Lakeside April May 2012

LAKESIDE THE GOOD LIFE ON LAKE MARION, SOUTH CAROLINA • APRIL - MAY 2012

Coming home to roost Top chops for your spring grilling

Taking back

the Pocotaligo boardwalk

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2 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

IN THIS ISSUE

GENERAL MANAGER Gail Mathis gailm@theitem.com

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PUBLISHER Jack Osteen jack@theitem.com ARTICLES & RESEARCH Robert J. Baker bbaker@theitem.com

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Jamie Hudson Wilson Bradrick McClam LAYOUT & DESIGN Cary Johnson cjohnson@theitem.com

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40 LANDMARKS AND LANDSCAPES

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COMING HOME TO ROOST

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STRIPED BASS FESTIVAL always delivers down-home family-friendly fun

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DO THE STOMP AT Puddin’ Swamp

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ROUTINE MAINTENANCE to keep your boat afloat

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MARINE SUPPLY STORES READY TO sail warm waters

PHOTOGRAPHY Robert J. Baker Gail Mathis 22

TAKING THE BOARDWALK Manning group looking to re-beautify Pocotaligo Park 32 RECENT HOME SALES are bittersweet

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IRIS STILL DRAWING visitors after 70 years

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THE BROTHERHOOD of Archers

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2010 Award Winning Magazine

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Yana Mathis, Earle Woodward, Ray Winans, John DuRant and Kim Dault

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LANDMARKS AND LANDSCAPES

Berkeley County • Clarendon County • Orangeburg County • Sumter County & Williamsburg County

The Santee Cooper lakes, specifically Moultrie and Marion, cover Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg and Sumter counties, providing nearly limitless recreational opportunities for those who love the outdoors in small or large doses.

In Williamsburg and Clarendon counties, the Black and Santee rivers provide similar outdoor adventures. Altogether these counties boast Revolutionary War battles sites, grave markers of war heroes, museums dedicated to preserving watershed

moments in state and American history, beautiful churches that have sheltered the worship of Jesus Christ for more than two centuries, and wildlife reserves, swampland and nationally-recognized, pristine forests.

For those people looking to pursue more in these areas than government meetings, cotillions and the annual events that each individual town cherishes, this compiled list should help explorers see what else is going on.

for recreational paddlers to experience and enjoy this regions beautiful lakes, rivers, streams and wildlife. For more information, visit www. berkeleyblueways.com, email berkconsdist@homexpressway. net, or call (843) 719-4146.

The Cypress Gardens, located on S.C. 52, eight miles east of Moncks Corner, provide a 250acre park that features more than 80 acres of open swamp covered in bald cypress and water tupelo to make a unique habitat for waterfowl, numerous butterfly species, deer, opossum, bobcats, raccoons and the occasional snake and alligator. Specific attractions include the gardens’ Butterfly House, with live butterflies, birds, ponds and exhibits detailing the beautiful creatures’ life cycle; the Swamparium, an observation are featuring fish, amphibians and reptiles, including venomous snakes native to the area; and several

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Francis Marion National Forest was practically destroyed in 1989 by Hurricane Hugo, but the young growth that survived on its 252,368 acres situated in Charleston and Berkeley counties has emerged to make it a popular tourist attraction. The forest itself contains the towns of Awendaw, Huger, Jamestown and McClellanville, and its headquarters are in Columbia, as are those of Sumter National Forest. Recreational opportunities include campsites, rifle ranges, boat ramps, hiking and biking trails and the famous Palmetto Trail.

CALHOUN

BERKELEY

The Berkeley County Blueways consist of 175 miles of waterway comprised of 23 paddling trails in Lake Moultrie, lower Lake Marion, the Santee River and Francis Marion National Forest. Operated primarily by the Berkeley Soil and Water Conservation District, with funds from Berkeley County government and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the blueways are always viewed as an open invitation

other wildlife.

walking trails made from dikes dating back to the rice fields previously cultivated at the site. The gardens feature a 24,000-gallon freshwater aquarium and flat-bottom boats that meander through a designated path in the swamp. As long as they have at least one adult present, groups can see alligators and

Aeolian Hill, which sits two miles east of St. Matthews on S.C. 6, was built by the Rev. John Jacob Wannamaker in the 1875 and served as the main house of Aeolian Plantation.

The plantation is named due to the strong winds that swept across the land, and the name translates roughly to “where the wind blows.” In 1900, the family added a second story to the house using architects from Clemson College. The stately home served as the residence of Dr. John E. Wannamaker II, whose scientific work with soybean and cotton had a marked influence on the state’s agricultural economy. The plantation itself covers 395 acres, which includes 158 acres of planted pine trees, 34 acres of pecan trees

Saturday, excluding holidays.

The museum features permanent exhibits dedicated to war memorabilia and the county’s agricultural history as well as an early 20th century kitchen furnished with an antique wood stove, cast-iron water pots and old-fashioned china and cutlery.

and meadows and 147 acres of cropland.

The Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve, located on Turkey Track Lane near Fort Motte and St. Matthews, provide nature walks ranging from easy to strenuous. The Educational Center may be used by groups centered around natural or cultural resource goals, with an application submitted to the Calhoun County Conservation District, 904 F.R. Huff Drive, Suite 104, P.O. Box 528, St. Matthews, SC 29135, for approval 30 days prior to use of the center. For more information, call (803) 8743337.

The town of St. Matthews will again host the popular Purple Martin Festival on April 30, with everything from a parade to food to arts and entertainment for everyone.

The festival began in the late 1960s as the town wished to rid itself of insect pests, particularly mosquitoes, which town residents did not want to kill with chemicals. Residents bought or made aluminum houses, and others used gourds to attract the Purple Martins, commonly called the “Daredevils of the Sky,” to stop in the town on their way back north in the spring.

Rotarians in the town install the houses along the St. Matthews railroad, and take them down after the festival. The town even has a Purple Martin Song, written by Mrs. A.V. Williamson in 1978. For more information, call Jane Dyches at (803) 655-5650, or visit www.bit.ly/hY8mhj.

CLARENDON COUNTY

The Clarendon County Museum and History Center, operated at 102 S. Brooks St., Manning, by the county’s Historical Society, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday-Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Manning Commercial Historic District, which features more than 40 businesses within a nine-block radius in downtown Manning, was put on the National Register of Historic Places in May 2010. The district features gift shops, a museum, both the Clarendon County Courthouse and Manning City Hall, photography studios, the Clarendon County Archives and Historical Center and several department stores.

Santee National Wildlife Refuge, located

and hunting and fishing opportunities. The Visitor’s Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. The refuge trails and grounds are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

April 1 to Aug. 31. For more information, call (803) 478-2217, or email santee@fws.gov.

Taw Caw Park, located off Wash Davis Road in Summerton, has an extensive set of boardwalks around Taw Caw Creek, which empties into Lake Marion. A popular spot for fishing, the area has a playground, picnic shelters, volleyball courts and is free and open to the public during daylight hours. A $5 rental fee is required for the picnic shelter.

For more information, call (803) 473-3543.

Weldon Auditorium, North Brooks Street, Manning, is a newly refurbished, state-of-theart concert facility that was originally built in 1955; in 1967, the building was renamed from the Manning High School auditorium to the Weldon Auditorium after a former superintendent of Clarendon School District 2. The building was sold to Clarendon County in 2006, and remodeling began in early 2008. The site hosts concerts featuring national and local artists each week, and also features dance groups like the Columbia City Ballet and other performing arts groups. For more information and a schedule of events, visit weldonauditorium.org.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY

in North Santee and Summerton, was first opened in 1941. Of its 13,000 acres, only 4,400 are owned by the refuge, with the remaining acreage managed through a lease agreement with the South Carolina Public Service Authority, also known as SanteeCooper. The refuge manages 10 conservation easements on private lands, totaling 458 acres in Bamberg, Barnwell, Clarendon and Orangeburg counties. The refuge serves as a major wintering area for ducks and geese and a stopover area for neo-tropical migratory birds, raptors, shore birds and wading birds. Endangered and threatened species at the refuge include the American alligator and the wood stork. The public may use the Visitor’s Center, which features exhibits, walking trails, an autotour route, wildlife observation

The All Star Bowling Lane, known as All Star Triangle Bowl until it closed in 2007, played a pivotal role in the Orangeburg Massacre, a confrontation between black students at South Carolina State College and police in which three students were killed and 27 were injured. In February 1968, the bowling alley was one of the last public places in Orangeburg County still segregated, and local leaders argued the business had to integrate as it had a snack bar, therefore falling underneath the Interstate Commerce Provision in the public accommodations

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section of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which desegregated businesses selling goods to the public at-large. On Feb. 6, a group of black students came from State and Claflin colleges entered the bowling alley and refused to leave. Another 15 students came back the following night and were arrested.

On Feb. 8, 300 students confronted about 100 police officers, who beat the students with batons. The students broke car and store windows as they fled back to their schools. The bowling alley itself was closed for business in September 2007, but is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and serves as a popular educational destination.

The Branchville Railroad Shrine and Museum, 7204 Freedom Road, Branchville, is located at the world’s first and oldest railroad junction, featuring a line that once operated on the country’s first scheduled passenger train. At one point in the 1800s, Branchville sat on the longest line in the world, the 183 miles stretching from Aiken to Charleston.

Call (803) 274-8820 for hours and admission prices.

The Edisto Memorial Gardens and Home Wetlands Park, off Seaboard Street in Orangeburg, is host to the Memorial Gardens, where less than 600 Confederate soldiers gathered to defend Edisto River Bridge. A marker honors this site, which they eventually abandoned for Columbia.

The gardens were first developed in the 1920s with azaleas planted on five acres of land. A greenhouse was added in 1947, followed by a rose garde in 1951. The gardens displays past and current awardwinning roses from the All-American Rose Selections, with more than 4,000 plants representing at least 75 labeled varieties on display.

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The Elloree Heritage and Cultural Museum is located on Historic Cleveland Street in downtown Elloree, about seven miles from Santee off Exit 98 at Interstate 95. Started in 1998 as part of the downtown area’s revitalization efforts, the museum boasts a rotating series of exhibits in its 10,000-square-foot facility and specifically focuses on rural life of the past. The museum opened Oct. 5, 2002, with its Farm Wing being the first part open to the public. For more information, call (803) 897-2225 or visit elloreemuseum. org.

I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium, located at South Carolina

State University in Orangeburg, is named for the first African-American chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees, Isreal Pinkney Stanback. Started in the basement of the college’s library in the early 1970s, it features a 40-foot planetarium dome, located across the foyer adjacent to the galleries, and has an auditorium capacity of 82 seats and a Minolta IIB Planetarium Projector. Educational programs for schools may be arranged by appointment two to four weeks in advance. Admission to the museum is free, but fees for programs vary. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Call (803) 536-7174 for more information, or visit www.draco. scsu.edu.

Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery, located at 427 Lakeview Drive on the S.C. 21

bypass in Orangeburg, is one of more than 60 federal fish hatcheries located in the United States. Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the hatchery produces a number of species, including striped bass and red breast and bluegill sunfish, which are used to stock lakes and streams throughout the southeastern United States.

Nose sturgeon are used for research and development at the site. The aquarium is open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., MondayFriday. For more information, call (803) 534-4828 or email orangeburg@fws.gov.

SUMTER COUNTY

The Cultural Center on Haynsworth Street in Sumter contains both the Sumter Gallery of Art and Patriot Hall. Housed in a newly renovated facility, the gallery operates as a non-profit art institution and features rotating shows of both traditional and contemporary art by local, regional and nationallyrecognized artists. Three formal exhibition galleries are offered along with free group tours by reservation, volunteer opportunities (with docents receiving free membership), catered opening receptions for all exhibitions and classroom space available for rent.

Classes are offered throughout the year for kids, teens and adults.

Located at 135 Haynsworth St., Sumter, Patriot Hall combines the grandeur of the past with the superb acoustics, versatility and state-ofthe-art technology of the future. Local actors and musicians have a state-of-the-art facility at which to perform, and the venue frequently hosts national and international acts, including the Moscow State Symphony of the United Soviets Socialist Republic, the Charleston Ballet, the Atlanta Symphony, the U.S. Coast Guard Band and a variety of touring plays and musical

productions. For more information, call (803) 436-2260.

The Sumter County Museum, located at 122 N. Washington St., Sumter, sits in a southern mansion built in 1916. The museum is popular for its living history demonstrations and its Backcountry festivals, which appear each fall and spring.

For more information, call (803) 775-0908 or visit www.sumtercountymuseum org.

Swan Lake Iris Gardens, one of the premier swan observatories in the world, is located on West Liberty Street in Sumter.

Its renown is due in part to its status as the only public park in the United States serving as home to all eight species of

swans, including black necks, royal white mutes, coscorobas, whoopers, black australians, whistlers, bewicks and trumpeters. The park began in 1927 as a private fishing lake for wealthy businessman Hamilton Carr Bland, who began landscaping his garden with Japanese Iris flowers. The park has an open-air Garden Street picnic shelter, the covered Heath Pavilion that seats 200 comfortably and the enclosed Visitor’s Center with conference/reception space for 125 people. Tables are located throughout the grounds, and a large playground features an antique fire engine perfect for climbing. The Bland Gardens feature a boardwalk, on which visitors may meander through a cypress swamp, and a gazebo popular for spring weddings. Call (803) 778-5434 for more information about reservations for any of the park’s facilities or email tourism@ sumter-sc.com.

WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY

The Salters Plantation House was built by Williams Salters before he died in 1833, and has had many renovations since.

An important example of 19th century domestic architecture, which combined national and local trends, the building was primarily influenced by the Greek Revival, while its front porch is relatively common among similar porches across the Pee Dee during the time period. The plantation, home of Capt. John Alexander Salters, eventually served as the land for Salters Depot, upon which the town of Salters was built. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 2000.

The Williamsburg County Historical Museum, 135 Hampton Ave., Kingstree, is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, and features a room depicting a turnof-the-century drug store. For more information, call (843) 355-3306 or email history1@ftc-i.net.

The Kingstree Historic District contains 48 different buildings on Main, Academy and Hampton streets that make up Kingstree’s downtown commercial area. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 1982, the district features the Williamsburg County Courthouse, a library, a railroad station and numerous businesses.

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Coming home to roost Clarendon Hall students research birds’ effect on Lake Marion

By Robert J. Baker bbaker@theitem.com

8 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

T

o the motorists on the Interstate 95 bridge crossing Lake Marion from Santee to Summerton and connecting Orangeburg and Clarendon counties, the cormorants swooping overhead in the late afternoon each winter are little more than spectacle. They might not be noticed at all.

For a group of Clarendon Hall seniors and their environmentally minded young teacher, the large birds have served as a class project that has gained the notice of the state Department of Natural Resources and several other conservation groups. For concerned fisherman Chris Hodges, the birds were a grave concern.

“He brought up the possibility that if such a large amount were roosting here during their miration south, that they could be depleting the fish population,” said teacher Julia Carter.

Carter had a group of 18 students – now down to 15 – who needed another science for their senior year, and they didn’t want to take physics.

“And I wasn’t really wanting to teach it,” Carter joked. “So, we went with a Biology II course for this semester, and we made this a project. I had a couple of different studies I was thinking about, but the seniors in this class all have a vested interest in the ecology of Lake Marion, so I thought it would be beneficial to do a semester-long study on this problem.”

Hodges himself was so concerned about the fish because of other factors in Lake Marion that have hindered the population’s growth in the deep, dark waters of South Carolina’s largest lake. Low water levels in 2007 and 2008 have led to a few seasons where the largest catch barely reaches the acceptable limit imposted by DNR regulations, and the Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery has been working practially overtime to restock the lake with the fry of the famous finned wonder.

Carter and the students – many of whom fish in the waters of Lake Marion – set out to assess the situation by counting the birds on two days each week, initially from the unused third bridge parallel to the ones that connect Santee and Summerton on I-95. The students go in split groups on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and walk more than a mile down the bridge and wait.

“Sometimes the birds will come right away, but other times it could be a while,” said Carter. “And the weather affects when they come over as well.”

The birds are counted as they travel from one side of the lake to another. Students use various methods for counting – specifically

taught by bird enthusiast Susan Heisey, park ranger for the Santee National Wildlife Refuge – with some trying by twos or by threes.

Carter uses larger bases for larger populations of birds.

“And it’s kind of frustrating when they come across in the flock and then all break away,” she said.

The students also went out in boats to various areas the birds might roost during the day.

“The birds come across in the morning and go across the lake to eat, and then they come back in the evening,” Carter said. “With their seemingly large numbers, we started out with the question – Is the large number of cormorants depleting the fish population?”

Students are still seeking that answer – they presented preliminary findings March 19 to the Santee Tourism Board showing the roughly 14,000 birds coming through the area are not only affecting the fish population, but are likely affecting deforestation of the cypress trees they roost in, Carter said.

“It has morphed into a study of the impacts of the cormorant population on Lake Marion as a whole,” she said. “There are over 14,000 birds coming through the area as they migrate southward. We have also discovered that a lot more research needs to be conducted before anything can be 100 percent conclusive.”

Carter is excited that her students have been equally excited about the project as she has.

“They have been wonderful,” she said.

“They do the legwork, they are curious, they go further and farther than we probably even need to at some points.”

And younger students are interested in having the chance to do the same.

“My original thought was that each year we would take on a different study,” Carter said.

A graduage of the College of Charleson’s Masters of Environmental Studies program, Carter has gained her alma mater’s attention as well.

“They are interested on my seniors partnering with a master’s candidate and helping with research – thereby giving us a different experience and different project each year,” Carter said. “However, as we’ve worked on this study, it has become glaringly apparent that it is much larger in scope than originally assumed and could very well turn into a yearly study.”

LakeSide will follow up on the class’s progress and final findings in June.

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All in the (boat) details Most boat owners desire to maintain that fresh-from-theshowroom look on their boat, even if the vessel is several years old. Detailing a boat on a regular basis is a way to ensure it is not compromised by the elements and continues to look pristine.

Detailing a boat is similar to detailing a car. It generally begins with giving the boat a good washing. It’s important to choose a cleanser that is designed for the boat. Wood boats may need a different soap than fiberglass boats. There also are boat soaps that are organic and will not pollute the waterways where the boat is docked. Surface grime should be washed off and any scaling on the hull from contact with salt water and marine life. Use soft cloths on the delicate areas. Brushes can be used on troublesome spots that need a little more elbow grease.

Immediately dry the boat afterward with a chamois. This will prevent the surface from streaking and ensure a dry surface on which to apply wax or buffing compounds.

Unless it is a small boat, wax or buffers should be applied with

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a commercial buffer. This will prevent arm and hand fatigue and make faster work of the job. Wax should be applied in circular movements, allowed to dry and then wiped off with a cheesecloth or another chamois. It’s best to do small areas of the boat to ensure the proper wax curing time has taken place and it can be wiped clean in a timely fashion. One must judge the air temperature and the sun to determine just how long the wax should remain on.

Next use a cloth to wipe down all upholstery. If desired, use an upholstery cleaner on leather to give it a nice shine. There are also metal cleaners that can polish chrome and other detailing on the boat.

Use a dusting cloth to go over the instrument panel and be sure to wipe down any glass windows so they are streak-free.

Afterward, step back and enjoy all of the hard work. Proper maintenance and cleaning ensures that the vessel will continue to look good and perform for many years to come.

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12 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

Striped Bass Festival Always delivers down-home, family-friendly fun

By Robert J. Baker bbaker@theitem.com

D

uring its three decades as Clarendon County’s premier spring event, the Striped Bass Festival has offered visitors everything from catfish wrestling, truck pulls and cow-plop bingo to comical pageants offering men wearing dresses instead of

southern belles.

In all its history, as events have come and gone, the festival’s titular mascot – the Striped Bass – has kept crowds coming year after year.

“The Striped Bass Festival is just a good old Clarendon tradition,” said Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dawn Griffith. “It’s like the start of spring for the county.

People come out and fellowship and have a good time, and when you see folks return to Manning after moving away, it’s like a big reunion.”

Chamber Executive Assistant Ericka Sexton Floyd said the festival’s 33rd edition – which begins technically with the Striped Bass Festival Pageant on April 21 at Weldon Auditorium and a golf tournament that same weekend, but kicks into gear April 27 for three fun-filled days – will change little from the past few years’ offerings.

“We always have a bit of the new here and there, but mostly everything people expect at the Striped Bass Festival will be there this year,” she said.

That includes the Lions Club Fish Fry that Friday evening. The event has always been a “sort-of unofficial kick-off ” for the festival, giving the Lions Club its largest fundraiser each year for those needing assistance with eyesight problems. The Mighty Kicks will help kick things off officially with a street dance that same evening at the Clarendon County Gazebo on Keitt Street.

The festival’s traditional Super Saturday starts early this year, with the Striped Bass Festival Run starting 8:30 a.m. at Manning Elementary School and ending at the Clarendon County Courthouse. The race is one of four in 2012 Clarendon Cup Race Series organized by The Zone, organizer Sara Beth Richburg said.

“We had a good crowd last year, so we’re hoping for at least a good one this year,” she said.

North Brooks and Boyce streets will be lined as early as 9:30 a.m. with spectators claiming their spots for the Home Town Parade, which begins 10 a.m. at the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and North Brooks Street and traverses about 1.5 miles through downtown Manning. Audiences as large as 20,000 people shout, cheer and encourage those who participate in the parade, which includes everyone from County Council members, high school marching bands, church groups and local dance teams brandishing thousand-kilowatt smiles.

As the parade winds down, festival-goers will soon turn their attention to Keitt Street and the Clarendon County Courthouse grounds, where carnival games, vendors and community groups will be vying for attention. Children – and adults – can take a mechanical bull ride, or take a whirl on a ferris wheel, or maybe just sit and chat with volunteers from a Second Chance Animal Shelter of Clarendon County or the Pilot Club.

“We typically have more than 100 different booths out during Super Saturday,” Griffith said. “The (Manning Fire Department) will have their doors open for everyone to view the artwork submitted into the Striped Bass Festival Student Art Show. The masterpieces on display are from children in all schools in Clarendon County.”

Saturday’s festivities conclude at 4 p.m., but the Goat Island Boat Club will close things out Sunday with their annual Poker Run starting 9 a.m. at John C. Land III Landing on Lake Marion. Funds raised during the run are used for scholarships for eligible graduating seniors attending Clarendon County schools.

“We’re really looking forward to having the biggest ever Striped Bass Festival,” Griffith said. “We hope everyone will come be part of the fun.”

For more information, or to sign-up for the parade, call the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce at (803) 435-4405 or 1 (800) 731-LAKE (5253).

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Do the Stomp at Puddin’ Swamp

By Robert J. Baker bbaker@theitem.com

W

hen former Turbeville Administrator Pat Goodwin helped organize the first Puddin’ Swamp Festival in 2008 at the town’s Village Square, he and Town Council members believed it would be a fun way to draw attention to the tiny town.

And like its predecessors, this year’s 5th annual Puddin’ Swamp Festival is expected to add many more people to the town’s 740 or so residents, at least for a few days from April 19-21.

“I think we’ve had well into the 6,000 mark each year we’ve had it,” said Goodwin, who is helping once again with his hometown festival though he now serves as Manning administrator. This year’s festival is almost bittersweet for Goodwin; last year’s marked his final weekend with the town he served for more than a decade.

“We’re hoping it’s even bigger and better this year,” he said.

Festivities kick-off, as always, with the Taste of Puddin’ Swamp at 7 p.m. April 19 at Pine Grove United Methodist Church. While adults partake of food provided by local residents and restaurants, kids will be hardly able to wait for the carnival rides to open on Village Square.

“We have a line of children just about every year waiting for the rides to start,” Goodwin said.

The fun continues 6 p.m. with live entertainment at the Concert Stage, the carnival rides and food vendors throughout the night. Saturday is a big day, with rides opening at 10 a.m. and entertainment going through 10 p.m. Aside from a performance from The Shack, a live band featured at the 2012 Clarendon County Chamber Retreat in Greenville, residents and visitors alike will get to see and hear local talent, including everything from dance teams to karaoke.

For more information, and updates to the festival’s schedule, visit www.puddinswamp.com.

14 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

Routine Maintenance To Keep Your Boat Afloat

A poorly maintained automobile can eventually land its owner stranded on the side of the road. A poorly maintained boat could prove far more disastrous, stranding its owner at sea.

Boating enthusiasts recognize the role routine maintenance plays in keeping a boat afloat. Such maintenance might sound like a major commitment, but maintenance is actually simple and does not require boat owners to spend as much time working on their boat as they do enjoying it.

Before taking a boat out on the water, it’s best for boat owners to perform the following maintenance and checkup to ensure their Saturday at sea doesn’t turn into a nightmare stranded in the middle of nowhere.

and tanks could cause the boat to end up stranded or even damage the motor. In addition, an oil or fuel leak could create a fire hazard or increase risk of explosion. Checking the hoses, fittings and tanks for leaks takes just a few minutes and greatly reduces risk of being stranded or worse.

FUEL Top off the fuel tank whenever heading out on the water. Even if the trip is supposed to be just a quick jaunt, it’s still important to top off the fuel tank. Doing so and then checking fuel levels upon return can also help boat owners determine if there are any fuel consumption issues, which are often indicative of an engine that’s not performing at its peak.

PROPELLER The propeller should show no signs of damage. A damaged propeller can cause a host of problems, including stranding boaters on the water. Even if a damaged propeller doesn’t strand a boat in the middle of the sea, it will likely tax the engine, which will decrease fuel efficiency.

OIL It’s also good to top off oil before heading out on the water and then checking oil levels upon one’s return. Boats with 4-stroke motors consume very small amounts of oil, so if such boats are consuming large amounts of oil during each trip there’s likely something wrong with the engine. A boat with a 2-stroke motor should maintain the same proportion between fuel and oil consumption.

If the proportion starts changing dramatically, that’s problematic.

HOSES, FITTINGS AND TANKS Inspect the hoses, fittings and tanks before heading out to sea.

This won’t take long but will be advantageous. Leaky hoses, fittings

HULL AND ENGINE CASES The boat hull and engine cases should be inspected for damage or signs of corrosion before heading out on the water. It’s also a good idea to inspect the hull and engine when returning to the dock. This will save boaters the trouble of discovering problems on the next trip, which may put that trip in jeopardy.

BATTERY The battery connections should always be tight and clean before heading out on the water. A loose or dirty connection will make it difficult for the battery to charge, which can leave boaters stranded at sea. If the engine is operated at high speeds for a long period of time, check the electrolyte levels for any signs of an overcharged battery.

Boat maintenance is an important but not necessarily difficult part of boat ownership. Boat owners who ensure their boats are properly maintained can greatly reduce their risk of being stranded at sea while increasing their chances of having a great time out on the water.

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Catastrophic claims mean higher rates for individual consumers This column may be a bit overdue but I’d like to give a “State of the Insurance Market” overview for 2012. You may not want to hear it, but it’s always better to be prepared for what’s coming up and how it may affect you.

During the past seven to eight years the property and casualty insurance market has been stuck in an unusually “soft market.”

What this means is that insurance carriers have been making money, which is reflected in low property rates and a very flexible underwriting. The carriers have been able to keep rates low for a number of reasons including increased investment returns and lower catastrophic claims.

Insurance carriers buy insurance for themselves from re-insurance companies in order to cover themselves for “cat” losses.

The re-insurance companies market their products to insurance companies all over the world. Last year was one of the worst, if the not the worst, year ever as far as worldwide cat claims. That’s why the tsunami in Japan could affect our rates in South Carolina. When the insurance companies pay more for re-insurance, they pass their increased rates on to us.

We get calls all the time from people asking why their homeowner rates may have gone up when they’ve had no claims. As you can see, it’s not that cut-and-dry. There are many, many reasons why your insurance rates may be rising.

For 2012, we are starting to see the beginnings of a hard market. Companies are relying more on their underwriting results to make money. On average, auto rates will remain flat or slightly

negative. Property insurance for personal lines (homeowners insurance) will see higher rates.

Some companies began raising rates over the past year or so and may be in a better position this year with regards to rates than companies that have just decided to start raising their rates.

I have heard of some companies that are increasing rates to the tune of 20 percent or more and will probably need more rate increases down the line.

Property deductibles are being looked at very hard and we will probably see minimum deductibles going to $1,500 or more including separate deductibles based on a percentage basis for named storms.

Commercial lines fair a little better, with renewals remaining flat or seeing slight increases. On new business, companies are able to be somewhat more aggressive and more competitive. Underwriting will tighten, with less competitive lines of business seeing rate increases to increase profitability. Some companies may even stop writing certain lines of business because they just aren’t profitable.

Bottom line, expect some rate increases and tighter underwriting. It should be your agent’s job to make you as attractive as possible to the companies. Give him or her as much information as possible so they can shop your insurance and find the best rates and the best coverage.

John DuRant

16 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

John DuRant is the owner of DuRant Insurance of Manning.

He can be reached at john@durantinsurance.com or by calling (803) 435-4800.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 17

Lake Marion’s signature fish coming back with help from DNR

By Earle Woodward earlew@theitem.com

A

s a guy who writes a little bit, I can tell you that there are people out there who have a wide variety of opinions, and they aren’t always shy about telling you any one of them. Don’t misunderstand, I don’t mind listening to them and often get some good story ideas from other peoples’ stories; I also get to understand how people feel about new game and fish laws and projects that the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have underway.

Most of what I hear has a somewhat negative connotation to it; people don’t like “the government” messing with the way that they hunt or fish. I understand, but I have also seen DNR do some really wonderful things, causing some of those naysayers to rethink their ideas.

One of DNR’s shining examples is the restoration of the Eastern Wild Turkey. Once almost wiped out in South 18 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

Carolina, they have been restored them to a huntable population through DNR’s efforts, providing opportunities for thousands of sportsmen statewide.

I have a feeling that their next shining example is taking shape even as I write this.

I’m talking the Striped Bass, locally know as the Rockfish.

For anyone driving across Lake Marion on Interstate 95, what is the one thing that sticks out in your mind? For most, it’s the big cutout of a striper on the northwest side of the bridge. One of Santee’s claims to fame was holding the world record for “landlocked striped bass” for so long. Fishermen came from far and wide to catch the famous rockfish.

Back when I started fishing for rockfish, there was no size limit and the creel limit was 10 fish. As more and more fishermen began to chase the sport-fish, the population began to dwindle and the creel limit was reduced to five fish with an 18-inch size limit; that was later extended to 21 inches.

Still, stripers were so popular, the population just couldn’t sustain the heavy pressure and continued to decline.

A few years back, DNR began to hold public hearings to announce that the proposed new limits would be three fish per day with a 26-inch size limit, and that there would now be a season on striped bass fishing. You could fish only from Oct. 1 to May 31, so that meant no hot-weather striper fishing.

Their explanation for why it was necessary made a lot of sense to me: A striper is not sexually mature until it reaches about 26 inches in length, so people were catching fish before they had a chance to spawn, and fishing in hot weather stressed the fish so badly that a large majority were dying, even after being released. For the most part, the public accepted the changes and they were implemented.

For almost two years after that meeting I didn’t catch a single striped bass, not a single one, and I tried as hard as anyone. They just weren’t there. I really began to doubt that the new strategy was going to work.

It was like someone turned the correct switch, though, last year,

and I couldn’t keep the fish off of my lines! Granted, not a single one of them was over the legal size limit, they all measured around 22-23 inches, but I can tell you that I had the time of my life catching and releasing stripers. There was one day that I caught 14 in one afternoon, more than I had been catching in entire seasons in years past.

As a precaution, I only use circle hooks to avoid hooking fish deep and killing them. The hooks work as advertized: They rarely hook a fish deep, and most fish can be released by simply pulling them alongside and slipping the hook out of the corner of their mouths.

After last year, we were all expecting some outstanding fishing during the 2011 striped bass spawning run, and to this point it has not disappointed.

Perhaps the only downside is that the fish have not grown as much as many of us would have liked, most fish are running 24-25 inches, a little bigger than last year, but still not quite up to the legal limit of 26 inches. It has been noted however that the fish we are catching are extremely well fed and healthy, they look more like footballs that lean, mean, streamlined striped bass.

Regardless, a 25-inch fish, in river current can and does put a substantial bend in a stout rod, and they are a real joy to catch.

They are a fabulous way to introduce non-fishermen to our sport because they bite fairly readily and put up a great battle when hooked.

There are a number of great guide services in the area surrounding both the upper and lower lakes that specialize in rockfish, and this time of year, during the spawning run, the guides

in the upper end of the upper lake are in the driver’s seat. Even if you are a local fisherman, but have never tried stripers, a guide can be just what you need to learn the ropes and begin a lifetime of springtime enjoyment.

It isn’t often that such a turnaround can be seen in such a short amount of time, but it is happening. In just a few short years, striper fishing has gone from non-existent to fast and furious and, for the most part, I think the credit can go to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for identifying a problem and working tirelessly to solve it.

And while we may still be a few years away from those 20-30 pound behemoths of days gone by, you can see them coming!

Well done DNR, well done!

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 19

Benefits of prescribed burning are many But land managers finding it harder to burn

T

By Robert J. Baker bbaker@theitem.com

he use of prescribed fire as a land management tool has deep and ancient roots in South Carolina’s heritage. However, conducting prescribed burns is becoming increasingly challenging due to a variety of factors, according to a state wildlife biologist and

forester.

Department of Natural Resources Representative to the South Carolina Prescribed Fire Council Johnny Stowe, a certified wildlife biologist and forester, said properly conducted prescribed burns – also called controlled burns – have multiple benefits.

Stowe also burns his own land, knowing well that prescribed fires help restore and maintain vital habitat for wildlife, including bobwhite quail and other grassland birds, wild turkeys, white20 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

tailed deer, gopher tortoises and red-cockaded woodpeckers. Besides the many wildlife species that require fire-dependent habitat, many plants thrive only in regularly burned forests.

The demise of the longleaf pine forest and associated grasslands, which once made South Carolina one of the best quail hunting states, is tightly correlated to the decrease of woods-burning. Also, plants like the insectivorous pitcher plants, sundews and Venus’ flytrap – along with other rare plant species – require frequent fire.

“Fire-maintained lands also have a special unique beauty,” Stowe said. “The open, park-like vistas of properly burned lands appeal to many of us.”

Prescribed fire enhances public safety, according to Stowe, by reducing or even eliminating fuel loads, thereby making wildlife

on that area impossible or unlikely for some time afterward. The fires are usually less destructive on areas that have been prescribed burned. Wildfires often either lose intensity or go out when they reach areas that have been prescribed-burned.

The fires, along with hunting and agriculture, are an essential part of the heritage and character of the south. Every culture that has ever lived in the south has had an ancient tradition of woods-burning. The Indians transformed the Southern landscape for thousands of years with fire, and the Africans and Europeans brought with them from the Old World the time-tested practice of using fire to mold the land to their needs.

Stowe said one of the main threats to prescribed burning, sadly, is the legacy of Smokey Bear.

“Smokey is one of the best-known icons in the United States,” Stowe said, “and while part of Smokey’s message always has been, is and always will be wise – that no one should carelessly or maliciously use fire under any circumstances – Smokey’s legacy is that several generations of Americans view forest fires as universally destructive.”

Another threat to the Southern tradition of prescribed burning as a land management tool is South Carolina’s increasingly urban population. Many South Carolinians now come from backgrounds that did not expose them to rural land management activities such as burning, hunting and agricultural operations, according to Stowe.

Often these folks do not appreciate the multiple benefits to society that these practices provide, nor the long-standing role that they play in the state’s natural and cultural history. Noted conservationist Aldo Leopold correctly observed that one of the dangers of not living on a farm is that you may get the idea that heat comes from the furnace and food from the supermarket.

Stowe says that one of the many public benefits of the DNR Heritage Preserves and Wildlife Management Areas is that they provide folks with a chance to see on-theground land management – how it works and why it is vital to protecting the state’s natural landscapes.

Stowe can be reached via email at stowej@dnr.sc.gov or by calling (803) 419-9374 in Columbia.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 21

Marine supply stores ready to sail warm waters

By Jamie Hudson Wilson Special to Lakeside

A

s lake waters began warming in early March, local marine supply businesses began readying their inventory of recreational watercraft and related accessories for an influx of customers. “our business started picking up in February, said L&S Marine salesperson Dana Lane. “If people want first choice, they buy early.”

Lane said L&S Marine Supply sells pontoon and aluminum boats along with accessories for the average boater’s needs. One popular trend for boats is a craft that combines leisure with 22 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

horsepower.

“Pontoons can have horsepower as high as 300 but the ride is more comfortable,” Lane said.

Customers are asking for updated layout on boat interiors as well, Lane added.

“You can ride facing the water,” she said, referencing a builtin bench seat located behind the driver’s seat in the boat. “The industry has changed. These aren’t your average pontoons.”

J&J Marina owner Jim Keith agreed.

“There is more out there for leisure and high performance,” he

said. “Some are just looking for speed.”

Keith said a lot of his customer base includes families looking to enhance their lakeside vacations with a family boat.

“It’s about comfort and convenience,” he said.

Robbie Barwick’s customers at Sumter Marine Supply, however, seem to be “keeping what they’ve got and fixing what they’ve got on it,” he said.

“I think it’s all because of the economy,” Barwick said. “They don’t want to take down another monthly payment on something, so they refurbish what they’ve got and maybe update it a little.”

McLean Marina owner Harvey Achziger was already juggling four customers one early Wednesday morning in March, customers who were looking for the shop’s small aluminum fishing boats, which tend to be good on gas, he said.

“With the price of gas being $3.40 to $3.50 (in early March), they are looking for something that is going to be good on gas,” Achziger said.

Barwick said his customers are also concerned with gas prices.

“I think one of our big items right now are the water toys,” Barwick said. “Customers are really calling for those more than they have in a long time. I don’t know if it’s because they’ll be staying home and might do some more at-home lake trips. A lot of time they want to have something to do off the boat, or have the tubes and pull the children behind.”

Lt. Robert McCullough, spokesman for the state Department of Natural Resources, said boat upgrades are a good thing – as long as they withstand the rigorous safety standards set by the U.S. Coast Guard. He said modern manufactured boats are all held to these standards. He noted the potential danger in the secondary market for boats.

“You need to make sure to stay away from boats that are in disrepair,” McCullough said. “You also need to make sure that the previous owner hasn’t removed any of the flotation devices on the boat.”

Ron Cunningham, a boat inspector for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 12-1 Lake Marion, suggests having even more flotation devices than seats on the boat.

“A lot of people don’t realize how many they have to have at all, which astounds me,” Cunningham said last year. “You have to have one for every adult and child on board. Period. I’d go even further and say have a few extra. You can’t be too careful.”

The state Department of Natural Resources outlines several boating safety procedures when operating a personal watercraft: • Know the aids to navigation and buoy system in your areas.

• Don’t operate the boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• When operating sailboats be aware of overhead power lines and wires.

• If someone falls overboard, throw something that will float (Personal Floating Device (PFD), raft or cooler).

• All boats approaching from the right have the right of way.

• Always anchor from the bow of the boat and pull the anchor before leaving.

• If boat capsizes, stay with the boat.

• If caught in a storm, head into the wind, put on PFD’s and keep passengers low in the boat.

• Cold water boaters such as duck hunters, fishermen, sailors beware! Cold water kills.

• Call Operation Game Thief at 1 (800) 922-5431 to report boating, fishing or hunting violations.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 23

NEW FRESHWATER FISHING LAWS New freshwater fishing laws signed by Gov. Nikki Haley in February will take effect in July, concluding what state Department of Natural Resources Chief of Freshwater Fisheries Ross Self called a monumental effort.

“This was the first major overhaul of our freshwater fishery laws in at least 40 years,” Self said.

The modern laws were passed quickly through the General Assembly before reaching Haley, and are meant to consolidate and clarify various statutes that had been amended many times.

“There was a confusing mass of legislation,” Self said, noting half of the new legislation mainly cleans up the existing laws.

Self said even minor things like the re-definition of water bodies will help boaters and fishermen know exactly which regulation matters to which body of water. “(Before) it was vague or hard to find where this river comes to this lake,” he said.

MAJOR CHANGES INCLUDE:

· A statewide limit of five trout per day, except in Lake Jocassee, whose limit is three. · Reduces the creel limit on redbreast from 20 to 15 to slow the adverse impact of flathead catfish on those sunfish in coastal rivers. · Bans transporting fish from one body of water to another to try to slow the spread of invasive fish species and help control disease agents. · Makes it illegal to take mussels without a permit,

24 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

providing protection for the first time to the 30 species of freshwater mussels native to South Carolina · Reduces the daily limit for crappie from 30 to 20 to allow more of the species to reach reproductive size and stabilize populations, while also setting a minimum size limit of 8 inches.

Self said the ban on transporting fish will control the expansion of non-native fish as well.

“You can’t just dump (the baitfish from the bait shop) in the lake at the end of the day anymore,” he said.

For more information, visit sc.dnr.org.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 25

3

MANCHESTER STATE FOREST WMA

SUMTER SUMTER SUMTER15 SUMTER SUMTER SUMTER SUMTER 15 15 15 15 15 15

3838 3838 3838 38

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3737 3737 3737 37

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3434 3434 3434 34

2222 22 2

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Elloree Elloree Elloree Elloree Elloree Elloree Elloree

Goat Island Goat Island Goat Island Goat Island Goat Island Goat Island Goat Island

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6666 66 6

267 267 267 267 267 267 267

5555 55 5

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7777 77 7

5

SANTEE COOPER WMA

6666 66 6

1010 1010 1010 10

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Eutawville Eutawville Eutawville Eutawville Eutawville Eutawville Eutawville

453 453 453 453 453 453 453

3636 36 3636 36 36 210 210 210 210 210 210 210

26 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

La La LLL La La Ma Mar M Ma Ma Mar Ma

lake Marion lake Marion lake Marion lake Marion lake Marion lake Marion lake Marion resort Marina resort & Marina resort & Marina resort & Marina resort &&Marina resort & Marina resort & Marina

Mill Creek Mill Creek Mill Creek Mill Creek Mill Creek Mill Creek Mill Creek

176 176 176 176 176 176 176

Reevesville Reevesville Reevesville Reevesville Reevesville Reevesville Reevesville

resort resort 252 2525 resort resort 2525 resort resort 25 resort Polly's Polly's Polly's Polly's 32 3232 Polly's Polly's 32 3232 Polly's 32 landing landing landing landing landing landing landing 29 29 2929 29 2929 3030 3030 3030 30

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Bowman Bowman Bowman Bowman Bowman Bowman Bowman Orangeburg - 25 25 miles Orangeburg miles Orangeburg -miles 25 miles Orangeburg -25 miles Orangeburg -25 miles Orangeburg ---25 Orangeburg 25 miles Florence - 56 56 miles Florence miles Florence -miles 56 miles Florence -56 miles Florence -56 miles Florence ---56 Florence 56 miles 178 178 178 178 178 178 178 Sumter - 30 30 miles Sumter miles Sumter -miles 30 miles Sumter -30 miles Sumter -30 miles Sumter ---30 Sumter 30 miles Summerton 5miles miles Summerton miles Summerton 5miles miles Summerton Summerton 5-miles Summerton ---5-55-5-miles Summerton Manning 8miles miles Manning miles Manning 8miles miles Manning Manning 8-miles Manning ---8-88-8-miles Manning

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176 176 176 176 176 176 176

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3636 3636 3636 36

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176 176 176 176 176 176 176

Holly Hill Holly Hill Holly Hill Holly Hill Holly Hill Holly Hill Holly Hill 453 453 453 453 453 453 453

176 176 176 176 176 176 176

311 31 311 311

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2727 27 2727 27 27

WILLIAMSBURG

Manning

Kingstree

521 23

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6

377

Salters

Greeleyville

Alex Harvin Landing

52

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22

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24

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21

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5

Lake Marion

4

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14

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12

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45

SANTEE DAM WMA

18

Harry’s Fish Camp

17

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13

Harry’s Fish Camp

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Big oak landing & Campground

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Mac’s Camp

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Big oak landing & Campground

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8 Pineville 52 Palmetto Trail St. Stephen 35 7

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15

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SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 27

Lake Marion Map Information

33 8 14 11 15 35 32 7 36 29 18 10 16 34 23 25 5 9 21

Arbuckle’s Landing..................................... 803-478-5260 Bell’s Marina.............................................. 803-492-7924 Big Oak Landing & Campground................ 843-753-2285 Blount’s Landing........................................ 803-492-7773 Canal Lakes Fish Camp.............................. 843-753-2271 Carolina King Retreat & Marina................. 803-478-2800 Cooper’s Landing and Guide Service.......... 803-478-2549 Cypress Shores Marina............................... 843-351-4561 Elliott’s Landing......................................... 803-452-5336 Goat Island Resort...................................... 803-478-8165 Harry’s Fish Camp...................................... 843-351-4561 Hide-a-way Campground........................... 803-492-9695 Hill’s Landing............................................. 843-753-2731 Jack’s Creek Landing.................................. 803-478-2793 J&J Marina.................................................. 803-478-2490 John c. Land III Boating Facility.................. 803-854-2131 Lake Marion Resort & Marina..................... 803-854-2136 Lakeside Marina & Resort.......................... 803-492-7226 Lake Vue Landing....................................... 803-478-2133

28 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

22 1 17 6 37 30 3 20 12 31 4 24 38 13 2 26 27 28

Lighthouse Pointe Family Campground...... 803-478-2138 Low Falls Landing...................................... 803-826-6050 Mac’s Landing & Camp.............................. 843-871-1224 Mill Creek Marina....................................... 803-492-7746 Pack’s Landing........................................... 803-452-5514 Polly’s Landing........................................... 803-478-2351 Poplar Creek Landing................................. 803-897-2811 Randolph’s Landing....................................800-BIG-CATS Rocks Pond Campground........................... 803-492-7711 Santee Lakes Campground......................... 803-478-2262 Santee State Park....................................... 803-854-2408 Scarborough Marina................................... 803-478-2184 Sparkleberry Landing................................. 843-761-4068 Spier’s Landing.............................................................NA Stump Hole Landing................................... 803-826-6111 Taw Caw Campground & Marina................ 803-478-2171 Taw Caw Creek Landing................................................NA Taw Caw Park................................................................NA

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 29

Taking back the boardwalk Manning group looking to re-beautify Pocotaligo Park

By Robert J. Baker bbaker@theitem.com 30 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

I

t’s been almost 33 years since serious work has been done at the small park off U.S. 521 right outside of Manning.

Pocotaligo Park was once a place where locals and travelers alike could walk a long, scenic boardwalk and revel in the outdoors.

“But it hasn’t been that way for a long time,” said Marie Land, who has joined with about a dozen other Clarendon County residents to form the simply named Pocotaligo Committee.

“We’re just in the preliminary stages right now,” Land said, “But I guess I could say our ultimate, over-arching goal will be to make that a shining jewel for Manning. We already have so much in Manning and the county that draws visitors to this beautiful place.

This would be just one more draw.”

She is joined by Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society founders Carole and George Summers, Manning Administrator Pat Goodwin, Clarendon County Chamber Executive Assistant Ericka S. Floyd and many others in this goal, which would be the

first concentrated beautification effort at the park in more than three decades.

“The Boy Scouts and other groups came out a long time ago and did some work with the boardwalk,” said Land. “And then, I don’t know what happened.”

According to Item archives, the Boy Scouts worked on the park in 1979; they were later recognized by state officials for their efforts in 1982. Regular clean-up and maintenance was done at the park for the remainder of the 1980s.

“And then we had Hurricane Hugo,” Land said.

As it did to so many coastal and midlands wetland areas, the powerful hurricane leveled 100-year-old trees and made the boardwalk nearly completely unusable.

“I think some clean-up was done,” Land said, “But then we’d have another storm, or ice or something. It seems like every time someone goes out there to make a difference, a storm comes along and renders that work useless.”

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 31

Goodwin said there’s much more to be done at the park than simple clean-up of limbs from the boardwalk’s path.

“The bathrooms need to be completely redone, and the shelter roof out there is completely rotted,” he said. “The boardwalk itself is rotted. It’s just a complete mess. And we’d probably work to do something with the parking area, which needs some touching up.”

While the park has languished in near obscurity for more than a decade as a little-known county relic, the recent placing of a marker for Ox Swamp there by the Trails Society has brought it new attention.

“It’s something I suppose we’ve been thinking about for a long time,” Land said.

“The marker is a wonderful thing. We want to have more items like that out

32 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

here.”

Goodwin said the group has no source of funding for any work right yet – although the city will lend some support likely – but they have been visiting similar parks for inspiration.

“We have visited Beidler National Forest (in Berkeley County) and Lynches River (in Florence County),” Goodwin said.

“We could do a lot of our wanted improvements and amenities more cheaply by following examples from Lynches River, I think.”

Still, Goodwin said the committee is in its infancy, a long way from a started refurbishment, much less a completed one.

“It’s a long-time coming, but I think it will be worth it for Manning and Clarendon County,” he said.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 33

On the Lake...

Left: Photo by Mark Pekuri A coyote stops for a moment just after dawn on a recent Sunday morning in a field near Old Camden Highway in Sumter.

Below: Robert J. Baker A sunset off the North Shore of Lake Marion is just one of the many perks for those who live on or near the lake.

Above: Robert J. Baker Two fishermen work in the darkened hours of sunset in January off the pier at North Shore on Lake Marion in Clarendon County.

Right: Photo provided Butter lettuce is just one of the vegetables grown at Kurios Hydroponic Farm in Moncks Corner in Berkeley County. Members of two Manning garden clubs visited the farm, owned by Wes and Juanita Melling, earlier this year. The lettuce is fed with nutrientenriched water; when ready to harvest, the plant is cut at the base of its root system, cleaned and then packaged. About 600 heads of butter lettuce are 34sold APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE each week.

Left: R. Darren Price One of the many migratory birds that visits Lake Marion each winter flaps around in the lake’s dark waters in 2011.

Photo provided by Kathy Cramer A white jay that periodically calls Manning resident Kathy Cramer’s back yard home was spotted as recently as February. Cramer has enjoyed watching the little bird for several years and is delighted each time he comes back.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 35

Livin’ Lakeside

Recent home sales are bittersweet

By Yana Mathis

I

n the real estate world you usually have a seller’s agent and a buyer’s agent for each property that is sold. Sometimes one agent works both sides of the transaction in a “dual agency” agreement where both parties know that they have the same agent for that one transaction.

The Realtor Code of Ethics holds all Realtors to a high standard, and even though the agent usually makes more money if no other agent or company is involved, it can be a difficult situation because only limited representation can be given to either side.

I recently had two sales in the same neighborhood where I represented only the buyers.

In

36 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

each case, I was fully committed to the purchasers and had no loyalty at all to the sellers. But the human side of me couldn’t help but feel bad for each of these sellers who had to move from Manning a couple of years ago due to job situations. Both homes had been vacant for about two years (except one had some renters for a period of time), and I knew that the sellers must be getting anxious for a sale.

I have been preaching lately that it is still a buyer’s market and, true to form, each of these home buyers were looking for a deal. My job is to get my clients the best deal I can while practicing fair and honest business, which I always do. While my buyers were happy with their outcome, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for the sellers of these two homes. They had done everything required of them.

They had continuously paid a yard person to keep the outside looking neat and they had paid their mortgage and taxes on time, therefore it was not a short sale nor a foreclosure. They had listed their homes at fair market value at the time, but they ultimately dropped their prices according to advice from their Realtors to keep pace with the declining market values.

Worst of all, they had to pay money at the closing table to complete the sale! And I don’t just mean a little bit, but thousands! A lot of people these days would have let the mortgage company take the house back and just walked away versus hanging on and paying money out of their pockets to have it sold. In case you haven’t figured this scenario out, both of these sellers are professional people who earn good money and didn’t want to let their credit become ruined by an unsold home.

Now what has happened is that a new price point has been set for homes that size, in that particular neighborhood, should another home similar to those become dependent on an appraisal price to justify what they will want to sell their homes for.

Perhaps if you have to sell at a loss, you can make it up on the next home you purchase, which might also be bought at a really good price and get new financing for a very low interest rate. The last time I saw a rate sheet, the 30-year mortgage rates were around

3.75 percent and 15-year rates were approaching 3.15 percent.

Those are unbelievable!

If you have a mortgage rate over 5.5 percent, you really ought to be looking into refinancing. If you do refinance, it would pay you to ask the lender to figure it both ways, a 30-year v. a 15-year loan.

And finally, I have looked over the last 14-day sales v. the last 30-day sales in the Clarendon County market, and it appears that for each group, the percentage of sold price compared to percentage of the listing price was about 79 percent. The number of days on the market ranged from 291 to 345, and price-per-heated-

square-feet ranged from an average of $45 to a high of $174.

This is the beginning of our busiest real estate season, so use this time to spruce up your outside, handle all maintenance issues, including having your duct work cleaned by a professional heating and air company, and getting a termite check, pest inspection, etc. If you do need to sell your home, doing these things plus keeping it clean (inside and out) will help you get your highest value. If you’re not planning to sell right away, doing these things will prevent having to do more down the road and will make your life less stressful!

Have a good spring, and I’ll talk with y’all soon.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 37

38 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

Top chops for your spring grill

W

From Family Features

hen looking for inspiration on the grill, nothing beats the tender, juicy pork chop. This hearty protein is a versatile canvas for a wide range of mouthwatering rubs, glazes and marinades that will ignite taste buds with bold

new flavors.

To fire up your grill creativity, look to simple, fuss-free recipes that pack big flavor. Take your pork chops on a jaunt through the Mediterranean with a savory Basil-Garlic Rub. Or, spice up the chop with a Fire-Lovers Rub, featuring a robust blend of Southwestern-inspired spices. No matter what tastes you crave, the pork chop is your perfect partner on the grill all year long.

For more on how to get the most out of pork on the grill, turn to these tips from the National Pork Board: * Know your chops. Did you know there are five different pork chop cuts? From the richly marbled blade chop to the lean iconic

Grilled Pork Chops

with Basil-Garlic Rub

loin chop, there are many delicious options for quick-cooking chops on the grill. Ask your retailer or butcher to help choose the cut that’s right for you-it might just result in a new favorite. * Make it your own. Pork chops pair perfectly with a virtually endless variety of tasty rubs and marinades. Experiment with your own flavor combinations by taking standby recipes and swapping out or adding ingredients to suit your family’s tastes. * Mind your cook time. For juicy, tender pork, the USDA now recommends cooking chops, roasts and tenderloins to an internal temperature of 145°F with a 3-minute rest. Be sure to use a digital cooking thermometer for the most delicious results.

For more details on pork chop cuts, tips and mouthwatering recipes, visit www.PorkBeInspired.com. You can also follow the National Pork Board on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PorkBeInspired and on Twitter @AllAboutPork.

Fire Lover’s Rub

Prep Time: 20-30 minutes, Cook Time: 10-12 minutes Makes: 4 servings

Makes enough for 4 pork chops

4 bone-in pork loin chops, 3/4-inch thick 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon coarse salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 1 1 1 1/2 1/2 1/2

With machine running, drop garlic through feed tube of food processor to mince. Stop, add fresh basil, and process until chopped. Add lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper and process to make a thin wet rub. Spread both sides of pork chops with basil mixture. Let stand 15 to 30 minutes.

Prepare medium-hot fire in grill. Brush grate clean and oil grate. Grill chops, over direct heat, turning once, to medium rare doneness, 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F, followed by a 3-minute rest.

Nutrition per serving (chop and rub): Calories: 210; Fat: 14g; Saturated Fat: 3.5g; Cholesterol: 60mg; Sodium: 620mg; Carbohydrate: 2g; Protein: 27g; Fiber: 0g

Mix chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt, cayenne, granulated garlic and black pepper in small bowl. Rub both sides of pork chops with spice mixture. Let stand 15 to 30 minutes.

Cook chops to an internal temperature of 145°F with a 3-minute rest.

tablespoon chili powder teaspoon dried oregano teaspoon ground cumin teaspoon coarse salt teaspoon cayenne powder teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Nutrition per serving (chop and rub): Calories: 220; Fat: 14.5g; Saturated Fat: 3.5g; Cholesterol: 60mg; Sodium: 1220mg; Carbohydrate: 4g; Protein: 27g; Fiber: 1g

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 39

Iris still drawing visitors after 70 years

By Robert J. Baker with file photos bbaker@theitem.com

40 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

I

t was ranked more than 40 years ago as one of the Top 10 tourist attractions in the southeast by the Southeastern Tourist Society.

And other than World War II and the year after Hurricane Hugo, it has been held for more than 70 years continuously.

These days, the Sumter Iris Festival is still known throughout the nation as the South’s most colorful floral spectacle, and the state’s oldest continuous festival will be back for three days in late May to wow visitors to Swan LakeIris Gardens with live performances, arts and crafts, quilt and car shows, children’s activities and, of course, the flowers that serve as the centerpiece for the annual celebration.

As in years past, the 2012 Iris Festival will begin with the crowning of Iris King and Queen, followed shortly by the Taste at the Gardens, at 6 p.m. May 24. Great food will be accompanied by good music, longtime organizer Lynn Kennedy said. With all eight types of the world’s swans calling Swan Lake home, the festival and the park are a favorite stop for bus tours from across the country and Canada. The park has been covered in “Southern Living” magazine, and it’s still in the Top 20 in the Southeast four decades after it was first recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Sumter’s most popular gathering was first held May 24, 1940, sponsored by the Sumter Kiwanis Club and other area organizations.

Thousands of people from across the state and region flocked to Sumter – as they still do each year – in those early days to see the gardens developed by H.C. Bland. Travel publications were noting as early as 1970 that more than 100,000 people were attending each year.

The momentum continued right through the 1980s, until Hurricane Hugo gave organizers a reason to cancel the festival in 1990 for the first time since World War II. For the next couple of years, the festival slowly creeped back, adding a crafter here or an entertainer there.

By the mid- to late-1990s, the festival was like old times to those who came year after year to see the beautiful iris and get a taste of southern hospitality at its finest.

This year’s festival will continue from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 25-26 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 27.

For a schedule of events, contact the Iris Festival Commission, P.O. Box 1802, Sumter, SC 29151, or call (803) 436-2640 or 1 (800) 688-4748.

Schedules are also updated at www.sumtersc. gov/visitingus/festivals_iris.aspx.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 41

Orangeburg keeps comin’ up roses

By BRADRICK McCLAM with photos by Times and Democrat Senior Staff Photographer Christopher Huff Special to Lakeside

E

disto Memorial Gardens in Orangeburg will be a flurry of people in early May as the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce and the city of Orangeburg host the 41st annual Festival of Roses.

Held May 3-6 at the gardens, 200 Riverside Drive, the festival “is really an event to celebrate the gardens and blooming of plants,” said Chris Kitchings, director of programs and events for the chamber.

Kitchings said there are more than 70 varieties of roses at the gardens, and all of them should be in bloom by the start of this year’s festival, which will begin May 3 with showcases of local tal42 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

ent that includes singers, musicians and other artists arranged by the Orangeburg Fine Arts Center. Kitchings said no particularly special features are planned for this year’s festival, and noted the event’s mission is to show that Orangeburg is a “great community.”

“It’s a diamond in the rough,” Kitchings said.

For more information on this year’s festival, or to apply as a vendor, call the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce at (803) 534-6821 or 1 (800) 545-6821, or visit www.festivalofroses. com.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 43

Be America, Buy America

Lyles Package Store

Now Two Locations to Better Serve You.

513-A South Mill Street

Exit 119 @ Hwy 261 and I95

(803) 433-7333

(803) 473-7333

Across from the Hospital ER

Beside Horizon Station

Splitt Endz

325 S. Mill Street • Manning, SC 29102 located on highway 260 on the way to the lake

803-433-5253

Tues-Fri: 9am-4pm • By appt. after 4pm • Saturday by appt.

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE WALK-INS WELCOME MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN Suzanne Kirven, Stylist/Owner

one Right!

Cleaning D

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Water & Fire Damage • Smoke/Odor Removal Mold Sampling and Remediation 24/7 Emergency Service Hiram Spittle

1500 Airport Road Sumter, SC 29153

South by Southwest Custom Framing • Art Antiques • Artifacts Decorative Items

Native American Sterling Silver & Fashion Jewelry Now Available

2702 Cleveland St.

Phone: 803-897-1115 Fax: 803-897-2685

PO Box 480

Elloree, SC 29047

Owners - Danny & Beckie Cumbee • Email - sbysw@ntinet.com

Gene's Landscaping & Clearing, Inc.

T & W Metals

Lot Clearing • Top Soil • Fill Dirt • Tree Trimming & Tree Removal • Demolition & Debris Removal • Excavation: Duck & Fish Ponds • Grading: Driveways & Roads

Aluminum, Cans, Cars, Copper, Batteries, and More!

FREE ESTIMATES

473-4884 Office • 473-6029 Cell GENE CONYERS

803-938-5441

www.spittlescleaning.com

CLAY CONYERS

224 Memorial St. Manning, SC 29102 803-433-2925 Owner: Jerry Strickland

SEAMLESS GUTTERS • CARPORTS • GARAGE DOORS • MINI BLINDS STORM WINDOWS • CANOPIES • VINYL FENCING AND DECKING

GEORGE E. STROMAN

301 North • Orangeburg, S.C. • 803-531-4323 Fax 803-531-4312 • 866-591-2956

ELLIOTT’S LANDING & CAMPGROUND 2010 Elliott’s Landing Rd. Located On Lake Marion At Rimini Pinewood, SC 29125 (803) 452-5336 • 47 Campsites • Full Hookups • Showers • Fishing Pier • Camp Store On Site • FREE Wi-Fi Now Available!

riminisan@ftc-i.net • www.elliotslandingandcampground.com

C & H Automotive Repair 236 Commerce Street • Manning, South Carolina 29102

Full Automotive Service SHOP RATES Jim Hinson Owner (803) 433-4433

Also Offering the Lowest Tow Rates Around by Joey’s Towing Service

1/2 Hour Diagnostic $1800 Full Diagnostic $3600 and up Labor $6500 per hour Oil Change $1000 plus parts

LAKESIDE BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

44 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

Thank You

Brake Special $9900 and up

PORTABLE STORAGE BUILDINGS ON THE SPOT & CARPORTS FREE FINANCING DELIVERY

PAT TOURS

803-473-9912

PHONE 803-435-5025 • CELL 803-473-8491

Financing Available or Rent to Own

pattourss@sc.rr.com P.O. BOX 716 • MANNING, SC 29102

CELL 803-225-6618

Terry Truluck • 3217 Sumter Hwy., Manning, SC

TREAD SAFELY! When you deal with us you can count on top-quality, nationally known name brands and the oustanding service only we can deliver.

Call for a list of current tours!

CLARENDON

Exterminating Company “With over 150 years combined experience we are your pest control experts!”

Your professionals for pest control... protection for your home or business.

AMERICA’S #1 TERMITE DEFENSE IS THE BEST DEFENSE FOR YOU.

WALKER TIRE 433-4444

535 S. Mill St. • Manning 803-435-8689 Jake Buddin & Chuck Buddin

114 S. Mill Street • Manning, SC 29102

Redefining Pet Care Over 30 Years of Pet Care Experience

TERMIDOR AMERICA’S FIRST 100% TERMITE SOLUTION

Serving your needs with compassion, understanding and trust.

Complete Animal Care • House Calls • Surgery Preventative Health Care • Boarding & Baths

Pam Stephens Shayne Stephens

Morris Animal Clinic

(803) 435-2179

Wayne Morris, DVM

304 N. Church Street Manning, SC 29102

2093 Alex Harvin Hwy Manning, SC 803-435-8001

Mon-Thurs: 7:30am - 6:30pm Fri: 7:30am - Noon • Closed: Sat & Sun www.morrisanimalclinic.com

www.stephensfuneralhome.org

LOW COUNTRY SCRAP METAL Paying Top Dollar on all Junk Cars & Metals In Clarendon and Sumter County

THOMAS CONCRETE, INC. REDI-MIX CONCRETE

We Buy All Kinds Of Metals!

“Dependable Concrete Products”

Concrete • Block • Brick • Sand • Mortar

803-473-7626 301 Past Gable

• RADIATORS • SEAL UNITS • CANS Sardinia Cross Roads • COPPER • STARTERS • ALTERNATORS Mon-Fri: 7:30am - 5:00pm • ALUMINUM • BATTERIES • ELECTRIC MOTORS Saturday 7:30am - 1:30pm

Barwicks Monuments

1 West Winfield Drive  Manning, SC 29102

Geneva Lowder Sales Counselor

803-435-2755 803-236-7708

Fax 803-435-0041

(803) 433-8357

630 S. Mill St. (Hwy 260) • Manning, SC 29102

&

Lakeside Marina, Inc.

New Boat & Motor Sales & Service Boats by:

Pontoon Authorized Rentals Pontoon Dealer Hwy 260 at the First Water - Manning, SC (803) 478-2490 • Owned and Operated by Jim Keith

TO LIST YOUR BUSINESS ON THIS PAGE CALL (803) 435-8511

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 45

The Brotherhood of Archers

By Kim Dault

S

everal Thursdays ago, in January to be exact, Army Staff Sgt. Jorge Haddock and Staff Sgt. Ammala “Al” Louangketh walked into Crossroads Archery in Summerton.

On active duty and currently stationed in Germany, the men had flown to Sumter to qualify for the archery portion of the 2012 Warrior Games, an Olympic-style competition for wounded servicemen and women sponsored by the Wounded Warriors Project. This year’s games will be held April 30 to May 5 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The pair would soon learn that, as in the military, there’s a brotherhood among archers.

Haddock has served for 17 years, with Louangketh having served 18; each has been deployed six times, and both have served more than two tours in Iraq, along with tours to Bosnia and Kosovo.

46 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

While in Sumter for training, it was suggested to them that Crossroads Archery could assist them with their archery needs.

While at the shop in Summerton, Haddock talked about his many tours.

“Your life is in jeopardy,” he said. “During the first deployment, we had limited resources, limited water rations. You look back at that, go through all of that, and you have to go take care of yourself. You still carry that with you when you come back.”

He recounted how in his third or fourth deployment, he’d witnessed two friends die in front of him.

“After that, your mind is not designed to see such trauma,” Haddock said.

But like many who have fought in war, he still feels a need to go back.

In part, the Wounded Warrior Project offers reassurance to those

who’ve served during wartime, teaching them how to feel safe again here at home. That Thursday afternoon, the men left the archery shop with the necessary equipment in hand for the task they faced. They were fully prepared, the Army way. On Friday during practice, Haddock pulled back his bow and it exploded.

Although he was aware another individual had previously picked up the bow and dry-fired it, Haddock didn’t think any damage had been done.

Dry firing occurs when a bowstring is pulled back and released without an arrow, which severely damages a bow, often making it blow apart. Haddock was fortunate enough to dodge the cam which went flying off the bow when he shot.

His bow now in pieces, Haddock was faced with the prospect of a tournament and no bow to shoot.

That Saturday morning, Haddock contacted Crossroads Archery owner Scott Dault about purchasing a new bow in order to compete.

That same weekend an archery tournament was being held in Myrtle Beach.

Many of the participants were regular customers at Crossroads Archery, as well as members of the local archery club, the Swamp Fox Archers. While Haddock was enroute, Dault contacted Swamp Fox Archers President Jimmy Sanders to see if any of the clubs at the tournament might be interested in helping Haddock reach his goal. While Dault spoke with Bowhunters of South Carolina President David Shull, Sanders made contact with tournament participants.

Without hesitation, the archers reached into their pockets. By the time all was said and done, funds had been donated on each club’s behalf by Shull, Fred Connor (Lake Marion Archery Club), Bobby Flores (Sandune Archery Club), Drew Davis (Tamassee Hills) and Brian and Woody Feagin (Vital Shot) and Wildlife Action Archery clubs.

As customer Bob Vaden listened to what the archers were trying to accomplish, he reached into his pocket and made a donation to the cause. Working together toward a common goal, the generosity of the archery clubs and Vaden enabled them to purchase Haddock a brand new bow, complete with accessories.

When Haddock arrived at the archery shop Saturday afternoon, he appeared relieved to be getting a new bow, but had no idea what had occurred as he drove to Summerton. So focused on getting the needed bow, Dault’s announcement that the bow had been paid for prior to his arrival didn’t seem to register.

Louangketh uttered a grateful “Wow!” on behalf of both men.

Haddock answered Dault’s questions while the bow was adjusted for him, ensuring it met competition standards. As the two men prepared to go outside and sight in the bow, Louangketh commented how nice it was that Dault and his buddies had fixed Haddock up.

Eager to test the new bow, Haddock nodded and smiled broadly, advising he’d pay for the bow as soon as they came back inside, unless payment was needed first. Louangketh smiled and shook his head. As Haddock studied his friend with a puzzled expression, Louangketh explained the bow was already paid for and by whom.

Astounded, with tears in his eyes, Haddock embraced Louangketh, emotion overcoming both men momentarily.

A multitude of heartfelt thank-yous ricocheted around the room, interspersed with hugs and handshakes. For several moments afterwards, Haddock shook his head, as if unable to comprehend the generosity of strangers toward a career soldier. Before the duo left for the day, one of the customers in the archery shop thanked the two men for their service.

Haddock is from Puerto Rico and Louangketh, raised in Idaho, had escaped from Laos as a child.

These two men were not born here, but are filled with more American pride than your average citizen. As Haddock shook the customer’s hand he offered, “It’s our nation. We have to defend it. It doesn’t matter. We’re all the same.”

“Everybody who extended their kindness and sincere support during the time we were here participating in this archery military event are the reason why we are soldiers today,” Haddock said. “We can’t be more thankful for all that the Summerton community did for us and our brothers in arms.” One of the goals of the Wounded Warrior Project is to raise public awareness and enlist aid in addressing the needs of injured service members. Thanks to a group of South Carolina Archers, no matter how the pair placed in their archery competition, this gift from the heart ensured that no one lost.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 47

Rethinking ‘Ole Whisker Face’ Santee catfish are good eatin’

By Ray Winans

W

ell it’s finally here, warm weather and fish moving back into the shallows. It seems that it has come about a month ahead of schedule, but I will never complain about that. I made a prediction a while back that Santee would make a comeback on the bass population and would possibly be the best lake in the south for largemouth anglers. Well, I believe that we are on that path looking at some of the local tournament results.

In the past two months, it has taken 29-pound stringers or even more to win every one of those tournaments, a testament of what is coming in the future. I hope that this will bring us some outof-towners who are looking for great days of fishing to fill their desires. When that happens, I believe our local economy will start to see an upswing. All we need to do is take care of the fishery and the fishery will take care of us.

In my last column I wrote about enjoying the blessings the Lord had given me, while hoping you would do the same. Well, let me tell you about something that has really been a blessing to me lately. I used to call a catfish a slimy, nasty critter that did nothing but eat all the game fish and their forage. I have since changed my outlook on “ole whisker face.” My partner and I spent a few hours cleaning fish on two separate occasions this winter.

I actually went with him on the second fishing trip and within two hours we had enough fish to feed a lot of people. I found that the real fishy taste that the big cats are famous for can be virtually eliminated if you do a couple of things. The first thing I found is that you need to not clean the fish right away. We allowed the fish to stay on ice for about two days before we even put a knife to them. This allows a lot of the blood to pull out of the white meat.

The second thing is, you need to cut all the red meat out and cut the fish in small 1-inch chunks. It’s a lot of work but this is where a lot of the stronger taste is eliminated. You can use these chunks for

48 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

anything from stew to just plain deep frying.

Now is where I explain how “ole whisker face” changes my outlook on him. You do remember in the Bible when Jesus fed 5,000 with a loaf of bread and two fish. It must have been Santee blue cats, because you can feed a whole bunch of people on them critters. Our men’s group at church meets once a month, and January is usually my month to cook. I fixed fried catfish this time and everyone was “fat and happy” during the evening devotional.

The next meal I prepared was catfish stew for all my co-workers which consisted of about 25 hungry people looking forward to Santee catfish. The meal went over with no complaints, just questions of when I was going to cook again. The last of the fillet chunks went to my daughter, a senior at Francis Marion University, who is dating a baseball player, and fed a group of those players. I think that I now have been tasked to teach her boyfriend how to catch catfish.

I love to cook for groups of people, and nothing is more pleasurable than having people express how good the food was. When I actually get to see that meal start from the end of a fishing line and end with the last person getting their last helping in line, I soon realize that maybe that slimy critter is worth more than I had originally thought.

When Jesus fed the crowd it was a miracle; when I feed a crowd it’s a blessing. Both come from the Lord.

So if you want a true blessing, the next time it’s your turn to feed a group, make Santee catfish the main course and I’ll bet the biggest pleasure will be yours.

In the future, if anyone is interested in my recipe for stew or how I prepare for deep frying catfish I will be glad to explain some simple steps for both. You can email me at rjbwinans@aol.com and I will be glad to send you my secret recipes. Until next time, God bless.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 49

LAKESIDEClassifieds

To advertise here please call Gail or Jennie at 435-8511 40 N. Mill Street • Manning, SC 803-435-8511

To advertise here please call Gail or Jennie at 435-8511 50 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE

T

Protect yourself if you rent

he downward economy has taken its toll on the housing market. Many people are choosing or finding it necessary to live as renters rather than homeowners. Other renters are students, anxiously awaiting their first foray into residential independence. But these same people may be unaware of how to safeguard their belongings in a rental situation. Oftentimes renters mistakenly forego financial protection and are then left high and dry in the event of a burglary, flood or fire.

Laptops, MP3 players, global positioning systems, jewelry, and cell phones are at the top of the list for would-be thieves. Furniture and clothing are also expensive to replace. According to MetLife Auto & Home(R), the average person is estimated to have approximately $20,000 in possessions. In a rental property, individuals such as a superintendent or landlord may have access to your home, as may hired contractors. It’s important to protect all of your belongings so you don’t have to pay out of pocket if something is taken or damaged.

Renting an apartment is not like living in an on-campus dorm or in a private residence, where belongings are typically covered by a homeowners insurance policy. Landlord’s insurance only protects the actual property -- not your valuables or the cost of temporary housing -- and it doesn’t protect you in case of a lawsuit. You should investigate rental insurance, which is something that, despite the warnings, 80 percent of college and other renters do not do, according to research.

“For a few hundred dollars a year or less, you can purchase a solid renter’s policy that covers protection for your valuables -- up to $75,000 -- as well as protection against personal liability,” said

Mario Morales, an underwriting manager at MetLife Auto & Home. “Imagine experiencing a fire or other disaster in your apartment, and having to replace all your valuables not to mention all the furniture, pots, pans, dishes, and other necessities at your own expense. Hopefully, you won’t have a theft or experience a fire. But, if you did, you’d know your valuables were protected.”

When safeguarding your apartment and choosing a rental insurance policy, consider these important tips from MetLife Auto & Home: * Ask whether the renters coverage pays actual cash value or replacement cost. With “actual cash value,” your coverage will pay only for what your property was worth at the time it was damaged or stolen, due to depreciation. “Replacement cost” coverage will replace the item at current prices. * Take advantage of a discount for multiple policies. Often insurance companies provide a discount when a person has multiple policies, such as renter’s insurance, car insurance, or life insurance. * Add extra protection for unique items with special value.

For expensive items such as jewelry, furs, fine arts, sterling silver flatware, antiques, and other collectibles, renters should add an “endorsement,” which provides additional protection above the monetary limits of a traditional policy. * Keep track of possessions with a personal property inventory to help when filing claims and keep a copy in a safe place outside the apartment. MetLife’s Life Advice Series advises that every home have a personal property inventory because it will help you determine the approximate value of your possessions, and consequently, how much insurance you need to cover your personal property.

SANTEELAKESIDE.COM 51

52 APRIL • MAY 2012 | LAKESIDE