South Carolina Living April 2010 by American MainStreet Publications

Away

L ISSUE IA C E P S L E V Our TRA

we go Vacation while you eat, sleep and ride STORIE S

S.C. physician helps in Haiti

SC SCENE

Race horses, Fred Astaire and FDR in Aiken HUMOR ME

April 2010

Winter athletes need crazy parents

scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

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THE MAGAZINE FOR COOPERATIVE MEMBERS Vol. 64 • No. 4 (ISSN 0047-486X, USPS 316-240) Published monthly by The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Inc. 808 Knox Abbott Drive Cayce, SC 29033 Tel: (803) 926-3 1 75 Fax: (803) 796-6064 E-mail: letters@scliving.coop INTERIM EDITOR

April 2010 • Volume 64, Number 4

F e a t ur e

16 Away we go

Vacation while you sleep, eat and ride when you go by train or RV. See how you can experience the romance of travel or get away from it all — and still keep travel costs low.

Lou Green

FIELD EDITOR

Walter Allread PUBLICATION COORDINATOR

Pam Martin

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Jenny Maxwell ART DIRECTOR

Sharri Harris Wolfgang DESIGNERS

4 Co-op Connection

SC Life

6 On The Agenda

25 Katy Close, M.D.

Cooperative news

Jinna Hagerty Susan Collins PRODUCTION

Jason Clarke WEB EDITOR

Van O’Cain COPY EDITOR

Susan Scott Soyars CONTRIBUTORS

Becky Billingsley, Larry Chesney, Mike Couick, Jim Dulley, Kristine Hartvigsen, Carrie B. Hirsch, Jan A. Igoe, Charles Joyner, Greg Lucas, Bob Polomski, Marc Rapport, Chelsey Simpson, Pat Robertson. ADVERTISING MANAGERS

Tel: (800) 984-0887 Dan Covell E-mail: dan@scliving.coop Keegan Covell E-mail: keegan@scliving.coop Paid advertisements are not endorsements by any electric cooperative or this publication. If you encounter a difficulty with an advertisement, inform the Editor. Please send to your local co-op. Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to Address Change, c/o the address above.

ADDRESS CHANGES:

Cooperatives of South Carolina, Inc. No portion of South Carolina Living may be reproduced without permission of the Editor.

is brought to you by your member-owned, taxpaying, not-for-profit electric cooperative to inform you about your cooperative, wise energy use and the faces and places that identify the Palmetto State. Electric cooperatives are South Carolina’s — and America’s — largest utility network.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

Stories

Come-See-Me Festival; Pickens Azalea Festival; NASCAR at Darlington; Aiken Lobster Race PLUS: Co-ops win national award, your best April Fools’ pranks, good neighbor of the month and S.C.ramble

POWER USER Dialogue

10 Extraordinary effort

for S.C. energy use

Your electric cooperative is inspiring a nationwide energy program that’s being called “revolutionary.” At last, something both parties in Congress can agree on. Energy Q&A

12 A tube full of light

Tubular skylights are an easy-to-install and inexpensive way to bring in the sun. Smart Choice

14 Mobile data

These handy high-tech devices keep you connected wherever you are.

Scene

26 Not just horsing around

Fred Astaire, FDR and Triple Crown race winners have given Aiken a lively 175 years. TR AVELS

34 Camden, history and horses

Visit the town where revolutionary war reenactors and thoroughbreds take to the fields.

AwAy SPECIAL ISSuE

we go Vacation while you eat, sleep and ride STO R I E S

S.C. phySiCian helpS in haiti

SC SC E N E

RaCe hoRSeS, FRed aStaiRe and FdR in aiken HUMOR ME

WinteR athleteS need CRazy paRentS

Printed on recycled paper

Travel around the state or across the country: ways you can make tracks without breaking the bank in our special travel issue.

Outside

36 Coon Branch Natural Area

SC Gardener: Prickly gumballs Outdoor tips Recipe

38 Good to go

Spring three-bean salad Aunt Alma’s crunch sweet potato casserole Chunky cheesecake brownies Cher’s easy paté Chef’s Choice

40 Grand fish at the Grand Strand Chef James Clark’s fresh catch at WaterScapes Restaurant Humor me

Our TrAVEL

Member of the NCM network of publications, reaching more than 7 million homes and businesses

After January’s earthquake, Dr. Close, a physician who lives in Pawley’s Island, returned to Haiti to volunteer.

46 Winter athletes need

crazy parents

Ski jumping, bobsledding and other spandex-splitting thrills

42 Marketplace 44 SC EVENTS

Local Co-ops

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

Local Co-ops

scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

On the Agenda

Highlights

April

For a complete listing of Events, see page 44

TOP PICK FOR KIDS

GENTLEMEN, START YOUR LOBSTERS Begun in this horse-happy town as a tongue-in-cheek answer to the Kentucky Derby, the annual Aiken Lobster Race now attracts 10,000 or so folks for an evening of fun family activities, rides, food, live music and, of course, racing lobsters. This year’s running of the crustaceans will be held Friday, May 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

May 7–9

Artisphere

The Aiken Lobster Race is held in downtown Aiken. Admission is $5 for adults and children 6 and over. More information is at (803) 649-9500.

April 16–17

Pickens Azalea Festival

April 15–24

Come-See-Me Festival Rock Hill’s Come-See-Me Festival began in 1962 as the brainchild of former Rock Hill mayor and state senator C.H. Albright and accomplished illustrator Vernon Grant, best known as the creator of Snap, Crackle, and Pop for Kellogg’s Rice Krispies. Grant drew the original Glen the Frog character; 48 years later, Glen and Glenna preside over 10 days of classic small-town festival fun. It’s also an ideal time to see the azaleas putting on a show at Glencairn Garden, a centerpiece of the town and the festival.

A picturesque town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge is the setting for the Pickens Azalea Festival. Activities get underway on Friday, April 16, with the annual classic car cruise-in. (No registration required. Just show up and show off your classic ride.) Arts and crafts, amusements, helicopter and carriage rides and three stages of entertainment fill the day Saturday, April 17. The Pickens Azalea Festival is held in downtown Pickens. The car cruise is at 7 p.m. on Friday. The festival is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. More information at pickensazaleafestival.org or (866) 615-6603.

The Come-See-Me Festival is held at various venues in Rock Hill. Information is at comeseeme.rockhill. net or (800) 681-7635.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

Fine arts, lively artists, live performances, children’s activities, food stands and great spring weather in beautiful, pedestrian- and family-friendly downtown Greenville. It all comes together to draw an estimated 100,000 people each year to Artisphere. All outdoor activities and performances are free, and Artisphere is now earning accolades as one of the top arts-and-crafts fairs in the country. Artisphere is held in downtown Greenville’s West End. Kidsphere hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information, including artist rosters, food vendors and performance schedules, is at artisphere.us or by calling (864) 271-9398.

May 7–8

NASCAR at Darlington Mother’s Day weekend means the Good Ol’ Boys are back at the “Track Too Tough to Tame.” The excitement at legendary Darlington Raceway gets under way on Friday, May 7, with the Nationwide Series Darlington 200, followed on Saturday by the flagship Sprint Cup Series Southern 500. Take in the onsite Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and Pit Shop during the day to make the trip complete. Darlington Raceway is at 1301 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington. Qualifying and race times and ticket information are available at (866) 459-RACE (7223) or darlingtonraceway.com.

E-MAIL COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND GOOD NEIGHBORS TO LETTERS@SCLIVING.COOP

CURRENTS

S.C. co-ops honored for grassroots outreach South Carolina’s electric cooperative state association and the co-ops’ wholesale power provider have received the Paul Revere Award for their outstanding grassroots effort on behalf of the Our Energy, Our Future campaign. In 2008, the cooperatives set a goal for employee and consumer-member participation in the Our Energy, Our Future campaign: 130,000 e-mails to elected officials by Election Day in 2008. When that day came, they had surpassed that goal, nearly doubling it with 230,000 communications. “The South Carolina co-ops performed a tremendous public service with their campaign, educating their consumer-members not only about energy issues, but also about the importance of speaking up and making your voice heard,” said F.E. “Wally” Wolski, president of NRECA’s board of directors. “Electric co-op consumers in South Carolina have newfound political clout as a direct result of this campaign.” In case the 230,000 e-mails did not send a loud enough message, the cooperatives invited congressional leaders to in-district events, giving consumer-members an opportunity to express their concerns in person and

giving elected officials a chance to lay out their views on our energy future. Co-op trustees helped lead the effort by taking stacks of campaign

Floyd Keels, chairman of the ECSC board of directors, receives the Paul Revere Award from NRECA President F.E. “Wally” Wolski.

dialogue cards and committing to bring back at least 50 signed cards. The Our Energy, Our Future grassroots campaign seeks to challenge the U.S. Congress to meet our climate change goals while maintaining affordable electricity. The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina (ECSC) and Central Electric Power Cooperative (CEPC) received the award at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Atlanta in February. NRECA is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, notfor-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.

DOMI-NO.S

2 4 N E F G A Y R U R 4 4 X X y Y O U R

“I signed the Rural Electrification Act [in 1936], which set the grand experiment of the member-owned electric cooperatives into motion. It enabled citizens to bring power to themselves, and with only a little help from government. When those electric cooperatives were unleashed, they grew to a force of more than 900 that powered Alaskan and Hawaiian fishing villages, dairy farms in Vermont, oil fields in Texas, Indian reservations out west, and so many communities in between. That, friends, is progress. Progress never rests.” —Actor Edward Asner, below, portraying President Franklin D. Roosevelt in February at the Annual Meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Atlanta.

SCL To-Do List Send us top teachers

S.C.RAMBLE! By Charles Joyner, See Answer ON Page 43

Cooperatives unleashed

4 4 T O E Y O R O E Y 2 2 X X G G

E N E R G Y O U R

F U T U R E

You probably have a teacher who made a special difference in your education — someone who made class more interesting, gave some most-needed advice or led to a life of learning. In 200 words or less, tell us about him or her, and send us a photo if you have one. Deadline is May 3.

We’re here!

We love hearing from our readers, but when you write, your letter must be signed and legible. We edit for grammar, style and length. Please write to Letters, South Carolina Living, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033, e-mail letters@scliving.coop or fax (803) 796-6064.

Each letter stands for a digit in these multiplication problems. Given G=2 and Y=4, can you replace the missing digits?

scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

On the Agenda

April

READER CONNECTIONS

Naughty readers play pranks We asked for your best April Fools’ Day joke, whether it was played on you or by you. Little did we know that we had so many naughty readers.

Cleaning out the phone lines

We were having problems with recently installed telephone lines. On April 1, we advised our employees that the phone company would be working on our 1-800 lines, and each of them was provided a plastic bag and told to put their phones into the bag before leaving for the day. The phone company was going to fix the problem by “blowing out the lines,” and we did not want to have all the dust ending up on and around their work stations. A significant number of employees did place the phones in the bag prior to leaving for the day.

No fighting, girls!

In the freshman dorm at college, we lived in clusters of six rooms, with a resident assistant (RA) assigned to each cluster. Every room in the cluster had its share of roommate issues and problems, except mine. My roommate and I got along famously, and the RA often commented how grateful she was for that. For April Fools’ Day, we staged a huge argument in front of the RA. We yelled at each other, stalked off in different directions and generally were icy cold to each other the whole day. After dinner that evening, we let her in on the joke. She was so relieved! PATTI BENNETT, AIKEN

No joke, baby!

On April Fools’ Day in 2008, our daughter-in-law, Tara, called her dad in Cleveland, Tenn., and told him he was to be a grandpa again. After she had him believing her, she said, “April Fool.” She did not know at the time that she was truly pregnant. Their precious little girl, Vivian Kenley Brazell, was born on November 22, 2008. LINDA BRAZELL, LUGOFF

Bill Kaczor, Murrells Inlet

A bank with no tellers?

When I was in the work force and was employed at one of our local banks, all of us tellers decided to play a joke on our boss, and all called in sick. We were at an office where we could watch the expressions on his face when his whole front-line employees were calling in. At first he was calm, and then he became a little nervous, then more nervous and finally very frustrated as to what he would have to do to get his bank open. Finally, when it was time for us to go to the vault and pick up our money boxes, we all marched past him and gave him a big wave. We could see the relief on his face as he gave us all a big smile and then a big laugh as he realized what we had done to him. A sigh of relief for him and fun for us girls, with no consequences on his part. MARY GECHA, MURRELLS INLET

Mother’s Day

Gift GUIDE • Special advertising Section

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, May 9! 8

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

GONE FISHIN’ The Vector Fish & Game Forecast provides feeding and migration times. Major periods can bracket the peak by an hour. Minor peaks, ½ hour before and after. Minor

AM Major

Minor

PM Major

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

1:16 1:46 2:46 8:01 10:16 8:31 9:01 3:16 3:46 4:01 4:31 — 12:16 1:01

6:31 6:46 7:16 12:31 01:31 2:16 2:46 9:46 10:16 11:01 11:31 5:01 5:31 5:46

9:31 10:46 — — — 1:01 2:46 4:01 10:31 11:01 11:46 7:16 8:01 8:46

2:01 2:46 3:46 5:01 6:31 7:46 8:46 9:46 4:46 5:46 6:31 12:01 12:46 1:16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

2:22 2:52 3:52 8:22 9:37 9:07 9:37 3:22 3:52 4:07 4:37 — — 12:52 1:37 2:07

7:07 7:37 8:07 12:52 1:52 2:37 3:07 10:07 10:37 11:07 11:37 4:52 5:22 5:52 6:22 6:52

10:37 11:52 — — — 1:07 3:07 4:22 10:22 11:07 11:37 7:07 07:52 8:37 9:37 10:22

2:52 03:37 4:22 5:22 6:22 7:37 8:52 9:37 5:07 5:52 6:37 12:07 12:37 1:22 1:52 2:37

April

May

scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

Dialogue

Extraordinary effort for S.C. energy use on the health care debate in March, you may have missed an extraordinary event in Washington, D.C. — one that could dramatically increase how much energy you save. On March 10, House Majority Whip James Clyburn, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Rep. John Spratt and colleagues from across the country announced landmark bipartisan legislation that will create thousands of new jobs and help transform our state into one of the most energy- efficient in the nation. The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) is an idea proposed by South Carolina’s electric cooperatives. It has expanded nationwide and enlisted fellow South Carolina congressmen Henry Brown, Bob Inglis and Joe Wilson as co-sponsors. RESP, if passed, will make available $4.9 billion in federal funding for lowinterest consumer loans. These loans will go to rural homeowners and businesses to be used for immediate energy-saving improvements. For you, our consumer-members, there are a number of benefits. You’ll be able to sign up for one of these low-interest loans and finally install the insulation or new heat pump your home has needed for years. Your home immediately consumes less electricity. You use a portion of the savings to pay back the loan, typically in five to eight years. If you move within that time, the loan payment stays with the home — and the new residents will assume repayment through the savings in their energy bill. South Carolina lawmakers did their part, passing new legislation in the House and Senate that, when signed by the governor, will allow co-ops to include the loan payments on your power bill if you choose to participate. This is not another federal giveaway. The co-ops will be on the hook for these loans, and Uncle Sam will get his money back. Sen. Graham last week praised South Carolina co-op consumers as “some of the most trustworthy people in America.” The $750 million requested by South Carolina co-ops, if approved, will create 3,500 new “green jobs” within three years — energy auditors, heating and air system installers and With the country focused

Mike Couick

President and CEO, The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

more — and help achieve a projected 20 percent total reduction in consumer energy use by 2020. Hit that target, and we keep electric bills more affordable for consumers, delay building expensive new power plants and reduce the related environmental impacts. Rep. Clyburn credited South Carolina’s co-ops with presenting a revolutionary idea, telling reporters at the Capitol Hill briefing, “The legislation we’re introducing today will take South Carolina’s ideas nationwide.” Rep. Clyburn had pitched the idea to Sen. Graham. “I just thought it was a marvelous idea,” said Graham. “This is great policy when you can take a relatively small amount of federal dollars, invest it in the economy and empower people to help themselves.” Rep. Spratt called it “the all-time great idea. This is a super deal for South Carolina’s rural electric consumers. It’s a greater deal for the United States of America because this is what government is supposed to be all about — helping people do things for themselves.” The bill is getting national media attention, and business people and opinion leaders are lining up behind the plan. In The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News, Conservation Voters of South Carolina spokesman John Ramsburgh called the plan “an ingenious way to pay for that upfront cost [of home energy improvements] but save over the long haul.” Editors at the (Spartanburg) Herald Journal suggested, “The federal government should keep its eyes open for other innovative ideas percolating at the state level that can make the whole nation better. This one came from South Carolina, it’s worthwhile, and the whole country will benefit by its implementation.” When you’re frustrated by the partisan battles in Washington, remember this remarkable effort that began with lawmakers in both parties coming together to cure what ails us on energy. You can follow progress on the bill in Congress at thomas.loc.gov and at the state level at scstatehouse.gov.

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EnergyQ&A

By JIM Dulley

A tube full of light

I want more natural light to lower my use of electric lights. I am not a big do-it-yourselfer, so a skylight with a lightwell is not an option. Will a tubular skylight help?

Tubular skylights require a smaller hole than a standard skylight and resemble a recessed electric light fixture.

Installing a tubular skylight is a good alternative to a standard skylight and is less expensive. I installed a tubular skylight in my own garage where I am building an all-electric car. It provides adequate light for working during the daytime. On a clear night with full moon, my garage is bright enough to walk through without stumbling over car parts. Most tubular skylight kits are designed similarly. A small tube, usually 9 to 21 inches in diameter, runs from a hole in the roof to The typical tubular skylight has a clear dome on the roof and a a hole in the ceiling frosted diffuser cover over the below. The interior hole in your ceiling. surface of the tube is highly reflective, and not much brightness is lost as the light travels down from the roof. The roof end is covered by a clear bubble dome. This allows it to catch more light. Some tubular skylights use a prismatic dome designed to capture more of the sun’s lower rays during morning and near evening. The lower end of the tube, which is flush with the room ceiling, is covered with a frosted diffuser cover so it looks similar to a recessed light. A tubular skylight will not produce as much light as a large standard skylight. But as you noted, installing a skylight in a room with an attic above 12

requires the construction of the lightwell (a boxed enclosure) from the ceiling to the roof. This often requires a professional installer. Even the best standard skylights, with efficient glass or triple-pane plastic, have a much lower insulation value than the roof section it replaces. A tubular skylight requires only a small hole from the ceiling to the roof, and the interior of the tube is relatively airtight. It will lose much less energy at night than a standard skylight and gain less heat during the summer. Check the outside roof area for shady spots to avoid. In the attic, look for a clear path for the tube from a sunny roof location to the room you want to brighten. The straightest and shortest path for the tube is best. Even though the interior of the tube is highly reflective, more length and bends reduce the brightness at the ceiling diffuser. Manufacturers usually state their suggested maximum length of tube for adequate light. If a relatively straight, direct path from roof to ceiling is hard to find, an option is a flexible tubular skylight. This makes installation easier, but

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

some brightness is sacrificed due to the twists and turns in the tube. Another option is several tubular skylights in one room or one in several rooms, as a grouped design. The reflective tubes run from each of the diffusers in the room(s) to a single roof opening, similar to a small rectangular skylight. Sizes can accommodate two or four tubular skylights. Send questions to Jim Dulley, South Carolina Living, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033, e-mail energyQA@scliving.coop or fax (803) 739-3041.

GetStarted These companies offer tubular skylight kits. k Solatube, (800) 966-7652, solatube.com k Sun-Dome, (800) 596-8414, sun-dome.com k Sun Pipe, (800) 844-4786, sunpipe.com k Sun-Tek, (800) 334-5854, sun-tek.com k Tru-Lite, (800) 873-3309, tru-lite.com k Velux, (800) 888-3589, veluxusa.com To our readers: South Carolina Living does not make recommendations regarding “preferred” suppliers.

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By Becky BILLINGSLEY

COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS

Mobile Data

The future is here when it comes to dizzying advances in mobile data technology. Already South Carolinians can buy laptops with a day’s worth of battery life and use them to surf the internet, play online games or download movies while flying in airplanes. Soon, tablet notebooks will be widely available (bigger than a smart phone but smaller than a netbook). What’s next? There’s talk about powering our travel tools with solar battery rechargers implanted in our heads!

CALLING ALL TECHIES SUPERPHONE Nexus One Combines ultra-tech software with android capabilities; works with different service providers. Memory expandable to 32GB, processor speed up to 1GHz, voice enabled, GPS navigation, access to more than 18,000 apps. $529 or $179 with T-Mobile 2-year contract. google.com/phone; (888) 216-4736. COMPUTER PHONE This “pocketable computer” has 32GB storage, access for 3G data networks, ability to multitask, touchscreen. On the Nokia N900 you can surf, instant message, take a photo and rock out, all at the same time. $569. store.nokia.com; (866) 596-6542. SMARTER PHONE Available on Verizon, the upgraded Palm Pre Plus can create an Internet hotspot for your laptop and make a Wi-Fi cloud to back up your data. Advanced gaming and video recording features. $550 or $150 with 2-year Verizon contract after $100 mail-in rebate. palm.com; (800) 881-7256.

MOBILE DATA ACCESSORIES HIGH-DEF SKYPING Talk face-to-face while on the road; communication is clearer with new high-def FaceVision TouchCam N1. 720p video calling at 1,280 x 800 resolution, 30 frames per second. Skype On! $119. shop.facevsion.com; (510) 252-1113. SAFE LUGGAGE Keep electronics safe during business travel with Hammacher-Schlemmer’s Exterior Pocket Impervious Carry On. Hard sides, withstands 250 pounds per foot of force, weighs 7.5 pounds. $140. hammacher.com; (800) 321-1484.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

LONG-LIFE NOTEBOOK Acer TravelMate Timeline has an 8-hour battery life with 1.3GHz, 3GB RAM, DVD, Bluetooth, webcam, 1.02˝ at its thinnest, 3.58 pounds. $864. buy.com; (800) 800-0800. WEB CONNECTED As of press deadline, the Lenovo Skylight Smartbook was expected to debut this month. Weighs less than 2 pounds, has 10inch screen, 10-hour battery life and connects to the Internet almost everywhere. $499 plus monthly data service fee. lenovo.com/us/en; (866) 968-4465.

TRAVELING NOTEBOOK Dell’s new Vostro V13 laptops were designed for business travelers at 3.5 pounds and 0.65 inches thick. Reinforced hinges, fullsize keyboard, videoconferencing software, optional online data backup. Starts at $449. dell.com; (800) 999-3355.

GAMER LAPTOP Gamers want portable power, and Alienware delivers with the 15˝ M15x gaming laptop. Intel Core 1.6GHz, 250GB hard drive, 512MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M, 3GB DDR3 at 1066MHz, high-def Surround Sound, illuminated keyboard. Starts at $1,199. alienware.com; (800) 254-3692. HYBRID COMPUTER Apple’s iPad runs the same 140,000 applications used in iPhones with a bigger 9.7-inch screen. Half an inch thick, weighs 1.5 pounds. Browse the Web, listen to music, play games, send e-mails, watch videos. Starts at $499. apple.com; (800) 692-7753.

scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

SCL Travel

2O1O

Away we go

Keep excursion costs low with these great travel ideas

BY TRAIN

Vacation while you sleep, eat and ride BY CHELSEY SIMPSON

as in much of America, train travel occupies a place in many people’s hearts — but not in their daily lives. Passenger trains are the stuff of folk songs, Western legends and bandit tales; cars and planes are the way we get around. When it comes to vacation planning, however, trains shouldn’t be overlooked. They can be a cheaper, faster and less-stressful way to get from point A to point B, but most train enthusiasts will tell you it’s the journey in between that really matters. In South Carolina,

Why trains?

“Chattanooga Choo Choo” And More Trains inspire great songs. See if your favorite is among the 30 we collected at scliving.coop

“I think every reason you would be going down the interstate highway is a reason you would be riding Amtrak,” says Marc Magliari, a mediarelations manager for Amtrak. “In a lot of places and a lot of ways, we make more sense than driving.” He notes that some people ride the trains because it’s cheaper; but others are traveling upscale. Amtrak, the nation’s primary passenger-rail provider, operates 21,000 route miles in 46 states. Three tracks — one across the Upstate, another through the Midlands, and one down the eastern Pee Dee and Lowcountry — carry Amtrak trains through South Carolina. (See map, page 18.) For many riders, reaching one of Amtrak’s 500 destinations is the main goal, while others are simply along for the ride and the scenery. When it comes to sightseeing, there are also a number of non-Amtrak excursion trains operating across the country.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

Michael Gleason owns and edits t raintraveling.com, which offers a wealth of information about excursion trains and Amtrak. He also sees good reasons to take to the rails. “Some people will go anywhere just to ride a train,” he says. “Some people have never liked flying, and some feel flying is just getting worse and worse. There are destinations that you can get to faster on a train, by the time you wait at the airport, get your luggage and make your way into the city.” Planes allow you to cross the continent in a matter of hours, but if your trip isn’t that far or you aren’t in a hurry, taking a train could be a good alternative and a focal point for your next vacation. Here are some things to consider: TIME. When you weigh the duration of a train journey against a comparable flight, consider how early you will have to arrive at the airport, as well as its location. While we don’t recommend

way we go! the cinematic drama of a last-minute arrival followed by running to catch your train, arriving 30 minutes early for Amtrak service will usually suffice. And while airports are usually on the outskirts of cities, train stations are often in the heart of downtown. MONEY. Traveling round trip on Amtrak doesn’t always cost less than driving or flying, and there are often far fewer scheduling options. The real bargain is that, for long trips, train travel can combine transportation, entertainment and lodging all in one. Sleeping cars are an especially good deal for couples and families, because Amtrak charges by the room for sleepers, not by the person. And speaking of families, traveling by Amtrak with kids can be another dime saver: Children through the age of 15 receive half-price fare. If traveling light is not your style, you will be comforted to know that Amtrak allows as many as three checked and two carry-on bags on some of its routes, and three additional pieces can be checked for just $10 each. Unusual items, like ski equipment and bicycles, can also be checked on many trains without an extra charge. Food and alcohol are allowed as carry-ons, so plan a picnic, bring a corkscrew and make the ride a party. THE INTANGIBLES. Train travel is an experience. Many Amtrak routes offer a change from the billboard-lined interstate, charting a course instead through the backyards, small towns and wild spaces of America. For example, Amtrak’s California Zephyr passes through two mountain

scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

Away SCL Travel 2O1O we go!

Amtrak’s Acela Express crosses the Hellgate Bridge into New York City. Trains can take you north, south and west from South Carolina stations.

South Carolina by train Give the kids a taste of train travel at The South Carolina Railroad Museum in Winnsboro. They offer a 10-mile train ride that lasts about one hour. For schedule and fares, go to scrm.org or call (803) 635-4242. For a special occasion, business event, or luxury travel in your own private car, J. Pinckney Henderson in Lancaster offers railway cars for charter at (803) 286-2100 or jphenderson.com.

rld’s Visit the site of the wo e Th , on cti jun ad lro first rai rine Sh Branchville Railroad d ate loc and Museum, in the old train depot in les Branchville, about 15 mi rg bu from I-95 in Orange County, (803) 274-8820.

ranges and the Painted Desert; the Adirondack and the Vermonter are prime leaf-peeper routes in the fall; and the Empire Builder passes through Glacier National Park. Comfort is another plus of train travel. “Our coach seating is comparable to most airlines’ first class, and our business seating exceeds that,” Magliari says. Food and restroom breaks, and general leg stretching, are also easier and more entertaining on a train than in an airplane or car. While taking a stroll, don’t be surprised if a fellow passenger strikes up a conversation. Magliari says the dining car is often a hotspot for community building. “Everyone’s favorite first question is, ‘Where are you going?’” he says. “And their second favorite question will be, ‘Is this your first trip?’”

Planning tips for train trips

When it comes to planning a trip, amtrak.com and traintraveling.com are both great resources. Amtrak offers an interactive route atlas and a space to order free planning publications. The site helps new travelers visualize their experience with helpful information about stations and services, and offers a virtual tour of each sleeping-cabin option. Information about deals and discounts is also available at amtrak.com. Military personnel, veterans and AAA members are a few of the groups eligible for discounts. Magliari says booking well in advance of your trip is a good way to snag the best fares. Traintraveling.com has information about Amtrak, excursion trains and regional commuter

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

trains. You can browse routes by region or state, and each listing includes a short description and a link for more information. If you’re taking a longer trip, research public transportation options in your destination city or make plans to rent a car. Rather than one big destination, you may wish to chart a path that includes several stops. For example, take the Palmetto or Silver Service Amtrak train from Charleston and stop in Washington, D.C., where you’ll disembark in beautiful Union Station. Visit the Capitol, monuments on the mall, or the Smithsonian, then get back on board and continue to New York City for a few days in the Big Apple. If you have time, add in a night’s stay in Baltimore or Philadelphia on your way back to South Carolina. Magliari recommends first-time riders, especially those who will be traveling with children, take a day trip first before committing to an overnight journey. Amtrak is making improvements, however, that should help the miles fly by: All of their trains soon will have electric outlets at every seat so laptops, DVD players and other entertainment devices can be used easily. Traveling by rail isn’t for everyone, but the same could be said about traveling in general. Long train trips are full of quiet moments when the soft hum and sway of the cars is the only thing of interest. If you don’t mind getting lost in scenery and you have a companion or two worth keeping, climb aboard, settle in and enjoy the journey. Chelsey Simpson has traveled by train in seven countries. When not riding the rails, she edits Oklahoma Living magazine.

Away SCL Travel 2O1O we go! Tips on buying an RV

BY RV An affordable way for families to travel

One mission of the South Carolina Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (SCRVDA) is to help consumers find quality RVs. “We’re into promoting RVing and seeing that consumers in our state are offered the best products,” says SCRVDA president Terry Masters. “Sometimes used RVs are sold in auctions or by individuals, and we encourage everyone to have those checked out by an RV dealer, especially the propane system. A faulty propane system can be very dangerous.” If you’re thinking about buying a travel trailer, Masters suggests sitting down with a local dealer and describing your needs — how many people will be traveling, how often, how far, the creature comforts you require and your budget. Your ideal RV may be a fully equipped motor home, or it may be a simple fold-down camper. The RV industry claims that many RV models allow a family of four to save more than 70 percent on vacation costs compared with other forms of travel. That calculation allows for the cost of RV ownership including payments, insurance, maintenance, tires, registration and depreciation. The SCRVDA includes RV dealers across the state and suppliers of products and services for RV owners. Their Web site, scrvda.com, has more about purchase and rental opportunities and schedules for upcoming RV shows around the state.

BY LARRY CHESNEY

South Carolina offers RV sites from the mountains to the coast. You can find a list of family-friendly campgrounds at scliving.coop.

With the price of travel creeping up, a lot of South Carolina families have turned from vacations to “stay-cations.” But would they still skip the trip if they could combine transportation and accommodations into one package? Recreation vehicles replace the traditional costs of travel — hotels, restaurants, airlines and rental cars. On another level, the RV serves as a comfortable home away from home, your “living room on wheels,” complete with RV “neighborhoods” filled with familiar faces. “The visitors here create their own community,” says Rhonda Hobby-Huggins, owner of Taw Caw Campground and Marina on Lake Marion. “It’s like a little extended family.” Everyone gets along regardless of the cost or size of their RV or where they’re from, says Hobby-Huggins. “We see the full spectrum, from tents to half-million-dollar motor homes, and license plates from Canada to California. Everybody who goes RVing seems to love it.” One organization that keeps the RV trend going strong in our state is the South Carolina

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (SCRVDA). According to Terry Masters, president of the group, RVing remains an affordable way to vacation. “If you’re reasonable and don’t go overboard with what you purchase, RVing is still very economical,” said Masters. “You can take the family and spend a nice weekend away for a minimal amount of money. And it’s a good investment.” RV products range from pop-ups and travel trailers to conversion vans and motor homes. The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association puts RVers into four categories — the get-upand-go crowd, nature lovers, avid sports fans and family. “I take a lot of pride in saying that we’ve always had family camping in our business,” said Masters. “Families staying together, camping together — it’s just a very good lifestyle that represents the way America ought to be.” lives in Taylors and is a senior editor for Sporting Classics magazine.

Larry Chesney

Thanks,

to The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina

In early February back-to-back winter storms in Virginia left 55,000 Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) members without electricity. We want to thank Tri-County Electric Cooperative and Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative for assisting in repairing our system after damage was caused during these record-breaking winter storms. With the assistance of crews from Tri-County Electric Cooperative and Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, and roundthe-clock efforts of their dedicated linemen, we were able to get the lights back on in extreme conditions within six days.

TCEC-MCEC Thanks Ad - 7.625x4.875 C.indd 1

We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the employees who came from South Carolina. When a crisis arises, the best qualities of a community are on full display. So it’s no surprise that when the storms came through, so did you.

We could not have done it without you!

3/22/10 3:53:53 PM

scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

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1 girl name 2 boy name 3 place 4 number 5 adverb 6 plural noun 7 noun 8 emotion 9 past tense verb 10 same girl name l 11 past tense verb l 12 adjective l 13 place l 14 place l 15 exclamation l 16 same girl name l 17 verb l 18 same boy name l 19 adjective l 20 adverb l 21 number l 22 same girl name l 23 same boy name l 24 adjective l 25 past tense verb l 26 adjective l

1______________ and 2______________ decided to take their first train ride. The journey would take them to a place they had always wanted to visit: 3_____________. They were going to be gone for 4______ days, so they packed their luggage 5_____________ so they wouldn’t forget any 6______________ or their 7______________. On the morning of the trip, they were so 8______________ that they grabbed their bags and 9______________ all the way to the station. l 10 _____________ 11 ______________ up to the l ticket window and asked for two tickets. “I’m sorry, but that train is already sold out,” said the 12 ______________ man. “Maybe l you could go to l 13 _____________ or l 14 ______________ instead?” “l 15 ______________!” said 16 ______________. “Maybe l we should just go back home and l 17 _______________.” But l 18 ______________ had a 19 ______________ idea. “Could l we buy two tickets for the train tomorrow?” he asked. “Sure,” the ticket man said l 20 ______________. “It will cost you l 21 $______________.” 22 ______________ and l 23 ______________ bought the l 24 ______________ tickets and l 25 ______________ back home to l wait for their l 26 ______________ adventure to begin.

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scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

SCStories

SC Life Katy Close, M.D.

“I’m sitting here on my 18-year-old diabetic’s bed. She is dying, and I’m typing on a Blackberry,” Dr. Katy Close wrote in her blog from Haiti. “Anyway, now I am as bad as the Canadians who filmed the girl dying Sunday. Narrating a death.” It was one of the worst of many worst moments for the volunteer internist at Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, Haiti. The hospital, which withstood the initial Jan. 12 earthquake, has been inundated with casualties in the months since. The frustration is palpable. And Close is dismayed by distractions caused by media bent on capturing the suffering for its audiences. Close has volunteered at the hospital for five years and says the condition of the people before the earthquake already was dire. “I met a 15-year-old girl who weighs 42 pounds,” she noted. “She weighed 42 pounds not because of the earthquake, but because she hadn’t had adequate food all her life. There is overwhelming poverty here. It is made worse by overwhelming destruction.” Close most recently returned from Haiti on March 12 after eight weeks working with a mind-boggling lack of medicine and testing supplies to properly diagnose and care for so many in need. An absence of any government or central authority only added to the bedlam. “I was taking care of over 500 diabetics myself, many with amputations and end-stage organ disease,” she said. In her blog on Jan. 24, Close wrote: “I’d give my right arm for a rehab doc and a bunch of wheelchairs.” As if in answer, officials from the Hanger Orthopedic Group and Ivan R. Sabel Foundation arrived on Feb. 1 with supplies in hand to establish a prosthetic and rehabilitation center at the hospital. Dr. Close herself donated $75,000 toward that effort. “My goal is taking care of people who others don’t take care of,” she said. “We have so much here in this country. I am very privileged to be able to help.” —KRISTINE HARTVIGSEN

For more information or to donate:

hashaiti.org or hanger.com/Pages/ HaitiRelief.aspx mail donations to:

Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, P.O. Box 81046, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 To read Dr. Close’s blog:

go to sc.edu/haiti_Relief

scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

Katy Clo se

Molly Harrell

Occupation: Physician, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Residence: Pawleys Island Pets: St. Bernard named Minnie and black Lab named Zelda Never leaves home without: My passport

SCScene

Not just

Hometown pride: Aiken

horsing around Aiken thrives in its 175th year BY MARC RAPPORT

hoofer Fred Astaire would retrieve his mail at the Aiken post office, he would dance up and down the stairs, to the gathered crowd’s delight. While perhaps a bit apocryphal, the story speaks to the spirit of Aiken, a long-time haven for well-heeled horses and horse owners alike, thoroughbred champions and captains of industry who made the little South Carolina town their home away from home. Founded 175 years ago as a rail town, Aiken quickly became a retreat for Charleston families that could afford to flee the heat and malaria of Lowcountry summers. That was followed around the turn of the last century by the Winter Colony — wealthy northerners who brought their love of horses, polo and big second homes — called “cottages.” And then came the Cold War and the creation of the Savannah River Plant, a nuclear weapons facility that employed thousands of engineers, scientists and technicians who added their own flavor to the gracious mix of old South and old money already holding sway. The result was a community of unusual verve and liveliness that thrives to this day. When Hollywood

Aiken’s lobster race has become an annual spring rite. Find out more about this year’s race in our Highlights on page 6.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

It has a bustling downtown full of cafes and shops and cultural opportunities ranging from community theater to the Juilliard School and recreational and educational offerings usually found in much larger cities. All in a small-town atmosphere the town and its people value and work hard to keep. “Aiken is the kind of place where you can see someone with a billion-dollar company and million-dollar horses sitting next to the owner of a small retail business, a farmhand and a college student, and everyone’s just relaxed and having a good time,” said Robbie Bellamy, Aiken County tourism coordinator. “And just to look around, I think we’re like a mini-Charleston. Not as large or quite as old but with that beautiful, historic look and gracious feel,” she said.

The stars come out

And the town has plenty of stories. “Fred Astaire used to come stay with an aunt and uncle here and work on his dance routines. They say crowds used to gather by the old post office to watch him dance up and down the stairs to get his mail,” said Elliott Levy, executive director of the Aiken County Historical Museum. “I don’t know if that part of the story is true, but it sure sounds like Aiken,” Levy said. “Bing Crosby came here to play golf. The best polo player ever to play the game also lived here, a

Aiken Data Founded: 1835 Named for: William

man who was the model for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. That’s the kind of place this was, and still is.” It’s also the kind of place where people leave, see the world and come on back to stay. “This is just a great place to visit and a great place to live. That’s why we moved back here to

“This is just a great place to visit and a great place to live. That’s why we moved back here to raise our daughter, and that’s why so many retirees are coming here, too.” —Geoff Ellis

raise our daughter, and that’s why so many retirees are coming here, too,” said Geoff Ellis. Ellis spent much of his childhood at a relative’s horse farm in Aiken before building a career as an international restaurateur. He moved back from New Zealand with his daughter Grace, now 5, and his wife, Shannon. They

The Willcox was built at the turn of the 20th century to accommodate Aiken’s wealthy visitors, who came to ride and hunt. It’s said that President Franklin Roosevelt would take his private train car to the hotel’s back door and quietly slip in.

Aiken, president of the S.C. Canal & Railroad Co. Size: 17.93 square miles Population: 29,434

Median Household Income: $49,484 Local co-op: Aiken Electric Cooperative

now own one of Aiken’s signature properties, The Willcox Inn, where they also have opened a gastropub, a tavern with high-quality restaurant food and a concept birthed in the United Kingdom about 20 years ago, Ellis said. In addition to fine and casual dining, there’s a rich mix of cultural attractions and diversions and educational institutions — anchored by the University of South Carolina-Aiken and Aiken Technical College — and a surprising number of theaters and galleries. New to the scene, the world-renowned Juilliard School is now staging residence and performance programs, based at Joye Cottage, a 60-room mansion whose owners paved the way for the New York City institution to come here. “There’s really a huge climate for cultural events here, along with remarkable public spaces such as Hopelands Gardens and Hitchcock Woods, a public park larger than Central Park,” said Mary Ann Keisler, director of the Thoroughbred Country regional tourism organization. The gentleman’s game of golf has a long history here, just across the river from perhaps that most famous layout of all — Augusta National. scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

AikenDirectory GETTING THERE

Aiken is in Aiken County, bisected by U.S. 1 and U.S. 78 and just off Interstate 20. It is about 50 miles from Columbia and 15 miles from Augusta, Ga.

tourism@aikencountysc.gov • aikencountysc.gov/tourism.

MUSEUMS/TOURS

Take a guided tour of the WINTER COLONY AND HISTORIC DISTRICT Saturdays at 10 a.m., 124 Newberry St. • (803) 641-7631 for reservations • aiken.net. Check out one of the only Winter Colony mansions open to the public, now the AIKEN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM 433 Newberry St. • (803) 642-2015 • aikencounty. net. Learn the equestrian story at the THOROUGHBRED RACING HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM 135 Dupree Place • (803) 642-7630. Get starry-eyed at the state-of-theart DuPONT PLANETARIUM at USC-Aiken, 471 University Parkway • (803) 641-3654 • usca.edu.

GARDENS/PARKS

Revived in the 1990s, downtown Aiken is alive with shops, restaurants and galleries.

INFORMATION CENTRAL

A good place to begin the exploration is the new AIKEN COUNTY VISITOR CENTER 113 Laurens St. • (803) 642-7557 •

It’s hard to miss HITCHCOCK WOODS, considered the largest urban forest in the U.S., covering 2,100 acres with 65 miles of walking and riding trails. Enter at South Boundary or Dibble Road • (803) 642-0528 • hitchcockwoods. com. HOPELANDS GARDENS is a 14-acre estate that features yearround serene beauty, Christmas decorations and a summer concert series, Whiskey Road and Dupree Place • (803) 642-7631 • aiken.net/ hopelandsgardens.html. A natural wonder right in town is CAROLINA BAY PARK, centering on one of those Carolina bays, water-filled depressions of mysterious origin

Here in Aiken, the Palmetto Golf Club was founded in 1892 and is the fifth oldest in the country, and the Aiken Golf Club lays claim to being the first to offer women’s tees.

Slow for horses

But horses are still what largely define Aiken to this day. That includes international polo tournaments, dirt roads in neighborhoods where drive-through visitors are expected to 28

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

found along the Atlantic Coastal Plain and in this case, off Price Avenue • (803) 642-7630 • aiken.net.

PERFORMING/CULTURAL ARTS

While the “Juilliard in Aiken” series (juilliardinaiken.com) is becoming a spring favorite, year-round offerings have graced the Aiken calendar for years. Venues include the regular gallery exhibits at the AIKEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS 122 Laurens St. SW • (803) 641-9094 • aikencenterforthearts.org, and the home of the Aiken Community Playhouse, the WASHINGTON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 124 Newberry St. • (803) 6481438 • aikencommunityplayhouse. com. USC-Aiken also offers a couple of strong venues of its own, including the USCA CONVOCATION CENTER • (803) 643-6900 • uscatix. com • and the art gallery and stage theaters at the ETHERREDGE CENTER • (803) 641-3305 • usca.edu/ec.

DINING/ACCOMMODATIONS

Highlights include historic, gracious old THE WILLCOX INN and its new restaurant 100 Colleton Ave. • (803) 648-1898 • thewillcox.com. Locals and visitors alike are quick to point out upscale MALIA’S 120 Laurens St. • (803) 643-3086 • maliasrestaurant.com. For a lively night out at the inn, there’s the circa 1898 HOTEL AIKEN and its Polo Tavern 235 Richland Ave. • (803) 6484265 • hotelaiken.com.

go slow and stop frequently, and a tavern and downtown scene driven by the industry’s money and zest for life. For an informal tour, drive down South Boundary and admire the vaulted avenue of oaks and take a drive through the Aiken Equestrian District, east of Whiskey Road, where you can see polo fields, dirt roads, race tracks and a lot of horses. But note the speed limit is 15 mph, and you’ll be expected to stop for horses and riders.

SOuth Carolina Living

TRAVEL GUIDE S p ecia l advertisin g S ection

Whether you’re planning vacation travel by train, RV or automobile, keep these places and events in mind for the best spring and summer fun. Use the handy Reader Reply coupon on page 31 to get more information on these advertisers.

Farms, races and polo tournaments keep horses in the center of Aiken life.

Some of those farms have produced winners of Triple Crown races — think Kentucky Derby and the Preakness — but just to show they don’t take themselves too seriously, locals created the annual Lobster Race, an event of family fun and food held each May in downtown Aiken and begun as an answer to Derby Weekend in Kentucky. “There has been a real effort to keep our historic neighborhoods and downtown alive, and now we have all those beautiful buildings full of businesses that have not died off like in so many places,” said Barbara Gassman, tourism supervisor for the city of Aiken. “Our downtown was revived in the early 1990s, and now it’s so inviting. “Our heritage is so rich because of the Winter Colony and then the people who came with the Savannah River Site … and our people are still our biggest asset. This is a very inviting and nice place to be,” Gassman said.

scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

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scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

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scliving.coop | March 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

SCTravels

By Pat Robertson

Horses, history abound in Camden

Three cups for horses

The equine industry in Kershaw County took root as Camden became a winter resort with polo as the chief attraction. Camden is home to the second oldest polo field in the nation, undergoing a revival of the sport of kings in the 21st century with the Camden Cup the first weekend of May pitting regional polo teams. 34

GetThere Reenactors bring a battle to life in front of the Cornwallis House at Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site.

� Kershaw

County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, (803) 432-2525, kershawcountychamber.org

� Historic

Camden Revolutionary War Site, (803) 432-9841, historic-camden.net

The Carolina Cup at � Springdale Race Course, (803) 432-6513, historic Springdale Race carolina-cup.org. Course ushers in spring with 70,000 steeplechase � S.C. Equine Park, (803) 427-0505, fans, the largest attenscequinepark.com. dance in the 50-race � Camden Archives and Museum, annual schedule on (803) 425-6050, camdenarchives.org the East Coast. But the Colonial Cup, next to last on the schedule, often determines the steeplechase Horse of the Year as it did in 2009. In 2010, the Carolina Cup is scheduled for March 27 and the Colonial Cup on Nov. 13. Finally, two more points of pride: the National Steeplechase Museum at the Springdale Race Course is the only one of its kind in the United States and is devoted to the history of steeplechasing in America. The S.C. Equine Park opened in Sept. 2009, and in the first three months of operation, the 40-acre center held four horse shows and a weekend event and was rented by an international company for 10 days.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

Christian Viera

In August 1780 , General Horatio Gates, commander of the Continental Southern Army, was soundly defeated in the Battle of Camden. He wheeled his horse around and raced 60 miles nonstop to safety in Charlotte. On Nov. 21, 2009, Danielle Hodsdon rode the race horse Mixed Up to the winner’s circle of the $100,000 Colonial Cup Grade I Hurdle Stakes. That earned the 10-year-old horse the title of National Steeplechase Association Horse of the Year and the Eclipse Award for steeplechasing. Horses have been intertwined with the history of Kershaw County since Camden, the state’s oldest inland city, was founded in 1733. Two Revolutionary War battles took place near Camden, both defeats for Continental troops. Gen. Gates fled the area on that swift horse when the British under Lord Cornwallis routed the Americans. Gates was succeeded as the Southern Commander by Gen. Nathanael Greene, who was camped just north of Camden when the British under Lord Francis Rawdon attacked on April 25, 1781. Although Rawdon claimed victory in the Battle of Hobkirk Hill, heavy losses forced him to abandon Camden. The hero of the Battle of Camden was Baron Jean DeKalb, who came to America with Lafayette in 1777. While Gates fled to Charlotte, DeKalb fought the British, suffering 11 wounds before falling. He is buried beneath the granite monument in front of the Bethesda Presbyterian Church. Those days of British occupation are recalled by restorations and reconstructions of the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site located just south of Camden, on U.S. 521. The fortifications of Colonial Camden on the 107-acre site can be reached on walking trails.

“HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE”

The Henry Golden Boy Military Service Tribute Edition

In Recognition of All Who Answer the Call of Duty From the beaches of Normandy, the hills of Korea and the jungles of Vietnam to the sands of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan, America’s servicemen have led the charge in the fight to preserve freedom around the world. To honor those heroic marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen who sacrificed their lives in service to our country and to show our appreciation to all who answered the call of duty to preserve our liberty, we are proud to offer this commemorative Henry Golden Boy “Military Service” Tribute Edition. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Henry Golden Boy “Military Service” Tribute Edition will be donated to the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Wounded Warrior Project and the Fisher House for military families. Whether purchasing one to present to those who have served, or for use in any fund raising effort, or simply to own and proudly display this beautiful and historic collectible, you will be making a contribution to America’s most worthwhile veterans’ organizations.

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AT THE CHARLOTTE CONVENTION CENTER call toll free 800-201-5042 or visit MAY 14 - 16 www.henryrifles.com/504

SCOutside

BY GREG LUCAS

Coon Branch Natural Area When walking through Coon Branch Natural Area in the Jocassee Gorges, it’s hard to decide whether to look up or down. Overhead are towering hemlocks, white pines and red oaks, some of the largest in South Carolina. Yet, at your feet lies a flowering Garden of Eden — several species of trillium and violets, foamflower, Indian cucumber

The Coon Branch Natural Area Trail follows the Whitewater River in northern Oconee County.

Greg Lucas

root and bluets — so many you will need a wildflower guide to keep them sorted. And lest we forget, you will be accompanied on your wanderings by the music of the Whitewater River as it pours over rocky ledges, then gathers itself in quiet pools beneath rhododendron and hemlock. The 2.2-mile trail into Coon Branch Natural Area 36

SCGardener

By Bob Polomski

matures in the fall, and the winged seeds are released from openings in each capI’m still mowing and stepping on the sule and dispersed by the wind. After the gumballs produced by my sweetgum balls release their seeds, they’re shed from trees. How can I prevent them from the tree. producing gumballs this year? The chemical Florel Brand Fruit Eliminator, which contains the growth-regThe prickly miniature mace-like ulating substance ethephon, can be used gumballs are produced in early to to prevent trees from setting fruit. It needs mid-spring as leaves are emerging to be applied right after the tiny balls and expanding. Sweetgum bears separate begin to form. Depending on the size of male and female flowers on the same the tree, you may need commercial spray tree. The male flowers occur in three- to equipment to treat the entire canopy. four-inch-long yellowish-green panicles A more permanent solution is to at the tips of twigs. The green half-inchreplace your existing trees with a fruitless diameter ball-shaped female flowers, sweetgum cultivar called Rotundiloba. Its which produce the gumballs, dangle leaves have more rounded lobes and the below the male flowers from a long fall color varies from yellow to reddish slender stalk. purple; unfortunately, it is not as stunning The spiny fruit is comprised of indias the fertile species. vidual seed capsules fused together into a perfect one-inch diameter ball. The fruit Learn more about lawn care at hgic.clemson.edu.

Prickly gumballs

Q A

begins at the parking lot for Duke Energy’s Bad Creek Pumped Storage Station on S.C. 130 in Oconee County. To find the trailhead, drive from the intersection of S.C. 130 and S.C. 11 north for 10 miles on S.C. 130, and Bad Creek will be on the right. (If you travel into North Carolina, you’ve gone about a quarter-mile too far.) Pull up to the gate, and it will automatically open (daylight hours only). Take this road for two-anda-half miles, then turn left into the Foothills Trail/ Whitewater River parking lot, where you can leave your car.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

You’re heading into one of the wettest places in the eastern United States, with rainfall of up to 80 inches a year, so dress accordingly. Because there is so much to see, it’s a good idea to pack field guides and binoculars. Birding is excellent here during the prime migratory months of May and June, when you can see and hear indigo buntings in the open area near Bad Creek, then black-throated green warblers along the river. The Coon Branch Trail, marked by blue blazes, is a spur of the Foothills Trail (foothillstrail.org), which stretches 77 miles between

Table Rock and Oconee state parks. The Coon Branch Trail begins at the end of the parking lot. From there, it’s about a half-mile to the Whitewater River. On the other side of the river is the Foothills Trail and a spur trail to Lower Whitewater Falls. The Coon Branch Trail, however, stays on the left bank of the river, where hikers will find an abundance of ferns, wildflowers and giant trees. For a map of the trails around Duke Energy’s Bad Creek Pumped Storage Station, including Coon Branch Natural Area, visit sctrails. net and click on Trails Map, then Oconee County.

got recipes? want coupons? OutdoorTips

April winners Keep blooming After

a wisteria blooms, it will put out runners. Trim the runners off, and it will bloom again.

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Cover your dust pan with a plastic grocery bag before you tackle a big mess. Then when you’re done, turn it inside out, tie a knot and drop it in the trash can.

Clean sweep

Noreen Gribek, Walterboro

Extra table In your workshop, use an ironing board as an adjustable table to assist with your table saw for oversized boards. Don’t let your wife know, clean it up and put it back when you’re finished. Tom Burns, Aiken

Send us tips!

Outdoor Tips readers whose original tips are published win prizes from the S.C. Wildlife Federation, (803) 256-0670, scwf.org, or Black River Tools, (803) 473-4927, fathernature.org. Our randomly selected Grand Prize Package winner receives an annual pass to all 46 state parks, a round of golf for two on a parks service course and a Father Nature Bird Feeder. The squirrel-proof feeder is designed to keep seed dry and reduce waste with all-metal construction to last a lifetime. For state park information, call (803) 734-0156. Send entries with name and mailing address to: Outdoor Tips, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033 or outdoors@scliving.coop.

scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

SCRecipe

Good to Go

Aunt Alma’s Crunchy Sweet Potato Casserole

2 cups sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed ¼ cup butter, melted ¼ cup applesauce ¼ cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs, beaten ½ cup milk 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon powdered ginger

Pack these for a picnic

Topping:

1 cup crushed Special K (or other flake cereal) ½ cup chopped walnuts (or pecans) ¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed ¼ cup butter

Pamela Moore

Spring Three-Bean Salad

In a large bowl, combine all beans, green pepper and red onion. 1 16-ounce can cut wax beans, rinsed, drained Combine vinegar, sugar, olive oil, celery seeds, dry mustard and garlic 1 8-ounce can cut green beans, rinsed, drained in a jar; secure lid and shake well. 1 8-ounce can red kidney Pour dressing over the bean mixture beans, rinsed, drained and stir gently. Cover and chill for at ½ cup green bell pepper, chopped least 4 hours or up to 24 hours, stirring often. Serves 6. 1 /3 cup red onion, chopped ¼ cup cider vinegar 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or canola oil) ½ teaspoon celery seeds ½ teaspoon dry mustard 1 clove garlic, minced

Diana Andrews, Hilton Head Island

Each serving provides 361 calories, 7 g. protein, 33 g. carbohydrate, 23.5 g. fat, 104 mg. cholesterol, 3 g. fiber, 15 g. sugar, 183 mg. sodium.

Vickie Roberts, Rock Hill

Each serving provides 222 calories, 10 g. protein, 35 g. carbohydrate, 5 g. fat, 0 mg. cholesterol, 9 g. fiber, 8 g. sugar, 255 mg. sodium.

About submitting recipes Entries must

include your name and mailing address. When writing recipes, please specify ingredient measurements. Instead of “one can” or “two packages,” specify “one 12-ounce can” or “two 8-ounce packages.” Please note the number of servings or yield. Recipes are not tested.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

Stephanie Frey

We welcome all types of recipes for all seasons: appetizers, salads, main courses, side dishes, desserts and beverages. Selected original recipes win $10 and a shot at winning the outof-print Best-of-Living in South Carolina cookbook. Send recipes to South Carolina Living, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033, by e-mail to recipe@scliving.coop or by fax to (803) 739-3041.

Send us recipes!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes, butter, applesauce, brown sugar, eggs, milk, cinnamon and ginger and mix well. Spoon into a greased 1½-quart baking dish. Bake uncovered for 20–30 minutes (check center for doneness). In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients. Remove sweet potatoes from oven and sprinkle with topping. Return to oven for 5–10 additional minutes or until topping is lightly browned. Serves 6.

More great recipes online at scliving.coop.

Cher’s Easy Paté

Gary Martin

Chunky Cheesecake Brownies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Soak and rinse chicken livers;

1 pound raw chicken livers drain. In a loaf pan, cover livers with whipping cream, bouillon 1 cup heavy whipping cream cubes, garlic salt and pepper. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, mixing once after 45 minutes. Cool 1 hour. Using a blender, process well 2 chicken bouillon cubes for about 1 minute. Pour into a serving container with a cover. ½ teaspoon garlic salt Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight to set. Serve with garlic toast or ¼ teaspoon black pepper crackers. Serves 12. Sharon Osner, York

Each serving provides 100 calories, 9.6 g. protein, 1 g. carbohydrate, 6.2 g. fat, 227 mg. cholesterol, 0 g. fiber, 0 g. sugar, 134 mg. sodium.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In bowl, beat cream cheese with ¼ cup sugar and 1 egg until smooth: set aside. In separate bowl, melt 1 cup chocolate chips with butter. Stir in remaining ½ cup sugar and 2 eggs until well blended. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour ½ of chocolate mixture into greased 9˝ x 9˝ pan. Stir remaining chocolate chips into cream cheese mixture; pour evenly over mixture in pan, top with remaining chocolate mixture. With knife, swirl layers to marble. Bake for 25–30 minutes. Allow to cool, then cut into bars. Serves 16.

scliving.coop | April 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

Audi Dela Cruz

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened ¾ cup granulated sugar 3 eggs 1 12-ounce package chocolate chips ¼ cup butter 2 /3 cup flour Sandi McBride, Jefferson ½ teaspoon baking powder Each serving provides 258 calories, 4 g. protein, 26.5 g. carbohydrate, 15 g. fat, 63 mg. cholesterol, 1 g. fiber, 20 g. sugar, 126 mg. sodium. ¼ teaspoon salt

SCChef’sChoice

By Carrie B. Hirsch

Grand fish at the Grand Strand Odd-looking fish can

be a delicacy in disguise. After all, an oyster toadfish and scorpion fish can be a little intimidating even to fish lovers. But James Clark might say, don’t judge a fish by its cover. The ways he prepares fish encourage those who normally opt for salmon or grouper to expand their taste. “There are lots of species of fish that have not been tapped into for eating. It will be up to chefs to creatively use new types of fish, and it will be up to their guests to try them,” says Chef Clark. Clark promotes the use of seafood harvested in ways that sustain fish populations for the future. “We need to do what we can to save this resource by committing ourselves to eating sustainable seafood ... helping a resource rebound, so that we have a healthy ocean,” Clark says. Chef Clark’s attention to detail carries through to his dinner menu at the WaterScapes Restaurant. “The ‘fish board’ menu changes daily, based on what is available at the dock,” says Chef Clark, the recipient of the WaterScapes Restaurant Marina Inn at Grande Dunes Five Star Award from the National Restaurant Science 1499 Grande Dunes Blvd. Association. “I shy away from suppliers that sell too Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 For boaters: mile marker 357 many varieties of things and know a little about a lot on the Intracoastal Waterway of them. I like dealing with suppliers who know a lot (843) 913-2845 about the few items they may have.” marinainnatgrandedunes.com Open Monday through One of the most popular fish dishes is the woodSunday grilled amberjack with Carolina barbeque sauce with Breakfast 6–10:30 a.m. Lunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Indigo Farm squash, smoked bacon and butterbean Dinner 6–9 p.m. (may continue ragout, and specials such as scorpion fish poached in to seat based on demand) butter. The menu offers the choice of creating your own three-course tasting menu. After training at the New England Culinary Institute, Chef Clark took internships at New Orleans’ Windsor Court Hotel and Atlanta’s Ritz Carlton. He worked at the Charleston Place Hotel and at other upscale hotels and resorts in Washington, D.C., and Colorado. In 2007, he brought his expertise and farm-to-table philosophy to Grande Dunes, a AAA Four Diamond Award-winning resort in Myrtle Beach. Little did Chef Clark’s mother know that by making his favorite Southern recipes like chicken bog and shrimp Creole throughout his childhood, she was setting the stage for her son’s future position as the executive chef at one of coastal South Carolina’s premier resorts. He and his wife, Marcey, a pastry chef, keep that family cooking tradition going with their own two daughters who “will eat anything, including fresh raw oysters. My older daughter has great palate, and my three-year-old is just interested in eating!” CARRIE B. HIRSCH

of Hilton Head has broad experience in the culinary arts.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

Whole Roasted Red Porgy with Olives and Cipollini Relish The fish:

1 red porgy (1½–2 pounds) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon tarragon, chopped 1 tablespoon basil, chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped Fleur de sel (sea salt) Freshly ground black pepper 1 lemon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make sure the fish is cleaned, eviscerated, scaled and the gills are removed (your local fishmonger can do this, preferably leaving the head intact). Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. In a mixing bowl, add the olive oil, tarragon, basil, parsley and garlic and combine. Score each side in a diamond pattern and then rub the fish with the mixture. Season with the fleur de sel and pepper. Place on the cookie sheet and into the oven for 22 minutes or until the flesh moves away easily from the bones. Remove from the oven and squeeze the lemon over the top. The relish:

8 Niçoise olives, pitted 6 Picholine olives, pitted 1 Roma tomato 3 cipollini onions 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ tablespoon garlic, minced ½ tablespoon shallot, minced ¼ cup white wine 1 tablespoon basil, chopped

Slice all olives in half, then seed and dice Roma tomato. Peel cipollini onions, then slice in half. In a sauté pan with the olive oil, add the cipollini onions and sauté until soft. Add the olives, garlic, shallot, tomato and heat. Add the wine and basil and bring to a simmer. Spoon over the fish when it comes out of the oven or serve on the side. Serves 4. Each serving provides 466 calories, 19 g. protein, 19.7 g. carbohydrate, 19 g. fat, 0 mg. cholesterol, 4.6 g. fiber, 4.4 g. sugar, 143 mg. sodium.

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Calendar of Events

April Please call ahead before attending events. For entry guidelines, access SCliving.coop.

UPSTATE April

15 • Emerald Evening, Greenville. (864) 421-0940.

29–May 1 • Abbeville Spring Festival on the Square, Abbeville. (864) 459-1433. 30–May 1 • Greer Family Fest, Greer. (864) 877-3131.

16–17 • Making History: Quilts—Then and Now, Morningside Baptist Church, Greenville. (864) 297-7890.

30–May 2 • Spring Fling, Spartanburg. (864) 596-3105.

21 • Stream Discoveries, SC Botanical Garden and Bob Campbell Geology Museum, Clemson. (864) 656-3405.

1 • Papa John Foster Memorial Music Festival, Bruce Field, Pickens High School. (864) 414-7792.

May

8 • International Migratory Bird Day, Caesars Head State Park, Cleveland. (864) 836-6115. 8 • Music on the Mountain, Table Rock State Park, Pickens. (864) 878-9813. 22–24 • 18th Annual Bluegrass Festival, Rholetters Apple Valley Music Park, Long Creek. (864) 647-5768.

12–13 • Traveling Through Time Quilt Show, Cherokee County History and Arts Museum, Gaffney. (864) 489-3988.

24 • Greater Greenville Master Gardeners Plant Sale, McAlister Square, Greenville. (864) 757-9015.

13 • Bowl-ing for History Luncheon, Cherokee County History and Arts Museum, Gaffney. (864) 489-3988.

24 • Spring Wildflower Walk, Jones Gap State Park. (864) 836-3647.

14–15 • Blue Ridge Fest, Pickens. 1-800-240-3400.

24 • Central Railroad Festival, Central. (864) 654-1200. 24 • Used Book Sale, First Baptist Church, Clinton. (864) 833-1588. 24 • Master Gardeners Plant Sale, McAlister Square, Greenville. (864) 757-9015. 24–25 • Living History Campout, Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, Clinton. (864) 938-0100. 24–25 • POP Open Studio Tour, 38 artists’ working studios in Oconee and Pickens counties. (864) 882-2722. 26 • SPINX Charity Golf Tournament, Greenville. (864) 233-5421. 28 • Discovering Meadows, SC Botanical Garden and Bob Campbell Geology Museum, Clemson. (864) 656-3405. 29–May 2 • Piedmont Plant and Flower Festival, Greenville State Farmers Market, Greenville. (864) 244-4023.

24 • Earth Day Celebration, Swan Lake Iris Gardens, Sumter. (803) 436-2640.

15 • Children’s Day at Redcliffe Plantation, Beech Island. (803) 827-1473.

24 • Hilton Head Seafood Fest, Shelter Cove Community Park, Hilton Head. (843) 681-2772.

24 • Congaree Arts Festival, State Museum, Columbia. (803) 898-4922.

COASTAL

24 • Spring Seafood & BBQ Benefit, Rose Dhu Creek, Bluffton. (843) 363-5100.

16–18 • Columbia International Festival, SC State Fairgrounds, Columbia. (803) 799-3452.

28–30 • Senior Fitness Games, Sumter County Recreation Department, Sumter. (803) 436-2248.

10–18 • Family Circle Cup Tennis Tournament, Family Circle Tennis Center, Daniel Island. (843) 856-7900.

17 • Bark to the Park Walk, Finlay Park, Columbia. (803) 276-4203.

29–May 2 • Black Cowboy Man or Myth African American Festival, Greenfield Farm, Rembert. (803) 499-9663.

24 • Loris in Boom Spring Festival, Loris. (843) 756-6030. 24-25 • Art in the Park, Market Common, Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-7690.

16–17 • USSSA Baseball Tournament, Patriot Park Sportsplex, Sumter. (803) 436-2248. 16–18 • Olde Towne Artisans Fair, Living History Park, North Augusta. (803) 279-7560.

17 • Iron City Festival, Blacksburg, (803) 320-3913. 17 • Bluegrass & BBQ, Community Performance Center, Rock Hill. (803) 328-2787. 17 • Festival on the Avenue, Manning Avenue, Sumter. (803) 491-4910. 17–18 • 1st Annual Catawba Powwow, Winthrop University Coliseum, Rock Hill. (803) 328-2427. 17, 21–25 • Vietnam Era Veterans Homecoming, Columbia. (803) 772-2945.

30 • Central Carolina Food & Wine Festival, Medallion Center, Columbia. (803) 254-5601.

30–May 8 • North Charleston Arts Festival, North Charleston Performing Arts Center, (843) 745-1087.

30–May 2 • Orangeburg Festival of Roses, Edisto Memorial Gardens, Orangeburg. (803) 534-6821. May

1 • Heart & Sole Women’s FiveMiler, Columbia. (803) 256-5300.

15 • Guided Hike at Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, Clinton. (864) 938-0100.

1 • Tour de Cure, Little Mountain Reunion Park, Little Mountain. 1-888-DIABETES.

15 • National Train Day, Cherokee County History and Arts Museum, Gaffney. (864) 489-3988.

MIDSTATE April

10–17 • 2010 Indie Grits Film Fest, Nickelodeon Theater, Columbia. (803) 254-3433. 15 • Sumter County Parks & Recreation Dept. Senior Beauty Pageant, Patriot Hall Performing Arts Center, Sumter. (803) 436-2260. 15–18 • Midlands Plant and Flower Festival, State Farmers Market, Columbia. (803) 737-4664.

20 • Shrimp Feast, Sumter County Museum, Sumter. (803) 775-0908. 23 • Wine Tasting at Riverbanks Botanical Garden, Columbia. (803) 779-8717. 23–24 • A(ugusta) Baker’s Dozen, Richland County Public Library, Columbia. (803) 799-9084. 23–24 • Santee Birding and Nature Festival, Santee. (803) 478-2217. 24 • Sparkleberry Country Fair, Clemson Research Center, Columbia. (803) 865-7098 24 • Earth Day Birthday, Museum of York County, Rock Hill. (803) 329-2121.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

24–25 • Art Market at Historic Honey Horn, Hilton Head Island. (843) 689-3033, ext. 225. 25 • Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival, Memorial Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant. (843) 884-8517.

1 • Camden Cup Polo Match, Camden Polo Field and Fine Arts Center, Camden. (803) 425-7676.

17–25 • Striped Bass Festival, Manning. (803) 435-4405.

12–18 • Verizon Heritage Classic, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island. 1-800-671-2448.

30 • Celebrating Abilities: An Evening of Jazz and Art, Meridian Building, Columbia. (803) 782-0639.

14–15 • High School Rodeo, Marietta. (864) 313-8533.

15 • Potters on Gaffney’s Old Field Pottery Sale and Show, Cherokee County History and Arts Museum, Gaffney. (864) 489-3988.

April

1 • The Flamingo Fling, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Chapin. (803) 932-4071. 4 • Spring Cooter Fest, Allendale. (803) 584-0082. 8 • South Carolina Poultry Festival, BatesburgLeesville. (803) 532-4601. 8–9 • Shaw-Fest 2010, Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter. (803) 895-2019. 13–15 • Aiken Bluegrass Festival, (803) 643-4114. 15 • Celebrate Freedom Festival, Hilton Field Fort Jackson, Columbia. (803) 772-2945. 15 • Indoor Garage Sale, Sumter County Exhibition Center, Sumter. (803) 436-2270.

15–17 • Puddin’ Swamp Festival, Turbeville. (843) 659-2781.

May

1 • Lowcountry Shrimp Festival, McClellanville. (843) 887-3323.

16–18 • East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival, James Island County Park, Charleston. (843) 795-4386.

1 • Rivertown Music & Arts Festival, Historic Downtown Conway. (843) 248-6260.

16–18 • World Grits Festival, Saint George. (843) 563-7943.

7 • Hell Hole Swamp Festival, Jamestown. (843) 257-2233.

17 • Pee Dee Coin Show, Ramada Inn, Florence. (910) 590-9379.

8 • Mayfest on Main, North Myrtle Beach. (843) 280-5570.

17 • Charleston Air Expo, Joint Base Charleston, Charleston. (843) 963-3816. 17 • Sea and Sand Festival, Folly Beach. (843) 607-2785.

8 • Pawleys Pavilion Reunion, Pawleys Island. (843) 527-0078. 8 • Navigating a New World, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. (843) 852-4200.

17–18 • Art in the Park, Chapin Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-7690.

8–9 • Springmaid Beach Resort Spring Arts & Craft Show, Myrtle Beach. (843) 315-7182.

23–25 • Colleton County Rice Festival, Walterboro. (843) 549-1079.

15 • Fox Trot Festival, Marion. (803) 430-2496.

24 • Enrichment Day in the Animal Forest, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Charleston. (843) 852-4200. 24 • Native American Crafts for Kids, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Charleston. (843) 852-4200. 24 • Arts International, Francis Marion University, Florence. (843) 661-1225.

15 • All Saints Garden Tour, All Saints Episcopal Church, Hilton Head Island. (843) 681-8333. 15–16 • Sculpture in the South, Azalea Park, Summerville. (843) 851-7800. 15–16 • Blue Crab Festival, Historic Waterfront, Little River (843) 385-3180.

CHANGE OUT PAGE

SCHumorMe

By Jan A. Igoe

Winter athletes need crazy parents Like many sports fans who

crave adventure but prefer to experience it from their La-Z-Boys, I spent the latter part of February glued to the Winter Olympics, watching skiers, skaters and snowboarders declare jihad on gravity. In their world, what goes up must not come down until it back-flips, spins, triple-twists and catapults above hard, frozen surfaces just waiting to squash them. Psychologists call these athletes Type T personalities, or thrill seekers. Fueled by adrenalin, T-types don’t consider the strong possibility of compound fractures a compelling reason not to jump off a cliff. Besides steel nerves, lightningstrike reflexes and the cell number of a board-certified orthopedic surgeon embroidered on their long johns, these athletes share another key asset: Their parents were nuts. In normal households, the first time junior straps boards to his feet and yells “Look, Ma, no poles!” from a snow-covered roof, your typical parents will grab the little tyke by the throat — assuming the fire department can get him down — and lock his tush in a cage until his AARP card arrives. Over-protective parents may even sign him up for curling, the only winter sport generally recognized as safe for preschoolers, nursing home residents and most broom owners. But faced with the same scenario, a Type-T mom and dad will grab their video camera and urge their toddler to try a full-twisting double while he’s up there. And if he wants dessert, he’d better stick the landing. Years from now, when the gold medal for ski jumping is placed around his neck, he’ll still expect Twinkies to go with it. Type-T parents have also reared

some of the world’s most successful biathletes. They are almost never Americans due to cultural differences, such as our parental preoccupation with not poking an eye out. (In this country, we won’t let our kids run across the room with scissors. In Europe, they encourage them to ski cross-country with guns.) The biathlon has roots in Norway, where skis are typically nailed on at

Spandex will stand up to sweat, body oil and wipeouts, but has been known to burst when bobsledders bend over in front of a video camera. Yes, a British competitor experienced the ultimate wardrobe malfunction at the World Championships, where her spontaneous seam splitting was captured, up close and very personal, at the starting line. No one remembers who won that particular

birth. Proud Scandinavians can’t wait to see little Dagmar take that first kilometer and drop an elk. In competition, however, biathletes only aim at paper targets or ice dancers wearing truly repulsive costumes. Speaking of what not to wear, snow and ice aren’t the worst dangers facing winter athletes. Their cruelest opponent may be Spandex, the stretchy miracle fiber that coats most Olympians from helmet to boot binding.

bobsled race, but millions of people will never forget the color of her thong. All these perilous winter sports make me happy to be watching from South Carolina, where ice has its place in frozen margaritas and a biathlon is drinking beer in a bowling alley. Our parents would be so proud.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | April 2010 | scliving.coop

is a wife, mother, newspaper editor, humorist and illustrator. She lives in Horry County.

Jan A. Igoe

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