YC Magazine - August Issue

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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Nurturing and Harvesting A View From The Keyboard

By Pam Henson

Volume 17, Issue 8 YC Magazine is an entertainingly informative monthly magazine distributed throughout York County, South Carolina. © 2020 Pluto Publishing LLC Publisher ..... Pam Henson Design................ SC Biz News Editor ..... Jim Tatum Graphic Designer ..... Wendy Martin For Advertising call Andrea Mounts at 704-817-1346 or email amounts@mecktimes.com All rights reserved. YC Magazine may not be reproduced in part or in whole in any form, format, or media without the permission of YC Magazine. The opinions expressed in YC Magazine are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or staff of YC Magazine or Pluto Publishing LLC.

Letters to the Editor are welcome. Must include name, phone number, and email address. Email to YCeditorial@scbiznews.com. We are unable to respond to letters without an email address.

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many more peach varieties of sweetness and flavor through the season.

Part of my fun journey was the trip through beautiful York County countryside to one of my favorite peach farms. Safely harboring during COVID-19, my few ventures out are treats. I had the windows down and tunes on, soaking in the sunshine, lush scenery, and earthy smells.

Have you ever cut into a peach and simply marveled at its beauty, at all of the natural forces over time that preceded it in order to create such a treasure? To grow, peaches need some rainfall, but not too much; sunshine; favorable temperatures; and a good balance of soil composition.

Just as the elements that created that peach, we all have outside forces that act upon us, for good and ill. For us humans, it’s a choice to surround ourselves with positivity or negativity, eat foods that

C o l u m n i s t s

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hhh, summertime. When the sun rises hot and sets late. Time for fresh produce from local stands and farmers markets. Time for grilling anything. Time for sitting in rocking chairs, listening to the evening insect symphony, accompanied by a light show courtesy of backyard fireflies. Time for reading a good summertime novel or your favorite magazine (share YC Magazine with your family and friends). And one of my new favorite pastimes, it’s time for watching my nieces play fastpitch via online streaming.

I recently got to enjoy my first York County-grown peach of the season. I prefer to eat them as nature intended — just wash and eat. This one was as juicy, sweet, and tangy as I had anticipated. I’m familiar with the variety — Bounty — having kept lists of favorite peach varieties through the years. And I look forward to sampling the

nourish or deplete, stay physically active to keep our inner “superhighways” moving smoothly or not. One of my online trainers has a good reminder. “The mind goes where the energy flows.” Whatever you allow into your brain and body, you’re going to digest it and marinate in it. And by nurturing yourself with positivity, you allow yourself to operate from a strongly centered place, enabling creative and inspired decisions and actions.

Many people are growing backyard gardens this summer, as a positive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Growing up with large family gardens, I helped plow, seed, water, weed, and harvest. Watching the plants grow and produce their bounty was fascinating. I’ve grown many gardens of my own in various types of plots. My favorite method was in pots. I’ve grown seven-foot corn and okra stalks in large tubs,

which looks kind of funny. I like funny. But the best part is harvesting and eating what I grew with Mother Nature’s help. There’s nothing like a fresh-from-the garden tomato melt. Add tomato slices to your favorite whole-grain bread and top with dill Havarti. Or, who can resist a BLT with a homegrown tomato? I switch the mayonnaise with avocado slices for variety.

When Bill and I were living in Fort Mill, he covered our front and back decks with decorative plants, herbs, produce, and two trees. He had found a small ginkgo tree and planted it in a half-barrel tub. When we moved to Rock Hill, we planted it in the back yard. That tree is close to 40 feet tall now, sprouting new limbs and leaves. It was planted and nurtured with love, along with sun and rain.

Create your own bountiful harvest of memories! yc

YC Magazine Columnists: Mike Baker ....................................... Photography Beth Covington ................................ Connections Beth Crosby...................................... Wordsmithing Dr. Steve Fields ................................ Nature Angela P. Forbes .............................. Nutrition & Food Safety Todd Harrell .................................... Disc Golf Carole Holmberg ............................. Astronomy Grady Johnson................................. Cocktails Tim Jones ........................................ Music Zach Lemhouse ................................ History Dr. Robert Lesslie ............................ Health Stuart Lord....................................... Track Talk Deb Pittman......................................Aging Dr. Bert Platt .................................... Animal Health Pluto ................................................. Furry Philosopher Lauren Paige Powell.........................Dog’s Life

About the cover: A scarecrow guards a York County farm field (Photo/Jan Todd)

Mollie Rose ...................................... Service Nancy Sambets ................................ Photo Gallery Cameron Shook ............................... The Great Outdoors Paul Thompson ................................ Horticulture Stacy Williams ................................. Library Dr. Kevin Wickes ............................. Psychology Chris Fox.......................................... Arts

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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

CONTENTS column

Aging...............................33

Photo Gallery.............24-26

Arts..................................14

Photography ...................16

Animal Health ............... 32 Astronomy ......................18

Psychology ......................15

Connections ................... 22

Service ............................23

Dog’s Life........................34

Thank you to all the Front-Liners who are keeping us safe!

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Pluto-ism ..........................5

Cocktails......................... 20 Disc Golf..........................27 Standing row left to right: Will Reid, Elaine Beard, Katie Bacot, Jerry Dixon Front left to right: Linda Hege Gordon, and Mike Hege

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Track Talk .......................19

Great Outdoors...............28

Wordsmithing .................21

Health .............................. 8

Knowledge is POWER. Become powerful TODAY! Read YC Magazine and Power Up!

History ............................. 6 Horticulture ....................12 Library ........................... 30 Moon Phases .................. 36 Music............................... 17 Nature..............................10 Nutrition .........................31

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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

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August 2020

Pluto’s Corner

Deep Dog Thoughts

By Pluto

“My fashion philosophy is: If you’re not covered in dog hair, your life is empty.”

— Elayne Boosler

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Editor’s note: If you have some pet-related wisdom to share with other readers, please email your submission for consideration to YCeditorial@scbiznews.com.

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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

History

York County’s Yesteryears

By Zach Lemhouse

Popular publications in antebellum York County

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ompared to today, the antebellum South had very few public schools.

Despite this fact, literacy rates were surprisingly high. By the mid nineteenth century, southern states boasted one of the highest literacy rates in the world. In 1850, approximately 80% of white adults could read and, despite the fact that teaching enslaved people to read was at the most illegal and at the least discouraged, an estimated 10% of African Americans were literate. It is, therefore, not surprising that Southerners had a voracious appetite for subscription publications. With this in mind, let

us take a look at some of the prominent periodicals that were being perused in antebellum York County.

The Yorkville Enquirer (1855-2006)

The Yorkville Enquirer was the brainchild of Lewis M. Grist. Lewis was no stranger to newspaper publication. His father, John E. Grist, worked for the Pendleton Messenger, in Pendleton, South Carolina, before relocating to Yorkville (present-day York) in the 1840s. He established several short-lived publications including the Yorkville Journal of the Times, the Yorkville Compiler, and the Farmers’ Miscellany. The latter of the three publications

was sold to his son, Lewis, in 1851. Lewis Grist renamed the Farmers’ Miscellany to the Yorkville Miscellany before scrapping the project entirely and establishing a completely new publication, the Yorkville Enquirer, in 1855. Lewis stated that his newspaper was “an independent journal for the promotion of the political, social, agricultural, and commercial interests of the South.” The “interests” that the Enquirer was promoting were those of the Democrat Party. Prior to the paradigm shift that occurred in the late 1940’s, the majority of white Southerners tended to vote Democrat. Lewis Grist himself iden-

tified the Enquirer as a “Democrat paper.” The Yorkville Enquirer quickly grew to become one of South Carolina’s largest newspapers outside the Charleston area.

At the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, Lewis enlisted in the Confederate army and turned over management of the Enquirer to his father, John.

After hostilities ended in 1865, management of the Yorkville Enquirer was returned to Lewis, though publication was suspended for several months due to lack of supplies like ink and newsprint.

Despite the minor setback, the Enquirer continued to be a popular among South-

Left: Front Page of the Yorkville Enquirer, (Yorkville Enquirer, April 12, 1855) Right: Front Page of the Charleston Mercury, (Charleston Mercury, December 13, 1867) PAGE 6

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

ern Democrats during Reconstruction. In 1890, Lewis gave control of his newspaper to his son, Wood Davidson Grist. Under Wood’s leadership, the Enquirer expanded and greatly increased its circulation.

Wood sold the Yorkville Enquirer in 1943 and it eventually merged with the Clover Herald and became the Enquirer-Herald.

The last issue of the Yorkville Enquirer appeared March 16, 2006.

The Charleston Mercury (18211868)

Christmas tree at Windsor Castle (Drawn by J.L. Williams. England London, 1848)

The Charleston Mercury was founded in 1821 by New Jersey-born publisher Edward Morford. Morford originally named his publication the Charleston Mercury and Morning Advertiser. He sold the Advertiser to Henry Laurens Pinckney in 1823 and, two years later, the title was changed to The Charleston Mercury. Much like the Grist family, Pinckney was a staunch Democrat. Unsurprisingly, Pinckney used the Mercury to espouse the ideas of John C. Calhoun, specifically the concept of nullification. In 1857, the paper changed hands for a third time when it was purchased by Robert Barnwell Rhett Jr.

August 2020

Despite the change in management, the Mercury continued to support Democrat ideals including secession. Once secession was achieved, however, the paper turned against its democratic base and began criticizing the Confederate government. In 1864, the Charleston Mercury moved from Charleston to Columbia. This ill-timed relocation resulted in the destruction of the Mercury headquarters the following year when Columbia fell to federal troops under the command of William T. Sherman on Feb. 17, 1865. Rhett attempted to revive the Mercury after the American Civil War but his publication failed once and for all in November of 1868.

Godey’s Lady’s Book (1830-1878)

Godey’s Lady’s Book was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Louis A. Godey in 1830. Achieving a circulation of approximately 150,000 prior to the American Civil War, Godey’s Lady Book became the most popular women’s publication of the time. Each issue contained poetry and articles as well as fashion plates that were painstakingly hand-colored by over 100 women in Godey’s employ. Between 1837

and 1850, some of the world’s most popular writers graced the pages of the Lady’s Book, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Longfellow, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Edgar Allan Poe. Unlike the Yorkville Enquirer and the Charleston Mercury, Godey’s Lady’s Book refrained from political discourse and focused instead on women’s education and popular culture. In December of 1850, the Lady’s Book became the first American periodical to circulate a picture of a fully-decorated Christmas tree.

Queen Victoria, who was viewed as the epitome of purity, morality, and femininity by the publishers of Godey’s, was often depicted within the publication. In 1848, the Illustrated London News published an image of a wood engraving depicting Queen Victoria’s Christmas tree at Windsor Castle. The image was republished in Godey’s two years later in 1850 and again in 1860. yc Zach Lemhouse is the resident historian for the Culture and Heritage Museums of York County and the Director of the Southern Revolutionary War Institute. If you have any questions or suggestions for future article topics you can reach Zach at ZacharyLemhouse@gmail.com

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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Health

The Doctor’s Corner

By Robert D. Lesslie, MD, MPH

A Covid-19 update

U

nfortunately, it looks like we’re going to be dealing with the Coronavirus for quite a while, so it might be a good time to consider a few things that are settling out.

Let’s start with one of the early “alarms,” and that has to do with infections being more likely and even worse if an individual happened to be taking a particular class of blood pressure medications. This is a great example of the media grabbing a possibility and making it a reality—causing a lot of anxiety while doing so. The class of medications in question are the ACE inhibitors and the closely related ARBS. You might recognize the drugs in these groups: lisinopril, Accupril, losartan, Benicar, among others. We knew early in the pandemic that the virus gains entry into the body by binding to one of the sites that these drugs happen to act on, and there was speculation that if someone was taking these med-

ications, the virus would have an easier time infecting them. Widespread concern ensued, and many people were asking their healthcare providers if it was safe to continue their blood pressure medicine.

Keep in mind that these drugs are very effective in the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure — a couple of the “co-morbidities” that when present, put us at high risk. A widespread stoppage of these medicines could be catastrophic.

Fortunately, we continue to learn much about this virus, and a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine presented some clarity regarding this issue. In a large group of people (almost 9,000 individuals), there was no increased risk of in-hospital mortality associated with the use of ACE inhibitors or ARBS. In fact, there might have been a slight protective effect. As expected, the authors noted that older age and the presence of heart

disease were each associated with a greater chance of dying with this infection. So yes, keep taking your blood pressure medicine.

Now let’s consider a drug we’ve been hearing a lot of recently: remdesivir. It’s no wonder that we’re very interested in the development of a medication that will effectively treat Covid-19. To date, there have been more than 9 million confirmed cases worldwide, with more than 500,000 deaths. We are all looking for some relief.

Having an effective pill to take would be a game-changer, and there has been some hope that remdesivir just might be that silver bullet. It’s an inhibitor of an enzyme that controls viral RNA, so theoretically it might work. Unfortunately, the results of studies that have looked at its effectiveness have been mixed. There might be some limited positive benefits, but the drug has not been shown to be curative of a Covid infection or preventive. We’ll just have

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to be patient and continue to hope that there’s something out there that will work.

And regarding a potential vaccine, I’m not sure we’re very close to that either. We are learning that this virus is a slippery critter and finding something that will induce a significant antibody response is proving elusive. Still there’s hope.

And finally, who would’a thunk that the entire world would be so engrossed with the wearing of face masks? The conventional wisdom here has shifted over the past few months and may very well shift again. As of today, the wearing of face masks is considered effective in limiting the spread of this infection and is encouraged by most health authorities. In fact, it’s become a required facial fixture in many cities and states. A hassle, to be sure, but something that does make sense. And as with any significant health panic (or any panic for that matter), cottage industries are rapidly sprouting up, providing us with a multitude of designer masks. (Many of us are creatively making our own.) But what do we really know here? If we can assume that face masks limit the spread of the coronavirus, what type of mask works best? Or does it matter? Well, it seems it does, and the hard facts might be disappointing. A study published in the British Medical Journal compared the effectiveness of cloth masks and standard “procedural” masks. The authors of the report recruited over 1,600 healthcare workers (those in emergency departments, ICU’s, and infectious disease units), and studied them over a four-week period.

They compared the rates of infection (laboratory-confirmed) in the two groups and found that those wearing cloth masks had

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August 2020

a much higher risk of infection (more than 13 times!) than those wearing procedural masks. They also studied the penetration of particles through various masks and found those made of cloth to have a much higher rate of penetration (97%) than regular medical masks (44%), while the N95 mask limited penetration almost completely (less than 0.01%).

So, what do we make of this? The authors suggested that the wearers of cloth masks are probably re-adjusting their masks more often during the day, spreading potential contaminates from hands and fingers. Another possibility might be that the cloth mask becomes warm and moist after a short period of time, allowing prolonged survival of the virus. Their recommendation? Wearing a mask makes sense if you’re out in public, and while cloth masks seem to be inferior to the procedural varieties, they are probably better than wearing no mask at all.

As an aside, these authors point out that an increased frequency of hand washing was found to be significantly effective in limiting the chance of becoming infected

by Covid 19. Simple, and something we all can do. yc Dr Lesslie’s Angels in the ER is available at bookstores and on the internet. For more information check out RobertLesslie.com.

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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Nature The Naturalist’s Journal

By Dr. Steve Fields

The river that flows through time

Left, Rounded quartz stream pebbles from relatively high elevations indicate that the Catawba River was once much wider than at present. The pebbles in this image are located at an elevation at least 60 feet higher than the present water level. Right, Image taken from the shore of the Catawba River. Note the flood plain, natural levee, and stream terrace (remnant of an older flood plain).

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ater this year a new exhibit opens at the Museum of York County. “Ice Age Carolina: Exploring Our Pleistocene Past” will feature incredible creatures that once inhabited our region. At the end of the Pleistocene Epoch, many animals became extinct, but some managed to survive, and it is possible that one of our local icons, the Catawba River, is another Ice Age holdover.

The Catawba River begins in the mountains of western North Carolina, but when it actually formed is unknown. The river is part of a complex system of watersheds that extend through the rolling topography of the Piedmont on the way to the Atlan-

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tic Ocean. Erosion has been the primary geological force over the last few million years, as the river systems cut through the rocks of the mountains and Piedmont and washed deposits onto the coastal plain. We do not know how long the river that we call the “Catawba” has been a part of those processes, but there is evidence to suggest that it dates back to at least the late Pleistocene (12,000 to 18,000 years ago).

There are places along the Catawba River where the rocks tell the story of much higher water levels. We have all seen rocks that were smoothed and rounded by water, but you might be surprised where such rocks have been found. I have col-

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lected water worn “stream cobbles” near the Catawba some 60 feet higher than the current level of the river. What’s more, the rocks are actually composed of quartz, the most erosionally-resistant of the rock forming minerals. Such rocks are actually found at numerous sites in the vicinity of the river. The inference is that at times the river was much broader and higher than at present.

Other evidence is noted from the current shoreline where the land next to the Catawba River has not been subject to residential or commercial development.

There are places I have walked along the water’s edge, looking into the adjacent woodlands. There, the landscape reveals several levels where water has flowed in the past. Please see this column’s image that shows the modern floodplain, natural levee and stream terrace (the remnant of an older floodplain).

A few geologists, including my friend and colleague, the late Dr. Irene Boland, conducted studies of the Catawba River in York County. Dr. Boland was a professor at Winthrop University and an inspiration to her students and colleagues. Most of what I know about regional geology can be credited to her. Dr. Boland and others suspected that the Catawba River was at least Pleistocene in age, and that some river sediments were deposited up to 25,000 years ago. Dr. Boland also had an intriguing hypothesis about the quartz stream pebbles and for-

mation of the stream terraces. Although we cannot be sure of the details, I find the possibilities quite fascinating.

The Catawba River originates in the Appalachian Mountains. Over 18,000 years ago, large glaciers advanced across the northern United States. The ice sheets did not come as far south as the Carolinas, but there is a chance that smaller ice sheets could have formed in the Appalachians.

There is currently no direct evidence supporting the existence of such “montane glaciers,” but if they existed, they would have melted when the climate started to warm during the late Pleistocene. The surge of mountain meltwater would have resulted in much higher water levels downstream, possibly for long periods of time.

Such would explain the higher terraces and deposits of eroded quartz pebbles.

We may never know the entire story of the Catawba River, or of any other Pleistocene relics, but that does curtail our curiosity and desire to learn. It just adds to the list of Ice Age mysteries to be explored.

I look forward to the time when we can re-open the museums and welcome you to new “Ice Age Carolinas” exhibit. Until then, be safe and stay healthy. yc Dr. Steven E. Fields is the curator of natural history for the Culture and Heritage Museums and an adjunct instructor of biology at Winthrop University and York Technical College. You can contact “Dr. Steve” at 803-909-7216 or email stevefields@chmuseums.org.

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August 2020

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August 2020

Horticulture

Growing York County

By Paul Thompson

Don’t let your fall gardening space go to waste

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e are lucky here in South Carolina that you can have fresh vegetables from the garden 365 days per year in you plan things right. Fall gardening is the way to have fresh vegetables right into winter, with some surviving and regrowing in the spring. Many fall gardens are carried over from summer gardens.

Tomatoes, okra, peppers, eggplant, and pole beans, if cared for during the summer, continue to produce until cold slows them down and frost kills them.

To keep these vegetables producing, control insects and diseases, keep the plants watered and fertilized, and don’t let the garden grow up in grass and weeds.

A good fall garden is not just keeping the summer garden alive, it means planting new vegetables that produce in fall and early winter.

Many cool-weather vegetables, often planted in spring, will grow and produce better if planted in the fall, since they ma-

ture as the weather cools. Spring planted crops are often exposed to high temperatures in the late spring which causes bolting (rapid production of flowers) before the crop can be harvested. A fall garden provides a second opportunity. Chinese cabbage and rutabagas require a long period of cool weather and are recommended for planting only in the fall.

Warm-season vegetables planted in midsummer for fall harvest require additional time to mature as the weather cools in September and October. Choose planting dates in midsummer that allow these vegetables to mature before frost.

The hot, dry weather in late summer and early fall is hard on germinating seeds and young transplants. Vegetables suited well for direct seeding are carrots, spinach, radishes, beets, salad greens and chard.

Spinach is very hardy and can be harvested through all but the coldest winters, but it needs cooler temperatures to germinate

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

Top, properly spaced seedlings will have optimum growth potential and harvest.

Bottom, mature red mustard greens almost ready for harvest.

from seed so wait until late September to plant. Carrots are also very cold hardy, and if planted in the fall, they will have a much longer growing season to produce larger roots when they get harvested in late spring and early summer. Radishes mature in as little as 30 days, so they can be planted over several weeks to prolong the harvest.

All of our fall vegetables have tiny seed.

Seeds are normally planted at a higher density, and then thinned to the desired spacing after germination. Failure to thin the seedlings to the recommended spacing will result in weak, unproductive plants.

Most of our fall vegetables are best started from transplants to give them a good chance of survival before the weather cools and to be able to harvest before damaging frosts. You can start transplants yourself about three weeks before the recommended planting dates, or you can buy transplants at local garden centers. Fall vegetables recommended from transplants are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, turnips, collards, mustard, and lettuce.

The fall planting date for most of these is mid-August. Some varieties of cabbage, for example, have a wide range of “days to harvest” after planting, so fast maturing vari-

August 2020

eties can be planted up into September.

“Days to harvest” is normally on the plant tag or seed packet.

Setting out plants without disturbing the root system reduces transplant shock.

Planting late in the day will also reduce the initial shock. Make sure the soil in the pot and the garden is moist before planting. Protect young plants from the sun for about a week by providing some type of shade. This can be done by planting on the east side of tall plants such as tomatoes, or by sticking some leafy boughs in the ground around the plant to for a temporary “tent.” You can also just place a loose pile of straw on top of the plant. The point is to provide a little bit of shade, especially afternoon shade, so that the plants get a chance to adapt to their new location.

A fall garden is open to attack by insects and diseases just as the summer garden. In some cases, the insect problems are worse.

Worms (cabbage loopers and imported cabbage worms) are serious problems on fall cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and collards. Control these leaf-eating worms with one of the biological sprays or dusts which contain Baccillus thuringiensis or Bt for short. Bt does not last long, so repeat applications every five days or immediately after it rains.

Fall vegetables need fertilizer just as much as spring and summer vegetables.

Don’t count on the fertilizer applied in spring to supply fertilizer needs of vegetables planted in late summer and fall.

Fertilize before planting and side-dress as needed.

As the danger of frost approaches, pay close attention to weather predictions.

Tender plants often can be protected from an early frost and continue to produce for several weeks. Covering plants late in the day with some type of fabric will trap the heat from the soil and raise the nighttime temperature by several degrees which is often enough to prevent damage. When a killing frost is inevitable, harvest your tender vegetables.

Green tomatoes that are turning white just before turning pink will ripen if stored in a cool place. Pick these tomatoes, wrap them in paper, and use them as they ripen.

Don’t abandon the garden when freezing temperatures kill the plants. Clean up the debris, store stakes and poles, take a soil test, and prepare part of the garden to be ready for planting potatoes and peas in the late spring.

For more information on gardening, visit our Home and Garden Information Center. There you’ll find individual fact sheets on every vegetable crop grown in South Carolina, as well as fact sheets such as Planning a Vegetable Garden, which gives you all the planting dates and the amount of seed needed for planting different vegetables. Visit the website at http://hgic. clemson.edu. yc Paul Thompson is a Horticulture Agent with the Clemson Extension Service. Contact him at (803) 684-9919, ext. 112.

Clockwise, from above left, planting small seeds to start the growing process, a harvest of carrots, which are very hardy cold weather vegetables, and mature kale ready for picking.

PAGE 13

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Arts

The Cultural Scene

By Chris Fox

A few minutes with Mike Gentry Sweat It Fest when it comes around again) and even hosting a monthly gathering where local artists can come and receive feedback on what they’re working on. I always enjoy anytime Mike and I get to sit down and talk and I’m excited to let you get to know him.

Tell us a little about yourself and your art.

Mike Gentry (photo/Jake Francek)

M

ike Gentry and I lived next door to each other in Richardson Residence Hall as freshmen at Winthrop University. We were both art majors at the time and even back then I admired his passion for all things art and music. I also love that, when almost everyone else moved away after graduating, Mike stuck around and has become a staple in the art community, working at the arts council, heading up multiple arts festivals throughout the year (you don’t want to miss Don’t

Hello, I’m Mike Gentry, Winthrop Fine Art Alum of 2008, Gallery Director at the Arts Council of York County, and Manager of the Concerts at the Courtroom. I graduated with a degree in Sculpture where I created interactive installations with the purpose of gathering people in new ways.

Since then, I’ve created a lot of 2-D collage on panels in a series I called Transferred Advertisements. It’s been a series spanning many years. In this body of work, I explore pattern, color, and the concept of rearranging visually loud and obnoxious imagery into something mesmerizing. In the past, I’ve participated in many local bands and performance art pieces that utilize music, art, and theater.

When did you first start making art?

I always enjoyed art classes in grade school, but my time at Winthrop opened up my perception of what art can be. My journey into fine art truly began in my first 3D design class where I was introduced to artists like Olafur Eliasson and Tom Freidman.

How have you seen your art/art practice grow and develop over the years?

The work that I’ve seen develop the most is collaborative projects. I enjoy working on group ideas that incorporate a wide array of skills like music, dance, theater, sculpture, and much more. These group performances have developed some of the most innovative and entertaining work I’ve participated in. Sharing ideas and looking at a piece from multiple perspectives is like cooking a soup, it’s churning with ideas and in the end you’re trying to boil it down to the most potent and satisfying product to share with an audience.

How does your music influence your visual art and vice versa?

In many ways my music and art are different expressions. They don’t always mix, but once you break down elements of the work some themes seem to always ring true.

Who have been your biggest influences both from Art History but also locally?

For visual art, my biggest local influence is Paul Martyka, the late printmaking professor at Winthrop University. He made exceptional work and was a very dear friend to me. There are many other visual artists that inspire me: Agnes Martin, Olafur Eliasson, Tom Friedman, and Rafael Lozano- Hemmer.

What excites you about the art scene in the York County area?

York County has been one of the fastest growing areas of the state and with my privilege of working at the Arts Council of York County I get to experience all the diverse groups of artists that exist in this area. Rock Hill is no longer the quiet college town I experienced in college. There is so much potential for growth in this area and we get to witness it firsthand.

What are some things you’re looking forward to either with the Arts Council or personally?

First of all, I look forward to the end of COVID-19. Since March, the Arts Council has remodeled our gallery and made many improvements to our space and I can’t wait to be able to share it with the public. Personally, I am impatiently waiting for when we can gather in groups again so I can get back to showcasing local music with Concerts at the Courtroom

Thanks for taking some time to let us get to know you better, Mike.

Mike has work onb exhibit in various places in and around Rock Hill, including in the Cotton Alley off Main Street and in the DiGiorgio Student Center on Winthrop’s campus. You should definitely make some time to check them out (just make sure to wear your mask!) yc Chris Fox is the Campus Director for Friday Arts Project, an arts non-profit in Rock Hill. He’s a writer and illustrator and you can find him on Instagram @chrisfoxonline

Examples of Mike Gentry’s work. These are two dimensional collages of various elements, colors and textures. His work can be seen in a number of places around Rock Hill. (Photos/ Mike Gentry) PAGE 14

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Psychology

Working Within

By Dr. Kevin Wickes, LPC, NCC, CEAP

Changing the inner self

I

hope you’re all safe and sound as we continue the journey of the COVID-19.

The struggles and challenges of our county and/or our nation are closing opportunities to come together in this conflict. What if we choose (vs react/reflex) to act differently (our attitude of gratitude or grace) vs judging/condemning? Remember, the W.A.R. (Willing, Able and Ready) is within us; thus, change occurs inside (vs outside). “Our greatest tool for changing the world is our capacity to change our mind about the world.”

Many topics I have discovered have been working with clients, thus, I have observed that many anxieties/depressions may relate to unmet expectations, including the way we’re managing COVID-19. I came across a phrase that might make sense: “Giving a gift without conditions will change the inner self.” The previous article examined the idea that “perception will set you free,” however, what I like about this phrase is the idea of how many times we have given gifts and are disappointed in the return.

• First, I might have us to explore the idea or definition of “gift.” Gift is defined as follows: • something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present.

• the act of giving.

• something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned: (source: https://www.dictionary.com/ browse/gift?s=t) Do you notice the key words? “Given voluntarily without payment in return” or “without being earned” – interesting, it sounds similar to Agape (loving without conditions). How often have you been tired or frustrated of giving without something in return?

I recall a time I gave as a gift a PC to a friend, the friend then turned around and gave it her adult child. I was unsettled, due to the fact that the PC was for her, not her adult child. Other times I recall acts of service such as going out of my way to provide an easier life for others, and, lo and behold, the person neglects or overlooks the effort. Sound familiar? The point of the stories is how often we condition (“if-then”) our “gifts” to a formula of expectations. As a result, we become

frustrated, angry, disappointed and yes, at times depressed/anxious.

If you reflect, often the gift of giving with conditions is a form of “control,” power, or the inability to trust. Hence, the reason you’re unsettled, disappointed, frustrated, and harbor other negative feelings because the outcome was unmet.

What if we gave a gift without conditions? Then, maybe we would struggle less with our relationships and the world we live. The choice is how do we go about giving the gift (the process) without the negative feelings (outcome)? It is our heart’s intent. What if family/friends, donors, politicians, givers and etc. gave without conditions? We might have less turmoil, conflict/confrontation, and uneasiness.

Thus, how do we give without conditions? The following are some strategies: • Examine your heart’s intent. The expectations will be your key indicator of the gift being conditional such as expecting certain reactions, receiving something in return, and so on.

• Check the “root.” Often, we have learned the “if-then” formula from our family of origin, how we were raised. Patterns and habits of giving are demonstrated by the ones we have been trained or socialized. At times, the “gift” can be presented by our “scripts” – thought patterns of shoulds, woulds, coulds, dids etc., usually connected to our guilt/shame and doubt.

• Set boundaries. Be clear when providing a gift – set boundaries, conditions, etc. If you’re wanting to set parameters to the gift, then let people know what you expect with or without conditions.

Depositphotos.com • Be an active listener (both eyes and ears). Utilize encouragers, reflections, and etc. to acknowledge and to clarify to the “receiver” the meaning/ purpose of the gift - truly integrate what the person is saying. Listening may assist in helping to match the giver and the receiver without conditions.

• Cherish/Value the process of giving the gift: be in the moment, what are you thinking, feeling and responding physically, while you’re giving the gift.

Often, we miss the opportunities of the “icing on the cake” due to being wrapped up in the outcome (i.e., “I hope…”). The “cake” is the process of giving oneself

Support Our Local Businesses

without conditions, and at times, the “icing” would be the positive outcome. (source: https://www.mindbodygreen. com/0-4171/Unconditional-Love-Howto-Give-It-and-How-to-Know-WhenIts-Real.html) In summary, “What we give to others, we give to ourselves,” whether it is fear, love, anxiety, grace, conditions, and so many more, ultimately, it is a reflection — and sometimes projection — of ourselves. yc Dr. Kevin Wickes, LPC, NCC, CEAP, is a seasoned, licensed, and certified counselor and professor of Integrative Counseling Services, LLC. Contact him at 843-647-1162 or dr.kwickes@gmail.

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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Photography View Finder

By Mike Baker

Using Zoom for photography discussions The author participating in an online photography discussion/critique session on the Zoom platform. (photo/Mike Baker).

W

ith the absence of photography club meetings, group photo forays and socializing in general, staying engaged with other photographers and photo groups has become a challenge over the last few months. Sure, there’s Facebook and other social media, but I’m talking more about real engagement and interaction, particularly when it comes to honest input and feedback regarding our photo work. One tool that I’ve come to enjoy using is the video conferencing app Zoom. Here, I’m not going to offer a tutorial on using Zoom, those are easily found online. Instead, I’ll discuss how I’ve used the app, and a few issues and concerns.

If you’re totally unfamiliar with the Zoom app, it is a cloud-based platform for video and audio communications for conferencing, chat, webinars and more. There are several levels of services that they provide, including a totally free level. If a user is the host for a video meeting, that user has to sign up for an account, the base level account is free. Others who are joining in a meeting don’t even have to have an account. They simply follow an email invitation with a link to join a meeting. I’ve PAGE 16

been joining Zoom meetings for a couple of years without an account and I only recently signed-up for the free base-level account so that I could host video meetings myself.

It was dead simple, and it took all of three minutes to get things going, and that was including the time it took to put on some pants so that I would be presentable for the upcoming meeting.

There have been some widely publicized computer security issues concerning Zoom. It seems that hackers have been able to enter Zoom meetings uninvited, basically photo bombing the meetings. There has also been issues with vulnerabilities to malware being installed on the computers of unsuspecting Zoom users and some concerns about Zoom’s privacy policies.

Since the start of the pandemic, Zoom has seen explosive growth in the number of users of their platform. From the outside, it certainly appears that Zoom has attempted to address those issues and prevent them going forward. There are also a number of other platforms available; to list just a few, there’s GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams, and Skype. I felt comfortable installing and using Zoom, but I encourage any potential

user to do their due diligence and research the issue before committing to an Internet video platform.

Now, in regard to photography, for about two years, I’ve been using the Zoom app to participate in online photo critiques. Most recently, a group of five friends and I have met regularly in Zoom meetings to critique each other’s work. The way it works is this, for each critique, we all submit three images to a shared Dropbox folder; the host of the meeting downloads those images and imports them into their editing software.

Since all of the photographers in our critique group use Adobe Lightroom, that’s the software we use during the online session; any editing software could be used, even a simple preview function could be used to display the images.

Once the meeting has begun on Zoom, the host shares their computer monitor display with the group. The host will have Lightroom up, running and displayed on their monitor for all participants to see; additionally, each group member’s video stream is visible as well. We go through the images one at a time, offering opinions of what we like or dislike, and why. Some-

times edits are suggested, which can often be applied to the images, in real-time, by the host using Lightroom.

This method has worked well for us and has been beneficial to me. I think six participants is the right number for these types of online critique meetings. Any more would cause the meeting to drag on and any fewer participants might not offer as diverse opinions. Careful selection of group members is important. Each member needs to know that the other members are capable of giving valid criticism and praise. And, there needs to be trust that the criticism is given in an honest, but nurturing manner. I’m a firm believer that if an image of mine doesn’t get shot down by the group on a regular basis, then I’m not getting honest critiques. In our little group, there is a mix of serious and competent amateurs, working photographers, photo educators and authors. The members mostly pursue wildlife, landscape, and a little abstract photography, while I’m the outlier who throws in a mix of portraiture, street and documentary photos. It’s a good opportunity for each of us to see how those with experience in other photo genres view our work.

So, if you’re missing the beneficial interaction with other photographers and artists, consider Zoom or another video platform to bring this interaction back into your photo practice. It’s simple, and, depending on level of service, it’s free. You can try it for a short or long period of time.

You can make the commitment to join in critiques or just some social distancing online. But whichever to you choose, just remember to wear pants. yc Mike Baker is an awarding-winning photographer whose work has been published by national and regional publications. Mike is an Artist in Residence at the Arts Council of York County and a member of NPS (Nikon Professional Services). Mike can be reached at mike@mbakerphotographic.com.

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Music

Tuning In To York County

By Tim Jones

The “what’s in a name change?” game

Depositphotos.com

S

o the Dixie Chicks are now just “The Chicks.” Lady Antebellum has decided to change their name to “Lady A,” though not without some legal weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Seattle-based blues singer Anita Ward argues that she has been performing under the name Lady A for the last 20 years. We’ll see how that all works out.

Many people remember when, in 1993 in a dispute with his record company, Prince changed his name to that unpronounceable symbol and was referred as “The Artist formerly known as Prince” or simply “The Artist.”

The Chicks, The Artist, and Lady A aren’t unusual in the music world. Many musical acts have changed their names.

Usually acts change their names before becoming famous, not after, though.

So here’s the test. You will be given 20 names that were once used by famous acts, numbered 1-20. You will also be given the 20 names of the famous acts, lettered A-T. Matched the former name with the famous name. Answer key at the end.

1. The Quarrymen 2. Tom and Jerry 3. The Golliwogs 4. Atomic Mass 5. Polka Tulk Blues Band 6. Chicago Transit Authority 7. The Pendeltons 8. Free Beer 9. The Salty Peppers 10. Pud 11. LA Guns and Hollywood Rose 12. Wicked Lester 13. The Sex Maggots

14. Mookie Blaylock 15. The New Yardbirds 16. The Rattlesnakes 17. Rat Salad 18. The Primettes 19. The Detours 20. Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem A. Red Hot Chili Peppers B. The Beach Boys C. Kiss D. Simon and Garfunkel E Creedence Clearwater Revival F. Earth, Wind, and Fire G. The Supremes H. The Who I. The Bee Gees J. The Doobie Brothers K. Chicago

L. Pearl Jam M. The Beatles N. Led Zeppelin O. Van Halen P. Barenaked Ladies Q. Guns N Roses R. The Goo Goo Dolls S. Def Leppard T. Black Sabbbath ANSWER KEY: 1-M, 2-D, 3-E, 4-S, 5-T, 6-K, 7-B. 8-P, 9-F, 10-J, 11-Q, 12-C, 13-R, 14-L, 15-N, 16-I, 17-O, 18-G, 19-H, 20-A yc Tim Jones is owner of Woody’s Music in Rock Hill and co-owner of Woody’s Music in Tega Cay. Tim grew up in Sharon and was a Green Dragon at the old York High School.

Want to adopt a pet?

York County Animal Control: www.YorkCountyGov.com Animal Adoption League: www.MyNextPet.com Humane Society of York County: www.HumaneSocietyOfYorkCounty.org Operation Care: www.PetFinder.com Richardson Rescue: www.RichardsonRescue.org PAGE 17

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Astronomy

Looking Up

By Carole Holmberg

Northern Cross visible for rest of 2020

Mark Stanford Sr. took this image of the colorful double star Albireo with his telescope in Rock Hill.

D

uring August, you will notice three bright stars in the evening sky toward the east. They form a triangle, but, of course, every three bright stars form a triangle. This one, however, is a famous asterism named the Summer Triangle. An asterism is a prominent pattern of stars that form part of a constellation or several constellations. The Big Dipper is an asterism that forms part of the constellation of Ursa Major the Great Bear. The Summer Triangle are three bright stars from three different constellations.

I like to think of the Summer Triangle as a right triangle. At its 90 degree angle vertex is the brightest of the three stars and the brightest non-Solar System object in the summer evening sky, Vega. Vega is part of the small constellation Lyra the Harp. Next in brightness is the star Altair, part of Aquila the Eagle. The dimmest of the three is the star Deneb. The word “Deneb” means “tail” and it marks the tail of the constellation Cygnus the Swan. It is also an extremely luminous star. While Vega is 25 light years away and Altair is even closer at PAGE 18

17 light years away, Deneb shines almost as brightly even though it is over 2,600 light years away, over 100 times farther. Altair and Vega are stars much like the sun, while Deneb is a super-supergiant of luminosity class Ia, sometimes referred to as a hypergiant.

If you start with Deneb and draw an imaginary line toward a point midway between Altair and Vega, you are following the body of the swan. Cygnus is also known as the Northern Cross, and the cross is the swan upside down. Cygnus has a bright tail and, like all swans do, a long neck. The arms are outstretched as it forms the shape of a Christian cross.

At the head of the swan is the star Alberio. It is a double star and is sometimes considered one of the most beautiful doubles in the sky because of the two distinctly different colors of the pair. You can’t see both stars with your eyes alone or even through an ordinary pair of binoculars, but through a small telescope or with a powerful pair of binoculars and a tripod, you can. Although people generally agree that

the two stars are of different colors, they can’t quite agree on what the colors are.

I’ve heard blue and gold, green and orange, aqua and amber, and even azure and topaz.

Over half of the stars in the sky are multiples of two or more, but whether the two components of Alberio are orbiting each other or not is unknown. If they are orbiting each other, they are far enough apart that it would take about 100,000 years for them to circle around each other once.

Now that you have the swan pictured — in flight, wings outstretched — think about where its throat might be. That is the location of Cygnus X-1, called that because it was the first X-ray source found in that Cygnus. You can’t see it with your eyes, but it is one of the strongest sources of X-rays as seen from Earth and the X-ray emission is believed to be from a (relatively) close black hole.

The constellation Cygnus flies along the Milky Way. Even if you can’t see the Milky Way with your eyes, scan along Cygnus on a moonless night with binoculars and you will see dozens of stars.

On the other hand, if you are blessed with clear dark skies on a moonless night that are dark enough that you can see the Milky Way with your eyes alone, look for dark patches along its length. Those dark patches are where there are thick clouds of gas and dust, so thick that the light of the stars behind them cannot penetrate. The long dark streak along the flank of Cygnus is named the Great Rift.

We can see Cygnus from York County in the northeastern evening sky this month.

It will remain in the evening sky for the rest of the year, moving slowly westward by 4 minutes each night as Earth orbits the Sun. By early December, you can see it low in the northwest, either as a cross standing upward or as a swan diving toward the horizon. yc Carole Holmberg is the Planetarium Manager at the Museum of York County. She gives planetarium shows each Tuesday – Saturday at 3:30 p.m., with additional shows on Saturdays and school holidays. Ms. Holmberg can be reached at CHolmberg@chmuseums.org.

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Track Talk

The Local Racing Scene

By Stuart Lord

Following a few drivers from past stories

T

he neat thing about writing this column is meeting drivers, both young and old and how they have been doing the past 15 months. One thing I’m seeing, even with stiff competition, especially with drivers coming into tracks from other tracks, is they’re constantly improving and winning.

At the tracks I visit, the Super Late Models are the kings of the hills. However, a division right below them are 604 late mod-

els using Chevy Crate motors. Putting out roughly 465 horsepower, their times and speeds are just a little under the Supers.

While it seemed the class was losing favor to the 602 Late models, the 604’s are a really popular class with the fans.

One of the most consistent drivers, and a winner more often than not, is Bryan Mullis of Rock Hill. As I had pointed out in his April story, Bryan was able to learn a lot working at John Page Racing and applying those skills to his own race car.

While this season has had ups and downs as far as when the tracks could open, when the opportunity arose, there was Mullis once again in Victory Lane the last couple of times at Cherokee Speedway. His side business BMR Race Car Bodies is still in full swing Next up is Travis Steele, also a 604 competitor. Driving his Swartz Late Model again in 2020. Tearing the car down to the bare frame in the off season, Travis is once again in winning form and as usual, is a constant threat to land in Victory Lane

wherever he runs. Another firm believer in Page Racing Shocks, Wes (January 2020) has been there whenever we have questions, which is a key to our success. Keep a eye out for the always beautifully prepared #5 Late Model.

Car owners don’t get talked about that much, it’s the drivers who seem to always get the recognition. But this team owner is someone who goes beyond simply being the owner of a team,

virgo_star —Depositphotos.com Kris Callahan, (Nov. 2019) is the guy behind the success of a young Jeremy Steele of Rock Hill. Kris, owner of Xcell Grading & Waterproofing. Kris has been providing his driver with the best equipment and is always upgrading the cars when anything is needed. I said cars, because Kris also drives a Open Wheel Modified. However, things just changed in the Xcell Motorsports shop, Kris recently sold one of the Modifieds, and has purchased a Late Model for Jeremy to campaign in the tough 604 Late Model Division. While there is a lot to learn with the new car, the Xcell Team should be front runners in no time, thanks again to Wes Page who’ll be helping setup the car for various tracks they plan to visit.

The next driver I wrote about was Matt Hope in the July 2019 of YC Magazine. At the time, Matt was driving a Open Wheel Modified, with many wins under his belt.

A versatile driver, he also drove a Winged Sprint car to wins. After taking some time off, Hope was approached this season, and started driving for Jesse Rocket in the #28H Modified. With only a handful of races in the car, and running at the front, the car was sold on the July 4th weekend leaving Matt again without a ride. But it appears it won’t be for long as a deal could be put together soon.

Steve Banal was the featured driver/ owner of a 525 Late Model. Banal was crowned the

2019 F.U.E.L. Champion, and again, a front runner and winner which ever track he ran. At the end of the season, he was approached to sell the engine, which he did. Things took a turn in his life that saw Steve move and do a little rebuilding.

Currently he’s building a new home, and as soon as it’s completed, it’s back to racing for this very likable and fan favorite.

And speaking of Jeremy Steele (Oct. 2019) he hasn’t slowed down one bit. We talked about the learning curve and the help he gets from his dad Chris and grandfather Wayne Swift. But you can only give so much advice. You either have it or you don’t, and the teenage Steele is showing he has what it takes to be a multi time champion. With his car owner selling the winning Modified, Jeremy is getting set for the

next step in his journey, driving the 604 Crate Late Model out of the Xcell Motorsport’s shop. Although a very quiet spoken kid, he’s a clean, fast and aggressive driver who should, after some seat time in the new car, be right up front challenging for wins against some of the stiffest competition in the Carolinas.

Finally, we look at Dalton Pannell (May 2019) out of Rock Hill. Another recent high school grad, Dalton has a brand new car out of Steve Huffstetler’s Extreme Chassis out of Rock Hill. While so far in 2020, racing at some tracks that have started up, but not tracks run his class. Competing in the Crate Sportsman division, a couple of new car cliches have shown up, mainly the correct selection of shocks. With that problem solved, Dalton has been one of the fastest cars on the track. With a few changes, Pannell expects to be able to run his car in another different class depending on the track he visits.

While writing this column on July 9, some really big shows are coming up in the months to come. Cherokee Speedway will host the Carolina Clash on Aug. 1st with a $4,000 to win feature. then on the 15th, the FUEL Series returns. Come Sept’ 6, it’s another round of the Carolina Clash with the Sprint Cars rolling in the following Saturday night. October 2, it’s the Mike Duvall Memorial featuring the World of Outlaws Super Late Models paying $10,000 to win.

Carolina Speedway will feature the Shrine 100. The big show coming is the Street Stock Battle Royal on Sept. 17,18 and 19 paying $10,000 to win.

The World of Outlaws returns to Lancaster Speedway on Sept. 5 paying $10,000 to win, the FASTRACK Series will have a $5000 to win event, while on Nov. 21, the Carolina Clash will be paying $10,000 to win that night.

As you can see, there are some exciting races coming to this area with all three tracks feature big money races that will surely draw in many of the touring pro teams. You can check each tracks web site for additional information. yc Stu Lord is a former NASCAR track manager, writer and talk show host living in York. His email address is relichunting@gmail.com.

PAGE 19

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Cocktails

Open Source Mixology

By Grady Johnson

More on the history of rum

W

An even darker middle

e ended part one of our story with Admiral Vernon and the dilution of the British Navy tot. It’s telling to note that the rum ration was for the sailors only, not the officers. This had less to do with any tea-totaling morality possessed by the officers and more to do with class. Brandy or cognac was poured in the upper deck. Rum in those days was raw and not meant for gentlemen. To see Depositphotos.com

what I mean, find some 100 proof Brazilian cachaça or Costa Rican guaro and take a good swig of it straight out of the bottle and tell me how that works out for ya.

Mother Knows Best

So while most rum was consumed raw in the early 1700s, as sugar production increased later in the century, a good deal of it began finding its way back to Great Britain and to a lesser degree, France.

The whole discover and exploit ideology was based on the presumed fact that the colonies produced the raw materials, but only the mother country could turn those base elements into something of value.

So English spirit experts began blending and ageing the raw rum like fine whiskeys and cognacs, and by the mid-19th century, rum’s stature had risen substantially.

In terms of quantity and variety it can be argued that it had become the most popu-

lar spirit in the English speaking world. It most certainly would have, had the American Revolution not cut the states off from the sugar trade and compelled the American colonies to switch to producing whiskey.

My Kingdom for a Compass

In London, sprawling complexes of docks and warehouses grew around the trade and numerous spirit houses produced a seemingly infinite number of varieties using blends of rum from exotic locations across the Empire aged in wooden casks that imparted their own unique flavors. By the early 2oth century, London rum in all of its wonderful variations was in full flower with literally hundreds of companies making their own variations. Then the Germans screwed the whole thing up on Saturday, Sept. 7, 1940. You see, during the Blitz they decided to bomb the docks of London, which makes perfect sense if you blow up all the ships. But bombers in those days were inaccurate, it was pitch-black night and they were trigger happy. When they released their bombs and struck the rum docks, it produced a magnificent explosion and fire. It also instantly wiped out the world’s entire supply of rum. Soon after, whiskey or gin became the go-to libation and rum was largely forgotten. War is hell. Cheers! yc

Recipe:

Planter’s Punch 2 oz. Meyer’s Dark Rum 1.5 oz. black or orange pekoe tea (cold) 1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice .5 oz. sugar In the bottom of a tall glass, dissolve the sugar in the lime juice. Add the tea and rum. Fill with crushed ice and swizzle.

Note: This recipe comes from Beach Bum Berry’s masterfully written and researched history of tropical drinks, Potions of the Caribbean. It’s a version of the circa 1920’s recipe from Meyer’s Planter’s Punch Inn updated in 1957 by Colonel A.R. Woolley who substituted the original recipe’s portion of water with tea. Ah, those crafty Brits.

Grady Johnson is an award-winning competitive mixologist based in South Carolina.

PAGE 20

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Wordsmithing

Articulate Creativity

By Beth Crosby

Review and organize your writing pieces

D

o you, like me, have piles of paper and abundant files on your computer with no idea what is where or how to apply what you wrote to projects?

Let’s consider a few options for reviewing writing we might like to finish, polish, publish, or submit to contests.

Schedule review sessions

Depending on whether your mind is more logical or active, determine whether you will read your works thoroughly first to set categories or organize as you go.

When you feel active, peruse enough of each handwritten piece to get an idea about the topic and write a keyword in bold marker on the top of the front page.

Then staple the pages if necessary and quickly place the document into the pile for that topic, place, character, or other keyword. Some pages need to be typed so you can read them more easily later.

Label each written piece at the top with a keyword, then set it aside in the folder for future typing. You can use more than one keyword, but choose one to file under.

For digital files, add keywords to the top of the document and create folders for each keyword.

For example, my main folder is WRITING, with subfolders for articles and short stories among others. Then I use sub-subfolders for writing topics or research.

If you feel inspired to continue writing a piece after reading it, stop and do that. If you have ideas for later, add them to your list of writing ideas and topics. Then get back to sorting.

If you don’t keep a running list of ideas, start now! This is a life saver when you feel no motivation to write or feel stuck during your writing time.

Consider in-depth sorting

If you want to spend more time reviewing your work, thoughtfully read through each entry before writing the keyword across the top of the first page. Read each page from start to finish. Begin with a pile or in a specific computer folder and organize the same way as when perusing and sorting quickly.

Remember the full second readthrough for rewriting should be delegated to times for deep review or typing the written work into the computer. Typing while you review will refresh your mind about topics and can lead to better key words.

If you need to type and rewrite, take time to do so, but schedule another time for the

sorting you had planned. Longer pieces require more attention to read and sort, so avoid putting off this important task.

Read through as many works as you can, and if you feel restless, go back to quickly sorting your works for a break. Then return to the thorough reviews.

Your subconscious will sometimes put together what you read and allow you to pull together pieces from quick ideas or descriptions and longer, more complete ideas. When you read and acknowledge the ideas and details you wrote, you might feel motivated to continue on with an idea. Capture the idea fully or add it to your list.

Remember, rereading and sorting your work can be as useful as writing because your topics are at your fingertips. If you stop to write, schedule another time for organizing.

Avoid discarding work

If you don’t think your writing is worth keeping, write a keyword at the top and file it anyway if the idea is worthy of revisiting.

Discard only duplicates and writing with no potential value.

Managing your files

If you want a detailed reference for your writing, consider listing all keywords in an

Excel spreadsheet and recording all writing pieces by file name and whether the work is handwritten or digital.

Scheduling frequency

Reviews should not come in place of writing, so look at your unorganized writing stacks and set a schedule. Commit on your calendar to sorting for a short time at the beginning to set realistic goals. Then celebrate meeting your goals and the number of times you wrote along with the joy of using your talent.

Gaining perspective

If you can’t read through your work, you might be too close to it. Consider trading it with someone else while you read their work. Enroll a critique partner or join a critique group in person or online.

Join writers on my private Facebook group called The Writers Circle (no apostrophe). We enjoy lessons, tips, interviews, and critiquing writing submissions.

Sorting your work will keep you motivated to move forward on your writing path! yc Beth Crosby is a freelance editor and writing coach. She works with individuals, publishers, and businesses. Contact her at Beth@EditorBeth.com.

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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Connections Helping Hands

By Beth Covington

A challenge to change for positive

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W

e are in such a difficult place as a community, state, nation heck, world. Nothing you didn’t already know, but it’s just always in the forefront of most of our minds, the stress eating away at any sense of peace and comfort. Even though I don’t watch TV, or follow the news closely, it’s virtually impossible to get away from the negativity and stress surrounding folks. It’s a different world, one I’m not sure we’ll ever see return to “the way it was,” but that’s OK. We will adapt and change and create new normals.

So, in the beginning of the difficult days, many folks were doing their best to combat the bad juju with good vibes. Since my online presence is mostly Facebook, that’s where I noticed it most — photos of beautiful flowers or sunsets or whatever nature had provided that was a distraction from the “other drama.” Funny 20 questions posts popped up to get to know everyone better and try to focus on anything other than a discussion about our current situation. But as this has continued and people have become tired of dealing with it, or tired in general, the bright spot posts have declined and almost disappeared.

PAGE 22

With this in mind, I’m issuing a challenge.

How does the old saying go: “We can’t change the situation, only our response to it?” Or something like that. I challenge you to change your response to this situation because there is no changing the situation itself. Quit trying to convince people to shift to your side — they aren’t budging, you aren’t budging, so quit banging your head against that wall, getting more frustrated and stressed. Instead, quit talking about it completely unless absolutely necessary within your family for decision making.

Instead, be the bright spot in this mess. Be the person who is finding good, focusing on good, or creating good. Your reactions in this moment are being closely watched by your children. So, pile them in the car and go chasing sunsets. Get out in the yard with them and dance with the lightning bugs. Turn up the radio and have a karaoke party in the house. Pull out the old bridesmaid’s dresses and let them give a fashion show (what are you going to do with those things? Let them enjoy!).

Download a stargazing app and let them experience the star-filled nights laying on old sheets in the yard. Or truck bed if you

are too old and lazy to get on the ground, like me. Adopt someone and make cards to send to them. Set your kids up on facetime with their friends and watch the hilariousness that happens.

I have a friend whose kids take a night each week to prepare a meal for the family.

I love seeing what they come up with - even the younger ones! It’s amazing! And they document it online and we all are in awe.

Another friend takes her middle school aged niece on hikes all over the area, finding beautiful scenes that they share with all of us. I love it! I wait for these posts!

Of course, it doesn’t have to revolve around kids — I just worry a bit more for them in this chaos. But you are all adults.

You have the choice on how you focus your energies and efforts. The internet is full of tutorials on every skill set imaginable. Try something new. Always wanted to try your hand at quilting - go for it!

Wanted to learn how to play cribbage?

Google it! Interested in traveling around the world but don’t know where to start?

Hello, Youtube! Imagined becoming a professional photographer with just your phone? I’m sure there is a tutorial for that out there somewhere! And then, as you

start into your new adventure, tell someone. It doesn’t have to be social media, but you can start a conversation with a friend about your new overalls and what you’ve learned in your new role as chicken farmer and it will give them something to laugh about with you. And then when they talk to another friend, they have something to share that isn’t related to viruses at all, which causes a smile for someone else.

And it goes on and on.

By now I think you get my point.

Please don’t let the current situation shock your system into freezing up and you just hunker down in your house, hiding under the covers. There is so much that can be done! You can be a part of it!

You can be the Smile Starter and maybe start an entire wave of brighter days.

You can at least brighten yours. So, let me know what you do and if you know the impact outside of yourself, let me know that, too. I’m looking forward to hearing from you! yc Beth Covington is a life-long York County resident with a passion for nice people and ranch dressing.

Contact her at beth.covington@gmail.com.

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Service A Helping Hand for the Community

Join us for UWYC Celebration Week

U

nited Way of York County is excited to announce our first-ever virtual Celebration Week! Though we would love to see people’s faces in person, we know this virtual format will allow our whole community to be involved.

Join us the week of Aug. 24-28, 2020, as we celebrate the accomplishments of so many volunteers, advocates, and donors. Each morning you will hear from many of our 2019-2020 Board of Directors, award recipients, and UWYC staff highlighting the meaningful impact we have made in our community and celebrate our annual workplace and community awards.

You must visit www.unitedwayofyc.org/ newsletter/ and sign up to receive our daily Celebration Week emails. You can also visit our Facebook page to tune into the fun!

During the week of Aug. 24-28, we will showcase some of our outstanding individual volunteers, corporate sponsors, and workplace campaigns. Some of the awards include:

Outstanding Workplace Ambassador

The Outstanding Workplace Ambassador Award is presented to an individual that has gone above and beyond to ensure their Workplace Campaign succeeds.

This year’s recipient took on the role of Workplace Ambassador for the first time. Even though this was a new position, the individual blew the United Way team away.

Leading with passion, influence, and enthusiasm, United Way staff was inspired by this year’s winner’s dedication and authenticity.

Bold Goal Volunteer

The Bold Goal Volunteer award is brand new this year. Our Bold Goal of helping 3,000 York County families achieve financial stability by 2030 can only be met with our entire community’s support.

This year’s recipient has been a vital part of our new work. The award winner has been an advocate in their workplace, volunteered at numerous events, and serves on multiple committees.

Caring Neighbor Award

The Caring Neighbor Award recognizes those who care about the community they live in and continually demonstrates this in their philanthropic work.

This year’s recipient strives to make the community they live in a better place every day. This group of people serves York County by supporting United Way and many groups in our community.

Live United Award

In the simplest of terms, when you Live United, you choose to improve your community by giving of yourself to make an impact. When we work together, we Live United and can make an impact every day.

This year’s Live United Award winner is committed to our Bold Goal and is continuously

By Mollie Rose

looking for ways to support UWYC. Their leadership goes beyond hosting a Workplace Campaign. This year’s recipient also makes an impact by serving on our Board of Directors and volunteering at every UWYC event.

Spirit of York County

This award is given to an individual who lends their time, talent, and voice to make a difference in our community.

It is the United Way of York County’s highest honor.

Past recipients of this award include Patrick White, Wes Hayes, Allan Miller, Harvey Hawkins, and Kevin Tolson.

This year’s recipient is undeniably dedicated to United Way and advancing the work we do. Their support and love for the York County community is awe-inspiring.

The United Way team is forever thankful for this year’s recipient’s dedication to leading by example.

United Way of York County, SC would like to thank Duke Energy, Piedmont Medical Center, and Publix Super Markets for their Celebration Week sponsorship. Their support for this event and throughout the year truly leads the way in our community.

These are just a few of the awards we will be celebrating! Of course, you will have to tune in the week of August 24 to find out who will be receiving these honors.

Once again, it is important you visit www.unitedwayofyc.org/newsletter/ and sign up to receive our newsletter. You can visit our Facebook page to tune into the fun as well! yc

Mollie Rose is the Marketing and Communications Director for United Way of York County, SC. Contact her at mrose@unitedwayofyc.org.

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August 2020

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

Photo Gallery York County Scrapbook Prepared by Nancy Sambets, Director of Archives

Late 19th century hats

T

ake a few minutes to examine a variety of fashionable hats worn by our ancestors in the late 19th century. yc

Nancy Sambets is the Director of Archives at the Historical Center of York County in York.

She has a master’s degree in museum studies from the University of South Carolina and has been employed as an archivist with the Culture & Heritage Museums since 2001. Her contact information is nsambets@chmuseums.org or 803-818-6766.

This unidentified young lady is wearing a fashionable hat adorned with bows and ribbons that appear to match her puffed-sleeved dress. This late 19th century image is from the Francis Lewis Collection. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, S.C.

In this undated image, Nettie Perry Love (1884-1938) is wearing a dark colored boater-style hat trimmed in matching ribbon. This late 19th century cabinet card is part of the Francis Lewis Collection.

Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, S.C.

An unidentified young woman wearing a small brimmed felt hat decorated with ribbons to match her puffedsleeved dress in this image taken by photographer Charles W. Rochelle (1852-1913) in Rock Hill, SC. This late 19th century cabinet card is from the Jim Turner Collection. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, SC.

PAGE 24

These young ladies are fashionably dressed wearing hats ornamented with feathers and ribbons in this image taken by photographer H. Baumgarten in Charlotte, NC. The inscription over the lady on the left identifies Anne Little Hutchinson Evans (1884-1922) as “Annie Little”. This late 19th century cabinet card is part of the Mary Alice Sifford Collection. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, S.C.

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

These unidentified men are wearing bowler or derby hats in their portrait taken by Yorkville photographer John R. Schorb (1818-1908) in the late 19th century. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, S.C.

August 2020

These unidentified gentlemen are wearing top hats and holding walking canes, also called dress canes, looking very respectable in this late 19th century tintype. This image is from the Glenn Collection of family papers. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, S.C.

In this undated image, Robert Macon Sifford (1877-1955) is wearing a semi-formal hat of stiff wool with a single dent down the center called a homburg. This hat was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. Did you know Al Pacino wore one in the movie The Godfather? This image is from the Mary Alice Sifford Collection. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, S.C.

In this undated photograph, James Willie Shealy (1884-1959) is wearing a semi-formal summer hat made of stiff straw called a boater. This hat was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century and worn by both men and women. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, S.C.

PAGE 25

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

A young woman, identified as Elise Fraser, is wearing a hat embellished with artificial flowers, feathers and ribbon that appears to match her puffed-sleeved dress in this image taken by photographer Jameson A. Griffiths in Augusta, Georgia. This late 19th century cabinet card is part of the Jim Turner Collection. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, S.C.

This unidentified young woman is wearing a halo type of hat that became fashionable in the late 1880s. Notice how the circular shape frames her face to create a halo effect. The image was found in the Byers family photo album. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, S.C.

PAGE 26

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Disc Golf

Turn And Fade

By Todd Harrell

Who’s up for a quick nine at the ol’ ballpark?

F

or those of us whose dreams of playing on a professional ballfield never materialized, disc golf could be the answer. And, no, I’m not talking about scaling a stadium’s fence at night and secretly throwing discs. More and more, professional sports venues are actually acknowledging disc golf’s popularity and are opening-up their precious playing surfaces for disc golf events.

Disc golf hits the Majors

For the last several years, well known venues all over the country like the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, even the Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania have invited disc golfers inside. Granted, the holes created at these events are mostly wide-open shots, but keep in mind you’re actually throwing your discs inside a stadium. How many disc golfers have fantasized about

doing just that while watching pro sports in person or on the TV? (at least one (me)).

There’s a cool YouTube video of a disc golfer throwing a shot from the seating deck toward the field goal uprights at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. That’s just awesome.

It’s happening locally, too

The Charlotte Knights have joined in on the fun as well. In June, they teamed up with Charlotte disc golf shop, Another Round, to set up a short course on the playing surface.

Another Round co-owner Kyle Deck, who was planning another Knights disc golf event in July when I spoke to him then, said the series of disc golf events in June brought some 500 people, many of which were brand new to disc golf.

Stadium events attract newcomers like bears to honey

The short 12-hole course set up on the

Knights well-manicured playing surface and amid Charlotte’s glimmering uptown skyline was perhaps the perfect lure for people to check out disc golf for the first time.

There was of course a learning curve, but “…By the time they had finished their round they had figured it out and were throwing farther and hitting putts,” said Deck.

The signature hole was the final one, where participants teed off from the pitcher’s mound and aimed at the basket positioned near home plate. And, Deck remembered seeing a 7 or 8-year-old named Evan ace the pitcher’s mound hole. “You could just tell it was just the coolest thing that had ever happened to him,” said Deck.

A good night out during the pandemic With the pandemic leaving few safe options to leave the house, disc golf at a ballpark could be one, provided you remember your mask and hand sanitizer.

Finally, a way onto the baseball field, without getting arrested

I have to admit, I’ve always fantasized about actually being on the playing surface of a professional team, even if it’s just walking around as a pedestrian. I’ve done it on a few occasions, but I’m always looking for more opportunities. However, as a common fan the ways of gaining access are quite limited.

During a ball game, your three main options to enter the field are not good ones: • Bad Idea #1: Being that crazy/drunk fan interrupting play by running hysterically around the ball field.

(Reason: I’d rather not be escorted out by ballpark security. I’ve seen them tackle fans on the field before) • Bad idea #2: Attending the game when they let fans run the bases.

(Reason: Gotta be under 12 years old to run the bases. You don’t wanna be the one grown up waiting in line with the kids).

• Bad Idea #3: Connections to team ownership.

(Reason: Who has these?)

They let us in?

When I first heard about these events I was like, “Really, they’re gonna let disc golfers into their mainstream, state-of-the-art sporting facility?” I always figured mainstream sporting venues feared we’d run amok in similar fashion to how the Caddyshack caddies did on swimming pool day.

But, to Kyle Deck, one of the biggest reasons why the stadiums do it is quite simple: it’s a revenue maker. He says these stadiums are essentially event spaces. When the stadium isn’t hosting home games it needs to fill it up with other events like disc golf, Deck said.

That’s even more so the case during the pandemic with the whole season postponed for many pro teams, he added.

Dream stadiums

Deck says he’s been working on other disc golf/stadium possibilities and he said having an event at the Panthers’ Stadium is not out of the question — which makes me wonder about disc golf at some of the most storied places in sports, like, say, Notre Dame Stadium or Fenway Park. Can you imagine, throwing to a hole on top of the green monster or teeing off from said monster? It could happen. yc Todd Harrell plays disc golf, among other things.

PAGE 27

yc The Great Outdoors August 2020

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

Go Play Outside

By Cameron Shook

Favorite camp cooking recipes you like eating at home, it’s an easy and fun way to do it.

“But Cameron” (you’re probably thinking) “can’t you just cook all of these on a skillet?”

Well, yes, you can. But the secret power of the pie iron is...wait for it.....pies. Instead of sandwich fillings, use pie fillings: apples, peaches, cherries, etc. Since the pie iron seals the bread, it doesn’t let the filling spill out so you end up with delicious pocket pies. One of my favorite tricks is to put a small piece of cream cheese in along with the pie filling, which melts and makes something delicious, that I’m not quite sure of the name of. If you want a classic camping dish in a new form, try slicing a marshmallow and placing it alongside some Hershey chocolate and melt it down for a s’more sandwich. Extra points for mixing in mint chocolate, and double extra points for using alcohol infused marshmallows.

Depositphotos.com

Backpacking

S

ometimes, I have to think long and hard about what I’m going to write every month for this article. Others, like this one, come about by multiple people asking me the same question in a relatively short span of time: “What do you like to cook/eat while camping?” Some of it depends on whether I’m car camping or backpacking. It also depends on how strenuous the activity is going to be: as exhaustion goes up, the difficulty of preparation and cleanup has to go down. While there are a lot of camping specific cookbooks out there, including Dutch oven recipe books that are approximately the same size as the Encyclopedia Britannica, I’ll include a go to Car Camping Recipe and the theory behind my Backpacking meals (which may not be for everyone).

Car Camping Pie Iron Recipes

This is a recipe that will require specialized equipment, but I promise you it’s PAGE 28

worth the small investment. A pie iron is similar to a sandwich press; basically a cast iron, hinged box that allows you to toast sandwiches over a fire. Once up to temperature, you can sometimes cook from the residual heat radiating from the cast iron alone; no need to place it on coals.

First, I’ll describe the process of how to cook using the pie irons, and then I’ll list out some of our favorite combinations.

Process:

Build a fire with a good bed of coals; preferably, you don’t want any open flame to cause hot spots and burn the crust of your bread to a crisp. Take the pie iron and let it sit on the coals to begin reaching temperature. Go ahead and prepare your “pie”, or toasted sandwich, by taking 2 pieces of bread and slathering butter on the outside. Place fillings of your choice (more on that in a moment) inside the bread, butter sides out. Once the pie

irons are warmed up, place the buttered sandwich into the pie iron and close.

Place back on the fire, and depending on the temperature, it will be done anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. I usually place it on the coals, let sit for 15-20 seconds, flip to the other side for the same amount of time, and then remove from the fire and check how they’re looking.

Repeat until you get the timing down and the crusts are a perfect golden brown.

Place on a plate and eat when they aren’t boiling lava hot.

Fillings:

The variety of choices in fillings go far beyond simple hot sandwiches. Hot ham and cheddar cheese turns into a backwoods Hot Pocket. Pepperoni, mozzarella, and marinara sauce combine into pizzas. Peanut butter, bananas, bacon, and mayo give you an Elvis special fit for Graceland. Basicall, if it’s a hot sandwich

When I backpack, I usually am too tired to cook elaborate meals. Waking up in the morning, usually my focus is getting moving as fast as possible with the minimum of fuss. So, what do I do? In the morning, coffee is essential for me to be a functional human being. While some people I know lug fancy backpacking French presses into the backcountry, I am an uncultured peasant and simply drink instant coffee.

There are some good instant coffee options though; if you’re a fan of Starbucks coffee, I’m told their “Via Instant” packets are almost as good as the real thing. For everyone else, “Mount Hagen Organic Instant Regular Coffee” is about on par with what you’d find at a Denny’s, so when you crawl out of a tent sore and tired, it actually tastes pretty darn good. At home, I usually don’t eat breakfast at all, so, if I do eat, it’s something light. You can pour cold water directly into an oatmeal packet, stir, and eat it like a cereal. Burn the pouch, wash your spoon, and cleanup is finished. Protein powder, like that used by weightlifters, can mix directly into some water and give your body the nutrients it needs for the day ahead.

Through the day, a constant snacking system of GORP, energy bars, beef jerky,

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

and protein powder usually keeps me moving until dinner. I don’t usually plan out a full lunch break, unless it’s cold and I need the calories to stay warm; if that’s the case, to this day I still love the old college-dorm staple of Ramen noodles on a cold day. If you want to mix it up, tuna packets from the grocery store are a lightweight way to add protein and flavor with no extra cooking and very little trash.

Obviously, a lot of people lean heavily on energy bars and freeze dried meals, and while there’s nothing wrong with those options they can be expensive and, in the case of freeze dried meals especially, your body may not be used to what you’re eating which can cause some rather rough intestinal distress. Before going deep into the woods, I’d highly recommend trying that freeze dried “6 pepper chili” meal at home while you still have the luxury of a flush toilet.

When dinner time rolls around, I’m needing a lot of calories fast; I typically stop an hour or so before I plan on setting up camp for the night to eat my meal. This keeps most of the food smells away from my campsite, and I haven’t had a bad experience yet with that method. At this point, I’ll break out my stove and boil water for some kind of instant meal: couscous or Zatarain’s beans and rice are my go-tos. I add in protein: summer sausage, tuna or chicken from a packet all work well with either dish. If I need variety, I pack a few spices and sauces to mix things up from night to night (shoutout to Tajine and “Everything but the Bagel” seasonings). I eat

August 2020

yc

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A pie iron is great for campfire cooking, especially when you are “car camping.” (Photos/ Rome Pie Irons website) my fill, clean up my one pot, one bowl, and one spoon, and hike on to my campsite for the night. And I repeat these meals until I get off the trail. Since I have never backpacked for more than a week, I can easily deal with the repetitive and bland nature of my meals by continually imagining just how good that pizza/burger/sushi is going to taste when I finally get back to town.

Do What Works for You

One of the best things about “camp cooking” is there really isn’t a reason you can’t cook most of the things you enjoy at home, as long as you’re willing to plan and pack it in. On the flip side, if you have an

idea for something that would work camping but aren’t sure, try it at home for dinner one night. If something proves to be difficult or a failure, better to do it next to a full pantry of backup meals. Just keep in mind, even the blandest meal tastes amazing when you’re exhausted. yc Cameron Shook is an avid outdoors enthusiast who has more outdoor experience than most people twice his age. Cameron is also an avid photographer whose images have been seen in YC Magazine for several years. You can contact Cameron through camshuck@gmail.com. You can locate other columns and comments by Cam at www.shookscamphere.com or follow him on Instagram @shookscamphere.

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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Your Library

Check It Out

By Stacy Williams

Join the Read Woke challenge

W

hat is Read Woke? According to Read Woke creator Cicely Lewis, “Read Woke is a movement. It is a feeling. It is a style. It is a form of education. It is a call to action; it is our right as lifelong learners. It means arming yourself with knowledge in order to protect your rights. Knowledge is power and no one can take it away. It means learning about others so that you can treat people with the respect and dignity that they deserve no matter their religion, race, creed, or color.”

For this ongoing challenge, York County participants are encouraged to diversify their reading, choose a book in each of the ten categories, read at their own pace, and earn badges. For a book to be “woke,” it must challenge a social norm, give voice to the voiceless, provide information about a group that has been disenfranchised, seek to challenge the status quo, and have a protagonist from an underrepresented or oppressed group.

York County Library staff members have put together Read Woke Quick Picks for adults, teens, and children. The quick picks contain ten diverse categories: African American voices, Asian American voices, diverse abilities, female voices, Hispanic American voices immigration, LGBTQ+

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voices, Native American voices, social injustice, and voices of those experiencing poverty and homelessness. Under each category there is a list featuring a sample of notable resources from our collection. Visit yclibrary.org/read-woke-quick-picks and each title has links to various formats to check out or place on hold.

If you have registered with Beanstack during one of our previous reading challenges, you do not need to register again. Go to yclibrary.beanstack.org and sign into your account to begin the new challenge. For help registering or logging books, call any York County Library branch during curbside service hours. We want to hear about what you are learning as you participate in the Read Woke Challenge! Tag us on Facebook (yorkcountylibrary) or Twitter (@Beamer_ YCL) with the hashtag #YCLReadWoke.

Thank you to Zoobean for developing this Challenge in partnership with Read Woke Creator, Cicely Lewis.

Your Next Read: Book Recommendations

Have you read all of the bestsellers and not sure what to read now? York County Library staff members are happy to help you find your next good read. Visit yclibrary.org/books-more and fill out an online questionnaire.

Please give staff three business days to respond with recommendations. If you need assistance, placing any of the suggested titles on hold or have any questions, please contact staff at yournextread@yclibrary.org or by calling 803981-

5825.

Homework Help

dustry reports, consumer medical resources, and more.

New Databases Added to the YCL Website

All York County Library locations are now open for limited curbside services. Anyone with a York County Library card can check out materials they have placed on hold (books, audiobooks, DVDs, ILLs, and HotSpots). Please call your nearest YCL location during curbside service hours to notify staff before returning Book Club Kits and Kinder Kits. Outside book drops remain open, and items will be properly quarantined for 72 hours before being checked in. Notifications of overdue items will be made during this time, but no overdue fees will be charged for items returned. If you received a temporary eCard, please call your local YCL branch to have your eCard converted into a regular Library card. Patrons can place book holds using the online catalog (https://sclends. lib.sc.us/eg/opac/home) or can call their local library branch for help. Email notifications will be sent when the item placed on hold is ready for pickup. ‘Make & Take’ activities will also be available for pickup during Phase 2. If patrons have reader’s advisory, reference, genealogy, summer learning signup, technical assistance, or general questions, they can call the main number at any YCL location.

York County Library offers great resources to help you and your family kickoff the school year in the right direction.

Here are some great tutoring and research tools: Brainfuse is an online tutoring service that offers help from real, live tutors and can be accessed via your computer at home — at absolutely no charge to York County Library cardholders. To access this free service, visit yclibrary.org/ homework-help and click on the Brainfuse banner during available hours to begin your session. Live tutors are available Sunday - Saturday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

EST. Students in all grade levels can get help in all subjects and an Adult Learning Center features test preparation, writing assistance, and more. For more information or assistance, call our Reference department at 803-981-5825.

LearningExpress Library, provided by Discus, is a comprehensive collection of test-preparation tools, skill-building materials, and other education, career and life skills resources for children, teens, and adults of all ages. For a complete list of educational resources, visit yclibrary.org/ homework-help.

York County Library now has the following databases, courtesy of DISCUS – South Carolina’s Virtual Library (yclibrary.org/ all-resources): Explora for Elementary Schools: Provides access to information from nearly 100 popular full-text elementary school magazines, as well as encyclopedia and dictionary resources.

Explora for Middle Schools: Provides access to information from newspapers, books, biographies, country reports, primary resources, and video, with more than 170 popular full-text magazines, encyclopedia and dictionary resources, and more.

Explora for Public Libraries: Provides access to information from many sources on most topics — popular general-interest magazines in full-text, regional U.S. business publications, in-

YCL’s Curbside Service is Now Available

Curbside Pick-Up & Phone Service Hours:

Fort Mill and Rock Hill: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday - Friday; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday Clover, Lake Wylie and York: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday A date to reopen buildings to the public is still to be determined. Our goal for Phase 3 will be to provide access for patrons to browse the collection and use computers, in compliance with social distancing guidelines. For further information, visit yclibrary.org or follow the YCL Facebook page at facebook.com/ yorkcountylibrary. yc

Stacy Williams is the Marketing Manager of the York County Library. She may be contacted by email at stacy.williams@yclibrary.org. York County Libraries are located in Fort Mill, Clover, York, Lake Wylie and Rock Hill.

yc Nutrition & Food Safety

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Your Food, Your Kitchen, And You

By Angela P. Forbes, MS, RDN, LD

What about salt?

T

he idea for this article came from Clemson’s Home and Garden Information Center. I often provide classes for folks managing hypertension, but many people are interested in decreasing sodium in their diets. So I hope the article will provide some insight.

Most Americans consume too much salt - averaging ~3400 mg daily. A pinch of salt here and a dash of salt there can quickly add up.

Salt is sodium chloride. Table salt is 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Food labels list sodium rather than salt content.

Foods that are low in sodium are also low in salt.

Sodium is an essential mineral that: • helps maintain the right balance of fluids.

• helps transmit nerve impulses.

• influences the contraction and relaxation of muscles, including the heart.

• helps regulate blood pressure.

Foods – naturally - contain very little sodium. Most dietary sodium does not come from the saltshaker on the table. Instead, it is added to foods by during processing to preserve or flavor.

Sources of Salt in Food:

Sources % Naturally in food Added during cooking Added at the table Added during processing

14 5 6 71

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming >=1 teaspoon of salt per day (> 2,300 milli-

grams (mg) of sodium). This includes ALL salt and sodium.

Consuming >=1,500 mg of sodium can improve blood pressure. People over fifty years of age, African Americans, and people with chronic diseases, i.e. hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, should consume less salt. The minimum sodium required is 250-500 mg per day.

Read Nutrition Facts Labels; foods high in sodium do not always taste salty - a plain bagel contains 561 mg of sodium per serving.

Compare the amount eaten to the serving size. Eating a whole can of food, i.e. two servings, will double the amount of salt eaten.

The Daily Value for sodium is 2,300 mg.

The sodium content (in milligrams / mg) and % Daily Value are listed for the item.

Use the % Daily Value to compare sodium content among brands. Choose foods with lower values, or less than 20% of the daily recommended sodium intake per serving. One serving of the item on the food label below contains 20% sodium (one-fifth the amount recommended for the entire day).

Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. Salt or sodium-containing ingredients include: • Na (symbol for sodium) • Monosodium glutamate (MSG) • Baking soda • Baking powder • Disodium phosphate • Sodium alginate • Sodium nitrate

Sodium: Look at the Label Over 70% of dietary sodium comes from eating packaged and prepared foods

Use the Nutrition Facts Label!

Packaged and prepared foods can contain high levels of sodium, whether or not they taste salty. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working with the food industry to make reasonable reductions in sodium across a wide variety of foods so Americans have an easier time consuming less sodium if they want to. Even though sodium may already be in these foods, you can follow these steps to lower your daily sodium intake.

• Limit sodium to less than 2,300 milligrams (mg)* per day—that’s equal to about 1 teaspoon of salt!

Choose Less Sodium 20% DV or more per serving is considered high!

• Use % Daily Value (%DV) to see if a serving of food is high or low in sodium and to compare food products. As a general guide: 5% DV or less per serving of sodium is considered low, and 20% DV or more per serving of sodium is considered high.

• Pay attention to the serving size and the number of servings you eat or drink to determine how much sodium you are consuming.

Sodium and Health

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, diets higher in sodium are associated with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). Uncontrolled high blood pressure can raise the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness. Consuming less sodium can help reduce your risk of developing these health conditions.

* The Daily Value (100% DV) for sodium—reference amount not to exceed each day

Foods described as broth, cured, pickled, corned or smoked contain sodium, also.

•

Season Foods Sparingly:

• Choose / prepare foods with little or no salt added.

• Taste food before salting it – if salt is needed, use one “shake”.

• Remove the saltshaker from the table.

• Season with herbs and spices.

• Serve sauces and salad dressings on the side.

• Avoid mixes and instant products, i.e. flavored rice, pasta, ready-to-eat / instant cereals.

• Enjoy high sodium foods in moderation. Cut back on frozen dinners, pizza, salty snack foods, packaged mixes, sauerkraut, smoked, cured, processed meats.

• Limit use of pickled foods, high-sodium condiments, i.e. mustard, catsup, relish, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, mustard, tartar sauce, salad dressings, dips.

(A raw cucumber =2 mg of sodium, a sweet pickle =128 mg, a dill pickle =928 mg).

• Prepare condiments with little / no sodium.

• Rinse canned vegetables and fish (i.e. tuna), removing some sodium. Rinse vegetables ~ 1minute in a colander, then heating in fresh water. Rinsing can reduce sodium >40%.

• Remove / decrease salt from recipes.

• Try recipes that contain less salt. Look are for high-sodium ingredients like

• • • • • • •

canned soups, bouillon cubes, commercial condiments.

Use fresh/dried herbs, spices, vinegar, lemon juice, fruit juices, or the zest from citrus fruit.

Use garlic powder vs. garlic salt, celery seed vs. celery salt, onion powder/flakes vs. onion salt.

Use vegetable oil vs. margarine/butter.

Use low-sodium broth or bouillon cubes, as well as salt-free seasoning mixes in recipes.

Limit smoked / salt-cured meat products - ham, sausage, corned beef, bacon, Canadian bacon.

If wine is used to flavor, use table wine vs. cooking wine.

Prepare stews, soups, salads, sauces (without salt) and marinate several hours to blend natural flavors.

Omit salt from quick bread. (however, salt cannot be omitted from baked goods containing yeast, which require salt for leavening).

Salt Substitutes

Consult a healthcare provider before using salt substitutes. These can be useful for some people but can cause health problems for others. For example, a person with a kidney impairment may not be able to get rid of the extra potassium contained in salt substitutes. yc Angela P. Forbes, MS, RDN, LD, is the Regional Food Safety and Nutrition Agent at the Clemson University - Cooperative Extension Service offices in York. She strives to bring practical and useful information that is researched-based to the citizens of South Carolina. You can reach her at 803-385-6181.

Choose Foods Described by Label Terms: Label Lingo

Sodium per Serving

Sodium Free

5 mg or less

Very Low Sodium

35 mg or less

Low Sodium

140 mg or less

Reduced or Less Sodium

Sodium reduced by 25% or more

Light in Sodium

50% less sodium than the traditional food*

No Salt Added, Unsalted

No salt added during processing; however, the product may still contain sodium

Humans are not born ‘loving’ salt - taste buds can be retrained by gradually decreasing salt (sodium.) Taste buds will adjust within a few weeks.

Depositphotos.com PAGE 31

yc Animal Health August 2020

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

Living With Animals

By Bert Platt, DVM

A fond farewell and a few final thoughts

A

N

A TR

L CA

S ANIMAL H ROLINA OSP ITA L,L LC

CE

s I move on to today’s topic, let me share one last reminder from my recent heart attack: Please, don’t wait to say the things you need to say to those folks you care about! One of the most wonderful experiences of my entire heart attack/bypass ordeal was knowing that our family didn’t have any “last words” that we had to say to each other as I was wheeled into surgery. When Nancy and our kids came in to see me, we were greatly comforted by already knowing that we loved each other, that we didn’t have to ask forgiveness for any past offenses, and that we already knew that God was taking good care of us. It was a true blessing to be certain that we could face anything knowing that there were no words that had gone unsaid.

This principle is important in every aspect of our lives and is especially applicable to our relationships with our pets. Over my career, I have often seen pet families feel guilty that they did not care for their pets as well as they should have, blaming themselves when a neglected health problem caused their pet suffering and/or death.

The emotional times we all experience, when our pets are sick or hurting, are even worse and more painful when we feel that we should have done more to prevent those issues. Here are a few things to remember that can help us avoid the guilty feelings that surely come when we worry that we should have done more or said more.

First, know what you should be doing for your pet. Honestly, there’s really no excuse for not knowing what basic care your

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We treat your pets

like family Dr. Robin LePardo

803-985-2224

2360 Celanese Road • Rock Hill, SC CentralCarolinasAnimalHospital.com PAGE 32

pet needs. When I started practice 40 years ago, some people may not have known that pets shouldn’t be allowed to run loose and get in the street, or that we shouldn’t feed them junk, or that there were some basic ways to prevent illness through vaccinations or medicines. In 2020, though, there is no legitimate reason to be ignorant on these matters. If you are new to pet ownership, get to know a vet who will help you learn what you need to do.

Second, do it! Knowing the right thing to do doesn’t help your pet if you don’t do it. Blaming your own poor pet care on a lack of time or money is simply an excuse for that poor care. If you are not motivated to know, and do, what your pet needs to keep it happy and healthy, then don’t get a pet. Some pet owners complain that they can’t afford to provide basic care, but truly their own neglect is all-too-often the cause of their pets’ problems. Some medical procedures and medicines are indeed expensive, but usually, affordable options that still provide good care for your pet are available.

The best way to provide affordable, practical care for your pet is to develop a close, long relationship with a family veterinarian. Someone who knows you and your pet and your specific needs and circumstances, whom you trust, can be a valuable resource to help your pet avoid many problems and handle the ones that do occur.

Please know that there will come a time, despite the best care you give and the deep love you have for your pet, when you will have to say “Goodbye.” Sometimes that goodbye comes through euthanasia, a loving action that relieves suffering and allows a peaceful completion of the relationship you have. You can help your pet though those times without guilt when you know you have helped them and loved them throughout their life the best way you could. Please trust me, those times will come, and not waiting until the end to say or do the things that are right will help you get through those times.

Finally - and this may seem trivial, but it is not - please have the foresight to have some photos or pictures made of you and your pet when it is healthy and happy.

Sometimes, we forget to catch some of those special moments and when they are

Depositphotos.com

gone, they really are gone. I wish I had better photos of Cokie, the wonderful little dog that grew up with our children. Like trying to keep the kids in their Easter clothes for the backyard family photo, it’s not always easy to get a pet photo, but it’s worth it!

I have shared all of this in previous YC Magazine articles over the years. The consistent message I have tried to share is to focus on the relationships we have with our pets; making them part of our families helps both us and them. We’ve talked about heartworms and rabies and ear infections and cancer and all sorts of other specific health topics, but all of that is part of the big picture of pet relationships and how to make them better.

That’s why I have shared these thoughts again as I write my last column for YC Magazine. It has truly been a blessing be able to write from my heart on what has been a passion of my life, helping families through helping their pets.

I want to recognize Bill Henson for providing me the opportunity and thank Pam Henson as she continues the passion they shared together in providing a high-quality source of local information for the people of York County. Most of all, I thank all of

you who have allowed me to be a part of their pets’ literal and literary lives ever since the early days of the York County Magazine experience.

As I take the next steps in my own journey, I do so knowing there are no words I have left unsaid in these columns. Please know that I will continue to pray for all the families and pets that I have served over the years.

P.S. Don’t feed your pets junk, keep them out of the street, and know your family vet! (Sorry, I couldn’t help it!) yc Bert Platt has lived and practiced veterinary medicine in York County for four decades, seeing many changes and advances in pet medical care during that time. The love and relationships between pets and families have remained constant, though, and he is still passionate about the many new ways that veterinarians can help make those relationships the best they can be. Bert’s monthly Animal Health column will address a variety of medical and animal welfare issues, focusing on how those issues impact and enhance the lives of animals and people. Bert and his wife, Nancy, enjoy their time together traveling and are active in their church and community. They are blessed to be surrounded by four generations of family who also call York County home. Questions or comments can be sent to Bert at bertplatt@me.com.

yc Aging

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Successfully Senior

By Deb Pittman

Dealing with Covid-19 stress

O

ne thing I have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is how much I miss my daily routine. I have had to change my daily habits. Now I am socially distancing, staying indoors, wearing masks when I do go out. I’m also feeling stress. I have learned that I am not alone. Experts say an increase in stress is actually a normal response during pandemics. If you are feeling stress you may want to use the following strategies to help you maintain your overall wellbeing during the pandemic.

First, realize that stress is a normal part of life. It’s a natural response to an external pressure that disrupts your normal state of mind. Symptoms of stress may include: • Sadness • Irritability • Uneasiness • Social withdrawal • Tension • Body pain • Lethargy • Trouble sleeping The first important step to managing these symptoms is to recognize that they are related to stress. Manage what you can; release what you cannot. Most importantly, stay in touch with family and friends through email, telephone, social media, etc. For example, you could read a book to a grandchild over the phone or via video chat.

Other tips on how to reduce stress

include: • Identify what you can and cannot change. You may not be able to alter the way somebody else behaves but you can change the way that you react to it.

• Make a list of your top priorities and establish a daily routine. Writing down your priorities or talking to a friend may help you identify a resolution.

• Set realistic goals by breaking large tasks into smaller ones that you can do individually when you have time.

• Don’t hesitate to ask for and to accept assistance and to make a list of things that other family members could you help with. Let them choose what is best for them, such as assisting with meals or shopping for groceries.

• Try to lighten your load by learning about local aging resources such as caregiver respite services, housekeeping services and home delivered meals.

Other ways to reduce stress include reading stories that inspire you such as biographies, poetry or classical literature.

Make reading a regular habit, especially if it gives you pleasure and enjoyment.

Sort through that pile of family photos and organize them. You can also share them with others via email or phone.

Practicing deep breathing can help eliminate distractions and calm you. Think about things in your life that you are thankful for.

Take care of yourself by eating healthy, getting a good nights rest, and if you are physically able - exercising. Daily exercise can help to lighten your mood. Taking a walk or sitting out on your front porch can lighten your mood if you feel trapped inside all day.

Finally, take some time to laugh because laughter is the best medicine. Read a comic strip, watch a comedy on television.

Don’t forget playing with your pet or listening to music can reduce stress.

Second Harvest Hunger Relief

Second Harvest Food Bank and non-profit agencies serve low income people who need food assistance. They include children, the elderly and disabled on fixed incomes, the working poor, people who are unemployed, the homeless, and families in crisis.

Second Harvest Food Bank normally delivers donated food to Hunger Relief Church Sites around 9 am. Participants will be given direction by Hunger Relief coordinators and volunteers.

Please Note – the mobile pantry scheduled on Aug. 25 will start around 1 pm.

Upcoming Second Harvest Hunger Relief sites:

• Aug. 25 Unity Presbyterian Church, 303 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill @ 1pm • Aug. 31 Faith Presbyterian, 7520 Charlotte Hwy., Indian Land • Sept. 24 Union Baptist Church, 1195 Hands Mill Hwy, Rock Hill yc More information about aging and issues important to senior citizens is available at www. aging.sc.gov or by calling Deb Pittman at 803-329-9670

Aging & Disability Resource Center • • •

Family Caregiver Support Program Long Term Care Options Medicare Counseling Extra Help Programs

• • •

Medication Management Fraud Prevention Information, Referral & Assistance

Depositphotos.com

Chester, Lancaster, Union, York Counties (803) 329-9670 1-800-662-8330 www.Catawba-Aging.com 2051 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732

PAGE 33

yc

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

A Dog’s Life

Pawprints On Our Heart

By Lauren Paige Powell

Decoding your dog

T

his subject is so broad that I wanted to write a quick recap of a dog’s body language. Here are some head-totail signs to note when meeting a new dog.

Mouth

Gestures

Tail

Ears

Calm, relaxed dogs tend to relax their ears. Fearful or worried dogs often pull their ears flat against their heads. Dominant dogs keep their ears tense and pointed forward.

Eyes

A soft, relaxed mouth indicates a relaxed dog. A tight mouth or tense lips show tension. A curled lip and exposed teeth may be signs of aggression or, in the case of certain breeds like Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, could be a sign of smiling. Yawning usually indicates stress, not fatigue. Yawning helps lower a dog’s blood pressure to help him stay calm. Dogs who mouth your hand without using their teeth are typically delivering a friendly greeting. However, adult dogs who use their teeth are challenging your authority.

Statuary Tension

Dogs who look at you and then look away are indicating that they are yielding power to you. Dogs who greet you with “soft eyes” are content. Large, dilated pupils can be a sign of fear or aggression, especially in conditions when the lighting would make the pupils contract. Direct staring by a dog means confidence and, possibly dominance.

PAGE 34

Tightened muscles, especially around the head and shoulders, often indicate a dog who is scared or aggressive.

Nudging you with a nose is a plea for affection or a cue that you’re in his favorite chair and to “please move.” Lifting a paw often means “pay attention to me” or “let’s play.” Play bowing (chest down, front legs extended, back end up, tail wagging) is the universal sign for happiness and an invitation to play.

Fur

A scared or threatened dog often elevates the hairs (called hackles) along his spine to appear larger in size. Think of a mohawk down their back. A calm dog displays a smooth coat from his shoulders to his hips.

An excited dog holds his tail high and wags it quickly from side to side. A cautious or nervous dog holds his tail straight out and wags it slowly and steadily. A content dog keeps his tail relaxed and at ease.

An alert dog will hold his tail tall and erect.

When there is uncertainty, accept the most fearful or aggressive signal. If the back end is acting friendly and the tail is wagging, but the dog is grimacing and looks tense, assume the most dangerous end is telling the truth. If there is fear in any body language sign, then fear is the answer. Better to be safe and greet that dog from a distance. Remember, always allow the dog to approach you when he is ready.

Never go up to a dog and try to pet him.

Reverse the roles, if a stranger came up to you and started patting you on the face or scratching your head, you would definitely back away immediately and even say a few choice words. Dogs are the exact same way.

Aggressive behavior in all dogs, large or small, needs to be handled cautiously and with compassion because aggressive dogs are under stress. This stress needs to be managed while a behavioral modification plan is put into place by a professional.

Each case is unique, so every treatment plan is different. Dogs use defensive language to warn a recognized threat to back away. They use offensive language when they feel they have no other option but to respond with violence.

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

Summer Weather Reminders

During this intense heat that we have here in the South, it takes just six minutes for a dog to die in a hot car. If the dogs body temperature rises above 105.8, he is at risk of a heatstroke. Dogs cannot sweat

like humans, and as heat increases, bodily functions start to break down. If you see a dog in distress in a car on a hot day, call the police, they will advise you what to do.

Walk your dog early in the morning or later at night and please walk your dog on

August 2020

the grass. The pavement is extremely hot for your dog’s paws and this will prevent them from getting burned. If it’s too hot to touch with your hand, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on. yc

yc

Lauren Paige Powell is a Canine Behavioral Specialist and the owner/operator of Gallop and Growl. For more information visit www.GallopAndGrowl.com.

All photos from Depositphotos.com

PAGE 35

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

August 2020

FULL MOON 11:59 a.m., Aug. 3 LAST QUARTER 12:47 p.m., Aug. 11 NEW MOON 10:42 p.m., Aug. 18 FIRST QUARTER 1:59 p.m., Aug. 25

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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine

August 2020

Earthly Cosmology on virtual display through Sept. 4 Works by Katie St. Clair

T

he Arts Council of York County presents Earthly Cosmology, works by Katie St. Clair online at yorkcountyarts. org/2020earthly through Sept. 4. There, patrons can learn more about the artist, view her artwork, and visit our virtual galleries.

Katie St. Clair’s Earthy Cosmology is a series of paintings that embraces the duality and ambiguity of the ecosystems that live underground; the intricate systems whirring with life beneath our feet. While painting, she searched for the tangible colors, forms and textures of what she could see above ground and let them hover like an uncanny veil over the deep earth and all that lies unknown. ​St. Clair received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Magna Cum Laude, from the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and her Master of Fine Arts from the Stamps School of Art and Design at the University of Michigan. She currently holds the title of Assistant Professor of Art at Davidson College.

Katie has exhibited nationally and internationally at the Burren College of art in Ireland, Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit, and the Zhou B. Art Center in Chicago to name a few. She received Best in Show 11th annual Alumni Exhibition, University of Michigan and at the Toledo Area Artists Exhibition curated

by the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio. Christopher Knight, art critic for the Los Angeles Times and a three-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Criticism, selected the award winners.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Arts Council of York County’s offices and galleries are closed until further notice. The Arts Council is looking to the guidance and directives of local, state and federal officials to amend plans as necessary. The decision to close affects all ACYC events and facility rentals. Cancellations and postponements are precautionary measures taken to minimize exposure. By activating social distancing, the Arts Council removes the opportunity for people in the community to be exposed. Please check the Arts Council’s Facebook pages (@yorkcountyarts and @uffyc) and websites (yorkcountyarts.org and underexposedfilmfestivalyc.org) for the most recent updates regarding scheduled events. yc The Arts Council of York County is headquartered at the Center for the Arts located in downtown Rock Hill, a state-recognized cultural district. For more information on Arts Council events, contact the Arts Council of York County at (803)328-2787, by email at arts@ yorkcountyarts.org, or visit our webpage at http:// www.yorkcountyarts.org.

BE READY FOR EVERYTHING THIS SCHOOL YEAR. With all the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming school year, it’s more important than ever to have the right Internet service at home.

Being able to stream, download, search and conference faster than ever could prove to be invaluable throughout the new school year.

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FOR ONE MONTH*

Upgrade your Internet before school begins. Visit comporium.link/upgrade to take advantage of this special Back-To-School offer.

*Limited time offer, subject to change. Certain terms and restrictions apply. Offer available to existing customers and may not be available in all areas. Speeds vary based on technology available at the property. Internet speeds are provided as “up to” a package offering utilizing a wired connection and are subject to a variety of external factors; wireless speeds may vary. Promotional pricing for 1 month, subject to rate increase(s) during that period. After 1 month, standard rates apply.

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August 2020

yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine