SC Currents, MPD Electric Cooperative, September 2024
Currents South Carolina
A PUBLICATION OF MPD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE SEPTEMBER 2024
Edible Education
The Farm at Florence 1 offers lessons in food, farming and the importance of making healthy choices Page 6
The Farm at Florence 1 opened in May 2023 and covers 7 acres on the site of the former Clemson Research Farm for the Pee Dee.
PHOTO BY KATIE WILCOX
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.
Another Cooperative Membership Benefit
Have you ever wished that knock at your door was Publishers Clearing House? While we don’t have a huge check, balloons and life-changing money to give away, we do still have good news for MPD members: Capital credit checks are on the way.
One of the many benefits of being a cooperative member is receiving your annual capital credit. What are capital credits? Revenues received by MPD over actual operating expenses are returned to members as capital credits. Starting this month, capital credits are allocated to each member in proportion to the amount of electricity they bought in the scheduled year.
No action is required on your part to receive your credit. If your amount is less than $50, you will notice a credit on your power bill. If your amount is greater than $50, a check will be mailed to you.
This is just one of the many benefits of being a member of MPD Electric Cooperative. We couldn’t ask for better members than you.
BO MCINNIS Chairman
SAVE THE DATE
MPD Annual Meeting
Saturday, Oct. 5 at Darlington Raceway
Early registration at MPD Electric Cooperative in Bennettsville on Wednesday, Oct. 2 and at Darlington Raceway on Friday, Oct. 4.
Table of Contents
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
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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.
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MANUSCRIPTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS
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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!
Dine sumptuously, buy thoughtfully,
12 Page 34
South Carolina Shrimp
What’s New in the Smoky Mountains
Explore the many new attractions in the Smoky Mountain tri-cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.
Edible
The Farm at Florence 1 offers lessons in food, farming and the importance of making healthy choices
Jodi Helmer
When students arrive at the Farm at Florence 1, Jeff Murrie likes to ask them a question: “Raise your hand if you live on a farm.” It’s rare to see a single arm go up. The same happens when he asks students to raise their hands if their parents or grandparents grew up on a farm. It isn’t until he asks whether their greatgrandparents were raised on a farm that most students put their hands in the air.
Most Americans are three to four generations removed from agriculture, and residents of Florence County are no exception. It’s not just that most children no longer grow up on farms. There is also a disconnect between the farm and the food on their plates.
Jeff believes students in kindergarten through 12th grade at schools in the Florence 1 School District get most of their meals from the drivethru windows.
“We focus on the pros and cons of that drive-thru window and making better choices,” he says. “What happens here at the farm is kids get inspired; they get ignited and go home … and they want to plant something.
“What we’re really trying to do here is plant those seeds of change and bring about an end to the negative things that society has allowed to take over and become the accepted norm.”
FROM TOP: After collecting fresh vegetables, they are washed and prepped in the kitchen. Students got to taste the salsa they made. A chicken coupe for fresh eggs. Students helped chop and prepare ingredients for the salsa. PHOTOS BY KATIE WILCOX
Education
Planting the Seed
Jeff started teaching social studies at Briggs Elementary School in 2015. Teachers knew he was an avid gardener with beehives, a chicken coop and raised beds filled with vegetables, and they suggested he add these elements to the school curriculum.
Funding from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and the South Carolina Department of Education allowed him to establish a garden at Briggs.
The school garden included fruits, vegetables, chickens, an observation beehive and two goats named Holly and Jolly. It was popular with students and teachers and offered the perfect setting to teach hands-on classes on subjects from science to art. However, Jeff had a vision to expand the concept for an even bigger impact.
“We had a new superintendent, and I went to him and said, ‘I really want to do something phenomenal,’” Jeff says. “We ended up with the Farm at Florence 1.”
Opened in May 2023, the 7-acre farm is on the site of the former Clemson Research Farm for the Pee Dee.
“This is even better than it was in the beginning because … we’re going to start back with the young kids and let them realize what it does take to feed them and see where the food comes from,” Clemson Extension agent Tony Melton says during an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The robust farm-to-school program includes a working farm and classrooms for hands-on learning in agriculture and culinary education.
“The farm is a place of great happiness,” Jeff says. “Students have the freedom to explore and taste and get their hands dirty.”
Students can propagate plants in the greenhouse, harvest fresh vegetables from the raised beds, participate in cooking classes or explore the woods on nature walks.
Jeff weaves lessons from the social studies curriculum, sharing information about the history of the land.
“We talk about the different people that lived on this land,” he says. “We give credit to Spanish explorers that came through this area, Native Americans and African Americans who lived and worked on this site, which would have been a Colonial thoroughfare from Cheraw all the way down to Georgetown.”
The lessons taught at the Farm at Florence 1 are based on the National Farm to School Network, a nonprofit organization that aims to transform how children eat, grow and learn about foods
in schools through hands-on activities. The goal is to educate students about where their food comes from and encourage them to take an active role in making healthy choices.
In cooking classes, students can cut okra from the garden and roast it with salt and pepper. Jeff calls the starchy, crunchy okra fries a healthier option than french fries from the fast food drive-thru.
“We can make something pretty delicious, and the kids walk away loving it,” he says.
One group of students who attended the 4-H cooking camp took their culinary skills to the next level, using the techniques they learned in the kitchen at the Farm at Florence 1 to start a small business.
“(They) started to recreate the recipes at home and sold the prepared meals to offset the cost for summer camps,” Jeff says. “For a child in the sixth or seventh grade to say, ‘Hey, I’m going to take what I learned at camp and generate some income to help my parents pay for my summer camp’ is a pretty amazing thing.”
Cultivating a Brighter Future
The Farm at Florence 1 might be a school district initiative, but Jeff sees it as a community asset. He’s partnered with Pee Dee Beekeepers Association to launch a junior beekeeping club, hosts a summer camp that includes soil sample lessons with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and offers a vegan cooking classes with Haley Vasuki, of Plant Empowered Florence.
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue also participated in a summer camp session. The nonprofit brought
FROM TOP: Farmer Lou Lou (Christine Townsend) shows students vegetable variations. The seven-acre farm opened in May of 2023 off Williston Road. Farmer Jeff takes students on a hayride around the property. PHOTOS BY KATIE WILCOX
to do at the farm is let all children—and even adults—realize that there’s a whole world out there of opportunities and careers that they may never have even thought about,” Jeff says.
He continues to expand community partnerships and always looks for new ways to engage the residents of Florence County with the Farm at Florence 1. The school district provides most of the funding for the farm-to-school initiative, but the farm also partners with the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, a nonprofit partner that receives donations on behalf of the program.
Jeff is exploring other ways to generate revenue and ensure the farm remains fiscally sustainable as the programs grow. His plan includes transitioning 4 acres of the farm to row crop production
greenhouses to grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and other fresh produce throughout the winter.
The goal is for the farm to produce enough food for on-site cooking classes and school meals throughout the district.
“We’re trying to have an impact on what the children are eating daily in the school system and bringing that farm fresh produce and that awareness back into the school systems,” Jeff says.
Eventually, he envisions the Farm at Florence 1 will grow and raise enough produce, eggs and honey to set up a stand at the Florence Farmers Market. Jeff imagines it as a student-run enterprise that involves students at all levels, from growing food to establishing a brand, marketing their farm fresh offerings and running the market stall—and he doesn’t plan to stop there.
ABOVE: Rows and rows of raised beds grow various types of fruits and vegetables on the property.
LEFT: Jeff explains how “agriculture” is part of their everyday life. RIGHT: Students collected all the ingredients to make salsa from the raised beds.
PHOTOS BY KATIE WILCOX
Over the next five years, he hopes the Farm at Florence 1 will hire a farm manager, greenhouse operator and chef/nutritionist to oversee all aspects of the farm as it grows, and for that food to be enjoyed throughout the school district and local communities. However, his biggest goal is to ensure the farm has a lasting impact on students.
“A lot of what we do out here is getting back to the core values of the family farm: growing your own food, being sustainable and healthy. Most people, when they leave here, feel transformed; they feel empowered … there is a new sense of awareness, a sense of respect, a sense of empowerment,” Jeff says. “We’re trying to create generational change.” n
LEFT: Jeff Murrie tells the students about all the different species or birds and other animals at the pond. RIGHT: A fully equipped restaurant-grade kitchen along with screens for easy visual learning is part of the Farm at Florence 1. PHOTOS KATIE WILCOX
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.
The historic Ball Theatre is on West McGregor Street in downtown Pageland. Baseball legend Van Lingle Mungo built the theater in the 1940s. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, hence the name of the theater. The movie theater ran into the 1950s until it was operated by Sandhills Opry. One notable entertainer performed there: a young Randy Travis. The building was later restored to its roots by Robert Nicholson and is now operated by his son, Rodney. The theater shows first-run movies and hosts parties alongside Polly’s Coffee & Ice Cream Shoppe. All movie tickets are $5 each.
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Dine sumptuously, buy thoughtfully, support local shrimpers
Story and photos by Libby Wiersema
Long before you awaken to the soothing ocean sounds of your alarm clock, South Carolina shrimpers are wide awake and navigating their bulky trawlers through our coastal waters. Their hauls each day may fluctuate, along with their profits, but such inconsistencies are part of a way of life for these family operations.
In carrying out my duties as a food writer, I have eaten a lot of shrimp. I maintain South Carolina has the finest I have ever tasted, from jumbo ocean dwellers to sweet lil’ creek crustaceans.
Our tides stir up brackish soup that nourishes baby shrimp until they head to the riverways. As they mature, they seek out the higher salinity of the ocean. All
that time spent in various aquacultural environments is just right for producing truly amazing shrimp.
But without the dedication of a handful of steadfast shrimpers, our culinary richness would be sadly diminished.
With shrimp season well underway, I issue this plea: Buy South Carolina shrimp and visit restaurants that serve it, too. I recently spent some time kicking around on the docks of Shem Creek, visiting the shrimp operations and marveling at how they have managed to keep an old way of life from disappearing altogether. It is a tough gig.
The South Carolina Shrimpers Association recently issued an alert about our local crisis. In a nutshell, Vietnam, Asia, India and other far-flung places that
supply shrimp to U.S. restaurants and markets can do so for a fraction of the cost of American products. To be competitive, local shrimpers often have no choice but to lower their prices.
With the cost of fuel and labor, it is a scenario that is sinking our shrimping operations. A 70-foot trawler capable of hauling in 30,000 pounds of shrimp burns around 200 gallons of fuel a day.
As South Carolinians who adore shrimp and our way of life, there is a lot you can do to protect and sustain these treasured enterprises and help our shrimpers maintain their families’ livelihoods: Buy South Carolina shrimp. It really is that simple. When you shop, read packages for product origins. Ask your seafood market clerk, shrimp vendors
In Charleston, Fleet Landing’s raw bar features locally sourced shrimp from Marshland Seafood.
Peak Seasons for South Carolina Shrimp
X Brown shrimp: June through August
X Rock shrimp: August through October
X White shrimp: May through June and August through December
Shrimp Sizes
Shrimp are sold by count, which equals the number of shrimp in a pound. Counts and sizes sometimes vary but generally land close to these numbers:
X Jumbo: Less than 20 per pound
X Large: About 20 to 30 per pound
X Medium: About 30 to 40 per pound
X Small: Usually a bit more than 40 per pound
One pound of raw, headless, shell-on shrimp yields approximately ¾ pound of cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp
and the managers at the restaurants you patronize where they source their shrimp.
If it is not local, explain why you will not buy it. Not only will you send a strong message that you support South Carolina shrimpers, but the info you glean ensures you are not about to buy a product exposed to pesticides and other toxins— tactics our shrimpers do not employ when harvesting.
Need more reasons? South Carolina shrimp are:
• Handled and packaged following
U.S.-approved standards.
• A naturally renewable and sustainable resource.
• Spawned in a natural marine environment.
• Live and grow in near shore waters and estuaries, giving them a characteristic flavor.
• Harvested in the height of the season, which contributes to their taste.
If you cannot find South Carolina shrimp where you are, luckily for us, the real deal is just a short drive away.
When you are vacationing at the beach, scout around for local seafood markets, or take a day to drive toward the coast and snag a few pounds of succulent shrimp. Georgetown, Murrells Inlet, Little River, McClellanville, Mount Pleasant, Beaufort and other locales typically have fresh catch daily during shrimp season, which runs from May through December.
At the Wando dock in Mount Pleasant,
you can buy shrimp right from the dock at operations such as Tarvin Seafood. To preserve the area’s shrimping legacy, the town of Mount Pleasant is refurbishing the dock through summer 2025. Tarvin Seafood remains open throughout, so stop by and bring a cooler. They will ice down your shrimp for the drive back home. Buy enough to freeze for later or to give as a gift to appreciative friends and family.
Here are few parting thoughts to ponder. South Carolina is blessed:
• With a long shrimp season.
• With some of the best-tasting shrimp in the world.
• To still have a small but capable fleet of shrimpers to bring that delicious shrimp to our dinner tables and backyard boils. Now, how about we return the blessings? Find a list of retailers and restaurants that offer local shrimp by visiting the South Carolina Shrimpers Association website at https://scshrimp.org/our-partners. 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.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Tarvin Seafood is a landmark in Shem Creek on the Wando dock. Fresh-off-the-boat white shrimp is weighed at Tarvin Seafood. Shem Creek shrimping fleets are docked until the next morning’s run.
In the Autumn of My Life
By Dave LaBelle
I remember photographing an elderly man leaning on a hoe while working in his garden. Watching him through a telephoto lens, I was curious what he was thinking. I may have asked him, but I don’t remember. Later, as I looked at the photograph, I wondered what his life had been like.
What were his dreams or regrets?
Then a year or so later, I was assigned to photograph a philosopher who was in town to speak. He was staying at a luxurious inn. Arriving early, as is my habit, I noticed a man walking slowly down a tree-lined driveway, his hands behind his back. Unnoticed, I stopped and
made a few photographs before approaching him.
I asked him about his morning stroll.
“I take long walks alone,” he answered. “I ask intelligent questions and get intelligent answers.” Then he added, “But my best thoughts usually come to me when I am on the toilet and have nothing else to do.”
Fifty-five years later, I see myself in the posture of both aging men. Either image could be a self-portrait of sorts, of me contemplating life now.
I have often seen glimpses of myself in others, for good and bad. In a quiet, subtle way, I think I have photographed others to express what I was experiencing. In telling their story, I was telling my own. Someone once wrote and said they had watched my daily newspaper photos for years and felt they knew me. I hadn’t thought much about that before, but reasoned there was some truth in their observation. No doubt those who follow this column or read my blog can say with some accuracy, they know me. The subjects I choose, the personal things I share— they are doors into my life and heart. I feel the same about some authors or sports announcers.
There was a period in my young life when I felt alone and hopeless. I photographed
Reader Challenge
Make a picture that expresses where you are in your life’s journey. Maybe it is something that reveals what you believe or how you see yourself? Or perhaps, like me, it’s something or someone you aspire to be like. This is a tough assignment but one worth trying.
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.
many sad and lonely people, transients and those who had lost loved ones. I think I was crying in my camera, silently asking for help through my photographs.
I believe most of us ask ourselves why we are here on this earth and what plan or purpose we serve. Now, at 73, I have come to realize one of the talents my creator has blessed me with is the gift to give others a voice while serving as a mirror to show others themselves, especially their beauty and value.
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 F2, 300mm lens Tri-X film at ASA 400, f/4.5 at 1/250
This quiet moment captured on film reflects the thoughtful feelings of the photographer.
PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE
Ask Ed: How Does Sunscreen Work?
Fair warning: I’m about to tell you some stuff you probably don’t want to know. Not to be the fun police, but sunburns are radiation burns caused by the ultraviolet light from the sun’s rays. Three types of ultraviolet light are hurtling at you through space right now: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA is mostly absorbed in the Earth’s atmosphere, but UVC and small amounts of UVB can reach the ground. UVA rays that reach the ground damage DNA in skin cells, while DNA absorbs UVB rays. The extra energy absorbed by DNA causes cell replication to go wonky. Other cells start trying to fix the problem, which doesn’t always go well.
As you probably know, skin cancer is caused by abnormal cell growth, so damaged DNA is not ideal.
When you’ve had too much sun, the cells in the top layer of the skin detect damage and send out chemical signals to call for immune cells. The skin’s blood vessels begin to leak, causing typical sunburn symptoms, such as swelling, redness and pain. You can see sunburns while they’re happening, but because the body’s process can take up to 48 hours, burns can get worse even after you’re safely back inside.
Once the redness and swelling from a sunburn go away, the lower layer of skin grows to replace the dead skin on top, causing the skin to blister and peel.
Is it safe to tan? Sorry, no. Fair skin was in fashion until the 1920s when Coco Chanel accidentally caught a tan in the French Riviera. Tanning causes melanin to rise to the surface as your body attempts to shield cells from more ultraviolet light, which is also a symptom of DNA damage.
You can also forget about getting a base tan. It’s about as effective at protecting you from the sun as an SPF 2.
So, what’s a sun lover to do? Slather up, my friends.
The SPF in sunscreen stands for “sun protection factor,” the measure of a sunscreen’s ability to protect against UVB rays. Protecting your skin from UVA is harder, so you need a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
There are two kinds of sunscreen: chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens contain chemical compounds not found in nature. The chemicals absorb the sun’s rays and dissipate them before reaching your skin.
Some chemicals, such as octinoxate, oxybenzone, octocrylene and padimate O, come with risks, such as irritating sensitive skin. Some have other nasty side effects, such as causing hormone disruption and increased risk of reproductive diseases, and they are toxic to fish and coral.
Mineral sunscreens are made from natural ingredients, such as zinc and titanium oxide. These products reflect the sun’s rays off your skin like a mirror without ever penetrating your skin. Mineral sunscreen is usually more expensive and can leave a white residue, but it’s much safer, lasts longer and won’t irritate skin or kill fish. Check the label to be sure zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are at the top of the list, and choose an SPF 30 or higher.
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.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY PICKBIZ
Across
Across
1 Helpful hints with gratuities (4)
Helpful hints with gratuities (4)
3 During WWII shortages, women used beetroot juice as a substitute for what? (8)
During WWII shortages, women used beetroot juice as a substitute for what? (8)
9 Anne Hathaway film, “The Princess ____” (7)
10 Delineated sections (5)
11 Band formerly fronted by the Gallaghers (5)
12 Brainy or intelligent (6)
14 Gets the lead out? (6)
16 Yardstick measurement (6)
19 A manufactured cloth or textile (6)
Anne Hathaway film, The Princess _____ (7)
21 Meal extras (5)
24 Follows a command (5)
25 To let go (7)
26 Under pressure (8)
27 Cave critters (4)
Down
Delineated sections (5) Band formerly fronted by the Gallaghers (5) Brainy or intelligent (6) Gets the lead out? (6)
1 These turn into frogs (8)
2 Broadway offerings (5)
4 Creature that interests entomologists (6)
5 Kaa of “The Jungle Book” (5)
6 Titanic’s undoing (7)
7 Band that wants to rock and roll all night and party every day (4)
8 Kleenex (6)
13 Cat’s facial hair (8)
Yardstick measurement (6)
A manufactured cloth or textile (6) Meal extras (5)
Follows a command (5)
To let go (7)
Under pressure (8)
Cave critters (4) Down These
into frogs (8)
Over the years, you’ve spent a lot of time sitting.
it time you enjoyed it?
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Creamy Comfort: GET COZY WITH CHOWDER
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
WILCOX
Mexican Street Corn Chowder
4 tablespoons butter
1½ cups finely chopped yellow onion
½ cup seeded, stemmed and finely chopped poblano pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder, plus more for garnish
1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
4 cups chicken stock
3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
24 ounces frozen corn
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons sugar
½ cups crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for garnish
¼ cups minced cilantro, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon lime juice
Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
½ cups Mexican crema or sour cream, for garnish
Lime wedges, for serving
Sliced jalapeños, for serving
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and poblano, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder and oregano. Saute for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the chicken stock and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the corn, cream and sugar. Cook for 5 minutes, until warmed through.
Transfer 1½ cups of the soup to a blender, and puree until smooth. Stir the pureed soup back into the pot of remaining soup. Add cotija cheese, cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Garnish with additional cilantro, cotija, chili powder and crema. Serve with lime wedges and jalapenos.
PHOTO BY KATIE
Slow Cooker Corn Chowder With Bacon
2 large carrots, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
4 potatoes, chopped
32 ounces corn, drained
32 ounces creamed corn
4 cups chicken broth
1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
12 ounces evaporated milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons butter
Place everything except the evaporated milk, cornstarch and butter into the slow cooker. Add just enough water or chicken stock to cover the ingredients. Cook on high for 5 hours or low for 7 to 8 hours until vegetables are softened. Combine cornstarch and evaporated milk. With the butter, stir into slow cooker 30 minutes before serving. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.
Broccoli Cheddar Potato Chowder
5½ tablespoons butter, divided
11⁄3 cups chopped carrots
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3½ cups peeled and cubed russet potatoes, cut ½inch to ¾-inch thick
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
3 cups chopped broccoli florets
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
½ cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
In a large pot over medium heat, melt 1½ tablespoons of butter. Add carrots, celery and onion. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic, and saute 30 seconds longer. Stir in chicken broth, potatoes and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium. Cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Stir in broccoli. Cook 5 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender.
Meanwhile, melt remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook, whisking constantly for 1 minute. While whisking vigorously, slowly pour in milk. Whisk well until no lumps remain.
Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to thicken. Stir in heavy cream. Remove from heat. Add tender vegetables to the milk mixture, and stir. Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar cheese until melted. Serve warm.
Cajun Shrimp Chowder
1 pound shrimp, deveined and tails removed
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound yellow potatoes, chopped
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 thyme sprigs
2 sliced green onions, plus more for garnish
3 cups sweet corn
¾ cups heavy cream
½ teaspoon paprika
Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper. In a large pot over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, about 6 minutes. Drain bacon pieces on a paper towel–lined plate.
Add shrimp to bacon fat. Cook until pink, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer shrimp to plate with bacon.
Drain bacon fat. Melt butter in the pot, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add onion. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and garlic, and cook 30 seconds more. Add potatoes, broth, thyme and green onions. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
Stir in corn and cream. Simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat. Stir in shrimp. Season with salt, pepper and paprika. Garnish each serving with bacon and green onions.
Clam Chowder
4 slices bacon, for garnish
1 large onion, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
3 small potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup water
8 ounces clam juice
1 tablespoon chicken base
2 cups half-and-half, divided
1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
3 6½-ounce cans chopped clams, undrained
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Oyster crackers, for serving
In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, add bacon and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon from pot. Drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon, then set aside.
Add onion and celery to the bacon fat. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Stir in potatoes, water, clam juice and chicken base. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer uncovered until potatoes are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup half-and-half and flour until smooth. Gradually stir into soup. Return to a simmer. Cook until thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Do
Add clams and their juice and remaining cup of halfand-half. Stir until heated through, about 1 minute. Garnish each serving with bacon and oyster crackers.
INN-dulge in the Personal A bed-and-breakfast getaway
By Judy Garrison
Longing for a weekend where the only decision required is the amount of cream to add to coffee? Many American workers leave vacation days unused while others can’t wait to set the automated “out of office” reply to their inboxes. Taking those well-deserved days can help with work-life balance that, in the end, elevates productivity and self-care.
With the average length of a vacation in the United States being just more than four days, the long weekend seems to appeal to those who don’t want or can’t afford to take the extended days away. Don’t wait for a milestone or a celebration to book time away—having no agenda leaves the itinerary wide-open for exploration.
Indulging in a long weekend opens prospects for nearby travel. From the mountains to the midlands to the coast, countless iconic South Carolina bed-andbreakfast venues open their doors to cater to your most personal needs, providing a holiday that only requires a few days before you return home refreshed.
Mountain Region
Get away to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Landrum for a respite that will erase all the cares of the world. At The Red Horse Inn, warmth and hospitality fill every room and cottage. Whether going
for an impromptu weekend or a romantic celebration, this adults-only, pet-friendly facility offers four rooms— including an accessible option—at its inn and six cottages.
Enjoy breakfast in bed with fresh pastries, fruit and yogurt delivered to your
room the night before. As the day comes to a close, unwind with a glass of wine in the wine bar, offering mountain views and live music, or lounge in the garden-filled courtyard for relaxation.
www.redhorseinn.com
If Greenville is the final destination, Pettigru Place Bed and Breakfast is the
ideal hideaway in this bustling city.
“Our guests leave well-rested, feeling pampered and definitely not hungry,” says owner Lori Donaldson. “Nothing pleases us more than guests that leave already planning their next stay with us and which friends they want to invite to share the experience with them in the future.”
Located in the historic district, this red-brick, Federal-style home features king and queen rooms, each uniquely decorated. Begin the day with a threecourse breakfast. Dietary accommodations can be made. A bowl of homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies found in every room upon arrival can help keep the sweet tooth at bay. Romance packages are available to flavor with chocolate and champagne.
“At a bed-and-breakfast, our guests expect a level of personal attention that just can’t be delivered from a standard hotel experience,” Lori says. “We take the time to
get to know our guests on a personal level in order to make their stay as comfortable as possible.”
www.pettigruplace.com
If seclusion is the intention, consider Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens in Spartanburg. Guests feel at home the moment they arrive at this charming homestead retreat on 4 acres.
Innkeepers Pontheolla and Paul Abernathy share their world with their guests.
“My growing-up days were spent under the feet of a grandmother who gardened to put fresh produce on the table, ironed sheets so that you felt enveloped in love, and played the piano for entertainment,” Pontheolla says. “It is with that same sense of hospitality that we feature local produce from nearby farmers for our hearty Southern breakfasts.”
For the romantic, the inn can facilitate
Don’t wait for a milestone or a celebration to book time away— having no agenda leaves the itinerary wide-open for exploration.
Pettegru Inn is in the historic district of Greenville. PHOTO COURTESY OF PETTEGRU INN
In Spartanburg, Clevedale’s rooms provide comfort in a beautiful setting. PHOTO COURTESY OF CLEVEDALE
a private dinner, spa experience and chauffeured wine tours. Along with the vibrant art and theater scene in the downtown area, there are plenty of choices for an afternoon of exploration. www.clevedaleinn.com
The mountains of Pendleton present Liberty Hall Bed and Breakfast, an antebellum dwelling surrounded by strollworthy gardens.
“A getaway to Liberty Hall offers visitors a charming retreat steeped in Southern hospitality,” owner Devon Rymer says. “Guests can unwind in beautifully appointed rooms that combine period architecture with modern furnishings and amenities, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay.”
Start the morning with a gourmet breakfast, then walk to historic Pendleton Square, enjoy the nature trails and savor some shopping in the boutiques. The inn is also a five-minute drive from Clemson University.
“We also offer bespoke experiences and amenities,” Devon says. “The attention to detail in both service and setting, combined with the rich historical context of the property, creates a uniquely personalized stay.” www.libertyhallbnb.com
Midlands Region
Close to Interstate 95 but far enough away to feel like another place and
time, Abingdon Manor Inn and Restaurant in Latta provides the ultimate fourstar experience. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the inn is a 10,000-square-foot residence with seven spacious guest rooms, many with original furnishings from 1902. Although pets are not allowed in the inn, their very own vacation home is just down the road for a $25 fee.
A complimentary gourmet breakfast highlighting seasonal offerings is served each morning with the menu changing daily. A six-course, prix-fixe dinner is available in the dining room with reservations required 24 hours in advance. To get a sense of what to expect for dinner, follow the dining section on the website to the recipe tab and discover recipes of food and drinks curated for guests—from grouper meuniere to grilled lamb chops.
Enhance your stay with massage services, flowers, champagne or gift baskets.
www.abingdonmanor.com
Located in the downtown historic district of Columbia is Chestnut Cottage Inn Bed and Breakfast. This 1850s property introduces visitors to the history of this capital city and places you in the middle of this vibrant University of South Carolina town. With more than 70 dining options within walking distance of the inn, hunger will never be an issue.
A stunning period structure, many original features remain along with the decorated rooms filled with modern
amenities. Travel back in time and delight in the attention to detail as well as the staff’s commitment to each guest. A full breakfast highlighting regional flavors is served each morning.
Six rooms offer king and queen options. If you’re seeking the most ethereal room or the perfect romantic setting, opt for The Carriage House room on the top floor. Military and returning guests enjoy booking discounts.
www.chestnutcottage.com
Always listed among the top bed-andbreakfasts in America is Four Oaks Inn in Camden. Classic elegance is a hallmark of the home built in the 1860s, and today, it’s a backdrop to the charms of the city.
Three historic and elegant suites are named in honor of the area’s history and horses, including the Steeplchase Suite. Camden hosts the Carolina Cup and is known as the Steeplechase Capital of the World.
Liberty Hall in Clemson is the ideal location for a Tiger football weekend.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LIBERTY HALL
The ornate exterior of John Rutledge House Inn welcomes guests to this historic inn in Charleston.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN RUTLEDGE HOUSE INN
Breakfast is served in the dining room at 9 a.m., and the menu changes seasonally. When the weather warms, take a dip in the backyard pool. For the evening meal, make a short trip to Mill Pond Steakhouse in Boykin for an unexpected, yet immensely satisfying dining experience.
www.fouroaksinn.com
Coastal Region
If Charleston is the coastal destination, two unique properties of the Charming Inns brand provide choices: one of extraordinary luxury or one anchored in serenity and relaxation.
The John Rutledge House Inn, in the heart of Charleston, places guests in a historical landmark while showering them with regal amenities and incomparable service. A National Historic Landmark, the home was built in 1763 by John Rutledge, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, and has hosted two former presidents, George Washington and William Taft.
Enjoy a complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea or evening sherry with the daily newspaper. One might find it hard to leave the guest room or suite, all defined by architectural elegance of the past. From 12-foot-high ceilings to Italian marble gas fireplaces, the 19 guest rooms are all exceptional in detail.
“A getaway to John Rutledge House Inn offers visitors a unique blend of historic charm and modern luxury,” says Stacey Bodnar, Charming Inns’ director of marketing. “Guests are immersed in a piece of American history, staying in one of the oldest and most storied homes in Charleston. Our goal is to provide an exceptional and memorable experience that combines the rich history of the property with the highest standards of hospitality.”
www.johnrutledgehouseinn.com
Steps from King Street, often called “the most charming street in America,” is Fulton Lane Inn, also a Charming Inns member. This serene relaxing retreat offers peaceful ambience secluded near the city’s
best shopping and dining options.
Oozing with boutique appeal and an attentive staff, it offers luxuries such as a continental breakfast delivered to your room and an evening wine-andcheese reception complemented by evening sherry. From standard, accessible rooms to two-room suites for families, choose an option to satisfy individual needs and occasions.
www.fultonlaneinn.com
South of Charleston along the Intercoastal Waterway in Beaufort is Anchorage Inn 1770. Rooms at the boutique inn built in 1770 are uniquely designed, including high ceilings and original Adams mantels. They also have two dog-friendly rooms. Staff is on hand to book local tours, spa visits or kayak rentals, plus anything else to make your getaway stress-free.
On-site dining at The Ribaut Social Club is fine dining with a coastal flair. Mingle over cocktails and relax with dinner on the second floor. Reservations are recommended.
www.anchorage1770.com
Also in Beaufort is Cuthbert House, an 18th century mansion that, legend has it,
was split in two and moved from Wire’s Pond to its current home on Bay Street as a gift for the builder’s bride to enjoy the summer breezes. The grandeur of the antebellum South is on full display at this lowcountry destination.
Ten rooms welcome guests, 12 years and older, with historic charm and Southern style. Modern amenities for a relaxing stay found in each room share the spotlight with the culinary offerings created by Executive Chef Michael Stewart. The morning meal serves bottomless mimosas and French press coffee; afternoon wine with nibbles holds guests’ appetites until dinner; and finally, the port wine nightcap ensures sweet dreams. Allow the concierge service to craft your ideal stay.
www.cuthberthouse.com n
Fulton Lane Inn in Charleston is a centrally located boutique inn on King Street. PHOTO COURTESY OF FULTON LANE INN
Enjoy the balcony swing at Anchorage Inn 1770 and look out over the Intercoastal Waterway. PHOTO BY SEEING SOUTHERN
Fun Festivals&
SEPT. 5 & 12
Darlington Farmers Market
This producer-run indoor farmers market is in downtown.
3-7 p.m.
103 Pearl St., Darlington
SEPT. 6-15
CATS
Based on T. S. Eliot’s book, it’s set amongst a larger-thanlife junkyard playground. For ticket information, visit orencelittletheatre.org.
7:30-9:30 p.m., 3-5 p.m. Sundays
FLORENCE LITTLE THEATRE
417 S. Dargan St., Florence
SEPT. 8
Gospel in the Park
This event includes prayer, praise and empowering the community.
5-8 p.m.
PRIDE PARK
630 S. 6th St., Hartsville
SEPT. 10
Seniors Morning Out
Enjoy a morning of bingo, chair volleyball, billiards, line dancing and more.
10 a.m.-Noon
CHERAW COMMUNITY CENTER
200 Powe St., Cheraw
SEPT. 13
Tap Into Downtown
This event includes 24 craft brews, 12 unique shops serving taprooms and more. Attendees must be 21 years old or older to attend. For ticket information, visit orencedowntown.com/ tap-downtown.
5:30 p.m.
123 N. Dargan St., Florence
SEPT. 14
The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John, Featuring Michael Cavanaugh
SEPT. 14
Power Comicon
SEPT. 14
Society Hill Cat sh Festival
This festival includes an 11 a.m. paradefood and craft vendors, and a Pink Ladies car show.
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
112 W. Depot St., Society Hill
SEPT. 14
Power Comicon
Meet comic artists and writers, and see toys, statues, art, costume apparel and memorabilia for all ages. Tickets are sold at the door.
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
FLORENCE CENTER
3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence
SEPT. 14
Moore Farms Beer Fest
More than 20 local and regional breweries are scattered along the 65-acre botanical garden. Must be 21 years or older.
2-6 p.m.
MOORE FARMS
BOTANICAL GARDEN
100 New Zion Road, Lake City
SEPT. 14
The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John, Featuring Michael Cavanaugh Handpicked by Billy Joel to star in the hit Broadway musical “Movin’ Out,” Michael Cavanaugh presents the music of legends Billy Joel and Elton John. For ticket information, visit fmupac.org.
7:30-9 p.m.
FMU PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
201 S. Dargan St., Florence
SEPT. 21
Happy Little Fun Run
This 5K run or walk supports Arts Education in Darlington County and highlights public art along the route. For more information, visit blackcreekarts.org.
5-8 p.m.
BLACK CREEK ARTS
116 W. College Ave., Hartsville
SEPT. 21
Annual Anyor Harvest Hoe-Down Festival
Have a big time in a small town with antique tractors and cars, arts and crafts, food, a parade and more.
ANYOR TOWN PARK
600 S. Main St., Anyor
SEPT. 28
Florence Mom Prom Dance the night away in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For tickets, visit orencemomprom.org.
7-11 p.m.
FLORENCE COUNTRY CLUB 450 Country Club Blvd., Florence
SEPT. 29
SC Bridal Showcase Shop for everything from engagement rings to the honeymoon. For more, visit orencecenter.com.
1-5 p.m.
FLORENCE CENTER
3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence
Time for a Fall Tuneup
As summer comes to an end, assess the health of your home to maximize savings
Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to control settings to suit your climate, schedule and temperature preferences.
Consider installing a smart thermostat. A er installation, input your schedule and temperature preferences. As you change the settings, the thermostat adjusts to minimize energy use. Bonus: You can control the thermostat remotely with a smartphone.
Don’t adjust the thermostat drastically. Your home will not heat or cool more quickly.
Keep the temperature at or below 68 F during the day and cooler at night.
Save up to 10% on your monthly heating and cooling bill by turning back your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day.
Windows and Doors
Energy loss and dra s o en occur in the cracks between window components. Use weatherstripping where a window’s movable parts meet the window frame.
e seam between the window frame and the wall is a common source of air leakage. Fill any crack less than ¼-inch wide with caulk. For larger cracks, use expanding foam and paint over it.
Use window coverings to cut energy costs. Cellular shades, curtains and draperies can provide increased comfort year-round. Use a door sweep—a exible piece of rubber or plastic held to the door’s lower edge by a piece of aluminum—on an exterior door to block dra s.
Insulation
Insulation reduces heat loss during winter and heat gain during summer. Before you add or replace insulation, check your current levels.
Start with your attic. Aim for at least 14 inches of insulation for warmer climates and at least 18 inches in colder climates. e U.S. Department of Energy recommends an R-value—which refers to the insulation’s ability to resist heat—of about R-60 for most regions.
According to DOE, air leaks are among the most signi cant sources of energy loss in a home. ey also are the easiest to x. Check for leaks throughout your home, including insulation.
Heating and Cooling
Frequently replacing your furnace lter is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to keep your HVAC system running e ciently. A clogged lter causes your system to work harder and can shorten its life span.
Depending on the home, lters should be changed every month or every other month when the HVAC system is in use.
Schedule an annual service on your HVAC system. A clean system is safer and more e cient. A preventive service call for a tuneup and cleaning usually is less expensive and less stressful than an emergency service call if your equipment fails.
Leaky furnace ducts mean higher utility bills. Improve their performance by sealing exposed ducts in the attic, crawl space, un nished basement and garage.
Outdoors
Trim shrubs, and clear leaves and other debris. Keep branches away from the house and electrical wires to prevent property damage or power interference. Cut cracked and diseased limbs close to the trunk. For large jobs, hire a pro.
Rake yard debris away from the outdoor compressor unit of your heat pump. A heat pump needs good circulation to work e ciently, so make sure there is a 2-foot clearance around the outdoor compressor.
Ensure gutters are clear and downspouts are correctly connected so water drains away from your home. e dirt grade around your home should slope away from the house.
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Back-to-School Tips
As summer comes to an end and backto-school season begins, the change can bring a sense of excitement and anxiety for parents and children. Transitioning from a more relaxed summer routine into the rhythm of a structured school schedule can be stressful.
Parents can get children back on track with a bit of preparation to guarantee a smooth start to the new school year. Here are a few practical tips to get ready to return to school.
Gradually Adjust Bedtimes
One of the biggest adjustments for our family when school starts back is the change in sleep schedule.
To make this transition easier, we gradually begin shifting bedtimes and wake-up times at least one week before school starts. Move bedtime a little earlier each day until your child wakes up at the time they need to for school. This helps reset their internal clocks and make the early morning first day of school a little less unpleasant.
A routine as simple as reading a book or taking a bath before bed can help your child wind down for a good night’s sleep.
Prep Healthy Meals and Snacks
Plan and prepare healthy snacks and meals in advance. Buy bulk packaged items or bag them up ahead of time for easy grabbing.
Organize designated space in the fridge and pantry for these items for easy grabbing and meal prep. Encourage your child to be involved in meal planning, and allow them to prepare it themselves to give them a sense of ownership over their food choices.
A well-balanced diet is important for a child’s energy and concentration, as it better prepares them for the demands of school.
Teach Practical Skills for Independence
It’s essential to teach practical skills that help children feel more independent and confident, especially younger ones entering school for the first time.
Practice putting on and taking off shoes, opening lunch items, zipping backpacks, buttoning buttons and using the bathroom by themselves.
When children are little, parents tend to do everything for them. It is important to teach them and delegate these responsibilities to make sure children do not stay in that habit as they get older.
Create a Morning Routine
Between waking up and getting out the door on time, mornings can often be hectic for families.
A well-structured routine can set a positive tone for the day and help reduce stress on busy mornings. Make a checklist of the tasks your children need to do each morning, such as getting dressed, brushing
their teeth and hair, and packing their backpacks.
Practice this routine leading up to school so it becomes second nature. Give yourself an extra 10 minutes than you need for unexpected hiccups.
Get Organized
Make a checklist for supplies and clothes.
Let your child be involved while shopping for these things and labeling their items. This can build excitement for the new school year and get them in a positive mindset for going back.
Go through your children’s wardrobes to remove any clothing items that no longer fit, and reorganize closets and dresser drawers.
Encourage your children to pick their outfits and lay them out the night before school to help make getting ready easy.
Set up a designated homework station at home with all necessary supplies— pencils, paper and a quiet space to work. Having a specific area for homework can help make it easier for children to focus on their assignments.
Gearing up for back-to-school season involves more than just buying supplies and new clothes. With these tips, parents can help their children approach the school year feeling confident, prepared and excited for the new school year.
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.
With a little preparation, back-to-school time can be stress-free for everyone involved.
PHOTO BY BRANDI FAULK
Pre-order Men’s James Court Sneakers, $428
Treat your feet with a pair of luxury leather sneakers from Opie Way. The James Court style is an homage to the vintage aesthetic of basketball and tennis court sneakers from the ’70s. This sleek minimalist design pairs well with almost anything, making it a timeless footwear option for any occasion.
The premium quality leather ensures the shoes’ durability and sophistication while providing comfort to the feet. From the soles and insoles to the heels and hand
stitching, each pair of shoes is carefully crafted by hand and nonautomated machinery for a result that far exceeds any production line shoe. In addition to using 100% vegetable-tanned leather, the shoes’ thread and laces are also locally sourced.
One of the best features: The shoes are crafted with a sidewall stitch, allowing them to be resoled as needed. These sneakers promise style and comfort that will stand the test of time and last for years.
The entire production takes place out
Better Homes and Gardens Bath Towel, $8.78
Upgrade your bathroom with the Better Homes and Gardens thick and luxurious signature soft towel collection. These performance towels come in seven solid colors or seven textured options, including paisley, striped and heathered patterns. Grab a matching set, or mix and match colors and patterns to bring your own unique style to your bathroom.
Extremely soft and absorbent, these towels are engineered with PureLoft technology to feel softer and fluffier even after many washing cycles. The fade-resistant treatment helps prevent discoloration, so they won’t look worn after years of use.
As a bonus, they are also treated with Intellifresh freshness protection, which helps prevent odors like pesky mildew. The towels are priced affordably under $10 at Walmart, are made from cotton sustainably grown in America and have thousands of five-star reviews.
Produced by 1888 Mills, one of the last textile mills in the United States, the company employs more than 200 people in Griffin, Georgia. Better Homes & Gardens partnered with Walmart in 2008 with its line of home products that can only be bought in stores or online.
Walmart.com
of a micro shoe factory in Asheville, North Carolina. Each pair is made to order, with an expected lead time of four to six weeks. While this is longer than mass-production methods, Opie Way provides a superior quality of footwear meant to keep the shoemaking trade alive in the United States.
Step up your footwear game today with Opie Way’s refined line of leather and canvas shoe styles for men and women.
opieway.com
Pecan Nation
Roasted Pecans, $5
Experience the taste of pecan perfection with a bag of nutty goodness from Pecan Nation.
These deliciously fresh Georgia-grown pecans are perfect for snacking straight from the bag or as a flavorful addition to any dish. Packaged in a convenient resealable bag, these pecans are chopped and ready for use in baked treats or sprinkled on top of salads, yogurt, granola, ice cream and more for a little extra crunch. With so many delicious possibilities, it’s always a good idea to have some pecans on hand in your kitchen.
The best part is pecans are a superfood with tons of heart-healthy vitamins, plant protein and fiber. They hold the highest antioxidant capacity of any nut. Whether you are snacking, baking or topping, pecans are a food you can feel good about eating.
Choose from five flavors: roasted and salted, cinnamon, natural, honey roasted, and maple. These gourmet pecans are packaged without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives—from tree to table. From the orchard to the cracking and packing, Pecan Nation is a fifth-generation family farm that is a part of the process from start to finish. For the most flavorful fresh pecans around, grab a bag or a few online at Amazon or on shelves at Walmart and more than 20,000 other stores nationwide.
thepecannation.com
What’s New SMOKY MOUNTAINS IN
THE
By Cheré Coen
Dolly Parton fans lined up on Memorial Day weekend to be the first to experience new Dollywood exhibits that span three massive buildings showcasing Dolly’s beginnings from a small cabin in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, to her successful career and philanthropic work.
“The Dolly Parton Experience” features themed exhibits. “Songteller” highlights her career in music, movies and television. “Behind the Seams” is a showcase of her style—from her rhinestone-adorned costumes to trademark wigs. The DreamSong Theater is home to the “Precious Memories” exhibit, which pays tribute to Parton’s family, including 11 siblings.
Visitors can also step inside a former motor coach that was
used on tour.
The buildings and bus follow last year’s opening of the HeartSong Lodge and Resort and the Big Bear Mountain roller coaster at Dollywood. It’s one of many new attractions in the Smoky Mountain tri-cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.
Dollywood
The Dolly Parton Experience offers recognizable items, such as the desk used in the film “9 to 5,” costumes, guitars and other memorabilia, and digital clips from Dolly’s roles in films and television. The tech-savvy exhibits aim to immerse visitors in her Smoky Mountain roots, family and long career.
“It’s been a long three years in the making, and it’s three times larger than anything we’ve ever done,” Dollywood Parks President Eugene Naughton says during the opening. “Overall, it’s a real collection of memories and stories and not just physical things. Many of the experiences are digital. And, of course, that’s going to allow us to update Dolly’s story because, you know, she’s always going to continue to grow.”
At the opening press conference, Dolly extolled the new exhibits, especially “Precious Moments,” which highlights her family members, many of whom were in the audience on opening day.
“Yesterday, when I got a chance to see it, I wasn’t expecting all the emotion,” she says. “And I had a bunch of people around and they started showing all the footage, especially with my mom and dad and my family. They started talking, and I just broke down. I said, ‘I gotta get out of here. I gotta come back when there’s nobody around.’”
She joked about the “Behind the Seams” exhibit, a physical interpretation of a book of the same name that’s full of her ensembles.
“I just wanted people to see me, to notice me,” she says about her long relationship with glitzy fashion. “I just love bright colors and bright shiny things, ever since my dad used to plow in the fields and I’d follow along behind him. He plowed some of those crystal rocks. I thought they were all diamonds. So, in my lifetime, I just always wanted to continue shining. I used to save those.”
LEFT:
With a laugh, she adds, “And now I save the rhinestones.”
For information on Dollywood and the park’s seasons— Smoky Mountain Summer, the Harvest Festival, Smoky Mountain Christmas and the new Dolly Parton Experience—visit www.dollywood.com.
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg has been known as the “Pancake Capital of the South,” and Kellogg’s has taken advantage of that moniker to open the Eggo House of Pancakes. The new vacation rental property is literally shaped like a stack of pancakes with syrup dripping off the roof.
The interior is decorated in bright yellow to match the famous waffle products. There are fluffy pancake beds and bean bag chairs, a kitchen awash in yellow, a fire pit to toast Eggo Mini Pancake s’mores and an Eggo pancake-themed pool table in the game room. There are even Eggo products stocked in the freezer.
Reservations to the Eggo House of Pancakes are tricky. Visit www.hometogo.com/eggohouseofpancakes to apply for a date of your choice.
For those who would rather sleep in a traditional hotel, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort opened with 164 allsuite rooms with panoramic views of the Smokies and a resort pool complex with a waterslide.
Anakeesta takes visitors via chair lift high above Gatlinburg. Enjoy a variety of activities such as the 14-bridge Treetop Skywalk with more than 880 feet of connected bridges hanging 50-60 feet in the air, gem mining, Duel Zipline Adventure and the AnaVista Tower with its striking views.
Its newest attraction, Astra Lumina, offers a night walk with illuminating encounters of lighting, projection and sound.
Also new this year are the adrenaline-heavy Hellbender Smoky Mountain Coaster with twists and turns amid mountain views, and BirdVenture, where guests of all ages play and imagine life as a bird in the Smokies, complete with bird houses, interactive adventure zones and seven giant serpentine slides.
For more information on Gatlinburg, visit www.gatlinburg.com.
Behind the Seams at Dollywood showcases Dolly Parton’s elaborate costumes.
OPPOSITE: Dolly Parton was on hand to open the Dolly Parton Experience at Dollywood. PHOTOS BY CHERÉ COEN
Sevierville
Wilderness at the Smokies is home to the Wild WaterDome, Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark. And it’s now even larger, thanks to a 40,000-square-foot expansion.
Last December, the Wild WaterDome opened the Kaleidoscope Kavern Lazy River where visitors travel down a tunnel that’s filled with a multimedia view of the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains. There’s a spatialized soundtrack, images, and soundscapes that include fireflies, starlit skies and Tennessee’s four seasons.
The WaterDome also now includes Ridge Runner, a three-story water coaster with steep drops, uphill blasts and the world’s first slide with reverse aquaLucent effects allowing light to filter through.
Between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge lies WildSide, a new 900-acre adventure park with guided all-terrain vehicle tours, 15 miles of mountain biking trails of all skill levels and 1,500 feet of elevation change. Electric bike rentals are available.
For information on Sevierville, visit visitsevierville.com.
Pigeon Forge
In addition to what’s new at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge has opened 1,350 additional hotel rooms and several new attractions for 2024.
Families can try their hand at Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay Epic Golf Adventure, featuring indoor and outdoor mini-golf courses; Jurassic Tymes Mini Golf with its large-scale, interactive animatronic dinosaurs; and Space Race Adventures with a virtual reality experience, mini golf, laser tag and go-kart racing.
The Lost Mine Mountain Coaster and Mini Golf has added an alpine coaster for those wanting more adventure after a themed mini-golf course.
LEFT: Visitors to Gatlinburg may walk across the Sky Lift Bridge. PHOTO BY CHERÉ COEN TOP: Dolly Parton visits her new HeartSong Resort in Pigeon Forge. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOLLYWOOD
Opening this fall is the NERF Action Xperience, only the second to be built in the United States. The attraction includes blaster battle zones, sports challenges, an obstacle course, a food and beverage area, and a retail store.
The Crayola Experience, with its 20 hands-on activities, opens this fall as well. Look for a name-your-own Crayola crayon color, personalized coloring pages and melted wax art, not to mention the world’s largest selection of Crayola products and souvenirs.
Complementing Dollywood’s HeartSong Resort in Pigeon Forge are numerous new chain hotels. For something unique and retro, The Wayback Hotel offers motellike accommodations along with a bar, restaurant and swim club in a vintage Airstream.
For dining options, Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown has opened at the Mountain Mile, and next door to the Titanic attraction is Titanic Frozen Custard & Chocolate Attraction with Parisian decor, murals and a 40-foot-tall mosaic glass centerpiece.
Visit www.mypigeonforge.com for more information about Pigeon Forge.
There’s a reason they call it the Smoky Mountains. PHOTO COURTESY OF NATIONAL PARKS SYSTEM INSET: The Anakeesta attraction overlooks Gatlinburg. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANAKEESTA
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i n SOUTH CAROLINA
WHY SHOULD YOU VOTE?
Voting is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard in our democracy, but in 2020, only 66.8% of the voting-age population in the United States reported voting.
Modern technology has improved access to information on candidates and made it easier to register to vote in many areas, and it is vital to be aware of how you can participate in the 2024 election cycle.
SOUTH CAROLINA’S ABSENTEE AND MAIL-IN VOTING PROCEDURES
Permanent absentee / mail-in voting procedures:
•
•
Excuse required to request an absentee ballot Applications can be submitted via mail, in-person, and phone
SOUTH CAROLINA’S EARLY VOTING DEADLINES
Early Voting Begins: October 21, 2024
Early Voting Ends: November 2, 2024
Data as of 09/20/23
To register to vote in South Carolina, visit the State Board of Elections website for more information on voter eligibility and the registration process.
DEADLINES TO KNOW FOR VOTING IN SOUTH CAROLINA
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 6, 2024
30 days before an election.
Request must be received by
ABSENTEE / MAIL-IN VOTING BALLOT DEADLINES: October 25, 2024
11 days before the election at 5 p.m.
BALLOT SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.
Mail Receipt by Election Day
You can begin the registration process through South Carolina’s Online Voter Registration System.
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Currents
A PUBLICATION OF MPD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
SEPTEMBER 2024
OFFICIAL NOTICE TO MEMBERS 2024 ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of the Members of MPD Electric Cooperative, Incorporated will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by the business meeting at noon. The meeting will be held at the Darlington Raceway at 1301 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington, SC 29532.
There will be two separate early registration days. The first will be held Wednesday, October 2 at MPD Electric’s Bennettsville office at 676 Highway 9 East in Bennettsville from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The second day for early registration will be Friday, October 4, at the Darlington Raceway from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Those members who participate in the early registration on Wednesday or Friday do not need to register on Saturday. Each member who goes through registration will receive a $25 MPD bill credit. Registered members are eligible to win various prizes and semi-grand prizes. Members must be present Saturday to win the grand prize, a Honda Rancher 4x4 ATV, or $10,000 cash. This year, the election of trustees for Districts 1, 2, 7, 9, 11 and 19 will be held. Pursuant to a meeting of the Nominating Committee held on August 16, 2024, the following members are nominated: District 1, Hamer Parnell; District 2, David Howell; District 7, James Goodson; District 9, Buster Rogers; District 11, Eddie Gordon; and District 19, Janelle Sauls.
PLEASE BRING THIS MAGAZINE TO THE MEETING FOR REGISTRATION
Entertainment will begin at 9:00 a.m. featuring a local variety band, NTRANZE. On behalf of the Board
JEFF QUICK Secretary/Treasurer SAM P. “BO” MCINNIS, JR. Chairman
IMPORTANT: ANNUAL MEETING OFFICIAL REGISTRATION
Please bring with you for registration, business affairs, and prize drawings.
MPD ELECTRIC
SCAN THIS BARCODE
EARLY REGISTRATION DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, OCT 2 | MPD OFFICE IN BENNETTSVILLE
EARLY REGISTRATION DAY 2:
FRIDAY, OCT 4 | DARLINGTON RACEWAY 2024 MPD ANNUAL MEETING | SATURDAY, OCT 5 | DARLINGTON RACEWAY
REGISTRATION:
All members will register from their vehicles at any location.
REGISTRATION GIFT:
$25 MPD bill credit
PRIZE DRAWINGS:
More than 50 raffle prizes will be given out after the business meeting.
ENTERTAINMENT: 9 a.m. - Band: NTRANZE
GRAND PRIZE: Honda Rancher 4x4 or $10,000 cash
FOOD:
MPD employees will be selling hot dogs to support our Power to Serve charity
Honda Rancher
IMPORTANT: Please bring your registration ticket, found on the cover of this magazine (the September Currents), to your desired registration location.
EARLY REGISTRATION DAY 1: MPD’s Bennettsville Office | Wednesday, October 2
Drive through anytime between 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
EARLY REGISTRATION DAY 2: Darlington Raceway | Friday, October 4
Drive through anytime between 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
2024 MPD ANNUAL MEETING: Darlington Raceway | Saturday, October 5
Registration from 9 a.m. 12 p.m. Business meeting begins at noon followed by raffle prizes.
EARLY REGISTRATION DAY 1:
WEDNESDAY, OCT 2 | MPD OFFICE IN BENNETTSVILLE
EARLY REGISTRATION DAY 2:
FRIDAY, OCT 4 | DARLINGTON RACEWAY
2024 MPD ANNUAL MEETING SATURDAY, OCT 5 | DARLINGTON RACEWAY
