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Four Wando Students, and 11 other adult riders, made the 13 mile trip from the BI-LO at Shelmore Blvd. to Wando High School through Mt. Pleasant’s traffic snarl, reaching the community’s High School before the first bell and twenty minutes ahead of the School Bus making the same trip this morning See the Youtube video documenting the ride. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8cAaN8Td_c  Image, Right, Trek Bikes of Mt. Pleasant helped tune up the riders bikes the evening before the ride.
Sixteen Riders, including six candidates for Mt. Pleasant Town Council in the Nov. 3rd. election left Bodacious Bagels at 7:08 this morning on their way to Wando High School. Despite misty conditions they made good progress, marked by their flashing safety lights, orange vests and colorful helmets. They had the close support of the Mt. Pleasant Police Department and received mostly good wishes from the drivers along the road. The Student Riders were my son Jackson Hamilton, Mazie Cash, Easton Owens and a reporter from the Tribal Tribune, the Wando High School Student Newspaper. Candidates for Mount Pleasant Town Council who rode were -- George Freeman, David Kent, Howard Chalmers, Phyllis Sheffer, Paiam Etminan and Kenny Oubre.  Image, Left- The Start of the Run.
It was nearly dark when the ride began with final instructions in the Parking Lot Pavilion outside BI-LO. A plan to use the new, as yet unopened section of Hungryneck Blvd. was abandoned when a final police check showed gates still in place which might not be opened in time. Despite rigorous safety measures by the group of experienced riders, one adult rider, a candidate for town council, had a car pull out in front of him while peddling up the sidewalk along Highway 17 between Venning Road and Town Center. He locked his breaks and swerved to avoid the car, hitting a light pole with his helmet. The Fire Department and Police were on the scene immediately. He was transported to the ER and released later that morning with expectations of a full, quick recovery. Another candidate for Town Council riding and another adult rider stayed behind go give assistance. The ride support vehicle picked up the bicycle and personal gear of the rider and then caught up with the cycle group again as the crossed the road to the East Cooper Airport on their way to Wando High School. Thirteen Riders arrived at the High School Shortly after 8 am. They shared their observations about the ride with a reporter from the Wando High School Student Newswpaper, the Tribal Tribune and David Quick, a reporter from the Post and Courier who made the ride as part of the group. The finishing riders gathered at the flag pole in front of the school near a prayer group, for a group picture and to give media interviews before the students headed in for a day of school. Several riders headed back to Mt. Pleasant by bike. All the riders who made it to Wando agreed cycling to the Town’s High School, even from the far side of town was a practical possibility, but major improvements in cycle friendly infrastructure and driver awareness would be needed to make it safe as a regular practice. One student walked into the High School wearing his orange safety vest and cycling helmet. Blue bins to expand recycling efforts at the school were also delivered as part of this morning’s effort. DETAILS IN THE EXTENDED TEXT BELOW
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A small fragment of the Wando riverfront forest survives at Etiwan point.
Trivia or Treat on the Hamilton Porch was held for the third year running this Halloween with better response than in any previous year.
We started with a lot of candy, bags and bags of it. We want to be sure the kids can keep their chocolate buzz humming until Santa starts handing out candy canes at Towne Center Mall, which I sincerely hope isn't next week.
This year, to up the game, we backed the big pile of mini bars up with two sleeves of Gormet Chocolates from the new shop on I'On Square, 1200 feet from our home, American made by the neighborhood's French Choclatier. See image at right. To top that, there was a thirty dollar hollow chocolate pumpkin, airbrushed to a jolly golden orange, stuffed with gormet chocolates from the same shop, a striking work of candy art. It gave everyone something to strive for.
Updated, June 17- On Saturday, June 27th, President Obama is inviting you to use a swing blade to suture up some of the divisions which make South Carolina sicker and weaker than it should be.
Image, Left, Google Earch View of Phillips Community.Image, Right, Creek along W. Side of Phillips. 
My Porches to Sidewalks Column in this week's Moultrie News is about the two years I spent in private East Cooper School, which is having it's reunion this weekend.
This week in my Porches to Sidewalks Column in the Moultrie News I ask my readers to give me advice on running for Mt. Pleasant Mayor or Town Council in the upcoming November elections. 
