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

By Mark A. Leon | Charleston Daily

More than $6 trillion in federal spending flowed across the United States during the past 18 months, but a new study shows that those dollars are anything but evenly distributed.

A new analysis from SmartAsset examined federal spending from January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, across more than 3,100 counties and county equivalents. The study found that some communities received hundreds of billions of dollars in federal obligations, while others received comparatively little.

And South Carolina — particularly Columbia — stands out.

SmartAsset found that Richland County, home to Columbia, received approximately $122.2 billion in federal spending during the 18-month period, the highest total of any county in South Carolina. On a per-capita basis, Richland County also ranked first in the state, at approximately $281,025 per resident.

That puts Columbia in some impressive company nationally.

The biggest recipients

At the top of SmartAsset’s national list is Hennepin County, Minnesota, which includes Minneapolis. The county received approximately $286.1 billion in federal obligations during the study period — roughly 4.7% of the nearly $6 trillion tracked by SmartAsset.

Marion County, Indiana, home to Indianapolis, followed with approximately $217.8 billion, while Jefferson County, Kentucky, which includes Louisville, received approximately $196.9 billion.

Other communities posting extraordinarily large totals included:

• Cumberland County, Pennsylvania: $162.3 billion
• Cass County, North Dakota: $138.5 billion
• Richland County, South Carolina: $122.2 billion
• Los Angeles County, California: $118.9 billion
• Dane County, Wisconsin: $82.7 billion
• Hillsborough County, Florida: $77.6 billion
• Maricopa County, Arizona: $84.1 billion

The numbers demonstrate that federal spending is not simply concentrated in Washington or the nation’s largest coastal cities. Health care, defense, infrastructure, research, government contracts and other federally funded activities can make smaller or mid-sized communities major beneficiaries of federal dollars.

Columbia’s surprising position

For South Carolina, the Columbia area is the clear standout.

Richland County’s $122.2 billion in federal spending is more than five times the amount recorded by many other major South Carolina counties. The county’s position is tied to the region’s role as a major center for government, health care, infrastructure and other federally supported activity.

Charleston, Greenville and the state’s other major population centers do not approach Richland County’s total in the SmartAsset data.

That distinction is important because the study is measuring where federally funded activity takes place, not necessarily where the federal government sends money directly to local governments. SmartAsset’s methodology includes contracts, procurement, grants, direct payments and other forms of financial assistance. Federal employee payroll is excluded.

What about Charlotte?

Just across the state line, the Charlotte area presents an interesting contrast.

Mecklenburg County, home to Charlotte, recorded the lowest federal spending per capita among North Carolina counties, at approximately $6,930 per resident.

Meanwhile, Wake County, home to Raleigh, had the state’s largest total at approximately $16.1 billion.

That creates a notable divide between North Carolina’s two largest economic centers. Charlotte’s economy is heavily driven by banking, finance, corporate headquarters and private-sector activity, while Raleigh and Wake County benefit from a larger concentration of government, research and other federally connected activity.

The per-person numbers tell another story

Total spending is only part of the story.

Some of the most eye-catching numbers appear when federal spending is divided by population.

Brewster County, Texas, recorded approximately $700,181 per resident, the highest per-capita figure in the country. SmartAsset attributes much of that spending to border security and related infrastructure.

Cass County, North Dakota, home to Fargo, ranked near the top at approximately $686,338 per resident.

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, recorded approximately $585,185 per resident, while Los Alamos County, New Mexico, reached nearly $488,000 per resident.

Those figures do not mean individual residents received that amount of money. Rather, they reflect the amount of federal funding committed to activity occurring within the county.

Why it matters

The SmartAsset study offers an unusual look at the economic footprint of the federal government.

A federal contract for infrastructure, a major health care payment, a defense project or a research grant can dramatically change the amount of federal money attributed to a community. In some places, that spending can represent a significant piece of the local economy.

For South Carolina, the standout is Columbia.

For North Carolina, Raleigh’s Wake County leads the state in total federal spending, while Charlotte’s Mecklenburg County sits at the bottom on a per-capita basis.

And nationally, the lesson is clear: the federal government’s economic reach extends far beyond Washington, D.C.From Minneapolis and Indianapolis to Columbia and Fargo, federal dollars are helping shape the economies of communities across the country.

As federal budget priorities continue to evolve, where those dollars go — and which communities depend on them — could become an increasingly important economic story.

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FOLLY BEACH, S.C. — Mermaids, mateys, and sea-loving adventurers are invited to gather their crew for the Mermaids & Mateys Festival on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10am-4pm. This year, the event will have FREE Admission as a welcome back to Center Street after the recent construction. Center Street will transform into a seaside celebration with live music, 80+ local art, craft, and fashion vendors, costume contests, a dunk tank, and plenty of family fun.

Guests are encouraged to dress as a mermaid, matey, or their favorite under-the-sea character for a chance to take home prizes in the family and adult costume contests. The Under the Sea Kids Area, presented by Good Clean Fun, will feature mermaids, sand crafts, stilt walkers, free inflatables, games, jumping fun, and more. Additional live music lineup details will be announced soon. Mermaids & Mateys will once again partner with the Alzheimer’s Association – South Carolina Chapter for Paint Folly Purple, encouraging attendees to wear purple and help raise money for this special local charity.

Registration is FREE but required and does not guarantee entry. Admission is first-come, first-served up to capacity. A BIG thank you to our sponsors, The Best Rentals, Dunes Properties, and Tito’s. Tickets, sign-ups, and sponsorship information are all available on VisitFolly.com.

Gather your crew, dust off your mermaid tail or pirate gear, and get ready to celebrate the sea in true Folly fashion!

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By Mark A Leon

August 29, 1952 — April 16, 2026

Today would have been Don Schlitz’s 74th birthday.

Born on August 29, 1952, in Durham, North Carolina, Schlitz grew up to become one of the most accomplished songwriters in the history of country music—a man whose words found their way into the voices of Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, The Judds, Keith Whitley, Alison Krauss, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tanya Tucker, Reba McEntire, George Strait and countless others.

Schlitz died in Nashville on April 16, 2026, at the age of 73, following a sudden illness. But his songs had already given him the kind of immortality that only great songwriting can provide.

And it all began in North Carolina.

Growing up in Durham, Schlitz absorbed music from everywhere. He later recalled hearing Motown, Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan on the radio. He also developed an early fascination with words, reading and song structure. As a child, he studied hymnals for their rhythms and rhyme patterns and became fascinated with language.

At 20, Schlitz left North Carolina for Nashville, arriving with little more than ambition. He worked nights as a computer operator at Vanderbilt University while spending his days trying to get his songs heard. For years, the doors of Music Row remained stubbornly closed.

Then came “The Gambler.”

Kenny Rogers recorded Schlitz’s song in 1978, and suddenly the struggling songwriter had written one of the defining songs of modern country music. The song became a No. 1 hit, won the Grammy for Best Country Song and the CMA Song of the Year, and ultimately became part of the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.

But “The Gambler” was not the end of Schlitz’s story. It was the beginning.

His songwriting catalog reads almost like a history of country music itself.

With Paul Overstreet, he co-wrote Randy Travis classics including “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “On the Other Hand,” “Deeper Than the Holler” and “Heroes and Friends.” “Forever and Ever, Amen” became another Grammy-winning landmark.

Then there was “When You Say Nothing at All,” first made famous by Keith Whitley and later recorded by Alison Krauss, becoming one of the most enduring love songs of the modern country era.

Schlitz also helped give Mary Chapin Carpenter some of her signature songs, including “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” “I Feel Lucky” and “I Take My Chances.” He wrote hits for The Judds, including “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain,” “I Know Where I’m Going” and “Turn It Loose.” His catalog also includes songs recorded by Alabama, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Tanya Tucker, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Michael Johnson and others.

The numbers are remarkable: Schlitz amassed more than 50 Top 10 country hits, including 24 No. 1 songs. He won two Grammy Awards, three CMA Song of the Year awards and two Academy of Country Music Song of the Year awards. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and, in 2017, the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Yet perhaps the best measure of Don Schlitz’s legacy isn’t a trophy, a chart position or even a Hall of Fame.

It’s recognition.

You hear the opening of “The Gambler” and know the story.

You hear “Forever and Ever, Amen” and think of lasting love.

You hear “When You Say Nothing at All” and remember that sometimes the deepest feelings don’t require many words.

And somewhere in all of those songs is the voice of a boy from Durham who grew up listening to the world through a transistor radio and eventually learned how to turn what he heard—and what he felt—into songs that millions of people could call their own.

Don Schlitz once described all those musical influences as filling the “jukebox” in his head.

On his birthday, the jukebox is still playing.

And for a songwriter, there may be no better legacy than that.

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Charleston, SC – Charleston-based artist Chris Frick will present her newest body of work for the first time during a private, invitation-only showcase on Folly Beach. The event will take place at Villa Hemingway on Saturday, September 26, 2026, offering guests a first look at the complete new collection.

Frick’s work begins with a simple question: How does a place slowly become part of who we are? Since moving from Germany to Charleston, her work has become increasingly focused on the South Carolina coast and on the subtle ways our surroundings influence us over time.

The new collection brings together two closely connected bodies of work: Lowcountry and Place & Figure.

In the Lowcountry paintings, Frick draws from the heat, water, marshes, coastal light, barrier islands, and everyday impressions of life around Charleston. Rather than depicting the landscape literally, she works from what stays with her after spending time there. Recognizable elements may appear, but they are often reduced, fragmented, or absorbed into fields of color, texture, and expressive marks.

In Place & Figure, the human figure enters that same visual world. Figures appear within abstracted spaces, exploring the relationship between a person and the surroundings they inhabit. The distinction between figure and place is sometimes clear and sometimes deliberately uncertain, reflecting the way an environment can gradually become part of our sense of self.

Across both bodies of work, Frick moves between abstraction and recognizable form. Her paintings are built through layers of acrylic, texture, color, and marks, allowing traces of the South Carolina coast to remain without becoming traditional landscapes. “I don’t paint the landscape itself; I paint what stays with me after spending time there,” Frick says.

Together, Lowcountry and Place & Figure turn attention back toward the places we live and, through those places, toward ourselves.

The complete new body of work will remain largely unrevealed until the September showcase. For more information about Chris Frick and her work, visit chrisfrick.art or follow her on Instagram at @chrisfrickart.

About Chris Frick

Chris Frick is a German-born, Charleston-based artist working primarily in acrylic. She is represented by Simpatico Gallery in Charleston and by Mary Praytor Gallery in Greenville, and she maintains a studio on Broad Street in downtown Charleston.

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Related: Look Up Charleston Indoor Downtown Art Collective: Where Local Art, Heart, and Community Converge

Experience the tastes and traditions of Charleston’s Latin American community

Charleston County Parks invites you to immerse yourself in the authentic music, dance and food of Latin America and the Caribbean at this year’s Latin American Festival, Sunday, Oct. 4 at Wannamaker County Park, from 12 – 5 p.m.!

This annual festival brings people together to celebrate Charleston’s vibrant Latin cultures through non-stop merengue, reggaeton, bachata and salsa music; folkloric artwork and crafts; dance performances; and authentic foods. A variety of vendors will be on site selling Latin and Caribbean foods and desserts, from flavorful empanadas to tasty arroz con pollo. Food, beverages and souvenirs will be available for purchase for an additional fee.

Gates to the event open at 12 p.m., and the entertainment schedule is:

1 – 1:40 p.m.: Rumbao Latin Dance Group 

1:45 – 2:45 p.m.: Julio & Rafa 

2:45 – 3:15 p.m.: Salsa Contest with DJ Luigi 

3:30 – 5 p.m.: Orquesta Bravo 

Admission to the Latin American Festival is $15 per vehicle in advance (up to 15 people per vehicle) or $25 per vehicle at the event gate. Gold Pass holders are admitted free. No outside food, alcohol or coolers permitted. Pets are not allowed at this event. Accessible parking and accessible restrooms will be available at this event. An accessibility tent with Kulture City sensory bags for checkout will be available.

About the Entertainment Lineup

·     Kicking off at 1 p.m. will be a performance byRumbao Latin Dance, a Charlotte-based dance group founded in 2013. The group performs salsa dance as well as Cha-Cha, Merengue, Bachata and Brazilian Samba.

·     Venezuelan Latin music duo Julio & Rafa  will perform at 1:45 p.m. Julio & Rafa are based out of Charlotte and known for performing at large events and festivals throughout the Carolinas and beyond. 

·     Energetic, full-live instrument salsa band Orquesta Bravo will perform at 3:30 p.m.Also based out of Charlotte, the multi-national band is directed by Joe Bravo and features four trombones, three percussionists, four vocalists, piano and bass.

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By Mark A Leon

There’s something fitting about a South Carolina-born brand finally planting its flag on Charleston’s most iconic shopping street.

Palmetto Moon is coming downtown to 360 King Street, marking the brand’s first-ever downtown Charleston location. The new store is scheduled to open Saturday, November 7, 2026. 

For Palmetto Moon, the move feels a little like coming home. Founded in South Carolina, the retailer has built its identity around the relaxed, distinctly Southern lifestyle—casual clothing, gifts, accessories, collegiate gear and the kind of Charleston-inspired merchandise visitors often want to take a little piece of the Lowcountry home with them.

And now, that Southern spirit is headed straight to King Street.

The illustrated rendering of the new storefront captures the idea beautifully: a classic Charleston commercial building, palm trees out front and “Palmetto Moon” above the doors. It feels less like a new arrival and more like a brand that has finally found its way to the neighborhood where it belongs.

The location should also put Palmetto Moon squarely in the middle of Charleston’s enormous mix of residents, shoppers and visitors. King Street remains one of the city’s defining retail corridors, and the addition gives tourists another place to find South Carolina-themed apparel and gifts while giving locals a new downtown stop for the brand’s familiar Southern lifestyle offerings.

Palmetto Moon has already begun hiring for the King Street location, including a store sales manager and sales team positions. 

Charleston-born. King Street bound. And just in time for the holiday shopping season.

Palmetto Moon — 360 King Street — opening November 7, 2026. 

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Three-day Weekend Combines the Star Power of Celebrated Culinary Talent with the Rich Traditions of the Lowcountry

Over 40 Cooking Demos and Beverage Seminars, Four Grand Tastings, Exciting Roster of First-time Presenters, and Nine Signature Special Events

NEW YORK, NY (August 21, 2026) — The Food & Wine Classic in Charleston announced their weekend schedule and additional talent today for the third annual event, taking place on November 13 -15.Hosted by Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Southern Living, and presented by Explore Charleston, the three-day weekend will bring together celebrated chefs, premium wines and spirits, and the best of local food and culture for one unforgettable Lowcountry experience. Tickets are available at foodandwinecharleston.com.

Carla Hall, Eric Ripert, Martin Yan, Nancy Silverton, Scott Wapner, Susur Lee, Nyesha Arrington, Maneet Chauhan, Tyler Florence, Katie Button, Dan Pashman, Ana Castro, Amethyst Ganaway, Mike Lata, James London, Rick Martinez, Justin Pichetrungsi, Melissa King, and Andrew Zimmern will be a part of the weekend’s programming. 

The complete schedule is now available online, with seminar registration opening August 26 for passholders. The weekend pass provides access to four Grand Tastings and the opportunity to attend five seminars throughout the weekend. Highlights of the 2026 programming include:

• Many first-time presenters at the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston such as Corey Alston, Katie Button, Ana Castro, Carla Hall, Susur Lee, Canaan Marshall, Rick Martinez, Dan Pashman, Justin Pichetrungsi, Nancy Silverton, Martin Yan, and Sarah Thomas.
• Trend-driven cooking demos including Carla Bakes: Sweet, Savory, and From the Heart with Carla Hall, Martin Yan and Melissa King team up for their first time together at the Food & Wine Classic withYan Can Cook, King Can Too: The Art of Chinese Cooking, High Tide: A Taste of the Coast with Charleston chef Mike Lata,The Susur Method: Build Flavors Like an Iron Chef with Susur Lee, and Mi Cocina: The Food That Made Mexico Home with Rick Martinez.
• Food & Wine has created a new series of programming around their acclaimed Best New Chefs award, going into the kitchen with past winners. BNC Kitchen topics include In the Best New Chef Kitchen: Celebrating 20 Years of Pizzeria Mozza with Nancy Silverton and Tacos Without Borders: a Celebration of Tradition, Culture, and Creativity with Ana Castro and Justin Pichetrungsi. 
• Live taping of the popular food podcast, The Sporkful, hosted by Dan Pashman. 
• A series of thoughtful discussions: a panel on American Smoke: Pitmasters on the Future of Barbecue with Hector Garate, Shuai Wang, Clay Williams, an intimate chat with Eric Ripert hosted by CNBC’s Scott Wapner, and the very-popular storytelling series Tall Tales & Cocktails.
• Over 20 wine, cocktail, and beverage seminars including The $20 vs. $200 Bottle Battle: Can You Taste the Price? with Anthony Giglio, Amanda McCrossin on Crushable Wines for Game-Day Tailgates, Anne Becerra onBetter With Beer: Local Snacks, Global Brews, and Blackberry Farm’s Andy Chabot on Fried Chicken & Fine Wine.
• In preparation for the holiday entertaining season, the weekend offers several seminars to get people ready: Maneet Chauhan on A Very Tandoori Thanksgiving, Tiffanie Barriere on The Punch Bowl Revival: Holiday Cocktails for a Crowd and Leslie Sbrocco on The Thanksgiving Pour: A Guide to the Holiday Table.
• New, the Southern Living Makers Series, at the People Inc. Studios, will give attendees hands-on learning experiences such as flower arranging with Canaan Marshall, Gullah presentation and palmetto rose crafting with Corey Alston, and a biscuit and bubbles class with Carrie Morey & Miles White. 
  

The weekend also offers nine additional ticketed events available exclusively to passholders, including: 

Travel + Leisure and Food & Wine Present Pearls of the Coast: A Lowcountry Oyster Roast 

Friday, November 13, 2026

Chefs Mike Lata, Trey McMillan, Shuai Wang, Terrell Burg Brown, Hector Garate, and Nyesha Arrington will all entertain guests at this weekend favorite where guests will savor live-fire roasted oysters, an abundant raw bar, expertly crafted cocktails, and a curated selection of fine wines, all set to the backdrop of live music under the stars. 

Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate at College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Southern Living throws the ultimate college football tailgate, hosted by Editor in Chief Sid Evans. The third annual Lowcountry Tailgate takes over a new location at the iconic College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard for an unforgettable evening of game watching and Southern BBQ. The event will feature chefs Maneet Chauhan, George Motz, Robbie Robinson, Elliott Moss, Lewis Donald and Lexus Culinary Master Kwame Onwuachi with music by Penelope Road.

Sea to Table: Crabbing & Cooking in the Lowcountry

November 13–15, 2026

Guests will experience a true Charleston crabbing expedition and intimate culinary experience, hosted by a Travel + Leisure editor. The adventure begins on the scenic docks of the Ashley River, with local food and beverage expert Tia Clark of Casual Crabbing with Tia, followed by a lunch hosted by a different Charleston chef each day – Alec Gropman of By the Way, Chef Lamont Ferrebee of 82 Queen, and Malcolm McMillan of Costa.

Immersive Experiences

November 13-15, 2026

A new series of events, hosted by Travel + Leisure, invites guests into unique experiences across Charleston, showcasing the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and coastal character: Lowcountry Oyster Farm Tour, The American Revolution in Charleston, Charleston Harbor Boat Tour, and the already-sold out South of Broad Unlocked: Homes & Gardens Tour.

Weekend Consumer Passes and special events tickets, along with full details on festival programming, participating talent, and travel information, are available at foodandwineclassicincharleston.com. 

Explore Charleston is the Presenting Sponsor ofthe Food & Wine Classic in Charleston 2026, with additional sponsors including American Express and Resy, Discover South Carolina, Lexus, and S.Pellegrino.

ABOUT FOOD & WINE

Food & Wine, the ultimate culinary authority, celebrates the global epicurean experience through its magazine, website, social platforms, newsletters, podcasts, premium events such as the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, and accolades like its annual Best New Chef awards. With rigorously tested recipes and the most trusted restaurant, drinks, culinary travel, and home coverage, the brand inspires and empowers people to discover, create, and devour the best in food and drink—every day and everywhere. Food & Wine is a People Inc. brand which is owned and operated by People Incorporated (NASDAQ: PPLI).

ABOUT SOUTHERN LIVING

Southern Living celebrates the essence of life in the South, covering the best in Southern food, homes, gardens and travel. Southern Living connects consumers to the region’s rich culture through a robust multi-platform presence, including print, digital, social, events, licensing partnerships, and Southern Living Insiders, the brand’s premium membership program. Southern Living is also home to the Biscuits & Jam and Ask Grumpy podcasts. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Southern Living is a People Inc. brand which is owned and operated by People Incorporated (NASDAQ: PPLI).

ABOUT TRAVEL + LEISURE

Travel + Leisure is the preeminent voice for the sophisticated traveler, serving up expert intelligence and the most immersive travel lifestyle content anywhere. Travel + Leisure captures the joy of discovering the cultural pleasures the world has to offer, from art and design to shopping and style to food and drink. Travel + Leisure connects with its audience across platforms including the U.S. flagship and seven international print editions, digital channels, the annual World’s Best franchise and more. Launched in 1971, Travel + Leisure is part of the People Inc. publishing family and is owned by Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE: TNL).

ABOUT EXPLORE CHARLESTON

Explore Charleston is a 501c6 destination marketing and management organization (DMMO) representing 12 municipalities across three counties in the Greater Charleston Area. The organization strives to unify and lead the local travel industry by promoting the destination, creating overnight visitation, and supporting the community’s long-term development through sustainable tourism strategies. The Charleston region’s travel and hospitality industry supports nearly 55,000 hospitality jobs and generates an annual economic impact exceeding $14 billion. 

The Food & Wine Classic in Charleston is powered by the Charleston Restaurant Foundation.

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By Mark A Leon

There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about buying food from the people who grew it.

In Charleston, that tradition has never completely disappeared. It has simply evolved. Today, farmers markets, farm stands, organic growers and community-supported grocery programs are becoming an increasingly important part of the Lowcountry food scene — offering everything from heirloom tomatoes and leafy greens to mushrooms, flowers, eggs, baked goods and locally made specialty foods.

And while not every farmers market is exclusively organic, many feature individual farmers who use organic, sustainable or regenerative growing practices. For shoppers, that creates an opportunity to ask questions, get to know the growers and understand exactly where their food comes from.

Perhaps the best-known starting point is the Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square, a Saturday tradition dating back to 1989. From April through November, the square becomes a gathering place for farmers, growers, food makers, artisans and neighbors. Seasonal produce, herbs, flowers, prepared foods and locally made products fill the market, but the real attraction is the sense of community. It feels less like grocery shopping and more like participating in Charleston’s food culture.

Charleston Farmers Market⁠

If Marion Square represents the city’s traditional market culture, Sunday Brunch Farmers Market on James Island represents a more eclectic, decidedly Charleston version of it. Held Sundays behind the Charleston Pour House, the year-round market blends local farms with makers, prepared food, music and an easygoing neighborhood atmosphere. Vendors include farms such as Spade & Clover Gardens, Fili-West Farms and R&R Acres, along with Super Mushroom Brothers, bread makers, pasta makers, kombucha producers and other local businesses.

It is the sort of market where you can buy vegetables for dinner, grab something to eat, listen to music and spend an hour talking to a farmer — all without feeling like you ever left James Island.

Sunday Brunch Farmers Market⁠

On Johns Island, the connection between farming and community becomes even more apparent. Sea Island Farmers Market, held Saturdays at Charleston Collegiate, operates year-round and brings together farmers, food producers, artisans and regular neighborhood shoppers. Johns Island has long been one of the agricultural hearts of the Charleston area, and the market reflects that heritage.

The island is also home to some of the region’s most interesting farms. Rosebank Farms, for example, has been farming on Johns Island since 1988 and produces seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Nearby Joseph Fields Farm carries an even deeper historical connection: it is a certified organic farm operated by Joseph Fields, a third-generation Gullah-Geechee farmer.

Rosebank Farms⁠

For shoppers interested specifically in organic agriculture, Joseph Fields Farm deserves special attention. Beyond the produce itself, buying from a farm like this means supporting a piece of Lowcountry agricultural history and a farming tradition that stretches across generations.

Another Johns Island institution is Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café, where the experience goes beyond simply picking up produce. The market and café combine farm products, local foods and Southern cooking, making it an appealing stop for anyone who wants to experience the connection between what is grown around Charleston and what eventually lands on the plate. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture lists Stono Market among the area’s roadside markets.

Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café⁠

For those who want the convenience of local food without necessarily spending Saturday morning walking a market, Lowcountry Street Grocery offers a particularly innovative solution. The organization brings fresh groceries to neighborhoods through its mobile grocery operation and works with local farms and food producers. It represents another important side of Charleston’s local-food movement: making fresh, locally sourced food more accessible rather than limiting it to traditional market settings.

Lowcountry Street Grocery⁠

And then there are the larger natural-food stores. Earth Fare and Whole Foods Market offer something the farmers markets cannot always provide: consistency and convenience. Shoppers can find organic produce, natural pantry products and specialty foods throughout the week, while still having access to products from regional producers.

But perhaps the most interesting thing happening is that Charleston’s definition of an “organic market” is becoming broader.

It is no longer simply about whether a tomato carries an organic certification.

It is about knowing who grew it. It is about supporting a family farm. It is about buying something that was harvested nearby rather than shipped thousands of miles. It is about keeping agricultural land productive and preserving the knowledge, culture and traditions that have shaped the Lowcountry for generations.

That may be the real appeal of Charleston’s farmers markets and local food movement.

In a city celebrated around the world for its restaurants, the story ultimately begins somewhere much simpler — with a farmer, a piece of Lowcountry soil and something growing in it.

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By Mark A Leon

History has a funny way of arriving when we least expect it.

For generations, South Carolina sent men to Washington to occupy its seats in the United States Senate. Women served in government, built businesses, led communities, fought for causes and earned their place in the political conversation—but the state had never elected a woman to the Senate.

That changes this November.

For the first time in South Carolina history, voters will choose between two women for the United States Senate: Republican Darline Graham and Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews. Graham, who was appointed temporarily to the Senate seat following the death of her brother, Lindsey Graham, won the Republican nomination in Tuesday’s runoff. Andrews had already secured the Democratic nomination. They will meet in the November 3 general election. (https://www.wbtv.com⁠)

That distinction matters.

Darline Graham is already making history as the first woman to occupy a South Carolina Senate seat. But an appointment is different from an election. In November, South Carolinians will make the decision themselves.

One of these two women will become the first woman elected by the people of South Carolina to serve in the United States Senate.

That is bigger than party.

It is bigger than the personalities involved.

And it should be bigger than the politics of the moment.

There will be plenty to argue about between now and Election Day. Graham’s qualifications and political experience will be scrutinized. Andrews’ platform and Democratic agenda will be scrutinized. Their positions on the economy, healthcare, abortion, immigration, taxes, national security and the direction of the country will—and should—receive intense attention.

That’s democracy.

But somewhere beneath all of that is a historic fact that deserves to be recognized regardless of which candidate a voter supports.

South Carolina is finally going to elect a woman to the United States Senate.

For young women across the state, that image matters. A girl growing up in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Florence or a small town in the Upstate will be able to look at the South Carolina delegation in Washington and see that one of those Senate seats belongs to a woman because South Carolina voters put her there.

Representation doesn’t automatically make someone a better senator. Being a woman shouldn’t earn anyone a vote they haven’t earned through ideas, leadership and character.

But representation changes expectations.

It changes what young people imagine is possible.

And sometimes the most important barrier to break is the one that has been standing so long that people have stopped noticing it.

South Carolina has a complicated relationship with change. We cherish our history, sometimes fiercely. But history isn’t supposed to be a museum. It is something we continue to write.

This November, South Carolina voters will write a new sentence.

For the first time, the state’s choice for the U.S. Senate will be a woman.

And whoever wins, the significance will belong to every South Carolinian who walks into a voting booth and helps make it happen.

The first woman elected to the United States Senate from South Carolina won’t simply hold a historic title.

She’ll be proof that, after all these years, the answer to the question of whether a woman could represent South Carolina in the Senate is no longer theoretical.

We’ve finally reached the moment when South Carolina gets to choose.

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By Mark A Leon

For 25 seasons, Charleston baseball fans have heard a familiar voice echo across Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

Now, that voice is preparing for one final homestand.

Ken Carrington, the longtime public address announcer for the Charleston RiverDogs, will embark on his final homestand at “The Joe,” bringing an end to a remarkable 25-year run behind the microphone.

For generations of Charleston baseball fans, Carrington has been more than an announcer. His voice has been part of the soundtrack of summer nights at the ballpark — introducing players, announcing big moments and helping create the atmosphere that makes a night at Riley Park special.

Over a quarter-century, Carrington has witnessed countless players take the field, dramatic wins and losses, packed stands, promotions, fireworks and thousands of fans making memories at the ballpark.

On Friday, September 4, the RiverDogs will celebrate Carrington with a special pregame ceremony and themed night at the park, giving fans an opportunity to recognize the man whose voice has been a constant presence at Riley Park for a quarter-century.

It is a fitting farewell to someone who has occupied a unique place in Charleston sports history.

Public address announcers can often become part of the identity of a ballpark without ever stepping onto the field. Their voices become familiar. They become associated with certain moments, certain traditions and, eventually, certain memories.

For Carrington, 25 seasons represents thousands of games and countless introductions — a quarter-century of helping tell the story of Charleston baseball one announcement at a time.

The September 4 celebration will offer RiverDogs fans a chance to say thank you and send Carrington into his final homestand with the appreciation of a community that has heard him for much of the 21st century.

Baseball has always been about more than what happens between the lines. It is the smell of the ballpark, the crack of the bat, the organ music, the crowd, the scoreboard — and the familiar voice welcoming you home.

For 25 seasons, that voice at Riley Park has been Ken Carrington’s.

And on September 4, Charleston gets the chance to give that voice a proper farewell.

Ken Carrington’s final homestand begins Friday, September 4, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. A pregame ceremony and themed night will celebrate his 25 seasons as the voice of the ballpark.

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