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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 1
S P E C I A L F I F T H A N N I V E R S A R Y I S S U ETHE
PICKIN' PARLOR / WAPPAOOLA PLANTATION / M&G: NORMA KELLER
FOUR SWEET BREAD RECIPES/ HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE / RULES OF THE
MONOGRAMA BLISSFUL TEA COUPLE / THE SHOW MUST GO ON: BRAD &
JENNIFER MORANZ
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 20142
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 5
PICKIN'PARLOR
Down a lone dirt road deep in the Francis
Marion Forest, music and friendship take
the stage.
75
WAPPAOOLACenturies of tall, straight
pines have built thehistory of a place
called Wappaoola.
84
AZALEA AWARDS
This year's batch of AzaleaAward winners prove thatthere is a
bounty of talent
right here at home.
63
OUR DAILY BREAD
Four recipes to keepyou warm and full
all winter long.
78
F E A T U R E SWINTER 2014-15
Fifth Anniversary Issue
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 20146
CONTENTS / Winter 2014-15
07 Editors Letter12 Contributors
17-23 FIELD GUIDEA brief look into ourlocal culture22 The 50
Books EverySoutherner Should Read
SOUTHERN LIFE25 Southern Spotlight - Art30 Southern Spotlight -
Etiquette34 Southern Spotlight - Drink37 Southern Spotlight -
Art
30
ON THE COVER: Sweet Tea Peacan Pie from Baker's Cottage Kitchen
/ Photograph by Dottie Rizzo
53
25
92 THE LOCAL92-Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen
Tour94-Summerville Farmers' Market96 THE VILLAGE POET
COLUMNS41 Natural Woman by Susan Frampton45 Patchwork of the
South by Michelle Lewis49 Life & Faith by Will Browning
SOUTHERN STYLE53 Gift GuideOur list of goodies for him,
her and the kids
3445
22Suttreeby Cormac McCarthy
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At JOHNSON & WILSON Real Estate Company you will find an
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 9
The gardens have over 3000
different varieties of camellia in the
collection.
EDITORS LETTER
Change of PaceTo some extent or another, we all find comfort in
the familiar. But, sometimes our complacency in routine can cause
us to miss out on new experiences.
My wife, Dottie, is not much of a beer drinker but will have one
every once in a while. She has a tendency to order a certain
Mexican import. That's what she wants, and she's rarely interested
in trying something different. In her mind, anything with a darker
color than apple juice is off limits. I have often offered her a
taste of something I was trying, only to be greeted with the face a
baby would make after eating unsalted mashed peas for the first
time.
On a recent brewery tour with Charleston Brews Cruise for our
cover story (Craft Culture pg. 64), she sampled some local brews,
and to her surprise, she's a fan of hops. Who knew? She had been
denying herself the enjoyment of new flavors all this time.
Our community is going through changes. We're growing. And
growth is sometimes accompanied by apprehension. That's normal. But
growth can also be a catalyst for exposing us to new things. This
fall, while mother nature is going through her own transformation,
try something new; something out of your comfort zone. You just
might like what you stumble upon. If my wife can smile after
sampling a Pale Ale, anything is possible.
Will Rizzo Editor in Chief
"In her mind, anything [beer]with a darker color than apple
juice is off limits."
Public SculptureBelongs To:
YOU
Please help support our efforts to beautify our community with
exceptional sculpture that we can enjoy today and that future
generations will enjoy tomorrow.
your children, and grandchildren...
Enjoy the Permanent Public Sculpture CollectionAZALEA PARK
SUMMERVILLE
More than 25 sculptures have been permanently installed in and
around Summerville for your enjoyment. Bring a picnic to Azalea
Park and make a game of finding them. Selfies are encouraged! You
will find a sculpture location map on our web site:
SculptureInTheSouth.com
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1788
s c
1788
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T H E H E A R T A N D S O U Lof S O U T H C A R O L I N A
A celebration of the spirit of South Carolina, PALMETTO is the
authority on our distinctive style of Southern life-documenting her
beauty and charm and giving our readers a novel look
into the Palmetto State's history and culture as well as
stirring narrations of the places and personalities that make South
Carolina so captivating.
p a l m e t t o m a ga z i n e . c o m
GET YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
TODAY
Visit theWebsite and
From the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor & the
editors of Azalea Magazine
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Equal Housing Opportunity. 2014 Cresswind is a registered
trademark of Kolter Homes. Prices, home sites, home designs and
other information subject to errors, changes, omissions, deletions,
availability, prior sales and withdrawal at any time without
notice.
ITS all RIGHT HEREHOMES FROM THE MID $200s
TIME well spent IS TIME
spent here
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KHP14-035_TimeWellSpent_AZ_8-375x10-875.indd 1 11/4/14 1:01
PM
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201412
Will RizzoCo-Publisher andEditor in Chief
[email protected]
Dottie RizzoCo-Publisher andManaging Editor
[email protected]
Katie DePoppeEditor at Large
[email protected]
Margie SuttonStyle Editor
Will BrowningFaith Editor
Jana RileyStaff Writer
ContributorsJason Wagener
Susan FramptonMichelle Lewis
Ellen HyattElizabeth Donehue
Charles Sweeney
Azalea Magazine 114B E. Richardson Avenue
Summerville, SC [email protected]
843.478.7717Subscribe
*Available for $16.99 a year(4 Issues). Visit azaleamag.com
for details.
AdvertisingSusan Frampton
[email protected]
Susie [email protected]
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Where Community Comes Together
843.761.8600 CarnesCharleston.com
A New Community in the Heart of Charlestons GrowthJust minutes
from the downtowns of both Summerville and Goose Creek, a new
community is emerging. Carnes Crossroads will offer the lifestyle
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lakes and close proximity to stores, shops, restaurants, of ces,
schools and church. Homes are being built by David Weekley,
Eastwood Homes, Sabal Homes, Ashton Woods and John Wieland Homes.
Pricing starts in the mid-$200s. Our Carnes Crossroads Real Estate
Information Center is a wonderful resource to learn about life
here. Located across from the Village Green and the historic Green
Barn, our of ce is open 7 days a week, with or without an
appointment. Or visit CarnesCharleston.com to learn more.
Carnes Crossroads Real Estate, LLC., Chuck Buck, BIC
Come Visit Our Model Row!
513 Wodin Place, Summerville, SC 29483
Carnes Crossroads...New Home Shopping Made Easy!
Residents are now enjoying our 25-meter competitive size pool
with beach entry.
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201414
FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS
JANA RILEY / Writer Jana is a writer and editor living in
Summerville with her husband, Dan. Jana enjoys adventures with her
three favorite kids, Noah, Jude, Forest and their dog Alfie.
ELLEN HYATT /PoetSUSAN FRAMPTON / WriterA Savannah native, Susan
Frampton has called Summerville home for over 30 years. Her long
career as a non-profit executive director, and various roles of
wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother, hunter, gardener, animal
wrangler, fisherman, and world-traveler have provided rich material
for her current role of writer. Susan and her husband Lewis are
currently being held hostage in their home by a three month-old
dachshund named Newton.
JASON WAGENER / IllustratorJason started his illustrious art
career when he won a coloring contest in 3rd grade, subsequently
entitling him proud owner of a Mickey Mouse dry erase board. He
moved to the Lowcountry in 1990 and, save an education at The
Savannah College of Art and Design, has remained a faithful
transplant ever since. He now lives in Goose Creek under the thumb
of the dreamy Julie Wagener and offspring: Toy Story enthusiast,
Henry, and the womb-bound baby brudder. Oddly enough, he lettered
in art at Stratford High School.
Ellen E. Hyatts writing has garnered recognition from
professional, literary and mainstream sources. Her works have twice
been the recipient of what the Poetry Society of SC refers to as
the big one (the Dubose & Dorothy Heyward Society Prize).
Fellow of the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project, professor,
columnist and appointee to the Board of Governors of the SC Academy
of Authors, Ellen serves organizations promoting literacy and the
arts.
MWVLandSales.com | 843-509-1034
R U R A L D I S T R I C T
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295 Midland Parkway | Summerville, South Carolina 29485
Scan to get a Sneak peek
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201416
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This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state
where prior registration is required or if void by law. Photographs
are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be an
actual representation of a specific community,neighborhood, or any
completed improvements being offered. Please see a sales associate
for details. 2014 Pulte Homes Corporation. All rights reserved.
7.31.14
Two New Plans Added!
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New YearThe New Year is the time a new calendar year begins, but
with a little luck and some hard work,
a new you could emergeout of the confetti.
"Auld Lang Syne"The most commonly sung song
for English speakers on New Year's Eve. An old Scottish
song that was first published by the poet Robert Burns in
the 1796.
1907The year the tradition of dropping the New Year's ball began
in
Times Square.
44%The number of
Americans who plan to kiss someone at
midnight.
22%The number of people
who admit to falling asleep before midnight.
11,875 lbsThe weight of the current Time Square ball made of
Waterford Crystal. The ball is twelve feet in diameter.88%
The number of people who fail to keep their New Year's
resolution.
18 Million The number of fresh
flowers used in the Rose Bowl Parade each year.
January 1Julius Caeser made this date
the first day of the year in 46 BC, but England and its American
colonies wouldn't
do the same until 1752.
S E A S O N A L
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201420
Q What is your favorite thing aboutliving in the Lowcountry?A
Being so close to the beach and I love living so close to the
historic city. I have lived in South Carolina my entire life and
wouldnt dream of living anyplace else.Q What is your dream job? A I
am doing it now at Pinewood Preparato-ry School. I get to work with
the most won-derful colleagues, and the best kids around. I get to
do all the things that I love. I enjoy working with money so I
attend the lower school budget. I enjoy marketing and design, and I
get to design the spirit wear and op-erate the Panther Den, which
is the school store. I also love to entertain, and at Pine-wood I
serve on various committees where I assist in planning and
decorating for the high school prom, Auction Gala, and other
various events throughout the year! I love to assist people when
there is a need; therefore, I chair the Sunshine Team, which is a
sup-port team that assists faculty members when there is a crisis
in their family. Like, I said, whats not to LOVE about my job!
Q Is there a motto that you live by?A At the bottom of every
email that I send is the quote, Those who are flexible never get
bent out of shape! I truly try to live by that quote every day
because in this ever-changing world, we have to learn to be
flexible.Q Who or what are you a fan of?A I am a fan of PINEWOOD! I
have spent the last ten years working there, my children were
educated there, and I enjoy every aspect of this place. Our
headmaster emailed the faculty recently and asked us Is Pinewood in
you? I can astoundingly say "YES!" It is like once you put crme in
your coffee, you cant take it out.thats how Pinewood is to me. I
bleed blue!Q Coffee or tea?A Definitely coffee! like a lot of cream
and Splenda with a little coffee.Q What's one thing you've bought
in the last five years that you couldnt live without?A My
smartphone and the Mophie case that I use daily to extend the
battery life. Q What's one thing you've bought in the last five
years that you could go the rest of your life
MEET & GREETWhat makes locals tick, one
neighbor at a time
A A pair of red, shiny jet skis. Lasted twosummers and sold them
at a loss!Q What is your favorite music?A I love Darius Rucker and
Hootie and the Blowfish. I graduated from Middleton High School in
1983, and Darius graduated 2 years later.Q What is your dream
vacation?A Anywhere you can drive! I am not a fan of flying or
cruising for that matter. I love the beach and water and although
Hawaii sounds magnificent, I havent found a way to get there by car
yet! Q What is your fondest memory ofliving in Summerville? A
Watching my children participate in high school sports. My son,
Kenan, played football and baseball and my daughter, Jessica, was a
cheerleader. It was just so much fun to watch her cheer for her
brother and the others. Now that the empty nest has come around, I
love Third Thursday and wouldnt miss an oppor-tunity to enjoy
Accent On Wine on the street and shopping late with friends.
Summerville truly is the best place to live!
Q & A
NORMA KELLERP i n e w o o d P r e p a r a t o r y S c h o o
l
"
...although Hawaii sounds magnificent,
I havent found a way to get there by
car yet! "
AM
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The Lowcountry leader in PRIMARY CARE.PALMETTO PRIMARY CARE
PHYSICIANS (PPCP) formed in 1997 and is the largest outpatient
physicians group in South Carolina and was one of the rst in the
country to have a fully integrated Electronic Health Records
system.
PPCP is among one of the rst practices nationally to establish a
successful Patient Centered Medical Home Program and the rst in
South Carolina.
We are a group practice comprised of over 90 clinical providers,
and we have expertise in primary and specialty care including vein,
neurology, gastroenterology, endocrinology and radiology.
Patient-centered services are available, such as
state-of-the-art urgent care clinic and a diagnostic center that is
open 365 days a year.
We offer a Nurses Triage Line that is available to patients 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
For additional information on our physicians, please
visitwww.PalmettoPrimaryCare.com or call (843) 572-7727
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140 South Main Street(843) 873-2531
guerinspharmacy.com
Mon. - Fri.9am - 6pm
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Compounding andfilling prescriptions
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131 S Main StSummerville SC 29483
843-695-8228
Please feel free to call or stop by with any questions, and
for
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 23
843-797-3664 lowcountrywomen.comOBSTETRICS | GYNECOLOGY
SUMMERVILLE | NORTH CHARLESTON
...We take care of you for life!
From the baby to the boardroom...
Mixology
H O N E YB O U R B O NA P P L EC I D E R
INGREDIENTS
10 oz. apple cider4 oz. bourbon1 apple sliced2 teaspoons
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DIRECTIONS
Place cider, apple slices, honey and cinnamon in a sauce pan,
bring to boil and let simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the mixture,
saving the apple slices for garnish. Add bourbon. Pour into serving
glasses. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, cinnamon stick and
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201424
Why read it? Probably most appropriate to follow after the
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is Suttree (1979), Cormac McCarthys
semi-autobiographical story of Cornelius Suttree, a man who
forsakes a life of privilege to live in a houseboat on the
Tennessee River. Often called a doomed version of Finn, the novel
is also regarded as one of the most humorous of McCarthys works.
Written over the course of 20 years, the work embodies elements
reminiscent of Faulkner and OConnor through its use of tragedy,
subtle humor and grotesque, imaginative characters. While born in
Rhode Island, McCarthy spent a considerable amount of time in
Tennessee and New Mexico. Also the author of well-known titles like
No Country for Old Men and All the Pretty Horses, he is known for
writing across the Southern Gothic, Western, and post-apocalyptic
genres -- no doubt the influence of the distinct American regions
in which hes lived. He is the winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for
fiction.
Literary
Our fall 2014 issue kicked off the start of our series, 50 Books
Every Southerner Should Read. Want to know books one through six?
Follow along with our blog at azaleamag.com and join the
conversation on Facebook by connecting with our group, The Southern
Lit Project. As the holidays approach, take the time to finally
read some of those classics youve always wished you could talk
about at dinner parties.
Baking Soda
Field Guide
The 50 BooksEvery Southerner
Should Read
" Literature is asold as speech. It
grew out of human need for it, and it has not changed except to
become
more needed."
- John Steinbeck
K A T I ED E P O P P E
The editor at large for Azalea Magazine and the
curator of The Azalea Room, the official blog of
www.azaleamag.com
Connect with her:Twitter @kdepoppe
Instagram @katiedepoppe
SuttreeCormac McCarthy
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 25
SerenaRon Rash
Why read it? Set in 1929 North Carolina, Serena (2008) is
continued proof there are micro regions (the North Carolina
mountains) worthy of note within the wide-reaching genre of
Southern literature. An attention-grabbing novel to mainstream
readership and critics alike, Serena is the heartbreaking story of
newlywed couple Serena and George Pemberton and their timber
business. Serenas journey from young wife to near-supernatu-ral
villainess seems to captivate readers, and proves her character is
an utterly unique contribution to American fiction. Author and
South Carolina native, Ron Rash, has penned numerous poems, short
stories and novels, and serves as the Parris Distinguished
Professor of Appalachian Cultural Studies at Western Carolina
University. He is the recipient of many awards, including the O.
Henry Prize, and was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award for
fiction in 2008 and 2009.
Adventuresof Huckleberry FinnMark Twain
Why read it? Most widely known as Mark Twains greatest work,
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), is a pick-up to The
Adventures of Tom Sawyer, the novel that preceded it. A classic so
notable that the body of literary criticism surrounding it is large
enough to be divided into schools of thought, Twains masterpiece
about a teenage boy who voyages down the Mississippi River with an
escaped slave, remains a source of modern-day literary contention
namely for the presence of racial epithets; however, amongst
serious readers and experts alike, the debate does not seem
justified. Most who delve deeper into the work agree with the likes
of Nobel Prize winner, Toni Morrison, who states that the
brilliance of Huckleberry Finn is that it is the argument it
raises. A startling and entertaining look at the complicated moral
grammar of nineteenth century American life, the Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn is a must-read for anyone who yearns to learn from
where weve been.
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 27
LIFEOne of Charlestons most talented duos shares how
theyve built a life from their love of theaterby Katie
DePoppe
The ShowMust Go On
S O U T H E R NS P O T L I G H T
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201428
a twenty year lease on the building that was to become
Charleston Music Hall. The show would come to be known as Serenade.
As Serenade got underway, Gilmore urged Brad and Jennifer, who were
working as directors and choreographers for the Opry, to create a
Christmas show as well. For three years, the musical variety shows
ran in Charleston. But, as life goes (and things rarely work out
exactly as planned), Fox bought the Family Channel; Disney bought
Fox; and, in the end, Disney decided they were not interested in
running a live show in the Holy City. The Serenade Show held its
final performance at the end of 1998.
After that, nearly everyone involved left town, says Brad, but
he and Jenny felt a pull. We were in a different point in our
lives, he says, and we didnt want to leave and start over again in
another town. We loved Charleston and loved the show, and we
believed we could keep it going. So we did.
Obviously, losing financial backing seemed to mean inevitable
death for the projects after all, only the creatives who had
directed and choreographed them remained. But the Moranzes were
able to maneuver around the financial issues by taking over the
business and changing the shows to seasonal ones. It remains their
sole source of income. Thats why its so important for people to
come, he says.
Broadway and Beyond
Brad grew up in Texas, and after studying acting and music
composition at the University of Houston and North Texas State,
respectively, while simultaneously dancing in a ballet company, he
had the opportunity to audition for a national tour of A Chorus
Line
Movies will make you famous; television will make you rich; but
theatre will make you good. -Terrence Mann
When you first hear Brad Moranz speak, its possible to think he
had a long career in radio. Hes eloquent and bubbly a difficult
dichotomy that only seasoned storytellers are capable of pulling
off. The first time I ever heard him speak was over the phone as I
placed an order for tickets to one of his shows. Surely, this isnt
the same Brad, I thought.
But it was. Months passed, and when the show opened, there was
no mistaking the voice Id heard on the phone. He and his wife,
Jennifer, had done what they have been doing for the past two
decades. They had written it, produced it, directed it,
choreographed it, danced and sung in it and sold the tickets.
***There are some people who meet while singing. Or meet in the
rain. And there are those who meet in Singin in the Rain. Such is
the case for the Moranzes, the producers and creative minds behind
The Charleston Christmas Special, Shake, Rattle, and Roll, The
Great American Songbook and a number of beloved local variety
shows.
Dont let the local label fool you. Theres nothing amateur about
it. This is Broadway-esque with professional singers and dancers,
glittering costumes, witty banter and musical selections that are
both moving and fun.
In 1995, Calvin Gilmore, owner of the Carolina Opry, partnered
with the Family Channel to produce a musical variety show in
Charleston. In partnership with Bennett Hospitality Group, Gilmore
took out
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201430
in Dallas in 1979. He tried for the part on a Thursday, and on
Tuesday, left Texas for good. For a year and a half, he toured with
A Chorus Line and then moved to New York once the show ended.
After only a few months in the city, he was given the
opportunity to audition as the understudy for Broadways A Day in
Hollywood/ A Night in the Ukraine. He not only got the part but
later played the lead, Groucho, from 1980-1981.
In New York, its all about working, says Moranz, you cant be
that particular. So, when the national tour of his first Broadway
show ended, he quickly scooped up the role as the understudy for
Seymour, the dentist and the voice of the plant in an off-Broadway
production of Little Shop of Horrors. That show eventually went on
the road to Los Angeles, along with the original cast, and Moranz
took over the role of Seymour in the New York production.
A few years passed and Brad got word that Singin in the Rain was
coming to Broadway. He eventually took over the lead role for the
national tour. Strangely, it was on a stint through Dallas, where
his career had begun years earlier, that he met Jennifer for the
first time.
Jennifer grew up in North Carolina, and knew from an early age
that she wanted to be a dancer. While majoring in dance at East
Carolina University, she studied under Frank Wagner, a well-known
teacher who worked a great deal in the professional realm. It was
Wagner who led Jennifer to New York she was first hired as a dancer
in a production of Music Man that Wagner had been hired to
choreograph. Not long
after, Wagner encouraged her to audition for Snow White which
was produced at Radio City in conjunction with Disney. That
eventually led to an opportunity to audition as a summer
replacement for the Radio City Rockettes. Eventually, she was on
the line permanently and was a part of Americas most iconic dance
company from 1980-1984.
She later danced in the original Broadway production of 42nd
Street before meeting Brad in Dallas in 1986 while touring with
Singin in the Rain.
We met and fell in love, and we both knew that if we stayed, we
would have to take shows that separated us. So, we quit and left
show business, says Brad. The couple opened a dance school in
Wilmington, North Carolina, and approached a local film studio and
theater company about choreography work. Not long after, they were
asked to direct and choreograph none other than Singin in the
Rain.
It was that show that eventually led, through an acquaintance,
to a chance meeting with Rick McCallum, George Lucass producer.
That introduction opened up a number of opportunities for Brad and
Jennifer to work in television and film, which included dance roles
and choreography work in Debbie Allens television movie Stompin at
the Savoy, the TV series Matlock and The Young Indiana Jones
Chronicles, and the star-studded film Radioland Murders.
But, in the end, they missed the stage. That is what led them to
Calvin Gilmores Opry in Myrtle Beach and, after selling their dance
school in North Carolina, inevitably, to Charleston where theyve
remained.
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 31
Jenny and I agreeon everything, and atthe heart,
entertaining
is about liftingpeoples spirits.
AM
On Art and the Creative Process
Anybody that gets to stay in theater for their entire life that
is so far beyond a goal thats a gift, says Brad. We use our
imaginations every day and create something that inspires people or
moves people. Im flat out grateful I get to do that.
Every show has a recipe. It starts with an idea a concept or an
image of what they hope the show will accomplish. The concept may
be Santa Clause or Jesus, the 1950s, a gospel show or a Great
American Songbook show, but regardless of the theme, there is a
mysterious aspect to what we do, says Brad. Jenny and I agree on
everything, and at the heart, entertaining is about lifting peoples
spirits. We pray about this before every show. Everybodys vision
must be the same before a show we have to instill our vision in
them, but we dont have to work too hard at that usually. That
evolves with a hand greater than ours.
Its the vision, though, that leads to the concrete aspects, the
first of which is the cast. Some singers are amazingly versatile,
says Brad, but we look for people with the style that matches the
concept. Casting then leads to song selection. If you want the show
to be amazing, every song has to fit the singer, he continues, and
they have to be comfortable with it. When the songs fit perfectly,
they then ask themselves how the performer will look when they
deliver
it, and that goes beyond costuming. You decide if dancers are in
it, or if the song is dramatized. Theres a million ways to approach
something, he says. Then comes the specifics the details of who
carries what and who enters when. And when all of that is
decided,
everything changes.
It all started in our imagination, says Brad, so some things
work and some dont. We rework until its the best it can possibly
be. Up until the curtain rises, we continue to do that very thing.
It drives people crazy.
The timeline is tight the phone calls and emails for song
selection begin months out from the show, but when rehearsals
begin, singers are expected to know everything. Everyone gathers at
the Moranzs home complete with 600 extra square feet to house
costumes and gowns to put together harmonies and decide what they
will wear. There are six days of choreography and ten days with the
entire cast put together. Then
they add the band and the lights. It all sounds rather easy.
Its very fast and very intense, says Brad, but the recipe is
this: find the most talented people doing what they do best, and
its hard to go wrong. Simple as that.
Special thanks to Tiffany Parker, who contributed to this
article. To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit
bradandjennifermoranz.com.
-
AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201432
If there is anything Southerners like better than the sound of
our own voices, its the sight of our own initials.The monogram is
perhaps one of our most beloved and widespread traditions. What
many people do not know is how the monogram came to be used, how to
create one, or how to read one.
A monogram consists of a person's initials usually a variation
on the first, middle, and last name. Historically, a monogram was
used as a royal signature. Romans and Greeks used them on coins to
identify their rulers. In the Middle Ages, merchants and artisans
used monograms to brand their work. Monograms flourished in the
Victorian era when the upper class began using them on personal
items to denote their place in society. Today, monograms are not
exclusive to the wealthy. In the South, monograms abound!
" My rule is, if its not moving, monogram it.
"- Reese Witherspoon
E L I Z A B E T H D O N E H U E
Arbiter of social graces, with a heart for simple
hospitality and tendency for adventure, Elizabeth
lives in Summerville with her husband Wesley, baby boy Harlowe,
and yorkie
Gucci.
"Preppies have known it for years: who needs LV or YSL when you
can lay claim to a discreet EBW III? In fact, most Preppies are so
proud of their monograms that they
put it on virtually everything in sight." -The Official Preppy
Handbook
S T Y L E S
Lobe AppealCustom monogrammed stud
earrings by Coastal Prep.Savvy Rose $15
S C R I P T
C I R C L E
D I A M O N D
InitialImpression
Understanding themonogram
S O U T H E R NS P O T L I G H T
-
Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 33
Much has been written about proper monogram etiquette. While the
number of choices today are almost infinite, traditional, three
letter Victorian monograms are the variety we use most often, and
for the purist, there are a few standards:
The Traditional Monogram:A three letter monogram with the middle
letter largest and the two side letters the same size should be
written in the following order: first name initial, last name
initial, middle name initial.
Example: Elizabeth Hosftadt Draper should be EDH (with D in the
center & largest)
The Male Monogram:A three letter monogram with all letters the
exact same size should be written in the following order: first
name initial, middle name initial, last name initial.
Example: Donald Francis Draper should be DFD.
The Married Monogram: A married monogram is a modern design in
which a husband and wife combine their monograms into one. This
should only be used when a couple is married, not engaged. The
order of initials should be as follows: wifes first name, last name
of couple, husbands first name.
Example: Elizabeth Draper who is married to Donald Draper should
be EDD (with D in the center & largest)
It is worth noting that although these are the more traditional
monogram rules, there are no right or wrong ways to create
monograms. When it comes to personalization, the choice is truly
yours.
T H E M O N O G R A M
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201434
Tea Time In the heart of the Birthplace
of Sweet Tea, a couple begins a tea-centric journey to end
world hunger.by Jana Riley
S O U T H E R N S P O T L I G H TH e r b a l B l i s s : D r i n
k
When Jagdish, or J, and Sunita Hiranandani retired to the
Charleston area from California, their plans were to simply enjoy
life, volunteer and spend time with one another. As they settled
into their new home, they began entertaining friends and neighbors
and served Sunitas home-brewed teas, created from her own recipes.
The blends were a hit with everyone, and it was not long before the
requests for gallons started pouring in.
I cannot believe how many pitchers I have
lost over the years, sharing tea with our friends, Sunita
laughs. It seemed like I was buying them every time I went to the
store!
Friends of the couple urged them to produce the teas on a larger
scale, and as the two mulled over the decision, they began to
see an opportunity. Passionate volunteers, J and Sunita were
working with their church and the Meals on Wheels program to help
the hungry at the time, but they wanted to do more. The way they
saw it, mass-producing a product might provide a way to feed many
more people, by giving a portion
-
Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 35
Communitystarts withneighbors who care.
1201196 State Farm, Bloomington, IL
Mark Ensley, Agent2301 Bacons Bridge RdSummerville, SC 29485
Bus: [email protected]
Thats what our town is made of. State Farm has a long heritage
of helping out in the community. Thats why Im proud to support
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State.
of the profits to charity. It wasnt long before J, an
accomplished businessman, began drawing up plans for a bottled tea
company, effectively leaving retirement behind them.
My whole life, I planned to retire at age 40 so that I could
spend time with my kids," J explains. I did that, and we gave back
to our children by giving them our time, love, money - everything.
Now that they are older, we want to give back to the world. Our
hearts cry when we see people who dont have things to eat. So we
have dedicated ourselves to working the rest of our lives to
eradicate world hunger.
Sunita quickly set to work perfecting her tea recipes while J
scouted locations to produce the beverages.
My main thing, besides giving back through this project, was to
make the best cup of tea that has ever hit the market, shares
Sunita. I wanted a bottle of our tea to taste just the way I
home-brewed it, with nothing artificial in it - only natural
ingredients.
Finding a factory that would make and bottle teas with Sunita
and Js preferred quality and methods proved to be quite a
challenge. Instead of the standard industry practice of a factory
making a tea syrup and mixing it with lukewarm
The way theysaw it, mass-producing a
product might provide a wayto feed many more people
"Trina helped us find the perfect home, not only for our family,
but for our future. Her
knowledge of the area was ideal for a family new to the
community."
- Vito, Molly, Bryce, Bethany and John David Speciale,
Summerville
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Tea Time continued
water as orders come in, the couple wanted a more organic
approach; boiling the tea just like Sunita would at home - albeit
in much larger batches - and bottling it right away in sterilized,
opaque bottles. After scouring the United States, India and China,
J and Sunita finally found a small factory in Thailand that was
willing to take on the job, including bringing in all new equipment
for boiling and bottling. They also settled on a name - Herbal
Bliss, and began working with a graphic designer on the bottling
design and logo.
Back at home, J and Sunita had to set up shop somewhere, and
decided on a building already owned by the couple in Summerville.
It wasnt until they settled in that they realized they had set up a
tea company in a town dubbed The Birthplace of Sweet Tea.
We thought, what a gift, shares
What divine coincidence, providence, that God
brought ushere to
Summerville, the birthplace of sweet tea.
-
Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 37
CALLING CUSTOMERS BY NAME SINCE 1905
With over 100 years of service to the community, First National
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AM
Sunita. What divine coincidence, providence, that God brought us
here to Summerville, the birthplace of sweet tea.
After nearly four years of building their company, tasting
hundreds of different variations of tea, spending 22 months in
Thailand working with the factory, and working with the FDA and
USDA for approvals, J and Sunita are finally beginning to sell
their products in many locations around town, including Single
Smile Cafe and Mr. Ks Piggly Wiggly stores. For now, their
all-natural product line contains a black tea called Nirvana, which
is closest to traditional sweet tea, Jasmine Tea with honey, Ginger
Honey tea, Lemongrass, a ginseng/green tea, and two caffeine-free
energy drinks. True to their initial motivations for starting the
company, the couple donates five cents from the sale of each bottle
toward feeding the hungry, which the couple promises to continue to
do no matter how the company changes.
Our dream is to create another 10-20 more products and keep
building the brand as we go, says J. Weve put a lot of thought into
the plan that our company will be here for hundreds of years to
come, and we will never stop donating some of our profits and
salaries toward world hunger.
Sunita agrees. For us, we feel that we are about to make an exit
from this world in the years to come, so we want to do something
meaningful before we leave.
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 39
Happy PotterIn his small Summerville studio, Happy Sandman
is molding clay and artistic talents.by Jana Riley
The potter sits at his wheel, eyeing the lump of clay in front
of him while simultaneously explaining his technique to the
students clustered around him. The group includes a stay-at- home
mom, a hairdresser, a research scientist, a retiree and a college
professor,
and they all have one thing in common: they want to throw and
shape something on that wheel; something they can proudly show
their families and use in their daily lives.
The instructor clicks the power button on the pottery wheel, and
the misshapen chunk of clay wobbles wildly as it spins. Deftly, the
potter squeezes a sponge over the clay and wraps his hands around
it, shaping it into a smooth, symmetrical cone. Working the clay up
and down, he shares his process with the students as they watch in
earnest, taking mental notes. As he pulls the clay outward, it
begins to take on recognizable shapes; first it looks like a mug,
then a tall bowl, and then a pot. The potter slows the wheel and
slides his fingers along the outer edge as it spins, transforming
the clay into a beautiful platter, and the small crowd of students
applaud giddily. It is an incredible piece, one they would be
thrilled to learn how to create, and they cant believe it only took
him five minutes to make it.
S O U T H E R N S P O T L I G H TH a p p y S a n d m a n : A r
t
Shape ShiftingA couple of Happy's finished pieces
-
AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201440
Suddenly, the potter slams his hand into the clay and collapses
the piece, smiling, as the group col-lectively gasps. A very
important lesson in pottery, he explains, is to learn how to let go
of things. You will break pieces; you will create pieces that cant
be fired for one reason or another. You may even lose a piece in
the kiln if another piece next to it wasnt fit to be fired and
explodes. Smashing your own pieces on the wheel occasionally is a
nice way to help learn to let go.
Its just another Tuesday night for Happy Sandman.
Happy Sandman is an artists name, of course, but one the
21-year-old prefers, and has been called for as long as he can
remember. As a potters son growing up in Lawton, Oklahoma, Happy
spent his childhood playing in his fathers studio, trying his hand
at shaping clay every chance he got. By the time he was nine years
old, he was creating huge, two-feet-tall art pieces, similar to the
style he is most fond of these days, albeit a bit less refined.
Happy Sandman is an artists name,of course, but one the
21-year-old prefers,
one he has been called for as long as hecan remember.
-
Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 41
Just a few years later, at 13, Happy began teaching adult
pottery classes, and some of his former students now own popular
studios across the country. The father-son duo traveled the country
together, selling and exhibiting their pieces at juried art shows.
After graduating high school a year early, Happy pursued a
bachelors degree in entrepreneurship at Oklahoma State University,
and used the knowledge he gained to start a number of businesses.
After graduation, he moved to South Carolina, and chose to set up
shop in Summerville in part because of its burgeoning art
scene.
Now, he teaches four week, eight session classes to groups of up
to six students, who learn handbuilding as well as wheel throwing
techniques. Advanced students can elect to have open studio time,
coming in whenever he is in the shop, working on their own pieces,
and taking advantage of the wheels and the electric kiln that fires
at 2300 degrees.
Happy says that being a potter and teaching classes is one of
his favorite things to do in life, which is why he chose it as an
occupation. If youre going to do something for a career, you better
love it, he shares. I love this. I love the studio atmosphere,
working for myself. I love making pots. Its just really fun. I get
to meet really cool people regularly, including my students, and
those who I meet traveling the country. And then when people buy my
work, it stays with them in their homes, and there is sort of an
invisible connection there for a very long time. Thats why I love
what I do.
In his studio on Hemphill Court in downtown Summerville, the
connection Happy has with his students is far from invisible. As
one student finishes her first fireable piece on the wheel - a mug,
and looks to him hopefully, he jumps up excitedly and claps,
genuinely happy for her. You did it, he exclaims. I knew you could!
As she smiles proudly, he settles back at his own wheel and it
becomes clear - Happy Sandman is molding more than clay. AM
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 43
NATURAL WOMAN
ur house looks so peaceful from the outside. Through the glass
door, the glow of a Tiffa-ny lamp creates a jeweled circle of
light, and beyond it, the dog curls lazily in his bed, completing
the picture of idyllic home life. But inside, there is a battle
brewing.
In the den, it has been a stressful afternoon. In the first
quarter against the Carolina Panthers, the Cincinnati Bengals faced
a seven point deficit, but a 14-drive play has gar-nered 69 yards
and a touchdown that has tied the score early in the second
quarter. The next possession pulls Cincinnati ahead.
There is angst in the armchair.
Cincinnati has come into the second half with a seven point lead
over the Panthers, and is a hairs breadth from taking a
two-posses-sion lead. It is a tense time, with allegiances split,
with Summer-villes AJ Green on the Bengals roster and Carolina as
the closest thing to a home team. But, two interceptions later, the
tables turn, and the Panthers shoot ahead by seven points. There is
great joy in the Lazy Boy.
In our kitchen, the gladiators wearing white jackets compete for
cash on my favorite cooking show. After rushing to gather the
in-
I LLUSTRAT IONS BY JASON WAGENER
Pigskins andPumpkin Doughnuts
by Susan Frampton
O
-
AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201444
gredients for a traditional club sand-wich, a handsome,
up-and-coming chef is sabotaged by a crusty Italian cook who forces
him to replace his kitchen tools with equipment found in a golf
bag. I pound the countertop at this dirty trick. Things get
interesting as the clever young chef breaks a golf club over his
knee and uses the broken club to slice gouge the turkey breast he
desperately needs for his sandwich.
Despite having to fry the bacon for his edible creation in a
golf ball bas-ket, the young chef prevails, and his tormentor
leaves with apron strings drooping his culinary cruelty
un-rewarded. In the kitchen, I clap my hands, and the icemaker
belches a load of ice in approval.
From time to time I wander into the den. Im a Georgia girl,
which means I dont really have a dog in this fight, so Im only
mildly interested.
AJ Greens team is playing, my hus-band reports.
Yeah, I know. I heard he was sidelined with a toe injury, I
respond. Ha! He points his finger accusingly at me. You were
watching!
Busted. I wasnt watching, but maybe I did have an ear open for
the high-lights. I do not dislike football and as a matter of fact,
I really enjoy watching a good ball game, but I can only take so
many in one 24-hour period. Yes-terday we watched Georgia and
Clem-son and several other college teams. After a while, they all
run together, so I have declined the invitation to watch this game
in favor of something very different.
How can you watch those stupid cooking shows? They are all fake,
you know. Im sure theyre rigged.
Ah, so were going to go there. Happily, were both on a
commercial break, so we have time for a brief war of words.
At least I learn something from the food channel shows that I
can use in real life. Im pretty sure that unless someone
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 45
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Making the uncomfortable comfortable
lobs you a hand grenade while youre in the sporting goods store,
you wont be looking to use much of what youve seen here today.
Oh please! he retorts. Do you think you will ever find yourself
slicing turkey with a golf club? Is that really a skill you think
you will use in the future?
Ha! I point my finger accusingly at him. You were watching! I
make a face and head back into the kitchen.
I hear him mutter as he turns the volume up on the game: I saw
it when I was in the pantry getting potato chips.
Back in the den, the lead goes back and forth. Cincinnati
intercepts a pass and runs to the Panthers 24-yard line, but an
offensive hold nullifies the 22-yard touch-down that follows.
In the kitchen, our young hero is chal-lenged by a sadistic
contemporary to make pumpkin doughnuts using a muffin tin as a
mixing bowl. The injustice!
The Panthers stall at Cincinnatis 18, but convert the field
goal, tying the score. Two minutes left. White knuckles grip the
leather lounger. Cincinnati reaches Caro-linas 16-yard line, and
misses the field goal. The game is over tied at 37 to 37.
The chef has forgotten his baking powder; his doughnuts do not
rise to the occasion. Will flavor trump texture? In the kitchen, I
bite down on a wooden spoon, and the young chef s chin trembles as
he walks away in defeat.
As my husband comes into the kitchen, I ask, Who won? It sure
was a long game.
They tied. Did your chef win?Nope, the pumpkin doughnuts whipped
him. Are you hungry? Im kind of craving club sandwiches.
That sounds good. Ill help.
Really? I ask.
My husband looks at me and grins.
Sure. Ill go get you a golf club. AM
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She shows up for class twenty minutes early. Taking a seat in
the front row, she pulls out a notepad and places it gingerly upon
the desk. She shifts it the left, ever so slightly until it lies
perfectly in the center, nice and straight, as though she had
marked it off with a ruler. Then, with laser-beam focus, she fixes
her
eyes on the chalkboard and waits for the bell.
Breathe slowly, she tells herself.
I LLUSTRAT IONS BY JASON WAGENER
Soon the room is brimming with students thirty years younger.
The professor could be her grandson.
She slides a little lower in the seat.
"I want you to turn to page eight in your textbooks.
Introduction to Anatomy."
Her heart begins to pound, her hand trembling as she reaches for
the pencil. She would have been astounded had she known of the
smile spread across her face.
PATCHWORKOF THESOUTHFinding Homeby Michelle Lewis
sArriving at your place in the world
-
AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201448
She was finally home.
Home is much more than a place to lay your head. For some, it
can mean finally plugging in to that career that suits you. For
others, it may be the hobbies they pursue the acting classes, the
singing lessons, the poetry readings. It may be the people with
whom you surround yourselves, or the relationships you
cultivate.
And sometimes, home is found where you least expect it. Its the
ambitious stockbroker that puts away his portfolio to coach little
league. Or the minister who discovers his preference for a
con-gregation of inmates. Its the wealthy college student who
leaves for a war-torn country, spurred only by the faces of the
starving children she saw on a late-night telethon.
Sometimes reaching home involves a lot of hard work. Maybe even
ridicule. Well-meaning friends might try to steer you in the wrong
direction, and your ac-countant may tell you youve lost your mind.
But rather than be restricted by others disapproval, let it instead
serve as a catalyst, spurring you onward and strengthening your
resolve. Your critics can be your greatest motivation, and
adversity the best teacher.
Let us also be careful not to misinter-pret success and failure.
Sometimes the success is found in the mere act of obedience. It may
have nothing to do with riches, acclaim or even acceptance. Joan of
Arc probably didnt look very successful to those who witnessed her
death. But, centuries later, the world is still inspired by her
courage.
Never apologize for the dreams God has placed within you. It may
be that those desires are exactly what the world needs right now.
Get up and go. AM
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providers.
Women talk. We listen.
9213-A University BoulevardNext to Trident Medical CenterHow has
my
body changed down there since I had my baby?
So I pee a little when I laugh...thats normal right?
Everyone talks about Kegels. Do they really work?
15% off day tickets with code SEWEAZthrough 12/20/14
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207 W Richardson Avenue, Summerville, SC 29483 (843) 501-0602
[email protected]
I T S O K AY T O TA L K A B O U T Y O U R FA M I LY B U S I N E
S S .
The subject of divorce is uncomfortable for many,
but an open dialogue can help you to clearly identify
where you are and where you want to be. The Maes
Law Firm provides thoughtful consideration and a
personalized approach in matters of family law, small
estate planning, and probate. If youre seeking answers,
please call 843.501.0602 for more information or to
schedule a consultation.
RESPONDING to the PRESENTPREPARING for the FUTURE
also licensed in Washington State Melanie Maes
www.maeslawfirm.com
Presbyterian Communities O F S O U T H C A R O L I N A
Relax and celebrate the holidays while enjoying the security
that is only available at a Continuing Care Retirement Community.
The Village at Summerville o ers a complete spectrum of retirement
and healthcare options, providing peace of mind and allowing you to
enjoy each special day with those you love the most.
Spacious Patio Homes & Apartments Assisted Living Short-term
Rehabilitation Memory Support Skilled Nursing Care
201 W. 9th North St., Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 879-0923
Sometimes the Best Gift is
Peace of Mind
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THE VILLAGEAT SUMMERVILLE
Great News: Were Expanding!Keep in touch to learn about our
expansion, including new, larger, elegant apartments in a
state-of-the-art building!
Keep in touch to learn about our expansion, including new,
larger, elegant apartments in a
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 51
LIFE &FAITHA PracticalTheology of Feet
I LLUSTRAT ION BY JASON WAGENER
hate feet. For me, I think the worst possible career paths I
could have pursued would be as a pedicurist or podiatrist. Touching
other peoples feet every single day seems like it would be pure
torture! But I dont just hate
other peoples feet. I hate all feet, including my own. This is
an issue I deal with about nine months out of the year because I
live in the Lowcountry of South Carolina where flip-flops are a
fash-ion staple. But when you have the trifecta of podiatry
embarrass-ment - eczema, plantar warts and chronic toenail fungus -
like I
by Will Browning
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201452
me, you should just avoid flip-flops at all costs.
Apparently, Im not alone. A 2009 New York Times study by
Catherine Saint Louis (The Secret is Out: We Can See Your Feet)
found that fifty percent of women are embarrassed by their feet as
well.
Fortunately, we live in a world where there are many products
dedicated to making feet issues more tolerable. Scrubs, sprays and
ointments occupy large sections of pharmacies, and a number of
these products are dedi-cated to alleviating or at least easing our
foot problems.
But that hasnt always been the way of the world. Not that many
years ago, there were no pharmaceutical products available to mask
the foul nature of our feet. In a world where the major form of
transportation was walking and the most common shoe was an
open-toed, laced sandal, there was no aerosol spray or tube of
cream to purchase. This was a time when the roads were shared with
animals that left their excrement directly in your foot path. Feet
which are already gross, because theyre feet were especially gross
in Jesuss day.
LIFE &FAITH
Fortunately, we live in a world where there are many
products dedicated to making feet
issues moretolerable.
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 53
131 E. Richardson Summer vi l le / 843.871.2210 /
shelbournelaw.com
In an upstairs room on the night be-fore he was killed, Jesus
taught his disciples a lesson. The King of Kings removed his coat,
grabbed a basin of water, took the position of a servant, and
washed the disciples feet. In the first century it was customary
for travelers to have their feet washed as a token of hospitality,
but this loath-some task typically fell to the lowest of the
household servants.
Jesus, teaching his final lesson to all who would follow him,
conveys this truth: the greatest of men will be-come servants to
those around him and whoever wants to be first in Je-sus Kingdom
must become a servant like me (Matthew 20:26-28).
In a dog-eat-dog world where we jockey for position and where
the game is sometimes only to see who can collect the largest
amount of trinkets, this kind of teaching is radi-cally different.
Jesus stooped to the lowest, most humiliating position to show his
friends that he loved them. He was teaching them to love others
without preservation for self.
If you are reading this article and you claim to be a Christian,
let me issue you a challenge. Sometime this week, take the
opportunity to humble yourself, take the position of a servant and
show someone the love Jesus has shown you. Go into work and tell
the janitor to take the day off from cleaning the toilets and clean
them yourself. Stand beside a homeless man asking for money and
help him collect coins to pay for his next meal. Help someone for
no oth-er reason than to show love. Simply put, be Jesus to the
world. AM
SERVING THE COMMUNITY WE CALL HOME.For each of our clients, we
take the role of 'advocate' seriously. We are here to serveto help
our clients avoid the many stresses often associated with legal
issues.-Brandt Shelbourne Attorney & Counselor at Law
-
Whether its on a mountain bike trail or up a coastal creek with
a paddle...
its good to be an outsider in South Carolina
BE AN OUTSIDER
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 55
B A Y T O B A N Q U E T
Our list of localgoodies for him, her
and the kids
PresentDay
G I F TG U I D E
Formal PlumageHand-crafted, sustainably-sourced feather bow ties
by Brackish. Available atThe Charleston Anglerand
brackishbowties.com from $149
-
H I M
Social Lightlong reach lighters. Simple to Sublimeleather
$40bamboo $34
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 57
Clockwise from top left: LaCrosse Trekker II Pac The Boot Jack,
$99; Vinyard Vines LaCrosse Fleece Shep Vest Palmetto Moon, $115;
Hand-made Leather wallets with faux ostrich and reptile embossing,
Four Green Fields, $29; Printed fabric belts Piazza Home,
$24.95
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201458
H E R
Sonora Sydneyfull grain leather boots.The Boot Jack $254.99
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 59
Clockwise from top left: Locally-made long burning soy candles
with essential oil fragrances Four Green Fields, jar $22, tin
$12.95; Spartina bracelets, Maggie Rose, teal $45, gold $38; Ray
Ban New Wayfarer sunglasses in tortoise and tan Jackson Davenport,
$140;Tree nut necklace hand-made in Ecuador Piazza Home, $29.95
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201460
K I D S
Blossom and Buds printed minky dot baby blanket GingerSnaps
$35
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From left: Sector 9 longboard skateboards Inland Surfs &
Skate, bamboo $179, yellow $110; Classics to new releases, books
for all ages and reading levels A Very Little Book Store, prices
vary
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130 Central Ave. 843.871.0297
www.artcgalleryltd.com
HOURSMon. - Sat.10am - 5pm
Open until 8pm onThird Thursdays
A gallery of fine art and crafts all made by local artists.
Located in
Historic Downtown Summerville.
Short CentralT H E S H O P S A T
S u m m e r v i l l e s H i s t o r i c V i l l a g e D i s t r
i c t
227 S. Cedar St. 843.871.3888
HOURSMon. - Sat.10am - 5pm
Fine art and gifts by local artists
Salty Sea
117-A Central Ave. 843.261.7680
fourgreenfieldsgallery.com
Mon. - Sat.10am - 5pm
Open Sundays Oct-DecNoon-4pm
-
219 S. Cedar St. 843.261.9276
HOURSMon. - Fri.
10am - 5:30pmSat.
10am-5pm
125 Central Ave.843.821.7733
eclecticchef.net
Mon. - Fri.9am - 5pm
Sat.9am-4pm
120 Central Ave.843.879.9792
www.SimpleSublime.comHOURS
Mon. -Sat.10am - 5pm
"Find what you're looking for and see why we were voted
Summerville's #1 Gift Shop!"
Short CentralT H E S H O P S A T
S u m m e r v i l l e s H i s t o r i c V i l l a g e D i s t r
i c t
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STRADA ADVERTISING / 303.407.1976 AZALEA MAG EDI 141859 SUMMERS
CORNER BIRD AD DECEMBERFEBRUARY 8.375 X 10.875 4C
This is an invitation to you.
To come back to the garden. To rediscover what matters most.
Family. Community. The unprocessed, unfiltered beauty of the
Lowcountry. In a place designed to bring people together with
nature and each other.
We invite you to learn more about our new homes, opening spring
2015, at SummersCorner.com.
summerville, sc
EDI 141859 SC Azalea MagAd_M1.indd 1 10/27/14 2:13 PM
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words by S U S A N F R A M P T O N and J A N A R I L E Y photos
by D O T T I E R I Z Z O
FROM CUSTOM FIRE KETTLES AND LOCALLY SOURCED JELLIES TOTHE BEST
IN EDUCATION, THE ARTS, HUMANITARIANISM AND MORE,
THIS YEARS BATCH OF AZALEA AWARD WINNERS PROVE THATTHERE IS A
BOUNTY OF TALENT RIGHT HERE AT HOME
2 0 1 4A Z A L E A A W A R D S
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201466
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 67
Local Product of the YearR I N A S K I T C H E N S
J E L L I E S & R E L I S H E SMiss Rina-Rina 's Kitchen
In a semi-scientific study conducted by seriouseats.com, it was
determined that the ratio of peanut butter to jelly in the perfect
sandwich is two tablespoons peanut butter to one tablespoon of
jelly. Our completely non-scientific studies turned these findings
completely upside down, doubling up on the jelly and cutting way
back on the peanut butter. Of course, using jelly from Rinas
Kitchen greatly skewed our results.
With all the flavor choices in Miss Rinas line of jellies, jams
and preserves, wed be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. It is,
however, hard to beat the taste of the hometown favorite: Sweet Tea
Jelly. Whether on a hot buttered biscuit, with cream cheese on a
cracker or alongside your favorite chicken or pork dish, it is
about as close to a bite of heaven as youll find on earth.
When it comes to relish, there are a couple of different
directions to take. Relish, as a verb, means to savor, to love, or
to take pleasure in. As a noun, it is defined as great enjoyment.
In a jar from Rinas Kitchen, it is a taste sensation that can run
the gamut from sweet, crunchy Chow Chow, to hot and spicy Jalapeno.
And its good with just about everything from vegetables to hot
dogs.
Were not the only ones crazy about the homegrown goodness of
Rinas Kitchen the reputation of her products brings in orders from
across the country but you can find them locally at her country
kitchen outside Summerville or in shops and restaurants throughout
the Lowcountry.
A Z A L E A A W A R D S
We are a blessed community. So blessed, that most of us go about
our lives unaware that there are those among us who go to bed
hungry. In fact, there is not a day that passes without a need for
shelter, food or basic medical care. In our busy lives, it is easy
to forget the words of Matthew 25:40: Truly I tell you, whatever
you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you do for me. There is one in our community, however, who never
forgets.
Marty Thomas makes it his business to be aware of those in need;
and God has blessed him with the time and talents to make it his
lifes work to help them. Working with the poor, the sick and the
homeless is not simply what Thomas does; it is who he is and it is
of utmost importance to him to make people aware that there are
programs in place for those in need of help.
Thomass kind, quiet ways allow him to reach out and identify
those who can most benefit from Ashley Ridge Churchs Change for a
Dollar program. And as the churchs Outreach Coordinator, he is able
to seek out partnerships in the community to help expand the reach
of the money raised each week. As Assistant Director of the Medical
Outreach Clinic at St. Pauls, he is often able to distinguish those
who are also homeless, have mental issues or whom circumstances
have left without a job or a car, or additionally, have no idea
that there are programs, shelters and services that can help.
With the hope that Summerville can soon provide a place where a
hot meal is accessible seven days a week, Thomas is working with
the Lowcountry Homeless Coalition to find volunteers to help gather
information which can be used for grants and matching funds. Though
he prefers to remain anonymous about the many kindnesses he
performs daily, he sets an example for everyone with his works and
his heartfelt beliefs. Im blessed that God has provided me with all
that I need, and the time and ability to do this, just like he did
a bunch of rag-tag fisherman long ago. It isnt about me its simply
about what God has asked us all to do.
Humanitarian of the YearM A RT Y T H O M AS
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201468
Local Product of the YearC A R O L I N A K E T T L E S
Rusty Fowler-Carol ina Kett les
A little over a decade ago, Rusty Fowler had an idea: he wanted
to build a fire pit, and thought an old-fashioned iron syrup kettle
would be a perfect choice for the bowl. Syrup kettles, a 19th
century creation used primarily for heating cane sugar into syrup,
were also used as vessels for rendering lard or heating water for
canning purposes. Fowler kept an eye on the local paper, scanning
it daily for auctions which might feature his coveted item. One day
in 2002, he finally came across a listing for a small-town auction
that included a 40-gallon syrup kettle, and with a few hundred
dollars in his pocket, he went to bid on the piece, certain that he
would return home with his prize. After examining the kettle, which
was in rough shape, Fowler bid up to his limit, and watched in
shock as the price rose to over three times what he was willing to
pay. That was when I realized there was a heck of a demand for
these things, he says. I thought, weve put a man on the moon since
these things were created. We can definitely figure out how to make
them.
After a little trial and error, Fowler cast his first successful
kettle, and Carolina Kettles was born. For over 12 years, he has
been turning out kettles of all sizes, nearly exact replicas of the
originals, but made of a stronger, longer-lasting type of iron.
These are family heirloom-quality pieces, he notes. They are pretty
indestructible. Offering 30, 40, 60, and 80 gallon kettles (usually
with customized lettering on the lip of the piece), as well as
kettle stands and oyster cooktops, Carolina Kettles has seen all
sorts of applications for their product. Some customers use them
for fire pits, while others have used the kettles as koi ponds or
planters. One female celebrity chef has two kettles, with fire and
water features, flanking the entrance to her house. Some are still
using them for their original purpose of melting cane syrup.
Whatever the use, Fowler says he is just glad to be a part of
bringing back a centuries-old technique and product to the
Lowcountry sharing tradition and stories along the way.
Name a conservation group concerned with any river or forest in
this area, and you can bet that Howard Bridgman is not just a
member, but an active member. Although his calm demeanor and droll
humor do make him a delight to listen to over a cup of coffee,
Bridgman is not a man who simply talks the talk. The New Jersey
transplant can often be found in a canoe or kayak in local waters,
enjoying the incredible bounty and diversity, while keeping an eye
on the health and well-being of the places he cares about
deeply.
Serving on the Dorchester County Conservation Commission, he is
charged with identifying, conserving and protecting natural
resources, identifying and preserving historical resources,
promoting nature-based recreation and tourism, and emphasizing the
natural, cultural and historical resources of Dorchester County.
That is no small undertaking, but Bridgman works with many
different organizations to accomplish the mission.
He is a founding member of the Ashley River Scenic Advisory
Council and the Coordinator of American Rivers Ashley River Blue
Trail. A Blue Trail is a river adopted by a local community for the
purpose of improving family-friendly recreation. Just as hiking
trails lead adventurers on explorations of the land, the Blue Trail
leads people to discover their rivers.
Bridgman is also on the board of Friends of the Edisto, whose
mission is to protect and enhance the natural and cultural
character and resources of the Edisto River Basin through
conservation and responsible use.
Though it is hard to believe that these commitments leave many
hours in his day, Bridgman can also be found volunteering his
knowledge as a Master Gardener, using his hands to work the soil of
Mepkin Abbey, or donating his time at Beidler Forest. He serves on
the Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail Commission, sits on the
Board of Summerville DREAM, and is a volunteer at the Timrod
Library.
His philosophy and involvement in the community help him to see
the bigger picture and strive for a happy medium between
development and nature. Much like the rivers that he works to
preserve and protect, Bridgmans many objectives for the environment
come together in a braided stream to promote the conservation,
preservation and enjoyment of natural and historical resources.
A Z A L E A A W A R D S
Environmentalist of the Year H O W A R D B R I D G M A N
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 69
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201470
Cocktail of the YearT H E S O U T HC A C K - E - L A C K E
YDianna Honour-Oscar ' s
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture reports that in an
average year there are over 200 million pounds of peaches harvested
in South Carolina, to the economic tune of $35 million. In fact,
South Carolina comes in second place for national peach production
behind California, but ahead of Georgia the Peach State. So it
stands to reason that this years award winner in the drink category
celebrates South Carolinas lofty peach status with a drink that
packs a double peach punch.
According to Dianna Honour, bartender at Oscars of Summerville,
The South Cack-e-lackey pays perfect tribute to our states fuzzy
fruit, by bringing together peach vodka and peach liqueur, adding a
bit of sour mix, and then a dash of color with a splash of both
orange juice and grenadine.
Shake it and make it, Dianna says. Poured in a chilled martini
glass and garnished with orange slices and cherries, the drink is
as refreshing as it is beautiful. It is the drink Oscars serves up
at their stop on the Good Eats on the Sweet Tea Trail trolley
tour.
The South Cack-e-lackey is the luxury vehicle for delivering the
tart taste of South Carolina in a glass, and we think thats just
peachy!
A Z A L E A A W A R D S
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Winter 2014 AZALEAMAG.COM 71
How many of us would open our homes to help a child in need? For
the past twelve years, there have been those who have not hesitated
when the Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen Tour came calling. This
year, homes on Linwood Lane, Salisbury Drive and Gadsden Street
opened their doors to receive the visitors arriving to taste
special dishes prepared by prominent and emerging chefs and
bakers.
A highly anticipated event, the Kitchen Tour is the primary
fundraiser for Children in Crisis in Dorchester County, drawing
attendees from across the Lowcountry. Local floral designers
provide beautiful and elaborate arrangements, and area musicians
add to the ambiance by lending their voices to festivities behind
the doors of Summervilles most historic homes and
neighborhoods.
This years October event raised more than $100,000 for programs
which will help reduce the trauma of child abuse for area children
and families, and help provide treatment in a safe, child-focused
environment. The generosity of those who facilitate and participate
in the annual Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen Tour, and the
important cause it serves, make it a perennial favorite.
Event of the YearScrumptious Summer vi l le
K I T C H E N T O U R To benefi t Chi ldren In Cr is is
Educator of the YearB R I A N D E B O L TSummer vi l le
Elementar y School
As a child, Brian DeBolt remembers struggling to learn to read.
That struggle, coupled with his love for children, shaped the
career path he would eventually choose.
Now in his thirteenth year teaching (his eighth as a second
grade teacher at Summerville Elementary), DeBolt has touched
countless young lives, most notably through the creation of the
Reading Counts Club an after-school initiative he began his first
year in Summerville where the main focus is making reading fun for
young students. As a kid, I was a struggling reader, he says, and I
didnt have a teacher who I felt wanted me to read and enjoy it. If
you want fluent readers with reading comprehension skills, it has
to be fun.
To hear the children and their parents talk about the program,
the word fun seems rather rudimentary.
The impression he makes on every child who walks through his
door will carry them through so much more than a school day, says
Reese Rice, whose two daughters, Ella and Grayson, are students of
DeBolt. I mean, who sings to his students and stays after school on
a Friday all year? Who shows up at 6 am two days a week just to
work with children before the day even starts?
It is clear DeBolt is dedicated to his calling as a teacher, but
more importantly, to shaping young lives. His sphere of influence
is wide. He also serves as the boys and girls varsity soccer coach
at Summerville High School and is the camp director for Camp Baker
at the Jewish Community Center in West Ashley.
Male teachers, in elementary school no less, are not all that
common, says Rice. But he is truly special, and no amount of words
could ever paint the perfect picture of him. He reaches students on
another level.
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AZALEAMAG.COM Winter 201472
Artisan of the YearS A N D Y R E D D Y
Carol ina Har vest
Sandy Reddy grew up in a bakery in Columbus, Indiana - the
daughter of two locally-famous dough punchers. Under her parents,
she apprenticed in the arts of mixing, rolling, shaping and baking,
and as she grew up, she became adept at creating her own recipes
for baked goods. When she decided to venture off on her own in the
baking world, her family naturally assumed that she would open a
shop much like their own. But Reddy had other plans.
I wanted to go big, bigger than what we were doing at home, she
explains. So I decided to manufacture baking products.
Reddy built her baking mix manufacturing company from the ground
up, and initially worked with the Department of Corrections,
providing the mixes for their baked goods. After flour prices
quadrupled over the span of just one month in 2008, Reddy quickly
realized that she could no longer afford to work on government
contracts, which are often agreed upon prior to such price
increases.
She decided to go into the retail business, selling her homemade
baking mixes to the masses. First, though, she had to design her
packaging. A chance meeting with friend Cathy Clower, a director at
South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Center, yielded two
important findings the center had loads of people looking for work,
and they always had a surplus of small cardboard barrels (left over
from an ongoing job there). Reddy and Clower started scheming, and
came up with a plan: she would reuse the barrels as packaging for
her baking mixes, and the clients at the vocational rehabilitation
center would package the products, providing them opportunities to
learn new skills and to earn a wage.
The idea was a hit. Within months, Carolinas Harvest was on
shelves in Wal-Mart stores across the state, as well as numerous
grocery and specialty stores. With over twenty different mixes
(brownies, biscuits, cobblers and cakes are the most popular), the
company places an emphasis on real Southern food, created in a way
that gives back to the community and the environment. What could be
more delicious?
When Libby and Bethany Lowry ask for a story before bedtime, you
can bet they will hear of none of the standard characters that most
children come to know as they grow up. Instead, petite garden
fairies from their backyard garden will frolic in their dreams
drinking from acorn caps and nibbling gingerbread cookies the size
of tiny buttons. These characters do not live in the pages of
storybooks, but rather in the imagination of their father,
storyteller Tim Lowry.
Immersing himself in the characters he portrays, Lowry is as
likely to be found around the Lowcountry dressed in the
tri-cornered hat of a Revolutionary War soldier, or the goggles and
driving coat of a 1910 car enthusiast, as he might be in the
seersucker suits he favors for Southern summer days. Whether in a
school classroom or the Timrod Library, or on a Sweet Tea Trail
Trolley winding through the streets of Summerville, he is most at
ease when telling a story.
A born performer and theatre major at Bob Jones University, the
Kentucky native took an elective class in storytelling during his
studies and knew immediately that as much as he loved the stage,
this particular form of acting was his forte. Working his way
through school as a custodian at an elementary school, he quickly
gained practical experience in the art form, using his stories as a
reward to motivate the children to learn good habits and keep their
school sparkling.
After coming to Charleston in the summer of 1993, he fell in
love with the Lowcountry, and soon became a tour guide, reveling
visitors with stories of the Old South. The teaching certificate he
had earned in speech, drama and English, led him to a position in
Berkeley County, and after marrying his childhood friend, Bonnie,
both he and his wife taught school there. But the storytelling bug
was unrelenting and after five years, Lowry decided to pursue his
gift as a career.
It was this choice that brought him to Summerville, working with
beloved principal Gene Sires as an artist-in-residence at
Summerville Elementary. He quickly growing his business to the
point that he spent the majority of his time in Dorchester District
Two schools. The balance of Lowrys time took him to national
storytelling festivals around the country, and surprisingly, to
businesses who wanted to teach employees how to incorporate
storytelling into the corporate realm. Telling a story is a great
way for corporations and non-profits to get their messages across,
Lowry says.
Though his schedule is packed with appearances locally and as
far away as California, Summerville is fortunate to have a few
regular spots on Lowrys calendar he is often guiding trolley tours
and sharing stories drawn from over 400 years of local history.
Combining history, legend, myth and personal narratives, Lowry also
weaves his storytelling web on the third Friday of each month at
Timrod Librarys, Postcards from the Sweet Tea Trail, which he
endearingly deems as story time for big people.
Whether slipping into the colorful lexicon of Gullah for stories
of fascinating culture or channeling his