kitchen countertopsIn Sullivan's Island, SC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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SULLIVAN’S ISLAND — Obstinate Daughter bar manager Frank Arevalo has always been a fan of celebrating career milestones.

Since joining the island standby eight years ago, he has helped make this ethos a part of everyday life for the restaurant’s employees.

When a member of Obstinate Daughter’s team celebrates a one-, two- or six-year anniversary, Arevalo honors their achievement on social media.

There have been a lot of posts in the last year.

Dylan Elliott (two years), Samuel Elvington (three years), Shaun Jefferson (two years), Zoe Alessandra De Luca-Parker (two years), Andrea Deslauriers (three years) and Whitney Reed Mallett (five years) have all celebrated work anniversaries in the past seven months. Many more have already surpassed one year at Obstinate Daughter.

Arevalo started the tradition years ago when a server named Tifyane Tipton was nearing her five-year anniversary. The 29-year food and beverage industry veteran posted about Tipton’s milestone on social media. The rest is history.

“Before we started posting them on Instagram, we would have a calendar with milestones and birthdays posted up in the restaurant as a reminder of those special occasions,” Arevalo said. “Our No. 1 asset is our people. Celebrating milestones creates a culture of being valued.”

This culture starts at the top with owner Doug Godley, who provides employees with paid vacation and match a portion of their 401(k), among other benefits. Both Godley and Obstinate Daughter executive chef Jacques Larson say they hope to create the best possible work environment for all employees.

“Chefs and anyone in the industry, it’s expected that you work at least six days for at least 12 hours long. No other industry demands that you put in those kinds of hours,” Larson said. “People that do that don’t have employees holding signs.”

In May, bartender Lauren Drees will hold up a sign that reads “five years,” an anniversary she credits to the restaurant’s customers, commitment to the environment and her coworkers. The Pittsburgh native said she plans to stay put at Obstinate Daughter for a long time.

“There’s a really good rapport between front of the house and back of the house,” Drees said. “It just makes everything smoother when you feel like you can ask questions.”

Obstinate Daughter chef de cuisine Will D’Erasmo bought into the company culture after first meeting Godley and Larson at Wild Olive, their Johns Island restaurant that opened in 2009. There, D’Erasmo worked as a line cook for two years before joining Obstinate Daughter when it opened in 2014.

“At this point it’s kind of like my home because I’ve put so much time and energy into it. Doug is an extremely generous boss. He provides us with new equipment if we ask for it and things like that,” D’Erasmo said. “I enjoy the food and I like working with Jacques.”

Employment in South Carolina’s leisure and hospitality sector grew 2.2 percent from March to April, but Charleston area restaurateurs are still struggling with a staffing crisis that existed even before the COVID-19 pandemic. While Obstinate Daughter has a stable staff, there are days when the kitchen crew is short a member or two.

During those shifts, everyone chips in.

“The sheer volume that we’re doing, we’re blowing through food products,” D’Erasmo said. “It gets stressful and how to alleviate some of that stress is something we’re always thinking about.”

D’Erasmo motivates the back of the house by allowing chefs to move around the kitchen. “Tough love” was the norm early on in his career, but nowadays, he prefers a different mantra: A compliment can go a long way.

The opportunity to learn and earn more responsibilities in the kitchen has benefited executive sous chef Carlos Paredes, who joined Obstinate Daughter six years ago. On most nights, Paredes is in charge of coming up with the restaurant’s daily specials.

“The restaurant works completely different. If you’re working the line, you have to have a different set of skills,” Paredes said. “Nobody’s bored doing one station every time.”

Obstinate Daughter is a high-volume operation, so chefs who tire of the nighttime hours can join the morning prep team. The restaurant has been the ultimate training ground for Paredes, who is nearing the end of his tenure at Obstinate Daughter as he plans for the opening of his own restaurant in his home country of Peru.

Opening a restaurant has always been Paredes’ dream, but he was tempted by the thought of staying at Obstinate Daughter for as long as D’Erasmo and Larson would have him. As it stands, the chef will stay until the new restaurant is closer to its opening date.

“I think it’s definitely going to crush me,” Paredes said of leaving Obstinate Daughter. “I fell in love with the place. It actually make me find what I really want to be doing.”

Obstinate Daughter, located at 2063 Middle St., is open daily for lunch and dinner. For more information, visit theobstinatedaughter.com.

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – The Town of Sullivan’s Island is searching for those responsible for cutting down part of the island’s maritime forest. Town leaders are hoping to establish stricter penalties to prevent future cutting while residents are hoping the trees can be replaced.

An employee with the town noticed the cutting around February 9th and reported it to town leaders leading to the town opening an investigation. Town leaders say preventing future cutting might be achieved through jail time or stricter fines.

“This is the epitome of selfishness,” says Town Councilman Scott Millimet reacting to the cutting.

Island residents were also upset with the cutting. “It’s clear these trees weren’t cut by accident, I mean they were purposefully cut to someone’s benefit,” says one resident.

A number of trees along Station 26, the width of a house were chopped and dropped in the town’s maritime forest. The island’s forest has become the center of a debate to save the town’s accredited land over the last several years.

“It damages everybody, it doesn’t just (damage) the two neighbors,” the resident said.

Dozens of trees have been marked and documented by town employees after being cut down. Councilman Millimet says residents couldn’t believe it when learning of the illegal cutting.

“General shock, frustration – bitterness,” says Councilman Millimet when referring to what he’s heard from residents.

Each tree cut down comes with a $1,040 fine but residents and leaders say that might not be enough to prevent future cutting.

“This just proves that there are those out there that until the punishment is enhanced, it’s going to continue,” says Councilman Millimet.

Councilman Millimet believes the fines should be raised and jail time considered for those responsible. “We can try to do some replanting,” says Councilman Millimet. “And then I think we also need to focus on enhancing the punishment.”

Advocates fighting for the future of the maritime forest agree with the measure. “While there are penalties, they are not severe enough to disincentive someone from potentially doing this again,” says Karen Byko, President of Sullivan’s Island 4 All.

With the damage already done along Station 26, leaders and residents hope they can stop additional chopping in the future.

“At the very least, I hope they replant these trees,” says the resident.

“There’s quite a bit of work to do but like I said we’ve got to get the ball rolling because the longer we wait, certain residents have shown that they will act in their own best interest and we’ve got to figure out how to prevent that,” says Councilman Millimet.

Town officials declined to provide a comment on the latest in the investigation.

South Carolina is known for its spectacular landscapes, with Charleston being one of its major attractions. Charleston offers many things to experience, but its beaches are definitely at the top of the list. While each of these beaches comes with unique features, spectacular views, an incredibly quiet atmosphere, and gorgeous shores are common characteristics. Whether looking for secluded spots for a relaxing vacation, Charleston is the best place to be. Here are the city's 10 beaches travelers can't afford to miss.

Folly back is one of the best island beaches in Charleston and is a popular surfing spot, if not the locals' favorite. The beach is packed with several colorful shops, restaurants, hotels, and beach rentals – and it is a perfect time to spend a relaxing moment. The beach is reachable via a short drive from downtown Charleston, making it a gateway to some of the city's most iconic attractions. Travelers should know that summers can have this beach crowded, so arriving early, perhaps by 10:00 am, is the trick.

Boasting four and a half miles of gorgeous coastline, Edisto beach is one spot not to miss, especially if into a relatively calm and quiet place. It is also among the most family-friendly beaches, offering numerous activities for both adults and kids. Nestled in Edisto Island, about an hour's drive from downtown Charleston, Edisto Beach is an excellent spot for night camping, picnicking, and looking for seashells, perhaps with family or friends. It is located in a state park, giving access to numerous hiking and biking trails to explore.

Isle Of Palms

Isle of Palms boasts seven miles of beautiful shoreline, and being a close community; families can have the best beach vacation experience here. It is a great place to watch sea turtles and enjoy the beautiful white sands. Plus, there are many activities to explore, from golfing to fishing to boating and water sports. If not with kids, visit Windjammer’s beach bar once the sun goes down after spending a whole day outdoors. The bar’s atmosphere is great, and it serves well-mixed drinks and a pool.

Related: Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, And Folly Beach: Get To Know Charleston's Beaches

Kiawah Island

It takes a forty-minute drive to get to Kiawah Island from the Historic Charleston if travelers take the State Road 2-10-20. With so many things to see and do on this beach, including swimming, sunbathing, going on nature walks, and biking, it is definitely one of the best to visit in Charleston. The island boasts an incredible shopping village, golfing and tennis opportunities, boating, and fishing. The island's beaches are beautiful, and they feature white sand.

Sullivan’s Island

Located north of the Charleston harbor, Sullivan's Island boasts a population of about 2,000 people and offers. From the island, vacationers will enjoy magnificent views and a fantastic dining scene – and it is a spot loved by the locals. It is important to note that there are no hotels on the island, so vacationers can only make their visit a day trip. Travelers should arrive there early because parking can be a problem. The beach doesn't have public lots for parking, and vacationers can only use one side of the street.

Seabrook Island

Located amidst Edisto and Kiawah Islands, Seabrook Island boasts beautiful beaches that vacationers can't regret exploring. The island's main beaches are located in a private beachfront community and provide a perfect relaxing spot on beautiful sands. Families should opt for Pelican Beach, as it boasts calm waters and is far away from the hustle and bustle of other beaches in Charleston. Travelers looking for breathtaking sunset views should head to North Beach,

Capers Island

Boasting a perfect stretch of sand, beautifully lined with palm trees, Capers Island is incredibly dramatic and is among the best places to explore on South Carolina's coast. Visitors can only get there on boat rides, but Sullivan's Island has some charters vacationers can use. Canoeing and kayaking are other means to get there, but only for travelers into adventures. The beach is located about 20 miles away from downtown Charleston. Capers Island is a great place to go shell hunting, see the tree skeletons, and explore marine life, including some dolphins.

Morris Island

Morris Island is not well-known, and while many travelers prefer places like Folly Beach, this beach offers a perfect remote experience in Charleston. Spectacular views of the Morris Island Lighthouse are the major draw to this beach, and while visitors can't get up close, they can take some epic photographs from the shore. There are also several shells and wildlife to see. It is located a short distance from the popular Folly Beach, reachable in a boat ride northeast, and it's an excellent choice for vacationers looking for a secluded stretch of beautiful sand. Hiking to the beach from the northernmost parts of Folly Beach also gets visitors there in only 20 minutes. If hopping on a private boat from Charleston Harbor, it'll take 20 minutes to get there.

Warning: Swimming around Morris Island can be dangerous because of strong currents and high tides. Therefore, vacationers should consult the locals or check online for weather and water conditions before heading there on their own.

2 Bulls Island

Situated about 45 minutes away from historic Charleston, Bulls Island is one of the beaches not to miss when exploring this part of South Carolina. The beach is only accessible by a ferry ride It offers a different kind of nature and beach experience. Stretching for six and a half a mile, this uninhabited island is home to numerous wildlife, including endangered species. It is a popular spot for birdwatching, as it boasts over 275 bird species. Tourists may also spot some shells on the beautiful shore.

1 Mosquito Beach

Mosquito Beach is found near Folly Beach and Stono River, about a 20-minute drive from Charleston. This beach is not like other beaches with beautiful white sands and turquoise waters, but it boasts the most spectacular sunset views. The culinary experience around this place is second to none. While it's mostly pluff and a tidal creek, it definitely shouldn't miss on travelers' bucket lists. The beach is full of history and would be a perfect spot for history buffs. It was a major destination for African-Americans in the 1950s.

Charleston, South Carolina, has been topping 'the best of lists for years. The historic city has always had a ton to offer, attracting tourists for its southern charm, world-class culinary offerings, antebellum architecture, and lively arts and entertainment scene. Further adding to Charleston's appeal are its beaches.

Sitting just a few miles from downtown Charleston is a series of easily accessible small barrier islands where visitors can enjoy an afternoon at the beach or vice versa. With such close proximity to the city, visitors can choose to base themselves on the beach instead. Each one of the Charleston beaches has its own distinctive vibe and attributes. Here is an overview to help find the perfect fit!

RELATED: These Are The Best Times To Visit Charleston (& What To Do There)

Isle Of Palms

This popular Charleston beach manages to maintain a balance between upscale and classy, as well as hip yet family-friendly. The island is self-catering with ample accommodation options, an extensive retail district, a diverse range of restaurants, and a full-service grocery store. The beach has lifeguards on duty, and there are dressing rooms, restrooms, and snack bar facilities centrally located at the oceanfront County Park.

There are roughly six miles of beach with over 50 access points, so hitting the sand on Isle of Palms is super convenient. The island's two golf courses, The Links Course and Harbor Course were both designed by a world-renowned golf architect. Visiting the Windjammer is a must. A long-time staple of the island (more than 50 years in business), the Windjammer is an oceanfront sandbar that hosts frequent concerts, beach volleyball tournaments, and more. Oh, and dogs are welcome at the Windjammer too!

Sullivan's Island

This quaint 3.3 square mile island can be summed up by three S's: serenity, slow pace, and simple pleasures. The town has actively worked to preserve its quiet character, and as such, short-term rentals of less than 30 days are prohibited. Nestled between Charleston Harbor and Isle of Palms, it remains close and convenient to explore for the day while staying elsewhere.

One of the oldest-standing forts on the East Coast is located on Sullivan's Island. Fort Moultrie was first constructed as a Revolutionary War defense in the 1700s but was once again put to use during the Civil War. Fort Moultrie is open to the public and remains a top tourist attraction. Fabled author Edgar Allen Poe was stationed at Fort Moultrie during his stint in the army, and Sullivan's Island served as the setting for some of his literary works. Nowadays, the quirky and eclectic Poe's Tavern pays homage to its namesake and is one of the most beloved local eateries.

Sullivan's Island is the perfect spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and simply have a relaxing day at the beach. The wide, flat beach is great for strolling along the shore or riding bikes at low tide, and the prevailing winds are excellent for kiteboarding. Ocean enthusiasts can also fish, kayak, and paddleboard, and land-lovers can enjoy the island's several parks and recreation areas too. The restaurants along Middle Street offer wonderful food and alfresco dining in a fun atmosphere, often with live entertainment.

Folly Beach

Affectionately referred to as the 'edge of America', Folly Beach is a funky beach community that has retained much of its charm and unique character. A long-time haven for surfers, College of Charleston students, artists, and salty seafarers, Folly Beach has somewhat of a cult following amongst vacationers too. Folly-devotees return to their beloved beach year after year and rarely venture elsewhere. The island has a relaxed, working-class vibe, and long-time locals foster a palpable sense of community.

Swing by Bert's Market and fill up the cooler before hitting the beach. Bert's is a local institution that adheres to its 'we may doze but we never close' slogan; they are open around the clock and are much more than just a market. Folly Beach is regarded as one of the top surfing destinations in the southeast, and there are two full-service surf shops on Folly. Experienced surfers can head to The Washout section of the beach, or novices can take a surf lesson with one of the several surf schools on the island. Kayaks or stand-up paddleboards are an excellent way to explore Folly's extensive network of marshes and inlets.

The main shopping and dining hub of Folly Beach is Center Street, and it is well worth a stroll. The eclectic shops have lots of local and handcrafted items rather than just tacky souvenirs. Center Street and the surrounding blocks are also packed with dozens of eating and drinking locales for every taste and budget, as well as bars and nightlife. Come as you are - the ambiance everywhere is unpretentious, and flip-flops are always welcome.

One of the best ways to get around the 12-square-mile island is by golf cart. Just be aware that they cannot travel down Center Street (but they can traverse it to cross to/from the East and West sides of the island).

RELATED: 10 South Carolina Beaches You Should Visit This Summer

Bonus Beach: Kiawah Island

Although Kiawah is a huge vacation destination, it wasn't initially included as one of the main Charleston-area beaches simply because many areas of the island and its beaches are private. Kiawah is gated, and visitors can only access certain restricted areas with a guest or owner's pass; not everything is accessible to the public. Nonetheless, Kiawah is worth a mention as it is a popular vacation spot and has its own unique draw.

As one may expect, Kiawah is a luxury vacation destination. The resort accommodations, vacation home rentals, and amenities are world-class, as are Kiawah's dining options. The island's five golf courses are also top-notch, frequently hosting PGA Tour and other top-level events. Kiawah was also named the #1 tennis resort in the world!

Visitors can take advantage of public beach access at Beachwalker County Park, just before the guard station. Bring your own bike to enjoy the full 10 miles of pristine Kiawah Island beach without needing to show a pass.

Life Is Better At The Beach

While the Charleston area is surrounded by dozens of barrier islands, these beaches are the main hot spots to stay and play. The beaches make a great addition to any Charleston vacation itinerary, but they each have plenty to offer as a stand-alone destination too. Visitors can settle down, relax, and enjoy the slower pace of island time!