Black women today: Strong. Resilient. Ambitious.

To be a black woman in America today is no simple matter. The challenges and opportunities come from many directions. Success and struggle coexist. Meaningful and lasting relationships can be hard to find. Family and faith play a vital role. Read More

MINIS COLUMN: Lowcountry logger a self-starter, provider

Claudia Varnish heard her father tell the story of how their church came to be where it is. She found the details told about New Emanuel AME's beginnings fascinating. Read More

Winter beauties in bloom

Local gardens' camellias are showstoppers

Camellias propagated by a Georgia man are blooming and on display at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens for the first time. The unregistered varieties are planted in a garden there as part of an effort to preserve them. Read More

Explore history of slave, prince

Artemus Gaye wishes he had listened more carefully to the stories of Zoe Sarah Johnson, his great-grandmother. He could have learned more about his family's unusual history. Johnson was the great-granddaughter of Abdul Rahman, a well-documented Guinean prince, enslaved in Mississippi. p... Read More

Nurse had passion for fishing, helping

Fishing was a lifelong passion for Mary Ellen Neal Harrelson. She learned the Lowcountry pastime from her father, Peter Jehue Neal, while growing up in Summerville. And she shared her love of fishing with her daughter, Ellen DePatie, one of her six children. Read More

Dwelling downsized

Residents find solutions to fit the essentials in a small space

Daniel and Marilynn Tynan are taking downsizing seriously. They've lived in about 430 square feet for a year and are loving it. Daniel, an architect, and Marilynn, an interior designer, wanted a small space they could redesign just for themselves. Read More

'Critique My Antique' set

In your eyes, the Civil War memorabilia that's been in your family for generations is priceless. But if you'd like to know what others might be willing to pay for those treasured pieces, the Arts Business Civic Coalition of SummervilleDorchester County will provide a chance to find out. ... Read More

MINIS COLUMN: Retired teacher, volunteer had open arms

When Maxine Smith's mother passed away, she looked for a female role model in her mother's generation to spend time with. She found such a person in Sarah Burgess Brown, a woman her mother had played bridge with. In Brown, Smith found someone who always would welcome her. Smith and others... Read More

Sewinga resurgence

Teaching fashion skills to new generation of students

Just six months ago, Daphne Rice had no sewing skills. Since then, she's taken several classes that have enabled her to sew clothes for her infant and 6-year-old sons as well as her 9-year-old daughter. Read More

Watch Night: A tradition of hope

African-Americans ring in new year their way

In the final minutes of the year, a leader calls out "Watchman. Watchman. Can you please tell me the hour of the night?" The leader will ask the watchman that question several times. Read More