Azalea Magazine Spring 2020

FRESH RECIPES & OUR PICKS FOR LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

ONE ON ONE WITH BETH RUCKER / AUTHENTICALLY SOUTHERN: A ROAD TRIP TO AIKEN PHANTOM OUTDOORS / NEXTON'S NEW LEAF / MAIN ST. READS / AUTHOR SUSAN ZURENDA SUMMERVILLE'S SWANK DESSERTS / ETIQUETTE: BRINGING MEALS / THE LIBERTY TRAIL

Local Flavor Heirloom Tomato and Basil Galette with Caramelized Onions

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A Z A L E A

M A G A Z I N E

F E AT U R E S Spring 2020

Fresh Picked Local blueberries bursting with flavor

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72

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LOCAL ROOTS

BECOMING BETH

AU T H E N T I C A L L Y SOUTHERN

Showcasing the bounty of the region, farmers markets are our favorite places to visit

Determined to make a difference, Beth Rucker is a positive force in the Lowcountry and beyond

Uncontrived and elegant, Aiken is a year-round city of endless grace and boundless energy

CONT ENT S

/ Spring 2020

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25

33 29

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COLUMNS 37 Natural Woman

by Susan Frampton 41 Kids These Days

by Tara Bailey

10 Editor’s Letter 12 Contributors

45 Life & Faith

by Lili Hiser

FIELD GUIDE 17 Conservation 18 Etiquette - Bringing Meals 20 Landscape 23 Literature SOUTHERN LIFE 25 Southern Spotlight - Community 29 Southern Spotlight - Food 31 Southern Spotlight - Home 33 Southern Spotlight - Outdoor

OPEN HOUSE 49 The Key to Whiteholm Passing from hand to hand through the centuries, the key to the house on Briarwood Lane has opened the door to one of Summerville’s most gracious homes.

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On The Cover: Heirloom Tomato And Basil Galette by Will Rizzo 8

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2020

THE SOCIAL 87 Public Works Art Center THE VILLAGE POET 88 Independent Bookstores

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 Come Visit: Monday – Saturday: 10:00am – 5:30pm Sunday: Noon – 5:30pm

CarnesCrossroads.com Information Center | 513 Wodin Place | Summerville, SC

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Spring Shadow Day Wednesday, April 15 All prospective students welcome!

Interested? Please contact admissions@pinewoodprep.com.

A Community On Display One of the many joys that comes with doing what I do is the continuous opportunity to meet all kinds of new people.

During my travels with the magazine, one thing I’ve noticed is that if you want to talk about the pulse of a community, to really get an accurate portrait of it, there is nothing better than visiting a farmers market. From local growers and artisans to artists and chefs, a farmers market paints an authentic picture of what makes a community tick, with personalities just as bountiful and colorful as the produce.

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College preparatory curriculum IDEA Lab (STEM) program Visual and performing arts Smaller class sizes Interscholastic athletic teams Community engagement opportunities Enrichment classes & clubs Character & leadership development

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There aren’t many places within a community where such a rich sampling of the people and products gather in one spot.

The farmers market is one of those places: a place where the best of a community is on display.

This spring, I encourage you to spend a morning at a local farmers market. See more of where you call home; there’s no better place to take it all in.

Will Rizzo Editor In Chief

DON’T BLINK You could miss the perfect swan dive. When illness or injury threaten to take time away from what matters most, Roper St. Francis Healthcare is here for you.

Emergency Medicine • Express Care • Primary & Specialty Care • Virtual Care (843) 402-CARE I rsfh.com

Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

13

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 four 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 Jana Riley Senior Editor & Copy Editor

www.tayloragency.com

Leslie Phinney, Personal 843.762.3372 Buck Inabinet, Commercial 843.762.3373

Contributors Tara Bailey Elizabeth Donehue Susan Frampton Lili Hiser Ellen Hyatt Jessy Devereaux Mitcham Jana Riley Jason Wagener Advertising Inquiries Susie Wimberly susie@azaleamag.com 843.568.7830

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

Azalea Media

P.O. Box 475 Summerville, SC 29484 info@azaleamag.com www.azaleamag.com 843.478.7717

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AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2020

The Crescent Difference L O C A L .

I N N O V A T I V E .

Beyond the

F L E X I B L E .

For 10 years, Crescent Homes has been going beyond the standard, offering home buyers the flexibility to personalize floor plans and features to suit their lifestyle.

STA N DA R D

Our thoughtful, award-winning home designs and welcoming communities exude the beauty of the south, while our proven process, commitment to customer service, and attention to detail ensure a stress-free experience.

C R E S C E N T H O M E S . N E T CHARLESTON

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CONTRIBUTORS

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Storytelling

Food Trucks

Historical Demonstrations

Art Exhibits Featuring:

Jonathan Green

50+ Vending and Performing Local Artists

Dr. Leo Twiggs

Live Music Featuring:

Whitt Burn & Steamroller

Highly Educated

Busking Acoustic Artists

Mahoganee Amiger

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WANT TO MISS THIS FUN-FILLED WEEKEND 16

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2020

LILI HISER Writer

TARA BAILEY Writer

JANA RILEY Writer & Editor

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 reexperiencing 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.

A lifelong explorer, Jana Riley delights in discovering the passions and personal journeys of everyone she meets. When she isn't crafting inspiring tales with Azalea Magazine, she can be found seeking ways to bring her community together at Public Works Art Center, falling madly in love with her sweet family, and exploring destinations near and far.

JASON WAGENER Illustrator

JESSY DEVEREAUX MITCHAM Writer

SUSAN FRAMPTON Writer & Editor

Jason began his illustrious art career when he won a coloring contest in third grade, subsequently entitling him the proud owner of a Mickey Mouse dry erase board.

He moved to the Lowcountry in 1990 and save an education at the Savannah College of Art and Design, has remained a faithful transplant ever since.

Jessy is a writer and veterinary technician living in Summerville. Born and raised in the "Flowertown in the Pines," Jessy loves to spend her free time exploring the outdoors and hiking and kayaking around the Lowcountry with her husband and children.

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-coneswallowing wiener dogs, reads late into the night, and counts her many blessings.

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WEST ASHLEY COMING SOON! CHARLESTON

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The American Battlefield Trust and the South Carolina Battleground Trust, together with numerous partners at the national, state, and local levels, are working to create The Liberty Trail.

This driving trail will be a one-of-a- kind educational and heritage tourism destination through which key battlefields of the Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution will be preserved, interpreted and promoted. Ongoing implementation will eventually link more than 70 sites across South Carolina, preserving 2,500 acres of battlefield land. This will create a presence for The Liberty Trail in up to 35 counties. battlefields.org

Sacred Ground Today, the site of the home of Henry Laurens is located at Mepkin Abbey. Laurens was the President of the Continental Congress, and this site will tell the story of Henry Laurens, as well as his son John, and their impact on achieving American independence.

The Liberty Trail Many historians consider the Revolutionary War to have been decided in the swamps, fields, woods, and mountains of the South, won by the resilience and determination of Continental soldiers and Patriot militia.

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."

ETIQUETTE

Thinking of You There is nothing more charming than Southern hospitality and a nice, hot meal to brighten spirits.

" A recipe is a story that ends with a good meal.

"

Pat Conroy

When we learn of a new baby, an illness, or a death in the family, in times of need, Southerners show up.

Usually with a casserole dish in hand.

Here are some basic tips on providing a meal: • Coordinate ahead of time when you will be delivering.

• Find out what time the family typically eats and deliver your meal around that time.

• Inquire about food allergies or special diets.

• Be sure you take enough food for the family size.

• Take disposable plates, cutlery,

20 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2020

cups, and napkins with your meal.

This saves them from having to wash dishes.

• Take the meal in disposable dishes. Otherwise, it becomes a burden coordinating the return of dishes.

• When you deliver a meal, don’t plan to stay long. Deliver the food, offer any instructions along with your congratulations or sympathies based on the particular situation, and be on your way.

• Southern hospitality, is traditionally defined as, “Showing graciousness, kindness, and warmth to others." What better way to show genuine hospitality than providing a meal to someone in need?

Laid-back Charm

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Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or want to experience one of the most charming places in all the Carolinas, you will find Camden to be a memorable place to eat, shop, stay and play everyday.

Contact us for more information VisitCamdenSC.com

LANDSC AP E Location

Gruber CSA Farms St. George, SC Photographed by

Dottie Rizzo

Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Season Premiere Author and publicist Susan Zurenda

Beautiful Debut A stunning debut, Bells for Eli establishes Susan Beckham Zurenda as one of the most exciting new voices in Southern fiction.

In this tender, beautifullyrendered novel, the powerful connection between cousins Delia and Eli takes them on a journey fraught with longing, desire, and heartbreak. Through loss, Delia comes to understand that the bonds of love can never truly be broken.

- Cassandra King Conroy

Meet the Author May 16 Meet the Author and Book Signing Main Street Reads 115 South Main St, Summerville, SC 10:30-1:00 pm

A New Southern Voice Somewhere between Scout Finch and Mattie Ross comes the remarkable voice of Adeline Green in Susan Beckham Zurenda's new novel, Bells for Eli.

May 17 Speaking and Signing The Summerville Library 76 Old Trolley Rd., Summerville, SC 2:00 pm Both events are free and open to the public.

Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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H.P. COMPTON WELLNESS CENTER SUMMERVILLE FAMILY YMCA

SUMMERVILLE FAMILY YMCA

TOWN HALL

DOWNTOWN SUMMERVILLE | APRIL 3-5, 2020

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

Southern Good Reads A variety of new adventures await on the shelves of Main Street Reads

Curating a Community As the “new Roaring 20s” are upon us, a local team of book lovers are working hard to keep the spirit of the written word alive.

photo by Virgil Bunao

by Jessy Devereaux Mitcham

Curating A Community pg. 25 / Sweet Dreams pg. 29 / Nexton's New Leaf pg. 31 / Dressed For Success pg. 33 / Natural Woman pg. 37 / Kids These Days pg. 41 / Life & Faith pg. 45

Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Curating a Community

T

he power that books, words, and the act of reading hold can be limitless, offering escapes to new worlds and comforting us in times of need. For Shari Stauch, the owner of Main Street Reads, books are the secret to binding communities together.

Shari has had a passion for literature for quite a while, beginning her career in the literary world in Chicago, Illinois as a co-founder of the publication Pool and Billiards Magazine, the sport’s oldest monthly magazine. Shari started the magazine with her father, Harold Simonsen, in 1983. Pool and Billiards Magazine was very successful, and the family proudly claims many “firsts” in promoting the sport. As Shari continued her editorial career, she took a trip with friends to Charleston, and, unsurprisingly, she fell in love with the area. Shortly after her trip, she decided to move and start a new life in the Lowcountry.

The family’s connection with pool and billiards as sports, their magazine, and the charming bookstore now open near Hutchinson Square is one centered around family, community, and a shared love of reading. If you are a Summerville resident or frequent visitor, you may remember a small sports shop in the heart of downtown Summerville. Not only was this an extension of the

Page Turners Main Street Reads owner Shari Stauch; the entrance to Main Street Reads. Opposite: Choose your own adventure; the children's nook.

family’s love for pool, billiards, and sports in general, it held space for writers of the magazine until the writing became outsourced to writers all over the country, and the writing space was no longer needed.

Not long ago, Shari and her family learned of renovations to come for Hutchinson Square and took their dreams further by creating exactly what Summerville was in need of: a locally-owned and well-loved bookstore. Shari, along with her parents, decided to renovate the small sports shop into a cozy nook of a bookstore; with loving, knowledgeable, and truly caring employees that guide their customers (readers and authors alike) along their personal journeys. As they were transforming the sporting gift shop into the delightful establishment it is today, they would get daily passersby or visitors asking what they were doing with the space.

When the couple revealed that they were opening a bookstore, the reactions they received caught them a bit off-guard, as they didn’t expect such a positive response before they had even set a date for their Grand Opening. If the excitement of people peeking into their project wasn’t a clear enough sign of good things to come, Shari came to realize that their ribbon cutting ceremony was to be held on the same day as the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Hutchinson Square. This brought an influx of tourists, locals, book fanatics, and crowds of all sorts into their store; whether intentionally or not, a small, curious, and friendly mob wandered into Main Street Reads, some waiting hours in a line that wrapped around the block to explore the new bookstore that Summerville has desperately needed.

Driving or walking by Main Street Reads does not give off the same impression or evoke emotions as it does when visiting the store itself. Upon approaching the store, a sign reading “BOOKS” in big, bold letters lends a certain nostalgic feeling, which becomes a great motivator to keeping the love and spirit of physical

28 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2020

books alive. Crossing the threshold into the store, visitors experience a sense of comfort; the decor and organization in the store is approachable and clean, and the friendly smiles of the welcoming staff are the cherry on top of it all. The entirety of the space, from floor to ceiling, was obviously well thought out, deliberate, and more gorgeous than one may think from a passing glance.

When Main Street Reads first opened, their shelves were hardly full. Now, the store is stocked from floor to ceiling with carefully selected books; each and every one chosen to suit the needs and wants of the surrounding community. Shari wants as much involvement with her customers as possible, and allowing them to create their own selection of books is one of the ways she connects herself and her employees to the people of Summerville.

The bookstore is curated in a variety of ways: allowing staff members to pick a book to feature each month, placing special orders for customers, and dedicating a section of the store to well-known local authors like Mary Allen Monroe and Pat Conroy allows the team to tailor the offerings to their customers. According to Tom, an employee at the store, it means the world when somebody goes out of their way to tell them about how incredible a book recommendation they were given was. Shari is most fulfilled seeing her customers interacting with one another while in the store. She loves watching them discussing books they’ve read, giving new literary suggestions, or simply enjoying themselves snuggled up on one of their cozy couches, book in one hand and the complimentary tea or coffee that is offered to everyone as they walk in the door in the other.

The passion and drive to bring not only their community, but the entire bookstore community together is what keeps Stauch and her talented and caring team to do everything they can to promote local reading and writing for local authors. The reading events that they hold are suitable from the tiniest of tots to the oldest and most avid reader. Their workshops welcome all authors, from those just starting out to those who have been writing for decades. Another goal Shari and her team have is to make Main Street Reads a main stop on book tours for local and visiting authors alike, working closely with other local bookstores and libraries in the area so they can all give the author the time and space to showcase their talent. Shari describes her intentions well, saying, “When an author is on tour, we try to get them as many stops as possible, to share the love.”

With the new “roaring 20’s” now upon us, the resurgence of “indie” (independant) bookstores has been huge, and the more businesssavvy, locally owned bookstores are all realizing that their focus should not be about being in competition with one another, “big box stores,” or online retailers. Shari and other bookstore owners understand it’s about nurturing and connecting their community to others, lifting up authors, and spreading the love of reading. In Shari’s own words, “I have the best job on the planet, because I get to work with authors and lovers of readers alike.”AM For a full list of events, programs, and workshops, visit www.mainstreetreads.com. Main Street Reads is open seven days a week at 115 S Main St, Summerville, SC 29483

Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Hosted by The Junior Service League of Summerville

May 2,2020 The Gardens At Historic Linwood Inn

Enjoy:

live viewing of the Kentucky Derby beer, wine, bubbly, & juleps silent & live auctions . derby inspired cuisine John Tupper award presentation

Don't Miss Brisket Fridays!

For Tickets

event.gives/jslderby2020

Derby Dapper AAire Dining room for rent.

Holds up to 50 people.

Everything Nice Working hard in the kitchen; donut treats; Danetra Richardson herself

n sweeping font on an interior wall at Swank Desserts in Downtown Summerville, a message encourages visitors to “indulge your sweet tooth!” If you’re close enough to read the sign, you don’t have a fighting chance to disobey it; surrounded by the aroma of freshly-baked goods and the sights of delectable treats, there’s little that can be done to resist the pull of one of Danetra Richardson’s homemade creations. Though Richardson moved into her space less than a year ago, in November of 2019, it seems a natural fit for the baker, and locals have already become regulars at the shop, favoring specialties and enjoying the pleasure of Richardson’s company.

I

SO U THER N SPO TL I GHT

FOOD

Sweet Dreams Forging ahead with equal amounts of passion and talent, Danetra Richardson brings sugary goodness to downtown Summerville.

by Jana Riley

Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Danetra Richardson always knew she wanted to cook, but never saw making a living as a baker in her future. In truth, she admits she initially hated baking, even when she took a baking pastry class at Johnson and Wales University, where she obtained a degree in Culinary Arts. An internship at Magnolias restaurant during her college years made her fall in love with Charleston, and upon graduating, she headed south again, this time to join the Magnolias staff full time. She enrolled at the College of Charleston to pursue a Hospitality

and Tourism Management degree, and it was during her studies that she was required to create a business plan based on a need in her community. Looking around, she realized the Lowcountry was low on specialty dessert shops, and began to develop a business plan built around the concept. As she wrote down ideas, shadowed pastry chefs, and educated herself on running a bakery, her excitement for the idea grew. Later, while working in the kitchen at the Ocean Course Clubhouse on Kiawah Island, she had the opportunity to play around with recipes, using trial and error to develop her culinary voice.

“Once I started understanding the science behind baking, behind all of it, it just clicked, and I loved it,” recalls Richardson. “Before I knew it, I was a pastry chef !”

Richardson founded Swank Desserts in 2015, primarily selling through her website while baking out of a commissary kitchen.

For years, she kept her eyes and her heart open to a brick and mortar location to house her operation, and finally, in 2019, she found it: a sweet little shop in Summerville’s historic district, already set up as a bakery by the previous tenant. Acting on faith, she created a kickstarter to help her raise Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Sweet Dreams

Menu Magic An oldfashioned menu board calls out the bakery's treats; the shop is housed in an old gas station, lending a unique element to the spaces; blending up goodness.

the money to acquire the space, and wonderfully, the community responded. 321 donors gave $23,901 through the crowdfunding campaign, a testament to the relationships, connections, and community spirit the culinary creative had developed up to that point in her life. After a brief renovation, Richardson and her four employees opened the doors to Swank Desserts, ready to welcome any and all “dessert enthusiasts,” as Richardson affectionately calls her customers.

Richardson likes to be creative with her desserts, offering triedand-true classics alongside unique, one-of-a-kind creations. With a menu that changes with the seasons and the inspirations of the baker, desserts at Swank can include such treats as lemon meringue 32

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2020

bars, nutella cookies, brown butter blondies, mexican chocolate cookie sandwiches, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and chocolate chip cookies.

On Fridays, donuts are the star, often coming in unique flavors like Crème brûlée, margarita, and s’mores. Richardson often offers savory options, including chorizo and potato hand pies and biscuits with pimento cheese, eggs, and sausage. In place of cupcakes, Richardson crafts four-inch layered personal cakes, the trimmings of which she packages separately into “cake snacks,” a sort of grab-and-go mixture of cake leftovers and frosting that is a hit among her customers. And, of course, she sells her famous macarons: crispy and chewy at the same time, the classic desserts, which package beautifully, have quickly become a go-to gift among Summerville residents. Even more popular are her custom cakes, ordered by fans of her work for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and other occasions, each customized to the specifications of the individual, every one of them somehow more beautiful than the last.

Eventually, Richardson would like to sell wine, encouraging customers to wind down at the end of the day with a sweet pairing. She also entertains the idea of offering baking classes to the community. For now, she stays the course, focusing on settling into her new digs on Cedar Street, getting to know the locals, and chasing inspiration wherever it strikes. Working hard, often from 7am to 9pm, the baker is relentless in pursuit of her dream, bringing people together and making people happier with her delicious creations. Thanks to Danetra Richardson, Summerville is now a whole lot sweeter. AM

SOUTHER N SP OTL I GHT

HOME

Nexton’s New Leaf A local building company thrives in an expanding new space.

by Jessy Devereaux Mitcham

n recent years, a constant refrain in the Lowcountry is “Everyone is moving to Charleston! We are running out of room, and the TRAFFIC!” And it’s true, the beautiful city is expanding, with numbers as high as 30 families moving to the area daily. With an eye on responsible development, a local building company is aiming to please residents of the Lowcountry, new and old.

I

New Leaf Builders is a company that was born and bred in the Charleston area. The company began in 2010 as a partnership of Grant Zinkon and Adam Baslow. Living in the area themselves, they were thrilled to have the opportunity to aid in the evolution of their beloved city; where past, present, and future customers can call home, regardless of how “local” they may be.

From Johns Island to West Ashley, New Leaf Builders has communities spread throughout the entire Charleston area, therefore, it would only make sense that Nexton would be their next stop. Nexton is the idyllic addition for the growing company of New Leaf Builders, while they themselves are the perfect addition to Nexton’s growing community. As many have seen the growth of the neighborhoods in Nexton over the past year, Nexton’s ultimate and original goal involves bringing multiple neighborhoods within the complex together as a whole. Bringing residents back to simpler times and putting a modern meaning behind the old phrase, “it takes a village…,” New Leaf Builders and their growing company could not be more excited to be on a path of bringing more families, friends, and neighbors closer together.

As excited as they are to create lasting relationships and homes in Nexton, it is not the only goal Adam and Grant have in mind.

They create a personal relationship with each home they build to ensure they are using the top of the line contractors, materials, and an “expansive list of local talent” that is hand-selected for each

Good Living Top: Adam Baslow in one of his creations; homes focused on courtyard living are laid out in drawings by New Leaf Builders.

particular home. Their purpose is to enhance the lives of their clients by creating safe, high-quality, and gorgeous homes to inspire making long lasting memories with their loved ones.

As for what the future holds for New Leaf Builders, Adam Baslow said it best himself, “Our (proverbial) canvas still has a lot of white left to paint on.” Neither Grant nor Adam expected New Leaf to grow to what the company is today. “We are truly having fun in what we are doing, and we honestly believe we are offering something to their customers that our competition either can not or will not offer.” The excitement behind the words of this professional building company is sincere, and incomparable to what a client may find while searching for their next home builder or pre-built home. No matter where they find themselves next, New Leaf Builders is going to be a wonderful addition to the ever-growing Nexton Community. AM Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Dr. Christopher R. Accetta

Dr. Ronnie M. Givens, II

Dr. Christine Hunter

Dr. Jennifer Heinemann

Welcome Dr. Martha Cohen!

Dr. Cohen see patients in the Carnes Crossroads, Summerville and North Charleston offices where she provides comprehensive OB/GYN services including routine wellness visits and high-risk pregnancy management.

843-797-3664

PROUDLY DELIVERING AT ROPER BERKELEY & SUMMVERVILLE MEDICAL CENTER

Dr. Heather Dr. William “Bo” Reeves, III S. Schwartzberg

Dr. Hunter A. Smith

Gone Fishing A signature tournament shirt from Phantom Fishing; Todd Smith and Jamie Lucarelli pose in their apparel.

SO U THER N SPO TL I GHT

OUTDOOR

Dressing For Success Whether you’re looking to blend in with the scenery or stand out in the crowd, Phantom Outdoors has what it takes to get the job done in comfort and style.

by Susan Frampton

C

hances are that if you have crossed paths with anyone that has ever dipped a worm in the water, you’ve heard a fishing story. Big fish, little fish, smart fish, finicky fish, and yes, even fish that fly. Since the beginning of time, for both sustenance and sport, fishing has been the go-to activity for millions of outdoorsmen. Whether accomplished from a chair on the bank of a lazy river, the seat of a jon boat, the platform of a sparkly bass speedboat, or the rolling deck of an offshore vessel, fishing is a pastime universal to almost every culture.

There are no actual fish in the story Jamie Lucarelli tells about the inception of his outdoor apparel company. But as fish tend to do­—they lurk beneath its surface. The story of Phantom Outdoors began in 2017, with Lucarelli and his fishing buddy Todd

Smith casting off from the ramp during a Wounded Warrior fishing tournament.

Sponsored by Lucarelli’s sign company and the car dealership where Smith is General Manager, all around the two, teams of anglers wore matching get-ups of brightly colored shirts, hats, and gear coordinating their boats, rods and tackle, gloves and sunglasses.

Though tournament regulars, neither had ever given great thought to what they were wearing when they backed the boat into the water. But on that day, Lucarelli had something of an epiphany.

“I looked around at all the other teams decked out from head to toe to represent their ‘brand.’ Then I looked over at Todd and down at myself. Between the two of us, we were wearing pieces and parts of a half Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Dresseing for Success

dozen different companies. I thought to myself, ‘Hey, I make this kind of stuff every day for other people. We need a brand of our own.’”

Smith’s sales expertise, Lucarelli’s sign company, and their passion for tournament fishing made them uniquely situated to create and market a line based on the needs of local fishermen. They decided to explore the idea. It wasn’t long before they found themselves brainstorming at a local alehouse. Before them, a pile of ink-stained napkins grew into a table-top mountain as they discarded name after name for their new venture. When Lucarelli threw out the word ‘phantom,’ Smith balled up the pile of napkins and set the hook on the catch of the day: Phantom Outdoors.

The partners knew that they wanted Phantom Outdoors to be good quality, affordable, and fashionable apparel for an audience ranging from the most demanding tournament angler to those looking for comfort and style on the water, in the woods, or just around town. With unique colors and patterns created to blend in with nature or stand out in the crowd depending on the wearer’s preference, dressing for success has never been more fashionable and affordable. Phantom’s designs hit the mark with creative and innovative offerings in an array of products that run the gamut, from performance wear to hats, hoodies, t-shirts, and accessories for men, women, and youth.

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But above and beyond the technology of their SPF-rated, moisture-wicking, ontrend performance wear, Lucarelli and Smith’s products reflect the company’s overall values. Lucarelli lights up when he gives an overview of the company’s Phantom Gives Back program. Through it, a portion of the proceeds from every sale helps support and inspire the girls and boys participating in local high schools and kids fishing clubs. “They are the future of the sport,” Lucarelli says, “It’s so great for fishing to be a sanctioned sport in schools.

Man, I wish there had been a fishing team when I was in school!”

The Pro Team that Phantom sponsors give these young athletes a glimpse of what is possible. On Phantom’s online blog,

36 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2020

among other professionals, Summerville’s own Patrick Walters, a Bassmaster Elite Series Angler, provides inspiration and tips on tackle and technique. “Patrick just did a little seminar with us at one of the schools.

You would have thought he was a rock star —they hung on every word!”

The Phantom Gives Back program also allows Phantom to pay forward their gratitude for those who protect and serve throughout the USA. “It’s personal for us,” he explains. We have a lot of friends and family who are veterans or currently serving in the armed forces, and a lot of buddies in law enforcement. The apparel in our Heroes Series is a salute to them, and it is a privilege to be able to contribute to programs and events that honor them.”

Social media is at the heart of Phantom’s marketing strategy, and a personal touch is extended to every online purchase and post. Lucarelli writes a note of thanks on every order that goes out and makes a point to comment on every photo posted on the company’s Instagram account. “We get such a kick out of seeing the photos people post of themselves in our gear - kids in Phantom hoodies or ladies in performance wear holding big fish. We feel such a connection to each and every one.”

Though Smith is an avid hunter, Lucarelli is new to the sport, bagging his first deer this past season. Like Phantom’s line of fishing apparel, the hunting line is tailored to meet the needs of local sportsmen—offering both style and performance to those whose outdoor adventures take them to the fields and forests.

Unlike a lot of fishermen, Lucarelli and Smith have no need to exaggerate when they tell the fishing story that brought them to launch their company. This spring, Phantom Outdoors will open its own retail space, so look for news of this exciting new venture to be announced soon. In the meantime, you can check out their website for the growing list of retailers. “We can’t say enough how much we appreciate the way the community has supported us on this awesome journey. We’re so glad for everyone who has been a part of our story and can’t wait to meet those who will be in the next chapter.” AM

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N AT U R A L WOMAN

The House on Hughes Far more valuable than the things we pack in boxes are those that we carry in our hearts.

by Susan Frampton

T

he walls of the small bedroom are riddled with abstract splotches of spackling. Sanded smooth, the white patches fill small divots scattered with no apparent rhyme or reason. But standing on the ladder with a paint roller poised to swipe across the surface, I see that there is an order to the constellation of white dots. With paint threatening to drip down my arm, I reach out to trace the nail holes that track the those who lived

here just as surely as pins dropped on a virtual map.

I don’t remember the first morning that I awakened at the house on Hughes, most likely in this very room. I stifle a sob at the thought that after sixty-odd years I will most likely never wake here again. My address has changed many times over the years, and I would not trade the decades of my life built a hundred miles away from the home of my childhood for anything. Still, after all this time, this address is the one written in permanent

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N AT U R A L WOMAN

marker on the return address of the envelope I keep in my mind.

Classic literature leads us to believe that you can’t go home again. But no matter how far I have roamed, it has always been to this place that I have returned, cast as an ever-changing character in a script written by time.

Once I burst through the doors of this house with the wonder and innocence of a child. I wandered in wearing the remorse of a prodigal daughter, walked in on the arm of the love of my life, and stumbled in as a proud and exhausted new mother. I strode in with confidence and wobbled on legs of certainty. No matter who I was, the door was always open.

Blinking back tears, I sweep the fresh paint of tomorrow across walls bearing a lifetime of yesterdays; Now, the time has come to move on. Blinking back tears, I sweep the fresh paint of tomorrow across walls bearing a lifetime of yesterdays; walls that have held my heart safe since my first memory. But there is no paint opaque enough to erase the lifetimes lived in this house; no hardwood, laminate, or tile that can stifle the sound of dancing through the years. I listen for the rhythms I know by heart those of a busy family marching with the precision of a march-

40 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2020

ing band, slowing to the graceful waltz of a perfect pair, and then finally, for the measured steps of a single dancer.

I glance out the freshly-washed windows at the hill that once seemed so steep and insurmountable from the street and remember rolling head-overheels through the cool green blades of grass. I remember hours spent lying in the soft bed of clover near the bottom, finding shapes in the clouds overhead.

If I hold my head just so, I can still hear the laughter of children with arms linked and shouts of “Red Rover, Red Rover,” echoing across the lawn. Above it all, I hear my mother’s unique whistle calling us in for dinner.

If I hold my head just so, I can still hear the laughter of children with arms linked and shouts of “Red Rover, Red Rover,” echoing across the lawn.

The freshly-washed windows sparkle, but nothing will ever erase the moments etched in the glass. The panes let in the sunshine that warmed the house with love and laughter and kept the rain of life’s inevitable tears from washing it all away. That is not to say that those very same windows never looked out on a

Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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cloudy day or rattled with thunder. Lord knows that I did my part in testing their durability, and the elasticity of the seals holding them within the frames.

But the house and the family within it remained shatterproof, withstanding every storm the forces of nature threw at them.

The house has grown quieter in recent years. From raucous laughter and loud, spirited discussions at the table to the wistful smiles and soft whispers of a home where illness pulled at the tethers holding my mother to this life. We found joy again under this roof after she left us.

There is no doubt that she smiled approval at Dad’s ability to navigate the domestic landscape she once traveled with such grace.

You can’t take it with you, or so the saying goes. I don’t believe that for a second. It may be true of the things that are brick and mortar, or the things that fit in cardboard and crates. But alongside the boxes and furniture packed in the moving van are the things that really matter­— the memories that are our most valuable possessions. Wrapped with soft coverings, we take them with us, storing them in a place where they will be shared and treasured until the last of our names have been whispered on this earth.

Soon, the paint will be dried on the smooth, clean walls of my childhood home, and we will leave a blank slate for a new family to write the story of their lives. I hope their story is as happy as ours. May all who cross its threshold be forever know the blessings of happiness and unconditional love that are the legacy of the house on Hughes. AM

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K ID S THESE D AY S

College Hunters

by Tara Bailey

B

y the time you are reading this, my middle daughter may have made her college choice.

First of all, we are grateful she has choices.

She applied to several schools - some in state, some out of state; some safety schools, some dream schools—and got into them all. Lest you think I’m bragging, that was no accident.

She stayed laser-focused on what it takes to get into each school and worked until she reached each criterium. Well, maybe I am bragging - she has a solid work ethic, which is pretty much the universal parental goal after sleeping in on weekends. But if she thought getting into college was the hard part, she was not prepared for the agony having to actually decide where to go.

Since last spring we have visited college campuses around the Southeast. Our daughter never overtly expressed her feelings about each college we visited, but my husband and I deduced that if she ended the trip by visiting the campus store and purchasing a shirt, then that school was high on her list. Needless to say, she has a few shirts, though not every school warranted souvenir swag. Now that the final acceptance letter has arrived, we thought it would be fun for her to reveal her choice to us by coming downstairs in the shirt of her chosen school. So far it looks like she’ll be attending Goodwill University.

My oldest daughter had it much easier. She wanted to study journalism, and we have a mighty fine J-school right up the road in

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KIDS THESE D AY S Columbia. She also loves living in Columbia. My middle daughter, too, is fortunate to know that she wants to study engineering, but selecting the right fit in a school hasn’t been as simple as it may seem. There have been some schools she’s loved, but their offerings weren’t exactly what she had in mind. There have been other schools that had just what she wanted academically, but she didn’t get that Blink-reaction while on campus (note to students—this is why visiting colleges is important). Finally in January, we visited a school she applied to at the last minute in December. It was an out-of-state school none of us had ever been to before, so we made a mini-adventure of the weekend. Surprisingly, we all felt very positive about the school and the program once on campus. She looked happy, asked questions, and even struck up conversations with the other families in our tour group, though that may have been because she’s a Leo. There was just one hitch—she had missed the application deadline for the Honors College, which is the source of that school’s incoming freshman scholarships.

Still, she bought a shirt. And began applying for outside scholarships.

That particular college visit was valuable, even if missing the Honors deadline sent it towards the bottom of the list.

Our daughter had been unwilling to talk about her preferences before, the prospect of deciding her own future too daunting. But with this campus cranking up her endorphins, she was finally able to prioritize; she made a list of her top choices where she had already been accepted and then created a fantasy list that included schools from whom she had not yet heard. We were finally getting somewhere.

Throughout this whole process all I’ve been able to think about are shows on HGTV where people are looking to buy homes. They narrow their choices down to three, with usually one being perfect and far over budget and the others affordable but rather imperfect. Maybe one home has a 44

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2020

small kitchen, an outhouse, and no roof, but it’s downtown. Another one is on a lake, has baby goats and its own event barn, but it comes with a three-hour commute. Ultimately the HGTV people usually decide on the home I would never buy in a million years. Who wants to tear down miles of wallpaper just for a home with a “media room”? Go for the goats, I say.

This college conundrum is similar.

Each has a little something she wants, but none has it all. In HGTV parlance, a couple are on lakes, another is downtown. Some are just down the road, while others are hours away.

One even has goats. How to choose?

Knowing teenagers love unsolicited advice from adults, I gave her a few suggestions. Maybe she should first meditate on the schools, thinking about how she felt visiting each one. Can she see herself experiencing daily life there? Getting sick away from home there? Having fun, making friends, and missing it once she graduates?

Next, I told her to ignore the peanut gallery. Everyone feels strongly about his or her alma mater. Everyone thinks some schools are more prestigious than others. Everyone has an, er, opinion. But you, Sweet Girl, are the one attending (and we, the ones paying). This choice is yours and yours alone. Your current friendships will change regardless of which school you choose. Nothing will be the same as it is now, for better or for worse. Don’t decide based on your pals. New ones are on the horizon. As is the world.

This is your time, Baby. Your first taste of designing your future. This decision is a mere sample of the restless elation that comes with knowing you get to be the architect of your own life. When you come down the stairs wearing a garish sweatshirt proudly bearing letters and colors you will then wear forever, know that we are behind you. To heck with anyone who criticizes your choice. Just promise us that every now and then you will let us use the event barn. AM Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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L IF E & F A IT H

The Greatest of These

by Lili Hiser

A

s much as I enjoy being around people, nothing beats the comfort of my own home. My favorite Friday night involves being curled up on the couch and jumping into a movie that pulls at the heartstrings. How I adore a captivating story of boy meets girl with the hope of a happy ending.

But there is another type of love story more powerful than anything produced by Hollywood. This kind of love story lacks spotlights, sophisticated scripts, and celebrities, and instead plays out amidst limited electricity, sanitation issues, and a poverty unknown to most of America.

In 2010, I prayerfully said “yes” to a short term mission trip to Guatemala. There we would bring supplies and make repairs to a Christian family-owned orphanage. Leaving behind my familiar world, we took our flight from Atlanta to the small Central American country. There we boarded a bus and traveled miles of rural road, witnessing up close the rawness of a third world country. Eventually, we reached our destination, a remote establishment on the side of a misty mountain.

Upon arriving at the orphanage, we received warm greetings from the staff and a tour of the facility. My heart swelled when we finally saw

the faces of the children we had been praying for over many months.

They sang Bible songs to us jubilantly, excited about their new American helpers. The reception was bittersweet for me, though, because in the back of my mind lurked the dreadful statistics regarding the children here. Guatemala ranks as one of the top countries in the world for child homicide and the exploitation of children.

Yet nothing orients the heart like locking eyes with an orphan. Julia, the youngest child in care at two years old, charmed us with a contagious giggle. Her trusting demeanor and simple humor were as refreshing as the cool side of a pillow. But even her wide smile could not distract from a haggard appearance and very short hair. We later learned that when Julia was brought to the orphanage she was in such poor condition her badly matted hair had to be shaved. Sadly, her story is not unique. Almost all of the children had come from severely abusive homes and, due to complexities of the system, were not adoptable.

It is easy to dwell on the negative and grieve for these children and others like them—but there is still goodness and hope to be found.

One evening we had hot tea and bread with the sisters who manage the home. They shared stories of how God has been faithful to pro-

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LIFE & FA I T H

vide for them and how they teach the children their worth comes from their Creator. While sitting around the worn wooden table, I glanced at the mug that held my warm tea. It was chipped around the rim, with thin dark cracks throughout and on the side the faded image of a bear and the words, “Jesus loves me.”

A simple phrase, but how incredibly profound. Despite our many “chips and cracks,” God’s love overcomes all.

The day we finished our work and had to leave, the children sang one last time and gave us handmade crafts. As our bus pulled out of the driveway, they placed their hands between the railings of the balcony around the orphanage and vigorously waved goodbye. When the home was finally out of sight, we sat back in our seats. Not a word was spoken. Only sniffs and deep sighs could be heard. The irony was we came to share God’s love with the orphans, but they ended up pouring it out on us.

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It would be ideal if we lived in a world with no need for orphanages, where crimes against children were non-existent. But these tragedies are realities of a fallen humanity, so harsh even the strongest in faith struggle to comprehend them. My ten days of volunteering in Guatemala did not change the world, but it changed the way I view the world. I am grateful I took the opportunity to leave my comfortable life in Summerville for this experience. Nearly a decade has passed since, and yet in my mind I still hear the sweet giggles and Bible songs echoing in the halls of that orphanage. Though I could not take Julia or any of the children home with me, the lessons they taught me I will treasure always.

We live in a broken, abusive world; yet wholeness can still be found. I have witnessed it myself, even tearfully made eye contact with it. On the side of a misty mountain, a love story continues where those who have no other place to go can find refuge and those who have been broken are remade. For here they discover their priceless value and, most importantly, the transforming power of love. “And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” - 1 Corinthians 13:13 AM Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Color Pop Bold and cozy, the Briarwood Lane living room welcomes relaxation.

The Key to Whiteholm Passing from hand to hand through the centuries, the key to the house on Briarwood Lane has opened the door to one of Summerville’s most gracious homes.

by Susan Frampton

Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

51

T

he house on Briarwood Lane is quiet. From framed canvases lining the entry hall of Whiteholm, generations of Jonathan Lee's ancestors survey the gracious tableau before them, as they have for over a dozen years. Tomorrow, their watch over this noble house will draw to an end. There are dishes to be packed, books to be stacked in boxes, rugs rolled, and the images of the ancestors carefully wrapped for transport. It is a bittersweet time for Jonathan and Susan Lee and their five children, who grew up surrounded by the comfortable elegance of the historic home.

When they purchased the house in 2006, the Lees found their names added to a list of owners reaching back to the early 19th century. The inscription of πληοης MDCCCXV, carved into an upstairs windowsill, and uncovered during a 2018 renovation, are thought to commemorate the 1815 construction of the structure.

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Historic Living This Page: A bricklined path to the heart of the home; vintage touches abound around a dozing pup. Opposite: Fit for gathering, the living space welcomes guests. Exposed beams frame a beautiful room.

A subsequent deed recording in elegant longhand, "on this day of April A.D. 1834," transferred the property from Dorchester widow Elizabeth Singleton of St. George to Thomas and Kerea Pickens of Pendleton District. The historic document also indicates that additional buildings were located on the parcel of land at that time.

Among the Lees collection of documents are deeds transferring ownership from a veritable list "Who's Who" in the life and times of the town. From Thomas Miles to Francis Dickinson, to Thomas N. Farr, the key to the Briarwood Lane home passed from hand to hand before it was purchased in 1863 by renowned Charleston druggist, Dr. Christian Schwettmann. That sale was deemed invalid due to its sale by the widow, Anna Farr, who it was discovered owned only a life estate in the property. It was not until 1873 that Schwettmann received a clear title to the house from Farr's son. It is a historical fact

photo provided

Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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worth noting that Schwettmann also opened a pharmacy on Main Street, which he sold to Dr. Henry Charles Guerin in 1871. Moved later to Town Square, Guerin's Pharmacy is the oldest operating pharmacy in South Carolina.

Vintage Modern Blending historic elements with contemporary touches, the kitchen is the centerpiece of the home.

Mary Trenholm, a feminist, philanthropist, and advocate for social services, who dubbed the house "Whiteholm."

Translated from the Gaelic language, the word is defined, "beautiful meadow.

Whiteholm changed hands several more times in the early 20th century before being sold in 1970 to Army Brigadier General and Mrs. James Herbert Batte. Under the ownership of Batte, a heavily decorated veteran of World War II, Korea, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and his wife Elenita, the house was updated and the interior redesigned to form an upstairs bath and two bedrooms. When Dr. and 54

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2020

photo provided

Though it sustained extensive damage during The Great Quake of 1886, the home stood firmly in ownership by members of the Schwettmann family through The Golden Age of Inns. In 1921, it passed from Doris Schwettmann to New York City Social Register socialite Mary Trenholm.

According to Jonathan's research, it is believed that Mary Trenholm, a feminist, philanthropist, and advocate for social services, who dubbed the house "Whiteholm." Translated from the Gaelic language, the word is defined, "beautiful meadow."

Mrs. Billy Edwards purchased the property in 1975, they further modernized the house to accommodate their family. Their additions included an enclosed brick porch and master suite wing, a garage, an art studio, a workshop, and a swimming pool.

Almost 200 years from the time that the date was carved into the windowsill, the Lees took ownership of the house known as Whiteholm.

Jonathan and Susan, an interior decorator, took great measures to honor the historical integrity of the structure as they went about their own renovations. Following the comprehensive renewal that took it down to bare wood, Whiteholm stands in quiet grandeur on the tree-lined lane of one of Summerville's hidden pockets of historic grace and beauty.

Susan laughs when she describes the painstaking and lengthy process of removing layers of paint from the exterior, and the renovation they undertook in 2018. "It seemed to take forever, and it looked like a log cabin for a little while. It was like living in a construction zone."

At the Lees' hands, Whiteholm has flourished, and the love and care the family

56 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2020

Welcome Home Clockwise: Personal touches make a house feel like a home; lighter touches brighten up a room; architectural details lend unique elements to the space.

has poured into it are apparent in every detail. From the front porch, original 9-over-9 glass windows look out over an ivy-lined brick walkway, where ancient oaks tower and the colors and textures of the mature camellias, hydrangeas, and azaleas compliment the facelift provided by the fresh white paint on its wood siding. Inside, 12' ceilings soar over heart pine floors, and light spills into rooms filled with warmth and color.

French doors open into a kitchen anchored at one end by a fireplace and perfectly outfitted to meet the needs of a busy family. Susan's design experience is evident in the creative use of space that makes the kitchen both beautiful and functional.

"I wish we had made these changes years ago when the kids were small.

You can imagine what a kitchen with five kids running around is like!"

Nearby, and overlooking the pool and private, fenced yard, the brick-paved home office/sunroom leading to the master suite is a haven for the busy mother.

Upstairs, the home's 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths served the Lee family well through the years, with a bonus room providing additional space. As comfortable as it is elegant, the house seems to sigh with contentment, and the memories of running feet and happy times.

When the boxes are packed and stacked in the moving van, the Lee family will pass the torch of ownership to Mike and Gray Benko and their family. Ironically, the two families discovered that in addition to a shared appreciation for the home on Briarwood Lane, they share an ancestor or two.

Susan admits that it will not be easy to leave this house behind, but knowing that they leave it in good hands will make turning over the key a happy occasion. In the days ahead, they will find themselves in another historic house in Jonathan's hometown of Hartsville, SC. Having come full circle, the ancestors will surely feel right at home. AM

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The cafe is known for daily specials and rotating soups, homemade condiments, & gluten free and vegan options. They have 3 locations that focus on quality, healthy, casual cuisine.

Halls Chophouse provides USDA prime steaks, fresh seafood and an acclaimed family fine dining steakhouse restaurant experience in Summerville.

Chef Michael Balga is bringing you Eclectic, Farm to Table, Southern Fare with a love & passion for the finest ingredients & flavors to tempt your taste buds.

SU MME RV I L L E, SC

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

843-804-9410 / fiveloavescafe.com

843-900-6000 / hallschophouse.com

843-261-0360 / www.website.com

LOWCOUNTRY FISH CAMP

MIDDLETON PLACE RESTAURANT

O'LACY'S PUB

A laid back and rustic restaurant and bar where guests can enjoy some great seafood with an ice cold beer, glass of wine, or one of many specialty cocktails.

Overlooking the Gardens & inspired by the recipes of former resident chef and James Beard honoree Edna Lewis, the Middleton Place Restaurant offers traditional Lowcountry favorites.

Your hometown bar in the heart of Historic Downtown Summerville, on Short Central Avenue.

SU MME RV I L L E, SC

C HA RLESTO N, SC

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

843-285-8558 / LowcountryFishCamp.com

843-266-7477 / middletonplace.org

(843) 832-2999

THE FLOWERTOWN PLAYERS

MAGNOLIA PLANTATION & GARDEN

PUBLIC WORKS ART CENTER

The Flowertown Players create theatrical magic on stage for audiences of all ages. Summerville's premier community theatre known for a variety of plays, musicals, and comedy.

America’s oldest garden, Magnolia has been selected as one of "America's Most Beautiful Gardens" and is the only garden honored with this distinction in the State of SC!

Offering studio spaces for artists, engaging exhibitions, art classes, music events, an outdoor market, a special event rental space, and so much more.

SU MMERV I L L E, SC

C HA RLESTO N, SC

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

843-875-9251 / flowertownplayers.org

843-571-1266 / magnoliaplantation.com

843-860-0742 / publicworksartcenter.org

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SCULPTURE IN THE SOUTH

SUMMERVILLE COUNTRY CLUB

SUMMERVILLE ORCHESTRA

Art that invites touching. From wildlife to engaging figures, a permanent collection of public sculpture is being created in the historic village of Summerville.

Family owned and operated since 1974. Open seven days a week. 18 hole PUBLIC golf course featuring an outdoor event venue, the Candlelite Pavilion, available for rent.

The Summerville Orchestra performs a 5-double-concert subscription series and hosts free programs including Music Chats with Wojciech and the Encore Series.

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

843-851-7800 / sculptureinthesouth.com

843-873-2210 / summervillecountryclub.com

SummervilleOrchestra.org.

ANTIQUES AND ARTISANS VILLAGE

ART ON THE SQUARE GALLERY

BEY + ELOISE

A Fun Place to Shop! Home to over 150 vendors/consignors. Easy parking at 619 Old Trolley Rd., Summerville. Antiques, Vintage, Gifts, Local Artisans.

Now opened at 420 Nexton Square A Fine Art Gallery featuring over 30 local award-winning artists - Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Jewelry, Stained Glass, Pottery & Mosaics!

SHOPPING

SU MMERV I L L E, SC

SU MMERV I L L E, SC

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Bey + Eloise is located in Nexton Square, near Taco Boy and Halls Chophouse. The shop offers unique items as well as recognizable brand names for women looking for a fresh look!

843-900-5386 / antiquesandartisansvillage.com

843-871-0297 / artonthesquare.gallery

(843) 900-3500 / beyeloiseapparel@outlook.com

DOTTIE LANGLEY JEWELRY

EAST WINDS

EVERYTHING CHIC

Handcrafted solid bronze oyster jewelry created from casts of shells collected on beaches and waterways along the South Carolina coast.

Hand selected jewelry, apparel and gifts featuring distinctive Southern charm with a fresh modern attitude.

Everything Chic is a Southern gift shop full of eclectic home decor, jewelry, candles, furniture, and local specialty items. Our prices are reasonable and our staff is friendly!

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843-875-8985 / eastwindsonline.com

843-879-2099 / everythingchicetc.com

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FLY MODERN APPAREL

FOUR GREEN FIELDS GIFTS

GOLDEN & ASSOCIATES ANTIQUES

Our promise at FLY is to deliver the best quality materials while giving you the comfort, fit, and style you desire. Each season FLY will bring you the newest trends.

Designer gift baskets, Lowcountry souvenirs, and creative cards and gifts for any occasion--plus, corporate gifts for all industries. Gift wrap, shipping, and delivery services available.

Located in historic Charleston South Carolina, Golden and Associates Antiques has been dealing with the finest of antiques for generations.

SU MME RV I L L E, SC

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

C HA RLESTO N, SC

843-225-3661 / flymodernapparel.com

843-261-7680 / fourgreenfieldsgifts.com

843-723-8886 / goldenassociatesantiques.com

GUERINS PHARMACY

HANEBRINK JEWELERS

LAURA JONES & COMPANY

Guerin’s Pharmacy is the oldest pharmacy in South Carolina. We invite you to stop in and see our 1920’s Soda Fountain and candy counter.

This hometown jeweler specializes in unique jewelry including estate pieces, custom design, diamonds, and gemstones! Veteran owned, they focus on jewelry made in the USA.

A home furnishings and accessories shop. We have a constantly changing showroom featuring beautiful furniture, garden elements, and thoughtful gifts with an acquired look.

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

843-873-2531 / guerinspharmacy.com

843-970-8088 / HanebrinkJewelers.com

843-875-0609 / laurajonesandcompany.com

LOWCOUNTRY OLIVE OIL

MAGGIE ROSE

MAIN STREET ANTIQUES

Established at the Summerville Farmer's Market in 2011, family-owned Lowcountry Olive Oil now carries over 65 olive oils & vinegars, and dozens of locally made gourmet foods.

Maggie Rose is a ladies boutique of simple elegance in the Historic Downtown District of Summerville, South Carolina.

We are 6500+ square feet with a unique variety of merchandise that changes daily!

SU MME RV I L L E, SC

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

843-695-8327 / lowcountryoliveoil.com

843-871-6745 / maggieroseboutique.com

SU MME RV I L L E, SC

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SHOPPING

AZALEA MARKET

MISS MADDIES

NINA BELLE'S BOUTIQUE

OK FLORIST

We specialize in handmade apparel for your pets, and bake fresh daily tasty treats. We offer themed cakes and host birthday parties.

Nina Belle's offers a wide range of apparel, shoes, purses and jewelry in sizes small to 3X. We also offer locally handcrafted cards, candles, and bath and body products.

OK Florist, located in the heart of historic, downtown Summerville, has been providing beautiful blooms and lasting memories to Summerville and the Lowcountry area since 1947.

SU MME RV I L L E, SC

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

843-810-0069 / missmaddies.com

843-991-6080

843-873-3681 okflorist.net / okfloristevents.com

PEOPLE, PLACES, AND QUILTS

PIAZZA HOME

SIMPLE TO SUBLIME

A premiere fabric and quilting emporium, with books, patterns, beautiful displays, classes, sewing machines, and good times throughout this wonderful store of 6,000 Sqft!

For 20 years we have been bringing the finest in gifts, home decor, and furniture to the Lowcountry.

THE destination to find unique gifts, chemical free bath, body and skincare, women’s clothes, accessories and more!

Bring in this ad to receive $5 off your purchase (limit one per customer).

SU MMERV I L L E, SC

843-871-8872 / ppquilts.com

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

piazzahomeinteriordesignsummerville.com 843-873-8015

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

(843) 879-9792 / simplesublime.com

SIMPLE TREASURES

SOLE SHOE COMPANY

SUMMERVILLE ANTIQUE GALLERY

Gourmet Popcorn, homemade ice cream, handmade chocolates, novelty candies, and gifts. We host 501c3 fundraising events.

Sole Shoe Co. is a modern shoe company, committed to bringing the most modern/chic/comfy/casual shoes and accessories for both men and women.

110 booths full of antiques and uniques.

SU MME RV I L L E, SC

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

843-970-8382 / simpletreasures.biz

843-225-9210 / soleshoeco.com

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

facebook.com/SummervilleAntiqueGallery 843-873-4926 To be a part of the Azalea Market, email info@azaleamag.com

A Z A L E A

M A G A Z I N E

Ah Shucks Fresh corn from a Southern garden

LOCAL ROOTS pg. 62

BECOMING BETH pg.72

AU T H E N T I C A L L Y SOUTHERN pg.78

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Land Trust This page: A local farmer looks out over his land.

Opposite page: Vine-ripened tomatoes.

L O C A L R O O T S

The Lowcountry contains a veritable bounty of freshly-picked, homespun, and handmade products, showcased best at local farmers markets.

Nothing says “community” like a farmers market. Across continents and cultures, people gather together at farmer’s markets to peruse offerings from local growers, makers, artisans, and street vendors. As similar as these events are the world over, every market has its own flavor: some are strictly produce, showcasing all things seasonal, while others include cheesemakers, maple syrup purveyors, egg gatherers, butchers, and other specialty food providers. Some are heavy on the food trucks, while others include an array of craftspeople. Some feature new vendors each week, while others stick with the tried-and-true. No matter what kind you prefer, it is easy to be enchanted by any open-air market, with their endless possibilities, unexpected finds, and atmosphere of togetherness. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite Lowcountry Farmers Markets here; take a ride out to one or all of them and see what you discover.

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FARMERS MARKETS Charleston Farmers Market Marion Square 329 Meeting Street Charleston SC April 11 - November 28 Saturdays 8am -2 pm Daniel Island Farmers Market Center Park Daniel Island SC February 20 - March 26 Thursdays 10am - 7pm Moncks Corner Farmers Market Market Pavilion 418 East Main Street Moncks Corner SC April 2 - September 24 Thursdays 3pm - 6pm Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market 645 Coleman Blvd Mt. Pleasant SC April 7 - September 29 Tuesdays 3:30 - 7pm

North Charleston Farmers Market Felix C Davis Community Center 4800 Park Circle North Charleston SC May 7 - October 29 Thursdays 3pm - 7pm Summerville Farmers Market 200 South Main Street Summerville SC April - December Saturdays 8am - 1pm Sunday Brunch Farmers’ Market (Behind the Pour House) 1977 Maybank Hwy. Charleston SC Year Round, Sundays 11am - 3pm West Ashley Farmers Market Ackerman Park 55 Sycamore Ave. West Ashley SC April 22 - September 30 Wednesdays 3pm-7pm

Hickory Bluff Nursery and Berry Farm Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area 245 Hickory Bluff Lane, Holly Hill, SC King's Market Strawberries, Vegetables, Peaches 2559 Hwy. 174, Edisto Island Myer's Blueberries 206 Twin Lakes Dr, Summerville, SC Sweatman's Strawberries 154 Sweatman Farm Road, St. George, SC

U-PICK FARMS Boone Hall Farms Market Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, 2521 Highway 17 North, Mt. Pleasant, SC

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Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad Ingredients For Beets:

For Salad:

1 bunch beets 1 small red onion 1 cup apple cider vinegar 1 cup water 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns 1 cinnamon stick 5 whole cloves

baby arugula or mixed greens crumbled goat cheese pecans balsamic vinaigrette

Preparation • Cut off greens and wash beets. Slice red onion.

• Place beets in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 20-40 minutes depending on size.

• Remove from heat and allow beets to cool. Slip the skins off under cool running water.

•Slice beets or cut in wedges and place the beets and sliced onion in a large quart sized canning jar.

• In a large saucepan, add the remaining ingredients and stir. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

• Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

• Pour the liquid over the beets into the jar, leaving 1/2 inch at top.

• Let beets marinade overnight.

• Assemble salad with greens, goat cheese, pecans, beets and onions and top with a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette.

Grilled Mexican Street Corn Ingredients

Toppings

4 ears of corn 1/4 cup Mexican Crema 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/8 teaspoon ground chili powder 1/8 teaspoon salt Juice of 1/2 a lime 2 teaspoons chopped cilantro

crumbled Cotija cheese chopped cilantro chile powder

Preparation • Add the Mexican Crema, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, lime juice, and chopped cilantro into a small bowl.

• Stir together until combined.

• Preheat the grill.

• Place the corn directly on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes, then turn the corn to continue cooking other sides.

• Continue this until all sides are cooked. Remove from heat.

• Brush or spread the sauce onto the entire ear of corn.

• Add toppings as desired, Cotija, cilantro, Chile powder, additional lime juice.

Heirloom Tomato and Basil Galette with Caramelized Onions Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon honey salt and pepper 1 garlic clove, minced 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for topping 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1/2 cup shredded Havarti cheese 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed 2 cups cherry heirloom tomatoes 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped 1 egg, beaten Everything bagel spice Preparation • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

• Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.

• Add onions and honey and cook 5 minutes stirring occasionally until softened.

• Add a dash of salt and pepper and continue cooking until onions caramelize and are golden.

• Add garlic and thyme and stir.

• Remove from heat.

• In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, tomatoes, vinegar, basil and a dash of salt and pepper.

• Lay the pastry sheet on floured surface and cut into 4 inch squares, then move to baking sheet.

• Top each square with onions, both kinds of cheese, and tomatoes, leaving a 1/4 in border.

• Fold edges of pastry inward to enclose the tomatoes.

• Brush edge with beaten eggs and sprinkle on everything bagel spice.

• Cook 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is golden.

• Top with additional fresh thyme.

Wonder Woman Beth Rucker relaxes in her home near Sullivan's Island

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Determined to make a difference, Beth Rucker is a positive force in the Lowcountry and beyond.

By

JANA RILEY

Photos by

DOTTIE RIZZO

Good Company Beth Rucker snuggles on the porch with her favorite pup.

there are people who walk the same path with them, often hidden in the shadows. It takes a strong individual to remain shadowed alongside fame, attempting to quietly live their lives through the often whirlwind experiences that come with the territory. It takes an even stronger one to rise up and carve a place out for themselves, standing tall and proud on their own right. Beth Rucker falls firmly in the latter category. An introspective, compassionate, enlightened woman, Beth is a powerhouse of authenticity. Often quiet, Beth is the type of person whom people lean in to listen to, as her voice contains the wisdom of someone who has spent decades yearning and seeking for understanding of both herself and others. In recent years, Beth has channeled that transformative energy into projects and people close to her heart, including her beloved children and their peers through her nonprofit, Just Be You. Guided by a mantra to “trust the process,” Beth’s path is one that reflects a woman led by her heart and inner strength.

Growing up on the Jersey Shore as the youngest of eight children, Beth always had a creative mind. She spent hours working on unique creations, including dollhouses made of shoeboxes and tape, losing herself in the little worlds she created. As she got older, she developed an eye for fashion, rethinking handed down clothing into wearable works of art. Driven, she went on to acquire an associates degree in Liberal Arts, and then a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Merchandising from Montclair State University in New Jersey. Later, she would graduate with a Masters Degree in Clinical Counseling from the Citadel.

In her early twenties, Beth moved to New York City, making ends meet through substitute teaching, working in a department store, and occasionally helping a friend who worked on health fairs for large companies. It was during that gig that she walked into Viacom, the network that produced MTV and VH1. On the seventh floor overlooking Times Square, the space was filled with a creative, progressive energy. Beth immediately took charge, finding the exact woman she needed to speak with to try to get a job at the network.

Three days later, she had a job in human resources. A month later, she moved to production at VH1. Shortly after that, she took a job in music and talent for VH1. Moving ahead with bold, confident choices

and excelling at every job she held, Beth made a life for herself of which she was proud.

During her time at VH1, Beth met Darius Rucker, a musician from Charleston, South Carolina known at the time for being a founder and the frontman of the band “Hootie and the Blowfish.” They fell in love, got married, and split their time living between New York City and Charleston. They had a daughter, Daniela, in 2001. Four months later, the terrorist attacks of September 11th severely impacted their city.

With a lease on their home ending that very same month, the family opted to move to Charleston full time, settling in near Sullivan’s Island.

They had a son, Jack, in 2004, rounding out the family that included Darius’ daughter and Beth’s stepdaughter, Carolyn.

Anyone who knows Beth Rucker can attest to the fact that she adores her children, and works hard to connect with them, even—or especially—as they navigate the often treacherous waters of being a teenager. Between raising her children, sitting on the Board of the MUSC Children’s Hospital, and getting to know other young people in the community, Beth became increasingly aware of the struggles so many pre-teens and teens are facing regarding anxiety and depression.

“Originally I thought I’d become a therapist and offer sessions for free,” Beth recalls. “I got my Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology with that in mind. Once I started talking with kids and listening to their stories, I realized that it is not just a handful of kids in our area who need therapy sessions. I kept hearing stories that included anxiety and depression, feelings of not fitting in, not feeling worthy or confident in themselves.

I also found out that suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents. I thought, ‘I’ve got to start something where I can reach these kids on a larger scale.’ So, in 2017, I founded Just Be You.” With a mission to “build teen’s confidence through self-compassion and self-love,” Just Be You works with schools to create assemblies, workshops, and other gatherings to connect with young people at their level, encouraging them to share and connect with one another and themselves as the Just Be You team helps to equip them with the tools they need to take charge of their mental and emotional health. With

Austin Nelson at the helm as Executive Director, Just Be You is reaching thousands of Lowcountry students, and set to go on tour this year to reach thousands more.

Last September, the organization had their largest gathering to date, filling the seats at the Gaillard Center. Working with the Gaillard Center’s Education and Community Program and local schools to offer the program free of cost, Just Be You welcomed former NFL linebacker and television sports anchor Corey Miller, Emmyaward winning dancer and choreographer Angel Roberts, and musician extraordinaire Darius Rucker to the stage. The speakers engaged students, shared their stories of teenage angst, and helped shed light on common feelings and shared experiences between the teens. Motivational speaking events such as this one are followed up with in-school workshops, allowing the Just Be You team to talk more in depth about self-love, mindfulness, and common humanity.

For Beth Rucker, the central message she hopes to impart is one that will help the teens throughout their entire lives.

“It all really starts with self-compassion; you can’t be good to others if you can’t be good to yourself first,” says Beth. “As adults, we should be there for our teens as models and guides, but we have to appreciate who they are and who they are becoming rather than try to define them. This is all about teaching them to embrace who they are.”

photo provided

When a teenager embraces who they are, Beth explains, the anxiety of trying to fit in lessens. When they develop self-compassion, they are able to extend that understanding of oneself onto others, allowing them to deflect potentially harmful bullying by leading with love. Empowered, they can take ownership of their feelings, and learn to work through them in a healthy way. All of this adds up to a resilience that becomes extremely useful as teens work through the highs and lows of middle school, high school, and beyond.

Dynamic Duo This page: Beth speaks with Austin Nelson, Executive Director of Just Be You; presenting at the Gaillard Center; a full, impactful house.

In 2020, Just Be You will go on tour to surrounding states, while also working with more teens in the Lowcountry. The team is also working on a podcast, in hopes to reach teens and their parents at home, opening the door to further conversation.

Additionally, they are working on creating packets so teens can start “Just Be You” clubs at their own school, encouraging them to cultivate kindness and confidence in themselves and their peers.

Three years after deciding to form her nonprofit, Beth Rucker can recall so many Just Be You experiences that touched her heart. All of them share a common thread: that in the end, a young person was walking a little taller, feeling a little better about themselves, and realizing that they matter. Had Beth Rucker chosen to, she could have lived her life in the shadows, finding contentment in living her own life in peace and quiet, never impacting anyone else. Wonderfully for the teens of the Lowcountry and beyond, she’s stepped into the light, and just like the people her nonprofit reaches, she stands tall and proud. AM To find out more about Just Be You, follow them on Facebook and Instagram @justbeyou_org, or visit www.justbeyou.org.

ROAD TRIP Aiken, SC

AU T H E N T I C A L L Y SOUTHERN Uncontrived and elegant, Aiken is a year-round city of endless grace and boundless energy

by S U S A N F R A M P T O N

Stately Mansion The Willcox Inn in Aiken was once one of the most prestigious places to visit in the country, and is still held in high esteem today.

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Local Love A racehorse preparing for training; beautifully-landscaped roundabouts dot the town; local farmers support the economy;beautiful southern homes pepper the landscape of Aiken.

It is springtime in Aiken, and at the intersection of Whiskey Road and South Boundary, the sunlight of a cloudless sky filters through the trees, and time seems to stand still.

The white blossoms of dogwoods float above azaleas exploding with color, and daffodils nod their heads on swaying green stems. This city has long been seated at the crossroads of constant motion and relaxed gentility, and it is not difficult to imagine the days when the ladies of The Winter Colony promenaded along shady lanes with parasols, and gentlemen in frock coats stepped out for a bracing breath of fresh morning air.

As it has since steam power once drove the longest railroad track in the world to its doorstep, the get-up-and-go of the horses dubbed it the Polo Center of the World, and the Savannah River Plant reenergized the region, today’s Aiken hums with the vitality of a thriving community. It was a railroad built from Charleston, SC in 1828 that first brought wealthy vacationers to the tree-shaded boulevards.

Seeking refuge from the heat and mosquitos of Lowcountry summers, wealthy Charlestonians flocked to the site on the Savannah River that in 1835 came to be known as the City of Aiken.

In the early 1870s, after the Civil War, the temperate climate again became a draw, this time as a warm haven for wealthy northerners escaping cold winters. The increasing popularity of the resort town nicknamed it “the Winter Colony.” When the winter residents began to bring their horses south to enjoy outdoor pursuits denied them by the frigid northern weather, the rolling countryside of Aiken became a magnet for the enthusiasts, and a culture built around equine interests. The beautiful architecture of homes and churches that remain a signature element of Aiken came to represent the wealth and sophistication of the city and its residents.

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season, Aiken, SC is as authentic today as it was when founded in 1835. Time has been kind to the place that once drew wealthy and powerful Golden Era industrialists and celebrities to the warmth of its sun-drenched winters.

The horsepower that helped build Aiken’s identity and establish it as a haven for equine interests can be recognized at every turn, and still drives many of the year-round events and festivals. Kicking the year off with the parades and pageantry of the Aiken Trials, the first leg of Aiken’s Triple Crown, spring quickly marks the calendar with The Aiken Steeplechase Association’s celebrated Imperial Cup Spring Steeplechase. Founded in 1930 by several influential horsemen, including Thomas Hitchcock, Temple Gwathmey and Harry Worchester Smith, the Steeplechase Association’s first official race was run in Hitchcock Woods, one of the largest urban forests in the United States, once dubbed “the greatest equine playground in America.” Late March’s Pacers and Polo is the event rounding out the third leg of the Triple Crown.

Hitchcock Woods, the 2,000-acre tract managed by the Hitchcock Foundation since 1939, is also home to The Blessing of the Hounds, the event that closes out the year and is a must-see for residents and visitors alike. The colorful ceremony is a tribute to the heritage of Aiken’s historic hunt culture, and to the skilled hounds that bay their joyful music down the path following the trail of a dragged cloth saturated with fox scent.

Though a unique equine heritage is at the very heart of Aiken, the quaint cottages peeking from behind jasmine draped fences and stately mansions keeping watch over winding, tree-lined streets are also the backdrop for a wide range of other world-class events and

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Grand Tradition The Aiken Hounds is one of the oldest registered fox hunts in the United States.

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festivals. Arts and cultural events dot the calendar from February’s Antique Show and Film Festival to May’s Bluegrass Festival, to the winter wonderland that is Christmas in Hopelands, the extravaganza held on the grounds of the 14-acre estate opened in 1969 as a yearround public garden.

Among the most highly anticipated arts events is March’s Joye in Aiken Performing Arts Festival and Education Outreach Program, which brings the world’s finest young musicians, actors, and dancers to Aiken, along with students, faculty, and alumni of New York’s prestigious Juilliard School. The event is the namesake of Aiken’s Joye Cottage, a beautiful Gilded Age mansion that serves as a place of retreat and renewal for participating artists, and honors the central role the facility has played in Aiken’s cultural history. Because providing comprehensive access to the arts is an integral part of the non-profit organization’s mission, a majority of the community-wide events are free or low-cost.

Among the features that have recently named Aiken to Southern Living’s list of Best Small Towns, The Willcox stands in white-columned splendor on the Aiken Arboretum Trail’s Colleton Avenue. An 1898 Colonial Revival landmark property on the National Historic Register, the magnificent hotel firmly anchors Aiken to the glamour and opulence that was the trademark of The Winter Colony’s time in residence, and still enjoys a far-reaching reputation built on its atmosphere, impeccable service and excellent cuisine. Since The Willcox welcomed its first guest in 1900, scores of national and international leaders have passed through its doors, including presidents

Day Trip This page: Live music in The Alley Opposite, clockwise: one of the area's many grand trees; weighing produce at the farmer's market; Hopelands Gardens are perfectly manicured and reflect Southern gardening traditions; the entrance to the farmer's market is welcoming to all; intruiging architecture is everywhere in Aiken; Cyndi's Sweet Shoppe in downtown is a must-visit; Aiken Community Playhouse displays a wealth of talent; the people of Aiken are the best part of the region; The Willcox Inn is a local treasure.

and statesmen, captains of industry, inventors, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and royalty. Today, as grand and graceful as ever, The Willcox continues to draw people from all over the world, and has been voted one of the best hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler readers for its matchless personal service, gracious accommodations, excellent cuisine and their individual interpretation of the “Aiken lifestyle.”

History gallops through modern-day Aiken, and there are many ways to discover the people, places, and events that formed this fascinating area. The Aiken County Historical Museum, Aiken Regional Library, The Center for African American History Arts and Culture, and Savannah River Site Museum are among the wealth of resources available to history buffs.

As captivating as Aiken’s history is to explore, there is no time like the present to enjoy all that the city has to offer. It’s easy to make a day of browsing through Aiken’s bustling and delightfully charming downtown that hosts services and shopping ranging from spas and salons to high fashion and furnishings, and fine art galleries and antique stores. An abundance of restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes feature options to suit every schedule and taste; from a quick bite of breakfast to a leisurely lunch, a hand-crafted happy hour to an elegant sit-down dinner, and everything in between.

Whether you’re among those who still seek out Aiken for respite from the heat or a warm winter’s canter on a scenic path, or enjoy a walk through historical splendor or a concert in the garden, Aiken is a year-round destination. Pop in for a day visit, come for a romantic weekend or mark every season on your calendar, you’re sure to be taken by the charm and hospitality of the genteel Southern city of history and horses. Aiken invites you to come and explore the magnificence of its past, experience the authenticity of its present-day grace and beauty, and look forward to where a legacy of boundless energy will lead it tomorrow. AM

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YOU'VE HEARD of CHARLESTON.

I'm HER YOUNGER SISTER .

LOCATION IS EVERYTHING The azaleas are amazing, the shrimp are scrumptious, and Rainbow Row is real. Come see it all from historic Summerville—the center of your Lowcountry experience. visitsummerville.com

AT THE HEART of it ALL ®

SOC IAL

SOCIALS, CAUSES, AND COMMUNIT Y

Public Works Art Center Opening Night Public Works Art Center held a soft opening with two exhibitions on view, "The Founders Show" and "The Life Work of Drayton Smith." There was food from Pita Stroller food truck, live music from Chris Roberts, and upcoming classes were unveiled.

Both exhibits with be will be on view through March 13th. publicworksartcenter.org

Spring 2020 AZALEAMAG.COM

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VILLAGE P OET

Independent Bookstores

by Ellen E. Hyatt

Like a play in an intimate space, they help narrate lives—simple and real; episodic and reincarnated.

No grand, red front curtain.

No formal stage design is needed.

Only sets of shelves with books.

Within books, layers of life in words ready to inspire belief in disbelievers.

Local scenes—recreated—thrill us, the audience, and fill us enough to hope our own second chances.

Stories inviting children, too, to see, hear, touch, sing their words last lifetimes. Even on days when everything seems like nothing, new made-up details mix in each retelling.

Towns without a bookstore?

Careless.

They lose the key to unlock hearts for empathy and minds to discourse.

Today, at our town's bookstore three local authors sign their books, their reward for thousands of hours of writing. No Pomp. Only writers with readers in one small spot. All just minor characters. . . and loving it.

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We Welcome You To Our Family Table Halls Chophouse Nexton is led by Owner Bill Hall, a veteran in the hospitality and dining industry, along with his family, wife Jeanne and sons Billy and Tommy. Offering wet and dry-aged USDA Prime and Choice Beef as well as locally-sourced fish, poultry, vegetarian and gluten-free options, the Halls Chophouse Nexton menu features expertly-crafted dishes that highlight the essence of culinary creativity and distinguished flavor.

Nexton Square Parkway, Summerville / (843) 900-6000 / hallschophouse.com

styled by Margie Sutton makeup by Krista Elam photograph by Taylor Kennedy