SC Currents, MPD Electric Cooperative, October 2024 by utilitypioneers

Currents South Carolina

A PUBLICATION OF MPD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE OCTOBER 2024

Storm Sentinel

The Gray Man of Pawleys Island warns residents when storms are coming Page 6

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www.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.

Commitment to Community

As member-owners of an electric cooperative, we can all help our neighbors in need improve their quality of life through Operation Round-Up. Operation Round-Up is designed to help individuals facing unforeseen hardships and nonprofit organizations that help those in need.

When you become an MPD member, your bill is automatically rounded up to the nearest dollar. The average contribution per member is only $6 a year, and members may opt out at any time. While each member’s contribution may be small, collectively we are able to make life-changing differences to those with whom we live and work.

All funds stay in the Pee Dee area, and there are specific guidelines for needs such as food, shelter, clothing and health care. Applications are reviewed monthly by the MPD Trust Board, which comprises community members from MPD Electric’s seven-county service area. These members serve on a voluntary basis.

So far in 2024, MPD members have raised $74,289. You have provided wheelchair ramps and other specialized equipment to those facing physical disabilities, hope to disadvantaged youth through programs helping children in underprivileged areas and lifesaving medical care to neighbors who would otherwise have not been able to afford it.

On behalf of your MPD Board of Trustees, thank you for allowing us to fulfill our mission, which is at the heart of the co-op: service and commitment to our community.

JAMES GOODSON Chairman

CEO Michael Shepard

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CONTENT

Leon Espinoza

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Mike Teegarden, CCC

SC CURRENTS EDITORS

Jennifer Paton, CCC

Valeri Pearon

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Chasity Anderson, CCC

Victoria Hampton, CCC

David Herder, CCC

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Nina Todea

SENIOR MANAGER, PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION

Elizabeth Beatty

SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR

Alyssa McDougle

South Carolina Currents (issue 66) 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.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: South Carolina Currents, 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Subscription price of $9.89 per year includes postage.

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.

MANUSCRIPTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

Please do not send unsolicited materials. If interested in writing for South Carolina Currents, query first. Include a selfaddressed stamped envelope for writers’ guidelines. Address requests and queries to Pioneer Utility Resources.

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American MainStreet Publications 611 S. Congress Ave. Ste. 504 Austin, TX 78704 800-626-1181 or 512-441-5200

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!

Page 22

By sharing and listening, people and communities are enriched, inspired and empowered by what connects humanity: stories.

Storm Sentinel

The Gray Man of Pawleys Island warns residents when storms are coming

By Jodi Helmer

During hurricane season, meteorologists get a little help monitoring the path of tropical storms thanks to a figure widely known in local ghost lore.

The Gray Man of Pawleys Island, a spirit said to roam the beaches on Pawleys Island before major storms, reportedly appears as a warning to residents to evacuate the South Carolina Coast.

“The Gray Man is a harbinger of bad storms,” says Georgetown County historian Lee G. Brockington, co-author of the book “Pawleys Island.” “When you see the Gray Man, you know it’s time to take action and evacuate.”

Tales of the Gray Man of Pawleys Island go back generations and have captivated locals and tourists alike.

There are several versions of the legend. In one, the Gray Man is the ghost of a Confederate soldier who returned from war wearing a gray uniform and warned his fiancee that a storm was coming. The fiancee later received a telegram informing her that her soldier had died on the battlefield weeks earlier.

A separate version of the legend identifies the Gray Man as the ghost of Pawleys Island resident Plowden Weston who owned the rice plantation that is now the Pelican Inn.

In some versions of the tale, the Gray Man sunk in quicksand. In others, he drowned. Sometimes the Gray Man rode a horse, and sometimes he had a traveling companion—most often identified as an African American man—who tried to save him.

had a lot of written history,” Lee says. “Most of the knowledge of an area … was shared by word of mouth [that] might sometimes embellish or just be a framework of facts. It’s human conversations that pass on this folklore.”

Although there are slight differences in the legend depending on who’s telling the tale, there is one consistent thread: The Gray Man is an indistinct, ghostlike form that appears in the mist right before a hurricane or tropical storm hits the South Carolina coastline. In all versions of the legend, the Gray Man serves as a warning to evacuate. If you heed it, your house will be saved.

“Because of that link—that if you see the Gray Man, you should take action and evacuate—I think it keeps people on edge,” Lee says. “A lot of times if you see a ghost, you’re not called to action except to run away, but that connection with him sending a warning to mortals is important.”

An Enduring Legend

The legend of the Gray Man of Pawleys Island has been told— and retold—with the arrival of each new summer storm season. Sightings continue to be reported, helping to cement his reputation as a real—albeit supernatural—figure.

“In so many small communities in the South, we just have not

Conversations, including those with media outlets following major storms, have helped keep the legend of the Gray Man of Pawleys Island alive.

“There have been continued sightings throughout the 20th century by people who were active in the church and not thought of as superstitious who said, ‘I don’t know if we saw the Gray Man, but we saw a person who was there one moment and gone the next,’ ” Lee says. “There are enough people who have told their story to the media or been interviewed for books and said they saw something mysterious … to make it believable.”

The Gray Man might be the most famous legend associated with Pawleys Island, but coastal South Carolina has a long history of hurricanes and an equally long tradition of storm-related folklore

After a hurricane claimed the life of a lighthouse keeper on Hilton Head Island in 1898, his daughter, a little girl wearing a blue dress, continued to search for her father. Known as the Blue Lady, she is reported to come out right before a hurricane hits the coast and can be heard crying near the lighthouse.

The Hounds of Hell, spectral dogs believed to be the spirits of hunters or warriors, have been reported to howl in the winds before a major storm. Their eerie howls echo through the marshlands and dunes along the South Carolina Coast, signaling that storms are coming and it’s time to seek higher ground.

The idea of a protective ghost who appears before natural disasters is a powerful one that has been referenced in films, documentaries and online forums devoted to the paranormal. The media have also bolstered the popularity of the Gray Man legend. The most famous sightings have been reported in local newspapers, on television and in national publications.

In 1989, just after Hurricane Hugo, The Weather Channel ran a special segment on the Gray Man, highlighting the accounts of several Pawleys Island residents who claimed to have seen him and heeded his warnings. Their homes survived the storm with minimal damage while many neighboring properties were destroyed.

“The stories are phenomenal,” Lee says. “You hear things like, ‘My next door neighbor’s house was gone, and I walked in and the cups were still hanging on the cup hooks, the hand towels [were] still hanging on the oven door, virtually untouched.’”

“Ghost Hunters,” a popular show on the SyFy channel, investigated the Gray Man legend. Although no conclusive evidence of paranormal activity was found, the episode introduced the legend to a wider audience and helped to ensure the Gray Man remains a part of both regional and national storm lore.

The Gray Man has inspired books, and the legend has appeared in several collections of ghost stories, including “Ghosts of the Carolinas” by Nancy Roberts. Each telling of the legend keeps the story alive.

In recent years, the Gray Man has also become a staple of regional tourism. Tourists visiting Pawleys Island can buy Gray Man memorabilia and participate in ghost tours that explore the island’s haunted history. These experiences are often tied to the island’s natural beauty, blending the eerie atmosphere of the marshes and beaches with tales of the supernatural.

As part of the local culture, the Gray Man serves as a reminder that forces of nature should be respected and feared and satisfies the human desire for warnings in the face of

PAGE: A boardwalk

through an island

natural disasters. The Lowcountry is a place where history, myth and nature are deeply intertwined, and the Gray Man fits neatly into that tradition.

The legend also taps into a universal human desire for stories with its drama, tragedy and the allure of the unknown. Like all good stories, it survives because people want to tell it and others want to hear it. Lee believes such legends can serve as a unique gateway to the history and geography of the region and lead visitors and residents to seek out more information.

“One of the things that makes folklore most interesting to me is that it often drives the reader or the listener to the nonfiction history books,” she says. “If they’re listening to a story about hurricanes on Pawleys Island, they might be inclined to pick up a children’s book that includes the story of the Gray Man. Even when I tell the story of the Gray Man, it gives me an opportunity to talk geography, rice plantations, enslaved workers, African American history and also a little women’s history.” 

Notable Sightings

Hurricane Hazel: Residents of Pawleys Island reportedly saw the Gray Man walking along the beach just days before the powerful Category 4 hurricane made landfall in 1954. While the storm ravaged much of the island, those who heeded his warning evacuated then returned to ﬁnd their homes remained remarkably unscathed.

Hurricane Hugo: In 1989, several witnesses claimed to have encountered the Gray Man prior to Hurricane Hugo’s landfall. The hurricane, one of the most destructive to ever hit South Carolina, caused billions of dollars in damage and claimed 35 lives. The homes of those who saw the Gray Man were reported to have been spared the worst of the devastation.

Hurricane Florence: A family visiting Pawleys Island claimed to have seen the Gray Man on the beach just days before Hurricane Florence made landfall in South Carolina in 2018. While their home suffered minimal damage, the surrounding areas were not so lucky. The slow-moving storm caused severe ﬂooding and damage throughout the Carolinas.

ABOVE: A section of the Pawleys Island pier was destroyed in 2022 during Hurricane Ian. PHOTO BY ALEX BRANDON

LEFT: Pawleys Island House of Worship sits on the marsh side of Pawleys Island. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY TRAVIS HUFFSTETLER/ WIRESTOCK

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marsh. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY MAKASANA PHOTO

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.

Liberty Lane Walk of Fame is a small park in downtown Darlington honoring NASCAR stock car drivers who have won races at Darlington Raceway. This is the second mural in town by artist Blue Sky of Columbia. The painting depicts the history of early racing and the Southern 500. Along with benches and shade trees, the park includes a collection of handprints set in concrete from several racing legends, including Dale Earnhardt, Harry Gant, Richard Petty and Neil Bennett. Find the park off Pearl Street, one block from Public Square.

CYBERSECURITY Awareness Month

Ever-advancing technology plays a predominant role in our lives. Along with wonderful benefits, there is a dark side distorting and corrupting technological advances.

In 2004, the U.S. government designated October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month to encourage citizens to identify and safeguard themselves against cyberattacks.

You are key to your cybersecurity and need to understand scams that could harm you. Be alert if someone contacts you and threatens to disconnect electric service if payment is not made upon demand. Scammers can “spoof” or alter the name and phone number on caller ID to show your utility. Your electric utility does not make phone calls to solicit immediate payment.

Scams can often happen through email, phone calls, text messages, surveys and social media.

If contacted, call your utility directly or check the app connected to your account to determine its status.

Tips to Protect Yourself From a Scam

• If someone calls threatening to shut off your power if you don’t pay, hang up. It is a scam.

• Call your utility to report the scam.

• Don’t click random email links. Verify the source and its validity before proceeding.

• Never give personal or financial information to an unsolicited caller.

• If you think you are the victim of a scam, contact the police. 

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

Required by 39 USC 3685

Filed with the USPS on 9-20-24

SOUTH CAROLINA CURRENTS, (USPS 23830), is published monthly at 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Eleven issues are published annually with a subscription price of $8.51 paid by utility members in their electric bills.

The name and complete mailing address of the publisher is: Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124.

The name and complete mailing address of the editor is Mike Teegarden, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124.

The owner is Pioneer Utility Resources Inc. (PUR). There are no known bondholders or other security holders.

PUR is a nonpro t organization mailing under DMM Section 423.12.

Its purpose, function and nonpro t status for federal income tax purposes has not changed in the preceding 12 months.

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date

Teegarden, Editor

Apple Cider Mu ns

Satisfy your craving for cider donuts anytime with these easy-to-make treats

Story and photos by Libby Wiersema

In my mind, the difference between a pleasant autumn and a stellar autumn often pivots on apples. If I cannot swing at least one weekend trip to apple country, the gifts of my favorite season seem somehow diminished and incomplete.

Among those gifts are apple cider donuts. The warmest orchard welcomes come in the form of wafting aromas of fresh, apple cider-infused donuts. I am just one in a legion of fervent fans who begin their orchard visit by following their noses straight to the bakery for fresh-from-thefryer cake rings.

When apple orchards close up shop at the end of October, I mourn for all the donuts I did not get to eat. To temper my longing, I decided to explore recipes for apple cider donuts, and I liked what I saw.

Even better, I loved what I tasted.

Birth of a Donut

My search also piqued my curiosity about the origins of this beloved autumn treat. I found some vague references to the colonists adding leftover apples to bread dough and frying it up to prevent waste.

The practicality of these accounts makes sense. But as far as apple cider donuts as we know them, the credit goes to a man named Adolf Levitt, a Russian immigrant who came to this country and made his mark by founding the Donut Corp. of America in the 1920s. This is according to the book “Glazed America: A History of the Donut” by Paul R. Mullins. It would be a while, however, before the idea for apple cider donuts took root.

In the meantime, Adolf launched a chain of donut shops, designed a donut

machine, created a standardized donut mix for bakeries, and established National Donut Month and other important donut milestones. He was a marketing genius, even going as far as pushing a “healthy donut” campaign in the 1940s that touted the enriched flour used to make them. It was a hard sell that never gained serious traction, but that did not dampen the nation’s growing love for donuts.

Fast forward to the 1950s. In yet another marketing effort, the Donut Corp. of America sought to tie donuts in with all the many things people love about autumn. When The New York Times advertised the corporation’s unveiling of the apple cider donut, it captured the attention of donut lovers everywhere.

The description of a crusty buttermilk donut laced with apple cider flavor and spiked with cinnamon and other warm

Apple cider muffins are sure to bring a little autumn to your life any time of year. Make them even more festive with decorative muffin cups.

Apple Cider Muffins

2 cups apple cider

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pinch of ground cloves

½ teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1⁄3 cup granulated sugar

1⁄3 cup light brown sugar

3 tablespoons butter, melted

½ cup lowfat buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

½ cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon apple cider, plus more if needed

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

In a saucepot, simmer the apple cider over medium heat until it reduces to 1/3 of a cup or until cider is the consistency of syrup. This may take 15 to 20 minutes. If you do not have enough once the cider is reduced, pour off the cider syrup, and reserve. Add more cider to the pot, and reduce again until you have the correct amount.

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a muffin

spices was simply irresistible, and the apple cider donut took off. Soon, orchards across the nation were joining in and creating their own family recipes.

A Little Fall for Your Winter

If you have a hankering for apple cider donuts in the coming months, the recipe above might just offer a close enough facsimile to appease you. While you can certainly fry your donuts, for health reasons, I would rather bake them. The texture will not be as crusty, but the flavor profile is bound to satisfy.

You can add a cinnamon-sugar topping, too, just like the real deal. For company or your own enjoyment, use pretty muffin

pan—or donut pan, if you prefer—with butter or nonstick spray. Set aside. If using muffin cups, place them in the pan.

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt in a large mixing bowl.

In another bowl, add the granulated and brown sugars. In this order, so as not to cook the egg, add wet ingredients, incorporating each addition with a whisk before adding the next: apple cider syrup, melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla and egg. Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients, and combine well with a wooden spoon or whisk.

Scoop the batter into the muffin cups or pan cavities, filling them halfway.

cups like the ones pictured. I found these at Home Goods, but you can order the same ones or choose from lots of cute options at www.mymindseye.com.

If you are a stickler for form, use a donut pan for a true donut shape. I am just as happy eating them in muffin form. The taste is the same, though it might not be as conducive to successful coffee dunking.

Recipe Pointers

To get the best results, choose cider, preferably from the Carolinas, that has been refrigerated. These are usually the freshest cider products. Do not use flavored ciders. Do not confuse apple

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until they are nicely risen and browned, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the muffins cool for about five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely.

To make the topping, add apple cider to the powdered sugar. Stir. You want it just thick enough to brush onto the tops of the muffins. Add more cider or sugar as needed.

Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. After brushing each cooled muffin with a light coating of glaze, sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mix.

These muffins go great with tea.

cider with apple cider vinegar. They are two very different products.

For the ultimate apple flavor, you have to reduce the cider to syrup form, but that is easy to do. In fact, the entire recipe is so ridiculously easy, you might just be making these on a weekly basis through the cold weather months. Apple cider muffins keep the autumn season alive a lot longer and are likely to become your new winter comfort food. n

Libby Wiersema writes about dining, food trends and the state’s culinary history for Discover South Carolina, and other print and online media. Contact her at libbyscarolinaspoon@gmail.com, or visit the Carolina Spoon Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SClibby.1111.

Apple cider muffins are fragrant, moist and tender.

Reader Challenge

Today’s word is “comfort.” Show me in a photograph what comfort looks and feels like. Think about what the word means to you, and then challenge yourself to make a photograph that communicates how you see or feel. Just as many ﬁnd doing word puzzles stretches the mind and keeps the brain awake, you may discover that choosing a word to photograph might be an equally valuable exercise.

Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to GPH@pur.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.

Making Pictures From Words

By Dave LaBelle

Decades ago, magazines like Popular Photography offered monthly photo challenges. Often, abstract word prompts such as “red,” “love” or “happiness” were given. I never took the challenge, but now I wish I had.

As a teacher and photography director, I learned not all students or staff shared the same ability to give shape to abstract ideas or concepts. While most were proficient when asked to photograph an event, a person or an object,

many were unable to grasp nonlinear assignments requiring interpretation.

One student even angrily confessed he had to seek mental help because I had asked the class to make two interpretive photographs: one of how they saw themselves and the other of how they felt others saw them. He said he didn’t know what he felt about himself, and it stressed him so severely he sought counseling.

Years ago, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I taught a multiweek photo class for inner-city youth. In one assignment, I

asked the students to photograph something they loved or thought was beautiful and, in contrast, something they didn’t like or would like to change.

The dozen or so students came back with pictures of pets, family members, friends, parks and trees by the water. But they also shared photos of broken windows, graffiti on walls and trashy front yards. I was so impressed with their willingness to put in pictures what they felt was ugly and distasteful.

Interpretive photography— trying to illustrate an abstract concept or a word—requires

some introspection and a desire to share how you see and feel. Sometimes, it is a matter of setting aside your literal, documentary eyes and awakening your artistic, imaginative vision. Hopefully, those who view our photographs can see what we see and feel what we feel.

Renowned author, photographer and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.

NIKON D810, 31mm lens ISO 1250, f/2.8 at 1/100

If I asked myself what photographs I have made lately that illustrate comfort, this unrehearsed scene of Maggie Kotz, lying near her dying husband, Vince, less than 24 hours before he died, would be at the top of my list. Though this is a spontaneous, documentary image, made as I stepped into the Kotzs’ bedroom to check on Vince, it also illustrates the word “comfort.” PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE

Once upon a moonlit night in the Carpathian Mountains, a fangtastic tale emerged—one that would sink its teeth into the hearts of literature and popular culture.

The year was 1897, and Irish author Bram Stoker unleashed his immortal creation upon the world: Count Dracula.

Count Dracula—the undead aristocrat with a taste for hemoglobin—was the original vampire influencer who sparked countless literary retellings. His preferred stalking grounds were the shadowy corridors of his Transylvanian castle.

Known for his dapper style and a cape that would make even the most fashion-forward bats jealous, Dracula set the standard for gothic chic.

Dracula’s backstory is a blend of the mysterious and the macabre.

Legend has it that he was inspired by the real-life 15th-century Wallachian prince, Vlad III, aka Vlad the Impaler. Vlad earned his moniker by having a penchant for, you guessed it, impaling his enemies on large stakes. Bram Stoker took this impaling idea, tossed in a dash of supernatural flair, and voila—the perfect recipe

for a timeless bloodsucker was born.

Stoker’s novel, “Dracula,” is written in an epistolary format, meaning it’s a collection of letters, diary entries and other documents. It’s like an old version of a found-footage horror film, with characters writing to each other about their close encounters of the vampiric kind.

Imagine Jonathan Harker firing off an email to Mina Harker: “Hey babe, just chilling in Drac’s castle, dealing with some minor bloodsucking inconveniences. Be home soon. xoxo.”

As the story unfolds, we meet Professor Abraham Van Helsing, the OG vampire slayer.

Forget Buffy. This guy was hunting bloodsuckers before it was cool. Van Helsing and his ragtag group of vamp-busters embark on a mission to stop Dracula from turning all of England into a late-night snack bar.

What makes “Dracula” a true classic is its ability to sink its fangs into society’s psyche. It tapped into the fears of the Victorian era—fears of the unknown and the encroaching influence of

Was Dracula

Dracula Real?

Eastern Europe.

Dracula wasn’t just a bloodthirsty fiend. He was a metaphor for the anxieties lurking in the dark corners of society.

Over the years, Dracula has undergone countless transformations in literature and film. From Bela Lugosi’s iconic portrayal in the 1931 film to Gary Oldman’s dramatic turn in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 version, Dracula has proven to be a versatile character. He’s been everything from a suave seducer to a monstrous beast, all while keeping that slicked-back hair and sharp fashion sense intact.

And let’s not forget the countless parodies and adaptations that have turned the Count into a cultural phenomenon. Count Chocula and Count von Count on “Sesame Street” are homages to the OG vampire.

Dracula’s legacy is so enduring that he even made it to the big screen as a hotel manager in the animated comedy “Hotel Transylvania.” Imagine going from sucking blood to managing room service. Talk about a career shift.

So, the next time you reach for garlic or check for bite marks on your neck, remember the legacy of Dracula. He’s not just a creature of the night; he’s a timeless icon who has left an indelible mark on the world of horror, humor and haute couture.

After all, eternal life might be overrated, but eternal style? That’s something worth sinking your teeth into. 

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.

Across

Across ____Road, 1932

1 ____ Road, 1932 Erskine Caldwell novel set in Georgia (7)

Erskine Caldwell

5 Word with Erie or root (5)

8 Laborer (7)

novel set in Georgia (7)

9 What poll workers count (5)

10 AM/FM device (5)

11 Make old look new (7)

Word with Erie or root (5)

12 Lifted or moved to a higher position (6)

14 Hearing is just one of five (6)

Laborer (7)

17 Schwarzenegger’s birthplace (7)

19 E-mail option (5)

What poll workers count (5)

22 One meaning of “aloha” (5)

23 Free time; respite (7)

24 Office stations (5)

AM/FM device (5)

25 Hurt one’s knee (7) Down

1 The ____ of Babel (5)

Make old look new (7)

2 Doodling or daydreaming, perhaps (5)

3 Write music or a story (7)

Lifted or moved to a higher position (6)

4 Holders of deeds (6)

5 Stalagmites’ and stalactites’ settings (5)

6 Word in UN (7)

7 Gives one’s attention to sounds (7)

Hearing is just one of five (6)

12 Attained (7)

13 Rude remarks (7)

15 Before the present (7) 16 Alternatives to booths (6) 18 Santa’s runways (5) 20 Like a juicy turkey (5)

Schwarzenegger's birthplace (7)

E-mail option (5)

One meaning of "aloha" (5)

Free time; respite (7)

Office stations (5)

Hurt one's knee (7)

Down The ____ of Babel (5)

Doodling or daydreaming,

5 Stalagmites' and stalactites' booths (6)

18 Santa's runways (5)

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Flavors of Fall

Leftover Turkey and Dumpling Soup

Olive oil, as needed

1 large onion, sliced

2 medium carrots, peeled and diced

2 celery stalks, diced

½ cup frozen peas

2 sprigs fresh sage

2 sprigs fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

2½ quarts turkey or chicken stock

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1¾ cups heavy cream

1 pound leftover turkey, shredded

Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Heat a large, heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add enough oil to just coat the bottom. When the oil is hot, add the onions. Let the onions caramelize for about 8 minutes or until golden brown, stirring often. Add the carrots and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for about 8 minutes.

Add the sage, thyme, bay leaves and stock. Stir well and bring the liquid to a simmer.

Simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring often. Season the soup with salt and black pepper, to taste.

Meanwhile, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Stir in the heavy cream until just incorporated. Don’t overmix. The dough will be somewhat lumpy.

Remove the herbs from the soup, and stir in the turkey. Use two spoons to drop the dumplings into the soup in an even layer. Cover the pot, and simmer for 8 minutes. Remove the lid, add the peas, and simmer for 3 minutes.

Serve the soup in large bowls topped with black pepper and any additional herbs.

Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway

ADOBE STOCK

PHOTO BY FOMAA

Apple Butter Cheese Twists

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 17.3-ounce package puff pastry sheets, thawed

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

3 cloves garlic, grated and divided

½ cup panko breadcrumbs

2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more for pasta water

¾ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided

1⁄3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 pound dry cavatappi pasta

6 sage leaves

½ medium yellow onion, grated

2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon ground mustard

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cups whole milk

15-ounce can pumpkin puree

8 ounces fontina cheese, shredded

8 ounces smoked gouda cheese, shredded

In a small nonstick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 1 grated garlic clove. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the breadcrumbs, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Toast, stirring frequently, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove the mixture to a small bowl. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add the pasta, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring the pasta, until just under al dente, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.

In the same pot over medium heat, melt the remaining ¼ cup of butter. Stir in the sage leaves. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sage is lightly fried and the butter is deeply golden and smells toasty. Remove the sage leaves to a paper towel-lined plate, and add the onion to the butter. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the remaining two grated garlic cloves. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Whisk in the flour, mustard, nutmeg, cayenne, the remaining 1½ teaspoons of salt and the remaining ½ teaspoon pepper. Cook until the raw flour smell disappears, 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Whisk in the pumpkin puree. Cook until thick, 5 minutes.

Remove the pot from heat. Gradually add the shredded cheeses, whisking until melted before adding more. Taste for salt.

Fold in the drained noodles, adding pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce coats the noodles. Serve the mac and cheese hot, sprinkled with the toasted panko bread crumbs and crumbled sage.

Do you want to see your favorite meal in print? Submit your recipe to recipes@marlboro.coop.

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1⁄3 cup apple butter

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

Heat the oven to 400 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine the cheeses. Sprinkle a clean work surface with ¼ cup of the cheese blend. Place one puff pastry sheet over the cheese, and sprinkle with another ¼ cup of cheese blend. Use a rolling pin to press the cheese into the pastry. Roll the sheet into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle. Repeat the rolling-out process with a second sheet of puff pastry and ½ cup of the cheese blend.

Brush the surface of one pastry sheet with egg wash. Place the other sheet on one of the prepared baking sheets. Brush the surface with the apple butter, maintaining a 1-inch border. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of the cheese blend and thyme. Top with the second sheet, egg wash-side down, pressing the layers gently together. Refrigerate the assembled sheet for 30 minutes.

Transfer the chilled sheet to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry into ¾-inch-wide strips. Transfer the strips to the baking sheets, spacing them at least 1 inch apart. Pinch the ends to close, and twist each end in the opposite direction to create a spiral. If they start to untwist, gently press the ends into the parchment.

Refrigerate the twists for 30 minutes, then brush with more egg wash. Bake until golden brown and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes.

Cool the twists on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Butternut Squash Casserole

2 to 2½ pounds butternut squash

¼ cup whole milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

Topping

1 cup pecan halves

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

¼ teaspoon salt

2⁄3 cup unsalted butter, melted

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 extra large eggs, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed

1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set aside. Cut the squash in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Place the squash cut-side down on the baking sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes or until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork. Allow the squash to cool enough to handle.

Spray a casserole dish with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside. While still warm, scoop out the butternut flesh and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Mash the squash with a potato masher until no chunks remain. Add the milk, vanilla, sugar, butter and cinnamon. Stir until combined. Add the eggs. Fold together until blended.

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake until almost set, about 30 minutes. While the casserole is baking, prepare the topping.

In a small bowl, combine the pecans, melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir until coated. Remove the baking dish from the oven, and sprinkle the pecan mixture over the squash. Continue baking until set, about 15 minutes.

story tell ing

The

shortest distance between two people

By Judy Garrison

My love affair with stories began when, as a high school junior having to decide my future within days of early graduation, I concluded I was good at words. That was it. Not math. Not science. Words. But what do you do with words for a career?

In the old-timey days—as my children call my youth—you became a teacher. So, I became a teacher, like my mother before me. Then I moved beyond interpreting works of Whitman and Thoreau to discovering New York Times bestsellers.

To my amazement, I was equally fond of nonfiction and fiction. I couldn’t wait to drop into a narrative, the more intriguing the better with harrowing bangs and bumps and tantalizing twists and turns.

Then, as a journalist on assignment, I attended a storytelling festival. I was witnessing a profession where individuals stood on stage and sucked you into their world with a simple story.

It never failed—applause, laughter and often tears would follow each teller who had just stood fearless in front of strangers and poured out their heart. When the stories concluded and people began to leave, they appeared different.

I didn’t understand the truth of that statement until I sat before more tellers and listened to more stories. By sharing and listening, people and communities are enriched, inspired and empowered by what connects humanity: stories.

Stories That Shape Our World

For Karyn Page-Davies, staying awake as a child waiting for a goodnight story and a kiss taught her the power of a satisfying story.

“My mother and grandmother were always reading us stories and telling family stories,” Karyn says. “My friends loved to have an overnight because they got to enjoy that story and a kiss goodnight, too.”

Sundays consisted of family gettogethers, picnics and fun.

When the games were over or the children grew tired, “we would join the old folks on the side porch to hear our aunts, uncles, cousins, parents and grandparents tell us about their work days and things they did during the week,” Karyn says.

“They would tell stories about school adventures as teachers and students,

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Donald Davis shares his life with the Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival. Downtown Jonesborough, Tennessee, is the home to the International Storytelling Center. Donald began retelling stories he heard from his family. There’s never a dull moment as a member of the audience.

OPPOSITE PAGE: The Southern balladeer Andy Offutt Irwin shares hilarious heartfilled stories. PHOTOS BY LEN GARRISON, SEEING SOUTHERN

policing, farming, travels and their mayoral duties.”

Stories involved sports, which were full of thrills and laughs. Some stories dated back to the American Revolution and Civil War, ordinary school days and even finding the loves of their lives.

Karyn now serves as president of the Stone Soup Storytelling Festival in Woodruff, South Carolina.

“My true passion for the festival and storytelling actively began around 2007 when I was attending a local rural chamber of commerce meeting, and a group of event planners proposed to move our festival to Greenville,” she says. “I listened to the group’s proposal, considered the cultural loss that our community would experience, jumped up and stated that there was going to be a festival in the coming year.”

The Stone Soup Storytelling Festival has been Karyn’s dream since that day.

“One of my favorite stories is one of Dad’s tales of playing professional baseball in the 1930s with the then-Philadelphia Athletics,” she says. “Dad was a pitcher. He threw what folks called ‘trash’ balls. The A’s were playing the Boston Red Sox at Shibe Park. It so happened the Red Sox’s left fielder at that time was Ted Williams.

“Dad had a reputation and loved a challenge,” Karyn continues. “First time up at bat, Dad threw the ball ... whack, out of the park. Dad said that as he turned to see the ball travel, ‘It was a foul ball, but it was a windy day, and the wind blew it fair.’ The ball floated into fair territory over the fence, a home run. After that at bat, Dad did strike Williams out twice.”

Storytelling has helped shape Karyn’s view of the world and how she reacts to experiences. It opens her eyes to travel and cultures, develops critical thinking and provides perspective on those different from her.

“Learn the art of listening,” she says. “Pay attention to life. We all have stories. Learn to share.”

The Stone Soup Storytelling Festival, happening each April down Woodruff’s Main Street, preserves the storytelling tradition and brings talented storytellers for a two-day experience of traditional storytelling plus creative storytelling ideas.

Presented by Stone Soup Storytelling Institute, the festival

provides an opportunity to expand offerings during the year. From folk tales to fairy tales and ghost stories to comedy, the festival teaches the value of sharing voices.

For more information, visit www.stonesoupsc.org.

Claim Your Voice

The mountains of North Georgia and Hiawassee wake to tales of family time and wild antics each April during the Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival.

Its genesis was at neighboring Young Harris College when professors Amanda Lawrence and Ruth Looper attended the National Storytelling Festival and decided they needed to bring the experience home.

Since 2013, the duo has brought together famed storytellers, introducing their verbal power to the community.

“Listening to good stories has changed me in more ways than I can articulate,” Ruth says. “I have always been in awe of the power of words, and as an English professor, I relish studying that power in poetry and prose with my students. But hearing a well-told story creates a different kind of enchantment because of the immediacy of the experience of verbal music that sings with meaning.”

The festival’s motto is “Claim Your Voice,” which Ruth believes is the essence of any good storyteller.

“Effective tellers have claimed their own voices and discovered the stories that they were meant to tell,” she says.

Having celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024, the lineup for 2025 builds on the legacy of lifting the voices of Appalachia.

The festival is free for teachers and students, low-income individuals and those with disabilities. Discounts are available to seniors and veterans. Taking place at The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, the festival features five storytellers in the lineup, including Bil Lepp.

For more information, visit www.gamountainstoryfest.org.

ABOVE: The international festival draws thousands to the small mountain town. RIGHT: An award-winning storyteller, Bil Lepp is a five-time champion of West Virginia Liar’s Contest. PHOTOS BY LEN GARRISON, SEEING SOUTHERN

LEFT: It’s an autograph T-shirt moment for a young fan of Donald Davis. RIGHT: Fans share with Donald how much they enjoy his stories. FAR RIGHT: Kanute Rarey turns the corner cafe into a storytelling home.

Letting the Canary Out

When Kanute Rarey retired from a health care career and moved to the small village of Hayesville in North Carolina, he wanted to become involved in his new community.

“I took my first storytelling workshop at John C. Campbell Folk School with national storyteller Elizabeth Ellis in 2015,” Kanute says. “I describe the effect of her mind-opening wordsmithing and encouragement as ‘letting the canary out of the cage.’”

And did it ever. Kanute now takes the stage, gathers his friends, and reminisces about the mystery and magic of the mountains.

“Storytelling made the last 10 years of my life a wonderful opportunity for self-exploration,” he says. “Through story creation, it broadens my appreciation of my past and present world. Telling stories brings out the happy, sad, hopeful, doubtful, fun-loving, people-loving, slightly crazy parts of me.”

His most-loved story by an author is Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” He says Bil Lepp’s story, “His Old Hunting Dog Chasing a Bully, and Catching a Train” continues to inspire him.

and truths. John McCutheon shared his unforeseen cancer diagnosis that provided 10 weeks of the “best alone time ever.”

Bil Lepp, who leaves audiences doubled over with laughter, talked about his buddy, Skeeter, and how church, garden hoses and pennies have so much in common.

Andy Offutt Irwin, who can whistle like the wind, told the antics of his Aunt Marguerite.

However, the man strolling down main street in a seersucker suit, wing tips and straw hat might as well have been Mick Jagger, for wherever he went, a crowd trailed. Donald Davis, a Southern Appalachian minister-turned-storyteller, weaves tales and shares rich stories fueled by his life, and for me, there is none better.

“Sometimes life is so outrageous, you don’t have to make it up to be a tall tale,” Kanute says with a laugh.

Kanute leads Open Mic Night monthly in Hayesville at the Corner Coffee and Wine Shop that is often standing room only.

As he opens the floor to anyone who wants to tell a story, his instruction remains the same: “No cussin.’ No fussin.’ No preachin.’ No politickin.’”

For more information, visit www.kanuterarey.com.

Building a Better World Through Stories

Other gatherings are small in comparison to the International Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, the storytelling capital of the world.

Thousands descend on this small hamlet the first weekend of October, in search of their favorite teller.

My first festival provided evidence of the universal sway of a story. Travelers from Japan, the Netherlands and Europe sat beside me, hanging on every word from sunup to sundown.

Donald stood before a crowd toppling 500, telling about his first paycheck and the harsh reality of paying taxes. He transported the crowd to the Grand Canyon, where he and his wife, Merle, rode donkeys along the Bright Angel Trail. He told of meeting her when she was 25 and knowing “she was the one.” And they always went home to Ocracoke Island in North Carolina following their travels.

The story’s vein then changed. Health issues followed by more unforeseen diagnoses over seven years took Merle’s mobility.

During her last summer, Donald pushed her in a wheelchair in 23 states and 21 national parks. She dropped a marble in each location so Donald would return to each place and collect them.

From tent to tent, I moved and listened to tales of exaggerations

Realizing where the story was heading yet not knowing its full impact, I felt a lump form in my throat. Donald pulled out a small sachet from his pocket, sprinkling its contents in front of him.

It was Merle. He always took a part of her with him wherever he went and would leave a part of her there. He would do this for the rest of his life.

“Don’t be sad if you walk on her,” he says. “Don’t be sad if you get some of her on you. This is exactly what she would have wanted. Thank you for helping me say goodbye to my Merle.”

I will never forget that lightning bolt moment that illustrated the power of a story. Storytellers simply recount their stories, and ironically, they become a mirror. With that mirror, we see ourselves.

For more information on the festival, as well as buying tickets and receiving updates, visit www.storytellingcenter.net. 

Fun Festivals&

OCT. 11-13

Fall Plant and Flower Festival

Still need those nal touches for your front porch? Take in a day of seasonal plants, owers and decor.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday;

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday PEE DEE STATE FARMERS MARKET

2513 W. Lucas St., Florence

OCT. 11

Downtown Florence Fright Fest

A fright for the whole family. Activities include dressing in costumes while enjoying food, live music and trunk-or-treat.

5:30-9 p.m.

DOWNTOWN FLORENCE

100 S. Dargan St., Florence

OCT. 12

41st Annual Sweet Potato Festival

Calling all fans of sweet potatoes, crafts and shopping. Enjoy a day with the family.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DOWNTOWN DARLINGTON

202 Cashua St., Darlington

OCT. 12

Monster Mash

Halloween Bash

Get into the holiday spirit with candy, food trucks, face painting, games, costumes and a karaoke contest.

Admission is free.

6-10 p.m.

AMAZING GRACE PARK

307 W. Dozier St., Marion

 NOV. 2

SC Pecan and Music Festival

OCT. 17-20

South Carolina Jazz Festival

Celebrate jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie with a day of musical talent. For show times and tickets, visit scjazzfestival.com.

200 Market St., Cheraw

OCT. 18-20

Food and Culture Festival

With more than 40 food trucks, stop by with your costume for candy, crafts and a kids zone.

MAGNOLIA MALL

2701 David McLeod Blvd., Florence

OCT. 18-26

Shadows of the Past

7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

A candlelight walking tour into the past. For more information and tickets, visit darlingtoncountymuseum.org.

DARLINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND MUSEUM

204 Hewitt St., Darlington

 OCT. 1820 Food and Culture Festival Spooktacular

OCT. 24

Treats on the Streets

Deck the family in costumes and come out for a frightful night lled with candy and lots of family fun.

5-7 p.m.

DOWNTOWN HARTSVILLE 100 E. Carolina Ave., Hartsville

OCT. 26

Trucks ‘N Treats

Find your favorite costume and grab your children for a “wheelie” good time at the raceway.

9 a.m. to noon

DARLINGTON RACEWAY 1301 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington

OCT. 26

BOOtanical Garden

Trick-or-treat through the spooktacular-themed garden. For more information and tickets, visit moorefarms.org.

2-5 p.m.

MOORE FARMS

BOTANICAL GARDEN 100 New Zion Road, Lake City

NOV. 2

SC Pecan and Music Festival

Drawing more than 50,000 attendees each year, this festival is full of pecan treats for your tastebuds and music for your ears.

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 123 N. Dargan St., Florence

NOV. 2

Honoring our Veterans Car, Truck and Bike Show

Showing all makes and models, with class trophies, children’s choice awards, music and food. Registration is $25.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FLORENCE CENTER

3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence

NOV. 7

Taste of Marlboro

Join in a night of food, drinks and dancing. For tickets, visit Marlboro Chamber of Commerce.

6-9 p.m.

COMMUNITY CENTER

714 N. Marlboro St., Bennettsville

By Vikki Moran

The American craft brewery is small and independent. In recent years, South Carolina has emerged as a vibrant hub for craft beer enthusiasts with a burgeoning brewpub scene that reflects the state’s rich history and innovative spirit.

From the coastal plains to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, small breweries are cropping up, offering a unique blend of flavors, ambiance and community. This narrative delves into the excitement and presence of brewpubs across South Carolina, highlighting their role in fostering local economies, preserving cultural heritage and creating spaces for social connection.

South Carolina’s brewing tradition dates back centuries, initiated in the practices of early settlers and influenced by new immigrants who brought their brewing traditions—from German lagers to English ales—to all parts of the South. Breweries, such as Palmetto Brewing Co. in Charleston and Thomas Creek Brewery

in Greenville, pay homage to these time-honored styles while infusing them with a modern twist. Behind every great brewpub is a passionate brewmaster dedicated to the art and science of crafting exceptional beer.

South Carolina has 3.4 breweries for every 100,000 adults of drinking age in the state’s craft beer market for 2023, according to the Brewers Association. This translates to a $769 million impact on the state’s economy.

Community Bonding and Beer

Flights of beer are available at most South Carolina

Will your local brewpub become the famed “Cheers” akin to the ’80s sitcom?

More than just places to enjoy distinctive cold beers, local breweries offer space for neighbors to become friends and communities to come together. Trivia nights, goat yoga nights, darts and pool competitions are just a few of the nightly offerings to draw in guests. These themed events are generally on weeknights when socializing options are more limited.

Probably not, but you can meet, laugh and enjoy the company of neighbors while they toast to a culture of craftsmanship, community and gratitude. Who knows, maybe everyone will know your name.

Soda and Other Nonalcoholic Options

The nonalcoholic small brewing industry in America has experienced huge market growth. According to Grand View Research, the global nonalcoholic beer market was valued at $4.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound

ABOVE: A brew meister tends to production. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BREWERS ASSOCIATION

TOP:

craft brewpubs.

annual growth rate of 7.6% from 2021 to 2028. South Carolina and the South in general have lagged behind other parts of the nation and certainly Europe. But local brewmeisters expect that to change soon.

Consumer trends point to a notable shift in individual preferences toward healthier lifestyles. That driving force has created a larger demand for nonalcoholic beverages. In America, that demand includes alcohol-free beer. Millennials and Generation Z, in particular, are seeking alternatives to traditional alcoholic libations, contributing to the rise of nonalcoholic beer consumption.

European countries reflect this generational change, too. Some of the trendiest European pubs and cafes, including the popular Delirium Café in Brussels,

offer more nonalcoholic beer options. Delirium Cafe holds the Guinness World Record for the most beers offered with 2,004 available options.

Small breweries across the United States increasingly offer nonalcoholic beers to cater to this growing demand. These breweries are known for their creativity and innovation, experimenting with various flavors and brewing techniques to produce high-quality nonalcoholic brews.

Many craft breweries, known for their emphasis on quality and artisanal brewing, have entered the nonalcoholic beer market, leveraging their expertise and passion for brewing to create nonalcoholic beers that rival their counterparts in taste and complexity.

The production and sale of zero-proof beer is regulated by federal and state laws governing the beverage industry. Breweries

must adhere to labeling requirements and alcohol content regulations to ensure compliance and consumer safety.

With the rising trend of healthconsciousness and a desire for alternative beverage options, there’s a growing interest in nonalcoholic beverages throughout South Carolina. Some breweries in South Carolina have started including nonalcoholic beer options on their menus to cater to customers looking for alcoholfree alternatives.

Some breweries and craft beverage producers in South Carolina create craft sodas, nonalcoholic beer and other zeroproof options. These drinks often feature unique flavors and high-quality ingredients, appealing to consumers seeking an alternative to traditional soft drinks.

Local agriculture is becoming key to imaginative brews, sodas and ciders. In Charleston, for example, Holy City Brewing’s story is all about dedication to craft beer, yet it also makes a killer homemade root beer.

Whether you are a craft beer aficionado looking to explore new and exciting flavors, or prefer to abstain from alcohol, the South Carolina brewery scene offers something for everyone. From themed evenings to offering a gathering spot, entrepreneurs have more than libations on tap. They also foster community, fun and inclusion. n

LEFT: Independent craft brewers are at the heart of many success stories.

ABOVE: Pizza and beer are a winning combination.

LEFT: Share the craft brew experience with friends.

Tricks to Treat Your Pumpkins to a Longer Life

Nothing says October is here quite like pumpkins.

Whether you choose to incorporate whole ones or carve them into spooky faces, pumpkins add a fun element to any fall display. There are a few tricks to treat your pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns this season so they remain as fresh as possible until the big day.

Choose Wisely

One of the most important steps is to first pick the healthiest pumpkin.

No matter the variety or size of the pumpkin, you want to look at its surface. Make sure it has a firm, healthy-looking stem and no soft spots, scratches or holes. The sturdier and healthier a pumpkin is, the longer it lasts.

Pumpkin Preparation

The two main reasons pumpkins rot are because they dry out and are damaged by pests.

To slow down this process, it is important to prep the pumpkins. Before you start decorating or carving your pumpkins, clean them. You can use traditional dish soap or just water to remove any bacteria.

After washing your pumpkins, make sure to dry them completely. If you choose to carve your pumpkins, completely clean out the insides down to the rinds and leave no excess stringy pumpkin flesh.

Treating Pumpkins

While whole pumpkins can last one month—up to two months if stored properly—your jack-o’-lanterns won’t fare so well. Depending on conditions, carved pumpkins generally won’t last more than a week.

While you can’t prevent the rotting process forever, there are some preservation measures you can take before and after carving your pumpkin to slow the process.

Bleach can help stop your pumpkin from rotting because it kills bacteria and fungi before it turns the pumpkin flesh into mold. If your pumpkin is uncarved, add a tablespoon of bleach to a large bucket and dilute it with a quart of water. Submerge the whole pumpkin in the bleach mixture, and let it soak for about 20 minutes. Remove it from the solution, and allow it to dry.

If your pumpkin is carved, add the same bleach solution to a spray bottle. Gently spray the insides of the carved pumpkin and all the cut surfaces. Repeat this process as it starts to look dry, with a light spritz every day or so.

WD-40 is a popular way to keep pumpkins fresh. It acts as a barrier from pathogens that cause rot, locks in moisture and can even help resist freezing. The same can be said by spraying the pumpkin with a can of shellac, polyurethane or other spray adhesive.

In a real pumpkin emergency, when it’s down to the last few days before

Halloween and the pumpkin is wilting, try reviving it by putting it into an ice bath. Fill a bucket with the pumpkin, cold water and ice for a few hours or overnight to help it hang on a little longer.

Pumpkin Placement

When you start to map out where to place pumpkins for decoration, keep in mind certain locations are better than others. Areas that are dry, shaded and have good air circulation are ideal. Direct sunlight dries them out even faster.

Make sure to keep pumpkins off the ground. The contact with soil brings in too much moisture and invites pesky insects to damage your pumpkins. Try placing them on a raised surface, a piece of wood, plastic plate or brick.

Lighting Jack-O’-Lanterns

Do not use wax candles to light jack-o’lanterns. Instead, use battery-operated lights, which help extend the life of the pumpkin. The heat from traditional candles essentially cooks the insides of the pumpkin, making it wilt faster. 

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.

Treating your pumpkins with a mixture of bleach and water helps preserve them.

BY BRANDI FAULK

PHOTO

Mother Hen Chicken Tea Bags, $14.50

Transform any mug into a tea party with these adorably shaped chicken tea bags. These unique tea bags are the perfect way to put a smile on any chicken lover’s face and spruce up their daily tea routine. Included in each set are six compostable and biodegradable bags, hand-filled with your choice of tea blends. All blends are flavored exclusively with naturally derived, organic-compliant ingredients for a healthy cup of tea every time.

Mother Hen is a chicken lady-owned tea company based outside of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, which specializes in all things tea- and chicken-related. From whimsical teabags, egg-ceptional quality loose-leaf teas, an assortment of kettles, mugs and infusers, to gorgeous steeping teaspoons, Mother Hen ensures a step up from your average teatime experience.

Featured in Country Living Magazine, Tractor Supply and Backyard Poultry Magazine, it’s no surprise to see why other fellow chicken ladies are flocking to grab their own bags and tea accessories.

Mother Hen is the official retailer of Coopouri, aromatherapy for your coop. Coopouri Nesting Herbs are crafted with the same organic dried herbs as the tea blends but are formulated to keep your flock happy and healthy by freshening nesting boxes and deterring insects and rodents.

Don’t forget to check out the official Instagram page for more inspiration from the owner’s backyard flock of Silkies. motherhenteaco.com

Happy

Wax Melts, $8.95

Melt your heart out with these ultrafragrant wax melts from Happy Wax.

These 100% all-natural soy wax melts are a safe, flame-free way to keep your home smelling fresh all day long. They come in little bear shapes—convenient for mixing and melting into your wax warmer. This saves you the hassle of having to break the brick like with many other wax melts on the market.

These scented bears are made healthier and happier out of Hillsborough, North Carolina, with no paraffin, parabens or phthalates. Available in more than 80 fragrances, including lemon verbena, watermelon

mojito and the gilded autumn collection (apple jam donut and cinnamon chai, happy wax).

Grab your favorite wax warmer with one of the patent-pending silicone dishes—making cleaning the warmer a breeze with no more scraping or scrubbing. Simply pop out the disk of wax once it has cooled and hardened. No mess. No fuss.

Stock up on your favorite Happy Wax Melts, and if you need help discovering the right scent for you, stop by the site to take the free scent quiz.

happywax.com

Harvest Spice Whipped Sugar Scrub, $8

Scrub your way to soft skin this fall with Harvest Spice Whipped Sugar Scrub from Hive and Co.

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Story and photos by Nick Thomas

You don’t need to believe in ghosts or ghouls to embrace the spirit of Halloween. But for those who do— or are perhaps just curious—Jennifer VanBoskerck hosts a Witch’s Gala costume party in her 130-year-old Victorian house in Marion on Saturday, Oct. 19. The 6,800-square-foot mansion is a symbol of Southern architectural beauty known for harboring ghostly legends.

A paranormal investigator, Jennifer bought the 2.5-acre estate in December 2023. Since then, she and son Zach have lived in the house while undertaking extensive renovations.

The home was built around 1895 by Jesse Gray Holliday, a successful livestock rancher, livery stable owner and salesman. The house changed ownership several times but not before Jesse suffered heartwrenching tragedies, including the deaths of his first wife and three young children from various and sometimes unknown illnesses. A subsequent owner died from a heart attack in the house, and there’s reportedly been a suicide on the property.

Jennifer has been told bodies are buried on the property.

“We can’t say for sure, but it’s been a persistent town rumor for ages,” she says. “Psychics visiting the house have suggested the same thing.”

Jesse remarried and later sold the house. One of the owners turned it into the Smith-Collins Funeral Home and converted the kitchen into an embalming room. That area remains intact today and lends an additional chilling mystique to the history of the home, now known locally as Holliday House.

“We still have some of the original embalming tools on display,” Jennifer says. “There’s even a bloodstain on the sheet covering the embalming table.”

Adjacent to the embalming chamber, a small room showcases dozens of antique bottles, likely more than a half-century old. Along the walls are displays of elegant dresses and gentlemen’s suits—the kinds likely worn to Sunday church services in the 1950s—all abandoned by the previous homeowner. There’s a reason Jennifer chose to leave them on permanent display.

“When it was a funeral home, family members would come here with their loved ones who had passed away, but some didn’t have formal clothes to wear for the funeral, so they could borrow these for the service,” she says. “Imagine the stories those garments could tell.”

Clothes, bottles and embalming tools were not the only items left in the house. Antique furniture, paintings, lamps and light fixtures fill most of the rooms, along with various items Jennifer has added since buying the property.

In the front men’s parlor, aqua curtains gently drape the pale lemon walls, and more antique bottles line the fireplace shelf. Velvet-covered chairs surround a small table with a chess set, while a leather sofa, desk, bookcase and cabinets complete the room that is separated from the entrance hallway by giant sliding doors. A vintage suit of armor stands guard over a decanter of spirits and a mahogany humidor.

“The gentlemen would come here after dinner to relax with a traditional whiskey and cigar,” Jennifer says.

Formerly a resident of Myrtle Beach, she began looking for a new home when her

landlord increased her rent. After visiting Marion, she discovered the Holliday House.

“I just fell in love with it,” she says. However, it was in poor condition, having been abandoned by the previous owners in 2015.

Aside from general neglect over the years, a fire destroyed part of the original staircase to the second-floor bedrooms. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew damaged the roof, causing significant water intrusion in several rooms. This forced Jennifer to prioritize a $60,000 roof repair before addressing other restoration efforts that included collapsed ceilings and damaged floors.

“Eventually, I want to return the house as close as possible to its original condition, but won’t repair absolutely everything,” she says. “For example, paint chipping off the fireplace gives it character. I may even leave a little of the ceiling exposed in a room and cover with plexiglass for people interested in seeing the structural architecture of the period.”

Although Jennifer says she and others have experienced inexplicable sights and sounds within the house, she emphasizes the ghostly connection is just one feature of the property.

“I don’t want it to be just about the paranormal, which is why I also offer tours that focus on the house’s history,” she says.

This month’s Witch’s Gala is a Halloween party designed for adults to hear personal stories about the property’s history while indulging in the spooky season. Guests can dress up in costumes and enjoy delicious food with a background of eerie music. Visitors are free to explore the rooms on their own—if they dare!

CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Jennifer VanBoskerck stands on the stairway of her 130-year-old Victorian house in Marion. Holliday House was once a funeral home. Jennifer has incorporated elegant dresses and men’s suits left behind by previous residents into the house’s decor.

“The cost is $85 per person, and all the money goes to help restoration,” Jennifer says. “Repairs are expensive and extensive, but we are prepared to take as long as it needs and invest all that we can to bring this beautiful home back to its former glory.” 

The Holliday House Witch’s Gala is Saturday, Oct. 19, from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. at 619 Willcox Ave., Marion. For more details or tickets, email hollidayhouse1895@gmail.com or call 843-5979720. Visit www.hollidayhouse1895.com to learn more about Holliday House.

Nick Thomas writes features, columns and interviews for newspapers and magazines around the country. See www.getnickt.org.

Who’s Buried

South Carolina’s Historic Cemeteries Contain Famous

Americans

By Cheré Coen

Skip Evans offers walking tours of historic Charleston, personalizing them for each visitor’s interest. What started as a side gig when he retired from a career as an airline captain quickly became a full-time job.

“In nine years, I’ve never given the same tour,” Skip says. “It’s a walk with friends, is how I describe it.”

That includes walks through cemeteries. And the city founded in 1670 offers quite a few of note.

Skip says he could speak at length about many of Charleston’s cemeteries and graveyards—both are types of burial grounds but distinguished largely by size and location. Graveyards are typically smaller and often located on church properties.

Three such places come to mind—all within walking distance of one another and each containing famous people.

They’re just a few of the historic and often picturesque final resting places in South Carolina.

Charleston: St. Michael’s Church

The churchyard at St. Michael’s contains two signers of the American Constitution, plus Revolutionary War soldiers and U.S. congressmen.

Two of the most famous are John Rutledge, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, South Carolina governor and signer of the U.S. Constitution; and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, who served under George Washington in the Revolutionary War and later as foreign minister to France during Washington’s term as president. Pinckney ran unsuccessfully for president in 1804 and 1808.

“It was pretty spectacular what they accomplished,” Skip says.

St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church

St. Phillip’s campus on the corner of Meeting and Broad streets features a graveyard adjacent to the church.

Buried at St. Phillip’s is Col. William Rhett, who famously led the expedition in search of the pirate Blackbeard and ultimately captured the so-called “Gentleman Pirate” Stede Bonnet.

Other burials include John Calhoun, vice president under Andrew Jackson; and Charleston native DuBose Heyward, who wrote the 1925 novel “Porgy,” which later became adapted into the George Gershwincomposed musical “Porgy and Bess.”

French Protestant (Huguenot) Church

The church itself was founded in 1687 by a group of French Protestants—known as Huguenots—who emigrated to the colonies. However, the unique Gothic Revival building on-site today dates to 1845.

Buried there is former state Sen. and U.S. Rep. Arthur Ravenel Jr., who championed environmental causes and the 2005 replacement of the Cooper River Bridge, now named for him, between Charleston and Mount Pleasant.

Other Charleston Cemeteries to Consider

Two cemeteries worth visiting for their picturesque gravestones and landscaping: the Coming Street Cemetery, the oldest Jewish burial ground in the South established in 1762 and owned by Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim; and the Unitarian Church in Charleston, which was completed in 1787 and remains the oldest Unitarian church in the South.

Head to Fort Moultrie National Historic Park to see the final resting place of Osceola, the Seminole warrior brought

Where?

to the Fort as a prisoner. He died there in January 1838 and is buried outside of the fort’s sallyport.

The remains of the final crew of the H.L. Hunley Confederate submarine are interred at Magnolia Cemetery, located on the former rice plantation Magnolia Umbra. The Hunley crew and vessel were recovered from the sea in 2000, and the crew was brought to Magnolia in 2004.

Several governors have found their resting places there along the Cooper River.

Beaufort: Tabernacle Baptist Church

One of the most fascinating South Carolina natives is Beaufort’s Robert Smalls.

Robert was born into slavery in 1839. He became an enslaved crew member for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.

While serving on a Confederate steamship, Robert overtook the vessel and delivered it to the Union Army. After the war, during Reconstruction when many former enslaved people were elected to office, Robert served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, the United States Senate and four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He’s buried in Beaufort at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Black congregation created in 1863.

Jacksonboro: Col. Isaac Hayne

Historic

Burial Site

South Carolina planter Isaac Hayne fought against the British during the American Revolution but accepted parole from the crown in exchange for neutrality following the capture of Charleston.

Isaac later returned to the fight for independence but was captured, and the British hung the patriot in 1781 as an example to others who thought to fight

their neutrality vows. He’s buried in the garden of his former plantation, which is managed by Colleton State Park as a South Carolina historic park and is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Pineville: Francis Marion

Historic Burial Site

Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, known as the “Swamp Fox” for his guerrilla tactics in South Carolina, returned to his Pond Bluff plantation at the conflict’s end.

Francis was buried at Belle Isle, his brother’s plantation 15 miles to the east.

When Lake Moultrie flooded, gravestones from another cemetery were moved to Belle Isle to join other members of the Marion family. It’s now a state historic site with a granite monument to mark the Swamp Fox’s contribution to American freedom.

The site is managed by Santee State Park and is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Columbia: Randolph Cemetery

Kentucky-born free person of color

Benjamin Franklin Randolph, co-founder of the Charleston Journal Newspaper, served in the state senate.

Franklin worked to secure votes for Black men and non-property-owning white males at the 1868 South Carolina State Constitutional Convention. He was killed by an armed group of white men in the fall of 1868 and buried at Randolph, the city’s first cemetery dedicated to African Americans.

Columbia: Greenlawn Memorial Park

Two female professional wrestling legends are buried at Greenlaw.

Mary Lillian “The Fabulous Moolah” Ellisan was a multiple world champion

wrestler and became the first female wrestler inducted into the then-WWF Hall of Fame.

Mae Young, another Hall of Fame professional wrestler, participated in wrestling matches during nine different decades.

Florence: Florence National Cemetery

This cemetery was created to inter Civil War prisoners of war who died at the Florence Stockade camp, along with fallen Union troops. The site was designated a national cemetery in 1865.

The cemetery includes the burial site of Florena Budwin, who donned men’s clothing to serve with her husband in the Union Army. Her husband died in combat, and Florena was captured and sent to Andersonville POW camp in Georgia and the Florence Stockade where she nursed soldiers until she contracted pneumonia. It was then her gender was discovered.

Although Florena received special treatment after discovery, she died shortly after. She was the first woman soldier to be buried in a national cemetery.

Greenville: Woodlawn Memorial Park

Numerous famous people are buried at Woodlawn, including several U.S. congressmen and professional athletes.

One is “Shoeless Joe” Jackson, a Major League Baseball player known for a sensational batting average and one of baseball’s biggest scandals. Jackson was accused, along with seven other Chicago White Sox players, of throwing the 1919 World Series. He was found innocent of taking a bribe but banned from playing professional baseball. He returned to his Greenville home and died in 1951. 

For more information about Skip Evans Walking Tours, visit www.walkingcharleston.com.

Graves at St. Michael’s in Charleston date back centuries and include American dignitaries. OPPOSITE PAGE: Robert Smalls, who was born enslaved and as a free man was elected to Congress, among other posts, is buried at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Beaufort. PHOTOS BY CHERÉ COEN

By Judy Garrison

olors C

Carolina

The season’s hottest ticket is not the next SEC football clash but a getaway into the Blue Ridge Mountains for the most brilliant color show of the year.

Western South Carolina showcases shades of orange, red and yellow blanketing the highest elevations into the lowest valleys. Routes wind through state parks, along rural roads and over mountains to present the season’s loveliest portrait.

Leaves transition from mid-September through the first of November, according to “The Old Farmer’s Almanac.” Colors change in New England and the Midwest during the earliest part of the season. In South Carolina’s Upstate and Midlands regions, the second week in October is a safe bet to plan a sight-seeing adventure.

However, what happened the previous year does not dictate a timeline for the current season. Transformation is dependent upon reduced water, sunlight and necessary nutrients occurring during the existing fall period.

As the heat of summer cools down and we’re reminded that fall is right around the corner, make plans to take to the roads and enjoy the kaleidoscope views. From majestic waterfalls to switchback highways and everything in-between, South Carolina is flawless for leaf peeping this fall season.

Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway

Ditch the interstate and follow Highway 11, known as the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway, that extends from Interstate 85 near the Georgia line into the foothills of South Carolina. Following the southernmost Blue Ridge Mountains, this approximate 120-mile route is one of the most beautiful drives in the state and offers great attraction detours.

Beginning Oct. 3, the park provides a live webcam to help you plan a fall foliage tour. From October to the end of November, peak season encompasses elevations up to 5,000 feet.

The consensus for the most glorious view is from the summit of Table Rock, a 3,100-foot granite dome—the highest points peak early in the season—but the 3.4-mile hike is challenging and strenuous, best reached by the Pinnacle Mountain Trail. However, lower elevations flaunt green foliage mingled with fall colors that will not disappoint.

Not a hiker? Sit on the porch at the visitor center and enjoy the watershed view from Pinnacle Mountain to Stool Mountain. Stop at Table Rock Overlook above the nature center for the mountain view. The lakes and waterfalls add sparkle to the vistas.

Plan your visit at www.southcarolinaparks.com/table-rock.

Caesars Head State Park

8155 Geer Highway, Cleveland

Always a favorite, Caesars Head State Park delivers a spectacular panorama of fall foliage.

Access the overlook from the visitor center and view the abrupt 3,000-foot drop in elevation of the Blue Ridge escarpment to the foothills below. Its easily accessible overlook—less than half a mile round trip, paved boardwalk, ADA accessible—treats visitors to a view of the mountains extending into North Carolina and Georgia.

Take the 4-mile round-trip hike to Raven Cliff Falls—moderate to difficult—and enjoy the 400-foot cascade that frames the colors of the forest. There’s also a suspension bridge to take you high above the colors and a view of the plunging waterfall.

To plan your hike, visit www.southcarolinaparks.com/ caesars-head.

Take your time and enjoy stops along the route, such as Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee, Poinsett Bridge, Campbell’s Covered Bridge (circa 1909), and the cities of Landrum and Gaffney (The Peachoid). Head north and drive to Kings Mountain National Military Park for a little Revolutionary War history. For more information, visit www.scenic11.com.

Table Rock State Park

158 Ellison Lane, Pickens

Covering more than 3,000 acres of the state’s mountain country, Table Rock State Park in Pickens County puts on a show each fall.

Congaree National Park

100 National Park Road, Hopkins

With a plethora of cypress, oak and tupelo trees, Congaree National Park paints the season with reds and golds.

It’s ideal for kayaking or canoeing on the 15-mile Cedar Creek Canoe Trail; enjoy an exceptional color perspective from the water. More than 25 miles of hiking trails and 2.4 miles of boardwalks allow up-close exploration. During fall, temperatures average in the 70s with low humidity, making it a comfortable experience.

As one of the oldest and tallest forests east of the Mississippi, the park immerses visitors into the wilderness and swamps. Whether a day trip or an overnight camping

trip into the backcountry, this journey taken during the fall season is more diverse than other options.

Visit www.nps.com/cong for park information as well as current conditions.

Issaqueena Falls

Stumphouse Tunnel Road, Walhalla

A popular destination, Stumphouse Park is easily accessible and offers a covered bridge, waterfalls, a Civil War-era tunnel, and hiking and biking trails.

Experience everything at the park, but don’t miss the falls, especially during the autumn season.

Named for a Creek maiden, the 100-foot cascading Issaqueena Falls is framed by fall’s changing colors.

Take the easy five-minute walk from the parking lot to the viewing platform overlooking the falls, and during the autumn season as leaves fall, the view is clear. Although there is a trail from the observation deck to the bottom of the falls, the path is hazardous and discouraged.

For more information, visit www.visitoconeesc.com/stumphouse. 

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Storm Sentinel

When Two Hearts Join

Commitment to Community

Table of Contents

Storm Sentinel

The Gray Man of Pawleys Island warns residents when storms are coming

An Enduring Legend

Notable Sightings

Where in the Community?

CYBERSECURITY Awareness Month

Tips to Protect Yourself From a Scam

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

Apple Cider Mu ns

Birth of a Donut

Apple Cider Muffins

A Little Fall for Your Winter

Recipe Pointers

Reader Challenge

Making Pictures From Words

Was Dracula

Dracula Real?

Across

Flavors of Fall

Apple Butter Cheese Twists

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Butternut Squash Casserole

Topping

story tell ing

The

Stories That Shape Our World

Claim Your Voice

Letting the Canary Out

Building a Better World Through Stories

Fun Festivals&

Community Bonding and Beer

Soda and Other Nonalcoholic Options

Tricks to Treat Your Pumpkins to a Longer Life

Choose Wisely

Pumpkin Preparation

Treating Pumpkins

Pumpkin Placement

Lighting Jack-O’-Lanterns

Mother Hen Chicken Tea Bags, $14.50

Happy

Harvest Spice Whipped Sugar Scrub, $8

Who’s Buried

South Carolina’s Historic Cemeteries Contain Famous

Americans

Charleston: St. Michael’s Church

St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church

Other Charleston Cemeteries to Consider

Where?

Beaufort: Tabernacle Baptist Church

Jacksonboro: Col. Isaac Hayne

Burial Site

Pineville: Francis Marion

Historic Burial Site

Columbia: Randolph Cemetery

Greenville: Woodlawn Memorial Park

olors C

Carolina

Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway

Congaree National Park

Issaqueena Falls

Our easiest cell phones ever.