My Fried Chicken History
December 3, 2025
By Tom Poland As evening shadows fell, I made my way home through woods. Overpowering the peppery smell of autumn leaves, the chicken frying in Mom’s cast iron skillet…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Amazon announces Best Books of 2025
December 3, 2025
Each year, I like to publish Amazon’s Best Books of the Year and buy my wife the No. 1 book as a Christmas present. Looks like Buckeye, by Patrick Ryan,…
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Highway Song, Part II
November 25, 2025
By Tom Poland A Sunday Drive Highways 321 and 301 meet my criteria for back roads. Little traffic. Lots of abandonment. Old stuff getting older. Those 1950 snowbirds heading…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Many Splendors of Love by Teri Leigh Teed selected for 2025 Inspired by Nature Invitational Exhibition
November 24, 2025Many Splendors of Love, a fine art photograph from Teri Leigh Teed’s Healing Spirit Art© Collection, Eleanor’s Dream series, has been selected for the 2025 Inspired by Nature Invitational Exhibition.…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Peace Center announces first bookings for new live music venue, Coach Music Factory
November 20, 2025
Love & Special Sauce, The Lone Bellow, and The Infamous Stringdusters to headline opening lineup The Peace Center’s 35th season continues to deliver big news with the announcement of the first…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Where The Dead Live On
November 12, 2025
By Tom Poland On a sultry August Sunday I drove up on Shady Grove Methodist Church. Seeing it resurrected James Agee’s “Shady Grove, Alabama, July 1936,” his description of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Peace Center unveils yearlong Song Sessions for The Mockingbird — Greenville’s newest live music venue
November 11, 2025
The Peace Center kicks off its 35th season with a month of big announcements! Coming off the heels of unveiling GRAMMY-winning country music superstar Maren Morris as part of its milestone season lineup, the…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, on-the-move, the-arts
Holiday Open House on Augusta Street
November 9, 2025Augusta Street Holiday Tradition Continues Augusta Road Business Association (ARBA) is hosting their annual celebration to kick off the holiday season. Holiday Open House will take place on Sunday, November…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, festivals, marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move, retail, the-arts
Dick Harpootlian launches Dig Me a Grave book tour
November 9, 2025
Tour begins Dec. 16 in Columbia, SC, the city where Donald “Pee Wee” Gaskins, South Carolina’s most prolific killer and the book’s protagonist, was put to death nearly 35 years…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: law, on-the-move, the-arts
Winter’s Rainy Windows
November 5, 2025
By Tom Poland I have long admired the work of a fighter pilot turned writer. He wrote under the pen name James Salter. James Arnold Horowitz volunteered for combat duty…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
New quilt exhibition at Upcountry History Museum showcases storytelling of holiday classic in cloth
October 30, 2025
Quilts and holidays are a perfect blend, and the Upcountry History Museum’s newest exhibition, “Sue Reich’s The Quilter’s Night Before Christmas,” will take visitors on a familiar yet unique journey…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: chamber, churches, day-care, education, entertainment, festivals, hospitality, hotels, local-industry, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, retail, the-arts, veterans
Return To Pawleys
October 28, 2025
By Tom Poland Sunday lunch at the Sea View Inn. Forty-five years it had been since my daughters and I were together at Pawleys. While eating I thought about our…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Entrepreneur Minute – David Platts, SC Arts Commission
October 27, 2025
The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. In this series you will see a diverse group…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: entrepreneurship, on-the-move, podcast, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission, David Platts, executive director elected to national leadership role
October 23, 2025
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) announced the election of a new chair and nine members to its board of directors. As part of a rigorous national nomination…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Tim Burton’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ exhibition helps kick off holiday season at Upcountry History Museum
October 22, 2025
The doors of the Upcountry History Museum have now opened to the enchanting world of animation with “Beyond Halloween Land: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” an exhibition dedicated to…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: chamber, education, entertainment, hospitality, life, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, technology, the-arts
Southern Exposure—The Fly Swatter
October 9, 2025
By Tom Poland Grandmothers’ Weapon Of Choice The New Oxford American Dictionary defines “fly swatter” as “an implement used for swatting insects, typically a square of plastic mesh attached…
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October MoseleyNext event features high-energy chamber music group Project Trio
October 7, 2025
Converse University will welcome innovative music group, Project Trio for the first MoseleyNext concert of the 2025-2025 season. Celebrated for their dynamic stage presence and genre-defying performances, Project Trio redefines…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
Audition announcement for Disney’s Frozen
October 2, 2025
We are excited to invite you to audition for Greenville Theatre’s production of Frozen in the historic 100th season. Greenville Theatre is an equal opportunity employer and encourages performers of…
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SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities accepting applications for 2026-2027
October 1, 2025
The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a top-ranked public, residential high school for artistically talented students, is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, music, on-the-move, the-arts
Primal Fear
September 30, 2025
By Tom Poland Stumbling Onto A Corpse Besides the solitary confinement of writing, I cut myself off from the world in two places. Hard-to-reach wilderness areas and forgotten churches where…
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New numbers: SC Arts Commission grantmaking, services impacted all 46 counties in FY25
September 25, 2025
Communities receive $12.5 million through 676 grants Artmaking and learning in and through the arts received support in all 46 South Carolina counties in FY25 thanks to $12.5 million in…
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Upcountry History Museum exhibit to showcase extraordinary bravery and service of K9 military heroes
September 17, 2025
“War Dogs: K9 Military Heroes” delivers a powerful display of the heroism, service, and history of America’s military working dogs in the newest exhibition opening Saturday, September 20, 2025, at…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, military, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts, veterans
SCETV celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with special programming available on-air and online
September 16, 2025
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month held Sept.15 – Oct. 15. This celebration of tradition, history, art and achievement spotlights Hispanic culture through featured programs…
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Arts Commission grant, program supports three S.C. artist-entrepreneurs
September 11, 2025
Grant, program supports three S.C. artist-entrepreneurs The South Carolina Arts Commission is supporting the business initiatives of three South Carolina artist entrepreneurs (#SCartists) through a program and grant designed to…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
The Hometown Weekly
September 3, 2025
By Tom Poland In my youth we had a daily newspaper, The Augusta Chronicle. What we didn’t get every day was local news. That’s what made The Lincoln Journal…
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Ticket sales now live for Greenville Convention Center’s Holiday Fair benefiting Rotary Club of Greenville
September 3, 2025
Greenville Convention Center announced ticket sales are now live for Holiday Fair, a cherished tradition in the Upstate, bringing joy of the season to families, friends and holiday enthusiasts alike.…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, festivals, food, local-industry, music, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, restaurant, social-scene, the-arts
Caffeine
August 29, 2025
By Tom Poland “Cocaine,” JJ Cale wrote it. Eric Clapton sung it. Clapton described the song as anti-cocaine and that seems to be the case, if you read between…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission names seven new ‘emerging artists’
August 26, 2025
New cohort receives project funding, mentoring Seven artists establishing themselves in their artistic pursuits will benefit from the South Carolina Arts Commission Emerging Artists program, receiving a project-based grant and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Grandma’s Petunias
August 13, 2025
By Tom Poland A Short and Sweet, Fragrant Memory Vintage petunias, those flowers my grandma loved, I saw them in youth. As I sort through my memory album they…
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Join Judson Mill District for the unveiling of ‘Weaver the Piano’ with
August 12, 2025
Live Performance by Marvin King Revue – Thursday, August 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Judson Mill District invites the community to an evening of music, art, and celebration as…
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Queen Of The Shoals
August 7, 2025
By Tom Poland Her May-June reign approaches. The rocky shoals spider lily, Hymenocallis coronaria, will soon flaunt her crown of white, green, and gold. Exquisite, ephemeral, and periled. Much…
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Highway 13, Cemetery Road
July 30, 2025
By Tom Poland Pot holes pockmarked the old road. She promised a bumpy ride, but rivulets of tar stitched her together, and that was good enough for me. I…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
My Love Affair With Miss Zebco
July 24, 2025
By Tom Poland I fished many a farm pond as a boy. When I left my red-varnished cane pole for Miss Zebco, I fell in love. I filled my…
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State Accommodations Tax funds 35 projects
July 17, 2025
City Council Awards $3 Million to Support Local Tourism Overnight visitors in Greenville are supporting your favorite tourism events and venues. On Monday, City Council designated more than $3 million…
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My Southland, Maybe Yours
July 16, 2025
By Tom Poland April, along a back road to Athens, G-A, I saw ghosts. Amid new homes a shed and barn cast blue shadows across brilliant-green grass. Then I…
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Nailing Down A Mystery
July 9, 2025
By Tom Poland Old doors rife with nails. Rows and rows of nails. Studs. Like handsome lads, all in a row. All in precise order. I’ve come across two…
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Entrepreneur Minute – Jason Nodine, Poe Mill Music
July 9, 2025
The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. In this series you will see a diverse group…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, entrepreneurship, on-the-move, podcast, the-arts
Entries are now open for the South Carolina State Fair’s 2025 competitive exhibits
July 1, 2025
The South Carolina State Fair is now accepting entries for its annual competitive exhibits, which will be on display Oct. 8-19, 2025 during the S.C. State Fair. Exhibitors from across…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: agriculture, food, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
The Songs Of Summer
June 30, 2025
By Tom Poland Nature blessed my boyhood summers with music. Cicadas’ rising-falling singsong gave days rhythm. Katydids chimed in evenings with a nightshift song backed by cricket twitter. The…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Granddad’s Fiddle
June 25, 2025
By Tom Poland Long did Grandad’s fiddle hang on my mother’s living room wall. I could never walk by it without wondering … “What’s its story?” Best I recall,…
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Blink Book Review: “Uncommon Favor: North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three” by Dawn Staley
June 18, 2025
By Reba Hull Campbell I’m not usually one to pick memoirs by sports icons. Musicians, journalists, writers or politicians, yes. But not often sports heroes. I admit, I just…
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They Just Upped And Left
June 18, 2025
By Tom Poland Late 1950s. May 1. Riding with Dad by a cement block house. White. A few clothes out back on the clothesline. Diapers mainly. A tricycle with…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Judson Mill District and Judson Mill Play Café to launch Makers at the Mill Event
June 17, 2025
Evening market to feature more than 20 local vendors and celebrate Greenville’s creativity community The Judson Mill District, in partnership with Judson Mill Play Café, is launching Makers at the…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: hospitality, on-the-move, restaurant, the-arts
Newest exhibition at Upcountry History Museum assembles display of Avengers originals
June 4, 2025
Traverse the Marvel Universe through a unique experience that explores the fourth installment of the Avengers saga in “Avengers: Endgame – The Exhibition,” a first-of-its-kind showcase opening at the Upcountry…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: chamber, day-care, education, entertainment, life, marketing-and-communications, media, military, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts, veterans
SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Gala raises over $250,000 to support Thrive25 Initiative
June 2, 2025
The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities celebrated 25 years of transformative arts education at its milestone 25th Anniversary Gala, held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Man Will Always Wage War
May 29, 2025
By Tom Poland Cynicism Sometimes Is Backed By Reality I remember the Vietnam anti-war protests at the University of Georgia. Some group firebombed the Army ROTC building and I…
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Galactic Visions, Nantahala by Teri Leigh Teed selected for Healing Power of Color Invitational Exhibition
May 26, 2025
Galactic Visions, Nantahala, a fine art photograph from Teri Leigh Teed’s Eleanor’s Dream series of her Healing Spirit Art© Collection, has been selected for the 2025 Healing Power of Color…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Entrepreneur Minute – Cathy Rigg, Author
May 20, 2025
The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. In this series you will see a diverse group…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: entrepreneurship, on-the-move, podcast, the-arts
Juke Joints & Dive Bars
May 14, 2025
By Tom Poland Mom never darkened the door of a juke joint, but that didn’t stop her from rendering a harsh judgment. “The only people who go to juke…
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Greenville Theatre receives $50,000 grant from Greenville Women Giving to renovate historic stage
May 14, 2025
Greenville Theatre was awarded $50,000 by Greenville Women Giving to install a new stage in its nearly 60-year-old building, allowing the theatre to complete a decade-long revitalization effort that included…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
