Azalea Magazine Fall 2014

THE 50 BOOKS EVERY SOUTHERNER SHOULD READ

LIVING THE COWBOY CODE / INSIDE THE FAMED LINWOOD / M&G: CAROLINE McCURRY HAUNTED SOUTH / NAVIGATING ADVENTURE / AWARD-WINNING POET ELLEN HYATT

Plus:

SALTWATER SUPPERS

CATCHING AND COOKING CLAMS INCLUDES 3 RECIPES pg. 53

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST LOCAL BREWS AND THE F O L K S W H O A R E C R AF T I N G T H E C U LT UR E

Donnie Gamache Attorney at Law

100 S Main St. Suite C Summerville, SC 29483

(p) 843.821.8280 (f) 888.429.8289

dpkgcalendar@gmail.com

AZALEA M AGAZI N E

F E AT UR E S F ALL 2 0 1 4

64 CR AFT CU LTUR E

Our guide to the best local brews and the folks who are crafting the culture

74 E N TE RTAIN IN G AN GE LS

Combining history, horticulture, and hospitality, Linwood Bed and Breakfast is a haven of peace and tranquility in the heart of Summerville.

82

L IVIN G THE COWBOY COD E

T H E 25 T H AN NIV E RSAR Y O F T H E W ALT E RBO R O P R O R O D E O

88 H AU N TE D S OU TH Vo l. 4 Tales of Mysteries and the Unexplained

Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 5

CONT ENT S

/ AZALEA Magazine / Fall 2014

25

34

53 07 Editor’s Letter 12 Contributors 17-23 FIELD GUIDE A brief look into our local culture 22 The 50 Books Every Southerner Should Read SOUTHERN LIFE 25 Southern Spotlight - Industry 30 Southern Spotlight - Sport 34 Southern Spotlight - Art 37 Southern Spotlight - Craft

22

COLUMNS 41 Natural Woman

by Susan Frampton 45 Patchwork of the South

by Michelle Lewis 49 Life & Faith

by Will Browning SOUTHERN TASTE 53 Saltwater Suppers How-to guide to clamming by fishing guide Marc Deschenes, plus three wonderful seasonal recipes by local super-chef Billy Condon

ON THE COVER: An ice cold glass of local brew / Photograph by Dottie Rizzo 6 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

30 45

92 THE LOCAL 92-Summerville Shag Club 94-Summerville Farmers' Market 96 LAST CALL

Lowcountry

IT’S

EVERYTHING

Two-thousand-acre master-planned community

Multiple featured builders

Come experience the natural beauty, culture and history of the Carolina Lowcountry at The Ponds.

On-site firehouse, EMS & near city center

Homes from the $300s Located just 5 miles from Summerville’s town square.

Tour designer model homes from our featured builders.

Lowcountry architecture, modern amenities

DiscoverThePonds.com 843.832.6100

MUNGO HOMES DR HORTON SABAL HOMES SAUSSY BURBANK ACTIVE ADULT LIVING AT THE PONDS: CARILLON

On-site YMCA

SALES BY:

© 2014. Prices, home sites, home designs and other information subject to errors, changes, omissions, deletions, availability, prior sales and withdrawal at any time without notice.

Public Sculpture Belongs To:

E DI TOR’S LETTER

YOU your children, and grandchildren...

"In her mind, anything [beer] with a darker color than apple juice is off limits."

Change of Pace To some extent or another, we all find comfort in the familiar. But, sometimes our complacency in routine can cause us to miss out on new experiences.

Please help support our efforts to beautify our community with exceptional sculpture that we can enjoy today – and that future generations will enjoy tomorrow.

Enjoy the Permanent Public Sculpture Collection AZALEA PARK • SUMMERVILLE

My wife, Dottie, is not much of a beer drinker but will have one every once in a while. She has a tendency to order a certain Mexican import. That's what she wants, and she's rarely interested in trying something different. In her mind, anything with a darker color than apple juice is off limits. I have often offered her a taste of something I was trying, only to be greeted with the face a baby would make after eating unsalted mashed peas for the first time.

On a recent brewery tour with Charleston Brews Cruise for our cover story (Craft Culture pg. 64), she sampled some local brews, and to her surprise, she's a fan of hops. Who knew? She had been denying herself the enjoyment of new flavors all this time.

Our community is going through changes. We're growing. And growth is sometimes accompanied by apprehension. That's normal. But growth can also be a catalyst for exposing us to new things. This fall, while mother nature is going through her own transformation, try something new; something out of your comfort zone. You just might like what you stumble upon. If my wife can smile after sampling a Pale Ale, anything is possible.

Will Rizzo Editor in Chief

More than 25 sculptures have been permanently installed in and around Summerville for your enjoyment. Bring a picnic to Azalea Park and make a game of finding them. Selfies are encouraged! You will find a sculpture location map on our web site:

SculptureInTheSouth.com

Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 9

4 01 .2 19 9.

BY E U TR

IE

S

D

C A LL F OR E NTRIE S

EN

2 ND

20

ANNU AL

THE

LOCAL

BEST

A ZAL EA AWA R D S T H E

L O C A L

14

B E S T

FROM A FINE OYSTER SHUCKER AND A LOCALLY INSPIRED COCKTAIL TO THE BEST IN EDUCATION, THE ARTS, AND MORE, THE WINNERS OF OUR FIRST ANNUAL AZALEA AWARDS PROVE THAT THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF GOODNESS COMING OUT OF OUR LITTLE SLICE OF THE GRAND OLE SOUTH Plus: Field Fresh • A Chronicle of William Henry Singleton • The Engelman House • Author Cassandra King

FREE ~ WINTER 2013/14

Modern Living in the Old South

CATEGORIES Educator of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Local Product of the Year, Craftsman of the Year, Artist of the Year, Artisan of the Year, Environmentalist of the Year, Cocktail of the Year, Dish of the Year, Event of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award JUDGING The editors of Azalea Magazine, along with last year's winners, will be judging the entries.

HOW TO ENTER Send us an email at info@azaleamag.com and let us know who/what you are nominating, what category you are nominating them/it for, and why they/it deserve to win.

Se nd e ntry t o in fo@azal eamag.c om

10 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

L O W C O U N T R Y R E A L E S T AT E M A R K E T

Country Living Secluded country living in Summerville.

A southern style home with wrap around porches and a modern interior features 2900sqft of energy efficient living on 2 acres.

Some features include: heart pine wood floors, Viking appliances, exotic master bathroom, custom kitchen, workshop and more. Cane Bay school district. Call for a private viewing 843-486-1600

White Gables Rare foreclosure in beautiful Summerville neighborhood. Hdwd floors and crown molding throughout first floor. Upgraded light fixtures and ceiling fans in all rooms.

Oak cabinetry and gas range in kitchen. MBR on first floor with vaulted ceilings and lovely ensuite MBA. Lovely landscaping on beautiful street. 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, 1,713sqft, 2 car detached garage.

843-486-1600

Completely Remodeled Stately brick home in established Summerville neighborhood. Completely remodeled on large corner lot with a deck built for entertaining.

Interior upgrades include 5" wide hand scraped wood floors, floor to ceiling windows, granite, stainless appliances, brushed nickel lighting and MORE! Neighborhood offers boat landing, swimming pool, ball fields, tennis & playground for less than $400 a year.

843-486-1600

Buying, Selling, Investing, Rental Management

Charleston Char leston G astroenterology S pecialists Char leston En doscopy Center S ummer v ille Endoscopy Center

Will Rizzo Co-Publisher and Editor in Chief will@azaleamag.com Dottie Rizzo Co-Publisher and Managing Editor dottie@azaleamag.com Katie DePoppe Editor at Large katie@azaleamag.com Margie Sutton Style Editor Will Browning Faith Editor

With our commitment to provide you a higher standard of caring, Charleston GI welcomes gastroenterologist and hepatologist Dr. Nathan Shores to the team!

MT. PLEASANT 180 Wingo Way, Suite 305 SUMMERVILLE 328 Midland Pkwy.

WEST ASHLEY 1962 Charlie Hall Boulevard

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

722-8000 l www.CharlestonGI.com

12 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

Jana Riley Staff Writer

Contributors Jason Wagener Susan Frampton Michelle Lewis Ed Brantley Charles Sweeney

Advertising Susan Frampton susan@azaleamag.com 843.696.2876 Susie Wimberly susie@azaleamag.com 843.568.7830 Azalea Magazine 114B E. Richardson Avenue Summerville, SC 29483 info@azaleamag.com www.azaleamag.com

Subscribe

*Available for $16.99 a year (4 Issues). Visit azaleamag.com for details.

Carnes Crossroads...

New Home Shopping Made Easy!

Come Visit Our Model Row!

A New Community in the Heart of Charleston’s Growth Just minutes from the downtowns of both Summerville and Goose Creek, a new community is emerging. Carnes Crossroads will offer the lifestyle of a small town, with charming neighborhoods, beautiful parks, lakes and close proximity to stores, shops, restaurants, offices, schools and church.

Homes are being built by David Weekley, Eastwood Homes, Sabal Homes and Ashton Woods Homes. Pricing starts in the mid-$200s.

Our Carnes Crossroads Real Estate Information Center is a wonderful resource to learn about life here. Located across from the Village Green and the historic Green Barn, our office is open 7 days a week, with or without an appointment. Or visit CarnesCharleston.com to learn more.

843.761.8600

Residents are now enjoying our 25-meter competitive size pool with beach entry.

CarnesCharleston.com

Where Community Comes Together 513 Wodin Place, Summerville, SC 29483 Carnes Crossroads Real Estate, LLC., Chuck Buck, BIC

F E ATURE D CONTR IBUTO RS

JANA RILEY / Writer

Jana is a writer and editor living in Summerville with her husband, Dan. Jana enjoys adventures with her three favorite kids, Noah, Jude, Forest, and their dog Alfie.

SUSAN FRAMPTON / Writer A Savannah native, Susan Frampton has called Summerville home for over 30 years. Her long career as a non-profit executive director, and various roles of wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother, hunter, gardener, animal wrangler, fisherman, and world-traveler have provided rich material for her current role of writer. Susan and her husband Lewis are currently being held hostage in their home by a three month-old dachshund named Newton.

Let the hunt begin.

For the first time, large properties are now available in the East Edisto Rural District.

Located between the Ashley and Edisto Rivers in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, this historic land has been under the careful stewardship of MWV for decades. The natural character of the landscape and rich diversity of wildlife make it a true sportsman’s paradise. And, best of all, it’s only a half hour from downtown Charleston.

We welcome your inquiry.

Properties range from 50 to 1,000+ acres.

R U R A L

D I S T R I C T

MWVLandSales.com | 843-509-1034

14 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

JASON WAGENER / Illustrator Jason started his illustrious art career when he won a coloring contest in 3rd grade, subsequently entitling him proud owner of a Mickey Mouse dry erase board. He moved to the Lowcountry in 1990 and, save an education at The Savannah College of Art and Design, has remained a faithful transplant ever since. He now lives in Goose Creek under the thumb of the dreamy Julie Wagener and offspring: Toy Story enthusiast, Henry, and the womb-bound “baby brudder”.

Oddly enough, he lettered in art at Stratford High School.

ED BRANTLEY /Photographer

Ed Brantley is a Summerville native.

He and his wife Leslie have four children Davis, Ethan, Jackson, and Dabnie. He received a Bachelors of Fine Art in Photography from Winthrop University and teaches photography at Fort Dorchester High School. He is passionate about board sports and film cameras.

Your mammogram.

Your choice!

Choose comfort, quality and excellence.

When your physician tells you it’s time for your mammogram – tell them you want to go to Summerville Breast Care Center.

SUMMERVILLE MEDICAL CENTER BREAST CARE SERVICES 295 Midland Parkway Summerville, SC 29485

Remember- it’s always YOUR choice!

What separates Summerville from the rest?

• Easy online scheduling • Same day appointments and results • Superb team of board certified mammography radiologists and registered technologists Quality breast care is your choice!

Call us to schedule your appointment today:

877-357-0156 tridenthealthsystem.com/breastcare

16 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

Daniel’s Orchard Downtown Summerville

TWO NEW HOME DESIGNS!

The Belleview

The Santee

Two New Plans Added!

Daniel’s Orchard Single Family Homes $275,990–$323,990 2,036–2,898+ square feet • New Charleston Single Homes in Downtown Summerville • Walk or bike to shops, parks and restaurants • Dorchester II School System • Nearby YMCA provides pools, fitness and family fun

Two fantastic new home plans are now available at Daniel’s Orchard!

The 2,036+ sf, 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath Santee is a great family home with large upstairs owners suite, open-plan family room down, plus flex space to customize to your liking. The charming Belleview offers 2,103+ sf with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, including a downstairs owners suite, formal dining room and large family room.

All in a neighborhood within walking distance to shopping and dining, and only one mile from the best that historic downtown Summerville has to offer. Hurry in today to tour!

843.695.0339 • www.pulte.com/danielsorchard For more information, contact ken.huggins@pulte.com and gini.rice@pulte.com.

This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required or if void by law. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be an actual representation of a specific community, neighborhood, or any completed improvements being offered. Please see a sales associate for details. ©2014 Pulte Homes Corporation. All rights reserved. 7.31.14

A BRIEF LOOK INTO OUR LOCAL CULTURE

- Forestry -

Agriculture, meaning farming, forestry and all that entails, makes up South Carolina's No. 1 industry, even surpassing tourism

270+ The number of wood product companies in South Carolina.

200,000 $876 mil.

The number of jobs created by agriculture in South Carolina.

The annual delivered value of timber, SC's largest cash crop.

74%

52%

The percentage of timberlands owned by private landowners.

The percentage of SC forests that are hardwood.

" I can always be found at a game in town, especially Summerville football and baseball. " Q& A

MEET & GREET

What makes locals tick, one neighbor at a time

Q What is your favorite thing about living in the Lowcountry?

A

My favorite thing about living in the Lowcountry is being near the water. I love spending time at the beach and the lake.

My family spends the entire summer at the lake each year. There is nothing better than waking up every morning and sitting on the porch drinking a cup of coffee looking out over the water.

Q What is your dream job?

A I have it. Being an elementary

school teacher is a dream come true. I teach third grade at Newington Elementary and have done so for 26 years. I absolutely love going to work each day to teach, love, and care for my amazing students.

Q Is there a motto that you live by?

A The motto that I live by is: Always strive

to make a positive difference in the lives of those around me.

20 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

CA ROLI NE M c CURRY

Q Who or what are you a fan of?

A I am a fan of all sports but especially football

and baseball. I grew up with my father coaching high school football and baseball, and then I married a football coach. Needless to say, I have spent my entire life attending sporting events. I can always be found at a game in town, especially Summerville football and baseball. I’m either watching my sons, Mac and Olin, or one of the kids that I have taught!.

Q Coffee or tea?

A Coffee. But it's more like cream and sugar

with a little coffee.

Q What is one thing you've bought in the last

five years that you couldn’t live without?

A I could not live without my Smartphone! I

am spoiled with having everything I need to know right at my fingertips. From Googling unknown topics to Google Maps® for driving directions, I don’t know how I survived without it.

Elemen tar y Sch ool Tea ch e r

Q

What is one thing you've bought in the last five years that you could go the rest of your life without?

A I could go the rest of my life without the six wheeler we bought for our family last year. It was one of those things that sounded great at the time, but didn’t turn out that way! It just sits in the barn.

Q What is your favorite music?

A Country music of all kinds.

Q What is your dream vacation?

A My dream vacation would be any island with white sand and clear blue waters for boating, jet skiing, and snorkeling.

Q What is your fondest memory of living in Summerville?

A My fondest memory of Summerville is the

Southern charm. From the hospitality of the people to the rich history of the town, Summerville is a wonderful place to live.

Experienced care in the heart of Summerville.

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians welcomes Summerville Family Practice to our family.

C. William Wimberly Jr., MD and his staff have cared for patients in the community for over 40 years. Their commitment and dedication to patient care is a passion that we at Palmetto Primary Care Physicians share.

Visit our two newest locations at:

Summerville Family Practice 435 North Cedar St Summerville, SC 29483 (843) 873-1592

Family Practice

St. George Family Practice 202 Ridge St St. George, SC 29477 (843) 563-6000

C. William Wimberly Jr., MD Christopher Wimberly, MD Matthew Ferguson, MD Margaret Courtney, PA-C

Psychologist

Frances Welch, PhD

Counselors

Robin Joseph, MEd James Moody, LPC

www.palmettoprimarycare.com

T H E

S H O P S

On The Square Summerville’s Historic Village District

140 South Main Street (843) 873-2531 guerinspharmacy.com Mon. - Fri. 9am - 6pm Sat. 9am - 5pm Compounding and filling prescriptions since 1871

130 S. Main Street (843) 871-6745 maggieroseinc.com Mon. - Fri. 10am - 6pm Wed. - Thurs.

10am- 7pm Sat. 10am - 5pm

Field Guide Apothecary

Witch Hazel Witch Hazel is derived from a flowering shrub commonly found in North America. The extract from the bark and leaves has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Although it is relatively inexpensive and fairly easy to find, there is a wealth of wonderful uses below that just might convince you that keeping a bottle in your medicine cabinet is not a bad idea.

USES FOR WITCH HAZEL 1. Reduce puffiness around eyes.

2. Treat mild acne.

3. Help reduce bruising.

4. Use as a facial toner.

5. Reduce varicose veins.

6. Treat sunburn.

7. Treat eczema and psoriasis.

8. Soothe diaper rash.

9. Soothe razor burn.

10. Stop itchiness from bug bites.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before starting any exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using this or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.

Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 23

Field Guide Literary

The 50 Books Every Southerner Should Baking Soda Read

Over the years, there have been those stories – you know the ones – that affect you. The ones that linger long after you’ve read the last line – a shadowy friend who follows you back to everyday life; the phantoms that seem to wrap their hands around your shoulders and pull you through the pages and hold you there for a while.

K AT I E DEPOPPE The editor at large for Azalea Magazine and the curator of The Azalea Room, the official blog of www.azaleamag.com Connect with her: Twitter @kdepoppe Instagram @katiedepoppe

" Literature is as old as speech. It grew out of human need for it, and it has not changed except to become more needed. "

- John Steinbeck

24 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

As a child, there was a storybook I spent hours poring through because the illustrations were so beautiful. I decided I wanted to live there and spent hours of my early years trying to draw pictures like those. I still remember, with great nostalgia, my thirteen-year-old self, tucked into bed in the wee hours of the morning, brought to tears for the first time by a novel. And I could write all day about the works that I’ve read as an adult that have shaped my heart in some good way or opened my eyes to a new way of thinking.

How easy it is to forget that literature has the power to change the world.

That’s why our fall issue kicks off a project we’ll be working on over the next year. Below are the first three in our series, The 50 Books Every Southerner Should Read. Listed in no particular order – as we know an ordered list would be relative to each reader – and compiled through our conversations with readers, writers, professors, and booksellers, among many others, we’ve coupled the classics alongside the critically and popularly acclaimed to bring you a comprehensive list of the greatest Southern storytellers of all time.

The first Tuesday of every month a new book from the list will be featured on the blog at azaleamag.com. Think of it as a virtual book club of sorts. Read at your own pace and join our Facebook group, The Southern Lit Project, to share your thoughts, opinions, and reactions with the Azalea social media community.

To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee Why read it?

Regarded not only as a Southern masterpiece, but one of American literature in general, To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most popular literary classics of all time. Since its publication in 1960, over 18 million copies of the book have been printed and translated into ten languages. The winner of the 1961 Pulitzer Prize (and later an Academy Award for the movie of the same name) and one of the best examples of Southern Gothic and Bildungsroman (coming-of-age) literature, author Harper Lee flawlessly juxtaposes tenderness, humor, and love with the seriousness of themes like racial inequality, race relations, and the development of moral character. It is the first and only book Lee ever published.

A Reputation Built upon Quality, Beautiful Smiles Built Upon Trust!

The Prince of Tides Pat Conroy Why read it?

Perhaps most widely known for its 1991 film adaptation, The Prince of Tides, Conroy’s fifth book, was published in 1986 and tells the story of narrator Tom Wingo’s struggle to overcome the psychological damage he and his siblings endured as a result of their tormented childhood growing up in rural South Carolina. Successfully crossing the ever-evasive line from literary acclaim to mainstream reception, The Prince of Tides enjoyed success in both art forms. Conroy also penned the screenplay for the film, which was directed by Barbra Streisand and nominated for seven Academy Awards.

Dr. K. Britt Reagin

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/ReaginOrthodontics

DrOrthodontics.com (843) 871-4411

Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston Why read it?

Written in 1937, Zora Neal Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God is regarded today as a seminal text in both AfricanAmerican and women’s literature. Set in early 20th century Florida, the novel spans 40 years of protagonist Janie Crawford’s life. First ill-received for its rejection of racial uplift ideology (Hurston was also a folklorist and anthropologist), the novel was later recognized by readers and critics alike for Hurston’s dedication to realism – especially in regard to the romantic themes.

Janie’s refusal to live a life steeped in foolish dreams, fear, or pathos, and her resilience in overcoming trials and finding purpose, is one of the finest examples of true-to-life African-American storytelling in existence.

Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 25

STARRING

GUS CUDA

AND

LADY CAROLINE

SOUTHERN SPOTLIGHT

Iron Man With molten metal in his blood, third generation foundryman Jimmy Midgett casts iron into icons in his Summerville workshop.

Written by

Susan Frampton

Photos by Dottie Rizzo

Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 27

E

ach day, hundreds of people pass by the large, blue, unassuming structure on Highway 176 without an inkling of what is happening behind the walls. Inside, there is a master craftsman at work.

owner of J & M Foundry, unloads pieces of heavy scrap iron from the back of a pickup truck. He steps toward a large cauldron-like piece of equipment that stands, glowing, on a concrete pad, and drops the metal scrap into the opening of what he explains is an induction furnace.

Lit only by the sunlight that streams from the large garage-type doors, the cavernous metal building seems to harken back to an earlier time. There are no assembly lines or computer-driven mechanisms. Hard work hangs heavy in the sultry air, pushed about by huge exhaust fans mounted high above the rafters, and the hard-packed, black dirt floor wears the imprint of workbooted feet bearing heavy loads.

Sparks fly from the blistering depths as the solid iron is swallowed by the fiery orange liquid, which bubbles and rumbles like a small volcano in the bowl of the furnace. Though the heat from the furnace can be felt from yards away, Midgett steps up again and again to drop the iron pieces into the vat. Outside, the temperature hovers in the nineties. Inside, it is closer to 100. The heat is stifling, but in his baseball cap, t-shirt, and blue jeans supported by suspenders, Midgett doesn’t even break a sweat as he explains that the furnace will need to reach a temperature of 2000° Fahrenheit to melt the

Silhouetted against the light from the open door Jimmy Midgett, 28 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

scrap iron into the liquid form he will need for today’s project.

It is clear that he revels in this work, and that the skills are second nature to him – just as they were to his father and grandfather. The older men learned their craft in a North Carolina foundry, and when his father opened his own in Charleston in 1953, young Jimmy worked with him on weekends from the time he was six years old.

It was during his first semester at The Citadel that Midgett’s father lost his foundry. Sold to a large company to pay off tax debts, the family business was about to slip away when young Jimmy realized he could buy the business back. The enterprising young man took a chance, borrowed the money, paid off the debts, and regained the foundry. It was a risky move, but he felt the timing was right, and with that, the J & M Foundry was born.

It was not the only risk he took that year. Though he lost a $5 bet that she would dance with him the first time they met, he won the lottery when Brenda Marshall later agreed to marry him. Dependent upon the couple’s firm foundation of faith, the vows “for richer or for poorer,” were never truer: it would be seven long years before Jimmy rebuilt the business and drew his first salary. Laughing, Midgett looks back on those early days, shaking his head at the audacity of the young man.

“Salvation and timing,” he says.

“They’re the two most important things a man can have.”

Almost ten years later, he took another leap of faith and purchased 28 acres on a back road outside Summerville, this time, with three daughters also Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 29

counting on him. His prayers were answered, and with hard work and passion for his craft, J & M Foundry survived the ups and downs of a growing business.

Charleston is known for the attention to detail found in unexpected places throughout the city, and Midgett can Forging Ahead Today, he will create the lids for the surprisingly intricate take credit for some of the most iconic items, such as the The guys of J&M Foundry brave the cast iron water meter boxes found on Charleston’s streets decorative earthquake washers seen on the sides of historic heat to beautify and sidewalks. The design is a detailed work of art, featuring homes, the beautifully detailed manhole covers, as well as Charleston. a palmetto tree and crossed cannons on a cross-hatched drainage grates throughout the city. But by far, his most visible creations are the brass plaques that line Charleston’s famous background. Midgett will capture three or four hundred of the Pineapple Fountain, and the ornately designed iron-legged benches intricate patterns in iron each year for Charleston’s Public Works. so many enjoy at Charleston’s Waterfront Park.

The molds are made using a centuries old technique that tightly Midgett has cast over 1,000 of the benches that have invited packs green sand (a mixture of sand, 4% moisture, and 4% clay) visitors and residents to sit and enjoy Charleston’s parks and other around the desired pattern. The patterns themselves are elaboratelandmarks. Mayor Joe Riley, whose uncle once owned a foundry ly carved in wood by skilled pattern makers, and one might easily in Charleston, specifically asked that these benches be 25% larger imagine them hanging in a gallery of modern art. As the sand falls than the standard Charleston Bench design. Midgett personally from a chute into the casting flask, it is tamped over the top and hand-tightens every single bolt to secure the wooden slats of each bottom of the pattern with an electric rammer and is distributed into bench and to guarantee their perfect alignment. Stacks of lumber all of the nooks and crannies of the design. Openings are left in the and iron legs, painted Charleston green and weighing 62 lbs. top for pouring the molten metal. each, stand waiting for assembly in his shop – a testament to the thousands of hours Midgett has, and will continue to log, to ensure Across the shop, the next generation of foundrymen is at work on another job – this one for a local hospital. Midgett’s grandson, one of Charleston’s most famous charms remains.

30 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

Bradley Tylee, adds another mold to the line of the fifty-odd that stand ready for the next step. Studying under his grandfather since he was a small boy, Tylee is relaxed and confident in the baking heat of the foundry. A quiet and powerfully built young man, the 21-yearold carries on the family tradition, handling the equipment with the ease of one familiar with hard work.

The fiery liquid is blinding as it flows into the sand molds, but the experienced men in its glow make the process look deceptively easy, steadily moving the blazing cask from one mold to the next. Allowed to cool for 24 hours, the molds will be broken away from the lids the following day, when any sharp edges will be ground away. They will then be polished, painted, and readied for delivery to Charleston.

Midgett has cast over 1,000 of the benches that have invited visitors and residents to sit and enjoy Charleston’s parks and other landmarks.

Midgett gives the signal that the furnace has reached the pouring temperature. His grandson and the two other workers gather to conduct the dangerous and carefully coordinated method of casting iron. Pulleys hoist the glowing furnace into the air, and the heavy cables of a gantry allow it to be maneuvered above the first mold. Midgett says that in the early years, this backbreaking work was all done manually, without even this simple equipment to handle the heavy loads, and few foundrymen were able to work into old age.

The temperature in the shop ratchets up another 20 degrees as the furnace tips, and red-hot molten metal pours from the spout.

The day will be long, and by its end, black sand will be etched into the lines of Midgett’s callused hands. But tomorrow morning will find him right back here again, firing up the furnace.

Molten metal runs in Jimmy Midgett’s blood, and despite the heat, the dirt, and the hard work, there is no place else this iron man would rather be.

Backlit by the glowing orange furnace, the smile on his face is that of a man who loves and lives his work.

“I am a lucky man," he declares. “I have lived the American Dream.”AM

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The Fat Boys began competing in 2000, but three of the guys became friends long before that. Comp McCurry and Jeff Cisar met while teaching and coaching at Summerville High School. Halter, a land development manager with Mungo Homes, was a friend of both, and all three of their wives worked together at Newington Elementary School.

When Cisar moved to West Virginia to work in law enforcement, he met Joe Bradley and introduced him to the rest of the crew.

Formerly high school and college athletes, the guys grew up taking part in competitive sports, relishing in the feeling of pushing themselves to the limit and beating the competition. As they got older, however, they began to realize that options for athletic competition dwindled after a certain age. They did triathlons, marathons, and ultra runs, but weren’t satisfied – not until they discovered adventure racing.

Lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days, adventure races require teams to navigate unfamiliar terrain while hiking, running, biking and paddling. Using only topographical maps and compasses to find their way, the winning team must log as many of the race’s set “check points” as possible, in the fastest amount of time. Teams are given lists of checkpoint coordinates to find throughout the course, and one or two of the coordinates will bring them to their bikes and/or boats and onto a road, mountain bike trail, or body of water, depending on how the course is set up. The rest of the checkpoints contain a small, bright orange tent with a unique hole-puncher, allowing the teams to mark on a “passport” the checkpoints that they visited. Checkpoints can be miles apart, and located on water or land.

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Fat Boys:Sport

Navigating Adventure

Unrelenting and tough, the Fat Boys Adventure Racing Team pushes the physical boundaries of middle age.

by Jana Riley

There is a rule among the four members of the Fat Boys Adventure Racing team: if any one of the guys suggests a race, they have to do it.

Fifty mile runs, 100 mile runs, a swim across Lake Moultrie, or threeday adventure races – no challenge is too tough for the Fat Boys.

“It has come to a point where we have to clarify, ‘I’m just mentioning this, not suggesting that we do it,’” Matt Halter says emphatically.

“Otherwise, we are all signing up. No one wants to be the weak link that holds the others back from doing a challenge.”

32 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

The teams must be completely self-sufficient, carrying their own gear, including water, water filtration systems, food, emergency supplies, and any survival tools they may need. A mandatory and suggested packing list is sent to teams prior to the race to ensure they are well-prepared for the conditions. Cell phones are required for emergencies, but they are vacuumed sealed at the start of the race to prohibit the use of GPS technology. If the seal is broken, the team is disqualified from the race.

Teams use different bikes and boats depending on the terrain–a course may require a mountain or road bike, and a canoe, kayak, or raft. A three-day race may bring up to 100 miles on a bike, 20 to 40 miles on the water, and 60 miles on foot, with variances based on the type and length of course. An average race draws around 20 two to four-person teams.

Though the Fat Boys Team often either places high in the competition

or wins their division, they are quick to point out that while they love winning, it is not their primary motivator.

“We don’t go expecting to win,” notes McCurry. “This is mostly a way to push ourselves to do more and to do better, and if we win, it’s a bonus.”

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Halter adds, “While some guys our age meet up to go golfing or fishing together, we can’t settle for that. We have to do something extreme. We feel like once you slow down, that’s when you start to get old.

We do it because right now, we can. There may be a day where we aren’t able to do these types of races anymore. Until then, we will keep going hard.”

Over the years, the guys have met their fair share of challenges. One race required competitors to rappel down a 300-foot rock face, while another had them ripping down category five whitewater rapids. A few times, the guys have found themselves navigating single-track mountain biking trails in the dark, with only their helmets and bike headlights to keep cliff drop-offs in sight. Still another time, the Fat Boys lost the trail while hiking through rugged mountain terrain, and had to slide down tall, steep hills on their rear ends, aiming for trees to hit on the way down to keep them from going too far, too fast. No matter how grueling the task, though, the guys still crave more.

“The more adventurous an activity is, the better,” says McCurry. “We want to do things no one has done before.”

As important as physical fitness is to an adventure race team, mental toughness is paramount. Days in the wilderness with minimal food, water, and sleep can lead to emotional breakdowns and hallucinations, so the Fat Boys are always looking out for one another on the trail. Once, during a three-day race across Florida, Halter noticed McCurry swerving on his bike slightly. The guys had only taken three 20-minute naps over a few days, and Halter knew from experience that it was possible McCurry could be asleep while pedaling his bike. As he rode up next to him, Halter watched as McCurry shook his head furiously and made frustrated noises before glancing up again. McCurry later explained that he saw a monkey on Halter’s back and a small cart or rickshaw

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Navigating Adventure continued

being pulled behind Cisar’s bike. He couldn’t shake the visions no matter how hard he tried. Later on that same bike ride, Halter began to see buildings, including the reflections in the windows, lining the road, on a completely desolate stretch of land. Another time, Halter got in his firstever argument with Cisar while trying to determine which direction to head. The argument got so heated that the men were about to come to blows, until Halter looked up from the map to see all three of his teammates staring at him, mouths agape. The entire conversation had only occurred in Halter’s head; the other three had been silent the entire time. Fortunately, the team has a strong camaraderie, and was able to laugh it off and rest before continuing the race.

So far, the Boys have stayed in the Southeast for their races. Between the travel and special gear for each race, the costs can add up. Until recently, their dreams of competing in races in places like California, Wyoming, Maine, Utah, and overseas seemed too far off to take seriously, until Dr. Edward Nolan at Trident Pain Center stepped in to help. Dr. Nolan, an adventurous man himself, provided a sponsorship to the Fat Boys, noting his respect of their toughness, grit, determination, and “never give up” attitude. In return, the Boys attend events for the Pain Center, talking to the clinic’s patients with the goal of inspiring them to push themselves a little bit more, while still managing their pain. With the Pain Center’s sponsorship, the Fat Boys are just a little closer to their goals of completing races in other regions. They plan to do a four-day adventure race in Maine next year.

The Fat Boys hope that through their connection with Trident Pain Center and their growing exposure, they can encourage others to pursue their own adventures.

“I don’t think people realize what they’re capable of until they do something outside of their comfort level,” says Halter. “I just want to see people going out and doing things they typically wouldn’t do,” adds McCurry. “Take the road less travelled, find yourself in the wilderness, live your dreams, and build memories. You won’t regret it.”AM

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Society Prize through the Poetry Society of South Carolina, recounts what prompted her love of writing, shares her literary ideals adopted from the masters, and reveals her philosophy on teaching and supporting creative collaboration.

ON SOUTHERNNESS My Southernness is, in part, based on Emerson’s idea of seeing the “miraculous in the common.” I grew up in Bridgeville, a small suburb of Pittsburgh and lived on a farm during college in Hawaii, so I relate to the meaning of rural – to small towns and the connection with nature that is a result of that type of living. Years later, I lived in Memphis – that was my first encounter with the American South.

Then we moved to Charleston in 1995 when my husband was transferred. In the South, I think we easily see the ordinary things as miraculous – the extraordinary in the ordinary – and that is at the heart of the seeds that become my poetry.

THE BEGINNING I started writing because I was read to as a child. My mother subscribed to a mail-order book club, so new titles arrived monthly.

The first real book I read by myself, a chapter book, was No Children, No Pets by Marion Holland, published in 1956. That book delighted me, and 43 years later, my husband located a copy of it for me for Christmas.

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Ellen Hyatt:Poetry

Sowing the Seed: An Interview with Ellen Hyatt

The award-winning poet shares on her beginnings, her Southernness, and the meaning of her art form.

by Katie DePoppe

Years before her first poem was published, Ellen E. Hyatt often wondered what it was she could possibly have to say that the world had not already covered. While the award-winning poet and professor of writing still often asks what more she can add to the literary canon, the words seem to continue finding their way to the page.

Here the two-time winner of the Dubose and Dorothy Heyward 36 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

My mother was born in Hawaii, and while we lived in Pittsburgh, she was always writing letters home to her mother and sister. She would use the top of her letter box to place the stationery, and I remember the scratching sound the fountain pen made as she wrote. As a child, I thought of that letter box like a box of chocolates. I treasure those memories of my mother writing, and I still have the first letter she wrote to me when I was at the University of Hawaii.

After I received my Master of Education (focus in communications and English), I was teaching high school outside of Pittsburgh when I had the chance to be a part of the National Writing Project.

I adopted the project’s idea – that if you are a teacher of writing, you must write. Not long after, I submitted a poem about street people for an arts festival, and it was awarded an honorable mention. I didn’t even do that kind of writing at that point, so it was a joyful shock. Following that, the University of Ohio accepted my first poem, “River Note for a Teacher of Geometry,” to lead a thematic literary journal centered on the Ohio River (which starts in the Pittsburgh area). Not too long after, my confidence was dually built by an acceptance in Taproot Literary Review, where the editor encouraged me to continue with poetry.

O N T E A C H I N G & C R E AT I V E C O L L ABO R AT I O N My teaching motivated my writing. As a teacher in Pittsburgh, I was fortunate to attend summer workshops with writers whose works are now in academic anthologies. Even while teaching Sunday School, I wrote from the perspective of our parish’s guardian angel, who was observing our joys and concerns. The pastor read the letters as part

of a sermon series, and I realized at that time, that I had ideas to share with others. Colleagues, family, and friends inspired and encouraged me.

Sometimes it just takes someone saying, "Send it out!"

I think it’s important for writers to find a writing group or honest friends who practice the art of critiquing. An educated and knowledgeable critique is invaluable – another reason I’ve enjoyed being a part of the Poetry Society of South Carolina.

I’ve come to the conclusion that if we have something we can give back, like in the parable of the biblical talents – to share talents we’ve been given – it’s our job to do that.

ON WRITING & EDITING I often scribble things down. Once an idea is planted, I know, at least, the germ of it is saved somewhere. I keep a history on the inspiration of my ideas, about how they first came to me and the stream of consciousness that follows – how one idea leads to the other. Flannery O’Connor said, I write to discover what I know. There’s a lot to make sense of in this life, and like Flannery sometimes I don’t know what I think until I write it out. Or like James Baldwin, we try to create to help organize disorder. I think of that sown seed like the word of God – you can’t be sure what will grow from it.

After sowing, you still have to water, weed, and wait. Poetry comes from the same place as worship. Is that why some mistrust creativity?

I prefer to first write in long-hand. I think that goes back to watching my mom write those letters. I revise on the computer. Chandler, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Parker, Thurber, Updike, Zinsser have great thoughts on revision. Revision really counts much more than the initial writing. Writing is really re-writing. And though we can’t always revise ourselves or others, we can always revise our work. AM

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SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT D e a n Wa t e r s p o r t s : C r a f t

What’s SUP?

Dean Johnson’s hand-crafted stand-up paddleboards are one-of-a-kind works of Lowcountry art Words and Photos by Ed Brantley

Anyone driving across a body of water in the Lowcountry has inevitably seen someone stand-up paddleboarding. The hobby is on billboards that line I-26 and is included in ads by large retailers up and down King Street. It’s a common site for a coastal

city these days, nearly as much as boating and surfing. But, what you might not realize is that an artist and tastemaker in the industry, Dean Johnson, is hand-crafting high-end custom paddleboards and filling orders from around the country in his workshop here in Charleston.

Shaping Up Johnson shaping a new board

Growing up in North Carolina, Johnson’s love for surfing started at the early age of six amidst the waves of the Outer Banks. He has always been a part of water culture – also a quintessential part of his second home, the South Carolina Lowcountry – and marks it as the greatest influence on his love of water sports and the founding of his company, DEAN Watersports.

Stand-up paddleboarding, also known as SUP, is the fastest growing watersport in the world. The sport’s short history can be traced to one of the most prolific waterman alive today, Laird Hamilton. He was the first to ask for a custom “stand-up” paddle Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 39

and rocked the industry when he used it to birth a new sport at the famous point break surf spot in Malibu, California in September 2002. All eyes were on Laird as he owned the line-up while standing on his board using a paddle to get into the waves – a feat no one had yet to see.

Since then, paddleboarding has become an increasingly popular industry, spawning pop-up brands and spurring other leaders in the watersport world to try and make a quick buck with products made in China. Because the majority of the stand-up paddleboard brands sold in specialty shops and warehouse retailers are imported from foreign countries, Johnson’s business is set far apart from his competition, as he prides himself on the fact that all of his raw materials are made and sourced

40 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

Johnson’s business is set far apart from his competition, as he prides himself on the fact that all of his raw materials are made and sourced in the United States.

in the United States.

Johnson puts his blood, sweat, and tears into every customized board. When asked what sets his company apart from others in the industry, Johnson said that it’s the “balance of a quality build technique, composites, and proven shape.”

A few years ago, he sought the help of the latest hull designers to create the most hydrodynamic boards in the water. His latest board designs integrate the use of carbon innegra to increase durability while keeping the weight of the boards far below the competition. (The material is also used in Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners.)

But Johnson’s boards are not just examples of ingenuity; they are pieces of art. The shape, paint,

color combinations, deck pads, and logos work together to create the most aesthetically pleasing boards in the world.

His background in professional cycling, art, design, and construction can be seen in the custom race, surf, and touring paddleboards that he creates. Design, quality, service, and value are the foundations of his company. It is also not uncommon for Johnson to personally deliver a custom board to the customer so he can shake his or her hand and go for a paddle.

When Johnson isn’t in the shop turning out custom works of art, he can be found putting hours into several forms of personal training.

When the weather isn’t cooperating you can find him in Chucktown Fitness, a personal sponsor, training for the water or on his bike. A former professional cycler who made his rounds in Europe, Johnson can be found riding miles across the Lowcountry when the waves are flat.

He also trains on his 12’6” and 14-foot race boards. Johnson is a top competitor in SUP races throughout the Southeast and has paddled against internationally recognized faces of top industry brands. When the waves are small and clean, you can find him shredding one of his custom Surf SUPs in front of the Windjammer on Isle of Palms.

Johnson has rallied upon the success of his hand-built custom paddleboards. He envisions his company as a national brand one day – one that is both environmentally friendly and made in the USA. With a new logo and a focused vision, Johnson is on a mission to do exactly that. AM

Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 41

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NATURAL WOMAN

by Susan Frampton

D

awn is only just beginning to light the sky when I awaken, dive into my shoes, and run for the front door. I’m not a morning person, but my new trainer is a stickler for discipline, and I know that he will make me sorry if I don’t get moving. He is of German descent, a short and stocky gentleman, with an unmanageable beard that would make me laugh if I weren’t in such a hurry. Though his eyes are kind, he barks orders at me with an insistence I dare not question, and we hit the stairs at a dead run.

We arrive on the dew-stained grass, and by the look of things, we’re just in the nick of time. The tiny tyrant looks up at me appraisingly, as though I might have shaved a few seconds off my time, had I hustled a little more.

Weighing in at just less than three pounds, the newest member of the family has quickly established himself as the boss of us, and the undisputed Human Whisperer of our household. In only days, the miniature dachshund with unruly wiry hair, a voracious appetite for shoes, and a bladder the size of a dime,

has totally changed the landscape of our world.

Where antique rugs once complimented our décor, bright blue puppy pads now stand out like ink blots. Socks lie shredded and abused behind sofas and under tables. An aerodynamic crate with a watering apparatus takes up the middle of the den floor, and a fleece bed lies beside my desk. Specially formulated puppy kibble sits in an apothecary jar on the counter, and blueberry treats wait in fancy bags to positively reinforce good behavior.

When I was a kid, our dog ate Gravy Train and leftovers and slept in the yard. He was a yellow dog named John Fitzgerald Kennedy, with no pedigree and questionable morals. John did not own a leash or a chew toy, and was perfectly happy chasing a stick and eating Mother’s daffodils for snacks. Resilient and courageous, he never met a veterinarian, although the physician who lived behind us once treated him for a snake bite.

But that was a simpler time; before the doggie renaissance that started with Watson, the bassett hound, whose squatty body I lifted onto the foot of my bed each night, and whose squeaky toys included a large plastic banana. A stubborn beast with a mournful

ILLUSTRAT IONS BY JASON WA G E N E R Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 43

RAL NATU N WOMA

face, he regularly convinced me it was a privilege to carry his 80-pound carcass home each time he stopped and sat half way through a walk around the block.

When my husband and I married, Teal was his pride and joy–a fiercely loyal black labrador trained to do just about everything short of driving the car. Though he loved my husband most, I bought my way into his heart with soup bones and a bed by the fireplace, and when our baby daughter came along, he swallowed his pride and allowed her to toddle with a small hand firmly clutching his black fur.

Merganser arrived on the scene full of the passion for life that accompanies youth. He closely watched the older dog, and with little intervention from us, learned to mirror his impressive skills. He was patient with Belle, the beagle, who let us know in short order that if you are self-assured and smart, you can command respect from the big boys, and Bob, a springer spaniel that embodied the gratitude only a rescued dog can know.

Ruddy was to be my husband’s hunting dog, but a bum shoulder ended that career path early on. But with a bark that would frighten a lion, the big chocolate lab took on the role of protector of home and hearth, happily frightening FedEx drivers and Seventh Day Adventists. He also passed along some great genes when our son’s female lab came to stay for a few months. I momentarily forgot

44 AZALEAMAG.COM Fall 2014

Making the uncomfortable comfortable a basic biology lesson, and on a freezing cold Christmas Eve night eight weeks later, welcomed nine unplanned, squirming puppies into the world. That lesson stayed with me, as did Morsel, the tiny chocolate runt of the litter.

They were good dogs, every one of them, and each one taught us something about ourselves and a lesson in unconditional love. They also helped us learn not to become attached to material things like nice black leather pumps, pillows embroidered by grandmothers, furniture, or rare books. They each took a piece of our hearts when they left us, and when we lost twelve-year-old Morsel, we vowed that we’d never have another dog.

But sweet puppy breath clearly produces amnesia, and the feel of downy-soft baby fur destroyed our resolve when our daughter gifted us with the tiny ball of fur named Newton. And so, the dog days have returned.

In short order, I’ve learned that I can move faster than I thought I could, and conversely found myself pausing to scratch a speckled belly when I should be working. I’ve watched Lewis run tiny relays in the yard, and discovered him catching a catnap with the little fellow curled in his lap.

Are we to learn to slow down, or be reminded to keep moving? There is bound to be a lesson here, and somewhere between the puppy pads and the chew toys, I’m sure we will find it eventually. Either way, I think the little man is up to the task, and if we’re patient – he’ll have us trained in no time. AM

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Saltwater Jubilee

PATCH WORK OF THE SOUTH

Captured by the Life of a Shrimper

T

by Michelle Lewis he crunch of gravel in my driveway announces my friend's arrival. A moment later he's knocking at my door. "Michelle? Michelle, you up?"

I glance at the clock. It’s three-thirty in the morning. He's right on time.

"Yeah, I'll be right there!" I answer. I rush to tie my shoes, throw my hair into a ponytail, and make a mad scramble toward the door, tripping over the dog in the process.

Patrick and I are on our way to Shem Creek to go shrimping aboard his step-father’s boat, the Winds of Fortune. And while this isn't my normal rise-and-shine time, my grogginess dissipates at the dock.

We park the truck, unload our gear and mill around in the darkness while the crew arrives one by one. A few of us are here for fun, but the crew is here to carve out a living – to feed their babies and keep a roof over their heads.

We climb aboard, and Captain Wayne Magwood flicks on the spotlight. Suddenly, the Creek shines like a summer afternoon. The motor hums to life – a low rumble rising from the bowels of the

trawler. The soft noise blends seamlessly with the creaking wood. We slowly pull away from the dock and I'm not surprised to find myself just a little breathless with the romance of it all. Standing on the bow of the boat, I relish the salty night breeze that dances across my skin.

Sloshing waves throw themselves against the side of the boat with abandon, while the air is punctuated by the tinkle and clanging of metal coming from outriggers and pulley systems. This is the music of Shem Creek. The song of the shrimpers.

As we head out into open water, I scan the horizon in vain, until at last, the sun begins to awaken the sky. The stars, conceding defeat, slowly fade into obscurity as the morning bears down on them.

Dawn blooms in a burst of orange and pink while hoards of seagulls rain down on us. From a long way off, we hear pelicans beating the air, vying desperatly to reach the bounty they know is soon to come.

Dolphins leap and roll in the water, making sure we know they are waiting, while here and there, we see sharks thrashing around on the surface. They too are eager for food, occasionally grabbing a seagull as an appetizer. For decades, these animals have been trailing the shrimp boats, taking advantage of the easy meals they provide.

Over the next ten hours I take care to soak in all that nature (and Captain Magwood) is offering to me. The swell and fall of the ship

ILLUS TRAT IONS BY JASON WA G E N E R Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 47

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H PATC K WOR E OF THH SOUT

has lulled me into an oddly invigorating serenity. Jimmy Buffet tunes liven up the deck and the laughter flows easily among the crew. Somehow, shrimpers have managed to turn their livelihood into a celebration of life.

We rake in a few hundred pounds of shrimp, as well as a baby octopus, a blowfish, and several other creatures I've never seen up close before. After snapping pictures, they are thrown overboard, none the worse for wear.

It's no secret that our shrimp industry has taken a brutal hit. In 1989, when Hurricane Hugo stormed the area, its fury decimated the coast, flinging boats inland and carrying houses out to sea.

Most shrimpers were never able to recover. Those who did were forced to spend time and money replacing their nets after hauling in washing machines, lawn mowers, and other sunken household items.

This was followed by the advent of farm-raised, imported shrimp. Unable to compete with the price of the imports, our shrimpers find it hard to gain entrance into local area restaurants.

The irony is that most diners assume they are being served with seafood from our own waters; not from another country entirely. But the shrimpers are a hearty bunch. And since fishing is a lifestyle as much as a job, our men forge ahead, in spite of the setbacks.

The tide usually determines when a shrimper ends his day. We turn back toward land that afternoon and I'm tired, I'm hot, and I smell decidedly fishy. But even so, I am already planning my next excursion aboard the Winds of Fortune. And though I stepped off the boat a long time ago, I can still hear the whisper of the waves beckoning me to return.

I too have been captured. AM

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Below is a list of leadership commandments I’ve gathered over the years:

Defining leadership is easy, but defining the practices of a leader who others want to follow is an entirely different matter. The leaders who serve with me at our church have asked me, “What

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• Don’t use email, text messaging, or voicemail to deliver sensitive information. What you intend to say will likely be misconstrued because the receiver cannot read your tone, inflection, and body language.

Meet face-to-face or speak by phone when delivering sensitive information.

• Return all communication sent to you within 24 hours. You assign value to others when you respond to them in a timely manner. One of the easiest ways to set your organization apart in the busy American world is to quickly respond to people.

• There is no excuse for being unorganized. Part of being a highcapacity leader requires you to balance a weighty schedule and a vast task list. You will not succeed if you are not organized.

• You represent more than yourself in every public arena, including your online profile. Understand that everything you put out publically is a reflection of your character. Be above reproach in everything you communicate publicly. If you are a Christian you also represent the Lord Jesus in this world.

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• You build trust when you make good on your commitments, and you lose trust when you don’t. When you communicate to someone that you will be somewhere, assist with something, or accomplish some task – make good on your commitment. If you find you cannot fulfill an obligation, communicate early and apologize to the person to whom you are breaking the commitment.

• Public loyalty results in private leverage. It is important to organizational success for the team to function as a unit. Being publically loyal to the team allows for you to have the credibility to privately challenge any team objective.

• Make other people’s passions better. You work on a team with shared goals. Ask the question, “How can I help my teammates be successful?”

• Family is more important than professional achievement. Many successful leaders spend their last years full of guilt because they traded success for a relationship with their loved ones. Don’t let your work become your identity, rather use your job as the means to accomplish your family goals. AM

Will is a teaching pastor at a new modern church in Summerville, The Journey Church. He is the father of three kids and married to his college sweetheart, Tarah. He is an avid sports fan, a voracious reader and a coach of young leaders. willsjourney@gmail.com

VINTAGE • RECLAIMED WOOD PRODUCTS • HOME DECOR

126 S. Main St. / www.vintagesouth.biz / 843.771.9938 - Find us on Facebook Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 53

BE AN OUTSIDER Whether it’s on a mountain bike trail or up a coastal creek with a paddle... it’s good to be an outsider in South Carolina

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S ALT W AT E R S U P P E RS The Hard Clam The Lowcountry's forgotten culinary treasure photos by DOT T IE RIZZO

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In the Lowcountry, oysters get all the love. The oyster roast is hardwired into our cultural DNA. We throw festivals in honor. We drop small fortunes on custom knives.

We even use the discarded shells in our art and architecture. While the oyster is the proverbial captain of the football team, for some reason, the clam is lost on the sidelines.

The hard clam is a forgotten treasure - one of our most neglected culinary treats. More than 85% of South Carolina's commercial clam production is shipped out of state, with only some to return later in the year in the form of canned chowder.

Clamming is an easy and inexpensive way to enjoy a nearly year-round supply of food and fun.

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Clamming Guide SEASO N • October 1 through May 15 LI M I T O F C ATC H • One-half U.S. bushel of clams may be harvested per person, per day. Clams must be at least one inch thick.

W H ER E TO G O • Look for flowing saltwater tributaries off the main waterways. The terrain must be a mixture of half sand and half mud.

• Look for pools of water one inch to one foot deep. Dig across the top of the submerged mud. Unlike oysters, clams will be fully submerged in the mud and will give off a distinct squeak (think fingers on a chalkboard) when the rake runs across the shell.

EQ U I P M EN T • Clam rake or steel rake • Bucket • Rubber-lined gloves • Chest waders or muck boots • Fishing license STO R AG E • Cool clams within a few hours of harvesting • Refrigeration life: 5-6 days • Freezer life: Up to 6 months

The Guide

MARC DESCHENES Marc Deschenes has been fishing since he was five years old, when his dad introduced him to the plastic worm. At the age of 20 he joined the Summerville Bassmasters where he met many influential fishermen, like Ed Wiley and Malcolm Murdock. In his thirties, Deschenes competed on the Pro Tour against many of his heroes.

Today, Deschenes runs V.I.P. Adventures, a professional hunting and fishing guide service, specializing in duck hunting, fresh and saltwater fishing, claming, oystering and shrimping.

Connect with Marc: www.vipadventures.net or on Facebook (V.I.P. Adventures)

Hard Clam

(Quahog)

Hard Clams are sold under three market categories which correspond to their size.

Littlenecks

Cherrystones

Chowders

The smallest, most tender and most expensive. They are usually served steamed with clam broth and garlic butter.

Medium-sized, and mediumpriced. They are and served on the half shell and used in clam bakes.

The largest and cheapest of the clams are usually minced, diced or ground for chowders or pastas.

Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 57

Casino Style (Stuffed) Quahogs with Chowda Sauce INGREDIENTS 1 dozen chowder clams, cooked, chopped meats Reserving clam liquor-cooking juices 3-4 slices bacon, raw, chopped, rendered, reserving fat 1/4 cup peppers, sweet red bell, diced 1 Tbsp garlic, minced 1/2 cup onions, yellow, minced 1/4 cup celery, finely minced 1/4 stick butter, unsalted, divided 6 slices bread, sourdough or the like, cubed 1 Tbsp thyme, fresh, chopped 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1-2 tsp Texas Pete hot sauce or the like Salt and pepper to taste 1/4-1/2 cup clam juice, strained, divided 1/8-1/4 cup white wine, cooking clams 3-4 shells clam shells, split and washed for stuffing PREPARATION Preheat oven to 400°F. In large sauté pan over medium high heat, add washed clams, wine and minced garlic. Cover and steam clams for approximately 5-6 minutes until clams begin to "smile". Remove from heat and allow to cool in order to handle safely. Using a clam knife or the like, cut the abductor muscle thus removing the meats. Strain the cooking liquids and save to help flavor and moisten the stuffing. Also, reserve the clam shells to use as the vessel to hold the 'casino' stuffing. Roughly chop the clam meats to use later in the stuffing mix.

In large sauté pan over medium heat, render bacon. Once bacon is cooked, sauté garlic, onion, fresh thyme and minced celery. This process will go rather quickly. When sautéed vegetables are translucent add peppers, hot sauce, butter, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add the reserved chopped clam meat and season with salt and pepper and mix well. Fold in the diced bread. Gradually add reserved clam juice and incorporate the clamvegetable mixture until it is moistened thoroughly.

Stuff each clam shell half with approximately 1/3-1/4 cup of the casino mix. Place stuffed shells on a baking sheet pan and bake in oven for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Chowda Sauce

2 slices bacon, chopped raw 1 cup heavy cream 1 tsp butter, unsalted 1 tsp thyme, fresh chopped 6-8 oz potato, red bliss, diced and par-boiled Salt and pepper to taste 3 dashes Texas Pete hot sauce 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup clam juice, reserved While stuffed clams are baking, prepare clam chowda sauce.

In sauté pan over medium high heat render bacon, add butter, thyme, potatoes and clam juice. When mixture comes to a boil, add heavy cream, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce cream by half.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

The Chef

WILLIAM T. CONDON Condon is currently the chef at Triangle Char and Bar of Summerville. The 2010 Boone Hall Oyster Festival Professional Division Oyster Recipe Contest winner was also a named character in local author Dorothea Benton Frank’s book Return to Sullivan’s Island. The NY Times best-selling author referred to him as “an icon among the talent that litters the dining rooms of the Lowcountry”.

His discerning patrons refer to him as Chef Billy. Don’t let his grizzly bearded appearance fool you. He is passionate about his craft. Chef Billy has honed his culinary skills at AW Shuck’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, in a local “haute” dog place, steakhouses, the island restaurant Atlanticville, several Guerilla Cuisine dinners, wine pairing dinners and the Summerville Scrumptious Kitchen Tour.

Chef Billy serves locally grass fed burgers and tacos among other entrees at Triangle Char and Bar. Besides overseeing the kitchens daily specials, he will focus on box lunches, oyster roasts, Lowcountry boils and pig pickin’s.

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Lowcountry Clam Chowder Southern Twist on Manhattan Clam Chowder

INGREDIENTS 16-24 local clams (middle necks, pop top size OR (#4) littlenecks Steamed, meats removed from shells, cooking juices reserved 2 Tbsp butter 2 28oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes 4 ears yellow corn, shucked and removed from cob 1 lb butterbeans or baby limas 1 lb applewoood thick cut bacon, chopped raw (10-12 slices) 2 onions, medium, yellow, diced ¼” (1 cup) 1 carrot, peeled & diced ¼” (½ cup) 2 red bell pepper, fine diced 2 celery ribs diced (½ cup) 1 lb red bliss potatoes, diced in ½” cubes 2 6oz cans V-8 1½ cups reserved clam juice ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce Hot sauce to taste 1 tsp red pepper flakes Zest of lemon 1 Tbsp granulated garlic 2 sprigs fresh picked thyme Salt/pepper to taste PREPARATION This is a simple one pot cooking method with easy clean up.

Render the bacon in a large stockpot then add all the ingredients to the pot except the clams and salt/pepper. Cook on medium high heat and bring chowder to boil stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and cover pot and cook for approximately 30-40 minutes. Add clams and cook on low for another 5 minutes. Add salt/pepper to taste.

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Littleneck Clams with SC Peaches, Pancetta and Backyard Okra INGREDIENTS 24 littleneck clams ½ cup white wine 1 Tbsp garlic Pinch red pepper flakes 8 oz orzo pasta, cooked al dente ¼ cup clam juice, reserved 4 oz pancetta 1 SC peach, sliced 1Tbsp butter 1Tbsp garlic ¼ red onion, julienne ¼ sweet red bell pepper , julienne 6-8 okra, sliced on a bias ½ lemon zest 1 sprig hand torn basil Salt/pepper to taste PREPARATION Sauté clams in sauté pan with white wine, garlic and red pepper flakes. Use a domed lid and cover to keep warm for later.

In sauté pan render pancetta, add butter, garlic and peaches.

Deglaze pan with clam juice. Add okra and cook for 1 minute. Toss in red onion, bell pepper and orzo pasta. Heat thoroughly and add lemon zest and toss in hand torn basil. Add clams and gently toss in pasta. Add salt/pepper to taste.

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T H E

SHOP S

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Fine art and gifts by local artists 130 Central Ave. 843.871.0297 www.artcgalleryltd.com HOURS Mon. - Sat. 10am - 5pm Open until 8pm on Third Thursdays A gallery of fine art and crafts all made by local artists. Located in Historic Downtown Summerville.

227 S. Cedar St. 843.871.3888 HOURS Mon. - Sat. 10am - 5pm

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125 Central Ave. 843.821.7733 eclecticchef.net Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm Sat. 9am-4pm

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A cursory glance around the Lowcountry food and beverage scene makes one thing clear–while local is king, craft brews are the crown. Here's our guide to the best local brews and the folks who are crafting the culture. words by

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Seemingly overnight, a handful of breweries set up shop and garnered loyal followings,

while turning out microbrew after microbrew of fresh, local ales, pilsners, India Pale Ales (IPAs), porters, stouts, and more. On board Brent Horner’s “Brews Cruise” bus, residents and visitors alike have the opportunity to check out a few of the area’s unique brewing facilities, meet some of the most influential players in the South Carolina beer scene, and taste a few of their creative concoctions.

Here’s an inside look.

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Holy City Brewing North Charleston

Located off Dorchester Road, the casual, eclectic-feeling brewery celebrated its third year this summer and has experienced rapid growth, both in its location and output. Initially set up in a rickshaw bike shed after the owners pedaled tourists around for cash, the operation went from a 1200 barrel output to an estimated 6000 barrel output in just a few years; the operation now fills the large Dorchester Road space properly.

An openness to share their space with charity and nonprofit events brings droves of visitors to the brewery nearly every weekend, and food trucks set up outside regularly. With a long tasting bar, four flagship

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brews on tap all year round, a plethora of seasonal offerings, and burritos now on the menu, Holy City has enough options to satisfy any palate. holycitybrewing.com Definitely try: The Pluff Mud Porter, which won the gold medal against 44 other brown porters at the Great American Beer Festival in 2012.

Palmetto Brewing Company Charleston

As the first (legal) South Carolina brewery since before prohibition, Palmetto Brewing Company is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates beer and its history. Started in 1993, the brewery ended an 80 year

hiatus on beer manufacturing in the state, and helped kick the door open on beer legislation. Armed with a small team of passionate beer makers and drinkers, Palmetto creates consistently delicious microbrews, which in turn, has created a generous fan base all over the state. This summer, the brewery unveiled its brand new tasting room at its flagship Huger Street location: an air-conditioned, inviting collaboration of reclaimed boxcar wood, vintage fixtures, flat screen televisions, and a unique repurposing of keg barrels in the men’s room. Four staples remain on tap including an amber ale, pale ale, American lager, and coffee porter, and special releases are interchanged seasonally. With the recent extensive renovations, a pilgrim-

age to the oldest brewery in the state is a must-see for any beer fanatic. palmettobrewery.com Definitely try: The CharlestonLager, Palmetto’s recreation of the style made by the original Palmetto Brewery, open from the 1850s through 1913.

Coast Brewing Company North Charleston

Family-owned and environmentally conscious, Coast Brewing is tucked neatly amongst the industrial buildings of the Old Navy Base. The energy-efficient brewhouse is run on waste feedstock biodiesel from a nearby processing plant, and the husband-wife team prioritizes

organic and local ingredients above all else. In addition to co-owner Jaime Tenny’s nearly decade-long legislative efforts, Coast has made headlines for a recent Kickstarter campaign.

Fans of the brewery raised around $30,000 to assist in a brewhouse expansion, including replacement of a 7-barrel system with a 30-barrel outfit, which they hope will nearly triple their output and allow a wider distribution of their brews. A true reflection of passion and dedication to their craft, David and

Jaime’s brewery offers incredible beers in a creative and unique environment. coastbrewing.com Definitely try: The 32/50 Kolsch, a favorite of Coast’s many fans.

Frothy Beard Brewing Company North Charleston

Envision three bearded dudes drawing a pint of frothy beer to their hairy mugs. You now have

an accurate image of Frothy Beard Brewing. Founded in 2013, this successful three man venture began homebrewing beer in 2006 as a hobby. Only one of the group is originally a Carolinian, the other two hail from Chicago and Brooklyn.

But when it came to selecting a home, the emerging market of Charleston was a perfect fit thanks to the "Pop the Cap Bill" and the "Pint Bill." They set up shop in North Charleston with a barrel and a half system.

This year the bearded brewers

have brewed 27 different beers and their brews have been poured in over 50 different bars and restaurants. A sawed in half boat bearing the name "Waterloo" greets you on entry to the tasting area. Bearded tap handles are a trademark. Four flagship brews are available with six brews on tap and a long list of seasonal beers. frothybeard.com Definitely try: Sergeant Sandias Surprise, a wheat ale bombarded with watermelon.

Edmund's Oast Charleston

Opened in 2014, this brew pub's name is a collaboration of the first name of Charleston's American Revolution Rebel Brewer, Edmund Egan, and

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Game Changer

JAIME TENNY When Jaime Tenny and her husband David Merritt decided that they wanted to open a brewery in South Carolina, they were met with a mountain of paperwork and laws which ran in opposition of their goals.

“It came down to either move to North Carolina and open a brewery there, or change the laws in South Carolina,” says Tenny. “The latter just seemed easier at the time.”

Tenny began by forming a grassroots craft beer advocacy group, The South Carolina Brewers Association, in 2005, and immediately began to work on the “Pop the Cap” campaign.

With a mission to raise the allowable alcohol content in beer from 5% ABW, Tenny made regular trips to the state capitol, meeting with “anyone who would listen” and sharing the brewer’s side of the issue: that most of the beer they wanted to create surpassed the cap and suppressed their ability to expand.

In 2007, the cap on allowable alcohol content was raised, effectively allowing an unprecedented variety of craft brew styles to be created and distributed in South Carolina. Tenny and her husband opened Coast Brewing Company the same year, while Tenny continued to serve as the president of the Brewers Association. Tenny focused next on a tasting law that allowed breweries to offer samples to visitors, petitioning legislators, influential companies, and associations. After a long battle, the law passed in 2010. Next, she set her sights on the Pint Law, which enabled breweries to serve up to three pints of beer to visiting patrons, instead of just a few samples; it passed in 2013. This year, Tenny helped pass the Stone Bill, a highly-anticipated piece of legislation that allows breweries to function as brewpubs, enabling them to serve food and lifting the three pint limit on beer servings.

Tenny’s determination and tenacity over the past decade brought not only a more enjoyable experience to brewery visitors across the state, but created jobs and inspired creative passion. This year, she will hand over the reins as president of the Brewers Association to focus more on Coast Brewing Co. and her family, but her hard work will bear fruit for countless years to come.

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an old European term for a kiln used in the drying of hops. With a large adjacent parking lot, finding a space for your wheels should be no problem. Finding a place to plant yourself is just as easy. Inside, you will find plenty of communal tables. Outside, wooden picnic-style tables inhabit a spacious tree shaded patio.

For more intimate dinners and functions, a smaller covered area is available. The interior features an open kitchen with chef ’s counter seating for an up close view of the open kitchen. Offering food that is inspired by the beverages featured, almost everything served off the menu is made from scratch using all local farm and seafood products. Edmund's Oast's expansive bar, with 48

draft beers on tap, will satisfy any discriminating beer drinker. edmundsoast.com Definitely try: Edmund's OastBreakfast at the Still, with notes of rum-soaked, spiced raisin bread.

Freehouse Brewery North Charleston

The fourth brewery to call North Charleston home, Freehouse is all American and all organic. Its 15-barrel system, pair of 30-barrel fermenters, and 15-barrel brite tank were all fabricated in America. USDA Certified, its beers are brewed with organic malt, organic hops and organic spices. Even its cleaning products are organic.

In the tasting area, a unique bar constructed from salvaged wood, acquired from a 120

year-old seed mill in Abbeville, SC serves up rustic, farmhousestyle ales. A custom-built deck just outside the backdoor of the tasting room offers a picturesque view of the marsh and the Ashley River. Every Friday, tickle the taps and then tap your feet to live bluegrass music from 6 pm until dark. Many of its events are pet friendly. Six beers are available on tap. freehousebeer.com Definitely try: Ashley Farmhouse Ale, a dry Belgian-style saison.

Westbrook Brewing Company Mount Pleasant

Founded in 2010, Westbrook by far is the largest local brewery at 18,000 square feet in size. Its core of tanks pump out a yield

of 4,000-5,000 barrels per year, but has the potential to produce 20,000 barrels per year with the installation of additional tanks in its remaining open space. If you take the free tour, you will gain access to the brewery's mystical barrel room where the aromas are intoxicating.

Touting an impressive catalogue of beers, Westbrook's label is currently distributed in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, New York, and Europe. The complex is outfitted with a showcase tasting room–the centered, oval bar literally serves as the nucleus. Wooden bar stools surround it, as well as the room's perimeter. In addition to Westbrook producing three year-round brews, they also have nineteen rotating varieties, ten barrel-aged styles, three anniversary brews, and two collaboration beers. The tasting room

has eight beers available on tap. westbrookbrewing.com Definitely try: White Thai; a refreshing ale with notes of lemon candy, citrus fruit, and a slight spiciness from the ginger

Southend Brewery Charleston

You may have the opportunity to clink glasses with a ghost at this grand East Bay Street corner brewery. Featured on many local ghost tours as one of Charleston's most haunted places, Southend's home, the historic Wagener Building, has an interesting history dating back to 1880. With three unique floors, it has something for everyone–casual fine dining, live entertainment, and banquet events including amenities like

six flat-screen television sets for the sports enthusiasts, championship-sized pool tables, salsa dancing, and a beautiful view of Charleston Harbor–all accessible by a glass elevator. But the ultimate feature of this Charleston venue is its glass enclosed brewery housing large copper and stainless steel brew tanks producing rotating seasonal selections and a lineup of five house-brewed favorites. southendbrewery.com Definitely try: Riptide Red and Love Me Two Times Blonde

Revelry Brewing Company Charleston

Revelry is the new kid on the block. Like most craft beer brewers, it had small

beginnings. A home brewing project that began in a garage on Johns Island has recently moved operations to a 4,000 square foot warehouse located in the northern part of the Charleston Peninsula. Its new 10-barrel system from Quality Tank Solutions arrived in July. The indoor tasting room features a u-shaped bar with a 1872 black Chickering Piano built into it, with the artwork of Chris Kemp embellishing its walls. revelrybrewingco.com Definitely try: Pass The Lemon Grass, their IPA and Santa Left Overs, a sweet oatmeal stout.

Homegrown Brewhouse Summerville

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Game Changer

SEAN BENNETT

relax with your friends and enjoy one of your favorite SC beers, Homegrown Brewhouse offers its patrons a pleasant drinking atmosphere and uninterrupted conversation.

Located on historic Hutchinson Square in Summerville, it features a long wall of taps–40 in all. Dedicated to promoting local breweries and often partnering on collaborations, its ultimate goal is to have every South Carolina Brewery represented. At this brew pub, the glass you drink your beer out of is crucial to the whole beer experience–it must be residue free and the right shape. Plans are under way for an in-house kitchen and eventually an on-sight brewery. homegrownbrewhouse.com

Definitely try: Monday Night Beer Flight, with eight 4 ounce brews

of your choice for $5 and Kick the Keg, every Thursday offering $1 samples and $2 pours of a preselected beer.

Oak Road Brewery Summerville

With a name inspired by the antebellum stretch of oak lined highway along the Ashley River featuring the likes of Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation and Drayton Hall, Oak Road Brewery is passionate about Summerville. Ben Bankey, an eight year resident, spoke enthusiastically about his coming partnership with Brad Mallett of Coastal Coffee Roasters to establish Summerville's first craft beer brewery to be housed in the same building. He spoke proudly of its mission, a calling shared and evangelized by the Malletts.

"Oak Road Brewery will be an integral part to the growth of Summerville's culture with a focus on working with local small businesses to enhance the quality of life for its citizens and tourists alike. Summerville is full of people who appreciate quality food and beverage. Let's give them a reason to stay."

Over the coming months, the enterprise will be transforming the remaining space of the Coastal Coffee Roasters building into a 7-barrel system with 4 fermenters producing a line of 4 craft brews including the standard IPA and lager.

"We are shooting for an opening date somewhere around the time of the Sweet Tea Half Marathon in the fall," Ben informed.

www.facebook.com/pages/ OAK-ROAD-Brewery/599464886839032

For Senator Sean Bennett, creating a culture of acceptance for craft breweries in South Carolina is a no-brainer. That’s why the tri-county representative worked tirelessly over the last few years to help enact law changes that affect both current and potential local breweries. In 2013, Bennett spearheaded the Pint Law, shepherding it through the committee process at the state capitol. The law allowed breweries to become more of a destination by enabling them to serve up to three pints per customer, instead of just samples. This year, Bennett introduced the Stone Bill in an effort to bring Stone Brewing Company to South Carolina and to help other breweries in the state function more efficiently, productively, and creatively. Stone Brewing Company forwent setting up shop in the state for now, but the bill still passed, to the delight of local brewery workers and aficionados. The senator counts himself in the latter group and can often be found touring one of the many Lowcountry breweries or sampling a cold one at Homegrown Brewhouse. He believes that the craft beer industry is a model of cooperative entrepreneurship and has pledged to support it whenever possible.

“I’m not the game changer, though,” Bennett says assuredly. “The real game changers are the people working every day at these breweries, who built them from the ground up.

These people’s pictures are next to the word ‘entrepreneurs’ in the dictionary.”

The senator credits the local craft beer industry’s tendency to work together as key to their success.

“All of the breweries here, and the folks working at them, are very interested in making the industry as a whole successful, not just their own company.

You don’t see that sort of collective spirit in many industries. It really helped them get the ball rolling here,” he adds.

As a politician with a respected voice at the state capitol, Bennett aims to continue supporting legislation that will help local breweries set up shop, create jobs, and boost local development. For now, things seem quiet as breweries get acquainted with the new parameters of the Stone Bill, but the Senator is always open to new ideas.

“If there’s a way that we as a government can get out of the way of entrepreneurs, whether they are brewing beer or upholstering furniture, I’m all for that,” he concludes.

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by S U S A N

F R A M P T O N photos by D O T T I E

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Combining history, horticulture, and hospitality, Linwood Bed and Breakfast is a haven of peace and tranquility in the heart of Summerville.

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hen Julia Drayton Hastie and her husband, William, found the perfect site for their Victorian home to be built in 1883, they had no way of knowing that over a century later, Linwood would become a haven for weary travelers; or that over the years, the landscape would be shaped and reshaped by the violent shaking of the earth below it and the ferocious winds of a West African storm called Hugo.

But they chose wisely when they decided on the two-acre plot of land, only a block from the train tracks that would take William to Charleston each day and just a few blocks from the hustle and bustle of Summerville’s Main Street. Meeting the challenges of time and nature with the grace of a 19th century Southern belle, Linwood still stands proudly on the corner of Palmetto Street and West Richardson Avenue, a testament to those determined to flourish and grow where they are planted.

Peter and Linda Shelbourne are just that kind of determined

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couple. When they purchased the home in 1979, with their three children grown, they converted it to an inn, and it has flourished as a mecca for those seeking an experience combining history, horticulture and hospitality since.

Though her accent reveals a definite northern influence, the warmth in Linda’s voice immediately conveys the genuine welcome she and Peter offer guests and visitors. An avid historian and gardener, Shelbourne loves to share the story of Linwood, though she was not as enthusiastic when she and Peter first began to contemplate moving to the South.

“We lived all over the country and also overseas, but the South was the one place I had no interest in living. I was ready to dislike everything when we first came to visit,” she says.

But Summerville – and Linwood – was in full bloom, and she softened her stance at the sight of the crape myrtles exploding with color and the azaleas rioting under the pines in velvety

lavenders and bright pinks. It was a Bible verse she read during her daily devotion, though, that finally erased any doubt that this was meant to be their new home: “You will live in joy and peace; all the world around you will rejoice. Where once were thorns, pine trees will grow; where briars grew, the myrtles will spring up.” The verse in Isaiah seemed to speak directly to her, and she and Peter happily began to put down roots.

Those roots are evident in the obvious joy that Linda and Peter find in their surroundings, and in the oasis of peace and serenity they have created amidst the lush, green winding pathways of the lovingly nurtured, historically significant gardens. Linda chuckles that the garden was created by catastrophe. It was restructured by the great 1886 earthquake, and then redesigned a century later by 1989’s Hurricane Hugo.

It took three years to clear the debris and restore the damage left when the storm uprooted 48 major trees. Huge pines, oaks, and hickory trees were tossed across the property, which

still bears low spots where trees once stood. Linda become a Master Gardener to learn how best to restore the garden.

Today, the plantings lean more toward sustainable evergreen shrubs than to the flowers she once favored, with colors and textures drawing the eye to tranquil focal points throughout the property.

Tranquility flows throughout Linwood, and there is no detail left unattended in the refined setting. Three guest suites inside the main house, along with two cottages and a restored hay barn, provide refuge for guests. Many are long-term, corporate travelers, and Linda jokes that Linwood has become a sort of international hostel. Peter’s clipped British accent adds to that global flavor.

There is a spirit of authenticity and of welcoming at Linwood – a clear reflection of the roots the Shelbournes have both found and planted over the last three decades. “Hospitality began for us when we became Christians,” Linda explains. “When

Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 81

we were young, we were busy climbing the corporate ladder, looking for success at any cost. Now, it seems that the more we give, the more we get back. It is very fulfilling, and we learn the most from the guests who are the most challenging.”

Once again, Linda turns to a Bible verse to sum up their commitment to creating a place of sanctuary and calm, quoting Hebrews 13:2. She says, “Do not forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it.”

Though they strive to meet all of each guests’ needs, Peter

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and Linda have scaled back their daily responsibilities and no longer provide breakfast. Instead, they encourage their guests to explore the town’s nearby restaurants, attractions, and businesses, strengthening the threads that have tied Linwood and Summerville together for over a century.

Though the elegant home and gardens may be the attributes that first attract visitors to Linwood, it is the sincere hospitality that compels guests to return again and again. Opening their home, and opening their hearts comes naturally to the Shelbournes, and Linwood stands ready, at the chance that they might someday find themselves entertaining angels. AM

THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WALTERBORO PRO RODEO written by S U S A N

F R A M P T O N photos by D O T T I E

R I Z Z O

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T H E C O W B O Y C O D E

by Gene Autry

The cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.

He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.

He must always tell the truth.

He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.

He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.

He must help people in distress.

He must be a good worker.

He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and habits.

He must respect women, parents, and his nation's laws.

The Cowboy is a patriot.

O

n a winding highway just outside of Walterboro, SC, a steady line of cars and pickup trucks lead the way through open gates set in a long stretch of white fence. Tonight marks the 25th year that the Walterboro Pro Rodeo will be held on Tommie and David Derry’s Double D Ranch, and the lights of an arena stand in the distance like candles waiting to be lit in celebration.

A large man with a scruffy beard guards the Cowboy’s Entrance, where we’ve been told to ask for Tommie Derry. Our names aren’t on the list, and the man makes it clear that no one comes through this gate without Miss Tommie’s blessing. When the petite woman arrives to greet us, she might be the last person we envisioned holding the reins for this event, but as she holds out her hand for a firm shake, it becomes obvious that she may not be large, but she is certainly in charge.

Dressed against the chill of the evening in no-nonsense jeans, a turtleneck and sweatshirt, a cloud of white hair swirls around her head as she steps off the golf cart that has whisked her here from the other side of the arena. It takes only a few minutes in her company to find that the winding path that brought her to this place is what has forged the steel behind her bright blue eyes, and her uncompromising values are what keeps her here.

Tommie and her husband, David, a Navy veteran and bronze star recipient, moved to Walterboro from Charleston in 1965. According to David, Tommie “wanted to have a rodeo.” It seems an unlikely dream for the Michigan State University graduate, who joined the Peace Corps in 1961, and lived in South America for three years; deciding this was what she could do for her country to answer President John Kennedy’s inaugural challenge to her generation.

It was her role as a mental health professional working with adolescents in drug and alcohol abuse programs that spawned the idea of creating a safe, family oriented, and alcohol-free event for the community. Very outspoken about what she thinks of today’s society and the horrific heartbreak she has seen over the years, she wanted to be able to offer something that reinforced the values she saw lacking.

The rodeo, with its unwritten code of cowboy ethics, was the perfect event, and the Double D provided a place where families could, in her words, “play, pray and stay.” Her influence is obvious in every facet of the Walterboro Pro Rodeo. Hard work and discipline are reflected in the faces of the participants, and faith and family are at the forefront.

“I am blessed,” says Tommie Derry, “and I believe in giving a hand up, instead of a handout.”

Tommie is paying it forward, and more blessings ring out through the night. God bless America, God bless the cowboys and cowgirls, the vendors, the audience, and the livestock. That’s a lot of blessing, but as the sun sets and the lights turn on, there is no doubt that the heavens are listening, and ready to rodeo.

American pride rises up in everyone as the colors are presented in a production choreographed by Pam Treadway, of the internationally known Ken Treadway Rodeo Company. Red, then white, and then blue flags are carried into the arena one by one, with each color’s significance explained as the flags ripple out behind the riders holding them aloft. When the American flag rides in, held high by a cowgirl astride an American Paint Horse, patriotism raises chins a little higher, and hands are reverently placed over hearts. Soon, all those who will participate tonight ride into the arena in pairs, Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 87

on a wide assortment of steeds. There are young faces beaming with promise, and weathered faces, wearing hope for one more ride. The audience roars its approval.

Though many of us sitting in the stands have merely dressed the cowboy part tonight, those who participate in the many different events on the program are the real deal. With hats as big as baskets on their heads, the cowboys before us wear skin burnished by long days in the sun – there is probably not a bottle of sunscreen between them, and what coats their boots may or may not be mud.

They don’t buy their jeans broken in; the dirt, holes and worn spots are testament to hard work, but in stark contrast, the razor sharp creases of the western shirts worn across broad shoulders and above big belt buckles look freshly starched. Almost all walk with a slight catch in their stride; the aches and pains of their profession following them like dark shadows.

Sanctioned by the International Pro Rodeo Association, tonight’s event may qualify participants for the finals, held at the Oklahoma State Fair, in January of 2015. There is something for everyone, and fun begins with the rodeo clown, or bullfighter, whose corny, G-rated comedy routine keeps everyone laughing.

Then, the announcer calls the name of the first bull rider, and all eyes fly to the stall holding an agitated bull, named Bumble Bee. The tension rises as a cowboy slips onto the back of the huge bull, tying his gloved hand into the center of a knot made of 1” rope. The tighter, the better; for this will be all that stands between him and the massive animal’s deadly horns and thrashing hooves. He will need to keep his other hand in the air, and stay on for 8 long seconds if he wants to score.

The bull explodes from the gate and hangs, kicking in the air before twisting and turning with lightning speed, tossing the rider to the hard packed earth. Instantly, the pick-up men; riders tasked with plucking the rider from harm’s way, maneuver their horses like fighter pilots, turning on a dime to dodge the bull still in the midst of his bucking tantrum. The rider is safe, but there will be no score for the cowboy this night.

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For the steer wrestling (or bulldogging) competition, we watch as big, powerful men throw themselves onto a 400 lb. running steer, from a horse running full tilt. It looks like the equivalent of diving off a speeding bullet onto a rocket ship. Team roping is slightly less of a contact sport, with the focus on the ability of two horsemen to throw a lasso successfully at separate ends of the moving target. Calf roping is a blend of the two, with the cooperation of a horse ready to stand his ground needed for the cowboy to tie the feet of the heifer he has lassoed.

Next up is the calf chase, which more closely resembles a prison break, as kids are invited to climb the fences into the arena for the purpose of retrieving a ribbon from a calf ’s tail. There will be many small pairs of mud-caked jeans in tomorrow’s laundry. Moms get their turn, too, and a group of good natured mothers run wide open to capture a ribbon, slipping and sliding, and doubling the laundry load.

The ladies are well represented by the barrel racers. Carefully styled hair lies frozen and unmoving under snug fitting cowboy hats, and the light catches the sequins of fancy western shirts. Their makeup is as perfect as a beauty queen’s, and a rainbow of painted fingernails flash on the hands holding the reins.

When it is their turn, they rocket from the starting gate at full gallop, their eyes fixed on the barrels around which they will turn their horses in an impossibly tight cloverleaf pattern. The cooperation between horse and rider is beautiful to watch, and we hold our breaths as each cowgirl streaks toward the finish line.

It has been a successful and satisfying night for Tommie Derry, who was honored mid-show with a bouquet of flowers and an embroidered jacket commemorating 25 years of the Walterboro Pro Rodeo. The proceeds from the weekend’s events will be donated to The Boy Scouts of America, and for the last four years, the donation has allowed a Walterboro Boy Scout Troop to attend the North Carolina Jamboree.

“I love children,” Tommie says, looking out over the sea of tired little cowpokes, who will dream tonight of bucking bulls and flying cowgirls.

Tomorrow night the flag will fly again in the Double D arena, the cowboys will pick themselves up, brush themselves off, ready to ride another night, and Tommie Derry will continue to pay it forward. AM

the guilty stain Was it the stain of guilt that long haunted the sad home on Main Street?

The white house stood on Summerville’s Main Street for over a century, holding sorrow and sad secrets within its walls. But it was not always so. When the foundation was laid in the 1830s, the Best Friend locomotive steamed down the wooden rails to Charleston at an astonishing 15 miles per hour, making it an easy trip for the young doctor who built the home as a gift for his happy new bride.

Despite the convenience of this revolutionary mode of passenger travel, the demands of his Charleston practice often found the dedicated young man sleeping at his office, having missed the final boarding call for Summerville. Many nights, his young bride walked the floors of their beautiful new home. Alone and lonely for her love, she tried to fill the empty hours with chores: straightening linens and washing her single plate and teacup. As the months went by, the strain of the frequent separation tore at the fabric of their marriage, and she became more and more heartbroken.

Nevertheless, it was a joyous day when they learned that she was expecting their first child, and though the doctor did his best to be on the train home every night, gradually, he fell back into old habits, working late and missing the ride that would bring him home to his pregnant wife. On one such night, tragedy struck as she tripped on the stairs in the dark after turning off the light she had left burning for him. The fall took her life, as well as the life of the unborn child she carried.

The young doctor was inconsolable, and overwhelmed by grief and guilt. Spiraling into a deep depression and unable to bring himself to leave the house, his medical practice soon fell by the wayside. Food left at his door by concerned neighbors lay untouched on the porch, and the once beautiful house fell into shambles.

Then one night, a single gunshot rang out. The doctor could no longer live with his sorrow and the knowledge that he might have saved both

his wife and child if he had only made the train that fateful night. It was no coincidence when he was found shot by his own hand, with a bullet through his broken heart, that he fell at the base of the very stairs where his young wife had died. The bullet that took his life was buried deep in the plaster of the foyer’s wall and was never recovered.

Years later, the house was purchased by a couple with no knowledge of the home’s sad legacy. They soon began to hear soft weeping at night and the footsteps of one pacing the floor. Determined to restore the home to its former glory, the couple sanded the floors and re-plastered the walls, finding the perfect colors to complement their new residence.

The stubborn, rust-colored stain in the floor of the foyer, however, refused to budge. Late in the evenings, they heard dishes rattling in the kitchen, and were awakened some nights by lights turning on and off and the eerie sound of something tumbling down the stairs.

Undeterred, they worked on, until one day they noticed that the hole they had patched and painted in the foyer wall had returned, ringed with a bright, bloody red. Twice more, they patched and painted, and twice the hole returned. Frustrated, they turned to the library where they unearthed an old newspaper with the account of the home’s tragic history.

Immediately, they set to work cutting through the plaster, digging until they discovered a bullet lodged in the century-old wall. Carefully wrapping the disfigured bullet in tissue, they drove to St. Paul’s Cemetery, where they dug a small hole and buried it in the hard soil at the base of the young doctor’s headstone. Then, they re-patched and repainted the wall.

Today, the house stands proudly restored on Main Street. Perhaps it is pure coincidence that the rust-colored stain on the floor mysteriously disappeared, and the hole in the wall has never returned; but perhaps it’s much more – and the wounds of two broken hearts can rest in peace at last.

Davy’s mother woke the next morning to find Davy sleeping beside her bed. This was the third time in a month that Davy had left her bedroom to sleep here, and she worried about the girl’s reoccurring nightmare. She mentioned the incident to her neighbor across the street, who told her the history of the houses, and the two girls who had lived there long ago. They were cousins, she said, but tragically, Carrie Walker, who had lived in Davy’s house, disappeared the night of her debut at the Silver Ball.

“Josephine lived in our house,” she continued. “I’ve heard stories of strange things taking place in the neighborhood, and some spooky things have happened in our house. One night, the babysitter called me in hysterics because she heard someone playing the piano, and we had a houseguest who said she woke to find a young woman standing at the foot of her bed.”

haunting of briarwood lane On Summerville’s Briarwood Lane, there are mysterious happenings that cannot be explained.

Some of the following story is fact, and some is complete fiction. You decide which is which.

DECEMBER 1889 Growing up across the road from each other on Briarwood Lane, Carrie Walker, and her cousin, Josephine Walker, had always been inseparable.

Tonight, they would make their debut at the Silver Ball, and they could hardly wait to be presented as adults to all of Summerville.

But Carrie had a secret. She had met a Citadel cadet that summer, and though her father did not deem him to be a proper suitor, they were in love. Tonight, they would elope, and she swore Josephine to secrecy.

She and Josephine walked through the azaleas and across the dirt road to Josephine’s house. It seemed to Josephine that the years had flown since they had played amidst these flowering shrubs; happy and carefree. She had an uneasy feeling about her cousin’s plan.

DECEMBER 1999 The rain beat hard against the window. Ten-year-old Davy lay sleeping, and the sound of the steady downpour on the tin roof caused her to stir in her sleep. The house, built in 1870, seemed a little spooky to her, and she had yet to become used to the sounds it made or the cold drafts that sometimes left her shivering even on summer nights.

Outside, the storm grew more intense, rousing Davy from another dream about two young women in white dresses. It had seemed so real that Davy blinked her eyes several times to clear away the vision of the crying girls, and goose bumps rose on her arms.

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“I hear footsteps in the house all the time,” added the neighbor, “and though I’ve never seen anyone, a neighbor said he saw two women walking in our yard late one night. Who knows, maybe the Walker girls are haunting our houses.”

Davy’s mother hesitated, and then admitted, “We’ve had lights go off and on, and we’ve heard footsteps on the stairs. But the strangest thing happened before we moved in. We were out of town when the contractor called to make sure it was alright to enter the house. He said he had seen a young girl looking out of the upstairs window, and he didn’t want to startle her. When we told him we were not there, he wouldn’t go back in the house.”

A few weeks later, the neighbor called, excited about something she had found in their attic. It was a journal that had belonged to Josephine Walker, and there was startling information inside. Davy and her mother rushed across the street, anxious to learn more.

The journal told a sad story of love and loss. Josephine wrote of her cousin’s elopement on the night of the Silver Ball, and how she had waited for word of what became of Carrie and her beau. Months passed, and no letter came.

Tucked in among the yellowing pages, was a small newspaper article detailing how a ship was lost in a storm on its way to England. It had departed from Charleston the night of the Silver Ball. There were no survivors.

A faded photo fell to the floor. The back read, “Josephine and Carrie, Summerville, 1889.” Davy’s eyes grew wide.

“I know them!” she exclaimed. “Those are the girls in my dreams!”

With the discovery of the journal, the young women never again appeared in Davy’s dreams. Sometime later Davy found a name etched into the glass of her bedroom window. It had not been there before, and it read, “Carrie, Summerville.” Carrie had finally come home.

Today, the sound of girlish laughter is still sometimes heard amidst the azaleas along the dirt road, and two ethereal figures in white occasionally appear to cross from house to house. And so it appears that the Walker girls are once again united in eternity. AM

LOCAL S OCIA LS , CA US E S & COMMUNITY STAY CONNECTED

SUMMERVILLE SHAG CLUB Shag Dance & Party Every Monday at Summerville Country Club the SSC offers free lessons open to the public. Basic: 7:00pm and Advanced 7:30pm. Open dance with DJ Sharon Johnson until 10pm. Cash bar, free snacks and food available in the Club House. Check website for party schedule. www.summervilleshaggers.com

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LOCAL SOCIALS, CAUSES & COMMUNITY S TAY CONNE CTE D

Fall 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 95

LOCAL S OCIA LS , CA US E S & COMMUNITY STAY CONNECTED

O'Lacy's Pub The Historic District's Neighborhood Pub

843.832.2999 139 Central Ave, S'ville

SUMMERVILLE FARMERS' MARKET Every Saturday 8am-1pm through December 20th Shop for fresh local produce, meats, seafood, baked goods and more! The Summerville Farmers' Market is located in the First Citizens Bank parking lot behind Summerville Town Hall at 200 S. Main St. www.summerville.sc.us

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d

AND SPECIALTY

36 OFFICES AND GROWING www.palmettoprimarycare.com

Last Call

Oh, The Places We Roam:

Bulls Bay is a prime environment for fishing, oystering and claming.

THE BIRTH OF RODEO In the early 1800's, ranchers from the Southwest organized long cattle drives, to bring cattle to the stockyards of towns like Kansas City, where trains would carry the cattle east. At the end of the long trails, these new American "Cowboys" would often hold informal competitions among themselves and the various different outfits to see which group had the best riders, ropers and all-around best drovers. about.com

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1880

There were approximately 2,300 breweries in the US.

1935

Only 160 breweries survive prohibition. beerhistory.com

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