Azalea Magazine Summer 2017

SALTWATER ROYALTY : IN HONOR OF THE SHRIMP TIGER CORNER AEROPONIC FARMS / A WOODLAND JEWEL / LANDRUM TABLES A VISIT TO BEE CITY / A FLORAL RETREAT / CHARLESTON BOTANICALS / M&G AMY LIMA ROBERT LANGE STUDIOS / WEDDING GUEST ETIQUETTE / MISS SWEET TEA

Deep Dish Garden Shrimp Pasta

EDISTO ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA THE LOWCOUNTRY’S BEST KEPT SECRET!

Edisto Island is a relaxing 45 minute drive from Charleston and Summerville, accessed by

a National Scenic Highway winding among historic churches, plantations, marsh views, creek vistas, & signature Live Oaks. Over half of Edisto Island is under a conservation easement. You will arrive at your destination to discover an unspoiled coastal community without traffic lights, hotels, or high rises, just 8 miles of pristine shell strewn beach with amazing sunrises and sunsets.

Sail, golf, fish, dine, and unwind. You will see why we love to call Edisto home! Contact Edisto’s expert in all things real estate, Marie C. Bost. Since 1982 Marie has assisted thousands of buyers & property owners to reach their real estate goals. Call Marie today for the berst values on the coast!

Marie C. Bost EDISTO’S REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST®

EDISTO@MARIEBOST.COM|MARIEBOST.COM

843-830-8669 | 143 JUNGLE RD, EDISTO BEACH, SC

8227 Seaside Oaks Ln | $294,000 | | 3Br 2Ba Minutes to Beach | Pond Views | Screened Porch

3 Lost Village Trail | $1,450,000 | Oceanfront | 2 Mile Private Beach Golf Cart to the Beach | 4Br 3.5Ba | Gated Community | 360 Degree Views

256 Sea Cloud Circle| $141,500 | Golf Resort Furnished | Deck | Fairway Views | 2Br 1Ba

33 Whalers Court | $329,000 | Gated Golf Resort | Beachwalk

728 Fairway Drive | $339,500 | Custom Built

Covered Porch | Furnished | 2Br 2Ba | Amenities

Great Amenities Available | 3Br 2Ba | Hardwood Floors | Fireplace

Marie C. Bost EDISTO’S REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST®

EDISTO@MARIEBOST.COM|MARIEBOST.COM

843-830-8669 | 143 JUNGLE RD, EDISTO BEACH, SC

Charleston C h ar l es ton G as t ro en t ero lo gy S p ec ia l is t s C ha r le s to n E n do sc o py C en t er Su mmer v ill e E n do sc o py C en t er

HIGHEST STANDARD OF CARING Our practice is the first and largest gastroenterology practice in the Lowcountry to operate a physicians’ practice and two nationally certified and state licensed endoscopy centers. Our state-of-the-art endoscopy centers, including our newest in Summerville, provide a more convenient, lower cost option for outpatient colonoscopies and upper endoscopies. Our mission is to provide the highest level of medical care in the field of gastroenterology.

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY NO REFERRAL NEEDED | (843) 722-8000 | www.CharlestonGI.com With over 100 years of combined experience, 11 Board Certified Gastroenterologists, 3 locations and the best equipment at their fingertips, Charleston GI is the first and largest group of gastroenterology specialists in Charleston. For a higher standard of caring, visit Charleston GI today.

WEST ASHLEY

SUMMERVILLE

MT. PLEASANT

1962 Charlie Hall Blvd.

Charleston, SC 29414

328 Midland Pkwy.

Summerville, SC 29485

180 Wingo Way, Suite 305 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

A Z A L E A

M A G A Z I N E

F E AT U R E S Summer 2017

74 64 S A LT W AT E R R O Y A LT Y South Carolina shrimp hold the story of the Lowcountry’s past, present, and future

THINKING INSIDE THE BOX A Summerville aeroponic farm manufacturer takes the dirty work out of farming Fresh and Sweet Sea Island Shrimp Skewers

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WOODLAND JEWEL The Beavers’ country home is an unexpected gem in a setting designed by nature

Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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CONT ENT S

/ Summer 2017

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37 08 Editor’s Letter 12 Contributors FIELD GUIDE A brief look into our local culture 15 Ice Cream 16 Q&A Amy Lima 18 Local Product 20 Etiquette A Good Wedding Guest 23 Freedom Reigns Festival 24 Miss Sweet Tea SOUTHERN LIFE 27 Southern Spotlight - Design 31 Southern Spotlight - Craft 37 Southern Spotlight - Artisan 41 Southern Spotlight - Conservation

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31 COLUMNS 45 Natural Woman

by Susan Frampton

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88 THE VILLAGE POET - The Art That Saves Us 49 Kids These Days

by Tara Bailey 53 Life & Faith

by Lili Hiser 57 THE GALLERY - Robert and Megan Lange, artists and owners of Robert Lange Studios

O N T H E C O V E R : A plate of Garden Shrimp Pasta / Photograph by Dottie Rizzo 8

AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

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— IS THE PLACE – There’s an energy here, a sort of fusion. The spark that happens when you mix new homes, new businesses and new thinking. Some call it town spirit.

Some just call it life. Whatever it is, we invite you to be part of it.

Homes from the $200s to $400+ | 843 - 900 - 3200 | nexton.com Greeting House Info Studio | 106 Greeting House Road

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© 2017 Nexton. All rights reserved. Nexton is a trademark of NASH Nexton, LLC, and may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without prior written permission. NASH Nexton, LLC (“Fee Owner”) is the owner and developer of the Nexton Community (“Community”). Certain homebuilders unaffiliated with the Fee Owner or its related entities are building homes in the Community (“Builder(s)”). Fee Owner has retained Newland Communities solely as the property manager for the Community. Prices, specifications, details, and availability of a Builder’s new homes are subject to change without notice. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

EDITOR’S LETTER

As this issue was taking shape, it was evident that there was a theme developing.

Living Inspired I'm one of those people who gets easily inspired. Those inspirations rarely lead to anything tangible, but for a few moments or even a few weeks after I’m hit with the spark of creativity, I’m quite sure I’m going to be the next Pablo Picasso or Mark Twain.

As this issue was taking shape, it was evident that there was a theme developing.

We deliberately don't plan our editorial content out too far in advance—though we have before, we tend to appreciate the way things land when we start each issue with a clean slate. It makes our job a little tougher than it has to be, but I feel like it keeps things fresh. We are focused on finding good stories to tell, rather than trying to fulfill a predetermined agenda. As we selected features and spotlights recently, it became clear that this issue was inadvertently becoming an issue of creation, and with creation comes inspiration.

When I left the shop of Landrum Tables (Rough Wood and Fine Lines pg. 27), I wanted to go home, break out the power tools, and make something. Then I remembered the raised boardwalk I once attempted to make leading from my back porch to our pool. That was the end of that. After our visit to Tiger Corner Farms (Thinking Inside the Box pg. 74), I had grand dreams of a greenhouse full of fresh produce. Unfortunately, the only plant I can keep alive is monkey grass and even that's turning brown. We had a great day at the Southern Thyme Floral Retreat (Moment In Bloom pg.31) and came home with a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers for the kitchen table. And there I was again, romanticising the idea of an English garden in the backyard. We could have fresh flowers year round!

And then I remembered the monkey grass.

I may never be a master woodworker or give tours of my formal garden, but inspiration is what ultimately led to Azalea Magazine. We were inspired by a community and the people within it who are creating amazing things. And now, Azalea is where I can create. I get to meet great people and present their stories the way I interpret them. Inspiration can be a humbling thing. But when you find your gift, whether it's carpentry, gardening, or Sunday suppers, embrace it. Make something wonderful, and through your inspiration, you will inspire others.

Will Rizzo Editor in Chief

Simply friendly Come home to a place where your neighbors smile, wave and call you by name.

A thoughtfully planned community that embodies the simple pleasures and friendliness of life in a Lowcountry town. Beautiful homes with expansive front porches encourage neighborly interaction while parks, lakes and winding trails beckon you outdoors. Ideally located minutes from I-26 and downtown Summerville, Carnes Crossroads is the simply perfect place to call home.

CarnesCharleston.com

Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Will Rizzo Co-Publisher and Editor in Chief will@azaleamag.com Dottie Rizzo Co-Publisher and Managing Editor dottie@azaleamag.com Susan Frampton Senior Editor Jana Riley Senior Editor Rachelle Cobb Copy Editor Lewis Frampton Distribution Manager Contributors Tara Bailey Elizabeth Donehue Susan Frampton Lili Hiser Ellen Hyatt Jana Riley Jason Wagener Photography Intern Patrick Baird Advertising Susie Wimberly susie@azaleamag.com 843.568.7830 Laura Fletcher laura@azaleamag.com 843.991.0446 Subscribe *Available for $16.99 a year (4 Issues). Visit azaleamag.com for details.

Azalea Magazine is published by

Azalea Magazine 114B E. Richardson Avenue Summerville, SC 29483 info@azaleamag.com www.azaleamag.com 843.478.7717

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AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

Play. Giggle. Live.

From big kids to little kids, taking care of our community is what we do best. We want to help you and your SM family Live your healthy .

Go to CharlestonHealthy.com to take one of our health quizzes.

CONTRIBUTORS

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JANA RILEY Writer

SUSAN FRAMPTON Writer

JASON WAGENER llustrator

LILI HISER Writer

TARA BAILEY Writer

Jana Riley alternates her working time between interviewing people about their passions, writing inspiring stories as quickly as her fingers can type, and editing some of the most interesting magazines she has ever read.

The rest of the time, you can find her immersed in love for her family while exploring places near and far.

An accidental writer, Susan Frampton lives in Summerville, SC. Along with a fluctuating number of wiener dogs, chickens, turtles, snakes, and the occasional pig, her husband and family provide endless material for her musings on life, love, and laughter. Her life is full of adventure and comedy; and some days she contemplates having wine with breakfast.

Jason started his illustrious art career when he won a coloring contest in third grade, subsequently entitling him proud owner of a Mickey Mouse dry erase board.

He moved to the Lowcountry in 1990, before attending The Savannah College of Art and Design.

Lili was born in Charleston and raised in both the Lowcountry and Florida. She holds degrees from CSU and USC. She invested more than ten years of service in the non-profit/ higher education sector and many years as Communication Studies adjunct faculty. She and her husband enjoy re-experiencing life through the eyes of their young children.

Tara Bailey lives in Summerville with her husband and three daughters, assuming the one in college comes home to visit.

She has worked as a naturalist, a teacher, a writer, and an editor, balancing her love of the outdoors with her compulsion to alter sentences. She enjoys natural history, horror movies, and reads anything with print.

She can usually be found on her bike or behind a coffee mug.

AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

25% off grocery store prices* every day. ( That means more money for life’s other stuff.)

Join now for:

$ Just 45

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In addition to a special rate, you’ll get 2 bonus months – 14 total.

See you at the Club in Summerville.

1035 Jockey Ct., Summerville, SC 29483 Mon. - Sat.: 9AM – 9PM, Sun.: 9AM – 7PM Located in the heart of the North Main Retail District.

All BJ’s Memberships are subject to BJ’s current Membership Terms, ask in-Club or go to BJs.com/terms. *25% savings is based on Member pricing on a basket of 100 national brand household staples, on an unpromoted unit-price basis, when compared to four leading grocery chains in our trade areas. For more information visit BJs.com/25percentterms. **This offer is valid at the Summerville Club or online only, may not be combined with other offers, is not redeemable for cash and is only good for new Members.

Nontransferable. Limit one offer per household. Photo identification required when applying for Membership. Plus state and local taxes where applicable. Expires: 9/4/17.

21463018 ©2017 BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.

The Scoop With temperature and humidity levels on the rise, there's no better way to beat the heat than with a double scoop of your favorite ice cream.

Here are some things you might not know about America's favorite summertime sweet treat.

At one time it was against the law to The cone didn't serve ice cream appear until 1904, on cherry pie in when a waffle maker Kansas. at the St. Louis World's Fair began rolling his pastries The U.S. into horns to help produces the most an ice cream vendor ice cream in the who had run out of world. dishes.

About 98% of U.S. families have ice cream in their fridges at all times.

The first ice cream parlor in America was founded in 1776.

More ice cream is sold on Sundays than any other day of the week.

John Harrison, the official taste-tester for Dreyer’s Ice Cream, has his tongue insured for $1 million.

It takes 5.8 pounds of whole milk and one pound of cream to make one gallon of ice cream.

Ice cream as we know it seems to have emerged in 17thcentury France and became available to the French public in 1660.

Ben and Jerry’s has a real physical graveyard in Vermont for retired ice cream flavors.

Hawaiian Punch was originally an ice cream topping.

Immigrants at Ellis Island were served ice cream as part of their welcoming to America.

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was part of the team that first invented the method of making soft serve ice cream. ecreamery.com

Featuring: Ice Cream pg. 15 / Q&A with Amy Lima pg. 16 / The Art of the Antique pg. 18 / Etiquette pg. 20 / Freedom Reigns Festival pg. 23 / Miss Sweet Tea pg. 24

Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Is there a motto that you live by?

Our family motto is, "Remember who you are and the name that you bear." We used to have this on a sign over our door to remind us that every time we stepped out of our home, we were representing our God, our faith and our family name.

Who or what are you a fan of?

My husband, Brian. He is the kindest, most patient and honorable man I have ever known. I'm his BIGGEST fan!

"My husband, Brian. He is the kindest, most patient and honorable man I have ever known. I'm his biggest fan!"

Coffee or tea?

Neither, H20, Ha! What's one thing you've bought in the last five years that you couldn’t live without?

My iPhone. You got a problem...there's an APP for that!

What's one thing you've bought in the last five years that you could go the rest of your life without?

My dog, Napoleon's squeaky stuffed duck! Seriously, WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Q& A

Amy Lima Real Estate Agent at Horne Realty

What is your favorite thing about living in the Lowcountry?

I love the iconic southern lifestyle. I am southern born, but no matter where you were born and raised, the slower pace, the genteel manners, the value placed on tradition and hospitality are what sets this area apart and leaves its mark on us all.

What is your dream job?

I have it. I'm a mom of five amazing kids.

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AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

What is your favorite music?

The Eagles. Takes me back, man!

What is your dream vacation?

Any place surrounded by my family­—away from EVERYTHING ELSE! What is your fondest memory of growing up or living in the Lowcountry?

Two family traditions stand out from when our children were small. I remember the anticipation of going to the fair! They would talk about it all day, and when we were ready to meet Daddy after work, we would bundle up and take our little caravan to ride the rides at the fairgrounds. Another tradition that stands out is going to James Island County Park at Christmas and touring the lights by car. We would snuggle up and listen to the Christmas music on the radio and stop for a hot chocolate and roasted marshmallow by the fire pit. There are many more, but oh what a magical place in which to live! Truly blessed! AM

Summer-Ready Ready for planting and popsicles.

Ready for best friends (especially the four-legged kind.)

Ready for sweet tea and spirited conversations.

New homes, ready now. From the mid $200s–$400s.

Six models open daily.

BE S T NE W C OM MUNI T Y O F T HE Y E AR

s ummervil le, sc Hwy 61 & Summers Drive | SummersCorner.com Prices, specifications and availability subject to change without notice.

Named Best New Community of the Year by the Charleston Home Builders Association.

Vintage Vogue

Swiss Gotham ladies dress watch

S T YL E

Back In Time We spotted this little gem at Hanebrink Jewelers—a platinum and diamond Gotham ladies dress watch. This Swiss-made watch is part of their consignment collection, which includes a wide variety of vintage, iconic, and hard-to-find pieces. With an onsite jeweler, Hanebrink specializes in custom, contemporary designs, as well as repurposing older pieces into something that fits any esthetic. hanebrinkjewelers.com Available at Hanebrink Jewelers $899

20 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

NEW HOMES FROM THE MID $200s IN SUMMERVILLE

Two ponds and a lake

Fishing, canoeing and kayaking

Year-round community events

Endless recreational activities

Better schools.

Better lifestyle.

Better value.

• Dorchester District 2 schools • Endless recreational activities amidst 1,100+ acres • Tour 9 designer models • Move-In Ready homes available now • Exciting new floorplans, coming soon

8 8 8 . 8 0 9. 5 41 4

Equal Housing Opportunity. ©2017 Kolter Homes. Prices, features, dimensions, amenities, special offers and product offerings are subject to change without notice.

ETIQUETTE

Be My Guest The Edisto Oyster Necklace

It's summer, which means wedding season is heating up.

The following are a few ground rules to help you navigate the do's and don'ts of being a good wedding guest: RSVP Good wedding guest etiquette starts the minute you receive the invitation in the mail.

As soon as you receive a formal invitation, respond yes or no. If there is not a response card, be sure to reply using your own stationery.

Be On Time It is best to arrive at least 20 minutes before the ceremony is set to begin. Stumbling in when the ceremony is already underway is both distracting and disrespectful to the couple.

Do Not Wear White While rules for wedding attire are becoming more relaxed, traditionally, you should not wear white. White and ivory should be left for the bride—and that still holds true today.

ARTISAN CRAFTED JEWELRY

DOTTIE LANGLEY dot t ielan gle y.com

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AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

No Extras Please The invitation is extended only to the persons

whose names are on the envelope. This means...

A wedding invitation is not transferable. If your spouse can not attend, your sister or best friend can not fill in. Do not assume that children or "plus ones" are allowed. They are not invited unless their names are listed on either the outside or inner envelope of the invitation.

Mail Large Gifts Gifts are best sent to the bride’s home (or the return address on the invitation) prior to the wedding. This saves guests the hassle of having to transport the gifts, as well as saving the couple (or couple's family members) the hassle of rounding up the gifts and getting them to the couple.

It is an honor to be invited to someone’s wedding. If there is ever a time to rise to an occasion, this is it! Following these tips will allow you to do just that. AM

ELIZABETH DONEHUE

Arbiter of social graces, with a heart for simple hospitality and tendency for adventure... Elizabeth lives in Summerville with her husband Wesley, baby boys Harlowe and Tennyson, and yorkie Gucci.

SPEC I A L A DV E RTI SME N T

Lowcountry Grown A TA S T E O F S U M M E R I N T H E S O U T H Shrimp, Collards & Grits  Lowcountry coffee table cookbooks $39.95

Red Mash Sea Salt  Naturally evaporated Beaufort sea salt

 Red Clay Hot Sauce Made in Charleston $7.99

$10.95

Molly & Me Pecans  Produced fresh in Holly Hill

 Geechie Boy Grits Milled on Edisto Island

7oz bag $10.95

$8.80 - 16.00

Carolina Gold Rice  Historical heirloom varietal $13.95

 Lowcountry Creole Made in Beaufort $13.95

Long-standing Charleston traditions:  Charleston Rice Steamer $125.00  Charleston Rice Spoon $25.00

 Sweetgrass Baskets Charleston’s heritage craft $15 - 400

See more at FourGreenFieldsGallery.com/summer

/

Four Green Fields

/

117-A Central Avenue, Historic Downtown Summerville

/

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm & Sunday afternoons April - June

Elegant gameday entertainment Year-round event rental space

JOSEPH P. RILEY, JR. PARK | CHARLESTON BAILEY@RIVERDOGS.COM OR 843-577-3647

H AP P ENINGS

Let Freedom Reign Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties will be home to a new comprehensive and patriotic celebration this year—the Lowcountry Freedom Reigns Festival to be held September 2-11.

Thousands of tri-county residents and visitors are expected to participate in numerous events ranging from concerts to debates celebrating our virtues and our freedoms. The underlying theme of the festival is “What America Means to Me.” Events will be held in all three counties and many of those will be free to encourage attendance.

Among the nationally well-known speakers participating will be Patrick Byrne, founder and board chairman of Overstock.com; John Warley, who will moderate the Pat Conroy Symposium; and William Hubbard, a former president of the American Bar Association. Symposiums and debates will be held September 8-11 on campuses of participating partners—Charleston Southern University, Charleston School of Law, the College of Charleston, The Citadel, and Trident Technical College.

Musical entertainment will be provided by the Charleston Symphony at the Gaillard Performing Arts Center on September 11. The Summerville Community Orchestra will give a 9/11 concert on September 8 in Summerville and September 9 at Lightsey Chapel, Charleston Southern. A Motown concert and jazz and gospel concerts will be held at venues throughout the three counties.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit organizations that serve abused children throughout the area and the memorial to the Charleston Nine, honoring the firemen who died in the Sofa Super Store fire on Savannah Highway in 2007.

You can learn more at freedomreignsfestival.org

Motown Concert

Patriotic Concerts

Symposiums & Debates

Jazz & Gospel Concerts Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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L OCA L

Sweet Young Ladies In honor of Summerville's rich tea history, Summerville DREAM held its inaugural Miss Sweet Tea Pageant as part of their annual Sweet Tea Festival. Local young ladies, ages 5 through 18, competed in areas including academic achievement and community involvement, to serve as official ambassadors of Summerville's sweet tea culture. Visit summervilledream.org for info on the 2017 pageant

John Left to Right: Gianna Ulino, Tiny Miss Sweet Tea; Bella Davis, Mini Miss Sweet Tea; Paris Rizzo, Miss Sweet Tea; Mary Lee, Junior Miss Sweet Tea

Summerville Reigns Supreme With the official start of summer just a few days after, National Iced Tea Day is June 10. Last year, Summerville smashed the Guinness World Record for Largest Sweet Tea Served, with 2,524 gallons. The sweet tea was brewed using 210 pounds of loose leaf tea and 1,700 pounds of sugar.

Up For Downtown You will find charming shops, a vibrant night life, live theater, and a wide array of unique dining. Here is how one family has rediscovered Historic Downtown Summerville.

Saturday in Summerville 9:30 - Coffee at Cuppa Manna 10:30 - Run to the bank 11:00 - Pick up dry cleaning 11:30 - Shopping downtown 1:00 - Lunch at Zest 2:30 - Dance practice 4:30 - Pick up mulch from the nursery 6:00 - Dinner at the house

For info about Historic Downtown Summerville, visit summervilledream.org Amy and Sydney Lima shopping at Bey & Eloise on Short Central Ave.

Southern 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

Making History

Capers Cauthen working in his shop

Rough Wood And Fine Lines

In the clean, simple designs of Landrum Tables, Capers Cauthen has discovered that when it comes to life and old wood, it’s what you make of it that counts

by Susan Frampton

Featuring: Landrum Tables pg. 27 / Southern Thyme pg. 31 / Charleston Botanicals pg. 37 / Bee City pg. 41 / Columns Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Rough Wood and Fine Lines

T

hey were destined for the scrap heap. After years of bearing the weight of Charleston’s history, loyally wearing its colors and shielding it from the elements, they were discarded as rubbish. Working in the restoration of historic homes, it pained Capers Cauthen to see the old boards and timbers cast off at construction sites, piled up and waiting to be hauled to the dump. His late father, Henry F. Cauthen, an antiques dealer and longtime director of the Preservation Society of Charleston, had taught him about antiques and the value that time lent to architecture and finely crafted furniture—it seemed a travesty that the same value did not apply to building materials created from pines and hardwoods of antiquity.

Much of his education about furniture building came from the library of books on the subject that he amassed from his time installing hardwood flooring in historic homes and over 21 years of weekends working a booth at Atlanta’s Scott Antique Market and his own booth at Mt. Pleasant’s Antique Mall. His favorite designs came from the Hepplewhite style of furniture; the clean lines appeal to his carpenter’s eye for symmetry.

While he was taking down his grandmother’s old barn one day, he had the idea to build a table from the weathered wood. Life had thrown him curves that had left him with scars of his own; from a divorce, the loss of his father, and a traumatic brain injury that had threatened his very life. So he knew first-hand about rebuilding from 30 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

imperfect materials. Though he did not know it at the time, this project—and underlying purpose for it—would become the center of his philosophy and his faith. He put the table in his antiques booth, and it sold the next day.

So he built another one, and began collecting more wood for more projects. Nail-scarred and distressed, weather-beaten and warped, the cypress and oak boards found redemption with Cauthen. He found them stacked on roadsides; the heart pine and walnut he rescued from awaiting the strike of a match in a rural burn pile. As his stacks of lumber grew, so did the demand for his work, and his years as an antique historian fed his hunger for “creating something meaningful.”

On a walk with his son at Camp St. Christopher on Seabrook Island, he saw piles of wood that had been removed to make way for a new boardwalk. His request to salvage the wood opened a new avenue of blessing for Cauthen and many others. To those who have attended its summer camps, religious retreats, and conferences, the St. Christopher Tables he creates from the boards weathered in the salt air of the Episcopal Conference Center are tangible reminders of happy memories. For Father Bob Lawrence of the Diocese of South Carolina, Cauthen’s repurposing of the boards are an aptly named reminder of Christians’ belief in resurrection.

The Landrum Tables workshop literally buzzes these days, with

employees cutting, sanding, staining, and finishing furniture. Cauthen is quick to point out the team that helps him create his classic designs.

His office manager and wife, DeDe, helps him to manage his time and priorities—dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s of the business.

“DeDe runs a tight ship, and I need that,” he says, laughing. “Everyone knows what needs to be done, and does their part to make it happen.

Not all of it is fun, and I try to let them know how much I appreciate their hard work. We all depend on each other, and I sure wouldn’t be here without them.”

Their current location is temporary, while plans are underway for a new workshop. The move has already begun and has put the company in a quandary; when it came time to load up all the salvaged lumber, the task presented a unique opportunity for the business to pay its success forward.

“I had way more than I could move, and no place to put it all,” Cauthen says. His solution was to post a notice that he would be giving away what he couldn’t take with him. It meant parting with thousands of dollars of salvaged wood, which paid unexpected dividends.

“The richness of the relationships that came out of that decision will be with me the rest of my life. A lot of that wood had come to me through the generosity of others, and it felt so right to be able to share it, that we’ll probably make it a policy to give away all of our surplus from now on.”

Table of Contents From left to right: Work in the shop is never done; a custom two drawer fly rod table; the Landrum Team; a classic Landrum table

As word has spread, demand for the tables has created a backlog of work for custom orders. It’s a good problem to have, and the wait is well worth it for those who admire the fine lines of the furniture’s rough wood. Cauthen’s designs compliment homes and businesses in over 30 states and 5 countries. Designers look to Landrum Tables to create custom pieces for their clients—for example, one order requested 16 tables for a hunting lodge. His work has appeared in the likes of Architectural Digest, The New York Times, and many prestigious wood design publications.

The passion Cauthen feels for his work is obvious in the serene face of the 47-year-old master carpenter. When asked if he feels as though he has been led to this path, he pauses to gather his thoughts. A man of strong faith, he says that he prays every day for spiritual guidance, and if life has taught him nothing else, it is to look beyond the scars and splinters to see something more.

“I’ve learned that everything in this world is what you make of it,” he says. “Whether it is a relationship or a job or even a pile of old boards.” AM For more information about Capers Cauthen and Landrum Tables, visit landrumtables.com or call (843) 764-9091.

Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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with #1 New York Times bestselling author

FERN MICHAELS and the Men of the Sisterhood— the male allies of the fearless Sisterhood— as they use their most impressive moves to stop a criminal network that’s stayed two steps ahead of justice for far too long…

Also, RELAX AND UNWIND with this INSPIRING, ONE-OF-A-KIND ADULT COLORING BOOK from FERN! Featuring precious pets, holiday celebrations, beautiful landscapes, and the miraculous restoration of her home in South Carolina.

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Flower Power Heidi Inabinet and Tina Zimmerman; a guest with a bouquet

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Southern Thyme

Moments in Bloom Creative and talented, two local women orchestrate doit-yourself floral retreats for those looking to enrich their lives with beauty.

by Jana Riley

Photos by Dottie Rizzo and Patrick Baird

Two women sit on a porch on a warm spring day, a brief period of mutual rest in the midst of their impossibly busy lives. Their relationship is hard to define with one word: they have a friendly rapport, they often offer each other advice and a listening ear, and they work with one another.

They are both wives and mothers, close enough in age, creative souls, longtime transplants to South Carolina, and live within a few miles of Summerville’s historic district. Their respective

paths toward their eventual companionship are winding and occasionally intersected, with time periods of being aware of one another, being acquaintances, and working sporadically with one another peppering their journeys. Now, they sit together like old friends, recovering from the night before, where their work had them busy until the wee hours of the morning.

They are exhausted, but as always, they are inspired. They talk about their children and the current events of their lives, and then seamlessly, Heidi Inabinet and Tina Zimmerman begin to discuss and plan their next event. With their talents combined, it is sure to be a great one.

It was inevitable that Heidi and Tina work together one day on a project all their own. Heidi is the owner of On a Limb Floral Studio in Summerville, and Tina is an event planner who previously served as Director of Tourism for the Summerville Chamber of Commerce. Many an event led Tina through the doors of Heidi’s shop, where she would fawn over the beautiful arrangements of the florist, which seemed to be more pieces of art than groupings of flowers in vessels. Moreover, Tina was attracted to the sheer talent of Heidi, who appeared to be able to effortlessly combine randoms bits of clipped foliage and create something any bride Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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A Special Occasion Clockwise: A live demo; upon arrival, guests mingle over refreshments; florist Heidi Inabinet; fresh baked goodies

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would be thrilled to carry on their wedding day, any host would be delighted to use as a centerpiece, and any individual would be ecstatic to have gracing their home, if only for a short time. As the pair got to know one another and Heidi worked at events planned

by Tina, she came to understand the depth of Tina’s passion for bringing people together, the generosity of spirit she had for those around her, and the joy she received from a fête well-planned. Tina began to tell Heidi that she wanted to learn more about floral arranging. Heidi suggested that Tina find a florist whom she admired and request an internship opportunity. Then Heidi herself needed a bit of help with setting up events, and she recruited Tina for the task. They made a wonderful team, each having their own

areas of expertise, and it was not long before a long-held idea, previously buried under the strata of life, began to float into the framework of Heidi’s consciousness once again. Two decades prior, she clipped a magazine article about floral retreats, envisioning a future where she could host an event brimming with flowers, conversation, and fun while she shared her knowledge of floral design. The idea took a backseat to everything else for twenty years, but once Heidi understood the value of Tina’s presence as event planner and hospitality guru, she knew it was time. They discussed it, and their joint venture into DIY floral retreats was born.

For a time, the pair labored over a name.

Tina knew she wanted the word “Southern” in it, and Heidi knew she wanted something reminiscent of florals to tie it all together. Then Heidi found a passage in a daybook, “Simple Abundance” that spoke to her. She called Tina,

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who she knew owned the book, and told her to read the passage for October 12th. Tina, ever a believer in meaningful connections, was floored: October 12th was her birthdate, and the passage, focusing on the importance of time well spent, was absolutely perfect. They decided on “Southern Thyme,” and the message of that passage quickly began to serve as the ethos of their venture.

Around six times a year, the magic happens.

Tina and Heidi choose a location first: a lush garden, a beachside retreat, a historically breathtaking property, setting the scene with a beautiful backdrop. Depending on the event and surrounding holidays, they may choose to make table arrangements, wreaths, or garlands with their class attendees, and Heidi sources her blooms and sprigs from all over the world in preparation, making sure to schedule them so they are as fresh as possible on the day of the retreat. Tina plans the menu, selecting cocktail and hors d'oeuvres recipes to perfectly complement the day at hand. They open up the reservation system on their website, and with an intimate, fifteen-person limit per event, the spaces fill up quickly. Then, the day arrives. After serving specialty cocktails, Tina shares their ethos with the guests, the one inspired by that “Simple Abundance” passage. She tells them that the ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos, she explains, was their word for chronological time: clocks and schedules and agendas: the time shared with the world. Kairos, on the other hand, is personal. It is the moment of time in which an event of significance happens, the chasm of space between seconds and minutes and hours that a person can immerse themselves in by slowing down and soaking in it, letting it consume them with no regard to the next moment or the moment after that; serenity at its best. Tina shares their hope that each guest will experience this feeling of kairos during their retreat, and with that, Heidi takes over, leading the attendees into a floral demonstration inspired by the theme, season, and surroundings.

She shares her expertise generously, offering countless tips and Special Arrangements Clockwise: Adding the finishing touches; local color; finishing a piece; working through the process. Opposite: offering some guidance

36 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

Moments in Bloom

tricks of her trade, and responds to every question with the wisdom of a woman whose life’s work revolves around this very subject. Then, it is time for handson design, and as the guests enjoy Tina’s hors d'oeuvres, they create. Heidi offers advice and consultation, but encourages individual expression, reminding attendees that arranging beauty with elements of beauty itself is not a task to be considered too deliberately, or focused on too harshly. As the day goes on, clusters of newfound friends form, talking and laughing as they immerse themselves in the experience. For a few hours, the world seems to stop turning, and time seems to stand still. They play with a bounty of nature, creating to their heart’s content.

And then, when everyone has finished their respective arrangements, they head home with an armful of flowers, a few new friends, and, hopefully, a reminder to seek kairos and simply be, if only occasionally, but as much as possible. This is the hope Tina and Heidi hold for each person who attends their retreats.

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It is a simple thing, really: an afternoon spent in leisure, but oftentimes the most simple elements of life are the ones first cast aside for the complicated. To be reminded, even guided, toward moments of simply being present with your fellow men and women is to be shepherded to a feeling of rejuvenation, a reconnection with a touch point, a journey on the way to being grounded once again. For Tina and Heidi, Southern Thyme is a vessel with which they can spread the elements of kairos with those in their community and in this endeavor, beauty abounds. AM Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Lowcountry Freedom Reigns Festival September 2-11, 2017 The Freedom Reigns Festival, located in the tri-county area of Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties of South Carolina, celebrates the best virtues of America and explores the challenges each generation faces to expand and preserve freedom. The festival consists of multiple concerts featuring the Charleston Symphony, the Summerville Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Pops, gospel, and jazz performances. Additional musical and theatrical performances will take place throughout to inspire participants. Symposiums in each county encourage discussion of some of our nation’s most immediate challenges. The Freedom Reigns Festival offers something for the whole family.

To learn more visit freedomreignsfestival.org

Local Fragrance The charming attic studio; Alexandra Saad

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Charleston Botanicals

Scents of the South

With an eye on Charleston’s storied past, Alexandra Saad creates organic, natural fragrances utilizing the botanical bounty of the Lowcountry

by Jana Riley

In a small converted attic space, perched high above the streets of Charleston, Alexandra Saad is hard at work in her studio, the home base of Charleston Botanicals. With online orders pouring in, and weekend markets for which to prepare, Saad measures, fills, labels, and packages her signature fragrance blends, checking off her tasks with practiced efficiency. Scents fill the air, mingling with one another delicately: an experience far removed from visits to department store perfume counters, where the overabundance of heady mixtures can often overwhelm the senses. Here, among the rough-hewn beams of this attic studio, one cannot inhale deeply enough.

The child of a military service member, Saad spent her childhood exploring new towns and cities, continually entranced by the differing surrounding landscapes. Her British grandmother often regaled her with stories of castles and fairies, fostering a

deep appreciation within Saad for all things ancient. After a brief stint studying History at Miami University in Ohio, Saad followed her heart to Europe to study for her Masters Degree in Anglo-American History at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

Enamored with the area, she explored to her heart’s content, and she fell deeply in love with the Scottish Highlands, spending her summers among its hills and valleys. She took up herbalism and studied wildcrafting, becoming an expert at harvesting plants in a sustainable manner. A chance encounter with a woman who spent her life gathering herbs and flowers in the Scottish Highlands furthered her passion, and Saad began to study historical applications, receptions, and perceptions of scents and perfumes. From there, she immersed herself in the world of traditional perfumery: how perfume-making looked before the industrial revolution and synthetic chemical fragrances. After completing her education in Glasgow, Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Scents of the South

products to order, allowing for repeat customers to request their favorites with individualized modifications, such as asking for a room spray to be a little heavier on magnolia or a perfume to have stronger notes of bergamot. Just like a microbrewery, Saad’s micro-perfumery is a place where everything is done by hand and in small batches, and experimentation is common practice.

Saad went on to Italy, France, and Germany, studying ancient perfume and cosmetic creation methods and historical aromatherapy. Eventually, she returned to the United States, settling in Charleston to be close to treasured family members. After working at a number of local museums, she finally created the company born from all of the passions and studies of her adult life: Charleston Botanicals, a micro-perfumery based in the heart of the historic Holy City.

As the founder and main employee of Charleston Botanicals, Saad wears many hats, but it all starts with the harvesting.

Eschewing often-dangerous synthetic fragrances for the genuine, locally sourced article, Saad goes out into the wilds of the Lowcountry to harvest many of the herbs and flowers she needs, always doing so in a sustainable manner, intent on not damaging the plant or impeding its ability to grow as it should. She also cultivates many plants for her own use, and has a working relationship with the team out at Sea Island Savory Herbs. After harvesting the most fragrant plants she can find, she rests the sprigs and flowers in containers of warmed carrier oil and lets the aromas develop over a couple of weeks. The results are fresh, infused blends: among them, tea olive, noisette rose, magnolia, rosemary, lavender, sage, and lemongrass. Saad mixes these handcrafted essential oil blends to create perfumes, colognes, room sprays, diffuser oils, and beard oils.

She never has prepared stock sitting around her studio. Instead, she crafts each of her 40 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

Now firmly rooted in the South, Saad says that a key part of her mission is preserving elements of the Lowcountry through her work.

Forever inspired by her surroundings, Saad focuses on paying homage to the surrounding area within her work. In addition to using only locally grown and harvested plants, she utilizes her penchant for historical facts and stories to influence her fragrance names and aromas. Edgar Allen Poe’s famous poem “Annabel Lee” now shares a name with a perfume reminiscent of the flowers one would find in the Charleston churchyards he mentions within the work. “Debut” is a perfume that evokes feelings of youth, much like the classic debutante balls of the South. Others are more obvious: “Broad Street,” “Old Money,” “Garden Party,” and “Southern Belle” are among the names of perfumes and colognes available at Charleston Botanicals. Now firmly rooted in the South, Saad says that a key part of her mission is preserving elements of the Lowcountry through her work; that intent is apparent with her focus on sharing oftforgotten legacies of the area, as well as bringing awareness to many native botanical species. For the latter, she regularly holds workshops, sharing her knowledge of the local flora and encouraging appreciation and safe harvesting practices.

Connecting with her customers oneon-one is an important aspect of Saad’s vision, and her appointment calendar is often booked solid with individuals wanting a personal consultation to create custom fragrances. In the Spring and Summer months, her studio is a regular

Oil Rush Part of Saad's product line; locally sourced and handmade essential oils

stop among savvy Charleston brides. In addition to offering unique bridesmaid gifts and wedding favors, Saad works with each to create a custom fragrance blend based on their wedding bouquet, ensuring that the scent of their special day remains with them long after the main event. She also works with local businesses such as Harold’s Cabin, collaborating with them to create custom blends based on their own brand and surroundings. Stockists for Charleston Botanicals are based in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and Summerville, and Saad is a regular at the Johns Island Farmers’ Market. The Charleston Botanicals online boutique is always open, and it features an appointment booking option for those who want to visit her studio in Charleston.

The concept of alchemy has always been a strong interest of Alexandra Saad’s: the act of transforming a metal into gold, or a base element into something else, is an exciting one to think about. Her work with Charleston Botanicals, transforming the natural bounty of the Lowcountry into fresh, individualized, and organic scents, is a task she pours her heart and mind into every day she climbs the stairs to her cozy attic studio. With the melding of her studious mind, her healing intentions, and her ethical and sustainable focus, the scent of the Holy City is now elevated in its beauty. AM

Established in 1851 as a sea island cotton plantation, McLeod has borne witness to some of the most significant periods of American history. Today, McLeod is a 37-acre site significant for its meticulously preserved heritage and stories of all who lived and worked there.

The worn dirt paths lead visitors through grand oaks to places walked by generations of people who transitioned to freedom.

Visit McLeod to experience inclusive history through self-guided and interpretive tours.

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Admission: $12 Ages 60 & up $15 Ages 13 & up $6 Ages 3-12

AM

McLeod Plantation Historic Site 325 Country Club Drive, Charleston 843-762-9514 www.mcleodplantation.com

Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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SUMMERVILLE Azalea Magazine 2017 7.4874x4.8898.indd 1

1/30/17 10:53 AM

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT

Bee City Zoo

Animal House A hands-on experience; the garden play area

Pollen Nation You needn’t be the Queen to enjoy the sweet life at Bee City Zoo

by Susan Frampton

Just as they are in many households, mornings are a zoo for the residents of one neighborhood outside of Cottageville. Just three miles west of Givhans State Park, the doors have yet to open at Bee City, but already things are buzzing. There is little doubt that the Queen is awake and busily dispersing worker bees to nearby fields and forests to do her bidding. Here, the “honey-do” list is long, and will not wait for sleepyheads.

Around the park, llamas poke fuzzy heads up over fence tops to investigate the sound of peacocks screeching around the corner.

As serious as tiny monks, Capuchins blink from their lofty perches, while tortoises ease down sandy slopes in slow motion, and quick vervet monkeys clamor for their

Cheerios. In the Nature Center, there is some serious slithering going on. With cars already pulling into the parking lot, the cacophony of sound is music to the ears of the owner, Scott Beiring, as he gathers his staff to make sure everything is in order to start the new day.

When his father, Archie Biering, constructed a literal city of bee hives back in the mid 90’s, the Bee 52 Airport, Buzz Cut Barber Shop, and Pig Bee-Wig Bee Supermarket were

simply creative stops along Tupelo Drive and Honey Lane; the place the amateur beekeeper called the Sweetest Little Town in the World. But the retired shipyard worker just couldn’t keep the secret life of bees to himself—his goal was to share their important work with everyone, and spread the word about the need to protect them for future generations.

His son, Scott laughs at what neighbors and friends must have thought of his dad at the Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Pollen Nation

time. “Poor guy, he retires and goes to live in the woods with bees.” As Archie Biering and his wife, Diane, began to open their sweet city to garden clubs, school groups, and tourists, the word spread, and soon hundreds flocked to learn of the tiny bees’ important contributions to pollination and their precarious future in an ever-changing world.

Ready For Action Cockwise from top center: the petting zoo; a male peacock; holding a gator in The Nature Center; a gallon of local honey

to prove his point, a curious emu pecks at the pearl earring of a passerby, eliciting laughter from her companions. Seconds later, a llama chews thoughtfully on the long brown hair of a visitor before nibbling on her shirt. The experience can also be one of healing, he says, emotionally describing a man whose joy had been stolen after suffering great loss. “A bird lit on his hand, and he smiled this big smile.

His daughter came running to the shop to get more food. It was the first time they had seen him smile in a long time.”

Gradually, more creatures and critters found their way to Cottageville. With the addition of a few goats and a goose named Harry, Bee City began to evolve into an unexpected zoo and education center on the edge of the Edisto.

When his parents began talk of retiring, Scott realized just how fast life was moving.

Having grown up with bees, he watched his parents’ strong work ethic and the joy they derived from the business. He decided to give up his job to buy his parents’ interest in Bee City. “We opened up a can of worms, for sure,” he says, “but it has been such a blessing.

We’re continuing the work, and continuing to evolve just as they did. The response has truly been a blessing to us all.”

Many of the animals are rescued, not always from bad situations, but simply because their owners can no longer care for them. One such rescue, a spider monkey named Joey, hit pay dirt when he came from such a situation in Kansas to live with Scott and Bridgett.

“I never imagined I’d have a monkey in the house, much less one that would sleep in the bed, ride a jet ski and have his own Instagram account," says Scott.

On this late spring day, Scott, his wife Bridgett, their daughter and her boyfriend are among the first to greet guests anxious to enter the doors to the city built for bees.

Hands are stamped, and food for the various animals and birds is placed in small, sweaty palms. The excitement is palpable among visitors of all ages as they step through the wooden doors leading to the cages and corrals of sights and sounds.

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AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

His dad still works there on the weekends, sharing teaching duties in the Nature Center with Master Naturalist, Dennis Blejski. Today, a tiny fox named Frances has captivated visitors. She and her brother, Marion, are experiencing their first day on a leash, delighting young and old with their antics. Nearby, a leopard tortoise named Fluffy lounges in a mulch-filled pool. All around the room, snakes, turtles, tortoises and alligators seem right at home in habitats created for their particular needs.

No one leaves the Nature Center without a few facts they did not know when they entered.

“You never know how an experience with the animals will affect people,” Scott says. As if

Whether for education or pure enjoyment, no visit to Bee City is complete without a glimpse of the hive behind a glass panel, offering insight into the fascinating society of worker bees, drones, and the beloved queen. Coming and going at will, their pollen-covered legs perform a duty vital to the reproduction of plants and trees as they travel from flower to flower, and we are the lucky beneficiaries of the byproduct of their work.

With school tours, senior citizens groups, church groups, summer camps, and other organizational tours taking advantage of the fun and educational experience to be had at Bee City, Scott and his family are as busy as the bees that have put them on the map.

That their work is a labor of love is as clear as the golden honey produced in their hives, and for those who visit Bee City, what they do makes life just a little bit sweeter. AM

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Letting Go Of Algebra The things we keep say a lot about what we value, the people we are, the places we’ve been, and what we’ll never understand

by Susan Frampton

T

hey were as soft as velvet, worn to a faded blue the exact color of the summer sky. They were the uniform of my youth, and far more than a mere item of clothing. Despite the miles it took to get me there, that pair of Levis blue jeans walked the path with me from my senior year of high school into marriage.

They did their best to accommodate my expanding waist in anticipation of our first child, and lay patiently waiting in the closet for the two years it took me to return to the boundaries of their doublestitched seams and copper rivets. The day finally came when I, weak in the knees, folded them lovingly and set them aside. Cat Stevens

was right when he sang, “The patches make the goodbye harder still.” I cried genuine tears as the lid closed on the box destined for Goodwill.

Recently, in a cleaning and reorganization frenzy precipitated by our house groaning under the weight of things we’ve accumulated, I realized how easily we could become those people, the ones that simply disappear beneath pounds of old National Geographic Magazines, chipped coffee cups, and dried-up Magic Markers. We had not yet reached critical mass, but we were close.

I regularly throw out things that I should save—receipts, instructions, and $10-off coupons. But like those Levis, there are things

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N AT U R A L WOMAN Book by Hugh Wheeler. Music and Lyrics by Steven Sodheim

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I have a hard time discarding. In an effort to declutter the sagging bookcase in our den, I discovered seven Bibles, two prayer books, four ancient hymnals, and a daily inspirational dated 1942.

At some point you have to draw the line, but where to start? I tried to take to heart the wisdom of New Age guru Deepak Chopra, “In the process of letting go, you will lose many things from the past, but you will find yourself.”

But in one Bible, I found a letter from my husband’s great-greatgrandmother to his great-aunt, asking for a lock of her hair for remembrance. Who does that anymore? In the front of that same Bible, spidery, old-fashioned script chronicled the births, marriages, and deaths of several generations.

How does one part with something like that? Back on the bookcase it went.

As did my grandmother’s Bible, which held verses she had written on slips of paper. The sight of the dear, familiar handwriting that had I watched grow shaky and tenuous as decades of birthday, Easter and Christmas cards slipped by, brought me to my knees. It was re-shelved, along with all the others: my mother’s shorthand textbook from her secretarial days, a book inscribed to a grandfather who died long before I was born, a college Algebra book that could have been written in Swahili for the good it did me, and a book of poems far too deep for my shallow mind. This was going nowhere.

Something had to give. I opted for letting go of Algebra, but I kept the poetry book. In my defense, it had a really nice cover. Even so, the bookcase started to sag again.

In my quest, I found items collected from travel to far-away

48 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

places to which we will never return; gifts given from the hearts of those we hold dear; one-of-a-kind artifacts; framed photos of family, good friends, and good times; a handmade bowl full of screws, bolts, sharks teeth, and random buttons; and a silver box containing a purple Crown Royal bag of quarters dated 1963.

Some people can toss these kinds of things without batting an eye, but for me, like a familiar melody, each has the power to instantly recall the tears and laughter of a moment in time, or a person or place that I never want to forget.

My husband claims to be practical rather than emotional about the things he holds on to. He never, ever throws anything away— which is why we have four riding lawnmowers; pieces and parts of boats and bicycles; and myriad mysterious and unidentifiable objects. His workshop is littered with hundreds of cans, jars, boxes and bins of nails, screws, thingamajigs, and do-hickeys. Random-sized stacks of lumber sit in every corner.

"I’ll use it," he says, about anything I suggest tossing.

He has enough fossils and feathers and turtle shells scattered about the house to be just this side of disturbing. He gives me a hard time about my sentimental attachment to things, but he can tell you when and where he found each piece of his. He also still harps about the plaid polyester pants I gave away, and gets misty at the mention of his powder-blue suit that I jettisoned very early in our marriage.

Let’s face it—sentimental or not, some things are best forgotten.

Fortunately, one man’s trash is another’s treasure. I took comfort in this as I loaded the boxes of care-

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N AT U R A L WOMAN

fully culled items into my car to be dropped off at the donation center, hoping there was someone out there that would find and love our things as much as we had. After all, as if we don’t have enough stuff of our own, I have been known to find such treasures on the side of the road.

I’ve brought home church pews, lamps, chairs, and nightstands to be lovingly rehabilitated.

Look at me, Mr. Chopra— taking your advice and losing things from the past!

What peace, what freedom, what… oh, wait!

After handing over the boxes and driving away, for a few minutes I felt a thousand pounds lighter.

Maybe there was something to the New Age rhetoric. This was a new beginning. Look at me, Mr. Chopra—taking your advice and losing things from the past! What peace, what freedom, what… oh, wait! I braked at the sight of an incredible solid-wood bookcase on the side of the road.

So much for letting go and finding myself, I thought, as I maneuvered the bookcase into the back of the car.

Maybe there is a larger message here. Some things like old Algebra books are meant to be lost, some things meant to be held, and some just waiting to be found—perhaps as the perfect place to keep seven Bibles, two prayer books, four ancient hymnals, and a daily inspirational dated 1942. AM

Career Day

I

K ID S THESE D AY S

by Tara Bailey

f you ever want to feel like a fraud, sit on a panel at your local elementary school’s Career Day five days after you learn your job is ending. This is my way of giving back to the community. I show up to a school, climb the stairs to a stage in the auditorium—nowadays called the multi-purpose room—sit among people such as bridge engineers and harbor pilots, and get ready to disappoint children. That particular day—five days post-pink-slip—I represented the middle-aged unemployed, a demographic sure to captivate the eager minds and imaginations of today’s youth. To add to the moment, the school incorrectly, albeit generously, told the students that I was an “author.”

This meant that the kids were going to feel shammed even if I wasn't going straight home to update my resume. I’ve written some articles and essays during my professional life, but that’s hardly deserving of that title. I might as well have been introduced as an astronaut for how authentic it felt being called an author.

At the time, I was working as a writer and editor for a website about

historical landmarks of South Carolina. I had just been told that the website was losing its funding and possibly folding in the spring, which was not fun news. But even though I was disappointed that I would no longer be doing this non-author job I enjoyed, I wasn’t devastated. Our family had gotten by on one income before. Plus, I like change, so I was at peace—until I remembered Career Day. What would I tell the children? What would I say to the throngs of fifth graders, pumped to be getting out of social studies, sitting criss-cross applesauce before my sage countenance, searching my eyes for a glimmer of their own destiny? Maybe I could ask them if their parents were hiring.

The bridge engineer and harbor pilot introduced themselves to the kids, followed by an architect, a soldier, and a chemist. Already, the students were responding with “WHOA!” when these professionals opened with statements such as, “My name is Mr. So-and-So, and I designed this very building you're sitting in!” or “Hey, kids! I’m a fire fighter!”

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KIDS THESE D AY S

While planning for my turn—realizing that there would be no audience fanfare following my introduction—I figured my goal would be to make desk jobs sound worthy of staying in the public school system until legal adulthood. So I gave my name and said that I was an editor and writer for a website and that “I get to use all the language arts skills that you're learning now!” Which, by the way, says all anyone needs to know about the level on which I write.

I may not have gotten any fist pumps, but it wasn't too bad. Until the Q&A session.

“We have a question for Mrs. Bailey, our AUTHOR.” Here we go. “‘Julia’ wants to know, ‘What is your favorite book you have written?’”

(Name changed to protect the disillusioned.)

Ugh. “Well, ‘Julia,’ I haven’t written any books. But I can tell you about my favorite South Carolina landmark!”

We i nvite you to sp e nd ti me wi th us si p p ing coc ktai ls, e njoyi ng ni b b les, l earni ng ab out fl owers, and c reating a fl ora l masterp i e ce to b ring home.

U P CO M IN G EV E N TS Au g u st 20t h Bea c h Ret rea tEd i sto Bea c h Nove m b e r 1 9 t h Hol i d ay Ret rea tSu m m e r v i l l e

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And there it was. The silence. Followed by the audible deflation of childhood hopes. Naturally, my awkward speech gave way to the heroic rise of the harbor pilot, who regaled the students with tales of his seafaring ways, boldly and ruggedly guiding unmoored ships into our venerable harbor. Plus, he was young and cute.

I wasn’t a total flop, but my Career Day appearance was, let’s say, less than riveting. That said, I still have something to offer those students, the ones who will grow up to lead unglamorous lives and possess uninspiring titles. I can also speak to those who might, in mid-life, unexpectedly find themselves with no title at all. Here’s what I would say:

Fulfillment comes in all forms. I’m sure the harbor pilot goes to bed every night satisfied in knowing that he has achieved his childhood dream. I bet that architect is proud to point out the buildings he has designed when he drives his kids to school. Those people have worked hard, reached their goals, and now contribute to the community through their vocations. They deserve the reward of contentment.

I am also positive that the systems analyst whose kids are friends with mine, even though he has not been invited to a Career Day, is thankful for a job he enjoys and at which he excels.

I know that my own teenager is happy to work in a restaurant where she brings people their meals. My friends who opt not to work are grateful to have a season of life devoted to their children. My friends in job transitions are able to fall back on experience while looking to the future with a little fear, but also a little exhilaration. There's something rich in asking yourself, “What’s next?” Maybe unemployment is scented with the reason why haunted houses are so popular: You don't know what’s around the corner, but you can't wait to see what it is, even if it is terrifying.

I am not trying to make light of unemployment and the hardship it can bring to families. Rather, I am trying to look at the bright side of my own uncertainty. While I float my résumé into the world and see if it lands anywhere promising, I will also be enjoying the last days of having my oldest child at home before she goes away to college.

I will treat this time as a gift.

Besides, I might add that the harbor pilot also ultimately disappointed our audience by not having any crashes to report. Thankfully. In other words, impressing others isn't nearly as important as doing whatever you do well, which should be the real message of Career Day. AM Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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L IF E & F A IT H

Be Still

by Lili Hiser n the 1970’s, while a student at the Baptist College at Charleston, now Charleston Southern University, my mom was pulling into the school when a distracted driver rear-ended her. Though her car was a loss, thankfully the only major lasting ailment my mother suffers from the accident are sensitive kidneys and bladder. Consequently, I grew up with cranberry juice constantly in the refrigerator—a “self medication” for her condition and a constant reminder to me of her almost tragic accident.

I

Nearly three decades later, when I decided to attend Charleston Southern, my mom frequently gave me warnings to keep an eye on that intersection because it almost changed her life. The ironic thing is that very intersection became key to changing mine.

Recently, while driving on that same stretch of road, I was sitting in congested traffic, the new normal in a once barren area. Like usual, my mind was juggling a dozen things from dinner plans, doctor appointments, and car repairs to emails that needed attention. My brain was on auto-pilot, consumed by to-do lists and frivolous worries.

As I creeped upon that intersection, my racing thoughts dulled. I began to think about my mom and her cautionary tale—and how thankful I am that her story did not end there. In the moment, a sudden wave of gratitude came over me.

With a slight tilt of my head to my left at that intersection, I glanced at the university where a homesick 17-year-old girl, who questioned whether she should continue college, would grow into the 21-year-old woman who spoke at her commencement. In the classroom, the integration of faith became a lifestyle— not just a sermon. In the dorms, midnight chats turned into life-long friendships.

In a conference room, years after graduation, a nervous alumna would interview ILLUSTR AT ION BY JASON WA G E N E R Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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56 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

LIFE & FA I T H

for her dream job—and get it! In the chapel, a 30-something-yearold would say “yes” to a dashing former classmate when he dropped to one knee.

With a tilt of my head to the right at that same intersection, I glanced at Trident Hospital. That corporation later hired that dashing man, who would be married with a baby on the way. This job then allowed my husband and me to stay in the Lowcountry and plant roots.

At this very hospital across from our alma mater, I waddled through the doors—three separate times.

Herein we witnessed our three cherished children’s first breaths.

The most vital milestones and accomplishments of my life all center around this intersection.

While competing in the rat race of life, focusing on the traffic one afternoon, I almost missed this tangible reminder of these blessings and the opportunity to praise God.

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In today’s society, we place enormous value on efficiency and speed, from accelerated college degrees to twoday shipping. This mentality has crossed into our personal lives as well. But where speed may equal value in the marketplace, speeding through life yields a loss of value.

The Bible refers to the term “be still” multiple times; there must be something enlightening in taking a moment to cease. As there is a time for productivity, there is also a time to rest.

Be encouraged to pause the busyness and visit the places that have positively impacted you.

Absorb the scenery and let the suppressed mental recordings play.

In this moment, give thanks and be grateful… and embrace the blessings that come by just being still. AM

Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Leviner Law Firm provides thoughtful consideration and a personalized approach in matters of family law, small estate planning, and probate.

207 West Ric hardson Ave. / Sum m e rville (843) 5 01-0 602 / info@ levine rlawfirm .com

A R T & S T Y L E for the S O U T H E R N S P I R I T

The Revolutionaries

Steps away from the center of activity in Downtown Charleston, gallery owners Robert and Megan Lange lead the charge toward cementing Charleston’s status as a thriving art community

by Jana Riley photos by Dottie Rizzo

I

n every community, there are individuals who are able to see what is only beginning to reveal itself. Often, it is the outsiders, observing unburdened by bias, who are able to take stock of the landscape with fresh new eyes. Of course, Charleston is a city full of visionaries from both near and far, but among the upper echelon of its most impactful dreamers are Robert and Megan Lange, artists and owners of Robert Lange Studios on Queen Street.

Robert and Megan were both born and raised in New England— him in New Hampshire, her in Maine—and their paths eventually crossed during the two semesters they shared at the University of New Hampshire. During their freshman year, Megan mentioned Robert, whom she had seen around campus, to a friend who shared an art class with him, and said matter-of-factly, “I am going to marry a guy just like that.” The friend introduced them, and they began dating shortly thereafter. They continued their relationship longdistance when Robert moved to Providence, Rhode Island to attend the Rhode Island School of Design, and as graduation approached, the pair began to consider where they wanted to move together.

“I was at RISD and watched so many of my older friends head off to New York City after graduation,” remembers Robert. “I did some research and found that 10,000 painters a year move to New York.

It’s crazy, because every gallery is filled to the brim with artists; there aren’t all these huge empty spaces just looking for new art to grace their walls. Overall, getting your work exhibited in galleries seemed to be a lot more about networking and politics and not as much about the narrative of the art being made.”

Megan and Robert decided to find their own post-college paradise, and headed down the East Coast in search of a place to call home

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in 2003. Fond of the cobblestone streets and European aesthetic of College Hill in Providence, the couple immediately fell in love with the same qualities in Charleston, and promptly chose to pursue a future in the Holy City. After settling in, Robert began visiting art galleries, showing his portfolio of artwork all over town.

“Nearly everyone said, ‘I don’t think this work will succeed in Charleston,’” recalls Robert. “They said that people here mostly appreciated regional art. Megan and I saw it so differently. We saw this whole city evolving, growing, and coming into a renaissance. It just seemed to be on the precipice of being this amazing art scene: it had all of the ingredients for it already, it just hadn’t fully happened quite yet.”

Energized, the couple decided to take matters into their own hands, and found a 900-square-foot space on East Bay Street up for rent and in the middle of a renovation. They were 23 years old and had no financial history to qualify for a lease, but they swung for the fences anyway. They sold “literally everything they owned,” according to Megan, pooled together some money they had made selling a couple of paintings, and approached the landlord.

“We knew that they were going to put in carpet and fluorescent lighting,” says Megan. “We offered to put in quality gallery lighting and rosewood floors, and said that if we couldn’t pay the second month’s rent, he was free to kick us out, and he’d have a more valuable space because of it.”

The landlord took a chance on the Langes, and they set to work preparing the space. On opening night, the pair anxiously awaited the verdict. Was Charleston capable of supporting a gallery that

Playing to the Gallery This page: A swing provides the perfect spot to take in the surrounding works of art.

Opposite, left to right: Robert and Megan Lange in their Queen Street space; works by Nathan Durfee line a gallery wall.

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Wall To Wall This page, left to right: The gallery space is its own work of art; many artists, mediums, and subjects are represented at Robert Lange Studios.

Opposite, clockwise from top left: An encouraging sign greets all potential guests; the atmosphere is cozy and welcoming; Robert Lange never stops moving; every corner of the space is filled with artistic treasures.

doing that, we hope to sell some paintings along the way. But our primary goal is to propel creativity.”

offered more than regional oceanscapes and marsh scenes? Would the public even visit, let alone purchase enough paintings to pay their rent? On the opening night of Robert Lange Studios, the couple posed a question to the Holy City, and its citizens answered in a big way, purchasing 11 paintings between them all. It was time for an art revolution.

Right away, the gallery became a popular spot for art lovers across the city. They could only represent four young artists in their small space, but the Langes did it with gusto, passionately sharing the work and the space with each and every member of the visiting public. Robert set up shop, painting constantly, while Megan handled guests and managed the gallery. For five years, they were a fixture on East Bay Street, bringing contemporary and progressive art to locals and tourists, steps away from the historic City Market. Then, in 2009, a Queen Street gallery closed, and Robert and Megan were the first ones in the door to speak for it.

The elderly owner of the building required an interview before she would allow a new tenant, intent on making sure the gallery that once featured her husband’s artwork would remain a space for art. Robert and Megan fit her qualifications perfectly, and with a handshake and an agreement on a fair rent, they were the new tenants of the first floor of 2 Queen Street. Later, they took over the second floor, further expanding Robert Lange Studios from their original 900 square foot rectangular gallery on East Bay Street into a 6,000 square foot dynamic space on Queen Street.

The signs on the door at 2 Queen Street are clear in their communication: “All are Welcome,” and “Art Belongs to Everyone.”

The gentle nudge of “yes, you may” echoes throughout the space within: a studio space inside the gallery invites people to

The signs on the door at 2 Queen St. are clear in their communication: “All are Welcome,” “Art Belongs to Everyone.” sit, watch the artist paint, and ask questions.

Younger visitors are given free sketchbooks and encouraged to make their own art within them or at the rock stacking area upstairs.

A wooden swing, popular among both young and older visitors, bears lettering that encourages people to use it, and a sign above Robert’s own studio reminds people that they are welcome to watch inside. Even the piano has a note of encouragement: “If you play, please play. If you don’t, please don’t.”

“Everyone who sees that sign immediately knows which category they fall into,” laughs Robert. “So we never really hear ‘Chopsticks,’ just beautiful music filling the gallery each day by talented visitors.”

Now representing 24 artists, Robert Lange Studios is rich with talent, and the community knows it. Opening nights and First Friday events can see anywhere from six hundred people to a thousand, and the guests walking through the doors are a beautiful cross-section of the world: Gala attendees in their tuxedos and gowns, families on the way to grab a bite to eat, tourists happening upon the event, and even a few homeless people, dressed up for the occasion, appreciating the art along with everyone else. To everyone, the Langes offer a welcome and a smile, truly embodying the spirit of their mission.

“We want to inspire people to create.” explains Megan. “Our job is to bring art to the town, not just to sell paintings. We want to share great art with everyone, with as many people as we can. Of course, while

And propel, they do. For years now, the Langes have offered an artist in residency program, inviting visiting artists to use their twobedroom apartment upstairs at the gallery while they are working in the city, usually at the Halsey Institute, Gibbes Museum, or Redux Contemporary Art Center. Having just hosted their 65th artist, the Langes have seen a wealth of talent from all over the world pass through their doors, and inspiration is often mutually traded between them and their guests, along with the city of Charleston.

Robert and Megan have also been curators at the Vendue Inn since it reopened in 2014 as a boutique art hotel, allowing them to bring an even wider array of artistic expressions to the Charleston public.

Now in their thirteenth year as gallery owners, Robert and Megan Lange have both impacted and borne witness to the beginnings of the artistic revolution that they saw coming years ago.

“For a long time, great artists would start succeeding here and would immediately leave to New York or San Francisco,” says Robert.

“Now, we are seeing more and more of them staying, because the city is an incubator for the creative spirit. Because young entrepreneurs around here are running their businesses based off of philosophy and ideals first, bottom lines second. Because gallery owners are switching from having mostly regional paintings to mostly progressive and contemporary paintings. It’s really encouraging to see these changes happen, and to imagine where we could be headed together as a city that appreciates their artists.”

Deftly intuiting the nature of Charleston’s shifting visual artistic landscape and passionately representing some of the most talented artists to ever show their work in the Lowcountry, the Langes have assisted the local art community in bolstering the cultural impact of the city. As Charleston grows and evolves, bringing with the changes an everincreasing number of tourists and transplants, one thing is for sure: Robert and Megan Lange will welcome each and every one of them with open arms. AM Summer 2017 AZALEAMAG.COM

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Carried by the current of ever-changing tides, South Carolina shrimp hold the story of the Lowcountry’s past, present and future within their fragile shells.

S A LT W AT E R R O Y A LT Y p g. 6 4

THINKING INSIDE THE BOX p g. 7 4

Hot Plate Shrimp Purloo with hot sauce Recipe Pg. 73

WOODLAND JEWEL p g. 8 0

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Docksiders Docked for the evening; fresh local shrimp

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As far back as our collective memory can reach, shrimp have delivered the delicate flavor

of the sea to the cook fires of the coast, and are as iconic to the Lowcountry as pluff mud and

sweet grass baskets. Simple, straightforward, and pink as a summer sunrise over Edisto Island,

their perfume rises in fragrant clouds from steaming pots. They sizzle golden in skillets of sweet butter, and smolder in smoky splendor over fiery coals—equally happy at banquets, breakfasts, or backyard barbecues.

by S U S A N F R A M P T O N

photography by D O T T I E R I Z Z O

Special thanks to Matt Hughes—fisherman, Southern culinarian, and friend

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Shrimp on the Net When fresh shrimp are on your shopping list, there are many markets featuring wild South Carolina shrimp, but with a little homework and a few supplies, you can have fresh flavor with a side order of fun.

Cast Net – A circular, weighted net attached to a line designed to be fully spread as it enters the water, sinking to the bottom to encircle fish or shrimp. It can be thrown by hand from the shore or a small boat.

• Cast nets used for taking shrimp over bait must have a minimum mesh size of 1/2inch square.

• Catch is limited to 48 quarts whole or 29 quarts headed per day (sunrise to sunrise) per set of poles.

Seine Net – A type of drag net that hangs vertically in the water, weighted on the bottom edge with flotation along its top edge, usually requiring two or more to drag by hand along the shore, or by boat in marine waters.

• Maximum length of shrimp seine: 40 feet. Maximum depth: 6 feet. Minimum mesh size: 1/2 inch square. Maximum mesh size: 7/8 inch square.

• Tail bags or pockets are not allowed on seines when pulled by hand.

• Catch is limited to 48 quarts whole or 29 quarts headed per day (sunrise to sunrise) per boat, per person if no boat is used, or per seining party Before setting out to start your own shrimping tradition, always check with SC Department of Natural Resources at www.dnr.sc.gov for rules and regulations governing saltwater fishing regulations, season opening and closing dates, catch limits, and licensing.

68 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2017

The state of the shrimp.

Carried by the current of ever-changing tides, South Carolina shrimp hold the story of the Lowcountry’s past, present, and future within their fragile shells.

It was most certainly a hungry man who first looked at the insect-like shrimp skittering beneath the water and wondered how they might taste. Nevertheless, the watershed moment has shaped a state—securing basic sustenance, recreational and economic opportunities for its population, and a seat at the table of epicurean excellence.

While individuals have thrown cast nets or hauled seine nets through local waters for hundreds of years, commercial shrimping began in earnest in the early 1900s. Since that time, picturesque trawlers have paced the coastlines of South Carolina, pulling wild brown, white, or occasionally pink shrimp onto their decks, according to the season.

Though the secrets of generations of shrimpers have been passed down from father to son, and entire towns have grown around the trade, shrimping is a fickle mistress. The traditional and colorful Blessing of the Fleet, an annual event meant to pay tribute to the shrimping and fishing industry and ensure a safe and bountiful season, acknowledges the innate challenges of the occupation.

From a distance, shrimping looks to be a romantic endeavor, but bad weather and rising fuel costs; the lack of processing facilities; strict seasonal, wildlife and health restrictions; and the flood of imported seafood, create additional challenges. Shrimping has become a hard labor of love for those who choose to follow the rubber-booted footprints of their predecessors.

But for those for whom shrimping is a lifestyle as much as an industry, it is worth the effort to rise long before dawn and watch the sunrise from the bow of a trawler bound for deep water. It is in their blood, and we in the Lowcountry are the lucky recipients of their abiding love for the wind in their faces, the sun on their shoulders, and their nets in the water.

Other areas may harvest more, but for local chefs, markets, and those who come to the table, there is no place on earth that harvests better-tasting wild shrimp than South Carolina—assuring its reputation and future as the state of the shrimp.

photo by Matt Hughes

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Dill Shrimp Salad on Toast

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Beaufort Foils

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Garden Shrimp Pasta

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Sea Island Shrimp Skewers

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Shrimp and Pimiento Cheese Grits

SHRIMP & PIMIENTO CHEESE GRITS Ingredients 1 cup heavy cream 3 cups water 1 cup medium ground yellow grits 1 cup pimiento cheese 3 teaspoons Thai chili paste, divided 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 4 tablespoons butter 5 pieces thick bacon, diced 1 yellow onion 1 red bell pepper 1/3 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped 3/4 pound shrimp, peeled 2 teaspoons lime juice Salt and pepper Preparation Combine cream and water, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in pot and bring to a boil on medium high heat. Mix in grits and whisk well. Turn heat to medium low and continue whisking occasionally. Cook for 10-12 minutes until they become thick and creamy. Turn heat to medium and add in pimiento cheese and 2 teaspoons chili paste and mix well until pimiento cheese is melted and smooth, for about 2 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper if needed, set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium pan. Add diced bacon and cook until crispy.

Drain on paper towels. Cut onion and bell pepper into strips, add to bacon grease and cook until tender, then remove from heat. In another pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 4 tablespoons of butter. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 1 minute each side. Add shrimp to onion and bell pepper, then add in bacon pieces, 1 teaspoon chili paste, lime juice, and parsley. Mix gently.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve over pimiento cheese grits.

SHRIMP PURLOO Ingredients 1½ pounds small shrimp 3 tablespoons Worcestershire 1 sweet yellow onion 1 green bell pepper 4-5 slices thick bacon, diced 1/2 pound kielbasa sausage, diced 1 cup long-grain white rice 2 cups water Black pepper

Sea salt Hot sauce (optional) Preparation Peel and devein the shrimp.

Put them in a bowl and add 3 tablespoons Worcestershire.

Toss and refrigerate.

Peel and dice the onion. Core, seed, and dice the green pepper.

Rinse the rice in the strainer and set aside. Cook the bacon pieces in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.

Add the onion and the bell pepper and sausage to the bacon fat and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent. Add the rice to the pan and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add 2 cups water, ½ teaspoon salt, several grinds pepper and the cooked bacon. Cover and cook until the rice is tender and has absorbed the water, 20-25 minutes.

Check the rice occasionally to see if it needs more water and add 1 tbsp. at a time, if necessary. When the rice is tender, stir in the shrimp and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and cook for 3 minutes or until shrimp is cooked through. Serve with a splash of hot sauce if desired.

DILL SHRIMP SALAD ON TOAST Ingredients 1½ pounds large shrimp 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1½ teaspoons Old Bay 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon dill 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon lime juice 1/2 cup finely diced celery 1/4 cup finely diced red onion pepper to taste sliced bread, toasted lettuce (optional) Preparation Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until bright pink and cooked through, about 2 minutes. Drain the shrimp, shell and devein. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Old Bay, wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce, dill, salt and lime juice. Stir in the cooked shrimp, celery and red onion.

Add pepper to taste. Chill in the

refrigerator until ready to serve.

Top toasted bread with lettuce (optional) and shrimp salad.

BEAUFORT FOILS Ingredients 1lb of shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 package of turkey kielbasa 8 small red or yellow potatoes, cut into bite size pieces 2 ears of corn, cut into 4-5 rounds Herb/Spice mixture: 1/3 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon dried parsley 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning 4 tablespoons butter Preparation Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Cut 8-10 sheets of foil about 12 inches long and set aside. You will use 1-2 sheets per pack. Prepare potatoes and corn and place in a large bowl. Cut sausage into coins and add to bowl, along with the shrimp. Set aside. In a smaller bowl add olive oil, herbs and spices and stir. Pour mixture over shrimp, sausage, and vegetables and toss until coated well. Evenly add the mixture to the center of each of 4 foils. Drop a teaspoon of butter on top of each, and fold up the foils to seal them closed, repeat with one more foil sheet if needed. Place on grill and cook until cooked through about 15-18 minutes.

GARDEN SHRIMP PASTA Ingredients 8 ounces linguine pasta 2 tablespoons olive oil 6 tablespoons butter, divided 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/3 cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes 1¼ pound large shrimp salt and pepper to taste 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 4 cups baby spinach 1/2 cup shredded parmesan 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

1 tablespoon lemon juice Preparation In a large pot, cook the pasta in boiling water according to package.

Drain and set aside. In large pan, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes and cook 8 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the shrimp and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the shrimp start to turn pink. Add Italian seasoning and spinach and cook until wilted.

Add the pasta to the pan with the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, parmesan, and parsley. Stir until mixed and butter is melted. Add the lemon juice before serving and serve while hot.

SEA ISLAND SHRIMP SKEWERS Ingredients 1/2 cup light coconut milk 4 teaspoons Texas Pete hot sauce 2 teaspoons soy sauce 1/4 cup orange juice 1/4 cup lime juice 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined 3/4 pound 1 inch-cut pineapple chunks Canola oil, for grilling Freshly chopped cilantro for serving Shredded coconut for serving Preparation In a medium bowl, combine the coconut milk, Tabasco sauce, soy sauce, orange juice, and lime juice.

Add the shrimp and toss to coat.

Cover and place in the refrigerator to marinate for 1-2 hours, tossing occasionally. If using wooden skewers, soak in warm water while the shrimp marinates. Preheat the grill to medium high heat. Remove the shrimp from the marinade, and reserve the marinade for grilling.

Thread the shrimp onto skewers, alternating with the pineapple.

Lightly brush the grill with canola oil, then place the shrimp on the grill. Grill the shrimp for 3 minutes, brushing with the marinade, then turn and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, brushing with the marinade again, until the shrimp are just cooked through.

Remove to a serving plate and garnish with cilantro and shredded coconut. Serve hot.

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Bright Idea Matt Daniels inspects one of Tiger Corner Farm’s on-site aeroponic containers

Thinking Inside the Box

A Summerville aeroponic farm manufacturer takes the dirty work out of farming while working toward a greener future locally and beyond

by J A N A R I L E Y

photography by D O T T I E R I Z Z O

THE GAME OF LIFE A year into his retirement, Coach John McKissick reveals a glimpse of the man behind the winning scores and the values that continue to make him a winner in the most important game of all.

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For longtime Summerville residents and frequent visitors, the drive from the interstate into the charming downtown area is a familiar one: take the off-ramp from I-26, drive past the big box stores, and pass through a stretch of land packed with fast food options.

Here, one can find it all: McDonald’s, Arby’s, Cookout, Checkers, Taco Bell, Subway, and Wendy’s are all located within a mile or so of one another: a veritable smorgasbord of often heavily processed fare far removed from the farms where many of their ingredients originated. A quick skip along the journey toward the quaint historic Main Street shops and high-quality restaurants, the area is a place where many drivers enter autopilot mode, the scene outside blurring as they focus on their ultimate destinations. But just beyond the sound of spatulas hitting griddles and the scent of fryer oil on full blast is something entirely unexpected: tucked quietly behind the restaurants is Tiger Corner Farms, a manufacturer of indoor aeroponic farms featuring on-site containers brimming with fresh, verdant produce.

Once you know what to look for, you really can’t miss the shipping containers occupying the parking lot at Tiger Corner Farms. They’re the same as the ones seen on the backs of 18-wheelers or container ships, only these have been decertified for sea and are, effectively, a large hunk of junk metal when the team receives it. But just as a book should not receive judgment based on its cover, so these boxes should not be dismissed too quickly because of their external appearance.

Quite literally, they have the potential to change the world.

The idea of making an impact on society was where this whole operation started, when founder Don Taylor, former Chief Technology Officer for over a decade at Benefitfocus, made a bold decision: he wanted to feed the hungry. Together with his daughter, Stefanie Swackhamer, they brainstormed ideas. Initially, they planned to build a large greenhouse facility out on some land Taylor owned in Jamestown on Tiger Corner Road, but after seeing a friend’s

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Team Green Opposite, clockwise from top left: Freshly harvested produce, straight from the high-tech shipping container farm; the Tiger Corner Farms team; young plants rest comfortably in the wall panels; a new container farm in progress.

aeroponics greenhouse in Pennsylvania, Taylor had an epiphany. As his eyes traveled over the floor-to-ceiling lush, green walls of produce, his mind took note of the lack of bugs and dirt, and the possibility for lending his technology background to a similar operation. A trip to Las Vegas with Swackhamer to attend a conference focusing on indoor agriculture cemented what their hearts already knew: aeroponics was the way to an impactful future.

With two young children at home, Swackhamer had been on a yearslong hiatus from her teaching job when her father recruited her to work on his new project. Passionate about the idea, Swackhamer jumped in with both feet, and the duo began to pave new ground within the community. They opted to keep the intended name for their Jamestown greenhouse operation, Tiger Corner Farms, and moved into a shared space in Summerville with Boxcar Central, Taylor’s software company, less than a year ago. Then began the recruiting process.

First, they needed a mechanical engineer—someone who could figure out how to create an entire growing operation and maximize the space in a single container. Taylor mentioned to his daughter that someone with a background in submarines would be perfect for the gig, given the small space, and Swackhamer immediately knew the guy they needed: Evan Aluise, the husband of one of her friends and a former Navy submarine engineer. After he came on board, they began looking for a builder, someone who could make schematics a reality. They landed on Eric Shuler, a friend of Taylor’s from Jamestown. Aluise and Shuler began working closely together creating the physical structure of the container interiors. S soon, they

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needed someone with extensive knowledge about plants.

Enter Matt Daniels, a horticultural expert and co-owner of local company, Vertical Roots. He became their Systems Engineer and go-to guy for any plant-related questions.

Finally, they hired Robert Phillips, an electrical engineer with a passion for technology and sustainability. Working together as a seamless unit, each individual passionate about the mission of the company, the small team at Tiger Corner Farms serves as a strong foundation for success, and thus far, they’ve proven to be unstoppable.

After the crew acquires a shipping container, they set to work. It takes only two and a half weeks with all hands on deck: painting, installing electrical, water, and ventilation systems, and fitting the components within the interior.

While they build, they start seedlings, and once the container is ready, they transplant them within the wall panels right away. These 320-square-foot containers can grow over 4,500 plants in around 30 days—all on less than 10 gallons of water a day. The plants sit in specially designed wall panels housing atomizing sprayers, which deliver a five-second mist to the air-suspended roots every five minutes containing everything the plants need to flourish.

Utilizing software custom created by Boxcar Central, the

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Taking Root Above, left to right: Seedlings making their debut before being transplanted to their wall panels; air-suspended roots await their nutrient spritz.

container farmer can track humidity, air temperature, CO2 levels, nutrient levels, inventories, lighting, and more, enabling them to control even the finest details on-site or remotely. Currently, the panels can play host to leafy greens, herbs, and some edible flowers, and the controlled environment allows for 10-12 harvests a year: a far cry from the two harvests average local conventional growers produce for leafy greens and the like, which don’t grow well outside of the cooler months. The whole operation works as an efficient, finely tuned machine, enabling rapid, controlled growth without the need for sun, soil, harsh chemical pesticides, a large carbon footprint, or reliance on supportive weather.

In these early days as a startup, the Tiger Corner Farms team heavily focuses on creating an impeccable product, and they use their two on-site farms as well as a number of locally placed containers to discover ways they can improve their systems, making adjustments to the software as they learn what is and is not intuitive for a new user.

They partner with Lowcountry Local First with their “Growing New Farmers” program, introducing future farmers to the world of high-yield urban farming. They just sent a container farm out to the Citadel, where cadets get

hands-on experience with the growing operations. One of the on-site containers at Tiger Corner Farms serves as a source of leafy contributions to the surrounding community for both humans and turtles; the latter can be found gobbling up the donations at the South Carolina Aquarium. Though they already have a strong altruistic presence in the area, especially for a fairly new company, Swackhamer and the team continue to seek out opportunities to expand their reach, in both educating and feeding the public.

Though Tiger Corner Farms and their aeroponic container operations have been well-received by most, some fear that the company is attempting to encroach upon conventional farmers, taking away from their hard-earned profits and edging them out of the marketplace. But the team at Tiger Corner Farms offers consistent reassurance. They maintain that they are supplementary to traditional farming, a small added boost to the amount of produce available to an everexpanding population, grown in a way that is attractive to the more technologically savvy generations and can bridge gaps between areas abundant in fresh food. In that vein, they are extremely passionate about getting the farms into the hands of people who could affect major change with them,

including schools and food banks in food deserts near and far.

A New Leaf Above, left to right: Evan Aluise and Matt Daniels discuss a newly set record for individual plant biomass; the final product looking ripe and ready to eat.

With grants and other funding options available depending on what sort of entity is interested, the team is confident that the financial aspect of acquiring a container farm is but a small hurdle to cross for most. In the short-term, local, regional, and national distribution of their container farms is the focus for the crew at Tiger Corner Farms, but their dreams only expand from there. Eventually, they’d love to apply everything they have learned and created in their venture to help eradicate world hunger issues, ultimately seeking to create a container farm that could be sustained in any climate without the need to be connected to water hookups or a power grid. Truly, they are not far off.

This year, Tiger Corner Farms will move to a new location off of Clements Ferry Road. With their move comes the possibility for further growth, which means more fresh produce, more growers, and more people considering a life of farming who would have otherwise been turned off by the laborious hours spent in the sun and dirt. With a solid team of passionate, like-minded individuals, the sky's the limit for Tiger Corner Farms. Here’s to changing the world from this little corner of the Lowcountry. Godspeed. AM

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W O O D L

by S U S A N F R A M P T O N

photography by D O T T I E R I Z Z O

A

A N

D

Green Space A naturally lush entrance

Dr. and Mrs. Dwight Beavers’ country home is an unexpected gem in a setting designed by nature

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W When Dwight and Sharon Beavers decided ten years ago that they wanted to try country living, one might have conjured images of their trading out city clothes for cowboy boots and bales of hay. But driving down the winding gravel road to their home in Ridgeville, there is nary a horseshoe or hayfield in sight. Instead, hidden amidst the lush greenery and tall hardwoods, the drive opens onto a courtyard with a definite European feel. In the peace of the woodland, one immediately forgets that town is only a few minutes away.

Their journey to this place has taken them on a circuitous route through the Lowcountry. In 1983, when they first opened Dr. Beavers’ dental practice in Summerville, home for the couple was a small cottage off West Carolina, where they later built a larger home tucked amidst the backdrop of Summerville’s pines and azaleas. Though they moved to Daniel Island for a time to accommodate their children, Bradford and Elizabeth, attending Bishop England, the roots they had planted in Summerville continued to grow deep in the community, and they knew they would eventually return to live in the area. Ten years ago, they made the move, choosing to build on six acres deep in the rural landscape of Dorchester County, just outside Ridgeville, SC. From the circular drive, one walks to the front entrance to their home, accessed through wrought-iron gates. This leads to the arched door of an entryway that immediately sets the tone with an expanse of terra cotta Mexico Saltillo tile, providing a foundation for warm colors and textures.

Beautifully framed family portraits sprinkled throughout the home celebrate the family. Antlers and sporting art reveal their love of the outdoors. Barn style doors flanking the family room’s fireplace compliment the rough-hewn beams, while gracefully curved openings and gilded touches soften the room.

Sharon, whose background is in interior design, and whose

A Wooded Welcome This Page: The Beaver's French-inspired exterior; a combination of rich textures and warm hues. Opposite: The foyer

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Inside Out Clockwise:The detached garage; a guest bedroom; Dwight and Sharon Beavers. Opposite: Attention to details both inside and out

mother was a noted interior designer, knew that she didn’t want anything too formal. Although much of the antique furniture she inherited from her parents’ Hilton Head home leaned more toward that style, the Beavers found a way to combine the best of both worlds. The resulting comfortable elegance is warm, inviting, and reflective of the family’s wide range of interests.

Each piece of furniture and artwork tells a story, and their placement adds to the sense of ease one immediately feels in each room of the distinctive country home.

Both of the Beavers’ children and their families live in Summerville, and it is easy to envision their gatherings in the gourmet kitchen at the heart of the home, or around the massive outdoor fireplace of the terrace. Overlooking the pines and palmettos of the forest, the terrace’s stonework lends a mountain feel to the unique house, and wild turkeys have been known to wander within easy sight of the cozy sleeping porch linking the terrace to the family room.

In the peace and quiet of the country, Dwight and Sharon Beavers have created a home that delights and invites. Set in the ever-changing light and colors of nature, and reflecting the grace and style of its inhabitants, it is a lovely and unexpected woodland jewel. AM

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A BEAU T I F UL NEW WEDDI NG AND EVENT VENUE ON T H E ASH LEY RIVER

facebook.com/BlackWaterOnTheAshley / 843.696.0761 Boone Hill Road, Summerville

TH E SOCIAL

SOCIALS, CAUSES, AND COMMUNIT Y

Pinewood's Farm to Table Gala Pinewood Preparatory School hosted its Farm to Table Auction Gala on April 8, 2017—an event centered on locally sourced food and beverages. The vision extended into the array of live and silent auction items, many of which were provided by local business owners and artisans.The school's Eidson Gym was transformed into "Under the Eidson Oaks," a space reminiscent of a Lowcountry evening in the springtime.Guests dined on local fare, served in six different themed stages, sipped locally produced cocktails, craft beer, and wine, and enjoyed the sounds of Charleston's HoneySmoke Band. The Auction Gala generated funds for Pinewood and its Legacy Campaign, an effort to expand the school's wireless network.

VILLAGE P OET

The Art That Saves Us

by Ellen E. Hyatt

Between the art gallery talks about still lifes, we two step outside tor a short walk about town.

We inhale heavy Southern air, exhale small-talk.

When—there it is, Life itself. At 2:02 on this day, a summer day, and now right here because of your way of seeing just what the heart needs.

Globed fruit, gold-orange, among glossy leaves.

Male cardinal alights upon ebony branch. Beauty stills us in the moment and moment, to memory.

“Persimmons?” we utter in unison and awe.

I pick one from the cluster to smell the skin.

You start to peel to find the fruit’s inner flesh, its quiet invitation to taste. Neither of us accepts: Not Me, saying maybe they’re ornamental or “for the birds.” (How I regret that slip of idiom.)

Not You, agreeing about the risk and adding, “There’s likely to be bitterness and aftertaste.”

Now far away from that town, that summer, I’m visiting a city where people tell of times when steel was king. They pronounce “steel life” as “still life.” They’ve watched their mills being converted to shops, cafés, and galleries.

Tonight, I hear patrons at one art exhibit, “The fruit looks real. Ripe enough to pick.

Good enough to eat.” Someone questions, “But why ‘2:02 p.m.’? Why that title? Why not ‘Persimmons’ instead?” I don’t join in.

Still, I do think of you, hoping that you have also dared to love again, after reviving on paint and canvas, what does not last.

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