Family Photographer in James Island, SC

Two fake stop signs have been found in one James Island neighborhood, which the mayor says has caused confusion and controversy between town officials and local

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Two fake stop signs have been found in one James Island neighborhood, which the mayor says has caused confusion and controversy between town officials and locals.

A neighbor’s security camera captured the Town of James Island’s public works department removing the illegal stop signs from the corner of Clearview Drive and Tennant Street on Oct. 21.

“You cannot put your own stop signs out. You can always come to the town and make a request, and it will always be merited,” Mayor Bill Woolsey said. “We won’t often be able to put them up, but you can’t put them up yourself, and how we respond is we immediately contact SCDOT. We would have been very surprised if they put a stop sign out there without telling us beforehand.”

A worker could be seen wiggling one of the signs a couple of times before lifting it out of the ground and placing it in the back of a truck.

Not only were the signs put in illegally, according to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, but the ground next to the street was painted with white stop bars, as well.

“It’s the first I’ve ever heard about it, and I hope it doesn’t spread,” Woolsey said. “[I’m surprised] someone would come and paint a line in the road and buy some online stop signs and install them themselves in the middle of the night or early in the morning.”

Deputies said they were patrolling the area the night before and didn’t see any new signs, but when they went back the next day, they said the signs, which were apparently purchased online, had been put in overnight.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation has also confirmed they have not installed any stop signs at the intersection.

Neighbors initially thought the stop signs were put in by DOT to help with speeders and said the fake signs hurts their ability to address the issue.

“I guess somebody duped us, and they were putting in fake stop signs,” neighbor Jim Boyd said. “They looked to all of us legitimate and 100% real. We are just in favor of anything and everything that we can get people to slow down. Yes, we understand first responders need to get here quickly as well, but we want everything and anything.”

However, Woolsey said he believes the signs did not pop up at random.

“If we find out who did it, they will be charged, and we believe that, most likely, it was someone who lives close by,” he said.

Woolsey also said there was a recent incident where an illegal speed bump was found and removed near the intersection. He said the speed bump had black and yellow stripes and was similar to one found in parking lots across the Lowcountry.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

William Robert “Bob” Thomas

THOMAS — William Robert “Bob” Thomas, 77, of St. Marys, Ga., passed away peacefully at his home Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, following a battle with ALS.

Bob was born Dec. 27, 1944, in Charleston, S.C., as the middle child to the late Fred C. Thomas III and Janie K. Thomas. He was raised on James Island, S.C., with his two brothers, Fred C. Thomas III and Gerald Thomas. He graduated from James Island High School.

He graduated from Clemson University in 1972 with a degree in industrial management.

Bob served in the U.S. Army (active) from 1968-71, then stayed with the Army Reserve for another 26 years, retiring in 1997 as a lieutenant colonel. He went to work for Lockheed Martin with the FBM program at POMFLANT in 1975. He then was transferred to Sunnyvale, Calif., in 1983 as part of the Leadership Development Program. In 1985, he and his family moved to St. Marys, Ga., where he continued his career with Lockheed Martin at SWFLANT until his retirement in 2005 after 30 years of service.

On May 30, 1970, Bob married the love of his life, Diane “Chris” Thomas. Together, they raised two beautiful children, Elizabeth Chrisman Thomas LaPha and William “Will” Robert Thomas Jr. After his retirement from Lockheed Martin, there wasn’t a fishing pole or a golf club far from his hand. Over the years, Bob served his community and church in many capacities, including, but not limited to, Sunday School teacher, basketball coach, elder in the Presbyterian Church USA, PTA president at St. Marys Elementary School, member of St. Marys Kiwanis Club, and most recently serving as the Share a Meal coordinator at St. Marys United Methodist Church. When asked what he loves most about serving in the ministry, he said, “I enjoy doing things for other people, especially those less fortunate than me.” He also said, “Find a ministry that you believe in and that you would enjoy doing and serve in that capacity.”

Survivors are his wife of 52 years, Chris Thomas of St. Marys; daughter, Elizabeth (Steven) LaPha; and grandson, Luke Thomas LaPha; son, Will Thomas; brothers, Fred (Kaye) Thomas and Gerald (Janice) Thomas; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21, 2022, in the St. Marys United Methodist Church chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (10 a.m.) in Bailey Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Marys United Methodist Church, the ALS organization, or Hospice of the Golden Isles.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Grab a cup of hot chocolate and turn the Christmas tunes on the radio – there are several options for checking out Christmas lights beyond your neighborhood.

Enjoy a night with friends and family as you drive through bright shining lights on display in Moncks Corner, North Charleston, Cottageville, and the largest drive-thru holiday light event at James Island County Park.

Holiday Festival of Lights – James Island County Park871 Riverland Dr, Charleston

A trip to the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is a Christmas-time tradition filled with thousands of dazzling lights and displays.

Guests are invited to drive along a three-mile stretch lined with more than 700 light displays each night through December 31. A stop at Winter Wonderland – about halfway through the drive – gives you an opportunity to stretch your legs and view the area’s largest holiday sand sculpture.

You can view shops, search for gifts, or enjoy sweet treats or a cup of hot chocolate. Hop on a train ride for a fun look at light displays or take a stroll through the Enchanted Walking Trail for a fun look at nature-themed light displays.

Santa Claus will meet children each night from November 21 – December 23. Plus, enjoy an array of large greeting cards decorated by students from across the Charleston area.

Ticket prices on a regular night will cost $15 per vehicle if purchased online at HolidayFestivalofLights.com or $20 at the gate. Peak night prices increase to $25 per vehicle online and $30 at the gate.

The 33rd Annual Holiday Festival of Lights is open every evening from November 11 through December 31 from 5:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

The Lights at Park Circle4800 Park Circle, North Charleston

Pack up the car and take a drive or go for a relaxing stroll around North Charleston’s Park Circle to see dozens of Christmas light displays.

Trees, lights, and displays will be shining bright around the circle at the Felix C. Davis Community Center.

City leaders say the lights will shine until New Year’s Day. There is no fee to enjoy the lights.

Bee City Zoo’s Christmas Wonderland of Lights1066 Holly Ridge Ln. Cottageville, SC 29435

On select nights in November and December, guests can enjoy a combination of animals and Christmas lights at Bee City Zoo’s Christmas Wonderland of Lights festival.

Santa Claus will make a special appearance during some nights of the event for a photo opportunity.

Those attending can also attend an ‘Australian Walkabout’ which is included in the price of admission. And for some additional costs, you can enjoy roasting s’mores, ornament decorating, grabbing a cup of hot chocolate, or feeding animals during the festival.

Admission is $12 or you can purchase a combo pass which includes day access to the zoo and entry to the lights at $20. Click here to learn more.

Holiday Lights Driving Tour – Old Santee Canal Park900 Stoney Landing Rd, Moncks Corner

Celebrate the season with family and friends on a driving tour filled with sparkling Christmas lights and displays at Old Santee Canal Park powered by Santee Cooper.

The event runs each night from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. from November 25 – December 30. It will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Admission to the event is $5 per vehicle. Proceeds benefit local charities.

Guests will enter the Holiday Lights Driving Tour at 1 Riverwood Drive in Moncks Corner.

“The beautiful LED lighting displays are powered by 100% Santee Cooper Green Power, which is Green-e Energy certified and meets the environmental and consumer-protection standards set forth by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions,” organizers said.

Santee Cooper is also inviting guests to attend its two-night event ‘Holiday in the Park’ on November 24 and 25. You’ll have the chance to meet Santa Claus, enjoy crafts, roast marshmallows, and sample some seasonal foods.

“This event is included with admission to Holiday Lights Driving Tour, which runs through Dec. 30, so you can start your holiday season early at this fun-filled meetup,” said organizers.

To learn more or purchase tickets online, please click here.

Cougar Night Lights – The College of CharlestonNear the corner of George and St. Philip Streets

A holiday tradition that brings a fun and dazzling light show to the College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard and Randolph Hall will light up with the spirit of the season each night, offering a holiday light show featuring festive music and visual performances each half-hour from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

The display will be open to the public beginning December 1 through January 2. It is free to view and this year’s show will include new music and lighting displays.

Visitors can find the Cistern Yard at the corner of George and St. Philip Streets. Public parking garages are available at two nearby locations – the George Street Garage and the St. Philip Street Garage.

Did we miss something? Email us with details about a local Christmas light show.

Fishermen often announce that they’ve seen color as a hooked fish darts about in the depths below a boat. And that’s exactly what Kenneth Crosby said to fellow “Jon Boat” crew members Jon Vroon and Kenneth Nelson on Nov. 2 as they fished the Hang Em’ High Kingfish Invitational.

Vroon said Crosby yelled out “I’ve got color!” Seconds later he added “We’ve got a lot of color.” In other words, it was a good fish.

Several hours later, after the Jon Boat crew made their way to the weigh station at Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head Island, they found out just how good the fish was.

The king mackerel weighed 50.4 pounds, a tournament record, and the color they saw earlier translated into a lot of green — $109,000 for the heaviest kingfish caught by participants in the Hang Em’ High tournament.

“I’ll be honest. When we got that fish on the deck, we knew it was a bigger-sized fish but we didn’t know it was a 50-pounder,” said Vroon, owner of the 38-foot Edgewater. “We never high-five, but we did just because we knew it was a bigger fish.

“We put the fish in the fish box and were quiet for a while. We didn’t know what we had, but we knew we had something.”

Vroon said they continued to fish after boating the monster, trying to catch another fish to count toward aggregate weight. When that didn’t happen, they pulled the big fish back out and hung it from a Boga Grip to get a weight. The Boga Grip bounced between 48 and 52 pounds, and Vroon said Nelson told him, “We’re going to Hilton Head right now.”

Jon Boat’s catch was the capper to a lucrative late-season run. They missed many of the regular king mackerel tournaments while the boat was being upgraded, including new power. Vroon got the boat back in time for them to fish the South Carolina Fall Classic (scfallclassic.com), a tournament in which participants fish two days of their choosing, weigh two fish each day, and have their three heaviest fish count toward the championship.

During the Fall Classic they weighed four solid fish, all in the 30-pound class, and their 106.8-pound total had them in the lead until a couple of days before the tournament ended, when The Drum brought in a 43.6-pound catch and grabbed first. Jon Boat’s second-place finish netted them $8,000 and the crew decided to participate in the Hang Em’ High tournament.

“We got the boat back and said let’s do everything we can to get in the last few tournaments of the season. We ended up getting in the Fall Classic and ended up second. We thought we had it and at the last minute (The Drum) caught a a beautiful fish and we finished second. It was kind of hard not to sign up for the Hang Em’ High (kingfishinvitational.com) , a 40-boat invitational, when you have house money already,” Vroon said.

The Hang Em’ High tournament, which began in 2021, was conceived by Marc Pincus of Hilton Head; he also runs the S.C. Wahoo Series, the S.C. Mahi Series and the S.C. Fall Classic. Each team pays a $5,000 entry feet with the winner pocketing $100,000.

Robert Olsen of Charleston won the inaugural Hang Em’ High tournament in 2022 with a 43.4-pound catch that was worth $118,900. This year’s tournament was scheduled to be a two-day event with anglers fishing Friday and Saturday (Nov. 4-5) with Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 2-3) as weather days. But with a northeaster brewing, the tournament became a one-day shootout.

Jon Boat’s 50.4-pound catch was easily the winner.

Second place and $36,000 with a 37.6-pound catch went to Avaseata, captained by Anthony Seminara of Bluffton. Finishing a close third and earning $34,000 was Wreck On, captained by Tyler Smith of Edisto, with a 37.4-pound catch. Pole Dancer, captained by David Hartness of Isle of Palms, rounded out the boats finishing in the money, earning $21,000 with a 33.8-pound king mackerel.

Extra Kristi, captained by Chris Rosengarten of Beaufort, was the first boat out of the money, missing by 0.1 pounds with a 33.7-pound kingfish. Rounding out the top 10 were: Salty Mistress, 32.7; Mas Pescado, 32.1; Rock Doc, 30.9; The Right Side, 29.8; and Prodigy Fishing, 29.6.

Vroon said the Jon Boat crew launched at James Island Yacht Club, where they all are members. They headed to the area where they caught fish in the Fall Classic and began riding around, looking for suspended bait and places that might be holding fish until it was time for lines in the water at 7 a.m.

“We didn’t see a lot. It was a lot different than it had been two weeks earlier (for the Fall Classic). It was kinda’ disappointing at the time, because you take a gamble and risk going to a location that at one time looked good. And we’re going in the opposite direction of where we’re going to weigh in,” Vroon said. He said they picked away at 16-, 17-, 18-pound kingfish, which they released.

“Then out of the blue, the biggest kingfish I’ve ever caught takes line,” Vroon said.

Crosby was closest to the rod, while Vroon was running the boat and Nelson began clearing the other lines.

“Sometimes you can tell by that first run how big a fish is,” Vroon said. “But you can really tell on the second run. Then when he runs again the third time like he ran the first time, you know you’ve got a fish on. We knew we had something, and we were trying to track him down.”

Vroon said even after they they got to Hilton Head and got their official weight, he wasn’t going to assume they had won.

“When you’re fishing against 40 of the best kingfishing guys in the Carolina, you expect that if you caught a 50 then they can catch a 50. That was always in the back of my mind. It wasn’t until the end of the weigh-in and there wasn’t a boat coming down the creek that it set in. Holy Cow! We did it!” he said.

“A tournament like that is life-changing. The camaraderie. The people calling. It’s been incredible, awesome. It may never happen again. We’re trying to take in all in, every moment. I caught the biggest kingfish I’ve ever caught in the biggest tournament I’ve ever entered.”

2023 S.C. Wahoo Series

Tournament director Marc Pincus has announced that the 2023 South Carolina Wahoo Series (scwahooseries.com) will be fished Feb. 17-April 15. The captain’s meeting will be held from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 4 at Skull Creek Dockside Restaurant on Hilton Head Island, with the awards ceremony scheduled April 16.

Participants can fish three days during the tournament, weighing one fish each day, with the aggregate weight of their two heaviest fish counting toward the championship.

ECOMC Turkey Shoot

The East Cooper Outboard Motor Club is holding its 59th annual turkey shoot through Nov. 23, Wednesday through Saturday, from 6:30-10 p.m. at Goldbug Island, located at 1560 Ben Sawyer, Mount Pleasant. The shoot also will be held the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

The turkey shoot raised $43,000 in 2021 and has made donations of $541,800 to Lowcountry charities since its inception.

Archery hunts for Bulls Island scheduled

The second of the 2022 white-tailed deer archery hunt on Bulls Island will be held Dec. 5-10. The purpose of the hunts it to assist management in maintaining the deer population at a level compatible with the environment, and permits the use of a valuable renewable resource.

Hunters must possess the required state hunting license. Each hunter will check in and register before setting up camp and hunting. Hunters under the age of 16 must have successfully completed a State-approved hunter education course, present a hunter safety certificate and be under the immediate supervision of an adult. On Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m., the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge Manager will meet with archers to discuss refuge hunt regulations.

The camping area on Bulls Island will remain open from 9 a.m. on the Sunday preceding each hunt until noon on the Sunday following the hunt. Only registered hunters will be allowed to camp. Overnight parking is permitted at Garris Landing during the archery hunts. The group campsite is the picnic area, which includes an enclosed weather shelter in case of extreme weather, bathroom facility and a water source.

Visit the Cape Romain website at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/cape-romain for a copy of the hunt permit. For additional information, please call the Refuge office at (843) 928-3264.

Permits are available at the Refuge Headquarters Office Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and, Thursday–Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center, 5821 Hwy 17 North, Awendaw, SC 29429.

America’s Boating Club

America’s Boating Club Charleston will hold boating safety classes Nov. 12 and Dec. 3 at 1376 Orange Grove Road, Charleston. The classes begin at 9 a.m. and end around 4 p.m.

Successful participants earn the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Boater Education Card. The cost is $45 for adults and $15 for additional household members sharing the text. Scholarships are available for youth ages 12-18. Call 843-312-2876 or email lynes@tds.net.

“How long have you been in business here?” I asked the proprietor of T.W. Graham & Co., an unassuming seafood restaurant located in a historic storefront on the oak-shaded main street of the coastal village of McClellanville.

“We’ve been in business since 1894” he said, and then, with a grin that made it more than an afterthought, “but I’m not the original owner.”

Do tell.

I was speaking with Patrick Runey, who busied himself greeting patrons and chatting with friends as the Saturday evening crowd began to gather for dinner and conversation.

T.W. Graham & Co. is a fixture in the small fishing village, and being only a stone’s throw from docks crowded with shrimp boats, it serves up an offering of fresh seafood for lunch and dinner almost daily. With my plate covered with freshly prepared shrimp, hand-shredded cole slaw, fries and hushpuppies, Patrick described how all of this came to be.

“I am from Charleston, and when the owners were looking to sell, I told them our plans and they knew we were the right buyer. They had other offers but did not want it to go to just anyone.”

Originally a general store, T.W. Graham & Co. has served the people of McClellanville in many ways during the 128 years it has sat on Pinckney Street. Today, it continues to be place where villagers and out-of-towners alike gather, and life for the little waterfront community rolls on.

McClellanville lies on the edge of a vast network of marshy creeks and rivers that stretches to the horizon, where the old lighthouse stands on the point of Cape Romain. Founded in the 1850s as a seaside escape for the swamp-haunted plantation owners of the Santee River region, the town quickly became a productive fishing village.

Today, it has become a destination for day tourists and overnight visitors who come to the little settlement between Charleston and Georgetown, with a desire to escape the ordinary and enjoy the peace and quiet of life under the live oaks.

When you visit McClellanville, you will encounter a place that is like a picture of Lowcountry days gone by. A network of quiet streets connect frame houses that range from two-story farmhouse-style to small, comfortable cottages. A dozen classic storefronts stand along Pinckney Street, where you can purchase hand-made local gifts and items of coastal decor, while being welcomed by friendly locals who are glad for your visit.

A crossroads in the center of the village is home to neighborhood churches, including the historic chapel of ease for the parish church of St. James Episcopal. The gingerbread trim reflects the 19th century Lowcountry style. Here, the congregation worships each Sunday, and also maintains the old brick church of St. James Santee near Hampton Plantation.

A drive to the end of Pinckney Street brings you to the Village Museum, a cultural center where the history of the town and region are preserved. A town dock will give you a view down Jeremy Creek to the vast marshy wilderness stretching to the Atlantic, or upstream to the spires and nets of the shrimp fleet, docked at the seafood company off Oak Street.

The boats form a backdrop for the Seaman’s Memorial, dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives while working the coastal waters of South Carolina. It’s a reminder of the cost of braving sea and storm to bring home each day’s catch.

You can cap off your visit with a delicious meal at T.W. Graham & Co. or at one of the other great restaurants in town, local institutions like the McClellanville Diner, The Bent Rod, and Buckshots provide an array of seafood, comfort food or more adventurous fare to please any palate.

As I finished my meal and prepared to return home, I only wished that I had more time to explore and enjoy this quiet, beautiful town. Whether you stay in McClellanville for a day, or simply visit while passing through, you will feel very much at home.

McClellanville is located off US. 17 between Charleston and Georgetown.

A drive of a little over two hours will take you through Charleston and along the wide, lonely coast highway. McClellanville is located 30 miles above Charleston and just before you cross the Santee River. As you come within the town limits you will see three of the popular local restaurants, each open at various days and times to accommodate your appetite or itinerary.

To enter the village proper, take a right onto Pinckney Street, and follow its winding track into town. You will soon come to the business district where shops and T.W. Graham & Co. welcome you, or you can continue beyond to visit the museum, churches and the often-busy waterfront along Jeremy Creek.

There are many things to do and explore nearby as well. You can explore nature at Santee Coastal Reserve, discover history at Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, or arrange for an excursion by boat to visit the historic lighthouse at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.

For more information on the town and its offerings, visit the town of McClellanville homepage at https://www.mcclellanvillesc.org or call T.W. Graham & Co. at (843) 887-4342.