WHEEL OF FORTUNE: THE STORY & WORK OF POTTER MARIA WHITE
PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF EVA'S RESTAURANT / EUROPEAN INSPIRED FRENCH MERCANTILE WHAT IS COTTAGECORE? / FOUR WINES FOR WINTER / ETIQUETTE: RAISING A GLASS
Square Meal
Pecan-Praline Blondies
P E C A N S , P R A L I N E S , A N D A W H O L E L O T O F R I C H , G O O E Y C H O C O L AT E ! Winter 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 2020
A place where neighbors smile, wave and call you by name. At Carnes Crossroads, you’ll find a thoughtfully planned community where charming neighborhoods are situated among beautiful parks and lakes. Shops, restaurants and conveniences are emerging within a growing town. And homes from four award-winning builders reflect today’s modern lifestyles and the timeless grace of Lowcountry living.
New Homes from the mid $200s Our Information Center and Model Homes are open for touring, or you can contact us to schedule a virtual tour if you’d prefer. Either way, we’re here to help! Call 843-761-8600 or email info@carnescrossroads.com and a Community Specialist will assist you.
CarnesCrossroads.com Information Center | 513 Wodin Place | Summerville, SC | 843-761-8600
A Z A L E A
M A G A Z I N E
Molding Passion Potter Maria White outside of her studio in North Charleston
52 WHEEL OF F O RT U N E
Whether seated at the pottery wheel or behind the camera, the world is clay in the hands of Maria White.
58 MADE FROM S C R AT C H
Pecans, pralines, and a whole lot of rich, gooey chocolate.
CONTENTS
/ Winter 2020
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21 06 Editor’s Letter 10 Contributors
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FIELD GUIDE 11 Daylight Saving 12 Landscaping 14 Etiquette-Toasting SOUTHERN LIFE 17 Southern Spotlight - Food 21 Southern Spotlight - Style 25 Southern Spotlight - Drink
On The Cover: Pecan-Praline Blondies photograph by Will Rizzo 6
AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 2020
COLUMNS 27 Natural Woman by Susan Frampton 31 Kids These Days by Tara Bailey 35 Life & Faith by Lili Hiser THE GALLERY 45 #Cottagecore It's easy to see why this romanticization of boulic living has been a popular form of escapism for many on social media this year THE VILLAGE POET 64 Ah! Winter
EDITOR’S LETTER
In A Moment It’s hard for me to live in the moment. I’m either looking to the future, or reminiscing on the past. Sixteen years ago we took a family vacation to the beach. A week of sun and sand that would prove to be one of my fondest memories. There wasn’t all that much to it. We’d spend the days watching the kids play in the sand and test their bravery at the shore, and at night we would sit together on the couch and watch the Athens Summer Olympics. Did I realize, at the time, what an incredible week we were having, or did it only become clear years later? As I write this my oldest child is a week away from her twenty first birthday. My youngest is a year out from heading off to college. Where did all that time go? I look back at pictures of them as toddlers and wish I could hold them at that age again. Did I realize how lucky I was in those moments, or was I just there-destined to look back years later with a longing for something that had past? There is nothing wrong with looking to the future with anticipation, or taking a trip down memory lane, but life is happening right now-and I want to be fully in it. As we move into the new year, it’s my goal to be fully in it-to try and truly cherish what might even seem mundane. I love when I hear a song that takes me back to my ten year old self speeding around the skating rink, or times when I imagine a grandchild sitting on my knee, but I’m a husband today. A dad today. A friend today. And time moves so fast, before you know it, it will be tomorrow.
Will Rizzo Editor In Chief
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It’s a big world out there‌ are you protected? We provide concierge insurance services for high value homeowners and business owners in Summerville, Nexton, Del Web, Carnes Crossroads and Cane Bay. Visit us today at our Summerville office (upstairs in Town Square), one of three Taylor Agency locations serving the Lowcountry.
Will Rizzo Editor in Chief will@azaleamag.com Dottie Rizzo Managing Editor dottie@azaleamag.com Susan Frampton Senior Editor Sara Frampton Copy Editor
www.tayloragency.com
Leslie Phinney, Personal 843.762.3372 Buck Inabinet, Commercial 843.762.3373
Jessica Maier Style Editor Contributors Tara Bailey Elizabeth Donehue Lili Hiser Ellen Hyatt Jessy Devereaux Mitcham Advertising Inquiries Susie Wimberly susie@azaleamag.com 843.568.7830
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A NEW WAY TO NE XTON W E L C O M E T O M I D T O W N, A FRESH MIX OF HOME, T O W N & N AT U R E
Learn more and explore new homes from the mid $200s. N E X T O N .C O M
Newland is the largest private developer of mixed-use communities in the United States. With our partner, North America Sekisui House, LLC, we believe it is our responsibility to create enduring, healthier communities for people to live life in ways that matter most to them. newlandco.com | nashcommunities.com
©2020 Nexton. All Rights Reserved. Nexton is a trademark of NASH Nexton, LLC, and may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without prior written permission. NASH Nexton, LLC (“Fee Owner”) is the owner and developer of the Nexton Community (“Community”). Certain homebuilders unaffiliated with the Fee Owner or its related entities are building homes in the Community (“Builder(s)”). Fee Owner has retained Newland Communities solely as the property manager for the Community. Prices, specifications, details, and availability of a Builder’s new homes are subject to change without notice. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.
Experience the Pinewood difference.
CONTRIBUTORS
Pinewood students in Pre-K3 through Grade 12 learn and grow by applying the School’s core values of risk, truth, and exploration. From the hydroponics lab to the classroom to the stage, our students are nurtured, enriched, and encouraged to thrive.
LILI HISER Writer
TARA BAILEY Writer
Lili Gresham Hiser was born in Charleston, SC and raised in both the Lowcountry and Central Florida. She invested more than ten years of service in the non-profit/higher education sector and many years as Communication Studies adjunct faculty. She and her husband enjoy re-experiencing life in the South through the eyes of their young children.
Tara Bailey lives in Summerville with her husband and three daughters, assuming the one in college comes home to visit. She has worked as a naturalist, a teacher, a writer, and an editor, balancing her love of the outdoors with her compulsion to alter sentences. She enjoys natural history, horror movies, and reads anything in print.
JESSICA MAIER Style Editor
SUSAN FRAMPTON Writer & Editor
Jessica Maier, a professional interior designer with a passion for elegantly simple spaces, lives in Summerville with her husband, new baby, and her trusty companion Rabbit the dog. She spends an inordinate amount of time preparing, eating, and talking about food. When she isn't up to her elbows in a new recipe—a daily occurrence—she's outside moving her body and enjoying the sunshine as she either hikes, runs, or paddle boards her way around the lowcountry.
Never dreaming that anyone would read her ramblings, Susan Frampton scribbled her way through two wildly different careers before accidently becoming a writer. These days, when away from the keyboard, she follows the antics of her accident-prone husband, nurses pine-cone-swallowing wiener dogs, reads late into the night, and counts her many blessings.
Dedicated to Excellence in Pre-K3 through Grade 12 • • • • • • • •
College preparatory curriculum IDEA Lab (STEM) program Visual & performing arts Smaller class sizes Interscholastic athletic teams Community engagement opportunities Enrichment classes & clubs Character & leadership development
Schedule a visit today: 843.873.1643, ext. 2023 pinewoodprep.com
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 2020
Daylight Saving
Here are some things you might not know about the bi-annual time change
Ben Franklin was an early advocate of changing the clocks in an effort to lower the cost of lighting.
The change in clocks has been shown to cause teens to do poorly on the college entrance exams.
The first serious case for DST came from a bug collector who was frustrated by how early the sun set during summer.
Despite DST origins as an energy-saving strategy, research suggests it might actually be raising energy costs.
According to Merrium-Webster it's actually called daylight saving time, not savings.
DONATE TODAY Imagine‌a place for all generations, for all occasions, for every season and every reason. Welcome to Stadium Park! Featuring
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 2020
For more information call Jimmy Tupper 843.864.3615, Eddie Crosby 843.830.1043, or Terry Jenkins 843.200.9096
LANDSCA PE
Location
Edisto River Photographed by
Will Rizzo Lying down in the canoe during a coldweather-paddle down the blackwaters of the Edisto River.
Winter 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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ELIZABETH DONEHUE
“Meet Elizabeth... arbiter of social graces. Passionate volunteer with a heart for hospitality and cultivating community. She lives in Summerville with her husband and three boys."
" May the hinges of friendship never rust, or the wings of luve lose a feather.
"
Edward Bannerman Ramsay
ETIQUETTE
Raise A Glass Toasting to love, friendship, health, wealth, and happiness has been practiced by almost every culture from the beginning of recorded history. A well-made toast can make a simple moment special. This gracious gesture can be delivered by anyone. While there are no hard-fast rules to toasting, what follows are guidelines to get you started: - Make sure all glasses are filled before toasting. - It is perfectly acceptable to participate with a non-alcoholic beverage. - Traditionally, the first toast is offered by the host as a welcome to guests. - You should stand when offering a toast unless it is a small informal occasion. Standing can help you to get the group’s attention. It is best not to signal for quiet by tapping on a glass. Instead, simply stand tall and begin. People will take notice. If absolutely necessary, say in a loud projecting voice, “May I have your attention please.” Repeat as needed.
- Do not stand or drink to a toast, when it is being offered to you. Do give the speaker your full attention, make eye contact, and give thanks when the toast is complete. This is the most gracious way to receive the compliment. - If there is a large group of people toasting, the clinking of glasses is not performed. Instead, while holding your glass by the stem, simply raise it to shoulder height in front of you, gently gesture toward the honoree, and take a sip. If it is a small group of people, and you are clinking glasses, you should look the person in the eyes when doing so. - The beverage being used or the clink of the glass is not as important as the bestowing of honor. You can always find a cause to celebrate and a reason to toast. Cheers! AM
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Southern L I F E & C U L T U R E from O U R L I T T L E S L I C E of T H E S O U T H
Hometown Hospitality
Whitney and Roy Easler are serving up Southern favorites, and preserving the legacy of Eva's Restaurant. by Jessy Devereaux Mitcham Featuring: Hometown Hospitality pg. 17 / Parlez-vous Francais? pg. 21 / Seasonal Sippers pg. 25 / Natural Woman pg. 27 / Kids These Days pg. 31 / Life & Faith pg. 35
Winter 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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hile not life-long residents of Summerville, Whitney and Roy Easler are very familiar with the area. The couple has frequently visited extended family here over the years and each time they visited, they fell more and more in love with the charm that the little town possesses. The pair, while both “Carolina at heart,” spent a respectable amount of their lives in Florida, perfecting the science of serving others: the husband and wife team have a combined 65 years of experience in both the restaurant and the hospitality industry. Whitney and Roy both expected to eventually retire in South Carolina to be closer to family, but what they were not expecting was a call from a family member inviting them to consider relocating to the Palmetto State a little earlier than they planned. One of Summerville’s oldest eateries, known as Eva’s On Main, was for sale and in desperate need of the right people to take ownership. The original owners, Eva and Eddie Hinson, purchased the restaurant in 1944 with the intention of running the restaurant together. Eddie soon realized the restaurant world was not meant for him and gave his wife full control of the business. With Eva at the helm, they appropriately named it “Eva’s.” Eva put her whole self into the business; many patrons can still recall Eva sitting in her rocking chair in the kitchen, shucking peas or peeling potatoes. Sadly, Eva passed away in 2011, and just a handful of years later, it went up for sale. Those who know the Easlers well remarked that if anyone could revitalize this small-town classic that is so dear to the hearts of so many locals, it would be them. The couple was excited, not only about the prospect of being closer to family, but also to respectfully bringing new life into this classic landmark. It can be quite intimidating to reopen a restaurant that has been a Summerville staple for nearly 76 years, but the Easlers were up for the challenge. They understood that there were many obstacles they needed to overcome, as well as many hearts to win over. The couple has made every choice with intention, style, and grace. Prior to purchasing the restaurant, Whitney and Roy journeyed to Summerville to experience Eva’s first hand to see if it was the right fit for them. With their heads full of ideas on how they could bring this soulful classic back to life, they already had an entirely new menu in mind for the establishment. The moment they walked in the door of Eva’s, their minds changed. They quickly came to the realization of just how important it is to stick to the roots of what the Hinson’s grew. After visiting the restaurant, the Easlers were sold. The couple knew they could keep Eva’s spirit alive while simultaneously bringing their own creativity into the mix. They purchased the restaurant, and on New Year’s Day of 2019, Whitney and Roy opened the doors to Eva’s on Main.
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The couple made sure to pay homage to the original Eva’s in many ways in their new venture. Not wanting to disappoint long-time patrons, the Easlers kept the majority of Eva’s original menu items, adding their own signature dishes that appeal to foodies both new and old.They continue to employ the people who worked there when Mrs. Eva was still alive; some having been trained by Eva herself.The walls of the restaurant are adorned with old photographs of the Hinson family and antique plates that Eva collected over the years. But most of all, the couple’s favorite tradition is enjoying the community around them. They adore their customers: from the older customers who vividly remember going to Eva’s as children to the first-timers, Whitney and Roy treasure their relationship with people from every background. All are welcome at Eva’s; their incredible customer service and all-inclusive atmosphere makes that apparent. They believe that having diversity in their business, with both their employees and their clientele, is the recipe for success. Their success is evident, especially during their Saturday and Sunday brunch, which regularly creates lines out of the door as hungry patrons gather for a surely delicious meal. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a few problems for the restaurant, but the couple—and Eva’s on Main—is persevering through it. They take safety standards extremely seriously with constant disinfecting, requiring masks for customers, both masks and gloves for employees, practicing suggested guidelines for social distancing, and offering a contact-free curbside service. Customer service is the restaurant’s number one priority, and keeping their patrons safe is an intentionally-practiced part of their routine. The way that the Easlers have taken on the responsibility of shepherding such an important part of Summerville’s culture into an elevated new era while respecting those who came before them is impressive and sure to win the hearts of even the most die-hard original Eva’s fan. As the new Eva’s on Main motto states, they provide a “Southern comfort menu with a strong dose of Southern Hospitality.” It is that Southern hospitality that will ensure a fruitful venture for years to come, no matter what life throws their way. AM Eva’s on Main is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 3pm. They offer dine-in, take-out, and curbside pickup and are located at 129 South Main Street, Summerville, SC 29483. You can learn more by visiting their website, www.evasonmain.com , or by calling them at 843-873-5081
Good Eatin' Whitney Easler in front of Eva's. Opposite: Fried chicken and french toast
WELCOME T O T H E B I RTH P L A C E OF S W E E T TE A
Come and explore The Birthplace of Sweet Tea. Tour the shops, sites, sips, and tastes that make Summerville so sweet with a free Sweet Tea Trail Guide. visitsummerville.com Winter 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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Viva la France French Mercantile is housed in a beautifully restored historic home; Owner Toni Hammersley
SO U THER N SPO TL I GHT
ST YLE
Parlez-vous francais? You don’t need to speak the language to find everything you need at French Mercantile. by Susan Frampton
W
hat is it about the French? Is it the innate panache that allows them to make the ordinary elegant, and the most casual, special? Whether they’re dining on pâté or rocking a beret, they do it with flair. Their language rolls off the tongue. “S’ll te plaît, sors les poubelles, chérie.” Sounds romantic, right? Truth be told, you’ve just asked your sweetie to take out the trash, but the point is, the French have a style as unique as it is timeless. Though Toni Hammersley has yet to walk along the Seine, she seems to have been born with a French aesthetic. In the store just off Cedar Street in Downtown Summerville,
Hammersley has brought her exquisite taste, and eye for detail to French Mercantile, the recently opened European inspired home decor and gift boutique. You may know proprietor Toni Hammersley from A Bowl Full of Lemons, the wildly popular home organization blog she began over ten years ago. For a decade, she has challenged followers to purge the extraneous from their surroundings, offering advice on ways to clean, organize, and celebrate the bliss of a clean, beautiful, clutter-free environment. Though her success in that genre has continued to grow, she found herself increasingly drawn to the European Winter 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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Parlez-vous Francais?
sense of design. “Even before I realized what it was, I appreciated its utilitarian beauty,” she says. “I liked the farmhouse, cottage feel of it, and once I grew into it, it felt right.” Hammersley had long wanted a brick and mortar place to support her online presence. She knew that there was nothing even remotely like it in the area. In the lovingly restored 1800’s house in Summerville’s Historic District, French Mercantile boasts a dizzying array of products imported from France and displayed with the je ne sais quoi of a chic Parisian shop. Having lived in Summerville for almost a decade, she had kept an eye out for the perfect location to open a retail space. “I called the day the For Sale sign went up in the yard. I knew I’d found it.” The store offers the perfect balance of genuine vintage and modern goods to delight the Francophile in all of us. “I wanted it to be simple yet refined.” There is nothing flashy about the warm, tan, and cream color scheme prominent in the unique merchandise. Instead, its timelessness draws one in with its calm and soothing ambiance. From the moment you enter, custom-made candles perfume the air, sweeping you away to the city of lights. Beautifully displayed 24
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Living The Dream Each room inside French Mercantile makes you want to linger before taking something home.
jars of scents made exclusively for French Mercantile line the wall of the Candle Bar. Against a backdrop of authentic French shutters, counters of unique jewelry and gift items offer a banquet of choices. In the kitchen area, antique scales weigh the years, and authentic French bakery racks hold vintage breadboards that are as functional as they are suited for display. “I know what I love, and I’ve searched to find what I love from small businesses around the world.” Cloth bread bags speak of daily trips to the market for fresh baguettes. Crockery, cheese bells, and berry bowls call up images of fresh strawberries paired with fresh cheese. Lush linens line the shelves,
and a hanging display of pinafore-style linen aprons bring haute couture to the kitchen. All around, the ordinary is rendered smartly chic. One can imagine the straw market baskets carried on a graceful arm down narrow cobblestone alleys. On this side of the pond, they may transport Lego pieces, sunscreen, and emergency crackers. Still, they may inspire you to be the woman you imagine shopping for wine, baguettes, and cheese. Pillows and candlesticks, framed mirrors, and dried flowers for every season are effortlessly elegant against weathered farm tabletops. Vive la France! It comes as no surprise that Hammersley is often asked if she offers home design. “Not yet,” she says, leaving us in hopes that it will be a service added in the future. “We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the response the store has received, locally and from visitors from across the nation.” Hammersley discloses that some have seen the shop online and incorporated a stop at the store into their vacations. “And we’re so happy to be able to share the charm of Summerville with them all.” AM For more information, visit frenchmercantilehome.com
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61 Broad St. Charleston, SC 29401
118 S Goose Creek Blvd. Goose Creek, SC 29445
103 Grandview Dr. Summerville, SC, 29483
SOU THERN SPOTLIGHT
DRINK
Seasonal Sippers Bottles of Summerville recommends four wines that pair perfectly with sitting by the fire
Prestige Cote du Rhone Soft and easy going, spice driven with underlying earthiness. Super food friendly, the "I don't know what we're having for dinner" wine. Blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Grenache.
Ercole Barbera Perfumed nose of strawberry, plum and black pepper. Medium bodied with light tannins on the finish. Great Value, plus it's a liter bottle. This is your pizza, pasta wine!
Venturini Baldini Lambrusco Sparkling red from Emilia Romana in central Italy. Fruit forward with lots of brambly notes. Well- structured on the palate, with flavors of raspberry and blackberry. Finishes dry, and crisp with refreshing bubbles. Really food friendly.
Cattin Pinot Blanc From Alsace (Northern France) Floral nose of soft white flowers and honeysuckle. Palate is slightly fruity with a round mouthfeel and hints of apple and almond. Finishes with bright acidity.
Abe Verspril General Manager Bottles Beverage Superstore 1110 N Main St, Summerville, SC
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N AT U R A L WOMAN
Auld Lang Syne Now that I've thought about it, instead of kicking 2020 to the curb, I'll gently nudge it out the door. Thanks, Mr. Burns Frampton by Susan
B
y the time late December arrives, we're anxiously awaiting the gift of a new year. We watch it approach, and we answer its knock at the door with the anticipation of children on Christmas morning. New Year's Eve always finds us giddy with the promise of tomorrows awash in champagne and lit with fireworks. To say that 2020 did not live up to that hype is an understatement, and most of us won’t be sorry to watch it disappear in the rearview mirror. Recently, while binge-watching as though training for a new
Olympic sport, I sat glued to The Crown on Netflix. In Season 2, one of the show's characters was sung out of the episode by a chorus of Auld Lang Syne. It was the first time I had heard the song used in a context other than that of New Year's Eve celebrations, and like most people, I had no real idea of what the words were, much less what they meant. I looked up the text of the Robert Burns poem. The original text, which Burns penned in his native Scots, was virtually indecipherable. Interestingly there is no literal English translation for the phrase "auld lang syne," which Burns borrowed from a 16th Century Scottish ballad. Loosely translated to mean "old days past," these days, its first
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N AT U R A L WOMAN The beauty of Christmas surrounds the Bishop Gadsden Community during this most special time of year. We wish you and yours a very blessed holiday season!
A Life Plan Community in Charleston, SC 800.373.2384 | bishopgadsden.org Call 843.406.2502 for Career Services.
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verse and refrain are belted out at midnight to the pop of champagne corks. Now reduced practically to a catchy jingle sung in tribute to the previous year, after reading the poem in its entirety, it seems a waste that only this snippet of the poem is widely known. This past year has certainly not given us much to sing about, and I doubt that many will feel like raising their glass to toast it. "Hit the Road Jack" seems the better choice. Courtesy of quarantine, I had plenty of spare time to think about that. "Should old acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?" Burns thought they were worth remembering. I'd popped many a cork to the words without giving them a second thought, but now I wanted to know the rest. "We two have run about the hills and pulled the daisies fine. But we've wandered many a weary mile since the days of auld lang syne." I heard the voice of my freshman poetry professor urging me to look beyond the obvious. Perhaps Burns never meant the poem to be an ode to the past 365 days, but rather a look back at our youth; at a lifetime of friendship, gratitude for having traveled the years together, and a little melancholy for getting older. When I applied it to our current situation, it could easily be a little chat between our new normal and our pre-pandemic selves. After all, we all feel like we have trudged more than a few weary miles this year. Somewhere, my poetry professor was dancing a jig. It's hard not to dwell on the hardships and pain of the last
year, but perhaps we should look deeper and apply all the verses of Mr. Burns' poem to 2020's close. If you’ve never read it, it’s worth the time. If the past year did nothing else, it gave us time to sit and think—to be a little more introspective and more aware of what is important. It gave us a lot more appreciation for the good times we've had and people and things we once took for granted. It forced us to look at who we are and who we want to be. It showed us how to be resilient and how far a little kindness can go. We got through it, and though we may have done it virtually, we did it together. Personally, I've acquired a posh new accent that I'd never have perfected without binging on The Crown. You don't want to know what I picked up from six seasons of Hell on Wheels. And thanks to Robert Burns, I will also sweep the 18th Century poetry category on Jeopardy. Hopefully, once we're able to get ourselves up off the sofa and swap out our sweats for pants with zippers, we will all ultimately find ourselves changed for the better by the circumstances it thrust upon us. I could get behind the idea of raising a glass to that. When the clock strikes midnight, I'll do just that. I'll also toast the Scottish poet who made me see things a little differently, wish for next year to be far better, and hope that whatever it brings, we'll travel it together. AM For auld land syne, my dear, for old lang syne. We'll drink a cup of kindness yet for old lang syne." Robert Burns
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K ID S THESE D AY S
America The Enduring by Tara Bailey
W
e the People of the United States have endured a year of despair; but don’t despair, for we have endured. At the time of this writing, I don’t yet know who from our diverse and patriotic slate of willing servants have been elected to further our more perfect union. At the time of this reading, you—and I—likely will either have celebrated victory or suffered disappointment. But we will not despair, for together we are Americans.
we have aggrieved have maintained hope and continued working for freedom and equality in the shadows of great suffering. Chief Joseph declared, “I will fight no more forever” upon his surrender to General O.O. Howard in 1877, though his heart was broken, “sick and sad.” Yet he recognized dignity’s power and the duty to care for his people and tend to their wellbeing. Despite the fact that he was “tired of fighting,” he spent his life advocating for a future where “we shall be all alike—brothers of one father and mother, with one sky above us and one country around us and one government for all.”
We are inspired to continue the great experiment that is America because of the sacrifices we have made to claim her. From the moment we wrestled our independence from those who would dictate our beliefs, practices, and way of life, we have acknowledged that great things are built from the ground up—by the people, for the people. Our confidence in this solid foundation allows us to look head-on at the mistakes we have made and the grief we have caused our fellow Americans—and learn. Even those
From human beings who lived their lives enslaved, to people granted the nation’s greatest political and financial powers, Americans have worked to advance this “new nation, conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” Former slave, abolitionist, and great orator Frederick Douglass acknowledged to his white audience that “the blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common” when he asked them on the anniversary of our nation’s founding in 1852,
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Good news. Rates just got lower. Mark Ensley, Agent 2301 Bacons Bridge Rd Summerville, SC 29485 Bus: 843-871-9700 www.markensley.com
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KIDS THESE D AY S “What to the slave is the Fourth of July?” After rebuking his listeners— his “fellow citizens”—for rejoicing while he must mourn, he went on to remind those in Rochester, New York’s Corinthian Hall that “we have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and to the future.” The future Douglass envisioned was not something that would passively happen but would be fought for with immense struggle and sacrifice. In 1939 South Carolina educator, activist, and daughter of former slaves Mary McLeod Bethune told fellow Americans on NBC’s “America’s Town Meeting of the Air,” “Democracy is for me, and for 12 million black Americans, a goal towards which our nation is marching.” To her, the fight for democracy would be “fearless, free, united, morally re-armed.” To her, and to you and me, her faith in democracy involved a vision of “mutual respect and understanding.” To her, America was both a “dream and an ideal.” Bethune’s work to extend America's ideals to all citizens earned her appointment as Director of the Office of Minority Affairs in the National Youth Administration by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. Just six years later, and only two years following her famous speech on democracy, FDR addressed Congress to declare war on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Though he was referring to the literal victory of war, when FDR claimed “the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory,” he also was uniting Americans in their defense of freedom and democracy. He knew, as we all know, that as long as our country maintains “confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph.” President Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” speech would later be compared to the words of President George W. Bush when he spoke to the nation following the 9/11 attacks. On September 20, 2001, President Bush issued healing balm to grieving Americans by reminding us that the strength of our
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nation lay in our freedoms, unity, and resolve. America is a beacon to the world, and the fight against terrorism is a global fight. “This is civilization's fight. This is the fight of all who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and freedom.” These are values of which America leads by example, and “in a fight for our principles, our first responsibility is to live by them. No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith.”
They’re the reason we don voting stickers as though we’ve won a great prize —because we have. I’m no historian, but I am an American. The words from the above fellow Americans who have experienced our nation in all of its horror and beauty are the reason we stand in line for hours to make a deeply personal decision we think will best serve us and our neighbors. They’re the reason we don voting stickers as though we’ve won a great prize—because we have. So let us not despair over disease, unrest, or disappointment. Let us instead work towards healing our bodies, souls, and communities, lifting up the weary and the sick, listening to the affronted, and allowing ourselves to be guided by wisdom. Let us forever be reminded that our neighbors are indeed ourselves, and that together we are America. While our enemies may resent our freedoms, let us remember that our greatest strength is that even in harsh disagreement, we somehow remain united. Our nation’s work is always unfinished, and may we never rest from establishing justice, ensuring tranquility, and securing the blessings of liberty. AM
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More peace. Less pain.
Leviner Law Firm is a boutique practice focused solely on the areas of family and probate law. Please call our office today if we can help you navigate some of life's most difficult circumstances. 207 West Ric hardson Ave. / Sum m e rville (843) 501-0602 / info@ levine rlawfirm .com www.lev in e rlawfirm .com
L IF E & F A IT H
You're In Luck by Lili Hiser
W
hen we had to change our summer vacation plans to see family due to COVID-19 and social distancing precautions, I went on the hunt. The anticipated adventures with grandparents and cousins were stolen by the pandemic, but our vacation would not be another casualty. Feeling rather “unlucky” with the happenings of the world, ironically, we found what seemed like the perfect rental in Luck, North Carolina. The computer screen showed us a quaint 122 year-old farmhouse, and my old soul knew it was just what we needed. The sharp, winding road up the mountain to the house was a hint of just how different this getaway would be from our home in the flat Lowcountry. Amidst the rolls of the land, we and our kids noted farm fields galore, tractors busy as bees, and the occasional congregation
of cows staring us down. When we finally made it to our destination, we turned down the gravel driveway and were welcomed by the white two-story house nestled beside a rocky stream. With no computers in tow, no cell phone service and limited contact with the rest of society, we gladly welcomed “mentally distancing.” The sound of television news sharing virus updates was replaced with the soothing serenade of the stream. My hands that had spent months drenched in disinfectant were now covered in mud helping the kids find river rocks. As we settled in, the weight of life stresses I was carrying started to drop from my shoulders. In the kitchen of the house, we found on display a history of the home, along with aged images of the farm and the family who built it in 1898. Over 20 children were born in this household—a number I simply cannot grasp as an exhausted mother of three! Yet it was surreal to stand in the same place that over a century ago an-
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LIFE & FA I T H
other mother stood watching her children run in the same grassy yard and splashing in the same stream. What thoughts went through her mind with the worries of the world then? I was reminded we are not the first, nor the last generation to experience fear. America has seen her share of trials and anguish and yet prevailed. As we experience a global pandemic, it’s easy to get caught in the mindset that focuses on the gloom or unknown. We often hear, “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” but this is not entirely true. We were not meant to carry the full grief and weight of this fallen world. When too much is on us, God does not want us to be superheroes or break by carrying grievances not ours to bear. He wants us to share our heavy struggles with Him. He is the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep, the One who calms the storm, the Giver of peace, the Provider of hope and the One who is in control. Through the good moments and hard times, He wants to be near and be the Source of our strength.
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Our days of summer serenity eventually came to an end, and we packed up for the return to reality. The kids did not want to leave and threw toddler fits, insistent on staying and playing in the stream. A part of me could relate to their resistance. But my husband was due back in the warzone as a healthcare worker, the country was experiencing civil unrest, and major decisions needed to be made about our children’s education. Before my mind could travel down that well-worn path of worry, I stopped and just humbly gave it to God. I left vacation grateful for being able to unplug, reboot, and refocus on my faith. Though a rural farmhouse was not the original plan, the time away from the noise is exactly what we needed to continue to press through this pandemic. I generally don’t use the word “luck” because I believe even the littlest things are better labeled blessings. But in this instance, I will say Luck is a real thing, and I am thankful for the rest and perspective found in this hidden gem in the hills. AM Winter 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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I N PART NERSHI P WITH SU MME RVIL L E , SC TOU RISM
Summerville, SC
The Heart of it All
Centrally located near the Edisto and Ashley Rivers and not far from the city and beaches, Summerville is directly positioned at the heart of the most beloved attractions in the Lowcountry. Summerville is a perfect place for a paddling adventure. Opposite page: One of the many homes on Summerville’s Walking Trail of Homes and Flowers
I N PARTNERSH IP WITH SU MME RVIL L E ,SC TOU RISM
Just a short drive from the infinitely popular port city of Charleston, where travel magazines, food bloggers, and more than a few television and movie production companies have focused their attention in recent years, Summerville is a quiet charmer, one that feels like stumbling upon a hidden gem when you drive into town. Centrally located near the Edisto and Ashley Rivers and not far from the city and beaches, Summerville is directly positioned at the heart of the most beloved attractions in the Lowcountry. Its small-town atmosphere and proximity to everything makes Summerville the perfect place to spend your vacation, functioning as the most ideal “home base” for all your adventures. Here, you will find delicious food, stunning architecture, cultural and historical sites, and sweet southern hospitality. Visitors are given an opportunity to slow down, encouraged to browse, meander, mosey, stroll, or wander to their heart’s content. In Summerville, no matter where you are from, you are home, welcomed like an old friend by not only the people, but the inviting spirit of the town as a whole. BEGINNINGS Not far from the ocean, close to the Ashley River, and covered with towering pine trees, the land on which Summerville sits was a haven waiting to be discovered for centuries. In the late 1600s and early 1700s, it was: first by pioneering puritans from the North who settled in the nearby colony of Dorchester, and later by summering wealthy Charlestonians. Seeking a place to escape the oppressive heat and mosquitoes of the hotter months, the city dwellers found refuge in the forested ridge of Summerville, and felt rejuvenated by the scent of the surrounding pines. Later, in 1888, the International Congress of Physicians declared the town one of two of the best places in the world for the treatment and recovery of lung diseases, and word quickly spread that Summerville was the place to go for a health retreat. The distinction brought scores of new visitors to the area seeking to breathe clean air and improve their health, benefiting the local economy greatly as opulent inns and guesthouses welcomed presidents, celebrities, and vacationers to the “Flower Town in the Pines.” BIRTHPLACE OF SWEET TEA AND THE SWEET TEA TRAIL In the late 1700s, French explorer and botanist Andre Michaux imported the very first tea plants onto the North American continent, planting them in the soil of Summerville, South Carolina near what is now Middleton Plantation. Later, Dr. Charles Shepard founded Pinehurst Tea Plantation closer to Summer-
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ville proper, growing an Oolong tea that won first prize at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. While many believed that sweet tea originated at the very same World’s Fair, a deep dive into confederate wartime rations and tales passed down for generations suggests that Summerville, South Carolina can more accurately lay claim to the phrase “the Birthplace of Sweet Tea.” As the original site of the very first tea plantation in the United States, Summerville’s history is deeply entwined with the consumption of the beverage, and sweet tea holds a venerated place in the hearts and memories of those with Southern roots. The town is more than happy to share its legacy with visitors from near and far, offering sweet tea-themed attractions such as an annual sweet tea festival, giant, photo-worthy sweet tea mural located on the back of the Visitors Center, “Sweet Tea Trail” guide through all of Summerville’s districts, and more. Don’t miss Mason, an enormous mason jar parked outside of town hall that earned the Guinness World Record title of “World’s Largest Sweet Tea” in June of 2016. HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Downtown Summerville is a quintessential small town, one that celebrates locally-owned businesses. In the highly walkable historic district, there are boutiques for every style, delicious restaurants spanning multiple cuisines, enough bars to find your atmospheric fit, and a couple of coffee shops for fueling up to explore it all. Then there is 12-acre Azalea Park, filled with bronze sculptures, winding paths, and reflection ponds. For cultural excursions, the Summerville Dorchester museum is filled
Top Row: Paddling down the Edisto River; a Colonel’s Cup at Upstairs at The Icehouse; artist Kevin Morrissey painting a mural at the Visitors Center. Middle Row: The Summerville Orchestra; Little Main is a popular spot for local festivals. Bottom Row: Enjoying the view on West Richardson Avenue; Summerville is the Birthplace of Sweet Tea and the Guinness Record Holder for “World’s Largest Tea;” a hot plate at Five Loaves Cafe.
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Top Row: Inside Fly Modern Apparel; Mixologist Peter Nickle; the gardens at Middleton Place. Middle Row: Showtime at the James F. Dean Theatre; roasting beans at Coastal Coffee Roasters. Bottom Row: In the Garden at The Linwood; Guerin’s is the oldest pharmacy in South Carolina and still has an operating soda fountain; Summerville has hundreds of charming historic homes.
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I N PARTNERSH IP WITH SU MME RVIL L E , SC TOU RISM
with information about the town’s past, and the historic Timrod Library is as beautiful as it is informative. In the center of it all is the James F. Dean Theatre, host of the Flowertown Players, Summerville’s community theater group that consistently features incredible productions. With musical and cultural events happening monthly around this part of town, it is always a good time to check out Historic Downtown Summerville.
self-guided tours are an inexpensive way to explore the land. Not far away, Plantation Row sits quietly on Highway 61, the grand entrances to culturally significant estates open to the public. Though Middleton Place is the only plantation that is technically in Summerville, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and Drayton Hall are only a couple of miles up the road. All offer unique glimpses into the rich history of this hallowed land.
HISTORIC HOME TOUR
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Summerville’s history is one that can be felt on a quiet walk through town, as old homes framed by majestic oaks whisper their stories and towering church steeples built a century ago recall the town’s foundations. Many of the homes and businesses around town were built around the turn of the twentieth century, after the Earthquake of 1886 reduced much of the area to ruins. Now, a few dozen local structures are officially on the National Historic Register, and many are one-of-a-kind, breathtakingly beautiful buildings. Here in Historic Summerville, no two homes are alike, and an afternoon spent with a cup of local coffee and a sense of adventure can reward one with a myriad of beautiful architectural visuals. A self-guided walking tour past some of Summerville’s most hidden gems is available, simply check out visitsummerville. com or inquire at the Visitors Center.
Often just out of sight, but a stone’s throw from town, the Ashley River is a hidden gem that shines in the Lowcountry sun, bringing a host of recreation activities to those who wish to explore. Historically significant, the Ashley River was once the center of the area’s earliest settlements and was used for the transportation of goods centuries ago. Today, it is a part of 26 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Beginning in the cypress swamps of Dorchester county, the Ashley River flows over 30 miles before emptying into Charleston Harbor. Along the way, it can be accessed for canoeing, kayaking, birdwatching, and more at the Herbert H. Jessen Boat Landing in Summerville’s Oakbrook area. The landing also includes a public fishing pier, where anglers can often be spotted hauling in bass, crabs, and other creatures.
CRAFT CULTURE All over the world, a movement is occurring in the food and beverage industry, one that honors traditional practices and prioritizes local everything. In Summerville, the movement reigns: craft culture is here to stay. At Coastal Coffee Roasters, the passionate team roasts their sustainably-sourced coffee on-site, creating custom blends that amass a dedicated fan base as locals sample them. Next door, at Oak Road Brewery, brewmasters perfect the art of creating micro batch brews for the constant flow of visitors to enjoy. Just down the road, in the heart of Downtown Summerville, Homegrown Brewhouse pours South Carolina beers from 40 taps, creating an atmosphere that celebrates the craft culture movement and its role in the Palmetto State. Around the corner, at the upstairs bar within the Icehouse Restaurant, you can find locally-created flavored vodkas and thoughtfully crafted cocktails that rival anything found in more cosmopolitan areas. Located in close proximity to one another, it is easy to create a short “coffee and beer brew tour,” allowing one time to sample the delicious work of the four major players in downtown Summerville’s craft beverage game. PLANTATIONS AND COLONIAL SITES No visit to Summerville is complete without a visit to some of its treasured historic sites. At Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, visitors can check out one of the best-preserved elements of the town’s past, where the ruins of the area’s first non-indigenous settlers, by way of Dorchester, Massachusetts, first built a colony. Situated along the Ashley River, the property is beautiful, and
Just a short country drive from Downtown Summerville, the Edisto River snakes through swaths of forested areas, offering an oft-overlooked attraction ideal for both the Lowcountry’s hot and mild months. As one of the longest free-flowing blackwater rivers in North America, the Edisto is a wild and fascinating ecosystem, and perfect for a short day trip out of town. Access to the river can be found at Givhans State Park, which sports a public beach as well as hiking and camping options, or at private providers such as Edisto River Adventures. There, you’ll find rental equipment and customized tours for kayaking, tubing, and stand up paddleboarding, allowing for a multitude of excursion experiences. Back at the Edisto River Adventures outpost, visitors can relax by the water, play beach volleyball, make use of their outdoor kitchen, and more. No matter how you decide to enjoy the Edisto and Ashley rivers, they await in Summerville’s own backyard, ready for exploration. FLOWERTOWN FESTIVAL Every spring since 1972, the annual Flowertown Festival draws scores of visitors from all over the country to Summerville’s Main Street and Azalea Park. Featuring food vendors, jury-selected artisans, live entertainment, carnival rides, and other local events, the three-day affair takes over the entire downtown area, bringing with it a buzz of excitement and community. Often, the event coincides with the brilliant pinks and purples of blooming azalea bushes and wisteria vines, creating a spectacular display for all. Proceeds from the festival support the mission of the Summerville Family YMCA, helping fund events for the rest of the year. For more information visit www.visitsummerville.com Winter 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM
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d COME an the E R O EXPL E of C A L P BIRTH EA SWEET T
E N TE R
TO
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ULTI M ATE
SWEET TEA WEEKEND 2 night stay at the brand new Hilton Garden Inn at Nexton
Passes for 4 to Historic Middleton Place and Gardens
Paddle for 4 down the world famous blackwaters of the Edisto River provided by Edisto River Adventures
ENTER NOW Scan the QR code or visit www.visitsummerville.com/weekend to enter. No purchase required. www.visitsummerville.com / (843) 873-8535
Gift certificates to some of Summerville's best culinary spots
A R T & S T Y L E for the S O U T H E R N S P I R I T
Trending Nostalgic Time worn quilts, wild flower bouquets, and homemade sourdough bread boules have the magic ability to transport our imagination to simpler times well before the advent of the internet. In today's tumultuous times—a regretfully overused description of 2020—it's easy to see why this romanticization of boulic living, known online as #cottagecore, has been a popular form of escapism for many on social media this year. by Jessica Maier
Perfect for gathering eggs, or your garden's bounty, a straw basket is as essential as it gets with this trend. French Merchantile ($60)
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Bring a little cottage chic to a cozy corner of your home with this gorgeously hand painted silk pillow. Laura Jones & Co. $379 Nothing romanticizes the past quite like a well loved quilt. Pick one up for the perfect foundational piece to your countryside picnic. Even better, learn to make one yourself, and enjoy quiet evenings with a needle and thread. People, Places & Quilts (prices vary) Grab a mug of herbal tea and a cozy fireside seat and let The Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady, first published in 1906 by Naturalist Edith Holden, inspire you to start your own journal celebrating nature's undeniable beauty. Main Street Reads $30
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Kindle your creative fire the old fashioned way—offline and with a publication in hand. Immerse yourself in an issue of Quiltfolk Magazine and dive into the beautiful culture of quilting—for proof that eye candy isn't exclusively relegated to the realm of social media. People, Places & Quilts $22 Cottagecore has a fragrance and it's Afternoon Tea, perfectly captured in this crock candle. After the wax has long melted away the crock can be used to hold many things such as your paint brushes or a smattering of wild flowers. Laura Jones & Co. $29 Trade in your pump bottle of soap for a rustic treat, and centuries old tradition of handmade Marseille soap. Complete your new cleansing ritual, cottagecore style, with a natural bristle brush or knit scrubbie. French Merchantile (prices vary) If you're going to set out on a walk through the countryside you might as well do it in style. A lace frock is one such romantic option. FLY $87.99
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A C C O M M O D AT I O N S FOOD & DRINK
THE MAGNOLIA
SHORT CENTRAL COTTAGES
FLOWERTOWN B&B
A blend of modern amenities, spacious private suites featuring 14 foot ceilings and original heart pine floors. Easily walk to Hutchinson Square, shops, and restaurants in the Historic District.
Located across the street from historic 'Short Central', each cottage features a full kitchen and unique Southern decor, perfect for experiencing Historic Downtown Summerville.
Built in 1889, the three-story Victorian house features beautiful antiques, artfully decorated rooms, a sitting parlor, gourmet breakfast, and extensive gardens and water features. Extended stays and special events are welcome.
SU MME RV I L L E, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
843-212-2865 / StayInSummerville.com
843-212-2865 / StayInSummerville.com
(843) 851-1058 / flowertownbandb.com
COASTAL COFFEE ROASTERS
D'ALLESANDRO'S PIZZA NEXTON
EVA'S ON MAIN
Your local coffee roaster, bakery and community spot. Enjoy select wines, craft beer, music, events and so much more.
We care about the craft of pizza making, and we care about the ingredients we use. We craft a variety of creative pizza combinations made with quality ingredients.
Open since 1944, Eva's On Main is located in Downtown Historic Summerville and serves a Southern comfort menu for breakfast & lunch, with brunch on Sat. & Sun. Dine-in | Takeout | Curbside Pickup
SU MME RV I L L E, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
843-900-3593 / dalspizza.com
843-873-5081 / evasonmain.com
FIVE LOAVES CAFE
PUBLIC WORKS ART CENTER
SUMMERVILLE COUNTRY CLUB
The cafe is known for daily specials and rotating soups, homemade condiments, & gluten free and vegan options. They have 3 locations that focus on quality, healthy, casual cuisine.
Offering studio spaces for artists, engaging exhibitions, art classes, music events, an outdoor market, a special event rental space, and so much more.
Family owned and operated since 1974. Open seven days a week. 18 hole PUBLIC golf course featuring an outdoor event venue, the Candlelite Pavilion, available for rent.
ARTS & C U LT U R E
FOOD & DRINK
843-376-4559 / coastalcoffeeroasters.com
SU MME RV I L L E, SC
843-804-9410 / fiveloavescafe.com 50 AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 2020 Y O U R
G U I D E
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
843-860-0742 / publicworksartcenter.org
843-873-2210 / summervillecountryclub.com
T O
S H O P,
D I N E ,
P L A Y ,
A N D
S T A Y
ANTIQUES AND ARTISANS VILLAGE
EVERYTHING CHIC
FLY MODERN APPAREL
A Fun Place to Shop! Home to over 150 vendors/consignors. Easy parking at 619 Old Trolley Rd., Summerville. Antiques, Vintage, Gifts, Local Artisans.
Everything Chic is a Southern gift shop full of eclectic home decor, jewelry, candles, furniture, and local specialty items. Our prices are reasonable and our staff is friendly!
Our promise at FLY is to deliver the best quality materials while giving you the comfort, fit, and style you desire. Each season FLY will bring you the newest trends.
SU MMERV I L L E, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
843-900-5386 / antiquesandartisansvillage.com
843-879-2099 / everythingchicetc.com
843-225-3661 / flymodernapparel.com
HIPPIE SOUL
LAURA JONES & COMPANY
LOWCOUNTRY OLIVE OIL
Offering products that help people reach a place in their lives filled with good vibes, peace, and hippiness; including hippie clothes, oils, rocks, crystals, incense and candles.
A home furnishings and accessories shop. We have a constantly changing showroom featuring beautiful furniture, garden elements, and thoughtful gifts with an acquired look.
Established at the Summerville Farmer's Market in 2011, family-owned Lowcountry Olive Oil now carries over 65 olive oils & vinegars, and dozens of locally made gourmet foods.
SU MME RV I L L E, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
843-225-9730 / hippiesoulsummerville.com
843-875-0609 / laurajonesandcompany.com
843-695-8327 / lowcountryoliveoil.com
MAIN STREET ANTIQUES
PEOPLE, PLACES, AND QUILTS
SUMMERVILLE ANTIQUE GALLERY
We are 6500+ square feet with a unique variety of merchandise that changes daily!
A premiere fabric and quilting emporium, with books, patterns, beautiful displays, classes, sewing machines, and good times throughout this wonderful store of 6,000 Sqft!
110 booths full of antiques and uniques.
SU MME RV I L L E, SC
summervillemainstreetantiques.com 843-879-9529 Y O U R
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
facebook.com/SummervilleAntiqueGallery 843-873-4926
SUMMERV ILLE, SC
843-871-8872 / ppquilts.com G U I D E
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P L A Y ,
SHOPPING
AZALEA MARKET
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AZALEA MAGAZINE
WINTER
2020
Creative Cookware Custom-made nesting bowls
WHEEL O F F O RT U N E pg.52
MADE FROM S C R AT C H pg.58
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F
HEEL O W
FO
RT U N E Taking Shape Potter Maria White in her North Charleston studio
Whether seated at the pottery wheel or behind the camera, the world is clay in the hands of Maria White. by S usa n F r a m pton
photos by Dottie & W il l R izzo
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For over four and a half decades, Sidney Frazier has made his mark on Middleton Place, simultaneously cultivating America’s oldest landscaped gardens and a passion for horticulture in its visitors by
JANA RILEY
photography by
DOTTIE RIZZO
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Studio Boss Clockwise: Potter Maria White; wedging the clay; on the wheel; adding the final touches
From that foundation in clay, White's life and career have spun on a wheel of fortune that continues to point her to success. She makes it look easy, but hard work, determination, and innate poise are the ingredients she pours into both. Once in Los Angeles, the wheel that had brought her to Tinsel Town now landed her behind the camera. I first met the artist on the set of the award-winning documentary short film that she produced and directed in the Lowcountry. With quiet confidence camouflaging a spine of steel, White molded her cast and crew into a vessel that she poured her heart into. The film was selected from over 9,000 entries submitted to the renowned Sundance Film Festival. The Debutante Hunters won the festival's first Audience Choice Award and continues to earn White national and international acclaim. When the diminutive woman in mud-spattered overalls moves across the studio, the 25 lb. block of clay she carries has no effect whatsoever on her self-assured stride. What she does next is best described as slamming but is actually called throwing; the first step a potter takes when throwing pottery. In general, the term refers to the entire start-to-finish activity of shaping clay on a potter's wheel. The strength of the slender arms that hoist the clay high before slamming it onto the tabletop might be surprising to those who don't know Maria White. Those who do will tell you that strength only scratches the surface of the many layers of this creative Wonder Woman. White grew up in Summerville, and when she left the Lowcountry for college, the up-and-coming artist did so to pursue an art degree. "I never had any intention of being a potter. I wanted to be a serious sculptor," she says of the goal she set for herself. Winthrop's clay program required a class on throwing pottery before moving on to sculpting. Coming to the wheel was not as easy as she had expected, but something shifted inside her, upending her sculpting plans. "I was terrible at first. It was so hard. Everything else had come so easily to me, and I was very frustrated." Her breakthrough moment was long in coming, but it was worth the work it took to get there. "I really had to earn it," she says of the frustration she felt while honing her craft. As the wheel turned, a potter was born. Earning a scholarship to further focus on ceramics and the opportunity to work as a studio assistant, White moved on to Penland School of Craft and Haystack Mountain School of Craft, and then on to apprentice under renowned sculptor and inventor Michael Sherrill. "I would encourage anyone seriously considering a craft career to look at their programs. I learned a lot there." Moving to the West Coast with her husband, filmmaker Matthew Mebane, White began her professional ceramics career in Los Angeles. Over a decade of creating work for celebrated chefs, top interior designers, and the sets of major motion pictures and television series earned her the much-coveted Award of Excellence from the American Craft Council. Her pieces are now collected internationally and often appear on-screen. 56 AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 2020
There are many layers to Maria White: actress, director, producer, artist, activist, and mother lie beneath the woman whose hands deftly wrestle the mud that yields to her knowing touch. There are many layers to Maria White: actress, director, producer, artist, activist, and mother lie beneath the woman whose hands deftly wrestle the mud that yields to her knowing touch. Like the porcelain that is her preferred medium, her strength lies beneath the surface. "I occasionally work in stoneware. It's a heavier medium used for dinnerware and such, but porcelain is my poison." As she turns it on the wheel, the movement of the clay is hypnotic. In her hands, it appears to liquify as it morphs from one shape to another. "I find it to be very meditative," White reveals. In addition to the work she throws, White creates her own molds to pour the whisper-thin porcelain luminaries that are her signature creations. Before being fired, they are altered by hand using woodworking type tools reinvented explicitly as mud tools. When lit from within by candles, they offer the translucent glow of moonbeams. "The luminaries have been particularly popular during the Covid crisis. I think that they offer a little bit of comfort, and that's what a lot of us are looking for in this difficult time."
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"
To help raise funding for the non-profit organization that supports mothers struggling with maternal mental illness such as postpartum depression and anxiety, she created "Mugs for Moms."
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White has also parlayed her gift into activism for a cause dear to her heart. Having suffered from postpartum depression following the birth of her children, she joined with Postpartum Support Charleston. To help raise funding for the non-profit organization that supports mothers struggling with maternal mental illness such as postpartum depression and anxiety, she created "Mugs for Moms." The sale of mugs created for the organization by local artists adds much-needed revenue to the cause. "I like the thought of making things that are beautiful, but what I really like is knowing that they will also be useful to someone." Working from her in-house studio in Mt. Pleasant, the artist and mother of Jack, CC, and most recently, a Brittany Spaniel puppy named Loki, added in-home teacher to her list of accomplishments this year. It's a spin of the wheel we could all have done without, but like everything else, she seems to take it in stride. As a testament to White's indefatigable creativity, rows of finished vessels line the shelves of a nearby rack. She also mentions in passing that her luminaries were purchased by special request as a wrap-gift at the end of Game of Thrones, possibly the most-watched series in the history of television and that The Debutante Hunters is currently on the marquee at a film festival in Switzerland. The wheel of fortune goes round and round. For Maria White, potter, filmmaker, activist, mother, and inspiration for all, success is written all over it. AM To see more of Maria White’s work and to learn more about the artist, visit mariawhite.com. You can also find more information about post partum support at PostpartumSupportCharleston.org.
Form & Function White's work is inspired by the forms, textures, and patterns that are found in nature, with an emphasis on how light interacts with each piece.
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PECANS, PRALINES, AND A WHOLE LOT O F R I C H , G O O E Y C H O C O L AT E !
Dou ble Ch ocol ate Waln ut Brown ie s
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PECA N PR AL INE B LO NDIE S
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SALTED PR ETZ EL CAR A MEL B R OWN IES
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Double C hoc ol ate Wal n ut B r ownies Ingredients ½ cup unsalted butter, melted ½ cup white sugar ¾ cup light brown sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 large eggs room temperature ¾ cup all purpose flour ½ cup cocoa powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup mini chocolate chips ½ cup walnuts chopped Preparation Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter, white sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Beat in eggs. In a separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients - flour, cocoa, and salt. Slowly stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour into 8x8 pan and use a spatula to spread evenly to the edges. Batter will be thick. Top with additional walnuts if preferred. Bake for 20-24 minutes. Brownies are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow brownies to cool completely before cutting.
P ECA N P R AL I N E B LO N DIE S Ingredients 1 cup butter 2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
1½ teaspoon vanilla ¾ cup flour ½ teaspoon salt ¾ cup caramels, cut
Preparation
For Pretzel Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 by 19 inch baking dish. Melt butter in a medium size bowl in the microwave. Add the flour, crushed pretzels, brown sugar, and baking soda. Stir until the mixture is very well combined. Press evenly into the bottom pan. Bake for 10 minutes then remove from oven and let sit out while making the brownie mixture.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking pan with shortening or line pan with parchment paper then grease parchment paper. In a medium sauce pan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in brown sugar and continue to heat, over medium low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. In large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt, and stir well. Add in egg, vanilla and warm sugar mixture making sure to combine completely. Fold in pecans. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven when top is crisp and edges are starting to pull away from sides of pan. Let cool completely in pan before removing and cutting.
SALTED P RETZEL CAR AMEL BROWNIES Ingredients For pretzel crust: 1 stick of salted butter, melted ½ cup flour 1 cup crushed pretzel sticks ½ cup brown sugar ¼ teaspoon baking soda For Brownie Layer: ½ cup unsalted butter 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate 1 and ¼ cups sugar 2 eggs room temperature
Preparation
Brownies: In a medium saucepan melt butter and semi-sweet chocolate, stirring constantly, until melted. Remove from heat, and let the mixture sit for 12-15 minutes. In a large bowl add the sugar and pour the butter/chocolate mixture over the top. Mix until well combined with a whisk. Add one egg at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla. Then gently fold in half of the flour and salt. Fold in the caramel pieces, then finish folding in the rest of the flour/salt mixture. Make sure to not over mix. Pour the brownie mixture over the pretzel crust and spread until evenly distributed. Add crumbled pretzels if desired to the top of the brownies (about ½ cup). Bake for about 32-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Cool for about 45 minutes to an hour on a wire rack.
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VILLAGE P OET
Ah! Winter by Ellen E. Hyatt
Let's retreat to this timelessness winter creates around us. It's like a cottage we return to again and again because it centers us. Winter—sometimes in memory, sometimes in the here and now— provides a sense of place. On a rough-worn table from the kitchen of your great-grandmother now sits a touch of refinement: mix-matched china supplants the stoneware she'd use when serving-up bubbling chicken-biscuit pot pie to her family. But only after they shook off the farm dirt. In her own handwriting, the recipe. It, like a work of art, hangs in a frame of recycled wood on the pantry door. No longer utilitarian, the yellow bowl she used for mixing endured. It heartens, especially afternoons when a bit of winter light lands on it. While cottaged in winter, we denounce "throw-it-out" mentality. We invite sensible sentiment toward storied pieces. In canning jars, repurposed as vases, we arrange winter greenery among dried white roses. And we, too, feel repurposed . . . in possibility.
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NEW KINGS OF HEAVY METAL: MONARCHS OF METAL MAKE ART FROM THE ORDINARY
styled by Margie Sutton photograph by Brat's Photography
SOUTHERN COMFORT: 3 DELICIOUS FRIED CHICKEN RECIPES / BLAME IT ALL ON MY ROOTS ONE DAY AT A TIME / THE COVID CUT / INSIDE SUMMERVILLE'S HISTORIC WHITE GABLES