Lakeside September - October 2020

LAKE LAKESIDE 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 2020

THE FALL ISSUE

Take a hike. An outdoor respite from COVID-19 awaits.

Prepare your boat for hurricane season

The family feed business

Big bass fishing tourney returns to Santee Cooper lakes

Lucy and Warren Comstock add their personal touch to longtime local Manning Feed Mill

On the hunt

Scott Dault has been fishing and hunting on the Santee Cooper lakes for 50 years. In his 20 years hunting alligators, the Crossroads Archery owner has nabbed some big ones.

BERKELEY • CLARENDON • KERSHAW • ORANGEBURG • SUMTER

McLeod Health Clarendon

2020 TOP HONOR

McLeod Health Clarendon is excited to share our recent achievement in the hospital ratings by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. Earning the Outstanding Patient Experience Award ™ for 2020 is quite an honor. The credit for this award belongs to our dedicated team who use their knowledge and skills to provide the highest quality care and support for our patients.

McLeod Health is the choice for medical excellence.

Outstanding Patient ™ Experience Award 2020

McLeod Health Clarendon McLeodClarendon.org

2 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 | LAKESIDE

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www.LitchfieldByTheLake.com William Davis BIC

about from the lake us PUBLISHER Vince Johnson EDITOR Kayla Green COPY EDITORS Rhonda Barrick Melanie Smith WRITERS Shelbie Goulding Kayla Green Sharron Haley Bruce Mills Melanie Smith PHOTOGRAPHY Micah Green PUBLICATION DESIGNERS Ryan Galloway Micah Green Janel Strieter ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Karen Cave karen@theitem.com Devin McDonald devin@theitem.com Mark Pekuri mark@theitem.com

Fall, how I've longed for you so.

Don't get me wrong. There's something to say about the summer heat wafting off the asphalt, steaming up from the water, the humidity coating your throat and lungs and brain and tip of every toe as soon as you open the door. Oh, there's something to say. It's called air conditioning.

I love summer. Going to the beach, spending a day on the lake. But that's the thing. If there's not water involved, you can find me running my AC inefficiently cool, yearning for the day the temperature drops below surface-of-the-sun degrees.

Don't you worry, as soon as it does I'll be complaining about the cold and eagerly anticipating spring.

COVID-19 doesn't help. Being stuck inside all day without as many options for recreation, dining and socialization, we need fall. Eating outside will be much more enjoyable.

We can go on a hike without forming our own salt rivers in our clothes from sweat.

Speaking of hikes, since we're thinking it will eventually cool down, in this issue you can read about a handful of great trails within our region. With the pandemic still pestering our daily lives, the trail is a great way to stay active, get outside and keep socially distanced. Or use

on the cover

Scott Dault, owner of Crossroads Archery in Summerton, displays the relic of a previous gator hunt.

Photo by Micah Green 36 W. Liberty Street • Sumter, SC 29150 www.theitem.com 4 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 | LAKESIDE

it as an excuse to get away from your quarantine buddies.

We've been stuck inside, many of us working from home for so long now that this issue is fully outside.

A lot of businesses are still suffering impacts from COVID-19, but with an increase in sales this spring and summer, boat and RV dealers' biggest problem right now is they can't replace their inventory fast enough.

Hailing from Gainesville, Florida, if I came into contact with a genie, my three wishes pertaining to gators, in no particular order, would be "football, football, football." Until then, we'll talk about gators in a different way. It's hunting season.

In another business venture, the Comstocks are supporting local farmers while maintaining custom feed mixing at Manning Feed Mill.

They didn't really know how to run a mill when they bought the 117-yearold operation, but they figured it out and added their own touch.

And finally, COVID-19 can take away a lot from us, but it can't mess with our bass. The Bassmaster Elite Series will cast on Marion and Moultrie this fall, and it's the normalcy we all need.

Please enjoy this issue, and happy fall, y'all.

KAYLA GREEN EDITOR OF LAKESIDE

28 23 20 13 8

Destress in the woods

With an uptick in sales, boat and RV dealers can't get inventory in fast enough

A COVID-safe purchase

Bassmaster Elite Series set to bring the 'best of the best' to Moultrie, Marion

B.A.S.S. tourney returns

The Comstocks bought a 117-year-old mill to keep local business thriving

In the family feed business

For four weeks a year, South Carolina hunters aim for these swamp lizards

It's gator hunting season

Take some time to get outside and away from the daily pandemic grind

what’s inside

FEATURE STORIES

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 5

What to do & Where to go BERKELEY • CLARENDON KERSHAW • FLORENCE • RICHLAND ORANGEBURG • SUMTER

SUMTER COUNTY Fall Feast

Thursday, Sept. 17, at the USC Sumter Nettles Building, 200 Miller Road, 6-8:30 p.m. You will have the opportunity to enjoy all-you-can-eat local favorites like shrimp, crab legs, frog legs, gator bites and more. Visit https://www.sumtersc. gov/fallfeast to purchase tickets.

Head Turnerz Car & Truck Show

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Sumter VFW Post 3034, 1925 Gion St. Registration ends at noon, and judging begins at noon. This annual car show benefits the local VFW and Sumter area veterans. Trophies, food, drinks, giveaways and 50/50. Call John Shirah at (803) 236-2401 or David Dury at (803) 316-1052.

Art in the Park ONLINE

The largest-known celebration of okra returns for its 47th year Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26, at Irmo Community Park, 7507 Eastview Drive. Admission is free. Individual fees apply for rides, amusements, food and drink. Friday, 6-11 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Visit https://okrastrut.com.

KERSHAW COUNTY 11th-Annual Springdale 5K

The Heart of Sumter Neighborhood Association’s online event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. There will be more than 30 vendors sharing their creations, and online “attendees” will have the opportunity to chat with the artists and/or order from each of the individual artists/crafters. Visit hsnasumtersc.com.

Benefiting the Health and Homeless initiatives in Kershaw County operated

by United Way, held on Saturday, Sept.

12. This certified and officially timed race starts at 8 a.m. on the grounds of the Historic Springdale Race Course and the National Steeplechase Museum, 200 Knights Hill Road, Camden. The course will feature three water stops and volunteers to guide runners to the finish line. Registration includes a Springdale 5K shirt, free waffles at the finish line and a bounce house for the kids. Visit www. springdale5k.com.

James Gregory: Crock Pots and Chicken Legs

The Sumter Opera House production will be 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Veteran comedian James Gregory has provided a hilarious comedy experience to audiences for decades, and this is your chance to enjoy one of his shows.

Tickets are $27, $32 and $37. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.sumtersc.gov/operahouse/ events/specialevents.

Lexington Medical Center’s Irmo Okra Strut

LEXINGTON & RICHLAND COUNTIES

Camden Fall Classic

The South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association will hold its Camden Fall Classic Friday-Sunday, Sept. 11-13, at the South Carolina Equine Park, 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden. For details, contact Janet Black at (828) 606-0708 or email threesprings@gmail. com. Visit www.schja.org.

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Fall Show

The Palmetto Paint Horse Club

The Southeastern Reining Horse Association (SERHA) will hold its Fall Show Friday-Sunday, Sept. 18-20, at the South Carolina Equine Park, 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden. Contact Terri Taffner at (336) 327-4330 or visit http://serha.org/.

The Club will hold two shows SaturdaySunday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, at the South Carolina Equine Park, 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden. Contact Anne Louise Miller at (803) 900-1253 or email millawayranch@windstream.net. Visit www.pphc.net.

CLARENDON COUNTY

Carolina Anglers Team Trail’s Lake Wateree tournaments The tournaments will be held at Clearwater Cover Marina as follows: Saturday, Sept. 19, Open 13; and Saturday, Oct. 31, Open 14. Call or email Brett Collins, tournament director, at (803) 413-7521 or catttrail1@gmail.com.

Visit https://www.cattteamtrail.com/

JCMC-Haven of Rest 2nd-Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at The Players Course at Wyboo, 1560 Players Course Drive, Manning. Call Roberta T. at (803) 460-1120 or Ann at (803) 460-5572.

Dancer’s Workshop 40th-Annual Recital

The recital will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, at Weldon Auditorium, 7 Maple St., Manning. Call Donna Prothro at (803) 433-7469. divisions/catt-lake-wateree-opens/.

The Youth Equestrian Development Association Team (YEDA) Show The show will be held Friday-Sunday, Sept. 25-27, at the South Carolina Equine Park, 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden. Contact Joy McMillion at (803) 917-2747 or email webcowgirls@aol.com.

Visit the website at http://showyeda. com/.

The South Carolina Quarter Horse Association Spooktacular

The event will be held Friday-Sunday, Oct. 23-25, at the South Carolina Equine Park, 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden.

Contact Billy Prather at (803) 669-1325 or bpquarterhorse@bellsouth.net. Visit www.scqhaonline.com.

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FLORENCE COUNTY The 2020 Downtown Florence Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, on the 100 block of South Dargan Street. Activities will include Weenie and Almost a Weenie Dog Races, beer stein races, beer barrel races and more. There will be authentic German food, beer and wines. Admission is free. Beer and food tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth.

Kickin’ Chicken Wing & Chili Cook-off 2020

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, on the 100 block of South Dargan Street. The streets of downtown Florence will shut down for a night of fun, wings, chili, brews and live music.

The Carolina Food Truck Rodeo

2nd-Annual Clarendon County Cancer OverComers’ Walk

The walk will be held 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Sept. 19, at JC Britton Park, 3057 Raccoon Road, Manning. Call Sgt. Annett Smith at (803) 460-3976.

Featuring dozens of food trucks from all over the nation, the event will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, 3 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 17, and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive. Featuring craft brews, live music and good vibes, admission is $2 per person and children 12 and under are admitted free with accompanying adult. No coolers or pets allowed. (Service animals only). Visit www.carolinafoodtruck.com.

The 18th Francis Marion/Swamp Fox Symposium

16th-Annual Pamplico Cypress Festival

The event will be held Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23-24, at the FE DuBose Campus, Central Carolina Technical College, 3351 Sumter Highway, Manning. This event about the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War includes lectures, reception, discussions, displays and more. Register early. Visit https://clarendonmurals.com/.

The festival will be held Friday-Saturday, Oct. 2-3, in the Town of Pamplico. The festival is known for featuring classic car shows, amusement rides, arts and crafts, food, local musical talents, pageants and more. For more information, call Pam Turner, festival coordinator, at (843) 687-3349 or Pamplico Town Hall at (843) 493-5551. Visit https://www. townofpamplico.com/cypress_festival.

*Events are subject to change due to COVID-19.

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A COVIDsafe buy Boat and RV dealers are not facing the same problems as many businesses since the pandemic struck. They can't get inventory fast enough.

Story by Shelbie Goulding

T

he pandemic has affected many small, locally owned businesses since mid-March. Retail stores have closed out, restaurants moved to takeout, and many others changed their ways of operations.

Many may think the coronavirus has only brought a negative impact on businesses, but that’s not the case for outdoor recreational-type industries. Since the beginning of the virus outbreak, the boat and RV sales industries have had a successful year after sales increased and left lots near empty at several local dealers.

8 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 | LAKESIDE

Richard Davis, owner of Davis Marine Management, said his business was at a standstill in the beginning, which was nerve-wracking since he just started his business in March 2019.

“As far as the boat sales are concerned, right whenever the COVID was announced and quarantine was going on, the first two weeks was just scary for everybody,” Davis said. “Nobody was looking at boats or talking about boats.”

However, after the first couple weeks of quarantine, his boat sales jumped off the charts, increasing more than three times his sales last year. In March through

August of 2019, Davis only sold four boats, but in those same months this year, he sold about 15 boats.

“It was like flood gates opened,” Davis said. “It just got busier and busier.”

Davis said when people started seeing their vacations getting canceled, a lot of people saw that as an opportunity to buy a boat and go to the lake or ocean to spend time with their family closer to home and more secluded.

“It’s been a blessing for us,” Davis said.

“I know that there are a lot of businesses that are struggling and that have taken hits during this, but there are a lot that

have capitalized on it. Luckily, I am one that has been able to capitalize on it.”

Though sales increased, the industry itself has been behind on stock, according to Davis.

“The boating market industry has just exploded,” Davis said. “It’s to the point now where yacht brokers, boat brokers, dealerships … we’re all running out of boats.”

Jamie Ray, sales manager at Wateree Marina-Boat Sales, agreed, saying his inventory is scarce.

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“Right now, I’m almost completely sold out of everything,” Ray said. “I have one pontoon and two aluminum boats is all I have left! I have plenty more on order, but I don’t know when I’m going to get them.”

Ray said even though their sales were 10% above average this year, the boating market is low on inventory, and it’s difficult to restock because manufacturers are either overloaded on requests or they’re behind on production.

The boating industry wasn’t the only one that saw an increase in sales and decrease in manufacturing.

Wendell Ardis, owner of Happy Trails RV Sales and Service, said it’s been a different

year for the RV industry.

“We’re low on stock. We can’t get the stock, and that’s the problem there,” Ardis said. “We’re pretty much about out right now. We’ve got two travel trailers and five fifth wheels is all we have left, and we’re never this low this time of the year.”

He said getting new stock is difficult, and all people can do in the industry is sell what they’ve got to work with.

Considering that, it was a good year in sales.

“We were wondering what was going to happen because of this COVID thing, and if anybody was going to do anything,” Ardis said. “It has definitely made a

change. We’re having a lot of first-time buyers buying.”

According to Ardis, people were scared to go to hotels, eat on the road and generally be around people, so they turned to the RV lifestyle as a safe alternative. With the fall being a selling season, Ardis said they’re working with manufacturers as best as they can for inventory, but he said they may not get anything until possibly October.

“When this came along, what really changes is you really can’t get nothing,” Ardis said. “Everything that we need is depleted.”

TIPS ON GETTING YOUR BOAT PREPPED AND STORED FOR A HURRICANE

T

he months of June through November are known as hurricane season to the Atlantic coast, and a couple of local boat dealers and experts said the best way to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm is to store a boat.

Richard Davis, owner of Davis Marine Management, said his best tip for marina enthusiasts is to get the boat out of the water and store it somewhere safe and away from anything that could damage it.

“If you have a trailer, I recommend if you don’t have somewhere to store it …

10 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 | LAKESIDE

putting it in the middle of a field or away from trees and things that can fall on it,” Davis said. “For boats that are too big and don’t have a trailer, a lot of people will anchor them out in the middle of a lowtrafficked area away from trees and away from other objects that could hit them.”

Jamie Ray, sales manager at Wateree Marina-Boat Sales, also said the best method to secure a boat to weather a hurricane is to store it away. He said many customers store their boats at the Wateree Marina storage facility during a hurricane, but he knows some people

can’t get their boats out of the water.

“What I tell my customers to do, if we actually think we have something coming our way so to speak, the best thing for them to do is to make sure they have good, secure docking lines,” Ray said.

“Make sure if they have any top on the boat that goes up and down to put a boot cover on it to keep it from catching high winds.”

When it comes to storm preparation on the coast, it all depends on the type of dock the boat is sitting at, Ray said. He thinks people should keep their boats at a

fixed dock and have the proper docking lines securing the boat.

He also said it’s important to have a good bilge pump to keep the water pumped out and prevent the boat from sinking at the dock.

“Secure your boat at all costs because we seem to have a pretty active season so far,” Ray said. “I think they’re anticipating a higher than average year from what I’ve read in the news.”

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12 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 | LAKESIDE

HEADED BACK TO THE LAKE COVID-19 has impacted a lot. What it hasn't canceled is the return of the Bassmaster Elite Series to Santee Cooper lakes.

Story by Sharron Haley Photos from Emily Harley

P

rofessional bass fishing returns to Santee Cooper lakes Marion and Moultrie with 85 of the world’s best anglers competing in the Oct. 8-11 Bassmaster Elite Series.

B.A.S.S. officials announced late last year that the Bassmaster Elite Series 2020 would put “an emphasis on big bass fisheries.” Only anglers who have won qualifying tournaments or scored high enough in other qualifiers will be able to compete.

“This year, we unveiled the mantra, ‘Big Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams,’” B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin said. “Fans will have an opportunity to see our anglers compete on some of the best big-bass lakes in America.”

The Bassmaster Elite Series at Santee Cooper Lakes was originally scheduled to be the fourth event on the Bassmaster’s Elite schedule, but instead it will be part of a string of fall tournaments across the Southeast,

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said Emily Harley, communications manager at B.A.S.S. LLC. Santee Cooper has hosted 13 major B.A.S.S. events, but none since the 2009 Southern Open.

“The Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes will pit 85 of the top bass anglers in the world against one another for the $100,000 first-place prize,” Harley said. “The total purse for the event is more than $700,000.”

South Carolina will be well represented in the tournament.

“Todd Auten of Lake Wylie is coming off a second-place finish at the iconic Bassmaster Classic,” Harley said.

Last year, Brandon Cobb of Greenwood accomplished the rare feat of winning two Bassmaster Elite Series events. Patrick Walters of Summerville, who is currently sitting in 16th place in the Elite Angler of the Year race, will be competing in October, as will Jason Williamson of

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Wagener, who has won more than $1.1 million on the B.A.S.S. circuit.

Fishing in the Santee Cooper lake system is abundant and is due in part to the trees and plentiful underbrush that were left behind when the lakes were constructed in the early 1940s.

Lake Moultrie, at 60,000 acres, was built first.

When Lake Marion, the largest lake in South Carolina at 110,000 acres, was completed, the builders were in a rush to fill the lake, leaving behind trees, underbrush, homes, plantations and other buildings. The various items left behind continue to provide a good breeding ground for various types of fish, including bass.

Anglers and boating enthusiasts can easily travel from Lake Marion to Lake Moultrie through the 6.5-mile Diversion Canal, which is also an area where anglers can find big bass.

Lakes Marion and Moultrie have been home to numerous fishing tournaments, including FLW’s Phoenix Bass Fishing League, which was held in June. Cecil Wolfe of Summerton earned the win with a three-bass limit that weighed in at 16 pounds, 1 ounce. The winning angler of the event, Chris Brunson of Mayesville, won his division fishing east of the Interstate 95 bridge area near Jack’s Creek. Brunson reeled in a three-bass limit

that weighed in at 17 pounds, 7 ounces.

On-site registration, check-in and briefings are scheduled for Oct. 7. Early Friday morning, anglers will launch from the John C. Land III Fishing Facility, 4404 Greenall Road, Summerton. The popular landing lies on the banks of Potato Creek and sits across the creek from Camp Bob Cooper. Anglers will begin launching in staggered flights at 7:05 a.m.

Anglers will return to the John C. Land III Fishing Facility for weigh-ins that should begin daily around 3:20 p.m.

Each day, the anglers are limited to just five bass at weigh-in, and each bass must be at least 14 inches long. The Santee Cooper lakes are renowned for big bass, but anglers and locals alike know from experience that it takes patience and knowledge of the lakes to lure in the big ones. And not every angler ends the day with five fish in the well. Some are happy to finish the day with one fish, while many pros head home empty handed.

Captain Brett Mitchell, a professional fishing guide on the Santee Cooper lakes for more than 30 years, said the anglers in the tournament will be some of “the best of the best” and that they’ll “figure out where the fish are.”

“I think that on the first day you’ll see a 30-pound limit,” Mitchell said. “The second day it will probably drop down to 20- to 25-pound limit.”

Mitchell said the drop in pounds could be attributed to an unfamiliarity of how the bass bite in the fall.

“These guys are used to fishing here in the spring,” he said. “Last year in the spring, someone caught a 30-pound, five-fish limit. In the fall, I expect a 25- to 30-pound first day.”

Bass can be found in shallow water, but Mitchell said the Elite winner could very well be fishing in deep water.

“Deep water may win it,” he said.

Mitchell said the anglers will be fishing in all depths and in a variety of locations from the tip of Lake Marion through the Diversion Canal to the bottom of Lake Moultrie.

“They’ll spread out,” Mitchell said. “You will see them in the upper end banging on the trees, fishing around the docks on Potato Creek.

Flippers will head up to Stumphole (Landing) and the swamp. Guys who are fishing crank baits will be in lower Marion and Moultrie. You’ll also have guys who fish just brush piles.”

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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 15

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Big T Jewelers

Established Established1969 1969

520 SC29102 29102 022 520West WestBoyce Boyce Street Street •• Manning, Manning, SC

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TO LIST YOUR BUSINESS ON THIS PAGE, CALL: KAREN CAVE 803-774-1242, MARK PEKURI 803-464-8917, DEVIN Mc McDONALD 803-983-0786 Wyboo Plantation Subdivision Lots 218 Ridge Lake Drive 1022 St. Julien

17 Fairway Drive $289,000

608 Fern Oak Court 129 Wood Lake Drive 401 Pine Lake Drive 133 Wood Lake Drive

$6,995 $10,000 $12,500 $17,500 $19,000

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Furse Road- 3.3 acres $18,000 Kimbeth Lane - .69 Lot $135,000 Watefront TBD White Oak Drive- 20.55 acres Waterfront property on Lake Marion $599,900

1243 Clubhouse

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Don Paquette - Realtor® 803-460-1362

DonP.LitchfieldByTheLake.com 18 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 | LAKESIDE

Manning

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412 S. Mill St., Manning, SC

(Next to Clarendon Memorial Hospital)

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 19

Feeding the family business The Comstocks didn't know much about running a mill when they bought the 117-year-old operation. They not only figured it out, but they also added their own touch to their thriving business.

Story by Shelbie Goulding Photos by Micah Green

F

or one Manning couple, buying a 117-year-old mill wasn’t in the plan, but with the help of the previous owner, their son and some three-by-five index cards, they’ve run it and supported local farmers for more than 15 years.

Since 2007, the Comstock family have been proud owners of the Manning Feed Mill, located at 233 Dinkins St., when Lucy and Warren Comstock bought the mill from Julian Hynes. When they bought it, though, the couple didn’t know the first thing about running a feed mill, nor were they both present for the purchase.

“I wasn’t here actually,” Lucy Comstock

20 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 | LAKESIDE

said. “I was in Afghanistan.”

While Lucy Comstock was deployed, her son, Brandon Prevost, was working for Hynes, and when he heard Hynes wanted to sell the mill, Prevost thought it would be a great opportunity for the family and a way to keep the mill up and running.

Warren Comstock said they had been Hynes’ customers since 1995. They would always get their chicken feed from the mill. When his stepson brought the idea of purchasing it to the table, Warren Comstock thought it would be something new but familiar to him. After making a couple of calls to his wife and thinking it through, the

Comstocks became the proud owners of a feed mill. Lucy Comstock came home to something that was never in the plan, but it grew into a success.

The Comstocks had always had animals, so the only thing they knew about making feed was what animals prefer to eat. Warren Comstock didn’t think running a feed mill would be much different than caring for the animals he already had on a daily basis.

“I’ve always had chickens, dogs and whatnot,” Warren Comstock said. “I kind of knew a little bit about the livestock side of it.”

Luckily, Hynes was willing to teach the couple a few tricks and passed down some

feed recipes that they could continue selling to the local buyers. Prevost was also able to teach his parents the ropes since he had worked there for so long.

“Mr. Hynes shared with my husband some of the stuff he did,” Lucy Comstock said. “It was pretty much finding out things as you go.”

In the beginning, Lucy Comstock left the mill for her husband and son to care for. Eventually, Prevost ended up leaving the family business behind to pursue a different career, but the Comstocks stuck to their decision. It wasn’t until Lucy Comstock retired from the National Guard in 2015 that she left the field of medicine to start working at the mill with her husband.

Though it’s not the same, she still continues to work in medicine, but more of the sense on how to take care of an animal’s health rather than a person’s health.

“I always worked in medicine,” Lucy Comstock said. “Some of the medications are actually similar to use on animals as you do on people.”

She took her knowledge in medicines and put it toward helping

customers make sure their livestock is in good health through feed, supplements and other avenues. To do that, they started selling custom blending feed, allowing the customers to create a healthy feed for their own livestock.

“My son had already been doing it, so he taught my husband a lot of what they did, and there were formulas Mr. Hynes had come up with. And as we went along, we did custom blending,” Lucy Comstock said.

The Comstocks still use and sell Hynes’ original recipes, but they have expanded. Not only was this a benefit to the customers, but it kept Lucy and Warren Comstock on their toes with formulas always changing.

When it comes to keeping track of these changes, Lucy Comstock said her husband’s old-fashioned system with a pen and paper is how they’ve remembered every ingredient for every customer.

“My husband loves three-by-five cards. Everything is written on a threeby-five card,” Lucy Comstock said. “It’s so bad that a friend of his gave him three-by-five cards for Christmas. He

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writes everything on it.”

With a stack of three-by-five cards in his shirt pocket and a pen on hand, Warren Comstock will never forget what customers are asking for.

“There are so many times when I’m cutting through the mill and somebody will tell me something, or I’ll be doing something and waiting on a customer that’s getting feed here and they’ll want something particular.

It’s just easier for me to pull out a three-byfive card out of my shirt pocket, write down what they want and then tell them I’ll call them back when I get the chance. Lucy pretty much takes care of the retail side, and I just make sure the store is supplied and we got what we need here to make the feed.”

Lucy Comstock prefers using technology over the three-by-five cards when it comes to the retail side of the mill. The retail store was built three years ago to make the mill a one-stop shop. From carrying fencing and gardening care to equestrian and other animal supplies, the store has

been a successful expansion, according to Lucy Comstock. She even hopes to have a greenhouse or garden center by next year, turning the mill into a “feed and seed” store.

Another benefit for Manning Feed Mill customers is that the Comstocks like to get their ingredients from local farmers.

“It’s fresher, and you know where it comes from,” Lucy Comstock said. “You actually see it before you buy it.”

She said a goal of theirs is to stick with as many local farmers as possible, but sometimes they have to purchase ingredients from other mills in the area.

Warren Comstock said they mostly get oats and corn locally, but they also have ingredients like wheat, milo, molasses, hay and straw.

“They’re our neighbors,” Warren Comstock said. “The farmers that we get the grain from, whenever they have it available, they’re all our neighbors. That’s the way I think it should be. They give us a fair price. They’re close. It hasn’t sat on a rail car and gone

place to place.”

Warren Comstock said it’s great to see where the ingredients come from and who is making it. He said it’s good for customers, too, because they’re supporting locally grown ingredients and getting quality, fresh recipes made at the mill.

Lucy Comstock said they make feed for almost any animal you can think of. She said horse owners seem to be their biggest clients, but they also have feed for hogs, goats, llamas, emus, ducks, chickens, peacocks, pheasants, pigeons, doves and deer.

The Comstocks hope to keep expanding the Manning Feed Mill while also keeping the original mill alive, as it’s been sitting there for more than 100 years, since 1903. The building has been around for so long that Warren Comstock doesn’t even consider himself the owner of the mill. He likes to think of himself as its caretaker, who’s doing his best to keep its legacy going.

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It's gator hunting season Story by Bruce Mills Photos by Micah Green

I

f you speak to some outdoorsmen, it’s about that time of year again … and they’re not talking about college football.

It’s alligator hunting season, which runs for four weeks from early September to early October in South Carolina. Alligator hunting season hasn’t been around too long in The Palmetto State, according to Jay Butfiloski, the state Department of Natural Resources furbearer and alligator program coordinator. The first year for a state-sanctioned gator hunt was in 2008.

Without hunting regulations decades ago, alligators became an endangered species in the state in the late 1960s and

early ‘70s, he said. In the mid-2000s, the South Carolina gator population got to a point where it could handle a limited season, and the state agency was being forced to deal with more nuisance alligators at various lakes. Therefore, a single-permit, single-gator harvest season was put on the calendar annually from the second Saturday in September through the second Saturday in October.

According to Butfiloski, there have been multiple benefits associated with the hunting season.

One, the alligators learned quickly.

“What we found after the first season or two is alligators caught on that it wasn’t good to be very visible,” he said.

“That actually helped with our nuisance issues and probably makes it a little safer for people. Because alligators that are not fearful of people can become very problematic.”

Before the public season began, at times alligators would approach boats in the water, he added. Now, when outdoorsmen

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 23

ride by in a boat, gators usually submerge underwater.

“It was kind of funny after the first year or so,” Butfiloski said, “hunters were like, ‘We can’t get close to them anymore.’ And we were like, ‘That’s good because that means other people who are recreating on the lake can’t get close to them either.’ … Now, the number of times that we have to send alligator agents to the lake has dropped off the cliff since 2008.”

SOUTH CAROLINA GATORS

BY THE NUMBERS 3,030 – Total number of alligators removed since 2008

MORE ON GATOR SEASON

253 – Average number of alligators

Gator hunters have already applied and been selected by DNR for this year’s four-week season.

Applicants chose from one of the state’s four regions, called management units, to hunt and can only hunt in that selected region. Lake Marion and area counties are part of Unit 3, which is considered the Midlands region.

Hunters can target only alligators that are at least four feet long, according to state regulations. A permit allows for harvesting of one gator. Nonpermit holders can assist a permit holder in a group hunt, but everyone participating must have a valid South Carolina hunting license.

In 12 years, 3,030 alligators have been removed during the season, according to DNR. That’s an average of about 253 gators per season. About 8% of hunters come from outside the state. This year, one permit hunter is coming from Alaska, Butfiloski said.

removed per year

89 – Number of alligators removed last year from Midlands unit

60-70 – Lifespan of an alligator 13’ 8” — Largest alligator taken during a DNR hunting season since 2008. Three have been tagged at that size, all from Clarendon County.

9’ 6” – Average length of alligator taken in 2019 from Midlands unit

UP CLOSE WITH A GATOR HUNTER

4’ – Minimum length of

Clarendon County resident Scott Dault has been fishing and hunting the Santee Cooper lakes of Marion and Moultrie for more than 50 years, dating back to his youth in the mid-1960s. Alligators are on his list, he said,

a gator to target

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and he has participated in gator hunts for at least 20 years, dating back to removing nuisance gators with agents in the 1990s.

As owner of Crossroads Archery in the Summerton area, Dault said he also takes some of his customers out on gator hunts across the various regions of South Carolina. He doesn’t count how many hunts he has been on but recollects he’s been a part of catching about 25 gators through the years.

Most of his hunts have been for big gators, 10 feet or longer.

By state law, a hunter cannot shoot a freeswimming alligator or one basking on land.

Instead, hunting groups must attach a line of some type to the gator, gain control of it, and bring it boatside before dispatching the animal.

Dault describes an alligator that reaches 11 feet or longer as a massive creature, like a “dinosaur,” weighing 800 pounds or more.

“Just the size and the strength when they get over 11 foot, it’s like trying to fight a dinosaur and not a lizard,” he said.

“I have seen grown men completely freak out when you get up next to one that size.

I have had guys jump in the bottom of the

boat and start crying because it scares them so bad. They can be a fearsome animal.”

Gators grow quickly in their initial years after being hatched, but then growth slows.

A 12-foot gator is probably about 50 years old, according to Dault and DNR. Dault said the biggest gator he has tagged was 12 feet, 2 inches.

Once the gator is boatside, it can be dispatched with a pistol or something similar. The hunter shoots the gator in the back of the head near the spinal cord to incapacitate and instantly kill the animal.

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570-423-2723 A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 27

Hike away your stress Story and photos by Melanie Smith

W

ith cooler temperatures finally on the way and after being mostly cooped up in our homes because of the threat of COVID-19 this spring and summer, families will likely be enjoying the outdoors even more this fall and winter. If you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed this season with students returning to school, worried about how the holidays might look this year and keeping illness at bay as the weather turns cooler, a journey through a forest or along a trail in the middle of the city might keep your spirits higher and help you focus on something else. Just taking an hour’s walk through the woods, hearing the little wrens chirping overhead and water flowing through a creek, can help make a stressful time seem more bearable for everyone.

Thankfully, you don’t have to travel far to step onto a trail if you’re in the tri-county area of Sumter, Lee and Clarendon. We are blessed with short trails for families with young children to enjoy and longer trails for those who like a challenge.

This year might also be the perfect time to become a state Ultimate Outsider, a visitor to all 47 of South Carolina’s state parks. According to the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, you can pick up a guide for this program at any state park or order one online at https://bit.ly/3gQvncw to start your visitor challenge. If you collect a stamp at each park, you will be given a free T-shirt. Don’t forget to share your travels by using #SCStateParks and #UltimateOutsider on social media. If you finish the challenge, you might also be featured on the state parks website and get to participate in activities with other Ultimate Outsiders, such as a scavenger hunt this year.

If you’d like to stick closer to home, here are a few trails to explore this fall.

Enjoy the fresh air, the changing colors of the leaves and stay safe from the coronavirus while getting some exercise.

28 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 | LAKESIDE

CYPRESS TRAIL

According to traillink.com, this trail is in the heart of Sumter.

The trail begins in a corner of Dillon Park on North Wise Drive and winds for 6 miles through forest, across roads, past a lake and over old railroad ties, parallels Crystal Lakes golf course and ends back at Dillon Park. You can walk or bring a mountain bike, as the trail is flat and family friendly for young children.

You will need to cross a few roads along this trail, and it runs past a few industrial areas. From the parking area at Dillon, walk toward the golf course and follow the fence to the left until you reach the trail sign at the dirt road entrance.

WATEREE PASSAGE

This trail starts in Poinsett State Park, winds through bluffs and hills and leads you onto an abandoned railroad track with trestle bridges. At the end of the trail is the Wateree River.

For those seeking a challenge and a long hike, start in the state park; for families or those who want an easier walk, you can use the railroad portion, which is straight and flat. This portion goes over swampland, and often there are otters, deer, waterfowl and other animals to see.

To access the Poinsett State Park trailhead: From the junction of U.S. 378 and S.C. 261 South, travel 10.1 miles south on S.C. 261 to Poinsett Park Road (S-43-63), turn right (west), and travel 2.7 miles to the Poinsett State Park Headquarters.

To access the passage from Foxville Road Parking Area:

From U.S. 378 near Sumter, take S.C. 261 south through Wedgefield for 5.8 miles and turn right onto Middleton Road opposite Orangehill Church. Paved road becomes unpaved after 1.4 miles; continue 1.1 miles. Turn left and take another immediate left onto Foxville Road (unmarked). Travel for .7 miles to a small parking area with a kiosk on the right. Walk past the kiosk and turn left onto the Parking Lot Trail; it is .6 miles down an old rail bed to the Wateree Passage.

CUDDO UNIT

This area of Santee National Wildlife Refuge is full of wildlife to see for free, including alligators sunning themselves on the bank of a swamp. There are plenty of trails here for hikers, or bring your bicycle and enjoy the paths through the woods. A few trails are open to vehicles if you’d rather see wildlife from your car, and you’ll be able to see Lake Marion. Hours are January-February, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; March-September, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; OctoberDecember, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

To find the Cuddo Unit, take Interstate 95 to exit 108 and drive south 1.7 miles on Buff Boulevard (102). Turn left onto Bill Davis Road (127) and drive east 2 miles.

Turn right onto William Brunson Road (559) and drive southeast 3.5 miles to the end of the road. Turn right and drive south 0.4 mile to the end of the road. Turn right onto Log Jam Road (260) and drive west a short distance, and the entrance will be on the left.

LEE STATE PARK

The artesian wells and the 5-mile Loop Road were built in this park by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, according to the state’s parks website. If you’re looking for easy trails, try the Artesian and Sandhills trails. Both are about half a mile. There is also a wetland boardwalk, from which you can see dozens of species of birds. From Loop Road, you can drive to the Lynches River for fishing and bird watching. There are also a couple activities for families with young children at this park, which you can find and print before your trip at https:// bit.ly/2Eb5fKU. If you visit this park, don’t forget to ask a ranger for your Ultimate Outsider stamp.

This river otter took a deep snooze right on the Wateree Passage trail near one of the old railroad trestles last spring. Plenty of wildlife can be seen along this trail if you’re quiet and walk earlier in the morning. Left, the Wateree Passage trail is flat and an easy but long hike.

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www.lisabairrentals.com A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 29

A doe crosses the path on the Wateree Passage trail.

COVID-19 TRAIL SAFETY TIPS

• Observe CDC’s guidance of maintaining a distance of 6 feet from people if you choose to visit a park, go for a hike or exercise outside.

• Do not visit a park if you have symptoms, which include fever, cough and fatigue.

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

• Wash your hands frequently; carry hand sanitizer to make the task more accessible outdoors.

• Use restrooms before visiting a park. Some restroom facilities may be unavailable. For those that are open, park staff is working diligently to provide safe/ clean facilities, but the facilities should be used sparingly. This will help limit visitor and staff exposure.

• Bring water or drinks — public drinking fountains may be disabled and should not be used, even if operable.

• At all times, comply with Leave No Trace principles. Bring a suitable trash bag, and leave no trash or recyclables. Park

staff may be limited in the ability to collect trash or recyclables, and visitors who pack out help protect park staff from potential exposure.

• Touch nothing, if possible. The sanitization of frequently touched surfaces such as handrails, trail benches, etc., can’t be guaranteed.

• Recreate alone or only with people you live with. Hiking clubs or team sports like soccer, baseball, volleyball, etc., should be avoided.

Source: South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism

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