Choose Charleston

In the heart of the peninsula of Charleston lies an intersection where more than just two roads diverge. As unique as the city itself, the Four Corners of Law encompass all aspects of the law, canonical, federal, state, and city. According to Ripley’s Believe It or Not, nowhere else does such a gathering exist. Starting today with God’s Law, we’ll explore each corner and meet some of the people from its history.

St. Michael’s Church (God’s Law)

A church has occupied this corner, nearly from the beginning of the city. The first church in the new Charles Towne was a small wooden building called St. Phillips. After moving to a larger facility on Church Street in 1727, as the town continued to grow, it was decided that another house of worship was needed. So, in 1757, construction began on a new church to occupy this corner.

Nine years later, the first services were held in the newly constructed St Michaels. No one is really sure who the architect was, but the style was very much like Sir Christopher Wren, generally used during our Colonial period and up to the Gothic revival in 1841. Little has changed over thye years, except for the addition of the sacristy in 1883, on the the south east corner. St. Michael’s is one of the few city churches in America that has retained its original design.

As unique as the city itself, the Four Corners of Law encompass all aspects of the law, canonical, federal, state, and city.

In 1764, the curch ordered a clock and ring of 8 bells for their tower. These were restored in 1993 and are thought to be the oldest functioning colonial tower clock in the country. The organ has undergone many changes since it’s construction in 1768 by Johan Snetzler. A pedal division was added by Henry Erban in 1869, and a new organ was constructed in 1910, using the original case and several of the original pipes. A new 40-stop, 51 rank tracker organ was installed by Kenneth Jones of Bray, Ireland to fit in and behind the original Snetzler case (which is thought to be the only surviving church organ-case by Snetzler made of mahogany).

The Cemetery

Buried in the adjoining cemetery are two signers of the US Constitution. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (1746 - 1825) was a lawyer and legislator, Major General in the US Army, Minister to France, and Presidential candidate. When Charleston fell to the British troops, he was taken prisoner and held until 1782. Although his proposal that senators serve without pay failed, he was still very influential at the Constitutional Convention.

John Rutledge (1739 - 1825) also a lawyer, and a statesman, served as governor of South Carolina and Chief Justice of the US. Brother of Edward Rutledge, he was a delegate to the Stamp Act Congress, Continental Congress, and Constitutional Congress. He played a major role in drafting the constitution, then was a member of the SC Ratifying convention.

We’ve started touring colleges with my daughter. While it is stressful, it’s actually a fun experience. The colleges we’ve toured so far are all very impressive, and each has something special going for it.

So, that started me thinking about colleges in Charleston. Here’s a quick list of places of higher learning in our town:

One of the more unique historic homes in Charleston was very nearly not available for our viewing pleasure. Built in 1803, the house at 350 Meeting St. was close to ruin by the 1920s. A Standard Oil filling station had been constructed in the garden an d old tires discarded in the temple.

Rescued by the Society for Preservation of Old Dwellings in the 20s, the Joseph Manigault House still wasn’t out of danger. The Great Depression of the 1930s nearly completed the job that time, nature and neglect had started. Unable to keep up mortgag e payments, the Society needed rescue, itself. The Charleston Museum stepped in and found a benefactor to rescue this magnificent home.

Mrs. Henrietta Politzer, widow of the A&P heir, Edward Hartford donated $3000.00 to purchase the house. To help get renovations started, she also contributed the beautiful chandelier, which still hangs in the foyer.

The Manigault family were wealthy plantation owners in colonial South Carolina. The brothers, Joseph and Gabriel both traveled abroad to study. Gabriel became fascinated with architecture, and later designed and built this home for his sibling.

There is a connection between this home and the one we examined earlier, The Heyward-Washington House, besides the fact that the Charleston Museum maintains them both.

Although this home hadn’t been constructed at the time of his travels through South Carolina in 1791, George Washington did spend an evening as the guest of Joseph Manigault at his Salt Ponds Plantation home near what is now Awendaw. That house is no longer standing.

Also, like the Heyward-Washington House, the furnishings of the Manigault home are extraordinary. The collection, dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, include three pieces documented to have belonged to the Manigault family.

This home has been featured on the television show, “America’s Castles” and is a registered National Historic Landmark. The Heyward-Washington House and Joseph Manigault House are open year-round during the following times:

• Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last tour at 4:30 p.m.)
• Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. (last tour at 4:30 p.m.)

For more information, call (843) 722-2996, ext. 234.

Many of you have at least read, if not sent, letters to the editor about the change in format of the morning show at WXLY, Y102.5. Allison Keller and Leo Windham were dumped for some nationally syndicated morning team. At least Allison is still there, Clear Channel let Leo go.

This was a very disappointing turn of events. I’ve always enjoyed Leo, especially when he worked with his brother, Woody, on the old Breeze radio network. I really miss those stations and their Beach, Boogie and Blues format.

Well, Leo is back. Not on the air, but in a new format, which I hope really catches on. Check out LeoWindham.com. You can read Leo’s Blog, learn more about the man himself and listen to his podcasts, full of some of the best music around.

Oh, and while you’re there, check out some of Leo’s real estate listings, too. Longe live the Breeze.

After the recent cancellation of the Heritage Motorcycle Rally, it seems that some of the disappointed bikers in the area have decided to hold their own gathering.

The somewhat smaller event will take place April 19th - 22nd, but details are still being worked out. I don’t know whether any of the original acts who were going to perform will still be there. For more information, and to stay informed, check out their website.

Ready for a challenge?

March 31 will be the 30th annual Cooper River Bridge Run. This world-class foot race is the best organized and the best conducted 10-K race in the world.

2007 will be the second year that the new Thomas Ravenel bridge will be used. Recently, the final remaining piece of the old Grace Memorial Bridge was imploded.

If you haven’t run or walked the Cooper River Bridge Run lately, there have been more changes than just a new bridge. For instance, all walkers and runners will start and finish at the same places. Also, accoring to the Cooper River Bridge Run website, “All entrants- including walkers- will be issued the championchip timing device; and will appear in the full results.”

Check it out, get into shape and get over it.

OK, we’ve discussed grits, now, let’s talk about shrimp.

Can someone please explain to me the logic of leaving the tail on shrimp? I mean, I don’t mind all that much when the shrimp is fried and I can simply pop the tail off, but what about when it is in a dish? Why should I have to stick my hands into my food and get some kind of sauce all over my fingers in order to remove the tails from my shrimp?

Seriously, does anyone thing that’s appropriate behavior in a classy restaurant?

or Why Not To Forward Email

The Internet is a wonderful tool, and speeds the distribution of information to incredible rates. Unfortunately, for pranksters, it’s also a wonderful tool, and speeds the spread of their misinformation to incredible rates as well.

Recently, I received an email, which I’m sure has incarnations all over the net, using different names, but since the version to reach me claims to be from Charleston, I thought I’d spend a little time debunking the contents. So, here in its entirety, is a copy of the email. (I have deleted the scores of email addresses of the many well-meaning individuals who passed it along until it reached my skeptical little hands.)

Dear Friends

My name is Curt Beerman and I live in Charleston, SC. My son Jermaine recently was hit by a car in front of our apartment. Little Jermaine has had many problems with his lungs and right arm since the accident. Our medical costs have become extremely expensive. Jermaine was recently moved to a hosptial in Colombia, SC and the move was very expensive. I could not keep my job at the sanitation department due to the move. A billionaire in Georgia has promised to give $.05 for every time this email is forwarded.

If you wouldn’t mind forwarding this to everyone on your list I would greatly appreciate it as well as my son. Your good deeds could really save his life. Please take a few seconds to help us in our time of need. I know how many of these go around and I want you to know that they really help, if you have any doubts, please E-mail me at the hospital, they have been so kind as to set me up with an e-mail account. My address is: beermanc@musc.edu Please have a heart and forward this.

Remember: What goes around comes around.

Thank you,
Curt Beerman
beerman@musc.com

They way I see it,
If you want the rainbow,
you gotta put up with the rain.

No problem is too big for God’s power.
No person is too small for God’s love.

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh;
is anything too diffucult for Me?
Jeremiah 32:27

The first thing that struck me was the claim to residency in Charleston, yet the poor child has been moved to a hospital in Columbia. Now, I’m sure there are some very good hospitals in Columbia, but you don’t transfer someone from the top hospital in the state unless they’ve improved and need to be closer to home. Usually, the more serious cases in South Carolina are rushed to MUSC, not away.

Next comes the zinger, that mysterious “Billionaire” who has promised to donate a nickel for every time the email is forwarded. First of all, just like Microsoft and Disney are not going to give you a vacation for forwarding some email, there is no billionaire who wants to donate money based on how many times an email is forwarded. There is no software today, which tracks how many times an email gets forwarded, nor can I imagine a need for such software.

Think about it, would you really want to accept money from someone so sadistic as to offer you hope for your ailing child, then make you jump through such ridiculous hoops to get it? Not me.

The next very odd thing is the email address provided in the body of the email. The originator claims the hospital set him up an email account. Let’s forget for a minute the odds of a hospital actually doing this. He claims his son is in a Columbia Hospital, yet has a MUSC address. MUSC is in Charleston, not Columbia. Why would a hospital give an account to a relative of someone who is a patient of another hospital? Ofcourse, the glaring inconsistency with this part of the story is the address itself. MUSC, being the Medical University of South Carolina has a “.edu” extension, not a “.com”.

Finally, comes the part which is designed to cause the most stir, the “threat.” “Remember: What goes around comes around.” Then, just to tug on the emotions of those, probably most likely to want to help, he throws in a quote from the bible.

For more information about email chain letter hoaxes, read this feature about David “Darren” Bucklew, from the About.com Urban Legends Guide, David Emery.

So, what harm can it do to pass along these hoax emails? After all, you’re only trying to help. First, it ties up valuable resources and band width on the net. Then, if it’s pervasive enough, it can overload the email server of an institution like MUSC. Finally, it annoys the heck out of those people who know a hoax when they see one.

The best reaction to such an email is to ignore it.

We just returned from a new adventure, and it was awesome.

I’m afraid our dog, Noah, doesn’t have much of a social life. The only time he ever gets to meet other dogs is when we take a trip and he stays at the kennel. That’s really a shame, because he’s a very social animal and believes that everyone should love him.

Recently, we discovered a new park in Charleston, strictly for our four legged friends. Designed by the Charleston Parks Department, Ackerman Dog Park is a joyful place to be. Dog owners can socialize while their pets run around off-leash. We finally got off our lazy behinds and took Noah to the park. It was one of the best decisions we’ve made in a long time.

We were a little nervous at first, because Noah is a big dog and so friendly that he sometimes scares little dogs, as well as some humans. I was very pleasantly surprised when he behaved like a gentleman… most of the time. There were a couple of minor incidents when I had to direct him away from another dog he was showing too much interest in, so to speak. However, overall, it was a great experience.

Now, I’m inspired.

Ackerman Dog Park is West Ashley, on Sycamore Avenue, behind Ryan’s Steakhouse.

There are other off-leash parks in the area, and I plan to see how Noah handles these as well.

Downtown Charleston is the home of Hampton Park, which has a fairly new off-leash dog park. It is located on the corner of Rutledge and Grove.

Also, while most of the Charleston County Parks are pet-friendly, James Island County Park features the first official off-leash area. It is located behind the overflow parking area and adjacent to the lake. CCPRC says there are plans in the works to expand this offering to some of the other county park facilities.

When I was covering Charleston for About.com, I wrote articles for several years about the fact that Charleston had been selected as the most polite city in the country. Sometimes, I have to wonder.

For this, I have to go back a bit. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

On New Year’s Eve, my wife and I attended Happy New Year, Charleston (what used to be called First Night). Shortly after arriving, we stopped by a canopy where a table was set up with schedules. We each picked one up and began to stroll down a path.

We hadn’t walked far when a woman stopped us and asked if she could have one of our schedules. I pointed to the tent, which was about 30 feet behind her and said there was a table full of them there. She asked, “Aren’t you leaving?”

We said that we had no plans to leave yet. She then said, “But you have two, you won’t let me look at one?” I again pointed to the tent and said, they have plenty.

The woman stormed off (in a different direction than towards the tent), saying very sarcastically, “Thanks for sharing.”

So, am I the rude one?