Lake Murray, SC July 2023

Summer Bucket List

LIFE + CULTURE BUG FREE SUMMER

FOOD + BEVERAGE THE PERFECT STEAK

HOME SERVICES CMS ROOFING GIVES BACK JULY

Summer Fun!

I hope this letter finds you laying by the pool or lake and soaking in some much-needed Vitamin D.

As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, I find myself eagerly anticipating the arrival of summer. There's just something about this season that brings about a sense of excitement and adventure.

Sure, Fall has my favorite flavors and scents, Winter has its cozy charms and I can't deny the beauty of Spring. But when the Summer solstice rolls around, I’m more than ready for the long, languid days sitting by the pool or floating on a boat.

The pages in our Summer Fun issue will help you make the most of this season in Lake Murray.  And even if Summer doesn't mean three months of summer vacation anymore (because we're, you know, adults) we can still look forward to an adventure by crossing things off our ultimate Summer bucket list (check the table of contents for ours!) and curling up with a new favorite beach read. (P.S. Teachers, you deserve this much-needed break!)

My family loves to spend time on the lake, enjoy a beer on the patio of one of our many breweries, and catch a baseball game here and there. I also love vacationing in our own town like trying new restaurants, watching an outdoor movie, or kayaking down the river. There's something about being in nature that feels so rejuvenating and refreshing.

Just like this season has a way of bringing people together, we hope the pages inside this month’s issue will enrich and enliven your experience of the Lake Murray Lifestyle this Summer!

July 2023

PUBLISHER

David Hayth | david.hayth@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Alexandra Hill | alexandra.hill@citylifestyle.com

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

DAVID HAYTH, PUBLISHER @LAKEMURRAYLIFESTYLE

local experiences

The best places and things to do in our area.

Don’t let the summer season get away from you before school and cooler temperatures return. Grab your crew and tackle our bucket list recommendations to check off before one of our favorite seasons comes to an end.

Our Picks for Your Summer Bucket List

SWEET CREAM CO.: Small batch ice cream made from scratch, rotating flavors, ice cream cookie sandwiches, awesome cold brew...Need we say more on a hot summer day? 1627 Main St, Columbia, SC

RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDEN: Besides the picturesque zoo and botanical gardens, did you know about Waterfall Junction? Enjoy a 25-foot cascading waterfall, splash zones, play in giant tree houses, and more. 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC

LAZY WAVES PONTOON RENTALS: At Lazy Waves you can expect truly exceptional customer service and quality, clean and reliable pontoon boat rental services. They want you to have the best experience possible! 256 John Long Rd., Gilbert, SC

FIFTY FIFTY WATER SPORTS: With everything a jet ski renter could want, feel free to explore beautiful Lake Murray. They offer hourly, daily, and weekly rentals. 101 Sandlewood Road, Leesville, SC

EUDORA WILDLIFE SAFARI PARK: Eudora Wildlife Safari Park welcomes your family to experience the 3 mile drive-thru safari park and see over 300 animals. 219 Salem Lane, Salley, SC

Want to recommend a local experience?

Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.

Lexington Medical Center Proudly Welcomes Thomas M. Mazza, MD, FACS

Dr. Mazza joins Lexington Medical Center’s network of care at Lexington Surgery to provide comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of anorectal and colorectal conditions. Specializing in general and minimally invasive surgical procedures, the board-certified surgeons and highly skilled staff at this practice have decades of experience providing patients with continuous care from consultation through recovery.

providence home THE LEGACY OF

Did you know that Providence Home of Columbia has been awarded the 2023 Non-Profit of the Year? You may recall the article in our June issue that celebrated the completion of the chapel. Read this story to learn more about how God and the home make a difference everyday.

John Zenoni, Jr - Founder’s Son

I once read a line that stayed with me: “My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” This resonates with me both as the little boy I was, and now, as the man I am.

You see, as a little boy, “watching” my dad wasn’t easy because he wasn’t around much. My father was Johnny Zenoni, the founder of Providence Home. Long before I came along, and for a very long time, Johnny Zenoni was a drunk. But in 1963, after a DUI arrest and a night in jail, dad never touched another drop of alcohol.

I grew up hearing the story dad shared about him meeting Jesus in that jail cell. The encounter changed his life. And mine. Dad made a commitment to devote his life to Jesus and serve Him by ministering to vulnerable men.

As a little kid, dad’s commitment was hard for me to understand. I wanted to be like the other kids whose fathers were present and cheering them on.  My dad was too busy with the broken.

But as I grew up, I began to understand something profound:  My daddy was serving his Daddy. That realization changed everything.

Instead of regretting the time he was away, I began celebrating every second with him. Serving alongside him, I witnessed his unconditional love for every man. He let me watch him live and that time with dad became a sacred thing.

As a boy, I admired the fathers on the ballfield.  But it was my own dad I came to adore. And the thing is, I wasn’t alone.  Dad was beloved by everyone from heads of state to the homeless.  Privilege and power never moved him, and he was impressed by no man, but awestruck by the God who could transform them.

Dad passed away in 1993. And now, 30 years later, it turns out the father I once thought wasn’t around much is everywhere – in his legacy at Providence Home and the generations of men and families renewed and restored.  He’s ingrained in the hearts of his children and grandchildren who love Jesus because we watched Him working through dad.

As my sister Pat says, “If God let me choose my father, it would always be Johnny Zenoni.”

Dad never told us how to live, but his was a welllived life.  What a privilege it was to watch him do it.

Mark Davis

Christy Cox

Kirk Butler

- Providence Home Resident

For those of us who’ve struggled with addiction, we know that often, nothing triggers failure quite like success.

I was reminded of that last year when I earned back my driver’s license after losing it for 13 years. As I walked out of the DMV, that precious card in hand validating my success, the first thing I thought was, “Boy, it would be nice to have a drink and celebrate.”

But by then, and by God’s grace, I had turned a corner in my life, and there is no turning back.  For me, I know, one drink is too many, and 1,000 drinks are never enough.

I’m 65 years old and started drinking when I was 14.  I had a great family growing up in Florida.  I wanted for nothing.  I didn’t turn to alcohol to escape or cope; I drank because it was good. I loved the way it tasted.  I loved celebrating with my friends. And in the 60s and 70s, drinking was hardly a big deal. Turn 18 and you were legal.  What I didn’t know then was that alcoholism runs hard and deep on both sides of my family. I had no idea that if I let it in, it would consume me.

I vividly recall a moment when I was just 17.  After a night of partying, I was looking out the window and the moon was agonizingly beautiful. The night seemed bathed in light and that was my “golden moment” –the time I thought alcohol only makes life better.

It was a lie of course.

Alcohol wasn’t life-affirming.  It stole everything from good jobs to great relationships. I’d get sober and then drink to my success.  It was a vicious cycle that lasted decades. I had to lose everything, and nearly my life, to get better.

I first arrived at Providence Home in 2019 feeling all but dead physically, spiritually, and emotionally. It didn’t take long for me to relapse and leave. But a year later, Rob and the team gave me a second chance at Providence Home.

And this time, for the first time ever, I decided I was worth recovery.  This time, I slowed down and didn’t view my sobriety as something to celebrate, but rather, to safeguard. I was grateful for it and never took it for granted.

I’m almost three years sober. While only God could fix me, I am blessed with skills to fix many things and I’ve saved enough to buy my own truck.  Providence Home is still my temporary home, but I am making plans to move back down to Florida where I have begun restoring relationships with my dad and my sons.

I still make mistakes.  Just not the kind I used to make.  I never assume now that I’m “healed” and have this thing handled.  I know that I am an alcoholic who is actively choosing every day to stay sober and seek Jesus.

Every. Single. Day.

And every single day with Him is a successful day.

Ronald Sinclair

- Providence Home Resident Assistant

There aren’t excuses for the bad choices we make in life.  But there are always reasons.

My boyhood was toxic.  My dad was an alcoholic which led to my parents’ divorce. When mom married my stepfather, our family moved to New Jersey.

From the start, my stepdad’s relationship with my mom was brutal.  On the trip to Jersey, I remember an altercation just as we were passing South of the Border.

I was in 6th grade then, and we were a family of seven living in a tiny, squalid space.  My stepfather locked the refrigerator.  He gave us half a slice of bologna and half an egg for breakfast.  He let us eat the other half when we got home from school.

Cruelty was all we knew as my stepfather terrorized us kids and my mother.

“Above all, there is praise for the God who refused to let me use my past as an excuse and has given me every reason to rejoice in tomorrow.”

In 7th grade and in a desperate bid to escape my stepfather, I began selling stolen candy. After the police got involved and tried to return me to my father, I finally ran away.

It’s a miracle that I survived my childhood, but it set me up for disaster.

Somehow, I managed to marry a fine woman and we had beautiful babies.  But by then, just like my own father, I was a rampant alcoholic.

My life with my wife and kids ended after some violence at a Columbia pool hall. I got sentenced to life without parole.

But God had entirely different plans for me.

I’d been in prison for 25 years when, on January 7, 2019, at 4:15 p.m., I sat up in my bunk with a burning desire to see the daughter I hadn’t seen or spoken with in all that time. And then Psalm 139:8 came to mind: If I go up to the heavens, You are there. If I make my bed in the depths, You are there. And right after that, this message came rushing in: “How can I help you when you don’t know My Word?”

I was immediately convicted that God wanted my full attention and that I could no longer settle for being a “casual” Christian.  My life had to change.

Only a few days later, God placed me in the path of a correctional officer who had collapsed.  We learned later he had a brain hemorrhage, but in God’s strength, I was able to get him to the medical building, yelling at him the entire time to try and keep him conscious.

Not soon after that, I was receiving grateful thanks from prison officials, the officer’s family, and best of all, the officer himself who survived. Also, I’d received forgiveness from the family of the pool hall victim after writing to them for years.

And then came the biggest shock of all: On July 30, 2019, I was granted parole.  It was a stunning reversal that came with conditions including that I reside in a facility where I would be held accountable.  Nine facilities refused to take me when Providence Home said yes.

That yes opened every door to my new life. I was embraced and loved here and now serve as a resident assistant in one of our dorms. I minister to the elderly and homeless in the community.  And best of all, I was encouraged to share my testimony and my youngest daughter heard about my conversion.  An exceedingly accomplished young woman who holds a PhD, a high-profile job and enjoys a wonderful family, we agreed to meet at the zoo.

So it was, after almost three decades, I was reunited with the daughter God used to inspire my surrender to Him. Today I have the privilege of knowing and loving her, my son-in-law, and my amazing grands.

Where once I associated family only with pain, there is now pride and pleasure.  Above all, there is praise for the God who refused to let me use my past as an excuse and has given me every reason to rejoice in tomorrow.

Rob Settle

Ron Smith

ARTICLE BY MICAH DECKER

IN HONOR OF NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATION MONTH

15 PARKS TO EXPLORE IN LAKE MURRAY COUNTRY

4. WEST COLUMBIA RIVER WALK

109 Alexander Road | West Columbia, SC 29169

Soak up the natural beauty of the Congaree River on this waterside trail that is suitable for walking, jogging, and more.

5. OWEN’S FIELD PARK/SKATE PARK

1351 Jim Hamilton Boulevard | Columbia, SC 29205

Explore one of the most unique parks in the City of Columbia, from a BMX-style bike path to the skate park, and playground !

6. GIBSON POND PARK

241 Gibson Road | Lexington, SC 29072

CAPITAL CITY/LAKE MURRAY COUNTRY

Did you know that July is National Park and Recreation Month? This year’s theme “Where Community Grows” — celebrates the vital role park and recreation professionals play in bringing people together,  and fostering the growth of our communities. In recognition, we’re sharing 15 parks to visit in Lake Murray Country. Make sure to say “Hello and Thank you” to the staff while you’re on the trail, and share your adventure with us on social media by using #LakeMurrayCountry!

1. DOKO MEADOWS PARK

100 Alvina Hagood Circle | Blythewood, SC 29016

Enjoy a playground and six miles of walking trails and a 2,500-seat amphitheater.

2. CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK

100 National Park Road | Hopkins, SC 29061

Explore the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States as you traverse 25 miles of hiking trails and 2.4 miles of boardwalk.

3. GUIGNARD PARK

964 Axtell Drive | Cayce, SC 29033

This wooded park is located in the heart of Cayce.

Gibson Pond Park is a beautiful wooded park on 15 acres with a fishing dock, picnic Shelters, a BBQ, plus a loop trail.

7. LAKE MURRAY DAM PARKSITES & WALKWAY

1797 North Lake Drive | Lexington, SC 29072

Take a walk on the Lake Murray Dam and enjoy spectacular views of Lake Murray and the downtown Columbia skyline on this 3.4-mile round-trip trek.

8. SESQUICENTENNIAL STATE PARK

9564 Two Notch Road | Columbia, SC 29223

This 1,419-acre park, situated in the middle of the Sandhills region, features a beautiful 30-acre lake.

9. SALUDA SHOALS PARK

5605 Bush River Road | Columbia, SC 29212

Located along the banks of the beautiful Saluda River, this 400-acre regional park offers an all-inclusive playground, hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails; a river observation deck; picnic shelters; boat ramp and canoe/kayak launch sites.

10. HARBISON STATE FOREST

5500 Broad River Road | Columbia, SC 29212

Hike, bike, jog or walk 18 miles of trails in one the largest greenspaces within city limits east of the Mississippi.

11. IRMO COMMUNITY PARK

7507 Eastview Drive | Irmo, SC 29063

This lush park is home to the Prisma Health

Amphitheater, two picnic shelters with BBQ grills, and walking trails.

12. CROOKED CREEK PARK

1098 Old Lexington Highway | Chapin, SC 29036

Crooked Creek Park is a state-of-the-art recreation complex that encompasses a community center, 6 athletic fields, tennis courts, picnic tables, walking trails, playgrounds, and a 27-hole disc golf course.

13. DREHER ISLAND STATE PARK

3677 State Park Road | Prosperity, SC 29127

From recreational water activities to nature trails, top-notch fishing spots, and waterside camping .

14. LYNCH’S WOODS PARK

This 276-acre park full of large pines and old-growth hardwoods contains 7.5 of tranquil hiking, and biking trails, and 6.1 miles of equestrian trails.

15. SALUDA PARK

416 S. Jefferson Street | Saluda, SC 29138

Grab the kids, pack a picnic, and head to Saluda Park to enjoy a paved walking trail, playground, and gazebo.

Explore more of the natural wonders in the region by checking out the Palmetto Trail, SC7, and the Kids in Parks program, and keep the adventure going all summer long!

For more information and to plan your next great Lake Murray Country adventure, visit LakeMurrayCountry.com

Kitchen Selections

Extensive line of unique faucets and sinks in a wide array of styles, finishes and shapes that will make a statement.

Bathroom Selections

Full complement of faucets, sinks, tubs, shower systems and vanities. The latest designs and unmatched quality.

Lighting Selections

Distinctive accent and task lighting possibilities to highlight your home’s beauty.

Hardware Selections & Accessories

A curated collection of hardware and accessories that will enhance your other selections.

Sand augers for your sandbar on any Lake, Ocean or River. Just auger them into the sand and tie them off to your boat. My suggestion is to get three of them depending if you have a pontoon, speed boat or sailboat. Just set it and forget it, with more time to spend with family and friends and not have to worry about your boat going anywhere.

All Sand Augers are made in the USA. All made of Bio Marine PVC pipes and PVC black augers. They are available in many colors, you can choose from black, white, yellow, blue, green, purple, red, and orange. Choose the colors of you boat or your favorite sports team.

Cost $85 Bundle of 2 $155

Bundle of 3 $230

CMS ROOFING IS COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY

and roofing estimates. Their attention to detail and knowledge of residential and commercial roofing help CMS Roofing maintain and deliver the best quality service.

We find that business owners in The Midlands are often as committed to the community as they are to the success of their businesses. Our community thrives on the service of many and the generosity of all.

Military and First Responders provide important services to our community, and one local company’s generosity is making sure we don’t forget that.

CMS ROOFING

The dynamic team at CMS Roofing are dedicated to giving back to those who have given so much to our communities. The energetic office staff is responsible for in-house sales and customer support. You’ll find them handling customer accounts

Many of the estimators and technicians grew up in or around the construction business and have come to find a home here at CMS Roofing. With more than 50 years of combined experience, their estimators and technicians bring effective, innovative, cost-efficient solutions to the roofing industry.

CMS Roofing has received a variety of certifications, including: Master Elite GAF Contractor (in both residential and commercial roofing), Duro-Last Installer (also recognized as a Master Contractor), BBB and HAAG Certified Inspector.

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL

CMS Roofing covers both residential and commercial needs. Roofing installations including shingles, flat roofs, and metal. They also have in-house metal fabrication capabilities, which allows

CMS Roofing’s goal is to replace a roof each year in all their branch locations, with the timing to grow more frequently as future success allows. Customer referrals will help CMS Roofing reach this goal.

them to address flashing and edging, gutters and gutter systems, metal repair and replacement, HVAC/mechanical systems, and custom industrial and architectural pieces.

In addition to roofing installations, CMS Roofing can help with roof installations, roof repairs, shingle issues, and gutter concerns. Installations of siding (vinyl, Hardie, cedar), skylights, solar power vents, windows, and custom seamless gutters are also part of the services they provide on a regular basis.

Another part of their generous repertoire are preventative maintenance plans and roof inspections.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

CMS Roofing and their roofing manufacturing partner, GAF, are dedicated to supporting the brave men and women who serve our country and community. Nationally, GAF believes “resilience is the foundation on which we will build thriving, sustainable communities of the future. GAF leverages our expertise, resources and products in support of the fundamental needs of resilient communities: Shelters, Families, and Workforces.” In local partnership, GAF and CMS Roofing are building on last years roof giveaway and expanding to provide a free roof installation for a local veteran, military, or first responder in both Columbia and Charleston.

This program provides free roof replacements by apportioning the profits for every paid installation.

CMS Roofing’s goal is to replace a roof each year in all their branch locations, with the timing to grow more frequently as future success allows. Customer referrals will help CMS Roofing reach this goal.

In the meantime, Lake Murray Lifestyle Readers can help in the search for this year’s roof replacement winners. CMS Roofing is actively searching for a Veteran, Military (Retiree, Active or Guard), or First Responder (active or retired) living in or near Columbia, SC or Charleston, SC. The person selected will receive a free roof replacement using the GAF Timberline® HDZ™ architectural roof system, and it will be installed in early/mid fall 2023. The roof comes with a 5-year workmanship warranty and GAF’s System Plus Warranty.

In order to be considered, entrants must send a HANDWRITTEN note explaining why the Veteran or First Responder should receive a free roof. Self-nominations and third-party nominations are both accepted.

However, nominees are limited to one per person. Along with the letter, please include a photo of the exterior of the Veteran’s or First Responder’s house. Letter and photo must be postmarked by July 25, 2023 and mailed to the CMS Roofing corporate office:

CMS ROOFING

Attn: Free Service for Your Service

530 Vision Court

Irmo, SC 29063

No purchase is necessary. The winners will be announced in August. More details can be found at CMSRoofingSC.com.

See clearly without glasses

LASIK is just one of many fantastic surgical options to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia- age-related inability to focus at near distances requiring the use of reading glasses.

LASIK and PRK are procedures using a laser to reshape the cornea. Refractive lens exchange replaces your eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to meet your vision needs. Implantable contact lenses offer another option for patients with extreme nearsightedness.

Schedule a consultation with a specialist to see which option is best to help you reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contacts.

We help get you what you need and deserve because we CARE & we fight on your behalf. We are devoted to family, clients, and co-workers and we give back to the community.

A Healthier Margarita

DISCOVER THE DELICIOUS FRESH TASTE OF A CLASSIC MARGARITA MADE WITHOUT SUGARY MIXERS

ARTICLE BY ANA MEYER

Whether you’re hosting a pool party or simply enjoy sipping the sweet and tartness of an amazing Margarita, this healthier version with these natural ingredients is sure to make your palate happy. This is all fresh ingredients, no mixers. It’s just as easy, much cleaner and better for you!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz. Casamigos Reposado or Blanco Tequila

• 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

• .25 oz. Fresh Orange Juice

• .5 oz. Agave Nectar

• .5 oz. Orange Liqueur

• Garnish with a lime wheel through a skewer

INSTRUCTIONS

• Combine all ingredients into a tin shaker.

• Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into rocks glass.

• Add fresh ice and garnish.

CITY LIFESTYLE

Summer Bucket List

Welcome, summer! As a hyper-local publication, we thrive on helping our readers make connections with the cities they live in, the businesses that make up their communities and the inspiring individuals making a positive mark. Are you ready for your most adventurous, fun summer? Here are summer bucket list ideas for you to accomplish this year. We hope you’ll explore a new neighborhood, spend a lazy Saturday afternoon at a new winery or taste the flavors at a local ice cream shop. Let us know what you discover and enjoy! We’d love to hear.

KIDS

Make the most of this Summer! Check off these activities on our Kids Summer Bucket List as you complete them throughout the summer. P.S. You might need an adult’s help with some of these!

Explore a New Local Park Go

Do a Random Act of Kindness for a Stranger

Write a Kind Note to a Friend

Ride a Rollercoaster

Visit a Carnival

Summer is finally here. Take advantage of the season with our Adult Summer Bucket List. Check off these activities as you complete them with your family and friends and congratulate yourself on a Summer well-spent!

EXPLORE A NEW AREA OF YOUR CITY

DIY Your Way To a Bug-Free Summer

Adult- and Kid-Friendly Natural Bug Repellents from A Beautiful Mess

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY A BEAUTIFUL MESS

Adult Blend Kids Blend

(age 15 and over)

MATERIALS:

• 10 drops lemon essential oil

• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil

• 8 drops lavender essential oil

• 8 drops eucalyptus essential oil

• 1.5 ounces distilled water

(minus 1 teaspoon to make room for the essential oils in the bottle)

• .5 ounce 95% proof grain alcohol*

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a 2-ounce spray bottle, add the grain alcohol (or Solubol) and drop in essential oils. Swirl to combine. Place the cap back on the bottle. Allow the oils to disperse in the alcohol for about 1 hour, then add distilled water, swirling again to combine.

MATERIALS:

• 10 drops lemon essential oil

• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil

• 4 drops lavender essential oil

• 1.5 ounces distilled water

(minus 1 teaspoon to make room for the essential oils in the bottle)

• .5 ounce 95% proof grain alcohol*

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a 2-ounce spray bottle, add the grain alcohol (or Solubol) and drop in essential oils. Swirl to combine. Place the cap back on the bottle. Allow the oils to disperse in the alcohol for about 1 hour, then add distilled water, swirling again to combine.

*The grain alcohol is used as a preservative as well as a carrier for the oils, but you can also use a product like this instead of grain alcohol at a 1:4 ratio (1 drop essential oil to 4 drops Solubol) if you’d rather and then just fill the rest with water to fill the 2-ounce spray bottle.

While there can be concern about citrus oils on the skin when exposed to sunlight, lemongrass isn’t a photosensitive oil, and if lemon essential oil is steam-distilled rather than cold-pressed (Oui Fresh essential oils are cold-pressed) it can be used on the skin. So just make sure to note which one your lemon oil is and only spray on clothes if you don’t have a skin-safe lemon oil (which is an application method a lot of people prefer anyway if they are more sensitive to oils).

Find more DIYs at ABeautifulMess.com.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

Rockin' Red White & Blue Celebration

DOKO MEADOWS PARK IN BLYTHEWOOD | 4:00 PM

The annual Independence Day Celebration will be from 4 PM - 10 PM. It is an event that you do not want to miss! There will be food trucks, live music, vendors, and more! Featuring the Voltage Brothers!

4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray presented by LMC

LAKE MURRAY | 12:00 PM

Lexington Medical Center Proudly Presents the 35th Annual 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray.

12:00 PM:  Patriotic Boat Parade at Bomb Island

9:30 PM: Watch SC’s Largest Fireworks Show on Lake Murray

Did you know the fireworks show is synchronized to music? Turn on your radio to B106.7 to hear patriotic music while enjoying the view.

JULY 2ND

First Sunday – SC State Museum $1 Admission

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MUSEUM | 12:00 PM

General admission to the museum is only $1 for guests on First Sunday!

Included in general admission, guests can explore four floors of South Carolina art, cultural history, natural history and science/technology, including the Boeing Observatory and the Robert B. Arial Collection of Historical Astronomy located on the fourth floor.

JULY 4TH

Lexington County Peach Festival

GILBERT COMMUNITY PARK | 8:00 AM

The famous Lexington County Peach Festival is back! This one-day family friendly festival is an event for all ages. Festivities will celebrate the community, Independence Day, and the Queen of all fruits, the peach! Enjoy live entertainment, fresh peach treats, arts and crafts, the peach parade, fireworks, beauty pageants, and so much more!

JULY 8TH

Southeast Crab Feast

SALUDA SHOALS PARK | 1:00 PM

This highly anticipated event will offer ALL YOU CAN EAT fresh Blue Crabs, one side of Fish & Chips, Music and a Family Friendly Environment for the entire family.  This event offers the Low Country Coastal Heritage of outdoor cooking of fresh seafood. Advance ticket purchase required.

JULY 16TH

Steel Hands Brewing Training Camp, Benefitting Camp Cole

STEEL HANDS BREWING | 5:00 PM

Steel Hands Brewing will host its annual Training Camp event welcoming former College Football athletes for an entertaining evening of live football competitions benefitting Camp Cole. Steel Hands Brewing will be donating 70% of the beer sales from 5:00-8:00 pm to Camp Cole and its mission to create “A Place to Shine” for children, teens and adults facing serious illnesses and other health or life challenges.

JULY 20TH-22ND

South Congaree Championship Rodeo

SOUTH CONGAREE RODEO |

5:00 PM

Get ready Rodeo fans! The South Congaree Championship Rodeo is proud to present this year’s event on July 20-22! Advance ticket sales will start on the first of July. So get ready for 3 great nights of rodeo fun in Lake Murray Country!!! Fun for all ages!

JULY 21ST

Outdoor Showing of "Frozen II"

ICEHOUSE AMPHITHEATER |

8:30 PM

Join the Icehouse Amphitheater for the free showing of Frozen II (PG). While downtown, be sure to grab dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants such as Alodia's, O'Hara's, or the Keg Cowboy.

JULY 22ND

Slip, Slide & Splash!

MELVIN PARK | 11:00 AM

This fun day of water play features crazy fun inflatable water slides, a new toddler area, access to the splash pad and food trucks. This is the event of the summer! All participants must have an ICRC issued wristband to attend. Register online prior to the event or on-site the day of the event.

EVENTS CONTINUED

JULY 22ND

Midlands Women's Day

COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN

CONVENTION CENTER | 10:00 AM

From 10:00-4:00 pm, head downtown to get pampered, shop, and have fun with the women in your life. The 6th Annual Women's Day focuses on educating, empowering, and nurturing women!

Learn about important local resources & services and enjoy FREE chair massages, brow waxing, canvas painting classes, manicures, speakers, stage demos and more. Get ready to SHOP with dozen of vendors!

JULY 23RD

11th Annual Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival

NOMA WAREHOUSE + INDAH COFFEE + SUMTER STREET | 11:00 AM

Tasty Tomato Festival is BACK in the historic, community-driven neighborhood of Cottontown! Enjoy the cool indoors of NoMa Warehouse and Indah Coffee while things heat up with live music and plenty of vendors and activities outside on Sumter Street. Come hungry and thirsty as they'll be hosting a slew of food and drink vendors to keep your bellies full and thirst quenched all day.

JULY 28TH-30TH

American Pickleball Tournament

COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN

CONVENTION CENTER | 8:00 AM

Time for the Ultimate Pickleball Experience. Double Singles: Round Robin format tournament for ALL skills and ALL age brackets from 14+ to 60+. Registration includes indoor play on many courts with three levels of medals per bracket, swag bag, and more.

BUT - there's more than just Pickleball! Plan to hang out for the weekend - including fun games, bestdressed prizes, special evening events, and more!

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/LakeMurray

The Perfect Steak

ARTICLE BY CASEY WEBER, TALL GRASS MEAT COMPANY

Nothing describes summer better than a good cookout! And what is a cookout without a good, quality steak and the perfect grilling recipe?

1. Thaw and acclimate the steak. For searing to occur, the proteins in steak need to be heated to at least 310°F. Tossing cold meat onto a hot grill lowers the temperature and can prevent a crust from forming, so it’s important that any frozen steaks are thawed completely before cooking.

2. Salt your steak 30-45 minutes before grilling. This causes the salt to draw moisture from within the steak up to the surface, where it dissolves the salt and creates a brine that gets reabsorbed into the steak where it breaks down tough connective tissues.

3. Oil the grate on the grill, not the steak. Use tongs and a paper towel dipped in vegetable oil to lube your grates.

4. Manage your heat well. Remember that your grill needs to be hot for your steak to get a good sear. But if it’s hot enough to cause your oil to smoke, it’s too hot.

5. Use the 60/40 rule. The best-tasting steaks are seared on both sides and cooked evenly in the middle. The simplest way to do that is to only flip your steak once. The 60/40 rule suggests that 60% of your cook time should be spent on one side, and 40% on the other.

6. Keep the lid closed. It may be tempting to peek, but trust the experts and keep it shut! Opening the lid makes your grill lose heat, which makes steaks cook unevenly.

7. Check for doneness. A meat thermometer will give you the most accurate temperature reading:

• Rare: 120°F

• Medium Rare: 130°F

• Medium: 140°F

• Medium Well: 150°F

• Well: 160°F

8. Let your steak rest. Pull your steaks from the grill once they’re cooked to 5-10 degrees below your target temperature and rest for 10-15 minutes.

Making Spirits Bright!

The

The Nation’s Highest Ratings in Heart Surgery

At Lexington Medical Heart and Vascular Center, we’re proud to receive three-star ratings for heart surgery once again — the highest measure of quality awarded by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

We’re honored to be recognized for our patient care and outcomes in three types of heart surgery: aortic valve replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve replacement and repair. Fewer than 10% of hospitals in the country earn this elite distinction, and we’re proud to be the only South Carolina hospital included among them.

At Lexington Medical Heart and Vascular Center, we renew lives every day. And our quality ratings mean you can get the best heart care in the nation — right here at home.