Azalea Magazine Spring 2022 by AZALEA Magazine

Free ~ Spring 2022

THE CUDDY HOUSE: A TRUE CLASSIC REVIVAL Modern Living

in the

South

GRAND OPENING: CLASSIC PICKLING RECIPES / DARLINGTON: THE MOTHER OF ALL RACEWAYS DAYSIE SYRUPS / PHOTOGRAPHING MAN'S BEST FRIEND / EYE STRIKE FISHING

Open House The Cuddys have made this house their home

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2022

features azalea m ag a z i n e

50 MOTHER OF ALL RACEWAYS Stretching out in the spring sunshine, The Lady in Black marks Mother’s Day by reminding NASCAR fans just how tough a mother can be.

Going Green Check out page 49 for a pickled okra recipe

spring 2022

56 A TRUE CLASSIC REVIVAL The Cuddy House: It has known many names over the course of time, but Gretchen and Brian Cuddy have made this house their own.

46 GRAND OPENING You can pickle just about anything. Here are a couple of classics to get you started!

contents spring 2022

COLUMNS 31 Natural Woman by Susan Frampton

06 Editor’s Letter 10 Contributors FIELD GUIDE 11 Palmetto State 12 Landscape 14 The Arts SOUTHERN LIFE 17 Southern Spotlight - Drink 23 Southern Spotlight - Art 27 Southern Spotlight - Outdoor

35 Kids These Days by Tara Bailey 39 Life & Faith by Diana Thompson

On the Cover: The Cuddy Home. Photo by Dottie Rizzo 6

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THE VILLAGE POET 64 Poem Written While Listening to the Love Ballads of Joe Williams

editor's letter

Family Dynamics I got my first pet when I was four-years-old—a female golden cocker spaniel that I had my heart set on naming Pete Rose after my favorite baseball player. My mother was kind enough to oblige me calling a girl dog Pete Rose, in part because she thought we would eventually shorten it to Rose. But no, she was Pete Rose, and always would be. Today our home could pass for a small petting zoo. At one point, a few years ago, we had twelve animals in the house—not to mention the occasional rescue squirrel or kitten. We are animal people. We have lost a few of our pets in the past couple of years due to old age. We currently have an eighteen-year-old cat and a seventeen-year-old dog, both which have slowed down recently, but still have no problem purring and wagging tails. The cat, Gracie, has been with us since before our son was born, and he’s off to college next year. She is my animal, and quite the creature of habit. So am I if I’m being honest. Every night without fail, she will sit in my lap as long as I’ll let her. I got to thinking the other night about what’s going to happen when she passes. Who’s going sit in my lap and demand my affection every night? I’ve gotten kind of used to being loved by her. Anyone who has a cat knows that they are fickle beings. I can’t just get another cat and expect her to love me like Gracie does. In fact, we have another cat that won’t even let me look at her. But, like Gracie, she is part of the family. I can’t look at her, but she’s happy to curl up beside me in bed and stare at the TV like she’s following the plot. When I leaned of Justin Parsons' business taking pet portraits (Puppy Love pg. 23), I loved the idea. He not only captures the animals' likenesses, but more importantly, their personalities. What a beautiful way of preserving such special memories. I have no way of knowing how long our aging pets will be with us, but I’m certain of one thing. They will not be the last animals to call our house their home. You never know, we might get a couple of feed dispensers and start charging admission.

Will Rizzo Editor In Chief

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Will Rizzo Editor in Chief will@azaleamag.com Dottie Rizzo Managing Editor dottie@azaleamag.com Susan Frampton Senior Editor Jessica Maier Style Editor Kelly Riley Copy Editor Contributors Tara Bailey Eliza Chapman Bailey Diane Frankenberger Ellen Hyatt Lorna Hollif ield Jessy Devereaux Mitcham Diana & Will Thompson Advertising Inquiries Susie Wimberly susie@azaleamag.com 843.568.7830

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Close to you. Close to perfect.

Come and discover all that Camden has to offer. With historic places, outdoor adventures, festivals and more, there is something for everyone. Experience our classic Carolina lifestyle for yourself and we think you’ll agree – Camden is as close to perfect, as perfect can be. VisitCamdenSC.com to start planning your visit now!

featured contributors

SUSAN FRAMPTON Writer & Editor

ELIZA CHAPMAN BAILEY Writer

LORNA HOLLIFIELD Writer

Never dreaming that anyone would read her ramblings, Susan Frampton scribbled her way through two wildly different careers before accidently becoming a writer. These days, when away from the keyboard, she follows the antics of her accident-prone husband, nurses pinecone-swallowing wiener dogs, reads late into the night, and counts her many blessings.

A Lowcountry Native, Eliza grew up in Summerville and Mt. Pleasant. She currently resides in Summerville with her husband, two children, three dogs and two cats. An Elementary School Media Specialist in N.Charleston, Eliza has a BS in Political Science from the College of Charleston, and a Master's in Library and Information Science from the University of SC.

Lorna Hollifield is a writer, blogger, and art promoter. She began her professional writing journey as a tourism and travel blogger, writing stories for both local and national websites before her first novel was picked up in 2017. When Lorna isn’t writing fiction, she enjoys exploring the endless Lowcountry and traveling with her husband Kimsey, and baby daughter, Allyn.

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WILL & DIANA THOMPSON Writers

Will and Diana Thompson met while in college at Clemson University and married in 2003. They are parents to three children (Wyatt, Ruthie, and Seth). They have years of experience serving and encouraging others. In their spare time, you can find them supporting their kids at the dance studio, the ball field, or going for a run in Summerville.

JESSY DEVEREAUX MITCHAM Writer

Jessy is a writer and veterinary technician that was born and raised in Summerville. She enjoys spending her free time with her two children, Scarlett and Finn, exploring the outdoors, kayaking in the Lowcountry, and takes every opportunity to escape to the mountains with her family.

A B R I E F L O O K at L O C A L C U L T U R E

Winging It The Easter Tiger Swallowtail was named the official butterfly of SC in 1994.

The Palmetto State The icons that represent the state of South Carolina State Fruit

PEACH Colombus brought several peach trees to America on his second and third voyages.

State Bird

CAROLINA WREN Our state birds are monogamous, and breeding pairs stay together for life.

KFC is the favorite Christmas dinner in Japan.

State Dog

BOYKIN The Boykin is one of the rare breeds named after a specific person.

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

field guide

LANDSCAP E

Location

Moncks Corner, SC Photographed by

Will Rizzo

A trip back in time with live bluegrass at the Pickin' Parlor.

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

field guide

TH E ARTS

Art Speaks An art exhibit in the East Gallery at Public Works Art Center

Founded in 2018, unknowing of what lay so shortly ahead, The Public Works Art Center located at 135 West Richardson Avenue, was founded by a group of maverick thinkers led by respected community member, Diane Frankenberger. The vision was simple. The beautiful old town post office would be turned into a space to celebrate the arts by offering hosts of classes, birthday parties, kids camps, exhibits, residency programs, and special events. It would remain free to tour and open to all people.

...a thriving center for the people, boasting three galleries that operate on a 6-week rotation, with entertaining hands-on components available at each one.

Art for All The Public Works Art Center: A Breath of Fresh Air for Summerville By Lorna Hollifield Not much is easy anymore. In March of 2020 we all thought we’d batten down for a few weeks, wash our hands, contemplate what in God’s sweet name we had just seen on Tiger King, and then get back to the grind. Now it’s year three. Life has become about survival for many, about making it from one day to the next in between Zoom meetings and remote learning days. Many have faced health or financial woes. It feels like we’ve all held our breath and just tried to keep moving, both literally and figuratively. However, despite the current climate, and all the odds stacked against it, an organization has been working hard behind the scenes to create a free, familyfriendly place where the community of Summerville can catch its breath again.

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2022

And they did it. The group of Summerville residents that includes Frankenberger, and Executive Director, Jana Riley, brought the dream to fruition. With determination, support from community volunteers, and a lot of heart, the infant project was birthed, only to survive a pandemic by its sophomore year. It is now a thriving center for the people, boasting three galleries that operate on a 6-week rotation, with entertaining hands-on components available at each one. It also offers ongoing classes and programs for all ages, twelve studios where artists can often be seen working live, and a fun art vending machine that delivers a surprise handmade treasure at the pull of a lever for just a $5 token. (Word is the adults have just as much fun as the kiddos with this one!) Most importantly, the space has remained on message, celebrating all forms of art, even adding theatre, and writing programs for a well-rounded experience. Through strategic planning, a firm sense of atmosphere, and a strong-willed community, the original vision has defied the chaos ensuing outside the gallery doors and grown unshakable roots in the short 4 years it’s been alive. The organization seems to exist in a bubble outside of everything else going on in the world. Perhaps that’s why it’s endured. It has served the collective need of respite so very well. Riley states, “I am extremely passionate about bringing people together and amplifying the voices and stories of our community through the arts, as well as providing families with free and low-cost creative opportunities.” Riley’s passion, as well as the passion of her

colleagues, has spilled onto Summerville like an open can of paint and brought some color back into all of our cheeks. The Public Works Art Center will kick off the spring season with a fundraising gala on Friday, April 22nd. This is a wonderful opportunity to check out the space and enjoy getting dressed up while being surrounded by beautiful displays by local artists. It is also a chance to network with other Summervillians while contributing to a great cause. Community members will have the chance to learn about ways to volunteer, sponsor, or simply enjoy this space for creativity. Riley encourages patrons to follow along on Facebook (Public Works Art Center) and Instagram (@publicworksartcenter) for more updates and opportunities on how to get involved. You can also visit on the web at www.publicworksartcenter.org to learn more. Here is your sign to take a break from the real world, surround yourself with pleasing things, and breathe in the arts of The Lowcountry this Spring! AM

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Local Color Public Works upcoming events March 4: Exhibition Opening 3 new exhibits! March 17: Third Thursday and Open Studios March 18: Poetry Night with Charleston Poet Laureate Marcus Amaker April 1-3: Artie the Artmobile at the Flowertown Festival April 9: Community Indigo Dye Day April 22: Creativity in Bloom” Fundraising Gala April 29: Exhibition Opening 3 new exhibits!

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Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

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L I F E & C U L T U R E from O U R L I T T L E S L I C E of T H E S O U T H

the southern

Sweet Lady Tara Pate, the founder of Daysie Syrups, doesn’t sit around waiting for someone else to make her dreams happen, and that is most clear in her newest business pursuit. by Jessy Devereaux Mitcham

Featuring Sweet Lady pg. 17 / Puppy Love pg. 23 / Eyes on the Prize pg. 27 / Natural Woman pg. 31 / Kids These Days pg. 35 / Life & Faith pg. 39 Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

Kevin. Being unsure of how he would react to the idea of draining their savings accounts for her to chase her dreams, she was nervous about the conversation. Kevin’s response was exactly what she needed to hear. He said, “In life, we will have to make bets with our finances. Stocks, bonds, 410k, homes, etc. My best bet is on you.” With her husband’s support, Tara got to work.

Taste Maker Daysie syrups are perfect for cocktails and coffee

aysie Syrups was founded by dreams and fueled by coffee, with a founder who had two main goals in mind. One was to create a syrup that had an exceptional range of flavors, organic certification, and sustainable packaging. The other was to contribute to the support and growth of women-owned businesses by using her brand to showcase their products and help them reach their peak performance. These goals may sound fairly easy to obtain on paper, though that couldn’t be further from the truth. Tara knew it would take a tremendous amount of time and effort to start a business from scratch, and bringing her ideas to fruition proved to be more difficult than she anticipated, but she has never been a quitter. In fact, life threw a few curveballs her way before she had the idea for Daysie, and she wouldn’t be where she is today without them. For Tara, there was a long period of time in her life where the traditional idea of “home” never really existed. Kevin, her husband, was an officer in the Navy, and the first eight years of their marriage were spent moving from place to place. The couple went to graduate school and then moved to San Francisco to pursue their shared dream of working for start-up companies, but after living there for four years, it still didn’t feel right. Kevin had been stationed in Charleston during his time in the military, and they both had the same destination in mind for their final trek across the

20 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2022

country. “The Charleston area makes us feel settled in our hearts, and we feel really comfortable and at peace,” Tara says, and in January of 2020, the couple moved into their forever home in Summerville. The Pates were ecstatic to be back in the Lowcountry. Everything was finally feeling “normal” again. But little did they know the pandemic was looming. Lockdowns began being put in to place, restaurants closed down, and Tara was furloughed from her position as a marketing director for a local restaurant group. Being out of work was a big change for her, as she had been working since she was only twelve years old, but Tara welcomed what she refers to as her “pandemic pause.” Without the pandemic, Kevin and Tara might not have taken the time to build their own at-home coffee bar. She carefully curated its contents to do her best to recreate her favorite drinks, yet never found a simple syrup that she liked. Everything on the market was loaded with too many preservatives and they left a bad taste in her mouth, literally. Tara’s final straw, and what gave her that extra push to begin Daysie, was a visit to Whole Foods Market. She was still attempting to find a coffee syrup when she was told by the kind worker that they didn’t have a single one, and she was directed towards the cocktail mixers. Tara was fed up with the syrup industry. Using her extensive experience in marketing, she knew she could fill an obvious demand in the market. But first, she needed to talk it over with

Daysie was entirely self-funded by Pate’s hard work. Nights and weekends were dedicated to contract work, making as much money as she could to build her brand. When she was not working, she began experimenting in her kitchen, using whatever she could think of for her future syrup recipe. At this point, Pate knew she needed help taking the experiments from her kitchen and turning them into a plan for commercial use. She had planned from the beginning to hire women so they could support each other in their work, with her first two team members being a highly-qualified beverage formulator and a lawyer, both of which were fundamental to her success. The success of Daysie was entirely dependent on taste, which meant countless hours were spent modifying their first few flavors to achieve the best-tasting brand on the market. It took six months to narrow down a handful of flavors that Tara felt confident in before she could move on. The next step was creating a private focus group to see which of their flavors, product labels, and brand names were the most likely to succeed. This may sound easy, but in reality, it was one of the most difficult parts of the process. They began to search for a co-packer that could make Daysie on a larger scale than Tara was

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Sweet Lady Continued

able to produce on her own, and found one that was capable of fulfilling all of the brand’s needs. The co-packer needed to be a certified organic facility, with the ability to do a hot fill and a quick cool to make it as efficient of a process as possible. Not everyone wants to work with a brand as new and as small as hers, but thanks to a podcast that she was listening to, Tara was able to find exactly who she needed. Once they were able to make a plan for production, Tara had to go through the legal process for making products on a commercial level. It was here that Tara was met with extreme doubt in her abilities to make a certified organic simple syrup that was safe to consume while containing zero preservatives. On her very first attempt, she was told point-blank that it wasn’t possible. Luckily, Tara wasn’t working alone anymore and was given some great advice; Tara was encouraged to ask “Why?” when she was told something wasn’t possible, and that when the people involved in the scheduled process are met with something that hasn’t been done before, they will take the easy way out by saying “No.” Tara learned to ask for solutions instead of accepting “No” as an answer, and with a lot of money spent tweaking the recipe even further, she was finally approved to move forward for Daysie to become a USDA-certified organic product. The correct information and certificates have to be provided for every single ingredient in a formulation, and because she had built these recipes herself, Tara was confident she would get the certification. There was a lot of time and money that went into the certification process, but it was one of the last steps in Daysie’s journey. Tara describes the difference between the first experimental batches of Daysie as “100 times better than what I ever pulled off at home. Simple syrups imply by name that they would be simple to make. I can assure you that achieving a more nuanced taste profile is much harder, which is why we put ‘not so simple’ on our bottles.” As Tara was looking into what it would take to turn her dream into a reality, she saw the inequalities that female entrepreneurs face when it comes to funding and resources compared to male business owners. The importance of supporting women entrepreneurs became just as important to Daysie’s

with her syrups, and says they can enhance so much more than coffee. She recommends using them as a drizzle for desserts or putting a dash or two in a cocktail. And as far as new flavors go? The sky's the limit.

founder as the flavors of her product. Daysie is a Public Benefit Company, which means Tara can make decisions on behalf of the good of her mission versus just the bottom line. She has started her movement by sharing 2.1% of their post-tax profits with vetted organizations that provide grants to female owners of CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) businesses. Why 2.1%? “That percentage is our symbolic call for the need to raise more than 2% of the venture capital historically invested in women-owned businesses,” she states. “I know firsthand how hard it is to acquire capital while working multiple jobs to get to my launch, with only using my own dime. I’m certainly not saying that I should have been handed money, but women need to be given equal access to the funding and resources that are made available for men.” Tara hopes that Daysie’s contributions will become a catalyst for change and maybe even inspire others to do the same. She believes in sharing the stage with other women that are starting, owning, and operating their businesses so they can learn from one another.

Tara’s brand has launched, but that doesn’t mean she’s done dreaming. She wants to continue growing the company so she will be able to donate more towards funding women founders as her own empire grows and would love to collaborate with women that have made brands and businesses of their own. Another goal is looking into ways to build an even more sustainable product than she already has now. She can’t wait to see what people do

Tara says she is 100% focused on creating a variety of flavors and has a pipeline of some limited edition flavors she hopes to release as soon as possible. Tara explains why she has held back on certain flavors saying, “I started Daysie with flavors that felt approachable and ones that consumers would recognize. I want customers to trust me in the basic flavors so they are willing to go on flavor adventures with me in the future. We believe that any brand worth following should take you somewhere worth the trip.” The ultimate goal? To see her product on the shelves of Whole Foods. “That is the day in which I know I’ve made it because it was that moment without an option on the shelves that set this girl on fire.” AM You can find Daysie locally at The Daily and Mercantile and Mash in Charleston. Purchase Daisy online: www.enjoydaysie.com

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Puppy Love Photographer Justin Parsons takes thoughtful, timeless dog portraits that resonate unconditional love and the substance of man’s best friend. by Eliza Chapman Bailey

Picture This Parsons' portraits capture the personality of each pup

isual storytellers, photographs capture moments in time. They arouse emotions, evoke memories, inspire, anger, and elicit Amens. From the mundane to the spectacular, photojournalists use images to historically solidify decisive moments. Artists employ the medium of photography for self-expression and creativity. Social media snapshots

graphically make a statement, induce solidarity, inject humor or points to ponder. Individuals take pictures to record events, places, and subjects significant to them. Dog owners take pictures of dogs because their canine companion is more than a pet; they are family members. Articulating how our dogs have earned our love and respect is challenging at best. To photograph the intrinsic value of Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

Puppy Love Continued

their contribution to our lives is near impossible. Photographer and owner of Splootin Studio, Justin Parsons takes “classic, timeless, and personal portraits for those who believe their dog is not just a pet but a family member.” His portraits havea panache for authentically capturing a dog's character one click at a time. Parsons, an Air Force photojournalist, chronicles the lives and wartime efforts of the United States Air Force’s servicemen and women. On off days, he moonlights with his wife, Lauren (also a military photojournalist) photographing weddings and elopements. Their studio, justinandlauren.co, specializes in telling a journey through candid moments. He and his wife talk shop a good deal. One conversation centered around his fascination for pet photography. Being the proud parent of a pocket Pitbull, Oakley, and an English bulldog, Luna, the notion of telling their stories through the lens was compelling. Prompted by a challenge from his wife, Parsons made a makeshift studio in his living room, corralled “the girls” and started shooting. Frame by frame, he captured their nuances. Documenting each distinctive characteristic ignited an artistic sense of self and style he wanted to share with others.

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Our relationship with our pets is the rawest form of love that we can experience. They have no ulterior motives, no intent to deceive, just loyalty and love.

Best Friends Justin Parsons with his dog Luna

He believes, “Our relationship with our pets is the rawest form of love that wecan experience. They have no ulterior motives, no intent to deceive, just loyalty and love. Each has a unique personality that will forever live in your mind long after they have left your side.” For Parsons, photography is not just a job, it’s a way of life. It’s his profession, hobby, and passion. He holds one-hour sessions at his studio located on the basement level of the Public Works Art Center in Summerville. They begin with a meetand-greet outside of the Arts Center; then progress to the studio. In the studio, he lets the dog inspect the surroundings. While they are sniffing every corner, Parsons keeps his presence to a minimum and allows the dog to approach him while he assesses their disposition. He reiterates that the dog dictates the session. If they are shy or nervous, he spends more time

making them feel at ease. Once the dog is comfortable, the photoshoot begins. One of his first clients, co-worker, Kathryn Miller, reveals, “The patience and adeptness Justin displayed photographing my dogs was amazing. His gift to hold their attention long enough to capture their mannerisms is exceptional. I am thankful for his immortalization of my furry babies. His portraits communicate their meaning in my life and the time we have spent together. I am forever grateful.” Seasoned to view the world through a lens, Parsons’ dog portraits transcend the ordinary; they capture what dog owners see and feel every day. Parsons' finished work speaks volumes for his aesthetic acumen. His photojournalism experience taught him to portray the subtleties of life embedded in the ticks of time. For the casual observer, Parsons’ portraits elicit a shared familiarity. They bear witness to

the dog’s spirit, universally memorializing an intrinsic value for all to see. For the owner, his photographs visually work in concert with memories. They are tangible reminders of the special place their canine companion holds in their hearts. Polished and sophisticated, Parsons’ work is a testimony of unconditional love and friendship to be treasured for a lifetime. AM

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

In the heart of Downtown Summerville, comes a new place to gather. Welcome to The Azalea. Inspired by the signature style of Azalea Magazine. Craft cocktails by professional mixologists, specialty curated wines, a selection of local craft beers, and a menu of special Southern favorites, offer uptown sophistication just around the corner. The bar’s historic location and unique urban garden give The Azalea a flavor that is quintessentially Summerville.

the southern

Fishing Buddies Ralph Phillips and David Fladd know the Lowcountry waters well; the jig mimics the real thing

Eyes on the Prize

Eye Strike Fishing™ owners, Ralph Phillips and Davis Fladd, upending the jighead fishing lure industry by Eliza Chapman Bailey

There are few products that, with a little tweaking and ingenuity, revolutionize their prospective markets. Products like the Post-It Note, the Walkman, and the Band-Aid. Believe it or not, here in Summerville, two friends have developed such a product—one that has revolutionized an industry and taken the fishing world by storm. The Trout Eye Jighead is game-changer. Ralph Phillips and David Fladd, co-founders of Eye Strike Fishing (formerly Ralph Phillips Inshore Productions) improved the traditional hook and lead jighead by adding a large eye to the lead. Armed with a keen sense of the parlay between predator and prey, Phillips (a businessman and avid recreational fisherman) and David Fladd (an engineer and angler) developed a jighead rooted in their observation that predatory fish strike the eye first. Building on this concept, they designed a jighead with an enticing 3D eye. The large eye summons the predator to strike. Astute, yet powerfully simplistic, this concept has revolutionized the angling market. Their company started in 2014 with the manufacturing and marketing of their first lure, the Trout Eye Jighead. Designed for the

challenges of fishing the inland waterways of the Lowcountry, this trailblazing jighead set them on a trajectory few can only imagine, let alone accomplish. After designing, producing and marketing the prototype, Phillips and Fladd shared their innovation with local anglers and tackle shops. In an industry saturated with products, they began to make a name for themselves. Recognizing the demand for Trout Eye would exceed their production capacity, Phillips and Fladd faced a conundrum. They could relocate to a bigger space, purchase more equipment, hire more people, outsource production completely—or not. The duo presented their products to North Charleston based company, Z-Man Fishing Products. After several fishing trips with the Z-Man pro staff, a partnership between the two companies was formed. Z-Man would manufacture, market, and distribute Trout Eye through its worldwide network. Phillips and Fladd would continue to design and develop new products. The partnership with Z-Man was logical. Both companies are committed to customer service, innovation, and quality. It was a natural fit. Grateful and pragmatic, Phillips relays, “Eye Strike jigheads and Z-man plastics are a perfect combination to attract Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Reel Deal An Eye Strike jig with artificial bait; got him

and catch most salt and freshwater species. They complement each other.” Their agreement not only solved the need for brick-and-mortar expansion, but it also catapulted them from the local arena to the global marketplace. Humble and astonished by their market reach, Fladd, recounts “The affirmation we were truly global, came when I saw a Facebook posting from India with two anglers touting their catch, showing the Trout Eye Jighead and singing its praises.” Phillips and Fladd are emphatic that Z-Man’s collaboration and guidance was responsible for their being able to infiltrate the global marketplace at an accelerated pace. Local social media posts echo Phillips’ sentiment that Z-Man and Eye Strike Fishing Products work handin-hand, producing great results. Kevin Jackson shared a link on Eye Strike Fishing Artificials Facebook page exuberantly offering, “Get out there and try artificials 30 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2022

Eyes on the Prize Continued

this time of year for good numbers of speckled trout. They will strike your bait if you are throwing it in the right places! Especially if it's an Eye Strike jighead matched with a Z-Man paddle tail.” The positive results by anglers spawned imitation. No longer just a hook and lead, the large eye design morphed into a must-have for jigheads. To distinguish themselves from competition and drive home that they are the original big eye lure company, the company was renamed, becoming Eye Strike Fishing in 2017. The rebranding along with their winsome logo signifies Eye Strike Fishing’s uncompromising commitment to quality craftsmanship. Eye Strike’s development staff relies heavily on feedback. They have a pro fishing team composed of members who loved and used their products before sponsorship was on the table. According to company’s website, “In other words, the love for our products preceded the sponsorship. This means that they are conservation-minded and concerned for the future of our fisheries. This is evidenced by their actions, not their words … Our team members create interesting and compelling content, last but not least, they are good people. We want people who we are proud to have represent us. Again, this is based on actions, not words.” The Eye Strike Fishing Team represent Eye Strike Fishing in their prospective national markets. They relay their region's fishing practices and obstacles to Phillips and Fladd. To date, the product line includes Trout Eye, Texas Eye, Striper Eye, and Redfish Eye jigheads designed to be used with bait and lures. They are available in a variety of sizes and weights and can be purchased in most big-box outdoor retailers, local tackle shops and online at eyestrikefishing.com. With input and consumer feedback taken to heart, Phillips and Fladd continue to design lures that mimic Mother Nature's perfection. Their design acumen transformed how anglers view the utilitarian jighead, making them fun to use and strikingly cool. AM Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

the southern

N AT U R A L WOMAN

Something Old, Something New A lot has changed since 1983, and that’s a good thing for today’s brides and grooms by Susan Frampton

hen Lewis proposed to me in February of 1983, we lived in different cities and burned up I-95, driving back and forth. My parents were delighted, and friends and family universally agreed that we were a match made in heaven. But we knew we didn’t want a long engagement. We’d made the drive from Savannah to Kings Bay so often that I had started to recognize and wave to truck drivers regularly traveling the same route. So, we called the church to book a date in the not-too-distant future. Bad news. Our historic family church was slated for an interior restoration with no set end in sight. However, if we could marry in May, we’d make it before construction began. May 21st. The clock was ticking. When Gillie proposed to Sara in December, we were over the moon. They’ve been inseparable since he was her guide on a 2018 alligator hunt. Even if he weren’t the absolute perfect addition to our family, who wouldn’t love a guy that gets your daughter her first alligator? The site of many a party, the backyard, was the first choice for the small wedding they envisioned. Small quickly became a relative term, as we realized that said relatives numbered well over fifty.

Within the hour, Lewis was on the line to the country club. With wedding dates backed up due to Covid, we knew that the odds weren’t with us to secure a date this year, but it was worth a try. After all, this had been Sara’s childhood summer home, the place she swam with her cousins every day and racked up an annual $100 summer hot dog and candy bar tab. “I have one possible cancellation. Let me check,” Lee Ray reported. When he called back, we had a date. May 21st. Five months. Back in 1983, your wedding conformed to Crane’s Wedding Blue Book. End of story. There weren’t the myriad options brides and grooms enjoy today or access to options to contemplate. I sat down the day after becoming engaged with my unflappable mother, her spiral notebook, and the budget which Dad announced, and Mom drew a line through. She showed him the door and told him what time to show up in his tux. Burning up the phone lines, the spiral notebook was filled with my mother’s precise cursive writing by the end of the day. The reception site was booked, the florist was selected, the photographer lined up, and Granny Sula was placed in charge of procuring the perfect cake. Bridesmaids chosen. Check. Ceremony time and music, Check. Check. The next day, I visited a bridal boutique during my lunch hour, tried on exactly one dress, and purchased

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

N AT U R A L WOMAN

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it along with what, in retrospect, was an unfortunate hat and veil. Don’t judge—it was the 80s. There were still decisions to be made, but I had been engaged for two days, and for the most part, we were ready to roll. More than a few things have changed for the better since 1983. That’s not to say that parachute pants and big hair were necessarily bad things. Let’s just say thank you that both fashion and social norms have evolved since then. Thanks to the advent of social media and sites like Pinterest, there are vision boards, DIY ideas, and enough conflicting advice to make Martha Stewart’s head spin. Sara and Gillie’s choices are endless, a fact we first realized when she set up their wedding registry. Lewis and I had been limited to selecting silver, china, and crystal patterns. Our bride and groom were handed a barcode zapper gun and selections for everything from apple peelers to zebra rugs. Gillie wondered aloud if they might go register at Bass Pro Shops, too. They didn’t, but the idea was not as far-fetched as it would have once been. With cable television’s Say Yes to the Dress, wedding dress shopping has been redefined. The upside of that influence is that Sara dutifully tried on every style dress in the store. It was great fun for those of us who weren’t stepping in and out of crinolines and scratchy lace. We burst out laughing at giant Cinderella ballgowns and were appalled by revealing cutouts. (No matter how well you know the bride—does anyone really need to see her belly button as she sashays down the aisle?) Sparkles and sequins fell by the wayside, and anything chiffon was kicked to the curb. Our bride definitely knew what she didn’t want. However, one thing hasn’t changed over the years. When she stepped into

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2022

THE ONE, the only sound in the room came from me, quietly sobbing into my handkerchief. I’m all about tradition, but it’s refreshing to see some of the rigid rules for weddings thrown out the window. I have a friend whose great-niece wants her to be a bridesmaid. My mother was my Matron of Honor. Back then, people acted like I had grown a third eyebrow, but it was an act of rebellion I’ve never regretted. Surrounding yourself with those who mean the most to you should have no pre-qualifiers, and my friend would be as beautiful as any 25-year-old. I recently saw a video of a bride’s teenage brothers in flowered tuxes somersaulting down the aisle in a flurry of rose petals. It was the sweetest and most joyful thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine Sara’s brother in the role of flower boy, but I laugh out loud every time I think of it. We’ve told Lewis what time to be there in his tux so that box is checked. He’s more than happy with that. Thoughts of toasts and first dances have him flustered enough. It’s an exciting time, and I must admit that I’m having a ball. Friends have been so kind to host showers and parties, and it’s gratifying to know that so many want to help us celebrate this happy occasion. As of this moment, we’re three months out and still have a lot of things to check off the list. Some will follow the etiquette guidelines. Some may throw tradition out the window. It’s a joy to know that the day will reflect the couple either way. When May 21st, 2022, arrives, Lewis and I will celebrate our 39th anniversary, and our daughter and new son-in-law will begin their lives together. Something old, something new. We can only hope that the date will be as blessed for them as it has been for us. Best wishes, Sara and Gillie. We love you. AM

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the southern

Life's A Shirt

K ID S THESE D AY S

by Tara Bailey

wo things stick out in my mind when I think of my husband asking me to marry him some twenty-five years ago: 1) he was so nervous that I thought he was actually breaking up with me, and 2) he was wearing this short-sleeved, button-down shirt of various plaids stitched together like something from early nineteenth-century Gothic horror. In his defense, we were in the thick of the nineties, and Banana Republic was as much a victim of its time as anything else. I also remember walking around downtown Charleston later that night and telling everyone we encountered that we had just gotten engaged. I may have been flashing my left hand, but I’m sure everyone’s eye was on that shirt. I ended up changing my mind about the shirt when he later told me that he had made his sartorial choice with a deeper meaning in mind. That was the shirt he had been wearing when his mother died, and he wanted to associate it with something happy. From that point I viewed

the shirt as a reminder that I had married a man who would consciously recognize and commemorate life’s most sacred moments; thus it became my favorite garment of his, mixed plaids and all. He calls it his "Life Shirt." The times the Life Shirt has made an appearance have been those that have marked his most poignant experiences—most of them happy, some of them ushering in a strange new chapter, all of them meaningful. I had forgotten about the Life Shirt once we began our lives as newlyweds. After we married, the shirt assumed its position in the closet behind a rainbow of Polos and was all but forgotten until one spring day in 1999. That particular morning I wasn’t distracted by clothes; I was just eager to get to the hospital. Jim helped me into the car, loaded our overnight bags, and could barely manage his nerves and excitement as he drove us towards our new role as parents. Several hours later I thought his heart would burst through that plaid shirt which he saturated with tears of overwhelming joy upon holding his first daughter.

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

KIDS THESE D AY S

Each of our three girls first met their father by nestling their newborn heads into the worn fabric of the Life Shirt. Subsequent first birthdays were celebrated in a splendor of Madras; down the road, graduations were acknowledged with a little relief, a lot of pride, and the perfect amount of thinning cotton in muted plaid. I never think about the Life Shirt until I see it. Most days are blessedly uneventful, which is not to say they’re dull. We do all the things I imagine most families do: celebrate traditions, worry about non-existent crises, deal with actual crises, and spend more time deciding on a movie than watching the movie. Even with the kids now mostly grown and dispersed far and wide, we’re all active on our family text thread and tend to convene at the end of the day. The Life Shirt, ironically, is too special for daily life. Of course, daily life changes as much as it doesn’t. Our family has endured a few transitions already this year. One daughter is now abroad, another in a college apartment with friends, and the youngest finally living the only child dream. We have a growing puppy and a quiet house. We’re actively fantasizing about our empty nest stage, otherwise known as a smaller house with no stairs. And there has been another change, one I can’t quite get used to yet.

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After the holidays our old girl, Luna—a beloved cattle dog of advanced years—began letting us know that her time with us was coming to a close. We had been looking for signs that her body was giving out, and a few weeks into the new year she was visibly in pain and having dif-

ficulty getting through the day. This faithful dog had helped raise our daughters. She had spent her whole life walking with me to pick up the girls from school, providing comfort for hurt feelings, and celebrating milestones with her own place at the table, literally. She was the epitome of love: patient, kind, loyal, and always giving. To quote my husband, she was the heart of our family for fourteen years. When our vet agreed that Luna’s struggle should come to an end, we summoned the girls and asked them to be brave. Luna’s last night on Earth was solemnized with her own baked salmon filet and a sleepover in the den with the girls. I had a hard time getting to sleep that night and kept peeking into the den for one last memory of a mix of girl limbs with dog legs and the rhythmic breathing of deep sleep. The next day I met everyone at the vet’s office after school. I was feeling fairly stoic until I pulled into the parking lot and saw my daughter walking Luna around in the grass and my husband standing next to them wearing the Life Shirt. We all went inside together, laid hands on our precious girl, and whispered our love into her soul. When she was at peace, the Life Shirt absorbed our tears.

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Again, I’m grateful to have a husband who honors family moments with an outward sign of their weight. Our children already know when their father is especially proud, exuberant, or in grief, but when he dons the cringey plaid, it signals to them that such times are worth acknowledging and the accompanying feelings worth expressing. They say that clothes make the man, but in my case, it’s the man who makes the shirt. AM Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

the southern

L IF E & F A IT H

Life at the Table by Diana Thompson

he most valuable piece of furniture in my house is my kitchen table. Now, it’s not all that valuable when it comes to money, that’s for sure. Before children we had a pretty round glass table that was about the only thing that fit in our eat-in kitchen in our house in Surfside Beach. But glass tabletops and kids aren’t a great combination and I wanted to be able to fit more than four people at our table (which is good planning, because we’ve ended up being a family of five). So we searched and searched but couldn’t find one that both fit our tastes and budget. Finally we found what is now our kitchen table. It is actually two tables, less than $100 each from IKEA. We only attached four of the eight total legs and then used random wood from the garage to build a frame underneath to hold them together. Being from IKEA, it’s obviously not a fancy type of wood or glamorous design. I had great plans to paint it a pretty color, but almost a decade later it’s still the basic tan pine color it was when it came out of the box. I wanted square and it’s… almost square. It has stains and marks

on it that won’t scrub out. You can see the lines put on it by pencils pressed down too hard through the paper and fork points stabbed into it thanks to the third child when he was a baby. But its physical characteristics and monetary value are not what I see when I look at that table. When I look at that table I see the people and moments that have been around it. I see the meals shared with just the five of us. I see my baby making a mess from his high chair as he learned to feed himself. I see cookies for Santa being decorated with my friend and her kids for 6 years in a row. I see hours of homework being completed (and more recently, hours of virtual learning too!). I see my neighbor in tears telling me how her marriage of so many years was falling apart. I see 5 high school girls sitting there every Tuesday morning eating muffins and studying God’s word together for two years straight. I see college students eating ice cream and warm cookies while we duke it out in a vicious game of Catan. I see my friend from California home for the holidays sharing a warm cup of coffee with me and catching me up on her life. I see my daughter and her best friend eating chocolate chip pancakes

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

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LIFE & FA I T H

for breakfast after a sleepover. I see young adults from our church's small group that represent so many different states and backgrounds and military branches, all gathering for a meal and a place to connect. I see crafts created and final touches being added to dance costumes. I see grandparents sharing meals with their grandkids. I see birthdays being celebrated, losses being mourned, news being shared, and victories being applauded. I see quiet times when I’m the only one sitting at that table, and I’ve seen at least 12 people crammed around it (it comfortably seats 8), shoulder to shoulder. I see family, tears, celebrations, heartbreak, competition, learning, a million cups of coffee shared, and joy—so much joy. I consider our kitchen table to be holy ground. Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:20 that “when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.” (MSG) I have no doubt that God shows up regularly at my kitchen table (and it’s not for my cooking!). Some people have been there once; some people so often that there is no way I could count. That table’s not big, it’s not fancy, and it certainly isn’t expensive. It’s completely ordinary. But it’s a sacred space in my life—a space where God moves and shows up, because He’s the one who’s brought us there. Where are your ordinary but sacred spaces? Have you taken the time to identify them? Have you taken the time to enjoy and appreciate them? Maybe more importantly, have you taken the time to create them? We didn’t buy our kitchen table with anyone in mind but the five of us, but I also know that the hundreds of faces who have spent time there didn’t show up by accident. I can only pray that the hundreds of faces who have been gathered around it have been blessed the same way their presence there has blessed us. If you are looking for a sacred space and aren’t sure where to start, there is ALWAYS room for one more at our kitchen table. AM

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Southern hospitality & elegant charm. Located in historic Summerville. Listed #1 on Trip Advisor 5 years in a row! Extended & corporate stays welcome in the BnB or cottage.

Built in 1889, the three-story Victorian house features beautiful antiques, artfully decorated rooms, a sitting parlor, gourmet breakfast, and extensive gardens and water features. Extended stays and special events are welcome.

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THE MAGNOLIA

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A blend of modern amenities, spacious private suites featuring 14 foot ceilings and original heart pine floors. Easily walk to Hutchinson Square, shops, and restaurants in the Historic District.

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Inspired by the signature style of Azalea Magazine, with craft cocktails by professional mixologists, specialty curated wines, a selection of local craft beers, and a menu of special Southern favorites.

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EVA'S ON MAIN

FIVE LOAVES CAFE

Your local coffee roaster, bakery and community spot. Enjoy select wines, craft beer, music, events and so much more.

Open since 1944, Eva's On Main is located in Downtown Historic Summerville and serves a Southern comfort menu for breakfast & lunch, with brunch on Sat. & Sun. Dine-in | Takeout | Curbside Pickup

The cafe is known for daily specials and rotating soups, homemade condiments, & gluten free and vegan options. They have 2 locations that focus on quality, healthy, casual cuisine.

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843-376-4559 / coastalcoffeeroasters.com 44

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theazaleabar.com

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LEDYARD BARBQUE

SWEETWATER 123

PUBLIC WORKS ART CENTER

Award Winning BBQ and homemade sides, indoor / outdoor seating, call ahead/ curbside pick-up. We also offer Catering, Special Event Space Rental, and BBQ /Grilling Classes

Located in the heart of Summerville, Sweetwater features Brunch daily, Dinner, a local beverage selection and a retail shop curated with the most unique, local finds! Open at 10am daily. Dine, Sip, Shop Local.

A family-friendly nonprofit art center with FREE ADMISSION, Public Works Art Center offers everchanging exhibitions, art classes for all ages, special events, art studios, a gift shop, and so much more.

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SU MME RV I L L E, SC

ARTS & C U LT U R E

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AZALEA MARKET

SUMMERV ILLE, SC

843-695-8488 onetwentythree.sc@gmail.com

843-900-3225 / publicworksartcenter.org

SUMMERVILLE COUNTRY CLUB

ANTIQUES AND ARTISANS VILLAGE

EVERYTHING CHIC

Family owned and operated since 1974. Open seven days a week. 18 hole PUBLIC golf course featuring an outdoor event venue, the Candlelite Pavilion, available for rent.

A Fun Place to Shop! Home to over 150 vendors/consignors. Easy parking at 619 Old Trolley Rd., Summerville. Antiques, Vintage, Gifts, Local Artisans.

Everything Chic is a Southern gift shop full of eclectic home decor, jewelry, candles, furniture, and local specialty items. Our prices are reasonable and our staff is friendly! SUMMERV ILLE, SC

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Our promise at FLY is to deliver the best quality materials while giving you the comfort, fit, and style you desire. Each season FLY will bring you the newest trends.

European style home decor, gifts & antiques. Located in the beautiful Summerville historic district.

KATIE MAE'S KLASSY FLEA & ANTIQUE MART

SU MMERV I L L E, SC

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Home decor, antiques, gifts & painted furniture. We are Farmhouse Paint Retailers for the Low Country. Open 7 days a week. SUMMERV ILLE, SC

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843-225-3661 / flymodernapparel.com Y O U R

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843-873-2210 / summervillecountryclub.com

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LOWCOUNTRY OLIVE OIL

OK FLORIST

MAGGIE ROSE

Established at the Summerville Farmer's Market in 2011, family-owned Lowcountry Olive Oil now carries over 65 olive oils & vinegars, and dozens of locally made gourmet foods.

OK Florist, located in the heart of historic, downtown Summerville, has been providing beautiful blooms and lasting memories to Summerville and the Lowcountry area since 1947.

Maggie Rose, is a ladies boutique of simple elegance in the historic downtown district of Summerville, South Carolina.

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843-871-6745 / maggieroseboutique.com

LAURA JONES & COMPANY

PEOPLE, PLACES, AND QUILTS

SOLE SHOE COMPANY

A home furnishings and accessories shop. We have a constantly changing showroom featuring beautiful furniture, garden elements, and thoughtful gifts with an acquired look.

A premiere fabric and quilting emporium, with books, patterns, beautiful displays, classes, sewing machines, and good times throughout this wonderful store of 6,000 Sqft!

Sole Shoe Co. is a modern shoe company, committed to bringing the most modern/chic/comfy/casual shoes and accessories for both men and women.

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SUMMERVILLE ANTIQUE GALLERY

VINTAGE VIBES ON MAIN

110 booths full of antiques and uniques.

"Enter as a Customer, Leave as a Friend"! Over 6000 sqft of vintage treasures, local artisans, fair prices and some of the friendliest smiles in Summerville!!

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For information on being a part of the Azalea Market section, contact Agela Burnem at 843.343.7561

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features a z a l e a m ag a z i n e s p r i n g 2 0 2 2

46 GRAND OPENING You can pickle just about anything. Here are a couple of classics to get you started!

50 MOTHER OF ALL RACEWAYS Stretching out in the spring sunshine, "The Lady in Black" marks Mother’s Day by reminding NASCAR fans just how tough a mother can be.

56 A T RU E C L AS S I C REVIVAL The Cuddy House: It has known many names over the course of time, but Gretchen & Brian Cuddy have made this house their own

Red Heads Fresh cherry tomatoes ready for pickling

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

YOU CAN PICKLE JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. HERE ARE A C O U P L E O F C L A S S I C S T O G E T YO U S TA R T E D !

OPENING

Pickling fresh produce is a Southern right-ofpassage. Whether you're looking to spice up a salad, cocktail, or just eat them straight from the jar, these tangy treats should be on every Spring menu.

PICKLED OKRA Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds of fresh okra 4 cloves garlic, peeled 4 (1/4-inch) thick slices of lemon 2 cups cider vinegar (5% acidity) 2 cups water 3 tablespoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon sugar Spices 2 tablespoons mustard seeds 1 tablespoon coriander seeds 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon fennel seeds 1 teaspoon celery seeds 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns Preparation Place vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil to dissolve the salt and sugar, reduce heat and keep warm. While the water is heating in step one, prepare the okra and the spices. Rinse the okra and trim the stem ends to 1/4-inch.

GET PICKLING

Place all pickling spices in a small bowl and stir to combine. Place a lemon slice at the bottom of each jar. Add a tablespoon of the mixed pickling spices to each jar. Place a peeled garlic clove on top of the spices and lemon. Pack the okra in the jars, alternating stem-sideup and stem-side-down to allow you to pack the okra well into the jars. The top of the okra should come between an inch to 1/2 an inch from the rim of the jar. Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the jars, up to 1/4-inch from the rim of the jars. Run a thin knife between the okra and the jars to dislodge any obvious air bubbles. Place lids on jars. Screw on the the lids, firmly, but not too tight. Place packed jars back in the pot with water you used to sterilize the jars. The water should still be hot. Because you are putting back in full jars, rather than empty jars, some water will be displaced. Allow for 1 to 2 inches of water to cover the jars. Beyond that you may want to remove excess water. Bring to a boil and process for 15 minutes. Remove to towel lined counter or to a rack (You want to avoid putting a hot jar on a cold surface, or else the jar might crack.) As the jars cool, you should hear a popping sound as the vacuum created by the cooling air in the jars pulls the lid down and seals the jars. A properly sealed jar can last in a cool closet out of direct sun for about a year. If any jars do not seal, store them chilled in the refrigerator. Opened jars should last one to two months in the refrigerator. Let sit 24 hours before eating.

PICKLED CHERRY TOMATOES Ingredients ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) ½ cup white vinegar 2 cups water 1 quart cherry or grape tomatoes 2 cloves garlic (peeled and sliced into two long halves) 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (length should be approximately the same as the jar) Preparation Place vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil to dissolve the salt and sugar, reduce heat and keep warm. Combine salt, vinegars and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove stems and wash the tomatoes. Gently prick tomato skins twice on opposite sides to prevent skin from cracking. Pack tomatoes in hot sterilized jars (two pints or four 1-cup jelly). Add one half of garlic half way and the other clove on top. Ladle vinegar over tomatoes to ¼ inch line. Add a rosemary sprig to each jar. If sealing jars: run a knife along the inside edge of the jars to remove ALL air bubbles. Finger tighten the lid. Process jars in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes starting your timer as soon as you put the jars in. Leaving them longer will cause the tomatoes to pop. If you are not sealing the jars, let cool to room temperature, put on lids and store in refrigerator. AM

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2022

Stretching out in the Spring sunshine, "The Lady in Black" marks Mother’s Day by reminding NASCAR fans just how tough a mother can be. by Susan Frampton

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

Stretching out in the spring sunshine, “The Lady in Black” marks Mother’s Day by reminding NASCAR fans just how tough a mother can be. For many, Mother's Day is represented by springtime, sentimental cards, flowers, and gifts tied with pastel ribbons. In 2021, Americans spent $28.1 billion to show Mom they cared. But for NASCAR fans and their moms, there is an additional reason to celebrate the traditional rite of spring. Racing—specifically racing at Darlington Speedway. It is not clear how Mother's Day initially became linked to the track dubbed “The Lady in Black,” but this year the racetrack will mark the day with the return of revving engines and squealing tires. With NASCAR's 37% female fan base, it's a sure bet that there will be plenty of mothers in the crowd gathered for a memorable weekend of racing. Darlington, SC sits at the heart of the state's agricultural belt. So it may seem surprising to find this asphalt jewel amidst the Pee Dee region, famous for its tobacco auctions and endless cotton fields. But as legend tells it, it was over a 1949 card game that Harold Brasington proposed the idea to Sherman Ramsey, whose tobacco and cotton fields outside the city limits lay fallow in the baking Southern sun. Fueled by a trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Brasington had a hunch that stock car racing might well be a game-changer for American automakers. So he decided it was time to go all in. Preoccupied with the hand in play, Ramsey agreed to build a racetrack on the land, stipulating that construction must not interfere with his minnow pond in the corner of the property. He never imagined it would actually happen. Brasington immediately set to work. Skeptics called it "Harold's Folly." They brought picnic lunches to watch the bulldozers and heavy equipment shape the landscape into NASCAR's first paved superspeedway, often with Brasington himself at the controls. The track slowly took shape—an asphalt-topped, asymmetrical, egg-shaped oval with curves made difficult by a purposeful design to miss the minnow pond. It would be the proving ground for fierce competitors vying for the honor of having their names inscribed in history. In only a year, the call went out to the knights of NASCAR,

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2022

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

challenging them to run their steel horses on the 1.25-mile track. Concrete bleachers were built to accommodate an optimistic estimate of 7,000 race fans. By the time engines were started on Labor Day weekend's 1950 NASCAR Grand National Series Southern 500, more than 20,000 fans had occupied every square inch of space lining the track and infield of Darlington Raceway. The starting lineup included a Who's Who list of the day's best drivers, including Fireball Roberts, Curtis Turner, Lee Petty, and Johnny Mantz. Though he was the slowest qualifier amongst the field of 75 drivers, when the checkered flag waved the 1950 Plymouth to victory, Mantz captured the day—taking home a whopping $10,510. It had taken him over 6 hours to drive the 400 laps at an average speed of 75.25 mph. Only 25 of the 75 starters finished. No one remembers who first referred to Darlington's track by the feminine nickname of “The Lady in Black.” Those present for her debut gave stunned accounts of their encounter with the ribbon of blazing black asphalt. Legend quickly spread about the track among drivers, whose defiant curves sent them on a ride that left them hot, bothered, and spinning in dizzying circles at her feet. It would not be long before an apt new tagline was added to the Lady's name. Despite her Southern charm, the Lady was "Too Tough to Tame." South Carolina native, Cale Yarborough, won The Lady's hand five times in his thirty-year career. His first glimpse of the enigmatic track came when the curious young boy climbed to the top of the fence to look out on the rumbling cars beyond. It was love at first sight, and Yarborough says he knew immediately that this was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. So, in 1957, he chose the Lady in Black to play hostess to the first race of his professional career. Little did he know, a few years later, she would send him and his car careening back over the fence in 1965's Southern 500. It was not a smooth ride for those early drivers. NASCAR was in its infancy, having been founded in 1948, only a year before Brasington's bulldozers took to the cotton field outside the sleepy city of Darlington. The men who chose the life of a driver took on a job with no glitz and very little glamor. Instead, a never-ending cycle of putting cars together, loading them atop flatbed trucks for the drive to the track, and heading to the next race awaited them. Often, they arrived just in time to start their engines for qualifying. Sponsorships and endorsement deals began to make the job a bit more lucrative, but many ran for the pure love of the sport. Sportswriter Angela Campbell of SpeedwayMedia.com summed up the drivers of NASCAR's formative years. She described independent owner/driver #71 Dave Marcis as "a reflection of a time when it wasn't all about fame and fortune—it was about accomplishing extraordinary things with little money, great determination, and tremendous ingenuity." Far from the high-tech gear of today's racers, little stood between these drivers and the very real dangers of the sport. There were no 5-point safety harnesses or full-face racing helmets. At best, flame retardant suits were rudimentary, and communication was conducted via hand signals between driver and pit crew. Darlington's Labor Day time slot also added the sultry heat of Southern summer to the mix. Yarborough remembers, "I don't know how we did it. It would get so hot you could barely breathe. Your shoes would melt and stick

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NO ONE REMEMBERS WHO FIRST REFERRED TO DARLINGTON'S TRACK BY THE FEMININE NICKNAME OF “THE LADY IN BLACK.” THOSE PRESENT FOR HER DEBUT GAVE STUNNED ACCOUNTS OF THEIR ENCOUNTER WITH THE RIBBON OF BLAZING BLACK ASPHALT.

to the floor." Tired of the relentless blisters that formed on his heels at weekly races at Darlington Raceway, Dave Marcis took to wearing thick-heeled wingtip shoes to combat the searing heat of the floorboards. The iconic shoes would become his trademark, finding their way into The Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum, NMPA Hall of Fame.

Checkered Past Johnny Mantz after winning the inaugural Southern 500 race at Darlington in 1950

Despite the hazards, they raced on. As new tracks were added to the circuit, drivers crisscrossed the country. Still, the treacherous Lady in Black called like a siren, and they returned each year to woo her. The tarred Southern Lady revealed a fiery will. Immune to their charms, she required drivers to travel high up the narrow track to kiss the wall, then marked their fenders with the "Darlington Stripe," a black smudge that would come to be a badge of honor. Nine-time Darlington winner Dale Earnhardt once described his lovehate relationship with the course. "You never forget your first love— whether it is a high school sweetheart, a faithful old hunting dog, or a fickle racetrack in South Carolina with a contrary disposition." NASCAR saw tremendous changes through the years, and at times, The Lady in Black struggled to keep up. She was re-measured, repaved, and reconfigured to 1.366 miles, literally flipping the layout to reverse the turns. Grandstands were added, and lights offered the flexibility of night races. Despite best efforts to keep her relevant, NASCAR's decision to move the Southern 500 to California's Auto Club Speedway in 2003 was a slap in the face to the legendary Lady. It was a move that flew in the face of history and was a devastating blow to the Darlington area. As a significant financial contributor to the Pee Dee region, annually generating over $54 million in economic impact for the area, the notion of their raceway suffering the fate of other, shuttered tracks was unimaginable for the community. It was also a matter of tradition and pride for the Palmetto State. It took a dozen years, but NASCAR got the message. The track announced a new five-year strategy to honor each era of its storied past while celebrating the future. As a result, Harold Brasington was posthumously named the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR and inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. This year, Darlington will host Throwback Weekend with all three national series of the Camping World Truck Series on Friday, May 6th, the Xfinity Series on Saturday, May 7th, and the Cup Series on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8th. The track's highly acclaimed throwback platform will enter its eighth year and promises to provide fans with a one-of-a-kind tribute to the sport's past, present, and future. Once more, the Lady in Black's Mother's Day race experience will perfectly unite generations of race fans with their mothers for a memorable celebration weekend with action-packed racing. It is a new day for NASCAR, and Harold Brasington's unlikely creation in the dusty soil outside Darlington has stood the test of time. The Lady in Black has proved her allegiance to him and the sport he loved. With her legendary black stripe, she reminds all that she is not to be trifled with. Call her “Too Tough to Tame.” She will stretch out in the spring sunshine and smile to herself. Happy Mother's Day to the mother of all tracks: South Carolina's Darlington Raceway—The Lady in Black. AM

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

T RU E

C L AS S I C

T H E C U D DY H O U S E : I T H A S K N OW N M A N Y N A M E S OV E R T H E C O U R S E O F T I M E , B U T G R E T C H E N A N D B R I A N C U D DY H AV E M A D E T H I S H O U S E T H E I R OW N By

SUSAN FRAMPTON

Photos by

DOTTIE & WILL RIZZO

R E V I VA L

C A Grand Tour The boys offer the warmest of welcomes

Porch Perfect This page: A view from the front door; a cozy place to take in a good book. Opposite page: The living room is warm and welcoming

A LT H O U G H

Neurosurgeon Dr. Brian Cuddy and his wife Gretchen still consider themselves newcomers to Summerville, the home they moved into in February of 2021 has been a beloved fixture on the horizon since 1883. Holding down its corner in the very heart of the town's Historic District, the home was once known as the Henry Middleton Manigault House and later as The Manigault Sisters House. Despite balancing busy schedules and the challenges of restoring the Grand Dame of a historic home, the couple has seamlessly transitioned from their residence on Daniel Island to the pace of Summerville.

Gretchen, an artist, floral designer, and former Pediatric ICU nurse at MUSC, and Brian, who in addition to his practice, served as chief of staff for Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, and has been the chairman of the Roper St. Francis Healthcare Board of Directors since 2015, are a welcome addition to the community. Gretchen's sunny smile and Brian's quick wit have already made the couple a favorite among their new neighbors. Though today it has been thoroughly modernized, while making the stately white home their own, the Cuddy's have stayed true to the integrity and character of the residence. "I like old houses," says Gretchen. "My husband does too. They have so much personality." She pauses before adding, "But you know they're always a work in progress. That work has not

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Neutral Wonder The living room is filled with neutral hues and natural light

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

Well Lived Clockwise from top left: A potting shed doubles as a charming space for tea; the library; ready for guests; the colors in the library invite you to stay all day.

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Book Club Clockwise from top left: Vintage books add warmth and color; a cozy corner, natural light brightens the staircase.

been without its challenges, which began on moving day." The home sits on 1.7 acres, but the gates, which are original to the house, were sized for carriages rather than modern vehicles. "It had been pouring rain for three days when we moved from Daniel Island. The big moving van wouldn't fit through either of the property's narrow gates, so we had to make lots of trips with smaller trucks," Gretchen remembers. "We had to block traffic on Central Avenue to back them in, and even holding back the iron gates, the smaller trucks only cleared the gates by inches." Gretchen's creative gifts as an artist and floral designer helped her to fully imagine the house's potential the first time she saw it. "Everything was just like builders white when we first saw it." Now, warm with natural light from the many windows, the rich colors and textures of the home are a testament to the discerning taste of its owners. The flow of one room to the next invites visitors to linger. One cannot help but note the warmth and comfortable ambiance of every space, a feeling that perfectly reflects the sense of welcome they offer their guests. "It's a great house for a party," Gretchen says of the library, study and formal living room, and dining rooms off the central hallway. Sprawling porches are retreats of creating airy, open spaces. Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

Made in the Shade This page clockwise from top left: The Cuddys; an outdoor fireplace make this space usable year-round. Opposite page clockwise from top left: The brick fence turns the driveway into a beautiful space of its own; moss fills sections of the front yard; a space made for entertaining; there are secrets around every corner.

making s’mores, reading a book, taking a snooze, or enjoying late afternoon cocktails. Nearby, what Gretchen calls the garden shed is a "she-shack" too lovely to ever imagine potting plants inside. Here, she also teaches small floral design classes, which she also teaches at The Gibbes Museum of Art.

The downstairs master bedroom was converted to a handsome office for Brian and the entire upstairs to a restful oasis for the couple. With their three children grown and on their own, the three-bedroom guest cottage out back offers the ideal space for the children to spread out when they come home. "One bedroom in the main house wouldn't work for everybody, but it's perfect for our needs." Stepping inside the guest house, a long, polished bar to one side is an unexpected and delightful element. It's the legacy of one of the home's previous owners. "Interestingly, the person who revamped the cottage was a Vice Admiral who was head of Naval Intelligence, and then became the National Security Advisor for the younger Bush administration," Brian explains. We all immediately look over our shoulders. Remnants of the Vice Admiral's Irish heritage remain in the beer taps that tease the promise of a cold one. "I've also found clumps of shamrocks growing in the yard." The cottage's open-concept downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs, one of which Gretchen has converted to an art studio, continues the warm and welcoming tone of the main house. So it would be understandable if the kids wanted to visit as often as possible. "This is just a really comfortable space, and so when the children are here, or we have guests, they can stay here and have it to themselves. It's nice because it has its own laundry room and also a half bath and a full kitchen. As if the interiors of the Cuddy's home weren't perfect enough, we step outside, where camellia-blossomed nooks, an unexpected and fruit-rich orange tree, add a pop of color to the landscape. On one side of the lawn, the fireplace of a comfy outdoor room invites 64 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2022

Heading to the other side of the yard, Brian grins as we head down a brick path and through a door into a cavernous space. The floor has been cleaned until it shines. Bright lights illuminate every spotlessly scrubbed surface, and it could almost work as a set for an episode of Grey's Anatomy. Everything appears ready for a major operation to take place. But then, Buster, the dog, ambles in the door, sniffs, and yawns. It isn't a home-based operating room, though it might do in a pinch. Instead, it's a workshop— the other place noted neurosurgeon Dr. Brian Cuddy goes to take things apart and put them back together. The good-natured doctor takes the ribbing in stride, and it's evident that this is not the first he's been handed. "What can I say," he laughs. "I like things neat." Shortly after the Cuddy's got settled in the house, they invited a dear friend to dinner who happened to be a Catholic Monsignor. Over the course of the evening, he spontaneously asked if they would like to have the house blessed. Of course, they were delighted, and the Monsignor went room to room, bestowing his blessing on their new residence. Perhaps this blessing explains the feelings of warmth and welcome that have made this The Cuddy House. But there is a fair chance that the Cuddy's arrival in Summerville is the real blessing for us all. AM

Spring 2022 AZALEAMAG.COM

village poet Poem Written While Listening to the Love Ballads of Joe Williams by Ellen E. Hyatt

It's just a Southern spring shower. The scene is set: it is afternoon. In mere minutes, the grey sky is expected to clear to blue. But it doesn't. Raindrops—at first resembling tiny parachutes—begin colliding. They bond. They cluster into a tantrummy downpour. Soon, rain delays traffic, deliveries, and office girls returning from lunch. (Make it a time when calling a female a "girl" meant no offense or harassment.) Rain is falling from sky to street. Rivulets, rushing the pavement, form mini waterfalls at latticed grates. Everyone runs for cover and waits. And that'll be our story of how we met. Two strangers coming in from the rain to shelter in a small bookstore whose cat purrs and old wooded floors creak. . In real time, we were simply two people who—for a small moment—looked at each other while waiting for the right bus to round the bend, stop, and open its doors. It wasn't raining. Nearly cloudless, the sky wasn't even grey. It was blue, the color of your eyes. You boarded the 41B Express and I, the Local 62.

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W W W . S H E L B OSpring U R 2022 N EAZALEAMAG.COM F A C E . C O M67

styled by Margie Sutton makeup by Krista Elam photograph by Taylor Kennedy

Azalea Magazine Spring 2022

Articles inside

Life & Faith

Poem Written While Listening to the Love Ballads of Joe Williams

Kids These Days

The Arts

Southern Spotlight

Southern Spotlight

Landscape

Southern Spotlight