Star Light, Star Bright

  October 27, 2021

By Tom Poland   Back in the late 1980s and early ’90s, I’d leave on a Friday afternoon and head for the mountains, the Blue Ridge species. My monthly drives…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

Artist Minute – Adam Schrimmer, Muralist

  October 25, 2021

The Who’s on the Move, UpstateBizSC, Artist Minute is a quick, two-minute interview in support of the undeniable impact that the arts and local artists have on our communities. One…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: podcast, the-arts

Magic In Some Alien World

  October 21, 2021
Tom Poland

By Tom Poland   On a hot, windless Sunday, I found a place where wind swept up and over a cliff to pour through pines. The cooling torrent felt like…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

Proud Mary Theatre Company

  October 12, 2021

The mission of the Proud Mary Theatre Company, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit and non-professional theatre, is to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community through the Arts by presenting LGBTQ+ voices…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: the-arts

Tall Tales—Truth Can Be Elusive

  October 6, 2021

By Tom Poland   The last time I wrote about the nightlife, my late mom gave me a reading. She upbraided me about the evils of alcohol and told me…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

You’ve Got To Feel the Food

  September 29, 2021

By Tom Poland   A few years back on a fall day I attended a wild game dinner on the grounds of Hobcaw Barony’s Bellefield Stables. I sat among folks…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts

The Good Old Days Are Gone

  September 22, 2021
Tom Poland

By Tom Poland   Last Friday night some grandparents went to watch their grandson play in a high school football game. They were in for a shock. Paying for the…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts

Acclaimed 30 Americans headed to the Columbia Museum of Art

  September 22, 2021

Hugely popular and historically important exhibition opens October 9 The Columbia Museum of Art announces its major fall exhibition 30 Americans, a dynamic showcase of contemporary art featuring many of the…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: on-the-move, the-arts

Freeway Music School celebrates 10-year anniversary

  September 20, 2021

South Carolina’s fastest growing music school continues its commitment of delivering high-quality music lessons and giving back to the community Freeway Music —Columbia, South Carolina’s locally owned, premier music school…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: education, music, on-the-move, the-arts

Peace Center announces partnership with Fine Arts Center

  September 16, 2021

To deepen the partnership between the two organizations, four weeklong artist residencies for Fine Arts students have been announced. Each week will serve the shared goal of the two organizations…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: on-the-move, the-arts

Who’s The Queen Of Flowers?

  September 15, 2021
Tom Poland

By Tom Poland   Orchids. There were days I wore them in my lapel for formal events, but those days are gone. I’ve not seen many in the wild, but…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts

Where They Sleep, While They Sleep

  September 8, 2021
Tom Poland

By Tom Poland   I visit old cemeteries quite a bit. Lest you think death thoughts consume me, understand that readers tell me of near-forgotten cemeteries. It’s my duty to…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

The Rose Ball announces new safety requirements for attendance

  September 2, 2021

The Rose Ball, Greenville’s longest-running charitable event, will continue as scheduled this year as an in-person evening gala on Friday, September 24 with new requirements for attendance. Guests of the…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, the-arts

A Southern Writer

  September 2, 2021
Tom Poland

By Tom Poland   Mississippi’s Willie Morris Several years back, I attended Edgefield’s Camellia Tea. As I was leaving, a lady in a red blazer walked up. “You’re that fellow…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

Long Lost Treasures, Heirloom Seeds

  August 26, 2021
Tom Poland

By Tom Poland   Metal detectives seek old coins and treasure, and many folks look for arrowheads. A rare breed seeks long-lost seeds. Old coins and arrowheads won’t make you…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: food, life, the-arts

A Haunting Postscript

  August 19, 2021
Tom Poland

By Tom Poland   Missing Caskets Recently I wrote about finding my great granddad’s old farmhouse, but I left out an eerie aspect that would be suitable for a Halloween…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts

For The Birds

  August 5, 2021
Tom Poland

By Tom Poland   This makes the second time I’ve used “For The Birds” as a title. “Contacting the dead through a Ouija board? That’s for the birds.” No flippancy…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

What’s The Big Rush?

  July 28, 2021

By Tom Poland   My back-road trips of late have been good but not as pleasant they usually are. Too many people. They drive like madmen. They pass on hills.…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

The Parking Lot Of The Dead

  July 21, 2021
Tom Poland

By Tom Poland   Even in death they cling to dignity. Left to rust, they bless the rare visitor with awe and mystery. Just how did old trucks and cars…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

My Mother’s Bible

  July 15, 2021
Tom Poland

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…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

Artist Minute – Mark Batory, Potter

  July 13, 2021

The Who’s on the Move, UpstateBizSC, Artist Minute is a quick, two-minute interview in support of the undeniable impact that the arts and local artists have on our communities. One…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: podcast, the-arts

Ospreys—Nature Never Quits

  July 8, 2021
Tom Poland

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…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

Hemp & Kudzu, A Good Summer Combo

  June 30, 2021
Tom Poland

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…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

Years Lost To Time, The Silent Thief

  June 24, 2021
Tom Poland

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…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

S.C. Arts Commission announces FY2022 fellows

  June 22, 2021

South Carolina artists exhibiting hard work and exceptional ability in visual art, craft, and media production and screenwriting are recipients of fiscal year 2022 South Carolina Arts Commission fellowships. The…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: on-the-move, the-arts

The Peace Center announces 2021-2022 Peace Broadway Series

  June 14, 2021

The 2021-2022 Peace Broadway Season at the Peace Center, sponsored by Gibbs Cancer Center, features Tony Award®-winners, fan favorites, theatrical takes on beloved films and reimagined revivals, representing the best…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: on-the-move, the-arts

History Surrounds You

  June 10, 2021
Tom Poland

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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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

Every State Needs A John Mulhouse

  June 3, 2021
Tom Poland

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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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

Compelled To Pick Up Rocks

  May 26, 2021
Tom Poland

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…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

Lacey Hennessey: New Look, New Art

  May 18, 2021

Artist Debuts @Lacey_Does with Launch of New Collection Lacey Hennessey, a Greenville artist and muralist, recently debuted a new name, @Lacey_Does, with the launch of her new art collection. Previously…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: on-the-move, the-arts

The Allure Of Copper

  May 13, 2021
Tom Poland

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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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: life, the-arts

An Evening of Rachel Lynett Short Plays

  May 11, 2021

Proud Mary Theatre Company continues our groundbreaking play series featuring playwrights of color with An Evening of Rachel Lynett Short Plays streaming free May 20-23. This double-feature of short plays – In Transit and Choosing…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: on-the-move, the-arts

Breaking The Cult of Difficulty

  May 6, 2021
Tom Poland

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…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz   Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts