PROPERTY TAXES: LOW AMONG AREA COASTAL COMMUNITIES See Page 3 Photo by Rachel Basye Vol.4 Issue 6 June 2026 To read digitally, visit ReadIslandVibes.com The conversation continues at IsleOfPalmsPodcast.com PAY RAISES APPROVED FOR IOP CITY EMPLOYEES See Page 7 BEACH RENOURISHMENT EFFORT GEARING UP See Page 5 STAYING CLOSE TO HOME PANTHERS DRAFT IOP RESIDENT See Page 11 FUN STARTS HERE SUMMER ACTIVITY DIRECTORY See Page 14 YOU MATTER MAN WALKING ACROSS U.S. RAISING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS See Page 24 See Page 20 HEART OF the Island FATHER-DAUGHTER DUO MAKING EVERY DAY BRIGHTER.
Real Estate: (800) 476-8444 Vacation Rentals: (888) 250-8730 dunesproperties.com Nobody knows the Charleston Coast better® Helping you discover exceptional homes, memorable stays, and the best of Lowcountry living. Find your place on the coast.
IslandVibesIOP.com 3 NEWS “Very knowledgeable, responsive and honest. We have bought and sold over 20 homes and never experienced the quality of service that Andrea provided” “...extremely helpful in making recommendations to get our house market-ready. With her suggestions for home improvements, our house sold in a week at the high end of market value.” 843.532.3010 - AndreaRogers1@gmail.com CALL ANDREA ROGERS SOUTHERN PROFESSIONALISM A way of life, The way to be While property taxes are always top of mind for many homeowners, especially along U.S. coastlines, Isle of Palms has the distinction of having the lowest coastal property taxes within a 100-mile radius. But when comparing island property taxes to 10 other communities stretching from Hilton Head to just beyond the North Carolina border, potential home buyers have a number of other factors to consider. “Every year, the state legislature will add in items or take some away,” said Charleston County Auditor Peter Tecklenburg. “We have many scenarios going on as to how taxes can affect people.” For example, as of May 2026, the millage rate for IOP home properties stood at 0.2362. All 4% home properties receive a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) discount – $190 municipal and $820 per Charleston County. Additionally, all 4% properties carry a further property tax relief discount of $5,700. “And IOP residents with 4% properties do not pay for school operations, so the Charleston County School District millage is rebated back,” Tecklenburg said. With all applied discounts, each IOP home property valued at $1 million and taxed at 4% pays $2,738 in annual taxes, lowest of all Charleston County communities. The same home in nearby Mount Pleasant would pay $3,526. For neighboring Sullivan’s Island, with its higher millage rate, taxes total $4,212. For the City of Charleston, annual taxes come to $4,584. Tecklenberg pointed out that tax rates for unincorporated properties on mainland Charleston County are also higher because “people there get no LOST tax credits.” Many IOP property owners engage in short-term rentals, which put their tax rate at 6%. These properties retain the LOST rebates, but lose the property tax relief. So annual taxes on a 6% IOP home valued at $1 million would rise to $13,162, which are still lower than any other community in Charleston County. “Technically, Dewees and Capers have the lowest tax rates, but have no fire or trash service,” Tecklenberg said. Other critical points also affect individual rates. One is the state tax cap. “There is a tax cap in South Carolina on how much we can raise the value of any property,” Tecklenberg said. “We do a reassessment every five years. If the property increases in value by 10%, we raise the taxes by 10%. But if it increases to any point past 15% in value, we cap the taxes at 15%.” Then there are property values themselves, which have skyrocketed in the last 10 years. Based on reports by realtor.com®, median home prices for the City of Charleston rose from about $325,000 in 2016 to $675,000 in 2026. For IOP, this median increased from about $800,000 to a whopping $2.5 million. On Sullivan’s Island, prices are almost double at $4.83 million. Folly Beach, on the other side of Charleston Harbor, comes in as the poor relative at only $1.18 million. “When I first came to IOP in 2013, prices just for condos in Wild Dunes were $600,000-$700,000 – now they’re over $1 million,” said Cynthia Williams, owner and broker-in-charge of Weichert, Realtors-Lifestyle in Charleston. “And with area home prices higher now than in my 24 years of selling real estate, it’s more important than ever for people to know what their personal property tax rates will be before they buy a home.” Folly Beach, however, has an equalizer hidden in plain sight: its millage rate is 0.2486 – only a small fraction more than IOP. So, if you bought a 4% tax home on Folly Beach at exactly its median price of $1.18 million, vs. $2.5 million on IOP, your annual taxes, while technically more by percentage, would come to only $3,294 – less than half of your IOP taxes, which would amount to around $6,845. Of course, for both lower taxes and home prices, there is Hilton Head Island – if you don’t mind living 118 miles further south. Millage rates for Holden Beach, North Carolina – 145 miles north – are about half that of IOP. Both, like IOP and any coastal property from Maine to Florida, are subject to king tides, hurricane weather and beach erosion. But even so, IOP carries some extra hidden tax relief, such as whether or not you are a senior citizen, legally blind, disabled, a disabled veteran or a longtime resident, in which case you would have the real tax advantage. “People who bought property here years ago when land was relatively cheap are going to be in the best position in terms of keeping the home, selling the home and in the amount of annual taxes they pay,” Tecklenberg said. “Otherwise, you might want to consider just coming to the coast, paying your money for your stay and then going home without all the extra worries.” Isle of Palms Property Taxes: Low among area coastal communities Property values, however, continue to rise By L. C. Leach III 11 Coastal Millage Rates and Median Property Values All population figures are approximate. ISLE OF PALMS CITY Chartered 1953 Population 4,400 Median Home Price $2.5 million Property Millage 0.2360 SULLIVAN’S ISLAND Ch. 1975 Population 2,000+ Median Home Price $4.83 million Property Millage 0.2721 MOUNT PLEASANT Ch. 1837 Population 96,000 Median Home Price $792,000-$979,250 Property Millage 0.2602 CHARLESTON CITY Ch. 1783 Population 167,000 Median Home Price $582,500 - $675,000 Property Millage 0.2979 FOLLY BEACH Ch. 1938 Population 2,000+ Median Home Price $1.18 million Property Millage 0.2484 KIAWAH ISLAND Ch. 1988 Population 2,000+ Median Home Price $1.23 -$2.69 million Property Millage 0.2459 SEABROOK ISLAND Ch. 1987 Population 2,400 Median Home Price $739,000-$836,250 Property Millage 0.2459 HILTON HEAD Ch. 1983 Population 38,000 Median Home Price $560,000-$589,000 Property Millage 0.2491 SUNSET BEACH, N.C. Ch. 1963 Population 4,300 Median Home Price $910,500 Property Millage 0.5020 HOLDEN BEACH, N.C. Ch. 1969 Population 930 (year-round) Median Home Price $1.06 million Property Millage 0.4820 BALD HEAD ISLAND, N.C. Ch. 1985 Population Under 300 (year-round) Median Home Price $879,000-$5.63 million Property Millage 0.6507
IslandVibesIOP.com 4 the South Carolina Welcome Centers have been distributing our publications to the millions of visitors who travel through our state each year. Because a large percentage of travelers head to the beaches, the welcome centers tell me that Island Vibes is a popular publication. As you can see from the photo above, the people who are on the front lines meeting and greeting tourists are enthusiastic about Island Vibes. They informed me that when our publications arrive at each welcome center, they like to read them if they have time. After reading Island Vibes, they feel they will be better able to answer questions visitors have about Isle of Palms and the surrounding area. If you’re a visitor, thanks for reading Island Vibes. Please follow us on Facebook “No better team than the Myatts!” We listened. We reached out and Grace and Ricky were kind enough to participate. No one mentioned Beaucephous, but we included him anyway. Lucky for us this gorgeous creature accepted a mere two apple yogurt treats as payment. The community dock near the IOP Marina provided the perfect venue: peaceful and happy and brimming with sunshine. Much like our subjects. It’s nice when all the components align just so. Hoping your Father’s Day is happy and healthy and full of love and light. Island Vibes Vol. 4, Issue 6, June 2026 PUBLISHER BILL MACCHIO PUBLISHER@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER JAZZY JORDAN ASSISTANT@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM ART DIRECTOR BETHANY LONG COPY EDITOR COLIN MCCANDLESS BRAND AMBASSADOR SONYA BUCKHANNON SONYA@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM PHOTOGRAPHY RACHEL BASYE COOPERRIVERPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM DIGITAL MANAGER ALLYAH HARRAR ALLYAH@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER ELLEN KERR ELLEN@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM WEB EDITOR GEORGE CONKLIN CONTRIBUTORS RYAN BUCKHANNON • ELLA DUANE LAURA FOGARTY • ALLYAH HARRAR BELLA HARRAR • CARI LAWSON • L.C. LEACH III COLIN MCCANDLESS • KIMBERLYN NAYLOR PHILLIP POUNDS • SARAH ROSE SALES REPRESENTATIVES STACEY MCLOUGHLIN STACEY@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM MARNIE BONN MARNIE@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM BRIANNA ZAPPULLA BRIANNA@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM ADMINISTRATION & BOOKKEEPING GINGER SOTTILE BOSS DOG REGGIE DISTRIBUTION ISLE OF PALMS • WILD DUNES • GOAT ISLAND • DEWEES ISLAND • U.S. POST OFFICE • HARRIS TEETER • CVS • FOOD LION ASHEVILLE/HENDERSON AIRPORT ALL SC WELCOME CENTERS DIRECT MAIL VIA US POST OFFICE Homes on Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island Affluent neighborhoods rotated monthly Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Asheville, NC Buckhead, Druid Hills, Decatur, Atlanta, Georgia Island Vibes is published locally by a team of independent contractors. Island Vibes is published 12 times per year by Islands Publishing LLC. 1013 Chuck Dawley Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Copyright © Islands Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction electronically or in print format without the expressed written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited and a violation of U.S. copyright laws. Content, including editorial, advertising or comments, that threatens, harasses or degrades others may be revoked or refused from print and online publication at the sole discretion of Island Vibes. Inquiries to: Island Vibes P.O. Box 22617, Charleston, SC 29413 Proud Member of the IOP Chamber of Commerce and A South Carolina Press Association Award-Winning Publication. FROM THE TEAM From the Publisher Creating Lasting Memories on the Isle of Palms About the Cover The Dynamic-Duo Photo by Rachel Basye SC Welcome Center love handing out Island Vibes When searching for the models for the cover of our June issue of Island Vibes, we found ourselves asking on the community Facebook page, ‘Who would you nominate for a father-child duo for our Father’s Day photo?’ The results were overwhelming, with one particular family being mentioned over and over again, by nearly every friend who answered the call – Ricky and Grace Myatt. The same phrases were echoed repeatedly. “Everybody loves Grace!” “To know Ricky is to love him!” This time of year, I cannot help but think of the song “Summertime,” not only because of the song title and lyrics but also where this song was composed and for what opera. With schools out and the summer in full swing, parents and families from across the country and the Southeast are traveling to their favorite coastal towns enjoying time together on Isle of Palms along with other island communities in and around Charleston. These families are creating memories that often last for generations. DuBose Heyward wrote the lyrics for “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy” for the opera “Porgy and Bess.” Heyward and his wife owned a Folly Beach cottage, and persuaded George Gershwin, after he approached Heyward about writing the lyrics, to collaborate at Heyward’s beach cottage to begin writing his popular opera. It’s easy to imagine how Heyward could have conceived and written these famous lyrics as Folly Beach’s temperature was rising and the sun was shining. As summer gets underway and the weather warms, parents, grandparents and families from around the country visit coastal Carolina’s beaches. I’m honored and humbled that for 15 years and Instagram and visit www.IslandVibesIOP.com. If you would like to share Isle of Palms with a family member or friend who did not get a chance to join you on a trip here, send them our digital version, www.readIslandVibes.com. Lastly, we would love to feature you in Island Vibes. Check out what visitors have to say about Isle of Palms at www.VacationVibesIOP. com, and email Visitors@IsleofPalmsMagazine.com. If you’re an island resident please keep in mind what one of our vacationers told me when I asked, “What was the best thing you enjoyed about visiting Isle of Palms?” Their reply: ‘How friendly the locals are.’ What a cool response! Positively yours, Bill Macchio Publisher
IslandVibesIOP.com 5 tion Director Joshua Uys. “Our contractor is expected to move at a pace of 100 feet per day.” Marinex Construction Inc. of North Charleston was awarded the contract with a project bid of $21.47 million – nearly $11 million lower than originally anticipated by IOP City leaders. Sand will be obtained from an offshore borrow area approximately 2 miles south of the pier. More than just another way to combat coastal erosion from tides and severe weather, the hope is that this project will set a definitive standard for keeping the island and its beaches around for a long time to come. “This is the first beach nourishment project we’ve done for the island,” said Marinex Vice President Thomas Payne. “Other nourishments have included work at Pawleys Island, DeBordieu Colony, Folly Beach, Edisto and as far as South Amelia Island, Florida.” Founded in 1991, Marinex, in part, maintains marine transportation channels and shapes coastal community shorelines from Norfolk, Virginia, to Tampa, Florida. Payne pointed out that while the IOP renourishment qualifies as a large endeavor, many parts of it should be simpler to handle than similar company projects. “We just finished up a job on Hilton Head, and there were different locations in which we had to pick up all the equipment and move five times, utilizing five different borrow sites,” he said. “On IOP, we’ll only have to move once, and we will be in the vicinity of only one borrow site.” Marinex will also have a mostly clear field of operations, as city leaders spent much of April trying to secure easements from 140 property owners for work to proceed along sections of the beach that have experienced severe erosion. All but three have assented. “Property owners who don’t sign would not get a dune, and a temporary swale may be left that will fill in within a few weeks,” Uys said. “We still start to see mobilization late May to early June, and expect to see the first sand placement mid-to-late June.” Payne emphasized that work crew safety will be the first priority, “especially when the weather turns bad and potentially puts the crews at risk.” Because the project will take place during sea turtle nesting season, all crews will be in daily communication with turtle monitors to make sure these denizens of the island’s wildlife environment are protected. “We hope that at the end of this project, when another beach project is bid, the people want us to return again because this is where we live,” he said. “It’s part of our home too.” NEWS Beach renourishment effort gearing up Nearly all IOP homeowner easements secured By L. C. Leach III As Isle of Palms inches closer to another crowded summer season, residents and visitors, and even sea turtles, will have to share some of the beaches with trucks, heavy equipment and a lot more sand. Work crews are mobilizing to undertake the island’s biggest beach renourishment project to date: placing 2.5 million cubic yards of beach-quality sediment along up to 19,200 linear feet of shoreline on the two ends of the island. “Sand placement will start on the north end in June and wrap up in September on the southern end,” said IOP Public InformaRenourishment on IOP's southern end is expected to be completed by September. Areas surrounding Wild Dunes will see the first renourishment in June.
6 IslandVibesIOP.com NEWS This summer, IOP City employees will get some long-awaited pay raises, though not necessarily what they were wanting. On April 28, city council members voted 6-3 to approve raises ranging from 1.5%-7.85%, beginning July 1 at the start of the city’s new fiscal year. The action came after months of discussion stemming from 2025. The new annual pay rates include: • Fire Department: $54,000 • Police Department: $60,000 • General (such as support): $41,600 • Administrative: $82,700 City staff also received a 5.5% increase on Jan. 1, 2026, totaling $281,000. In addition, council approved a $150,000 incentive program, split evenly between the fire and police departments, that would compensate employees for specialized training and hopefully improve retention rates. “Totaling up these three adjustments over the course of the year, it’s an expense of $2.2 million,” said City Administrator Douglas Kerr. While all council members favored the pay increases, several said the measure still falls too short, especially for firefighters. “It’s not robust enough,” said Councilman Rusty Streetman. “We talk about a million dollars in sand like it’s nothing, but then we talk about wages, like if you go over a certain amount and if you throw another million dollars out there for wages, we wring our hands.” Councilman Jimmy Ward added, “I think it is way short of what we need to be doing. I support the raises – it just does not do enough.” Previous compensation adjustments to public safety employees have included a $5,000 one-time payment in 2022 (applied to all employees); a 2.4% cost of living increase; and a 14% salary increase. The city also pays for 100% of employee medical cost, and 50% of the family or spouse. But for years the pay issue has continued to have an adverse effect on the city’s ability to retain qualified public safety and first responders long-term. “Just this year alone, eight firefighters in our department have asked me to write letters of recommendation so they can apply to other departments,” said Fire Association President and Battalion Chief Jason Smith. Councilmen David Cohen and Scott Pierce said that while police and fire rates do need to be revisited more regularly, this step is a good start. “When talking with the chiefs, it seemed like they were not necessarily given the leeway to be able to hire into a higher step or a higher experienced level, and that was identified at least with some to be an extreme barrier to entry on being able to recruit people,” Pierce said. “So, I think we’ve eliminated that barrier.” Mayor Phillip Pounds, who voted for the increases, pointed out that the city has to maintain a balance “when we’re spending $2.2 million in 12 months.” “That’s essentially three raises for folks over the course of a January to a January,” he said. Smith had recommended starting firefighters at $25 an hour, but since that did not happen, his concern is how council arrived at the new numbers, and whether or not their decision will lead to more problems with recruitment and retention. “But we think the incentive pay will at least be a step in the right direction,” he said. Pay raises approved for IOP City employees Firefighters, several council members, say increases not enough By L. C. Leach III IT TAKES TEAMWORK, CREATIVITY AND PASSION JOIN OUR TEAM! Part-time or full-time sales professional position available to tell the stories of our digital and print products To learn more contact Stacey McLoughlin at Stacey@MountPleasantMagazine.com or call 917-208-5633
7 IslandVibesIOP.com NEWS FAST AND SIMPLE ON OUR APP For more information or to make a reservation: Email: rentals@RadRydz.com or call 843-718-9408 radrydz.com GOLF CART RENTALS RENT YOUR CART WITH CONFIDENCE Whether you are on vacation, planning a wedding, or have a commercial event, we can meet your every need! We offer 4 and 6-seat options, each includes a premium sound system, storage, cooler and on-board charging for an easy and pleasant rental experience. only as departmental improvements. As for daily tasks, Asero and his regular crew of 11 routinely manage all city facilities; maintain all city beaches, green spaces and rights of way; and, in April 2026 alone, picked up 246 tons of household garbage and 249 tons of yard debris for approximately 4,400 residents. Asero named new director of IOP Public Works By L. C. Leach III They were already congratulating him before the vote happened, but on April 28, all nine members of the IOP City Council unanimously approved Robert Asero as the new director of Public Works. His ascension came May 4, one day before the retirement of longtime director Donnie Pitts, who practically campaigned for Asero to assume the role. The main reason, as he explained to the council, was Asero’s approach to building the city’s stormwater division in a different way from how it was done in Charleston County. “I didn’t want someone to come in and do it the way they did it, I wanted him to do it the right way,” Pitts said. “And I think he’s done a great job in the four or five years that he’s been with the Public Works Department. And he will continue to build that department and carry it forward.” While Asero inherits a range of duties, he has already experienced or led most of them, including: • Initiating the Public Services Drainage Division, which improved drainage response and longterm maintenance capacity. • Planning and coordinating major sidewalk improvements and stormwater upgrades. • Restructuring all interior city ditches to meet post-Hugo standards, a move that improved stormwater flow and flood resilience. • Designing and engineering a custom Wapro tide valve with engineers from Sweden to enhance tidal flood protection. • Directing IT and camera system management, including repairs and coordination with NetCertPro and VC3. • Authoring RFB/RFPs for compactor enclosures, cleaning contracts and beach sanitation services. • Redesigning garbage routes ahead of automated sideloader deployment; managing construction and delivery of 2,500 ASL garbage cans. These aforementioned items count During weather-related emergencies, which can happen in any season, crews manage hurricane preparation, emergency generators and storm response operations. And that’s still not all. If you have ever been one of the department’s five-to-10 seasonal temporary staff, you would have helped maintain a fleet of vehicles; shape the city’s landscaping, with palm tree planting, replacement and pruning; and participated in marina and restaurant renovation and public dock improvements. Through it all, Asero still has to produce monthly reports, conduct interviews and onboarding for new employees and perform annual evaluations with documentation for council and committee review. So, if you’re wondering why Asero hasn’t said this all himself, part of the reason is that he prefers action over talk. “Our biggest challenge in the next year or two will be keeping up with the demands of being a vacation destination,” he said. “I am putting together a new operating procedure, retaining essentially the same crew. And the most rewarding part of my job is seeing families on vacation happy, and residents proud to call Isle of Palms home.” Robert Asero manages about 20 separate duties as director of IOP Public Works.
IslandVibesIOP.com 8 CIVICS Mayor’s Message Bonding together as a community By Phillip Pounds, Mayor, Isle of Palms WHAT DOES A COMMUNITY LOOK LIKE TO YOU? A TECHNICAL DEFINITION IS: A community is a social unit (a group of people) with a shared socially-significant characteristic(s), being place, set of norms, culture, religion, values, customs or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, city, town or neighborhood) or in virtual space through communication platforms. Recently, there have been a few events around our island that have really punctuated to me the definition of community and made me proud to be able to represent IOP. First, there was the 3rd Annual Wild Child Triathlon, where over 100 children ages 6-12 participated in a swim/bike/run event. Numerous volunteers helped guide the athletes around the courses on an early Sunday morning. Next, Cars in the Park at our rec center showcased 20-plus cars from around the area, with residents and non-residents alike displaying their pride and joy. It was a beautiful day, and our rec center team lined up numerous vendors and food trucks to provide our community with a great event. Lastly, on the sad side – but wow what a show of support for the family by our community – was the celebration of life event for Naish Kaloupek, our young resident who recently passed away after a battle with cancer. Over 400 attendees witnessed the lifelong effect this young man had on our city. Numerous speakers detailed their relationships with Naish and shared what he meant to them. You have undoubtedly noticed maroon ribbons on trees all over the island. This was a coordinated effort to show the family how much they mean to the community. For those that attended one of these recent events, thank you for coming together for the fun stuff and the support of loved ones. There will be other upcoming opportunities to gather as a community if you missed these. Stay plugged into the city’s communication efforts via our website and social media avenues, along with the social media pages of the police, fire and rec departments. Thank you for the opportunity to serve! Phillip Pounds, Mayor IOP 843-252-5359 ppounds@iop.net
IslandVibesIOP.com 9 confidence have decided to seize the spotlight. Noise complaints this month ranged from “unfounded” to “absolutely everyone within three blocks heard it.” Officers responded to gatherings where people genuinely believed that if the music was good enough, neighbors would simply appreciate the free concert. Unfortunately, the legal system continues to disagree with that theory. A (Temporary?) Booze Snooze Meanwhile, alcohol-related incidents, once a perennial powerhouse, seem to be in a rebuilding year. Sure, there were still DUIs, broken seals and open containers sprinkled throughout the report like lime on a margarita glass, but the category clearly lacked its usual dominance. Analysts expect a strong comeback during peak summer temperatures, holiday weekends and any occasion involving frozen drinks served in containers larger than a toddler. Further down the rankings, property crimes and random chaos continued to entertain officers. Highlights included stolen vehicles, missing jewelry, hit-and-runs, destruction of beach dunes and an individual apparently deciding emergency sirens were more of a “suggestion” than a restricted item. Special recognition also goes to this month’s wildlife division, which features both a nuisance alligator and another coyote attack, confirming once again that even local animals are contributing to the monthly incident totals. In conclusion, Isle of Palms continues to offer beautiful beaches, ocean breezes and a fascinating social experiment on what happens when vacation confidence meets poor decision-making. Stay tuned, stay safe and remember: the laws aren’t hidden … they’re actually written down in several very convenient places. CRIME NEW MONTH, SAME ENERGY IOP POLICE BLOTTER This is a satirical summary of real incidents reported on the Isle of Palms over the past month. All names and events are based on public records and presented with comedic exaggeration. WHERE SPRING BREAK BEHAVIOR MEETS YEAR-ROUND CONFIDENCE. A fresh month of incident reports has arrived, and despite everyone’s best efforts to “do better,” the leaderboard remains comfortingly familiar. Once again, marijuana offenses have proudly secured the No. 1 position, proving that consistency truly is key. At this point, marijuana charges on the Isle of Palms are less of a trend and more of a local sponsorship. If officers had a rewards card for every marijuanarelated stop, somebody would already qualify for a free beach cruiser. This month’s entries included everything from simple possession and paraphernalia to “just enough additional charges to make the traffic stop memorable.” Marijuana continues to travel with people the way sunscreen should but noticeably doesn’t. Coming in second place is the unstoppable duo of traffic violations and suspended licenses, proving once again that paperwork remains optional in the minds of many drivers. Officers encountered uninsured vehicles, suspended tags, wrong plates, fictitious licenses and enough driving-under-suspension charges to suggest some people believe DMV letters are merely inspirational reading material. At this point, driving legally appears to be viewed less as a requirement and more as an exciting bonus feature. Bring in the Noise Now for the surprise development of the month ... Noise violations have officially overtaken alcohol-related offenses. That’s right. Alcohol has fallen off the podium entirely and has now been replaced by portable speakers, rooftop playlists and one person yelling “WOOOOOO!” loud enough to register on weather radar. This is a shocking collapse for alcohol-related incidents, which historically have been one of the island’s strongest performers. Open containers and DUI charges still made appearances of course, but apparently beach house DJs and Bluetooth 512 SF FOR SALE Office Condo EXECUTIVE SUITE 103 PALM BLVD, STE 2D ISLE OF PALMS, SC (843) 532-6288 | mattdeantonio.com CARROLL REALTY, INC.
IslandVibesIOP.com 10 COMMUNITY More Than A Hobby Bucks Sports Cards By L. C. Leach III It used to be that sports trading cards came in packs of 10 with a stick of gum. You could find them in the candy section of any store, with names like Topps leading the way. In the mid-1970s, a pack only cost a dime and kids either collected for the sake of collecting or stuck them in their bicycle spokes to hear the clack-clackclack of the cards as they rode. Now, sports trading cards is big business. If you want to know how much the industry has changed in the last 50 years, Dylan and Cameron Sebuck of Bucks Sports Cards in Mount Pleasant can tell you far more than you might ever guess. “Sports cards are still a big business due to the fact of being able to chase that big hit,” said Dylan, who started the business with his brother in 2024. “People feel nostalgia and love to buy and invest in players they can watch at home on their TV and maybe make money while doing it. It’s almost like the sports stock market in a sense.” Based on a 2021 report by Market Decipher, a research and consultancy firm based in Pune, India, with a presence in the U.S., the sports trading cards market is projected to reach a value of $49.37 million by 2032 – up 301% from 2021. Dylan pointed out that rather than buying cards in packs at the candy store, collectors now utilize technology in a way that only a short time ago would have been unavailable. “Buying into breaks online, cards online and boxes online is a huge part of the business today,” he said. “The majority of our business is still online to this day.” For example, suppose you are interested in purchasing a team box of the NFL’s Detroit Lions, but can’t afford the $2,000 cost. Bucks gives you the ability to purchase it at a fraction of that cost, then receive every Detroit Lions card that comes out of the product, with a chance to realize a big payday. “You can open a box and potentially hit a million-dollar card,” Cameron said. “One of our customers was able to feel this thrill right in our local shop.” Cards that Cameron and Dylan have dealt with directly include: • 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan, PSA 6, valued at $4,708.17 by PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) authentication. • Jayden Daniels Donruss Downtown, PSA 10, valued by Sports Cards Pro at $2,637.50. • Soccer player Lamine Yamal, Chrome Sapphire national debut #10, valued at $2,230 by comc.com, which describes itself as “the world’s largest trading card marketplace.” Of course, collectors can also end up with time-honored legends, such as: • 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311, SGC, valued at $9.5- $12.6 million (record sale August 2022). • 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner, SGC 2 – $7.25 million (private sale August 2022). • 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth, SGC VG 3 – $7.2 million (as of December 2023). “Cameron and I have always been interested in the hobby of sports cards,” Dylan said. “My grandfather and dad got us into it at quite a young age, but it wasn’t until college where we really got into it heavily. We figured it was a great time to take the risk and give it our best. We started online only and six months later we opened up our first brick-andmortar shop.” For more infomation, visit buckssportscards.com or stop by at 3006 S Morgans Point Road, Mount Pleasant. BUY • SELL • TRADE 3006 S. MORGANS POINT RD. OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 843-936-2972 SPORTS CARDS TRADE DAYS POKEMON LIVE BREAKS ON TIKTOK AND WHATNOT @BUCKSSPORTSCARDS BUCKSSPORTSCARDS.COM Named the Surf Shack, you can’t ask for a better turn-key beach life than in this PERFECT ISLAND HOME ACROSS FROM THE BEACH. FOR SALE Isle of Palms, SC 192201 Palm Boulevard 2201 PALM BLVD. ISLE OF PALMS, SC Brigitte McElroy, Realtor Brigitte@CarolinaOne.com | 843-708-5353 To learn more about this property, visit CarolinaRealEstatePodcast.com FOR SALE 6 BEDS- 4 BATHS 3,140 ft2
IslandVibesIOP.com 11 just a short three-hour drive away up I-26 and I-77. “We are overjoyed and grateful that Monroe gets to play for the Panthers,” said his mom, Brandy. “Not only is Charlotte a quick trip from home, but Carolina is our home team, making it even more special that he gets to represent the Lowcountry.” While Freeling’s eldest brother Bridger resides in New York City, his older brother Tristan lives on IOP, and his younger brother Grayson attends USC. Freeling, who played his high school football at OCA in Mount Pleasant, became the first ever Landshark alum chosen in the NFL Draft. Former OCA quarterback Sam Hartman signed with the Washington Commanders in 2024 as an undrafted free agent, but Freeling is the only player from the school to be taken in the draft. Freeling has been described by NFL scouts and pundits as a raw talent with athleticism, agility and quickness. While his role with the team in his rookie season is yet to be determined at this early stage, his mentality is that he will start at left tackle. “I can’t go into this opportunity without thinking I’m going to start,” he stated. In the meantime, Freeling plans to work hard and do whatever the team asks of him. “I’ll give it my all,” he said. COMMUNITY Staying close to home: Panthers draft IOP resident Becomes first OCA alum drafted into NFL By Colin McCandless An island resident will be donning a Carolina Panthers jersey and representing the Lowcountry when the team takes the field next season. Recently drafted University of Georgia offensive tackle and Oceanside Collegiate Academy alum Monroe Freeling moved to Isle of Palms with his family during his sophomore year of high school. Freeling, who the Panthers selected with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, got to know the island working at Chunky’s Chairs & Umbrellas. Although he only spent three years on IOP before leaving for college, he remembers it as a great experience. The 6-foot-7-inch, 315-pound athlete, who started 18 games at left tackle with the Bulldogs, quipped that while he was a little too big for surfing, he enjoyed other aspects of beach life, including body surfing. “I spent a lot of time in the water,” he recalled. He also liked playing basketball at the rec center. Freeling said he is still processing the night of the draft on April 23 when Commissioner Roger Goodell called his name and he realized his dream of playing in the NFL. “It was a totally surreal reaction,” he reflected. Freeling acknowledged that he wasn’t expecting the Panthers to pick him at 19 so it took him by surprise. “I didn’t think they were taking a tackle. I can’t believe it. I’m so grateful. I’m excited.” He further noted that he and the player whose blind side he will one day be in charge of protecting, Panthers starting quarterback Bryce Young, share the same birthday (July 25), so perhaps he was just destined to play for Carolina after all. His family, which includes three brothers (two older, one younger) couldn’t be any more thrilled that he is staying close to home – even closer than when he lived in Athens, Georgia, as Freeling pointed out. The 21-yearold rookie will be playing home games L to R: Grayson, Bridger, Tristan, Monroe, Michael and Brandy Freeling posing in Bank of America Stadium with Monroe’s image displayed on the Panthers’ jumbotron.
IslandVibesIOP.com 12 There’s something about the Fourth of July on the Isle of Palms that feels like coming home. This year carries even more meaning. In 2026, America celebrates its 250th anniversary. This is a milestone that feels almost impossible to fully grasp. Two hundred and fifty years of history, struggle, freedom, change, resilience and hope. Here on the Isle of Palms, the community is marking the occasion in a way that feels uniquely local. Flags for Heroes Along Hamlin Creek Some of the most meaningful moments this Fourth of July probably won’t happen during the fireworks or the parade. They’ll happen quietly, along Hamlin Creek, where more than 90 American flags will once again line the walkway and pier at the Isle of Palms Exchange Club. From June 28 through July 12, the club’s “Flags for Heroes” display will honor veterans, service members and local heroes as part of the island’s 250th anniversary celebration. If you’ve ever seen the flags at sunset, you already know this is a beautiful and awe-inspiring spectacle. The Exchange Club has been creating these displays for several years now, and they’ve become one of those traditions that locals genuinely look forward to because it feels sincere and personal. This year, the organization is also helping showcase 250 years of American history through a display featuring 26 historic versions of the American flag. The exhibit has traveled through schools and community spaces across the area, including Sullivan’s Island, Mount Pleasant and the Isle of Palms Recreation Center. It’s currently COMMUNITY 250Years Later, the Fourth of July By Cari Lawson Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew Where Community Meets the Tide By Cari Lawson There is a moment at the beginning of every Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew sweep where the beach feels completely ordinary. Families are packing up chairs. Tourists are shaking sand out of towels. Kids are chasing waves at the shoreline while the sky starts turning gold over the water. Then you notice the volunteers. They gather quietly near the beach access on Ocean Boulevard with some carrying coffee cups from a long workday, some with children tugging at their hands, some still wearing name tags from jobs they rushed from just to make it in time. There is nothing flashy about it. Someone hands out gloves. Someone else opens trash bags. People smile at strangers like they have known each other for years. Then they spread out across the sand. At first glance, the beach still looks beautiful. If you slow down and look, you will quickly see why they are there. Tiny bits of plastic tucked into the tide line. Bottle caps buried halfway into the sand. Cigarette butts scattered near the dunes where children are digging holes and building castles. Fishing line tangled around shells. Susan Hill Smith started the Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew alongside island business owner Katrina Limbach back in 2018 because they wanted people to slow down enough to care for this place together. What they built became more than a cleanup group. It became a community ritual. Over the years, thousands of people have joined them. Some volunteers come every single week. Others only once during a summer vacation. But almost everyone has changed a little. The crew works closely with the South Carolina Aquarium’s conservation team, documenting every piece of litter collected through the aquarium’s Litter Journal program. Together, volunteers have removed more than 270,000 pieces of debris from the beach. But Smith will tell you the heart of it is not the numbers. It is the little boy proudly holding up a handful of bottle caps like buried treasure. It is the retired couple who never miss a Monday cleanup because it has become part of their routine together. It is the exhausted teacher who comes straight from school and says this hour on the beach feels better than therapy. Volunteers know every piece of plastic left behind could become a danger to sea turtles, birds, fish or dolphins. They know wildlife is already struggling against so many human impacts, but instead of giving in to hopelessness, they choose to show up. Week after week. Summer after summer. And maybe that is the most human part of all. The Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew meets Mondays from 6-7 p.m. through Labor Day, with additional Thursday evening sweeps in July. Volunteers meet at the 1100 block of Ocean Boulevard near the city restroom building by Smugglers and Coconut Joe’s. No registration is needed, supplies are provided and everyone is welcome. More information and schedule updates can be found on the Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew Facebook page. Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew with South Carolina Aquarium conservation team. Photo by Mic Smith Photography LLC Continued on Page 13.
displayed at the First United Methodist Church on 21st Avenue. Standing in front of those flags has a way of making history feel real. You start thinking about how many people, across generations, stood beneath those same symbols during moments that shaped the country. The Golf Cart Parade Everyone Waits For On the morning of July 4, you can usually hear the golf carts before you see them. People start gathering early along the streets while carts roll by covered in flags, pool noodles, tinsel and whatever decorations families could dig out of the garage the night before. Some look incredibly put together. Others clearly became a last-minute project after dinner the night before. The parade runs from 3rd Avenue through 10th Avenue from 9 to 11 a.m. It’s simple. It’s familiar. It’s one of those traditions that reminds you how special small beach towns can be. Fireworks over Front Beach And then there’s the moment everyone waits for all day. The fireworks display at Front Beach. This year’s fireworks celebration will begin July 4 after dark in the Front Beach area, sponsored by the City of Isle of Palms. The beach between 21st Avenue and Coconut Joe’s will close at 6:30 p.m. so crews can get everything set up safely, but there will still be plenty of places nearby to watch. For a couple minutes, thousands of people are all sitting there together looking at the same sky, and this year, with the country turning 250, it’ll probably hit a little differently. A Celebration that Feels Bigger than Fireworks What makes this year’s Fourth of July on the Isle of Palms feel so meaningful isn’t just the fireworks or the decorations. It’s the people behind all of it. The volunteers placing dozens of flags in the summer heat. Families spending evenings decorating golf carts together. Veterans quietly stopping along Hamlin Creek to observe the flags. Neighbors waving at one another during the parade. Two hundred and fifty years later, America is still evolving. Still learning. Still imperfect. Still becoming. But on the Isle of Palms this summer, there’s something comforting about seeing an entire community come together to celebrate not just the country’s history, but each other too. 13 IslandVibesIOP.com COMMUNITY 250Years Later, the Fourth of July, cont. From Page 12 Wellness by the Sea Regenerative Medicine & Aesthetics Board-certified medical professionals that offer personalized state-of-the-art treatments for face & body. WE DESIGN A PLAN FOR YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS. TRUST THE EXPERTS. Lasers, toxins, facials, weight loss and more. REQUEST YOUR PERSONALIZED CONSULTATION IN A SERENE ENVIRONMENT. 843.894.0955 YoungerYoustudio.com 1022 Carolina Blvd. Isle of Palms, SC
IslandVibesIOP.com 14 COMMUNITY GET ON THE WATER BARRIER ISLAND ECOTOURS Fishing Charters- Sightseeing & Fishing 50 41st Ave. C-6, Isle of Palms, SC 843-886-5000 CAPTAIN COCKTAIL CRUISES Harbor Cruises 1 Shrimp Boat Ln., Mount Pleasant, SC 843-513-3246 CHARLESTON WATER TAXI 10 Wharfside St., Charleston, SC 843-330-2989 IOP EBIKE RENTALS E-Bike Rentals 1204 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 843-822-7035 ISLAND SURF CO. Surf Shop 1101 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 843-886-8388 ISLE OF PALMS BEACH CHAIR COMPANY Beach Chair, Umbrella & Paddle Boards Rental 1204 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 843-670-1009 JUST BEACHY IOP STORE Beach Shop 1517 Palm Blvd., Ste. D, Isle of Palms, SC 843-885-3090 MY FAVORITE THINGS Gift Shop 1009 Ocean Blvd., Unit D, Isle of Palms, SC 843-886-6387 CHARLESTON BABY'S AWAY Baby & Beach Equipment Rentals 843-881-3007 BEACH AND GAMES TO GO Party Games & Beach Gear Rentals 843-304-1270 THINGS TO DO ISLE OF PALMS PUBLIC DOCK Fishing Dock 50 41st Ave., Isle of Palms, SC ISLE OF PALMS RECREATION DEPARTMENT 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC 843-886-8294 SERENITY TREE YOGA Beach Yoga 1002 Wayfarer Ln., Charleston, SC 843-971-7701 WILD DUNES GOLF Harbor Course & Links Course 5757 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 866-359-5593 COASTAL EXPEDITIONS Sightseeing & Kayak tours 514 Mill St., Mount Pleasant, SC 843-884-7684 DANIEL ISLAND FERRY 101 River Landing Dr. Dock, Charleston, SC 843-202-4144 ISLE OF PALMS MARINA Boat & Jet Ski Rentals 50 41st Ave., Isle of Palms, SC 843-886-0209 LIGHTNING BUGZ Jet Ski & Golf Cart Rentals 1513 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 843-609-8776 PALMETTO BREEZE Harbor Cruises 1 Shrimp Boat Ln., Mount Pleasant, SC 843-338-2930 SALT MARSH SURF CO. Surf Lessons On the beach at 21st Ave., Isle of Palms, SC 843-607-2209 SHOPPING & RENTALS BEACH BUMS Beach Store & Rentals 916 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 843-754-0102 ISLE OF PALMS SUMMER ACTIVITY DIRECTORY Fun in the sun starts here By Bella Harrar Summer on Isle of Palms is all about sunny beach days, salty air, and the local businesses that help make every trip to the coast unforgettable. Whether you’re a local or visiting for a relaxing getaway, this directory highlights trusted beach rental companies, surf shops, beach stores, and activity providers across the island. From bikes, umbrellas, and paddleboards to beach gear, apparel, and seaside essentials, these businesses help visitors and residents make the most of summer. We hope this guide helps you discover new favorites while enjoying everything Isle of Palms has to offer this season. Beach Bums Just Beachy IOP Marina
IslandVibesIOP.com 15 dunesproperties.com Nobody knows the Charleston Coast better.® Real Estate: (800) 476-8444 Vacation Rentals: (888) 250-8730 Discover Island Living EXPERT GUIDES TO YOUR NEXT COASTAL GETAWAY Brandy McMahon, REALTOR® (843) 996-6377 bmcmahon@dunesproperties.com 3.5 BA 4 BD 4,189 Sq Ft. $2,795,000 10 Dune Ridge Lane, Wild Dunes Ginn Maiers, REALTOR® (843) 696-7402 gmaiers@dunesproperties.com Adele McNair, REALTOR® (803) 727-6164 amcnair@dunesproperties.com 4 BA 5 BD 2,814 Sq Ft. $3,625,000 8 46th Avenue, Isle of Palms COMMUNITY It almost didn’t happen, but thankfully Mother Nature held off the rain and ultimately let the creative sparks fly. Potential storms threatened the 37th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition with cancellation, which would have been a first in this long-running, beloved community tradition. Chris Tindal, the contest’s Fleeting treasures in the sand Weather holds, sculptors wow judges By Staff lead organizer, sent an email to the 44 registered competitors the evening prior explaining the circumstances: “The Isle of Palms Recreation Department and I are fully aware of the possible inclement weather that we may have on Saturday! In the 36 years of the competition, I am only aware of one time when we had light sprinkles for about 20 minutes. Hopefully, the weather will hold for us.” And hold it did! Breezy, cloudy, but relatively dry – not factoring in the humidity, of course – this year’s sand sculptors had a rain-free, beautiful backdrop on which to build. Meteorologist Rob Fowler was among the judges for the 35 team sites that turned out for this year’s event. Fowler declared, “The rain held off and the fantastic group of sand artists made our job as judges extremely difficult! Congrats to all of the winners, and everyone who came out.” Cheers to another successful competition of temporary art in the sand. See y’all next year! BEST OF CHILDREN'S 1st - Shark Attack 2nd - Treasure Island 3rd - Ivan, the IOP Kraken BEST OF YOUNG ADULTS 1st - Jaws- A Purr-fect Day on IOP 2nd - Dune Buggy BEST OF FAMILY CHARLIE PEBERDY MEMORIAL AWARD 1st - Isle of Paws 2nd - Duck, Duck, Goooooose 3rd - The Dinghy BEST ARCHITECTURAL 1st- Drip Castle 2026 2nd- Zand Castle 3rd - IOP Dis Connector MOST CREATIVE 1st - Feed the Kracken 2nd - Ruff Day 3rd - The Day the Earth Stood Still BEST OF ADULTS 1st - US of A - Eagle Head 2nd - Miss Spoleto 3rd - Lowcountry Liberty BEST OF SHOW - OVERALL Fort Moultrie 250 ISLE OF PAWS FORT MOULTRIE 250 SHARK ATTACK
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