Gene and June Blanchard are were both raised on Sullivan’s Island couple. Gene was born on the island and June’s family moved to the island when she was one year old. They and their families have known each other their entire lives. Gene was the youngest of five children, and was, to a great extent, cared for by his eldest sister, Mary. Gene’s father served as Township Commissioner and was the first person to make a round trip across the new Ben Sawyer Bridge in 1945. Gene and June became sweethearts in high school, both having attended Bishop England. They recount hair raising school bus rides across the Grace Bridge. They married in 1966 and raised two children on the island. Gene served as postmaster of Sullivan’s Island for 32 years, though his connection with the post office started at a very young age, thanks to his aunt being postmistress. Gene and June have extensive fond memories of growing up on the island and relate many of those stories. They almost moved after the destruction of Hurricane Hugo, but the sound of a ship’s horn blowing in the harbor convinced them to stay. June recounts a near fatal episode with a rip current when she was young. They conclude with their current feelings about all the changes that have occurred on Sullivan’s Island over their lives.
A photograph of the exterior of a building with two doors. The door on the right reads "Charleston Industrial Board" and "Charleston Industrial Association." A sign over the door on the left reads "WHAN" in large, vertical letters, and "ABC Network" in smaller, horizontal letters.
A photograph of a car decorated as a parade float for the Azalea Festival Parade. A woman sits in the back. A sign on the float reads "High School of Charleston."
A photograph of a decorated convertable car in the Azalea Festival parade. A woman in a dress and a sunhat sits in the back, and a sign on the car reads "Miss Rock Hill."
A photograph of a decorated convertable car in the Azalea Festival parade. A woman in a dress and a sunhat sits in the back, and a sign on the car reads "Miss Rock Hill."
A photograph of a parade float for the Azalea Festival. The float features a fleur-de-lis and carries numerous women in dresses carrying flowers. A small vehicle pulls the float.
