Upstate Lake Living - Spring 2023

SPRING 2023

8 | Adventures close to home

20 | Hiking the High Trail

26 | New images on old walls

34 | Keep your eyes on the arts

40 | Festivals worth reading about

44 | Enjoy a ‘Banner’ day

84 life on the lake: Where does the water go?

86 fishing: The Alabama Rig

88 revive, refresh, redo: Designing a project plan

DEAR READERS

Spring is sprung …. well, almost. The magic officially happens on March 20. But here at Upstate Lake Living the writers are all in full bloom.

We’ve tried to cover virtually every possibility for living the good life in Upstate South Carolina. On the pages of this issue you will find stories on the visual and literary arts, education, theme parks, good food and great brews, and hiking, biking and water adventures. We’ve done our best to leave no stone unturned and hope you enjoy spending a few minutes with us.

On a much more personal note, when my wife and I joined the northern migration down to the Upstate 17+ years ago, we found a great little community close to Seneca. A stone’s throw away there was a small field with the remnants of a metal pole building. The “lot” was overgrown and the drive clearly was not being used on a regular basis.

As I settled into editing The Journal newspaper (and Clemson Messenger at the time), I quickly learned that the county’s animal shelter had been making headlines for its despicable conditions and carte blanche willingness to euthanize animals. A wonderful woman (sadly, her name has escaped me) with the Oconee Humane Society wasted little time in making sure I was aware of all of this. She also informed me that local businessman and benefactor Sam Thrift was planning to clear and donate a lot for a new animal shelter. Long story short, it happened, and it happened in the small field close to our new home.

50 | Teaching preservation

56 | Making Disney memories

60 | Re-envisioning a lakeside beauty

72 | Enjoy pizza and a pint

78 | Go public in Sevierville

90 theatre: From Go to Hell Kitty to Cats

94 calendar: Spring events abound

98 waterfall: Two for the price of one

So, for years we had a bird’seye view of the new shelter, which fortunately had new leadership and a somewhat better approach to animal care. We watched as the local Humane Society took up residency in the building and began building a truly petfriendly program of adoption and spay/neuter. We adjusted to being awakened by the gleeful sound of shelter dogs welcoming their breakfast and came to consider this “noise” a simple reminder that caring volunteers were providing a better life for cats and dogs at the “house next door.”

I mention this now because the shelter recently held an Open House to show off its new clinic and equipment donated by the Banfield Foundation. The Oconee Humane Society’s new Pet Care Clinic expands medical services to homeless pets at the shelter and provides another venue for Oconee County residents to have their pets spayed/ neutered and receive vital vaccines at a low cost. The accompanying picture shows Dr. Paul Black using the facility to which he and other volunteers are donating their time and talents.

It just seemed right to share what’s going on in the old neighborhood as it’s simply another example of how so many of you make this such a great place to live.

Enjoy all that spring has to offer and, as always, I welcome your comments and story suggestions.

Brett McLaughlin, editor bmclaughlin@upstatetoday.com

SPRING 2023

Volume 18 • Issue 1

PUBLISHER

Jerry Edwards, jerry@edwgroupinc.com 864-882-3272

EDITOR

Brett McLaughlin, bmclaughlin@upstatetoday.com

GENERAL MANAGER

Hal Welch, hal@upstatetoday.com

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Larry Davidson, ldavidson@upstatetoday.com

ART DIRECTOR/GRAPHICS

Melissa Bradley, mbradley@upstatetoday.com

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS EDITION

Bill Baue • Zenda Douglas • Phillip Gentry

Vanessa Infanzon • Dari McBride

Brett McLaughlin

COVER PHOTO

Swing into Spring on Lake Keowee

The Journal

UPSTATE LAKE LIVING™ is published quarterly by The Journal 210 W. N. 1st Street, Seneca, SC 29678, USA

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is a trademark of Edwards Group. Contents copyrighted.

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Address subscription inquiries to: UPSTATE LAKE LIVING, P.O. Box 547, Seneca, SC 29679; phone 864.882.2375; fax 864.882.2381.

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in the Upstate’s glorious backyard Stroll intoSpring

y simply walking out their door, folks living in Upstate South Carolina can leave winter behind. It’s that easy because our backyard truly is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground.

On its website, Visit Oconee President and CEO Ken Sloan sums it up this way: “In Oconee, you are a short drive away from 29 waterfall hikes; rafting or fly fishing on the Wild & Scenic Chattooga River; boating on Lake Jocassee, which has been deemed to be ‘one of the last great places on Earth’ by National Geographic ; or exploring Lake Keowee, an 18,500-acre lake with two lakefront county parks.”

Toss in Lake Hartwell, the Chauga River and Devils Fork and Oconee state parks and the opportunities for outdoor play are limitless.

However, even having fun takes planning and can be more fun with the right equipment.

I’ve done my share of lake fishing, fly fishing, hiking and backpacking, not to mention canoeing 300 miles on New York’s Erie Canal and summiting several of the Southern Sixers in North Carolina and Tennessee. I can tell you straight up, experiencing the outdoors at its best is all about knowledge, local advice and gear.

The Chattooga and Chauga rivers, fed by a combination of snowmelt and rains from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, provide the perfect habitat for trout.

Photo courtesy of Chattooga Fly Shop

Nothing beats getting out for a peaceful sail on Lake Keowee.

Photo by Debbie Biddle

story by Bill Bauer | photos courtesy of Visit Oconee SC

No less than 29 waterfall trails exist in Oconee County alone. One need not go far to find one of them. Others, particularly around Lake Jocassee, can only be found and enjoyed by boat or kayak.

GETTING STARTED

A good place to get advice is in Walhalla, Oconee County’s “Main Street to the Mountains.”

“Our Visitors Center (224 E. Main St.) has a knowledgeable receptionist to help develop an agenda on the best places to go based on your objectives and capabilities such as easy waterfall hikes vs. difficult,” Sloan said. “We can also help facilitate family lake tours on Jocassee and offer advice on other individual and family destinations.”

Waterfall and trail maps are essential and can also be obtained at the Visitors Center.

For fishermen, the Jocassee Outfitters Fly Shop in Salem, Keowee Outdoors near South Cove and The Chattooga Fly Shop on Highway 107, can provide up-to-date information on lake, river, stream and weather conditions.

Elkmont Trading Company in Clemson also has just about everything you need to hike, paddle, backpack, fly fish or simply look the part. Fashionable outdoor wear, jewelry and accessories are blended with highend technical clothing and gear to make Elkmont, as owners Lee and Aimee describe it, “an outdoor living store.”

LOOKING FOR A PARK?

South Cove and High Falls county parks on Lake Keowee offer swimming beaches, tent camping and RV sites, playgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails, kayak and paddleboard rental, picnic areas and recreational buildings for reunions and group outings.

The three state parks offer more of the same with Oconee State Park being on the western end of the Foothills Trail, a 70+mile journey whose other terminus is at Table Rock State Park in Pickens County. While the Foothills Trail has an abundance of accessible trailheads for day hikes, it also has stretches that make for fantastic multi-day backpacking experiences.

MORE ABOUT JOCASSEE

National Geographic also called Lake Jocassee “a destination of a lifetime,” partly due to its high concentration of waterfalls on a remote and pristine lake, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Kayakers and boaters can pull up to numerous waterfalls on the lake and swim under them. However, it is important to remember that Jocassee is a day-use only lake. While fishing and star gazing are permissible after dark, boats cannot be beached, anchored or docked overnight.

Whether you’re visiting or just heading out the door to one of the country’s best “backyards,” it’s not hard to find beautifully designed signage, pointing the way to incredible waterfalls, rivers, parks and hiking trails.

Mountain biking has become a booming business in the Upstate with Walhalla becoming the western terminus for the Palmetto Trail and bike trails having been developed on Oconee Mountain.

The 70-mile Foothills Trail and countless trails — long and short — to waterfalls throughout the Upstate have made this region a haven for both local and visiting hikers.

Jocassee Lake Tours offers several unique experiences with certified naturalists who know all there is to know about the history of Jocassee and all its natural surroundings, including wildlife.

Boat rentals and guided fishing for bass or trout are also available from local businesses.

WILD & WONDERFUL RIVERS

“The tug is the drug,” a fellow fly fisher once told me, referencing the feel when a brook, brown or rainbow trout strikes a drifting fly and bends the rod.

The Chattooga and Chauga rivers, fed by a combination of snowmelt and rains from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, provide the perfect habitat for trout.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources annually stocks over 500,000 brook, brown and rainbow trout on nearly 200 miles of water.

These fingerlings are raised in a stateowned and operated cold water hatchery north of Walhalla. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the hatchery was once run by the U.S. Department of Wildlife but became the property of the DNR in 1996. Its first-class stocking program has created an Upstate paradise for trout fishermen. (The hatchery itself also makes for a great daytrip and is located on Highway 107 just short of the NC State line.)

Visit Oconee President and CEO Ken Sloan (left) chats with Karl Ekberg of The Chattooga Fly Shop about the latest in fly fishing gear.

On both rivers, stocking and the creation of delayed harvest sections that allow catch and release only fishing, have created some of the finest fly fishing in the Southeast. Multiple access points with parking along both rivers make it easy to hike in and wade. The Chattooga River and Jocassee Outfitters Fly Shops are fully stocked and offer half- and fullday guided fly fishing trips on both rivers.

Be sure to check the DNR website for stocking dates and the USGS water data site for water depth and flow rates before heading out.

Spring in Oconee County is an ideal time to get outside. Temperatures are rising but it’s not too hot and humid. Foliage is returning but visibility on trails, riverbanks and shorelines is still wide open.

Whether you’re visiting or just heading out the door to one of the country’s best “backyards,” it’s not hard to find beautifully designed signage, pointing the way to incredible waterfalls, rivers, parks and hiking trails. n

SOURCES FOR FUN

• Visit Oconee SC, 224 E. Main St., Walhalla www.visitoconeesc.com.

800.910.4371

• Chattooga River Fly Shop, 6832A Highlands Hwy., Mountain Rest www.chattogariverflyshop.com.

864.638.2806

• Jocassee Outfitters,141 North Little River Road, Salem www.jocasseeoutfitters.com.

864.572.8250

• Keowee Outdoors, 4060 Keowee School Road, Seneca www.keoweeoutdoorssc.com.

864.723.9136

• Jocassee Outdoor Center, 516 Jocassee Lake Drive, Salem www.jocasseeoutdoorcenter.com.

864.944.9016

• Elkmont Trading Company, 100 Liberty Drive, Clemson www. elkmonttradingcompany.com.

864.653.7002

• Jocassee Lake Tours, Lake Jocassee Road, Salem www.jocasseelaketours.com.

864.280.5501

Some of the best whitewater rafting in the Southeast is just a short drive from home if you happen to live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

BEATING A PATH …

New High Trail connector fulfills hiking dream story by

Zenda Douglas

Countless souls have left their footprints on the hills and mountains of North Carolina. From Native Americans to pioneers, settlers, hunters and fishermen, lumberjacks and railroad workers to outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists and hikers — all have tread, climbed, bushwhacked and meandered through this thickly forested terrain. Every year, thousands of hikers arrive from all over the world to explore, discover, challenge their skills, stay fit, appreciate natural beauty or simply find peace in the splendor of the outdoors that is Western North Carolina.

The Burnsville area of Yancey County is one of spectacular beauty and profound landscapes. It offers some of the best hiking opportunities in the country, giving people of all ages, ability levels and interests a chance to enjoy fresh air and natural wonders.

Whether seeking solitude or enjoying the camaraderie of companions, it is a welcoming place.

Yancey County is home to Mount Mitchell. At 6,684 feet it is the highest peak on the Eastern Seaboard. Sixteen additional peaks in the county rise over 6,000 feet. The trails that run between these peaks provide hikers with inspiration and challenge.

Burnsville’s Mount Mitchell Trail ascends from a campground at 3,000 feet all the way to the summit. The rugged Black Mountain Crest to Deep Gap Trail elevates hikers through a forest of spruce and fir in a rare ecosystem like some found in Canada. Other trails include Devils Den Nature, Roaring Fork Falls, Big Bald, Big Butt, Colbert Ridge, Woody Ridge and South River Loop Trail. Combined, they form 100 miles of publicly accessible trails … just in Yancey County.

A LONG-HELD DREAM

Now, an exciting, new opportunity awaits hikers as two of the area’s most skilled and respected hiking experts and guides have introduced a connector route between Mount Mitchell and the Appalachian Trail.

Utilizing what they’ve dubbed “The Burnsville Connector,” Jake Blood and Jennifer Pharr Davis have established the Appalachian High Route, a 343-mile loop that combines the Appalachian Trail, Mountain-to-Sea Trail and Black Mountain Trail.

The Burnsville area of Yancey County is one of spectacular beauty and profound landscapes, offering some of the best hiking opportunities in the country.

Photo by Sean Busher

By connecting existing roadways and trails, the AHR gives access to 50 of the 54 peaks in the Appalachians that summit above 6,000 feet, including Clingmans Dome, the highest peak on the Appalachian Trail, and Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the Black Mountains. To the delight of hikers and visitors, the

Burnsville Connector portion of the route runs right through Burnsville’s town square. Ideas for an Appalachian high route had swirled in Blood’s mind for years. A lifelong outdoorsman and hiker, he was keenly interested in figuring out a way to complete the dream of Appalachian Trail visionary and founder Benton MacKaye, who planted the concept in 1921 of a trail along the Appalachian Mountains from Maine to Georgia. MacKaye wanted to connect the highest

mountains in the South and the North. However, problems arose acquiring access to private lands, creating a missing link.

A retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, Blood moved to Burnsville in 2006. He became immersed in leadership roles in tourism and economic development and founded the North Carolina High Peaks Trail Association, which has played a key role in trail education and maintenance. As a board member of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail, he planned a 45th anniversary celebration of the organization and invited Jennifer Pharr Davis as the keynote speaker.

Davis, born in Hendersonville, NC, is a world-renowned, long distance hiker, speaker, author of numerous guides and bestseller books and strong proponent of hiking and spending time outdoors. She has hiked more than 14,000 miles over six continents and still holds the speed record for hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. In 2008, she founded Blue Ridge Hiking Company. She is an advocate for women’s safety, confidence and preparedness in the outdoors and eliminating genderbased barriers.

Davis also shared Blood’s interest in linking Mount Mitchell to the Appalachian Trail and her intimate knowledge of the area’s roadways and trails allowed her to visualize solutions to tricky connection challenges. While Blood was

Jennifer Pharr Davis leads a group on the Black Mountain Crest Trail, part of the new Appalachian High Trail. Photo by Brew Davis

thinking in terms of design, a talent that has allowed him to create extensive mapping of the resultant route, Davis could see the image behind it.

Their ultimate solution proved to be utilizing existing roadways, trails and even sidewalks. Working together to garner support from 20 partners and various trail organizations, the Appalachian High Route was laid out and a dream was realized.

Some 140 miles of the Appalachian High Route are on the Appalachian Trail; 170 miles on the Mountain-to-Sea Trail; 20 miles on U.S. Forest Service trails; and 21.5 miles on public roads. Upon reaching the end of the 19-mile Burnsville Connector, which filled in the missing piece of the route, Davis became the first person to hike the whole distance of the Appalachian High Route.

There are 96 miles of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina with an additional 225 miles running along the North Carolina/ Tennessee border. The entirety of the Appalachian Trail is roughly 2,200 miles through 14 states.

This map depicts the trails and several highlights that comprise the new Appalachian High Trail.

TRAIL ESSENTIALS

Tens of thousands of people have used The North Carolina High Peaks Trail Association and the Blue Ridge Hiking Company for the important resources they offer about hiking mountain peaks and trails in Yancey County, including the AHT. Each organization offers guided hikes and educational opportunities, as well as expertise in conservation, maintenance and perseverance in the outdoors.

Check their respective websites for hike, class or event information and schedules: https://nchighpeaks.org and https://blueridgehikingco.com/

While camping is abundant along trails and close by the rivers, those who prefer a softer bed at the end of a vigorous hike may want to seek out one of the comfortable lodgings in the Burnsville area. One of the newest and nicest is the 28-acre Mount

Mitchell Eco Retreat, located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Well-appointed rooms are free of chemical cleansers, pesticides and plastic containers, and guests can enjoy massages or energy healing and yoga classes. The elegantly styled Terrell House Bed & Breakfast, a 1900s colonial, is another option that balances a mountain trail with a layover in luxury.

Burnsville is an engaging small town that has attracted artists of all mediums for many generations. It has more artists per capita than anywhere else in the United States and offers a friendly downtown that greets visitors (and their dogs) with an appealing array of restaurants, gathering places and shops. It is also home to the Bare Dark Sky Observatory and Arthur Planetarium. (See the winter 2022 edition of Upstate Lake Living.) n

{above left and right} Jennifer Pharr Davis shows off all there is to know about the new connector. • Combining their talents, Davis and Blood created and mapped the new Appalachian High Trail, a 343-mile connecting route on the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail. Photos by Brew Davis

{below} One of the newest and nicest lodges on the Appalachian Trail is the 28acre Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat, located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Photo by Sean Busher

Dr. Barbara Greb of Oconee Audiology asks that you consider having your hearing evaluated before buying over-the-counter hearing aids. While there are some people that will benefit from OTC hearing aids, they were not designed for the masses. It is very important that you have your hearing tested prior to purchasing an OTC product so that you’ll know if your hearing loss is in the “fitting range” for OTC hearing aids.

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talents of many lead to UNIQUE ART TRAIL

ou may have to excuse Jim Juras, Fred Edgerton, Melody Davis, Libby Imbody and Michelle Winnie if they are not Oscar Wilde fans. The poet/playwright’s anti-mimesis philosophy, as echoed in his claim that “life imitates art far more than art imitates life,” may not sit too well with folks who have been busy creating visions of life as we know it in the Upstate and attaching their biggerthan-life renderings to buildings from Six Mile to Westminster, SC. The Oconee Mural Trail is comprised of paintings done for both commercial and esthetic reasons. The artists involved have worked largely independently only to have their works gathered into a single electronic exhibition. The result is an opportunity to view classic mural art from the comfort of one’s easy chair or via a fun drive that could involve art, a history lesson and even a good meal.

{above} Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night was just one of several murals Westminster artist Melody Davis created after the Covid pandemic took her out of her gallery and into the great outdoors. • {at top} The Welcome to Seneca mural was among the first created. It measures 28 x 24 feet with each cutout letter measuring 4 x 8 feet and depicting a different landmark or historical event.

story by Brett McLaughlin | photos by Scott MacInnis

Enterprising art enthusiast Suzette Cross of Seneca was involved in initiating several of the Trail pieces. She was also a force behind bringing local promoters of Upstate tourism together to combine those pieces into an exhibition viewable by means of a few keystrokes or the scanning of a QR code.

“The city (Seneca) was looking for ways to bring more people to town,” Cross said, noting that she was involved with the Blue Ridge Arts Center at the time. “I got ahold of (city director of planning and development) Ed Halbig, and we received a grant … that we used for three things: the metal cats, train benches and the first murals.”

Jim Juras remembers when the call for submissions went out to paint a “Welcome to Seneca” mural using the city’s name in large letters. Having already completed a whimsical “Wall of Champions” mural in the Keowee Key Fitness Center and a ninepanel mural for Walhalla’s Patriots Hall Military Museum, Juras was excited to add the project to his resume.

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The Oconee Mural Trail resulted in an opportunity to view classic mural art from the comfort of one’s easy chair or via a fun drive that could involve art, a history lesson and even a good meal.

Artist and art instructor Fred Edgerton created Postcards from Oconee, three panels highlighting aspects of life in Oconee County — kayaking, golfing and hiking.

Seneca High School art instructor Fred Edgerton engaged three of his student artists — Elijah Muzinski, Hunter Dye and Norah Mendoza — to create “Planes, Trains & Automobiles,” three mural panels representing the city’s past, present and future.

When completed, the Seneca mural measured 28 x 24 feet. Each cutout letter measures 4 x 8 feet and depicts a different landmark or historical element of the city using a mid-century postcard style.

Meanwhile, at roughly the same time, Seneca High School art instructor Fred Edgerton was working with BRAC, the city and three of his student artists — Elijah Muzinski, Hunter Dye and Norah Mendoza — to create “Planes, Trains & Automobiles,” three 4 x 8 panels representing the city’s past, present and future.

The city mounted both murals on Ram Cat Alley and unveiled them at a Jazz on the Alley event in 2014. It was a catalyst moment for an artistic movement that would eventually go beyond the borders of Oconee County.

So pleased was he with the Welcome to Seneca mural, that City Manager Scott Moulder commissioned Juras to paint an even larger (32 x 12-foot) mural of the Seneca train depot, circa 1950. A dozen 4 x 8-foot wood panels were painted inside a vacated food store and eventually mounted within sight of the actual depot.

{above} A lot of research went into the figures, several of them Oconee County natives, to be portrayed in Melody Davis’ mural Blue Grass Roots located on Retreat Street in Westminster.

{below} Before moving to Florida, artist Michelle Winnie added her touch to the Seneca mural scene with the completion of Seneca Cityscape, an interactive mural depicting happenings in the community.

As workers hung the art, Moulder commented that if you listen carefully, you can almost hear the train whistles of long ago. Minutes later, a train went through, blowing its whistle.

Likewise, Edgerton would continue to be engaged with BRAC and the city, creating Postcards from Oconee, three panels that highlight aspects of life in Oconee County — a kayaker paddling Lake Jocassee, a golf scene depicting a covered bridge on the golf course at Cross Creek, and a hiking spot on The Foothills Trail known as Girl Scout Point.

Artist Michelle Winnie added her touch to the Seneca mural scene with the completion of Seneca Cityscape, an interactive mural depicting happenings in the community. With Juras and Edgerton, she would also contribute to a 12-mural depiction of the Ram Cat Alley cats featured in the book “Seneca Cats on the Alley,” which was written by Jane Fulton and illustrated by Juras’ wife, Donna, in 2016.

Seneca City Manager Scott Moulder commissioned Jim Juras to paint a 32 x 12-foot mural of the Seneca train depot, circa 1950. It is mounted within sight of the actual depot.

Seneca’s “Cat Walk” is in NortonThompson Park. It was inspired by the book “Seneca Cats on the Alley” that was sponsored by the Blue Ridge Art Center, written by Jane Fulton and illustrated by Donna Juras. The whimsical book depicts all the metal cats that were laser cut by students at the Hamilton Career Center using grant funds obtained in 2015. The Walk consists of 12 boards that contain murals of the cats on one side, painted by several local artists, and a photo of the Cat and its story as told in the book on the other side. The two cats shown here are Cherokat and Cotton. Cherokat was painted by Norah Mendoza who happens to be one of the three student artists who created the large Ram Cat Alley mural Trains, Plains & Automobiles. Cotton was painted by Donna Bradley.

However, the Oconee Mural Trail goes well beyond Seneca’s city limits.

Melody Davis is the creative spirit of the Gateway Arts Center and the painter of more than a dozen murals on buildings in Westminster, many of them donated.

“We moved here in 2017, and I was just getting this gallery off the ground and the pandemic hit,” she said. “I was in here painting my own stuff, and it was depressing. I talked to a few businesspeople, did some drawings and just started painting the outsides of buildings.”

Her pieces range from recreated classics such as the Mona Lisa and Starry Night, to a little different take on those famous poker-playing dogs.

Among her other Trail contributions is Blue Grass Roots, a testimonial to musicians who have lived in Oconee County, including Fiddlin’ Bill Hensley and the Blackwell brothers. Home Run, Home Run, is another of her larger-than-life creations. It features a U.S. flag imposed over the shape of South Carolina and gives a nod to the state Apple Festival held in Westminster and the Oconee Mountaineers, a mill baseball team of 1946.

Most recently, she completed a Visit Oconee mural on an interior wall of the Visitors Center in Walhalla. It features popular outdoor scenes including whitewater rafting, apple orchards, camping, fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, a waterfall and Stumphouse Tunnel.

After a decade of visiting Oconee County, she and her family moved to the Upstate in 2007, and Davis soon became involved with the Blue Ridge Arts Center. She still works on canvas, but currently her work is all about murals.

“I have three of them on my building here,” she said of the Gateway Center. “A lot of people come to see them, and I can hear them talking about them.

“People even give money when I am painting on the street. It’s very uplifting,” she said, adding that she plans to “paint as much as I can for as long as I can.”

Just down the road, Libby Imbody has done for Walhalla what Davis has done for Westminster. A muralist, graphic designer, illustrator and custom artist, the Mural Trail abounds with her larger works. Among them are a commissioned piece, Main Street to the Mountains, on the side of Sunni Ann Rustic Shop, and a piece commissioned by the city for the side of the city pool building.

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Walhalla artist Libby Imbody has painted several commissioned pieces in Oconee County, including this Mainstreet to the Mountains mural.

Imbody also has a piece in the Seneca mural collection. Commissioned by Mary and Jason Tannery, The Ram Cat Mural was as an attempt to lift the spirits of the community after a devastating tornado in April 2020. It features bright, graphic shapes of color created from 64 cans of aerosol paint.

All the artists featured on the trail have worked with and/or contributed to the efforts of the Oconee County Arts and Historical Commission, which gave birth to the Trail. Currently, more than 20 pieces of art are featured and others will be added as they are completed and determined to meet the guidelines for inclusion. Each mural has a QR code that can be scanned, directing visitors to a specific page featuring that mural. n

To view The Trail online, visit: https://visitoconeesc.com/ visit/oconee-murals/

In addition to his work throughout Seneca, including a commissioned piece for the Seneca Light & Water facility, muralist Jim Juras has painted outdoor murals in Six Mile and, most recently, completed a Clemson mural whose design is similar to the Welcome to Seneca mural.

His work at The Scoop Ice Cream Shop in Six Mile began with a 25 x 20-foot mural attached to an exterior brick wall. The colorful “Welcome to Six Mile” sign, with a nod to The Scoop, was very well received and prompted the owners to commission Juras for additional work inside.

“The place is really popular,” Juras explained. “They serve Hershey’s Ice Cream and are second only to The Biltmore when it comes to Hershey sales. They had so many people lining up for ice cream that the servers couldn’t get through the crowd to serve food orders. So, I used a railroad track theme to direct traffic and even painted signs that say, ‘Don’t stand on the tracks.’ It was pretty cool.”

Another of his works outside of the Oconee Mural Trail is a “Welcome to the Clemson Family” mural that debuted on the former Astro Theater in Clemson. The facility is now home to The Junkyard Fitness Center and the recently opened Walk-ins restaurant of which Clemson football coach Dabo Sweeney is an investor. Similar in concept to the Seneca welcome mural, Juras’ Clemson mural has several backstories.

For openers, the artist’s original sketches prompted the Clemson Arts Commission to request changes, including having to replace the trademarked Clemson Paw with an outline of South Carolina.

Then, as the actual painting was done, the “O” in Clemson was set aside to honor the ClemsonLIFE organization, which offers

a collegiate experience that prepares young men and women with intellectual disabilities for competitive employment and independent living. Juras said 22 young people were invited to the unveiling and had an opportunity to meet Dabo and his wife Kathleen, who also contributed by adding her signature to the Clemson “S,” on which the artist painted the logo for the Sweeneys’ All In Team Foundation. The coach himself also added his signature to a football Juras had painted in the Clemson “L.” “I’m pretty proud of that one,” Juras said of the finished Clemson piece.

HEY, LOOK! Visual arts are blooming!

story by Dari McBride

The Center impacts the community in a variety of ways including classes for all ages. Pictured here is a group of West-Oak Middle School advanced art students.

Photo courtesy of Gateway Arts Center

Six gallery exhibits per year offer a variety of themes and focus. Artists — new or established and across all mediums — are encouraged to display their works.

The exhibit Magnificent Women of the Upstate will run March 10 through May 12 featuring artists whose work has had a major impact on the Upstate, some for decades. In many cases these artists have been the lifeblood of the region’s arts community. Their works range from painting, collage, quilting and photography to stained glass and sculpture.

“After driving across the country three separate times, I can say that the depth of talent in this roster, as with previous shows, can easily compare to any metropolitan area anywhere in the United States,” said Center Director Melody Davis.

Additional 2023 shows will be listed on the gallery website as details are confirmed.

Gateway also conducts step-by-step paint parties and special kids’ experiences. Classes, their duration and costs vary throughout the year. To find a complete list of current opportunities visit: https://gatewayartscenter.net/whats-happening.

The Center impacts the community in a variety of ways including half-day summer camps during June. Scholarships are available to cover the weekly costs of these opportunities to experience a variety of art forms and tap into one’s creative side.

Davis also supports students by offering studio space, access to mediums and registration and supply assistance to SC Governor’s School hopefuls. Through paid internships and a new scholarship opportunity for graduating seniors interested in pursuing the arts, she believes Gateway Arts Center can impact local art for years to come.

Residents and visitors can support the Gateway

mission by becoming members, teaching or taking a class, sponsoring or volunteering for events, serving on a committee or donating or sponsoring events or program scholarships.

The Center shop is dedicated to promoting Oconee County’s natural resources and features handmade gifts and souvenirs. Visitors can create their own souvenir by purchasing materials and instructions for $10 for adults and $5 for children.

The gallery is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other open studio hours vary but can be confirmed by calling 864.613.2211. For more information about the gallery, call 864.613.2211 or email gatewayartscenter213@gmail.com

GATEWAY MEMBERSHIPS & FEES

• Annual individual, $40; annual family (up to 5), $50; and donor/member, $100

• Paint Party Fee, $25 (Only applies to group seasonal class)

• Weekly Camp, $95 (Limited space, reserve early)

{left} The Gateway Arts Center shop is dedicated to promoting Oconee County’s natural resources and features handmade gifts and souvenirs.

{below} A group of step-by-step paint party participants shows off their final creations. Such classes are held at Gateway throughout the year.

Photos courtesy of Gateway Arts Center

BLUE RIDGE ARTS CENTER

Shortly after Juanita English invited a group of ladies to her home in Mountain Rest to paint local scenery in 1966, the Blue Ridge Arts Association was founded. It received a state charter in 1970. In 1994, the name was changed to Blue Ridge Arts Council enabling it to become an umbrella for affiliate groups. The Council is a membership-based, non-profit with 175 artists and art lovers interested in supporting the arts as members. Exhibits, classes and events are offered at 111 East South 2nd St. in Seneca.

There are several galleries in the Center, each featuring its own exhibit at any given time. The Main Gallery hosts six shows per year, some of which are juried and feature national artists. A complete list of show dates for each gallery can be found at http://www.blueridgeartscenter.com/exhibitions/

On the first Friday of each Main Gallery opening, public receptions with live music are held from 5:307:30 p.m.

There are several galleries in The Center, each featuring its own exhibit at any given time. The Main Gallery hosts six shows per year, some of which are juried and feature national artists. Photos by Dari McBride

“Visitors are often surprised by the quality of art and the extent of what we have here at the Center,” commented past council chair Martha Driscoll.

Blue Ridge offers a variety of public classes throughout the year. These feature everything from jewelry making to weaving and more. For a full list of current and upcoming classes, visit: http://www. blueridgeartscenter.com/education/

The Center also hosts opportunities for member artists to practice and enhance their talents. To find a list of options open to member artists go to: http://www.blueridgeartscenter.com/artistgroups/

When there is no show in the Main Gallery, Blue Ridge offers open studio time when artists can rent space to work on pieces in progress.

The Center is actively involved in arts projects out in the community and often participates in local events to share the love of art with residents and visitors.

Blue Ridge Arts Center is only open during exhibitions on Wednesdays through Fridays from 1-4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To learn more about the Blue Ridge Arts Center, call 508.963.4959 or email blueridgeartcenter@gmail.com n

BRAC MEMBERSHIPS

Blue Ridge Arts Center is open to all artists and art lovers. Member benefits include free member shows and challenges, discounted admission to Main Gallery shows, discounts on classes and events, access to the BRAC Art Library and email notifications of upcoming art events in the community. Annual membership fees are: $35 for an individual, $45 for a family, and $25 for students.

One of the benefits of membership at the Blue Ridge Arts Center is space in which to create art and free member shows. Photo by Dari McBride

Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $2.5 million ($5 million for joint accounts of two or more people). Amounts that exceed the program’s FDIC coverage limits will be removed from the program and invested in the Edward Jones Money Market Fund, unless you opt instead to deposit such amounts in an Excess Bank as outlined in the program disclosure. More information about the Insured Bank Deposit Program, including the program disclosure, is available from your financial advisor or at edwardjones.com/bankdeposit. For more information about FDIC insurance, go to fdic.gov.

Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $2.5 million ($5 million for joint accounts of two or more people). Amounts that exceed the program’s FDIC coverage limits will be removed from the program and invested in the Edward Jones Money Market Fund, unless you opt instead to deposit such amounts in an Excess Bank as outlined in the program disclosure. More information about the Insured

SOMETHING TO READ ABOUT

FOOTHILLS COME TO LIFE WITH LITERARY EVENTS

story by Zenda Douglas

For avid readers, there is no better getaway than one that beckons from within the covers of a book. There’s no place, time or circumstance you cannot visit; no personalities you cannot meet; no passport, plane ticket, tank full of gas or luggage required; no reservations, special clothes or coordinating to do. Just you … by yourself … enjoying limitless travel in the confines of your own mind.

Occasionally, though, it’s good to share and compare travel notes. And, when that desire arises, it’s good to know there are places you can go where readers gather to talk about what they’ve read, discover what’s new and hear straight from the authors how the “trip” they are offering was put together.

Literary and book festivals provide such a place.

Of course, there can be no readers without writers, and festivals and writing workshops give novice and experienced authors, alike, opportunities to hear what captures the attention, excites, inspires, entertains, or prompts both tears and laughter.

There are also venues for absorbing different points of view, tips and techniques, as well as honing one’s craft. Here are a few festivals this spring that could prove to be many readers’ best getaway.

OPEN BOOK 2023

March 20 – April 14, Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 p.m.

In the Capstone Building on the University of South Carolina campus in Columbia, the USC College of Arts and Science hosts this free event.

Open Book is unique in that it is a literary series, a public course and a community reading experience all in one. The 2023 event will feature Michael Chabon, NoViolet Bulawayo, Natalie Diaz and Richard Powers, all winners of multiple literary awards and recognitions.

“We have been lucky to bring in very high-profile authors, many of whom are National Book Award winners and award recipients,” said professor, accomplished author and festival director Elise Blackwell. “One of our goals is to present literature as living and created today, not just history. We want to offer insights into the creative process.

{at top} The University of South Carolina’s Open Book 2023 literary event will feature author NoViolet Bulawayo. Photo by Nye’ Lyn Tho

{above} Author Michael Charon will be appearing at the Open Book 2023 literary event at the University of South Carolina.

Photo by Benjamin Tice Smith

“We also seek to expose South Carolina writers to people unaware of them,” Blackwell continued, noting that writers this year are from England, Somalia, Ireland and Zimbabwe. “Featured authors are chosen with an eye towards stylistic diversity, and the festival attracts guests of all ages, gender and backgrounds,”

(https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/english_language_and_literature/beyond_classroom/writers_series/open_ book/index.php)

WESTERN CAROLINA SPRING LITERARY FESTIVAL

March 20-23 in the A.K. Hinds University Center Theater and John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center on the WCU campus, Cullowhee, NC.

This festival grew out of WCU’s Visiting Writers Series, the oldest such series in North Carolina. Now in its 21st year, it has hosted distinguished local, national and international writers, furthering its commitment to bring the best of the arts to the mountains.

From Fred Chappell, Lee Smith and Robert Morgan to Marilynne Robinson, Billy Collins and Clifton Taulbert to Menna Elfyn and Nigel Jenkins, the list of literary notables is long. Featured this year are Beth Macy, author of the book and Hulu series, “Dopesick,” about the opioid epidemic, and National Book Award in Fiction winner, Jason Mott. Alabama’s Poet Laureate, Ashley M. Jones, the youngest and first Black poet to serve in this position, will attend.

“We always try to create a big festival with an accessible and intimate feel,” said Associate Professor Jeremy Jones who directs the festival. “Attendees can hear New York Times bestseller listed authors alongside debut writers.”

The festival is highly engaged with communities in the region and often collaborates with bookshops and libraries. Each year, the festival has a theme that influences reading, curricula and activities across the university. This year’s theme is mental health, with several featured authors having written works that deal with related subjects.

(www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schoolscolleges/cas/humanities/english/lit-fest/index. aspx)

2023 CHERAW BLACK AUTHORS LAB AND BOOK FESTIVAL

March 25, noon to 5 p.m. at Kevin Lear on Main, 140 2nd St. Cheraw, SC.

In its fourth year, this festival features authors and poets from cities all over the East Coast, with Dr. Beverly “Eagle” Rogers being among the featured authors for 2023.

“We want to bring the experience of African American authors to a small rural town,” said festival founder Michael Strong. “African American authors don’t always get the platform to really market their books and talk about their experiences in the South. We’ve encountered African American children and teens who want to write but don’t know that they could.”

This year’s festival, which has an admission charge, includes speakers, spoken word presentations, workshops, how-to information and an opportunity to buy books.

“Some people who may not have read in years come with their children and buy books for them,” Strong said, acknowledging a desire to counter a high level of illiteracy in some nearby South Carolina towns.

The festival also has a spiritual element, attracting ministers. social workers and doctors.

“The stories they are telling need to be told,” said Strong. “The fact that it’s labeled ‘Black Authors’ scares some people away, but I won’t change the name. We don’t have the opportunity to say we’re Irish or Italian or English — we can only say we’re Black.”

A monument honoring famed jazz musician and Cheraw native Dizzy Gillespie is displayed from the nearby courthouse, and the festival’s intermission includes a jazz performance. (www.blackauthorslab.com)

Well known Carolinabased author Ron Rash (far right) contributed to the 2022 Western Carolina University Literary Festival. Featured this year will be Beth Macy, author of the book and Hulu series “Dopesick” about the opioid epidemic. Photos courtesy of WCU Spring Literary Festival

Alabama’s Poet Laureate, Ashley M. Jones, the youngest and first Black poet to serve in the position, will attend this year’s WCU Literary Festival.

Photo courtesy of WCU Spring Literary Festival

216TH ANNUAL CLEMSON

March 29-31 at various locations throughout the Clemson campus and community.

Clemson University proudly points out that famed author James Dickey played football for Clemson long before he wrote “Deliverance.” However, Dickey is not alone. The school’s rich legacy of writers also includes Barry Hannah who wrote many of his early, iconic short stories while teaching in Clemson’s Department of English, and the South Carolina Review published contributions from Kurt Vonnegut, Joyce Carol Oates and Eudora Welty.

Pulitzer Prize Winner Jericho Brown headlines this year’s festival and will be joined by authors Santee Frazier, Desiree C. Bailey,

(SC) LITERARY FESTIVAL

Pulitzer Prize Winning author Richard Ford is shown signing books at an earlier Clemson Literary Festival event. Photo by Matt Pasker

Pulitzer Prize Winning author Jennifer Egan is pictured addressing attendees at last year’s Clemson Literary Festival. Photo by Matt Pasker

Samuel Amadon and Liz Countryman, Jessica Lee Richardson, M.O. Walsh, Manuel Gonzales, Sheri Reynolds and Dustin M. Hoffman.

“We strive for representative authors to look like the world as much as we can,” said professor, poet and festival director John Pursley. “We also try to be as much ‘town and gown’ as possible with lots of community involvement.”

Visitors may also enjoy a stroll through the nearby South Carolina Botanical Garden and the Clemson Arboretum. Next door to Clemson is historic Pendleton, the entirety of which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

(www.clemson.edu/caah/sites/literary-festival/)

26TH ANNUAL BLUE RIDGE WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

April 14-15 at the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, 420 West Main St., Blue Ridge, GA.

The Blue Ridge Writers’ Conference attracts writers from numerous states, some as far as Texas and Connecticut. It seeks to encourage writers at all levels, from novice to expert, and provides important networking.

“With literary festivals, there is promotion of books and meeting authors. We’re about providing the tools and developing toolkits for writers to learn and grow,” said Blue Ridge

Mountains Arts Association Director Nichole Potzauf. “The focus is on the guests and attendees.”

To that end, speakers and attendees often establish opportunities to stay connected and talk beyond the conference. Which genres are explored at the conference is open-ended and can include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children and young adult, journalism and others. Programs deal with the commonality of the craft and research.

This year’s keynote speaker is Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and graduate of Yale and the College of William and Mary. Her debut novel, “Even As We Breathe,” was named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2020 and received the 2021 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award.

Tickets to the two-day event are $75, which includes lunch and breakfast. Individual critiques and an intensive writing workshop are available for an additional charge of $35.

Blue Ridge is close to the Tennessee and North Carolina line, near the Appalachian Trail, and visitors have access to abundant outdoor activities. Blue Ridge boasts art galleries and award-winning restaurants. One of only five drive-in theaters remaining in Georgia is also in Blue Ridge.

(www.blueridgewritersconference.com/) n

Annette Clapsaddle, keynote speaker for the Blue Ridge Writer’s Conference, is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and one of the first authors published from the Eastern Band.

Photo by Terri Clark

IT’S ALL ‘DOWNHILL’ FROM HERE . . . and darn well worth it!

story by Bill Bauer

Photo

Banner Elk, NC, is the perfect base of operations for all that Western North Carolina offers its visitors. From downhill and cross-country skiing, tubing and ice skating in the winter to hiking, biking and golfing when the weather warms, this quaint mountain community is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

That reality is all it took for Eric and Tara Bechard to choose a hillside along the Tynecastle Highway in Banner Elk to build North Carolina’s first Alpine coaster.

The Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster that opened in May 2020 and the newly added Adventure Course are the culmination of an idea the Bechards conjured up while working for the military in Europe.

Tara and Eric met in Germany and basically fell in love first with each other, and then with riding Alpine coasters.

Gravity-driven coasters have been around Europe for many years but are relatively new on this side of the pond. In fact, there are only a few dozen in America, but the number is growing.

“Tara was from the Tennessee mountains so when we came back to the states, she looked for a mountain area. We settled in Banner Elk,” Eric said. “It took 15 years, but her dream to build an Alpine coaster became a reality.”

It wasn’t easy, however. The Bechards had to purchase land, design the coaster, get funding and then build it.

“We hired the top German Alpine coaster company, Wiegand Sports, and they did a fantastic job,” Eric explained.

No matter what age or how daring a rider may be, there’s always a victory pose at the end of the ride. Photo by Todd Bush

One look at the coaster track and it is evident that it was a massive undertaking. Unlike some coasters in the wide-open spaces, Wilderness Run holds true to its name as riders circle through trees, vegetation and boulders with Sugar Mountain on the horizon.

Unlike a typical roller coaster, Alpine coasters allow you to control the speed of your sled. As gravity feeds the sled, riders use two braking handles to slow down or accelerate.

“Our coaster is 3,160-feet long and can reach up to 27 miles per hour,” says Eric. “That is if you don’t touch the brakes!” The ride begins with courteous and reassuring employees belting you in and schooling you in the use of the braking system before a 770-foot ascent to the top of the coaster track.

When you reach the summit, another employee asks that you release the brakes and wishes you a great ride. From there it’s all downhill: twisting, turning and dipping around multiple circular loops before slowing down and returning to the start. Each coaster start is staggered and thus separated along the way.

Wilderness Run holds true to its name as riders circle through trees, vegetation and boulders with Sugar Mountain on the horizon.

Photo courtesy of Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster

The adjacent Wilderness Run Adventure Course keeps the wilderness theme alive via a three-level ropes course suspended from wooden tripods.

Photo by Christina Riley

“There is no way coasters can meet up with each other,” Eric said. “The gap between each coaster is monitored closely. Since opening we’ve had nearly 500,000 safe rides.”

Inspections are performed daily, weekly and annually to ensure all parts of the coaster are running smoothly and safely. “We come in a few hours early and check everything out and make any repairs,” said Eric. “Every spring, we shut down for three days for a total inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor.”

Eric hadn’t planned on owning and operating an Alpine coaster as he approached retirement from the military. He actually pondered opening a hot dog stand.

“Tara asked me what I wanted to do when I retired, ran the coaster idea by me and the rest is history,” he said. “We sold our houses, moved to Banner Elk, put an offer in on a piece of property and it was accepted.”

The Bechards have since purchased property adjacent to Wilderness Run and have added another adventuresome dimension that allows folks to double their fun by

WRITER’S NOTE!

If you go, try this itinerary on for size: It takes about 3.5 hours to get to Banner Elk from the Upstate — a long way to ride an Alpine Coaster and spend an hour swinging in the trees — so I made it a twoday trip.

I arrived around 1 p.m. and purchased a three-run ticket. It was my first time on an Alpine Coaster so I “eased” into it, braking as needed. But on the third run, I cut my time in half going full throttle most of the way. After a tour of the Adventure Course, I checked into the Best Western down the road.

The Banner Elk Best Western is a great, centrally located hotel that won’t empty your wallet. The rooms were clean and spacious, the bedding was fine and I even had a Jacuzzi. After freshening up it was off to Banner Elk Winery for happy hour. I had a wonderful wine tasting in a beautiful setting, and of course departed with a bottle or two.

My last stop was dinner at Stonewalls in downtown Banner Elk. Stonewalls is well known for its steaks and prime rib. A cooler filled with uncut meat is available. I let my waiter decide, and he selected prime rib. Excellently cooked at medium rare, with a salad and garlic mashed potatoes, I was in heaven. I left with the bread pudding to go.

After a hearty hotel breakfast, the plan was to play nine holes at nearby Sugar Mountain Golf Club before heading home. It is a highly rated course that I’ve played before and is operated by my good friend Tom McAuliffe. Alas, golf was

not in the cards as an early, heavy frost caused a delayed opening.

Next time, in the spring, it will be a faster ride on the Alpine Coaster, a challenge on the Adventure Course, a round of golf, and a repeat visit to Banner Elk Winery and Stonewalls. As local promoters claim, “It’s better in Banner Elk!”

Bill Bauer

Boat • Golf Cart • Motorcycle Hospital Income

Lewis H Patterson Agent

530 Old Greenville Hwy, Ste 4

Clemson, SC 29631

Next to Advance Auto on Old 93 Bus 864.654.2420 / Fax 864.654.2517

lewis@lewispatterson.com

climbing, swinging and dangling in the treetops. Wilderness Run Adventure Course keeps the wilderness theme alive via a three-level ropes course suspended from wooden tripods.

“We want whatever we do to blend into the hillside, especially in the summertime,” Eric said.

Reaching heights of 40 feet, helmeted and harnessed adrenaline seekers scramble over cargo nets, scale rock-climbing structures and traverse swinging bridges, ropes and logs. Prior to venturing into the 28 obstacles that make up the course, visitors receive a 10-15 minute safety and technique training session.

“We have an easy, intermediate and hard course so participants can start out where they feel comfortable and do one, two or all three levels,” Eric explained.

For little guys and gals, there is a ground level course for 2-to 5-year-olds that includes tubes, bridges and platforms. n

Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster is open year-round, seven days a week at 10 a.m. Closing times vary from season to season. Adult, youth and child tickets are available for a single ride or three consecutive rides. There are weight, age and height limits for both the coaster and the Wilderness Run Adventure Course. Both attractions also require advance check-in, but walk-ins may be accommodated. To learn more and plan your visit, go to:

www.wildernessrunadventurecourse.com, or wildernessrunalpinecoaster.com or call 828.898.7866.

Even in the winter, a 770-foot ride down from the summit provides plenty of thrills. Photo by Todd Bush

Young people learn how to protect and preserve

BECOMING A

story by Brett McLaughlin

courtesy of jocasseewild.org

‘WildChild! ’

It’s one thing to love nature. Proving it is a whole other thing. Brooks and Kay Wade are nature lovers. They not only work in nature, but they also work at it by sharing their passion and showing others how to attain it. That has become their mission.

The Wades moved north from Tallahassee in 2010. When they discovered a place where “water met mountains” in Upstate South Carolina, they knew they had found a home.

Once settled, finding something to do was step one, Kay explained. The result was a modest undertaking that involved using a pontoon boat to offer tours that focused on the many waterfalls and other natural features visible from Lake Jocassee.

“We learned the history, ecology and nature of the lake,” Kay explained, “and that’s what we talked about with people who came for our tours. They must have liked it because they kept coming back.”

As the Wades grew their business — Jocassee Lake Tours — their love for the lake and its surroundings also grew.

Much of the flora and fauna, as well as some of the tiny creatures the students encounter, are best viewed through hand-held magnifying glasses.

photos

“We came to the lake, but it also came to us,” Kay said, noting that her husband’s background fueled a desire to educate young people about the Jocassee Gorges and teach them about why this region is so incredibly special. Of particular interest were the people in their own backyard, families and children who might not be able to afford a typical tour.

That interest led to the creation of the non-profit Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education under whose auspices the Wades began the Jocassee Wild Child program in 2019. Last spring, some 300 young people visited and learned about the Gorges via the Wild Child initiative.

“It is very cool to see these kids in this natural environment, having what some of them have called ‘the best day of their lives’,” Kay said.

Students quickly take to learning about the flora, fauna and creatures that call this small pond home. It is located on one of the trails encircling Lake Jocassee on which the students often hike.

At a 2020 meeting of Upstate Forever, Brooks and Kay met Kerry McKenzie. She had moved to the Upstate and married “a local boy” in 2007. A kayaker and swimmer, she was immediately attracted to Lake Jocassee. An interest in the outdoors and a background in promoting childhood wellness propelled her to participate in the Wades’ Wild Child program.

“Kerry is the heart and brains of the program,” Kay said, “and she makes me very proud of the good things we’re accomplishing with these kids.”

“In 2020 I became involved in the Naturalist Program,” McKenzie said, explaining her evolution into the Wild Child program by referring to another program under the Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education umbrella. “I had taken a boat tour with Brooks and worked on some trail maintenance with him. I had a background in working with young children to have healthier lives by eating better, gardening and developing outside play spaces.

“My office is Jocassee? Someone push me,” she quipped, recalling what she said to herself when the job offer arose.

“When they are on the boats, see the birds and wildlife, get out and hike the trails and see the flora and fauna, my work is easy. They don’t even know they’re learning.”

— Kerry McKenzie

{right} With mascot Odyssey the Blue Otter in hand, a young student poses in front of one of Jocassee’s many waterfalls. • {below} Trained and well-versed guides and instructors provide students with history and a plethora of facts about the Jocassee Gorges region.

Since late 2020, McKenzie’s role has been to gently incorporate examples of good nutrition and daily exercise into her interaction with kids.

“Many of them are timid at the start,” she explained, “but Jocassee does the work. When they are on the boats, see the birds and wildlife, get out and hike the trails and see the flora and fauna, my work is easy” she said. “They don’t even know they’re learning.”

To assist her “classroom” efforts, McKenzie did research by watching Sesame Street. Among other things, that led to the introduction of Odyssey the Blue Otter as the “hero of Lake Jocassee.” It also led to the incorporation of music in the curriculum.

“We have shakers we shake and a drum that just vibrates off the mountains,” she said excitedly. “I can’t tell you how important music is to the program.”

Kay said she has been astounded by what she has witnessed when she’s out with McKenzie and the children.

“I was on a boat with her once and she pulled out this hummus and wild zucchini,” Kay recalled. “I thought that this was never going to work, but the kids ate it up.”

“The kids had never heard of wild vegetables and bean dip. Turns out, they love it” McKenzie added. “It’s all about healthy food and snacks and about getting moving … swimming, jumping, playing, climbing.”

A young student gets up close and personal with an equally young butterfly that was discovered near a falls.

Classroom sessions can involve up to 40 children at a time on four pontoons. Guides are trained, and the program operates using state educational standards for grades 4-6.

“Depending on the time of year, we swim and we hike,” McKenzie said. “We have a pool we hike to that has tadpoles, frogs and the occasional snake. It’s a teaching pond.

“We have adopted the Choosy Kids concept (https://choosykids.com) to encourage them to carry the idea of preserving and protecting the earth throughout their lives. During our hikes we always talk about ‘treading lightly,’ and we urge them to take what they have learned back to their communities … organize a trash clean-up or create a local environmental club.”

Offering an outdoor laboratory experience that goes beyond a typical “field trip” is not inexpensive. To date, Kay said the local community has been “incredibly generous.”

“They get it,” she said, noting that donations have ranged from $10 to $5,000. “They realize that what we are doing is teaching the next generation to protect and preserve what is important for their futures.”

Private individuals, including several in the nearby Cliffs Communities, have been particularly generous in providing funds to offset the average $55 per-student cost of a fourhour outdoor adventure. n

Those who would like to learn more about Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education can visit: www. jocasseewild.org; call 864.280.5501; or email info@jocasseewild.org. Donations can be sent to: Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education, PO Box 582, Salem, SC 29676.

It takes a boat to reach them, but the students always enjoy the waterfalls around Lake Jocassee, especially in the warm days of spring and summer.

ANOTHER OUTDOOR EDUCATION OPTION

In addition to the Wild Child Program, the non-profit umbrella of Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education includes a loon research initiative and the Jocassee Wild Naturalist Program. The latter is a series of courses designed for those who wish to go further and deeper into the study of the Jocassee Gorges.

Ten core courses and four elective recreational requirements are available, allowing participants to study what interests them most or take eight core classes and one elective to become a Certified Jocassee Naturalist.

The Jocassee Wild Naturalist Program allows participants to take their time, learning and playing in the Gorges alongside expert instructors. Participants explore geology, ecology, natural history and more. Advanced classes in specialized subjects, such as ferns, lichens and seasonal birding are available for those who complete the certificate and still want to learn more.

For example, core classes in the current year have included:

• Stream and Lake Ecology with Dr. John Hains, Clemson University

• Wildlife with Dr. Rocky Nation, Anderson University

• Seasons of the Gorges with Patricia Kyzer, Wild Oaks Academy

• History of the Gorges with Sheryl White, Oconee County historian

• Geology/Climatology with Dr. Bill Ranson, Furman University

• Climate, Weather and Watersheds of the Gorges with Hope Mizzell, SC-DNR Climatologist

• Spring Wildflowers and Native Plant Communities with Keith Bradley, SC-DNR Botanist

• Flora of the Gorges, with an emphasis on rare and noteworthy species with Dr. Alan Weakley, UNC Herbarium

• Seasons of the Gorges with Patricia Kyzer, Wild Oaks

• Fire in the Gorges: History and Ecology with Dr. Don Hagan, Clemson University

Elective classes included: fly fishing with Zach Maddox, hiking the Foothills Trail with Heyward Douglass, foraging and Earth skills with Dan Whitten, kayaking Lake Jocassee with Kerry McKenzie and David White, and Jocassee Lake Tours led by a fishing guide.

story by Vanessa Infanzon

Mickey and Minnie Mouse wave from atop the hot air balloon, the last float in the parade through Main Street U.S.A. in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. From the sidewalk, hundreds of people wave in return and adults smile to see the little ones’ reactions to these larger than life heroes singing and dancing as they pass by.

Seeing the Cinderella Castle, The Haunted Mansion and “It’s a Small World” — attractions you may have seen in the 1970s — through the eyes of your grandkids may be the best treat a grandparent can give themselves. Whether you are recalling your days as a parent with young kids or discovering Disney for the first time with your grandbabies, the magic is real.

However, whether you take all the grandkids at once or schedule an individual trip as each grandchild reaches a certain age, Disney doesn’t happen without planning. And developing a plan that works for your family — financially and logistically — will take time.

SLEEPING BEAUTY (WHERE TO STAY)

Among the 32 resorts on property, the 1920s themed Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa offers a luxury experience with

Clemson University Track & Field athlete Courtney Williams and Clemson Downs resident Dick Hall, Clemson A&M Class of ’58, enjoy spending time together. These intergenerational connections and the quality of care you receive make living at Clemson Downs something special.

Call or visit to learn how our full continuum of care, offering independent living, assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing care, can meet your needs.

With so many roller coasters, musical shows and performances to see, getting the grandkids involved in planning is essential and will almost certainly involve seeing these Disney characters.

Photo by Kent Phillips

suites and adjoining rooms to accommodate larger groups. Head to the Magic Kingdom on the monorail or take the walking trail for a leisurely stroll to the park. Fine dining as well as an eatery are available on property. The lobby is decorated for Easter and Christmas.

MAGIC DAYS (WHERE TO PLAY)

Four theme parks — Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom — with rides and attractions for every age and personality will keep the family engaged. With so many roller coasters, musical shows and performances to see, get the grandkids involved in the planning. Make learning about its founder, Walt Disney, part of the experience.

POOH AND HONEY (WHERE TO EAT)

Restaurants, cafés and eateries are scattered throughout the parks. Each follow a theme and may feature a Disney character. Reservations are highly recommended for restaurants with table service; take your chance as a walk up with small parties of two or three.

Eat your meal in a car at the Sci-Fi DineIn Theater Restaurant in Hollywood Studios. Watch old movies on the screen while eating burgers, chicken and pasta at this mock 1950s drive-in movie theater. Finish with a hot fudge sundae.

Be My Guest in the Magic Kingdom offers a three-course meal and the Beast has been

known to make appearances throughout the day. The menu at the award-winning Yak & Yeti’s Restaurant in Animal Kingdom includes pan-Asian dishes.

It’s a big undertaking to plan a magical vacation but these suggestions will help you get started:

Read blogs with up-to-date information about Disney. Before booking, do your research: What’s new at Disney? What are the pros and cons for visiting during a specific

time of year? Should the family stay on or off property? How does the Lightning Lane work? What’s Genie+?

Download the Walt Disney World app on your phone. Enlist a technically savvy grandchild to navigate the menu with access to maps, schedules, tickets and passes.

Whether you’re planning a Disney trip for children or grandchildren, including ageappropriate attractions is important. Here, Bob Chapek, former chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, is joined by a cast of Star Wars characters from Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a sure teen hit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Photo by Matt Stroshane

The 1920s themed Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa offers a luxury experience with suites and adjoining rooms to accommodate larger groups.

Photo courtesy of Disney

Bring everyone. Disney offers accommodations for guests with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Contact Disability Services at (407) 560-2547 or disability.services@disneyparks.com for more information.

Plan breaks. Set aside time to sit by the pool and chill. Schedule downtime around naps or busy times at the parks.

Wear comfortable shoes. This is not the time for a fashion show: Get out the comfortable walking shoes for all the steps you’ll be walking.

Dress in Disney apparel. You really can’t overdo Disney memorabilia: Mickey and Minnie ears, T-shirts and hats. Consider matching shirts in a bright color for the family — perfect for locating everyone and enviable photos. Set a schedule for each day and then be flexible. Rain, hunger, fatigue or a parade will get in the way of a planned day. Just have fun. You’re at Disney!

Here are five budget friendly ideas for a Walt Disney World vacation:

Consider getting the Disney Rewards Credit Card. The points earned from everyday spending throughout the year may be used toward a

these on-property resorts. Each include some of the same amenities as the more expensive options: pool, transportation to the parks and meal options.

Look for family packages. By bundling accommodations and park tickets, you can get discounts at restaurants and attractions. Determine what extras you want to pay for and which ones you can live without.

Pack drinks and food to bring into the parks. Guests are welcome to bring a backpack

or cooler into the parks with items such as water, snacks and sandwiches for the family. Set a budget for souvenirs. Without parameters, any grandparent may be compelled to purchase all the cute merchandise. n

There are four theme parks — Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom — at Disney World. A visit to Epcot, home to Spaceship Earth, can make your vacation an educational experience for younger members of your party. Photo by Kent Phillips

Re-envisioned!

story by Brett McLaughlin | photos by Caleb Gilbert

This inset shows the screened porch and vegetation that used to obscure views both from and to the house. Today, the home’s beauty is obvious, and the lake views are spectacular with Lakeside Landscaping LLC of Fair Play having completed work on an extensive design plan.

There are a lot of chapters in the book “Now You’re a Homeowner.” The preface is all sunshine, blue skies and dreamy days spent imagining a lifetime in your blissful abode. Before you know it, however, you’ve plunged into Chapter 1: How to Refinance your Mortgage, and the ensuing pages will introduce you to rearranging furniture, the to-do list and the do-it-yourself course. Early printings have a chapter on using the Yellow Pages to find the right repairman, while later editions introduce readers to Google. Eventually, the tattered pages in the back discuss remodeling and … the closer, renovations.

Mario and Drucy Illanes know the book well.

However, in the case of their “new” home on Lake Keowee, the book they needed was Homeownership 2.0, a limited edition written by Artisan Partners owned by Ken Myers.

“This home was not remodeled,” the Seneca-based custom builder said. “It was re-envisioned. My job was to make this their home. We had to start by unseeing what we saw.”

So, if a new vision was in order, what was it that Mario and Drucy saw in the home to begin with?

“Drucy wanted a lake house,” Mario said, his adoration for his wife showing in the slightest of smiles.

» CONTINUED ON PG. 64

BEFORE

Mario and Drucy Illanes loved the lot and the community they found in Keowee Key, but it took massive changes in the home’s configuration, décor and landscaping to make it the home they now adore.

{above} Creating lake views was a key component of the “re-envisioning” of the home. Before, a greenhouse and massive amounts of vegetation made seeing the lake — or being seen from the lake — impossible. Also, a curio now stands where a second entry to the master suite used to be.

“Greg was a true pleasure to work with in selling our home. Our initial impressions of his down to earth friendly deameanor stayed true throughout the selling process. Greg’s expertise and professionalism from start to finish gave us such peace of mind knowing we were in the best of hands. When all was said and done we sold our lake house for top dollar and felt we had not only the best representation but made a great friend as well.”

— Ron & Laura Shepard —

417 LAKESTONE COURT, SENECA SELLER & BUYER REPRESENTED SOLD FOR $2,050,000

142 E WATERFORD DR, SENECA 4 BED, 4 BATH, 3 CAR GARAGE COVERED DOCK IN DEEP PROTECTED WATER LISTED AT $1,750,000

223 LUTHER LAND ROAD, SENECA 5 BED, 6.5 BATH, 3 CAR GARAGE COVERED DOCK, DEEP WATER & SANDY BEACH LISTED AT $2,995,000

411 WINDCREST COURT, SALEM SELLER REPRESENTED SOLD FOR $1,480,000

901 SOUTHWIND COURT, SENECA 4 BED, 4 BATH, MASTER & GUEST ROOM ON MAIN, WATERFALL, OUTDOOR KITCHEN & COVERED DOCK LISTED AT $1,799,000

“This house had three levels, and it was on a flat lot,” Drucy said, making sure everyone under stood there was more involved in the decision than just water. “It’s easy to walk to the lake and we also liked the flat driveway. Mario likes the round ‘U-turn’ factor and we’re on a cul-de-sac.”

There were other things they liked, but let’s start at the beginning …

Mario was born in San Francisco where his fa ther worked as the consul general at the Chilean Consulate. At an early age his family returned to South America. In 1973, he came to Tucson, AZ, where he played rugby for the University of Ari zona and earned a degree in business administra tion. It’s also where he met Drucy. Although they would go their own ways after graduating college, they eventually found each other again and, 37 years ago, they married. Within a few years and with a son and daughter in tow, they returned to Chile, where Mario was human resource director and a key player in the start-up of the Zaldivar copper mine in Northern Chile.

“Over the years we bought several apartment rentals,” Mario said. “We rented them to international companies that were doing business in Santiago. They were our pension plan.”

BEFORE | LANDING

The lake level landing area was completely reconfigured with a kitchenette replacing a bookshelf and bathroom. The resulting additional space and a new door also enhanced the entrance to the wine cellar and afforded space to display the saddles associated with their history of showing Peruvian Paso horses.

Their children eventually returned to the U.S. and, in November 2020, Mario and Drucy became grandparents with the birth of Mario IV. Stuck in Chile with travel restrictions brought on by Covid, the couple decided it was time to move closer to their family. They sold their rentals and a lake home at Lago Vichuquen (The inspiration for having another lake home.) and began searching for a new home.

“We Googled ‘lake houses in the Southeast.’ And Keowee Key kept coming up,” Drucy said.

In May 2021 they came to the area, made connections with Melanie Fink and Associates with Allen Tate Realtors and spent three days looking at properties.

“There wasn’t much available,” Drucy said, “but Melanie was great and, as it turns out, she loves Chilean wine.”

Eventually, Fink led them to what would become their home in the tightly-knit South Pointe community of Keowee Key.

Possibilities

A row of cabinetry and a desk in the kitchen, combined with a greenhouse on the deck, used to obscure views of the lake. Those were all eliminated in favor of windows and a large glass door. The island was resurfaced and expanded and new cabinets installed. The pantry and the garage entrance were reconfigured and a coffee bar was also added.

They loved the location and, fortunately, Melanie knew exactly the right man who could tackle the issues the couple had with the home itself.

Enter Myers, who takes on a limited number of home projects at one time so he can provide personal attention to each one.

“It had a great open floor plan but it had some wonkie stuff,” he said, searching for the right word to describe wall cabinets, a greenhouse and an overgrown garden that combined to obscure a beautiful view of the lake.

“It had great bones, but it was dated. It had a great shape, but there was a lot of ’80s oak, three giant fiberglass tubs, a lot of doors, and windows that only looked into the neighbors’ homes,” the builder added, explaining that the house was built in 1997 but furnished with red and black bathroom fixtures that had been stored up from the 1970s.

“Now, it’s a one-of-a-kind home that doesn’t really have just one style.”

The changes came early and often. Engaged in June 2021, he set about creating a new vision. Two months later construction began. It would take 15 months to complete. During much of that time, Mario and Drucy were overseeing the project from some 4,000 miles away in a home they had retained in Quintay, a small fishing village about 75 miles west of Santiago.

“We had a lot of trust in Ken,” Drucy said.

From the front door to the top floor, to the lower lake level, a lot of doors were removed and new walls built. The stacked stone fireplace in the great room was dismantled and replaced by large Italian porcelain panels. A powder room immediately inside the front door was closed off and the stairs leading up and down were opened and new railings installed. A second door to the master suite was closed off.

Mario and Drucy Illanes have a unique and varied collection of original art that is well displayed in their Lake Keowee home.

Ivet Ivanova Interior Designer

The open floor plan includes a kitchen area to the right of the great room as one faces the lake. The view was enhanced by removal of the greenhouse and garden outside the great room and the demoli tion of a row of cabinetry, as well as a built-in desk in the kitchen. The changes created more room for formal dining and opened the room so the island could be expanded with informal seating at one end.

“Mario kind of had to grow into the idea of a larger island,” Drucy said coyly.

While windows with power blinds now line the entirety of the lake side of the home, new cabi netry, a new range vent and a coffee station were built into the interior kitchen walls. Soapstone coun tertops were installed. What had been a garage entrance and small dry-bar area was converted into a walk-in pantry. The for mer pantry became a half-bath, and a closet was reconfigured to become the adjacent laundry.

The master suite was also extensively remodeled. A window facing a neighbor’s house was closed off and a sliding door added as access to a private balcony overlooking the lake. As was the case in several parts of the home, trim work was changed. The bath was completely gutted and reconfigured with a porcelain tile, walk-in shower that features two showerheads. Custom cabinetry and quartz countertops completed the redesign.

BEFORE | MASTER SUITE

By closing off a window that looked out onto the neighbor’s house, the master bedroom became big enough to contain a king-size bed and, by clearing away some trees, an expansive view of the lake became possible.

While the ground and upper levels feature white oak flooring, one ascends to the upper level on contrasting red oak stairs. Changes on the upper level included removing a closet in the bonus room to create a sitting area and the addition of a desk to a niche that overlooks the lake.

Like the ground level, the lake level of the home was extensively remodeled. Guests were previously greeted with another door, a bookshelf and a 7.5-foot ceiling over a carpeted sitting area at the base of the stairs.

“It was like entering a tunnel,” Mario said.

Now, guests enter a very open room that features custom cabinetry in a new kitchen area and a brick fireplace that has gone from being “yellowish” to white. The carpet was removed, exposing concrete that Drucy insisted be polished and saved, including a few “imperfections.” The door to a small wine cellar was upgraded and the ceiling raised.

One aspect of the home the couple really appreciated was the gentle slope to the lake, which has been enhanced with all new landscaping.

By moving walls, the landing was expanded, allowing the couple to display a pair of saddles and memorabilia associated with their history of showing Peruvian Paso horses.

A hall leading to the guest rooms and laundry is lined with bookshelves that replaced a closet and four additional doors.

Two of the guest rooms are connected by a jackand-jill bath that features custom cabinets, a double vanity and pocket doors at each end. In the third guest room yet another window looking out on a neighbor was closed off. That simple change allowed for a king-size bed. This room features a full bath.

“This looks like a whole new house down here,” Drucy said.

The screened porch was removed and the remaining patio expanded. A stairway at one end leads to the deck on the ground level. The dock is but a few steps away.

The home’s décor is simple. Each piece of art the couple has collected over the years has special meaning and each is displayed prominently against a neutral background.

“They have very nice art, and we tried to design spaces that would attract eyes,” Myers said.

“We couldn’t be happier with our home,” Drucy said. “Ken has made it exactly as we had envisioned it.” n

BEFORE | BATHROOM

Although it was built in 1997, the home was originally retrofitted with 1970s style bathroom fixtures. Those were replaced with a modern tile shower and free-standing tub, as well as custom cabinetry and new flooring.

Clemson’s first brewery boasts great beer, good times

story

It’s been said Clemson University’s Kite Hill derived its name back in the day when it was a popular place for kids to take advantage of the hill’s updraft to fly kites.

For years Kite Hill has been the location of the campus radio station where university alums Bryon Leggett and Bobby Congdon forged a friendship while working at WSBF. Bryon and Bobby were also college beer drinking buddies, and they have always maintained their love for “the nectar of the gods.”

Graduating in 1999 and 2002 respectively, Bryon traveled as a chemical engineer while Bobby remained in Clemson, working for the University in graphic communications.

In 2005, he began brewing beer at home, a hobby that would eventually lead him back to his old friend.

“It was September 5, 2017, when Bobby sent me an email while I was living in Vermont,” Bryon recalled clearly. “It read, ‘How’s Vermont. Want to move back to Clemson and open a brewery with me’?”

He responded, “Well, this is an intriguing email!”

That day a seed was planted that would grow into Clemson’s first brewery, aptly named, Kite Hill Brewing Co. On July 4, four years later, Bobby and Bryon opened the taps on five kegs. Today, the Patrick Square establishment boasts 16 taps, serving a diverse array of hoppy, malty, fruity/sour and light beers.

“It was a big jump going from brewing five gallons to 310,” said Bobby pointing to the huge stainless steel vats in the exposed brewing area. “It also took a while to find a location.”

Kite Hill Brewing Co. is part of The Exchange, a 24,000-square foot building in Patrick Square’s Town Center on Thomas Green Blvd.

“We wanted to open our brewery right here in Clemson and were searching for a site when this portion of the building became available,” Bryon said.

The 4,500-square foot interior has an industrial feel, is spacious and offers an upfront view

of the 10-barrel brewing process. Overhead doors on the front and side open to an outdoor beer garden that is dog friendly.

“We are going to make a more permanent structure outside,” said Bobby pointing to the current upscale tent hovering above the garden. Large propane heaters provide warmth on cooler days.

Bryon and Bobby realized that keeping their day jobs required hiring a brewmaster. Enter

Mike Fuller, who came with a wealth of experience and a degree in brewing science.

“We were fortunate to get Mike, a South Carolina native and big Clemson fan, who was working at a brewery in Asheville,” said Bobby.

With Fuller overseeing the brewing part of the operation, Kite Hill was off and running.

The tap wall is behind a lengthy bar. A huge topographical map of Clemson provides the backdrop for 16 pouring handles and signage indicating what’s on tap.

“We keep two beers year-round, the Frequency Modulated IPA and Kite Hill Kolsch,” said Bryon. “They are our flagship beers.”

The remaining 14 taps offer a beer for every palate, ranging from porters to pilsners. Many carry names that beg customers to try them out.

Road Paw (pale ale), Noon Kickoff (American lager), Night Game (English porter) and

by Bill Bauer | photos courtesy of Kite Hill Brewing

{above} The three amigos behind Kite Hill Brewing Co. are (from left) owners Bryon Leggett and Bobby Congdon and brewmaster Mike Fuller. • {left} Things really took off at Kite Hill Brewing Co. when the owners hired brewmaster Mike Fuller, a South Carolina native and huge Clemson fan.

Tigertown Lager help maintain the Clemson theme, while That Girl from Milan and That Girl from Stuttgart take you across the pond to European beer concepts. And then there’s the Widely Considered Blood Orange Gose.

Bryon said Lacey Hennessey, a Clemson grad who got her start painting tailgate coolers, was the designer and painter of a floor-to-ceiling mural illustrating all that is Kite Hill Brewery. The owners even had a Clemson building contractor do the construction.

Beer is not the only thing made from scratch at Kite Hill. A menu of “shareable” and “not so sharable” appetizers and sandwiches pairs well with available brews. The 10-ounce soft pretzel comes with house-made pimento cheese and spicy whole grain beer mustard. The smoked trout dip is also house-made and comes with seeded crackers. Add the dips and the red pepper hummus, along with a variety of chips and veggies, and the popular dip sampler goes a long way. Also, not to be overlooked is an ever-changing charcuterie board. Sandwiches arrive on sourdough, rye, croissants, ciabatta or gluten-free breads and come with a choice of side.

“We go to great lengths to be sure we can accommodate most dietary needs and preferences,” Bryon said, pointing out menu options such as pimento cheese with fried green tomatoes and chow-chow (vegetarian) and a smoked tempeh BLT (vegan).

The 10-ounce soft pretzel comes with house-made pimento cheese and spicy whole grain beer mustard.

Healthy seasonal salads and a Greek veggie wrap round out the menu.

The owners strive to be onsite as often as their real jobs and family demands permit and, when they are, they become perfect hosts whether behind the bar or delivering food.

“We wanted a place where locals could come and relax and enjoy a few beers with their friends — and be family-friendly,” Bobby said. “We just enjoy seeing people having a good time and are happy to provide the gathering place.”

Kite Hill Brewing Co. has something for everybody. A kids’ menu includes mac ‘n’ cheese bites, chicken nuggets, a snack plate and a kids’ pimento cheese sandwich. Non-beer drinkers can choose from assorted wines and soft drinks. n

KHBC is open seven days, from 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon8 p.m. on Sunday. Tuesdays feature trivia (and fresh tamales) and Fridays have live music by local musicians. Find out about special events, beers and menu items at: www.kitehillbrewing.com

{above} The tap wall is behind a lengthy bar. A huge topographical map of Clemson provides the backdrop for 16 pouring handles and overhead doors open to outdoor seating. • {right} Kite Hill offers a diverse menu with items that pair well with any number of the beers on tap.

Holy Pizzaiolo! Get a real “Peace of Pie” at Fair Play eatery

story by Bill Bauer

Nick Harper and his brother Scottie grew up devouring Hunt Brothers Pizza from mini-marts all over the Upstate.

“We’ve graduated from Hunt Bros. to Harper Bros.,” chuckled Scottie, who now works for Nick, owner and pizza chef at Peace of Pie on Lake Hartwell in Fair Play, SC. Nick grew up in Westminster, graduated from West-Oak High School and went on to earn an engineering degree from Tri-County Technical College. However, it is being a Pizzaiolo, a graduate of the Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center in Beltsville, Maryland, that Nick prefers to highlight on his curriculum vitae.

By his own definition, Harper is simply “a pizza guy,” who not only likes to eat pizza, but also loves to make it.

“I eat pizza every day and want to make the best pizza possible,” Nick said as he took control of a dough ball the size of small flying saucer. When totally risen, it will make over one hundred 16-inch pizzas.

Every day he makes a fresh dough ball and sauce and prepares toppings for a variety of specialty and build-your-own pizzas.

“We strive to use all local produce,” he explained. “Nothing comes out of a bag. All our ingredients are fresh and chopped daily.”

Nick specializes in the popular New York style pizza with a thin, foldable crust, but he is schooled in the more traditional, Italian Neapolitan style pizza as well.

“In Italy, pizza crust is soft and delicate, and needs to be eaten with a fork and a knife. If you picked it up and tried to fold it, it would be in your lap,” he said.

Having been to Parma, Italy, as a member of the U.S. Pizza Team, Nick gained a wealth of experience that he brought back to the shores of Lake Hartwell. He also hones his skills by entering pizza competitions, including recent events in McDonough, GA, and Atlantic City, NJ.

“Our bruschetta took first place in the appetizer competition, and our pizza took fourth in McDonough,” he said proudly. “The competitions are a fun way to better ourselves.”

Peace of Pie opened in January 2021 and survived the Covid pandemic by opening as a takeout eatery. It became a sit-down restaurant in November of the same year.

“We average 100 pizzas a day along with our calzones, strombolis and double-baked wings. And we do it all with two ovens and a grill.” he said.

Salads, appetizers and sub sandwiches round out the menu.

Nick has also introduced seasonal entrees, such as peach and apple pizzas, when those fruits are available. Similarly, only fresh pineapple is used on the Hawaiian pizza.

During National Pizza Month in October, Nick created a new pizza each week. Getting Figgy Wit’ It, a fig and prosciutto pizza, was so popular that it will soon be on the regular menu. Dessert style pizzas, such as s’mores and chocolate chip, are also popular.

“Making pizza is easy, but making authentic pizza takes time. We do not make run-of-the-mill pizza,” Nick said.

“Making pizza is easy, but making authentic pizza takes time. We do not make run-of-the-mill pizza.”

— NICK HARPER

Although he has an engineering degree, Nick Harper calls himself a “Pizza Guy,” who delights in running Peace of Pie on Lake Hartwell, where original pizzas are the order of the day.

Photo courtesy of The Journal

His passion for good food is shared by a staff of 12, all of whom are family members or local residents.

“They take pride in preparing food that looks and tastes great and also providing excellent service,” he said.

Down the road Nick plans to expand his operation with delivery and a new state-of-the-art pizza oven positioned so patrons can see the pizzas being tossed, assembled and cooked.

When asked about the restaurant’s name, Nick said he has been told he is an old soul. Despite his young age, he looks back on the Hippie generation of the ’60s and has incorporated tie-dyed shirts and peace symbols into his business.

“We love pizza loving people, and our motto is, ‘Peace of Mind with every Peace of Pie’,” he said. n

Peace of Pie on Hartwell is located on SC Highway 11, and is open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday is music trivia night and occasionally there is live music. Call for information or take out at 864.972.1955, or order online at peaceofpieonhartwell.com

Nick Harper starts every day making a fresh dough ball that, when risen, will make over one hundred 16-inch pizzas.

Photo courtesy of Peace of Pie

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Go public!

Sevierville features a pair of hidden gems for golfers

story by Bill Bauer | photos courtesy of Sevierville Golf Club

Sevierville lies in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, and in association with the neighboring communities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, feature Dollywood, Skyland Ranch, Wilderness and a host of dinner theaters and theme parks. Millions of visitors make a pilgrimage to the region every year to enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment.

Unfortunately, two wonderful municipal golf courses at Sevierville Golf Club are often lost in the plentitude of tourist attractions.

The National Golf Foundation tells us there are nearly 3,000 municipal golf courses in the United States, the most famous perhaps being Torrey Pines in California. Muni courses, as they are called, like The River and The Highlands at SGC, are owned and operated by a municipality and are open to the public. But, while SGC may be a public course, driving up to the spacious clubhouse and practice facility one immediately gets a country club feel.

The Sevierville Golf Club is a first class, public facility recognized as one of the top 50 U.S. courses. Its clubhouse features a complete pro shop and Mulligans Restaurant.

The two-tiered green on The River course’s 18th hole is the perfect place to end a fun and challenging round. The approach is from a narrow fairway bordered by Knoxville Highway on the right and a large pond on the left. Hit that fairway, lay up to the 150 marker and then fly the pond to this green.

Shiny Blinds also offers pressure washing to give your home curb appeal and your business a professional look. Our gutter cleaning services will help your gutters drain properly. In addition to these services, we also offer a full line of window coverings.

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Outside the starter’s building, the cart guys welcome you, fetch your bag and load your cart. Inside the pro shop, a cordial staff checks you in and attends to any needs before sending you out to warm up or tee off on either decidedly different golf course.

Originally opened by the city as Eagle’s Landing in 1994, SGC underwent a massive renovation in 2007. Some original holes were eliminated, new holes were designed and, through rerouting, The River and The Highlands were created.

DJ Lerchen, former superintendent and now director of golf, notes that of the 232 acres of land that make up the two courses, there are 60 acres of natural habitat and 40 surface acres of ponds.

“Watering our golf course is no issue,” says Lerchen. “Gist Creek winds its way around all 18 holes on The Highlands and The River plays along and across the Little Pigeon River.”

This is the 14th hole on The Highlands Course, a par70 layout that only plays 6,200 yards from the tips but is a challenge from any of the five tee boxes.

Lush Bermuda grasses from tee to green are well manicured, and the fairways are clearly defined by taller fescue, water hazards and natural areas.

The Highlands course is a par 70 and, while it only plays 6,200 yards from the tips, it is a challenge from any of the five tee boxes. Lerchen calls it a fun course.

“It has six par-3s, two on the front nine and four on the back, that our golfers really like. Every one has its own challenge,” he said, adding that three of the six can be played at over 200 yards and all have water coming into play from Gist Creek or a pond.

From the tee on the 16th you are looking at a daunting shot to the green. A creek crosses in front of the green and continues along the right side of the hole. If you miss the green, it is better to be to the large grass bunker on the left.

Lush Bermuda grasses from tee to green are well manicured, and the fairways are clearly defined by taller fescue, water hazards and natural areas.

The two courses at the Sevierville Golf Club feature lush, well-manicured Bermuda grasses from tee to green. The fairways are clearly defined by taller fescue, water hazards and some 60 acres of natural habitat and 40 acres of ponds.

“It’s probably the toughest tee shot on the entire course,” Lerchen noted.

The 18th at Highlands is a great way to conclude your round. It’s the shortest par-3 but a 100-foot, multiple tiered green means club selection is the key to reaching the correct tier.

The River course presents a decidedly different challenge. When you’re not dodging ponds, the meandering Little Pigeon River appears now and then making you think about shot location with every swing. Holes One through 10 play fairly flat between Old Knoxville Highway and the Little Pigeon. Standing on the tee box you will see water on both sides of the fairway on nearly every hole, but generous landing areas allow you to play from the short grass. Risk and reward is the name of the game beginning with the first hole, but pars are gettable by playing it safe and not trying to cut off too much of the fairways.

Once you cross the highway and take on holes 11 through 14 the terrain gets hillier, and the water disappears except for the gorgeous 13th, a jaw dropping par-3 from an elevated tee. It plays one or two clubs less and only a long shot will get you wet. Avoiding the two bunkers on the left of the green is key.

Heading back, the water reappears and can play havoc with an errant tee shot on any the final four holes — two par-4s followed by a full carry par-3 to a tiered green and a fantastic par-5 finishing hole. From the tee box on number 18, the 20-40 yard wide fairway is bordered by Knoxville Highway on the right and a large pond on the left. Hit the fairway, lay up to the 150 marker and then fly the pond to another sloping, two-tiered green. After this dramatic finish, it is time to hit the 19th hole.

Accommodations are easily found in Sevierville, and the Sevierville Golf Club has several lodging partners to package stay-and-play golf vacations. Adjacent to the SGC is Wilderness at the Smokies, a resort hotel with an indoor waterpark, and a mile or two down Old Knoxville Highway is the Oak Haven Resort and Spa, where luxury cabins await.

Holes One through 10 play fairly flat between Old Knoxville Highway and the Little Pigeon River. Standing on the tee box you will see water on both sides of the fairway on nearly every hole, but generous landing areas allow you to play from the short grass.

The Sevierville Golf Club is truly a first-class, public golf facility recognized as one of the top 50 U.S. courses. Its clubhouse features a complete pro shop and Mulligans Restaurant. The practice area includes a massive putting green and a driving range with 10 target greens, artificial hitting mats and two elevated tee boxes. n

Visit SGC’s website at www.seviervilletn.org, call 865.429.4223 or toll free 888.710.1388, or email Kristin at kvolentine@seviervilletn.org for information on tee times and lodging options.

Welcome to Windsor at Walhalla.

Our vision is to have the best-looking public golf course in the Upstate with the best customer service. Located in Walhalla, SC, we have a beautiful 18-hole golf course in the foothills with a full-service restaurant and land development.

Of the 232 acres of land that make up the two courses at the Sevierville Golf Club, there are 60 acres of natural habitat and 40 surface acres of ponds.

Where does the water go?

Our first home on Lake Keowee had a community dock, and the section we used was in the middle. Sometimes, in the mornings, the boat was almost grounded.

If you have lived on the water for long, you know that fluctuating water levels are normal as is the desire to know when and how much they may drop overnight. Theories and assumptions abound as to what causes these changes, but the truth is, the regulation of water levels is a complex task that requires an understanding of the lake’s purpose, ecology and the impact of water level changes on the community.

While we all enjoy lake living and all that comes with it, we often forget that the lake was not created just for our enjoyment but to generate electricity.

The Keowee-Toxaway Hydroelectric Project is made up of two reservoirs (Keowee and Jocassee) with two powerhouses. It spans approximately 25 river miles and encompasses approximately 480 miles of shoreline. It provides 868 megawatts of power, as well as cooling water for Oconee Nuclear Station that, separately, has the capacity to generate approximately 2,500 megawatts of energy. There is also the Bad Creek Reservoir and Hydroelectric Station that operates under a separate project license and generates roughly 1,400 megawatts.

One of the unique aspects of these two hydro stations is that both Bad Creek and Jocassee are able to move water in both directions. They can generate electricity by moving water downstream, and then pump that water uphill to refill the reservoirs when there is extra energy on the grid. This is beneficial to meet the electricity demand for the region.

While generation demands and external

BY DARI MCBRIDE

factors — like weather — play a part in water levels, the good news is that the water is maintained at certain levels to support the operation of Oconee Nuclear Station. However, Duke Energy does not publish forecasted lake levels within the Keowee-Toxaway region, so it’s always good to be sure your boat is secured in deeper water when leaving it overnight.

To check current water levels on Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee visit: https://lakes.dukeenergy.com/#/lakes.

For additional information about the Duke Energy-managed lakes go to: http://www. duke-energy.com/lakes.

The Keowee Hydro Station only moves water downstream, generating electricity by moving water from Lake Keowee to Lake Hartwell. Water released from the Keowee-Toxaway Project at Keowee Hydro flows into Lake Hartwell, a hydroelectric reservoir operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and ultimately into the Atlantic Ocean at Savannah Harbor. To check current water levels on Lake Harwell, check out: www.mylakehartwell. com/Level/

Dari McBride is the president of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce. An avid boater since childhood, Dari enjoys living on the lake and sharing her love of boating and water sports with all ages.

{above} The Keowee Hydro Station only moves water downstream, generating electricity by moving water from Lake Keowee to Lake Hartwell.

Photo courtesy of Duke Energy

{left} This long tunnel leads into the belly of the Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station, which generates power by pumping water back and forth between the Bad Creek Reservoir and Lake Jocassee.

Photo by Dari McBride

Sweet Home Alabama Rig

Unofficially, South Carolina has a state fishing rig. It’s called the Carolina rig. It started off as a largemouth bass fishing rig but has evolved into other applications. In short, the Carolina rig is a weight that is fixed on the fishing line some 18-24 inches from the hook. Bass fishermen pair it with a floating worm and drag it upside down across the bottom so they can feel the bottom with the weight while the worm floats above.

Unfortunately, it looks like the Carolina rig may be losing popularity to another state rig. Although this new rig has been outlawed in a couple of states, it is cooler, has multiple hooks and is all the rage among anglers this winter. Apparently, the state of Alabama has already laid claim to it. So naturally, it’s called an Alabama rig.

An Alabama rig can best be described by comparing it to a child’s mobile. Wire spreader arms make up the main supports of the rig with baits either connected at even intervals to the arms or suspended by monofilament leaders. Baits can be equipped with hooks for catching fish or used without hooks to act as teasers for hooked baits. The rig can be trolled or cast with a single pole, pulling the baits horizontally through the water.

The beauty of the Alabama rig is that it creates the illusion of a school of baitfish. The baits are attached to the rig in a symmetrical order and all move in unison. Variations in retrieval or trolling speed cause the baits to dip and flare, which adds to the illusion of a fleeing pod of baitfish.

Alabama rigs first showed up on angling radar over 10 years ago when bass pro Paul Elias of Mississippi used one to win a big money bass event in Alabama. The bass fishing world went crazy with this new technique and rig, although the concept (in a slight variation) had been used to fish for offshore saltwater fish and land-locked striped bass for many years under the name “umbrella rig.”

The good news is that the rig not only catches largemouth bass, but it also catches striped bass, hybrids, crappie and anything else prone to chase schools of

BY PHILLIP GENTRY

baitfish. According to Paul Gettys, pro bass angler and owner of Tactical Sonar in Anderson, SC, anglers are currently catching plenty of fish on Alabama rigs on lakes Keowee, Hartwell and Jocassee.

“Alabama rigs still catch plenty of fish,” said Gettys. “Some guys are following the birds in and around the creeks on Hartwell, and others are fishing them around the Hot Hole on Keowee … places where you’d expect to find baitfish bunched together.”

At first, anglers were securing the hefty rigs with braided line to prevent losing the high dollar investments, but innovations in the manufacture of the rigs over the last several years have made them less resistant to hang ups, although not exactly weedless. One way of doing this is to rig all but one of the baits with no hook. On the center bait, extend the leader about 6 inches to make it appear to be a minnow unable to keep up with the pack. This bait holds the hook and is most likely to be targeted by a predator fish, which typically strikes the pod of bait from below and behind.

Making the leader on the trailing bait of lesser test strength than the main line helps ensure that, if the rig does hang up, only one bait is lost if the line breaks.

Phillip Gentry is a freelance outdoor writer who has been writing a wide variety of outdoor articles across the Southeast since 2004.

Alabama rigs are a great choice for early spring fishing or any time predator fish are chasing small schools of baitfish.

Photo by Phillip Gentry

Planning a Successful Design-Build Project

So many people want to get straight to construction. The quicker you get started the quicker it gets done. However, it doesn’t work quite that way without some detailed planning before starting construction. There is a specific process that needs to be followed to get the best results in a timely manner.

Planning is key in keeping a build or remodel successful and clear. It helps coordinate thoughts and initially keeps everyone that is a part of the project in focus.

Let’s look at some important steps in the build process that will help you make the right decisions and ultimately achieve the goal of making your dreams come true — whether building new or remodeling.

Step one is to hire the right design professional to help you create a complete detailed plan and scope of work. This scope of work may include determining the client’s wants and needs, looking for inspirational imagery and items that the client wants to keep, drafting, cabinetry design, spatial planning, major structural work or additions, furnishings, window treatments, accessories, coordination of products, material and color schemes, as well as figuring out the end results to be achieved.

Step two is to schedule an in-person or virtual meeting and assess the client’s needs, space and any information that is necessary to start the planning stage. This is the opportunity to understand the services and costs that the design professional offers and to discuss any budgetary constraints for the design services and build process.

The third step is a written contract agreement that states the scope of work and services to be offered to the prospective client by the design professional.

These graphics depict interior and exterior renderings, a floor plan and a threedimensional drawing of a kitchen plan. All are examples of materials a professional designer would bring to a client’s designbuild project.

onsite along with final plans and design, or working off plans and specifications only, the design professional and contractors compile a cost estimate for material and labor services. This estimate is then presented to the client. Upon approval by all parties, the signing of the contract and the meeting of tender terms, the procurement process begins. Step six is to get products ordered and contractors lined up and on “go.” With the plans completed, material selections approved, the contract agreements signed, your design professional and contractors will set a projected schedule of the work process. Once lead times are determined for the products and materials and contractors’ schedules confirmed, the design professional will lead project management of the services. Even though the planning and estimating process may seem long, everyone involved will have a much better vision of the process and final outcome. The investment of time and energy in the beginning ensures that your design professional, contractors and you will begin the build or remodel project all on the same page.

Once an agreement has been reached, step four, is to start the conceptual design with consultations, research, schematic diagrams and gathering lots of information. This information and research are put into a preliminary plan, which is then presented to the client for consideration. Once any necessary changes are made, the plans will be detailed and presented to the client for final approval.

The fifth step is to get the necessary contractors involved to provide preliminary cost estimates. Whether a scheduled meeting

An infographic depicting, in detail, the steps in this design process is available at: https:// paper-leaf.com/insights/our-design-process-aninfographic/

This article was written by the design team at Wanda S. Morgan Designs, Inc. For over 40 years, the team at WSMD has been a solid resource for many in the Upstate looking to remodel or build a new home. The WSMD design studio in Seneca is a full-service design and drafting company that employs interior designers who can both design and project manage your interior and exterior needs — from concept ideas to a finished project. Contact WSMD at: 864.973.8800 or visit wandasmorgandesigns.com

upstate theatre

CENTRE STAGE

501 RIVER ST., GREENVILLE, SC

INSIDE THE SMITH-BARNEY BUILDING

864.233.6733 OR TOLL FREE 877.377.1339

THURS. THRU SAT., 8 P.M; SUNDAY MATINEES, 3 P.M.

MARCH 9 – APRIL 2

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN

The story follows silent film stars, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont, who on screen are a hot item but, behind the scenes, things aren’t always as they appear. Each unforgettable scene, song and dance from the film is accounted for, including the show-stopping title number, complete with an onstage rainstorm. Hilarious situations, snappy dialogue and a hit-parade score of Hollywood standards make Singin’ in the Rain the perfect entertainment for any fan of the Golden Age of movie musicals.

MARCH 21-29 (FRINGE STAGE)

APPLES IN THE WINTER

In the grip of opioid withdrawal, Miriam’s son, Robert, committed the violent murder of two teenagers. Robert was caught, tried, convicted and will be executed. As is the tradition, Robert is granted a last meal. His request: a slice of his mother’s apple pie. Miriam bakes the pie onstage while sharing her conflicted story with the audience. Then, she must choose whether to go through with this final act of compassion. This is a play about how we care for each other even when caring for each other does not come naturally.

MAY 25 – JUNE 18

THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY

Experience the true story of Buddy Holly’s meteoric rise to fame, from “That’ll Be the Day” hitting the airwaves in 1957 to “The Day the Music Died” two years later. With over a dozen of Holly’s greatest hits brought to life by performers playing their own instruments, Buddy celebrates the legend who changed the face of Rock & Roll forever.

GREENVILLE THEATRE

444 COLLEGE ST., GREENVILLE, SC 864.233.6238 OR WWW.GREENVILLELITTLETHEATRE.ORG THURS. 7:30 P.M., FRI. & SAT. 8 P.M., MATINEES SAT., 2 P.M.; SUN., 3 P.M.

THRU MARCH 19

BIG RIVER

Based on the classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, this 7-time Tony Award-winning musical brings this classic tale to life. With a beautiful score and important message, this show tells the story of the mischievous Huck Finn, who escapes his home life, falls in with con artists, gets into trouble with Tom Sawyer, and encounters runaway slave, Jim, whom he joins in the quest towards the true meaning of freedom. Sail away with Huck, as he navigates the changing tides of American history.

APRIL 6-16

SOUVENIR

Come witness the fantastic life of Florence Foster Jenkins, as told by her gifted accompanist. The real-life historical figure became famous for singing poorly while believing she had the gifts of a true opera diva. This funny, heart-warming play explores the wealthy socialite as she goes from being a music lover to a music star, selling out Carnegie Hall.

BROOKS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 221 BROOKS CENTER, CLEMSON, SC 864.656.3048 OR CLEMSON.

UNIVERSITYTICKETS.COM

MON.-FRI., 7:30 P.M.; SUNDAY, 3 P.M.

MARCH 3 CHICAGO

This triumphant hit musical is the recipient of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy, thousands of standing ovations and is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Chicago has

everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz.

APRIL 17-23

THE NICETIES (CLEMSON PLAYERS)

In this “barnburner of a play,” two extraordinary women square off in a highstakes academic debate over race, reputation and who gets the final word on how American history is written. When university professor Janine and her brilliant student Zoe don’t see eye-to-eye, their routine office hours discussion unexpectedly careens off course — threatening to derail their careers, lives and the status quo.

PEACE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 300 SOUTH MAIN ST., GREENVILLE, SC 864.476.3000 OR 800.888.7768

THRU MARCH 5 BEETLEJUICE

Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes.

APRIL 4-9

CATS

This record-breaking musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber has captivated audiences in 30 countries and is still being discovered for its breathtaking music, including the treasured song “Memory.” CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn.

upstate theatre

APRIL 18-23

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

All rise for Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel with award-winning actor Richard Thomas in the role of Atticus Finch.

MAY 23-28

JAGGED LITTLE PILL

Love, joy, heartache, strength, wisdom, catharsis — everything we’ve been waiting to see in a Broadway show — is here in the exhilarating, fearless new musical based on Alanis Morissette’s world-changing music. This is an electrifying production about a perfectly imperfect American family.

FOOTHILLS PLAYHOUSE

201 SOUTH 5TH ST., EASLEY, SC

864.855.1817 OR WWW.FHPLAYHOUSE.COM

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS, 7:30 P.M.; SUNDAYS, 3 P.M.

MARCH 24 – APRIL 2

FOUR OLD BROADS

Retired burlesque queen Beatrice Shelton desperately needs a vacation. A Sassy Seniors Cruise may be just the ticket if she can just convince her best friend, Eaddy Mae Clayton, to stop praying and go with her. Unfortunately, things have not been very pleasant at Magnolia Place Assisted Living since Nurse Pat Jones began working there. A mystery unfolds with laughter as the gals try to outsmart evil Nurse Jones and figure out why so many residents have been moved to “the dark side.” If they can solve the mystery, they may make it to the cruise ship after all.

CLEMSON LITTLE THEATRE

214 S. MECHANIC ST., PENDLETON, SC 864.646.8100

FRI.-SAT., 8 P.M. (7:30 FOR CAYT); SUNDAYS, 3 P.M.

MARCH 10-12, 17-19

THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW

This is a vibrant adaptation of a classic C.S. Lewis story. Young Digory and his friend Polly set forth on a series of magical adventures through mythical kingdoms and enchanted lands. Attempting to acquire the healing apple for Digory’s sick mother, the heroic children unintentionally bring Jadis’ evil into Narnia, the new world that the great lion Aslan sings into existence. In this land of talking animals, there are miraculous happenings, as good battles against evil and Digory struggles to return home to cure his ailing mother.

APRIL 28-30, MAY 5-7

TUCK EVERLASTING

Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence, but not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck family does she get more than she could have imagined. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tucks’

THE INVADERS: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO THE BRITISH INVASION

Friday, March 10 @ 7:30 PM

Immediately following the sudden success of The Beatles, countless bands from the United Kingdom emerged and ruled the Billboard charts for the next few years. This phenomenon simply became known as the BRITISH INVASION.

VINTAGE VIXENS: ‘60S & 70’ GROOVY, FUNKY GOOD TIME SING-ALONG MUSIC

Saturday, March 11 @ 7:30 PM

Rockin’ that retro sound, the all-female Vintage Vixens include Amy on guitar/ vocals, Janet on keyboards, Carol on drums, Vanessa on lead vocals and Linda on bass. Talk about “Flower Power”!

GENE WATSON

Saturday, March 18 @ 7:30 PM

This masterful country stylist known as The Singer’s Singer has been thrilling audiences for many years. It is difficult to imagine the world of country music without the vast contribution which Gene Watson has made to it.

WPAC’S

2ND ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Saturday, March 31 @ 8 AM

Oconee Country Club

Entry Fee: $320/Team & $80/Person

Lunch served at The Turn Registrationincludesaredtee&Mulligan.

LEE GREENWOOD: AMERICAN SPIRIT TOUR-ONE AND FOR ALL

Saturday, April 15 @ 7:30 PM

The CMA also named “God Bless The U.S.A.” its Song of the Year in 1985. “God Bless the USA” went far beyond what Greenwood expected when he wrote it in the back of his tour bus in 1983.

EDWIN MCCAIN

Friday, May 12 @ 7:30 PM

Called the “great American romantic” by the New York Times, Edwin McCain has built an enviable career over the past 20 years by balancing his massive pop success with the year-round touring schedule of a tireless troubadour.

2nd ANNUAL Golf Arts center

upstate theatre

unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret while facing the extraordinary choice of returning to her life or continuing with the Tucks on their infinite journey.

ELECTRIC CITY PLAYHOUSE

514 NORTH MURRAY AVE., ANDERSON, SC

864.224.4248 • ECPLAYHOUSE.COM

FRI. & SAT., 7:30 P.M.; SUNDAYS, 3 P.M.

THRU MARCH 5 CLUE

Inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The tale begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Led by Wadsworth – the butler, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as the body count stacks up.

JUNE 2-11

ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID

In this hilarious comedic romp four friends have sworn to keep the promise they made on the night of their senior prom: to be in each other’s weddings … no matter what.

OCONEE COMMUNITY THEATRE

8001 UTICA ST., SENECA, SC WWW.OCONEETHEATRE.ORG/TICKETS/ FRI. & SAT., 7:30 P.M.; SUNDAYS, 2:30 P.M.

MARCH 3-5

NUNSENSE

When the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters, they are in dire need of funds for the burials. The sisters decide the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show, so they take over the school auditorium, which is currently set up for the eighth grade production of “Grease.” Featuring star turns, tap and ballet dancing, an audience quiz, and comic surprises,

this show has become an international phenomenon.

APRIL 14-16, 21-23 SEVENTEEN

Set in that time after the end of the very last day of school, just before everyone moves on, Seventeen has dreams that are shared, insecurities that are aired and secrets that are spilled. Funny, wise and a little bit sad, this story turns our notions of adulthood and adolescence on their head.

April 13: Leisha J. April 20: The Jamie Wright Band April 27: The Odyssey Band

calendar of events

MARCH 3

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents SkynFolks — The Authentic Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute; an experience that honors the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

MARCH 4

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents Hawley Magic; Jonathan and Trisha Hawley have traveled the world with a fresh, slick new approach to magic and illusion that is extremely high energy and action packed; for information or tickets, visit: www. walhallapac.com

MARCH 7

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents Jazz at Lincoln Center and Songs We Love; 7:30 p.m.; call 864.656.3048 or visit clemson. universitytickets.com for more information and tickets.

MARCH 10

The first lecture of 2023 in the Lunney Lecture series at the Lunney Museum, 211 W. South 1st St., Seneca; 11-11:50 a.m.; the series explores various topics related to art, history and culture. www.lunneymuseum.org

Gateway Arts Center, 213 East Windsor St., Westminster, opens spring exhibition

“Magnificent Upstate Women” featuring Beti Strobeck, Diana Walter, Lori Solymosi, Connie Lippert and Debbie Biddle; 5:30 p.m. reception; for viewing hours and additional information, visit: https://gatewayartscenter. net

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents

The Invaders — A musical tribute to the British invasion, celebrating the music of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Animals, The Who, The Hollies, Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, The Dave Clark Five, The Zombies, The Troggs and many other great artists; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

MARCH 11

Seneca hosts annual Race for the Green 5K and half-marathon; cash prizes to top three finishers in each event; events begin at Shaver Recreation Center; for more information, visit: www.senecaevents.com

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents

the Vintage Vixens; 7:30 p.m.; Inspired by ’60s fashion, on stage these ladies look like the music — groovy, funky, hippie; for information or tickets, visit: www. walhallapac.com

MARCH 13

Friends of Lake Jocassee will conduct an Adopt-a-Highway pickup over 4 miles from Hwy. 11 to Devils Fork State Park; noon to 3 p.m.; beginning at Devils Fork State Park.

MARCH 14

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents the CU Symphonic Band; 7:30 p.m.; call 864.656.3048 or visit clemson. universitytickets.com for more information and tickets.

MARCH 16

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents soprano Lisa Sain Odom; 7:30 p.m.; call 864.656.3048 or visit clemson.universitytickets.com for more information and tickets.

MARCH 17

Hear bluegrass legends Darren Nicholson and Shawn Lane at the Walhalla Performing Arts Center; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

MARCH 17 – APRIL 21

Blue Ridge Arts Center, 111 E. South Second St., Seneca, presents its National Juried Photography Show; opening reception March 17, 5:30 to 7 p.m.; regular viewing hours: Thurs. – Fri., 1-4 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m. –1 p.m.; Also on view are Collage artwork by Mary McDonough and the Members’ Challenge “It’s Good to Be Square” Members’ Challenge.

MARCH 18

Hagood Mill, 138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens, presents Kidsfest with music by Young Appalachian Musicians, pony painting, Appalachian games, crafts and more; mill will be operating; live demonstrations; $5 admission with under 12 free; visit www.hagoodmillhistoricsite.com for more information.

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents Gene Watson – Real Country Music; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www. walhallapac.com

BellFest 2023; from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Devils Fork State Park; celebrate the rare Oconee Bell, local harbinger of spring, learn about its interesting place in history and view it blooming in the park; event highlights include special speakers, live music, food trucks, kids’ activities, interpretive hikes, local vendors and a silent auction to benefit Friends of Lake Jocassee; state park fees apply.

MARCH 24

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents Eric Gales, a Memphis-born guitarist who has blazed a path reinvigorating the blues with a virtuosity and rock swagger that have him heralded as the second coming of Jimi Hendrix; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

MARCH 25

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents Ticket to the Moon, an Electric Light Orchestra tribute band hailing from Ft. Lauderdale, FL; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

MARCH 27 – MAY 5

School District of Oconee County’s Student Art Show on display at the World of Energy, 7812 Rochester Hwy., Seneca; art from all schools, grades K-12; free and open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Friday.

MARCH 28

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents Wings: A Celtic Celebration of Dance; 7:30 p.m.; call 864.656.3048 or visit clemson. universitytickets.com for more information and tickets.

MARCH 30

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents Sphinx Virtuosi — comprised of 18 of the nation’s top Black and Latinx classical soloists — an exhilarating professional chamber orchestra dedicated to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in classical music; 7:30 p.m.; free event.

MARCH 31

Walhalla Performing Arts Center annual golf tournament, Oconee Country Club; check-in at 8 a.m. and lunch at the turn; to RSVP and pay fees, call 864.888.7852 or visit betteroffices@yahoo.com

calendar of events

MARCH 31 & APRIL 1

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents The Black Jacket Symphony performing Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www. walhallapac.com

APRIL 1

The World of Energy, 7812 Rochester Hwy., Seneca, hosts Spring Celebration; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; egg hunt, face painting, balloon twisting and more; free and open to the public.

APRIL 1 (RAIN DATE: APRIL 8)

Seneca Woman’s Club Easter Egg Hunt at the Historic Ballenger House, 212 E. South 3rd St.; 11 a.m.; free admission for children ages 1 through 10.

APRIL 4

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents CU Men’s and Women’s Choirs; 7:30 p.m.; call 864.656.3048 or visit clemson. universitytickets.com for more information and tickets.

APRIL 11

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents the CU Symphony Orchestra; 7:30 p.m.; call 864.656.3048 or visit clemson. universitytickets.com for more information and tickets.

APRIL 14

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents Retrobilly duo The Malpass Brothers, the closest thing to Nashville’s Golden Age since the passing of Merle Haggard; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac. com

APRIL 14-15

Hagood Mill, 138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens, presents Old Time Jam + Camping Weekend; admission is free to Friday’s jam; on Saturday the Old Time Jam continues complete with the grain

grinding at the Hagood Mill, living history demonstrators, the Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site, an artisan craft market and food concessions; admission Saturday is $5 per person with 12 and under free; no parking fee; visit www. hagoodmillhistoricsite.com for more information.

APRIL 15

Music on Main, Westminster; live music featuring Red Clay Revival and the Reedy River String Band; concessions; for more information, visit: www. westminstermusiccentre.org/ music-on-main/

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents American music legend Lee Greenwood; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac. com

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents Tigeroar and TakeNote; 7:30 p.m.; call 864.656.3048 or visit clemson.universitytickets. com for more information and tickets.

APRIL 17

Hagood Mill, 138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens, offers Canning Basics 101 class; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; For tickets visit www. hagoodmillhistoricsite.com and click on the education button.

APRIL 18

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents the CU Jazz Ensemble; 7:30 p.m.; call 864.656.3048 or visit clemson.universitytickets. com for more information and tickets.

APRIL 19

Oconee Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Pass the Purse event at The Madren Center, Clemson; 6 p.m.; designer purse auction to benefit Prisma Health Cancer Institute in Seneca. For more information, call 864.885.7912.

Quality Without Compromise

calendar of events

APRIL 21

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents the CU Percussion Ensemble and Steel Band; 7:30 p.m.; call 864.656.3048 or visit clemson.universitytickets. com for more information and tickets.

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents Appalachian Road Show, a visionary acoustic ensemble, bringing new-generation interpretations of traditional Americana, bluegrass and folk songs; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

APRIL 22

Celebrate the first Annual Picnic in the Park in downtown Seneca, 11 a.m. – 3p.m. at Norton Thompson Park; part of the city of Seneca’s 150th Celebration.

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents the North Mississippi Allstars; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac. com

APRIL 25

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents the CU Symphonic and Concert Band; 7:30 p.m.; call 864.656.3048 or visit clemson.universitytickets. com for more information and tickets.

APRIL 27

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University presents the CU Singers and Cantorei; 7:30 p.m.; call 864.656.3048 or visit clemson.universitytickets.com for more information and tickets.

APRIL 29

Friends of Jocassee Fishing with Friends Trout Tournament on Lake Jocassee; 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; call or text Sam Jones at 864.719.2056 or email CatchEmTrout@gmail.com for more information.

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents comedian Killer Beaz from Discovery Channel’s hit series Moonshiners; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac. com

MAY 6

Mainstreet Walhalla hosts Main Street to the Mountains Festival; for more information, follow on Facebook and Instagram at Main Street Walhalla.

TreesUpstate and Duke Energy host a tree giveaway event at the World of Energy, 7812 Rochester Hwy, Seneca, from 9-11 a.m.; free trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis; trees can also be reserved in advance by visiting: treesupstate.org/freetrees. Supplies are limited.

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents St. Louis based Americana duo River Kittens — Allie Vogler and Mattie Schell; together since 2014, they sound like they’ve been singing together their entire lives; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

MAY 9

Camp Jocassee Reunion — a tribute to the Jocassee Valley that once was ... a reunion for girls who attended between 1922-1973 and staff from the camp. 10 a.m. gathering in Holcomb Room followed by luncheon and pontoon tour of lake; limited availability and fee for non-camp attendees; RSVP by calling 864.280.5501.

MAY 13

Oconee Humane Society hosts the annual Aircraft for Animals Fly-In at Oconee County Regional Airport; people can view vintage and custom aircraft and cars and even take a plane ride across the county to support pets in need; visit oconeehumane.org for more information.

MAY 19

“Too Funk for Rock, Too Rock for Funk,” Mother’s Finest has always been a band impossible to force into artificially labelled boxes and now they are coming to the Walhalla Performing Arts Center; for information or tickets, visit: www. walhallapac.com

MAY 19 – JUNE 23

Blue Ridge Arts Center, 111 E. South Second St., Seneca, presents The Push from Realism to Abstraction; opening reception May 19, 5:30 to 7 p.m.; regular gallery hours: Thurs. – Fri., 1-4 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Also on view: “Tall Tales and Stories from the Trail” photography by Larry Bennett and Rick Haley, and the Member’ Challenge, “The Fork and the Cork.”

MAY 20

Hagood Mill, 138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens, presents Taste the South: South Carolina Food Summit; discover the rich and

diverse culinary culture of the South; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; mill is operating, artisan crafts, music and more; admission is $5 per person with 12 and under free; no parking fee; visit www.hagoodmillhistoricsite.com for more information.

Walhalla Performing Arts Center presents Crazy for Patsy Cline featuring Katie Deal; featuring a live Nashville band and a powerhouse singer, Crazy for Patsy Cline delivers an evening of unparalleled entertainment and a walk down memory lane; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

JUNE 3

Music on Main, Westminster; live music featuring Joslyn & The Sweet Compression and the Empire Strikes Brass; concessions; for more information, visit: www.westminstermusiccentre.org/music-onmain/

ONGOING

City of Walhalla hosts Farmers’ Market every Friday, 4-6 p.m.; shade sails plaza at the corner of College and Main; May 13 thru October 28.

City of Seneca hosts “Jazz on the Alley” every Thursday night through October; 6:30-9 p.m. on Ram Cat Alley. Free.

City of Seneca hosts Cruzin’ on Main, Norton Thompson Park, first Saturday of every month beginning April 6, 3 p.m.

The Lunney House Museum, 211 W. South 1st St., Seneca, is open Thursday through Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; admission by donation.

The Bertha Lee Strickland Cultural Museum, 208 W. South 2nd St., Seneca, is open Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; admission by donation.

Historic Ballenger House tours and rentals; Seneca Woman’s Club preserves this historic home, 212 E. South 3rd St., call (864) 2723842.

Silver Dollar Music Hall in Westminster, features open mic some Fridays at 7 p.m. with regular pickers performing at 8 p.m. Call 864.973.8781.

Discover the World of Energy

Each day our lives center around energy. Duke Energy’s World of Energy education center has been an active part of the community and teaching visitors of all ages about energy for over 50 years. The center overlooks the Oconee Nuclear Station, which provides clean, 24/7 electricity to more than 2 million customers.

The World of Energy features educational exhibits, interactive games, plus a nature trail, butterfly garden and wildlife habitat. And be sure to check out our website for teaching resources and virtual education materials.

Find out more about discoveries that await you:

DUKE-ENERGY.COM/ WORLDOFENERGY

864.873.4600

Panther/Angel Creek Falls

Panther Falls is the first of two waterfalls on the Angel Falls Trail in Rabun County, GA. The second waterfall on the trail is Angel Falls. The falls are each about 50 feet in height on Joe Branch Creek.

They can be reached via a trail that begins at the Rabun Beach Camping Area #2, near the historic lakeside town of Lakemont. Considered a moderate hike, the trail explores a beautiful creek valley and is less than two miles, round trip — about a halfmile to Panther Falls and another half-mile to Angel Falls.

The trail follows Joe Creek upstream, crossing a wooden bridge and catching sight of a small, multi-tiered waterfall near the trailhead. It then ascends stone stairs, climbing into a forest filled with fern, rhododendron and mountain laurel,

and continues to ascend, with Joe Creek tumbling over a rocky creek bed on the trail’s right side. The hike passes a mosscovered stone bench built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 20th century. Now diverted, the spring once flowed through the stone channel below the bench and was a source of water for the nearby CCC camp.

Continuing, the trail passes a rocky outcrop on the right before crossing two bridges near Panther Falls, which cascades down a stair-stepped rock outcrop into a pool of water below.

Departing Panther Falls, the hike hangs a right, climbing the trail’s steepest stretch through a sharp switchback (Metal cables serve as a safety railing on this stretch of the trail.) before reaching the trail loop leading to Angel Falls. At .9 of a mile, there

are views of Angel Falls from a wooden platform. Above, the waterfall cascades down over an angled, multi-tiered rock face framed in leafy rhododendron.

DIRECTIONS

From Upstate South Carolina, take US 76 toward Clayton, GA; 10.1 miles after crossing the Georgia state line, turn left onto Stekoa Falls Road; drive .4 of a mile and turn right to stay on Stekoa Falls and then drive another .9 of a mile, turning left onto US 23/US441; drive 4.5 miles and turn right onto Wiley Connector and then immediately left onto Old 441 south; go 1.5 miles and make a slight right onto Lake Rabun Road; your destination — Angel Falls Trailhead, 5315 Lake Rabun Road, Lakemont — should be 4.5 miles on the right.