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Summerville, Jan. 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Summerville, South Carolina -

Summerville, SC — Lowcountry Eye Care has announced that Coyle Optometry in Summerville will be joining their family of practices. The collaboration and addition of Coyle Optometry is a good match for Lowcountry Eye Care as both are full-service practices that provide a broad range of eye care for patients. With the incorporation of Coyle Optometry, previous owner Daniel Coyle, O.D., will stay on as the lead optometrist at the location.

“We’re thrilled to team up with Coyle Optometry and bring the family-focused approach we’re known for to Summerville,” said Joe Pitcavage, O.D., co-owner and optometrist at Lowcountry Eye Care. “Dr. Coyle has great history serving the community, and his long-established presence in the area makes for a seamless transition. With Coyle Optometry becoming a Lowcountry Eye Care location, it helps Dr. Coyle expand his patient base and treat even more patients in Summerville!”

Originally founded by his father, Coyle Optometry has been serving the Summerville area for 65 years, and the practice has been in its current location for 35 years. Much of the practice’s current technology already matches Lowcountry Eye Care’s typical offerings, such as the Optos retinal imaging device.

“What’s great about Dr. Coyle is how he keeps his care very personal,” said Wes Shealy, O.D., co-owner and eye doctor at various Lowcountry Eye Care practices. “He does most of the eye exam process himself, and that kind of patient-focused care is something we really value at Lowcountry Eye Care. That, paired with the fact that he operates a very modernized practice, made Dr. Coyle a natural fit. We’re always proud to be the Lowcountry area’s dedicated eye care practice and opening a location in Summerville means we get to help even more people!”

Summerville does not currently have any other optometry practices, with eye care options outside of Dr. Coyle’s practice being limited to a number of optical shops. With the integration of the two practices into a new Lowcountry Eye Care location, the intention is to expand treatment and eyewear offerings for Summerville and the surrounding areas.

Music, guided tours and an appetizing spread were all part of the package during the Summerville-Dorchester Museum’s 30th anniversary function on Feb. 5, as featured attraction Dr. Ed West held court to introduce a new softcover publication and delve into the people of “off.”

In leading up to his presentation of a new release titled “When The President Circled Summerville,” West entertained a gathered audience in the museum courtyard with accounts of some of Summerville’s founding and/or influential residents from days gone by who weren’t necessarily natives of the community.

Through the years, these individuals — much like many present-day out-of-towners — were referred to as the people of “off,” per the historian.

“The people who came here and really made history did not live here. We have a few people who truly are historical characters who are from Summerville. But a whole lot of people who really made a big name here didn’t live here,” stated West.

Dr. Charles Shepard of North Haven, Connecticut was one of these seminal figures, who traveled to Summerville to build the Pinehurst Tea Plantation in 1888, recognized as the first commercial tea plantation in the United States. Lipton Tea Company would eventually claim the old Pinehurst plants and transported them to Wadmadlaw Island years after the operation faltered once its founder passed in 1915.

Similarly, West recounted how German immigrant Frederick Wagener purchased the Summerville Hotel Company in 1890, and went on to open the Pine Forest Inn a year later.

Wagener started out as a grocer and emerged as a self-made millionaire. He would go on to build the largest commercial edifice in Charleston on East Bay Street in 1880 and lived at the “Rutledge House” on the other end of Broad Street.

The book further highlights the exploits of railroad man John Averill of Plattsburgh, New York, who led the rebuilding efforts in Summerville in the aftermath of the 1886 earthquake.

But the protagonist of the book is the 26th President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt. The New York City-born statesman, conservationist, soldier, writer and historian is prominently featured on the cover the museum’s limited-edition printed copy due to his 24-hour visit to Summerville in 1902. The purpose of the sojourn was to tour the Lowcountry due to “two remarkable men,” as mentioned in the write-up, who joined forces on a “benighted effort” to host a World’s Fair in the Holy City.

“Teddy Roosevelt spent the day in Charleston and he came up to Summerville and spent the night at the Pine Forest Inn and then he went over to see the tea farm,” explained West.

While in Charleston, Roosevelt claimed that his mother, Martha Stewart “Mittie” Roosevelt, was a southerner born in Connecticut, but raised in Cobb County, Georgia in the 1800s.

“I don’t know if you all think this way, but who lived in South Carolina in 1700 and in Georgia in 1800? The people who lived out in Dorchester. I found out her maiden name was Stewart ... this land we’re standing on now was owned by James Stewart.”

In addition, West disclosed that (James) Stewart — a relative of Martha’s from the previous century — most likely was the proprietor of property that would serve as the future location of the Pine Forest Inn in Summerville.

The site of the Pine Forest Inn was situated on 60 acres of land near the present-day Roosevelt Square that is generally bounded by Simmons Avenue, Salisbury Drive, Marion Avenue and Gaillard Lane.

The limited-edition book copies were distributed among sponsor reps at the anniversary event that was also attended by museum executive officers and directors, including: Vice President Pam Giesick, Kenneth Battle, Danny Hughes, Janet Sussman and Michael Sussman, among others.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — Early Sunday morning, Dorchester County and Department of Transportation (DOT) officials closed off some intersections to Orangeburg Road in Summerville due to an excessive washout.

“The rain kept coming down harder and it just rose and rose and rose," said Clint Riley, a local who lives along Ancrum Lane, where traffic is being diverted from.

Dorchester District Two officials said the DOT told them the road closure may last the entire week.

Morning and afternoon school routes may be impacted by the closure, DD2 officials said. Bus riders whose routes will be affected have been notified, they said.

Orangeburg Road is usually full of cars driving in every direction but early Sunday morning, Riley and other residents witnessed a different scene.

“Yesterday morning my wife discovered water was rising in the back and we have a little creek in the back but it rose and it kept on rising and rising and water eventually got in our garage and some in our chicken coop, so it did it a little bit damage," Riley said.

Riley said a road being washed out is a first in the area.

“This is the first time and usually with a hurricane come it rises a little bit, but it was like a river or a lake back there," Riley said.

After hearing repairs could take up to a week from officials, Riley was in for a soggy surprise.

“I thought they would just work in 24 hours and hurry up and get it done, knowing that it was upcoming rain in the weekend," Riley said.

The road closure also adds an extra layer of difficultly.

I just have to leave maybe 20 or 30 minutes just to get around the traffic so it does end up being an inconvenience for me," he continued.

He hopes officials put an end to this damp inconvenience soon.

“I don’t know how they’re going to resolve it, but I hope they do it quickly," Riley said.

Dorchester County Officials and DOT are encouraging all residents to find alternative routes until the road is opened back up.

The road is affected between Highway 17A and Dorchester Road.

DD2 School District sent out a statement to families regarding road closures saying:

"As a courtesy notice, there is a road closure affecting Orangeburg Road between Highway 17A and Dorchester Road. Morning and afternoon travel routes may be impacted. We have communicated with bus riders whose routes are affected.

According to the SC Department of Transportation, this road closure may last the entire week. Please stay safe as you navigate this disruption."

William “Mr. Bill” Cleary, 80, passed peacefully in Summerville, SC on January 14, 2023. Bill, a father to many and a friend to all, resided in Summerville for the past 14 years, where he and Penelope Cocking have enjoyed not shoveling snow, visiting various historic sites, and getting to know the local restaurant scene. Formerly of Mansfield, Easton, and Quincy, MA, Bill was the brother of the late Judith Landry and the late Michael Cleary; he was married to the late Carol (Drysdale Haack) Cleary and the late Sheila (Bartlett Stowe) Cleary and father to the late Brian Haack.

He leaves behind his younger brother Robert Cleary of Quincy, MA and his beloved partner, Penelope Cocking along with her children and his supportive friends, RJ Hyson and Mariah Levine. Bill also leaves his loving children: Jeffrey Haack of Harmony, ME, Richard Drysdale of St. Louis, MO, Timothy Cleary and his wife Donna of Sandwich, MA, Walter (Sunny) Stowe and his wife Mary of Bellingham, MA, Ken Stowe and his wife Millie of Palm Coast, FL, and Jackye (Stowe) Hughes and her husband Mike of Norton, MA; 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; dear nieces and nephews, and countless treasured friends.

For many years, Bill was a long-haul truck driver, often forced to leave his family to earn a living as a furniture mover. He prioritized making it home for Christmas and other important family events. Along the routes he traveled, he built friendships across the country and created homes away from home. He often took one of his children, nieces, or nephews with him cross country and in the process fostered strong work ethics, appreciation for warm showers, and created treasured memories. In later years of his career he traveled with his spouse, Sheila Cleary, introducing her to a sense of adventure.

Bill took pride in the accomplishments of those around him and offered encouragement in times of need or stress. An avid Boston sports fan, he proudly wore his teams’ logos wherever he went, regardless of their win-loss record. Having spent much time on the road as a driver into his 70’s, Bill always thrived in the company of others. Appreciative of a good pour or a cold bottle served by caring and smiling people, Bill enjoyed spending time in the community created at both Maguire’s of Easton, MA and the Dog and Duck of Summerville, SC.

Small, local gatherings of family and friends will take place in the immediate future, and Bill’s life will later be celebrated by his family when they are able to gather together this July. Donations may be made in his name to https://www.rizema.org/donate/, an organization dedicated to tackling the opioid crisis, and a cause near and dear to Bill’s heart.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - Located at the corner of Berlin Myers Parkway and Highway 78, a 57-acre multi-use property will bring new development to the Summerville area by early 2025.

The property, named Sawmill, will include 474 multi-family apartment units, offices, restaurants, hotels, stores, banks, outdoor spaces and a 40,000-square-foot Roper St. Francis facility.

Summerville spokesperson Mary Edwards said the task to get the development started was a long process.

“It’s something that people have been wanting for a long time, and council has really supported the developers, too. It’s a big deal for us; I mean, it’s a new big development that’s coming to our area,” Edwards said. “It’s something that’s needed. It’s something that the public has really wanted.”

The developers, Lee & Associates, said in a news release that “a new walkable community designed to better connect residents with the fun they want and services they need will be anchored by a major healthcare system.”

Although not everyone in the area is excited about the new development. Some members of the Summerville community shared their concerns on a Facebook post with over 400 comments mentioning traffic problems, school enrollment and housing availability.

Located near the development, the Spinx gas station may see increased traffic with the upcoming construction. Employee Rona Emons, shared her concerns.

“I don’t think we can really handle it because this road is already always backed up; it’s already hard to get in and out of the store,” she said. “I think that’s going to make it a lot worse unless they try to widen the road somehow, which I don’t know how they can do that. But yeah, it’s going to cause a lot of congestion in this area.”

In response to the concerns, Edwards said the city and developers studied research before deciding if the project was appropriate for the area.

“The town is growing really fast,” Edwards said. “So, we know that people want to come here, and they want to experience the area. We want to be able to provide these types of options for people when they come.”

Construction on the health care facility and multi-family apartment units will begin in early 2023.

“I’m kind of excited,” Emons said. “I’d like to get out. You know, it’d be nice to see something new in this area. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it in some ways, and otherwise, I’m kind of a little leery of it.”

Overall, the project is expected to cost $200 million.

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