Azalea Magazine Spring 2016 Charleston

THE FOREVER HOUSE / WESLEY DONEHUE: THE MAN IN THE MIRROR / WILD TURKEY IN SEARCH OF TOM COLLINS / Z-MAN: THE LURE OF SUCCESS / M&G KRISTEN BARENBORG FORGING A LEGACY: MASTER BLADESMITH JASON KNIGHT / TALKING POLITICS

Spring 2016~FREE

Modern Living in the Old South

True Colors The Southern Belle salad at Whisk pg. 56

Revel in the bounty of the season with f resh salads­ starring the very best of spring

Historic Downtown Summerville, SC 1 1 4 A Ea st R i c h a rd so n Ave. a n d o n l i n e a t flymodernapparel.com

Charleston Ch a r le s ton Gas tro entero lo gy Specialis ts C har les to n Endo sco py C enter Summer ville Endo sco py C enter

SUMMERVILLE ENDOSCOPY CENTER Our brand new, state of the art facility provides a more convenient, lower cost option for outpatient colonoscopies in the Summerville area as well as surrounding counties. Summerville Endoscopy Center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC) and certified by Medicare. Our procedure rooms meet or exceed the same rigorous standards imposed on major hospitals.

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY (843) 722-8000 | www.CharlestonGI.com With over 100 years of combined experience, 11 Board Certified Gastroenterologists, 3 locations and the best equipment at their fingertips, Charleston GI is the first and largest group of gastroenterology specialists in Charleston.

WEST ASHLEY

SUMMERVILLE

MT. PLEASANT

1962 Charlie Hall Blvd.

Charleston, SC 29414

328 Midland Pkwy Summerville, SC 29485

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

50 T HE M AN I N T HE M I RR O R

PUSH Digital founder and CEO Wesley Donehue is the virtual face of digital media, but his mirror reflects so much more

56 S P RI N G M I X E RS

Whisk's Savannah Cosby shares some of her favorite spring salad combinations

64

T HE F O R EV ER HO US E

Behind peeling paint and a forest of shrubbery, a longneglected house on Main Street stood waiting for the Rice family to come home

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

5

CONT ENT S

/ Spring 2016

19

45

23

26

06 Editor’s Letter 10 Contributors FIELD GUIDE A brief look into our local culture 11 Seasonal Wild Turkeys 12 Q&A Kristen Barenborg 14 Apothecary Lemon Juice 16 Etiquette Talking Politics SOUTHERN LIFE 19 Southern Spotlight - Drink 23 Southern Spotlight - Food 26 Southern Spotlight - Art 31 Southern Spotlight - Outdoor 34 Southern Spotlight - Garden

31

COLUMNS 37 Natural Woman

by Susan Frampton 40 Kids These Days

by Tara Bailey

43 Life & Faith

by Will Browning

37

19

O N T H E C O V E R : The Southern Belle salad from Whisk / Photograph by Dottie Rizzo 6

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

THE| GALLERY 45 Forging a Legacy An internationally renowned bladesmith seeks to sharpen the smithing skills of all who wish to learn.

72 THE VILLAGE POET - Morning Coffee

Explore Charleston, SC with us.

We know that finding the right home is about more than bedrooms and bathrooms. It’s about knowing all there is to know about Charleston, SC – the city, neighborhoods, schools, and more – to find the perfect home. At Charleston Preferred Properties, we use our experience and vast knowledge of the Charleston, SC real estate market to help our clients successfully navigate the process of buying or selling a home in the Lowcountry. We’re here to help!

CharlestonPreferredProperties.com 866-780-7001

EDITOR’S LETTER

Spicing It Up They say that variety is the spice of life. I'm not exactly sure who they are, but I must say that I have to agree with them.

Although I could easily eat at the same restaurant day after day, and the idea of owning an identical suit for every day of the week (like Einstein) is tempting, diversity in most things is both entertaining and challenging.

In each issue of AZALEA, it is our goal to share a wide range of narratives from the array of diverse communities we have here in the Lowcountry. From the fields of St. George and the dunes of Edisto to the village streets of Summerville and the marsh creeks of Mt. Pleasant, you will find handsome homes, delicious food, innovative artisans, inspiring artists and charming people.

We're honored to have the opportunity to share with you the South Carolina Lowcountry— variety at its best.

Will Rizzo Editor in Chief

YOUR DOG KNOWS WHAT’S GOOD FOR YOU. Getting out on a trail.

Seeing new sights. Sniffing new smells. Getting your paws moving and your tails wagging. You’ll both come home ready for anything—or maybe just a nap.

New homes from the mid $200s to $400+ | MOVE IN NOW Front Porch Info Studio | 142 Brighton Park Blvd. | Summerville

nexton.com | 843-900-3200

Prices, specifications and availability subject to change without notice.

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

9

Will Rizzo Co-Publisher and Editor in Chief will@azaleamag.com Dottie Rizzo Co-Publisher and Managing Editor dottie@azaleamag.com Susan Frampton Senior Editor Jana Riley Senior Editor Will Browning Faith Editor Charlie Sweeney Copy Editor Lewis Frampton Distribution Manager

Contributors

Tara Bailey Elizabeth Donehue Susan Frampton Lindsey Harris Ellen Hyatt Jana Riley Charlie Sweeney Jason Wagener

Advertising Susan Frampton susan@azaleamag.com 843.696.2876 Susie Wimberly susie@azaleamag.com 843.568.7830 Dan Riley dan@azaleamag.com 843.709.2464 Tina Zimmerman tina@azaleamag.com 843.276.5084

10 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

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

Subscribe

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

Azalea Magazine is published by

REDEFINE YOUR NECKLINE Surgical and Non-Surgical Procedures Available

SMILE NeckLift

R

A surgical procedure that includes liposuction of the chin and neck region as needed.

Precision TX

A non-surgical procedure using laser lipolysis to stimulate collagen production in order to promote skin thickening and tissue tightening with minimal downtime!

Protege RF

A non-surgical procedure using radio frequency waves to tighten sagging skin and promote collagen growth.

Kybella

R

The first and only FDA approved injectable treatment that contours and improves the appearance of submental fullness, sometimes referred to as “double chin”.

Dennis K. Schimpf, MD, MBA, FACS Rebecca Zerwick Johnson MPAS, PA-C

843-471-1135

CONTRIBUTORS

SUSAN FRAMPTON / Writer

JANA RILEY / Writer

JASON WAGENER / Illustrator

CHARLIE SWEENEY /Writer

TARA BAILEY /Writer

ELLEN HYATT / Poet

Susan is a writer who has happily called Summerville home for over thirty years.

When not at her desk, she spends as much time as possible with her hands in the dirt, or thinking up new projects for her husband, Lewis—who wishes she would spend less time thinking.

Charlie is a high school teacher by trade and a husband, father, writer, and editor by night. A transplant to South Carolina, he has happily called Summerville home for the last 8 years. When not at his desk, Charlie is out adventuring with his wife, Jewel, and two kids, Caleb and AJ.

Jana Riley is a writer and editor living in Summerville. Her current favorite hobbies include having the world explained to her by her two year old daughter, Forest, and sharing warm snuggles with new baby Oscar.

Tara is a writer and editor for SCIWAY. net. She is a Palmetto State native, and lives in Summerville with her husband and three daughters.

Jason started his illustrious art career when he won a coloring contest in third grade, subsequently entitling him proud owner of a Mickey Mouse dry erase board. He moved to the Lowcountry in 1990, and save an education at The Savannah College of Art and Design.

Ellen is a fellow of the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project, professor, columnist, and appointee to the Board of Governors of the SC Academy of Authors. Her works have twice been the recipient of what the Poetry Society of SC refers to as “the big one” (the Dubose & Dorothy Heyward Society Prize).

On the Rise

Wild turkeys began to disappear in the early part of the 20th century due to over-hunting. Thanks in part to the formation of the National Wild Turkey Federation, headquartered in Edgefield County, the numbers are on the rise. It is estimated that more than 7 million wild turkeys now live in the US.

Air Speed Wild turkeys are very good fliers. Though they can only fly for short distances, they can reach speeds of up to 50 mph.

18 lbs

The amount of turkey the average American eats each year.

Wild Turkey

With turkey season upon us, here are some little known details about our state's official game bird

6,000

The estimated number of feathers on an adult male.

Loud & Proud A wild turkey’s gobble can be heard up to a mile away.

In Focus

Wild turkeys see in color and have excellent daytime vision —three times better than a human’s eyesight, and can cover 270 degrees.

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

13

What is your favorite thing about living in the Lowcountry?

I really love walking over the Cooper River Bridge, especially as the sun is setting.

What is your dream job?

I absolutely love being a chiropractor and I can't think of a single job I would rather do.

I don't enjoy the business part but taking care of my patients is definitely my dream job.

Is there a motto that you live by?

What goes around comes around.

Who or what are you a fan of ?

I'm a fan of random acts of kindness. I'm a sucker for happy people.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee all day long What's one thing you've bought in the last five years that you couldn’t live without?

I recently got a fold up table with built in seating for four people. It opens up like something George Jetson would have had. I keep it in my car and we have pop-up dinner parties in the most beautiful locations around town.

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

Q& A

I got myself a skateboard last year when my kids started getting interested in the sport.

I quickly realized that I don't have enough coordination or disability insurance to be a skateboarder.

What is your favorite music?

K r i s te n B a r e n b o rg Chiropractor

The Bee Gees! You can't be anything but happy when you listen to their music.

What is your dream vacation?

The Orient Express has a trip from Venice to Budapest. That would be a dream. AM

14

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

We believe Mother Nature is a pretty good teacher.

This is Summers Corner.

With new homes from the high $200s to $400s.

And a new school sprouting in August.

Sand Hill Elementary is part of top-rated Dorchester District Two. And just a beautifully short walk away.

Move in before school starts.

Models open daily.

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

Sour Power

We use it to flavor drinks, but there are many practical uses for lemon juice that will have you thinking outside the glass

16

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

Nine unexpected ways to use lemon juice Stain Remover If your fingers become stained from berry juice that won’t come off with soap and water, use undiluted lemon juice. Allow lemon juice to soak into skin for a few minutes before washing them off with warm, soapy water.

Clean and Whiten Nails Add the juice of ½ of a lemon to 1 cup of warm water and soak your fingertips in the mixture for 5 minutes to whiten and clean fingernails.

Natural Cleaner Use lemon juice to clean kitchen or bathroom surfaces for a natural cleaner with no harmful chemicals. It works great at removing sticky residue, and also works great as an air freshener. You can dilute it with water and fill a spray bottle to use when needed.

Soften Dry Skin For rough or dry skin on knees, elbows or heels, you can make a lemon sugar scrub or cut a lemon in half and rub directly on affected areas to soften skin.

Laundry Booster For Whites Use 1 cup of lemon juice with your detergent to brighten whites when washing clothes. The citric acid in lemons helps break down stubborn stains.

Soothe a Sore Throat Squeeze a fresh lemon in a cup of hot water to soothe a sore throat. Add a little honey to sweeten the drink.

Clean Stainless Steel Make a paste out of lemon juice and salt to clean stainless steel to a nice shine.

Simply apply to stainless steel, then wipe the steel down with a clean cloth afterwards.

Hand Sanitizer Lemon juice can be used as a hand sanitizer, not to mention it can be used to rid the hands from the lingering smell of onions and garlic when cooking.

Furniture Polish Mix one part lemon juice to two parts olive oil for an all natural furniture polish.

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

17

ELIZABETH DONEHUE

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

Talking politics is like dancing. It's impossible to do it without stepping on a few toes.

"

Susan Gale

Etiquette

Politically Speaking You have surely heard the old adage, “never discuss religion or politics,” deeming the two topics unfit for polite company.

Well, the times they are a-changin'. The elections are upon us, and talking politics is happening everywhere from boardrooms to family dinners.

by Elizabeth Donehue

18

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

HERE ARE MY TIPS FOR POLITE, C O N S T RU C T I V E POLITICAL DIALOGUE:

Stick to the facts

What are the recent headlines?

What is the candidate's stance?

What was discussed in the debate?

Listen

Don’t monopolize the conversation. Even if you disagree with the comments of others, show respect by asking questions.

You may be surprised to learn something new!

Keep it clean

Use your best judgment and keep your interactions civil. Don’t allow yourself to get worked up.

It is best to remain reserved not only with your words but also with your tone of voice and body language.

Assume nothing

Don't presume that someone agrees with you­—or disagrees, for that matter.

Have an exit strategy

If you find yourself in a political debate and it’s getting heated, you can say, “I guess we just don't see eye-to-eye;” or: “I'll have to consider that;” and then change the subject.

The principle of etiquette is to treat others with consideration.

I would venture to say that with respect and consideration, even politics and religion can be topics fit for polite conversation. AM

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

19

In Search of Tom Collins

How a late 19th century prank possibly influenced a cocktail staple in U.S. bars Hard Core

The Apple Cider Tom Collins is a refreshing twist on the classic

by Charlie Sweeney

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

21

In Search of Tom Collins

The Hoax In 1874, Tom Collins was one of the most sought after troublemakers outside watering holes in the United States. Problem is, no one could ever get their hands on him.

Long before viral videos and prank shows, bar patrons in New York and surrounding states would instigate trouble by approaching fellow patrons and asking if they had seen Tom Collins. Apparently Collins was making some rather inflammatory remarks about the individual around the corner or at another local venue.

APPLE CIDER TOM COLLINS Ingredients 1 1/2 oz gin 1/2 cup Sprite 1/2 cup apple cider

These comments were outlandish and otherwise unbelievable. But, when presented as fact, the victim had no choice but to seek out Collins and left the bar on a wild goose chase.

juice from half a lime

This prank, which became known as “The Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874” influenced popular culture so much that the New York newspapers even reported Tom Collins sightings that only served to perpetuate the fun.

Mix all ingredients and pour over ice.

The Debate The first published Tom Collins cocktail recipe appeared in Jerry Thomas’s Bar-Tender’s Guide produced in 1876. Being from New York, Thomas undoubtedly would have been familiar with the Collins hoax, thus may have immortalized the name Tom Collins in the form of an original cocktail.

But, a bartender in London had been serving a drink called the John Collins since the early 1800s. Speculation exists that the drink emigrated from England around 1850 and a cocktail similar to what would be become the Tom Collins appeared in New York during this time.

As Old Tom Gin became a popular base liquor for the cocktail, so may have emerged the drink named the Tom Collins.

The Collins Family of Cocktails Traditional Collins cocktails typically follow a consistent formula with the only variation being the base liquor used. Traditional Collins cocktails are built around a base liquor, lemon juice, simple syrup or sugar, carbonated water, and a typical garnish of a lemon slice and maraschino cherry. The Tom Collins variation of the cocktail uses gin as opposed to other Collins drinks that use whiskey, rum, vodka, tequila.

Variations of the traditional cocktail revolve around substitutions of different base liquor, while modern interpretations of the Collins drinks show evidence of experimentation with every aspect of the ingredients.

You name it, someone has probably tried to fit it into the Collins formula.

Here’s our spring twist on the Tom Collins, enjoy in good health and in good company! AM

22

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

Preparation Garnish with apple slices if desired.

OW N A PI EC E OF H I STORY. Presenting Sandy Hill Plantation, one of the most historically important and environmentally rich estates in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Over 2,360 acres, just 30 miles from Charleston.

An outdoorsman’s paradise, with large stands of pine and old-growth hardwoods. Abundant wildlife including deer, turkey and waterfowl.

Former rice fields converted to impoundments for duck hunting. Plus a big pond full of largemouth bass and bream.

Now available — for the first time in over 80 years.

S A N DY H I L L P L A N TAT I O N Presented by WestRock Land Sales

To learn more, or to schedule a private tour, contact Jim Brown at 843-509 -1034.

Open House Cafe manager JA Moore; the main entrance to the cafe, located in the center of The Commons

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Corner House:Food

Meeting Place

A new development welcomes all to one of the most beautiful places to eat and drink in Summerville

by Jana Riley

There’s no place like home, as the old adage says, but some places just feel more familiar than others. That’s the case with the Corner House Cafe at Summers Corner in Summerville, where a team of ardent individuals have worked diligently to create a comfortable and welcome space for all who visit.

Summers Corner, a new development situated off of Highway 61 on the outskirts of town, is the product of a simple mission —to create a community where people can connect with nature and each other. Homes are being built around lush gardens, a new state-of-the-art school is in the works, and thoughtfully planned events are already bringing locals together within the budding community. At its heart, the Corner House Cafe sits, open and inviting. This is the place to be in this neck of the woods; an airy, modern place that encourages visitors to stop in and stay a while. Though appearing effortless in its design, the neighborhood and cafe were expertly planned and

executed, starting with a series of Jeffersonian Dinners. At these events, the Summers Corner team invited dozens of hand-picked locals from all walks of life to dine together and discuss one simple idea: what their ideal neighborhood would look like. At each dinner, the answers shared a common thought: the ideal neighborhood feels like home. Often regaled with stories of grandparent’s houses, relative’s farms, and family gardens, the team took note, and set out to create an atmosphere that reminded people of those memories.

The Corner House Cafe embodies the efforts of the team, inside and out. Sitting Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

25

Meeting Place

adjacent to the entrance of the neighborhood, it is surrounded by benches, greenery, fountains, and sculpture. Inside, large windows and hanging plants provide a light and airy element to the space. A simple counter and deli case are flanked by a long wooden bar with welcoming stools, and various wooden tables and bright chairs pepper the rest of the cafe, cheerfully awaiting guests. Beyond, a sitting room is inviting with plush couches and chairs, along with a few toys for little ones. Behind the counter, Corner House Cafe manager JA Moore greets visitors—often by name, if they’ve visited before—with a wide smile and a welcoming presence.

items for purchase, including honey from Summerville’s Must Bee Honey and dog toys from Charleston canine favorite, Harry Barker Toys. As much as possible, Moore and the rest of the cafe team try to source ingredients for the sandwiches, salads, soups, and other menu items from local farmers, an effort that will see even more activity in the future.

“My goal for this year is to focus on creating daily specials featuring locally made and grown products and ingredients,” shares Moore.

As word of the beautiful cafe and its offerings has spread, the team at Summers Corner has been delighted to witness it taking on multiple forms to fit the profiles of the people who visit. A group of children from a nearby neighborhood have claimed it as their designated afterschool spot, leaving the parents at home and meeting there regularly for root beer, sandwiches, and homework. A few women gather together on a weekly basis for wine and conversation, catching up as openly and comfortably as if they were in one of their own homes. Travelers passing through on adjacent Highway 61 often stop in to stretch their legs and refuel their bodies, and Summerville locals meet up for personal and business meetings daily.

Above all, Moore and the team hope that the cafe becomes exactly what each person needs it to be.

Moore grew up in small town South Carolina, helping his mother cook every Sunday, and went on to study Culinary Arts at Johnson and Wales University.

He made the rounds through Charleston restaurants, with stints at the Mills House Hotel, Duvall Catering, and Black Bean Company, among others. Near to his heart is his experience with the nonprofit Metanoia, working as a community chef in the poorest communities in Charleston and offering lessons on cooking healthy meals to residents young and old. When Summers Corner began searching for the perfect, community-oriented chef to manage their new cafe, they consulted with the players at downtown hotspot Butcher and Bee, who immediately referred them to JA Moore. Moore answered the call, and was soon settling into his new position.

“The idea is for people to utilize this space to fit their needs,” explains Moore.

“If they’re not at home or work, we want people to feel comfortable here, like this is a third place that is just for them.”

“I liked what Summers Corner was doing,” explains Moore. “I loved the small town feel of the space, and the garden atmosphere reminded me of my grandma’s five acre farm. I’m so in love with the brand here —we all are—and that’s a genuine thing.

It’s not marketing speak. We really feel like there’s something incredibly special about this place out here.”

Moore is especially interested in highlighting local artisans, and the cafe is ripe with offerings from Palmetto State creators.

Soda from Charleston-based Cannonborough Beverage Company and beer from North Charleston’s Freehouse Brewery are on tap, along with a selection of regional and international wines and Counter Culture Coffee. Sweet teeth can be satiated with popsicles by North Charleston’s King of Pops or small-batch artisan ice cream from Charleston’s Cirsea Ice Cream company.

Along one wall, a table offers locally-made 26 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

Table by the Window The bar; the Corner House not only offers fresh coffee and sweet pastries, but artisian sandwiches, craft beer and organic wine; Moore preps treats for the morning guests

As the centerpiece of Summers Corner, the cafe reflects all the intentions and thoughts that the team hoped to instill into the neighborhood. No matter if one lives in an old log cabin or newly constructed mansion, a dark basement apartment or a skyscraper penthouse, a modest suburban home or bustling city abode, there is just something that makes everyone feel at home here. Summerville is not lacking in beautiful places to dine and to visit, but with the care and attention to detail given at the Corner House Cafe, this space easily finds a comfortable place at the top of the list. AM The Corner House Cafe at Summers Corner is open Monday-Saturday from 10am-5pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm.

2,650 SQ FT FOR SHENANIGANS & SILLY GIGGLES. Find your plan, discover your home.

There are few things in life as comforting as just-the-right home. That’s why Sabal Homes puts so much thought into every home we build. Whether you’re building a home or ready to move right in, Sabal Homes can help you find the perfect floor plan so you can discover your new home.

SabalHomesSC.com

N OW B U I L DI N G I N

Call us at 844-MYSABAL

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

27

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT L u l i e Wa l l a c e : A r t

Floral Treatment

The work of Charleston-based artist Lulie Wallace blooms with talent and possibility

by Jana Riley

photos by Lindsey Harris

On the journey of her life, the winding roads to Lulie Wallace’s current success have been peppered with detours, pit stops, and welcomed hitchhikers. A native of Columbus, Georgia, Wallace ventured over 28 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

Flower Power Artist Lulie Wallace; an original painting and printed stool add color and whimsy to the room. Opposite: Custome fabric samples

to South Carolina after high school to attend the College of Charleston. Initially, the plan was to major in Studio Art, minor in Spanish, and attend grad school for a masters in Social Work or Graphic Design, but a postundergrad summer painting session threw a wrench in the plan to go on to even higher education.

“I spent a few months painting,” Wallace remembers, “And one day I looked at a painting and thought, ‘I would hang this on my wall. Maybe people would buy these.’

And then they did.”

Abandoning her plans for grad school, Wallace began creating. With an intense focus on still life floral arrangements on wood and paper, her signature impressionistic style blossomed, and interest in her paintings

skyrocketed. Wallace quickly decided to eschew a physical gallery presence for an online one, and took to social media, tightly curating her collection and exploring the format of web-based art selling and buying. The experiment was a success, with Wallace appreciating the low overhead of direct-to-client art sales and the ability to communicate daily with those interested in her work.

Before long, Lulie Wallace’s online presence caught the eye of a big player in the indie art space: Anthropologie. Executives at the upscale retailer had fallen in love with many of her paintings, and inquired about featuring them on a line of home decor products. Though thrilled at the prospect of her work being taken to such a national level, Wallace couldn’t shake the idea that her still

Floral Treatment

Floral Studio This page clockwise: An original painting; a mix of Wallace's work; Wallace in her studio. Opposite: A sampling of some of Wallace's current fabrics; the colors and patterns in Wallace's work set the mood for a sitting area

Throughout her product-line successes, Wallace continues to paint at her studio in a shared artist space downtown Charleston, pulling out her acrylics, neocolor crayons, watercolor pencils, and gouache whenever she has a spare moment. Nearly all of her collections are unique floral arrangements, either still life or collage, though her “Southwest Scenes,” “Landscapes,” and “Bugs” are distinct departures from her norm. Patterns abound within the paintings themselves, lending an air of whimsical order to the finished works, which often sell as quickly as they are created.

Throughout everything, the artist says, her ultimate goal is to bring brightness to people’s lives.

life paintings belonged on canvas, and went back to her easel for inspiration. With the help of her graphic designer, Megan Simon, Wallace created a portfolio of 80 patterns - painted by her and turned into digital, repeatable tiles by Simon - and brought them back to Anthropologie. The retailer loved them, and soon began turning out shower curtains, planners, fine soaps, and more emblazoned with Lulie Wallace’s signature patterns. From there, a domino effect of interested companies rolled in: the patterns of Lulie Wallace can now be found on anything from bathrobes and baby blankets 30 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

to lunch boxes and ladies’ scarves. A recent collaboration with local candle company, Rewined, even found Wallace matching patterns to scents, resulting in a line of home fragrance candles that smell as good as they look. Most promising, though, is her future with interior design - stacks of her patterns can be found on upholstery-weight textiles in showrooms across the nation, and they are often chosen for furniture, wallpaper, and heavy linens such as bedskirts. Her prints are particularly popular with nurseries, but she has seen them utilized in many applications, which she says “never stops being exciting.”

Recently, Wallace took some time off to focus her attention on her newest inspiration, a darling new daughter. Though it remains to be seen how the presence of her little one may influence her painting style, subjects, or collaborations, the work of Lulie Wallace remains a Lowcountry design staple to be sure. Throughout everything, the artist says, her ultimate goal is to bring brightness to people’s lives.

“The best compliment I get is when someone says, ‘Every time I pass your painting in my house, I smile,” says Wallace.

“That just brings me such joy to hear that.

If my work makes people smile and brings them a little bit of happiness, then I think I have done my job.” AM

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

31

s c 1788

Visit the Website and

GET YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TODAY

SUBSCRIBE TODAY T H E H E A RT AN D S O U L

of S O U T H C A R O L I N A

A celebration of the spirit of South Carolina, PALMETTO is the authority on our distinctive style of Southern life—documenting her beauty and charm and giving our readers a novel look into the Palmetto State's history and culture as well as stirring narrations of the places and personalities that make South Carolina so captivating.

CALLING CUSTOMERS BY NAME SINCE 1905 palmettomagazine.com From the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor & the editors of Azalea Magazine

s c 1788

Reel Deal Daniel Nussbaum at the Ladson plant; a Z-Man lure in action

Let’s say you are at a party and overhear the conversation of a knot of men huddled in a corner.

Their faces are animated as they discuss the benefits of Bleeding Banana over Sexy Mullet; arguing the merits of Jerk Shadz’s excellent flutter presentation over the hopping action of Paddler-Z. Your first thought might be that you’ve stumbled into an X-Files episode. If you were a fish, however, you would find yourself irresistibly drawn to this romance language; one spoken regularly to those familiar with Z-Man, arguably the most ground-breaking and recognizable fishing lure brand in the world.

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Z-Man Fishing :Outdoor

The Lure of Success

Producing a new and innovative fishing lure has caught Z-Man the attention of fishermen all over the world.

by Susan Frampton

Based in Charleston for over 25 years, Z-Man was the offshoot of a silicon production company that made linings for brake shoes and silicon tape. A bass-fishing employee came up with the idea of splitting that tape to form a skirt for a spinnerbait fishing lure. Soon the company began providing components for fishing lures to other companies, bringing their cutting-edge technology to the formulation of the plastics lures. But in 2006, they were catapulted onto center stage when they took on the manufacturing and distribution of a new and innovative lure of their own. The ChatterBait line opened the door to a new era for Z-Man, and they have never looked back. Today, their consumer brand line continues to be the impetus behind more tournament money wins than any other lure.

At the same time, staying true to the company’s motto of “The Science and Art of Fishing,” Z-Man was also at work perfecting a new soft thermoplastic formula - one that would create a soft and pliable bait, resistant to cuts and tears. The result was 10X Tough ElaZtech®; a naturally buoyant, environmentally-friendly and Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

33

The Lure of Success

Fish Tails Clockwise: Packaging the product; Z-Man lures paired with Ralph Phillips' jighead, lure molds

non-toxic material, containing no PVC, plastisol or phthalates.

Teaming up with professional fishermen and local legends like Summerville’s inshore fishing guru Ralph Phillips has lent another dimension to what Z-Man brings to the sport by providing tackle perfectly matched to their bait. The Trout Eye™ jighead created

by Phillips simulates the eye of baitfish with oversized 3-D eyeballs that provide a hardto-miss target for seatrout, redfish, flounder, snook and other inshore gamefish. Super

34

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

of incredibly life-like, colorful forms. At a quick glance, one might mistake the huge room for a candy store, and for fishermen, the comparison is not too far off the mark.

Colors like Root Beer, Green Pumpkin Blue, Bubble Gum, PB&J and Watermelon Red deliver the perfect eye-candy for a variety of fish.

sharp keeper barbs securely hold the bait on high-quality Mustad® Ultrapoint® hooks.

The appeal of Z-Man’s unique baits, accompanying terminal tackle and accessories has cast it right into the sweet spot and helped to make it one of the fastest-growing lure brands in the country.

There are an almost endless number of shapes available. Boxes brim over with all manner of baitfish, bugs, and frogs, that hop, float on the top, sink to the bottom, vibrate, or paddle themselves at the end of a line. Testimonies from the team of Z-Man ProZ, as well as the Z-Man Squad of amateur anglers, confirm the research and science behind the brand.

At the manufacturing plant and warehouse in Ladson, SC, General Manager and Executive Vice President Daniel Nussbaum walks through the laboratory where the proprietary plastic is molded into thousands

“A Kansas fisherman reported catching 238 large-mouth bass, 6 crappie, 1 bluegill and 1 warmouth on a single 4” shortened Green Pumpkin Finesse worm,” Nussbaum says of one fresh-water angler’s declaration of

At a quick glance, one might mistake the huge room for a candy store, and for fishermen, the comparison is not too far off the mark. his experience with one of Z-Man’s almost-indestructibly stretchy and durable products.

“We’re the only ones in the United States that are manufacturing lures out of thermoplastic," Nussbaum says.

“You’re much more likely to lose one than you are to ever tear one up.”

Though Z-Man still supplies silicon skirts to other manufacturers and handles some private labeling for other companies, the Z-Man brand is now the number one priority for the company. Every year they introduce about a dozen new products. With production and shipping all under one roof, the massive warehouse ships everything from an amateur fisherman’s order of 2 bags of worms, to huge orders for retailers and distributors for Bass Pro, Cabela's, Walmart, Academy Sports and many others.

It is clear that Z-Man’s research, innovation and technology have not only produced a mouth-watering bait attracting every imaginable variety of fish, they have created for the Ladson company an irresistible lure for welldeserved success. AM

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

35

SOUTHERNSPOTLIGHT Climbing Plants:Garden

Jeepers Creepers

Choose the right leafy vine to turn up the volume on a dull masonry wall, blanket a plain fence in blossoms, or add texture and color almost anywhere

by Susan Frampton

Close your eyes and use your imagination to conjure an image of a stately mansion or of a highbrow institution of learning. Chances are the building in your mind’s eye stands majestically beneath a blanket of green, with the living layer of tiny leaves clinging to its façade lending an air of maturity and wisdom gained through the passage of time.

Well, maybe it’s not as old as you think. Perhaps it is simply inhabited by one who knows their Ficus pumila from their Hedera helix.

Climbing fig, English ivy and confederate jasmine are the most commonly encountered

36 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

creeping vines found in the Lowcountry, and some will cover a wall faster than others. Each uses a different technique to climb, and it is important to know the difference.

Climbing fig grows 9” to 12” per year, merely using bricks as the ladder to take them to the top. English ivy can grow at a rate that can quickly get out of control, and likes nothing more than to become one with the brick. It can cause permanent damage, so should be judiciously planted.

Confederate jasmine is not the best choice for

a brick wall since it does not climb masonry, preferring a trellis or fence to give it more support, but it’s hard to beat the scent the vine sends wafting through the air when its white flowers bloom.

All three plants are relatively hardy in this area, though none are particularly happy below freezing, and all make lovely, prolific groundcovers.

For more information, check with your local nursery, or go to www.clemson.edu/extension to find the perfect creeper for you.

CLIMBING CHAMPS

English Ivy English Ivy plants are great climbers, with minimal care required. Light: flourishes in shaded areas where the foliage won't get burned. Water: often enough to keep the soil moist until the plants are established and growing.

Creeping Fig Creeping Fig is a popular ground and wall cover that grows in almost any soil, with minimal care required. Light: it grows in sun, partial sun and shade.

Water: sufficiently to keep the soil moist during the first season. After that, you don't have to irrigate, even in drought conditions.

Confederate Jasmine Confederate Jasmine is a perennial vine with fragrant, early summer blooms. Light: full sun for most of the day.

Water: thoroughly two to three times a week. AM

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

37

N AT U R A L WOMAN

Moonlight and Roses

T

by Susan Frampton

he candles burned brightly from the polished candelabras on the altar of the historic church on Savannah’s Chippewa Square, setting the faces of friends and family aglow with anticipation. In their black tuxedoes, groomsmen flanked the nervous man standing at the end of the long, flower-lined aisle, as the robed minister nodded a beaming welcome to those gathered in the pews on either side.

Bridesmaids in delicate gowns began their march toward the handsome group, carefully carrying bouquets of creamy white orchids to the strains of the classic Rondeau. The doors at the rear of the church closed as the last enters, only to reopen to the flourish of trumpets announcing Wagner’s Wedding March and to the starry-eyed young bride holding tightly to her father’s arm.

One guest later confided that she had never seen such a look of adoration as that passing between father and daughter as they began their march into the church. Only the father and daughter knew the tender words he whispered in her ear: “If you start running now, you can still make a break for it.”

And so began the ceremony uniting Lewis Frampton and Susan Roberts in holy matrimony. This spring marks the thirty-third anniversary of standing in that doorway, and I still remember the laughter bubbling up in me as I looked up at my dad.

“Marriage is more than moonlight and roses,” the minister solemnly read from the works of the poet Kahlil Gibran as my groom and I stood before him. “More than singing love songs and whispering vows of undying affection.”

ILLUSTRAT IONS BY JASON WA G E N E R Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

39

N AT U R A L WOMAN

Ask anyone who has been married more than a month, and they will attest to the truth of the poetic words. But if they seem cautionary at first glance, perhaps we’re looking at them from the wrong direction.

If the truth be told of moonlight and roses, the two romantic icons are not necessarily all they are cracked up to be, and those slightly afraid of the dark, with limited gardening skills, heave a sigh of relief to discover that they aren’t the end-all to a happy marriage.

Everyone looks better by moonlight, but though it is lovely, much can be hidden in its shadows. It is in the glaring luminosity of day that marriage is really put to the test.

In this unforgiving light the imperfections in all of us are laid bare, and the choices we make daily to squint our eyes and work around the flaws are far more telling than the glimpses of each other we catch between moonbeams.

Take for example the way my husband mostly overlooks my annoying need to always be right, my refusal to bait my own hook, and my desire to remain totally uninterested in what makes the car’s engine work. Likewise, I turn a blind eye to his inability to find anything without fins, fur or feathers, to his adamant belief that mushrooms cause warts, and to the tea pitcher he puts back in the refrigerator with less than a teaspoon of tea left. Admittedly, there are moments when we have to squint really hard.

And let’s talk about roses. For their part in romantic images of marriage, they are irrefutably beautiful and fragrant symbols, but a real pain in the rear to keep up in the flowerbed. All that spraying and pruning require far more maintenance than most of us have time for in our busy lives. In reality, Florida betony in the lawn is a much better symbol of the kind of commitment and perseverance one should seek in marriage.

Unlike roses, it is not delicate or fleeting, though it does lack something in the fragrance department. (Look it up! You’ll find it in the gardening book under the heading of “things that never go away.”) Resistant to wilt, it will never, ever be vanquished. It

40 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

SERVING THE COMMUNITY WE CALL HOME.

doesn’t look great in a vase, but what could better represent an enduring relationship?

For each of our clients, we take the role of 'advocate' seriously. We are here to serve–to help our clients avoid the many stresses often associated with legal issues.

As for singing love songs and whispering vows of undying affection, the poet got it right. There is far more to be said for hearing the dogs howl in response to an impromptu, heart-felt rendition of “Ring of Fire,” and a note left by the coffeepot, than there is for violins, harps, and a recitation of words strung together simply because they rhyme.

-Brandt Shelbourne

Attorney & Counselor at Law

There is a great deal more to marriage than Hallmark cards and movies would have us believe. There is happiness and aggravation, frustration and fulfillment, learning when to give and knowing when to take. There are murderous moments and tender thoughts, shared joys and solitary griefs; times to reap and times to sow, and times to just close your eyes and fly blindly.

It hardly seems possible that a little over three decades have passed since the moment we pledged our troth, but the calendar leaves no doubt that time has made note of the passing years. I’ve never asked if his father offered up the same opportunity to make a run for it that mine did, but I don’t think it occurred to either of us to stash running shoes under the seat.

In retrospect, if offered a do-over, I would have done a few things differently over the years. I’d have started by reminding us to pay more attention, so that we wouldn’t forget a minute of it. I’d have had a little more patience and a little less panic over the small stuff, held more tightly to those we would lose along the way, and stopped to realize and be grateful for our many blessings. I’d have done all these things on that night in May, and I’d have done all of them every day since.

The minister and the poet gave to us a great gift thirty-three years ago, and each passing day I am grateful to that moment when we were reminded that marriage is indeed more than moonlight and roses. So bring on the bright sunlight, and let the tenacious weeds grow wild. Knowing how much more there is to it, none of us should ever think of settling for anything less. AM

1 3 1 E . Ric hardson S u mmer v il l e / 843.871.2210 / shel bo u r ne la w. c om

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

We provide concierge insurance services for high value homeowners and business owners in Summerville, Del Web, Moncks Corner, Goose Creek and Hanahan. Visit us today at our Summerville office (upstairs in Town Square), one of five Taylor Agency locations serving the Lowcountry.

www.tayloragency.com

Leslie Phinney, Personal 843.762.3372 Katie Roberts, Personal 843.762.3376 Buck Inabinet, Commercial 843.762.3373

*Also licensed in Washington State

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

41

K ID S THESE D AY S

No Place Like Home

by Tara Bailey

I

give my house a thorough cleaning when I host guests, have parties, and when I find something vile lurking within a cabinet. Otherwise, I just do maintenance cleaning except for once a year when my front steps transmute from black to green overnight. When I can see that spring is literally in the air, I know it's that time of year to rid our home of all signs of human life. It's during

ILLUS TRAT ION BY JASON WA G E N E R

this cleaning mania when I make discoveries that reveal that our house is being held together with Scotch tape. This is because three people who do not pay for the house live inside it.

Spring cleaning takes me places within my home that I otherwise rarely visit. It can be fun to explore neglected spaces such as the desk in the study where old letters have been stashed, but it can also lead to evidence of a crime. Take, for example, our wedding album. Nobody ever looks at wedding albums, so this should

be safe territory. Not so. While cleaning a shelf in the living room, I picked up a silver-framed photo album that had been a gift. At first touch the frame flew off the cover and hit the floor, apparently now divorced from the album. I knew the frame hadn't just come apart on its own; somebody had picked it off like a scab.

Now, I may have been an odd child, but I wasn't destructive. When I got bored I named the trees in my backyard or pretended to be a squirrel. I also talked to myself more than a little, but I never dismantled my mother's things. Clearly, my kids need to get outside more often so they can create their own scabs to occupy their time.

Like most things in my house, the album would be sloppily repaired with a glue that's stronger than my state of resignation but weaker than my kids' destructive bent. But not everything can be fixed with glue. My mom is fond of reminding me that things could always be worse. When I went to clean the kitchen table, I saw that yes, things could. On that unsuspecting tabletop I discovered a tiny tribute to me. After chipping at dots of nail polish fused to the wood, I started to give the table a sponge bath of Murphy's soap when I felt an irregularity on the surface. What I had touched was an indentation in the table about the size of a quarter; upon closer examination I could see it was an imprint of a word: MOM. Or maybe it was WOW. I chose the former for the sake of the child at whose seat the transgression was found.

It's times like these when I remind myself that I love people, not things. But even though I don't care to have more than we need, I do like to take care of what we have.

When the culprit returned from school, I asked her why MOM was filed into our table, staining it like Lady MacBeth's damn'd spot. Her answer was succinct and telling: "I don't know." This is probably true. After all, why did I name the trees in the backyard? Such goes the developing prefrontal cortex.

It's times like these when I remind myself that I love people, not things. But even though I don't care to have more than we need, I do like to take care of what we have. For instance, I like using the dishwasher, which I can't do when it's broken because someone used the door as a step stool. The same thing goes for the bathroom sink, which is not the proper place to dispose of hermit crab sand, and the ceiling fans, which are not carnival rides for stuffed animals. The only place where I have dominion over my belongings is my car because the kids are restrained while in it. Yet even there, the occasional melted Jolly Rancher must be chiseled from a seatbelt so that it can be fastened.

I am not a permissive MOM. I have standards and restrictions, and the above infractions don't go without consequences. Thus my lack of comprehension when I find that a vent cover is deliberately coated in purple nail polish (note this is the second mention of ruination by nail polish). This behavior must surely have deep roots buried somewhere within the kids' genetic codes. Certainly a force greater than my rules must drive them to maim and destroy like programmed assassins.

Next I opened a dresser to switch out my daughter's clothes for the new season. The dresser was my husband's when he was little, which is why I love it. "See," I imagined saying, "this is how you take care of things so they last." It's not in perfect shape, but my husband is fifty, and the dresser has held up almost as well as he has.

I pulled out the sweaters and packed them away for the next child, ready to replace them with t-shirts and shorts. But once the drawer was empty I noticed a dark spot inside it. There, in black marker, written in the unsure handwriting of a novice scribe, was a single word: HELL. It was just sitting there in the dresser, bold and shameless. Even in its childish lettering, I recognized the penmanship of the hidden profanity. And it did not belong to the kids.

It appears my girls come by their vandalism naturally, having received some deep-seated annihilative tendencies from their dad. I looked at the crude scrawling and pictured my husband's juvenile satisfaction after writing the adult word in his dresser and hiding it for decades. I wondered if his MOM, now deceased, had ever seen it.

And then I went downstairs and took a picture of the table, because I do love my people much more than our things.

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

43

Connecting is Easy with Home Telecom.

Voice • High Speed Internet • Video Security • Home Automation

HomeSC.com • 888.746.4482

L IF E & F A IT H

The satisfaction of accomplishment is often exhilarating.

But in the weeks that followed, my elation turned to emptiness, confusion, and sadness.

Why Am I So Sad?

by Will Browning

W

hy is it that, after the holiday season, I feel so depressed? The annual emotional cascade, with its blues and grays, seem to outdistance the beauties of Christmas and the hope of New Years. I know now that it isn’t the 15 pounds I gained that I have to start working off. Nor is it the after effects of a social calendar once filled with loved ones that now is empty and purposeless.

It’s simply science.

I started researching this when I recognized a pattern in my life. In 2015, I finished a lifelong educational goal. The satisfaction of accomplishment is often exhilarating. But in the weeks that followed, my elation turned to emptiness, confusion, and sadness. When I started hearing others express the same gyration of emotions after similar experiences, I had to get some answers to my questions. My research revealed two soothing findings: 1) I’m not crazy, and 2) I’m not alone.

Here is what I discovered: Our minds can handle a great deal of stress. Our bodies were designed to accommodate this stress by producing powerful hor-

mones called epinephrine and norepinephrine. Most of us know this chemical reaction by the name adrenaline. Our bodies create this natural wonder drug to help us hone our response to stress with greater focus and often increased productivity. Adrenaline is not only addictive, but is also as powerful as its synthetic twin, amphetamines. It’s why we call thrill seekers “adrenaline junkies.”

After a series of stressful events, like those around the holidays, your body will resume normal practices of dealing with stress and will no longer need to produce adrenaline. This natural regulation may cause a stark emotional transition, affecting your outlook, leaving you feeling blue, sad, and maybe even depressed.

This same thing happened to Abraham, Elijah, and Jonah. Each fought a significant bout of depression right after a great life success. If you find yourself unable to shake a post-holiday funk, know that you are not alone and you are not crazy. Know these godly men used one important tactic to ward off fighting sadness. They rested.

Yeah, that’s right, they took some time to reflect, listen for God’s voice, and recover through Sabbath rest.

Let me be clear: some of us are fighting more than just blues. Some of us are fighting clinical depression that will not be solved with the prescription above. But for many of us who are feeling down after the holidays or some other life stress, it may be encouraging to know this is normal, and many around you are feeling the same way. So take some time to rest, think, and pray. Brighter days are ahead. AM Will Browning serves as the Lead Pastor at Journey Church, a multisite church in the Charleston area. Will is a native of South Carolina, born and raised in the home of a crop farmer and an elementary teacher in Barnwell. Will is married to his college sweetheart, Tarah, and is the biggest fan of his three kids Piper, Ethan, and Jedidiah.

ILLUSTR AT ION BY JASON WA G E N E R Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

45

Nine months pass quickly. From choosing a name to preparing the nursery, you are ready to welcome your little one into your family,

imagine more

Joy

and so are we. From pregnancy through childbirth, our skilled and compassionate healthcare team is here to guide you on your journey to parenthood. Having a baby is an experience unlike any other, which is why we add extra special touches to make your baby’s arrival even more memorable, including: • Spacious labor and delivery suites • An OB/GYN doctor on-site 24/7 • Immediate mom and baby skin-to-skin contact • Breastfeeding support • Newborn photos posted on our website • Brahm’s Lullaby played to announce your baby’s arrival To learn more about our maternity services, call 843-847-3463 or visit tridenthealthsystem.com/smc. Imagine more at Summerville Medical Center.

Women’s and Children’s Services

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

Forging a Legacy An internationally renowned bladesmith seeks to sharpen the smithing skills of all who wish to learn

by Jana Riley Chop Chop A Jason Knight custom hatchet

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

47

A fiery, metallic symphony emanates from the shed at Jason Knight’s Harleyville homestead: the clank of hammer against anvil, against steel, against iron. The heavy thunder of a century-old power hammer. The sliding of metal into the forge, the necessary pauses, the removal. Inside, Knight directs the orchestra, wielding red-hot metal and moving between stations with masterful dexterity. A pair of cats lounge atop a toolbox, glancing at the show with disinterest, and a couple of dogs take turns checking in and chasing each other in a nearby field. Plywood walls are covered in permanent marker scrawlings: phone numbers, drawings, quotes, and plenty of scripture. Next to the doorjamb between rooms, the most visible markings are clear and bold: “Love is the answer,” it reads.

For Knight, love and the timeless trade of blacksmithing are intertwined.

The love of his father when Knight was young, sharing fantastical bedtime stories about dragons and giants, sparked an interest in forging weapons. The encouraging love of his wife, Shelly, enabled him to pursue his passion, attending the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing in Arkansas in 2001. His love for the art of forging catapulted Knight from being the on-site blacksmith at Middleton Place to winning countless international awards for his blades, specifically his revered damascus steel, and to earning the title of Mastersmith from the American Bladesmith Society in 2007. The importance he places on his faith, based solely in love, brought him to Nicaragua on a missions trip in 2008, where he 48 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

The Mastermind This Page: Master bladesmith Jason Knight; starting the process. Opposite: a finished and well used blade

taught locals how to make knives and increase their daily income sixfold. Now a household name in bladesmithing circles, Knight spends much of his time focused outward, sharing his skills with all who are interested—a group that is becoming larger by the day, he says.

Last year, Knight hosted a monthly “open forge,” where he invited anyone who cared to join to come out to his Harleyville workshop and witness the processes of blacksmithing and forging. Immensely popular, the events proved to Knight what he had been suspecting for some time: people are increasingly interested in making things.

“There’s a renaissance happening, a ‘maker movement’” he explains.

“Take a look at farmer’s markets, local shops, online, and the classes you see offered around town. Now, even more than five years ago, people are making stuff for themselves. You see this spark in a person’s eyes when they realize they can make something, and I want to work with that, that desire to create.”

Knight currently contributes to the maker movement in a variety of ways, and hopes to get another idea or two off of the ground this year.

In addition to forging blades to sell in shops and shows, he teaches at

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

49

colleges across the country: this year, he will provide blacksmithing courses at Haywood Community College in North Carolina and at the Appalachian Center for Craft at Tennessee Technological University, and hopes to help create a blacksmithing program at a college in the Palmetto State. Knight also offers three day, hyper-focused individual and paired classes at his Harleyville shop—$1500 for one-on-one, $1200 for two-on-one. The price includes everything necessary to create and learn, and ensures that only serious students apply. So far, a multitude of skilled craftsmen have forged their beginnings with Jason Knight, (and many are becoming famous for their own bladesmithing), including Quintin Middleton 50 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

of Middleton Made Knives. Crafting blades that are highly sought after in the chef community, Middleton began bladesmithing after a chance meeting with Knight inspired him to make his own knives.

“That’s what I love about this renaissance,” says Knight. “You show people how to make something, and that just inspires them. It inspires them to make anything they can imagine out of anything they can get their hands on.”

Looking forward, Jason Knight dreams of creating a mobile forge that he can take into lower-income communities and teach residents

how to make useful tools out of metal.

Blacksmithing, he says, ties into science, technology, and the arts, and the tools created using its techniques can be useful at home and in countless trades and occupations. By giving the gift of knowledge to those who seek it, Knight hopes to empower people young and old to better their situations, financially and otherwise.

“If it was my choice, I’d give my knives away,” says Knight. “But I have to make a living, so I have to sell them. I care about keeping this tradition alive, and I care about people, so I will teach what I know, giving the knowledge I have to those who want to learn.” AM

Knight Classes This page: Knight outside of his Harleyville shop.

Opposite page clockwise: Knight demos on clay; the forge; the shop cat looks on; Friday night class; working the anvil; twisting an intricate pattern

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

51

If you don’t want to know what Wesley Donehue thinks, you’d best not ask him. He’s smart, passionate, talented, and ferociously honest.

Husband, father, political activist, entrepreneur, Christian, athlete, avid Gamecock and self-proclaimed geek, Donehue’s mirror reflects a man of many authentic and fascinating faces, one who moves fluidly from one role to the next with seemingly endless energy.

Named “Rising Star” and “Campaign Innovator of the Year,” by Campaigns and Elections Magazine, he and his staff at PUSH Digital have blazed a fiery trail in the field of digital marketing for conservative candidates, issues and brands. As Political Director of the SC Senate Republican Caucus and Marketing and Technology Director for the SC Republican Party, Donehue has never hesitated to push the hot buttons, and he is well known for speaking his mind.

Senate that Donehue realized the world of politics was one that well-suited him. He recalls his delight at the discovery. “For the first time, I understood this could be an actual job.” The notion that he would one day help run a campaign for a possible presidential nominee never entered his mind, but his penchant for politics made the path almost inevitable.

Donehue’s interest in politics came early, ignited by reassignment to a new high school—a result of a change in the district lines of the Goose Creek community he grew up in. He took his argument against the change to the school board, standing before them as the voice for the neighborhood of the young, disenfranchised students.

His stand brought him to the attention of the both newspaper and television, and to the notice of conservative Republican State Senator Bill Mescher, who offered the teenager a job on his reelection campaign. Donehue took to the job immediately.

He joined College Republicans at the university, and quickly rose through the ranks to become state chairman of the organization.

Meeting like-minded people from all across the country, he worked for campaign consultants on a number of campaigns. The game became even more interesting for Donehue during grad school, when he was introduced to the campaign manager for a littleknown congressman from the Upstate who had thrown his hat in the US Senate seat race. Jim DeMint’s campaign and subsequent election changed everything; doors began to open, and he was soon off and running on a campaign consulting career that would find him crisscrossing the country.

It was while attending USC and working as a page in the SC

Along the way, he observed that more and more people sought their

54

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

Green Day Green Sweater Dress $76.99, Fringe Bootie Fly Modern Apparel Buckle Beanie $17.95 Piazza

news from the internet, and he recognized that it would become a driving force in the future of politics. Still working on more than a dozen senate campaigns, he moved back to Columbia and began working with web developers to create websites for the candidates he served. Senator DeMint saw the success of the websites, and asked Donehue to build a site for him. He acknowledges that the opportunity represented a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck.

“The site caught fire, and DeMint became the most followed member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.”

Recognizing digital media as the next big thing, Donehue set out on his own and his expertise was immediately put to the test when his client exclaimed the now infamous phrase, “You lie!” during a presidential address. “It was totally unexpected. He was the quietest, most respectful person you’d ever meet,” Donehue says, describing South Carolina’s U.S. Representative Joe Wilson. Not only did Donehue’s firm manage the crisis, in less than two weeks their efforts raised $2.5 million for the congressman. It was a digital fundraising record.

While in Columbia, the conservative Republican Donehue, and his best friend, Phil Bailey, a staunch Democrat, began “Pub Politics;” a live, weekly internet radio show featuring the two discussing politics at various local pubs around the city. The show grew in popularity and hot-topic discussions with guest politicians, journalists and local celebrities soon drew the attention of The Washington Post, CNN and Fox News.

“As fun as it was, I knew that it was not our opinions on the issues that mattered, but rather, the issues themselves,” Donehue says of the decision to end the broadcast. When he began to be called upon for interviews by national newspapers and news networks as

later. She is the perfect counterpoint to his frenetic style.

“Elizabeth is my grounding force,” he says. “She keeps me pointed in the right direction and keeps me focused.” The two returned to Elizabeth’s home town of Summerville after almost ten years of traveling and bouncing back and forth between Columbia and San Francisco. “We always knew that we would come back here,” he says. “This is our favorite place in the world.”

Harlowe’s arrival might have mellowed him a bit; his demeanor changes when he speaks of the little man of the family. “He is hilarious,” Donehue smiles, “he likes to make everything into a hat —he’ll walk around with a box or some other random thing on his head. People tell you that a baby will change your life, and that is certainly the case.”

But Donehue remains driven. He is a familiar face to a group of men committed to rising before dawn for an early workout. His involvement in F3, the faith-based fitness program he brought with him from Columbia is a testament to his competitive spirit, as well as his deep faith. Already, almost 400 men have completed the program of fitness, fellowship and faith. They gather each morning at 5:00 am, for the free, 45-minute workout, which ends with a prayer and devotional.

“It has changed a lot of lives,” he says of the program.

In part, the program spurred the training he and Elizabeth are doing toward running a marathon. They have already finished several half marathons, and plan to keep up the pace until they’re ready for the grueling 26-mile test. They are a familiar sight around Summerville, with Harlowe often leading the charge from the front row seat of his jogging stroller.

It is the face of a man who admits that there are almost always a dozen things running through his mind, and time spent with Donehue reveals it to be only one of many peering back from Wesley Donehue’s looking glass. an expert on digital campaigns, it was his expertise in the field that he lent to their reports.

“I didn’t want to be a talking head. I wanted to be the guy running the campaigns that they were all talking about.”

The digital and social media campaign he now runs for Marco Rubio, a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, has put him squarely in that arena, and the next few months will prove to be exciting for the strategist.

But there is a softer side to Donehue, which is evident when his face lights up at the mention of his wife, Elizabeth, and their son, Harlowe. He and Elizabeth met and became good friends when both attended USC. The two went their separate ways before reconnecting in Charleston two years later. They dated for three months before becoming engaged, and married only four months

56 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

Donehue’s latest venture, a partnership in a craft brewery, has pushed him in yet another direction; though it was his political career that first brought him to take an interest in the business.

Writing legislation for the pint law permitting craft breweries the ability to serve up to three pints of beer on premise, and later a bill allowing those serving food to serve unlimited beer, prompted him to invest in the Frothy Beard Brewing Company—a move which may or may not be the impetus behind the impressive beard framing the expressive face just above the signature bowtie.

It is the face of a man who admits that there are almost always a dozen things running through his mind, and time spent with Donehue reveals it to be only one of many peering back from Wesley Donehue’s looking glass. Each reflects the brilliant mind and forward momentum of one for whom the word “PUSH” is far more than simply the name of his company; it’s the philosophy and watchword of the man in the mirror. AM

58 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

M I X

E

R S

S

P

R

I

N G

True Colors

Savannah Cosby in the doorway of Whisk; The Farmers Market Salad

W H I S K ' S S AVA N N A H C O S B Y S H A R E S S O M E O F H E R FAV O R I T E S P R I N G S A L A D C O M B I N AT I O N S The team at Whisk, located on Meeting Street in Charleston, has one simple philosophy: to serve up mouthwatering meals made out of unprocessed whole foods. For Whisk brand manager Savannah Cosby, nothing fits the bill quite like a good salad. “They are a great way to get everything you need nutritionally, while being real, raw, and delicious. With a seemingly unending variety of proteins, vegetables, and other toppings available to us today, the options truly are limitless." by J A N A R I L E Y photography by D O T T I E R I Z Z O Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

59

THE BRUTUS 6 oz romaine chopped 1/2 cup chicken chopped 1/4 cup red cabbage chopped 1/4 avocado sliced 1/3 cup walnuts crushed 1/3 cup diced tomato 2 oz balsamic vinaigrette

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

61

62 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

WHISK VINAIGRETTE Equal parts fresh juice, red wine vinegar and olive oil.

Blend to emulsify.

THE SOUTHERN BELLE 6 oz spring mix 2 oz cantaloupe or seasonal melon chopped AM 1/4 cup chopped strawberry 1/4 cup blueberry 1/4 cup feta cheese 1/8 cup chia seeds 2 oz Whisk vinaigrette

THE FA R M E R S MARKET 2 oz chopped kale 2 oz spring mix 2 oz spinach 2 oz shredded carrot 2 oz shredded beets 1/3 cup crushed walnut 1/3 cup sliced almond 1/3 cup dried cranberry 2 oz Whisk vinaigrette

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

65

The

ForeverHouse Behind peeling paint and a forest of shrubbery, a long-neglected house on Main Street stood waiting for the Rice family to come home

by S U S A N F R A M P T O N photography by D O T T I E R I Z Z O

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

67

E

House Warming This page clockwise: The Rice family cozied up on the front porch; the entrance hall runs the length of the original house; Reese and Nate share a glass of wine in the kitchen.

Opposite: The living room is an eclectic mix of warm hues

verything happens for a reason. The phrase is almost always meant to provide reassurance in the face of an unexpected turn of events, but Marresa (Reese) and Nate Rice found little solace in the words when they found themselves with only thirty days to move, with their three children, from the home they were renting in Charlotte, NC. Panicked and overwhelmed, Reese called her mother in Summerville. What were they to do?

Cotton reported. “The inside is a mess. It hasn’t been cleaned in twenty years, and it’s falling apart.” The recommendation left them dubious, at best. But she continued, “The bones are there—it’s a diamond in the rough.”

They were still reeling from the news of the abrupt displacement, when her mom called to tell them of a house she had serendipitously discovered while chatting with a realtor at the Flowertown Festival.

Reese and Nate had hoped to someday make their home in her hometown of Summerville, but did not see that move in their immediate future. They were skeptical. Relocating to another state would be a huge upheaval, especially with Nate’s business firmly established in North Carolina.

Her mother was adamant; she had walked through the house, and what she described was enough to bring them to Main Street to see it for themselves. On their very first visit to the historic house, both knew instinctively that this house was something special. It took some imagination, but immediately they saw what it could be.

The house had been badly neglected, and had fallen into disrepair; with damaged ceilings, dark, depressing wood paneling, and an overgrown yard among the many obstacles it presented. Its unkempt appearance lent credence to its reputation as one of Summerville’s most fabled haunted houses.

“The house is incredible,” Reese’s mother, interior designer Jean 68 AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

House Plans Clockwise: A classic Southern welcome; bricks unearthed during a remodel; a cozy family room; scalloped wooden shingles; a view from the side; the formal dining room. Opposite: Getting a push from dad.

But despite the drawbacks, the house seemed to speak to them, with its wide entry and hallway, large bedrooms, and a kitchen brimming with potential. Nate, an arborist, was immediately besotted with the two large oak trees in the back yard. Reese recalls the two turning to each other and clasping hands, whispering almost in unison, “It’s perfect.”

She becomes emotional when she describes the words the owner of the house spoke to her as they walked through the rooms. “Your children will love it here.”

If there had been any doubts, that statement dispelled them all. “We could just see our girls on the porch in prom dresses,” Reese says. “We could see our children growing up in this place, and us on the porch in rocking chairs. We knew this was where we belonged—that this would be our Forever House.”

Things moved quickly, and in whirlwind of only forty days, they were the proud new owners. From the very start, the house seemed to open its arms to embrace the family. With

each passing day and every improvement, they could almost feel the home stand a little straighter, and hold its head a little more proudly.

With her mother lending expert advice, each room received a facelift—leaving it refreshed and renewed. Dark paneling softened under the brushstrokes of the creamy pastel palette of Reese’s chosen color scheme, and tiny windows seemed to expand when framed by yards of bright draperies. Hardwood floors took on a patina of warmth, and a tangible sense of permanence and home began to form within the walls, with each room revealing the family’s vibrant presence.

The children’s bedrooms are portals into their distinct personalities. Ella, the oldest at age ten, prefers order, keeping her bed made and her room impeccably straight. Their eight year-old, Grayson, “could talk all day to a ladybug,” and the scattered clothes and toys adorning her unmade bed and floor are additional proof that she marches to her own drummer.

The youngest of the three is Sawyer; a quintessential six-year old boy, full of mischief and rarely still.

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

71

House Party This page clockwise: Boys will be boys; the kids' rooms show off their personalities; toys organized just right.

Opposite: Getting to know a new friend

Built in 1883, on the site of what was reportedly a Civil War hospital, there is too much joy and light here to properly entertain the spirits rumored to have been seen here through the years “You won’t believe this,” she says of her favorite room in the house; revealing that the living room’s baby grand piano and framed, full length antique wedding dress, were among the items they assembled from auctions and Craigslist.

Today, with the front steps re-bricked, the original brick walkway unearthed from beneath a concrete sidewalk, and Nate’s taming of the jungle of tangled shrubbery and trees, a new wrought iron gate invites children to play in the yard, and visitors to sip cool drinks on the open porch. Many who have stopped by admit that they passed by the house for years, never imagining this beyond the façade of 72

AZALEAMAG.COM Spring 2016

peeling paint and sagging windows and roof.

Built in 1883, on the site of what was reportedly a Civil War hospital, there is too much joy and light here to properly entertain the spirits rumored to have been seen here through the years.

And though the home’s root cellar may or may not be home to “a brown man named Ezekiel,” Reese says that she has never felt the slightest spooky sensation or been visited by anyone from the spectral realm. Instead, love and laughter fill the air of the historic house on Main Street.

“If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard.” The declaration was once made by a girl named Dorothy, when arriving home from a place called Oz. Dorothy found her heart’s desire on a farm in Kansas.

The Rice family found theirs in Summerville; in the backyard of a long-neglected house with two oak trees, and a brick walkway waiting to take them from Main Street to the front porch of their Forever House. AM

MORNING COFFEE

by Ellen E. Hyatt

Defined by what we choose to value, I am this table. A remnant repurposed from the auction on Library Lane.

White oak, warmed by years while centering reading space, now in a new heaven: a softly-sunned corner of this café where you sit with morning coffee.

There’s richness in the word coffee, a wealth of quiet in each sip, a summoning of spirit to breathe in aroma and sigh new ideas.

Mist rises from your cup, smokescreens all except what we are in this moment.

Later, we’ll wonder—ask why.

For now, all that matters is we’re here where Spring-yellow greets the out-of-the-blue, as in a daydream ready to select its dreamer.

88

Lowcountry Orthopaedics -&- Sports Medicine

Get back in the Game!

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.

David Jaskwhich, MD James McCoy, Jr., MD

A MEMBER OF

Adam Schaaf, MD James Spearman, MD

L O W C O U N T R Y

North Charleston 2880 Tricom St. (843) 797-5050

O R T H O P A E D I C S

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

&

S P O R T S

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

M E D I C I N E

Occupational Therapy 2881 B Tricom Street (843) 797-5050

Spring 2016 AZALEAMAG.COM

75