Nobody wants to lose their mate. Well, almost nobody. However, widowhood can be okay, even good. The saddest day of my life was when my husband died. Usually, the marriages that are the saddest to end are the long ones that began when the partners were still in or barely out of their teens. Marriage […]
Teeth Have Numbers?
January 22, 2026 By
I recently sat down with Cassandra Brown, who owns a dental school and is a resident of Ridgeway, for an interview. We talked about teeth, dental education, and all the grown-up things that come with it. I walked away thinking I’d learned something useful. I didn’t realize how much thinking I was about to do. […]
Guest Editorial: Profitable farms and forests are SC’s best conservation strategy
January 22, 2026 By
South Carolina is blessed with rich farmland and productive forests. These working lands feed families, sustain communities, fuel billions in economic activity, and preserve our landscapes. The industries most responsible for conserving our soil, water, wildlife habitat, and rural character—FARMING AND FORESTRY—are facing serious economic challenges. Our debates surrounding “conservation” are growing louder with family […]
Letter: Penny Tax Passage Starts With Trust in Board Appointments
January 22, 2026 By
One of Fairfield County’s outside advisors for the county’s Capital Project Penny Tax referendum reminded our county council that, “A wise person said we move at the speed of trust, and a lot of times there’s just no trust out there.” The formation of the Penny Tax committee is the starting point for the proposed tax […]
Blythewood crowds greet Monks
January 15, 2026 By
BLYTHEWOOD – I had been following the Walk for Peace Facebook page closely since the monks entered South Carolina, carefully considering where the best place might be to witness their journey in person. I suspected the State Capitol would draw the largest crowd, and I was right. Thousands turned out to join the monks as they walked […]
Precious Possessions
January 15, 2026 By
Is there something wrong with me? I like other people’s discarded things. One of my favorite possessions is my aunt’s small, old shovel. It is probably 5” x 8,” with a broomstick-sized handle. My Aunt Mary used this little shovel for years to plant her flowers and vegetables. She probably used it to help me […]
Kenny’s Corner: Guess Who Came to Town
January 15, 2026 By
Nearly 2,000 people came to little ol’ Ridgeway, South Carolina to see some monks, so naturally, I had to see what all the fuss was about. I mean, I used to go walking with my grandma to work when I was a kid and nobody showed up for that. No sound system. No crowd. No […]
What Scares You?
January 8, 2026 By
What scares you? What scares me? Really not much. My father once said I was not wise enough to be scared. But, frankly, I like the quote, “A coward dies a million deaths, a brave man only one.” I value the ability to trust in the goodness of others. My life experiences should have made […]
Kenny’s Corner: Lessons from the Upside Down
January 8, 2026 By
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, especially one with no Wi-Fi, you probably know about the phenomenon known as Stranger Things. For a good stretch of the holiday season, it felt like the show had a monopoly on conversation. At dinner tables. In barbershops. On timelines. If you hadn’t watched it yet, someone was […]
Kenny’s Corner: A New Year, Properly Procrastinated
December 30, 2025 By
If you’re reading this, that means you’re still alive. Thank God—that alone feels like a solid way to start a new year. This is the season of resolutions. Save money. Get out of debt. Lose weight. Go to the gym. Drink more water. Some of y’all have already broken at least two of those, and […]
