Lakeside February March 2017

LIFE OUTDOORS FROM WATEREE TO SANTEE

LAKESIDE WINTER

ICE STORMS CAROLINA IN THE PINES

VACATION AT THE LAKE

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017

about us

from the lake Discover nooks and crannies of Lakeside are

PHOTOGRAPHY Keith Gedamke keith@theitem.com COPY EDITORS Jessica Stephens jessica@theitem.com Melanie Smith melanie@theitem.com Ivy Moore ivy@theitem.com Rhonda Barrick rhonda@theitem.com COLUMNISTS Deana Anderson Dan Geddings CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Adrienne Sarvis adrienne@theitem.com Jim Hilley jim@theitem.com

PUBLICATION DESIGNERS Stacey Neal stacey@theitem.com Cary Howard cary@theitem.com Leigh Mitchell leigh@theitem.com Alex Burrows alex@theitem.com Rosie Peavy rosie@theitem.com CLARENDON COUNTY MANAGER Gail Mathis gail@theitem-clarendonsun.com ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Mark Pekuri mark@theitem.com

Rick Carpenter EDITOR OF LAKESIDE

on the cover PHOTO BY NANCY BYER

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Paige Macloskie paige@theitem.com Karen Cave karen@theitem.com

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also 9 inside 38

ST. STEPHEN Fish Lift provides window to aquatic life

GEOCACHING

creates inexpensive, local adventures

Winter ICE STORMS

Konstantin Vengerowsky konstantin@theitem.com

area, you should stop at the Little Midget Drive-In for an old-fashioned hamburger and French fries. Family members have passed down the drive-in through generations. Read about its uniqueness in this edition.

People driving to the Lakeside area often see logging operations in areas along the roadways leading them to their favorite Lakeside location. This issue gives readers the scoop on how tree farms work – from seedling to harvest.

If you just picked up this edition, look inside to find a schedule of events and activities. You’ll also learn about a new shooting range purchased and refurbished for area hunters and skeet shooters who want to get in some practice. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources purchased the former Indigo Shooting Range, and it should open during the months of this issue.

As always, send me any story idea you might have about the area. My email is rick@ theitem.com. I’d love to hear from you.

can devastate Lakeside communities

Whether you want to know where you can look through a window to watch migrating fish or learn about geocaching, which came way before the Pokémon Go phenomenon, we tell you about both in this edition of Lakeside.

In the last three years, weather affected the area in the forms of a flood, a hurricane and an ice storm. State and federal governments declared the area a disaster after each event, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration sent resources to assist in recovery efforts.

In this issue, we write about the devastating effects that an ice storm can create in the months of February and March when cold temperatures collide with moist air. The most recent ice storm slammed the area in February 2014, leaving many residents without electricity for days and even weeks.

Want to find unique or discounted items?

You need to read about the Bonanza Flea Market. What started out as a yard sale to get rid of a storage unit full of merchandise mushroomed into a 7,500-square-foot flea market in Clarendon County. If you’ve driven to Lake Marion through Manning, you probably drove right past the market. Next time you drive by, stop in, and check it out.

And if you travel through the Camden

EDITOR Rick Carpenter rick@theitem.com

DUCK ponds provide necessary waterfowl habitat

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opens east of Columbia

vacation at the lake?

A hidden gem

The 25-year life cycle of forests

Family drive-in remains a fixture in downtown Camden

'LITTLE MIDGET'

16

what’s inside

Public SHOOTING range

WHY should you

BONANZA Flea Market

CAROLINA in the pines

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32 12

FEATURE STORIES

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FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

community calendar BERKELEY CLARENDON ORANGEBURG SUMTER

Festivals, feasts, concerts, historic events, racing of many kinds and other events begin to emerge during the winter and early spring in lake country. Most are free, others well worth the price of admission, and the public is always welcome. Here are just a few of the happenings for February and March.

FEBRUARY

4 Country star and Grand Ole Opry member

Pam Tillis in concert at Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St. Ticket prices vary. Call (803) 4362616, or visit www.sumteroperahouse.com.

4 Who’s Bad? The Ultimate Michael Jackson

Experience (tribute band), Weldon Auditorium, Manning. (803) 433-7469

5 American Motorcyclists Association Enduro

Race, Manchester State Forest, Sumter. Watch these motorcyclists race over rough and challenging terrain in the beautiful Manchester State Forest adjacent to historic and beautiful Poinsett State Park. Contact Sumter Convention and Visitors Bureau at (803) 436-2640.

9-12 Comedy “Leading Ladies” at Sumter

27 Celebrate Gen. Francis Marion Memorial

Manning with old favorites, songs from their new CD and more. Call (803) 433-7469.

27 to March 1 - Spend a weekend at Santee State Park, 251 State Park Road, Santee, with Chef Josh, who’ll prepare you for spring parties.

Stay two nights in a lakeside cabin, enjoy gourmet food, and learn some new cooking skills. $205 double occupancy. (803) 854-2408

23-26 “Cyrano” at Sumter Little Theatre, 14

at Camp Bob Cooper, Summerton. The living history encampment emphasizes learning the skills of the 17th century, including cooking, weaving, making a fire and more. Call (803) 4782645 to learn more.

MARCH

4 Untapped: Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival, Dillon Park, 1210 Clara Louise Kellogg Drive, Sumter. Noon to 7 p.m.

4 Princess of Roses and Queen of Roses

Pageants, Stevenson Auditorium, Orangeburg.

Contact Zachary Tarrant at (803) 533-6020.

10 Celtic singers/musicians The Gothard

Little Theatre, 14 Mood Ave., Sumter. Call (803) 775-2150, or visit www.sumterlittletheatre.com.

Sisters at Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St., Sumter. Ticket prices vary. Call (803) 436-2616, or visit www.sumteroperahouse.com.

in concert at Sumter Opera House. Ticket prices vary. Call (803) 436-2616, or visit www. sumteroperahouse.com.

roast. From 1 to 6 p.m. at Old Santee Canal Park, Moncks Corner. Enjoy food, games and music.

Contact Brad Sale at (843) 899-5200.

10 Journey tribute band Resurrection

11 18th Annual Shuckin in the Park oyster

Little Theatre, 14 Mood Ave., Sumter. Call (803) 775-2150, or visit www.sumterlittletheatre.com.

11 Relay for Life Gospel Extravaganza, Weldon Auditorium, Manning. Visit www. weldonauditorium.org.

www.birdsource.org to participate.

CD sellers, will rock Weldon Auditorium in

16-19 Comedy “Leading Ladies” at Sumter

17 Great Backyard Bird Count Weekend. Visit

17 Country rockers Little Texas, multi-million

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Mood Ave., Sumter. Witty romantic hero with unusually big nose, passionate nature, woos love interest for another. For tickets, call (803) 775-2150, or visit www.sumterlittletheatre.com.

24 Lawn and Disorder, national touring comedians Karen Morgan and Jim Colliton at Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St. Sumter.

For tickets, call (803) 436-2616, or visit www. sumteroperahouse.com.

25 55th Annual Elloree Trials; thoroughbred

and quarter horse flat. Great day of tailgating and horse racing. Elloree Training Center. Call (803) 897-2616 for information.

25 Six Guitars, comedy and music with Chris Padgett, at Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St., Sumter. Call (803) 436-2616, or visit www. sumteroperahouse.com.

26 Santee Easter Egg Hunt, Santee Cultural Arts Center. Contact Joanie Pinter at (803) 8542152, extension 203.

31-April 2 St. Stephen Catfish Festival - Catfish stew cookoff, vendors, rides, baseball and live music. Call (843) 567-3597.

31-April 2 Flowertown Festival -

Summerville. One of the top 20 events in S.C. arts and crafts. Food vendors, music. Call Linda Walton at (843) 871-9622.

BONANZA Flea Market

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17 Country music superstar John Anderson at Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St., Sumter. Call (803) 436-2616, or visit www. sumteroperahouse.com for tickets.

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Jimmy Houston to be featured at 2017 Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic

The Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail will hit the waters of Santee Cooper (Lakes Marion and Moultrie) in Manning on Feb. 17 and 18. This is the opportunity for local catfish anglers to compete for cash, prizes and a chance to advance to the Cabela’s King Kat North and South Championship. This year's Northern Championship will be held on Sept. 22 and 23 on the Cumberland River (Old Hickory Lake) in Gallatin, Tennessee. The Southern Championship will be held on Oct. 6 and 7 on Lake Wateree in Camden.

For additional information, visit the website, www.kingkatusa.com, and Cabela's King Kat Facebook Page. Both sites contain new information on the events along with information for all catfish anglers.

Registration

Late registration will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, the day before competition at Manning High School, 2155 Paxville Hwy., Manning, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Captains Meeting/Seminar will follow at 7 p.m. You must be a member of the King Kat Association to fish this event.

A one-year membership is $30. To preregister, go online to www.kingkatusa.com, or call (502) 384-5924.

Legal waters for the event will be lakes Marion and Moultrie.

Weigh-In Site

The tournament weigh-in will be held at John C. Land Landing, 4404 Greenall

Road, Summerton. Tournament hours are 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. All anglers must be in weigh-in line by 4 p.m. with a five-fish limit per team. To help preserve the sport, only live fish will be weighed in, and all fish will be released after the tournament.

For a complete list of rules, visit www. kingkatusa.com, or call Cabela's King Kat Headquarters at (502) 384-5924.

Sponsor and host lodging for this event The City of Manning welcomes all Cabela’s King Kat anglers and their guests to the area. For more information on Manning, call (803) 435-8477, or visit its website at www.cityofmanning.org. Host lodging for the event will be Baymont Inn, 2284 Raccoon Road in Manning.

For reservations, call (803) 473-5334.

The number of rooms may be limited in some areas, so it is recommended that participants make their reservations early.

National sponsors

Cabela's, Alumacraft, Adventure Products EGO Nets, RigRap, B 'n' M Poles, Minn Kota, Mercury Marine, Mustad Hooks, Driftmaster Rodholders, Gamma Line, Humminbird Electronics, World Fishing Network – WFN, Rippin' Lips, Keep Alive, Cat River Anchors, Sunsect Sunscreen & Insect Repellent, Humminbird Lakemaster Maps, Digital EFX Wraps, Tentology, Crown Trophy, Gill Rainwear, Catfish Now and Whisker Wear.

ESPN outdoors host Jimmy Houston will be featured at the 2017 Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia.

Jimmy Houston of “Jimmy Houston Outdoors” will be signing autographs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 24, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 25.

Jimmy Houston, “America's Favorite Fisherman,” is in his 40th year on national TV. For 20 years, “Jimmy Houston Outdoors” consistently ranked as the No. 1 outdoors show on ESPN. “Jimmy Houston Outdoors” now airs on NBC Sports, Destination America, WFN, You Too America, My Family TV, Walk TV, America Media Group, Heartland TV and The Texas Channel Cable Network.

Other exciting attractions at the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic will be the Extreme Raptors Show, Billy Hurt and his Bass Tub, SCDNR’s Catch and Release Fishing Pond, deer scoring and many more.

The 33rd Annual Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic will be held at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia March 24-26.

Doors will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, March 24; from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 25; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 26. Classicgoers will find hundreds of exhibitors on site with the latest fishing, hunting and outdoor equipment for show and sale.

Admission to the 2017 Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic is $8, and parking is $5 per car. Seniors 62 and over and military get in for $7, while children 10 and under are admitted free. In partnership with Harvest Hope Food Bank, the Classic will offer $5 Friday. Bring a non-perishable food item on Friday, and get into the Classic for only $5.

For more information and ticket purchase on the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, call the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Columbia office at (803) 734-4008, email psc@dnr.sc.gov, or visit the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic website at www. psclassic.com. The Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic is sponsored by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, event sponsor Farm Bureau Insurance, Midlands Chevy Dealers, WIS-TV and Professional Printers.

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WINTER ICE STORMS CAN DEVASTATE LAKESIDE COMMUNITIES

by JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Few weather phenomenon in South Carolina have as much impact as an ice storm. Luckily, the storms are relatively infrequent, and when they do occur, they are often limited to a relatively small area, according to National Weather Service Columbia Warning Coordinator John Quagliariello.

When they do occur, however, they are not easily forgotten.

“Historically, ice storms have imposed some of the greatest impacts to the area,” he said.

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

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Many residents of the South Carolina Midlands still have fresh memories of the ice storm which occurred in February 2014.

“Some areas of the Midlands got one to one and a quarter inch of ice accumulation,” he said.

“That’s pretty significant; you are talking about devastating impacts.”

According to The Associated Press, the 2014 storm caused an estimated $73.5 million in damage across 22 counties in South Carolina. The Federal Emergency Management Agency paid out $55 million in the federally declared disaster covering the period of Feb. 10-19, 2014.

Ice storms cause trouble in a couple of ways, Quagliariello said.

“First of all, travel is severely impacted,” he said. “Of course, driving is a big hazard.”

The storms also play havoc with the electrical infrastructure, downing many power lines.

“People can be without power for a long time, sometimes one or two weeks,” Quagliariello said.

He said the storms can happen anytime during the winter.

“January and February are probably the best chances for it,” he said.

Limiting the number of ice storms is the fact 8 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

that conditions must be “just right” for them to occur, Quagliariello said.

“The big thing with ice storms is that the temperature is actually above freezing just above the surface,” he said. “Any snow or anything else kind of melts as it heads down out of the clouds.”

In addition, right at the surface there must be a small layer of air that is below freezing.

“That causes the rain to freeze as it contacts a surface,” Quagliariello said. “If the ground is cold enough, you will have ice forming on sidewalks and roadways and things like that.”

If the layer of freezing temperatures is too thick, the rain will refreeze and turn into sleet or ice pellets before it reaches the ground, he said.

“Sleet can have less of an impact because it is coming down as ice pellets,” he said. “Freezing rain is deceiving — it is coming down almost as a liquid, and then it freezes when it makes contact at the surface.”

Elevated surfaces such as trees, power lines and roads over bridges are among the first things to be covered with ice.

Quagliariello explained that conditions suitable to cause an ice storm usually happen only in a narrow band.

“In general, you will have snow where the air mass is colder, typically north and west, sleet and freezing rain will be the transition, and to the south and west, typically you will have rainfall,” he said.

Forecasting where the transition will take place can be difficult.

“That’s one of the greater challenges for meteorologists,” he said.

Freezing rain just looks like regular rain or drizzle on radar, Quagliariello said.

“It’s generally light precipitation, and you wouldn’t notice it,” he said.

Quagliariello said sleet, and especially snow, have a little bit different look on radar for those who are trained to look for such things.

“That’s when you rely on surface observations to see where temperatures are at freezing or below,” he said.

Quagliariello said the NWS generally issues a winter weather advisory when there is a trace of freezing rain in the forecast or any kind of accumulation of ice.

“We will issue an advisory because ice can be so dangerous, especially on roadways and things like that,” he said.

ST. STEPHEN FISH LIFT

PROVIDES WINDOW TO AQUATIC LIFE

PHOTO COURTESY OF SOUTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

“On average, we count 250,000 American shad and 350,000 blueback herring each year.”

Chad Holbrook, diadromous fish assistantcoordinatorforS.C.DNR

St. Stephen fish lift viewing room.

by RICK CARPENTER rick@theitem.com

A window into a Santee-Cooper lock allows the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to accurately track the migration of Atlantic Ocean fish to inland spawning grounds in fresh water.

And the advent of video recording adds a component to the count that allows those counting specific species an opportunity to slow down the count to make it more accurate.

Researchers call saltwater fish who migrate to freshwater for spawning “anadromous fish.” Researchers call Fish that migrate

from freshwater to saltwater, such as eels, to spawn “catadromous fish.” Researchers refer to the combined group of anadromous and catadromous fish as “diadromous fish.”

Chad Holbrook, diadromous fish assistant coordinator for DNR, said that while the department counts every species of fish that passes by the window, the two species that interest them the most are adult American shad and blueback herring.

“On average, we count 250,000 American shad and 350,000 blueback herring each year,” FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

9

he said.

DNR uses the counts to assess the health of the two species’ populations in the Santee-Cooper system. The department uses the counts to ensure commercial and recreational fisheries sustain harvest rates.

Holbrook said American shad and blueback herring must migrate from the ocean to fresh water to reproduce.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the St. Stephen Fish Lift in 1985 to allow safe passage for anadromous fish to migrate from the ocean to lakes Moultrie and Marion and into the Congaree and Wateree rivers annually.

And because the Corps of Engineers built the St. Stephen Fish Lift as part of a rediversion canal, fresh water flows toward the ocean, which brings freshwater fish into the canal.

The canal utilizes a system of dams and dikes to raise and lower water levels to allow boats to move from the ocean to fresh water as well.

Other fish observed and counted include striped bass, blue catfish, channel catfish, striped mullet, longnose gar, largemouth bass and a

variety of sunfishes.

Because the department counts all species by video recording through the window, counters also see alligators, snakes, beavers, turtles and cormorants.

Holbrook said the flow of the river as well as the depth of water in lakes Marion and Moultrie and the need for generating electricity through turbines installed in the St. Stephen Dam determine the best time to see fish in the window.

DNR allows people to observe fish at the window for free daily from March 15 to April 30.

It provides guided tours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on the weekends by appointment. For groups of more than six people, DNR asks the public to make reservations by calling (843) 825-3387.

More than half of the 1,200 annual visitors to the site are schoolchildren.

For directions to the St. Stephen Fish Lift, go to http://www.dnr.sc.gov/ fish/fishlift/directions.html.

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PUBLIC SHOOTING RANGE OPENS EAST OF COLUMBIA

by JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Trap and skeet enthusiasts have a new place to enjoy their sport now that the Wateree Shooting Range is open to the public.

The shooting range is north of U.S. 378 east of Columbia and a mile or two west of the Wateree River in what was the privately owned Indigo Shooting Club. The club was purchased by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and is now a public range.

Even before the official opening, school shooting clubs were taking advantage of the opportunity to use the range for practice since the trap machines were installed.

“We opened up the opportunity for youth club teams to come in and practice,” said S.C. DNR Capt. Billy Downer.

He said that allowed staff at the facility to make sure the machines were working properly.

In December, shooters from Wilson Hall Academy, a private school in Sumter, were doing their best to hit targets from the “five stand,” which has the capability of hurling five clays in front of as many as three shooters.

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Haile McElveen, a ninth-grade student at Wilson Hall, said getting in the practice felt good.

“I think it is nice for the DNR to let us come and practice before they open it to the public,” he said.

Work is complete on the skeet houses as well as a new skeet-trap overlay and the sporting clay course.

“We will open up with a full shotgun sports facility,” Downer said in December.

The renovation of the rifle and pistol ranges is still in the planning stages, he said, and the main building will be renovated in the next few months. While work on the clubhouse continues, a portable building will be put up to check people into the facility, Downer said.

Purchasing clays will be based on a card system, he said. Customers will pay with a credit or debit card, which will give them a card to put in machines at the stands.

“It’s $5 for 25 clays,” Downer said. “We are not

trying to make money; we are just trying to pay for the clays.”

The sporting clay course will be 50 targets, he said, with an unusual feature called the Boyd Tower.

“It’s an old transmission line tower that actually has skeet targets in it,” Downer said. “It will make a challenging target presentation.

“The pistol and rifle ranges have got to be renovated,” Downer said. “We are working with the state on that because it is going to be a rather expensive renovation process.”

Downer said the facility will eventually include a 100-yard rifle range with side berms, back berms and baffles, a 16-station rifle range and a 25-yard, 18-station pistol range, both meeting National Rifle Association standards.

The Wateree Shooting Range, 14068 Garners Ferry Road in Eastover, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information, call the clubhouse at (803) 3538118.

“It’s an old transmission line tower that actually has skeet targets in it.

It will make a challenging target presentation."

S.C. DNR Capt.

Billy Downer

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WHY SHOULD YOU

VACATION AT THE LAKE?

by ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com

14 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

For a more relaxing time away from work and school this spring and summer, vacationers should forgo the heavy traffic and crowded beaches and plan a quiet trip at one of South Carolina’s lakes.

People can opt to rent a lake house or bring RVs or tents to a campground where they can spend time in nature.

And even if your visit to the lake is just for a day, there is plenty to see with an abundance of wildlife, walking trails and water activities.

Lisa Bair Rentals has about 15 waterfront properties that are available in Summerton, Goat Island, Wyboo, Santee and White Oaks.

Robin Brice, rental assistant for Lisa Bair Rentals, said properties range from three to six-bedroom houses that can be rented for $800 to $1,700 per week. Rental prices do not include a $200 refundable security deposit and cleaning fees, she said.

Each house is fully furnished and has a grill, she said. Guests only need to bring food, clothes, linens and towels.

Brice said some houses have small private beaches and piers to fish from if guests do not have a boat. Some houses are pet friendly, she said. Parties are not allowed at any of the houses.

Brice said guests can visit popular restaurants near their properties including Fayz at the Lake in Manning, Red’s Bar and Grill in Summerton, Goat Island Restaurant in Goat Island and J&E Breakfast in Summerton.

She said guests can even drive boats to Fayz at the Lake and Goat Island Restaurant.

But if you do not have a boat to bring to the lake, Lisa Bair Rentals can refer guests to a boat rental company. Of course, you do not need a boat to enjoy your time at the lake. There is swimming, golfing and hiking trails.

Brice said Lisa Bair Rentals only accepts cash and checks.

For more information, call (803) 433-RENT (7368), or go to lisabairrentals.net. The website includes photos of the houses and directions to the properties.

Vacationers can also choose to stay at one of the many campgrounds around the lake, such as Elliott’s Landing and Campground, 2010 Elliott’s Landing Road, Pinewood. The grounds have been family owned since 1945.

Each campsite has full hookup for water, electric and sewage, and there is a general store and two bath houses on site, said Sandra Elliott, who owns the grounds with her husband, L.T. According to Elliott’s Landing’s website, RV site fees are $30 per night and $275 per month – $300 per month for a waterfront site. Tent sites are $20 per night.

Anyone planning to stay at Elliott’s Landing should call ahead of time to check availability.

However, you do not have to stay at the site to enjoy the water.

Visitors can go to the site for fishing or boating. The landing has a 300-foot fishing pier and boat ramp.

There is a $4 fee to fish, Elliott said.

Elliott’s Landing also has a crawfish farm, established in 1987, where the owners raise and sell Louisiana Red Swamp Crawfish by the pound or sack between April and June. The crawfish are cleaned and graded before sale.

If anything, you can come out to enjoy the scenery at the landing.

It’s quiet most of the time, Elliott said.

And visitors can also enjoy local restaurants and stores if they choose to venture away from the campgrounds.

Contact Elliott’s Landing and Campground by calling (803) 452-5336, or go to the website www.elliottslandingandcampground.com.

Other landings and campgrounds include:

John C. Land III Landing, Greenal Road, Summerton, (803) 435-4405; Polly’s Campground & Marina, 1005 Polly Lane, Summerton, (803) 478-2351; Santee Lakes Campground, 1268 Gordon Road, Summerton, (803) 478-2262; www.santeelakescampground.com; and Pack’s Landing LLC, 9890 Pack’s Landing Road, Rimini, (803) 4525514, www.packslanding.com.

As for food, Goat Island Restaurant, 9645 Wash Davis Road, Summerton, serves lunch and breakfast and has indoor and outdoor seating.

The outdoor seating area is over the water with a great view of Lake Marion, said Emma Prosser, a waitress at Goat Island.

She said the restaurant’s signature dish is catfish, caught fresh daily. The menu also includes seafood, steak, burgers and sandwiches, she said.

Prosser said Santee National Wildlife Refuge near the restaurant is also a nice place to stop by during a visit to Goat Island.

The 13,000-acre refuge, located on the north side of Lake Marion, was established in 1941.

In the spring, American alligators and large-mouth bass start to get more active, and colorful migratory birds such as the painted bunting return to the area, according to the wildlife refuge’s website.

Visitors can also enjoy fishing; hunting; bird watching; wildlife observation; and miles of hiking, mountain bicycling, canoeing and kayaking trails.

Santee National Wildlife Refuge is at 2125 Fort Watson Road, Summerton. For more information and for hours of operation, go to www.fws.gov/refuge/santee/, or call (803) 478-2217.

Whether you would like to make a day or week trip, vacationing at the lake at any time of the year can prove to be a great way to relax and spend time with family and friends.

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

15

BONANZA FLEA MARKET: A HIDDEN GEM

by KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com JORDAN — A hidden gem that offers a wide selection of items. That’s how you could describe Bonanza Flea Market, located at Bonanza Crossing Road in the Jordan Community of Clarendon County.

The market offers everything from furniture to home appliances, electronics, books, antiques, clothing and fishing supplies. You can even find the most random items, such as a vending machine or a ventriloquist doll.

“We have everything from A to Z, as long as it’s legal,” said Buddy Justice, coowner of the market.

Justice opened the market with Moira Kammerer, his girlfriend, in April 2013.

The couple had kept a lot of things in a storage unit and noticed that their items had kept accumulating. They also enjoyed organizing various yard sales 16 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

with friends.

They decided to rent a building on Bonanza Crossing Road as a place to sell their items.

As the idea developed, others began to jump on board, Justice said.

“Everyone wanted to know if they could have a yard sale with us,” he said. “Before I knew it, we had a whole flea market on our hands.”

The building was built in the 1980s and was once a sewing plant that made shirts.

Justice’s stepfather, Johnnie Carter, was manager of the plant.

The 7,500-square-foot indoor flea market is divided into 28 sections, which are 15-by15 feet each, with a large table on which individuals can rent the space and sell their items. The building is owned by Johnny James, a local business owner in Jordan.

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Buddy Justice and Moira Kammerer, own the Bonanza Flea Market at the Jordan Crossroads in Clarendon County, the store offers an array of items from antiques to modern items.

Vendors can rent the space in different price categories: daily, weekly or monthly. Justice and Kammerer use seven of the spaces to sell their items and rent out the other spaces.

Prices for all items are negotiable, he said.

“It’s a great way to start your own business,” Justice said. “We’ve had several people who started here and expanded into other avenues.”

Paula Woodlief has been a vendor at the site since November.

“I had all of these extra items that I wanted to sell but no place to sell it,” she said. “I thought that this would be a great place to do it.”

Woodlief said she enjoyed getting to know the people who come to shop there. Customers range from locals who shop there weekly to outof-towners who stop by during their stay in Clarendon County. Some even travel to the county just to visit the market, Justice said.

“We have new faces come through here each week,” he said.

Viola Crutchley, who’s been an Avon beauty products representative for about 15 years, also is a vendor at the site.

“It’s very convenient; you don’t have to have your own building to set up in,” she said. “It makes business simple.”

Susan Lewis was a vendor at the market for about five months in 2015.

Lewis’ significant other had passed away, and she was planning to move back home to Tennessee.

Lewis had many household items that she needed to sell but didn’t have a place to sell them.

“Bonanza was the perfect place,” she said. “The best thing about it was the people. Everyone there had a very friendly atmosphere.

“It changed my whole opinion of buying and selling,” Lewis said.

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FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

17

Viola Crutchley sets up her beauty product display at Bonanza Flea Market at Jordan Crossroads in Clarendon County.

Susan Mundo, who is the market’s sole employee, said she enjoys the atmosphere.

“It’s not high stress, like some places can be, and I get to meet a lot of nice people who come through here,” she said.

Manning resident Anna Holmes, who shops at the market about once a

week, said she enjoys finding new items at the flea market.

“They always have a great selection of new items to choose from,” she said.

Holmes, who is an artist, said she could always find unique items to repurpose into different art items.

Barry Marsh, another frequent customer, said what he enjoys about the experience is there’s always something new.

“It’s not the ‘same old, same old' you find at other places,” he said. “They have decent prices, and you never leave empty-handed. There’s always something there.”

Tommie Pitts has been shopping at the market about once every two weeks, ever since the store opened.

“The prices are reasonable and fair,” he said. “And the atmosphere is real friendly.”

Pitts said he likes to look for items such as tools.

Erik and Jennie Sciandra of North Carolina have a camper in the Lake Marion area, and they come down to visit Bonanza every time they visit the lake.

“Moira and Buddy are great people; they’ll give the shirts off their backs to help anyone out,” Erik Sciandra said.

Sciandra said he could always find stuff that they need for their campsite at the flea market.

“I had this coffee table that I really wanted there once, and they were willing to hold it for me until I traveled down from North Carolina,” he said.

The market is open 11 months of the year, closing only for January to allow for a period of getting things organized, Justice said.

Bonanza Flea Market is at 1048 Bonanza Crossing Road, Jordan. The phone number is (803) 460-0014, and the email is bonanzafleamarket@ aol.com. Hours of operation are Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

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13028 Hwy 260 • Manning, SC 29102

803-478-3805

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2017 | LAKESIDE

21

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CARO in the p THE 25-YEAR LIFE CYCLE

Heavy equipment is used to clear tracts of land for the farming of longleaf pine trees on this piece of land near Summerton.

24 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

OLINA pines OF FORESTS

by BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com When you drive through Clarendon County, you are destined to see plenty of pine forests in the landscape, and there are lots of forest landowners in the county. Some might want to become tree farmers and take up pine harvesting as a side business venture to supplement their income. But there’s more that goes into it than meets the eye, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture district conservationist Brandon Durant and other local experts.

One factor that many don’t understand and consider is the time element.

“It’s more time consuming than people think to grow good, quality timber,” Durant said.

Durant, of the Clarendon County field office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA, provides advice to landowners wanting to start tree farms for timber production.

He says 25 to 30 years is the typical timeframe from start to final harvest for pine trees in order to maximize timber value. If a tree farmer cuts too early in the rotation age, then the trees won’t grow to achieve the highest wood quality and bang-for-theharvesting buck.

Pine trees are prevalent throughout Clarendon and the region of the state below Columbia, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Given the 25- to 30-year rotation age, the landowner must have “patient money,” said local forestry management consultant Dwight Stewart of Dwight L. Stewart Jr. & Associates in Manning.

“If you manage the land and put a little money into it, the landowner can yield an 8 to 10 percent return over time,” Stewart said.

The first consideration in tree farming is to discover what tree(s) grows best on the site, according to Durant. Southern yellow pine, a softwood tree, is very common in Clarendon County, according to Stewart. Of this species, loblolly pine is most prevalent locally, followed by longleaf. In the river-swampy areas of the county, hardwood trees are common. Pine tree production is often used in house framing and the construction industry. Hardwoods are often used in furniture production but are not prevalent until you reach the Appalachian mountain region.

According to Durant, the average rotation of pines consists of two “thinnings” to remove lower-quality trees.

A first thinning occurs after 12 to 15 years to remove the lowest-quality trees, which represent about one-third of the total pine stand. Pulpwood, the lowest grade, or

Longleaf pines are now the preferred choice for farming pine trees as opposed to the traditional loblolly pines (background) because longleaf are indigenous pines and are more suited to the area.

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

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Lionel Stukes talks about the shift from growing loblolly pines to farming longleaf pines (foreground) which are more disease and drought resistant. classification, of wood is processed from these trees at paper mills, such as International Paper. Those trees are ground and eventually made into cardboard and paper products, Durant said.

About year 20 in the rotation age, a second thinning generally occurs to remove another third of the trees. Chip-n-saw, a middle-grade classification of wood, is processed from these trees, which are generally 10 to 13 inches in diameter. Paper and lower-dimension lumber, such as 2x4s, are made from this lumber. The 2x4s are generally used in house framing.

At final harvest, the biggest trees are processed for sawtimber, which is generally considered the highest wood quality. These trees draw the most money to the landowner and are made into 2x4s and other dimensional lumber for house framing and the construction industry.

The rotation age for pines might seem long, but it was formerly longer, Stewart said. He said when he graduated from Clemson University in 1970, pines and other softwoods had a 40-year life cycle.

“Now, with very advanced research and good forest management practices, they have shortened the rotation age for economically mature pines to 28 years,” Stewart said. “And with genetics and chemicals, that timeframe will be reduced even more.”

26 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

By comparison, many hardwood trees — such as hickory and gum trees — have a rotation age of 60 years or more.

After harvesting, reforestation — or re-harvesting — of the land can occur if the landowner desires.

Given pine trees’ close connection to the housing industry, how do landowners deal with a housing industry correction because of an overbuilt marketplace?

Stewart said the tree farmer must wait it out when he can’t sell his lumber.

“I always tell people: Trees will still store well on the stump,” Stewart said.

“They will continue to grow if you can’t sell them. Timber always grows — rain or shine.”

For processing before final use, cut trees may go to a sawmill, an oriented strand board plant or a paper mill, according to Stewart.

A sawmill cuts dimension lumber, such as 2x4s. The sawmill might then sell the wood to a retailer, such as Lowe’s, before it’s sold to the final consumer or housing builder.

Clarendon is home to an OSB plant with Georgia Pacific in Alcolu. OSB is similar to plywood but considerably cheaper and used in the housing industry.

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‘Bama,move toward region Turn out ion pplay Area teams the lights Berry, Meeks help No. Clemson 14 North Carolin arolinaa edge e Clemson 89-86 offenses Morant’s 31 leads No. 3 Crestwood past second-ranke d LR 74-66 go jumbo PREP BASKETBALL

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennis@theitem.com

on Friday.

Sumter will play at Hartsville today before traveling to Florence for its Region VI-5A After two weeks of holiday opener against South Flortournaments, local high school basketball teams begin ence. Lakewood will be at home against Camden today their final preparations for and will then play host to region play with non-region Darlington in its Region contests today.

VI-4A opener.

Sumter, Lakewood, Manwill be at home Manning IACOBELLI ning and Scott’s Branch all BY PETE Berkeley today before againstPress open their region schedulesThe Associated

hitting the road on Friday to face Hanahan to open Region VII-3A play. Manning will also play Clarendon County rival Scott’s Branch on Saturday in Summerton.

Scott’s Branch will play at Timmonsville today before hitting the road against Bethune-Bowman on Friday to begin Region V-1A play.

Crestwood plays Lower

CLEMSON — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney had simple instructions for 340-pound defenNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP sive lineman Dexter Lawrence when he first used him on offense: “Go that way.”

Lawrence, the agile freshman who has bedeviled offensive lines, has done the same to defensive opponents as part of the Tigers’ LAWRENCE “Jumbo Package.”

That’s when they line up the 6-foot-5 Lawrence and 6-4, 310-pound defensive end Christian Wilkins in the backfield for goal line or short yardage situations.

You should see more than just the Tigers EDITOR’S NOTE get bigger in the backThe results of field during the College Footthe College ball Playoff Fiesta Football Bowl game bePlayoff. Altween Clemson abama has and Ohio State used Naand the Peach gurski Bowl game beAward-wintween Alabama ning defenand Washington sive end were not available Jonathan at press time.

Allen (6-3, For a complete 291 pounds) recap, visit our and freshwebsite at www. man linetheitem.com. backer Mack Wilson as goal line blockers.

Wilson, at 6-foot-2, 242 pounds, caught a TD pass out of a goal line set in the Tide’s blowout of Kent State.

“If they can create an advantage, I think it’s something that we need to do,” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said.

No. 1 Alabama (13-0; No. 1 CFP) faced No. 4 Washington (12-1; No. 4 CFP) in the Peach Bowl on Saturday while No. 2 Ohio State (111; No. 3 CFP) took on No. 3 Clemson (12-1; No. 2 CFP) in the Fiesta Bowl. The winners will play for the national championship in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 9.

Richland twice this week. sThe schools play at The Casctle on Wednesday before facing off in Hopkins on Satur-day. an Lee Central actually began eits Region IV-2A schedule benfore Christmas and it continues region play this week with two home games. LC meets North Central today riand Pageland Central on Fri-

GAME

What’s next? eated Wilson Hall in the decisive third SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO game SA 3A baseball base d two runs on a wild pitch in the bottom to capture its first SCISA state championship of the seventh inning to win 4-3.

mond Doub uble

ures state titles in baseball, all, ssoftball t of year’s top area achievem evements busy one on the sports d Lee counties. ships — both team and onth period. Laurence state championships in and bowling. Also, Wiltate title for the second inning state titles, ingirls basketball team Robert E. Lee Academy l state title after win, the Clemson football ball Playoff national nd was facing Ohio hance to get to the title n the College World Se-

SEE MILESTONES, PAGE B6

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO Laurence Manning Academy’s softball ll team defeated defea Thomas Sumter Academy in three games to win the he SCISA 3A softball state title.

USC guard Thornwell Thor reinstated, rein apologizes apo

Berry was certainly

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Denzel Ward (12) during the Tigers’ 31-0 victory in the Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams (7) runs away from Ohio State cornerback in Tampa, Fla. Glendale Ariz. Clemson will meet Alabama for the national title on Monday Fiesta Bowl on Saturday in Glendale,

Blown transformer causes postponement of boys’ Lakewood-Camden game

BY EDDIE LITAKER Special to The Sumter Item

The term “lights-out basketball” took on a whole meaning on Tuesday new blown transformer as a darkened the entire Lakewood High School campus and surrounding neighborhoo d, bringing a sudden stop to the varsity game between Lakewood boys and Camden less than a minute shy of the end of the opening quarter.

The delay began shortly after 7:30 p.m., with the lights going out then briefly coming back up before the arena darkened once again.

School game officials huddled and multiple times during the with a determinatio outage, n that the game would be suspended if electricity was not restored by 8:15, which was the case.

As coaches from both schools talked during the outage, it was decided that the game, which was a non-region contest, would not be resumed.

Play was halted with the Gators holding a 9-5 lead Devante Pack about and to go the free-throw line.

Both teams struggled from the field early as Lakewood held a with two minutes 6-2 lead on the clock before Camden’s Devin Martin and Lakewood’s Grant Singleton trading 3-point baskets to close the scoring.

Singleton’s trey came at the 1:18 just seconds before mark, the power outage.

seven of 10 from 3-point range and played Caroliall but 4 of the 45 COLUMBIA — South COLUM minThornwell na guard Sindarius utes.

“I kept asking Joel apologiz to his teammates apologized if he was all right,” North and fans after his reinstateCarolina coach Roy Williams said. shedwithout M ment Monday “It’s been a long sus- time since I had ligh on why he was ding light someone play 41 minutes.” pended for the past six games The Tar of Heels needed all violation u for an unspecified of them to hold off the Tigers, policy. athletic department who came in having the Thornwell, won nine straight. scorer team’s top After Meeks’ go-ahead and rebounder, basket, Justin Jackson followed when will return with a bucket and Clemson the Gamecocks lost its ninth straight — and Southopen (10-3)19th of the past 20 games — to Confereastern Lakewood head North Carolina. coach GeorBrown was disappointed Bryan at scored Berry THORWELL ence play THORW 23 that points after his team was not Wednesday gia on halftime and appeared to able to get its have full tuneup in for night.

North Carolina Friday’s home Region VI-4A de- on the way to go into ahead tovictory, want a d “I don’t 75-67 with less against Darlington. opener when said than tails about it,” he 4 minutes left. Clemson, “We’re going to for his reasonclosed asked aske about thethough, try the period with stay positive,” said to just a 10-2 run, capped suspension. susp Brown,

by Marcwhose team entered quise arrested was Reed’slast Thronwell Th tying 3-pointer play on Tuesday with a with mari- to go. with 29 seconds 9-4 record.

May and charged “We’ve been concentratin and driving finished with 14 juana juan possessionMeeks g on points Hishis career Crestwood’s Ja Morant (12) drives the overcoming adversity all seaand tied license. with wit a suspended KEITH GEDAMKE/THE SUMTER ITEM baseline best son. That’s after getting with Lower Richland’s Tevaughn Higgins airborne what we’ve 16 rebounds. It announced ry on Wednesday at The Castle. was suspension sus been in the Knights’ 74-66 victotalking about and fifth double-doubl was his preaching, Dec. De 4. e this seaso this is another son. adverse moresponsibility “I “ accept full ment that we’ll

BY PATRICK ENZOR try to use to for my actions,” he said. “I am grow ning North Carolina’s Kennedy and build at The Special to The Sumter Item offCastle of. It’s- Lower Richland SEE UNC, PAGE B4 and excited to be back humbled hu unhead coach Dwayne Edwards, whose fortunate john Coliseum in Clemson.Meeks (3) dunks during the THE ASSOCIATED PRESS because was No. 2. I know the he Tar Hee Heels’ 89-86 victory on the court with my brothers team improved to 11-4 on the season. guys really on Tuesday at Littlewant toand Ja Morant “A play. company We had someOn Wednesday morning, and an excited about conference lot of attention is put on him, so the South thing to say about that. Behind when Carolina Basketball Coaches Associaplay.”

Mopl the other players step up and contribNATIONAL CHAMPIO SEE LAKEWOOD, rant’s 31 points, the PAGE Knights B4 topped the tion released its new rankings for So is South Carolina, which ute, that makes us a much better NSHIP GAME Diamond Hornets 74-66 in a game team.” teams across the state. The Crestwood was w 7-0 with wins over Michithat The Lady Knights also took care of Crestwood lead by at least seven gan g and Syracuse and ranked High School varsity boys team came points business, pressing LR into 26 turnovers in from the first quarter on.

No. N 20 with Thornwell in the at No. 3 in the 4A classification. in a 52-32 victory.

The “He (Morant) makes everyone else The Gamecocks have lineup. l Knights’ opponent on Wednesday evearound him better,” said Crestwood gone 3-3, including a loss at SEE CRESTWOOD, PAGE B3 Memphis last Friday, and have his in fallen from the rankings absence.

Thornwell should be in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HAMPIONSHIP GAME

BY PETE the when IACOBELLI starting lineup

BY PAUL NEWBERRY Theface Associated Georgia, The Associated Press Gamecocks Press coach Frank Martin said.

CLEMSON he and athletic Martin said You can only poke — No long stretches the bear so much. of games. reviewed TannerMore director Ray Lane Kiffin depth All suspension and on defense.

BY PETE IACOBELLImay have cost kept running his mouth , and it in all, Clemson Thornwell’s coach Dabo 0)him a chancenight. on Monday Swinney believes to stay at Alabama The Associated Press he has a fresh for“They’re one very excited excited,” ” teammate and fellow CLEMSON Cl

Swinney: Tigers have ‘more juice’ this time around

CAROLINA FOOTBALL

Muschamp

day. and Laurence Wilson Hall a Academy continue Manning Acade non-region scheduleBY PETE IACOBELLI their non-regio The Associated Press Wilson Hall travels this week. Wils Matthews today to face to St. Matthew Academy while CLEMSON — Joel Berry Calhoun Acad II was angry with Charleston on Friday going to Charl his play in North Carolina’s Porter-Gaud. LMA to meet Porter loss to be-Tech last Saturday. GeorHammond todaygia plays at Hamm He made up for that host to Palmetto fore playing h with a career night at Clemson.

Christian on Friday.

Berry had career 31 points and seven highs with as the 14th-ranked 3-pointers Tar Heels bounced back from their Atlantic Coast Conference NA BASKETBALL OLINA CAROLINA CARO opening loss with an 89-86 overtime victory Tuesday night.

Kennedy Meeks’ basket with 1:12 left in overtime Carolina (13-3, 1-1) put North ahead for good.

“I was very disappointed with my shooting the other night,” said Berry, who was 3 of 13 for eight points in the loss to the Yellow Jackets. “I just went back and put up a lot of shots. I know my team depends on me and I want to be a big-time player to help us win.”

BY PETE IIACOBELLI against Clemson (11-3, that 1-1). He hit 12 of 19 shots, Associated Press The Associat was

SEE CLEMSON, PAGE B3

ath among ng biggest stories storrries ies in i ’16

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CAROLI

Thor retur USC Geor

BY CHARLES The Associated ATHENS, scored 24 po Thornwell h from a six-g lead South C win over Ge cocks’ South opener on W Thornwell ing defensive had 11 rebou and six steal na (11-3, 1-0 S Yante Mate 1-1) with 18 p 3-pointer wit remaining to n T o p b p

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THORNWELL po de on 3-pointers.

Thornwell r starter after c suspension for violation of at policy. He apol mates and fan would not say pended.

The Gameco ranked No. 20 w who was avera They were 3-3 a the Top 25 duri sion.

Even while m well’s defensive six games, Sout the SEC in scor lowing 59.3 poin His return adde to the defense w Maten, the SEC ing scorer, near frustrated the B shooters.

South Carolin second half with take its biggest l Georgia cut the Juwan Parker’s Frazier’s fast-br consecutive poss

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28 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

'LITTLE MIDGET' FAMILY DRIVE-IN

AND ITS OWNER REPRESENT FIXTURES IN DOWNTOWN CAMDEN

by BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com One could say Allen Blackmon has been in the restaurant business his whole life.

When he was a child in 1958, his parents — Ira and Evelyn Blackmon — bought “Little Midget” Family Drive-In, a tiny drive-up restaurant in Camden. The drive-up sold hamburgers, hotdogs, French fries, milkshakes and other traditional menu items and was popular in the community.

When he reached school age, he would walk down the street to the drive-up following school.

One day after school when he was 7 or 8 years old, he went to

the restaurant and discovered his dad had bought him a gift — or so Blackmon thought.

“My dad said: ‘Son, I got something for you,’" Blackmon remembers.

It was a used bicycle his dad had purchased for him for $5 — “but $5 was a lot of money back then,” Blackmon recalls.

Blackmon took a look at the bike and said to his father: “I like it, Daddy, but I don’t like that basket on the front. Can I take that basket off?”

His father said:,“No. You are going to do some work.”

And so Blackmon had his first job in the family business pedaling orders around downtown Camden after customers would call them in.

Fast forward half a century, and not much has changed at

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

29

Blackmon’s Little Midget at 1012 Market St. Blackmon is secondgeneration owner of the family business. His bicycle is gone, but the menu is basically the same with a few add-ons.

“This is a no-frills type, old-fashioned, family restaurant — about as bare bones as you can be,” Blackmon said. “There’s nothing elegant about this place. I mean: You want a hamburger, you come in and get a hamburger because you’re hungry. It’s a comfort food, family place. But that’s the way it used to be with drive-ups.”

In the 1950s and ’60s, there were seven or eight drive-ups just in Camden, according to Blackmon.

But at 8 feet long by 4 feet wide, “we were the smallest one out of the bunch,” Blackmon said.

Before his father died, he told Blackmon not to change a lot with Little Midget. Blackmon promised his dad he wouldn’t.

In 1989, he did add a dining room area, and a drive through was also added. But the food is still the same.

“All our products’ ingredients — like the homemade chili for our burgers, our pimento cheese, our chicken salad — are probably fourthgeneration, handed-down recipes and over 60 years old,” Blackmon said.

In his mid-30s, Blackmon met his wife, the former Delaine Dailey of Camden. She ran Little Midget for about two decades while Blackmon held a couple of state jobs in Columbia during the timeframe for the insurance and health benefits.

He left a government job a few years ago when Delaine got sick with cancer. She passed away in 2014. Since then, he’s back running Little Midget.

What keeps him going at the business?

“It’s the people I know by name,” Blackmon said. “That makes me want to stay here a little while longer. This is my socialization.

“It’s nice to see people I knew from a long time ago, and now they are retiring back here — that’s nice to see. The historical part of being a small town has never left Camden.”

When asked about Little Midget’s claim to life, Blackmon says “it’s everything on that menu — the good, old-fashioned food.”

The most popular meals are the hamburger with fries and the hot dog

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CAMDEN, SC | 803.432.3011

with fries, according to Blackmon.

His burgers are made with angus-choice beef, which he says is “about as good as you can get.”

Staff has come and gone through the years, but they have always been “good, salt-of-the-earth people,” Blackmon said.

His current staff includes four ladies: Kathy Barnes, manager; Jeanette Haile, head cook; Wanda Blakeney, fry specialist; and Candice Barnes.

Blackmon has two sons, and the youngest has expressed an interest in taking over the family business one day.

“It’s been a fun ride: There have been good times and bad times, but I want to start slowing down,” Blackmon said. “It’s my third year of being alone after my wife died. It’s time for me to get out, and I want to travel. I will probably never fully retire though.”

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One of the ponds on Gin Pond Duck Club under construction.

32 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

DUCK PONDS

PROVIDE NECESSARY WATERFOWL HABITAT They are also known as shallow water impoundments. The primary purpose of these impoundments, or ponds, is to provide winter habitat for migratory waterfowl and hunting opportunities for outdoorsmen.

They range in size from just a few acres to more than a hundred acres.

They are seasonally flooded and will provide quality habitat if managed properly. Most are planted with agricultural crops such as corn, millet outdoor columnist and chufa.

Impoundments are usually constructed on level or gently sloping ground. Underlying clay soils are needed to minimize water loss. Earth-moving operations with heavy equipment are usually needed to build dikes and ditches around a site.

Site selection is an important consideration. What is the adjacent land use? Is it farmland and forest? Will there likely be conflicting development? Is there enough seclusion for wildlife use? Are there established waterfowl flyways in the area?

A dependable water source is absolutely essential. Wells and adjacent surface waters can provide flood water to the impoundment. The water levels must be managed to provide feeding opportunities for waterfowl. Dabbling ducks such as mallards need 6 to 12 inches of water. Divers, such as ring necks, can use impoundments several feet deep. Hunters prefer water that is shallow enough to wade

by DAN GEDDINGS

Duckford Farm pond in Sumter County.

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

33

Jim Ross can verify that a little sweat equity is part of managing an impoundment.

in comfortably.

Drainage is another important consideration. A flashboard riser is a common drainage structure. Most ponds are maintained through the winter months, until the ducks have returned north in the early spring. But the fields must be dried and ready for planting in late March and early April. Good managers keep all these things in mind.

According to Jonathan Patrick, habitat manager for the South Carolina Waterfowl Association, these private, lakeside duck ponds provide 3,100 acres of local habitat for waterfowl. Most are close to the shores of Lake Marion in Clarendon and Sumter counties. All provide benefits for a variety of wildlife.

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association was one of the first to establish duck ponds near Lake Marion, along the Old River Road. The success of its impoundments gave rise to many other operations.

Pinewood native Joey Smoak and a group of hunting buddies were among the first private citizens to establish waterfowl hunting impoundments near SCWA and the lake. Their Jenkins Andrews got a operation, known as Duckford Farms, has provided mallard in a local duck great hunting opportunities for family and friends pond. for years.

Jim Ross, a retired builder from Dalzell, established Apollo Farms a decade ago along Old River Road. His two ponds have been a dependable source of great hunting opportunity. This past year Jim began offering memberships to the public.

Sumter native Dr. Clay Lowder started Gin Pond Duck Club this past year.

He has 80 acres of newly constructed duck ponds and a remodeled lodge near Elliott’s Landing. His enthusiasm and excitement for this venture clearly demonstrate his love for the outdoors. He too has offered memberships to the public.

There are many other private duck ponds and shallow water impoundments in the lake area, some with names like Featherhorn, Wishbone and Lil’ Arkansas.

They all provide habitat for thousands of waterfowl and hunting opportunities for sportsmen.

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GEOCACHING

CREATES INEXPENSIVE, LOCAL ADVENTURES story and photos by DEANNA ANDERSON seakla@yahoo.com Before Pokémon Go filled the streets with the slogan “Gotta catch ‘em all!” there was geocaching. But unlike Pokémon Go, which uses augmented reality, geocaching locates physical “treasures,” or caches.

Considered an outdoor recreational activity, geocaching uses GPS coordinates or other clues to find caches hidden at specific locations. At each site, people, or “cachers,” write their name and the date in a log book included with the cache, then log their find on a website like geocaching.com.

Geocaching got its start in May 2000, shortly after the removal of the Selective Availability of the Global Positioning System — meaning that GPS became available to civilians. At that time, GPS also went from 300-meter to 3-meter accuracy. In that same month, Dave Ulmer of Beavercreek, Oregon, placed the first documented geocache and posted the coordinates on a UseNet newsgroup; within three days his cache was found and logged. A plaque commemorates the area as the first geocache site.

Caches take three basic forms: virtual, earth and physical. Virtual caches are historical monuments or locations, and earth caches are natural formations such as rock outcroppings. Cachers are usually required to email a photo or answer questions in order to claim the caches.

Physical caches are the most common and consist of a hidden container or object. Every cache must contain paper or a tablet for cachers to log their name and the date. Aside from that, caches can come in a variety of sizes, shapes and containers.

Most commonly used are food storage containers or metal ammunition boxes.

However, caches, known as nanos or micros, are as small as a fingertip, and a large cache might be a five-gallon bucket. Most physical caches, other than nano size, contain items that can be traded for something of equal or greater value, such as dollar store items, pens, drink koozies, stickers or souvenirs.

Caches can be hidden in urban parking lots, neighborhoods, roadsides, forests or just about anywhere. Some exceptions do apply, however. To avoid public alarm, caches are not typically placed near schools, banks or fire and police stations. Parks at the state and federal level also have restrictions.

South Carolina state parks allow caches with TOP: Geocaches often blend into the environment and take some time to discover.

LEFT: Visitors to Poinsett State Park learn from peers about geocaching.

38 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 | LAKESIDE

approved paperwork, but National Parks do not allow caches because of the Leave-No-Trace policy.

These restrictions do not limit the amount of “caching” a person can do, however. Within the Lakeside region there are hundreds of geocaches at lakes Wateree, Marion and Moultrie; at Poinsett, Lee and Woods Bay state parks; in Manchester State Forest; and numerous neighborhoods within those counties.

Other rules for geocaching are: new cache coordinates must be logged on a geocaching website; caches cannot be moved (unless it’s listed as a traveling cache); avoid endangerment to self and others; respect private property, public buildings and national monuments; and have a minimal impact on A typical geocache discovery nature. with tradeable items inside.

Minimal start-up costs (basic membership on www.geocaching.com is free) and learning skills such as reading GPS coordinates, map-reading and problem-solving, makes geocaching a rewarding hobby that gets individuals or families outside, active and exploring their surroundings.

To get started, create an account at www.geocaching.com, and download the app. The website is required to log finds, look for events and connect with other cachers. The app locates caches within a designated area. Anyone can geocache; however, beginners should consider attending a geocaching event to learn the basics.

Check the website for events in your area. The South Carolina State Parks and the Palmetto Conservation Foundation also host geocaching events which are posted on their websites.

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