2025 Spoleto Festival - Corinne Bailey Rae Concert

The opening night concert of Spoleto Festival's Front Row Series brought singer/ songwriter Corinne

May 2025 Tour Dates

Bailey Rae to the stage at the Cistern at the Colleg of Charleston campus. She opened the show by telling the audience that she intended to perform a mix of her older songs and some newer work from her latest album, entitled Black Rainbows. It's worth noting that her debut album came out 19 years ago and the hit single, Put Your Records On was certified triple platinum in 2024 and is still a fan favorite. 

Spoleto usually delivers solid music concerts, but sometimes one particular show can stand out. And that's a two-way street with fans expecting something different than what is usually offered in Charleston (Rae is from England) and the artists may experience the magic of Springtime under a canopy of live oaks around dusk. I believe this was one such occasion, having been present in the Cistern during concerts for nearly 20 years, experiencing musical variety compliments of Spoleto. Another factor may have been that this was the opening night of a mini-tour that would take Rae up the coast to a different venue nightly, and her vocals and band were rested and ready to go!

Everyone asked me ahead of time what kind of singer is Rae? I replied R&B or soul singer, but upon hearing her live I can report that she is a bit more spiritual in her delivery, and not afraid to let her voice soar. Her trio of musicians were jazz-band tight and one back-up vocalist rounded out the quintet. She urged each one (drummer, guitarist and keyboardist) to take a solo during the set, and she even picked up an electric guitar and rocked out the stage on a couple of newer tunes. But it was her earlier and ethereal songs that shined the brightest and she showed that if anything she has grown as a singer and artist since then. For most of the show, it looked like she (and especially the drummer) were having fun playing for Spoleto. That's exactly the kind of thing that longtime Spoleto patrons appreciate, beyond hearing excellent music!

Corinne Bailey Rae at Spoleto

To view past blog entries from Spoleto at the Cistern click 2009. 

To view past blog entries about concerts click on The Black Crowes - Steel Pulse

2025 Operation Patriots FOB and Heal Our Heroes - Casino Night

HOH Founder Everette Weston and wife (on left),
OPFOB Founder Roy Brown and wife (middle),
OPFOB Officer Jimmy Banton and wife (on right).

When two groups that were founded solely to focus on Veterans Issues decided to link up, they were able to bring in the Big Guns from Charleston to support their black tie Casino Night on May 22 at the Historic Rice Mill event facility at the Safe Harbor Marina downtown. Operation Patriots FOB (OPFOB) is based out of Ridgeland was in town to help Operation Heal Our Heroes (HOH) present this lavish fundraiser with catering by none other the Chef Kevin D of TV fame. Dinner included vegetable spring rolls, wagyu tenderloin, peeled shrimp and beef sliders with a zinger sauce and it was all delicious. Live music began with acoustic guitar in the background, but after the sun set the band cranked up the volume and played a rockin' set of music. The casino night fundraiser was meant to be fun, but they also took time for serious remarks from both organizations.

Matthew Nichols at the Black Jack table

OPFOB CEO Roy Brown Jr. addressed the crowd to share that he had personally lost many veterans / friends to suicide after tours together in Afghanistan. "OPFOB started in 2019 and my wife Stephanie helped found our organization," said Brown. "We have the same mission as HOH and that's why its so great for us to partner like this. We also have a 'boots on the ground' mission in Ridgeland where veterans can come to our 200-acre facility and enjoy outdoor pursuits like sporting clays and multiple shooting ranges. I went to Boot Camp at Parris Island and am familiar with the network of veterans in that area. We estimate there are 120,000 veterans within a 90-minute drive radius in our area, with another 30K active duty military and 30K First Responders too. All of the services we offer to veterans are free, and we are hopeful that we can harness the awesome potential of donors and supporters that exists in Charleston." 

Chef Kev D with Sliders and 'Awesome sauce'

Operation Heal Our Heroes was founded by Everette Weston and Patrick Bolchoz and they shared that losing their beloved friend, Capt. 'Franky' Kim to suicide is what drove them to start HOH. They also introduced a guest speaker from the Air Force who told his first hand account of the final week of duty in Afghanistan flying C-17's based in Charleston out of the Bagram airport that received international news attention. Saying that those were the hardest days of his entire career in the AF and that many in his air wing were adversely affected by those events. The overall message is that both groups think suicide rates of veterans are still going up, and they are already at staggering levels, and this important issue does not need to be overlooked anymore.

To view past blog  entries abut Veterans groups click on Reel Steel Catfishing - Veterans Victory House Car Show - Wounded Nature / Boat Clean Up - Wounded Warrior Deer Hunt / ACE Basin - Wounded Warrior Duck Hunt / Santee Delta - SCI Pathfinder Award

2025 S.C. Blue Marlin Invitational - Pachanga Wins; Sportin' Life 2nd

Sportin' Life Blue Marlin Weigh-in

The South Carolina Blue Marlin Invitational (SCBMI) is for big game fishing enthusiasts who spend their free time trolling the ocean looking for billfish. Hooking a blue marlin is the ultimate bluewater experience and the offshore waters out of Charleston are very productive. 

The SCBMI fishes between the calendar dates of May 1 to June 8 and registered boats pick three says to go fishing. Sportin’ Life declared May 18 for a tournament day and brought back a blue marlin that weighed in at 449.4-pounds to take the lead in the SCBMI. Then on May 19 Pachanga, from Ocean City, went out and reeled in a blue marlin weighing 517.9-pounds. When the 2025 calendar ended it was these two teams that finished in First and Second place since no one else brought a blue marlin to the scales.

Pachanga is a 62-foot Viking owned by David and Michael Reeves, and Captained by Blaine Champlain. The 2025 SC Memorial Reef donation was made in honor of Capt. Chris Martin on behalf o the Pachanga team.

Graham Eubank is the angler that reeled in the blue marlin, and he also owns Sportin’ Life, a 59-foot Spencer sportfisher. Their longtime Captain Mike Glaesner picked this day of fishing because the offshore weather forecast looked promising. Crew members on this Sunday included Boyce Campsen, Will Gredick, Bryce Bell and Hayden Fletcher.

2025 Donation to SC Memorial Reef

To read the feature article in the Post and Courier click on Tideline.

To view past blog entries from SC Blue Marlin Invitational click on 2024.

To view past blog entry from Charleston Billfish Invitational click on 2025. 

Close Up of Marlin Mouth / Eye

To view past blog entries from Tideline click on Veterans Catfishing - Mother's Day Gift Guide - SCDNR Director - May '25 Outdoors Calendar -  Shorebird Stewards -  April Saltwater Fishing -  Turkey Season Gear - Spring Conservation Calendar -  Edisto Flora and Fauna -  Horseshoe Crab Research -  Bird Banding Conference - ACE Basin Refuge -  2025 SE Wildlife Expo - S.C. Master Naturalist - CHS Outdoor Adventures - CCA oyster recycling

Sportin' Life Crew hefting Blue Marlin

2025 East Cooper CCA Banquet

Sheepshead art on silent auction

The Omar Shrine Center in Mount Pleasant welcomed a large turnout of recreational saltwater fishing enthusiasts for the annual banquet of the East Cooper Chapter of the S.C. Coastal Conservation Association. A robust committee with over 20 members tapped into their chapter's roots in order to ensure lots of sponsors were in place to help raise funds for their conservation efforts like oyster shell recycling and artificial reef building. Sandlapper catering had the food ready to g at 6 PM including seared tuna and fried flounder, Lowcountry boil and barbecue. Ticket sales included raffle drawings for hunting and fishing gear, while the silent and live auctions featured one of a kind items that brought top dollar. There was no shortage of fish art including a mahi tin, a driftwood wahoo, a gentleman's necktie with billfish and paintings of sheepshead. 

Sponsors enjoy cocktail hour

To view past blog entries from the East Cooper CCA banquet click on 2014 - 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 or 2009

To view past blog entries from the CCA SC state convention click on  2013, 2011, 2010 or 2009

To view a past article on CCA in All AT Sea magazine click on Keepin' It Coastal

Committee members at the banquet

2025 Reel Steel Military Appreciation Catfishing Expedition

By Dawn's Early Light - Veterans Ready for Fishing

Twenty veterans were treated to a catfishing trip on May 1 by Berkeley Electric Cooperative, launching from Canal Lakes Fish Camp in Cross, South Carolina. Eight boats under command of local fishing guides fanned out on Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie at dawn in search of fishing adventure. Captain Joe Dennis spearheaded the planning efforts for this day and secured some prizes for the heaviest catfish weighed in. All harvested catfish were cleaned free of charge back at the docks and divided up for veterans to take home with them.

 

Capt. Dennis is also the host of Chasin The Wild Outdoors TV show. “This wasn’t the first time for me working with Berkeley Electric for this veterans appreciation fishing trip, and we are hoping for another trip in the Fall too,” said Dennis. “Eligibility is open for members / customers of Berkeley Electric, and the notice to apply is published in their newsletter. I enlist some fellow fishing guides who volunteer their service to take these great veterans fishing. It means a lot to me personally to provide a quality experience for the vets so I also ask some of my TV show sponsors for donations.” 

Capt. Grooms and Navy Veteran Art Nor

To view the feature article in the Post and Courier click on Tideline.

To view past blog entries from Tideline click on Mother's Day Gift Guide - SCDNR Director - May '25 Outdoors Calendar -  Shorebird Stewards -  April Saltwater Fishing -  Turkey Season Gear - Spring Conservation Calendar -  Edisto Flora and Fauna -  Horseshoe Crab Research -  Bird Banding Conference - ACE Basin Refuge -  2025 SE Wildlife Expo - S.C. Master Naturalist - CHS Outdoor Adventures - CCA oyster recycling -  SEWE / DU conservation -  Search for Shed Antlers -  Save The Light - Christmas Wish List - 2025 Christmas Bird Count -  December Saltwater Forecast - Fall Hunting Seasons -  2024 Red Trout tourney -  Sullivan's Island Bird Banding Station -  Beidler BioBlitz 

2025 Charleston Billfish Invitational - Viking 74C Wins

Brand New Viking 74-footer (hence no boat name)

Well it was not a wire-to-wire victory for the Viking 74C but it was darn close to being that. After the Captain's Meeting at Sea Breeze Marina, the entire fleet of 16 boats at the Charleston Billfish Invitational went fishing on Day One. While other boats caught the first billfish, it was Viking 74C that caught the most by the end of the day with one blue marlin, one white marlin and three sailfish. They backed that total up with two blue marlin on Day Two and that was enough to hold on for the win. This boat is brand new (hence no name) and is for sale. I don't recall many times a new boat has won a Governor's Cup event, so I included some info about the 74C from HMY Yachts.

To view past blog entries from the S.C. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series click on 2024 - 2023-  2022-  2021- 2019- 2018- 2017- 2016- 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 

2025 Mother's Day Outdoors Gift Guide

A shade hat, Bajio sunglasses and Toadfish Chiller

Likely the all time gifts for Mom include a meal outside the home, and a bouquet of red roses, but what about some gifts to help out with fun in the sun! The heat of summer hasn’t arrived just yet, but the time for tanning and being outside in the sun is right now, and everyone can agree that a large shade hat suits most Mom’s requirements as the baseline for skin protection. If poolside then a bottle chiller and outdoor goblets are a must, and if on the boat some fancy shades to reduce glare are the order of the day. A waterproof tote bag and some game paddles are two perfect beach day getaway accessories.

To view the feature article in the Post and Courier click on Tideline.

To view past blog entries from Tideline click on SCDNR Director - May '25 Outdoors Calendar -  Shorebird Stewards -  April Saltwater Fishing -  Turkey Season Gear - Spring Conservation Calendar -  Edisto Flora and Fauna -  Horseshoe Crab Research -  Bird Banding Conference - ACE Basin Refuge -  2025 SE Wildlife Expo - S.C. Master Naturalist - CHS Outdoor Adventures - CCA oyster recycling -  SEWE / DU conservation -  Search for Shed Antlers -  Save The Light - Christmas Wish List - 2025 Christmas Bird Count -  December Saltwater Forecast - Fall Hunting Seasons -  2024 Red Trout tourney -  Sullivan's Island Bird Banding Station -  Beidler BioBlitz 

2025 SCDNR Director Tom Mullikin Talks Conservation

New leadership in 2025 at the top of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) executive branch and board are focusing on landscape scale conservation. Dr. Tom Mullikin of Camden is the new director of SCNDR after being nominated by the board and confirmed by the state senate. Dr. Mark Hartley of Charleston is the new chairperson of the SCDNR board after being nominated by Governor Henry McMaster and confirmed by the state senate.

New Director Tom Mullikin on left, and 
new SCDNR Board Chair Mark Hartley next to him

SCDNR also has a new headquarters building at the State Farmers Market facility near Columbia. During a visit there, Dr. Mullikin pointed out that the South Carolina Constitution delivers a mandate for the outdoors. Article XII, Section 1, states: "The health, welfare and safety of the lives and property of the people of this state and the conservation of its natural resources are matter of public concern." And Article 1, Section 25, states: "The traditions of hunting and fishing are valuable parts of the state’s heritage, important for conservation, as a protected means of managing nonthreatened wildlife."

To read the feature article in the Post and Courier click on Tideline.

To view past blog entries from Tideline click on May '25 Outdoors Calendar -  Shorebird Stewards -  April Saltwater Fishing -  Turkey Season Gear - Spring Conservation Calendar -  Edisto Flora and Fauna -  Horseshoe Crab Research -  Bird Banding Conference - ACE Basin Refuge -  2025 SE Wildlife Expo - S.C. Master Naturalist - CHS Outdoor Adventures - CCA oyster recycling -  SEWE / DU conservation -  Search for Shed Antlers -  Save The Light - Christmas Wish List - 2025 Christmas Bird Count -  December Saltwater Forecast - Fall Hunting Seasons -  2024 Red Trout tourney -  Sullivan's Island Bird Banding Station -  Beidler BioBlitz

2025 Birding Journal Observations - March / April

Double-breasted Cormorant with Nesting Material

With climactic conditions running drier than normal, and early Spring temperatures on the mild side, the migration of birds arriving in the Lowcountry was right on time. Sightings of ruby-throated hummingbirds begin this annual cycle of excited birders seeing whatever their favorite species is, come back into daily view. (or at least back to the chance for daily views) It really can be a time of great anticipation.

I can't say that the majority if migration is over by the first of May, but a large portion of it has already transpired. Shorebirds have been stacking up on the shorelines, and Swallow-tailed Kite sightings over land have been steady. Bluebird babies are on the landscape and wood duck chicks and Canada goose goslings too. Ospreys are nesting all over the Santee Cooper Lakes and that area has to have one of the highest concentrations of fish hawks in S.C., and there are LOTS of double-breasted cormorants there too!

To view the most recent Birding Journal Observations click on January / February 2025.

To view past Birding Journal Observations click 2004 - 2023-  2022- 2021- 2018-  2017 - 2016- 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

2025 May Outdoors Calendar

Lady Angler billfish release flag

The summer season in Charleston arrives in May, with long days outdoors whether at the beach or in the boat. For those targeting Mahi Mahi offshore this is a perfect time to create some blackened fish tacos, from Cinco De Mayo through the rest of May. The Bulls Bay Nature Festival, Kiawah Conservancy Bobcat Bash and World Migratory Bird Day will all provide the kind of outdoor educational activities that nature lovers can savor. 

The Charleston Billfish Invitational at Sea Breeze Marina is fishing May 8 – 10 out of Sea Breeze Marina. The Captain’s Meeting on May 7 also kicks off the 2025 S.C. Governors’ Cup Billfishing Series and tournament director Stan Jones is hoping for a big bluewater bite for the daily weigh-ins that are open to the public. The second leg of the series is the Georgetown Blue Marlin tournament fishing May 21 – 24. The third leg of the series is the HMY Lowcountry Cup, fishing out of Toler’s Cove Marina on May 28 – 31. The HMY format allows teams to fish all three days, and then choose their best two days to count towards the awards ceremony at Mainland Container Company. The S.C. Blue Marlin Invitational fishes May 1 - June 8 and allows anglers to pick their fishing days.

To read the feature article in the Post and Courier click on Tideline.

To view past blog entries from the Post and Courier on Tideline click Shorebird Stewards -  April Saltwater Fishing -  Turkey Season Gear - Spring Conservation Calendar -  Edisto Flora and Fauna -  Horseshoe Crab Research -  Bird Banding Conference - ACE Basin Refuge -  2025 SE Wildlife Expo - S.C. Master Naturalist - CHS Outdoor Adventures - CCA oyster recycling -  SEWE / DU conservation -  Search for Shed Antlers -  Save The Light - Christmas Wish List - 2025 Christmas Bird Count -  December Saltwater Forecast - Fall Hunting Seasons -  2024 Red Trout tourney -  Sullivan's Island Bird Banding Station -  Beidler BioBlitz