Author: Charleston Daily

Charleston Daily is a concept in community. Its mission is to promote, assist, and celebrate in everything Charleston, South Carolina. By partnering with businesses, community leaders, volunteers and events, we are spreading the love that is Charleston. As this city continues to grow and prosper, we want to help spread the message to all about how wonderful this community is. Charleston is about the people, community, water, land, history, heritage and the true southern warmth it brings with each and every day.

Lowcountry

Yes Virginia, Santa is Real…Importance of Symbols and what does the flag really mean..

July 8, 2022 by 0 Comments

In 1897, 8 year old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Sun. Newsman Francis Pharcellus Church on September 21st, provided an unsigned response in what is considered one of the greatest editorials in American journalism history.

Virginia wrote:

DEAR EDITOR:

I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
VIRGINIA O’HANLON.

115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

The response was so poignant that it has continued to have meaning one hundred and eighteen years later.

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong.

They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Two very important lines remain with me each and every time I read this response:
There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

The question deep down was not the existence of Santa, but the goodness that he stands for. Santa stands for faith and compassion for mankind. Media and commercialism will manifest Santa into a larger than life being, but deep down he is billions of microscopic heartbeats inside each of us that guide us to goodness and provide the path to a life of righteousness. In that respect, Santa is very real.
The key thing we must remember is that Santa is a “symbol” of innocence and virtue. At the heart of it, he is a symbol. The moment he goes from a reality to a fantasy is different for each of us, but his importance in our lives remain.

Much like Santa, the Confederate flag is a symbol. To some it is a reminder of a significant historic period in America’s growth and to others, it is a reminder of racism, slavery and hatred. The question of whether the flag remains visible over government buildings will be decided by the dominant opinion. It won’t change key tragic events in our past. Lives will not come back from the dead, racism won’t fade away and the ignorance that blinds equality will remain.

The flag is on the forefront of our minds, yet we can pick anything and make the argument of removal.

Should George Washington be removed from the $1.00 bill and nation’s capital be renamed because he owned slaves?

Should Robert E. Lee street signs be abolished because he defended something he believed in?

These questions can go on for hours. Where does one draw the line?

I don’t know the answer. I do know that we are exhausting energy on things that should not matter in our lives and we should be putting it on the things that truly do.

My symbols are compassion, love, family, generosity, hope and meaning.

Lowcountry

The Citadel’s ROTC program ranked best in the nation

July 7, 2022 by 0 Comments
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The ROTC departments at The Citadel offer opportunities for cadets to accept commissions in all branches of the armed forces through the Army ROTC, Air Force/Space Force ROTC and Navy/Marine Corps ROTC departments.

Anyone awarded a three- or four-year ROTC scholarship is guaranteed admission into the South Carolina Corps of Cadets.

As seen on College Magazine

A-tten-tion! Channel JFK and ask what you can do for your country while in college. Or maybe camouflage calls your name, or red, white and blue give you a sense of nostalgia. You can prepare for a life of service with fellow cadets with ROTC in college. Hundreds of schools across the country specialize in preparing students for the Armed Forces, but these 10 stand apart from the rest. With a diverse lineup of classes, programs and resources that prepare students for the Armed forces to impressive success stories, these schools have it all. What makes a unit one of the best is at the heart.

These 10 college ROTC programs lead with integrity and serve with bravery.

10. Austin Peay State University
9. University of North Georgia
8. Hampton University
7. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
5. Virginia Polytechnic Institute
4. Texas A&M University
3. Virginia Military Institute
2. Norwich University
1. The Citadel

The Citadel packs a powerful punch. Many ROTC grads enter the Army, Air Force and Navy every year. On the academic side, the college offers more than 20 majors and 30 minors to a close-knit student body of only 2,300 undergrads. The Citadel models itself on academics, ethics, physical fitness and of course, military prowess. “I believe we are a top ROTC college due to the fact that we are training beyond our duties in ROTC, as a Senior Military College, every aspect of our lives involves military behaviors, by the way we dress (uniformed college), the way we eat and the way we walk and talk,” said cadet Nicholas Mathwig. And with small class sizes and top-of-line facilities, your four years here will consist of rigorous team-management and discipline-building exercises. Some of the available scholarships for students include the Palmetto Fellowship Scholarship, and HOPE AND LIFE Scholarship. Mathwig said, “We also have world-class cadre training, aiding our development as a future leader in the US Army.”

Photo: Army ROTC cadets from the Class of 2022, immediately after accepting their commissions on May 6.

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James & John's Islands, SC - Lowcountry - Photography - Real Estate

Courier Square Project in downtown Charleston, SC Filling Up with New Tenants

July 7, 2022 by 0 Comments
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Kwei Fei owners planning innovative Chinese restaurant concept 

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Leasing is picking up at Courier Square, a development at the corner of Meeting and Columbus streets in downtown Charleston. Charleston Commercial, which handles leasing for the property, has announced new tenants.  

Restaurateurs David Schuttenberg and Tina Heath-Schuttenberg plan to open a new Chinese restaurant concept. They have leased a 3,063 square-foot suite at 128 Columbus St. The couple currently owns restaurant Kwei Fei on James Island. The restaurant features the foods of western China, specifically the province of Sichuan, known for dishes of vibrant color and piquant flavors. 

Heath-Schuttenberg said they are still working out the specific details, but the menu and space will be warm and modern. Both restaurants will operate under Always Awkward Hospitality. 

Kwei Fei started in 2017 as a pop-up concept and moved into a brick and mortar space four years ago. 

“We’ve been really scrappy. We always try to think about things in unconventional ways,” Heath-Schuttenberg said. Her background in retail and marketing has helped them think and act quickly. For example, Kwei Fei pivoted to a takeout model two days before the citywide pandemic shutdown in March 2020. 

That kind of innovative thinking is what drew the couple to downtown Charleston and this project in particular.

“There are interesting things happening there,” Heath-Schuttenberg said. “We do things unconventionally. We want people to subscribe to the experience we’ve provided and that’s something you can do when you’re moving into a newer area.” 

Heath-Schuttenberg said they are building their restaurant vision from the ground up and anticipate opening in early 2023. 

Totality Medispa is slated to open its Courier Square location in July. The medical spa has another location on Daniel Island. 

Charleston Commercial is also in negotiations with an Atlanta restaurant group to anchor the 6,305-square-foot corner restaurant suite. Nick Maylander, project lead for the leasing at Courier Square, said he hopes to make an announcement on that restaurant project soon. 

The project also houses the headquarters for Greystar Real Estate Partners and the fully-occupied luxury apartment complex, The Guild. 

That leaves just two 1,500-square-foot retail suites available for lease and there’s been quite a bit of interest in those, Maylander said. 

“We took over the Courier Square retail leasing for Greystar late last summer, and at the time, roughly 80 percent of the 19,000 square feet of retail space was vacant,” he added. “We spent the remainder of 2021 fine-tuning our marketing strategy and have seen a strong uptick in interest ever since the beginning of this year.” 

“Courier Square is quickly becoming the hottest part of town for new hotels, apartments, retail, and office space,” Maylander said. 

About Charleston Commercial
Charleston Commercial is a fully integrated commercial real estate group located in Charleston, S.C., specializing in commercial brokerage and asset management for a wide range of property types, including retail, medical office, office, multi-family, hospitality, urban infill, and industrial properties. The firm offers a broad range of incorporated services to see assignments through from start to finish. Services range from market prospecting, acquisition, value creation (including entitlements, zoning, approvals, and development oversight), leasing, asset management, and disposition. Reach Charleston Commercial at 843-670-5727. 

Tina Heath-Schuttenberg
David Schuttenberg

Photo Credit: Ellis Creek Photography

Lowcountry

Moncks Corner Residents Invited to Take Part in the Town’s Comprehensive Planning Process

July 7, 2022 by 0 Comments
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TOWN OF MONCKS CORNER, BCDCOG TO HOST DROP-IN STYLE PUBLIC WORKSHOP

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (July 7, 2022) – The Town of Moncks Corner and Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) will host a drop-in-style public workshop offering residents an opportunity to provide input on the town’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan, an effort being led by BCDCOG, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Town Council Chambers, located at 118 Carolina Avenue.

During the workshop, residents will be invited to view the plan’s progress and share input that will help to shape the final product. Town Planning and BCDCOG staff will be on-hand to engage with residents and answer questions about the comprehensive planning process.

“The importance of public input as it relates to the comprehensive planning process cannot be overstated,” said Town of Moncks Corner Community Development Director Doug Polen. “That’s why we’re so grateful that our citizens are willing to participate in this important effort. We look forward to working hand-in-hand to deliver a final product that the entire community can be proud of.”

The Town of Moncks Corner Comprehensive Plan, which is being developed through a robust public input process, is designed to assess the area’s current conditions while establishing community needs and goals for the future. 

To learn more, please visit: https://www.monckscornersc.gov/comprehensive-planning. 

Lowcountry

Experienced Horticulturist Jim Martin Joins Magnolia Plantation

July 6, 2022 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, S.C. — Seasoned horticulturist Jim Martin has joined Magnolia Plantation & Gardens as director of horticulture. Martin has 35 years of experience in public horticulture and is a recognized leader and visionary in the fields of horticulture, garden management, and design.  
Martin will oversee the plantation’s vast gardens, setting a direction that both honors Magnolia’s horticultural history and promotes a garden aesthetic fitting for today’s garden experience. He’s tasked with redefining core areas of horticultural importance based on past collections and future interests in horticulture.

Martin will set the educational direction in gardening, horticulture and other art-based fields at Magnolia. And he will oversee design, development and renovation of both current and future gardens. 

Martin will draw on his extensive experience as director of horticulture for Riverbanks Zoo + Botanical Garden, Mepkin Abbey, and Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina. More recently, Martin served as executive director and program director of the nonprofit Charleston Parks Conservancy. 

Martin has a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture from Clemson University and is a highly respected member of the horticulture and garden community in South Carolina.

“The gardens at Magnolia have such a rich and important history,” Martin said. “I’m excited to find ways to marry the garden’s horticulture history with new experiences that keep visitors and locals coming back time and again. My passion for public gardens made this role a perfect fit. I’m looking forward to casting a vision for Magnolia where people, place, and plants come together in memorable ways.”

CEO Susan Shallo said, “We are thrilled to welcome Jim to our team. His level of skill and creativity is unmatched. I’m confident he will build upon the beautiful gardens at Magnolia while enhancing the property and overall guest experience.”   

ABOUT MAGNOLIA PLANTATION & GARDENS

Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is the oldest public tourist site in the Lowcountry, and the oldest public gardens in America. Magnolia opened its doors to visitors in 1870 to view the thousands of beautiful flowers and plants in its famous gardens. Learn more at www.magnoliaplantation.com.

Lowcountry

Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission announces public workshop dates for “Parks and Recreation for All” Comprehensive Plan

July 6, 2022 by 0 Comments
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Public encouraged to provide input on comprehensive master plan update for parks, open spaces, trails and facilities 

(CHARLESTON COUNTY) – The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) has scheduled six public planning workshops in July to gather public input on the agency’s “Parks and Recreation for All” (or “PARFA”) 10-year Comprehensive Master Plan.  The PARFA planning process is currently underway, and CCPRC staff, consultants, and Commissioners are working to gather community goals and recommendations for the agency’s parks and facilities, open spaces, trails, programming and land acquisition strategies through 2033. Public feedback is vital to the success of the plan, and all interested members of the general public are encouraged to attend any of the July workshops.  

Public Planning Workshops will be held on the following dates: 

Tuesday, July 19 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

  • Wando Mount Pleasant Library
  • Otranto Road Library in North Charleston 

Wednesday, July 20 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

  • Main Library in downtown Charleston
  • St. Paul’s Hollywood Library 

Thursday, July 21 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

  • St. James Santee Elementary School in McClellanville
  • St. John’s High School on Johns Island 

These general public workshops will be a drop-in style format, and CCPRC encourages attendees to stop by any time during the scheduled meeting time. Attendees will get an introduction to CCPRC, CCPRC programs and facilities, the PARFA comprehensive planning process, and preliminary findings from the planning process. CCPRC is working to identify park and recreation priorities for the next ten years, and welcomes all feedback and suggestions for improving the quality of life of Charleston County residents, in accordance with its mission.

As an added bonus, CCPRC will have cool treats (e.g., ice cream, snow cones) available for all workshop attendees!  

Community Engagement

This title of the plan, “Parks and Recreation for ALL,” points to the importance of creating a truly inclusive and community-driven planning process where the recommendations are directly informed by community priorities, needs and ideas. 

An additional opportunity for public input is through CCPRC’s 2022 Community Survey, available at ccprc.com/PARFA.

A printed/paper version of the survey will be available at the July public workshops. Other public engagement measures for the PARFA plan include targeted community-scale workshops; pop-up-style information stations; and focus group meetings with community advocacy groups, existing and potential public and non-profit partners, park and recreation-oriented businesses, mobility and accessibility advocacy groups, and cultural and natural resource agencies and organizations. For more information about the PARFA planning process, upcoming events, and ways to participate, visit ccprc.com/PARFA. 

About the Project Team

The consulting team leading the PARFA planning effort is Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Agency Landscape + Planning. The project team also includes Alta Planning for connectivity and trails, BerryDunn for recreation programming and operations, and ETC Institute to develop and deploy a statistically valid community survey. Charleston-based Community Solutions Consulting is also on the team and brings recent, hands-on knowledge of reaching area communities from their work on the Charleston City Plan.

Dr. Tiffany Johnson of Rocket Solutions brings her expertise in organizational structures in parks and recreation. Lead consultant Agency Landscape + Planning is a mission-driven, women-owned practice dedicated to addressing social equity, cultural vitality and environmental resilience through design excellence, strategic planning and community engagement on projects across the country. The firm has led parks and open space planning projects for over a decade, including system-wide plans for communities including Denver, CO; Mecklenburg County, NC; Howard County, MD; Greensboro, NC and Jersey City, NJ, among others. 

About Charleston County Parks

The mission of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes four-day parks, three beach parks, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, a historical plantation site, an interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities.

The park system also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs, volunteer opportunities, and more. For more information, call 843-795-4386 or visitwww.charlestoncountyparks.com.

Lowcountry

The 10 U.S. Cities That Do the 4th of July the Best? – New York, Washington, Boston, Philly and wait for it…Charleston, SC

July 5, 2022 by 0 Comments
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About the Video from World According to Briggs

Welcome to the greatest 4th of July Video EVER. Ok, so it’s probably not the greatest 4th of July video but I did find it interesting. Today I am going to list the 10 best independence Day celebrations in the US. This year we are looking at the big city 4th celebrations. Next year we will do small towns. One of the most celebrated holidays in the US is the 4th of July, with almost 50 million people traveling from July 1st to July 5th This year with the airlines dropping the ball and gas prices through the roof it might be a lot less when they add it all up in the coming weeks. I went to a bunch of websites where people gave their opinion.

The cities on this list are the ones that most often showed up on those lists. This list is in no particular order.

  • New York City
  • Washington DC
  • Chicago
  • Seattle
  • Charleston
  • Nashville
  • Dallas
  • San Diego
  • Philadelphia
  • Boston
Lowcountry - Real Estate

What are the BEST places to live in South Carolina? – New video by Charleston Lifestyle

July 4, 2022 by 0 Comments
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About the Video by Charleston Lifestyle

One of the most picturesque states in the entire country is South Carolina.

It’s easy to understand why so many people decide to move here and remain once they do. What are the best places to live in South Carolina, you ask? Good question. There are many wonderful places, but I want to focus on the top three that most locals pick.

I’ll discuss Hilton Head, Greenville, and Charleston, South Carolina.  These cities are all unique, and so are the areas around them, but they all have a lot to offer. Follow along as I discuss each one!

Lowcountry - Photography

Charleston Photography Gallery: The College of Charleston – Educational Jewel of Historic Charleston

July 2, 2022 by 0 Comments
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By Mark A Leon

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” – Abigail Adams

At the heart of the Southern elegance and refined beauty of Charleston, South Carolina is the moral and educational foundation of the next generation of leaders, The College of Charleston.

The campus of the College of Charleston, in its own right, is a breathing garden of beautiful surroundings, inspirational art, historic architecture and thoughtful nurtured collaborative learning.

For thousands, even outside the academic ranks, walking and absorbing this campus proves to be its own attraction. Come experience a visual journey with us.