(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
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kick off your Halloween celebrations at Saluda Shoals Park’s Trick-or-Treat Trail on Saturday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Leo’s Landing. Designed for children ages 12 and under, the event offers a fun and safe way to enjoy Halloween festivities along the park’s decoratedContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. – Get ready for a spooktacular morning of fun and fitness at the Northwest Family YMCA’s 2025 Pumpkin Run, happening Saturday, October 18, starting at 7 a.m. The event features a 5K race and a Kids’ 1-Mile Fun Run, plus fall festival activities for all ages. The morningContinue 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
By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler The Chapin Junior Women’s Club is a good place for young women to meet other women. They meet on the 2 nd Tuesday of the month at Mt. Horeb, 101 East Boundary Street at 6:30 p.m. Feel free to join them for the Coffee Meet-up on TuesdaysContinue 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
IRMO, S.C. – Capital City/Lake Murray Country (CCLMC) is proud to announce that Chef Chris Williams of Roy’s Grille will represent Team Lake Murray Country at the World Food Championships (WFC), taking place October 16–19, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Williams will compete in the Sandwich category, bringing his signature SouthernContinue 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
Comic book and toy fans, get ready! The Vault Show, hosted by Chris’s Vault, comes to Columbia this weekend, October 4–5. Much like the dealer’s room at a Comic-Con, the show will feature: Tens of thousands of comic books Comic art and collectibles Vintage toys and action figures Life-like modelsContinue Reading
The South Carolina State Farmers Market will host its annual Fall Plant and Flower Festival October 3–5 in West Columbia. Visitors can shop for: Seasonal plants and flowers Pumpkins and fall décor Home, yard, and garden crafts Fresh Certified SC Grown fall produce Master Gardeners will also be on handContinue Reading