Features

When it comes to adding variety, flavor and aroma to foods, herbs and spices have been used for centuries.

“Spices were once so costly only the wealthy could afford them. In 11th century Europe, many towns paid their taxes and rent in pepper,” said dietitian and educator Alice Henneman, author of “Add a Little Spice (& Herbs) to Your Life!”

While it is a given that spices and herbs both come from for plants, that’s where the similarity ends, said Ann Hertzler of Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.

American diarist and suffragette Ellen Birdseye Wheaton one wrote, “All my scattering moments are taken up with my needle.”

Van Wyck seamstress Janie Straight knows that truth first hand.

A self-professed former hippie in 1970s California who has worked as a waitress, journalist, typesetter and sign painter (to name a few), Straight, 56, left the chaotic world of Los Angeles and settled in South Carolina with husband, Dennis, 16 years ago.

Nancy K. Starnes found this Peach Pound Cake recipe in the S.C. Farmers Market Bulletin. Submitted to the publication by Jackie Blanton of Gaffney, Starnes said the recipe took first place honors at the 2004 Gaffney Peach Festival.

“I thought some readers may enjoy it since some peaches are still available,” she said. “I’ve made this cake two times and it is simply delicious. It makes a large pound cake and is worth every bit of the trouble.”

Peach Pound Cake

Ingredients

Name: Yvonne Hodge

Age: 36

Address: Logging Road

Family: Husband, Tommy, 41; children, Shakina, 20, Samantha, 18, and Justin, 18

Pets: Four dogs, Caramel, Coco, Eight Ball and Sasha

Job: Accounts manager at The Children’s Clinic, P.A.

Church: Sandhill Baptist Church

A new pair of shoes for a child may last a school year, but a smile, a few words of encouragement and the words, “Jesus loves you,” may just last a lifetime. 

That is exactly why volunteers from Renew Church, Covenant Baptist Church and Team Church Kershaw joined hands and hearts to distribute shoes to local children in need.

Sir Thomas Lipton had been dead for almost 20 years when a dry onion soup mix bearing his name hit the markets.

But just like the tea business he had perfected, it was an instant success, especially among the working class the Scottish-born entrepreneur dearly loved.

A marketing genius, a 17-year-old Lipton came to the United States from Scotland in 1864, just as the Civil War was ending, said Michael D’Antonio, author of “A Full Cup: Sir Thomas Lipton’s Extraordinary Life and His Quest for the America’s Cup.” 

Kids have tough times too, but this year, Mother Nature sure has been giving us older folks a run for our money.

In April, it was a hailstorm. In the last two weeks, it was an earthquake and right of top of that, a hurricane.

Since I’m in Maryland visiting kin right now, I had the honor of experiencing all three.

You know, I just have a knack for bein’ at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Seventy-six-year-old Ruthie Hayden believes in the power of prayer.

When the Northwest Apartments resident hits her knees these days, it’s to lift up her neighbors, and not to duck from random gunfire that used to be heard outside her front door. 

“When you put enough prayer on ’em, they have to either start living right or get out,” she said. “That’s the only choices they have. They’re going to live right if they live here.”

A visit to see what was growing at Uncle Perry Scott’s farm in Winnsboro was a big change compared to our Victory Garden.

Everybody there had red clay beneath their fingernails, with farms all over the place.

However, there’s not as many people plowing right now. Uncle Perry said most of the local boys are wearing military uniforms and fighting in foreign fields. 

A friend of Uncle Perry had this big old farm, which supplied bunches of vegetables to the Fort Jackson Army base.