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Lake Keowee offers more than 18,000 acres of deep Lake Keowee offers moremiles than of 18,000 acres of deep crystal-clear water & 300 pristine shoreline. crystal-clear water 300home miles or of pristine shoreline. Whether looking for &your home away from Whether looking yourahome home home, you are sure for to find placeorthat fitsaway your from family home, you are sure findlifestyle. a place that fits your family sizetoand size and lifestyle. Contact me today and jump into lake life! Contact me today and jump into lake life!

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SUMMER 2020

SUMMER 2020 Volume 15 • Issue 2

It may be time for a getaway

A youth movement on the lake

Finding peace at the shore

EDITOR Brett McLaughlin, bmclaughlin@upstatetoday.com

First-time boat buyers, read this

GENERAL MANAGER Hal Welch, hal@upstatetoday.com

Enjoy the good life … in the shadows

Golf Florida’s abundant heartland

Partners make wine sublime

‘Southern hospitality defined’

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS EDITION Bill Bauer • Phillip Gentry Vanessa Infanzon • Dari Mullins Brett McLaughlin

A ‘tram-endous’ lift

COVER PHOTO Russ Carlson, Walking The Island

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

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Wes Grooms, wgrooms@upstatetoday.com ART DIRECTOR/GRAPHICS Melissa Bradley, mbradley@upstatetoday.com

The Journal UPSTATE LAKE LIVING™ is published quarterly by The Journal 210 W. N. 1st Street, Seneca, SC 29678, USA Ph: 864.882.2375, Fax: 864.882.2381 Mail subscription: $40 includes 4 issues Single issue: $4.95, available at The Journal office U.S. Postal Permit #18

70 THEATRE Summer openings planned 72 CALENDAR Find your breakout event!

UPSTATE LAKE LIVING™ is a trademark of Edwards Group. Contents copyrighted.

76 YOUR FINANCES Thoughts on the current market 78 LIFE ON THE LAKE Remembering ‘Pa’ 80 FISHING Fishing the docks of the bay 82 WATERFALL Enjoy a dip at Sliding Rock 6 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

tell us what you think! Call or email us. We would love to hear from you! 864.973.6305 lakeliving@upstatetoday.com

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE Upstate Lake Living, upon receipt of a new or renewal subscription, will strive to provide first-copy delivery of Upstate Lake Living to the Postal Service for the next issue (March, June, September and December). Renewals must be received at least two weeks prior to expiration to assure continued service. Address subscription inquiries to: UPSTATE LAKE LIVING, P.O. Box 547, Seneca, SC 29679; phone 864.882.2375; fax 864.882.2381. Two weeks advance notice is required for address changes; please send old and new address.

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DEAR READERS {editor’s note}

y, oh my! It certainly has been a spring and early summer unlike any we have ever experienced. As if the first pandemic in a century wasn’t disruptive enough, a good portion of the Upstate was victimized by tornados. We were brought to our knees … figuratively and literally. To the degree that each of us was capable, we prayed and busied ourselves helping the less fortunate. It has been easy to fall into a malaise of self-pity. When the deadline for this issue of Upstate Lake Living was pushed back a BRETT MCLAUGHLIN month, I was dismayed. When story after story succumbed to Editor Covid cancellation, I sputtered and stewed. When the owner of our featured home called to say “sorry” because the furniture they needed to buy was locked in a closed showroom, I practically broke out in a rash. But, do you know what? At least I wasn’t sleeping on a blowup mattress and eating from a folding chair like they were. I needed to count my blessings. And, when I finally took a step back, I realized that if one had to be hunkered down in a pandemic, what better place than in our beautiful Upstate? Eventually, we did pull some things together that we hope you will enjoy reading. If you’re breaking out of the “stay at home” world, we’ve made some suggestions on places to go and things to see. Young people are preserving old hobbies. The calendar is filling back up. Theaters are coming to life. Be advised, however, that you should call ahead or do internet searches around any events or destinations you hope to enjoy, including those featured on the pages to follow. It’s summer. We live on the lakes. Have fun and, of course, be kind to one another and stay safe. Brett McLaughlin, editor PS: In the last issue we featured the Salem Lions Club’s efforts to support former Clemson cheerleader and “blind fit girl” Erica Powell’s quest to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Because of Covid those games have been delayed, and we wanted to check in with Erica to see how things were going. Here’s what she wrote: “Things have been so crazy, but we are hanging in there ... The Olympic/Paralympic Games have been postponed to Summer 2021. With that, the Paralympic trials have also been postponed. We have not been given a date yet for the trials, but we are predicting they will be held sometime in June 2021. With no meets on the calendar for the rest of the year (so far) all athletes have had to change our mindset and our training a good bit! I continue to work (virtually) with my coaches and trainers at the Olympic training center to make sure that, when we do get more definite details and plans on races, I am ready. I am still training daily (sometimes twice daily) and have seen major improvements in my practices. I am committed to staying patient and trusting I will be ready when the time comes to compete for my spot on Team USA!”

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10 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

three Southern towns beckon you to visit

ou’ve been stuck indoors, quarantined for months without physical contact with friends and family. COVID-19 has turned the world upside down, but now we’re trying to get back to our regularly scheduled programming. It’s time to break out of our homes, give social distancing the stink eye (while wearing a fashionable face mask) and explore, once again, this beautiful part of the country. Right now, folks are more comfortable hopping in the car for weekend or weeklong getaways. These Southern towns — Beaufort (pronounced BYOOfert), Blowing Rock and Cashiers — offer the accommodations, restaurants, historic sites and outdoor recreation necessary to make any summer road trip memorable.

BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA This quintessential Southern town with its antebellum homes and horse-drawn carriages may trick you into thinking you’ve stepped back in time. Visit the Beaufort History Museum, The Verdier House, Santa Elena History Center and the Visitors Center in the Old Beaufort Arsenal for your history lessons. Head to the Parris Island Museum for local and military history. Join Janet’s Walking History Tour. Learn about the iconic author of “The Great Santini” and “The Prince of Tides” at the Pat Conroy Literary Center. Enjoy outdoor recreation activities: Look for dolphins on Captain Dick’s Beaufort River Tour. Fish, hike, bike, sunbathe, kayak and paddleboard at Hunting Island State Park, about 15 miles southeast of downtown Beaufort. Climb the park’s 133-foot lighthouse. Follow the 10-mile long Spanish Moss Trail, part of the Lowcountry’s rails-to-trails program. Take a two-hour kayak tour through freshwater and saltwater with Beaufort Kayak Tours. They offer salt marsh and dolphin ecology tours in single and tandem kayaks. Staff can help guests in and out of the boats. {at top} The Anchorage 1770 is a boutique waterfront inn located in Beaufort. Built in 1770, it is the oldest and largest Tabby structure still in use and features some 1,500-square feet of front porches overlooking the Beaufort River. Photo courtesy of Beaufort-Port Royal CVB {at right} Low Country Produce Market & Café at 302 Carteret St. in Beaufort is an airy and stylish eatery offering cafe and market goods, from soups to sandwiches, plus grab-&-go provisions. Photo courtesy of Beaufort-Port Royal CVB

SUMMER 2020 › 11

Stay: Anchorage 7070, Beaufort Inn, The Rhett House Inn Dine and drink: Blackstone’s Café, The Chocolate Tree, Old Bull Tavern, Saltus River Grill Info: beaufortsc.org BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA Find what you love in the Blue Ridge Mountains’ Blowing Rock. Visit locally owned shops for art, clothing and home décor. Update your wardrobe at Almost Rodeo Drive or at one of the 30 stores at Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway. Find your favorite drink at The Spice & Tea Exchange or The Speckled Trout Bottle Shop. It’s always Christmas at Christmas in Blowing Rock — stop by to get in the holiday spirit early. Many North Carolina artists and artisans make their home in Blowing Rock. Find locally

12 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

made products — jewelry, paintings, crafts and pottery — in Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery, Bolick & Traditions Pottery, Gaines Kiker Silversmith, Main Street Gallery and Martin House Gallery. Pick up a handmade rope basket from The Mountain Thread Company. Whether you hit the trails or the water, the Blowing Rock area has many options. Try the strenuous Glen Burney Trail to three waterfalls in the Johns River Gorge. Canoe or kayak with Price Lake Boat Rentals or call Wahoo’s Adventures for extreme adventure with whitewater rafting. Zip through the trees with Sky Valley Zip Tours or High Gravity Adventures. Book a guided fly-fishing trip through the Chetola Sporting Reserve. Stay: Chetola Resort, The Victorian Inn, The Village Inns of Blowing Rock

{above} One of the best ways to get a great view and understanding of Beaufort’s historic beauty is by taking a carriage ride. Photo courtesy of Beaufort-Port Royal CVB • {below left} The Bob Timberlake Inn at Chetola Resort is an elegant, bed and breakfast located in Chetola’s Manor House Estate Home. Features include a personal pantry, wine and cheese social and fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies nightly, complimentary breakfast, private parlor and library. Photo courtesy of Chetola Resort • {below right} There are a host of outdoor activities available to visitors to the Blowing Rock area of North Carolina. Among them is a guided flyfishing trip through the Chetola Sporting Reserve. Photo courtesy of Chetola Resort

{at left} There are plenty of great dining experiences in Cashiers, NC, but almost all of them involve a vista of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Photo courtesy of Jackson County Tourism Authority {below} Located near the center of Cashiers, the Laurelwood Inn property backs up to four acres of wooded land, meaning you can walk to nearby shops and restaurants but still enjoy the beautiful grounds with the feel of being in the mountains. Photo courtesy of Jackson County Tourism Authority

Dine and drink: Blowing Rock Grilled Cheese Café, Foggy Rock Eatery & Pub, Sunset & Vine and Timberlake’s Restaurant Info: blowingrock.com CASHIERS, NORTH CAROLINA Pack your hiking boots, binoculars and a water bottle because Cashiers is definitely for the nature enthusiast. Take the two-mile loop Whiteside Mountain trail or “go as far as you care” on the Chattooga River Trail. Visit the Panthertown Valley Wilderness Area — a Blue Ridge National Heritage Area because of its geologic formations, forests, streams and native plant life. How many waterfalls can you see during your visit? Find Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls, Glen Falls, Hurricane Falls, Silver Run Falls, Turtleback and Rainbow Falls, Schoolhouse Falls, Toxaway Falls and Whitewater Falls. Check websites for hiking distance and difficulty level. Some may be viewed from the highway. Stay: The Laurelwood Inn, Innisfree Bed and Breakfast Dine and drink: Canyon Kitchen, Cornucopia, Slab Town Pizza, The Orchard, Whiteside Brewing Co. Info: DiscoverJacksonNC.com n Please call ahead to local attractions and restaurants to be sure they’re operating. Some businesses may have limited hours due to the coronavirus.

PACK UP + GO

Silver Run Falls in the Nantahala National Forest is just four miles south of Cashiers. This 25-foot waterfall cascades into a tranquil pool with a small beach area. It is one of many falls enjoyed by visitors to Cashiers. Photo by Ryan Karcher

Plan a surprise vacation with Pack Up + Go. It’s a travel agency that specializes in sending people on getaways within the United States. Hop on the website and choose your travel preference: land, air or train. They’re offering a staycation option now — be a tourist in your own town. Complete the pre-trip interest survey, give Pack Up + Go a budget (There are minimums based on type of travel and number of people.) and the team will do the rest. Details about the weather and what to pack are sent one week prior to the vacation. Ideally, the envelope with the specific destination doesn’t get opened until the day you leave. www.packupgo.com SUMMER 2020 › 13

“I WORRY ABOUT KIDS TODAY NOT HAVING TIME TO BUILD A TREE HOUSE OR RIDE A BIKE OR GO FISHING. I WORRY THAT LIFE IS GETTING FASTER AND FASTER.” - JOHN LASSETER FORMER CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER OF WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS, PIXAR AND DISNEYTOON STUDIOS

West-Oak fisherman Tristan Willis is pictured “at work” for his high school team. Enthusiastic school-age and college fisherpersons assure the future of fishing on Upstate lakes. Photo courtesy of Shawn Martin

14 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

T U O B A T E R F T DON’ F O E R U T U F E TH

G N I FISH I Die-hard young anglers are flocking to Upstate lakes story by Brett McLaughlin

t’s been a brutal spring and early summer in the world of sports. Even the most avid sportster has grown weary of watching reruns of decades-old football and basketball games, to say nothing of South Korean baseball. Wives have looked on hopelessly as grown men, nestled in Barcaloungers with pretzels and beer, have nearly cried

Tristan Willis and his stepfather Shawn Martin give a “thumbs up” to another successful outing by the West-Oak High School fishing team. Martin captained his son’s boat. Photo courtesy of Shawn Martin

watching the “live” televised announcement of the NFL schedule. Even our view of HD television has become blurred, denying us a shot at reality when watching virtual NASCAR. Yes, an occasional round of actual golf has been able to brush off the cobwebs of the Covid-19-induced sports coma many off us have suffered, but, in large part, most sports enthusiasts have been left only with agony in the absence of the ecstasy of sports. That has not been the case, however, for those who fish. Despite the best efforts of our Covid overseers to limit life on the water, many true anglers have found a way to seek their prey. Among these hardy sports men and women has been “the next generation” of anglers: young, exuberant boys and girls, who are proving that fishing is not just a sport for the bass-nabbing elite or old men with too many flies pinned to their sun hats. Indeed, countless young people casting across the waters of the Upstate are putting to rest any doubts that fishing has a future. Many across the Southeast who have grown up on the water have joined a burgeoning legion of fisherpersons competing on teams throughout junior and senior high school. Tristan Willis is one of them. A late arrival to the competitive high school fishing scene, Tristan made up a lot of ground his senior year, teaming with

West-Oak High School fishing team member Connor Green shows off one of his catches from a tournament earlier this year. Photo courtesy of Shawn Martin

SUMMER 2020 › 15

The weather wasn’t exactly perfect at the last tournament the West-Oak teams were involved in, but the fish were biting; Kate Myers (in red) and her teammate Katie Youngblood did just fine, finishing among the top teams out of over 150 boats. Photo courtesy of Robert Myers

Robert Myers poses with his twins, Brooke and Lilly, after a recent outing. Myers, who captains his daughter Kate’s boat during competitions, said he will have a problem when all three girls are in high school and only two can be in the same boat. Photo courtesy of Robert Myers

junior partner Connor Green to reel in a host of angling honors as members of the West-Oak fishing team. “I love fishing. It’s what we do,” the future Marine said. I’ve been doing it since I was 2 or 3. I fished with my grandfather, my dad and now my stepdad.” Tristan explained that when one is used to fishing for leisure, the rigors of tournament fishing take some getting used to. With the help of his stepfather and boat captain Shawn Martin, he was able to make the transition. “You have to learn what baits are working and get used to the idea of only catching a fish every once in a while,” he said. The high school season consists of four tournaments, each open to teams from Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. There may be as many as 150 boats in any given competition. Each event consists of a practice day, during which boat captains can also fish, and two days of tournament competition when only school-age team members can fish. Martin said he and his stepson fished from the shoreline and docks together until last year when Martin’s

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Everyone landed a bass when the Myers girls, Lilly, Kate and Brooke (from left), recently took to the lake. Photo courtesy of Robert Myers

father-in-law gave them an older boat that needed some cleaning up. Once he and Tristan took to the water, they were hooked on lake fishing. “We live in a great area with the lakes and rivers,” Martin said. “It’s great being outdoors, and it’s fun to do. “Interest (among young people) is really growing,” he added. “We go as a team to community activities, and people are always surprised and curious.” This was Martin’s first year as a boat captain, but Tristan’s sixth-grade brother, Sam, is getting involved in the sport. And, Martin said he would stay involved as long as there is interest. Robert Myers would seem to also have a long future ahead as a boat captain. Kate Myers loves to fish and appears to love the fish she catches. Only a sixth-grade student this past year, she competed in several tournaments against high school age students. Photo courtesy of Robert Myers

My husband and I have bought and sold many homes (12) over the years, so we have had a lot of experience with realtors. Sue Pulliam is one of the best realtors that we have ever hired. She clearly demonstrated a good knowledge of the market that we were dealing with. She walked us through all the paperwork, counseled us on the positives and challenges regarding our property, as well as assisting us in setting a realistic price that would bring the best financial outcome. She was an excellent communicator throughout the process. Result: Our house sold in 9 days! Mission accomplished! Thank you Sue! We recommend her highly! JONATHAN AND B.J. COLLINS

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SUMMER 2020 › 17

After sort of stumbling into being a captain for a high school team, he spent the past year captaining a boat for his sixth-grade daughter, Kate, and her teammate, Katie Youngblood. “I was at church when a lady asked me if I had heard about high school fishing tournaments,” he said. “I had taken her son fishing three or four years ago, and she said his buddy was putting on a tournament and they needed a captain. I ended up taking two church kids from Anderson.” It wasn’t long before his daughters became interested. However, unlike the high school requirements he had encountered, Myers was told that with middle school-age students the captain could tie lures, handle fish and drive the boat. “You just can’t handle the rod,” he said. “When they’re in high school, you can’t do anything, and you’re told where to go in the boat.” It doesn’t seem to matter to his daughter, however. At one tournament this year the West-Oak all-girl team beat nearly all the boys, finishing eighth out of 167 boats. “She’s all about it,” he said of Kate’s approach to competitive fishing. “She can tie her own lines, and I’m teaching her to handle the boat. She’s got a boyfriend, and she’s all about beating him and the high school football and basketball players that only fish one or two weekends in the spring and summer.” Myers looks forward to captaining his daughter in the years ahead but said there may be trouble on the horizon. “We’ve got twins in the third grade,” he said. “You can only have two on a fishing team. It’s going to get real interesting when they all get to high school.” n Members of the West-Oak Fishing team prepare to launch during one of their tournaments this past year. Photo courtesy of Shawn Martin

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207 SUNRISE POINTE WAY • $4,199,000

Spectacular 5 bedroom, 6 full and 2 half-bathrooms on an exceptional, 1.53 acre waterfront lot, with gentle slope and 326 ft of prime shoreline. Keith Summerour-designed and built by boutique craftsman, Mike Blackburn. The attention to detail and the quality of craftsmanship will exceed even the most meticulous buyer’s mind. Over $500,000 in mature landscaping, native shrubs, trees and boulder pathways. Extensive use of diverse reclaimed antique wood in beams, floors, trim and some walls, applied and finished with great skill. Unsurpassed quality and attention to detail abound, denoting this as one of the finest homes on Lake Keowee.

864.506.6387 • Justin Winter / justin@justinwinter.com

MLS 20224433

7 POINT NORTH DRIVE • $1,999,000

Captivating waterfront with multi-layer mountain views! While 7 Point North is an impeccably designed, built, and maintained home, the views (some of the best on Lake Keowee, or anywhere else for that matter) immediately captivate. The property provides a gentle slope, level paver driveway, and easy walk to the shoreline and covered dock. The home’s main-level living areas are open and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows flanking a stone fireplace in the great room. The main-level deck is tiled and has a grilling area. The lower-level stone patio sits above a putting green, complete with synthetic turf.

404.281.0475 • Trip Agerton / trip@justinwinter.com

SOLD

MLS 20217933

411 EVERGREEN TRAIL • $1,799,000

Welcome to your personal private Cliffs at Keowee Falls estate. Situated on Keowee Falls most desirable lakefront cove, this 2.76 ac property comprises the adjoining home site (51) with the custom built 4,800 sq ft residence constructed on the middle of the properties (52). The sites have been opened to offer unencumbered long-range lake, mountain and island views, with waterfront shoreline of approximately 217 ft. The properties are bordered by a stream that flows down the right property line, terminating into a cascading waterfall. 864.506.6387 • Justin Winter / justin@justinwinter.com

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864-481-4444 | info@justinwinter.com | www.justinwinter.com

©2020 Justin Winter and Associates, LLC. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. Justin Winter and Associates, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by, affiliated with or related to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC nor any of its affiliated companies. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. Sales data based on Western Upstate MLS.

live the extraordinary... SOLD

MLS 20222945

144 N. WATERSIDE DRIVE • $1,860,000

Capturing the easy-breezy feelings of a favorite vacation, this home offers a bevy of resort-style amenities: a waterfront setting that’s steps away from Keowee’s shores, a lakeside pool and hot tub, and open, light-filled spaces. With 6 bedrooms spread across 3 levels—made accessible to everyone via an elevator—the residence is the perfect memory-making headquarters for generations of family and friends. The home’s exterior incorporates earth-hued North Carolina river rock that is particularly striking. A pathway leads to the shoreline and double dock with power lifts. Fine craftsmanship and high-end finishings are on display in every direction. 864.506.5453 • Allie Winter / allie@justinwinter.com or 864.207.2100 • Leigh Thomas / leigh@justinwinter.com

MLS 20227990

354 LONG COVE TRAIL • $1,545,000

Set along the shores of a calm, emerald-green Lake Keowee cove, 354 Long Cove Trail offers an enviable floor plan that extends across 3 levels and is beautifully underscored by master craftsmanship throughout. The home rests near the base of a lakefront hillside and at the end of a paver drive. In the great room, pine ceilings and a soaring stone fireplace provide the perfect backdrop for a spellbinding wall of lakeside windows and French doors, which open to a deck. The main-level master presents lake views in a window-lined sitting area. Outside, a covered stone terrace fronts the lake and stepping-stone pathways lead to the covered dock.

864.506.6387 • Justin Winter / justin@justinwinter.com

MLS 20221822

248 FEATHERSTONE DRIVE • $1,699,000

This still-new home offers over 300 feet of shoreline,180-degree views across Lake Keowee—including spectacular sunsets and glimpses of The Reserve’s golf course—and a flexible, social floor plan that allows for up to seven bedrooms when needed. A breezy jaunt of around 30 steps separates the house from its custom covered dock. The interior opens to a great room that combines foyer, living, dining, and kitchen areas while eliminating walls that might block the view. Lakefront outdoor living areas occupy the home’s rear and side: a broad main-level covered deck wraps to a screened porch with stone fireplace, the ideal spot for toasting sunsets year-round.

864.506.6387 • Justin Winter / justin@justinwinter.com

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864-481-4444 | info@justinwinter.com | www.justinwinter.com

Custom Residence Collection SOLD

MLS 20217587

188 HICKORY SPRINGS WAY • $1,675,000

Set on 1.17 ac of gently sloping waterfront and overlooking a notably wide Lake Keowee cove, this home offers open living spaces and spacious accommodations in a still-brand-new residence. The house is eye-catching with its exterior of masonry siding and natural stone. Inside, the foyer leads to a broad great room with a tall bow window, stone fireplace, and vaulted ceiling. Outdoor living areas span the length of the home: a screened porch with fireplace, open deck, and covered porch. Across the rear of the home, a stone terrace looks out over a firepit, slate pathways, covered dock with lift, and the property’s sweeping shoreline. 864.202.0505 • Melissa Wiles-Sellers / melissa@justinwinter.com

UNDER CONTRACT

MLS 20222997

126 WATER CREST TRAIL • $1,589,000

Situated at the end of a cul-de-sac on 1.11 acres with 160 ft of waterfront, this Evergreen Construction custom home is the epitome of lake living. At 4,995 SF, with 4 bedrooms plus bunk room, 4-1/2 baths, and a separate guest suite with kitchenette over the garage, this Craftsman style lake home is comfortable, inviting and designed for family fun. The lake views are long and the walk to the covered slip dock is short and easy. Outdoor living areas include lakeside porches (open & screened), a grilling deck, and a lower level terrace. Additional features include a lakeside waterfall and firepit to provide additional enjoyment.

864.506.6387 • Justin Winter / justin@justinwinter.com

MLS 20209916

110 RED BUCKEYE TRAIL • $1,469,000

5 bedrooms, 4 full plus 1 half bathrooms and bright, spacious living areas comprise this 5,400 SF waterfront home with good proximity to the clubhouse and golf course. The double slip covered dock awaits your lake enjoyment. .86 acres of mixed forest and meticulous landscaping surround the low-maintenance exterior of this home. Enhanced floor plan opens to great room, dining area and kitchen with ease of access to screened and open porch. Control 4 home automation system allows lighting, thermostat control, two security cameras, and monitored security system. Audio and video are available in virtually every room of the house.

864.506.6387 • Justin Winter / justin@justinwinter.com

THE FINEST COLLECTION

864-481-4444 | info@justinwinter.com | www.justinwinter.com

live the extraordinary...

MLS 20220155

400 S. POINT BLVD • $649,000

Located in the midst of The Reserve at Lake Keowee’s nature preserve, 400 S. Point Boulevard blends elegant living with outdoor pursuits. A portion of the community’s conservation easement is across the street and nearby cart paths lead to the many amenities this community has to offer. Inside, both the foyer and light-filled great room have vaulted plank ceilings with aesthetic beam accents. An expansive deck wraps around the home and joins a spacious, breezy screened porch. With multiple doors to the porch and decks, the kitchen, dining, great room, and outdoor areas create an ideal flow for entertaining. Both inside and outside spaces enjoy seasonal mountain and lake views. 248.866.6007 • Lori Parks / lori@justinwinter.com

UNDER CONTRACT

MLS 20225427

120 TRANQUIL COVE • $1,775,000

With a design that’s distinctively inspired by its street address, 120 Tranquil Cove is a serene setting for Lake Keowee living. This brand-new home sits on a short peninsula that offers lake views on 3 sides, and the wide cove it occupies imparts an open-water feel while being sheltered from primary lake channels. Throughout the interior, bright, open spaces and a neutral palette form the backdrop for layers of natural elements: rustic flooring, stone walls and fireplaces, wood beams and transoms, shiplap accent walls and ceilings. Spanning the rear of the home, a lower-level porch holds the home’s 3rd fireplace. In the yard, stepping stones travel to the shoreline and covered dock.

864.202.0505 • Melissa Wiles-Sellers / melissa@justinwinter.com

MLS 20207833

233 LONG COVE COURT • $949,000

Located on an elevated home site over a wide cove is this charming stone front cottage with inspiring views that include Lake Keowee as well as several golf holes. The home exudes a comfortable, cozy atmosphere punctuated by impeccable quality. Porches on both levels ensure the out-ofdoors is always close at hand. A wonderful sense of privacy has been created with a serene drive into the home and lighted stone pillars serving as the entry to the motor court. Yet this home lies within easy walking distance of the clubhouse and golf, making this one of the best locations in all The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards.

404.281.0475 • Trip Agerton / trip@justinwinter.com

THE FINEST COLLECTION

864-481-4444 | info@justinwinter.com | www.justinwinter.com

Custom Residence Collection UNDER CONTRACT

MLS 20221095

407 EVERGREEN TRAIL • $1,689,000

Elevated, extraordinary views are the hallmark of this residence. Positioned on a ridge overlooking a far-reaching span of Lake Keowee, the waterfront home celebrates its glorious scenery with multiple outdoor living areas, as well as liberal windows in practically every room. While outdoor vistas are the paramount feature here, wonderful architectural details abound. At the front of the home, a cascading water feature borders an enchanting garden of flowers and ferns. A lower-level terrace adjoins a wide paver path (ideal for a golf cart) that weaves through verdant garden plantings to the deep-water, covered dock. 864.506.6387 • Justin Winter / justin@justinwinter.com

UNDER CONTRACT

MLS 20224840

109 TRANQUIL COVE • $985,000

This Meritus Signature Homes plan, The Nantahala, boasts all the elements most desired. Light and bright theme of elegance but with a comfortable feel. The master retreat plus 2 more en suites are all on the main level plus a finished bonus with bath for added flexibility. This open concept plan with angled island is convenient for casual dining and entertaining large gatherings. This home is located conveniently to the community docks dedicated to this neighborhood. Perfect for those who want water access without the upkeep of a dock year round. 864.202.0505 • Melissa Wiles-Sellers / melissa@justinwinter.com

MLS 20226054

109 WOOD SORRELL WAY • $1,695,000

This most unique offering is a gated estate of over 10 acres, set on a perfectly private point with 1,100’ of deep water shoreline. A mile of customdesigned trails meander through mature mixed woodland. The single-level 3,800 SF residence is brimming with custom designed and crafted attributes, including true gourmet kitchen, magnificent twin flue stone fireplace, stone grotto outdoor shower, expansive, 1,200 SF screened porch and two home offices. The meticulously maintained, low-maintenance residence comprises 4 bedrooms with 4.5 bathrooms. A sanctuary of peace in a natural setting, this home gracefully balances casual indoor and outdoor lake living.

864.506.6387 • Justin Winter / justin@justinwinter.com

THE FINEST COLLECTION

864-481-4444 | info@justinwinter.com | www.justinwinter.com

live the extraordinary... Newest Neighborhood in The Reserve at Lake Keowee Stillwater Group Custom Homes Exclusively Represented by Justin Winter Sotheby’s International Realty Single Family Homes/Homesites Available

Model Open by Appointment 864-202-0505 or 248-866-6007 MUSCADINE RETREAT

Custom Lake Residences From the High 1m’s Home Sites Start at $500K 461 PENINSULA RIDGE • $2,800,000

UNDER CONTRACT

THE COPPERLEAF

THE HAMPTON RETREAT

415 PENINSULA RIDGE • $1,999,000

465 PENINSULA RIDGE • $2,850,000

SOLD

THE FINEST COLLECTION

864-481-4444 | info@justinwinter.com | www.justinwinter.com

Finding God on the way to church story by Brett McLaughlin | photos courtesy of Biggerstaff Retreat Center

Sunday morning services at Biggerstaff are open to all with folks walking, driving and boating in to enjoy morning worship.

26 â&#x20AC;š UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

he sun has crept up over the trees that, in the moments just before dawn, form the eastern wall of the lake; an undetailed, mass that contributes to the early morning tranquility of the water lapping at the dock. The big motor idles quietly as Rob Peirce finishes wiping down the seats and settles back into the captain’s chair, his morning coffee in hand. The cool, crisp air of spring penetrates his light jacket, detonating a quick, radial chill. Maybe long pants would have been better than the Bermudas he pulled out this morning? Nah; it always warms up quickly when the sun hits the lake. Minutes later he and Sandy are on their way, gliding out of the cove just in case one of the neighbors hasn’t made it to the coffeemaker yet. Reaching the big water, Rob gives the big motor a little more rein, and a small wake builds behind the pontoon as they head south. It’s a 30-minute ride to church, but, for them, their Sunday service has already begun. Biggerstaff Retreat Center is a ministry of St. John’s

Lutheran Church, ELCA, in Walhalla. Here, on the shores of Lake Keowee and a stone’s throw away from aptly-named Biggerstaff Road, 100 people or so gather every Sunday morning for church. A few neighbors walk in. Others drive, carting lawn chairs or settling into available bench seating. Some, like the Peirces, anchor just offshore or tie up at a small dock and join others in the shoreline congregation. “I love Biggerstaff,” said Sandy, who discovered the Retreat Center while looking for a birthday party venue for Rob. “It’s hard not to feel the spirit (of God) when you’re sitting at the lake.” Upon his death in 1980, Samuel Biggerstaff left a 5-acre portion of what had been his home and family farm to his church, St. John’s Lutheran. “His wish was to create a place for the faithful of the area to be able to worship and spend time in fellowship,” explained Ray Burroughs, the Center’s resident manager. Members of the congregation cleared the property, creating a worship area, shelter and recreation fields that were used, for the first several years, almost exclusively by St. John’s members for fellowship and family gatherings.

SUMMER 2020 › 27

Easter sunrise services have been held at the Biggerstaff Retreat Center for the past 25 years. Now, St. John’s Lutheran Church provides lakeside services every Sunday throughout the summer.

Over the past 20 years, however, the facility has been opened for use of all the faithful in the area regardless of denomination. Churches have visited from a three-state area. Biggerstaff also has become a very popular wedding venue. For the past 25 years, according to Burroughs, Easter sunrise services have been held lakeside. Two years ago, at the request of current Pastor Rachel Connelly, weekly lakeside services, open to the public, began being held from Easter through October. Pastor Connelly has been conducting the 8:30 a.m. services, but discussions are underway about having guest pastors during the summer. Members of the St. John’s music department provide music with other guests also participating. Sandy Peirce said her husband and Tom Ward often sing, while Burroughs plays the guitar. She and Rob recently became St. John’s members.

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28 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

Treat Yourself To An Amazingly Fresh Meal Satiate your lunch cravings with one of our delicious pressed sandwiches on freshly baked breads, boldly flavored salads, hearty rice bowls, or warm pita wraps. We also bake our cookies fresh daily!

864-973-8978 | presstfoodandwine.com 12019 N. Radio Station Rd. Ste. A, Seneca Lunch Served Monday-Saturday 11am-3pm

The Biggerstaff Retreat Center on Lake Keowee has become a very popular wedding venue.

Biggerstaff, Burroughs said, provides a place to gather. Last year the Retreat Center started a summer day camp open to all children. Discussions are underway about opening for weekday use by business groups. A shelter with seating for 100 overlooks the grounds. Lighting, electrical, refrigeration, tables and chairs are provided. An open fireplace adds to the center’s atmosphere. Tent camping and outdoor water activities are popular. There are trails, the recreation field, horseshoe pits and a beach area with a shower facility. Future plans include a possible retreat house, kitchen and classrooms or, possibly, a few overnight cabins for use by families and church groups. Samuel Biggerstaff would be pleased to know that the Retreat Center has touched countless lives over the past 40 years and to hear Burroughs’ claim that “Biggerstaff is truly a place to encounter the glory of God’s creation, whether through water sports, family or congregational gatherings, community festivals, weddings or other special occasions.” n

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To learn more about Biggerstaff Retreat Center, contact Burroughs at 864.882.3337 or by email at biggerstaffctr@bellsouth.net. You can also visit: www.stjohnswalhalla.org

Family events such as the Biggerstaff Spring Sing have become increasingly popular.

864.882.2090 | 525 Bypass 123 | Seneca, SC SUMMER 2020 › 29

So many

story by Bill Bauer

2020 Bryant

Calandra A Calandra bowrider produced by Bryant Boats.

30 â&#x20AC;¹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

choices … IF YOU’RE IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW BOAT, READ ON story by Dari Mullins

SUMMER 2020 › 31

ummer is here and boating is in full swing. In fact, boat dealers across the country are reporting increased sales due to the coronavirus pandemic. With vacations cancelled, sporting events suspended or abridged and entertainment venues still pondering how to operate safely, people are looking for other ways to relax and have fun. One popular way is buying a boat. Dealerships report a spike in first-time purchases, but note that many customers do not know what type of boat they want. As there are many options depending on what your primary interests are, this article will provide an overview of some of the most popular boats used on lakes and smaller bodies of water in the region. Also included is a list of the major manufacturers and local dealers that carry those brands. Not all types or manufacturers are listed; so would-be buyers are urged to do their own boat research before heading to the showroom. First, what is it you want to do with your new boat?

PONTOON This Godfrey tritoon (pontoon) is sold by Keowee Marina.

FISHING Most bass/fishing boats range from 14 to 23 feet long and are used for freshwater fishing. They sit low in the water and have littleto-no windshield. They are usually outboards, but they also include trolling motors for moving quietly and easily while fishing. Brands: Xpress boats, Tracker, Skeeter, Ranger, Stratos

{BE} LONGING FOR HOME

Lake Keowee

ALICIA KEYS 864-324-1668

aliciakeyswh@gmail.com 32 â&#x20AC;š UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

Center console boats are so-named because the helm is in the middle of the boat. These are usually 13 to 45 feet long. The walk around makes it easy to walk from bow to stern while fishing. These use outboard motors and, depending on size, can be used for offshore fishing as well. Tubing isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t out of the question. Brands: Finseeker, Xpress, Sea Pro

RECREATION These fish-and-ski boats are multi-pur2020 scarab pose. They usually are 16 to 24 feet long and have comfortable seating, but also offer live wells and rod tie downs as well as elevated tow bars and ski lockers. Brands: Crownline, Ranger, Bayliner Bowrider boats come with an open bow for extra seating. They usually run 17 to 30 feet and are powered by stern drive or outboard motors. These are great family boats and good starter boats that can be used for cruising, tubing and water skiing. Brands: Crownline, Bryant, Cobalt, Chaparral, Four Winns, Bayliner, Tahoe Deck boats are designed with more deck space than a typical recreational boat and are usually 25 to 35 feet long. They are equipped with outboards or stern drives and are great for larger families, especially those interested in cruising or tubing. Brands: Hurricane, Bayliner, Sun Tracker Jet boats have single or multiple jet drives that allow them to venture into shallower water than many traditional boats. They have no propeller, are usually 14 to 24 feet long and can be used for cruising, tubing or water skiing. Brands: Scarab, Yamaha, Chaparral

j et boat

2020 su per air

{at top right} This Scarab jet boat is available at Performance Powersports.

nautiqu e

{at right} This 2020 Super Air ski/wake boat is made by Nautique.

bass boat Bass Boats comes in many colors, shapes and sizes. Ranger produces this one.

SUMMER 2020 â&#x20AC;ş 33

2020 crownline

finsetter 230 Crownline boats manufacture this center console Finseeker.

CRUISING Cuddy cabin boats are usually longer (22 to 30 feet) and have a small storage area that may contain a berth (fixed bunk) or a head (toilet). They are closed bow and can provide a place to duck out of the elements, but are not large enough for overnight stays. Brands: Crownline, Bryant, Cobalt, Chaparral, Bayliner Cabin Cruisers are designed for longer trips and/or overnight stays. They are generally equipped with sleeping quarters as well as a small galley (kitchen), berths and an enclosed head. They are taller and longer boats, running 21 to 45 feet in length. Brands: Crownline, Chaparral, Cobalt, Regal Pontoons/Tritoons boats provide a relaxing day on the water with larger groups. Supported by two or three aluminum tubes, the broad platform can be simple or luxurious. Âť CONTINUED ON PG. 36

34 â&#x20AC;š UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

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Local dealers Below are local dealers with their contact information and the brands they carry. Dealers also carry multiple brands of used inventory so be sure to contact them when looking for a particular make or model. WATERSPORTS CENTRAL Brands: Nautique, Bryant, Crownline, Excursion, South Bay 466 US-123, Seneca, SC; 864.886.2748 www.watersportscentral.com LAKE KEOWEE MARINA Brands: Sweetwater, Godfrey, Monaco, SanPan, Aqua Patio, Sunriser 150 Keowee Marina Drive, Seneca, SC; 864.882.2047 www.keoweemarina.com JC SPORTS Brands: Malibu, AXIS, Avalon 10475 Clemson Blvd. Suite A, Seneca, SC; 864.882.4212 www.skijcsports.com PERFORMANCE POWERSPORTS Brands: Tige, ATX, Scarab 329 US-123, Seneca, SC; 864.888.8123 www.performance-powersports.com UPSTATE MARINE Brands: Centurion, Supreme, Cypress Cay 516 W. North 1st St., Seneca, SC; 864.844.8455 www.upstatescmarine.com STRICKLAND MARINE Brands: Chaparral, Hurricane, Ranger, Crest 1771 Blue Ridge Blvd., Seneca, SC; 864.885.0777 www.stricklandmarineandrv.com CLEMSON MARINA Brands: Xpress Boats, Veranda, Tracker 150 Clemson Marina Dr., Seneca, SC; 864.653.6767 www.clemsonmarina.us SINGLETON MARINE Brands: Cobalt, Barletta, Hurricane 15597 N. Highway 11, Salem, SC; 864.523.0418 www.singletonmarine.com

36 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

» CONTINUED FROM PG. 34

They can also be outfitted with fishing equipment or upgraded motors for faster speeds. They feature outboard or stern drive motors that vary in horsepower. Cruising, tubing, skiing and fishing are all in play with these boats. Brands: Excursion, South Bay, Godfrey, Sweetwater, Bennington, Barletta, Cypress Cay, Veranda, Avalon, Sunchaser SPECIALTY BOATS High performance boats are built for speed and are best suited for larger lakes and open water. They range from 25 to 60 feet and typically seat only 2-6 passengers. Powered by high horsepower outboards, stern drives or surface drives, they sometimes come equipped with cabins. Brands: Baja, Donzi, Formula Ski/wake boats are built for watersports. These boats are usually 20 to 25 feet long and are powered by inboard motors. Some provide a small flat wake for water skiing, and others are equipped with ballast and surf systems to provide ideal wakes for tricks. Crossover models are geared to do both types of water sports. Brands: Nautique, Centurion, Malibu, Mastercraft, Tige, ATX, Supra, Moomba, Axis, Supreme n

sports series

crownline This bowrider is produced by Crownline Boats.

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9 SHANNON COURT ANDERSON, SC 29626 LAKE HARTWELL STUNNER! This 3 bedroom, 3 bath home on Lake Hartwell has all the amenities for entertaining. With a chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen, large 2 slip covered dock with a lift, and unbelievable sunset views on big water. Offered at $679,626. This home is move-in ready! Contact me today to view this home by water.

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864.314.4000 amy@jha-sothebysrealty.com #ahUpstate | @ahUpstate

The 3 Gs of “Experience Kissimmee” await story by Bill Bauer photos courtesy of Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau

iant gators, gorgeous golf and great grub await visitors to Kissimmee, one of Central Florida’s hidden gems quietly residing in the shadows of surrounding theme parks. The three Gs are a huge part of what “Experience Kissimmee” — the local Convention and Visitors Bureau slogan — is all about. Together, they make for a fantastic and affordable visit to the Sunshine State. Neatly tucked away from the major arteries in the Kissimmee/ Orlando area and removed from the hustle and bustle of theme parks are Gatorland (See separate article.), one of the states oldest family-owned attractions; three fantastic golf resorts — ChampionsGate, Reunion and Celebration (Again, see separate article.); and Disney Springs, a no-entry-fee world, where foodies and fun seekers, young and old, can stroll from sunup to sundown, and dine and dabble in experiences ranging from Star Wars to the NBA. Imagine a complex containing 103 shopping, 64 dining and 23 entertainment options, all in one family-friendly, free zone … that’s Disney Springs. It is a walkable playground that’s easily accessible from two complimentary parking garages located just off I-4 on East Buena Vista Drive. Pedestrian bridges over the busy four-lane, direct visitors to an unexpected side of Disney, where, as they say, “entertainment dreams come true.”

Entertainment options include this tethered balloon by Aerophile that soars up to 400 feet over Disney Springs.

38 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

DINING From sushi and seafood to steak or savory sweets, Disney Springs’ four distinct areas — The Marketplace, Town Center, West Side or The Landing — have a restaurant to satisfy your palate. Whether you prefer dine-in, take-out, fast food or sophisticated dining, it doesn’t matter. The Chicken Guy in the Town Center is the place to get your fingers, tenders and bites bursting with celebrity Chef Guy Fieri’s signature flare. Choose your chicken, then select from over 20 house-made sauces for dipping, slathering or smothering. Beverages and sides will complete your meal. If Waygu beef is more to your liking, STK’s signature sliders can’t be beat. STK is not your ordinary steakhouse. The 14,000-square foot, multilevel restaurant offers an upscale, upbeat modern atmosphere with ambient lighting, an indoor fire pit lounge and a rooftop terrace. A signature cocktail or bottle of bubbly makes for a complete dining experience. Ghiradelli’s Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in The Marketplace is among a host of eateries that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Sprinkles in Town Center, Vivoli il Gelato on The Landing and The Ample Hills Creamery in West Side, are a few more sprinkled throughout Disney Springs. Mexican, Asian, Italian … the list of culinary choices goes on and on. Maps are available pointing out all of the food choices, but taking a walk through Disney Springs is the best way to see the array of offerings before making a choice. Reservations can also be made in advance at many of the sit down restaurants and are strongly recommended at peak times.

{at top} If Waygu beef is to your liking, signature burgers and steaks make STK’s a “must visit” venue. • {at left} The 14,000-square foot STK restaurant offers an upscale, upbeat modern atmosphere with ambient lighting, but also features an indoor fire pit lounge and a rooftop terrace on its various levels. • {below} Disney Springs is a no-entry-fee world, where foodies and fun seekers, young and old, can stroll from sunup to sundown.

SUMMER 2020 › 39

{at left} From beef tartar and martinis to burgers and chicken fingers, Disney Springs has a restaurant to satisfy your palate. {at right}OK, OK, the author couldn’t help himself when it came to posing with Guy Fieri … well, almost. Photo by Bill Bauer

SHOPPING Shop ’til you drop! That’s what to expect from the moment you enter Disney Springs. Over 100 retailers are spread throughout the complex. Alphabetically, between Alex and Ani and Zara, which are fashion and sportswear boutiques, you’ll find multiple shops for jewelry and accessories, toys and games, beauty and health, home decor, gifts and specialties. There are kiosks for all categories, including sweets at The Candy Cauldron and Goofy’s Candy Company, and, of course, “D” is for Disney and there is a Disney Store. Disney Springs is like an outdoor shopping mall where you will find name-brand retailers such as Guess, Oakley and Vera Bradley, as well as niche merchants like Ron Jon Surf Shop,

Experience Mortgage Excellence. Contact BankSouth today to learn more about your financing options if you are planning on buying, building or renovating a home.

Sue Ann Guthman Lake Keowee & Lake Hartwell Mortgage Specialist o: (864) 990-4355 c: (770) 856-0111 sguthman@banksouth.com www.LakeKeoweeLender.com

105A Ram Cat Alley Seneca, SC 29678 NMLS: 200802

Equal Housing Lender. BankSouth Mortgage Company, LLC. NMLS # 690971. Subject to credit and property approval.

40 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

Twelve Beers On Tap Extensive Craft Beer Selection Full Bar Gluten Free Menu Available Open Sundays Brunch 10am-Noon

Tuesdays TRIVIA Wednesdays BINGO Thursdays JAZZ ON THE ALLEY APRIL - OCTOBER

Bloody Mary Bar & Mimosa Bar

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Pele Soccer and Lefty’s – The Left-Hand Shop. Many restaurants like The Boathouse, Splittsville and Planet Hollywood have their own boutiques as well. ENTERTAINMENT As if shopping and dining are not enough, Disney Springs will keep you hopping with a wealth of entertainment options for young and old. There are live music, shows and ticketed experiences ranging from retro bowling at Splittsville and shooting hoops at The NBA Experience, to soaring up to 400 feet over Disney Springs in the Aero30, a tethered balloon by Aerophile. Then there’s The VOID, a virtual reality adventure, where you are surrounded by 3-D imagery and sound as you step into Star Wars and, with the help of Star Wars characters, recover imperial intelligence. Or, if you prefer, enter the internet with Wreck-It-Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz for the ultimate food fight. The House of Blues music hall and Stargazers are among the live music venues. There are also multiple music stages at West Side’s Exposition Park, in The Marketplace and at Riverboat Square at The Landing. Special shows like the Raglin Road Dance Revue in front of the popular Irish pub and restaurant of the same name, occur at scheduled times throughout the day.

Disney Springs is truly a one-of-a-kind venue that you can visit and revisit and be guaranteed to see and feel something different each time. Come early and stay late to truly “Experience Kissimmee.” n

Shooting hoops at The NBA Experience is a popular source of entertainment at Disney Springs.

For information on current happenings visit www.disneysprings.com.

CARE CLOSE TO HOME Families have relied on Clemson Downs for over four decades to provide compassionate care for their loved ones. The recent global health crisis has raised the importance of ensuring the health and safety of those most vulnerable. Clemson Downs strives to take every measure to ensure the well-being of those entrusted to our care. For more information, please contact 864-654-1155 or clemsondowns.com

Learn more about our Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care & Skilled Nursing. (864) 654-1155

•

#RetireWellClemson

•

ClemsonDowns.com SUMMER 2020 › 41

Your Insurance Super Store Complete Insurance Services Complete Insurance Services • Automotive • Homeowners Renters • Commercial • Life • Boat & RV • Motorcycle

We Invite You To Get A Quote! Make sure your insurance coverage is keeping up with your changing needs. We’ll help you identify any areas that could be leaving you open to liability, as well as any areas that could be saving you money!

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1229 B Stamp Creek Road, Salem • 864-944-0085 / 108 Nimmons Circle, Seneca • 864-885-9717 700 W. Main Street, Walhalla • 864-638-2341

bite off at n u f e som story

cou r | photos by Bill Baue

Over 1,200 feet of zip lines carry thrill-seekers over thousands of gators in the Gatorland theme park.

rtesy of Ga

torland

SUMMER 2020 â&#x20AC;ş 43

lligators and crocodiles, with a side of snakes and turtles, are on the menu for visitors to Gatorland, a 110-acre theme park and wildlife reserve that combines “Old Florida” charm with exciting exhibits and entertainment. The park opened as a roadside attraction in 1949 and today provides affordably priced family fun. Thousands of alligators (including the largest collection of leucistic [white] alligators in the world), crocodiles, native and endangered birds, a free flight aviary, breeding marsh with observation tower and a petting zoo, are spread along nature trails. A train ride, award-winning dining and a splash park are also part of the fun. Gatorland also features exceptional entertainment including the Gator Wrestlin’ Show, Gator Jumparoo and the “Up-Close Encounter” shows. For adrenaline junkies, there are the Screamin’ Gator and Gator Gauntlet Zip Lines featuring over 1,200 feet of high flying thrills on five lines. Finding Gatorland on Orange Blossom Trail is not hard. The iconic alligator open-jaw entrance stands 15-feet

wide, 21-feet long and 14-feet high. Frank Godwin, son of the founder of Gatorland, conceptualized and built the entrance icon in 1962. It is said that he took a taxidermy gator head home, set it on his kitchen table, studied it for weeks and ultimately built the mouth using steel beams, customized rebar and concrete. To-date, the mouth has graced the covers of hundreds of books, magazines and postcards. Once inside the gates be prepared for anything, especially if you are in a small group and brave enough to try The Adventure Hour Tour. It allows you to experience an up-

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close look at the behind-the-scenes Gatorland Breeding Marsh, home to hundreds of alligators, and an area that is generally closed to the public. Here, you don’t want to move too quickly as there are no fences separating you from the residents. Reservations are required. The “Alligator Capital of the World” is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but is available after dark as Gator Night Shine Tours are offered to reserved groups of at least five. Guests can wander the wooden walkways around the breeding marsh — flashlight and gator food in hand — searching for the red eyes of the hungry gators thrashing around in the dark. Another added attraction is Gatorland’s Stompin’ Off Road Adventure. Take a 15-minute ride on a 12-foot high off road utility vehicle through the swamps that feed the headwaters of the Everglades. Bouncing over hills and mud puddles and splashing through a pond full of hundreds The infamous alligator open-jaw entrance to Gatorland stands 15-feet wide, 21-feet long and 14-feet high. Frank Godwin, son of the founder, conceptualized and built the entrance in 1962.

{above} This “little” boa is among several creatures featured in one of Gatorland’s Up-Close Encounter shows. {at right} Any doubt about whether alligators can jump will be erased during the Gator Jumparoo show.

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{at left} How close is too close? That’s a question you will have to ask yourself if you are a brave visitor to Gatorland. {below} Among its thousands of alligators, Gatorland has the largest collection of leucistic (white) alligators in the world.

of alligators, you’ll see some of Florida’s natural beauty and eerily creep through an alligator graveyard. A coffee shop, snack bar, fudge kitchen and the Gator Gully General Store are spread throughout the park. For a real treat, plan on lunch or dinner at Pearl’s Good Eats. Named after Pearl Godwin, the eatery is right next to the gator wrestling arena and offers typical pub food supplemented by Pearl’s fa-

mous fried gator nuggets, a local favorite. (Don’t worry: You won’t be eating Gatorland’s gators!) n Gatorland is located at 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando. To plan your visit, phone 407.855.5496 or toll-free to 800.393.JAWS (5297), or visit online at: www.gatorland.com.

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‘S

o many golf courses and so little time’ best describes the dilemma faced by golfers teeing it up in Central Florida. That said, it behooves those visiting the region to make good choices for a stay-and-play vacation. Three courses that provide championship golf, top shelf accommodations, and excellent service and instruction are Celebration, ChampionsGate and Reunion. Celebration Golf Club is an experience and a step back in time. Arriving at the pro shop, golfers hear the soothing sounds of Frank Sinatra and other period artists emanating from the clubhouse speakers. Wooden rockers beckon visitors to sit a spell before heading to the putting green, practice facility or first tee. Eventually, enroute to the first tee, you will find the starter, donned in plus fours, parked amid a collection of restored antique cars. The golf course was the final design of Robert Trent Jones, who reunited with his son, RTJ Jr. to create a masterpiece that reflects the many courses they built around the world. Together, they used natural topography to create a park-like atmosphere that is demanding when played from the tips, but forgiving when played from the shorter tees. “With the beauty of the course, the design … everyone will have fun, because it can be enjoyed here on many levels,” Jones himself said.

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{above} The Omni hotel sits as a backdrop to the spacious clubhouse at ChampionsGate Country Club. The course is used routinely by PGA pros working to improve their games. Photo courtesy of Celebration Golf Club {below} The clubhouse stands in the background of the 18th green at Celebration Golf Club. Photo courtesy of Celebration Golf Club

The Jones duo believed that “every hole should be a hard par or an easy bogie,” and the strategic placement of bunkers and hazards reflects that belief. However, with five sets of tees and generous landing areas in fairways defined by native trees and natural wetlands, it is playable for everyone. Celebration takes great pride in its entire operation. The upscale, daily-fee resort has a beautiful practice area with a driving range and state-of-the-art teaching/fitting complex that hits out over a small lake dotted with pinned islands at measured distances. Floating golf balls don’t carry as far or roll out, but during instruction

or fitting, true distances and spin rates are calculated. www.celebrationgolf.com ••••• ChampionsGate is aptly named as it hosts many touring professionals seeking a championship golf course on which to hone their games. With its own I-4 exit, ChampionsGate welcomes visitors with a huge Omni Hotel standing majestically behind stately palms and a pair of elegant gates. Beyond are the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, a 35,000-square foot clubhouse and two

Greg Norman-designed golf courses that combine to create a premier golfing destination. The National and International courses are distinctly different Norman designs. Visions of Australia’s coastal, links-style courses await you at The International. Features include natural wetlands, many of which require full carries, pot bunkers, dunes, grass mounds and large undulating greens. The National, on the other hand, resembles Florida’s natural terrain complete with mature trees, lakes and target-like greens that present their own putting challenges.

Risk and reward holes are present on the Arnold Palmer-designed course at Reunion, but none is more tempting than the drivable par-4 seventh, where a sizeable pond sits ominously between the tee and the heavily bunkered green. Photo courtesy of The Reunion Resort and Golf Club

SUMMER 2020 › 49

Both courses are anchored around the clubhouse, which features a full service restaurant and more casual 19th hole. With 862 rooms and a host of villas, there’s always a room at the Omni. ChampionsGate’s Village and nearby DownTown feature banks, supermarkets, drug stores, convenience stores and a slew of restaurants. Recently, a hair and nail salon, a dog groomer and a bakery opened making ChampionsGate the complete home away from home. If The Omni is not your choice of lodging, The Orlando Villas are next door. Guests here enjoy all resort amenities and facilities including access to the 10,000-square foot Europeanstyle spa, a formal pool with private cabanas, a heated family pool with water slide, an 850foot lazy river, and the area’s only resort wave pool. In addition, Champions, a 9-hole, par-3 executive golf course, five restaurants, eateries and lounges are also at your beck and call. www.championsgate.com

Where you land in the fairway will determine the distance and difficulty of your approach shot at the Tom Watson-designed course at Reunion. But, as this picture proves, finding the fairway is essential! Photo courtesy of The Reunion Resort and Golf Club

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••••• In the heart of Kissimmee sits The Reunion Resort and Golf Club, the only place in the world you will find three signature courses designed by legends of the game —Nicklaus, Palmer and Watson. It remains one of only six golf resorts recognized on Golf Digest’s The Best Courses in Florida. The Nicklaus course is designed as if Jack himself was playing it. Deceptive and beautiful, each hole flows freely in a wideopen setting from elevated tee boxes and greens. As Jack would, approach each hole with a carefully organized series of shots in mind and decide if the tempting risk-reward holes will provide a big payoff or a big score! Arnold Palmer put his signature on Reunion’s second course with his usual flair. Golfers should expect the same adventure and exuberance as Arnie while they ramble up and down through natural preserve areas boasting elevation changes as much as 50 feet.

Spacious greens are receptive, but slanted and tiered, on the heavily bunkered Arnold Palmer course at Reunion. Photo courtesy of The Reunion Resort and Golf Club

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Six tee boxes provide ample opportunity to challenge this heavily bunkered layout. Avoiding the waste areas that line many fairways is a must. Spacious greens are receptive, but slanted and tiered, calling for accurate approach shots. Like the Nicklaus course, risk and reward holes are present, but none is more tempting than the drivable par-4 seventh. Ranging from 303 to 209 yards, a sizeable pond sits ominously between the tee and the heavily bunkered green. What would Arnie do? Known for his short game and course strategy, it is no wonder that Tom Watson’s Reunion design demands the same skills. Fast, firm and wide fairways lead to sizable greens where it’s been said your club selection can vary from a putter to a lob wedge to a three wood.

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The third hole at Celebration features some of the strategic bunkers and hazards that epitomize the belief of designers Robert Trent Jones and his son that “every hole should be a hard par or an easy bogie.” Photo courtesy of Celebration Golf Club

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THREE FLORIDA COURSES OFFER EXCEPTIONAL STAY-AND-PLAY VACATION OPTIONS. Negotiating the 7,154 yards is less of a challenge than playing it strategically from tee to green, thus where you land in the fairway will determine the distance and difficulty of your approach. Likewise, undulating, sloping and multilevel greens demand short game excellence. A combination of villas and vacation homes onsite make The Reunion Resort one of Florida’s most ideal stay-and-play locations. Add swimming pools and a water park to spa and hotel amenities and Resort offers the perfect après golf and family setting. www.reunionresort.com ••••• While ChampionsGate and Reunion have multiple lodging options, Celebration does not. Should you choose to stay elsewhere, the Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista South in Kissimmee is an ideal location. Nicely appointed 2-room suites, a free made-to-order breakfast and a complimentary evening reception, make it an excellent place to begin and end your day. It is located at 4955 Kyngs Heath Road in Kissimmee, only minutes from the golf courses and theme parks. https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mcolkes-embassy-suites-orlandolake-buena-vista-south/ n

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story by Brett McLaughlin | photos courtesy of Partners in Wine

asked about how they went into business together, the nature of their business plan or what their plans Special events such as are for the future. ’80 s Night, which found ow ner s Fai th (lef t) and Lisa dre ssed for the occasion, hav “My daughter was in e proven ver y popular. the fourth grade and she told me, ‘You need to call Peyton’s mom’,” Cooper said, smiling at the recollection. “We wished we had a bigger space,” WessenThe two moms did meet and began chatting dorf said. as strangers would. By March 2018, their conAnd, why not? versations had turned to what they might like After four and a half months of renovations, to do next. Cooper had been a teacher. WesPartners in Wine (PIW) opened Sept. 14, sendorf was in sales. Both agreed that, what2018. The local response was immediate and ever the future held, it didn’t involve having a impressive. boss. “The locals have really embraced us,” Coo“We agreed that Walhalla needed some per said, identifying a core group of people place to hang out,” Cooper said. “We both like from Walhalla, Seneca and Clemson. wine, so that seemed like a “Our customers are our friends,” her partner good idea.” added. “They want us to succeed.” They both laugh when The partners will admit that their success asked about how their busihas been shaped as much by destiny as by deness plan took shape. sign. While they did research the state’s alco“Our business plan was to hol laws and potential distributors (“They will open a wine bar in Walhalla,” tell you they also thought we were nuts,” CooWessendorf mused. per noted.), many decisions have been made “We sat out here and simply because they made sense to “a couple of watched cars go by. There city girls.” seemed to be a lot of them,” Hosting local Chamber events and monthCooper said. ly Palmetto Trail Talks, welcoming private “Here” was an empty parties and allowing guests to bring in enstorefront at 115 East Main tire meals, embracing local wines and regularSt. They made a quick decily changing out the bottled craft beers offersion to obtain the space and ings, extending hours after shows at the nearby went to work designing a Walhalla Performing Arts Center, introducing floor plan, drawing it with wine slushies last summer and opening a mifor ney mo ed rais tners in Wine Chr istmas in Jul y at Par crayons on a scrap of paper. mosa bar (with food truck) on “Summer Sun. lter She ss ele Hom Our Daily Res t “We just didn’t know days” have all been savvy business decisions any better,” Cooper said, that the two owners would suggest they more her irrepressible smile firmly in place. or less stumbled across.

riting for Inc. magazine, Paul Brown, author of ‘Entrepreneurship for the Rest of Us,’ said, “Planning in and of itself doesn’t accomplish a darn thing. It’s far better to get into the marketplace and see what happens.” In all likelihood, neither Faith Cooper nor Lisa Wessendorf ever read that particular article, but regardless, they probably could have written it. Cooper and Wessendorf are Partners in Wine … literally and figuratively. They are partners in a booming wine bar — Partners in Wine — in downtown Walhalla. Three years ago they didn’t live there. A little more than two years ago they were strangers. Drawn to one another at the insistence of their children, they tend to chuckle when

SUMMER 2020 › 55

Faith Cooper (left) and Lisa Wessendorf didn’t know about Walhalla three years ago and didn’t know each other until just a couple of years ago. Now, they are friends and partners in a successful wine emporium.

“Lisa handles sales. I drink a lot,” Faith quipped. Seriously, however, the pair has developed a line of clothing, tumblers and other paraphernalia they sell out of the store as well as online through Facebook and Instagram. During the recent pandemic they improvised and sold frozen wine pops for takeout. While there is “no set schedule” for entertainment at Partners, the ladies do plan regular special events, and the firm’s reputation has grown to the point where musicians — some from Nashville — have begun reaching out to them. Recently PIW shot a released music video for Diamonds & Whiskey whose lead singer lives in Walhalla. » CONTINUED ON PG. 58

An event for the Humane Society raised over $1,500 and hundreds of pounds of supplies. It is just one of many community events Partners in Wine has hosted.

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The partners are excellent Partners in Wine is entrepreneurs and even betopen Tues.-Thurs., 4-9 p.m.; ter neighbors. Fri. & Sat., 4-10 p.m.; Their efforts to contribCheck the website, or their ute to the community are Facebook or Instagram outlets for numerous, including funSunday brunch/mimos a dates an draisers for Christmas for additional information; d Kids and the Humane Socall 864.638.9778 for ciety. They have actively private events. participated in community events and have sponsored shows at the Walhalla PAC. “We don’t want to be outsiders,” Lisa said. “We’re here for the community, not just ourselves.” Their efforts have not gone unnoticed and have been rewarded. Through smiles and laughter they recalled how their 2nd Annual Hair of the Dog Mimosa Bar and Food Truck event, planned for New Year’s Day, fell apart on New Year’s Eve. “At 4:30 (p.m.) on the 31st we found out the food truck vendor was sick and wasn’t going to make it,” Faith said. “We said, ‘What are we going to do?’ We decided we would cook all night and give the food away.” (They are not licensed to serve food.) “But some of our customers found out what had happened,” she continued. “One guy brought in a tray of cookies. Another showed up with four hams and some biscuits. We weren’t sure how we were going to keep everything warm so some other customers brought in warmers and some chicken. It was amazing.” While it’s not unusual to find members of the partners’ families helping out, it is also not unusual to see patrons taking out the trash or doing the recycling. “They just jump in and help us when we need them,” Lisa said. “It’s fun,” Faith said, “and, honestly, it’s the best job ever.” n PIW currently has a hotdog-eating contest slated for July 3 and planning is underway for a second anniversary event in September.

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An ultimate dining experience story by Brett McLaughlin | photos courtesy of The Orchard Inn

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urely, you must be ready for a truly fine dining experience. As the sultry days of summer settle in and the need to slip away to the cooler confines of the mountains teams up with our anxious nature to explore once more, The Orchard Inn in nearby Saluda, NC, affords the perfect response to anyone’s wanderlust. In The Orchard Inn & Newman’s Restaurant & Spa, Marc and Marianne Blazar have created an elegant mountain retreat and fine dining restaurant capable of providing an experience unlike anything to be found from Greenville to Asheville. Excellent food, prepared to perfection, is served well against a panoramic backdrop of the North Carolina Mountains. Lush gardens, sprinkled with birdhouses and feeders, attract an array of winged visitors for those on the enclosed, porch-like dining room to enjoy. Whether you choose to stay overnight at the historic Orchard Inn, are simply looking for an excellent dining experience ahead of a production at the nearby Flat Rock Playhouse or following an afternoon at the equallyproximate Tryon International Equestrian Center, Newman’s Restaurant simply has to claim a spot on your “must-do” list. On a daily basis, Executive Chef Aaron Edwards uses the finest and freshest offerings — many of them grown in the Inn’s 4,000-square foot organic garden and miniorchard — to create unique offerings for each of the meal’s four courses. Countless relationships with local growers help shape Newman’s menu, as do arrivals of fresh fish from the coast several times each week. “The menu changes weekly and seasonally,” said Marc Blazar, whose history, like that of his wife’s, is steeped in the art of travel hospitality and gourmet cuisine. “The root vegetables of winter are replaced as fresh summer vegetables become available, and the menu is shaped around what we can obtain locally throughout the year. We have so many farmers we want to support.” {opposite page} Enjoying Newman’s farm-to-table cuisine while looking out over the North Carolina Mountains is an experience unlike any other. {top to bottom} Filet mignon at Newman’s is, in this case, served with a beet aioli sauce and butterball potatoes, pickled cherries and arugula. • The main lodge at The Orchard Inn in Saluda is home to nine unique bed and breakfast rooms as well as exceptional dining at Newman’s Restaurant. • Chef Aaron Edwards • The grilled North Carolina Shrimp with lemon risotto is a favorite, frequently featured among the Sunday brunch entrees.

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THE ORCHARD INN: A SHORT HISTORY Unlike many of the old inns of its time, The Orchard Inn was not originally open to the public. Built by the Brotherhood of Clerks for Southern Railway in 1926, the farmhouse-style lodging was created as a summer getaway for railroad employees and their families. Located at an altitude of 2,500 feet and part of the thermo-clime, the temperatures were considerably cooler than South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana, where most of the clerks resided. It was the perfect getaway! Originally called the Mountain Home … the second floor was originally designed with 10 guest rooms with separate men’s and ladies’ communal bathrooms on opposite ends of the hallway for clerks with families. Guests could enjoy three meals a day downstairs in the basement dining room. All guests shared the spacious first-floor lobby with its wood floors, timber posts and numerous windows and doors opening to porches on all sides. Also built in 1926, the Paulownia, Boxwood and Twin Poplar cottages were first created to house the {at top} The Laurel inn’s staff. They were originally very simple Cottage was not one structures, but have since been modernized. of the three original After the railroad began to become outdated, cottages at The there was no longer use for the Mountain Home. It Orchard Inn, but it was sold in 1963, and fell into a state of disrepair is now one of five and neglect. From 1974 through 1981 the property secluded cottages available for guest was purchased and renamed several times. In use. • {above} Guests 1981, the inn reached its lowest point and was staying at The closed and all furniture was sold at public auction. Orchard Inn enjoy a That same year Ken and Ann Hough purchased complimentary, madethe property and completely renovated the main to-order breakfast. building and cottages to create the bed and breakfast it is today. They ran The Orchard Inn for 12 years before leasing it briefly. Bob and Kathy Thompson purchased it in 1997, and ran it successfully for 13 years when Marc and Marianne Blazar became the innkeepers. The current owners brought a wealth of hospitality and dining experience to the Inn. In 1978, they were both independently owning and operating sailing charters in the Virgin Islands. Marianne had left Vienna, Austria, to spend a year in the tropics, and Marc had left Newport, RI, in search of adventure. The two met serendipitously over a photo Marianne took of Marc’s rainbow spinnaker sailing down the Francis Drake Passage off St. John. They both chartered for four years, taking guests from St. Thomas for island hopping cruises in the British Virgin Islands. Since they were both chefs on their respective boats and preparing gourmet meals in a tiny galley, they often remarked at what a dynamic duo they would be working together. As landlubbers on St. Thomas, they owned four one-hour photo shops, raised three sons and traveled the world doing corporate event photography for Fortune 100 clients. While traveling they took copious notes, dreaming of owning their own small hotel one day. ä This material is edited from The Orchard Inn website.

While farm-to-table dining means checking out the online menu is prudent, Newman’s does have dishes that reappear routinely among the three to five main entrees offered each evening. Among those is fresh North Carolina trout, offered as both an entrée and in smoked fashion as a secondary dish. “The beef tenderloin is always popular,” Blazar noted, “and the duck (pan-seared and served with carrot puree, pickled rhubarb, grilled peach, turnips, grilled long beans and German butterball potatoes) is amazing.” Typically, one may also find a lamb dish on the menu, as well as pork tenderloin. For our meal we intentionally ordered differently from each of the four courses, intent on experiencing as many tastes as possible. For the first course I enjoyed San Marzano and caramelized onion soup, but I was also able to sample a kale salad that, while marinated in lemon and garlic, had the perfect blend of wilt and crispness and just enough sunflower seeds and fresh strawberries to ensure complete consumption. The second course was wild mushroom risotto with crisp bacon for my wife, while I devoured perfectly grilled Spanish octopus served with spring onions, whipped potatoes and a chimichurri sauce with just enough jalapeno to make each component pop while not overwhelming the dish.

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For our main course she chose the beef tenderloin, served with fingerling potatoes, asparagus, roasted beet and a carrot puree. The beef was extremely tender and perfectly comple-

{above} The Seafood Risotto features a New England lobster tail and shrimp served with watercress, dried tomato, oyster mushrooms and a scallop sherry cream sauce. • {at right} A frequent entrée at Newman’s is the pan-seared Chilean sea bass served with a white wine-based livornese, cauliflower and pine nut ragu.

mented by the generous servings of vegetables. I savored branzino, served atop lemon risotto and asparagus. The searing of my sea bass provided a wonderful little crunch with each bite. For dessert we shared espresso crème brûlée and a serving of vanilla bean panna cotta with strawberry gelée, fresh strawberries and real whipped cream. The four-course meal price is $75. While that may seem steep, it’s important to remember that dining at Newman’s is an experience, not just a meal. Our server, Lynn, was

delightful and attentive but never overbearing. Marc and Marianne both visited to ensure we were satisfied. And, contrary to gourmet food stereotypes, we went away full. On Sundays Newman’s offers a $35 threecourse brunch, between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. As with dinner, the menu varies based on season and availability. Wine lovers will want to experience Newman’s Restaurant. Every entrée has a wine pairing suggested. There are some 1,500 bottles in Newman’s cellar, offering guests an opportunity to savor varietals from around the world and across the United States. Marc said he doesn’t consider himself a wine sommelier but added, “I would be happy to talk wine with any of our guests.” Marianne served as chef at Newman’s after the couple bought the business in 2010. Although Edwards assumed the title of chef de cuisine in August 2017 and was promoted to executive chef in May 2018, the firm’s website notes that, “as food and beverage manager, (Marianne) does not let a single plate leave the kitchen which isn’t 100 percent perfect in every way.” “We do our best to provide an elegant, farm-to-table dining experience,” Marc said. “We enjoy what we do. It doesn’t feel like work.”

SUMMER 2020 › 63

The Orchard Inn Experience After crisscrossing the country several times in search of the perfect bed and breakfast, the Blazars knew the moment they walked up the front steps of The Orchard Inn their three-year quest was over. “We kept coming back because we loved this area,” Blazar said. “When we saw the Inn we just looked at each other and said, ‘yup’.” And, why not? The Inn checked every box on their list including being rural, having sufficient acreage and offering an abundance of fresh air and water that one could drink from the tap. The historic inn consists of nine rooms at the main inn, five cottage suites set back in the woods and two luxury suites with stunning North Carolina mountain views. Along with each stay, guests are treated to fresh cookies upon arrival, a host of in-room amenities, and a home-cooked, made-to-order breakfast. Two years ago the family (Two of the couple’s three sons are involved in the business.) added a luxury spa that offers relaxing massage and aromatherapy packages. Each of the nine guest rooms in the main inn has its own unique charm. All come furnished with a queen, king or two twin beds, and all have private bathrooms. The suite on the main floor also has a gas fireplace, Jacuzzi tub and steam shower. Each cottage features a screened-in porch or open deck, spacious living areas, fireplaces and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Some cottages even have added amenities like full kitchens, Jacuzzi tubs and extra bedrooms. n The Orchard Inn & Newman’s Restaurant are located at 100 Orchard Inn Ln #9706, Saluda, NC. For Inn or dinner reservations, call 828.749.5471. Dinner reservations can also be made through OpenTable. For more information, visit: www.orchardinn.com

More Accessibility, More Enjoyment.

An inclined elevator takes the steps out of your trek to the dock! Smooth, safe and enjoyable. Marine Innovations is the leader in accessibility. Your trip to the dock will be as delightful as your time on the water. Call us today and take the next step to fully enjoy your lake life! Your local dealer:

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64 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

Life is short.. BU I L D T H E L A K E HO U SE

1 1 5 & 1 1 1 C E DA R B LU F F C T | H I G H L A N D L A K E K E OW E E 3.07 ac | 203’ Shoreline | Two Lot Package A small creek on the property | Close to Clemson | Offered at $499k I can help you through the process of building from afar. My network of builders offers superior service, design, and products. I’m with you every step of the way, long after we have found the perfect lakefront lot for your family. Call me to schedule a tour of some extraordinary Lake Keowee waterfront properties.

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Kimberly Crowe, Broker Associate Lake Keowee Specialist | Kim@kimcrowe.com | 864.888.7053 20 OVERBROOK CT, STE 400 | GREENVILLE , SC 29607

‘Tram’endous! Lakeside lift sets new standard story by Brett Mclaughlin | photos courtesy of Marine Innovations

here aren’t many homes on Lake Jocassee, but those there are include some very distinctive retreats carved into hillsides that envelop one of the Upstate’s greatest resources. One such home is an unparalleled, lodge-style structure comprised of an estate home and guest cottage with a combined 5,800-square feet of living space. The home, which the owner frequently rents to visiting guests, features five bedrooms and six and onehalf baths. The home’s two kitchens and outdoor cooking facilities are on a par with those found in the finest restaurants. Expansive patios on four levels provide gathering spaces with unrivaled views of Lake Jocassee and the Blue Ridge Mountains. A vertical elevator provides interior access to all floors. However, for as spectacular as the home is in its entirety, it is a newly-installed inclined elevator that puts an exclamation point on the homeowner’s claim to “luxury living” accommodations. Marine Innovations, a privately-owned company based in Frazee, MN, completed installation of a tram last June that connects the parking level to the main house, guest house, all patio levels and a custom two-slip dock. “Inclined elevators of 70 degrees or less is all we do,” said Marine Innovations Marketing Manager Eric Hausten, whose conversational tone confirms his stated belief that this Lake Jocassee installation may be among the company’s best efforts.

{above and at right} The tram has a total length of 250 feet with a vertical rise of 120 feet, and it stops at six levels. Galvanized aircraft cable propels the carriage at speeds up to 70 feet per minute.

66 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

SUMMER 2020 â&#x20AC;º 67

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This photo shows the tram at the mid-stop of the 250-foot elevator system.

According to Hausten, when the current owner purchased the home he found a tram that was not to his liking. He reached out to Brevard-based Johnston Welding Services owner Hugh Johnston with a challenge to make an inclined elevator that matched the luxury and grandeur of the home. Johnston enlisted Marine Innovations, which started from the ground up with a custom-designed system. That system borders on amazing. The elevator starts at 24 degrees of incline, increasing to 36 degrees as one gets closer to the lake. The tram has a total length of 250 feet with a vertical rise of 120 feet. Galvanized aircraft cable with a 9,800-pound breaking strength propels the carriage at speeds up to 70 feet per minute.

GALVANIZED AIRCRAFT CABLE WITH A 9,800-POUND BREAKING STRENGTH PROPELS THE CARRIAGE AT SPEEDS UP TO 70 FEET PER MINUTE.

The system incorporates a self-leveling mechanism to keep the carriage level as it moves along galvanized steel rails secured to the terrain by a pin pile system that was installed with minimal invasion of the habitat. The custom designed carriage has an 860-pound capacity and includes canopy risers, a built-in control station that allows for six different stops, and wood trim to match the home. Acrylic windows are set

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{above} The carriage itself features canopy risers, a built-in control station and wood trim to match the home. Front and rear seats provide seating for four people and fold up for additional floor space. {at left} A built-in control station allows for six different stops and can be programmed by the owner to grant guests access to any or all levels.

into the lower carriage panels, allowing light into the carriage and providing an open feeling. Under-seat LED lights provide safety when entering the carriage after dark. A timer automatically turns the lights off to preserve battery life. Front and rear seats accommodate four people and fold up for additional floor space. Since this property has multiple living spaces and is used as a vacation rental, the owner requested a system to limit access to the inclined elevator and specific landings. According to Hausten, this was accomplished by developing a combination keypad and key fob system that allows the owner to grant a guest access to any or all levels. Each landing station has a keypad call box. This allows only authorized users to access the elevator and controls which landings they can utilize. For example, a visitor using the guest cabin may have access to the parking level, the guest cabin level and the dock levels, while other users have access to all levels. A system-ready light shows when the system is active, and a call button brings the carriage to that landing. Each landing has bi-fold gates with integrated locks that prevent access to the track area and only open when the carriage is present. “The carriage is bigger and more detailed than any we have installed,” Hausten said. “All I can say is a lot of time was spent getting this just right.”

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SUMMER 2020 › 69

upstate theatre CENTRE STAGE 501 RIVER ST., GREENVILLE, SC INSIDE THE SMITH-BARNEY BUILDING 864.233.6733 OR TOLL FREE 877.377.1339 TUES.-SAT., 8 P.M.; SAT. MATINEES 2 P.M.; SUN. MATINEES, 3 P.M. Productions of Around the World in 80 Days and Water by the Spoonful are cancelled. Godspell is moved to the 2021-2022 season. Contact the box office at 864.233.6733 if you have questions or need to discuss options.

JULY 16-AUG. 9 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy — giving their boss the boot. Based on the 1980 hit movie, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought provoking and even a little romantic.

AUG. 4-5 ’NIGHT MOTHER

The play is about a daughter, Jessie, and her

mother, Thelma. It begins with Jessie calmly telling her Mama that by morning she will be dead, as she plans to commit suicide that very evening. The subsequent dialogue between Jessie and Mama slowly reveals her reasons for her decision, her life with Mama, and how thoroughly she has planned her own death, culminating in a disturbing, yet unavoidable, climax. The production was first done on Broadway in 1983 and became a feature film featuring Anne Bancroft and Sissy Spacek in 1986.

SEPT. 10-27 BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY! We’re bringing back one of the most successful shows in Centre Stage history. Featuring over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits, this show celebrates the life and times of the young man with spectacles whose brief life was cut too short on “the day the music died.” Capturing that unique mixture of innocence, determination, humor and charm that was Buddy Holly, we’ll wrap it up into a package for an unforgettable show that has become “the world’s most successful rock and roll musical.”

GREENVILLE THEATRE 444 COLLEGE ST., GREENVILLE, SC 864.233.6238 OR WWW.GREENVILLELITTLETHEATRE.ORG ALL SHOWS 8 P.M., EXCEPT SUNDAYS AT 3 P.M.

NEW DATES – AUG. 13-23 (2 P.M. MATINEES ADDED AUG.15 & 22) THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB

A hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever. Five Southern women, whose friendships began on their college swim team, meet every August at the same beach cottage on North Carolina’s Outer Banks to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other’s lives. As the years pass, these women increasingly rely on one another to get through the challenges that life throws at them, including some hilarious and unexpected twists and turns.

SEPT. 11-24 (NEW SHOWS ADDED SEPT. 15 & 22, 7:30 P.M.) THE PRODUCERS

Broadway producer Max Bialystock teams up with Leo Bloom, a timid accountant with dreams of becoming a theater producer, to put on the world’s worst musical. The catch is that they plan to run away to Rio with the two million they raise to finance the show when it

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upstate theatre inevitably closes after one performance. Too bad for Bialystock and Bloom that, against all odds, the show is a total hit!

PEACE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 300 SOUTH MAIN ST., GREENVILLE, SC 864.476.3000 OR 800.888.7768 The Escape to Margaritaville performances scheduled thru July 5 and The Jesus Christ Superstar performances scheduled for August 4-9 have been cancelled. The performances of 1776 are now scheduled for Dec. 29 thru Jan. 3, 2021.

FOOTHILLS PLAYHOUSE 201 SOUTH 5TH ST., EASLEY, SC 864.855.1817 OR WWW.FHPLAYHOUSE.COM FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS, 8 P.M.; SUNDAYS, 3 P.M.

AUGUST 14-30 THE WIZARD OF OZ

characters: good witches, bad witches, animals that talk, scarecrows that walk, and things magical to behold. To find her way home, she must journey along the Yellow Brick Road to see the mysterious and all-powerful Wizard in Emerald City. Along the way, she makes new friends, but must also brave many dangers, including the Wicked Witch of the West, who will stop at nothing to get her hands on Dorothy’s magical ruby slippers. To make it home safely, Dorothy must learn an important lesson: There’s no place like home.

OCONEE COMMUNITY THEATRE 8001 UTICA ST., SENECA, SC RESERVATIONS: 864.882.7700 10 A.M. – NOON AND 2 P.M. – 4 P.M. EVENINGS 8 P.M., SUNDAY MATINEES 2:30 P.M.

SEPT. 18-20, 25-27 HELLO DOLLY!

Royal Shakespeare Company features all the most beloved songs and moments from the 1939 classic film, brought to life onstage. Young Dorothy Gale is swept away by a tornado from her Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz. There, she encounters a host of whimsical

In one of Broadway’s biggest hits of all time, a meddlesome matchmaker brings together the young clerk of a wealthy Yonkers merchant and his assistant with a widowed milliner and her assistant, while making sure she herself gets to marry the merchant.

CLEMSON LITTLE THEATRE 214 S. MECHANIC ST., PENDLETON, S C 864.646.8100 FRI.-SAT., 8 P.M. (7:30 FOR CAYT); SUNDAY MATINEES, 3 P.M.

SEPT. 4-6, 11-13 FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS Let’s take a trip to Las Vegas where Sandy, four-times-married-three-times-divorced, owns a wedding chapel. In this hilarious, heartwarming comedy, we witness some of her most memorable clients. Bev and Stan are getting married as revenge on their exes. Vanessa and Bryce, two aging stars, are tying the knot as a publicity ploy; and Martin and Fiona, a gentle postal-worker and a tough ex-con, are in love. Most touching is Sandy’s fifth and final wedding — to the love of her life. These memorable characters, and an Elvis, make this a comedic treat not to be missed.

ELECTRIC CITY PLAYHOUSE 514 NORTH MURRAY AVE., ANDERSON, SC 864.224.4248 • ECPLAYHOUSE.COM

THE ENTIRE 2020 SEASON HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

We Want To Be Your Team Providing Excellent And Personalized Service

The Lake Keowee Homes Team Always the Right Choice! Let us Help You. Call or email us today! Charles “Chuck” Gouge 864-247-7478 • Cgouge@kw.com Mary Keith Eustis 864-710-5434 • Keustis06@gmail

455 Bypass 123 / Suite A / Seneca, SC 29678 SUMMER 2020 › 71

calendar of events Every effort has been made to present as accurate a calendar of events as possible. However, current circumstances may result in cancellations and rescheduling. Please call or visit the website of all venues before attending an event. — Editor

JULY 3

Independence Eve in Walhalla, 7-10 p.m.; activities for kids; music, food and fireworks.

JULY 4

Seneca 4th of July Celebration; 6-9:30 p.m.; visit www.seneca.sc.us for more details.

JULY 13

The Street Dances in Hendersonville start at 6:30 p.m. with the caller teaching audience members basic square dancing moves; entertainment includes the band Blue Ridge Tradition and dancing by the Southern Connection Cloggers; bring a chair to enjoy dancing and entertainment from 7-9 p.m. Audience seating area opens after 5:30 p.m.; admission is free. No pets, alcoholic beverages, backpacks or coolers.

JULY 17 THRU AUGUST 27

Annual Members’ Show at Blue Ridge Arts Council, 111 E. S. 2nd Street, Seneca; Wed.Fri., 1-4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; public reception on first Friday of the show; for info contact: blueridgeartcenter@gmail.com or 864.710.6593

JULY 18

Banjo Extravaganza at Hagood Mill, 138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens; a trek through history as we follow the evolution of the banjo from its origins as an African gourd instrument to today’s multiple and unique styles; free admission; $5 parking; for information contact Hagood Mill at 864.898.2936 Mountain Bridge performs at 7 p.m. at the Pickens Amphitheater in downtown Pickens, SC.

JULY 24

Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents The Malpass Brothers; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

JULY 25

Four weeks of creativity, imagination and fun culminate with a one-day exhibition of the talents of summer arts camp participants at The Arts Center, 212 Butler St., Clemson; for more information, contact: 864.633.5051 or visit: explorearts.org 72 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

Clemson Triathlon will be held at 7 a.m. at the Campus Beach and Recreation Center at Clemson University; this is part of the South Carolina Triathlon Series and is one of the oldest triathlons in the state; to sign up, visit: runsignup.com Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents Sail On: 3 Redneck Tenors; a new breed in the “tenor genre” featuring classically-trained, veteran artists, is like Duck dynasty goes to Carnegie Hall; 7:30 p.m.; dinner package available courtesy of Meat’n in the Middle Catering; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac. com

JULY 31

Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute; 7:30 p.m.; dinner package available courtesy of Meat’n in the Middle Catering; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

AUGUST 1

Country and gospel icon T. Graham Brown has 35 years of hits to his credit and is still going strong. He will perform at 7:30 p.m., at the Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

AUGUST 7

Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., presents Edwin McCain; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www. walhallapac.com Second Time Around Band performs at Westminster Music Series, 6 p.m. in downtown Westminster.

AUGUST 8

Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., presents Crystal Gayle; 7:30 p.m.; 5:30 p.m. dinner package available courtesy of Meat’n in the Middle Catering; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac. com

AUGUST 10

The Street Dances in Hendersonville start at 6:30 p.m. with the caller teaching audience members basic square dancing moves; entertainment includes the band Blue Ridge Tradition, and dancing by the Southern Connection Cloggers; bring a chair to enjoy dancing and entertainment from 7-9 p.m. Audience seating area opens after 5:30 p.m.;

admission is free. No pets, alcoholic beverages, backpacks or coolers.

AUGUST 13 & 14

Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents the Black Jack Symphony’s production of Prince’s Purple Rain; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

AUGUST 15

Hagood Mill, 138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens; hosts Military History Appreciation Day and Gospel Revue; enjoy an educational tribute to America’s Armed Forces with military vehicles, historians and re-enactors; also an old-time gospel sing-along; free admission; $5 parking; for information contact Hagood Mill at 864.898.2936 World Honeybee Day in Pickens is a full day of bands, food trucks, vendors, craft beer and wine; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; hosted by Bee Well Honey Bee Supply. Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents The Annie Moses Band; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

AUGUST 16

Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents The Righteous Brothers; 7 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

AUGUST 22

The World of Energy and Oconee Nuclear Station will host a virtual nuclear science merit badge course for Boy Scouts. For information visit: duke-energy.com/worldofenergy Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents Chi-Town Transit Authority; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

AUGUST 28

Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents James Gregory, live in concert; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

AUGUST 29

2020 Issaqueena Festival and 5K Fun Run will be held in Six Mile, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; featured bands include Wanda Johnson, Jaguar 4 and The Eric Scott Band; car show, inflatables, food and arts and crafts. Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents The Linda

calendar of events Ronstadt Experience featuring American Idol finalist Tristan McIntosh; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

AUGUST 30

Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents the U.S. Air Force Clarinet Quartet; 3 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

SEPTEMBER 4

Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents The Cleverlys; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www. walhallapac.com

Walhalla Performing Arts Center

THE MALPASS BROTHERS

Friday, July 24 @ 7:30 pm Steeped in the legacy of classic, traditional, real country music, with a little gospel thrown in! The music that comes from the heart.

3 REDNECK TENORS

SEPTEMBER 5

Saturday, July 25 @ 7:30 pm A new breed in the “tenor genre” featuring classically-trained veteran artists, is like Duck Dynasty goes to Carnegie Hall – down home laughs with big city music!

SEPTEMBER 6

SAIL ON: THE BEACH BOYS TRIBUTE

Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents Elton & Cher: Two Divas & A Piano; 7:30 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com 4th Annual Seneca Brew & Que; unlimited sampling of craft beer, barbecue competition, live music, craft and food vendors, kids’ activities; 6-10 p.m.; Gignilliat Community Center 621 North Townville St.; for tickets, visit: https://tickets.beerfests.com/event/brew-que/pre-sale Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents a tribute to Frank Sinatra featuring David Halston; 7 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

LET US MAKE IT

NEW AGAIN!

Friday, July 31 @ 7:30 pm Is a new show based out of Nashville, TN, that focuses on performing songs by America’s Band, The Beach Boys, to sheer perfection.

T. GRAHAM BROWN

Saturday, August 1 @ 7:30 pm T. Graham Brown has hit the Billboard, Cash Box, & Christian music charts 35 times with hits such as “I Tell It Like It Used To Be” & “Darlene”. EDWIN MCCAIN Friday, August 7 @ 7:30 pm With his authentic spirit and sense of humor, you will feel like your at an intimate party with old friends. I’ll Be There. Will you? CRYSTAL GAYLE Saturday, August 8 @ 7:30 PM One of the most popular and widely recognized female country singers of her era. A supple voice, a flair for ballads, and a crossover-friendly country-pop style that will have you swaying and singing.

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BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY: PRINCE’S PURPLE RAIN Thursday, August 13 & Friday, August 14 @ 7:30 pm BJS will present a performance of Prince’s “Purple Rain”. Come out and party like it’s 1999! Remember putting on an album and listening for start to finish? Relive that moment with a live concert experience unlike any other. THE ANNIE MOSES BAND Saturday, August 15 @ 7:30 PM A captivating blend of folk and classical, the Annie Moses Band is a talented ensemble of songwriters, singers, and musicians, combining technical skill with exhilarating showmanship.

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calendar of events SEPTEMBER 7-12

59th South Carolina Apple Festival, Westminster; arts and crafts, baked goods, music, food and drink vendors, parade, activities for the entire family; for more information, visit: www.scapplefestival.com or call 864.647.7223

SEPTEMBER 11

Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 East North Broad St., Walhalla, presents the married musical duo of Michael Trent & Cary Ann Hearst — Shovels & Rope — performing indie, folk and rock; 730 p.m.; for information or tickets, visit: www.walhallapac.com

ONGOING We Fix Your Panes...And Your Showe Show We Fix Your Panes...And Your Seneca’s Jazz on the Alley features America’s touring musicians, every We FixThursday, Your Panes...And Your Showe thru October, 6:30 p.m. on Ram Cat Alley; bring a lawn chair; restaurants and vendors available.

First Saturday of every month thru October, Cruzin’ on Main at Norton-Thompson Park in Seneca. First Friday, thru August, Music on Main in Westminster features some of the region’s top performers; free in downtown Westminster.

Ekornes • Fjords • IMG Palliser • American Leather

The ARTS Center of Clemson, 212 Butler St., Clemson, offers adult and youth classes and workshops in ceramics, painting, printmaking, mixed media, fiber, photography and metals and jewelry; information at: explorearts.org

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Millennials & the current market

Act in late March offered these investors several provisions worth remembering.

he coronavirus crisis has unsettled every age group, as we are all worried about our health and that of our families and communities. And, if you’re in the millennial generation, generally defined as anyone born between 1981 and 1996, you might also be concerned about your financial future, given the sharp decline in investment prices. How should you respond to what’s been happening? Your view of the current situation will depend somewhat on your age. If you’re an older millennial, you had probably been investing for a few years when we went through the financial crisis in 2007-08. You then experienced 11 years of a record bull market, so you’ve seen both the extremes and the resilience of the investment world. But if you’re a younger millennial, you might not have really started investing until the past few years, if you’ve started at all, so you’ve only seen a steadily climbing market. Consequently, you may find the current situation particularly discouraging, but this is also a lesson in the reality of investing: Markets go down as well as up. But no matter where you are within the millennial age cohort, you might help yourself by taking these steps: • Enjoy the benefit of having time on your side. If you’re one of the younger millennials, you’ve got about four decades left until you’re close to retiring. Even if you’re in the older millennial group, you’ve probably got at least 25 years until you stop working. With so many years ahead, you have the opportunity to overcome the periodic drops in investment prices, and your investments have time to grow. • Invest systematically. The value of your investments will always fluctuate. You can’t control these price movements, but you may be able to take advantage of them through what’s known as systematic

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Among them are:

investing. By putting the same amount of money at regular intervals into the same investments, you’ll buy more shares when the share price is lower — in other words, you’ll be “buying low,” which is one of the first rules of investing — and you’ll buy fewer shares when the price rises. Over time, this strategy can help you reduce the impact of volatility on your portfolio, although it can’t ensure a profit or protect against loss. • Focus on the future. You’re never really investing for today — you’re doing it to reach goals in the future, sometimes just a few years away, but usually much further out. That’s why it’s so important not to panic when you view those scary headlines announcing big drops in the financial markets, or even when you see negative results in your investment statements. By creating an investment strategy that’s appropriate for your risk tolerance and time horizon and by focusing on your long-term goals, you can develop the discipline to avoid making hasty, ill-advised decisions during times of stress. The coronavirus pandemic has also had an impact on those currently employing their retirement savings. Specifically, passage of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES)

• No penalty on early withdrawals — Typically, you’d have to pay a 10 percent penalty on early withdrawals from IRAs, 401(k)s and similar retirement accounts. Under the CARES Act, this penalty will be waived for individuals who qualify for COVID-19 relief and/or in plans that allow COVID-19 distributions. Withdrawals will still be taxable, but the taxes can be spread out over three years. • Suspension of required withdrawals — Once you turn 72, you’ll be required to take withdrawals from your traditional IRA and 401(k). The CARES Act waives these required minimum distributions for 2020. If you’re in this age group, but you don’t need the money, you can let your retirement accounts continue growing on a tax-deferred basis. • Increase of retirement plan loan limit — Retirement plan investors who qualify for COVID-19 relief can now borrow up to $100,000 from their accounts, up from $50,000, provided their plan allows loans. We recommend that you explore other options, such as the direct payments, to bridge the gap on current expenses; if you choose to take a plan loan, work with your financial adviser to develop strategies to pay back these funds over time to reduce any long-term impact to your retirement goals.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by David Adrian Jr., a Seneca financial advisor with the Fortune 500 Company that serves more than 7 million customers and has over $1 trillion in assets under management. Reach Adrian at 864.882.5763 or www.edwardjones. come/david-adrian.

Bob Thomas, AAMSÂ®

MKT-1952G-A

Financial Advisor

1510 Blue Ridge Blvd Ste 103 Seneca, SC 29672-6684 864-985-1266

edwardjones.com Member SIPC

The traditions continue …

BY DARI MULLINS

e sold our boat last week. My grandfather “Pa” passed last week. Let me explain what these two things have in common. My whole family loves boating. In fact at least eight members of my maternal family now have or have had boats in my lifetime; some of us have had multiple boats. These boats have been used for everything from watersports to deep-sea fishing. My Pa started this tradition after a car accident in his 30s made him give up his favorite pastime of bowling. He had fished some and enjoyed it, so he bought a boat and got out on the water. He learned to water ski and taught my mom and her three siblings. They also mastered deep-sea fishing, and I loved it when Pa would bring home grouper for Ma to cook. Years later, Mom shared her love of boating with my dad, and we owned two boats while I was growing up. Many of my best memories are on the water, including several years my parents and I spent in competitive skiing. OK, now to the selling of our boat … Last Tuesday we brought our boat in to be serviced at the dealership where I work. My sales manager came and asked me if we were ready to sell it. We had been planning to get a new one but not until later. I told him if we could get what we owed (or close) and get into a new one for about the same payment, we would probably do it. He told me his customer would be there to see it that day or the next. Of course, I jumped on the phone to my fiancé, Trey, and told him to call the bank. We were also trying to find one with colors we preferred, as the ones my dealership had in stock were not our favorites. We found one and started working on the dealer trade. The potential buyer for our old boat showed up the next day, and we had sold our boat by 6 p.m. We had picked out a new one, but the final approval from the bank had not come. Meantime, my mother and uncle had gone to visit my 91-year-old Pa in his Florida retirement home. They FaceTimed all of us so we could talk to Pa and see him. I knew it 78 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

{above} Dari & her Pa {at right} The writer’s grandfather is pictured here with his youngest grandchild, Charlie Houghton, about 20 years ago. “Pa” passed away last month. Photos courtesy of Martha Brookshire

would be my last time seeing him alive. That night Trey and I decided that if we were able to get the boat, it would be dedicated to Pa. He passed early the following morning. Later the same day we got approval on the boat. I knew all along, since this boat deal had literally fallen into our laps, that it was meant to be. Little did I know the significance it would have until my grandfather passed. Pa’s boat was “Joy 2.” Our last two boats were “Ms. Fireball” and “Ms. Kitty.” Our new boat is named “Ms. Joy” in tribute to my Pa and the impact he had on my life — both as a boater and as a person. He was the most positive, optimistic person I ever met. He always taught me to find the good in every situation, and he said everything happens for a reason. I think this happened so I can keep him close to my heart every time we are on the water.

Exactly a week after he passed we took our maiden voyage on “Ms. Joy.” I’m sure Pa was looking down, happy to see that our family’s boating memories will continue. I am sharing my story to encourage you to look around and watch for the unexpected to unfold. Even in the midst of the chaos our country has recently endured there is a reason for everything that comes into our lives.

Dari Mullins is marketing coordinator and office manager at the Seneca location of Watersports Central where she enjoys sharing her love of the water, boating and sports with people of all ages.

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From My Heart to Yours â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Come Experience the Best! SUMMER 2020 â&#x20AC;ş 79

Crappie call Hartwell docks their home BY PHILLIP GENTRY

ost crappie anglers only think of fishing for crappie in the spring. But, in doing so, they end up missing out on great summer fishing. In most lakes, crappie prefer to move out into open water during the summer to escape the heat and find more comfortable water. However, Lake Hartwell is often a different story because open water is not a safe place for crappie. Because of the lake’s striped bass population, crappie feel more protected bunched up under deep-water boat docks. While crappie may also hold on brush piles out in the main creek channel early and late in the day, once the sun gets high overhead, they often move under boat docks to escape the bright light. Once there, finding comfortable water is only a matter of a vertical adjustment for the fish. Bright sunny days will find crappie deeper under the docks because of light reflection, while partly cloudy or cloudy days will find them ranging further up from the structure. Another crappie pattern is a tendency to suspend under a dock so shallow their backs are rubbing the bottoms of the docks. To target these fish, try impaling a 2” tube skirt on a 1/64th oz. jig head, and flip or pitch the bait deep into crappie territory. Keep it in the strike zone by reeling at a steady speed as soon as the bait hits the water. The “splash and flee” is usually more than the crappie can stand, since the bait closely mimics shad and other baitfish that feed on the plankton growing on the bottom of the docks.

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Summertime is a great time to target crappie around the boat docks on Lake Hartwell. Photo by Phillip Gentry

It would seem that loading the boat with summer boat dock crappie is a piece of cake. Some days it is; some days it isn’t. The determining factor is getting the bait back to the fish. Several things sway the game in the crappie’s favor. One is that Hartwell is typically a clear water lake. Secondly, boat docks amplify sound and motion so an angler has to be especially stealthy when approaching docks. Boat positioning is critical. On one hand, you need to stay close enough to the dock to be able to reach way in the back to catch fish. The other is that

while the water is public property, the dock is not. Dock owners do not appreciate fishermen trespassing on their property. Always use courtesy and consideration for the property of others and avoid touching the dock in any manner. Oftentimes to fish those tight spots between the inside of the dock and a boat that’s moored at the dock, an angler may need to use a long jig pole, similar to a fly rod, to reach over and around obstacles. Other times, simply making a short cast or pitch can get the job done. Even the most experienced dock anglers agree that you should expect to leave a few jigs behind when fishing docks for crappie. Light line is no match for rusted steel or sunken brush piles. The old adage: “If you’re not getting hung up a lot, you’re not fishing for crappie.” still rings true today. Using light wire hooks and 6-10 pound line will help you pull stuck jigs loose from the structure. The best way to retrieve a jig from an encrusted lair at the back end of a boat dock is to surround the hook with a crappie and walk the crappie back through the maze of holes and gaps you put the jig into.

Phillip Gentry is the host of the podcast radio program — The Outdoors Show with Phillip Gentry & Boat Girl. More information on the show is available at pgandboatgirl.com.

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Sliding Rock Falls

ooking for a spot to cool off this summer? Look no farther than the Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard, in Western North Carolina. There you will find, among other waterfalls, Sliding Rock Falls. Its name is derived from the fact that visitors can slide all the way down the waterfall into a plunge pool below. The falls itself is on Looking Glass Creek. It features a gentle slope and is about 60 feet long, ending in a large, deep pool (6-7 feet deep) at the bottom. Be advised, though, the water is very cold, even in the summer. The area around the falls has been developed by the US Forest Service into a popular recreation area. Parking is

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available in a large lot above the rock and beside U.S. Highway 276. There are two viewing platforms, steps down to the pool and railings to help climb the rocks on the left side. Sliding down is required in a sitting position only and life preservers aren’t a bad idea regardless of one’s ability to swim. Sliding down the waterfall is done at the visitor’s own risk. Children must be of a certain size to slide alone; otherwise, they may slide on the lap of an adult. A $3 per person fee is charged by the Forest Service to use the area between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, when lifeguards and rangers are on duty. The rock is closed to sliders during times of high water or when lightning is detected in the area.

DIRECTIONS If you are going only for the waterfall the trip is about 90 minutes. From the Upstate take either SC Highways 11 and 130 across the NC state line where the highway becomes NC 281 and, eventually, NC 64 to Rosman, NC; or take SC 133 and SC 78 to Rosman. From there, take NC 64 to U.S. Highway 276, turn left and go approximately 7.7 miles north. En route, you will pass Looking Glass Falls and the parking area for Moore Cove Falls. Note: Facilities and services of The USDA Forest Service may be limited at many sites. For updated information on temporary closures at National Forests including the Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie, and Croatan National Forests please visit: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/currentclosures

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Upstate Lake Living Summer 2020

Articles inside

A ‘tram-endous’ lift

Partners make wine sublime

First-time boat buyers, read this

A youth movement on the lake

Finding peace at the shore

Golf Florida’s abundant heartland

Southern hospitality defined

It may be time for a getaway