This past Saturday, October 12th, the Edisto Chamber of Commerce hosted its third annual Turtle Tide Art Auction, alongside the lively Edisto Fall Festival. The storm clouds from earlier in the week had parted, leaving behind a perfect sunny day with cool breezes—ideal conditions for a festival filled with music, art, and a dash of competitive bidding.
The Turtle Tide Art Auction has quickly become a beloved tradition, and this year it shattered expectations yet again, raising a whopping $97,400, surpassing last year’s total by $400. The auction coincided with the Edisto Fall Festival, which buzzed with vibrant vendors, live performances by Edisto Gumbo, and an undeniable sense of community spirit.
Since its inception, the Turtle Tide Art Project has captivated Edisto, bringing together community businesses, local artists, non-profits, and visitors while also providing an educational component around sea turtle conservation. Each turtle sculpture—beautifully crafted and painted by talented artists—was sponsored at $1,500. The entire auction proceeds benefited the non-profits linked to each unique turtle, making every bid count toward a good cause.
The auction kicked off at 2:30pm, with Peter Beck, a local business owner, returning as the enthusiastic auctioneer. Chamber Director Chelsea Harrison and volunteer Amy Stephens introduced each turtle, along with the sponsor and artist, followed by representatives from the benefiting non-profits, who shared their missions and the impact of the donations.
Bidding was fierce! The first turtle, “Edisto’s Mr. Rick,” set the stage, selling for $7,100. But the showstopper of the day was “Hephzibah,” a stunningly realistic turtle created by local artists Susalee Lamb and Ginger Sanders. The first bid came in at an impressive $10,000, and after a thrilling bidding war, “Hephzi” fetched a record-breaking $16,000—the highest bid for any turtle in the event’s history!
“Hephzi” fetched a record-breaking $16,000—the highest bid for any turtle in the event’s history!
The excitement didn’t stop there. Throughout the afternoon, turtles were auctioned off for amounts ranging between $8,000 and $11,000. The final turtle, “Sea-Note,” sold for $8,000, bringing the total to $96,300—just shy of last year’s mark. But in a heartwarming twist, a first-time visitor to Edisto named Vince May, moved by the energy of the auction, made a last-minute donation that pushed the total to $97,400, setting a new record.
The success of this year’s auction is a testament to the generosity of Edisto’s community, the dedication of volunteers, and the creativity of the artists involved. It was truly a day to remember, filled with art, philanthropy, and the undeniable power of people coming together for a good cause.
Thank you to everyone who made the 2024 Turtle Tide Art Auction an unforgettable success! We look forward to next year’s event and hope to keep the tide of generosity flowing.
Project Sponsors:
In total the day was a success! $97,400 was raised across ten local non-profits. Here’s more information on all the turtles and how much they raised:
Edisto’s Mr. Rick pictured with artist Ginger Graham Varner with winning bidders, Sue & Chris Shepherd. Edisto’s Mr. Rick was sponsored by The Waters Edge Café in Wyndham Ocean Ridge resort and went to benefit the Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society.
Winning bidders, Mary & Carlisle Holler, with Fern. Fern was sponsored by Edisto Bike Rentals, painted by Caroline Eynon, and went to benefit the Young Naturalists.
Winning bidder Mary Miller with her turtle, Hephzibah, alongside artists Ginger Sanders and Susalee Lamb. Hephzibah was sponsored by the Edisto Art Guild went to benefit the Edisto Art Guild.
#WhoYouWhit Benefit sponsors, Elisabeth and Carter Nelson, and winning bidders Janet & Paul Oakley with their new turtle Nigel. Nigel was painted by artist Elysia C. Yelton to benefit the #WhoYouWhit Benefit.
Ecco with her new parents, Vance & Lisa Miller, and artist Tom McElroy. Ecco was sponsored by The “COWPENS” neighborhood and went to benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank.
Nubz with new owners Tripp and Tina Rice, and artist Elysia C. Yelton. Nubz was also sponsored by AOPI Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc.(Tripp and Tina Rice) to benefit the Edisto Island Preservation Alliance.
Winning bidder Kenny Austin with his new turtle Ridley. Ridley was sponsored by Internal Medicine of Edisto, painted by Melissa Rinaldi of Go Coastal Studio, and went to benefit the Edisto Island Community Clinic.
ELCee with her new family Ned & Elizabeth Maner and son, turtle tide volunteer Cubby Huffines, artist Sarah Wannamaker along with FRESPACE member Mick Royston. ELCee was sponsored by FRESPACE who is also the beneficiary.
Edisto’s Miss Caretta with her new owner Tammy Sigman and artist Gerry McElroy. Miss Caretta was sponsored by Andy Cook CPA to benefit Edisto Island Youth Recreation.
Sea-Note with her artist Kimberly Walters, new owner Peter Zvejnieks, Enterprise Bank CEO Don Snipes and Branch Manager Amy Stephens, with local bank employees. Sea-Note was sponsored by the Enterprise Bank of SC and goes to benefit the Edisto Island Open Land Trust.
It was the perfect morning for a pre-thanksgiving Road Race on Edisto Beach last Saturday, November 18! We ended up with 118 participants ready to get their cardio on while taking in the views of Edisto. Awards were given out for the top three finishers overall in both male and female categories and for the 1st place finisher in each age group. And this year, we had TWO spirit awards to give out to the person/group that embraced the “Gobble Wobble” theme the best.
Back by popular demand, the finish-line Mimosa Bar (sponsored by Andy Cook CPA) was a huge hit as a way to reward the participants for a job well done!
5K – Overall – Male
1. Mark Kauffman
2. Tim Muller
3. Nicolas Osborne
5K – Overall – Female
1. Rachel Doxey
2. Rebekah Guest
3. Lydia Donell
5K – Age 14 & under – Male
1. Brantley Smith
5K – Age 14 & under – Female
1. Ada Bass
5K – Age 15-19 – Male
1. Bo Silver
5K – Age 15-19 – Female
1. Keelie Summers
5K – Age 20-29 – Male
1. William Brabrand
5K – Age 20-29 – Female
1. Rhys Chambers
5K – Age 30-39 – Male
1. Bryan Sartin
5K – Age 30-39 – Female
1. Joanna Bullock
5K – Age 40-49 – Male
1. Mike Smith
5K – Age 40-49 – Female
1. Anne Bass
5K – Age 50-59 – Male
1. Todd Walter
5K – Age 50-59 – Female
1. Connie Blackstone
5K – Age 60-69 – Male
1. Robert Renner
5K – Age 60-69 – Female
1. Susan Biggers
5K – Age 70-79 – Male
1. Jim Moore
5K – Age 70-79 – Female
1. Anna Williams
1M – Overall
1. Boaz Baldridge
2. Huxley Donell
Gobble Wobble SPIRIT Award Winners
1. The Sietz Family
2. Joanna Bullock
2022 Edisto Chamber Annual Event with Awards & Year-end Summary
A little over 100 people came together for the Edisto Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Event hosted last month at the Edisto Beach Civic Center. The event is typically held on a warm summer afternoon in June (with a cool breeze and cold drinks!) as the culmination of the fiscal year comes around. It’s a thank you to the membership, a chance to mingle and give out a few important awards, and an opportunity to provide a summary of the work the Chamber has done over the past year.
Business of the Year Award
The first award given out was the 2022 Business of the Year Award.
The Business of the Year award is given by the Edisto Chamber of Commerce each year to recognize a business in the community that goes above and beyond. Our Board selects five nominees within the community and then the Chamber membership votes to determine the winner. Criteria for being nominated as the Business of the Year include the following:
Must be Chamber member
Supports Chamber events
Supports community organizations, programs, and government activities
Encourages employees to volunteer at Chamber and community events
Has a genuine interest in the welfare and future of Edisto
The 2022 Business of the Year Award went to Ella & Ollies and The Briny Swine, owned by Katherine and Brandon Rushing!
Katherine and Brandon opened their flagship restaurant Ella & Ollie’s in 2016 and have been a chamber member since then. If you haven’t been (we recommend putting them at the top of your list of Edisto restaurants to try!) Ella & Ollie’s is a southern seafood-inspired restaurant focused on delivering fresh local ingredients. Their second restaurant on Edisto Beach, E&O Taco, opened in 2018. Their third restaurant, and newest concept, is The Briny Swine which opened in 2020. Katherine and Brandon work hard to showcase local purveyors and it’s extremely important to them that they support other local businesses as best they can. They use local shrimp from Edisto Seafood, as well as fruits and vegetables from local farmers on the Island. They can proudly say that several of the dishes at their restaurants come from within ten miles.
Ella & Ollie’s / The Briny Swine Owners Katherine and Brandon Rushing
In 2020, they started Sleigh Bells, a philanthropic organization formed in the midst of COVID to give back to the community. Sleigh Bells works alongside Jane Edwards and helps the families during the holidays with food and making sure that everyone in the family wakes up Christmas morning with gifts under the tree. They’re expanding this year and plan to have a day where the kids can come by and “shop” with gifts and wrapping stations set up so that they can pick out presents to give their families as well.
In addition, Ella & Ollie’s donates to/supports multiple organizations throughout the year such as:
Chicken Man Tournament
Animal Lovers of Edisto (ALOE)
LiveLikeLondon
Edisto Island Open Land Trust
4th of July Golf Cart Parade
Movies in the Park popcorn sponsor
2022 Turtle Tide Art Project Sponsor
Business After Hours sponsor
Movies in the Park sponsor
Thank you, Katherine and Brandon, for all you do in support of the community and the Chamber!
Martha Whetstone Service Award
The second award given out that evening was the 2022 Martha Whetstone Service Award.
This award was created in honor of Martha Whetstone and has been awarded annually by the Chamber since 2005. Martha was active at Trinity Church, mentored at Jane Edwards Elementary School, was an active member of the Edisto Art Guild and the Edisto Chamber of Commerce, and she was very involved with the community. This award is given to honor a business, group, or individual that has provided exceptional service for either the community or the Chamber. TheChamber Board of Directors nominates and selects the recipient.
ALOEhas been active in the community since 2010. It’s an organization dedicated to supporting Edisto Island and surrounding communities.
ALOE at the 23rd Annual Christmas Parade
Founded in 2010 by Margaret Towe and Ken Korpanty, ALOE is a 501C3 non-profit that serves the community through the rescue, care, and homing of adoptable stray, abandoned, or found dogs. As a no-kill canine rescue, on average they rescue approximately 50 stray dogs and reunite 20 lost dogs with their families each year. In 2021, ALOE took in 56 dogs and was able to find loving homes for ALL 50 before the years’ end (the other six have since been adopted!). Animal Lovers also “pulls” dogs from Colleton County Animal Shelter (CCAS), to help them reduce their euthanasia rate.
ALOE also supports residents in the community who need to surrender or re-home their pets and provides veterinary assistance and pet food to people in Edisto with economic needs. Most stray dogs are suffering from a variety of medical conditions when they first arrive at Animal Lovers and require a great deal of vetting before they can be adopted. Rescues are also kept up-to-date on vaccines, preventative, and medical care. To further support their efforts, ALOE utilizes foster homes and has developed a relationship with Southside Animal Hospital, which offers reduced rates for many medications, tests, and procedures. Despite these discounts, Animal Lovers vet bill alone averages $25,000 per year, and operation costs last year totaled $36,000.00.
Over the course of Animal Lovers’ existence, they have vetted, spayed and neutered, and found loving homes for nearly 600 dogs, including several disabled dogs and dogs recovering from abuse and neglect. Animal Lovers relies on donations to operate, but they strive to ensure that all funds received are put to work right here in the community they serve. This organization has a huge heart for all the fur babies out there and was well deserving of this recognition! Visit their website to learn more and help support them.
Honoring the Chamber President
This year, a special recognition award was given out to honor the Board’s (now retired) President Peter Beck! This award was presented as recognition for six years of outstanding service on the Edisto Chamber Board of Directors. During his time on the Chamber Board, Peter displayed exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to the community. Peter has been a member of the Chamber since 2016 and President of the Board since 2018. His business, Green Boat Discount Liquor, is known for its generosity and support of the community. He’ll be passing the torch to our newest President, Leslie Hurley, of Carolina One Edisto Real Estate and Vacation Rentals.
Board President and Local Business Owner Peter Beck
At the Chamber, the year begins and ends in July, so a large part of the Annual Event involves summarizing the previous year’s performance!
Snapshot Summary
MARKETING & ADVERTISING
-Chamber focus = off-season advertising, most efforts focused on the 4-6 hr drive time from Edisto
-Advertising outlets = a variety of different media outlets across 4 mediums – Audio (Spotify), Print, Digital, Social Media
-Website Traffic = up 109% over last year
-Social Media: Instagram followers up 8.5% & Facebook followers up 13%
EVENTS
With support from local businesses, the Chamber hosted four (4) Business After Hours, five (5) Movies in the Park , the annual 5K Road Race, and the Edisto Fall Festival. The normal Christmas Parade got an upgrade into a Christmas Weekend in conjunction with the Town of Edisto Beach. Shop Local Week happened again around the holidays and the first year of the Turtle Tide Art Project got underway with success! Two additional events will be associated with the art project: a Turtle Tide Art Reveal event (in conjunction with Turtlesfest) and a Turtle Tide Art Auction, which will happen this coming October.
The Edisto Chamber’s Annual Event was the perfect time to catch-up with friends and fellow business members on a beautiful afternoon over food and drinks. Awards and talks from Chamber Director Chelsea Harrison on future goals for the organization were just an added bonus! Thank you to everyone who came out in support!
It was another great weekend for Edisto’s annual Road Race! This year’s 10th Annual Edisto Beach Road Race, featuring a 5K run and 1M fun run/walk, watched 92 participants cross the finish line for either the 5K run or 1-mile walk, ranging in ages from 8 to 81.
Photo by Tamma Smith PhotographyPhoto by Tamma Smith Photography
The Edisto Chamber was able to host another successful road race, allowing folks to enjoy the weather and have fun (or friendly competition!) The 5K began at 8:30 am, and the weather was perfect for the run. Runners lined up all together for a gun start. Another change from last year’s race is that we were able to hold an awards ceremony! Participants picked up their certificates and medals at 10:00 am at the Wyndham Rec Center, and had their photos taken to further celebrate their victories.
Awards
Medals were given out across several categories:
5K Run: Male & Female First Place in each age group; and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Overall
1 Mile Run/Walk: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Overall
Age Groups: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
For the male group, 1st Place Overall went to Ryan Hamdorff (age 36), 2nd Place Overall went to Eran Kilpatrick (age 44), and 3rd Place Overall went to Tyler Larson (age 17).
Photo by Tamma Smith Photography
For the female group, 1st Place Overall went to Joanna Bullock (age 36), 2nd Place Overall went to Ann Smith (age 66), and 3rd Place Overall went to Kim Miller (age 59).
Photo by Tamma Smith Photography
Check out how our other runners placed by accessing the full results here.
While the morning started out with a November chill in the air, it quickly turned into a beautiful day, and the Edisto Beach Road Race was enjoyed by all. A big thank-you to the event participants, volunteers, and event sponsors – Food Lion and Wyndham Ocean Ridge.