Azalea Magazine Summer 2014

THE ERNEST HEMINGWAY DAIQUIRI, BAKER’S COTTAGE KITCHEN, AN AMERICAN DIGGER HoneySmoke: BLUES DONE LOWCOUNTRY-STYLE, PASSPORT TO MISADVENTURE, GROWING HOME

2 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

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

AZALEA Magazine / Summer 2014

72

OH HAPPY DAY

Against the idyllic backdrop of Gibbes Farm in Saint Matthews, South Carolina, this April wedding is the picture of Southern rustic charm.

66

MUSIC OF THE HOUNDS

Across the fields and forests of the Lowcountry, the song of a new generation is sung to a melody as old as time.

78

THE GREAT SOUTHERN COOKOUT With Southern cuisine hot across the country, get fired up for some fresh twists on these five classics.

photo by Tim Willoughby

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 5

Contents

/ AZALEA Magazine / Summer 2014

25

28 07 Editor’s Letter 12 Contributors 17-23 FIELD GUIDE A brief look into our local culture SOUTHERN LIFE 25 Southern Spotlight - Music 28 Southern Spotlight - Food 32 Southern Spotlight - Drink 35 Southern Spotlight - History

32 84

COLUMNS 41 Natural Woman

by Susan Frampton 45 Patchwork of the South

by Michelle Lewis 49 LIFE & FAITH

by Will Browning SOUTHERN STYLE 55 Growing Home Collections of found and repurposed objects grow organically to form the ever-changing landscapes of today's homes.

21

84 Road Trip Georgetown The Hammock Coast of South Carolina: A Carolina Gold Mine Pawley’s Island, Litchfield, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Georgetown

41

ON THE COVER: Erin Moock, a member of the Middleton Hounds Hunt Club / Photograph by Dottie Rizzo 6 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

92 THE LOCAL 92-Pinewood's Wild Game Dinner & Ball 94-The 25th Annual John Tupper Golf Tee-Off Party 95-Southern Flame Festival 95-Lowcountry Festa Italiana

Lowcountry

IT’S

EVERYTHING

Two-thousand-acre master-planned community

Multiple featured builders

Come experience the natural beauty, culture and history of the Carolina Lowcountry at The Ponds.

On-site firehouse, EMS & near city center

Homes from the $300s Located just 5 miles from Summerville’s town square.

Tour designer model homes from our featured builders.

Lowcountry architecture, modern amenities

DiscoverThePonds.com 843.832.6100

MUNGO HOMES DR HORTON SABAL HOMES SAUSSY BURBANK ACTIVE ADULT LIVING AT THE PONDS: CARILLON

On-site YMCA

SALES BY:

© 2014. Prices, home sites, home designs and other information subject to errors, changes, omissions, deletions, availability, prior sales and withdrawal at any time without notice.

Carnes Crossroads...

New Home Shopping Made Easy!

Come Visit Our Model Row!

A New Community in the Heart of Charleston’s Growth Just minutes from the downtowns of both Summerville and Goose Creek, a new community is emerging. 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.

Homes are being built by David Weekley, Eastwood Homes, Sabal Homes and Ashton Woods Homes. Pricing starts in the mid-$200s.

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.

843.761.8600

MOVE-IN READY!

704 Quintan Street

$297,870

Built by Sabal Homes, this cottage-style 3BR/2BA home offers a 1,687 sq. ft. floor plan. This one-story home has a family room with fireplace that is open to a gourmet kitchen with large center island, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. Other features include hardwood floors, a separate dining room, den/study with closet and a screened porch.

CarnesCharleston.com

Where Community Comes Together 513 Wodin Place, Summerville, SC 29483 Carnes Crossroads Real Estate, LLC., Chuck Buck, BIC

Editor’s Letter

We are

Artists All the world’s a stage.

At Pinewood, our students take to the stage early -- and often -- gaining passion for the arts while building talent, poise and skill. Immersion in the fine arts helps craft young minds to be leaders, thinkers and critics of the world in which they live.

"We love and appreciate our unique culture, and we are unapologetic in our enthusiasm for its traditions."

Southern Pride People of the South are proud. Not arrogant; but justifiably proud of who we are. We have a strong sense of place, and a deep respect for a history built on a firm foundation of faith. We love and appreciate our unique culture, and we are unapologetic in our enthusiasm for its traditions.

Our students explore all facets of the arts -- from music and voice to drama, visual and technical arts. Their talents propel them to national awards and international stages, preparing them to take leading roles on the global stage beyond.

We Are Artists. We are Pinewood.

Arrange a tour today

admissions@pinewoodprep.com 843-376-0142 ext. 2001

www.pinewoodprep.com

Full and Half-Day Pre-Kindergarten -12th grade Financial assistance available

In this issue we highlight a few of those beloved customs (Southern Traditions; Fox Hunts, Grand Weddings and Backyard Cookouts, pg 65). I am under no illusion that any of these activities are found solely in the American South, however, I do believe that here, the values behind them have deeper roots than they do in other places.

Some call us "old fashioned." Some call us "behind-the-times." That's okay.

We know who we are, and we’re proud to be called “Southerners.”

Will Rizzo Editor in Chief

Ryan James Ball

Class of 2013 International Thespian Society Six “Superior” Titles International Thespian Society Theatrical Design Scholarship S.C. Speech and Theatre Association Competition First Place The Kennedy Center Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominee Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 9

The All New

azaleamag.com From dining and shopping guides to feature stories, an events calendar, and local deals, azaleamag.com is much more than a beautiful counterpart to Azalea Magazine. It is the axis for anything and everything Lowcountry.

DEEP FRIED CORN ON THE COB

Our new blog will showcase a new, curated collection of stories, recipes, products, and events throughout the South - as only the Southerners can share them.

Requests

After numerous requests for our Shrimp and Grits recipe, we've put it online. Cook it, share it and enjoy.

Featured Event

Summerville Trolley Tours There’s so much to see and do.

Come and take a trip down the Sweet Tea Trail, on one of four Southern themed trolley tours.

Pull Up A Plate

You will find this treat and many more deliciously Southern recipes Connect

10 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

Catch Up

Scan It

Read all of the past issues that you might have missed, or share them with someone new!

Explore the new azaleamag.com on your smart phone or tablet

Steeped in

Heritage.

Future.

Primed for the

20

00

At JOHNSON & WILSON Real Estate Company you will find an innovative real estate firm that offers a wide range of residential and commercial services. You’ll also find a hand-selected network of talented agents who take pride in their company, driven by the passion for the communities in which they live and work.

< Tiffany Johnson-Wilson Broker-In-Charge

M take y OB C s go oord od c inat o are of mr e.

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Your personal guide to our practice and through your pregnancy and delivery.

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We take care of you for life.

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 Will Browning Faith Editor Jana Riley Copy Editor, Staff Writer

Contributors

Jason Wagener Susan Frampton Michelle Lewis Grace Nelson Elizabeth Huggins Sarrah Strickland

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

OBSTETRICS | GYNECOLOGY

843-797-3664 North Charleston | Summerville

lowcountrywomen.com

12 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

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

Subscribe

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

24-7 Pediatric Care alWays closE By.

EmErgEncy and inpatiEnt pEdiatric sErvicEs closE to homE. it’s somEthing EvEry family dEsErvEs. scan to gEt a snEak pEEk at our nEWEst commErcial!

Summerville Medical Center provides dedicated pediatric care for children — newborn to age 17. Our beautiful new Pediatric Emergency Department is now open! It was created just for young patients.

• Board Certified pediatric emergency physician • 24/7 Pediatric Nurses specifically trained to care for pediatric emergencies • All private rooms and area for families to stay with the child Residents of Dorchester and Berkeley Counties, North Charleston and surrounding communities are now just minutes from emergency pediatric services. As a national leader in quality care, Summerville Medical Center is proud to make this healthy commitment to kids.

295 Midland Parkway | Summerville, SC 29485 | (843) 832-5000 | www.tridenthealthsystem.com/peds

Featured Contributors

BETH HUGGINS / Event Planner SUSAN FRAMPTON / Writer

SARRAH STRICKLAND / Writer

Hailing from Lugoff, SC, Sarrah is a recent alum of Charleston Southern University. She graduated in May 2014 with her bachelor of arts in English. Sarrah enjoys creative writing, and she hopes to begin her MFA in playwriting within the year.

Susan Frampton has called Summerville home for long enough to keep the essentials on hand for almost anything the Lowcountry throws her way. Her husband Lewis is frequently named as the person most likely to survive while stranded on a desert island. Everyone is invited to their house for the next natural disaster.

Let the hunt begin.

For the first time, large properties are now available in the East Edisto Rural District.

Located between the Ashley and Edisto Rivers in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, this historic land has been under the careful stewardship of MWV for decades. The natural character of the landscape and rich diversity of wildlife make it a true sportsman’s paradise. And, best of all, it’s only a half hour from downtown Charleston.

We welcome your inquiry.

Properties range from 50 to 1,000+ acres.

R U R A L

D I S T R I C T

MWVLandSales.com | 843-509-1034

14 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

A native of the Charleston area, Beth graduated from Winthrop University in interior design. She owns her own event planning and design firm, Elizabeth Huggins & Company, based out of Summerville, SC. Using her love of the outdoors, lighting and textures, Beth helps to create the perfect setting for any occasion. She specializes in the relaxed "Southern" chic look.

JANA RILEY / Writer

Jana is a writer and editor living in Summerville with her husband, Dan. Jana enjoys adventures with her three favorite kids, Noah, Jude, Forest, and their dog Alfie.

16 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

Daniel’s Orchard Downtown Summerville

NEW MODEL

Calhoun kitchen

Daniel’s Orchard Single Family Homes $291,990–$323,990 2,281–2,898+ square feet • New Charleston Single Homes in Downtown Summerville • Walk or bike to shops, parks and restaurants • Dorchester II School System • Nearby YMCA provides pools, fitness and family fun

Now selling at Daniel’s Orchard!

Our new fully-furnished Calhoun model is now open! This spacious floorplan—one of four Life Tested® plans available at Daniel’s Orchard—features a center island kitchen, a breakfast nook and formal dining room, and a second floor loft, in a neighborhood within walking distance to shopping and dining, and only one mile from the best that historic downtown Summerville has to offer. So hurry in to tour the Calhoun today!

Pulte Homes. Life-Tested®

For more information, call 843.695.0339 or e-mail ken.huggins@pulte.com and darrell.connelly@pulte.com This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required or if void by law. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be an actual representation of a specific community, neighborhood, or any completed improvements being offered. Please see a sales associate for details. ©2014 Pulte Homes Corporation. All rights reserved. 1.31.14

- The Beach -

A BRIEF LOOK INTO OUR LOCAL CULTURE

The coast has long been a popular place for recreation, although until the mid-nineteenth century, the beach was a luxury only for the wealthy. But thanks to the development of the railways in the 1840s, opportunities for seaside vacation became possible for the middle and working classes.

1 in 3 The proportion of people that go to the beach that can't swim.

A white cotton shirt only has the protection equivalent of

SPF 7

1937 The year of the first stock-car race held on the sand of Daytona Beach, FL.

55 inches

64 feet

The length of the world's largest seashell (Giant Clam).

The height of the largest sand castle ever created.

" I try not to take myself too seriously.

Arrogance never impressed anyone. "

Q& A

MEET & GREET

What makes locals tick, one neighbor at a time

Q What is your favorite thing about living in the Lowcountry?

A

The food. I think the Charleston area has a distinct flavor. Yellow sauce on slowcooked swine should be enshrined in the Smithsonian. Throw in some properly cooked collard greens and it just doesn’t get any better. The weather is a close second. I grew up in Maine, so any summer longer than two and half months is a bonus.

Q What is your dream job?

A When I retire, I’m going to learn how to

brew beer. The science behind it fascinates me, and I met the guys from Holy City Brewing one night, and they all seemed so happy and content.

Q Is there a motto that you live by?

A I try not to take myself too seriously. Ar-

rogance never impressed anyone. Self deprecation is actually the best medicine to keep you grounded.

20 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

TONY PHI NNE Y Do r ch este r Co un t y Sh e r iff ' s O ff ice Captain

Q Who or what are you a fan of?

A I’m a big fan of the Boston Red Sox, anyone

playing the New York Yankees, college football (My daughter attends USC so I’m sworn to the gamecocks), Anthony Bourdain and a good cigar.

Q Coffee or tea?

A Coffee: four shots of espresso each morning Tea: when it is cold and sweet.

Q What is one thing you've bought in the last five years that you couldn’t live without?

A It was just about five years ago that I updated to a smart phone. Before that, I had no idea that a regular cell phone was like living in the Bronze Age.

Q What is one thing you've bought in the last

five years that you could go the rest of your life without?

A Light beer. I mean let’s be honest, if you want

to drink a beer, you should be concerned with the taste and not the calories. Moderation makes up for the calories.

Q What is your favorite music?

A I have a broad taste in music. I always go

back to '80s and '90s alternative music and old '70s era country. Lately I have been listening to the old “rat pack” Vegas stars: Sinatra and Dean Martin. That crew was the epitome of cool.

Q What is your dream vacation?

A I’m actually planning that now. In a cou-

ple of years my wife and I are going to fly to Western Canada and drive through and stay in Banff National Park. We did the same with the north rim of the Grand Canyon two years ago and loved it.

Q What is your fondest memory of living in Summerville?

A

I didn’t grow up here, but I've raised my children here and lived here 20 years. My wife, Leslie, is born and raised in Charleston, and grew up wading in the Stono River. I may be a “transplant,” but I’ve never felt unwelcomed or like an outsider from the time I arrived.

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 21

CHARLESTON COUNTY WATERPARKS

PURCHASE 2014 WATERPARK PASSES ONLINE AND SAVE BIG! MEET ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS EVERY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THIS SUMMER

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WHIRLIN’ WATERS North Charleston Wannamaker County Park (843) 572-7275

Character appearances and times are subject to change without notice. For more information, call (843) 795-4FUN or visit CharlestonCountyParks.com 22 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

Field Guide The Little Way of Ruthie Leming

by Rod Dreher Review by Sarrah Strickland “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NASV) The Christian Bible is filled with passages that discuss the purpose of suffering and encourage readers to endure the hardships they face in this world. But, how exactly are we supposed to suffer? This question lies at the heard of Rod Dreher’s latest book, The Little Way of Ruthie Leming, a non-fictional narrative of his life growing up. Dreher creates a vivid retelling of life in the small town of St. Francisville, Louisiana, and pays special attention to his relationship with his family and his beloved sister, Ruthie Leming (for whom the book is named). In 2010, at the age of forty, Dreher’s sister, Ruthie, is diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer. Ruthie is scared, but she remains a constant presence in the community, loving the students that she teaches, taking care of her friends and family to the best of her ability, and eventually succumbing to the deadly disease. In the midst of all her suffering, Dreher offers his readers a glimpse of how we should all strive to suffer: with grace, love and faith.

If you read this book, you will cry on more than one occasion, but a few tears are a fair price to pay when readers consider the beauty and strength of Ruthie Leming’s life. As she teaches those around her how to suffer during the last years of her life, you will not only experience the joy and pain alongside her, but you will meet a truly remarkable woman. Dreher’s work gives readers the opportunity to celebrate Ruthie’s life with her and attest that while her faith is tested, she endured until the end.

Sweet Tea, Azaleas, and now...

(843) 722- 8000 | CharlestonGI.com

Apothecary

Baking Soda

"RAINBOW ROW TOTE"

YOU CAN MAKE IT. WE'LL SHOW YOU HOW. 129 W Richardson Ave, Summerville, SC 29483 (843) 871-8872 www.ppquilts.com

24 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

Baking soda can be found in almost every home, and is well known for its uses in the kitchen-primarily with baking and keeping a fridge odor free.

However, because of its pH-regulating abilities, this inexpensive and environmentally-friendly product has far more uses than most people realizemany which extend well beyond the kitchen.

Dr. K. Britt Reagin

U SES F O R B A K I N G SODA Toothpaste-A paste made from baking soda and a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial toothpaste.

Facial & Body Scrub-Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate and soften skin.

Deodorizer-Pat baking soda onto your underarms, sprinkle in shoes or in litter box to neutralize odors. You can also pour down your sink and tub drains with the water running to combat odors.

Antacid-Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach and/ or acid indigestion. Refer to the baking soda package for instructions.

Treat Insect Bites & Itchy Skin-For insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected skin. To help with itchy skin, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after a bath or shower.

Your Summerville Orthodontist

One Doctor One Focus Your Family (843) 871-4411 DrOrthodontics.com d /ReaginOrthodontics

Clarifying Shampoo-Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo to help remove the residue that styling products leave behind.

Polish Silver-Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water and rub onto silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining sterling and silver-plated serving pieces.

Laundry Detergent Booster-Give your laundry a boost by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder.

Kill Crabgrass-Wet the crab grass and pour a heavy dusting of baking soda on it. The crab grass will die back in a few days. (Avoid surrounding grass if you can.)

Test your soil pH-Wet the soil and sprinkle on a small amount of baking soda on. If the baking soda bubbles, your soil is acidic with a PH level under 5.

Weed Killer/Preventer-Pour baking soda onto cracks in a patio or walkway. This will kill any small weeds and prevent new ones from sprouting.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before starting any exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using this or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 25

IN THE EPIC BATTLE OF man vs. fish...

IT’S NOT A GOOD DAY FOR THE FISH.

Captain Weaver is with Kingfisher Guide Service on the Hammock Coast of South Carolina. So it’s safe to say he’s used to winning the battle.

LIFE HoneySmoke A group of local musicians sing the blues, Lowcountry-style. by

Jana Riley

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 27

O

n a recent spring afternoon, the local band, HoneySmoke, set up in a small grove of grand oak trees, and as they settled in and began playing – complete with Spanish moss swinging overhead – it was clear that no more fitting sound had ever risen from that small piece of Carolina. With their soulful, relatable lyrics and down-home sound, there’s no denying these guys evoke the spirit of the Lowcountry.

The band consists of four members: David Ellis, Justin James, Jake Oleksak and Michael Rogers. Ellis, James, and Rogers, born and raised in the South, played and toured with the band, The Explorer’s Club, for a few years before deciding to break out and create their own group. Seeking a more “stripped down” approach and 28 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

a different sound, they partnered with Oleksak to create HoneySmoke in 2013. Since then, the band has been a hit at venues all over the Lowcountry.

With an admittedly hard-to-pin-down sound, the group describes itself as “an acoustic delta/swamp/island/pluff mud/blues-inspired band, with a little country-western flair.” With so many musical influences, the guys find fans no matter what sort of crowd is listening.

Typically, the first thing that people notice about HoneySmoke is their unique instruments: Rogers plays an upright double bass; Ellis plays a vintage-esque silver resonator guitar; and James typically plays a resonator or slide guitar. Oleksak has been known to experiment with percussion instruments; and on this particular day, he beats on the drum box with sticks from a nearby oak

tree. Though the band began with a minimalist approach, they now bring ten or more instruments to every gig – from drum sets and acoustic guitars to ukuleles and accordions.

As musicians and songwriters, the members of HoneySmoke find inspiration everywhere. Lyrical themes range from straightforward and simple (enjoying the sight of the person you love making dinner, or the sting of betrayal from a previous relationship) to deeper and heavier (contemplating a move across the country and questioning how uprooting one’s life could change things, or existential and philosophical questions). Fans of Robert Johnson, Ellmore James, Muddy Waters, Otis Redding and Howlin’ Wolf, the band members see a great deal of 1930s blues influence in their music, and try to reawaken the sounds and concepts of that bygone musical era. Even the name has its own bluesy roots: Ellis researched consistent themes and terminology found in blues music, which led to the creation of the moniker.

When they aren’t making music, the guys are working hard at their day jobs.

James owns James Family Chiropractic in Summerville; Ellis and Oleksak work in construction doing historic restoration; and Rogers divides his time between The Music Farm in Charleston and Caroline Guitar Pedals in Columbia.

The band is their artistic outlet – a way to channel their collective talents into great sound, with the hopes of making people stomp their feet, dance and have a good time. With scores of upcoming gigs and a debut CD in the works, we’re certain to hear more down-home hits from these guys for years to come. AM

When you find someone that is competent, honest and professional, compensation isn’t expensive………it’s priceless.

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spring on in “

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298 Trolley Road • 843-871-9070 facebook.com/drdwightbeavers

twitter.com/Drdwightbeavers

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 29

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Baker's Cottage Kitchen:Food

Blooms & BBQ

Good Eats The team / A plate of BBQ and sides

fantasy garden center that Kay always wanted.

“It was tough work,” recalls Dennis, “but this was Kay’s dream, so we did it together, as a family.”

Situated among plants and antiques, Baker’s Cottage Kitchen is a truly unique dining option near Downtown Summerville.

Kay, a master gardener and the matriarch of the Baker family, always dreamed of a garden center where she could spend her days helping customers, planning landscaping projects and taking care of plants. Dennis, ever supportive of his wife, fiercely wanted to help Kay realize her dream, so he quit his job in storage and retrieval, helped build the garden center on Central, and started planning and building water features for customers.

Now, Kay and Dennis run the business each day with passion and devotion – to both their customers and each other.

For fifteen years, Kay and Dennis Baker have owned and operated Baker’s Pond and Garden, currently in its second location on Central Avenue. College sweethearts and lifetime Carolina residents, the couple and their two sons cleared the densely overgrown land on the Central Avenue property themselves in 2009, transforming the jungle of wisteria and trees into the

Recently, Kay began dreaming again – this time, about incorporating a dining option into Baker’s Pond and Garden. Inspired

by European garden centers which often feature a small cafe on the grounds, Kay wanted to provide visitors a place to sit, talk and have a meal while surrounded by beautiful plants and water features. For a time, it remained a dream while Kay and Dennis

by Jana Riley

30 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

waited to find the right chef or company for a partnership.

In early 2013, Dennis responded to a call for a landscaping estimate for Seth Watari, a local pitmaster on the Some-R-Swine BBQ team.

Walking around Watari’s property and making conversation, Dennis’ eyes quickly landed on his barbecue equipment. After a brief discussion and a taste of his awardwinning meat, Dennis knew they had found their man.

tournaments all over the South. For the past five years, SomeR-Swine has won the “Smoke at the Lodge” competition, which Watari refers to as “the Superbowl.” For Watari, the secret to award-winning barbecue is consistency, attention to detail and the right combination of homemade rubs, binders and injections.

Inspired by European garden centers which often feature a small cafe on the grounds

Watari, a California native and former North Carolina barbecue pitmaster, is a Lowcountry-style barbecue convert. After moving to South Carolina a few years ago, he began attending barbecue competitions and became familiar with local pitmasters, who taught him about the old traditional Southern way of making barbecue; the same way it was done nearly two centuries ago – low and slow over hardwood coals, using only all-natural ingredients.

Watari perfected his own recipe, created the Some-R-Swine BBQ team, and began competing in, and winning, barbecue

After a successful test run in April 2013, Dennis, Kay and Seth agreed to begin working together, and Watari officially moved his setup into Baker’s Cottage Kitchen. Now, his latest trophy flanks the ordering counter, where barbecue lovers can get their fix Thursday through Saturday, 11am-6pm. All of the menu items are prepared fresh each week, and Watari makes a version of his awardwinning recipe by slow cooking the pork for 12-14 hours over charcoal and hardwoods. The barbecue is served without sauce, and there are four unique options (including his award-winning vinegar sauce) available to sample. Dennis pitches in with the side items, including macaroni and cheese, baked beans, blue cheese

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.

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Boonehill 843-875-2100

Harleyville 843-462-7661

Holly Hill 803-496-5011

Eutawville 803-492-7726

www.fnbsc.com

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 31

Blloms & BBQ continued

HOG HEAVEN The dining room / Pitmaster Seth Watari / The nursery

cole slaw and broccoli salad, using his mother’s recipes that he has tweaked over the years. He and his son, Bryan, created the hash and rice recipe together, and Dennis uses recipes from Kay’s mother to make four different kinds of pecan pie, including traditional, chocolate, caramel and sweet tea.

Though Watari and his barbecue have been a fixture in Baker’s Cottage Kitchen for over a year now, the team at Baker’s has only recently expanded to make the 32 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

experience more of a dine-in affair. In 2014, they built a semi-outdoor seating space within the garden center, complete with huge chandelier and fireplace and a plan to cover the walls with antique barnwood.

Bedecked with red checkered tablecloths, the tables see both locals and out-oftowners each weekend, in part thanks to a mention on the South Carolina BBQ trail website and in their brochures. For now, the setup is everything Kay wanted, and more – but it won’t be too long until she starts dreaming again. AM

CĂ&#x201C;CTEL CUBANO Hemingway Daiquiri / In Havana, Cuba / Raw sugar ads a hint of molasses flavor

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Daiquiri:Drink

Ernest Hemingway Daiquiri With more than a splash of the Hemingway mystique, this signature cocktail delivers a story best told over ice.

by Susan Frampton

34 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

Discounts as big as a house.

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“A man walks into a bar…”

The words have launched many a joke unfit for mixed company, but legend has it that the very same phrase led to the creation of a mixed drink destined to become a classic.

As the story goes, Ernest Hemingway was passing the now-famous El Floridita in Havana when he paused to make use of the facilities. Spotting a refreshing-looking beverage on the bar, he took a sip of the cool, lime and grapefruit juice concoction, made a few suggestions to the bartender and the Hemingway Daiquiri was born.

Since it is well-documented that Hemingway seldom ever passed a bar, the account may have been embellished through the years. Who knows? The simplicity of the recipe credited to the infamous writer, served over ice on a hot summer day, might just awaken the novelist in you. AM

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Ernest Hemingway Daiquiri Yield: 1 Cocktail INGREDIENT S: 1 1/2 ounces white rum 1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur 1/2 ounce grapefruit juice 3/4 ounce lime juice 3/4 ounce simple syrup Pre paration: Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

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Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 35

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT D r. Br yan Jordan:Histor y

American Digger Dr. Bryan Jordan is preserving Lowcountry history one relic at a time.

by Katie DePoppe

Whether through family ties or his work in historic preservation, Bryan Jordan is linked to six wars in America’s history, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn he’s dedicated the last 30 years to the recovery of military relics in the Lowcountry.

Generations of his family were military men, serving from World War I to Vietnam and everywhere in between. The other

wars – the ones before documented family history – although not part of his personal testament, surround him (literally) in his work as a relic preservationist, or “digger” as they’re often referred.

Diggers recover historical relics using metal detectors. Although some public opinion differs as to their level of expertise, and some archaeologists may share opposing views on the recovery processes involved, Jordan undoubtedly approaches the hobby with great care. “I’m a caretaker,” he says. “We do it to preserve history.” To prove it, he says true diggers never sell what they find.

Dig Deep Dr. Bryan Jordan / Some of Jordan's finds

Displays of all sizes sit amidst Jordan’s home, showcasing his years of skilled work and with them, stories unearthed from the soil. For him, every box has a memory and a story. “I can walk you to where I found each of these,” he says pointing to each case; each carefully labeled. “I found this ring in seven to eight feet of water,” he says, removing a silver piece from a felt-lined case. “I had to ask around to figure out it’s a pre-World War II Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 37

naval chief ’s ring,” he continues. Again proving that he takes his hobby just as seriously as his career as a family physician, Jordan adds, “I looked for an engraved name, but if it was there, it’s gone now. I’d love to return that ring to its family.”

Standing by his conviction that artifacts are meant to be found, this hometown physician is not the only one who shares such passion. While there’s no educational standard to partake in the hobby of digging, he has found that the pastime appeals to those, like him, who are professionally and academically minded – psychiatrists, surgeons, lawyers, college professors – all with the same drive to solve the mysteries that remain beneath our feet. Most novice researchers are also surprised to know that the majority of reference books on military relics are written by diggers, not academicians.

38 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

If not recovered, objects are, over time, broken down by acids in the soil; the only exceptions are sometimes areas with sand, in which relics tend to stay intact. While obviously exciting to discover something that’s been buried for a century or two, Jordan takes great care in the process of recovery as well. He documents his surroundings and logs his findings. All objects are clearly marked, cleaned, and the location is logged. He also photographs the dig sites themselves.

Although the role diggers play in preservation is an issue of debate in some circles, their contributions to local history are undeniable. Over the years, Jordan has made a number of rare finds: an Irish military button (that until that time, reference books said did not exist) near the campus of Charleston Southern University; several slave tags, including an 1828 tag

Although the role diggers play in preservation is an issue of debate in some circles, their contributions to local history are undeniable

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American Digger continued

found in the midst of a construction site near Virginia Avenue; a 1781 Revolutionary War Georgia Brigade button; and perhaps the most unusual find of all: both halves of a metal Civil War-era Holy Bible bookmark found on the same plot of land, on two separate occasions, three years apart.

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The finds Jordan is most proud of are the ones which have furthered historical research or opened the door for more dialogue on a known subject. There have been two such occasions. In 2012, Jordan, who visits a home below Beaufort a few times a year, discovered a South Carolina States Right button only 50 feet from a former dig site. When he scooped it from the sand, a perfectly preserved palmetto tree lay engraved on the front. Most noteworthy is the fact that until that time, no one had been able to attribute this variety of button to a maker. When Jordan examined the backmark (the back), the name Atwell was obviously engraved. Through his research, he found that the maker was most likely, Charles Atwell, a Charleston silversmith, who died in the late 1830s and whose wife continued the family business following his death.

The second occasion was the discovery of an 1812 Rifleman button found in Summerville in 2013. The coin features an American Eagle perched atop a hunting horn, surrounded by seven stars.

After posting it online and interrogating over 30 experts from South Carolina, Florida and Virginia, including local museums and preservation groups, Jordan is convinced

It’s a big world out there… are you protected?

These days Jordan is not as concerned with collecting as he is with preserving the past the coin is evidence of an undocumented Charleston unit during or around the time of the War of 1812.

Although, there is no record of such a group in the history books, Jordan says the button is an inkling of knowledge that was lost. “There has to be [a unit that’s missing],” he says, explaining how he is not the only one to find evidence. An identical Rifleman button was found by a fellow hunter in North Georgia.

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Thinking back on his childhood, Jordan recounts, “back then, if people had told me I’d be a button collector,” he says laughing, “I’d have told them, ‘you’re crazy as hell.’” These days Jordan is not as concerned with collecting as he is with preserving the past for future generations. He and his fellow diggers have given a number of artifacts to museums, and he is attempting to share his passion for history that was passed to him with his own sons and daughter.

“They’re coming around,” he says. AM

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NATURAL WOMAN

Passport to Misadventure

I

by Susan Frampton

t’s the time of year when our thoughts turn to getting away from it all, thinking that an exotic location or new adventure might be just what we need to return us to our daily lives refreshed and revitalized, horizons broadened and new lessons learned.

As I turn off the Travel Channel, I remember that our vacations almost always start off like that, but never seem to end quite as planned.

On my first real vacation as an adult, I skied in the Austrian Alps, feeling glamorous and sophisticated, swishing confidently from hamlet to hamlet with my friends, sipping schnapps and hot chocolate at picturesque chalets on the mountainsides. Higher and higher the lifts took us, until we skied through white, billowy clouds.

But, in the clouds, it is surprisingly easy to zig when you should zag and to suddenly find yourself in a chalet without a single

familiar face or a language that you understand. I suppose it was fortunate that I looked distraught enough that a group of Norwegian skiers invited me to ski with them – down the vertical black diamond slopes one might expect Norwegian skiers to enjoy. The rest of my day was spent head-over-teacups until finally I found my friend several towns away. Once she cancelled the ski patrol search, she was not amused by my new command of the Norwegian language.

Things didn’t improve much the next day, when the same friend skied into a fence and tore everything vital to the operation of her knee. But I picked up some very useful information as a result: mainly that it is possible and even advisable to smuggle an American citizen from an Austrian hospital just prior to Dr. Frankenstein scrubbing in for surgery.

The adventure seemed to set a pattern for travel which would take me around the world, but inevitably and recurrently leave me in desperate need of a vacation from my vacation.

ILLUSTRAT IONS BY JASON WA G E N E R Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 43

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44 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

RAL NATU N WOMA

A few years later, married and off to ski for a week out West with friends, it was déjà vu all over again when the ski patrol arrived to medevac one of our friends out of the Rockies, with the exact same knee injury my friend suffered in the Alps. Was it just me?

Looking at me with suspicion, my husband skied slowly and carefully off the mountain, and immediately marked skiing off the vacation list.

When heading to London, we packed for the cool, damp weather typical for the time of year. We arrived to a freak heat wave which left us sweltering in our woolies with no air conditioning and the UK’s decidedly warm beer.

When our hotel caught fire in the middle of the night, we thought that standing on the street in our jammies would be the icing on the cake, but no, the bomb around the corner at Kensington Palace and the week-long tube shutdown proved to be equally noteworthy. In answer to his raised eyebrow, I assured my husband that this kind of thing probably happens to everyone.

They tell you not to step off the path in the rainforest for good reason, but when my husband did, and impaled himself on a hideously poisonous thorn, one-hundred miles up the Amazon, I sensed an emerging pattern to our travel adventures. The guidebooks also remind you to stay hydrated because the heat and humidity reaches the boiling point, but on a day-trip to a remote village, we had to grab my husband as he went down for the count, just inches from the banks of a river teeming with piranha. I had started to think that I was simply the catalyst for vacation calamity. That all changed when a salad at a third-world

airport restaurant erased all memory of the return trip and knocked me out for a week once I got home.

With these past lessons learned, it stands to reason that the Dark Continent wouldn’t have been the best choice for the next vacation destination, but when the airplane door opened in Johannesburg, there I was, with immunization card and malaria pills in hand. After several too-close encounters with charging elephants, a bit of unconsciousness while flying at high altitudes over Zimbabwe and a nasty bite from a grouchy cheetah, I arrived home weary and forever wary of big cats.

A trolley-car ride in Texas left my daughter with a concussion, and fly fishing in Colorado landed a hook through my thumb. Luggage didn’t arrive in Kenya, and our villa in Costa Rica had no water. And let’s just say that drought, leeches and saddle sores put me off to any more weeklong horseback rides in Montana.

(Cowboys walk that way for good reason, folks.)

When I put them all together, my vacation track record should put me off travel of any kind, but the reality is that there is not much I would change about any of the adventures. There is Austrian crystal in the cabinet, African masks on the walls, candlesticks from London on the mantle, Peruvian pottery on the shelf and many colorful stamps in my passport. But the best things about our vacations are the things I carry with me everywhere: the scars and the laughter and the memories of the misadventures. Those are the best souvenirs of all. AM

PATCH WORK OF THE SOUTH

Embracing the Storm Finding Beauty Beneath the Rubble of Disaster

by Michelle Lewis

I

t looked like a tornado had hit their sunroom. Broken boards, shingles, rusted nails, crumpled sheets of damp fiberglass.

All piled waist-high. The ceiling fan hung sideways, attached by a mere wire, and swung back and forth in the breeze.

What had once been a vibrant, sun-drenched room had now been transformed into a disaster zone. The roof had held up as long as it could. For weeks the ceiling had been dropping lower and lower. Large chunks of sheetrock dotted their floor, until one morning, they woke to find a new “skylight.”

It wasn’t possible to put off repairs any longer.

ILLUS TRAT IONS BY WIL L RI Z Z O Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 47

H PATC K WOR E OF THH SOUT

Disaster can sneak up on us in an instant. Sometimes we see the warning signs. Sometimes we don’t.

Sometimes we put off addressing the issue. We wait for a more convenient time. Or when we have more finances. We wait for a time when we feel stronger, smarter and more stable – until suddenly we are facing a gaping hole in our roof.

Disasters have a way of making themselves a priority.

But what if some of our disasters are actually God’s perfectly orchestrated plan? Maybe they are steppingstones, taking us where we need to be, or placing us in another person’s path? Maybe they give us an opportunity to speak from experience on a particular subject, or are catalysts for spiritual growth. They can force us out into the unknown, where we have no choice but to tap into our hidden strengths, or to bring people into our lives that we would have never met otherwise. They can help us develop a faith that will not be shaken, or simply prove to us our true friends.

The sunroom is being repaired now. Family and friends have come together to help with the rebuilding. They are sunburned, and they sweat in the heat. They slap at mosquitoes and haul heavy shingles up the ladder. And they don’t work for money. They work because they love the ones with the broken roof.

And when the work is finished, the sunroom will be more beautiful than it has ever been before. AM 48 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

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LIFE & FAITH

Teaching My Son to Think

C

by Will Browning hristians are a bunch of mindless dimwits who for generations have had their heads in the sand!

I hate hearing these sorts of things said of Christians, but naiveté is all too often a hallmark of my tribe. And I want to fight it with everything in me! I am very committed to orthodox theology – a conservative view of God that is informed by the truth of the Bible – but I am equally committed to being a thinking Christian and instilling that quality in my children.

Recently, I had an experience that reinforced my desire to develop this attribute in my children and provided a great opportunity for training.

Many of my friends had warned me of Hollywood’s most recent “Christian” offering in writer and director Darren Aronofsky’s new movie Noah. When the movie was banned in three Muslim nations and The New Yorker reported that Aronofsky hailed it as “the least Biblical, Biblical movie ever made,” I knew I had to go see this movie and bring my son.

ILLUSTR AT ION BY JASON WA G E N E R Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 51

LIFE & FAITH

In his lifetime, my son, like me, is bound to place his confidence in some athlete who gives “glory to God” before the game, yet confuses my child by his actions off the field. He is likely to idolize a musician who sings about Jesus on track three but then objectifies women on track ten. Or he may become enamored with a world-famous preacher who is later arrested for a heinous crime. I wanted to teach my son a lesson that life has taught me time and time again – that just because it looks like a Christian, talks like a Christian and acts like a Christian, does not mean it is Christian.

So, I checked him out of school early one day and took him to his favorite restaurant. Over a chili dog and a cherry Coke I said, “Ethan, I believe you are smarter than most people. I want you to prove that to me today.

I’m going to read you a story from the Bible. I want you to listen closely to the details. Then we are going to see a PG-13 movie (always an extra-special event for a twelve year old), and I want you to point out where the story and the movie differ.”

A challenge was issued, and a boy cannot resist an opportunity to win.

It was an early afternoon movie and the theater was predictably empty, offering a perfect opportunity for us to talk about what we were seeing. It wasn’t long until my young critic leaned over and said, “I don’t remember there being anything about rock monsters in the Bible.”

I nodded and said, “You’re right, buddy! I knew you were sharper than everyone else.”

52 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

These were the rest of his remarks: Did they really have pregnancy tests in Old Testament times?

I don’t remember there being a war in the story we read.

Dad, why does the Noah in the movie seem evil? In the story we read he was the most righteous man on the planet.

I was pulling his head out of the sand and challenging him to smell the Kool-Aid without drinking it. I was proud of my boy for thinking critically, being observant and not falling for the shenanigans.

In a self-congratululatory manner I walked to the car with my arm around my son and offered him this final lesson. “In life, you will encounter a lot of things that parade as Christianity.

There is a firm standard for truth: it’s the Bible. Some things will be very attractive and enticing, but it’s only by holding things up to the standard of the Bible that we can tell if something is true or not.” AM

Al Mohler, “Drowning in Distortion

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Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 53

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Growing Home

Collections of found and repurposed objects grow organically to form the ever-changing landscapes of today's homes.

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 57

STYLE

Antique Store

Antique Store

Thrift Store

Thrift Store

Family Heirloom

Estate Sale

Rummage Shops

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Rescue

Gift

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Design Tip

Mix it up. During the warmer months, display items like these antique stoneware crocks in front of the fireplace.

58 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

STYLE

Family Heirloom

Gift

Family Heirloom

Estate Sale

Family Heirloom

Flea Market Yard Sale

Gift

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Bring the outside in. Items that have been displayed outside develop a beautiful patina that can add interest to a tabletop display.

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 59

STYLE Family Heirlooms

Flea Market

Thrift Store Auction

Rummage Shop

Rummage Shop

Thrift Store

Garage Sale

Rummage Shop

Flea Market Thrift Store

Design Tip

Rescue

Look for classic shapes. This mirror, originally from a vintage dresser, transforms into a timeless centerpiece with a fresh coat of black paint.

60 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

STYLE Local Art

Flea Market

Family Heirloom

Estate Sale

Thrift Shop

Estate Sale

Design Tip

Don't forget the floor. Displaying items on the floor can finish off an area that might look a little bare.

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 61

STYLE

Thrift Store

Thrift Store

Flea Market Yard Sale

Estate Sale

Rummage Shop

Child's Project Family Heirlooms

Thrift Store

Thrift Store

School Salvage Gift

Design Tip

Group like items. This creates a secondary focal point that can add more interest than displaying them separately.

62 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

STYLE Family Heirloom Rummage Shop Thrift Store

Yard Sale

Family Heirloom

Rummage Shop

Antique Store

Thrift Stores

Design Tip

Mix objects that traditionally don't go together. These vintage golf clubs, stored in an antique coal bucket, create a unique display.

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 63

STYLE

Rummage Shops Thrift Shop

Estate Sale

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Flexibilty in numbers. Grouping mirrors of different shapes, sizes and colors can offer more design flexibility than a single large mirror.

64 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

Flea Market

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Southern Traditions

They have shaped our lives for centuries-what we eat, how we play and how we celebrate this unique and classic culture.

66 FOX HUNT

Across the fields and forests of the Lowcountry, the song of a new generation is sung to a melody as old as time.

72 GRAND WEDDING

Against the idyllic backdrop of Gibbes Farm, this April wedding is the picture of Southern rustic charm.

78 COOKOUT

With Southern cuisine hot across the country, get fired up for some fresh twists on these five classics.

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 67

~ Southern Traditions ~

M U S I C of the H O U N D S Across the fields and forests of the Lowcountry, the song of a new generation is sung to a melody as old as time. written by S U S A N F R A M P T O N

photos by D O T T I E R I Z Z O & T A Y L O R R I Z Z O

I

t is a crisp morning in Bailey’s Field across the oak-lined highway from Middleton Place. Dew hangs heavy in the grass, and breaths turn to vapor as members of the Middleton Place Hounds begin to assemble for their season’s Closing Meet and Hunt Breakfast. Members and guest riders hail the Master of the Hunt as they check in at the field, with the traditional “Good morning, Master.” The sounds of gentle snorts and soft nickers also hang in the air as horses call their own greetings, and salutations warm with familiarity ring out among the equestrians.

There are strict rules of decorum, and this Closing Meet will require riders to dress in formal attire; however, until the horses have been readied, the riders’ gear is of a more practical variety.

Their barn jackets, jeans and rubber boots better suit the preparations leading to the day’s activities. Curry combs slide across sleek flanks, manes are braided, bridles adjusted, and saddles eased onto the backs of a collection of horses as diverse as the riders themselves.

There is a sense of anticipation as the starting time draws near. Barn jackets are replaced by “pinks,” the red coats of men over the age of 21 and women who are Masters of the Foxhounds. Black jackets slip onto slender shoulders, as do a scattering of green worn by members of the visiting Aiken Hounds. Before they mount, crisp white stocks are tied and adjusted, and dust is brushed from the toes of tall, tan-topped black boots. Each element of their attire has a practical purpose, and no detail is too small.

of the club’s kennel seem to be born with memories of him already set in their minds. Before their eyes open, he begins to train them, stroking their small bodies; teaching them his scent; pulling a shoestring to encourage their tiny legs to follow their noses’ lead.

The sweet sound of his Gullah language soothes the pups, and as they grow, so does the respect between man and animal.

“Hounds don’t like strife,” Green says with a gentle smile. “As long as you can laugh, you can talk to any animal. Everybody works as a team,” he explains. “You treat them right, and they’ll put on a show. You cannot lie to them, or they will catch you, and you’re done.

All they want is love and respect.”

Founded by Carroll and Buist Rivers, Middleton Place Hounds joined the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) in 1977. Many of the riders in today’s field have been members since the organization’s inception and their mission is to preserve the traditions of foxhunting and encourage multi-generational participation in the sport.

Once a practical method of controlling crop-destroying vermin, foxhunting came to our shores from England in the 1600s, and most do not realize that the generic term actually encompasses other species including coyote, bobcat and wild boar. Modern mounted hunting has evolved from the original form, most obviously in that it focuses on the chase rather than the kill, and the quarry need not be tangible.

There is a new flurry of activity: the Huntsman has arrived, and with him, the hounds.

Such is the case this morning as Middleton Place Hounds ends their formal season. This will be a drag hunt, in pursuit of the lure, a scent-drenched rag dragged over a course of jumps, twists and turns prior to the start of the hunt. Representing the fox, Bill Green, has perfumed the route with a mixture of fox urine and glycerin water irresistible to the pack of foxhounds. Today’s meet will cover land in Charleston and Dorchester Counties, as the hounds track the fox-fragrant trail through the pinelands and hardwood forests of Middleton Place.

The hounds are at the heart of the sport of foxhunting, and the man who trains those of Middleton Place is something of a legend. Bill Green, the country’s only African-American Master of Hounds, has been at the plantation for over 35 years. The dogs

Those who are not riding, but follow behind in cars are the Tallyho, a congenial group of social supporters of the sport and the club. Champagne passes amongst participants as they stand beside their cars, gathered in anticipation of the start of the hunt.

Hosts walk among the mounted riders to offer the traditional farewell drink or stirrup cup to those who will ride the hounds.

The drink’s name connotes that riders are ready to depart – with feet firmly in the stirrups. It is also the name of the silver cups fastened to the saddlebags of some riders.

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Waving and smiling, the riders move from Bailey’s Field to await the start in a clearing close to the water.

Huntsman, Jamie Green, whose philosophy and skill was garnered at his father’s knee, is resplendent in the club’s colors, and gathers the riders and hounds. Introductions are made by the Master, and heads are bowed in blessing. The Huntsman places the horn to his lips, and the hunt is on.

The Tally-ho will meet up with the hunt several miles away, following gentle rises and pine-needled paths. Along the way, the hounds can be heard far off in the distance, and there is an occasional glimpse of a red jacket through the trees. Waiting for the hounds and riders to arrive in the sun-dappled clearing, followers are offered up a short drink from the beverage wagon.

It is a smooth, sweet concoction called a “fox chaser,” a mixture of Irish cream, butterscotch and cinnamon schnapps, and the perfect complement to this golden morning.

It is in the midst of the glade that club founder, Carroll Rivers, stands watching and waiting. Though she no longer rides, she follows in her car for nearly every hunt. She is wellknown as their best hunt supporter, and members frequently step up to thank her for all she has done. Her eyes brighten when asked about how she came to be involved in founding the club.

“I grew up thinking I was a horse,” Rivers remembers, laughing at her young self. “Buist (her late husband and club co-founder) didn’t ride, but it seemed to him that I was having far too much fun without him, so he decided to join me.”

“Listen!” she says suddenly, her head cocked to the side as if to recall a sweet memory. “Can you hear them? The hounds…can you hear them?”

As though summoned by her words, the voices of the hounds carry from across a small lake on the edge of the clearing. We watch across the way as they run joyously, following the lure. The riders are close behind, and flashes of red, green and black reflect in the rippling water. The strident cries become closer and more urgent.

The animal is huge, a black draft horse that seems improbably large to move with such elegance. The man astride him sits tall in the saddle, his red jacket and white stock flashing in the morning light. The horse’s muscles bunch as he gathers himself to take flight, and the movements of the man’s body answer in response to the animal. Horse and rider leap as one, and for a moment seem suspended in the air. In slow motion, they effortlessly clear the gate, then thunder to the ground, with the rest of the first field close on their heels.

If the hounds are the music, then these are the dancers. Percherons and Paint Horses, Arabians and Appaloosas move past us in a fluid stream of graceful motion. All of those in the first field bound over the gate, while for the next group, jumping is optional.

The last field, those called “hilltoppers,” take an alternate route off to the side of the gate. Some of these riders are new to the hunt, or riding new horses, while others simply prefer a slower pace, or are young riders not yet ready for the jumps.

Regardless of their level of expertise, the riders wear the joy of the chase on their faces. A smattering of applause breaks as a young girl on a small white pony trots by the crowd; her back straight in her black jacket, and a blonde braid peeking from beneath her velvet helmet. This elegant young rider represents the future of Middleton Place Hounds, and she cannot restrain her shy, pleased smile.

It is a future that invites all who are interested to participate, whether as riders or supporters of the sport. As horses and riders mingle with the followers at the second stop, laughter rings out among friends. Riders, still seated and parched from the chase, are served from the beverage wagon.

Wide-eyed children stroke muzzles and flanks with tiny, curious fingers.

Silver stirrup cups held by gloved hands toast the day.

The sun is high, and it is time to reassemble across the highway at Middleton Place for the Hunt Breakfast.

“Music,” she explains. “That’s the sound you hear. Their baying is called the music of the hounds.”

The many social aspects of the Middleton Place Hounds provide year-round opportunities, but this morning’s feast is the culmination of this year’s sporting season. Gathered together in companionable friendship, the flushed, happy faces reveal that this age-old tradition is alive and well in the Lowcountry.

Pointing to a log supported on either side, and raised across a path to our left, she explains that they will jump here. Already in motion and moving toward the path, she calls me to hurry. We’ve barely stepped into place behind a large oak when the hounds come into view. Only seconds behind, the first rider follows the pack, and approaches the jump before us.

Standing among them as they recount the day’s hunt is Rivers.

As she listens, feet firmly planted on the ground, it is clear that the heart of the Middleton Place Hounds’ founder will always sit squarely on the back of a horse at full gallop toward a woodland jump. There is no doubt that if she has any say in the matter, the music of the hounds will play on and on. AM Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 73

~ Southern Traditions ~

Oh Happy Day .

idyllic backdrop of Gibbes Farm in Saint Matthews, South Carolina, this April wedding is the picture of Southern rustic charm. . .

Against the

by

Jana Riley photos by

Dottie Rizzo produced by Elizabeth Huggins

On a clear spring day, surrounded by family and friends, Georgia LeConte Gibbes and Bryant Taylor Dyess said their marriage vows to one another. The venue, an equestrian farm which belongs to the bride's family, George and Ethel Gibbes, was the perfect setting for the ceremony of an animal-loving, outdoorsy couple, and the atmosphere, understated yet elegant, mimicked the newlyweds’ style itself.

The impeccable weather and the full moon that rose as the guests danced the night away were happy surprises. Most of the other elements, however, can be attributed to Beth Huggins, owner and event planner at Elizabeth Huggins and Company, based in Summerville.

After meeting with the couple a year prior to the event, Huggins began planning a day that would not only encompass the bride and groom’s personalities, but enhance the beauty of the family farm, and lend itself to memories that would last a lifetime. Focusing on a “barefoot elegance” theme, Huggins used earth tones, natural materials and unique floral designs by Charleston-based Terry Hawkins, to bring the design to fruition. As a nod to the groom’s architectural salvage business, Huggins incorporated many found and vintage pieces, including an antique cross taken from a gate in Scotland atop the wedding altar, an oversized spool in place of a guestbook table and a cast iron gift tub.

Opposite page, left to right: A magnolia covered arbor frames the handmade altar, topped with a variety of candlelit lanterns, while a monogrammed linen accents a family kneeling bench / A floral arrangement peeks from a small birdcage / In a creative alternative to a gift table, an antique claw foot tub lined in burlap sits beneath a garland featuring the names of the bride and groom / The groom and his groomsmen relax before the ceremony / Burlap-accented, custom letterpress stationery entices guests to attend / A flower girl in a lace frock shows off her floral hairpiece / One of many family dogs dressed for the occasion nuzzles a bridesmaid / a decorative bronze horse reflects the equestrian origins of the venue / A coachman statue greets guests with a candlelit lantern adorned with hydrangea / Custom plantation benches flank the wedding altar and pond / A Plantation Singer serenades the crowd / Floral arrangements add pops of color to the cocktail hour on the terrace.

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78 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

Opposite page, left to right: A rustic and natural floral centerpiece reflects the style of the day / A guest sips a specialty wedding cocktail / A copper still accents the “Swine and Shine” station, where guests fill up on pulled pork and moonshine / String lighting illuminates the atmosphere / Catering staff make rounds with hand-turned wooden serving trays and unique hors d'oeuvres / Tea pitchers wait for thirsty guests / Grilled peach and goat cheese flatbread are a light and delicious snack / Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters brings “big band sound and big stage excitement” / A multitude of beverage options ensure everyone has a great time / Cucumber water is refreshing after a few spins on the dance floor / Reception tables await, topped with burlap table runners / The swiss dot design on the four-tiered cake is simple and elegant. AM CREDITS: Beverage Artist: Oatmeal Chamerlain / Cake: Parkland Bakery / Calligraphy: Susie Wimberly / Catering and Bar: Southern Way Catering / Dress: Maddison Row, by Vera Wang Event Planner: Elizabeth Huggins and Company / Florist: Terry Hawkins and Justin Wham / Music: The Plantation Singers, The Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters / Rentals: Palmetto Party Rental / Salvaged Items: Encore / Stationery: Mac and Murphy / Venue: Gibbes Farm

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~ Southern Traditions ~

T H E C O O K O U T { G r e a t

S o u t h e r n }

It's that time of year againâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;With Southern cuisine hot across the country, get fired up for some fresh twists on these five classics.

photos by Dottie Rizzo

F R I E D P ICKLE BURGER TOPPERS I NG R ED I EN TS 2-4 cups peanut oil for frying, or as needed 1 (32 ounce) jar dill pickles, sliced lengthwise 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 2 eggs, beaten

D I R EC TI O N S Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.

Pat the pickle slices dry with paper towels.

In a small bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, cayenne pepper, black pepper and garlic powder.

Dip pickle slices into the egg, and then coat with the bread crumb mixture.

Fry the pickles in the hot oil until golden brown on each side, turning once.

Transfer to paper towels.

Top your favorite burger with the fried pickles and homemade dill ranch sauce (see recipe below).

D I L L RANCH DRESSING I N G R ED I EN TS 1 clove garlic salt 1/4 cup Italian flat-leaf parsley 2 tablespoons fresh chives 2 teaspoons fresh dill 1 cup real mayonnaise 1/2 cup sour cream 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce buttermilk pepper

D I R EC TI O N S Mince the garlic with a knife and sprinkle with 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoons of salt. Mash it into a paste with a fork.

Finely chop the parsley, chives and dill and add to the garlic.

In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream and Worchestershire.

Add the herb & garlic mix on top and stir well.

Add pepper to taste.

Chill for a few hours before serving.

Thin with buttermilk, if desired.

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DEEP FRIED CORN ON THE COB INGRE D I E N T S vegetable oil fresh or thawed frozen ears corn 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup plus 3-5 tablespoon corn meal 1/2 cup (or more ), self rising flour 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon table salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

DIRECTIONS In a deep, heavy Dutch oven, preheat oil to 375 degrees F. Make a batter by combining the cornmeal, buttermilk and beaten eggs.

Combine flour, garlic powder, salt and black pepper in a medium bowl or pan and set aside.

Dip corn-on-the-cob ears into cornmeal batter to coat, and roll in the flour mixture.

With cooking tongs, slowly place a few ears of corn in hot oil. Fry for about 3 minutes per ear or until golden brown.

Drain on paper towels. Season as desired with salt and black pepper.

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WHIPPED CHERRY DESSERT I N G R ED I EN TS 8 oz container Cool Whip 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 21 oz can cherry pie filling 20 oz can crushed pineapple 2 cups mini marshmallows 1 cup shredded coconut 1/2 cup chopped pecans

D I R EC TI O N S In a large bowl, mix Cool Whip and condensed milk.

Add cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, and mix well.

Fold in marshmallows, coconut and pecans.

Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

B A C O N R A N C H P O TAT O S A L A D INGR E D I E N T S 11 red potatoes 1/2 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled 3 green onions sliced 1 to 1-1/2 cups ranch dressing (see recipe page 81) 3/4 cup cheese, freshly grated

DIRECTIONS Place potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil.

Once cooked, drain and cut into bite-sized chunks.

SWEET TEA PINK M IM OSA I N G R ED I EN TS 1/2 gallon sweet tea 1 can frozen pink lemonade 1 bottle pink blush champagne 2 cups club soda

D I R EC TI O N S Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher. Stir well and enjoy!

Let cool before adding the bacon, green onions and the buttermilk ranch.

Toss, then add in the cheddar cheese.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve chilled.

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 85

A Place In Time The historic clock tower was built in 1845

Roadtrip Destination

Georgetown, SC

The Hammock Coast of South Carolina: A Carolina Gold Mine Pawleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island, Litchfield, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Georgetown

Summer 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 87

Roadtrip

Destination Georgetown, SC

skill-set in order to make it a profitable venture.

Droves of shackled men, women and children from rice-growing regions in West Africa soon outnumbered whites here as they began to transform the swampy earth into lucrative crops.

Most people see signs pointing to the small coastal towns on their way to Myrtle Beach, but only the lucky ones actually check them out. Some have been coming here loyally for generations. Perhaps that adds to the charm of the Hammock Coast, or perhaps it protects it.

Whether by way of chance or beloved tradition, it’s guaranteed that the majority of visitors who make it here get it. This place is special. The Hammock Coast is refreshingly authentic, the air heavy with salt, humidity, pluff mud and rare and sometimes painful memories that reverberate through every building and waterway.

Slow and Easy

The downfall of the reign of rice was marked with the final shots of the Civil War. Plantation owners scrambled home to smoky ruins, but with no one to work their fields and access to limited paid labor, the crops ultimately dwindled down to nothing. Eventually, wealthy Northerners seeking mild climates and entertainment swooped in and purchased many former plantations as hunting and vacation properties.

It’s arguably one of the most historic stretches Clockwise from top left: A surviving workof coastline in the United States, with Spanish house at Mansfield Plantation / The dining room at Mansfield / Boats anchored along the settlers reportedly landing here on the Winyah Sampit River Opposite Page: Skip Yeager of The result today is a massive amount of undeveloped tracts of land with serious history Bay in 1526. They failed as farmers and moved Sweeties Sweets further south, but the English colonists who came after them and truly authentic travel opportunities. sustained. The fertile land and numerous rivers (five major ones in Georgetown county alone), coupled with the introduction of the This evolution of nature and culture is preserved perfectly within overwhelmingly popular Carolina Gold rice, catapulted the area Hobcaw Barony’s 16,000 acres. It’s had several lives: first as 14 individual plantations, later as a private hunting preserve and into being one of the wealthiest of the early colonies. now as a massive wildlife refuge and collegiate research facility These were labor intensive plantations that required a detailed with too many well-preserved historical features to count. Among 88 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

Roadtrip

Destination Georgetown, SC

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Destination Georgetown, SC

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them, a slave church and village, homes of affluent guests (Franklin D. Roosevelt for one), and even a portion of the original King’s Highway.

Georgetown Appeal Opposite page clockwise: The Harborwalk / Prevost Gallery Bloody Mary at The River Room / A sitting room at Sea View Inn This page: A fresh catch at The River Room / Guest room at Mansfield

The history lesson continues once you venture into the historic district of downtown Georgetown. Where blue coats once marched and kicked up dust is now Front Street, the bustling main drag with charming local shops and eateries along the Sampit River.

On one end of Front Street lies the Kaminski House, an elegant building that seems to loom over the surrounding structures.

Built around 1769, this home tour is full of amazing antiques and anecdotes that stand as a testament to family life here during every era of American history from the promise of the colonial times to post-Reconstruction.

Destination Georgetown, SC

profits to help operate and advocate for SC Cares, an organization that rescues abused and neglected animals.

From here, you can increase your history prowess at the Rice Museum & Prevost Gallery, a few of the historic churches, the new exhibits at the Georgetown County Museum, or meander through the picture-perfect residential area (just one street parallel to Front Street). Whatever you decide, we highly recommend ending the day shopping at one of the many farm and seafood markets or getting your fill at one of the restaurants on Murrells Inlet, the seafood capital of South Carolina.

The locally-owned hotels and inns are quite diverse, and suit any personality or preference. History buffs should stay at either the Keith House Inn for the downtown Georgetown experience, or Mansfield for the bona fide plantation experience. In fact, it’s one of the most well-preserved rice plantations in the country. Only From the front lawn of the Kaminski House you can walk right here can you work off your breakfast of shrimp and grits with a onto the Harborwalk, which is the riverfront boardwalk that bike ride past an original rice winnowing house. connects to stops like the SC Maritime Museum, Clocktower Books, or lunch options like the River Room, a local staple for For the young and the young at heart, the Sea View Inn on Pawley’s Island is one of the most unique and pleasantly quirky thirty years. spots on the Hammock Coast. The oceanfront inn is the essence Sweeties is a must-stop for dessert, but their back-story is as of what Pawley’s has been since long before the Civil War – a gratifying as their pecan pralines on a hot day. The owners use the laidback resort community where escape is the name of the game.

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photo by Donald Withers

Fresh Air Clockwise: Rope swing at Mansfield Plantation Water excursions abound / Hobcaw Barony Hopsewee Plantation 92 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

Instead of plantation owners escaping from malaria-ridden mosquitos on their rice fields, Pawleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is now where you can escape from modern reality for just a bit. Sea View in particular is a place where cell phones and internet becomes an after-thought and everyone piles their booze into a community refrigerator. The best part of all? The meals are included in the (very reasonable) price, and each delicious home-cooked plate is served from the kitchen that created the nowfamous Palmetto Cheese.

The fishing-hunting enthusiasts should check out Murrells Inlet Sports Lodge, which is ideally located near a marina and decked out with individual kitchenettes and an outdoor grill area with storage space for the catch of the day.

The rest of your stay can be filled with outdoor adventures of all sorts. These surrounding undeveloped lands are now enormous moss-draped playgrounds for nature lovers. You can stroll through the nationally renowned sculpture collection at Brookgreen Gardens, bird watch or swim at Huntington Beach State Park, paddle the waters with outfitters like Surf the Earth and Black River Outdoors, or trek down the 18mile Bike the Neck Trail.

Our favorite stop on the way home is Hopsewee Plantation. It was built almost 40 years before the Revolutionary War and is the birthplace of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Now a private residence and tea room, Hopsewee makes for a great home tour and delicious Lowcountry lunch (pimiento cheese biscuits for sure).

The grounds and existing slave cabins are situated on the North Santee River and make the ideal backdrop for a farewell to the Hammock Coast, which has now become a new gold mine of sorts: for visitors to unearth, yet dutifully respect. It has everything we love about small town South Carolina. With a raw, unfiltered look at our past, it is not always glossy, but most definitely genuine. AM

a relaxing escape

a family adventure

a perfect getaway

Featured artwork by Betsy Wilson-Mahoney â&#x20AC;˘ www.facebook.com/TheStudioWhereArtHappens

Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum 406 Park Avenue, Aiken www.VisitAikenSC.com 1-888-AikenSC

LOCAL S OCIA LS , CA US E S & COMMUNITY STAY CONNECTED

PINEWOOD'S WILD GAME DINNER & BALL Talented local chefs competed in a "Top Chef" Style Cook-Off featuring anything and everything WILD. In addition, Homegrown Brewhouse served up two special Pinewood brews. www.pinewoodprep.com

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You’ re Not Just a Patient.

You’ re Family.

We are moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. We understand the complexities of navigating through today’s healthcare system. As a member of our family, we promise to walk you through life’s medical decisions—however large or small.

We treat our patients with kindness and respect. And most importantly, they find comfort in knowing that our physicians have their best interest at heart. And with an urgent care center accessible 7am to 11pm everyday, we are even there for life’s unexpected surprises. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit us online at PalmettoPrimaryCare.com.

Schedule an Appointment Today.

843.572.7727 | PalmettoPrimaryCare.com

LOCAL S OCIA LS , CA US E S & COMMUNITY STAY CONNECTED

O'Lacy's Pub The Historic District's Neighborhood Pub

843.832.2999 139 Central Ave, S'ville

25TH ANNUAL JOHN TUPPER GOLF TEE-OFF PARTY Attendees celbrated 25 years of JSL with a Party for a Cause including dinner, dancing, silent and live auction under the Candlelite Pavilion at Miler Country Club. www.summervillejsl.com

96 AZALEAMAG.COM Summer 2014

LOCAL SOCIALS, CAUSES & COMMUNITY S TAY CONNE CTE D

SOUTHERN FLAME FESTIVAL Confederate Railroad headlined this year’s all day festival under the oaks at The Ponds. An official BBQ Competition offered up delicious Southern delectables while bluegrass and rock bands entertained the crowd.

Ultimate Tailgaters BBQ out of Aiken won the first annual Azalea Magazine Ultimate Pitmaster Award. www.southernflamefestival.org

LOWCOUNTRY FIESTA ITALIANA An event to promote Italian Culture and Heritage throughout the Tri-County area.

The best of Italian food and culture all in one place. Authentic food and craft vendors, live music and entertainment, Roman Centurion encampment, children’s games and classic Italian cars. www.festaitalianasc.org

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Last Call

photo by Donald Withers

Oh, The Places We Roam:

The Vereen House on Bellefield Plantation at Hobcaw Barony.

LOCAL BEACHES Folly Beach The word “Folly” is an Old English word meaning an area of dense foliage.

In the 1600s, settlers found an Indian tribe, the Bohickets, inhabiting the island. follybeach.com

THE FOX & THE HOUND

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson participated in fox hunting. Both kept packs of fox hounds before and after the American Revolutionary War.

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Isle of Palms Originally named Hunting Island and then Long Island, it was first inhabited by the indigenous Seewee Indians.

The area was of significance during the Civil War, as a point of departure for the CSS Hunley. www.iop.net

LET OUR SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICIANS GET YOU BACK IN THE GAME David Jaskwhich, MD / James Spearman, MD / Adam Schaaf, MD / James McCoy, Jr., MD X-ray, Occupational Therapy, MRI, Physical Therapy 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.

A member of

North Charleston 2880 Tricom St. 843-797-5050

Downtown Summerville 130 E. 3rd North St. 843-879-9699

Summerville / Oakbrook 93 B Springview Ln. 843-285-6060

Occupational Therapy 2881 B Tricom Street 843-797-5050

styled by margie sutton Photo by megan mcgee

MOD Beaute Studio

118 E Richardson Ave.

Summerville, SC

843.875.7525