December 2017 skirt!

TA K E O N E

DECEMBER

CHARLESTON, SC

ESCAPE THE ORDINARY

Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me. Say hello when you pass someone on a busy sidewalk. Open a door for a stranger whose hands are full.

Drop some change in a Salvation Army red bucket on your way out of a store.

Buy a Christmas tree at the BOGO tree lot in Mount Pleasant and help spread holiday cheer to a family in need. Be a secret Santa. Adopt a family. Bake fresh cookies and take coffee, lots of coffee, to your co-workers. Prepare warm food for someone who is alone. Give generously to your favorite charity. Gather with friends and family. Be present. Listen to someone with a different opinion at the dinner table and try to put yourself in their shoes, just for a minute. Be thankful.

Sing and dance. Set goals for how you can make a difference in the new year.

Be someone who brings comfort and joy and inspires hope. Enjoy a silent night.

Pray for peace everywhere.

Cover Art: Danielle Fabrega

“ Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart and hand in hand �

DR. SEUSS

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Primary Care

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, go to MUSChealth.org/ appointments or call 843-792-7000.

MUSChealth.org/primary-care

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Changing What’s Possible

843-792-7000

skirt!magazine decemberw2017

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THE

ISSUE

on Earth ISSUE

| DECEMBER

Dear readers, Are you ready for the holidays? If you’re like me, you’ve made a long to-do list. And you haven’t gotten around to checking it twice. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and jingle and jangle and feel a little like a Grinch at the end of the year. Time to get into the holiday spirit.

For those of you who, like us, are stressed out by holiday pressures, end-of-the-year work deadlines and recent news events, we talk with two experts about different ways to manage stress and achieve inner peace. Take some time to slow down, reflect on what is meaningful and be present this holiday season. Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.

During this season of giving, we share ways you can help children and families in need. And skirt! blogger Aly Murphy shares her 30-day kindness challenge for children from her new book, “The Manners Contract.” We think adults should participate as well.

2017

F E AT U R E S Holiday Gift Guide ..............................13-17 Peace on Earth .......................................21-23 Kindness Matters ....................................... 27 Deck the Halls, Walls & More ........ 30 Keeping it Juicy ...............................................32

We also wanted to help you, our readers, get what you want from your significant others. We offer do’s and don’ts for the man in your life in case he needs a little guidance while doing his holiday shopping. May we suggest leaving a skirt! magazine open to our gift guide where your S.O. will see it?

Maybe circle the items you’d like to find wrapped under the tree. We believe in not-so-subtle hints.

If you’re still doing your own holiday shopping, consider giving the gift of an experience rather than a big thing that might go unused. We feature several local experiences we think friends and family members would love to receive as gifts.

And Sarah, our talented art director, shows you easy ways to deck your halls. I’m not very crafty, but I’m definitely making the oyster Christmas tree she shows us how to create.

As always, the most inspiring thing we do each month is sit down with amazing women in our community. In this issue, we talk with Angela Mack, executive director of the Gibbes Museum of Art, about how she’s learning to stand in someone else’s shoes and see issues from a different point of view. And we talk with Swank Desserts owner Danetra Richardson about why desserts should be more than an afterthought.

Also, skirt! blogger Helen Mitternight tells us why we should resolve to live juicy, no matter how old we are.

We wish you comfort and joy during this holiday season and in the new year.

Peace, love and skirt!

Shelley Hill Young Editor 6

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IN THIS ISSUE Theme ..................................................................12 Profiles .............................................................11, 24 skirt! Community ..........................................26 He’s So Original ...............................................35 skirt! Social ........................................................36 Calendar ...............................................................37 skirt! Vintage .....................................................38

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PUBLISHER Thomas J. Giovanniello, Jr. thomas.giovanniello@morris.com EDITOR Shelley Hill Young shelley.young@morris.com ART DIRECTOR Sarah Kravchuk sarah.kravchuk@morris.com CIRCULATION, MARKETING & EVENT MANAGER Susan Norfleet susan.norfleet@morris.com PHOTOGRAPHY Jenn Cady Libby Williams CONTRIBUTOR Helen Mitternight ADVERTISING sales: 843.958.0028 sales@skirt.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MORRIS MEDIA NETWORK Tina Battock

COVER ARTIST DANIELLE FABREGA

of The Town Serif

Danielle is the owner and creative director of The Town Serif, a Charleston-based calligraphy, design and illustration studio. After years of working in advertising, Danielle started The Town Serif in 2016 to service the wedding industry as a calligrapher and hand-lettering artist.The design studio has rapidly expanded to include product design, illustration and workshops.

Danielle lives in Mount Pleasant with her husband and two children. She teaches lettering and calligraphy workshops in the Charleston area. You can find her products online in her Etsy shop and at select local retailers.

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/TheTownSerif Instagram: @thetownserif

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skirt! is published monthly and distributed free throughout the greater Charleston area. skirt! reserves the right to refuse to sell space for any advertisement the staff deems inappropriate for the publication. All content 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© 2017.

Morris Media Network. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher. skirt!® is a registered trademark of Morris Media Network.

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all about the face HappyHolidays from

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PROFILE

DANETRA RICHARDSON S WA N K D E S S E RT S , O W N E R

When Danetra Richardson goes to a restaurant, the first thing she looks at is the dessert menu. She recently celebrated her birthday at Edmund’s Oast. She ordered two desserts — a white chocolate coconut cheesecake with passion fruit and a milk chocolate cake with yuzu and caramelized bananas — and, she says, she wished she could order all five on the menu.

Danetra, who owns Swank Desserts, appreciates creative desserts that are more than just an afterthought on a menu.

“I wish we had more of that,” Danetra says. “That’s why I started my company. I wanted to be the change I was seeking.”

By far her favorite dessert in Charleston is The Gin Joint’s peanut butter bar, which has a Pop Rocks candy topping.

It inspired Danetra to create her Chocolate Cherry Pop Macarons, which are filled with a dark chocolate ganache, cherry puree and cherry popping candy. She created her ode to chocolate-covered cherries for Valentine’s Day, but they’ve become her signature dessert and a staple on her menu. During the holidays, Danetra also offers champagne macarons, which have popping candy in the center to create the bubbly sensation of champagne.

For Swank Desserts, Danetra focuses on two-tier wedding cakes and dessert bars for weddings and events. After Thanksgiving, Danetra features her champagne macarons as well as gingerbread eggnog macarons and gift boxes, which include the seasonal macarons, brownies and a small bottle of champagne.

Danetra got her start in the kitchen of Magnolias and then worked at Kiawah’s Ocean Course Clubhouse.Though she was cooking savory foods, she knew she eventually wanted to open her own dessert business, in part because she saw an unfulfilled need in Charleston. While working at Kiawah, she started baking things at home and posting them on Facebook. Eventually, she says, her business became more consistent and she knew if she wanted to grow, it was time for her to go out on her own. She was just 26 when she started the web-based business.

“There’s no better feeling than being able to run my own show and control my own schedule, Danetra says. “That motivates me to keep going.”

Danetra has a list of 30 things she wants to do before she turns 30 next September. There’s a trip to a resort to relax and a trip out of the country to explore. But at the top of her list is having a space secured for her brick-and-mortar location. She plans to offer doughnuts, macaron ice cream sandwiches and more plated desserts. She doesn’t want to call it a bakery. She doesn’t drink coffee and says she’s going for more of a “sexy, relaxing vibe rather than an early morning on-the-go vibe.”

Danetra specializes in creative, different and unexpected sweets. For weddings, she’s done a brown butter maple bacon wedding cake and a s’mores wedding cake. Don’t ask her for something simple.

“I had to learn to be OK with my company not being for everyone,” she says. “I did not start my company to be simple.”

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Give a little bit H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E

Give a little bit of what she wants 1.

2.

ATTENTION, MEN: Whether you’ve just started dating or you’ve been married for 25 years, buying a gift for your significant other can be tricky. Wrap up the trendy Hot Pot that’s on her wish list, and you risk sending the message that you expect her in the kitchen.

She might say she’d like a Hot Pot, but trust us, she doesn’t want it from you. Leave that to her mother or sister or a friend.

On the other hand, if your S.O. is artsy and says she wants a sliding compound miter saw? Get it for her.

Doesn’t sound romantic, but it feeds her passion.

Lesson No. 1: Context and perspective matter.

3.

4.

Follow our handy guide to select a gift that will keep you off the naughty list. Or consult our list of curated items that are sure to bring her joy.

DO pay attention. Your S.O. is dropping hints about what she wants under the tree from you, even if she isn’t intending to. She’s had a stressful month at work.

Buy her a gift card for a massage. She says she has nothing to wear to an upcoming event. Buy her a gift card to her favorite boutique. You’ve recently moved and there’s no furniture on your porch. Buy her a rocking chair and a bottle wine she can drink while relaxing in it. Still uncertain? There’s no rule that says you can’t ask her what she wants.

6.

5.

DON’T worry if the gift is not a surprise. If your significant other offers you gift suggestions, thank her for making your life easier and go buy her something from her list. If you were hoping to surprise her, you can also buy a smaller gift that you pick out.

DO give it a little thought and some research, if necessary. What does your S.O. love to do? Does she take lots of photos with her iPhone? Consider giving her a digital camera so she can hone her skills. Does she find cooking relaxing? Fine. Go ahead and give her the handcrafted cast-iron skillet. Considering clothes or jewelry? Make sure you know her sizes and whether she prefers silver or gold.

8.

DON’T wait until Christmas Eve. Everything is picked over and all the salespeople just want to go home and be with their families.

DO make it special. Take the time to wrap it. Attach a personal note and tell her how much you appreciate her.

DON’T spend more money than you can afford. Just make it thoughtful and personal. A framed photo of the two of you says you love her company. Or give her your time and attention. Cook dinner for her. Arrange for her to sleep late.

Still stumped? We scouted some of our favorite stores for items that many women love – handbags, jewelry, shoes and champagne!

7.

H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E

10.

11.

9.

13.

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16.

14.

15.

1. LIZZIE FORTUNATO CRATER EARRINGS in metallic, $185, Available at Hampden Clothing, 314 King St. | 2. CLUB BRACELET, $6,300, Available exclusively at Croghan’s Jewel Box, 308 King St. * Can be engraved | 3. PROENZA SCHOULER MEDIUM HAVA TOP HANDLE BAG in cardinal, $1,950, Available at Hampden Clothing, 314 King St. | 4. JAHDE MADE ATLANTIC CUFF, $100, Available at Jahde Leather Atelier, 68 Queen St. | 5. JAHDE MADE COLUMBUS COLLAR, $180, Available at Jahde Leather Atelier, 68 Queen St. | 6. WHITE GOLD RING with 1.21 Carat Emerald, $8,750, Available exclusively at Croghan’s Jewel Box, 308 King St. | 7. CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA AND VEUVE CLICQUOT LA GRANDE DAME GIFT SET, $175, Available at Wine & Company, 441 Meeting St. | 8. CANDY SHOP VINTAGE KELLY GREEN RICE BEADS, $65, Available at Candy Shop Vintage, 9 Cannon St. * $20 from the purchase of each green necklace goes to MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital | 9. BARRACUDA MOON NECKLACE made with hammered 14 karat gold crescent piece and tumbled Labradorite stone, $122, Available at barracudamoon.com | 10. WHITLEY V HEMATITE CRYSTAL EARRINGS WITH CRYSTAL QUARTZ STONES, $40, Available at Copper Penny, 280 W. Coleman Blvd., 1128 Belk Drive or 311 King St. | 11. PARISA WANG ADDICTED BRACELET BAG, $175 Available at Shoes on King, 335 King St. | 12. BRACKISH FEATHER EARRINGS, $95 Available at the Preservation Society of Charleston Shop, 147 King St. | 13. 32-OUNCE HEALTHY HUMAN CRUISER IN MIRAGE, $39.99 Available healthyhumanlife.com | 14. EMMY LONDON’S CILLIA IN BLACK AND GOLD, $815, Available exclusively in South Carolina at Mason Hosker, 17 State St. | 15. ANN PAIGE DESIGNS RED TASSEL AND GOLD HALF CIRCLE EARRINGS, $33.75, Available at Henry & Eva 628 Coleman Blvd. | 16. YOLOHA CORK YOGA WHEEL, $119, Available at yolohayoga.com

Give a little bit of an experience

Struggling to find the right gift for the person who has everything, or just want to surprise someone special with something different? Give the gift of an unforgettable experience. Create memories. Post photos on Instagram. The recipient is sure to appreciate your thoughtfulness far more than if you wrapped an ugly sweater and put it under the tree. Hint, hint.

THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE AT THE CHARLESTON MUSIC HALL $85 to $250 per seat Available at charlestonmusichall.com/best-friendprogram until Dec. 22 Give the gift of music. The Best Friend program allows you the opportunity to buy the best seats in designated sections 24 hours before the general public for all shows announced after Dec. 22 for an entire year. You’ll also get a limitededition Best Friend T-shirt and sticker.

SINGLE SESSION TICKETS TO THE VOLVO CAR OPEN March 31-April 8, $25 to $80 per person Available at volvocaropen.com Enjoy a day of world-class tennis. Terrace and grandstand tickets are available for all rounds of the tournament.

CUSTOM FLY-IN HELICOPTER TOUR $185 per person Available at flyinhelicopters.com Go on a customized helicopter tour over Charleston. When you’re back on ground at the landing zone, enjoy a romantic sunset picnic.

DINNER AND A SHOW AT DOCK STREET THEATRE $175 per person Available at charlestonstage.com Enjoy dinner at either The Drawing Room at The Venue or High Cotton followed by a show at the historic Dock Street Theatre.

Charleston Stage’s upcoming productions include “Avenue Q” and “Shakespeare in Love.”

H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP TO THE GIBBES MUSEUM OF ART $125 for a family Available at www.gibbesmuseum.org Gift the gift of art appreciation. A family can enjoy free admission for one year, plus invitations to members-only exhibitions, opening receptions and special events. Members also enjoy a 10 percent discount to the museum store and special member shopping days.

PRIVATE SAILING CHARTER $545 to $1,455, depending on the number of guests Available at aqua-safaris.com Charter the Serena, a 50-foot classic sailing vessel, from Aqua-Safaris for a four-hour tour of the Charleston Harbor for as many as 20 friends.

SUPPER PACKAGE FOR CHARLESTON WINE & FOOD $960 per couple Available at charlestonwineandfood.com Buy a Supper package for Charleston Wine & Food and you get into two sold-out events: Noteworthy, which is curated by FIG’s Mike Lata and Gramercy Tavern’s Michael Anthony, and Shucked, where oysters take center stage. In addition, you get tickets to Winederlust, where you can sip wines from crisp blancs to bold reds.

The package also includes access to the culinary village Sunday.

TICKETS TO DARIUS RUCKER BIG BAND CONCERT $50-$150 per person Available at gaillardcenter.org Listen to hometown favorite Darius Rucker perform the songs of Frank Sinatra on Feb. 7 at the Gaillard Center and give back to the community. Some of the proceeds benefit the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.

SURFING LESSONS $260 a person Available at islasurfschool-charleston.com Learn to catch a wave with five private lessons from the Isla Surf School at Folly Beach.

VIP TICKETS TO THE LOWCOUNTRY OYSTER FESTIVAL $100 per person Available at charlestonrestaurantassociation.com Get access to the VIP tented area with tables and chairs and unlimited oysters, food and beverages at the Lowcountry Oyster Festival on Jan. 28 at Boone Hall Plantation.

CELEBRATING WOMEN WITH ATTITUDE

Cut out this calendar to remember to pick up a copy of skirt! the first of each month.

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WHERE WILL YOU HIBERNATE THIS WINTER?

• Sales and Rentals in the Historic District and BEYOND • 11-A Isabella Street • Charleston • 843-577-3193 • fax 877-241-6941 melaina@pateproperties.com • www.pateproperties.com 20

decemberw2017 skirt!magazine

for the holidays

Oh there’s no place like home

Charleston

wheretraveler.com/charleston

on Earth Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me. That’s the refrain we’re repeating to ourselves this holiday season. Our holiday wish list this year includes achieving inner peace and helping to make our little part of the world a better place.

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sleep

LOVE

breathe

Let There BE

Peace on Earth AND LET IT BEGIN WITH ME B Y S H E L L E Y H I L L YO U N G

The holidays are supposed to bring silent nights and tidings of comfort and joy. But creating that holiday spirit and spreading that cheer takes a lot of work, and it can be stressful. Holidays can usher in all kinds of stress: dealing with finances, hosting friends and family that you might not see often, making the holidays perfect for children and end-of-the-year work deadlines.

Let’s be honest here. There are times when all of us feel overwhelmed, when we know the stress is having a negative impact on our work and our relationships.

So before there’s too much more hustle and bustle and decking the halls, we want you to take a timeout from holly jolly and jingle bells for just a minute and reflect on your wellbeing.

We talked with a couple of experts on how to manage stress, and how to recognize when you’re feeling overwhelmed and might need help.

PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS MEANINGFUL We all know we’re supposed to eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and avoid drinking too much caffeine and alcohol. What’s difficult is following all that advice when time is already short and plates are already full. That’s when the stressful feelings tend to snowball out of control, making it seemingly more difficult to regain much-needed balance and perspective.

That’s when it can help to practice mindfulness techniques to help you focus on the present. “When we’re anxious, we kinda focus on the past or we’re worrying about the future,” says Alyssa Rheingold, a clinical psychologist and an associate director of the sleep and anxiety treatment program at MUSC’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

“Paying attention to what is meaningful and what you value can help you see the big picture.”

She also suggests having a notepad next to your bed. Writing your thoughts down when they wake you up at night can “free your mind, just a little bit.”

“Putting it down on paper can help distance yourself and look at it from a different perspective,” Alyssa says.

She says while stress is a response to an event, anxiety is your body’s response to stress. Anxiety is fueled by feelings of apprehension, nervousness and fear.

If managing your stress or anxiety begins to feel overwhelming and interferes with your ability to lead a meaningful life, that’s a sign that you need to seek some treatment, Alyssa says.

If the stress reduction techniques don’t work, it might be time to consider reframing your thoughts and changing how you respond to some situations. Alyssa notes that people who are experiencing anxiety may isolate themselves or do other things that may exacerbate the problem. There may be a tendency to try to predict the future or think in catastrophic terms.

Ask yourself: How would you advise a friend who is dealing with the same situation? “If your answer is different (from how you are reacting), that might be a sign that there’s some distortion.”

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yoga exercise PEACE

EAT

healthy

SHAKE IT OFF AND INCREASE YOUR CAPACITY FOR COMPASSION When we saw Mission Yoga was hosting a workshop focused on stress, resilience, and tension and trauma releasing exercises, or TRE, we had to reach out to instructor Rachel Keener, who co-founded the Trauma Recovery Alliance in Asheville, North Carolina.

Rachel says that burnout from “being expected to be in so many places and doing so many things at one time” is one of the biggest reasons people tell her they are seeking help managing stress. She explains that often our bodies can get stuck in the fight-or-flight response to stress. “It’s kind of like having your foot on the gas all the time.” The tension-relieving exercises can allow us to rebalance our bodies so when the stress is gone we feel calmer and more focused.

Rachel leads people through a series of movements that allow the body to release deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma by stimulating a gentle, involuntary, shaking response. The idea behind the tension-relieving exercises, or TRE, is that after a traumatic event our bodies are supposed to release the tension through shaking and tremoring. This is the healing response that is observed in other mammals after a traumatic event. But, Rachel explains, humans have been conditioned to believe shaking is a sign of weakness, so we tend to tense up even more, unconsciously preventing our bodies from releasing the stress. Activating the shaking allows us to return to a state of calm and relaxation, according to the theory. Rachel says you feel as if you are shaking off surface stress, but the shaking is only enough to be re-energizing and not depleting.

Rachel shares the example of a woman she has worked with who received a call from her boss while she was in an airport. Something had gone wrong at work, and her boss was upset.The woman felt herself begin to tremor. Instead of trying to stop it, she took a deep breath and listened to her boss. She said she was able to think clearly, communicate without placing blame and talk calmly through solutions. In the past, the woman said her instincts and emotions might have taken over and she would have been more defensive.

“There’s no way to get away from triggers or difficult experiences, so the idea is it’s not so much that we avoid those things but that we have tools and resources to be able to engage with them in different ways,” Rachel says.

That’s resilience.

“It’s really empowering,” Rachel says.

In her own life, she’s been able to be more spontaneous and more open to laughter and joy. She says when your brain isn’t focused on your response to stress, other areas of it can be used. “That’s really a life-expanding experience.”

After leading people through the tension-relieving exercises, Rachel talks about the importance of compassionate self-care. She says people often try to protect themselves by minimizing their experience and telling themselves that it’s not that bad. Compassion, she says, comes from a place of wanting to relieve suffering. Once you take steps to heal, “the thing that opens up for us is to be able to look at the communities around us and be able to recognize the pain or experiences of other people.”

WHERE TO GO TO RELIEVE STRESS Mission Yoga, 125 Spring St. Stress, resilience, and tension and trauma releasing exercises with Rachel Keener 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9, $85, wearemissionyoga.com/events Reverb Yoga, 1503 King St. Reverb is offering classes tailored to the busy holiday season, $15 for a drop-in session Comfort and Joy sessions will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to (jingle bell) rock 5:30 p.m. Sundays, 7 p.m. Mondays, 6 p.m. Tuesdays Detox and Decompress classes promise an instrumental, super-chill playlist, breathing exercises for stress reduction and a bonus restorative pose prior to savanna, 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. Fridays For more information, visit reverbcharleston.com.

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F E AT U R E P R O F I L E : A N G E L A M A C K

ART MUSEUM DIRECTOR

on the ‘aha moments’ she’s had at diversity institute There’s the old expression “put yourself in someone else’s shoes.” But how often do you take the time to consider what that means and actually think and feel from another person’s point of view? Angela Mack, the executive director of the Gibbes Museum of Art, says that’s what she’s learning at the Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative.

“There have been some amazing aha moments listening to other people’s approaches to culture and the culture of our region, which has its tremendous burdens in terms of enslaved people,” Angela says.

The Riley Institute brings about 40 leaders from the Lowcountry together each fall to discuss challenges around diversity and identify ways to make a difference in the community. Participants are nominated to attend.The institute’s mission is to help community leaders identify blind spots, learn how to suspend assumptions and break down barriers that hinder progress.

Angela says museums are cultural organizations that should be for everyone in the community. She says the Gibbes strives to create a comprehensive context for the works it presents. But, she says, you have to look beyond the written word and try to understand how the history of the region impacts people today.

So far, Angela says she’s learned that there’s a much wider disparity in ways people interpret history today than she thought. “There’s still very deep feelings about certain aspects of our history, which is extremely important and should be talked about,” she says.

Angela, who has worked at the art museum since 1981 and served as director since 2008, says art can play a role in sparking those conversations about race and diversity and fostering understanding. She points to a 2008 exhibit called “Landscape of Slavery: The Plantation in American Art,” which she organized when she was deputy director of curatorial affairs.The exhibit brought together for the first time the images of plantations and asked how that imagery has affected race relations for centuries.

“It was fairly controversial,” Angela recalls. “But, at the same breath, it got a lot of people talking. Of the many, many exhibitions that the Gibbes has done over the years, the visitors to that particular show were the most diverse that we have ever had. … It was extremely gratifying. People really came together for conversation.”

Angela says she’d love to expand that exhibit in the future to include Central and South America and the Caribbean to reflect that slavery was a global economy in the 18th and 19th centuries.

“It would broaden the whole concept of slavery as a global economy for a period of time. It’s all intertwined,” she says. “Looking at North America and what happened in the American South is important, but it’s also important to see the even larger picture.”

Angela, a Spartanburg native, is not one to shy away from a challenge. As a female in a leadership role, she says “any attitudes I have picked up on have only made me more determined.” She views herself like a lot of women: “You put a challenge in front of them and they just use it to strengthen themselves and overcome it.”

She says she is particularly inspired by the community project she is working on with a smaller group of peers at the Riley Institute. Working with the group, many of whom had not met before, requires you to listen to different points of view and make compromises.

“It’s a microcosm of how the world should work,” she says. “It’s just so gratifying to see that in process. … “It can happen and it can happen with people who have completely different backgrounds, as long as you are willing to come to the table with an open mind and respect the other person. It’s really quite amazing.”

ANGELA MACK, the executive director of the Gibbes Museum of Art, helped curate the 2008 exhibit called “Landscape of Slavery: The Plantation of American Art,� which brought together images of plantations in the American South from the 18th century until modern day. The exhibit and accompanying book raised the question of how the imagery has affected race relations.

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

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community HOW TO

DURING A SEASON OF GIVING

LOWCOUNTRY ORPHAN RELIEF

Lowcountry Orphan Relief provides support to children who have been abandoned, abused or neglected or are at-risk of abuse. The organization works directly with other nonprofits, schools, foster parents and government agencies to identify the individual needs of children. Lowcountry Orphan Relief believes that no child should be without the basic necessities in life, regardless of their circumstances.

WAYS TO GIVE Stuff a stocking from the Lowcountry Orphan Relief stocking tree. Lowcountry Orphan Relief will provide donors with stockings with a child’s age and gender. The stocking comes with a wish list valued at about $75 and includes four items for LOR’s distribution center and a Walmart or Target gift card. Stockings can be picked up at LOR’s office at 1850 Truxtun Ave., North Charleston, and must be dropped off by Dec. 15. If you would like to support a child in need this holiday season, email Christina@lorkids.org to let her know how many stockings you'd like to sponsor.

Support Lowcountry Orphan Relief ’s Foster the Future program. LOR offers a summer camp for children ages 12 to 18. Campers learn basic financial literacy, creative writing, animal conservation, job interview skills and social skills. To support the summer camp for at-risk teenagers, make a donation at www.lowcountryorphanrelief.org.

EAST COOPER COMMUNITY OUTREACH

East Cooper Community Outreach helps individual and families with services including food, clothing, emergency financial assistance, medical and dental care, counseling, educational opportunities, job preparedness and holiday initiatives.

WAYS TO GIVE Adopt a family and provide gifts to children in need. Visit adoptafamilyecco.eventbrite.com to select a family and view the wish list, including clothing sizes. Purchase the items and drop off the unwrapped gifts from Dec. 7-Dec. 16 at ECCO’s Santa Closet, 1129 Oakland Market Road, Mount Pleasant. Hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Monday -Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

When you purchase a Christmas tree from the BOGO Christmas Tree lot at 1735 North Highway 17, Mount Pleasant, you’re helping a family celebrate the holidays. The lot owners are partnering with ECCO and Operation Fir to deliver 100 trees and new decorating kits to qualifying families in the tri-county area.

After 100 trees are donated, lot owners will donate family-sized holiday hams to families.

ONE80 PLACE

One80 Place works to end homelessness one person at a time and one family at a time. One80 Place provides shelter and medical and legal services to the homeless until they can find a place to live. The organization works with public partners and private landlords to find homes for the people it serves.

WAYS TO GIVE One80 Place needs items for its move-in kits, which are provided to individuals and families once they find a home. Items in the move-in kits include: KITCHEN KIT

Basic set of pots and pans Set of dishes and cups Kitchen utensil set Kitchen knife Can opener Measuring cup, Mixing bowl Plastic storage containers Dish cloths

LINEN KIT

One twin sheet set One queen sheet set Four pillows Four towels

Call 843-737-8369 to arrange delivery of your items to One80 Place.

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CLEANING KIT

Broom, dust pan and mop Laundry basket and detergent Trash can All-purpose cleaner Cleaning cloths

kindness matters Skirt! blogger Aly Murphy just launched a children’s book, “The Manners Contract,” which is illustrated by artist Tate Nation. The book reminds little ones that “good manners are not only what we do and say, but they’re ways we can show kindness every single day.” We think her 30-day checklist is a perfect example of how you can help teach children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews to spread kindness and promote peace.There’s no reason grown-ups can’t participate as well.

Check off each act of kindness as you go. p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p

Offer to wash a neighbor’s car.

Give a book to a friend.

Put flowers on a stranger’s windshield.

Send a thank-you note to a police officer.

Bake cupcakes for your babysitter.

Pick up trash at a local park.

Bake cookies for your local fire station.

Give everyone in your family a compliment.

Make a list of five things for which you are grateful.

Hold the door open for a stranger.

Put change in a parking meter.

Set the table for dinner.

Go out of your way to make a new friend.

Call your grandparents and tell them you love them.

Donate clothing to a thrift store.

Forgive someone who hurt you.

Offer to walk a neighbor’s pet.

Plant a tree.

Offer to carry a friend’s books.

Let someone behind you in line go ahead of you.

Leave a 100% tip.

Rake the yard.

Stand up for someone.

Hide money in a random place for strangers to find.

Smile at a stranger.

Volunteer at a homeless shelter.

Make someone laugh.

Ask how someone is feeling.

Thank someone who inspires you.

Make breakfast for the whole family.

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

ABOUT ALY

Alyson Murphy received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina and holds certifications in professional etiquette and advanced behavior analysis from the The Charleston School of Protocol and the Nonverbal Group in Manhattan.

BOOK SIGNING DECEMBER 16 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wonder Works Toys, Belle Hall Shopping Center 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Wonder Works, 975 Savannah Highway “The Manners Contract” is available on Amazon skirt!magazine decemberw2017

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LOVE

JOY

Put a little

love in your heart.

S E AS ON’ S G R EET IN G S FRO M A L L OF US AT

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MICHIEL PERRY MICHIEL PERRY Black Southern Belle

BLOGGERQ&A

Black Southern Belle

Why did you start blogging?

Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging because I was I started blogging because I was planning my wedding in Charleston planning my wedding in Charleston and decorating my first home in and decorating my first home in Maryland and could not find lifestyle Maryland and could not find lifestyle inspiration that was both rooted inspiration that was both rooted in Southern and African-American in Southern and African-American culture. This is exactly when I got the culture. This is exactly when I got the idea for Black Southern Belle. I never idea for Black Southern Belle. I never thought I would be a blogger but I'm thought I would be a blogger but I'm so glad that the idea fell right into so glad that the idea fell right into my lap after many nights of Pinterest my lap after many nights of Pinterest frustration. frustration.

Tell us about your vision for Black Southern Belle. How do you Tell us about your vision for Black Southern Belle. How do you see it growing in the future? see it growing in the future?

My vision for Black Southern Belle is to be the premier site showing My vision for Black Southern Belle is to be the premier site showing lifestyle inspiration from the African-American and Southern perspective. lifestyle inspiration from the African-American and Southern perspective.

I plan on adding a men’s focused site as well collegiate and children’s I plan on adding a men’s focused site as well collegiate and children’s focused extensions. focused extensions.

You write a lot about entertaining for skirt! Can you offer our You write a lot about entertaining for skirt! Can you offer our readers a few of your top holiday party planning tips? readers a few of your top holiday party planning tips?

Don’t be afraid to get some help, whether it is through family or friends Don’t be afraid to get some help, whether it is through family or friends or hiring a caterer. You don’t have to do it all. or hiring a caterer. You don’t have to do it all.

Always have more food than you need. Decor is wonderful but a happy Always have more food than you need. Decor is wonderful but a happy guest is always a guest with great food. guest is always a guest with great food.

Make sure you take some time to rest before your event, whether it Make sure you take some time to rest before your event, whether it is a 15-minute nap before guests arrive or a quick break on your front is a 15-minute nap before guests arrive or a quick break on your front porch. Hide away by yourself for a few minutes with a glass of wine so porch. Hide away by yourself for a few minutes with a glass of wine so you can be ready to entertain for the rest of the evening. you can be ready to entertain for the rest of the evening.

Our December issue is the Peace on Earth issue. Can you tell Our December issue is the Peace on Earth issue. Can you tell us how you try to find inner peace? Are there ways in which you us how you try to find inner peace? Are there ways in which you try to spread peace in your family, the community? try to spread peace in your family, the community?

I try to find inner peace by taking time to myself on Sunday afternoons.

I try to find inner peace by taking time to myself on Sunday afternoons.

As much as I love entertaining and hosting, I always need my me time.

As much as I love entertaining and hosting, I always need my me time.

This rest on Sunday allows me to be recharged and reflect on the week This rest on Sunday allows me to be recharged and reflect on the week and relax for the week to come. I try to spread peace in my family and and relax for the week to come. I try to spread peace in my family and community by offering to help when I see someone in need, especially community by offering to help when I see someone in need, especially the women in my life, who even though they are superheroes, deserve the women in my life, who even though they are superheroes, deserve to take a break as well. to take a break as well.

What do you want for Christmas from your significant other?

What do you want for Christmas from your significant other?

Bathroom shelves to organize our master bedroom. I love historic Bathroom shelves to organize our master bedroom. I love historic homes but large bathrooms are not their speciality. I also love any homes but large bathrooms are not their speciality. I also love any marble-inspired kitchen decor, especially candleholders. marble-inspired kitchen decor, especially candleholders.

Do you have any resolutions or goals for 2018?

Do you have any resolutions or goals for 2018?

Get more sleep and put my phone down. I am a reformed Washington, Get more sleep and put my phone down. I am a reformed Washington, D.C. workaholic so I am always trying to force myself to sleep and put D.C. workaholic so I am always trying to force myself to sleep and put my phone down. my phone down.

Why do you love skirt! magazine?

Why do you love skirt! magazine?

I love skirt! magazine because it supports the local Charleston I love skirt! magazine because it supports the local Charleston community and women of the Lowcountry. Being a Lowcountry community and women of the Lowcountry. Being a Lowcountry native, this magazine is a great resource for learning about news in native, this magazine is a great resource for learning about news in the area, and I love picking up a copy when I shop in the area. Not to the area, and I love picking up a copy when I shop in the area. Not to mention it is beautifully designed, and what Southerner doesn’t love mention it is beautifully designed, and what Southerner doesn’t love well-designed paper :) well-designed paper :) Editor’s note: skirt! magazine occasionally spotlights the inspiring women Editor’s note: skirt! spotlights the inspiring women who contribute to the magazine skirt! blog.occasionally Read their posts at skirt.com/blog. who contribute to the skirt! blog. Read their posts at skirt.com/blog.

Have yourself a Have very skinny yourself a Christmas

very skinny Christmas

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DECK THE HALLS of your home with the holiday cards you receive. Simply hang a piece of twine of your desired length. Secure with a nail or pushpin. Use small clothespins to hang the cards.

OYSTER SHELL TREE SUPPLIES

1 cardboard or paper machĂŠ cone 4 dozen oyster shells, more or less 1 starfish, available at craft stores 1 glue gun and glue sticks 1 bag of pearl beads 1 container of glitter (optional) 1 bottle of crafters glue (optional) DIRECTIONS

Start by washing off the oysters shells. A 50-50 mix of water and bleach will do the trick. Let shells completely dry. Starting at the base of the cone, glue shells one at a time around. Continue until the cone is completely covered. Use various sizes to fill in holes. Glue on a pearl bead in every other shell. Glue the starfish to the top of the tree. Want a little more glam? Brush on glue to the edges of the shells, then dip in gold, silver or green glitter before gluing to the cone. Place tree on top of a wreath or charger.

NEED A QUICK TACKY SWEATER Get out your glue gun, some old ornaments and bold colors of felt. Cut out holiday shapes and glue them to the sweater. Add pom poms, jingle bells or ornaments with a glue gun. Remember, the bolder the better!

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T H E H A L L S , WA L L S & M O R E Simple and sweet ideas to bring the holidays into your home from skirt! magazine’s art director, Sarah

STICK BUNDLES Gather sticks from your yard and bundle with twine or ribbon to add a touch of the outdoors to your home.

SWITCH OUT YOUR FRAMES

WRAPPED WITH LOVE

Looking for a simple, inexpensive way to bring the spirit of the holidays into every room of your home? Replace your framed artwork with holiday cards, bold wrapping paper or holiday fabrics.

Instead of using generic holiday gift tags, make your own. Include a personal message to the ones you love or a fun riddle that give a hint to what’s inside. Adorn your tag with ribbons, small ornaments or sprays of fresh pine.

FESTIVE PLACE SETTING Transform boring red napkins into the perfect holiday place setting. Gather napkins and utensils, securing with a piece of twine or holiday ribbon.

Add sprays of holiday berries and branches to complete this simple and elegnant look. Use a plaid scarf for a festive holiday table runner.

SIPS OF THE SEASON

MARSHMALLOW FRIENDS These cuties won’t melt, but they may melt your heart.

Attach two large marshmallows with a dab of frosting.

Cut mini pretzel sticks in half and use for arms and legs.

Untwist a Twizzler and cut into four-inch strips. Twist or tie at the center of the marshmallow for a scarf. Use frosting for eyes, buttons and mouth. Cut a small piece of candy Want corn more?for Visitthe us atnose. www.skirt.com

Elevate your holiday beverages by adding fresh spices, fruit and sugary spiced rims.

Cinnamon sticks and oranges go well with most ciders. Amp up your eggnog with a delicious spiced rum and garnish with a cinnamon-sugar rim.

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Keeping It Juicy

BY HELEN MITTERNIGHT

Does anyone remember the cult classic movie, “Harold and Maude?” If not, go see it. Netflix has it (DVD only).

Then, new things become too much trouble. Facebook? Nah, that’s for kids.

Technology? Eh, my phone is slow, but it’s not broken!

For those who haven’t seen it, it’s a movie about a May-December romance, only the guy is way May, and the woman is almost past December.

Next, new ideas are too hard. Why listen to people so obviously stupid, when I can just find news outlets that confirm my bias?

I saw it in college and there was a scene in which the young man’s priest is horrified and disgusted at imagining the young protagonist in an intimate embrace with the much-older woman, played by the inestimable Ruth Gordon. He shuddered at the thought of her wrinkled self up against the firm flesh of the young man.

And, finally? People become too much trouble. Anyone who looks, acts, or thinks differently, whether they are a different race or a different generation, are just too damned much trouble to figure out. Better to surround myself with people who echo my opinions so that I know my opinions are the right ones.

I found the thought exhilarating.

And then…death.

This, I thought at the time, this is how I want to age. Because the young man knew, as the priest did not, that the character of Maude was younger than he was. In the movie, she teaches him how to really live.

Maybe not physical death, but certainly the death of anything fresh or young or curious. It’s a get-off-my-lawn-you-kids way to live. It’s a dry way to live.

And, so, I resolve to live juicy.

I had Maude in mind when I started a podcast recently called, “Keep it Juicy.” The podcast is aimed at over-50s (like I am) who know how to squeeze every bit of juice out of life.

In my podcast, I talk to people who are experts at how to live a life more fully, either because they are subject experts or because they’re living the juicy life themselves. These are people who meditate, who fall in love and, yes, have sex, who run off to disaster areas to save animals.

For the longest time, I’ve been receiving unsolicited AARP mailings and I would toss them out without looking. I’m young, I thought. Of course, I am not young. I’m not even middle-aged unless you believe I will live to 110 or older. And I do not.

But I’m not old, either. Because, I know old. Old is what happens to some of my friends and family.

Here is what it looks like: things become too much trouble. Maybe it’s the live music show – why go, I can just listen to the CD (or stream it if they happen to be tech-savvy). Or, I went to that festival last year. I don’t need to go again. Why go downtown at all, when life is so much quieter and more predictable out here?

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They don’t have it all figured out because they’re still learning. They fail and shake it off, maybe only after a drink and a hearty laugh. They take classes. They make friends both older and younger, and they celebrate those differences and learn from them.

They admit when they’ve got no clue, and they find someone who can give them a clue.They put themselves in uncomfortable situations because they know that’s where growth is, and they know they didn’t stop growing when they reached adulthood. Far from it.

They’re not perfect and they’re not even always happy.

But what they are is alive. They grab life by the balls. You can not talk to one of these people and be bored or neutral. Love them or hate them, they are riveting.

I love them because I don’t have any of this stuff figured out.

First of all, I had no clue about how to do a podcast. So, I taught myself, by asking questions and doing research, and, mostly, by screwing up every step of the way before I got it right (hey, anyone want to buy an expensive microphone that winds up being useless to me? Only used once!!)

And, I pretend that I know what the hell I’m doing. I started asking people to be on my podcast even before there was a podcast. And, shockingly, if you pretend hard enough that something exists, people respond. People started to agree to be on my show. I have interviews tucked away that take me well into the new year.

I wanted an excuse to talk to these warriors. I wasn’t sure they’d talk to me at a party, but on a podcast? Sure! And, along the way, I’ve found that I have a knack for getting them to open up. Some of them tell me I asked them things they never thought of, and that the interview made them think about things in a new way.

That is my gift to them.

And theirs to me is that I get to be the host of this amazing party that brings in way cool people, and I, along with my audience, get to learn life lessons from some of the best. And, putting myself out there on a podcast, figuring it all out, and listening to how they’ve figured out their own stuff?

For me, it’s the recipe for living a juicy life.

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

Keep It Juicy! podcast can be found at www.keepitjuicy.com or on iTunes

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tis’ the season to be...

SOCIAL

Twitter.com/skirtCharleston | Facebook.com/skirtCharleston | Instagram.com/skirtCharleston

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HE’S SO ORIGINAL

BEAU BURNS ENTREPRENEUR Beau Burns doesn’t like to be bored. The party planner, entrepreneur and people connector is juggling at least four projects on his plate right now. All ambitious. None of them boring.

Beau helped launch the Yorktown Countdown New Year’s Eve party aboard the historic naval aircraft carrier almost six years ago. It’s one of Charleston’s largest New Year’s Eve celebrations. And it’s one of the most successful events he’s ever pulled off. It’s also one of the most challenging. “That ship is a beast,” he says.

Event organizers have to use cranes and boom trucks to lift tents, sound equipment and portable toilets onto the ship’s flight deck, making logistics way more difficult than a party at a traditional venue. But, Beau says, it’s the unique venue that has made the event successful.

After five years organizing the Yorktown Countdown, Beau and his partner, Jeff Swank, are ready to add a new experience to the mix. So, in addition to the Yorktown Countdown, they are introducing the Mansion Ball, a masquerade ball in the penthouse suites of The Restoration Hotel downtown.There will be different themes and different entertainment on each level.The Mansion Ball is a much smaller, more exclusive event with a “house party feel,” Beau says.

Beau says he’s always enjoyed entertaining his friends.“It got to the point where I could take it to the next level and start making money off of it.”Then, about three years ago, he was able to quit his finance job and focus exclusively on the events, which help fuel his love of travel and adventure.

In June, Beau opened Vida-Flo, an IV therapy spa, on St. Philip Street. It’s a departure from the party planning, but Beau says he wanted to do something that helps people.Yes, the IV therapy can help you rehydrate if you had too many drinks at a party the night before. “That’s one benefit, but it’s the lowest on the totem pole.” Other benefits of the IV fluids include treating headaches, cold and flu symptoms, stomach bugs and fatigue. “I believe in it,” he says.

Beau’s most ambitious project is The Wonderer, which is expected to debut in time to welcome in 2019. It’s a private social and wellness membership club planned on Meeting Street near North Morrison. A wonderer is a daydreamer, a seeker of admiration and someone drawn to new, different and exciting experiences — just the people he wants to attract to the club.

The sketches are stunning.Think Palm Springs or Bali, with a tropical, international flair.

“We want it to be an oasis,” Beau says.

Beau envisions members being able to plug in at the co-working space or swim laps in the pool in the morning. Grab lunch in the restaurant and then spend the afternoon lounging in a cabana by the pool. At night, there might be a band playing by the pool.There’s a large adjacent green space for public events.

Beau and his partners are hoping to break ground early next year and could open as soon as late summer, but definitely in time to throw their next New Year’s Eve party. Beau will be the general manager of the flexible club and venue space, which will provide endless possibilities. “It’s kind of a culmination of all the events,” he says.

If you’ve been in Charleston for even a short period of time, you are aware the city knows how to throw a party. But Beau seems to have found a way to stand out. “We daydream a lot and try to push boundaries,” he says. “If you don’t do something unique, you’re not going to catch people’s attention.”

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

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social

Lisa Van Bergen, executive director, Florence Crittenton Programs of SC

Zandrina Dunning, Patti Byrd, Florence Crittenton board member, and Bobby Kilgo

Susan Norfleet, skirt! magazine

Carolyn Murray, Channel 2 WCBD Lisa Van Bergen, executive director, Florence Crittenton Programs of SC

Tammy Cobb, Liz LaFitte, Margaret Middleton Ravenel, Sandy Morckel, Lori Bauer, Ruthie Ravenel, Alden Knowlton

Donnie Rae Allen and Buffie Bell Lilly, shoe judges

FLORENCE CRITTENTON’S WINE, WOMEN & SHOES Nov. 12 at the Daniel Island Club Skirt! magazine was proud to be the marketplace sponsor.

Stylish guests enjoyed shopping, sipping wine and bidding in a live auction, all to support Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina. Florence Crittenton’s mission is to provide hope, safety and opportunity to young women in order to instill self-worth and self-sufficiency. It is the only organization in the state that provides a residential program for low-income pregnant girls ages 10 to 21. Executive director Lisa Van Bergen reports the event “raised more money than ever before.”

Photography by Robyn Leigh

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DECEMBER

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

THROUGH DEC. 20

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ Get in the Christmas spirit with Charleston Stage’s original production of “A Christmas Carol.” Dock Street Theatre, Showtimes and ticket prices vary. For more information, visit charlestonstage.com.

DEC. 1-17

DEC. 9

HOLIDAY PARADE OF BOATS You’ll be able to see the Holiday Parade of Boats light up the Charleston Harbor from anywhere along the waterfront, but if you want a party with your view, there’s a Light up the Night Holiday Preview Party at 5 p.m. at the Charleston Maritime Center. $30 at the door for the party.

For tickets and more information, visit charlestonparadeofboats.com.

‘ANNIE’ Enjoy the spunk and positivity of little orphan Annie as the Footlight Players deliver a performance of this family-favorite musical in time for the holidays. Footlight Theatre, 20 Queen St. Showtimes and ticket prices vary. For more information, visit footlightplayers.net.

SHUCKIN’ ON THE COOPER View the Holiday Parade of Boats while dancing to live music and shucking oysters at this new event from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Mount Pleasant Pier. $8 for advance tickets, which are recommended. Oysters are $10 a bucket.

To purchase tickets, visit ccprc.com.

DEC. 2

SEA LIFE BY STARLIGHT Buy VIP tickets to Sea Life by Starlight at the South Carolina Aquarium for early admittance and a great view of the holiday boat parade. Later, enjoy small plates from Good Catch partners, live music and a silent auction. 8 to 11 p.m. $60 for general admission ticket and $100 for VIP. Proceeds benefit the Sea Turtle Care Center. For more information, visit scaquarium.org.

REINDEER RUN Walk or run this family-friendly 5K through the lower peninsula of Charleston. Proceeds benefit MUSC’s Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and the Charitable Society of Charleston. 9 a.m. at East Bay and Queen streets. Registration is $40 for adults. To register, visit reindeerrun.org.

VIRGIL KAINE GINGER HARVEST PARTY The Lowcountry whiskey distiller throws a Ginger Harvest Party to celebrate the year’s last ginger harvest. Enjoy food cooked over a fire, ginger cocktails, a bonfire with s’mores and live music from The Travelin’ Kine and Red Cedar Review. 4:30 to 9 p.m., The Barn at Walnut Hill on Johns Island. Tickets are $48 and shuttles will be provided. For more information, visit www.virgilkaine.com.

DEC. 3

WINE UNDER THE OAKS Sample a variety of wines, enjoy food pairings and desserts, and watch cooking demonstrations by some of Charleston’s finest chefs. Other gourmet food selections will be available for purchase. Jazz musician Charlton Singleton performs. Shop for unique gifts from speciality vendors. Also, don’t miss seeing Boone Hall Plantation decorated for the holidays. 1 to 5 p.m., Boone Hall Plantation. Tickets are $52.

Visit boonehallplantation.com for more information.

DEC. 6

KING STREET ANTIQUES STROLL WITH GIBBES MUSEUM Explore Charleston’s finest antique dealers with local experts and enjoy wine and cheese along the tour. 6 to 8 p.m., starting at the Gibbes Museum. $30 for non-members. For tickets, visit gibbesmuseum.org.

Want more? Visit us at www.skirt.com

DEC. 14-15

GRAND ILLUMINATION AT MIDDLETON PLACE Stroll through gardens illuminated by torchlight and hear costumed interpreters tell stories of the holiday season when the British evacuated Charleston at the end of the Revolutionary War. See the house glowing in candlelight and enjoy a warm fire, live music and refreshments. The event concludes with a Southern buffet dinner. 6 to 8 p.m. at 4300 Ashley River Road. Tickets are $55. Visit middletonplace.org.

DEC. 17

CHANUKAH IN THE SQUARE A festive party for everyone featuring music, dancing and the lighting of the 9-foot menorah by Charleston’s Holocaust survivors. Visitors can enjoy crafts and treats, including latkes and other traditional Chanukah foods. 4 to 6 p.m. at Marion Square. Free. Visit jewishchs.org for more information.

DEC. 31

MANSION BALL Billed as Charleston’s most exclusive New Year’s Eve party, this new event offers an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and multiple levels of live entertainment at The Restoration Hotel, 75 Wentworth. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $175. For more information, visit mansionball.com.

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vintage | D E C E M B E R

1997

Six years after law professor Anita Hill testified that Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas sexually harassed her, she attended the annual “I Believe Anita Hill” party held in Columbia. She had recently published her autobiography, “Speaking Truth to Power.” Pat Votava wrote about meeting Anita at the event for skirt! magazine. The “I Believe Anita Hill” party is still held each year in Columbia to encourage men and women to acknowledge that sexual misconduct continues in the workplace. We still believe Anita Hill, and we support women who come forward and stand up against sexual harassment.

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