It’s getting hard to keep up with the pace of accolades and accomplishments that are accumulating for our region. From travel, tourism and cuisine, to economic growth and an array of new industries moving to the Lowcountry, more and more visitors, businesses and new residents have taken notice of Charleston. We took a stab at summarizing the recent buzz about Charleston in the slideshow below. Click on the first image, and then scroll through to see what everyone is talking about!

It was a perfect Lowcountry spring evening for this popular island tradition, which returned to the shores of Smythe Lake to its greatest turnout yet on Saturday, May 12. Islanders came out in droves to enjoy big-band music, performed by Jeremy Davis & The Equinox Jazz Orchestra. A memorable time was had by all, as neighbors, friends and families indulged in lively entertainment, good food and camaraderie.

Congratulations, to the picnickers of “Front Portch Sittin’!” They were chosen as the favorite picnic spread among participating concertgoers. The group is donating their $500 prize to the Daniel Island School PTA.

One of several new homes under construction in the Ithecaw Street area of Daniel Island Park. For more images from this golf neighborhood enclave, see the gallery below.

On the northern end of Daniel Island, within the golf and country club neighborhood of Daniel Island Park, a new property release surrounded by the 2nd, 11th, 12th and 16th holes of the Rees Jones-designed Ralston Creek course has quietly evolved over the past year into the newest residential enclave in this exclusive neighborhood.

Walking along Ithecaw Street today, it’s hard to believe that there were no completed homes in this area just one year ago. But early last year, several custom builders submitted plans for speculative homes in this neighborhood, and interest has been on the rise ever since. Two homes went under contract just as framing was going up last year, and a third sold before construction even began.

“Once the first homes began to take shape, people really seemed to get a sense of the appeal of this location,” says Rick Vale, Vice President of Sales for Daniel Island Real Estate, referring to the sweeping fairway and lake views, and private setting of Ithecaw Street. “Since those first homes went under contract, we’ve had two families build custom homes, and two additional custom homes are currently under construction.”

Builders who have completed or are building homes in the Ithecaw Street area include Southeastern Custom Homes, Bennett Hofford Company, Carson Homes, Dolphin Builders, Lowcountry Premier Custom Homes and Max Crosby Construction. Two speculative homes are currently under construction, and designs for four additional homes from Carson homes, Little Island Development, JD Smith and Lowcountry Premier Homes will be under review, with construction expected to begin soon.

“If you’re looking for a new home in the golf course neighborhood of Daniel Island Park, Ithecaw Street is the area to check out,” says Vale. It’s got breathtaking golf views and a quiet location, but is still easily accessible to the array of dining, social and recreational amenities offered at the Daniel Island Club.”

Buyers of property on Ithecaw Street – as in all areas of Daniel Island Park – enjoy social membership privileges at the Daniel Island Club, including the social and dining offerings at the clubhouse and the swim, tennis and fitness facilities at the Park Club. They also have the opportunity to secure a golf membership to enjoy the nationally-ranked golf courses designed by Tom Fazio and Rees Jones.

For more information about the homes on Ithecaw Street, as well as the island’s complete offering of new and resale properties in the golf neighborhood of Daniel Island Park, contact a Daniel Island Real Estate Sales Associate today.

Island residents Pat and Tom Richards

Whether it’s a concert, golf tournament, festival, or a 5K race, an array of exciting events are offered throughout the year in our island town. The wonderful thing is that the majority of these events are lead by island residents with the goal of benefiting local charities and non-profit organizations.

Pat and Tom Richards are the perfect example of Daniel Island residents who are dedicated to giving back. Pat currently serves as President of the Rotary Club of Daniel Island and Tom is active on the Rotary board and a co-chair of the Rotary Charity Duck Race, one of the club’s signature events. Originally from Long Island, and then Syracuse, New York, Pat and Tom moved to Daniel Island six years ago. Tom was in the Air Force and was stationed in Charleston during the late 1960s. The couple always knew that they wanted to return here. Many years later, and after seeing an ad for Daniel Island in Links magazine, the Richards knew that this was the place they wanted to spend their retirement.

“We visited Daniel Island in 2000 and immediately fell in love with the place. We looked at several different neighborhoods and eventually decided to build a home in Daniel Island Park in 2006,” says Pat.

The Richards joined the Daniel Island Club and enjoyed making new friends as they settled into their new home.

“About a year after we moved here, Pat and I were at a cocktail party and met some members of the Rotary Club of Daniel Island,” says Tom. “We’ve both always strongly believed in community service and were very impressed with the group as a whole.”

“We’ve been active in Rotary ever since,” commented Pat.

Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and around the globe. One of the many ways that the Rotary Club of Daniel Island contributes to this mission is by supporting local non-profit organizations through its major fundraiser, the Rotary Charity Duck Race. Now in its 6^th year, the Duck Race has raised over $500,000 since its inception. Proceeds have been donated to named charities and non-profit organizations in the Charleston area, and have financed a wide variety of community service projects locally and around the world.

Over 20,000 rubber ducks will be "dumped" into the Wando River from I-526 at this year's Charity Duck Race..

Logistically, the Duck Race is an enormous undertaking.

“We get help from the Department of Transportation, Coast Guard, Department of Natural Resources, Charleston Police, and even the weather service for up to date weather bulletins. All of this ensures that the race is done in the safest manner possible,” says Pat.

“We have many volunteers from all over the community. Numerous residents and business owners generously donate their time and services,” says Tom. “We just couldn’t do this without everyone’s help. It’s a huge community effort.”

The Charity Duck Race takes place on June 2nd. 25,000 rubber ducks will be dropped from the Wando River bridge and will race to the finish line at the Daniel Island community pier. It is just one of many initiatives that The Rotary Club of Daniel Island has spearheaded over the years.

“We’re always looking for new projects,” says Pat. “That’s how we came up with the idea for the Daniel Island Community Improvement Project.”

Island residents are invited to propose a project that will improve the community. The project can either be something that benefits the community at large or something that benefits the children on Daniel Island. The project is being sponsored by Rotary along with The Daniel Island News and the Daniel Island Community Fund.

The Rotary Club of Daniel Island was able to purchase an off-road emergency vehicle for the fire department on Daniel Island, using funds raised at the Charity Duck Race.

“The contest is another reminder to the community that we’re here to help. We are looking to identify some great projects that will make a difference in our community,” says Pat. “We’re very excited about this project and look forward to announcing the winners at the Duck Race!”

The Rotary Club of Daniel Island is also involved with service on an international scale.

“We’ve worked on some really wonderful projects with Rotary International. Several of our Club’s members have been to Peru working on clean water projects,” says Pat. “Our club has also contributed to one of Rotary International’s biggest missions – the eradication of polio.”

“It’s truly a special organization made up of a lot of wonderful people,” Tom adds. “These projects could not happen without the support of the Daniel Island community. This is such as special place and we could not be more appreciative of all the help that we receive.”

For more information about the Charity Duck Race, go to http://www.danielislandrotary.com/Duck.htm or go to www.thedanielislandnews.com for more information about the Daniel Island community improvement contest.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Daniel Island along with other area Rotary Clubs, the proceeds from the event benefits Rotary Community Service Programs and charities focused on hunger, housing, heath, wellness and literacy. The past four years have seen donations exceeding more than $400,000. Let’s make this the most charitable year, yet! Everyone is welcome to come out to enjoy the festivities and cheer on your ducks. Entertainment, food trucks and children’s activities will be available from 10 am until 2 pm.

Individuals and businesses can adopt ducks for a suggested donation of $10 per duck. Sponsorship opportunities are also available starting at $1000. To adopt your lucky duck(s) contact a local Rotary Club member, or visit www.charlestonduckrace.com.

Performing in the “Great-American Big-Band” tradition, Jeremy Davis and his 16-piece orchestra will entertain with music from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr. and more. Jeremy has described the band as “The Rat Pack meets ‘The Dean Martin Variety Show,’ with a touch of ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ in between.” This is not your grandfather’s big band!

As in previous years, the Daniel Island Community Fund will host a picnic competition for concertgoers. Prizes will be awarded for the most elaborate and creative picnic spread. Guests are invited to come grab a spot and set up their spreads throughout the day on Saturday.

Picnic judging will be at 6:00 pm on Saturday evening with the concert beginning at 7:00 pm.

Don’t miss this fun and free opportunity to enjoy a spring evening of live music with neighbors and friends under the oaks in Smythe Park!

"Island Sonata" is a commissioned work by local artist David Springer.

After an extensive search, the Daniel Island Garden Club recently commissioned Mt. Pleasant artist David Springer to design and create a sculpture of an osprey in flight as a central focal point for the island’s Osprey Trail, a garden oasis located in front of the Daniel Island School on Daniel Island Drive. The piece is an 11-foot tall copper and stainless steel design titled “Island Sonata” that incorporates a huge nest and two magnificent birds. An unveiling and dedication ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 11 at 11:00 a.m.

Springer’s sculpture is a copper and stainless steel interpretation of an osprey approaching the nest with a new branch clamped firmly in strong copper and steel talons. Its mate is watching from a perch on the other side of the nest. The contrast of shiny stainless steel and the colors of the copper patina repeat throughout the piece and reflect the common unity of bird, water and fish.

Planning for the Osprey Trail – which is named after the Daniel Island School mascot and the several osprey nests located in areas near the school property – began in 2008 when members of the Daniel Island Garden Club set out to improve an overgrown wooded area that served as a buffer between the Daniel Island School and Daniel Island Drive. With funding provided in part by the Daniel Island Community Fund, the two-acre site was transformed into a series of beautiful gardens connected by a meandering trail. The gardens showcase a variety of plants that thrive in the conditions of the Lowcountry: A Woodland Shade Garden, Southern Garden, Rose Garden, Bird and Butterfly Garden, Children’s Garden and a Japanese Garden.

“Once the initial plantings and elements of the trail were in place, we set out to raise money for a sculpture that would serve as a primary focal point for the trail,” says Melody Bundschuh, project coordinator for the Daniel Island Garden Club. “We knew we wanted to use a local artist, and we knew that a priority was to raise enough money for a significant piece that would draw attention to the name of the garden oasis that has been created on this site.”

Funds for the continued expansion of the Osprey Trail – including the addition of the new sculpture – have come from proceeds of house and garden tours organized by the Garden Club, along with additional contributions from the Daniel Island Community Fund.

“We’d also like to offer a very special thank you to the artist, David Springer, for working with us to help make the dream of adding a ‘real’ osprey to the trail become a reality,” said Bundschuh.

Although the Garden Club has worked on several community beautification projects over the years, the group is particularly proud that this trail and series of gardens have become an educational resource and tranquil retreat for students at the Daniel Island School, as well as residents and visitors to the community. Most plants along the trail are identified with name plates, a detail that is intended to help educate visitors about the area’s native plants.  Over the years, additional plantings and special features have been added to enhance the site.

Here’s your chance to make it happen. The Rotary Club of Daniel Island, along with the Daniel Island Community Fund and The Daniel Island News, are sponsoring a community improvement contest. Residents are invited to propose a project that would improve the quality of life on Daniel Island, producing a specific result that can be enjoyed by residents of Daniel Island. The person or group who proposes the winning project will be expected to execute the project to completion by December 31, 2012. The sponsors of the contest will provide up to $1000 to cover out-of-pocket expenses for each of two project categories:

A project that benefits the Daniel Island community at large
A project that benefits the children on Daniel Island

Daniel Island residents, families and organizations are eligible to apply. Only requests that strictly abide by the guidelines will be approved for submission. Requests that are deemed political, religious or aimed towards for-profit business purposes will not be considered.

If you would like to submit a proposal for consideration you must:

1. Have your idea meet the required criteria;
2. Be prepared to execute the project and recruit members or groups, as necessary, to make it happen;
3. Prepare a cost budget, not to exceed $1000 (sponsors will not provide overruns);
4. Complete a project application, which can be found at thedanielislandnews.com, dicommunity.org, danielislandrotary.com

Applications should be submitted to Sue Detar via email at sdetar@thedanielislandnews.com or in person at The Daniel Island News office (225 Seven Farms Drive, Unit 108) by Friday, May 18.

One winner for each category will be chosen and announced at the Rotary Duck Race on Daniel Island Saturday, June 2.

For more information about the Daniel Island community improvement contest visit www.thedanielislandnews.com.

Helping and Lending Outreach Support (HALOS) is a Charleston-based organization formed in 1997 by Dr. Eve Spratt. The mission of HALOs is to provide resources and special opportunities to abused and neglected children and their caregivers through partnerships with faith-based and other community organizations.

For sponsorship details or to donate, visit www.halos.dojiggy.com. For more information about HALOS contact Elisa Mundis Strickler by calling (843) 953-3715, or visit www.charlestonhalos.org.

This lovely home located at 2001 Purcell Street is one of four featured homes on the Kitchen & Garden Tour.

Back for its second year, the Daniel Island Kitchen & Garden Tour will take place on Saturday, April 28 from 2pm – 5pm. Sponsored by the Charleston County Medical Society Alliance (CCMSA), the event benefits area organizations that provide critical healthcare services to Lowcountry communities in need.

Smythe Park is the focus of the event this year, and four lovely homes in this island neighborhood will be open for tour. Each home will feature both a unique kitchen and garden. The featured designs and demonstrations at each location have been carefully planned and will offer food tastings, beautiful tablescapes and outdoor retreats. Participating sponsors include Et Cetera Gourmet, Laura Alberts Tasteful Options, Coastal Cupboard and Our Local Foods.

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at Island Expressions, Laura Alberts Tasteful Options and Zinnia, or at any of the tour homes the day of the event. For more information about the Charleston County Medical Society Alliance visit www.ccmsalliance.org