72 years ago, the SSUnitedStates,the largest ocean liner ever built entirely in the U.S. was launched. The UnitedStates was no ordinary ocean liner, it was the fastest and immediately set the world record by traveling over 38 knots or 44 miles per hour The ship won the Blue Riband which is a designation given to the ship that crosses the Atlantic Ocean with the highest average speed. She still officially holds the Blue Riband nearly three-quarters of a century later. Back then ocean liners were designed a lot differently than the massive cruise ships of today. Long-distance air travel was still in its infancy, and it was important for speedy passenger travel between North America and Europe. There was also a military component, should the need arise, to quickly transport troops around the globe.
Today the SSUnitedStatessits in a Philadelphia shipyard, gutted of her world-class engines and decadent interior quarters, she is a hulking, imposing figure docked at Pier 82. Last week a judge evicted the SSUnitedStates, effective this September, she must find a new home or else be sold for scrap.
Happy Independence Day to you! I encourage you to Google and read more on the SSUnitedStates. I find her history fascinating and having seen her in person she is truly an impressive vessel. Will she be saved, repurposed into a floating museum or hotel, or sold for scrap like all the other ocean liners of the past?
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JULY
Thursday, July 11
Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience
Icehouse Amphitheater| 107 West Main Street | Lexington 7 pm
America’s premier Led Zeppelin Tribute Band celebrates 29 years together and over 4500 shows since they formed as a group in the mid-‘90s. For tickets visit icehouseamphitheater.com.
Friday, July 12
Paddle and Pint
Saluda Shoals Park | 5605 Bush River Rd. | Columbia 6 pm – 8 pm
Paddle the Lower Saluda River surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife. Enjoy the views, have fun, and meet new friends. After an hour on the water, sample delicious craft beers and take home a complimentary Saluda Shoals Park glass. Ages 21 and up, $47 per person. Visit icrc.net for more information and to register.
Wednesday, July 17
Tech Talk: Mango Languages
Lexington County Library | 5440 Augusta Rd. | Lexington 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
This database, available for free with your library card, has over 70 language courses for anyone willing to learn. Create an account and explore the opportunities. For more information visit lexcolibrary.com.
Thursday, July 18
Palmetto Palate
SC State Museum | 301 Gervais Street | Columbia 6 pm – 9 pm
South Carolina’s Best Chefs. South Carolina’s Best Local Food. One delicious evening of fun, food, and fellowship. South Carolina Farm Bureau’s annual fundraiser brings the farm-to-table movement to life with proceeds benefiting the SC Farm Bureau Land Trust. For more information and tickets visit scfb.org/events.
Saturday, July 20
Annual Saxe Gotha Garage Sale
Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church | 5503 Sunset Blvd. Lexington | 7:00 am – 1:00 pm
Join Saxe Gotha in the Atrium of their Light House at the rear campus for shopping. Donation drop is Monday, July 15 – Thursday, July 18. All proceeds benefit local organizations and missions. For more information visit saxegotha.org.
Saturday, July 20
Irmo High School Class of 1984 40th reunion
The Meech House | 2121 Lake Murray Blvd. | Columbia 6 pm – 10 pm
Tickets are $60 until June 30th and increase to $70 on July 1st. Food, DJ, and photo booth included. For ticket information contact Enright.Ann@gmail.com.
faithMATTERS
REV. MEGHAN SWEENEY COOK
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
As a teen, I collected quotes. I love clever, smart, pithy, thoughtful phrases. And you might wonder why a lifelong United Methodist kid would find a Gandhi quote to be my favorite. It should be a Jesus quote, right? But I love this one and still do.
This quote reminds us that our purpose is not to simply live, struggle, and die. Our life’s purpose is to find the opportunity/thing that we can do that will serve others, and in doing that we can find joy. In John 10:10, Jesus says “I have come that you may have and enjoy life and have it abundantly.”
Joy - Most often, my moments of joy have not been in solitude or silo, but in moments of service and in community with other people. I believe service and community are significant today. Through many readings and training, I have learned the next great crisis facing society today is loneliness. In the United States, a survey by Cigna found that nearly half of Americans report sometimes or always feeling alone or left out. We know that loneliness can have a significant impact on both physical and mental health. Research has linked loneliness to increased risk of heart disease, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and even premature death. This is not new data. Sharing this data is not intended to depress, but perhaps inspire us to look for connection-seeking opportunities. In my experience, the best way to seek connection is through service. Service as a part of something larger than oneself: a church, a rotary group, a lodge, a community organization, a service club, a Habitat build, this is NOT an exhaustive list. It is important to note that service does not have to happen through joining a group. We can do service in small ways too: smiling at a stranger, holding the door for someone, putting the cart back for a parent who is juggling kids and groceries, or checking on a neighbor who you know is lonely. There are MANY ways to find connections and in finding connections learn more about yourself. n
Cayce United Methodist Church 1600 12th Street, Cayce, SC 803-794-3200 cayceumc.com
LEXINGTONleader
by Natalie Szrajer
Landis Price ServiceAboveSelf
Hard work is no stranger to Landis Price. Price owns Barr-Price Funeral Homes which has two locations in Batesburg-Leesville and Lexington. He began helping out at the fu neral home by cutting grass, digging graves, and other groundskeeping and maintenance operations.
Born in Gilbert, Price graduated from Gilbert High School in 1972 and began working at the funeral home owned by Clyde Barr at the time the week he graduated high school.
“It was something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Price about working in a funeral home. He recalls in elementary school when classmates asked, he said he wanted to be a funeral director from a young age.
So he started from the ground up. In addition to taking care of the funeral home, he was also an EMT. Up through the mid-70s, funeral homes provided ambulance services. While Price was working at the funeral home, he also attended Midlands Technical College at night working towards his goal of directing the funeral home he helped maintain.
Helping people in the community is why Price enjoys working at the funeral home.
“I enjoy helping people and serving the community,” he shared.
When it comes to community, he has done more than his fair share of service. Being a servant is something that is instilled in Price and something he has passed down to his family.
In May 2018, Price was awarded the Order of the Crescent by Governor Henry McMaster. The honor is given to people in the community who exemplify community achievements and service which Price has shown time and time again. The award was bestowed to him during the annual S.C. Poultry Festival Dignitar ies Breakfast. Price has been part of the committee for the S.C. Poultry Festival since its beginning.
When asked why he wanted to help start the state’s official Poultry Festival in 1987 he explained, “I wanted to promote the town (of Batesburg-Leesville). I wanted to have something for the town.”
While his list of memberships and accolades is lengthy and includes Batesburg-Leesville’s Rotary Club, Batesburg-Leesville Masonic Lodge 138, National and State Funeral Directors Association, being a grandfather and family man tops it all. Regarding his grandchildren, “I love spoiling them!”
He’s been married to his wife, Sheryl, for 48 years and they have two children, Lan and Julie. They have six grandchildren, two great-grand children, and one great-grandchild on the way. Faith is also an import ant aspect of Price’s life, and he is a member of Wittenberg Lutheran Church. n
Celebrating aCentury of
by Jennifer Wilson
The Beginning
His name was William S. Murray, a chief engineer from New York hired by Congress to establish electric power grids in the United States. On a work visit to South Carolina in 1923, Murray explored the Saluda River Valley and concluded that its topography made it ideal for developing a dam and a 50,000-acre reservoir for electrical power.
time. And the lake was the world’s largest man-made reservoir.
The workers began to fill the lake with water from the Saluda River in 1929. The dam generated its first power in 1930.
It’s hard to believe the fascinating story of Lake Murray began almost a century ago. As modern technology emerged in the 1920s, there was a need to provide electricity to South Carolina. The lake and its dam were the answer.
From its start as an engineering marvel of its time to the touching stories of the historic communities once there and its current status as a star of South Carolina’s recreational landscape, Lake Murray is celebrated. As its centennial approaches in 2027, plans are already underway to honor this treasured resource.
Understandably, it wasn’t easy. The team needed to purchase 1,100 land parcels –the homes of 5,000 people. What’s more, the land that would become the reservoir con tained churches, bridges, schools, and graveyards with the graves of thousands of people whose families had lived in the valley for generations. The work included removing three churches, six schools, and more than 2,300 graves.
Nearly 2,000 men moved to the area for jobs clearing trees using hand saws and axes, earning just pennies a day. Dozens of sawmills opened. Cut timber provided lumber needed for the dam construction and railroad tracks to haul supplies.
The dam Mr. Murray helped build was the largest earthen dam in the world at the
So thankful for the work of Mr. Murray, the lake was named in his honor. In addition to the 41-mile-long and 14-mile-wide reservoir, Lake Murray also contained ghosts of its past. Some families chose not to move their ancestors’ graves from now underwater hamlets like Derrick, Cantsville, Savilla, and Lorena, to name a few. There’s a bridge and homes underwater. And during World War II, a B-25C bomber that crashed during a training mission over the lake fell to the murky bottom below, remaining there for decades.
But as time marched on, people began to see the lake as more than a power generator – it became a popular recreational destination.
Economic Development and Entertainment Destination
In the second half of the 20th century, visitors began coming to Lake Murray to boat, fish, swim, and build homes. Mari-
Lake Murray of
The Lake Murray Dam By the Numbers
1927
Construction Begins 1930 First Power Generated
Original Cost: $20.1 million
Length: 1.5 miles
Width: 375 feet
Height: 208 feet
Acres: 99
2005
“Backup” Dam Construction
Cost $275 million
The Lake Murray By the Numbers
Counties: 4—Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Sauda
nas and restaurants went up. Real estate became lucrative. The lake earned a reputation for being one of the best fishing locales in the country with a variety of wellstocked fish.
Lake Murray has hosted more than a dozen fishing tournaments in the last two years with participants attending from 20 countries, including a bass tournament broadcast on national television, with commentators comment ing on the assets of the lake.
Recently, USA Today voted Lake Murray the second-best lake in the United States for water sports – ranking right behind Lake Erie.
Lake events bring in at least $75 million each year, according to Capital City/Lake Murray Country.
Due to these attributes, a handful of new businesses are opening around the shoreline.
Lake Murray native Brandon Crutchfield recently bought and revitalized the old Putnam’s Landing in the center of the lake and is a new co-owner of the new Putnam’s Harbor that opened this spring. It’s now a technologically impressive marina with 340 boat slips, links to a phone app to get your vessel in the water, and a store to stock up as
you’re on your way. Also, free popsicles for kids and food trucks with electronic ordering options on weekends from the water. His love for the lake and its history is clear. That’s why he bought Putnam’s.
“When I was a child, I could drive a jet ski there before I could drive a car,” he said. “They were famous for their cheeseburgers. But when the lake went through a drawdown in the early 2000s, the marina eventually closed.”
Mr. Crutchfield calls Lake Murray an incredible natural resource he wants to be the best for families.
“I worked in private yachting and was all over the world for years. I was always envious of my friends who were running around Lake Mur ray. It’s beautiful and it’s home.”
Celebrating 100 Years
Plans are already in the works to celebrate Lake Murray’s centennial in the summer of 2027, spearheaded by Capital City/Lake
Source: Capital City/Lake Murray Country
Murray Country President & CEO Miriam Atria.
A week of celebratory events will include an air show with vintage and military airplanes, fireworks, a commemorative book with Domin ion Energy about the history of building the dam and backup dam, and a speakers’ series about the history of the lake and dams at locations around the Midlands.
Capital City/Lake Murray Country is looking for people who have great stories about Lake Murray through the years.
“Maybe your grandfather told you a story, or you have some commemorative artifacts,” Mrs. Atria said.
They look forward to honoring the fascinating and rich history of this South Carolina Jewel with a splash of goodwill and excitement for a bright future. n
If you have an interesting story about Lake Murray, artifacts, or photos, please call Capital City/Lake Murray Country at 803-781-5940.
Pet Therapy Program heals patients, families at Lexington Medical Center
by Erin Bluvas
Sharyl Groscost has her own set of hospital rounds to make when she arrives at Lexington Medical Center on Wednesdays. But it’s not a rigid schedule. It can’t be. The need is too great. Too unpredictable.
Sharyl and McKenzie’s (her six-yearold Westie) first stop is to check in at the Volunteer Services Office, but they rarely make it out of the parking garage before the work begins. Smiles, petting, cuddling,
happiness – it’s all part of the job, and Sharyl says it’s the best in the world.
The Lexington resident got involved in pet therapy more than 25 years ago working with disabled children in Atlanta. A move to Alabama expanded her services to nursing homes and veteran facilities, but their return to South Carolina in 2012 has resulted in a close partnership with Lexington Medical Center.
The center’s Pet Therapy Program began in 2008 when an ICU doctor – who had her own pet therapy dog – suggested it to hospital administrators. The first pet-handler team was a retired police officer who had two dogs: a Rottweiler and a Shih Tzu he dressed up as a nurse.
Today the number of pet therapy teams is 12 and counting. Each dog goes through a national certification process and most
make weekly visits to the facility. The program even makes trading cards with a photo of each pet on the front and fun facts like their date of birth and favorite toy on the back.
“We could never have too many pet therapy teams,” says Volunteer Services Coordinator Georgia Edmundson, who helps manage 250 active volunteers logging nearly 35,000 hours annually. It’s all part of Lexington Medical Center’s efforts to provide the best experience possible for patients and their families.
Other volunteer opportunities include meeting/greeting and wayfinding (helping patients get from one place to another). They also help clinical staff on the floor, so that they can remain focused on providing patient care. Finally, volunteers also help with the hospital discharge process, bringing their involvement full circle. During the training process, the volunteer services team ensures that each volunteer understands how important their role is – from the first impression to the last – in providing optimum care.
The stars of the show are the pups. The benefits of pet therapy – particularly on health and wellness – are well documented. These include lowered blood pressure, improved cardiovascular health, a calming effect through released endorphins, enhanced communication, and decreased feelings of depression, anxiety, boredom, and isolation.
The physical and psychological benefits are even more important for cancer patients, especially for those whose family members are not able to attend treatments with them. Pet therapy has been shown to reduce depression for individuals receiving chemotherapy – making it a priority for Lexington Medical Center.
When Sharyl and McKenzie finally make it into the building, there are more unplanned stops, more smiles, and more laughter as they make their way from the volunteer office to the oncology floor in the North Tower. Over the years – first with a Westie named Mr. Piper and now with McKenzie – Sharyl has become a mainstay in this department.
The handler and her pups have gotten to know patients and their families, who often attend weekly treatments for months at a time and build close rela-
tionships – celebrating wins and even lives lost. Sharyl remembers when Mr. Piper was invited to a celebration of life service for a patient they had gotten to know well, calling it both joyful and sad. “There’s truly a bond there,” she says. Although the program is always open to special requests (and there are many), other regular stops include waiting rooms, like those on the surgery floor where worried family members could use distraction and comfort, and the rehabilitation floor. Sharyl particularly sees the benefit for children, who often have long waits during treatment.
She recalls one young child – a boy of two or three with scars on his face – who attended his grandfather’s rehabilitation sessions along with his mother. When he ran over to play with McKenzie, his mother looked concerned and then relieved as she observed their interactions.
After a few moments, she came over to Sharyl to emotionally explain that her son had been recently attacked by a small white dog. She had been terrified that he would develop a lasting fear, but McKenize changed that. Sharyl gave the child one of her trading cards and together they walked
the Westie up and down the hallway.
“You think it’s a coincidence, but it’s more than that,” Sharyl says. “These interactions are meant to be.”
Many of these serendipitous events occur in the hallways or as they pass by a patient’s room. Whether they’ve gotten good news, bad news, or no news, the reaction is almost always the same after these spontaneous encounters: “You’ve made my day.”
“It’s not always planned,” Sharyl reiterates. “But it always works out.”
Lexington Medical Center staff serve as some of the biggest fans and facilitators of the program. “It must be Wednesday!” they exclaim when they lay eyes on Sharyl and McKenzie. The teams get to know the nurses, physicians, and managers, whose essential roles are incredibly rewarding but also emotionally draining. Some time with McKenzie or one of the other dogs helps them cope with the strain and refreshes them in their purpose.
With the program such an ingrained part of the center’s everyday care, staff
are always on the lookout for patients and families who would benefit from pet therapy. They, along with the pastors who frequent the floors, often guide the handlers to certain rooms. And, of course, Sharyl pays attention as she’s making her rounds – looking for shows of enthusiasm and detouring accordingly to make another small but meaningful impact on someone’s day.
Not long ago, Sharyl and McKenzie were finishing their shift and heading out the door when a request came in from the North Tower. An oncology patient and her husband had seen them from a distance and asked for a visit.
“We went up, and I’m so glad we did,” Sharyl says of yet another meeting that was just meant to be. They thoroughly enjoyed their visit with the lovely couple, marveling at the fact that they would have missed each other had the request come in just five minutes later.
“It’s the best job in the world,” she says. “And it gives me so much hope and happiness when I see what McKenzie can do.” n
Bryan Bros Tee Off
Adecade ago, golfers Wesley and George Bryan IV went viral on social media with their trick shot videos.
Now, the brothers are teeing off on a brand-new project –and they’re bringing Pops.
by Bob Gillespie
photos courtesy of Bryan Bros Golf
Wesley and George Bryan IV — the Bryan Bros, as they’re known on social media — have come a long way since their days as standouts on the Gamecock golf team, but their careers have taken some unexpected turns.
Both played golf at Dutch Fork High School. Both played golf at USC. And both know what it means to go viral, thanks to the YouTube channel they initially launched in 2014 to show off Wesley’s uncanny knack for trick shots.
Both brothers also turned professional, with Wesley enjoying the most success at that level, winning three Web.com (now Korn Ferry) Tour titles in 2016 and the 2017 RBC Heritage.
Now, they are embarking on a brand-new venture — and they’re doing it their own way, capitalizing on the social media following they first built through their banter-filled trick shot videos. They even announced the project with a banter-filled YouTube video titled, wait for it. . . “We bought a golf course??”
When the Bryan brothers purchased West Columbia’s dilapidated Indian River Golf Course last year, they went all in. They are turning the long-vacant property into a private course and state-of-the-art golf academy run by their father and longtime local golf instructor, George Bryan III.
Golf Channel commentator Steve Burkowski would love to say he saw it all coming. But the success of the YouTube golf channel now known as Bryan Bros surprised him as much as — well, anyone who knows Wesley and George Bryan IV.
Burkowski was just breaking into sports radio in 1997 when he met the brothers, then ages 9 and 7, at the Columbia station
where he hosted a Sunday morning golf show. George Bryan III was Burkowski’s co-host and would bring the boys along to listen and learn.
“George III would bring his little guys into the studio and tell them, ‘Sit still and don’t say a thing,’” Burkowski says, laughing. “After the show, we’d go play nine holes at Hickory Ridge and then get pancakes.”
He might have guessed the brothers could become serious golfers: “One day, Wesley’s ball was on a sandy path, and I told him, ‘You can get relief from there.’ He just looks at me, pinches a shot off the path and onto the green, eight feet from the flag — like, ‘I don’t need relief.’ George III and I looked at each other and laughed. I guess those days were their introduction to golf and to the media.”
George IV (who goes by the nickname G4) was a three-time All-American at USC, and Wesley has that Heritage title under his belt, but it was via social media — specifically, YouTube — that the pair earned fame. Starting in 2014, they created a series of trick shot and instructional videos that garnered more than 200,000 subscribers to their “Bryan Bros Golf” YouTube channel.
“That died down some when Wesley got to the PGA Tour, but three years ago, we gave it another go, and it’s turned into a powerful model,” says G4.
That model also shifted, in large part due to the pandemic, which gave the brothers time to revisit their business plan.
“During COVID, the world shut down and we were bored,” says Wesley. “We still want it to be entertaining, but with instructional we’ve added a more sustainable layer of helping people get better.”
The former Indian River course is at the center of their new endeavor. Renamed Solina Golf Club — “Solina” is a contraction of “South Carolina” — the course will also host future golf videos produced by the Bryan brothers and others.
“When Lake Murray Golf Center went up for sale, we thought about building our academy there,” says Wesley, referring to the nine-hole par-3 course he and his brother played growing up. “Then Pops brought to our attention that Indian River could be acquired.”
The site felt right for a host of reasons — George III was even the club pro there at one time. They just needed some additional backing. Enter Columbia restaurant/brewery owner Greg Middleton, who once took golf lessons from George III. With his help, the brothers began giving virtual tours of the property via YouTube and explaining their vision. Their aim? To create one of the best layouts in the Midlands.
“We could’ve bought it ourselves, but we wouldn’t have had the money to do much to it. In Greg, we found a partner who had the same vision as us. He said, ‘I can do all this stuff’” — handling the business end — “and y’all use the Bryan Bros platform to grow the brand.’”
The brothers, as usual, complement one another on the project. As a PGA Tour veteran, Wesley has seen some of the best golf courses in the world — “And I’ve always had more of the architectural side than my brother,” he says. “My idea is to make it a championship golf course but also playable for average players.”
That means adding yardage and reconfiguring holes. That means adding bunkers and other features. George III will relocate from the Chapin teaching facility he has operated since 2006 to head up instruction, from range to on-course. “The academy is
going to be cool to do with the instructional side,” says G4. “Our dad is one of the best in South Carolina, and it’ll be awesome for him to have a facility like this.”
Meanwhile, G4 will spearhead social media, though he admits it’s an ironic twist since he was “the shy one” growing up. “Wesley was more outspoken, loud . . . annoying,”
he says with a laugh. Now, G4 is more the entertainer, Wesley the technical wonk. “In high school, I figured I’d be the one on YouTube, and George would be on the Tour,” says Wesley.
“Our personalities thrive off each other. You can tell we’re brothers, on-and off-camera. It really is fun, doing all this with him.”
Longtime Bryan followers are bemused but not surprised by the brothers’ latest act. Chris Miller, director of golf at the Country Club of Lexington, coached both in high school “I kind of knew G4 would morph into an instructor rather than a player,” he says. “He has an innate ability to communicate and be a good instructor. Now, Wesley will tell you, ‘I’ll never be a good teacher,’ but they both want to give back to Columbia and the game.”
Former USC golf coach Bill McDonald, who also coached both and recruited Wesley, agrees. “They and their dad have such energy for golf in the area,” he says. “They’ve been through ups and downs, but their passion for the game never wavers.”
The project could be well-timed for Wesley, who has suffered several nagging injuries since his 2016-17 success, though he’s not yet ready for a total career change. “I’m still able to compete on the Tour, that’s my lifelong dream,” he says. “Maybe 20 years from now I’d rather design courses than play.”
Whatever the future holds, the brothers’ styles and personali-ties mesh, according to G4. “I enjoy putting videos together, tell-ing the story — and Wesley gets all the benefits of being the pretty face.” He pauses, then laughs. “Our personalities thrive off each other. You can tell we’re brothers, on- and off-camera. It really is fun, doing all this with him.” n
Originally published in Carolinian SPORT, a University of South Carolina publication.
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Canoeing for Kids glides along the Saluda
by Betsey Guzior
The popularity of paddling along the Saluda River has coincided with Canoeing for Kids, which began its adventures on the water 30 years ago.
In the early 1990s, Jay Alley was called to find a way to share his love of paddling along the Saluda in Lexington County. Nineteen years old at the time, Alley came up with a grand idea: He planned to raise money by canoeing 2,054 miles, from Buffalo, N.Y. to New Orleans via waterways such as the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, with portages in between.
“I always enjoyed the outdoors and decided to try to create a program that would allow particularly disadvantaged kids the opportunity to try such things,” he said.
Teams of fellow local canoeists joined Alley on his 57-day journey, which demonstrated to Alley’s friends and family that he was serious about his mission.
also has a mobile program to bring kayaks to local camps. Alley estimates that more than 300,000 kids have benefitted from the program.
A lot of kids participate in multiple trips with Canoeing for Kids. Some of them grow up to volunteer or work at the camp. After all these years, Alley still is delighted to see happy faces in the boats.
“I have learned over the years not to over coach it to just let them get out there and figure it out.”
The initial money raised gave Alley enough resources to begin teaching atrisk kids to paddle, a skill often difficult to master because of the cost of a canoe or kayak, or the energy it takes to access the water.
In 1994, Alley started bringing kids out on the water using borrowed canoes. He enlisted local agencies to identify kids who would be interested in learning how to paddle.
“And as most everybody knows, a lot of times those agencies are strapped for funding,” Alley said.
Eventually, he was able to purchase canoes, and later, kayaks. In 1999, Alley bought land along the Saluda River near Corley Mill Road to build a permanent camp there.
About 1,500 kids now are served through the program. Canoeing for Kids
The camp also has paid charter trips, along with paddling education, to help fund the free programs for kids.
Canoeing for Kids continues to raise money through its Raft Day fundraiser each year. Dominion Energy does a special release for the event, which draws hundreds. An annual Christmas tree sale also helps raise money.
To help celebrate 30 years on the water, a DECA group at River Bluff High School redesigned the Canoeing for Kids website, with plenty of information about the program and places to donate to the program.
Now 59, Alley isn’t on the water with the kids as often as he used to. But he’s still deeply involved in making sure kids get a special experience on the water.
“I enjoy watching them learn to paddle, helping them learn to paddle, and showing them a way to interact with Mother Nature,” Alley said. “That never gets old.” n
Aquascaping
Water gardening is a way to grow plants under or on top of water. It can also include housing fish such as goldfish and koi.
Referred to as aquascaping, it’s a popular hobby that seems to be growing. Technique, creativity, the right supplies, and a little guidance are all it takes to make it happen.
by Kimberly Becknell Williams
The best part is that you can do it inside or out. The inside creation usually involves indoor aquarium tanks that range in many sizes, ideal for those who don’t have the outside space. And the outside water garden involves an underwater or floating garden pond perhaps with colorful fish. Either way, there’s a tranquil view.
Specific plants that thrive in this environment blend with decorative touch-
es, which might include moss, driftwood, stones, and underwater formations. Compatible fish might be added, as well as a water fountain. Of course, good water quality and ongoing maintenance are part of the requirements to keep the aquascape in top form allowing the plants and fish to thrive in their environment.
Becky and Terry Keyes started a pond in their backyard about 23 years ago. It has
water-loving plants and some fish making their home in the pond. “We’ve added numerous fish as they met various demises: herons and cranes and not getting the chemicals right,” Becky said. “Last fall we didn’t cover the pond with a net and most of them were eaten.” They have added goldfish to replace what was lost.
Other outdoor predators might include owls and raccoons, but netted pond covers
and the depth of the pond can help. Sometimes it’s a learning process to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Like many types of gardening, there’s trial and error.
Although there is work involved in maintaining their backyard oasis, the Keyes find that it’s worth it. “We love to sit outside and watch them, and listen to the frogs,” she said. “The frogs added themselves.” Water plants include a lizard tail and a white ginger lily. The ginger lily was planted last year, so it hasn’t bloomed yet. Lily pads “multiply like crazy,” she said; perhaps that’s what draws the frogs, numerous tadpoles, and pollywogs. Layered landscaping slate surrounds the perimeter of their pond.
Interested in giving aquascaping a try?
YouTube videos and online self-help guides are a start. Or try talking to professionals like the folks at Fishy Business in Columbia.
Chuck Maier and Guy Griffin are owners of the large store that has been around since 1986. Fishy Business offers the necessary supplies and plenty of expertise
for the beginner or seasoned aquascaper. “It’s the number one hobby for a reason,”
Chuck Maier said about aquascaping. “If you’re looking for a family-friendly hobby, aquarium-keeping whether outdoor or indoor is very rewarding. It brings the whole family together.”
Freshwater and saltwater are options. “Saltwater is a little more expensive on the front side,” Maier explained, but it isn’t harder. “It’s more involved. We can teach you how to do it.” As far as their customer base, the percentage of those using fresh or saltwater is about 50/50.
The store services offer installation, consultation, and supplies, including aquarium plants, corals, invertebrates,
and ornamental features. “We supply all ornamental fish for the home or garden,” Maier said. “We have a 10,000-squarefoot store.” Aquarium tanks on the floor have ranged from 1 gallon to the biggest in the store at 310 gallons, but he said they’ve done bigger than that.
Although indoor and outdoor aquascaping are vastly different, Maier offered a few tips that are helpful for both.
1. Get a good source for information –“Get someone more knowledgeable than you,” he said. “The internet can be confusing.”
2. Test the water weekly. Water quality is important for captivated fish – “It’s the number one problem,” he said. “It’s not fish disease.”
3. Research to determine the best location and design for the aquarium or pond. This is the environment where the plants and fish will live. – “The bigger the better,” he said. “The larger the body of water the fewer problems you’ll have in most cases.”
Follow Fishy Business on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or their website fishybusinesssc.com for store information and photos of the endless possibilities.
Whether you embrace your inner or outer gardener, there’s a place for you in aquascaping. n
Summer Road Trip Safety Tips
Summer is the best time for a road trip.
Get Vehicle Road Ready
The tires of your vehicle should be checked for wear and equal pressure. In an emergency, you want to know your car will stop quickly without sliding. Making sure your tires are in good condition and aligned can save you on gas as your vehicle will get better mileage. The cooling system should be checked because heat can affect your car in many ways. Battery fluid, for example, will evaporate more quickly during the heat of summer. This can lead to build-up around battery terminals, so you want to clean them regularly. The heat can cause lubricating oils to break down, which causes the engine to work harder. This can increase the odds of your car breaking down. A qualified technician can inspect your vehicle to make sure that it’s summer road ready.
Refill Your Emergency Kit
The weather is great, the kids are out of school, and everyone is excited about getting out to explore.
Before you head out, it’s important to make sure you and your vehicle are ready to go. Here are a few summer road trip safety tips to keep you and your family safe this season.
If you don’t already have an emergency kit in your car, now is the time to prepare one. If you have one, make sure that it is topped up with supplies that may be needed if you become stranded somewhere. For a summer emergency kit, you will want to have the following:
• Bottled water (one bottle per person minimum)
• Non-perishable food items such as granola, energy bars, and trail mix
• A first-aid kit
• Hats
• Jumper cables
• Small tool kit
• Sunscreen
• A flashlight
• Phone charger
• A flat tire repair kit
• Reflective triangles and road flares
Check the contents of your emergency kit before every road
trip. Swap out seasonal items. You aren’t likely to need thick sweaters and blankets during the summer months.
Travel Insurance
Getting travel insurance is an obvious choice when you’re taking a flight or a cruise, but it’s important when you’re heading out on a road trip as well. In addition to being a safety net in the event of a medical emergency, travel insurance can cover expenses that you have prepaid and are non-refundable such as car and hotel rentals. If you’re taking a road trip out of state or out of the country, you want to know you are covered in the event the unexpected happens. Summer is a time for adventure, but accidents can happen whether you’re taking a leisurely stroll or doing something more thrilling like rock climbing. Always be prepared.
Take Regular Driving Breaks
You might be excited about getting to your next destination, but driving safely should be your first priority. This means slowing down and taking regular breaks. Taking breaks not only allows you time to stretch your legs, hydrate, and have a snack, but to also walk around your car to inspect it. It’s not uncommon for tires to pick up rocks and other debris during long stretches of driving. Check fluid levels and the battery life as well. Plan to take a short break every two hours. This is a good opportunity to get coffee, let everyone burn off some energy, and freshen up. Take longer breaks every four hours. You can plan these stops around mealtimes.
Your summer road trip should be a fun experience. Being prepared will help you to be more confident out on the road, so make sure to get your car road trip ready before you head out on your adventure. n
Summer’sCoolest Cakes
Berry Icebox Cake
19 oz graham crackers
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 (3.4 oz) packages Vanilla instant pudding
2½ cups cold milk
12 oz Cool Whip
3 cups strawberries, sliced
1½ cups blueberries
2 oz white chocolate chips
Beat together cream cheese and dry pudding mixes, then gradually beat in milk. Gently stir in Cool Whip, reserving ½ cup. Spread a thin layer of Cool Whip in a 13x9 pan just to coat the bottom. Layer graham crackers across the pan, spread a layer of the pudding mixture, then top with a layer of blueberries and strawberries. Repeat the graham-pudding-berries layers 2 more times. Refrigerate for 4
Hot Fudge Magic Shell
Whipped cream, chopped nuts, maraschino cherries
Add ⅓ of the peanuts evenly over the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish. Drizzle with ¼ cup hot fudge and ¼ cup caramel sauce. Spread half the softened ice cream over the top. Repeat with an additional layer of peanuts, hot fudge, and caramel. Add the remaining ice cream and spread over the top. Sprinkle the remaining peanuts and drizzle hot fudge and caramel sauce over the top. Cover with aluminum foil and place in the freezer for several hours or until firm. Drizzle with Magic Shell before cutting and serve with whipped cream, additional chopped peanuts, and cherries.
Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake
1 box white cake mix
3 oz orange gelatin
1 cup boiling water
3.4 oz French Vanilla instant pudding
1 ½ cup milk
30 oz mandarin oranges, drained
8 oz whipped topping, thawed
Bake the cake in a 13x9 pan, according to package instructions, and cool. Using a fork, poke holes in the top of the cake. Mix the gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water until dissolved. Pour the gelatin over the cake, making sure to pour it over and into the holes. Mix the French Vanilla pudding and 1 ½ cups of milk, allow to set for 3 minutes, and then spread it over the top of the cake. Add a layer of half of the mandarin oranges over the pudding. Top with whipped topping and the remaining mandarin oranges. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours before serving.
Key Lime Eclair Cake
8 oz cream cheese, softened
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
8 oz whipped topping
1 pound bag of key limes, juiced about ¾ cup
3 sleeves graham crackers
1 can vanilla frosting
Whip the cream cheese with a hand mixer until creamy, then mix in the condensed milk until combined. Slowly add the key lime juice and fold in the whipped topping. Place a layer of graham crackers
Focused on Pearl
Cousin Stella just sent this photograph of Daddy found in a box of Aunt Betty’s stuff.
Daddy’s penciled handwriting on the back was short: “On bivouac, April 1-7, 1945.”
I’d never seen the picture. What was on his mind?
I’m sure the photo was taken at Robins Field, Georgia.
Daddy was born in 1917 and grew up in Colby, Kansas. He wanted to get off those wheat fields, so he went to a Denver business school to learn typing and shorthand. He planned to become a secretary. He and a girl were watching a movie on Sunday, December 7th, 1941. The movie stopped and a man came out: “The Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor -- everybody get to the Induction Center.”
Daddy joined the Army Air Corps, went to Texas, then to Camp Wheel er in Macon, Georgia, and then to Cochran Field in Macon. He was in the first group that went to “an old cow pasture and cotton patch down the road” that became Warner Robins Air Force Base.
One day Daddy’s group was called to the Parade Ground. A com manding officer said: “Boys, you’re going back to the barracks and write your mother a letter. We’ll have men there to help you make a will. You’re leaving for Europe in the morning, and you’re all gonna die.”
A messenger was passed forward. The commanding officer read the message: “Ok, boys, the General needs eight men who can type and take shorthand. The first eight men who step forward stay here.”
Daddy said it was the quickest step he ever took.
All the other men in the group did indeed get killed invading Europe.
Only five men stepped forward, so Daddy was busy with paperwork. He called one building numerous times a day and told his buddy: “That girl Pearl over in Building 37 sure sounds good. I wish I could meet her.”
His buddy said: “Well, dummy, she doesn’t know what you look like. Go over and lean against the wall in her building and listen for her voice. If she’s ugly, come on back.”
Well, Pearl was gorgeous. Daddy introduced himself, and by April 1-7, 1945, Pearl was his wife. Mama got pregnant later that month.
Iwo Jima had been settled at the end of March. We landed in Okinawa on April 1. President Roosevelt died the week after this picture was taken. Mussolini was executed the week after that. Germany surrendered on May 8. Daddy sailed from Oregon in July for Guam. The atomic bombs were dropped in August. The Japanese surrendered on September 2. Daddy spent the rest of his tour on Guam fighting the mud and doing paperwork, including reading their declassified orders to invade the Japanese mainland with an expected casualty rate of 100%. My sister Jean was born the following January, and Daddy came home sometime soon thereafter.
There was a lot going on the week of April 1-7, 1945. But my guess is that Daddy’s mind was focused on Pearl. n
