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March 7th, 2008 All Articles, Community Info, Things to See and Do Daniel Bates 2 Comments
Filming for “The New Daughter” made for an exciting week in McClellanville for many people last week. I finally got the stars settled in their new homes for the next few months. Filming in the town wrapped up Friday evening with some exterior shots at T.W Grahams and the Arts Council, followed by a party at T.W. Grahams for the cast and crew. Several locals were chosen as extras in the movie and lots of people snuck pictures of Kevin Costner and all the rest of the cast. As different as this all was, there’s always something interesting going on in this little town.
I’m always looking for great local stories and pictures of McClellanville. I can’t be two places at once so there’s usually some interesting event, great sunset, or funny story that I miss. If you ever come across something that you think would benefit the other readers of MyMcClellanville, please feel free to share it with me. If you are planning an upcoming event, send me everything that you want to say about it and I will be happy to help you spread the word. If you just had a great vacation in McClellanville or you want to share your knowledge or 
experience about a local place, person, or thing, your contributions are always welcomed here. I can’t promise I will be able to use everything that is submitted, because there just isn’t enough time in the day to write about all the wonderful things happening in McClellanville.
Send your stories and pictures via email to DanielWBates (at) Yahoo (dot) com. If you don’t have time to write out an email you can call me in the evenings and tell me about it too.
My wife successfully stakes out Kevin Costner and gets her picture taken with him, Cheer Up Kevin!
The New Daughter Movie Update
February 17th, 2008 All Articles, Community Info Daniel Bates No Comments
One unsuspected result of the articles I’ve written about the new Kevin Costner movie to be filmed in and around McClellanville, The New Daughter, is the number of people that have contacted me. Some people are looking for the inside scoop on casting calls while others have offered up their homes and property and even a home-cooked meal in hopes to meet Mr. Costner. I am working with the production company and hope to be wrapping up their housing arrangements this week, which I’m afraid I can’t discuss, but this hasn’t given me any inside information on the details of the filming.
That being said, I will share with you the information I’ve heard around town.
Cindi Hobgood, who is the locations manager for New Daughter LLC, announced at a Town Hall meeting on February 4th that they will be filming in the town of McClellanville on February 26th and 27th. She advised that they plan to “shoot the scenes on Pinckney Street, including some interior and exterior scenes at T.W. Graham and Co. and at the Arts Council building and a driving scene on Pinckney Street”. 
Filming at Graham’s will include a “romantic restaurant scene” between Kevin Costner and his love interest in the film and the Arts Council will be transformed into a police station/jail. During filming there will be intermittent traffic control, but people shouldn’t have to wait more than a few minutes. Hobgood said that both businesses would be paid for their contributions to the film but the town itself was not receiving any money.
I have also heard from numerous sources that a majority of the filming will be done at the Wedge Plantation on the Santee River. The Wedge, which dates back to around 1784, is currently owned by the University of South Carolina, but has recently been leased for hunting. The main plantation home will most likely serve as the home of John James (played by Kevin Costner). The films plot apparently revolves around mysterious burial mounds near the home and it’s effect on James’ daughter.
The only casting information I have seen is on the South Carolina Film Commission Website which simply asks for people to submit their resume and photos. If I learn of any more information I will be sure to post it here.
The Great Backyard Bird Count
February 16th, 2008 All Articles, Community Info Daniel Bates No Comments
I meant to get this out sooner, but there are still several days left for everyone to participate. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an Audubon event that beginner and expert birdwatchers and nature lovers can enjoy. It just takes a minimum of 15 minutes and pen and paper to record your sightings. The information collected helps researchers in their studies of the population and helps them better protect our bird populations. Surprisingly our area has been under reported in past Backyard Bird Counts, so get out there and participate.
To participate simply print out this checklist for birds common to McClellanville, spend at least 15 minutes between February 15th and 18th noting the number and species of birds spotted, and then submit your findings here.
Fact: Almost 30% of US bird species identified as being in need of top-priority conservation attention by Audubon and the American Bird Conservancy spend at least part of their lives in South Carolina. Many of these rely on the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge as their breeding grounds.
PS – Audubon’s Francis Beidler Forest has a great website for nature lovers.
14 Foot Alligator in McClellanville
February 2nd, 2008 All Articles, Community Info Daniel Bates No Comments
Word usually gets around in McClellanville when there is an alligator in Jeremy Creek. In all my time on the water, I’ve never seen one, but I occasionally hear reports of sightings and I’ve seen them in freshwater ponds in the area. They’re usually young gators less than 6 feet in length that don’t stay long in their search for fresher water, so you can imagine my surprise when I saw this 14 foot long alligator just standing there only a few feet from Pinckney Street. 
OK, you got me. This isn’t a real alligator, but one of local artist, Lee Arthur’s, most recent creations. Made entirely out of driftwood the amount of detail that went into the creation of this sculpture is incredible. Every bump and knot in the wood looks just like a real alligator’s skin and the twists in the wood look like an alligator’s bulging arm muscles. 
The alligator can be seen on display at Arthur Studio & Gallery at 851 Pinckney Street. You truly have to see this work of art up close to appreciate the artistry, these pictures do not do it justice. Stop by and take it, or another one of his paintings or sculptures, home with you.
Lee Arthur is one of many local, talented artists that call McClellanville their home and find it to be the perfect inspiration for their work. If you’d like to make McClellanville you’re new home, contact me today.
Charleston County Parks Proposes Purchase of 812 Acres near McClellanville
January 30th, 2008 All Articles, Community Info Daniel Bates No Comments
A recent Post & Courier article about Charleston County Parks and Recreation plans to purchase a large track of land Two Pines Road came to a big surprise to myself and everyone I’ve talked to the past few days, so I’ve done a little more research to fill people in on the facts. 
Two Pines is a small community of a dozen or so homeowners along the Intracoastal Waterway just south of McClellanville and north of Tibwin. The proposed 812 acre tract begins at Highway 17 and continues on both sides of Two Pines Road until it reaches the waterfront residences.
This property was bought from an International Paper affiliate in 2005 by The Nature Conservancy for the sum of $4,469,025. Charleston County Parks has now proposed purchasing the entire tract of land for $3 million from The Nature Conservancy. The purchase would be paid for from the CCP’s $36 million share of the counties proceeds from the 1/2 percent sales tax increase to fund transportation and green space needs. 
I spoke to Senior Design Manager for Charleston County Parks, Julie Hensley, this afternoon to ask her about the development. She couldn’t discuss all the details because the deal is still far from complete, but was able to advise that, if purchased, the land would convey with protective convenances restricting land use and limiting the amount of impermeable surface and structures. She stated that it may not be utilized for five to ten years, but development would probably include hiking trails, boardwalks over wetland areas, picnic tables and shelters and some sort of park center facility for educational purposes.
Hensley also assured me that a buffer would remain between the park and the residents of Two Pines Road and that there would be a public input forum when the time comes to develop the park so that the community can voice their opinion. I spoke to several home and property owners on Two Pines Road and all of them indicated that they were happy with the County’s efforts to preserve the area from further development and provide a natural area for the community to take pride in.
I also spoke with Mike Prevost with The Nature Conservancy who confirmed that Charleston County Parks’ intentions were for the creation of a more passive park that would be fitting with McClellanville’s rural nature. He emphasized the fact that it would be the only park in a rural area east of the Cooper.
McClellanville’s distance from Charleston and the various county decision makers means that we are often the overlooked and underfunded tip of Charleston County. Our incorporation as a Town often gives us a stronger, unified voice, but we still make up a very small portion of the population and county taxes. I’m glad to see that Charleston County Parks recognizes the need to provide services to this region and hope that their future plans will be a benefit to the entire community.
You can see from the map that this tract is almost the size of the incorporated Town of McClellanville. Acreage like this in the hands of a developer could changed the face of McClellanville. If nothing else, the citizens of McClellanville should be happy that yet another large track of protected land will continue to act as a buffer against development in the area.
Bud Hill: a McClellanville Hero
January 26th, 2008 All Articles, Community Info Daniel Bates No Comments
Whether you live in McClellanville or have just driven through it once, you have seen the work of Bud Hill. Evidence is all around if you know where to look, but he rarely takes credit for any of it. As director of the Village Museum since it’s formation in 1999, Selden “Bud” Hill has his hands quite full, but he always has time for the community that he cares so much about.
At the Village Museum’s last Annual Oyster Roast in November, Bud was finally recognized for all his hard work in the community by being awarded the Order of the Silver Crescent. This is the highest civilian honor awarded by South Carolina’s Governor’s Office for local community service. The Order of the Palmetto is awarded for community service at the statewide level.
The plaque reads “In recognition of the dedication, commitment and leadership for the benefit of South Carolina and her citizens…”.
I asked Bud what he considered to be his greatest community service, and without pause he emphatically claimed the Village Museum as his proudest accomplishment ever in his life. He said, “the events I plan give me great pleasure, but they are fleeting. The Museum is something that will outlive me and can be passed down from generation to generation.” The cold cinderblock walls have been warmed with the history of our ancestors and exhibits that show off the past lives of McClellanville. It’s these future generations that Bud devotes much of his time to, giving museum and walking tours and visiting local schools to talk about the history of the area and instilling them with a sense of heritage.
As director of one of the finest small town museums in the state, Bud isn’t just in charge of the exhibits inside the Village Museum, but also for it’s advertising, marketing, budgeting, programming, event planning, fundraising, and anything else you can think of! Bud will gladly tell you that none of it would be possible without the generous donations from the community and museum members (which he has grown to over 750 families), but it never would have reached the level that it has without Bud’s leadership.
Bud does much more than run the Village Museum though. Almost every local event that goes on passes across his desk. He is always willing to help other’s celebrate their latest achievement with events like book signings, art shows, and concerts. When someone comes up with a good idea, Bud helps them see it to fruition and then gives them all the credit. He’s also been there in times of celebration, sadness, and respect to organize events such as the Veterans Day ceremony and Fourth of July celebrations.
I recently spent an afternoon at the Village Museum in the “Family History Room” upstairs combing through the newspaper articles collected about McClellanville going back to the early 1800’s, and Bud was there to help me and expound on each story I read. He has a wealth of knowledge about the area and it’s people, and more importantly, doesn’t mind sharing his knowledge with others.
His genealogy work on the families of McClellanville is vast and growing by the day. As people come to learn more about their families, they share things that are missing and fill in the blanks. Bud is registered with the South Carolina Archives and is always willing to assist people in search of their own family tree.
My fondest memory of Bud goes back to my early teenage years when he had just returned to McClellanville. T.W. Graham’s had just gotten a few pool tables, but I didn’t have a clue how to play. Bud taught me the principles of the game and a few tricks of the trade. He didn’t just tell me how to do it, he took the time to show me until he knew that I got it.
I doubt that this is the “dedication, commitment and leadership” that he was recognized for when awarded by the governor (because I never did become a leader in the pool halls), but it goes to show his character. Bud cares about the Village, it’s history, it’s homes, it’s people, and it’s future. He simply wants to make McClellanville the best that it can be; nothing more, nothing less.
South Carolina History Lesson:
Name the two symbols featured on South Carolina’s state flag?
If you said a palmetto tree and a crescent moon, you were wrong! The crescent shape on South Carolina’s flag does not represent a moon, but is probably a gorget, or neck guard. The other item is indeed a palmetto tree and was added to the flag after it’s logs were used in the construction of Fort Moultrie’s walls and successfully absorbed the British cannon balls.
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“The New Daughter” Comes to McClellanville
January 17th, 2008 All Articles, Community Info Daniel Bates No Comments
I can now confirm my earlier post about the filming of the new Kevin Costner movie, The New Daughter, here in McClellanville. Film crews are already in the area and filming is slated to begin February 18th. I have been working with the films housing manager to help them find suitable McClellanville Rentals for all the cast and crew.
The New Daughter is a horror/thriller movie, in which Kevin Costner plays a single father who’s daughter starts acting strangely after moving to a new house in the country that happens to have burial mounds on the property. Ivano Baquero, who starred as the young girl in Pan’s Labrinth, will be playing the role of the daughter. Costner has starred in (and often directed and produced as well) more hollywood blockbusters than you can shake a stick at including Field of Dreams, Dances with Wolves, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Waterworld, Wyatt Earp, Tin Cup, 3000 Miles to Graceland, and The Guardian to name a few.
What do you think of the idea of McClellanville as a backdrop for a horror movie? Leave a Comment
Update: New Daughter Movie Update
Recycling Pickup in McClellanville
January 16th, 2008 All Articles, Community Info Daniel Bates No Comments
A few months ago I wrote an article about adding recycling pickup to the regular trash pick up in McClellanville. I also put up a few petitions around town asking for signatures from town residents that would be willing to pay an additional $25 a year to pay for the service. I received almost 50 signatures, but I know that there are more of you out there. I will be presenting the idea and the petitions at the next Town Council meeting on February 4th at 7p.m. If you feel as strongly as I do about making it easier for everyone to reduce waste and save the planet, than please join me at McClellanville Town Hall and voice your opinion to our council members. I believe that the current garbage man, Barron Duke, will be present and can field any questions that people have for him. It usually takes several meetings for town council to get something approved and the new years budget starts in June, so we need to hurry on this to get in in the new budget. Please come out to Town Hall Meeting and show your support.
McClellanville Goes Hollywood…Again?
January 9th, 2008 All Articles, Community Info Daniel Bates 1 Comment
The Post and Courier reported today that McClellanville may be the new site for the filming of a horror movie called “The New Daughter” starring Kevin Costner. The article reports that McClellanville and Edisto Island are two possible locations for the filming and that a production studio has made it’s home in Charleston. The film is based on a story by John Connolly which takes place in rural Illinois. This leads one to wonder what McClellanville and Illinois share visually, but I guess thats where they say a film is “loosely” based on a novel.
Of course this isn’t the first time McClellanville has attracted the attention of Hollywood. Much of the movie Paradise, starring the then-married Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith and a young Elijah Wood, was filmed in McClellanville in 1991. I remember it well because we got to get out of school to go watch them film and then we played football with Elijah Wood who was our age. You can recognize T.W. Graham’s restaurant in the scene near the beginning when Elijah arrives in town on bus. As I recall the name and appearance of the restaurant were changed and there was a large fake red building facade that was built next to it as part of the scene. My memory is a little fuzzy due to the fact that I was only 11.
A few scenes from Forest Gump were also filmed in McClellanville a few years later in 1994. When Forrest (Tom Hanks) jumps off his shrimp boat to go see Lieutenant Dan (Gary Sinise) was filmed on the Intracoastal Waterway and the footage of the shrimp boat fleet after the storm was news footage taken after Hurricane Hugo.
(Copyright © 1994 Paramount Pictures - All rights reserved.)
There have also been quite a few articles written about McClellanville published in various national and local magazines and publications over the past few years if you’d like to read some unbiased reviews of the area.
UPDATE: The New Daughter will indeed be filmed in McClellanville.
UPDATE: New Daughter Movie Update
McClellanville Hires New Deputy Town Marshal and I Get to Retire
December 9th, 2007 All Articles, Community Info Daniel Bates 1 Comment
Some of you may be aware that I was the Deputy Town Marshal for McClellanville. I was deputized shortly after moving back here after being a police officer in Rock Hill for 4 years, because I was the most experiences person for the job. After over a year of faithful service I decided that I didn’t have the time to devote to the job that it required and asked the Town to find a replacement. This week I handed over this position to Barron Duke, who many of you may already know as the man who picks up the trash.
Larry McClellan remains McClellanville’s Town Marshal, the Deputy position falls under him and performs the duty of enforcing the parking around town and launching (with a launch permit) at the boating landing. There is also the occasional wild animal call or barking dog problem. Compared to my previous law enforcement duties the job was pretty simple.
What is a Town Marshal?
This is not the same as the U.S. Marshal (like the Tommy Lee Jones movie) that are in charge of escorting and capturing federal prisoners. The Town Marshal position isn’t very common, because most larger towns have their own police department and unincorporated areas and smaller towns fall under the a particular counties Sheriff’s Office, as does McClellanville. However, McClellanville is at the edge of Charleston County and in all my years growing up here I probably saw 3 Sheriff’s Deputies on routine patrol. You’ll see them quite regularly now, but I think the town has held onto the Marshal position in an effort to relieve the Sheriff’s Office of some of the more mundane work and as a service to the town members. People don’t like the image given off by a police car in their front yard when they have a little problem with a neighbors barking dog and also don’t feel comfortable discussing their problems with a stranger. The Town Marshal often acts as a more comfortable (no badge, no uniform, no cruiser) and usually familiar, third-party, mediator when problems occur between neighbors.
I personally think the position is a little confusing, because the general public doesn’t know the difference between a violation of a town ordinance and state law. I think some guidance from the town is necessary to clear up this ambiguity, but I will tell you that if you are in doubt than you should call the Sheriff’s Office or dial 911 if it is an emergency. The Town Marshal does not go around locking people up. He usually doesn’t investigate drug cases, assaults, or stolen property… luckily we don’t have too much of this stuff to worry about anyway. The Marshals position is strictly limited to the enforcement of town ordinances. These things include such incidences as vicious animals, nuisances (including barking dogs), parking violations, etc.
On a personal note, I’ve met several of the Charleston County Sheriffs Deputies that patrol these parts and trained with several of the ones that work in other parts of the county and find them to be professional, courteous, and caring about the needs of the area. If you should ever need their services, don’t hesitate to call (the non-emergency line is 843–202–1700) and ask for a Deputy to come speak with you.
