Lakeside November-January 2021 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

NOVEMBER 2021-JANUARY 2022

Swans: 101

Facts, figures and trivia tidbits on Sumter's iconic waterfowl. Like what's up with their heart-forming necks?

Going Green Plant Haven may be the only rare plant store in Sumter, but Shannon Strickler's vision is open to houseplant lovers of all levels.

PLUS: A guide to holiday recipes, upcoming events and unique traditions BERKELEY • CLARENDON • KERSHAW • ORANGEBURG • SUMTER

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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 3

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

getting photos of their former plant babies thriving. We all like supporting local business (i.e. Plant Haven and your favorite outdoors lifestyle magazine produced by your favorite family owned newspaper!), and we have another one for you in these pages about a woman-owned forklift business that has branched out to Sumter with a new location to offer parts and services. And let’s not forget. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Even if you’re not really feeling like it is with still so much going on around us, my hope is this magazine can give you a few minutes of respite. Take it on the porch during a cool fall night or curl up beside a fire. Read up on dessert recipes that are equally easy to make as delicious. If you’re feeling like getting out of the house or looking for something to do with family visiting, check out our list of events happening around the region. However you celebrate, I hope the season is a good one.

ait...we’re on the holiday issue ALREADY? But I haven’t lost my candy-weight from last holiday season yet! (* She says as she eats yet another Tootsie Roll. I’m writing this as the high is under 70 today. Imagine that. This is the time of year to get outside and not feel like you’re in a sauna. We have the perfect place to take said sauna-less walk: Swan Lake Iris Gardens, of course! We found all the facts and figures you’ll need to know for your next stroll among the waterfowl ... or your next swanthemed trivia night. If you want to stay inside but feel like you’re in a jungle, head over to Plant Haven. They’ve got a really cool thing going since opening in July. Rare plants? Check. Starter plants? Check. On-brand T-shirts and coffee mugs? Check and check. This store isn’t just selling rare and not-so-rare plants; they’re using their military roots to give back. Give their story a read and let us know if you stop by! They like

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Karen Cave karen@theitem.com

KAYLA GREEN EDITOR OF LAKESIDE

Devin McDonald devin@theitem.com Mark Pekuri mark@theitem.com

L A K ESIDE on the LIFE OUT DOOR

cover

Swans: 101

4 NOVEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | LAKESIDE

TO SANTE E

NOVEMBER

Facts, figure s and trivia tid bits on Sumt Like what's up er's iconic wa with their hea terfowl. rt-forming nec ks?

Shannon Strickler, owner of Plant Haven, and Tara Daubert, her neighbor and fellow plant lover, in the store on Broad Street. Photo by Micah Green 36 W. Liberty Street • Sumter, SC 29150 www.theitem.com

S FROM W AT E R E E

2021-JANUAR

Y 2022

Going Green

Plant Haven may be the on ly rare plant in Sumter, bu store t Shannon Str ickler's vision open to hous is eplant lovers of all levels. PLUS: A guide to

BERKELE

holiday recip

Y • CLAR ENDO

es, upcoming

even

ts and uniqu N • KERS e traditions HAW • O RANGEB URG • SU MTER

32 24 22 12 9 6

Going green

Find out what's happening in the region, from gift markets and holiday parades to shows and more.

The most wonderful time of year

Try these easy-to-make, yet gourmet-delicious, desserts this holiday season.

Easier than apple pie

Learn about Christmas traditions in a different country and the story behind Hanukkah.

How do you celebrate?

Columbia-based forklift business opens Sumter branch, bringing access to parts.

Assembling the essentials

Learn all about Sumter's favorite bird from Swan Lake's experts.

Swans: 101

New plant store brings business of rare and starter houseplants closer to home.

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

FLORENCE COUNTY

Jingle Bell Market You don’t want to miss the Jingle Bell Market Friday-Sunday, Nov. 19-21, at the Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive. This spectacular holiday event will feature handmade crafts, gifts, apparel, monogram items, jewelry, gourmet food items and more. Event hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.jinglebellmarket.com. Festival of Trees The Festival of Trees will return to Moore Farms Botanical Garden, 100 New Zion Road, Lake City. This free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Dec. 3-5. For information, call (843) 210-7592. The Hometown Holidays Festival The festival will be held Friday-Sunday, Dec. 3-5, at The Bean Market, 111 Henry St., Lake City. Spend the weekend shopping and strolling the beautifully decorated downtown streets of Lake City. For details, call (843) 374-0534, email info@visitlakecitysc.com or visit https:// visitlakecitysc.com.

KERSHAW COUNTY “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” The Arts Center of Kershaw County will present “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” Friday-Sunday, Nov. 1214, and Nov. 19-21, at Wood Auditorium, 810 Lyttleton St., Camden. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Call (803) 425-7676 or visit https://www.fineartscenter.org/ for ticket information or more details. Carolina Anglers Team Trail’s Lake Wateree Final The Carolina Anglers Team Trail’s Lake 6 NOVEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | LAKESIDE

Wateree Final will be held on Saturday, Nov. 20, at Clearwater Cove Marina, 2029 Baron Dekalb Road, Camden. Visit https://www. cattteamtrail.com/divisions/catt-lakewateree-opens/. Kershaw County Christmas Parade The parade will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. The parade will begin at the corner of Broad Street and Laurens in downtown Camden and will feature fire trucks, floats, pageant winners, classic cars, dancing, music, Santa and more. Contact Loree Stokes at (803) 432-2525 or lstokes@kershawcountychamber.org for more detail. Kershaw County Holiday Market Be prepared to shop until you drop at the Kershaw County Holiday Market from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Kershaw County Farmers Market, 906 Broad St., Camden. There will be plenty of vendors, unique gifts, holiday décor, food trucks and more.

BERKELEY COUNTY Mepkin Abbey Creche Festival The 2021 Mepkin Abbey Creche Festival will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1:30-3 p.m. on Sundays, Nov. 15-21, and Nov. 26-Dec. 4. This year’s theme is “Bethlehem Within.” Pre-registration is required by visiting https://mepkinabbey. org/mepkins-creche-festival-returnsin-2021/. For reservation assistance, email mepkincreche@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (843) 761-6580. Adult participants must be vaccinated, and all participants, adults and children, must wear masks. There is no admission charge for the exhibit, but donations are encouraged to help build the collection and offset exhibition cost. Donations of cash, checks or credit card may be made at the check-in desk or online. Mepkin Abbey is located at 1098 Mepkin Abbey Road, Moncks Corner.

Holiday Lights Driving Tour Load your family and friends in the car and take a ride through the Holiday Lights Driving Tour, 1 Riverwood Drive, Moncks Corner. From 6-9 p.m. each night Nov. 26-Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 24 and 25), thousands of brilliant, twinkling lights will be on display. Visit http://www. celebratetheseason.org/Events/Index.aspx. Moncks Corner Holiday Fairs The Moncks Corner Holiday Fairs will be held Friday-Sunday, Dec. 3-5, Dec. 1012 and Dec. 17-19, at the Moncks Corner Regional Recreation Complex, 418 E. Main St., Moncks Corner. Fair hours for Fridays and Saturdays are 6-9:30 p.m. and 2-6 p.m. on Sundays. Attendees will enjoy free visits with Santa Claus, carnival rides, crafts, food and festive activities.

SUMTER COUNTY Deana Carter The Sumter Opera House will welcome country singer-songwriter Deana Carter to its Main Stage Series at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19. Carter made her breakthrough in the music industry in 1996 with the release of her debut album, “Did I Shave My Legs For This?” and her debut single, “Stawberry Wine.” Visit https://www.sumteroperahouse. com/deana-carter for ticket information or call (803) 436-2616. 11th-Annual Silver Bells Arts and Craft Show The event will be held 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at the American Legion building, 30 S. Artillery Drive. Free parking and free admission. Please bring a non-perishable food item to help support Sumter United Ministries. For every three food items you donate, your name will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card. Santa will visit on Sunday with 5x7 photos available for $5 each from G&W Photo. Among the more than 40 participating vendors will be Basket Illusions by Dan, Bria’s Sweets, Country Girl

Crafts, Damsel In Defense, Debbie’s Bird Feeders, Gourds & More, Kim’s Wreaths, LuLaRoe, Mary Kay by Karen Mac, Peyton’s Pucker Up, Sew Southern, Speckled Doxie and many, many more. You are sure to find something for each person on your Christmas gift list. Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk Take your family, friends and pets to the Sumter Family YMCA’s annual Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk on Thursday, Nov. 25. Register by Nov. 23 at the YMCA or online. Race day registration will begin at 8 a.m. with the race beginning at 9 a.m. Call Denise Lewis at (803) 773-1404 or visit www.ymcasumter.org for registration information. Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights and Santa's Village While you are out viewing the holiday lights, don’t forget to add the Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights to your list. Open nightly Dec. 1-31, the lights are on until 9 p.m. SundayThursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The opening night celebration will begin at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1 on the lawn beside the Visitors Center. Swan Lake Iris Gardens will come to life with a twinkling holiday display featuring more than one million lights. For more information, call (803) 436-2640. Also, Santa’s Village will be open the first two Fridays and Saturdays of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. (with the exception of Dec. 1, which will be open 7-9 p.m.). Located at the Heath Pavilion, Santa’s Village gives kids the opportunity to write letters to Santa, sip hot cocoa and enjoy music and entertainment. Parents should bring their cameras to take pictures of their children with Santa. For more information, call the Sumter Convention & Visitors Bureau at (803) 436-2640 or visit http://www. sumtersc.gov/fantasy-of-lights.aspx. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Sumter Little Theatre will present “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 9-12, and Dec. 16-19, at 14 Mood Ave. This hilarious Christmas play tells the story of Grace Bradley, who is struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant when she is faced with having to cast the Herdman kids, who are possibly the worst kids in history. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. For ticket information, visit www.sumterlittletheatre. com. Porches of Sumter The 2021 Porches of Sumter, presented by FTC, will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9. One of Downtown Sumter’s most anticipated events, this year’s Porches of Sumter promises to be bigger and better than before. Once again, local cooks and

caterers will be located on porches and patios throughout the beautiful downtown historic district. Attendees will sample wonderful food and beverages while enjoying live music by the band Landslide. Check-in will take place at Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door (if available). Email Jillian Huckeba at jillian@sumterchamber. com.

LEXINGTON AND RICHLAND COUNTIES CGMS Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show The event will be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-20, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at the Jamil Temple, 206 Jamil Road, Columbia. Cost is $5 per person, or get a three-day pass for $10. Age 16 and under admitted free. All military free. Event will feature jewelry, beads, loose stones, fossils, minerals, gold, silver and tools for sale. Geodes will be sold and cut. Holiday Lights on the River The Midlands' largest drive-through lights show will be held from 6-10 p.m. Nov. 24-Dec. 31. Every year, Saluda Shoals Park comes alive with more than a million sparkling lights and more than 400 animated light displays of all shapes and sizes. Cost: $25 per car; $50 per 12-15-passenger van, trucks with trailers and limos; and $75 per bus. The lights entrance is located at 6071 St. Andrews Road between Wendy’s and Aldi. All traffic will enter at the east entrance of Saluda Shoals Park, 6071 St. Andrews Road, Columbia. Visit https://www.icrc.net/event/ holiday-lights-river-35 for complete details. Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens Lights Before Christmas The event will be held from 5-9 p.m. on Nov. 20-21, 24, 26-28 and Dec. 1-5, 8-12, 15-23 and 26-30. Featuring more than one million twinkling lights, animated story tree, jingle bell bonfire and more. Lights Before Christmas is a must-see for all ages. Tickets will go on sale Nov. 1. Visit https:// www.riverbanks.org/events/lights-beforechristmas or call (803) 779-8717. Holiday Market The largest fundraiser for the Junior League of Columbia will be held from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 2-3; 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4; and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at the Cantey and Goodman buildings at the S.C. State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia. Thousands of shoppers visit the Holiday Market each year to find the perfect

gifts from the nearly 170 participating merchants. Visit https://www.jlcolumbia. org/support/holiday-market/ to purchase tickets and for information about possible special events at the market. Nephron Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade The parade will begin at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Sumter and Laurel streets, proceeding down Sumter toward the historic Horseshoe and ending on Senate Street. The Carillon is considered not only the capital city’s premier parade, but also the official holiday parade of South Carolina. Carolina Lights A drive-through holiday light show will be held from 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 4-26 (closed Christmas Day), at the S.C. State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia. Cost: $20 per car; $35 per minibus (9-25 passengers); and $70 for vehicles over 25 passengers. Purchase advance car passes at a 25% discount online. Visit https://www.scstatefair.org/carolinalights/.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY Children’s Garden Christmas and Kid’s Walk Located at Edisto Memorial Gardens, Orangeburg. Begins Sunday, Nov. 21, and ends New Year’s Day. The Children’s Garden Christmas, a drive-through display located in Edisto Memorial Gardens, is held from 5-10 p.m. nightly and features thousands of lights, including still and animated displays. A stroll through Kid’s Walk is open from 5-9 nightly and offers interactive displays. For more details, call (803) 533-6020. Holly Hill Christmas Festival The festival, featuring food, vendors, arts and crafts, music, rides children’s activities and more, will be held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, with the parade beginning at 11 a.m. For more information, call (843) 514-0168 or visit www. hollyhillchristmasfestival.com. 57th-Annual Grand American Coon Hunt The hunt is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, Jan. 7-8, 2022, at the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds, 350 Magnolia St. This nationally known, family friendly event features skilled hounds from all over the country and a variety of vendors. Visit https://business.orangeburgchamber.com/ events/details/annual-grand-americancoon-hunt-6272 for further details.

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 7

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Wow your holiday guests with simple but delicious desserts Words and photographs by Melanie Smith We all want to treat family and friends dropping by during the holidays, but if you’re short on time, there are plenty of recipes for wow-the-crowd desserts that are as simple as throwing a few ingredients together and letting the oven or stand mixer do the hard work.

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 9

ne of these, my favorite, is a well-loved European dessert – pavlova. It uses just a few simple ingredients, including egg whites, sugar and vanilla flavoring, and you can pile it high with whatever you have on hand, such as fresh fruit and whipped cream or your favorite jam. Its pillowy soft interior tastes like melt-in-your-mouth marshmallow, and the crunchy outer shell can support your toppings. It looks impressive for such a simple ingredient list, and your stand or hand mixer will do most of the work for you. You can also make the shell up to two days in advance, so all you need to do when guests arrive is add the toppings. Another of my favorites I’m sharing is a cake from my mother-in-law that involves sugar, cinnamon and dollops of butter on top that seem to crystallize with the sugar when it’s baked. It is perfect for coffee time with friends or that midafternoon snack between opening Christmas presents and waiting for the turkey to be done. And a third recipe is so simple your kids can probably make it, and it involves no oven at all, just some elbow grease to mix. Happy holidays to all our readers, and I hope they’re as delicious as they are meaningful.

PAVLOVA

From Sally’s Baking Addiction Ingredients: 4 large egg whites 1 cup sugar 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1/2 tsp cream of tartar 1 tsp cornstarch Whipped cream Toppings such as fresh strawberries and blueberries Directions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a

10 NOVEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | LAKESIDE

large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. (Preliminary note: You will quickly reduce the oven to 200°F in step 4.) With a handheld mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes. Add the sugar in 2 additions, beating for 30 seconds between, then continue beating on high speed until glossy stiff peaks form, about 2 more minutes. The peaks should be stiff enough that you can hold the whisk upright and the peaks won’t move. Add the

vanilla extract and beat for 1 more minute. The peaks should still be very stiff. If not, keep on mixing on high speed. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the cream of tartar and cornstarch. Spread the pavlova mixture into an 8- to 9-inch circle on the parchment paper. You can make decorative peaks with the back of a large spoon if desired. Make sure the edges are relatively tall and that there is a nice dip in the center. Place pavlova in the oven. As soon as you close the oven door, reduce heat to 200°F. The pavlova should

stay in the oven as it cools down to 200°F. Bake until the pavlova is firm and dry, about 90 minutes total. Rotate the baking sheet if you notice some spots browning. Try to limit how many times you open the oven, as the cool air will interrupt the baking. Turn the oven off, and let the pavlova cool inside the oven. Once the pavlova is cool, you can store it covered tightly at room temperature for up to two days or serve right away. Once cool, top the pavlova with whipped cream and toppings. Slice and serve.

VELVET CRUMB CAKE

ROCKY ROAD BARS

Ingredients: For the cake: 1 ½ cups Bisquick or other baking mix ¾ cup sugar 3 tbsp shortening 1 egg ¾ cup milk 1 tsp vanilla

Ingredients: 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 tbsp butter 1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 cups chopped pecans 1 bag mini marshmallows

From Kathy Davis

For the topping: ¾ cup Bisquick ¾ cup sugar Cinnamon 3 tbsp butter Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a square 8x8-inch pan. Beat all cake ingredients together until mixed well. Pour into pan. In separate bowl, mix all topping ingredients except butter. Add cinnamon to taste. Sprinkle on top of cake mixture. Drizzle with melted butter. Bake 30-35 minutes.

From Crazy for Crust

Directions: Line 9x13-inch pan with foil, and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place chocolate chips and butter in large bowl. Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute, then stir. Continue heating at 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Stir in condensed milk, pecans and marshmallows. Pour into prepared pan. Chill until firm, then cut into squares. You can top them with festive sprinkles if you’d like.

'tis the season!

Tree Lighting Shopping Stroll Performances Parades Pop-Up Shops Open Houses Markets & More!

Enjoy Downtown Camden during the holidays

downtowncamdensc.org A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 11

The different ways we celebrate

Words by Kareem Wilson

t’s almost the most wonderful time of the year, and most people are getting ready to celebrate the holidays. Many celebrate Christmas, the sacred religious holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec. 25, around the world by going to church, decorating their homes with Christmas trees, ornaments and lights, spending time with family and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. However, that’s not the only reason people get into the festive spirit. While it usually falls closer to Christmas on the calendar, Hanukkah is the same weekend as Thanksgiving this year. The exact date of Hanukkah changes every year because it is always on the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, which follows a lunar cycle and has more days in the year than the Gregorian calendar. Sumter’s diverse communities bring their own customs to the special atmosphere of the holidays, and two people shared with us how each of their cultures celebrate the holidays with their own special traditions.

CHRISTMAS IN COLOMBIA Christmas is an important celebration to Javier Polo. Polo, the ordained Hispanic minister at First Assembly of God in Sumter, said in his hometown of Bogotá, Colombia, Christmas is 12 NOVEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | LAKESIDE

a very colorful and exciting holiday. He said the tradition is different in each country, and Colombia has its unique style of Christmas magic, and it is quite the spectacle. “My country is mainly Catholic,” Polo explained. “The way we celebrate is we start in early November getting ready for Christmas.” There isn’t a dark corner in Bogotá during December, he said. Novena, in the Catholic religion, is a tradition that takes place nine days before Christmas and starts on Dec. 16. “What you do is you go from house to house and sing carols,” he said. “At most houses, you’re going to see what’s called a pesebre, or a nativity scene. It’s very elaborate. You can do anything that you really want.” Polo said most families set up a pesebre in their home, and churches usually have large ones outside their main doors. He told of another tradition they celebrate: Día de las Velitas, or Little Candles Day, on Dec. 7. This day is the unofficial start of the Christmas season in the country. Colombians line the streets with thousands of candles, lighting a pathway for Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she comes to bless their homes. The candles are placed inside luminarias, or farolitos – plastic or paper coverings – to

protect them from the wind and create a magical glow. This event is celebrated with gifts, parties, dancing, food and other celebrations. This all happens on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, which is on Dec. 8, the day Catholics celebrate Mary’s conception without sin. The festival begins at sunset on Dec. 7 and ends at sunrise on Dec. 8. Families also host a Novena party – including a set of Christmas prayers – in which they sing popular Christmas carols known as villancicos and partake in enjoying food, such as buñuelo, tamales, empanadas and sabajón, the Colombian version of eggnog. Jolly old St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus, is called Papá Noel and delivers gifts to Colombian children the next day after they write their letters, Polo shared. He also mentioned another special holiday tradition is how they celebrate New Year’s. As the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, it is tradition in Colombia to eat one grape per chime and make a wish each time you eat a grape. Some in the country – and other Latin American countries – also celebrate Three Kings Day on Jan. 6, which is also known as the Feast of the Epiphany. The holiday celebrates the biblical tale in which the three

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wise men, or three kings, visit baby Jesus after his birth. The three kings - Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar - brought three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to give to Jesus. Today, children celebrate the day by receiving gifts from the “three kings.” On Jan. 5, the three kings are added to the nativity decorations in the home, and children leave their shoes out for the three wise men to fill with gifts overnight. Polo has lived in South Carolina for more than 23 years, but he continues some of these traditions in his house. “You bring your traditions with you no matter where you go,” he said.

CELEBRATING LIGHT Another holiday in the winter season celebrated in most Jewish households is Hanukkah. Diana Roof, site manager of Temple Sinai Jewish History Center in Sumter, said although it is considered a religious minor holiday, Hanukkah has gained popularity in modern Western societies, matching the gift-giving traditions of Christmas since they fall around the same time. Hanukkah – meaning “dedication” – is known as the Festival of Lights. It commemorates religious freedom over intolerance. The eightday festival, which begins on the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December, commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory of a small band of Israelites against the Syrian Greeks in 165 B.C.E., (Jews denote Before Common Era rather than Before Christ) Roof said. Israel was ruled by King Antiochus of Syria, who wanted the people of Israel to forgo their own culture and religion to accept Greek religious and cultural beliefs. According to the story told during Hanukkah, Antiochus seized control of the Holy Temple and converted it to a place of Greek worship but was soon met with resistance from a man called Judah Maccabee. Maccabee led a group called the Maccabees, meaning hammer, in the revolt, and three years later, on the 25th day of Kislev, they defeated the Syrians. After the battle, they cleaned the temple, constructed a new altar and rededicated it to Israel’s God. Upon trying to relight the menorah, a sevenbranched candelabrum that must always burn in the temple, they learned that they only had enough oil to burn for one day. Miraculously, the one-day supply of oil kept the menorah burning for eight days until they could prepare more. The tradition has been kept alive for years to remember the occasion. There are nine candles placed on a candle holder called the hanukkiah – or menorah –to symbolize the eight days the Temple menorah stayed burning, plus one called the shamash, or attendant, that is used to light the others. Roof said on the first night of the holiday, one candle plus the shamash is burned. Each night, another candle is added so that on the eighth 14 NOVEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | LAKESIDE

Christm

St . M at t hias

a z aa r a B s December 4, 2021

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

BBQ Chicken Dinners Homemade Soup

Baked Goods Crafts

St. Matthias Anglican Church 9 S. Duke St., Summerton, SC 29148

Vendors are invited to sell their crafts ($25/table) Contact Anne Darby @ 803-478-7613

night, nine candles are lit. A blessing is recited before lighting the candles. They are placed from right to left and are lit newest first, so left to right, after sunset. She said people also celebrate by enjoying oil-fried foods such as potato pancakes, known as latkes, or jam-filled donuts known as sufganiyot, playing games like spinning a dreidel, which is a four-sided top and, in Western cultures, exchanging gifts. Religions, holidays and traditions may vary, but one thing is certain: The holidays are a joyous time and occasion to celebrate with loved ones. Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and happy holidays!

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Committed to the Health & Well-Being of Our Community

Prescription Refills Christine Brogdon, PharmD RPh Hallie DuBose, PharmD RPh Jamie Mathis, PharmD RPh Tommy Benton, RPh, not pictured

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36 Sunset Drive • Manning, SC 29102 Main: (803) 433-2118 Deli: (803) 433-8544 Pharmacy: (803) 433-2412 A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 15

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Established Established1969 1969

520 SC29102 29102 022 520West WestBoyce Boyce Street Street •• Manning, Manning, SC

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Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am9am-6pm - 6pm Hours: Monday-Saturday

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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 17

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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 21

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Words and photograph by Kareem Wilson

ack and Renee Bittner have had remarkable success in running their business, Forklift Inc., for more than three decades. Renee worked previously in the accounting department for another forklift company and learned everything she needed for the couple to open their own company by 1988. “A little knowledge gets you a long way,” Renee said. The husband-and-wife duo opened the forklift sales and rental service dealer in Columbia and for more than 30 years have been supplying equipment to customers across South Carolina. However, with so much business accumulating in recent years, the Bittners were slowly running out of space inside the warehouse. They looked for other possible locations and last summer decided to expand their business to Sumter. The new branch was fully operational in May and is

22 NOVEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | LAKESIDE

located at 419 N. Pike East next to U.S. 76. Bittner likes making the business stand out by being a womanowned company. “It’s been like a fresh start in a new building,” Bittner said. She said moving to Sumter made it easier for customers. “By being here in Sumter, we’re able to take care of all of our Sumter customers,” she said. “We’ve got the parts in stock that no one else does.” Bittner said customers complained about the freight cost and commuting to get parts from Columbia. With the new branch, customers can save money and time when they need a part urgently as a working forklift is essential to many businesses. “We’re an essential service, and during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, we continued to work

Assembling the essentials because we needed to keep the parts moving,” she said. Another reason for opening a local branch is because all the employees live in Sumter. “It was for their good as well,” Bittner said. “In the wintertime or during heavy rain, sometimes they couldn’t even get down the interstate. The ice was so bad that we just let them stay home, and nobody was manning the office in Columbia. It just made sense to move here where they're closer

to home.” Nicole Wilson, an employee for Forklift Inc. since August 2010, said after a decade of commuting back and forth between Sumter and Columbia with her parents – who also worked at the company – she is glad the owners decided to make traveling easier. Categorizing the warehouse is no easy task. Wilson said they use a methodical system for easier access to all essential parts. She is also responsible for the company’s marketing on social media, allowing them to expand outside the state and overseas to other countries. Bittner called Wilson “the heart and soul” of the company. Both ladies also learned that during the pandemic, many people weren’t buying new forklifts but repairing their old ones. This helped boost their business, as it allowed them to help those who needed to find a spare part. Bittner attributed their efficiency in customer service and swift actions as key factors to beating their

competitors. They are still getting used to the recent changes even after several months of operations. “It’s been interesting to say the least,” Bittner said. “It’s been a roller coaster adjusting to a new spot.” They are continuously adding more parts to their warehouse, with more than 33,000 to date, roughly 25% of them being small pieces. “Even though they may seem like insufficient parts … it’s as important as the big parts.” Bittner said. “You got to have all of the parts to do the job.” They are excited about what bringing their services closer to home will mean for Sumterites, and they are excited to start a new chapter in the company’s history. Customers can visit Forklift Inc., which is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and reach them at (803) 786-7000 or at www.mhssc.com.

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 23

‘Swans: 101’ Facts, figures and more on Sumter’s iconic waterfowl Words by Bruce Mills | Photographs by Micah Green

24 NOVEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | LAKESIDE

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 25

umterites love their swans, but did you know the Black Australian breed represents the majority at Swan Lake Iris Gardens? Or that it is much harder to pick out a Bewick or even a Trumpeter? To gather those facts and many more, including that Royal Mutes – considered the majestic, all-white swan – can live more than 20 years, we spent an hour or so with two swan experts who work for the City of Sumter’s Parks and Gardens Department. Brock McDaniel, the city’s horticulturist and landscape architect, and Jontia Williams, Parks and Gardens specialist, have a combined 28 years of experience working with all the swans at Swan Lake Iris Gardens, which is considered the only public park in the U.S. to have all eight species of swan. (The duo often spends a couple hours per day with the swans, but their full duties entail handling maintenance of parks throughout the city.) The city department keeps spreadsheet

26 NOVEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | LAKESIDE

“When somebody closes their eyes and thinks of a swan, it’s a mute swan that they think of." Brock McDaniel Horticulturist and landscape architect data on the swans, and McDaniel said the park, as of mid-October, had 131 total swans. Black Australians are the majority with about 70 and adapt well to the local climate. The same cannot be said for Bewicks.

Native to northern Russia, it doesn’t get cold enough locally for them to mate here, Williams said. The park has just two Bewicks, and city officials got them from breeders in different states. Royal Mutes do raise well locally, and they are the second-most populated species at Swan Lake Iris Gardens with a count of about 30 to 35. You don’t have to know a lot about swans to recognize a mute though. They are the “majestic swans,” the ones that form picture-perfect hearts with their necks when they swim close to one another during mating season. (If you watch a Disney movie or cartoon, a mute swan is generally the swan pictured.) “When somebody closes their eyes and thinks of a swan, it’s a mute swan that they think of,” McDaniel said. The Coscoroba is the smallest of the eight breeds and looks similar to the Aflac duck, the official mascot of Aflac Insurance seen in commercials. White with a pink beak,

DID YOU KNOW? • A male swan is called a cob, and a female swan is called a pen. A baby swan is called a cygnet. • A group of wild swans is known as a herd. However, a group in captivity is called a fleet. • Swans mate for life.

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Coscorobas are generally “easy going,” not aggressive toward other swans and are a favorite to McDaniel and Williams, they said. The Trumpeter is the biggest and strongest of the breeds, but only five can be spotted at Swan Lake Iris Gardens.

MORE ON BREEDING, OTHER CHARACTERISTICS Black Australians are the only breed that hatches naturally at nests on islands in the lake, and the male can often be seen defending the island territory from any predator during breeding season and while 28 NOVEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | LAKESIDE

raising their babies, McDaniel and Williams said. Their babies can be spotted waddling around the grounds right after they're born. The seven other swan species hatch in the park’s “swan-dominium,” an indoor, climate-controlled building on the property. The babies stay in there for six months before being released on the lake, McDaniel added. The eight species have different personalities, and the men say they are “real intelligent” birds. For example, many swans can recognize people they have seen before, even if they are across the lake. One of the first things on the to-do list each morning for Swan Lake Iris Gardens’

personnel is feeding the swans. That happens about 7 a.m. or a little later, and they are fed a waterfowl food daily, McDaniel said. The bigger, stronger swans eat first, followed by the medium-size and smaller swans. Later in the morning, geese and ducks eat. McDaniel and Williams’ responsibilities do not include feeding the swans. When Williams arrives, he checks to ensure there is not a problem on the lake with a hurt or limping swan or one with some blood on it. If a swan is hurt, it is taken to the “swandominium,” assessed and nursed back to health.

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— A swan has more than 24,000 feathers on its body. (That total is at least the most-widely quoted figure. We assume someone counted every feather on a swan at some point, but we didn’t.) — There are a total of 131 swans at Swan Lake Iris Gardens (as of mid-October). — Once airborne, swans can be fast flyers, and some species can fly as fast as 60 miles per hour. — Swan eggs take between 35 and 42 days to hatch, depending on the species.

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McDaniel and Williams trade with swan breeders in various states to help control the population and blood lines. Breeders generally raise other birds or animals as their vocation and can be a source of a wealth of knowledge for sharing information. The city purchases swans from the breeders. The men did not detail a particular price tag for a swan, but they are expensive. As Williams put it, “They are not a cheap date."

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GOING GREEN

She was bored, sidelined by an ankle injury. She had a friend. They shared a dream. What came of it is a leafy haven offering a one-ofa-kind experience in Sumter for aficionados and newcomers alike.

Words by Kayla Green | Photographs by Micah Green 32 NOVEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | LAKESIDE

A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 33

hannon Strickler’s path is winding. Promise of travel and a free education led the small-town Pennsylvania native to the Air Force, where she served in the finance department. No plants yet. After being stationed at Shaw Air Force Base and finishing nine years of active duty, she studied biochemistry and nuclear biology at the University of South Carolina. That branched into working at Thermo Fischer Scientific in Florence as an analytical chemist for research and development. Acquiring, nurturing and selling plants from a small shop in a strip amid a Chick-fil-A/Subway/hot dog joint triangle may seem like a tangent, but she thinks it coming to fruition is the chapter of her story that’s the most organic. Once she turned that page, everything aligned. Sitting at Dreamworks Dance Academy on Broad Street one night earlier this year, as she often does while her daughter dances, she mentioned to the

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owner her interest in store space. Turned out the unit next door was open. Strickler opened Plant Haven on July 5 with help from her neighbor-turned-houseplant-enthusiast, Tara Daubert. The shop has a little of everything. Plants range in price. Many come in between $15 and $30, but assorted plants and cuttings just found on the checkout counter swing from $2.50 to $125. They range in color and texture. Rooted pothos cuttings are either deep green or variegated with lighter splotches. A mandarin orange spider looks kind of like a rainbow chard from the bottom, but the bright pink-orange sprouts from the soil and transforms into deep green leaves without veining into them. The calathea beauty star sits by the front window, a perennial with “long, fairly narrow dark green leaves flamboyantly stripped in paler green, silver and white,” as described by Plantophiles.com. Strickler likes it because it “looks like it’s animated.”

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From the thick, waxy clusters of the hoya to the small, bushy peperimoa watermelon that looks like a 2-D… you guessed it…watermelon, you can find something to soothe or excite your senses. One of Daubert’s favorites, the prince of orange philodendron, is described by Plantophiles.com as a “flamboyant riot of colors.” Strickler has had elephant ears as big as her 6-yearold daughter (“Why wouldn’t you want a leaf you can drape around you?” she asked, genuinely wondering who wouldn’t enjoy that). Air plants are small enough to fit in a glass ornament terrarium. Others are tall and sprawling, while some are contained. They’re fastgrowing or not for instant gratification, velvety or vibrant, veiny, wispy, furry, spiky. Customers range in type, too, from experts to helpme-not-kill-this-one.

36 NOVEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | LAKESIDE

“Some people come in looking for something specific, or they don’t really know, and we ask them questions like where in the house they want to put it and where the light hits,” Strickler said. They can help guide people through watering schedules or advise on soil composition. Every plant is labeled with care instructions as specific as “water every nine days, let topsoil dry out” so people don’t forget and accidentally drown them. They include paw prints on plants that are non-toxic to animals, a step prompted by the viral social media return of Steve from Blue’s Clues. We can all find this information on our own, but let’s be honest. Who has time for that? And how do we pinpoint the correct advice? They do a “crap-ton of Google searches” so we don’t have to. They do the hard work for us. Whereas you might go into a big-box store or a local shop that is not

houseplant-exclusive, a question for advice might be returned with an “I don’t know. I just work here.” “We’ve even had people bring their plants in and say, ‘What’s wrong with it?’” Strickler said. Here’s some free advice. It’s often an easy prescription: stop watering it so much. “It’s a learning experience. We’re definitely here for that,” Strickler said. “We want your plants to not die.”

THAT COSTS HOW MUCH?

The store isn’t just for the basics. People come from all over the region, from Columbia and Darlington, to scope out and snag rare plants from Plant Haven (designed as pH because “it had to be something science-y,” swears Daubert.) Strickler is part

of rare plant groups on social media and posts plants and cuttings for sale on Facebook and Instagram. Some people come to snatch the rare ones, while others visit just to see them. It’s better in person. “It’s just hit or miss” online, Strickler said. Sometimes they get sad when they must say goodbye to the rare ones. “We like to get pictures of them thriving. Like, it was this little, small thing when we sold it to you, and now it looks like that? What did you do?” Daubert said, motioning with her hands a plant exploding in size.

A NATURAL BEGINNING

They’re the experts now, and the only ones around, but this dream has been shorter than a non-leggy succulent.

As a respite to Strickler’s injury boredom, she and Daubert started plant shopping. A lot. They’d drive an hour to Columbia or find a place whenever Strickler’s son traveled for AAU basketball. Strickler, a self-described nerd, became interested in the science behind the varieties she saw, why certain ones variegate, why a type splits its leaves, why big-box stores sell red and white anthurium andraeanums but not the rarer pink. Daubert has always had houseplants, but her nine years in active-duty military service prevented her from moving with them all. The ones she did transfer, for one move as far as Washington to Texas, didn’t fare well. Strickler, on the other hand, bought a plant to fill an empty room in her new house, blinked and needed to expand. “You can’t just buy one. You can tell yourself you will,

but you’d be lying to yourself,” Strickler said. “Our obsession,” Daubert said, “became a store.”

GROWING FRIENDSHIP, BLOSSOMING BUSINESS

Their friendship budded over more than plants. Daubert joined the Air Force with her cousin in 2002 in response to 9/11, got out and went to school for agribusiness when she and her husband, who is still active-duty, were going to be stationed in different places. Now, she homeschools their three children. She and Strickler bonded over being military moms. “We went from bringing baskets over to BFFs to planning out a store in a few months,” Daubert said. She joked they’re like a fast-moving couple. Their

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interests matched. Bonus that their kids like each other. Daubert likes listening to the “science-y things (Strickler) talks about.” The store’s name needed to be “science-y,” of course. Pulling from their shared military background, one that requires transience yet doesn’t allow plants in official moving trucks, and knowing lower-enlisted members don’t have a lot of expendable money, they decided to

do more than open a plant shop. They opened a Plant Cabinet. Similar to Airman’s Attic, which offers new and used items to airmen ranked E-5 and below for free, they have given away 20-25 plants to local airmen and soldiers. They’ve accepted donations for the cabinet, too. “I didn’t think about it when I was in the military, but now I wouldn’t want to give up my plants to move,”

Strickler said. “People get attached to their plants.” There are more plans. Talks of expansion, classes and creating a “chill space” are taking root. Like anything well-cared-for, and like their plans in the past, those roots might not need long to flower.

WHAT’S UP WITH THE MONSTER PRICE TAG?

The most expensive plant Strickler has sold from was a monstera albo. Known for its variegated leaves and white splotches, sometimes even growing half or fully white leaves, a quick Google search proves the expensive trend. Interspersed with links to plants that can be purchased online, articles pop up titled “Why is this plant so expensive?” A search on Etsy, kind of like a dignified, crafty Craigslist, shows a range of similar items priced between $69.95 to a whopping $29,500. “This incredible variegated monstera albo has brought me joy ever since I purchased her a couple years ago as just a little 3 leaf’d cutting. She’s now blossomed into a 10-leaf beauty that consistently grows new and healthy half-moons,” says a listing for a single plant priced at $10,000. The buyer is asking for local sales for pick-up only (in southern California…sorry, Sumter), and mentions an ideal buyer has “an appreciation for rare plants and elegant mutations.” Strickler said her monstera albo cuttings can go for $150-$300. And cuttings come with no guarantee it will grow to fruition. The most expensive price tag that was bought from Plant Haven was $725.

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