Lakeside June July 2014

1 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

Contents

from the lake

10

4

34 14 KNOW YOUR BENEFICIAL

30

10

BUSHY-TAILED QUARRY

34

THERE’S GOLD IN THOSE WATERS

14

KEEPING HONEST PEOPLE HONEST

36

CHEWIN’ ON THE GOOD STUFF

20

FROM THE FORGE

44

24

KAYAKING

UNCLE SIGH’S OWNER

48

4

HOIST THE SAILS

and take a trip on Lake Wateree

A TASTE OF HAPPINESS Camp Happy Days offers fun respite for kids with cancer

Cypress that is

Venison snacks a favorite among deer meat lovers vows to return to Kentucky Derby EDITOR Rob Cottingham rcottingham@theitem.com CONTRIBUTERS Jade Reynolds jade@theitem.com Raytevia Evans revans@theitem.com Jim Hilley jim@theitem.com

Bristow Marchant bmarchant@theitem.com COLUMNISTS Earle Woodward Jolie Brown Ashley Steppe PUBLICATION DESIGNERS Cary Johnson Howard cjohnson@theitem.com Manon Zamora Barwick mbarwick@theitem.com

2 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

insects

Advocates say squirrels worth hunting, eating

Polygraph tests hold winners to their word at fishing tournaments

Blacksmithing still a passion among artisans isn’t as complicated as it may look

PHOTOGRAPHY Matt Walsh matt@theitem.com CLARENDON COUNTY MANAGER Gail Mathis gail@theitem-clarendonsun.com ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Waverly Williams Mark Pekuri Paige Macloskie Karen Cave

Welcome back, folks.

It’s getting hot, and just as sure as you’re ready to hit the lakes, you’re going to have some downtime. So we’ve got a few to enjoy while you relax and sip on some sweet tea.

Our cover story features Alec Blalock, an adventurer whose business is centered on recovering sinker cypress logs. Read how Blalock works to collect artifacts of all sorts in an effort to explore and preserve history.

Speaking of things historic, Mike Tucker discusses his passion for blacksmithing and how he fell into the trade 18 years ago in a one-on-one look at the ancient but cherished craft.

Cleaned your grill yet? Bristow Marchant takes a look at all things venison on page 14 and talks squirrels on page 34.

For those of you eager to hit the water, take a look at our feature on kayaking for beginners on page 48, and on page 4, an article about Wateree Sailing Club is sure to open some local eyes to the world of sailing.

Think you could pass a polygraph? Locals sit down for an examination in order to collect their winnings from the Big Fish Big Bucks fishing derby with examiner John Davis on page 36.

And of course, we have the usual suspects featured in Lakeside, such as fishing reports from gurus Andy Owens and Don Drose Sr., as well as pieces by regular columnists Earle Woodward and Jolie Brown. Ashley Steppe also returns with a heartwarming piece about the deer stand that molded her into the woman she is today.

Thank you again for picking up Lakeside magazine, your active look at the active lifestyle of the Midlands.

EDITOR 2010 & 2011 & 2013 2012 Best Award Speciality Winning Publication Magazine

ON THE COVER To advertise in LAKESIDE contact Gail Mathis at 803-464-1157 or gail@theitemclarendonsun.com

Photo by Matt Walsh Alec Blalock is passionate about the recovery of sinker cypress, ancient timbers that have fallen to the bottoms of local waterways. As you’ll see, there’s a lot to learn from these old logs. Page 14

JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE 3

While sailing in their catamaran, Mac and Marti Gail McCallum prepare for a high-stakes water gun battle with fellow Wateree Sailing Club members Jimmy & Shirley Wood. photo by Mary Elizabeth Gregory

Hoist the sails and take a trip on Lake Wateree 4 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

by JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com

A

commodore is trying to revitalize a family tradition on Lake Wateree.

Jimmy Wood, acting commodore of the Wateree Sailing Club, learned to sail in 1970 when he was 12. He got away from it for awhile in his early adult years but rediscovered the hobby in his 40s on his honeymoon trip to the Bahamas.

“We took out the resort’s catamaran,” he said. “I had to see if sailing was like riding a bicycle, and it was almost like that.

I fell in love with sailing all over again, and my wife fell in love with sailing.”

When they returned home, they bought a used catamaran (a sailboat whose frame is set on two parallel hulls or floats) and later a keelboat (a sailboat with a keel). “(Now) my wife and I go out every chance we can,” he said.

They also became involved in the club founded in 1961 by Helen Wills Hanley.

“It was a small sailing club, but Helen was big time into racing,” Wood said. “She promoted regattas (boat races). She died when I was a teenager, so my memories are not vivid, but I did know her.”

He has had some help renewing the club from Hanley’s granddaughter, Stephanie Caldwell. She and her husband became members about three years ago.

“I remember going there as a child for different events,” Caldwell said. “I enjoyed it.”

She now hopes to pass those same joys on to her own two children.

“They like it,” Caldwell said. “It’s a new adventure for all of us. It’s a fun, family activity, and we’re just out there to enjoy time in the water. I appreciate the nostalgia of it, and it’s nice to meet other people sailing, too.”

Wood feels similarly.

“I have non-sailing friends who have no desire to sail,” he said. “When they get on a boat, they want to put it in drive and get where they’re going. To me, they don’t want to spend much time in the boat.

“Your boat is your destination. Once you get the sails hoisted and the wind is pushing you, there is no other sound but the wind and the waves – until a base (motorized) boat goes zooming by.”

Marti Gail and Mac McCallum during the Eastern Multihull Sailing Association regatta held at Wateree Sailing Club in April of this year. photo by Jimmy Wood

Jimmy Wood enjoys flying the United States flag along with the South Carolina flag and the state flag of out-of-state visitors on Palmetto Moon. The lower flag is the New York state flag. photo by Jimmy Wood JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE 5

While the club does have members with power boats and jet skis as well as kayaks, the main purpose is to promote sailing in a fun, safe, family friendly environment.

The 20 families currently in the club hail from about an hour and a half from all around Lake Wateree – Sumter, Camden, Florence, Rock Hill, Charlotte, Lugoff, Kershaw and Heath Springs. Most go sailing during the spring and late fall, but with the Midlands’ climate, you can really sail year round, Wood said.

“Personally, I love cold-weather sailing,” he said. “You just have to dress for the conditions. It’s no different than snow skiing. It’s actually warmer than snow skiing, and people flock to go snow skiing.”

In fact, he went sailing earlier this year when snow was on the ground.

“I don’t think there were any power boats out that day,” Wood said.

“It was beautiful.”

In March, the club hosted the first organized regatta in several years.

“We had 10 boats from North Carolina, South Carolina and

Georgia,” Wood said. “They ranged from big catamarans to spinnakers, the ones with the big, pretty, billowing sails you see in pictures.”

Last summer, they had two events where members brought water guns and had a “battle.”

“That was loads of fun,” Wood said. “It was just like being in a pirate battle. We’d sail by and squirt each other. Then we got ice cream.”

Plans are still in the works for summer and fall events this year, he said, and the club is looking for new members. Membership levels range from fleet, which includes boat storage, to social, which is more to hang out and support the club.

“I think she’d be excited that it is in the process of being revived,” Caldwell said about her late grandmother. “It had kind of died down for quite some time, but Mr. Wood and several other members are taking an active interest in bringing sailing back to Lake Wateree.”

For more information or to join the club, visit Watereesailingclub. com or contact Jimmy Wood at (803) 775-7484 or at jimmy@ jimmywood.com.

A flock of cormorants takes a gander at the Eastern Multihull Sailing Association regatta held at Wateree Sailing Club in April of this year. photo by Jimmy Wood

6 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

Shirley Wood enjoys boating with her granddaughter Addy Yarborough of Austin, Texas. Addy was thrilled to have the Texas flag flying in her honor.

The cove Wateree Sailing Club calls home is peaceful and protected from storms at the lake. photo by Robert Caulder Jimmy Wood smiles with granddaughters Sailboating Molly and Lucy Yarborough, who visited from Austin, Texas. photo by Shirley Wood

JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE 7

Don’t forget safety

when on the water

by EARLE WOODWARD earlew@theitem.com

I

’m not really sure when I wrote my first article for The Sumter Item, but it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 to 25 years ago. One of the first articles I did involved a “ride along” with a member of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division, better known as a game warden.

While on patrol in the Wedgefield area, a radio call came in for the Aquatic Recovery Team. This team is charged with recovering the victims of boating accidents and drownings; it takes a special person to be able to do that sort of work. The case involved a child that had drowned when the small boat he was in sank rapidly. His father made it to shore.

Oh, what a horrible feeling that must have been for that father – not only the loss of the child, but also having to go home and tell the child’s mother what had happened. That is a position that I never, ever want to place myself in. My heart went out to the father and mother, and it is one radio call that I will remember for the rest of my life. It changed the way I look at boating and safety.

We are just entering the time of year when South Carolina turns to the water.

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boating and skiing to do. Hey, as a state, we spend an awful lot of time around lakes and rivers. It’s time to consider safety before we head to the lake.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Lance Cpl. Gregg Brown, an investigator with SCDNR. He spends his days investigating boating accidents, drownings and the like – a very nice and informative young man who is full of knowledge, facts and figures.

I learned that there were 465,805 boats registered in the state of South Carolina in 2013; I’m sure there are more than that by now, and that doesn’t count boats from out of state coming to South Carolina to enjoy our recreation opportunities. Now, all of them aren’t on the water every weekend, but I can tell you that there are more than enough boats on the water every weekend to make it very crowded.

So, how does one stay safe in such crowded waters?

Safety starts at home, before we ever leave the house.

First, file a “float plan.” This isn’t hard to do; just write down where you’re going, when you left and when you plan to return.

DNR has a very good float plan on its website, www.dnr.sc.gov, under “Boating”

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and then “Boating Safety.” It provides a lot more valuable information than just who, when and where.

Once you file a plan, stick to it. If you tell someone you’re going to Lake Wateree, go there. Don’t change your mind and head to Lower Santee River.

Check out the boat and trailer. Do the lights work? Is the plug in? Are there enough personal flotation devices on board for everyone? Have you got enough gasoline and a fully charged battery?

And another thing: With today’s modern technology, take a fully charged cellphone with you. That way, if you do run into trouble, you can call someone with your exact location instead of having DNR search endlessly for you. Put it in a waterproof container because you know how well wet cellphones work.

So you’re on the water; now what?

I have a rule in my boat: If it’s moving, you will wear a personal flotation device – no ifs, ands or buts.

There’s an old saying, “it won’t work if you don’t wear it.” That’s very true. A boat can go from riding high to underwater faster than you can ever imagine. It’s not like the ships on TV that take hours to go down.

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A johnboat can sink in mere seconds, faster than you can pull a personal flotation device out of a storage compartment. So, if the boat is 20 feet underwater, and your personal flotation device is in the storage compartment, what good did it do you?

Don’t just wear it - make sure it fits. The size on a personal flotation device is usually clearly marked in the collar, giving the weight and chest size of the person it’s designed for. A small child has no business in an adult personal flotation device.

If a member of law enforcement happens to stop your vessel and a child does not have a properly fitting personal flotation device, you’re going to get a ticket. Buy it, fit it and wear it.

And an extra little tidbit: If you are in a boat that is under 16 feet in length and your passenger is under 12 years of age, the law requires that he or she wear a personal flotation device at all times -- no exceptions.

Do not drink and drive. Boating under the influence is illegal. I can promise you that the water is way too crowded for you to be hammered driving a boat that will go 70 mph.

A lot of people get tunnel vision when driving a boat, only seeing what is in front of them. Look all around, and know what is behind and beside you before you make that turn.

With the apps that you can get on your smartphones these days, there is no excuse to get caught in bad weather on the water.

Check the weather often, and if a storm is coming your way, get off the water.

The high winds associated with summer thunderstorms can easily capsize a small boat, and the high waves generated by the winds can do the same, not to mention the lightning threat. The open water is no place to be during a storm, so play it safe.

Last year, 28 people died on South Carolina waters – up from 14 in 2012. Please, before you head out for the water this year, think about safety. You don’t want to have to come home and tell your spouse or parent that someone you love isn’t coming home.

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A taste of happiness Camp Happy Days offers fun respite for kids with cancer

by ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com

Accompanied by a counselor, two campers enjoy riding the wake of a boat in an inner tube on Lake Marion at Camp Happy Days.

The simple joys of water activities mean the world to these campers.

10 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

C

ancer.

Few diseases carry a weight as heavy as that two-syllable word. It relentlessly and indiscriminately wreaks havoc on the lives of victims and their family members. For parents, fewer things are as frustrating as the futility they feel when they can’t do anything to help their child.

If a child has a fighting chance, he or she is lucky, but even those battles can last for what seems an eternity, and the amount of suffering that accompanies that struggle can’t be sufficiently described.

Thankfully, there are organizations that work hard to provide care and assistance to families affected by cancer.

Camp Happy Days, now in its 32nd year, is a nonprofit organization that serves children battling cancer, the highlight of its services being a weeklong camp hosted at Camp Bob Cooper in Summerton each summer.

“It’s like a Make-A-Wish vacation for those kids,” said Executive Director Cindy Hay Johnson. “It’s a dream come true.”

Johnson said the company organizes the event to every detail, including the enlistment of 165 volunteer staff members for the whole week.

“That includes counselors and medical staff,” Johnson said. “We even set up ramps and provide wheelchairs for children who need them. We cover all the bases.”

JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE 11

Scheduled for the week of June 28-July 5, Camp Happy Days has the same luxuries offered at other camps, such as tubing, swimming, performances by numerous bands and lots of great food.

“We’re expecting about 200 kids to be there this year,” Johnson said. “We’ve amassed about $85,000 worth of materials for the occasion.”

The Charleston-based organization extends its care beyond the camp, as well, offering financial assistance to families from money raised by the company. They receive no government assistance. Camp Happy Days also offers other vocational programs, such as trips to Disney World, Doodlebug Trips for younger kids and Dream Dates and lock-ins for teenagers.

“Teens are tougher to reach, so we’re working on developing their programs even further,” Johnson said. “All our programs include counseling, as well.”

The director said the organization works with hospitals across the state throughout the year to involve as many kids as possible.

“The majority of the kids are referred to us by doctors at hospitals in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville,” Johnson explained. “But we have kids from all over the state come to our events.”

Siblings are also included in the events.

Johnson estimates that 75 percent of the children at the camp are suffering from cancer, and the remaining 25 percent are siblings.

“Children with cancer require care 24/7, and their siblings often end up feeling left out,” Johnson said. “So we try to bring them along. It gives them a chance to feel special, too.”

That happiness, no matter how brief, is exactly what the organization aims for, she said.

“That’s what we’re here for,” Johnson said. “If a child is well enough to come here, we’ll do what we can to find space for them.”

Reach out to Camp Happy Days by visiting its website at www.camphappydays.org or by phone at (843) 571-4336 or Bill Ellis at (803) 460-7666. Be sure to check out its donation programs, which allow visitors to purchase gas cards, gift cards or even sponsor a family affected by cancer.

A counselor attaches a harness to a camper before he attempts to ascend the rock climbing wall at Camp Happy Days. Activities such the climbing wall build confidence and trust.

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There’s gold in those waters Cypress, that is

by RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com photos by Matt Walsh

E Tom Collins, left and Alec Blalock, work to pull cypress logs out of a hole in the Walhalla River.

Blalock pulls the logs from Lynch’s river near Florence to waters in the Low Country.

very chance he gets, Alec Blalock makes time to go out on local rivers and lakes in South Carolina, scuba diving in search of cypress and other lumber. Blalock, who lives in Lee County and has started his own business, Virgin Heart Sinker Cypress LLC, puts his love of history and diving to good use.

Three years ago, Blalock became one of very few people certified and permitted to dive and recover sinker cypress in certain bodies of water in the state. With the help of about six friends who enjoy an adventure, Blalock spends a lot of time searching rivers for uniquely old and useful cypress and other lumbers. Blalock said he has guided many scuba divers in the past searching for artifacts in different parts of the country. Recovering cypress from river bottoms is similar and quite dangerous.

JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE 15

Alec examines a piece of wood while looking for cypress logs in Lynches River.

Alec Blalock pushes a Pontoon boat into a hole where cypress logs have lain for more than 100 years.

16 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

In the past, Blalock explained, it was more profitable for lumber companies to float the large cypress logs cut in the Lowcountry rivers of the state in order to transport them to sawmills. In the process of doing so, the lumber companies would sometimes lose one or two of the logs during transport, and they would sink to the bottom of the river – hence the common name “sinker cypress.”

Before Blalock attempts to recover anything from the rivers of South Carolina, he first has to consult with the state so it can survey the proposed area to make sure he and his team of divers won’t be disturbing any historical artifacts. Blalock said many times, it has provided a report – which can take a few months – that explains what artifacts he can go near and areas where he can’t search because historical artifacts are thought to be located there.

Sinker cypress has a lot of history, and once Blalock recovers

Linda’s

it, he puts the huge logs through a long, intricate process of drying to prepare them for sale to local craftsmen. Recently, he purchased his own kiln - the first one in the state to be dedicated to the drying of sinker lumber. Blalock said he is interested in doing business with South Carolina craftsmen in order to keep some of the state’s history at home. However, he also does business with interested craftsmen from across the country.

For the past few years, Blalock has made partnerships with local craftsmen and hopes to spread the knowledge about sinker cypress and how it can be used to add a unique look to a person’s home.

When he first started, Blalock said he and his then partner were only interested in selling the cypress in log form. However, he now sells his recovered cypress and other lumber to interested craftsmen in rough–cut form. He sells and trades lumber with a few craftsmen in the area who enjoy testing out the wood when creating sculptures and furniture pieces.

Most people are unfamiliar with the history behind sinker cypress, but once they see the lumber used for cabinets, coffee tables and other home furniture pieces, they learn the history and fall in love with the way it looks.

“The idea is to get people to see it, and I’d much rather sell it locally to keep South Carolina’s history in South Carolina,” Blalock said. “People see this lumber crafted into something, and they have an emotional response to it. Then they find out about the history as well.”

Blalock hopes to continue to inform locals and other South Carolinians about sinker cypress, which is indigenous to the state, and how the lumber can be used for unique home furniture.

For more history on sinker cypress, view the video “Carolina Gold” http://bit.ly/1lK1b10 by Lee Tigner on YouTube. Craftsmen and other interested customers can reach Blalock at (803) 4283884. You can also view some of his recoveries and furniture pieces created by local craftsmen on the company’s Facebook page.

Blalock and Collins unload logs at a lot so they can be cut, dried, stored and sold.

An alligator sits on a log at the hole where Blalock and Collins pull logs.

Blalock points out ax heads that were found lodged into logs. The ax heads are said to be more than 100 years old.

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JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE 19

Snack Sticks from Peach Orchard Deer Processing, consisting of smoked venison with cheese and green peppers twisted through the center, are made during deer season, but they are popular snack items for many customers all year long.

photos by Matt Walsh

Chewin’ on the

f f u t s d goo S

o you finally bagged that big buck you’ve been hunting for.

What do you do now?

A large deer can be turned into a freezer full of jerky, sausage and snack sticks. All a hunter has to do is choose from a variety of options for preparing the venison and where and how to process it.

If you’re in need of some help, a number of deer-processing facilities in the lakeside area offer meat-making services to hunters.

“We do the whole thing. You drop it off, and we skin it, process it,” said Roy Floyd, owner of Peach Orchard Processing. The whole process of turning a kill into a confection “takes about a week or two.”

While a sportsman can pay to have a carcass turned into a range of treats, only a few local processers are set up to make jerky.

“It takes a lot longer,” Floyd said. “The cooking takes longer. You have to dry it out because the deer is still wet.”

Wedgefield Meat Processing is another local processer that makes jerky.

“We don’t dehydrate it; we just smoke it,” said Wedgefield owner Mychael Smith. “It’s a lot faster, and you don’t need as good a cut.”

The carcass normally has to hang for days to bleed out before the process can even begin. Once dry, the meat is then cut and sliced into fine bits and smoked.

Jerky needs to smoke for a long time to remove any remaining moisture from the meat. Smith smokes his venison for up to five hours, while Floyd smokes his for up to 15 hours. After the meat finishes smoking, it’s cooled, bagged and sealed.

“It has to cool for so many hours,” Smith said. “Depending on the humidity.”

20 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

Venison snacks a favorite among deer meat lovers

by BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com

Others have found that turning deer into jerky is more trouble than it’s worth. Scott Harvin has considered expanding into jerky at Harvin Choice Meats, but creating jerky requires more space and time than the other venison products he offers.

“You’ve got to have the right equipment set up to dehydrate it,” he said. “I want to be able to do a whole muscle, an old-style jerky.”

With the amount of meat already dropped off at Harvin during deer season, allocating space for hanging and drying meat for jerky would mean “selecting who you’re going to make mad.”

To make jerky, just make lean ground venison, salt it, and mix with curing and seasonings – whether it be pepper, garlic, hot sauce or liquid smoke. To make it at home, the meat should be wrapped and placed in a specialty dehydrator tray.

But an amateur chef should be prepared for disappointment. At the end of processing, drying, cooking and smoking, a large buck might not produce that much meat.

“You can do it in an oven,” Smith said, “They sell little home kits.

But it’s pretty time consuming for something that’s just going to give you 10 pounds of meat.”

“You get about a third of it back,” Floyd said. “If the deer weighs 100 pounds, you get 33 pounds of sticks back.”

The process of dehydrating meat to preserve it removes the moisture that makes up most of its mass.

“People don’t seem to realize meat is mostly water,” Harvin said.

Snack sticks are a venison dish that can be made more quickly than jerky, with a few more ingredients.

“We take scraps (of meat) off like hamburger, then add seasoning, pork fat, and run it through an extruder,” which forms the meat into

its stick shape, Floyd said. “Then smoke it for eight hours.”

A snack stick can be stuffed with flavor enhancers such as jalapeño and cheese, and other spices are added during the cooking process.

“We use somewhat generic spices, like peppers, salts and sage,” Harvin said.

Harvin takes pride in the speed with which his facility can turn around a batch of meat. If a carcass comes in on a Wednesday, provided his staff is prepped for it, they can process it Thursday and get the finished product out the door on Friday. A lot of the drying process, he says, takes place in the facility’s smokehouse.

“Just through cooking, it dries it out,” he said.

While professional processors offer a full-service package to hunters, taking in a carcass and returning with a salty treat, many amateurs like to make their own sticks from scratch at home.

To make snack sticks, go through the same steps as jerky, but instead of dehydrating the meat, you have to grind and extrude it into the proper shape, then smoke the product and cool overnight.

“Some folks, it’s their hobby. I know some who have a band saw and hand-cranked stuffer,” Harvin said. “It depends on what equipment you have, but a lot do like to prepare their own.”

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Uncle Sigh’s

owner vows to return to Kentucky Derby

by JIM HILLEY

jim@theitem.com

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Uncle Sigh, a long-shot horse which ran in this year’s Kentucky Derby, grazes at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Chip McEwen, Uncle Sigh’s owner and a graduate of Wilson Hall in Sumter, says despite the loss, he will return to the Derby.

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W

hen Wilson Hall graduate Chip McEwen’s horse Uncle Sigh took an early lead in this year’s Kentucky Derby, attendees at the inaugural Derby Day Sumter watched in amazement.

Could the local crowd favorite, a long-shot horse with Sumter connections, win the derby?

To the disappointment of derby fans gathered on the new green space in downtown Sumter, the upset did not happen, as California Chrome swept past Uncle Sigh and the other early leaders to a convincing victory over the 19-horse field.

Uncle Sigh’s owner was also disappointed, but he vowed to keep after horse racing glory.

“It just didn’t turn out the way we hoped,” McEwen said. “But that’s OK; we’ll live to fight another day.”

McEwen, the son of George “Mac” McEwen and stepson of Gloria McEwen, both of Sumter, is the owner of Wounded Warrior Stables.

The stables were named as part of McEwen’s commitment to help America’s veterans, which came about because of his encounter with a wounded veteran on a airline flight.

“They kept everybody in their seats as they brought a wounded war veteran from the back. He was a 25- or 26-year-old kid. His dad was behind him walking him down the plane. He had been wounded by an IED (improvised explosive device) in Afghanistan.

Behind him was his wife carrying an 18-month-old kid, and behind her was his mother with a 5-year-old.”

“I turned to my girlfriend and said ‘We got to do more to help people like this.”’

Since then, he has donated 10 percent of his horses’ earnings to veteran-related causes. Before the Kentucky Derby on May 3, McEwen said those donations have totaled more than $160,000.

Having a horse in the Kentucky Derby was incredible, he said.

“It’s like a bucket list thing.”

“Especially that part where you walk to the paddock, and you walk around the track to the paddock,” he said. “There are 180,000 people screaming at you. That’s pretty wild.”

Asked if he would return to the derby, McEwen didn’t hesitate.

“Yes, next year.”

While he did not enter Uncle Sigh in the Preakness or the Belmont Stakes, McEwen said he said he would look for races this summer and hopefully have Uncle Sigh ready for the Breeder’s Cup later this year in California.

As for next year, McEwen said he thinks he has some good colts in his stable.

“I got two or three nice young promising colts. I got a Pulpit colt that we are pretty fond of, a Spice Hound colt that we like a lot and a Tapit colt we like a lot. Ironically, I got another Indian Charlie colt. We got three or four chances. Last year, I got to the derby with one out of eight that I campaigned with as 2-year-olds.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Uncle Sigh gets a bath after a morning workout at Churchill Downs.

PHOTO PROVIDED Former Sumter resident Chip McEwen stands with his horse, Uncle Sigh. Uncle Sigh raced in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

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Know your beneficial insects

by JOLIE ELIZABETH BROWN jolie2@clemson.edu

J

ust like people, there are good guys and bad guys in the insect world. Lucky for us, the good outnumber the bad. There are 100,000 species of insects, and only 1 percent of that number is harmful. Beneficial insects serve us in many ways. They are pollinators and predators to the harmful insects. They are also active in weed control and soil improvement. Some beneficials fabricate

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delivered him outside where he belongs. I hope he is grateful for his second chance in life and will help me by feeding on any aphids he comes across in my yard.

To ensure you are protecting your yard from harmful insects while encouraging beneficial insects, you should check your lawn and plant beds regularly for pest problems. Do not spray your yard with insecticides and pesticides unless you see a problem – identify the problem and treat the specific problem and location. This method is called Integrated Pest Management. IPM helps you save money and protect the environment and our beneficial insects. If you have chinch bugs that reach damaging levels in one section of your lawn, just treat that section. This will save you time and money.

As an environmentally conscious gardener or landowner, you should be tolerant of insects in your yard. Remember they are all a part of our ecosystem and are important to birds and butterflies.

Did you know that a pair of bluebirds can eat upward of 300 worms per day when feeding their young?

If you do identify a problem, try first to treat with non-chemical approaches and least-toxic pesticides such as insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils. Good, old-fashioned hand-picking is also effective when removing pests such as aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs or spider mites. Have a jar of soapy water handy, and drop in your victims.

Remember, conventional pesticides are not selective, and when you spray plants, the pesticides will kill all insects, even the beneficial ones. Read pesticide labels carefully for information on using the chemical and disposing of the leftover substance and containers. As we like to say at Clemson Extension: The label is the law.

If you would like to learn more about environmentally friendly gardening and how to identify beneficials, visit our new and improved Carolina Yards website at www.clemson.edu/cy, or call your local Clemson Extension.

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The tower that

by ASHLEY STEPPE photo provided

T

Grew Me

here’s a place I go. It’s a place I’ve not often shared, but what it has shared with me could never be replaced.

I’ve heard of the Eiffel Tower, and even ivory towers, but my tower – let’s just say it isn’t as grand in stature. But it stands tall with pride holding inside memories made, lessons learned and secrets untold. Its floors, which have begun to rot away, are made of 2-inch-thick plywood. Its outer walls are draped with weather-torn camouflage burlap. It isn’t fancy, but that’s all the better, because while sitting in my deer stand, I’ve seen the world in ways I’m sure I wouldn’t have, otherwise.

As I reminisce, there are many occasions that stand out in my mind. Several of them seem like they were only yesterday. As they vividly pop out from the back of my mind, I’m quickly taken back ... years … years and hours … slowly yet so rapidly passing me by.

And suddenly time stops.

I see a set of twin fawns running, jumping and pawing at each other as a swarm of yellow butterflies dances in circles around them. A bobcat, sleepy, lying in the sun, batting his eyelashes and stretching as the sun gleams ever so brightly off his shiny gray-black coat. The sound of antlers hitting trees distinguishing a mature buck. Blood pumping; heart pounding. The look in a buck’s eyes as you pull the trigger, feeling overwhelmed with joy and sorrow all at the same time. A scope punch in the nose that led to my bloody disarray. You live; you learn.

A venomous caterpillar bite; who would’ve known?

But my most important moments were moments where I saw nothing with my eyes, moments of complete and utter silence.

Those were the times I heard the most.

I let things go, things that broke my heart.

Slowly and painfully at times, I watched myself grow into the

32 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

woman I have become. I spoke with my Father upstairs and learned how to listen for His voice.

After all my days in silence, none compare to the last day of deer season two years ago, that dreaded moment when the season ended.

What am I going to do now?

Dusk began to set in. I look over my right shoulder, and there, with the sunlight gleaming through his antlers, stood a 10-point buck in all of his glory.

He paused in the opening. I quickly lifted up my rifle and peered through my scope.

He was a shooter.

As I centered the crosshairs on his left shoulder, I heard a voice in my head: “No.” I slowly looked up at that massive beauty standing there and watched him slip off into another place.

Ah! Why did I let him go?

Still, all I could do was smile. He was a treasure, and knowing he would live to see at least one more year to mature made me feel accomplished.

I had finally matured myself.

I sat in my tower until complete darkness set in on my quiet corner nestled in the woods.

Then I heard a sweet voice whisper in my heart, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

I would like to give recognition to the wonderful man who built my tower by hand, Buddy, my dad’s best friend and one who was always full of laughs and stories. Thank you, Buddy, for creating my tower. We will see you one day soon, and we’ll hunt out of real ivory towers trimmed in gold.

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In microwave oven - Place chocolate chips place in airtight container. and butterscotch chips together in 2-quart From Chocolatier: A taste of the good life; microwave-safe bowl and microwave at published by Haymarket Group Ltd., New MEDIUM (50 percent power) for 1 1/2 York, NY to 4 minutes, until chocolate turns shiny. Yields: 40 Cookies Remove from microwave and stir until

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JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE 33

Larry Keeling demonstrates treeing a squirrel in his backyard with his dog.

photos by Matt Walsh

Bushy-tailed quarry Advocates say squirrels worth hunting, eating

by BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com

A

mighty hunter takes pride in catching his quarry; the bigger, the better.

But for a certain class of hunters, there’s no need to strap this beast to the roof of a car. Even a large specimen would easily fit in the glove compartment, if not for its bushy tail.

That’s because these hunters aren’t after deer, fowl or any of the larger critters you could take a shot at. The prey they seek to bag is the wily squirrel.

34 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

That’s right. The little creatures that come into your backyard to raid your bird feeder are, in the sights of some hunters, the perfect prey. South Carolina even has an official squirrel season running from Oct. 15 until March 1.

“There are all sorts of squirrel hunting,” said Larry Keeling, a former game warden. “Some shoot them as a food source. I hunt them with dogs; others go stalking.”

You might not think there’s much of a challenge to hunting

squirrel. You probably think you could take out a couple just leaning out the kitchen window. But experienced squirrel hunters know much more work and skill goes into hunting these tree-climbing rodents.

“It’s a lot more involved than that,” Keeling said.

Jeff Dyson started hunting squirrel with his dad when he was a little boy but stopped at age 15 after his father died.

“I went about 17 years without hunting,” he said, but got back into the sport when he started hunting with his brother again. “He’s 10 years older than me, and he used to hunt squirrel, too, so that gave us something to do when we get together.”

Dyson started taking his son hunting, too, and the family made hunting after Thanksgiving a regular tradition.

“I’ve gone out a little the last two seasons,” he said, “but before that, I would hunt just about every weekend.”

Keeling thinks squirrel hunting is a great way to teach children to hunt because it’s an animal a family hunting party can pursue leisurely, and a kid can earn his or her first kill pretty easily.

“It’s a better way to introduce them to hunting,” he said. “You go out with the dogs, and you can just walk and talk … . You can tell stories all day. Then you can let the kids shoot the squirrel. That’s really secondary.”

He hunts with a mountain cur to flush and tree the varmints before he finishes them off. Keeling uses one dog to hunt, but packs of hounds can be deployed to track a wide-ranging squirrel. Curs, feists and other treeing dogs used to hunt small game can also be used to hunt squirrel and can even retrieve the squirrel after a hunter shoots one off a branch. Hunters can also track squirrel without dogs, as long as you can follow your quarry as it jumps from tree to tree.

“We say they ‘timber out,’” Dyson said. “They’ll jump from one branch to another, but the dogs can follow them.”

Dyson hunts with a pack of mountain cur-feist mixes, which can not only track and tree the animals, but also help finish them off.

“When the squirrel’s up a tree, and you shoot it out, if you don’t kill it, the dog will go catch it and kill it, but it won’t run off with it.

Then they’ll just wait for you to come and get it,” Dyson said.

Squirrel hunting has its own challenges, including how the early part of the season overlaps with the time for deer hunting.

“If I run my dogs by somebody’s deer stand, that’s not very hunter-friendly,” Dyson said.

Keeling said he won’t normally hunt in October, November or

December because “they don’t want me out there with them.”

“I confine myself to January and February,” he said. “By then, for the most part, the leaves are off, and you can follow them through the trees.”

Even then, a squirrel knows how to use the canopy to its advantage.

“They’re real good at concealing themselves. They almost become part of the tree,” Dyson said. “They’ll find a knot somewhere in the tree and just stay flat, and you might see an inch of the tail sticking out.”

To successfully track a squirrel, he said, “you’ve got to be squirrelminded.”

The times when squirrels are most active are around the beginning and end of the day, so the prime hunting time tends to be from dawn to about 10 a.m., then later between 3 p.m. and dusk.

But after all that, the question remains: What does squirrel taste like?

“It ain’t chicken,” Keeling said. “Squirrel tastes like squirrel.”

You wouldn’t think you could get a lot of meat off a squirrel, but the hindquarters can get rather plump, and there’s other meat around the shoulders. But it’s still a light meal. Depending on how it’s prepared, one person could easily put away two or three squirrels’ worth of meat.

Like most game, the meat on older squirrels can be tough, but younger squirrels can be very tender. Keeling likes to serve his squirrel in gravy or paired with dumplings, while Dyson can recommend a variety of recipes.

“You can boil them to get the toughness out, then fry them like chicken or barbecue them, or make a purlough with rice,” he said, although it takes a good batch of squirrels to generate a large meal.

“It takes about 12 squirrels or so to make a purlough.”

The state places a limit of 10 squirrels per person on squirrel hunters, but on a group hunt, sportsmen can easily meet that limit after a day on the trail. After all, squirrels aren’t exactly hard to find.

The problem a squirrel meat preparer faces is less the lack of meat than convincing friends and relatives to chow down on their bushy-tailed quarry. But hunters think the meat itself can convert nonbelievers.

“Some people are averse to squirrel,” Keeling said. “They think of it like a rat. But that’s all in your noggin. The meat, there’s nothing wrong with it.”

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JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE 35

Keeping honest peop

Polygraph tests hold winners to their word at fi

by ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com

36 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

John Davis begins a polygraph test on Terry Barr to validate Barr’s claim to the biggest largemouth bass caught during the Big Fish Big Bucks fishing derby.

photos by Matt Walsh

ple honest

fishing tournaments

W

hen your buddy starts sharing one of his fishing stories, you can probably call him on a fib when the fish suddenly doubles in size since the last time you heard the story.

You were there, you saw it, and it wasn’t a 15-pounder — more like 8 or 9.

But if you’re in charge of a 100-person fishing tournament, how do you keep an eye on hundreds of anglers? It’s a competition that pays out big rewards, so you need to be sure that no one’s lying about where or how the fish were caught. What if there was a way to make sure that big bass didn’t come from a homemade pond?

Enter the polygraph, or as many know it, the lie-detector test.

Terry Barr has been fishing almost all his life, and when he decided to take part in the monthlong Big Fish Big Bucks Fishing Derby, he never imagined he’d win something.

“We were out on Lake Moultrie, near Angel’s Landing,” he said, beginning his fishing story. “It was getting near the deadline, and I didn’t have much for showing.”

Like any diehard fisherman, Barr wasn’t giving up. Thankfully, he was wearing his fishing sunglasses that allow him to see into the water a good way.

“I saw a pretty good-sized fish cutting across the grass bed about 60 feet from the boat,” he said. “I thought I’d give it a shot, so I cast my lure out that direction, and shortly after that, bam!”

The fish bit hard on the lure, and the battle began. Barr said it took nearly 4-5 minutes to reel in the monster fish.

“They’re stronger than people think,” Barr said. “I didn’t want the line to snap, either, which could’ve very well happened, considering how far out the line was.”

As the battle dragged on, Barr said he got more and more excited, but his enthusiasm was eclipsed by his co-angler.

“My 8-year-old grandson was more excited than I was,” Barr said, laughing. “He’d already caught the first fish of the day and was waiting for granddaddy to get a big one.”

When all was said and done, Barr hauled in a huge largemouth bass. The size was obvious, but he had to be sure of the weight. At the weigh-in, Barr’s look of concern quickly flashed to a Cheshire grin.

“It was 11 pounds,” Barr said. “It was the biggest largemouth caught that day.”

According to the rules of the derby, the biggest fish wins $200 for the day in four different categories: bass, striper, catfish and crappie. If the catch ends up being the biggest fish of the week for that species, the prize is $1,000, and if your fish ends up being the biggest catch of the month for that species, you win $10,000.

Barr’s fish netted him more than $10,000 in total winnings.

But before he could collect his purse, Barr had to be administered a polygraph test to ensure his fish was caught legally. He was instructed to report to Santee Cooper Visitors Center in Santee, where he would undergo his examination.

Barr rode out to the facility having never experienced a polygraph test before. He wasn’t nervous at all.

“What would I have to be nervous about if I’m telling the truth?” Barr asked rhetorically. “I’ve got nothing to hide.”

As Barr entered the exam room, fellow fisherman D.D. Edmunds was sitting in the lobby of the visitors center, having just finished his own polygraph test.

“I caught a 19.95-pound striper,” he said. “It ended up winning biggest striper of the month.”

Edmunds, also a lifelong fisherman, said it was simply luck that landed him the prize catch.

“I’ve only fished for stripers maybe twice in the past 20 years,” he said. “He was a big one, though. It took seven to 10 minutes to reel it in.”

Edmunds had also never had a polygraph test before and said the suspense, if any, lies in the lack of sensory feedback from the equipment.

“You don’t feel anything suspicious in your body while he’s talking to you, but I’m sure the machine is much more sensitive,” he said. “You have no idea if you’re passing or failing.”

JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE 37

Barr sits patiently as Davis administers the polygraph test.

The veteran angler said the polygraph wasn’t much of an inconvenience and supports their use in big tournaments.

“They’re definitely a good idea,” Edmunds said. “Someone would definitely abuse the system without it.”

Administering Barr’s and Edmunds’ exams was John Davis, a former investigator with Sumter County Sheriff ’s Office who has been giving polygraph tests since 1997. He said the exams aren’t designed to determine specific information.

“It’s a screening process,” Davis said. “The format we use for fishing tournaments is much more abbreviated than other kinds of polygraph tests and is tailored to the needs specified by each tournament director. We’re just keeping honest people honest.”

Davis said the exam consists of five basic steps: 1) Health – Davis said he goes over the interviewee’s health, accounting for factors that might influence the polygraph test, such as heart or neurological symptoms or conditions and the medications used to treat them. He also asks whether the individual has used any drugs or consumed any alcohol that day. Noting how stressful the tests can be, Davis said a person might not be fit for an examination if his or her health is too poor.

2) Background – During this portion of the test, Davis asks the interviewee questions about his or her past and current life elements. He’ll ask about profession, family and personal interests. The main objective with this portion, however, is to establish the person has values that he or she believes in that indicate a set of morals.

3) Methodology – The perception most people have about polygraph tests is based on what they’ve seen in movies and television shows, so Davis takes the time to explain how the test works and what each piece of equipment measures or monitors. He then explains the theories that support the use of polygraph machines.

4) Review – At this point, Davis reviews each of the questions he’ll ask during the exam. While this might seem surprising to some, Davis said reviewing the questions greatly reduces the shock factor that contributes to anxiety during the examination.

Basically, if a person knows exactly what questions are coming, he or she won’t be alarmed by certain queries. The review is designed to help a truthful person pass the test, he said.

5) Examination – It’s now time to administer the test. Davis said he asks all the questions he reviewed with the interviewee during the previous step, asking tournamentspecific questions and administrative questions. He goes through each of the questions at least twice before the exam is complete.

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Once he’s finished with the examination, Davis then analyzes the information gathered during questioning. Typically, there are only three possible results: deception indicated, deception not indicated or inconclusive. None of these results is finite, he explained.

“You’re not necessarily disqualified on the basis of a ‘deception indicated’ result,” Davis explained. “The results incorporate data from the entire interview, not from a specific question. Don’t believe everything you see on Maury (Povich).”

The veteran polygraph examiner said most people know they’re going to fail before the exam is over.

“They know when they’re lying, so they don’t get too angry when

they fail,” Davis said. “Many times, they’ll break down and admit to it before the exam is finished.”

As far as the system itself, Davis has full faith in polygraph examinations.

“I think it’s 100 percent accurate if it’s done right,” he said.

“The machine and the computer are just tools; the truly variable mechanism is the physiology of your body. That governs the results.”

Barr found out shortly after his exam that he passed and collected his winnings from the organization. There might have been a bit of uncertainty clouding his mind on the ride there, but he was all smiles for the ride home.

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JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE 39

Like big fish and you cannot lie?

Check out Lake Wateree

by JADE REYNOLDS

W

jade@theitem.com

ith warmer weather comes the hope of getting out on the water. While some may be looking for the chance to sit back and sunbathe or do a little swimming, others are ready to cast their lines.

Andy Owens, owner of Vengeance Tackle in Camden off Liberty Hill Road, has a few tips on bait to draw in the big ones.

“With the spring spawn winding down, now is the time to break out the topwater baits,” he said. “Buzzbaits, poppers and frogs are a great choice. Try a variety of colors with a moderately fast retrieve. Once the early morning topwater bite fizzles, switch to jigs, spinnerbaits, big crankbaits and plastics around docks, brush piles, deeper humps and creek channel bends.”

Crappie counts are commonly coming in at 2.5 to 3 pounds. Get them close to shore while you can, as Owens said they will soon be leaving the bank in search of deeper brush piles and bridge pilings.

“Now is the time to try a variety of jigs in various colors and sizes until the crappie let you know what they are craving,” he said. “If the jig bite is slow, try tipping the jigs with minnows or use them alone over brush piles.”

Bass have also been coming in heavier.

“Lake Wateree has been one of the hottest lakes in the entire state this year,” Owens said. “Not only for sheer numbers of fish being caught, but the size of the fish has increased by leaps and bounds. Only a few years ago, the average winning weight for a bass tournament was a five-fish limit weighing approximately 20 pounds.

“This year is an entirely different story. The average winning weight now is closer to 26 pounds. Two of the largest bass tournaments fished at the lake this year were won with a whopping 29 pounds and amazing 34 pounds.”

The blue catfish population also continues to thrive both in weight and numbers.

“Large numbers of really nice fish (are) being caught along with some real ‘bruisers’ in the 40-, 50- and 60-pound class being caught fairly frequently,” Owens said. “During the day, the 15- to 20-foot depth range seems to be key. Once the sun sets, the fish tend to move a bit shallower. Cut bream and shad work well for the larger fish.”

If you are targeting numbers of smaller fish, he recommends night crawlers, chicken livers and other stink baits.

“The bream will soon be bedding, and that means all-day fun for every age and skill level of angler,” Owens said. “Look for beds in the back of pockets, around sea walls and in patches of grass.”

For live bait, red worms and crickets are the bait of choice. If you don’t want to go the live bait route, he suggests small beetle spins.

Whatever you’re fishing for, take plenty of bait, he said, and be aware of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ fishing rules and regulations.

“Give Lake Wateree a try this spring and summer,” Owens said. “You will be amazed at the quality of this beautiful fishery.”

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Please submit photos to cjohnson@theitem.com or rcottingham@theitem.com Deadline for submissions for the next edition is July 21, 2014.

42 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

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Longtime blacksmith Mike Tucker warms a rod of steel in the hearth as he continues to work on a dogwood tree project recently.

44 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

From the forge Blacksmithing still a passion among artisans

by ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com

photos Matt Walsh | LAKESIDE JUNE - JULY 2014by 45

“And the smith his iron measures hammered to the anvil’s chime; Thanking God, whose boundless wisdom makes the flowers of poesy bloom In the forge’s dust and cinders, in the tissues of the loom.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nuremburg

Tucker heats up one of his dogwood tree leaves as he prepares to cut the leaf off the rod.

R

oughly 18 years ago, Mike Tucker was given the opportunity to try his hand at a craft as old and fabled as the items it produces: blacksmithing.

“My friend was a boilermaker,” Tucker said. “He was very much into blacksmithing, and he said I should give it a try.”

The obsession was instantaneous.

“I played in the fire once, and I was hooked,” he said.

Decades later, Tucker has forged himself into a master blacksmith, bearing all the traits of an experienced artisan. His hands are covered with thick calluses, negating the need to wear gloves as he crafts hot iron and steel into gorgeous pieces of art.

The black stains on his skin seem as permanent as the metal he hammers to produce fine, sturdy tools and weapons.

“I make my own tools,” Tucker explains. “They’re the only ones I trust.”

With those tools, the veteran blacksmith creates whatever his imagination and ingenuity can conceive. His products are as varied in appearance as they are in purpose; if it can be made of metal, he’ll give it a shot.

“I’ve made all kinds of things,” he said. “I’ve made sunflowers, iron gates, railings, door knockers, hammers, shovels, knives and even a drawbridge.”

Tucker’s current project involves creating a dogwood tree, which includes the forging of each individual leaf, flower, branch and the trunk. As he explained his project, Tucker began work on one of the tree’s leaves.

The process seems simple enough, but it’s mostly because of his expertise. Every fall of the hammer hits exactly where it’s supposed to, widening the small cord of steel into a flat surface he’ll turn into a delicate, detailed dogwood leaf.

When he started, Tucker said the biggest hurdle wasn’t learning how to bend and flatten metal.

“The hardest part was finding tools to work with,” he said. “There were hardly any places that sold this stuff when I started. Now there are five or six places I can call and get what I need.”

As he makes his own tools, Tucker doesn’t order too many of them from retailers. Instead, he finds antique treasures that simultaneously serve a cosmetic and practical function.

“I’ve got vises and anvils that are almost 200 years old,” he said.

“They’re really hard to come by. Most of them I still use today.”

Aside from his hammer, tongs and anvil, Tucker’s most favored and reliable tool is the 1901 Little Giant power hammer he uses to help stretch tougher pieces of steel or quickly mold smaller pieces.

He rebuilt the antique tool himself and is using it rather regularly to create the leaves for his dogwood tree project.

“When I use this, it only takes about five minutes to make a leaf,” he said. “It makes it much easier.”

One of the more unique features of Tucker’s forge is his custommade hearth that uses an electric fan to blow air into the coals to either increase the heat or maintain it. Not having to pump a bellows allows him to focus more on what his hands are doing with the metal pieces he turns into beautiful projects.

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46 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

Among those projects, his knives are perhaps the most popular – to himself and customers – he said.

“A lot of work goes into these knives,” Tucker said, holding one of his finished blades. “It takes time and patience to make a knife that’s equally functional and aesthetically appealing.”

Tucker said it takes about two days from start to finish to create one of his knives, the smallest of which has 900 folds in it (the metal pieces used to make the blades are folded on top of each other to strengthen the blade and mix the metals). The finished product has a lustrous, marbled look to it that gives off metallic hues of blue, green and purple.

“It’s Damascus steel,” he said. “It’s a mixture of 1095, a high-carbon metal, and L6, a high-chrome metal.”

Tucker explained the history of Damascus steel, which was first introduced to Western eyes during the Crusades.

“The Persians’ swords were strong and sharp enough to cut through European armor and swords without losing its edge, and Crusaders couldn’t figure out why,” Tucker said. “The knives are really fun to make.

No matter how many you make, no two ever come out the same.”

Tucker uses an assortment of wood for making knife handles, but his favorite is black walnut.

“It has lots of oil, so you don’t even have to stain it,” he said. “It’s a strong wood that doesn’t splinter or flake easily.”

Blacksmiths keep their hobby going by selling their wares.

Thankfully, Tucker’s knives fetch a pretty penny. The least expensive knife Tucker had available was $175.

Perhaps one of the most prominent characteristics found in a blacksmith is his sense of pride. Tucker said blacksmiths’ work was much more difficult than their modern counterparts’ and credits them as being the forerunners to the Industrial Revolution.

“The blacksmith makes everything out of metal,” Tucker said. “He started the Industrial Revolution, the first assembly lines. Cast iron has been around since Louis XIV, who was an amateur blacksmith himself.”

And don’t even try comparing the work of a blacksmith to a welder around Tucker.

“A blacksmith actually makes something from raw steel,” he said. “He doesn’t simply cut it out of an existing piece and then piece it together.

Whatever a blacksmith makes is forge-welded into one piece.”

Nearly two decades later, Tucker’s passion for blacksmithing hasn’t let up even slightly.

“I just enjoy it,” he said. “I have a pretty good knack for it, and it’s a self-sufficient hobby. It pays for itself, therapeutically and monetarily.

Where else can I get paid to play with fire and beat things with a hammer?”

He also strongly recommends the pastime to others.

“We encourage more and more younger people to take up blacksmithing,” Tucker said. “My only regret is that I didn’t start sooner.

But you have to love it. There’s nothing clean about it; it’s hot, dirty and physically demanding. And no matter how long you’ve been doing it, it’s always a learning process.” For a look at some of Mike Tucker’s products visit his website, www.tuckersforge.com.

Sparks fly out from beneath Tucker’s hammer as he forge welds two pieces of steel together in his blacksmith shop recently.

Tucker fires up the hearth as he continues work on one of his several projects.

A set of dogwood leaves sit on a table in Tucker’s shop.

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Jay Shimburski rows closer to the edge of Kendall Lake, casting his fishing line. Shimburski gives tours on different lakes and rivers for small groups of beginners and experienced kayakers through his business Fish Green Kayak Tours.

Kayaking isn’t as complicated as it may look photos and story by RAYTEVIA EVANS 48 JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE

revans@theitem.com

A

ny time someone is talking to me and refers to spending time on the water, that person better be talking about an activity that involves a very large cruise ship with multiple levels, Caribbean music and a number of bars where I can purchase way too many margaritas to count. But recently, my experience with aquatic vessels downsized from cruise ship to kayak, and it actually turned out to be a peaceful learning experience and was just as enjoyable as a luxury cruise, sans margarita.

Although kayaking is not as popular in this region as it is in the Myrtle Beach area, it’s still possible at area lakes and state parks. Like me, some amateurs may have some apprehension about kayaking, but it’s not as complicated as it looks. Jay Shimburski, a New York native who has lived in the tri-county area since 1995, often gives quick lessons and kayak tours to beginners and experienced kayakers through his side business, Fish Green Kayak Tours.

Normally, Jay will take clients out to Goodale State Park, Lake Wateree, Kendall Lake and other surrounding lakes and rivers for fishing, exploring and connecting with nature.

“I really got into kayaking for fishing. I usually take a couple of people out at a time and tour on the river or at the lake for a few hours or a full day,” Shimburski said.

Before you get in a kayak, there are a few things you should know, Shimburski explained. When in the water, kayaks will move according to the direction of your head and the way you move. If you lean to the right, the kayak will tilt slightly to the right, and vice versa.

“That’s usually how people end up falling out of kayaks. They’re reaching in one direction for something, and the kayak turns over,” Shimburski said. “If that happens, my suggestion is to get back to the kayak as quickly as you can.”

Another thing to note is how to use the paddle, which is a key component that distinguishes kayaking from canoeing. Shimburski said to alternate paddling on the left and right. Your paddle doesn’t need to be completely submerged in the water. If you have the paddle about halfway into the water while paddling, you’ll have the most success with navigating your kayak. Paddle on your right to move the kayak left, and paddle on your left to move it right.

Through kayaking and becoming an avid fisherman, Shimburski has made friends with hundreds of South Carolinians who enjoy water sports on different lakes and rivers throughout the state.

“It’s really a social thing. It’s almost like a family. If you go out, and others are out kayaking, they’ll come up to you and just start a conversation with you,” Shimburski said. “It’s all about just being out in the wild and away from the world, enjoying nature and wildlife.”

Shimburski spends most weekends on the water and provides tours throughout the year. Tours with Fish Green Kayak Tours range from $50 to $100. Shimburski said he is available to take beginners and experienced kayakers on tours in the tri-county area. For more information about a tour, check out Fish Green Kayak Tours on Facebook.

Shimburski prepares for a day of kayaking and fishing on Kendall Lake near Lugoff.

Shimburski said he learned to kayak for fishing purposes and enjoys being on the water as often as possible.

Know before you go...

Jay Shimburski with Fish Green Kayak Tours has these tips for kayakers just starting out: • Always wear a life jacket, even if you’re a great swimmer. Shimburski said they can be uncomfortable or make a person hot during the summer months, but it’s always necessary. “If you fall out of the kayak and hit your head on something, you can’t swim, so put the life jacket on.”

• Your first try should be on a lake or calm body of water, just to get you acclimated. Don’t try to learn on a river or other large body of water.

• Don’t go out alone on your first trip.

Have an experienced person go out with you in case you find yourself in a bit of trouble.

• Take a change of clothes, for obvious reasons.

• Have a first-aid kit on hand in case of emergencies.

• The moment you feel uncomfortable or anxious, head back to shore and try it again another day.

• Have fun, and enjoy the peaceful nature around you.

JUNE - JULY 2014 | LAKESIDE 49

T

hanks to work by multiple environmentally minded agencies, a swath of land along Lake Wateree is now under the protection and management of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for public use.

Formerly known as Liberty Hill Farms, the 1,628 acres and more than 6 miles of Lancaster County shoreline were added to protected land for a total of 3,452 acres with more than 14 miles of frontage on Lake Wateree. The tract contains land in both Kershaw and Lancaster counties.

The acquisition was announced April 28 by The Conservation Fund and DNR. “The most successful conservation projects are those that result in multiple benefits,” said Jason Johnson, S.C. director of The Conservation Fund, in a DNR news release. “SCDNR will provide a natural shoreline view for the boaters on Lake Wateree

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while managing this sizable and beautiful landscape for improved water quality and enhanced public hunting and fishing access for generations to come.”

Originally meant for residential development, the property across from Lake Wateree State Park went up for sale when those plans did not pan out, and it was purchased by The Conservation Fund. This move provided DNR with the time to secure funding for permanent protection.

The money came from the following: • South Carolina Heritage Trust Fund; • Lancaster County Water Recreation Fund; • Lancaster County Game and Fish Fund; • Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program; and • South Carolina Conservation Bank.

“Liberty Hill is an important tract due to its location centrally

Preparing for the future by protecting the present

DNR takes on more land along Lake Wateree

by JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com photos provided

in the state,” said Marvin Davant, executive director of the S.C. Conservation Bank. “I think it is a truly unique tract because of its topography, water access and natural resources. … We are glad that we had an opportunity to partner in this property for its importance to the Midlands for recreation and economics of the area (as well as) to the state.”

The property contains hardwood coves, mixed pine-hardwood slopes, loblolly pine ridgetops and open meadows that provide habitat for numerous wildlife species including white-tailed deer, turkey and quail, according to the release. Other notable species found on the site include bald eagles, wading birds, crayfish and numerous species identified in South Carolina’s State Wildlife Action Plan as priority species for conservation action.

Also found on the tract are 100-year-old longleaf pines and unique

granite boulders that lend the nickname “the Devil’s Backbone” to the region, the release states.

“The tract is another example of DNR’s longstanding commitment to habitat protection and enhancing public access for our constituents,” said Alvin Taylor, DNR director. “Not only does this acquisition protect water quality and the scenic viewshed, but it also provides the public with additional lands to enjoy outdoor recreational activities. We are thankful for our partners who assisted in this project and especially for The Conservation Fund’s efforts in negotiating and purchasing the property.”

The tract will continue to be a working forest. Future timber management activities will entail selective thinning and prescribed fire to enhance plant and animal habitat as well as the reintroduction of longleaf and shortleaf pine.

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Higher water levels should make anglers happy

by ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com

W

hile higher water levels might worry some lake homeowners and make some hobbies a little more difficult to enjoy, expert angler Don Drose Sr. said it should certainly make things easier for fishing.

“Everything’s looking good, right now,” Drose said. “All this rain should help out quite a bit as it collects upstream and flows into the lakes.”

Currently, Drose said catfish are doing well all around the lake, especially in the Wyboo area.

“Folks seem to be having quite a bit of luck using cut bait out there,” he said.

With temperatures on the rise, Drose said night fishing will be exceptionally productive if you’re looking for catfish.

“That’s probably the best way to fish for them,” he said. “Just use shad or live perch at a depth of about 4 to 6 feet.”

As for bass, Drose said the coming hot weather should make them even more accessible in the open water.

“That hot, hot sun is going to heat up the shallows quite a bit, which will send the bass out to the deeper waters,” he said. “That’ll especially be true once the spawning season ends.”

Crappie fishing has also been reportedly good so far this season.

Drose suggests using shiners at a depth of about 10 to 15 feet.

“Some fishermen are having a lot of luck catching crappie with small jigs near brush piles,” he said. “It’s definitely worth a try, in my opinion.”

The Lake Marion guru said he isn’t aware of any law changes at the moment, but said most anglers know when to look for them.

“Look for those changes to come down around July 1, if there are any,” Drose said. “There are several websites that follow wildlife legal matters.”

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