IslandVibesIOP.com 4 Island Vibes Vol. 4, Issue 10, October 2026 PUBLISHER BILL MACCHIO PUBLISHER@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM MANAGING EDITOR MARY BELL 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 WRITERS RYAN BUCKHANNON • LAURA FOGARTY ALLYAH HARRAR • BELLA HARRAR CARI LAWSON • L.C. LEACH III COLIN MCCANDLESS • PHILLIP POUNDS SARAH ROSE SALES REPRESENTATIVES STACEY MCLOUGHLIN STACEY@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. About the Cover By Laura Fogarty From the Publisher FROM THE TEAM As is most often the case for our cover photo shoots, plans changed and changed again. Weather was uncooperative on the first two evenings we planned to shoot, and then a bustling, vibrant, well-attended Front Beach did not allow for a clean view of the rising moon. So we shifted the plan, readjusted the lens and set out to capture a quintessential October vibe. Once again, our photographer, Rachel Basye of Cooper River Photography, was up to the task and the end result did not disappoint. Our witches, dressed in black and linked hand in hand, were adorned with pink ribbons and set in the dunes against a harvest moon background, completing the tie-in for all things October. From Breast Cancer Awareness Month to the annual Witches Ride, to the spooky season of Halloween, this issue’s cover had it all covered, pun intended! The weather finally cooperated on a beautiful, early fall evening and the rising moon opposite the setting sun lent a spectacular glow to the ocean and provided the perfect backdrop for Basye’s artistic vision. We at Island Vibes are holding on to hope that the weather and the sunsets remain calm and gorgeous as we journey into and through autumn and all that the cooler weather in the Lowcountry brings with it. Oyster roasts, football games, fall break, trick-or-treating, the Halloween Golf Cart Parade & Carnival, crisp evening breezes and perfectly lovely afternoons are among island fall favorites. Whether you stay on the Isle of Palms to enjoy October happenings or venture off island to enjoy apple picking, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, tailgating for college football, fall foliage, hiking in a cozy sweater and beyond, here’s to a happy and safe fall, y’all! I don’t know about you, but it’s hard for me to believe we’re already into the last quarter of 2026. Looking back over the past 10 months, this community has achieved some incredible things. Of course, along with the good, there are always challenges. But since we’re known for spreading positive Island Vibes, let’s take a moment to do just that. One of the most significant events has been the Beach Restoration Project, which began July 22. By the time the project is complete, as much as 2.5 million cubic yards of sand will have been moved. A tip of our hats to Douglas Kerr and his team at City Hall for doing an outstanding job of keeping everyone informed. Also, a shout-out to Bobby Carrier of Vision Media, who has helped us get an up-close look at the work underway. The Beach Restoration Project is certainly a historic undertaking for the island, but many other accomplishments also reflect the strength and character of IOP and the people who call this island home. In January, our Police Department became South Carolina’s first law enforcement agency to receive KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive First Responder Certification. This kind of outreach and effort reflects the commitment of everyone who calls this island home. Kudos also go to the IOP Fire Department for achieving a Fire Safe SC designation. The LENS Foundation honored the island’s first responders at its annual banquet. In a future issue of Island Vibes, we’ll feature an article highlighting the many awards and achievements the Isle of Palms has garnered in 2026. If you’ve been following Island Vibes, whether in print or digitally at readIslandVibes.com, you know how much we love what we do and care about the Isle of Palms. Thanks for spending your time with us. Positively yours, Bill Macchio Publisher Bill Macchio celebrating Halloween with an old friend.
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