAILY!FLY SHOP

LOWCOUNTRY

Full service fly shop, charters, apparel and sunglasses. Gearby Sage, Nautilus, Scott, Hardy, Tibor, Smith, Fishpond and

new products by Hatch reels plus much much more!

www.lowcountryflyshop.com280 w. Coleman Blvd. Suite E • 843-388-5337

Call or stop by the shop for tying and casting class schedules!

A tradition steeped in culutre and historyP lans are underway for the upcoming 2011 Sweet-

grass Cultural Art Festival, which will be held at the Town of Mount Pleasant Waterfront Memo-

rial Park on Saturday, June 4 from 12 to 8 p.m. The Sweetgrass Festival has become one of the major

tourist attractions in Mount Pleasant, and it is desig-nated by the Southeastern Tourism Society as one of the “Top 20 Tourist Events” in SC for 2007, 2010 and 2011.

New for 2011 is “The Real” Taste of Gullah. This fea-tures delicious Gullah Cuisine dishes prepared by the Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College, Joe’s Catering Services and Cruncho Enter-prise, on Friday, June 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Visitors Center Cooper River Room. This event will feature sweetgrass vases, evening purses and sweetgrass hats made by local basket makers. Entertainment will be provided by Violinist Daniel D., Saxophonist Devon Gary, Songstress Zandrina Dunning and Poet Samara Simmons. Renowned local artist Jonathan Green will present an illustrated talk with a look into the heart of the Gullah Culture. A silent auction featuring beautiful sweetgrass basket and one of Jonathan Green prints will be held at the event. Live 5 News Commentator KeKe Collins will be the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening events. Tickets for “The Real” Taste of Gullah are fifty ($50) dollars and may be purchased at www.tasteofgullah.eventbrite.com.

On Saturday, June 4, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Gullah Geechee Group, Inc. will conduct a seminar focusing on health, education and land issues that affect the Gullah Geechee people along the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor. Scholars will engage visi-tors in discussions and dialogues to bring about a sense of awareness of how to preserve the Gullah Geechee people’s heritage and culture.

The highly anticipated Sweetgrass Festival is designed to educate, entertain and expose visitors to the rich Gullah/Geechee culture through music, songs, dance, and will provide the largest showcase of authentic sweetgrass baskets in South Carolina Low country. Events and activities will feature an assort-ment of unique artists and crafters, quilters, local gospel singers, Gullah storytellers and the Adande African Drummers and Dancers. Company I of the 54th Massachusetts Reenactment Regiment, will pres-ent a reenactment reflecting on the African Americans role and experience in the Civil War. Locally produced documentary videos will be shown to educate and ex-pose visitors to the sweetgrass basket makers’ culture and history.

Visitors will be able engage in hands on basket mak-ing demonstrations and take a chance in the drawing to win beautiful Sweetgrass baskets. Local restaurants and food vendors will provide a variety of delicious Gullah cuisine, classic barbecues, homemade deserts and beverages for all to enjoy.

Children and adults will delight in family-fun activi-ties that include arts and crafts, clowns, face painting, jump castle, water-slide and a host of playground ac-tivities offered at the Town of Mt. Pleasant’s beautiful Waterfront Park. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend a Gullah Geechee good time. Admission and parking are free.

The annual Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival is sponsored in part by the Town of Mt. Pleasant, the National Park Service and the Coastal Community

Foundation N.E.W. Program.Visit www.sweetgrassfestival.org or call (843)856-

9732 for additional information about the festival.

L!"c!#$%ry L&f' ~ S()&n* E+&%i!, ~ May 18 , 2011 ~ Pag' 2

Come and cruise the friendly harbor

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PHOTOS PROVIDED

Hop aboard the Carolina Belle and cruise by the Civil War’s historic Fort Sumter, Patriot’s Point, the Battery, and Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church Steeple.

Above, Sandlapper Tours, a locally owned and operated water-based tour and private boat charter company, will give your group a taste of Southern cuisine and charm. Below, Fort Sumter Tours/SpiritLine Cruises includes a menagerie of vessels.

I t is time to hit the wa-ter and opportunities abound.

Charleston Harbor Tours can trace their roots back to 1908. But this is not just for tourists; it is for anyone who wants to enjoy seeing the city from the shimmering harbor.

On special Thursdays running through October, there is the Sunset Blues and BBQ Cruise Series. Visit www.charlestonhar-bortours.com.

Sandlapper Tours has a collection of charters, and tours, including history, nature, sunset and haunt-ed harbor ghost tours, aboard the Palmetto, a 45 foot U.S.C.G.- certified catamaran. Visit www.sandlappertours.com.

Fort Sumter Tours and SpiritLine Cruises have been showcasing the beauty of Charleston from its fabulous waterways since 1961. The flagship of the fleet is the 100-foot Spirit of Carolina.

Visit www.spirit-linecruises.com for more information.

L!"c!#$%ry L&v&ng ~ S'(&n) E*&%i!+ ~ May 18 , 2011 ~ Pag, 3

P03-525043

Have you been to See Wee lately?Lunch & Dinner Specials Daily

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Take Out • Catering Available

Come Join The Fun and “Simply Good Food”

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713 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant884-0225

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Relax and enjoy the Sunshineon our new patio

Open Monday at 3 pmTuesday Thru Sunday Open at 11:30

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Monday: $5 Burger NightOur great 1/2 fresh Burgers only $5

Tuesday: Lobster Night1 1/2 lb Whole Maine Lobster $19.99(call before 11am to reserve your lobsters)

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Friday: Shrimp NightOur 1/2 lb Jumbo Shrimp Dinner forOnly $10.99

Saturday: Steak NightA 12 oz NY Strip Dinner only $10.99

All Specials start at 5:30 pm

Bringing great people and great restaurants together.Tell the restaurants you saw their ad in the Moultrie News.

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Coastal Expeditions an-nounced today that it is now offering stand-up paddleboard (SUP) rentals at both its Shem Creek and Folly Beach locations.

“When you are on a stand-up paddleboard, you feel as though you are walking on water,” said Chris Crol-ley, steward of Coastal Ex-peditions. “Renting a SUP is a great way to try out this new sport and for visi-tors to Charleston it also means not having to bring their own equipment with them.”

Paddleboarding allows people to spend time on the water with a minimal amount of equipment. When standing on the board people have a great view of the scenic marshes

and natural environment of Charleston - a complete-ly different perspective from kayaking, canoeing, or boating. “At Coastal Expeditions we have been getting people on the wa-ter longer than any other outfitter in Charleston,” explained Crolley.

SUP rentals are avail-able in half-day, full-day, and multi-day packages. All rentals include help getting started from an experienced guide, access to Coastal Expeditions private docks, and all nec-essary equipment, includ-ing lifejackets. SUPs can be delivered within the Charleston area for a small fee. Call 884-7684 or visit www.CoastalExpeditions.com.

Walking on water


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In the corner next to Whole Foods | Wine Wednesday, 1/2 price wine!


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Gathering inspiration from the Lowcountry

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Former handbag maker, Candy Romeo, began making organic baby food after her son was born.

Rhett Templeton is shown with a baby model wearing her Heirloom Bijou Bracelet®, the sterling silver pacifier holder that converts to a keepsake bracelet for generations to enjoy.

BY HELEN HAMMONDMOULTRIE NEWS

S ometimes it is hard to learn how to awaken and inspire one’s inner muse.

But these five local ladies found their muse (many by accident) and took a leap of faith to foster their creativity. And the end result was a business, as well as fulfillment. Candy Romeo first got creative when she designed her own line of handbags. However, when she had her son, Witt (now two-years-old), she saw that her priorities and perspectives in her life had changed. Romeo frequently took her young son to the Farmers Market, where she brought home tons of local vegetables to fill his little belly with wholesome good-ness. The result has been Romeo’s own line of organic baby food, Romeo Baby Food. Romeo said her big concern is nutrition for children. The jarred baby food has preservatives, she said. “Even if it says ‘organic’, it has additives and preservatives to have a shelf life,” she explained. She sells her baby food at the Farmer’s Mar-ket every Tuesday. Contact her at 843-906-9592 and e-mail [email protected]. For Rhett Temple-ton, she saw that both of her children were extremely attached to their pacifiers which frequently fell onto the floor and had to be

Continued on page 7


Their inner museContinued from page 6

cleaned before going back into the babies’ mouths. Templeton was constantly picking them up, cleaning them off, and sometimes having to throw them away. The result was the Heirloom Bijou Bracelet, which dually serves as a bracelet and pacifier-hold-er. Visit www.Templeton-Silver.com.

Ashley Swider always loved to bake, saying that she loved spreading the love to her family and friends. Inspired by her travels, Swider bit the (chocolate chip) bullet and opened YesUmay Cookies in the Houston Northcutt Shopping Cen-ter in October 2010. She took a leap of faith by ex-perimenting with distinct flavors and ingredients like chocolates, sea salt, curry and goji berries. Visit www.yesumaycook-ies.com.

Back in 2007, Way Way Allen took it as her task to paint and decorate her son’s nursery. Now with two boys, Blue Chickadee has expanded beyond the nursery. Allen paints can-vas totes, baby bloomers, bibs, burp cloths, aprons, the list goes on.

Allen said, “having a creative outlet such as this has been so fulfilling as a wife and mother to my two little boys.” Visit http://www.bluechicka-dee.blogspot.com/.

When Megan Hewitt had her first child, she vowed to learn how to smock so that her daugh-ter could look precious. She saw how costly and time-consuming it was to have these smocked items. “Without the mid-dle man, I can offer moms the same quality and cute factor as the boutiques at a fraction of the cost.” Visit www.shrimpand-gritskids.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Ashley Swider, boutique owner, yogi, and long-time baker behind YesUmay Cookies wanted people to steer away from that feeling of hesita-tion when indulging in a sweet treat.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Way Way Allen launched Blue Chickadee after painting her son’s nursery. Below, Megan Hewitt, founder of Shrimp and Grits Kids, will be opening a retail store at 121 Pitt Street in early June. She is shown with daughters Ella, 6, and Lyla Gray, 2 1/2.

PHOTO BY HELEN HAMMONDIP05-523667

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Experience the Beautyand History of the Charleston Harbor

Get Tour Schedule and Buy Tickets at www.sandlappertours.com

45ft. USCG Certified Catamaran Localy Owned and Operated by Charleston Natives and Brothers Bryan and Timothy Collins

Charleston Maritime Center | 849.8687

Charleston’s only Ghost & Pirate Boat ToursSunset & Dolphine CruisesGuided, Narrated Nature & History ToursPrivate, Group Tours & Charters

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The boy who magically refused to grow upThe Isle of Palms

Recreation Department, in

conjunction with the Crabpot Players, pres-ents “Peter Pan” May 25, 26, 27 and 28 at the Recreation Center on 28th Avenue, Isle of Palms. Curtain call is at 7 p.m. .Tickets are $ 5 (children under six ad-mitted free). All ticket sale proceeds benefit the City of Isle of Palms. Call 886-8294 for advance tickets or more information.

This production is directed by Jimmy Ward with Olivia Lodge and Trish Perrine as assistant directors. Lighting and sound design is by Collin Buckhannon, Ryan Buckhannon and Daniel Prentice. The set design is by Dave Melsopp, assisted by Gabrielle Wolfe, Cathie DiNicola and Lesa Livingston.

The cast of over thirty actors include principals Colton Lodge (Peter Pan), Allison Cherry (Wendy), Ally MacDonald (Mrs Darling), Conner Sheets (Mr. Darling), Winn Fabrizo (John), Cameron Sheets (Michael), Ed Jones (Captain Hook), Abby Edwards (Smee), Olivia Lodge (Tiger Lily) and featuring Caitlyn Miller as the storyteller.


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320-K West Coleman Blvd. • 216-7349Shops of Mount Pleasant

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Bow wow yippy yo, yippy yay

STAFF PHOTOS BY HELEN HAMMOND

Peter Cornish is shown with Walker, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever at the Charleston County Dog Park on James Island. Walker enjoys the dog

G ood dog owners choose healthy food, ensure that

dogs gets lots of exercise and establish a relation-ship with a reliable veteri-narian. Fortunately, our neighborhood boasts pet- lovers everywhere. The Moultrie News is pleased to announce an upcoming special pet section which will launch this summer.Send your pet news to [email protected] visit to one of Charles-

ton County’s off-leash dog parks is a special treat for everyone, not just your pups. Dog parks are located within James Island County Park, North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, and Mt. Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park. Visit http://ccprc.com.


Cafe Craft Beer Fine Wine Good Timesw w w . L a u r a A l b e r t s . c o m

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Monday - Kids eat free with the purchase of a movie ticket

Tuesday - $5 movie tickets for all / Kids underthe age of 6 get in free to first show (Scream Day)

Sunday - $5 movie tickets for all thoseover the age of 65 (Senior Sundays) /New brunch menu until 2pm

Help protect wildlife in your own backyardA merica has a long history of

protecting its wildlife heritage. From the endangered bald eagle

in the 1970s to the Kemps Ridley turtle threatened by the 2010 Gulf oil spill, Americans have shown a remarkable ability to rally and rescue species and the habitats they need to survive.

But families needn’t travel to distant locations to safeguard wildlife. There are many things you can do in your backyard to help local wildlife like birds, butterflies, squirrels and others.

Spearheading conservation on both local and national levels through the decades has been the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. The NWF has played major roles in reviving the country’s diminishing gray wolf popu-lation, purchasing land where grizzly bears, wolves and bison can roam freely, and leading efforts to reduce global warming to protect Arctic polar bears.

Like many American movements, the NWF’s efforts have been successful because of the commitment of individu-als to help something they love, in this case our nation’s wildlife. For example,

thousands of wildlife enthusiasts have created certified wildlife habitats in their own backyards.

Here’s what you can do in your back-yard to create such a habitat:

•Food Sources: Planting native plants or hanging feeders for butterflies, hum-mingbirds and squirrels, are easy ways to make your habitat a five-star restau-rant for wildlife. You can also stock feed-ers and incorporate plants with nuts, berries, nectar, suet, or fruits, depend-ing on the wildlife native to your area.

•Water Source: Wildlife need sources of clean water for drinking, bathing and reproduction. You will need one water source in your wildlife habitat, such as a natural pond, lake, river or spring, or a human-made feature such as a bird bath, butterfly puddling area or rain garden.

•Cover: Wildlife need places to hide to feel safe from people, predators and weather. Native vegetation is a perfect cover for terrestrial wildlife, while struc-tures such as birdhouses can attract specific bird species. A pond can double as a water source and home for fish and amphibians.

•Places to Raise Young: Creating a wildlife habitat is about creating a place for the entire life-cycle of a species, from courtship to mating to raising offspring. Many habitat features that serve as cover can double as locations where wildlife can raise their young.

•Sustainable Gardening: Use natural mulch which can conserve water and cut

down on weeds. Reduce chemical fertil-izers and pesticides. These and other environmentally-friendly practices will be more welcoming to wildlife and bet-ter for the planet.

Once you’ve created your habitat, you can have it certified by the National Wildlife Federation at www.nwf.org/GardenForWildlife, which offers tips to


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• Subspecialty Radiologists

How to start composting for your gardenSTATEPOINT MEDIA

E cological experts have proposed countless ways to improve the environment, but something as simple as changing the way you dispose of your

trash could have a significant impact on the future of our planet.

By composting biodegradable materials, such as yard trimmings, food waste and disposable paper products in a pile or bin, a nutrient-rich soil is created that can be used for gardening. This soil reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, is better for the en-vironment and will save you money. It also promotes healthy foliage and growth -- a boon to gardeners everywhere.

“Few Americans realize that nearly 50 percent of the waste from their home is compostable,” says Eric Hap-pell, Director of Fiber Business Unit at Huhtamaki, the makers of Chinet paper products. “If every American household composted, we could reduce our solid waste stream by more than 60 percent.”

Here’s a step-by-step guide to starting a composting pile at home:

•Select a convenient spot for composting. This spot can either be indoors in a compost bin or outdoors in a semi-shaded and well-drained area. Don’t put your compost pile under acid producing trees like pines.

•Combine organic wastes such as yard trimmings, food scraps and biodegradable products into a pile, then add bulking agents such as wood chips to acceler-

ate the breakdown of organic materials. • Let nature take its course. Typical compost will

turn into rich soil in two to five weeks. A properly managed compost bin or pile will not

attract pests or rodents and will not smell bad. There-fore, make sure you know what you can and cannot add to a compost pile.

Many everyday items can be used, including fruits and vegetables, yard trimmings, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, and certain paper products. For example, Chinet’s Classic White and Casuals lines of paper plates are 100 percent biodegradable and endorsed by the U.S. Composting Council. You can also add dryer and vacuum cleaner lint, pet fur and fireplace ashes.

Other biodegradable materials, like hay, straw, grass clippings, saw dust and leaves can also be added to compost piles, with the exception of black walnut leaves, which release chemicals that are harmful to plants. Also, don’t include diseased or insect-ridden plants, or plants treated with chemicals or pesticides; these, too, will make the compost harmful or toxic.

Be sure to avoid adding food and organic matter that will make the compost pile smell, such as dairy prod-ucts, egg yolks (whites are okay), fats, grease, lard and oils. Meat and fish scraps are compostable, but make sure they do not contain parasites or bacteria.

For more tips on composting and other environmen-tal activities, visit www.mychinet.com and click on “Environment.”

“The average American produces four pounds of landfill waste daily,” says Happell. “Composting is a simple solution to reducing your family’s ecological footprint.”


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Forget the big, fancy wedding: Elope to the Lowcountry

R unaway to the most romantic city in the South and elope in style.

Or, host a small ceremony right here where you live.

Elope to Charleston has made it easy for you and offers a complete elopement pack-age, including three nights in a luxury hotel, an elegant wed-ding dinner complete with wine or champagne, wedding cake for two, flowers and a keepsake photo album.

Elopement is a great alterna-tive to a traditional wedding and more and more people are doing it.

Do you have family or friends considering it? Suggest the Lowcountry as their destina-tion.

They’ll have the entire City of Charleston and the surround-ing beaches to enjoy while they’re here.

When owner Barbara Patrick and her husband decided to get married, they looked for an

option that would be special without costing a fortune.

They considered having a small wedding with family and friends but could not agree on a venue. And bringing all of their children together was even harder to coordinate.

After endless searching and many discussions, they decided to elope to Jeckyle Island, Ga.

“I wanted someone just to do it for me and discovered that there weren’t many packages at all,” said Patrick

Due to lack of services to help couples elope, Patrick created her own business, right here in her own hometown.

She created the business one year ago.

The response has been great - with 20 ceremonies last year alone and seven during the month of April 2011.

Because Charleston is one of the top travel destinations in America, it seemed only natural to bring happy couples here to

tie the knot.Elope to Charleston not only

helps you with the officiation and the venue, but offers assis-tance with obtaining a marriage license (24-hour waiting period in South Carolina).

You can arrange for dinner, a cake, flowers, a photographer and even have guests attend. It’s easy to get married in Charleston,” said Patrick.

The bride and groom must appear in person in the office of the Probate Judge in historic downtown Charleston to fill out the marriage license applica-tion.

The cost is $70, payable in cash only.

You will need to apply for a marriage at least 24 hours in advance of your planned wed-ding date.

If you want to get married on a Saturday or Sunday, you must apply for the license on Thursday in order to pick it up on Friday.

The minimum age for mar-riage in South Carolina is 18 (16 with parental permission - the parent must be present when applying for a license).

No blood test is required and you need not be a resident.

Debra Mullins serves as the wedding officiant.

She is a local resident and is authorized by the state of South Carolina to perform marriages.

She understands that your wedding day is very special and she will work with you to make sure your vows are exactly as you wish. They offer the tradi-tional vows.

You can keep it simple or add special readings to personalize your vows.

A deluxe package typically costs between $1,500 to $2,500 depending on the accommo-dations and the restaurant chosen.

There are also floral and photogrpahy options available to couples.

But, you can get married for as little as $300.

Eloping is more a matter of convenience these days than the traditional idea of it - when young kids ran off, away from mom and dad’s watchful eye.

Patrick most commonly sees middle age couples who are blending their families.

Most couples just want to run off to a romantic adventure by themselves, she said.

On average, couples spend three days in the Lowcountry infusing the local economy by staying local, eating local and shopping.

Ceremony hot spots include White Point Gardens, the Isle of Palms and Folly Beach.

But couples aren’t limited to those places.

Patrick can customize your special day to suit you.

For more information on this fun way to get married, visit www.elopetocharleston.com or call (843) 881-1469.


S ome shoppers thump fresh sum-mer fruit before buying it. Others squeeze it, sniff it or hold it aloft as

they try to discern which is the freshest or sweetest or juiciest.

So, what’s the proper way to pick the best summer fruits for your family?

Shoppers should remember that each fruit is different. With this in mind, the experts at FruitAndVeggieGuru.com have put together some guidelines to help savvy consumers find the freshest fruits for their table:

•Peaches: The reddest peaches aren’t always the ripest. The ones that taste the best should give with some pressure, have a strong aroma and no mushy or dark spots. If you need to ripen peaches, put them into a brown paper bag on your countertop to soften over the course of a day or two.

•Watermelons: If you want to thump a watermelon, go ahead, but be sure it has a hollow sound. A better test of

freshness is to look for one that’s heavy for its size and that has a mild yellow underside.

•Cherries: When picking cherries, opt for ones with a firm texture and deep red color. Beware of ones that are very soft or too dark.

•Cantaloupes: These melons should give under soft pressure from your thumb and should have a yellowish tinge to their rinds. Cantaloupes with the stem attached are immature and won’t be the tastiest.

Be sure to wash all fruit before slicing into it, since any germs or bacteria on the skin will enter the fruit when your knife goes into it.

For more tips for choosing and eating fresh produce, visit FruitandVeggie-Guru.com.

Summer is the best time to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your family’s diet, since so many different va-rieties are at their freshest and tastiest.

TABLES

CHAIRS

BENCHES

SHOWER BENCHES

ADIRONDACK CHAIRS

ROCKING CHAIRS

CONSOLE TABLES

CUSHION BOXES

FOLDING TABLES

FOLDING CHAIRS

BAR SEATING

PLANTERS

FLOORING

DEEP SEATING

BACKLESS BENCH

LUTYENS SEATING

SWINGS

LAZY CHAIRS

STEAMSHIP

RECLINING CHAISE

POOL SEATING

CHAISE LOUNGERS

Offering the best prices on Teak

ANYWHERE!No dyes, oils, stains, varnishes...just ecologically forested

Teak outdoor furniture at WHOLESALE prices.

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And don’t forget to check out the Man Cave.Filled with sports memorabilia andaccessories for any fan or collector.

COME BROWSE OUR LOWCOUNTRY DÉCOR, FURNITURE, ACCESSORIES, COLLECTABLES, JEWELRY AND MORE!

Tips for selecting summer fruit

The Old Exchange Building

The Old Exchange Building will host author and histo-

rian Kevin G. Lowther on May 18 at 6 p.m. Lowther will lecture on his book, The African American Odyssey of John Kizell- A South Carolina Slave Returns to Fight the Slave Trade in His African Homeland published by

USC Press.“One aspect which I

plan to focus on is the black community in Charleston, in which John Kizell became ac-culturated as an ‘Afri-can-American.’ Just about everything one reads about Charleston’s colonial history leaves the black community largely

in the shadows. There is a chapter which brings that community into a differ-ent light. I also want to focus on the Sierra Leone connection with South Carolina,” he said.

A $3 donation is suggested and will go towards developing an African American exhibit for its museum.


732 S. Shelmore Blvd. Ste 100 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 • 881-0077

In front of I’on in the Bi-Lo Shopping Center

Now Under New Ownership

Thank you for shopping local. IP

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Come and see the new shoe la laNow carrying twig shoes and myself belts.

Still Carrying the Bestin Children’s Shoe’s!

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Headed for the high seas: Cruising out of Charleston

BY BILL FARLEYNIGHT WRITER EDITORIAL SERVICES

O n April 23, Carnival Cruise Lines, which has now estab-lished Charleston as its home

port for the Carnival Fantasy, set sail on its inaugural cruise to Bermuda. There will be three more Bermuda cruises this year, interspersed with cruises to the Bahamas.

More than 2300 guests were aboard, including an astonishing 1407 return guests.

Under the leadership of Captain Francesco LaFarina, a native of Sicily and a 35 year veteran at sea who knew at age four that he wanted to become a sea captain, the voyage was smooth from

beginning to end.Like most cruise ships, the food was

sumptuous and never-ending. The breakfasts, lunches and dinner in the dining rooms offered a changing selec-tion of meal choices and the buffets were lavish, with some food items available 24/7. What distinguished the Carnival Fantasy from some other ships was the presentation and the quality of the food.

And, the service could not be beaten. Any request, from a simple change of table to a substitution of a menu item, was handled rapidly and with a smile. Among the favorite menu items: escar-gots and sea bass.

Again, as is the case with most cruise ships, unless one chooses a premium suite, the rooms are compact and you don’t want to turn around too rapidly for fear of banging into your room-mate. With that being said, the Carnival Fantasy was well laid out and offered numerous personal amenities, such as folded towel “animals” on the bed every night.

According to Mark Hoffman, the Fan-tasy’s Hotel Director, Carnival has built its brand on friendliness and service. That was very evident on the Bermuda cruise as staffers from stewards to wait-ers to guest relations personnel were more than attentive and learned our names after the first few hours at sea.

Hoffman feels that the morale of the crew, which comprises staffers from 55 nations, is paramount, as their content-ment “translates to their ability to work at keeping the guests well-served and happy.”

The on-board casino was a major at-traction for many of the guests. Its Las Vegas style created an atmosphere of excitement. One word of caution: the casino – and several other public areas – are smoking permitted. So, non-smokers may wish to steer clear of them.

Once docked in Bermuda, we were ea-ger to get on land as we had only one day and a half on the islands on this cruise. Bermuda did not disappoint. Clean, prosperous and populated by friendly people, it was a delight.

Although small in land mass, Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory actually comprised of seven linked islands. It has been called “The Gibraltar of the Atlantic” as it once served as a major fortification against both the U.S. and Spain. Many of its original forts and lighthouses are still in place and some, such as 1846 Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, are still functioning.

But, the Bermuda of today is not about armament. It is about beauty, and relax-ation and pleasure. Wherever one turns, the homes are a riot of pastels - mustard, fuschia, turquoise and more. Bermuda’s fabled pink sand beaches reach out to waters that range from deep blue to light green.

The islands boast of numerous luxury hotels and eight golf courses, as well as plenty of shopping in towns such as Hamilton.

Side note: No one was wearing Ber-muda shorts on this trip. That’s because by tradition the eponymous short pants are not worn until Bermuda Day, May 24, and are put away on November 11.

Getting around Bermuda is easy. There is plenty of public transporta-tion, from cabs to mini-vans to ferries. Quite a few tourists try their hands at mo-ped style bikes, but it’s easy to get confused while driving on the “wrong” side of the road. Actually, the prolifera-tion of motor scooters and motorcycles on the islands is not due to the tourists.Automobiles were not allowed on Ber-muda until 1946 and even now no house-hold is allowed to own more than one.

See Cruise, page 15

PHOTOS BY BILL FARLEY

Carnival Fantasy is the ship that made the inaugural voyage to Bermuda from Charleston.

Captain Francesco LaFarina

L!"c!#$%ry L&f'~ S()&n* E+&%i!, ~ May 18 , 2011 ~ Pag' 14

Hole Sponsors: The Law Offices of Richard A. Hricik, PA • Pearlstine Distributers • Dr. Tim Assey, DMD • Sun States Steel Corp.Thompson Industrial • Royall Hardware • CMMC, LLC

Featuring

Coach Bobby Cremins, Basketball Coach at College of Charleston

Register NowFore our Needy Neighbors Golf Tournament

Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 1 p.m.The Daniel Island Club Ralston Creek Course

Shotgun Start and Captains Choice

Foursomes: $700 Players: $175Hole Sponsors: $750

Please contact Ann Ward Treat at 843.416.7123 or [email protected] for details, or visit www.eccocharleston.org

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Cruise: A Fantasy trip out of Charleston HarborContinued from page 14

P lus the price of gasoline is exorbitant. If you think close to $4 a gallon is outrageous in the Lowcountry, think

of nearly $9 a gallon in Bermuda.Among the other interesting attributes

of Bermuda are that it has no snakes, no squirrels, no raccoons, no yellow jacket bees and very few mosquitoes. Combined with an even, temperate climate, that makes the islands an almost ideal place to vacation.

Perhaps those attributes, combined with a “live and let live” philosophy have convinced such notables as Michael Douglas and Cath-erine Zeta-Jones, businessman and one-time Presidential candidate Ross Perot, Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and CBS commentator Morley Safer to own homes in Bermuda.

We left Bermuda wishing that we had had more time to explore its many pleasures, but we were also glad to be back aboard our floating home, the Carnival Fantasy.

The sailing back to Charleston was a plea-sure and en route we made even more new friends who we’ll undoubtedly see on future cruises.

PHOTO BY BILL FARLEY

On Bermuda, even churches are a riot of color in Bermuda.IP

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lowcountry life 2011

Documents

gullah culture

gullah storytellers

gullah geechee group

real taste of gullah

sweetgrass hats

sweetgrass vases

beautiful sweetgrass

local basket makers