South Carolina Drive In Movies

Scattered T-storms
High: 92 F                              Low: 74 F
Chance of Rain: 50%             Humidity: 58-83%

Up until a few months ago I haven't been to a drive in movie since I was a little kid. We have been going with our friends to the Big Mo Drive In lately. I have always known they were a dying form of entertainment but never really gave it any thought. I want to commend the people who have revitalized this American past time! As a little girl I do remember being at the North 52 Drive In in North Charleston sitting on top of the car with my blanket and popcorn. These are the memories that have recently came back to me with hanging out with our friends at the drive in.

Movies have turned into being squeezed into multiple little rooms with cellphone lights and people talking all for revenue. If you have checked the prices of tickets lately with snacks it can be costly for a family! If this isn't for you then maybe a drive in will be.

For our recent trip to the Big Mo Drive In this past Friday we all arrived around 6pm. You may think that is early as my husband did since the first showing doesn't start till after dusk. We usually meet for dinner somewhere first but to get a decent parking spot it was decided to arrive early and bring a dinner of subs, chips, sodas, snacks, and cookies! We sat around ate dinner, chatted about our lives and upcoming vacation,  and people watched.

There are all ages and groups of people: families, couples, teenagers, and friends. Never have we noticed any issues and sometimes if you listen you can't hear anything but the movie! We watch people who have brought light weight sofas for the back of their truck, air mattresses to lay on, and many other comfortable neat ideas. We just sit in fold up chairs and kick our feet up on coolers. 

The Big Mo Drive In is located at 5822 Columbia Highway Monetta, SC 29105 which is about halfway between N. Augusta and Columbia. This drive in was opened April 30, 1951 and closed in 1986. It was reopened in March 1999 and has been opened since. It is opened Friday and Saturday nights, has three screens, concession stand and bathrooms. The movies are just as new as the theaters and it cost $8.00 per person for a double feature. This past weekend we seen World War Z and Man of Steel.

In South Carolina there are only 3 operating drive in theaters: The Big Mo (Monetta, SC), Highway 21 Drive In (Beaufort, SC), and 25 Drive In (Greenwood, SC). 

By supporting the local drive ins you are support local family businesses. Most of the revitalization efforts have been made by owners who run it as a family business.

DRIVE IN FACTS
Do you know when the first drive in opened?  June 6, 1933 in Camden, New Jersey by Richard Hollingshed. It cost $0.25 for the car and $0.25 for each person.

The largest drive in recorded was the All-Weather Drive In in Copiague, NY. It capacity was 2,500 parking spaces and 1,200 seated viewing. There are two smallest drive ins on record whose capacity was 50 parking spaces each. One was Harmony Drive In in Harmony, PA and Highway Drive In in Bamberg, SC.


See you at the movies!

Nichole

Movies Filmed in South Carolina

Strong evening storms
High: 95 F                              Low: 72 F
Chance of Rain: 50%             Humidity: 41-67%

Do you know what movies have been filmed in South Carolina?

The gorgeous scenery that South Carolina has to offer gives a natural landscape to movies. South Carolina has been embracing the movie industry for the past few years to contribute to our state and communities. There are numerous topographical areas in South Carolina that can benefit film makers: swamp, beach, plantation architecture, mountains, rivers, woods, waterfalls, lakes, historic grounds, and many more!

The beautiful landscape of South Carolina not only offers rich backdrops by weather that can permit for filming all year round!

Before you view the list of movies filmed in South Carolina, see how many you can name. Some on the list may surprise you and make you want to watch the movie again to see it for yourself!

108 Stitches (2001) Columbia  
1969 (1988) Hardeeville
The Abyss (1989) Gaffney  
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995) Edisto Island, Green Pond  
Angel Camouflaged (2010) Bowens Island Restaurant (James Island), Folly Beach  
Animals and the Tollkeeper (1998) Beaufort County, Edisto Island, Varnville  
The Arizona Bandit (1920) North Augusta

    NOTE: The film was never released. Most likely due to its leading man being arrested.

Asylum (2008)Winthrop University, Rock Hill, York  
The Battle of Aiken (2005) Aiken, Edgefield  
The Bay (2010) Georgetown  
The Big Chill (1983) Beaufort  
Black Rainbow (1989) Rock Hill  
The Boyfriend School (1990) - "Don't Tell Her It's Me" Charleston 
The Break (1995) Charleston 
Buy Sell Kill: A Flea Market Story (2004) Anderson  
C.E.O. (2002) Camden, Columbia  
Campfire Tales (1991) Columbia, Hunting Island  
Chasers (1994) Charleston, Mt Pleasant, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Yemassee  
Chattahoochee (1989) Columbia  
Chill Factor (1999) Liberty  
Cold Mountain (2003) Charleston  
Come Away Home (2005) Hilton Head  
Consenting Adults (1992) Berkeley County, Charleston  
The Corndog Man (1999) Charleston area  
Coupe de Ville (1990) Anderson, Greenville, Spartanburg  
Cousin of Sleep (2001) Charleston  
Crinoline Head (1995) Columbia  
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (2002) Charleston  
Date with a Kidnapper (1976) Fort Mill, Rock Hill  
Daughters of the Dust (1991) St Helena Island  
Days of Thunder (1990) Darlington 
Dear John (2010) Cassina Point Plantation (Edisto Island), Charleston, Charleston Air Force Base, The Citadel, College of Charleston, Folly Beach, Harleyville, Isle of Palms, James Island, Sullivan's Island  
Death Sentence (2007) Columbia  
Deceiver (1997) Charleston  
Deliverance (1972) Chatooga River, Lake Jocassee  
Desperation Highway (1998) South Carolina  
Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) Berkeley County, Dorchester, Charleston 
Don't Make Waves (1967) Myrtle Beach  
Don't Tell Her It's Me (1990) - "The Boyfriend School" Charleston  
The Double McGuffin (1979) Charleston  
Final Exam (1981) Limestone College 
Finding Jack Kerouac (2002) Greenville 
Folly Island (2001) Charleston, Folly Beach  
For the Boys (1991) The Citadel  
Forces of Nature (1999) Beaufort, Dillon  
Forrest Gump (1994) Beaufort, Fripp Island, Pritchardville, Yemassee, Varnville, Walterboro  
The Fugitive (1993) Beaufort  
Full Metal Jacket (1987) Parris Island 
G.I Jane (1997) Beaufort  
The Ghost Club (2003) Chester  
Gone Fishin' (1997) Beaufort, Jasper County  
The Great Santini (1979) Beaufort  
A Guy Named Joe (1943) Columbia Army Air Base  
Hard Feelings (1982) Sullivan's Island 
Heart of Midnight (1988) Charleston  
The In Crowd (2000) Charleston  
The Jackal (1997) Charleston, Colleton County, Dorchester County, Summerville  
The Jungle Book (1994) Beaufort, Fripp Island  
Last Dance (1996) Beaufort, Ridgeland, Clarendon County, Jasper County  
The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) Beaufort, Bluffton, Charleston, Hilton Head, Kiawah Island  
Leatherheads (2008) Calhoun Hotel (Anderson), Ware Shoals High School (Greenwood), Greenville  
Leo (2002) Charleston  
The Lincoln Conspiracy (1977) Fort Pulaski 
A Line in the Sand (2006) Columbia  
Little Red Wagon (2010) Charleston  
Little Senegal (2001) Charleston  
Lolita (1997) South Carolina  
The Longest Yard (1974) Hilton Head  
The Lords of Discipline (1983) Charleston  
Made in Heaven (1987) Charleston, Georgetown, Quimby Creek (Berkeley County)  
Major League: Back to the Minors (1998) College Park, Remley's Point, Joe Riley Stadium (Charleston County), Mirmow Field (Orangeburg County)  
Midnight Cabaret (2012) Columbia, Greenville, Pacolet, Pickens  
The Midnight Man (1974) Anderson, Clemson  
Modern Love (1990) Columbia Moonshine Mountain (1964) Bullock Creek  
New Best Friend (2002) Charleston  
The Notebook (2004) Rice Hope/Black River Plantation (Georgetown County), Boone Hall Plantation (Mount Pleasant), Charleston, College of Charleston, Cypress Gardens (Moncks Corner), Edisto Island, North Charleston, Old Village (Mount Pleasant), Wadmalaw Island  
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) Lake City O (2001) Charleston  
An Occasional Hell (1996) College of Charleston's Stern Center (Charleston)  
Other Voices, Other Rooms (1995) Charleston, Edisto Island  
Paradise (1991) Charleston, Georgetown, McClellanville  
The Patriot (2000) Botany Bay Plantation (Edisto Island), Brattonsville, Charleston, Cypress Gardens   (Moncks Corner), Darby Farm (Chester County), Fort Lawn, Lowrys, Mansfield Plantation (Georgetown County), Middleton Place Plantation (Dorchester County), Rock Hill  
Peg of the Pirates (1918) Charleston  
A Perfect World (1993) Beaufort  
The Philadelphia Experiment (1984) Charleston  
Pied Piper Malone (1924) Georgetown  
The Prince of Tides (1991) Beaufort, Charleston, Fripp Island  
The Program (1993) Columbia Radio (2003) Anderson, Walterboro  
The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999) Rock Hill  
Reap the Wild Wind (1942) Charleston  
Red Runs the River (1963) Greenville  
Renaissance Man (1994) Fort Jackson  
The Rest of Your Life (2005) Chester  
Rich in Love (1993) Charleston, Mount Pleasant  
Ripe (1996) Aiken  
Rules of Engagement (2000) Hunting Island  
Satisfaction (1988) Charleston, Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island  
Shag (1989) Florence, Georgetown, Myrtle Beach 
Sheffey (1977) Spartanburg, Epsworth  
Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) Abbeville, Clinton, Spartanburg, near Waterloo  
Something to Talk About (1995) Beaufort, Gillionsville  
Staying Together (1989) Columbia, Ridgeway  
The Strangers (2008) Florence 
Strike the Tent (2005) Columbia  
Swamp Thing (1982) Charleston area 
Swimming (2000) Georgetown, Myrtle Beach  
That Darn Cat (1997) Aiken, Edgefield, North Augusta  
Thunder in Carolina (1960) Darlington  
Trucker's Woman (1975) Florence, Society Hill  
The Ultimate Gift (2006) South Carolina 
Under Cover (1987) Charleston 
Voodoo Dawn (1990) - "Strange Turf" Oakely and Strawberry (Berkeley County), Charleston County Walker Payne (2006) Camden, Gaffney, Inman  
The War (1994) Beaufort  
White Squall (1996) Beaufort, Charleston 
 Who's Your Caddy? (2007) Aiken  
Wild America (1997) Jasper County  
Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken (1991) Elloree, Myrtle Beach, Orangeburg, Singleton Plantation  
Yesterday (1981) Parris Island

Happy movie watching!

Nichole

 

SC Travel: Lake Murray

T-Showers
High: 78 F                               Low: 70 F
Chance of Rain: 90%              Humidity: 77-86%

Today is a little cooler in the air as Tropical Storm Andrea is going to give South Carolina some precipitation for the next few days.

One of our most relaxing vacations was renting a house on Lake Murray for a week. Prior to knowing we would be moving to the Columbia area we wanted a different vacation and something relaxing. We always went to either the beach of the mountains and decided to head to the middle of the state for some lake fun.

 
In August 2009 we rented a three bedroom house on the Newberry County side of the lake for 5 of us and our 2 dogs. The house was on a quiet cove that we pretty much had to ourselves for the whole week. The property had a small fishing boat available that would hold 3 comfortably, paddle boat, outside deck and grill, lake dock with gazebo, cable and Wi-Fi. 

The biggest questions we had to ask ourselves each day was "Do we want to fish or swim?" or "What are we cooking for dinner." We found out that our male dog LOVED the water. He would swim across the cove from sun up to sun down, and we would have to force him to rest. 

We did rent a pontoon boat for one day and went into the open waters of the Lake. Big tip bring your car GPS with you if the boat doesn't have one and log in your pick up spot. We didn't and got lost on the big lake. We finally made it back within minutes of the rental due time.

Some boat rental places will also bring the boat to your dock if you want to pay for the service.

The 48,000 acre Lake Murray was created by building the Dreher Shoals Dam that was completed back in 1930. The lake currently supplies energy to SCE&G. When completed it was the largest power reservoir and Dreher Shoals Dam was the  largest earthen dam in the world. The lake includes 5 South Carolina counties and covers 500 miles of shoreline.

At Lake Murray you go boat, ski, paddle boat, paddle board, fish, swim, tour, camp, and many other activities. So grab the family, friends and gear and head to the middle of the state for a laid back vacation!

Lake Murray websites
Lake Murray Fun
Lake Murray-SC

Lodging
Lake Murray Vacation Rentals
Vacation Rental by Owner

Lake Murray Public Parks

Lake Murray Tours

Share any of your Lake Murray experiences with us!


Nichole

Boiled Peanuts: What's the big deal?

T-Storms
High: 82 F                                 Low: 71 F
Chance of Rain: 80%              Humidity: 86%

The weekend of Memorial Day and our son PJ's high school graduation we had my sister-in-laws in town from Pennsylvania. Yes I married a non-southerner. My husband now professes that he has lived in South Carolina most of his life so he is a southerner. 

We enjoyed spending time with them and always love taking them to southern spots and eating southern cuisine. This trip we tried to get items off their list of collards, shrimp-n-grits, fried green tomatoes, and to re-try "bald" peanuts.

My husband loves "bald" peanuts and his sister wanted to try them one more time to see what the big deal is. For those who don't know what "bald" peanuts are, they are boiled peanuts. We just have a one syllable way of pronouncing things in the south!

Boiled peanuts in the south can be traced back to the African culture. Other names for them include "groundnuts" or "goobers" which is the adaptation of the Gullah language word "nguba" meaning peanut. This delicacy is a staple of southern culture as much as okra, fried green tomatoes, collard greens, pork bbq, and black eyed peas.

Almeda Lambert receives the credit for the first written recipe back in 1899. Kids were know to sell bags of boiled peanuts on the street for 5 cents each as a snack. Due to the history and the consumption of the boiled peanut in South Carolina, former Governor Mark Sanford signed a bill on May 1, 2006 making boiled peanuts the official snack food of South Carolinians.

For a basic recipe you retrieve some raw or "green" peanuts. The peanut is actually part of the legume or bean family, and most people prefer the Valencia type for their recipes. 

Basic Recipe
2 lbs green peanuts
2 gallons of water
1 C of salt
1 large pot or crock pot for smaller recipes

Directions
Place all ingredients into pot and boil for about 45 minutes. Try one after 45 minutes and if it still has crunch to it, continue to boil until no crunch left. NOTE: If doing a small recipes cook in a crock pot on low for about 24 hours! 

Cajun Recipe - Let's spice it up!
1 lb green peanuts
2 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning
2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
1/4 C salt

Place all ingredients in large crock pot with water to cover. Cook on low for 24 hours!

Boiled peanuts contain 4x more antioxidants then raw or roasted peanuts.

In South Carolina you will see road vendors throughout the state selling their recipes on the side of the road. Next time you see one if you haven't tried them, stop say hi and get you a bag!

Each August their is the SC Peanut Party in Pelion, SC where you can try all sort of peanut recipes!
 

Nichole

South Carolina: State Facts

Partly Cloudy
High: 90 F                                Low: 71 F
Chance of Rain: 20%              Humidity: 65%- 81%


Each state has it's own facts and of course we must highlight South Carolina's for the release of our blog. The purpose of this blog is to enlighten everyone on the facts, travel, things to do, business, recipes, and more on our beloved state. If you have a community story or history tidbit you would like to share let us know.

South Carolina was the 8^th state in the US; it became a state on May 23, 1788

State Abbreviation - SC
State Capital - Columbia
Largest City - Columbia
Area - 32,007 square miles [South Carolina is the 40th biggest state in the US]
Population - 4,561,242 (as of 2010) [South Carolina is the 24th most populous state in the US]  
Name for Residents - South Carolinians  
Major Industries - farming (tobacco, soybeans), textiles, manufacturing chemicals, processed foods, machinery, electronics, paper products, tourism 
Presidential Birthplace - Andrew Jackson was born in Waxhaw (he was the 7th US President)  
Major Rivers - Santee River, Edisto River, Savannah River  
Major Lakes - Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, Lake Murray, Hartwell Lake  
Highest Point - Sassafras Mountain - 3,560 feet (1,085 m) above sea level
Number of Counties - 46 
Origin of the Name South Carolina - South Carolina was named to honor King Charles I  
State Nickname - Palmetto State 
State Motto - "Dum Spiro Spero" - While I breathe, I hope
State Song - Carolina
State Bird - Carolina Wren
State Game Bird - Wild Turkey
State Animal - Whitetail deer
State Butterfly - Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
State Insect - Carolina Mantid
State Fish - Striped Bass
State Dog - Boykin Spaniel
State Reptile - Loggerhead turtle
State Spider - Carolina wolf spider
State Amphibian - Spotted salamander
State Shell - Lettered Olive
State Flower - Yellow Jessamine
State Tree - Sabal Palmetto
State Fruit - Peach
State Gemstone - Amethyst
State Beverage - Milk
State Hospitality Beverage - Iced Tea
State Dance - Shag

Hope you enjoyed today's state facts!

Nichole

Southern Hospitality: Colleton County School District

Scattered T-Storms
High: 85 F                                 Low: 69 F
Chance of Rain: 40%              Humidity: 62%- 83%

We always hear the term "Southern Hospitality" used in the southern states. Most visitors relate the term to travels such as the way they are greeted at a hotel, restaurant, or local attraction. If you aren't being received with hospitality at a travel location in the south that business is not embracing you with the customer service that should be exemplified in the southern states. It is a part of the experience to bring you back!

There was a news report yesterday here in South Carolina that defined the true meaning of "Southern Hospitality" and makes me proud to be apart of this born and raised heritage. I wanted to share this with you to give you the other side to "Southern Hospitality" that we possess and outsiders don't see.

Yesterday there was a group of high school band students traveling back from Disney World in Florida. They were on their way back to Ohio looking forward to the summer and excited about the performance they just completed at Disney World. One of the charter buses ran off the side of the road and crashed in the Colleton County area of South Carolina. The bus driver was killed and a few others sent to the hospital.

In those moments you have parents, teenagers, and staff on the side of the road and not knowing what to do. You don't plan for these things to happen on school trips. Right out the gate Colleton County School District sent out school buses to pick them up and bring them to the Colleton County Medical Center cafeteria to make sure they were all unharmed and ensure they were fed. The local Colleton County High School school superintendent, band director and band members went to the medical center to assist. On a Sunday the faculty, students, and community banded together to assist others in a time of need. 

Southern Hospitality is not only the welcoming of others or strangers, but even when resources are limited, as they are with our school districts, it is based on the principle of sharing those resources whether they are limited or not. Colleton County School District and community is to be commended for showing others what "Southern Hospitality" truly means!

Nichole 

SC Legal Definition on Local Seafood Law

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High: 89 F                                 Low: 68 F
Chance of Rain: 10%                Humidity: 53%- 78%

House passes bill defining local seafood - WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports

The South Carolina State House has pass a bill that would make it illegal for businesses to advertise "local" seafood in South Carolina unless the seafood is harvested off the coast of South Carolina, North Carolina or Georgia.