SCIWAY News No. 87 – May 2010

In This Issue

SC Picture of the Month – Golden Creek Mill in Easley
Last Call for SC Photos – You Could Win $50!
South Carolina's May Events

SC Picture of the Month – Golden Creek Mill in Easley

Today's Golden Creek Mill, which is one of the prettiest stops along the South Carolina Heritage Corridor, is actually a replica of the original Golden Creek Mill. That mill stood on the opposite bank, where its ruins are still visible.

The original mill was built in the early 1800s by William O'Dell and served as a testament to the ingenuity of that century. Over time, the mill produced cornmeal, grits, flour, cotton, and even ice cream – all without the aid of electricity! For over 110 years, the mill was powered solely by the water in Golden Creek.

— GOLDEN CREEK MILL NEAR EASLEY —

The mill was designed for grist, but in 1835, a cotton gin and press were added. Then, in the 1900s, an ice plant was introduced. Several elders in the area still fondly remember the ice cream made with that ice!

The twentieth century brought industrialization however, and the mill fell into disrepair. In 1985, Joyce and Leroy Stewart bought the land across the creek and built a replica of the abandoned mill. They brought in antique equipment from all over the country, and even an old grindstone from Denmark! Today, their mill – which is still powered by water – produces corn meal, which you can purchase in their giftshop.

The Stewarts have stayed true to their model, and today's Golden Creek is one of the only mills in the country to use hemp ropes instead of gears. In fact, the mill contains very few metal parts period.

The picture and much of the information above were contributed by Jeff Sanders at Waterscapes Photography.

Last Call for SC Photos – You Could Win $50!

SCIWAY's second photo contest is underway, and this time we're awarding five prizes of $50 each – a prize for the most popular picture in these five categories: Allendale County, Calhoun County, Jasper County, Marion County, and Union County.

The pictures should represent one of these counties by showing a cultural landmark, historic building, or natural scene.

We currently have very few entries for any of these counties except Union. SCIWAY would love to be able to celebrate the beauty of every area in South Carolina so please submit your pictures!

The contestants who receive the most votes for each of these five counties will win $50. See our complete contest rules. Entries are due Friday, April 30, at 5 PM. We'll announce the finalists in our next newsletter, due out May 6th. Then it will be time for everyone in South Carolina to vote!

South Carolina's May Events

As always, please be sure to check out our complete May calendar. Also, remember that all of our event calendars, for every month of the year, are available on SCIWAY's website 24/7/365 – just go to https://www.sciway.net/calendar.html.

		Water for Haiti Bicycle Ride – Columbia – May 22, 2010 Thank you for standing with Haiti by participating in the Water for Haiti Bicycle Ride. The ride will be held May 22, beginning at 8 AM at Horrell Hill Elementary School, near Columbia. Riders will receive ride support, on-site bicycle mechanical services, and food and beverages from two rest stops. For early registration, donate $25-$35 to Partners in Health. Your early registration is appreciated so as to help in the logistical planning process.
		Spring Skunk Music Fest – Greer – May 14-15, 2010 Your chance to see 13 bluegrass bands play live in the Upstate! The Spring Skunk Music Fest is a unique music festival held in a natural setting that takes you away from the bustle of the city. Come early to get your favorite camping spot. A cooler-friendly, BYOB event. Dogs and kids welcome. Children's activities include tree swings, the Jolley Skunk Wilderness Kingdom Playground, the SkunkArt Bus, trails, and marshmallow roasting!

May 1: Camden Cup Polo Match and Kentucky Derby Party - Variety of events to choose from - benefits Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County - webpage no longer available

May 1: Charleston Dog Show - Demonstrations, exhibits, competitions - proceeds benefit local animal rescue organizations
Learn more about how you can save an animal and help South Carolina's animal rescue organizations

May 1: Cinco De Mayo - Charleston - Mexican cuisine, salsa band, DJ, "Dancing with the Local Stars," professional dancers

May 1: Greer Family Fest - Live music, children's parade, KidsZone, Creation Station, arts & crafts, restaurant row

May 1: Heart & Sole Women's Five Miler - Columbia - run/walk 3 or 5 miles to raise heart disease awareness - post-race expo, celebration

May 1: Lowcountry Shrimp Festival & Blessing of the Fleet - McClellanville - entertainment, art, kids' corner, food

May 1: Make-A-Wish Wine Festival - Johns Island - taste over 85 select wines from around the world, Charleston cuisine, and live music - site no longer exists

May 1: Miles of Hope - Rock Hill - 5K run or 1-mile fun run - benefits area hospice care patients - site no longer exists

May 1: Peach Blossom Festival - Johnston - parade, rides and games, arts & crafts, food vendors, live entertainment

May 1: Rosewood Crawfish Festival - Columbia - kids' area, Creole & Cajun cuisine, live music, "Crawdaddy Dash," pole vaulting

May 1: Spring Festival on the Square - Abbeville - amusement rides, antique car show, local performers, Swingin' Medallions concert

May 1: St. Francis Mud Run - Greenville - 4-person teams, kids' course - benefits Goodwill Foundation & Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

May 1: Taste of Beaufort - Features dishes from 15 local restaurants, live music, 5K race in the morning

May 1: Tour de Cure - Little Mountain - bicycling with choice of 4 routes, 5 miles to 100 miles - for American Diabetes Association - site no longer exists

May 1-2: Battle for Columbia - Sandy Run - Civil War reenactment, period demonstrations, exhibits - don't forget your lawn chair - site no longer exists

May 1-2: Black Cowboy Man or Myth African American Festival - Rembert - concerts, horse show, period demonstrations, and food

May 1-2: Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach Adoptathon - Reduced adoption rates - see some of the animals

May 1-2: Orangeburg Festival of Roses - Kids' area with inflatables, arts & crafts, car show, airplane rides, Princess & Queen of Roses

May 1-2: Spring Fling - Spartanburg - street festival - dozens of bands, art show, kids' carnival, food court, Rock Band competition

May 1-8: North Charleston Arts Festival - Over 40 performances at various venues, art exhibits, kids' activities, fireworks

May 3 - Jun 5: Allendale Paleoamerican Expedition - Near Martin - help excavate the Topper Archaeological Site - site no longer exists

May 7: Bid for a Cure - Columbia - wine tasting, silent auction - benefits South Carolina Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - site no longer exists

May 7: Relay For Life of Clarendon County - Manning - benefits American Cancer Society

May 7-9: Artisphere - Greenville - visual arts, live performances, opening night gala, "Kidsphere" area, local restaurants

May 7-16: Myrtle Beach Bike Week and Spring Rally - Murrells Inlet - motorcycles - view City of Myrtle Beach's ordinances - site no longer exists

May 8: Bluegrass on the Waccamaw - Conway - live music festival, plus workshops, encouraging all to bring a lawn chair - site no longer exists Learn more about bluegrass in South Carolina

May 8: Bluffton Village Festival - live music, children's activities, art vendors, ugly dog contest, Civil War reenactment, after hours party

May 8: Dragon Boat Charleston Festival - 250-meter paddling races celebrate cancer survivors

May 8: Lancaster Area Literacy Cooperative 5K Race for Literacy - Race location is USC-Lancaster - benefits literacy efforts - site no longer exists

May 8: Mayfest on Main - North Myrtle Beach - street festival with live music, car show, community stage, children's area, crafts, food

May 8: Ride for the Rack Breast Cancer Benefit - Spartanburg - poker run, auction, music, professional bull riding and barrel racing - site no longer exists

May 9: Mother's Day - Sunday - Hooray Moms!

May 11-12: InnoVenture Southeast Conference - Greenville - information to assist small and medium enterprises grow - site no longer exists

May 12: Salute to Small Business - Columbia - exhibits, luncheon and workshops on procurement, marketing, development

May 13-15: Pine Straw Festival - Patrick - Taste of Patrick, rodeo, parade - site no longer exists

May 13-16: BMW Charity Pro-Am - Spartanburg - golf tournament benefits 99 charities - $7.3 million raised over the last 9 years!

May 13-16: Charleston Lindy Exchange - Lindy hop, balboa, blues dancing at various venues - DJs & live music

May 13-16: Greek Festival - Greenville - live music, folk dancing, children's rides, arts & crafts, tours, and lots of food! - site no longer exists

May 14-15: Blue Ridge Fest - Pickens - music, food, car cruise-in, motorcycle ride - benefiting 13 local charities

May 14-15: Spring Skunk Music Fest - Greer - 13 bluegrass bands playing live

May 15: Angel Walk - Mount Pleasant - 5K walk, pre-event expo, post-walk festival - benefits MUSC medulloblastoma research - site no longer exists

May 15: Cateechee Fest - Ninety Six - honoring Native American heritage, performers, costume & tee-pee contests, plus Model A cars - site no longer exists

May 15: HOGS Gone Wild Rally for the Rugrats - Myrtle Beach - motorcycles - benefits Toys For Tots & Freedom Alliance Scholarship - site no longer exists

May 15: Strawberry Festival - Slater, Greenville County - pancake breakfast, music, food, arts & crafts

May 15: Tour de Midlands - Lexington - bicycling with choice of 4 routes, 15 miles to 102 miles - benefits Lexington Greenways Alliance - site no longer exists

May 15-16: Sculpture in the South - Summerville - features sculptors from across the US - benefits Permanent Public Sculpture Program - page no longer exists

May 20: Wine Tasting to Benefit Camp Opportunity - Greenville - plus silent auction - page no longer exists

May 20-22: Black Expo - Columbia - entertainment, Gospel Best competition, charity golf tournament - site no longer exists

May 20-24: Greenwood Music Festival - "Vive La France!" - concerts, opera, movie - various venues

May 21-22: Chesnee Festival - Midway rides, BBQ cookoff, live entertainment - benefits Kop's Kids Organization & Boys and Girls Club - site no longer available

May 22: Black Tie and Tails Gala - Columbia - live band, silent auction - tickets $100/each or $175/couple - benefits Carolina Wildlife Care - page no longer available

May 22: Foothills 5K and the Beat Goes On - Westminster's historic district - proceeds benefit the Foothills Pregnancy Care Center - site no longer available

May 22: Going the Extra Mile 5K - Irmo - run or walk - fundraiser for ACTS Metro Outreach's local family and support programs

May 22: Golf Fore Life - Greenville - golf tournament - benefits the SC Organ and Tissue Donor Registry

May 22: Midlands Walk to Defeat ALS - Irmo - Saluda Shoals - 3-mile walk to help fight Lou Gehrig's Disease

May 22: Palmetto Patriots' Ball - Columbia - reception, dinner, silent auction, guest speaker - Blue Star Mothers of South Carolina benefit

May 22: Water for Haiti Ride - Hopkins - benefit bicycle ride - choose from four distances of 11, 24, 49, or 62 miles

May 23-26: Veterans Golf Classic - Myrtle Beach - at least one team member must be active-duty or veteran

May 24: South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony - Columbia - plus silent auction

May 27-30: Iris Festival - Sumter - concerts, arts & crafts, flower show, food tasting, contests, children's activities, pageant, market place

May 28-29: Arts on the Alley - Seneca - events showcase local artists and performers - site no longer exists

May 28-29: Greenville Scottish Games - Parade, children's events, car show, 5K run, pageant, bagpipes, athletics, border collie trials
Learn more about South Carolina's Scots-Irish history

May 28-29: Plum Hollow Alternative Bluegrass Festival - Campobello - live bands, camping, all-night pickin'

May 28-30: Gullah Festival - Beaufort - entertainment, food, local tours, forums, plays - site no longer exists

May 28-31: Freedom Weekend Aloft - Simpsonville - hot-air balloons, concerts, fun zone, disc dog nationals, amusement rides, car show - site no longer exists

May 28-31: Military Appreciation Days - Myrtle Beach - competitions, concerts, fireworks, kids' zone, laser show, 5K, combat cuisine cookoff

May 28 - Jun 13: Piccolo Spoleto - Charleston - local visual and performing arts events at various venues

May 28 - Jun 13: Spoleto Festival USA - Charleston - international festival for performing and visual arts

May 29: Invitational Golf Tournament - Longs - four-man captain's choice - benefits Cedar Branch Community Empowerment Center - site no longer exists

May 29: SummerFun Horseshoe Tournament - Newberry - SC's largest annual horseshoe tournament

May 29: Tri-County 5K Race: Run for the Health of It! - Anderson - benefiting health education program and scholarships - site no longer exists

Please click here to find links for ALL May events.

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