To borrow from — and paraphrase — author Erich Segal, “What do you say about a beloved Lowcountry novelist who died?” In the case of the recent passing of Dorothea Benton Frank, the answer is simply, “A great deal.” Among the 20 New York Times best-selling books she has written since 2000 — one every year — 11 were set in and showcased the Lowcountry, starting with her … [Read more...]
The Roaring ’20s: Life in the Lowcountry 100 Years Ago
The Roaring ‘20s. The phrase suggests flappers, frolic and frivolity. But, the prosperity that much of the country experienced was not replicated here. Most local residents struggled in a stagnant economy. Droves of men left to find work in cities up North. Tourism became the hope for economic growth. In 1923, Charleston’s Mayor Thomas Stoney dubbed Charleston “America’s … [Read more...]
Hurricane HUGO 30 Years Later: A Retrospective — and How to Prepare for the Next Big One
Late evening on September 21, 1989, a powerful Category 4 storm dubbed Hurricane Hugo raged ashore, bringing 135 mph winds, torrential rainfall and a towering tidal surge that flooded homes and businesses, washed out roads and bridges, reduced homes to rubble, toppled mighty oaks and snapped pines like twigs. Isle of Palms Fire Department Chief Ann Graham was serving as fire … [Read more...]
Mother’s and Father’s Day: A Brief History
National Pancake Day, National Puppy Day, Wine Day, Margarita Day, Bacon Day — these days, there truly is a “day” for just about anything and anyone we love. Sure, these days are fun and a reason to grab your favorite cocktail or an extra carb-y breakfast. But there are few of those tried-and-true, classic “national days” that steal hearts all over our country, no matter age … [Read more...]
The Battle of Sullivan’s Island: Why We Celebrate Carolina Day on June 28
Imagine, for a moment, a very different Lowcountry than the one we know. It’s the dead of summer during the Revolutionary War, and the royal assembly and royal representatives were run off last fall. There is a tense state of bitter “peace” while things are run by a group of patriots. On June 28, 1776, the world’s most powerful military made its move to capture Charleston, … [Read more...]
Schoolhouse to Cultural Center: Snowden Community Preserves a Historic Landmark
On a particularly scorching day in August, with the heat index stretching to 105, President of the Snowden Community Civic Association Freddie Jenkins and I ride to a significant Mount Pleasant structure now hidden but not forgotten. Diners at the nearby Waffle House on Long Point Road wouldn’t necessarily know that just a stone’s throw away, on a grassy four-acre lot, stands … [Read more...]
The Story of a Hurricane Chaser
Although I didn’t realize it at the time, my longtime relationship with hurricanes started in 1969 when Camille hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A Category 5 storm with 190 mph sustained winds, Camille was the most powerful hurricane ever to make landfall in the United States. All the destruction and death caused by this act of Mother Nature happened one day after I left Biloxi, … [Read more...]
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...]
Preparing for a Potential Earthquake: We Feel the Earth Move Under Our Feet
It’s been over 130 years since a devastating 7.3 earthquake hit Charleston in August 1886, the largest recorded quake in the history of the Southeastern United States. While there hasn’t been one registered at that level since then, the potential for a repeat event in the Lowcountry remains high. Felt as far away as Chicago and Cuba, Charleston was the bullseye for the area … [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...]