The Koger-Murray-Carroll House Opens Its Doors to the Public
44
56 IF WALLS COULD TALK
BETWEEN LIGHT & MEMORY
Artist in residence, Anna Ladyzhenskaya
50
FLAVOR MAKERS
Meet the Chefs Shaping Summerville's Evolving Culinary Scene
Fall has always been my favorite season. There’s a rhythm to it that feels both grounding and full of possibility—the air cools, the light softens, and the world seems to invite us to begin again. For me, fall sparks creativity and fresh starts. Here in the Lowcountry, inspiration is everywhere: in the gold of the marsh grasses, in the glow of late afternoons on the porch, in the traditions that remind us of who we are and the new ideas that push us toward who we might become.
This issue is dedicated to makers—to those who use their hands, hearts, and imaginations to shape beauty from raw material, to preserve heritage, and to build community. Makers remind us that creativity isn’t just about producing something new; it’s about connection. A painting, a dish, a handcrafted gift, a lovingly restored home—all of these tell stories, and each story adds to the fabric of who we are in Summerville and the Lowcountry.
Within these pages, you’ll meet artists like Anna Ladyzhenskaya, whose work captures the fleeting beauty of light and memory, and Arun Drummond, whose mixed-media art speaks of resilience, cultural preservation, and joy. You’ll step into the vision for Summerville’s first Historic Homes Tour—an event I am honored to be personally involved in—and see how our community’s craftsmanship and architectural heritage continue to inspire.
We also turn to the table, where creativity often feels the most accessible and communal. Our feature on Summerville’s chefs and flavor makers celebrates the way food becomes both an art form and an expression of identity. Their stories— of perseverance, of roots, of innovation—are as layered and nourishing as their dishes.
This issue also includes our Something Made Gift Guide, created in partnership with downtown boutique Everything Chic. It is a celebration of thoughtful finds and handmade treasures that remind us the most meaningful gifts are those infused with care and intention. And because fall is both festive and reflective, you’ll also find our Field Guide to Fall Events, a roundup of concerts, festivals, and performances to help you mark this magical season across the Lowcountry, alongside a Cozy Fall Reading List—a mix of timeless classics and new works from local voices that will keep you company when you want to stay in.
Finally, I want to invite you to stay connected with us beyond these pages. Our fall newsletters will include the recipes shared with us by the talented chefs featured in this issue—special dishes that tell their own stories of family, flavor, and tradition. If you haven’t subscribed yet, now is the perfect time.
As I reflect on this issue, I am reminded that being a maker isn’t limited to artists, chefs, or craftspeople. Each of us has the capacity to make—to create beauty, to preserve memory, to cultivate joy in the ordinary moments of our lives. Fall is the perfect time to embrace that calling. My hope is that these stories will not only inspire you but also remind you of your own power to create, to connect, and to leave something lasting behind.
Warmly,
Publisher, Editor-in-Chief
AZALEA Magazine's Newsletter
Join us as we celebrate Summerville and Lowcountry life together by signing up for our monthly newsletter.
SUSAN FRAMPTON
Writer & Editor
Still surprised at the places life continues to take her, Susan Frampton has come to terms with being a senior citizen. Unsurprisingly, she still has things to say.
Tara Bailey is married with three (mostly) grown daughters. When she is not teaching English, she can be found somewhere outside. She loves exploring the local landscape, nurturing native plants and wildlife, riding her bike, and playing ball with her dog. She has even gotten her husband in the habit of counting bird species in their yard.
Phyllis Hughes
Phyllis is currently working with the Dorchester County 250 Committee and also serves on several Historical/Community Boards. On April 19, 2025, she was presented a Certificate of Award for Women in American History by the Susannah Smith Elliott, NSDAR. "I like to tell people I do not have enough to do. Truthfully, I am obsessed with researching and recording our history and conserving historical sites. Leaving the legacy of our county’s history for future generations is very important to me.
Caley Smith is a seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience in print and digital media. She earned her B.A. in Communications/Journalism with a minor in Coaching from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. Smith lives in Nexton with her husband, Travis, three children, Jace, Ellie and Colt, and golden retriever, Camo. She enjoys baking, photography, the outdoors and cheering for all Philadelphia sports teams.
Will and Diana Thompson met while in college at Clemson University and married in 2003. They are parents to three children (Wyatt, Ruthie, and Seth). They have years of experience serving and encouraging others. In their spare time, you can find them supporting their kids at the dance studio, the ball field, or going for a run in Summerville.
Pamela Jouan grew up in London and spent 15 years in Los Angeles and New York as a senior executive at Atlantic Records before transitioning to publishing. She has created over 250 custom magazines for award-winning chefs, luxury hotels, and restaurant groups. Now based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, she enjoys writing about local culture and community life, blending global experience with a love for the Lowcountry.
Jenna Lachenman Owner / Editor-In-Chief
Publisher Avenir Group
Featured Contributors
Tara Bailey
Susan Frampton
Ellen Hyatt
Diana & Will Thompson
Caley Smith
Pamela Jouan
Bianka Lamb
Advertising Inquiries
Susie Wimberly Susie@Azaleamag.com 843.568.7830
Subscribe Visit Theazalea.com
Azalea Magazine P.O. Box 1811 Summerville, SC 29484 info@azaleamag.com www.azaleamag.com
Technically... it's a fruit. Part of the gourd family, it's botanically classified as a type of berry called a pepo.
Every Part... is edible. Flesh, seeds, leaves, and even the flowers of the pumpkin plant can be eaten
Pumpkin Seeds... pack a punch. Just one ounce of roasted pumpkin seeds has 7 grams of protein
Pumpkins... are native to the Americas. the oldest pumkin seeds ever discovered were found in Mexico, dating back over 7,000 years.
Pumpkins are a Symbol... of makers. From handcarved jack-o'-lanterns to homemade pumpkin bread and pies, pumpkins have always inspired creativity in kitchens and on porches. They Come... in many colors. Beyond classic orange, they can be white, blue, green, and even pinkoften grown by artisan farmers for heirloom varieties.
Explore the shops, sites, sips & tastes that make Summer ville so sweet with a free Sweet Tea Trail Guide. Join us for the Hold My Tea Bar Crawl – September 15-21 and Sweet Tea Festival – September 20 Learn More: visitsummer ville.com
Moist, nutty, and spiced - perfect for gathering or gifting. For a gift-ready touch, wrap in parchment and twine, and tuck in a cinnamon stick.
Ingredients (1 loaf or 4 mini loaves)
For the bread:
1 cup canned pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground ginger
½ cup unsalted butter, browned and cooled slightly
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk
¾ cup chopped, toasted pecans
For the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
Pinch of salt
Prep. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan (or mini loaf pans) and line with parchment.
Toast the pecans. Spread chopped pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 8 minutes, until fragrant. Set aside.
Brown the butter. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Continue cooking until it foams, then turns golden brown with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let cool 5 minutes.
Mix dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
Mix wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk. Slowly stream in the browned butter while whisking.
Combine. Fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Stir in toasted pecans.
Bake. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50–60 minutes (or 30–35 minutes for minis), until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
Glaze. Whisk powdered sugar, maple syrup, and salt until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bread. Sprinkle with extra pecans if desired.
The finest gifts are those with a soul. This season’s Something Made gift guide, created in partnership with Summerville's Everything Chic, invites you to discover objects imbued with the hands and heart of their makers. Each piece carries the quiet elegance of craftsmanship and the unmistakable character of the Lowcountry—gifts meant not merely to be given, but to be cherished.
Everything Chic~ETC | 126 S Main St, Summerville | Mon-Sat 10am - 6pm, Sun 12-4pm
Mark your calendar for our roundup of fall musts
Southern Songwriter's Festival
September 13
Central Avenue
Summerville
Sweet Tea Festival
September 20
Hutchinson Square Summerville
Fall Equinox Harvest Festival
September 27
Ridgeville Farmer's Market
Pumpkin Patch & Fall Farm Festival
September 26 - October 26
Boone Hall Plantation
Oktoberfest
October 4
Hutchinson Square Summerville
Autumn on the Ashley
October 25
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
Sip & Stroll
October 25
Drayton Hall
Murder On the Orient Express
October 17 - Nov 2
Flowertown Players Summerville
Edisto Blackwater Boogie
November 7-9
Givhans Ferry State Park
Bourbon & Bluegrass: A Celebration Under the Stars
November 8
Middleton Place
Food & Wine Classic
November 14 -16
Charleston
The Art of the Harvest: Family Day
November 15
Middleton Place
When the air turns crisp and evenings grow long, there’s nothing better than curling up with a book that feels like a friend. This collection brings together timeless classics and fresh new works from local Lowcountry voices — a blend of mysteries, memories, and Southern charm. Each one invites you to slow down, turn the page, and savor the season.
Clockwise from top left: TheThursday Murder Club, Richard Osman - Four spirited retirees in a quiet English village trade tea for detective work in this clever, laugh-out-loud cozy mystery series starter. Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie - Christie’s classic whodunit turns a snowbound train into a stage for suspicion, wit, and one of detective fiction’s most ingenious solutions. The Lords of Discipline, Pat Conroy - Set in Charleston’s military college, Conroy’s novel is as much about loyalty and courage as it is about mystery, betrayal, and the bonds of brotherhood. The House on Tradd Street, Karen White - In a historic Charleston home, secrets linger like ghosts as realtor Melanie Middleton inherits not just a house, but the mysteries it holds. Bright Little Girls, Lorna Hollifield - This haunting Southern tale explores ambition, belonging, and resilience, blending suspense with the lyrical pull of Lowcountry storytelling. Lowcountry Boil, Susan M. Boyer - Private investigator Liz Talbot navigates small-town secrets, salty marshes, and Southern family ties in this charming mystery set on South Carolina’s coast.
By Pamela Jouan, Images By Bianka Lamb
Before Arun Drummond became a multi-disciplinary, mixed-media artist and advocate for cultural preservation, he was a framer — literally. His journey began in 2004 behind the counter at Gallery Chuma in Charleston, carefully helping others select the right finishes and materials to preserve their most treasured artworks. “A frame is an art within itself,” he says. But even back then, he led with curiosity. That curiosity, paired with a growing desire to understand and uplift the art he was working with, became the foundation of a creative path that would lead him out of that frame and into the spotlight. “I loved interacting with the customers, and learning about the history behind the pieces we were showcasing there.”
Within a year Drummond became a full-time sales associate. Immersed in the stories and visual language of the Gullah community—particularly the work of Jonathan Green — Arun, a South Carolina native from Greer, began to see art as a means of preservation, education, and connection.
Now, with two decades of experience, Arun’s evolution comes full circle with the opening of Drummond Studio Gallery, a space rooted in his personal mission: art, culture, and community. He describes the new studio-gallery as “a seat at the table” for other artists. “I want this space to be a hub for collaboration and cultural exchange, where artists of all backgrounds and skill levels can come together.” He will primarily highlight local African American artists, though his focus won’t be exclusively limited.
While much of his art speaks to and through the Gullah culture, it continues to evolve. “‘I will forever continue to create the mixed media pieces with sweetgrass but my artistry extends beyond that.” Over time, his pieces featuring bright colors and iconic symbols—unfinished baskets, separated heads, natural hair, fading figures, and featureless faces—have resonated deeply. As his work evolves, so has his visual language. Arun recently began exploring pieces without the sweetgrass motif, introducing a new series he calls Convergence. These works juxtapose his vibrant Gullah Memories style with his Natural series, a more subdued, natural-toned aesthetic painted on tan linen canvases. “Color is joy,” Arun explains, “but the lack of color tells a story too—about cultural erasure, about loss. Convergence brings those two forces together.”
In the spirit of accessibility and connection, Arun recently created What We Carry, a collection of tote bags featuring his signature symbols and a message layered with meaning. “It’s about what we carry emotionally, culturally, and spiritually,” he says. “Whether it’s the dreams of our ancestors or just books and groceries, the bags become vessels for meaning.”
Recognizing that not everyone can afford original artwork, Arun designed the totes as a more accessible entry point into his world. Priced between $40 and $50, they serve a dual purpose as functional objects and reflective tools, blurring the line between art and utility, so they invite people to consider not just what they carry in their hands, but what they carry inside themselves.
For Arun, entrepreneurship has always gone hand-in-hand with artistic expression. “I always wanted to be self-employed, to provide employment for others, and to uplift people along the way. Entrepreneurs have that internal fire.” Drummond Studio Gallery is the culmination of these values. “I love bringing people together. I love telling stories. And now, I want to create a space where others can do the same,” Arun says. “This new chapter has made me look at my own career almost like it’s someone else’s story. It gives me a fresh perspective—and that’s how I know I’ll keep growing.”
Because sometimes, the best stories begin when you step outside the frame. This year, Drummond was a featured artist during Piccolo Spoleto at Marion Square and Cannon Street Arts Center, part of the Spoleto juried art show at the City Gallery, and his booth won the Best Vendor 2025 at the Summerville Flowertown Festival. Looking ahead, Arun’s ambitions extend beyond Charleston. In October, he’ll debut a solo show and artist talk at Arts Warehouse in Delray, Florida—his first out-of-state exhibition.
You can find Drummond’s work for sale at the Gibbes Museum, the International African American Museum (IAAM), and daily at the Historic Charleston City Market. He also appears on Saturdays at the Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square and during 2nd Sunday on King Street. Additionally, visit drummondstudiogallery.com. AM
Follow Arun at @arundrummondstudio for updates on his artistic journey, and @drummondstudiogallery to discover what’s unfolding at the gallery.
By Caley Smith, Images By Bianka Lamb
It started with a simple meeting over coffee. Before long, Jennifer Johnson, secretary of the board of directors for the Summerville Museum and Research Center, and AZALEA Magazine publisher, Jenna Lachenman, were imagining a way to open the doors to some of Summerville’s most storied homes.
On a crisp fall afternoon in 2024, the two sat down to discuss promoting the museum. What began as a conversation about marketing soon grew into something larger: the possibility of creating Summerville's official historic homes tour.
They spoke of the town's deep-rooted charm—its broad porches, century-old oaks, and streets lined with stately homes. Lachenman noted, "It's a town made for a historic homes tour."
By early 2025, Johnson had assembled a committee of seven and mapped out a plan. “We decided to move forward and make it happen,” Johnson said. “We want something that will not only showcase these homes but also benefit the museum and preservation efforts.”
The inaugural Historic Homes & Gardens Tour will take place March 5–7, 2026. Five private residences in Summerville’s West
End district will open their doors for guided tours of their first floors and pristine gardens. Guests will see Victorian-era architecture, sculpted gardens, hand-painted wallpaper, period furnishings, and the kind of craftsmanship rarely found today.
“When you walk into these homes, you are stepping back in time,” Lachenman said. “They are ornate but warm and welcoming in a way that reflects the families who care for them and the spirit of Summerville.”
“You are seeing restoration on a grand scale,” Johnson added. “When touring these homes, you will see the best work from the 18th and 19th centuries. People don’t build homes like this anymore.”
The tour will begin with a kickoff garden party March 5 at the historic Linwood Inn, once a centerpiece of the town’s Golden Age of Inns. Guests will enjoy music, light bites, a keynote speaker, and a bouquet-making workshop led by local floral designer Harper Mobley.
“The tour felt like the perfect time to introduce our Azalea Homes inaugural issue and we are proud to serve as the exclusive publication partner for the tour,” Lachenman said. “The issue will celebrate
Summerville’s heritage and innovation, highlighting rich heritage and historic homes, but also the new development communities that are part of Summerville’s evolving landscape.”
During tour days, attendees will park at Bethany United Methodist Church, receive a gift bag—including the inaugural issue of Azalea Homes—and ride the Lowcountry trolley, which will shuttle participants seamlessly between locations.
Summerville’s historic homes are more than architectural showpieces; they are chapters in a larger story. In the late 1800s, wealthy Charleston families built summer residences here to escape the waterfront’s heat and mosquitoes.
“The longleaf pine trees were sacred. Because of our rich, sandy soil, mosquitoes weren’t a problem here,” Johnson said. “Everyone wanted to come here to get healthier.”
In 1889, a French physician declared Summerville the healthiest place in the world during an international tuberculosis conference. That recognition sparked a tourism boom. Between 1888 and 1900—the Golden Age of Inns—12 inns operated in Summerville, drawing presidents, businessmen, and prominent families. The town was also home to America’s first railroad community, once anchored by a bustling station that has since been lost to history.
“These homes harken back to that golden period of luxury,” Lachenman said. “They were built by people who valued beauty, comfort, and craftsmanship.”
" When you understand the past, you become more engaged and committed to the future.
For Johnson, the tour is also about the importance of preserving historic properties.
Restoring an old home requires careful planning, skilled artisans, and even authentic tools from the past. This tour offers a rare chance to witness the dedication and artistry behind preserving these treasures.
Lachenman and Johnson hope the event will inspire residents and visitors alike to discover Summerville’s historic fabric. Beyond preservation, they believe the tour will strengthen community ties and deepen local pride.
Proceeds will benefit the museum’s preservation work, educational programs, and community outreach.
Tickets are $75 for the tour, $45 for the garden party, or available as a bundle. Sales open in October at summervillemuseum.org.
For history buffs, design enthusiasts, and anyone curious about Summerville’s heritage, this inaugural tour offers an invitation to step through the doors of the town’s storied past.
“When you understand the past, you become more engaged and committed to the future,” Johnson said. AM
by Caley Smith
When Art on the Square Gallery reopened in its new location on Hutchinson Square this past July, the energy on the street was electric. Artists mingled with art lovers, longtime collectors greeted newcomers, and the buzz of conversation flowed as freely as the creativity inside the gallery walls. For many, it felt like a homecoming—and a celebration of how far the Summerville arts scene has come.
It all began in 1998, when Susan Kammeraad-Campbell, then-director of DREAM (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management), envisioned the arts as a tool to rejuvenate a struggling downtown. With empty storefronts and sluggish foot traffic, the need was clear. She invited artists to brainstorm a solution,
and thirteen of them answered the call. Drawing from their experience in cooperative galleries in Charleston and beyond, they launched Art Central, Ltd.—a fine art cooperative gallery that sparked the beginning of downtown Summerville’s arts revival.
Fast forward to today, and the spirit of that original vision lives on in Art on the Square Gallery. After spending five successful years in Nexton, the gallery has returned to its roots downtown, now operated by 29 local artists who coown and manage the space.
“Each artist brings something unique to the table,” said Lori Anderson-Datus, Branding & Marketing Director for Art on the Square Gallery. “From oil landscapes to
whimsical illustrations, textiles to sculpture, it’s a full spectrum of creativity that reflects the diversity of our community.”
Art in the Square isn’t just an art event—it’s an ongoing celebration of artistic expression. Open year-round at 138 South Main Street, the gallery features rotating exhibits, monthly artist receptions, and now, hands-on art classes for the public.
This year’s expansion includes more than just a new location. “We’re offering art classes led by our member artists, and we have plans to feature student work in the future,” Anderson-Datus shared. “It’s all part of our mission to support and inspire the next generation of artists.”
Visitors can expect a welcoming atmosphere and an eclectic selection of original artwork at various price points. The gallery’s cooperative model means every artist plays a role in its success— from managing operations to mentoring peers and engaging with visitors.
“Being part of a cooperative gives artists the opportunity to grow not just creatively, but professionally,” Anderson-Datus said. “It also helps break the stereotype of the ‘starving artist.’ We’re a thriving, artist-run business that contributes to the local economy.” And that economic impact is real. The growth of arts-based initiatives like Art in the Square has turned Summerville into a recognized arts destination. Local restaurants, shops, and businesses all benefit from the increased foot traffic the gallery brings.
As for the future? The team has big dreams: expanding community classes, launching student showcases, and growing special events to continue strengthening the town’s cultural fabric.
Whether you're a lifelong collector or a curious newcomer, Art in the Square invites you in.
“Come experience the creative energy,” Anderson-Datus encouraged. “You’ll leave inspired—and maybe even with a new piece of art that speaks to your heart.”
Art on the Square Gallery is open to the public and free to visit. To learn more or get involved, visit Art on the Square – Summerville on Facebook. AM
Despite our advanced age, I hope that we’re still Jenkins Warriors inside.
by Susan Frampton
Iremember vividly when my parents were headed to their 50th High School reunion. In my mind, I imagined a bunch of really old people drinking Metamucil-spiked cocktails and spinning their wheelchairs around on the dance floor. My parents didn’t seem old enough to have graduated that long ago. In fact, at the time they were religiously walking six miles a day. But the numbers didn’t lie, and off they went. I crossed my fingers that there would be no calls to EMS or the funeral home from the site of the Savannah High School Class of 1948 reunion.
So, imagine my surprise when I opened the email inviting me to attend the 50th reunion of the H.V. Jenkins High School Class of 1975. Wait a minute. Once again, the numbers don’t lie, and I distinctly remembered the unofficial motto of my graduating class saying something along the lines of, “We raised some hell, man alive! We’re the Class of ’75!” Fifty years! Dear God. How could this have
happened so suddenly? I still had Levi’s in my closet I wore my senior year. No, they didn’t fit, but they were my very own “Impossible Dream.” Suddenly, my mind calls up the paper I wrote about Don Quixote for my Spanish III final. And just like that, I fell down the rabbit hole of remembrance. It was a hell of a year.
The United Nations deemed it the International Year of the Woman. Saigon fell, and the Vietnam War ended. Our new President, Gerald Ford, accidently hit cars with golf balls, and two attempts were made on his life (not related to his poor golfing skills.) Jaws scared us senseless. I fell in love with The Eagles’ Glenn Frey. We turned up our sunburned noses at sunscreen and slathered ourselves in Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Oil. I can still smell the coconut.
The world was changing fast. An outrageous show called Saturday Night Live debuted, Bruce Springsteen hoarsely shouted about
tramps like us being born to run, and scientists cloned a frog. Ali and Frazier duked it out at “The Thrilla in Manila,” Freddie Mercury wailed out Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Rubik got cubed, and People Magazine published its first issue. VCRs demanded memberships at Blockbuster, and a geek named Bill Gates stepped out of his garage with something called “Microsoft” tucked under his arm.
Fast forward to my realization a halfcentury has passed since I slipped into those worn Levis. I speed-dial my lifelong best friend, Cathy. We console each other once we’ve chronicled all our ailments. Even if we didn’t see confirmation in the mirror every day, our aches and pains prove that we have indeed aged 50 years since those halcyon days of high school. She’s on the fence about attending the reunion. I’m the Captain of Team No-Chance-In-Hell. We agree to give it some thought and revisit the idea.
I stand in front of the mirror searching for a glimpse of the girl who sprinted with such joy through the days of my senior year...
I do give it some thought. I’ve been gone from Savannah for over 40 years, but a part of my heart still calls it home. I miss it. I miss James Edward Oglethorpe whose statue in Chippewa Square photobombed our family photo every Easter. I miss the causeway leading to Tybee Island, the hairpin curves on the way to Isle of Hope, and the ankle-twisting cobblestones of River Street. I miss the dirt parking lot of Jenkins High School where we all gathered in the mornings before the bell rang. But I realized that what I missed the most were the people I knew in the 25 years I called Savannah home. I pick up the phone and dial my best friend. “I’m in,” I tell her. We’re exactly two weeks out from this event five decades in the making.
I stand in front of the mirror searching for a glimpse of the girl who sprinted with such joy through the days of my senior year, and wonder if I will see traces of my friends’ young faces in those who once walked the halls with me. Will they remember me? Will I know them? So much to do, and so little time. There are trips to be made to Target for new, industrial-strength Spanx, and Ulta for some kind of miracle spackling to camouflage the toll time and gravity have taken on the woman in the mirror. Vanity, thy name is Susan. If I’m doing this danged thing, you can bet I want to put my best face forward. That face will definitely be spackled and painted with anti-aging products. I’ll be standing at the door to greet the Fed Ex driver delivering flattering wardrobe choices for everything from a casual picnic lunch to a dressy cocktail party. My daughter will curate my choices to ensure that I’ll look like I have “aged with grace,” and not so much like an ancient hootchie mama.
We raised some hell, man alive! We’re the Class of ’75!
I’m actually starting to look forward to the weekend. We had some good times, and I had some great friends. Despite our advanced age, I imagine we’ll have fun. Whoever said you can’t go home again never met the rambunctious seniors we once were. After all, we’re still Jenkins Warriors inside, and hopefully, we haven’t forgotten: “We raised some hell, man alive! We’re the Class of ’75." AM
by Tara Bailey
It’s hard to look at the ancient redwoods without getting a little dizzy, both from walking while gazing upwards and from the wonder of it all. We’re lucky to have the majestic bald cypress trees of Beidler Forest here, which compete with the California redwoods in both age, size, and beauty. But our walk through the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve placed us within six miles of the Pacific Ocean, and the forest was thus twenty degrees cooler than the July heat wave back home. This mild reprieve, plus the awe of unfamiliar birdsong, fungi, and plant life, made the experience feel otherworldly. My companions and I stared in awe at a plaque that tracked a single tree’s growth through periods of human history. We were face-to-bark with a living thing that has stood hundreds of years before the creation of the Gutenberg printing press and lived through the time of Shakespeare, the Revolutionary War, the Gettysburg Address, and beyond.
Later that day, we - my husband and another couple - drove into San Fransisco for a quick visit. We said goodbye to the ancient past of the forest and blasted into the future of our childhoods by riding in a driverless car. We had seen these vehicles - Waymos - around the city earlier that day and had laughed at how weird they looked, just a person in the passenger seat with a ghost driver zipping through traffic. The distinct domed lights on the roof of the Google cars made them easy to spot, and they were everywhere. While the famed cable cars of San Francisco were nowhere in sight due to maintenance, the Waymos dominated the streets. We even saw a dog riding in the back of one all by itself.
For twelve bucks we ordered our own Waymo, literally an automobile, to take us from the wharf to our hotel. It was a tiny Jaguar that locked us inside and played relaxing spa music, likely to soothe nervous souls who have just placed themselves at the mercy of novelty tech. Despite being a bit crowded, it was a surprisingly comfortable ride. Our phantom driver consistently used the turn signal to switch lanes and never crept above the speed limit. It deftly dodged obstacles in the road and paused to let people cross the street. The ride felt so normal that I was tempted to ask the driver if it was from around here.
Later we took another Waymo back to the pier for a Fourth of July boat ride to see fireworks over the bay. I was on the bottom level of the boat when I was graced with the vision of a gray whale diving by the window. I rushed to the front of the boat where one of the crew led me through a door in time to witness its enormous fluke slap the water. I pondered on the whale’s life - how old it was, its migration history, its family. Gray whales can live to be around seventy years old, and I wondered if this particular whale and I were of the same generation. What all had it seen during its lifetime?
By bedtime I realized that in the course of a single day we had gone from marveling at relics of ancient history to experiencing the amazement of human innovation. The time hop of life on Earth made me feel small but inspired. The trees we visited had been producing oxygen since the Byzantine Empire, and my imagination can’t grasp what advancements will exist when the oldest one -1,400 years - comes to its end.
I had similar thoughts a few weeks later at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. I stepped into the new exhibit Superfine: Tailoring Black Style with moderate curiosity. I’m not very interested in fashion, but I love history, and the lighting and music pulled me in. There, within feet of each other, were clothing made for enslaved children bearing the Brooks Brothers label and Prince’s white ruffled shirt from Purple Rain. Athletic and street attire by modern Black designers stood among zoot suits and military adornments worn by Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, the first Black general in the French army and the father of novelist Alexandre Dumas. I was moved by the common themes of ownership and self-possession that were woven throughout the exhibit. Then I came across the Frederick Douglass display: His clothing, his cane, his famous sunglasses. They were all there for me to absorb, the closest I will ever be to standing before the noted abolitionist.
I teach Douglass’ fiery words to my students each year and try to imagine how I would react to them were I one of the Rochester ladies in the audience of Corinthian Hall on July 5, 1852. Would I be motivated to “bring the storm, the whirlwind, and earthquake”? Am I now? The world has changed greatly in those 173 years, but I doubt there will ever be a time, from the moment a redwood seed germinates until the end of its millennial life, when humanity won’t need to bring “not the light…but fire; not the gentle shower, but thunder.”
The philosophy of time is a human construct. But it is also a measurement, a record of existence. If we didn’t track time, life would still progress. Maybe the question isn’t how to define time, but what to do with it. I think about ancient forests - both near and farmind-bending technology, the deep dwelling places of magnificent whales, the art and ingenuity of imagination, and the power of Frederick Douglass’s words, and I am grateful that I get to share my mere time here with all of it. AM
by Will Thompson
Airports can be chaotic places. Tensions run high, even when things are going smoothly—and I honestly can’t remember the last time my travels did.
A friend of mine—I’ll call him Brian—was recently flying back home to Charleston. His final connection was in Charlotte. When he arrived at the gate, he walked into an argument between several gate workers. By the time he was able to speak with one of them, he learned his seat had been reassigned—to someone else. The agent told him to head to the main airline desk to resolve the issue.
At the desk, Brian quickly realized the agent there was also one of the people involved in the earlier argument. Losing his seat was frustrating enough, but the unprofessionalism of the crew could have made anyone’s blood boil.
Brian stood in line behind another traveler facing the same problem. The difference was that this traveler was visibly upset. Instead of feeding the tension, Brian chose to de-escalate the situation by striking up
a conversation. He learned the man was trying to get to Columbia for his child’s boot camp graduation. When Brian asked why he was flying Charlotte–Charleston–Columbia, the man admitted he wasn’t familiar with the area. Brian suggested he rent a car and drive—less than two hours from the Charlotte airport. The man was grateful for the advice, and the two went on their way.
Just hearing the story made my blood pressure rise! Most of us can relate to tense travel moments, and truthfully, most of us would have reacted like the angry traveler—not like my calm, collected friend Brian. But later I realized: Brian was living out the fruit of the Spirit.
In Galatians 5:16–26, Paul writes about walking by the Spirit and not by the flesh. That’s exactly what Brian did. He didn’t let frustration, anger or selfishness guide his reaction. Instead, he allowed love, peace, kindness, gentleness and self-control to shape how he responded.
As followers of Christ, we are called to live out the fruit of the Spirit daily. That requires practice until it becomes muscle memory. Every
interaction is a chance to exercise love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. We must learn to override the “flesh response” with the “Spirit response.”
To do this well, we must be rooted in Scripture. The Bible is our life source. When we stay connected to God’s Word, we fill ourselves with good things so that good naturally flows out. I know Brian well enough to know that his calm response at the airport wasn’t accidental—it was the product of time spent in God’s Word.
There are others in our community who model this daily. If you’ve visited the Main Street Chick-fil-A during the day, you may have met Mrs. Nancy in the dining room. She radiates joy and kindness in every interaction. She’s faithful to her employer and her customers—and she treats you like family.
Another is a local UPS driver—let’s call him Joey—who delivers boxes across downtown Summerville. His is a demanding job with tight deadlines and high expectations. Yet Joey still makes time to smile, offer encouragement, pray with people, even share a hug. He’s a local legend and a living example of God’s goodness in action.
Why do the actions of Brian, Mrs. Nancy and Joey matter? Because the world needs them—and it needs us— to live this way. In Matthew 22:39, Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves. When we walk by the Spirit, we put aside selfishness and love others as God intended.
In a world increasingly marked by stress and division, we have a chance to respond differently—by intentionally living out the fruit of the Spirit. We all have the ability to do this. The only question is: are you willing to be a difference-maker?AM
The Koger-Murray-Carroll House is opening its doors and it has stories to tell.
Summerville's Anna Ladyzhenskaya opens her studio and her heart to share her incredible journey
Summerville's culinary scene is having a big moment. Meet the flavor makers who are shaping its evolving landscape
The Koger-Murray-Carroll House preserves the intertwined stories of war, family, and endurance in Dorchester County.
By Phyllis Hughes, Images
By Jenna Lachenman
IIn the late 1600s—long before Dorchester County was created—settlers pushed inland from the Carolina coast. They were drawn to land that would later become the county’s western edge, a place of pine forests, swamps, rivers and abundant game. It was wild country, but it offered everything needed for survival.
The first families cut through thick woods, drained swamps, and cleared fields. They built houses from local timber, raised livestock, and wrestled crops from the sandy soil. Life was hard, yet they endured. Over generations, they stitched together communities with faith, kinship and resilience. The same surnames that appeared on early land grants can still be found on weathered gravestones.
Though the Revolutionary War is officially remembered as lasting from April 1775 to September 1783, for this region near Charles Towne the disruption was even more intense. Many settlers were caught between opposing forces, leading to neighbor-againstneighbor violence, burned property and bitter divisions.
The destruction was lasting. Colonial Dorchester was set ablaze. St. George’s Parish Church was abandoned. Infrastructure crumbled. Families struggled with staggering losses of property and life.
In the aftermath, America was still a fragile new nation. For men returning from war, building a home meant more than shelter. It was an act of independence, a tangible step toward rebuilding a life in a newly formed country.
Along Wire Road, three miles west of Grover, stands the KogerMurray-Carroll House, or KMC House. Built in the 1780s, it is believed to be the oldest surviving residence in Dorchester County. Named for three of its prominent early owners, the house is woven into the story of the Koger, Murray and Carroll families.
In 1738, Josias Koger arrived from Germany through Charles Towne. Known locally as Joseph, he married Eve Lemacks and raised four children. A gifted inventor, Joseph created rice-processing machinery so valuable that the South Carolina General Assembly awarded him 500 pounds in 1755. He died around 1783.
His son, Capt. Joseph Koger (1749–1835), inherited both his father’s drive and his land. He married Mary Cook in 1777, and together they raised nine children. During the Revolutionary War, he served in the Colleton Regiment and later under Gen. Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox.” His tombstone reads: “A Whig in 1776 and a Union Man in 1832.”
Capt. Koger’s son, Maj. Joseph Koger (1779–1852), became a planter and public servant in St. George Dorchester Parish. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1806 to 1812, fought in the War of 1812 as a captain and later a major, and held the post of Colleton County sheriff. From 1818 to 1838, he represented his district in the state Senate.
Maj. Koger married twice. His first wife, Abigail Gruber Milhous, died in 1812 and was buried near the house; her grave was recorded in the 1970s though no markers remain. Later that year, he married Mary Murray, daughter of William and Martha Murray of nearby Murray’s Crossroads. They lived in the KMC House until 1838, when Joseph, disillusioned with politics, moved the family to Mississippi and sold the property to Mary’s brother.
The Murrays
John Soule Murray (1792–1844) served St. George Dorchester in the South Carolina Senate during the 1840s. Locally, he was a trustee of Buck Springs Academy and a commissioner of free schools. He purchased the KMC House from his brother-in-law, Maj. Koger, and lived there until his death in 1844.
The Carrolls
In the mid-19th century, the property passed to James Parsons Carroll (1809–1883), a Charleston-born lawyer who rose to prominence as a chancellor of the South Carolina Court of Equity. Known for his distinguished legal opinions, he was the last surviving chancellor elected under the state’s 1790 constitution. Carroll later sold his interest to Capt. Lewis E. Parler, who became St. George’s first town clerk in 1875 and Dorchester County’s first treasurer in 1897.
By 1900, the KMC House changed hands again, eventually passing
through several owners—including the Hartzog, May, Canaday and Westendorf families—before coming to the Sweatman family in 1946. In 2004, Fitzhugh Sweatman Jr. donated the house to the Dorchester County Historical Society.
The KMC House is a Georgian-style, two-and-a-half story clapboard home built of black cypress, with Federal-era details such as carved mantels. Family histories suggest it took seven years to complete; the date “1791” is said to be inscribed on the chimney.
The dining room still bears hand-painted wainscoting designed to mimic oak. Parlors are wide and gracious, in keeping with Charleston styles of the era. Handmade nails and hinges remain throughout. During restoration, a wall was left exposed, revealing horsehair plaster sealed over hand-cut lathes. The three-story staircase narrows as it ascends, and in the attic, hand-hewn beams notched and pegged together still bear Roman numerals from the original assembly.
Folklore surrounds the property. One story tells of a traveler stabbed while staying there when it was used as a boardinghouse. He bled to death on the bedroom floor, and according to legend, the outline of his body still stains the wood despite centuries of attempts to remove it.
In 1974, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic
Places as the “Old Carroll Place.” In 2002, it appeared on South Carolina’s Most Endangered List. A major restoration was completed in 2009, but research continues into its earliest history.
On Oct. 11, 2025, the Koger-Murray-Carroll House will open its doors to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of Dorchester County’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Visitors will be able to walk through the rooms, hear presentations from local historians, and imagine the lives of those who built, defended and preserved this home.
Presenters include:
Ron McCall is a local historian who studies General Nathanael Greene and his Southern Campaign in the South Carolina lowcountry during the Revolutionary War. He will provide a presentation on Edisto/Ferguson’s Mills in existence 1767-1796. The “Mills” played a significant role during the Revolutionary War. It was at this spot that Continental troops under the command of Major General Nathanael Greene’s army crossed the Edisto River in 1781. The Mill Dam was so robust that wagons could cross the river at this point.
Carin Bloom is a public historian with over 20 years of experience researching and sharing the stories of the past. She holds an Honors BA, two MAs, and a PhD ABD in Anthropology, all with specializations in Historical Archaeology of the American Revolution. Carin will
portray Catharine “Caty” Littlefield Greene, wife of Major General Nathanael General who commanded the Continental Army. Toward the end of the American War of Independence, Catharine takes one more trip to accompany her husband to the front lines of war. Despite his best efforts to forewarn her, General Greene is unsuccessful in preparing her for the desolation and destruction she will see--the worst yet--as the war comes to it conclusion.
Jack Smith became the first Poet Laureate of Dorchester County in 2000. Over the past 25 years, Mr. Smith has performed all over the country in such places as the US Naval Academy, Disneyland and Disneyworld, the International Storyteller Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee, North Charleston Arts Festival, and many other prominent venues. He wrote and produced a play in which he performed in the inland lowcountry and for the inmates inside the Turbeville Correctional Institute. He has written three books, two novels, and has entered and won numerous poetry competitions. Jack will convey the story and history of the KMC through video. AM
The KMC house is opening its doors and telling its stories in a special Open House event happening on October 11, 2025. For more information see detailed schedule on the following page.
Koger - Murray - Caroll House (ca 1780s)
Saturday, October 11, 2025
123 Sandy Branch Road
St. George, SC 29477
Tours from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Donation:
Adults $10.00
Students $5.00
Under 6 Free
History Presentations will be scheduled throughout the day
Schedule of Events 10:00
House Tours 10:30-11:30
Ron McCall
Edisto/Ferguson Mills 1767-1796
11:30-12:30
Carin Bloom
Portrayal of Catharine "Caty" Greene 12:30-1:30
Jack Smith Video 1:30-2:30
Ron McCall
Ferguson Mills 1767-1796
2:30-3:30
Carrin Bloom
Portrayal of Catharine "Caty" Greene
Tucked away in Summerville’s creative scene is an artist whose journey to Lowcountry living began halfway across the world—with a stamp collection.
Anna Ladyzhenskaya, a native of Moldova, discovered her love for art in an unexpected way. “Growing up in the Soviet Union, my dad introduced me to stamp collecting,” she recalled with a smile. “Many stamps featured classical European artwork—Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Monet. These miniature pieces of art were mesmerizing. I’d spend hours admiring their details.”
That early fascination sparked a lifelong passion for beauty and creativity, one that now finds expression on canvases filled with rich color, light, and emotion. After graduating from art school in Kishinev with credentials in both practicing and teaching art, Anna went on to earn a master’s degree in architecture. But it was always painting that pulled at her heart.
“In school, we mostly worked with pencil, charcoal, watercolor, and tempera,” she said. “I began experimenting with more mediums later in life. These days, I primarily work with oils, but I also enjoy acrylics, pastels, and mixed media.”
Her work, like her journey, is layered—often featuring people, landscapes, and animals.
“Life inspires me. People inspire me—their expressions, their hands, the way emotions show through the eyes,” she explained. Anna’s portrait work is deeply personal and intuitive. “I prefer live sittings. I need to feel the personality of the person sitting in front of me. That connection helps me portray them in the truest way possible.”
And then, of course, there are the cats.
“When my husband and I adopted two orange tabbies, they slowly started appearing in my paintings,” she
laughed. “Cats are fascinating. They have distinct personalities, just like people.”
Her paintings often reflect that sense of individuality and soul, whether it’s a vibrant portrait or a misty morning landscape. “I love the way light shifts—the glow at sunrise, the golden hour at sunset, the softness of fog. It all tells a story.”
Anna’s pieces carry an emotional weight, yet there’s also a playful ease in her style. Her portraits feel intimate and alive. Her landscapes are dreamlike but rooted in real experience. And her feline muses? They add just the right amount of mischief.
Now a beloved part of Summerville’s arts community, Anna can often be found painting in her home studio or chatting with visitors during local art events.
Her journey from stamp collector to skilled painter is a testament to the power of small inspirations that grow into big dreams.
“I think creativity is a kind of language,” Ladyzhenskaya said. “It connects people—through colors, textures, and stories. That’s what I love about art.”AM
Anna is a member of the Public Works Art Center in Summerville and can be found working at Studio 2 at 135 West Richardson Avenue. Featured in group and solo shows, Anna's work has appeared at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Marin Open Studios, San Francisco's Celebration of Craftswomen at Fort Mason, and can be seen at the Gallerie Elektra in Sausalito and other exhibits.
Summerville’s culinary identity isn’t being shaped by the chefs in kitchens tucked inside historic houses, bustling bakeries, and newly imagined dining rooms. They’re telling stories through food: stories of family, heritage, resilience, and community. images by Dottie Rizzo, Will Rizzo, Andrew Cebulka, Cristi Marshall
words by Pamela Jouan
IN SUMMERVILLE, CHEF NICO ROMO ISN’T JUST OPENING RESTAURANTS HE’S BUILDING LEGACY.
With Laura and Kersey House, Romo brings more than French culinary pedigree to the table; he brings intention, hospitality, and a deep sense of place. “My goal with both properties in Summerville is to continue to see downtown getting more walk-in-friendly spots,” Romo says. “To help create a fun, exciting downtown where people can explore diverse restaurants and enjoy the atmosphere.” For a chef born in Lyon, France, and trained at Michelin-starred La Pyramide, the South may seem an unexpected destination, but Romo found something here: a sense of community, of tradition, and of shared stories. “I have always been attracted to the South because of the people. Their kindness, their pride in country and heritage, their politeness.”
One of only 66 French master Chefs in the United States, Romo opened his first concept, NICO, in 2017. Shaped by a commitment to sustainable seafood and local sourcing, he quickly established the Mount Pleasant restaurant as a barometer for imaginative French fare. After opening a second restaurant, Bistronomy, in downtown Charleston, he set his sights on Summerville.
Laura, named after his grandmother, channels the warmth and memory of family kitchens and rustic Italian cooking. “She had six daughters and 20 grandchildren. She loved getting us together to cook,” Romo recalls. “Even though I have four restaurants, I still love having friends over to my house to cook and hang out. Hospitality is just in our blood,” he adds, connecting the dots.
Just down the street, Kersey House brings Romo’s career full circle. Though he once swore off weddings after a decade at Patrick Properties Hospitality Group, the beauty of the historic home changed his mind. “This property deserves to host a celebration,” he says. Now reimagined as a catering and events venue, it offers something new: a space where food, family, and future come together. “When you marry people, you become part of something bigger in the service industry.”
Through these places, Romo is helping shape what downtown Summerville can be—a walkable, welcoming destination that honors tradition while carving new ones. And for him, that’s the true reward: being part of people’s stories, whether it’s a first date or a wedding day. We’re here to create a place that feels like home,” Romo says. That spirit carries through in every dish, every table, every interaction—because to Romo, a restaurant is more than a business; it’s a backdrop for life’s milestones. And Summerville, it seems, is more than ready to welcome him in.
Adapted by Chef Nico Romo from his grandmother Laura’s cherished recipe and shared with AZALEA. The full recipe will appear in our newsletter this fall.
CHEF JONATHAN DUPRIEST'S STORY IS A HOMETOWN STORY TOLD THROUGH FOOD.
Chef Jonathan DuPriest isn’t just cooking in Summerville—he embodies it. As the chef/owner of La Chev 208, now housed in a beautifully restored 100-year-old home in historic downtown, DuPriest’s culinary journey is a true hometown story, flavored with French finesse and Lowcountry heart.
A 2001 Summerville High graduate and among the final classes at Johnson & Wales in Charleston, DuPriest got his start early — working at the Woodlands Resort in high school under the exacting eye of Chef Ken Vedrinski. The Woodlands, then the only South Carolina property to hold both Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings, became DuPriest’s benchmark. “Ken was tough. Nothing was perfect—but if you worked hard, he taught you everything,” DuPriest says. “One day he told me, ‘You’re going to be a chef.’ Coming from one of the standard-bearers of the Charleston culinary scene, the seed was planted.That seed grew through years spent cooking in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, James Island, and Beaufort. But eventually Summerville beckoned him back home.
As for his cooking style, he was drawn to French cuisine—its “complex simplicity,” as he calls it. “A crème brûlée has four ingredients, and every step matters. That discipline appealed to me.” Combining that with Lowcountry cuisine was a no brainer. “My mom’s a Southern farm girl raised on Southern dishes. If it makes Mom happy, it’s good with me.” He points out that a lot of classic French cuisine started off as peasant dishes. “Take coq au vin or bouillabaisse — they were perpetual stews; throwing
what they had in a pot.” Using the Escoffier Cookbook as his bible, and the Lowcountry as his true North, he says “I do French dishes in a Lowcountry way or Lowcountry dishes in a French way. It’s interchangeable. They mesh well.”
Today, DuPriest's menu at La Chev 208 is a culinary memoir. French bread pizzas nod to his latchkey childhood and frozen Stouffer’s lunches. “I didn’t want to just do sandwiches—this felt more personal,” he says. “Sunday’ sauce, a simple marinara, honors his Italian nanny, Ms. Rina Knight, who left a hospital job to raise him. And “Chicken ala Harriet” elevates his mother’s classic potluck chicken and rice into a rosemary garlic confit over vegetable risotto. It’s still essentially chicken and rice—but through his lens.
Each dish tells a story—of mentors, memories, and milestones. “The menu is me—a little bit in every dish,” DuPriest says. That authenticity resonates with diners, many of whom know his family or share similar experiences. Isn’t that what being part of a community is all about?
Summerville has changed since his childhood — “When we got a McDonald’s, we thought we were highfalutin,” he jokes—but DuPriest is proud to be part of its evolution. “We’re light-years beyond what I ever expected.” And yet he’s right where he belongs. As La Chev 208 settles into its new home, DuPriest plans to rotate seasonal specials, but his guiding principle remains simple: “I want diners to leave happy. If they leave amazed—great. But happy? That’s the goal.”
"A classic French dish and one of our best sellers" shared with AZALEA. The full recipe will appear in our newsletter this fall - perfect timing for this cozy dish.
words by Pamela Jouan
CHEF CHARLES TALUCCI'S BAKERY IS THE ALCHEMY OF BAKING WITH PASSION.
By mid-day, Chef Charles Talucci had already hand-rolled five dozen croissants. Anyone who knows him understands his passion for baking, especially dough. “It’s like falling in love,” he says, describing the rush he gets from coaxing simple ingredients like flour, water, salt and yeast into something transcendent. “There’s adrenaline, addiction, and definitely magic.”
Born and raised in Baltimore County, Charles grew up steeped in culinary tradition. His father, Olympic chef Tony Talucci, worked across the globe but served as Charles’ mentor when home. “We always ate well—shrimp, steak.” He spent a lot of time with his grandmother, cooking, walking to the local Italian deli to gather ingredients for lunch. This would later spark his incentive to open an Italian deli of his own.
Though he was initially discouraged from pursuing a culinary career, he was raised in the industry. By 11, he was helping his father with catering, then as a food runner at Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop and working at Chiapparelli’s. The experiences launched something deeper inside, and he decided that this is what he wanted to do.
Talucci graduated in 2006 from the Baltimore International Culinary College with one of the highest pastry arts degrees, studying under renowned masters like Certified Master Pastry Chef Yan Bandula and later, French pâtissier Joseph Poupon. He honed his skills around Maryland, including five years at a private club, before relocating to the Charleston area a decade ago. Summerville became home thanks to its strong school and proximity to downtown. “We came for opportunity—and found community too.”
Now, with his own bakery, deli, and soon-to-open commissary, Chef Charles brings an elevated European sensibility to the Lowcountry. His ingredients—from flour, vanilla beans, prosciutto and mortadella to a 600-day aged Parma—are carefully sourced from Italy. “It’s the kind of food I grew up on. Where most kids ate PB&J, I had mortadella on fresh Italian bread.”
The deli was born from this nostalgia, the bakery from his obsession with dough, and the upcoming commissary from a need to grow. “I’m maxed out,” he laughs, “but excited to expand with a bread line and more bulk baking, and also to begin shipping—starting with cookies.”
For Charles, it’s not just about perfecting recipes—it’s about sharing what he loves. “We do what we do because we believe in it,” he says firmly. “And Summerville’s well on its way to be one of the next big, small towns to really explode in terms of food offerings.”
Perfect for Fall! The full recipe will appear in our newsletter this fall.
From his first shift washing dishes at Sully’s (now Home Team BBQ) on Sullivan’s Island to helming his own acclaimed restaurant, Bexley Fish & Raw Bar in Summerville, Chef Jeremy Holst’s journey is rooted in resilience, community, and the flavors of his Lowcountry upbringing.
Holst remembers the moment he first peeked into a restaurant kitchen, thinking — “man, that looks like fun.” The camaraderie, the pace—he wanted in. Initially, his mother balked at the idea of culinary school, but his passion only deepened. A mentor at Greenville Technical College, recognizing his drive, wrote him a recommendation to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. “I couldn’t believe it,” Holst says. “But you have to. You have to believe in yourself and that the dream is possible.”
After graduating, Holst honed his craft in Hawaii (The Four Seasons), Atlanta (Pano’s and Paul’s), and Las Vegas (Bellagio and Ritz Carlton), among other places, but Charleston was always home. “I think, like most young cooks, my goal was to open my own place in my city.” Along the way, he experienced more than his share of setbacks— years of banks telling him “no” when he sought funding for his own place, a brutal battle with sarcoma cancer, and the uncertainty of COVID. But he never wavered.
“I know what it’s like to be alive. I’ve looked over the ledge and dangled there—when I was sick and again when I committed to opening this restaurant and felt the heaviness of that responsibility. But as I tell my kids, if you’re willing to believe in something and sacrifice for it, you can turn the world.”
In 2022, Holst opened Bexley Fish & Raw Bar in Summerville. Bexley, named for the North Charleston street where his grandparents lived and where he spent much of his childhood.
Summerville, chosen at first simply because it was where he could afford a house for his growing family. “For years I would say Summerville and people would roll their eyes,” Holst says. “But I think it’s ‘right time, right place’—and now I can’t imagine doing this anywhere else.”
Bexley has become part and parcel of Summerville’s fabric. What started as a 35-seat restaurant now accommodates twice as many, thanks to a community that has embraced it wholeheartedly. Holst marvels at how the restaurant is tied to the people who fill the dining room each night. Vegetables, flowers, even plates are purchased from the same people who are often sitting at the tables. “It dawned on me it’s all Summerville—from the people who are eating to those making our plates,” he says. “That’s what community means.”
Holst thrives on cooking in the moment. He compares it to jazz, where a little knowledge allows you to break the rules. “Mother Nature sets the tempo,” he says. “We wait on tomatoes or peaches, then celebrate when they arrive. The ingredients spark my creativity; I rarely plate the same dish the same way twice.”
Ultimately, Holst wants every guest to leave happy. For him, it’s about more than the food—it’s the music, the space, the staff, and the energy in the room. “From hello and welcome to thank you and goodbye, I want people to feel they had a great overall experience.”
Chef Holst's Spring Hummus
Perfect for the gathering Season! Full recipe will be featured in our newsletter this fall.
by Ellen E. Hyatt
We're caught in cross-currents now. Chaos, dehumanizing and crazed and craved by some, is . . . well . . . becoming redundantly chaotic. We need an escape via the arts to stay human.
Artist Doug McAbee helps us do that. He creates light and hope through sketches. At the Public Works Art Center, his mural exhibition immerses us in joy. We join with the whim and whimsy of the installation's images spreading across walls—from top to bottom. A cloud is raining light bulbs; wings of an angel fly a bird; a drum, looking like the sun, is Saturn. And we—despite the hot mess elsewhere—we, while within those walls, are living joy. United, and renewed, we are living USA's motto: E pluribus unum. "Out of many, one."
Performing arts take us away, too. Dance: when the body, itself, becomes an instrument. When bodies become a walking sculpture, we suspend disbelief and extend imagination.
Music affects brain-chemistry, our moods. Just a small dose of "Moonlight Sonata" can bring in a tide of tears. Even a sensitive feline can mope for hours and wax existential. Better, perhaps to choose live performances and chats with the Summerville Orchestra. For celebration, early music-makers made flutes by using bones from birds or bear-like animals living 5000 decades ago. Hollow logs covered with animal skins became drums. Their sounds were spiritual, rhythmic, one with Mother Earth.
Local "makers" also invite us to joy and escape with their jewelry, cake pops, candles, goat soaps. And this paper, once blank, offers a writer to reader connection, a light to light to stay human.
