Columnists | Summerville Journal Scene

Columnists

It’s almost getting too unbelievable for anybody’s good these days. How fantastic an ending do you need, anyway? You have another awesome catch by the Giants’ Mario Manningham to set up a go ahead touchdown, and then New England alm ... full story

Smith Says: Purse-preparedness

I hate to brag, but me and my purse have got it going on. Or is it a pocketbook, bag, handbag, shoulder bag or tote? My Midwestern aunt always said “pocketbook,” which is charming in the quaint way that homemade pickles and afghans are ch ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man: It’s the shoes

When I was a kid, Converse All-Stars were considered The Shoe. We also wore Keds, Red Ball Jets and PF Flyers. I fervently believed in the advertising that came along with them. PF Flyers promised to make you run faster and jump higher, and being o ... full story

INKLINGS: The Inspirers

I’ve always liked older women. Good thing, especially now that I “are one!” As a young girl my favorite author was Agatha Christie and her purported favorite detective Jane Marple was my special delight. Miss Marple, who was born at ... full story

Sweet Tea: Greatest threat to S.C. since Sherman

A recent visit to a local restaurant found me waiting behind three wide bodies blocking the tea dispensers. Despite tilting the sweet tea canister 45 degrees they found none to be had, so they waited for it to be filled. It didn’t enter their m ... full story

Finding Mudville: Super Bowl Sunday

It’s Super Bowl Sunday time again. I loathe this time of year almost as much as I do New Year’s Eve. Why? Because there will be Super Bowl parties galore and I won’t be invited to any of them. So I get bitter. So, we’re faced ... full story

Smith Says

I’m a walking disaster. Within 24 hours last week, I had blood bubbling from under a fingernail, lost a crown and wound up at Doctor’s Care with a damaged eyeball. I’ve always been accident-prone. As a kid I toppled out of trees, fe ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man: Energy Drinks

I am a sedentary sort. I am one who has adopted the deadly sin “Sloth” as a lifestyle choice, but I need to remain active. I have no energy. Energy or the lack thereof has been an issue with me for years. I used to get paid to exercise. ... full story

Showing our appreciation to those who keep us safe

Several recent incidents in the Palmetto State have underscored the dangers facing the men and women of law enforcement: -- Scotty Richardson, a public safety officer in Aiken ,was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop in late December. Ano ... full story

Inklings: INKLINGS Getting to the bottom of the butt

I am continually delighted at where I find delectable recipes. They’ve come from dinner parties, of course, at poolside, on a trip, in the grocery store and once, thank you Lord, in church. Recently I got one while having my nails done in an en ... full story

Wise Words from Williams: What guides you in life?

Apart from the goals you have – the things you desire to achieve – what else guides you in life? Do you have any guiding principles at all? Let me try and flesh this out for you. You want to be rich but in the process of trying to be ric ... full story

The Best Legislature That Lobbying Can Buy

We hear a lot about lobbyists and special interest money in South Carolina politics but no one ever seems to talk about the hard numbers. So, here are a few numbers gleaned from 2011 lobbyist reports that are publicly available online at the SC Ethic ... full story

Choose Civility: Kindness

Charleston School of Protocol and Eitquette Who you are In this New Year, is kindness about more than being nice to others? Many of us may not realize that being kind to others is actually more about being kind to ourselves; and that kindness towa ... full story

Finding Mudville: Now it’s football season

Finally, we have football season. It’s cold and snowing in places and all the games are being played outside. No more domed teams are left. That’s what I call football. The first week of the playoff season, while including some exciting ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man: Stand By Me?

It is curiosity that fuels the explorer’s fire. I can feel the burning that Columbus must have felt deep inside his gut as he stood on the shores of the Atlantic and looked west, pondering, “What is that out there?” That burning, t ... full story

The State Capitol Report

Lawmakers returned to the State House on Jan. 10 to commence the second legislative year of the 119th South Carolina General Assembly. The House of Representatives approved S.258 and enrolled the bill for ratification. The legislation creates t ... full story

INKLINGS: Charm bracelets

I’ve had charm bracelets for 60 years, and loved them all. My late mother had them as does my sister Cynthia. Each charm is more than adornment; each is a story about us – where we went, what we did, what we like – who we are. Curio ... full story

Finding Mudville: I am tired of football

It’s over. Finally. The college football season has finally ended, and never before have I allowed myself to become so blasé about the sport. My interest wanes after the Army-Navy game because of the selling out of college football to co ... full story

INKLINGS: Summerville treasure hunt

It’s not every day you can take a personal treasure and find out locally what it’s worth. That’s just the opportunity provided by the Arts, Business and Civic Coalition’s (ABCC) upcoming Critique My Antique event. It will be h ... full story

The role that community newspapers play

In Pickens County, the local “Meals on Wheels” program announced in early January that it’s teaming up with another organization to prepare emergency food packages for homebound people in case inclement weather creates hazardous dri ... full story

Darla’s Homecoming

During our recent move to a new home in Summerville, my little fur-baby Darla got out through a small fence. We knew the fence was not up to standard and had a replacement one being installed a few days later. What we didn’t realize is that s ... full story

Finding Mudville: My Hall of Fame rant (again)

Get out the soapbox, I’m about to do some preaching. This is not a subject I’ve danced around lightly. I’m passionate. By the time you read this, the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2012 will have been announced, and mi ... full story

Smith Says

There’s nothing more refreshing than a good night’s sleep, which explains why I feel half-dead all the time. Well, not ALL the time—only when I don’t sleep, which is roughly three nights out of seven. And boy, is it rough. Ins ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man: I got fleeced …

I caved last week and bought a Snuggie. It’s been cold lately and as seen on TV, the Snuggie is the ultimate in keeping warm and comfy. For the lonely guy the Snuggie will do when there’s no one else around to get warm and comfy with. I ... full story

NOBLE COLUMN: Smoke Signals on the Political Horizon for South Carolina

Tis the season not just for eggnog and holiday celebration, but also for politics. Yes, I know, we are all pretty well sick of politics in general and all the presidential candidates crisscrossing our state in particular. However, there are some unus ... full story