I made a bad decision, but it may have been a good one. I was invited to join my long-time high school friend and her daughter to go on a Mediterranean Cruise. Great! But it meant I would be away on my husband Bill’s 70th birthday. I really couldn’t do that. He said that it […]
Letter to Editor: Preserving 300 Main Street
February 5, 2026 By
Residents and Leaders of Blythewood, Having grown up right here in Blythewood, I’ve always had a real soft spot for our town’s special charm and the history that’s part of every street and corner, the sort of place that feels like home no matter how long you’re away. I left as a young man chasing […]
Guest Editorial: Growth SC Can’t Afford
February 5, 2026 By
Who Pays for the Boom? New Census numbers show South Carolina is the nation’s fastest-growing state, adding almost 80,000 new residents between July 2024 and July 2025. Growth was fueled, the Census added, “by a sizable net domestic migration increase of 66,622 … the increase of 1.5% was the highest of any state.” But while some may […]
The View from 95: Widowhood
January 22, 2026 By
Nobody wants to lose their mate. Well, almost nobody. However, widowhood can be okay, even good. The saddest day of my life was when my husband died. Usually, the marriages that are the saddest to end are the long ones that began when the partners were still in or barely out of their teens. Marriage […]
Teeth Have Numbers?
January 22, 2026 By
I recently sat down with Cassandra Brown, who owns a dental school and is a resident of Ridgeway, for an interview. We talked about teeth, dental education, and all the grown-up things that come with it. I walked away thinking I’d learned something useful. I didn’t realize how much thinking I was about to do. […]
Guest Editorial: Profitable farms and forests are SC’s best conservation strategy
January 22, 2026 By
South Carolina is blessed with rich farmland and productive forests. These working lands feed families, sustain communities, fuel billions in economic activity, and preserve our landscapes. The industries most responsible for conserving our soil, water, wildlife habitat, and rural character—FARMING AND FORESTRY—are facing serious economic challenges. Our debates surrounding “conservation” are growing louder with family […]
Letter: Penny Tax Passage Starts With Trust in Board Appointments
January 22, 2026 By
One of Fairfield County’s outside advisors for the county’s Capital Project Penny Tax referendum reminded our county council that, “A wise person said we move at the speed of trust, and a lot of times there’s just no trust out there.” The formation of the Penny Tax committee is the starting point for the proposed tax […]
Blythewood crowds greet Monks
January 15, 2026 By
BLYTHEWOOD – I had been following the Walk for Peace Facebook page closely since the monks entered South Carolina, carefully considering where the best place might be to witness their journey in person. I suspected the State Capitol would draw the largest crowd, and I was right. Thousands turned out to join the monks as they walked […]
Precious Possessions
January 15, 2026 By
Is there something wrong with me? I like other people’s discarded things. One of my favorite possessions is my aunt’s small, old shovel. It is probably 5” x 8,” with a broomstick-sized handle. My Aunt Mary used this little shovel for years to plant her flowers and vegetables. She probably used it to help me […]
Kenny’s Corner: Guess Who Came to Town
January 15, 2026 By
Nearly 2,000 people came to little ol’ Ridgeway, South Carolina to see some monks, so naturally, I had to see what all the fuss was about. I mean, I used to go walking with my grandma to work when I was a kid and nobody showed up for that. No sound system. No crowd. No […]
