Lowcountry outdoors: 2016 Edisto Island Open Land Trust

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

2016 Edisto Island Open Land Trust - Sand Creek Farm

Title Sponsor Calvert Huffines
with EIOLT director John Girault (in costume)

The Wyatt family shucks oysters with a smile!

The annual Edisto Island Open Land Trust oyster roast normally raises funds for their property conservation efforts. In 2016 the land trust board decided that all profits should go to a local organization that provides building materials and services to those in need on Edisto Island. Despite temperatures that soared to 85 degrees, the large crowd kept cool along the salt marsh banks at Sand Creek Farm, with a Halloween costume contest providing entertainment.

Melinda Hester is the Administrator for EIOLT, and she was busy checking in guests during the event. “The Mission Team consists of all volunteers, and our funds will go towards building materials,” said Hester. “They take applications from residents of Edisto Island who can’t afford repairs, and they do non-structural repair work, usually roof repair and work on porches and decks.” EIOLT past President Bobo Lee shared that the Mission Team completes their work with no charge to the applicant.

Edisto Gumbo plays tunes for the large crowd

The title sponsor for the 2016 oyster roast is The Huffines Company of Walterboro. Founder Calvert Huffines spoke at the event and singled out those who have led the clean up at the beach including Mayor Jane Darby, Fire Chief Denney Conley, and Police Chief George Brothers. Huffines also extolled the virtues of the younger residents of the island that have exerted great effort since Hurricane Matthew for the good of the overall community. The event lasted from 2 until 5 on Sunday afternoon, and everyone lingered, glad to help conservation play a role in ongoing hurricane relief efforts.

To view this entire feature story in the newspaper click on Colletonian.