Once a year, 100 or so teenagers from affluent families in China gather on the hallowed grounds of New York Military Academy, located beneath Storm King Mountain in the heart of the Hudson Valley. For three grueling weeks, they live a Spartan existence, learning how to fight, to survive and to lead, and doing it all without the distraction of cellphones, computers or … [Read more...]
Exploring the Mind of Noah Leask
Noah Leask, a student who performed little better than average in high school, excelled as a cyber warrior in the Navy and as a civilian did contract work for the U.S. government at a level so clandestine that he’s not at liberty to discuss the details or anything else about it. He has started one company since his military career ended, and at least two others have benefited … [Read more...]
Automotive Excellence: A ‘Family’ at Your Service
Since 2001, Johnny Page and his wife have used their local business, Automotive Excellence, to provide the people of Mount Pleasant with outstanding automobile service. Recently, Page has expanded the business, opening a second shop in the area. “When I finished school, I started working for other mechanic shops before I realized there’s enough work for everybody, so I … [Read more...]
Low Country Volkswagen: More Than a Car … It’s a Lifestyle
David Zeigler sits in his office at Low Country Volkswagen in Mount Pleasant. On one wall is a framed poster of the classic VW van that powered the surfer generation on the West Coast and later morphed into the beloved “Hippie Van” of the late 1960s and 1970s. The poster is more than mere nostalgia. Zeigler said it was the result of a conscious effort to rebrand his … [Read more...]
Hudson’s Import Service: Specialization Is Key
The seemingly endless technological and safety advances in today’s automobiles mean, for people like Cliff Hudson and his service professionals, that ongoing education is a must. When asked how often continuing education is necessary in the automotive service industry, Hudson, president of Hudson’s Import Service of Mount Pleasant, replied with one word: “Constantly.” He … [Read more...]
Life After Cancer: Stories of Survival and Recovery
It’s a diagnosis nobody wants and a journey that many don’t survive: cancer. This September and October – awareness months for prostate and breast cancer, respectively – people across the country will celebrate the survivors and honor those who lost their battles. According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime, … [Read more...]
Cheerleaders: The Ultimate Athletes on the Sidelines
Cheerleader n. 1 a person, typically one of a group, who leads fans in cheering for a team, as by shouting practiced cheers, performing aerobic stunts, etc. 2 a person who enthusiastically promotes or supports a cause (Webster’s New World College Dictionary) ... The cause, most typically? Our beloved pastime of football. Think about your team of choice for a minute: What … [Read more...]
A Polo Party: Victory Cup Rides into Charleston
Saddle up for one of the biggest social gatherings of the fall as The Victory Cup national polo tournament returns to Charleston for its second year on Oct. 13. The Victory Cup itself has been around 14 years, and the polo match has grown into one of the largest equestrian events in the country, earning the moniker, “America’s Polo Match.” Charleston’s version is held at the … [Read more...]
Celebrate Fall at the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkins, Corn Mazes, Bounce Pillows – Oh My! Fall is my favorite season, with the blazing heat of summer finally fading away into colorful leaves, crisp breezes, cowgirl boots, football games and pumpkin spice everything. For the past three years – since my oldest child was born – my family’s kickoff to the most wonderful time of the year has begun at the Boone Hall Pumpkin … [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...]