YMCA of Greenville celebrates 150 years of serving Greenville County
April 16, 2026The YMCA of Greenville officially commemorates its 150th anniversary, marking a sesquicentennial of service to the people of Greenville County. What began on April 16, 1876, when an interdenominational committee…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: business-services, fitness-centers, health-wellness, life, local-industry, marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, teens-and-young-adult
Showing compassion
April 16, 2026
By Jeff Becraft Two weeks ago, I had eye surgery… and most would consider it minor. Well, I think minor is a key you play on a piano. If…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Peach Blossom Lit
April 15, 2026
By Tom Poland Come March, my thoughts turn to peach blossoms and memories of family fruit trees. One tree from youth stands above others. From my deep well of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Beyond the Noise: Why midlife women are choosing a “Nervous System Reset” this season
April 13, 2026
In the whirlwind of midlife—balancing aging parents, career shifts, evolving family dynamics, and the physical changes of perimenopause and menopause—the one thing most women lose track of is themselves. We…
Read MorePosted in: georgetown-sc-gazette Category: health-wellness, life, on-the-move
The One who gives life
April 9, 2026
By Jeff Becraft Yesterday I went to a funeral. The place was jam packed, the music was beautiful. As I sat there, I thought about how it is good…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Art in the Garden returns to Wales Garden for an afternoon of local art and community connection
April 8, 2026
The Wales Garden neighborhood will once again come alive with creativity during the annual Art in the Garden event, taking place on Saturday April 11, from 2:00 PM to 6:00…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, festivals-special-events, life, on-the-move
Skip the Line: South Carolina State Parks Now Offering Online Admission Purchase
April 7, 2026
Planning a trip to one of South Carolina’s beautiful state parks just got even easier. South Carolina State Parks is reminding visitors that park admission can now be purchased online…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move
The straight scoop on the Doolittle Raid – Friday, April 17
April 6, 2026
Sometimes, when a nation’s outlook seems darkest, men put their lives in critical danger to boost the spirits of the folks back home. Not that the pilots and crews who…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, military, on-the-move
Skip the Line: South Carolina State Parks Now Offering Online Admission Purchase
April 6, 2026
Planning a trip to one of South Carolina’s beautiful state parks just got even easier. South Carolina State Parks is reminding visitors that park admission can now be purchased online…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: life, on-the-move
Masters Memories
April 5, 2026
By Tom Poland I never had time for golf, but I love the Masters. I never miss the Sunday round on TV. It almost always provides high drama. I…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, sports, the-arts
They don’t make them like they used to
April 2, 2026
By Jeff Becraft A few years ago, I needed to replace my lawnmower. This was more of a task than I had ever imagined. It just didn’t seem like…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
A Man Named Twiggs
April 1, 2026
By Tom Poland He was charismatic and a lightning rod for trouble. He was a roadie for the Allman Brothers Band. What little I know of his life tells…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move
Gardeners Rejoice: Zone 8a Frost Watch Ends as Planting Season Hits High Gear
April 1, 2026
Local gardeners can finally breathe a sigh of relief. According to the latest climate data and the 2026 spring forecast, the threat of a killing frost in the Golden Strip…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: advice, agriculture, life, on-the-move
Invested in other people’s lives
March 26, 2026
We have a Board member at Our Place of Hope named Shari. She is definitely not looking for any recognition or any self-promotion. But her heart is something I wanted…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Clunky Phones & Party Lines
March 25, 2026
By Tom Poland In rural Georgia the party line was our lot back in the early 1950s. When the phone rang, we counted. Our phone rang two times. Three…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Noon Debrief to discuss military artifacts Gen. Sherman dumped into the Congaree – April 3
March 19, 2026
When Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman took Columbia in 1865, he captured a lot of stored Confederate munitions. Not wanting them to be used against his army as it marched farther…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, military, on-the-move
Southern Truth Tellers
March 18, 2026
By Tom Poland Each January, my thoughts turn to a fellow Georgian. James Dickey died January 19, 1997, of the same disease that took my mother’s life. On June…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
A window of remembrance
March 18, 2026
By Jeff Becraft Last week was the one-year anniversary of our Dad passing away. Mom passed away in 2022. My brother, Ed, sent out a message to all of…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Relic Room celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday with Revolutionary War Day
March 16, 2026
The South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum will celebrate 2026 Revolutionary War Day on March 28. It lasts from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. that Saturday, and admission is free.…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Hammock Coast golf shines in USA Today/10 Best contests
March 13, 2026
By Clayton Stairs, Tourism Manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast Golf on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast’s is once again garnering national attention –…
Read MorePosted in: georgetown-sc-gazette Category: chamber, entertainment, life, local-industry, on-the-move, sports
Georgetown vying for ‘Best Small Town in the South’ in USA Today contest
March 13, 2026
By Clayton Stairs, Tourism Manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast. Once again, South Carolina’s third oldest city has been nominated by USA Today…
Read MorePosted in: georgetown-sc-gazette Category: chamber, economic-development, entertainment, food, hospitality, life, on-the-move, restaurant
Love, sacrifice, and joy
March 12, 2026
By Jeff Becraft There was no Friday email last week because grandkids came into town on Friday, and then on Monday, I had to head out because I had…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
A Good Whooping
March 11, 2026
By Tom Poland I am no stranger to the flyswatter, switch, belt, and paddle. I even got a good whooping with a paint brush. I ought to be a…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Summer Blink Book Review: “That Which Binds Us” by Cathy Rigg
March 10, 2026By Reba Hull Campbell When traveling light, I still indulge in the luxury of carrying a hard copy book with me. For a recent vacation trip, I chose Cathy Rigg’s…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Army nurse to tell about her service in Vietnam
March 7, 2026
The Vietnam exhibit at the S.C. Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum pays tribute to all sorts of South Carolinians who served honorable in a variety of ways in Southeast…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, military, on-the-move, veterans
Choosing forgiveness
March 5, 2026
By Jeff Becraft Marine Clebe McClary fought in the Vietnam war. On their 19th mission deep in hostile territory, his platoon and he suffered a vicious attack from the enemy.…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Osprey At Crooked Bridge
March 4, 2026
By Tom Poland Three birds hold me in their thrall. The osprey, whippoorwill, and oft-slighted buzzard. I love the whippoorwill’s lilting call. The noble osprey and its distinctive M-shaped…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
The Colors of Spain, European tour comes to Columbia for one night only
March 3, 2026Columbia audiences will get a rare first look at a European touring production this month when “The Colors of Spain” makes its U.S. premiere at the Koger Center for the Arts. Set for…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, life, music, on-the-move, the-arts
Blink Book Review: “The Concise Guide to South Carolina Government” by Vincent Sheheen
February 26, 2026
By Reba Hull Campbell As a self proclaimed “policy nerd,” I was excited to receive “The Concise Guide to SC State Government” by Vincent Sheheen as a Christmas gift.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move
Mischief Along The Augusta Highway
February 26, 2026
By Tom Poland A restless boy grew up in the midst of forests and pastures. Outside of biking, reading, and exploring woods, the Augusta Highway entertained me. If Rambling…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Taking time to remember
February 25, 2026
By Jeff Becraft Last weekend, Brenda and I got to go to Texas to see the three grandkids there… and see their parents. We flew back into Charlotte on…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
The Revolution in South Carolina
February 25, 2026
With all the talk about what happened 250 years or so ago, you’ve probably heard that more of the American Revolution’s battles were fought in South Carolina than in any…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, military, on-the-move
Laurens County First Steps Now Accepting Participating Organizations and Food Vendors for Child Abuse Prevention Event
February 24, 2026
Laurens County First Steps is pleased to announce that registration is now open for community organizations, local businesses, and food vendors interested in participating in the upcoming Child Abuse Prevention…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: day-care, education, festivals-special-events, life, non-profit, on-the-move
The Ghosts Of Winter
February 18, 2026
By Tom Poland Fall in full tumble gives us a kind of X-ray vision. We see that a leafless land is a lovely land, a surprising land. We see what…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
A connection between us
February 18, 2026
By Jeff Becraft I went to Walmart this week… twice in one day. I had to get the quota in. I don’t get as much of a quota as…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
SwordFest comes schwinging back on March 7
February 18, 2026
Here they come again, descending in hordes upon Columbia. Pirates. Soldiers from past centuries. Martial arts fighters. Modern sport fencers. Medieval knights in full armor. Jedi knights from a whole…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Trowels at the Ready: Preparing Your Golden Strip Garden for Spring
February 16, 2026
As the days grow longer in the Golden Strip, local gardeners are trading catalogs for trowels to prepare for the spring season. While the Upstate is known for its red…
Read MorePosted in: golden-strip-news Category: agriculture, home-remodel, life, on-the-move
Finding battlefields in the earth beneath us
February 16, 2026
The American Revolution is very much in the air these days, as we are reminded of what happened 250 years ago. And in many, many places in South Carolina, it’s…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, military, on-the-move
Lexington Chamber announces LEXPO “Best of Show” honorees
February 16, 2026
The Lexington business community “Scored Big” this year as the Lexington Chamber & Visitors Center hosted its most vibrant LEXPO business trade show to date. On Thursday, February 12, the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: chamber, festivals-special-events, life, on-the-move, social-scene
Enjoying the task
February 12, 2026
By Jeff Becraft Leadership is not about me or any individual. Leadership is about others. Several times I have referred back to the past during the YC era, of…
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Collard Green Memories
February 11, 2026
By Tom Poland Being the chap I was, collard greens’ smell and similarity to the stringy dark-green algae in fish ponds repulsed me. Mom would cook up a mess…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Cast Iron Cornbread
February 5, 2026
By Tom Poland Born of fire, master of fire, and survivor of fire, my vintage cast iron cornbread mold fed many a soul. Best I figure it came to…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Out in the snow
February 4, 2026
By Jeff Becraft The recent snow we had in South Carolina reminded me of a lot of things growing up. I grew up in Maryland and in our neighborhood, this was…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
The Sweetest Smoke A Man Was Ever To Smell
February 2, 2026
By Tom Poland To some, the smokehouse remains a symbol of the impoverished, rural South. Not me. I see it as a rustic savior, and I thank the late…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
My Lost Geisha
January 28, 2026
By Tom Poland It was the photograph in my father’s war album. Her white kimono. Hair black as onyx. Pale, serene face. Perfect bone structure. Gloss, a sheen upon her…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Going out for lunch
January 28, 2026
By Jeff Becraft One Friday, I decided to go out for lunch. I don’t do this a whole lot; I usually pack a lunch. But lately I have enjoyed…
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‘Tunnel Rat’ C.W. Bowman to speak at Richland Library
January 27, 2026
Vietnam veteran C.W. Bowman has fascinated audiences at the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum several times with lectures about his war experiences. Last year, in an offsite…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, military, on-the-move, veterans
One step at a time
January 22, 2026
By Jeff Becraft Recently, Brenda was going to head out of town the next day, and so I wanted to do something for her. I told her on her…
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Red Clay
January 21, 2026
By Tom Poland Drizzle drifted and spritzed as if it were January except it was October. Mists coated my camera. In its viewfinder red mud glistened in rain that…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Here’s to using the “good stuff” in 2026
January 21, 2026
By Reba Hull Campbell Who doesn’t love a good mess after bringing out the “good stuff” we never use … like enjoying dinner using the family china or silver and…
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