Smag 20171208 001-108

WINTER 2017
MAGAZINE
’Twas the night before
AUG. W. SMITH SHADOW BOXES TO BE RESTORED
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P L AY I N G B R I D G E
CHRISTMAS TOWN USA
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48 | CHRISTMAS TOWN USA
McAdenville, N.C. mill village lights up for holiday
CONTENTS
HOW TO REACH US
FOR STORY IDEAS OR COMMENTS
WINTER 2017
JOSE FRANCO
EDITOR
10 | ‘HARRY POTTER’ CAST 40 | A SHUCKING GOOD TIME 864-562-7223

JOSE.FRANCO@SHJ.COM
Former Youth Theatre actor Spartanburg chefs, brewers

cast in Broadway play serve their best
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JENNIFER BRADLEY
14 | CHAPMAN CULTURAL CENTER 48 | CHRISTMAS TOWN USA CIRCULATION COORDINATOR
Facility celebrates 10th anniversary McAdenville, N.C. mill village 864-562-7402
lights up for holiday JENNIFER.BRADLEY@SHJ.COM
26 | MADE FROM SCRATCH

Mobile Meals chef prepares 56 | MUSCLE CAR
menu for 1,300 Spartanburg man hopes to ON THE COVER
restore 1966 Dodge Charger TIM KIMZEY PHOTO
34 | EDIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA The Aug. W. Smith shadow boxes,

which are based on Clement Moore’s
Summit Hills chef creates ESSENTIALS
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’,
experience with meals 9 | FROM THE EDITOR will soon be restored.
88 | SCENE
8 | SPARTANBURG MAGAZINE
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PUBLISHER
KEVIN DRAKE
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
MICHAEL G. SMITH
EDITOR Christmas lights spark
childhood memories
JOSE FRANCO
STAFF WRITERS
DAN ARMONAITIS, ZACH FOX, ELISE FRANCO,

DANIEL GROSS, CHRIS LAVENDER, Editor’s Note: The approaching holiday season always brings back a flood of memories. So I
BOB MONTGOMERY, ALYSSA MULLIGER
I
wanted to share a column I wrote for the Herald-Journal in December 2001. I hope you enjoy it.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
CAROLINE MAAS, COLEMAN OTT t seems I never can finish my Two Christmases ago, Dad put Christmas
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Christmas decorating. There’s lights all over the tiny farm he and Mom had
ALEX HICKS JR., TIM KIMZEY always one more string of lights recently purchased. It was beautiful and it
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
to unravel, another Christmas was just like Dad to welcome Christmas with
decoration to unpack, and another so many lights. We ate tamales, attended
WENDY SHOCKLEY MCCARTY, LELAND A. OUTZ,
Christmas card to send. midnight mass and watched Christmas
GEORGE A. SACARELOS, OLIVIA SISIC,
Each day, I add a new decoration to what specials together. We listened to Christmas
SAMANTHA SWANN
I like to call my Charlie Brown cubicle. I’ve CDs since very few people own record play-
got a chili pepper light tree, an M&M string ers any longer.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING
of lights, a talking Taco Bell dog, a singing A few days before Christmas last year, my
KONRAD LA PRADE Frank Sinatra and a Santa Claus that moves father suffered a major stroke. He was con-
INTEGRATED MEDIA SALES MANAGER its arms while he checks his list. fined to a hospital bed, didn’t have the ability
ARON GOSS I go overboard in decorations much to speak, and had to be fed by my mother.
ADVERTISING ASSISTANT SALES MANAGER like Snoopy does in “A Charlie Brown We were going to be spending Christmas
DEBBIE BROWN Christmas.” in the hospital.
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Last weekend, while I was hanging my But I knew we had to bring Christmas to
KEN SMITH outdoor Christmas lights around my porch I him because I knew he would have found a
CIRCULATION COORDINATOR
started to think back on Christmases past. way to bring Christmas to us. He had done
JENNIFER BRADLEY
When I was packing to come home last it all those years when we were growing up.
year, my mom gave me the family’s Fires- A bag of candy at the foot of our beds. A $5
WEBSITE
tone and Goodyear Christmas albums that Charlie Brown Christmas tree, and those
SPARTANBURGMAGAZINE.COM
we played over and over again when we were precious Christmas albums.
children. She also let me have the Christmas My brothers, my sister and I worked like
TO SUBSCRIBE OR PURCHASE BACK ISSUES
decorations we used to put on our family’s elves hanging up lights around his hospital
CALL 864-562-7402
Christmas tree. bed. We put a small lighted tree at the foot
The albums and decorations brought back of his bed and we unwrapped our presents at
PUBLISHED BY
a flood of childhood memories. his bedside. My mom even fed him a Christ-
HERALD-JOURNAL At Christmastime, my father, who was mas tamale.
189 W. MAIN STREET a dairy farmer, would get up at the crack of A stroke didn’t stop Christmas from
SPARTANBURG, S.C. 29306 dawn and start playing the family’s Christ- coming. He was happy. We could see it in his
864-582-4511 mas albums. For an entire month, we would eyes.
be woken from our deep sleep by the sweet My father had another major stroke in
AN AFFILIATE OF sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, March and passed away. As I was hanging
Peggy Lee, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Dinah up those strings of lights outdoors last
Shore singing holiday songs. weekend and when I continue to decorate
At the time, I can’t say we were always my desk I think of him and I smile.
pleased to hear Dinah singing, “We need a
little Christmas right this very minute.” Jose Franco, Editor
JOSE.FRANCO@SHJ.COM
But it was Christmas and Dad loved lis-
tening to the Christmas albums.
Those memories make me smile.
SPARTANBURG MAGAZINE | 9
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Wild about ‘Harry’
Former Spartanburg Youth Theatre actor cast in

Broadway play ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’
STORY BY DAN ARMONAITIS
J
ames Romney spent a significant fictional Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
portion of his childhood living in Spar- Wizardry. Instead, he’s been cast in a real-
tanburg’s historic Hampton Heights. world production of “Harry Potter and the
“I loved my neighborhood,” said Cursed Child,” a play that’s garnered plenty
Romney, who left Spartanburg in 2002 of acclaim in London’s West End and will
at age 11. “I miss my house. It was a beautiful make its Broadway premiere in April.
Victorian house, and it made me very happy. “It’s amazing because it’s a bunch of
It was such a great place to grow up.” dreams coming true,” said the 26-year-old
While living there, Romney, like many Romney, who most recently lived in Chicago.
millennial kids, would often bury his head in “First of all, I get to move to New York and
the pages of books from the popular “Harry work on Broadway, which has long been a
Potter” series by author J.K. Rowling. dream of mine. But, also, the fact that I get to
“I’ve always loved using my imagination, be a part of the Harry Potter story means so
so Rowling’s imaginative world was just so much to me.”
compelling to me,” he said. “I just liked the The part Romney will play in “Harry
world she created and the stories she told, Potter and the Cursed Child” hasn’t yet been
and I think they’re stories that emphasize announced. Seven actors from the West
compassion and empathy and looking past End company will reprise the roles they
the differences in people to join together in originated, including Jamie Parker as Harry
making the world a better place.” Potter, Noma Dumezweni as Hermione
Soon, Romney will have the opportunity to Granger and Paul Thornley as Ron Weasley.
live out a childhood fantasy by entering the The play was written by Jack Thorne based
world of Harry Potter as an adult. on an original new story by Thorne, Rowling
No, he hasn’t been accepted into the and John Tiffany.
Since graduating from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, James Romney, 26,
has built an impressive list of theater credits. He’s appeared in multiple Lyric Opera of Chicago productions
and, most recently, starred as Huck Finn in a professional production of “Big River” in Northwest Indiana.
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While living in Hampton Heights, James Romney,
like many millennial kids, would often bury his
head in the pages of books from the popular
“Harry Potter” series by author J.K. Rowling. Top
right: Romney’s childhood home in Hampton
Heights. Bottom right: Romney (center) with
Maggie Dunlap (right), Klyn Carr (sun glasses),
and Will Dunlap play in a tree in the Hampton
Heights neighborhood. [PHOTOS PROVIDED]
“I read the script as soon as it was pub- “I’ve always loved using my Romney added, “It was a party for the
lished, but I haven’t seen the production,” imagination ... I just liked the premiere of the first movie, and it was really
Romney said. “But I’ve talked to some world [Rowling] created and cool. They had stations set up where people
people who have seen it, and I’ve heard the stories she told, and I think did ‘divination,’ and I remember they had
wonderful things about it.” they’re stories that emphasize ‘Gillyweed’ drinks that were sort of like a
Romney, who was born in Michigan, compassion and empathy and Sprite-based something.”
moved to Spartanburg with his family when looking past the differences in Since graduating from the Chicago
he was three years old. He appeared in people to join together in making College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt
several productions by Spartanburg Little the world a better place.” University, Romney has built an impressive
Theatre and Spartanburg Youth Theatre, list of theater credits. He’s appeared in mul-
the latter of which was led for a while by his tiple Lyric Opera of Chicago productions
mother, Betsy Decourcy-Wernette. and, most recently, starred as Huck Finn in
“He comes by it absolutely naturally to call him Jamie,” Nicholson said. “He was a professional production of “Big River” in
and honestly,” Decourcy-Wernette said of a cutie pie. He had big blue eyes and curly Northwest Indiana.
her son’s acting skills. “In fact, his father hair, which I think is not so curly anymore, “I definitely drew on my experience in the
Chris (Romney) and I played Mr. and Mrs. and he was always very enthusiastic about South when I was working on that show,”
Cratchit in the musical ‘Scrooge’ when theater.” Romney said of the latter, which features
James was merely a loaf in the oven. So, it Decourcy-Wernette, who left Spartan- music by country music legend Roger Miller.
started before he was even born. burg to pursue a law degree in Wisconsin But Romney, who attended Spartanburg
“And then, when he was eight months and now resides in Chicago, said she vividly Day School through fourth grade, is most
old, he was a carry-on prop in ‘Hans Chris- remembers “Harry Potter” being a major excited about his upcoming role in “Harry
tian Andersen,’ so he’s been doing theater part of Romney’s youth. “He was a total Potter and the Cursed Child.”
since before he could walk and talk.” ‘Harry Potter’ nut,” she said. I had to buy a “I actually took my girlfriend, now
Mary Nicholson, who founded Spartan- sweater, dye it gray and embroider the red fiancee, to Harry Potter World (in Orlando,
burg Youth Theatre and worked closely with and yellow around the neck so it was exactly Fla.) last year as a graduation present from
Decourcy-Wernette, remembers Romney like the one in the movie. college,” he said. “We’re both huge ‘Harry
fondly and has kept in touch with the family “And, as a matter of fact, there was a big Potter’ fans, so this is just such a thrill. I’m
over the years. thing at the public library in Spartanburg, not sure I could overstate the impact that
“He goes by James now, but I still want and he wore his costume to that.” ‘Harry Potter’ had on me growing up.”
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“I see the joy in
everyone’s faces
daily, and I know
we have succeeded
way beyond my
expectations.”
Jennifer Evins
President and CEO of the
Chapman Cultural Center
Chapman Cultural Center’s

downtown campus on St. John
Street opened 10 years ago.
Today, the center welcomes
more than 280,000 visitors each
year. [TIM KIMZEY PHOTO]
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PROGRESS
Chapman Cultural Center

celebrates a decade in
downtown Spartanburg
STORY BY ALYSSA MULLIGER
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T.J. Jeter performed at Chapman Cultural Center’s 10th anniversary celebration. [WENDY SHOCKLEY McCARTY PHOTO]
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T
he landscape of downtown Spartanburg Becoming a reality
was altered 10 years ago with the open-
ing of the Chapman Cultural Center. In 1988, community leaders envisioned
The center, which opened Oct. 3, 2007, a new cultural center and four years later
at 200 E. St. John St., was the culmina- a plan was developed to help discern the
tion of a $42 million public-private partnership need and feasibility of new facilities.
launched in 2000 with the goal of building a facility Soon afterward, the Arts Partnership of Greater
to collectively house local cultural organizations. Spartanburg was formed to replace The Arts
Since its opening a decade ago, the center has Council of Spartanburg County. The new part-
become a symbol of progress and success in Spar- nership identified more than two dozen initia-
tanburg, welcoming more than 280,000 visitors tives, including the need for new facilities to house
each year to experience high-quality broad-reaching various Spartanburg cultural organizations.
science, history and visual and performing arts. A feasibility study in 1997 recommended a new
To date, more than 2.6 million people facility to house the Spartanburg Art Museum,
have enjoyed the center’s offerings. Spartanburg Regional Museum of History, Spar-
The facility celebrated its 10-year mile- tanburg Little Theatre and Ballet Spartanburg.
stone in October with an open house In 2000, a fundraising campaign was launched
featuring music, food trucks, live demon- with the initial challenge gift of $16.5 mil-
strations, exhibits, and workshops. lion by four Spartanburg families. Those fami-
“It took revolutionary patience by many people lies — the Chapmans, the Johnsons, the Barnets
to achieve this monumental goal, but with such a and the Montgomerys — agreed to donate the
driving spirit in our community we were all deter- sum if the Arts Partnership raised an addi-
mined to make it happen,” said Jennifer Evins, tional $15.5 million by the end of 2002.
president and CEO of the Chapman Cultural Center. “I think the community effort to design and build
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the Chapman Cultural Center was remark- magnate Roger Milliken pledged $2 million.
able and changed our central business Jimmy and Marsha Gibbs pledged to
district,” said Bill Barnet, who had pre- cover any shortfall on the last day of the
sented the fundraising challenge by the four campaign, which amounted to $800,000
families. “(The center) created great pride to meet the challenge on Dec. 31, 2002.
and a sense of common achievement.” Donations continued to come in past
Betty and Walter Montgomery were the deadline, including a $1 million pledge
among the original donors to the Chapman from BMW Manufacturing Corp. and $2
Cultural Center fundraising campaign. Betty million from the city of Spartanburg.
Montgomery said she and her husband have With the additional donations
always supported the arts and felt there was promised by the four families, fun-
a need for such a center in Spartanburg. draising for the new cultural facil-
“The beauty of the Chapman is to provide a ity totaled $35 million in early 2003.
venue for all ages and talents to have the oppor-
tunity to participate in visual and performing Exceeding expectations
arts,” she said. “Walter and I believe in the arts
and have supported it for many years before A five-acre parcel on the corner of East
and since the new facility was built. It is a fabu- St. John and Converse streets was cho-
lous facility, and we are proud to have a first- sen for the new cultural facility in 2004.
class venue for the people in our community.” Design for the facility began in Janu-
Evins said it also took donations ary 2005, with Spartanburg business-
from 17,000 schoolchildren and more man George Dean Johnson Jr. leading the
than 1,000 households, corpora- center’s building committee, along with
Carrie Petrak and Brenton Taft rehearse a
tions and city, county and state lead- David M. Schwarz of Washington, D.C., scene for the Ballet Spartanburg production of
ers to make the new facility a reality. as architect and Houston-based Lin- “The Sleeping Beauty” which was part of their
With $12.5 million raised by Dec. 26, beck Construction as project manager. 2017 season. [SAMANTHA SWANN PHOTO]
2002, and with just a few days before Later that year, designs for the Chap-
the challenge campaign deadline, textile man Cultural Center were unveiled and
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the ground was broken on the facility. Heading for growth surrounding neighborhoods, she said.
The Arts Partnership raised an addi- And more projects are to come, includ-
tional $10 million during construction. Melissa Earley started volunteering ing an interactive garden on the south side
In October 2007, the Chapman Cul- with the Chapman Cultural Center nine of the city, a new arts center in Arcadia and
tural Center celebrated its grand years ago before working her way up to a world religions summit in Spartanburg.
opening with the community. her current role as the community impact “All of these past and current projects
Today, the facility’s three buildings and outreach director at the facility. help make Spartanburg a more vibrant
comprise several partner organizations: In those nine years, Earley said she’s and exciting place,” Earley said.
the Spartanburg Art Museum, Spartanburg seen more people visiting each year, Ava Hughes, arts education direc-
Regional Museum of History, Spartanburg more classes being offered, more inter- tor at the Chapman Cultural Center,
Science Center, Artists’ Guild of Spartan- nationally renowned artists perform- said as development continues in Spar-
burg, Spartanburg Little Theatre, Spar- ing and more season memberships. tanburg, she expects the facility’s role
tanburg Youth Theatre, Ballet Spartanburg “When I moved to Spartanburg in and economic impact to grow, too.
and Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra. 2000, none of these things were hap- A recent study conducted by Ameri-
Diverse programs are offered for children pening,” she said. “The art scene was cans for the Arts showed a collec-
and adults six days a week at the museums pretty small compared to where it is tive $32 million economic impact per
and weekly in the theater. These programs today. There's been so much progress, year of cultural nonprofit organiza-
stir people’s curiosity and allow them and that's definitely worth celebrating.” tions, including the Chapman Cultural
to tap into their creativity, Evins said. Earley also noted the various public art Center, in Spartanburg County.
“We are the only co-location of visual and events that Chapman Cultural Center has “As Spartanburg has grown, so has our
performing arts, science and history all in played a role in — Seeing Spartanburg in a visitation, and the groups housed in the
one location, and national model of col- New Light, Northside artlets, the Lighten Chapman Cultural Center have experienced
laboration and synergy of working together Up Spartanburg light bulb installations, changes and growth in programming and
for the betterment of all and to benefit all the Spartanburg Soaring international outreach,” Hughes said. “The impact of
of our citizens,” Evins said. “I see the joy in kite festival, and Downtown Cultural the Chapman Cultural Center on our com-
everyone’s faces daily, and I know we have District programming. These events have munity and region will continue to be an
succeeded way beyond my expectations.” affected not only downtown but also the important part of Spartanburg’s fabric.”
1207_A_14_SHJMAG.indd 20 11/17/2017 11:18:00 AM

William Johnson and Aiden Bates enjoyed Chapman
Cultural Center’s 10th anniversary celebration.
[WENDY SHOCKLEY McCARTY PHOTOS]
Jennifer Evins, president and CEO of the Chapman Cultural Center and Bert Barre, vice chair
of the Chapman Cultural Center board at the anniversary celebration.
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An undated photo of
George Washington
Mullins, who was also
known as Trotting
Sally. [HERALD JOURNAL
WILLIS COLLECTION,
SPARTANBURG COUNTY
PUBLIC LIBRARIES]
‘SALLY’
LIVES ON
John Thomas Fowler publishes
children’s book about Upstate legend
STORY BY CAROLINE MAAS
A
favorite story about “Trotting Sally” Trottin’ Sally Beat the Carolina Special.”
is that he would hand his hat to a The book recently was published by Hairy
train engineer in Spartanburg and Toe Productions.
beat the train on foot to Chesnee Fowler, a Spartanburg native, is a
and retrieve his hat. professional storyteller, musician,
For years, this popular tale has historian, and author. Fowler heard
been told about Spartanburg legend stories about Mullins as a child and
George Washington Mullins. And began to do research on him in the
even though no one really believes late 1980s. In 2014, he wrote “Trot-
he ran 20 miles from Spartanburg ting Sally: The Roots and Legacy of
to Chesnee and beat a train, it’s fun a Folk Hero.” He spent years doing
Fowler
to imagine. research about Mullins before writ-
That’s why John Thomas Fowler ing the first book.
used the story as the basis of his children’s “From 1866 until death there were gaps
book, “The Great Train Race: The Day in the timeline of TS (Trotting Sally), and
1207_A_24_SHJMAG.indd 24 11/9/2017 5:57:29 PM

although I’m still working on it, I’ve closed “Trotting Sally as a story had already been
the gaps pretty well. A lot of times I’d go off well-known in Spartanburg. But to be able to
on a lead and it would end up being a dead- introduce this story to a new generation is an
end lead,” Fowler said. exciting opportunity,” Steinecke said. “We
“(When I was writing the biography) we are always looking for ways to introduce Spar-
didn’t have ‘findthegrave.com.’ At that tanburg’s history to kids in all of its forms.”
time, ‘findthegrave.com’ was ‘get in your Kay Mullins is the daughter of Mullins’
car and ride.’” oldest living descendant, Alfred Mullins.
Mullins was born into slavery in 1856 near Alfred Mullins is 85, and his family is excited
Greenville. After the Civil War, Mullins’ about the opportunity for children to learn
father moved his family to Spartanburg. It about their famous ancestor.
was in Spartanburg that Mullins became Kay Mullins also expressed her gratitude
known for his amusing street behavior to Fowler for his relentless search for her
and street performances with his fiddle he family’s history, and to Raymond Floyd,
named “Rosalie.” who illustrated the children’s book.
For years, it seemed Mullins was every- “We absolutely love the book, and the
where around the Upstate. Though he had unique, artful storytelling style of John
no formal music training, he became known Fowler, that gave birth to the phenomenal
as a good musician. talent of Ray Floyd, who illustrated the
After completing the first book on Mul- book. We thank you both for painting this “The Great Train Race: The Day Trottin’
lins, Fowler was approached by Kennedy beautiful portrait of our family’s Trotting Sally Beat the Carolina Special” can be
Free Press and asked to turn his biography Sally, thank you for all the research, time, purchased at Hub City Bookshop, the
into a children’s book. And that inspired him and unwavering labor, that you both so Spartanburg Railroad Museum, and at
to write the children’s book. graciously, and lovingly, gave, to make it the library store, Pages on Pine. For more
Brad Steinecke, a local history archivist possible for our family, and the world to information on John Thomas Fowler
at the Spartanburg County Public Library, enjoy, and to pass on to future generations. and his work, visit his website www.
said the children’s book will introduce a new May God bless you both, and, grant you hairytoeproductions.com or email him at
generation to Mullins. long, and prosperous lives.” hairytoeproductions@juno.com.
1207_A_24_SHJMAG.indd 25 11/17/2017 11:18:34 AM

1207_A_26_SHJMAG.indd 26 11/13/2017 1:42:44 PM

Chef Tony Williams
works on his Spaghetti
and Meatballs dish,
shown right, at Mobile
Meals of Spartanburg.
‘The joy of
cooking’
Mobile Meals chef serves up
hot meals to those in need
STORY BY DANIEL GROSS

PHOTOS BY TIM KIMZEY
T
ony Williams’ family taught him farming, butchering
and just about everything else that involved a hot meal
prepared from scratch.
It wasn’t until pursuing a career in computer science when
he realized that wasn’t for him and turned his attention to his
passion for quality foods and back to his roots, he said.
“Whenever my mom and grandma were in the kitchen, I was
in the kitchen with them. I was the pot licker,” the 45-year-old
said. “Everything we did was from the ground up.”
Now, the Mobile Meals of Spartanburg chef focuses on
bringing that home-cooked quality to the nonprofit’s kitchen
where meals are prepared daily for roughly 1,300 people
needing assistance.
“First of all, we put God first. That’s first and foremost,”
Williams said. “It’s really just to serve people who can’t do
for themselves. It’s giving them a good meal that they could
get in a restaurant.”
1207_A_26_SHJMAG.indd 27 11/13/2017 1:42:50 PM

“First of all, we put God
first. That’s first and
foremost. It’s really just
to serve people who
can’t do for themselves.
It’s giving them a good
meal that they could get
in a restaurant.”
Chef Tony Williams
Williams worked his way up as

a sous chef and chef at various
hotel restaurants and catering
services.
1207_A_26_SHJMAG.indd 28 11/17/2017 11:19:08 AM

Most of the food prepared at Mobile Meals “not too shabby.”
comes from donations, some from big box stores Hundreds of volunteers make up the effort it
and companies such as Bi-Lo and Stouffer’s. takes to get food out to those in need along with
“The community offers so much to us,” he said. Williams’ kitchen staff of five.
The donations dictate Williams’ menu that he He said part of the joy to the job is working with
tries to prepare two weeks in advance. From there, his staff and volunteers. As a morning person,
he purchases food as well to match the donations. starting at 4 a.m. and being finished at noon each
“You can’t have spaghetti without the noodles, day is another perk, he said.
so I have to get something to match it up,” he said. “We have an awesome team of five and we get
“Sometimes, I get outside the box and give them it done,” he said, “and the relationships we form
something a little out of the norm.” with the volunteers are par none.”
Veal, ribs, meatballs and fish are among the Williams worked his way up as a sous chef and
pounds of meats donated to the organization. chef at various hotel restaurants and catering ser-
Seasoning is meant to be minimal, according vices. He has lived and worked in Spartanburg his
to Williams, to keep the natural flavor profiles of whole life and plans to stay.
various foods. He suggested salt and pepper are his Williams remembers sitting down for a family
primary spices as a way to keep it simple. meal at dinner and recognizing an appreciation for
He said the response to his dishes has been over- the food based on the effort it took to prepare.
whelmingly positive. There may be two or three “At this magnitude, I can only go so far with
negative comments regarding his food’s taste out that, but at the same time I’m always thinking
of the 1,200 to 1,500 recipients, a ratio he said was what can I give them. It’s the joy of cooking.”
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1207_A_30_SHJMAG.indd 30 11/13/2017 2:02:11 PM

The Journey
Mobile Meals of Spartanburg celebrates 40th anniversary
STORY BY CHRIS LAVENDER

M
obile Meals of Spartanburg celebrated in need.
its 40th anniversary on Oct. 3 with Tim and Nan Cleveland of Spartanburg began
several events that culminated in a delivering meals in 1977. The couple said the
banquet at The Piedmont Club. experience has been a blessing.
Over the years, the organization has dedicated “It’s one of the best things we have ever done.”
itself to serving nutritious meals to frail and Nan Cleveland said. “The main thing is we have
home-bound residents in Spartanburg County. been given an opportunity to help people who
“Forty years ago today, we served our first 25 cannot help themselves.”
people with 15 volunteers,” said Jayne McQueen, Mobile Meals has truly made a difference, the
Mobile Meals Executive Director. “Today, we are Clevelands said.
serving over 1,500 people with 700 volunteers. Our “We have been given a mission, and that mis-
journey began 40 years ago and it isn’t ending.” sion is to help and love other people, and this is
A Circle of Angels banquet was held on the one of the best organizations in Spartanburg to do
anniversary to thank donors who have contrib- that,” Tim Cleveland said.
uted at least $1,000. Many of the donors also Stan Parker of Spartanburg has been a volunteer
serve as volunteers, delivering meals to residents for the past 22 years.
Opposite: President/CEO Jayne McQueen, left, recognizes Maria Bernadi, right, with a Years of Service Award during
the lunch celebration, held at First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, on Oct. 3 Above, left: Mobile Meals Food Ser-
vices Staff, including Chef Tony Williams, center, sing as volunteers were honored. Above, right: Board member, Col.
(Ret.) Duane Haimbach, right, presents McQueen with a flag flown over the capitol.
1207_A_30_SHJMAG.indd 31 11/13/2017 2:02:16 PM

“Mobile Meals has been a community asset
and found support year after year, which makes
Mobile Meals special,” Parker said. “I love
giving back to my community, and there is no
better way to do it.”
Thomas Maguire, Mobile Meals’ board chair-
man, thanked all the volunteers and donors who
have made the organization a success for the
past 40 years.
“This night is to say thank you for your
generous gifts and for your generous time given
to this organization,” Maguire said. “Because
of you, Mobile Meals continues to be a shin-
ing light in Spartanburg for more than 1,500
homebound.”
For the 40th anniversary, Mobile Meals
launched its 40 Points of Light fundraising
campaign with a goal of raising $400,000.
McQueen said she is optimistic that the organi-
zation will exceed that.
The funds will be used to help provide new
software that is used to organize and deliver
meals.
The Palmetto Statesmen performed during Mobile Meals’ 40th anniversary cel-
ebration on Oct. 3.
Staff writer Elise Franco contributed to this report.
1207_A_30_SHJMAG.indd 32 11/17/2017 11:19:52 AM

1207_A_33_SHJMAG.indd 33 11/16/2017 5:21:27 PM
‘Every Menu Has a Story’
Summit Hills’ chef describes menu as ‘edible encyclopedia of the human experience’
1207_A_34_SHJMAG.indd 34 11/8/2017 11:30:49 AM

Roland Tucker of the Summit Hills cooking staff shows off his Maryland style crabcakes.
STORY BY BOB MONTGOMERY + PHOTOS BY ALEX HICKS
T
he chef at Summit Hills in Throughout the year, in honor of a
Spartanburg takes great recently lost loved one, the chef and the
joy in showing respect dining team review the person’s biography
for the senior living and select a menu that best represents that
community through an person’s life.
award-winning culinary Summitt Hills is one of 10 senior living
program called “Every Menu Has a Story.” communities with 2,500 residents and
It has been described as “an edible ency- 2,000 employees owned by the Maxwell
Maryland style crabcakes. clopedia of the human experience.” Group of Charlotte, N.C. As part of its
“Food is a thread in the social fabric strategy to boost the quality of life, the
of our lives,” said Regina Fargis, execu- “Every Menu Has a Story” program has
tive director at Summit Hills. “Through been adopted by each Maxwell Group
‘Every Menu Has a Story,’ we are trying community. In illustrating one successful
to be respectful of our members’ lives by event, at Maxwell Group’s The Stratford
integrating their experiences, stories, and in Carmel, Ind., staff put together a dinner
legacies into that social fabric through that revolved around residents Dick and
strategic menu planning and execution. Sue Hall, who were married for 57 years and
Simply put, we are highlighting our mem- began their relationship as grade-school
bers’ experiences through food.” sweethearts.
1207_A_34_SHJMAG.indd 35 11/8/2017 11:31:17 AM

“Through ‘Every
Menu Has a Story,’
we are trying to be
respectful of our
members’ lives by
integrating their
experiences, stories,
and legacies into
that social fabric
through strategic
menu planning and
execution.”
Regina Fargis, executive
director at Summit Hills.
Roland Tucker of the Summit Hills cooking staff talks about the special meals he makes for seniors.
1207_A_34_SHJMAG.indd 36 11/16/2017 5:20:03 PM

Roland Tucker works on a lemon herb cream sauce.
For the event, the chef wanted to recapture the feel of

the Hall couple’s first date and kiss by having members play
spin the bottle to choose their hors d’oeuvre. Servers passed
around brie and raspberry as the flavors were reminders of
the warm embrace associated with young love.
The dinner had four courses: Pan-seared sea scallops
with micro greens and a roasted corn and red pepper ragout
served in a box to mimic the surprise Sue Hall had when she
opened the box that contained her engagement ring.
The two entree courses of chicken and waffles and bacon
and gorgonzola stuffed meatloaf symbolized their early
married life in which they lived modestly while Dick Hall
completed optometry school at Indiana University.
1207_A_34_SHJMAG.indd 37 11/16/2017 5:20:24 PM

Roland Tucker works on his chicken parmesan dish with a lemon herb cream sauce.
1207_A_34_SHJMAG.indd 38 11/8/2017 11:32:30 AM

Servers wore Indiana shirts and memorabilia was placed Tucker said one such event last year celebrated the life of
around the room to recreate the college days. For dessert, a couple who met while in the Marines in the 1950s. When
members were treated to chocolate spaghetti, which was they dated, they enjoyed going to sock hops and eating
inspired by the Hall couple’s weekly spaghetti dinner date small hamburgers. Employees staged a Marine Corps ball
at a restaurant. and served up red-eyed grits and gravy and couscous with
“These dining experiences do not simply spark conver- scallops that he became fond of while serving at Camp
sation -- people related to the story theme are able to recall Pendleton. Active-duty Marines sat at the head table. The
their own memories and emotions,” Fargis said. couple also enjoyed Eggs Benedict.
Fargis said Summit Hills takes great pride in its dining When not serving up a special event, the dining room at
room, which serves up everything from burgers and fries to Summit Hills serves more than 600 meals a day for break-
filet mignon, salmon, and scallops. fast, lunch, and dinner.
Ana Vareza is director of dining services. The Clubhouse dining program uses a menu system like
Head Chef Roland Tucker -- a native of Baltimore whose at any fine dining restaurant. There are regularly more
specialty is a secret crab cake recipe -- said the “Every than 12 entrées on the Clubhouse dining menu plus daily
Menu” event is unlike any other special food preparation specials. Members are allotted flexible dining dollars each
he’s seen in his career, which began in the 1970s. month to spend on dining and the dollars roll throughout
One recent “Every Menu Has a Story” event in Spartan- the year.
burg celebrated the life of a 104-year-old female aviator, Menus throughout the community also include well-
whose flying took her to many countries around the world. ness menu options. These entrees are prepared to meet the
Food associated with each country she visited was served. American Heart Association’s criteria.
1207_A_34_SHJMAG.indd 39 11/8/2017 11:32:47 AM

A culinary
showcase
SPARTANBURG CHEFS, BREWERS SERVE THEIR BEST AT
‘A Shucking Good Time’
A
BY ALYSSA MULLIGER | alyssa.mulliger@shj.com
n urban
preserve on a
warm fall night
makes the
perfect setting
for an oyster
roast with craft beer and culi-
nary creations from local chefs.
Set back in a clearing decorated
with Mason jar candle chandeliers
and burlap covered tables, some of
Spartanburg’s best chefs and brew-
ers gathered in September for “A
Shucking Good Time with William
Cribb & Friends.”
Spartanburg Regional Health-
care System hosted the second
annual fundraiser on Sept. 21 for Bouillabaisse, a traditional French stew, served with
the Spartanburg Area Conservancy crostini, was prepared by executive chef William Zabala
with the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.
(SPACE) along the Cottonwood
Trail. The 160-acre nature preserve
is privately owned and operated by people,” Cribb said. “I used to
SPACE. camp down here when I was a kid
This year’s event was the first and now I bring my children down
featuring Spartanburg celebrity here. It’s just a gem and it’s good
chef William Cribb, who is involved for everybody to come together to
with several established restau- keep it preserved.”
rants including Willy Taco and The evening was an opportunity
Cribb’s Kitchen, along with new- to debut Spartanburg’s newest
comers The Kennedy and FR8yard. eateries and for chefs to showcase
“We’re happy to be down here tasting portions of both signa-
and the Cottonwood Trail is near ture items and dishes prepared
and dear to many generations of uniquely for the occasion.
1207_A_40_SHJMAG.indd 40 11/8/2017 12:47:19 PM

1207_A_40_SHJMAG.indd 41 11/8/2017 12:47:41 PM
Jamie Cribb and Jason Dyer served South Carolina Pickled Shrimp.
Chef Ryan Cunningham with Cribb’s Catering manned a large fire pit to roast several pounds of oysters.
1207_A_40_SHJMAG.indd 42 11/8/2017 12:48:13 PM

Cribb’s Catering also manned a large
fire pit to roast several pounds of oysters
throughout the evening. Guests gathered
around large wooden tables to shuck the hot
oysters and enjoy them on the half shell with
a dollop of cocktail sauce, squeeze of lemon
juice or splash of hot sauce.
To wash everything down, Growler Haus,
Ciclops Cyderi & Brewery and Motte & Sons
Bootlegging Co. were on site serving up
tastings of various libations. And Little River
Roasting Co. topped the night off with cups
of coffee.
This year’s ticketed event raised $32,000
for SPACE to help with continued mainte-
nance of the Cottonwood Trail.
“Last year we had about 200 people and
this year it doubled in size,” said Andrew
Waters, executive director of SPACE. “We’re
just really grateful to all our friends and
partners who come out to support SPACE
and this event. It really makes a big differ- Willy Taco served fried oysters, avocado relish, charred chili pepper aioli and fresh lime zest atop
ence for us.” mini blue corn masa flour tortillas.
1207_A_40_SHJMAG.indd 43 11/16/2017 5:14:13 PM

Here’s a look at the chefs
and foods that guests got
to enjoy at the event:
CRIBB’S KITCHEN
Michael Combs, assistant kitchen man-
ager, served pieces of cornmeal-dredged
catfish and black bean corn salad atop Anson
Mills Carolina Gold Rice grits, finished with
hot sauce and lemon juice.
“The hot sauce has a kick to it but the rice Michael Combs, assistant kitchen manager with Cribb’s Kitchen, served pieces of
grits really balance the dish out,” Combs cornmeal-dredged catfish and black bean corn salad atop Anson Mills Carolina
Gold Rice grits, finished with hot sauce and lemon juice.
said. “This isn’t something Cribb’s normally
serves and is special to this event.”
FR8YARD
Chad Mullinax with the outdoor eatery
and biergarten offered guests bite-size
soft pretzels covered in a warm cheese dip
infused with beer.
“We used a queso cheese, and you pretty
much take the beer and cook it with the
cheese,” Mullinax said.
MILLIKEN GUEST HOUSE

Executive Chef Matt Ryan prepared small
sandwiches full of arugula from Tyger River
Smart Farm, pickled red onions and slices of
terrine, a dish similar to pâté.
“The country terrine is mainly pork with a
little bit of chicken livers,” Ryan said. “This
event is a lot of fun and we’ve had a good Soft pretzel balls with beer cheese were served by the FR8yard.
time doing it.”
SPARTANBURG REGIONAL
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
William Zabala, an executive chef behind
the healthcare system’s food service,
presented pieces of crostini topped with
Ethiopian spiced field peas, green apple and
cilantro. He also filled bowls with ladles of
bouillabaisse, a traditional French stew,
which he served with crostini.
“We took the traditional dish and added
in smoked mussels, smoked scallops and
oysters,” Zabala said. “We’re glad to help
out the community at this event; that’s what
we’re all about.”
Executive Chef Matt Ryan with the Milliken Guest House prepared small sand-
wiches full of arugula from Tyger River Smart Farm, pickled red onions and
slices of terrine, a dish similar to pate.
1207_A_40_SHJMAG.indd 44 11/8/2017 3:29:03 PM

1207_A_40_SHJMAG.indd 45 11/16/2017 5:17:33 PM
LEFT: The fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese were prepared by chef Joel Sansbury with The Farmer’s Table.
RIGHT: South Carolina Pickled Shrimp from The Kennedy.
THE FARMER’S TABLE

Chef Joel Sansbury, who owns the restaurant with his
wife, Lenora, prepared three items for guests to try –
homemade shrimp and grits, meatloaf with garlic mashed
potatoes and fried green tomatoes topped with pimento
cheese.
“The meatloaf we do on special occasions but every-
thing else we already serve,” Sansbury said. “We get
some people that say they’ve never heard of The Farmer’s
Table so we get to meet them and talk to them here.”
THE KENNEDY
Jamie Cribb, chef de cuisine, and friend Jason Dyer,
sous chef, both grew up in Spartanburg and sharpened
their culinary skills in Charleston before coming back to
the Upstate. They served up appetizers of South Carolina Chef Clay McDonough with The Silo at RJ Rockers served chopped
pickled shrimp with Thicketty Mountain Farms eggplant, salad with fried oysters.
sunchoke, arugula, peppers and radish.
“I was at this event as a guest last year and it was “It’s everything we grow in the Mississippi Delta,”
amazing,” said Cribb, whose brother is William. “We’re McDonough said. “I love all those groovy flavors and
really happy to be a part of this supporting SPACE. It’s mixing them together.”
like our ‘Welcome to Spartanburg’ kick off.”
WILLY TACO
THE SILO AT RJ ROCKERS Kerstin Robinson, manager of the restaurant, helped
Chef Clay McDonough, or humbly the “food guy,” was plate fried oysters, avocado relish, charred chili pepper
inspired by his time spent in the Mississippi Delta when aioli and fresh lime zest atop mini blue corn masa flour
creating dishes like oysters and artichokes in cornmeal tortillas.
cups, oyster dressing stuffed mushrooms and chopped “I wish this was on our regular menu, but this is special
salad with fried oysters. for tonight,” Robinson said with a smile.
1207_A_40_SHJMAG.indd 46 11/8/2017 12:49:14 PM

Soft pretzel balls with beer cheese were
served by Chad Mullinax from FR8yard.
1207_A_40_SHJMAG.indd 47 11/8/2017 12:49:35 PM

Christmas Town USA
McAdenville, N.C. strings holiday lights throughout mill village
STORY BY ELISE FRANCO
C
hristmas Town USA came about by accident.
A long tradition of lighting up the North Carolina town of
McAdenville began in 1954, when four Pharr Yarns employees -
Harvey “Dick” Roberts, Dorus Woodward, Billy Alexander and
Neil Hagan -- decided to put up a few decorations near the mill.
Unbeknownst to them, the seemingly small gesture has become a Christ-
mas phenomenon that brings hundreds of thousands of people through the
tiny town each December.
1207_A_48_SHJMAG.indd 48 11/9/2017 11:29:28 AM

The headlights and taillights of cars make trails of red and white as visitors wind their way through McAdenville to see the
lights on a December 2013 evening. [MIKE HENSDILL/THE GAZETTE]
STARTING SMALL co-founder William Pharr saw the display, he sug-

gested the men do more the following year.
“We were just talking one day and said that we And so they did.
ought to do something to spruce up a little bit for “I think we did about six or seven trees that next
Christmas because it was awful drab around here,” year, and he got excited about that, and Ms. Pharr
Roberts said. did too,” Roberts said. “He said, ‘I’ll pay for y’all
Roberts said after work one evening, the men to put it around town,’ and that’s when it really
used discarded metal rods to form “Christmas started.”
Town” into letters that stood about four feet tall. Now, 63 years later, there’s not a house, shrub or
“We put them over on the hill above where the fire tree that goes undecorated in the town of less than
department is now, ran a drop cord from a house 1,000 people.
and put white lights on it,” he said. “You could see Over the next couple of years it began to expand
it to Belmont (North Carolina.)” when the people started decorating their porches
They also made stars that hung on the old mill and houses, and that caught on,” Roberts said. “And
tower and strung white lights onto a tree in front they all decorate, to this day, and that’s what makes
of the company’s main office. When company it so unique.”
1207_A_48_SHJMAG.indd 49 11/9/2017 11:29:50 AM

Here, Ian Stanaland, 5, checks out some lights on a tree as he visits Christmas Town USA in December 2014. [MIKE HENSDILL/THE GAZETTE]
1207_A_48_SHJMAG.indd 50 11/14/2017 12:47:26 PM

The 58th annual Christmas Town USA Tree Lighting
Ceremony was held in downtown McAdenville on
Dec. 3, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of cars will pass
along Main Street in downtown McAdenville each
Christmas season. [MIKE HENSDILL/THE GAZETTE]
CREATING CHRISTMAS TOWN

Steve Rankin, who created the official
Christmas Town website in 1996, said a three-
man crew starts work on the lights around
August, checking each bulb to see what needs
replaced. By September, the process of string-
ing lights up into trees has already begun.
“These are not the little light bulbs you’d
have on your tree in your house,” he said.
“These are big ‘ole, 12 to 15 watt lights, and
thousands are burnt out or broken each year.”
Rankin said the crew decorates upward of
500 trees throughout town, as well as any trees
on homeowners’ properties, totaling some-
where around 500,000 individual lights.
Pharr Yarns continues to pay for the annual
display, which is estimated to cost about Ryder Orris (18 months) and his father Justin Orris check out the lights moments after they
$150,000 per year. Robert said, however, that were turned on in McAdenville’s Christmas Town USA. [MIKE HENSDILL/THE GAZETTE]
the family prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
“When Mr. Pharr started this, he always said that has never happened.
it’s strictly for family entertainment,” he said. “We were so afraid that newer people
“The only thing any of us wants out of it is the moving into the community wouldn’t want
pleasure of seeing kids’ faces pressed against to do it, but it’s been the opposite,” he said.
the car window, looking out. “They want to decorate, they can’t wait.”
“It’s something the company enjoys doing Rankin said the display has consistently
for the people, and they have for all these been a huge draw because it’s unique and
years.” always delivers on expectations.
Rankin said because residents are responsi- “What makes it so unique is that it’s real
ble for the cost of decorating and lighting their people, in a real town, decorating homes,” he
own homes, there was a worry that eventually said. “You don’t see that on golf courses and
some folks would break with tradition. But motor speedways.”
1207_A_48_SHJMAG.indd 51 11/9/2017 11:30:53 AM

ECONOMIC IMPACT
In 2004, McAdenville con-
tracted The University of North
Carolina Charlotte to conduct an
economic impact survey.
“We had volunteers standing
out in the rain, the cold, for 23
nights straight who would stop
and ask folks to take a survey as
they pulled through,” he said.
The survey data was shared with
organizers the following Janu-
ary and revealed that an average
of 600,000 people and 200,000
cars come through McAdenville
during each lighting season. The
event also brings $12.8 million into
the local economy in Gaston and Santa arrives to the 2014 Christmas Town USA tree light-
Mecklenburg counties. town. You’re not going to get any ing celebration by horse drawn carriage at the Dupont
Additionally, Rankin said 75 more cars through, whether it’s Plaza and then leads the children to Legacy Park to con-
tinue the celebration. [MIKE HENSDILL/THE GAZETTE]
percent of visitors came from 2004 or 2017.
outside Gaston County. “If you live where I do, you
“If we were to do it again now, wouldn’t doubt that at all. You can SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
I don’t think those numbers will be on I-85 at 11 at night, and as far
Daily schedule, Dec. 1 through 26:
have changed much,” he said. as you can see toward Charlotte, Monday through Friday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.;
“You only have one road through toward Gastonia, it’s backed up.” Saturday and Sunday, 5:30 to 11 p.m.
1207_A_48_SHJMAG.indd 52 11/16/2017 5:11:30 PM

1207_A_53_SHJMAG.indd 53 11/14/2017 11:33:58 AM
‘Twas The
Night Before
Christmas
Dash Away All.
1207_A_54_SHJMAG.indd 54 11/16/2017 5:10:09 PM

Eight Tiny Reindeer. Jolly Old Elf.
HISTORIC SHADOW BOXES TO BE RESTORED FOR 2018-2019 HOLIDAY SEASON
HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS
SHADOW BOXES
James Buchanan, window designer
and co-founder of the Spartanburg
County Historical Association, cre-
ated the miniature life-like set in the
mid-1950s.
Buchanan was a window designer
at Aug. W. Smith at the time he made
the eight scenes. Research indicates he
made the set around 1956, but it wasn’t
the original display. In a 1956 Herald
article, it indicates the first set was
made for the 1946 Christmas season and
was thrown out by accident. It took 10
years before the new set was displayed.
The Herald article also states it took
about 13 months of planning and work
to recreate the famous Christmas story.
Stockings Were Hung. Buchanan and his associates, Margue-
rite Smith Compton and Tillman Strange,
From Staff Reports “(Buchanan) was founding member worked on the project together, the
T
of both organizations,” said Executive article stated. They were assisted by
he magical wonder of Director Suzanne Brooks. Mattie Fowler, who sewed costumes
Christmas can be seen It will cost $2,400 to restore each for the miniature dolls. The sets were
in the craftsmanship of window display. Two to three different completed with the help of a draftsman,
the eight James “Buck” painter, sculptor and a craftsman.
artists specializing in miniature houses
Buchanan ‘Twas the Night Some of the details in the scenes
and artwork will work on each diorama.
include a tiny volume of Shakespeare’s
Before Christmas’ shadow boxes which An electrician will also be used to work on works on a table and a small lamp
were first displayed in the windows the wiring for the displays. imported from Italy. Attention was paid
of Aug. W. Smith Co. 61 years ago. “Each display has different needs,” to every detail, including the small
The shadow boxes were based on Clem- Brooks said. “Those with artificial snow, reproductions of alphabet blocks, doll
ent Moore’s poem, which is also called “ the snow will have to be removed and carriages, and books under the Christ-
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.” replaced.” mas tree.
The Spartanburg County Histori- The displays were on exhibit this year In addition to helping establish the
cal Association and the Artists Guild of through Dec. 3. Next year, the newly historical association, Buchanan was the
Spartanburg are celebrating their 60th restored dioramas will be on exhibit Nov. former resident director at Walnut Grove
anniversary this year. Plantation and organized community art
22, 2018 through Jan. 6, 2019.
To celebrate this special occasion, the classes.
To donate to this project, contact the
two organizations are working together to Spartanburg County Historical Associa- Source: Herald-Journal archives
restore the eight window displays. tion at 864-596-3501.
1207_A_54_SHJMAG.indd 55 11/14/2017 11:32:22 AM

MUSCLE CAR
Steve and Geneva McCraw at their home in Spartanburg.
Spartanburg man hopes to restore 1966 Dodge Charger

STORY BY CHRIS LAVENDER + PHOTOS BY TIM KIMZEY
S
teve McCraw still lesson that day.
loves his 1966 Dodge “He stressed to me that I had to
Charger just as much pay the rest and take care of the
as he did when he insurance,” McCraw said. “He told
first brought it home me ‘If you don’t do it, then it’s going
Steve McCraw’s car was featured in the October
from a used car lot in back” and so I made sure to keep my issue of Muscle Car Review. The 1966 Dodge Charger
Shelby, N.C. nearly 50 years ago. payments up because I didn’t want has been in his garage for 20 years. McCraw bought
“My best friend, Mitchell Guffey, anything to happen to my car.” the car when he was 16 years old, and has kept it
drove past and saw it and told me McCraw loved to race the car with for his entire adult life. It has a four-speed manual
transmission with a 383 V8 323 Horsepower engine.
about it so I carried my dad over friends at several tracks in North
It was built at the Lynch Road Plant in Detroit. The
there to look at it,” McCraw of Carolina. He was able to hit speeds car’s paint has faded but still maintains the original
Spartanburg said. “When I bought it of up to 135 mph in the car. yellow cream paint first applied in 1966.
I was a bus driver with the Cleveland “During the time I was driving it, I
County Schools and I worked the went through tires very quickly just
afternoon shift in the cotton mill in because I kept the back tires lit up all
Gaffney to pay off the loan.” the time,” he said. “I usually raced
McCraw said his father, Billy with people I worked with. We all
McCraw, gave him $100 for a down got to boasting about who had the
payment on the muscle car. His fastest cars and decided to go run
father taught him an important them to go see who had the fastest.”
1207_A_56_SHJMAG.indd 56 11/9/2017 3:20:43 PM

1207_A_56_SHJMAG.indd 57 11/9/2017 3:21:07 PM

Steve McCraw’s 1966 Dodge Charger has been
in his garage for 20 years. McCraw bought the
car when he was 16 years old, and has kept it
for his entire adult life.
The car has a four-speed manual trans-

mission with a 383 V8 323 Horsepower
engine. It was built at the Lynch Road
Plant in Detroit. The car’s paint has faded
but still maintains the original yellow
cream paint first applied in 1966.
McCraw said one of his favorite fea-
tures of the car is the four-bucket seat
configuration. He hopes to have the car
restored to its original condition one day.
The car hasn’t been driven in years.
“It (has) been sitting on a lift for 20
years,” McCraw said. “The last time I
drove it was in 1977. I am glad I decided
to keep it and I still love it. I couldn’t tell
you the number of people trying to buy
it. Most of them have been collectors
and people wanting to restore older cars.
I had one fellow want to buy it. It’s his
lifelong business buying older cars and
selling them to people overseas, all over
the globe.”
1207_A_56_SHJMAG.indd 58 11/9/2017 3:21:56 PM

1207_A_56_SHJMAG.indd 59 11/9/2017 3:22:56 PM

1207_A_56_SHJMAG.indd 60 11/16/2017 5:07:29 PM
1207_A_56_SHJMAG.indd 61 11/16/2017 5:07:15 PM
Steve McCraw loved to race his 1966 Dodge Charger with friends at several tracks in North Carolina. He was able to hit speeds of up to 135 mph in the car.
McCraw’s wife, Geneva, is hopeful the car

will be restored. The couple met while working
at the Timken Company in Gaffney. The car has
been a fixture in their lives.
The car was featured in Muscle Car Review
magazine in October and online at www.hotrod.
com. The car was also featured in Old Cars
Weekly in November.
McCraw said Muscle Car Review became
aware of his car while in Spartanburg doing
a photo shoot of former NASCAR race driver
David Pearson’s car collection. His car is con-
sidered unique since 1966 was the first year that
the Dodge Charger was manufactured by the
company.
If the restoration is done, McCraw hopes to
unveil it at a national car show.
“That is our wish to have it restored,” Geneva
McCraw said.
1207_A_56_SHJMAG.indd 62 11/9/2017 3:25:04 PM

1207_A_63_SHJMAG.indd 63 11/13/2017 3:38:30 PM
‘A grand time’ English professor reflects
on tenure at USC Upstate
1207_A_64_SHJMAG.indd 64 11/13/2017 3:36:27 PM

Members of the USC-Upstate Gospel Choir
rehearse on Oct. 14. A reception was held after-
STORY BY DANIEL J. GROSS ward to honor Dr. Warren Carson, who has led the
PHOTOS BY TIM KIMZEY choir for the past 25 years. [TIM KIMZEY PHOTO]
1207_A_64_SHJMAG.indd 65 11/13/2017 3:36:32 PM

11/13/2017 3:36:48 PM
W
arren Carson always has a book in
his hand.
A Tryon, N.C., native, Carson
is drawn to fiction, non-fiction, biographies,
classics, history, and many other genres. His
passion for the written word has been a hall-
mark of his tenure at the University of South
Carolina Upstate. This is Carson’s 34th and
final year as an English professor. He has also
taught African-American history.
At 65, Carson is one of the longest-serving
faculty members at the college, which is
celebrating its 50th anniversary this year —
making his planned retirement in December all
the more bittersweet.
Carson grew up in a family of readers.
“My mother up until recently was a voracious
reader. My grandmother read. My great-grand-
mother read, usually the Bible,” he said. “My
uncle was a heavy machine operator but always
had what we called dime novels and would read
during his break. He and my mother would
trade books.”
Sitting inside his office at USC Upstate,
Carson said his biggest challenge now is Dr. Warren Carson says the key to the success of his teaching is performance.
1207_A_64_SHJMAG.indd 67 11/13/2017 3:36:57 PM

One thing Warren Carson says he has learned is how much gray area there can be to any particular issue. “There’s not a lot
of absolutes,” he said. “(The students) are still in the process of discovery, and I think that’s important because it informs so
much of how we think about everything else.” [ALEX HICKS JR. PHOTO]
1207_A_64_SHJMAG.indd 68 11/13/2017 3:37:19 PM

determining where to put all of his books. His house is students time to process what they’re learning in an
already full of them. open format helps their growth, he said.
Carson taught for 10 years before coming to the One thing he has learned is how much gray area there
university. He taught at Rutledge Junior College and can be to any particular issue.
at Isothermal Community Col- “There’s not a lot of abso-
lege in Spindale, N.C., near his lutes. (The students) are still in
hometown. “We’re in this culture the process of discovery, and I
During his three decades of where we want to think that’s important because it
service in Spartanburg, Carson accomplish things so informs so much of how we think
has seen the evolution of teaching about everything else,” he said.
quickly and fast and are in
college students. “All young people start off think-
“A lot of teaching and I’m sure a hurry. Sometimes I slow ing they’ve learned enough by a
many of my colleagues would things down deliberately certain point, and then you get to
disagree, but a lot of teaching is to get them to mull it over. my age and realize just how little
performance,” he said. “You have you know about everything there
There are points in time
to be alert, and you have to keep is to know. I could read, research
students alert and engaged and you have to stop and savor and study from now on and barely
involved. You can be a talking whatever is there.” just scratch the surface in my own
head in front of 30 if you want to, field, let alone all the other fields
but you’ll lose most of them.” that are out there.”
Over the years, Carson’s strategy has included visual Carson said his fondest memory is spending time
aids and real-life examples to show how what he’s with students. It’s that connection with students that
teaching matters. He said he tries to be conversational is one of the main reasons he stuck around for 34 years.
and leave space for questions and discussion. Allowing “I could’ve gone elsewhere, but I’m sort of a child of
1207_A_64_SHJMAG.indd 70 11/17/2017 11:22:28 AM

Carson said his fondest memory is spending time with his students.
the South, and this is where I wanted to read.

be,” he said. “I’ve had a grand time.” The books give him something to keep
Carson has also been the director of the the conversation going with students in
USC Upstate gospel choir for 25 years. the classroom.
Choir alumni hosted a reunion concert in “I talk a lot, but I also like to encourage
October, and Carson was able to recon- students to talk a lot,” he said.
nect with many of his former students. “We’re in this culture where we want
He is still reading just as much today as to accomplish things so quickly and fast
he was growing up. and are in a hurry. Sometimes I slow
He abides by a one-book-per-week things down deliberately to get them to
rule, though he admits the biography of mull it over,” he said. “There are points in
Alexander Hamilton that he’s thumbing time you have to stop and savor whatever
through took him about three weeks to is there.”
1207_A_64_SHJMAG.indd 71 11/13/2017 3:37:34 PM

CLOWNING AROUND WITH
RORY SCOVEL
From soccer field at USC Upstate to a
Netflix special and a movie with Amy Schumer
STORY BY DAN ARMONAITIS
L
ong before Rory Scovel became a
nationally renowned comedian,
he was a student at the Univer-
sity of South Carolina Upstate,
which was still called USC
Spartanburg when he graduated in 2003.
“I hate using the term ‘class clown,’ but I
don’t really know if there is another term for
what I was,” Scovel said before jokingly using
an expletive referring to a specific part of a per-
son’s rear end as a possible alternative.
There was one thing, however, the Greenville
native said he always took seriously — sports.
He played right-back on the USC Spartanburg
men’s soccer team during its NCAA Division II
era when the then-Rifles, under the guidance of
former head coach Greg Hooks, competed in the
Peach Belt Conference.
“Everything else, I never took that seriously,”
Scovel said. “And even with soccer, I would
pick and choose those moments where it was
appropriate to cut loose and try to get every-
Rory Scovel was a student at the University of
body to relax.” South Carolina Upstate, which was still called USC
Scovel has since turned his ability to make Spartanburg when he graduated in 2003.
people laugh into a viable profession.
A resident of Los Angeles for nearly seven Scovel’s recent professional triumphs also
years, Scovel has made numerous national include a critically-acclaimed Netflix original
television appearances and has acted in multiple comedy special, “Rory Scovel Tries Stand-Up
major motion pictures, including “Dean,” for the First Time.” Ironically titled given that
which starred and was directed by fellow come- he’s been doing standup comedy for more than
dian Demetri Martin, and “The House,” which a decade, the special includes an appearance by
starred Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler. He also rock star Jack White, whose Third Man Records
had a regular role on the since-canceled TBS label released a vinyl-only album of a Scovel
television sitcom, “Ground Floor,” which was performance in 2013.
co-created by “Scrubs” creator Bill Lawrence. “He’s hilarious, he’s super nice and he’s been
Most recently, he’s been working on the very supportive of me,” Scovel said of White.
set of “I Feel Pretty,” an upcoming comedy in “I’ve always invited him and (Third Man co-
which he plays the romantic lead opposite Amy founder) Ben Swank to come out and see shows A resident of Los Angeles
Schumer. of mine and they’ve come out a lot of times, and for nearly seven years, Rory
“I play the guy that she kind of starts to date that’s kind of what gave me the confidence that Scovel has made numer-
maybe there was a bigger thing for us to work ous national television
and has a relationship with,” Scovel said of the
appearances and has acted
latter experience. “It’s certainly a new role and on together.”
in multiple major motion
a new type of character and a new responsibility In actuality, Scovel tried stand-up for the pictures. PHOTOS COURTESY
for me. It’s definitely the biggest thing I’ve done first time a few months after graduating from OF PITCH PERFECT PR
so far.” USC Upstate.
1207_A_72_SHJMAG.indd 72 11/16/2017 4:20:23 PM

“It took me about two to three years to not only really fall in
love with doing standup but to actually think, ‘no matter what,
whether I starve doing this, I think I’m going to try to do it,’ ”
—RORY SCOVEL
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1207_A_72_SHJMAG.indd 74 11/16/2017 4:21:31 PM
“I went to an open mic night
at (now-defunct nightspot) the
Guitar Bar in Spartanburg, and
a bunch of friends came out
there,” said Scovel, who was
then working as a cameraman
for WSPA-TV. “They grabbed
a beer and watched me be a
jackass, and it was so fun. And
it was in that moment that I was
The cast of “Ground Floor”, from left, Rory like, ‘I think I kind of want to try
Scovel, John C. McGinley, Skylar Astin and to do something with this.’ ”
Briga Heelan attend the TNT and TBS 2013 In 2004, Scovel moved to
Upfront at the Hammerstein Ballroom on
Washington, D.C., where his
May 15, 2013 in New York. PHOTO BY EVAN
AGOSTINI/INVISION/AP
comedy career began to take
off. He also lived in New York
for a while before moving to Los Angeles.
“It took me about two to three years to not only really fall in love
with doing standup but to actually think, ‘no matter what, whether I
starve doing this, I think I’m going to try to do it,’ “ he said.
Scovel said his success in the entertainment business can be traced
back to lessons learned while earning a communications degree from
USC Upstate.
“I had some great professors there, including Patrick McCord, Ray
Merlock, and Jimm Cox,” he said. “I could name many others as well,
but those three, in particular, were very helpful in regard to what I’m
currently doing with my career.
“Their experience and knowledge of acting and film and writing is
kind of the foundation of what maybe gave me the confidence to feel
like I knew a little bit of what I was doing.”
1207_A_72_SHJMAG.indd 75 11/16/2017 4:21:46 PM

ARE YOU HEP
TO THE JIVE?
Swing dancing takes foothold in Spartanburg
STORY BY COLEMAN OTT
T
PHOTOS BY WENDY SHOCKLEY MCCARTY
he jitterbug and even

the Lindy Hop are
making a comeback
in Spartanburg.
Or at least a group of passion-
ate swing dancers are hoping to get
people interested in the popular
dance craze from the 1920s. There
are small groups around the country
sparking interest in swing danc-
ing. In Spartanburg, weekly dance
sessions are held by the dance group
Spartanburg Swing.
For the past three years, the group
has grown to host dancers in venues
for special events such as Big Air
Trampoline Park, Speed Factory
Indoor Karting, Hub City Coop gro-
cery store and even at the interactive
Calvin Bradley and Chantille Hull enjoyed
water fountain in Barnet Park.
swing dancing during a recent Monday
Regular meetings are held on night dance at Live Fit Now.
Monday nights at Live Fit Now Fit-
ness & Pilates Studio, Suite R-1A, 100 “That way if you want to get to the
E. Main St. In addition, gigs are held at fancy stuff later, then by all means
Hub City Tap House, 197 E. St., John do it, but we work to have a dance
St., and at Blues Boulevard Jazz, 99 community where you can grow as a
S. Church St. Check their website for dancer and as a person as well.”
dates of upcoming dances. In addition to sharing a common
At the beginning of each event, the passion for swing dancing, group
Spartanburg Swing organizers teach organizers Izzy Hume, Nathan Erps,
a dance lesson on the structure and Maggie Haggerty and Allen are
basic steps of swing dancing. unified in their mission to cultivate
“We don’t want to teach you a community through the art of dance.
bunch of fluff, we want to give you “We let them (people) know that we
practical steps and practical moves don’t just care about swing dancing,
that if you like swing dancing and but hey, we actually care about you
want to grow, these are the building guys; we want to know what you like
blocks to do so,” says Markis Allen, to do, and we also want to make swing
co-founder of Spartanburg Swing. dance a part of your life,” Allen said.
1207_A_76_SHJMAG.indd 76 11/16/2017 4:25:21 PM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Instructors Izzy Hume and Markis Allen (couple on the right) teach Crystal Beasley and Joshua Lawson swing danc-
ing steps at Live Fit Now in downtown Spartanburg. Dance instructor Nathan Erps shows Tori Neet a swing dance move. Instructor Nathan
Erps teaches sisters Caroline Stewart and Katie Stewart swing dancing steps.
1207_A_76_SHJMAG.indd 77 11/13/2017 2:31:06 PM

Dancers worked on their swing dancing moves
at Live Fit Now in downtown Spartanburg.
1207_A_76_SHJMAG.indd 78 11/16/2017 4:23:12 PM

Hume adds that the diversity of
the group has been a key element in
the growth of the Spartanburg swing
dance community.
“I definitely feel that we have grown
as a community,” Hume said. “We
have all ages come in and check us
out and we love that. We’ve had a few
young ones who may not have danced,
but they come in and enjoy it and see
it, and definitely high schoolers, col-
lege kids, and an older crowd. We just
love seeing everybody come together
as one.”
Whether a first-time participant, or
an experienced dancer, Haggerty adds
that “we’ll meet you where you are
and we’ll get you to where you want
to be. We’re there for you to help you
grow as a dancer and we love nothing
more than to see that.”
Erps is the newest member of the
Spartanburg Swing team. He said he
noticed the special qualities of the
local dance group right away.
“I’ve only been dancing with these
guys for about a year, but I’ve danced
before at other places, and when I
came to Spartanburg Swing, I just
realized how inclusive it was,” Erps
said. “It wasn’t clique-based, I felt
accepted, and I felt like I could grow as
a dancer.”
The group has dancers who come
from Columbia, Athens, Ga. and
Asheville, N.C. and Charlotte, N.C.
just to be a part of the scene. The
opportunity to guide all types of
people into the world of swing dance is
what fuels Allen’s passion.
“It’s still surreal to me that I get
to go and teach, and to DJ and dance
with all people from all walks of life.
I’ve made some really close friends
from this and I never in a million
years would have thought this to be
possible,” Allen said. “I always like
to thank everyone who comes in the
door because it’s not possible if people
aren’t coming.”
To stay up to date on all Spartan-
burg Swing activities, find them at
facebook.com/spartanburgswing and
at instagram.com/spartanburgswing/
Instructor Izzy Hume dances with

Calvin Bradley during a recent
Monday night swing dance at Live
Fit Now in downtown Spartanburg.
1207_A_76_SHJMAG.indd 79 11/13/2017 2:31:33 PM

INTERMEDIATE
BRIDGE
STORY BY ZACH FOX
PHOTOS BY ALEX HICKS JR.
U
nder the dim lights of the Cen-
tral United Methodist Church
fellowship hall, a few dozen
Spartanburg County residents are
working to improve their skill at one of
the world’s most popular card games,
one class at a time.
Intermediate bridge, a course that’s
part of the Wofford College Lifelong
Learning program, is taught at the
church with students meeting for
about 90 minutes for eight weeks.
1207_A_80_SHJMAG.indd 80 11/14/2017 3:14:09 PM

1207_A_80_SHJMAG.indd 81 11/14/2017 3:14:32 PM
The class, which is made up of mostly older
residents who have at least some experience
with the game, not only uses the meetings as
a way to learn more about game strategy but
to meet others as passionate about bridge as
they are.
“We’ve met so many new people that we
didn’t know,” said Peggy Armstrong, who
has been playing bridge for several decades.
“The camaraderie is a big part.”
George Russell and Bill Norteman are co-
professors of sorts for bridge students. Both
have been playing the game for more than
45 years, having picked it up and played it
through college.
“Once you play bridge, you don’t really
want to play any other card game. It’s that
good of a game,” Russell said. “Every game is
so different.”
“It’s addictive,” Norteman added.
How to play the game
Bridge features four players paired off at a

table using a standard card deck.
Each deal is made up of three parts — the
auction, when players bid to indicate how
good their hand is; the play, where the side
that wins bidding tries to take tricks to earn
what they bid and the scoring of each round.
A trick is four cards, one from each
player’s hand, played in clockwise order.
Bids consist of a number and a suit and are
designed to relay information from one partner
to the other about the quality of their hand.
Suits are assigned value with “no-trump”
being the highest and clubs being the lowest.
For example, a one heart bid means one
team plans to take seven tricks total with
hearts as trump.
“It’s very similar to spades,” Russell said.
In the bidding portion, the dealer decides
to pass or bid, and the game continues
clockwise until it’s ended by three consecu-
tive players passing. The final bid becomes
a contract, meaning one team has agreed to
Bridge players met at Central United Methodist

Church in Spartanburg to practice their skills on
Oct. 17. Seated clockwise around the table: Gwen
Howell, Peggy Armstrong, Anna Page, and Teresa
Gardner.
1207_A_80_SHJMAG.indd 82 11/14/2017 3:14:43 PM

1207_A_80_SHJMAG.indd 83 11/14/2017 3:14:49 PM

make a certain number of tricks, which are
six plus the number indicated by the bid, of
a suit or in no-trump.
The first player to name the suit of the
final contract or the first to bid no-trump
becomes the declarer. The person to the left
of the dealer makes the opening lead and
the declarer’s partner, called the “dummy,”
places the hand face up.
The dummy then observes while the
declarer plays cards from their hand and
the dummy’s hand.
A team wins its contract by winning
tricks equal to or more than the number
bid. When a pair doesn’t make its contract,
there’s a point penalty.
Aces are four points; kings are three;
queens are two and jacks are one.
“I’ve never really played any other card
games, unless you count Go Fish with
grandchildren,” said Gwen Howell, another
intermediate bridge student and fan of the
game. "We want to be where the passion is
and that’s what we did.” Gwen Howell at the card table.
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1207_A_80_SHJMAG.indd 85 11/17/2017 11:20:39 AM
Intermediate bridge, a course that’s part of the Wofford College Lifelong Learning program, is taught at
the church with students meeting for about 90 minutes for eight weeks.
1207_A_80_SHJMAG.indd 86 11/14/2017 3:15:02 PM

Peggy Armstrong makes a play. Bridge players met at the Central United Methodist Church in
Spartanburg to practice their skills on Oct. 17.
Popular game on the computer or their iPhones with all In bridge, like in many other games
the other games they play, and they just and skills, practice makes perfect.
The American Contract Bridge League never really get interested in bridge,” Russell said the more a person plays,
reports that there are more than 53 bil- Norteman added. the more they’ll learn about how other
lion potential hand combinations in a During class meetings, Russell leads players react given what may be in their
game of bridge. the class through simulations of how hand. That ups the skill level for every
The organization sanctions about hands may work before turning them player and every game moving forward.
1,100 tournaments at a local level, loose to play while stopping to think Both Armstrong and Howell picked up
including one which was set to happen about each move they’re making and the card game in college and have been
in Spartanburg near Thanksgiving, help- how it could lead to each hand’s final hooked ever since.
ing to bring in another 12,000 members outcome. “I wanted to learn a little bit more, get
annually. Bridge is popular at home in small a little better,” Armstrong said.
According to the organization, the gatherings with friends or family. Each woman has gotten significantly
average age of members is 71. Russell Norteman and Russell have experi- more competitive since signing up for
said getting more young players involved ence in duplicate bridge, which is the the bridge classes offered through Wof-
with bridge is an ongoing effort at col- format used at official competitions and ford, they said.
leges across the country and online. tournaments. “I think it helps the mind, keeps you
“We understand that’s an issue and “A lot of people really want to just sharp, a least, hopefully,” Howell said.
we work really hard (to address it),” he sit and eat and drink and have some fun “That’s what I’m hoping for. It does
said. “Now, you can play online and a lot with friends,” he said. “It’s very popu- get challenging, particularly as you get
of the kids will play that.” lar. A lot of people play bridge around older. It’s fun, as long as you keep your
“But, a lot of kids spend a lot of time Spartanburg.” sense of humor. Don’t get too serious.”
1207_A_80_SHJMAG.indd 87 11/14/2017 3:15:07 PM

SCENE Spar tanburg celebrates community
with fundraisers and social events
Visionary Gala
Scholarship Dinner
PHOTOS BY WENDY SHOCKLEY McCARTY
The Visionary Gala Scholarship Dinner hosted

by the Spartanburg-Cherokee Alumni Chapter
of Claflin University was held at the ballroom
at the Spartanburg Marriott on Sept. 9.
Sheryl Booker, Alice Carson Tisdale, Horace Littlejohn, J. Ruth Littlejohn and Dr. Henry N. Tisdale.
Lillie Edwards, Clynta Spear and Dr. Betty Edwards

Garrison.
Zelda M. Lee and Gloria Close. Audrey Thompson and Randy Miller.
Janice Camp, Gerald Proctor, Louise Miller and Guests enjoyed the Visionary Gala Scholarship Dinner hosted by the Spartanburg-Cherokee Alumni
Odessa Wilkins. Chapter of Claflin University inside the ballroom at the Spartanburg Marriott.
1207_A_88_SHJMAG.indd 88 11/14/2017 10:17:44 AM

Tour De Paws PHOTOS BY ALEX HICKS JR.
The 16th Annual Tour De Paws, a bike ride to raise funds for the
Spartanburg Humane Society, was held on Sept. 9.
Robin Snelgrove of Paisley Paws hosted

a booth at the event. Kenny LeBrun and Larry Richards.
The 16th Annual Tour De Paws, a bike ride to raise funds for the Spartanburg Humane Society Inc., was held on Sept. 9.
1207_A_89_SHJMAG.indd 89 11/16/2017 4:27:45 PM

Hangar B Ball PHOTOS BY TIM KIMZEY
The Spartanburg Regional Foundation’s Hangar B took place on Sept. 28 at the Spartanburg
Downtown Memorial Airport. The annual event raises awareness for heart disease and funds for
the Spartanburg Regional Foundation Heart Division. This year, the proceeds from Hangar B raised
money for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for community nonprofits.
Kourtney Williams, Penny Shaw, Terri

Miller-McCoullough.
Trey and Dee Kirby.
The Spartanburg Regional Foundation held its annual Hangar B Ball at the Spartanburg Downtown
Memorial Airport, in Spartanburg on Sept. 28. The fundraiser event for heart health featured a barbe-
cue buffet and music and dance with Party on the Moon.
Lekesa Whitner and Rebecca Williams.
Mike and Tracie Duncan with their daughter Jeff and Sue Goodlett.
Halie.
Dancers with Miss Marion’s School of Dance Pat Young, Jackie Moore, and Patti Foy.
The fundraiser event for heart health featured a barbe-
perform for the crowd.
cue buffet and music and dance with Party on the Moon.
1207_A_90_SHJMAG.indd 90 11/14/2017 10:14:32 AM

1207_A_91_SHJMAG.indd 91 11/16/2017 5:05:09 PM
Jam for Care
Piedmont Care Inc. hosted its
13th Annual Jam for Cafe to ben-
efit the HIV and AIDS prevention
programs of Piedmont Care, Inc.
at Wild Wing Cafe on Oct. 10.
PHOTOS BY LELAND A. OUTZ
Carolyn MacIntosh and Coleman

Edmunds. Kristi Ward, Kim Ward, Ken Ward and Jan Ward.
Tracy Regan and Angela Geter. Susan W. Floyd and Phillip Hudson. Dirk and Catherine Schlingmann performed for guests.
Janet Lankford, Rodney Bogan and Marsha Brown. Lisa Hart and Lisa Coggins.
1207_A_92_SHJMAG.indd 92 11/14/2017 10:15:07 AM

Road Rally PHOTOS BY WENDY SHOCKLEY McCARTY
The Charles Lea Center Road Rally took place on Oct. 1. The rally had a
cops and robbers theme and was called the Spartanburg Heist.
Tessa Russell,
Norwood Stras-
burger, Richard
Strasburger
and Andrew
Strasburger.
Teams assembled before the start of the Charles Lea Center Road Rally.
Janice Addington, Pam Prevatte, Sheila Garrison and Donna Fritz. Russ Calicutt, Leslie Calicutt, Vic Bailey and Ruthie Bailey.
Sam Mitchell, Hill Mitchell, Marjorie Boafo Appiah Kathy Dunleavy, Ray Dunleavy, Stacy McBride, Jack Nancy Lewis, Debbie Cain, Kristen Klap and Kari
and Adom Appiah. McBride and Prema Samhat. Mason.
Caroline Lybrand, Stephen Tuck, Eric Burnette and Tammy Whaley, Sophia Satterfield, Kerin Hannah Marilyn Miller, Kent Miller, JoAnn Bristow and Bill
Shelley Burnette. and Candy West. Still.
1207_A_93_SHJMAG.indd 93 11/14/2017 10:18:24 AM

1207_A_94_SHJMAG.indd 94 11/13/2017 3:46:33 PM
Farm to
Table Dinner
Presented by The Farmer's Table, the
annual "Farm to Table Dinner" featured
a five-course meal with wine pairings,
on Sept. 29. All proceeds benefited the
Hub City Farmer's Market.
Meg Whiteley and Caroline Sexton.
Samir Masic and Dawn Maddux.
Phil West and Deborah West.
Guests enjoyed the “Farm to Table Dinner” at the Monarch Cafe. Sarita Chourey, Ben Montgomery, Hannah Allchin and Mills Smith.
The event was hosted by the Hub City Farmer’s Market.
1207_A_95_SHJMAG.indd 95 11/14/2017 10:18:59 AM

Mobile Meals 40th Anniversary PHOTOS BY WENDY SHOCKLEY McCARTY
Guests celebrated the 40th anniversary of Mobile Meals of Spartanburg by honoring several volunteers and board members at the Piedmont Club on Oct. 3.
Corky Taylor, Boyce Miller, Richard

Harp, Troy McKinney, Marcia Taylor,
Paul Cote, Leslie Calicutt, Russ Calicutt,
Carole Miller, Anne McKinney and
Lynn Bailey, Vic Bailey III, Nancy Cote, Don
Terri Harp.
Bain and Cabell Mitchell.
Guests celebrated 40 years with Judy Bynum, Rick Jolley, Kim Jolley, Marsha Rick Dent, Jayne McQueen, Thomas Maguire, Stan Parker, Vicky Parker
Mobile Meals of Spartanburg at The Moore, Tom Moore, Brant Bynum, Thomas and Morgan Parker.
Piedmont Club. Barnet and Joan Barnet.
1207_A_96_SHJMAG.indd 96 11/16/2017 5:04:11 PM

Art Bulb Choice Awards
More than 200 guests attended the Art Bulb Choice Awards on Oct. 26 at the
Chapman Cultural Center. Between July 4 and Oct. 25, 832 people cast 7,335
votes for their favorite art bulbs in 10 categories. Winners in an additional
two categories - most selfied and most listened to audioguide - were deter-
mined through analysis of data collected from the 39,239 page views of a
tour app (artbulbs.oncell.com) and hundreds of public posts on Facebook,
Instagram, and Twitter.
PHOTOS BY GEORGE A. SACARELOS
The Art Bulb Choice Awards took place on Oct. 26 at the Chapman Cultural
Center.
1207_A_97_SHJMAG.indd 97 11/16/2017 5:03:26 PM

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg celebrated its 30th anniversary with a
celebration on Sept. 7 which honored donors and volunteers at Harvest Park.
PHOTOS BY ALEX HICKS JR.
Amy, Elmer, Natali, and Ana Servando.
Lt. Tim Metz, Bill Barnet, and Molly, Andy, and K. Metz. at the event.
Lynne Shackleford, Teresa Putman, and Peggy Magarahan.
Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg held its 30th anniversary celebration at

Harvest Park.
Ken Meinke, board chairman of Habi-
tat for Humanity of Spartanburg, talks
about the good Habitat for Humanity
has done in the community. Ken and Karen Meinke.
Isaac and Darlane Dickson. Lonnie Myers, Jerry Putman, and Russ Blackburn.
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Artists Going Live
The Artists Guild of Spartanburg presented Artists Going Live on Oct. 12 at Indigo Hall. The one-
night fundraiser featured live paintings by local artists and "celebrities." Food and drink was
served and Brandy Lindsey and Jamison Smith provided the musical entertainment.
Kimberly Rostan and Brooke Weston.
Guests check out artwork during the Artists Going Live event at Indigo Hall on Oct. 12.
Guests enjoyed good food and artwork at the Artists Going

Live event at Indigo Hall.
Brenda Janulis, Chuck Janulis, Jay Shelley and Deb Shelley. Judy Martin and Jeanne Thompson.
Tracey Jackson and Phillip Hudson. Melinda Crowe and Rhonda Porter work together
Jill Edwards and Kay Cash.
on some artwork at Artists Going Live.
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Uplifting Event
Spartanburg Regional Foundation’s Uplifting Event Luncheon took place
on Oct. 16 at the Spartanburg Marriott. More than 600 women affected by
breast cancer came together for the Uplifting Event luncheon. The event
raises funds to ensure that no woman goes without a mammogram.
Brenda James, Laura Stille, Lib Fleming, Betty Williams, Linda West, and
Marjorie Appiah.
Muriel Kennedy, Jane Avinger, Sue Perrin, and Deb Parks.
Cancer survivor Anita Patel speaks at the annual “An Uplifting Event” luncheon.
Kristy Caradori, Brelan Montgomery, Ann Hopkins, and Laura Montgomery.
Dr. James Bearden, right, was honored with a special award during the event,
Honorary Co-Chairs April Sloan and Louise Johnson. which was presented by Dr. Julian Josey.
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Signature Chef’s Auction
March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction took place on Oct. 5 at the
Spartanburg Marriott. Community leaders, foodies and members of the
medical community enjoyed this Evening of Giving. Dubbed the “Tastiest
Ticket in Town,” the Spartanburg Signature Chefs Auction is a high profile
cocktail gala that pays tribute to the culinary excellence of the city’s
prominent chefs while raising money to improve the health of babies.
Dr. Meredith Brunen, Caroline Smith, Lisa Hemond, John Perry, Gaetan Hemond
and Kyle Brunen.
Krista Sparacio, Samantha Radandt and Maggie Maher.

Guests enjoyed the food served at the
2017 Spartanburg Signature Chef’s
Auction to benefit The March of Dimes.
Selena Moshell, Allison Davey, Kelly The Country Club of Spartanburg

VanLeeuwen, Sara Fawcett and shared their Deconstructed Tamale
Chris Alston of Maya Movement Arts prepared by Chef Blaine Neirman at
performed at the 2017 Spartanburg the 2017 Spartanburg Signature Chef’s
Signature Chef’s Auction. Auction to benefit The March of Dimes.
Sammy Ridgeway, Hamp Lindsey, Lou Lindsey and Bill Burton.
Elizabeth Adcock, Libby Wampole, Sawyer Adcock and Sterling Adcock, the Samantha Nicholson, Stanford McMillan and Nicole Papst.
event’s Ambassador Kids and their grandmother.
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Betty Montgomery Book Signing PHOTOS BY WENDY SHOCKLEY McCARTY
Herald-Journal garden columnist Betty Montgomery hosted a book signing for her new book,
“Hydrangeas: How to Grow, Cultivate & Enjoy,” on Oct. 25 at the Drayton Mills Marketplace.
Anna Johnson and Kay Stricklin.
Brownie Lowry and Tom Hannah.
Betty Montgomery signed copies of her new book

“Hydrangeas: How to Grow, Cultivate and Enjoy”
at Drayton Mills Marketplace on Oct. 25. B. Durham and George Durham.
Betsy Switzer, Jim Switzer and granddaughter Toccoa

June Uhler, Frances James and Sarah Galloway. Malcolm.
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Hub City Empty Bowls PHOTOS BY LELAND A. OUTZ
Hub City Empty Bowls hosted its annual Soup Day on Oct. 28 at the Chapman Cultural Center.
The event raises money and awareness for hunger in Spartanburg. Spearheaded by Caro-
lina Clay Artists, Soup Day is a community event where citizens can make $15 donations to
receive locally handmade pottery bowls and a simple meal of soup, bread, and tea.
The annual Hub City Empty Bowls event was held at the
Elizabeth Reynolds, Mary Marshall and Caroline Gaskins. Chapman Cultural Center on Oct. 28.
Rachel Brough and Sydney Brough. Lucy Boland (center) with her children Charlie and Louise.
The annual Hub City Empty Bowls event was held at Libby Wood and Sophie Clayton. Hilliard Mitchell and Sam Mitchell.
the Chapman Cultural Center on Oct. 28.
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PA R T I N G S H OT
40th anniversary of
Andrews Building collapse
STORY BY ELISE FRANCO
T
he dust has long
cleared since the
Andrews Building
collapsed on Oct. 8,
1977, but the unex-
pected event solidified that day as
a part of Spartanburg's history.
Brad Steinecke, assistant
director of local history with Spar-
tanburg County Public Libraries,
said the building, erected in 1913
and standing eight stories tall, was
the city's first "skyscraper."
It fell one day before its sched-
uled demolition, which was
intended to make way for a $30
million project called Spartan
Square that was going to have two
seven-story office buildings, a
convention center and possibly an
ice skating rink.
Five men died when the build-
ing, which stood where Johnson
Development’s headquarters
resides today, collapsed on top
of them. One man, Joe Durham,
survived by outrunning the falling
building and was pushed forward
by the force of the structure’s
self-destruction, according to
Herald-Journal archives.
Steinecke said it's believed that
the building fell due to demoli-
tion crews weakening the support
beams before bringing in the
explosives, which destabilized the
structure more than they realized.

Photo courtesy of William Lynch
Postcard Collection, Spartan-
burg County Public Libraries
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WINTER 2017

’Twas the night before

AUG. W. SMITH SHADOW BOXES TO BE RESTORED

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10 | ‘HARRY POTTER’ CAST 40 | A SHUCKING GOOD TIME 864-562-7223

26 | MADE FROM SCRATCH

restore 1966 Dodge Charger TIM KIMZEY PHOTO

34 | EDIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA The Aug. W. Smith shadow boxes,

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DAN ARMONAITIS, ZACH FOX, ELISE FRANCO,

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Former Spartanburg Youth Theatre actor cast in

STORY BY DAN ARMONAITIS

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Chapman Cultural Center’s

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Chapman Cultural Center

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STORY BY DANIEL GROSS

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Williams worked his way up as

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STORY BY CHRIS LAVENDER

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STORY BY BOB MONTGOMERY + PHOTOS BY ALEX HICKS

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For the event, the chef wanted to recapture the feel of

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‘A Shucking Good Time’

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MILLIKEN GUEST HOUSE

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THE FARMER’S TABLE

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STORY BY ELISE FRANCO

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STARTING SMALL co-founder William Pharr saw the display, he sug-

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CREATING CHRISTMAS TOWN

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Dash Away All.