Skirt magazine August 2018 Age is Just a Number issue

FREE AUGUST | 2018

Age is Just a Number Issue

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“LADIES WHO BRUNCH” CHARCOAL AND ACRYLIC ON TEA STAINED COLD PRESS WATERCOLOR PAPER

BY WHITNEY STODDARD

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Shelley Hill Young shelley@skirt.com ART DIRECTOR Laura Staiano laura@skirt.com ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Beth Maheu beth@skirt.com

“I am 61 years old.

I certainly don’t have the perfect body or the perfect anything but I try to focus on being grateful for what I do have and who I am! I believe beauty comes from within.”

“I’m finally at the point where I don’t care about sharing my age.

Best thing about getting older is my growing confidence.

I’m 46 and I’m proud of it!”

INTEGRATED ACCOUNT MANAGER Susan Norfleet susan@skirt.com PHOTOGRAPHY Jenn Cady Samantha Fuentes

“The best part about being 30 is that you can be whoever you want to be! Married with kids, a lady boss, a world traveler or single and flirty—the world is your oyster!”

CONTRIBUTORS English Drews Kelsey Lorman Helen Mitternight Angie Mizzell Katherine Westmoreland Richards Allyson Sutton Courtenay White ADVERTISING sales: 843.958.0028 sales@skirt.com BUSINESS MANAGER Cassaundra Tebben cass@skirt.com DISTRIBUTION C&R Marketing Tina Tartaglia

EDITORIAL AND SALES OFFICES P.O. Box 579, Charleston, South Carolina 29402 843.958.0028 sales@skirt.com skirt.com

PRESIDENT, PUBLISHER Thomas J. Giovanniello, Jr. thomas@holycitypublishing.com Skirt is published monthly and distributed free throughout the greater Charleston area. Subscriptions are available through www.skirt.com. Subscription rates are $19.95 for 12 issues. Back issues may be obtained by contacting the Skirt offices.

Back issues are $5.99. All contents of this magazine, including without limitation the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content as well as the selection, coordination and arrangement thereof, is Copyright© Holy City Publishing, LLC. All rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Postage paid at Charleston, S.C., and additional mailing offices. Skirt is a registered trademark of Holy City Publishing, LLC. Skirt and skirt.com are licensed under the authority of Morris Media Network. Printed in the United States.

Vol. 3 Issue 3 ISSN 2637-3815 (Print) ISSN 2637-3831(Online)

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AUGUST | 2018

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contents IN EVERY ISSUE

F E AT U R E S Glowing Skin at Every Age

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Skirt Community

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SheStrong Program Helps Girls Develop Their Voices

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Men in Skirts

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Skirt Table

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Skirt Calendar

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Skirt Wellness

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The House of Austen By Courtenay White

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The General’s Wife

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Profile: Archie Burkel

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Right Here, Right Now By Angie Mizzell

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Age is Just a Number By English Drews

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Skirt Events

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Profile: Kelly George

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Don’t Skirt the Issue

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cover artist WHITNEY STODDARD Whitney is best known for her Tea Collection, inspired by classic design elements and all things vintage. Each piece in the tea collection begins with a staining process using tea from the Charleston Tea Plantation. The tea-stained paper becomes a canvas for Whitney’s intricate female figures. Her pieces combine unique movement and figures using charcoal and graphite sketch, acrylic paint and India ink. Whitney strives to create unique, “je ne sais quoi” expressions and sentiment through minimal paintbrush strokes. Her work personifies the power of simplicity. Whitney graduated from Furman University and studied at The Watkins College of Art, Design & Film in Nashville. She lives in Charleston with her husband, 2-year-old daughter and cockapoo.

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editors letter Dear Readers, I’ve always followed my own timetable. I don’t like to be rushed (unless I’m on deadline for this magazine.) I got married when I was 35, delivered my first child at 39 and my second at 42. When I was in the hospital, even in California which tends to be socially progressive, I heard nurses refer to my condition as a “geriatric pregnancy.” Doesn’t sound very politically correct, does it? I certainly didn’t feel geriatric. Luckily, I had an amazing female OB-GYN who did not see my pregnancy as out of the ordinary and encouraged me every step of the way. And I now have two healthy, energetic, exhausting children who help me see the world through their point of view of wonder and excitement. While parenting is the toughest job I’ve ever had, I am thankful that I’m old enough to have learned to be pretty confident in myself. Most of the time, I feel worthy of their love and comfortable with my decision to work a demanding full-time job. And that’s why I believe age is just a number that we shouldn’t let limit us.

For this issue, I enjoyed talking with women who embrace their natural glow, going in front of the camera without makeup to show us that beauty comes from within. From their 20s to their 60s, each woman embraced the stage of life she is in, saying she’s learned to be more confident, more present and make smarter decisions for herself and her family. Celebrate your natural glow by posting your own no-makeup self-portrait and tag @skirtcharleston.

Our intern, Livi Lesch, interviewed fellow high school students who are involved in the Center for Women’s SheStrong program. The girls in the program don’t want to wait until they are older to have a voice in the community. They want to speak up now and start working to create change that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

I hope our August issue—Age is Just a Number—encourages you to march to your own beat. Don’t feel pressured to meet other people’s expectations or adhere to artificial deadlines and timetables. Do what feels best for you. You are never too old or too young to live your best life and help make a difference for others.

Executive Editor shelley@skirt.com

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What you said about our July “The Girlfriends Issue” with cover art by Teil Duncan: “ Packed full of engaging content, fresh fashion finds, and so much more, Skirt continues to impress, and connect women of all ages! Although I read most everything else on my phone or computer, I always love opening up a new issue of Skirt and flipping through the large paper pages. The recent revamp brings even more power to this publication. In appreciation of my closest female friends, I picked up extra copies of the July issue, and plan to frame the featured poem titled “Girlfriends” by Shelley Hill Young.

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skirtcharleston Our second issue is out on the racks! Make sure to pick one up bc this is the first July issue in several years. We dedicated this one to our girlfriends! Also, we brought back Men in Skirts! alexjayeg Read this in @secondstatecoffee yesterday, absolutely love this magazine!

Can’t wait to keep reading future issues. hambycatering Looks amazing, friends! Congrats! biggybycoffee_charleston Woah...this cover is just STUNNING!! macandb Looks gorgeous! Congrats friends! occassionsguide LOVE the new look!!!

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amburkeart I am loving this new layout! And although I loved the graphics and paper of the old style so much that I wrapped gifts in it (they looked fabulous!) I really like the ease of the new style very much!

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skirtcharleston Introducing @robbouton, owner of @queenstreetgrocery and our very first “Men in Skirts” for over a decade! His is nothing short of interesting and quite the character…pick up a copy of Skirt at his shop and say hello!

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FIELD TRIP

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By Helen Mitternight

and then cooking the results of that harvest. And the older children help the younger ones with baking projects, creating a mentor system that helps all the students.

“It’s very impressive to me to see middle school children, where they didn’t understand that all the food comes from the farm,” Liz says. “They thought food comes from the grocery store. We are growing the food from seed and seeing the whole process.”

She adds that educating the child means educating the family.

“If a child is able to read and follow directions, the child can actually get to make a meal,” she says.

“If we can actually teach our children not just how to grow, but how to cook, when they go home, they understand they can make something from what they have. And they educate the whole family about composting food scraps, because the chil-

“ We’re always looking for people to share what they know, like if they work for a construction company, they can teach us how to build something.”

LIZ RAMIREZ

When students participating in the Earth Heart Growers program go on a field trip, they are likely to go to a real field.

The program started after Montessori teacher Liz Ramirez saw a student in her North Charleston elementary school coming to school with a lollipop. Liz grew up on a farm in Colombia, South America, and the sight of a young child with all that processed sugar on a stick acted as the spur to get her to start what would become her passion project.

In September 2015, Liz founded Earth Heart Growers at the Malcolm C. Hursey Elementary School, with the help of the school’s PTA. The school already had a garden. Liz added a cooking program. Now, EHG offers students gardening at their school, cooking and baking classes, and marketing lessons that emphasize sustainable practices. The program teaches the kids better eating habits, healthy lifestyle choices and living in balance with the environment. For the little ones as young as 3 years old, the nonprofit teaches gardening, where they learn about the whole food cycle, from seed to compost.

Middle-school children go once a month to an organic farm to learn about agriculture and spend some time in the field learning about where their food comes from. They also run a Community Supported Agriculture program and deliver the healthy produce to the school’s families, extending the health benefits beyond the students themselves.

For the older kids, EHG provides instruction in agriculture, organic farming and harvesting,

VIOLET JONES-OWENS, VICTORIA CARABUS AND JAMAANI FIELDS HARVEST COLLARD GREENS.

community

dren discover that the scraps don’t have to go into the landfill. We save them because they’re going to feed our garden.”

Liz and EHG have facilitated a partnership between three local Montessori schools and Joseph Fields Farm on Johns Island. Joseph, along with his wife, Helen, are third-generation farmers from the Gullah-Geechee culture. Attendees at local farmers markets may already be familiar with their fresh, organic produce.

“Joseph and Helen are amazing,” Liz says. “They come to schools and try to meet people. All the programs are volunteer-based. The parents who come get to see where the food is growing. Our

mission is to connect the community with the earth, and give people a chance to come back to what it is supposed to be.”

EHG has a pilot program this year on Mosquito Beach on James Island for students to help clean out the marshes and to learn about the environment and care of saltwater marshes. The experience includes cooking and feeding the group at the end of the day.

“So many of our students have never seen the beach,” Liz says. “They don’t get the chance. They live in Charleston, but the beach is like another state for them.”

For Liz, the best part of all of this is seeing how what her students have learned is reflected back through the families.

“I’ll have families come up to me and say, ‘My child just made omelets for our breakfast as a surprise!’ That’s pretty common that they want to cook for their families and show off what they’ve learned.”

TO GET INVOLVED Check the website earth-heartgrowers.org and sign up to volunteer either to help with existing projects or to share practical knowledge.

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Celebrating women at every age of their lives

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Glowing Skin at EXPERTS SHARE TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR SKIN AT EVERY AGE

By Kelsey Lorman We strive to take the best possible care of our bodies and our minds—but what about our largest organ, our skin? At any age, there are tips and tricks that we can add to our daily routine to protect our beautiful, natural glow.

We consulted several experts in the dermatology and skin care industry and rounded up some tips to help you get your best skin at any age.

NEVER TOO EARLY TO START No matter your age, you should be mindful about the time spent in the sun. Sun can cause hyperpigmentation in the skin, and 1 in 5 people will get skin cancer, says Dr. Brandon Coakley, a board-certified expert in surgical and cosmetic dermatology with the Dermatology and Laser Center of Charleston.

“You should go to the beach, you should go kayaking and hiking,” Brandon says. “But do it at 8 a.m. instead of at noon.” He also mentioned how important it is to wear a hat and sunscreen. “My wife wears EltaMD sunscreen every day,” he says.

“Respecting your time in the sun is the simplest and the cheapest way to maintain healthy skin.”

Brandon says it is also important to drink lots of water and noted that you could choose low glycemic foods when thinking about effects on your skin.

“For example, the natural sugar in watermelon is released instantly when you eat it (high glycemic index), while the sugar from cherries is broken down more gradually,” Brandon explains. “Those sugar spikes destroy the collagen in your skin, and that contributes to skin aging.”

“A beauty routine should be from the inside out,” says RMS Beauty founder and owner Rose-Marie Swift.

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She promotes beauty from within, saying it’s important to eat a healthy diet and promote good digestive health to not only look good but feel better, too. RMS carries a line of digestive enzymes to help do just that.

KEEP SKIN FLIRTY AT 30 In your 30s, your cell turnover begins to slow down. Debbie Stokes—a licensed esthetician at Pink Dot Beauty Bar, on Meeting Street, which offers organic and clean products— says you will need to exfoliate more often, but be careful not to over-scrub. “By doing so you will see less blackheads and your moisturizer will also perform better,” Debbie says. “A $200 moisturizer does nothing if blocked by dead skin.”

“Look for moisturizers with ceramides that will help lock in your moisture,” says Kalen Ashford, a certified physicians assistant at Dermatology and Laser Center of Charleston.

Kalen encourages women to find a face wash, a glycolic wash and moisturizer that they love and make them a part of their beauty routine. Look for products that include retinol and

alpha hydroxy acids, which promote cell turnover and cell creation. A glycolic wash, like one by Clinicians Complex that Ashford recommends, will cleanse and exfoliate without stripping the skin.

For women looking for an allin-one natural product, Haily Jones, assistant manager at Aillea on King Street, recommends Suntegrity’s 5-in-1 Face Sunscreen SPF 30, which is a tinted moisturizer that provides sheer coverage and protects from the damaging and aging UV rays. “All-in-one products are huge right now because we are busy ladies and need a quick solution to our skin care and beauty needs at times,” Haily says.

“As you age, the less product you apply on the skin and around the eyes, the more visually youthful you will appear rather than trying to cover up with layers of products,” Rose-Marie of RMS Beauty says.

FOR YOUR SKIN AT 40 In your 40s, you may notice that your skin is looking or feeling drier and duller. Debbie recommends a product with a hyaluronic acid.

This is a component that occurs naturally in the body and pulls moisture from the air into your skin, so finding a product that can

enhance this process is exponentially helpful. Debbie recommends products such as Lift Lab eye cream or Maya Chia Eye Achiever as you notice signs of aging.

50S AND 60S TIPS AND TRICKS As women approach their 50s and 60s, vitamin C will become an important component to any beauty routine. “Vitamin C will help with hyperpigmentation to strengthen your cell walls, which helps to fight the broken capillaries in your skin,” Debbie says.

Brandon recommends topical creams or other medical-grade serums that include vitamin C to help with reproduction of collagen, as well as Retin A Tretinoin, which promotes quick healing and skin regrowth.

“Tretinoin is a cream derived from vitamin A, and numerous studies have shown that it reduces fine wrinkles and erases sun spots,” Brandon says.

“Using a pea-size amount on your face nightly is safe, inexpensive and clinically proven to keep you looking younger.”

Haily at Aillea recommends the Josh Rosebrook Advanced Hydration Mask, which is designed to replenish cell hydration and promote skin regeneration by using the Indian Senna Seed, also known as botanical hyaluronic acid.

“Overall, it plumps and maintains ultimate hydration for youthful-looking skin,” she says.

Perhaps the most important tip to remember?

It is important to get your skin evaluated by a trusted professional on a regular basis to help you assess your skin’s needs.

“View your skin as it is now as opposed to what it was,” Kalen says.

“Your skin at 50 will definitely not be the same as it was at 20.”

EVERY AGE EIGHT WOMEN GO IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA WITHOUT MAKEUP TO PROVE BEAUTY COMES FROM WITHIN Photographer Jenn Cady

Kathryn Dennis

ON SKIN CARE: Kathryn protects her fair skin with CeraVe sunscreen and an under-eye cream, both of which her dermatologist recommends. And she swears by Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Serum. “It smells like roses and it feels great,” she says.

ON EMBRACING HER AGE:

“I feel like now that I have a daughter, I don’t talk negatively about myself,” Kathryn says.

“I want her to grow up confident. I don’t have a scale in my bathroom anymore.”

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Zandrina Dunning ON SKIN CARE: Zandrina drinks a lot of water to stay hydrated and uses Dove-and Aveeno-brand products “from head to toe.”

ON EMBRACING HER AGE:

“The 30s is the light bulb, so I can only imagine how your 40s are going to be,” Zandrina says. “There’s this voice inside that’s so much louder than it was. It’s so cool following that path…I’m so much more unapologetic.

It’s a beautiful thing.”

36 Erin Kienzle ON SKIN CARE: Erin depends on Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. “It feels like silk on your face and is a great primer for makeup.” She also loves True Botanicals Radiance Oil. “It’s pricey, but it lasts forever and gives you such a healthy glow.”

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Andrea Serrano ON SKIN CARE: Andrea’s skin care regime includes Germain Dermatology’s retinol cream and under-eye serum, as well as the tinted sunscreen. She looks stylish and protects her skin by wearing a big hat, big sunglasses and a lot of sunscreen when she’s outdoors. “My skin is my top priority,” she says, and proudly says she’s Botox-free. “I don’t want to stop time, but I want to age gracefully.”

ON EMBRACING HER AGE:

“The 40s have been a really empowering time of my life,” Andrea says. “I’m always trying to spread a positive message.” She says she thinks more about what she wants to teach her children. The biggest lesson she wants them to learn? “Whatever you want to do in life, you can make it happen.”

ON EMBRACING HER AGE:

“As I get older, I feel more comfortable than ever in my skin. Sure, I have fine lines, and the gray hairs are starting to sprout, but after years of searching, I finally know who I am—and I’m just grateful to be happy and healthy. Those laugh lines were earned and those stretch marks are the reminder of how lucky I am to have two little girls.”

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Helen Mitternight ON SKIN CARE: Helen applies the highest-SPF Neutrogena sunscreen she can find and wears “big, funny hats” when she’s out in the sun.

ON EMBRACING HER AGE:

“I feel sexier now than I ever did because I don’t care anymore who finds me sexy,” she says. Helen says she looks back at pictures of herself when she was in her 20s and recalls thinking at the time that she was fat. Now, she wonders what she was thinking. “I was beautiful.”

58 English Drews ON SKIN CARE: English’s secret to beautiful skin? Maya Chia Super Couple. “It’s the thing I can’t live without,” she says.

ON EMBRACING HER AGE:

English tries to live by her favorite quote by author Roald Dahl, which is displayed in a special place in her home: “If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

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Sharon Bruner ON SKIN CARE: Sharon, who had melanoma removed from her arm, applies sunscreen and often wears long-sleeve shirts to protect her sensitive skin from the sun.

ON EMBRACING HER AGE:

“I’m much more patient than when I was younger,” Sharon says. She says she’s also developed better listening skills and tries to be less judgmental.

65 Zandrina Riley ON SKIN CARE: Zandrina, who admits she was once a junk-food addict, says she maintains her skin by eating well and taking a holistic approach to wellness.

She says she focuses on resting, relaxing and restoring. “I think I’m healthier now than I was in my 30s.”

ON EMBRACING HER AGE:

“I’m still getting used to it,” Zandrina says honestly. “I notice my hair getting gray quick,” But, she says, “when I see my grandkids and my children, I’m just so grateful to be alive and well.”

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SheStrong program helps high-school girls find their voices

By Livi Lesch

POWER

(LEFT TO RIGHT) KATIE KRAWCHEK, KAITLIN BROWNE, LILLI HEINRICH, MAYA GREEN AND COURTENAY WHITE ARE MEMBERS OF THE SHESTRONG LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.

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“ We all have normal teenage problems, but we have come together to form this greater entity that, when we are together, has more power than we do individually, and I think that’s the most beautiful part of the experience.”

MANDY SULLIVAN

he desktop computer stared back at 14-year-old Courtenay White.

The blank screen mirrored her uncertainty. She knew the right thing to do, but her mind would not stop racing. Eventually, Courtenay came full circle: “You’re either going to do this or you’re not,” she told herself. So she committed to find a way to encourage other young girls to start talking about women’s rights.

“I wish everyone had a moment like that…where they’re asked to stand alone and take a look at who they want to be,” Courtenay says.

Her idea led to the formation of SheStrong, a program sponsored by the Center for Women. SheStrong is a forum for high-school-age girls to discuss issues that affect them now and in the future. Since the formation of the group in 2016, SheStrong has hosted a summit each October, thrown fundraising tea parties, and had its leaders speak at the Charleston Women’s March in January.

Courtenay says she identified as a feminist moments after learning the definition in her 7th-grade history class. When a classmate told her that women get paid less than men because they’re always on maternity leave, Courtenay realized that some people do not support feminist ideas. She contacted the then-director of the Center for Women, Amy Brennan. Courtenay arranged for Amy to speak about the wage gap at her school, Porter-Gaud. About a month after the speech, Amy offered Courtenay an intern position at the Center for Women to start SheStrong.

Courtenay recruited her friend, Maya Green, from School of the Arts.

Then followed Lilli Heinrich, from Academic Magnet, Katie Krawchek, from Porter-Gaud School, and Chase Mauerhan and Kaitlin Browne, both from Wando High School. The group meets three times a month at coffee shops or bookstores to keep their discussion flowing.

“We don’t want it to be a place where it’s super exclusive. If you don’t support certain topics, it’s not like we’re going to shun you because we all just want to empower one another,” Kaitlin says.

One of Courtenay’s goals for the SheStrong program is to recruit more members to broaden the group’s horizons.There’s an open house for new members at 5 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Center for Women, 1 Carriage Lane.

“I want to help people find themselves. I don’t think that necessarily means being a feminist or not,” Courtenay said. “We don’t want it to be an organization just for young liberal feminists. We want it to be a place where people can come together and disagree.”

The girls all say they have benefited from the nonjudgmental environment created by SheStrong. In Katie’s case, it has allowed her to step up as a leader.

“SheStrong has ultimately made me a better advocate, a better woman and generally a better person. Through this program, I have strengthened my abilities as a leader and as an advocate for others. I have better familiarized myself

THE SELF-DEFENSE CLASS WAS OFFERED FOR ALL ATTENDEES OF THE ANNUAL SHESTRONG SUMMIT.

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COURTENAY, MAYA AND KATIE SPEAK ABOUT YOUNG WOMEN STANDING UP FOR THEMSELVES AT THE WOMEN’S MARCH.

with world issues and potential ways to help combat those problems. And I’ve found platforms to speak my mind about the change I want to see happen in my own community,” Katie said.

Maya says the program has given her the confidence to take action.“The program and its members have motivated me to try to make the change I want to see in the world now, instead of waiting for college or adulthood,” she says Leaders of the Center for Women take pride in the girls’ effort to spread awareness of pressing issues that they will have to face as women.

“What makes me most proud is watching the young women in the program grow, learn and speak up for what they believe in. They give me hope that the future is in good hands,” Center for Women executive director Lisa Dabney says.

The center provides the opportunity for the high schoolers to think for themselves. The program’s annual summit allows the girls to put their planning skills to the test when they book panel discussions on topics such as women in the workplace, LGBTQ rights, self-defense and more.

“We are giving the voice to the girls,” Kaitlin said.

The leadership team wants to bring new girls with unique ideas into the program. They want SheStrong to grow in size as well as in ideologies.

“We are all ordinary. We’re all teenagers,” Courtenay said. “We all have normal teenage problems, but we have come together to form this greater entity that, when we are together, has more power than we do individually, and I think that’s the most beautiful part of the experience.”

skirt . | august 2018 19

THE HOUSE OF What Courtenay, the founder of SheStrong, learned from “Pride and Prejudice”

“Some mothers make their daughters take ballet; others make them go to cotillion; mine made me revel in the angsty goodness of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.” child what exactly is going on among the oddly dressed, wonderfully British individuals milling about the screen.

Unfortunately, my mother had to learn this lesson the hard way.

I suppose I should be flattered that she believed me capable of sitting through the BBC’s six hour adaptation of Pride and Prejudice at such a tender age, but I’m more inclined to think

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blaster and a metal bikini to respect yourself and demand that same respect from others. Women around the world and throughout history have found their power in different ways and under different circumstances.

Today, my mom and I share this love of Jane Austen, sure. Yet it is because of this love that we also—like Elizabeth Bennet herself—refuse to accept anything less than what we deserve.

Maybe my mom is a sort of witch after all, considering that sorcery is the only way I could possibly explain such an inspired stroke of parenting as foisting “Pride and Prejudice” upon your 9-year-old. Should anyone prove otherwise, I’ll eat my bonnet.

Courtenay is a junior at Porter-Gaud School and will be completing her fall semester of 2018 in Washington, D.C., at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership. When she was 14, Courtenay founded the SheStrong Summit with the Center for Women and has since worked with the SheStrong Youth Committee to create programming for Charleston’s next generation of empowered women.

COURTESY OF COURTENAY

t is a truth universally acknowledged that a 9-yearold in possession of only the basest linguistic skills must be unable to comprehend Georgian English.

If you’ve ever tried to sit your elementary-age child in front of a TV and introduce her to the magic of Jane Austen, then you’re already painfully aware that no number of subtitles or long-winded explanations as to the meaning of the word entailment are capable of properly conveying to said

that her initial confidence stemmed from the faith in her own ability to “guide” me through such an exhausting undertaking. Some mothers make their daughters take ballet; others make them go to cotillion; mine made me revel in the angsty goodness of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.

My mom has stressed to me that, by featuring so prominently in this essay, she does not want to appear as “the crazy tiger mom,” who—like some kind of witch from a Hans Christian Andersen story—compels innocent children to appreciate 19th-century British literature against their will. So let it be known that my mother had no nefarious designs in this daunting venture. In fact, the worst that can be said is that my heart will now and forever belong to a man who, tragically, is a piece of fiction.

In all seriousness, though, I reflect often on the hold Austen has maintained on my childhood since those six momentous hours. And now at age 16, having actually read “Prejudice” upwards of seven times, I can’t help but suspect that my mom intended to instill me with far more than the simple joy of a fantastic novel. Beyond her mastery of throwing shade, Austen is shockingly feminist. And it takes no stretch of the imagination to envision how that kind of influence, however subtle it might seem in print, could have fostered some of the more revolutionary ideas I have about women’s rights now. I mean, when Austen can write Elizabeth Bennet, a woman who is legally barred on account of her gender from inheriting her father’s estate, with more self-agency than the Snow Whites and Sleeping Beauties that most 9-year-olds probably idolize, then you know she’s got to be good at her craft.

Growing up with an older brother who always seemed to have control of the remote, my on-screen female icons back then were limited to “Bond girls” and, if I was lucky, the occasional Princess Leia. Jane Austen—and through Austen, my mom—demonstrated to me that you don’t need a

profile

Archie Burkel is anything but an Old Hat How the “Top Hat” of Charleston Hat Ladies brings youthful energy to the Holy City

By Allyson Sutton

E

very Easter in Charleston, hundreds of women in brightly colored chapeaus parade down Broad Street as if en route to a royal wedding. This annual promenade is just one of many events hosted by The Hat Ladies, a fashionable and enthusiastic volunteer group founded by Archie Burkel in 2001.

A Chicago native, Burkel moved to Charleston by way of Atlanta nearly 20 years ago, anticipating a quiet, retired life. But as she and her husband settled into their new hometown, Burkel felt like something was missing.

“I was in my early 50s and knew I was not ready to hang up my hat, but I didn’t quite know what to do,” notes Burkel, who is now 72.

While hats had always been a personal passion (she discovered a hat in her grandmother’s attic at the age of 10, and has been hooked ever since), Burkel also enjoyed a 25-year career as a guidance counselor.

“That work was my calling. It was meaningful,” she says. “Wearing a hat just didn’t feel meaningful to me.”

And then one day it clicked. She’d walk down the street and strangers would wave, smile and politely remark, “I love your hat.” Whether a simple fedora or a feathered fascinator, her hats sparked conversation, created connections and built self-esteem.

“As a counselor, one of my main goals was to give people self-esteem, particularly girls. I realized hats were the perfect way to do that in my new phase of life.”

With a new mission and a new motto—“When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you DO good”—Burkel organized the inaugural Easter Promenade in 2002. Since then, the group has grown to well over 100 members, ranging in age from 12 to 90 years old. As the “Top Hat,” Burkel facilitates all new member initiations, which requires a small annual fee, participation in at least one Hat Ladies activity per year, and, of course, a love of hats.

For Archie and her fellow Hat Ladies, the group is about more than bonnets and berets—it’s about community and camaraderie. In addition to monthly luncheons and “hat-py hours,” The Hat Ladies are one of the most actively engaged volunteer groups in town. Whether decorating caps at MUSC Children’s Hospital, working as docents for the Preservation Society,

CALLIE CRANFORD

“ The hats we all wore brought us together. Hats are a common denominator between people.”

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or jumping in as Habitat for Humanity’s cleanup crew, this “stylish brigade of volunteers” has supported nearly 80 local organizations in the past 15 years, even winning a Community Catalyst Award in 2012. Their work hasn’t been limited to Charleston, either. For five years in a row, The Hat Ladies traveled to New York to host a “Hats of the World” Luncheon for female ambassadors to the United Nations.

“We may not have shared the same language, religion or ethnicity, but the hats we all wore brought us together. Hats are a common denominator between people,” says Burkel.

Not only do they lift up the community; The Hat Ladies are a support group for one another. As member Cheryl Coco explains it: “Here is a group of women who are living life fully. We talk about our losses, our joys, loved ones, shoes…and laugh through it all.” And Burkel is the perfect example of that spirit.

She may be in her 70s, but she isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

“I’d love to ride this wave into its next phase,” she says. Already an author (her book, “The Joy of Hats,” came out in 2013), Burkel has aspirations to do more public speaking and write her own hat-oriented advice column. She and the Hat Ladies have a packed calendar, with nearly 15 events scheduled this fall.

“The secret to life is having something to look forward to,” says Burkel. “That’s what The Hat Ladies give me.”

S A V E the D A T E S The Ladies are recruiting volunteers for the 9/11 Silent Walk across the Ravenel Bridge and a holiday Pack the Purse drive with Tri-County Family Ministries, and they welcome potential new members to don their best hat and attend their Aug. 4 luncheon on Kiawah or the Women Empowerment Fashion Show on Aug. 11.

More information can be found at: hatladies.org/Hatpenings.htm

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essay

KATHERINE WESTMORELAND RICHARDS LOVES TO HEAR HER GRANDMOTHER KITSY WESTMORELAND’S STORIES.

S

ome people that grab someone’s attention just by the smile in their eyes.

Those who walk toward Kitsy Westmoreland always walk away with that same genuine and contagious smile.

Kitsy – who was married to William Westmoreland, four-star general and commander of the Vietnam War – and who raised three children in military bases around the world, faced criticism

the life of Mrs. Westmoreland, when she would host the presidents, soldiers and foreign leaders of the world. There was the time she hosted a dinner for President John F. Kennedy and tried desperately to hide her mischievous son. After dinner President Kennedy complimented Mrs. Westmoreland on the meal, and remarked about her clever son, who had been hiding in a tree with a basket and a rope, pulling up all the deserts he

“ My grandmother is a reminder to me of the importance of etiquette and how we must coexist with respect and dignity toward one another.” and challenges with grace and respect. She became a master at taking some of the most difficult and unpleasant situations and making them comfortable for all.

Her experiences and the stories she tells have us sitting on the edge of our seats, as we envision

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could acquire from the president’s Secret Service.

Kitsy was known to have some of the best parties in Washington, D.C., at her Quarters 1 home in Fort Myer, overlooking the Washington monuments across from the Potomac River. Laughter would flood the room as guests enjoyed Kitsy’s

By Katherine Westmoreland Richards delights. President Lyndon Johnson, after finishing his rum cake, leaned over to Kitsy to ask if perhaps he could have the rest of hers.

Stories like these are shared by Kitsy, who is 91, if you have the privilege to sit with her after 5 p.m. to enjoy a glass of chardonnay with ice at the Charleston retirement home where she lives.

As a young lady myself, I am constantly in awe of the grace, wisdom and gratitude I learn from my grandmother.

Her dinner parties were attended by many, of all nationalities, political parties and backgrounds. In those days, one did not discuss politics, even with the leaders of the world. Discussion was meant to bring people together—disagree or not, a certain set of manners were obligatory.

My grandmother is a reminder to me of the importance of etiquette and how we must coexist with respect and dignity towards one another.

Her parents always told her, “All I want is for you to be a ‘good citizen.’”

Kitsy Westmoreland is a smart and stylish lady, the best grandmother and friend a young girl could ever desire. Here’s to Kitsy, the best citizen I know!

DAVID KELLER

The General’s Wife

essay

Right Here, Right Now

By Angie Mizzell

“ It’s about living a fulfilling life. Not a perfect one.” The fitness instructor’s words pulsed through my earbuds as I sprinted down the sidewalk. I followed her cues as she pep-talked the virtual classroom of runners, the beat of the music guiding our steps and encouraging us to keep the pace. “Ten seconds,” she said. Then, we could slow down and walk.

I

used to consider running a special kind of torture, but about a year ago, something clicked. Now, it has become a ritual of sorts.

I don’t run every day, but it’s something I try to do at least once or twice a week because it leaves me feeling energized and grounds me in the present-tense moment of my life.

I’m 43 years old, and I often feel much younger than I am. And yet, I’m in this weird stage of life where I keep getting reminded that I’m not.

The other day I found myself sitting in the doctor’s office and she was saying things like “midlife” and “menopause” and I was wondering how those words could apply to me. Didn’t she deliver my babies, like, yesterday? They haven’t even been out of diapers that long.

Time is a tricky thing. Early in my adult life, I lived with the intense pressure that time was running out. After college, I worked in television newsrooms for nearly a decade, and every single day was a deadline—my fingers on the keyboard and my eyes on the clock. Some days I’d step in front of the camera literally seconds before I was live on the air.

I didn’t realize how this sense of urgency had seeped into other areas of my life until my husband got a job in Portland, Oregon, and I found myself unemployed and 3,000 miles away from home. The rapid pace of my life came to a full stop. A part of me welcomed the chance to take a breath. The other part of me couldn’t shake the belief that I needed to keep moving or get left behind.

One weekend, my husband and I took a drive to the wine country and stopped at a vineyard.

As we stuck our noses in wine glasses and listened to the sommelier describe the pinot noir, I experienced a brief moment when I forgot to worry. Then, I had a thought: “Why don’t you let yourself be right here, right now?”

The moment was fleeting but the lesson stays with me. In fact, it’s one I learn over and over.

Today, I’m still motivated by goals and deadlines, and I still struggle with the passing of time.

There are so many things I want to do and experience and reconcile in this lifetime, and there are no guarantees. There’s no way of knowing if I’ll have time for it all.

Sometimes opportunities are missed. Sometimes we choose to let them go. Sometimes we set a goal and achieve it. Sometimes life takes us down a road we didn’t expect.

And yet, the fitness instructor who speaks to me through the iPhone running app is right: It’s about living a fulfilling life. Not a perfect one.

That’s why I’m drawn to running because it constantly teaches me how to go at my own pace. It reminds me to honor wherever I happen to be—physically and mentally —that day. It teaches me to respect my limits and know when it’s time to give myself a break.

In the next breath, it shows me that it’s OK to push myself because I’m stronger than I think.

For now, running is the thing that helps me stay connected to the wise inner voice of mine, the one that teaches me to think less about the passing time. The voice that gently asks, “Why don’t you let yourself be right here, right now?”

Angie Mizzell is a contributing writer for Skirt. She’s also the co-founder of Charleston Storytellers, which directs and produces the “Listen To Your Mother” show. A former television news anchor and a mom of three, Angie writes a personal blog about creating a life that feels like home. Connect with her at angiemizzell.com.

SHANNA PETRY

“I EXPERIENCED A BRIEF MOMENT WHEN I FORGOT TO WORRY. THEN, I HAD A THOUGHT: ‘WHY DON’T YOU LET YOURSELF BE RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW?’”

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skirt . | august 2018 23

essay

Age is Just a Number

By English Drews

MINE IS UNLISTED

“Your 40s are good.

Your 50s are great.

Your 60s are fab.

AND 70 IS F*@KING AWESOME!” – Helen Mirren

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through the

DECADES

20s

“Anything is possible” I forged a new, undefined path for myself. Optimism and naivete prevailed. I didn’t know what I didn’t know.

30s

A period of “rediscovery” I tried new things, had greater confidence and was willing to take more risks while building stability in my life. Most importantly, I found my forever love.

40s

The “all I did was work” phase I accomplished a lot, but sacrificed balance to get there. I worked hard, met obligations and felt the weight of all that was expected of me— success but with a price.

50s

Taking the best of each decade There are limitless possibilities.

I take new risks, use my talents and forge new paths. I focus on happiness instead of drive, purpose instead of pleasing.

English is a Charleston native who took a break from her sales and marketing career to renovate the historical family home her great-grandparents built in 1915. That adventure led to the creation of her blog, RenovatingCharleston.com, and her pursuit of finding and sharing the stories of our ancestors. Her days are filled with gardening, poring over historical documents, and finding ways to tell the stories of our past.

GILLIAN ELLIS

T

he first time I realized I had an age stereotype was when I was in my 20s. I was traveling with a co-worker, we had begun to build a friendship, and the work trip was providing us an opportunity to get to know each other better. We shared similar likes and dislikes. We loved animals, a good laugh, a tall glass of wine, and were two of only a handful of women in a male-dominated industry. We worked well together. Then I asked her how old she was. When she replied, I couldn’t believe it and stupidly said, “You’re THAT old, you’re 30?? NO WAY.” Today, we laugh at that story, but I am embarrassed by my misstep. Thank goodness she overlooked my ignorance on age. Thank goodness that was a fleeting moment in my belief system. And thank goodness, 30 years later, we are still dear friends.

Yes, I have learned my lesson. And as karma would have it, I have experienced similar–although not as blatant–typecasts. Dismissive looks, a lack of genuine interest, and even, dare I say, age discrimination as a 50-something.

But I know the age stereotypes people hold will slowly fade with time, if they, too, are blessed and gifted with years.

And having a secret helps. It has taken years to get here, this secret society of age. Where wisdom, emotional security, acceptance (of myself as much as others), community, and living your best life all come together. There is no short cut and you never fully arrive. You can’t jump into this secret society without years of living. And I am finally beginning to see the culmination of those years.

I think of all my adult life experiences – these last 30 years – and I can’t quite contain my excitement for what will happen next. It will not be as physical – I don’t plan to run any more marathons or to bike 150 miles in two days. But it will be as adventurous. It will be more creative and more spiritual. It will be less corporate and more community-minded. There will be less searching and more presence.

And while my body is a frequent reminder that we are on the back half of our journey, (thank you, age spots, laugh lines and gravity), my mind doesn’t quite know we are aging yet. It is still curious, engaged, hopeful, optimistic and playful. Thankfully, graceful aging is a state of mind, more about attitude than anything.

And as for the years beyond my 50s, if I am so blessed? I’ll take my queue from my favorite grand dame, Helen Mirren, who said: “Your 40s are good. Your 50s are great. Your 60s are fab. And 70 is f*@king awesome!”

Age truly is just a number … and I plan to keep mine unlisted.

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skirt . | august 2018  25

“ I get asked a lot to be a social justice voice, but it would be great to be just a poet.”

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men CHARLESTON’S

POET LAUREATE isn’t afraid to wear a skirt

MARCUS AMAKER SAYS HIS JOB AS AN ARTIST IS TO MAKE YOU FEEL HISTORY

By Shelley Hill Young

SAMANTHA FUENTES

M

arcus Amaker didn’t fully realize the power of poetry until he started sharing with others the words he’d scribbled in a little red notebook.

Marcus, the city of Charleston’s first poet laureate, says he started writing what he thought were song lyrics when he was just 10 years old, but he was a freshman in college at the University of South Carolina when he first read his poetry in front of others.

“That opened me up to the power of what poetry really is, being able to connect to people in a way that you might not really expect,” Marcus says.

People often start writing poetry from an egocentric point of view, Marcus says. “Then, you start to realize that this isn’t really about me, especially when you start to share it with people. …That’s where poetry is really powerful.”

Marcus’ poetry gained greater recognition when Charleston City Paper asked him to write a poem just a day after the mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church, where nine church members were killed. Marcus says the words came to him “by the Spirit.”

“That was a hard night,” he recalls. “It wasn’t easy because of all the emotions that we were all going through. It was just a lot to deal with it.”

Marcus recalls that the first version of the poem, “Black Cloth—a poem for Charleston,” was angry. He sought feedback from other writers, who helped guide him in the direction of the final version. He says he would have written a poem about the tragedy, even if he wasn’t asked.

“As an artist, that’s the way we react to the world, to create and to reflect.”

That poem eventually led to Marcus writing a another poem, this time with South Carolina poet laureate Marjory Heath Wentworth for Mayor John Tecklenburg’s inauguration in January 2016.

“That was a transformative experience for me to write a poem for such a big event,” Marcus says.

Soon after, the mayor decided to appoint a poet laureate for the city and chose Marcus for the position. “Sometimes, we need tragedy to act and to do important things, and I think this position was created to have a good and powerful voice for the city,” Marcus says. “I’m honored they gave the position to me.”

Marcus, who also is a graphic designer, describes his poetry as a mirror of what he’s seeing and experiencing in the world.

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“What is beautiful about art is it’s the artist’s job to make people feel,” he says. “We can make you feel history, feel it in a way that a history book can’t. It’s almost like watching a documentary on Netflix. You see what’s going on, you can feel what people are going through. Music, poetry, can put you in other people’s shoes.”

Marcus says there are times when he’s hyper-aware of the need for his poetry to send a

message. “But there are also times when I’m responding to something personal or just responding to everyday life, helping people open their eyes to the details of everyday life.”

He says there’s often an extra pressure on African-American poets and writers to speak for the community. “I get asked a lot to be a social justice voice, but it would be great to be just a poet,” he says.

Read Marcus’ poetry at marcusamaker.com.

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table

Sweet Life Raft

BY HELEN MITTERNIGHT

When Cynthia Wong and Mary Oster get together, they share an affinity for puns and “stupid jokes.”

Fortunately for us, they don’t just laugh at their jokes, they make ice cream out of them.

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LIFE RAFT TREATS’ ICE CREAM DRUMSTICK IS A TRADEMARK ON THE MENU.

“…by the Life Raft sorting hat,” Wong finishes.

They don’t need the sorting hat for new flavor ideas, which spring up like the banter between the two.

“We throw ideas back and forth,” Oster says. “Sometimes it comes from an ingredient like the yuzu and sometimes it’s a name we randomly thought of and we work backwards to make a treat to fit that name because it’s too good to give up. We test and test until we come up with something everyone would love.”

It takes about two weeks for the pair to develop a new flavor. Besides the drumstick and the KungFu Taco, the menu includes seasonal treats.

The strawberry shortcake ice cream sandwich, for example, has become a blueberry oatmeal ice cream sandwich. Life Raft also offers dairy-free and gluten-free chocolate sorbet.

“I was a little hesitant originally,” Wong says. “The bar has to be really high for things that are gluten-free and dairy-free. It has to be something that people would want to eat even if they didn’t have to eat that way. But we’ve developed something

that good with our chocolate sorbet.”

For those few souls who won’t eat ice cream all year, Wong and Oster say they plan to produce pies for Thanksgiving and Buche du Noel at Christmas. But really, why wouldn’t anyone eat ice cream all year?

“Even in cold weather, I still want ice cream,” Oster says. “There’s always room for ice cream.”

Life Raft Treats can be found 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. some Tuesdays at a pop-up at Edmund’s Oast Brewery; at the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market on James Island; and in affogato at Second State Coffee as well as select festivals. The schedule is posted on Instagram @life.raft.treats.

LEFT TO RIGHT: FERRIS KAPLAN; MARY OSTER

LIFE RAFT TREATS FOUNDERS, MARY OSTER AND CYNTHIA WONG, FIND ROOM FOR ICE CREAM.

Wong, known until a few months ago as the genius behind the clever sweet desserts at Butcher & Bee, and Oster, her partner in sweet crime, have opened Life Raft Treats.

“When Cynthia came up with the idea for ice cream, it was right up my alley,” Oster says. “I’m obsessed with ice cream. It’s been in my life a very long time. It seemed like it was the next step.”

The treats include what has become a trademark – the tiny drumstick that is not fried chicken at all but rather is waffle cone ice cream shaped like something you’d get from KFC. Another regular is the KungFu Taco, a sorbet made from yuzu (a taste cross between a grapefruit and a lime) encased in a waffle cone taco, dipped in dark chocolate and speckled with coconut flakes.

The whimsy is reflected in their titles. Wong is the Grand Chancellor for the company; Oster is the Pastry Overlord.

“The titles are on-brand,” Oster says. “Like our ice cream, there’s a little joke in there with everything.”

Demand for the quirky and delicious ice cream has grown so fast that the Chancellor and the Overlord may soon have minions or underlings.

“We are really lucky to have had so much support from the community,” Wong says.

The two women make 700 to 1,000 treats a week out of a portion of the Salt House Catering kitchen they’ve rented, and they’ve already almost outgrown the space.

“We’re trying to figure out how to make supply meet demand,” Wong says. “We’re looking actively for a storefront to keep up with daily demand.”

And, if the company does grow big enough for those underlings, Oster says, “Everyone’s title will be determined…”

table

NEWS LEFT TO RIGHT: COURTESY OF DUCK DOUGHNTS; ANDREW CEBULKA

OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS Chicken marinated for 24 hours is the claim to fame for Mario’s Peruvian Chicken, slated to open this month at 1909 Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant.

North Carolina is sending over the donuts…

Duck Donuts is coming to West Ashley in the Westwood Plaza on Sam Rittenberg. You can build your own donuts.

The Vendue has opened Revival on the corner of East Bay and Vendue Range. Look for South Carolina heirloom rices on the menu.

THE ESTABLISHMENT HAS OPENED ON BROAD STREET.

Charleston’s coastal flavors are offered in large and small plates at the recently-opened The Establishment, 28 Broad Street. The focus is on sustainable and local.

Undercurrent Coffee is soon opening its café and educational lab in North Charleston. In the front, pair house-made syrups and sauces with coffees from local and regional partners and enjoy a local veggie-forward menu. In the back, learn about all things coffee, including how to hone your barista skills. Located at Plaza Midwood at 2012 Commonwealth Ave, Undercurrent Coffee will be open Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Get your taco fix at Edisto Beach with E&O Taco, 21 Fairway Drive, Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Need a bit of breakfast? Sunrise Bistro has opened its Mount Pleasant outpost.

With scarcely a “baaaah,” West Ashley’s Green Goat has closed.

DUCK DONUTS IS COMING TO WEST ASHLEY.

Looking for pizza dough on Doughty Street?

Nimbo Pizza has opened at Doughty and Rutledge, with hand-tossed artisan pizzas from Richy Kline of the late lamented DeSano Pizza Bakery.

161 Rutledge Ave., open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

If you’re local, you know that Bill Murray is more than an actor around here. He’s also into the food scene and his new food truck venue is part of his gig. The Container Bar is soon opening as a place where the many mouthwatering food trucks in the city can hunker together for hungry Charlestonians, 2140 Mount Pleasant St. In late July or early August, look for Milkster Nitrogen Creamery inside the Goose Creek Biggby Coffee. Plans are to expand to all three Biggby locations, including Summerville and North Charleston. Handcrafted ice cream from local ingredients is flash frozen to order, using liquid nitrogen at 514 St. James in Goose Creek.

Chubby Fish, serving, well, fish, has opened at 252 Coming Street. They offer local seafood without the fine dining prices.

Kairos Greek Kitchen is opening a new location in Avondale this month, and there are plans to open seven more soon, 975 Savannah Highway, by the Coburg Cow. Real-deal reclaimed wood and food to sit down for are going to be highlights of Mill Street Tavern at Shem Creek, 504 Mill St., Mount Pleasant. Opening soon.

Spero, known for its fried chicken days and its offbeat menu, has closed.

EVENTS

Happy anniversary! On Aug. 11, Edmund’s Oast Exchange will host their one-year anniversary celebration. They’ll offer an all day storewide sale, featuring 10 percent off all goods.

They will also feature wine and beer tastings from noon until 4 p.m., focusing on sparkling wine and bottle conditioned beer. Tastings are free; no tickets necessary.

CHEF MOVES

Chef Andrea Upchurch, formerly of Magnolias, Blossom and Cypress, heads to The Obstinate Daughter as pastry chef.

Former Marine Dean Szablewski is chef at Pour Taproom Charleston. He’s offering elevated pub fare.

CHEERS!

Bloody good show! Charleston Mix has won the gold in the New York International Spirits Competition. They were named Bloody Mary Mix of the Year.

SEPTEMBER 5-16 Want more? Visit us at skirt.com

skirt . | august 2018 29

calendar

events AUGUST

CELEBRATE THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER WITH OUTDOOR FESTIVALS AND CONCERTS

Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music and Movement Festival

Experience genuine Gullah-Geechee culture on the first weekend of August. The three-day long festival includes authentic Gullah-Geechee crafts, musicals, storytelling and presentations by native artists.

Ticket prices vary. 6 p.m. Aug. 3 to 3 p.m.

Aug. 5, Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Visit gullahgeechee.info.

AUGUST 3 Men in Skirts Ball What started as a lark has quickly become one of Charleston Folk’s favorite annual traditions. Gentlemen, break out those kilts, skirts, and tutus because it is time once again to experience the freedom of Men in Skirts! $8 at the door. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Felix Davis Community Center, 4800 Park Circle. Visit charlestonfolk. weebly.com.

Leave a Mark Art Opening

Join four female abstract artists for the opening of Leave a Mark. Laura Deems,

Marissa Vogl, Anne Darby Parker and Susan Altman all leave singular marks on Charleston’s art landscape. Although the artists featured in the group show span four different generations, they all speak through the marks they make on their canvas. 5 to 8 p.m. Meyer Vogl Gallery, 122 Meeting St.

AUGUST 4 Toast to Equality Join Charleston Pride and raise a toast to equality with a contest unlike anything you have ever seen or tasted. Twelve local bars will shake up cocktails and your vote will decide which becomes the official cocktail of Charleston Pride 2018. Food trucks will be available on-site. $15. 7 to 11 p.m., Charleston Visitor Center and Bus Shed, 375 Meeting St. Visit toasttoequality.com.

AUGUST 7 Mary Chapin Carpenter

Sing “Passionate Kisses” at the top of your lungs when Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter performs old and new favorites.

Ticket prices vary. 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER

p.m., Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Visit charlestonmusichall.com.

Golf Resort, 55 Town Center, Kiawah.

Visit charlestonjazz.com.

AUGUST 10

Chics of the Sea Fundraiser

Beer from Here

Hops, habitats, and a heaping amount of sea creatures await you at this Carolina-led craft beer experience. Enjoy local brews and local wildlife in one setting.

Tickets are $45. 7 to 10 p.m., South Carolina Aquarium. Visit scaquarium.org.

AUGUST 10 - 11 Hootie and the Blowfish

Grab tickets if you can and sing along with Darius Rucker to classics like “I Only Wanna Be with You” that all Charlestonians know the words to. 7 p.m., Volvo Car Stadium, 161 Seven Farms Drive. Visit stadiumcharleston.com.

AUGUST 11 Shaggin’ on the Cooper

Support local fisheries while you enjoy local seafood and live music at the Chics of the Sea fundraiser, which benefits the Shem Creek Fisheries Fleet. Tickets are $50 in advance and available at Karen’s Korner Frame and Art Gallery, 1405 Ben Sawyer Blvd. 1 to 6 p.m., Harborside East, 28 Bridgeside Blvd.

AUGUST 15 The Art of Jazz

The Absolutes jazz quartet is the featured artist for the Art of Jazz summer concert series at the Gibbes Museum of Art. The Absolutes are led by pianist Maxx Bradley, a College of Charleston music major, and saxophonist Kevin Patton, who graduated from College of Charleston.

Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready for summer and Shaggin’ on the Cooper!

Live music and a harbor breeze will fill the air. $8 in advance. 7 to 11 p.m., Mount Pleasant Pier. Visit ccprc.com.

Women’s Empowerment Fashion Show

Show off your pink, purple or white outfits while enjoying the colorful fashion show.

Dear Deanndra presents The Women’s Empowerment Fashion Show to raise money and awareness for women who are coping with domestic violence. $15 in advance. 5 to 8 p.m. Inspired by Annette events, 7910 Dorchester Road. Visit deardeanndra.com.

AUGUST 12 MOTOWN: The Groove that Changed America

Get your groove on and dance to favorites from classic Motown artists. The live performance will feature the Charleston Jazz Orchestra and vocalist Quiana Parler. Tickets are $25. 7:30 to 9 p.m., East Beach Conference Center, Kiawah Island

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SHAGGIN’ ON THE COOPER

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY OF CHARLESTON MUSIC HALL; GARY COLEMAN; COURTESY OF VOLVO CAR STADIUM

AUGUST 3-5

$25 for non-members. 6 to 7 p.m. at the Gibbes Museum of Art, 135 Meeting St. Visit gibbesmuseum.org.

AUGUST 16 Gay Bingo

LEFT TO RIGHT: JACK DURNIN; NFINITY INTERNATIONAL, LLC

The theme of this year’s fundraiser for Palmetto Community Care, formerly Lowcountry AIDS Services, is Rainbows, Unicorns and Glitter. The evening of fun and frivolity pairs with an important message—the HIV/AIDS epidemic is still affecting many in our community.

Tickets are $35 in advance. 6 to 9 p.m., Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St. Visit charlestongaybingo.org.

GAY BINGO

AUGUST 17 Mahogany Soul Presents: Janet Anthology of an Icon

Sing and dance the night away as Christian Smalls, Aisha Kenyetta, Zandrina Dunning and Essence Geddis sing Janet Jackson’s greatest hits.

Tickets are $12. 8:30 p.m. The Charleston Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway.

Visit charlestonpourhouse.com for tickets.

Moonlight Mixer

Shag the night away under the stars at the Folly Beach Pier, where DJ Jim Bowers will be spinning the hottest oldies and beach music for you all night long. $8 in advance. 7 to 11 p.m. Folly Beach Pier, 101 E. Artic Ave. Visit ccprc.com.

AUGUST 18 Ballpark Festival ofBeers

Enjoy live music while sampling from a selection of 100 American and international ales, stouts, lagers, pilsners and specialty brews at Joe Riley Park, 360 Fishburne St. Prices vary. 7 to 10 p.m.

Visit riverdogs.com.

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MAHOGANY SOUL

Grape Stomp Festival

Join in the harvest and stomping of grapes at one of Charleston’s only wineries. Visitors can stomp local muscadines for the grape stomping contest, compete in the Lucy look-alike contest and enjoy a funfilled day under the oaks. $10 per car in advance, $20 per car on the day of event.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Deep Water Vineyard, 6775 Bears Bluff Road, Wadmalaw Island.

Visit deepwatervineyard.com.

AUGUST 26 Reggae Jerk Festival

The Reggae Jerk Festival allows visitors to visit the beautiful Magnolia Plantation and Garden, get a taste of jerk chicken and learn the secret to preparing it while listening to Jamaican music.

Additional Caribbean foods will be available for purchase from vendors. Prices vary. 12 to 7 p.m.. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Road.

Visit magnoliaplantation.com.

AUGUST 29 SEPTEMBER 23 “Mamma Mia!”

Charleston Stage brings the international, feel-good, smash hit musical “Mamma Mia!” to the Dock Street Theatre for the first time. You’ll be singing ABBA’s magical hit songs including, “Dancing Queen,” “Money Money” and of course, the “Mamma Mia” right along with the cast. Ticket prices and showtimes vary.

Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. Visit charlestonstage.com.

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wellness

Close your eyes.

Take deep breaths.

Relax.

K

elly George’s favorite part of yoga class has always been the end, the Savasana, also known as corpse pose, when you lie on your back and completely relax your body and mind.

It might look easy, but it can be challenging to achieve the complete state of relaxation.

After Kelly was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 40 years old, she decided she needed to be more vigilant, that she needed more of the benefits of Savasana in her life, so she sought to learn more about meditation and wanted to learn from the best teacher. She eventually signed up to take a class with Deepak Chopra at the Chopra Center in California.

“I don’t think I ever had felt so great in my life,” Kelly says. She wondered, “Could I have been feeling this calm always?”

Kelly traveled back and forth from to California from Charleston for two years until she earned her teacher certification for meditation from the Chopra Center. She opened Still Soul Studio— modeled after meditation studios in New York and Los Angeles—a little more than a year ago.

Kelly says she was the least likely person anyone would have thought would open a meditation studio. She describes herself as having a driven, Type

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A personality. She went to New York soon after she graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill to get her master’s in counseling and industrial organization and pursed a corporate job in career counseling, assisting companies going CRYSTALS CAN BE USED FOR HEALING.

through reorganizations and people find new jobs.

She balances her work as a career counselor with running Still Soul Studio.

Kelly believes our society is suffering from an epidemic of stress. “I think it’s the epidemic of our time,” she says. “Our bodies aren’t equipped to handle it all.”

Our bodies are in constant fight-versus-flight mode, she says. We used to work and then we went home and we rested and recovered. Now, work is 24/7. There often is not time for the rest and recovery. Meditation, she says, is a way for us to push a pause button and let our bodies rest and recover.

She quotes Deepak, who often reminded his students, “We’re human beings. We’re not human doings.”

“Now, what I’m trying to do is more being,” Kelly says.

With Still Soul Studio, she’s created a space that is safe and comfortable for people to develop and practice mediation. You feel immediately more relaxed as you kick off your shoes and enter the upstairs refuge just off of bustling King Street. Kelly’s voice is comforting and soothing as she leads a packed room through a brief silent meditation, and you somehow are able to forget anyone else is with you and your neverending to-do list.

SAMANTHA FUENTES

By Shelley Hill Young

“ At 48, you can start a business, you can

learn something completely new, you can grow.”

Benefits of meditation go beyond simply relaxing, Kelly says. They can include lower blood pressure, less reliance on medication, more creativity, calmer focus, better sleep and the ability to be more present, and there are more and more studies that confirm the outcomes, Kelly says.

Kelly is drawn to meditation because of the equity of the practice. No matter your health, your age, your religion, you can access meditation and its benefits. Kelly, who is in her 50s, is grateful that she has been able to find herself in her late 40s and 50s and to keep growing. It’s made the stumbles along the way worth it, she says.

“At 48, you can start a business, you can l earn something completely new, you can grow,” she says.

Kelly says she hopes she’s modeling that for her 20-year-old daughter and for the people who come to her studio seeking peace. She says we’re so often told what our expectations should be. Instead, she says, we should “have the courage to see things differently and be open to where that might lead.” “When we need to summon up the courage, that’s the place where we need to explore.”

Willingway-topten-halfpage_04.pdf

1

7/24/18

STILL SOUL STUDIO RELOCATED TO 579 KING STREET IN DECEMBER.

7:31 PM

Now Accepting TRICARE!

Your Recovery Starts Here.

Over 45

years of compassionate alcohol and drug treatment in beautiful Statesboro, Georgia.

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» Inpatient » Short-term Inpatient » Family Week Program » Outpatient » Extended Treatment Services » After Care » Most Insurance Plans Accepted

For more information about Willingway, please call 800 242 9455 or visit www.willingway.com

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skirt . | august 2018 33

wellness

Stretch, Squat, Dance, Run, Breathe, Repeat NOW OPEN Barre South has opened its second studio at 99 Westedge St. Visit barresouth.com.

YOGA AND WINE ON AUGUST 27

FRIDAYS

AUGUST 12

Downward on the Deck POHO Yoga Presented by Evolve Holistic Health and Fitness 3 p.m. at Charleston Pour House 977 Maybank Highway Visit charlestonpourhouse.com. $10

Points and Poses: Acupuncture + Yoga 1 to 3 p.m. at Community Yoga 815 Savannah Highway Visit charlestoncommunityyoga.com. $35

SPECIAL EVENTS Pure Barre at The Restoration 6 to 7 p.m at The Restoration 75 Wentworth St. Visit facebook.com/events.

Dancefx $5 Drop in Week Try any class for $5 at Dancefx Charleston.

700 King Street Suite C Visit dancefxcharleston.org.

AUGUST 8

AUGUST 23

AUGUST 7

RACE FOR THE ARC ON AUGUST 25

WEEKLY SUNDAYS Yoga of 12-Step Recovery 4:30 p.m. at Serenity Now Yoga Studio 419 Hibben St., Mount Pleasant.

Visit serenitynowyoga.net.

TUESDAYS Free Yoga in the Park Hosted by King of Pops 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

Riverfront Park, North Charleston

Downtown CHS Summer Run Club Lululemon King Street and Orangetheory Fitness host a 5k run through downtown Charleston.

6 to 7:30 p.m. at lululemon Charleston 279 King St. Visit facebook.com/events.

AUGUST 11 Sacred Bliss Women’s Circle Participate in a guided meditation and use essential oils, gemstones and journaling to harness moon energy and gain clarity on your purpose.

4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Barefoot Yoga Studio 1050 East Montague Ave. B Visit barefootyogastudiosc.com. $25

AUGUST 19 - AUGUST 25

On the Rocks with Sarah Charleston Power Yoga’s On the Rocks series highlights local women entrepreneurs.

This month features Allison Williamson of Charleston Artist Collective. Enjoy a works class followed by drinks and bites.

5:30 to 8 p.m. at Charleston Artist Collective 414 Whilden St. Visit charlestonpoweryoga.com. $55

AUGUST 25 Race for the ARK Benefits Alzheimer’s Family Support Services 7 to 11 a.m. at 206 Central Ave., Summerville Visit thearkofsc.org. Prices vary Getting The Love That You Want 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at French Quarter Inn 166 Church St. Visit thesophiainstitute.org. $695 per couple

AUGUST 27 Yoga & Wine 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Edmund’s Oast 1505 King St. Visit carynohara.com/events. $18

AUGUST 29 DANCEFX $5 DROP IN WEEK

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Wellness Wednesday with Still Soul Studio 9 to 10 a.m. at Basic Kitchen 82 Wentworth St. Visit basickitchen.com.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: @BONAFIDEPRODUCTIONS ; VALERIE SAUERS; KATE MORRISON AND TIFFANY HICKS

The best way to stay healthy and ensure you’ll feel your best, no matter your age? Take time for yourself and keep moving. Reach, stretch, breathe, meditate. You’ll be amazed at what your body can do. No limits.

social

Clockwise top left: Skirt executive editor Shelley Young, contributor Helen Mitternight and Megan Deschaine, bar manager at The Macintosh, enjoy appetizers and cocktails; Peach salad by Emily Hahn at The Getaway; Author Candice Herriott gives Shelley Young a signed copy of her new book; Vinson Petrillo of Zero George Restaurant makes lobster rolls with caviar on top; Sugar Bakeshop’s Carolina Peach Upside Down Cake; Leila Schardt of Embers and Ashes catering serves kabobs to guests.

TOP LEFT AND TOP MIDDLE: FERRIS KAPLAN; STEPHEN BLACKMON

06.24.18 “Provisions to Plate: A CHARLESTON SEASONAL COLLECTIVE” BOOK LAUNCH PARTY

Hosted by Author Candice Townsend at Bowens Island Restaurant To launch her first book, Candice Herriott (soon-to-be Townsend), who is known as the Charleston Food Writer, held a dinner party at Bowens Island Restaurant. Guests enjoyed light bites from the chefs, farms and restaurants featured in the book, refreshing cocktails from mixologist Megan Deschaine, live music from the Blue Stone Ramblers and gorgeous views of the sunset over the river and marsh. The book is available on the Charleston Food Writer website at chsfoodwriter.com.

Left to right: Julie Davis of SC Sea Grant Consortium, Frank Roberts of Lady Island Oysters, Joe DiMaio of The Darling Oyster Bar, Anthony DiBernardo of Swig & Swine, Cindy and Taylor Tarvin of Tarvin Seafood, Tito Marino and Leila Schardt of Embers and Ashes, Blair Machado of Poogan’s Porch, Brad Grozis of Wild Olive, Vinson Petrillo of Zero George Resturaunt, author Canidce Herriott, Megan Deschaine, of The Macintosh, Matt Larsen, Emily Hahn of The Getaway, Hope McIntosh of Bowens Island Restaurant, John Warren of Spade & Clover Farm, Shuai Wang of Short Grain and Robert Barber of Bowens Island Resturaunt. ,

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don’t

the issue

Age is just a number.

You are never too young or too old to..

Listen to music,

Watch the sunrise or the sunset, Appreciate beauty, Eat fresh fruits and veggies, And indulge in ice cream, Make new friends or reach out to old ones, Connect with someone of another generation, Share your story, Donate to a cause you support, Learn something new, Change your mind, Laugh, Meditate, Stretch, Take a nap, Say, “I love you,” Be kind, Show gratitude.

– Shelley Hill Young

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Primary Care

MUSC AD

N E

W S

Bringing the best medicine closer to you.

Just down the street, there’s an MUSC Health primary care doctor who sees patients for wellness visits, acute illnesses and chronic disease management. Our internal and family medicine providers and pediatricians all come with the power of a nationally recognized academic medical center. This offers you and your family the most advanced medicine, latest technology, and access to over 700 specialists.

To make an appointment, call 843-792-7000 or go to MUSChealth.org/appointments.

MUSChealth.org/primary-care Changing What’s Possible

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EXPERIENCE OUR STORY. TICKETS ON SALE / AUGUST 29, 2018 @ 8:00 AM

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