Azalea Magazine Spring 2013

A COUPLE OF COLLECTORS : ONE CREATIVE HOME

LOWCOUNTRY SPIRITS / JEFFERSON COKER ROCKS ON / THE CALL OF THE WOODSMITH THE NATURAL TALENT OF MICHAEL ASHMEN / KITCHEN AIDS / MEET TARA BAILEY

FREE ~ SPRING 2013

RULES OF THE WILD ALASKA

A Recollection of the Alaskan Frontier pg.74

FROM RURAL SOUTH CAROLINA, TO

Modern Living in the Old South

HORSES REINING IN THE WIN Local teen rides to a National Title pg. 21

BIG CITY PINSTRIPES

Donnie Gamache Attorney at Law

100 S Main St. Suite C Summerville, SC 29483

(p) 843.821.8280 (f) 888.429.8289

dpkgcalendar@gmail.com

“I chose Dr. Reuther for my cataract surgery and I am seeing better than ever. The new facility and fantastic team at Carolina Eyecare Physicians are a great addition to the Summerville community.”

– Berlin G. Myers, former Mayor of Summerville, SC

Quality Vision Care with a personal touCh

Carolina Eyecare Physicians provides a new level of quality vision care in Summerville with its state of the art facility and leading team of physicians. You will be in the best of hands with Dr. Reuther, one of the area’s premier cataract surgeons and a premier team of eye care professionals. Together, they will help you achieve your best vision possible.

(843) 873-5577

ROBERT G. REUTHER, M.D.

www.CarolinaEyecare.com 296 Midland Parkway Summerville, SC 29485

Excellence in Ophthalmic Care

AZALEA Magazine / Spring 2013

62

SOUTHERN YANKEE

Brett Gardner opens up about rural South Carolina, all those online “facts,” and wearing those famous pinstripes

by Katie DePoppe and Will Rizzo

<

New York Yankee Brett Gardner

68

A COUPLE OF COLLECTORS

The Sundings’ relaxed and eclectic style gives new meaning to “personalized”

by Will Rizzo

74

RULES OF THE WILD

A sparkling memoir of the Alaskan frontier

by Katie DePoppe

AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

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Contents

/ AZALEA Magazine / Spring 2013

30

37

21 06 Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter 10 Letters 12 Contributors 15-19 FIELD GUIDE A brief look into our local culture SOUTHERN LIFE 21 Southern Spotlight - Sport 26 Southern Spotlight - Music 30 Southern Spotlight - Art 33 Southern Spotlight - Community

SOUTHERN STYLE 59 Kitchen Aids Pay attention to the little touches that showcase your own personal style

37 TASTE High Spirits in the Lowcountry Three drinks with local history COLUMNS 45 Natural Woman

by Susan Frampton 49 Southern Rambler

by Chris Campeau 53 LIFE & FAITH Interviewing Your Daughter's Date

by Will Browning

17

ON THE COVER: New York Yankee Brett Gardner / Photograph by Dottie Rizzo

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AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

80 THE LOCAL Seasonal Calendar 86 For the Cause Downs Byrd Memorial Oyster Roast

45

88 Social Graces

by Elizabeth Donehue

Nature.

Nurture.

Neighborhood.

T

he Ponds is a place to put down roots. A community where kids can still be kids, where nature trails await, fishing lakes beckon and the YMCA is just a bike ride away.

Located on Hwy 17-A, just 5 miles South of Summerville’s town square, The Ponds offers all the things you’ve been looking for in a place to call home, plus a few you haven’t thought of yet, including: • On-site YMCA • Centuries-old live oaks • Outdoor amphitheatre

• Community pool and pavilion • Parks and playgrounds • Restored 1800’s farmhouse

• 1,100 acre nature preserve • 20-mile trail system • Private fishing lakes

Scan this code with your smart phone device to view our current home listings

Model Homes Open Daily • Homes from $200,000 • 6 Different Builders DiscoverThePonds.com • 843.832.6100

And Now

q COMING SOON q

Active Adult Neighborhood at The Ponds!

Homes starting from $259,900*

Mungo Homes | DR Horton | Sabal Homes | David Weekley Homes | HHHunt Homes | Saussy Burbank *Home and community information, including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities, are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation.

Editor’s Letter

This simple concept not only benefits our readers, but our local businesses as well.

How & Why

Q: How and why do you give this magazine away for free?

A: Recently, I've been asked this question a lot about AZALEA, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to answer.

Most magazines operate under one of two business models: FREE or FEE. Free publications are often smaller in page count, exist solely on revenue generated by advertisement sales, and use less expensive materials (e.g. paper, number of inks, binding style, etc.), while paid-for magazines, because they generate revenue from both ad sales and retail purchases, frequently have a high page count and use high-quality materials.

When we conceived AZALEA four years ago we envisioned something different– something new. Something that combined these two models and accurately represented the community we love in a tangible way. Basically, we wanted to offer a free publication that looked and felt like a paid magazine.

Why? To ensure that each and every copy made it into the hands of our readership. We see this as a service to the community and a benefit to you–to know your neighbors, to learn more of your history, and to see the modern South in its ever-changing state.

This simple concept not only benefits our readers, but our local businesses as well. Our hope was to support them–no matter how big or small–by creating a beautiful and honest outlet to advertise. Simple as that.

Next time you see one of our advertisers, please thank them. If you need something, please use them. It's the companies and organizations that partner with AZALEA who make it all possible. They are the answer to this question.

They are the "how and why" it's free to you.

Will Rizzo

Editor In Chief

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AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

At The Daniel Island Company’s

Next Great Place In Charleston.

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Here in the heart of Charleston’s growth, a new community is emerging. Located on 2,000 acres at the intersection of North Main and St. James in Goose Creek, Carnes Crossroads will offer the lifestyle of a small town, with charming neighborhoods, beautiful parks, lakes and close proximity to stores, shops, restaurants, offices, schools and church – and all the conveniences of Goose Creek and Summerville.

The first homes will begin around the mid-$200,000s and are being built by David Weekley Homes, Eastwood Homes and Sabal Homes.

Our Carnes Crossroads Real Estate Information Center is a wonderful resource to learn about life here. Located across from the Village Green and the historic Green Barn, our office is open 7 days a week, with or without an appointment.

Or visit CarnesCharleston.com to learn more.

Exit 199B

Ch ar le st on

843.761.8600

CarnesCharleston.com

Where Community Comes Together

From I-26, take exit 199B for US 17N (North Main St). Travel 3 miles to Carnes Crossroads. Take the 1st left (1st Avenue) into the community.

Carnes Crossroads Real Estate, LLC. Chuck Buck, BIC

Will Rizzo Co-Publisher and Editor in Chief will@azaleamag.com Dottie Rizzo Co-Publisher and Managing Editor dottie@azaleamag.com Katie DePoppe Editor at Large katie@azaleamag.com Margie Sutton Style Editor

CALL US WHEN YOU ARE READY TO MAKE YOUR MARK

Bellwether is an award winning design firm specializing in branding and logo development.

BELLWETHERCREATIVE.NET / 843.478.7717

Will Browning Faith Editor

Advertising Jenefer Hinson jenefer@azaleamag.com 843.729.9669 Susan Frampton susan@azaleamag.com 843.696.2876

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

Grab A Copy

AZALEA can be found at many locations throughout the area.

Visit www.azaleamag.com for a complete list.

Subscribe

*Available for $16.99 a year (4 Issues). Visit azaleamag.com for details.

10

AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

&

Letters

I love the magazine and certainly love being a part of what you guys are doing.

Ross Shelnutt Summerville REALLY COOL Congrats on another great magazine! You guys really do a phenomenal job! I just think it is really really cool that Summerville has such a cool high end magazine!

Jamie Lopez Summerville SUCH A CELEBRITY What a wonderful article of [Greg Hart's] work with great photos. Proud to know such a celebrity!

Emily Moss Charleston UNIQUE AND ENJOYABLE I'm a new resident to Summerville and find Azalea magazine unique and enjoyable.

SPREAD THE NEWS We absolutely love Azalea Magazine. We will continue to spread the news to friends about the great work you all do in our community!

Jan Reeves Summerville RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS My wife, daughter, and I have loved Azalea! We recently moved to the Summerville area from Columbia, SC and have really enjoyed reading your magazine! The quality of the publication is amazing, and your company has really set itself apart. With very little knowledge of the businesses in the Summerville area, we are always excited to see the different businesses that advertise locally. We have already visited several restaurants and shops that have advertisements in Azalea. Thank you for such a big city magazine with a hometown feel!

Paul Lyday Summerville

Jim Hawkins Summerville BEARD & MOUSTACHE LOVE The Holy City Beard & Moustache Society Loves Azalea mag! Thanks for the nice write up!

Paul Roof Charleston LOVE THOSE BOYKINS Love the cover! Looks like our Boykin, Sullivan. I Love those Boykins.

Debbie Gibbons Summerville

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: We welcome your letters and comments. / Email letters to info@azaleamag.com / Emails should include full contact info.

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AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

You’ re Not Just a Patient.

You’ re Not Just a Patient.

You’ re Not Just a Patient.

You’ re Family.

You’ re Family.

You’ re Family.

You’ re Not Just a Patient.

We are moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. We understand the

complexities navigating through today’s healthcare system.

As a member We are moms,ofdads, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters.

We understand the We are moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. We understand the of our family, of we navigating promise to through walk youtoday’s throughhealthcare life’s medical decisions—however complexities system.

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online PalmettoPrimaryCare.com.

We treatatour patients with kindness and respect. And most importantly, they find

comfort in knowing our physicians Today. have their best interest at heart. And 843.572.7727 | with PalmettoPrimaryCare.com Schedule anthat Appointment

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life’s unexpected surprises. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit us online at PalmettoPrimaryCare.com.

Contributors

< JANA RILEY Writer and Copy Editor Jana is a writer and editor living in Summerville with her husband, Dan. She enjoys adventures with her two favorite kids, Noah and Jude, and their dog, Alfie.

<

Susan Frampton has called Summerville home for almost thirty years with husband Lewis, daughter Sara, and a myriad of dogs, chickens, turtles, and snakes. Susan is Executive Director of Sculpture in the South. When not in her office she can most often be found (badly dressed) in the garden, in the woods, or on the water.

<

SUSAN FRAMPTON Writer

JASON WAGENER Illustrator Jason started his illustrious art career when he won a coloring contest in 3rd grade, subsequently titling him "proud owner of a Mickey Mouse dry erase board." He moved to the Lowcountry in 1990, and save an education at The Savannah College of Art and Design, has remained a faithful transplant ever since. He now lives in Goose Creek under the thumb of the dreamy Julie Wagener and offspring: Toy Story enthusiast, Henry, and the his new “baby brudder,” Graham. Oddly enough, he lettered in art at Stratford High School. < CHRIS CAMPEAU Writer

< ELIZABETH DONEHUE Writer Got an etiquette question? Elizabeth is a modern manners expert who knows her way around thank-you notes and social graces. elizabethdonehue@gmail.com

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AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

Chris is a BBQ enthusiast and southern culture aficionado. He grew up on collard greens, corn bread and pot licker…along with Pad Thai, hot lemonade and fish sauce.

Chris was raised in the Deep South but spent time in south East Asia, Bermuda and most recently Europe. With three young children and a lovely wife, you can find him chasing his kids on athletic fields and BBQ joints all over the Lowcountry. Chris also has a strange obsession with antique electric fans and wooden chairs.

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A BRIEF LOOK INTO OUR LOCAL CULTURE

SEASON

- Baseball -

634ft The length of the longest home run ever recorded, hit by Mickey Mantle in 1960.

southern league neck

Jackie Mitchell was one of the first women to play pro baseball.

Pitching for the Chattanooga Lookouts in 1931, she struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig back to back.

A baseball term for a stiffness of the neck caused by long periods of travel.

$30,000,000 The largest annual salary in MLB history, given to Alex Rodrigez in 2012 by the NY Yankees.

In Charleston, baseball can be traced back to 1886 when the Charleston Seagulls took the field in front of only 32 fans at a school field.

The first AfricanAmerican to play Major League Baseball was Moses Fleetwood Walker (not Jackie Robinson), who played for the Toledo Blue Stockings in 1884.

AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

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Field Guide Q What is your favorite thing about

putting scrap together and creating something that didn’t exist before. It’s a wonderfully satisfying process, and people now dump their scrap metal off in my garage.

My creations are turning my side yard into every neighborhood’s “that yard," but I don’t care. See question #3.

living in the Lowcountry?

A Hands down, the Francis Beidler Forest. We have access to the largest stand of virgin bald cypress in the world right here in Harleyville. The trees there are over a thousand years old and play host to an incredible ecosystem that produces some of the area’s most fascinating wildlife-watching opportunities.

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

A

My front loader washing machine. It’s like owning a little piece of Satan’s heart.

Q What is your dream job?

A I actually had my dream

job as a naturalist at the Beidler Forest, though that position was temporary. My background is English, so somehow I talked my way into that one, though I am hoping to start a graduate program in environmental science. I also do a lot of freelance writing and would love to combine the two. There was a point in my life when I fantasized about being a mechanic. I would be getting my oil changed and see these guys working solitarily on cars, listening to classic rock, cussing audibly, occasionally smoking, and think, “That’s what I want.”

MEET & GREET What makes locals tick, one neighbor at a time

Q& A

Q Is there a motto that you live by?

A I try to embrace good fear, which is

that feeling that you can’t possibly do something but means exactly the contrary. It’s a challenge, and it’s very scary.

But it’s what drives me to do the things I love, be it running a thirty-hour relay through the Blue Ridge Mountains or applying to graduate school at age 41.

Q A

Who or what are you a fan of ?

Good beer, good music, good art, birds, snakes, oysters, summer, Halloween, improv, and Moby-Dick.

Q Coffee or tea?

A I still get excited about my first cup

of black coffee each day. Coffee may be

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AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

TA RA BA I LE Y

Freelance Writer & Student

an acquired taste for some people, but one has to train hard to like tea. Also, coffee is slung into the mouth mindlessly, leaving stains and rings in its wake. It has a chaotic quality about it.

Tea is very deliberate and controlled. I am not a tea person.

Q What is one thing you've bought in

the last five years that you couldn’t live without?

A

My welder. I have always been a fan of metal sculpture, so I decided to try

Q What is your favorite music?

A It really depends on the season, but I

have to say Foo Fighters because I once made a Norquist-esque pledge to love Dave Grohl forever. But I love light, ethereal rock in the summer and heavier, bassier stuff in the colder seasons. We have a lot of great local music around here, too, such as Long Miles and Needto- breathe.

By the way, Long Miles is summer music, Needtobreathe, fall. Not that it’s heavy, it just has autumnal tones to it.

Q A

What would be your dream vacation?

Nepal. I used to want to climb Everest but have come to the realistic conclusion that I don’t do well in the cold. I once tried to acclimate myself by keeping the house at temperatures that would make Jimmy Carter proud, but somehow I don’t think that would be enough. Still, I would sell my disco ball and even throw in my front loader to go to Nepal.

Q What is your fondest memory of living in Summerville?

A Anything pertaining to the late, great

Troy Knight. When he died in 2004, Summervillian J.J. Messervy said he wanted to commission a statue of Troy and call it “Summerville’s Friend." Maybe I’ll weld one. AM

Books The world of self-publishing has evolved quickly over the last few years, changing the way authors access their potential tribe of followers—and how quickly, expanding the way readers gain access to new books, and forcing the publishing world to re-think the traditional route for unpublished authors. Here are a few self-published books by locals you may enjoy.

Inside the George

By Beth Tyner Available Now Amazon Tickle your sense of the ridiculous as you step into the wacky world of the George Hardware Store and follow store-owner, Gus, as he handles the dilemmas and eccentricities of his Southern, smalltown customers.

Secrets of the Enemy

By Debbie G. Brownfield Available Now Amazon Featuring protagonist and Presidential aide, Chelsea Merrill, who hails from Summerville, and a misfit cast of characters including Secret Service agent, Jasper Peters-Templeton, rock star Charmaine Dumotte, and Interpol agent, Donnell McKinnon, Secrets of the Enemy is an action-packed race against time to stop a series of terrorist attacks across the country.

Metal Man Walking

By Carley Eason Evans Available Now Amazon or through Barnes & Noble or Books-a-Million Follow “Metal Man” Chuck, a former baseball player who once dreamed of becoming the next Johnny Bench, through every serendipitous turn as he struggles to rebuild his life in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

"Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read.

One does not love breathing."

-Harper Lee AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

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Field Guide MUSIC

EDITOR'S PICK

KACEY MUSGRAVES Texas native singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves, 24, recently recorded her debut album and released her first single “Merry Go Round” to radio September 10. The single was greeted with massive critical acclaim (Billboard, Rolling Stone, NY Post) and is currently inside the top 15 on the charts.

The album was co-produced by Kacey, Shane McAnally and Luke Laird and is set for release in the Spring 2013. To date, that talent has produced cuts for multi-platinum artists such as Martina McBride and Miranda Lambert. Miranda’s current album includes Kacey’s co-written track “Mama’s Broken Heart” which Rolling Stone Magazine ranked #26 in their “50 Best Singles of 2011” list.

Musical influences range from Loretta Lynn and John Prine to bands like Cake and The Beach Boys. Kacey was honored to open for Willie Nelson last year and recently wrapped opening for Lady Antebellum in Europe and Alison Krauss in the US. She will be featured as a special guest on Little Big Town’s upcoming The Tornado Tour, which launched January 31, 2013, and will also be an opener on Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Nation Tour Spring/Summer of 2013.www.kaceymusgraves.com Visit www.kaceymusgraves.com for more information and upcoming tour dates.

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AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

PETS

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She goes above and beyond for us!" -Taylor T. Mention this ad to receive a FREE exam and consultation!

SPRING: DOG SAFETY TIPS Exercise: Warmer weather means we all feel friskier. It is normal for dogs to store fat in winter, but a heavier dog needs to begin spring exercise gently.

Just as you may want to ease back into an outdoor exercise routine, your companion dog also needs to take it slowly at first. Increase walks and runs in the park steadily, but gradually.

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Allergies: Dogs get springtime allergies too. As is the case for humans, dogs can become allergic over time, so do not be surprised if your dog's reactions to springtime allergens change from puppy to adulthood. Pollen from the first flowering trees, dandelions and tulips, dust, mold, and even insects can cause allergic reactions.

Lawn Chemicals: In the spring, your dog will be able finally to run on grass, not dead thatch. Please pay attention to where you let your dog run.

Spring lawn care often combines herbicide and pesticide treatments to kill insect larva, ticks, fleas, "critters," and seedsprouting weeds. dogster.com

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Announcing the Final Phase of the Summit

Don't miss your opportunity to own a piece of this naturally beautiful community.

Located just minutes from Historic Downtown Summerville, the Summit is a hidden jewel of our community. Large wooded lots with classic Southern styled homes epitomize the Summit's lifestyle. Our company is based on the belief that our customers' needs are of the utmost importance. Our team is committed to meeting those needs. Let us help you build your dream home in this wonderful community. We welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry.

(43 lots available / 3/4 to 1 acre lots) - Offered by -

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LIFE S

O

U

T

H

E

R

N

Reining in the Win

A local teen rides her way to a National Championship by

Jana Riley photos by Dottie Rizzo

Buckle Up Aurie Engel Schmieding wears her championship buckle proudly

AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

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A

s a little girl, Aurie Engel Schmieding had one goal– to reach 40 pounds. She would weigh herself again and again, squinting at the needle on the scale, willing it to rise to the number her mom said she had to be to take horseback riding lessons. Finally, at five years old, the needle rose enough. Ecstatic, she ran to her mom yelling “Momma, I 40!”

Horses were familiar territory for her mom, Robyn Schmieding. A horse rider in her younger years, and passionate about the sport, Robyn enrolled her eldest daughter, Ali Clynes, in classes at Black Bottom Stables in Summerville at a young age. Twenty-two months younger than her sister, Aurie Engel toddled around the barn and stables while her sibling was taking lessons, earning her the nickname “The Black Bottom Baby” around the property.

Her mom kept her promise, and when Aurie Engel reached the necessary weight, she began training twice a week at Black Bottom Stables. Within a year, she was participating in horse shows and riding at every opportunity. As she grew up, the family went to riding meets together, sleeping in a small camper and sharing stories with fellow equestrian families. For eleven years, Aurie Engel trained at Black Bottom Stables, later attending University of South Carolina riding camps in order to hone her athletic abilities.

In her freshman year of high school, Aurie Engel began attending

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AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

Schmieding at Black Bottom Stables

Pinewood Preparatory School and immediately became involved with the varsity equestrian program, coached by Chad Crosby.

The team is comprised of western and hunt seat-riders, and is part of the International Equestrian Association (IEA). Formed in 2012, the IEA is an organization of over 5,000 student-riders across the US, around 500 of whom make it to the national championships yearly. During the equestrian season, riders from schools in 10 zones across North America compete against one another in five regional meets, gaining points for blue, red, and yellow ribbons. Pinewood is part of zone four, which also includes all IEA equestrian teams in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The riders who accumulate 15 points over the course of the season attend Zone Finals, where they compete against one another in their chosen equestrian discipline. The first and second place winners in each division then go to the IEA National Championship–the Superbowl of the middle and high school equestrian world.

One of the most unique factors about the IEA competitions, both local and national, is that none of the riders are permitted to use their own horse or tack. Instead, horses are selected in a “blind draw” where riders are paired with local horses trained in their specific discipline. As a result, no rider has the advantage of using a familiar horse, and is only given about 10 minutes with their equine partner prior to the competition. Experienced competitors like Aurie Engel

Presents The Inaugural

CHARLESTON TRIALS Photos provided by: Tag Your Pix

socializing

vendor village

tailgating

Sunday, March 17, 2013 at The Plantation at Stono Ferry â&#x20AC;˘ Gates open at 9am - Paddock call at Noon www.charlestontrials.net (843) 766-6202 â&#x20AC;˘ Reserved parking and ticket packages available Race Sponsors:

www.Br idg e R un.co m

(8 43) 8 5 6-1949 Reining in the Win Continued

will wake up early the morning of the event to watch the horses exercise and train in the rings, taking notes on the strengths and weaknesses of every single horse. Later, when the judges issue horses to riders in the blind draw, the rider will consult her notes, using the observations she made on the horse to help her better understand how to direct her new partner in the ring.

Last year, four out of six Pinewood riders made it past Zone Finals and on to the 2012 IEA Western National Championship, including Aurie Engel, then a rising Junior, in the Varsity Intermediate Reining division. Originating from movements used by ranchers and cowboys past, reining displays a pattern of 12 evolved herding maneuvers such as spins, circles, and quick stops. The pattern requires the rider to control the horse with little resistance, primarily dictating commands using their legs and weight. The 2012 competition took place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Aurie Engel drew a Texas A&M horse named “Tuff.” The horse responded beautifully to Aurie Engel’s expert commands, impressing both the crowd and judges.

When awards time came, Aurie Engel, her family, and her team felt a swell of grateful pride when she was named the National Champion in her division, Varsity Intermediate Reining. Along with the national championship title was a coveted champion belt buckle awarded to riders who finish first in their class. Two of Aurie Engel’s teammates also brought home honors; her sister, Ali Clynes Schmieding, placed fourth in JV Novice Horsemanship, and Kara Guertin placed third in Varsity Open Horsemanship.

Back home in Summerville, and still riding nearly every day, Aurie Engel shares her latest challenge with most high school juniors; choosing a college and deciding on a career path. Sixteen years old and already a national champion in her sport, Aurie Engel’s passion, dedication, and commitment to her chosen paths ensure that she will continue to be a rising star. AM AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

27

Jefferson Coker plays up to thirty-five shows a month

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Jefferson Coker (Music)

Rock On

After a lifetime of personal trials, a Summerville musician lets the music flow by Jana Riley To say that Jefferson Coker had a rough start in life would be an understatement.

Born in Italy, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Navy, Coker emerged from the womb with a watermelon-sized cyst attached to his face. Encompassing half of his body, the cystic hygroma lymphangioma, or lymphatic malformation, was a growth larger than any of the medical staff had ever seen, and the doctors quickly made the decision to fly little Jefferson to the United States for treatment. At just nine days old, Jefferson and

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his family flew across the Atlantic in a military plane, the infant cradled in a cargo net.

Initially, every surgeon at the U.S. hospital refused to perform surgery on Jefferson to remove the cyst. It was too large, they said, and the baby too young. His mother was determined though, and she soon found a young doctor who performed a successful surgery; however the family soon learned that many more procedures were in the child’s future. Over the next two and a half months, Jefferson underwent 12 more surgeries. His health rapidly declining, a neighbor requested that Jefferson’s mother take her son to the large AME church in town to be christened before the infant passed away, to which she obliged.

“As soon as we walked in, a man in a robe came running down the aisle, took me in his arms, and danced me around the entire sanctuary,” Jefferson laughs. “People were singing and praising God and laying their hands on me and praying, and we don’t really know what happened, but from that day on, I was better. My health turned around, and I began to live.”

Though Jefferson’s health improved, his need for additional

We Are

surgeries remained the same, and in 1980, the Navy relocated the family to Summerville, South Carolina, where they would be within driving distance of a world-class children’s hospital, MUSC. Jefferson began to spend his summers at the hospital, undergoing surgery after surgery. During the school year, he was often homebound, recovering from recent surgical procedures.

When he was well, however, he attended local schools: Summerville Elementary, Spann Elementary, Rollings School of the Arts, and later, Summerville High.

in that store saw how sick I was, and just let me play everything,” Jefferson says fondly.

“I’d beat on the drums out of rhythm for an hour, then move onto another instrument.

I went in there every day and played everything; it didn’t matter if it was a $20,000 piano or a $5.00 ukelele, he saw how happy it made me so he let me do it. It really was my first foray into music.”

Over the course of his childhood, Jefferson underwent a total of 37 surgeries. “I watched the world from a hospital window,” he recalls.

“The doctors said I would never be able to play any sports,” Jefferson remembers. “But my parents said, ‘to hell with that,’ and let me wrestle, play baseball, football... anything that a ‘normal’ boy was allowed to do.”

Throughout the ups and downs of his younger years, his family tried to facilitate as normal a childhood as possible.

I was seven or eight years old, and the guy in that store saw how sick I was, and just let me play everything

As he became a “regular” at MUSC, Jefferson found his own ways of making the best of his situation. He forged friendships with the hospital staff members. He learned the names of the nurses and their families and memorized their birthdays.

At the nurse’s station, he learned how to play spades and poker. Occasionally, a staff member would slip him a key to the playroom, where he would venture in the middle of a sleepless night. He got to know his constant influx of roommates as best he could, witnessing a multitude of children flowing through his shared room with their own unique ailments and infections. He read the encyclopedia from A-Z. Often, while he was recovering, Jefferson’s mother would take him to the office in West Ashley where she worked, and Jefferson would sleep the days away on the floor next to her desk. When he felt up to it, he would venture next door to a music store, where he became fast friends with the owner.

“I was seven or eight years old, and the guy

He tried to make friends, but his peers often reacted poorly to his scarred face. “Kids can be cruel,” notes Jefferson.

“They can reject what they don’t understand, and they didn’t understand what was going on with me.”

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Jefferson took solace in the friendship of his older brother, David, who included him in everything he and his own friends did. But, he also soon found himself increasingly more impatient with people. He constantly wondered why he was born the way he was, when his peers were seemingly in perfect health, and his frustration boiled over. He began getting into fights at school, and got even angrier when he felt he was punished less severely than his peers because of his medical issues and history.

All that changed in 1989, after his last surgery. After 16 hours under the knife, Jefferson was recovering in his hospital

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Rock On Continued

bed, angrier than ever at his plight.

Suddenly, an 8 year old boy was rolled into the room and transferred to the neighboring bed. Jefferson looked over at his roommate and realized quickly why he had been admitted—the boy had recently lost both of his legs in an accident. The new roommates began talking, and soon Jefferson was struck with a powerful reality.

“That kid talked to me like Dr. Phil, I swear,” Jefferson laughs. “I was complaining about my face and the way I looked, and this kid, who just lost both of his legs, was all concerned about my mental wellbeing. He asked me why I cared about what people thought of my face, and asked me why it mattered. I looked over at him, and that was it. I realized he was right.

It just clicked...and people noticed my attitude change immediately.”

Jefferson never saw that little boy again, but took his advice to heart. He began living his life with a different perspective, and found ways to deal with his facial deformities. He grew a beard to cover some of the scars, and he began to play the guitar, something he found therapeutic. Jefferson also began to sing, in direct opposition to the doctors who once said he would never be able to speak properly, let alone carry a tune. His confidence restored, Jefferson went on to graduate high school, attend the College of Charleston, and meet a woman who he would later marry for a short time and who would be the mother of his two children. He moved to Seattle, Washington, and worked on the initial stages of the Microsoft Xbox development. When he heard his father was sick, however, he moved back home to Summerville to help take care of him. In October of 2007, Jefferson’s dad heard him play his music at a show downtown for the first time, and

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urged him to quit his job and play music for a living.

“So I did,” says Jefferson. “I’ve been a full-time musician ever since.”

Now, Jefferson is the lead singer and guitarist for the Jefferson Coker Band, a local “americana blues funk” group that is fast becoming a household name. The band plays eight to ten shows a month, mostly in the Carolinas, and Jefferson himself plays up to 25 shows a month.

His lyrics are inspired by his own real-life experiences, mostly here in Summerville, and he is diligent in ensuring every song is “something tangible, something that people can reach out and grab onto.”

He also has his own record label, Busted Tooth Records and production company, Sweet Gum Productions, and is raising his two children, Harley and Trystan, out near Ravenel. Though he no longer experiences surgeries on a regular basis, his medical ailments continue to this day.

“There isn’t a day I wake up that I’m not in excruciating pain, but I live with it,” Jefferson admits. “I have stacks of pain prescriptions that haven’t been filled, because I can’t perform right and can’t take care of my kids properly when I’m on them. But it’s crazy: I can be in the worst pain in the world, but as soon as I am performing, as soon as I hit that first note, it goes away. Completely goes away.”

“You know, I no longer question, ‘why was I born this way?’ I just always think, thank God I was. I don’t wish my life on anyone, but at the same time if I had to do it all over again, I’d do it exactly the same.

Because now I am here, and here is exactly where I want to be.”AM

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(Above)"Brown Trout" 10x12 acrylic, (Left) Ashmen at Art Central Gallery

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Michael Ashmen (Art)

Natural Talent

Inspired by the wildlife of the Lowcountry, local artist Michael Ashmen captures the splendor of Carolina by Jana Riley Creativity seems to run in Michael Ashmen’s family.

His cousin was a composer for Disney and wrote music for classics like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. His father is an artist who painted extensively during his son’s childhood. Watching the strokes of his father’s paintbrush against the canvas, mesmerized by the lines, shapes, and colors, Ashmen took an interest in his father’s talent at a young age. One day, his father asked young Michael if he would like to give painting a try, and from the moment he picked up his own paintbrush, he was hooked.

Ashmen pursued artistic opportunities as he grew up, and went on to

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attend the Philadelphia College of Arts, where he studied two- and three-dimensional design. As he perfected his craft, he tried his hand at a variety of artistic techniques, beginning with oil paintings, pencil renderings, pen and ink drawings, and pastels, and then settling into using watercolors for nearly two decades. He began to enter State Duck Stamp Competitions, painting vivid and realistic portraits of waterfowl to be used as the state’s annual hunter’s license stamp. His entries won three times; in the 1995 and 2000 Delaware competitions and in the 2006 Colorado contest.

A New Jersey resident nearly all his life, Michael Ashmen and his wife, Kathy, started visiting family in Summerville in 1990. They

fell in love with the area, and when Ashmen lost his long-term supervisor job at a Philadelphia office partition company in 2005, they sold everything, bought some land, and built a custom house just outside of Summerville proper. The family officially moved to the area in 2007, and Ashmen has been making a living as an independent home inspector and insurance agent ever since.

“In every bit of my free time, though, I make art,” Ashmen adds with a smile.

Since moving to Summerville, Ashmen has found quite a bit of creative inspiration in his own backyard. His home backs up to 1000 privately-owned acres of Lowcountry forest, and the artist regularly finds himself observing and photographing the local flora and fauna.

“I’m always studying,” notes Ashmen. “The light is so important to me—so key to getting a painting right. I could sit on a park bench for hours just studying the way the light and shadows hit the leaves of a certain tree.”

Ashmen carries that attention to detail back to his artwork.

Averaging about 30 hours of work on each painting, he slowly brings each canvas to life with every stroke of his brush. These

days, he tends to stick with acrylics, focusing on natural subjects like the birds, wildlife, and backdrops of the Lowcountry. Using his own perfected techniques—layering washes to create texture and airbrushing for depth of field—the artist captures realistic glimpses into the wilds of Carolina in every piece.

Ashmen and his paintings can often be found among the works of art at Art Central in downtown Summerville. A cooperative gallery where 13 local artists exhibit and sell their work, as well as share the responsibility of running the establishment, Ashmen finds beauty in the unique setup.

“There is a strong diversity in the artists here at Art Central,” he says. “I think being a part of this co-op has completed me more as an artist; by appreciating what the others do in color, texture, and form, I am inspired to try new techniques and continue striving to put out my best. It really is a great environment.”

Fifty-eight years old this year, Ashmen has no intentions of putting down his paintbrush any time soon.

“Art is in me,” he shares. “No matter what, I have to keep painting.”AM

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Bill Dorrity in his shop; One of the many carts Dorrity makes for children in need

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Bill Dorrity (Community)

The Call of the Woodsmith

Backed by the support of his community, Bill Dorrity provides orphaned children with handcrafted toys of their own

by Jana Riley

Mr. Bill Dorrity stands before me in his woodshop near Summerville-an 86-year-old man on a mission. Wearing a paint-splattered apron, his thick square glasses slightly magnifying bright blue eyes, and sporting a World War II and Korean War Veteran cap, he looks around his shop, searching. Surrounded by stacks of wooden wheels, identically-cut squares of plywood, cans of paint, and a multitude of tools, Dorrity plucks a manila folder from a shelf and begins sifting through a stack of news clippings. Finally, he pulls out a photo of a smiling little girl and hands it to me.

“That right there –that’s why I do it,” he says smiling, and hands me another photo. This time, it’s a group shot of a few dozen kids, all grinning, each standing next to a bright red wooden pushcart. “It’s all

for them,” he says, as he pulls out the next photo. I turn my eyes away from the shots of the children for a moment and look at Mr. Dorrity. He is staring at the image in his hand, beaming, as his eyes travel from face to face. “I’m just so proud of these kids,” he sighs.

Dorrity builds small toy carts for orphans across three states, often providing the children with the first toy they have ever called their own.

He began crafting them about five years ago, when he was volunteering at Lowcountry Orphan Relief in Charleston with his wife, Alise.

“My bride,” he says, as he refers to Alise, “she goes down there every Friday for a few hours, and I started coming along and doing basic building repairs. I got to noticing the little children that came in, and they were never given any toys, just clothing. I said, ‘Couldn't I make something for them, maybe a little cart or something?’ That’s where it all started.”

After drawing up some basic plans, Dorrity began building the small wooden toys, delivering load upon load to the organization. With every new cart and every happy child, he found himself wanting to expand his reach even more.

AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

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The Call of the Woodsmith Continued

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“I started looking for another organization I could send some carts to, and a Shriner friend of mine suggested the Children’s Hospital in Greenville,” he recalls. “I was excited and sent some there as soon as I could. And then I found another orphanage and another one and then another one...”

He trails off, grinning.

The carts are always well-received. For smaller children, the height of the handle is perfect for steadying themselves as they toddle around, learning to walk. The older children like to use the them to ferry items around and race each other. All of the kids love to have a toy to call their own.

Although Dorrity doesn’t know how many carts he has built in the last five years—“I started numbering [them] one time and got to 364 and quit. I know it’s well over 500, though, he is quick to point out that the project would not be a success without the help of the community.

“When you come into my shop, no matter what you put your hand on in here, I can put a name to it,” Dorrity tells me in his gruff yet friendly tone. “So many of these tools and cart parts have been donated, and I never forget who gave them to me.” He directs me toward a stack of cut PVC pipes.

“You see those down there? Those are my handles. That’s Quincy. He makes me all of those.” He points to a drill press next to me.

“Put your hand on that right there. That’s Roy Hartman.” Motioning to a nearby sander, “That sander over there is Jim Boggs.” He continues. “Lowcountry Paint Company in Summerville provides me with paint that is $95 a gallon. It’s a special paint that a child can’t chew off and it isn’t toxic to them. And Betty Smith went to Nashville and brought back a thousand screws for the axles on the carts.” Dorrity pulls a card out of his wallet and hands it to me. It is a business card for a manager at the Lowe’s in town, with a hand-scrawled note on the back.. Mr. Dorrity reads it aloud proudly.

“We will cut all of Mr. Dorrity's wood to size until 12/31/2013, free of charge.” He looks at me. “Can you believe that? You wouldn’t believe how much time that saves me.” Then he points to a table folded up in the corner. “That over there is a replica of

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General Patton’s field table. I built it after a friend let me borrow the actual table Patton used.” He goes on to explain that he built another replica of Patton’s table for the General’s grandson, who repaid the favor by promising to send a private jet any time Dorrity has a load of carts to ship to a neighboring state. He has since kept that promise numerous times.

Dorrity regularly attended lectures by Albert Einstein when he visited Harvard

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Looking around his shop, carts in varying stages of completion in every corner, everything covered in a light layer of sawdust, Mr. Dorrity shakes his head in grateful disbelief. “I could keep naming people who help make this possible, but it would take a very, very long time.”

His life has been full of many varied adventures. He spent years as a University of Maine physics professor, and regularly attended lectures by Albert Einstein when he visited Harvard. He is a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, and was a Senior Engineer for the U.S. Defense Department. At 60, he sailed from Florida to Maine with his cat, Scratch, and later wrote a book about the adventure (from the cat’s perspective) titled, Scratch at the Helm. His stories run the gamut from shocking to enviable to exciting and beyond.

But as he shares with me the delight and joy he feels in building and providing these carts for orphaned children, his eyes light up, and it is clear that this venture may be the most rewarding yet. AM

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High Spirits

in the Lowcountry

TASTE High Spirits in the Lowcountry Three drinks with local history text and recipes by

Fred Downs

St. Cecilia Society Punch

AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

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High Spirits

in the Lowcountry

"I find the residents of Charles Town most cordial and lively." - Harriott Pinckney Horry, 1770

T

he history of our Lowcountry is a rich lesson in diversity, from its splendid and assorted foods, cultural wealth, religious tolerances and social classes, all flowing together in a colorful concoction of beauty and synthesis. From Georgetown to Beaufort there was abject poverty yet spaces of royal opulence so different, but so forgivingly knotted together. The towns centered around a growing middle class, the "middling sort," of merchants and a seafaring trade. Soon we saw the rise of an entrenched "gentile" class which were usually large land owners and their extended families. They built spacious houses and lived a gentleman’s lifestyle, living for the day and enjoying the best of what the new frontier would offer.

Outside the cities, life was extensively tied to the land and the circadian seasons of growth and harvest. On the great plantations were the enslaved, working the land and unknowingly setting an iconic cultural path.

As European trade increased and the embroiled wars of Europe drug on, we see the migration of working farmers fleeing for peace and tolerance, but few really found it. Yet, there rapidly grew an attitude of independence and self-suffi40

AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

ciency, which within two centuries mounted the movement to reject the yolk of England and birth a new country.

Charleston was the social gathering place with revelry and celebration becoming ritualistic. Affluence allowed for a wide choice of wines and the best brandies from Europe, the finest rum imported from the West Indies, and Madeira from Portugal. On the plantations and farms they quickly utilized locally grown fruits and shrubs such as berries and roots, and borrowing heavily from the British, produced the colonist favorite drink, “punch,” of which there were two general categories: special occasion and common.

Derived from the Hindu word "paantsch," meaning five, is the number of ingredients that artfully made rather interesting and very regional potions. Originally these included varying quantities of alcohol, sugar (simple syrup), lemon, tea, and water. The local "special occasion" favorites which are still in use today are the Chatham Artillery Punch, the Charleston Light Dragoon Punch, Cotillion Punch, and the darling of all, St. Cecilia Society Punch—each with a famously entertaining history.

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High Spirits

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St. Cecilia Society Punch

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ST. CECILIA SOCIETY PUNCH 1 cup of Hennessy brandy 2 thinly sliced Meyer’s lemons ½ cup of sliced pineapple 1 cup of brewed green tea ¾ cup of sugar (originally simple syrup made from molasses)

½ cup of rum ¼ cup of peach schnapps 2 cups of chilled sparkling water 1 bottle of well chilled champagne

• Combine brandy and lemons in a large bowl and let steep overnight • Add pineapples to the brandy mixture and let sit for a least 3 hours • Add next three ingredients and stir until sugar dissolves • Add sparkling water and champagne and schnapps • This is generally poured over a block of ice in a large punch bowl, however serving over large ice cubes in a glass works just as well

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High Spirits

in the Lowcountry

Charleston Light Dragoon’s Punch The Charleston Light Dragoons was a volunteer militia established in 1792, shortly after Congress established a national militia for the new country. Being a volunteer also meant being rather elite, which may very well mean, a lot of social outings. As you may recognize, this body has a long and most splendid history, much too long for exploration here…Our pursuit is the drink famously named for this storied group.

CHARLESTON LIGHT DRAGOON’S PUNCH 2 cups of sugar ½ qt. of Jamaican rum Juice of 1 dozen lemons 1 qt. of peach brandy 2 qts. of black tea Zest from the lemons Carbonated water • Mix into a large bowl in the order given.

• Serve in glasses allowing your guest to add the water individually

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Shandy The indigenous Indians introduced the use of spruce pine that rendered a beer-like beverage which became a popular drink throughout the colonies. A rather potent brew by itself, when mixed with cider, it became quite palatable, a cousin to the British ‘Shandy,’ which was a mix of stout and ginger ale. Brewed beverages were ubiquitous throughout the colonies and I was interested in the relationship to the ‘Shandy,’ which is the shortening of ‘Shandygaff ’, the equal mixture of a good stout, or dark Lager beer and ginger ale. Willing to be adventuresome, you could kick it up a notch and mix Guinness Stout with equal parts Blenheim Ginger Ale. SHANDY Stout or dark lager beer Ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or cider • Fill half a Pilsner glass with beer • Slowly add the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, this will have an extra-foamy head, so take care (shown with ginger ale)

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NATURAL WOMAN

Forgiveness and Funky Chickens

by Susan Frampton

I carry a wine glass brimming with buttery promise as I step off the porch and head for the chair in the backyard. I love this golden hour of the afternoon when the sun paints the yard with a soft, mellow glow, and there is no more peaceful place to sit back, unwind and breathe in the perfume of green leaves and sun-warmed soil. But today as I reach the last step, thoughts of peace are shattered by the path of destruction I see leading to the end of the walkway. Mums up-rooted and headless, wilted pansies strewn across the neatly laid bricks, and leafless ferns standing startled and naked in their terra-cotta pots. I hear a sudden chorus of cackles, and a flurry of bright feathers streaks past me. Somebody call the poultry police—the chickens have struck again!

This is not the first offense of the four Frampton chicks, and though I should be furious, I can’t quite control the laughter that bubbles up at the sight of their chubby legs pumping like pistons as they scatter—their yellow beaks trailing long vines of ill-gotten greens.

I sigh and take a deep cleansing breath and a big slug of wine.

Guilty orange eyes peer at me from behind the shrubbery as I drop into the chair to survey the damage, and I return their gaze with my best narrow-eyed, menacing face. They are unimpressed by the effort, and their remorse is short-lived. Within seconds the first hen sneaks up from behind and rockets to the arm of the chair, fanning my face with feathers and sending chardonnay skyward. The rest are not far behind.

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RAL NATU N WOMA

“Bad chicken!” I sputter, shooing the boldest away as she pecks at my earring. This trick has earned her bread crusts in the past, and she’s betting today will be no different. Sure enough, wiping wine from my cheek, I pull bread from my pocket and watch as they run like retrievers to the pieces I fling across the yard.

I was not enthusiastic when my husband suggested we add chickens to our family last winter. Having wrangled dogs, wild piglets, turtles, and snakes through the years, I had no great desire to add fowl play to my resume. Promising Martha Stewartlike scenes of pastoral beauty, fresh eggs, and organic fertilizer, his arguments finally swayed me to Team Chicken, and confident that these ladies would require little of my time or attention, we were soon hurtling down the highway with a carload of cacklers.

In retrospect, we’ve no one but ourselves to blame for these funky chickens.

We’ve allowed bad behavior and raised bad birds. Some might even say we’ve spoiled them. Each afternoon at five o’clock, they settle down onto the welcome mat on our back porch to watch Dr. Oz through the glass door, and each weekend my husband herds them into their traveling crate to be carried to their waterfront coop at our lake house. Even the dog rolls her eyes.

A year later, they’ve scratched almost all of the grass from our formerly lush backyard, eaten prized plants down to the dirt, and as on this occasion, wasted good wine by launching themselves unexpectedly into my arms. They think it’s hilarious to peck at my nail polish, and they deposit their organic fertilizer with no sense of decorum – but with an uncanny knack for knowing where one of us will step. And yet, again and again, we forgive them their sins,

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laugh at their antics, and carry bread in our pockets.

One might reasonably ask what stands between Henny Penny and chicken cordon bleu? A question I ponder as I later sweep away potting soil and carry ravaged plants to the compost pile. Then, as the sun begins to dip, I watch as each bird trudges

They think it’s hilarious to peck at my nail polish, and they deposit their organic fertilizer with no sense of decorum wearily to the coop, fluffs her feathers, and climbs to the perch like a tired child after a day of play. Following behind and into the coop, I reach into the straw to find the four perfect brown eggs they have left earlier in the day as their peace offering.

Latching the gate to tuck them in for the night, I hear the soft clucks and purrs of sleepy hens. Tomorrow, I'll re-pot plants and hose off the welcome mat. Again. Tonight? Stepping carefully, I look down at the eggs in my hand. Tonight, there will be omelets.

“Sleep tight, girls," I call out softly. Once again, all is forgiven. AM

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Spring has arrived! I invite you to get out and enjoy all that Summerville has to offer this season. Here are a few of the highlights you will want to add to your calendar: - ANNUAL FLOWERTOWN FESTIVAL April 5, 6 & 7 - FARMERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MARKET April 13 through November 23 First Citizens Bank Parking Lot - LOWCOUNTRY COLONIAL DAYS March 2, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site - SCULPTURE IN THE SOUTH May 18 & 19, Azalea Park

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Mayor, Town of Summerville

SOUTHERN RAMBLER

For the Love of Barbecue

by Chris Campeau

I like barbecue. No, I really like barbecue. Not pork roast in the crock pot topped with a bottle of store-bought-something either. In my world, when God dropped down manna from heaven it was pulled pork stuffed between two pillowy clouds of John Derst bread. Lightly sauced, of course, with a hint of smoke in every bite. Why would anyone stop wandering in the desert when they could eat that every day? Especially if some fried pork skins were thrown in every now and then. Finish it off with tea so sweet it makes your teeth hurt. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heaven on earth right there.

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ERN SOUTHLER RAMB

My love of barbecue runs so deep I have become a certified judge of the stuff. I also travel the Deep South on a barbecue cook team. When my friends ask what I’m doing on the weekends, if I’m not judging or cooking, I sheepishly tell them I’m going to another local, legendary barbecue joint like Lone Star Barbecue & Mercantile in Santee. Or Sweatman’s in Holly Hill.

I may even make the trip to McCabe’s in Manning. And if not those, I’ll at least eat at my home away from home, Kelly’s here in Summerville.

One of the greatest things about driving everywhere out of my love for barbecue is that I get to see more of the South than I thought possible. And although, I’ve only judged and cooked competitively for a few years, I’ve seen a lot of places that I wouldn’t, had it not been for my quest for perfect pork. When you travel a lot, you tend to drive a lot; and when you drive a lot and cook a lot, you are often afforded time to think. That’s one of the greatest things about barbecue.

remains consistent—ensuring the amount of smoke infused into the meat is just right. Nothing much compares to sitting in a lawn chair at two in the morning in the midst of a parking lot, street gutter, or a muddy field, blinking through the smoky haze of burning coals and seasoned wood.

For certain, there’s lots of time to reflect.

Getting lost in my thoughts in the wee hours of the morning has helped me discern what is really valuable in life. My love of barbecue has convicted me to do whatever I’ve committed to with all my heart, soul, and strength. If it’s worth pursuing, it’s worth immersing myself in everything about it. I compete in spite of the fact that there’s a lot to do in my life. It pains me to miss my kid’s football game or to put off cutting the grass or painting the shed, but traveling the barbecue circuit helps me to appreciate it all to the fullest—my kids that love me, my beautiful and adoring wife who tolerates my quirks, and my God who gives me purpose. For me, barbecue is less about competition and more about reflecting on the love that sustains me.

Nothing much compares to sitting in a lawn chair at two in the morning in the midst of a parking lot, street gutter, or a muddy field...

My fellow cookers and I usually arrive to our cook sites early on Friday mornings to set up our tents, tables, and smokers.

We usually compete in four different categories, so there’s plenty to do: trim the chicken, inject the pork, season the ribs, and the bane of my existence—smoke the beef brisket. Then, the waiting begins. The down time is plentiful in barbecue competitions. Good barbecue takes hours to cook. Because judging usually occurs at lunch time on the second day, the smoker has to be carefully monitored throughout the night to be sure the temperature

With the sunrise comes a steady stream of chores: arrange the chicken, sauce the ribs, pull the pork, slice the brisket.

Amongst the thoughts of preparation are the thoughts of my family, of gratefulness, and of my God from whom all blessings (like this legacy I’ll pass on) flow. And then the contest is over. The smoke dissipates and my thoughts turn to the too-long trip to return to the only other thing that matters—home. AM

It fit perfectly. The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management was the perfect puzzle piece for me. I don’t regret a second of it. I have a bachelor’s degree and an associate’s degree, and I am now able to pursue the career I want.

Kara Johnson

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LIFE & FAITH

Interviewing Your Daughter’s Date

by Will Browning

When this article hits the stands, my oldest child will officially be a teenager. Is there a more awkward time in human existence than the year we all turned thirteen? Acne, a cracking voice, body image issues, and inelegant social interactions all marked my first year as a teenager. Awkward indeed. Soon this stage will pass as well, and I’m keenly aware of how quickly then the dating years will be upon us. Because of that, this question has been on my mind: What can I do to help my kids manage the dating stage without too much collateral damage?

During my research I ran across a piece entitled, Interviewing Your Daughter’s Date, from the world-renowned family expert and founder of Family Life Today, Dennis Rainey…. Right now you may be thinking of the Rodney Atkins approach popularized in his song, “Cleaning This Gun?” (Hey y'all run along and have some fun; I'll see you when you get back. Bet I’ll be up all night still cleanin' this gun.) While this is about protecting your daughter’s honor, allow me to suggest a method that won’t get you arrested. Here’s what Rainey had to say, along with a few ideas of my own:

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LIFE & FAITH

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The idea is simple. Before your daughter gets to the dating age, take her out yourself.

Show her how a lady should be treated. After you have paid for the bill, tell her this: “Honey, I take you on these dates for a few reasons. First, I love spending time with you. You are a wonderful young lady and very beautiful. Because you are such an exceptional young lady, one day boys are going to take interest in you and want you to go with them on a date. God has given me a special responsibility. He wants me to protect and provide for you, but one day I am going to relinquish my role as protector and provider to your husband. I’m committed to helping you find a man who will honor and value you like God and I do. So in a few years when you start dating, I want any boy who desires to go on a date with you to come talk with me first. I won’t embarrass you or the young man but I want him to know how special you are.”

Here are the goals of the interview with your daughter’s date: • Ward off boys who lack character. – I suspect that it will be a real shock to a boy when the response to his request to ask our daughter on a date is, “Sure, I would love to go out with you but you must first be interviewed by my father.” Boys who are looking for a cheap thrill with our daughters will likely look for an easier prey than endure an interview with an involved father.

• Express the intrinsic value of a woman. – The goal here is to encourage a young man to understand he has an important role.

For the night, my wife and I trust that he will do the same things we have done for our daughter for years leading up to their date. I want the young man to understand his job is to protect and provide. I may use this example. “My daughter has great value to me. I want you to treat her like I have

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treated her. Do you understand what I am saying? If a gunman were to come into the restaurant where you are eating tonight, I fully expect that you will protect my daughter at all costs. Do you understand?”

• Give clear expectations on how one should conduct themselves. – Our children are our greatest prize. Most teenage boys can relate to the idea of prized possessions. I remember when I got my first car; I treated it like it was gold. I even had certain rules if you wanted to ride in my car.

No food or drinks allowed. Knock off your shoes. Stuff like that. During the interview, I will express to the young man that my daughter is the apple of my eye. And in the same way he might have rules for anyone who borrows his car, I have some rules for anyone who wants to date my daughter.

At this point we can talk about curfew, safe driving, and most importantly – keeping our hands to ourselves!

• Make an investment in a young man. – The goal is not to scare the young man but to have an older man speak into a younger man’s life. Truthfully, all younger men desire for an older man to look him in the eye and encourage him to “step-up” and be a man. I hope that my two boys, when they begin dating, will have a father on the other side challenging them to step-up towards true manhood and honor the women in their lives.

In a world where femininity is exploited and where men are reducing women to objects out of lust, someone must take a stand for the value of a lady. I believe it is our job as parents to elevate the value of our daughters to reflect the same worth our Creator sees in His children. We must also breathe that truth into the next generation. This is just one small place to start. AM

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BRETT GARDNER

OPENS UP ABOUT RURAL SOUTH CAROLINA, ALL THOSE ONLINE “FACTS,” AND WEARING THOSE FAMOUS PINSTRIPES. by

Katie DePoppe & Will Rizzo

photos by

Dottie Rizzo

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE STARTING AT LOW COUNTRY HARLEY DAVIDSON THE UNDY IS A MOTORCYCLE CHARITY RIDE THAT COVERS NEARLY MILES OF THE BEAUTIFUL

In

2008, a headline ran in the New York Times that read, “DiMaggio to Mantle to Williams to ... Gardner?” In it, Jack Curry asked Brett Gardner, then playing Class AAA for Scranton-Wilkes Barre, if he could see himself as the starting centerfielder for the Yankees—one of the most storied positions in baseball history. He was answered with an emphatic, “Absolutely.”

Using “confident” and “competitive” to describe someone who’s gone from Holly Hill, South Carolina to Yankee Stadium unscathed seem gross understatements, but to anyone who’s ever met Gardner, those words are the right ones. In Curry’s article, Gardner’s father Jerry, a minor league center fielder himself, was cited as saying, “He’s always been competitive since he was knee high to a grasshopper. If someone was eating an ice cream cone, he’d eat his faster.” Surely raw talent and hard work are factors too, but as Gardner leans back in his chair, legs stretched out, arms crossed, and tells me his story in the same concise, focused way he plays on the field, it’s evident the game is in his veins.

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Growing up on 2,800 acres of cotton, corn, wheat, and soybeans had its perks. Life was at a slower pace than it is now, and there was a lot of time and adequate room for sports. From T-ball to youth baseball to American Legion, baseball was part of Gardner’s life from the beginning. Later as a teenager at Holly Hill Academy, in addition to America’s favorite pastime, he played football and basketball too.

In 2001, he entered the College of a Charleston as a freshman.

Eighteen years old and 155 pounds, Gardner was running the 60yard dash at 6.5 seconds. Rumor has it he showed up that first day of walk-on tryouts in his high school uniform. "Nope, that's not true," he says. A month after that first day, he was called back to play. The next year, he was a starter.

Gardner had a productive year his junior year at College of Charleston. His batting average was hovering around 400, and he led the team in stolen bases. That season was met with a lot of promise for his future. Most of the pro scouts were anticipating him to be drafted into the big leagues between the sixth and tenth rounds. But

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after 50 rounds, Gardner’s name was never called.

“I was disappointed,” he recalls, “but I used that as motivation.”

Gardner took that summer off from baseball. He focused on working out and adding weight in preparation for his senior year. He was lucky to have another strong season. In 2005, as the last pick of the third round, he was drafted to the Yankees.

He began his pro career playing short-season ball with the Staten Island Yankees, and in 2006 moved to Tampa to play with the Yankees’ High-A team, where he made the all-star team at the midway point in the season.

" The successful players are the ones who have figured out a way to play with consistency

After the all-star game, Gardner got word that he was moving up to the Double-team.

“In my opinion the jump from Single-A to Double-A is the hardest jump,” Gardner says. Single-A is all prospects. You’ve got a lot of guys that are still trying to figure things out.”

He began the 2007 season in DoubleA, and again at the midway point of the season was moved up to Triple-A. He admits that this involved a learning curve for him.

“The competition is on an entirely different level,” he says. “There are guys in this league who have played in the majors and guys who really know how to pitch. There are a lot of guys who have what it takes, but can’t keep things consistent. I think that’s what separates the minors from the big leagues. The successful players are the ones who have figured out a way to play with consistency."

On June 30, 2008, Gardner’s dreams came true. He was called to the big leagues to start for arguably the most storied sports franchise in American history. He started that game against the Texas Rangers at left field standing on the same turf as baseball legends like Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel, Roy White, Lou Piniella,

"

and Dave Winfield.

“I had never seen a game at Yankee stadium,” Gardner says. “I was a little nervous. Considering where I had come from it was a pretty big culture shock,” he adds. “Getting ready for the game, putting on those pinstripes...it was a pretty special moment.”

When asked, he couldn’t recall the awards he’s won—including two consecutive Fielding Bible Awards in 2010 and 2011 as the best fielding left fielder in Major League Baseball or the stolen base title in 2011— but he could give a play-by-play of a moment in the game played on September 21, 2008. Gardner came in to pinch run for Jason Giambi, and in the bottom of the seventh inning, scored a run. He became the last player to ever score, and the last guy to stand in center field at the legendary Yankee stadium (1923-2008).

In 2009, at the start of the franchise’s 107th season, the team moved into the new Yankee stadium where Gardner was the first to start at center field. That same year the Yankees won their 40th American League pennant and their 27th World Series title. “We broke it in right,” Gardner says.

During the off-season, Gardner, his wife, Jessica, and their two sons, Hunter and Miller, live in the Lowcountry, just 30 minutes from his childhood home in Holly Hill. “I go there a couple times a week,” Gardner says. “I enjoy riding around on my family’s farm and hunting. I can turn my phone off for a couple hours and just relax.”

And when the 2013 season begins? After coming off a stint on the Disabled List with a wrist injury, Gardner’s ultimate goal is to stay healthy. “That’s all that I could ask for,” he says. “To play as long as I can.”AM AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

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Couple of Collectors A

photos by Dottie Rizzo

photo by Peter Mueller

W

hile the emergence of big-box stores has brought the possibility of designer style to the masses, this trend makes Jake and Brooke Sunding’s home even more of a rarity today. Filled to the brim with a plethora of meaningful objects and carefully chosen furniture, their relaxed and eclectic style gives new meaning to “personalized.” Even with an abundance of trinkets and collectibles, there’s a place for everything thanks to copious shelving and creative storage—all which work to achieve a refined aesthetic while maintaining a relaxed and livable feel. Overflowing bookshelves, art-filled walls, and teeming surfaces limn the home these two collectors always hoped to create.

our home will never be complete. it's always a work in progress.

From porcelain figurines to Russian nesting dolls, books to musical instruments, nothing comes through their doors that they don’t love. “We look for objects of quality—time is a good test, so older objects tend to win space easier than new things,” says Jake. “Brass is a big deal because it lasts forever, but we don’t care if something needs a little work, that’s just part of the game.”

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The Sundings spend most Saturdays scouring the Summerville landscape for yard sale signs, on the hunt for their next quirky piece of art, retro bread box, vintage instrument, or ceramic gnome. Both North Carolina natives who met while attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jake, a mechanical engineer and musician, and Brooke, a doctoral candidate in psychology, use their weekend family getaways as a creative outlet to escape their more cerebral day jobs. Their 1920 arts-and-crafts home serves as a means to display the varied interests that make the couple tick.

And the personalization doesn’t stop with them.

Their children, Clark (3) and Lela (1), are incorporated into the design everywhere—from colorful shelves brimming with toys, whimsical artwork, and mobiles hanging from the ceiling of their playroom, to banners of homemade finger-paintings and doodles strung in the kitchen. A mix of antique furniture, retro adornments, and bright patterns overflow

LOUNGING AROUND Opposite: The living room lets in plenty of warm natural light This page: The life of a farm dog is harder than it looks

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from one room to the next, creating a cohesive design which runs from the entryway, up the picture-lined stairwell, to every corner—as if to invite visitors to explore every nook and cranny of the living space.

“Our home will never be complete,” Jake says. “It's always a work in progress.” The family is now in the process of converting the property’s original carriage house into a music studio where Jake will complete his second solo album. Eventually, all of the instruments—mostly “big deal” brass—will be moved from the main house to the studio, thus opening up another room to fill with treasures.

Such is the life of a couple of collectors. AM AZALEAMAG.COM / SPRING 2013

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A Recollection of the Alaskan Frontier by Katie DePoppe

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It’s five days before Christmas, and Nancy Hudock sits across from me at her dining room table. Small, with drawn features, she is thin, but not like in the pictures and albums that lay scattered before us.

In them, she is fit. And tan. “Didn’t have an ounce of fat on me,” she says, “I was so strong.” Our conversation has just begun, but before I even sip my coffee, I ask her. I can’t help myself—I just have to know.

“Why’d you go?”

She smiles and the eyes I see through her glasses turn up at the corners, just like her lips, and she tilts her head toward me.

“Ah, there’s the insanity.”

Rule #1 Find your heart’s dream. But when you do, sometimes you must leave it all behind “If you’ve got a heart’s dream, then you’ve got to let go. That’s the hard part—letting go,” she says.

In 1988, Nancy boarded a plane for Kotzebue, Alaska, leaving behind her four grown children and every familiar thing she’d ever known— except for six boxes and the stories her father told.

They’d be fine, she told herself, of the lives she’d helped to mold who now had lives of their own. Two were working; two in college. And her new job as a flight nurse would not only secure her financial future after struggling as a single mother, but it would be the great adventure her father had always talked about.

“Dad always said if you wanted to have a real adventure, you needed to go to Alaska,” she says.

She’d grown up the oldest daughter of a man who had no sons. He taught her to hunt and fish and to listen carefully to his research of the Alaskan wilderness and his stories about flying a plane. And she would later credit him for her own 20-year love affair with the Yukon. A daughter of the land, even as a child she knew playing in the woods of Stanhope, New Jersey, was just the beginning.

“Did he, your father, ever get to go?”

No, she’d done it in part to fulfill his dream too.

“Oh, I can just hear his laughter,” she says and pauses. “He would’ve gotten a kick out of me.”

Rule #2 Everything that goes in, goes in on your back

as teams. No one was cooking her supper while she chopped wood.

And there was always hauling and chopping, lifting and gardening and hunting to do.

“I semi-subsisted,” she says.

She and the three families on the river took turns hunting, and the meat—every single part of the animal—was divided amongst them.

When it was her turn, she was lucky. The moose, all 1,000 pounds of him, had lots of space to keep away from her, but he walked into her “yard.” She shot him from her front porch at 250 yards.

The cabin where she lived, built by a lone friend, worked from solar power and a diesel generator in emergencies. It was surrounded by gardens of turnips and cabbage in the growing season. The front yard was 40 feet from the river, while the back was part of the six million acres that bled into Denali National Park.

Nothing about living there was easy.

The post office, laundromat, gas station, and bar were 22 miles away.

And with a two and a half hour trek for groceries, she learned to lighten her load.

"I gave up beer and went to whiskey," she laughs. "It was easier to carry."

On Sundays, weather permitting, she’d go the roadhouse, five miles upstream, to do the New York Times crossword and call the kids. For a long while, she had no snow machines and no phone. And it took her two years to hook up her own Citizens’ Band (CB) radio.

“Did you worry about her?” I ask her daughter, Amy. Yes, but nothing about what her mother had done in those 20 years surprised her. “She talked a lot about being independent and living in the wilderness growing up,” she says. And still the wilderness is her topic of choice.

Now all that remains of survival are good memories. The hard times have faded with time.

“The only thing is,” says Nancy, who now lives in the indigo-colored house with a white picket fence and an ancient oak across the street, “I miss doing things that way.”

Rule #3: Have your gun on you at all times “I broke the rule,” she says. “I stuck my gun in the back with my stuff.

I could have reached it if I’d had a few moments. But when a moose attacks you, you don’t have a few moments.”

“Yes, but I don’t miss what it took to do it. The time had come….”

She trails off.

It was June, and there was little snow in the woods and she could finally see the dirt roads to get home. Coming from a nursing contract in Dillingham, she’d parked her truck on the road, loaded her luggage on the six-wheeler, and set out to cover the seven miles to home.

Charlie, the half basset, half lab was leading the way.

You spend at least three hours a day just surviving. That’s why no one thought a woman could do it alone. The far-off neighbors she saw only in pleasant weather, were betting against her. She was the only one, female or male. And the others—16 households within 250 square miles—were married couples and families, and they worked

They came down by the river, using the sandbar as a road, until she maneuvered the machine, piled so high with luggage and gear that she couldn’t see behind her, into a narrow with hills on both sides.

It was only then that the moose and her calf at the other side of the river came into view.

“So you miss it?” I ask. “Living there?”

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The animal was suddenly charging, and within seconds, was so close that her snorts speckled Nancy’s glasses.

“When you live in the wilderness, you have pain. You learn a lot about it,” she says.

“There was nowhere to go,” she says. “Nothing to get under. Nothing to climb. We were trapped.”

Over the next eight years, everything changed again. Eventually her body, once fit and strong, grew tired. "When you're there, you can't depend on anyone else," she says. She left Alaska only to return and then leave again once more.

And so, she and Charlie fought. They fought until their muscles ached and they were both wet, and Nancy’s throat burned the sounds she made trying to stay alive. They fought, those two who ate together and slept bundled in bed side by side; those two who were now prepared to die together, if that’s how it had to end. Nancy avoided the long, powerful legs trying to crush her, and Charlie leapt and lunged, biting and snarling, and the slobber flew from her mouth. It seemed to last for hours.

Nature is sometimes cruel—its way of making you lose your breath in a splendid moment and then taking it from you in the next. “If I could have gotten to my .44, I could have killed her,” she says, the concern, even years later, still in her face for the calf who could have lost its mother. "I probably would have shot in the air first to scare her. It was crippling to me that she had a baby.," she adds.

But Charlie changed it all.

“I don’t know how she did it, but she managed to run the moose to the top of the hill overlooking the narrow,” Nancy recalls. They fled quickly and the massive animal, to their surprise, did not follow.

Charlie suffered renal failure the next day. She had fought until her body nearly gave out, and the vet told Nancy she wouldn’t make it a year.

“What happened?” I ask.

“Charlie lived four more years after that,” she says, and she holds out the more.

Nancy is now under 100 pounds; her body is still in survival mode after all this time, but her mind still recollects every sunset and snowflake of the land she'll always love.

Rule #5 The moisture in the air isn’t the only thing that sparkles She whispers that one of her best memories was of an Eskimo village.

She was called to help a beloved elder, who, following a brain tumor, began to suffer seizures. It was 40 below, and she arrived at his front door with a 70 pound backpack.

“A crowd was outside the door. They told me, ‘we’re so glad you’re here,’ and then parted like the Red Sea,” she says.

When inside, the brown eyes of an Eskimo child—his face right next to hers—glistened in the fire and watched her closely as she administered medication and an IV. When the old man was secured in the stretcher, six others in their fur parkas, carried him to the airplane in reverence.

“There was a sparkle in the snow, it was so cold,” she remembers. “At that temperature, any bit of moisture in the air sparkles.”

And I know the look she’s giving me now, because we’ve all loved a dog.

And in the moment she finishes this story, I can see Charlie—long gone from here—still leaping from the porch of Nancy’s cabin into the snow.

The Eskimo people gathered around as the procession moved steadily forward, marching as quickly as possible to prevent the IV from freezing.

She was enveloped by a sea of faces, wrapped in fur and murmuring in their own language—and the ground was a sea of diamonds.

Rule #4: Never stop fighting

“Most of my good stories were in flight,” she says, closing her eyes and savoring the moment again. “Unbelievable stories!”

Alaska living wasn’t easy. Simple, but not easy. And there were many close calls and grand adventures in the years Nancy was there. Like the battle with the moose, she nearly froze to death in a white-out, and was stranded on a rocky riverbank after her raft overturned. She even took on one of the last great wilderness rivers, the 435-mile Noatak, with headwaters 800 miles from any other human being. She was in the midst of nature in a way most of us will never experience. And she learned to love and accept its cruel and beautiful way. With each new experience, if she didn’t die, she lived a little more.

She’s written some of them down, but can’t bring herself to narrate them in the first person. Amy, an English professor, encourages her to do it, and the love of literature is something they share.

Just like Mother Nature, cancer is cruel and doesn’t play favorites. It was the week after Christmas in Kotzebue. The wind chill was -80. The snow was horizontal, and she had to crawl on her hands and knees through the twenty-foot drifts to make it to her hospital shift. No one else made it in. The nurses were trapped there making their patients' breakfast. It was that night, that she realized something was wrong.

She can’t explain it all right then. She’s tired and sick. But they wanted the same things, she and Thoreau. Simplicity and for everything to be unapologetically real. Nature is like that. In the wilderness, every day is new. When you really see it, you know all about God.

Her medical friends ran tests.

“Don’t blow this one off, Hudock,” they’d said. Uterine cancer, she later found.

“Don’t give up.” That’s what she told herself the night of the white-out. That’s what she thought as the moose attacked. That’s what ran through her mind every day in Alaska. And it’s what she told herself now.

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“Speaking of,” I say, “Can you tell me about Thoreau?”

She almost looks pained and there’s a long pause. “Mmm. Have you read Thoreau? Yeah, haven’t we all?”

“I found an author when I was up there,” she says. His name is Robert Service. “‘The Spell of the Yukon,’ his poem, have you seen it?” Her voice cracks a little when she asks me.

She breathes in slowly and for a split second, I can tell she’s back on the front porch of her cabin.

“I want it read at my funeral.”AM

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GET A FREE WEEK WITH ANY TANNING PACKAGE

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Your comprehensive list of

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MONTHLY EVENTS WALKING TOURS OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT Daily, by Appointment Downtown Summerville The Summerville Dorchester Museum is offering two guided walking tours around Summerville: one of old planter Summerville and the other of the West End. Walkers will also learn about the railroad history of Summerville. Tours are available daily by appointment.

Each tour covers about one mile and takes approximately one hour. Cost: $10 per adult/$5 child (ages 12 - 18; under 12 free) cash only.

Call (843) 875-9666 for more information.

GET A HEAD START ON YOUR SUMMER TAN

1585 CENTRAL AVE. SUMMERVILLE 843.873.1003 (NEXT TO PUBLIX) 82

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THIRD THURSDAY IN DOWNTOWN SUMMERVILLE Third Thursday of Every Month, 5-8pm Come support your local downtown retail shops and restaurants as they stay open late to invite you in for special deals and special meals.

Sponsored by the Businesses of Downtown Summerville and Summerville DREAM. Visit www.summervilledream.org for information.

CAMELLIA WALKS AT MIDDLETON PLACE Tuesdays Thursdays & Saturdays until March 23rd Guided tours focus on camellias throughout the original gardens as well as the “new” camellia garden of the 1950s. Admire hundreds of varieties, including the 1786 “Reine des Fleurs”, one of the first camellias planted in America. Begins at 11am. Tours begin at the Garden Market & Nursery and last approximately 1½ hours. Ticket includes general admission to Middleton Place. Reservations are required and tickets are available for purchase at MiddletonPlace.org or by calling 556-6020.

CHARLESTON CHAPTER OF DECORATIVE PAINTERS Fourth Saturday of Every Month, 9am-1pm St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1150 East Montague Ave. The Charleston Chapter of Decorative Painters meets each month. Anyone interested in decorative painting is welcome. The group paints in all mediums and styles of painting. Two meetings may be attended as a guest. Refreshments are followed with a scheduled program of painting. For more information, contact Jean Littlejohn at 843-559-5176.

MARCH FOURTH - ANNUAL OAKBROOK ROTARY GOLF TOURNAMENT Thursday, March 7th The Golf Club at Wescott Plantation There will be sign ups at 12pm and a 1pm Shotgun Start, with four player captain’s choice.

Join the fun with prizes, a raffle, food and drinks, and a great day of golf benefitting several causes.

THE ARK THIRD ANNUAL "DANCING WITH THE ARK'S STARS" Saturday, March 9th, 7pm Eidson Gym, Pinewood Preparatory School Professional dancers from Carolina Dancesport and eight local celebrities will compete to win the mirror-ball trophy. For information or tickets, contact The ARK, 843-832-2357 or info@ TheARKofSC.org.

SUMMERVILLE FAMILY YMCA SHAMROCK SHUFFLE (Formerly Flowertown Run) March 16th A festive St. Patrick's Day run, the Shamrock Shuffle, will be offering 10K, 5K and a 1 Mile Fun Run, along with many awards and contests!

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Presents The Inaugural

CHARLESTON TRIALS Photos provided by: Tag Your Pix

Often composers wrote some of their most inspiring pieces about faraway lands and exotic cultures. The pieces in "Postcards from Abroad" highlight some of the most memorable of these works eliciting countries other than the composer's motherland. Featuring CSO Concertmaster and Acting Artistic Director Yuriy Bekker as conductor and Charleston's Enrique Graf, piano, the CSO will perform Italian composer Gioachino Antonio Rossini's famous Overture to The Barber of Seville. Additional pieces include Mozart'sSymphony No. 31, "Paris", Florencia Di Conciolo's Piano Concerto (a South Carolina premiere) and Darius Milhaud's Le boeuf sur le toit. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit our website at CharlestonSymphony.org or call (843) 723-7528, ext. 110.

socializing vendor village tailgating CHARLESTON TRIALS Sunday, March 17th, Gates Open at 9:00 am - Paddock Call at Noon Plantation at Stono Ferry Sunday, March 17, 2013 at The Plantation at Stono Ferry • Gates open at 9am - Paddock call at Noon The Inaugural be held www.charlestontrials.net (843)Charleston 766-6202 • ReservedTrials parking andwill ticket packages available at the Plantation at Stono Ferry. Mark your calendar today and start planning your St. Patrick's tailgate setup now. Enjoy a fun filled day of flat and steeplechase races and 'get your green on'! Visit www.charlestoncup.net/trials for more information.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT MIDDLETON PLACE 24TH ANNUAL JOHN TUPPER March 30th, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

MEMORIAL GOLF CLASSIC Bring a basket for the egg hunts which will March 22nd-23rd take place in the Gardens. Once found, the Miler Country Club hard-boiled eggs can be taken to the StableThe Summerville Junior Service League uses yards to be dyed. Additionally, children play proceeds from their annual golf tournament colonial games, participate in the Egg Roll and to make numerous charitable donations to Egg Toss, hear classic stories and make Easbenefit local civic organizations. This year’s ter crafts. In the afternoon families may enjoy proceeds will go to support and fund several the day’s regular activities. General admission organizations: Camp Happy Days, Children is required. More information is available at in Crisis, Courageous Kidz, Flowertown Playwww.MiddletonPlace.org or by calling 843ers and the Summerville Dorchester Museum.

556-6020.

The Tee-Off Party and Silent Auction will be on Friday the 22nd in the Candlelight PavilEASTER DAY BRUNCH AT LEGEND ion, and the Golf tournament the following OAKS GOLF & TENNIS CLUB day. For more information visit www.sumSunday, March 31st, 11am -1pm mervillejsl.com.

Chef Jim will present a Wonderful Brunch in Race Sponsors:

POSTCARDS FROM ABROAD: MOZART’S “PARIS” SYMPHONY & ROSSINI’S BARBER OF SEVILLE Tuesday, March 26th, 7:30pm Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street, Charleston Tickets: $35-$20

Celebration of Easter for your family to enjoy!

Adults: $21.95 Children: $9.95 (10 and under) Booked by March 27th Contact Theresia Ware for Reservations 843821-4077 Ext 103, or visit http://www.legendoaksgolf.com/.

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LOCAL NDAR E V E N TS C A LE

Your comprehensive list of

TED STA Y CON NEC

APRIL WINE STROLLS AT MIDDLETON PLACE Wednesdays, beginning April 3rd For $20/adult, you can sip and stroll in a different garden location each week while sampling old and new world wine vintages. Special themed strolls ($40) scheduled throughout the season. Middleton Place Foundation members receive $5 off tickets. Purchase advance tickets at www.MiddletonPlace.org. Extend the evening with dinner at the Middleton Place Restaurant. For reservations, call 843-266-7477.

O'Lacy's Pub

JOIN THE FUN

The Historic District's Neighborhood Pub

843.832.2999

THE FLOWERTOWN PLAYERS “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” April 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12, 13th @ 8pm April 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th @ 2pm Shakespeare returns to Summerville. Much Ado About Nothing is the timeless romantic comedy of love, jealousy, fear and commitment all wrapped up in a hilarious comedy of errors. If you liked last season’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, you won’t want to miss Beatrice and Benedick. Visit the Flowertown Players at http://www.flowertownplayers.org/, 843-8759251 for information.

2013 FLOWERTOWN FESTIVAL April 5 & 6, 9am-6pm and April 7, 9am-4pm Downtown Summerville Consistently ranked one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, the three-day festival features over 200 jury-selected artists from throughout the country who display their work for sale, delicious foods from restaurants at The Taste, fun activities and rides for children at the Children’s Jubilee. For more information visit www.flowertownfestival.org.

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COOPER RIVER BRIDGE RUN April 6th, 2013 The Cooper River Bridge Run is the best organized and the best conducted 10-K race in the world. It includes world-class competition in a unique setting with unparalleled participant satisfaction. It broadens community cooperation and participation in healthy events throughout the year. The Cooper River Bridge Run serves as a model of health motivation for other communities throughout the world. Visit www.bridgerun.com for more information.

"SUMMERVILLE ORCHESTRA FRIENDS" Sunday, April 7th, 2pm Clubhouse at Gahagan Pines Meeting of the newly revived group to support the Summerville Community Orchestra. Music by members of the orchestra. Refreshments will be served. Visit Summervilleorchestra.com for more information.

VERDI’S REQUIEM Friday & Saturday, April 12th-13th, 7:30pm Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street, Charleston Tickets start at $25 |$20 Students (ages 6-22) The Sottile Theatre will be filled with the passionate and soaring sounds of Verdi's Requiem Mass, featuring the CSO Chorus, and the College of Charleston Concert Choir as the 20122013 season comes to a majestic close. Four outstanding soloists complete the excellent ros-

what’s happening around town

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ter of performers for this great masterpiece. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit our website at CharlestonSymphony.org.

FANTASTIC JOURNEY: EXOTIC LANDS Thursday, April 18th, 7pm St. Paul’s Church, 316 W. Carolina Avenue Summerville Tickets: $15 Adults $10 Students (ages 6-22) Let the CSO Ensemble Series take you on a journey to faraway lands. During this concert the music will transport you to Spain, Armenia and Hungary through the works of Boccherini, Prokofiev, Ravel, Arutunian, and Brahms. This is an adventure not to miss! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit our website at CharlestonSymphony.org or call (843) 7237528, ext. 110.

16TH ANNUAL CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT Friday, April 19th, 1pm Shotgun Start Summerville Country Club Be a part of the Chamber Annual Golf Tournament—one of Dorchester County’s finest Spring Golf events! Come out and enjoy a relaxing day of golf, great food and networking with other local businesses.

OLD VILLAGE HOME, GARDEN & ART TOUR Sunday, April 21st, 1pm-5pm Mount Pleasant's Historic Old Village Stroll through the Historic Old Village of Mt. Pleasant, on a self-guided Home, Garden & Art Tour. This wonderful event has become a welcome springtime occasion for hundreds of participants. Ticketholders will once again visit Old Village homes, sample food prepared by local chefs, listen to music and view art created for sale by local artists. This year we will again feature an exclusive array of area restaurants and caterers as a centerpiece of the weekend.

Tickets are $35 through the end of March, $45 through the month of April. Proceeds from the

Old Village Home, Garden & Art Tour support the American Red Cross, Charleston, SC Region programs and services: Service to the Armed Forces, Disaster Services, Health & Safety Services, Volunteer & Youth Services.

Visit www.lowcountryredcross.org or contact Roberta.Freer@RedCross.org for more information and to purchase tickets. It's a premier event in the heart of a historic part of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The Old Village is nestled in a part of town rich in history and culture and draws crowds each year.

SOUTHERN FLAME FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL Saturday April 27th, 11am-8pm The Ponds in Summerville Enjoy a day of BBQ, music, beer and fun while supporting the Summerville Miracle League at the beautiful Ponds farmhouse. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and sample world class BBQ, while listening to live music. Visit www.summervillemiracleleague.org for more information. Parking is $10/car.

MAY 'ROCKIN THE 'VILLE Summerville Country Club Friday, May 3rd-4th The annual Sock Hop and Weston Cup Golf Tournament Presented by the Summerville Evening Rotary Club will begin Friday May 3, with a shotgun start at 1:00 pm. Saturday, May 4 from 7pm-11pm, enjoy the Annual Sock Hop with live music. For tickets, visit www.rockin-the-ville.org or call 843.860.4383.

FRIENDS OF THE SUMMERVILLE LIBRARY GIGANTIC BOOK SALE May 3rd-5th Summerville Library, 75 Trolley Road The Friends of the Library (FOSL) will host a Gigantic Book Sale. We will sell gently used

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paperback and hardback books, CDs, DVDs, and audio books at very reasonable prices. Visit friendsofthesummervillelibrary.weebly.com.

THE ULTIMATE SOUTHERN GIFT A framed, handwritten Southern recipe on aged paper, accompanied by a custom vignette of a Lowcountry scene. On the back of each frame is an anecdotal history or story about the recipe and it's origin.

THE SOUTHERN PALATE

also available at

asouthernpalate.highwire.com / 843.509.9811 / Tea Farm Cottage

MOTHERS DAY BRUNCH AT LEGEND OAKS GOLF & TENNIS CLUB Sunday, May 12th, 11am-1pm Let Chef Jim surprise your Mom with a Spectacular Buffet for her Special Day! Adults: $21.95 Children: 9.95 (10 and under) Contact Theresia Ware for Reservations 843821-4077 Ext 103 or visit http://www.legendoaksgolf.com/.

"HANDS ON" RICE PLANTING AT MIDDLETON PLACE May 16th, 17th & 18th, 10am-12pm (weather permitting) Join a costumed interpreter and learn how Carolina Gold rice was planted on Low Country plantations and about the African origins of rice and its cultivation in South Carolina in the 18th and 19th centuries. Traditional methods will be employed beginning with the May planting through the September harvest. More information is available at www.MiddletonPlace.org or by calling 843-556-6020.

CALLING CUSTOMERS BY NAME SINCE 1905.

With over 100 years of service to the community, First National Bank of South Carolina has always been committed to excellence in banking and fostering genuine relationships with our customers. Our doors are always open, so stop by and experience the difference of banking with a neighbor.

Summerville 843-873-3310

Sangaree 843-875-2584

Ridgeville 843-871-9553

Goose Creek 843-553-0344

Boonehill 843-875-2100

Harleyville 843-462-7661

Holly Hill 803-496-5011

Eutawville 803-492-7726 www.fnbsc.com

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SCULPTURE IN THE SOUTH SHOW AND SALE MAY 18th-19th / Azalea Park This is a one-of-a-kind event offering collectors and first time art enthusiasts a chance to mingle and chat with two dozen leading fine

art sculptors, representing a wide range of original artworks. All artwork is available for purchase, benefiting Summerville’s Permanent Public Sculpture Program. Daily Admission is $5 and a Weekend Pass is $7. Visit www.sculptureinthesouth.com for more information.

THE OAKBROOK ASHLEY RIVER FEST Saturday, May 18th Jessen Boat Landing and Colonial Dorchester State Park A Celebration of Community, History, Conservation including Oakbrook/ Ashley RiverHistorical reenactments, displays stories and information, Ashley River conservation efforts and natural history information. The event will be a grand gathering of the community that cares about and serves the Oakbrook area and the Ashley River. The fest is an opportunity to showcase the wonderful resources Oakbrook has in the Ashley River. Please join us in promoting and protecting this vital resource, the historical beginning of Summerville. Contact Bob Jackson for more information: BJackson@ Summervillesc.gov or call 843-810-0449.

THE FLOWERTOWN PLAYERS PRESENT “CHICAGO” May 23rd, 24th, 25th, 30th, 31st, June 1st, 7th, 8th @ 8PM May 25th, 26th, June 1st, 2nd @ 2PM

By Popular Demand, Chicago comes to the Flowertown stage! This musical tells the story of two rival vaudevillian murderesses who create a media storm in the 1920’s. Don’t miss the MUST-SEE show of the year! Visit the Flowertown Players website at http://www. flowertownplayers.org/, or call 843-875-9251 for more information.

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DOWNS BYRD MEMORIAL OYSTER ROAST February 2

Held at Summerville Country Club, this annual oyster roast and silent action benefited the Frances R Willis SPCA. For more informationon on this charity visit www.summervillespca.org

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Social Graces / by Elizabeth Donehue

How Do You Do

The Etiquette of Introductions The importance of an introduction is simple; it brings people together by providing social context. The objective is to provide ease amongst strangers. Let us discuss how proper introductions are made.

DETERMINE THE PERSON OF HONOR The first step in making introductions is to determine who should be introduced to whom. Basic protocol calls for speaking first to the person you wish to honor. The person who is named first is being shown a degree of respect or deference and is having the introduction made to them.

REMEMBER THE HIERARCHY: RANK, GENDER, AGE A person of high rank or special prominence is named first and receives the introduction. The lesser rank is introduced to them.

Highest up the corporate ladder takes the place of honor. Additionally a person of importance such as a general, senator, or preacher would take the place of honor over a civilian. If the parties are of the same position, the female takes the place of honor. If they are of same rank and both female, the elder takes the place of honor.

Next, say, “This is, ” “I’d like to introduce,” or most formal “I’d like to present.”

Then, state the name of the person being introduced.

Finally, add a snippet of information about each person so they will know why they are being introduced and will have information with which to start a conversation.

GROUP INTRODUCTIONS In a group setting, you should introduce a person to the group first.

For example, "Alice, these are my friends Katherine, Lindsay, Sallie, and Kristin. Everyone, this is Alice."

FORGETTING A NAME At some point, everyone forgets a name or title. If this happens to you, politely explain that you have had a brief memory lapse. It is more polite and less awkward to simply acknowledge the fact than to avoid an introduction. Apologize and move on.

With that hierarchy in mind, once you have established whom you wish to honor, you are ready to make the introduction.

SELF-INTRODUCTIONS If you are in a situåation with others and no one attempts to introduce you wait for a pause in the conversation, extend your hand and simply introduce yourself.

MAKE THE INTRODUCTION Firstly, say the name of the person of honor and look at them. Unless you are in an informal setting, introductions should be made using first and last names, as well as titles such as "Dr." when appropriate. Note that you should always stand for introductions.

You will find that the ability to make proper introductions will prove useful in both professional and social settings. Fortunately, making them gets easier with practice. Do not worry about making small mistakes-just remembering to make introductions will set you apart from the rest. AM

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LET OUR SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICIANS GET YOU BACK IN THE GAME David Jaskwhich, MD / James Spearman, MD / Adam Schaaf, MD / James McCoy, Jr., MD Xray, Physical Therapy, MRI, and Outpatient Surgery Center By offering the newest techniques and most advanced technology, we have the knowledge to offer our patients an accurate diagnosis for the best possible treatment.

L owcountry Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

North Charleston 2880 Tricom St. 843-797-5050

Downtown Summerville Summerville / Oakbrook 130 E. Third North St. 93B Springview Ln. 843-879-9699 843-285-6060

Summerville Spa Salon & Beauty Boutique

- The Staff of Stella Nova Summerville Furniture provided by

Marigolds

www.stella-nova.com