CONTENTS From The Editor
5
Charleston’s Arts New Website
11
I Collect Antiques. Why? Because They’re Beautiful.
13
Big Stone Castles With Authentic Furniture
15
Storing Antiques In South Carolina
16
The Most Valuable Antiques Are Dear Old Friends
17
Our Admiration of The Antique
19
Valuing Your Antiques
20
That Makes Us A Work Of Art
21
I’m The Oldest Antique In Town
23
How TO Make Grits
24
If You Want To Understand Today
26
Historians Are Gossips Who Tease The Dead
28
How To Set A Table
29
Each Time History Repeats Itself, The Price Goes Up
31
The Present Is The Living Sum-Total Of The Whole Past 33 10 Reasons To Plant Trees...Now!
34
Knowledge of History Frees Us To Be Contemporary
35
Bunker Shot Perfection
37
Neighborhoods
40
Tim To Refinace or Buy!?
46
South Carolina Wedding & Event Planner
48
About Mt. Pleasant
51
www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 3
FROM THE EDITOR BUY LOCAL Promoting local business is as simple as having other company’s business cards or brochures posted on a board in your store. In an effort to promote your area, we are distributing decals that say “Check us out at www.Antiques.sc,” in hopes that local shoppers will visit the site to find local restaurants, clothing, specials, coupons and more. We are doing our part, so please join us, and promote your local merchants, and everyone will benefit!
BUY
TOP TEN REASONS TO THINK LOCAL LOCAL - BE LOCAL – HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES
1. BUY LOCAL -- Support yourself and your local antiques shop. Many studies have revealed when you buy from an independent, locally owned business in the your own area, rather than a nationally owned businesses, considerably more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses. Local businesses continue to strengthen the economic base of the local community. These include case studies showing that local local owned businesses generate a premium in enhanced economic impact to the community and our tax base.
2.SUPPORT LOCAL AREA COMMUNITY GROUPS:
Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller area business owners than they do from large companies.
3. KEEP YOUR AREA UNIQUE: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind local businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character. Local tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust.
4. REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Locally owned businesses in your area can make more local purchases requiring less transportation. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. CREATE ADDITIONAL JOBS: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in the community, provide the most jobs to local residents. 6. RECEIVE BETTER SERVICE: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products and services they offer, and take more time to get to know customers. Cont. next page www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 5
www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 6
7.INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, and they are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future. 8. PUT
YOUR
TAXES
TO
GOOD USE:
Local businesses require a relatively little infrastructure investment and make more efďŹ cient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering your area.
9. BUY WHAT YOU WANT, NOT WHAT BIG ADVERTISING BUDGETS WANT YOU TO BUY: A South Carolina marketplace comprised of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products and services based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, promises a much broader range of product choices.
10. PROMOTE LOCAL PROSPERITY: An escalating body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character. Larry Local Editor in Chief
www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 7
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CEO Dennis Stewart EDITOR IN CHIEF Larry Local CREATIVE DIRECTOR Daniel Holliday ART DIRECTOR Amy Coats WEB DEVELOPERS Allen Bayless Matthew Coats ADMINISTRATION & MARKETING Vivi Morillo Angie Woods
WWW.ANTIQUES.SC ONLINE MAGAZINE
Copyright Š 2009 Carolina Media Services. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. 3290 Ashley Phosphate Road Charleston, SC 29418 Toll Free: (866)532-4725 Fax: (866)542-4725 Info@Antiques.sc www.Antiques.sc
CHARLESTON’S OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS LAUNCHES WWW.CHARLESTONARTS.SC, AS THIER NEW ARTS WEB SITE From: Charleston Currents The City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs has launched http://www.CharlestonArts.sc, a companion Web site to the OCA’s primary page at the city’s official site. CharlestonArts.sc will be updated daily with information and features, including an arts calendar that users can search by date, artist, presenting group or venue; social networking widgets; and a directory of local arts and cultural organizations and venues. “We are hopeful that CharlestonArts.sc will be a major benefit to local artists and arts organizations by disseminating information about their events with the most up-to-date information to a broader public,” said Ellen Dressler Moryl, director of the Office of Cultural Affairs. Other options for users at CharlestonArts.sc include the following: • Arts organizations can download forms from the Office of Cultural Affairs, submit events, update contact information and compare performance dates with other area organizations. • The Tools for Professional section of the Web site features job listings for arts professionals, including full time and part time work as well as internships and volunteer opportunities with arts and cultural organizations in the tri-county area. • Updated grant opportunities for arts organizations, with detailed information, including deadlines, application and contact information. • Call for Submissions and Call for Auditions pages with details about the location, deadlines, fees and additional requirements. The new Web site also hosts connecting pages for general information on the Office of Cultural Affairs and its projects: the Charleston Farmers Market, the City Gallery at Waterfront Park, Holiday Magic, Happy New Year Charleston!, the Holiday Parade of Boats, the Lowcountry Quarterly Arts Grant Program, Piccolo Spoleto and the MOJA Arts Festival. The Web Site was developed and is being hosted by Carolina Media Services ( www.ONLY.sc) . www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 11
I collect antiques. Why? Because they’re beautiful. Broderick Crawford
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www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 14
I was always fascinated, even as a child, by antiques and ancient times. I always felt I should have been born in the 17th or 18th century. They really had a big stone castle with authentic furniture. Margaret O’Brien
STORING ANTIQUES IN SOUTH CAROLINA Deciding the best method to store your antiques depends largely on the type of antiques in your collection. By definition, an antique is anything older than 100 years, which possesses some sort of aesthetic value. Such a broad definition can include jewelry, vintage clothing, furniture, china and much, much more. Some collectors have only one type of antique they collect, while others have a wide variety. For example, if you collect both 18th century British furniture and Chinese porcelain, you need to know the proper way to store each of them. Caring for and storing your antiques properly will ensure they stay in good condition and maintain their value for generations to come.
Antique collectors take several views when it comes to the storage and display of antiques. Some collectors believe antiques should be displayed under glass, and only used as a piece of artwork to be admired by others. Others make their antiques functional by using them to decorate their home or mixing them in with their existing furniture, china, etc. Still others pack their antiques away and rarely show off. Regardless of how you believe antiques should be displayed, it is important to do so properly. The Internet is a wonderful resource to educate yourself about antiques and their proper storage. If you are working with an antique dealer, they also have information regarding proper care and storage. Additionally, they can provide you with a list of people specializing in antique cleaning and restoration –as that is not something you want to tackle yourself. Below are tips on how to store some antiques.
STORING PERSIAN ORIENTAL RUGS
AND
Persian or Oriental rugs, carpets and tapestries can be stored in several ways. If you choose to use your rugs in your home, you should be sure to put them in a low-traffic area. This will protect them from dirt tracked in on shoes and from being worn down due to excessive traffic. If you choose to store your rugs, you need to ensure they will not be damaged by insects. Rugs should be stored in a clean, dry room and covered in acid free or cotton paper. Should your rugs need cleaning, take them to someone who specializes in cleaning Persian or Oriental rugs. This is the best way to ensure your rug stays looking its best and maintains its value.
www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 16
Remember that the most valuable antiques are dear old friends. H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
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www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 18
Our admiration of the antique is not a dmiration of the old, but of the natural. Ralph Waldo Emerson
VALUING YOU ANTIQUES Many antiques you own are valuable to you for sentimental reasons. Other antiques have value driven by demand in the secondary marketplace. You can go to Ebay to confirm this. Some antiques made from Precious metals have intrinsic value. Whether you’re a trader of antiques, or passing them on to future generations, you can actually add even more value to your antiques and collectibles in a number of ways.
DOCUMENT PROVENANCE If you can provide proof that you Civil War piece was once owned by someone famous, or was used in a historically significant context, that’s better than simply relaying a rumor and it will definitely add to its’ value. And even if your documentation of provenance doesn’t add monetary value to an object, just knowing who a piece belonged to when it’s passed on from generation to generation will be valued by your family. Provenance can be documented by: o Original receipts showing the purchaser’s name. o A photograph of a person wearing or using an object, or of an object in a specific location. o Handwritten notes from previous owners or from a gift presentation. o Other documented research proving an item’s history.
DO SOME RESEARCH Part of the fun of hunting and owning antiques comes through learning about them. Uncovering a fact you didn’t previously know can add to the value as well.
OBTAIN
AN
AUTHENTICATION
Once you’ve done your research and you feel certain you have a valuable antique or collectible on your hands, having it authenticated by a professional would be a good way to add to its value. An authentication is a letter or certificate coming from someone considered to be an expert in any given field relating to antiques and collectibles. It
states in their educated opinion that the piece appears to be genuine. It may also grade the piece in terms of condition, but an authentication will not state an estimation of value.
OBTAIN
AN
APPRAISAL
Sometimes authentication is done as a part of the appraisal process. Many appraisers research values on items outside their areas of expertise. Ask what your appraiser will include in their documentation. If you need separate authentication, it’s wise to know this before you begin.
www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 20
“Our lives are unique. Our voices are enduring. Our bodies are antiques. Our perception of life is complicated. That makes us a work of art.� Stephanie Warner
I’m the oldest antique in town. Norman Rockwell
HOW
TO MAKE GRITS
By now, you should know that grits are not only the starch of choice in South Carolina, it’s also the acronym for “Girls Raised in the South”; so if you don’t have your recipe down by now, it’s time to get boiling. Proper grits do not come in an easy to open, plastic-lined paper packet. As My Cousin Vinny put it, “Real grits take at least 20 minutes to cook”. In fact, they take a couple hours, but it’s worth every simmering second. So get rid of the Quaker Instant Grits and mosey on down to the rice isle. Grits can usually be found either here or in the baking isle. If you’re lucky enough to live near a locally produce market or farmer’s market, 99% of the time you’ll find more than enough grits in stock. Some local favorites include Anson Mills grits and Charleston’s Favorite Stone Ground Grits. Now that you have the dry goods, make sure you have some fresh chicken stock, milk, cream and butter. Oh yes, you’re making these the way God intended. Measure out your dry grits (1 cup of dry grits makes roughly 2 servings) and clean them by placing them in a bowl and filling the bowl with water until the water is an inch or so above
the grits. Skim off the chaff and drain. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be completely dry, just get it as close as possible. Now, dump the wet grits into a pot and pour in twice as much chicken stock as grits. Bring this to a boil, then reduce to medium-low. Now add equal portions cream and milk up to 2 and ½ times the amount of grits. So, if I was making this recipe for two, I would have used 1 cup dry grits, 2 ½ cups chicken stock, 1 ¾ cups cream and 1 ¾ cups milk. Add salt and pepper to taste, then sit back and let it simmer. The longer the grits simmer, the richer they’ll be. Typical time is 20-30 minutes, but some of the best grits sit for an hour to two hours at low to medium-low heat, just soaking up that cream and milk. Right before you serve the grits up, stir in a healthy pat of butter and, if you’re feeling a little wild, grate a handful of parmesan or cheddar cheese over the top. Play with and perfect this dish to your liking. The recipe is purposefully simple for the sole reason that it’s up to each southern girl to come up with her own special twist on this Southern Classic.
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www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 24
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www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 27
Historians are gossips who tease the dead. Voltaire
HOW
TO SET A
TABLE As a lady of the Carolina’s, small shows of simple grace and etiquette should become as second nature to you. Now, this isn’t saying that you have to run out immediately and have visiting cards printed, or go buy a sterling silver tea set, but having knowledge of little things like place settings means a lot to locals and ultimately, shows that you truly care for and respect the civility which is the heart of South Carolina. Even at an informal dinner, it’s a good idea to create a centerpiece. This can be a week-long labor of love or, in most cases, a small setting thrown together about five minutes before the guests arrive. A few snippings from the juniper tree for frilly greenery and aromatic scent, a handful of flowers arranged in a low bowl or small vase, a couple strategically placed pieces of fruit and a candle or two and your centerpiece is complete. A bouquet of flowers from the local florist or, better yet, a nearby farm, would also work, but no matter what, the point is that you have one. Another little pointer: don’t make the centerpiece taller than eye level. Guests would like to be able to see each other when they speak and it could mess up a lovely arrangement if you’re having to part the sunflowers every time you want to ask a question. As for your silverware, if you have sterling silver, use it. Even, and especially, if it’s your great grandmother’s set that’s been passed down for generations.
She never intended for you to keep it wrapped up in crumbling bags of velvet. Silverware and formal china, however pretty and expensive, were meant to be used and this is a great time to show them off. Even if you don’t have formal silverware, though, the point is to have the place settings properly arranged and in the end, no one will really care what the silverware looked like as long as there’s plenty of food and wine.
of passing bowls and dishes around. If it is Thanksgiving at Grandma’s, none of the above applies.
With the dinner plate as the center, silverware should be placed in line, an inch from the edge of the table, and arranged from the outside – in, in order of use. On the right, salad fork (smaller fork), appetizer utensil (or another small fork or none at all if you aren’t having an appetizer between salad, soup and dinner), then dinner fork (your biggest fork) closest to the plate. On the left, soup spoon, spreading knife for the bread and the dinner knife closest to the plate. Be sure to turn the blade of the knives toward the plate, as an outwardly turned knife is a symbol of aggression toward the other diners (don’t you love these quaint little old world idiosyncrasies?). The dessert fork and spoon for after dinner tea or coffee should go across the top of the dinner plate, with the tines of the fork facing right and the bowl of the spoon facing left. Napkins should be folded either as simply or ornately as you like, and placed in the center of the dinner plate. Glasses are also placed an inch above the knives and in order of use starting from the far right: white wine, red wine, dessert wine and water tumbler. Dinner should be served from the kitchen and ideally, placed on each diner’s plate by the server/host instead www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 29
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Each time history repeats itself, the price goes up. Unknown
The Present is the living sum-total of the whole Past. Thomas Carlyle, Characteristics
www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 34
Knowledge of history frees us to be contemporary. Lynn White, Jr.
BUNKER SHOT PERFECTION: BLAST YOUR WAY TO A BETTER GOLF SCORE Bunker shots can be daunting but it’s really all in your head! Use these simple techniques the next time you’re in the bunker and blast your way to a better score. Golf ScoreFirst, don’t change your swing. Use the loft of the club and your back swing to determine your distance. Of course this will take some practice so you know how to shorten your backswing to get the distance you need. You use your back swing to adjust your distance because you always want to accelerate through the ball. You never want to the club head to decelerate. Also open the club face if needed to decrease the distance the ball will travel.
Use the “bounce” on the club to launch the ball out of the sand. Don’t worry too much about the definition of bounce but try this the next time in the practice sand trap. Take your sand wedge and swing at the sand. Vary the angle the club hits the sand. When you bring the club down steeply you’ll take a lot of sand and leave a large “divot” in the sand. Decrease the angle that you strike the sand until you can feel the club almost bounce off the sand. Feeling that is more important than the actual definition of bounce. The key is to have this bounce feel when hitting the ball out of the sand. Open the club face and aim slightly right with an open stance with the ball forward in your stance, slightly off of your left heel for right handed golfers. When you swing follow the line of your feet. Keep the weight on your left foot and don’t try to lift the ball, let the club do the work; trust me the club will lift the ball. Hit about 1 inch behind the ball. The key is to get sand between the club face and the ball. This is where that bounce comes in to play. Also, expect more roll on the ball when faced with a down hill lie in the bunker because the ball won’t get as much spin and tend to roll quite a bit. Use and practice these techniques to get yourself off the beach and onto the green. For more helpful tips, advice, or to add some Golf Tips and Suggestions of your own - you are invited to visit the South Carolina Golfers Blog at www.Golf.sc/Blog/
www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 37
Get Your Carolina Girl Gear!
www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 39
4. Neighborhoods are convenient, and always accessible, since you are already in your neighborhood when you walk out your door. 5. Successful neighborhood action frequently requires little specialized technical skill, and often little or no money. Action may call for an investment of time, but material costs are often low.
NEIGHBORHOODS 1. Neighborhoods are where we all grew up a long time ago. Today, because of golf courses, shopping areas, subdivisions, jobs, schools, and a transient society, a neighborhood means different things to different folks. 2. Neighborhoods can be as small as a dozen or so houses, and be as many as thousands of homes. 3. Neighborhoods are common, and perhaps close to universal, since most people in urbanized areas would probably consider themselves to be living in one.
6. With neighborhood action, compared to activity on larger scales, results are more likely to be visible and quickly forthcoming. The streets are generally cleaner; the crosswalks are painted; the trees are planted; a festival draws a crowd. 7. Visible and swift results are indicators of success; and since success is reinforcing, the probability of subsequent neighborhood action is increased. 8. Because neighborhood action
www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 40
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usually involves others, such actions create or strengthen connections and relationships with other neighbors, leading in turn to a variety of potentially positive effects, often hard to predict. 9. Over and above these community advantages, neighborhood activity may simply be enjoyable and fun for those taking part.
decreases in crime, better outcomes for children, and improved physical and mental health. The social support that a strong neighborhood may provide can serve as a buffer against various forms of adversity. Sometimes a neighborhood isn’t a neighborhood until an event occurs, which draws people together, to become “neighbors”.
But in addition to these benefits, considerable research indicates that strong and cohesive neighborhoods and communities are linked –quite possibly causally linked – to www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 43
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rate with the tax advantages of a mortgage, and you have an incredibly cheap way to build wealth, but you better act now.
TIME TO REFINANCE BUY !?
OR
Right now, mortgage rates are at their lowest level since 1971. Think about that. Twenty-five years ago, homeowners were paying as much as 18% on a 30-year fixed. Today it’s just a little over 5%.Combine that
Real estate guru Barbara Corcoran has already seen a tremendous surge in refinance applications – more than triple the average – and the number of people getting approved is astronomically higher as well, she says. But that doesn’t mean the low rates are a panacea for the ills of the housing market. It is only once home prices start to go up that we will finally see a light at the end of tunnel, Corcoran says. Until that happens, we are still going to have to crawl out of this mess. “[Low interest rates are] a not a lifesaver,” Corcoran says. “This is just a helping hand.”
David Kittle, chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association, has this advice to homeowners looking to refinance: Do it. Don’t get greedy searching for another quarter-point. Lock in rates now. He is seeing applications soar over 125% just since Thanksgiving due to the low rates. Of course, you should only refinance if it saves you at least 3/8 on the rate and if you plan on staying in your home for at least four years, Kittle says. Along with good credit, proof of income and money by means of a down payment or equity in the home, there are certain things every homeowner needs regardless of interest rate levels.
www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 46
SOUTH CAROLINA WEDDING & EVENT PLANNERS: CAREER OUTLOOK Can you imagine a more exciting career than being the person who helps to plan a couple’s happiest day together
and makes them lasting memories for the rest of their life? Or planning a Corporate Event for some of the largest companies in South Carolina. The best part is you are creating an event that you do not have to pay for. If you are interested in a career as a wedding or event planner, read on to discover general description, educational requirements, and your job outlook information.
WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNER JOB DESCRIPTION Wedding or Event planners, as the name implies, handle many
or all of the details of setting up a wedding or other event from coordinating the caterers to directing the dinners. The term wedding planner is a classification of how involved the person is with their clients’ wedding. There are two other classifications which are wedding consultants and wedding directors. Wedding consultants allow couples to plan the wedding and offer only their advice and expertise. Wedding planners oversee and are responsible for much of the work of the wedding from beginning to end, but the
www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 48
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couple is still involved. Wedding directors take care of the entire wedding event, which affords the couple getting married to only focus on getting married. Wedding directors sometimes usually attend the wedding to make sure the day goes exactly as planned. If it rains on the day of an outdoor wedding, the wedding director will have an alternate plan already in place. Wedding planners, specifically, perform a variety of tasks. They make appointments with clients and vendors, provide gown options, provide wedding theme options, and plan for the unforeseen among other things. The business side of wedding planning involves staying within your budget, and making sure the vendors get paid. Wedding planners who handle all aspects of the event are mostly self-employed working both part-time and full-time. However, special event centers, wineries, hotels, and other hospitality facilities also offer employment opportunities.
not as planned is the mark of a good planner. This means that you must have a long list of suppliers and people in the service industries that can stand in when problems arise.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WEDDING & EVENT PLANNERS There are no federal, state, or local laws requiring wedding or event planners to have anything other than a business license. Very few colleges/universities offer degrees or certificates in wedding and planning. Online schools offer training; however, carefully research the online school prior to paying any fees or signing up for classes. The best schooling is the College
of OJT ( On the Job Training). Working for a wedding or event planner and learning from the ground up is the only way to truly learn the business. Certification is increasingly becoming sought after because clients want to make sure their special day is handled by a professional.
JOB OUTLOOK FOR WEDDING & EVENT PLANNERS Wedding and event planning in South Carolina is a growing field with more and more opportunities. Creating a profitable business is a slow process. Attracting clientele takes time, but there is always plenty of work for good planners.
Wedding planners must also write contracts and be efficient marketers of their business. The best wedding planner in South Carolina must get their name known, and can only handle a certain amount of weddings in any given time. An event planner does the same basic tasks as the wedding planner, but the event will dictate what is different. A big corporate event may require several sound and video systems. A golf tournament may require many sponsors being adequately recognized. Whatever the event, having alternative plans when things go www.Antiques.sc Online Magazine | 2009 50
ABOUT MT. PLEASANT Originally occupied by the Sewee Indians, Mount Pleasant’s first white settlers arrived from England on July 6, 1680 under the leadership of Captain Florentia O’Sullivan. Captain O’Sullivan had been granted 2,340 acres which included not only the island that bears his name, but also the land that was to become Mount Pleasant. On the earliest map of the time this area was called “North Point.” In 1696, 51 new settlers arrived. Each family was allotted several hundred acres in the area that became known as Christ Church parish. In 1706 the Province of Carolina withstood several attacks by the Spanish and the French and were victorious in defeating French invaders in an area known as Hobcow Plantation. Hobcaw Plantation, located between Shem Creek and the Wando River. Later, it was also known as Shipyard Plantation because its deep water and abundance of good timber made it ideal for a shipbuilding.
On September 24, 1860 a public meeting was held in Mount Pleasant that produced the first secession resolution of the state. With the advent of the Civil War, Battery Gary and an adjacent floating battery between Mount Pleasant and Sullivan’s Island were instrumental in defense of the town, as well as attacks on Fort Sumter. The town was also defended by a line of fortifications from Elliot’s Creek at Boone Hall to Copahee Sound. Mount Pleasant was also the secret training ground for the nine-man crew of the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley. It was from Breach Inlet in 1864 that this small vessel was launched to attack and sink the USS Housatonic. Mount Pleasant is separated from Charleston by the Cooper River. For many years it was primarily populated seasonally by Charleston residents wealthy enough to afford summer homes across the river from the Charleston peninsula. The population of Mount Pleasant was centered in an area of the town now known as “The Old Village.” On July 16, 2005, the eight-lane Arthur Ravenel Bridge opened for traffic, replacing the two aging bridges. A week before the new bridge, one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the western hemisphere, officially opened, pedestrians were allowed to cross the bridge, and commemorative coins were distributed. Also, a fireworks display was a part of the ceremonies leading up to the actual opening of the bridge. Several cars from the same time period as the Grace Memorial Bridge, including several restored Model A Fords, made a final crossing of the old bridges. The remaining portions of the old bridges were demolished. Local residents watched as the bridges were blown up in spectacular shows.
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FINAL WORDS
History is who we are and why we are the way we are. DAVID C. MCCULLOUGH
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