IslandVibesIOP.com 10 Last year, Isle of Palms residents started talking about planting more palmettos on the island, especially since Dominion Energy removed about 300 trees. Now there’s a community-wide effort underway, Plant-a-Palm 2.0, and it has gained momentum! Plant-a-Palm 2.0 is a community-driven initiative to plant palm trees throughout the island. This group was inspired by Plant-a-Palm, which was created in 1990 when Hurricane Hugo devastated the island and a group of residents planted more than 800 sabal palmettos to restore the island’s natural beauty after the Category 4 hurricane. The first project approved by IOP City Council focuses on the public parking lot at Ocean Boulevard and Pavilion Drive. It’s a large, unpaved lot and one of the least attractive pieces of property on the island, but it’s also the island’s front door and first impression for visitors. The Family Vacation Rental Group recently presented a $6,600 check to Patsy Hindman and Jimmy Carroll, the founders and organizers of Plant-a-Palm 2.0. The donation will be used to purchase 22 palm trees. However, in a few more months, the public parking lot will be beautifully landscaped with around 130 palmettos – and the trees are not going to take away a single parking space. “The parking lot’s going to be an oasis on the Isle of Palms,” said Carroll, the former mayor helping lead this effort. Trees are being purchased by residents, property owners, businesses and civic organizations such as the Family Vacation Rental Group. Each tree costs $300. “In this day and age, unless there’s a disaster, you don’t see people pulling together,” said Hindman, a longtime island resident and one of the grassroots organizers behind Plant-a-Palm 2.0. “But I’ve had people tell me, ‘Let me know if you need more!’ It’s been very impressive.” The movement has so much momentum that the group hopes to plant palmettos in other parks on the island, maybe even at the marina. Anywhere there’s city land is a possibility. This beautification project brings our community together for the improvement of our city. “Hopefully, we will have a celebration and dedication of this cool community event. It will be something positive for everyone after this past election,” Carroll stated. If you would like to help out and donate a tree, please contact Hindman at pbhindman@bellsouth.net. BUSINESS Palm tree initiative receives donation to plant 22 more By Mel Miles Family Vacation Rental Group, co-chair Cheese Ball banquet to feature Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist By Ted Kinghorn IOP LENS Foundation, director Pictured (from left) are IOPPD Sgt. Chad King; Robert Asero, Assistant Director of Public Works; Patsy Hindman, co-founder Plant-a-Palm 2.0; former IOP Mayor Jimmy Carroll; Michael Carroll of Carroll Realty; Hugh Swingle of Palm Blvd Vacation Rentals; Beth Crunelle and Sarah Botkin of Dreams N Druthers Properties. Doug Mills Mark your calendars for one of the most anticipated events of the year. On Thursday, May 14, the Isle of Palms Law Enforcement Neighborhood Support (LENS) Foundation invites you to The Cheese Ball, a semi-formal, can’t-miss evening of celebration, dining, dancing and giving back. Held at the Osprey Ballroom at Wild Dunes Resort, this annual banquet raises critical funds for the Isle of Palms police and fire departments while bringing the community together in unforgettable style. Each year, the LENS Banquet features a unique theme, and this year’s Cheese Ball concept brings together the sophistication of a wine and cheese reception with the joy of live orchestra dancing. The evening includes a sitdown dinner, a jazz trio and spirited competition via the Big Cheese fundraiser challenge. Twelve contestants will compete to raise the most ‘cheddar’ (money, that is!) for a ‘gouda’ cause. What makes this year even more exciting is the announcement of our keynote speaker, Doug Mills, legendary photojournalist for The New York Times. Mills has photographed every U.S. president since Ronald Reagan and recently won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography for capturing the dramatic moment a bullet whizzed past President Donald Trump during an assassination attempt. With past Pulitzers for team coverage of the Clinton/Gore campaign, Mills has spent four decades translating history into powerful visual storytelling. Guests will also have the chance to attend an exclusive luncheon and meet-and-greet with Mills at Wild Dunes for a separate donation. Attendance is limited. A cornerstone of The Cheese Ball is its heartfelt mission: to honor and recognize the incredible dedication of our island’s police officers and firefighters. The primary goal of the evening is to celebrate their service, uplift their contributions and ensure they are publicly acknowledged in the presence of the community they serve. A special portion of the evening will be dedicated to presenting the annual LENS Appreciation Awards, which honor individuals who have gone above and beyond. Awards are presented in four categories: the Founders Recognition Award, Volunteer of the Year, George Reeth Leadership Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. Early bird tickets are $125 through April 1 and $150 thereafter. Every ticket helps cover the cost for first responders and their families to attend. Supporters can also rally behind their favorite Big Cheese contestant at lensiop.org/ big-cheese by donating and checking the leaderboard. From inspiring speakers to incredible music and a mission that matters, The Cheese Ball promises a night as meaningful as it is memorable. Register at lensiop.org/cheese-ball.
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