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Articles by Ben Culbreth
SC farms are fall fun destinations with mazes and more. Here are 6 to visit
"Grandma, it's this way!" Eight-year-old Reagan and her 6-year-old brother, Jackson, holler that phrase more than a few times as they navigate the labyrinth that is the West Farm Corn Maze. They're leading their grandmother, Belinda Sandlin, a Berkeley Electric Cooperative member, through rows of corn, often scattering in opposite directions as they try to escape the stalks. Reagan and Jackson aren't maze rookies. This is their third one.
140 years later, the 1886 Charleston earthquake still raises a 'what if?'
As Charlestonians lay in their beds and the city bid goodnight to a sultry summer day, the ground shook mightily. Fewer than 60 seconds was all it took for the largest earthquake recorded in the Southeast to this day—and one of the largest ever in eastern North America—to rattle Charleston, damage the city and claim 60 lives. Aug. 31, 1886, was marred by the type of disaster that today, 140 years later, could incapacitate swaths of South Carolina society.
ECMW serving up more than good eats
If there’s one example that sums up the impact of East Cooper Meals on Wheels, it’s Eddie. He’s a volunteer who’s been knocking on doors, delivering meals and spending time with people for 20 years. “He knows the people on his route like family,” said George Roberts, President and CEO of East Cooper Meals on Wheels. That kind of interaction is indicative of what volunteers and Meals on Wheels mean to people.
Community, classes & coffee on the menu at MP Senior Ctr.
The transition from career to retirement is often abrupt. One day someone goes to work, possibly to a place where they’ve spent decades of their lives, and the next, their entire routine and way of life changes. For many, the workplace has served as more than a place to collect a paycheck. It’s also a social circle, where friends are made and connections that last beyond the 9-to-5.
Franke at Seaside sets a course for adventure
For Erin Wilson, Director of Life Enrichment – Active Lifestyle Community at Franke at Seaside, every day is opportunity to spend time with people she calls friends. “In my brain, these are just my friends, and my job is to help them have a good time day in and day out,” she explained. "It's just so much fun. These people have the most amazing stories and things to offer." Wilson has been in human programming for nearly two decades, working across age ranges, from children to senior adults.
Tell-tale red flags for the aged
Sometimes it takes a big moment for family or friends to realize their loved one needs help. “The biggest thing is when a parent or senior will have a fall,” Kimberly Cowan, Caregiver Manager at Nova Leap Home Health, said. But according to Cowan, there are often early signs that an older adult needs additional support before a fall or injury. “There are more subtle things like changes in personal hygiene or weight loss,” she explained.
Horticulture for healing at Roper SF
At Roper St. Francis Healthcare, a new kind of therapy is blossoming. Led by patient care technician Jose Saravia, Roper St. Francis has implemented therapeutic horticulture as part of its care program over the last two years. Saravia studied horticulture at Trident Technical College and has taken courses in therapeutic horticulture at NC State University. He began wondering how the practice could be applied to his workplace.
Bronze stars mark the scars of history on SC State House. Here's their story
Most conflicts today in the South Carolina State House are confined to lawmakers’ debates on the House and Senate floors. But more than 150 years ago, a much more devastating struggle struck the state capitol. And the scars of that moment in American history are still present.
Stepping Outside: The Midlands offer residents ample opportunities for outdoor recreation
The Upstate has its foothills and mountains. The Lowcountry is known for its tidal creeks, beaches and marshlands. In the middle of these two regions, the Midlands of South Carolina has its own outdoor scene. Major waterways like the Congaree and Savannah rivers provide some of the state’s best paddling. Lake Murray is one of the state’s largest lakes, attracting new residents, second homeowners, and folks looking for world-class fishing.
After more than 50 years, Flowertown Festival’s legacy continues
Judy Cranford remembers the first Flowertown Festival well. It rained, which didn’t bode well for the beauty pageant. Azalea Park, where the festival is still held today, was soggy. The organizers spent much of their time solving problems that inevitably arise in the first year of an event. It took many favor calls and connections across Summerville to get everything in place. But at the end of the day, Cranford says they were happy with the outcome.
From painful past to vibrant future at SC's former mental hospital
“We’ll send you to Bull Street.” Any South Carolinian in the 20th century probably knew what that statement meant. A friend makes an unbelievable claim? Tell her where she belongs. A 10-year-old throws a tantrum? Warn him about Bull Street. It was a colloquialism for years, a threat that acting out of line might result in a stay at the South Carolina State Hospital on Columbia’s Bull Street, one of the capital city’s main thoroughfares.
All the places you could go: Is now the time for Columbia’s Blue Bikes to make a comeback?
At the Lincoln Street tunnel, a bike station sits empty. A sign, which once helped cyclists navigate the city, now says, “Gearing Up for a Comeback! Stay Tuned for our Reopening!” Similar stations can be found throughout Columbia, all devoid of the bikes that marked a new way to navigate the capital city when launched in 2018. Nearly eight years after it debuted, the Blue Bike Program will not have a comeback, according to city officials. The stations have been dormant since 2023.
Is hunting a rich man’s sport? Land access and declining wildlife populations are changing SC trends
You have permission to edit this article. COLUMBIA — Cameron Foster remembers what it was like to bag his first turkey. He remembers the sounds. He remembers his heart feeling like it was going to beat out of his chest as the bird approached. And he remembers calling his mom afterwards to tell her about it.
Simple ways to build strength and stay active
"The biggest thing for people when they retire, they think they can relax and stop moving.” Marissa Barth has worked with many patients as an Occupational Therapist at East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant. She’s seen how difficult it is for folks who stop being active. “That is the worst kind of mentality to have,” she said. Barth said while relaxing may sound ideal for those in retirement, activity is the key to longevity. She said any level of movement is good.
Happy life through healthy joints
Dr. Robert Lowery knows a thing or two about the injuries athletes can suffer. He’s treated many of them as an orthopedic surgeon at Roper St. Francis Physician Partners Orthopaedics. And he is one of those athletes. Lowery said he’s played sports since he was a teenager and participated in all sorts of events, like motocross racing, running, triathlons and windsurfing, throughout his life. As he aged, he began to pivot away from those more demanding sports because of joint issues.
Injury prevention and when to opt for surgery
Just over a decade ago, Robert D’Amato was refereeing a lacrosse game. The fast, intense sport required a lot of officials tasked with enforcing the rules. During one game, D’Amato felt pain that he thought was just an ankle injury. "In 2013, during a college lacrosse game, I thought I twisted my ankle when I stepped in a sandy hole, but what ended up happening is I tore my Achilles,” Robert said. D’Amato was sidelined for three years and forced to stop officiating, which he’d done since the 1990s.
Reflecting on a life well-lived
DeAnne Reed Vane has an interesting perspective on life’s progression. She’s the Director of Marketing at Franke at Seaside, a non-profit retirement community in Mount Pleasant. Over the past two decades, she has had the opportunity to see many people go through the transition from working and careers to retirement. And she’s watched how the perspective on aging and moving to a community has changed as well.
Eye on women's health: Aging gracefully
“The most common question is, ‘How am I going to get through or get over menopause?’” Dr. Maggie Evans, General Gynecologist at Novant Health on Daniel Island, said. Evans treats many women as they age and said there are misconceptions around menopause and changes in female health around age 50 and beyond. One of the most common misunderstandings is that the symptoms of menopause have a defined beginning and end.
Renovations: What Are the Experts Saying?
Nicki Pogel knows all too well what it’s like to go through an extensive renovation because she’s in the middle of one right now. A Realtor at Realty ONE Group Coastal, Pogel said a home she purchased in October has been completely gutted. This experience, along with what she sees in working with clients, has given her a unique perspective on what the process is like and how, like a string that won’t end once it’s tugged, a renovation can stretch on with seemingly endless challenges.
A food legend in the making? SC BBQ chef gains acclaim
Robbie Robinson Age: 51. Resides in: Lexington. Real good barbecue: For the second straight year, Robinson was a James Beard Award finalist in the category of “Best Chef: Southeast.” The James Beard Awards are one of the most prestigious distinctions in the food world. All-consuming: Running a restaurant takes up most of Robinson’s time. When he gets a break, he eats, sleeps and drives the back roads of South Carolina to clear his mind.
Life in the Midlands is like being in the sweet spot of South Carolina. It's a mix of city amenities and small-town life. The area features major sports and events for those who can't wait to catch a game or concert. And it offers access to all sorts of activities. The cities and towns of the Midlands are the pulse of the area's cultural hub, home to many restaurants, businesses and art venues distinct to the region. At each stop in the area, locals are known for their friendly, welcoming demeanor.
The Thoroughfare: How the Midlands shaped the American Revolution in South Carolina
Much of South Carolina’s Revolutionary War history is tied to places like Kings Mountain and Cowpens, battles that shifted the course of the conflict and played a nationally recognized role in the American victory. Despite not having the same place in history books, the War for Independence has many moments of significance here in the Midlands. With Charleston being the state’s primary city, much of the activity was centered along the coast.
'It’s part of the culture': How the CCC built the foundation for SC’s state park system
COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s State Park system owes much of its heritage to one of America’s most challenging moments. In the throes of the Great Depression, many struggled to find work and make ends meet. To help support those without jobs, President Franklin Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The mission was simple: put young men to work creating parks and supporting the country’s national resources.
'It’s part of the culture': How the CCC built the foundation for SC’s state park system
COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s State Park system owes much of its heritage to one of America’s most challenging moments. In the throes of the Great Depression, many struggled to find work and make ends meet. To help support those without jobs, President Franklin Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The mission was simple: put young men to work creating parks and supporting the country’s national resources.
Full Under $40: Eat for cheap at these northeast Columbia restaurants
Here's the latest edition of Free Times' Full Under $40 series. The goal is to provide a three-meal itinerary for a Midlands neighborhood that comes to $40 or less, including tip and tax. This roundup focuses on northeast Columbia. Check out our past iterations for Columbia, Cayce/West Columbia and Lexington.
'Stronger than ever': How SC's oldest restaurant introduced Columbia to Italian food 85 years ago
Location, location, location. They say it can make or break a restaurant. For Villa Tronco, location has been as much a part of the story as its iconic dishes. The Italian staple has been at the same location for all 85 years of its existence and been in the family all that time. South Carolina's oldest operating restaurant did not start off serving the Italian dishes that now draw regulars in.
People of the river: Columbia kayakers on what draws them to the waters of the Saluda
Columbia’s a river town. With that comes people who want to be out on the water. They want to run it, to figure out the lines and routes through rocks and whitewater. And they’ll do it again and again. On any given day, it's not unusual to see these people congregating around places like the Mill Race rapids, a popular spot accessible from the Saluda Riverwalk on Candi Lane. The folks who strap on their helmets and slide into their kayaks all found the sport and the river a little differently.
Camden's Goodale State Park adds kayak launch, will extend trail system. That's not all
CAMDEN — It’s often said the small details are what matters. At Goodale State Park, Park Manager John Wells said the little things will catch visitors' eyes — things like carnivorous pitcher plants, a long list of bird species and, occasionally, an alligator. There are no pinnacle views like Table Rock or access to the coast like Huntington Beach or Hunting Island. But that doesn’t make Goodale State Park any less special.
Three-day guide: How to make the most of a weekend in Columbia, SC
COLUMBIA — There's a common phrase Columbia residents will use when they describe living here: "It's two hours from the mountains and two hours from the beach." While the geography checks out and Columbia's centrality does make trips to the Lowcountry and the Blue Ridge Mountains easy, this description shortchanges the state's capital. It presents this place as one to escape from instead of being a destination where more than one weekend is needed to check off all the boxes of things to do.
A little persistence & a car wash tiger. Looking back at 50 years of Riverbanks Zoo
COLUMBIA — Sometimes, a little persistence and one tiger are all it takes. Even though an attempt to build a park for kids failed in the 1960s, it would spark the momentum to create the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. Like any zoo worth its name, there must be a big cat. But one of the first animals to call Riverbanks home wasn't in the zoo as it is today. It could be found right off Gervais Street at Constan Car Wash.
How Sunday dinner in South Carolina became a TikTok sensation
GASTON — Every Sunday, Tiffany Spradley and her family get together for lunch. Or, as many in the South refer to the midday meal, dinner. They each make a dish, traditional Southern staples like country-fried steak and black-eyed peas. Spradley, a Gaston native and resident, said this was just their routine. "We didn't think it was abnormal," she said. Then, the pandemic hit. "When COVID happened, it all came to a halt. It was a shock." Those Sunday get-togethers went on pause.
Mocktails are mainstays at Columbia bars and restaurants. Here's where to find them
Non-alcoholic beverages are lasting well beyond dry January. Mocktails have become a staple on bar and restaurant menus, serving customers looking for innovative mixed drinks without spirits. This trend is pervasive in Midlands restaurants, with mocktails now listed as a staple alongside mainstay cocktails. Seasonal menus now include non-alcoholic mixes. Here's a look into the local mocktail scene and the spirit-less options at restaurants around the area.
What’s the plan for Sumter Street? City eyes road downtown corridor for improvements
Columbia’s downtown has seen lots of change in recent years. New restaurants and shops have attracted more people to the city’s center. Improvements have been made to make this area more walkable and accessible. While Main Street and other roads are receiving more attention and interest, Sumter Street, which runs parallel to Main, lacks the same appeal.
Who are we? Look for Columbia’s identity in arts, business, risk
Who are we? It’s a loaded question. There’s a long pause. Sometimes, they repeat it out loud to themselves. An audible exhale or a look away as their mind turns. These are just a few reactions to a question that’s anything but straightforward: What is Columbia’s identity? It’s a question, for many, that can conjure up comparisons to other cities like Charleston and (Yeah, THAT) Greenville.
Where is West Columbia headed? State Street, riverfront developments spurring change
The view of West Columbia from the Gervais Street Bridge features apartments, restaurants and other businesses that look right at home. But less than a decade ago, this entire area was undeveloped, used primarily by kayakers and river-goers as parking. Amid all the new growth on the west side of the Congaree River, the winds of change are blowing.
Columbia, Charleston breweries look across the pond, begin UK distribution
The Brits are about to get more than a pint of American craft beer. Several South Carolina breweries are taking their beer abroad for an extended stay as part of a United Kingdom-based distributor’s plan to deliver high-quality American craft beer to European customers.
A Glossary of Fly Fishing Terms Every Angler Should Know
You've purchased a fly rod. And maybe even a few artificial flies and a pair of fishing waders. But as you chat with seasoned fly fishers, you become aware of terms you don't recognize—words such as "tippet," "backing," and "fly floatant." As with many sports, fly fishing has its own vocabulary. So even if you've fished with conventional tackle for years, you may find yourself scratching your head.
Ben Culbreth
Ben Culbreth
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge
When they pull off U.S. Hwy. 1 near McBee and enter the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, visitors are quickly immersed in the sights and sounds of a thriving, 46,000-acre longleaf pine forest. Other than the well-paved main road, trailside parking areas and interpretive signs, there aren’t many signs of humanity in the woods, along the trails or on the shores of 28 ponds that dot the property, and that’s by design.
Hammock Coast beaches provide serene experiences
South Carolina has plenty of options for beachgoers. But there's just something different about the Hammock Coast. Georgetown County's shoreline offers a unique experience for visitors. “Beaches on South Carolina's Hammock Coast have a laid-back atmosphere and are less crowded than the beaches to our north and to our south," Clayton Stairs, tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, said.
Hammock Coast courses offer golfers variety, unique scenery
When asked how things look for Georgetown County golf courses, Chris King had a straightforward response: “It’s another good spring for golf.” King, owner of Kingfish Communications, a marketing and public relations firm, has deep ties to the golf community along the Hammock Coast. He says the courses in the area are difficult to match when it comes to quality. "We're very fortunate with the depth and quality of the golf courses in the area,” King said.
There’s History in These Pines
A lot can happen in 175 years. A Civil War. A once-every-500-years earthquake. Two world wars. A Great Depression. And a few hurricanes for good measure. Among all these major events are the people and stories that shaped Summerville. Some are well-documented, while others have an air of mystery around them. But each one lives on, telling how this place became what it is today. Much of that history is rooted in Summerville’s early decades.
Summerville women: Leading the way in business for many years
In 1964 Summerville, there weren’t many female real estate agents. But Michaele Rogers remembers this year well because it’s when her mother, Doris Dean, got her real estate license. "It was kind of shocking for me," she said, laughing. Dean acquired her license when it was uncommon for women to work in real estate or outside the home. "There weren't too many friends with both their parents were working,” she said. Rogers described her mother as ambitious.
Saul Alexander's legacy continues to live on in Summerville
Like so many who came to Summerville, Saul Alexander sought refuge. A Jewish immigrant, Alexander fled his home country of Ukraine and came to the United States to escape anti-Semitic persecution. Local historian Ed West said he arrived in New York on Ellis Island shortly after 1900. According to the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina's (JHSSC) website, he remained in New York for roughly four years before coming to Summerville.
A place to perform: The James F. Dean Community Theatre
Monica Shows has participated in many performances at The James F. Dean Community Theatre. And she’s seen it change over the years. But one story stands out to Shows. Before the theater became home to live performances, her husband recalls going to what was known as the Summerville Theatre to see a movie. As a kid, he remembered it was eerie to be surrounded by the taxidermied animals lining the walls, especially if a scary movie was showing.
A history of giving back: The people and organizations supporting Summerville
It only takes a few people who care to start something special. People like the women who established the Timrod Library more than 100 years ago. And the folks who wanted to help children in crisis, which led to the creation of the Dorchester Children’s Advocacy Center. Or those who felt the need to support caregivers in the Summerville community. And someone who saw an opportunity to turn an unused building into a force for good. These stories are found all across Summerville.
Legendary boat builder’s love for the craft has been a lifelong journey
When he was around eight years old, John Martin watched his dad build a boat. It was a Sparkman and Stevens Blue Jay. A starter boat. But the Blue Jay is more than a vessel his father created. It’s a moment Martin can now point to as the beginning of a lifelong journey. Martin found out early in life he was good at working with his hands. He fixed up chairs and other things for his mother’s antique store. As he pursued a career, Martin took a few business classes, but he wanted to learn how to build.
Wooden Boat Show set sponsorship fundraising records in 2021
In a coastal state steeped in history, the water has many stories to tell. The South Carolina Maritime Museum wants to educate and share the uniqueness of South Carolina’s maritime past. The annual Georgetown Wooden Boat Show is the event that helps the museum achieve its vision. “The boat show’s revenue keeps the operation going,” said Susan Davis, Vice President of the South Carolina Maritime Museum Board.
Boat show organizers look to the future while preserving the past
After an altered schedule in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show returned in 2021 with all of the activities, events, and wooden boats visitors have enjoyed for over three decades. South Carolina Maritime Museum Administrator Hope McFaddin said the Georgetown community turned out in droves to support the event and the museum in 2021. In addition, it was the best sponsorship fundraising year to date. “We raised the most money ever with sponsors,” McFaddin said.
Georgetown County golf courses stand out for scenery and playability
There are many reasons the Georgetown County is one of the most sought-after destinations in golf. For some, it’s the beautiful views of century-old oak trees and marshes as they line up a tee shot. Others love the opportunity to play several high-quality courses in the same area. And for a few brave players, maybe it’s the thrill of the water hazards and their alligator residents.
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