Calling All Parents of Four-Legged Children In a year that saw most people spending a lot more time at home, itβs no surprise that our pets have further solidified their bond with us as bonafide members of the family. According to the American Pet Products Associationβs (APPA) biennial National Pet Owners Survey, an estimated 67% of American households had a pet, with 50% … [Read more...]
Sharing Your Passion with Your Children: Time to Throw Gender Stereotypes Out the Window
Thereβs nothing that bonds a parent and child like a shared hobby. But whether right or wrong, many hobbies carry the weight of gender bias. Fishing and hunting are seen as βmanly,β while dancing and singing are stereotyped as female interests. But outdated labels shouldnβt stop a boy mom or girl dad from having meaningful ties with their children. Here are the stories of three … [Read more...]
Road Trip: One Local Reflects on the Power of the Open Road
Itβs a ritual that you were likely subjected to as a child and now want to try out with your own offspring. No matter how it turned out, it ended up being one of the best memories you could ever make. For my son and me, our road trip was much more than a rite of passage. It was a journey of grieving and healing that started as a quest to fulfill part of a life cut way too … [Read more...]
A Brief History of Mother’s and Father’s Day
National Pancake Day, National Puppy Day, Wine Day, Margarita Day, Bacon Day β these days, there truly is a βdayβ 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 βnational daysβ that steal hearts all over our country, no matter age or … [Read more...]
Beautiful Gate Center: Assisting Children with Developmental Disabilities
In July 2021, Beautiful Gate Center β the first multidisciplinary, integrated developmental learning center in the state of South Carolina β will open in North Charleston and begin serving tri-county area children and youth with Developmental Disabilities (DD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Founded by parents who know firsthand the frustrations and shortfalls of working … [Read more...]
Mental Health in Mothers: Getting the Support You Need When Things Aren’t OK
An abundance of care is provided to women when they are pregnant. As a vessel for human life, pregnant women are placed under the microscope for the better part of nine months, only to be released after labor and delivery. But what a person goes through to bring life into this world is no small task, and while a momβs immediate physical needs are met in the hospital, her mental … [Read more...]
Assembling the Perfect Gift Basket
No matter the occasion, the best presents are the ones that show the giverβs thoughtfulness. Assembling a collection of curated items into an attractive gift basket will trump a standard issue store-bought item every time. Itβs not so much the expense but more about the thought and time that the giver has invested in making this gift a special one. Whether youβre on the hunt … [Read more...]
The Future of Solar Energy in South Carolina: The Sun Always Rises
Plants figured it out long before we did: how to take sunlight, convert it into energy and store it. There is no denying that following in their footsteps and harnessing solar energy to fuel our daily energy needs is a part of our future. In a city filled with sunshine, whether youβre considering solar panels to help the environment or your bank account, youβre not alone.Β I … [Read more...]
Adding Sweat Equity: Tips from a Do-It-Yourself Veteran
When the real estate market is as hot as our market here in Mount Pleasant, there isnβt much that you need to do for your home to sell quickly. Is it clean? Are there door frames? (Yes, this is legitimately important, I recently toured a home without door frames.) If youβve answered yes to both of these questions, youβre probably OK. However, if you want to get the most out of … [Read more...]
Spoleto Festival USA’s Nigel Redden Talks About This Year’s Return
Imagine getting a sneak-preview of your life at the age of 14. Thatβs when Nigel Redden first traveled to Spoleto, Italy during a school trip and happened upon a series of sculptures by the likes of Alexander Calder and David Smith, commissioned for the 1962 Festival dei due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds). βThe juxtaposition of art to setting was fascinating. You saw the … [Read more...]