I remember the first time I sunk my choppers into a homegrown, perfectly ripe, South Carolina peach. Like taking a bite out of the sun, it filled my senses with aromatic vibrancy and just the right amount of sweet. Grocery-store produce picking falls short of the wonder and sense of community provided at area farmers markets. Stacks of green onions, collards, crimson peppers … [Read more...]
Craft Beers for a Good Cause: The Charleston Beer Garden
“The 5th Annual Charleston Beer Garden event is really about fun, not beer snobbery. It’s about coming together for a day and enjoying great beer, good company and listening to fantastic regional music.” So said Jason Kirk, organizer of the event set for May 14. The director of development for Lowcountry Aids Services, Kirk does much to raise funds for the 25-year-old … [Read more...]
The Past Looks Bright: Remembering Our Mount Pleasant Lighthouse
As any boater can tell you, navigating Charleston Harbor can be a tricky proposition because of its many sandbars and oyster beds. That challenge is of particular importance for the large commercial vessels entering and leaving this busy port city. Today, modern technology enables harbor pilots to guide ships safely through the main channel. But more than a century ago, ships … [Read more...]
Warm Regards: The Hibben Cold Weather Shelter Finishes Another Busy Year
Just three short years ago, the wintry weather of the Lowcountry inspired a group of Hibben United Methodist Church members to reach out to the community in a big way. A congregation member known as “Beth” was able to stay at the church during an ice storm and proposed a new idea: What if Hibben UMC regularly offered four walls and a roof to those who needed it? Thus was Mount … [Read more...]
Some Like it HOT! …The Pepper Trend in East Cooper
They say your taste buds change and develop every seven years, which makes sense to me because I haven't always been a fan of spicy foods. Now I can hardly stand a dish of grits or a serving of chips and salsa without the proverbial kick in the pants from a peppery sensation on my tongue. It appears I am not alone in that sentiment. Lately, more than ever, … [Read more...]
Warranting Praise from Foodies and Critics Alike: The Granary
As executive chef and owner of The Granary, Brannon Florie works hard to deliver the very best flavors to patrons. Over the course of his career, he’s received warranted praise from foodies and critics alike. Writer Robert Moss named Florie’s pork chop one of the “Thirty Most Memorable Dishes” in Charleston – a meal that could sway even the staunchest vegetarians to rethink … [Read more...]
Calling All Idea People! DIG SOUTH 2016 is Here
Every spring, the Lowcountry crackles with the kind of creative energy that could power a locomotive. A multitude of tech and digital innovators descend upon the area to brainstorm, share tales of entrepreneurial ventures and keep the flame of creativity burning bright. On April 26, 27 and 28, 200 speakers and more than 2,000 attendees will come together to inspire, encourage … [Read more...]
Small Scale Community Meets Large Scale World – Village Park in Mount Pleasant
Let's say that you love being around people. You crave the bustle of city life with its proximity to businesses, shopping and restaurants. Yet during down time, you love nothing more than curling up on a patch of grass beneath a tree or tending the herbs and flowers in your garden. In the past, many people had to make the tough choice between life in the heart of a … [Read more...]
A Culinary Pioneer: Chef Rusty Hamlin of the Southern Ground Music and Food Festival
The days of standing in music festival concession lines for a preservative-filled hot dog or dried out falafel are a thing of the past. After all, nothing pairs better with guitar solos and gritty vocals than exceptional farm-fresh cuisine. Chef Rusty Hamlin, a culinary mastermind of fierce flavor, has trekked all over the country keeping the bellies of musicians and fans full. … [Read more...]
Set to Rock Daniel Island: Southern Ground Music and Food Festival
Now in its fifth year, the Lowcountry’s own Southern Ground Music and Food Festival is set to rock Daniel Island to the delight of those who like their country gritty, their whiskey straight and their food options varied. With arguably the most impressive lineup to date, this event may indeed attract more out-of-town music lovers willing to clock the miles in the name of … [Read more...]