Bennett Hotel at Marion Square

Bennett Hotel, Marion Square, Charleston, SC  

Once and awhile when I am marching down King St. I climb the steps to the Francis Marion parking garage and look down to see the progress of the hotel being built in the spot of our old library. After a long period where it didn't seem like much was happening it certainly is now. The hotel is to be nine stories high with a planned opening date of fall 2017.

The article in the Post & Courier does answer one question for me. The old library was built of pink marble and I had wondered where that might show up. It turns out they plan to built the hotel bar out of it.

Post & Courier: “There have been a few delays, so it might be a little bit behind schedule,” he said Thursday. “But when you’re taking a 100-year view, what’s a few months’ difference?”
At the groundbreaking about 18 months ago, he said he was building a structure that would be memorable a century later. The materials include limestone, copper and cypress. The bar being built off the lobby incorporates pink marble that was in the old library.
“This will be the five-star luxury hotel in downtown Charleston,” Bennett said Thursday. “I believe it will be finest hotel ever built in our city, certainly ever built in my lifetime.”

Before view of former library at Marion Square, Charleston, SC   

Beaufain St. bike racks

Beaufain St, bike racks, Beaufain St., Charleston, SC 

Best looking bike racks in Charleston. They are in front of Memminger Auditorium on Beaufain St. I was reminded that the design is the Spoleto festival logo symbol.

It's Friday kids! We made it. I worked like a mad woman all day and made it to crash in my matinee movie. I saw Allied at Citadel Mall movie theater and let the work week wash away.

I don't know how much longer this deal will last but for the time being you can get a Charleston Magazine subscription for $14.95 with the code work CYBER. It was probably a cyber Monday deal but just worked for me a few minutes ago. Thanks Charleston Magazine!

Pumpkin flavored image

Charleston, SC   

Everything is better with pumpkin spice. Right? Not for me but that seems to be the general consensus at this time of year. 

Health Care Heroes

Molly Merryman, Charleston, SC  

One of my favorite events in Charleston is the annual Health Care Heroes recognition event at the Francis Marion Hotel sponsored by the Charleston Regional Business Journal where professionals, nurses, volunteers, engineers and physicians are honored for their extraordinary acts of service and heroism. A couple of years ago they added the Pet Therapy category and this evening Molly our star took the award home.

Molly and her Pet Therapist/owner Jim Merryman go on volunteer rounds at three different hospitals in Charleston. A few years ago the CEO at Mount Pleasant Hospital at that time, came looking for her and led Molly into the Intensive Care Unit - not on the usual route for a therapy dog. Completely out of character for Molly she jumped up on the patient's bed and started licking her face. The patient who had been unresponsive woke up laughing. Well done Molly!

Edit: sorry for all the grammatical errors, kids. I was typing sleepy.

King St. blues

Quarters on King, King St., Charleston, SC  

I have a blue issue. I wear it, eat off it, sit on it. If I am not dressed in blue you know I've exercised very deliberate self control. I can't find a thing in my closet because it is all either blue or black. Naturally this pretty new shade of blue on King St. caught my eye. Hello there! That renovation woke up the corner in a very fine way.

It is the Quarters on King newish boutique hotel. Browse their rooms. Lovely. I expect it costs an arm and a leg but it certainly is attractive and convenient.

A perfect day for a pig roast

Johns Island, SC   

We have had the most glorious weather for our Thanksgiving weekend in the lowcountry and I've had a lovely mix of peaceful relaxation with family and social time with friends. I have much to be thankful for.

Saturday afternoon I was fortunate to be invited to a pig roast on a slice of heaven on Johns Island. Along with many good friends the attendees included writers, photographers, artists, physicians, astronomers, chefs, all sorts of fascinating people and lucky ME. Besides the roasted pig there was a long table full of rice, beans, macaroni and cheese and too many tasty treats to fit on my plate.

Now, the only thing wrong with a four day weekend is that it isn't a four day weekend. Boo.

The hood left me, I'm leaving the hood

33 Woolfe St., Charleston, SC  

I read about the planned move for this historic house on Woolfe St. and walked up to see it for myself. The lonely old house built around 1840 has been gradually surrounded by tall new apartments and hotels. It has been raised on pilings and is ready to hit the road and settle in a more hospitable neighborhood on Amherst St. That would be a sight to see. Sadly I am usually cooped up at work when these interesting things happen during the day time. Happy travels little house!

The house was up on steel beams this week ready for transport. A contractor has agreed to move it to 14 Amherst St. and restore it, King said. He said the land was sold and the house given to somebody who would relocate it. Those plans couldn't immediately be confirmed with the contractor this week.“It looks a lot worse than it is,” King said of the two-story wooden residence. “The frame is so substantial. The materials were so high quality.”neighborhood, he said. Amherst is several blocks east of Meeting Street, near East Bay Street.

We have fall color

Audubon Swamp Walk, Charleston, SC  

We have fall color, who says we don't?

The only thing better than a three day weekend is a four day weekend - yipee! I love waking up without an alarm clock even when I still wake up before the alarm goes off. That way I can lay there and enjoy it not going off.

I started my day at the Arts & Craft festival at Magnolia Plantation to visit my friend Leah's photography booth. Check out her amazing photography here. Then I headed to walk through the Audubon Swamp. I have an annual pass about to expire and need to milk a few more days out of it before I spring for a new one. I spotted a few small gators, ibis and turtles enjoying the sunny day.

Heart walking Folly Beach style

Folly Beach, SC   

I always find happy surprises at the Edge of America. This was on the walk on the far east end towards the Morris Island lighthouse.

Happy Thanksgiving folks! Picture me blowing kisses to all of you!

Picnic time

Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Charleston, SC  

Years ago the miniature ponies ran free in the yard at Magnolia Plantation. My children were little when we had a picnic in this same spot and the ponies came up, tilted our cups over to drink. Their faces were at the level of the table and it was so surprising and delightful to be interrupted by such cute ponies. 

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - St. James Santee Brick Church

St. James Santee Brick Church, Wambaw, SC    

Sometimes I found myself in such amazing situations that I have to pinch myself to make sure it is all real. This evening, thanks to my friend English, I was in this lovely historic church in the woods, with windows and doors flung open listening to four talented gentlemen singing to us. How lucky am I?

The group is called The Charlestones and English's brother William Purcell is one of the singers so we felt we had assumed permission to record some of the performance and sneak towards the door near the end to get better shots. I was kicking myself for not bringing my regular camera and had to make do with my cell phone. They were quite amazing and sang everything from early religious music, spirituals, Broadway and country. Thank you!

About the Brick Church at Wambaw: Although Wambaw Church stands alone on the old King’s Highway among the pines and oaks of the forest, it was once the center of a busy and prosperous community.  North and south along the Santee River were rice plantations whose Carolina rice became famous all over the world and the prosperity of the planters is reflected in the beauty and proportions of Wambaw Church.  The body of the church was built of brick imported from England, but the columns of   the portico were constructed of local wedge-shaped bricks.  The pews were made of hand-pegged cypress, the flagstone floor has withstood the  ravages of two wars and the vaulted ceiling still retains the original plaster work. 
The building had identical porticos until 1852 when the north one was enclosed to form a vestry room.  The Palladian window on the east marks the original chancel which was moved to its present location after the Civil War. Although the pews were removed at that time, they were not damaged and the church was closed until it could be repaired. 
By 1768 when St. James Santee's Wambaw Church was built, many descendants of the original French refugees had intermarried with English settlers.  St. James Santee, though, has always been closely associated with the Huguenot immigrants who first settled the area and has been known variously as “The French Church” and as the “church of the Huguenots.” 

Now, I suppose it is time for Monday? Grrrr.

Lighthouse Hunters - Morris Island

Morris Island Lighthouse, Folly Beach, SC   

I've been checking the lighthouses up and down the coast of South Carolina and Georgia off my list and had neglected to get updated shots of the two in our own backyard, the Morris Island Lighthouse and the one on Sullivan's Island. I took care of that today. Two for one!

We started on on Folly Beach, going to the end of East Atlantic and walking the rest of the way, about 1/4 mile in to the closest beachfront to see the lighthouse. It is a beautiful area with dramatic driftwood and clearly a popular fishing spot. The Save the Light organization is dedicating to preserving and restoring the lighthouse and recently worked to have the light actually lit to celebrate it's 140 anniversary. 

Built in 1767 at the southern entrance to Charleston, the original tower was destroyed during the Civil War. The new tower, built in 1876, stands 161 ft. with 201 steps leading to its top. The beacon was extinguished in 1962. The red and white striped tower is visible from James Island as well as Folly Beach.

Looking across the harbor we could see the Sullivan's Island lighthouse blinking at us and headed there for the afternoon and a luncheon date with a dear friend. A worthwhile day indeed!

Charleston doors

Charleston doors, Nunan St., Charleston, SC 

I believe I have enough images to do my own alternative Doors of Charleston poster. These finds are on Nunan St. I love the textured blue in the shot above and below is one of Shepard Fairey's images.

Sad tree loss

Adam Bennett tree down, Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC   

I had read about the loss of this grand tree during Hurricane Matthew but it hit me fresh when I had to walk around it on a recent visit to Magnolia Plantation Gardens. Here is the story as told by the Post & Courier:

Magnolia Plantation lost the Adam Bennett tree, a huge oak near the Drayton family tomb in the center of the garden. The tree is 4 feet across and snapped off near the ground, according to Tom Johnson, the director of gardens. Fortunately, it didn’t fall on the tomb.

Adam Bennett was a slave who oversaw the gardens. He stayed behind when the family fled to Flat Rock, N.C., as Union troops approached. According to the stories, soldiers tied him to the tree and threatened to hang him when he refused to tell them where the family silver was buried. They let him live and burned down the house. Supposedly, he walked all the way to Flat Rock to tell the family the news.

Mr. Bennett walked from Charleston all the way to Flat Rock, North Carolina to let his slave owners know their silver was safe from the Union troops. By my calculations he walked 245 miles.

I do admit to sneaking a look around the uprooted stump just in case any forgotten silver had been buried there. No luck.

St. Francis of Magnolia Plantation

Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Charleston, SC    

It is a crisp and cool day but perfect for a walk. The Horticultural Symposium was in progress at Magnolia Plantation this weekend and after exploring that I walked through the gardens. The azaleas and camellias made a colorful show.

St. Francis has always been tucked away in a peaceful spot but the little structure behind him is new and caught my eye.