Stories from soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Storytellers and re-enactors James Brown, Ernest Parks, and Joe McGill are passionate about keeping alive the tales and legends surrounding the exploits of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.  Their ancestors fought and many died in the now infamous Battle of Fort Wagner, as well as other skirmishes, and details of these events from historic and humanitarian perspectives were documented and passed from generation to generation.  Last night they performed for groups of visiting college students and others outside the Charleston City Jail on Magazine Street downtown.  Here are a few of the images I took. You can book this group. Call Joseph McGill at 843.408.7727 or email: jmcgill769@gmail.com

The Dunderchiefs Photoshoot

So these guys are awesome and are making quite a name for themselves around Charleston, currently playing regular gigs at Kickin Chicken, The Brick House, Southside 17, Loggerheads, to name a few.  Search for their page on Facebook for info about upcoming gigs. They needed a few new photos so we got that done courtesy of John of   The Royal American - a really cool restaurant, bar and live music venue on Morrison Drive.

Memorial Day 2014

Along with all Americans, I owe a great debt of gratitude to all those who have fought for our freedom, and to all those who have died defending our freedom.  Thank you so much.

We celebrated this Memorial Day at home with a bunch of family and friends.  It was a really great time. The kids had a ball, big kids and small kids, as evidenced by a few of the many photos I took.

Classic Charleston weekend in the early Summer

This is such a great time of year.  Pity it only lasts a few days.  Warm, sunny weekends, cool evenings and relatively low humidity.  Perfect for hanging around the house, doing some yard work, and spending some time on the river with my little buddy, Gideon.  It doesn't get much better than this.  Counting my blessings :)

Severe Pruning of an old Live Oak

About a year ago I had just (thankfully) driven into my garage during a tremendous storm when the air seemed to explode all around me with a deafening roar.  Instinctively I ducked to the ground and soon realized that lightning had struck very close by.  I think it is hard to imagine the power of a strike unless you have experienced one at close hand. Sure enough, one of our beautiful old live oaks had taken the hit; as evidenced by multiple chunks of splintered bark jettisoned in every direction and a sort of burning smell. Nearby electrical outlets were blackened and warped and a few modems etc. needed to be replaced inside the house.  

Years back we lost a beautiful Water Oak quite nearby when a contractor merrily took his trench digging machine and chopped all the roots along one entire side of the tree.  It took awhile to die, but we had to eventually get it taken out or risk it falling.  It was like losing an old friend.

This one hasn't been taken out altogether, but the necessary pruning has left it malformed, misshapen, like a disfigured amputee.  I know it's only a tree (as opposed to a person), but it's a sad sight.

Before

The pruning process today

After

CCPRC's Wine Down Evenings at Ashem Farm

I had been meaning to attend one of these regular Spring events for awhile but conflicting schedules kept getting in the way.  I managed to make the last one yesterday evening and was so glad I did.  This is a great property, bounded by Old Towne Road and Old Towne Creek and adjacent to Charles Towne Landing, and soon to become a Charleston County Park once a master plan has been approved and implemented.  In the meantime it is available for special events.  Here are a couple of images from yesterday.

North Charleston Arts Festival Awards

Third Place: Philip Simmons Heart Gates

First Place:  Indian Ocean Moonrise

I was excited to learn that my images took the first and third places in the Color Photography Advanced category this year.  That's awesome and the prize money will help fund a new lens I have been coveting for awhile, or maybe some new software, or something fun.  Thanks to the City of North Charleston!