We Need Tree Scholars
March 23, 2023
By Tom Poland The January-February 2023 issue of South Carolina Wildlife magazine ran my story on Edgefield County’s Curryton Magnolia. The old tree’s close to being a state record magnolia…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Around the World in 80 Hats at Upcountry History Museum
March 22, 2023Though not in a hot air balloon with Phileas Fogg, visitors will have an opportunity to go around the world on an 80 hat and headdress journey as the Upcountry…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: chamber, churches, education, entertainment, hospitality, hotels, life, marketing-and-communications, media, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts
A Writer’s Moon Tide Memories
March 16, 2023
By Tom Poland It seems like yesterday though it was forty-five years. I took a job as a scriptwriter-cinematographer with the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department. I…
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Country music star Lindsay Ell added as direct support for Darius Rucker
March 14, 2023
Country music star Lindsay Ell added as direct support for Darius Rucker at Southern Fried Circuit charity concert Upcountry Fiber announces that Lindsay Ell, who was named “one of the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, media, music, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, social-scene, the-arts
Gullah Geechee chef and gospel singer to receive 2023 Folk Heritage Awards
March 8, 2023
For 2023, the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards will be presented by the General Assembly to honor a Gullah Geechee chef and a gospel singer whose talents keep the…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
A Story Of Music, Trees, And Family
March 8, 2023
By Two Sons Of The American South On a January day in 2019 I met Chuck Leavell in Georgia’s geographic center. We met to write a magazine cover story.…
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South Carolina State Fair announces 67% increase in scholarship funds
March 7, 2023
The South Carolina State Fair, a self-supporting 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, announces a 67 percent increase in awards for its 2023 annual Ride of Your Life Scholarship program. For the first…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: agriculture, education, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Cyberwoven wins three ADDYs at the 2023 AAF Midlands Awards Gala
March 6, 2023
Cyberwoven, a full-service brand, marketing, and web agency, announces its win of three American Advertising Federation (AAF) Awards (ADDYs) at this year’s AAF Midlands Awards Gala. The agency won for…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: business-services, marketing-and-communications, on-the-move, the-arts
Upcountry History Museum Exhibit showcases Kenny Rogers’ talents
March 1, 2023
Say the name Kenny Rogers and the first things that come to mind are songs and television movies. The Upcountry History Museum – Greenville County, a Smithsonian Affiliate, offers a…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: churches, education, entertainment, hospitality, media, music, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Rivers I Cross
February 24, 2023
By Tom Poland Rivers make me say things out loud. As I drive alone over a river I often say its name. In fact, some rivers’ names beg to…
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Newberry College’s 65th Jazz Festival to feature saxophonist Jeff Coffin
February 23, 2023Historic festival coincides with largest-ever SCBDA jazz event Newberry College invites you to enjoy world-class artists and music at its 65th Jazz Festival, to be held March 3-4 on campus.…
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The Word Merchant Highway
February 16, 2023
By Tom Poland Upon taking a writing position long ago, the boss of bosses shot me a sideways look, “So, you’re a word merchant.” Clever, I thought, but as…
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SC Arts Advocacy Week is February 13-17
February 14, 2023
The South Carolina Arts Alliance (SCAA) is hosting SC Arts Advocacy Week, February 13-17. The annual event brings arts practitioners and supporters together to celebrate the universal impact of the…
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A year of learning opportunities at UWS
February 13, 2023
As spring is upon us, where at the school will be hosting numerous classes, courses, and skill based workshops at our location in Tamassee SC. We have 33 acres for…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: business-services, education, environmental, local-industry, non-profit, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts
The Forsaken Land
February 10, 2023
By Tom Poland Kudzu covered its outbuildings. The farm was lonesome so I turned around and stopped to visit it. Right off I saw a dusty mule collar hanging…
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Proud Mary Theatre serves up 5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche
February 8, 2023
Proud Mary Theatre Company presents 5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE by Evan Linder and Andrew Hobgood. Set at the 1956 Susan B Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein’s…
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Two Andy Warhol exhibitions opening at Upcountry History Museum
February 3, 2023
The Upcountry History Museum-Greenville County, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is bringing an exceptional encounter with history, art, and culture to Greenville when two extraordinary exhibitions featuring Pop Art icon Andy Warhol…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: chamber, education, entertainment, environmental, hospitality, hotels, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, social-scene, the-arts
The Colors Of Childhood
February 2, 2023
By Tom Poland I haven’t seen the old homeplace in a while. Not my homeplace, mind you, my childhood friend’s. That would be Sweetie Boy, he of the sweet…
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Peace Center economic impact estimated at $1.1 billion statewide
January 30, 2023
An economic impact study conducted by the University of South Carolina Moore School of Business reveals that the Peace Center in Greenville has had an astounding economic impact of just…
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The Bygone Era Of Refinement
January 27, 2023
By Tom Poland Previous eras impress me. When I tour historic homes, for instance, the refined lifestyle their owners enjoyed stands in marked contrast to lifestyles today. The presence…
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Greenville Jewish Film Festival reveals 2023 lineup
January 24, 2023
The Greenville Jewish Film Festival announces its lineup of films for its 3rd annual SpringFest event – March 9, 11 and 12 – at the Greenville ONE Center in downtown Greenville.…
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Fear Of Flying
January 19, 2023
By Tom Poland It’s a good thing titles cannot be copyrighted. With apologies to Erica Jong, I title this self-confessional column, “Far of Flying.” I cannot say I fear…
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The Dignified Mule
January 12, 2023
By Tom Poland Like Halley’s Comet, I’m predictable. I come around to the same subject matter every so often. When I do, it’s because something triggered memories. A few…
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The Lost Art Of Making Do
January 5, 2023
By Tom Poland He was twenty-six when the Great Depression arrived, thirty-six when it ended. A decade of doing without taught him something about survival. “Keep something seven years…
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An Effigy Of Rock
December 8, 2022
By Tom Poland Something like sixty years had passed since I saw it. This time, however, I saw it from above. The WPA built a beautiful tower of stone…
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Greenville Center for Creative Arts names new Operations Manager
November 30, 2022
The Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA) has named Alicia Mizuno as its next Operations Manager. As the newest member of the GCCA team, Alicia brings extensive experience in facilities…
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Amazon Books editors announce 2022’s Best Books of the Year
November 30, 2022
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow named best book of 2022 The Amazon Books Editors announced their selections for the Best Books of 2022, naming Gabrielle Zevin’s novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and…
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Upcountry History Museum receives SC Humanities grant
November 21, 2022
The Upcountry History Museum – Greenville County, a Smithsonian Affiliate, announced that it has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the South Carolina Humanities. Selected as one of 16 cultural…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: economic-development, entertainment, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Pancho Villa’s Fighting South Carolina Gamecocks
November 21, 2022
By Tom Poland I’ll file this column under the category, Fowl History. Did Mexican Revolutionary War General, Pancho Villa, ride a train to Calhoun Falls, South Carolina to buy fighting…
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Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities now accepting applications for summer programs and residential high school
November 17, 2022
The SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a public, residential high school for artistically talented students, is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year and arts-immersive, overnight…
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First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Wealth Management invest in South Carolina’s young artists
November 17, 2022
First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Wealth Management are donating $20,000 in support of the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities over the next two years. This multi-year…
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The Relentless Grind
November 17, 2022
By Tom Poland Football’s Hidden Injuries Winter Haven Florida, February 1996—I covered Cypress Gardens’ 60th anniversary for Ski World magazine. It was Florida’s oldest theme park, one where Southern…
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New twist on traditional holiday classic making Greenville debut at Upcountry History Museum
November 15, 2022
On Saturday, November 19, 2022, the doors of the Upcountry History Museum will open to an ever-familiar story but the Greenville debut of an exclusive holiday favorite, “Nutcracker: The Exhibition.”…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: churches, day-care, education, entertainment, hotels, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts
Mud, Crushed Granite, And Memories
November 10, 2022
By Tom Poland Nostalgia pulled at me hard. On the second Sunday in September, I decided to see three things that were no more. And so I drove up…
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New mural at Pillar Holistic Living adds to Greenville public art collection
November 8, 2022Mural designed by artist Lacey Hennessey brings new inspiration to the Poinsett Corridor Pillar Holistic Living, a new holistic wellness concept, recently unveiled the newest public work of art for…
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Proud Mary Theatre Company surprised with grant from Spartanburg County Foundation
November 8, 2022Proud Mary Theatre Company was surprised and overwhelmed when an informal tour of our facilities at Artists Collective Spartanburg turned into a media “ambush” with reporters from WYFF and the Post…
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Aluminum, Glass, Rum, War, & Hemingway
November 3, 2022
By Tom Poland When Timelines Cross The vessels resemble, cousins of a sort, my worn canteen and its shiny glass companion. The two came to me by dissimilar routes.…
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South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation elects new members to its Board of Directors
November 1, 2022The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation announced four new members elected to its board of directors. These new members will assist the foundation to achieve…
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Greenville Center for Creative Arts promotes Ben Tarcson to Gallery Director
October 28, 2022
The Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA) has promoted Ben Tarcson to the position of Gallery Director. As one of the longest-serving staff members at GCCA, Tarcson has played an…
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Drowning The Past
October 27, 2022
By Tom Poland What We’ve Lost I spent a lot of time on Clarks Hill Lake (Strom Thurmond Lake), during my teenage and college years. I camped, boated, and…
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Teamwork – effective and fun!
October 27, 2022
By Jeff Becraft One of the most epic moments in my life happened in a grocery store. It was on an alumni trip back in the Youth Corps days. There…
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Greenville Theatre presents The Play That Goes Wrong – Oct 21 – Nov 13
October 24, 2022
Greenville Theatre is thrilled to present the regional premiere of the longest running play in Broadway history, The Play That Goes Wrong! Come see the Cornley Drama Society as they “attempt”…
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Old Island Haunts
October 20, 2022
By Tom Poland Add Hazel’s Café to the List Old island haunts. The fever to develop islands didn’t destroy all of them. In a few instances, someone decided, “Not…
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Wild Rumpus of Sendak’s ‘Wild Things’ comes to Upcountry History Museum
October 17, 2022
Stomping into Greenville in its only South Carolina stop, “Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak” will open at the Upcountry History Museum-Furman University, a Smithsonian Affiliate, on Saturday, October…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: chamber, churches, education, entertainment, hospitality, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts
The Feared Invader
October 13, 2022
By Tom Poland Let’s talk invasive species. One will bite you. You can bite the other. You can eat it, but given time it will entomb all you possess. Fire…
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Solid gold: 50 years of the S.C. Arts Foundation
October 9, 2022
October is National Arts and Humanities month, and this commemoration of the arts’ importance to our nation is an opportunity to recognize a milestone that the South Carolina Arts Foundation…
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The CCC
October 6, 2022
By Tom Poland FDR’s Tree Army If my mother didn’t like something, she’d tell you. If she liked something, you knew that too, and she liked the Civilian Conservation…
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The Pull Of The Macon Music Scene
September 29, 2022
By Tom Poland I find my mind drifting back to Macon, and then I find myself driving kudzu-bordered roads. Macon, Georgia sits in the middle of Georgia. It’s not…
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Tevis wins second Pushcart Prize for personal essay on hazing rituals, consequences
September 23, 2022
Joni Tevis, the Bennette E. Geer Professor of English at Furman University, has won her second Pushcart Prize, this time for an essay published in The Georgia Review titled “If…
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Book Event Season Is Upon Us
September 21, 2022
By Tom Poland She asked, and I told her. “What’s the writing life like?” “It’s a sentence to solitary confinement. You work in isolation for long periods, and that’s…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
