THREE MONARCHS OF METAL MAKE ART FROM THE ORDINARY
AN ARTIST'S IMAGES REVEAL THE VALUES OF A GENERATION / AN ARTISAN'S FRESH START INSIDE OUR NEW STYLE EDITOR'S MODERN-MINIMALIST HOME / THE ART OF FARMING
From live music and photography to metal-work, design, and artisan crafts, the arts are alive and well here in the Lowcountry A Bright Future
Singer-songwriter Cat Strickland pg. 13
A place where neighbors smile, wave and call you by name. At Carnes Crossroads, you’ll find a thoughtfully planned community where charming neighborhoods are situated among beautiful parks and lakes. Shops, restaurants and conveniences are emerging within a growing town. And homes from four award-winning builders reflect today’s modern lifestyles and the timeless grace of Lowcountry living.
New Homes from the mid $200s Our Information Center and Model Homes are open for touring, or you can contact us to schedule a virtual tour if you’d prefer. Either way, we’re here to help! Call 843-761-8600 or email info@carnescrossroads.com and a Community Specialist will assist you.
CarnesCrossroads.com Information Center | 513 Wodin Place | Summerville, SC | 843-761-8600
A Z A L E A
M A G A Z I N E
F E AT U R E S
Metal Man Jason Elam stands ready to create
50 THE NEW KINGS OF H E AV Y M E T A L
Using the tools of their trade, three monarchs of metal make art from the ordinary
58 THE THINGS WE KEEP
Inspired by the seemingly ordinary items last touched by her beloved grandmother's hand, photographer, Stephanie Shank's images reveal the values of a generation
CONTENTS
/ Fall 2020
13 COLUMNS 27 Natural Woman by Susan Frampton 31 Kids These Days by Tara Bailey 35 Life & Faith by Lili Hiser
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39 06 Editor’s Letter 10 Contributors
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SOUTHERN LIFE 13 Southern Spotlight - Music 19 Southern Spotlight - Food 23 Southern Spotlight - Craft
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OPEN HOUSE 39 Natural Beauty Tucked into Downtown Summerville, a small home is rich with attention to detail.
On The Cover: Singer-songwriter Cat Strickland at M.O.D. Beaute Studio photo by Dottie Rizzo 6
AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2020
THE VILLAGE POET 64 Something About Autumn
EDITOR’S LETTER
Making Mistakes For my letter this issue I was tempered to write “I will not misspell quarantine” fifty times and then sign my name. Some of you might have noticed that in the headline of my last editor’s letter, I misspelled, arguably the most commonly used word of the last five months. I wrote the headline after the rest of the magazine had already been proofed and spellcheck didn’t catch it. And some of you let me know of my glaring butchery of the English language. Growing up I had a hard time reading—letters would mix up, lines would cross, and numbers were the worst. I didn’t get through my first novel until sixth grade. I was terrified to read out loud in front of the class. I used to count ahead and figure out the number of students who would read before me so I could pre-read what I would have to present in front of the class. It wasn’t until my sophomore year at college that I was diagnosed with dyslexia. Nowadays I read a lot. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I have books stacked by my bed-some already read, others waiting for their turn. Despite my love for reading, I am still a terrible speller—not the best attribute for someone in my profession. I don’t tell you this to garner sympathy—I neither need it nor want it. Rather I tell you this because, despite my late start with the written word, I run a magazine. I think there is a lot of hope in that. My daughter has dyslexia too. She is now in her junior year of college with a full scholarship. I find hope in that as well. I never thought someone could get so bent out of shape because an “e” was where an “a” should be, but I get it. If that’s what grates your nerves, then that’s what grates your nerves. I take no offense to your letters pointing out my mistakes. In fact I welcome them—keep them coming. They make me work harder and are a great reminder of how far I’ve come. I don't make light of mistakes I’ve made and in no way do i use my dyslexia to discount them. I’m going to make mistakes, probably a lot of them, but I won’t let them become bigger than they are. It’s a misspelled word, and for me that’s not the end of the world. I’ll keep doing my best and trying to be better. I may never win a spelling bee or become a Scrabble champion, but I am an editor—one who makes mistakes. And I’m ok with that.
Will Rizzo Editor In Chief
Jules, RN
Dr. Hay
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Will Rizzo Editor in Chief will@azaleamag.com Dottie Rizzo Managing Editor dottie@azaleamag.com Susan Frampton Senior Editor Sara Frampton Copy Editor
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Leslie Phinney, Personal 843.762.3372 Buck Inabinet, Commercial 843.762.3373
Contributors Tara Bailey Elizabeth Donehue Susan Frampton Lili Hiser Ellen Hyatt Jana Riley Jason Wagener Advertising Inquiries Susie Wimberly susie@azaleamag.com 843.568.7830
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10 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2020
A NE W WAY TO N EXTON I N T R O D U C I N G M I D T O W N, A FRESH MIX OF HOME, T O W N & N AT U R E
Learn more and explore new homes from the mid $200s. N E X T O N .C O M
©2020 Nexton. All Rights Reserved. Nexton is a trademark of NASH Nexton, LLC, and may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without prior written permission. NASH Nexton, LLC (“Fee Owner”) is the owner and developer of the Nexton Community (“Community”). Certain homebuilders unaffiliated with the Fee Owner or its related entities are building homes in the Community (“Builder(s)”). Fee Owner has retained Newland Communities solely as the property manager for the Community. Prices, specifications, details, and availability of a Builder’s new homes are subject to change without notice. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.
Experience the Pinewood difference.
CONTRIBUTORS
Pinewood students in Pre-K3 through Grade 12 learn and grow by applying the School’s core values of risk, truth, and exploration. From the hydroponics lab to the classroom to the stage, our students are nurtured, enriched, and encouraged to thrive.
LILI HISER Writer
TARA BAILEY Writer
Lili Gresham Hiser was born in Charleston, SC and raised in both the Lowcountry and Central Florida. She invested more than ten years of service in the non-profit/higher education sector and many years as Communication Studies adjunct faculty. She and her husband enjoy re-experiencing life in the South through the eyes of their young children.
Tara Bailey lives in Summerville with her husband and three daughters, assuming the one in college comes home to visit. She has worked as a naturalist, a teacher, a writer, and an editor, balancing her love of the outdoors with her compulsion to alter sentences. She enjoys natural history, horror movies, and reads anything in print.
JANA RILEY Writer & Editor
SUSAN FRAMPTON Writer & Editor
A lifelong explorer, Jana Riley delights in discovering the passions and personal journeys of everyone she meets. When she isn't crafting inspiring tales with Azalea Magazine, she can be found seeking ways to bring her community together at Public Works Art Center, falling madly in love with her sweet family, and exploring destinations near and far.
Never dreaming that anyone would read her ramblings, Susan Frampton scribbled her way through two wildly different careers before accidently becoming a writer. These days, when away from the keyboard, she follows the antics of her accident-prone husband, nurses pine-cone-swallowing wiener dogs, reads late into the night, and counts her many blessings.
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AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2020
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L I F E & C U L T U R E from O U R L I T T L E S L I C E of T H E S O U T H
A New Voice Singer-songwriter Cat Strickland
On the Rise
With fierce vocals, unrelenting drive, and definitive talent, Cat Strickland is one to watch by Jana Riley
photos by Dottie Rizzo
Featuring: On The Rise pg. 13 / The Art of Farming pg. 19 / A Fresh Start pg. 23 / Natural Woman pg. 27 / Kids These Days pg. 31 / Life & Faith pg. 35
Fall 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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On The Rise
f you have found yourself at a cafe, restaurant, bar, or outdoor venue in Summerville in the last few years, it is likely you have discovered one of Summerville’s best kept secrets: the unyielding talent that is Cat Strickland. With her youthful charm and her colorful locks, Strickland is immediately striking, but it is when the songstress begins singing that she becomes unforgettable. Often, people come up to Strickland to tell her how naturally talented she is, and while that is true, her talents are a result of relentless work that began when the singer was just a young child.
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Cat Strickland moved to the Charleston area from Columbia when she was five years old. At the time, she was known among her family members for her performances; standing proudly on her grandmother’s fireplace, she would command the attention of all as she sang Disney songs—and for those who weren’t paying attention, she’d make sure to remind them. It wasn’t long before her parents noticed an innate skill, and enrolled her in voice lessons with a Park Circle vocalist named Mary Gould. She thrived in the classes, and soon began learning musical instruments. With her interest in performing came a keen interest in being an actress, so her parents secured an agent in Atlanta and Strickland began attending auditions in Atlanta and Charlotte. Strickland was homeschooled throughout her childhood, and credits her parents, Lynne and Billy Strickland, with enabling her to pursue anything that interested her—and abandon anything that didn’t. “My parents made sure that I tried everything I wanted to try,” Strickland says. “They didn’t push me to do anything I didn’t like. I tried sports and didn’t like them at all and they said ‘ok, you don’t have to do them.’ I tried theater and fell in love with it, and they said, ‘ok, if you’re serious about this, let's get you an agent.’ They’ve been so supportive and helped me get the resources I needed to succeed.”
Up on the stage, Cat Strickland simply rocks. She’s charismatic, eclectic, magnetic, and unwaveringly charming. For Strickland, the experience is as rewarding for her as it is for the audience.
When Strickland was twelve years old, she attended a rock camp and loved the aspect of being in a band. She began playing with friends regularly and going to open mic nights around Summerville, North Charleston, and Charleston. As fellow musicians began to recognize her talent, offers rolled in to open for them or play between sets. At fourteen, Strickland played one of her friend Bubba LeMack’s breaks at the King Street Grille in North Charleston, and when she was done, she was offered her first paid gig by the manager. From there, her bookings snowballed. She started playing at Coastal Coffee Roasters, Off the Chain Sandwich Shop, the Knightsville Porch Jam, Top Dawg Tavern, The Icehouse, Wild Wing Cafe, and restaurants and bars across the Lowcountry. While still in her teens, she was booked three days a week.
Now nineteen, Strickland recently began attending Charleston Southern University, majoring in Choral Education. She hopes to teach private voice lessons or public school choir classes, and is intent 16
AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2020
on sharing everything she has learned with rising musical artists. Today, she plays guitar, ukulele, and piano, and her voice reflects the investment of years of training. She is in a band called “The Nine Lives,” which includes Robert Alvarez, Tanner Dieppe, Anthony Barasso, Sandip Roy, and occasionally KC Hazelwood, and “plays everything from classic rock to punk to pop.” She also writes her own music, and recently began playing her first self-composed song, “Beautiful Liar,” written with insight from local musician Joshua Jarman. Working with other musicians has become a passion of Strickland’s, and she can regularly be found jamming with other artists around town. When she’s not playing music or working on her degree, Strickland can be found at the beach or playing with her dog, Mia. A fierce animal lover, Strickland has been vegetarian since 2016 and vegan for over a year and a half, a part of her lifestyle she connects with on an emotional level.
Up on the stage, Cat Strickland simply rocks. She’s charismatic, eclectic, magnetic, and unwaveringly charming. For Strickland, the experience is as rewarding for her as it is for the audience. “When I play a song and I’m really into it and people are listening and vibing with it, it’s a nice connection,” says Strickland. “We aren’t talking, but we are connecting with one another. Sometimes people will tell me that the music I play takes them back to a particular time or experience, or that it made them feel better. That healing, that connection, and that interaction—it makes it all worth it.” AM
Music Maker Strickland's shows are an eclectic mix of classic covers and original music
Fall 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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Field Notes Harvesting corn, a CSA box ready for delivery
SO U THER N SPO TL I GHT
FOOD
The Art of Farming From just outside of St. George, the fresh produce grown at Gruber Family CSA Farm brings healthy and delicious colors to the palette of our “new normal.� by Susan Frampton
A
few miles south of St. George, the canvas of the landscape is painted with the colors and textures of fall. Under its cerulean sky, rows of eggplants are aubergine jewels, and beets blush delicate red beneath purple-veined foliage. Tassels of gold highlight fields of swaying corn. On sturdy stems, globes of amber pumpkins lie amidst curling green vines and sunshine yellow squash crook curved necks. The unlikely artist responsible for the scene wipes the dust from his hands. His gaze settles on land that has meant everything to him and his family. Once Stanley Gruber's father drew the color from this fertile soil, and now it is his turn at the easel. He knows what a gift it was to learn the art of farming from a master. Fresh from the trenches of WWII, Wilson
Birnell Gruber stood on this plot of earth in 1948, ready to pursue his dream. Purchasing the property that would become Gruber Family CSA Farm, the senior Gruber launched himself into farming. Overcoming the ups and downs inherent in the calling, he poured heart and soul into the land. The seeds he planted would grow into a future for him and his family. Decades later, his knowledge, determination, and gift for growing things began to lay the foundation that the business is now built on. "Daddy and I ran the farm together, and when he died, I just kept doing it," says Stanley Gruber of carrying on his father's work. Acres of crops stretch to the horizon. When he set out to plant for the 2020 summer season, the farmer had no way of knowing what would happen in the world by the time Fall 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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The Art of Farming
the crops were harvested. And like most of us, he could not have imagined that come September, the nation would still be held in the grip of a global pandemic. Our way of life drastically changed, taking us by surprise and holding us hostage in our homes. Like many growers, the Gruber's farm was affected early on by the loss of farmer's market sales, and wholesale and restaurant orders. "I always plant some excess, even beyond what I think I'm going to need," says Gruber of the surplus that he and many farms across the country faced. But while Covid-19 challenged the normal way of doing things, the "new normal" created an unexpected opportunity. With quarantine, sheltering in place, and social distancing topping the headlines, the popularity of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) immediately began to grow by leaps and bounds. "People were at home, and they started cooking. We had started with the CSA a few years ago, and when the virus hit, we were able to use what we'd normally sold wholesale to fill the orders coming in." The produce subscription concept is a winwin proposition for both farmers and those who use it. Participants pay a fee at the start of the planting season that helps growers cover the cost of operating their farms. In return, the farm delivers 12 consecutive weeks of fresh, healthy, local produce to supporters at drop-off locations. It is not a new concept, but one that has taken off due to current circumstances. Gruber predicts 22
AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2020
Field of Dreams Making sure the CSA boxes are just right, Stanley Gruber in the field, inspecting the harvest
that it may well continue even after things return to normal. "Time will tell, but people have been pretty happy with how good and convenient it's been. I think people have already been signing up pretty good for the fall season." There are two growing seasons for Gruber's 175 acres of produce and 150 acres of row crops. CSA boxes offer around 40 to 50 items to choose from, in small, medium and large quantities. The spring season runs from late April to early July and the fall from late August to December. "We never have done as much in the fall as we do in the spring, but we'll see what happens this year." As dedicated as he is to farming, Gruber's life has been more than fertilizer and crop rotations. For over three decades, a third season occupied his thoughts and much of his time: football season. He holds rock star status in the community – a standing earned from his success at growing an annual crop of winning football teams. As head coach at Dorchester Academy, his 300th win made him the most winning coach in the SC Independent School Association's history.
By the finish of his 35 years at Dorchester Academy, his scoreboard showed seven state titles, 325 wins in SCISA, and close to a 5-6 record. That's no small potatoes. At a time when farming has almost become a lost art, Stanley Gruber has taken the wisdom of his father's years behind the tiller and applied modern-day farming practices to the time-proven methods. As a result, Wilson Gruber's farm flourishes in the hands of the son, who followed in his footsteps. It is an undeniably hard life that is not suited for the faint of heart. "I got started at about 2:30 this morning, and I'll probably finish up about 7 this evening. You really have to want to do it." What does he see for the future? "I don't know. They say the average age of farmers in the United States is the late 60s. People just aren't getting into it anymore because they know it is hard work. And I can't imagine how much money it would take to start an operation if you didn't already have your feet in it." "Most of us that do it are getting old now, and I don't see any young people doing it. There just aren't a lot of people willing to put the time and effort that farming takes." The rows are flushed with color, and the harvest awaits its debut on tables across the Lowcountry. For now, as long as there are men like Stanley Gruber to hold the brush, the art of farming is alive and well, and the Gruber Family CSA Farm is in good hands. AM
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S O U TH ER N S PO TL IGHT
The Smell of Success Andrea Davis is the creative force behind Motherland Essentials
ART
A Fresh Start With determination and creativity, a local artisan carves a life for herself making all-natural, small batch skincare products. by Jana Riley
E
very so often in life, we come to a crossroads of deeply impactful decisions. More significant than the day-to-day choices we face, these meaningful moments define who we are, what we stand for, and where we want to go in life. They have a ripple effect, potentially enabling those who witness our actions to be inspired—if we make the right choice. For Andrea Davis, the crossroads she found herself at in 2014 was one of those times, and the positive impact her choice made on herself, her family, and the community around her will ripple for years to come. Andrea Davis was new in town in 2014; she moved from Kentucky to Beaufort with her husband, Josh, years prior, and the pair, along with their son, Russell, decided to settle in the Lowcountry after he got out of the military. They knew no one in the area, but they wanted an adventure—something new and exciting. So they found a home, found work, and began putting down roots. At the time, Andrea was pregnant with their second child, and she was doing well in her banking career, earning a promotion not long after settling into Summerville. At twenty weeks pregnant, though, Andrea suffered an incompetent cervix, and her body went into labor without warning. After a traumatic hospital visit, Andrea lost her
H
baby, who she named Elijah. Mourning the loss, Andrea struggled with the idea of going back to work, but the company with which she was employed made it clear that she was allocated just three days of bereavement time to deal with the tragedy, and nothing more. Her first days back, it seemed every customer had a baby with them or had an issue dealing with a death certificate—two topics that compounded her emotional pain over and over again. The reality of the situation sank in, and after a week or two back at work, Andrea Davis met her crossroads. “I recognized as long as I was working in these types of places, where I was not a priority even in my darkest days, I would not be happy,” says Andrea. “And I know
that situation is not unique to me—so many people lose friends and family members close to them and they’re just a number at their place of employment; they’re just expected to show up back to work and not be affected. I didn’t want to be around that insensitivity. So I quit.” At first, Andrea had no plan. Dealing with severe depression, she worked her way through the valleys of darkness that come with grief and loss, and eventually found herself wanting to create. A lifelong creative, Andrea was always involved in poetry contests, choir, band, science camps, and music in general when she was younger, assuming one day she would be a journalist or a musician. But what she found during her Fall 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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ART FOR ALL
-
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A Fresh Start
time at home after the passing of her son was something totally unfamiliar to her, but just as exciting: soapmaking. Browsing Youtube for creative pursuits, she came across a tutorial and was enticed by the idea of taking raw ingredients and transforming them. She tried her hand at the process, failing in her first attempts, but not giving up. Soon, she found her rhythm, and began developing a real skill for the art while reading, watching tutorials, and practicing as much as she could. An idea began to spark. “I realized I wanted to create a place where people—especially women—could feel like they’re valued and their experiences are valued,” Andrea explains. “I want them to know that they matter, even in the most basic way. That’s why I started it. I was feeling horrible and miserable and trying to fight depression, and wanted to find a creative way to help people get to a better place along with me.” With that, Motherland Essentials was born--a name Andrea came up with “in 15 minutes.” As a black woman, the connection to her motherland of Africa was important, and many of the ingredients she uses come from the continent of Africa. The idea of motherland crosses all nations, though, Andrea says, as the very best ingredients come from mother nature, from the land itself, no matter what someone’s homeland may be. The word “essential” emphasizes the fact that self-care should be a priority in life, and Andrea says it includes more than people traditionally believe.
Form and Function An assortment of Davis' creations
soaps, lotions, bath bombs, body butters, and more, she dove in, perfecting her brand and offerings. Preferring the intimate connection of a farmer’s market over other sales channels, Andrea thrives in the environment of being able to recommend products directly to a customer and hear their feedback immediately, always striving to do better. In addition to markets, her soaps have been featured in the Gibbes Museum store, and are also in West Elm downtown, The Station in Park Circle, at Fresh Future Farms, and other small businesses around the Lowcountry. As business began to pick up, Andrea also started offering soapmaking classes, a popular experience that has been on pause due to Covid-19, but one she cannot wait to get started once again. In 2020, despite the economic downturn, Andrea Davis and Motherland Essentials have seen an increase in support, and the artisan was able to hire another woman named Asia to help keep up with orders, always striving to be the type of empathetic business owner she wished she had back in her banking days. She is looking at acquiring a warehouse space and expanding her availability in local and regional stores.
“People throw the words ‘self care’ around,” says Andrea, “And there’s this idea that it means bubble baths and bath bombs. Of course, I make those, and I do those things, and I believe they are an important part of a self care routine. But self care may also be ugly. It may be screaming or allowing yourself to cry. I want to emphasize that taking care of yourself has many sides, and they’re all important, and essential to being better in general.”
While Motherland Essentials is a product of a hardworking visionary named Andrea Davis, she credits her family with supporting her along the way. Her husband Josh, who she says is “the coolest person ever” offers his support any way she needs it, while 11 year old Russell is her honest product reviewer, and recently helped create an Autism Awareness-themed soap, raising money for the cause. Four year old Khari tries to help with packing or cutting soap, and can often be seen on Andrea’s back, wrapped up in a toddler carrier and watching his mama achieve her dreams. Being deeply involved in her children’s lives while running a business is not always easy, she says, but it is rewarding.
When Andrea Davis created Motherland Essentials, she began testing the market to see if her concept was viable by setting up her booth at local farmer’s markets, often with her children (including her youngest son, Khari) in tow. With extremely positive feedback about the all-natural, small-batch products she created including handcrafted
“Mothers often feel like we can’t do a whole lot outside of parenting because many of us are the primary caretakers of our children,” Andrea says. “And that is a very real concern, but you just have to navigate it differently. You have to move differently. For me, I wear my son, I involve them in the process, I bring them to markets….I think it’s important for
them to see me making this happen. For us, it works.” For Andrea, the path to achieving her dreams was one that was most impacted by a critical step, and one that people are often terrified to take: the very first one. “I just think, especially right now, that everyone is looking for answers and trying to find their way,” says Andrea. “I want to encourage people to just start. If you have an idea, just start. Don’t wait for perfection, it’ll never happen. Just begin, and if it doesn’t work out the way you want it to, you can pivot and learn from it. At least you tried it. And that’s what matters most.” AM To learn more about Motherland Essentials, visit motherlandessentials.com or check out @motherlandessentials on Instagram and Facebook.
Fall 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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N AT U R A L WOMAN
Learning to Fly Leaving the nest requires a little optimism and a lot of patience and determination. It also helps to have feathers. by Susan Frampton
O
ur nest is officially empty. Like most parents, we hoped and prayed for this day, but once it arrived, we were happy and sad in equal measure. I wondered if we did it right. Did our haphazard parenting deliver all the life lessons and skills for survival in today's world? Did we accomplish the universal parental goal of striking the right balance of love and discipline to guarantee perfectly spread wings and a successful flight for our fledgling? I thought back to memories of midnight feedings that left me
sleep-deprived but grateful for moments spent in the quiet of the night. I remembered the staccato beat of a newborn heart beneath my fingers, the promise and potential in newly opened eyes, and our joy at the emergence of new and colorful feathers. Wait…what? Yep. Ours was an actual fledgling—the kind with wings and a beak. We were weary of self-isolating the day Bert the Blue Jay appeared in our lives as a tiny movement in the grass. I looked down, expecting something unpleasant. Instead, a wide-eyed and featherless creature peered up at me, plaintively peeping. Dropping to my knees, I scanned the bushes for a nest. Way above me in the trees, I spotted a stick-built nest and a pair of decidedly
ILLUSTRAT ION by WIL L RIZ Z O Fall 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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N AT U R A L WOMAN Smart interior design should always include the beauty of the outdoors.
distraught Blue Jays. Across the yard, Lewis read my mind. "Don't you do it. Let him be," my husband said. "His parents will come for him. Leave him there."
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I know little or nothing about baby Blue Jays, but I do know that flying requires feathers. This little fellow was naked as, well, a jaybird. I sat down in the grass, asking Siri 'What to do when you find a baby bird.' Her answer was not encouraging. Watching and waiting would only result in a baby bird broiled by the hot afternoon sun. Barring a miraculous ascension heavenward, or a tiny rescue ladder dropped from the high nest, neither this bird’s parents nor I could return him home. He was weeks away from flying. Simply navigating through one-inch grass had left his little chest heaving with effort and his head spinning from summersaults. Surviving the trip down might have been his lifetime achievement unless you counted an appearance on the appetizer menu for neighborhood cats. I carefully plucked him from the grass. In my cupped palm, I saw his heart beating beneath transparent skin. "Wild birds are hard to raise, especially one this little," Lewis warned, wearing his best sad face. "Sweetheart, he won't survive. That bird's going to break your heart."
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"Well, if he doesn't make it, he'll go knowing he was loved," I said, marching to the house. Lewis shook his head and went in search of an empty box. Newton, the dog, danced at my feet, barking like over-excited dachshunds do when they know you're up to something. "This is your new
brother, so be nice," I told him, settling the bird into his new cardboard home. And so began life with Bert, the bird. Opening wide to a beak-shaped straw, he gobbled my makeshift bird food. Like a child, he clamped his beak shut and shook his head when he had enough. Before our eyes, tentative tail feathers appeared, he flapped flightless wings, and gangly legs gained confidence. We became completely besotted and birdbrained by our tenacious little survivor. With little in the newspaper's daily numbers to reassure us, Bert and his small victories provided an unexpected balm to counter the anxiety hovering in the air. If he could make it, surely we all would, too. Our optimism spread like a happy virus. Soon, family, friends, and neighbors called for daily Bert updates. From his small critter cage lined with sticks, leaves, and pine straw, Bert learned quickly how to communicate his needs. At night, he squawked mightily to request his cage be covered for sleep. He taught Newton to respond to his signature "hungry chirp" by tracking me down and barking a frantic wiener-dog reminder to feed his bird brother. Not all of Bert's messages were enthusiastically received, but they made his point. The one sent via his precision pooping out the side of the small cage was answered with a large, luxurious home equipped with a dazzling array of branches for perching, a ceramic bowl for bathing, and a bell to ring just for fun. His vocal repertoire expanded daily. We were charmed to discover the difference between random chirps and happy songs
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N AT U R A L WOMAN
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and applauded attempts to harmonize with a visiting Carolina Wren. Traveling offered Bert an ever-widening view. He did it with great enthusiasm, cocking his head at the world, and raising the burgeoning crest atop his head like an eyebrow. Any pessimism long forgotten, Lewis created a runway in the kitchen for flying lessons, with space for practicing take-offs and landings. And on a weekend sleep-over at our daughter's house, the young aviator scored a screened-in space for flight simulations. We knew the day was coming and began to leave Bert’s cage door open to allow him freedom to come and go. He passed the time teasing the dog, hopping from chair to table to floor, or bobbing his head in time to my fingers on the keyboard. When bored with pecking at our toes, or picking up and dropping pebbles and acorns, he retreated to his cage for naptime. We worried. Would he know how to be a Blue Jay when the day arrived? Bert left us on a hot summer morning. I was glad I was not there to watch him go. For a few days, there were flashes of blue in the woods behind the house, but Bert was gone. Lewis had been right—my heart hurt. When he ran breathlessly into the kitchen a week later, I smiled through misty eyes. "You won't believe it! I think Bert just landed on the porch railing, hopped around, looked right at me, and flew. I thought my heart would explode out of my chest." I wasn’t the only one - his heart had been a little broken, too. He’ll never admit it, but I have no doubt. I guess you could say a little bird told me. AM
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Betty
K ID S THESE D AY S
by Tara Bailey
I
just finished an hour-long conversation with my grandmother, complete with rib-straining laughter and face-chapping tears. I haven’t seen her since Christmas, which is highly unusual, so sometimes I cry after we hang up. And she’s seen no one since early March, tucked away on the second floor of her living community like a cursed princess. After months without her regular hair appointments, she could probably toss a few strands out the window and make her escape should she decide she’s had enough loneliness. But she has accepted the unfortunate conditions of our present circumstances, and we talk often to alleviate the pain of separation. My grandmother is ninety-four and struggles with memory issues. For those who have experienced dementia with loved ones, you know communication can be a challenge. Her lapses mostly concern time and place, and often it takes a lot of energy to get through our regular conversations. So for us to talk on the phone for an hour was both an anomaly and a gift.
She was in an especially good mood during our talk, something I haven’t sensed from her in a while. When she learned in May that she wouldn't be able to go to the beach this summer, she was extremely upset and even a bit angry. She understood why it wasn’t possible this year, but she still brings up her disappointment every time we speak. I always stress how much it upsets me, too, and express the hope that we can get together at our favorite spot next year. I then usually try to change the subject, but it always comes back to the beach. For some reason, today she barely mentioned the beach—and neither did I. So I kept the conversation steering in the direction of other things she loves to discuss. I’m cognizant that when I talk to my grandmother these days, it’s usually out of a sense of love and duty. I want her to know she is adored and thought of often, and I can’t stand the thought of this former Chi Omega, beauty queen, businesswoman, and activist sitting alone in an apartment day after day. But I admit it can feel like a chore. I’m not widely known for my patience, and repeating myself is tedious enough; having to listen to others repeat themselves
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KIDS THESE D AY S tests my character. Also, I work hard not to sound patronizing or condescending. I would never deliberately speak to her this way, but when I hear others do this to her or other older people, it makes me furious. So I’m careful to listen to my own tone when talking to her or her neighbors (when visitation was allowed). I would never want to make them feel less than the accomplished adults they are. However, occasionally that tone slips out on its own, along with one of mild frustration when she is simply operating the best way she can. At these times I try to steer myself in a different direction. During today’s talk she heard my daughter’s dog barking in the background. “You still have that bitey little dog living with you?” she asks. “Oh, yes. She barks AND bites. A real joy.” My grandmother laughs. “You need a sign on that dog to warn people.” “We’ve actually done that.” “Oh, that’s right. You put a sign on her collar at the beach last summer.” Steer… “Well, she’s awfully cute when she’s calm.” “Is she? I’ve never seen her calm.” We laugh. She then tells me she’s thinking about getting a dog (this is a running conversation). I ask her to tell me what the weather’s doing today, which I already know because we’ve already talked about it. “It’s raining pretty good!” “Well, would you want to have to go take a dog out several times a day in the rain?” “No, I suppose not. It’s just that I’ve always loved dogs and miss having one around.” “Since when? Remember how you felt about Buster?” She laughed some more. Buster was my 34
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grandfather’s Boykin spaniel. He would eat the napkin right out of your lap, among other less savory tricks, and was always featured prominently wherever my grandfather was—including my grandparents’ bookstore. My grandmother hated Buster. “I remember when we would drive to Spartanburg for Christmas, and your grandfather would let Buster sit in the front seat while I sat in the back! We would get the funniest looks from people!” I started laughing, which got her even more tickled. “People would pull up beside us on the interstate and see this shaggy dog riding in the front seat next to this old man, and then see this old woman riding in the back with all the presents!” We were cracking up.
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“I guess I’ll just play with my neighbor’s dog for now. If they ever let me out of my apartment again.” I told her I knew it was hard for her being there by herself, that we missed our friends, too, and that I couldn’t wait until the day we could see each other. “Do you think that’ll be anytime soon?” she asks. “Gosh, I hope so! That would be wonderful, wouldn’t it? I miss you so much.” “We can’t even eat in the dining room anymore. I mostly just watch TV.” “That’s really tough.” “Who I do I hear barking? That bitey little dog? Is she still living with you?” “Yep! We love her, teeth and all!” Laughter. “I’m thinking about getting a dog. Remember how much I loved Buster?” “I do. He was a funny dog. I’ve got to go take care of supper now. Love you.” “I love you, Sweetie.” Tears. AM Fall 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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More peace. Less pain.
Leviner Law Firm is a boutique practice focused solely on the areas of family and probate law. Please call our office today if we can help you navigate some of life's most difficult circumstances. 207 West Ric hardson Ave. / Sum m e rville (843) 501-0602 / info@ levine rlawfirm .com www.lev in e rlawfirm .com
L IF E & F A IT H
Finding the Rainbow by Lili Hiser
I
When schools cancelled and the COVID-19 quarantine began, I wondered how to explain our sudden “new normal” to my elementary and preschool-aged children. After all, I struggled to mentally grasp the reality of it myself! No goodbyes to friends; no parties, playdates, or parks; vacations cancelled; and no visiting grandparents. But as we began to settle in, a simple artistic trend took hold that comforted us and strengthened our sense of community. Throughout neighborhoods in Summerville and around the world, people created handmade rainbows of all shapes and sizes and placed them in their windows and yards. They symbolized hope after the storm we were collectively experiencing. Seeking entertainment, we took our children on scavenger hunts to find these colorful reminders of goodness. The kids gleefully squealed whenever we saw a rainbow and we counted
45 of them just in our subdivision. Driving our stir-crazy kids around the community brought a much-needed break from the monotony of quarantine. More importantly, the activity offered the perfect segue to explain the analogy of the storm and rainbow. Though we are experiencing some uncertain times, hope and joy is still around us if we’ll only take the time to look for it. As the pandemic progressed into weeks and then months, some days it was definitely easier to count the thunderclouds than the rainbows. Even now, though we may no longer be fully quarantined, we have in no way returned to the old normal. The numbers of COVID-19 cases climb, businesses struggle or crumble, and tensions in society create additional heavy burdens. Beyond these issues, every household has their own unpublicized challenges, some only amplified by the quarantine. The combination of isolation and fear can brew the perfect storm, and so many of us can get caught in the downpour.
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LIFE & FA I T H
I remind myself often that everything on this earth will pass away, including the virus. At some point, the COVID-19 quarantine will be in the history books; future generations will perhaps ask us questions for their class paper on the topic. Until then, we are riding out the storm, which can seem daunting if we see no break in the clouds. Even when the thunder rolls of uneasiness shake our core and the bolts of panic strike, 1 John 1:5 reads, “God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.” Even on the hardest day, behind the dreariness and gray clouds, the sun is still there. We may not be able to see the light fully, but it is shining brilliantly. Just like God, it is constantly present. And when the storm passes, how mesmerizing it is to witness the light presented in a collection of perfectly aligned colors in a sky that once looked so bleak.
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God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.” Even on the hardest day, behind the dreariness and gray clouds, the sun is still there. Searching for the positives during a pandemic is not easy. We must retrain our minds to seek the rainbows and rest on the certainty found in faith. When we start looking at our circumstances with a renewed perspective, rays of light become more evident and fears are replaced with gratitude. As we weather life’s storms, may we discover a childlike wonder and excitement in finding the rainbows surrounding us! AM Fall 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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THE HEART OF IT ALL Summerville is directly positioned at the heart of the most beloved attractions in the Lowcountry. Its small town atmosphere and proximity to Charleston and the beaches makes Summerville the perfect home base for all your adventures. visitsummerville.com
Explore the shops, sites, sips and tastes that make Summerville so sweet with a free Sweet Tea Trail Guide.
The B E A U T Y & S P I R I T of the S O U T H E R N H O M E
Sleeping Beauty Vintage touches and neutral colors create a cozy, intimate environment in the master bedroom.
Natural Beauty
Tucked into Downtown Summerville, a small home is rich with attention to detail. by Jana Riley photos by Dottie & Will Rizzo
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Home Sweet Home This page: Jessica and Benjamin’s Downtown Summerville home is almost as sweet as their daughter, Amelie. Opposite, clockwise: Transparent chairs, mirrors, and clean lines help a smaller space feel more open; unique decor choices transform rooms from simple to simply fascinating; a large window in the master bathroom shines light on thoughtful touches like natural storage baskets. Sunlight fills each space, creating a clean and welcoming atmosphere among the neutral color palette.
I
n the oft-instagrammed world of hygge—a Danish and Norwegian word that reflects the mood of coziness, wellness, and contentment, minimalist interiors are regularly eschewed for homes that feature blankets, books and baskets galore, among other things. But at Jessica and Benjamin Maier’s home in Downtown Summerville, purchased in 2018, minimalism and hygge overlap; here, there is not a single item in any room that shouldn’t be there: everything has its place, and every room feels like the epitome of coziness. At 1400 square feet, the Maier’s home is an efficient space; the type of space that, were it not for the couple’s
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eye for good, clean design, could feel small. But in the talented hands of Jessica and Benjamin, the home shines to its fullest potential. An interior designer who works for Laura Jones and Company, Jessica’s thoughtful choices around the home speak to her skill. The place abounds in neutrals, and touches of wood and natural fiber lend an organic feel to the space. Windows in each room let in beautiful light, and plants dot the space. In the kitchen, a vintage-inspired refrigerator sits against a floating wall adjacent to the dining area; a wall that is mirrored between the dining area and the living room space. With walkable space on either side of the walls, the arrangement feels breezy and the perfect kind of
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simple. One wall is painted black—a statement wall in a house full of neutrals—and large artwork opposite serves to make the space feel even more dramatic. All around the home, the creativity and eye for design of its owners is clear. An avid cook and baker, Jessica’s favorite room in the home is the kitchen, which she calls her “happy place.” Whether she is baking bread or making homemade ice cream, Jessica is always challenging herself with new recipes and techniques. As for Benjamin, his favorite spaces in the home are the dining room and their 4-month-old daughter Amelie’s room, which he says has spectacular morning light and includes small, handmade embroidery art created by Jessica. Their next project is the exterior space; currently, they are tending a small but beautiful garden, and they want to enhance the features outdoors. When the couple first laid eyes on the home, they were looking at a listing on the real estate website Zillow, and came upon the house along with its floor plan. Benjamin, an architect and realtor, quickly fell in love with the place alongside Jessica, and once they saw it in its full glory, they
were sold. Now, the couple has a side business working together to create floor plans for real estate listings, a feature that doesn’t come standard in the United States. Another element of the home that the pair fell in love with is the proximity to Downtown Summerville; they can easily walk or bike to the historic district, and are a stone’s throw away from Rollins Edwards Community Center and Doty Park. With their young daughter Amelie, Jessica and Benjamin make a fantastic team, and the pair is clearly off to bigger and better adventures in the future. Maybe such adventures will come while riding around in their toocool vintage car, named “Hattie,” maybe they will happen from the cozy comfort of their little home in Downtown Summerville. Certainly, one such adventure will be Jessica’s foray into the magazine world through none other than Azalea Magazine, where she now serves as our Style Editor. In her new gig, she will scout interesting houses, keep us up to date on current design trends, and curate locally-made products and other inspirations from nearby creatives. Here, near, and far, one thing is for sure: wherever their adventures take them, the Maier’s life— and everything they touch—is sure to be beautiful. AM
Sweet Dreams Opposite, clockwise: Amelie’s room is a light, airy space filled with lovely touches; embroidery by Jessica is art with heart; vintage-style bunting caps off a sweet space; vintage-inspired elements make the baby’s room feel timeless. This page: The pair’s vintage car is as interesting as they are; the family pup is always on hand for a cute photo op. Fall 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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ACCOMMODATIONS
CAROLINE'S BED AND BREAKFAST
FLOWERTOWN COTTAGE
THE INN AT MIDDLETON PLACE
Southern hospitality & elegant charm. Located in historic Summerville. Listed #1 on Trip Advisor 4 years in a row! Extended & corporate stays welcome in the BnB or cottage.
The cottage is a beautiful decorated, furnished 30 day rental. It can be rented as a 2 bedrooms-2 bath, or 4 bedrooms -4 bath, with full kitchen, laundry facilities, private deck and big front porch!
The Inn’s 55 rooms include admission to Middleton Place, home to America’s oldest landscaped Gardens. Guests also enjoy kayaking, bicycle rentals, and horseback riding.
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
843-637-5903 / carolinesbedandbreakfast.com
flowertowncottagerental@gmail.com 843-901-3804
(843) 556-0500 / theinnatmiddletonplace.com
LINWOOD
THE MAGNOLIA
SHORT CENTRAL COTTAGES
A blend of modern amenities, spacious private suites featuring 14 foot ceilings and original heart pine floors. Easily walk to Hutchinson Square, shops, and restaurants in the Historic District.
Located across the street from historic 'Short Central', each cottage features a full kitchen and unique Southern decor, perfect for experiencing Historic Downtown Summerville.
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
FOOD & DRINK
Historic Home and Gardens.
C HA RLESTON, SC
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, S C
stay@linwoodinn.com
843-212-2865 / StayInSummerville.com
843-212-2865 / StayInSummerville.com
COASTAL COFFEE ROASTERS
D'ALLESANDRO'S PIZZA NEXTON
EVA'S ON MAIN
Your local coffee roaster, bakery and community spot. Enjoy select wines, craft beer, music, events and so much more.
We care about the craft of pizza making, and we care about the ingredients we use. We craft a variety of creative pizza combinations made with quality ingredients.
Open since 1944, Eva's On Main is located in Downtown Historic Summerville and serves a Southern comfort menu for breakfast & lunch daily, with brunch on Sat. & Sun. Dine-in | Takeout | Curbside Pickup
SU MME R V I LL E, SC
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Y O U R
SUMMERV ILLE, S C
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
843-376-4559 / coastalcoffeeroasters.com
843-873-5081 / evasonmain.com
843-900-3593 / dalspizza.com G U I D E
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HALLS CHOPHOUSE
THE ICEHOUSE RESTAURANT
The cafe is known for daily specials and rotating soups, homemade condiments, & gluten free and vegan options. They have 3 locations that focus on quality, healthy, casual cuisine.
Halls Chophouse provides USDA prime steaks, fresh seafood and an acclaimed family fine dining steakhouse restaurant experience in Summerville.
Chef Michael Balga is bringing you Eclectic, Farm to Table, Southern Fare with a love & passion for the finest ingredients & flavors to tempt your taste buds.
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, S C
843-804-9410 / fiveloavescafe.com
843-900-6000 / hallschophouse.com
843-261-0360 / www.website.com
LOWCOUNTRY FISH CAMP
MIDDLETON PLACE RESTAURANT
O'LACY'S PUB
A laid back and rustic restaurant and bar where guests can enjoy some great seafood with an ice cold beer, glass of wine, or one of many specialty cocktails.
Overlooking the Gardens & inspired by the recipes of former resident chef and James Beard honoree Edna Lewis, the restaurant offers traditional Lowcountry favorites. Please see website for current info.
Your hometown bar in the heart of Historic Downtown Summerville, on Short Central Avenue.
C HA RLESTON, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, S C
843-285-8558 / LowcountryFishCamp.com
843-266-7477 / middletonplace.org
(843) 832-2999
THE FLOWERTOWN PLAYERS
MAGNOLIA PLANTATION & GARDEN
PUBLIC WORKS ART CENTER
The Flowertown Players create theatrical magic on stage for audiences of all ages. Summerville's premier community theatre known for a variety of plays, musicals, and comedy.
America’s oldest garden, Magnolia has been selected as one of "America's Most Beautiful Gardens" and is the only garden honored with this distinction in the State of SC!
Offering studio spaces for artists, engaging exhibitions, art classes, music events, an outdoor market, a special event rental space, and so much more.
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
C HA RLESTON, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, S C
843-875-9251 / flowertownplayers.org
843-571-1266 / magnoliaplantation.com
843-860-0742 / publicworksartcenter.org
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ARTS & CULTURE
FIVE LOAVES CAFE
FOOD & DRINK
AZALEA MARKET
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ARTS & CULTURE
SCULPTURE IN THE SOUTH
SUMMERVILLE COUNTRY CLUB
SUMMERVILLE ORCHESTRA
Art that invites touching. From wildlife to engaging figures, a permanent collection of public sculpture is being created in the historic village of Summerville.
Family owned and operated since 1974. Open seven days a week. 18 hole PUBLIC golf course featuring an outdoor event venue, the Candlelite Pavilion, available for rent.
Check our website for all upcoming events. We hope to be performing for you again soon.
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, S C
843-851-7800 / sculptureinthesouth.com
843-873-2210 / summervillecountryclub.com
SummervilleOrchestra.org.
ANTIQUES AND ARTISANS VILLAGE
ART ON THE SQUARE GALLERY
BEY + ELOISE
A Fun Place to Shop! Home to over 150 vendors/consignors. Easy parking at 619 Old Trolley Rd., Summerville. Antiques, Vintage, Gifts, Local Artisans.
Now opened at 420 Nexton Square A Fine Art Gallery featuring over 30 local award-winning artists - Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Jewelry, Stained Glass, Pottery & Mosaics!
SHOPPING
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
Bey + Eloise is located in Nexton Square, near Taco Boy and Halls Chophouse. The shop offers unique items as well as recognizable brand names for women looking for a fresh look!
843-900-5386 / antiquesandartisansvillage.com
843-871-0297 / artonthesquare.gallery
(843) 900-3500 / beyeloiseapparel@outlook.com
DOTTIE LANGLEY JEWELRY
EAST WINDS
EVERYTHING CHIC
Handcrafted solid bronze oyster jewelry created from casts of shells collected on beaches and waterways along the South Carolina coast.
Hand selected jewelry, apparel and gifts featuring distinctive Southern charm with a fresh modern attitude.
Everything Chic is a Southern gift shop full of eclectic home decor, jewelry, candles, furniture, and local specialty items. Our prices are reasonable and our staff is friendly!
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
dottielangley.bigcartel.com
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Y O U R
G U I D E
SUMMERV ILLE, S C
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, S C
843-875-8985 / eastwindsonline.com
843-879-2099 / everythingchicetc.com
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FLY MODERN APPAREL
FOUR GREEN FIELDS GIFTS
GOLDEN & ASSOCIATES ANTIQUES
Our promise at FLY is to deliver the best quality materials while giving you the comfort, fit, and style you desire. Each season FLY will bring you the newest trends.
Designer gift baskets, Lowcountry souvenirs, and creative cards and gifts for any occasion--plus, corporate gifts for all industries. Gift wrap, shipping, and delivery services available.
Located in historic Charleston South Carolina, Golden and Associates Antiques has been dealing with the finest of antiques for generations.
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
C HA RLESTON, SC
843-225-3661 / flymodernapparel.com
843-261-7680 / fourgreenfieldsgifts.com
843-723-8886 / goldenassociatesantiques.com
GUERINS PHARMACY
HANEBRINK JEWELERS
HIPPIE SOUL
Guerin’s Pharmacy is the oldest pharmacy in South Carolina. We invite you to stop in and see our 1920’s Soda Fountain and candy counter.
This hometown jeweler specializes in unique jewelry including estate pieces, custom design, diamonds, and gemstones! Veteran owned, they focus on jewelry made in the USA.
Offering products that help people reach a place in their lives filled with good vibes, peace, and hippiness; including hippie clothes, oils, rocks, crystals, incense and candles.
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SU MME R V I LL E, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, S C
843-970-8088 / HanebrinkJewelers.com
843-873-2531 / guerinspharmacy.com
843-225-9730 / hippiesoulsummerville.com
LAURA JONES & COMPANY
LOWCOUNTRY OLIVE OIL
MAGGIE ROSE
A home furnishings and accessories shop. We have a constantly changing showroom featuring beautiful furniture, garden elements, and thoughtful gifts with an acquired look.
Established at the Summerville Farmer's Market in 2011, family-owned Lowcountry Olive Oil now carries over 65 olive oils & vinegars, and dozens of locally made gourmet foods.
Maggie Rose is a ladies boutique of simple elegance in the Historic Downtown District of Summerville, South Carolina.
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, S C
843-875-0609 / laurajonesandcompany.com
843-695-8327 / lowcountryoliveoil.com
843-871-6745 / maggieroseboutique.com
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AZALEA MARKET
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S T A Y
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SHOPPING
AZALEA MARKET
MAIN STREET ANTIQUES
MISS MADDIES
OK FLORIST
We are 6500+ square feet with a unique variety of merchandise that changes daily!
We specialize in handmade apparel for your pets, and bake fresh daily tasty treats. We offer themed cakes and host birthday parties.
OK Florist, located in the heart of historic, downtown Summerville, has been providing beautiful blooms and lasting memories to Summerville and the Lowcountry area since 1947.
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
summervillemainstreetantiques.com 843-879-9529
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, S C
843-810-0069 / missmaddies.com
843-873-3681 okflorist.net / okfloristevents.com
PEOPLE, PLACES, AND QUILTS
PIAZZA HOME
SIMPLE TO SUBLIME
A premiere fabric and quilting emporium, with books, patterns, beautiful displays, classes, sewing machines, and good times throughout this wonderful store of 6,000 Sqft!
For 20 years we have been bringing the finest in gifts, home decor, and furniture to the Lowcountry.
THE destination to find unique gifts, chemical free bath, body and skincare, women’s clothes, accessories and more! Bring in this ad to receive $5 off your purchase (limit one per customer).
SU MMERV I LL E, SC
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To be a part of the Azalea Market, email info@azaleamag.com
AZALEA MAGAZINE
Aw Shucks An oyster shucker by Coastal Custom Knifeworks
FALL
2020
THE NEW K I N G S O F H E AV Y METAL pg.50
THE THINGS WE KEEP pg.58
Fall 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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the KINGS
New Man of Steel Jason Elam outside of his Summerville shop
of HEAVY
Using the tools of their trade, three monarchs of metal make art from the ordinary by Susan Frampton photos by Dottie & Will
Rizzo
METAL 52
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For over four and a half decades, Sidney Frazier has made his mark on Middleton Place, simultaneously cultivating America’s oldest landscaped gardens and a passion for horticulture in its visitors by
JANA RILEY
photography by
DOTTIE RIZZO
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Talking Shop Jason Elam with his pup, Sissy
Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union, AFLCIO (IW), Elam considers himself lucky to have learned from the best. "I'm what they call a connector, the one that's always way up there. I climb up there, and they fly the beams up to me. I connect them together." It is a dangerous job that requires the agility of an acrobat and the strength of a lumberjack. They are skills that are in high demand, and his expertise keeps him on the road more than he'd like. "I've worked all across the country—Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Rhode Island. It's really hard, being gone all the time," says Elam of being away from Summerville and wife Adrienne. He also works locally on some of the Lowcountry's most significant projects. I hung Boeing and Volvo, too," he says of the high-profile jobs.
JASON ELAM Rocky Steel What's in a name? Shakespeare says a rose by any other name smells just as sweet. But Shakespeare never met Jason Elam. He is an ironworker, and proud of it—so don't call him a steelworker. There is a difference. Ironworkers work on bridges, structural steel, ornamental, architectural, and miscellaneous metals, on rebar and shops. Steelworkers manufacture or shape steel. That guy you see walking the six-inch girder high above the sidewalk? That 'cowboy in the sky' is an ironworker, aptly named for the way he rides a steel beam like a walk in the park. From the time he was six years old, Elam looked for a way to get up off the ground and into the air. He built himself a helicopter from old bicycle sprockets and propellers to take him up. The project was not a success but made him even more determined to find a way to reach dizzying heights. The ironworking career path he chose provided the perfect vehicle to send him heavenward. He's been up in the air ever since. Starting at the bottom of the well before working his way up, he learned mostly from experience. A proud member of The International Association of Bridge, 54
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When he isn't on the road, work in his commercial custom metalwork and welding shop, Rocky Steel keeps the ironworker plenty busy. He decided to have a little fun recycling and repurposing the scrap metal around the shop. There was no shortage of material to work with. "I'm the Fred Sanford of steel," he says when his friends compare him to the notorious junkyard owner of television's Sanford and Son. Transitioning to creating art from the pieces of scrap steel provides a welcome break from his high-flying job. Elam laughs at the contrast between the two. "I went from building America to building frogs." Like the man that makes a living walking in the sky, there is an underlying strength in his artwork. In many of his pieces, the power he applies to building skyscrapers is just below the surface, harnessed to fit the smaller scale. But in some, there is a whimsey that catches his audience by surprise. Coming from the hardscrabble world of construction, Elam hasn't gotten used to being referred to as an artist. The reception his work has received indicates that he'll need to get used to it. "The first place I took it was the Night Market in downtown Charleston. It went really well, but after only two nights there, everything was shut down because of the virus." It was a good start, so he began showing his work at the Jedburg Junction Farmer's Market on Butternut Road. There, it has also found an appreciative audience. He hopes that at some point, he will be able to have work in both places. "I'm an ironworker. But if folks want to call me an artist – I guess I'll be an artist," he says of his newly launched art career. Whether his days find him walking a steel beam, or sculpting the jagged scrap metal steel teeth of a shark's jaw, the sky is clearly the limit for Jason Elam. AM
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1.Bull Skull Made from parts pulled from the ground of an old farm. $200 2. Wall Hanger Made from a trailer fender, saw blades, rope pully, motorcycle parts, and scrap metal. $2500 3. Jig Scrap metal $60 4. Light Fixture Made from a fire pit cover and scrap metal. $100
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Looking Sharp Shannon Reed outside of his Summerville shop
but there is no easy way of doing it, and no short cuts. “I've been doing it for ten years, and I'm still learning," says the craftsman, whose designs can be found in specialty shops stretching from the Lowcountry to New England to Texas. No stranger to working with his hands, Reed was looking for a hobby that would offer something he could share with friends and family. A plumber by trade, in his spare time, Reed built custom motorcycles from scratch and restored race cars, but it didn't give him the satisfaction he was looking for. "I always liked working with metal, and I thought that I might like to try sculpting. I also really liked working with wood, but I knew I didn't want to make furniture." Introduced to the tradition and charm of Lowcountry oyster roasts by a family friend he greatly admired, Reed decided that he'd like to try his hand at making an oyster knife. That project offered the perfect combination of his interests. The special gift he made for his friend became the first of many. Far more than the mass-produced utilitarian knives he saw around him, Reed designed a functional work of art. Word spread, and requests for custom orders led him to launch Coastal Custom Knifeworks. Squeezing out time to follow his passion isn't easy for the 44-yearold craftsman. He's dad to three rambunctious little boys, and a supervisor for Dorchester County Water and Sewer. His collection now includes a line of hunting knives, chef 's knives, and folding pocket knives. Created from both stainless and carbon steel, and from exotic and locally sourced materials, each style is customizable from blade to handle, with options such as a built-in bottle opener, leather sheath, or lanyard.
SHANNON REED Coastal Custom Knifeworks You can watch real housewives toss chardonnay and flip tables, or single guys pass out roses to vapid ingenues, but at the end of the hour, what have you really learned? However, if you're looking for teachable television, you can find it on one of the small screen's most riveting reality shows. One might not expect watching a handful of bladesmiths sweating over super-heated steel to provoke much excitement outside the cutlery drawer. But the History Channel's Forged in Fire, which puts contestants through their paces to create a knife that is sharp, balanced, strong and suited for the task it is meant to perform, turns each episode into a real nail-biter. Over the hour-long show, we learn that creating the perfect knife requires patience, brains, brawn, and no small measure of artistic ability. Shannon Reed, of Coastal Custom Knifeworks, has been approached several times by the show, but has resisted the lure of lights and cameras. The television contestants might get it done in an hour, he says,
As beautiful as they are functional, Shannon Reed doesn't want his knives to be treated as museum pieces —for display only. His designs have a reputation for being well-thought-out, balanced, comfortable to hold, and perfectly suited for their jobs. "Working with my hands, I have a real admiration for tools that last a lifetime. I don't get offended, but it does upset me a little when people tell me that they'll put them in a display case. That's not what I want. I want them to be something customers enjoy using—that they'll be able to hand down to their grandchildren." Reed says that he's now turning toward creating slip joint folding knives, a traditional gentleman's knife that is carried in the pocket. "I'm always surprised at how many people still carry pocketknives." But like the classic story of the shoemaker whose children go barefoot, he rarely has one himself. "It never fails," he says. "I'll make something for myself, and I'll try to hang onto it, but then somebody will call and say they need a knife for a gift, and they end up with mine." Pop some popcorn and give the tv show a look. Spoiler alert: you won’t find the Lowcountry bladesmith on reality television. He's too busy working on his beautiful and functional designs. Forget the lights and cameras, as far as his customers are concerned, Shannon Reed is already a star. AM Reed's custom knives can be ordered at coastalknives.com or purchased locally at Summerville's Four Green Fields or Hilton Head's Skull Creek Boathouse.
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1. Hopeful Hunter with textured orange G10 handle and rustic finish high carbon blade. $175 3.
2.Hopewell Hunter with textured OD green canvas Micarta and rustic finish high carbon blade. $175 3. Beag Belt Knife with jigged phenolic handle and stonewashed stainless blade. $150 4. Skinner with damascus steel blade and Curly Ash handle. $170
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Iron Horse Brian McBride inside his Summerville shop
"I've always just loved to create," McBride says of what he does. When not running his Charleston-based marine salvage company, providing demolition and processing of both ferrous and non-ferrous material, McBride's other interests allow him to explore that creative side. The brass, copper, and other metals he salvages provide the materials he works with as a metal sculptor. The imagination and creativity that turn it into art are all his. His avant-garde creations provided the impetus for Indigo East Gallery, the business he and his photographer wife, Dawn, owned and operated in Summerville. Having no formal art background, McBride credits his grandfather for his interest in art. "That man had a gift like nothing I've ever seen. I've got his original India ink drawings and some of his carvings. He could take a piece of wood four feet tall and whittle at it until by the time he was done, he had a little three-foot-tall Pancho Villa with twin guns and chaps, all out of the wood. He just he was an amazing artist. He really was."
Brian McBride McBride Creations
Tell me what you're looking for. Do you need someone to make you a cool sign for your business, bake you a cake worthy of a Cake Boss episode, or maybe to create a replica of a Taiwanese Navy ship? No? Sculpt you a horse with its mane flying in the wind, build you a one-of-a-kind dining table, or perhaps dismantle that tugboat or dredge you have lying around? No problem. I know a guy. If you look up "Renaissance man" in the dictionary, it says a person with a broad range of interests that is an expert in several areas. If it's an illustrated dictionary, you'll find a photo of Brian McBride. Not really, but if they did that, he'd be the poster boy. McBride's resume reads like a career catalog—marine salvage expert, woodworker, sculptor, and cake baker/decorator—and yes, I said cake. "I don't do plumbing," he says when asked to list what he isn't good at.
Without McBride's own eye for what lies within them, the scrap pieces of metal and slabs of wood he works with would remain just that. Regardless of the medium he chooses, each piece he creates is unique, whether crafted for sale at Nexton's fine art gallery, Art on the Square, or commissioned. One of his favorite parts of commission-based pieces is reading between the lines to discover what the client is really looking for. "Sometimes you just have to intuit what they can't exactly put into words. I take my cues from the lighting, the space it will go in, and even the client's body language when describing what they want." Nothing makes him happier than seeing the client's face light up when their piece is revealed. His subject matter varies from piece to piece, but the artist admits that nature provides him with the most inspiration. McBride's artwork can be found in private collections throughout the country. One of his works, a replica of the Ravenel Bridge's sail-like span, even found its way into a television show. "CBS Studios bought it. My wife recorded every single episode of the show, and we watched them in slow motion. She found it in two episodes." In unexpected contrast with the wood and heavy metal of his sculpture, McBride brings the same creativity to the medium of icing and fondant when baking and decorating cakes. Working with the sweet stuff isn't such a stretch when he reveals that his mother and aunts operated a bakery. "I used to hang out in the back after school, making fondant flower petals." Whether bringing exquisite detail to a wedding cake or capturing Oscar the Grouch's exact expression in a three-tiered birthday cake, McBride's cakes are works of art. "They taste good, too," he laughs. As with his art, the clients' reactions are the greatest reward. "That's the fun of it, and I get that same feeling that I do when somebody sees my art for the first time." McBride looks forward to the day when creating art is his full-time job. "Marine salvage is a young man's game." Whatever renaissance he chooses for his future, you can be sure that Brian McBride will be just the man to get it done. AM
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1. Spirit Horse (Mixed Media) Hand carvded horse head with stainless rods and steel cladding in an etched pine timber and leatherwrapped plexiglass base. $3275 2.Shore Bird (Mixed Media) Wood and steel mounted on driftwood. $2100 3. Ravenel Bridge (Mixed Media) Polished steel mounted on White Oak. $375
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Inspired by the seemingly ordinary items last touched by her beloved grandmother's hand, photographer, Stephanie Shank's images reveal the values of a generation. by
SUSAN FRAMPTON
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Memory Maker This Page: Photographer Stephanie Shank inside Public Works Art Center. Opposite Page: Part of her collection of images inspired by her grandmother's belongings
T
he pale blue thread that once spun at dizzying speed on the spindle atop the Singer sewing machine, now sits idle on the wooden spool. The room around it is empty. The house is silent except for faint echoes of rapid-fire stitches marching in pain-staking order across miles of fabric. When Stephanie Shank's grandmother, June, died unexpectedly, her passing stilled the nimble fingers of a woman who found great joy with needle and thread. In many ways, her passing marked the end of a way of life. But for a few months before Stephanie Shank's family began the process of clearing her grandmother's house, it stood as she had left it—as though she had just stepped out for a moment. "It was very emotional for all of us," Stephanie says of the task. "We knew that without her presence, these rooms would never again be as we remembered them." Though the items in drawers and on shelves might seem ordinary at first glance, it struck her that the very essence of June lingered in the mismatched buttons and snippets of thread. For Shank, a photography teacher at Summerville High School, each represented a memory of her grandmother. Almost instinctively, she began to photograph these things that June's hand had been the last to touch. As she viewed them with an artist's eye, she realized that each item told a story of its own. As she looked through her lens at the commonplace objects, the artifacts began to tell the tale of their place in time, the way they were utilized, and the fact that their continued existence spoke of the philosophy, creativity, and perseverance of a generation. With the encouragement of her professors at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where she was at work on a Master of Fine Arts degree, the idea for her thesis began to take shape. In June, her thesis built around a brilliant collection of images inspired by her grandmother's belongings, Shank dug deep to find meaning in the things left behind from a life of sacrifice, resilience, and ultimately joy. In her extreme close-up, highly detailed photos, Shank focused her lens on what lay beyond the obvious form and function of familiar items, to what they represented for a generation. For those who endured the harsh deprivation of the Great Depression and a nation at war, they were precious resources to be conserved. For June's generation, the restoration and repurposing touted by today's home decor magazines was a necessity rather than 62 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2020
a fashion trend. Through her photographs, Shank offered an intimate view of items held dear by those who never forgot the circumstances that taught them to repair rather than replace, to care for and make do with, or to simply go without.
"Nothing was ever wasted or thrown away. She had stacks and stacks of handwritten recipe books that were crossed through and edited to accommodate what they had on hand to try and make something close to normal. Juxtaposed against a stark black backdrop, we discover the unexpected tensile strength of pink thread spooling from a rusted bobbin, and watchfulness in the eye of an embroidery needle worn by use. "Nothing was ever wasted or thrown away. She (her grandmother) had stacks and stacks of handwritten recipe books that were crossed through and edited to accommodate what they had on hand to try and make something close to normal. We've lost that today," observes the artist. "It's too easy to run to the store for whatever we need or go to Amazon and replace anything that isn't new and perfect." But there is also joy to be found in Shank's images, and hope to be celebrated by industrious hands that created the wishful flowers of
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Family Heirlooms Shank's images put the focus beyond the obvious, to what each item represented for a generation
an embroidered pillowcase, the crocheted curls of a stack of frilled doilies, and the lovingly placed patches on the tattered edge of a well-used quilt. The revelation of that softness sends us reeling back in time, evoking vague remembrances of lavender-scented hugs and powdered cheeks pressed against ours. Shank credits her grandmother for her interest in the arts. She remembers learning at her knee to fashion roses from sweet icing for her grandmother's beautifully decorated cakes, and June's encouragement for her to draw and paint. "I think it was probably because of her that I took every art class possible in high school, and that's kind of when I started dabbling in photography. I took it a little more seriously when I started college." She did not see herself going into education, but inspired by the quality of her teachers, one month after receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Ceramic Art from Clemson University, she began a teaching career. Determined to inspire her students, when tasked with teaching photography at the high school level, Shank continued her own education. A Master of Arts in Teaching from SCAD soon followed, as did National Board Certification in Early Adolescent through Young Adult Art, and a Gifted and Talented Endorsement and 64 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2020
Advanced Placement Certification from the College Board in 2018. In 2019, she completed SCAD's Master of Fine Arts in Photography program, which led to the homage to her grandmother. Despite the accolades and honors she and her students received through the years, Shank admits she was unsure when it came to an exhibit of the photographs presented in June, a project that had been so deeply personal and fraught with emotion. According to visitors to her exhibition this past summer in the East Gallery of Public Works, downtown Summerville's newly opened art center, Shank's fears were completely unfounded. "I'm finally getting to the point where I'm comfortable sharing (my work)," she says. "But when you're putting yourself out there, it can be pretty intimidating." We are the beneficiaries of that newly found confidence. June's is a story worth telling, and it is told beautifully through Stephanie Shank's images. In June, we not only receive the gift of Shank's outstanding photography; but we are also offered the opportunity to learn from the lessons of a generation whose values we would do well to imitate. It leaves one to wonder. When the things we keep are left to tell who we are—what will our story be? AM
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VILLAGE P OET
Something About Autumn by Ellen E. Hyatt Haven't we had enough summer heat? We could slice it like a Southern peach, but without any reward of taste, flavor, or relief. Welcome autumn. No need for piquant performance now. Allow autumn to be visual. Choose a space where autumn is its own museum without walls. En Plein Air. Air which can be breathed in, sighed out if we choose to burst our bubbled routines long enough to discover something unconfined—an escape, a whiling. Here. Asters, hued with a Monet blue; Van Gogh's yellows showcase goldenrod; harvested hay rests in baled quiet; unhurried, a palette of leaves falls. Trees—(their wisdom, Proverbs 3:18 hints at)—when un-leafed, show us how less is more. Between bare branches, we see renditions of blue across the sky. One patch looks as though someone's painted a series of nine white-chiffon clouds. Wishing you were here sketching moments such as these—all too brief and never Enough.
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NEW KINGS OF HEAVY METAL: MONARCHS OF METAL MAKE ART FROM THE ORDINARY
styled by Margie Sutton makeup by Krista Elam photograph by Taylor Kennedy
SOUTHERN COMFORT: 3 DELICIOUS FRIED CHICKEN RECIPES / BLAME IT ALL ON MY ROOTS ONE DAY AT A TIME / THE COVID CUT / INSIDE SUMMERVILLE'S HISTORIC WHITE GABLES
We Welcome You To Our Family Table Halls Chophouse Nexton is led by Owner Bill Hall, a veteran in the hospitality and dining industry, along with his family, wife Jeanne and sons Billy and Tommy. Offering wet and dry-aged USDA Prime and Choice Beef as well as locally-sourced fish, poultry, vegetarian and gluten-free options, the Halls Chophouse Nexton menu features expertlycrafted dishes that highlight the essence of culinary creativity and distinguished flavor. Nexton Square Parkway, Summerville / (843) 900-6000 / hallschophouse.com