As a child I never stopped to embrace the sites, smells, lifestyles, and history of South Carolina. With age I have now done a lot of reflection on the things in life that are important to me and give me purpose.
In the south, FAMILY comes first and too many people now are working their way through life not realizing the impact of family, and that family is now taken for granted.
I was born and raised in the Charleston area, with a brief time away as a child. I graduated from R.B. Stall High School. My parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews live in the Charleston area and my husband and I reside in Columbia, SC. I have a step-son who just graduated high school this week. In my family that includes our dogs, Amber and Klaus, and our cat, Irmo.
I was passed down with my grandmother's (Poppie) workaholic gene, as all the other women in our family also received. We don't know how to not work whether is be at a job or at home. Poppie was always working on something whether it was sewing, crafts, yard work, gardening, or taking care of others. I use to wonder why she never slowed down. It was because that is what made her happy and gave her purpose. I have realized that I need to start working for me and what makes me happy, as I was one of those people who started letting the job take over. It is not worth it to pass up all the other things that life has to offer which is more self fulfilling.
As an adult I am very proud of my heritage as a South Carolinian! My greatest childhood memories included family events, the best food, outdoor activities. As an adult the only thing I have added to that is friends, and in the south friends are treated like family!
In this blog, I hope to enlighten our followers on the heritage and the things that South Carolina has to offer. We will visit the hidden treasures the state has to offer from scrumptious recipes, travel, historical facts, shopping deals and destinations, South Carolina in the news, and community events!
The South is known for it's FOOD. All events in South Carolina are required to be built around food. From weddings, funerals, graduations, birthdays, holidays, and festivals (boy do we have a lot of festivals). Our meals include things such as BBQ, seafood, fried everything, and yes we do serve bread with meals even if we already have potatoes or rice on the plate! What else would you sop up the juices and gravies with? We will explore the restaurants and recipes that put South Carolina on the map.
COMMUNITY is important! Whether it's assisting those in needs, community events or supporting local business. South Carolina has the best local shopping and we will explore those businesses and offer them low cost advertising.
Festivals define many communities in South Carolina. The offer great food, crafts, music and time with family and friends. We will highlight festivals and events that draw crowds to our towns.
Last but not least support your community. We will explore communities in need and how we can help.
“From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.” ~ Arthur Ashe
South Carolina has a variety of landscapes that make our state great for TRAVEL. Whether you are in need of a long weekend, or a true vacation we have what you need.
The Lowcountry or coastal area contains three of the top tourist cities: Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head. Locals and tourist travel to these beach areas in hopes of site seeing, getting a tan, shopping, great food and rest/relaxation. You will not be disappointed!
Traveling northwest will bring you up in elevation to the Midlands. Columbia, our state capital, is located in the Midlands.Columbia is the home of the University of South Carolina (Gamecocks) which is accomplishing great things with their baseball and football programs. The Midlands give you also Lake Murray, the largest lake in South Carolina the borders 5 counties. If you are a lover of water Lake Murray is the place to take the boat out, paddle board, and swim.
Further northwest and you will come to the top corner of the state into the Upstate area. The Upstate is apart of the lower Blue Ridge Mountain range. The mountain air is cooler and great for hiking, camping, and white water rafting.
Join me in what South Carolina has to offer whether you are born and raised, currently live here or thinking of visiting! I want to share the pride of being a South Carolinian, the history of our state, and what we have to offer.
Nichole Kopenhaver
