Bimbos and Venmos
July 15, 2021
By Tammy Davis Old people and dating and technology. Not a good mix. This is a story about my friend Sue* and her date, Woody.* Things were going well…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, the-arts
My Mother’s Bible
July 15, 2021
By Tom Poland After Mom died, my sisters and I began to go through her and Dad’s belongings. Quite a task that surprised, amused, and puzzled us. Lots of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, the-arts
Wingard’s Market makes cover of nationwide industry magazine
July 14, 2021
Wingard’s Market, the Midlands premier full-service garden and plant center, is featured on the July cover of Green Profit Magazine. Green Profit is a national industry magazine that brings timely,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: agriculture, environmental, hospitality, life, local-industry, on-the-move
Are Anger and Resentment Ruining Your Life? Recognizing—and Releasing—Bitterness for Greater Happiness
July 14, 2021
By Mike DuBose It may be surprising to those who know me now, but I was once a bitter person. Like many others who fall into the trap of bitterness,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Dixie Michelle, The Dog We All Hated
July 8, 2021
By Tammy Davis Part One of a Series, The Dog I Loved With My Whole Heart Before I can tell the story of the best dog in the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, the-arts
Ospreys—Nature Never Quits
July 8, 2021
By Tom Poland Noon sharp, a hot, humid Monday. Just twenty yards away a tremendous crash like a rock hitting water got my attention. There sat an osprey with…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, the-arts
Enjoy Each Moment
July 7, 2021
By Jeff Becraft There is a simple principle that can have a profound effect on each of us — enjoy each moment. Years ago, the Becraft van was heading out…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life
New exhibit shows how South Carolina armed itself in the 19th century
July 6, 2021
The Confederacy has never been known for its manufacturing capabilities. The fictional Rhett Butler told us “there’s not a cannon factory in the whole South.” In real life, the Confederate…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: hospitality, life, on-the-move
We’ll get you straightened out
June 30, 2021
By Jeff Becraft The below conversation actually took place one night in our household. I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth to get ready for bed. There was…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life
Barriers and Distortions
June 30, 2021
By Tammy Davis 2020-2021. A school year like no other. Plexiglass and masks put literal barriers between us all, making it harder than ever to connect. We had stickers…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, life, the-arts
Hemp & Kudzu, A Good Summer Combo
June 30, 2021
By Tom Poland It was like stepping back into the 1960s, sitting in that cool, refreshing gazebo up North Carolina way. Its vines and emerald green leaves, translucent and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, the-arts
Years Lost To Time, The Silent Thief
June 24, 2021
By Tom Poland Growing up I could hear the tick of my church’s old Regulator wall clock. I can’t hear it today, but my hearing’s good. All that keeping…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, the-arts
Let’s Go Somewhere
June 21, 2021
By Amy Coward Events are back! Every day I get an email or see a post that a theatre is reopening, ball parks are welcoming fans and restaurants and stores…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move
Love Lived Out
June 20, 2021
By Jeff Becraft I have mentioned my parents (now 95 and 92) before and I have also mentioned some of the things below… but it is worth reiterating. My…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life
A Different Kind of Field Trip
June 17, 2021
By Tammy Davis What made me think taking 69 fifth graders on a field trip to New York City in a pandemic by myself was a good idea? Turns out,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
The Importance of Each Person
June 17, 2021
By Jeff Becraft When I used to coach rec league basketball for a Saturday morning league, I made sure that every single guy on the team got to start…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Flee Civilization For A Preserve
June 17, 2021
By Tom Poland Needing adventure, I took back roads and made my way to a tract belonging to nature. It’s a place where man is a guest, Stevens Creek…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move
Wingard’s Market offering boat tours for unique nature experience
June 14, 2021
Wingard’s Market’s Zach Steinhauser is providing Purple Martin boat phenomenon beginning July 5! Lake Murray is known throughout the state as an incredible destination for families to explore the outdoors.…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
History Surrounds You
June 10, 2021
By Tom Poland History really does surround you. You just have to slow down a tad and open your eyes. It will help if you turn off the TV…
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Jump in the Action
June 10, 2021
By Jeff Becraft Several years ago, I was at a camp called SOTO out in Arkansas that was being held for children’s home kids from across several states. On Wednesday…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life
2021 Columbia International Festival hailed as a great success with 8,000 attendees
June 9, 2021
The community came out in force for the 2021 Columbia International Festival, one of the first such large events held locally since the start of the pandemic, at the State…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Cola Concerts kicks off summer with Tedeschi Trucks Fireside Live, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit and more
June 7, 2021
Cola Concerts continues to bring the biggest names in music touring today to the Columbia Speedway Entertainment Center. The biggest live music series in the Midlands will feature concerts by Dark…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Every State Needs A John Mulhouse
June 3, 2021
By Tom Poland Every state needs someone to record what it’s lost. Every state needs a John Mulhouse. I’ve never met John but we’re in touch and we share…
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Make the most of this day
June 1, 2021
By Jeff Becraft A little over 4 months ago, we lost my wife’s sister, Sharon, to cancer. She was 63 years old. And then a couple of weeks ago,…
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Fishing is Spiritual
May 31, 2021
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. FISHING IS SPIRITUAL. Not sure why or how. But I believe there’s something unusually spiritual about it. The disciples were fishermen. There was the well-known…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Career Lessons for New Grads
May 27, 2021
By Reba Hull Campbell Each year on May 23, I celebrate my “adultiversary,” the first day of my first “real job.” I was a week out from getting my…
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Glorious yes
May 27, 2021
By Jeff Becraft When I was in middle school (although we called it junior high), my friends and I would have scrounges. If you don’t know what a scrounge…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, life
Compelled To Pick Up Rocks
May 26, 2021
By Tom Poland Do you pick up rocks? I do. I feel compelled to pick up rocks. And so do others. Many people take rocks home and create a…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, the-arts
The Oldest Profession
May 20, 2021
By Tom Poland Hauling two wire cages of stacked stone, the flatbed turned right and crept uphill. Cormac McCarthy wrote that the oldest profession in the world is not prostitution.…
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Live out who you were created to be
May 20, 2021
By Jeff Becraft I was never really into horse racing… but I knew who Secretariat was. Someone said the movie was good and so years ago, one Saturday afternoon, I…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life
County prepares for mosquito spraying, surveillance
May 18, 2021
Vector Control staff are gearing up for Richland County’s annual mosquito-spraying campaign. As part of efforts to control the adult mosquito population, crews will conduct surveillance for the insects, treat…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Reggaetronic Music Festival returns to Lake Murray
May 18, 2021
The 8th annual Reggaetronic Music Festival is returning to Spence Island on Lake Murray on 19 June 2021. The free floating festival will take place from 11 a.m. – 6:30…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
Contractors’ staff shortages cause delays in curbside trash pickup
May 18, 2021
Because of staff shortages for contracted trash haulers, Richland County residents might see delays in curbside pickup of garbage and yard waste. The County contracts with several businesses to provide…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, life, on-the-move
City’s recreational swim season begins Memorial Day Weekend
May 16, 2021
The recreational swim season for the City of Columbia’s outdoor pools and splash pads/spray pools will begin Saturday, May 29, 2021, the Columbia Parks & Recreation Department announced. Both Maxcy…
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Support local and reward your graduate Saturday mornings at West Columbia’s Meeting Street Artisan Market
May 16, 2021
The City of West Columbia Meeting Street Artisan Market is open every Saturday, from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM, at the Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting Street, West Columbia. The…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, local-industry, on-the-move
West Columbia Police Officers Foundation to hold 5K Foot Pursuit
May 14, 2021
The West Columbia Police Officers Foundation is holding its annual 5K Foot Pursuit this Saturday, May 15, 2021, at 8 AM. Participants will meet at West Columbia City Hall and…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, life, on-the-move
Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing
May 13, 2021
By Jeff Becraft One of my mentors says, “Too many choices and too many voices.” He is right. Taking a shower is a great example. It used to be that…
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The Allure Of Copper
May 13, 2021
By Tom Poland The hills were red. Barren, like some alien landscape. Nothing green. Could have been Mars. I was just ten or so when Dad drove us through…
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Relic Room to offer free summer admission to military personnel and families
May 10, 2021
The South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum will join museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently-serving U.S. military personnel…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, military, on-the-move
Breaking The Cult of Difficulty
May 6, 2021
By Tom Poland Many tell me how difficult they find writing to be. Well, they speak the truth. It’s difficult to write at a high level, and that’s why…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Lead Your Heart
May 6, 2021
By Jeff Becraft I’m not really a decision maker. I’m an analyzer. That’s what all the personality tests say. And the toughest decisions in life are not between right and…
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Still Bringing People Together: How Saluda Shoals Park Processed the Pandemic
May 6, 2021Wade Rainey University of South Carolina Honors Journalism Student Saluda Shoals Park is seeing a resurgence of visitors following the global pandemic that kept many guests away last year.…
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Your role is important
April 29, 2021
By Jeff Becraft My wife, my favorite mother-in-law (and I frequently tell her she is my favorite mother-in-law) and all my sisters-in-law like Hallmark movies… especially around Christmas time. I…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life
William Bartram’s Wild Azaleas
April 28, 2021
By Tom Poland Blooms, blossoms, and bracts splash color everywhere you look this time of year. Daffodils and now dogwoods and azaleas add their voice to the spring…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
What is Normal Anyway?
April 28, 2021
By Amy Coward Back to normal. What does that even mean? We’re slowly stepping off the wild ride of COVD-19 on the other side and do we even know…
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The Heart of a Champion
April 21, 2021
By Jeff Becraft One of my greatest coaching moments in my life was in a basketball game with a team of 4th-6th grade girls that we lost… by 9 points. …
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By The Light Of The Silvery Moon
April 20, 2021
By Tom Poland Sunday night the moon hung full and bright over treetops. Like some silver dollar hurled into the night she floated full and beautiful, though pollen gave…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, the-arts
Let’s genuinely love those around us
April 15, 2021
By Jeff Becraft In Youth Corps, what you see is what you get. We recently had a virtual “luncheon.” It was basically 30 minutes of people telling of the impact…
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A Seashell Tradition
April 14, 2021
By Tom Poland There it was. A grave covered in seashells. It’s as close to a burial at sea as an inland dweller will get. My sister, Deb, told…
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Draw your blades! SwordFest is back at Relic Room, on a smaller scale
April 13, 2021
We’ve been hunkered down for the past year, but the time has come to draw swords and come forth: SwordFest 2021 will happen on Saturday, April 24, at the South…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: life, on-the-move
