American author, monk and mystic Thomas Merton once proclaimed, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Without intricate portraits, oil paintings of captivating cityscapes and funky abstracts, where would we be? Mediums of creative expression have the ability to transform a space and create a mood. We chose a variety of Mount Pleasant businesses … [Read more...]
For places to go & things to do in Charleston.The Thieves Market’s Days Are Numbered: Turning the Page
It took five years for Carl Page to find a permanent home for his business, a primitive building in an old lumber yard on a dusty, two-lane road along the route to a couple of small, quiet beach towns. More than half a century later, Page’s Thieves Market is still a Mount Pleasant icon, a place where locals and visitors – and, now, online shoppers – can browse for everything … [Read more...]
Pitt Street Bridge: A Connection To the Past
The narrow strip of land that extends into the marsh at the end of Pitt Street in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant provides breathtaking views of the beauty of the Lowcountry and gives locals and visitors the opportunity to engage in a variety of outdoor activities, from walking and running to fishing and bird-watching. But beyond its current use as a recreation … [Read more...]
Visit Our Community Parks this Summer: Engage With Nature
Surrounded by serene marshlands, unique barrier islands and enchanting forests, it’s no surprise that Charleston County is home to dozens of public parks and nature centers. Come summertime, everyone from toddlers and young adults to parents and seniors frequent these versatile outdoor spaces. East of the Cooper, two major organizations are tasked with maintaining parks in … [Read more...]
Sharing Love for IOP: Creating Family Memories
As the beachfront begins to shimmer in the summer sunlight, warm memories of vacation, ice cold treats, and the joy of relaxation return to many minds. The enjoyment of this season inspires many families to pack up and head for the Carolina coast. In this article, we meet a few families who spend part of their year at Isle Of Palms. They share some of their favorite experiences … [Read more...]
An Amusing Story: The Coney Island of the South
Once upon a time it was Hunter Island. Then its name changed to Long Island. In the early 1900s, it earned the nickname “the Coney Island of the South.” Today, you know this 5.4-square-mile barrier island as Isle of Palms. Home to just over 4,000 souls, according to the most recent census, Isle of Palms boasts a popular beach, numerous restaurants and shops, an elegant … [Read more...]
Old School Knowledge for New School Families: A Refresher Course
Recently, the Charleston County School District sold the old Laing Middle School and its site, located here in Mount Pleasant, to corporate giant Home Depot. The building is still there as I write this article, as Home Depot has yet to tear it down, but I know it’ll soon be gone, and I’m trying not to be unhappy about it. While I never actually went inside the building, its … [Read more...]
That Long-Ago Mount Pleasant: Francis Graddick Looks Back
Looking at Mount Pleasant today, you might have a tough time believing that this ever-expanding town was once a small, quaint bedroom community where everyone knew everyone else’s name and life moved at slow and steady pace. Modern development has a way of changing all that, and, if not for a few history books and the recollections of those who grew up here, that idyllic … [Read more...]
Bringing Art to All: Perspective Gallery in Mount Pleasant
There’s a duality in the world’s view of art. On one hand, it is seen as a mere luxury afforded to those with financial means, while there are those who believe that to express oneself is a necessity and that enjoying the beauty and emotion captured in a painting or in print is an essential part of life. Under this premise, art is and should be accessible to everyone. The … [Read more...]
Mount Pleasant’s New Town Hall: Telling Mount Pleasant’s Story
There’s a decent chance that three quarters of a century from now, Mount Pleasant officials might be considering plans for a new Town Hall. Currently, however, the municipality’s public servants are thinking about and planning for the monumental task of moving most of the people who work for the town into a brand-new building that is just months away from completion – on … [Read more...]