Volume 1 Issue 16

November 30, 2007

Turkeys on a Mission
Staff report

     Two days before Thanksgiving and the very end of Camp Care road on John’s Island was bustling. A large Bud Light truck had pulled over in the parking lot of Rural Mission, Inc. and workers were busy stacking cardboard boxes with “Budweiser” and “Miller Light” inscribed on the front in a huge pile on the sidewalk. Dozens of people milled around the growing stack, occasionally handing one of the workers a strip of paper and walking away with one or several of the beer boxes. It wasn’t until you got closer that you saw there wasn’t a drop of beer in sight; each of those hundreds of boxes contained a turkey dinner, complete with herb stuffing, yams, cranberries, green beans, rice, rolls and a hefty turkey, ready for the oven.
      Mr. Larry Lipov, president of Pearlstine Distributors, one of the oldest and largest privately owned companies in South Carolina, stood next to one of the towering piles, handing them out to the crowd. “We’ve been working with Rural Mission for 25 years now, giving turkey dinners to those who need it,” said Mr. Lipov. “Each year we bring about 275 turkey dinners for people who have fallen below the poverty line and can’t afford to buy their own.” Rural Mission wasn’t Pearlstine’s only stop that day. Later on, the trucks would roll by the Charleston County Humane Social Services and drop off even more food. “We’re able to do it and we’re happy to do it,” said Mr. Lipov. “I believe it was Winston Churchill who once said, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give’ and we completely agree.”
      Next to him, Mr. Chris Brooks, the director of program development at Rural Mission, was busy checking tickets and loading boxes into some of the Mission’s vans. “Some people can’t make it to the Mission to pick up their dinners, so we have volunteers who help deliver the food,” Mr. Brooks explained. “In fact, some can’t even cook, so earlier today we handed out dinners that had already been prepared.” He gestured toward a long central building in the Rural Mission complex where several volunteers were bustling about, cleaning up after a marathon run of turkey preparation. The salt air off the nearby marsh was heavy with the smell of sweet potato casserole, crisp roasted turkey and candying cranberry sauce. One woman sat beside the door, unable to move too much, but helping the volunteers with her bright encouragement and words of prayer.
      Ms. Linda Gadsden had been a worker at Rural Mission since its beginning over 35 years ago. It was through her efforts and her networking with the local churches that not only helped to get Rural Mission started, she was also the catalyst in getting Pearlstine Distributors to make their first turkey dinner donations so many years ago. “I wanted to create a partnership with those who have a need and those who can get it done, especially at Thanksgiving,” Ms. Gadsden explained. “This is a time for giving thanks for all the Lord had done for us all year and this was a way for us to share those blessings.” With her determination, the help of several local businesses and Pearlstine, Ms. Gadsden and the Mission volunteers were able to build 310 turkey dinner boxes, 220 of which were picked up and the rest delivered to local homes.
      Before anyone received the first turkey, however, Ms. Gadsden held a prayer meeting, just like she does every Tuesday, asking for blessing and giving thanks for the great support that Rural Mission had received this Thanksgiving. “We hold a prayer meeting every Tuesday, no matter what,” said Ms. Gadsden. “Our service is ecumenical and everyone is invited to eat with us afterward. Anyone who wants to come can eat, pray and have fellowship.” She also pointed out that her and a special group of volunteers known as “Prayer Warriors” take prayer requests, many times by phone if the person can’t make it to the service. “There’s no charge for prayer requests, either,” she added, smiling.
      Started in 1969, Rural Mission has worked hard to take care of the poor on the Sea Islands. They were the first to develop the Migrant Head Start program, helping migrant workers with food, care and education during the harvest season of March-October and taking care of island residents who have fallen on hard times. “Most of the people who come to us have a very low income, usually less than 50% of the State’s average income,” said Mr. Brooks. “We have lots of elderly that we serve by dropping off food, doing basic home repairs and chopping firewood.” The firewood cutting program is another program that Mr. Brooks created in alliance with Mr. Greg Dixon of Rockville Presbyterian. The church keeps a wood pile during the winter months, filling it through the help of volunteers and local youth groups and donating the wood to people who would otherwise be unable to heat their homes. To participate in the wood cutting program or to find out more about how the program works, contact Greg Dixon at 810-2894.
      During the summer months, Rural Mission hosts over 50 youth groups, some consisting of 100 kids or more, all of whom participate in various service projects throughout the summer.
      Rural Mission is always in need of volunteers and helping can be as easy as dropping by once a week to pray with those who simply need a comforting hand to hold their own. To find out more about Rural Mission and their many services to the people of the Sea Islands, please contact Mr. Chris Brooks at 768-1720 or email him at clbrooks1@bellsouth.net. The website for Rural Mission is www.ruralmission.org.

The view from the water
By Captain Chad Hayes

     I absolutely love this time of year! Fantastic fishing, great nature watching, college football and incredibly comfortable weather combine to make me dizzy trying to figure out what I want to do next!
      Speaking of fantastic fishing, we have been having huge success catching both redfish, trout, and flounder over the last two weeks. Trout have been biting grubs mostly, with DOA shrimp suspended under popping corks running a close second. The fish are schooling tightly now and all the fish caught have been extremely fat. I kept an 18" trout that weighed over two pounds! When cleaning the fish, I found it was full of glass minnows. I have been throwing colors that imitate the pattern of the minnows and the fish have been devouring them! Saltwater Assassin 4" paddle tail grubs in both “Space Guppy” and “Cajun Croaker” colors and the “Smoky Mullet” color have also been very productive.
      Redfish are also beginning to school heavily now that the water temperatures are getting into the normal range for the season. We have been catching lots of schoolies (15”-18") around docks using finger mullet (when available) and mud-minnows, both Carolina rigged. The DOA shrimp have also worked well when rigged under popping corks for these fish.
      The larger fish have been eating cut baits the best. Quartered blue crabs have worked really well when fished on the bottom on the edge of grass flats. I think the fish are still trying to get onto the flats to feed, even though the present tides are not allowing them access. Fishing these areas has produced some really nice fish with several over 30". We have also had some success using “Gulp” shrimp and crabs in these areas as well.
      I have also had several spectacular dolphin watching trips over the last two weeks. It seems that everyone feels winter approaching and they’re trying to add on a few extra pounds. This would include me and all my kin as well!
      We were fortunate to see numerous strand feedings and even witnessed an eagle dive in to steal a mullet form the feeding dolphins. I have seen several pelicans, osprey, eagles and herons do this, but never an eagle. It was truly an amazing sight.
      I wish you all safe travel this holiday. Let’s remember to be thankful for all our many blessings and as always, remember those in the world less fortunate than us.
      We have several trips still available during the holidays. Give us a call if you are interested in having the experience of a lifetime!
      Until next time, remember to share your love of the outdoors with someone you love … and we’ll see you, on the water !

Captain Chad

Captain Hayes, a South Carolina native, is a seasoned naturalist and fishing guide. A graduate of Presbyterian College with a degree in Biology, he is a former Fisheries biologist with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and host of the “South Carolina Wildlife” television show. His is also ESPN’s 2006 Ultimate Outdoorsman. His knowledge of local history, ecology, dolphin behavior and fishing techniques will provide hours of enjoyment for you and your family or group. Captain Hayes is USCG licensed and insured. For more information, call the Kiawah Charter Company at 276-1832, visit their website at www.kiawahchartercompany.com or email Captain Chad at captainchad2007@yahoo.com.