Upstate Lake Living Winter 2016

HOME for the HOLIDAYS

From luminaries to little chapels, the Upstate lights up Christmas

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WINTER 2016

WINTER 2016 › 1

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WINTER 2016

12 | By perseverance a little

chapel thrives

46 | It’s all about that

“Big Band” sound

18 | Andy’s Mayberry glitters

at Christmas

52 | Art with a healing touch

26 | Bags and blooms at

Biltmore

72 | Hendersonville’s culinary

beacon

32 | 12 eventful days of

Christmas

80 | Discover these coastline

gems

38 | Putting the “brew” in

“Brew Ski”

84 | History relived at Pocotaligo

62 | A home for the holidays

86 | Settle down with a good

book

88 THEATRE: Tiny Tim, Charlie Brown and more 91 CALENDAR: Holiday events abound 94 FISHING: High schoolers find a home 96 YOUR WATERFRONT: Reaching the deep 98 WATERFALLS: A North Georgia gem

tell us what you think!

Call or email us.

We would love to hear from you!

864.973.6305 lakeliving@upstatetoday.com

the menu Chef Casey Maness has put together at The Lantern Restaurant, one of the Upstate’s hottest new upscale eateries, in downtown Hendersonville.

Of course, Biltmore is always beautiful at Christmas and, inside, we offer a behind-the-scenes glance at how part of that experience comes together, as well as a look at what goes into making the estate so stunning each spring.

If a winter golf getaway is on the calendar, check out Palmetto Dunes Resort and three magnificent golf courses.

When Bill wasn’t golfing, he was talking with the folks in Mount Airy, NC, where Christmas is a very special time of year.

This issue also has a feature about some very talented musicians from our area who, for the fun of it, enjoy bringing back those Big Band sounds. We hope you enjoy meeting The Dixie Keys.

Be sure to look over our extensive lists of holiday events and theater productions and, if you can find a few minutes, shoot us an email — lakeliving@upstatetoday.com — to tell us what you like or what you would like to see more of in Upstate Lake Living. We would love to hear from you.

Stay warm!

Brett McLaughlin, editor

10 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

PUBLISHER Jerry Edwards, jerry@edwgroupinc.com 864-882-3272 EDITOR Brett McLaughlin, bmclaughlin@upstatetoday.com GENERAL MANAGER Hal Welch, hal@upstatetoday.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Sandy Peirce, sandy@upstatetoday.com 864-973-6305 ART DIRECTOR/GRAPHICS Melissa Bradley, mbradley@upstatetoday.com

Dear Readers, Happy holidays!

It’s time for the sights and sounds of Christmas, for figuring out how to ring in a new year and, for this edition of Upstate Lake Living, time for all you fellas to figure out the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. We’ve done our part to try and make the busiest season of the year a little less stressful by suggesting some nifty places to go and fun things to do.

If cool winter temperatures and the possibility of a little snow have you thinking you’ll curl up by the fire, we have even suggested some unique places to find good books.

And, if staying inside is on the agenda for the next few months, keep this edition close by and just open it up every week or so and enjoy Bill Robertson’s photography. His work reminds us how beautiful our little corner of the world really is even if exploring it means waiting for daffodils to burst on the scene.

If, on the other hand, snow is your friend, check out Bill Bauer’s story on skiing North Carolina’s High Country.

There’s a little something new going on there you might want to check out. On the way up there (Or, perhaps for Valentine’s Day, gentlemen.) you should consider sampling

WINTER 2016 Volume 11 • Issue 4

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS EDITION Bill Bauer • Rex Brown • Zenda Douglas Phillip Gentry • Dave Kroeger Brett McLaughlin COVER PHOTO High Falls County Park on Lake Keowee

by Park Ranger Tom Hulse

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 UPSTATE LAKE LIVING™ is a trademark of Edwards Group.

Contents copyrighted.

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Address subscription inquiries to: UPSTATE LAKE LIVING, P.O. Box 547, Seneca, SC 29679; phone 864-882-2375; fax 864-882-2381.

Two weeks advance notice is required for address changes; please send old and new address.

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CHAPEL IS A FAMILY LEGACY 12 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

story by Bill Bauer

One woman’s mission to save a piece of history

This is a panoramic view of the interior of McKinney Chapel today.

Ecumenical services are held at 10 a.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month. An annual Christmas pageant will be held December 17.

story by Brett McLaughlin | photos courtesy of Georgia Chapman

WINTER 2016 › 13

PLAIN ROCK In the graveyard On the hill At the church where Time stood still, Plain rock Marks the graves; Some are settlers, Some are slaves.

In the mountains They lived and roamed Then were buried Close to home.

There is no name that We can say Of the one who lies In the grave.

For only God knows Those who sleep In the graves so Narrow and deep.

With just plain rock For a head stone The name to us Is yet unknown 14 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

T

he words of Georgia Chapman’s verse — penned from the heart — speak to the devotion she feels to generations of her family and their ancestral neighbors, a devotion that has fueled a 35-year mission to preserve a little piece of history.

Long before there was a guarded gate through which one passed to reach The Cliffs at the Vineyard, McKinney Chapel stood watch from the high ground overlooking the Horsepasture River. It was a place for praising God, meeting your neighbors, attending school, getting married or being buried.

John McKinney, the first known settler in the upper reaches of Eastatoe Valley, used strong Heart Pine planks to build what was initially a Meeting House and school in 1820.

The second land grant settler to the area was John Chapman, great-great grandfather of Gene Chapman, Georgia’s late husband.

Other than an occasional event, use of the chapel was discontinued in 1937. In 1945 it was abandoned completely.

Names from five generations of the Chapman family are carved on markers in the church cemetery, just a few paces from the front door of the chapel. Several other graves bear the names of McKinney family members. And, as Georgia’s poem proclaims, other graves remain unmarked — some settlers and others slaves. Several have markers denoting service in the Confederate Army.

{above} Gene and Georgia Chapman, right, are pictured in the late 1970s with Myron Davis who donated paint for McKinney Chapel. Also pictured is Gene’s mother, Cleo Chapman. {at top} This is how McKinney Chapel appeared before Georgia Chapman undertook its restoration in 1979. The original doors are on display at the Pickens Museum and a window over the entrance now honors Georgia’s late son.

» CONTINUED ON PG. 16

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» CONTINUED FROM PG. 14

As he purchased land to create The Cliffs at the Vineyard community, developer Jim Anthony honored the wishes of Gene’s father to retain ownership of the family’s 12-acre parcel.

Members of the Chapman family inhabited all three homes on the property until recently.

The Chapman homestead is less than a mile down Cleo Chapman Road from McKinney Chapel. Less than a year after Gene’s father died and was buried in the church cemetery in 1978, Georgia took up the cause of preserving the chapel. By that time the building was sagging on one side, several windows were broken and the doors were beyond repair.

“We just didn’t want the lights to go out on McKinney Chapel,” said Georgia.

“If the church were to go, the cemetery would go.”

It took a little while, but gradually folks began to take Georgia’s project seriously.

A feature in the Easley Progress in 1982 increased awareness throughout the area and donations began to increase.

Gene and Georgia poured sweat into the building, fixing the windows, shoring up the floor, salvaging the original prayer rail and securing a hand-carved pulpit dating to the 1800s. The Heart Pine planks would not absorb donated paint, so the boards were scraped, adding to the rustic nature of the old chapel.

Pews were obtained from Mountain

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{clockwise from top} Christmas lights and decorations at McKinney Chapel will remain lit through early January.

• Georgia Chapman has been fitting and sewing costumes for the McKinney Chapel’s annual Christmas pageant for more than three decades. • The annual Christmas pageant is well attended by local residents.

View United Methodist Church and ceiling lights from Antioch Church.

The chapel did not have water or restrooms. So, with donations and the proceeds of book and calendar sales, and even a glamor shot fundraiser, Georgia raised enough money to dig a well and build restrooms behind the chapel.

Although there was still work to be done, Gene’s desire to decorate the chapel for Christmas and host a pageant was realized in 1982. Local residents attended, some playing the roles of shepherds, magi and the Holy Family.

The next year, Georgia became fully engaged, making costumes for children and adults, a task she will undertake again as the community readies for its 35th Christmas pageant. Her daughter, Gail Edwards, directs the annual program.

Original chapel records were lost, but Georgia did find and had framed a copy of the first recorded wedding at the chapel, an event that took place in 1896.

Coincidentally, Gene and Georgia’s daughter, Gena (Gibson), was married at the chapel nearly 100 years later.

Georgia jokingly refers to the 1983 ceremony as “the wedding of the century.”

In 1987 Georgia anchored efforts to build a picnic shelter that is used for meals after ecumenical services on the fourth Sunday of each month.

The chapel is affiliated with Grace United Methodist Church in Pickens, but the monthly service, as well as occasional services on holidays, is conducted under the watchful eyes of a committee made up of Vineyard residents.

The committee also guides donations to countless Pickens County charities and was responsible for having a stained glass window installed near the front of the church, honoring Georgia. A nearby plaque reads: “Georgia Chapman: God’s steward of the chapel for over 30 years.”

For her part, Georgia credits the restoration to a higher power.

“God has taken care of it,” she said.

After this year’s December 17 Christmas pageant, the outdoor lights at McKinney Chapel will remain lit for about four hours each evening, through January 4. n To learn more about McKinney Chapel and the work of the McKinney Chapel Committee, visit: www.mckinneychapel. com.

Five generations of the Chapman family are buried in the McKinney Chapel cemetery. Like several others, the grave of Henson Chapman is marked with a Confederate Army emblem.

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WINTER 2016 › 17

ANDY’S

REAL MAYBERRY

GLITTERS FOR THE

HOLIDAYS story by Bill Bauer

IT’S CHRISTMAS EVE AND THE MAYBERRY JAILHOUSE IS FULL OF CRIMINALS … WELL, SORT OF. Local merchant Ben Weaver insists Andy arrest local moonshiner Sam Muggins, and Andy complies, but also incarcerates Sam’s whole family for complicity.

They are not alone in the Sherriff ’s office however, as Andy, Aunt Bee, Opie and Barney decorate a tree, bring gifts and are celebrating the blessed event, when Weaver peeks through the window and has a Scrooge-like revelation. He tries to join the festive moment by getting himself arrested and succeeds only after dumping a garbage can in the alley.

Andy and Ben soon return to the jail with a suitcase of gifts from Ben’s store. And, after imbibing from a bottle of Muggins’ moonshine, Weaver eventually falls asleep in a cell.

A

nd, so it went in Season 1, Episode 11 — the only Christmas installment in 153 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.

Andy Griffith has become synonymous with wholesome, old-fashioned comedy, often spun from the fabric of his childhood in Mount Airy, NC. While Griffith was always quick to point out that Mount Airy was not Mayberry, it’s no secret he based

18 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

the show’s fictional hamlet on his hometown.

More than 50 Mount Airy people, places and things are referenced in the classic 1960s sitcom.

Today, Griffith’s birthplace continues to be a Mayberry look-alike, and the fabric of life in Mount Airy — population 8,600 — echoes that of Mayberry.

A haircut in Floyd’s Barber Shop, a pork chop sandwich at Snappy Lunch, tours in vintage squad cars, or a visit to Wally’s Service Station, located next to a replica of the jail

and courthouse, are just a few of the nostalgic moments that can come alive for visitors drawn to this picturesque hamlet in the Blue Ridge foothills.

And, at what many consider the most festive time of the year, Mount Airy and nearby Pilot Mountain have been known to celebrate the holiday season in style.

Mount Airy alone has over 100 unique shops, restaurants and attractions, many of which occupy its Main Street, which takes on a festive glow for the annual holiday parade

{clockwise from top} It’s no secret that Andy Griffith based his television hit show on his hometown of Mount Airy, NC. Today, the town enjoys its legacy, particularly at Christmas. (photo by Hobart Jones) • The Historic Earle Theatre shows traditional Christmas movies throughout the season. (photo by Hobart Jones) • Nothing says Merry Christmas like a parade, and Mount Airy’s annual event is extra special as the town’s repertoire of Andy Griffith Show look-alikes join in the fun. [photo courtesy of Mt. Airy Tourism]

WINTER 2016 › 19

and Christmas tree lighting.

Garland trimmed with thousands of lights, ornaments, red bows and holly creates an illuminated tunnel that dazzles at night.

“Amazing holiday displays are in each store front on downtown Main Street,” said Jessica Roberts, director of Tourism and Marketing for Surry County. “We love to light up the holiday season.”

The Historic Earle Theatre, one of a few remaining single screen movie theatres still in operation, will be showing traditional Christmas movies throughout the season. Locals say Ken White pops the best popcorn in town and even makes cherry cokes the old-fashioned way. Built in 1938, the Earle was the site of one of the premieres of Gone With the Wind, and in 1958, premiered Andy Griffith’s A Face in the Crowd. Between the Earle and The Andy Griffith Playhouse, there is barely a day in December that there isn’t a performance. The Nutcracker, the Del McCoury Band, and the Embers Christmas Show are just a few of the holiday specials dur-

Betty Lynn, who played Thelma Lou on the Andy Griffith Show, is now a permanent resident of Mount Airy and frequents the Andy Griffith Museum to greet visitors and reminisce. (photo by Hobart Jones)

WHERE TO STAY Heart & Soul Bed and Breakfast http://www.heartnsoulbb.com Heart and Soul B & B has four generous suites, all with private baths in a circa 1901 home on Main Street within walking distance of the historic downtown.

The Sobatto Manor Bed and Breakfast http://www.sobattomanor.com The Sobatto Manor, a few blocks away on Pine Street, is a 1932 Tudor Revival mansion that maintains its original décor. Ten-foot ceilings, original black walnut doors and trim, and period furniture create an elegant step back in time. Each of the four main suites with private baths contains an eclectic assortment of antiques and furniture, as does the parlor and sitting rooms.

Pilot Knob Bed and Breakfast http://www.pilotknobinn.com The Pilot Knob Inn is a blend of luxurious suites and six, secluded, 100-year old tobacco barn cabins. Jacuzzis, hot tubs and a host of amenities adorn the suites and cabins in a remote and tranquil setting. And, as expected, every guest will savor a hearty breakfast.

WHERE TO DINE The Sobatto Manor on Pine Street is a 1932 Tudor Revival mansion that maintains its original décor. It is one of several outstanding bed and breakfast options when staying in Mount Airy. [photo by Bill Bauer]

20 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

The Loaded Goat http://www.theloadedgoat.com The Loaded Goat, on City Hall Street, is Mount

Airy’s only locally owned, family-friendly sports pub and grill, where lunch and dinner are served seven days a week.

13 Bones http://eat13bones.com 13 Bones is just out of town on the Andy Griffith Parkway, offering casual dining with a hometown atmosphere. The name comes from its signature baby back ribs, which in order to be a full rack must have 13 bones. In addition to ribs, a complete menu features steaks, chicken, seafood, pork and sandwiches, as well as appetizers.

Chase and Charli By the River http://chaseandcharli.weebly.com Chase and Charli By the River, whose motto is “Good Food, Good Friends, Good Times,” is on Main Street. Appetizers, seafood and beef and chicken entrees are their specialty. Chase and Charli is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

WHERE TO “WINED” IT UP Old North State Winery http://oldnorthstatewinery.com JOLO Vineyards http://jolovineyards.com Round Peak Vineyard http://roundpeak.com

ing the month-long celebration.

Even the must-see Andy Griffith Museum takes on a holiday look.

Since opening in late 2009, visitors from all 50 states and 43 foreign countries have walked through the doors. The late Emmett Forrest, a schoolmate and close personal friend of Griffith, found a true home for his 25-year collection of treasures before his passing.

“Every piece is like one of my children. Anything he (Griffith) ever did is in that museum. It’s a lovely tribute to Andy and a great museum for people to enjoy,” Emmet once said.

If you’re lucky, you might meet Betty Lynn, who played Thelma Lou on the show. Now a permanent resident of Mount Airy, Lynn frequents the museum often poised to greet visitors and reminisce.

Fruit of the Vine Mount Airy and nearby Pilot Mountain are also home to three of Yadkin Valley’s finest wineries, providing another opportunity for holiday revelers.

Just over a decade ago the valley was designated an American Viticultural Area, and the appellation continues to emerge as a premier wine region for the East Coast.

Old North State Winery, famous for its ever-popular Fish Hippie brand of wines and apparel, is located on Main Street.

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Today the Round Peak Vineyards’ team offers awardwinning dry French and Italian varietals under the Round Peak label, and an assortment of white, red and rose semi-dry and semi-sweet wines under the Skull Camp name. [photo by Sam Dean]

Friday Chef’s Specials

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Good times are all the time at JOLO Winery and Vineyards. The winery’s End Posts restaurant features chefs who work in an open kitchen behind the tasting bar. [photo courtesy of JOLO Vineyards]

Monday - Saturday 4-10 p.m.

Reservations strongly encouraged

WINTER 2016 › 21

One of the newest members of the budding wine industry in the Yadkin Valley is JOLO Winery and Vineyards. Pilot Mountain is the view out the back door of the tasting room and eatery. [photo by Hobart Jones]

Its other signature wine, Restless Soul, gets its name from the skeletal remains of an arm that were discovered during a reconstruction phase and reports of paranormal activity by some of the workers.

The tasting bar is open seven days a week, and typically is pouring between 12-15 wines and several craft beers daily. The Downtown Deli in the tasting room serves lunch and dinner. Tuesday is Shag Night, and music is also on tap Wednesday through Saturday.

Just a short drive from the Mount Airy exit on I-77, but secluded and surrounded by rolling hills, is Round Peak Vineyards.

Owners Ken Gulaian and Kari Heerdt discovered their passion for small, family owned wineries while working in San Francisco, and jumped at the chance to own their own. After returning to North Carolina in 2008, they purchased Round Peak, and Ken went from tasting wine to creating wine, learning the process in Surry Community College’s renowned enology and viticulture program. Today the Round Peak team proudly offers award-winning dry French and Italian varietals under the Round Peak label, and an enticing assortment of white, red and 22 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

rose semi-dry and semi-sweet wines under the Skull Camp name.

“We take pride in focusing on creating the best wines we possibly can from the grapes grown on our own property,” said Gulaian.

“And, during the holiday season we create several unique wines and beers, including our Jack’s Nouveau, which is a young wine made from the grapes we just harvested in September, our Bourbon Barrel Bonfire, an old English style ale, and our Jack’s Frost, a new mint chocolate stout.”

One of the newest members of the budding wine industry in the Yadkin Valley is JOLO Winery and Vineyards in Pilot Mountain.

Named after owners, operators and winemakers JW and Kristen Ray’s sons, Joey and Logan, JOLO’s tasting room and End Posts restaurant opened its doors to the public April 1, 2014, releasing its first vintage.

“We want this to be a very personable and upscale boutique experience where time, effort and thought are put into each of the tastings,” said JW. The Rays searched up and down the East Coast for the perfect place to start a winery and found 81 acres with ideal land

for growing grapes. Its rolling hills are south-facing with topography that allows for excellent drainage, and one of the most noticeable geographic features in North Carolina is visible throughout the sprawling property.

“Basically, our backyard is Pilot Mountain,” Ray said.

As for its intimate 24-seat End Posts restaurant, Ray wants it to be as iconic as Pilot’s rocky knob. Chefs work in an open kitchen behind the tasting bar.

“There are a lot of open kitchens, but I don’t know of a tasting room that has a restaurant inside,” explained Ray. “We want it to be a true dining experience set amidst rustic elegance.”

It’s been over 50 years since the only Christmas episode on The Andy Griffith Show was first aired, and while much has changed in Mount Airy and Pilot Mountain, the charm and simplicity of Andy’s fictional Mayberry and Mount Pilot remain intact.

Whether it’s a winery, a bed and breakfast, a restaurant or any one of the shops that line historic Main Street, the holiday spirit is alive there and well worth a visit. n

BodyBalance is a Total Body Integration Center We focus on three primary areas: ACUPUNCTURE While many people are aware that acupuncture is helpful in reducing pain, they often are not aware that it does much more. To put Chinese medicine in perspective, realize that acupuncture and herbal medicine were primary care in ancient China and were used to treat infections, injuries, and chronic diseases.

NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY By definition, neuromuscular therapy is the utilization of static pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body (muscles, tendons and connective tissue) to balance the central nervous system. Some of our patients include the Clemson Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams, Olympic rowers and professional ball players.

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by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900’s. Pilates believed in a system he created which uses the mind to control the body. This is called “contrology” and is used to strengthen, lengthen and provide flexibility to the core or “powerhouse.” We are the only facility in the Upstate to offer work on the mat as well as classical Pilates apparatus such as the reformer and wall unit.

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At BodyBalance of Seneca we offer Sequential Movement Therapy which is a combination of Pilates-based stretches and exercises to help lengthen and bring flexibility back to the body. This is then further enhanced with neuromusclar therapy to reduce strain in the soft tissue of the body. The integrated dry needling (acupuncture) will further promote the body’s ability to heal itself with proper oxygen and blood flow.

If you can’t decided which form of therapy is for you, try out our Sampler Package as a wonderful gift idea for yourself or a loved one.

Details can be found on our website at www.bodybalanceofseneca.com.

WINTER 2016 › 23

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24 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

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BURSTING WITHBULBS AT THE HoLIDAYS Biltmore offers splendor from the ground up story by Brett McLaughlin | photos courtesy of Biltmore Estates

Some 300 precisely placed luminaries line the walls, encircle the fountain and light the pathways to The Biltmore front entrance during Christmas at Biltmore candlelight tours that continue through January.

26 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

SIMPLY STATED, THERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE CHRISTMAS AT THE BILTMORE ESTATE. George W. Vanderbilt’s 250-room French Renaissance chateau and renowned gardens are astounding during any season, but the holidays bring out the estate’s best. The elegance and historic significance of Biltmore multiplies several fold, transporting visitors to an idyllic time and place far removed from the blur of today’s hectic holiday season.

The tranquil simplicity of any Biltmore visit is rooted in the labors of a legion of Estate employees, to whom many additional duties fall during the Christmas season.

Nell Swann and Travis Murray are two such employees. And, while both of their jobs involve working with some of the millions of “bulbs” enjoyed by Biltmore guests, those bulbs, and their responsibilities couldn’t be more different.

Illuminating the Estate America’s largest home is adorned for Christmas with more than 70 precisely

decorated trees, miles of garland and thousands of bulbs — some that glitter, many that glisten and others that provide simple pathways to The Biltmore experience.

This year’s theme of “Hearth and Home” draws on stories of the Vanderbilt family’s hospitality, emphasizing the home’s many fireplaces, which are adorned with extravagant decorations. However, before visitors ever experience the warm glow of a fireplace, they are witness to work supervised by Nell Swann.

As the second shift facility services crew leader, Swann oversees eight people whose responsibility it is to see that everything is set up for the candlelight tours of Biltmore that begin at 6 p.m. each day. That involves everything from making sure the fireplaces are lit to seeing that the musicians in the Wintergarden have their music stands and extension cords.

It also involves the placing of some 300 luminaries throughout the estate.

{above} As the second shift facility services crew leader, Nell Swann oversees eight people whose responsibility it is to see that everything is set up for the candlelight tours of Biltmore. Here, she helps light one of the 300 luminaries made and set out each day. {below} Luminaries are a glowing example of the detail that goes into preparation of the estate for holiday visitors. Here, a worker completes placing the light along the main entrance of the estate.

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The luminaries are a glowing example of the detail that goes into preparation of the estate for holiday visitors.

“We make the luminaries every day,” Swann explained, “and pick them up every night.

They are just bags with sand and a candle and you really can’t reuse them.”

As the shift begins, three people are assigned to put sand in the bags, 150 of which

have been placed on each of two boards. The candles are then placed in the bags and the boards are loaded onto trucks. The first stop is at the ramp deuce, a stone ramp located midway between the home and the statue of Diana that stands on a hill overlooking the front of The Biltmore. The ramp deuce requires 70 luminaries. Once the wall is set and the candles lit, workers place 14 luminaries around

Nell Swann makes a final check of the precisely placed luminaries that guide visitors to the front entrance of The Biltmore Estate every night during the Christmas season. The distance between each of the 300 lights is measured as new luminaries are put out each day.

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the fountain in front of the home, making sure that each bag sits precisely on every-other mortar joint.

The remaining pathway luminaries are then placed near the estate entrance and leading up to the home. Again, precision is important. Female workers are instructed to place luminaries at every seven paces; men, every five paces.

“It requires some training,” Swann said. “We had two new people this year so we had a training day for them and a refresher for the rest of the staff.”

Picking up the luminaries is a task that falls to the third shift.

“There can be as many as 10,000 guests here on some nights and some of them are still here at midnight,” said Swann, who has been working at Biltmore for 16 years and as a shift supervisor for 13 years.

“It’s a great job. It’s hectic, especially at the holidays, but you get to meet people from all over the world. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the busiest days so we kind of enjoy the early part of the week,” she said with a chuckle. “The estate is a great place to work, and they always make sure that every employee either has Christmas Eve or Christmas Day off.”

Bulbs of a Different Kind The “bulbs” at the center of Travis Murray’s world during the holidays are totally different.

They don’t glow in the dark, and they sure aren’t rooted in sand. In fact, the fruits of his labor aren’t realized until spring when the renowned Biltmore Gardens come to life.

‘DESIGNED FOR DRAMA: FASHION FROM THE CLASSICS’ COMING TO BILTMORE A collection of classic literary works and the popular movies that brought them to life will be celebrated in “Designed for Drama: Fashion from the Classics,” Biltmore’s newest exhibition of award-winning costumes and objects from the Biltmore collection.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alicia Vikander are pictured in a scene Set for February 10 through July 4, from “Anna Karenina.” Costumes from the film will be on display the exhibition is inspired by favorite in Biltmore House when “Designed for Drama: Fashion from the Classics” opens on February 10. [photo courtesy of Universal stories in George Vanderbilt’s Pictures Limited] 22,000-volume library. More than 40 elaborate costumes from recent films will be displayed in Biltmore House, including a costume worn by Robert Downey Jr. in “Sherlock Holmes” and Nicole Kidman’s Isabel Archer costume from “The Portrait of a Lady.”

The film fashions will be displayed along with the original books from Vanderbilt’s library that served as cinematic inspiration. The clothing reveals the attention to detail involved in period costume design.

Vanderbilt began to read at a very young age, and was once dubbed by the New York media as “one of the best read men in the country.”

At age 12, he started keeping a record of books read, numbered consecutively, including the title and author of each work completed. These journals log 38 years and 3,159 books and will be on display during this exhibition.

The exhibition will also give insight into the eclectic and varied interests that led Vanderbilt to collect more than 22,000 volumes before his death.

Admission to “Designed for Drama: Fashion The costume worn by Nicole Kidman in “The Portrait from the Classics” is included in the general of a Lady” will be on display in Biltmore House. [photo admission ticket price.

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Specifically, Murray oversees the estate’s popular Walled Garden, one of six specific gardens — rose, spring, shrub, Italian and azalea being the others — designed

by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture.

As crew leader, Murray is responsible for designing the layout and overseeing the planting of bulbs, including some 100,000 tulip bulbs that will serve as the centerpiece for “Biltmore Blooms,” the estate’s annual spring extravaganza of fragrance and color (mid-March until the end of May).

From the week before Thanksgiving until nearly Christmas six gardeners are busy planting the bulbs that will grow into a design that Murray began working on more than a year earlier.

“The design part has become pretty much second nature for me now,” said Murray, who was born and raised on a Haywood County (NC) farm and began working in a wholesale nursery at the age of 14. “I think I’m an artistic person at heart, and I like to handdraw my designs and color them so I can visualize and do color comparisons.

“You have to start a year in advance. It takes two months just to work with the 30 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

{above} Travis Murray is shown planting some of the nearly 100,000 tulip bulbs that are purchased direct from Holland and planted at Biltmore each fall. {at top} Nearly 100,000 tulip bulbs planted at Biltmore will serve as the centerpiece for “Biltmore Blooms,” the estate’s annual spring extravaganza of fragrance and color.

The daffodils are already growers and seed companies and develop in bloom as Travis Murray contacts,” he continued, noting that, in the and another member of his case of the tulips, all the bulbs come from crew put down compost Holland. “I might need 20,000 of a parin one of the estate’s rose ticular bulb and not every grower has that garden areas. many.”

Murray actually does more than one design each year.

“I might decide on this particular pink bulb, but I also have two backups,” he explained. “Plants are plants. Sometimes they don’t grow; the bulbs die, but if you’re proactive enough you have it covered.”

Murray said sometimes his designs are intricate, with a lot of detail, leaving him room for change.

Nothing is ever the same,” he said.

Along with daffodils, the tulips are the first display of the season.

Azaleas and mountain laurels follow closely.

Murray’s goal is to get four weeks of good color from the tulip varieties. With eight bulbs in each row, two are expected to display early, four in the midweeks and two late, assuring that six varieties are blooming at all times.

“There’s constant pressure to make the gardens as big and beautiful as possible year-round” he said, “but Christmas allows us to catch our breath a little. We just have to make sure we get everything in the ground on time.” n

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To learn more about Christmas at Biltmore or Biltmore Blooms, visit: biltmore.com or call 800.411.3812.

Some of the 100,000 tulip bulbs imported from Holland line the roads entering Biltmore Estate. Many others are among the first blooms in the Walled Garden, which is the centerpiece of the estate’s annual spring festival, Biltmore Blooms.

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Fill your 12 days of Christmas with fun!

C

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hristmas is a time for making memories with family and friends.

In the event your family — be it just the two of you or a van full of children and grandchildren — is looking for fresh and fun new ways to celebrate the season, we have compiled a “12 Days of Christmas” list. Pick one, several, or, if your energy is boundless, put checks down the entire list.

Some events are in our Upstate backyard while a few will take you into nearby North Carolina, and still others make a drive to Atlanta well worth the trip.

IN THE UPSTATE A Journey to the Manger The folks at the United Methodist Church in Simpsonville remind us of the true reason we celebrate the season with their annual “A Journey to the Manger” production.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, December 9-11, members of the congregation share the message of Jesus’ birth by means of a live, drive-through production.

Visitors enjoy authentic costumes, architectural displays, live animals and get a glimpse of historic sights and sounds from biblical Bethlehem.

The event takes place from 6-8 p.m. each evening. The church is located at 215 SE Main St. in Simpsonville. For more information and to verify the production time, visit: www.simpsonvilleumc.org/journey-to-the-manger; or call 864.967.3071

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Christmas in Old Pendleton Take a journey back in time on the first weekend in December.

That’s when families can realize a historic holiday compliments of the Pendleton Historic District. This year’s event offers a new twist that will bring visitors into town for a unique chance to tour several historic private homes, all decorated for the holidays.

For many years this event has showcased Ashtabula Plantation, but this year tours will finish up with a stop at Woodburn Historic House for refreshments.

Check the website: pendletonhistoricfoundation.org for more information on tour times and costs.

Roper Mountain Lights There are many wonderful holiday light shows in the Upstate, but one of the most acclaimed is the Roper Mountain Lights in Greenville. The Roper Mountain Science Center creates a beautiful lights display every holiday season. Just look for the giant star among the trees! It’s a drive-thru display so you’re able to pay just one fee and avoid the cold by staying in your car. You do, however, have the option to get out at a certain point so that you can pay a visit to Santa.

The Roper Mountain Holiday Lights is open from 6-10 p.m. through December 30.

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Safari Santa If grandchildren are in town, the place to be on December 3 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. is the Greenville Zoo, 150 Cleveland Park Drive.

12 days of Christmas fun Safari Santa offers children of all ages a chance to enjoy the zoo and have photos taken with Santa. The first 100 children to greet Santa will receive a free cookie and milk. As part of the event, some of the zoo animals will have their own Christmas tree and will enjoy a variety of enriching treats.

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Ice on Main Whether you are a transplanted northerner who gets an occasional urge for a taste of the winters you once knew, or simply a born in the South native who has learned about the fun to be had with a pair of ice skates, you need to find your way to Greenville, where Ice on Main, has become part of the holiday celebration.

Located on Village Green, in front of the Courtyard Marriott in downtown through January 16, admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. Skate rental is available. While operating hours vary slightly on school break days and on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and day, regular operating hours are Monday – Thursday, 2-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

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NORTH CAROLINA IS CALLING Santa on the Chimney This event in Chimney Rock, NC, was recently named one of the “Strangest Places to See St. Nick” by Yahoo Travel and has been named one of the “8 Most Extreme Santas in the World” by Buzzfeed. If that’s not enough to get you on the road to one of the Upstate’s most visited attractions, maybe sheer curiosity will.

Didn’t you ever wonder how Santa is able to climb down millions of chimneys around the world in a single night? The answer is, he prac-

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12 days of Christmas fun tices, of course. And, on December 3 and 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., you will have your chance to witness Santa’s daring stunt as he practices on one of the world’s largest chimneys with multiple 200-foot rappels.

Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live holiday music, hot cocoa, cookies and kids’ activities, meet live Park animal educators and more. It’s all sponsored by Coffee on the Rocks in Chimney Rock Village, and you can get more information at: www.bitily/chimneyrockxmas\

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Shape note singing This historic form of community singing will be held at St. John’s Historic Church in Rutherfordton on December 10-11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Shape notes, introduced in 1801, were added to the note heads in written music to help singers find pitches within the scales without the use of more complex information found in key signatures on the staff.

Shape notes of various kinds have been used for over two centuries in a variety of music traditions, mostly sacred but also secular. Originating in New England shape note

singing was practiced primarily in the South for many years, but is now experiencing a renaissance nationwide.

This community event offers singers an opportunity to join their voices in a unique form of music, and for others to simply listen and learn why there is a shape note revival underway across the country.

Saturday will feature the 2010 version of The Christian Harmony, while the 1991 edition of The Sacred Harp will be featured on Sunday.

For more information, contact Dot

Lane at 828.287.0508 or Jane Spencer at 706.410.0982, or email: jcspencer59@gmail. com.

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Christmas at Connemara Literature, history and the holidays all come together on December 17 as the National Park Service celebrates Christmas at Connemara, honoring the life and works of renowned American author and poet Carl Sandburg.

Musicians and storytellers will perform traditional holiday stories and music from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the garage adjacent to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site near Flat Rock, NC. Craft making will be free in the bookstore from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and hot cider and cookies will be served. This free festive celebration honors the Sandburg family holiday tradition.

Until January 6, the house will be decorated in the simple style of the Sandburg’s with poinsettias and a traditionally decorated Christmas tree. There is a small fee to tour the home.

For more information, call 828.693.4178 or visit: www.nps.gov/carl

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12 days of Christmas fun

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The Polar Express Great Smoky Mountains Railroad features Polar Express train rides through January 1. The 1 1/4-hour, round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City, NC, depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express, greeting children and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to Bryson City.

A steam-powered locomotive option of The Polar Express is new this year.

View the schedule for departure times and pricing options, and make reservations by calling 800.872.4681 or by visiting: GSMR.com.

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THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF THE CITY Atlanta Lighting Spectaculars Rated by National Geographic as one of the Top 10 Christmas Light Displays in the World, Callaway Gardens’ Fantasy In Lights in Pine Mountain, GA, (thru January 2) is truly a wondrous sight to behold. The centerpiece is a 5-mile drive lined with 8 million lights, divided thematically into 14 sections that include “Snowflake Valley” and “Magical Christmas Garden,” with festive Christmas music playing throughout. There are also narrated scenes of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and The Nativity; a Christmas Village offering holiday gifts and collectibles, food and photo ops with Santa and Rudolph; and a “Jolly Trolley” tour for those who’d prefer not to drive their own cars.

Also in Atlanta, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave., has another fabulous light display featuring more than one million colorful lights. This annual celebration of the season brightens the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s 30 acres with one million colorful LED lights.

All of the garden’s pathways will be lit with stars shining down from a canopy of hardwood trees, teal and blue lights illuminating a stretch of crepe myrtles, and a 27-foot tall tree next to a fountain that reflects the twinkling lights in enchanting patterns. There’s a strong nature theme

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12 days of Christmas fun throughout, as guests walk past giant snowflakes, bumblebees and a huge “praying Santa mantis” while listening to strolling carolers and sipping hot cocoa or tea. The event continues through January 7, from 5-10 p.m. For pricing information and to purchase tickets in advance, visit: http://atlantabg.org/visit/events/garden-lights.

Editor’s note: Other holiday light extravaganzas in the Atlanta area include the Lighting of Atlantic Station, Festival of the SEAson at Georgia Aquarium, A Stone Mountain Christmas, Holiday in Lights at Centennial Olympic Park, Magical Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier Islands and the Gift of Lights show at Atlanta Motor. Check online for times, dates and fees.

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“A Celtic Christmas … … Music, Dance and the Soul of the Season” will take place at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University, 80 Forsyth St. NW, on December 17-18. Celebrate the solstice season with the music and dance of the ages! Fiddlers, dancers, harpers, singers, Highland pipers, and bards from the Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Appalachian traditions have enchanted Atlanta audiences for years in this family friendly event.

Admission is $25+; for more information or to secure tickets, call 404.413.9849.

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A Stone Mountain Christmas This annual celebration at Stone Mountain Park is a family tradition for thousands of people across the Southeast.

For six weeks, two million lights light up Crossroads Village, and the mountain’s famous carving is illuminated by a Christmas-themed laser show with optional hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows. There are also nightly Christmas parades featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, sing-along train rides, photo ops with a beautiful Snow Angel and, new this year, are two iconic North Pole favorites, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster. Kids of all ages can meet these two heartwarming characters or catch them in the nightly Christmas parade!

Named by USA Today as one of the 10 best places in the country to catch Santa Claus, Stone Mountain Christmas continues through January 7, featuring a new 4-D experience and skylights spectacular as well as a host of live performances including The Littlest Christmas Tree, Forever Christmas, Holly Jolly Cabaret and A Christmas Carol.

Also included in the Christmas admission tickets are regular Stone Mountain Park features, including Summit Skyride, the Discovering Stone Mountain Museum and the Historic Square and Farmyard. n

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High Country resorts adding hops to their hills

DISCOVER THE ‘BREW SKI’ story by Bill Bauer photos Sam Dean Photography

Beer lovers can stroll through an onsite brewery and imbibe in the Bavarian Village at the base of Beech Mountain or grab a cold one at the Sky Bar, a one-of-a-kind food and beverage stop at the top of the mountain.

38 ‹‹ UPSTATE UPSTATE LAKE LAKE LIVING LIVING 38

A

près ski refers to what skiers do after a funfilled day on the slopes.

But, in the High Country of North Carolina, anchored by the town of Boone, après ski has taken on new meaning as three breweries have emerged to quench the thirst of customers flocking to a trio of top-notch ski resorts and the East Coast’s largest snow tubing park.

Yes, “Brew Ski,” has added another dimension to what has already been known to many outdoor enthusiasts — skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, skaters and tubers — as a premier winter destination.

Boone is a relaxing drive from the Upstate, and the perfect base camp for a ski getaway. From there, skiers, boarders, tubers and skaters can easily access the slopes of Appalachian Ski Mtn., Beech Mountain Resort, Sugar Mountain Resort or Hawksnest Tubing Park.

Visitors will also find themselves in the heart of the new “Brew Ski” experience being forged by The Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Lost Province Brewing Company in downtown Boone, and the Beech Mountain Brewery at the ski resort.

The three ski areas are alike in that they utilize modern snowmaking techniques to cover their terrain and provide enjoyable skiing. But, they’re different in slope size and steepness, offering unique opportunities for skiers of all ages and abilities.

Home of the South’s largest vertical drop (1,200 feet), Sugar Mountain in Banner Elk is the largest of the resorts with 125 skiable acres.

Even marketing director Kim Jochl, a former world junior gold medalist in giant slalom, was amazed with the variety and steepness she found when she came to the High Country.

“It’s almost like a hideaway place, but a lot of people are discovering the jewels we have here,” said Jochl.

The recent opening of the Gunther’s Way ski trail, the relocation of a lift to mid-mountain and the addition of the Summit Express — a high speed, detachable, six-passenger chairlift — have increased the mountain’s uphill transportation capacity to 10,520 people per hour, making long lift lines and congestion on the slopes a thing of the past.

Sugar offers skiers from novice to expert a rewarding day on its 5,300foot mountain, but it’s not the only activity at the resort. There is snow tubing, ice skating and snowshoeing. A spacious lodge is home to the Last Run Lounge bar and restaurant, where the local microbrews are featured.

{above} Sugar Mountain offers skiers from novice to expert a rewarding day on its 5,300-foot mountain. The resort also offers snow tubing, ice skating and snowshoeing for snow lovers of all ages. {below} At Beech Mountain’s Sky Bar, samples of several different ales can be purchased and enjoyed. [photo by Brett McLaughlin]

WINTER 2016 › 39

A Family Tradition In this age of corporate conglomerations in almost every industry, ski resorts in the High Country are still independently owned; nowhere is that more evident than at Appalachian Ski Mtn. near Blowing Rock, where the Moretz family has been at the helm for nearly all of the resort’s 51 years.

At 4,000 feet, Appalachian Ski Mtn. is known as the family-friendly resort able to produce more snow per acre than practically any ski area in the East. With the right conditions, huge snowmaking machines can dump two feet of snow on the entire mountain in two days, and keep it there longer!

Arriving at its 46,000-square foot Bavarian lodge, guests get an expansive view of the resort’s 12 slopes, six lifts and three terrain parks, which are generally considered the best in the region. The mountain is also home to the world famous French-Swiss Ski College, which has given more than a million lessons.

Terrain Park Supervisor Drew Stanley, has implemented a Park Pass, which includes an orientation video and certification test for daredevils who choose to take on the everchanging features of the terrain parks.

Appalachian Ski Mtn. also recently introduced a unique “Flex Ticket” ski pass.

“With this new pass, skiers can decide when they want to ski,” said Brad Moretz. “The ticket is good for eight hours of skiing, whether you arrive at 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. It’s skiing on your schedule.”

Atop the Mountain Forty-nine years ago, North Carolina skiing soared to new heights with the opening of Beech Mountain Resort.

40 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

{at left} Formerly a ski resort, Hawksnest is home to the East Coast’s largest snow tubing park and a special Snowbird Zipline Tour. {below} Four interconnected tubing areas include more than 30 tubing lanes between 400 to 1,000 feet.

They all combine with two moving carpet lifts that continuously take tubers back to the top for another ride. [photo Courtesy of Hawksnest Tubing]

At 5,506 feet, the resort was — and still is — the highest east of the Rockies.

With annual snowfall of 84.6 inches and the recent addition of 19 highperformance snow guns, Beech has the combination of natural and man-made resources to provide solid ski conditions throughout the ups and downs of a Southern winter. The resort has 95 skiable acres on which there are 15 slopes and seven lifts, including a high-speed quad that allows skiers to spend more time on the slopes and less time waiting in line. In fact, Gil Adams, director of skier services at Beech, once logged 25,000 vertical feet of skiing in one day.

A new, self-contained terrain park, with advanced lighting and a dedicated surface lift, was unveiled this season, opening up more ski terrain on the slopes. Beech Mountain Resort features an Alpine Village that includes a bakery, ice-skating rink and the newly opened snow tubing park. The lighted park is adjacent to the ice skating rink and features long runs with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“The catalyst for the park was to add more amenities for our guests,” said General Manager Ryan Costin. “Visitors this year will also notice a thorough renovation of the Beech Tree Bar & Grill.”

A new, self-contained terrain park, with advanced lighting and a dedicated surface lift, was unveiled at Beech Mountain Resort this season, opening up more ski terrain on the slopes for both day and evening skiing.

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Beer lovers can stroll through the onsite brewery and imbibe or grab a cold one at the Sky Bar, a one-of-a-kind food and beverage stop at the top of the mountain.

By Land or By Air A thrilling winter experience either on the snow or in the air awaits at Hawksnest Resort in the nearby town of Seven Devils.

Formerly a ski resort, Hawksnest is home to the East Coast’s largest snow tubing park and a special Snowbird Zipline Tour.

Four interconnected tubing areas include more than 30 tubing lanes between 400 to 1,000 feet in length. They all combine with two moving carpet lifts that continuously take tubers back to the top for another ride. One hundred percent snowmaking and lighting on all lanes provides the best possible conditions for the entire family.

And, if you care for the overhead view, four zip line cables (part of an 11 cable summer system) provide 1.5-2 hours of highflying excitement.

Before, during and after, Hawksnest provides eats and drinks in their lodge.

{above} At 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain Resort is the highest peak east of the Rockies. With annual snowfall of 84.6 inches and 19 snow guns, Beech has the combination of natural and man-made resources to provide solid ski conditions throughout a Southern winter. {below} As day turns into night, the views from Appalachian Ski Mtn. are simply breathtaking.

42 ‚ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

Putting the “Brew” in the “Brew Ski” Microbreweries produce small quantities of beer and are independently owned. They place their emphasis on quality, flavor and brewing technique, and are known for concocting ale, beer and cider with a personal touch, displaying the creativity and passion of the brew master.

The Lost Province Brewing Company, in addition to offering a wide selection of authentic and innovative beers, is a gastro pub serving savory, wood-fired fare from an extensive menu. Lost Province, in downtown Boone, incorporates its brews into many of its dishes while using as much locally grown, organic ingredients from the High Country as possible.

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“Brew Ski,” has added another dimension to what North Carolina High Country enthusiasts — skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, skaters and tubers — have longed enjoyed as a premier winter destination.

Sustainability is the key ingredient in the recipe for Appalachian Mtn. Brewery’s success. Utilizing solar panels for power, creating rain gardens, exchanging spent grain with local farmers and constructing bike stations to encourage cycling as a mode of transportation, Appalachian Mtn. Brewery is all about partnering with neighbors, who have adopted a mission to protect the natural environment.

An extensive selection of award-winning beers and ales is offered is a tasting room that borders Boone and Hodges Creeks and where a 120-foot long outdoor bar beckons imbibers. A covered, heated porch for the winter months creates the perfect setting for sipping their savory brews. In addition, the Farm to Flame food truck featuring wood-fired street food is always parked outside.

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Coming off the slopes at Beech Mountain, it is hard not to stop at the Beech Tree Bar & Grill, view the brewing process and sample beers in the tasting room. As one of only a handful of U.S. breweries owned and operated by a ski area, the brewery is dedicated to the action sports enthusiast. But, you don’t have to be a skier to visit or attend any events.

The Beech Mountain Brewing Co. is accessible for all patrons, and you do not have to participate in resort activities to visit.

“There’s so much to see and do away from the slopes,” says Wright Tilley of the Boone Tourism Development Authority. “We offer activities, lodging and dining that you might only expect to find in a larger metropolitan area.” n For information on skiing and tubing conditions, special events, hours of operation, viewing live cams and lodging options visit: www.appskimtn.com; www.beechmountainresort.com; www. skisugar.com; www.hawksnesttubing. com; www.highcountryhost.com or www.beechmtn.com.

Lost Province Brewery, in downtown Boone, incorporates its brews into many of its dishes while using as much locally grown, organic ingredients from the High Country as possible.

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HOW TO QUALIFY We will ask everyone who would like to be considered for the Coliseum Club to sign a capital gift pledge form for the minimum of $25,000 per pair. The pledge is payable over five years, may be tax deductible and will contribute to your IPTAY Priority Points. In addition, one must be an IPTAY Annual member at the IPTAY($3,200) Level or above. For more information and/or to reserve your seats today, contact Director of IPTAY Premium Seating Kyle Shields by phone at 864-656-3945 or by email at krshiel@clemson.edu.

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Roughly half of the members of The Dixie Keys, along with vocalist Phyllis Morgan, recently assembled at the Keowee Key Club. Pictured are: front, left to right, Fred Powers, Lloyd Carmen, Lorraine Mukerji and Bill Sharp; back row, Jim Brandon, Marshall Whitten, Tom Jenkins and Dave Johnson.

For the love of music

Dixie Keys echoes Big Band sounds across the lake story and photos by Brett McLaughlin

W

hen it comes to their musical talents, most members of The Dixie Keys don’t blow their own horns.

They should. They’re that good.

But, instead, they would rather sit down and entertain you, playing “big band” songs many of them grew up with … tunes that take you back to another place and time.

Members of the Keowee Key-based orchestra joke that they play for free food or an occasional beer, but it’s really no joke. They generally do play for free, their 46 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

talents often benefiting one charity or another. If money does change hands, it goes into a pot to be used for purchasing more music.

An eclectic group of professionals and retirees, they are bonded by a love of music that dates back, for many, to high school or college. They are masterful musicians whose talents are accentuated by the fact that they clearly enjoy one another’s company. It’s not uncommon to hear a lighthearted joke about one section of the band or another. Even when trumpet player Lorraine Mukerji notes that, “We complain a lot,” other members smile and nod agreement.

“We’ve raised it (complaining) to an art form,” chuckles fellow trumpeter Dave Johnson, who runs a dental equipment lab by day.

“We have issues about what we’re going to wear,” replies Mukerji, the only female in the band.

But, when the drummer settles in, the bassist finds his spot, the vocalist picks up her mic, five saxes take their seats in the front row and the trumpets and trombones fill in their ranks, everyone gets serious about making music.

It is something The Dixie Keys has been doing since 1986 when Bill Startzman would leave the door of his Keowee Key home open while practicing his trumpet. The sounds wafted across a cove to the home of Jim O’Day who echoed the melodies back to Startzman on his clarinet. Neither man knew from where the sounds came, but each set out to find out …

Bill by canoe and Jim by car.

When they finally found each other, the idea of organizing a band quickly emerged.

Word spread throughout the community and, as current sax and clarinet player Fred Powers, a retired patent and international trade attorney, recalled, “Pretty soon, like The Birth of the Blues lyrics, ‘the band had grown ’til they had a slide trombone and a man who played piano…’”

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Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season. Contact me for all of your mortgage needs this holiday season and in the year to come. {clockwise from top} Baritone sax player Fred Powers is part of the joint leadership effort that evolved after the death of founder and front man Jim O’Day in 1996. • Lorraine Mukerji and Bill Sharp are part of the brass contingent in The Dixie Keys.

The ensemble features 15 members and a vocalist, all of whom thrive on the sounds of the Big Band era. • Lloyd Carmen is the oldest current member. He started playing the violin in the fifth grade and played in bands throughout high school and college. A retired engineering manager, he currently plays in three different bands.

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Specializing in a Dixieland style, the group debuted at the Keowee Key Club in 1987. After a packed house responded enthusiastically, O’Day, the obvious leader at the time, turned his thoughts to expanding the group and playing big band dance music.

As more musical retirees arrived in the community, they were recruited to the band. As some died and others moved away, the ever-changing membership reached out to other Upstate communities and across state lines into North Carolina and Georgia.

When O’Day died in 1996, The Dixie Keys lost its esteemed musical anchor, but others joined in making leadership a joint effort, a system that has prevailed through the years. Two years ago the last founding member died.

Today, the band is at full strength with 15-16 members, Morgan on vocals and a trio of talented players who fill in as needed. The Dixieland group that gave rise to today’s ensemble remains as an

48 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

8-piece adjunct, made up entirely of big band members.

“We are a typical big band,” Powers explained.

“We have five saxophones, four trumpets, five trombones, a piano, drums and a bass player. The sax players are supposed to be in front and that’s how we set things up, just like the big bands.

The Dixie Keys is shown during a recent benefit performance at the Westminster Music Hall. [photo courtesy of Fred Powers]

“There’s a lot of talent in Keowee Key, but I think we only have three members that live in the community now,” he added.

Arranging the two sets that make up each performance is a task that has fallen to Johnson. He selects both slow and upbeat tunes from an active library of 200 songs.

“We’ve got 800 in file cabinets, some of them handwritten, but the audience has certain expectations. People like to hear familiar tunes so about half of each set has those songs,” Johnson said, referring to hits like "In the Mood," "Tuxedo Junction" and "Moonlight Serenade."

Now in his 80s, saxophonist Lloyd Carmen is the

A recent performance by several Dixie Keys members at Duke World of Energy drew a capacity crowd. [photo courtesy of Fred Powers]

WINTER 2016 › 49

oldest current member. He started playing the violin in the fifth grade and played in bands throughout high school and college.

A retired engineering manager, he stopped playing when he had to make enough money to raise his family, but eventually found his way back. Today, he plays in three different bands.

Marshall Whitten is the newest Dixie Keys member, adding his trombone and harmonica skills this past winter. A jazz band member in college, he currently runs his own band out of Pelzer, playing keyboard, drums and guitar.

“I plug a hole with a note,” he quipped when asked about the diverse instruments he plays.

Current vocalist Phyllis Morgan is the wife of a former St. Mark’s United Methodist Church pastor. Someone heard her singing in church and asked her to join when the vocalist position opened.

“I’m not signing hymns anymore,” she said jokingly.

Asked about being the only female band member, Mukerji explained that in French, Spanish and Italian, the word “music” is feminine.

“But in English, and in The Dixie Keys,” she said, “music doesn’t have a gender.

These guys are absolute gentlemen, and

we’re all just music lovers.”

Other regular members of The Dixie Keys and their backgrounds include: • Tom Jenkins (trumpet): a recently retired Clemson professor and recognized expert in the field of animal husbandry, he now serves as a consultant worldwide; • Dale Linville (saxophone): a retired Clemson meteorology professor; • George Kaddaras (drums): operates a business in New England from his home in Keowee Key; • Donny Brooks (saxophone): retired Tamassee-Salem High School band director; • Bill Sharp (trumpet): retired from industrial sales; • Jim Brandon (trombone): retired electrical engineer and Air Force officer; plays in a couple of bands including the Anderson New Horizons orchestra; • Mike Shuler (trombone and drums): is assistant music director (percussion) at Walhalla High School; plays with the GAMAC organization as well as the Anderson Symphony Orchestra. n

Phyllis Morgan is the current vocalist for The Dixie Keys. She was recruited after a member heard her singing at the church her husband pastored.

If your group is interested in booking The Dixie Keys, contact Fred Powers at fnpowers@ bellsouth.net or by calling 864.944.2060.

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HEALING IMAGES Photographer’s art contributes to cures story by Brett McLaughlin

photos courtesy of Bill Robertson Photography

Bloodroot – beautiful and useful as well.

52 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

I

f you have ever set foot in a Greenville Health System facility as a patient and come out feeling better, a little credit may go to Bill Robertson.

You won’t find Robertson in an operating room, behind a desk at a nursing station or even hanging out as a volunteer in the lobby or a waiting room. What you will find are the fruits of Robertson’s talent hanging on countless walls.

The 75-year-old Greenville resident is a nature photographer whose work, medical experts will tell you, contributes to

cures.

Robertson is candid and doesn’t hesitate to explain that he never set out to cure anything other than the chronic case of sudden unemployment he experienced back in 1999.

Born in South Carolina, his family moved west when he was an infant. As he grew up he became a self-described “rolling stone.” For a time he enjoyed life in a part of Los Angeles that would later become known as Skid Row, but moved on to work as a logger in the Northwest and as a forest firefighter in the Southwest. In 1990 he moved back to South Carolina.

“In November 1999 I was fired,” he said. “I decided right then that I was going to go to work for myself.”

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Bill Robertson enjoys shooting the four seasons available to him in the Southeast as witnessed by this and countless other spectacular winter scenes that can be sampled on his website.

54 ‚ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

Sustaining what matters Over the years, the close personal relationships we have developed with our clients have truly become the most gratifying aspect of our business.

A familiar cascade in the Great Smoky Mountains.

A lifelong hiker, he was enthralled by nature and drawn to photography. He joined the Greenville Natural History Hiking Club, borrowed a camera and found a member of the club willing to be a mentor.

“I hung out with people who knew a lot more than me about photography. Eventually I bought a $100 point-and-shoot (camera) and carried that thing everywhere. It turns out I had a pretty decent eye for a good shot,” he said, smiling as he cast a glance around one of the two rooms in his house that have been converted into a studio.

While he proved to be something of a natural at photographing nature, finding a market in which to sell those photos and make a liv-

ing was another thing. Then he found himself in a doctor’s office one day, staring at an absolutely horrible framed print.

“You’ve seen those things in doctors’ and dentists’ offices, right?” he asked.

Having read that viewing nature and natural colors can contribute to better health, it followed to Robertson that hospitals might be interested in buying some of his prints. St. Francis in Greenville was the first to do so.

“I love them to death,” he said.

“I bought some health care email lists, made up some colorful postcards with some of my pictures on them and sent them,” he added.

Greenville Health was quick to come on board. Hospitals in Columbia and

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{clockwise from left} When spring is in the air and the azaleas are in bloom, Greenville’s Rock Quarry Garden both defies and celebrates its name. • The 1920 gristmill on Warwoman Creek in Rabun County, Georgia. • Lake Jocassee in its entire fall splendor.

56 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

Table Rock times two through the lens of Bill Robertson’s camera.

Spartanburg also ordered prints, as did a hospital in Michigan. Then, when Oconee Memorial Hospital decided to build a new patient tower, planners ordered some 50 different Robertson photos.

“I had no idea it would take off like it did,” he admitted. “Making a living in photography is difficult. I was not that encouraged.”

Today, though, he remains busy both in the field and culling through thousands upon thousands of digital images taken throughout the Southeast, along the coastline and even in foreign countries. His website gallery features categories such as waterfalls, wildflowers, panoramic views, rivers and streams, lakes, coastal views, buildings and winter scenes.

He has visited Smoky Mountains National Park more times than he can count, securing countless remarkable images: including one — a blossoming Dogwood in the fog at Cades Cove — that provides the backdrop for his internet homepage. He has turned abandoned barns and farm equipment into objects of art and has captured waterfalls in such a way that one practically “hears” them while viewing them.

“I’m out in the field nine days a week,” he quipped. “I’m chasing flowers in the spring, waterfalls in the summer, snow in the winter and I was just up on the (Blue Ridge) Parkway yesterday getting all the colors of fall.

“You don’t know (what there is out there) if you don’t go,” he continued. “Whether it’s a barn in the Lowcountry or some coastline in a far off country.”

His commercial sales to hospitals and clinics have led to increased residential sales as well. Part of his current work routine involves contacting interior designers and buyers for residential developments.

He sells to individuals through his website and even offers packages that involve matting, framing and, if desired, track lighting.

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“We’ll take care of it all, if you want us to,” he said.

Robertson acknowledges the success of his business but is quick to note that, “it’s not just about the business.”

“First and foremost, it’s a passion,” he said.

“It just happened to turn into a livelihood, but I’ve really got the best of both worlds.

“I’ve met a lot of people that I roam the hills and dales with,” he continued. “I’ve got great friends and good physical and mental health. I hike every week, going to far off waterfalls. I’m just the luckiest guy on earth.”

Robertson intends to keep taking pictures “until the Good Lord tells me I can’t do it anymore.” Until then, his work can be viewed at www.brphoto.net. Contact information is available on the site. n Bill Robertson’s photography is considered part of the healing process at countless hospitals in South Carolina and across the country.

Roan Mountain, located on the North Carolina/ Tennessee state line, is actually more of a mountain range about five miles long, much of which is captured in this image.

58 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

GREEN IS GOOD FOR YOU “For those who contemplate the beauties of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” — Rachel Carson There is a growing understanding in the field of medicine that soothing images of mountain streams and sunny beaches may offer hope for easing pain in normally sterile hospital environments.

In the United States in particular, medical experts from coast to coast are finding that humans respond positively to scenes of nature, a phenomenon known as biophilia.

At John Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore credit is given to a nature scene with sounds of water, wind and bird calls for cutting pain 43 percent in patients undergoing bronchoscopy, in which tubes are put up the nose and into the lungs.

“In essence, you are taking your mental focus away from pain and placing it in a pleasant situation,” says Katherine Bowman at the University of California at San Francisco Pain Management Center.

Likewise, Rachel Kaplan, Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, is at the forefront of research on “restorative environments.” She is exploring nature’s impact on people’s mental functioning, social relationship and physical well being.

Among her findings, as outlined in writings in the American Journal of Public Health, is that fascination with nature helps people recover from what she calls “normal psychological wear and tear.” Even when represented with photographic simulations of a forested area, she noticed that the photographs boosted people’s moods.

In her most well-known study, Kaplan has found that simply viewing representations of nature can help hospital patients recover from surgery more quickly, have fewer complications and require less pain medication. To soothe patients, families and employees, she says, facilities should incorporate such features as nature views and nature-related art in patients’ rooms, aquariums in waiting areas, and gardens where patients, family and staff can find relief.

Another researcher, Roger S. Ulrich, Ph.D., director of the Center for Health Systems and Design at Texas A&M University, has found that nature can help the body heal too. He found that heart surgery patients in intensive care units could reduce their anxiety and need for pain medication by looking at pictures depicting trees and water.

In short, the medical world is increasingly convinced that we need nature in our lives more than ever today … even nature in the form of photography.

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62 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Lake Keowee gem lights up for Christmas

story by Brett McLaughlin photos by Rex Brown

Even when it’s not decorated for the holidays, this massive hardwood table with granite top is a highlight of the home. It was custom made to fit this dining space, providing seating for up to 10 people.

WINTER 2016 › 63

I

f your boat’s still in the water, it’s time to get those running lights in order, invite a few friends over, fill a Thermos or two with hot chocolate and cast off for a holiday light cruise on Lake Keowee.

If you don’t mind bundling up a little, there are numerous “homes for the holidays” that beg to be seen from the lake.

We discovered a gem last year, tracked down the owners, and found out that Bill and Essie Fletcher not only have a beautiful lake home, but they know how to make it sparkle — inside and out — for the holidays.

“I just love Christmas,” said Essie, who has been decorating the home since 2008 when she and Bill melded their families, resulting in four children and nine grandchildren, who love to visit the lake, particularly at Christmas.

“I’ve got a lot of ‘whatnots,’” she added, motioning across a great room that, when not decorated for Christmas, includes numerous flower arrangements, personal keepsakes and family pictures.

At the holidays, some of the regular “whatnots” are replaced with Christmas “whatnots,” including many Santa figures in all shapes and sizes and some 600 ornaments that decorate two trees. » CONTINUED ON PG. 66

64 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

{above} Essie Fletcher says she has a lot of “whatnots” and that number multiples several times at Christmas. {at left} The Christmas tree on the main level of the house features collectible items with special meaning to Bill and Essie Fletcher. It claims center stage in the great room and is visible from the lake when lit.

“TO GIVE REAL SERVICE, YOU MUST ADD SOMETHING WHICH CANNOT BE BOUGHT OR MEASURED WITH MONEY, AND

that is sincerity and integrity.”

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My family and I wish you the happiest of holidays and look forward to all that 2017 has to bring!

2016 Year to Date: 45 Properties Sold and Over $17,000,000 in Total Sales Volume!

I want you to know that I am extremely thankful to my clients, past and present, for all of your support. My business wouldn’t prosper the way it has without the loyal and caring people in my life. When you allow me to assist in your Real Estate sales your blessings go way beyond my family and me. Lindsey and I thank you for that and the priceless opportunity to teach our daughters, Ally and Nora, the gratification that comes along with giving.

GREG COUTU

Associate Broker/Realtor, 864.230.5911 coutulakekeowee@gmail.com Waterfront Office | 816 Bypass 123 | Seneca, SC Building Lasting Relationships Through Genuine Concern, Objective Advice and Enthusiasm for Lake Keowee WINTER 2016 › 65

» CONTINUED FROM PG. 64

“The collectibles are on a family tree and the others are on a tree downstairs,” she explained. “Usually I have a theme for the second tree and, of course, there are the Santas.

“Bill was into it right from the beginning,” she continued. “It wasn’t a hard sell.”

Decorating the home takes about five days, but Essie is always “tweaking” things until they come down, usually in early January, after all the children and grandchildren have had a chance to enjoy them.

As with many lake homes, the Fletcher home off Barnes Road is best viewed from the lakeside, particularly at Christmas when strings of lights line the deck railing and the walkway to a fire pit and sitting area halfway down to the lake. A floodlight casts the appearance of small lights on both the house and on the pines, palm trees and magnolias that inhabit the yard down to the lake. The trees and many of the interior decorations are visible from the shoreline.

“We love our waterfall,” Essie said, referring to a striking feature that runs from near the lower level patio, down to the lake, “and we really liking making s’mores at the fire pit.” Another exterior feature enjoyed on hot summer days is a gazebo located near the boat dock.

The hearth and mantle of a massive stone fireplace that reaches some 25 feet to the ceiling of the home’s great room provide a perfect venue for several Santas, stockings and other Christmas “whatnots.”

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The home’s great room features a massive stone fireplace that reaches up some 25 feet to the ceiling. During the holidays its mantel and hearth provide the perfect venue for Santas enveloped in garland and bulbs. The lakeside wall is nearly complete glass, providing a wonderful view of the lake with the SC 188 bridge in the distance. The windows also provide a perfect location for the heirloom Christmas tree.

Rich hardwood flooring that extends through a formal dining area further enhances the great room, creating an even more expansive space. One of the couple’s favorite pieces is a massive hardwood dining table with a granite top. Custom made to fit the space, it comfortably seats 10 people.

{above} The master suite features a screened sitting area with an excellent view of the lake.

The bedroom itself has trey ceilings, highlighted by exquisite moldings and inset lighting. Down a short hall one passes a large walk-in closet to reach the bath, featuring a sunken tub, double vanity and walk-in tile shower. • {at right} Even the guest rooms are visited by Santa.

SAVOR YOUR SPACE

Photo by Landmark Ceramics

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{clockwise from top left} Holiday decorations, large and small, are part of the Fletcher family tradition, including these little fellas, who greet you at the door. • The lakeside view of the Fletcher home is excellent, especially when it is lit for the holidays. Bill and Essie particularly enjoy time spent around a fire pit, making s’mores and memories with children and grandchildren. • This common area on the lower level of the home is a favorite of children and grandchildren. It features a pool table, poker table, two-sided gas fireplace, kitchenette, built-in library shelves, cabinetry and an entertainment center.

A nearby galley kitchen features dark wood cabinetry and all the necessary appliances. A walk-in pantry is close at hand, as is a doorway to a large deck that extends nearly the entire length of the house.

A short hallway leads to a half-bath on one side and to a sizeable laundry room on the other. Beyond the laundry is the attached garage.

The entry level also contains the master suite. Ample windows provide excellent views of the property and a screened sitting area overlooks the lake. The waterfall below and waves washing ashore nearby combine to create a tranquil setting in which to start any day.

The suite’s trey ceiling is highlighted by exquisite moldings and inset lighting. Down a short hall one passes a large walk-in closet to reach 68 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

the bath, featuring a sunken tub, double vanity and walk-in tile shower.

A second guest suite is also located on the main level. It features trey ceilings, an excellent view of the lake and a full bath.

The lower level is reached via a landed stairway that can be found decorated with garland, banners, berries and bows for the holidays.

“This is where the grandkids end up,” Essie said upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, which empty into a large common area with a two-sided, gas fireplace. A pool table sits atop a colorful area rug but still leaves plenty of room for a pair of overstuffed leather chairs that back up to a kitchenette. The other side of the fireplace highlights a library-like area with built-in bookshelves, cabinetry and an enter-

tainment center.

A poker area adorns one corner of the common area, near the door to a large covered patio.

The lower level also features a half-bath and a pair of guest rooms connected by a Jack-andJill bath. The guest rooms are carpeted and feature trey moldings as well as an assortment of Essie’s “whatnots,” including, at Christmas, several more Santas.

The “themed” Christmas tree on this level sits squarely in a window that is, again, visible from the lake.

The home is a beauty, and when you add a heaping helping of the holiday spirit embodied

by Bill and Essie Fletcher, you have a perfect home for the holidays. n

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WINTER 2016 › 71

The Lantern brightens Hendersonville with Lowcountry cuisine story by Zenda Douglas | photos courtesy of Sam Dean Photography

One of the house favorites is crab cake, featuring two house made cakes with South Carolina Blue Crab and jumbo lump crab meat, topped with a lemon-herb rémoulade.

72 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

H

appy diners sipping on Charleston Breeze cocktails made with cucumber vodka, fresh squeezed lime juice, house-made pineapple basil syrup and club soda, while snacking on NOLA Spicy BBQ Shrimp sautéed with house-made barbecue sauce and sweet bacon jam, may be commonplace in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. It has not been typical fare in the Upstate or Western North Carolina, however … at least, until now.

The Lantern Restaurant, downtown Hendersonville’s new fine dining destination, is changing all that; making such scenes commonplace by specializing in Lowcountry cuisine.

The Lantern Restaurant & Bar is located within The Charleston Inn, a beautifully restored landmark built in 1880. Formerly known as The Claddagh Inn, The Charleston has been welcoming visitors for more than 100 years.

In fact, the area was historically a place of summertime retreat for wealthy Charlestonians, lending to the Lowcountry influence in the town and surrounding area.

Owners Shelle Rogers and David Payne, both local attorneys, are continuing this history with both The Inn and the restaurant.

“We’ve traveled to Charleston and New Orleans often,” they said. “We love the cities and the food. We thought it would be a great idea to bring the cuisine of these coastal areas to Hendersonville.”

The Lantern opened in March 2016, quickly became a hit with local diners and is now beginning to welcome clientele from across the Georgia and South Carolina state lines. Just up Highway 25 from the Upstate, it is an easy trip even during the winter.

“The feedback we’ve gotten is that the atmosphere, the food and the service make for a very unique experience,”

{above} It doesn’t require a trip to Charleston to enjoy the cucumber vodka, fresh squeezed lime juice, housemade pineapple basil syrup and club soda that comprise the Charleston Breeze at The Lantern Restaurant & Bar. {at left} The restaurant receives fresh seafood three to four times per week straight from the coast.

WINTER 2016 › 73

A favorite starter at The Lantern is the Charleston Cheese Dip that features Wyke Farms vintage white cheddar cheese, smoked jalapeno and crispy black pepper bacon, served with house-made grilled focaccia points.

said Casey Maness, executive chef of The Lantern, where servers are instructed to demonstrate impeccable care and timing. “We try to make guests feel individually special and talk to them like they’re our family. It goes along with the Lowcountry cuisine origin, which was meant to bring people together as a community.”

Maness contributes to that atmosphere by escaping from the kitchen to talk to diners at every table.

Guests will find many enticing appetizers and entrees as well as thoughtfully crafted desserts at The Lantern.

You can start your meal with a handcrafted cocktail or a glass of wine from the restaurant’s impressive wine list. A great way to further inspire your appetite is with the eatery’s Charleston Cheese Dip — Wyke Farms vintage white cheddar cheese, smoked jalapeno and crispy black pepper bacon, served with house-made grilled focaccia points. This is a creamy dip that pops with flavor.

Continue with a bowl of the emblematic stew, Louisiana Gumbo, made from a rich, dark roux, fresh gulf shrimp and smoked Andouille from Louisiana’s own Cochon Butchery. Expect the crab cakes, made in-house, to be made from South Carolina blue crab and jumbo lump crabmeat topped with The Lantern’s signature lemon-herb rémoulade. The shrimp and grits is something to behold, prepared from local stone ground Geechie Boy grits and fresh gulf shrimp swimming in a roasted red pepper, brown butter and an unoaked chardonnay reduction.

Maness has rolled out menu changes for winter that include apple and Gouda stuffed pork loin with sweet lemon and apple puree, and lobster macaroni and cheese.

74 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

“We try to make guests feel individually special and talk to them like they’re our family. It goes along with the Lowcountry cuisine origin, which was meant to bring people together as a community.”

— CASEY MANESS —

A favorite dessert is the bourbon pecan pie made with oak-aged bourbon and a rich pecan filling.

“My cooking style is about creating an experience and a memory,” said Maness. “Whether it’s the French skillet that some of my dishes are served in or a cast iron skillet, I’m providing food that guests can associate with a time in their life. I’ve had many customers say, It’s just like my mother made it.’”

Maness uses high quality, authentic ingredients such as South Carolina blue crab for the she-crab soup. The restaurant receives fresh seafood three to four times a week straight from the coast.

“The oysters Rockefeller are pretty special — genuine blue point oysters from Connecticut,” she noted, adding that when it comes to fish entrees, “I don’t know what it’s going to be. It’s what they catch. That’s part of the fun.”

Maness also raves about the fantastic beef tenderloin filets she procures, and notes that produce is sourced from local markets in Western North Carolina but is supplemented by her own vegetable garden where she grows okra, tomatoes, cucumbers and kale.

“Thus far we’ve been able to create a relaxed environment for the guests while providing a fine dining experience,” the chef said.

Indeed, the décor of the restaurant is comfortable and soothing with a timeless appeal. Two cast iron gas lanterns of the kind found all about the streets of Charleston and New Orleans flank the entrance of the restaurant. An outside deck seats up to 50 diners. Tables are topped with umbrellas and, overhead, there

Casey Maness, executive chef of The Lantern, said whether it’s the French skillet that some of her dishes are served in or a cast iron skillet, providing food that guests can associate with a time in their life is her goal.

We Want Your Pictures of

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Submit your best pictures

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Email your entry to lakeliving@upstatetoday.com.

Include your name, address, Lakeside community, telephone number, email address, and photo title; along with the largest file possible of your photograph.

Send Us Your Best Shots In Any of Three Categories Involving The Lake: People, Places And Nature.

Please submit images that accurately reflect the captured moment in time. In other words, keep it real. Photos are judged based on quality, uniqueness, and overall beauty.

Email lakeliving@upstatetoday.com for full entry rules. By entering the Contest, all entrants grant an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to Oconee Publishing/The Journal/Upstate Lake Living, to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entries in any media now or hereafter known, including all publications of Oconee Publishing and affiliates.

WINTER 2016 › 75

is draped string lighting. Guests walk through refurbished, solid mahogany doors fitted with stained glass to an interior with 40 seats. Original hardwood floors and a refurbished mahogany, 1920s speakeasy bar take guests back in time. Special woodwork crafted by local physician and woodworker, Dr. John Bell, adorns the walls in the form of sconces and wine racks.

The dining room walls are the original plaster painted an offwhite color. Furnishings give off rich burgundy and mahogany colors that are warmed by a soft glow from antique lighting.

Maness, who comes from a long line of Southern cooks, hails from the Charlotte area, spending much of her time on Mountain Island Lake and Lake Tiller, as well as the North and South Carolina coasts.

“I’ve been fishing my whole life.

The Lantern Restaurant & Bar is located within The Charleston Inn, a beautifully restored landmark built in 1880.

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Your meat and three is where I come from. We always had quite the spread around suppertime,” she said, noting that she is one of seven children.

Maness joined the U.S. Coast Guard at 19 and chose the job of food service specialist rate. That position sent her to culinary school in Northern California. Afterwards, she was assigned to a 270-foot cutter, cooking for up to 100 people.

“We always had fresh seafood so that is where I got a lot of my experience with ocean fish,” she explained, noting that being stationed with other cooks from all over the United States provided a great deal of versatility in the kitchen.

After military service, Maness cooked in therapeutic boarding schools.

“Working with families and children really helped me see the bigger picture in using food to create community and inspire feelings,” she said.

Once the two were introduced, Maness and Rogers fell into an easy alliance.

“The meeting was almost meant to be,” Maness said. “As soon as I met her, I knew that I was in the right place at the right time.” n The Lantern is open Wednesday through Saturday, 4 – 9 p.m. With limited seating, particularly indoors during the winter, reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 828.513.5033. Appetizers range from $8 to $15; entrees from $15 to $33. The Lantern offers live music Thursday through Saturday. For a complete menu visit: thecharleston.net/ lantern.

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City of

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Christmas Open House and Tea Social Sunday, December 4th • 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

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It really is that simple. Investing can be challenging and a professional can help but it doesn’t mean it needs to be complicated. If you can’t explain your retirement plan to someone on the street, it could probably use some tweaking. If you’re working with an advisor, ask them how they get paid.

You wouldn’t shy away from asking a dentist how much their service will cost or checking the menu at a restaurant for the price of a sandwich. Don’t shy away from asking an advisor how much you pay them. There are enough good advisors in our area so you don’t need to settle for a bad one. I’m glad to help you retire and help you understand your plan. If you don’t like me, I’ll even help you find someone else that can work for you. You deserve to have your best interests be the priority of anyone working for you.

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WINTER 2016 › 79

Coastal winter getaway features three gems story by Bill Bauer | photos courtesy of Palmetto Dunes

Using the island’s topography, designer Arthur Hills took the natural lay of the land and carved out a rolling layout with numerous water hazards. On the front nine, two par-3s require full carries over water, including the third hole pictured here.

80 ‚ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

H

ilton Head Island, and its hightop sneaker shaped coastline, is home to a host of golf courses stretching from the ankle, around the heel and clear to the toe. About where the instep would be is the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, home to three of the finest courses on the island.

Built by three of the foremost golf architects in the world — Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio and Arthur Hills — each bears the designer’s name as they collectively meander through the 2,000-acre resort while flirting with 11 miles of lagoons and three miles of the world’s most beautiful beachfront.

Hilton Head has long been renowned as a family-friendly destination and a golfer’s paradise. Travel + Leisure Magazine recently named Hilton Head as 2016’s “No. 1 Island in the U.S.” describing it as, “An outpost of Southern hospitality and traditional American recreation.”

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort has long represented the best the island has to offer in world-class golf, offering three distinctly different challenges sandwiched between the William Hilton Parkway and the island’s pristine beaches.

Hilton Head has only two oceanfront holes, and the most spectacular is located on the Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, previously named South Carolina’s Golf Course of the Year.

The par-5 10th hole has sweeping ocean views

and stands apart as one of golf’s most picturesque views. Like most of the layout a wide fairway leads to an expansive, well-bunkered green and a breathtaking Atlantic Ocean backdrop.

While the elevation changes on the Jones course are subtle, so too are the breaks on the putting surfaces. Each hole can play differently depending on the time of day, as offshore breezes change in force and direction. Keeping your eye on the swirling treetops and having knowledge of daily pin placements will go a long way in club selection off the tee and from exquisitely manicured fairways.

A combination of five men’s and three ladies’ tee boxes appeals to novices as well as experienced players and provides plenty of challenge making the Jones course a must-play layout.

One of the youngest golf courses to be featured on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Best, the George Fazio Course is Hilton head’s only par-70 layout. While it has only two par5s, monster par-4s playing 400-plus yards more than compensate. In contrast to the Jones course, Fazio’s design is considerably tighter, requiring strategic positioning off the tee (especially on the back nine) where three par-4s and a par-3 are considered the toughest finishing holes on the island. While the view from every tee box is one of narrow tree-lined fairways and carefully positioned bunkers, it appears to get a little tighter on the fearsome final four.

The 16th hole is Fazio’s signature hole where a fairway flanked by the Intercoastal and massive bunkers shrinks decidedly in landing areas. At the end, an elongated green is protected by large bunkers to the left and rear and water to the right.

WINTER 2016 › 81

The 16th is Fazio’s signature hole where a fairway flanked by massive bunkers shrinks decidedly in landing areas. Should you find the short grass amidst the bunkers, an elongated green is protected by large bunkers to the left and rear and water to the right. The 17th is considered one of the prettiest par-3s on the island. Ranging from 230 to 122 yards, it is a full carry over a long lagoon that bisects the fairway. One bunker in front also has to be cleared to hit a small green. The closing 18th hole also plays into the wind. So grab an extra club, as coming up short is not an option. Get to the green, two putt and pick up your par.

Located on the southernmost end of the resort is the final award-winning layout, the Arthur Hills Course. The shortest of the three courses, Hills’ design is truly a shot maker’s dream, where accuracy and precision are emphasized over distance.

Using the island’s topography, Hills took the natural lay of the land and carved a rolling layout through mature stands of palmettos and numerous water hazards. On the front nine, two par-3s require full carries over water. Making the turn, be prepared for more, as water guards the entire right side of the par-4 12th, has to be carried from the tee and pro-

Of the three gems, the Hills course provides the most natural beauty.

Don’t

be surprised to see deer, alligators and many species of birds as you work your way around the coastal masterpiece.

tects the green on the par-5 13th, and rears its ugly head again on both the 16th and 17th holes.

Of the three gems, the Hills course provides the most natural beauty. Don’t be surprised to see deer, alligators and many species of birds as you work your way around the coastal masterpiece. The Lowcountry’s most historic lighthouse, the Hilton Head Range Light Station, which guided ships into Port Royal Sound beginning in the late 1800s, provides the scenic backdrop for the par-3 15th.

Palmetto Dunes is designed for families to get active together, offering a variety of activities including its Hilton Head Family Golf School. Whatever levels at which family members may play, Palmetto Dunes will tailor its golf school to specific needs and skill levels, and permanent junior tees have been installed on the Robert Trent Jones course. The George Fazio course also caters to juniors with tees measuring 3,384 yards for 18 holes, with the longest hole, number 10, measuring 316 yards.

In addition, kids 10 and under play free after 4 p.m. on both the Jones and Hills courses with an adult paying the regular rate.

The resort recently added the club fitting, building and repair services of SwingFit oper-

Arthur Hills Course is the shortest of the three courses at Palmetto Dunes, but it is truly a shot maker’s dream, requiring accuracy and precision. Water, for instance, comes into play off the tee and, again, approaching the green on the par-4 16th hole.

82 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

ated by Chris Wycoff, who has been named one of Golf Digest magazine’s “Top 100 Club Fitters.”

Each of the three courses has extensive practice areas and full service pro shops. Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza is located at the Jones course and offers a relaxed setting for breakfast, lunch or dinner while overlooking the course.

Breakfast and lunch are served, along with a host of beverages and snacks at upscale grills on both the Hills and Fazio courses. In addition, restaurants are located at both onsite hotels and just across the street at Shelter Cove Harbor.

Hilton Head is the largest barrier island off the Atlantic Coast between Long Island and the Bahamas and an easy ride from the Upstate. From November to February, the average high temperature is 65 degrees. n Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort offers an extensive list of accommodations and golf packages. For more information call 877.567.6513 or visit www.PalmettoDunes.com.

The 10th hole on the Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course offers sweeping ocean views. Like most of the layout a wide fairway leads to an expansive, well-bunkered green and a breathtaking Atlantic Ocean backdrop.

We Want Your Pictures of

Places Around The Lake

Submit your best pictures

by February 1, 2017 and you could win $500!

Email your entry to lakeliving@upstatetoday.com.

Include your name, address, Lakeside community, telephone number, email address, and photo title; along with the largest file possible of your photograph.

Send Us Your Best Shots In Any of Three Categories Involving The Lake: People, Places And Nature.

Please submit images that accurately reflect the captured moment in time. In other words, keep it real. Photos are judged based on quality, uniqueness, and overall beauty.

Email lakeliving@upstatetoday.com for full entry rules. By entering the Contest, all entrants grant an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to Oconee Publishing/The Journal/Upstate Lake Living, to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entries in any media now or hereafter known, including all publications of Oconee Publishing and affiliates.

WINTER 2016 › 83

The Battle of Pocotaligo was an important victory for Confederate forces early in the Civil War. By pushing Federal forces back to Hilton Head, South Carolina troops were able to preserve the important rail supply line between Charleston and Savannah.

Relive the Battle of Pocotaligo photos courtesy of South Carolina Lowcountry

I

f history intrigues you and your post holiday travel plans are taking you toward South Carolina’s Lowcountry, you might want to plan a layover near Hilton Head Island the weekend of January 21-22.

That’s when, for the sixth consecutive year, re-enactors will bring to life the sights and sounds of the Battle of Pocotaligo.

Historic Frampton Plantation House, just a few miles east of I-95 on US 17, is the setting for this two-day event that recalls an early,

84 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

crucial battle in the Civil War. On Oct. 21, 1862, a Union Force of 4,200 men, under the command of General John M. Brannan, marched on the village of Pocotaligo, intending to destroy the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. If the lines of supply between these two cities could be cut, it would severely hinder the Confederate War effort.

When Confederate Colonel W.S. Walker, of Georgia, learned of the Federal advance, he immediately telegraphed General Beauregard in Charleston for reinforcements. As it turned

out, he wouldn’t need them, thanks to the foresight of another young general who had been assigned to South Carolina, Georgia and Florida in late 1861.

General Robert E. Lee had designed a series of trench-works in the Lowcountry to protect the bridges and causeways. He ordered so many trenches dug that he temporarily earned the nickname, “The King of Spades.” A portion of these works can be seen behind the Frampton Plantation House These works helped three companies of the

11th South Carolina Volunteers and the First South Carolina Sharpshooters — no more than 450 men — defeat the Federal advance.

Eight artillery pieces and two companies of cavalry also contributed to the winning effort.

Late in the afternoon, Walker ordered in the Charleston Dragoons, a cavalry unit, with orders to shout when they came online.

The Federals assumed that they were being overrun, and the action hastened their retreat.

Joseph Eggleston, with an artillery unit from Virginia, described the nature of the fight: “We soon found that the guns were so hot that they would fire without pricking the cartridge. Shrapnel being exhausted, we changed to canister and were cutting great gaps through a line of infantry in double ranks and for a time those gallant men closed ranks and fought on.”

As night fell, and with the Rutledge Mounted Rifles and Kirk’s Partisan Rangers in pursuit, Brannan, realizing that the railroad bridge was out of reach, ordered retreat up the Mackay’s Point road to the safety of his flotilla — the 47th Pennsylvania.

The Yankee troops re-embarked at Mackay’s Point, at approximately 3:30 a.m. on October 23 and returned to Hilton Head.

The Federal forces reported 61 killed, 276 wounded and six missing or captured. Confederate casualties included 21 killed, 124 wounded and 18 missing or captured.

This January’s encampment will feature parades each morning at 8:30, followed by the opening of camp at 9 a.m. All camps are open to the public until 5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to come into camp and ask question of the re-enactors.

There will be a ladies’ social at 11 a.m. on Saturday, and a church service at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Just before the actual battle begins at 2 p.m. each day visitors will hear the sounds of gunfire. This is the Confederate troops encountering Union forces coming up Mackay’s Point from the Broad River. n

{clockwise from right} Historic Frampton Plantation will be the setting for the sixth Battle of Pocotaligo re-enactment. • With only one-tenth of the ground force the Federal Army had, the Confederate Calvary was essential to the South’s victory at Pocotaligo. • Reenactors will be happy to meet with visitors and answer questions as camps associated with the Battle of Pocotaligo are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

If you are traveling on Interstate 95, use Exit 33. It is the Point South exit and is where SC Highway 17 comes off I-95 traveling to Beaufort and Charleston. The Frampton Plantation is on the right hand side of Highway 17 behind the Marathon Gas Station.

Parking for the event will be at the Lowcountry Council of Governments, 634 Campground Road. Take the right between the Best Western and the Waffle House and follow the signs.

For more information about the event or accommodations in the area, contact: inquiries@SouthCarolinaLowcountry.com or call 843.717.3090.

WINTER 2016 › 85

Make winter your reading season

C

racking open a good book and curling up by the fire are exceptional responses to the crisp, cold winter days that settle across the Upstate.

Of course you can find a good selection of books at the local library, but there isn’t much adventure in that.

The number of big box bookstores is dwindling as online reading grows in popularity. And, besides, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all … right?

But there are some very unique, independent bookstores in the Upstate that merit a visit. We did a little online surfing and came up with three locations that not only offer a wide variety of books, but also boast superior personalized service and some very unique features you just won’t find anywhere else.

Battery Park Book Exchange 1 Page Ave., Suite 101, Asheville, NC This used book exchange brags that it is “the marriage of two of earth’s finest pleasures, books and wine, side by side.”

Thousands of books in dozens of categories beg perusing while you’re sipping a fine or sparkling wine or champagne. Customers can settle into luxurious chairs and sofas scattered amid thousands of books and covering some 2,000 square feet of elegantly decorated space. Dual granite-topped bars offer another seating option.

While relaxing, you can enjoy a cheeseboard, some trout dip or a local dessert. Or, if you want to go all out, Battery Park will provide food, wine and flowers upon request.

Pets are always welcome and, since the business is an exchange, you are welcome to inquire about selling any books you may have that are in excellent condition.

Both the book selections and the wine list are constantly changing, assuring customers that no two visits are the same.

For more information or to contact the bookstore, visit: www.batteryparkbookexchange.com/ 86 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

M.Judson Booksellers & Storytellers 130 South Main St., Suite 200, Greenville, SC Seneca area residents may find a familiar face when visiting M.Judson, which bills itself as “more than a bookstore …” One of the firm’s founders is Tricia Lightweis, a 25-year veteran of the bookselling industry and the longtime owner of The Booksmith in Seneca.

The M.Judson website may best address the unique nature of the store: “What you’ll find in our store will always flux and change, but at the center is what feeds us: our home, our bellies and our kids. To these ends, we carry Southern, place-based literature of every kind, books about a handmade life, growing and eating and making food, and books for the next generation of readers …”

The origin of the firm’s name also speaks to the culture the store seeks to establish. At the turn of the 19th century, Mary Judson was the principal of Greenville Female College.

“A true believer in smart women … she began the Judson Literary Society, a gathering of women engaged in thoughtful debate, where she encouraged her students to find their point and hit it, too,” the M.Judson website states.

for purchase at The Chocolate Moose during 90-minute, early evening meetings slated for December 19, January 23 and February 20.

To learn more about club opportunities or the entire M.Judson bookstore experience, visit: www.mjudsonbooks.com/ or email: info@ mjudsonbooks.com.

“She donated her life savings to begin a library on campus, later named in her honor.

Her annual calisthenics drill, a part of graduation ceremonies, featured students in flowing robes instead of corsets and stays … This is to say Mary Judson was a woman who believed in the brains and bodies of women, a woman ahead of her time.

“We’ve adopted Mary Camilla as our patron saint, our guiding light at the bookstore …

Our name ties us to our history and our place, and our namesake gives us a bit of Victorian backbone in this very modern age.”

To that end, books are at the core of everything M.Judson offers its customers. For instance, once a month, afterhours, long tables are set up down the middle of the store and friends gather to enjoy unique dinner experiences designed around local restaurants, exceptional authors and sometimes both at the same time.

Thematic book clubs are another popular offering. They are held throughout the year and a new, monthly Mother-Daughter Book Club was launched this past fall.

“We’ve picked out some soon-to-be classics, with lots of good stuff going on for women and young women to talk about together,” the website notes.

Book packages include one copy of each title to be shared.

Food and drinks are available

Poor Richard’s Booksellers 107 W. Main St., Easley, SC A third bookstore worthy of a winter visit is Poor Richard’s in Easley.

Located in a historic building that formerly housed the county’s first public library, Poor Richard’s offers a wide array of books.

The store is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The business has an active presence on Facebook and can be reached by phone at 864.859.0687 or by email to: PoorRichardsbooksellers@yahoo.com. n

BESTSELLERS The following books were listed on the New York Times bestseller list earlier this fall.

HARDCOVER FICTION • Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult • Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks • Order to Kill by Vince Flynn • Commonwealth by Ann Patchett • Home by Harlan Coben HARDCOVER NONFICTION • Killing the Rising Sun by Bill O’Reilly • Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen • Filthy Rich by James Patterson • Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance • Love Warrior: A Memoir by Glennon Doyle Melton PAPERBACK FICTION • The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins • A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman • Missing: A Private Novel by James Patterson PAPERBACK NONFICTION • Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow • The Witches: Salem 1692 by Stacy Schiff • M Train by Patti Smith • Sully: My Search for What Really Matters

by Chesley B. Sullenberger III • The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander WINTER 2016 › 87

upstate theatre CENTRE STAGE 501 RIVER STREET, GREENVILLE, SC INSIDE THE SMITH-BARNEY BUILDING 864.233.6733 OR TOLL FREE 877.377.1339

a night at the theater that is anything but show business as usual.

FEB. 16 – 19 THUMBELINA When an old woman wishes on a magic flower, her heart’s desire for a child of her own blossoms before her eyes. Her magical little girl, only a few inches high, is named Thumbelina. The friendly child is kind to the nearby forest creatures, but she just doesn’t feel as though she fits in. Soon Thumbelina goes on the adventure of a lifetime, aided by a quirky cast of characters, searching for her place in the world as she looks for her prince.

DEC. 1 – 17 LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY It’s Christmas in Ohio, and a young couple wants to await the birth of their soon-to-be adopted child in peace. But as their funny and fearsome relatives converge on the hospital waiting room, the holiday becomes a free-forall in this surprisingly heartwarming family comedy.

JAN. 19 – FEB. 11 JUKEBOX HEROES It’s back, and it’s better than ever! You’ll be dancing in the aisles and humming along to the greatest singer songwriters of the past during our one-of-a-kind, hit musical revue!

CLEMSON LITTLE THEATRE 214 S. MECHANIC STREET, PENDLETON, SC RESERVATIONS 864.646.8100 EVENING PERFORMANCES 8 P.M.; MATINEES 3 P.M.

DEC. 2 – 11 INSPECTING CAROL Get your holiday cheer on with this madcap comedy! Behind the scenes of a struggling theater’s annual slapdash production of A Christmas Carol, rehearsals are at a standstill.

Tim is no longer Tiny, Scrooge wants to do the play in Spanish (Feliz Navidad) and their funding is on hold pending an inspection. To top it off, a case of mistaken identity makes for 88 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

OCONEE COMMUNITY THEATRE 8001 UTICA STREET, 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.

DECEMBER 15 – 18 A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism he sees during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but this proves to be a frustrating endeavor. When an attempt to restore the proper holiday spirit with a forlorn little Christmas fir tree fails, he needs Linus’ help to learn the real meaning of Christmas.

FEB. 10 – 12 SAME TIME NEXT YEAR The plot follows a love affair between two people, Doris and George, married to others, who rendezvous once a year. Twenty-five years of manners and morals are hilariously and touchingly played out by the lovers.

FEB. 23 – 26 A RAISIN IN THE SUN Set on Chicago’s South Side, the plot revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family. The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama. Sacrifice, trust and love among the Younger family and their heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration.

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

DEC. 8 – 18 MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET The beloved holiday tale by Valentine Davies is brought to life on the stage by the uplifting music of the Music Man himself, Meredith Wilson. Rediscover your childhood and restore your faith in miracles in this fun-filled musical classic for the whole family.

FEB. 24 – MARCH 12 PETER AND THE STARCATCHER A theatrical musical based on the best-selling novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, this magical play uses the power of music and storytelling to chronicle the adventures of an orphan, soon to be called Peter Pan, and Molly, a girl charged to protect a parcel of stardust from falling into the wrong hands. A dozen actors play more than a hundred unforgettable characters employing ingenious stagecraft and the limitless possibilities of the imagination.

WALHALLA PLAYERS WALHALLA CIVIC AUDITORIUM, WALHALLA, SC EVENINGS 8 P.M. AND SUNDAYS 2:30 P.M. 864.638.5277 OR 877.368.5318 WWW.WALHALLACIVIC.COM

DECEMBER 9 – 11, 16 – 18 A LAURA INGALLS WILDER CHRISTMAS In their poorest winter ever, when the crops have been devastated by locusts and the family must deal with the death of baby Freddie, Charles Ingalls backtracks his family to Burr Oak, Iowa, to take over the running of a hotel.

This original play presents the poignant story of the “missing” two years in the life of the Ingalls family — the only substantial period that Laura chose not to write about in her Little House books. Told with period songs, humor and depth of character, A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas tells a story of healing that celebrates the importance of enduring family bonds.

JAN. 20 – 22, 27 – 29 FOXFIRE Annie Nations, an indomitable Appalachian widow of 79, lives on her mountain farm with

upstate theatre the acerbic ghost of her husband Hector. Her tranquility is threatened by a brash real estate developer who wants to turn her land into a vacation resort and by concern over her son Dillard, a country singer who has come home with two stranded children because his wife has run away. Annie’s battle to decide her future takes her through some funny, touching and magical flashbacks to her life with Hector, offering a staunchly affirmative tribute to country folk.

FEB. 24 – 26 AESOP’S FABLES This short play, performed for and with kids, weaves five of Aesop’s most famous fables into a show that’s fun, fast-paced and full of surprises.

Contains: The Dog and the Bone; The Tortoise and the Hare; The Lion and the Mouse; The Fox and the Grapes; The Miller, His Son and the Donkey; and The Country Maid.

UPCOMING EVENTS Emile Pandolfi at Christmas

Friday, December 2 • 7:30 pm Advanced Tickets $28, Children $14, Group $24 Day Of Show $32 www.emilepandolfi.com

A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas (play)

December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18 Evenings 7:30 pm, Sunday 2:30 pm Advance Tickets $14, Children $6. Group $12. Day Of Show $16

7 Bridges Band Eagles Tribute

Saturday, January 14 • 7:30 pm Advanced Tickets $30, Children $15, Group $25 Day Of Show $35 www.7bridgesband.com

FoxFire

(play-drama)

January 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 & 29 Evenings 7:30 pm, Sundays 2:30 pm Advanced Tickets $14, Children $7, Group $12. Day of Show $16

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

DEC. 9 – 18 THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI It is Christmas in New York, but for two young lovers, Jim and Della, the prospects are bleak, as both are out of work and penniless. But as those familiar with the famous O. Henry story are aware, their dilemma is solved when both part with their most precious possessions in order to buy presents for each other thereby creating, at least for a magical moment, an aura of warmth and giving in the cold, impersonal wintery city.

FEB. 17 – 26 LUNCH AT THE PICCADILLY Lunch at the Piccadilly is a musical comedy with 20 great songs of almost every imaginable style. This funny and heartwarming show takes place on the rocking porch of the Rosehaven Convalescence Center. Unable to keep up with the times, Rosehaven is being sold to Ballard College. Nothing is supposed to change, but the residents have already noticed a difference in the cornbread. It’s not looking good.

But Lil Olive, a new resident, brings new life to the porch — and a revolutionary new idea to get the residents out of their rockers.

Edgar Loudermilk Bluegrass Band Saturday, February 4 • 7:30 pm Advance Tickets $20, Children $10, Group $16 Day Of Show $24 www.edgarloudermilkband.com

Aesop’s Fables (Children’s Play)

February 24, 25 & 26 Evenings 7 pm, Sunday 2:30 pm Tickets $5 each, bring your family for $15

James Gregory

The Funniest Man in America

Friday, March 3 • 7:30 pm Advance Tickets $30, Children $15, Group $25, Day Of Show $35

For more info on these & future events, visit www.walhallacivic.com.

Order tickets online or call 864-638-5277 You can also buy tickets at the following local merchants: The Wine Emporium in Keowee/Salem, H&R Block in Seneca and Westminster.

Community 1st Bank in Walhalla and the Walhalla Chamber of Commerce.

WINTER 2016 › 89

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

THRU DEC. 4 AN AMERICAN IN PARIS An American in Paris is the new Tony Award®winning musical about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war.

JAN. 31 – FEB. 5 THE BOOK OF MORMON This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the good word. Now with standing room only productions in London, on Broadway and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language.

FEB. 21 – 26 BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL This musical tells the inspiring true story

of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation. It features a stunning array of beloved songs.

BROOKS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 141 JERSEY LANE, CLEMSON, SC 864.656.7787 WEEKDAY PERFORMANCES 7:30 P.M.; SUNDAYS 3 P.M. HTTP://WWW.CLEMSON.EDU/BROOKS/EVENTS/

FEB. 3 SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL Dr. Seuss’ best-loved stories collide in an unforgettable musical caper, which include songs such as “Oh, The Thinks You Can Think,” “Green Eggs and Ham” and “It’s Possible.” Adapted from the Broadway version, this production, presented especially for

young audiences by Theatreworks USA, will transport you back to your childhood.

FEB. 23 – 26 “A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE” A classic of the American stage, Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire is a sensual and heartbreaking portrait set against the backdrop of 1940s New Orleans. This play features two of the most memorable characters in dramatic literature: the visceral Stanley Kowalski and his sister-in-law, the fragile and tormented Blanche DuBois. Once they meet, they begin to crash towards Blanche’s breaking point.

We Want Your Pictures of

People & Pets At The Lake

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by February 1, 2017 and you could win $500!

Email your entry to lakeliving@upstatetoday.com.

Include your name, address, Lakeside community, telephone number, email address, and photo title; along with the largest file possible of your photograph.

90 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

Send Us Your Best Shots In Any of Three Categories Involving The Lake: People, Places And Nature.

Please submit images that accurately reflect the captured moment in time. In other words, keep it real. Photos are judged based on quality, uniqueness, and overall beauty.

Email lakeliving@upstatetoday.com for full entry rules. By entering the Contest, all entrants grant an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to Oconee Publishing/The Journal/Upstate Lake Living, to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entries in any media now or hereafter known, including all publications of Oconee Publishing and affiliates.

calendar of events THRU DEC. 22

DEC. 2 – 4

All of your holiday shopping needs can be met at The Arts Center of Clemson’s Holiday Sale, 212 Butler St. There are beautiful gifts for your family and friends including jewelry, ceramics, photographs, paintings, ornaments and glass and fiber creations made by over 30 local artists; Monday — Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christmas in Old Pendleton: This event offers a new twist that brings you into town for a tour of several historic private homes, decorated for the holidays. The tour ends at Woodburn Historic House for refreshments. Check the website at pendletonhistoricfoundation.org for more details.

THRU DEC. 31 Festival of Trees display at Duke’s World of Energy, 7812 Rochester Highway, Seneca; Monday — Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DEC. 1 Westminster Christmas Parade; 6 p.m.; 864.647.5316 Brooks Center for the Performing Arts presents Clemson University Men’s & Women’s Choirs; 7:30 p.m.; $8; www.clemson. edu/centers-institutes/brooks/events or 864.656.7787 Final day of the 13th Festival of Trees to benefit GHS Hospice of the Foothills; decorated trees and wreaths, cookie walk, holiday market, Santa and more; St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Seneca; live auction of the trees and wreaths is Friday evening, December 2 at The Club at Keowee Key, Salem.

Handpainted glassware workshop, 6:30-9 p.m., at Walhalla Art Works, 384 Highlands Highway (SC 28), Walhalla. Choose two glasses from a cabinet of wine, tea, pint, champagne or margarita glasses, and learn a variety of techniques to help you design your own pieces. Feel free to bring snacks, wine and a friend; $30 each.

DEC. 2 Pianist Emile Pandolfi returns to the Walhalla Civic Auditorium stage with his Christmas show; 7:30 p.m. His brilliant performance, charming sense of humor and friendly personality make this night a wonderful holiday treat for the whole family. For tickets: 864.638.5277 or 877.368.5318 Brooks Center for the Performing Arts presents The King’s Singers — Delores St. Clair Wright Christmas Show; 7:30 p.m.; $30; www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/brooks/ events or 864.656.7787

DEC. 3 Historic Ballenger House Christmas Boutique Craft Sale; 212 E. South 3rd St., Seneca, SC; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; free; 10 artisans feature items for sale.

Walhalla Christmas Parade; 5 p.m.; 864.638.2727 Walhalla Luminary Tour of Churches; 6-8 p.m.; visit six churches for a self-guided FREE tour; College Street Baptist, Faith Center, St. John’s Lutheran, St. Luke Methodist, Old Saint Johns Meeting House and Walhalla Presbyterian. For information call 864.638.2727 Creatures Great and Small mini-workshop, sponsored by the Blue Ridge Arts Society, 111 E. South 2nd St., Seneca, is open to teens and adults, 9 a.m. to noon. Learn the basics of clay as you create playful creatures. This workshop is perfect for the beginner to learn basic clay working techniques and tools.

All projects will be fired and available for pick-up at a later date. $25 per person includes all materials. No experience necessary.

DEC. 4 Historic Ballenger House Christmas Open House and Tea; 212 E. South 3rd St., Seneca, SC; 2-4 p.m.; free; RSVP to Debbie Shafer at 864.324.8417.

Bring the whole family to historic downtown Hendersonville and experience the atmosphere of an Olde Fashioned Christmas with carolers, entertainment, merchants’ open houses and refreshments; share holiday cheer and the warmth of the season at the Visitor Center Christmas Open House; 5-8 p.m. Call 828.233.3216. www.downtownhendersonville. org.

Salem, SC, Christmas Parade, 4 p.m.

DEC. 5

Hendersonville, NC, Christmas parade travels along Main Street, from Five Points to Caswell Street. Call 828.692.4179 or 828.595.0901.

DEC. 6 Clemson, SC, Christmas pre-parade festivities and tree lighting; 5 p.m.; parade 6 p.m.; 864.653.2030 The Reserve at Lake Keowee presents its holiday show with the University Singers from Southern Wesleyan University, 7-9 p.m. in Founder’s Hall.

Warmest wishes for a holiday season of Peace and Joy to my loyal clients, friends and neighbors!

Mary Keith Eustis Keller Williams Seneca 455 Bypass 123, Suite A. Seneca, SC 29678 864-710-5434 Keith@KeoweeAreaHomes.com

KeoweeAreaHomes.com

WINTER 2016 › 91

calendar of events DEC. 9 33rd Annual Christmas with the Chorale.

Greenville Chorale and Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra mark the 10th anniversary of their Christmas collaboration, one of the Upstate’s finest holiday traditions.

Enjoy seasonal music, including both orchestral and choral favorites, along with the beloved audience sing-along carols during this 7:30 p.m. event at Furman University. For tickets: http:// www.peacecenter.org/events.

JAN. 19

Julian Bliss, clarinet at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, Clemson University; 7:30 p.m.; free; www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/ brooks/events

JAN. 21

DEC. 10 Experience Santa’s Workshop on Ram Cat Alley, Seneca; seneca.sc.us. for more details.

Oconee Humane Society sponsors its annual Holiday Wishes Party at its Adoption Center, 1925 Sandifer Blvd., Seneca; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Henderson County Crafters Association Winter Arts & Crafts Show, featuring 30 juried, local artisans offering a variety of handmade items, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., NC National Guard Armory, Flat Rock, NC, 828.489.2494; www. hendersoncountycrafters.org.

Ringing in the New Year at Hagood Mill in Pickens County, featuring traditional bluegrass and gospel music from local bands; petroglyph site is open; admission free; $5 parking charge; bring lawn chairs or a blanket for seating.

JAN. 22 The Reserve at Lake Keowee presents the Southern Wesleyan University Singers performance of “Operation Freedom’s Cadence,” a patriotic concert the group will be performing to U.S. Military troops in Italy in May 2017; 4:30-6 p.m. at Founder’s Hall.

FEB. 4

DEC. 11 Christmas at the Lunney House Museum; seneca.sc.us. or call 864.710.7494 for more information.

DEC. 16-18 Celebrate the holiday season with the Peace Center’s most popular Greenville Pops concert where music and merriment abound! Headlining this year’s concert is the dynamic and versatile Broadway actress, singer, dancer and comedienne, Rachel York; 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinee at 3 p.m.; for tickets: http://www.peacecenter.org/events.

DEC. 17

Ed Harrison Memorial Celtic Christmas at Hagood Mill in Pickens County; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Celebrate the musical heritage that evolved when Celtic strains merged with African American rhythms to create bluegrass and old time mountain music.

JAN. 13-14

from the band’s most prolific period. Every show features one brilliant hit single after another with some Don Henley and Joe Walsh surprises sprinkled in; 7:30 p.m. For tickets: 864.638.5277 or 877.368.5318.

•••••

Hi-Fiber Quilt Show at Historic Ballenger House, Seneca; 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; free.

JAN. 14

7 Bridges Band: Eagles Tribute comes to Walhalla Civic Auditorium. 7 Bridges faithfully re-creates the experience of an Eagles concert 92 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

•••••

Walhalla Civic Auditorium welcomes Edgar Loudermilk Bluegrass band featuring Jeff Autry. This talented group has played together for some time and has great chemistry and stage dynamics; 7:30 p.m. For tickets: 864.638.5277 or 877.368.5318.

FEB. 9 Jessica Lang Dance at Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, Clemson University; 7:30 p.m.; www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/ brooks/events

FEB. 10 Valentine Wine & Silent Auction at the Historic Ballenger House, Seneca; 7-9 p.m.; $25; call 919.610.1917 for tickets.

FEB. 11 What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than to spend an evening with the “The Return” recognized as one of the premier Beatles tribute bands in America as they return to the Walhalla Civic Auditorium stage; 7:30 p.m. For tickets: 864.638.5277 or 877.368.5318.

The Peace Center in Greenville welcomes Renee Fleming. Known as “the people’s diva,” Fleming captivates audiences with her sumptuous voice, consummate artistry and compelling stage

presence; 8 p.m.; for tickets: www.peacecenter. org/events/

FEB. 14 The Reserve at Lake Keowee presents Birchwood Valentine’s Poetry, “The Subject Tonight is Love;” 4:30 p.m. at Founder’s Hall.

FEB. 17 Oconee Chamber of Commerce — State of Oconee; for more information on this dinner event to celebrate community and business achievements contact info@oconeechambersc. com.

FEB. 18 Deep Winter Blues at Hagood Mill in Pickens County; petroglyph site is open; admission free; $5 parking charge; bring lawn chairs or a blanket for seating.

FEB. 26 The Greenville Chorale presents its 20th annual Winter Concert at Furman University. The 22-voice professional ensemble from the chorale program will feature the “The World Beloved – A Bluegrass Mass” by Carol Barnett, as well as a closing group of popular love songs; 3 p.m; for tickets: www.peacecenter.org/events/.

ONGOING

•••••

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

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

Historic Ballenger House tours and rentals; Seneca Woman’s Club preserves this historic home, 212 E. South 3rd St. Call Debbie, 864.324.8417 or Ruth, 864.882.7162. Visit www.ballengerhouse.org Hagood Mill, 138 Hagood Mill Road, has monthly “First Saturday” house concerts in the Visitors Building from noon – 2 p.m. and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. to tour the grounds and pick up “mill products.” Guided tours available by appointment. The site is available every day during daylight hours to picnic or walk the nature trail. For information contact Hagood Mill at 864.898.2936 or Pickens County Museum at 864.898.5963.

Formerly known as

Call us at (864) 882-4440 or stop by our store.

Proudly featuring

Pleased to welcome Venditti as new owner To all our friends, family, and loyal guest of Soluna,

Check us out on Facebook.com/paintplaceseneca for details and special promotions!

10239 Clemson Blvd, Suite 330 Seneca, SC

Are you Paying too much for your Med Advantage plan?

Are you Paying too much for your Med Sup Plan?

Are you Protecting your Retirement Savings?

Are you Leaving a Legacy for your beneficiaries?

We have always endeavored to have a consistent and positive change with an ongoing commitment to our service standards and most importantly maintaining our talented team of Wayne Venditti, Owner service providers.

With that in consideration, we are striving again to reach new levels. Marisol and I are excited to announce that Soluna will now become Moda Vita Salon and Spa and will operate under the ownership of Wayne Venditti.

Wayne is a seasoned financial analyst and accountant and has worked for various multi million dollar global companies. He performed and extensive national search for the right Salon and Spa of which to join. We feel honored and blessed that Soluna was Wayne’s final choice and are extremely excited about the future. Marisol and I are 100% committed and both have active roles in the growth and future improvements of Moda Vita. We all feel that we have a special place, a community asset that has set a standard in the upstate. It is now time to invest in exceeding the standard and reach another level entirely.

We all look forward to welcoming you on your future visits and want to assure you that the same talented team will be here to deliver and exceptional client experience.

Kindest Regards, Ralph and Marisol Aucoin

I’m here to assist you!

Call for an appointment today.

Donna Shaner

Insurance Representative

910.616.4908

10239 Clemson Blvd. Suite 310 • Seneca 864.882.2299 • www.modavitasalonspa.info WINTER 2016 › 93

Upstate bass fishing teams find a home

BY PHILLIP GENTRY

H

igh school bass fishing teams have been the largest growing segment of high school sports over the past few years and, particularly, in Upstate South Carolina.

While the sport has been strongly supported by the state’s Department of Natural Resources and affiliations with major bass fishing series like Bassmaster and FLW, one of the drawbacks of so many teams emerging and expanding so quickly has been a lack of coordination of events where high school clubs could spend their time and efforts competing rather than trying to organize fishing events.

This need caught the attention of local marine dealer Marty Walker who has been organizing adult open bass tournaments across the Upstate for several years. Walker, a tournament bass angler himself, saw the opportunity to set a “schedule” of tournaments that would allow schools to compete.

“Some Saturdays there would be two or three schools on the same lake on the same day holding separate tournaments,” he said.

“If you wanted to compare this to a varsity high school sport, there was no schedule, no listing of who plays whom, where and on what date.”

The PBC High School Tournament Trail, a six tournament series, fishes one event per month during the school year with an additional “classic” tournament to be held just before the current school year ends. The tournaments are fished on lakes throughout the state — Keowee, Hartwell, Russell, Greenwood and Murray — with the classic venue to be announced. Each tournament is hosted by up to two schools that receive funding from tournament entry fees. Any concession money raised during the event goes to the bass fishing clubs of the host schools.

Walker said the tournament trail will provide the structure to allow high school anglers to fish within the high school structure as well as compete within a national frame-

94 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

work of high school anglers. All PBC High School tournaments earn points that accumulate, allowing those anglers to fish BASS and FLW-affiliated national and regional championships around the country.

“These guys and girls are the future of bass fishing,” said Walker. “We are starting to see colleges looking at these anglers to offer scholarships to fish at the collegiate level, and then there are other professional and semiprofessional tournaments these anglers can compete in.”

Walker hopes that by providing a well-organized program with a neutral tournament official teams can focus on fishing strategies and skills improvements with their coaches and advisors, without having to spend valuable time fundraising and putting on individual tournaments.

“Having a set schedule to fish can help these kids get better at bass fishing,” he said.

“Kids who spend their time fishing don’t have time or money to get into trouble.”

Entry fees for the tournament are $25 for every 6 teams per school/club. To participate, each club must be a registered affiliate of The Bass Federation (TBF) or BASS, which car-

Upstate High School Bass Fishing Teams have experienced tremendous growth in recent months thanks in part to a well-organized tournament circuit. [photo by Phillip Gentry]

ries valid insurance coverage for the club.

Each club must submit permission slips/liability releases, and each participant over the age of 16 must have a valid fishing license.

The PBC High School Trail has adopted the Youth Bass Fishing Rules Handbook, which requires two anglers per boat provided by the club with a boat captain over the age of 18 per two-person team.

Any middle/high school bass fishing team interested in fishing the PBC High School Tournament Trail can contact Walker at Palmetto Boat Center by calling 864.561.2026 or emailing martyw@palmettoboatcenter. com.

Phillip Gentry is the host of “Upstate Outdoors,” broadcast from noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays on 106.3 WORD FM. Contact Gentry at pgentry6@ bellsouth.net.

How to contact YoUR oconee coUntY GoveRnment Administrator .............................. (864) 638-4245 Animal Control ........................... (864) 888-0221 Airport ......................................... (864) 882-2959 Assessor ..................................... (864) 638-4150 Auditor ........................................ (864) 638-4158 Broadband / Oconee FOCUS .... (864) 718-1040 Clerk of Court ............................ (864) 638-4280 Community Development Addressing ............................ (864) 638-4250 Building Codes ...................... (864) 718-1005

Magistrate Courts Walhalla .................................. (864) 638-4125 Seneca ................................... (864) 888-1460 Westminster............................ (864) 647-5998 Oconee Public Library Walhalla Branch ..................... (864) 638-4133 Parks, Recreation and Tourism .. (864) 888-1488 Probate Court ............................. (864) 638-4275 Procurement ............................... (864) 638-4141 Register of Deeds....................... (864) 638-4285

Planning & Zoning................. (864) 638-4218

Roads & Bridges ........................ (864) 886-1072

SC DHEC .............................. (864) 638-4185

Rock Quarry ............................... (864) 638-4214

Coroner....................................... (864) 885-0687

Sheriff’s Office .............................(864) 638-4111

County Council .......................... (864) 718-1023

Soil & Water Conservation ......... (864) 638-2213

Delinquent Tax Office ................. (864) 638-4147

Solid Waste & Recycling Information ................. (864) 888-1440

Oconee Economic Alliance......... (864) 638-4210

Treasurer .................................... (864) 638-4162

Emergency Management ........... (864) 638-4200

Vehicle Maintenance .................. (864) 888-1446

Emergency Services .................. (864) 638-4220

Veteran’s Affairs.......................... (864) 638-4231

Finance ....................................... (864) 638-4235

Voter Registration / Elections ..... (864) 638-4196

Geographic Information Systems (864) 638-4251 Human Resources...................... (864) 638-4252

www.oconeesc.com

WINTER 2016 › 95

Reaching the deep

O

n October 6, Duke Energy announced an opportunity for certain eligible property owners to modify their docks to reach deeper water.

In my over 30 years of living and working on Lake Keowee, this is the first program I have seen put in place for dock owners to deal with low lake levels.

This article contains information about Duke’s Modification of Docks to Reach Deeper Water and Follow the Water programs.

MODIFICATION OF DOCKS TO REACH DEEPER WATER This program allows dock owners to proactively make permanent modifications to ensure a dock’s usability when lake levels may be lower, such as during an extended drought. During this special period, eligible lake residents may make permanent dock enhancements that otherwise may not be allowed.

Criteria • Eligible property owners can apply for dock modifications through Dec. 31, 2020.

• Property owners may qualify for the modifications if (1) they had an existing Duke Energy-approved boat dock by Dec. 1, 2013; or (2) they received a Duke Energyapproved permit between Dec. 1, 2012, and Dec. 1, 2013, and installed the dock prior to the permit expiring.

• Eligibility is based on requirements outlined in Duke Energys 2014 Keowee-Toxaway Shoreline Management Plan (SMP).

• Dock modifications considered under this program must be limited to those that enhance dock usability during droughts. Other modifications including maintenance activities require a separate lake use permit application.

How to Apply • Dock owners must submit an application and receive written approval before work is performed. There are no fees to apply between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2017. Applications submitted before Jan. 1 or after Dec. 31, 2017 will require the permitting fee and Habitat Enhancement Program payment in place at that time.

• Violations of the SMP identified as a result of a dock modification to reach deeper water application must be resolved and may not be eligible for the fee waivers described above.

• Applications are available online at www. duke-energy.com/lakes/LakeServicesApplications.asp.

96 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

BY DAVE KROEGER

FAQs for modifications of docks to reach deeper water Q: What size limitations will apply?

A: The typical maximum square footage for a pier, ramp and dock is 1,000 and that maximum is increased up to 1,200. However, some property owners are restricted to less than 1,000 square feet for various reasons. If a property owner’s pier, ramp and dock were originally restricted to less than 1,000 square feet, they may only increase the total square footage by up to an additional 200 from its current size.

Q: What type of modifications may I propose?

A: Complete replacement, relocation within approved shoreline, reconfiguration, simple extensions of gangways or any combination of the above.

Q: Does the projection of property lines rule still apply?

A: All current Shoreline Management Guidelines will still apply.

Q: Will the normal 12-month build out period apply?

A: No. You will have 24 months instead of 12 to allow the dock builders time to deal with the expected backlog of work.

Q: Where can I find the provisions in the agreements for permanent dock modifications?

A: Shoreline Management Plan Appendix C Shoreline Management Guidelines (SMG), Subsection 22 “Maximum Size Limits,” Paragraph “Exceptions and Waivers for Facility Modification or Expansion to Reach Deep Water” Page C-80. Also the Relicensing Agreement Article 7 “Shoreline Management Agreements,” Section 7.5 “SMG Modifications” Pages 7-1, 7-2.

FOLLOW THE WATER PROGRAM The Follow-the-Water Program allows dock owners to push their docks out to maintain usability when lake levels may be lower due to an extended drought.

Criteria • Dock owners will be authorized to follow the water upon Duke Energys public declaration of specific Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) stages. The LIP is a drought management plan that establishes procedures for reductions in water use during periods of low inflow.

• Dock owners, including owners of commercial and residential marinas and public recreation facilities, may follow the water during LIP stages 2-4.

• During periods when following the water has been authorized, Duke may waive certain requirements of the Shoreline Man-

agement Guidelines that would conflict with following the water (e.g., maximum distance from shoreline, one-third of the cove width, projection of property lines, etc.)

Dock Owner Requirements • Dock owners shall not push their docks out in a manner that prevents or blocks access to other docks or coves or negatively impacts shoreline classified as protected under the Shoreline Management Plan.

• Dock owners may moor their boats at docks belonging to other dock owners if permission is obtained from the dock owner.

• The temporary relocation of docks shall not create public safety hazards, navigational hazards or other issues.

• No electric lines may be run from the shoreline to the dock while following the water.

• Docks must be returned to their permitted location and orientation and all temporary anchor pins removed within 14 calendar days following Duke Energys public declaration of returning to the LIP Stage 1, 0 or Normal.

FAQs for follow the water Q: Do I need a permit from DELS (Duke Energy Lake Services) to use Follow the Water rules?

A: No written authorization is required. Minor modifications such as adding wheels or sleds to gangways or attaching winches to anchor cables that facilitate moving the gangway closer to the water are allowed without obtaining a permit so long as it does not result in an increase to the square footage.

Q: When am I allowed to use the Follow the Water rules?

A: You may only follow the water during a Duke Energy declaration of Low Intake Protocol (LIP) Stages 2, 3 or 4.

To find the LIP Stage level and criteria to determine low intake protocol you can visit the Duke website for the Keowee Toxaway Drought management advisory group. From here you can click on monthly updates to view the current LIP stage level.

I hope this helps clarify these new and potentially beneficial programs. Please feel free to contact me — dave@kroegermarine.com — with any questions you might have.

Dave is President/CEO of Kroeger Marine Construction, which has excelled for decades, offering unmatched experience and quality in boat dock building, erosion control and boat lift installation.

The New South Architecture & Exhibit “Speaking in the One Historic Voice”

A 1909 American Queen Anne style bungalow, carriage house and “two-seater outhouse”. Architect Charles Christian Hook Former residence of Dr. W. J. & Lilian Mason Lunney. The arts & crafts interior features art glass windows, original chandeliers, long-leaf pine woodwork, quarter-sawn oak mantel, English fireplace tiles, flat panel wainscot with burlap inserts, and an 1866 Chickering & Sons “cocked hat” parlor grand piano.

Open to the Public | Thursday through Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 PM Other hours by appointment | Admission by donation For a pictorial tour & events schedule visit www.LunneyHouseMuseum.org

211 W. South 1ST. Street, Seneca, SC 29678 info@LunneyHouseMuseum.org | 864.882.4811

Come discover Seneca’s premier cultural museum

The Bertha Lee Strickland Cultural Museum Honoring the Past • Elevating the Future

BERTHA LEE STRICKLAND CULTERAL MUSEUM (BLSCM) Downtown Historic District - Seneca’s premier cultural exhibit museum focuses on the richly compelling, authentic local African American history and culture of Oconee County. The museum incorporates technology and tradition to create a meaningful and educational experience for all ages. BLSCM rotates over 85% of its exhibit space 2-3 times annually. It also features “Bertha’s Kitchen” with its orginal bead board walls and ceiling, fireplace and mantels, flooring, and some original furnishing to create an interpretive look into the early 20th Century kitchen in Mrs. Strickland’s home. Call: 864710-9994, Email: blscmuseum@gmail.com or LIKE US on Facebook: facebook.com/cultural

208 West South 2nd Street, Seneca For more information www.blscm.org

Open Thursday - Saturday 11:00 AM- 4:00 PM Some holidays excluded. Admission is free.

Toccoa Falls

I

f winter is the time for your hiking hiatus but you still feel the urge to see a beautiful waterfall, Toccoa Falls, with a vertical drop of 186 feet, is nature’s gift to you.

Located on the campus of Toccoa Falls College in Stephens County, Georgia, the falls is considered one of the most beautiful in north Georgia.

Toccoa is the Cherokee word for “beautiful,” and, if you stand on the rocks or riverbed near the falls, you can feel the rush of wind the falls creates.

An aside … if you happen to catch a warm winter day, there are pools of calm water where you can wade and plenty of areas for a picnic.

This also happens to be a falls with a history, tragic as it may be.

On November 6, 1977, a dam break sent an estimated 176 million gallons of water over the falls, killing 39 and injuring 60 with millions of dollars in property damage. As you hike near the falls you will find a memorial to those victims.

DIRECTIONS Located entirely on the Toccoa Falls College campus just a few miles outside of downtown Toccoa, travel is easy and most GPS systems will guide you to 107 Kincaid Drive, located off Highway 17A. On entering the campus of Toccoa Falls College, stay straight and continue past the guard shack. At the fork in the road, bear left and continue across campus, following the creek on the left. When the road bends to the left, arrive at Gate Cottage, a stone building which houses the campus welcome center and entrance to Toccoa Falls.

A small fee will be required to gain entrance to the falls trail located at the back of the store. It’s a short walk to the falls.

98 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

OCONEE

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Paid for by YOUR Oconee County Government • www.oconeesc.com WINTER 2016 › 99

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100 ‹ UPSTATE LAKE LIVING

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