2017 Edisto Chamber of Commerce - Holiday Business After Hours

Edisto United giving tree at With These Hands Gallery 

The Edisto Chamber of Commerce held its annual holiday edition of Business After Hours on November 28. The host groups reside in a strip mall on Highway 174 right before arriving at Edisto Beach. With These Hands Gallery offers Amercian made crafts for sale, The Edisto Island Book Store offers the latest book for beach reading, and the Edisto Island Open Land Trust works to conserve land. Edisto United was also present to discuss their 2017 Giving Tree located inside the crafts gallery, because its a family affair.

Lisa Harrell, Bob and Melinda Hare, and John Girault

The event began before sundown at 5:30 and kept going until 7 when a raffle for door prizes was held. Chili, cheese and crackers, wine and beer were served for the gathering of small business owners. Charleston Fossil Adventures gave away a three-hour kayak tour, and John Girault was the emcee. Chamber Director Lisa Harrell was thrilled with the turnout and check out the Edisto Chamber Facebook page for the latest happenings on Edisto Island.

To view past blog entries from the Edisto Chamber Business of the Year click on 2017 - 2016

To view past blog entries from EIOLT click on 2017 Oyster Roast - 2017 Tomato Open - 2017 I Love Edisto Auction- 2016 Oyster Roast - 2014 Oyster Roast - 2014 Spring Birding - 2013 Oyster Roast - 2012 ACE Basin Mtg. - 2009 Spring Birding

Edisto Realty - Matthew and Dina Kizer with Nate Rish 

Tim Burton from Presley's with Laura and Charles Yeomans

Tabernacle Cemetery in Smoaks Installs Metal Arch

NEW metal Arch at Tabenacle Cemetery in Smoaks, S.C.

Driving just North of the community of Smoaks in Western Colleton County, passersby will notice something new to the area. A custom wrought iron arch has been erected at the entrance of the Tabernacle cemetery, displaying the name and the established date of 1876. Public donations pay for the upkeep of this cemetery since it is operating independently, and recent fundraising efforts provided for the new metal arch.

            

Since there is no church at this cemetery site it is possible to drive right past this Lowcountry landmark, so be sure to look for the grass parking lot with a chain link fence surrounding the burial area. The new arch is 13-feet high over the swing gates and was designed to be large enough to allow for funeral company equipment to be able to access the grounds. I can report azaleas, camellias and crepe myrtles in the cemetery area, bordered by an agriculture field filled with white cotton blooms.

            

Edyce Griffin is the secretary / treasurer for the Tabernacle cemetery and she takes great care in the upkeep, especially since her late husband is buried here. “Carol Padgett of Ruffin is the President of the Tabernacle cemetery committee, and I serve with him to generate the funding we need for site maintenance,” said Griffin. “The new arch was put up just in time for the Christmas season, which is a high traffic time for all cemeteries when folks visit the graves of loved ones.”

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

Thanksgiving Holiday Dove Hunts - Short But Sweet

Three happy hunters and a Labrador after a holiday hunt

During the middle portion of the 2017 dove hunting season, Thanksgiving Day and the two weekends that bookend the holiday provide the most seasonal fun for hunters. There are other holiday hunting options during Thanksgiving week too since deer season continues, and duck and quail seasons are open, but dove hunts offer the best opportunity for socializing within the hunt party. The Thanksgiving week To Do list includes a condensed work schedule, family obligations and extended meal times, all of which can pinch any plans to hunt doves. So when a group of friends can gather for even a short dove hunt, in the early morning or late afternoon, that window of time spent in the outdoors is hard to beat.

A nice gathering of holiday doves

Planning for a Thanksgiving holiday hunt requires more than one might think, just like most worthwhile hunt endeavors. Dove fields require upkeep, meaning that the habitat can get stagnant for birds if it is not managed routinely by exposing fresh dirt, burning off grass strips or providing feed using legal guidelines. The lead up to a holiday hunt plan can be just as exciting as the hunt, except for things like the unexpected flat tire on the tractor, and a lack of doves throughout the Lowcountry since Hurricane Irma blew though. Hoping for doves is a common sentiment shared among hunters this time of year!

 

Dove hunting opportunities seem to be dwindling in general, so it is always smart to keep in touch with hunting friends heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, to see who might be staying in town for the holiday. If there is a chance that a last minute dove hunt might be held, you have to be able to pull a few folks together. Being ready on standby for a dove hunt might make the difference whether an invitation to hunt doves comes your way. I know I hope to return to the dove field on Thanksgiving Day and am grateful for the afternoon hunting invitation from a longtime hunting friend and fellow dove enthusiast. Will there be enough doves? I hope so, but on a Turkey Day dove hunt with family and friends, the number of doves flying may not be the thing that matters most.

To read the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries about Thanksgiving click on 2014 Harvest - Camp Chef - Quail Season Opening Day - Mixed Bag - Lady Hunter tags 10-point buck - 2009 Driven Deer Hunt - 2012 Driven Deer Hunt

2017 Colleton Business at the Backwater

Chamber leaders on the Swing

The 15th Annual Business at the Backwater was held November 16 at Turkey Run Farm, with host Jamey Copeland welcoming the Chamber of Commerce to his home place in order to network and enjoy fellowship in a relaxed setting. Chicken wings from Paul Pye, Barbecue from Jimmy Fitts and oysters satisfied the crowd's appetite, while Bruce Stanford played familiar tunes with his acoustic guitar. Comfortable temperatures meant that two fire pits were in use, and no bugs were detected.

To view past blog entries from Business at the Backwater click on 2016 - 2015 - 2014

Awesome fall colors at the Backwater

Oyster cookers Blaine Colson and Thomas Frank

Glad to listen to singer Bruce Standiford ... again!

2017 New Orleans - Photo Journal

Christmas decorations were in place early
at St. Louis Cathedral

These are just a few of the photos that I decided to share after spending a fall weekend in the Big Easy.

To view past blog entries for dining in New Orleans click on 2017 - 2013

To view past blog entries on Audubon in New Orleans click on Insectarium - Aquarium

Shipping traffic on the Mississippi River,
seen from the New Orleans Ritz-Carlton

Decisions.... decisions

Same spot as 2013 Photo Journal snapshot

First time visit to the Po-Boy Festival