Summerville's Sweetest Week of the Year Begins With Hold My Tea Bar Crawl--Join in on the Fun

The sweetest week of the year in The Birthplace of Sweet Tea is soon to begin. The annual Sweet Tea Festival hosted by Summerville Dream will take place Saturday, September 17th beginning at 2 pm. There will be plenty of sweet tea and food, and of course, the opportunity to explore the many unique shops, boutiques and vendor booths. Also, a full day of music is scheduled for your entertainment.

HUTCHINSON SQUARE STAGE:

2:00pm Summer Royalty (RandB, Pop, Funk, Jazz Fusion)

4:00pm Forty Mile Detour (Americana / Southern Rock)

6:00 Noah Grove and the Space Ark (Alternative Rock)

SHORT CENTRAL AVENUE STAGE:

2:00 Paul Stone Project (Blues)

4:00 Big Daddy Cade Duo (BB King Tribute)

6:00 Jig Wiggler and Friends (Rock / Classic Rock)

However, the celebrating will begin on the 12th, when participating local bars will compete in the Annual Hold My Tea Bar Crawl in conjunction with the 2022 Sweet Tea Cocktail Contest. You will have an opportunity to drink the competing bars special sweet tea cocktail presentation during the week and ending on the 17th. After, you can vote for your favorite drink on Visit Summerville's Instagram. 

A bingo card will be provided for the contest. You can pick it up at the Summerville Visitor Center or any of the participating bars when it begins on the 12th. The instructions for the contest is printed on the card. Get seven spaces in a row or diagonally, take it to the Summerville Visitor Center, and redeem it for a Summerville swag prize, while supplies last. Here is a picture of the bingo card.

Here is a list of the participating bars: Laura, Cambria Hotel Summerville, Five Loaves Cafe, Hilton Garden Inn, The Azalea Bar and Garden, Frothy beard Offworld, Montreux Bar and Grill, Day Drink Brunch Lounge, and Sweetwater One Twenty Three. Their address is on the back of the card. 

The winner last year was Five Loaves Cafe with a crafted cocktail called Summerville Sweetini by Gabby Owca. Other participants were Spilling The Southern Tea crafted by Amy Heid/Hilton Garden Bar, Cherry Tale crafted by Jacob Billings/Cambria Bar, Southern Rhoots by Rachel Enzaldo/Montreux Bar and Grill, and Sweetwater Raspberry Basil Mule by Laura Walling/Sweetwater One Twenty Three. Enjoy my pictures from last year.

Montreux Bar and Grill

Southern Rhoots

Sweetwater One Twenty Three

Spilling The Southern Tea, Hilton Garden Bar

Join me for the fun. I look forward to meeting you during the week. When you see me, say hi. We will clang glasses and share Summerville stories, like the Summerville Light or The Phantom Flight Over Summerville. See you then. 

The Old Town Hall Bell Tower—The Keeper Of Some Of Summerville’s Most Controversial And Precious Stories

Summerville was a growing town in 1892. With the ensuing growth, time, if not necessity, called for a new town hall to be built. A corner plot was chosen where the streets of West Richardson and S. Main Street intersected. The cost to build it was set at $6,250.

The planned four story building would wisely face the town's main square, an idyllic vantage point. The first floor would house a high-end grocery store called the "Tea Pot". The second floor would contain the municipal offices. On the third floor, a multi-purpose room/auditorium space would be available for special town events such as dances, plays, parties and operas. The fourth story would shelter the structures massive bell, but as history would have it, it would shelter more than just the bell. It became the keeper for some of Summerville’s most controversial and precious stories.

Children were forbidden to go up into the town hall belfry for obvious safety reasons, not to leave unmentioned the easy temptation presented to an impetuous youth to playfully ring the bell. Although, stories tell of savvy youngsters secretly trudging their way up through the humid darkness of the steep, creaky belfry stairs, navigating a hatchway, and then a catwalk to get to the top. Being the tallest building on Hutchinson Square, the view the belfry offered was often the prize. Imagine the thrill one would experience at seeing from above President Roosevelt and his entourage ride by on Main Street as they made their way to the Pine Forest Inn.

Now, visualize the chaos a person could unleash on the town with an unauthorized ringing of the bell. There was a $200 fine for anyone foolish enough to do it. A popular story tells of a physician named Louis Miles ignoring the law and ringing the bell to announce the birth of his daughter to a confused crowd that gathered below. He happily paid the fine not once, but twice for the same reason.

View of Summerville from the old town hall bell tower in its early years

During World War II, civilians were stationed in the Town Hall bell tower as lookouts. Their task was to watch the skies for enemy aircraft and when spotted, sound the alarm. Silhouettes of enemy aircraft were pinned on the interior walls to assist the lookouts in making proper identifications. One night, the town had a scare when out of the darkened skies a plane buzzed the tower. Combined with several other suspicious incidents that night, officials were convinced the town was under attack, but fortunately, it was all a false alarm. It turned out an impulsive local boy on a training flight just couldn't resist the urge to be playful. Maybe, he heard one of the town's unattached pretty girls was on duty that night.

Young ladies, who were on duty in the bell tower, would use the opportunity to do some boy spotting. Young military men were all over the town during the war. The young ladies would use their vantage point in the high bell tower to keep an eye out for a potential date. When a group of interesting prospects were spotted, the young lady would toss a note wrapped around a stone with the date, time, and place of the next American Legion party along with her name to the boy of her choosing with hopes of meeting at the party.

There is an interesting story told by one of those young ladies who was doing "spotter duty" on the date of April 4, 1945. It is an Area 51 type story, except the flying object was identified in this case, but no formal proof has been found to verify the flying object's existence. For one, the wreckage of the B-24 Liberator bomber was buried by the military in the Summerville field where it crashed. Second, the local paper carried no report of the crash. And third, based on their records, the Air Force Historical Studies Office claims no such crash occurred on that date in Summerville and no flight of a B-24 over Summerville existed on that date, as the story is told. Needless to say, everything that has to do with the military during war time becomes classified information. Still, the young lady on duty that fateful afternoon, who I shall leave unnamed, a school full of young children, and the school's faculty would say otherwise, and not to leave unmentioned as additional possible potential witnesses, the ten flyboys who were seen parachuting from the bomber moments before it crashed. It was seen coming in from the east. So, if the story is true, somewhere buried in a Summerville field west of the town hall is the wreckage of a B-24 bomber, but likely hidden below property that has been developed upon by now. The story is called The Phantom Flight over Summerville by Bruce Orr.

School commencements were held in the Old Town Hall on Hutchinson Square. At such an event one evening, in the middle of the ceremony, an announcement was made for the attendees to leave the building in an orderly and quiet manner. Later, it was reported some of the town's officials in attendance had felt an ominous swaying. The upper floors were declared unsafe for public gatherings, in part, due to the weight of the bell in the fourth floor bell tower. This event led to the town hall and its bell tower to be condemned. Thus, the keeper's book of stories closed with the words, The End.

I am sure there are more stories to be remembered and told. If you have a story or know of one, please leave its telling in the article's comments.

More Summerville stories

Sip And Savor Summerville's Popular Drinking Establishments--The Newest Addition In The Trolley Tours

In the late 1880's, the dry and refreshing turpentine laden atmosphere of Summerville figured dramatically in a declaration originating out of Paris, France where a Congress of Physicians named it one of two places in the world best suited for the treatment and cure of pulmonary disease. The impact was almost immediate and the town was launched into a Golden Age of economic prosperity and international fame.

The anticipated rise in tourism energized the local government and plans were inaugurated to address the incursion of visitors. Grand inns were built and opportunistic residents turned their homes into bed and breakfasts. To entertain the visitors during their leisure time, tourist attractions were incorporated and tours of local points of interest were arranged. Over time, social, economic and natural upheavals blew through the Flowertown in the Pines and the days of prosperity went quietly into the night.

In 2012, a beloved local magazine dedicated to "celebrating the character, beauty and pace of the South Carolina Lowcountry with Summerville at the center" stepped out on a pretty thick pine tree limb and made a dramatic declaration pronouncing Summerville as the Birthplace of Sweet Tea.

A new day dawned and the town has since been launched into a new Golden Age. Local organizations committed to bettering the community and its businesses embraced the sweet tea renaissance. The Sweet Tea Trail was inaugurated and tours highlighting Summerville's illustrious past and present have been organized in partnership with the Lowcountry Trolley. The Good Eats on the Sweet Tea Trail has been a huge success.

The newest addition to the Trolley Tours was previewed on Saturday, July 19th called Sip and Savor or Drink the Ville. A cocktail hour trolley tour beginning at 4 pm, it takes you on a scenic drive through the historic district of Summerville stopping at three of its favorite establishments. Cocktails, wine or samples of local brews await your arrival for you to sip and savor--bartenders choice. It departs from Oscar's Restaurant on the 3rd Saturday of the month and tickets are $27.

After a couple of pictures in Oscar's reception area and a few welcoming words by our guide, Tina Zimmerman, we were instructed to gather at the bar and choose between two cocktails named Old House Crown and South Cackakackey(Cackalackey is a nickname for Carolina). If you were there as a couple and you incorporated a bit of shrewdness, the choice was easy and rewarding--each mark a different selection and enjoy both cocktails by sharing.

While we sipped the outstanding drinks Tom, Oscar's representative, introduced the bartender and shared the contents of the cocktails. While going over the dinner selections for that evening, he flavored his narration with some humorous quips, also introducing himself by what he referred to as his Indian name, Running Tab. Crab dip on a small cracker was placed before us as a teaser. The sly maneuver left you wanting more.

After a pleasant ride on the trolley, our second stop was Miler Country Club or better known by long time residents as the Country Club of Summerville. An interesting piece of golf course history mixed in with a full glass of a refreshing sweet tea concoction and cups of Palmetto Cheese and Chicken Salad was offered up.

We were cooled by the "Big Ass Fan" while sitting at tables on the Candlelite Pavillion. Another group picture and we were on the road to the "C" of Summerville or Coastal Coffee Roasters, our third and final stop.

The "C's" community table was lined with glasses of Sierra Nevada and platters of jelly covered bread. Those who didn't want to drink beer were accommodated with a replacement beverage.

Brad Mallett, owner and orchestrator of the "most popular venue in Summerville", welcomed the group and spoke about the "C's" driving force, community spirit. Besides roasting the finest coffee, it is a gathering place for talented musicians and artists, imaginative writers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Plans are underway for a brewery on sight.

The group ended the visit gathered at the painting of Bill Murray drinking coffee for a parting snapshot--something of a tradition these days.

After the tours completion, feedback and suggestions on ideas or improvements were encouraged. In my humble opinion, the three stops were an appropriate number. A fourth stop might have put me over the edge of feeling pretty good. The scheduled hour and a half went by quickly. Depending on distances between stops, possibly 5 to 10 minutes, it appears twenty minutes was enough time to complete your drink and if not, you were allowed to bring in onto the trolley to finish off while traveling to the next establishment. When you consider drinks cost on a average of $5 to $7 dollars, adding appetizer teasers, the $27 ticket appears reasonable.

It doesn't take much to please me. I am happy doing most anything along as I am doing something. The tour introduces you to Summerville's drinking establishments and a preview of what they have to offer residents and visitors. It was a pleasant romp on the trolley. I didn't pay much attention to the passing scenery--more occupied with conversation with fellow participants, which was a gratifying by-product of the tour. After all, drinks and conversation go together like Summerville and sweet tea.

Clue: What Was One Of The Most Successful March Events In The Lowcountry--Third Thursday In Summerville

With the clues strategically scattered about, the game was afoot. The location: the downtown district of the Birthplace of Sweet Tea, historic Summerville. The time: Third Thursday. It would be an evening when no one was above suspicion and everyone looked guilty, especially the proprietors of the local businesses--guilty of pleasure that is. With the necessary green assets in hand, I set out onto The Sweet Tea Trail to solve the crime of the century--who bumped-off the Mayor, the crime scene, and the weapon used?

A short walk from the free parking garage was Short Central--an appealing section of bricked-road closed to automobiles lined with shops and outside dining. It was beginning to fill up with residents and visitors. The usual Third Thursday tables of arts and crafts were scattered about.

My first destination was Four Green Fields. I quickly surveyed the interior of the crafty gallery and lured into sampling a spicy Asian concoction called CO Singapore--a fruitless attempt by the proprietor to distract me from apprehending my first clue. With a little assistance from an innocent bystander, I zeroed in on the clue, pocketed it, and slipped out the door. My next stop was Simple to Sublime.

Upon entrance I was greeted by the owner, Samantha, who proceeded at trying to win me over with her insatiable British charm and infectious smile; I am a push over when it comes to interesting accents. I successfully resisted. While checking out a rack of unusual looking flip-flops made from recycled tires, she offered me a glass of red wine, perhaps another attempt to weaken my keen senses. Unwittingly on he part, the wine led me to the clue I was seeking. I nonchalantly picked it up and politely exited. I pressed on.

Piazza Home and Art Central Gallery were packed with patrons. I was able to blend in with the crowd at Piazza and went about my business relatively unnoticed--a skill I had acquired over the years in my travels around the Lowcountry. In Art Central, I interrogated one of the employees about an artistically painted rocking chair. "It's part of the Summerville ROCKS initiative. They will be auctioned off to support a scholarship for a local art student and other community charities," she informed. I took some necessary pictures to be uploaded later for further scrutiny.

Next, family owned, family made Downtown Crossing was a challenge. Co-owner, Sarah, was suspiciously evasive when I tried to engage her in some conversation, as if she was purposely obstructing me from the clue. She began to reel off a host of quotes from a murder/mystery movie. The ruse worked, I had no Clue what she was talking about. Her partner, Jewel, entered the retail area and gave me a cold stare that sent chills down my spine. She became a prime suspect. Despite the setbacks, I persevered and acquired the proof I came there for.

And so, I went from Central to W. Richardson to Cedar, from business to business--Relic Revival, Southern Belle Epoque, Savvy Rose, and so-on and so-on--People, Places and Quilts quite possibly could be the longest store in Summerville.

Acquiring the clue at Eat/Sleep/Play was kids play and Off the Wall Art Gallery was curiously cooperative. The charming couple attempted to bribe me with a beer all the while masterfully doing their level best to frame one of the other local proprietors, Brad Mallett of Coastal Coffee Roasters. Misdirection or was their actions genuinely sincere? I was looking for baba ganoush, but found no traces of the Levantine dish. I was in need of more clues to sort out these unknowns.

Hutchinson Square was bustling with activity. Muscle cars lined one end and the Wounded Warriors occupied the other. The smell of Kettle corn laced the tall oaks scattered about. Underneath the trees long branches, the gathering crowd danced in the street to the rock tunes of the ever popular Vistas. I filtered through the happy partiers acquiring more pictures and recording more video to sift through later on. I sat at one of the sidewalk tables outside of Accent On Wine and discreetly gleaned the chatter of the patrons as they munched on cheese platters and hoisted glasses of wine and beer to their lips.

I analyzed the evidence collected thus far. The guilty suspect was narrowed down to two--the what and the where were still unclear. Darkness was emerging and the 8:00 pm hour was rapidly nearing. Six more establishments were my targets--all on Town Square.

Walking S. Main, I came across more painted rocking chairs. Among the targeted shops were Guerin's Pharmacy; the oldest pharmacy in South Carolina and Homegrown Brewhouse; a brewpub in the heart of Downtown. Considered Third Thursday hotspots, neither yielded any usable leads. Although, a quick stop at the Summerville Dorchester Museum around the corner on East Doty Ave, the pick up point for the Trolley Tours, proved very informative.

 
Back on the Town Square, the music had ended and the crowd was beginning to disperse. The vendors were dismantling their booths. It was time to rap up my investigations for the evening. I returned to Accent On Wine to enjoy a parting beer. Reflecting back on the night's activities, all evidence overwhelmingly pointed to another successful Third Thursday in Summerville. The next date of interest: Monday, March 24th. The three clues will be revealed and the winning investigators announced. "Elementary, my dear Collins, elementary."