70’s and 80’s Television Stars we Lost in 2016 (Some you may not even realize)

We lost a number of celebrities in 2016 that had an impact on my of our childhoods.  Some were on the forefront of the news while others passed quietly.  Here is a gallery of some of the key foundations of the 70’s and 80’s TV landscape that passed on in 2016.

Alan Thicke – Known for Growing Pains (69 Years Old)

Michu Meszaros – Played ALF (76 Years Old)

George Gaynes – Adopted Father of Punky Brewster (98 Years Old)

George-Gaynes-punky-brewster-tease-today-160217

Ron Glass – Known for Barney Miller and Firefly (71 Years Old)

Steven Hill – Known for Law and Order (94 Years Old)

Pat Harrington Jr. – Known for One Day At A Time (86 Years Old)

Abe Vigoda – Known for Barney Miller (94 Years Old)

Garry Shandling – Known for Larry Sanders Show / Garry Shandling Show (66 Years Old)

Doris Roberts – Known for Everybody Loves Raymond (90 Years Old)

Morley Safer – Known for 60 Minutes (84 Years Old)

Theresa Saldana – Known for The Commish and Raging Bull (61 Years Old)

Garry Marshall – Known for Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley (81 Years Old)

"New Year's Eve" New York Premiere - Inside Arrivals

Youree Dell Harris – Known as Miss Cleo – TV Psychic (53 Years Old)

Sagen Lewis – Known for St. Elsewhere (63 Years Old)

John Saunders – Known for ESPN (61 Years Old)

John McLaughlin – Known for The McLaughlin Group (89 Years Old)

Gwen Ifill – Known for PBS NewsHour (61 Years Old)

Florence Henderson – Known for The Brady Bunch (82 Years Old)

Remember them well.

GALLERY: Christmas in Charleston

Marion Square

The weather may be on the warmer side, but the feeling of Christmas is certainly in the air.  stroll with us through our Southern version of the holiday spirit and enjoy some of the festive yuletide.

Naughty or Nice Lego Present at SC Aquarium
Naughty or Nice Lego Present at SC Aquarium

 

Citadel BullDog all dolled up
Citadel bull dog all dolled up

 

Joe Riley Stadium
Joe Riley Stadium

 

The Tides - Folly Beach
The Tides – Folly Beach

 

Rutledge Avenue
Rutledge Avenue

 

Historic Charleston
Historic Charleston

 

Ribbon in the greens
Ribbon in the greens

 

Folly Beach Holiday Flip Flops
Folly Beach Holiday Flip Flops

 

Snowman in the sand
Snowman in the sand

 

Wreath on fence in historic Charleston
Wreath on fence in historic Charleston

 

Folly Beach Park
Folly Beach Park

 

Marion Square Tree
Marion Square Tree

 

Wreath on red door
Wreath on red door

 

Tree in the sand - Folly Beach
Tree in the sand – Folly Beach

 

Joe Riley Stadium entrance
Joe Riley Stadium entrance

 

Historic Charleston
Historic Charleston

 

Crab and seahorse in lights
Crab and seahorse in lights

 

Santa and tree in lights
Santa and tree in lights

Happy Holidays

 

 

The Timrod Library: Stepping Back in Time (Summerville, SC)

By The Retired Mensch

The Mensch stepped back in time when he visited the Timrod Library in Summerville. The Timrod Library is in a colonial-style brick building with a porch and double doors set on high ground on Central Avenue. It is a steep walk from the street to the steps up to the porch. In Brooklyn we called those steps a stoop.

The Timrod is like no modern library. Most libraries are free. Dorchester, Charleston and Berkeley Counties all have free public libraries. The Timrod is unique in that it is a subscription library, meaning there is a fee to be a member and borrow books. The fee is not exorbitant, $15 for a family.

The Mensch paid a family subscription fee and in a few days the mailman delivered a typewritten letter thanking me for the subscription along with two library cards without barcodes or magnetic stripes.

When I checked out a book, the librarian asked for my library card, I forgot it. “No problem, just print your name here on the book card.”
For younger readers, the cabinet in the picture with all the drawers is a card catalog. Every book in the library is inventoried by the Dewey Decimal System, by author, by title and by subject. You need to know your alphabet to thumb through the cards to find a book of interest. There is no Google look-up here.

The Timrod has an interesting history. Originally there was a Ladies Reading Circle in Summerville in the 1890’s. That morphed from a Chautauqua group to chartered library in 1907. Timrod refers to Henry Timrod, the so-called poet laureate of the Confederacy, who was a school teacher in Summerville.

It is a quaint place to visit if you are looking for something different for your literary tastebuds. The Timrod is deceiving in that there is an extensive collection of modern fiction along with a plethora of South Carolina history and geography along with artifacts.


Although there are rocking chairs right inside the front door on the left, the more inviting reading space is over on the right where there are two lovely armchairs with their backs to the window. This is the path to the children’s reading room and historical collection, so be prepared for some foot traffic. Of course, if you are caught up in a good book, you’ll hardly notice.

Boeing South Carolina Aims to Connect with Regional Talent Through STEM Premier

CHARLESTON, S.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In an effort to help the Tri-County Region create and retain a qualified talent pipeline for its booming aerospace industry, Boeing South Carolina has again teamed up with Charleston-based STEM Premier. STEM Premier enables colleges and companies like Boeing to proactively identify talent, ages 13+, and directly connect with them to create awareness of opportunities and careers within their organization.

For the second year in a row, Boeing will expand their involvement with STEM Premier by sponsoring three more local high schools – an approach that will support the mid-to-long-term workforce needs for Boeing in the region. Students attending Fort Dorchester High, West Ashley High and Berkeley High will join STEM Premier and be directly exposed to Boeing South Carolina to learn more about opportunities within the company.

“As we begin our second century of innovation, Boeing is committed to inspiring and preparing the next generation of innovators, critical thinkers and problem solvers,” said Kelley Halliwell, global corporate citizenship specialist at Boeing South Carolina. “We’re harnessing the natural curiosity of young people with opportunities made available through STEM Premier. We show them how their skills and talents can translate into high-paying jobs across a variety of industries.”

Boeing’s support of STEM Premier helps enable students to enroll and build digital portfolios showcasing their talents, receive personalized career guidance, and discover colleges and companies that can view student profiles and recruit them directly via internal messaging – leveling the playing field for all students.

“The opportunities are there. The talent is there. We only need to establish a more direct pathway that will create a recruiting ecosystem between the two. STEM Premier is that vehicle thanks to the support of companies such as Boeing,” said Casey Welch, co-founder and COO at STEM Premier.

“Through our support of organizations like STEM Premier, we are continuing to invest in South Carolina’s future,” continues Halliwell.

About STEM Premier

Headquartered in Charleston, S.C., STEM Premier is the first online solution that assists students ages 13+ in designing a career pathway, educators in recruiting top talent to their schools, and employers in developing a stable, continuous talent pipeline. For more information, visit www.stempremier.com.

Contacts

Howard/Merrell
Amanda Frasca, 919-844-2746
afrasca@howardmerrell.com

‘Santaland Diaries’ Gives the Gift of Laughter at Woolfe Street Playhouse

By Mark A. Leon

The ‘Santaland Diaries’, adapted from the wildly humorous book by David Sedaris, opens this week at Woolfe Street Playhouse and plays through December 23rd.  Before I get into detail about this one act journey of hilarity, personal insight into human behavior and a touch of emotional sentiment, I would like to share a personal story that helped me prepare for this performance.

For those that do not know, Santaland Diaries is a true account of a 30 something who accepts a job as one of the Macy’s Santa Land elves during the holiday season in New York in the 1980’s.  Back in 2002, I suffered a personal tragedy and was unable to face the daily trials of a career let alone people.  I wallowed for a while and slipped into a slight depression, which entailed long days on the couch and a lazy gourmet meal of wine and ramen. After browsing through the print classifieds (some of you may not even know what that means), I saw an ad for an Easter Bunny.  “I could totally rock that,” I said to myself.  After a fine audition, outlining my extensive acting career from second to fourth grade, I got the gig.  One little thing that was not in the ad.  This “gig” was in the center of the Mall of America, the second largest mall in the county.  Don’t fret, I rocked it.  I rocked it so well, I was fired several weeks later.  Not my fault, but I will leave you with these lessons learned:

  1.  A giant six-foot bunny trying to get onto a roller coaster without paying does not work.
  2. Following a child after he begs to have the Easter Bunny come home with him does not play well with moms.
  3. Hugging the sad looking teenage girl behind the pretzel stand because she seems to hate her job and life will not suddenly make her love her job.
  4. Finally, a giant oversized Easter Bunny outfit with a cute pink bow is hot as the dickens inside – For those aspiring character actors, it is not all glamor.

Based on that experience I was ready.

Robbie Thomas
Robbie Thomas

Village Rep Associate Artistic Director Robbie Thomas stars in this one actor performance and he does not disappoint.  His one man, one act played out like a symphony of drunk friends coming back for their class reunion and thinking they could still play in the recorder club together.  From the moment “Crumpet” (as he character was named during the elf days) entered the stage, the laugh track began.  Do expect some scenes to hit home personally.  From the flirtatious elf, to the controlling mother; crying baby to the obnoxious dad, Crumpet saw it all.  More importantly, he took it in with poise.

We have all had our share of miserable jobs; some more humorous than others.  The ability to become one with the experience, extract life lessons and impart that wisdom onto others is a gift.  David Sedaris’ gift and Robbie Thomas’ interpretation is one worth unwrapping this season.

‘Santaland Diaries’ is a fast paced, side splitting seasonal hit.  Set in the back stage of the playhouse, this production offers the audience a level of intimacy we rarely see in local theater.  Through snappy dialogue and quirky facial expressionism, the pace maintains a high level.  Caution, you may find yourself curbing your laughter time to a minimum as not to disrupt the flow.

It reminds us to not get too caught up in the serious side of Christmas.  Robbie Thomas takes on this role with a level of confidence that commands the stage (even if he is surrounded by bubbles, stuffed animals, letters to Santa and a giant bright tree).  From street clothes to tights, Robbie takes you into his world.  He exposes you to the underbelly of the Santa retail world and narrates a story of yuletide splendor.

Sometimes you need to let tradition rest for a moment nestled in a stocking.  Take a day away from the Nutcracker and White Christmas and chuckle your way through the holiday with ‘Santaland Diaries’ at the Woolfe Street Playhouse.  Believe me, once you get your credit card bill in January, you won’t be, so take advantage now.

Ticket Information – ‘Santaland Diaries’

South Carolina Ranks #3 Worst State for Drivers in new CarInsuranceComparison.com Study

In a new report released by careinsurancecomparison.com, South Carolina ranks #3 worst in the United States and #1 in fatalities per 1 million traffic miles traveled.  Below is the full study, methodology and results.

Methodology

The rankings for this study are based on statistics made available to the public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Each state is ranked according to the following categories:

  • Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled
  • Failure to Obey (Percentage of Fatal Crashes that involved Traffic Signals, Not Wearing Seat Belts, and Driving with an Invalid Driver’s License)
  • Drunk Driving (Percentage of Fatal Crashes that Involved Alcohol)
  • Speeding (Percentage of Driving Fatalities that were Speed-Related)
  • Careless Driving (Pedestrian & Bicyclist Fatalities per 100,000 Population)

We translated all of this information into one Total Score, with the worst states receiving the lowest scores.

For example, North Dakota, the state with the worst rating for Drunk Driving — or the highest percentage of fatal crashes due to Drunk Driving — earned just one point in this category. Utah, the state with the lowest percentage, received a score of 51.

Ten States with the Worst Drivers:

#10 – Montana

Best Ranking Factor: Careless Driving: 36th
Worst Ranking Factor: Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 3rd

2016_worst_drivers_-_10-_montana

Moving from first place last year to tenth place this year, Montana seems to have done a lot to improve the quality of driving on the road. The state came in above average for Careless Driving but still has some work to do taking third place for Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled.

Here’s hoping that next year, Montana will improve even more and won’t show up on our list.

#8 – Arizona (tie)

Best Ranking Factor: Drunk Driving: 32nd
Worst Ranking Factor: Failure to Obey & Careless Driving: 5th

2016_worst_drivers_-_8-_arizona

Arizona also improved on its score from last year, moving from sixth to eighth place. The state’s worst ranking factor was a tie between Failure to Obey and Careless Driving causing over 170 fatalities combined.

#8 – Alabama (tie)

Best Ranking Factor: Speeding: 27th
Worst Ranking Factor: Careless Driving: 9th

2016_worst_drivers_-_8-_alabama

Alabama tied with Arizona this year for the eighth worst state for bad drivers.

The state ranked ninth in Careless Driving. Because Alabama didn’t make it onto our list last year, we can only assume that driving habits have regressed. Hopefully, Alabama drivers will focus on safe driving and remove themselves from our list next year.

#7 – Nevada

Best Ranking Factor: Failure to Obey: 29th
Worst Ranking Factor: Careless Driving: 4th

2016_worst_drivers_-_7-_nevada

Coming in at number seven, Nevada scored above average in Failure to Obey. But drivers in the state ranked fourth for Careless Driving causing 78 fatalities on the road from Careless Driving alone. Nevada’s second highest score was eighth for Drunk Driving.

#6 – New Mexico

Best Ranking Factor: Failure to Obey: 36th
Worst Ranking Factor: Careless Driving: 1st

2016_worst_drivers_-_6-_new_mexico

New Mexico improved on our list from last year, moving from second to sixth place. The state did well in the Failure to Obey category, but ranked first — or worst — in Careless Driving and sixth in Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled.

#5 – Delaware

Best Ranking Factor: Drunk Driving: 26th
Worst Ranking Factor: Careless Driving: 3rd

2016_worst_drivers_-_5-_delaware

Delaware moved on our list from ninth last year to fifth this year. Scoring third in Careless Driving and eighth in Speeding, Delaware drivers have a lot to do to make their roads a safer place to travel.

#4 – North Dakota 

Best Ranking Factor: Careless Driving: 20th
Worst Ranking Factor: Drunk Driving: 1st

2016_worst_drivers_-_4-_north_dakota

An issue with Drunk Driving caused North Dakota to slip on our list from seventh place last year to fourth this year. Drunk Driving caused 66 deaths in North Dakota last year. It’s a serious problem that drivers in the state need to recognize and address.

The fact that North Dakota placed sixth in Speeding only adds fuel to the fire. Individuals who are drinking and driving over the speed limit are far more likely to cause fatal accidents than those who are following the law.

#3 – South Carolina

Best Ranking Factor: Failure to Obey: 34th
Worst Ranking Factor: Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 1st

2016_worst_drivers_-_3-_south_carolina

South Carolina came in close to their score last year, coming in at third this year instead of second. While drivers in South Carolina scored well in the Failure to Obey category, they placed first in Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled and seventh in both Speeding and Careless Driving.

#1 – Texas (tie)

Best Ranking Factor: Careless Driving: 14th
Worst Ranking Factor: Drunk Driving: 3rd

2016_worst_drivers_-_1-_texas

Texas, tying with Louisiana, slipped on our list from fourth last year to first. Drivers in Texas ranked third for Drunk Driving, ninth for Speeding, and ninth for Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled.

Texas scored top 15 in every category. Needless to say, this state has a lot to improve on when it comes to safe driving.

#1 – Louisiana (tie)

Best Ranking Factor: Speeding: 30th
Worst Ranking Factor: Failure to Obey: 1st

2016_worst_drivers_-_1-_louisana

With an above average score in Speeding, Louisiana comes in for a tie for first place because of its score in every other category.

Drivers in Louisiana scored poorly in Failure to Obey (1st), Careless Driving (5th), Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled (5th), and Drunk Driving (6th). With those scores, there’s no denying that Louisiana is in serious need of change on the road.

Best Predictor of States with Bad Drivers: Careless Driving

Careless Driving has been an excellent predictor of bad scores in past years, and this year’s study is no exception. Of the 20 worst states overall, 16 states were ranked in the worst half for Careless Driving.

The majority of Careless Driving is done by distracted drivers — people who drive while doing other activities that take their attention away from driving.

The most common reason for distracted driving is a cell phone. In fact, 64 percent of all car accidents involve cell phone usage.

One major thing we can all do as competent and caring drivers is to put away our cell phones before we ever get behind a wheel. Hiding them will help keep our eyes on the road and our minds on the important task before us.

Failure to Obey and Fatal Accidents

It is interesting to note that the Failure to Obey category had the smallest correlation with the overall number of fatal accidents. While three of the 10 worst states scored under 10, three others (Nevada, South Carolina, and New Mexico) were ranked in the best half in the same category.

While there is no doubt that a failure to obey traffic signals and laws puts you at a greater risk for an accident, it seems that other factors weigh more heavily when it comes to fatal accidents on the road.

For all media inquiries, please email: Josh Barnes

Great Recipes from Charleston Area Restaurants

Oak Steakhouse – 17 Broad Street, Charleston, SC

Braised Short Ribs with Roasted Root Vegetable Mash Recipe

Braised Short Ribs with Roasted Root Vegetable Mash Recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients for Root Vegetable Puree

3 Parsnips, peeled & chopped
3 Carrots, peeled & chopped
12 Garlic Cloves, peeled whole cloves
1 large Rutabaga, peeled & chopped

Ingredients for Mash

4 Yukon Gold Potatoes
½ cup Cream
8 tbsp Butter
Salt

Ingredients for Braised Beef Short Ribs

4 boneless Beef Short Ribs
5 ribs of Celery
2 Onions
3 Carrots
4 Garlic Cloves
½ bunch of Thyme
2 Tomatoes
1 cup Red Wine
2 cups Beef Broth or Veal Stock
2 cups Chicken Stock
Salt & Pepper, to taste

Method for Root Vegetable Puree

• Place parsnips, carrots, garlic cloves and rutabaga in a roasting pan, season with salt and pepper.
• Roast at 350°, covered with foil for about one hour until fork tender.
• Then chop by hand or put through a rice mill. This will be folded into mashed potatoes.

Method for Mash

• Boil potatoes until cooked through, drain and add cream, butter and salt to taste.

Method for Braised Beef Short Ribs

• Chop celery, onions and carrots into large dice, and sauté over medium-high heat until they start to take on golden brown color.
• Season shortribs with salt and pepper and sear in a sauté pan over medium-high heat.
• Remove and deglaze with red wine.
• Reduce by half and add beef broth or veal stock and chicken stock.

Wild Olive – 2867 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC

Fennel Sformato

Serves 10

Ingredients for Fennel Sformato

2 cup Fennel
2 tbsp toasted ground Fennel Seeds
¼ cup Fennel Fronds
2 ½ cup Heavy Cream
¼ cup grated Parmesan
1 tbsp Cornstarch
4 count Eggs (1 yolk, 3 whole)

Method for Fennel Sformato

• Pre-heat the oven to 250º.
• Steep the shaved fennel in heavy cream, on a low simmer, for 30 minutes with a sachet of the toasted fennel seeds and fennel fronds.
• Pull off heat.
• Whisk in the parmesan and cornstarch.
• Purée the mixture in a blender and strain through a strainer.
• Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl and temper with the fennel purée.
• Let sit for 15-20 minutes.
• Ladle the mixture into ceramic dishes or aluminum cups that have been sprayed with pan spray.
• Fill them ¾ of the way full and place in a baking dish with a water bath.
• Cook for about 40-45 minutes or until set. Not runny.
• Pull out of oven and let rest for 20 minutes.
• Serve in a dish or un-mold according to preference.
• Serve with a citrus salad.

Blu Restaurant & Bar – 1 Center Street, Folly, Beach, SC

Pan Roasted Atlantic Grouper
Crispy Pork Belly Dumplings & Sweet Corn Soup

Pan Roasted Atlantic Grouper <br>Crispy Pork Belly Dumplings & Sweet Corn Soup

Serves 2

Ingredients for Dumpling Dough

1.75 cups All Purpose Flour
6 Egg Yolks
1 Whole Egg
1.5 tsp Olive Oil
1 tbsp Milk

Ingredients for Dumpling Filling

150 grams Pork Belly Lardons
35 grams Spanish Onion, finely diced
50 grams Red Wine Vinegar
50 grams granulated Sugar
50 grams Pork Stock

Ingredients for Corn Soup

400 grams Corn kernels, roughly 4 ears
300 grams Chicken Stock
300 grams Heavy Cream
1 sprig Thyme
20 grams granulated Sugar

Ingredients for Grouper

2 each 5oz. Grouper filets
Kosher Salt
White Pepper, ground
Vegetable oil for searing

Method for the Dough

• In large mixing bowl add all ingredients and gently kneed by hand until dough is formed.
• Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
• Roll the dough through a pasta roller to roughly ⅛” thick. Once the sheet of dough has been rolled cut the dough into circles with 3″ in diameter.

Method for the Filling

• In sauce pan, render pork belly until crisp.
• Remove and drain on paper towels.
• In same pot add Spanish onion and saute until translucent.
• Next add the red wine vinegar, sugar and pork stock and reduce to syrup consistency.
• Fold in crispy pork belly and cool.

To assemble the Dumplings

• Place 1 tablespoon of filling in center of the dough circle.
• Brush the edges of the dough with egg wash then fold over forming half moon shape.
• Crimp the sealed edges with a fork.
• Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling

Method for the Grouper

• Season grouper filet with salt and white pepper.
• Place into a hot saute pan with a tablespoon of vegetable oil.
• Reduce the heat to medium and allow thick crust to develop on the fish.
• Once the fish is halfway cooked flip the fish and continue cooking on the other side until cooked through.

To Plate

• Boil the dumplings in salted water for 3 to 4 minutes until tender.
• Ladle the soup into a bowl and arrange the cooked dumplings into the soup.
• Place the cooked fish on top of the dish.

Fat Hen – 3140 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC

Shrimp & Crab Hoppin’ John

Serves 10

Ingredients for Beans

2 cup dried Black Eyed Peas
1 Ham Hock
4 cup Water

Ingredients for Rice

1 cup Long Grain Rice
1 medium Yellow Onion, diced
7 strips Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, diced
2 tbsp Sweet Butter
½ cup Green Onion, minced
2 tbsp Lemon Juice
Hot Sauce, to taste
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

Ingredients for Shrimp & Crab

1 tsp Olive Oil
2 oz White Wine
3 oz Chicken Stock
¼ oz julienne Zucchini
¼ oz julienne Squash
¼ oz julienne Carrot
1 oz Garlic Butter
50 Shrimp
2 oz Jumbo Lump Crab Meat

Method for Beans

• Rinse the beans.
• Put the beans in a medium sauce pot and cover with water. Add the ham hock to the beans.
• Bring the water to a boil and cook until tender. To speed up the cooking time, soak beans overnight.
• When the beans are tender, strain and cool. Reserve the ham hock.
• When cooled, pick the meat off of the ham hock and add it back to the beans.

Method for Rice

• Render the bacon and sweat the onion until tender. Add butter and melt.
• Add the rice and cook for 30 minutes.
• Cover rice with water, about 1 inch.
• Cook until all liquid is gone and rice is tender.
• Spread rice mixture on a sheet tray and cool.

Method for Hoppin’ John

• Mix the rice, beans, and green onion together.
• Season with hot sauce, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
• Remember, the mixture is cold so do not over season. When the dish is heated back up, the flavors will awaken.

Method for Shrimp & Crab Hoppin’ John

• In a sauté pan, add olive oil and heat to a smoking point.
• Add the shrimp and sauté on both sides just to color. Then remove from pan.
• Deglaze pan with white wine.
• Add the julienned vegetables, hoppin’ john, and chicken stock to pan.
• Add shrimp back to the pan along with the crab meat.
• Finish with garlic butter and season with salt and pepper. Check seasoning.
• Place on your favorite serving platter and garnish with chopped parsley.

Middleton Place Restaurant – 4300 Ashley River Road, West Ashley, SC

Tasso Ham Red Rice

Serves 12

Ingredients for Tasso Ham Red Rice

1 tbsp EVO 3 Yellow Onions, small dice
2 Red Bell Peppers, small dice
2 Green Bell Peppers, small dice
2 cups Tasso Ham, small dice
4 cups Fresh Tomatoes, peeled with seeds removed
8 cups Tomato Juice
4 cups Rice
Salt & Pepper to taste

Method for Tasso Ham Red Rice

• In a large sauce pot, turn flame to medium high heat and add the EVO, peppers, and onions.
• Sweat until translucent.
• Next add the tomatoes, ham, and tomato juice.
• Bring all ingredients to a boil then add the rice until fully incorporated.
• Lower the heat to a simmer, cover and cook about 15- 20 minutes or until rice is cooked thoroughly.
• Serve and enjoy!

The Boathouse at Breach Inlet – 101 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC

Local Clam Pasta

Serves 8

Ingredients for Local Clam Pasta

60 Breach Inlet Littleneck Clams
4 tbsp Olive Oil
3 Shallots, minced fine
6 cloves Garlic, minced
4 cups White Wine
1 cup Tomatoes, diced
1 lb Bacon, small diced (preferably applewood smoked)
2 lb Spinach
3 tbsp finely chopped Herbs, such as parsley, chives and basil
Salt & Pepper, to taste 2 lb cooked Pasta, either linguine or fettucine 2 cups Parmesan Cheese

Method for Local Clam Pasta

• Heat the olive oil and bacon in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the clams and cover with a lid, steaming the clams for about 4 minutes.
• Add garlic and shallots and sauté for 1 minute.
• Add the wine and cover again until the clams open.
• Add the tomatoes, spinach, and butter. Swirl butter into the sauce to make it creamy and shiny.
• Season with salt and pepper and add the herbs.
• Pour the clams over hot pasta and garnish with parmesan cheese.

82 Queen – 82 Queen Street, Charleston, SC

BBQ Shrimp & Grits

Serves 6

Ingredients for Lowcountry Grits

1 cup Heavy Cream
¼ lb Butter
1 quart Water
2 cup Quick Grits
Salt & Pepper, to taste

Ingredients for Southern Comfort BBQ Sauce

¼ lb Bacon, diced
½ cup Red Onion, diced
½ cup Red Bell Pepper, diced
½ cup Green Bell Pepper, diced
2 14 oz Heinz® Ketchup
½ cup Brown Sugar
3-4 tbsp Southern Comfort®
Salt & Pepper, to taste

Ingredients for Shrimp

2 lb Shrimp

Method for Lowcountry Grits

• Heat cream and water to a boil.
• Add butter, salt, and pepper.
• Slowly add grits and reduce heat.
• Cook for 20 minutes, being careful not to scorch mixture.

Method for Southern Comfort BBQ Sauce

• Cook bacon until almost done.
• Add onions and peppers, and sauté until done.
• Flame with Southern Comfort®.
• Add all the remaining ingredients.
• Simmer for 10 minutes, then cool.
• Sauce will last under refrigeration for several weeks.

Method for Shrimp

• Sauté, poach, or grill the shrimp.
• Place the shrimp in the Southern Comfort® bbq sauce and simmer for 1 minute.

Step into Serenity at Mepkin Abbey

DSC_9372

I’ve always been drawn to the trees in this region. Mighty guardian statues that mark the passage of time with wise knowingness. Their giant limbs spreading into the sky and stretching over the southern landscape. I admired those old guys, draped with their mossy beards that lined the driveway as we slowly drove under the alley of boughs to reach the greeting center for Mepkin Abby.

We had made the drive out to the property on a hunt for farm eggs and exercise and discovered that, instead of having to take the dog somewhere out into the forest, we were welcome to walk the property with our bouncy boy. With map in hand, we strolled through the vast gardens that sat along the Cooper River, just northwest of Charleston.

DSC_9342The gardens were developed in 1936 by Clare Luce, the wife of the publisher of “Time and Life” magazine Henry R. Luce. She had plenty of room and money to let her imagination go wild. The monks have been taking care of her creation since they moved out here from Kentucky in 1949. Their numbers have diminished over the years, only eighteen still live on the property. I guess there isn’t a big calling to become a monk nowadays, even though I could see the draw. The simplicity of knowing what you’re doing every day. No bills or distractions from the development of self. A fascinating lifestyle of the original minimalism, devoting your life to prayer, spiritual study, work and hospitality. All of us are so addicted to our gadgets, luxuries and distractions that the majority would probably not know how to function without them.

The monk we had the pleasure to meet who was manning the store was helpful and happy. The store was filled with everything from rosary beads and religious information to handcrafted pottery, great smelling natural soap and the fruits of labor of monks across the country contributing honey, steak rubs and candles. The local guys grow mushrooms and have developed a rich compost for an income now. No eggs for us from these monks. I guess the old guys got busted by PETA for using old school methods and decided it was wise to work with something that didn’t have a heartbeat.

DSC_9211I loved being enveloped by the peace of the area. It was easy to release my tight shoulders. I wanted to grab my yoga mat out of the car. Instead, we hit the Labyrinth. I told my boyfriend about how I had learned about Labyrinths being made for meditation and problem solving. Just a little gem of knowledge locked away in my noggin. I suggested, “As you follow the paths that fold back on themselves, you should try to quiet your mind and breathe deeply”. I took my own advice and trailed his footsteps around the well beaten trail. Running my fingers over the dark brown tufts of dead flower and admiring the winter vegetation with its cool yellows, copper and dark purples waist-high around me. I took a moment to reflect on my journey so far with this man in this city and warmth spread from my core. We paused when we arrived at the center of the path and sat for a moment to take in the steel-colored sky with only the bare, black limbs of the trees that were scattered across the property to break up the solid horizon. I felt grounded and purged of the mess of the metropolis. It’s great to “find yourself” in the middle of nowhere.

No matter what higher power you seek, the Mepkin Abbey is a great opportunity to get out of town, turn off your phone and enjoy a contemplative stroll or the quite companionship of another. The gardens are open to the public daily and they have tours during the week. This summer the fields of flowers will be amazing. Pack a lunch, grab your dog’s leash, shimmy on your yoga pants and enjoy a day away from it all.

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Contributing Writer: Tatiana Fisher
Special Thanks to jerrysphotos.us for the photos

Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café: Where Freshness and Family Come Together on Johns Island

By Mark A. Leon

Charleston is known for many rich traditions; its history, dedication to family, high school and college football, tradition and fresh honest to goodness Southern cooking.  As locals, we are fortunate to know where the hidden treasures of the South lie.  Just a few miles outside of the hustle of the peninsula lies a place filled with fresh organic delight, family service with a smile and a sense of home and that is the Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café.

From the moment you step inside, you are swept away by the elegance of the marketplace with ornaments, trees and holiday décor all around.  In the far corner, they are proud of their achievements including the 2012 Critics Choice Award for the Mac Off right in the center of all the press praise.  To your right, the market; left the dining area and outside a rustic porch that reminds you of the old country.

It isn’t often you can knock off three birds with one stone, but this is a rare place indeed.  There are some lovely holiday decorations ordained throughout Charleston; yet we have not found any as magical as this place.  The ornaments and home décor are shining off the shelves waiting for good homes.

The market is a wellness dream from fresh arugula to jams; relishes to red potatoes, shrimp to beets.  The entire selection of greens, veggies, seasonings, seafood, jams, relishes and wines will meet all your home cooking needs.

The food in the café is so fresh, it almost melts before it hits your mouth.  Here at the Tomato Shed Café, we keep it simple.  No fancy plates or glasses.  No gimmicks.  Just great food that speaks directly to your palate.

The tomato pie, squash casserole, speckled butterbeans and creamy cucumbers and dill were of particular delight among a laundry list of fresh sides to choose from.  If you are having challenges choosing a side, order the vegetable plate and select four as your entrée.

Whatever you are in the mood for, there is a selection to meet your appetite.  Perhaps a Crab Cake Plate or Wadmalaw Island BBQ Plate or Tomato Shed Shrimp (grilled local shrimp with red and green peppers, onions and tomatoes, a slightly spicy seasoning and 2 sides)

I heard from an insider that the Chocolate Zucchini Bread is heavenly, but come in early if you expect to get your hands on some to go (Baked Fresh for Purchase).

On this day, I had the chicken salad with a side of the tomato pie.  The subtle intensity of flavor was incredible.  Each bite of that tomato pie and lightly toasted bread and chicken salad was truly delightful.  This is also a place to share, so I got to try a few of other sides as well including an incredible squash casserole.

Tomato Shed Café isn’t a place to just come to eat.  It is a place to meet, read up on local news, catch up with your neighbors and remember why we love family and good Southern cooking.  This may be a little out of the way for some, but we promise you will make an effort to keep coming back.

We came for the lunch and stayed for the market and remembered the smiles and the lingering taste that stayed with us long after we left John’s Island.

Chicken Salad Sandwich with Tomato Pie
Chicken Salad Sandwich with Tomato Pie