Charleston Currents #13.15 | Feb. 22, 2021
MAYBE IT’S ALL of the rain we’ve had this year, but the season’s crop of camellias has been simply stunning. Get a gander before they fade. Photo by Andy Brack.
On a related note, Bob Williams, a 15-year volunteer with Magnolia Plantation and Gardens’ camellia collection, cultivated and registered a new camellia variety. He named it for Isaac Leach, the garden superintendent at the attraction. It was an unexpected honor for Leach that has been given to only a few African Americans, including his grandfather, according to a news release.
FOCUS: Time to plan travel is now says local author in new book
COMMENTARY, Brack: Bald power grab could frazzle election process
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
NEWS BRIEFS: Judge issues temporary order blocking new abortion law
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
MYSTERY PHOTO: Lots of orange
CALENDAR: A look at coming events
Time to plan travel is now says local author in new book
Travel writer Bill Thompson says he’s itching to get on the road to places like the Lake District in England. Photo via Unsplash.
By Bill Thompson, special to Charleston Currents | Feeling claustrophobic? After a year of social distancing and, for many, relative isolation, you could be excused for feeling the walls are closing in.
Thompson
Though the progress of distributing and administering COVID-19 vaccinations has been spotty, those receiving them finally have a chance to take a deep breath and have a glimpse of what life may be like not too far down the road. But no matter how well-appointed our homes or numerous our diversions, the avid travelers among us are bound to be getting itchy.
Count me among them. It’s been a long, if sometimes productive, wait.
I have traveled and written about travel for 40 years. And while I daily count my blessings and good fortune, it does not diminish my eagerness to be on the road or in the skies again, to set foot on another land, in another city, or hike the wilderness.
You, too, I’d wager.
Our impulse to see and experience a larger world is the subject of my new book, Why Travel? A Way of Being, A Way of Seeing (Sojourner Books, Feb. 28). And while this moment of the pandemic may seem a rather odd time to be publishing it, this collection of essays and travel articles arrives with a glimmer of hope that soon we can start planning our travels again.
The time to start thinking about it is now.
Whether your travel wish list is modest or ambitious, domestic or far-flung (or both), think of this as a dose of encouragement.
There is nothing wrong with armchair travel. We’ve all engaged in it these past 12 months. And it’s useful. The best books on travel – I list more than 50 in my book’s appendix – do more than showcase the fashion of the moment or the hip way to spend excessive amounts of money. And they don’t become obsolete in six months’ time. How-to and where-to books certainly have their place in the planning process and in helping us navigate once we’ve arrived. But they don’t always give us insight into why we’re travelling in the first place, or into the customs, language, history or foodways of a place.
Good travel books can stoke the fire in the belly of the experienced and encourage those just beginning to take that first step, which I hope mine does. After all, travel is more than seeing sights. It is a school for living. And while safety is a concern, especially now, an excess of caution will not serve you well.
To paraphrase a famous aphorism about ships, a plane in the hanger, a train in the station or a car in the garage is safe, but that’s not why they build them. Cultivate an adventurous spirit. It can be the opening of a door; it needn’t be a leap off a cliff (though a bit of daring can be exhilarating).
The rewards are immeasurable.
Physician, poet and humorist Oliver Wendell Holmes noted that a mind enlarged by new experience never retreats to the confines of its old dimensions. That’s what we’re after. An expanded, and expansive, view. You don’t get that from sitting in place.
Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to afford to travel. I get that. But if you possess the time and the wherewithal, go for it. Embrace the change it brings in you and your perceptions. Inhabit the moment.
And let the journey be your home.
Former Post and Courier reporter Bill Thompson says he’ll be “out the door in a flash” once the pandemic’s rage subsides. His first stop may be England, where he’d like to hike in the Lake District and enjoy London. You can preview Why Travel? in the Book Excerpts section of the website www.sojournerartoftravel.com)
- Have a comment? Send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com.
Bald power grab could frazzle election process
By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | The S.C. Election Commission is facing the possibility of a governing board that’s more partisan and beholden to the legislature after its director suggested pandemic changes to expand access to absentee voting in the November election.
Stretch your memories to last spring as election officials prepared for the June primaries. The General Assembly approved a short-term plan to allow anyone to vote by absentee ballot. But it didn’t eliminate a requirement that a witness sign the ballot to verify the voter’s identity. A lawsuit was filed claiming health concerns and the right to vote outweighed fraud concerns over non-witnessed ballots. A federal judge agreed and there was no witness signature requirement in the primary.
The June election went relatively smoothly, prompting Commission Director Marci Andino to recommend changes to make the November elections as smooth. The General Assembly agreed, but again didn’t drop the witness signature requirement. Another legal snarl came with the state Republican Party strongly arguing to keep the requirement over the bogey monster of fraud. Again, a federal judge ruled to drop the requirement, but a GOP appeal led to its reinstatement by the Republican-dominated U.S. Supreme Court.
Fast forward to this week. A bill (H. 3444) authored by GOP House Speaker Jay Lucas seeks to improve the consistency of how county election officials interpret state laws on absentee ballots. The proposal essentially would give more power to the state Election Commission (SEC) to enforce a single standard. The thinking goes that ballots needed to be administered consistently, whether you vote absentee in Oconee County or Charleston County.
But the bill also proposes changes in how members of the Election Commission would be appointed by giving input to the legislature. (Surprise!)
Currently, the governor appoints five members of the commission. One must come from the General Assembly’s majority party and another from the minority party. That means a Democratic governor could have four Democrats and one Republican for the commission while a GOP governor could pick up to four Republicans..
But under the original Lucas proposal, the commission would expand to eight members, four of whom would be picked by the governor with only two from his party. The legislature would pick four other members, evenly split between the two parties. In other words, the commission would be four Republicans and four Democrats. But the legislature would end up picking four members, compared to zero now.
Then came more fiddling. Bill proponents added another commission member for a total of nine. The governor would be able to pick five, including four from his party. The legislature’s House speaker and Senate president still would pick four members, two from each party. In the new scheme, balance could shift to a 6-3 majority for the party of the governor, which has been controlled by Republicans since 2003. The GOP has controlled the House since 1994 and the state Senate since 2000.
Lucas’s office didn’t respond to a request for a comment. But a news report indicates the new deal between the House and governor’s office came to provide more latitude to the governor’s office and “appropriate accountability.”
Understandably, some commission watchers aren’t too happy over the reshaped bill, which passed 14-7 out of the House Judiciary Committee. Some House Democrats crowed the new formula wasn’t fair. And while the bill’s original intent to standardize practices around absentee voting makes sense, the League of Women Voters is worried.
“State Election Commission members have taken an increasingly active role in setting the agenda for South Carolina’s elections,” said the organization’s Lynn Teague of Columbia. “Who they are and who they answer to matters to all of us. Unfortunately on a commission where membership is defined on the basis of partisan affiliation, there is a temptation to represent the party, rather than the voters.”
Examples: A more partisan commission could impact locations of polling locations and distribution of staff to benefit one party over the other.
The agency didn’t take a position on Lucas’s bill, but noted party representation is required among commission members.
“With that said, SEC members have typically served in a nonpartisan way making decisions based on law, not party allegiances,” said spokesman Chris Whitmire.
Still, we’re worried about the legislature’s potential intrusion into the commission’s make-up. You should be, too.
Andy Brack is editor and publisher of Charleston Currents, and publisher of the Charleston City Paper. Have a comment? Send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring Charleston Currents to you at no cost. Today we shine our spotlight on Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, founded in 1676 by the Drayton family.It has survived the centuries and witnessed the history of our nation unfold before it from the American Revolution through the Civil War and beyond. It is the oldest public tourist site in the Lowcountry and the oldest public gardens in America, opening its doors to visitors in 1870. Open 365 days a year, Magnolia offers its visitors splendid tours of nature and history and the role African-Americans played in the development of its award-winning Romantic-style gardens.
- Visit www.magnoliaplantation.com to learn how you can experience a complete plantation experience.
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Judge issues temporary order blocking new abortion law
Staff reports | A federal judge on Friday issued a temporary restraining order on the after S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill that effectively banned most abortions, one of his top priorities since he took office more than four years ago. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and Greenville Women’s Clinic immediately sued in federal court to block it.
U.S. District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis issued an order to block the restrictive abortion law for 14 days and indicated it might be renewed. Louise Geiger issued a 14-day temporary restraining order.
The new law prevents a woman from getting an abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, which is only two weeks after a missed period. Critics say many women may not realize they’re pregnant at six weeks. At the Friday hearing, Lewis reminded the state attorney general’s office, which is challenging the lawsuit, “that South Carolina’s new law violates nearly 50 years of established law … that women have a constitutional right to an abortion up to six months of pregnancy,” according to The State.
“Important health care decisions should be made by individuals in consultation with their trusted medical providers and their families, not politicians,” said Dr. Katherine Farris, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. “Abortion is a critical component of comprehensive reproductive health care, and everyone deserves to have access to the health care they need, without politicians controlling when, how, or why.”
In other recent news:
Fresh Future Farm soon might be able to buy property. A plan approved by a North Charleston City Council committee Thursday would clear the way for Fresh Future Farm and Metanoia to buy properties from the city separately rather than having the urban farm nonprofit negotiate an agreement with the community development group. More: Charleston City Paper.
S.C. legislature integrated 50 years ago. In 1971, James Felder, Isaac Samuel (I.S.) Leevy Johnson and Charleston’s Herbert Fielding entered the S.C. House as the first elected Black lawmakers to serve in the legislature since the turn of the 20th century. Today, Black lawmakers hold 45 seats in the General Assembly. More: The State.
Riverdogs to open season May 4. The Charleston RiverDogs will open its season May 4 at The Joe to kick off a six-day home stand against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. The RiverDogs, which were idle all of last season because of the pandemic, plan to allow fans into all home games this year at reduced capacity, with hopes for full-capacity games if possible. Also this year, the team is a new affiliate of the 2020 American League champion Tampa Bay Rays.
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- Read what Charlie The RiverDog “says” about the coming season in this special report in the Charleston City Paper.
New director. The Charleston Parks Conservancy has hired Tom McGuire, former head of the Friends of the National Arboretum, as its new executive director. He also had senior leadership roles with the National Wildlife Foundation and World Wildlife Fund.
Progressives say it’s time to go on offense. South Carolina’s Republicans are pressing legislative advantages like never before with legislative victories long dreamed of by their right-wing and corporate bases. Now some are asking when progressives will go on offense more to counter GOP majorities at the Statehouse, as outlined in this news analysis in sister publication Statehouse Report.
S.C. one of the least-educated states in America, study shows. South Carolina ranked No. 42 in a list of the most educated states in America, according to a study from personal finance site WalletHub. The Palmetto State earned the same spot in 2019, but dipped even lower, to No. 44, in 2020. More: The State.
Lawmakers approve bill to boost spending on vaccine rollouts. McMaster is reviewing a bill proposed by state lawmakers on Tuesday to spend $208 million on a vaccine allocation plan. The measure, which passed the House and Senate, would provide money to be used to administer vaccines, boost testing, increase PPE supplies and cover other vaccine-related expenses.
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Lots of orange
A reader sent in this interesting photo. What and where is it? Send your best guess to editor@charlestoncurrents.com. And don’t forget to include your name and the town in which you live.
Our previous Mystery Photo
Our Feb. 15 photo, “A real tough one to identify,” was just as tough for us as it was many folks. We’re still not sure exactly what this old industrial building is on Greenleaf Street in the Neck area between Charleston and North Charleston, but it’s pretty clear it’s got something to do with the Kinder Morgan fuel terminal complex south of the old Navy Base.
Several readers identified the building that way, such as Joseph Wheatley of Mount Pleasant; Warner Mahn of Hanahan; Or they identified them as the old Navy base buildings off Meeting Street Extension as we heard from Sarah Nielsen of Charleston; Joe Beck of Charleston; Chris Brooks of Mount Pleasant; George Graf of Palmyra, Va.; Gerry Davenport of James Island; Stephen Yetman of Charleston; and Kathryn Arden . John Miles and Stephen Nussman, both of Charleston, said it was part of the old Esso oil terminal in the Neck. Another reader (Wes) said it was an old Exxon maintenance building, while another (Lance) said it was an old Allied terminal building.
Thanks all!
Send us a mystery: If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Send it along to editor@charlestoncurrents.com.
A look at some fun coming events
Museum adds February hours. The Old Slave Mart Museum, which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the week, will also be open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. each Sunday in February to honor and celebrate Black History Month, the City of Charleston said in a news release. The museum, owned and operated by the city at 6 Chalmers Street, recounts the story of Charleston’s role in the slave trade.
Where the Wild Things Run 5K. 8:30 a.m., March 6, Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Ravenel. Registration ends Feb. 24. You can take part in this race and enjoy a wild, but managed county park that is a favorite habitat for rare wildlife. There also is family-friendly yoga and readings from Marice Sendak’s book that gives the race its name. Learn about registration and rules.
“Living Dead in Denmark:” 7:30 p.m., March 12 and March 13, livestreamed. The College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance will stage this play by Vietnamese-American playwright, television writer and screenwriter Qui Nguyen, who is known for his innovative use of pop-culture, stage violence, puppetry and multimedia. Tickets can be purchased online at go.cofc.edu/livingdead.
Wine Down Wednesdays: 5:30 p.m. March 17 and March 31, Old Towne Creek County Park, West Ashley. You can enjoy a glass of wine and explore Old Towne Creek County Park, a West Ashley gem, with the return of this evening event. Guests will enjoy wine and live music from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from a local Charleston performer, while experiencing the beauty of this natural site. A commemorative wine glass is included with admission. Food truck fare will be available for purchase on-site. Cost: $15. Ages 21 and up. There is no onsite registration. You must purchase tickets in advance.
Sunday Brunch Farmers Market: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Sunday, Charleston Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway, James Island. While the market is discouraging people from spending too much time hanging out during the market, everyone is invited to shop their local vendors.
Safe Sounds series returns: 15 shows starting March 19, Firefly Distillery, North Charleston. The new season of Safe Sounds will feature cover bands and original artists from the local and national circuits. Here’s a list of early performers:
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- Friday, March 19 – Sam Bush
- Saturday, April 17 – 20 Ride: “America’s No. 1 Zac Brown tribute band”
- Saturday, April 24 – Randall Fowler with special guest
- Sunday, April 25 – The Allman Betts Band
- Saturday, May 1 – On the Border – “The ultimate Eagles tribute Band”
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- Head over to citypapertickets.com to secure a spot. Tickets are available now. (Editor’s note: City Paper Tickets, which run by sister publication Charleston City Paper, is operating ticketing for Safe Sounds.)
Craft entries sought. Fine craft artists from around the state are invited to enter the 19th annual S.C. Palmetto Hands Juried Fine Craft Competition and Exhibition, which will be presented April 28 to May 2 as part of the North Charleston Arts Fest. Entry fee is $15. The deadline for entries is March 15. Applications are offered online only. The show, cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, will offer objects made in media of clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, and three-dimensional mixed media. More info: culturalarts@northcharleston.org.
Bird-watching at Caw Caw. Every Wednesday and Saturday — particularly through the end of February — you can see a plethora of birds at Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel as they make their way through the Lowcountry. The two-hour regular walks, which start at 8:30 a.m., are through distinct habitats that allow participants to to view and discuss a variety of birds, butterflies, and other organisms. Registration is not required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. A paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under. Max. 10 participants. Fee: $9; free for Gold Pass holders. Open to all ages. More: Caw Caw Interpretive Center.
- If you have any online events, drop us a line (editor@charlestoncurrents.com) and make sure to put “Online event” in the subject line. Similarly, if you’ve got cool ideas for stuff to do while in isolation at home, send them our way.
ORDER NOW: Copies of our new book, 350 Facts About Charleston, are in Lowcountry-area bookstores now, but if you can’t swing by, you can order a copy online today.
As more people stay home to deal with the coronavirus crisis, people are looking for things to do. You can find some fun things to do online in our calendar section below, but let us also encourage you to FORWARD your issue of Charleston Currents to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. It’s got a great price, as you know: Free! We hope they’ll enjoy our coverage.
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