Two Summerville Favorites Team Up--Azalea Bar and Garden and Historical Dining's Chef Vince Dodson

Azalea Bar and Garden at 219 S Cedar Street, Summerville's new cocktail hot spot, is the perfect place to grab a refresher plus one with your closest friends or significant other. A diversified list of craft cocktails are offered. My two favorites thus far are the Hemingway Daiquiri (White rum, lime juice, Maraschino liquor, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and lime twist for $12) and Dr. Shephard (Sweet tea vodka, ruby port, pink lemonade, and fresh mint for $12). Specialty curated wine, a selection of local craft beers, and a menu of Southern favorites round out its unique presentations.

Dr. Shepard

Since its opening, it has collected a dedicated following of Summerville residents, goal achieved. However, successful businesses always find ways of becoming better, and Azalea Bar and Garden has just upped their game.

The Azalea Bar and Garden has formed a partnership with Historical Dining and Personal Chef Vince Dodson. Starting Sunday, July 10th, The Azalea Bar and Garden will open its doors to present a multi-course tapas-type brunch. The event will feature an alternating cuisine of French and Italian. Seating time is at 10 am and 1 pm promptly.

The menu will change each week and appear on Historical Dining's website and Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages. The price per person is $35, which includes a beverage. Credit cards and cash will be accepted during brunch service.

There will be limited seating, so make your reservations beforehand at Historical Dining. Reservations for each Sunday must be made no later than the Friday before. Enter your name, email, phone number, and party size to hold your reservation. For parties larger than ten, please email tricia1823@gmail.com or chefvincedodson@gmail.com or call (919)358-0768. Other dates available for reservations are July 17, 24, and 31.

The menu for July 10 is as follows.

STARTER: A cup of carrot and curry bisque accompanied by fresh greens topped with yellow bell pepper vinaigrette.

SOMETHING SWEET: Fresh crepes topped with a white chocolate sauce garnished with fresh raspberries and slivers of roasted almonds.

THIRD BITE: Deep dish Quiche with caramelized onions, fire roasted tomatoes, and laced with goat cheese. Garnished with cantaloupe and fresh grapes. Poached salmon in Sancerre wine piped into puff pastry topped with Val-Wa sauce. This sauce is named after the queen of Spain, Elizabeth Valois, 1545-1568.

LAYERS: Honey yogurt layered with fresh strawberries.

Parting Gift: Signature roasted almond banana nut Bundt cake.

Azalea Bar and Garden article.

Historical Dining article.

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."

Take A Visual Walk Into Summerville's Enchanting Past-The Landmarks And The Stories

The Lake House is a 2006 romantic drama with unusual twists starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. It is a film about two people who live in different time periods. They meet by way of letters left in a mailbox at a lake house they have both lived in at separate points in time. Architect Alex Wyler lives in 2004 and Doctor Kate Forster lives in 2006. They carry on correspondence by way of the mailbox and form a relationship. There is a point in the movie where Alex invites Kate to take a walking tour with him by way of a map he leaves in the mailbox to view his favorite architectural landmarks in Chicago.

This is what I invite you to do with me-take an imaginative, visual walking tour by way of images from the past and present for a glance at treasured landmarks of Summerville separated only by the passing of time. Possibly, we may unknowingly cross paths at the railroad station while attempting to recover a book left there years earlier - Persuasion.

Visitors were greeted by this overhead arch for over three decades in the early 1900's welcoming them to Summerville. The brick archway was near the intersection of N. Main St and Highway 78. It meant 'coming home' to travelers as well as residents. When leaving, the last thing you saw was the town's motto, "Let the Pine be Sacred."

This is what the intersection of N. Main St and Highway 78 look like today. The archway no longer exists, replaced with traffic lights.






Summerville's famous Azalea Park, home of the Flowertown Festival, was started in 1933 and completed in 1935. All the flowers planted in the park, 33,000 of them, came from George Segelken's Summerville Floral Nursery. Mr. Segelken was a pioneer in the propagation of azaleas.

Tourists flocked to the park. Bumper to bumper traffic lines on a Sunday afternoon were a common sight. They came because of the beauty, but also because azaleas were an uncommon sight and relatively unknown in South Carolina, except in Summerville. The park runs along S. Main Street.



The scene coming into downtown Summerville on Central Ave in the early 1900's. Tupper Pharmacy is on the right and Bishop's Grocery is in the center. Tupper Pharmacy was started in 1900 by Dr. George Tupper. The pharmacy carried a limited line of non-pharmaceuticals, such as candy, newspapers, and magazines. Pine Forest Inn visitors came to the pharmacy for the New York editions of the newspapers.

Today, Tupper Pharmacy is home to Marigolds and Bishop's Grocery is now the location of Ginger Snaps. The section of road known as Short Central is closed to cars and is a gathering place for Third Thursday festivities and visitors shopping locally owned small businesses.



Arriving and departing guests of the Pine Forest Inn passed through these decorative columns for forty years, beginning in 1891. The inn was world renown and visited by many celebrities, a showcase among Southern inns. It was advertised as being "situated on the outskirts of one of the prettiest villages in the Southland."

The columns are all that is left of the Pine Forest Inn. The final owner took what could be salvaged from the interior and demolished the structure. The preserved columns can be viewed near Linwood Dr. and President's Circle.





The Darlington Cocoa-Cola Bottling Plant opened in 1915. It was located on Cedar Street. Summervillians were captivated by the bottling process in the plant, especially the kids. About the Coke Plant's front windows, it was said there were "more nose prints than any other windows in town." Mrs. Salisbury, vice president for 14 years, was quoted by the Summerville Journal Scene on March 20,1987 as saying, "The children loved to come inside, watch for awhile, then we'd take them back and give them a free coke and some cookies."

The YMCA now occupies the location.











The old Town Hall was built in the early 1890's. The bell that hung in the bell tower was given to Summerville in 1893. The bell came from the Holy communion Church in Charleston, which became the Porter Military Academy or "The Arsenal." The bell rang in the new year, marked the opening and closing of business hours and was used as a fire alarm. There was a $200 fine for unauthorized ringing of the bell.

A popular story tells of a physician named Louis Miles ringing the bell to announce the birth of his daughter to the gathered crowd and gladly paying the fine.


Old Town Hall was torn down in the 1960's. Plans were drawn for the new Town Hall, but the location was not as of yet decided. Several sites were considered. The decision was made to keep it at the head of Town Square where it is today. The new Town hall was dedicated on November 14, 1969.

This is Town Square around 1920 looking from W. Richardson. The main train depot can be seen at the other end of the Square. It was an impressive 100 feet long and 25 feet wide. The Summerville Short ran back and forth to Charleston several times a day from the station.

The Arcade Theatre entrance on S. Main St, marked by a triple-arched facade, can be seen on the right side of the photo. Silent movies were shown at the theater.

This is Town Square today looking from the same location. The trees are much bigger and there is more landscaping. The train depot can no longer be seen at the other end-demolished in the 1960's, and the Arcade Theatre was torn down around the 1930's.



I hope you enjoyed our walk in time. This is the first installment. I will be sending the next shortly. Keep in expectation.

(Pictures taken from Images of America by Jerry Crotty and Margaret Ann Michels, Porch Rocker Recollections, Summerville Sesquicentennial Edition.)

Third Thursday In Summerville Is The Hottest Monthly Event In The Lowcountry-March's Edition Warmed The Chill

Hutchinson Square

The calendar indicates it is spring, but the temperatures outside remain uncharacteristically, southern chilly. Despite this annoying and persistent chill in the air, it could not keep residents and visitors of Summerville from enjoying one of the hottest monthly events in the Lowcountry, Third Thursday. This highly popular and acclaimed event affords attendees the enriching opportunity to experience and feel what is an everyday occurrence on the streets and in the shops of downtown Summerville, warm hospitality and uplifting community pride. I for one wouldn't miss it for all the sweet tea in the Lowcountry and D.R.E.A.M.'s March lineup of supporting amenities was shaping up to be very entertaining.

W.R.E.S. Music Ensemble

My first planned stop for the evening was at one of Summerville's fast-becoming the number one hot spot, Coastal Coffee Roasters. Don't let the name fool you into thinking it is strictly a place to get some top-notch roasted coffee. It is much more. Upon exiting my truck across from CCR's white, brick building on East 3rd North Street, I could hear the sound of a drum beat emulating from the building. Inside there was standing room only, mainly proud, smiling parents, and a group of 18 kids comprising a music ensemble from the Reeves and Joseph Pye Elementary Drumming Club. All were rhythmically beating in unison on drums and having a good time, including the brave teacher who cued and directed the talented group of youngsters.

My next stop was the heart of downtown Summerville, historic Hutchinson Square. Evidence of Summerville's predominant spring flower was everywhere. The colorful azaleas were in full bloom. The smell of freshly popped kettle corn laced the air. The usual tents and booths lined the walkways. The sounds of light conversation and laughter emanated from the tables outside of Accent on Wine. The music and words of "Let Me Stand Next To Your Fire" warmed the crowd that gathered around the wooden, wagon stage and Jimmy Buffets' "Margaritaville" took them momentarily to tropical places.

The Vistas

The Vistas, one of the area's favorite party bands, were center stage in Hutchinson Square and dressed in their usual black suits and sun glasses, Blues Brothers style. A definite crowd-pleaser who sing with passion, the Vistas overcame the cool nip in the air and played like pros, even after all warmth had fled the night with the setting of the sun.

Ernie Eliason

I happened to bump into a pirate named Don Pedro(Ernie Eliason) before leaving the square. The finely dressed buccaneer was on shore leave giving the land lovers a peek at what to expect for the Flowertown Players presentation of Much Ado About Nothing starting April 4th. I bid farewell to the villainous rogue and moved on.

The traffic police were busy directing the cars and crowds on W. Richardson where Moncks Corner's one and only ukulele band called the Hot Shots played outside of People, Places and Quilts. In the back of Guerin's Pharmacy another group of guitar players and a fiddler informally played popular tunes and even invited some passersby to join in, if they so desired.

Over on Short Central, the usual art and craft booths were set up and more home-grown talent dazzled the large crowds entering and exiting the restaurants and shops. A musical ensemble called The Padgett Band played jazzy music. I recognized the bass player, John Daniels. John is a multi-talented musician who also plays the keyboards and trumpet for the popular Summerville band called Busker, a group that performs on a regular basis at Coastal Coffee Roasters.

The Padgett Band

Fleming, Michael, Ricky, and Jessica

Flowertown Players

Dave Keller, the original Busker, took me on a four minute walk to his quaint home where I got a glimpse of what he called his man cave, a building nestled in a beautifully landscaped backyard just a few steps off a deck. It is the place where the five member band practices their songs. He graciously honored me with a new t-shirt with the bands logo on it. Summerville hospitality at its best. We returned to Short Central and the festivities.

While the band took a break, a group of youngsters from The Flowertown Players performed some small skits. Nearby, Jewel Sweeney, owner of Downtown Crossing, was tending her tent and table of handmade goods set up in front of her store where a screen door made famous by a Post and Courier article hangs at the front entrance.

Jewel Sweeney and Downtown Crossing

It was another successful night for the businesses and patrons of Summerville, and it is only a prelude of what is to come. The cool weather will eventually give way to warmer days. I would be totally surprised if three weeks into April the chill of March would still be hanging around. Come on over for a visit April 18th. Join the fun and experience one of the hottest monthly events in the Lowcountry. I'll be there and would like to meet you. By the way, don't forget the 2013 Flowertown Festival in Azalea Park will soon be upon us, April 5-7.

Summerville's Final Third Thursday Topped Off A Successful Year With One Farewell Party

Shopping crowds at Piazza

I had a busy day. The afternoon past by quickly. It was now the hour of five. The final Third Thursday of 2012 was beginning. I drove past Hutchinson Square with one more appointment to fulfill. From appearances, the evening started out with a decent size crowd milling around the streets of downtown Summerville, but rain was in the forecast and it didn't fail to materialize.

By the time I arrived back in Summerville, the raindrops were lightly descending at a steady rate. I would soon regrettably discover the 100% Moreno wool, argyle sweater I was wearing didn't take to rain very well, which became more apparent as the evening progressed. I made a quick stop at Downtown Crossing on Short Central. Sarah was serving up punch and snacks. "We had to abandon our table outside because of the rain," Jewel informed me. Many of the businesses had parties planned and were offering huge discounts.

Sarah serving a young customer

Jewel and a friend

Bill and friends

With the anticipated rain, the Summers were prepared for such an eventuality. Bill erected a canopy over a portion of the front courtyard outside of the shop's entrance to keep their patrons dry while sharing a draft beer supplied by Madra Rua. Providing refreshments for the shopping crowd had been a long time Third Thursday tradition for Aura Lee's, along with Chelsea providing the musical entertainment. This particular night would be bittersweet. It would sadly be the last Third Thursday for Aura Lee's Jewelry, Handbags and Accessories. The little shop with a huge following would be opening its doors for the last time. The ensuing rain cancelled the music but did very little in dampening the enthusiasm of friends stopping by to share in the celebration of a successful venture and others taking advantage of the 50% off sale. I drank a beer and shared a few laughs under the canopy. The festive, blue sign will be missed in the coming year.

Accent on Wine

By now, festivities were winding down and most of the remaining crowd had retreated to the indoors-O'lacy's Pub, Montreux, and Accent on Wine the benefactors. The Fezziwig Party was beginning at Art and Soul. I stopped in to get some quick pictures and catch some of the storytelling of Tim Lowry.

I ventured back out into the rain with one more stop to go. My cranberry, argyle sweater now smelled like a wet puppy. I headed over to Coastal Coffee Roasters in my truck to close out the evening. It was a good choice. Danny Trump, owner of Amazing Cheesecakes, treated me to a candy cane-mint cheesecake, which I took home and ate while watching the holiday reruns on AMC and FX.

Coastal Coffee Roasters open mic night

The final Third Thursday of 2012 was in the books. It was a satisfying conclusion to a successful year for the locally owned businesses of Summerville, and thanks to Summerville DREAM, the Third Thursday event had played an integral part. 2013 will welcome two new businesses to Summerville-Carolina Cottage Consignments opening in January and Homegrown Brew House in February. It has been a privilege meeting many of the local business owners through the course of the year and I look forward to our continued collaboration to make Summerville a great community to live in and to visit. Hope the end of 2012 leaves you and yours happy and prosperous while looking eagerly to next year and continued growth.

There Is Plenty Going On At Coastal Coffee Roasters in Summerville-You Are Invited To Check It Out For Yourself

The red roaster

Coastal Coffee Roasters in Summerville is passionately dedicated to the idea of "transforming the best organically grown beans into the most amazing, freshly roasted coffee." To quote the owners, "We want our name to be synonymous with the best cup of coffee that you have ever tasted." But alas, I am not a coffee drinker. So, what is it that keeps bringing me back to the "red roaster" at 108 East 3rd North Street?
  
While offering the best when it comes to roasted coffee, there is much more brewing within the walls of this Summerville hot spot, but it is not something that can be put into a cup or a container and it permeates the atmosphere as distinctly as the freshly roasted beans that spill out from the oven chamber of its red Dietrich coffee roaster. You sense it when you first enter. You feel it as you mingle with the crowd. You see it while you sit at the hand-decorated tables. You hear it in the conversations of its most loyal patrons.


Coastal Coffee Roasters enthusiastically brews up a large batch of community, actively devoting time and efforts to fostering its well-being and its growth. It does this by graciously opening its doors to other aspiring local entrepreneurs, affording them the opportunity and the space to promote their own products and services to CCR's loyal and growing customer base. The meals, snacks, appetizers and desserts are all prepared fresh in its own kitchen by local cooks and pastry chefs. To take the edge off a busy day or simply to kick-back and relax, local craft beers, such as Holy City, are available on tap and a full rack of hand-picked wines await your pleasure.


Wine rack

Molly Durnin

But, like everything in life there is a need for being balanced-all work and no play is not good for business. CCR's love for coffee is only rivaled by its love for music and fostering talent in the community is one of its strategies. Its coffeehouse has become a gathering place for aspiring local musicians and songwriters. Its open mic night on Thursdays has become a popular collaborative jam session where anyone who has the will and desire can uncase their acoustic guitars and sing a few songs from their repertoire. In addition, Friday night is owned by the Summerville band Busker with Dave Keller on lead guitar accompanied by a collection of his talented friends, and Saturday night tops off the entertainment schedule for the week, often reserved for visiting musicians and locally popular singers.

Like its owners, Coastal Coffee Roasters from the start has never been a body at rest. It is constantly in motion, continually developing. It has always been a work in progress. I have been a keen observer of the many metamorphic changes the coffeehouse has undergone since its early days to where it is today. Recently, its interior block walls have even become the medium on which aspiring young artists have been given the opportunity to work their creative talents. Despite the progression, two things have remained constant and I consider them trademarks-the hammock above the kitchen and the basketball net on the wall. Many times I have wanted to pick up a basketball and play a friendly game of hoops. I have always said, "Hanging out at Coastal Coffee Roasters is like hanging out in a  dear friend's garage to share good times."

Wall mural in progress

Brad and Jackie

Finally, I could easily site all these things as the reasons that keep bringing me back to the home of the "red roaster", but that would not be entirely true. What keeps bringing me back time and time again is Brad and Jackie Mallett. They serve up as many hand shakes and hugs as they do cups of coffee. Coastal Coffee Roasters is a family, owned and run, and I am happy to be a part of the family.
  
Check out this weeks schedule and entertainment. Molly Durnin Friday, 7-10 pm.

Summerville's Third Thursday in November-A Night Of Reading, Acting, Music, And A Party

A Very Little Bookstore

It got dark earlier on this Third Thursday.  The time change that took place at the beginning of the month was responsible. Lately the weather had been on the cool side of the thermometer and this night was not going to be an exception. One of my planned stops tonight was to be at a wonderful bookstore for children called A Very Little Bookstore. I wanted to get a schedule of their book readings.

I had soup and a sandwich at the Eclectic Chef to start the evening. The crowd on Short Central was sparse, not the usual center of activity and entertainment. The customary craft stands and product displays were missing. Most of the attendees were seeking the comfort of the warmer businesses where the traditional wine and snacks accented the friendly conversation.

 
I  chose to take on the outside elements, after all I am originally a Northerner, and took a stroll along Short Central. I saw a young gentleman set up at an open door of one of the businesses with a music stand and acoustic guitar in hand. I have seen many of the local musicians but his was a new face to me. I took the opportunity to introduce myself. His name is Andrew Scholz, a local high school student. I asked him if he knew Chelsea Summers, a favorite singer/songwriter from Summerville of mine, and he did. Andrew also writes songs and covers a wide range of genre including Country, Southern rock, Charleston and alternative. He was looking to build up his fan base and strum up some new gigs. I suggested he make a visit to Coastal Coffee Roasters on a Thursday and take advantage of Brad's open mike night. You can contact Andrew Scholz at Andrew Scholz Music. Leave him a message.

The Very Merry Players of Art and Soul were in full costume and on the streets. Dickens' Christmas Carol was the subject matter. It was also the night "The Fezziwig Ball" was scheduled. I just could not resist taking a picture of the poor lads and lassies while they were wandering the streets hoping to find some charitable individuals willing to give of their time and join the group for a Christmas Carol Walk hosted by Dickens himself, played by Tim Lowry. The tour stopped at various locations throughout the downtown district while Tim provided the narration of the beloved story. December 20th, they will do it all again. Get your tickets now.

Tim Lowry, Storyteller, travels around South Carolina to various schools teaching and performing the craft he learned as a young man in southeastern Kentucky. He studied drama in high school and has a degree in theater. His home is Summerville, SC. When not traveling he often performs stories of the historic South Carolina Lowcountry: Colonial Tavern Tales, Gullah Folk Tales, and Civil War Ghost Stories. You can learn more about Tim Lowry at Storyteller Tim Lowry.

It seemed the theme of this Third Thursday was the acting arts. The lights at the James F. Dean Theater were burning brightly. A dress rehearsal for their next show called "The Flowertown Players Old-Timey Radio Christmas Comedy Show Extravaganza" was underway. It is a play written by local resident David Hatch. It is about an old theater built in 1897 that has fallen on hard times and closed down. A group wants to revitalize it by putting on a show at the theater to raise money. That is where the fun begins and the laughs . Buy a ticket to find out the rest.

Despite the sun's early departure and despite the cooler weather, the local residents braved the elements and supported their local businesses, after all that is what Summerville DREAM hopes to achieve through the monthly Third Thursday event. You will even see the Summerville DREAM team out and about working hard to make it a success. I know that for a fact, I bumped into a team member outside of Accent on Wine hosting a table and greeting everyone with a big Summerville smile. Shortly thereafter, I raised a glass of spirits in her honor as she waved to me outside the window where I was sitting.

An Entertaining Night Of Picture Taking In Historic Summerville-Celebrating New Friends

It was Friday. The sun had slipped beyond the horizon hours ago. A quick glance to my watch revealed it to be about the hour of 10 o'clock. The task of illumination was now the responsibility of the assorted street lights and sidewalk lamps. The live oaks on Hutchinson Square were tipping their branches ever so slightly to the gentle nighttime breeze. A gesture denoting mutual respect, perhaps. Under the gnarled branches of the old tree's protective canopy, in among their ghostly shadows, smiling scarecrows waved at the few passing cars.

Most of the businesses were locked and silent, except for the usual late night gathering spots. I was out this late hour taking pictures of the marquis and signs of the various establishments in and around the historic, old Square, the quiet sentinels that never sleep.

Accent on Wine was one of those nighttime spots still serving up the aromatic drink and loquacious fun to the few gathered around its tables and bar. I entered its doors to take some discreetly chosen photos of its interior. I was standing in front of the bar readying my camera to take a picture of the glass etching mounted among the shelves when I heard someone ask me if I would like to be in the photo, a considerate offer from a pretty young woman sitting on the right side of the bar. She had shoulder length, blond hair and was dressed very smartly. A young gentleman was with her. She was drinking wine, he a beer.

The question was the opening sentence to an enjoyable interchange. I introduced myself, told her I was a blogger. She asked the usual question, "What do you blog about?" I handed her my card and gave a quick summary. She informed me of her being new to the Summerville area and asked where in town she could find the best places to eat. She made it very clear, "I am not interested in chain restaurants. I want to experience something different."

I rattled off some of my favorite Summerville dining establishments such as Sweetwater Cafe, Perfectly Frank's, Matt's Burgers, Oscars, and a few others. At this point, I couldn't leave out mentioning the best place to get coffee, Coastal Coffee Roasters. Lizzy  said she was looking for a good coffee place. But I couldn't leave it simply with coffee because CCR is much more. It has become one of my favorite places for experiencing hometown talent and entertainment with its Thursday mike night and Acoustic Series. Craft beers, wine, and if you are hungry, there are plenty of delicacies offered to satisfy your craving.

Charleston soon entered the conversation, rooftop bars to be exact. It was then I learned they were new to Summerville, but not new to Charleston. The two of them previously lived on John's Island. Justin recently changed work locations and Summerville was the compromise between his drive to Orangeburg and hers to Trident Tech. I asked if she had ever been to the new restaurant on King Street called Stars, since rooftop bars was the topic. Stars Restaurant has a rooftop bar with a 360 degree view of Charleston.

I then said, "By the way, most people simply know me as Vacation Rick." It was then they revealed their names to me, Lizzy and Justin. Sports became the subject. They were a house divided. Lizzy was a Gamecock fan and Justin was a Tigers fan. I on the other hand was neither, since I was an Ohio transplant and a follower of professional football more so than college. Now, all hell broke loose and we ran the gamut of subjects from snow to cream of wheat.

Then, the conversation took a southern turn, transitioning from cream of wheat to grits, two very sticky substances. Justin asked me if I had ever been to the World Grits Festival in St. George. "No, haven't had the pleasure," I said. Lizzy casually captured the topic to describe in detail the rolling-in-the-grits contest and I have to say, it sounds like a funny event. They both agreed, "The best place to get grits is at the Hominy Grill in Charleston. But when you do go, take someone with you who is experienced at eating grits because you will need to know how much salt and sugar to add or you will ruin your whole experience." I must keep that in mind.

"This is what Accent on Wine is all about," I inserted. "A place to relax, sip on a glass of wine, and make new acquaintances." We shook hands and parted ways, for now. I left and resumed taking pictures along S. Main. Lizzy reminded me of someone I had seen before and it finally occurred to me who that was. It was the actress Ali Larter. I hope to see Lizzy and Justin again, maybe at the next Third Thursday on November 15th, a once a month Summerville event the two of them have not yet participated in. I hope to see you there also. I hear there is going to be a party over at Art and Soul starting 8:00 pm. Mr. Fezziwig is the host, and he knows how to have a good time.

Molly Durnin will perform at Coastal Coffee Roasters Friday, November 9th at 7-9 pm. Molly is from New York. She is an indie musician. Singer/songwriter with a rhythmic guitar groove and tuneful melodic sense that draws from the heart of Americana, folk and blues traditions.

For more information on what's happening in Summerville go to Summerville DREAM, a member of South Carolina Main Street and the National Main Street programs.