A PUBLICATION OF MPD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
MAY 2025
Knocking It Out of the Park
Miracle League gives everyone a chance to play ball
MPD Electric Cooperative supports Miracle League of Florence County, which gives special-needs individuals of all ages the opportunity to play baseball in a safe and encouraging environment.
PHOTO BY MPD STAFF
Cooperative
mpd.coop
OFFICE LOCATIONS
1301 E. Pocket Road
P.O. Box 100561
Florence, SC 29502
843-665-4070
676 Highway 9 East
P.O. Box 1057
Bennettsville, SC 29512
843-479-3855
REPORT POWER OUTAGES
866-747-0060
OFFICE HOURS
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
PRESIDENT/CEO
William L. Fleming Jr.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
John Alford
Melvin Carabo
Preston Gainey
James Goodson
Eddie Gordon
David Howell
Sam P. “Bo” McInnis Jr., Chairman
Robert Norton
Hamer Parnell
Jeff Quick, Secretary
Ronald “Ronnie” Quick
William “Buster” Rogers, Chaplain
Janelle Sauls
LaShon Sellers, Vice Chairman
Charles R. “Ricky” Smith
Don R. Teal
Patricia Ann Toney
Lee C. White
CO-OP NEWS EDITORS
Katie W. Wilcox, CCC email: kwilcox@mpd.coop
Matt Haynie email: mhaynie@mpd.coop
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to serve the energy needs of our members today and in the future at the lowest cost consistent with sound economic principles and management.
MPD Electric Cooperative Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Remembering Those Who’ve Served and Sacrificed
Each May, our nation celebrates Memorial Day on the last Monday of the month to honor United States Armed Forces members who have sacrificed their lives for our country. Often, you see flags and flowers placed at the graves of these men and women who heroically gave it all. The National Moment of Remembrance asks people to pause for one minute, wherever they may be, at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day to remember these heroes.
Flag etiquette for Memorial Day is specific. At sunrise, the flag is raised briskly to full staff. Then, it is lowered to half-staff, where it remains until noon as a sign of mourning and remembrance. It is then raised to full staff for the remainder of the day, signifying moving from mourning to honor.
Memorial Day weekend is particularly special at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, where special events in remembrance of the fallen are held each day. Local World War II hero William G. “Billy” Farrow is buried there. He was a Darlington native who attended St. John’s High School and graduated from the University of South Carolina.
A lieutenant in the United States Air Force, Farrow volunteered for the Dolittle Raid on April 18, 1942—an attack on Japan in retaliation to the recent invasion at Pearl Harbor. At the time, the mission was secret, and its target was unknown to the men who would be carrying it out. They knew, however, it would be dangerous. Some of the flight training for the mission took place in Columbia.
Of the 16 crews involved, with five members aboard each plane, 14 returned after the mission. Billy was the pilot of the B25 aircraft named “Bat Out of Hell,” and its mission was to bomb the Mitsubishi Aircraft Factory near Nagoya, Japan. He and his men successfully completed their mission, but the aircraft ran out of fuel 16 hours after departure. Farrow and his fellow soldiers were forced to bail out in a Japanese-controlled part of China.
The men were found by Japanese military, who captured and tortured them. They were imprisoned and sentenced to death. While some sentences were reduced to life in prison, Farrow’s was not. He and two others were shot by a firing squad on Oct. 15. His ashes were recovered after the war and brought to Arlington National Cemetery. He was 24 when he died. He was posthumously awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple Heart.
As a student, Farrow wrote some rules for life, which were shared after his death in newspapers around the nation as, “An American’s Creed for Victory.” In his notes, which he titled, “My Future,” he detailed his weaknesses and what he must do to better himself. Among these notes, he wrote he would work hard each day, not get distracted or discouraged, keep his body and mind clear, fear nothing and stay close to God.
Let this story of Lt. Farrow be a reminder of those who bravely sacrificed their own lives for the freedom of others. John 15:13 states, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
We give heartfelt thanks to all who did this for us. We are forever in your debt.
ROBERT NORTON Trustee
CEO Michael Shepard
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CONTENT
Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Chasity Anderson, CCC
SC CURRENTS EDITORS
Jennifer Paton, CCC
Valeri Saldanha Rosa
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Victoria Hampton, CCC
David Herder, CCC
Sable Riley, CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Nina Todea
SENIOR MANAGER, PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION
Elizabeth Beatty
SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
South Carolina Currents (issue 72) is published monthly, except in December, by Pioneer Utility Resources, 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Preferred periodical postage permit number 23830 paid at Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 and additional mailing offices.
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HOW TO CONTACT CURRENTS
Have a problem receiving your edition of South Carolina Currents? Utility members should contact MPD Electric Cooperative.
Reprint permission: Direct all requests to Pioneer Utility Resources.
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Spring Into
the Season With Fresh Asparagus
It’s time to start thinking of asparagus as a Southern
Willie Wiredhand is the longtime mascot and spokesplug of electric cooperatives around the United States. He was adopted in 1951 by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Here’s your task: Willie is hidden somewhere in every issue of Currents. See if you can find this friendly face among the news and stories as you read!
vegetable Page 34 Page 12
Knocking
Story and photos by MPD Staff
On a warm spring evening, baseball players arrive at Florence’s Greenwood Athletic Park wearing their uniforms, gloves and bats in hand. Nearby, families unload their cars,
carrying water bottles and snacks toward the field. It’s Thursday night at the ball field, and excitement is in the air.
But this evening looks a little different than games at other ball fields. Some players are wheeled onto the field, while
It Out
others are led hand-in-hand by a family member. Some players chat with one another, while others are completely silent. These are the players of the Miracle League of Florence County’s baseball teams.
Sydney Johnson high-fives MPD employee Matt Haynie after Liam Fleming assists with her first home run at the end of the night.
Anniya Mouzon steps up to bat as the crowd cheers her on.
Batter Up!
of the Park
Miracle League gives everyone a chance to play ball
Miracle League of Florence County gives special-needs individuals of all ages the opportunity to play baseball in a safe and encouraging environment. For seven weeks each spring and fall, Miracle League players take the field for three-inning, onehour games. Everyone gets a chance to bat in each inning, and everyone crosses home plate.
Volunteers from local organizations help players bat and run the bases while cheering them on. The volunteers also offer family members a chance to rest and just enjoy watching the game. These organizations also sponsor a postgame hot dog dinner. Over the years, many local businesses, schools, clubs and sports teams have gotten to know these families.
The first official Miracle League season in 2014 featured four teams totaling 44 participants. The 2025 season has nearly 300 athletes divided into 16 teams. To accommodate the growing number of players, games are spread across two nights each week, with four games played each night.
Making the Field
When the league first began, teams played at Florence’s Greenwood and Delmae baseball fields. But after a rain, those fields were often unsuitable for players who use wheelchairs.
Using funds provided by the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation and the Betty S. Campbell Foundation, the Miracle League built its first rubberized field at Greenwood Athletic Park in 2017. Funds collected through the Florence County sales tax built the second field, which opened in fall 2024.
Through other fundraisers— including an annual oyster roast and the Miracle Masters golf tournament organized by Kirby Anderson of Raldex Hospitality—the field now has its own concession stand, press box and accessible bathrooms.
MPD employee Siedah Narcisso joins Miracle League team member Alex Kelly on first base during the first game of the night.
Currently, the Miracle League is selling engravable bricks to pave the path to the facility. The playground next to the field is also accessible, with a rubber floor and specialized swings with seatbelts.
‘This Is Our Happy Place’ Vickie Elliott—who serves on the Miracle
League of Florence County Board along with her husband, Kevin, a former West Florence High School baseball coach— recalls the league’s early days.
“My husband and I played ball our whole lives,” she says. “But we had a son who we believed would never get to play.”
When the Elliotts were asked if their son, Matthew, would be interested in
playing on a new “buddy ball” team the Florence County Parks and Recreation Department was organizing, they eagerly agreed. Matthew, now 29, has epilepsy and has had multiple surgeries. He has been donning his Miracle League uniform for more than a decade.
“This is our passion, and it has been a dream come true for Matthew to get to play baseball, the game we love so much,” Vickie says. “This is our happy place.”
the games. He calls up each player to the plate, playing walk-up music and encouraging players to have a dance-off when a popular song plays.
“If you’re having a bad day, you come here, and you forget about all of your problems,” he says.
Vickie and Kevin’s involvement with that county program helped launch the Miracle League. Other board members are Christy Evans, Billy Hunt, Meagan Johnson, Jennifer Maxey, Ronnie Pridgen, Kandee Shelor and Donna Sullivan.
Each year the Miracle League chooses a volunteer of the year, and the 2024 winners are board member Kandee Shelor and her husband, Chris. The Shelors and their two sons, who both played baseball at West Florence High School, have volunteered for many years encouraging and assisting players.
Recently MPD Electric employees served as buddies for four Miracle League teams and provided the traditional
postgame hot dogs. Thanks to donations collected through Operation Round-Up, MPD was also able to give the Miracle League a $2,500 check to help with its plans to build another concession stand and more accessible bathrooms.
“It was an honor to play alongside these resilient heroes of the Miracle League,” MPD Electric President and CEO Wiliam Fleming Jr. says. “I saw so many smiles coming from the players, families and our own team. A glimpse of true joy in this life can come from serving others, and we were all blessed to experience that on this special night.”
Ronnie serves as an announcer for
Coach Kevin Elliot and MPD employee Thomas Freeman help Brielle Orias onto first base.
Matthew Elliot is joined by “Homer,” Miracle League’s mascot, on third base.
This is our passion, and it has been a dream come true for Matthew to get to play baseball, the game we love so much.
—Vickie Elliott, Miracle League of Florence County board member
Where in the Community?
Every month, MPD Electric Cooperative features a new, recognizable spot from somewhere in the Pee Dee. Check out next month’s page for the answer.
Trinity Episcopal Church on Burns Street in Society Hill is the oldest remaining church structure in Darlington County. Incorporated in 1833, the church was consecrated by Rev. Nathaniel Bowen and established by the Dewitt, Edwards, Evans, Hanford, Hawes, McCollough, Williams and Witherspoon families. The simple wood structure is distinguished by its bell tower and grand Gothic revival-style windows. The church was never wired for electricity or gas, and remains as originally built, except for the addition of a chancel in 1865. The original box pews and gallery benches remain intact. The church became inactive in 1931, but it still holds one service a year to honor its historical significance to the community.
Asparagus, peas and herbs embody the fresh flavors of spring. When selecting asparagus, choose spears that are tightly closed.
Spring Into the Season With Fresh Asparagus
It's time to start thinking of asparagus as a Southern vegetable
Story and photos by
Libby Wiersema
If spring had a flavor, it would be asparagus. While we may have access yearround to bundles grown in Mexico and other countries, it is not nearly as delicious as spears grown right here in South Carolina. If you have never thought of asparagus as a Southern vegetable, it is time you did. There is no better time to change your perspective than spring.
Asparagus Kings
The rural town of Monetta might be bestknown for the Big Mo’ drive-in theater, but asparagus was its claim to fame long before talking pictures came along. The farmland, which straddles two counties, is home to Watsonia Farms in Saluda County and Monetta Asparagus Farm in Aiken County. Both have a storied history of asparagus
growing and shipping.
When the Watsons of Watsonia Farms established the Monetta Asparagus Association, it put our farmers on the map. In fact, in the late 1800s, Monetta was known as the asparagus capital of the world. Growers in that area coordinated and strategized. Their aim: to satisfy the enormous asparagus appetite of New York City millionaires and turn a good profit by ensuring their crops were the first to hit the NYC markets each spring. That allowed them to leverage higher prices.
Edible Palmetto
Farmers in the Charleston area were also growing asparagus, specifically the hybrid variety known as Palmetto, which was distinctively thick but tender. From the Lowcountry up through the Midlands, a kind of asparagus belt was established and
put into motion. But being first to market was not the only reason our asparagus was in high demand. It also tasted better thanks to high amounts of iodine in the soil.
Alas, the Palmetto variety eventually lost its luster as newer varieties emerged and skinny asparagus spears became all the rage during the 1920s. It was enough to knock the mighty Palmetto off its veggie pedestal. Today, efforts are underway in Monetta to revive the lost Palmetto. In the meantime, Watsonia Farms and Monetta Asparagus Farm are still growing great asparagus. Many of South Carolina’s farmto-table restaurants feature their asparagus on spring menus.
Local Growers
There are a few small farms nearby that grow asparagus. Among them is Sophronia’s Farm in Lynchburg, which
Springtime Asparagus,
Pea and Herb Salad
1 pound fresh asparagus
2 cups fresh green peas
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
¼ cup pinenuts or sunflower seeds, lightly toasted and cooled
1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Rinse asparagus under cold, running water and trim off woody ends. Blanche asparagus in boiling water for 1 minute.
Using tongs, remove asparagus and immediately plunge into an ice water bath to stop the cooking. Drain on paper towels. Cut into thirds, and transfer to a salad bowl with the peas and chopped herbs. Add cheese and pinenuts or sunflower seeds. Prepare the dressing by whisking all the ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle over the asparagus mixture. Toss lightly, then distribute among four plates. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.
usually offers asparagus at this time of year at Florence’s City Center Farmers Market. Ellerbe Farms in Timmonsville is another local grower of organic green and purple spears. You can find them for sale at the farm's market on the corner of Alligator and Oliver roads in Florence. Check each farms’ Facebook pages for availability.
1/3 Of course, you can try your hand at growing your own asparagus, but be forewarned that in addition to a green thumb, you need a modicum of patience. Once the crowns are planted, it typically takes three years to get your first yield. But what a thrill to see those first shoots rising from the ground.
If you lack a green thumb or the patience to coax beautiful vegetables from the earth, patronize your local farmers markets for amazing asparagus.
Asparagus Tips
No matter where you buy your spears, follow these tips from Clemson Extension to ensure you are buying the best asparagus:
• Choose unwithered spears with tightly closed tips.
• Store fresh asparagus three to four days in the refrigerator. Trim the ends, and wrap them in a wet paper towel.
• You can extend freshness by loosely arranging spears upright in a large glass or vase with a bit of water. Change the water whenever it appears cloudy.
• Before preparing, rinse the spears under running water to remove grit, especially near the tip.
• Trim away the cut end of the spear until only the tender portion of the stalk remains.
Asparagus delivers vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium and folate. It is also a versatile vegetable that can be prepared and served in many ways without a huge investment of time. Steaming, blanching, stir-frying, oven-roasting and grilling are all fantastic ways to cook asparagus. Even raw, you can enjoy its signature crispness and sweetness.
Ready to spring into the fresh flavors of asparagus? Above is a recipe that embodies everything about the season—the color, freshness, brightness, textures, earthiness and simplicity. n
Libby Wiersema writes about dining, food trends and the state’s culinary history for Discover South Carolina as well as other print and online media. Contact her at libbyscarolinaspoon@gmail.com or visit the Carolina Spoon Facebook page at facebook.com/SClibby.1111.
A lemony vinaigrette brightens the earthy notes of this asparagus springtime salad.
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By Dave LaBelle
I must have been 10 or 11 years old the day my mother drove 10 miles, took me out of my junior high class and rushed me home so I could watch my cat have kittens. Recognizing education comes in many packages, she figured me witnessing a cat giving birth was as valuable as what I might miss in the classroom that day. I didn’t have a camera yet, or I am sure I would have photographed the educational event. However, in the decades following, I photographed numerous animal and human births. Watching new life enter our world never gets old.
I like to think I’m a positive guy who usually doesn’t allow the hard things in life to get me down and to embrace the biblical admonition of focusing on things that are good and lovely. However, sometimes I can slip into dark moods. After all, a person can take only so much lying, cheating, posturing, stealing and killing. Watching animals in person or online, especially parents caring for their newborns, helps push away those poisons.
I was in a melancholy mood this past week, troubled too deeply about the state of our country, until a video of a baby elephant snuggling humans tickled me. It felt good to laugh. And then I watched rare footage shot from the mouth of a mountain lion den as a mother played with her kittens. Finally, I became engrossed with a livestream of bald eagles hatching eggs at California’s Big Bear Lake.
Reader Challenge
This is the time of year a lot of creatures give birth. Explore to see if you can find a spot to observe new life entering the world. This might be a nest near a lake or in a backyard tree. Perhaps you know where there’s an active fox den or a large hole in a tree where raccoons or squirrels have chosen to bring their young into the world.
Without disturbing, see if you can capture new life and the behavior as the offspring ventures into the world. I can’t wait to see what you find.
Email your best image (just one) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to gph@pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
I was again reminded how amazing our natural world is.
Just as a slow walk in nature calms my spirit and reminds me of the awe-inspiring creation we inhabit, watching baby animals enter the world and witnessing the care of their parents lifts my spirit.
Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century, sharing photo tips and life perspectives with readers. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog at bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
MPD Electric Industry Spotlight Domtar
Domtar has significantly impacted our community as one of MPD Electric’s largest industrial customers.
Since its opening in 1990, the Domtar mill in Bennettsville has provided area residents with world-class quality products and topnotch career opportunities.
The Marlboro Mill produces a variety of uncoated papers including copy paper, envelope papers, forms bond, tablet papers and point-of-sale papers along with market pulp bales.
Production capacity for the mill is 274,000 short tons annual paper production capacity and 324,000 air dry metric tons annual pulp capacity. The mill also generates green power from biomass fuels to help power operations.
The Bennettsville location employs nearly 350 people, including 250 technicians and 90 salaried positions. The jobs at the mill encompass a variety of skills and specialized roles including in paper machine and pulp dryer operations, pulping and chip production, steam and power generation, and chemical recovery processes. Functional roles include safety and quality control, environmental and technical services, training and human resources, maintenance and reliability, logistics and shipping, finance, purchasing and administration.
The mill also supports approximately 300 local jobs indirectly and has a regional economic impact estimated at $700 million.
Domtar demonstrates its commitment to the community by investing more than $60,000 annually to support growth and wellbeing. Some of the ways the mill contributes include:
• Serving meals at Bennettsville Community Kitchen.
• Providing breakfast and gift bags for Bennettsville Intermediate School’s Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week.
• Teaching papermaking to middle school students.
• Volunteering at the Pee Dee Coalition’s New Beginnings Transitional Shelter for abuse victims.
• Supporting the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Department with drone purchases, training center, Back-To-School Night and employee appreciation.
• Contributing to United Charities of Marlboro County.
• Sponsoring the Marlboro County High School Athletic Booster Club.
• Donating relief supplies to Hurricane Helene efforts.
• Partnering with the Marlboro Chamber of Commerce.
• Participating in the Rotary Club of Bennettsville.
• Engaging in Marlboro County National Night Out.
• Sponsoring the Marlboro Players Theater.
• Supporting the Marlboro County Humane Society.
• Contributing to the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
• Donating to Marlboro County High School.
• Offering scholarships to local high school students pursuing STEM-related degrees.
Over the years, technological and core equipment upgrades have been essential to maintain the Bennettsville mill’s status as a world-class facility. Significant changes include:
• 2010: Installation of a turbine generator, enhancing energy efficiency by generating electrical power and using biomass fuelbased steam produced in the mill’s processes.
• 2013: Conversion to produce a growing need of lighter weight specialty paper grades (point-of-sale thermal coated base stock and TLE grades).
Looking ahead, the mill continues to focus on innovation and efficiency to stay competitive and meet market demands.
Weekend Projects to Help Save
By Abby Berry
If you are considering home improvement upgrades that save energy and money, here are a few project ideas for you—all of which can be completed in a day or less.
Get smart about home cooling and heating. Cooling and heating the home typically account for a large portion of the energy bill. Smart thermostats can help keep cooling and heating costs in check, with Energy Star-certified models saving about 8% on annual energy costs.
Now that smart thermostats are more affordable—as little as $70—this simple upgrade makes for an efficient weekend project. The average smart thermostat model allows custom temperature schedules and the ability to adjust the settings from a phone. Over time, it learns your cooling and heating preferences.
A new smart thermostat comes with step-by-step instructions, but this project typically involves
shutting off the HVAC at the breaker panel, disconnecting/removing the old thermostat, installing the new smart thermostat and connecting it to the home Wi-Fi.
Remember to carefully read the installation instructions before getting started.
Go green and boost greenery with a rain barrel. If you have a green thumb, you already know rainwater is the best water for outdoor plants. Rainwater is free of minerals, salts and treatment chemicals found in tap water or groundwater. It also contains macronutrients to foster healthy plant growth.
Installing a rain barrel is an easy way to harvest rainwater and reduce home water use—it’s a win-win. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, one rain barrel can save a homeowner 1,300 gallons of water annually.
Most residential rain barrels range from 50 to 90 gallons, so the size needed depends on your watering tendencies.
the barrel to keep insects and small debris out of the harvested water.
Create fresh savings with a DIY clothesline. If outdoor space is available, installing a clothesline is a way to save energy. Not only do you save on dryer costs, but cooling costs drop in the summer because unwanted heat from the clothes dryer is not added to the home.
Additionally, air drying is better on fabrics and keeps clothes and linens looking fresh longer.
Create a clothesline with two T-posts, wire and hook-and-eye turnbuckles. Depending on the soil, a small amount of concrete may be needed to set the posts. Another option is installing the line between two trees.
The simplest way to install a rain barrel is positioning a plastic or wooden barrel directly under a gutter downspout. Basic piping may be required, but the barrel will not take up much space.
Consider a cover for the top of
A typical load of laundry requires about 35 feet of line, so keep this in mind when determining the best location.
If an outdoor clothesline is not an option, create or buy an indoor drying rack that folds to save space. Home improvement websites such as thespruce.com and hgtv. com offer step-by-step tutorials for a variety of indoor clothes racks.
These are just a few simple ideas to help save energy and money. Get out there, roll up those sleeves and tackle a few projects.
Across
Across Language of Australia (7)
1 Language of Australia (7)
5 Siblings like Jacob and Esau (5)
8 Rules for speaking and writing (7)
9 Human ____; a person (5)
10 What avocados don’t do until they’re picked (5)
Siblings like Jacob and Esau (5)
11 Perform a surgery (7)
12 Lisa, to Bart Simpson (6)
14 A short, indefinite period of time (6)
Rules for speaking and writing (7)
17 Math equation (7)
19 Pause or hinder (5)
22 Ways out of a building (5)
23 Sooner than expected (7)
24 Dog’s favorite word, probably (5)
Human ____: A person (5)
25 Building location (7)
Down
What avocados don't do until they're picked (5)
1 ___ beaver (industrious one) (5)
2 Take hold of something (5)
3 Enormous or vast (7)
4 “Friday the 13th” genre (6)
Perform a surgery (7)
5 Dining platform (5)
6 Flatter most sincerely (7)
7 Divvy up, as an orange (7)
Lisa, to Bart Simpson (6)
12 Superlative in tissue commercials (7)
13 Periodic inspection and overhaul of a car or machine; or, employment in the armed forces (7)
A short indefinite period of time (6) Math equation (7)
15 Gave commands (7)
16 ____split (6)
18 Knocks off the favorite (5)
Pause or hinder (5)
Ways out of a building (5)
Sooner than expected (7)
Dog's favorite word, probably (5) Building
(7)
— Gene H.
Tactical Meets Practical
Switzerland is synonymous with expensive, big-name luxury watches like Rolex®, Piaget® and Patek Philippe® that sell for thousands, but the Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch delivers Swiss precision for a fraction of the cost. Inspired by military timepieces like the American A-11, it combines rugged performance, simplicity, and legendary craftsmanship — built for action, not display cases.
Precision Takes Time
Swiss excellence demands patience. Each Stauer Swiss Tactical takes nearly nine months to complete, and this is a limited edition of 4,900. Crafted by master watchmakers, some of whom have worked with the other prestigious brands, this is your chance to own a rare, precision-engineered tactical watch without the inflated luxury price tag.
Why Pay for a Name?
Big brands charge more for status. Stauer delivers the same quality and precision with high-contrast markers for instant readability, a shock-resistant case to withstand hard knocks and Swiss-made movement for impeccable timing.
Limited Offer – Act Now
Don’t miss this rare combination of Swiss craftsmanship and unbeatable value. Only 4,900 available — once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Why pay more when you can own precision, heritage, and adventure for less? Order now — time is running out.
Watch Specifications:
• Made in Switzerland with precision Swiss Ronda 515 movement. Stainless steel caseback. Brown leather band
• 44 mm diameter case. Date window at 3 o’clock
• Water-resistant to 3 ATM. Fits wrists up to 8 ¼”
Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch
$399 $59* + S & P Save $340
*Special price only for customers using the offer code.
Roll, Fold and Feast
TURN TO TORTILLAS
Easy Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas
2 8-inch flour tortillas
2 tablespoons tomato sauce (may substitute spaghetti, pizza or marinara sauce)
10 to 12 slices pepperoni
6 to 8 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
Butter
Additional tomato sauce
Spread tomato sauce evenly over entire tortilla in a thin layer. Add pepperoni, covering half of each tortilla.
Sprinkle the pepperoni with a layer of cheese. Fold over the top of the tortilla. Melt a bit of butter in a skillet. Place two quesadillas in the skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat until lightly browned.
While the first side of the quesadilla is cooking, lightly butter the other side of each tortilla. Flip over the tortillas, and cook until the second side is browned. Remove the quesadillas from the pan. Let rest for a few minutes, then slice each tortilla into quarters or thirds. Serve with warm tomato sauce for dipping.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
ADOBE STOCK
PHOTO BY CIRCLEPS
Fiesta Pinwheels
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup picante sauce
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Dash garlic powder
4.5-ounce can chopped olives, drained
4-ounce can chopped green chiles
1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup thinly sliced green onions
8 10-inch flour tortillas, warmed Salsa
In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, picante sauce, taco seasoning and garlic powder until smooth. Stir in olives, chiles, cheese and onions. Spread about ½ cup on each tortilla. Roll up jelly-roll style.
Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Skillet
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1½ teaspoons chili powder
¼ teaspoon oregano
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 cup sour cream
6 to 7 regular-sized flour tortillas, cut into bitesized pieces
7.5 ounces black beans, drained
14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup shredded cheese
Taco Lasagna Recipe
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16-ounce jar salsa, divided
12 8-inch corn or flour tortillas, divided
16 ounces sour cream, divided
16 ounces shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
Heat oven to 350 F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a plate. Pour off any fat from the skillet.
Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining olive oil. Heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Return the beef and any juices to the skillet. Add black beans, and stir to combine. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and black pepper. Stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Pour ¼ cup salsa into a 9-by-13 baking dish. Pour the remaining salsa into the skillet. Stir to combine.
To assemble the lasagna, spread out the salsa in the baking dish into a thin layer. Arrange four tortillas in a single layer on top of the salsa, overlapping them as needed. Dollop and spread ⅔ cup of the sour cream. Spoon half of the meat mixture over the sour cream. Spread in an even layer. Sprinkle with 1⅓ cups of cheese.
Repeat layering the following: four tortillas, ⅔ cup sour cream, the remaining meat mixture and 1⅓ cups shredded cheese. Top with the remaining four tortillas and ⅔ cup sour cream. Sprinkle with the remaining 1⅓ cups cheese.
Cover. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Slice into 1-inch pieces before serving with salsa. Do
Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
In a large skillet, heat butter until melted. Stir in flour, and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in chicken broth. Stir until sauce is smooth and thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir chili powder, oregano, salt and pepper into the sauce.
Add chicken breasts to the pan. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan, and shred into bite-sized pieces.
Stir sour cream into the sauce. Return the chicken to the skillet. Add tortilla pieces, black beans and tomatoes. Stir until combined, then top with shredded cheese.
Cover skillet and cook until bubbly and the cheese is melted, about 5-8 minutes.
Freezer Burritos
1¼ pounds lean ground beef
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1¼ cups salsa
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
½ cup water
2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 8-inch flour tortillas, warmed
In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes, breaking meat into crumbles. Drain. Stir in salsa and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl, then set aside.
In a food processor, combine water and beans. Cover. Process until almost smooth. Add to beef, and stir in cheese.
Spoon ½ cup beef mixture down the center of each tortilla. Fold ends and sides over filling. Roll up. Wrap each burrito in waxed paper and foil. Freeze for up to one month.
To heat frozen burritos: Remove foil and waxed paper. Place one burrito on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high until a thermometer reads 165 F, about 3 minutes, turning burrito over once. Let stand for 20 seconds.
Which Soil Should Not
all soils are interchangeable
ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY LOVELYDAY12
Should I Use?
By Robin Howard
Choosing the right soil type is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your garden. While they might seem interchangeable, potting soil, potting mix, garden soil, and topsoil serve separate purposes and have unique compositions that make them suitable for different applications.
Potting Mix for Containers
Potting mix doesn’t contain any soil. It’s made up of a mixture of peat moss, sphagnum moss, coconut coir, vermiculite (a mica-type of mineral) and perlite (a mineral that resembles Styrofoam), which makes it much more fluffy than potting soil. The fluffiness allows air and water to circulate at the roots, which makes healthier plants.
Potting mix is sterile, so you won’t introduce pathogens into your containers. Choose a potting mix for indoor and outdoor potted plants or for starting seeds.
Potting or Garden Soil for Beds
Potting soil is real dirt; it’s heavy, dense and can become waterlogged if unamended, so it’s not a good choice for containers.
It isn’t sterile, so it may contain weed seeds and fungi.
Choose potting soil for gardening in a landscape, elevated planters or raised beds. Though it will have adequate nutrients, such as organic compost, you’ll need to add amendments to improve texture and drainage from the start.
Use garden soil to establish new vegetable or flower beds, improve soil that’s been overused or stripped of its top layer, or refresh your garden beds each spring.
Topsoil for Good Foundations
Topsoil is the top 2 to 8 inches of dirt in yards, gardens or fields.
When organic material breaks down, it mixes with microorganisms to create a nutrient-rich soil layer essential for growing trees and plants. Most new construction homes have had the topsoil layer stripped during the building process, so fortifying a new garden with topsoil will generate better returns.
Replenish topsoil in any area that has had erosion from flooding or heavy rain, has been compacted by foot traffic or has sprouted a dense crop of weeds. If your garden gets a heavy blanket of pine needles each year, adding new topsoil in the spring helps reduce the acidity.
Be sure the topsoil is appropriate for your location; different types can be heavier in clay, silt, sand, chalk, peat or loam.
Sustainable Choices: Moving Beyond Peat
Many traditional soil mixes contain peat moss harvested from peat bogs. These bogs are vital carbon sinks and unique ecosystems that take thousands of years to form. Harvesting peat releases significant carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Eco-conscious gardeners have been moving away from peat and embracing alternatives such as coconut coir, bark, leaf mold or compost. If you’re growing fruits or vegetables, organic soil options keep synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals out of your kitchen and local waterways.
When shopping for soil, look for the Organic Materials Review Institute label to ensure it meets organic standards.
By selecting the right soil for each gardening project and prioritizing sustainable, organic options, you'll support healthier plants and contribute to healthier ecosystems. Remember, even the best soil will need occasional refreshing and amending to maintain its quality as plants consume nutrients and organic matter naturally breaks down over time. n
WHY IS THE OCEAN SALTY?
Let’s start with a quick geology lesson— don’t worry, no pop quiz at the end. The ocean’s saltiness results from billions of years of water interacting with rocks, soil and the atmosphere.
Here’s the simplified version: Water is a universal solvent, meaning it can dissolve a wide range of substances, including the sodium and chloride ions that make up table salt. When rainwater hits rocks, it slowly breaks down minerals, particularly those rich in sodium—the same thing that gives potato chips their addictive salty crunch—and chloride.
it carried along these minerals. So, the salty goodness that gives the sea its characteristic flavor has been building up for eons.
When rainwater falls on the land, it dissolves minerals and salts from rocks and dirt and turns them into ions. These ions then get carried into rivers, which eventually dump them into the sea. Over time, the salt accumulates and produces the ocean seasoning we know as sea salt.
But where did the salt come from initially? Well, the Earth has a rocky past. When the planet was still a hot mess of volcanic activity, it released gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor. These gases combined with the minerals from the Earth’s crust, and when the water began to cool and condense into oceans,
Now, you might think, “OK, cool, why aren’t lakes and rivers salty?” Sometimes, they can be. Oceans have no natural outlet, meaning they don’t lose salt like lakes or rivers. Instead, the salt stays there and accumulates over time.
However, lakes and rivers can evaporate. When the water turns to vapor, it leaves salt behind. For example, the Great Salt Lake in Utah is a relic of Lake Bonneville, a massive freshwater lake that existed 32,000 years ago. At one time, it covered most of Utah, Nevada and Idaho, then the water level dropped suddenly, creating the Great Salt Lake we know.
the remaining water. This is why the water in the tropics, where it’s hotter, tends to be saltier.
All this salt is important for the ocean’s ecosystem and circulation. The salinity of the water helps regulate ocean currents which, in turn, control the global climate. Salt also affects the density of seawater, which influences how water moves around the globe, ensuring heat gets distributed evenly around the planet.
Next time you dip your toes into the ocean, take a moment to appreciate that this salty, infinite stretch of water has been seasoning the planet since the dawn of time.
Rivers can be partly salty, such as the Arizona, Hudson and Mississippi rivers. The Mississippi has been getting saltier and saltier due to the ocean pushing water farther upstream toward New Orleans.
While the ocean doesn’t lose much salt, it does lose water, and some geographies lose more water than others. As the sun heats the ocean’s surface, water evaporates, leaving a higher concentration of salt in
Ed Salley is MPD’s IT guy. Ed not only knows a lot about technology, he knows a lot about everything. Send your question to asked@ mpd.coop, and it may be featured in next month’s Ask Ed column.
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Fun Festivals&
MAY 9-11
‘Spongebob The Musical: Youth Edition’
Just like the series, this familyfriendly event will be sure to entertain. For tickets, visit www. orencelittletheatre.org.
FLORENCE LITTLE THEATRE
417 S. Dargan St., Florence
MAY 10
Darlington Community Concert Series
This free event features Tru Sol Band, performing Motown hits, classic oldies, ’70s and ’80s hits, and today’s pop and R&B hits. For more information, visit www.cityofdarlington.com.
7-10 p.m.
VIRGIL WELLS STADIUM Magnolia Street, Darlington
MAY 14
Eats on the Street
Enjoy food trucks on the second Wednesday of each month.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. South Railroad Avenue and South Plaza, Downtown Dillon
MAY 15
Town of Cheraw Third Thursday Concert
A free concert for the family. Bring a chair or blanket (no coolers). Shop and dine in downtown Cheraw and show your receipt at the Cheraw Recreation tent to enter a drawing. In case of rain, the event will be at Cheraw Community Center.
7-9 p.m.
CENTENNIAL PARK
200 Market St., Cheraw
31
MAY 14
Downtown Dillon Eats on the Streets
MAY 16-18
‘Shrek the Musical JR.’
Based on the Oscar-winning lm, Shrek leads a cast of mis ts on an adventure to rescue a princess. For tickets, visit www. orencelittletheatre. org.
FLORENCE LITTLE THEATRE
417 S. Dargan St., Florence
MAY
Ribs and Rods
ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY HUAWOON
MAY 26
Run For the Heroes 5K, 10K and Fun Run
Start your Memorial Day o by remembering those who died while on active duty and by burning some calories in this annual run. There is a military tribute prior to the race, and registered participants receive a red, white and blue pancake breakfast following the race. Registration is required, visit runsignup.com/Race/SC/ Florence/RunfortheHeroes.
7:30-11 a.m.
ST. ANTHONY’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
2536 Ho meyer Road, Florence
MAY 30
Films at the Farm:
‘The Princess Diaries’ A magical evening under the stars awaits you with the beloved “The Princess Diaries.” Dress in your coziest, most fabulous pajamas or princess attire to relive the charming story of a princess in the making. Don’t forget your chair or blanket. Tickets are required in advance. For more information, visit www. moorefarmsbg.org.
7-9:30 p.m.
MOORE FARMS
BOTANICAL GARDEN
100 New Zion Road, Lake City
MAY 26
Run for the Heroes 5K, 10K and Fun Run
MAY 30
Films at the Farm
MAY 30-JUNE 1
‘Moana JR.’
Disney’s “Moana JR.” brings the adventures of Moana and her village to life onstage. For tickets, visit lakecitycommunitytheatre.org.
BLANDING STREET AUDITORIUM
125 S. Blanding St., Lake City
MAY 31
Ribs and Rods
Music, cars, food and fun for the family—rain or shine. For more information, visit www.cliosc.com.
Downtown Clio
ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY DIZFOTO1973
ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY SCOUTORI
You Won’t Believe Your Eyes
These roadside attractions are worth stopping for
By Judy Garrison
Roadside attractions began popping up across the country in the 1920s, calling drivers to detour from their journeys to see what the massive elephant, giant tea kettle or neon-lit cowboy had to offer.
Many attractions still dot Route 66— dubbed “The Mother Road” by John Steinbeck in his classic novel “The Grapes of Wrath.” These cheesy yet effective advertising icons put many mom-and-pop shops on the map as passing motorists’ curiosity grew too strong to resist.
Today, billboards lead the way to the larger tourist magnets, but travelers’ wordof-mouth drives interest in the smaller, lesser-known sites. Visit these locations in the state, as well as around the South, for a little amazement and oddity.
SOUTH CAROLINA STOPS
God’s Acre Healing Springs Springs Court, Blackville
Dating back to the days when Native Americans reportedly ushered critically wounded British soldiers to the waters, this nondescript natural spring is rumored to have healing powers. Owners have
capitalized on the myth and continue to claim it is a cure-all. Locals visit, carrying jugs to take the water’s power home with them. In 1944, the land was officially deeded to God.
Barnwell Sundial
141 Main St., Barnwell
Erected outside the Barnwell Courthouse, this unique vertical sundial has been within two minutes of perfect, or standard, time for more than 150 years. Legend says that this is the only vertical sundial in the United States. Challenge yourself to tell the time—it’s harder than you think.
Nostalgic Filling Station
1110 W. Main St., Laurens
Inside, step back in time with Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and Betty Boop. Collectibles like glass Coke bottles, trains and bobbleheads keep yesterday alive for the owner and for those who stop by to share memories. The station hosts a classic car show on the first Friday of each month.
Stumphouse Tunnel
Stumphouse Tunnel Road, Walhalla Dug using hand tools before the Civil War,
the quarter-milelong Stumphouse Tunnel was intended to be part of a railroad line connecting Charleston to the Midwest, but it was never completed. Today, visitors are invited to grab a flashlight and walk inside the tunnel, where Clemson University cured bleu cheese for decades in the yearround 50 degree-temperature.
The Peachoid Peachoid Road, Gaffney
Visible from Interstate 85, the 135-foot-tall water tower is a peach of a sight. Famously seen in the Netflix series “House of Cards,” it makes for an exceptional selfie. Between exits 90 and 92.
South of the Border
Interstate 95, US 301-501, Hamer
Travelers anticipate seeing Pedro, the mascot for this world-famous attraction, for miles and miles. From Virginia to Georgia, approximately 175 billboards draw visitors like a moth to a flame. Much like Wall Drug Store in South Dakota, which peaks at 300 billboards, endless placards along the drive can sometimes generate more excitement than the actual destination does. Nevertheless, this flashy state border
Joe Minter’s African village is at his home in Birmingham, Alabama.
PHOTO BY SEEING SOUTHERN
You can’t travel along Interstate 85 without taking a second look at the Peachoid.
PHOTO BY TOM MAGLIERY
crossing offers food, souvenirs, lodging and even a well-timed restroom break.
The Last Yogi Bear Honey Fried
Chicken Restaurant
514 US-15, Hartsville
There’s nothing flashy here, simply honeyflavored chicken advertised by the neon sign of Yogi Bear holding up a chicken leg. Local pride keeps this restaurant—the original was in Myrtle Beach—serving the sweet side of chicken plus gizzards for those who remember when gizzards were the best part of the bird.
Button King Museum
53 Joe Dority Road, Bishopville
In 2006, Dalton Stevens couldn’t sleep, so he began a button museum in a steel airport hangar next to his home. As visitors came by and dropped off buttons, Dalton curated and produced what some say is the largest button collection in the world. Dalton has since died, but his son, J.D. Stevens, keeps the museum open, delighting visitors with stories of his daddy sewing buttons and sharing tales.
Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden
165 Broad Acres Road, Bishopville
Three acres chronicle the story of plants and the community. Self-taught sculptor Pearl Fryar, armed with a hedge trimmer, has transformed plants he salvaged from a local
nursery over 20 years ago into art. Look for the “165” hedge in the front of his home.
Serpentarium and Gift Shop
1374 Highway 174, Edisto Island
The Serpentarium is dedicated to what makes many people’s skin crawl—reptiles. Take a gander and hear the 50-year snake-hunting history of brothers Ted and Heyward Clamp. The outdoor natural habitat gardens have no glass, so remember that before you have any animal encounters.
Giant’s Causeway Pillar
Hibernian Hall, Charleston
Arriving in Charleston in 1851 along with many Irish immigrants, this pillar is one of the basalt columns from the Giant’s Causeway in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland, which formed over 50 million years ago.
AROUND THE SOUTH
World’s Largest Chest of Drawers
508 Hamilton St., High Point, North Carolina
This 36-foot-high, 19th-century dresser will have you rethinking your closet space.
Henry River Mill Village
4255 Henry River Road, Hickory, North Carolina
Fans of “The Hunger Games” films can
walk through District 12 and the home of Katniss Everdeen. The village was used as a filming location for the popular film series.
Doll’s Head Trail
Constitution Lakes Park, Atlanta
A local carpenter found discarded trash and doll heads and used his discoveries to build a creepy art display in a natural setting.
Monkey Island
5297 S. Cherokee Way, Homosassa, Florida
A gathering of spider monkeys was banished to the island for being rude to tourists.
Shark Attack
1295 Highway 210, Sneads Ferry, North Carolina
Step inside the mouth of a shark for the ultimate photograph.
Joe Minter’s “African Village in America”
931 Nassau Ave. SE, Birmingham, Alabama
Everything that Joe Minter has, or finds, can become art—wood, shoes, string, crutches, you name it. This 1-acre lot exemplifies Joe’s philosophy, politics and power as a folk artist.
The basalt column of the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland, is in Charleston. PHOTO BY SEEING SOUTHERN
Walk into Stumphouse Tunnel in Walhalla and feel the temperature drop. PHOTO BY SEEING SOUTHERN
Budget-Friendly Ways to
Fi a Raised Garden Bed
Raised garden beds are a popular choice for beginners and experienced gardeners. They’re a great way to grow your own veggies and fruit at home while making the most of limited gardening space.
Bed gardening provides many advantages, including better soil control, improved drainage and a longer growing season. It involves less maintenance by minimizing weeds, and the elevated height can make gardening more comfortable, saving your knees and back from the stress of bending over as much. However, before reaping these benefits, you must first fill your raised garden bed.
When working with multiple beds, filling them entirely with quality topsoil can become costly. Luckily, there are alternative fillers that are budget friendly and improve your soil over time. Here are some inexpensive, organic materials to bulk up your soil and create a long-lasting garden bed that only needs a bit of topping every year or two.
Cardboard/Newspaper
First, make sure to line the bottom of the raised garden bed with cardboard or newspaper. This acts as an organic barrier, blocking invasive plants and weeds. While some gardeners may opt for landscape fabric or plastic, cardboard and newspaper are readily available, inexpensive and more natural.
Wood
Start with materials such as small logs, branches and sticks from around the yard. You can fill a good amount of space with these woody materials and provide a stable base while decomposing slowly over time. Wood materials act as a sponge, retaining water and improving drainage.
Downed trees and fallen branches headed for the brush pile work better than freshly cut wood. Avoid treated wood of any kind and black walnut, which is known to contain toxins that prevent plant growth.
Straw
Straw bales work well as a cost-effective filler for the bottom of raised beds. They add volume, enrich soil nutrients, improve aeration and support the activity of beneficial microorganisms. However, straw typically decomposes completely within a year, which is much faster than logs. So, the bales need to be replaced more frequently.
Plant Debris
Fallen leaves, grass clipping and other kinds of debris work wonders for filling in gaps between pieces of wood. Just save old leaves after raking the yard or throw in mulched up grass saved
after you mow the lawn, and you have the ultimate free filler.
Compost and Final Layer of Soil
For a raised garden bed, the final layer of soil should include a mix of topsoil and compost.
After the lower portion has been filled with organic materials listed above, work compost into the topsoil to create a wellbalanced soil mix. It is recommended to use a 1-to-2 ratio of compost to topsoil. Ideally, the final layer should be at least 10 to 12 inches deep.
Filling your raised garden beds doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. With a little creativity and help from mother nature, you will save money and enjoy an abundant garden for years to come.
Now all you have left to do is pick your seeds and choose which vegetables and fruits you would like to grow.
Brandi Faulk and her family are excited to share their homesteading journey with MPD Electric members. Their home, built in 1895, is a former railway hotel and farmhouse in Chesterfield County. Search “faulkfamilyfarmhouse” to see more photos of their experiences on Instagram.
ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY EPIXIMAGES
Bed gardening provides advantages such as better soil control, improved drainage and a longer growing season.
ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY VIKTOR PRAVDICA
Gillespie’s Peanuts, $6.99
Grab a can full of Gillespie’s fresh-roasted peanuts for an irresistible, crunchy treat. Grown in Darlington and Lee counties— and packaged in Sonoco cans out of Hartsville—you can’t get much more local than that.
Each batch of nuts is roasted, blister fried and flavored with a wide range of seasonings. Gillespie’s has a variety of flavors to satisfy anybody’s cravings, from Carolina BBQ, caramel crunch, honey roasted, salted, spicy sriracha, sea salt and pepper, lowcountry boil and lime margarita, to everyone’s favorite, chocolate covered. All nine flavors come in 10-ounce cans that are perfect for tailgating, gifting, parties and more.
Keep your pantry stocked with the perfect snack as is, or add them into baked goods or homemade trail mixes. Use as a garnish for dishes like pad thai or pop some salted peanuts into your Coca-Cola for the ultimate Southern treat.
Gillespie’s Peanuts also offers custom labels so you can represent your favorite school team, such as Clemson and Coker College labels which are popular for game days. Or create your own for your business, church or other special events at no extra charge with a minimum order amount.
You can find Gillespie’s peanuts in the Shop Local section in select Publix and Food Lions, or grab a can or three off the site.
GillespiesPeanuts.com
Softies Pajama Set, $129
Get cozy with Softies and slip into the softest, most comfortable sleepwear. As spring transitions into summer, Softies offers the perfect solution to keep you cool all through the night. Say goodbye to tossing and turning in an old T-shirt and sweats. Wake up feeling more relaxed, refreshed and pampered in this luxurious pajama set.
Crafted with a proprietary modal fabric, the pajamas are unbelievably soft, with a natural stretch that moves with you. They hug your body, whether you are tucked into bed sleeping or lounging around the house. The hightech material also works to regulate your body temperature by up to 7 degrees lower. Its innovative blend of moisturewicking fibers dries up to four times
faster than cotton and provides the ultimate breathability.
You can take your pick between different versions of the set, including short sleeves, scoop tank and capri pant combos. There are several shades to choose from, as well as the new spring prints in Copper Rose and Indigo Dot, which make for the perfect blend of function and fashion.
Let Softies give you the perfect night of uninterrupted sleep you have been dreaming of this Mother’s Day. Or dress yourself in stylish comfort throughout the day with their versatile loungewear ensembles which have also been seen on Oprah’s favorites list.
SoftiesPjs.com
Field Floral Wallpaper, $45
Want to add some WOW to your walls? Make your space as unique as you are with Bari J Design’s wallpaper collection.
From chic home offices to cozy bedrooms, wallpaper can thrive in any space. Bring sophistication to your dining room, a splash of personality to a bathroom, or make a pretty backdrop for an accent wall, stairwell or other flat surface you would like to refresh.
Unlike paint, which chips and fades, wallpaper tends to be more resistant to wear and tear, often lasting up to three times as long as a painted wall. Beyond being more durable, wallpaper also works wonders for concealing cracks, dents and uneven surfaces to create a flawlessly smooth finish.
For visual appeal that turns heads, choose from any of Bari J’s designs. From the fashion designer’s signature floral, foliage and fauna to animal prints and nostalgic patterns all in vibrant, showstopping shades.
Printed on high-quality clay-coated paper with a beautiful matte finish, these wall coverings are far more than just decoration, they are art. Shop additionally for colorful, vintage-inspired home decor and accessories, including original art prints, table linens, lampshades, handbags and scarves.
BariJDesigns.com
Catawba Pottery
A timeless tradition continues
By Robin Howard
The Catawba Nation has a 4,000-year history of making pottery, producing works of art that stand the test of time while simultaneously being vital representations of the tribe’s cultural identity.
The Catawba people have a long—and often tragic—history in South Carolina. Primarily a farming culture raising crops like squash and corn, the tribe that once numbered as many as 25,000 people was decimated by smallpox carried to the area by European settlers.
By the turn of the 19th century, fewer than 100 Catawba survived. In the following decades, the tribe endured many more hardships, including broken promises by the state and federal governments that stripped the people of their land.
Today, there are more than 3,300 enrolled members of the Catawba Nation. What remains of their ancestral land is a 700-acre reservation along the banks of the Catawba River near Rock Hill. The Catawba Indian Cultural Center on the reservation has beautiful walking trails, exhibits and an artisan shop.
Catawba pottery has a smooth, unglazed finish featuring black and tan mottled patterns and motifs representing nature. Potters—traditionally women—mold pieces by hand and fire them in a pit or fireplace instead of a kiln.
The pieces are more than functional. They express cultural pride, heritage and
community. The craft was passed down through generations, and today, the art form continues to evolve while staying deeply rooted in tradition.
During the Colonial period, the pottery was highly sought-after by white settlers— so much so that some colonists refused to cook in anything other than a Catawba pot. This success gave Catawba women a dominant role in the tribe’s economy.
Many Catawba families became traveling merchants, moving in a constant loop between the Piedmont and Charleston. The potter’s family would camp near a settlement, the men would hunt and fish, the women would make pots until all the locals were supplied and then the family moved on to the next settlement.
Centuries of High-Quality Craftsmanship
Catawba pottery is instantly recognizable due to the methods used to create it, whether it’s a jar, bowl, pitcher, vase or
animal effigy. Clay is dug from holes along the banks of the Catawba River, strained and dried. The location of the holes is passed down through generations. After the clay dries, it’s ground into a fine powder to eliminate grit.
When the molding is done, the piece is left to dry for a few days. The potter then thins the walls and adds details such as spouts and handles. One motif is the head of Chief Haigler, a revered Catawba ancestor who, among other important acts, negotiated the Treaty of Pine Tree Hill that provided the tribe’s original 144,000-acre reservation.
After adding the finishing details, the potter meticulously burnishes the work to a glassy finish, using tools such as seashells and smooth river rocks. These tools are cherished possessions handed down from generation to generation.
The pottery is then warmed by an open fire and moved closer and closer to the flames until, finally, it is placed directly in the fire to finish. The colors of the river clay and the unique method of firing give Catawba pottery its signature appearance.
ABOVE: A historic Catawba Indian pottery piece adorned with traditional tribal designs sits on a museum shelf. ADOBE STOCK AI ILLUSTRATION BY AK2478
BELOW: A panoramic view of the Catawba River near Rock Hill. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY JOE
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: This Catawba Valley 4-gallon jar was made circa 1875. Charles Lisk, of Vale, makes a variety of wares, including traditional swirl pottery and face jugs. Craig Swirl (ca. 1914-2002) learned to make pottery as a teenager. He later bought the Reinhardt farm and pottery complex in Vale, North Carolina. PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA
Museum Collections
Beautiful collections of Catawba Pottery are on display at the South Carolina State Museum, the Charleston Museum, the Charlotte Museum of History, the Catawba Cultural Center and many other museums around the country. Some pieces are artifacts dating back centuries. Some were fired in the mid-19th century, and others were made by contemporary potters.
The Catawba pottery tradition is alive and well today, and you can buy new pieces made in the traditional ways by established and up-and-coming coming potters.
Chief Bill Harris is a master Catawba potter who learned the techniques and traditions from his grandmother, Georgia Harris. Her talents were so highly regarded that she was posthumously named a 1997 National Endowment of the Arts National Heritage Fellow. When Georgia died Bill inherited her clay tools, including shells, rocks and broken spoons.
In the 1970s, Bill went with his grandmother to the secret tribal clay holes to dig clay.
“My grandmother showed me how to choose the clay deposits that would yield the strongest and
most malleable clay and then how to remove twigs and stones from the clay so that it could be formed, coil by coil, into the traditional pot forms of our people,” he writes in a piece published on the Catawba Cultural Center’s website, catawbaculture.com. “She showed me how and when to rub the pots with river rocks to produce the characteristic soft patina and smooth surface of Catawba pottery. Together, we tempered her pots in an open fire, where smoke from pine bark created mysterious patterns of black and grey on the earthy brown pots.”
The Catawba pottery tradition is not only an ancient art form but also a living testament to the resilience and cultural preservation of the Catawba Nation despite centuries of challenges. Thanks to the dedication of modern artisans and the careful transmission of knowledge from one generation to the next, this 4,000-year-old craft continues to thrive, ensuring that the distinctive river clay vessels and their creation stories endure for generations to come. n
A Snapshot of the Catawba Nation’s History
Living along the banks of the Catawba River for at least 6,000 years, the Catawba Nation— the only federally recognized tribe in South Carolina—has a long, rich, storied, complex and often heartbreaking history. Here are just a few notable examples:
• About 15,000 to 25,000 Catawba Nation members lived in the Piedmont, North Carolina and Virginia before European colonists arrived. Though they had some contact with Spanish explorers in the 16th century, the Catawba didn’t begin to trade with colonists until the 17th century. By 1760, smallpox had reduced the Nation to fewer than 1,000 people, and by the early 1800s, the once massive tribe dwindled to fewer than 100.
• In 1763, the Nation received the title to 144,000 acres of land from King George III of England. When keeping settlers off their land became impossible, the Catawba began renting the land. Eventually, the settlers decided they wanted to own the property, so political pressure was used to force the Catawba to give their land to the new state of South Carolina. While other tribes were forcibly moved west along the Trail of Tears, the Catawba were not because the state assumed the tribe would soon be extinct—a gross underestimation of the resilience of the Catawba people.
• Today the Nation also owns a 16-acre site in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where a $700 million casino and resort is being built.
MARK CASTIGLIA
To learn more about the Catawba Nation and its history, go to catawba.com.
A short bypass and a long bypass come together on the Catawba River near Great Falls. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY
ABOVE: Born Arataswa Haigler, “King Hagler” was so named by Gov. James Glen in the early 1750s. Hagler was recognized by the royal governors of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and New York as the leader of the Catawba Nation. He died in 1763. ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF SOUTH CAROLINA HALL OF FAME
By Jodi Helmer
Whether you want to spend an afternoon drinking wines among the grapevines, sampling cold craft beers on a patio or sipping an oldfashioned soda, South Carolina has a beverage to quench your thirst.
South Carolina is home to a bevy of locally made bevvies. The Satisfy Your Thirst Tour is a toast to the state’s rich beverage culture. A map features the wineries, breweries, distilleries, dairies, cideries, sodas and teas that are made here and encourages visitors to get a true taste of South Carolina.
Take the Tour
“It’s not just about the beverages,” says Ashley Bley, executive director of Pee Dee Tourism. “It’s our culture, it’s our heritage.”
There are 112 breweries, 27 distillers, 21 wineries and 20 other beverage companies from cideries to dairies and creameries. Some stops offer walk-throughs that include tales of moonshine stills hidden deep in the woods and bootlegged
Blenheim Bottling Co.
Take a sip-by-sip adventure through
South Carolina
beverages sipped from iconic Mason jars along with behind-the-scenes looks at how milk goes from farm to table and the tea traditions that run deep in South Carolina.
Exploring the Satisfy Your Thirst Tour isn’t just about grabbing a drink. It’s about savoring the stories behind every pour.
Visit one of these seven beveragemakers in the Pee Dee region. You just might find your next favorite sip.
Founded in 1903, Blenheim is the oldest and smallest independent soda company in the country and makes one of the hottest—literally—sodas around.
Blenheim Ginger Ale is made from Jamaican ginger and water from Blenheim Springs that creates a distinctive, spicy flavor.
If you have adventurous taste buds, pop the top on a glass bottle of Old #3 Hot. Blenheim Ginger Ale promises that it “goes down as smoothly as a firecracker exploding in your throat.” You can visit the Blenheim Bottling Co. at the South of the Border attraction in Hamer.
Cartersville Country Winery
The sweet flesh hiding beneath the thick green or bronze-colored skins of muscadine grapes makes sweet wines. Cartersville Country Winery harvests muscadine grapes from its 18-acre vineyard to make wines like Moonlight Imagination, a sweet white. The winery also makes a line of fruit wines.
Stroll among the vines and learn more about the winemaking process during guided tours and visit the tasting room to sample muscadine wines or blackberry,
pomegranate, blueberry, peach and strawberry fruit wines.
Wild Heart Brewing Co.
Homemade pizza pairs perfectly with craft beer. This Hartsville brewery expertly crafts beers ranging from stouts and IPAs to fruited sours and ales. Grab a seat on the patio, order a brick oven pizza and a pint of Southern Weather sour, Appalachian High rye pale ale or Magic Minivan lager—or a flight with several beers to see which one you like best.
Wild Heart Brewing Co. works with several local partners to source ingredients. Its commitment to quality is evident in every pint.
Straw Hat Distillery
This microdistillery has been producing handcrafted whiskeys and bourbons alongside flavored moonshines since 2014. All the small-batch spirits are made with grains, fruits, coffee and other natural ingredients and fermented and distilled on the premises.
The distillery, found in a cute cottage in Florence, offers tours and tastings that provide insight into the art of distillation and the rich flavors that define its products.
Seminar Brewing
Order a pint of Howler red ale, Velvet Morning milk stout, Pixels IPA or Due South lager from the first commercial brewery in Florence. Founded in 2014, Seminar Brewing soon became a hub for beer aficionados, earning awards for its beers and accolades as one of the top craft breweries in the nation.
Pints of craft beer pair well with menu items like nachos, loaded fries, pretzels, beer cheese and other casual fare. Fuel up and then take a tour of the brewery to learn how the craft beers are made.
Southern Hops Brewing Co.
Locations in Florence and Murrells Inlet host beer-themed special events, like pint nights and think-and-drink trivia nights, to highlight their local beers in a laid-back environment steeped in Southern charm.
The craft brewery is known for a diverse beer lineup that includes pilsners, blondes, IPA, brown ales, stouts, red ales, fruited and sour beers brewed with premium ingredients like imported hops, barley, malt and fruits.
Local Motive Brewing
Hop off the Florence Rail Trail and relax on the deck or at a picnic table in the
grass with a pint of Westbound and Down West Coast IPA, Pat’s Blue Ribbon, EuroTrash Pilsner or Stout of this World.
“LoMo” is one of the state’s microbreweries and makes craft beer in a three-barrel system that allows for a diverse and rotating selection of beers and ensures that something new is always on tap.
The self-guided Satisfy Your Thirst tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the state’s rich craft beverage landscape, and each stop provides a distinct taste of the region’s dedication to quality and tradition. n
Planning Your Tour
Download the official Satisfy Your Thirst Tour map at discoversouthcarolina.com. It includes listings for all thirstquenching stops across the state, making it simple to plan a road trip and tailor your itinerary to your beverage cravings. Use #SatisfyYourThirstSC on social media to share your tour experiences.
RIGHT: Local Motive features outdoor seating and a lounge area next to food trucks and the rail trail. PHOTOS BY KATIE WILCOX
BELOW: There is ample seating for eating and listening to local bands at Southen Hops.
OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM LEFT: Local Motives’ brewing vats right are visible inside the microbrewery. Sample a large variety of brews at Seminar Brewing.
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