Dr. Homeboy. My Hero

Dr. Alonzo McClennan, Charleston, S.C.

He isn't exactly my homeboy but he is my hero and he lived and practiced medicine in my home. I spotted a notice in the paper that Dr. Alonzo McClennan was to be remembered with a new plaque in front of the address that used to house the hospital he founded on Cannon St. Besides the mayor and assorted Medical University dignitaries I was one of the few white faces in attendance. I was tempted to claim to be a great, great, great niece but was honored enough to be able to say, "I live in his house."

Alonzo Clifton McClennan, MD was born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1855. He attended public school there, and in 1873 was appointed to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. After four months he resigned from the academy and studied at Wilberham Academy in Massachusetts and the University of South Carolina. He graduated with honors from Howard University in Washington, DC, receiving degrees both from the School of Pharmacy and the School of Medicine. Dr. McClennan moved to Charleston in 1884 and established the first Negro drug store. In 1897 he spearheaded the drive to fund and staff the Hospital and Training School for Nurses, which he served as medical director,instructor of surgical nursing, and surgeon in charge until his death in 1912. His son, Ridley U. McClennan, MD, also served as a medical director of the Hospital.

Known as a severe disciplinarian and occasional dictator, Dr. Alonzo McClennan posessed admirable surgical skill and unquestioned devotion to his hospital staff and his community. The good he accomplished for both earned their loyalty and respect.

In those days, of course he wouldn't have been able to admit his patients to a hospital so used the basement of the house as his clinic. At that time it had an entrance from the street.

I have a letter from his great great grand daughter who remembered the house having mahogany staircases before it was chopped up into apartments. Then because of this blog, I was contacted by young descendants of his in New York who were delighted to know there was still a Charleston connection. I wish I had known about the event early enough to invite them down. They would have been the guests of honor.

After the speeches and official photo ops people who had worked at the Cannon St. Hospital and folks who had been born there posed for pictures.

Somewhere in Europe

Perry Family Travels

Hmmmm....where do you think this is? The photo next to it looks like Vienna but these old slides were not labeled. Does anyone recognize the landmark?

I am the shorty in the back row. Yes. There were eight of us.

Edit: I added this second view clearly taken on the same day. Vienna!

Saturday Night Funny

King St., Charleston, S.C.

A man with a winking problem is applying for a position as a sales representative for a large firm. The interviewer looks over his papers and says, "This is phenomenal. You've graduated from the best schools; your recommendations are wonderful, and your experience is unparalleled.

"Normally, we'd hire you without a second thought. However, a sales representative has a highly visible position, and we're afraid that your constant winking will scare off potential customers. I'm sorry....we can't hire you."

"But wait," he said. "If I take two aspirin, I'll stop winking!"

"Really? Great! Show me!"

So the applicant reaches into his jacket pocket and begins pulling out all sorts of condoms: red condoms, blue condoms, ribbed condoms, flavored condoms; finally, at the bottom, he finds a packet of aspirin. He tears it open, swallows the pills, and stops winking.

"Well," said the interviewer, "that's all well and good, but this is a respectable company, and we will not have our employees womanizing all over, the country!"

"Womanizing? What do you mean? I'm a happily married man!"

"Well then, how do you explain all these condoms?"

"Oh, that," he sighed. "Have you ever walked into a pharmacy, winking, and asked for aspirin?"

Joke snitched from Misscellania who always has the funniest stuff.

Earthquake in New Zealand

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Today's photo is of the blossoms framing the shell house at Ashley Hall School on Rutledge Ave. on my walk this morning but what was in my mind was this note I got about the earthquake in New Zealand. I had paid close attention to it because my brother Bob and wife Elaine had just posted their safe arrival home from a holiday there. I was so relieved to see that they were safe.

Dear Joan:

My name is Paul Freeman. I am part owner of a very small Painting/finishing company in North Charleston. The reason for me in contacting you is to ask you if you have been watching any of the news coverage on the horrible Quake which struck the city and region Of Christ Church New Zealand.

I was wondering if your organization has or will contact the stricken people of that town and is your specialized talents are of any use to them at this time of need. I have a friend who lives in Dunedin NZ a town south of The region hit by the quake. As a result of my friendship with this person I have had personal contact on all the going on's in the wake of this horrible event. I remember all the wonderful work you have done and was wondering if you can or are able to help these people. I am attaching a link to a volunteer group started by students at a university in ChristChurch which may be able to help you direct any help you may be able to give them.

Thank you for your attention to this.

Paul is right. These folks can use our help now. The first link is to a local student army of volunteers who are posting needs on Facebook so you can see exactly what is going on. The second link is for donations to the Red Cross in New Zealand which I expect is what they need most from us now. Thanks Paul!

UC Student Volunteer Army

Red Cross New Zealand

Cruze-arati Mike at the Lowcountry Oyster Roast

Nicole from Big Fuel, sent me the link to Mike from the Cruze-arati for Chevrolet link at the Lowcountry Oyster Fest oyster eating contest at Boone Hall. It looks like he cruises the country in a Chevrolet and participates in local activities. I have never gone to the Oyster Fest and didn't really know how an oyster eating contest was run. Yikes. They slurp down raw oysters from a cup. Uuuugh. Don't believe I could have any part of that.

Part 1 of the series from the Oyster Roast is here. Jamie Westendorf even has a starring role in this one.

Before& After - East Bay St.

East Bay St., Charleston, S.C.

Another one of my favorite old ruins renovated without my permission. These folks did a lovely job so I can't hold it against them. ;)

I've been here, I've been there, I've been everywhere this week. I held my annual "gathering of the clans" training meetings for hospital volunteers. Just FYI, my volunteers at Roper St. Francis Healthcare did over 88,000 hours of service in 2010. Pretty impressive group of people. They don't like to come to meetings though, so I stoop to bribing them by promising desserts and door prizes. Heheh.

I don't like going to meetings myself but spent all day in Columbia doing just that. I sat there squirming knowing I should have offered to serve as President or sumthin' this year but whenever someone mentions the word "bylaws" I lapse into a coma and my eyes roll back in my head. I consider that a handicap. I try to pull my weight by taking all their photos. I think I deserve dessert and a door prize myself.

It's the weekend kids!

You might be a Faith Blogger if......

Anson St., Charleston, S.C.

Faith bloggers seem to be one of the fastest growing group of bloggers. I've posted this before but I still get a kick out of this list of clues that you might be a Faith Blogger.

You might be a faith blogger if…

* if you sit in the back row of the church because that's where the wifi signal is the strongest
* if your sermons allow both comments and trackbacks
* if you tithe through a widget
* if you think committing the original sin is getting tempted by the latest Apple
* if you pray that God will allow you to upload your photo to the Lamb’s Book of Life
* if your prayers are less than 140 characters because that's all Twitter allows
* if you ever wonder why the domain of Satan doesn’t have its own URL
* if you think Jesus’ command to Peter to “Feed my sheep” was to allow RSS syndication
* if you think streams in the desert is a blog from Las Vegas

. . . then you just might be a faith-blogger!

Tuesday Blog Hopping

King St., Charleston, S.C.

People do amazing things. Page-Fortyseven describes donating bone marrow.

Lisa shares Charleston Treasures, a new blog glorying in the beauty that is the Lowcountry.

Doug did a great write up on quaint Guerin's Drug Store in Summerville.

Sweet Caroline is inviting votes on her bridesmaid's dresses.

A Space Apart does a round up on dog friendly beaches in the Lowcountry.

Everyone seems to be out enjoying this beautiful weather!

John C. takes a stroll

John C. Calhoun, Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

The story goes that the statue of John C. Calhoun was so understandably hated by the black folk in Charleston that they deliberately carried things with them to toss when they walked by. Eventually it was raised on a pedestal overlooking Marion Square as it is now.

I don't go as far as throwing things at him but I do like to feature him in comical poses when there is a festival in town. Take that, Ye Defender of Slavery.

Meet your future Neurosurgeon

SCRUBS "U", Charleston, S.C.

Meet your future Neurosurgeons. If I ever need brain surgery, and odds are I might - I should know the right people! This particular career session was held by special request by students who had an interest in neurosurgery. There is nothing, I tell ya, nothing, as much fun as teaching people who are excited about learning.

Thanks to the operating room staff at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital for a most excellent evening.

FYI: If you know a student between the ages of 13 - 15, who is a blood thirsty health-care-working wanna be, do suggest that they consider applying to the SCRUBS summer camp. Application packets available by calling 402-2273.

WMI Walk for Water

Eldoret, Kenya

Water Missions International will hold their third Walk for Water on March 19th at Cannon Park in downtown Charleston. Three years ago my hospital raised the money to install one of their water purification systems for the Plateau Mission Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya and I was fortunate to go to document the commissioning ceremony.

We've kept in touch with the hospital - raised money to renovate their maternity ward, sent books to the local school and received letters from the doctor letting us know what a difference clean pure water has made to the hospital admissions. It was one of the coolest things I have ever been part of.

You can be part of it too! Think about joining the Walk for Water in some way. Register to participate, raise some funds or sponsor a walker. What makes more sense than clean water?

Water Missions International is based right here in Charleston on Savannah Highway and welcomes visitors to tour their warehouse where volunteers are busy putting together the purification systems. Consider yourself invited!

Sermon on the door

King St., Charleston, S.C.

A door shot from my door album. Probably painted over by now. Gotta be quick with the camera.

I came home, made a yummy guacamole salad, found my corner of the couch and nodded off. Zzzzz. It wasn't easy to wake up and go for my march about town but I did it. The weekends are so very sweet lately and then Monday comes and I drive to work thinking of the week ahead and wondering how the heck I am going to squeeze everything in. I put a good dent in the list today. Check, check, check. Busy days, good days.

I need recommendations of good tv shows. I love having something to look forward to and doesn't seem to be anything that I care about right now. Mad Men is off season and Big Love is getting so crazy. What are you all enjoying?

Ovis Hill Farms Barn Raising

Lowndes Grove, Charleston, S.C.

Friends, happy children with hoola hoops, oysters, chefs, music and delicious food on the beautiful property of Lowndes Grove Plantation on the banks of the Ashley River - can you think of anything more perfect? Chef Nico Romo and Patrick Properties hosted this fundraiser for the owner of Ovis Farm's to help rebuild the farmer's barn after a fire.

Ovis Hill Farms Barn Raising: Ovis Hill Farms supplies lots of beef, lamb, eggs, and dairy products to our area chefs. Or at least they did until farmer Charlie Caldwell’s barn burned in December, and he lost 500 of his animals.

It’s already a struggle to make a living farming the land and raising cows, sheep, and chickens, so when a disaster of this magnitude strikes, it can be hard for a farmer to recover. To make sure he can rebuild, the Charleston food community is rallying together for a barn-raising. The goal is to raise $20,000 to rebuild his barn and repopulate his livestock.

It was a treat to see so many familiar faces enjoying the afternoon. Thanks to Randall Goldman and all of the chefs and volunteers they surpassed their goal. Well done! Makes me proud to be part of this community. There were more professional photographers than I at the event (hi Jason!) but I added a few more photos to this album.

First Blossoms

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

Wow! What a happy sight. This was what welcomed me as I walked through Marion Square this morning. Heaven.

Breakfast with the family

Charleston, S.C.

I can spend weekends with family even when they are thousands of miles away. Thanks to my brother Roger and Kathy Perry for the cool teapot and mug. It is my favorite mug and I love the teapot!

Wildlife Walking

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

I usually have lots of cute wildlife photos from an early morning walk on South Eastern Wildlife Expo weekend but I was later this morning and by the time I got out the crowds were almost claustrophobic. They expected about 30,000 in attendance and I believe at least that many bumped into me.

The Wildlife Exposition often hits a chilly and rainy weekend but today is the most glorious day we've had in a long time and on the first warm and sunny days of the year, college students strip down to scraps of bathing suits and lay in Marion Square. It is a tradition that wasn't going to stop just because there was barely a square foot of empty park space. Some of the gentlemen in attendance were clearly having a hard time deciding which wildlife they should be paying attention to.

I had to be out of my house between 12 - 2 so I squeezed my way in between the crowds and ended my walk with a bowl of green curry at Little Thai Too on King St. Yum. Now I am thinking it might be nap time.

Last February - Snowman at the Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park, Charleston, S.C.

This was the scene at the Waterfront Park when we had a fairy tale snowfall in Charleston last February. What a fun day that was!

In fact, looking back, it was the Wildlife Exposition weekend.

Thursday Hodge Podge

Charleston, S.C.

I am supposed to be housecleaning, so here we are....

Checking my blog statistics I see that someone landed on my site after searching for the words: "proper language in a church setting in lieu of pissed off". I hope I was helpful :)

So much going on this weekend, what shall we do, what shall we do?

This looks good and the price is right:



Sunday afternoon: Orvis Hill Barn Raising



Southeastern Wildlife Festival Exhibition goes on all weekend of course.

The ever energetic Prisca has started a Zumba class on Wednesday afternoons from 5:30 - 6:30 at the Jewish Community Center gym. No membership required. $5 a class. You can hang out in the back row with the uncoordinated folks like me ;). Heheh.

In blogger news, Jared Smith, one of the early Charleston blogging group is getting married while Heather Solos at Home-Ec 101 has a book coming out! How exciting!

Pecha Kucha tickets are on sale for the February 24th event.

My house still hasn't cleaned it's self. Sigh.

Holy Tree

North Charleston, S.C.

Who can explain this?

I know, I know, I need to post some pretty Charleston mansions. I have! I will! But who can resist a tree painted like this?

Good day I hope. Sunshine, birds singing, billowy clouds, mint Areo chocolate bars at Publix. Who can ask for anything more? Long may it last!

Back-roads S.C.

How well do you know South Carolina? These are from my older back-roads album. This is state with a surprise around every bend.

My Dream Camera Bag

This would solve a lot! Wowza! I wouldn't end up wearing a black backpack at an evening event that I hoped to sneak a few photos at. Very cool.

Sadly it is $320 worth of coolness so not in this week's budget but definitely on the master list. Check out ona bags for their other stylish camera bags.

Edit:
Thanks to your kind comments I now am aware of some other dream camera bags:

Lola from epiphanie bags. They have a couple of versions but I'll take the Lola in black. Thanks.

From Jo-Toese, here is another sweetie: Rose. Nice!

Bike Guide Markings

Bike Parking, Calhoun St., Charleston, S.C.

Charleston Moves reported on the new bike lanes or bike markings on Chapel St. They are being called "bike guide markings" because they aren't quite wide enough for the definition of bike lanes. It reminded me of these creative bike markings I once found on Calhoun St.

Mayor Riley himself made the announcement at Chapel Street Fountain Park, even though workmen not far from him were actually painting the stripes. He hailed it as a major advance for the city and hinted at more to come. He specifically mentioned his plan to rededicate one of four northbound lanes on the Legare Bridge over the Ashley River to pedestrians and bicyclists. (That lane even now is used principally as one of two turn lanes leading to southbound Lockwood Boulevard.)

Go Charleston. Get all bike friendly with your old self. Maybe my daughter will move back from Portland.

Bike lanes and work on the flooded streets - ya think our mayor is running for re-election? Let's grab some improvements while the grabbing is good.

Miss Charleston shares Valentine's Fun

I am always amazed at the delight a pretty girl with a tiara and sash can bring, but she does! Valarie Kobrovsky - Miss Charleston USA was an honorary volunteer at the hospital for Valentine's Day and I get such a kick out watching people brighten up and reach out to her. She graciously passed out candy treats (valentine fortune cookies), judged the cupcake contest, shared hugs and posed for pictures all over the hospital and she did it in three inch heels!

Thanks Valarie - you made a lot of people happy today. Valarie is nearing the end of her year long reign as Miss Charleston and we'll soon be seeing her as the Wrangler Jeans model. Thanks to Randall Dukes for making the connection for us!