case of dogs and their humans getting accidentally separated. Humans must also clean up after their pets and dispose of waste properly. Please keep away from turtle nesting sites, marked with orange signage. Sea turtles are our friends and shouldn’t be disturbed for any reason. There is, on our island, a lovely dog park near the IOP Recreation Center. If you find yourself enjoying this luxurious amenity, please be kind to the creatures you encounter there. Speaking of being kind – be kind to the sand dunes by keeping off them. Sand dunes protect our beaches and sometimes the wildlife contained therein is not exactly friendly. Stay safe my four-legged friends. 24 IslandVibesIOP.com Meet Your Island Neighbors! By Laura Fogarty ON THE WATER WITH THE WELKERS PEOPLE & PETS TO BE FRANK, LEASH LAWS ARE NOT FASHION STATEMENTS -FRANK Lavish life of Luke Bentley By Allyah Harrar Luke Bentley is a lovable yellow lab who found his furever home with the Barattini family last year. He's a big boy who loves to cuddle and invade whatever semblance of personal space you have left (but who likes personal space anyway?). He keeps his entire family on their toes with his energy and goofy personality, but one of his favorite hobbies is going for walks. This pup is one step ahead before you even have time to grab the leash. Luke Bentley makes sure to say hello to everyone along the way — dogs and humans alike. He has more friends than me at this point but hey, we can't all be Luke Bentley. His family loves to take him for boat rides, and that's when he really comes into his element. He enjoys standing at the front of the boat and pretending he's the captain. He doesn't just sit there looking pretty either, this is important work. He makes a great second mate, ensuring the whole family stays safe and healthy enough to keep the cuddles and treats coming in. His personal mission is simple: keep life interesting in the Barattini household. Next time you can't find your shoes, try asking the world's biggest hide-and-seek fan, Luke Bentley. He is always sneaking off with shoes and hiding them under the bed because he knows you can't leave the house if you can't find your shoes. His goofy antics and larger than life personality make him impossible not to love. Sometimes he flops onto the couch like a sack of potatoes, while other times he wedges himself between family members for maximum pets, but at all times, Luke Bentley is the trifecta: loveable, a cuddle bug and a good boy. I’m not a fan of leash laws in general. I prefer to run free, but alas, I am an escape artist, an instigator and if I’m being perfectly honest – a fierce predator and potential menace to local wildlife. Because of my propensity to wander without listening, I can always be found on a leash when out and about in our fair city. Kudos to the canines among us that are under such spectacular voice command that they can be given the right, nay the privilege, to traverse our island untethered. Even for the most well-behaved canine companions among us, there are rules in place for proper beach behavior. Perhaps, dear reader, you are new here or perhaps you've been here long enough to use the phrase "back in the day." Either way, we could all use a gentle reminder of the laws by which we need to heed. Leash laws seemingly change with the tide, but I am happy to advise, they do not. They actually change merely twice per year. Dogs are permitted to be off leash on the beach April 1 through Sept. 14 from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and Sept. 15 through March 31 from 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. and must be leashed at all other times. Dog permits, issued annually, are free of charge. If you are so inclined, I highly recommend picking one up, if only for ease of reunification in Mark Welker and wife Darla have shared much in their 35 years of marriage: two children, two grandchildren and their two dogs, Ruger and Colt. Welker exudes pure joy and enthusiasm when speaking about this island and its people and his love for the business and the relationships he has built here over the last 12 years. “I came to the Isle of Palms in 2013,” Welker continued. “I love to fish and boat and had always wanted to work at a marina. IOP gave me the perfect opportunity and place to work Saltworks Catering from.” Saltworks Catering offers a fully mobile kitchen, can accommodate parties up to 1,000 people and has a full menu and full service. Through Saltworks, Welker aims to make every event a celebration, providing high quality food and personalized service. “We use only the freshest, local ingredients and specialize in wedding, corporate and special event catering throughout the Lowcountry.” Welker discussed his favorite aspect of IOP and expressed what this island means to him. “The best part about the island is meeting locals and visitors. Watching their families grow up while seeing them week after week,” he beamed. “Now, being part of The Outpost is lots of fun and being a part of the new team is something very special.” As the owner of Osprey Boat Charters, Welker combines his passion for fishing and boating while operating the Osprey, a 62-foot charter boat. “With 22 different sea routes, guests can enjoy all of the Lowcountry waterways, and no two trips are the same,” he said. “We have 30 years of chartering experience, over 1,500 charters, and we are just getting started!”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1