By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net When it’s spring and the rocky shoals spider lilies bloom, spring’s my favorite season. When mornings of chilled air and radiant leaves arrive, fall’s my favorite season. When I think of autumn memories, first on my list are my days standing by the AugustaContinue Reading
By Radley West There’s a difference between letting go of something because you don’t care anymore and letting go because you know it’s time for something different. I’m learning that the second one can be much harder. For almost two decades, I’ve been a gym owner. I didn’t just ownContinue Reading
By Sarah Ostergaard Next week, families and stakeholders in LR5 will have another opportunity to take a closer look at how our schools are performing. South Carolina’s annual School Report Cards are scheduled for public release on October 15. The reports are available online through the state’s School Report CardsContinue Reading
Turning a minor disappointment into a measurable victory By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Stupidity, defiance, or calculated risk: Probably a bit of all three. Yesterday morning I had routine blood labs done. Everything looked good – Praise God – though my hemoglobin levels (the culprit in my 2024 stroke) wereContinue Reading
By Mike DuBose What if the next major change in your life begins with questions you type into a computer? Suppose that same technology helps you solve everyday issues, yet forces your children or grandchildren to re-think their careers and education. The possibilities are exciting, while others are downright scary!Continue Reading
Local powerlifter Lawrence Brimfield breaks NFL Combine record on bench press By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Seven weeks after One Life Fitness (1LF)–Sandhills hosted its first-ever 1,000-pound club powerlifting event in northeast Columbia, one of that gym’s sister facilities, 1LF-Forest Acres held its also-first Fall4All event with the same big-threeContinue Reading
Award is the namesake of Sheriff Leon Lott By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Martial arts practitioner and acclaimed instructor for U.S. and foreign special operations forces Ben “Yeti” Rhodes was awarded the S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame’s prestigious “LEON LOTT – FIRST THROUGH THE DOOR” AWARD,” during a privateContinue Reading
Photo: Pinckney holding book cover courtesy of Sporting Classics Daily. By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net In Burning The Days, James Salter wrote of his fellow fighter pilots after Korea vanished from his gunsights. “Once in a while in a locker room or bar I would hear a remark thatContinue Reading
By Sarah Ostergaard In July, I wrote about an upcoming public comment period for the draft Social Studies standards to be used in South Carolina schools in the next standards cycle, starting in 2028. The draft standards are now open for public review and feedback through October 9. Education affectsContinue Reading
By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Thirteen years ago I wrote of highways with memorable names. I mentioned Whiskey Road and Easy Street in Aiken as one of the country’s more photographed road signs. In Albany, Georgia, Lonesome and Hardup Roads make an interesting intersection, and in McCormick CountyContinue Reading
South Mecklenburg High School hosts first-ever S.C. Military Veterans Hall of Fame Football Game By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Among the myriad memorial services held late last week commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks – and honoring first responders to include the military – perhaps none wereContinue Reading
The dedication and work of SCDNR’s Anna Huckabee Smith By Tom Mullikin Conservation is often measured in acres protected, species recovered, waterways restored or dollars invested. But behind each of those accomplishments are dedicated professionals bringing together science, public service, partnerships and a deep belief that the natural resources entrustedContinue Reading
Sermon delivered to the congregation of Main Street United Methodist Church in Columbia, S.C. By W. Thomas Smith Jr. EDITORIAL NOTE: TODAY marks the 25th anniversary the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. On the 10th anniversary – 2011 – writer and military analyst W. Thomas Smith Jr. was asked toContinue Reading
Crossing over Clear Creek. Photo by Katie Shugg By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net 8-22-2026 — a day for numbers, a day to visit the Old West. From Denver’s mile-high air we took I-70 45 miles west to an elevation of 8,772 feet to board an 1884 steam train. WeContinue Reading
By Sarah Ostergaard I have been skeptical of educational acceleration for a very long time. In fourth grade, I remember my teacher telling us that her job was to prepare us for fifth grade. At my elementary school back then, fourth graders had 15 minutes of morning recess, 30 minutesContinue Reading