Charleston Daily Seeking all the beauty that is Charleston, South Carolina

By Mark A Leon

High in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, there is a place where the yellow brick road winds through the trees, familiar characters step out of the pages of a beloved story, and visitors can briefly leave the real world behind.

Welcome to Land of Oz on Beech Mountain.

Unlike a traditional amusement park, Land of Oz is a seasonal, walk-through experience built around L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Located at the summit of Beech Mountain, the attraction combines theatrical performances, elaborate sets, characters and storytelling with the spectacular scenery of the North Carolina High Country. 

And perhaps that setting is part of what makes Land of Oz so magical.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

Land of Oz originally opened in 1968, when Beech Mountain was emerging as a destination for mountain tourism. The park was envisioned as a place where families could actually step inside the world of Oz rather than simply watch it on a screen.

Visitors follow the Yellow Brick Road through the mountain, encountering familiar locations and characters along the way. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and other Oz favorites become part of a theatrical journey rather than simply static attractions.

The result is something that feels part theme park, part theater and part nostalgia trip.

For generations of visitors, the experience has become a way to introduce children to Oz while giving adults an opportunity to reconnect with a story they may have loved since childhood.

A Mountain Setting Like No Other

There is also something wonderfully unexpected about placing Oz in the North Carolina mountains.

The attraction sits high above the surrounding High Country, where visitors can experience sweeping mountain views alongside the fantasy world of Oz. The combination of colorful sets, performers and natural scenery makes the experience particularly popular with photographers and anyone who enjoys unusual destinations.

It is also very much a walking experience. Hills, stairs and uneven terrain are part of the adventure, so visitors should come prepared for a mountain outing rather than expecting a traditional flat theme park.

The Return of a Beloved North Carolina Tradition

Land of Oz has experienced several chapters throughout its history, including periods when the park was closed. Its eventual revival helped transform it from a piece of North Carolina nostalgia into one of the state’s most distinctive seasonal attractions.

Today, special events and seasonal programming continue to bring visitors to Beech Mountain, with the attraction’s famous Autumn at Oz celebration becoming one of the most anticipated Oz experiences of the year.

There is even a Land of Oz Gift Shop & Museum on Beech Mountain Parkway, where visitors can find Oz merchandise and learn more about the attraction’s history.

And for those who want to dig deeper into the story of Beech Mountain itself, the Beech Mountain History Museum includes exhibits covering the community’s development, its ski history and the Land of Oz era.

More Than Nostalgia

What makes Land of Oz special isn’t simply that it celebrates a famous movie and book.

It’s the idea behind the place.

For a few hours, visitors aren’t simply looking at Oz—they are walking through it.

They can follow the road, meet the characters, explore the sets and take in the mountain landscape surrounding them. For children, it can feel like stepping directly into a storybook. For adults, it can feel like rediscovering a little piece of childhood.

And perhaps that explains why Land of Oz has endured.

In a world filled with increasingly sophisticated digital entertainment, there is still something powerful about physically walking down a yellow brick road in the North Carolina mountains.

Sometimes the best destinations aren’t the ones that take us somewhere new.

They’re the ones that remind us how to dream.

Land of Oz
Beech Mountain, North Carolina
Follow along: Land of Oz on Instagram⁠

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Photo Credit: Land of Oz NC

Inaugural fundraiser brings clean comedy, community connection and service together at the North Charleston Marriott

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Rotary Club of North Charleston Breakfast will present Rotarians Unplugged Comedy Show 2026 on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the North Charleston Marriott. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the show beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The inaugural fundraiser will feature comedians Travis “T-Link” Lincoln, Keith Dee, Deleta Hodges and Josh Bates for an evening of clean comedy designed to bring together Rotarians, community leaders and the general public while raising funds for local service initiatives.

“As president, one of the things that matters most to me is making sure our club has the resources to say yes when our community needs us,” said Philicia Baugh, President of the Rotary Club of North Charleston Breakfast. “Rotarians give so much of themselves in service to others, and I wanted our fundraiser to reflect the joy and fellowship that are also at the heart of Rotary. This is our opportunity to laugh together, welcome the entire community and raise the funds that allow us to go back out and do even more good.”

Proceeds from the event will support Rotary Club of North Charleston Breakfast community service projects, helping the club continue its commitment to Service Above Self throughout North Charleston and the surrounding community.

Guests will enjoy professional clean comedy in a relaxed evening setting. A cash bar will be available, and a limited number of VIP Stage-Side Table Experiences are available in addition to general admission seating.

The Rotary Club of North Charleston Breakfast is also recognizing North Charleston Marriott and Encore as Platinum Sponsors of Rotarians Unplugged Comedy Show 2026. Their support helps make the inaugural event possible and allows the club to maximize the funds available for community service efforts.

“Rotary is about People of Action,” Baugh said. “We hope the Lowcountry comes out, fills the room, laughs with us and becomes part of the good we are working to do.”

Event Details

Rotarians Unplugged Comedy Show 2026
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.
Show Begins: 7:00 p.m.
North Charleston Marriott
4770 Goer Drive
North Charleston, SC 29406

General Admission: $35
Adults 18+
Cash Bar Available
Limited VIP Stage-Side Table Experiences Available

Tickets:
Purchase Tickets on Eventbrite

About the Rotary Club of North Charleston Breakfast

The Rotary Club of North Charleston Breakfast brings together business, professional and community leaders committed to creating positive change locally and beyond. Through service projects, partnerships and Rotary International initiatives, members put Service Above Self into action while strengthening the communities they serve.

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Clemson is ranked the best college in South Carolina according to recently announced rankings by Niche and has the state’s best student outcomes in Time magazine’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges 2026-2027 rankings.

Clemson University is ranked the best college in South Carolina according to recently announced rankings by Niche and has the state’s best student outcomes in Time magazine’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges 2026-2027 rankings. Niche also ranks Clemson No. 2 for Best College Locations in America, with top 10 rankings nationally for Best College Athletics and Best Student Life.

Clemson is also No. 1 in the state for business, psychology, biology, education, computer science, accounting and finance, English, nursing, research, and economics, according to Niche.

Clemson is No. 19 nationally among public universities for student outcomes, which Timeand Statista measured through graduates’ earnings, graduation rates and return on education, which factors graduates earnings against the cost of a obtaining a degree. Fifty-seven percent of Clemson graduates have no student debt, compared with 40 percent statewide and 39 percent nationally. Clemson’s 2021 cohort had an 87.5 percent six-year graduation rate, and the Fall 2024 class had a 94.1 percent first-year retention rate.

Niche ranks Clemson No. 26 among the Top Public Universities in America and No. 1 in South Carolina for athletics, campus, academics, professors and student life.

Nationally, Clemson ranked No. 10 for sports management, No. 21 for architecture, No. 22 for agricultural sciences and No. 26 for criminal justice.

Source: Clemson University

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$15.15 million investment will create approximately 20 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Tyson Steel Building Products (Tyson Steel), a producer of pre-engineered metal buildings, today announced it selects Pickens County for its first South Carolina operation. The company’s $15.15 million investment will create approximately 20 new jobs.

Founded in 1976 by James L. Tyson, Tyson Steel is a family-owned company that designs and installs pre-engineered metal buildings for residential, commercial and agricultural use.

The company’s new 96,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, located at 180 Ann Drive in Liberty, will produce comprehensive components for its metal buildings.

Operations are expected to be online by spring 2027. Individuals interested in joining the Tyson Steel team should call the company’s corporate office in Doerun, Georgia (229-776-7588).

QUOTES

“The opening of our Liberty facility represents far more than an expansion of our manufacturing footprint — it reflects Tyson Steel Building Products’ long-term commitment to serving customers with greater speed, capacity and reliability throughout the Southeast. The Palmetto State, and particularly the Upstate, offers an exceptional workforce with close proximity to the Pickens County Career and Technology Center, a strong business climate and strategic access to the markets we serve. We are proud to invest in this community, create new opportunities for skilled employees and strengthen the partnerships that have fueled our growth for decades. This facility positions us for the future while reinforcing our commitment to quality, innovation and delivering outstanding value to every customer we serve.” -Tyson Steel Building Products Owners Brad and Jody Tyson

“We are proud to welcome Tyson Steel to the Palmetto State. The company’s decision to bring approximately 20 new jobs to Pickens County is a win for South Carolina and our thriving manufacturing industry.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“Tyson Steel’s $15.15 million investment in Pickens County reflects the capabilities of South Carolina’s skilled workforce. Congratulations to Tyson Steel on its new operation in the Upstate.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“Pickens County is proud to welcome Tyson Steel and its 50 years of family-owned manufacturing experience to Liberty. A $15.15 million investment and approximately 20 new jobs are great news for our community. We appreciate the Tyson family choosing Pickens County and look forward to having them as a part of our community for many years to come.” -Pickens County Council Chairman Alex Saitta

FIVE FAST FACTS


• Tyson Steel Building Products (Tyson Steel) selects Pickens County for its first South Carolina operation.
  
• The company’s $15.15 million investment will create approximately 20 new jobs.
  
• Tyson Steel is a producer of pre-engineered metal buildings.
  
• The company will be located at 180 Ann Drive in Liberty, S.C.
  
• Individuals interested in joining the Tyson Steel team should call the company’s corporate office in Doerun, Georgia(229-776-7588).

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$2.53 million investment will create 33 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Stöbich Fire Protection Systems (Stöbich), a manufacturer of smoke and fire protection systems, today announced it is expanding its operations in Dorchester County. The company’s $2.53 million investment will create 33 new jobs.

Founded in 1980, Stöbich produces multiple structural and technical fire protection products including curtains, closures, gates and controls. The German company is represented in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Stöbich is expanding its existing facility, located at 5301 Indigo Fields Blvd. in North Charleston, to support the U.S. manufacturing and assembly of the GX Smoke Curtain. Previously built in Germany, the curtain is a code-driven life safety system designed to contain smoke at elevator openings and other critical building junctures.

Operations are expected to be online in September 2026. Individuals interested in joining the Stöbich team should contact careers.us@stoebich.com.

QUOTES


“The U.S. market is an important part of Stöbich’s long-term growth strategy, and we see significant potential to further expand our presence here. We are very pleased with the strong support and positive business environment we have experienced in South Carolina, which provides an excellent foundation for strengthening our local operations, expanding manufacturing capabilities and creating new jobs in the region.” -Stöbich Management Board Spokesman Alexander Dolipski

“South Carolina’s strong workforce and the opportunities our state provides continue to give companies like Stöbich confidence to expand here. This expansion will create 33 new jobs and further strengthen American manufacturing while building on Stöbich’s investment in South Carolina.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“Stöbich’s decision to expand in Dorchester County reflects our state’s global reputation as a leader in manufacturing. We look forward to the company’s ongoing growth in the Palmetto State.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“Dorchester County is proud to congratulate Stöbich on its expansion. For more than 45 years, Stöbich has built a global reputation for innovation and leadership in structural fire protection, and we’re excited to see that expertise continue to take root here in our community. Companies like Stöbich strengthen our industrial base, create new opportunities for our workforce and demonstrate that Dorchester County is a place where innovative companies can grow and succeed.” -Dorchester County Council Chairman David Chinnis

FIVE FAST FACTS


• Stöbich Fire Protection Systems (Stöbich) is expanding its operations in Dorchester County.
  
• The company’s $2.53 million investment will create 33 new jobs.
  
• Stöbich is a manufacturer of smoke and fire protection systems.
  
• The company is located at 5301 Indigo Fields Blvd. in North Charleston, S.C.
  
• Individuals interested in joining the Stöbich team should contact careers.us@stoebich.com.

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By Mark A Leon

Families looking for a fun way to celebrate Halloween can head to Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston on Saturday, October 31, 2026, for the third annual Trick, Treat & Trail Family Fun Run and Festival.

Hosted by Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission, the Halloween event begins at 10 a.m. and combines a family-friendly fun run with trick-or-treating and a festival atmosphere. 

Participants are encouraged to come dressed in costume and enjoy a trick-or-treating run or walk through the park’s scenic trails. The course includes a grass meadow and paved trails, with water stations and an optional shortcut. The event is open to runners and walkers of all experience levels, including beginners. 

After—and throughout—the festivities, families can enjoy DJ entertainment, bounce castles, balloon art and face painting, making this an event designed for kids and adults alike. Dogs are also welcome but must remain leashed and under control. 

👻 Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
⏰ Start: 10 a.m.
📍 Location: Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Blvd., North Charleston
🎃 Event: Trick, Treat & Trail Family Fun Run and Festival
🚗 Day-of registration: $30 per vehicle, available at the gate until 12:30 p.m.
☎️ Information: 843-795-4386 

The event is presented by Prisma Health and hosted by Charleston County Parks.

Registration and event information: Charleston County Parks – Trick, Treat & Trail⁠

Charleston County Parks: CharlestonCountyParks.com⁠

Bring the kids, grab the costumes and get ready for a Halloween morning filled with trails, treats, costumes and plenty of spooky fun! 🎃👻🍬

Note: The 2026 announcement confirms day-of pricing; check the official registration page for current advance-registration pricing and availability. 

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Writers looking to turn personal experiences into compelling stories will have a special opportunity this September when Revisionist Magazine brings acclaimed memoirist and educator Cinelle Barnes to Charleston.

“Next-Level Nonfiction: An Essay and Memoir Class” will help essayists and memoirists strengthen their work through exercises exploring form, the “multinarrative,” and strategies for developing essays and longer memoir projects.

Barnes will explore how the different roles people carry—family, career, community and culture—can intersect on the page. The workshop is also geared toward writers developing new ideas or revising travel essays, magazine features and book-length projects.

The intimate workshop is limited to 12 participants and will take place in Charleston’s Riverland Terrace neighborhood.

Meet Cinelle Barnes

Barnes is the author of the memoirs Monsoon Mansion and A Way Home, the essay collection Malaya, and editor of A Measure of Belonging: Twenty-One Writers of Color on the New American South.

Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Coastal Living, Southern Living, Newsweek, Oprah Daily, BuzzFeed and Longreads. She has taught writing through several prominent writing organizations and has coached writers on book proposals, pitching and publication.

Event Details

What: Next-Level Nonfiction: An Essay and Memoir Class
Who: Cinelle Barnes
When: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Riverland Terrace, Charleston
Cost: $100 through September 11; $150 afterward
Capacity: 12 participants

Participants can also pay an additional fee to submit up to four essays for feedback from Barnes. Scholarships are available for women for whom the cost is prohibitive.

Registration Link: Revisionist Magazine — Memoir Writing Workshop with Cinelle Barnes⁠

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By Mark A Leon

A South Carolina-based clothing company has agreed to pay Buc-ee’s approximately $850,000 and permanently stop using the Texas travel-center chain’s iconic beaver imagery following a federal trademark dispute.

The case involved Born United, a North Charleston-based company known for patriotic and military-themed apparel. Buc-ee’s sued Born United in May 2025, alleging that the company used a beaver character resembling Buc-ee’s trademarked mascot on merchandise, including items marketed under the name “Tac-Bucc”.

According to the court records, the dispute was resolved through a consent judgment entered August 18, 2026, rather than going to a jury trial. Under the agreement, Born United consented to judgment on Buc-ee’s claims and agreed to pay $850,000 in damages.

The judgment also permanently restrains Born United from using Buc-ee’s beaver logo or any mark that is confusingly similar. The company must destroy remaining products bearing the disputed imagery and remove advertisements featuring the beaver design.

The federal case, Buc-ee’s Ltd. v. Born United LLC et al., Case No. 2:25-cv-04537-DCN, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina before Judge David C. Norton. The original complaint alleged trademark infringement and related claims, and included several Buc-ee’s federal trademark registrations as exhibits.

Court records indicate that Born United had previously filed an answer to the complaint in July 2025. The case was initially scheduled toward a jury trial, but the parties ultimately resolved the dispute before trial.

The case is another example of Buc-ee’s aggressive protection of its highly recognizable beaver mascot and trademarks as the company continues expanding across the United States.

Court records: Buc-ee’s Ltd. v. Born United LLC et al., U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division, Case No. 2:25-cv-04537-DCN.

Click HERE for dockets and court summaries

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By Mark A Leon

Charleston will once again become a gathering place for some of the most compelling voices in literature, history, culture and ideas when the 2026 Charleston Literary Festival returns November 6–15 at the historic Dock Street Theatre.

Now in its 10-day format, the festival brings together an impressive collection of nationally and internationally recognized authors for intimate conversations, performances and discussions centered on books and the ideas that shape our world. The festival describes its mission as creating perspective-altering conversations with world-renowned authors and thinkers, while maintaining an international perspective and strong connection to Charleston. 

A remarkable 2026 lineup

Among the confirmed speakers are Barbara Kingsolver, Tayari Jones, Steven Pinker, Lily King, Virginia Evans, Curtis Sittenfeld, Belle Burden and Nelio Biedermann, with a much larger roster of authors and special guests appearing throughout the 10-day festival. 

The newly released schedule reveals an especially diverse program.

Opening day, November 6, features Harvard historian David Armitage discussing the global history of the Declaration of Independence, National Book Award winner Susan Choi, Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Ford in conversation with Tessa Hadley, and Tayari Jones discussing her novel Kin. The evening also includes a screening of Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie, followed by an onstage conversation with Salman Rushdie and Rachel Eliza Griffiths. 

The festival continues with conversations spanning fiction, poetry, history, science, memoir, technology, philosophy and the arts. Highlights include Claudia Rankine, James Gleick, Daniel Mendelsohn, Steven Pinker, Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, Roxane Gay, Misty Copeland, Susan Orlean, Hernan Diaz and Jeanette Winterson, among many others. 

One particularly Charleston-centered evening comes November 11 with “Dawn: A Charleston Legend,” an event celebrating the extraordinary literary career and life of Charleston icon Dawn Langley Simmons. 

From Charleston to the world

The festival’s international character is also reflected in its programming. The 2026 schedule includes writers and thinkers from around the globe, while special programming explores subjects ranging from the Iranian Revolution and Cuban history to the history of the telephone, gardening and mental health, architecture, technology and the future.

The festival also continues its commitment to emerging writers through the Wayland and Marion Cato Fellowship Prize, which supports writers from North and South Carolina. A new international fellowship will also bring a writer from Ukraine to Charleston for the 2026 festival. 

A fitting home in historic Charleston

Events take place at Dock Street Theatre, in the heart of historic downtown Charleston. The intimate setting is part of what makes the festival distinctive: rather than simply watching authors from a distance, attendees have opportunities to hear writers engage in conversation and participate in audience Q&A.

Most festival sessions run approximately one hour, generally featuring a conversation between an author and an interlocutor followed by audience questions. Book signings take place following most in-person events, and a festival pop-up bookstore will be available at Dock Street Theatre. 

The festival will also celebrate its literary roots with programming inspired by Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group, culminating in a staged reading of Woolf’s Freshwater: A Comedy on November 15. 

Tickets are now on sale

Individual tickets start at $30, with prices varying by event. Some featured programs include a copy of the author’s book with admission. Family programming is also included, including appearances by children’s author and performer Eric Litwin, the original author of Pete the Cat. 

For Charleston residents, visitors and anyone who believes a good conversation can change the way we see the world, the Charleston Literary Festival offers 10 days of opportunities to listen, question, discover and, perhaps most importantly, embrace the conversation.

Charleston Literary Festival 2026
📅 November 6–15, 2026
📍 Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC
🎟️ Individual tickets from $30

View the complete 2026 schedule and purchase tickets⁠

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