South Carolina Living July 2010 by American MainStreet Publications

Special inSert: 101 energy-Saving tipS

Exploring thE

lYnChES River of battles and baptisms Tr av e ls

On safari at Hollywild Animal Park

s .C . sTo r i e s

A ‘Burn Boss’ sparks a fire HUMor Me

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THE MAGAZINE FOR COOPERATIVE MEMBERS Vol. 64 • No. 7 (ISSN 0047-486X, USPS 316-240) Read in 470,000 homes and businesses and published monthly except in December 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 EDITOR

Keith Phillips FIELD EDITOR

Walter Allread PUBLICATION COORDINATOR

Pam Martin

July 2010 • Volume 64, Number 7

F e a t ure

16 River of battles and baptisms

For more than 300 years, the humble Lynches River has played a vital role in the lives of residents of the Pee Dee region. See the river through the eyes of the people who know it best, and who work to maintain its status as one of South Carolina’s most pristine waterways.

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Sharri Harris Wolfgang DESIGNER

Susan Collins PRODUCTION

Jason Clarke WEB EDITOR

Van O’Cain COPY EDITOR

Susan Scott Soyars CONTRIBUTORS

Becky Billingsley, Mike Couick, Jim Dulley, Kristine Hartvigsen, Jan A. Igoe, Charles Joyner, Greg Lucas, Jenny Maxwell, Bob Polomski, Marc Rapport, Pat Robertson, Brian Sloboda. Publisher

Lou Green

4 CO-OP CONNECTION

SC LIFE

6 ON THE AGENDA

21 Tom Dooley

Cooperative news

Don’t miss the Pageland Watermelon Festival, guided walks in the woods at Hunting Island State Park, the wet fun of the Beaufort Water Festival, the unique items on display at the Summer Craftsmen Arts & Crafts Festival, and the toe-tapping good times of the Junior Shag Association’s Junior SOS. PLUS: A powerful website for teachers.

ADVERTISING MANAGERS

Tel: (800) 984-0887 Dan Covell E-mail: dan@scliving.coop Keegan Covell E-mail: keegan@scliving.coop National Representation

National Country Market Tel: (800) NCM-1181 Paid advertisements are not endorsements by any electric cooperative or this publication. If you encounter a difficulty with an advertisement, inform the Editor.

Periodicals postage paid at Cayce, S.C., and additional mailing offices. 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

10 Slowing down to see the

real South Carolina

Driving our state’s rural highways and byways is a chance to revel in what makes South Carolina unique. ENERGY Q&A

12 Metal roofing keeps

things cool

Modern metal roofs reflect heat from the sun, lowering your summer cooling bills. They can also save you money in the form of a federal tax credit. SMART CHOICE

14 Vacation gadgets

Don’t leave home without these handy gadgets designed to help you make the most of your summer travel. HOME RUN

15 Choosing a room

air conditioner

Printed on recycled paper

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

Knowing what to look for in a room air conditioner will help you stay comfortable in the hot summer months and lower your power bill.

SCENE

22 Hometown Pride: Bluffton

See how one of South Carolina’s fastest growing communities manages to maintain its quality of life by blending the best of old and new.

OUTSIDE

26 Musgrove Mill State Historic Site SC Gardener: Curing blossom end rot in tomatoes Outdoor tips

TRAVELS

28 Hollywild Animal Park

Take a ride on the wild side amid nearly 700 exotic animals, many of them famous for their roles in television shows, movies and commercials. CHEF’S CHOICE

30 Old-style barbecue with

a side of good times

At Smoke Southern Barbecue Revival in Blythewood, the only things they take seriously are bluegrass music and the art of slow-cooking meat over wood fires.

liv in g

DIALOGUE

As the “Burn Boss” for The Nature Conservancy, Tom Dooley is, quite literally, playing with fire.

so ut h ca ro lin a

Please send to your local co-op. Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to Address Change, c/o the address above.

ADDRESS CHANGES:

POWER USER

STORIES

Anne McQuary

ART DIRECTOR

SPECIAL INSERT: 101 ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

RECIPES

32 Perfect picnic partners

Greek herb-kissed tuna salad Jean’s eggplant casserole Granny Pearl’s peach cobbler

EXPLORING THE

LYNCHES River of battles and baptisms TR AV E LS

On safari at Hollywild Animal Park

S .C . STO R I E S

A ‘Burn Boss’ sparks a fire

HUMOR ME

38 Another day, another diet

In a perfect world, cheese would be a vegetable and we’d all have abs like Jillian Michaels.

34 Marketplace 36 SC EVENTS

HUMOR ME

Another day, another diet J U LY 2 0 1 0

Jenny Maxwell

Santee Electric Cooperative member Barry Frick leads a kayak tour on the Lynches River near his home in Scranton. Photo by Anne McQuary.

July

On the Agenda

Highlights

JULY 16–17

A Ripe Time for the Pageland Watermelon Festival

For a complete listing of Events, see page 36

Nothing says summer like a just right, just ripe watermelon. There’s plenty to be had at the Pageland Watermelon Festival on July 16–17. The first festival was held in 1951 to recognize the area’s growers and enjoy a street dance to the sounds of Whitaker’s Whirling Whangdoodlers. Now the weekend draws visitors from around the region to enjoy a parade, pageants, music and food, rides, a car show and, of course, watermelons. Come see who can eat the most and spit (seeds) the farthest.

S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism

The Pageland Watermelon Festival is held in the Chesterfield County town of Pageland. Details at pagelandwatermelonfestival.com or (843) 672-6400.

JULY 19, 26

A Walk in Some Special Woods The subtle beauty of a maritime forest is something most people never get to see close enough to really appreciate. Semi-tropical Hunting Island State Park is the perfect place to do just that, especially with an expert leading the way. Naturalists lead guided “Walk in the Woods” programs at the park on July 19 and July 26. If you crane your neck just right, you might see some pretty remarkable creatures. Hunting Island State Park is on U.S. 21 in Beaufort County. Details at southcarolinaparks.com or (843) 838-2011.

TOP PICK FOR KIDS

Sue Jarrett

JULY 16–25

No Just Sitting by the Dock of This Bay The normally quiet waterfront in historic Beaufort comes alive each summer for the Beaufort Water Festival, one of the Lowcountry’s biggest splashes. Waterfront Park is headquarters for the 10-day party, which includes a ski show, boat parades, shrimp boat and Coast Guard cutter tours, bed and raft races, an air show and the concluding Commodore’s Ball, featuring—what else?—beach music.

Never Too Young for the Shag

The 55th annual Beaufort Water Festival will be held in and around downtown Beaufort and on the Beaufort River. Details at bftwaterfestival.com or (843) 524-0600.

The Shag is South Carolina’s state dance and North Myrtle Beach is wild about beach music, so you couldn’t ask for a better place to host the Junior Shag Association’s Junior SOS—set this year for July 13–18. The series of events, designed to introduce kids to the dance and its traditions, promises to be a week to remember for the young and the young at heart.

Christmas (Shopping) in August

Donna Hosaflook

Junior SOS 2010 will be held at various venues in North Myrtle Beach. Details at juniorshaggers.com or (336) 613‑6344.

AUGUST 6–8

Myrtle Beach in August is the perfect place and time to get that holiday shopping off to a great start. Just ask the artisans who set up each year at the Summer Craftsmen’s Arts & Crafts Festival, set this year for Aug. 6–8 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Watch artists at work and find treasures to fit nearly any budget and taste. The Myrtle Beach Convention Center is at 2101 N. Oak St. in Myrtle Beach. Details at gilmoreshows.com or (336) 282-5550.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

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

A rAre

Marsh Tacky Update

Saving the state’s native horse

TR AV E LS

Celebrate Independence Day at Mıddleton Place S .C . STo R i E S

Meet peach farmer and best-selling author Dori Sanders HUMoR ME

The lost art of customer service June 2010

It’s official: The Marsh Tacky is now South Carolina’s State Heritage Horse. When the June issue of South Carolina Living went to press with our feature on efforts to save the endangered horse from extinction (see “A Rare Breed,” June 2010, or online at scliving.coop), a bill to designate the Marsh Tacky as the state horse was still pending. In the final days of the 2010 legislative session, the measure passed, and on June 10, Governor Mark Sanford signed it into law. Marsh Tackies are a distinct breed of small, sure-footed horses found only in South Carolina. They descended from the mounts left behind by Spanish explorers and developed in isolation along the state’s sea islands, becoming known for their “woods sense” and ability to navigate swampy and difficult terrain. The horses were once common throughout the Lowcountry, and they played a prominent role in the state’s history from the American Revolution to World

Breed

War II, but today there are fewer than 300 pure Marsh Tackies left. In 2007, horse enthusiasts founded the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the breed. The publicity over the designation is bringing statewide awareness to the plight of animals, says board member Jackie McFadden, especially among those who raise horses. “More people interested in the issue is going to be helpful in spreading the word and preserving these horses.” For more information on Marsh Tackies and the effort to save them, visit marshtacky.org.

Teachers, Please Note

PalmettoPower.com is designed to be a kid-friendly website, but don’t let the games, colorful graphics and cartoon-style animation fool you into thinking it is mere child’s play. Sponsored by your member-owned electric cooperative, Central Electric Power Cooperative, the South Carolina Energy Office and Santee Cooper (the state-owned electric utility), this fun and informative website offers as many resources for adults as it does for children. Teachers, for example, can download state-approved lesson plans for grades K–7 and children of all ages can learn about the science, technology, safety issues and environmental topics related to electricity generation and distribution.

scliving.coop | JUly 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

On the Agenda

July

READER CONNECTIONS

Man of Steel

We asked for your worst summer jobs. This one definitely qualifies. During the summer of 1949, as a 16-year-old, I worked at the Continental Steel Corp. in Kokomo, Indiana. My job—cleaning the steel ingot soaking pits— started at 11 p.m. and lasted until 7 a.m. After the ingots were removed, slag would remain in the pits, and it had to be removed with jack hammers. The temperature in the pits was over 100 degrees, so we could only work 10 minutes of every hour. We would climb out of the pits exhausted and very hot, hoping to cool off enough over the next 50 minutes to go back in. It was a dirty, nasty job, but to a young kid, the pay (double overtime) was great!

S.C.RAMBLE! By Charles Joyner, See Answer ON Page 34

Find the value of MYR T L EBE A C H

_ + _ + _ + _ + _ + _ + _ + _ + _ + _ + _ = ___

Each of the 10 different letters in MYRTLE BEACH has a different value from zero through nine. Given the total value of the letters in each of the words below, can you find the value of the 10 letters and the total value of MYRTLE BEACH? RATHER (29) HEALTH (28) LATHE (28)

BELT (21) MARCH (20) CRAB (19)

THE (15) THY (13) HER (9)

—James Hawkins, Hilton Head Island

Energy Efficiency

Tip of the Month During summer months when air conditioners work hardest, do energyDuring summer months when air conditioners work intensive tasks such as laundry andasdish hardest, do energy-intensive tasks such laundry and dish washing during off-peak energy demand washing during off-peak energy demand hours, hours, usuallyusually in the in early or later the morning early morning or evening. later evening. Source: Alliance to Save Energy

SCL To-Do List Send us your favorite fall getaway Fall is the perfect time of year to be a tourist in your own state, whether it’s heading to the fair, an outdoor festival, watching the leaves change color or just enjoying South Carolina’s beautiful rivers, lakes and beaches without the summer crowds. In 200 words or less, tell us about your favorite fall activity or getaway spot and don’t forget to send us a picture. Deadline is August 1.

Letters to the editor We love hearing from our readers. Tell us what you think about this issue, send us story suggestions or just let us know what’s on your mind by writing to Letters, South Carolina Living, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033. You can also e-mail us at letters@scliving.coop or send a note by fax to (803) 796-6064. All letters received are subject to editing before publication.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

An Ounce of Prevention

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, which means Lowcountry residents should already have their hurricane emergency kits prepped and ready for action. But you don’t have to live on the coast to benefit from preparing for worst-case scenarios. The American Red Cross recommends all homes have a disaster kit including nonperishable food, at least a threeday supply of bottled water, a first-aid kit, flashlights, spare batteries and a portable radio. They also recommend your emergency kit include a sevenday supply of medications and copies of important documents like birth certificates, passports and insurance policies. To learn more about how to prepare for emergencies, visit redcross.org/domore.

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 31

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

5:52 7:07 8:22 9:37 10:22 11:07 11:52 4:52 5:37 6:07 6:52 7:22 8:07 3:22 4:07

12:22 3:07 7:22 9:37 10:37 11:22 12:07 7:37 7:52 8:22 8:37 8:52 9:22 9:37 3:22

11:22 11:52 5:07 5:52 6:22 6:52 7:22 12:22 12:52 1:22 1:37 2:07 2:37 2:52 9:52

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

11:07 — — — 12:52 2:22 3:37 4:37 — 1:07 1:37 2:22 9:22 10:37 — —

4:52 6:07 7:22 8:37 9:37 10:22 11:22 11:52 5:37 6:37 7:22 8:22 3:07 4:07 5:07 6:22

3:37 1:37 — 8:22 10:07 11:07 11:37 12:22 7:37 7:52 8:22 8:52 3:07 3:37 12:37 —

10:07 10:37 11:22 5:52 5:52 6:22 6:37 7:07 12:37 1:22 1:52 2:37 9:07 9:37 10:07 10:37

July

August

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Fly to San Jose, tour/visit the mountains & rainforests. Take a riverboat cruise through Tortuguero National Park & tour a banana plantation. Visit the Alma Ata Archaeological Park & Arenal, an active volcano with thermal mineral pools, waterfalls & hot springs. Tour a farm with pineapples, orchards, grasslands, cheese making demonstration. Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve with a tour, enjoy a boat tour on the Tempisque River by the Palo Verde National Park with an amazing variety of birds & animals. Delight in the beaches on the Pacific coast. Stop at the Doka Coffee Estate, then gather for a farewell dinner including a Folkloric Show.

*Plus $159 Tax Service & Gov’t Fees. Call for low cost airfare.

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scliving.coop | JUly 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

Dialogue

Slowing down to see the real South Carolina

Mike Couick

President and CEO, The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina

significant parts of my work days are spent driving up and down the roads and highways of our state. If time allows, I’ll choose a back-road over an interstate every time. When I do, I turn off the radio, back off the accelerator and start to search for that rural South Carolina of my youth. I begin to wonder about what I see: LL Does that little girl’s momma know she’s out in the front yard “nekkid as a jaybird,” trying to catch a cat? LL How does that elderly man picking blackberries avoid getting bit by a copperhead or by chiggers? LL I bet by the looks of those whiteface cows that somebody on that farm is or was in 4-H. LL Portable lighted sign in front says “5-K Orientation Aug. 11.” School looks like it’s ready to fall in. LL Are those peaches cling or freestone? Do they have Silver Queen corn? LL That cooter in the road is as big around as a basketball. LL It’s awfully early in the day to be that intoxicated— I hope nobody hits him as he walks along the shoulder. LL Why did they close that Bantam Chef? It had the best chili cheeseburgers. LL Yard full of cars, kids playing ball, men rocking on the porch, Sunday afternoon— Momma’s cooking brings them home. LL Two large and three little crosses on a ditch bank—were they all one family? LL Fishing with cane poles off a bridge— are those fish safe to eat? LL Massey Ferguson 135 tractor—just like the one on which I learned to drive. LL Sure are a lot of possums here! LL Very, very old lady sitting under a mimosa tree poking the ground with her stick. Surrounded by game chickens. Her driveway marked by white-painted halves of tires and pinwheels in red, white and blue. She waves. I wave. I wonder what she wonders about.

Drive up the entry ramp to the interstate. Heading to my “temporary” home in Columbia. Some day, one day—I am going to live back home.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

EnergyQ&A

By JIM Dulley

Metal roofs keep things cool

I need to replace my shingle roof, and I heard metal roofs qualify for an energy efficiency tax credit. Is this true? How does a metal roof conserve energy? Are they worth the additional cost?

GetStarted South Carolina Living

Yes, it’s true. Many, but not all, metal roofs qualify for a federal energy conservation tax credit in 2010. Typically made from steel or aluminum, and available in a variety of styles, metal roofs help save energy by keeping your house cooler during the summer, which can dramatically reduce your cooling costs. During the winter, a metal roof has a negligible impact on the energy efficiency of your house. The efficiency advantage of metal roofing comes from the fact that metal panels reflect more of the sun’s heat than do asphalt shingles. In the summer months, metal roofing materials stay cooler, so less heat is radiated into the house. In order to qualify for the federal tax credit, materials must meet Energy Star qualification standards. The total solar reflectivity (TSR) must be greater than 25 percent when new and 15 percent after three years of aging. (For comparison, black asphalt shingles have a TSR of 5 percent.) To be certain a roofing material qualifies for the credit, ask for the TSR specifications and a manufacturer’s certification statement (MCS). The amount of the tax credit is 30 percent of the material cost of the roof (not installation expenses) up to a maximum of $1,500. For more details on the credit, consult IRS form 5695

and your tax professional. If you plan to apply for the credit, be sure to save the payment receipt and MCS in case of an audit. Although metal roofing is more expensive to install than asphalt shingles, there are several advantages besides the tax credit that make it cost-effective over the long haul, as I discovered when I recently installed a metal roof on my own home. The system I chose uses one-bytwo-foot aluminum panels contoured to simulate a cedar shake roof. It has a TSR of 43 percent, so I expect to save on my summer power bills for years to come. As with many, but not all, installations, the contractor was able to install the metal panels over the existing shingles, saving me the expense of tearing off the old roof. And my new roof will never have to be replaced. Compared to the cost of installing an asphalt roof every 20 to

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

For details on the tax credit, download IRS form 5695 at irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf. n For information on qualifying roofing systems and other home improvements that meet standards for the federal tax credit, visit energystar.gov and click on the “Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency” link in the lower left corner. n

30 years, I think metal roofing was a smart choice. I also get a 3 percent reduction on my homeowner’s insurance because of reduced fire hazard. Steel roofing is a popular option for upscale homes looking for efficiency, durability and a distinct architectural style. Instead of trying to simulate the appearance of standard roofing materials, many homeowners choose standing seam metal roofs, which incorporate interlocking panels that run vertically from the peak of the roof to the eave. These panels come in a wide range of colors and the finish often uses a Kynar-based paint with heat-reflecting additives. 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.

SmartChoice

By Becky BILLINGSLEY

Vacation Gadgets ENJOY THE RIDE

Whether we travel by plane,

train or automobile, consumer electronics have forever changed how South Carolinians plan and enjoy vacations. The handy devices featured here help you get where you’re going, keep you entertained along the way and even allow you to stay in touch with the folks back home—but that last benefit is a doubleedged sword. “Electronics have extended our ability to take longer vacations because we can stay in touch with our workplaces, but it has also brought the workplace to our vacation, so that’s not always good,” says Sally Hogan, tourism coordinator for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce. “You have to put limits on the line between work and play so you can have quality family time.”

On the Radar We’re not saying you should use them to drive at excessive speeds or violate any traffic laws, but radar detectors are legal in South Carolina, and the Cobra XRS 9970G is a high-tech version with a user-friendly touch screen. A GPS chip tracks your location and alerts you to speed traps, traffic cameras and dangerous intersections. Buckle up and drive safe. $389. (773) 889-3087; cobra.com. Touch and Go Turn “Are we there yet?” into “Are we there already?” with the iPod Touch, a music, video and game player. Available with an 8GB, 32GB or 64GB flash drive, the device can store thousands of music files or 10 to 80 hours of video. Bonus: You can also check e-mail or access the Internet using the hotel’s wifi hotspot, should you need to keep tabs on things back at the office. Starts at $200. (800) 692-7753; apple.com. Shut Out the Noise Enjoy music or movie soundtracks in high fidelity or just quiet the din of jet engines, crying babies and yammering seatmates with Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise-Canceling Headphones. A single AAA battery provides 35 hours of sonic sanctuary, and when it’s time to bring your seat back and tray table to the upright and locked position, these headphones fold away into a slim carrying case. $300. (800) 999-2673; bose.com.

TRAVEL IN STYLE Soak in the Sun Here’s a bright idea: While you sunbathe, the photovoltaic panel on the back of the Novothink Solar Surge case charges your iPhone or iPod Touch. $80. (510) 957-0147; novothink.com. Getting There Nothing helps you get to the fun stuff faster than a good GPS unit. Affordable and easy to use, the Garmin nüvi 265T features an intuitive touch-screen interface, voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, speed limit indicators and it provides up-to-the-second destination arrival time. You can also pair it with a compatible Bluetooth phone to talk hands-free while keeping your eyes on the road. $180. (800) 800-1020; buy.garmin.com. 14

Picture Perfect Saying cheese really does equal photo perfection with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W330 thanks to improved smile-sensing technology. Press the Smile Shutter button on this smart, 14.1-megapixel camera and it waits until your subject grins to take the shot. $170. (877) 865-7669; sonystyle.com. Say What? Never be at a loss for words (or correct change) with the Franklin TG-450 Language Translator. It handles 400,000 words in 12 languages and features a handy currency converter. $40. (800) 266-5626; franklin.com.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

BY BRIAN SLOBODA

HomeRun

Choosing a room air conditioner

This is the ratio of the cooling capacity per hour to the power consumed. The higher the EER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner will be. National appliance standards require room air conditioners built after Jan. 1, 1990, to have a minimum EER of 8.0.

A high energy efficiency ratio (EER)

Energy Star-certified room air conditioners typically have advanced compressors and high-efficiency motors, and they are at least 10 percent more efficient than standard units. While they do cost slightly more, they run quieter and you’ll save on your power bills every summer. Nationally, an average consumer saves approximately 76 kilowatt-hours per year, or about $8, with an Energy Star-rated unit. Residents in hot and humid states—like South Carolina—could save up to $30 per year. Over the life of an Energy Star unit, a consumer could save between $50 and $250, depending on the model and climate. The Energy Star label

These features offer better temperature control, allowing users to cool spaces according to their Timers and programmable thermostats

Kenmore

Cooling a home on hot, humid days can be an energy-intensive process—in fact, air conditioning is generally the largest energy expense homeowners face during the summer. A room air conditioner can be an easy-to-install, low-cost way to add comfort to a home, but it’s important to make smart choices in order to conserve energy and save money. Room air conditioners are designed to be mounted in a window, through a wall or as a console. Costing between $100 and $1,000, they can be purchased at home improvement centers and big box retailers. They tend to last a long time, so selecting the most efficient unit is important for long-term savings. Here’s what to look for:

preferences and get maximum comfort without wasting energy. Many people buy the largest unit they can afford, but that’s not always wise. A unit that is too large will cool the room too quickly to properly remove all of the humidity, leaving the room feeling cool, but also wet and clammy.

the right size for the room

Installing a room air conditioner is typically an easy job. Most units fit in a window and a homeowner who can lift the unit into place can install it in a matter of minutes. For maximum efficiency, follow all installation instructions and plug any gaps around the unit. While you’re at it, look for other ways to make your whole house easier to cool, like adding caulk and weather stripping around doors and windows, adding insulation to attics and exposed walls and closing blinds or curtains during the day. is a program manager specializing in energy efficiency for the Cooperative Research Network, a service of the Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

BRIAN SLOBODA

scliving.coop | JUly 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

River of

AND

Battles Baptisms

The Lynches River has played a vital role in the Pee Dee region for 300 years. See it through the eyes of the people who know it best. BY MARC RAPPORT • Photography by Anne McQuary

Paddling down the Lynches River on a perfect summer day, the rest of the world falls far behind. As the brown water winds past densely forested banks, through impressive cypress knees and beneath a canopy of red maple branches, there are few signs of civilization. The only sounds are of birds overhead and the occasional splash of fish, frogs and turtles scurrying ahead of approaching kayaks. Up close, it’s easy to see why the relatively undeveloped Lynches carries the distinction of being South Carolina’s first state-designated scenic river. And a day spent afloat brings home the cultural and historic significance of the waterway to the Pee Dee region. For more

scliving.coop | JUly 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

Paddling the Lynches River

As part of her job managing the Scenic Rivers Program for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Mary Crockett has paddled the entire length of the Lynches River and written the definitive Lynches Scenic River Water Trail Guide. The 100-page color booklet, which includes detailed directions to boat ramps, suggested trips, float plans and maps, is available as a free download at: dnr.sc.gov/ water/envaff/river/scenic/lynchespub. html. For paddlers, Crockett has this advice: “The upper part of the river is narrow and rather rocky and like our other Piedmont rivers until it gets into the coastal plains, when it widens some, although that’s a relative term. It’s also a rather zippy river—twisty and turny with lots of downfall—so we recommend it more for the intermediate paddler than the total beginner.” She also adds that some areas, especially during low water, have places that require paddlers to portage. The lower river splits into branches—with the stretches known as Clark’s Creek and Muddy Creek typically having more water than the Lynches itself. There are two river outfitters operating on the scenic portion of the river: River Rat’s Canoe Rentals 2740 Indigo Landing Road Scranton, SC 29591 Tel: (843) 389-4656 or (843) 687-1673 barryfrick@yahoo.com Swamp Fox Canoe Rentals 708 Stone Ranch Road Johnsonville, SC 29555 Tel: (843) 621-5641 Fax: (843) 386-3057

than 300 years, the Lynches River has been the site of battles and baptisms, irrigated thousands of acres of crops and provided water, food, transportation and recreation. “This isn’t the biggest river in South Carolina, or the widest, but it provides everything a river could and should,” says Sterling Sadler, an Effingham farmer who is both an avid recreational user of the river and a Florence County Soil and Water Conservation District commissioner. “I don’t know that we have any truly pristine waters left in the United States, but we’re pretty close here on the Lynches.”

The flow of history

The river gets its characteristic brown color from the rocky clay soils of the Piedmont as it begins a 170-mile journey through South Carolina at the North Carolina line. After running deep into the coastal plain through Lee, Darlington, Florence and Sumter counties, it empties into the Great Pee Dee River near Johnsonville. Native Americans were the first to build settlements on its bluffs. European settlers later named the waterway Lynches Creek (“River” became a part of its name around 1900) in honor of indigo and rice planter Thomas Lynch, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The Lynches terminates at Snow Island, where General Francis “the Swamp Fox” Marion had a base camp and famously harried the British during the Revolutionary War. General Thomas Sumter also fought the British along the river. In 1781, his men escaped a Redcoat detachment by burning a bridge over the Lynches and vanishing into a swamp at what is now Lee State Natural Area. In 1865, Confederate and Union troops engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand skirmish near Mount Elon in Lee County.

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The Lynches River is a favorite swimming hole, right, and one of South Carolina’s most pristine waterways, bottom left. Thanks to a dense forest buffer, it supports abundant wildlife, including great blue herons, bottom right.

Recognizing the need to protect the historical, ecological and cultural legacy of the waterway, the state legislature first designated a portion of the Lynches a scenic river in 1994. In 2008, the designation was expanded to include all 115 miles of the lower river between U.S. 15 near Lee State Natural Area and the confluence with the Great Pee Dee River. “The Lynches River has played such an important role in our lives here for a long time,” says Jennie Williamson Pezé, director of the Pee Dee Land Trust, which works to protect the river

“It’s no wonder the Ly from development. “It’s been used for recreation and irrigation and even for religious ceremonies. It’s no wonder the Lynches has such a significant place in the minds of so many people.”

Mr. Frick’s neighborhood

Few people feel that connection more than Barry Frick. With wife Marie and their two adult children, Jay and Heather, they have a 16-acre tract on the river near Scranton. Frick, a Santee Electric Cooperative member, grew up fishing and exploring the Lynches. Now, the family operates River Rat’s Canoe Rentals from their home near Indigo Landing, outfitting guests and guiding them on canoe and kayak trips. The family clearly loves to share the river experience, but it took time to get comfortable with the notion of putting paddlers among the locals who call the river home. “I wondered how people would feel about

nches has such a significant place in the minds of so many people.”

—Jennie Williamson Pezé, director of the Pee Dee Land Trust

Charleston-based naturalist, said after a recent float on the Lynches. “It’s just so peaceful and relaxing. I felt like we had gone back in time.” River Rat’s Canoe Rentals is a family-andfriends operation started Marie and Barry Frick, front, who operate from their home near Indigo Landing. Helping out are guides Brad McClam and Hughes Page, back left, and the Frick children, Heather and Jay, back right.

S.C. Department of Natural Resources

Lynches River County Park offers a canopy walk through the trees in addition to access to the river.

Lynches River Resources

For more information on Lynches River: Lynches River County Park 1110 Ben Gause Road Coward, SC 29530 (843) 389-2785 lynchesriverpark.com. Lee State Natural Area 487 Loop Road Bishopville, SC 29010 (803) 428-5307 southcarolinaparks.com. Scenic Rivers Program SC Department of Natural Resources 1000 Assembly St. Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 734-9100 dnr.sc.gov

that,” Barry Frick says. “But everyone gets along fine. Most of the people you run into love the Lynches, and they know that the new folks who are paddling on it are likely to feel the same way about it, too.” Of course, Frick helps things along himself. He and his staff of family and friends seem to know nearly everyone on the river, exchanging pleasantries, asking after each other’s families and generally giving guests the feeling the river is one long, liquid village. Ask about “Mr. Frick’s neighborhood” and you’ll get a characteristic reply from the soft-spoken, unfailingly cordial guide: “Well, yes, I guess I do know a lot of the folks on the river, but it’s just the nature of people here.”

Flora, fauna and fishing

Fishing is a way of life on the Lynches. Bluegill and redbreast sunfish are everywhere, and because it’s undammed its entire length—a rarity for a river this long—it also has seasonal populations of such sea-run fish as American shad. And, of course, there are catfish. Large flatheads come out of the Lynches, and Frick says if the water is low enough you can see them on the bottom of the deeper holes. Amphibians, snakes and turtles all make their homes there. River otters, muskrats, beavers and deer can be found in and along the Lynches, and the birdlife is even more diverse. “We heard and saw so many things—prothonotary warblers, summer tanagers, goldfinches, wading birds. And we heard barred owls off in the woods,” Kristina Poole, a

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

Access and education

A desire on the part of various stakeholders to protect that “remote, wilderness feel” was a driving force behind the scenic river designation, says Mary Crockett, a planner for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. As chairman of the Lynches River Scenic Advisory Council, Crockett coordinates the efforts of area landowners and river advocates, including Frick and people like Sterling Sadler, to protect the river. Education is another way interested parties are working to preserve the Lynches. In addition to serving on the soil and water conservation board, Sadler also volunteers at the Environmental Discovery Center at Lynches River County Park in Florence County. There she helps center director Jennifer Majors conduct programs on such topics as the water cycle and how to do water quality assessments. The center also features a canopy walk through the trees and touch-screen exhibits that tell the river’s role in the human history of the area—from baptism ceremonies to the irrigation of crops. “There are a lot of people committed to keeping the river the way nature provided it,” says Sadler. “Community pride and participation will go a long way toward making that happen.” “If those with a passion for the river keep working together on this, we can keep it in its relatively pristine state,” says Crockett. “That means keeping the water quality high, the buffer zones wooded and vegetated and the wildlife population healthy.”

SCStories

As a certified “Burn Boss,” Tom Dooley knows you can’t start a fire without a spark—or rather a drip torch. Dooley’s job with The Nature Conservancy is to supervise controlled burns in pine forests protected by The Conservancy. “In South Carolina, and the southern states in general, it’s just kind of a given that if you are managing land for whatever purpose, you are periodically burning it,” he says. In efforts to restore the state’s native longleaf pine, The Conservancy uses fire to prepare sites for seedlings and remove the overgrown foliage that makes forests vulnerable to wildfires. But even controlled burns have enormous risks, and they demand exhaustive planning and preparation. “We check with the National Weather Service. We look at temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction. And we’re always concerned about smoke dispersal,” Dooley says. “Even in a controlled burn, things can go wrong. We are right on the edge every time we go out. All it takes is a weird wind shift or a significant drop in relative humidity. Part of my job is to try to anticipate those things and mitigate them.” Dooley’s first priority is the safety of his crew. “The day is not over until everyone makes it home safe and sound,” he says, but the team does have a sense of humor about their work. En route to burns, they listen to “good cheesy rock, anything rock and roll.” Their favorite song? “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones.

SC Life

Tom Dooley OCCUPATION: State Fire Manager for The Nature Conservancy FAMILY: wife, Courtney HOBBY: golf, ever since high school FAVORITE BOOK: Song of the Dodo by David Quammen

—Kristine Hartvigsen

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SCScene

The ideal combination of old and new Hometown pride: Bluffton BY MARC RAPPORT

South Carolina Living

Twenty feet may not sound like an impressive altitude, but to the Lowcountry plantation owners who founded the town of Bluffton in the 1800s, it made all the difference in the world. The bluff they found overlooking the May River was just high enough above the surrounding marsh to enjoy river breezes that kept the heat, humidity and biting insects at bay. “Planters first built this place. The bugs were bad and yellow fever and malaria can be unpleasant, so they came over here from the sea islands and built these nice houses, drank liquor, played cards and talked bad about the government,” says Jacob Preston, a longtime resident and raconteur who greets visitors at his pottery studio on Church Street. That talk led to secession, the Civil War and the burning of Bluffton by Union troops in 1863, leaving behind only a couple churches, including the historic Church of the Cross. Commercial

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‘Old Town’ with a new vibe Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce

The commercial and residential develop‑ ments of “New Bluffton,” above, blend harmoniously with the historic district and attractions of “Old Bluffton,” right, thanks to careful planning and strict development codes.

river traffic helped the town rebuild until trucks and highways (U.S. 17 in this case) put an end to that. When nearby Hilton Head Island became a tourism and retirement draw in the 1960s, Bluffton gained a reputation as a sleepy speed trap just off the island. Today, Bluffton is one of South Carolina’s fastest growing and most desirable cities, with a thriving arts community, a tourist-friendly historic district and a steady influx of new residents who enjoy living in “a really cool little town with its own attitude,” says Peach Morrison of the Lowcountry & Resort Islands Tourism Commission. “It’s quirky, funky, with tons of history and a beautiful river.” The center of Bluffton is Old Town, a onesquare-mile historic district of churches, antebellum homes, shops and galleries anchored by gracious old Calhoun Street. It sits in sharp contrast to, yet co-exists nicely with, the modern development that surrounds it, thanks to the foresight of civic leaders. As growth and development began to spill over from Hilton Head, they decided to control the process and began annexing surrounding areas, including 20,000 acres of Palmetto Bluff, an upscale resort and residential development. “One of the things

South Carolina Living

Bluffton Data FOUNDED: 1852 NAMED FOR: The bluffs

we saw up and down the coast was rampant development taking place without regard for sound planning principles,” says Preston, who served on the town’s planning commission. “We just didn’t want to be part of that.” The city now covers more than 50 square miles, with much of that area undeveloped woodlands and marsh and the rest new subdivisions and commercial development built to codes that protect what makes Bluffton unique. That has given rise to talk of “Old Bluffton” and “New Bluffton,” but it’s not really a divide, residents insist. “We’re really one town with several distinct areas,” says Chris Long, a Bluffton resident and executive vice president of public affairs for Care Core National, a managed benefits company that moved its headquarters from upstate New York to the new Technology Village, part of the Buckwalter Place residential and commercial development. Palmetto Electric Cooperative has long served the area around Bluffton and was instrumental in landing some $1 million in Rural Development Act funding to help provide infrastructure for the technology park, says Jimmy Baker, the co-op’s vice president of marketing and public relations. “Now there are hundreds of people working there and living around it and

The May River still provides comfortable afternoon breezes, scenic views and fresh seafood, just as it did for the original Lowcountry planters who founded Bluffton in the 1800s.

overlooking the May River SIZE: 54 square miles POPULATION: 4,300 (2000 Census) MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $49,836 MEDIAN HOUSE OR CONDO VALUE: $223,273 LOCAL CO-OP: Palmetto Electric Cooperative

raising their families here. And even with all that growth, the charm of the original Bluffton community has been preserved. A lot of people have worked very hard to make sure that happened.” Long, who moved to Bluffton from Washington, D.C., says he and his wife are happy to be raising their three young children in Bluffton’s unique, small-town environment. “It’s an excellent place to have a family,” he says. “We’re thrilled with the schools, and it’s just such a blast to go out to the park and see the soccer fields full or go to the farmers market and see what’s new. Our company is here because of quality of life and because it’s a great place to be in business, too. That really is the ideal combination of the old and the new, isn’t it?”

Keeping it clean

Guarding the health of the May River was another top priority behind the town’s expansion, particularly the annexation of Palmetto Bluff where much of the property along the banks has been set aside in conservation scliving.coop | JUly 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

Bluffton Directory GETTING THERE

Bluffton is in Beaufort County, on U.S. 278 and S.C. 46 off Interstate 95, about 7 miles from Hilton Head Island. A good place to begin exploring Bluffton is the HEYWARD HOUSE HISTORIC CENTER 70 Boundary St. • (843) 757-6293 • heywardhouse.org. Onehour docent-guided tours of antebellum homes and historic churches offered by reservation only.

PARKS/RECREATION

The town has a variety of parks. They include PRITCHARD POCKET PARK, a garden spot with picnicking on the May

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce

Jacob Preston creates and sells pottery from his studio on Church Street.

South Carolina Living

INFORMATION CENTRAL

River, and OYSTER FACTORY PARK, also on the water, with picnicking, walking trails and a boat launch. Check out the skate park, soccer fields, recreation center, gymnasium and walking trails at BUCKWALTER REGIONAL PARK • (843) 706‑4500 • townofbluffton.sc.gov.

GOOD EATS

Recommendations from locals in the know include THE MAY RIVER GRILL 1263 May River Road • (843) 757-5755 • mayrivergrill.com as well as THE DISPENSARY BAR 15 Captain’s Cove Road • (843) 8371893, which dates to 1893. New to the scene is THE COTTAGE 38 Calhoun St. • (843) 757-0508, a

café and bakery that also serves high tea. Last but not least, for fresh seafood, get dockside with the BLUFFTON OYSTER COMPANY 63 Wharf St. • (843) 757-4010 • blufftonoyster.com.

Shopping

Old Town browsing highlights include JACOB PRESTON

easements or protected by development restrictions. One of the most pristine waterways of its kind on the East Coast, the river supports the Bluffton Oyster Company, the only remaining oyster picking and shucking operation in South Carolina. “Blufftonians are fiercely protective of the May River, home to some of the best oysters to be found anywhere,” says Charlie Clark, vice president at the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. “I’ve watched the oystermen stop in front of us and fill their boats so they seem like they can barely float,” says Sally Hickman, a Palmetto Bluffs resident. “It’s a privilege to be able to see that.” Blufftonians love to celebrate their briny harvest. The Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival (set this year for Oct. 17–24, with Palmetto Electric among the sponsors) and the Rotary Club’s annual oyster roast rank among the most popular local get-togethers. Residents also have a fair number of opportunities to enjoy the Lowcountry landscape, river views and the “Bluffton breezes,” at new city parks, another tangible benefit of the town’s responsible growth strategy. “These lands are being developed for residential, commercial and civic uses, and preservation of Old Town and environmental conservation of the May River are being addressed so these important resources

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

Dine inside or on the comfortable porch at The Cottage.

STUDIO 10 Church St. • (843) 757‑3084, along with PLUFF MUDD ART 27 Calhoun St. • (843) 757-5590 • pluffmuddart.com and BARONY CONSIGNMENT PURVEYORS 32 Calhoun St. • (843) 422-2600.

continue to attract visitors and residents,” says Maureen Richards, executive director of the Bluffton Historic Preservation Society. “Bluffton is naturally beautiful, charming, eclectic … and so are the folks who live here.”

An interesting crowd

Those folks include a fair share of artists, writers and performers drawn from all parts of the country and all walks of life. “Bluffton has a quaint yet funky charm all its own. It’s home to great galleries and some great resident personalities,” says Clark. “Bluffton has managed to grow and develop yet maintain what’s known as the ‘Bluffton State of Mind,’ especially in the Old Town area.” Tourists, drawn by the town’s beauty and thriving art scene, often can’t help but fall in love with the place and many ultimately become residents. That was the case with Hickman and her husband who spent decades vacationing on Hilton Head before relocating to Bluffton from Michigan four years ago. “Bluffton really is quirky, with the old and the new and the art galleries on Calhoun Street and the fun little shops and even the Elvis impersonator who keeps showing up around there,” she says. “That’s Bluffton for you. It’s just got a great sense of humor.”

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SCOutside

BY GREG LUCAS

Straddling the Enoree River at the point where Laurens, Spartanburg and Union counties meet, Musgrove Mill State Historic Site offers visitors a chance to relive Revolutionary War history while enjoying scenic hiking trails. The Battle of Musgrove’s Mill, fought on Aug. 18, 1780, was an important American victory during the Revolution. A surprise attack by 200 American militia troops routed a combined detachment of 500

provincial Redcoats and Loyalist militiamen encamped at the mill, which was a strategically important source of grain. Occurring just days after the American defeat at Camden, the Upstate victory gave the Patriot cause a badly needed boost in morale. The 360-acre park is a favorite setting for living history programs including the Musgrove Mill Anniver sary Celebration, set this year for Aug. 14–15. The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, will feature re-enactors from all across the Southeast demonstrating Revolutionary War weapons, military tactics and many other aspects of early American life. Although created to honor the events of the Revolution, Musgrove Mill is more than just a history park. A canoe and kayak launch on the Enoree River offers paddling adventure

Experience a re-enactment of the Battle of Musgrove’s Mill during the site’s anniversary celebration, Aug. 14–15. For a quiet interlude, hike Battlefield Trail to Horseshoe Falls (below left).

and the park’s 1.2-mile Battlefield Trail leads to scenic Horseshoe Falls on Cedar Shoals Creek. A second hiking trail begins and ends near the visitor center, forming a 1-mile loop along the southern bank of the Enoree. The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free admission. Musgrove Mill State Historic Site is located at 398 State Park Road (off S.C. Hwy. 56) near Clinton. For more information, call (864) 938-0100 or visit southcarolinaparks.com and click on the “Park Finder” link in the upper left corner.

Allen Easler

SCGardener

S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Musgrove Mill State Historic Site

By Bob Polomski

Q A

David B. Langston / IPM Images

Rotting tomatoes

The undersides of my tomatoes have brown spots that eventually turn black and rotten-looking. What causes this and is there anything I can do about it?

Your tomatoes are afflicted with blossom end rot, a disorder that is linked to environmental stress and low levels of calcium in the soil. Blossom end rot also occurs in watermelon, peppers and squash. Calcium is important in the formation of new plant cells. Young root tips absorb calcium from the soil and transport it to the growing end of the

vine. Once calcium reaches its destination, it stays there, so plants growing in calcium-poor soils can exhaust the supply before blossoms and fruits are completely formed. Without an adequate supply of the mineral, the blossoms and fruits are particularly vulnerable to stress, primarily from heat and lack of water, which causes

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

cell membranes to break down and begin rotting. To avoid this disorder: k Provide an adequate supply of calcium to your tomato plants.

Apply limestone to acidic soils to raise the soil pH to somewhere between 6.2 and 6.5. Adding gypsum to your soil also supplies calcium, but without changing the acidity. k Reduce stress on the blossoms and fruit by watering regularly and mulching plants to keep moisture levels uniform. k Avoid over-fertilizing tomato plants. An excessive accumulation of salts in the soil will inhibit the uptake of calcium. Too much

OutdoorTips HAIR OF THE DOG Use dog hair around your garden to keep rabbits and deer from nibbling on your plants. Dog hair is a cheap, natural repellent because it creates the scent of a predator and most pet-grooming centers will give you clippings for free. The hair can be washed or unwashed when applied. Sprinkle the clippings around the perimeter of your garden, along rows and between plants, making sure you concentrate on places where rabbits and deer have visited before. Reapply new dog hair every two weeks or after a hard rain. BETH PEAKE, CAMDEN

RAKING IT IN Nothing works better than a potato rake for cleaning up magnolia leaves. The long tines can gather 20 to 30 leaves before you need to clear them and lawns and mulches are not disturbed. KATHY MALTER, GILBERT

Send us tips!

Readers whose original tips are published will receive a copy of Wild Fare & Wise Words, a collection of recipes and writing from the great outdoors. Send entries with name and mailing address to: Outdoor Tips, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce SC 29033 or outdoors@scliving.coop.

fertilizer also encourages rapid, excessive vegetative growth that will compete with the fruits for calcium. k Choose resistant varieties. Tomato varieties differ in their susceptibility to blossom end rot. Large fruited varieties tend to be more prone to the disorder than smaller fruited ones. Daybreak—a medium-sized, red-fruited variety—is touted as being especially resistant to blossom end rot. is a consumer horticulturist with the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. For more gardening information, visit the Home and Garden Information Center at clemson.edu/extension/hgic.

BOB POLOMSKI

scliving.coop | JUly 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

SCTravels

By Pat Robertson

On safari in the Upcountry In Swahili, the word for

usually describing a trip to hunt wild and often dangerous game. Here in South Carolina’s Upcountry, Hollywild Animal Park promises the thrill of a safari without the danger— and it adds a unique twist. Visitors to the park come face to face with animals that are famous for their roles in movies and on television. Hollywild’s “zooperstars” have been featured in countless commercials and more than 60 feature movies, including The Big Chill, Prancer, The Prince of Tides, Monkey Shines, Reversal of Fortune, Days of Thunder, Betsy’s Wedding and The Last of the Mohicans. Guests can observe some of the wildlife on a walking tour of the park, but the highlight of a trip to Hollywild is the Outback Safari Ride through a 70-acre preserve with hundreds of free-roaming animals. Along the way, you will encounter zebras that appeared in commercials journey is safari,

The Outback Safari Ride at Hollywild Animal Park brings guests into safe contact with exotic animals including zebras, lions and Scottish Highland cattle.

for L’eggs pantyhose and Land Rover all-terrain vehicles, black panthers that help promote the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, a male lion that served as a model for the illustrators of Disney’s The Lion King, and a rhinoceros that depicts the rhinovirus in ZiCam commercials. Visitors can buy treats to feed the animals and when a rare African watusi pokes his head through the safari bus window in search of a snack, it’s hard to tell whether the passengers are viewing the animals or vice versa. Located in western Spartanburg County, Hollywild is the creation of David Meeks and is home to nearly 700 animals from around the world representing about 50 different species. In 1999, the park became a nonprofit organization focused on fostering an appreciation of wildlife. “Our goal is to make sure that when people come here they enjoy viewing the animals, but the main thing is to make sure that the animals enjoy it just as much,” says Meeks, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and psychology from Carson-Newman College. “The way we do that is to socialize the animals at an early age, so that when they grow up they are confident around people.”

GetThere Photos courtesy of Hollywild Animal Park

Location: 2325 Hampton Road, Wellford (near Inman)

Hours: Hollywild is open from March to December. During the summer, the park is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays in July; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays in August; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Call for additional hours and special events. Admission: $10, adults; $8, children 2 to 12 years; children under 24 months admitted free. Details: Call (864) 472-2038 or visit hollywild.com SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

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scliving.coop | JUly 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

SCChef’sChoice

By Jenny Maxwell

Old-style barbecue with a side of good times North of Columbia on I-77, take exit 24 toward Blythewood, then hang a right at the pig wearing Mardi Gras beads. When you step out of your car, you might catch a whiff of the wood fire smoldering out back and maybe the sound of a live bluegrass band, but Smoke Southern Barbecue Revival is more than just another barbecue joint. “We knew we wanted an authentic, traditional barbecue restaurant but stepped-up, Southern cuisine with a twist,” says co-owner Heath Sessions, the restaurant’s head cook. He, barbecue expert Dan Huntley and Columbia attorney and musician Tom Hall are partners in Smoke. The restaurant reflects their enthusiasm for Southern cooking, live music and unpretentious good times. “Dan does barbecue.

Smoke Southern Barbecue Revival On Thursday nights, the backyard of Smoke is the place to be in Blythewood for good food and live music.

Tom brings the excitement,” Sessions explains. Real wood-smoked meat is the centerpiece at Smoke, says Huntley. A former political writer for the Charlotte Observer, he learned about slowcooked pork at the political events

HOMESTYLE CORNBREAD WITH HONEY-BUTTER Recipe by Heath Sessions

Honey-butter 4 tablespoons salted butter 6 tablespoons tupelo honey

* “For this recipe, I use Adluh yellow cornmeal,” Sessions says. “It is made from corn grown almost exclusively in South Carolina.”

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

he covered. “Reporters got to events before the crowd,” he explains. “The only people there were the people cooking barbecue. So I talked to them.” Huntley applied himself to the art and even wrote a book—Extreme Barbecue: Smokin’ Rigs and 100 Real Good Recipes. “You start cutting corners, cook on gas, you cook too hot

South Carolina Living

Cornbread 2 cups yellow cornmeal * 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons sugar 3 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 cup buttermilk 2 eggs 1 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place a 10- to 12-inch cast‑iron skillet into the oven. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, salt, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs and sour cream. Add the dry ingredients to the buttermilk mixture and stir to combine. If the batter will not pour, add more buttermilk. Place the lard or vegetable oil in the hot cast-iron skillet to evenly coat. Pour the batter into the skillet. Bake until the cornbread is golden brown and springs back upon touch, about 20 minutes. To make the honey butter, melt butter in a small castiron skillet. Be sure not to brown. Remove from heat and stir in honey. Pour mixture over warm cornbread.

10324 Wilson Boulevard (Highway 21 near I-77) Columbia, SC 29016 eatsmoke.com • (803) 754-0270 Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday night bluegrass, 6 p.m. until . . .

Tom Hall, co-owner of Smoke, books the bluegrass bands and organizes the special events, including the occasional gourmet dinner.

and too fast, and it ceases to be barbecue,” he says. “Smoke and time are the secret.” At Smoke, the menu features pulled pork, chicken and ribs served with traditional barbecue sides such as hash and rice, collards or fried green beans. The twist? Some nights they

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Layne Bailey Photography / www.laynebailey.com

South Carolina Living

Layne Bailey Photography / www.laynebailey.com

“Smoke and time are the secret,” says Smoke’s barbecue guru Dan Huntley. Foster Beckham chops pork that was slow-cooked over a real wood fire.

might be serving a five-course wine dinner with a best-selling author. And then there is the Dixie springroll—a variation on Asian springrolls made with tasso ham, collards and pulled pork. Sessions developed much of the menu, including a Soul Food sandwich, built with Smoke’s homemade cornbread, pork, collards and chowchow—sort of a meat-and-three you can carry in one hand. “Our recipes are a combination of Baptist church cookbooks and my brain,” he says. Hall, who has his own bluegrass band, Tom Hall and the Plowboys, lines up the entertainment. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Smoke features outdoor concerts where strangers get to know each other around shared picnic tables. Families come bringing grandparents, teenagers and toddlers. The atmosphere is like a backyard party for friends.

Hall is also the spark behind Smoke’s five-course meals. The restaurant has hosted several, one recently with Matt and Ted Lee, the awardwinning cookbook authors who Paula Deen calls “the Lewis and Clark of Southern cuisine.” For these events, white tablecloths, china and a gourmet spread of food and wine provide yet another twist on Smoke. “We’ve been a hit since we opened,” Hall says, “and I think one of the secrets to that is we’re a moveable feast.”

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scliving.coop | JUly 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

SCRecipe

Edited by Carrie Hirsch

Perfect picnic partners

Elzbieta Sekowska

Granny Pearl’s Peach Cobbler Jean Gill

Serves 8

Greek Herb-Kissed Tuna Salad Serves 4

½ cup butter 1 cup milk 1 cup granulated sugar 1⁄8 teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup self-rising flour 5 medium-sized fresh peaches, pitted, peeled, sliced

½ of a small can of tuna, in water, drained ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped 1 cucumber, chopped 10 Kalamata olives, pitted 1 teaspoon fresh mint, minced 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, minced Sea salt Black pepper ½ lemon

Serves 6

1 medium eggplant, peeled 1 ½ cups fresh peeled, chopped tomatoes 2 raw eggs 1 stack of saltine crackers 1 cup grated cheddar cheese Salt and pepper to taste

Cube eggplant and cook in boiling water with some salt added. When tender, drain. Mix with tomatoes, eggs and crushed crackers. If it is dry, add a few more tomatoes. Place in a 2-quart greased casserole dish and top with cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees until cheese is melted.

Jean Gill

Send us recipes!

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 out-of-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.

Meggan Lewis, Hilton Head Island

Jean’s Eggplant Casserole

Toss first 8 ingredients together in a medium salad bowl. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Squeeze lemon over salad just before serving and serve immediately. Hester Hodde, Hilton Head Island

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in 8" x 8" pan. Mix milk, sugar, nutmeg, vanilla, and flour and pour over butter. Add the peaches. Bake for 45 minutes.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

Jean Tyner, Darlington

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.

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scliving.coop | JUly 2010 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

Calendar of Events Please call ahead before attending events. For entry guidelines, access SCliving.coop.

UPSTATE July

15–17 • South Carolina Peach Festival, Gaffney. (864) 489-5721. 24 • How to be a Naturalist, Paris Mountain State Park, Greenville. (864) 244-5565. 24 • Kids’ Day at Musgrove Mill, Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, Clinton. (864) 938-0100. 28–Aug. 4 • Big League Baseball World Series, Southern Wesleyan University, Central. (864) 855-7933. August

6–7 • Ed Brown’s Championship Rodeo, Blacksburg. (864) 839-6239. 14–15 • Musgrove Mill Anniversary Celebration, Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, Clinton. (864) 938-0100. 19–21 • Spittoono, National Guard Armory, Clemson. (864) 710-8321. Ongoing

Daily • Horseback Riding, Forrest Trails, Enoree. (864) 918-3469. By Appointment • Museum, Abbeville. (864) 459-4600. Daily • Artist Co-op, Laurens. (864) 575-3020. Daily • Arts Council, Greenville. (864) 467-3132. Daily • Arts Council, Union. (864) 429-2817. Daily • Museum of Art, Greenville. (864) 271-7570. Daily • Museum of Art, Arts Center, Spartanburg. (864) 583-2776. Daily • Senior Activities, Easley. (864) 295-2136. Daily • Trail Rides, Easley. (864) 898-0043. Daily • Volunteer, Botanical Garden, Clemson. (864) 656-3405. Fridays • Bluegrass Music and Square Dancing, Oconee State Park. (864) 638-5353. Fridays until Sept. 25 • BB&T’s Main Street Fridays, Greenville. (864) 467-2697. Saturdays until Aug. 30 • Music in the Woods, Paris Mountain State Park, Greenville. (864) 244-5565.

Saturdays until Oct. 30 • Pumpkintown Mountain Opry Dinner Shows, Pickens. (864) 836-8141. Weekly • Laurens County Museum, Laurens. (864) 681-0670.

MIDSTATE July

16–22 • Dixie Boys Baseball State Championships, Patriot Park Sportsplex, Sumter. (803) 436-2248. 16–18 • USTA Jr. Team Tennis State Championships, Palmetto Tennis Center, Sumter. (803) 774-3969. 16–Aug. 27 • Sumter Artists’ Guild Show, Sumter County Gallery of Art, Sumter. (803) 775-0543. 17 • Growing History, Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site, Beech Island. (803) 827-1473. 31 • Gravatt Fishing Tournament, Gravatt Adventure & Discovery Center, Aiken. (803) 648-1817. 31 • Colonial Demonstrations, Living History Park, North Augusta. (803) 279-7560. 31–Aug. 1 • ISA Softball Tournament, Patriot Park Sportsplex, Sumter. (803) 436-2248. August

6 • James Gregory—The Funniest Man in America, Wood Auditorium, Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County, Camden. (803) 425-7676, ext. 305. 6–7 • Little Mountain Reunion Festival, Little Mountain. (803) 924-1623. 7-8 • USSSA Baseball Tournament, Patriot Park Sportsplex, Sumter. (803) 436-2248. 13-14 • South Carolina Peanut Party, Pelion Community Club, Pelion. (803) 606-9522. 14 • Southeast Toy Soldier Show, South Carolina State Museum, Columbia. (803) 898-4921. Ongoing

Daily • African American Heritage Garden, Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site, Beech Island. (803) 827-1473.

Daily • Blue Man Group— Making Waves, EdVenture Children’s Museum, Columbia. (803) 463-5278. Daily through Sept. 5 • Innovation and Change: Great Ceramics from the Ceramics Research Center, Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia. (803) 779-4005. Daily through Sept. 19 • Imperial Splendor: Renaissance Tapestries from Vienna, Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia. (803) 779-4005. Daily through Jan. 31 • South Carolina Silver: Varieties in Society 1750–1935, South Carolina State Museum, Columbia. (803) 898-4921. Daily except Sundays • Living History Days, Historic Brattonsville, McConnells. (803) 684-2327. Sundays • Docent-led Gallery Tour, Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia. (803) 779-4005. Mondays until Aug. 30 • Hopelands Summer Concert Series, Hopelands Garden, Aiken. (803) 642-7650. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays • About Face Weekly Drawing Sessions, Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia. (803) 343-2215. Wednesdays until July 28 • Wonderful Wednesdays Series, Museum of York County, Rock Hill. (803) 329-2121. Second Thursdays • Sumter @ Six Outdoor Concert Series, Brody Pavilion, Sumter. (803) 436-2640. Fridays • Fridays at the Terrace Concert Series, downtown Sumter. (803) 436-2640. Fridays • Big Screen Fridays at the House, Sumter Opera House, Sumter. (803) 436-2640. Fridays • Main Street Marketplace, Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia. (803) 779-4005. Saturdays in July • In My Backyard, DuPont Planetarium, Aiken. (803) 641-3654. Saturdays in July • Dig Star Laser Fantasy, DuPont Planetarium, Aiken. (803) 641-3654. Saturdays in August • Follow the Drinking Gourd, DuPont Planetarium, Aiken. (803) 641-3654.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

Saturdays in August • Dig Star Virtual Journey, DuPont Planetarium, Aiken. (803) 641-3654. Saturdays until Aug. 7 • Summer Concert Series, Finlay Park, Columbia. (803) 343-8750. Saturdays • Gallery Tour: Imperial Splendor and Innovation and Change, Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia. (803) 343-2215.

LOWCOUNTRY July

14 • Canoe and Kayak Tour of the Hampton Waterways, Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, McClellanville. (843) 546-9361. 16 • Sharrrks!, Edisto Beach State Park, Edisto Island. (843) 296-4092. 16 • Palette and Palate Stroll, Charleston. 1-800-720-2688. 16–17 • Pageland Watermelon Festival, Pageland. (843) 672-6400. 16–25 • Beaufort Water Festival, Beaufort. (843) 524-0600. 17 • Isle of Palms Beach Run, Isle of Palms. (843) 886-8294. 21 • Picking up the Past, Edisto Beach State Park, Edisto Island. (843) 869-2756. 22–24 • National Father & Son Team Classic (golf), Myrtle Beach. (843) 497-2627. 24 • Native American Crafts for Kids, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. (843) 852-4200. 28–31 • Edisto Marina Billfish Tournament, Edisto Island. (843) 869-3867. August

6–8 • Craftsmen’s Summer Classic Arts & Crafts Festival, Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach. (336) 282-5550. 14 • Navigating a New World, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Charleston. (843) 852-4200. 14 • South Carolina’s Largest Garage Sale, Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach. (843) 918-1235. Ongoing

Daily • Le Grand Cirque Adrenaline, The Palace Theater, Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-0558.

Daily • Downtown Conway Farmer’s Market, Conway. (843) 365-6715 ext. 115. Daily until July 17 • Alice in Wonderland, The Palace Theater, Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-9224, ext. 222. Daily until July 22 • Man in the Mirror, The Palace Theater, Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-9224, ext. 222. Daily until August 21 • Narnia, the Musical, The Palace Theater, Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-9224, ext. 222. Daily until August 31 • The Great American Trailer Park Musical, The Palace Theater, Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-9224, ext. 222. Daily except Sundays • Atalaya Tour, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235-8755. Daily except Mondays • Hampton Plantation Mansion Tours, McClellanville. (843) 546-9361. Daily except Mondays • Feeding Frenzy, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235-8755. Mondays • Coastal Kayaking, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235-8755. Mondays until Aug. 30 • Secrets of the Salt Marsh, Hunting Island State Park, Hunting Island. (843) 838-2011. Tuesdays until Aug. 17 • Plankton—The Ocean’s Garden and Zoo, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238-5325. Tuesdays until Aug. 31 • Beach Explorations! Hunting Island State Park, Hunting Island. (843) 838-2011. Tuesdays until Aug. 31 • A Crabby Experience, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238-5325. Tuesdays until Aug. 31 • The Urban Sea Turtle, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238-5325. Tuesdays until Aug. 31 • Salt Marsh Seining, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235-8755. Tuesdays until Aug. 31 • Spineless Wonders, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235-8755.

Tuesdays and Thursdays • Bingo, Lions Club, Edisto Island. (843) 296-4092. Wednesdays • Coastal Birding, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235-8755. Wednesdays until Aug. 11 • Planet Jeopardy, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238-5325. Wednesdays until Sept. 1 • Legends of the Forest, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238-5325. Wednesdays until Sept. 1 • Seine-sational Fun!, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238-5325. Thursdays until Aug. 12 • Litter Critters, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238-5325. Thursdays until Aug. 19 • The Dynamic Coast, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238-5325. Thursdays until Aug. 31 • Alligators, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235-8755. Thursdays until Aug. 31 • Sea Safari, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235-8755. Thursdays until Aug. 31 • Secrets of the Salt Marsh, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235-8755. Thursdays until Sept. 2 • Jumping Jellyfish! Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238-5325. Third Thursdays • Art Walk 2010, Summerville. (843) 821-7620. Fridays until Aug. 20 • Reptile Rap, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238-5325. Fridays until Aug. 20 • Atalaya Tour, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235-8755. Fridays until Aug. 31 • Sea Turtles, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235-8755. Fridays until Sept. 3 • From the Forest to the Sea, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238-5325. Fridays • Birding at Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 237-4440.

SCHumorMe

By Jan A. Igoe

Another day, another diet In a perfect world, cheese would be a vegetable, guys would get cellulite, and I wouldn’t be pondering another diet. In fact, I’d be Jillian Michaels. You know Jillian, the personal trainer from reality TV, with the steel-belted abs that start right under her ear lobes. There’s nothing like those polished, bionic abs to make mortal women regret every crumb we’ve inhaled since Thanksgiving. Especially since it’s bathing suit season and the beach is beckoning. Some new studies estimate that 65 percent of us are in imminent danger of splitting our Speedos. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the average female waist now measures more than 36 inches. The last time Scarlet O’Hara laced up her corset, that was a chest measurement. And men are in the same boat. (Or bloat.)

A little history

It wasn’t always like this. Before Facebook and Desperate Housewives, our ancestors spent most of their time foraging. Females slaved from dawn to dusk just to gather a few measly berries and maybe a nut. Spear-hurling cave guys would sprint after the nearest 3-ton reptile in the remote hope of snagging a dinoburger for dinner. And it never came with fries. Everyone was exhausted, hungry and miserable, but buff. Then, with civilization, came beer bellies, thunder thighs and low-fat diets. To shed a single pound of flab, dieters must burn off 3,500 extra calories, which is nothing when a T-Rex is chasing you down the block. But it’s 417 cups of beef noodle soup, 328 bananas, 23 beers or six years on a treadmill to us. 38

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JUly 2010 | scliving.coop

And it gets worse for anybody over 35, when your thyroid brakes for cookies. At that point, you’ll probably never have Jillian’s abs, unless you own one of her posters, which also make excellent dartboards. By the time you’re 40, fat is airborne and you can catch it just waddling past a Dairy Queen. This wouldn’t bother me so much if I could also catch a trust fund by driving past a bank. Then I could pay somebody to lose weight for me.

Which diet this time?

Counting carbs and fat grams is boring, but not these diets: The ChewChew Diet. To shed pounds, all you do is chomp every morsel of food 32 times. When it’s liquid sludge, you let it drizzle down your throat. The concept makes me nervous because it never worked for cows. Beer and Ice Cream Diet. This one’s based on the theory that bodies burn off fat just warming up ice-cold food. Unfortunately, scientists with advanced degrees in joy killing say it doesn’t work. Tapeworm Diet. Once you swallow this voracious parasite, you can have your cake and the worm will eat it, too! The diet is illegal here, due to some inconvenient side effects, such as seizures, nausea and death. Also, it’s icky. Did I mention that these critters can top 30 feet and have to be excreted? Before rushing into any crazy diet, I’ll go watch Jillian torture some new victims. Just in case her abs are contagious. JAN A. IGOE is a recovering journalist, illustrator and like many of us—a serial dieter. She keeps her treadmill parked in Horry County.

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