Red, messy, slick, and a trademark of the American South. By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Drizzle drifted and spritzed as if it were January except it was October. Mists coated my camera. In its viewfinder red mud glistened in rain that slickened it to slip-sliding away status and thatContinue Reading

(Photo and story by Thomas Grant Jr.) COLUMBIA, S.C. – WACH-TV anchor Brian McConchie, pictured with Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon, successfully defended his title at the 6th Annual Celebrity Boiled Peanut Eating Contest held at the South Carolina State Fair. Sponsored by the Lexington County Blowfish, the contest featuredContinue Reading

A lot of people have concerns about the growth in Chapin. Why is this? Because they don’t understand the positive benefits and the reality of growth. You are not going to stop growth but you may damage the future management of it. It will only take one generation to sellContinue Reading

The stories passed down by the older and wiser ones create a fascinating oral history for those of us today. I have a copy of a 1980 letter by Lee Gandy, an area historian, who interviewed the older residents. I do not have a copy of his research or otherContinue Reading

The front entrance to New Hope Baptist Church, Lincolnton, Georgia. By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net For the first time in my life I was alone in my church. The old Regulator wall clock ticked away as I ticked away the families who had walked through their last door. Ivys,Continue Reading

Richland County Voter Registration and Elections officially unveiled its new office on October 2 at 7201 Two Notch Road, located in the former JCPenney space at Columbia Place Mall. During the ribbon-cutting event, Travis Alexander, Director of Voter Registration and Elections, led members of County Council and County Administration onContinue Reading

By Radley West When GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy first hit the market, I’ll be honest—I was skeptical. As a health and fitness professional with over 16 years of experience helping people build stronger, healthier lives, I’ve seen plenty of so-called “miracle” weight loss solutions come and go. MostContinue Reading

By Jennifer Tardy Even the most perfect nutrition plan can fall flat if your body is stuck in fight-or-flight mode. When you’re constantly in survival mode, your body doesn’t prioritize healing—it holds on to fat, suppresses digestion, and throws hormones out of balance. That’s why nervous system regulation is aContinue Reading

The Horaltic Pose By Tom Poland: A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Back roads never disappoint me. Such was the case with a road, paved just a tad, but deliciously dirt the rest of the way. As I suspected, its name, Sardis, comes from the Bible, though it could be a family name.Continue Reading

South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond is now accepting nominations for this year’s Angel Awards, which honor outstanding charitable organizations across the state. Each year, the Secretary of State recognizes charities that devote at least 80 percent of their contributions to charitable services, have operated for at least threeContinue Reading

The Chapin Branch Library will host Budget Charcuterie on Monday, October 20, at 6:00 p.m. — a fun and flavorful workshop where guests can learn to create beautiful, seasonal charcuterie boards without breaking the bank. Participants will discover tips, tricks, and affordable ingredient ideas perfect for fall and winter gatherings.Continue Reading