The South Carolina Waterfowl Association Wildlife Education Center provides hands-on conservation education that connects youth with nature through immersive outdoor programs, fostering
Photo by Abigail Pittman
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The South Carolina Waterfowl Association Wildlife Education Center connects youth with nature through hands-on conservation education.
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Camp Woodie
The 2026 Shaw Air and Space Expo will feature air shows, STEM activities and veteran ceremonies. Sparkleberry Swamp Sparkleberry Swamp is a uniquely diverse places to explore outdoors South Carolina.
Shaw Air & Space Expo
The Cannon family farm delivers fresh local produce and Angus beef.
Cannon
family farm
DIY bride Erin McMillan creates beautiful DIY wedding florals, bringing her vision to life with passion and creativity.
Bridal DIY dress Hailey Hodge hand-knitted her wedding dress, crafting love into every stitch.
BERKELEY • CLARENDON
KERSHAW • FLORENCE • RICHLAND ORANGEBURG • SUMTER
& What to do Where to go
KERSHAW COUNTY
Irish Fest Camden
Irish Fest Camden celebrates its 10th year this year! The event will include live music by international Celtic bands, Highland Games, kids zone, food trucks, vendors, whiskey tasting, Irish and green beer and more. The venue is Kershaw County Airport, 2203 Airline Drive, Camden, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 7. Gates open at 9 a.m. Save money and buy tickets online at https:// tinyurl.com/mrtfyx9y.
Camden Coin Show Spring Spectacular
Giveaways, a raffle, free treats, gold dollars for the kids and more will be part of the Camden Coin Show Spring Spectacular, which will be held at Camden City Arena, 420 Broad St., on Friday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Buy, sell or trade your old coins and paper money. ANAC grading available. Forty-five dealers and more than 80 tables will be set up at the event. There will be silver dollar giveaways every hour and a gold giveaway the last hour of the day. You must be present to win these giveaways. There is a 50/50 raffle both days, but you don’t have to be present to win it.
SUMTER COUNTY
Motown Revue
Get ready for a night of groovin' at the Motown Revue, heading to Patriot Hall in late February. It'll be a night of soul, style and show-stopping hits, and you might even win $100 at the costume contest – dress in your '70s best for your chance to take home the money. Tickets are $41 at sumterpatriothall.com. Patriot Hall is at 135 Haynsworth St., and the show will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21.
"A Streetcar Named Desire"
Sumter Little Theatre is starting off its year with "A Streetcar Named Desire." Follow the story of Blanche DuBois in this play about desire, delusion and the struggle for power. The show runs from Thursday through Satur-
day, Feb. 26, to March 8 at 7:30 p.m. each day except Sunday, when it starts at 3 p.m. Get tickets at sumterlittletheatre.org.
Farm to Table
The Rotary Club of Sumter–the Gamecock City’s annual Farm to Table dinner is Thursday, March 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Sumter County Civic Center. As always, this charity event includes all-you-can eat selections from local farms, processors, restaurants and stores as well as beverages and a live band. Tickets are $40 at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/farm-totable-4. All proceeds go to CART (Coins For Alzheimer’s Research), the Sumter Rotary Scholarship Fund, Sumter United Ministries and 4-H.
Annual Cook-off Benefit
Spring typically brings fun outdoor events, and this March is no different. Get a taste of some award-winning wings and barbecue at the Annual Cook-off Benefit for the Boy Scouts on March 20 and March 21 while strolling around the Sumter County Fairgrounds, 30 S. Artillery Drive. That Friday will be the Wing Ding from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and the next day features all the barbecue you care to try from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Buy your tickets at sumterbbq.com.
Sumter's Springfest
Speaking of fun outdoors, the same weekend, Sumter's Springfest is back for the third year! It will take over Main Street downtown on Saturday, March 21, with live music spanning country, pop and classic favorites, delicious food and family fun benefiting United Way. This event is billed as "Sumter's biggest street party," so don't miss out. There will be music playing all day, a kids' corner with activities and food and drinks from Sumter Original Brewery, Sidebar On Main and Hamptons. Gates open at 11 a.m. Proceeds will benefit United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties. Children 10 and under can participate for free, and tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the gate. Buy them at https://tinyurl.com/mv7s4ft2.
Art in the Park
Art in the Park including Reading in the Park, sponsored by Palmetto Optimist Club, will return this year from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Satur-
day, March 28, in Sumter Memorial Park. The event celebrates "creativity, family fun and the power of bringing out the best in our youth!"
The day will include local artists, handmade crafts, youth art displays and activities, food and sweet treats supporting local non profits, community organizations, live performances and more. Vendor applications for artists, makers, crafters, nonprofits and food vendors only are available through the official application at https://tinyurl.com/4mrjyje3. Vendor fee: $50.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
The same weekend as Art in the Park, see the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and learn about the military's mission and equipment at the Shaw Air Expo/Thunder Over the Midlands 2026. Also performing will be the United States Army Parachute Team the Golden Knights. This two-day event will feature air acts, show displays, aircraft and vendors on March 28 and March 29 at Shaw Air Force Base.
CLARENDON COUNTY
Clarendon County Master Gardeners
You might want to keep these dates on your calendar so you're not too late and end up empty-handed. The Clarendon County Master Gardeners will hold their annual tomato plant sale on Good Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and their annual Flower Sale on April 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. Proceeds will go toward scholarships and county service projects. Contact Kenneth Phelps at (803) 825-2008. The sales will be held at Land Parker Welch Law office courtyard, 29 S. Mill St., Manning.
Striped Bass Festival
It's not spring without the Striped Bass Festival, and this year it’ll be held April 25 and April 26 near Courthouse Square in Manning. It will include the Santee Cooper Open Team Tournament, a Pickleball Tournament, music, children’s area, parade, vendor market and much
more. The parade starts at 10 a.m. Admission to this annual event is free.
COLUMBIA
South Carolina's 2nd Pimento Cheese Festival
South Carolina's 2nd Pimento Cheese Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Saluda Shoals Park on the Leo's Landing side, 6071 St. Andrews Road, Columbia. Enter between Aldi and Wendy's. Parking is $10 per car. Besides a wide selection of pimento cheese creations by local restaurants and food trucks, participants can enjoy desserts and refreshing beverages. There will also be inflatables, outdoor games, a bubble area and a craft fair. The festival will be held rain or shine. For information on vendor and sponsorship opportunities, email RMEventsSC@gmail.com.
Journey
The iconic rock band Journey is saying goodbye after more than five decades of chart-topping hits with its Final Frontier Tour. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will come to Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia, on May 18, with hits, including "Don't Stop Believin,” "Any Way You Want It," "Faithfully," "Lights" and more. Journey features founder Neal Schon (lead guitarist), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals), Arnel Pineda (lead vocals), Jason Derlatka (keyboards, vocals), Deen Castronovo (drums, vocals) and Todd Jensen (bass). Neal Schon is a 3x Hall of Fame inductee, having been inducted to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame. Jon Cain is a recipient of two BMI songwriter awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Journey. “This tour is our heartfelt thankyou to the fans who’ve been with us every step of the way — through every song, every era, every high and low,” said Journey founder Neal Schon. Tickets on sale at ticketmaster.com.
For more information, visit https://journeymusic.com/.
MercyMe
Multi-platinum, award-winning band MercyMe will perform at Colonial Life Arena on March 14 as part of its Wonder + Awe Tour, and tickets are on sale to the general public now on ticketmaster.com. MercyMe will be joined by longtime friend Tim Timmons and newcomer Sam Wesley. "As we celebrate the release of I Can Only Imagine 2, hitting theaters on Feb. 20, we couldn't be more excited to hit the road for a very special spring tour and there's no place we'd rather be than out on the road, sharing this moment with our fans," said Bart Millard of MercyMe. "Tim Timmons and my son, Sam Wesley, play huge roles in the story behind the film, and once you've seen it, you'll understand why they had to be part of this tour. This tour is more than just music — it's a celebration of story, friendship, and the faith that has carried us through. We'd love for you to join us. Come see us. We promise you'll walk away changed." Colonial Life Arena is located at 801 Lincoln St., Columbia. For additional information, call (803) 576-9072.
“The Screwtape Letters”
The international hit, C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters,” is coming to the Koger Center at 7:30 p.m. on March 19. According to the website, the faithful stage adaptation follows "Screwtape,” a senior tempter in Hell, as he schemes to capture the soul of an unsuspecting human on earth and reveals spiritual warfare in vivid, humorous and powerful ways. The performance presented by the Fellowship for Performing Arts is 90 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for ages 13 and older. Children under 4 will not be admitted. FPA, founded by award-winning actor Max McLean, "is a not-for-profit New York City-based production company producing theatre and film from a Christian worldview to engage a diverse
audience." To purchase tickets, visit https:// tinyurl.com/wc4aph9m
FLORENCE
Monster Jam at Florence Center Florence Tickets are on sale now for Monster Jam at Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence, on April 11-12. This unscripted, heart-pumping event features 12,000-pound trucks standing on two wheels, flying through the air, performing gravity-defying stunts and more. The world's best drivers will battle for the Arena Championship Series East title in three competitions: Racing, 2 Wheel Skills and Freestyle. The day of fun starts at the Monster Jam Pit Party on Saturday and Sunday featuring selfies with the trucks, high-fives and autographs from drivers and family-friendly activities. And, there's no better way to get ready for the action than Monster Jam Trackside, happening about an hour before the event. It's packed with driver interviews, pit crew sneak peeks and epic giveaways that'll get everyone pumped up before the action begins. Show times are:
Saturday, April 11 — Event Time, noon and 6 p.m.; Pit Party open from 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. (Event Ticket & Pit Party Pass required for entry)
Sunday, April 12 — Event Time, 3 p.m.; Pit Party open from 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. (Event Ticket & Pit Party Pass required for entry) Visit MonsterJam.com for more information.
CAMP
Pinewood’s youth educational initiatives in Pinewood
By RHIANNON O’BERRY
When I drove back to the South Carolina Waterfowl Association’s Wildlife Education Center in Pinewood to visit with CEO David Wielicki and Education Director Jami Lisenby this January, it felt a bit odd to see it empty. That’s because I first saw it full of children with noisy duck calls, live music and vendors when I visited in October to write about the first joint Summerton Duckfest and the South Carolina Trappers Association Convention hosted there. However, by the end of my almost two-hour tour of SCWA facilities, I realized how much I’d actually missed on my first visit.
The nonprofit that David founded in 1986 is steadily expanding, largely thanks to donations. SCWA’s mission is “to enhance and perpetuate our wildlife heritage through
education and habitat conservation,” and its vision is to “provide opportunities for all South Carolina youth to participate in hands-on natural resource conservation experiences.” For its core youth educational initiatives alone, Camp Woodie and Camp Leopold, developments include the Alpine Towers Skypark High Ropes Course, funded through SCWA chapter volunteers’ fundraising events, a donor-funded Olympic Bunker Trap that will be used in advanced shooting sports training for senior Camp Woodie campers, the Alpine Towers Climbing Wall and an upcoming airnasium with a basketball court.
SCWA and the South Carolina Conservation
Education Act
Camp Leopold is “a common-sense conservation and environmental education program” for fourth- to sixthgrade students, coordinated through their schools. It offers classes on forestry, soil conservation, wetland ecology and more. It also brings groups from schools out to the Pinewood facilities during fall and spring, when they also can enjoy on-site activities like the confidencebuilding aerial courses.
“Our fall activities and our spring activities vary in ecology areas, but they have a good social-emotional impact throughout,” Jami said. They also go to schools throughout the entire school year for courses, bringing live animals and “a piece of camp to schools.” When we talked in early January, Leopold’s spring program was already significantly filled, with availability left in April and February.
“Leopold teaches that ‘why’ in the ecology form,” Jami said. “Why do we have the ranges? Why do we hunt? Why is that a form of conservation that we promote?”
Meanwhile, she called Woodie the “how.” Camp Woodie is a weeklong (Sunday-Friday) residential
Jami Lisenby
“We want to reach these kids whenthey'reyoung andgetthemoutdoors, getthemexcitedabout nature,letthemhave agreattimewiththeir friends and realize there's more to life than a screen.”
—David Wielicki
summer camp for kids ages 7-16 that teaches wildlife conservation, angling skills, gun safety, hunter safety, boater education and more. There are other extensive recreational activities, like ziplining, rock climbing and canoeing. Campers stay in on-site cabins, and many children come with best friends or family members their age. Jami described it as having a similar ethos and some similar activities as Camp Leopold, with a heavier emphasis on outdoor recreation and skills and safety around hunting and fishing.
They have two 3D archery courses in the woods and bathrooms so the kids can stay for hours, and there are fishing docks and boat storage.
“I want these kids to catch a bunch of fish and just get excited about fishing and hunting,” David said. In its 2024-25 Annual Report, SCWA’s threeyear plan announced intentions to accelerate to 2,000 Camp Woodie campers and 30,000 Camp
Leopold and Leopold Plus participants annually. In May 2025, the South Carolina General Assembly and Gov. Henry McMaster approved the South Carolina Conservation Education Act, establishing a fund for “the purpose of connecting youth with nature through classroom and outdoor natural resource conservation education programs,” according to the act’s text. According to the SCWA website, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will administer the fund, which will facilitate “thousands of 4th grade students to annually attend accredited 1 to 3 day outdoor conservation education camps across South Carolina.” The SCWA Wildlife Education Center and Camp Leopold school year conservation education camp are among those certified programs schools can choose to attend. I talked to Jami in the tower where we could see oscillating ducks shifting around each other in the sky in patterns like they were showing off
for us, as well as many resting in the water in the distance. Jami started in 2021 as a Camp Woodie shooting instructor and loved it so much, she’s never left. She went directly into being an educator at Camp Leopold and has now ascended to education director over all SCWA’s education programs. She also helps with other events, like fundraisers, and she shares her experiences of the educational programs. Jami first met David in May 2021 and said he came by weekly to talk with summer staff.
“He was basically like, ‘Hey, I'm here for you if you need me.’ It was really nice to have him here and feel valued,” Jami said. “Meeting the CEO day one was kind of wild.” She said her favorite part of working with David is his support and the passion behind it. Her favorite duck species? The American Wigeon.
“Widgeon to me are the cutest little things,”
she said, “the sassiest little things.” Darla is one of them in the aviary, which complements waterfowl education for campers and is beloved by staff. Jami has experienced many positions and said the organization has family-oriented community among the staff, who interact and collaborate closely across departments.
“When we're looking for new staff that come in, we want the passion. We want to see that light in their eyes,” Jami said. “We want to see them just love the land.” “We really try to manage the land for all wildlife,” David said.
SCWA has more than 1,300 acres, with some tracts of land down the road. As David drove me around, he patiently identified wildlife I pointed out, like wood storks, roseate spoonbills, great blue heron and an anhinga perched on a submerged branch, which David joked heard me because I’d just talked about them a moment earlier. We also saw a few white-tailed deer. As
we rounded the corner to see the rock-climbing wall, David discussed excessive screen time, obesity rates and severe mental health issues among America’s children. “Nature heals these kids,” he said. “We want to reach these kids when they’re young and get them outdoors, get them excited about nature, let them have a great time with their friends and realize there’s more to life than a screen.”
Just as my tour that lasted almost two hours still wasn’t long enough for me to see all of the facilities, it would probably take a few magazines to unpack SCWA’s initiative list. Many are centered on hunting. It has chapters throughout the state with fundraising events like banquets, clay courses and fishing tournaments throughout the year. Private social organizations like churches can also arrange visits, and scientists from Clemson University are coming out for study. There are Gary Dietrich Wildlife Management Apprentice Program, Outdoor Heritage Events like parent-child duck, deer and dove hunts with wild game dinners and direct wildlife and waterfowl habitat enhancement efforts (it has been installing duck boxes for decades, for instance). Major investments in the three-year plan announced February 2025 intend to facilitate SCWA event expansion like hosting regional conservation conferences and its first Outdoor Heritage Exposition on March 5-6, 2027. There’s an $8 million Education/ Conference Building and Library, as well as the $2.6 million J.M. Smith Conservation Center. These and other facilities he showed me are largely possible thanks to donors. SCWA supporters are diverse, from individuals to small businesses and major corporations, and partnerships continue to grow. Last August, American Honda announced a partnership; it’s named the Official ATV/Side-by-Side of SCWA and provides a fleet of ATV vehicles,
help building its ATV safety course and financial support. David is on the board of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and works with state and national legislators and environmental leaders.
“I’m working nationally to try to get this Conservation Education Act replicated so that other states can focus on this,” he said. “I’ve worked with the Make America Healthy Again team. They love what we’re doing. They want to see this replicated.” He travels often in that role and others, such as networking and fundraising for SCWA. “We want to get people here to see this, to motivate them and inspire them to do it in their states,” David said as we continued to drive through a stretch of woods. Jami said she keeps in mind that Camp Leopold attendees are potential future landowners and legislators.
“We always say in Leopold that we are educating to inform,” Jami said. “If you inform, you build the relationship – and the relationship with the land fosters that conservation aspect for everyone.”
Inspiring local involvement is part of the motivation for BirdFest, its annual two-day bluegrass music festival starting May 1 with different live bands and family-friendly activities, for which tickets will soon be available. Camp Woodie and Camp Leopold registration is now available.
Exploring Sparkleberry Swamp
By RHIANNON O’BERRY
In the 16,000-acre Upper Santee Swamp, which is classified as an Important Bird Area by National Audubon Society, Sparkleberry Swamp is revered by outdoorsmen from fishermen to kayakers. Spanish moss loves the damp tupelo and cypress trees in this flooded, forested swamp. Abundant wildlife includes alligators, eagles and many wading birds. One advantage for wildlife is the diverse habitat in the swamp’s extensive maze of seasonally flooded forested ridges, marshes, creeks, oxbow lakes and ponds. That’s also why it’s such a prized location for exploration via boat, canoe or kayak, which local and state tourism directors encourage newcomers to use with an experienced guide like Blueway Adventures. Upper Santee Swamp is at Lake Marion’s
north end and is owned by South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee-Cooper). According to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the fact that the lake bed wasn’t properly cleared in the 1940s before Lake Marion was created ultimately made fish quite happy with the debris left afterward. The existing river swamp was flooded then as well to become the Upper Santee Swamp we know today. Largemouth bass, pickerel, bream, striped bass, catfish and flathead catfish are some prominent species that have called the lake home since then. You can also hike along the edge of Sparkleberry Swamp from Sparkleberry Landing to Pack’s Landing via the Palmetto Trail. The trail encourages spring hiking amid diverse and abundant wildlife. This trail gets wet after heavy rain, so prepare with good footwear.
2026 Shaw Air & Space Expo will include Thunderbirds, Golden Knights
March 28–29
By Kayla Green
If it seems four years to wait for the next Shaw Air and Space Expo is too long, think back to the last break — a pandemic-induced six years — and start the countdown for March.
The two-day event returns to Shaw Air Force Base March 28-29 and will feature performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Golden Knights, as well as demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team and Heritage Flight. According to 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, other acts include a “joint airpower mission demo with pyrotechnics, rocket trucks and aerobatic performances, in addition to numerous aircraft static displays and other ground demonstrations.”
Displays and demonstrations will in part be themed to celebrate 60 years of the Wild Weasel mission and the nation’s 250th birthday.
To commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day, there will be a recognition ceremony on Sunday, March 29, to which South Carolina-based Vietnam veterans and Purple Heart recipients will be invited to attend as special guests, according to 20th FW PA. The day before, during a rehearsal day, the base will hold a STEM Expo on Friday, March 27, that includes a STEM competition with sixth-graders from local schools.
Hours are tentatively set for 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on both days. Dates will open to the public both days at 9 a.m.
In 2022, Shaw’s inspector general and director of air operations for the show told The Item the expectation was for 80,000 people to attend by the end of the weekend.
Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to set up right on the flight line and watch a constant flow of demonstrations. The last show included historical and current aircraft, from Vintage World War II planes to paratroopers and racing, flaming 18-wheelers. Merch and food vendors will be located throughout the site.
BEANS, BUTTER BEANS, PEAS, WATERMELON, CANTALOUPES, SQUASH, ZUCCHINI, TWO TYPES OF CUCUMBERS,
TOMATOES, GRAPE AND CHERRY TOMATOES, EGGPLANT, BELL PEPPERS, JALAPENO PEPPERS, BANANA PEPPERS
By RHIANNON O’BERRY
produce list
- Beans - Green butter beans
- Colored butter beans
- Peas
- Dixley peas - Watts peas
- An heirloom pea from an old seed that came from a local family - Watermelons - Cantaloupes - Squash - Zucchini
- Two types of cucumbers
- Three or four different kinds of tomatoes
- Two slicing varieties of tomatoes
- Grape and cherry tomatoes
- Eggplant
- All kinds of peppers, including bell peppers, jalapeno peppers and banana peppers
“support local farmers and producers that share the same home state as you and your family … conveniently at your neighborhood Food Lion.” “I'm thankful for Food Lion for their dedication to localgrown,” Jeremy said about the Local Goodness program. “They'll have our name and cities in front of our produce during the summer, which has done wonders for us.” When asked about how he’s seen Turbeville change through the years, Nebo, who grew up in the 1940s and ‘50s, said with a huff of laughter, “Well, if you go from plowing mules to tractors that drive themselves, you've seen a lot.” Nebo remembers when it was more common for teenagers to work farm jobs regularly, especially tobacco farms, and says many who worked at the farm through the years he knows are still hard workers. Through those years, family friends’ children have become employees, and the Cannons have built multiple houses on the property that family has alternated between, which Jeremy pointed to as he discussed memories. Nebo’s house was built with cypress from land he owned on Diles Bay Road, and he says the property is filled with so many memories of family members growing up on the farm that picking a favorite is impossible. Though their parents didn’t go to college, Jeremy and his four siblings all have at least bachelor’s degrees, which he attributes to how they were raised.
“Daddy gave us the farm experience growing up; we all had to work here, and it taught us work ethic,” he said. Jeremy got his degree at USC Sumter night classes after high school while continuing farm work by day.
“The only thing I wanted to be was a farmer,” he shared. “It didn't take very long to know either you love it or you hate it; growing up, that's all I wanted to do. I love that you get it in your blood, you get a taste for it.” Nebo said seeing his son at work feels good.
“That's, I guess, every daddy's dream, that their son will take over someday,” he said.
Their outdoor market is what Nebo said he looks forward to the most every year. Jeremy said his dad loves to sit outside and see people who come by, and every year, his dad proclaims one fruit “the best cantaloupe he’s ever had.” A recent gospel concert in the
market venue drew about 50 people on short notice, and more such events are planned. “I’d like to do some more things like that,” Jeremy said, “any kind of experience like that to draw people out to the farm to experience life out here and really share our faith because I don't think you can farm without faith.” As Jeremy told me about the connections he makes with customers, he lifted a hand to passing cars. There are locals still surprised to discover the farm is there when they visit the market. However, they have incredibly passionate repeat customers, many from across the state and even further. One woman whose mother lives in Atlanta comes back each summer to get her some butterbeans, for instance. Many repeat customers, who come at least once a month, are on fixed incomes. Cannon Ag Products began preserving food to sell at market – blanching butterbeans and peas, canning tomatoes – to save customers time, promote sustainability for the farm and answer this question, Jeremy said: “How can we offer opportunities for people who are truly on fixed incomes and would love to have more fresh, locally grown stuff but can't pay for it all at one time?” For instance, they plant butterbeans after the last frost in March, and when they’re matured after two months, there is about a threeweek window to harvest.
“You compete with other people in the state that have them as well during that time, but you're also competing with people's paycheck,”
Jeremy said. This shift to preserved goods also addresses the issue of seasonality. While there may be 60 people who visit the market on an average day in summer, traffic slows in the winter when for about two months there is comparatively little to grow or sell. A broader challenge is fitting into people’s routine shopping choices. When farms become more convenient – like during the COVID-19 pandemic or when egg prices skyrocket – more people seek out family farms, Jeremy said.
“It’s surprising how quickly we get back into a rhythm of forgetting,” he remarked, adding that the appeal of getting everything on their shopping list is an understandable reason so many people opt for food from across the country or world at large retailers and seldom think about local farms, which can struggle to get large deals because of transportation issues and industry consolidation. “They can't beat us on price,” he said. “They can't beat us on flavor; it's fresh out the field.”
Jeremy said that with their market, people can also get “the full experience” of locally grown food and can visit the fields where it’s grown and picked. There are some collards and broccoli in January, with strawberries starting again around mid-February. May will see spring greens, squash and cucumbers, with June and July the biggest times, with people buying tomatoes. About 60 acres of watermelons ship across the country. In addition to the market, nature itself and being close to the land is Nebo’s favorite part of everyday life on the farm. He especially loves listening to the birds, which was the first thing I noticed when I waited in the front yard when I first arrived. His favorite are quail. “We’ve got a few more quail than we had a few years ago,” he shared as I talked with him on the front porch of his house as other family members went in and out. “I can come out here in the yard and hear them whistle.” “This is something that I hope we can continue,” said Jeremy, whose own son now helps him on the farm. “I mean, it just takes so much to anymore to live and to pay for the expenses. Everything's going up. We need to pay our employees more because they need more to live on. Electricity has gone up, and seed fertilizing chemicals have gone up, but we'll do it as long as the Lord allows us to do it.”
iris irisbridal preview
D I Y Brides
From vision to fruition, these brides made their big day — literally.
Learn about regional vendors
From catering to florists, everything you need to know in one guide.
Wedding venues with history and flair for your big day
Photo by: Tiffany Ellis Photography
CAN DO:Bride
Photos by: Tiffany Ellis Photography
By Alaysha Maple
A natural love for flowers
Her warm, energetic and endearingly encouraging spirit fits perfectly among the curious kiddos at Kingsbury Elementary School as a full-time teacher. But it also aids her in creating breathtaking floral designs for blushing brides.
Her florist journey started six years ago in the yard of her first home. Zinnias, long-stemmed, 12-petaled flowers that come in a variety of bright colors, were planted by the previous owners and were in full bloom.
“The more you cut, the more they grow,” were the owner’s parting words, the foreshadowing of what was to come.
McMillan took her floral snips to the green stems and quickly learned that not only did the blooms look better, but she also enjoyed making fragrant, vibrant creations out of her garden work. YouTube tutorials were plentiful and took her from a novice to a natural in arranging, and her weekends were spent browsing the latest batch of fresh flowers at Trader Joe’s that would be the muses for her next piece. Once she got good, she decided to take it a step further, opening an Instagram account, Where You’re Planted, to share her newfound hobby with flora enthusiasts. It wouldn’t be long before her creations landed on a fellow Sumterite’s feed.
“‘I would love for you to do flowers for my wedding,’” Erin recalled the request.
Erin McMillan and the art of wedding florals
Flowers have been a cherished element of weddings since ancient times. From herb garlands worn by Greek and Roman brides to symbolize new beginnings to their modern-day use of adding an organic touch to a venue’s aesthetic, the flora that adorns the halls, hands and walkways is
integral to setting the tone and theme for the big day.
There are some brides with a creative streak who DIY the pivotal pieces of their weddings, making it both deeply personal and surprisingly powerful. Erin McMillan is one of those brides.
“I was like, that's really crazy.”
“It was really just a hobby, something that I enjoyed doing to quit clogging up my own Instagram feed,” she said with a laugh.
Word traveled fast, and McMillan’s arrangements were soon decorating tables and delicately held as focal points and symbolic accessories for those being joined in holy matrimony. Which is why when it came time for her big day, the question of who would create her floral arrangements required little guessing.
From vision to fruition
McMillan was the mastermind behind her pink-bundled blooms. From the start, McMillan had a vision for what would drape from her vases: flowers in shades of pink, softened by sprouts of greenery.
While she was willing to be flexible on some aspects, when it came to the arrangements, she had firm nonnegotiables:
- Full floral arrangements on every reception table
- Low, consistent designs that made an impact
- Rattan baskets for her bridesmaids’ bouquets
For McMillan, this would ensure the wedding remained polished, personal and, of course, pink.
Once the vision was made clear, McMillan, with her mom and matron of honor, Tami, as her assistant, was full speed ahead to create more than two dozen floral arrangements: three boutonnieres for her husband, Matthew, her father, Robert, and father-in-law, Chip, who was also Matthew’s best man; bouquets for her mother, mother-inlaw, Kelley, and grandmothers; basket bouquets for her eight bridesmaids; 10 low table arrangements to adorn tables throughout The O’Donnell House; an arrangement for the cake table; a large
arrangement to brighten up the foyer of First Baptist Church; and her own bridal bouquet.
DIY florals are not a one-afternoon project. The mother-daughter duo devoted three full days –Wednesday to Friday — to the process leading up to her wedding day.
The flowers arrived early in the week and had to be immediately processed: stripped of the leaves, stems cut and placed in water. The greenery and floral foam, used to support and hydrate the arrangements, were prepped next followed by hours of arrangements.
That final day, Friday, April, 11, 2025, was spent carefully transporting each piece to the venues. They had to be quick in order to make ample use of the flowers while in their prime. They also had to be careful, as along with beauty and grace, the arrangements also packed on the weight.
“Once you finish everything, flowers end up being pretty heavy,” McMillan explained. “It can be a con because sometimes if you hit something — say hit the curb a little too hard — they knock over. But the heaviness helps ground them, too.”
The bride can do –and you can, too
Throughout McMillan’s years of experience in making magic through petals and proper positioning, she’s learned that there are many things a bride can do and do well when equipped with the tools, time and tenacity it takes to DIY any element of a wedding. To make the task a tad bit easier, she offered a few tips of her own — bride to bride.
Color palette is key
“The color palette is more important than flower choice. As far as what colors you’re looking for, your florist will accommodate per season and per what you're looking for based on how much water the flower drinks, can it stand alone, can it not stand alone, things like that.”
Know your non-negotiables
“You have to know what are your non-negotiables and what are your ‘I can give a little bit on this if it's outside of my budget.’ Flowers are living things, so they could come in crappy and then you're like, ‘Well, I'm out on that.’ You're not going to put something that's dying in a bouquet for your bride, so I feel when they get really fixated on [a flower], they hurt themselves in cost and they hurt themselves in product quality.”
Stick to the style you know
“If your style is traditional, you need to pick a florist that's traditional. If you want something more abstract, you need to pick a florist that teeters towards that. If they're looking for a florist, think about that, and if they're looking to do their own, decide what your style is. I think style is a huge [aspect] because it makes or breaks whether you like what you have or not.”
For DIY brides, practice makes it less painful
“There's been a huge shift in bouquets towards a more abstract look, and that's what I really loved. It took me a while to master how people are doing this and what it looks like. I could see where that would be hard for a DIY bride as well just to try to figure that out. Like I said, tutorials are great. And putting your hands on the materials, even if it's not even close to what you want flower wise, just putting stems in your hands makes a huge difference.”
If choosing a
florist,
timing is everything
“I would say you'd need to have a florist secured probably three months in advance — and that's kind of late. But most can order about one month out, so give them about two months to go back and forth about budgeting, price quoting, what are we cutting, what are we keeping, are we adding anything extra, did you think of your great-grandpa that you forgot to tell me about that needs a boutonniere," McMillan said with a soft laugh. “Things like that.”
Pretty petals for the big day
On April 12, 2025, she not only witnessed herself become Mrs. McMillan, but she also watched her vision come to life, from the
pretty, pink petals that floated down the aisle in the hands of her wedding party to the vibrant arrangements that breathed life alongside the love that filled the reception.
“That was really exciting,” she said with a smile. “It’s hard to envision it sometimes. When you're sitting there making it on the table, you're hoping that it's going to look as substantial as you want it to look or as small or whatever the case may be. To see it all put together, I was like, ‘All right, it's here and everything looks good.’”
By the next morning, the flowers had reached the end of their bloom. And contrary to what some may think, that’s exactly the point. For McMillan, wedding florals are meant to peak for one perfect day and then gracefully let go.
And for her, every petal was worth it.
Erin owns operates a local floral company, Where You're Planted. Contact her to learn about how to have florals for your wedding or event created. To learn more, contact her at (803) 316-1390 or visit @whereyoureplanted_ on Instagram.
W. Boyce St., Manning, SC 29102 www.facebook.com/bigtjewelers
& Moseley Inc.
N. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29148 www.gallowayandmoseley.com
Wedding
photographers
Photos by PKC
Photography
Celebrating the love you two found for forever can be emotional and overwhelming in all the best, unforgettable ways, but it's the photo albums that will keep you revisiting it like it was yesterday. A good photographer is critical to eternalizing your special day and for being able to share it with loved ones who were unable to make it and future family members who hadn't come along yet. Check out some local wedding photographers featured here.
Amanda Rae Photography www.Amandaraephotography.com
Sweet As Honey Catering www.thehiveatlavenderestate.com/vendors
Lucy's Traditional Southern Bakehouse
Traditions Fine Cuisine & Event Design
Venues view TO
You don't have to travel out of town to get the wedding destination of your dreams.
From an indoor arrangement with decorations galore to a rustic outdoor setting that is sure to stun in photos, make your wedding one to remember by holding it at one of these local treasures.
Bridlestone 920 E. Brewington Road, Sumter, SC 29150
La Piazza 35 S. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 www.Hamptonsfoods.com
Sumter County Museum 122 N. Washington St., Suite A, Sumter SC 29150 www.Sumtercountymuseum.org
Swan Lake Iris Gardens 822 W. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150 www.sumtersc.gov/community/swanlake
Wagon Trail
600 Concord Church Road, Sumter, SC 29150 www.Wagontrail.org
Southerlyn Farms 4872 Bass Drive, Holly Hill, S.C. 29059 https://www.southerlynfarms.com
Photo By: Megan Manus Venue: Southerlyn Farms
Photo By: Allison Eady Photography Venue: Sumter County Museum
Photos by: Megan Manus Venue: The Hive @ Lavender Estates
Photo By: Megan Manus Venue: Quixote Club
Sumter native Hailey Hodge transformed urgency into artistry by hand-knitting her own wedding dress. Her journey weaves together creativity, resilience and love, proving that the most meaningful stories are stitched together through dedication and craft.
PhotosBy Danielle Courtenay
A love
A love
measured in stitc measuredstitches in stitches
By Alaysha Maple
When Italian marriage paperwork came with a threemonth deadline, Sumter native Hailey Hodge turned a long-held dream into a handmade wedding dress.
It’s a love story that the most renowned fairytale writers couldn’t have authored. There are no enchanted teacups or godmothers touched with magic, no carriages waiting in the wings or glass slippers to tie the whole story together.
In Hailey Hodge’s love story, the magic lives elsewhere. It’s in the patience, persistence and elegant work it took to bring a dream to life.
A LIFE SHAPED BY CREATIVITY
A Sumter native, Hodge grew up surrounded by creativity. Her mother, a local artist and owner of the art studio Sip&Gogh, spent years
teaching art lessons, painting faces at fairs and birthday parties, and showing that making something with your hands could be both meaningful and practical.
“I was always connected to her. It was like if you weren't going to be an artist, what were you gonna be?,” she expressed. “Everybody in my family is an artist; my mom, my grandma, my aunt. It just came naturally.”
That early exposure shaped how Hodge would move through the world. Fashion became one of her earliest creative outlets, offering texture, structure and versatility as forms of self-expression. As a teenager, she thrifted and upcycled clothing, cutting, reshaping and reimagining pieces into tailor-made creations of her own. After high school, her sights were initially set on majoring in fashion, but she ultimately pivoted to more “realistic” areas of study: art and business. It kept her grounded in her creative roots while giving her tools to understand the strategic side of making a living from it.
In 2017, her life would see a change of scenery, going from the close-knit community of Sumter to the cypress-lined roads and rolling hills of Italy.
DIY DRESS
“ EVERYBODY IN MY FAMILY IS AN ARTIST; MY MOM, MY GRANDMA, MY AUNT. IT JUST CAME NATURALLY.”
The move was meant to be temporary. Hodge accepted a job teaching art for a year, long enough to explore her craft in a new environment before returning home.
But life, as it often does, had other plans.
One year became two, then eight. She settled into the rhythm of living abroad, built a life that consisted of friends, new favorite spots, fond memories and a newfound love.
Within those eight years, Hodge fell in love with Lorenzo Ricci. It became clear that this chapter of life was not closing. It was still being written, and, now, she had someone to share it with.
Florence is where she lives now, where the Renaissance architecture is balanced by the beautiful gardens and hilltops that frame its cityscape. It’s also where she learned that even carefully imagined plans can change shape.
THE CLOCK STARTS TICKING
The urgency didn’t come all at once. It was gradual, lulling the couple into a whimsical, romantic Italian wedding, complete with no pressure and no constraints.
Then came the fine print.
In Italy, marriage paperwork comes with a firm
expiration date. Specifically, an Atto Notorio is a crucial sworn declaration for foreigners marrying in the country that affirms they are free to marry. This document is valid for a limited time, often for three months. When Hodge and Ricci realized the deadline, the reality of their timeline set in.
“We both looked at each other like, what the heck?” she recalled.
The final dates available to wed fell in January 2025. It wasn’t ideal, but neither was giving up. Hodge felt they had come too far, through paperwork, fees and a process that was both confusing and consuming, to turn back now.
With the clock ticking, Hodge returned to an idea of a winter wedding and elements that honored it—warm, cozy and meaningful. It was an idea she tossed around years prior and tucked away for safekeeping.
If a winter wedding was going to happen within the next two-and-a-half months, she would have to get creative.
Bride’s hand-made dress
STITCH BY STITCH
Hodge is not formally trained in knitting or sewing. Like many self-taught creatives, she watched a host of YouTube videos to fuel her knowledge in this artform. It is on that foundation and trusting her intuition that she was able to figure out a solution to a problem when it arose.
Marrying her creativity with these self-taught knitting skills, she decided to bring meaning into her wedding through what she wore: her wedding dress.
She began knitting just after Thanksgiving in November 2024. Knitting the dress quickly became her focus full-time.
Knitting, she explained, is simple in theory. Two different stitches repeated in different combinations can create an infinite number of patterns. In practice, it requires attention as every choice matters, especially when the garment has to fit one’s body and carry its own weight.
When she first learned to knit, she skipped the beginner projects, forgoing dishcloths and scarves to immediately create sweaters and larger items, often ending up with pieces that were either too large or too small. But such blunders are pivotal to one’s growth.
“I think my biggest hurdle and challenge was that when I first started knitting, I didn't realize that tension matters, the type of yarn to the size of the needle, all of these things matter for something to fit your body,” Hodge explained.
The wedding dress left no room for a freeform approach. Everything she once brushed past became essential in bringing her vision to fruition in such a short time. She worked at a pace most knitters wouldn’t attempt, explaining that an average sweater can be stitched together in the same amount it took her to make the entire gown. As the dress grew, the garment lengthened, stretching the stitches and threatening to undo
her hard work. Knit fabric stretches, especially as it grows heavier and gravity begins to change its form.
To prepare for this, Hodge tested constantly, from knitting swatches and weighing them down to hanging them vertically to see how it would fall to soaking them to see how the fabric behaved when wet. She quickly realized that on its own, the dress would not hold.
To preserve the design, Hodge sewed a second dress to serve as a foundation, a fitted satin base designed to carry the weight of the knit gown without altering its look. The silhouette mirrored the outer dress with a mermaid shape, allowing both layers to move as one.
Hodge also adjusted the neckline and back to be square to ensure nothing would show through, reshaped the train to flow better and added buttons that allowed the knit dress to snap securely into place. All of this was to keep the waistline in place.
What appeared effortless was held together by planning, problem-solving and a deep respect for the craft of making something by hand.
BEFORE THE AISLE
There were a few unfinished elements and unforeseen unravelings on the dress the morning of the wedding. Some of the buttons failed at the last minute and Hodge, ultimately, had to sew herself into the gown minutes before walking down the aisle.
Most brides would’ve been overcome with a wave of panic. Instead, it spurred on a moment of humor for Hodge.
“It was pretty comical,” she said, laughing at the memory. “It was insane.”
She shared much of the process of dress making on her Instagram, @artisthaileyhodge, documenting the idea from vision to fruition and all the mishaps and humor along the way.
“A lot of things that happened were just really funny. Things that most brides would be freaking out about but most brides don't make their dress and then have to fix it themselves either,” she laughed.
The ceremony started a few minutes late, and for good reason as Hodge was stitching the last bits of magic into the day.
When she finally took her first steps down the aisle, the two-and-a-half months of struggles, strides and alternating stitch patterns faded. What remained was the weight of the dress, the sentiment of the moment and the realization that everything she had created, both in the months and years prior, carried her exactly where she needed to be.
both handcrafted and heartfelt, from the dress to the bouquet to the joining in holy matrimony.
After the celebration simmered, the dress lived on a mannequin at their home. Its presence was so significant that Ricci jokingly referred to it as their “third roommate.”
Eventually, it was carefully preserved and tucked away, stored safely until its next grand entrance. That moment will come in October 2026.
Hodge will lead a knitting workshop in Lucca, Italy, based on the dress pattern. The sharing of her journey from the dress’ concept to its debut at the wedding ceremony garnered thousands of views and interactions on her Instagram. “Gorgeous,”“Stunning,” “Beautiful”; the compliments go on in the comments of the posts. The act of remembering and retracing her hard work to teach others about its ins and outs for their own creative inspiration or general curiosity is an honor for Hodge.
This entire process, from start to finish, wasn’t shaped by the end result, but rather by the sentiment of what it all meant. Even when the timeline was cut short, the design started to show flaws and the final minutes were spent on final touches, the moment arrived as it was meant to. Some love stories, memorable love stories are not tied together by magic at all, but by the work it takes to make them real.
WHAT REMAINS AND WHAT’S NEXT
The wedding itself felt storybook in its own way, surrounded by family, framed by the picturesque landscape of Italy and filled with details that were
