By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler Let’s talk about mules—the dependable workhorses of the days before tractors. A mule is a hybrid, the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, and is typically infertile. Because nearly every farm relied on mules, families either bred them or purchased them as needed. WhileContinue Reading
Carl’s uncle, S.W., and Alene Amick took Carl to his first movie at the Chapin movie theatre to see a Bing Crosby movie. Our “modern” culture has most people isolated in their homes on Sunday, visiting the TV, and computer screens. However, Sunday afternoons were reserved for visiting familyContinue Reading
By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler Residents in and around Chapin have several opportunities in the coming days to support the community, learn new skills, and get involved with local organizations. Self-Defense Classes for WomenLooking ahead to the new year, SASS Go is offering women’s self-defense classes on February 21, 2026, from 2–4Continue Reading
By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler Christmas lights are beautiful at this time of year, The Spirit of Lake Murray, is offering a cruise on December 21 from 6:30- 8:30 to see the lights on Lake Murray. This cruise will bring an extra special Christmas cheer to the season. The Boarding begins atContinue Reading
By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler Who owned the land in the 1800s that is now the Timberlake area of Chapin? To answer that, let’s journey into the Connelly family history. Rufus Lewie Connelly, born in 1868, grew up during the challenging post-Civil War years, when high taxes and scarcity of food andContinue Reading
By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler Community Events Chapin Theatre: It’s a Wonderful LifeMark your calendar for Chapin Theatre’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life on November 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Harbison Theatre, 700 College Street, Irmo. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Purchase tickets at chapintheatre.org. HolidayContinue Reading
By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler Mrs. Francis Eleazer’s life experiences were typical of daily life in the Dutch Fork. She said they grew corn and wheat to feed their family, as well as hogs and chickens. I recall a farmer showing me seeds for white corn, yellow corn, and “hog corn.” ToContinue Reading
By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler Mark your calendar for Chapin Theatre’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”, for November 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the Harbison Theatre, 700 college street, Irmo. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, visit chapintheatre.org to purchase tickets. For all animal lovers in Chapin, the LexingtonContinue Reading
By Liesha Huffstetler-Wessinger Our modern culture really has no clue what real work looks like. Our forefathers in the bygone days worked harder than we can even imagine. In the old days, running water was found in a river. Water for washing, drinking, and cooking was from a hand-dug wellContinue Reading
I had the privilege of interviewing Francis Eleazer in 2017. She was born in 1926, and her parents were William Walter and Eunice Eargle Eleazer. Her memories echo the stories of many others in the Dutch Fork. She grew up in the Spring Hill area and remembered her and herContinue Reading
By Liesha Huffstetler-Wessinger How did the German immigrants get their land from King George? It was called a “Kings Land Grant, and some of us “1752 locals” know the location our ancestor’s original land grant. A rare few live on that land granted to the family 273 years later. TheyContinue Reading
By Liesha Huffstetler-Wessinger Community Appreciation CookoutAmerican Legion Post 193 will host a Community Appreciation Hot Dog Cookout on Friday, November 8, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Boland Ace Hardware in Chapin. Stop by for free hot dogs and fellowship as the Legion thanks the community for its ongoing support. SCDOTContinue Reading
By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler Your vote counts in the Chapin Town mayor and council election on November 4, 2025. There will be a Chapin Candidate Forum on October 23, from 6-8 pm, at the Chapin American Legion Post 193 at 102 Lexington Avenue. The forum will be moderated by Ms. LillianContinue Reading
By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler Gandy’s letter reveals some interesting information. He mentions John Wesley Lybrand, who moved to Aiken County and became rich. His granddaughter, Willa Lybrand Fulmer married Congressman Hampton Pitts Fulmer of Springfield, in Orangeburg County. When Congressman Fulmer (1875-1944) died in office in 1944, she took over hisContinue 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