Plumbers in Knightsville, SC

Surrounded by chain eateries in a Publix-anchored strip mall, La Cuisine Du Chevalier — or La Chev, as most call it — has the buzz of an energetic lunch crowd ready for some midday human interaction.

A trio of women attempt to corral four children while dunking grilled bread into large white bowls of bouillabaisse, brimming with mussels, shrimp and white fish, all steeping in saffron broth.

Empty black shells are pushed aside at another round mahogany table, where two friends catch up over mussels and glasses of iced tea.

A man sitting solo at a two-top finishes his meal and tells the server he will be back next week.

These are the sights and sounds of a restaurant that’s become a neighborhood lunchtime favorite less than a year after quietly opening in November 2022.

I would have never found La Chev without a tip from a colleague, but I’m glad I came. That satisfaction extends to residents of the Knightsville and Summerville area, who have thanked owner Jason Tucker for bringing his Southern take on French cuisine to them rather than downtown Charleston.

“A lot of people were confused about why I did it here,” said Tucker, a Summerville resident. “I saw the direction of where the homes are going.”

Tucker struck out on his own after cutting his professional teeth at restaurants in Charleston’s French Quarter. Inside the strip center space that previously housed a Ladles sandwich and soup shop, the Johnson & Wales University graduate is teaming up with La Chev’s chef de cuisine, Jonathan DuPriest, who grew up in Knightsville.

Whether it’s crab dip with grilled bread or seared scallops over French onion cheese risotto, DuPriest is consistently coming up with new daily specials that the restaurant posts on its Facebook page, which takes the place of an actual website.

La Chev boasts separate lunch and dinner menus, but there are several crossovers, including the shrimp and grits, crab croquettes and yellowfin tuna — a dish that stood out after two visits to the restaurant.

The lightly-seared tuna, served cold, rests on a steaming hot medley of chopped asparagus, corn, confit tomato and cubed bacon. A speckled cream sauce pulls the vegetables together, adding sweet smokiness to the fresh but mild fish.

“It doesn’t just play with your taste buds, it plays with the temperature sensitivities of your palate, as well,” Tucker said.

With a nice crust and firm pink center, the tuna hits all corners of my mouth, leaving soft, peppery spice behind. Though served as an appetizer, I enjoyed it as my full meal with an order of duck coq au vin dumplings — a fun riff on a French classic — on the side.

During dinner, the white tablecloths are brought out and topped with larger appetizers and mains that allow for some “Lowcountry liberties,” Tucker said.

For instance, crab croquettes are more petite crab cake than filled-and-fried roll, but the flawed descriptor doesn’t take away from each delicate bite. Paired with a light and bright diced cucumber salad, the patties’ crab-to-filler ratio favors the former.

A trio of cheese-adorned meatballs, floating in tomato ragù and served with small wedges of garlic bread, is another appetizer that satisfies without reinventing the wheel.

The same can often be said for the restaurant’s dinner entrees.

Roasted salmon, stuffed with crab and served atop crisp green beans, is one example of an expertly cooked daily special. On the side, Carolina Gold rice is bound with cheese to form a thick patty, bringing substance and salt to the Southern grains.

Steak, which appears to have been marinated and spent some time in the oven, makes up for a lack of crust with a juicy, tender texture — almost reminiscent of the roasted filet of beef my mother serves at Christmas.

Public Information StatementSpotter ReportsNational Weather Service Charleston SC219 PM EST Fri Jan 05 2018The following are unofficial observations taken by various qualitycontrolled observations systems from across Southeast South Carolinaand Southeast Georgia.********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL********************LOCATION          STORM TOTAL     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS                     SNOWFALL           OF                     /INCHES/   MEASUREMENTGEORGIA...Bryan County...   Ellabell               6.0   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   Pembroke               5.0   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   Richmond Hill          4.0   400 PM  1/03  Social Media   1 N Keller             2.5   400 PM  1/03  Other Federal   Lanier                 1.5  1224 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio...Bulloch County...   Nevils                 4.0   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   Brooklet               3.5   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   5 SE Brooklet          3.5   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   6 SSE Stilson          3.5   311 PM  1/03  Social Media   Statesboro             3.0   500 PM  1/03  Social Media...Candler County...   Metter                 2.0   100 PM  1/03  911 Call Center...Chatham County...   Garden City            4.0   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   Bloomingdale           3.0   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   Pooler                 3.0   145 PM  1/03  Broadcast Media   Port Wentworth         3.0   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   2 SW Windsor Forest    2.5   500 PM  1/03  Trained Spotter   2 ENE Skidaway Islan   2.0   210 PM  1/03  CoCoRaHS   2 SW Meinhard          2.0  1226 PM  1/03  Broadcast Media   1 WSW White Bluff      1.2   140 PM  1/03  Trained Spotter...Effingham County...   Springfield            4.0   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   4 NE Eden              4.0   400 PM  1/03  Trained Spotter   Guyton                 3.8   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   Rincon                 3.8   300 PM  1/03  Social Media   Meldrim                3.5   352 PM  1/03  Social Media   Marlow                 2.9   500 PM  1/03  CoCoRaHS...Evans County...   1 WNW Hagan            3.5   300 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager...Jenkins County...   6 SW Scarboro          0.2   300 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager...Liberty County...   Allenhurst             5.1   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   Sunbury                2.0   158 PM  1/03  Social Media   4 ESE Midway           1.5   325 PM  1/03  Public   Hinesville             0.9   230 PM  1/03  Public   2 ENE Retreat            T   455 AM  1/03  Law Enforcement...Long County...   Ludowici               3.0   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   4 W Ludowici           2.0   400 PM  1/03  Social Media...McIntosh County...   Townsend               2.0   130 PM  1/03  Social Media   Darien                 1.0   115 PM  1/03  Snow total.   Crescent               0.3   300 PM  1/03  Social Media...Screven County...   Oliver                 3.0   230 PM  1/03  Social Media   1 SSW Newington        3.0   230 PM  1/03  Social Media   Dover                  1.0   200 PM  1/03  Social Media   5 N Sylvania           0.5   230 PM  1/03  Social Media...Tattnall County...   Reidsville             2.9   400 PM  1/03  Social Media   Glennville             2.6   400 PM  1/03  Social MediaSOUTH CAROLINA...Allendale County...   Fairfax                2.0   330 PM  1/03  Utility Company...Beaufort County...   Hilton Head Island     4.5   400 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   Bluffton               4.0   230 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   4 NE Beaufort          3.5   525 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager   5 NE Beaufort          3.5   530 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager   3 NNE Beaufort         2.2   530 PM  1/03  Social Media   3 NNE Hilton Head Is   1.0   135 PM  1/03  Public   6 NNW Tybee Island     1.0   705 AM  1/03  CoCoRaHS...Berkeley County...   1 NE College Park      6.8   600 PM  1/03  Public   1 W Sangaree           6.8   630 PM  1/03  Trained Spotter   7 SSE Moncks Corner    6.5   432 PM  1/03  Social Media   5 NE College Park      6.3   630 PM  1/03  Social Media   7 NNE College Park     6.0   722 PM  1/03  Public   2 ENE College Park     6.0   523 PM  1/03  Social Media   5 N Sangaree           6.0   650 PM  1/03  Broadcast Media   1 SSW Crowfield Plan   5.5   600 PM  1/03  NWS Employee   2 W Daniel Island      5.0   630 PM  1/03  NWS Employee   1 SW Sangaree          5.0   427 PM  1/03  Social Media   1 NW College Park      5.0   400 PM  1/03  NWS Employee   6 NNE Sangaree         5.0   630 AM  1/03  Trained Spotter   1 NNE Pinopolis        4.8   436 PM  1/03  Social Media   2 ENE Old Santee Can   4.5   600 PM  1/03  CoCoRaHS   1 E Wando              4.3   540 PM  1/03  Broadcast Media   2 N Summerville        4.0   338 PM  1/03  Social Media   2 NW Sangaree          4.0   317 PM  1/03  Social Media   1 W College Park       3.9   315 PM  1/03  Social Media   Jamestown              3.0   300 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio...Charleston County...   1 SSE Ladson           6.5   600 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager   5 ESE Cainhoy          5.8   600 PM  1/03  CAROLINA PARK   1 SW Goose Creek       5.3   444 PM  1/03  Social Media   1 ESE Charleston Air   5.3   745 PM  1/03  NWS Office   1 WNW Hanahan          5.2   600 PM  1/03  Trained Spotter   2 W North Charleston   5.0   430 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   3 NE Mount Pleasant    5.0   700 PM  1/03  Trained Spotter   1 WSW Ladson           5.0   815 AM  1/05  Broadcast Media   Ladson                 4.8   412 PM  1/03  Social Media   2 NNW Mount Pleasant   4.8   600 PM  1/03  CoCoRaHS   1 SW West Ashley       4.8   545 PM  1/03  NWS Employee   4 ENE Mount Pleasant   4.5   530 PM  1/03  Public   2 SSW James Island     4.5   437 PM  1/03  Social Media   3 WNW Charleston Air   4.5   404 PM  1/03  Social Media   3 NNE Boone Hall Pla   4.4   630 PM  1/03  NWS Employee   1 E Mount Pleasant     4.3  1130 PM  1/03  Public   1 SW Shadowmoss        4.1   630 PM  1/03  NWS Employee   2 ENE Johns Island     4.1   600 PM  1/03  NWS Employee   1 WSW Charleston       4.0   630 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager   2 WNW Mount Pleasant   4.0   650 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager   2 WNW West Ashley      4.0   540 PM  1/03  Broadcast Media   4 WNW Johns Island     3.9   610 PM  1/03  Social Media   2 S Cainhoy            3.5   348 PM  1/03  Social Media   2 SSW Shadowmoss       3.0   310 PM  1/03  Social Media   Ravenel                3.0   155 PM  1/03  Public   5 WSW Shadowmoss       3.0   238 PM  1/03  Social Media   1 WSW James Island     3.0   430 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   2 SSW Goose Creek      3.0   308 PM  1/03  Public   2 NNW North Charlest   3.0   415 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   3 WSW James Island     2.6   250 PM  1/03  Social Media   Awendaw                2.5   330 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   5 NNW Johns Island     2.5   234 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   3 S Goose Creek        2.5   232 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   3 SSE Shadowmoss       2.3   255 PM  1/03  NWS Employee   4 SSW Awendaw          2.0   200 PM  1/03  Fire Dept/Rescue   2 NNW West Ashley      2.0   320 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   4 SW Johns Island      2.0   300 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio...Colleton County...   3 S Cottageville       5.3   630 PM  1/03  NWS Employee   Bennetts Point         5.0   500 PM  1/03  Trained Spotter   4 ESE Cottageville     4.5   500 PM  1/03  Trained Spotter   Round O                4.0   400 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   5 ESE Islandton        3.5   315 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   1 E Lodge              2.0   313 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   Canadys                1.8   430 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio...Dorchester County...   3 SW Summerville       7.3   556 PM  1/03  Broadcast Media   1 S Summerville        6.8   415 PM  1/03  NWS Employee   2 ESE Jedburg          5.5   620 PM  1/03  County Official   5 SSE Knightsville     5.5   343 PM  1/03  Social Media   3 S Summerville        5.5   635 PM  1/03  Trained Spotter   Ridgeville             5.4   540 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager   2 SSE Summerville      5.2   519 PM  1/03  Social Media   2 S Ladson             5.0   600 PM  1/03  NWS Employee   3 S Knightsville       5.0   403 PM  1/03  Social Media   4 S Ladson             5.0   442 PM  1/03  Social Media   1 NNW Knightsville     4.0   224 PM  1/03  Social Media   Dorchester             3.3   430 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   3 WSW Ladson           3.1   350 PM  1/03  Public   3 N Givhans            2.8   237 PM  1/03  Social Media   3 SSW Ladson           2.3   235 PM  1/03  Social Media   3 W Charleston Airpo   2.2   300 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   2 ESE Knightsville     1.8   200 PM  1/03  Public...Hampton County...   Yemassee               4.0   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   Estill                 2.0   300 PM  1/03  Snow total.   Hampton                2.0   335 PM  1/03  Snow total amount....Jasper County...   2 E Ridgeland          6.0   500 PM  1/03  Social Media   Ridgeland              4.0   342 PM  1/03  Public   3 SSW Jasper           4.0   500 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager   Grays                  3.5   350 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager   1 NNW Ridgeland        3.5   430 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager   2 NE Hardeeville       3.0   405 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager   Hardeeville            3.0   222 PM  1/03  Amateur Radio   2 W Gillisonville      3.0   345 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager   Robertville            2.0   330 PM  1/03  Emergency Manager***********************STORM TOTAL ICE***********************LOCATION          STORM TOTAL     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS                          ICE           OF                     /INCHES/   MEASUREMENTGEORGIA...Chatham County...   2 SW Windsor Forest   0.10  1100 AM  1/03  Trained Spotter   Isle Of Hope          0.08  1058 AM  1/03  Social Media   Tybee Island             T   830 AM  1/03  Emergency Manager   Thunderbolt              T   745 AM  1/03  Emergency Manager...Liberty County...   4 ESE Midway          0.25   325 PM  1/03  Public...McIntosh County...   Crescent              0.25  1200 PM  1/03  Social Media   3 W Carnigan             T   430 AM  1/03  Law EnforcementSOUTH CAROLINA...Beaufort County...   2 WSW Beaufort           T   813 AM  1/03  Social Media...Berkeley County...   2 ENE College Park    0.13  1030 AM  1/03  Trained Spotter...Charleston County...   2 NNW Charleston      0.20  1101 AM  1/03  Social Media   1 SW James Island     0.20  1151 AM  1/03  Social Media   4 ENE Mount Pleasant  0.19   132 PM  1/03  Public   1 E Mount Pleasant    0.18   631 PM  1/03  Trained Spotter   1 ESE Charleston Air  0.13  1155 AM  1/03  NWS Office   2 W Charleston        0.01   935 AM  1/03  Law Enforcement   1 NNE Mount Pleasant  0.01   918 AM  1/03  Law Enforcement   2 NNE Mount Pleasant  0.01   855 AM  1/03  Law Enforcement   3 S West Ashley       0.01   944 AM  1/03  Law Enforcement   1 WSW West Ashley     0.01   840 AM  1/03  NWS Employee   3 NE Seabrook Island     T  1058 AM  1/03  Law Enforcement   Seabrook Island          T   757 AM  1/03  Social Media   4 SSE Cainhoy            T   836 AM  1/03  Social Media   1 SSE Daniel Island      T   850 AM  1/03  Broadcast Media   1 ENE James Island       T   740 AM  1/03  Broadcast Media   3 NNW West Ashley        T  1033 AM  1/03  Law Enforcement   9 NE Sullivans Islan     T   850 AM  1/03  Social Media   2 SE Charleston Airp     T  1015 AM  1/03  Local Official...Dorchester County...   3 SSW Summerville        T  1045 AM  1/03  Law Enforcement&&

COCORAHS PRECIPITATION SUMMARYNATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC215 PM EST THU JAN 04 2018COCORAHS PRECIPITATION REPORTSTHESE REPORTS ARE CONSIDERED SUPPLEMENTAL AND UNOFFICIALVALUES ARE FOR THE PREVIOUS 24 HOURS ENDING AROUND 7 AM LOCAL TIME:COCORAHS PRECIPITATION REPORTS IN SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA:                                               SNOW   SNOW  WATER:                                        PCPN   FALL  DEPTH  EQUIVSC-DC-33  : SUMMERVILLE 0.4 SE       *   : 1.73 / 6.8 /  6.5 /   MMSC-CR-49  : NWS CHARLESTON SC        *   : 1.14 / 5.3 /  5.0 /   MMSC-CR-97  : CHARLESTON 5.0 WNW       *   : 1.06 / 5.0 /  5.0 /   MMSC-DC-49  : LADSON 4.8 S             *   : 1.05 / 5.7 /  5.7 /   MMSC-CR-88  : CHARLESTON 2.0 S         *   : 1.01 /  MM /  5.0 /   MMSC-CR-112 : MOUNT PLEASANT 7.0 NE    *   : 0.95 / 5.6 /  5.0 /   MMSC-CR-107 : MOUNT PLEASANT 6.2 ENE   *   : 0.94 / 5.3 /  5.3 /   MMSC-CR-120 : MOUNT PLEASANT 4.8 NNE   *   : 0.93 / 4.4 /  4.4 /   MMSC-CR-42  : CHARLESTON 2.8 NE        *   : 0.90 / 4.9 /  4.9 /   MMSC-CR-96  : CHARLESTON 5.2 ESE       *   : 0.87 /  MM /  4.0 /   MMSC-CR-33  : MCCLELLANVILLE 0.5 ESE   *   : 0.81 /  MM /   MM /   MMSC-BF-65  : HILTON HEAD ISLAND 5.0 NN*   : 0.77 /  MM /   MM /   MMSC-CR-99  : MOUNT PLEASANT 1.0 WSW   *   : 0.72 / 5.3 /  5.0 /   MMSC-BF-40  : BEAUFORT 4.3 SSE         *   : 0.70 /  MM /  1.0 /   MMSC-BF-02  : HILTON HEAD ISLAND 4.0 N *   : 0.68 / 1.5 /  1.5 /   MMSC-BK-56  : MONCKS CORNER 0.8 ESE    *   : 0.67 /  MM /   MM /   MMSC-BF-10  : BLUFFTON 6.2 WNW         *   : 0.65 /  MM /   MM /   MMSC-JS-03  : RIDGELAND 5.8 ESE        *   : 0.63 / 4.8 /   MM /   MMSC-CL-14  : GREEN POND 1.3 S         *   : 0.55 / 6.3 /  6.6 /   MMSC-CR-13  : CHARLESTON 4.6 SSE       *   : 0.54 / 3.8 /  4.0 /   MMSC-BK-46  : SUMMERVILLE 5.5 NNW      *   : 0.50 / 6.0 /  6.0 / 0.50SC-DC-53  : SUMMERVILLE 1.7 W        *   : 0.50 / 6.2 /  6.0 /   MMSC-CL-16  : COTTAGEVILLE 5.8 WSW     *   : 0.50 / 4.5 /   MM /   MMSC-CL-17  : COTTAGEVILLE 3.1 NNW     *   : 0.40 / 5.5 /   MM /   MMSC-CR-106 : MOUNT PLEASANT 6.7 NNE   *   : 0.40 / 5.5 /   MM /   MMSC-BF-23  : DAUFUSKIE ISLAND 1.7 SW  *   : 0.33 /  MM /   MM /   MMSC-BF-66  : HILTON HEAD ISLAND 4.1 NE*   : 0.29 /  MM /  1.5 /   MMSC-BF-59  : HILTON HEAD ISLAND 2.8 NN*   : 0.27 / 1.0 /   MM /   MMSC-CR-77  : MOUNT PLEASANT 3.1 E     *   : 0.26 / 3.0 /  3.5 /   MMSC-BF-50  : BLUFFTON 7.0 W           *   : 0.22 /  MM /   MM /   MMSC-BF-64  : SHELDON 3.7 SSW          *   : 0.20 / 4.1 /  4.1 /   MMSC-HM-07  : HAMPTON 0.8 SW           *   : 0.10 /  MM /   MM /   MMSC-AL-02  : ALLENDALE 1.7 SE         *   : 0.05 /  MM /   MM /   MMSC-BK-30  : SUMMERVILLE 9.1 NNE      *   : 0.02 / 6.2 /  6.2 /   MMSC-CR-94  : MOUNT PLEASANT 2.1 S     *   :    T /  MM /  4.5 /   MMSC-BK-43  : SUMMERVILLE 9.6 NNE      *   : 0.00 / 0.0 /  5.5 /   MMSC-BK-38  : MONCKS CORNER 3.6 E      *   : 0.00 / 0.0 /  5.0 /   MMSC-HM-02  : BRUNSON 1.6 SSW          *   : 0.00 / 0.0 /  2.5 /   MMSC-CR-78  : NORTH CHARLESTON 3.1 ESE *   : 0.00 / 0.0 /   MM /   MMSC-DC-37  : SUMMERVILLE 3.3 NW       *   : 0.00 / 0.0 /   MM /   MMSC-CR-60  : CHARLESTON 5.4 SSE       *   :   MM / 5.3 /  5.3 /   MMSC-BK-14  : MONCKS CORNER 3.2 NE     *   :   MM / 5.0 /  5.0 / 0.00SC-BK-40  : DANIEL ISLAND 0.7 SSW    *   :   MM / 5.2 /  5.0 /   MMSC-CR-32  : MEGGETT 1.8 W            *   :   MM / 4.5 /  4.5 /   MMSC-BF-35  : BEAUFORT 3.6 NNE         *   :   MM / 2.5 /   MM /   MMSC-BK-47  : MONCKS CORNER 6.6 SSE    *   :   MM / 7.0 /   MM /   MMSC-BK-55  : MONCKS CORNER 8.9 S      *   :   MM / 6.5 /   MM /   MMSC-CR-116 : CHARLESTON 3.2 W         *   :   MM / 5.0 /   MM /   MM:COCORAHS PRECIPITATION REPORTS IN SOUTHEAST GEORGIA:                                               SNOW   SNOW  WATER:                                        PCPN   FALL  DEPTH  EQUIVGA-CT-64  : SAVANNAH 10.4 E          *   : 0.72 /  MM /  0.5 /   MMGA-CT-50  : SAVANNAH 3.7 SSW         *   : 0.71 / 1.0 /  1.0 /   MMGA-MI-03  : DARIEN 4.2 NNE           *   : 0.64 / 0.5 /   MM /   MMGA-MI-05  : TOWNSEND 5.5 SE          *   : 0.62 / 0.3 /  0.5 /   MMGA-BR-02  : RICHMOND HILL 0.5 NE     *   : 0.48 / 1.3 /   MM /   MMGA-CT-17  : SKIDAWAY ISLAND 1.3 ENE  *   : 0.44 / 2.0 /   MM /   MMGA-EF-13  : MARLOW 0.0 S             *   : 0.34 / 2.9 /  3.0 / 0.34GA-CT-61  : SAVANNAH 4.6 NW          *   : 0.30 / 2.8 /   MM /   MMGA-EF-17  : SPRINGFIELD 2.4 E        *   : 0.30 / 3.0 /   MM /   MMGA-CT-60  : SAVANNAH 2.3 SSW         *   : 0.21 / 1.5 /   MM /   MMGA-CT-67  : BLOOMINGDALE 4.7 SW      *   : 0.20 / 2.5 /  2.5 /   MMGA-BR-05  : RICHMOND HILL 7.0 ESE    *   : 0.18 / 2.2 /   MM /   MMGA-CT-57  : SAVANNAH 4.7 ESE         *   : 0.17 / 1.5 /  1.5 /   MMGA-CT-19  : SKIDAWAY ISLAND 0.8 NE   *   : 0.15 /  MM /   MM /   MMGA-CT-38  : SAVANNAH 4.5 SSW         *   : 0.00 / 0.0 /   MM /   MMGA-CT-55  : SAVANNAH 1.7 W           *   : 0.00 / 0.0 /   MM /   MMGA-CT-01  : POOLER 1.2 NNE           *   :   MM / 2.5 /  2.5 /   MMGA-EV-01  : BELLVILLE 2.8 N          *   :   MM /  MM /  1.0 /   MM$$

By Casey L. Taylor, JD

Tucked away near Summerville, SC – the place known as “Flowertown, USA” – is a sanctuary dedicated to gibbons (small apes). It’s a jungle-like wonderland that has lifesaving at the core of its mission.

The International Primate Protection League (IPPL) sanctuary is a secret to many locals. It is situated on over 40 acres of land surrounded by lush woods. Neighbors are lucky enough to hear the songs and great calls of these interesting primates throughout the day and night.

The sanctuary is home to 36 gibbons, the smallest of the apes, who have been rescued or retired from laboratories, deplorable “roadside” attractions, or the pet trade. IPPL provides lifetime care to these incredible endangered species and works to educate the community on the plight of gibbons in the wild.

The gibbon residents at the sanctuary have indoor night houses that are hurricane-grade, expansive outdoor habitats, and aerial walkways that give them the choice to safely move about their designated areas as they wish. It is important to the organization that each sanctuary resident is given as much freedom of choice as possible in a captive environment, while keeping them safe. Despite most residents having a rough start to their lives, they thrive at IPPL. They even have some residents nearing the age of 60!

International Outreach

IPPL is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the world’s remaining primates, great and small. For the last 45 years, IPPL has made a global impact by securing an export ban on primates from Thailand (saving thousands and thousands of lives) and working with over 20 reputable primate rescue and rehabilitation centers in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America.

IPPL not only supports their efforts to care for native primates who have been rescued and are in need of rehabilitation or lifetime care, but also to thwart poachers and illegal wildlife traffickers, as well as educate local villages and communities on how they can help be part of the solution in preserving native populations of primates.

Small Team, Big Impact

With a small but mighty team of animal caregivers, maintenance technicians, office staff, and dog nannies, IPPL provides compassionate lifetime care for every resident, which includes nutritious and delicious fresh produce three times a day for the gibbons, as well as veterinary care and enrichment — to stimulate those intelligent minds of theirs!

Forms of enrichment vary from food puzzles that the gibbon must figure out in order to get their healthy treats, to special time with their favorite caregiver. Bubble-blowing is a big hit with some of the gibbons. Tong, who was one of the first four original residents at the sanctuary, loves a good foot rub — what girl doesn’t?

Absolutely nothing beats a life in the wild, but for these residents that is sadly not a reality. The team at IPPL feels that the least they can do is make the rest of these individuals’ lives the happiest and healthiest they can be. From residents used in invasive human vaccination studies and locomotion tests, to those kept in less-than-favorable conditions, IPPL’s sanctuary is a safe and loving place for them to thrive and to live as gibbons should.

Casey L. Taylor, JD is the Executive Director of IPPL.

MORE ABOUT IPPL

The sanctuary is not open to the public as an attraction, but it holds educational events in the community and offers options to visit during special times. Sign up to receive their e-newsletters on their website (www.ippl.org) and be the first to know about opportunities and events.

Knightsville Elementary traditionally has its fifth-graders parade through the school in celebration of graduating from elementary school, but this year the school had a special twist on the tradition: they invited back 2017 high school and college graduates -- also Knightsville Elementary alumni -- to return to their old stomping grounds wish the fifth-graders good-luck as they set off for middle school.

Drew Massey, graduating senior at Summerville High, called it nostalgic.

"It's weird to come back 10 years later," she said.

Massey was one of approximately 25 returning graduates who participated in the walk. Summerville High graduates donned their signature green caps and gowns. A handful of Clemson University and University of South Carolina graduates also participated.

The returning students spoke to fifth-graders in their classrooms prior to the parade to offer words of encouragement and students also heard from college professors from Charleston Southern University and The Citadel.

Massey said she wanted to participate because it felt special.

"I saw a lot of them (students) crying," she said. "I think they thought it was special too."

The entire school lined the hallways, along with parents, faculty and staff, to watch all the graduates weave through the building. Younger students awarded the graduates with cheers and high fives along the way while the school played "Pomp and Circumstance" over the intercom.

Teachers wore little graduation caps as well and, if they still had them, they were invited to wear their old graduation robes.

Principal Claire Sieber referred to the returning graduates as the "continuance of the legacy of learning that started here at Knightsville."

"You have empowered our fifth-graders to rise on and continue their education. I'm looking forward to all that the future will hold," she said.

The idea to invite the former Knightsville Elementary students back was Assistant Principal Carey Hodge's idea. Hodge said she had seen a similar event in her former hometown.

Sieber and Hodge said they wanted to have a community connection with the fifth-grade parade this year. With the response they got, Sieber said she anticipates this will be a tradition going forward.

Hodge said their focus for the last couple of weeks has been words of encouragement. She said they have been working on coordinating the event for three months.

Hodge said she thinks the Knightsville Elementary students really enjoyed it.

"I'm seeing tears of...joy and miss -- they're going to miss us. I know it's very bittersweet for them," she said. "But it's always a great thing when kids don't want to leave."

"Above all we just want them to love, learn and lead," she said.

Vernisa Bodison, principal at Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary, has been named principal of the new Alston-Bailey Elementary. Laura Blanchard, principal at Reeves Elementary, will now serve as the principal at Sires Elementary. Wally Baird, principal at Knightsville Elementary, will be the principal at Sand Hill Elementary next year.

The announcement comes with a lot more administration re-adjustment among multiple schools in the district.

Bodison has been at Windsor Hilly since July 2011 and said the experience has been “absolutely amazing.” She used to be a teacher at Alston Middle before moving into administration. Bodison said she is familiar with the community around Alston and is interested in returning to a community she enjoyed working in.

“I’m absolutely thrilled about the incredible opportunity to begin what I feel is going to be a wonderful legacy,” she said.

An assistant principal has yet to be announced for Alston-Bailey Elementary. Robert Neuner, assistant principal at Gregg Middle, will take on the role as principal at Windsor Hill.

Neuner is in ninth year at Gregg Middle and has been with the district since 2006. He has previously taught at Alston Middle, where he was a science teacher.

Neuner is really excited about his new position, saying he has enjoyed watching his own children experience elementary school. He said he will miss his “family” at Gregg Middle, saying they came together as a faculty and recalled last year when Gregg Middle was a Palmetto’s Finest recipient.

While he will miss the relationships, Neuner said he is “looking forward to working with a new family at Windsor Hill.” Neuner will be joined at Windsor Hill by the school’s current assistant principal Katie Barker.

Blanchard was the principal at Reeves Elementary when the school opened nine years ago. Blanchard is leaving the school in the “good hands” of Natalie Hayes, a current assistant principal who will take on the role as the school principal next year.

“I’m very proud of her and all that our team has accomplished,” Blanchard said.

Blanchard has been with DD2 for 26 years. She has been a teacher in the district and was previously a principal at Knightsville Elementary for four years.

Blanchard is excited to be a principal at a new school – particularly one named after Eugene Sires.

“I’m very honored and blessed to be named principal for Sires Elementary – for his namesake,” she said.

Hayes has been with DD2 since 2000 and was also at Reeves when it opened, starting off as a teacher. She has previously taught at Beech Hill and Fort Dorchester Elementary, and has coached volleyball, basketball and softball at Fort Dorchester High.

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Hayes said Reeves is already a “well-oiled machine” and is excited to move it forward.

“She (Blanchard) is an inspiration to me and she makes me want to work harder,” she said.

Blanchard will be joined at Sires by Dan Farmer, currently an assistant principal at Fort Dorchester Elementary. Hayes will be joined at Knightsville by current assistant principal Michelle Nicholson.

As Baird moves on to Sand Hill from Knightsville Elementary, current assistant principal Claire Sieber will serve as principal of Knighstville next year.

Baird will miss the Knighstville family but looks at it like one big family – “at two different sites.” Baird started in the district in 1999 and is in his 19th year in education. He taught in Newark, N.J. for two years for Teach for America but graduated from Summerville High and Charleston Southern University.

He started off in the district as a fifth-grade teacher at Spann Elementary. He was an assistant principal intern at Fort Dorchester Elementary and then got a job as an assistant principal at Beech Hill.

Baird said what is “really cool” about Sand Hill is it will combine the Knightsville and Beech Hill communities.

“I think it’ll be a great opportunity to establish and build a culture that can impact the lives of kids for generations,” he said, adding it has been an honor to do that at Knightsville.

Sieber came to Knightsville with Baird six years ago, saying the two of them have “walked this journey together.” She has been with the district 31 years. She used to be a middle school teacher in Berkeley County. She has served as a fourth-grade teacher, school counselor and an administrator since then.

Sieber said she is looking forward to continuing “the legacy of learning” that already exists at Knightsville.

“Knightsville is a wonderful place for children to be successful, and enjoy the love of learning,” she said.

Sieber wants Knightsville to continue to move forward and focus on the children, “and to develop and honor our motto of ‘love, learn and lead.’’

Baird will be joined at Sand Hill Elementary by Annette Roper, currently an assistant principal at Knightsville Elementary. Sieber will remain at Knightsville with current assistant principal Carey Hodge.

In addition to the changes, Rachel Mahaffey, assistant principal at Flowertown Elementary, is heading to Fort Dorchester Elementary to serve as an assistant principal.

Charleston Hope Hero's Fundraiser, a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign scheduled from May 3-16, with a closing celebration from 6-9 p.m. May 16 at the Harbour Club, aims to raise funds for mental health programs in low-resourced schools.

With a mission to increase access to mental and behavioral health resources in Title 1 schools, Charleston Hope is committed to ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally. Through initiatives such as THRIVE and Step-In programs, Charleston Hope has made significant strides in providing essential counseling and after-school programming to students in need.

The need for such programs is underscored by alarming statistics: According to a recent report from the Boston Consulting Group, 77% of youth in South Carolina with a major depressive episode do not receive any mental health treatment. This is well above the national average of 60%. In 2021, leading organizations declared a National State of Emergency in children’s mental health. Additionally, in 2022, the mental health counselor-to-student ratio 2022 was 1:1,300 in South Carolina.

Charleston Hope’s journey began in 2011 when executive director Emily Kerr brainstormed from her kitchen table how she could help enact real change. Since then, Charleston Hope has grown exponentially, thanks to the unwavering support of community members. This year alone, Charleston Hope expects to provide more than 1,000 hours of mental health support to students.

Charleston Hope is highlighting the efforts of Charleston community members who have come together to support students’ mental health programs at the closing event, “Heroes Unite: A MARVELous Affair!” The public is encouraged to attend the May 16 event for an evening featuring an open bar, food, live music, a vacation raffle and support of Charleston Hope’s mission.