Chiropractic Care in James Island, SC

A year long project and vision to improve the Folly Road corridor has wrapped up another year of research and plans.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A year long project and vision to improve the Folly Road corridor has wrapped up another year of research and plans.

The Rethink Folly Road Complete Streets Initiative has a goal to improve congestion and connectivity with pedestrian and bike lanes. Officials hope the work will also improve the value and quality of life along the thoroughfare.

The idea behind the project began in 2015 and Charleston County, Charleston City, Folly Beach and the Town of James Island approved the initiative in 2016. It’s a collaborative effort to study the area, design improvements and secure funding for work.

For the past three years, Toole Design has been working with the county and cities along the corridor to do research and community studies on how to best implement the biking and walking paths.

Lakeesha Dunbar, Office Manager for Tool Design, says the design phase and securing property is often longer than actual construction.

“The last two years is getting the design of the Phase One project done in coordination with the state. And so that’s a big piece in itself. And then since I’ve been on board, um, in the last year, we’ve done quite a few little things to keep it trying to keep the momentum going with the community,” Dunbar says.

Tool design worked with the county on designs and also collaborated with business owners along the road.

“We have to get buy in one because we’re having to get easements and property from property owners along the corridor,” Dunbar explains.

The Tool firm’s contract with the Rethink Folly Road project ends and the end of 2022.

“We’ve been expansion of staff to coordinate the steering committee and the BI monthly meetings. I think just that continued coordination and communication between all of the jurisdictions because there are the multiple jurisdictions along the corridor - that’s key,” Dunbar says.

Going forward, the jurisdictions hope to see phase one completed in the next two years. Phase 1 is the initial phase of the bicycle and pedestrian accommodation project stretching from Lowe’s to Walmart.

Charleston Councilwoman Jenny Costa Honeycutt says in the coming year, people will notice disjointed parts of the paths going in.

“There’s been several improvements within that area already and as different areas like the Chick-fil-A that’s being remodeled as they get improved, you will see isolated, you know, paths and all built in those areas, but along for the long term is going to take a little bit longer to acquire all the property we need,” she says.

Honeycutt compared the goal for Folly Road to how Coleman Boulevard functions in Mount Pleasant – a main road but with bike lanes and sidewalks that connect the nearby community. She says it’s a grand vision of a safe community road that will take a while to accomplish and asks people to be patient as the county and involved cities continue designing and construction.

“So, you’ve got the county who’s sort of the applicant that’s sort of running the operation, you might call, but you have all of those stakeholders involved in at the table and as we progress, we want you know, the community’s input, particularly business owners along the corridor to make sure that it reflects what the community wants,” Honeycutt says.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

DANIEL ISLAND — As skates shuffled across the white surface temporarily covering the clay tennis court below, no ice spritzed from the blades and no grooves were left behind.

Children and adults alike shimmied from foot to foot as they looped the makeshift concourse. While it wasn’t the most polished performance to watch from the sidelines, on a 75-degree day in Charleston, those skaters wouldn’t have had the same opportunity if they had been on real ice.

The new outdoor ice skating rink at Credit One Stadium is one of three to pop up in the Charleston area this season that’s made of synthetic ice, a high-density polymer or polyethylene plastic.

There’s also one at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina in Mount Pleasant that will be open Thursdays through Sundays through Feb. 5 and another promised for Folly Beach across from Bert’s Market from Dec. 23 to 25.

More than 5,000 advance online tickets to the Credit One rink were purchased in just a few days; guests are still invited to come observe, but skating spots are booked.

As for the “ice,” polymer is cheaper to use and doesn’t require the same sort of cooling system that might falter in the Lowcountry’s unpredictable December temperatures.

The oval rink at Credit One, which takes up most of the flat standing-room surface at the Daniel Island concert venue, was built in three days by the in-house crew, a group that had never attempted the feat before.

That included seven employees installing 255 synthetic panels that each weigh 86 pounds for eight hours each day. After the 3-by-6-foot panels were joined together, dasher walls were added to line the rink’s edges. Then Christmas trees, fire pits for roasting s’mores and other festive touches were incorporated.

There’s a Santa’s Sweet Shoppe snack bar on the concourse for purchasing holiday treats, along with one up above with a great view of the rink serving up coffee and hot chocolate, plain or spiked with peppermint schnapps or Baileys Irish Cream. There’s a little something for the whole family, in other words.

For Chris and Emily Mingledorff, s’mores were a must after an hour of laps around the rink with kids Molly and George on Dec. 3. Their eldest daughter in high school was coming later that night with friends.

The family has lived on Daniel Island for the past 11 years and was quite excited to skate in their own backyard. They’ve been to the Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park skate rinks in New York City, along with ski resorts out west, but Emily Mingledorff said there’s nothing like skating at home.

“All us Daniel Island residents are really thankful to have these new opportunities for our family and friends,” Mingledorff said. “The tennis and concerts have been wonderful, but this is something extra special.”

The first-ever ice-skating rink at the venue was an idea encouraged by the Daniel Island Community Fund, including event planner Maureen Hickey.

“We had a conversation that instead of having our annual tree lighting across the street and then doing something festive here, why don’t we just combine the two?” said Hickey.

This year’s Daniel Island tree lighting was held inside the stadium, with a Santa Claus firetruck procession winding from the courtyard into the stands. The ice-skating rink opened the same night. As the lights turned on and glimmered throughout the amphitheater, including from a dazzling disco ball, fake snowflakes fluttered in a magical display.

“I just felt like, ‘Pinch me, is this Charleston?’” Hickey said.

Ashley Ridge High School teacher Kim Emery wasn’t there for opening night, but she was the day after as those who signed up online for a slot lined up for their skates. Her volunteer position with United Sports Foundation, an organization that raises money for students to play sports, included selecting the right size for skaters and sharpening the blades, a necessity especially for the synthetic ice.

Emery, who’s been at the Summerville school for 14 years, said she wouldn’t be surprised if some of her students showed up. She herself wasn’t planning to skate.

“I’m scared of it,” she said with a laugh. “I haven’t put on ice skates in 20 years. Now I might twist an ankle.”

While the fake ice doesn’t quite allow the same sort of glide that real ice might, it’s less painful to fall on, feeling more like a linoleum kitchen floor than a rock-hard veneer. From an observer’s perspective, it also seems to be steadier, with less full-on tumbles.

“I was watching from the sidelines to see how it worked, and by the end of the session, everyone was getting the hang of it,” Hickey said. “I think for the little children, especially, it’s probably easier. You didn’t see a lot of Bambi on the ice.”

Retired firefighter and paramedic Steven Rosone brought his experienced ice-skating family, originally from New Jersey and currently residing in Mount Pleasant, out to the rink on opening day.

His daughter Samantha, 11, who takes figure skating lessons at the Carolina Ice Palace, Charleston’s indoor ice rink, admitted that the fake ice was not quite like the actual stuff. Son Tyler, 13, agreed he was a bit disappointed.

“It’s easy to stay up, but not easy to skate,” offered Samantha between shuffles.

The point was for a festive outing, said Rosone, who was also planning to take his wife, Stacey, and kids to the James Island Festival of Lights and Isle of Palms Christmas Festival, along with some upcoming pop-up holiday markets.

“I grew up with skating and snow every year, but I’ll trade it in for this weather,” Rosone said with a laugh, noting that Samantha was donning a swimsuit and shorts in December.

Bob Moran, president of Charleston Tennis, said it’s been heartwarming to see locals engage in a new holiday tradition on the island.

“Our goal was to create a thoughtful, unique experience that brings joy,” Moran said. “Seeing how quickly the community responded to this and watching them enjoy the stadium in this way has been incredible for my team and I.”

In addition to the three outdoor rinks popping up in the Lowcountry, the Carolina Ice Palace is hosting skaters for the month of December at its “Winter Wonderland” holiday-decorated indoor rink.

Kevin can’t wait to get on the road.

Former King of Queens funnyman Kevin James launches his ‘Irregardless Tour’ February 1 at the Carpenter Theater in Richmond, VA . The tour will hit more than 30 cities before including two shows at Boston’s Wilbur Theater June 10 and 11. Shows in Raleigh, NC; Huntington, NY; Morristown, NJ; and Gary, IN were announced this week. See the full routing below.

Tickets for the newly announced dates go on-sale January 13 at 10 a.m. local time.

Among James’ most recent shows is a two-performance play at Worcester, MA’s Hanover Theater November 11 and 12, grossing a total of $235,693 on 3,970 tickets over both performances, an average price of $59, according to reports submitted to Pollstar Boxoffice.

Kevin James Irregardless Tour

Feb. 1—Richmond, VA—Carpenter TheatreFeb. 2—Asheville, NC—Thomas Wolfe AuditoriumFeb. 3—Knoxville, TN—Tennessee TheatreFeb. 4—North Charleston, SC—North Charleston Performing Arts CenterFeb. 5—Jacksonville, FL—Florida TheatreFeb. 8—Tampa, FL—Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event CenterFeb. 9—Hollywood, FL—Hard Rock Live at SeminoleFeb. 10—Ft. Myers, FL—Barbara B. Mann HallFeb. 11—Columbia, SC—Township AuditoriumFeb. 28—Munhall, PA—Carnegie Library of HomesteadMar. 2—Prior Lake, MN—Mystic Lake Casino HotelMar. 3—Harris, MI—Island Resort & CasinoMar. 5—Detroit, MI—The FillmoreMar. 19—Huntington, NY—The ParamountMar. 22—Boise, ID—Morrison CenterMar. 23—Eugene, OR—Silva Concert HallMar. 24—Seattle, WA—Paramount TheatreMar. 25—Bellingham, WA—Mount Baker TheatreMar. 26—Spokane, WA—Martin Woldson Theater at the FoxMar. 30—Santa Rosa, CA—Luther Burbank Center for the ArtsMar. 31—Lincoln, CA—The Venue at Thunder Valley CasinoApr. 1—Rancho Mirage, CA—The Show at Agua Caliente CasinoApr. 2—Temecula, CA—Pechanga TheaterApr. 15—Staten Island, NY—St. George TheatreMay 6*—York, PA—Strand TheatreMay 7—Raleigh, NC—Duke Center for the Performing ArtsMay 19—Morristown, NJ—Mayo Performing Arts CenterMay 21—Chester, NY—Sugar Loaf Performing Arts CenterJune 3*—Red Bank, NJ—Hackensack Meridian Health TheatreJune 4—Huntington, NY—The ParamountJune 9 Mashantucket, CT Premier Theater at FoxwoodsJune 10—Boston, MA—The WilburJune 11—Boston, MA—The WilburJune 18—Gary, IN—Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana

*— Two shows

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - As 2022 comes to a close, a popular Charleston-area pizza restaurant shuts down after three decades in business.

A sign on the door of the last-remaining Andolini’s Pizza location on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard in West Ashley read, “With sad hearts, we have closed the last Andolini’s Pizza” and thanked the community for its support over the years.

The official announcement came on the restaurant’s Facebook page Saturday afternoon, almost one month after a post celebrating the restaurant’s 30th anniversary.

“To all our loyal patrons and staff who were part of the journey...thank you from the bottom of all our hearts! We will miss you,” the post states.

While several restaurants in recent months have cited a variety of problems, from a slow economy to supply chain issues to finding workers, co-owner Mindy Odle said there was no specific issue that led to the decision, adding that COVID made it difficult for families to eat inside restaurants.

“Andolini’s was a staple for so many Charleston families and in many cases it began with the original Andolini’s on Wentworth,” Odle said. “It became the favorite pizza place for the College of Charleston.”

One patron responded to the post, saying she had been “a fan (and frequent customer)” since her college days at the College of Charleston and enjoyed introducing her children to “the best pizza on earth.”

Another posted a string of crying emojis with the message, “You had THE BEST PIZZA in Charleston!”

Many of the responses included emojis expressing sadness at the news.

Some former employees also expressed their appreciation to the family that started the business.

At its height, there were five primary locations across the Lowcountry: downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant, James Island, North Charleston and West Ashley.

Its menu included Italian and Greek salads, breadsticks, calzones, and pizza by the slice or pie.

Its Facebook page stated Andolini’s was voted “Best New York Style Pizza” for 28 years.

“We had a good run for 30 years,” Odle said. “We will miss being Charleston’s favorite pizza place for more than 25 years in a row.”

Andolini’s is the latest in a list of longtime Lowcountry restaurants that closed their doors in 2022. Other familiar eateries that bade farewell during the year included The Sunflower Cafe in West Ashley, Nana’s Seafood, Philly’s in Summerville, Caroline’s Aloha Bar and the first location of Ladles Soups in West Ashley.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON, S.C. - A Wisconsin couple is spreading the culinary joys of the Badger State one stick of summer sausage and package of cheese curds at a time.

Casey Diedrich and Taylor Ambrosius opened Wisconsin Meat and Cheese two weeks ago in a city with a legendary food reputation.

What made them think Wisconsin beef sticks and aged cheddar stand a chance of competing with shrimp and grits?

A decade of frustration.

Credit for the store idea goes to Ambrosius’ dad, Steve, who she said lives in Florida half the year.

“He had this idea for the last 10 years because he was never able to find good meat and cheese anywhere in Florida,” she said.

At least not Wisconsin good. Sausages and brats from the likes of Miesfeld’s and Usinger’s. Cheeses from Carr Valley, Henning’s, Marieke Gouda, Renard’s, Sartori, Springside and Widmer’s.

And really, is it the holidays without the joy of Pine River port wine cheese spread on a snowflake shaped Ritz?

I don't think so.

That all-star lineup of meats and cheeses is something Wisconsinites take for granted. Geez, you can find award-winning meats and cheeses at gas stations in America’s Dairyland.

Once you get out of the Midwest, that’s not the case.

And though Steve wanted to open a shop like this in Florida years ago, other business ventures kept him from bringing that to fruition, Taylor said.

When Taylor and Casey moved to Charleston three years ago where she enrolled in law school, they found that like Florida, the meat and cheese selection in South Carolina couldn’t compete with Wisconsin.

Casey and Steve talked about opening the store in Charleston for the last year, got serious about it in May and opened the shop Nov. 22.

Taylor said her dad is familiar with business operations, but Casey runs the show in Charleston. She helps with the marketing.

Wisconsin Meat and Cheese opened with 200 products from Wisconsin.

Casey works with Wisconsin producers to select and arrange the meat and cheese orders. A family member who lives in Wisconsin drives a delivery truck to about 10 different locations to pick up the supplies and drives them to their shop in Charleston.

Some products were chosen because Casey and/or Taylor loved them growing up in Ashwaubenon and Seymour, respectively. Some products were picked after taste-testing samples shipped from Wisconsin suppliers, some cheeses picked because they “sounded delicious” based on descriptions including blueberry cobbler, maple bourbon, and mango fire.

Other Wisconsin products, including authentic Foamation cheeseheads and Racine Danish Kringles, fill the shelves. Casey is working on adding Door County wine to the offerings.

What about Wisconsin’s most famous cheese, the curds? They get vacuumed-sealed versions. Overnight shipping costs for fresh curds cost more than the cheese itself. There’s still some squeak, Taylor said.

You can coax some extra squeak with the microwave trick — zap them for a few seconds.

Taylor said there are more people from Wisconsin living in Charleston than they knew about.

Though folks don’t have to be from Wisconsin to appreciate the state’s most famous food export.

“Every time we tell people we are from Wisconsin, we always get asked about cheese right away,” Taylor said. “Although there are places to buy cheese here, there is nothing like the vision we have for our store.”

That vision includes spreading the flavor of Wisconsin.

“We hope to franchise the store in the future and introduce it into even more states,” Taylor said. “Which is even more exciting because America’s Dairyland can be enjoyed by that many more people around the country.”