Wow! I have so much to be thankful for this November Thanksgiving season. How about you? First, prayers to all of those affected by the hurricane tragedy in Asheville, NC and the Western Carolinas. The devastation to such a beautiful area, right in our backyard, is just heart-wrenching. Thanks go out to all the first responders, electrical linemen, and volunteers helping our neighbors get back on their feet.
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees in our Best of Irmo-Chapin 2025 contest. Voting was at an all-time high and some categories were decided by only a few votes. The Best Interior Designer category had all three nominees separated by only 20 votes. The old cliche does ring true that every vote counts. Thank you for voting for your favorites.
Running a small business is not an easy task and we are fortunate to have so many locally owned businesses whose owners not only work in the Irmo-Chapin community, but they also choose to live here. This year has been challenging from an inflationary standpoint for both residents and businesses alike. I encourage you to take the time and shop local, small businesses and companies that live and work in our community. A dollar spent at Walmart heads to Bentonville, Arkansas, but a dollar spent at Sweet Tea Boutique stays in the Chapin community. It really does make a difference.
Enjoy Thanksgiving with those you hold near and dear to your heart. Remember those lost last year and celebrate those loved ones who are still with us on planet Earth. I’m thankful for you reading Irmo-Chapin Life and for the businesses that support us
God Bless Irmo Chapin, Todd Shevchik
CALENDAR OFevents
NOV•DEC
Friday, November 8
Lexington Medical Center Foundation’s Wine on the River West Columbia River Walk
109 Alexander Rd. | West Columbia 6 pm - 10 pm
Gather with friends for a memorable evening featuring live music, fun activities, and an around-the-world culinary experience. The proceeds benefit Linda’s Love Fund at Lexington Medical Center. For tickets visit lexmed. com/giving/foundation.
Sunday, November 10
Veteran’s Day Ball
1801 Bush River Rd. | Columbia | 5 pm - 11 pm
A night of celebration and honor to pay tribute to our veterans. Enjoy live music, delicious food, and great company. Dress to impress and be prepared to dance the night away in honor of those who have served our country. Visit eventbrite.com for tickets.
Wednesday, November 20
Holiday Pop-Up Shop
The Heritage at Lowman | 2101 Dutch Fork Rd. | Chapin 10 am – 2 pm
Gather your family and friends and join local vendors and artisans for seasonal treats and holiday cheer. For more information visit theheritageatlowman.org.
Friday - Sunday, November 22- 24
56th Annual Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show
Jamil Shrine Temple | 206 Jamil Rd. | Columbia
Sponsored by the Columbia, SC Gem and Mineral Society this event will be a lot of fun for the whole family. Jewelry, beads, loose stones, fossils, minerals, gold, silver, and tools for sale. Club members’ rock collections on exhibit and lapidary demonstrations. For more information visit cgms.rocks.
Saturday, November 23
Holiday Market
Crooked Creek Park | 1098 Old Lexington Hwy. | Chapin 8:30 am – 2 pm
Complete your holiday shopping with one-of-a-kind items including paintings, handmade jewelry, home decor items, and more. Visit icrc.net for more information.
Tuesday, November 26
Sleigh Bell Stroll
Saluda Shoals Park | 6071 St. Andrews Rd. | Columbia | 6 pm – 8 pm
See the Holiday Lights on the River on this unique two-mile, nighttime family fun walk. Pre-registration is required. Visit icrc.net for more information.
Friday, December 6
The Dutch Fork Choral Society’s Winter Concert
Lake Murray Presbyterian Church | 2721 Dutch Fork Rd. Chapin | 7 pm
The Dutch Fork Choral Society, accompanied by the Blythewood High School Chorale, will hold its winter concert “Love Then and Still…A Winter Choral Collage.” No tickets are required, free-will offering. For more information visit dutchforkchoralsociety.com.
Friday - Sunday, December 13- 15
The Two Claras
Harbison Theatre at MTC | 7300 College St. | Irmo
Bring the whole family for this heartwarming, modern rewrite of the Nutcracker. For tickets visit harbisontheatre.org.
Friday, December 13
Giftique Ladies Night
Wingard’s Market | 1403 N. Lake Dr. | Lexington | 6 pm – 8 pm
Take some time to unwind after hours with wine and yummy treats. For more information visit wingardsmarket.com.
Foot & Ankle Care
KEITH KNEESHAW
Lead Pastor
THE GREAT DESIRE OF NATIONS
In the early 1800’s, James Montgomery’s parents were missionaries from Ireland to the West Indies. For safety, he was sent to boarding school. While he was away, his parents died on the mission field. He was only 12 years old. As a result, his life began to spiral out of control. He flunked out of school, moved from job to job, and found himself unemployed and homeless for weeks at a time. Ultimately, he was searching for anything to make sense of his life.
Eventually, he wanted to understand why his parents would give their lives for people in another part of the world. His study of the Bible led him to discover who Jesus was and find a new purpose for his life. He began to write, focusing on poetry, newspaper columns, and songs.
On Christmas Eve of 1816, his song “Angels from the Realms of Glory” was first published in a British newspaper. The refrain calls us to “come and worship, Christ the Newborn King.” A Savior was born for all people, reminding us that Christmas is far from merely a sentimental holiday. It speaks to the core of our being and to the person who is wondering if they will ever be satisfied.
The third verse urges us to leave behind our constant quest for meaning and purpose, “Sages, leave your contemplations.” It then speaks of the promise of Christmas, “Brighter visions beam afar.” But how will someone find this brighter purpose? “Seek the great Desire of nations, Ye have seen his natal star.” The one that all people seek is Jesus Christ, who was born as our Savior and Lord. I pray that God would lead you to “leave your contemplations” and seek Jesus, the one your heart truly desires. n
time: Sunday at 9:30 am
IRMO-CHAPINleader
by Mary Ann Hutcheson
Thomas “TC” Bowers
PALMETTO FINE ARTS
Chapin’s Palmetto Fine Arts, LLC, owned and operated by Thomas “TC” Bowers was launched in 2004 to support the growing need for art and custom picture frames in Chapin and adjacent areas. The gallery does all its work on-site, and every frame is cut, joined, and assembled in-house.
TC believes pretty much anything can be framed. He has even framed a stapler, his longtime tool of the trade. Born and raised in Little Mountain, TC was the son of a carpenter who instilled a love of woodworking. TC loved working around his father’s tools and making things.
His mom purchased his first piece of art for him from the flea market at age 12. When the seller became a close family friend, TC helped him open up his first gallery, where he learned the art of framing. When the owner decided to sell the business, 19-year-old TC bought it. “We were there at the right time to make it all happen and it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” he said. TC knew a nine-to-five office job wasn’t for him. In framing, however, he might do the same thing repeatedly, but he would get a different result each time. It was the right choice. His business celebrated its 20th anniversary this past March. He still does the same thing with a different result, just as he likes it.
Palmetto Fine Arts is not a typical gallery, it specializes in artisan-made items. Artwork lines the walls, and over 40 local artists, original paintings and prints, photography, pottery, a wood turner, and a craftsman who makes lamps out of found objects comprise the framework of their gallery. They sell truly distinctive, one-of-akind products.
Mrs. Sandra, the mother of his childhood friend, has worked at the gallery for ten years. She works at the front counter, helps design the frames, and ties everything together. Mrs. Kari, their social media spe-
cialist, works alongside them in the store. TC aptly calls them his “winning staff.”
TC met his wife Shannon in high school, where she played the flute, and he played the saxophone in their school band. Their nine-year-old son, Owen, “a ball of energy,” plays soc cer. Like his dad, Owen likes playing with all the machines in the frame shop. There may be a future there.
With what spare time he does have, TC enjoys being out side and working in the yard or at his property in Prosperity.
He describes his work as a fun job, and he enjoys what he does. “It’s fun hearing the stories about the things people bring in. Like anything in life, you get out of it what you put into it,” he said.
For now, TC plans to continue what they’re doing. He describes Chapin as a philanthropic town. His business gives to various charities, one of the things that makes Chapin unique. TC strongly believes that whatever he can do to help their local artists thrive and flourish is what they are there for.
He shared, “It is such a small town. Ev erybody knows everybody. If you’re there for you, you’re there for the wrong reasons. It’s a fun town, and we love it. We get to meet a lot of fun people. But you’ve got to stay small.” n
Cassette Music MEMORIES
by Tom Poland
Last week my writer-daughter, Beth, wrote a story about her MTV years. She recalled the 1980s watching music videos. She wrote, “When my sister and I visited Dad in July of 1984, we fell into a treasured routine. Cookie Crisp cereal for breakfast, swimming at the neighborhood pool for the first half of the day, and lazily watching MTV for the rest of the afternoon. We watched it so much we’d often see the same video three times in one day.”
As I read her words “I Want My MTV” popped into my head and a kind of time-travel dream took over me. My heavy Hitachi TV came into view, my old Sony Walkman materialized, and cassettes in a custom pine box appeared out of nowhere.
Of all the decades that make up my life, I treasure the 1980s the most. As bad as my life had been, I was in a good place then, and music was a big part of it. Perhaps some of you can relate. Perhaps some of you remember those great groups that sprung up like mushrooms after a night of rain. Tears For Fears, the Eurythmics, Talking Heads, Queen, Blondie, Foreigner, Pet Shop Boys, and R.E.M. Remember the bands whose names kept you guessing what they meant? Spandau Ballet, Wham!, The Bangles, A-ha, and Depeche Mode, to name a few. Whether a great name like Dire Straits, the Eagles, and the Police or something hard to decipher like Depeche Mode (fashion update), we played them in our cars, in our homes, and in our ears via a Walkman. I see folks today wearing white earbuds. They must be pretty good. I see a lot of them but thank Heavens I no longer see the dorks who clipped cell phones to their ears. Mr. Dork was so busy he had to keep his hands free for … well, for something.
My hands pushed a lot of cassettes into my dash in the 1980s. I played them in my car all the time on a Blaupunkt. We’re talking high tech here back then, but cassettes would malfunction. The tape would get loose and spew out. Using a pencil, you could
wind back into the cassettes, but not always. I recall seeing cassettes on the highway, their shiny brown magnetic tape all coiled up, tangled, and blowing about. As your eye followed the mess there lay the source, a cassette, that sealed plastic unit containing a pair of spools. Frustrated listeners would toss the cassette out their window into the highway.
As I continued reading my daughter’s story out of nowhere came a plain white cassette with one word scrawled on it in blue ink. I found it in a drawer in my father’s room not long after he died. He didn’t write rock ’n roll, or the Beatles, or gospel, or country. He wrote one word. “Music.”
Music used to be tangible. We could label it. We could hold it in our hands. My hands have held 45 RPMs, 33 & 1/3 vinyl albums, eight tracks, cassettes, CDs, and now they hold … they hold … nothing. They tap keys and push buttons.
Kids today stream services like Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and Tidal to hear music. They can’t hold music in their hands like we did. They can’t stack it up or put it in a neat pine box like books on a shelf. Well, one can. My grandson, Ben, likes vinyl. That gives me hope for this world.
I still have my cassettes, but I have no way to play them. I look at them though and radiant recall rises from the magic alchemy of memory. Memories aplenty, but if you ask me what song takes me straight back to the 1980s it’s Tears For Fears’s “Everybody Wants to Rule The World.” Whenever I hear that cheerful melodic opening, I am back in the 1980s when music saved my soul. I see the MTV video, the smiling singer, the old pay phone, those wonderful men dancing in front of two gas pumps, and I am happy again, young again, the people I loved are alive again, so much change is way down the road, and all is well with the world. n
Team Landolph
Building
by Betsey Guzior
future
leaders, one project at a time
Last spring, Teresa Randolph stood by when students at Chapin Elementary watched 33 monarch butterflies emerge from their chrysalis.
The students’ hard work last spring — to build a pollinator garden — had paid off in a flutter of wings. Rallying a community of support, the students tackled the crisis of vanishing butterfly habitats in South Carolina, one garden at a time.
Randolph could also see the program she and teacher Jennifer Layton created in 2022, called Team Landolph, was making a difference in the community.
As the pandemic waned and children began to return to the classroom full-time, Randolph noticed a growing disconnect between schools and their communities. But at the same time, she was aware that her students — just fourth graders — were eager to be empowered to do something good.
“We built such a great community, and we really listened to each other and had deep conversations and solved our problems,” she said.
Rather than resign herself to the status quo, she decided to spark a movement.
Emboldened by a teaching method in which students learn life lessons through
crafting solutions to problems they identify in their community, Randolph found a like-minded colleague in Layton when they were paired to co-teach. Together, they explored how to implement a program with that approach for Chapin Elementary School.
And that’s how the two began Team Landolph, by creating community impact teams, led by students’ passion for creating a difference in the community.
Their pilot project in 2022 was to create a home for bees. Over the course of a school year, the students, guided by the teachers, identified the problem of habitat loss, researched solutions, and rallied the community to create a polli nator garden.
The project grew from a few plants to a significant community effort, with help from the Chapin Garden Club and volunteers.
Since then, community impact teams have been set up at three of Richland-Lex ington District 5’s schools. Among their new projects: n A collaboration with Fidelis Family Retreat helped launch The Unsung Heroes Club, which brings together
students, teachers, and veterans over an informal lunch at Chapin Elementary School. Veterans and their families also got together for a cookout at the school.
A sensory garden to teach kids the value of the outdoors and other green projects in partnership with SC Green Step Schools, Chapin Women in Service, and the SC Wildlife Federation.
Partnerships with St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, Bolands Ace Hardware, Chapin Garden Club, Fields of Eden Farm, Kalberer Construction, and the Chapin Jr. Women’s Club.
Collections of 1,000 pounds of plastic to be created into benches for schools and diverted from landfills.
Projects to make birdhouses and create toys for dogs in shelters.
A writing challenge for the community
As Randolph talked about Team Landolph’s current programs, plans were being made to help clean up debris from the yards of utility linemen working to restore power to the region after Hurricane Helene, just after hosting a cookout for first responders.
Randolph has stepped back from fulltime teaching to devote herself to building the program, which she hopes to launch in each of Richland-Lexington District 5 schools.
Fundraisers, grants, and resources shared by various organizations, along with $500 from the Greater Chapin Community Foundation and support from Richland-Lexington District 5 have helped finance the growth of the program.
In the short term, these projects strengthen the connection between school and community. But she believes these projects also build the kind of character needed to create future leaders.
After the butterflies were released on that spring day, the students in the impact team talked about monarchs to the group gathered at Chapin Elementary.
“The kids were able to see these adults learning about something they cared about,” Randolph said. “They watched adult learners learning, and then they also got to take on the role of teacher in that moment. It was powerful.” n
Rawls Creek Park
Creating a Sense of Community
by Kim Becknell Williams
Irmo’s Rawls Creek Park is more than a park, it’s several parks in one.
Spanning over approximately nine acres, visitors will find a community garden, a dog park, a skate park, and plenty to do.
The project began in early 2020 when an existing park with tennis courts was considered for renovation. With the help of the Richland County Recreation Commission, many conversations, committee meetings, and a lot of planning came together for this park to be completed. It takes a village to raise a park.
Located at 1113 Friarsgate Blvd, it is a part of the Friarsgate Neighborhood. Courtney Dennis, Irmo Town Administrator, said it is one of the biggest neighborhoods in Irmo and includes an elementary school.
“This is a partnership with the Richland County Recreation Commission. It’s about taking an area that had lost its shine and creating a hub of activity, both educational and physical, while enjoying the outdoors,” Dennis said. “To bring people together in the community and enjoy it, but also to
bring people from outside of the community to see what Irmo has to offer and what makes us special.”
What started as a vision has become a reality. Step by step, phases have opened beginning with a community garden.
Community Garden
The Green Iceberg Community Garden was the first part of the park to open. Rosalind Cook-Hillian, a volunteer who has been with the garden since it started over two years ago, said her group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. helped raise money to get it started. It is also supported by the Ivy Heritage Foundation and the Town of Irmo, which were instrumental in getting the garden started.
Companies can sponsor parts of the garden and individuals can lease beds. “We have several families that lease a bed so they
“It’s about taking an area that had lost its shine and creating a hub of activity, both educational and physical, while enjoying the outdoors.”
“ “
can grow things,” Cook-Hillian said. “It’s amazing to see the kids out there with their parents. They’re excited about the fruits of their labor.”
The community garden has 60 raised beds, a water fountain, irrigation, and a fence. A sign on the fence indicates the hours as sunrise to sunset.
The garden is run by volunteers. Produce is grown seasonally, like corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, strawberries, and watermelon. Cook-Hillian said a long-range goal includes working with a food pantry. “We really want to be about community,” she said.
Additionally, classes are held to educate those who want to learn more about gardening-related topics. Classes have included mindful meditation with gardening, composting, and understanding the recycling process.
There’s an ongoing Story Walk, sponsored by Irmo Music Academy, that features a selected book which changes every 3-6 months. Children can read the book page by page as they walk through the garden stopping at book stations.
Learn more about the community garden and register for classes on The Green Iceberg Community Garden Facebook page. Visit the Town of Irmo website for information on leasing a bed in the garden.
Dog Park
The next phase of the park to open was a dog park which allows open space for four-legged canine friends to play. Separate areas are designated for small and large breeds. Membership applications and yearly memberships are available on the Town of Irmo website. The dog park has about 60 members so far. Note that proof of spay or neuter documentation is required, as well as vaccinations when applying.
Rules and regulations include:
n Clean up and dispose of waste in designated receptacles
n No type of food is allowed
n An adult member (18 years old or older) must be present with the dog(s)
n No children under five years old; those 5-17 must be with an adult member
n No puppies under four months old are
allowed for safety reasons
n Current hours are 7 am - 10 pm
n Key fob access is only for members
Follow the Town of Irmo Dog Park on Facebook for more information.
Skate Park
Dennis said the Town of Irmo secured financing and the skate park was built by 5th Pocket Skateparks. Completed in spring 2024, it has a concrete bowl and course layout.
The skate park is open to the public and has no age limit. “Kids and skaters have just gravitated to it,” Dennis said. “It’s constantly being used by people of all ages.”
A gated fence secures the area and locks when the skate park closes. Currently, the hours are 7 am - 10 pm. Plans include offering educational skating seminars. Follow Friarsgate Skate Park on Facebook for information on temporary closures, changes to hours, and updates.
Like visits to any park, there are a few etiquette reminders:
n Dispose of trash properly
n Park in designated parking spaces
n Follow the park regulations
n Be respectful of wildlife
n Don’t leave personal items behind
n Take nothing out that you didn’t bring in other than memories and photos, of course
Future Plans
Families and individuals may choose to participate in the community garden, take Fido to the park, or skateboard at the skatepark. Others might simply stroll leisurely through the green space or read a good book under a shady tree. There’s plenty to do with activities in the park for visitors of various ages and just as much to do for those who prefer to relax in the outdoor space.
As for future plans, the park projects continue to evolve. Dennis said plans are underway for walking trails, fencing, paving, landscaping, and finishing the bathrooms. “Other amenities may come later,” he said.
Local parks have a way of bringing people together. And with that, there’s a true sense of community. n
Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities Fun for the Whole Family
by Hailey McCarron
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it is the perfect time to start planning some fun holiday crafts that will bring the whole family together. Whether you are looking to make your home more festive or keep the kids entertained, these Thanksgiving crafts and activities will help you make the most of this holiday season.
It would not be Thanksgiving without a festive centerpiece for the table and it is so easy to create. Start by gathering some autumn leaves, pinecones, flowers, mini pumpkins, and any other fall item, to make a stunning centerpiece for your dining table. You can even add some candles for a cozy touch. Simply arrange your items in a decorative bowl, vase, or tray, and just like holiday magic, you have a beautiful, handmade centerpiece that will impress your guests.
Next, get the kids involved with some DIY turkey crafts. One fun idea is to make turkey handprints. All you need is some construction paper, paint, and googly eyes. Have the kids dip their hands in paint and press them onto the paper to create the turkey’s body. Once it dries, add googly eyes, a beak, glitter, and feathers to complete the mas-
terpiece. This activity is not only fun but also a great keepsake.
We can’t forget about our furry friends outside during the holidays. One yummy idea is to create homemade bird and squirrel feeders. Gather some pinecones, string, and birdseed. Tie the string around the pinecone and hang the pinecone in an upright position. Once it is secure, pour the birdseed inside. Then, hang it outside and enjoy bird watching.
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and giving thanks. Why not create a gratitude jar? This activity is perfect for the whole family and helps remind everyone of the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Grab a mason jar and some slips of paper. Throughout November or as a family activity, have each family member write down something they are thankful for and place it in the jar. On Thanksgiving Day, take turns reading the notes aloud. It is a heartwarming way to reflect on your blessings and share gratitude.
These Thanksgiving crafts and activities are easy, fun, and perfect for bringing the family together. Gather your supplies and get ready to make some wonderful holiday memories. Happy crafting! n
Best of Irmo-Chapin Life 2025 Winners
Best Accounting Firm
Carter CPA
Best Aesthetic Practice
About Face Aesthetics & Wellness
Best Allergist
Palmetto Allergy & Asthma
Best Apartment Complex
The Residence at Marina Bay
Best Art Gallery
Palmetto Fine Arts
Best Assisted Living Facility
The Heritage at Lowman
Best Attorney – Elder Law
Harrell, Martin & Peace
Best Attorney - Family Law
Harrell, Martin & Peace
Best Attorney – Litigation
McCutchen McLean
Best Attorney - Real Estate
Dial, Grimm & Rupert
Best Audiologist
Midland Hearing Associates
Best Auto Repair Shop
Christian Brothers Automotive, Irmo
Best Bank Ameris Bank
Best BBQ Farm Boy Barbeque
Best Boat Repair Marine 360
Best Breakfast
Luzianna Purchase
Best Burger Higher Ground
Best Butcher Shop
Ole Timey Meat Market
Best Cell Phone Repair CPR
Best Charter School
SC Whitmore School
Best Children’s Boutique
Poshture Boutique
Best Chiropractor
Family Practice of Chiropractic
Best Coin Dealer
Golden Eagle Precious Metals Exchange
Best Commercial
Real Estate Firm
Douglas & Cannon Real Estate
Best Cosmetic Dentist
Irmo Smiles
Best Cosmetic Surgery
Palmetto Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics
Best Cosmetology School
Southeastern Esthetics Institute
Best CPA
Robert Keisler CPA
Best Credit Union
Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
Best Custom Home Builder Conquest Homes
Best Dance Company
The Southern Strutt
Best Day Spa
Blue Lavender Spa & Medical Aesthetics
Best Décor & Rug Gallery Rug Gallery of Lexington
Best Dentist – Adults Chapin Dental Associates
Best Dentist – Kids Lake Murray Pediatric Dentistry
Best Dermatologist Columbia Skin Clinic
Best Doggie Daycare Wescott Acres Pet Luxury Resort
Best Exterminator
Modern Exterminating
Best Facial
Blue Lavender Spa & Medical Associates
Best Family Entertainment
Stars and Strikes
Best Family Practice
Lexington Family Practice, Ballentine
Best Fast Food Chick-Fil-A
Best Fine Dining
Chophouse of Chapin
Best Fitness Center
Sozo Family Fitness
Best Flower Shop
Lake Murray Flower Shoppe
Best Funeral Home
Caughman-Harman Funeral Home
Best Furniture Store
Sugar Creek Amish Furniture
Best Garden Center Wingard’s Market
Best General Contractor
Dutch Fork Renovations
Best Glass Store
Bigger Glass Company
Best Hair Salon Bedazzled Salon
Best Hairstylist
Lexi Ivanko, Hyde Salon
Best Hardware Store
Boland’s Ace Hardware
Best Heart Doctor
Dr. Dan Bouknight, CCVA
Best Heating & Air Kaminer Heating & Cooling
Best Home Builder
Great Southern Homes
Best Hospice Medical Services of America
Best Insurance – Auto Russell-Massey & Company
Best Insurance – Health Jeff Howle, Health Markets
Best Insurance - Home Owner’s Irmo Insurance Agency
Best Insurance – Life Farm Bureau
Best Insurance Agent Scott Hanners, State Farm
Best Interior Design Firm The Houston House
Best Investment Firm
Edward Jones Investments
Best Irrigation Company
Busy Bee Lawn Care & Sprinkler Repair
Best Japanese Restaurant
Miyabi Japanese Steakhouse
Best Jewelry Store
Moseley’s Diamond Showcase
Best Landscaping Company
First Priority Landscaping
Best Landscaping Supply
Willingham & Sons
Best Manicure/Pedicure
Lovely Nails, Chapin
Best Marina Lighthouse Marina
Best Massage
Glō Skin Bar & Medical Spa
Best Medical Spa
Glō Skin Bar & Medical Spa
Best Mexican Restaurant Que Bueno
Best Mortgage Company
Metro Mortgage Corporation
Best Mosquito Control Company Mosquito Joe of Lake Murray
Best Music School Irmo Music Academy
Best OB/GYN Practice Elite Gynecology
Best Oncology Practice SC Oncology Associates
Best Optometrist Eyes on the Lake
Best Orthodontist Carroll Orthodontics
Best Orthopedic Practice Palmetto Bone & Joint
Best Outdoor Equipment Co. Irmo Outdoor
Best Outdoor Lighting Lightscapes of Columbia
Best Pain Management Physician’s Pain & Spine
Best Pediatrician Chapin Pediatrics
Best Personal Training Elite Personal Training Studio
Best Pet Groomer
Sutton’s Southern Pet Retreat
Best Pet Hospital
Well Pets Veterinary Clinic
Best Pet Kennel/Boarder
Chapin Pet Lodge
Best Pharmacy
Chapin Pharmacy
Best Photographer
Samantha Kilgore Photography
Best Physical Therapy Practice
Carolina Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
Best Pizza
Bellacino’s Pizza & Grinders
Best Place to Buy a Camper/RV
Lester’s RV
Best Place to Buy a Boat
Captain’s Choice
Best Place to Buy a Car – NEW
Steve Padgett’s Honda of Lake Murray
Best Place to Buy a Car – USED
Jim Hudson Toyota, Irmo
Best Place to Buy a Pool
Aquarian Pools
Best Place to Buy
Bath and Kitchen
Bath & Bronze
Best Place to Buy Carpet/Flooring
Floor & Decor
Best Place to Buy Tires
Royson’s Chapin Automotive
Best Place to Work
Palmetto Bone & Joint
Best Plumber
Homans Clearwater Company
Best Podiatry Practice
Lexington Podiatry
Best Pressure Washing
Squeegee Clean
Best Private School
Ben Lippen School
Best Real Estate Agent
Randy O’Dell, ReMax at the Lake
Best Real Estate Company
ReMax at the Lake
Best Roofing Company
Premiere Roofing
Best Salad
J.R. Cash’s Grill & Bar, Chapin
Best Sandwich Shop
Luzianna Purchase
Best Seafood Restaurant
George Roberts Wine & Raw Bar
Best Self-Storage Facility
Lake Murray Boat & RV
Best Senior Home Care
Assisting Hands Home
Care of the Midlands
Best Senior Living Community
Lakeview Retirement Community
Best Sushi Restaurant
Inakaya Watanabe
Best Tanning Salon
Palm Beach Tan, Chapin
Best Towing Company
Wingard Towing Service
Best Unique Gift Shop
Sweet Tea Boutique & Gifts
Best Urgent Care
Veritas Urgent Care
Best Urology Practice
Prisma Health Urology, Parkridge
Best Veterinarian
Lake Town Animal Hospital
Best Weight Loss Medical Program
Glō Skin Bar & Medical Spa
Best Wigs/Hair Pieces
Merle Norman, Chapin
Best Wings Carolina Wings & Ribhouse, Irmo
Best Women’s Clothing Boutique Westmore Land of Gifts
Best Write In Clean Eatz
Nominations for Best of 2026 will take place in May 2025
***Nominations are announced in the July/August 2025 Issue
***Winners are announced in the November/December 2025 Issue.
Fall into Fun at Eudora Wildlife Safari Park
by Chesson Merritt
Grab your family and friends, load up the car, and take a scenic drive through the countryside for an adventure this October. Put the city in your rearview mirror as you head down the road less traveled, looking for the first signs of the leaves beginning to change to the vibrant hues that welcome in the fall season. Soak in the views over the lush meadows while rolling down all the windows to catch a crisp, autumn breeze, but be sure to watch out for the llama sneaking his head in for a snack. Wait—what? A llama poking his head through your car window?
At Eudora Wildlife Safari Park, that’s exactly the type of up close and personal encounter you can enjoy while driving
through their expansive property that over 300 exotic animals call home. Located in Salley, South Carolina, the park opened its gates in the summer of 2020 and quickly became a must-do on everyone’s bucket list. From curious children just beginning to learn about animals to inquisitive adults who have always wanted to know more about a particular species, everyone can find something that makes this safari memorable.
The park was built to provide an educational drive-thru safari experience that would also address preservation, conservation, and the protection of wildlife and their environment.
The three-mile drive-thru safari gives
visitors a hands-on, interactive way to see bison, antelope, alpacas, llamas, ostriches, and more. To get the most out of your visit, you can also purchase a bucket of food that you can feed the animals with as you explore their habitat. This allows for upclose interactions with the wildlife, giving you an immersive way to appreciate the beauty and behavior of each animal you come across. Many animals will happily walk up to your car to grab a snack straight out of your feed bucket and say hello while some of the shyer animals amble along beside you, scooping up the animal food that you toss out your window. You have the option to drive your car through the park, rolling down windows to interact with the animals, or you can purchase tickets for a wagon ride through the park. Wagon rides can hold up to 25-30 people and include both a bucket of feed and a safari guide to give you the inside scoop on all of the animals you come across. Perfect for school field trips and large groups, the open-air rides give you the extra educational benefit and additional space to interact as much, or as little, as you’d like with the sociable animals.
Whether you’ve been to Eudora Wildlife Safari Park or if it’s still on your list to do someday, now is a prime time to plan a visit.
“This year, we’ve increased the trail ride an additional mile up into another section of the park,” explained Mark Nisbet, founder of Eudora Wildlife Safari Park. “There are also quite a few babies still roaming around for you to meet. We are working right now to get our giraffe observation deck completed before the end of the year. It will be really nice once it is done. People will be able to go up on the deck, be eye-to-eye with the giraffes, and sit down at a picnic table to enjoy their snack or lunch while overlooking the giraffes.”
Need another reason to visit this fall? The park offers more than their drive-thru safari during October. Each year, they put on a Fall Festival for visitors to enjoy before or after their safari ride. The festival is open each weekend, Friday through Sunday, and is becoming an annual tradition for many families in our community.
“The main focus of our festival is that it
is an activity that families can do together,” said Nisbet. “We have a pumpkin patch, a variety of fall-themed festival games to play, a petting zoo, face painting, pumpkin painting, visits from live animals, and delicious food and ice cream available for purchase.”
Admission to the fall festival is free, but a $5 wristband gets you a few of the extra activities like pony rides and the pumpkin catapult. Also included in the free admission are surprise visits with their black-andwhite ruffed lemur.
“She will be coming out and doing some unannounced strolling around the festival,” said Nisbet. “She is really friendly and is an ambassador for us, giving us a chance to provide even more educational opportunities for visitors.”
Nisbet started the Fall Festival during the park’s first year of operation, when people were looking for outdoor activities, and they have continued it as a tradition. Each year, they try to add a few different activities to keep the festival fun and entertaining for visitors who come back each October. It’s a great way to get outside in the beautiful South Carolina fall weather and have some fun with your kids while making memories along the way.
The biggest adventure at Eudora Wildlife Safari Park is yet to come though as they have big plans for 2025 and beyond.
“We’re building treehouses,” shared Nisbet. “They’ll be at the top of the park where you can overlook everything, and people will be able to rent them out like an Airbnb. They will be very nice on the inside with windows all around so you can view the entire park and see the sunset. We will offer after-hours activities like behind-thescenes experiences with the giraffes, private chef-catered meals, and things like campfires in the evenings. The most important part is overnight guests will have the chance to truly feel like they’re out on a safari.”
Eudora Wildlife Safari Park is currently planning to build out a model treehouse
first before adding another 2-3 to round out their overnight accommodations. Nisbet and his staff are hoping to bring a oneof-a-kind adventure to their park that will attract visitors from across South Carolina and beyond. Overnight guests will be able to fully immerse themselves in the park in a way that typical daytime visitors aren’t able to do.
“It’s what people are looking for when they stay at an Airbnb—an incredible experience,” said Nisbet. “Our future accommodations will offer an unforgettable getaway for everyone that comes to stay with us, which is what travelers want.”
Plan your epic adventure at eudorafarms.net. n
by Abby Dylan
The iPhone camera app does more than capture high-quality photos. In addition to the simple selfie, users can take time-lapse or slow-motion images, focus on moving objects and people, and even record videos with 4K resolution.
Yet, the iPhone camera app has uses that go beyond photography. If your iPhone was released in 2020 or later and you’ve kept up with iOS updates, it has some potential hidden abilities that can enhance the user experience.
Reading assistance
Small print and tiny objects can be hard for anyone with diminishing eyesight. Since most people don’t carry around magnifying glasses but many have iPhones, the camera app can save the day.
It’s as simple as opening the app and zooming in by choosing one of the magnification settings, e.g., 5x, 1x, or 2x. The zoom function can also be activated by touching the phone screen with two fingers and slowly spreading them apart, AKA reverse pinching. Now, hover the camera over the text or object you are trying to identify, and it will appear much larger through the phone screen.
QR code scanning
The iPhone camera app can read and convert QR codes, which are essentially images that store information that represent website URLs, account information, or even phone numbers. QR codes are often displayed on restaurant menus, product labels, and advertisements.
To read a QR code, open the camera app and place the coded image into the frame. Look for a small yellow outline to appear, which is a notification that the code has been recognized. A clickable yellow tag will appear shortly thereafter. Tapping the tag will unlock the website or information that was stored by the QR code. Keep in mind that the QR scanner function of the camera app is only available on iPhones running iOS 13 or later.
Beyond Taking Pictures: 4 Uses of the iPhone Camera App
Real world text recognition
Translation services
As part of the release of iOS 15, Apple included the Live Text feature. With the camera app, users can identify and copy words from a physical object, like a package or a sign, and add them to the digital clipboard.
The feature works by pointing the phone at text, and then the app highlights that text with a yellow frame. A Live Text icon should appear in the top-right corner. When the icon is tapped, users can copy all the text or some of it. The copied text is then available for pasting into other apps, such as Notes, or documents.
We often encounter words or sentences in a language we do not speak or cannot read. Fortunately, anyone with an iPhone X or a second-generation iPhone SE or newer using iOS 15 has a camera app that can translate many languages.
With the app open, point the camera at a word or phrase that needs to be translated. Once the yellow brackets appear, click the Live Text icon. In addition to the Copy Text option, you will also be presented with a Translate button. As long as the language is supported, the text will be converted according to the default language in the iPhone’s settings. However, be mindful that the app’s translation can be inaccurate and may not be able to correctly identify the text because of bad lighting or unfamiliar fonts. The iPhone camera app was designed to take great pictures, and it successfully does that. However, savvy users will find the app can do so much more. From magnifying small text to instant translation of a foreign language, the app has some builtin, often-missed features that can make the daily lives of iPhone users so much easier. n
Let the Season Sparkle
The holidays are here and it’s time to shine. We have rounded up some of the best light shows in the state.
Holiday Lights on the River
November 27December 31
Saluda Shoals Park 6071 St. Andrews Rd. Columbia • icrc.net
Experience the largest drive-through lights show in the Midlands as the park comes alive with two miles of lights featuring colorful, animated displays of all shapes and sizes. After, take a spin on the holiday train, slide down the tube slide, wander the lights maze, take in a laser light show on the river trail, roast marshmallows, and meet Santa.
Lights at SC State Fair Grounds
December 3 –26 901 George Rogers Blvd., Columbia scstatefair.org
Experience the magic of the holiday season at this drive-through light experience with more than 100 stunning individual LED light displays. Rediscover beloved favorites from past years and be enchanted by new displays. Refreshments are available to purchase.
Fireflies Holiday Lights
November 15 –January 4
Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia firefliesholidaylights. com
Walk through the winter wonderland of lights at the Fireflies Stadium. Enjoy other family fun activities including picking out your tree from Richardson Tree Farm, visiting with Santa, and making s’mores.
See Brookgreen Gardens come to life amid the soft glow of more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights.
Walk the paths with a warm cup of cider, hear the sounds of holiday music, and celebrate the season with family and friends.
Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo
November 15 –January 12
500 Wildlife Parkway Columbia riverbanks.org
Stroll through the Zoo and discover nearly 60 largerthan-life handcrafted lanterns inspired by nature. Enjoy interactive activities, fun photo ops, and seasonal favorites including nightly snowfall and visits with Santa (through December 23). Advance registration is required.
Holiday Festival of Lights
November 15December 31
James Island County Park 871 Riverland Dr., Charleston ccprc.com
With over 750 light displays, this drive-through show is one you don’t want to miss. Children will love taking a ride on an antique-style carousel, while the entire family can take a stroll along the walking trail. Climbing wall, gift shop, refreshments, and visits with Santa – there’s something for everyone.
spice OF LIFE
CASSEROLEScozy
Chicken Caprese Pasta Casserole
2 cups cooked chicken, diced
1 ¾ cups grape tomatoes, halved
3 cups uncooked penne pasta
3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded & divided
½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped & divided
2 tsp minced garlic
½ tsp salt
Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a prepared baking dish, stir together chicken, tomatoes, pasta, chicken broth, 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese, half of the basil leaves, minced garlic, and salt. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover; stir. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella over the top and bake uncovered for 5-10 more minutes. Garnish with remaining basil leaves just before serving.
Turkey, Broccoli, and Rice
Casserole
3 cups cooked turkey, chopped
10.5 oz can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 cup sour cream
1 ¾ cup cheddar cheese, shredded & divided
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
2 cups chicken broth
1 ⅓ cups milk
1 cup uncooked rice
2 ½ cups fresh broccoli, chopped
2 sleeves round butter crackers
½ stick butter, melted
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix the soup, sour cream, ¾ cup cheese, pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk in the chicken broth and milk. Stir in the rice, turkey, and broccoli. Pour into a prepared casserole pan, cover with foil, and bake for 65 minutes. When the casserole has about 10 minutes left to cook, pre pare the cracker topping by placing crackers in a sealable bag and crush. Pour butter over the crackers and toss to coat them evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the casserole, top with the crackers, and bake uncovered for 20 more minutes.
Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brown the meat, drain, add onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning, frequently stirring to cook everything evenly. Mix pizza sauce and water in a bowl and add the cooked pasta, cooked ground beef, half of the cheese, and half of the pepperoni. Mix to combine. Add the mixture to a prepared baking dish and top with the rest of the cheese and pepperonis. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes and continue baking without the foil until the cheese melts.
Ham and Potato Casserole
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup onion, diced
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
½ tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper
1 ¼ cups whole milk
½ cup chicken broth
2 lbs potatoes, peeled and diced
2 ½ cups cooked ham, diced
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded parsley
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a saucepan, melt the butter and cook the diced onion until translucent. Sprinkle the flour, garlic, salt, and pepper over the cooked onion and stir to combine. Add the milk and chicken stock. Continue to heat, stirring often, until warmed through and slightly thickened. Spread the
Mighty Big Footsteps
I write to you 14 days after Hurricane Helene aimed for my farmhouse.
The prior afternoon at the Country Store, men shook hands and looked deep in each other’s eyes. There were no atheists in town that day.
I went to bed early.
Most old men have encountered a crazy woman who lashed out angry and wild. I had no defense against Helene, wielding insanity spinning 100 miles per hour, but I wanted to at least look her in the eye.
My dogs woke me at 12:30 a.m. I walked to the kitchen door to let them out. They refused to leave, but intensely growled at a monster they could feel but not see.
I gazed at the strange air pressure carrying impending doom through the trees. I knelt and rubbed three sets of ears: “It’s ok, boys. Y’all lay down and pray.” The boys duly flopped down to sleep.
I went to my ham radio room. A friend 70 miles south texted: “Getting bad here.”
Several radio operators in other states said: “It’s coming straight at you. We’re praying.”
Helene unleashed hell through the pines and cotton patches south of me. She
thrashed a big oak limb across a friend’s bed southeast of here, but they’d gone elsewhere. This made Helene mad. She grabbed a trailer and crushed two old folks. This sacrifice proved to be a distraction that sent her screaming hideously just a bit to the east.
Her tantrum’s volume increased. My oldest dog whimpered against me as Helene thrashed. “It’s ok, she’s going east.”
She needed another victim and snapped an 80’ pine. A large side limb pierced a roof and skewered a helpless man in his bed.
I walked around the majestic Cathedral of the Eye of Helene and shined my big light. So far, so good. After paying my respects and thanking God, I fell asleep.
By the time you read this, we’ll all know more.
I feel guilty being grateful we were spared.
It’s strange to be appreciative of such a clearly disgusting exhibit proving the Big Cheeses are just as actively uncaring as many had suspected.
We are deeply thankful to know the helpers who’ll show up are our rough-hewn neighbors with chainsaws and skid steers
and torn shirts and bloody arms. The crazy do indeed terrorize the earth, but God’s Helping Angels look just like us.
We stand bearing witness as the long ignored invincible American Spirit finally rises from slumber.
Now we stand together, as our eyes have seen The Glory. We watch a terrible, swift sword emerge from fateful lightning being loose. We’re helping trample out a vintage, as God has unlocked the place where the grapes of wrath are stored.
I’m thankful as I write to you because it seems all this destructive sorrow has finally cleaned out our ears. We’ve finally begun to hear the unmistakable rhythm of mighty big footsteps.
Despite the constant insistence to the contrary, we stand convinced that indeed our God is Marching On. n
