Lakeside September-October by The Sumter Item

LAKESIDE LAKE SIDE L I F E O U T D O O R S F R O M WAT E R E E T O S A N T E E

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021

Lessons worth giving MLK Rider Jake Dennis offers donation-based horse riding lessons in Rembert.

Life under the lake with Wateree Dive Club Ashwood Lake reopens after 2015 flood damage

PLUS: Duckfest is back! BERKELEY • CLARENDON • KERSHAW • ORANGEBURG • SUMTER

2 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

Duckfest

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Summerton, South Carolina

Summerton Duckfest Festival 2021 Activities Fall Open Team Bass Tournament Sat. Sept. 25 at John C. Land Landing $5,000 guaranteed 1st place!

Duck Calling Contest

Saturday, Oct. 9th Downtown Summerton The winner will go onto compete in the World Duck Calling Championship in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

Saturday, Oct. 9th • • • • • • •

Live Music Cook-Off Ultimate Air Dogs Fire Fighter Challenge Kids Corner Skeet Shoot Parade

• • • • • •

Adult Art Contest Vendors Cornhole Tournament Fun Duck Run Shopping & More Dog Retrieving Demo

(803) 410-1067

duckfestfun.com

@summertonduckfest

about from the lake us PUBLISHER Vince Johnson EDITOR Kayla Green COPY EDITORS Rhonda Barrick Melanie Smith WRITERS Shelbie Goulding Sharron Haley Bruce Mills Melanie Smith Kareem Wilson PHOTOGRAPHY Micah Green PUBLICATION DESIGN Micah Green Janel Strieter

ust in time for the fall and Halloween season, it's the scariest villain of them all. COVID-19! After a summer of low case numbers and the return of a sense of...what's the word?...normalcy, we seem like we're back where we started. High school football games are being canceled left and right, as are events and also talk of just about everything else. It's a bummer. I eagerly anticipate the time when this is all behind us. When children can go to school without the idea of "quarantine." When nurses aren't called heroes for incessantly monitoring imminent death. When health isn't political. I know this magazine is supposed to be light-hearted and fun. But when the outdoors is the only respite from a deadly virus, it kind of dims the light from the experience. I also know that the best way to overcome a difficult time is to stick

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Karen Cave karen@theitem.com

Mark Pekuri mark@theitem.com

on the cover Jake Dennis with one of his horses at the MLK Riders of South Carolina Saddle Club Organization clubhouse in Rembert. Photo by Micah Green

36 W. Liberty Street • Sumter, SC 29150 www.theitem.com 4 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

Calling all ducks

Janel Strieter

8 Summerton's annual Duckfest returns after a year off due to COVID-19

KAYLA GREEN EDITOR OF LAKESIDE

ADVERTISING / GRAPHIC DESIGN Jivon Adams

Devin McDonald devin@theitem.com

together and have hope and faith. There is so much beauty in life, no matter how hard the rest of it seems. Just take a look inside these pages. Summerton will host the return of Duckfest. A lake in Lee County finally reopens to the public after the historic 1,000-year flood in 2015. In these pages, we find peace in hunting for old artifacts or diving under the surface to explore life in our lakes and oceans. We learn how to become a proper equestrian, we improve our golf game on renovated greens, and we try a new fall recipe that, believe it or not, does not have pumpkin spice as a key ingredient. They do exist. I know, shocking. Wherever you are in life, whether you're at a high or a low point, I hope this magazine serves a positive purpose. Let it take your mind off something or entertain you, teach you more about the area we call home. Thank you for reading. Stay safe, friends.

44 39 33 26 20 12

Hunting for treasure

Columbia-based diving club offers experiences not found on land

Life under the lake

Wyboo Golf Club is a hidden gem in a state full of great courses

Renovating the greens

Six years after the historic 1,000-year flood, Lake Ashwood reopens

Back in business

Rembert cowboy offers donation-based riding lessons to those willing to learn

Lessons worth giving

Try these unique recipes to get you in the mood for fall

Fall, sans pumpkin spice

Finding old artifacts in the ground gives a glimpse into the past

what’s inside

FEATURE STORIES

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 5

What to do & Where to go BERKELEY • CLARENDON KERSHAW • FLORENCE • RICHLAND ORANGEBURG • SUMTER

KERSHAW COUNTY

Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) Summer Final Tournament The event will be held at Clearwater Cover Marina as follows: 6 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, Open 15; 6 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 25, Open 16; 6 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 9, Open 17; 6 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 16, Open 18; 6 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, Open 19; and 6 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 20, Final. Call or email Brett Collins, division director, at (803) 413-7521 or catttrail1@ gmail.com. Visit https://www.cattteamtrail. com/divisions/catt-lake-wateree-opens/ for online registration. Springdale 5K Run and Walk Benefiting the Mobile Nutrition Center, the event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11. The run/walk will begin at 8 a.m. on the grounds of the Historic Springdale Race Course and the National Steeplechase Museum, 200 Knights Hill Road, Camden. Visit https:// runsignup.com/Race/SC/Camden/ Springdale5K . Camden Fall Classic H/J The event will be held Sept. 18-19, at the South Carolina Equine Park, 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden. For details, contact Janet Black at (828) 606-0708 or email threesprings@windstream.net.

6 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

Tail Waggin’ Ball Supporting the Thiel-Meyer Adoption Center, home of the Kershaw Humane Society, the event will be held 7-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at the National Steeplechase Museum, 200 Knights Hill Road, Camden. Enjoy live music, dancing, auctions and great food while helping to provide critical funding to rescue animals. Visit https://www.tailwagginball.com/ . “Nunsense the Musical” The event will be presented by the Arts Center of Kershaw County Friday-Sunday, Sept. 24-26, at the Black Box Theatre. Show times are 7-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15. Call (803) 425-7676, email skeel@fineartscenter.org or visit www. fineartscenter.org .

RICHLAND/ LEXINGTON COUNTY Columbia’s Greek Festival The event is hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Columbia, 1931 Sumter St. This four-day event, scheduled for Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 16-19, will feature Greek food, dance and music. Call (803) 461-0248.

Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, on the grounds of Mann-Simons site, 1403 Richland St., Columbia. This free cultural festival will feature musicians, artisans and storytellers celebrating South Carolina’s black history and culture. Visit https://www.historiccolumbia.org/ events/2021/2021-09/jubilee-festivalblack-history-culture 47th Okra Strut Featuring family fun, live music, amusement rides, food and drinks, the event will be held 6-11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, and 9 a.m.10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Irmo Community Park, 7507 Eastview Drive, Irmo. Visit https://okrastrut.com/. Rock 4 Recovery fundraiser concert featuring Edwin McCain The event will be held from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, at Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 W. Main St., Lexington. Tickets are $25 and are available at rock4recovery21.eventbrite.com . Palmetto Peanut Boil The event offers live music, food, children’s entertainment and more and will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, on the 2900 block of Devine Street, Columbia. Admission is free. Proceeds from the sale of food and beverages benefit the Animal Mission. Visit https:// animalmission.org/palmettopeanutboil.php .

SUMTER COUNTY Sumter’s Fall Feast You do not want to miss out on Sumter’s Fall Feast on Thursday, Sept. 16, at Swan LakeIris Gardens (Garden Street entrance only), 822 W. Liberty St. From 6 to 8:30 p.m., you will have the opportunity to enjoy all-youcan-eat local favorites like shrimp, crab legs, frog legs, gator bites and more. Tickets are $35 in advance or $45 at the event (if available). Visit https://www.sumtersc.gov/ fallfeast to purchase tickets. Annual Festival on the Avenue Celebrating the South Sumter community through performances, the art and events, is scheduled for Oct. 14-16. For the complete event schedule, including information regarding the golf tournament and parade, visit http://www.festivalontheave.org/ . Oktoberfest Sumter’s largest Main Street party, Oktoberfest, will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16. The Mountain Top Polka Band will be the German band playing on Main Street until 9 p.m. and then DJ Howie D’s Entertainment DJs will continue the party in La Piazza. Advance tickets are $10. Visit https://sumteroktoberfest.com/ . Sumter American Legion Fair The fair will be held Tuesday-Sunday, Oct. 19-24, at the Sumter fairgrounds, corner of Liberty Street and Artillery Drive. Take the family out to enjoy the food, entertainment, exciting amusement park rides, animals and more. Visit www.sumterfair.com.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY

Trash to Treasures The Town of Elloree will hold its Trash to Treasures event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2. You won’t want to miss this town-wide yard sale featuring street vendors, quaint shops and more. Call Elloree Town Hall at (803) 897-2821. The Orangeburg County Fair Everybody loves a fair! The Orangeburg County Fair will be held Oct. 5-10 at the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds. Visit www. orangeburgfair.com.

CLARENDON COUNTY Duckfest Fall Open Team Bass Tournament The event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25,

at John C. Land III Landing in Summerton. Registration form and information can be found at https://duckfestfun.com/ . Think Pink 10th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Event: Walk, Run, Golf Cart in Pink Sneakers The event will be held from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, at Manning High School. Call (803) 435-4414 or (803) 4606679. Annual Summerton Duckfest Now in its sixth year, the event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 9, and will feature a duck calling contest, art contest, corn hole tournament and so much more. For complete details, visit https://www.facebook.com/search/ top?q=summerton%20duckfest or https:// duckfestfun.com/ . 19th Francis Marion / Swamp Fox Symposium The event will be held Friday-Saturday, Oct. 22-23, at the FE DuBose Campus, Central Carolina Technical College, I-95, Exit 122, Manning. This event about the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War includes lectures, reception, discussions, displays and more. Register early. Visit http://www. francismarionsymposium.com/. 14th Annual ASCAS Charity Golf Classic for A Second Chance Animal Shelter The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Players Course at Wyboo, 1560 Players Course Drive, Manning. Registration fee includes full round of golf including cart, continental breakfast, lunch, awards and prizes. Call Mike at (803) 460-0878, Herb at (843) 509-3737 or the shelter office at (803) 4737075.

FLORENCE COUNTY Carolina Food Truck Rodeo Held at the Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence. Event hours are 5-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday. There are several new features this year. Get all of the details by visiting https://www. carolinafoodtruck.com/ . 2021 South Carolina Tobacco Festival An all-day, family-friendly event featuring live performances, a petting zoo, kid’s zone, artisans market, farmers market, classic car show and more, festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18. Visit http://www. lakecitysc.org/sc-tobacco-festival/ .

Annual Pamplico Cypress Festival The event has been scheduled for FridaySaturday, Oct. 1-2. Past festivals have featured classic car shows, amusement rides, arts and crafts, food, local musical talents, pageants and more. Contact Pam Turner, festival coordinator, at (843) 6873349 or Pamplico Town Hall at (843) 4935551. Visit https://www.townofpamplico. com/cypress_festival . Downtown Oktoberfest Downtown Florence welcomes the fall season with its annual event Saturday, Oct. 9, in the 100 block of South Dargan Street. From 6 to 10 p.m., attendees will enjoy German-style foods, cold German and Oktoberfest-style beer and live entertainment. Activities will include the Weenie and Almost a Weenie Dog Races, beer stein and keg rolling races and more. Beer and food tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth. Americas Living History Foundation The event will sponsor the 6th Annual American Heritage Festival SaturdaySunday, Oct. 23-24, at Graham’s Historic Farm in Lake City. Experience firsthand what it felt like to be a part of World War II and the Revolutionary War battles. There will also be displays of Revolutionary War, World War I, World War II, Korean and Vietnam War artifacts, weapons and vehicles. Visit https://www. theamericanheritagefestival.com/ . BOOtanical Garden at Moore Farms Botanical Garden Get the family all dressed up in their best costumes and head out to 100 New Zion Road, Lake City, from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. Admission: donation of canned goods. Event will feature trickor-treating through the garden, pumpkin bowling, spooky punch, carnivorous plants and more. Pre-registration is required. Event attendance is limited to 600. Call (843) 210-7592. Visit https://moorefarmsbg.org/ events/bootanical-2021/ .

S.C. GUN AND KNIFE SHOWS Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 11-12, Exchange Park Fairgrounds, 9850 Highway 78, Ladson. Show hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 per person and children under 12 years of age admitted free. Visit www.mkshows. com. Contact Mike Kent at (770) 630-7296 or email mike@mkshows.com.

Events are subject to change due to COVID-19. A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 7

Calling all ducks Duckfest will be held Oct. 9 in Summerton, fishing tournament Sept. 25

Words by Sharron Haley

ummerton lies in the heart of Santee Cooper Country, resting just 8 miles from the shores of Lake Marion and some of the best duck hunting spots in all of South Carolina. Sparkleberry Swamp, Goat Island, Rimini, Brewington and private ponds, all within a few minutes of Summerton, have been the mecca for duck hunters from across the state, making Summerton “The Duck Capital of South Carolina.” Summerton will celebrate its connection with all things duck at the

8 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

sixth-annual Duckfest on Oct. 9. Duckfest will have something for everyone, youngsters of all ages from babies to centenarians. “We are honored and blessed to be able to have the event this year,” Duckfest chairman Ed Paul said. “We wanted to put on a great festival in Summerton, providing something positive in a crazy year that all South Carolina folks can look forward to and enjoy.” The 2021 Duckfest T-shirts are on sale now. Short-sleeve and long-sleeve T-shirts

are on sale in an assortment of colors and sizes from youths to adults. The shirts are on sale at Summerton Drugs, 115 Main St., and Summerton Hardware, 140 Main St. On Sept. 25, Duckfest will host its annual Fall Open Team Bass Tournament that launches out of John C. Land Landing, 4404 Greenall Road, Summerton, at safe light. The entry fee is $150 plus $10 if you’d like to enter the big fish category. The first-place winner will take home $5,000. Blast-off order will be determined by order of entry, so get those entries in

DUCK

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 9

early. The tournament features a fivefish limit of black bass only. For all the rules and regulations regarding the tournament, go to www.duckfestfun. com and download the application for the tournament. The family friendly festival will include duck calling, duck retrievers, and what would a celebration be without a cook-off? Cooks from across the region will try to outcook their friends and fellow hunting enthusiasts, and the public will get to enjoy the delicious rewards. To enjoy the bounty, all it will take is the purchase of a ticket to the cook-off. The duck calling competition will begin at 11 a.m. in the grassy area across from Summerton Town Hall. “There will be two sanctioned duck calling contests, the Summerton Duckfest Regional and the Santee Cooper Regional,” Paul said. “The adult winners of each contest will win $1,000 each and represent Summerton in the 2021 World Championships that will be held in Arkansas.” Applications to enter the duck calling contests can be found at www. duckfestfun.com.

Photo provided If walking or running is more your speed, enter the Fun Duck Run. Other events include a cornhole tournament, plus live music, a

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firefighter challenge, kids' corner, adult art contest and lots and lots of delicious festival food and drinks. On Oct. 9, dog trainer Ralph Ardis,

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The Grind: Swampcats’ Griffith balances internet fame with life on the gridiron B1

L I F E O U T D O O R S F R O M WAT E R E E T O S A N T E E

Do I still have to wear a mask? What about kids? BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The government's new guidance on masks for vaccinated people has left some Americans confused and sent businesses and states scrambling to adjust their rules. Target and CVS on Monday became the latest retailers to say vaccinated shoppers and workers don't have to wear masks in stores. New York said it will adopt the new mask advice this week, while California said it

karen@theitem.com

U.S. wants Israel to wind down offensive

perfect summer

AP source says Biden, officials encouraging PM Netanyahu to stop country’s Gaza attacks

Skip the trip to the grocery store and hand-pick fresh berries at local farms through August.

BY ELLEN KNICKMEYER, AAMER MADHANI and LISA MASCARO The Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and administration officials have encouraged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials to wind down the bombardment of Gaza, a person with knowledge of the discussions said Tuesday, as the BIDEN Israeli and Palestinian death tolls mounted and pressure grew on Biden to move more forcefully to stop the fighting. Top Biden adminNETANYAHU istration officials underscored to the Israelis on Monday and Tuesday that time is not on their side in terms of international objections to nine days of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rockets and that it is in their interest to wind down the operations soon, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly on the private talks and spoke on condition

10 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

SEE ISRAEL, PAGE A6

READ MORE Strike from Gaza kills 2 as Israel topples 6-story building in 2nd

KAREN CAVE (803) 774-1242

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

R.E. Davis College Preparatory Academy school nurse Marlee Wells, left, and math interventionist Tammy Bilton take a short break during lunch in the school’s employee wellness room.

R.E. Davis kindergarten teacher Lacey Thompson reads a book in the wellness room recently.

Artwork of scenic areas in the eastern portion of Sumter County was placed in the room last week.

R.E. Davis College Prep Academy adds an employee wellness room BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com The focus on the social and emotional well-being of students has been expanded in K-12 education during

the creation of an employee wellness room, and many of the school’s 65 or so staff are now feeling the good vibes with the addition. Zach Lowe, the school’s curriculum coach, was one of the facilitators of

PLUS:

Wyboo's new golf pro, Camp Happy Days, the Sumter fair returns, Lake Marion is open for business and more

BERKELEY • CLARENDON • KERSHAW • ORANGEBURG • SUMTER

learned the concept is somewhat common in the corporate world. A schoolteachers’ lounge doesn’t provide quite the same ambiance, he added, with its hard furniture and vending machines, and they are often

DEVIN MCDONALD (803) 983-0786 devin@theitem.com

MARK PEKURI (803) 464-8917

mark@theitem.com

Melanie Smith/File

off your dock or bank and making a huge splash in the water? Then your pet can be entered in the Ultimate Air Dog competition. Retrievers, spaniels, even a toy poodle or Great Dane can be entered. In the afternoon, the 2021 Duckfest parade takes center stage at 4 p.m. The parade lineup will begin at the Summerton School District 1 office parking lot, 12 S. Church St. Motorcycles and horse clubs are limited to five per registration. The deadline to enter the parade is Sept. 30. The entry fee is $10. A 2021 Duckfest parade entry form is available online at www.duckfestfun. com or by email at duckfestfun@gmail. com. Duckfest sponsorship levels are still available to individuals, businesses, organizations or civic groups. For a complete listing, log onto www. duckfestfun.com. Duckfest’s website also has a downloadable application for vendors. Fees range in price according to the type of vendor. Craft, food and nonprofit vendors can apply. Electricity will be available to vendors for an additional cost.

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 11

LIFE

under the lake

12 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

Words by Kareem Wilson | Photos from Andy Ogburn

ho loves exploring under the sea? Andy Ogburn does. Nicknamed “Flipper,” he takes the phrase “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life” to heart, turning his passion for scuba diving into operating the Wateree Dive Center in Columbia. He began diving when he was around 9 years old, and the 56-year-old enjoys every waking moment exploring 75% of the Earth submerged in water. It’s a feeling he can’t explain. “I’ve never really been able to put my finger on it, but people who get into diving just need to

have the passion for it. It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “I enjoy hearing about people’s dive experiences and travel.” He has found numerous artifacts in his travels, including a five-inch megalodon tooth, a woolly mammoth’s tusk, clay pots and a B-25 bomber aircraft. He helps give people this same breathtaking experience with lessons at the center. Located at 4350 St. Andrews Road, the dive shop started as a garage in Camden operated by dive buddies Larry Ogburn – Andy’s father – and Bondy Long in 1977. During the mid-1980s, sole ownership was given

to Larry and Serena, Andy’s mother, and the Ogburn family has cared about supporting people's scuba interests for more than 30 years. A self-taught diver, Larry taught others how to dive and would often share his diving stories with Andy, sparking an interest in the soon-to-be deep-sea diver. As a kid, Andy remembers the times he would ride in the back of the shop’s van from Camden to Sumter’s YMCA to practice in their indoor pool. After graduating high school, Andy worked alongside his father in the shop. He operated a branch shop in Myrtle Beach for a few years before eventually moving back to Columbia in the mid1990s to run the main store. When his father passed away in 2016, Andy kept his father’s legacy afloat. The shop runs fullservice classes and programs for special groups and individuals who want to get certified to explore underwater. They also provide equipment and trips to places such as the Bahamas, Caribbean and Lake Murray. The center also cleans up and hosts fun programs under the lake including a pumpkincarving contest in October. He said most people are interested in diving

“The unique thing for me is the silence. Just being there and only hearing your breathing, and you’re in a different world.”

— John West, Certified scuba diver

because of friends and family or to go diving on vacations. “There’s a lot of people that get into diving just to enjoy the local rivers in South Carolina,” he said. He and a group of divers traveled to offer classes in Sumter and partnered with Wilson Hall to help with their scuba club. Stacey Reaves, an upper school head teacher at Wilson Hall, was certified by the center this summer. She and other staff members are trying to start up a scuba club at the school to train students in deep water expedition and other programs, including litter pick-up, reef restoration and traveling. In mid-August, students took the SSI Open Water exam, something Reaves said was a thrilling experience. She said they are looking forward to getting back in the water either this fall or next spring and praised Andy’s team for preparing them and giving them a new outlook on life. “They were amazing,” Reaves said. “[Scuba diving] has been something that I’ve been wanting to do for years, and they just made it possible.” Other participants also praised working with the center and the experience. John West, an Air Force retiree who works at Fort Jackson, got certified in 2019 and is up to more than 30 dives. It is an “eye-opening experience” for many, he said, because it’s not really swimming but more like floating in the water. “The unique thing for me is the silence. Just being there and only hearing your breathing, and you’re in a different world,” West said. He said diving is “therapy for your soul” and highly recommends people give it a try. After so many years, diving has become integrated into Andy’s life. He credits his parents for raising him to love the sport. “Dad and Mom really enjoyed scuba,” he said. “I’m just glad to be a part of what they started.” Andy said he is working on offering classes at the YMCA and other places in Sumter. He now spends his days either in the pool teaching others and preparing them for open waters or out on his own adventures looking for relics and marine life.

Contact the Wateree Dive Center at (803) 7319344 or watereescuba.com.

14 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

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$1,600 weekly 4 bed, 2 bath split floor plan with 2 beds and a bath on either side of the house. Large yard on main Wyboo sleugh next to the campground. Home is being completely remodeled throughout, new paint, new floors, newly remodeled bathrooms. free super fast WIFI, Roku TV in den and kid’s room, w/d, coffee, microwave, toaster, blender, mixer. Private pier and launch ramp. Sleeps 10 (2K,1Q,4T).

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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 17

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GREEN RENOVATIONS at WYBOO Golf Club Words and photos by Bruce Mills

n outstanding golf course only gets better by staying in good condition, and Wyboo Golf Club in Manning set itself up for a bright future with a greens renovation project this summer. Given its layout and polished condition, Wyboo has been considered a “hidden gem” of courses in the state, and Victor Grubb, its golf professional, discussed how the recent renovation fits into the big picture for the course. Grubb explained to keep a course in good condition, a greens renovation should be done every 15 to 20 years. That time is now for Wyboo since it originally opened in 1999. Tif Eagle Bermuda Grass was replanted on all 18 holes in the renovation, and the greens were also extended and enlarged. The project had to be done in the summer

20 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

months, Grubb said, because Tif Eagle requires hot, sunny days to grow. Members and guests of the semiprivate course played this summer on temporary greens mowed out in the fairways and in front of the regular greens. After a bunker renovation in the first half of last decade, he said, redoing the greens this summer has set up the course for the future. The course reopened with the new greens in late August. In August, Wyboo club member Ed Jernigan said he liked the temporary greens and that other members had fun with them as well. “Actually, the temporary greens help your golf game because it makes you chip a lot more than you normally would,” Jernigan said. “It makes you work on your short game. To me, it’s been a bonus.”

WYBOO GOLF CLUB 2565 Players Course Drive, Manning Open since October 1999 (803) 478-7899 www.wyboogolfclub.com

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 21

WHAT AN S.C. GOLF GURU SAYS ABOUT WYBOO

Legendary sportswriter Bob Gillespie knows his way around golf courses throughout the state of South Carolina and has always thought fondly of Wyboo Golf Club, he said. In his final 10 to 15 years with The State newspaper, based in Columbia, Gillespie did an annual top 10 ranking of the best public-access courses in South Carolina, and Wyboo made the list a few times, appearing as high as No. 8. Gillespie told Lakeside he has always enjoyed playing Wyboo, noting its design and that it is always well maintained. While there are tremendous courses that are well known in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Hilton Head, Gillespie

22 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

said the annual series also tried to give golfers some other ideas that were not an ocean course or in a major city. “I thought among the second level that Wyboo was a really good example of – if you will – ‘undiscovered golf,’” he said. After retiring from The State, Gillespie said he did some freelance work with the state Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department on courses considered “hidden gems” – not along the coast or in a major metropolitan area. “Wyboo was one of about three or

four of those that we picked out in the first wave and said, ‘Here is a course. You don’t necessarily think Manning for really good golf, but if you get there and try it out, you are going to be pleasantly surprised,’” Gillespie said. He noted Wyboo’s signature No. 13 and two par-5s on the back nine as challenging holes. Grubb, the course’s golf pro, said Gillespie’s recognition has helped put Wyboo on the map for golf. “It’s been a big shot in the arm for us,” he said. “A challenge we have is that a lot of people don’t know we are here since we are in a small town. That’s where the golf course has to be premium for people to remember it and come back. We have a product that warrants return traffic.”

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26 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

Disregard that sign...

Lake Ashwood is open, finally. Words and photos by Kareem Wilson

After six years being closed to the public, Lake Ashwood in Lee County officially reopened on July 1. The gates reopened to boaters and park goers eager to finally get back to the popular fishing and picnicking spot after the dam at the lake burst from the historic 1,000-year flood in October 2015. The lake is 10 miles from Bishopville on Interstate 15 between Sumter and Lee counties. It is in the center of the Ashwood community, a rural area developed in the 1930s near Bishopville as part of the Resettlement Project from President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal and built as part of the agricultural development of the area. The state’s Department of Natural Resources closed the 75-acre state lake after the lake’s dam was breached because of heavy rainfall in 2015. More than 20

inches of rain fell across the coastal and Midlands regions of the Palmetto State, with Lee County receiving 12 inches of rain and Sumter County receiving 23 inches of rain. The flood damaged the lake’s spillage, a structure in the dam to provide a safe passageway for floodwaters to escape downstream. The lake is owned by Lee County School District and was leased to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The DNR lease for the facility had expired, which the agency later renewed. DNR agents and the National Guard worked together to repair and clean up the lake, largely through FEMA and backed by efforts of state Rep. Will Wheeler, D-Bishopville. Officials were worried at that time that the damage from the flood was more severe than they thought. “There was a concern that it may be breached completely during the last few days after the flood,” said Ross Self, chief of the Freshwater Fisheries Section at DNR.

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 27

DNR agents gradually lowered the water level in the lake to avoid a breach in the dam from which water would sweep 2.5 miles downstream to McGirts Creek. Self said there were significant erosion problems they worked to get stabilized at the dam’s emergency spillway. “It was erosion at the spillway,” Self said. “Behind one of the wing walls behind the dam was undermined, and there was a significant amount of sediment lost by the back of the dam adjacent to the wing walls of the spillway.” One of the wing walls partially collapsed because of the loss of support from the earthworks behind it, he said. The National Guard

How the flood fell Words by Shelbie Goulding

28 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

assisted with putting down sandbags to stabilize eroded areas to eventually restock the lake. Although the lake was closed to fishing, DNR allowed people to walk around the area in 2020. Some residents said the flood didn’t hurt their community badly, while others said the lake being closed was an inconvenience. Carrie Gass is a member of Mechanicsville UM Church, next to the lake, and she and others frequently visit the lake for recreation and to enjoy the scenery. The Ashwood resident was concerned about the aftermath because it ruined the aesthetic of the area and they couldn’t host any events at the lake, she said. With things back to normal, her church is

ams broke, swamps and rivers overfilled and stormwater drainage systems were overworked to the max in 2015. Six years later, the 1,000-year flood continues to affect several communities across South Carolina. The City of Sumter had flood permits reported across its six wards, mostly in the center of the city stretching from U.S. 378 and Broad Street to beyond the Pocotaligo River. The majority of flood permits were grouped in several communities, including the most affected from Broad Street to Palmetto Park; surrounding

looking forward to resuming its lakeside activities. “Now that it’s reopened, we feel much better about it,” Gass said. In Lee County, communities reported minor issues from the flood, less debris cleanup and no property damage, according to Gregg McCutchen, the county’s administrator. DNR said everyone can go back to enjoying their daily activities including swimming, canoeing and fishing once again at the lake.

areas of Swan Lake-Iris Gardens, especially south of the park; the Golfair Road community, an area near what was then the Sunset Country Club; and the Crosswell area, stretching up from North Lafayette Drive to Miller Road and Broad Street. These areas were damaged from dams breaking and stormwater drains being overworked and clogged, resulting in water-filled homes and flooded properties. To fix these problems, the City of Sumter applied for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The grant would allow the city to help affected property owners and communities in whatever

Free Estimates • Energy Efficient • Guaranteed Low Prices • Lifetime Window Warranty (843) 694-8200 • windowsrusflorence@gmail.com A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 29

LOCAL

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter sees historic flooding, evacuations TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894

LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, OCTO

Residents cope with flooding

75 CENTS

The park next to Palmetto Pointe Apartments is flooded after historic rains.

Once in a millennium Historic flooding decimates tri-county area

Sumter Fire Department uses a ladder truck to reach drivers stranded on Liberty Street at Swan Lake on Monday morning.

The dam at Second Mill Pond held, but the road is buckled and undercut in places.

JEFF BYER / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

Emergency vehicles respond to Second Mill on Liberty Street on Sunday night.

RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

The barge from Swan Lake sits on the opposite side of Oakland Avenue on Monday morning.

Sumter Fire and Rescue used a boat to evacuate Candy Leggett, with lifejacket and shoes, and Linda Gray, in pink, from a home on Bay Blossom Avenue. Sumter Fire and Rescue units were busy all day rescuing and evacuating residents.

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Drivers plow through standing water under the U.S. 378 bypass Monday afternoon.

WATER ADVISORY

SHELTERS OPEN

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE

THROUGH YOUR EYES

City of Sumter asks all customers to boil water before drinking. A2

Birnie HOPE Center and Sumter High School are open if you need to relocate. A2

Bridge collapses on Whites Mill Pond on U.S. 15; SCDOT is re-routing traffic. A3

See reader-submitted photos from the vast rainstorm. A9

A trash container floats down Broad Street with the help of Shot Pouch Creek on Sunday. KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

The inside of Sumter Health and Rehab Center on Miller Road is seen the area during the weekend. Seventy patients and the center’s empl ed to another building via ambulance, transport, boat and trucks.

RICK

PHOTOS BY KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter firefighters rescue a family at the intersection of Cromer Drive and Ashleigh Collins Trail on Sunday after heavy rains overnight across the county.

This neighborhood off Alice Driv was flooded Sunday after more rain fell in a three-day period.

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Vehicles traveling on U.S. 378 near Walmart use the shoulder to navigate safely Sunday. Millwood Road is seen at right on Sunday.

JAMES HINKLE / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

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At left, water from Shot Pouch Creek floods into the Stanley Welch Clothiers parking lot. At right, U.S. 15 near Pocalla Springs remains underwater Monday afternoon.

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Victims stranded in their car on Liberty Street at Swan Lake are delivered to safety by Sumter Fire Department.

The sidewalk and fence at Swan Lake lie in ruins as water continues to flow under the road Monday morning.

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The dam at Swan Lake lies in ruins as water still floods out of the park Monday morning.

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335 Broad Street • Sumter, SC

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KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Residents of Golfair Court paddle through the neighborhood Monday morning. The public is being advised to stay home if at all possible, and according to local officials, a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew will remain in place until rescinded.

Sunny skies won’t chase away effects of deluge BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Clearing skies and warmer temperatures will greet the Midlands this morning, but officials warn dangerous conditions will continue and recovery from the floods will be a lengthy undertaking.

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The National Weather Service is predicting mostly sunny conditions and a high of 72 degrees today, with a high pressure system bringing in mostly sunny and dry conditions through the weekend, a welcome respite to waterlogged residents of the Palmetto State. “We are not out of the woods yet,” Gov. Nikki Haley said. “South Caroli-

CONTACT US Information: 774-1200 Advertising: 774-1237 Classifieds: 774-1234 Delivery: 774-1258 News and Sports: 774-1226

na has gone through a storm of historic proportions.” As the storm clears out, winds may down trees and power lines, officials warn, and rising rivers may require new evacuations. Of particular concern are the Wateree, Waccamaw, Edisto and Black rivers. “We may have new evacuations in

DEATHS, A13 Henry B. Richardson Jr. Louise P. Singleton Patricia Ann Ardis Hynes Roy E. Andrews

Johnny M. Parham Esther R. Taylor Roderick M. Elliott Julie T. Baker

SEE DANGER, PAGE A13

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Partly sunny and warmer today

way it could. One option included raising a home onto stilts, which is not easy but doable. Another option the city chose was to buy properties at a 75% preflood value for demolition of the property. The city would then place an easement on that property to keep it undeveloped because of the flood plain. In going this route, only 14 properties in the city were sold for the grant money after suffering severe damage: - five on East Wen-Le Court; - two on Dunway Drive; - two on Fulton Street; and - one property on Briarwood Drive, Burkett Drive, Woodside Road, Loring Drive and Cecil Street. 30 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

Kingstree,” Haley said. Haley announced she has requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government, which will allow further assistance to the state government and South Carolina residents. Numerous roadways are damaged,

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All 14 properties remain vacant and undeveloped today. According to the City of Sumter staff, several other properties were severely damaged from the 2015 flood, but the owners chose not to sell their properties for the pre-flood value through the grant. Beyond house demolitions, stormwater drains and dams had to be fixed in order to reduce future flooding from hurricanes, tropical storms and heavy rainfall. Since 2015, the City of Sumter has worked on several stormwater projects to alleviate the flooding problem that continues to affect Sumter residents today. Thirty-six stormwater projects were created

since the 1,000-year flood. The projected cost of all 36 projects is $10.8 million. Approximately 29 of those projects have been completed so far and in no specific order. It was done on real time and with what the City of Sumter could afford based on a project’s damage, effect and assessment. The Idlewild community, Newman Street area and Bultman Drive were among the first areas to be completed in 2015. Following that was the Alice Drive and North Guignard Drive area, Haynsworth Street community, Sassafras Drive to Graystone, Wise Drive to Graystone and the National Guard Armory on North Pike West in 2016. More and more stormwater drain projects

OBER 7, 2015

LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

The Beech Creek area is seen after heavy rains hit the Sumter area on Saturday and Sunday.

Oriole Court off Alice Drive is seen Sunday. TIFFANI GADDY / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

DEEANN PERRY / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

CHRIS HALL / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

Water in a pond in Pinewood rose more than a foot on Sunday.

Scenes across Sumter

fter what South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley described during a Monday

afternoon press conference as an event that might happen in 1,000

SUBMITTED PHOTO

years, readers of The Sumter

n after heavy rains hit loyees were evacuat-

Item submitted photos of what they saw across the county during the weekend.

K CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM

ve and Oriole Court than 20 inches of

THE CLARENDON SUN

BRITTANY MICKENS / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

A home in Dalzell becomes flooded.

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rd, footboard, in medium ailable.

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015

es of $2999 or more with Advantage™ credit card 29/15 – 10/19/15. Equal yments required for 60 e disclaimer for details.

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ur-Pedic®, iComfort® by Serta® and FOR DETAILS. Some pieces and fabric uch errors. Prices valid for a limited time st. Pinterest is not sponsoring, endorsing, or on of Polyurethane and/or PVC, Polycotton, es is required for all financed purchases and

Summerton shares flood stories

Below, Kolb Road is seen after heavy rain Sunday.

Community comes together, brings aid to storm shelter BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com Ron Baskin, of Summerton, was awakened by the sound of someone knocking on his door at 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Then the power was shut down, and law enforcement officers were requesting Baskin and his neighbors to leave their apartments as quickly as possible. Baskin was one of more than 100 residents of Meadowfield Apartments and surrounding neighborhoods in the Summerton area who had to evacuate the complex as floodwaters rushed in. “They told us a bus was on the way, and I didn’t really have time to take much with me,” he said. With a 2-year-old son in his arms and his wife, Lanay Baskin, by his side, Baskin said he rushed out of his apartment into the parking lot. Treading in waters measuring up to his waist in some spots, Baskin walked from the apartment complex with his family to a school bus waiting for them several blocks away. Baskin said he was thankful for the bus, provided by Clarendon School District 1, which took rescued residents to a nearby shelter at Scott’s Branch Middle-High School, 9253 Alex Harvin Highway, in Summerton. “I felt homeless,” Baskin said. “You hear about hurricanes and floods happening in other parts of the country, but you’d never think it could happen here. Being a victim myself has taught me how to deal with a situation like this. I don’t wish it on anyone.” Baskin said he appreciated all of the support he’s received at the Summerton shelter. “I’m blessed,” he said. Besides Summerton residents, the shelter is housing stranded motorists from surrounding counties and states. Close to 200 people were staying, as of Tuesday evening. About 95 percent of the people at the shelter were Summerton or Manning residents, with about 5 percent stranded Interstate 95 motorists, Will Mitchum and his wife, LaQuinn Jeffcoat, of Orangeburg, were reunited Tuesday at the Summerton shelter after being separated at different shelters in Florence and Manning for almost two days. The couple was traveling on I-95 South on Sunday evening when their tire blew out near Manning Exit 119. Cars were in a standstill that evening near the Manning exit, in what Mitchum said was knee-deep water. Mitchum went to get help at the nearest gas station. When he came back, his wife was not there. Jeffcoat was picked up by a truck driver and taken to the shelter at Manning High School. Mitchum was driven to a shelter in Florence. Tuesday morning, Mitchum said, a law enforcement officer drove him from Florence to Exit 135 on I-95. That was the furthest the officer told him he could take him. From there, Mitchum said he walked on the side of the interstate to Exit 119 to Manning. He was reunited with his wife at a gas station at Exit 119. “We were both crying,” Jeffcoat said. On Tuesday, officials combined the shelter at Manning High School, 2155 Paxville Highway, with Summerton’s shelter. Thirty-eight people were taken by bus from Manning to Summerton.

SHELTER BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER Summerton Mayor Mac Ba-

Mt. Bethel Baptist Church is seen on Highway 521 in Rembert.

ARETHA SMITH / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Flooding is seen behind St. Mary’s Catholic Church, above, at 14 Cantey St., Summerton, on Sunday morning. Volunteers at the Scott’s Branch Middle-High School shelter, left, in Summerton, help to fold clothes on Tuesday. Several streets in Summerton, such as the one below, received heavy flooding early Sunday morning.

CHAD HILTON / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

MATTHEW MORSE / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

At left, Waverly Drive in Lakewood is flooded, while at right, Jenna Brown looks out at Saratoga Street on Sunday after storms and rain overnight Saturday.

Summerton Baptist Church volunteers, above, grilled more than 300 hamburgers at the Scott’s Branch Middle-High School shelter in Summerton on Tuesday. Summerton Mayor Mac Bagnal shows the watermark left by floodwaters at Meadowfield Apartments in Summerton. PHOTOS BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY / THE SUMTER ITEM

gnal said efforts to help victims of the flood in Summerton were well coordinated from the beginning, with a high response from the community. “I have received phone calls nonstop from people asking what they can do to help,” Bagnal said. “The support has been remarkable from Summerton, to Rambay and Rimini, Panola to Goat Island; we as a community have come together in these tough times.” Greg Holliday, Clarendon School District 1 energy manager and director of maintenance, and other Clarendon 1

followed, along with several dam repairs, but Sumter residents in certain areas still see the flood’s effects as the city waits for federal and state funding for the million-dollar repairs and replacements. Today, there are seven projects that remain uncompleted or are nearing completion. Two of those projects are near completion this year: the Foxridge Court lining stormwater project is under contract with Vortex at a price of $122,000, and the Veranda Drive ditch piping project is under contract with Barwick Plumbing at a price of $365,000. The other five projects remain uncompleted. The Pinnacle Court/Golfair Road stormwater project is in the final approval process at the price

staff opened Scott’s Branch Middle-High School’s gymnasium about 3 a.m. Sunday, and a school bus was organized to transfer people to the shelter. Clarendon County Council Chairman Dwight Stewart said the bus went back and forth in the rain on flooded roads until everyone who was stranded was brought to the shelter. Stewart assisted in driving people in his vehicle as did other volunteers, county officials, law enforcement

agencies and fire departments. Donations of food, water and clothing have flowed into the school’s gymnasium, said Billie Ann Oliver, Clarendon Department of Social Services adult protective services case manager. The shelter is being run by the Clarendon County DSS with assistance from the American Red Cross, Oliver said. There are enough cots for everyone, and those staying at the shelter receive three

meals a day and snacks, she said. “The amount of support we’ve received has been awesome,” Oliver said. American Red Cross volunteers at the shelter came from across the state and nation. The organization provided everything from cots, blankets, comfort kits and health services to the shelter’s residents. “The main thing we provide is hope,” said Tammy Sullivan, a volunteer from Washington state. Clarendon School District 1 Food Services Director Annie Taylor and her staff have been cooking three meals a day for everyone at the shelter. On Tuesday, volunteers from Summerton Baptist Church grilled more than 300 hamburgers for the shelter’s residents. “The least we could do is cook a few hamburgers and provide food. We want to provide the victims of the flood with the love of Christ,” said the Rev. Billy Carlisle, pastor of Summerton Baptist Church. The youth choir of St. Mark’s Missionary Baptist Church, of Pinewood, provided juice, cookies and chips for the victims on Tuesday. “We believe in helping our community,” said minister Carol Combs. “This is a time for us to pull together as one and support everyone.” Shelter officials did not have a specific list of items needed to be donated, as of Tuesday evening. It was unclear when Summerton area residents would be returning to their homes.

DENISE BROWN / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

SHEA ORTIZ-VELEZ / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

A home on Sylvan Way is inundated with water.

The grounds of El Rancho Motel are seen on U.S. 15 North on Sunday. The owner let everybody who was there Saturday night stay for free Sunday, so they wouldn’t be in danger on the roads.

Benches sit almost underwater at Swan Lake on Sunday afternoon. JEFF BYER / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

KATELYN KING / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

Nettles Road and Gibbs Dairy Road are covered in water.

of $733,000 with engineering consultant AECOM. This project is being funded by a FEMA hazard mitigation grant through Sumter County. The City of Sumter is required to match 25% of the money. Crosswell Phase I stormwater project is also in the final approval process at a price of $1 million with engineering consultant AECOM. This project is also being funded by the FEMA grant with the same requirements. While those two remain in their final approval stages, three Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Grant funding projects, which will help resolve drainage problems in low- to moderate-income communities, remain in the process of selecting an engineering consultant: - Crosswell additional phases at a price of $2.1

million; - Miller Road to Morgan Avenue drainage stormwater project at a cost of $1.2 million; and - North Lafayette Drive to South Pike East at a price of $1.5 million. According to the City of Sumter, staff are ready to work on the three projects, but they are playing a waiting game with the CDBG funding. Information for this story was provided by the City of Sumter staff.

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 31

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Lessons worth giving Rembert cowboy offers donation-based horse-riding lessons to those willing to learn Words by Shelbie Goulding Photos by Micah Green

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 33

cowboy leans against the doorframe of a rundown mobile home at the end of a long, rocky dirt drive with one leg crossed over the other. Two horses grazing in an open field adjacent to the driveway met my car as it cruised by. They were eager to learn who their new rider was going to be, just as eager as I was to learn how to ride. The cowboy, Marvin Robinson, emerged from the trailer, a clubhouse for the MLK Riders of South Carolina Saddle Club Organization, 5555 Dais Road in Rembert, a donation-based group of trail riders who do events for charity and just love equestrian riding. He was a new member, taking a riding lesson, too, from Jake Dennis. Dennis is a 65-year-old Rembert-raised cowboy who learned how to ride at the age of 4 and never stopped. But it wasn’t until 2004 when he started teaching people how to ride alongside his own grandchildren. The best part: He was doing it all on a donation basis that funded the horses’ care and future trail riding events with his 25 fellow MLK

34 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

Riders. Dennis had four horses on the clubhouse property out of his 22 horses for us to meet and choose from. After getting to know me and Robinson, as well as our background on horses, Dennis walked out Doc, a well-trained thoroughbred stallion, who barely even needed a guide. He was so calm and well-behaved that Dennis could let the rope lie on the ground by his side, trusting his horse to not wander off. “I want you to get as much experience today as you can,” Dennis said. He jumped right into the lessons and stayed focused as his grandchildren ran around and played with the steeds in the pasture. It was a hot August evening. The sun set but still sizzled our skins, causing sweat to drip down our faces. Dennis paid no attention to it and continued

to work. He was losing daylight. “The first thing I teach you to do is learn the horses,” Dennis said. “It’s best for you to hang around five different horses and to get their personalities. Horses are like people.” This step helps people new to the equestrian life understand the horses, face their fears or bond and connect with a new friend before hopping on its back. Dennis’ best way to do this is to have riders groom the horse for as long as it takes. Whether it takes 20 minutes, hours, days or weeks, a rider will groom until he or she is comfortable with the

READY TO RIDE? Anyone who is interested in learning how to ride, no matter their age or equestrian experience, should give Jake Dennis a call at (803) 840-4784. Also call about hiring MLK Riders of South Carolina for events, parades, kiddie rides and all occasions. To donate to MLK Riders of South Carolina, send money through Cash App at $Jacobdennis55 or by mail to Dollar-10-Triple-D Ranch, 7270 Harvest Road in Rembert.

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 35

36 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

horse and until the horse is comfortable with the rider. “That’s where I start from the individual person to see what they want to learn, how fast they want to go and what experience they got,” Dennis said. “That’s what you call ground training for the individual. The horse is already ground trained.” Dennis walked us through the different types of grooming tools, a soft- and roughbristled brush and a comb. “Horses have tender skin like people,” he said. “Where I might use one type of hair brush and it don’t bother me but it might be too rough for you.” Doc was already well-groomed enough that he didn’t need a comb or rough bristle, so Dennis handed me the soft-bristled brush. I began brushing Doc’s fine, brown hair, but I was already corrected in my grooming technique just a couple minutes in. According to Dennis, horses may have

tender skin, but they’re also large mammals who like to feel the bristles stroke across their back. He stroked Doc with more pressure but in a caring way that seemed almost like a massage. I copied his technique for more than a half hour, talking with Doc and listening to Dennis’ stories. I brushed for so long that Doc dozed off, feeling relaxed and comfortable with me. “All of this is in the process to get you the training to be a good rider,” Dennis said. I was ready to move on to the next step, as was Robinson, who held the leading rope and talked with Doc while I groomed. Dennis about handed me off to another horse, Buddy, who was my planned riding friend for the day. However, I had a connection with Doc already and asked to ride him. Dennis looked at us and gave us the OK. He sent his 16-year-old granddaughter, Amauri Williams, to fetch Doc’s riding gear. He was her horse, which she led in several

parades and events for MLK Riders. We were led through the dressing process, which included a blanket, saddle and reins. Dennis pointed out that every horse’s back is different, depending on breed, muscles and age. Doc lost weight during the winter, so he had a narrow back that needed a padded blanket for more fullness and protection for his spinal nerves. Doc stood on his own with the leading rope resting on the ground again while Dennis stood on the horse’s left side. He heard that 99% of horses are left-handed, so he goes with it and works mostly on a horse’s left side. In his mind, this builds more trust between the rider and horse. He placed a heavily padded blanket on Doc’s back, checking to make sure Doc’s nerves were protected before placing a saddle on. “If I had a thinner blanket on his back, what I’d probably do is get some cloth or something,

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 37

and I’d put it over here,” Dennis said, pointing near Doc’s narrow front portion of the back. Dennis stood in what he called the “safety zone” between Doc’s eyes and front legs during the process to stay in each other’s peripheral vision. This also keeps the pair connected before riding. After gently placing the saddle on Doc’s back, Dennis pointed out several straps, saying each one serves a purpose and must be attached properly for a secure and safe ride. The first step to attaching the saddle was to buckle up the girth, a piece that would keep the saddle in place along the horse’s front stomach. Dennis dropped the girth from the right side of the horse and pulled it underneath Doc’s stomach, behind his front legs, crouching down in the safety zone to make sure it was aligned and even before tightening the buckle. He then took the latigo, a long strap connecting the saddle rigging to the cinch, and looped it several times to make it secured but also pleasing to the eye when riding in a crowd. Dennis was all about appearance when getting his horses geared up for a ride. Next came the reins, and Dennis used a lightweight bit that collapsed and moved around in the horse’s mouth for easier tension on its nerves. He said this was the best option for a bit because the horse didn’t

38 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

fight it as much. “With him, he’s trained good,” Dennis said about Doc. “He’s waiting for it.” Dennis rested his arm around the back of Doc’s head with his hand pressed on his forehead. This kept Doc steady as Dennis placed the bit in Doc’s mouth with his other hand. His thumb was on Doc’s teeth as he tried to get the bit in his mouth, but Doc wasn’t budging. “Come on, you know what you’re supposed to do,” Dennis said to Doc, attempting to have him open his mouth on his own. To get Doc to open his mouth on his own terms, Dennis took his thumb and tickled the top of Doc’s gum line. It worked in an instant, and the bit was in. The reins were then brought over Doc’s head and snapped on. He was ready for a ride. On a typical lesson day, Dennis would have his pupils repeat the steps on their own until they had the steps stuck in their heads and felt ready to ride. However, with the sun going down and Robinson and I having a bit of experience, Dennis said we were good to go. Robinson was first, but the saddle’s stirrup strap had to be adjusted to his leg length, and Dennis had to preach his most important lesson: to not get on a horse the “cowboy way.”

In old western films, cowboys will quickly hop on a horse, throwing one leg over the other without thinking of the horse and the weight a rider throws on its back. Dennis’ way was completely different. He walked up to Doc’s safety zone and pulled down on the stirrup strap a couple times, letting Doc know Dennis was about to get on his back. He then put his left leg in the stirrup and took a couple hops from the safety zone to Doc’s backside before stepping up and diving into the seat, reducing the weight off his back until his right leg swung over into the other stirrup. Dennis sat tall on Doc, who began walking immediately. He was ready to go. Robinson and I both gave it a whirl soon after, practicing Dennis’ way before riding Doc like professionals. The sun set by the time we were finished riding, nearing 8 p.m. Dennis invited me to come back anytime to continue lessons and even invited me to join his family for a fish dinner, something they do often for learning riders who spend a good amount of time on the ranch. Kind of giving a home-on-the-range sense after a full day of riding. “That’s what we do,” Dennis said. “The whole cowboy experience.”

FALL RECIPIES It's the time of year when we generally think of the kids going back to school, dealing with hurricanes — and pumpkin spice. But for this collection of recipes, I wanted to find foods that made me think of fall and cozy, warm nights indoors without that spice blend that seems to be in just about everything these days. One year, I even read about cat litter scented like pumpkin spice. Now that is going off into the deep end of a trend. Words by Melanie Smith

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 39

hese few easy recipes focus instead on apples and squashes, healthy ingredients that can be used in so many ways. Yes, one recipe does include pumpkin, but its addition to a vegetable soup made the meal creamy and nutritious. A side dish features butternut squash and a drizzle of maple syrup that will make your kids think they've had an early Halloween treat (my husband said it "tastes like candy" after eating 80% of the dish in one sitting). Finally, of course, what would fall be without a warm apple dessert? For this one, you start off by essentially making apple pie but add a creamy custard before baking. Your home will smell like fall — but without that same old pumpkin spice. Sorry, cats.

40 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES AND APPLES — Recipe from Chef Nicole of SkinnyMs.

Ingredients: 2 large sweet potatoes, diced medium 2 green apples, diced medium 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions: • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, apples, cinnamon and oil. Toss well to coat the apples and potatoes in oil and cinnamon. Spread in an even layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until tender. Remove from oven and drizzle with maple syrup. Serve hot.

BLACK BEAN BUTTERNUT SQUASH STEW — Recipe from Michelle Blackwood of Healthier Steps Ingredients: 1 tablespoon oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 red or green bell pepper, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 green onions, chopped 1 bag frozen butternut squash chunks 2 cans black beans 1 can pumpkin puree 1 can coconut milk 3 cups vegetable broth 2 teaspoons dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper Pinch of allspice 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 3 cups fresh spinach

Instructions: • Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and bell peppers and cook until onions are soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and green onions and cook for 1 minute. • Add butternut squash, pumpkin, black beans, coconut milk, broth and seasonings and reduce heat to simmer for 1 hour. Turn off heat and add spinach.

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 41

APPLE CUSTARD PIE Ingredients: 1 pie crust For the filling: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 large apples, peeled, cored and sliced 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon For the custard: 2 large eggs 2 egg yolks 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon lemon juice 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

42 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

Instructions: • Preheat oven to 375F. Put chilled crust in pan and dock with fork all over. Bake for 10 minutes until light brown. • Raise oven heat to 400F. Melt butter in medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add apples, cinnamon, salt and sugar and stir frequently for about 8 minutes until apples are soft. • Pour apples over prebaked pie crust. • Whisk together all custard ingredients and pour over apples. • Bake for 15 minutes. • Reduce heat to 325F and bake for another 40 minutes. • Cool completely before slicing.

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 43

Hunting for treasure

Words by Dan Geddings

knew it was a big rock of some kind. I had felt a slight bump and heard a loud “thunk” from the disk. So, I stopped the tractor and jumped down to take a look. Rocks aren’t so plentiful in the sandy soils of the coastal plain, especially big rocks, so I was curious, to say the least. The big rock, or stone, was about the size and shape of a catcher’s mitt – oval shaped and smooth, with a slight depression in the center. I had been plowing a small food plot on some hunt club land in Clarendon County near the lake. It was early June, and the morning was hot and muggy. The plot had yielded scores of pottery shards and arrowheads to me during the past few years. But this was something different. It

44 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

was obvious to me that it wasn’t a naturally shaped stone, nor was it native to the area. My suspicion was that it was the base stone of a Native American mortar and pestle, also known as a metate and mano. I rubbed the soft, moist dirt from the stone and carried it back to the tractor. It showed no sign of damage from the plow. At home, I washed the stone in our utility sink and wondered about its origin. Was the depression worn into the rock from hundreds of years of use, grinding maze and nuts and berries? Who were the people who lived here and used this stone? What happened to them? The food plot where I found the stone was a favorite location of mine to search for Indian artifacts. The best time to find artifacts is after an area has been disturbed by plowing or some other land activity. Another location had yielded numerous treasures after the area had been worked over with a bulldozer. A rain will settle the dust and wash off dirt to make things more visible. All you need is access to a good location and the patience to walk slowly over an area looking carefully for something with a shape or color that may look different. Arrowheads and pottery can be found almost anywhere, but locations close to a stream or a body of water are best. Native people tended to live near a good water source. They left behind timeless treasures

that have lain undisturbed for hundreds and perhaps thousands of years. These relics are from people who inhabited this land long before we did. Almost nothing has survived from their civilization. They had no written

Eventually, my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to consult an expert about my stone. I called the South Carolina State Museum and talked to one of the curators. He was very interested in my stone and asked me to bring it by when I was in town. Upon examination, he confirmed that was indeed a metate of Native American origin. The gentleman asked me if I had the mano, which would be a hand-sized rounded stone - that was used to do the grinding. When I answered that I did not, he encouraged me to go back and look for it in the same general area. My thought was that it would be like finding a needle in a haystack, so I practically discounted his suggestion. A few weeks later, I was back in the food plot with my tractor and to my surprise hit something again. It was a smaller rock, hand-sized, rounded and smooth. Could it be the mano? I had worked food plots in that location for years and had never hit anything. Now, in the span of a few weeks, I had a treasure that few have ever seen. The smaller stone fit Photo by Dan Geddings the oval depression in the larger stone perfectly! language that we know of. Just think – you Anyone who likes to spend time in the could hold in your hand something that was outdoors and loves the natural world could made by another human being thousands join the hunt for treasures. It has a unique of years ago. They lived here – where we do way of connecting us with the land and gives now. Yet we know so little about them. That us a look into the past. is a marvel to me.

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46 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE

48 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 | LAKESIDE