Winter recipes These simple recipes feed a crowd and keep you focused on friends and family during the holiday season.
The Grand American Coon Hunt is one of the Southeast’s largest coonhound events, drawing hunters, spectators and vendors.
Hunting hounds
Manning artist Tiffany Razer and artist Jennifer Daney share a heartfelt friendship expressed through pig-themed paintings.
32
One of the oldest-operating dirt tracks in South Carolina still raises dust, noise and pride on Saturday nights.
Sumter
Speedway
& What to do Where to go
CLARENDON • KERSHAW
LEE • FLORENCE • RICHLAND ORANGEBURG • SUMTER
SUMTER COUNTY
31st Alumni Golf Tournament
Support students and athletes at USC Sumter by spending a day on the links this November. USC Sumter Alumni Association will host the 31st Alumni Golf Tournament on Monday, Nov. 17. Check-in starts at 8 a.m. with shotgun start at 9 a.m. at the Links at Lakewood golf course, 3600 Green View Pkwy., Sumter. Cost is $125 per player or $500 for a foursome and $10 for two mulligans. Price includes green and cart fees, balls for driving range, breakfast, lunch, beverages, swag bag and a chance to win door prizes. Awards will be given for first, second and third place and also for closest to the pin and longest drive. Proceeds benefit USC Sumter student and athletic scholarships. Get tickets at https://tinyurl.com/384x7m67. If you have questions, call Robin Miles at (803) 9383782 or email crm73@mailbox.sc.edu.
Carolina Backcountry Oyster Roast
Sumter Museum will hold the popular Carolina Backcountry Oyster Roast from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the museum, 122 N. Washington St. Entertainment will be provided by Chappell Court Band. Purchase your tickets now at https://tinyurl.com/495hbc8d.
The Nutcracker
Get yourself into the holiday spirit with this year's annual production of "The Nutcracker," coming to Patriot Hall on Saturday, Nov. 22. Watch William Starrett's play with Southern charm that follows Clara's journey through magical realms with snowy trees and beautiful ballrooms. Tickets can be purchased online
at any time at https://tinyurl.com/4p82wydy or at the box office at Patriot Hall starting one hour before the performance. The performance will start at 3 p.m. at 135 Haynsworth St.
Silver Bells Arts and Craft Show
Still need a gift for someone special? Browse from among dozens of vendor booths at the Silver Bells Arts and Craft Show, now in its 15th year. The show will be held Nov. 22-23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at 30 Artillery Drive, the Fair Memorial and American Legion building. Parking and admission are free. There will be photos with Santa available from noon to 4 p.m. by Sydney Shippy Photography. Concessions are also available. For every three nonperishable food items you bring, your name will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card. The show supports the Boys & Girls Club and The Salvation Army and is sponsored by K.A.T.S Special Kneads Animal Shelter. For more information, call Debra at (803) 983-3235.
The Sumter Item JingleFest
Gather the whole family for a merry day packed with festive fun, laughter and cheer. Best of all — it’s free!
Shop ‘til you sparkle with local vendors, snack on tasty treats, sing along to music, snap a photo with Santa and feel your heart grow three sizes from all the jolly vibes. Come ready to jingle, mingle and make merry memories!
Join us Dec. 13 at USC Sumter (200 Miller Road) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Swan Lake Iris Gardens
Each year at Christmas, Swan Lake Iris Gardens sparkles with 1 million lights, and this
year is no different. South Carolina's largest free Christmas lights display begins with the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, at the Visitors Center, 822 W. Liberty St., with viewing of the lights continuing through December: Sundays-Thursdays until 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m. The event is designed as a drive-through, but visitors are allowed to park to take photos. Access to the walking trails is closed after dusk. Lights are displayed along the main parking lot area to the gardens, along Liberty Street and along Garden Street (enter at Liberty Street and exit onto Oakland Avenue). No parking is allowed along Garden Street; however, parking will be available in the lot across from the Heath Pavilion. Santa's Village, located in the Heath Pavilion, is a part of the holiday celebration. Children can write letters to Santa and take photos with the big guy (bring your own camera). For more info, call the Visitors Center at (803) 426-2640.
Sumter Farmers Market Holiday Market
Get some shopping done at the Sumter Farmers Market Holiday Market from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at USC Sumter, 200 Miller Road. Available will be locally grown produce, talented artisans, crafters, holiday decor, sweet treats, jams, jellies, sauces, soaps, lotions, candles and more. Multiple food trucks will be on site. Santa Claus will visit.
FLORENCE
Harlem Globetrotters
Kick off December with the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters. The legendary basketball team will brings its thrills and skills to the
Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence, on Dec. 7. "From gravity-defying dunks to game-changing tricks, fans will feel the history, the joy, and the fun that only the Globetrotters can deliver." Tickets can be purchased at www. harlemglobetrotters.com. For group sales, visit https://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/ groups/#ContactUs. The team will debut its new 100-year jerseys as they face off against their longtime rivals, the Washington Generals. Fan engagement continues with Premium Fan Experiences such as: Magic Pass – Pre-game access & player meet-and-greets; Celebrity Court Pass – Join the team for warmups on the court; VIP Bench Tickets – Sit on the bench with the Globetrotters or Generals for the entire game and immerse yourself in 100 years of history; Limited Edition 100 Year Golden Replica Game Ball by Spalding, the most exclusive collectible to be ordered in advance and have ready for you when you enter the venue. Visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com/world-tour/ premium-experiences.
COLUMBIA
Dirty Dancing in Concert
Dirty Dancing in Concert is coming to the Koger Center, 1051 Greene St., Columbia, on Feb. 11, 2026. The production by Lionsgate and GEA Live brings the beloved classic based on the iconic Academy Award-winning film, which was released 38 years ago today. Tickets are on sale now at the Koger Center Box Office in person, online at KogerCenterForTheArts.com, through the official Koger Center for the Arts mobile app, and their ticketing charge line at (803) 251-2222. "Shows will feature a screening of the digitally remastered movie while a live band and vocalists perform the hit songs in sync with a full-size screen on stage. The show continues on with an incredible after-party, where the audience is encouraged to sing and dance to their favorite songs from the feature film and relive their best movie memories."
Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Arts and Crafts Festival
Have some hard-to-please people on your Christmas gift list? Check out the Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Arts and Crafts Festival on Friday-Sunday, Nov. 14-16, in the Cantey and Goodman buildings at the S.C. State Fair-
grounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia. See original designs and works by more than 330 talented artists and craftsmen from across America. See the creative process in action as many exhibitors demonstrate throughout the weekend. Hours are: Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.4 p.m. For more information, visit https://gilmoreshows.com/columbia-1-2.
Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show
The Columbia Gem and Mineral Society will hold its Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Friday-Sunday, Nov. 21-23, at Jamil Temple, 206 Jamil Road, Columbia. The event includes jewelry, beads, loose stones, fossils, minerals, gold, silver and tools for sale. Geodes will be sold and cut. There will be children’s activities, club members’ rock collections on exhibit and lapidary demonstrations. South Carolina amethyst will also be displayed. For more information, visit www.cgms.rocks or call (803) 736-9317.
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
With nearly 1 million twinkling lights and countless handcrafted animated images, Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is a delight for all ages. Stroll through the zoo and discover more than 60 largerthan-life handcrafted wildlife lantern displays inspired by nature. Enjoy nightly snowfall, fun activities, photo ops and visits with Santa (through Dec. 23). Tickets go on sale Nov. 1 at www.riverbanks.org/events/wild-lights. The zoo is at 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia.
KERSHAW
Christmas Fun For Everyone
"Christmas Fun For Everyone" is the theme for this year's Kershaw County Christmas Parade. Join in on the fun when fire trucks, floats, pageant winners, classic cars, dancing, music, Santa and more travel from the corner of Broad Street and Laurens in downtown Camden, proceed along Broad Street and end at the City Arena. The holiday event will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. For additional information, contact Loree Stokes at (803) 432-2525, lstokes@kershawcountychamber.org.
Boykin Christmas Parade
The wacky, anything-goes Boykin Christmas Parade is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. At the eclectic, you-never-know-what-you'll-see parade, spectators can view unique floats, animals, antique carriages and Santa riding in on who knows what. In addition to the parade, there will be a Road Kill Cook-Off and Gospel Sing-a-long at Swift Creek Church. For more information, visit the Boykin Christmas Parade Facebook page.
Elgin Catfish Stomp
Kick off the holiday season with the Elgin Catfish Stomp, which begins with a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The stomp includes arts and crafts vendors, mouth-watering catfish stew, fried catfish with all the fixings and the new and improved Miss Catfish Stomp Pageant for females ages 0-adult. For more information, visit the Elgin Police Department Toys Roundup and Caring Hands Foundation Facebook Page. Forms for vendors and parade entries can be found at www.townofelginsc. com under the FORMS tab.
Lights of Lugoff Christmas Parade
What better way to see the lights of Christmas than at the Lights of Lugoff Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Lugoff Optimist Club? Enjoy the event with friends and family at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Visit www.lightsoflugoff. com for more information.
CLARENDON COUNTY
Steppin'
into the Holidays
K & H Resource Center is asking everyone to save the date for its Third-Annual Fundraiser "Steppin' into the Holidays" Adult Sneaker Ball on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Clarendon Community Resource Center gymnasium, 1154 Fourth St., Summerton. Ticket donations are $25 each. For more information, contact Kathleen L. Gibson at (803) 225-0832.
A Free Holiday Celebration for the Sumter Community
USC Sumter - 200 Miller Rd
JingleFest is a festive holiday market celebrating the holiday season with family-friendly activities. This free public event will feature a wide variety of attractions and activities that appeal to all ages!
Complete holiday shopping with local vendors, sample food, listen to live music, meet Santa and feel your heart grow three sizes from all the holiday cheer.
Dec. 13 Dec. 13
activities
11a.m.-4p.m. 11a.m.-4p.m.
* Photos with Santa * Crafts * Holiday Reading Corner
Food * Christmas Vendors * Local Choirs * And more!
Presented by
Entertain the easy way with simple recipes to feed a crowd
By Melanie Smith
For most people, the holidays seem to be the favorite time for cooking, baking and entertaining for family and friends, and I’m no exception. Once it gets cold, I start making my favorites, such as chicken and dumplings, all kinds of soups and breads and, of course, festive desserts.
This issue, I chose three recipes suitable as appetizer, main meal and dessert to share with our readers. The pinwheels appetizer reminded me of the veggie bars we were served in high school after a club induction ceremony that I enjoyed so much that I included them in a previous Lakeside a few years ago. These are a variation of those bars but faster and easier because there is no baking involved.
Another no-bake recipe here that’s perfect for Christmas cookie swaps or just filling the cookie tin will probably remind you of Reese’s cups or Butterfingers. The addition of the graham cracker crumbs is what makes these special, and the kids can choose their favorite holiday sprinkles to add. This is the cookie that will probably go to a few of my neighbors this year.
The final recipe is a soup my husband and I tried and enjoyed as the weather turned a bit cooler in October. We paired it with some sourdough bread I made, and I recommend trying it with a buttered crusty bread. There are plentiful recipes online of easy, no-knead crusty bread that you bake in an enamel pot. This soup recipe is more involved than the previous two, mostly in the prep for the veggies, but it does feed a crowd. You can always add ham to it, too, to boost the flavor.
I hope your holidays are tasty and bright this year!
Creamy vegetable soup
From Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Ingredients
5 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup diced celery, 1 cup diced yellow onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1-1/2 pounds baby potatoes gold or
Directions
red, diced (4 cups)
1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups chicken stock or broth
2 cups frozen broccoli florets thawed and finely chopped
1 cup frozen corn
6 tablespoons flour
3 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1. In a large pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add diced carrots, celery and onion. Sauté for 5–7 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Stir in chopped potatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and chicken stock.
5. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium.
6. Cover and cook for 10–15 minutes, or until the veggies are crisp-tender.
7. Stir in thawed broccoli and frozen corn. Cook for 2–3 more minutes, until tender and heated through.
8. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt remaining 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
9. Stir in the flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute.
10. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking until smooth.
11. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and gently boiling.
12. Stir in the heavy cream and remove from heat.
13. Pour the milk mixture into the soup and stir well.
14. Lower the heat, add Cheddar cheese a handful at a time, and stir until melted.
15. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Christmas pinwheels
From Dinner, Then Dessert
Ingredients
2 packages of cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons ranch or Italian dressing mix
½ cup red pepper, minced
½ cup celery, minced
¼ cup green onions, diced
¼ cup pimiento-stuffed olives, sliced
4 spinach flour tortillas, 10 inches
Directions
1. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and dressing mix until smooth.
2. Stir in by hand the red pepper, celery, onions and olives until combined.
3. Spread about ¾ cup of cream cheese mixture on each tortilla.
4. Roll up tightly and wrap in plastic.
5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
6. Cut into ½-inch slices and arrange as desired on large platter.
Lunch Lady Bars
From allrecipes.com
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup peanut butter Ingredients for base:
Directions
2. Press evenly into 9x13-inch pan.
3. Refrigerate until set.
1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons peanut butter Sprinkles For topping:
1. Mix together cracker crumbs, sugar, butter or margarine and 1 cup peanut butter in medium bowl until well blended.
4. Place chocolate chips and peanut butter in small bowl and microwave on high, stirring every 15 seconds, until smooth.
5. Spread mixture over base, top with sprinkles if desired and refrigerate at least one hour before cutting into 12 squares.
Hunting
By Bruce Mills
South Carolina is known for its many breeds of hunting dogs, and possibly the largest is the coonhound, and many hunters circle the first weekend of the year on the calendar for a state tradition.
It is the Grand American Coon Hunt held annually on the first Friday and Saturday in January, and 8,000 to 10,000 people generally descend on Orangeburg for a top 10 major event for the year for the United Kennel Club that tests coonhounds’ hunting ability, training and instinct.
The Grand American Association puts on the annual Orangeburg event, and association President David McKee spoke earlier this fall to Lakeside magazine on the major showcase that features skilled hounds from across
the U.S.
Hunters come from up to 30 states and Canada at times, McKee said, and spectators and shoppers also take part because the Grand American generally has more than 100 vendors with various outdoors supplies to include hunting, fishing, clothing, boots, hats and other accessories.
Coonhounds will be for sale as well as other hunting dogs, he added.
For novices, a coonhound is a scent hound that is good for hunting animals that climb trees, such as raccoons, opossums, bobcats and bigger prey like cougars and bears.
According to McKee, coon hunting is popular throughout all parts of
HOUNDS
January’s Grand American Coon Hunt in Orangeburg is United Kennel Club kickoff event
South Carolina, given the prevalence of raccoons in the state. Also, coon hunting is likely the largest hunting dog sport of all in South Carolina, based on attendance at events.
“We will have about 700 dogs that will hunt between the two nights in January at the Grand American and then will have another 300 or so that will be in the two bench shows,” he said.
Additionally, there are about 32 coon hunting clubs in the state that put on competitive events, McKee added.
The Grand American, which is open to the public and free, is held annually at Orangeburg County Fairgrounds in Orangeburg and throws in
plenty of food, country music and door prizes, and the January showcase is a family-friendly event with plenty of variety, he said.
It is also the biggest coonhound event in the state and one of the biggest in the Southeast.
The preentry deadline for hunters is Dec. 10.
MORE ON COONHOUNDS AND THE GRAND AMERICAN
There are seven breeds of coonhounds to include the Black and Tan Coonhound, solid red Redbone Coonhound, English Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound, tricolored Treeing Walker Coonhound, Plott Hound and the American Leopard Hound.
According to McKee, coonhound characteristics include that they are known for their sense of smell and being excellent at hunting all kinds of prey if trained properly. Coonhounds have the ability to track an animal independent of human commands and the ability to follow an animal on the ground and when it takes to a tree.
Coon hunts are at night because racoons are nocturnal and sleep most during the day.
In the Grand American, the competition is for points, and raccoons are never killed.
In McKee’s family, coon hunting is a tradition passed down through the generations. He started when he was 6 years old, he said.
McKee has been part of the Grand American for about 40 years and since the mid-’80s.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Grand American Coon Hunt
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 2, and Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Gates open at 7 a.m. each day.
WHERE: Orangeburg County Fairgrounds, 350 Magnolia St., Orangeburg, SC 29115
ADMISSION: Free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.
WEB: ukcdogs.com/grand-american
David McKee
GRAND AMERICAN
HUNT
8,000+
Average number of attendees in recent years at event
1965
Year of inaugural event in Orangeburg
700
Estimated number of coonhounds that will hunt during the two-night event
300
Estimated number of coonhounds in event bench shows 100
More than 100 vendors annually 62
62nd-annual event will be in January 10
Top 10 major event annually for United Kennel Club based on entrants
7 Total breeds of coonhounds
2
Second-longest-standing, major event for United Kennel Club
1 First event each year for United Kennel Club
Source:GrandAmericanAssociation
He said the Grand American was started by coon hunters in South Carolina in the mid-’60s because there were no major events nearby. Many events at the time were in Indiana and Ohio and in that region, and the hunters wanted to start one down here, and Orangeburg was chosen.
McKee said the Grand American is also an ideal event for anyone who is interested in taking up the sport of coon hunting.
“If someone is interested, then we would help get them in contact with someone in their area since there are plenty of coon hunters in South Carolina,” he said.
Through the years, McKee has taken Boy Scout groups and church youth groups to the Grand American, he added.
COONHOUND Q&A
Lakeside: How does someone choose a coonhound?
Answer from McKee: “A lot of the different pedigrees have different styles of dogs. Everybody likes different styles as far as the way they hunt, the way they tree an animal and the way their mouth sounds.
“It’s a lot of different things that people look at when they are looking to buy a puppy, or either breed to a stud dog, which is a male and consistent winner. They want to see what those particular traits are and hope they can replicate them.”
How much does a coonhound cost?
McKee: “Unfortunately, they are expensive. A puppy will cost you anywhere from $500 to $1,000, especially if it comes from a good pedigree.
“Then, they go up from there based on how much training they have had, how well they are started at hunting and whether they are a ‘finished dog,’ which is a dog that has graduated – if you will – and can do everything by itself. I have seen top competition hounds sell for as much as $75,000 to $80,000.”
Why do you prefer Treeing Walker Coonhounds?
McKee: “I have had Treeing Walkers for 30-plus years, and I like the way they hunt, and they are very intelligent dogs. Also, I like the way they sound with their bark when they strike a trail and when they tree an animal. It’s two distinct barks.”
Do most coon hunters shoot the racoons once they are treed?
McKee: “Some hunters do. But most of us shoot out very little, unless we are hunting for a farmer for depredation to control wildlife or something like that. Most of us just enjoy the sport of running it and being with our dogs, and we don’t care anything about harvesting the coons.
“South Carolina has a limit of three per night, per party, and for the whole season of last year I may have harvested five coons.”
What is a bench show?
McKee: “A bench show is a confirmation event where dogs are judged according to a set of breed standards as far as their build, bone structure and muscle mass.
“It’s just like an athlete. The better they are physically and structurally, then the better they perform. And the coonhounds are the same way.”
Do coonhounds make good pets?
McKee: “In addition to hunting, people like them as pets.
“They are good pets because they are compassionate and want attention. But you cannot let them just roam free and loose because they have that hunting instinct in them, and when it gets dark they have a tendency to want to go hunting. Unless they are old and ‘retired’ so to speak, you have to keep them in a kennel or pen.”
How does South Carolina try to keep the sport going?
McKee: “In our state, we have competition events for the youth. We have nine events throughout the state, and then we take the winners from those nine and have a championship event every year. As a matter of fact, we have been doing that for more than 30 years.
“We actually give out more than $2,000 in scholarships every year for students in pursuing any sort of degree that they want.”
Celebrating around SANTEE
As the temperatures drop and the lights begin to twinkle, there’s no better time to explore all the festive, family-friendly fun that the Santee Cooper region has to offer. From November through January, the lakes are calm and serene, the perfect place to relax, reflect and embark on an adventure around Lakes Marion and Moultrie. From sparkling waterfront displays to peaceful retreats on the lake, here’s your guide to making the most of the holiday season.
On the banks of Cooper River, this Lowcountry traditional festival showcases hundreds of hand-crafted nativity scenes from around the world on a self-guided walking tour. Advance reservations are recommended. https://mepkinabbey.org/22nd-annual-creche-festival-2025/
28-30
NOV. - DEC. (Closed Dec. 24-25)
Old Santee Canal Park's Holiday Lights Driving Tour
1 Riverwood Drive, Moncks Corner
Pack the car with your family and friends for a jolly journey down the picturesque path of Old Santee Canal Park’s Holiday Lights Driving Tour. From 6 to 9 p.m., view thousands of brilliant twinkling lights, just a few miles from Biggin Creek. Admission is $10 per vehicle and $20 per bus. Proceeds will benefit charities of the area. To keep this event as safe as possible, no trailers, golf carts or bicycles are permitted. https://www.celebratetheseason.org/events/
01-30
DEC.
Fantasy of Lights
822 W. Liberty St., Sumter
As South Carolina’s largest free light show and a 45-mile drive from Lake Marion, Fantasy of Lights twinkles for the entire month of December, making Sumter’s crown jewel glow for all to see. Admission to the Fantasy of Lights is free, and it will glow Sunday through Thursday until 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m.
Frolic in the Old Santee Canal Park during Holiday In The Park. From 6 to 9 p.m., the fun-filled space will include free visits from Santa, crafts, foods and festive activities. Entry is included with paid admission to the Holiday Lights Driving Tour. https://www.celebratetheseason.org/events/
Boat rentals and rides on the Santee
Fishing fun
Golf year-round
A hike for the holidays
Dinner on the dock
ACTIVITIES IN SANTEE
New to the area? Discover the lakes firsthand with a rental from Santee boat rentals or a guided cruise with Capt. Jim Butler of Let’s Go Charter Services. From scenic sightseeing to striped bass fishing, it’s a great way to experience Lake Marion during the slower months.
Santee Boat Rentals:
Let’s Go Charter Services: 401 Bass Drive, Santee (803) 974-0865
https://santeeboatrentals.com
1478 Gordon Road, Summerton (305) 432-6775
Cooler weather means prime fishing season for striped bass and catfish. Licensed guides are available year-round.
A list and daily updates can be found at https://www.santeecoopercountry.org/fishing/ fishing-reports/ or catch the morning fishing report on Cat Country 105.3 at 5:50 a.m.
Unlike northern courses that close for winter months, Santee golf greens stay open through every season. The crisp air, quiet courses and scenic lake views make for perfect play days.
There are several courses in the area, including Santee National Golf Club, Lake Marion Golf Course and Wyboo Golf Club. To learn more about each course, visit https://www. santeecoopercountry.org/golf/.
Get up, get out and enjoy the views along the lakeside at Santee National Wildlife Refuge, 2125 Fort Watson Road, Summerton, hike scenic trails and spot one of the 50 sandhill cranes that migrate to the area this time of year.
You can also enjoy fall and winter camping, cozy pier cabins or day hikes at Santee State Park, 251 State Park Road, Santee, where you’re surrounded by cypress needles and calm lake waters.
Whether you arrive by car or by boat, enjoy a warm meal and unbeatable views at these waterfront dining options.
Blacks Camp: 1370 Blacks Camp Road, Cross
Mill Creek Restaurant : 216 Lake Marion Lane, Vance The Lake House: 5321 Dingle Pond Road, Summerton
Mac Daddy's: 139 Canal Landing Road, Cross
Gilligans: 582 Dock Road, Moncks Corner
Swig and Swine: 547 Reid Hill Road, Moncks Corner
Poplar Creek Grill: 7 Poplar Landing Lane, Elloree
Manning artist's gifts honor memory of coworker's grandmother taken by stomach cancer
By Rhiannon O'Berry
At a hotel in Manning, you may see Tiffany Razer behind the front desk, poring over an e-book with a festive painted bookmark of a pig in hand. Painter Jennifer Daney, her coworker, makes artwork for Razer that testifies to the way art connects people across time and generations, the cathartic nourishment artists' gifts provide and how those who fell to cancer decades ago continue to shape the world through the hearts they touched while they lived.
This location of a national hotel chain is profoundly festive this time of year thanks to decorations from Razer and Daney. Looking around, you will likely see a lot of paintings — and a lot of pigs. Razer has worked here for about 12 years, while Daney has worked here for about seven. When she found out that pigs hold special significance to Razer because of her childhood, Daney began combining her love for festive paintings with pig art. Through the years, Daney has given Razer bookmarks and cards for birthdays, Halloween, fall,
Christmas and more that feature pigs in all manner of costumes and locales.
This story began when Razer's grandmother, granddaughter to a coal miner, grew up on a farm in the mountains of Virginia around the 1940s. Life could be hard, and her family didn't have a lot, but she loved her pig, Clara Belle, dearly — as did her brother, who would ride her sometimes. For the rest of her life, she collected beloved pig memorabilia of all kinds.
When she died of stomach cancer in 1997, her granddaughter, Razer, inherited some of her collection and has continued it, in part for her own enjoyment and also to remember someone who inspires her every day. Like her mannerisms and values, Razer's grandmother's love for pigs has become part of who Razer is, and everyone who knows her knows about it, from customers at the hotel to family members and coworkers.
Razer said the paintings Daney makes her for holidays and birthdays warm her heart in part because of the connection to her grandmother.
Daney said every painting she makes for Razer becomes her new favorite one.
"I'm glad just to see the smile and what it really means to her personally," Daney shared.
Daney finds it most rewarding when her persistence and belief in herself yields artwork that then imbues recipients with resilience, inspiration and comfort. Personalization is inherent to Daney's process; even if she is painting for a 3-year-old, she first has a conversation with them about their likes and favorite colors. She is grateful for the positive impact on people's lives God makes through her creativity.
"He didn't give it for me to keep," she said. "He gave it to me to share it."
Daney lives and works in Manning, where she was born and raised. Her desk at the hotel is like an art studio; her paints and brushes have a permanent home there. Razer said customers frequently bring pigs for her to the front desk. Razer and Daney said their boss is understanding and supportive of their passions.
Daney said her loved ones, engagement with nature and everyday pleasures like a good meal fuel her creativity. Her mother's garden and Swan Lake Iris Gardens are particular sources of inspiration — though she has been known to knock on strangers' doors when their garden catches her eye to get consent to explore it.
Her work includes everything from pastoral scenes depicting quaint towns at Christmas to abstract pieces that combine flora with the feminine form and much more. This includes paintings personalized for local areas, like the one of Manning hanging at her workplace that includes the courthouse, state butterfly and Myrtle Beach.
"When I paint, I paint life," Daney said.
Razer said she becomes giddy when Daney makes her a new artwork and said such gifts mean more than a million dollars.
"She just makes you feel alive," Razer said of Daney's art. "She makes it her own, and I feel like you can see a part of her soul through every painting that she does."
Though Razer was 11 when her grandmother was diagnosed and 14 when she died, when Razer speaks of her grandmother, it is with awe, joy and gratitude.
"If I'm half the woman my grandmother is, when I stand in front of God, then I'll be a happy person," she said.
When Razer was severely ill as a baby, her grandmother nurtured her. She said the love she gave her is second only to God's. Razer said she frequently gets the instinctive urge to call her grandmother, and sometimes it seems like she only just passed.
Tiffany Razer's grandmother was among the more than 600,000 Americans who died from cancer in 1997. Thirty-nine percent of American women will develop cancer during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. Razer said her grandmother suffered during her battle with stomach cancer and sometimes would have to stay in the hospital to get fluid drained from her swollen abdomen.
This was in part because she also had diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in five people with cancer also have diabetes. Common cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause symptoms that thwart managing diabetes like loss of appetite, blood sugar spikes and fatigue.
What lingers most with Razer these years after her grandmother's
death is awe and gratitude for the example of how she lived, before and during the cancer.
"No matter how much pain she was in the last couple years, she never had a bad word," Razer said. "She was always just full of smiles."
That was just who her grandmother was, she said, and it's an example that still impacts how she views and moves through the world these decades later.
"If you were to come to her house, you're gonna be fed," Razer shared. "If you were sick and you were in the hospital, she's gonna bring the church to you."
Another inspiration was the way her grandmother savored life's small pleasures like they were divine, which Razer attributes to how she was raised.
"It's not bad to chase for bigger things," Razer said, "the nicer homes, the bigger cars. But to me, it's the little moments, the little small things that add up that make a bigger picture of life, and I've learned that from her."
Razer keeps every pig bookmark and birthday card in a memory book and plans to pass them down to her beloved nephews ultimately.
"Her art just touches hearts, touches souls," shared Razer about Daney. "Her light, soul just touches so many people."
Daney said love for others, self-love and God's love intertwine in her eyes, and this reflects in her artwork. Daney believes her way of spreading love to others in the world is through her artwork. She strives to create spaces of peace, harmony, joy and love within her paintings that viewers want to inhabit and that improve their lives, however minutely.
"It's the memories that've sustained me," said Razer about her grandmother. "Her laughter, her happiness, her zest for life, her pleasure in the small things."
She is grateful to be part of Daney's life and for how she helps keep those memories alive, year after year.
S a r d i n i a S a r d i n i a
G a b l e G a b l e
ion & Lake Moult rie
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th Car olina
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W i l s o n W i l s o n ee
P a u l S t P a u l
Santee Lakes
J o r d a n J o r d a n
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E u t a w v i l l e E u t a w v i l l e
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G r e e l e y v i l l e G r
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B o n n e a u B o n n e a u
‘The Toughest Lil’ Track in the South’
By Alaysha Maple
Between the sweltering spring and breezy autumn in Sumter, Saturday nights along Wedgefield Road are spent with the rumble of roaring engines and dusted in the remnants of flying Carolina clay. Stadium lights reflect off a clear dark sky, covering an oval track in enough glow to witness the first cars roll onto the scene and the fans lean forward in awe of the craftsmanship.
The symphony of scent – the smoking of tires, the burning of gasoline, the steaming of fried foods – and the sounds – the low revving of the engines caught in the echo, the bated breath before the green flag waves, the cheers of celebration – define what summer in the South is like and how it’s spent at Sumter Speedway.
For nearly seven decades, Sumter Speedway has served as more than
a racetrack. It’s a proving ground for youngsters looking to show their grit and gumption, a gathering place for generations of drivers and fans and a living time capsule for local racing.
Opened in 1956, the dirt oval has worn different names, including Gamecock Raceway and Rebel Raceway, seen many owners and nurtured many racers who left their mark – metaphorically and through tire treads – in its turns. Despite the differences through the decades, its spirit never changed.
When the green flag drops, time becomes an illusion. As the clay kicks up in thin clouds and the air is filled with adrenaline, onlookers are lost in the rhythm of it all. Watching drivers enter each turn is treacherous but thrilling, inviting both fear and fascination. Hearing the creak of the metal
bleachers in unison as the crowd rocks back and forth in anticipation. Feeling the breeze brush your cheeks, the rumble in your feet and the chill of beer in your hand – before it all runs out.
Beyond the grandstands is an energy just as infectious. The children chase each other through the gravel, their laughter serving as an added melody to the speedway’s soundtrack. The drivers suit up and shimmy down into their crafted cars, their sendoffs a mix of encouraging words and jovial jokes. It’s noisy, chaotic and characterful, and that’s what makes the magic.
Sumter Speedway is one of the oldest continually operating dirt tracks in South Carolina. It has weathered racing’s evolution from backyard passions to a professional spectacle. And though the cars have changed, going from Chevy Chevelle’s mid-size muscle style to a sleeker build and more horsepower, the track itself has held firm. It does well at living up to its name: “The Toughest Lil’ Track in the South.”
Every season at the speedway looks and feels like a reunion. The oldschool spirit hums through the grounds as old foes-turned-friends gather to browse the new class of drivers and the growl of modern models.
When the final checkered flag waves, the celebrations have ceased and the engines go quiet, the night loses a bit of its luster. But as the stands slowly empty and fans brush and bang the dust from their jeans, the echo of the speedway lingers in the convoys’ conversations on the ride home. You can then hear the chorus of crickets and sway of the trees – a beautiful counterpart to the colorful chaos that came before.
For many, Sumter Speedway isn’t a racetrack. For them, it’s home. It’s the pulse of a community that still finds joy in the rush, dust and dare of the South’s toughest little speedway.
