Azalea Magazine Winter 2022

Natural Wonder A morning paddle on the Edisto River

SOUTH PORCH ARTISTS RESIDENCY / SOIL AND SOUL NURSERY IS AN INDOOR OASIS LOCAL INDUCTED INTO THE WORLD BLACK BELT INSTRUCTOR’S HALL OF FAME

winter 2022

WINTER WONDERLAND

From exploring rural wonders to embracing the classics, here are 15 things you should do this winter.

46 58

THE SOUTH'S FAVORITE BIRD

Fried Chicken. It is Sunday dinner gathered at Grandmother’s big round table, or a picnic spread across a checkered blanket. It is welcome home, and we’re going to miss you, and it is tender love on a platter during times of loss.

Southern Comfort Home-made fried chicken

A Chill In The Air

By the time late August comes around, most of us are ready for some cooler weather—ready for sweaters, campfires, and maybe even some mint mocha in our coffee.

But NOT my wife.

My wife has an unhealthy hatred for the cold. When it hits 70º outside, she not only starts to complain, but also starts to shiver. She uses the heated seats in the car in the middle of summer. Is she pushing ninety, but hides her age really well? Is she cold blooded? Maybe she uses the heated seats because a heat lamp and heat rock would expose her secret. When we had that week of snow a few years back, the kids and I walked around the neighborhood for hours. We walked across the open fields of fresh snow, made snow angels, had a few snowball fights, and even made a game out of who could slide the furthest across the ice on the streets. My wife, however, made it out long enough for one photograph, and in it she looked as if the dog had just died. She hates the cold.

I can't do anything about the cold, but I can suggest some things to do while the weather is under 70º. In this issue's cover story, "Winter Wonderland" pg. 46, we put together a list of fifteen things to do this winter. From visiting historic sites and paddling the Edisto, to reading a classic novel and mixing up a classic cocktail, we have something for everyone. We may not have ski slopes, but this can still be a winter of wonder. And if you're anything like my wife, there are a few things on this list that don't involve leaving the house.

Will Rizzo Editor-In-Chief

Will Rizzo Editor in Chief will@azaleamag.com

Dottie Rizzo Managing Editor dottie@azaleamag.com

Susan Frampton

Senior Editor

Contributors

Tara Bailey Eliza Chapman Bailey Jennifer Howard Ellen Hyatt Diana & Will Thompson

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ELLEN HYATT Poet SUSAN FRAMPTON Writer & Editor

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.

Hyatt’s writing has garnered recognition from professional, literary, and mainstream sources. Her works have twice been the recipient of what the Poetry Society of SC refers to as “the big one” (the Dubose & Dorothy Heyward Society Prize). She is a Fellow of the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project, professor, columnist, and appointee to the Board of Governors of the SC Academy of Authors.

ELIZA CHAPMAN BAILEY Writer

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.

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.

The moon is 81 times lighter than Earth.

A BRIEF LOOK at LOCAL CULTURE

Bluegrass evolved from the traditional music of the Irish, Scottish, and English settlers in the Southern US.

NASA is making plans to set up a base camp on the moon.

The moon orbits approximately 238,000 miles away from Earth on average.

The moon is hot during the day and cold at night. The surface temperatures on the moon range from 253 degrees farenheit to -414 degrees farenheit.

The Moon

Our mysterious shining light in the night sky

The moon is just over one-quarter of the size of the Earth.

The sun is 400,000 times brighter than a full moon.

The moon orbits around the Earth faster than a rifle bullet.

The largest crater on the moon is The South PoleAitken crater, which spans a whopping 1,550 miles. That is nearly the distance of NYC to Denver.

in 1998, some of geologist Eugene Shoemaker's remains were launched in a memorial capsule aboard Lunar Prospector to the moon, where they would go on to crash onto the surface, giving him a permanent resting place on the moon.

LANDSCAPE

Photographed by Brandt Barrett

A controlled burn.

Pack Rat

by Jennifer Howard

Talk to anyone with a parent or grandparent who was a product of the 1930’s Great Depression and you’ll hear stories of perseverance, self-sacrifice, tenacity, and creativity. In these times of increasing grocery and gas prices, along with soaring mortgage rates, it seems only fitting that we look to history as a guide for frugal living today. After all, the greatest generation was an expert at making something out of nothing, taking to the forests and fields to eke out a living on nothing more than what the good Lord provided.

Not long-ago dear friends of mine were cleaning out several generations of collected goods from the barns and attics of Little Bay Farm in Durham, New Hampshire. Knowing my propensity for all things outdoors and quirky,

they gifted me a copy of Practical Muskrat Raising published in 1927 by A.R. Harding. In small type, the publisher notes that this is the third edition revised, so I take it on good order that the guidance contained therein, eliminated the misgivings and errors of the previous editions. A little research revealed that the muskrat edition was the last of more than two dozen books Mr. Harding published, including similar guides on ferrets, bee hunting, cabin boats, and a 1913 treatise entitled 3001 Questions and answers. Mr. Harding was clearly an expert in his time. After all, besides my five-year-old niece, who can even think of 3001 questions?

Raising muskrats or ‘rats as the author referred to them is best done under natural conditions with the proper permits. Large marsh territories are ideal which leads me to believe that the Lowcountry is quite suitable, as long as it’s an allowed use in a homeowner’s HOA covenants. Likewise, the suggested methods of ditching to provide proper water levels may raise the eyebrows of the Army Corps of Engineers. If you clear those barriers, be forewarned that your neighbors may not fully embrace the earthy musk odor from which the ‘rat derives its name.

‘Rats were revered—and in some places still are today, for their pelts. But Baltimore was the first city to rebrand the ‘rat as a “marsh rabbit” to market the meat. One only need to soak the ‘rat in salt water for several hours, batter, and fry slowly in lard for an hour. If that treatment wasn’t sufficient, a douse of milk gravy ought to seal the dinner time deal. While wild game can be lauded as a good source of omega-3s, the 1927 fried muskrat recipe may not make the cut.

Much of the remainder of the book

dials in on how the ‘rat can earn one a living. Because I’d rather watch my animals than wear them, I skipped those chapters and queued up a grainy 1980 recording of Captain & Tennille’s Muskrat Love. “Muskrat, muskrat candlelight. Doin’ the town an doin’ it right.”

Turns out that rather than living the life of my parents, I’m more suited for a little reminiscing and romancing my way through the current economic debacle, lifting up the stories of the past, learning what I can, and making up the rest. By the way, should you be truly interested, Harding offered up a special Get Acquainted offer on the final page. For just $2.25 a year, you can receive FurFish-Game Magazine, touted as “just the magazine you’ve been looking for.” AM

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JENNIFER HOWARD

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FIND YOUR "CHEERS" AT THE AZALEA BAR

Welcome to The Azalea.

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.

by Eliza Chapman Bailey

Porch Perfect Brad Erickson and Brian Protheroe at home with their pups.

Most people work in a setting with co-workers who help problem solve, provide feedback, and motivate them throughout the day. Musicians, writers, artists, and creative thinkers, however, typically work alone. They are challenged with finding enough uninterrupted time to pursue their creative endeavors daily, and do not have the input of others to help hone their skills. Artists in Residency programs are retreats for creative professionals providing time,

space and resources that allow for social interactions between fellow residents and instructors. In July 2021, after years of searching for the perfect location, playwright, Brad Erickson and his husband, Brian Protheroe, a leadership development consultant, purchased 516 Central Avenue, in Summerville with the intent of establishing South Porch Artists Residency. A year later, in August, they opened their doors and have had a steady influx of artist residents.

After twenty years of running a theater

Creative Spaces

This page: The side entrance; a guest bedroom. Opposite page clockwise: The living room is a mix of old and new; a view from the road; a room perfect for collaboration; a wrought iron side gate.

service company, Brad was ready for a change. He organized and participated in several artists in residency programs throughout the country. While attending a retreat, it occurred to him that running an artist residency was something he would enjoy. Instead of standing in line, waiting for an open position, he talked to Brain, and they decided to purchase a property and “make it happen.” From their home in the San Francisco Bay area, Brad and Brian spent several years researching properties all over North America—intent on finding the right place to establish an artist's residency. They looked at everything from vineyards, estates, to haciendas. They specifically wanted a location ripe with opportunities for their patrons to engage and interact with the local community. Brad had worked with Spoleto in the early 1990’s. So, naturally Charleston was on their radar.

In May 2021, they visited Charleston and the surrounding communities. To their surprise, they were captivated by the of the Town of Summerville’s viable town square, with stores, restaurants, and businesses co-mingling to create an active, livable community. The older homes nestled between the pines providing both solace and inspiration and an active artist community were also appealing. Not to mention, the house they were interested in purchasing was once the home of southern fiction writer Glenn Allan and artist Ravenel Gaillard. Going through their list of criteria, they asked themselves, not should we, but why would we not buy this house? So, they did.

In July 2021, they relocated to Summerville, and began the process of forming South Porch Artists Residency. They recognized the benefits that artists’ residency provides uninterrupted time in a safe space; an opportunity to gain insight from others and to expand bodies of work in a nonjudgmental environment. But they also acknowledged most programs are not feasible for artists who are balancing life—work responsibilities to attend. The stays were

Art Haus Continued

Open House Clockwise: A custom dining table is where guests gather for meals and banter; a detached space for artists; the home office; a guest bedroom in the main house.

too long for most and the application process can be incredibly competitive. They envisioned an inclusive, affordable nonprofit program with flexible durations of stays in a community that had an artistic center and opportunities for entertainment and recreation. He states, “Our goal is accessibility. Accessible means many things, for example the back house meets the ADA standards. We are looking at ways to make the main house ADA accessible. We have streamlined the application process, so artists don’t have to wait months for a reply. We also accept emerging as well as accomplished artists, who can benefit from a residency. We are also focused on having a communal dinner, strictly volunteer, where residents collectively contribute to the meal, eat together, and have conversation, access to each other’s work, and share ideas.”

South Porch Artists Residency has an air of genuine hospitality. The fivebedroom home is an eclectic mix of modern, traditional, boho and Low -

Art Haus Continued

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country. The detached back house has an apartment and studio. The spacious property offers a welcoming reprieve for its residents to work. To date, South Porch Artists Residency has hosted several artists, writers, and musicians, mostly from the Southeast. Brad states, “the idea is not that you must go far away, you just must get away to concentrate on your art."

Brad and Brian have wholeheartedly embraced their new community with open arms and have received a warm welcome in return. When talking about their decision to move to Summerville, Brain reiterates, “Moving here and being within walking distance of the well-used town square, and looking at the beautiful oak trees with Spanish moss, was idyllic but it wasn’t until we actually moved in, and we met the warm, lovely people that we really felt comfortable with our decision.” AM

More information can be found at southporchartists.org

EAST WINDS

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A Life of Discipline

by Eliza Chapman Bailey

Martial arts are a codified system of physical transitions developed for self-defense and combat thousands of years ago. Today, self-defense, self-discipline, mental, spiritual, and physical wellbeing, military and law enforcement training are reasons people practice martial arts. Predominantly associated with Asiatic cultures, the most popular types of martial arts include Kung Fu, Judo, Aikido, Taekwondo and Karate. Brought to America in 1950, by South Korean Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, Taekwondo is a striking art that uses punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, open handed techniques, grappling and throws to overcome an opponent. The techniques of Taekwondo and Karate are almost indistinguishable, and the terms are often interchanged. Inspired by action film icons, Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee, local professional fishing guide and Grandmaster Mark Deschenes started taking Taekwondo classes during college in West Virginia.

“Because they were capable of handling any situation, Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris were two of my childhood heroes. Their dedication to perfection and demand for the best in themselves motivated me to do the same” (Brown, p. 235).

Deschenes was fortunate to study under and eventually teach with Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee in Washington, DC. Returning home to Summerville, in 1986, he opened a Dojo on Trolley Road.

“Martial Arts taught me discipline, and perseverance giving me the confidence to replace fear with courage; it groomed and prepared me for the challenges I’d face in life; becoming a landlord, business owner and professional fisherman” (Brown, p. 234).

A gifted, passionate educator, Deschenes, a seventh-degree black belt (and former

Martial artist, Mark Deschenes, is inducted into the World Black Belt Instructor’s Hall of Fame

Grand Martial Martial artist, Mark Deschenes

manager and instructor at the National Karate Institute) is articulate in his instruction. His ability to observe, tweak and refine the skills of others transcends both his vocation as a professional fisherman and martial arts Sensei. He believes most limitations in life are selfimposed. Sometimes, people are not aware of what they can achieve until it is introduced. Through discipline and hard work, he encourages his students to raise their expectations and believe in the impossible. Deschenes' martial arts instruction models Taekwondo’s foundation by paying rigorous detail to technique. By mastering the basic tenets of Taekwondo's discipline, he has found his students are intrinsically motivated to challenge themselves to be the best they can be throughout life.

Recently, Deschenes was inducted into the Black Belt Instructor’s Hall of Fame for training 49 world champions. Three of which are continuing in his footsteps by opening their own dojos and reinforcing the cultural legacy of martial arts. He is the embodiment of the Chinese proverb, “Give a man a fish he will eat for a day; Teach a man to fish he will eat for a lifetime.” AM

Brown, J. (2022). Marc Deschenes. In The American Martial Arts Alliance Foundation Changing Lives Series Biography Book (Vol. 7, pp. 234–235). Independently Published.

A Life of Discipline

The Winchester The Winchester

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Indoor Oasis

by Eliza Chapman Bailey

Marie Everidge, owner of Soil and Soul Nursery Exotic Plant Shop on Short Central in Summerville, recognizes that plants are the life force for our clean air and oxygen. Entering her nursery, one immediately lets their guard down and relaxes. The environment is thriving with native and exotic plants constantly replacing carbon dioxide with oxygen. In this lush indoor secret garden, plants whisper healing vibes literally giving a breath of fresh air to all who enter. Everidge believes, “Everybody was made to be tenders of a garden," but somewhere along the way, we forgot, and it’s her calling to remind people the importance of taking care of plants.

Everidge is a self-taught horticulturist and collector of vintage garden and plant books. She is an active member of the Charleston Horticultural Society and helps local garden clubs. Prior to opening Soil and Soul, Everidge was a dental hygienist who dabbled with owning a nursery. She had a garden and greenhouse that she nurtured in her backyard. She sold her plants at the Johns Island Farmers Market on weekends. Supported by her husband, she opened a small plant shop in Hannahan. After his death in October 2021, to honor him and his willingness to support her endeavors, she left her job

A self-taught horticulturist is fulfilling a dream, one plant at a time

A New Leaf

The shop on Short Central, owner Marie Everidge

and opened Soil and Soul in Summerville. Everidge does little advertising, most of her business has been through word of mouth. She aims to be the person that is always available to help you buy and take care of your plants—a person you can trust to call with questions. “Whether you buy something from me or not, I will always help with your plant questions. That's what I love to do.” Overwatering and underwatering or not enough light are the typical problems. She focuses on the environment where her plants originally grow and explains to customers exactly what a specific plant needs to thrive based on their indigenous habitat. Most of her plants are from subtropical regions. When placing them in your house, it is important to mimic a subtropical environment indoors. “Air plants, for example, live in trees in Costa Rica. Their roots are in their leaves. Air plants are used to getting mist from the ocean and gathering the water in their leaves. To have a successful indoor garden that encompasses air plants, these things must be taken into consideration.”

Twenty percent of her inventory is “homegrown” in her greenhouse, including bonsai’s, the rest she outsources from local farms and nurseries. When looking to purchase plants, she searches for the unusual. She will be expanding the store to include and upstairs space. Here she plans to hold “how to” classes including how to take care of bonsai plants, as well as how to make succulent baskets, boxes, and terrariums. Upstairs, she will also be able to house large exotic plants. The space downstairs is reserved for small groups of six and under for specially tailored classes upon request. AM

Follow Soil and Soul on Facebook at @soulandsoulnurseryplantshop and on instagram at @soilandsoulplantshop. Or stop by 143 Central Avenue and experience the indoor garden for yourself. It’s truly a breath of fresh air.

Green Room

The shop is artfully filled with indoor plants and vintage furniture

NATURAL WOMAN

The Lessons of the Lake

by Susan Frampton

The sun has yet to dry the dew from the grass, but the bluebirds have been up for hours by the time I stumble to the porch. It’s so quiet here that it isn’t hard to sleep in, but the aroma of brewing coffee has lured me from the bed, and steam rises from the cup I poured before dropping into the rocking chair. Lewis sits in the matching chair, the dog at his feet. Already on his first nap of the day, the dog raises an eyebrow in acknowledgement of my late arrival, and then drifts back off to chase imaginary rabbits. In seconds, his short legs are running in place.

“They’ve come back,” my husband whispers, training binoculars on the weathered bluebird box mounted on a post in the flower bed. Over the years, we’ve watched many generations of bluebird parents raise their chicks in this box, and this year’s couple is a sure sign that spring has arrived on the lake. Sipping our coffee, we watch the pair gather sticks and grass, each flying back to the box, pausing for only a few seconds to deposit their carefully selected building materials before returning to their task.

Many trips later, the female disappears into the opening. Waiting patiently for her to emerge as she has dozens of times this morning, the male flits from branch to branch, clutching dried grass in his beak. If he had fingers he’d be drumming them on a twig. What could she be doing in there? Rearranging furniture? Plumping pillows? Puffing out his rust colored chest and straightening his vivid blue feathers, he

makes the foolhardy decision to hurl himself headfirst into the small hole to hurry her along. Within the blink of an eye, he and his grass are unceremoniously ejected from the box. Poking her head out of the hole, his mate directs a few choice chirps at his fleeting back as he takes off like a small blue rocket for the safety of a nearby branch.

We burst into laughter at the poor, confused bird. Raising an eyebrow, I turn to Lewis, “I think there’s a lesson to be learned there."

We don’t come to the lake as often as we’d like, and when we do our time is often spent doing chores and yardwork at our place on Jack’s Hole, a calm little cove protected from the wide open, big water of Lake Moultrie. Even so, it has always been a place of refuge, and there has always been something sacred about these quiet mornings on the porch that allow us to simply be still for a while.

As I balance my coffee cup on my knee, a family of Canada geese waddles up the bank and into the yard. Yesterday there were half-dozen goslings alongside the parents patiently herding the fuzzy babies. Today there is an even dozen. We’ve noted many times that despite their devotion to each other, it isn’t unusual for one nesting pair to swap kids with another, picking up an extra pair or two, or farming their own brood out for a morning paddle. Sometimes, it does take a village.

Behind them, a mallard pair glides serenely across the water, leaving barely a ripple in their wake, and across the cove, an alligator slips into the water. I shudder. Neither duck appears concerned with the

Through an ever-changing cast of characters and the gift of stillness, the lake whispers its lessons without saying a word.

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NATURAL WOMAN

known or unknown perils that lurk above and below the surface, nor do they show the effort it takes to swim against the current. Many of us have been where they are, and know firsthand that behind the calm façade they are paddling for their lives.

After watching the feuding bluebirds call a truce and return to the business of nest building this morning, I put my feet up on the porch railing and lean back in the rocker, thinking about the many lessons and the real life mysteries, comedies, tragedies and dramas that the lake has shared with us.

Take the three white squirrels that just turned up in the yard one day, and have entertained us for two summers. Rumors abound, but where they came from remains a mystery, as does the reason they show up every afternoon to put on a show, posing provocatively on the swing like swimsuit models, jumping into the air or chasing each other for no good reason, and once, spending a day carefully building a nest on a branch too far out from the tree. We cried at the sight of them helplessly watching their hard work blown away in the wind.

I run through the memories of watching my own little gosling toddle through the grass at the edge of the water. I hear her squeal of delight at the quarter-sized turtle she has discovered, and remember a summer day when I watched her cast her Snoopy fishing pole from the dock, squinting into the sun of a perfect sky. Her love and respect for nature, and her special bond with her father was the catch hauled in with every worm he put on her hook.

In my mind’s eye I see my parents glide by the dock in their silver canoe. They are young and healthy, and I think about how it all goes by in the blink of an eye. I see all

the kids and grandkids lining the big stone bench in the yard, grinning for the camera. We learned the hard way not to take moments like these for granted—they can be as rare and unexpected as three white squirrels. The next time we all gathered together, it was for a final farewell to one taken far too soon.

Lewis brings me a fresh cup of coffee, before setting out with his fishing rod. The string of bream he gave our neighbor yesterday is a cautionary tale worth remembering. Not everything that is bright and shiny ends up being good for you. He stops in the middle of the yard to watch an osprey plummet into the dark water for the fish she needs for her family. Rising in a flurry of feathers, shaking droplets of water into the air, she positions the fish headfirst into the wind before sailing into the air. It’s a behavior that I’ve never noticed before, but it makes perfect sense. Instinct has taught her how to lessen the resistance of the wind when it blows against her. I can think of many ways we should apply the strategy to our own lives.

We’ll be leaving tomorrow, and it always makes me a little sad. But I hope that as we pack the car, turn off the icemaker, and check the thermostat before locking the door, something intangible slips like a shadow in between the wet towels or into the bag of groceries that won’t keep until the next trip. I hope that we come across it on a day when we need it to humble us, or teach us about love and loyalty; to give us courage to dive into dark water and rise to shake it from our feathers. I hope it reminds us that we all need to keep on paddling, and that it is important to occasionally jump into the air for no good reason.

In those moments I hope we will stop to remember, and to be grateful for the lessons of the lake. AM

KIDS THESE DAYS

Blue Christmas

by Tara Bailey

My children, now grown, still appreciate Christmas magic. Yet despite being fullyformed, bill-paying adults, they still don’t understand how it works. That’s because Santa has not disclosed his secrets and never will. What’s life without a little mystery? And who embraces mystery more than children—even those grown?

Sadly, some of Santa’s methods will be different this year for the first time in twenty-three years because this is the first Christmas one of our daughters won’t be coming home for the holidays. I’m trying not to be too blue about it, but some of the magic will be lost.

The eldest daughter, now living in Brooklyn, is unable to travel for Christmas due to work. I shouldn’t complain, because 1) as

previously mentioned, her job allows her to pay her bills and live where and how she wants, and 2) we took a family trip to see her in October, and she was also able to come home for Thanksgiving. We’ve had some good family time with her—just not enough. (Well, not enough for us—probably more than enough for her.)

It’s been at least two decades since we’ve slept through Christmas Eve without being awakened by footsteps from above. Neither age nor experience has stopped our kids from racing downstairs at three a.m. to see what Santa brought. Birthdays never inspired this type of excitement and anticipation; I can only assume it’s the mystery of it all that draws them from their sleep—that, and a little sisterly tradition. By the time the parents and grandparents arise on Christmas morning, the living room is a disaster of strewn packaging and spilled stockings. Like raccoons having helped themselves to leftovers from the trash bins, there are never

KIDS THESE DAYS

any signs of the scavengers other than the happy mess they made. The girls usually reemerge later in the morning with extreme bedhead sometime after the older adults are on their third cups of coffee. It’s the one morning when no one tells them to go to bed or get up.

The three sisters maintain their own sense of mystery regarding Christmas morning: we still have no idea if they set a witching-hour alarm or genuinely wake up eager to see their gifts. (Jim suspects they just don’t go to sleep. He’s probably right.) This year, will the sisters still trample down the stairs without their leader there to stir up the quiet chaos? The younger two have been known to sleep through… well, lots of important things. So we might be getting a full night’s sleep, like it or not.

Santa has always come through, including times when he had a stomach virus, when he left a top wish-list item at the North Pole, or when he broke a gift in transit. He even prevailed during the worst of the pandemic. Santa never guarantees that gift recipients will be pleased with his offerings, only that they will delight in their discovery. So, what delights will he leave this year, 750 miles away? Will an Amazon truck be as mystical as a sleigh? Santa fears delivery instructions will mark the end of the magic.

This Christmas morning won’t be the first or only moment of lost innocence. The oldest daughter is twenty-three, after all. But this is likely the year any illusions of her youth officially dissolve like the frost on Prospect Park struck by the winter sun. She’s well prepared for it, having peeked behind the curtain of adulthood to secure affordable, rent-controlled housing, a full time job, and four random roommates of varying backgrounds and personalities. She has managed public transportation, made new friends from scratch, and found her way around the Boroughs of New

York. She’s dealt with train delays, missed opportunities, roommate clashes and a stolen bike. Any ideas of youthful magic she maintained before moving to Brooklyn vanished years ago, enabling her to navigate much of the world in her own time and on her own terms long before taking off to the city. In fact, her entry into the world of experience may have been what drew her to such a busy and challenging place to live in the first place.

Naturally, we worry from afar, but not as much as we might without the boldness and confidence that experience has given her. But trusting that the kid can handle herself and missing her like crazy are two different things. She’ll be fine without viewing Santa’s blessings in the middle of the night and comparing her loot with her sisters’. She might not even miss a large holiday dinner with a table full of people talking over each other, trying to wait patiently for everyone to finish so she can take a nap. Doubtful she’ll miss the three-hour drive up the interstate to her grandparents’ house and the Christmas afternoon walk around their neighborhood we make everyone take before we begin to pull out the leftovers. In fact, her absence means one less person to debate the Christmas night movie we go to every year.

Yeah, she’ll be all right. I’m the one who’s having a hard time letting go of the magic of childhood. She’s living her own magic, making her own magic. She’s creating new traditions with people who will be a different kind of family and celebrating the seasons in ways she longed for while growing up forced to do things our way. She has turned the tables. She is now the one leaving Santa with a bit of magic, becoming a courageous, fainting woman I admire.

Merry Christmas, my precious one. Watching you grow up has been the best gift of my life. AM

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LIFE & FAITH

True Resolve

by Will Thompson

As I observe the world today, I see a lot of angst and division. We have leaders that talk about unity and then spew words that divide us, on both sides of the aisle. The media consistently shows all the bad in the world, seeming happy to feed the negativity. Today’s political and social environment is extremely tense. I wouldn’t say it is the worst of times, but it is not currently the best of times when you take a quick glance at the social landscape. People are quick to judge or complain, taking to the keyboard to express their opinions, but rarely putting forth any effort to be a part of a solution. It’s troubling to me because I believe we can do better, and we’re not trying.

It’s almost as if we wake up looking for a fight or something to find offensive. During the midterm elections, I read social media posts from people that I know and have relationship with that were blanket statements calling others “brainless” for voting for their opposition. I remember a time when we didn’t discuss who we were voting for, and

if, by chance our choice did come out, others were civil about it. We can do better; we were designed to do better.

What we don’t need to do is to continue to beat our chest and scream the loudest in an effort to overcome those we disagree with. That only further intensifies the situation, AND makes us look very foolish. What we do need to do is remember who made us and for what purpose.

Genesis 1:26 states, “Let us make mankind in our image.” This points out two major thoughts that often get overlooked. 1) WE (that’s you and me) were made in the image of a perfect God and were made to reflect that image. 2) THEY (everyone else that’s not you and me…including those we don’t agree with) were made in the image of a perfect God and were made to reflect that image. Not all people believe in God or accept that they were made in His image, but that doesn’t mean that those of us that do believe shouldn’t treat ourselves and all others as made in His image. As a starting point at doing better, we need to remember that everyone is an image bearer of God and should be treated as such.

In John 13:34-35, Jesus reminds us to “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” One of my biggest frustrations within the Christian community is that we don’t always treat each other or others in a way that reflects love. I am guilty of this too. It’s easy to get wrapped up in wanting to get my ideology across rather than seeking to love and build relationship first. It’s important for us to take a step back, and remember that how we treat each other reflects what we truly believe. If we claim to believe in something that says to love, but we don’t consistently show love, do we really believe what we say?

Galatians 5:22-23 speaks to the attributes that should come out of us if we are aligned with the God in whose image we are made. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, and selfcontrol.” For me, this is a great litmus test. If these qualities are not coming out of me in every situation, it’s me that needs to recalibrate and make changes, not someone else. In contrast, Galatians 5:19-21 speaks to the “acts of the flesh being…hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions…and the like.” As of late, these are more of the things I see in myself and in others. It is time for us to take an inward look at ourselves first and make the necessary adjustments to our own hearts. We don’t have any control over anyone else, but we can control ourselves. If we realign with the fruits of the Spirit, we will have a more positive effect on those around us.

As we close out a volatile year and head into a new year, let’s focus on the idea of being better. Let’s treat each other as if we are made in God’s image. Let’s seek to love first and learn from others instead of casting judgment. Let’s bear the kind of fruit that binds people together rather than divide. We can do it! We can do better. We simply have to decide to.

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From exploring rural wonders to embracing the classics, here are 15 things you should do this winter

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WINTER WANDERLAND THE SOUTH"S FAVORITE BIRD

Fried Chicken. It is Sunday dinner gathered at Grandmother’s big round table, or a picnic spread across a checkered blanket. It is welcome home, and we’re going to miss you, and it is tender love on a platter during times of loss.

Cold Weather Delight Sweet Potato-Pecan Cobbler

Words by JENNIFER HOWARD & WILL RIZZO

Photos by DOTTIE RIZZO & WILL RIZZO

Take a Country Drive

The romance of the open road, a casual Sunday drive, moments that once provided a respite at the end of a stressful work week have faded in the rearview window of our overscheduled lives. Fortunately, from Summerville, a random compass spin can generate spontaneous opportunities. Travel west from Summerville, paralleling the centuries’ old rail line, slowing only to appreciate small town architecture in what were tremendous centers of wealth; north over the Santee River to the vast expanses of farm fields where cotton lines road edges like a dusting of fresh snow; or south to the ACE Basin with its seemingly limitless tidal marshes. Open spaces are healing, energizing, and mind clearing. Whether you go it alone or use the opportunity to gather the ones you love for a shared experience, just make time to go—your soul will thank you.

Drink a Classic

In a world of quick-and-easy, canned everything, and prebatched mixers, some of the hand-mixed (or shaken) classics of our grandparent's era have been lost to many. Some classics have even been bastardized beyond recognition. Take the daiquiri for example. Most classic cocktails are simple, well balanced works of art. After all, to be recognized as a classic has to be earned. Try a Sidecar, and Boulevardier, or this Negroni that was developed over a century ago in Florence, Italy.

Sweatmans BBQ

There isn’t a sign on Eutawville Road that reads “Stop for Barbecue,” but there should be. If you find yourself on Eutawville Road outside Holly Hill, you’re definitely going to want to hit the brakes when you see the picturesque old farmhouse where three days of chopping hickory, oak and pecan each week prepares the smoker for the whole hog barbeque. Basted with secret sauce and fork-tender with flavor acquired by 14 hours of low and slow cooking, it’s no wonder that Sweatman’s has attracted attention from the likes of The Travel Channel and The Cooking Channel. Choose a one-time trip through the buffet, or the bottomless option. You can decide on the way.

Open Friday and Saturday, 11:30 am to 9 pm 1427 Eutaw Rd, Holly Hill, SC (803) 496-1227 sweatmansbbq.com

Visit an Historic Site

More than 200 battles and skirmishes of the American Revolution were fought on our state’s soil— fierce, bloody events that pitted neighbors and family against each other in pursuit of liberty. Today these sites are being protected and interpreted through The Liberty Trail. Walk in the steps of history at Fort Fair Lawn in Moncks Corner, one of the only remaining Revolutionary War forts remaining; hear the stories of heroism at the Camden Battlefield; or visit Eutaw Springs site of the last major battle in the South that succeeded in driving the British out of the South Carolina backcounty. The free Liberty Trail app can serve as your virtual tour guide in this statewide driving tour.

Host a Party

It doesn't have to be big. It doesn't have to be fancy. It doesn't even have to be a special occasion. All you need is a few good friends and the willingness to host them. At its most simple, a party is just an excuse to be with the ones you love— it's your gift to them. Whether it's game night, a dinner party, or a lavish holiday gathering, put on your hosting hat and celebrate. Here's to friendship.

“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.”

- Woodrow Wilson

Attend an Oyster Roast

After a long steamy summer, the “R” months have finally arrived. A season almost as revered as the launch of college football, it’s the spell between September and April when earthy, salty bivalves set the backdrop for gatherings. Whether you choose to steam your own, pick up tickets for an all-you-can-eat fundraiser, or head to a local watering hole, the universal truth is that oysters are not meant to be eaten alone. Gathering around the table, glove and knife in hand, makes for effortless conversation: singles or clusters, salty or not, a little dry or dripping? As the day transitions to night, strangers become friends and old friends have dug up memories, the feeling of shared moments leaving an indelible mark on the soul. Only one debate remains: “When’s the next oyster roast?”

Read a Classic

We are bombarded these days with entertainment options, and it feels like they are all designed to overload the senses. And that's great. There is no room for boredom in the days of mass media. But, maybe what we are longing for is to slow down, block out the noise around us, and slip into a world that engages our imagination. The classics have it all—adventure, romance, history. Take a week break from NETFLIX, or scroll a little less on Facebook, and pick up a classic novel. There is probably a title popping up in your mind right now. Read it.

Catch a Show

Not much can top the electricity of a live show. The true beauty is that they are shared experiences. We scream at the top of our lungs, laugh until we can barely catch our breath, become captivated by a plot line, or even moved to tears—shoulder to shoulder—together. So, who's playing? What's showing? Where are we going?

“The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.” - Mark Twain

• Summerville Symphony Orchestra

Go For a Paddle

With a name like the Lowcountry, it goes without saying that there’s plenty of water to be enjoyed. During these winter months, blackwater reflects like glass, the surrounding forests are so quiet that paddlers can hear the water drip as they reach for the next stroke. Moving at a slow pace, it’s easy to imagine the elusive Revolutionary War Patriot, Francis Marion, tucking behind cypress trees to badger the British or Native Americans traveling downstream to trade with colonists. Our local waterways hold remarkable beauty and rich history. Contact a local guide to book your time on the water.

• The Edisto River

Bake Something

If you’re lucky enough to have learned to bake at the elbows of elders, reading from incomplete, illegible, handwritten family recipes, you are truly blessed. On the other hand, if your idea of haute cuisine is a tube of “whop” biscuits, all is not lost. YouTube, TikTok, and competitive reality shows have turned ordinary people into award-winning, expert bakers. The holidays are a perfect time to gather up your kids and hone your skills. You may end up with a beautiful bakery box cinched up with a velvet bow or a wad of parchment paper stained with charcoal sugar lumps. Whatever the case, certainly memories will be made. Go bake something. It's cheap fun and you may even become famous.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 large cans sweet potatoes in syrup

2 teaspoonsvanilla extract

5 tablespoons butter cubed

1/4 cup pecan pieces

Preparation

Ingredients (Crust)

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons butter, softened 5 tablespoons water

Preheat oven to 400º. For filling, in a large bowl whisk first 5 filling ingredients. Drain the sweet potatoes, reserving the syrup. Pour sweet potatoes in a greased cast-iron skillet. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of reserved syrup, mix in vanilla extract, and pour on top of sweet potatoes. Sprinkle the sugar and spices mixture over top of the sweet potatoes. Put the 5 tablespoons of butter on top and sprinkle on pecans.

Preparation (Crust)

Mix salt into flour. Cut butter into flour until it resembles course crumbs. Add water and mix. Crumble over top of sweet potatoes in skillet and cook 40-45 minutes until topping browns.

Sweet Potato-Pecan Cobbler

SOUTH EASTERN WILDLIFE EXPO

Since 1983, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has proudly celebrated the finest in wildlife art and the sporting lifestyle. SEWE is a celebration of the great outdoors through fine art, live entertainment and special events. It’s where artists, craftsmen, collectors and sporting enthusiasts come together to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle and connect through a shared passion for wildlife. The largest event of its kind in the U.S., SEWE promises attendees unforgettable experiences every February in Charleston.

Feb 18-20, 2022 sewe.com

Camp Out at a State Park

All of those places that were too hot, too buggy, too crowded just a few months ago are coming into their prime in our state’s secret season: winter. December to February inarguably provide the best camping in the coastal state parks. Insects are fewer in number. Temperatures are comfortable and crowds are smaller. Stay local in the secret gem, Givhans State Park, or drive 90 minutes to Huntington or Hunting Island State Parks. These are just three of nearly 40 state parks which offering camping opportunities. Sharpen your marshmallow sticks and brush up on your ghost stories, it’s time to hit the road.

Take a Hike

At some point in the 1800s the phrase “take a hike!” was hatched to rudely and directly ask that someone leave another’s presence. Today that same phrase is an invitation that merits a response, “Why thank you! I think I’ll do just that!” The Palmetto Trail, stretching from the mountains to the sea, provides an easy and accessible opportunity to take a hike. The terminus of the trail is located at the Buckhead Recreational Area in Awendaw. Park and enjoy an easy walk with stunning vistas of the marshes and forests. Interactive trail maps on the Avenza app are a great tool for tracking progress. On the way home, be sure to reward your hard work with a hearty seafood lunch and homemade dessert at the local favorite, Sewee Restaurant.

Hunt For Shark Teeth

Most days at the beach consist of big crowds, bathing suits, salt on your skin, sun screen, and maybe something cold to drink—summer comes to mind. But, the beach can be a magical place during the colder months. Hunting for shark teeth is a great way to enjoy the coastline when it's too chilly for the water. Folly Beach is a great spot to start the search. Look for the line of broken shells that accumulate where the tide left them. Shark teeth are usually black and a bit shinier than broken shells. It may take bit of concentration, but the hunt is half the fun. When you sport your first one you'll be hooked. Dress warm, think about wearing waterproof shoes, and bring a container—you'll need some place to store your treasures.

Day Trip 15

Day trips can provide much needed respite without the commitment or cost of a vacation. And it just so happens that we are perfectly situated just hours from world famous destinations. Savannah, Charlotte, Augusta, and Atlanta are all within a three to four hour drive. Hit the road early, your next great adventure is only a couple hours away.

visitaugusta.com

• The Sacred Heart in Augusta, GA

THE SOUTHS BIRD Favorite

Favorite

THE SOUTHS BIRD

'Fried Chicken. It is Sunday dinner gathered at Grandmother’s big round table, or a picnic spread across a checkered blanket. It is welcome home, and we’re going to miss you, and it is tender love on a platter during times of loss.

Words by Susan Frampton photos by Dottie Rizzo

Though the idea of frying chicken is thought to have come to the United States from Scotland, it was the enslaved West African population that elevated the simple food’s flavor with spices and seasonings, creating a staple that has come to be synonymous with Southern cuisine. Once only a workingclass dish, today the perfume of drumsticks cooking in hot oil drifts along in the trade winds of the world to grace tables set with fine china as often as it does the disposable kind. No matter where we are or where we’re from—it takes us home.

Empires have been built around the humble yard bird, and though a white-suited colonel with a black string-tie will forever represent the commercial success of its finger-lickin’ goodness, there are those who would go down swinging over whose mom serves it up best.

Crispy or original, dressed for success or salt-and-peppersimple, it’s a fundamental favorite that lends flavor to our lives and feeds our souls with crispy, deep-fried southern comfort.

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN WITH HOT HONEY DRIZZLE

Ingredients

1/4 cup honey

2 tsp Tabasco

1/4 tsp dried crushed red pepper

3-4 lbs fryer chicken pieces

2 cups all-purpose flour, divided 1 tbsp garlic salt

1/2 tbsp paprika

1 1/2 tsp pepper, divided 2 tsp poultry seasoning 1 egg 3/4 cup buttermilk 1/2 tsp salt

Preparation

For Hot Honey Sauce:

In a small bowl, combine honey, Tabasco, and red pepper. Stir well and set aside.

For Chicken: Heat oil in fryer to 375º. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, garlic salt, paprika, 1 tsp pepper, and poultry seasoning. In shallow bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, salt, and remaining flour and pepper. Dip chicken in egg mixture, then place in the bag and shake to coat. Place pieces in fryer and cook for 10-15 minutes or until juices run clear and chicken is cooked through. Drizzle honey mixture over chicken before serving.

SWEET TEA FRIED CHICKEN

Ingredients

Oil for frying

3 cups water 3 teabags

1/4 cup sugar

3 lbs fryer chicken pieces 2 cups all purpose flour

1 tbsp garlic salt

3 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning, divided

1 tsp poultry seasoning

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp paprika 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup buttermilk lemons for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

Bring water to a boil. Stir in sugar. Add teabags and remove from heat. Allow tea to steep for 5 minutes. Discard teabags and allow tea to cool. Pour into large bowl and add chicken pieces. Allow to marinate in tea 4-6 hours or overnight, stirring and rearranging occasionally to ensure all pieces marinate properly.

Heat oil in fryer to 375º. Combine flour, garlic salt, 2 tbsp lemon pepper, poultry seasoning, pepper, and paprika in shallow dish. In separate dish, combine eggs, buttermilk, and 1 tbsp lemon pepper. Remove chicken pieces from marinade and roll in soup mixture, then dredge in flour mixture. Place pieces in fryer and cook for 10-15 minutes or until juices run clear and chicken is cooked through. Garnish with lemon slices if desired.

WINTER BY THE SEA

by Ellen E. Hyatt

So this is another way you return: as a warming memory of a winter’s night at an inn on the Carolina coast. We cannot predict what will stir up the past, can we? Or how long the image will last. Tonight, a silver ladle dipped in a party punch bowl ripples the surface in small waves, much like actual larger ones rushing in and rolling out until the sea becomes safely settled, soulful, smooth. Smooth as the free sky is for gazing.

Stars that night seemed purposely placed. Constellations ready for me and you to view. With care, we strolled the shore until finding drier sand, away from the tide line. There, we laid down blanket, feather pillows, and ourselves. Always prepared, you carried a map of the night sky and a tiny flashlight with a red filter. You said it helps eyes to get adjusted before searching the wonder above us. We were looking for a wide-open star cluster.

The stars felt familiar: depicted often in poems, in paintings, in folklore, and in Greek myths (ah . . . those never-ending tales to explain creation, resulting in nothing but jealous rages among gods). Within the cluster, we saw seven stars. You pointed them out as Ursa Major or Big Dipper, the ladle in the sky. Stars do appear as sweet surprise, like bits of memory and other fragile beauty. Once you warned me not to look too often or stay too long because it might all just turn into another Paradise lost.

“I trust their expertise and they truly care about their patients. I am very grateful my dentist referred me to this practice.” — Ann