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…
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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
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
Freshfields Village celebrates the season with festive events and family fun
October 30, 2025
Embrace the holidays and enjoy favorite traditions with a Thanksgiving farmers market, outdoor movies, letters to Santa and more Freshfields Village, the premier shopping and dining destination 30 minutes from…
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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
2025 MOJA Juried Art Exhibition
October 28, 2025
On view at City Gallery The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents the 2025 MOJA Juried Art Exhibition, on view at City Gallery November 14 through February 2, 2026…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: government, 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
Anita Zucker, CSU produce original theatrical production
October 23, 2025
Charleston Southern University presents the debut of On the Other Side, an original theatrical production running October 23–26 in Lightsey Chapel Auditorium on CSU’s campus. The play explores the powerful…
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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…
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Local music legends to be honored at the 10th Annual Lowcountry Music Hall of Fame ceremony this Sunday, October 26
October 23, 2025
Celebration to Honor Contributors to Charleston’s Rich Musical Heritage The Lowcountry Music Hall of Fame announced the inductees for the Class of 2025, honoring individuals and bands who have left…
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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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Autumn Leaves: an evening with Chad LB – Charleston Jazz Orchestra
October 9, 2025
Every once in a while, a performance comes along that reminds you why you fell in love with music in the first place. On Saturday, October 18, the Charleston Jazz Orchestra joins forces…
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Call for submissions for The Message is Clear: a mentored photography exhibition at City Gallery
October 7, 2025
The City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs announces a Call for Submissions for The Message is Clear: A Mentored Photography Exhibition This unique opportunity pairs juried exhibition with mentorship from internationally acclaimed photographer…
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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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The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition announces artist Henry von Genk III from Jacksonville, Florida, as its 2026 featured artist
September 25, 2025
The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that celebrates wildlife and the great outdoors through fine art, live entertainment and special events – announced Florida-based artist Henry Von…
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Beacon of the Lowcountry sheds in-depth light on the art and legacy of artist Jim Booth
September 23, 2025
Through his daughter’s eyes and the artist’s own words, the book delves into the place that shaped him and his love of the Lowcountry Tracey Booth Owens, founder of Jim…
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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…
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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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MOJA Arts Festival returns September 15 – October 5 with can’t miss events
September 3, 2025
The MOJA Arts Festival is back, bringing 11 days of music, art, dance, food, and community to Charleston from September 25 through October 5, 2025. Now in its 41st year,…
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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…
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Latin American Festival set for Oct. 5 at Wannamaker County Park
August 29, 2025
Experience the tastes and traditions of Charleston’s Latin American community Celebrate Charleston’s vibrant Latin and Caribbean cultures at the Latin American Festival, Sunday, Oct. 5 at Wannamaker County Park, from…
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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…
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Freshfields Village welcomes autumn with free, family events
August 21, 2025
From Labor Day to late October, enjoy a special fall movie, a new seasonal art show and pup-friendly fun on The Village Green KIAWAH ISLAND, SC – Freshfields Village, the…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: entertainment, food, hospitality, music, on-the-move, restaurant, retail, social-scene, 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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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…
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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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Moonlight Mixers are back at the Folly Beach Pier
July 17, 2025
Three more nights of dancing on the pier this summer The Folly Beach Pier continues its Moonlight Mixers series in July! The next event will feature music from Dave Landeo…
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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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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…
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City Gallery to host South Arts’ 2024 Southern Prize and State Fellowships Exhibition
June 26, 2025
The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs is proud to present the 2024 Southern Prize and State Fellowships Exhibition, organized by South Arts, on view at City Gallery from June…
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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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Charleston Symphony appoints Ryo Hasegawa as Assistant Conductor
June 24, 2025
The Charleston Symphony (CSO) announced the appointment of Ryo Hasegawa to Assistant Conductor, recognizing his outstanding leadership as Conductor of the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO). This promotion signals an…
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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…
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Spoleto Festival USA appoints Dr. Amanda Quist as new Music Director of the Festival Chorus
June 10, 2025
Spoleto Festival USA announced the appointment of Dr. Amanda Quist as Music Director of the Spoleto Festival USA Chorus, beginning with the 2026 Festival. Dr. Quist brings a wealth of…
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Spoleto Festival USA’s founding director of chamber music dies at 96
June 2, 2025
Pianist and Spoleto’s founding Artistic Director of Chamber Music Charles Wadsworth died May 29, 2025, in New York City. He was 96. A preeminent leader in the field of chamber…
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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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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
Spoleto Festival USA reveals 2025 poster
May 20, 2025
Spoleto Festival USA has unveiled Professional Painter in a Dream, an evocative artwork by Hadi Falapishi, as the official poster for the 2025 Festival. The piece is part of Falapishi’s…
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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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