Aside from my weekly Arts & Culture column, I also produce the Arts Scene calendar about what’s going on for arts and entertainment around the Summerville area. As such, I frequently type Matthew Crissman’s name as he performs music at local establishments. A native of Lexington, Crissma…

I haven’t had to iron for absolute ages, but it became necessary the other day. It was such a momentous event that I take note of it. Most everything we own now is permanent press, wrinkle free, or boasts my favorite label, “dry clean only.” Occasionally though, some article of clothing or h…

I last interviewed Sue Vinick during Flowertown Players’ run of “The Red Velvet Cake War.”

40 Years Ago

Greyson is a 2-month-old boxer mix, who — along with his siblings at the shelter — have been searching high and low for their forever families. He is anxious to be cuddled and carried about while you whisper into his ears how much you miss him whenever you’re not together — while scratching …

I first interviewed Jan Dalton when she was the President of the Summerville Artist Guild (SAG) back in January 2018. One of my upcoming columns in February will be on SAG and its current president/artist Jan Kelley, slated for the Feb. 12 edition.

40 Years Ago

For the past two years, members of two churches in Summerville have joined arms to work together to help feed the needy in the community.

My editor sent me an email on this author months ago. With a brand-new year and decade, Jondalyn Holmes’ book, “A New Birthing,” published through GWW Publishing Co. (now, Relentless Publishing), is the right topic to cover.

The cardboard arcade came to Philip Simmons Middle School for the fourth year.

40 Years Ago

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness.; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” Psalm 100:1-3.

Sister Sophia, the dean of women at my college, always took a loose leaf notebook with her to Midnight Mass. She’d arrive early and began slowly paging through the volume. Every year the book got thicker. Turns out it was her Bless You List. She had logged the names of every student she’d ta…

“If there’s a finer way to spend a hot summer day than flounder fishing, I don’t know what it is,” wrote outdoorsman Gerald Almy in 2015.

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! I’m fixing to die!

40 Years Ago

It was but a few days ago that we observed Pearl Harbor Day. Even though I was a little girl, I remember that day well. World War II was alive in our house.

Cheryl Oliver’s name was on the “Author! Author!” local book event from last fall online, so she’s been in my tickler file for a while now. We recently met for coffee to discuss her books.

Temperatures dropped to the low 30s in Summerville Thursday morning, inspiring a fun loving prank involving the sculpture of Polly Chisholm Brooks in Summerville's Hutchinson Square.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but a Clemson University researcher says don’t forget holiday festivities can be stressful and even deadly for some animals.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11

“No duty is more urgent than the return of thanks.” It is unclear to whom credit goes for this quote: sometimes to St. Ambrose of the 4th century; sometimes to James Allen of the 19th century. It is clear, however, in the winter of 2019 that “thanks” is intended for those who voted for the r…

I recall meeting Michael Kaltofen a few months ago, not long after the new local independent bookstore, Main Street Reads, opened as he was playing guitar there during a Third Thursday evening. In fact, he will be there 5-8 p.m. on Dec 19.

40 Years Ago

There are certain things mothers don’t like to remember. My maternal goofs make my skin crawl. There are things I manage to stuff into the very bottom of my memories, hopefully never to bubble up again. Unfortunately the basic premise of motherhood is that one has children. Children don’t fo…

It was the summer of 1991 in my hometown of Wheeling, West Virginia. My late mother Lemonia and I were leaving the Capitol Music Hall where we had just seen Willie Nelson in concert. As we made our way through a large mass of fans gathered outside of the theatre where the Nelson tour bus was…

On December 17, 1853, Benjamin F. Perry delivered a speech in Columbia to the “Merchants, Mechanics, and Businessmen.”

In less than a week it will be time once more to celebrate our town’s natal day, Dec. 17, 1847. It was 172 years ago, that Summerville was born — as an official town. She had been settled some half century before.

40 Years Ago

Bagheera is a 4-year-old male domestic shorthair, and though not in a mighty jungle filled with scary lions and silly bears, she promises to watch and protect you from any dangers that may be out lurking about.

My wife and I were raised with dogs and when Cheryl and I started our new life together, it did not take long for us to bring home our first fur babies, (a Scottish Terrier and a Wire Hair Terrier) and over the years we’ve had many other wonderful companions. James Cromwell is quoted as sayi…

Several months ago, I drove around town to get to know and visit a couple of arts related entities on Old Trolley Road and one of them was Impact Creative Arts Academy.

The students of Cane Bay High School are making preparations for their annual Madrigal Dinners. This

Two Cane Bay High School cheerleaders were chosen to be members of the All-American cheer team and will be flying to London to take part in the London New Year’s Day Parade on January 1, 2020.

Family traditions

40 Years Ago

Located downtown at 208 S. Cedar Street, the

You may recall that “Art Central” left its Short Central location in July when an opportunity came to move to a more spacious venue. The business is now at 420 Nexton Square Dr. in Summerville with a Grand Opening/Ribbon cutting set for 11 a.m. on Dec. 7. I dropped by the day before Thanksgi…

Moncks Corner resident Katherine Blackmon celebrated her 100th birthday on November 27th.

I wrote this essay on Thanksgiving morning after the flood of 2015.

Christmas is yet again upon us and so it’s time to chat with the folks at Flowertown Players about their upcoming production.