DI News History - December 26, 2019
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
In the Dec. 23, 2004, edition of the paper, the cover and centerfold featured the winners of the paper’s holiday fiction writing contest with a mystery theme. The adult winner was Laura Otterberg for her story “One Hundred Dollars.” The winner of the child division was Tayler Schilling, whose mother didn’t work for the paper at the time, but now Ronda Schilling is the advertising director for The Daniel Island News. Tayler’s story was titled “Missing.” Mathew Beech and Melissa Jackson were the second and third place winners in the children’s division. All three were students at Hanahan Elementary School.
In holiday news, readers wrote in to share some holiday traditions. The Bautista family said they wrap Christmas books early in the season and open one each day leading up to Dec. 25. The Sandness family described their tradition of going to a tree farm to pick out a Christmas tree. The Shirey family shared how they take the Christ candle flame from church to their home each year.
TEN YEARS AGO
In the Dec. 25, 2009, edition of the paper, the centerfold featured winners of the paper’s holiday photo contest. The top picture was submitted by the Ellis family and featured two girls from the 1960s in their Christmas pajamas, with nightcaps, in front of a tree. Second place went to Meredith Rath for a photo of a young girl wrapped in Christmas lights. Third place was a photo of toddler Joey Phillips dressed as Santa and playing the piano.
In other news, after a two month undercover operation on St. Thomas Island, dubbed “Operation Cracking the Rock,” officers from various local and state drug enforcement units converged in the area near the intersection of Clements Ferry Road and St. Thomas Island Drive and took three suspects into custody on cocaine charges.
FIVE YEARS AGO
In the Dec. 25, 2014, edition of the paper, the centerfold featured the winners of the paper’s holiday fiction writing contest. The adult winner was Kelsey Budd for her story “The Angel’s Gift.” The winner of the children’s division grades 5-8 was Bella Ullo, and Caroline Raup was the winner of the grade 4 and under division.
In business news, Daniel Island developer Mike White was denied his request for a variance to permit a drive-thru coffee shop on Seven Farms Drive. White eventually brought Starbucks to Daniel Island at its current location.
Island life photos included spreads of the third annual Daniel Island Chanukah celebration, the fourth annual “Christmas in the Alley” party, and Peace Love Hip Hop’s holiday performance at Summit Place.