A Time to Remember

I just got exciting news that the marker commemorating the 230th anniversary of the siege of Charles Town (the longest of any city during the Revolutionary War) will be erected on Wednesday, May 12. The city fell to the British after 42 days of fighting, and the Royal Army occupied the city for the remaining two years of the war. However, the war continued in the backcountry (other parts of the state) under the direction of heroes like Francis Marion (aka the Swamp Fox). Thanks and kudos go out to a young 26-year old man from Virginia, Mark Maloy, a history buff and re-enactor, for orchestrating this much overdo recognition of the men and women who so valiantly and fervently displayed their belief in the independence movement. Come to the Green (Marion Square) and see history unfold again as Charleston recognizes its rightful place in this chapter of the Revolutionary War.

A Great Time for a Walk

This is the best time of year for a leisurely stroll through the streets of the Holy City. Every street is bursting with color, thanks to all the conscientous homeowners whose perfect choice of shrub, tree or vine has added just the right touch to an already beautiful city. The cool mornings and evenings are the best times for your walk, since the midday brings a proliferation of tourists either on their own or with guided tours. You may want to invest in a walking tour guide book. "Charleston, From a Kid's-Eye View" is a great guide book for people with children (or anyone really) to stop and search for details, thereby appreciating the sense of place moreso than when having your nose in a manual filled with lots of information. So stop and smell the "Lady Banks" roses. And you better do it quick, since before you know it, the heat of the summer will be upon us and you will have missed your chance for a delightful walk.

Just Another Day in Paradise

All anyone wants to talk about right now is how gorgeous things are around here, thanks to the sudden burst of color. My favorite flowering tree is the beautiful peppermint peach tree that's in Washington Park. Branches on one side of it have flowers that look like peppermints - white with a pink line going through them. The other side has branches with darker pink flowers. Gorgeous all the way around! Also, the wisteria just blossomed overnight and is beautiful on Meeting Street near First Baptist Church High School. Azaleas popping out in different places and will likely be in full bloom in Hampton Park by next week. If only we could hang on to these flowering delights all year! But then again, we probably wouldn't appreciate them if that were the case. Plus, their burst gives us something to look forward to each year. There is nothing like Charleston in the spring!