Boykin Christmas Parade - 2014 Edition

Well gang, we made it again!!!  The 21st Annual Boykin, S. C. Christmas Parade was our target last Sunday and, again, we were not disappointed.  Our trip to Boykin this time was a little more 'exciting' since this was the last Sunday before Christmas and we had an unscheduled choir rehearsal after church in preparation for our Christmas Eve service.  The parade was scheduled to kick off at 2:00 p.m. and we knew that they would begin shutting the roads down well before that time.  Fortunately, we managed to negotiate the long, rural roads between Columbia and Boykin safely and, even though we did encounter a police barricade about a mile and a half from the starting point of the parade, Linda managed to 'sweet talk' a very nice young highway patrolman and explain our dilemma and the fact that we had to 'stay in after church'!!  (We also had the "age card" in reserve in case we needed it.)  He very, very kindly allowed us to proceed to

Mayor and Mrs.Jackson

the parking area and we made it to our rendezvous point right on time.  SCTravelerX3 Sherwood was holding down a VIP spot for us and the

Wilmington folks along with their fantastic friends from greater metropolitan Lugoff, S.C. (not far from our own Ridgeway) had a fabulous spread laid out.  We quickly picked up a snack or two and a cup of some very potent egg-nog and headed over to the viewing stand where we were just in time for the arrival of the Mayor of Boykin, the Honorable Bruce Jackson and his wife.  They were welcomed by perennial Master of Ceremonies, Roland Alston and it was soon time for the "presentation of the colors".  With many dignitaries present - including politicians from Kershaw County (home of Boykin), Major General and Mrs. Julian Burns and Colonel Clint Kirk, Commanding Officer of the Blackhawk Brigade from Fort Jackson, and a whole host of others too numerous to mention, the grand old flag waved gently in the cool December breeze as we all lustily sang

Grand Marshall Squeeky Wangensteen

our National Anthem and the parade was underway!!  The guy sitting next to us in the Santa hat gave us the 'thumbs up' as the Lee County Light Horse Brigade led the way.  Quickly, the Grand Marshall made her appearance (Note: it's the DOG!!) and introduced a whole host of floats of every description!!  There was music, dancing and, of course lots of Shriners from a couple of different lodges.  It never fails to fascinate me how willing those guys are to lend their presence and their talents to community causes and how bold they are in the things they are willing to do!!! Amazing.  But, I've got to also add that their charitable contributions to our state and our country are incredible and their hospitals have brought relief and care to people - especially children - who would never have received it otherwise.  But - I've gotta tell ya ... I'm not sure I could squeeze myself into one of those little vehicles to ride around at break-neck speed or to don one of those colorful costumes in the chilly winter weather.  My hat is off to them!!  And they are so warm and humorous in their activities.  They kept the kids along the route in giggles the whole time they were around and handed out candy every step of the way.  You need to keep in mind, however, that as light-hearted and fun-loving as these guys are, their ability to perform this way requires countless hours of practice and dedication to their organization that is often overlooked.  But, just like the Shriners, people from other organizations of countless kinds came together to celebrate the season and to express their wishes for peace, togetherness and friendship.  There were complex floats, simple floats, those that required extensive skill in preparation and those that carried the beauty of simplicity.  And we loved every one of them!!!!  The smiles we shared, the "Merry Christmas" greetings, the shouts of "Happy Holidays" gave us a feeling of buoyancy and warmth that it is hard to describe.  (And, no, I don't think it was the egg-nog!!)  Some of the floats and groups were old friends from last year's parade and there were many, many others that were new this year.  Virtually every age group imaginable was represented on the floats but they were all as excitedly active as if all were kids in middle school!  Boykin is a very rural little town and, as we have reported on in the past, it is the home of the famed "Boykin Spaniel", a hunting dog of extraordinary capability as a retriever.  The folks from around here take their hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities very seriously so a large number of the entries related to hunting, dog breeding, fishing, firearm training and other features of outdoor life.  Seeing the different hunting dogs proudly observing the crowds from the sides of their human partners was very interesting and the rustic nature of some of the floats illustrated the construction skills of these rugged hunters.  As in virtually any event held in rural South Carolina, respect for those who keep us safe from harm - law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders, military personnel and those who protect our children - is over the top and every float, vehicle or other entry representing those individuals and organizations was greeted with deafening roars.  It was really heart-warming and, after the difficult months we have experienced recently, it was good for them to hear and feel our deep appreciation.  But, of course, this is Boykin ... and ... the crowd was growing restless!!  Now in most parades the anxiety comes in the wait for the Jolly Old Elf and it was no different here.  But - the real excitement came when word rippled down the route that the real attraction was on the way - The 2014 Fatback Queen.  There is just no way to adequately describe this celebrity and I hope you got to see the post we did last year when the "Queens" from the prior twenty years came together for a reunion.   Now I don't know what the criteria for picking the Fatback Queen but somewhere in there there have to be a few attributes like "smokes cigars" or "has lots of facial hair" or "willing to go out in public in a costume that would cause most of us to 'melt down' immediately".  Whatever they use, they really get some hum-dingers!!!!!    But - as you might remember if you were here with us last year - the common characteristics really are men who are comfortable in their own skin, who care about others, who understand and appreciate the rugged rural culture that makes up this part of our state and ... lemme see ....  maybe a bit of 'craziness' doesn't hurt too much.  This year's Queen certainly did not disappoint in any of the above categories and his/her entourage provided him/her with a court of honor that was as regal as he/she was ...strange!!  It truly was a major highlight!!  But there was more to come.  This is South Carolina, of course, and there is no way that you can have a parade without proper recognition of one of our most cherished cultural aspects - Shagging!.  A float dedicated to our State Dance certainly represented all of us well - even considering the unstable footing of a float.  One of the many beautiful reminders of the season was the live manger scene played out for us all.  Coming when it did in the parade it kept us centered and aware of the majesty of the coming Christmas day.  But - at Boykin you are not going to be able to stay serious long.  The "Weinermobile", numerous animal friends and a lot of fascinating floats filled the route.  But we were somewhat bothered by what seemed to be some inordinate delays and 'open spaces' in the parade.  Of course, you can't get angry or upset at the Boykin Christmas Parade - we were just curious.  We knew Santa was on the way and the organizers certainly would not allow him to be delayed without reason.  So - we knew something was going on, just not what it was.  And, sure enough, it wasn't too long before we saw the trademark sled that we knew would be transporting the real guest of honor at this parade - Santa!!  As he approached and all of the kids (and us) got excited we noticed something a little unusual.  No, it wasn't the fact that only Rudolph served to represent Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen ... it was the fact that there appeared to be another float behind Santa.  Clearly a violation of parade etiquette!!  Now get this - the float that was supposed to immediately precede the Jolly Old Elf was an actual airplane!!!  The plane had circled the parade site and Skydivers had leaped from the aircraft to announce the start of the event.  The pilot then landed and his plane was maneuvered into position to lead Santa in the parade.  Unfortunately, the narrowness of the country lanes used for the route didn't always allow for smooth passage and it took help from the crowd to wiggle the plane around enough to get it past the various obstacles.  The decision was finally made to let Santa go ahead and, as the plane neared the end of the route it was discreetly moved (with the aid of numerous helpful viewers) onto a side road so it wouldn't diminish Santa's appearance.  Talk about class!!!  We're really glad you were here to enjoy the parade with us.  I know I didn't get all of the floats, bands, marchers and dignitaries in but there is just sooooooo much to see.  Last year attendance was close to 17,000 people and they said they thought the crowd exceeded that this year.  But - numbers are not the significant thing.  Whatever the count was, we were all there with our newest best friends and it was wonderful.  Hopefully we can take you back to this quirky and enjoyable event next year.  But - we've got a lot more traveling to do before then so - get ready.  We'll be on the road soon.  See ya.

Cherokee Heritage Meets Iriquois and Shawnee Culture

Hagood Mill Historic Site and Folklore Center is a treasure trove at any time of the year, gang!  If you have a chance to visit you will see artifacts from an authentic working nineteenth century grain mill as well as historical displays and antiques from two hundred years of rural life in the piedmont region of South Carolina.  But our visit happened to coincide with "Native American Heritage Month" and, as we touched on in the last post, the events we were fortunate to observe were really impressive.  I suppose one of the most rewarding things about this experience was the fact that we saw a confluence of multiple cultures and ethnic backgrounds and everyone exhibited their pride in their heritage in the most positive and inclusive manner possible.  It gave us hope for the future and pride in our American brothers and sisters from every walk of life and ethnic heritage.  We also got to have a "flashback" when young folks from the Boy Scouts of America "Order of the Arrow" chapter from the Indian Waters Council put on a dancing demonstration and showed off their skill in preparing real-life Native American regalia. And - I've gotta tell you - those kids were really brave!!!  To put on a Native American dancing demonstration smack in the middle of some of the most highly skilled practitioners of Native American art and dance on the planet was really gutsy and they did a fabulous job!!  But the beauty and raw emotion evoked by the colors, fabrics movements, sounds and smells that permeated the grounds of the historic mill really gave us all a deep appreciation for the talent of this remarkable gathering.  The "Reedy River Intertribal" - the group which sponsors and hosts the Pow Wow reached out to tribes from throughout the United States and we were really lucky to meet representatives from all across North and South Carolina, Arizona, Colorado and other parts of the Northwest.  Their various regalia (notice they do not call them 'costumes' or 'outfits') were subtly but distinctly different and it was fun hearing the differences described. The placement of beads and the types of materials used in making chest-pieces, headgear, moccasins, bracelets, necklaces - and on, and on - illustrated a thoughtfulness, spirituality and philosophical approach that was amazing and quite impressive.  And the people .......

We met some of the warmest and most thoughtful people you could imagine.  It was such a treat seeing our "differences" completely ignored while our "likenesses" were highlighted and we learned from each other in wonderful ways.  Native chants mingled with ancient hymns sung in the Cherokee language and the resonant sounds of Shawnee drums served as a counterpoint to the haunting and beautiful tones of the Native American flutes.  Then there were the dances.  I suppose nothing else we experienced at the Pow Wow had the power to transport us back in time to a point at which life was lived very close to nature and a time when the potential for conflict between tribes and between Native Americans and European Americans like the remarkable dances we saw.  There were many dancers from all across the state and the country but the dancers of the Eastern Shawnee were simply awesome.  Their fierce war-cries, facial expressions and powerful movements served to emphatically underscore the warrior personality.  I have a video of a portion of the dances I will get uploaded so you can share the experience with us. I'm pretty sure you will agree with me that this is a very impressive performance.  And, as fierce as the performers appeared, they were extremely friendly, thoughtful folks and outstanding ambassadors of their tribe to those of us who want to learn more about all of the heritages around us.  I truly enjoyed this experience and wish you all could have been in Pickens to share it with us.  If you have the opportunity, start checking out the internet in November of 2015 to find

out when Selugada VIII will take place.  Then - try to attend if you can.  I know you will have fun and - if you have children - they will be spellbound.  There is so much to see, taste, smell, feel and hear!!  The craft works, food offerings and art are bargains and I'm pretty sure you will get your money's worth at this wonderful festival.  And - you will have a chance to learn more about our Native American brothers and sisters and to share in our common history.

I realize that this post was significantly delayed following the last visit where we began our visit to Hagood Mill but we have had a lot of family activity going on related to some of the things we shared with you last time.  And then along came Christmas!!  This beautiful season is a time for restoration of hope, renewal of our spirits and for remembering the promise of redemption we received more than two thousand years ago.  But - as we have said before, we are not so much interested in what your particular "religious title" is, we are much more concerned about how we treat each other.  I had the good fortune to see a marvelous painting by Normal Rockwell at our wonderful Art Museum recently and I wanted to share it with you as a way of saying "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year", gang.  See ya!

Celebrating the Complex Heritage of South Carolina

Well gang, it's been a very turbulent and difficult month or so for the SCTravelersX3.  You go along for a while and things seem to be running smoothly and then, wham, life jumps up in front of you and reminds you that time is not to be wasted!!!  Events happen suddenly and unexpectedly and we can't always be prepared so don't take things for granted.  We have spent a good bit of time in the upstate of South Carolina in recent weeks and when you have time to roam around in that area there is almost always something interesting going on.  Last week was no exception and we saw that in nearby Pickens County, the Pickens County Museum and the Reedy River Intertribal organization were again teaming up to present "Selugada VII; A Native American Celebration."  To be held at historic Hagood Mill Historic Site and Folklife Center, Selugada VII (Selugada means "cornbread" in Cherokee.) would be three-day Pow Wow - acelebration of Native American culture with tribes from across South Carolina represented as well as participants from as far away as Arizona - but - which would also include exhibits and demonstrations of early American life from other cultures as well.  It would also be one of those special occasions when ancient Hagood Mill - which dates back to the late 1700s with the current building constructed in the early 1800s - would be operating for all to see.  And, there would be demonstrations of arts and crafts from Native American as well as the diverse cultures that made up the early American Southeast.  So we decided to take a break from more serious matters and spend a day re-connecting with our Southern roots.  It was a very good choice.  Located just outside the wonderful town of Pickens (a place my brother visited just about every Wednesday) in an incredibly historic area of our state, Hagood Mill has been faithfully restored and maintained as a permanent reminder of the events and people of our past.  It is well laid out for easy access by people of all ages and physical conditions with permanent exhibits effectively displayed.  The demonstration sites, craft booths, cooking areas and ceremony and performance venues were all very thoughtfully set up so that you could easily visit the sites without interrupting activities in progress.  (And there were a ton of those at all times!!!)  The early American folklife demonstrations were extremely accurate and effective and the work we saw was magnificent.  The wares that were being sold (Native American and European American) represented some of the very best in authentic craftsmanship - and the prices were spectacularly reasonable.  Displays by the S. C. Archaeological Society and members of the Crawford family showed an astonishing collection of Native American tools, weapons and implements made of stone and other natural materials.  It should also be noted that the mill site is also an area where an astonishing number of ancient "petroglyphs" (stone paintings) were found.  And - there were demonstrations of Native American skill in areas we don't normally think of - such as "Blowgun" construction and use.  Fascinating!  I suppose you would normally expect that folks doing demonstrations would be courteous but I have to tell you, the peoplewho were demonstrating the various crafts, artwork, cooking, cultural explanations, sewing, cooking - and on, and on  - were truly the warmest, most welcoming representatives of the best of our cultural heritage.  It was fun and enlightening to see the work they were doing but it was even more rewarding to know that they were people who were thoughtful and considerate on the most elemental human level.  It was refreshing and restorative!

 One of my favorite demonstrations was the "open fire cooking" display.  It showed Native American techniques for cooking just about every kind of food you could imagine.  And - we got to taste it!!! It was excellent and you would be amazed at the ingenious techniques used in its preparation.  And - the construction of the various implements was a history lesson in itself.  Now, you guys are generally a lot more knowledgeable than the average bear so you might have already known some of this stuff but, I really got an education.  Take the bowls used for cooking by the Native American families for example.  Without metal to use in construction of cookware they relied on the substances available in the environment.  Here, "soapstone" is fairly prevalent so they took advantage of the characteristics of the stone in both creating implements and in how they would be used.  Note the large rock on the right above.  You will see some circular protrusions on the surface that do not appear natural.  Well, they are and they aren't.  The Native American lady out shopping for a new cooking pot would find a boulder that had the right sized protrusions and begin transforming it into a bowl-shape.  When they achieved the desired proportions they would carefully chisel the bowl away from the body of the boulder.  The properties of this particular stone allow it to heat slowly and then retain heat quite efficiently.  By learning how close to the flames the bowl needed to be to maintain certain temperatures the cook could achieve an amazing level of precision and evenness.  Also note in the photograph of the cooking circle on the right the sweet potatoes and corn sitting at strategic spots between the rocks at the outer edges, strips of venison smoking on flat surfaces - and - the suspended chickens roasting on the far right side.  The bowls you see here contained a range of culinary delights that would be the envy of any Food Network star.  They had venison stew, wild mushrooms, a squash and broccoli casserole and beautiful beans and peas.  The wonderful thing about this event was that it provided treats for every one of our senses.  The smell of wood fires permeated the air and blended with the savory aroma of food being cooked on open fires and on grilles; the tastes of the treats we were able to sample were amazing; the colors of the regalia and of the artwork on display were vividly stimulating; the sounds of native drums and chants as well as the excited chatter of children was delightful and - everywhere we went we were able to touch and feel history around us in the soft luxury of the craftwork, the fluffy cotton bolls in the gin area; the roughness of the millstones and the smooth warmth of finely polished wood.  It was a delightful day and I just realized that there is so much more to show you that we can't do it justice by trying to get it all in here.  So, we'll close this post at this point and come back to focus on two areas - the Native American cultural experiences and the history associated with Hagood Mill itself.  Rest up and come back soon so we can see the rest of this wonderful place.  See ya.