Volunteers are needed for clean up of the Francis Marion National Forest, as part of Palmetto Pride Clean Up Day.  Interested participants are asked to meet at 5821 Hwy 17 N in Awendaw at the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center.  Registration is from 8-9 am on February 7, 2009.

For more information call 877-725-7733.

Sponsored by:
W.P. Baldwin & Associates
McClellanville Real Estate

There has been good news about the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge and Francis Marion National Forest lately. We all could use some good news for a change.  There are a lot of folks working hard to protect the area and they should be commended.  Here are some articles that were recently published in the Post and Courier.

A recent article in the Post and Courier: Banner Year for Sea Turtles "The Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, which usually holds the most nests in the state, had its second best season with 1,431 nests."  Click here for more

Another recent Post and Courier Article: Two Deals to Protect Wildlife Habitat "The Nature Conservancy has announced two deals protecting 2,260 acres of delicate forest and wetland habitats near the Francis Marion National Forest, the Santee Coastal Reserve and the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. "  Click here for more

Sponsored by W.P. Baldwin & Associates
McClellanville Real Estate

Now that it is fall and the we have cooler temperatures, it is a great time to hike in the Francis Marion National Forest.  The leaves are changing, the snakes are hibernating, and there is plenty of wildlife to see.  We took the kids and a good time just looking at the leaves, wild turkeys and other sites.
 

There is no hunting on Sunday, so that is when you will want to hike, or launch your kayak.  Click here for a map.

Sponsored by:
W.P. Baldwin & Associates
McClellanville Real Estate

It is almost Halloween, and I saw a recent article in the Berkeley Independent on Ghosts in the Francis Marion National Forest.  It had me thinking of local ghost stories.  I have heard a number of stories of the lighthouse keeper murdering his wife, and she haunts the Cape Romain Lighthouse.


I have camped there and didn't witness anything strange, but it is pretty spooky at night.  As a teenager, we made a trip to the St. James Shantee Episcopal Church (Old Brick Church).  I don't recommend this today, due to vandalism in the past, they frown on night time visitors. 

We drove out and tried to scare each other sneaking around the church in the dark.  When we got in the car to leave, it wouldn't start.  It was a long walk back in the cold and darkness of Old Georgetown Rd.  It turned out to be the alternator.  I don't know if ghosts were punishing us for trespassing on this historic site, or if it was just a coincidence, but we didn't ever tempt fate again.

Malcolm
Sponsored by W.P. Baldwin & Associates
McClellanville Real Estate
 

On October 4th, 2008, Archibald Rutledge Academy held their 17th Annual Fishing Tournament, the Josh Thomas Memorial CreekSlam.  It was a perfect day for fishing, light winds and mild temperatures.  We had a record number of anglers, with over 200 people fishing in 85 boats.  The fish were plentiful, so there were some big Trout and Flounder weighed in along with a number of 23" spot tails.


The results were as follows:

First place went to the father/son team of Steve and Bailey Chapman of Goose Creek.  They weighed in a CreekSlam with the largest flounder at 4.8 lbs (one of two they brought in).  There was a tie for first that was decided by total weight.  Team Chapman won the tie breaker by total weight of 11.24 lbs.  First prize was $2250.00



Everyone was excited that second place went to the tournament founder and the father of Josh Thomas, Dr. Joe Thomas who was fishing with his daughter Sally Thomas, his brother James Thomas of Denmark and Paul Guess of Denmark.  They weighed in a CreekSlam with the first place spot tail at 5.32 lbs, (and a small flounder caught by Sally).  Team Thomas had a total weight of 7.87 lbs.  Second place prize was $1350.00. 



Third place went to Bobby Tucker and Bill Shirer both of Georgetown. Third place prize was $900.




The first Josh Thomas "Big Fish" award, for a youth angler that weighs in the largest fish went to Richard Bazen.  He caught and weighed in a 23" spot tail that weighed 5.30 lbs.  He was awarded a plaque, $100, and new rod and reel combo provided by Haddrell's Point.  The award was prensented by the Thomas family pictued below.



Archibald Rutledge Academy thanks everyone that participated, volunteered, sponsored and donated door prizes for making this the most successful year yet.  We hope to see you all again next year.

Thanks to our generous sponsors:

W.P. Baldwin & Associates McClellanville Real Estate	CCE, Inc. Consulting Engineers www.ccecharleston.com
Bulls Bay Supply A Genuine one stop General Store	Carolina Seafood Retail Seafood Market
Family Medical Transport	Lowcounrty Medical Associates www.LMAMD.com
Prothro Chevrolet The Heartbeat of McClellanville www.prothrochevy.com	Pinckney Street Surf & Creek
	Berkeley Electric  Cooperative

I came across some recent articles about the McClellanville and Awendaw areas.  Here are some links:

Education opportunities at the Awendaw Raptor Center

National Trails Day in the Francis

Upcoming events at the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Center

Letter from James McClellan on Preserving Natural Resources

Article on the state of Commercial Shrimping Industry

Shrimp Baiting

Fishing enthusiast check out www.charlestonfishing.com

If you see any articles or news feel free to share them with me.

Thanks,
Malcolm

Sponsored by
W.P. Baldwin & Associates
McClellanville Real Estate

To celebrate National Public Lands Day, the Francis Marion National Forest will be fee free on both September 27th and 28th, 2008. 

In an announcement, Forest Service Jerome Thomas said, "We want to thank those that support our national forest.  We hope this fee-free day will encourage Americans to take advantage of their public lands for exercise and outdoor recreation pursuits, not only on these fee-free days, but also throughout the year."

The national forests in South Carolina stretch across the state from Walhalla to McClellanville and offer a variety of nature-based recreational opportunities such as hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding, ATV and dirt bike trail riding, boating, hunting, fishing, camping, picnicking or birding.

For more information about recreational opportunities on the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests, visit www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms .

With the hot temperatures, you wouldn't think it was almost time for oyster season again, but the season should be opening up around September 16th this year.  As the fall temperatures drop, it will feel more like the time for oyster roasts.  You can go to one of the seafood markets in McClellanville and get fresh local oysters soon.  Carolina Seafood market (843) 887-3845 and Bulls Bay Seafood (843) 887-3519. If you want the experience of gathering oysters yourself, there are several public shell fish grounds in the Cape Romain Refuge.  A saltwater fishing license is required to gather any shellfish.  There is a limit of 2 bushels per person per day with a total limit of 6 per boat.  Recreational use is limited to 2 times in a 7 day period (total of 4 bushels per person per week).  Click here for a map of public shell fish beds.   Beds are subject to closure at any time due to heavy rainfall or other potential contamination, so call (843) 953-0150 to check for status of public beds.
	Be sure not to gather oysters or clams on private leases.  These shell fish are property of commercial fishermen that often spend considerable amounts of time and money planting and cultivating the leases as there only source of income. If you don't want to do the work for yourself, you can get someone else to cater your oyster roast.  Walter Wrixon of Coastal Caterers specializes in putting on oyster roasts and Lowcounrty boils.  Go to www.OysterRoasts.com for more info.
When you are done, be sure to recycle the shells.  It helps the helps provide surface for new oyster beds insuring that they will be there next year.  Click here for a maps of shell recycling locations.

Malcolm

Sponsored by:
W.P. Baldwin & Associates
McClellanville Real Estate

The Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge is a great place for Birders.  You can take you boat or kayak out and explore on your own or try a guided trip like with Coastal Expeditions.  There are birding groups like the Cape Romain Bird Observatory that have planned birding events along the coast of South Carolina. You can see Wood Storks, Pelicans, Ducks, Terns, Oystercatchers, King Fishers, Herons, Loons, Gulls, Egrets and many different species.  I saw a scissor tailed kite flying over Jeremy Creek this week, and not long ago saw a Bald Eagle down near the Santee River.

SCDNR goes to great links to preserve the nesting areas of the birds on the barrier islands.  Because of this there is no camping allowed, and no dogs should be brought to the beach.  Bring your binoculars and camera and respect the protected areas.

Malcolm

Sponsored by
W.P. Baldwin & Associates
McClellanville Real Estate