Commercial Roof Repair in Knightsville, SC

It’s the end of an era for roller skaters. Music in Motion Family Fun Center roller rink in Summerville shut its doors for good Sunday night. A rink employee confirmed Monday that the skating facility has permanently closed.

Last Thursday, at the rink’s final adult night, skaters zipped along, displaying skills that spanned from spinning and dancing on wheels backwards to apprehensive first-timers feeling it out. A disco ball spun along with the tunes that weren’t necessarily child-appropriate.

As word spread the rink would close permanently, skaters unabashedly filmed one another to document their joy and camaraderie as they zoomed around in circles grooving to the beat.

The closing of Music in Motion is a major cultural loss for the area, many say, especially since the only other rinks in the area, Hot Wheels Skate Center and Stardust Skate Center, closed in 2014.

Summerville native Demont Teneil said he has skated at Music in Motion for 14 years. For him, roller skating is therapy to help navigate career and relationships changes.

“I needed something that no one could take from me — and it was skating,” Teneil said. “It’s been my outlet. I just kept going and just kept trying new tricks and it rolled me out of depression.”

Teneil said he heard from his fellow skaters that Music in Motion, which opened in 2001, would not be a roller rink much longer.

“I’m sad that it’s been sold but it will definitely still always be a part of me, because I’ve learned so many of my tricks at the skating rink,” Teneil said. He plans to start traveling to Savannah, Ga., and Columbia to rink skate, and will hit the outdoor skate areas, such The Bridge Spot off of Poinsett Street in downtown Charleston.

The dynamic of teaching and learning is a big part of the roller skating experience at Music in Motion, others said.

“Everybody’s really nice and supportive,” said Nick Velez, who’s been skating regularly at Music in Motion since February. He has roller skated for about 16 years and used to be an instructor in Southern California before he moved to Goose Creek.

“Everybody’s really cool and down to help out,” he said. “If you’re struggling, don’t fear. They’ll help you up. If you have any questions, if you want to learn something, they’re more than happy to show you how to do it. If you’re trying to pop off and be yourself, they’re all about it.”

Shmeika Hall from Goose Creek said she worked at Music in Motion for almost a year before she left her position as a rink floor guard last June.

“Working here was important to me because I was able to teach people how to skate,” she said. “I was able to interact and make skating friends. When I first started skating here, maybe five years ago, it was a very small crowd of adults, but over time it has grown. [The rink] was like a safe place for adults to come and have fun, and I don’t know how we’re going to do that now.”

A few months ago, Auburn Fiore, who lives in Knightsville, visited Music in Motion for the first time in 10 years. As a child, she said she visited frequently.

“When I came here for adult skate night, I realized how joyous and amazing the community is here,” Fiore said. “While we’re here, we’re all one big community that loves to come together, dance and have a great time. I’m definitely scared of losing a place for us all to gather and bond over roller skating.”

Roller skating is just as much about congregating as a group as it is the privilege to have a space to skate, she said. Outdoor roller skating isn’t an ideal option for beginner skaters, she added, because of uneven concrete, blistering heat and rules that prohibit skating at sports courts around the area.

“It’s definitely devastating,” Fiore said. “Now all the people that have bonded over this super-interesting talent and hobby, there’s nowhere for us to congregate.”

While the future of roller skating in the area is unclear, one option exists for women skaters: Lowcountry Highrollers Derby, a local women’s roller derby team. It’s offering a meet-and-greet Thursday.

Highrollers president Traci Doutaz of Ladson remembers going to Music in Motion often between 2015 and 2017 after Hot Wheels Skate Center closed.

“For beginners, it’s super important to have a roller rink to learn not only because the floor is amazing, but [it] also has skates to borrow,” she said. “Roller skating is not the easiest hobby to just pick up and not having a local roller rink and its community just takes that option away for a lot of people.”

Doutaz joined Highrollers in 2010, and she said it was popular up until about 2015 when the group lost its bouting venue at The Citadel. Then Covid-19 hit and roller skating blew up, Doutaz said, so there was renewed interest in Highrollers. After more than a year of searching, North Charleston Coliseum offered the group a space to practice and hold bouts currently. The closest roller derby club for men is in Columbia, she said.

Doutaz has been roller skating for almost 30 years. She worked her first job as a carhop on skates at a Sonic in Kentucky.

“Emotionally it’s my escape,” she said. “It’s how I deal with things. It’s my happy place. I’m more comfortable with wheels on my feet than anything else.”

The Highrollers group offers a haven for women skaters who need to be shown the ropes.

“We will teach you everything: how to skate and how to fall,” Doutaz said. “You can show up even if you have never put skates on before.”

Lowcountry Highrollers Derby is hosting a meet-and-greet 6-9 p.m. Aug. 25 at Rusty Bull in North Charleston.

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SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – It was 1973 when Shirley McGreal, then living in Southeast Asia, saw beady bright eyes staring back at her from between the slats of a wooden crate.

The eyes belonged to a gibbon — a primate native to the region — who had fallen victim to the dangerous world of the pet trade, where gibbons were being sold into homes, zoos, or labs, only to later be discarded.

In 1977, McGreal created the International Primate Protection League (IPPL) in Summerville as a gibbon sanctuary. The now 47-acre property remains nestled in a quiet area of the Lowcountry that is illuminated by the sounds of the primates singing to one another.

Meg McCue-Jones, the Compliance and Outreach Manager, explained that the land was a sod farm in the late 70s and started taking in the gibbons that needed help soon after.

One of the sanctuary’s residents, Gibby, is one of the oldest known living gibbons at over 60 years old.

Like most of the gibbons at the sanctuary, his life started off rough.

McCue-Jones said that Gibby was wild caught, and “with every gibbon wild caught, they shoot mom out of the tree, hoping baby falls, and then they take the baby.”

He was first sold into the pet trade in by a Bangkok dealer, but that was just the beginning. Gibby went to labs at Hofstra University and the State University at Stony Brook.

Researchers embedded electrodes in his skin as part of a locomotion project.

The electrodes and thin wires were inserted into his muscles and connected him to a suit that would measure his muscle movements. McCue-Jones explained that this was obviously not an ideal situation on any aspect, whether it be a human or animal.

At 44, Gibby made it to his first sanctuary, but the conditions were hard on his body. In March of 2007, just four years after his arrival, the IPPL reached out to the sanctuary to relocate not only Gibby, but several other gibbons.

For Gibby, like the other 29 at the sanctuary, Summerville is his last stop. McCue-Jones says that the sanctuary is their forever home.

But with the pandemic, their home has become more difficult to manage.

With fear of COVID-19 spreading to the primates, volunteers were no longer allowed to assist with the many daily tasks necessary to keep the place running.

From hosing the outsides of the enclosures, to raking, food prep, and even assistance inside the office—the staff was left with mounting responsibilities.

The economic impacts of the pandemic left donors and community partners reeling financially, but the bills at the sanctuary remained steady.

As a non-federally funded organization, the IPPL relies heavily on donations to meet the needs of the animals.

Stacy Lambert, a Senior Animal Care Giver, said that since a lot of their population has started to reach geriatric ages, their vet bills are getting bigger as they are having more interventions and medications, different procedures, and checkup appointments with Dr. John Ohlandt.

While expensive, their system of care has proven to work.

Lambert says that in the wild, gibbons usually live about 30-35 years. However, in captivity, gibbons living into their 40s is normal. However, the IPPL has quite a few gibbons that are up in their 40s and 50s while, of course, Gibby is 62.

Although the interventions from the IPPL show the ability of the sanctuary, McCue-Jones said all those at the IPPL ultimately wish there was not a need for them at all, and that the gibbons could live freely in the wild.

McCue-Jones said, “as Shirley has spoken of before, if you really think about it, do humans need sanctuaries, should we have them? Should we be treating the animals this way?”

To send the Gibbons a care package full of nuts, click here.

To donate to the IPPL’s missions and day-to-day operations, click here.

To send specified items needed by the IPPL via Amazon, click here.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENTSPOTTER REPORTSNATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC708 PM EDT THU JUN 13 2019...HEAVY RAINS FALL ACROSS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA... THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN BY VARIOUS QUALITYCONTROLLED OBSERVATIONS SYSTEMS FROM ACROSS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINAAND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. RAINFALL REPORTS ARE FROM JUNE 10 THROUGH 7 AM ON THE 13TH.********************STORM TOTAL RAINFALL********************LOCATION          STORM TOTAL     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS                                        RAINFALL           OF                      /INCHES/   MEASUREMENTGEORGIA...BRYAN COUNTY...   1 NNE RICHMOND HILL   4.25   510 PM  6/13  GA-BR-2: 3-DAY TOTAL.      2 NW BELFAST          2.18   527 PM  6/13  GA-BR-9: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...BULLOCH COUNTY...   4 S GEORGIA SOUTHERN  4.02   511 PM  6/13  GA-BU-15: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NW STATESBORO       1.99   638 PM  6/13  GAEMN MESONET                    4 N STATESBORO        1.51   611 PM  6/13  GA-BU-13: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...CANDLER COUNTY...   7 N METTER            1.44   612 PM  6/13  GA-CD-2: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...CHATHAM COUNTY...   5 S POOLER            8.85   501 PM  6/13  GA-CT-77: 3-DAY TOTAL.     KSAV SAVANNAH AIRPORT 6.89   628 PM  6/13  KSAV: 3-DAY TOTAL.         2 NW BURROUGHS        6.35   639 PM  6/13  GAEMN MESONET                    2 NE GARDEN CITY      5.85   505 PM  6/13  GA-CT-28: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 SW GARDEN CITY      5.41   506 PM  6/13  GA-CT-83: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 NW POOLER           4.55   508 PM  6/13  GA-CT-1: 3-DAY TOTAL.      7 SSW SKIDAWAY ISLAN  3.91   634 PM  6/13  GAEMN MESONET                    6 SSE MELDRIM         3.87   512 PM  6/13  GA-CT-67: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 N ISLE OF HOPE      3.46   513 PM  6/13  GA-CT-57: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 W SANDFLY           3.20   514 PM  6/13  GA-CT-74: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 W SKIDAWAY ISLAND   2.79   516 PM  6/13  GA-CT-75: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 SW VERNONBURG       2.72   521 PM  6/13  GA-CT-36: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 WSW WINDSOR FOREST  2.46   522 PM  6/13  GA-CT-3: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 WNW WHITE BLUFF     2.42   522 PM  6/13  GA-CT-60: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNW WHITE BLUFF     2.37   523 PM  6/13  GA-CT-55: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 NE SKIDAWAY ISLAND  2.29   636 PM  6/13  GAEMN MESONET                    1 E WILMINGTON ISLAN  2.24   526 PM  6/13  GA-CT-80: 3-DAY TOTAL.     SAVANNAH              2.24   525 PM  6/13  GA-CT-79: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 N TYBEE ISLAND      2.12   528 PM  6/13  GA-CT-37: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 ENE WILMINGTON ISL  2.03   607 PM  6/13  GA-CT-64: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...EFFINGHAM COUNTY...   1 SW STILLWELL        6.35   503 PM  6/13  GA-EF-17: 3-DAY TOTAL.     MARLOW                5.87   504 PM  6/13  GA-EF-13: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 WSW EBENEZER        4.78   507 PM  6/13  GA-EF-18: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...EVANS COUNTY...   3 N BELLVILLE         1.59   609 PM  6/13  GA-EV-1: 3-DAY TOTAL    ...LIBERTY COUNTY...   4 ENE MIDWAY          2.79   517 PM  6/13  GA-LB-6: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 N HINESVILLE        1.89   608 PM  6/13  GA-LB-11: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 E HALFMOON LANDING  1.56   610 PM  6/13  GA-LB-10: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 ENE MIDWAY          1.35   614 PM  6/13  GA-LB-4: 3-DAY TOTAL    ...MCINTOSH COUNTY...   2 NNE PINE HARBOR     1.43   613 PM  6/13  GA-MI-5: 3-DAY TOTAL.      3 NNE SHELLMAN BLUFF  1.24   615 PM  6/13  GA-MI-1: 3-DAY TOTAL.      SAPELO ISLAND         1.10   617 PM  6/13  GA-MI-6: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 S CARNIGAN          1.06   622 PM  6/13  GA-MI-3: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...SCREVEN COUNTY...   1 S NEWINGTON         2.85   515 PM  6/13  GA-SV-5: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 W SYLVANIA          1.47   624 PM  6/13  GA-SV-3: 3-DAY TOTAL.   SOUTH CAROLINA...ALLENDALE COUNTY...   2 SE ALLENDALE        0.44   457 PM  6/13  SC-AL-2: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...BEAUFORT COUNTY...   3 ENE BLUFFTON       11.07   306 PM  6/13  SC-BF-22: 3-DAY TOTAL.    1 N BLUFFTON          9.53   704 PM  6/13  SC-BF-74: 2-DAY TOTAL.     2 W PRITCHARDVILLE    9.20   705 PM  6/13  SC-BF-85: 2-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNE HILTON HEAD IS  8.80   309 PM  6/13  SC-BF-2: 3-DAY TOTAL.      2 NNW PRITCHARDVILLE  8.20   310 PM  6/13  SC-BF-86: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 NNE BLUFFTON        8.09   311 PM  6/13  SC-BF-4: 3-DAY TOTAL.      2 SSW PRITCHARDVILLE  7.25   313 PM  6/13  SC-BF-50: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 N PRITCHARDVILLE    7.09   315 PM  6/13  SC-BF-10: 3-DAY TOTAL      6 E JASPER            6.58   316 PM  6/13  SC-BF-32: 3-DAY TOTAL.     6 ENE JASPER          6.20   321 PM  6/13  SC-BF-36: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 WNW PARRIS ISLAND   5.88   323 PM  6/13  SC-BF-53: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNW FOLLY FIELD     5.26   332 PM  6/13  SC-BF-66: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 ENE HILTON HEAD IS  5.01   336 PM  6/13  SC-BF-59: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 NNW PORT ROYAL      4.49   347 PM  6/13  SC-BF-80: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 ESE BEAUFORT        4.43   352 PM  6/13  SC-BF-68: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNE BEAUFORT        4.40   355 PM  6/13  SC-BF-35: 3-DAY TOTAL.     5 NE BEAUFORT         3.42   410 PM  6/13  SC-BF-37: 3-DAY TOTAL.     7 NNW TYBEE ISLAND    3.39   410 PM  6/13  SC-BF-23: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...BERKELEY COUNTY...   7 NNE GOOSE CREEK     5.11   332 PM  6/13  SC-BK-55: 3-DAY TOTAL.     SANGAREE              4.18   357 PM  6/13  SC-BK-68: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SE COLLEGE PARK     2.93   421 PM  6/13  SC-BK-17: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNW GOOSE CREEK     2.90   422 PM  6/13  SC-BK-65: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 ESE COLLEGE PARK    2.71   425 PM  6/13  SC-BK-71: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 NE GOOSE CREEK      2.65   427 PM  6/13  SC-BK-57: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 S DANIEL ISLAND     2.37   434 PM  6/13  SC-BK-48: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SSW DANIEL ISLAND   2.28   437 PM  6/13  SC-BK-61: 3-DAY TOTAL.     SAINT STEPHEN         1.61   446 PM  6/13  SC-BK-59: 3-DAY TOTAL.     6 WNW SAINT STEPHEN   1.17   450 PM  6/13  SC-BK-29: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...CHARLESTON COUNTY...   3 SW EDISTO ISLAND    7.11   314 PM  6/13  SC-CR-153: 3-DAY TOTAL     3 S SHADOWMOSS        6.29   318 PM  6/13  SC-CR-97: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SW SHADOWMOSS       5.92   322 PM  6/13  SC-CR-151: 3-DAY TOTAL.    5 E BENNETTS POINT    5.74   325 PM  6/13  SC-CR-155: 3-DAY TOTAL     5 SSE CAINHOY         5.46   325 PM  6/13  SC-CR-26: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 ESE EDISTO ISLAND   5.35   326 PM  6/13  SC-CR-115: 3-DAY TOTAL.    2 NNW NORTH CHARLEST  5.34   328 PM  6/13  SC-CR-57: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 N ROCKVILLE         5.29   329 PM  6/13  SC-CR-98: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 SSW SHADOWMOSS      5.00   337 PM  6/13  SC-CR-6: 3-DAY TOTAL.      3 SE CAINHOY          4.72   338 PM  6/13  SC-CR-112: 3-DAY TOTAL.    MCCLELLANVILLE        4.70   341 PM  6/13  SC-CR-33: 3-DAY TOTAL      3 SE HANAHAN          4.66   341 PM  6/13  SC-CR-78: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 SW SHADOWMOSS       4.60   343 PM  6/13  SC-CR-173: 3-DAY TOTAL.    1 SSE CAINHOY         4.57   345 PM  6/13  SC-CR-106: 3-DAY TOTAL.    4 SSE CAINHOY         4.46   349 PM  6/13  SC-CR-158: 3-DAY TOTAL.    2 N NORTH CHARLESTON  4.42   353 PM  6/13  SC-CR-171: 3-DAY TOTAL.    5 ESE CAINHOY         4.41   354 PM  6/13  SC-CR-146: 3-DAY TOTAL.    KCXM: DTWN CHARLESTON 4.22   627 PM  6/13  KCXM: 3-DAY TOTAL.         2 N MOUNT PLEASANT    4.09   359 PM  6/13  SC-CR-148: 3-DAY TOTAL.    4 E JOHNS ISLAND      4.08   401 PM  6/13  SC-CR-74: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 SSW JAMES ISLAND    3.99   402 PM  6/13  SC-CR-60: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 NNW MOUNT PLEASANT  3.82   405 PM  6/13  SC-CR-10: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 SE DANIEL ISLAND    3.77   407 PM  6/13  SC-CR-144: 3-DAY TOTAL.    1 ESE CHARLESTON AIR  3.53   407 PM  6/13  SC-CR-49: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 S CAINHOY           3.50   409 PM  6/13  SC-CR-113: 3-DAY TOTAL.    1 ESE KIAWAH ISLAND   3.36   411 PM  6/13  SC-CR-154: 3-DAY TOTAL.    2 NW LADSON           3.31   413 PM  6/13  SC-CR-149: 3-DAY TOTAL.    1 SW JAMES ISLAND     3.15   416 PM  6/13  SC-CR-141: 3-DAY TOTAL.    3 WSW JAMES ISLAND    2.77   423 PM  6/13  SC-CR-175: 3-DAY TOTAL.    3 SSE WEST ASHLEY     2.72   424 PM  6/13  SC-CR-88: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 NE MOUNT PLEASANT   2.57   429 PM  6/13  SC-CR-4: 3-DAY TOTAL.      2 SW GOOSE CREEK      2.57   430 PM  6/13  SC-CR-30: 3-DAY TOTAL.     KCHS: CHARLESTON APRT 2.57   627 PM  6/13  KCHS: 3-DAY TOTAL.         2 SSW NORTH CHARLEST  2.48   432 PM  6/13  SC-CR-87: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 ENE MOUNT PLEASANT  2.47   433 PM  6/13  SC-CR-77: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 NE JAMES ISLAND     2.33   435 PM  6/13  SC-CR-96: 3-DAY TOTAL.     5 ENE SULLIVANS ISLA  1.44   448 PM  6/13  SC-CR-166: 3-DAY TOTAL. ...COLLETON COUNTY...   1 SSE GREEN POND      6.25   320 PM  6/13  SC-CL-4: 3-DAY TOTAL.      3 SSW ROUND O         4.53   346 PM  6/13  SC-CL-16: 3-DAY TOTAL.     3 NNW COTTAGEVILLE    3.06   417 PM  6/13  SC-CL-17: 3-DAY TOTAL.     CANADYS               2.65   428 PM  6/13  SC-CL-6: 3-DAY TOTAL.      3 NNW WALTERBORO      2.27   439 PM  6/13  SC-CL-3: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 NW ASHTON           2.26   439 PM  6/13  SC-CL-9: 3-DAY TOTAL.      2 W ISLANDTON         2.09   443 PM  6/13  SC-CL-20: 3-DAY TOTAL.     SMOAKS                1.46   447 PM  6/13  SC-CL-5: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...DORCHESTER COUNTY...   4 WNW CHARLESTON AIR  3.22   415 PM  6/13  SC-DC-57: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SSW SUMMERVILLE     2.96   420 PM  6/13  SC-DC-36: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SE KNIGHTSVILLE     2.96   420 PM  6/13  SC-DC-62: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 S RIDGEVILLE        1.99   445 PM  6/13  SC-DC-66: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 SSE REEVESVILLE     0.87   454 PM  6/13  SC-DC-18: 3-DAY TOTAL.  ...HAMPTON COUNTY...   2 W HAMPTON           2.51   430 PM  6/13  SC-HM-21: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SSE HAMPTON         2.45   434 PM  6/13  SC-HM-7: 3-DAY TOTAL.      3 WNW CROCKETVILLE    2.33   436 PM  6/13  SC-HM-16: 3-DAY TOTAL.     1 SE HAMPTON          2.20   441 PM  6/13  SC-HM-15: 3-DAY TOTAL.     2 SSW BRUNSON         1.45   449 PM  6/13  SC-HM-2: 3-DAY TOTAL.   ...JASPER COUNTY...   2 S JASPER            5.80   324 PM  6/13  SC-JS-9: 3-DAY TOTAL.      1 SSE OLD HOUSE       5.07   334 PM  6/13  SC-JS-3: 3-DAY REPORT.

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.

Here is a scenario: You are in pain from swelling in your jaw, mouth, or face. You call your dentist, but it’s the weekend. What do you do?

You head to the Solomon Family Dentistry office in Sangaree or Mt. Pleasant, where an oral surgeon awaits, even on Saturday and Sunday. And don’t worry about how you will pay because Solomon Family Dentistry accepts more than 300 insurance plans, including yours.

"If you have pain, we’ll see you the same day – even if you’re not an existing customer," says Dr. Jason Solomon, the son of the founder, Dr. Fred Solomon, and now a partner in the practice.

Your dentist doesn’t offer that service. In fact, no dentist in the Lowcountry offers that service.

Even if you don’t need an oral surgeon, Solomon is the most accessible dental practice in the area. Their six offices are all open Monday through Saturday and each one accepts walk-ins. Because they accept basically every insurance you could have, they’re in-network for you (even if you are a walk-in).

Indeed, there are only six days every year – the major holidays – when Solomon Family Dentistry does not have an office open. During the other 359 days (360 on a leap year), patients are encouraged to come on in!

Oral surgery isn’t the only specialty Solomon offers. Pediatric dentists practice next door to their Carnes Crossing and Knightsville locations six days a week, so you can bring your kids in for a checkup while you have yours next door. The pediatric dentists offer nitrous oxide and IV sedation to comfort children who are apprehensive by injections.

What do patients think about Solomon Family Dentistry’s amazing availability and affordability? For the fifth straight year, Solomon has been named a Charleston Choice winner for Best General Dentistry in the Lowcountry by the readers of The Post and Courier. In addition, for the straight second year, Solomon Kids Pediatric Dentistry has won the award for Best Pediatric Dentist.

It turns out that when you provide quality treatment to people with an affordable price and flexible hours, they like it!

Besides the 300+ insurance plans accepted by Solomon, they also offer a membership plan for those without insurance called Solomon Savers. For a small monthly fee, patients under the Solomon Savers program receive two free cleanings and exams, including x-rays, at no extra charge. Solomon accepts Medicaid and CHIP for families that can’t afford to pay.

Solomon Family Dentistry also employs cutting-edge technology, offering same-day crowns, root canals, and extractions. With crowns, there’s no need to walk around with a temporary crown for a couple of weeks before returning for a permanent crown.

"We feel like everybody should be offered quality treatment at an affordable price and with flexible hours, which is our motto," says Dr. Solomon, a West Ashley native and graduate of Middleton High School and the College of Charleston.

It’s true: Nobody does it quite like Solomon Family Dentistry.

Interested in learning more about Solomon Family Dentistry, or visiting one of their six area locations? Call (843) 871-0842, or use their online form to request an appointment. To learn all about Solomon Dentistry’s offerings, visit their website at SolomonDentistry.com.