The ‘Birthplace of Sweet Tea’ & Charleston Tea Garden By Tim Lowry Believe it or not, Summerville—about 25 miles from downtown Charleston—is known as “The Birthplace of Sweet Tea.”  The town successfully made its case to the Federal Trademark Commission back in 2013 and has used the copyrighted tagline ever since. Admittedly, the origins of something as iconic and universally Southern as a mason j ..read more

Make your tabletop pop with unique oyster plates Article and photos by E.C. Waldron It’s oyster season in one of the best oyster-eating regions on the East Coast. The Lowcountry is bivalve crazy. Besides the shucking and slurping, there are oyster ornaments, high-priced paintings and jewelry, all depicting the unique shells.  Something oyster-related you may not know about are antique serving plat ..read more

Discovering Southwest Germany’s natural respite By Katie McElveen As the small van wound its way up the curvy mountain roadway, I gazed into the depths of the primeval green forest that seemed to reach out and touch the windows. I had always thought Germany’s Black Forest had earned its moniker from dark shadows and a hint of enchanted mystery, but it turns out that the trees themselves—a specifi ..read more

Favorite garden designs by landscape professionals By Jenny Peterson Southern gardens have a magical quality—ornamental blooms, flowering trees, fragrant scents and a yard awash in color that can stand up to heat and humidity. In the spring, gardens simply steal the show in what one landscape professional calls, “the symphony of the garden—texture, color, form and fragrance all working in harmony ..read more

Hoppin’ into this next season with spring-ready dishes  Photos and Recipes by Kaitlin Gooding  We are hungry for bunny baskets, picnics, parties and fresh vegetables and hoppin’ into this next season with spring-ready dishes. Enjoy your first picnic of the year by biting into this spring grilled cheese stuffed with a fresh raspberry-lemon sauce. Brighten up your Easter plate with a side of aspara ..read more

Winning a Neighborhood's Heart, One Dish at a Time By Wendy Swat Snyder Photos by Aleece Sophia When it comes to the James Beard Foundation Awards, Charleston is no slouch. The Holy City's robust food culture has produced its share of contenders in the years since the organization established the program in 1990. But it came as a complete surprise when Vern's owners Bethany and Daniel “Dano” Heinz ..read more

Cooper River Bridge Run race director has dedicated his life to the sport By Holly Fisher  The year was 1976, and Irv Batten was a seventh grader in Clearwater, Florida. On a lark, he entered a 2-mile race at his middle school and won … by a lot. “Wow, this is pretty fun,” Batten thought.  After that moment, Batten was literally off to the races.  He went on to run middle school track, winning ever ..read more

Retro-inspired resort wear for spring Photography - Mira Adwell Production - Aleece Sophia and Avery Hanson Styling/Art Director - Lisa Jean Walsh with Oui Style Styling Assistant - Michelle Gerardot Hair and Makeup - Marley Simmons with DirectionsUSA Models - Reed with Ursula Wiedmann Models and Michael with Directions USA Location - Dunes West Golf and River Club Special thanks to Jason Hanson Traffic ..read more

Men+Women in Business Profile photos by Priscilla Thomas Aside from the historic architecture, gorgeous beaches and storied history, our local businesses are what make Charleston such an amazing place to live, work and play. This year’s Men + Women in Business profiles highlight the exceptional businesses that offer unique products, help us celebrate special moments and create a healthier, happier ..read more

Best Happy Hour Menus in Charleston By Jenny Peterson While discounted drinks are ubiquitous at bars and restaurants during happy hour, finding happy hour food menus can be little more elusive. Thankfully, area bars and restaurants have you covered, stepping up to serve unique, one-of-a-kind dishes during these discerning late afternoon hours for when it’s been a long day, or you’re looking for a ..read more