LAKESIDE LAKE SIDE L I F E O U T D O O R S F R O M WAT E R E E T O S A N T E E
September-October 2026
THE SOUND OF THE SWAMP
The Green Swamp Collective entertains and tells a story
INSIDE SUMTER Home & Décor
PLUS:
Hunting safety for the season
Big T Jewelers
Local gem and pillar of the community looks back over its years in business
CLARENDON • ORANGEBURG • KERSHAW • LEE • SUMTER
O U R FA C I L I T I ES • • • •
S a f e a n d S e c u r e P r e mi se s Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n f r o m S c h o o l Ou t d o o r P l a y Ar e a wi t h G a rd e n Ag e - Ap p r o p r i a t e L e a r n i n g Centers
O U R CU R R ICU LUM
Owner/Executive Director
• E me r g e n t C u r r i c u l u m • Language and Literacy De v e l o p me n t • Ar t s , C r a f t s , a n d C r e a t i v i t y • P h y s i c a l Ac t i v i t y a n d M o t o r Skills • S o c i a l a n d E mo t i o n a l
SHERRIE ROSS MAYES
SC DSS LICENSED CHILD CARE
INFANTS « PRE-TODDLERS « TODDLERS « PRESCHOOL « SCHOOL AGE
Voted
Best
Care Center ild Ch SHOOT FOR THE MOON ACADEMY
Voted Best Boss BEATRICE SEYMORE
Corporate Director VIVIAN MCGHANEY
526-522 W. Boyce St. Manning, SC 803-481-4709 gulledges09@gmail.com
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 3
about from the lake us PUBLISHER Vince Johnson EDITOR Kayla Green COPY EDITORS Rhonda Barrick Melanie Smith WRITERS Rhonda Barrick Alaysha Maple Bruce Mills Abigail Pittman Melanie Smith PHOTOGRAPHY Abigail Pittman PUBLICATION DESIGN Janel Przybyla ADVERTISING / GRAPHIC DESIGN Janel Przybyla ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Karen Cave karen@theitem.com Devin McDonald devin@theitem.com Mark Pekuri mark@theitem.com
COVER STORY
22
on the cover
Tucked among the cypress trees is the home of the Green Swamp Collective, a Sumter-area band that blends bluegrass, folk, country and a bit of rock into a sound they call their own. Meet the musicians behind the tunes, hear the stories that inspire their songs and learn about the winding trail toward their next album. Photo by Abigail Pittman 36 W. Liberty Street • Sumter, SC 29150 www.theitem.com 4 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
39 34 22 12 8
Home & Decor
Fall tips and trends to consider for maximum comfort and style.
Big T Jewelers
The glitter of legacy. BigT Jewelers reflects on years of business.
Green Swamp Collective
Local music enlivens the swamp and the Sumter community.
Parks and green spaces
Ways and places to get outside as the summer heat subsides.
Fall comfort food
Fall favorites to cook and bake this year.
what’s inside
FEATURE STORIES
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 5
What t do & Where t go CLARENDON • KERSHAW LEE • FLORENCE • RICHLAND ORANGEBURG • SUMTER
SUMTER COUNTY The Major General Tom Olsen Memorial Kiwanis Golf Tournament The Major General Tom Olsen Memorial Kiwanis Golf Tournament is coming up quickly on Friday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This annual Kiwanis golf tournament community service fundraiser will be at the Links at Lakewood, 3600 Green View Parkway, Sumter. There is a 9 a.m. shotgun start. For more information or if you have questions, contact Bill Hoge at (803) 795-9299, (803) 717-6575 or william.h.hoge@gmail.com. eSTEAM In Motion 5K Celebrate STEAM with movement during the eSTEAM In Motion 5K in Downtown Sumter. The theme for this 5K run/walk on Saturday, Sept. 19, is Run for Curiosity. The race begins at 8 a.m. Participants are welcome to register, including on race day, while registration remains open at https://esteamsumter.com/ esteam-in-motion-5k-2. If you have questions, email info@esteamsumter.com. Speaking of eSTEAM, this year’s annual festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Sumter. Enjoy a day of family-friendly fun, hands-on learning with a parade, food vendors, interactive displays, live stage shows and more. Sole Purpose The final edition of this year’s Fourth Fridays Concert Series will be Sept. 25 with Sole Purpose. Concert attendance is free, and there will be food and drink available for sale. Downtown restaurants will be open for dine-in and takeout. Palmetto Optimist Club will be back with free books for the kids, as well as popcorn and cotton candy for sale. Bring your chairs (no coolers) and spend an evening in downtown Sumter! Pirate Day Pirate Day with the Backcountry Privateers is returning to Sumter Museum on Saturday, Sept. 26, in downtown. “Ahoy, matey! Set yer course for adventure and join us for a day of 6 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
pirate fun!” It will be held at the museum’s backcountry homestead, 122 N. Washington St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s free and open to the public. Porches of Sumter Enjoy an evening strolling through downtown while tasting delicious dishes from area chefs and bakers during the annual Porches of Sumter, hosted by Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce and presented by FTC and Tandem Health. This event is always held in downtown Sumter’s Historic District as the weather turns cooler, and this year it will be on Friday, Oct. 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. Buy tickets at www.sumterchamber.com. Fall Feast Tickets for the annual Fall Feast benefitting Sumter Green, presented by FTC, can be purchased at www.sumteroperahouse.com/fallfeast-2026. Fall Feast will be held at USC Sumter on University Drive on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Enjoy being outside in the fall weather with friends and family while you taste different dishes from area vendors and chefs and listen to a live band. This event helps support beautification efforts throughout the county during the rest of the year. Brass Roots Trio On Sunday, Oct. 25, hear the Brass Roots Trio perform as part of Mayesville Presbyterian Church Rejoicings Series. The trio "has won acclaim for its adventurous programming, breathtaking virtuosity, artistic passion, and exhilarating performances," according to the church. "Performing with a variety of instruments – trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn, Native American flute, vocals, and piano – the Trio can be mistaken for a much larger ensemble. Informative and sometimes humorous commentaries fused with warmth make an immediate connection with the audience. The Trio’s 'American Impressions' program spans Billy Joel to Aaron Copland, and southern gospel revival songs to showpieces of Gershwin and Bernstein. The Trio has played to standing ovations in every corner of the U.S. and England and in 2009 performed for President and Mrs.
Obama and their guests at the White House. It is presented as a free offering to the community, but donations are appreciated." The church is at 109 W. Sumter St., Mayesville. The concert will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
CLARENDON COUNTY End of Summer Concert Join City of Manning as it wraps up summer with the End of Summer Concert on Brooks Street between Boyce and Rigby streets on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dash on the Dam 5K Run for a good cause. Join the Dash on the Dam 5K and 1 Mile Gold-Bow Fun Run on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 to 10 a.m. on Lake Marion-Santee Dam, Manning. Though September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Optimist Club of Clarendon is waiting for cooler temperatures to hold this event in support of area families affected by this disease and national organizations. 24th Francis Marion Symposium Immerse yourself in Francis Marion’s world and the significance of the Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution during the 24th Francis Marion Symposium, being held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17. The theme this year is “The Times of Francis Marion, 17321795.” Saturday will include a Revolutionary Mystery Dinner Theater: Find the Loyalist Among You. Promote the patriot cause, and dine with danger! The overall event includes lectures, lunch and two dinner theaters. Approximate times are 2 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Central Carolina Technical College F.E. DuBose Campus, 3351 Sumter Highway, Manning.
COLUMBIA Columbia Philatelic Society Winter Stamp Show The winter stamp show of the Columbia
Philatelic Society will take place Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, at the TriCity Leisure Center, 485 Brooks Ave., West Columbia. Doors open at 11 a.m. Friday and close at 5 p.m. Saturday’s hours are from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. On hand will be 14 professional stamp dealers offering stamps, postcards, covers (envelopes) and postal history. They will also be available to appraise stamp collections and/or individual items. One of the highlights of this show will be the “History of the United States in Stamps” honoring the 250th anniversary of the nation. Also featured will be a special table for kids who want to learn about stamp collecting. Free stamps will be available to everyone who might want to start this hobby. Admission is free. Parking is free, and there’s a drawing every hour for a $10 gift certificate to be spent at the show. Your Favorite Cousin Tour Comedian Desi Banks will bring his all-new Your Favorite Cousin Tour to the Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Green St., Columbia, on Saturday, Oct. 10. Banks is an actor, stand-up comedian, podcaster and entrepreneur who has a strong social media influence with more than 19 million fans. He is known for his "razor-sharp wit and hilarious comedic timing." Tickets that were sold for Desi's show, "The Elevation Tour," originally scheduled in 2025 at the Koger Center, are valid for this performance. For more information and tickets, visit KogerCenterForTheArts.com.
CAMDEN Camden Parlay of Pirates and Scalawags The fourth-annual Camden Parlay of Pirates and Scalawags takes place Sept. 17-19 to benefit the Historic Camden Foundation. There will be a Pirate Lantern Tour on Thursday with tales of pirate shenanigans in our state, an adults-only Eventide celebration Friday night and an all-day, family-friendly Pirate Parlay on Saturday with comedy sword fights, living history, entertainment and more. Get tickets at https:// tinyurl.com/2enu62hk. Hero Fest Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association will host the Hero Fest motorcycle ride on Saturday, Sept. 26, with all proceeds going to veterans in the Midlands. Participants will make multiple stops along the ride, including in Sumter, starting and stopping at Silver Leaf Cigar Lounge, 1015 Broad St., Camden. Other stops will include Wild Heart Brewing Co., Southern Hops Brewing
Co., Slabs BBQ Restaurant and Willie Sue's. There will also be vendors, food trucks, raffles, silent auction, live music and games. Must be present to win prizes. Registration starts at 9 a.m. Rider signup costs $20, and passenger signup is $10. First bike leaves at 10:30 a.m., and the last bike returns at 4 p.m. A meet and greet before the event will be held Friday, Sept. 25, at Greener Pastures Brewing Co., 826 Broad St., Camden, at 6 p.m. Camden Horse and Hound Weekend There will be two days of horses, hounds, sport, shopping, demonstrations and tradition in Historic Camden coming up during Camden Horse and Hound Weekend Sept. 25-26. It kicks off with the Denim and Diamonds Gala on that Friday, billed as “a premier social event of the season” and hosted by The Camden Hunt. On Saturday is a showcase of equestrian and canine exhibitions, regional vendors and great food. Buy tickets at camdenhorseandhound.com.
LEE COUNTY Nature: Leaf Print Art Do you enjoy nature and art? If so, Handson Nature: Leaf Print Art is for you. Join Lee State Park, 487 Loop Road, Bishopville, to make your own leaf print art using fabric and paper, fabric paint, stencils, rubber leaf replicas, real leaves and your imagination from 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 19. Register at least one day before program. Meet at the Environmental Education Center. Cost is $10. Bring a washed 100% cotton T-shirt (detergent only, no fabric softener). Wear clothes you don't mind getting paint on. Call (803) 428-4988.
Bishopville Fall Festival: Unity in the Community Gather with friends and family for the Bishopville Fall Festival: Unity in the Community, coming back to the city on Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, all day in downtown.
FLORENCE Palmetto Cruisers
Palmetto Cruisers returns to Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., hosting the Crossroads Music & Market Car, Truck & Bike Show at South Church Street, Lake City. There will be door prizes, trophies for top three in every class, food, 50/50 drawing, music and more. Registration is $25 in person. If 100 or more cars are registered, one lucky car owner wins $100. For more information, contact President Kenny Watts at (843) 2605335. In case of rain, visit www.palmettocruisers.com or the Palmetto Cruisers Facebook page.
Party for a P(o)urpose
Spend an evening at Florence Country Club at a party Thursday, Sept. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. that will help raise money to support victims of child abuse. Sip, savor and swirl around the club during Party for a P(o)urpose to benefit CARE House of the Pee Dee. There will be a live auction, silent auction and “a fine selection of wines, beer, and bourbon, along with a signature drink that will have you ‘raising your spirits’ for a great cause,” according to the host. “Immerse yourself in an evening of fun and festivity, all while making a profound impact on our community. Your participation helps ensure that children and families impacted by abuse and neglect receive the support and services they desperately need.” Register at https://tinyurl.com/2hh28nkw.
The Tatted Goose Farm Fall Festival Featuring fun for all ages, the The Tatted Goose Farm Fall Festival will have ziplines, pedal cars, inflatables, games, train rides and more. The public can also enjoy food and music. Entry is $8. The festival is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 3685 Sumter Highway in Bishopville. Paranormal Presentations Scary season is coming up soon! On Saturday, Oct. 10, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., don’t miss Paranormal Presentations at Lee County Public Library in Bishopville. South Carolina Paranormal Investigation and Research will be at the library to talk about their paranormal investigations across South Carolina and demonstrate some of their ghost hunting equipment. The library is at 200 N. Main St.
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Cheese and egg casserole a brunch staple On lazy weekend mornings or when entertaining a crowd, it may be more fitting to serve brunch rather than breakfast or lunch. Brunch enables guests or family members to sleep in a little later. Plus the filling combination of menu items can keep people satisfied until dinner later on in the evening. The recipe for Farmhouse Skillet from "Lord Honey Traditional Southern Recipes with a Country Bling Twist "(Pelican Publishing) by Chef Jason Smith puts together a blend of savory ingredients into an egg casserole that can be a winner on any brunch table.
Farmhouse Skillet Serves 8-10 Ingredients 1 pound bacon, diced 2 cups cubed cooked ham 1/2 pound breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled 1 small purple onion, diced 1/2 red bell pepper, diced 1/2 yellow bell pepper diced 10 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 20-ounce package frozen shredded hash browns, or tater tots, thawed Salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
8 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a very large cast-iron skillet (12-inch or larger), over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Then add the ham and sausage and stir.
3. Add the onions and peppers, and saute for 5 minutes, always stirring. 4. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and heavy cream. 5. Stir the hash browns into the skillet, and add salt and pepper to taste.
Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until hash browns start to brown. Remove from heat. Add the egg mixture, top with cheese, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
Chocolate chip banana bread transforms bananas into a dessert Bananas are a versatile fruit that can be eaten right off the bunch or utilized in a bevy of recipes. Despite being characterized as the first "superfood" endorsed by the American Medical Association in the early 20th century, bananas are avoided by some people. Some claim that bananas make people gain weight or develop constipation, but many medical organizations point to the nutritional benefits of bananas, which contain potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, fiber and manganese. A banana's flavor starts out as mildly sweet and gains more sweetness as it ripens. Very ripe bananas, or those that have brown speckled skins, don't need to be discarded. They make perfect additions to baked goods, notably banana bread. Before tossing out brown bananas, consider this recipe for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread courtesy of Jenna Barnard and the Butternut Bakery Blog.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Makes 1 loaf Ingredients 1 1/2 cups ripe and mashed banana (3 to 4 medium bananas), measured 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup 2 percent Greek yogurt (sour cream also works) 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips, plus a handful more for sprinkling on top
Instructions 1. Preheat your oven to 325 F and grease and line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. 3. In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter and sugars until you
4. 5. 6. 7.
reach a paste-like consistency. This may take some vigorous whisking for a minute or two. You can either use a whisk or an electric mixer with the paddle attachment. Add in your mashed bananas followed by the eggs, yogurt and vanilla. Once all of your wet ingredients are mixed together, fold in the dry ingredients. Then, fold in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top if you like. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let it cool completely before removing from the pan. Store at room temperature in an airtight container. A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 9
Chili takes the chill out of Winter dinner tables tend to look a lot different at meal time than they do in summer. Come winter, people look to balance flavor with additional qualities that can chase away the chill. In spite of its name, chili can warm anyone up quickly. Chili is often spicy, which means the dish gives off warmth in a multi-layered approach. This recipe for Totally Excellent Chili from "Clueless in the Kitchen" (Firefly) by Evelyn Raab is spicy, but not too hot, and thin enough to be eaten with a spoon, but not to be mistaken for soup. Home cooks can customize the recipe further depending on their desired flavors.
Totally Excellent Chili Serves 6
Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef 2 medium onions, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 tablespoon Mexican chili powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or one small fresh jalapeno pepper, minced, or both) 2 19-ounce cans red kidney or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions 1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the ground beef with
2. 3. 4.
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the onions and garlic, and cook, stirring to break up the clumps, until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are softened — about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, curry powder, and cayenne or jalapeno, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes. Add the beans and cook for another 30 minutes, stirring often. Serve this chili sprinkled with shredded cheese and accompanied by plain rice or freshly baked corn bread. If the chili is too spicy for you, a spoonful of plain yogurt or sour cream will help cool things down.
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BEST MANUFACTURING PLANT
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 11
Parks LOCAL
Come out and play at one of several parks in Sumter, Clarendon and surrounding areas. From national and state parks to local havens of relaxation, get out and explore what nature has to offer.
Clarendon County parks
Manning city parks
J.C. Britton Park 3057 Racoon Road, Manning
Gibbons Street Park 240 Gibbons St.
Taw Caw Park 7212 Wash Davis Road, Summerton
Rex Josey Par 201 Maple St.
Walker Gamble Park 2358 Walker Gamble Road, New Zion
Memorial Street Park 130 Memorial St.
Smith Field 1380 Gamble St., Turbeville
Bellwood Park 770 Lawson St.
12 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
National parks & wildlife refuges, state parks & forests Congaree National Park Visitor Center, 100 National Park Road, Hopkins
Woods Bay State Park 11020 Woods Bay Road, Olanta
Santee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and Headquarters, 2125 Fort Watson Road, Summerton
Lee State Park 487 Loop Road, Bishopville
Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery 427 Lakeview Drive, Orangeburg Poinsett State Park 6660 Poinsett Park Road, Wedgefield - Thomas Sumter Historic Burial Site North of Stateburg on Action Road off S.C. Route 261 Santee State Park 251 State Park Road, Santee - Francis Marion Historic Burial Site 9 miles west of St. Stephen on General Francis Marion Avenue off S.C. State Route 45
Goodale State Park 650 Park Road, Camden Lake Wateree State Park 881 State Park Road, Winnsboro Sesquicentennial State Park 9564 Two Notch Road, Columbia Black River State Park 6252 U.S. Hwy. 521, Salters Manchester State Forest 6740 Headquarters Road, Wedgefield
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 13
We Care About You. Mary Reid
Owner/Operator
P.O. Box 285 Manning, SC 29102
Office 803-435-4301 Fax 803-435-4346 Mobile 803-410-2446
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Andrew Beam
Hayden Alabama Podcast
Country Music Artist
Ronnie McCoy
Professional Bass Fisherman
Live from the Event
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the Water Skiing Squirrel
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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 15
Disc Golf
Dillon Park Established: 2015 Course: 20 holes Availability: Year-round Course details: Mostly flat going in and out of the woods. A mix of tightly wooded holes and open. Two creeks coming in to play on almost all the holes. Tees: Concrete, grass, dirt, outdoor carpet Targets: Veteran Property: Mixed use, public park Services: Dogs allowed, cart-friendly, restrooms available, drinking water available Where: Clara Louise Kellogg Drive, Sumter Cost to play: Free
Live Oak Park
Dillon Park
Lindley “Hidden” Park Established: 2020 Course: 9 holes Availability: Year-round Course details: Open, some trees, flat. A short pitch and putt for novice players or for working on upshots. Distances range from 90 to 230 feet, with most around 150 feet. Neighborhood backyards surround the course with dogs in many. Tees: Grass Targets: Mach New II Property: Mixed use, public park Services: Dogs allowed, cart-friendly Where: Lindley Avenue, Sumter (access across from Lesesne Court at intersection of Lesesne Drive or on Lindley Avenue between Lesesne Drive and Benton Drive. It looks like a driveway, but it’s not.) Cost to play: Free
16 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
Established: 2021 Course: 18 holes Availability: Year-round Course details: Compact technical course with vines hanging as obstacles Tees: Grass Targets: Liberty Property: Mixed use, public park Services: Dogs allowed, cart-friendly Where: Live Oak Park, Sumter (intersection of U.S. 15 and Clipper Road) Cost to play: Free
Shaw Air Force Base Established: 2019 Course: 9 holes Availability: Year-round, military/DoD ID holders have all-day access. EAL individuals have weekend access. Non-DoD ID holders can ride with military/ DoD ID any time. Course details: Brand-new Innova DisCatcher Pros, tee signs/next tee signs and pads. Red (short) pads for beginners, white/blue (long) league alternate pads to make 18 holes. Elevation change. Moderately wooded. Some water hazard. Tees: Concrete Targets: DISCatcher Pro (original) Property: Mixed use, military base, private land Services: Cart-friendly Where: Shaw Air Force Base Cost to play: Free
ORTHOPEDIC EXCELLENCE
TO KEEP YOU MOVING
McLeod Orthopaedics is expanding access to care across Sumter and Clarendon with Orthopedic Surgeon Rodney Alan, MD and his team of Advanced Practice Providers. From general orthopedic conditions and injuries to advanced surgical care, including joint replacements, patients receive expert care using the latest techniques. Both locations provide onsite splinting and casting for convenient, timely care.
To schedule an appointment, contact the location most convenient for you. Accepting New Patients
Same or Next Day Appointments
Pictured above from left to right: Carrie Hoshour, FNP, Rodney Alan, MD, Chaz McDonald, FNP and Grace Couch, FNP
MCLEOD ORTHOPAEDICS 540 Physicians Lane Sumter, SC 803-883-5171
50 East Hospital Street Suite 6 Manning, SC 803-433-3065 A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 17
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18 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
Local looks good from here.
From the view across the lake to the familiar faces around town, there’s a lot to love about life here.
BOC is proud to help our neighbors make the most of it, with personal service, responsive local bankers, and financial solutions designed close to home.
Bank local. Live well. MyBOC.bank A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 19
YOUR NEXT
QUIXOTE CLUB i SC Amateur Golf Championship THE LINKS AT LAKEWOOD
CRYSTAL LAKES GOLF COURSE
WYBOO GOLF CLUB
20 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
With several courses in Sumter County and more than 20 within an hour’s drive, the local links are a golfer’s paradise. The area courses
offer a challenge and chance to unwind to golfers of every skill level. Check out this list of courses for your next tee time.
SUMTER Beech Creek Golf Club
The Links at Lakewood
Beech Creek Golf Club is nestled in the historic “High Hills of the Santee” and opened for play in 1989. The golf course is located on one of the most scenic pieces of property in Sumter County with elevation changes that allow for views that can go for miles. Beech Creek is an 18-hole course that’s fun to play. 1800 Sam Gillespie Blvd., Sumter (803) 499-4653
The Links at Lakewood has been under new management and ownership since May 2016. The Links’ goals are to provide a good, quality golf course to play, but at the same time keep it affordable. These goals have led The Links to be voted best golf course in Sumter County four consecutive years in The Sumter Item’s Best of Sumter readers’ choice contest. 3600 Green View Parkway, Sumter (803) 481-5700
Access: Semiprivate
Carolina Lakes Golf Course Access: Special-access – Shaw AFB
Carolina Lakes Golf Course offers 18 lush, emerald Bermuda greens and fairways tucked in a gently rolling landscape. A fully stocked pro-shop, driving range and restaurant are also at the course. The restaurant overlooks the scenic 18th hole and has a panoramic view of the course from nearly every seat. 400 Stuart St., Shaw Air Force Base (803) 895-1399
Crystal Lakes Golf Course Access: Public
Crystal Lakes is an 18-hole, 6,264-yard course (blue tees) that welcomes all levels of players. A driving range, putting green and practice area for pitching complement a clubhouse and snack bar for a fun and affordable outing. Seniors, children and serious golfers alike enjoy walking or riding in carts at this Sumter County course that has a new entrance and parking lot. 1305 Clara Louise Kellogg Drive, Sumter (803) 775-1902
Access: Semiprivate
Quixote Club Access: Private
Quixote Club is a world-class golf course with a skillfully crafted clubhouse and first-class staff. Quixote invites generous, philanthropic-minded individuals from across the country to participate in a club that prides itself in leaving a legacy behind for future generations to enjoy. Based on the East Lake Foundation model in Atlanta, Quixote’s philanthropic mission is to support ongoing high-quality, free public education in the form of Liberty STEAM Charter School, Sumter’s first public charter school. 1005 Golfcrest Road, Sumter (803) 775-5541
CLARENDON The Players Course at Wyboo
Shannon Greens Golf Club
Wyboo Golf Club
Nestled along the shores of Lake Marion, The Players Course has been voted the best golf course in Clarendon County four consecutive years in The Sumter Item’s Best of Clarendon readers choice contest. The Players Course is carved from wooded terrain and features large, undulating greens. The contrasting styles of the front and back nines make for a great round. 1560 Players Course Drive, Manning (803) 478-2500
Shannon Greens is one of the oldest golf courses in Clarendon County. The layout is made up of 18-hole championship tees. The course has five par 3s and five par 5s, making it a par 72 layout. There are tall pines, ponds, creeks and dog legs that give the course great character. The signature hole is No. 7, the island green. The pro shop is full of golf inventory, and there is a full-service bar and lounge area. 1435 Davenport Drive, Manning (803) 435-8752
Wyboo Golf Club is regarded by many as the best public-access golf course in the region because of its premier condition and layout. During the summer of 2021, Wyboo did a total renovation of the greens with Tifeagle Bermuda grass. Amenities include a driving range, practice putting green, fully stocked pro shop, snack bar and bar in a newly renovated clubhouse area. 2565 Players Course Drive, Manning (803) 478-7899
Access: Semiprivate
Access: Semiprivate
Access: Semiprivate
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 21
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22 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
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THE SOUND OF THE SWAMP:
Meet the Green Swamp Collective BY ALAYSHA MAPLE
W
hat lies around the corner could be the Green Swamp Hag, a local cryptid said to dwell in the gloomy wetlands. Or it could be a rare sighting of Lee County’s Lizard Man on his afternoon stroll downstream. Rather, it could be a little less mythical but still as intriguing as the crawdads disappear beneath the water and the sunlight filters through the canopy of cypress trees. Regardless, the farther you go, the closer you get to a small building nestled a few yards off the swamp’s shore. The canopy of trees serves as a natural doorway into a different kind of landscape. One where bluegrass meets folk and determination meets passion, all wrapped up in hometown pride. Who resides inside, you ask? It’s home to The Green Swamp Collective.
"
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IT’S IN THE NAME
Kevin Jarvis has always had an ear for music and a heart for sharing such talent with the world. Years ago, while playing in several bands he decided to gather a few friends inside his at-home recording studio to create a tribute album for American country and folk singer John Denver. Kurt Ackerman and Rick Walker stopped by to record their sessions. When Jarvis pitched starting a band of their own, the two entertained the idea. With willing musicians, instruments that blended and a place to rehearse and record their sound, there was only one thing left to figure out. What would they call themselves? Green Swamp is a stream and wetland area in Sumter that runs from Dalzell into Second Mill Pond and eventually feeds into the 27-mile-long blackwater stream the Pocotaligo River. The low-lying wetland features dense forests serving as ecosystems for timber, water filtration and wildlife habitat. For Jarvis, the name Green Swamp Collective was a natural fit. His home in Dalzell is at the site where the swamp forms. It was the setting where the musicians figured out what kind of collective they wanted to be, hence the name. Members of the collective have either moved on or taken a step back from performing. The band added different
"
voices, instruments and influences until the pieces fit together. The core five are looking to make their mark. Jarvis, still the driving force behind the band, lends his talents through guitar and vocals. Jeff Wilson doubles on bass and vocals, Clay Hardee plays drums, Angie Rabon plays fiddle and sings, and Trey Baker is a quadruple threat on vocals, guitar, mandolin and banjo. Their appeal lies in providing good music and storytelling while remaining family friendly. It’s not just something they offer to audiences. It’s organic to who they are.
THE INSTRUMENTS CHANGE THE RULES
Bluegrass music can be traced to the people who came to America in the 1600s from Ireland, Scotland, England, Europe and Africa, bringing traditional dance tunes and ballads from their homelands. As the settlers moved into parts of the American South — from the Carolinas to the Virginias and the states in between — they wrote songs about daily life in the new land. The genre would evolve, drawing from oldtime mountain music, Irish and Scottish ballads, blues and gospel. The sound developed into fast tempos, acoustic string instruments, highpitched vocal harmonies and skillful instrumental solos. But traditions are not necessarily rules. Green Swamp Collective has intentionally rearranged covers rather than reproduced the original to create a sound of their own. The intention is to put themselves somewhere within the broader spectrum of folk, bluegrass, country and rock. In the beginning, the band worked from a set of about 12 songs. Their early live sets were mellow, from private events to Sumter shindigs filled with familiar faces. Today, the live sets are more covers than originals. It’s a well-blended mix of crowd favorites, original songs and more obscure covers they think folks would enjoy. Gradually, they’ve added livelier songs and have learned to adapt to different venues, crowds and circumstances. Take a rainy night at Greener Pastures Brewing Co. in Camden when a downpour forced the band to abandon its regular setup, move beneath a porch and play fully acoustic as water poured around them. They could barely hear one
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another, yet they made it work. That ability to adapt has become part of the collective’s identity. Wilson’s path into the collective was less about mastering one instrument and more about finding where he could fit in the group. Though he grew up on rap by way of his father’s love for rock ‘n’ roll, he didn’t start playing bass until college. He played hard rock for nearly three decades before Jarvis approached him about going folk. The idea was new, and Wilson’s the first to admit it isn’t his chosen style of music. But, when you play alongside good musicians, the music is just a means of connection. The bass became his place in the collective, and at times, the bass lines felt just beyond his reach. But he said determination, time and the collective’s camaraderie made the difficult parts possible. Hardee’s transition to drums came with a little less choice than he may have originally anticipated. When the collective first played together, Hardee was on a cajón, a box-shaped percussion instrument. The performance went well, and, in his opinion, there was no immediate need to change the arrangement. Then came the next rehearsal. Wilson was ready to have a drummer back in the rhythm section, and Jarvis agreed. The band members told Hardee it would be nice if he learned to play the drums. Hardee, already having a drum set at home, went to work. He had roughly three practices before returning to play with the group. That decision became something more central to the collective’s identity. Baker’s musical role takes up a few lines on the band’s roster. He sings, plays guitar, mandolin and banjo — not all at one time, just as the song requires. He split his talents between praise and worship in church and smaller bands in his teenage and adult years. His years of versatility were something Jarvis knew would give the collective another layer of flexibility in their sound, especially in a genre for which acoustic instruments can dramatically change the texture of a song. The banjo, mandolin and guitar parts move the music toward bluegrass, while the broader arrangements allow those instruments to live alongside drums, bass and electric or
acoustic guitar. Rabon and her fiddle add another voice to the collective. Taking up the craft from a local longtime fiddle player, she’s come to learn her parts playing by ear. This makes the instrument’s bright harmony genuine because its melody comes from feeling rather than structured placement. Jarvis said the addition of her fiddle helped pull the band toward its bluegrass roots while fitting into the broader folk, country and rock influences that define Green Swamp Collective. The running joke is that Jarvis encourages musicians to learn additional parts as a mere assignment before expanding the job once they are comfortable. As they settled into the plush couches and chairs in the warm recording studio, the heartfelt stories and affectionate laughter were evidence of their trust in his vision. “He’s the kind of person where if he's pushing you, it's generally going to make you a better musician,” Wilson explained. The reason for the persistent push is simple. “I believe in these people so much, and I see the talent every single one of them has; they have so much talent, more talent than I have. I push myself as hard as I can. But I do push them, too, because I see the potential,” Jarvis shared. “There are a lot of good bands out there. I want us to be a great band.”
THE SONG TELLS A STORY
A song is rarely just a song with Green Swamp Collective. Inspiration can come from a place, a memory or a question one can’t seem to answer. It can be a story already told hundreds, if not thousands of times, or a scenic route that was the highlight of an otherwise ordinary trip. Jarvis’ song “On the Mountain” began that way. While visiting family in West Virginia two years ago, he and his uncle got
OF THEM HAS; THEY HAVE SO E N O E L G N MU C H T EVERY SI A LE N
T,
I SEE THE POTENTIAL." E S U A C E B BUT I DO PUSH THEM, TOO, A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 25
an early start on the road to ride an old train along the Greenbrier River. Along the way, Jarvis noticed the landscape changing as sunlight peeked through the clouds, over the mountaintops and down to the valleys below. When he returned to his uncle’s house, he picked up his old Martin guitar and wrote the song. It’s one of his favorites. “On the Mountain” also represents what Jarvis hopes the collective’s next album will sound like. While many of the songs he writes tend to speak the same musical language, the upcoming project is expected to stretch further across genres, as Wilson, Baker and Hardee each have songs of their own that could make the album or eventually be released as singles. Baker tends to lean more toward traditional country. Wilson brings more of a rock influence. Hardee’s song is more indie-rock and is rooted in Homer’s ancient Greek epic The Iliad. His song centers on Paris and his infatuation with Helen, exploring the choices that led him toward ruin and the question of whether he was doing the right thing. It is an unlikely subject for a band rooted partly in bluegrass. That’s the point. Green Swamp Collective does not treat bluegrass as a set of boundaries but as something that can bend, absorb other influences and make room for stories that do not necessarily belong to one musical tradition. Rather than listening to an original song and attempting to recreate every chord, the collective listens, figures out what they like about it and then arranges it in their own sound. They call it “folking up” the music. That approach also explains why the collective’s original music matters so much to its members. In a genre filled with centuries-old songs and familiar standards, they want to add something of their own to the conversation. “I would say, whenever you come to see us, we're going to have a sound,” Hardee assured.
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THE COLLECTIVE KEEPS MOVING
With their sound solidified, the new project will help to share it with the listeners. The band’s second full-length album is still in progress. New listeners can expect more original music, which will continue to distinguish them from other groups. “I think that's the big part is we bring original music to the table. I think that's a big difference between us and many other bands,” Baker said. “Lately, there's a lot of new original music, but not necessarily in this folky genre.” That’s a niche they’re ready and willing to fill. They’re not looking to recreate what has already been done. They’re still figuring out where the trail leads, allowing each new song, instrument and performance to shape their next turn. So, even as the landscape keeps changing, the music follows suit.
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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 27
SAFETY
should be top of mind this hunting season By Melanie Smith This spring, our state Department of Natural Resources shared that huntingrelated fatalities have decreased recently, thanks to emphasizing safety and awareness while in the great outdoors. South Carolina DNR announced in April that two hunting-related deaths were recorded in 2025, which is down from five such deaths the year before. "Officials say the decline represents something larger: a growing emphasis on safety, awareness and shared responsibility outdoors. As even one is too many, the goal is zero," DNR wrote in a news release in April. "For many South Carolinians, hunting is a long-standing tradition woven into the state's culture and economy. But even for those who don't participate, the impact of safer practices extends beyond the woods, affecting families, first responders and communities statewide. Fewer accidents mean fewer emergencies, fewer lives disrupted and a stronger sense of public safety overall." "Safety in the field doesn't happen by chance; it's built through education. The continued decline in huntingrelated incidents is a direct result of emphasizing hunter education," Capt. Charlotte Mayhugh said in the release. That education starts young. The department focuses on teaching young hunters through its Take One Make One program, during which officers and experienced hunters mentor the younger hunters to help them learn about all facets of hunting, including responsibility in the field. In South Carolina, all residents and nonresidents born after June 30, 1979, must complete a hunter education course before a hunting license can be obtained, and there are several options for taking the course, including in person with DNR 28 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
(free) and online (includes a fee). For more on these classes and requirements, visit dnr.sc.gov/education/hunted. html. Beyond the field, the department also wants to emphasize firearm safety after the hunt ends. It works with Project ChildSafe to remind hunters this season that "The Hunt Isn't Over Until Firearms are S.A.F.E. and Secure." SAFE stands for: -Secure your firearms when not in use; -Be Aware of those around you who should not have unauthorized access to firearms; -Focus on your responsibility as a firearm owner; -and Educate yourself and others about safe firearm handling and storage. Project ChildSafe has plenty of resources covering proper firearm storage and safety, including a checklist on safe hunting for families, tips and guidelines on safe firearm handling and talking with kids about gun safety. Find these resources at https:// projectchildsafe.org. For more information about the Take One Make One program for hunters age 12 to 17, call 1-800-277-4301. You can also find the brochure with attached hunter education application at dnr. sc.gov/education/tomo/pdf/brochure. pdf. You can also contact DNR if you'd like to become a mentor for the program. Despite the increase in safety awareness, DNR warns that "leaders emphasize that progress doesn't mean the work is done. Hunting, like many outdoor activities, carries inherent risks, and maintaining this downward trend will require continued awareness and accountability from everyone involved."
PROTECTING DEER, TOO
Along with programs and measures to protect humans during hunting seasons, safety also encompasses correctly transporting deer carcasses within South Carolina to protect deer here and the state's hunting heritage. DNR has been trying to prevent Chronic Wasting Disease from entering the state by enforcing a set of rules for what is allowed to come into the state and what is not. These measures were set up to prevent the deadly disease from entering the state's deer population and were enacted regarding North Carolina cases in 2022 before deer hunting season began. DNR has regulated transportation of deer, elk and moose from states with CWD since 2004.
According to DNR, what is allowed to come into South Carolina: – Quarters (hams and shoulders) or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached. – Meat that has been boned out. – Hides with no heads attached. – Clean skulls with no meat or tissue attached, clean skull plates with antlers attached, antlers detached from the skull plate and finished taxidermy heads. What IS NOT allowed to come in from North Carolina or any other state with CWD cases: – Any whole deer, field-dressed deer or intact carcass. – Any deer head except finished taxidermy, clean skulls or clean skull caps. – Any portion of the neck or spine. "CWD is a transmissible and always fatal neurological disease that affects cervids, including white-tailed deer. The disease is slow to advance and infected deer may appear healthy, making proper transport or disposal important," DNR wrote in the news release about the North Carolina restrictions. "An infected carcass or carcass part, if not disposed properly, can contaminate the environment, persist for years and potentially infect deer in the area." Violating the state statute is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail.
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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 33
Timeless
treasure Big T Jewelers, a Clarendon County staple for more than 50 years, is closing its doors as owner Kenny Tidwell prepares to retire at the end of December. Founded in Manning in 1969, the family-owned business built its reputation on quality jewelry, expert repairs and exceptional customer service. Tidwell credits generations of loyal customers and dedicated employees for the store’s success and lasting legacy.
BY BRUCE MILLS
BIG T JEWELERS ADDRESS: 520 W. Boyce St., Manning, SC 29102 PHONE NUMBER: (803) 435-8094 HOURS: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
34 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
From left, siblings Gale Sauls and Kenny Tidwell. Back: Kirk Marsh, Janice Futch, Christina Morgan and Tammye Tidwell.
W
hen it comes to shopping for diamonds and engagement and wedding rings in Clarendon County, it is the end of an era, as Big T Jewelers is conducting a going-out-ofbusiness sale. Big T has been the primary jewelry store in Clarendon for more than half a century after Kenny Tidwell’s parents chose to set up shop in Manning, and he and his staff recently discussed their keys to success and trends through the decades. Thomas Tidwell was a watchmaker in the 1950s and ’60s in Columbia and wanted to start his own jewelry store in a small town and picked Manning, according to his daughter Gale Sauls. Her brother, Kenny Tidwell, said his mom and dad chose the small town in 1969 because it had “great hospitality and good people,” and the business never moved away. While his dad was still a watchmaker at jewelry stores in the Columbia area, Kenny grew up in the business and said his father started teaching him to repair watches when he was 12 years old. Kenny went to work for a jewelry store in the capital city when he was 18 and right after high school. In the initial years for Big T in Manning, Kenny still lived and worked in Columbia, but he always helped his parents out and did all the store’s repairs on the side, according to his sister. “Kenny was always with them and did all the repairs for them,” Sauls said. “He had the business sense to run the business and help keep it going.” After less than a year in a “little, tiny store” on Brooks Street in the downtown area, Big T moved to a bigger location in a grocery store shopping center near the hospital in Manning. Kenny Tidwell would eventually move to Manning in 1980 to take over the business and for
46 years has guided the jewelry store to success. Big T even survived Walmart coming to town, according to his wife, Tammye Tidwell. In many communities, the retail giant has been known to drive long-time gift shops and local retailers out of business. Big T is a full-service, independent jewelry store to include retail sales, repairs and everything in between. After a few more moves through the decades, Big T is now on Boyce Street, which is the main drag off Interstate 95 (Exit 119) in Manning where many retailers are located. At 77 “years young,” Tidwell will be retiring at the end of December, when the going-out-of-business sale concludes.
MORE ON STORE AND KEYS TO SUCCESS
The most common occasions for buying jewelry include graduations, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Mother’s Day, weddings and engagements, Kenny Tidwell said, with Christmas still the biggest sales time of the year. Diamonds, engagement and wedding rings and wedding bands have always been the biggest sellers, he added. A mix of passion and quality service to customers have been the keys to longevity. Since Tidwell took over the business in 1980, Big T has always had a jeweler on site for repairs and everything else involved in providing the best in customer satisfaction, employees said. For the last 30 years or so, there have been two jewelers on staff with Kirk Marsh joining Tidwell. The work has always been Tidwell’s passion, fellow employees said, and he often worked seven
days a week. “He’s a hard worker, dedicated and never clocked out,” Christina Morgan said. “It was countless hours between here and he had a shop at his house.” Tammye, his wife, added that Tidwell “always truly loved it, and he is very good at what he does.” Tidwell and the business have also focused on “job shopping,” which in the industry refers to making the repairs for other jewelry stores. All the work in running a successful operation has required many late nights, he said. “It’s been a lot of work,” Tidwell added. “Many nights, Kirk and I have been up here to 1 or 2 a.m. in the morning getting job shops done and then back at work at 8 a.m.” Even though he has been in the jewelry business for essentially his whole life, Tidwell said he still learns something new every day in the work. Marsh has been with Big T for 27 years now, and Tidwell credited him as a key part to the business’ success. “He is a hard worker and one of the hardest workers I have ever had,” Tidwell said. “He’s also been here the longest of anyone who is not family.” Tidwell and his staff added that good customer service and good prices have been part of the business model. Marsh said the staff has extensive product knowledge. “People come from miles around for their jewelry needs because we have a very informed staff that educates the customer on what they will be buying,” he said. “That’s very important, especially when someone is going to spend a lot of money on a piece of jewelry.” The customer base includes people from Clarendon and surrounding counties to include A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 35
Sumter, Orangeburg, Williamsburg, Florence and other places. Big T also deals in close margins, Tidwell and fellow employees said. “We don’t charge ridiculous prices,” Tammye Tidwell said. “Instead, the focus is to make a little bit and move on.”
PRODUCTS, TRENDS AND FINAL THOUGHTS
Big T’s product line includes antique estate jewelry handed down from generation to generation, vintage watches, natural diamonds and lab-created diamonds, Southern Gates Jewelry with roots from Charleston, gold and silver necklaces and watches, wedding sets, men’s rings, diamond tennis bracelets, a wide array of pearlbased jewelry, diamond earrings and bracelets and other items. There have been various trends in the industry through time to include “Pink Ice,” state quarters and hammered rings, employees said. “Pink Ice” was a hot item in the late 1980s and early ’90s used mostly in rings and was a pink-colored cubic zirconia, or CZ, Marsh said. CZ is a man-made glass and a budget-friendly diamond lookalike. “Pink Ice was a hot stone in the late 1980s and early ’90s,” Marsh said. “It was a leisure item, and you just about couldn’t keep them in stock because people were buying them so much.” White CZs also had a run of popularity if people could not afford a natural diamond ring, he added. Now lab-created -- or lab-grown -- diamonds are popular. “They are a lot cheaper than a natural diamond,” Tammye Tidwell said. “It costs more than a cubic zirconia, but it looks more like diamonds, and they don’t scratch. Cubic zirconias scratch when you wear them.” Now, charms and charm bracelets have also had a resurgence in recent years, employees said. “They’re back,” Tammye Tidwell said. “Just like everything, things go out of style and then come back later on.” She added that Big T’s ultimate success is because of the customers. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for their loyalty,” Tidwell said. “They have been repeat customers, and then also their children and grandchildren have followed. “We’re really thankful for our customers and our employees as well. We’ve been very blessed.”
BY THE NUMBERS: Big T Jewelers 1969
Year that Big T Jewelers opened in Manning
70
Percentage off sales price for some items in current going-out-of-business sale
57
20
7
1
46
12
2
Source: Big T Jewelers
Total years that the Manning Years since built and moved Total current employees, jewelry store has been in into current location on including part-time workers business Boyce Street (2007)
Years that Kenny Tidwell has Age when Tidwell began been at the business (since repairing watches 1980)
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Home & Décor 2026
Tips
to make
decluttering easy
Electrical Safety
+ Why insulation matters
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ELECTRICAL
SAFETY
STRATEGIES TO EMPHASIZE THROUGHOUT YOUR HOME 40 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
• Install smoke detectors on every level of the home. The ESFI recommends installing smoke detectors inside each bedroom and outside each sleeping area. • Consider electrical upgrades. Ask a qualified electrician if your home would benefit from AFCI protection, especially during inspections of older homes or upgrades to electrical systems. These advanced new safety devices recognize dangerous conditions that are not detected by standard breakers. • Routinely inspect fire warning systems. Test smoke detectors and AFCIs monthly to ensure that they are working properly. • Design and share a plan to escape to safety. Establish an evacuation plan that can be used in case of an emergency, and practice evacuating with your family frequently enough that everyone knows exactly what to do should a fire occur. • Adhere to manufacturer instructions in relation to lighting fixtures. Always use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the light fixture. • Childproof a home to avoid electrical accidents. In homes with young children, install tamper-resistant receptacles to prevent electrical shocks and burns. • Learn to spot the signs of a system in trouble. Telltale signs of electrical problems include dim and flickering lights, unusual sizzling and buzzing sounds, and circuit breakers that trip repeatedly. Contact a qualified electrician immediately if any such signs appear. • Reduce reliance on extension cords. Use extension cords only temporarily, and never use them to power space heaters or air conditioners. • Avoid overloading outlets. Consider having additional circuits or outlets installed by a qualified electrician as needed. Electrical fires can be deadly. But many can be prevented with some simple safety strategies.
Electrical fires at home may not be foremost on the minds of homeowners, but they’re a notable threat that should not be overlooked. The Electrical Safety Foundation International reports that home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year. Such fires result in hundreds of deaths and $1.3 billion in annual property damage. Many electrical fires are preventable. Various preventive measures can be taken to reduce the risk of electrical fires and safeguard a home’s residents should such fires occur. The ESFI urges homeowners to take these tips to heart. • Audit your home electrical system. A thorough inspection conducted by a qualified electrician to ensure that all electrical work in the home meets the safety provisions in the National Electrical Code can uncover any potential issues that might increase the risk of an electrical fire. Homeowners also can periodically conduct a basic assessment of your home electrical system, electrical cords, extension cords, power plugs and outlets.
? DID YOUe morKe NOW es most this occurs, these fir oom. Electrical fires ar might common than one Safety al ic tr ec El think. The me Foundation says ho t for an un co ac es fir electrical es each fir 00 ,0 51 estimated aths and year, nearly 500 de juries. more than 1,400 in can lead Certain conditions fires. The to electrical home tion National Fire Protec s Association indicate from lt su re n ca es home fir al outlets overloading electric ution rib and inadequate dist When t. en pm ui eq g of lightin
bedr often originate in a use of ca on Another comm is faulty es fir electrical home uipment eq d te wiring and rela portant for malfunction. It is im are of aw homeowners to be ues and iss al ic potential electr y to avoid kl ic qu remedy them g electrical home fires. Ensurin de and systems are up to co the help th wi s ue addressing iss ian can ic tr ec of a qualified el trical ec el of k reduce the ris fires.
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 41
Why an insulated attic is a good attic A
s homeowners address energy efficiency around their homes, they may want to put attics at the top of their list. Because heat naturally rises during the winter and also infiltrates the roof during the summer, a roof with insufficient insulation can be energy inefficient. Many experts attest that upgrading attic insulation is a practical and cost-effective home improvement. A desire to reduce energy bills is a primary motivator when installing attic insulation. Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program says homeowners can save an average of 15 percent on heating and cooling costs, or roughly 11 percent on their total energy bills, by air sealing and insulating attics and crawl spaces. Standalone attic insulation projects frequently achieve high rates of return. Beyond financial matters, attic insulation also creates a more comfortable and stable indoor climate. Attic insulation will buffer the interior from extreme temperature swings. This can help preserve the integrity of the home. In cold climates, attic insulation will limit the occurrence of ice dams, which form at the eaves when heat inside living spaces escapes to the roof. Ice dams can cause water to back up under shingles and even tear away gutters. The U.S. Department of Energy indicates residential and commercial buildings combined account for 40 percent of the nation’s total energy consumption. By utilizing attic insulation and creating a proper thermal barrier, homes can draw less power from regional grids and burn less fuel locally. Attic insulation may not be as glamorous as a room remodel, but it is an important component of a safe, comfortable and energy-efficient home.
The facts about insulation and home efficiency Insulation can go a long way toward making a home more comfortable. Insulation reduces the transfer of heat from indoors and outdoors so homes stay more comfortable in both the winter and summer. Insulation also can block exterior noise. A properly insulated home is a must, particularly in the wake of rising energy costs. Insulation will help a home be more energy efficient. Insulation is easily taken for granted. The following are some facts about insulation and home efficiency that illustrate how much homeowners can benefit from upgrading their insulation. • Insulation is made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, wool, cellulose and spray foam. • Unless damaged, insulation lasts for the life 42 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 | LAKESIDE
of the building. Some settling of insulation may occur, particularly with loose-fill type insulation, and gaps can be filled in. • During the Middle Ages, walls of homes were stuffed with straw and mud to help keep out the cold. It is one of the first documented types of insulation. • According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, insulation saves more than 600 times more energy each year than compact fluorescent lights, Energy Star Appliances, and Energy Star windows combined. • For every Btu consumed in the production of insulation each year, 12 Btus are saved by the use of insulation, says A+ Insulation of Kansas City. • An insulating material’s resistance to heat flow is measured in terms of its thermal resistance, or R-value. The higher the R-value, the
greater the insulating effectiveness. An insulation contractor can let a homeowner know how much insulation and what R-value is recommended for his or her climate. • Manufacturers continue to experiment with insulation materials. Environmentally friendly options include recycled cotton denim, paper or plant cellulose and sheep’s wool. • Large pieces of insulation are called batts. Traditionally they are made from pink fiberglass, which is extremely fine woven glass. It’s important to realize fiberglass insulation can release small particles or fibers in the air when disturbed, so respiratory protection and gloves should be used when handling to reduce risk of irritation. Insulation is a key investment in home comfort and efficiency.
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Tips for clutter-free spaces
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(Feature Impact) A well-organized home isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating systems that make everyday life easier. When everything has a place, it’s simpler to maintain and keep clutter from creeping back in. Experts often recommend tackling organization one room at a time, sorting items into categories like keep, donate or discard before finding the right storage solutions. If your home could use a refresh, start small and work your way through each space with these organization tips.
1 2 3 4
Entryway
A dedicated “drop zone” ensures items used daily don’t end up scattered throughout the house. However, the entryway is also one of the easiest places for clutter to pile up. To keep it tidy: • Install wall hooks for coats, bags and backpacks • Use a small bench or basket for shoes • Add a tray or bowl for keys, sunglasses and everyday essentials
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in nearly every home, and organization is: • Clear unnecessary items off countertops • Group pantry items by category, such as snacks, baking supplies and canned goods • Store rarely used appliances in cabinets or a pantry
Living Room
Living rooms often serve many purposes, from relaxing and entertaining to working or studying. The key is creating storage that blends seamlessly with your decor: • Use decorative baskets for blankets, magazines and toys • Choose furniture with hidden storage like ottomans or coffee tables • Keep remotes and small electronics in a designated tray or organizer
5 6 7
Bathroom
Bathrooms often have limited space, so smart storage solutions are essential: • Keep countertops clear except for frequently used products • Separate backup supplies from daily-use items, which should be stored for quick access • Use over-the-door organizers for towels or extra storage
Home Office
Whether you work remotely or simply manage household tasks, an organized office helps you stay focused. To improve productivity and reduce distractions: • Digitize or recycle unnecessary paperwork • Use desk trays and organizers for supplies • Create labeled folders or a filing system for important documents
Storage Areas
Garages, basements and storage rooms can quickly become catch-all spaces. A little planning can make them much easier to manage: • Label bins for seasonal decorations, tools or sports equipment • Use shelving and wall storage to maximize vertical space • Keep an inventory list for larger storage areas
Bedroom
Your bedroom should feel like a sanctuary. Too much clutter can make it harder to relax and unwind. To maintain order: • Keep only essential items on nightstands • Rotate seasonal clothing to free up closet space • Use under-bed storage bins for extra linens or off-season clothes
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