Lake Murray Life-15'

www.lakemurraylife.com May/June 2015 | LaKe MuRRay LIFe | 1

2 | LaKe MuRRay LIFe | May/June 2015 www.lakemurraylife.com

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Hello Summer!Hello Summer ~ I’m so excited to see summer

with 90 degree weather, sunshine, blue skies, pon-toons and sailboats on Lake Murray, it just does not get any better. Have you ever really paid attention to the Lake going across the Dam? It’s beautiful, sometimes the water looks like glass. We all are so blessed to have Lake Murray surrounding us, I like to call it a piece of heaven! So what summer plans do you have? Are you staying around Lake Murray, going camping or to Myrtle Beach? What-ever your plans are, please be careful and watch for others. Terry and I will be going to Edisto in July, a family tradition for us. My mother-in-law, Doris Reynolds, who is a young 87 years old, will be our chaperone! We love spending time together, 25 of us together for a week making lots of memories. Speaking of memories, Mother`s Day is approach-ing. Make sure you spend time with your mother, you will only have one mother. 41 years ago my Mother went to heaven and oh, how I miss her, I wish heaven had a telephone. Happy Mother`s Day Mom. Everyone have fun this summer, watch out for those snakes (my cat, Jacx has been watching for snakes, he knows his mama hates them). Please wear your life jacket in the water and watch out for others. Maybe I will see you on the Lake. Don`t for-get to tell your neighbor about Lake Murray Life, Lexington Life and Cayce/West Cola Life maga-zines, your locally owned and operated direct mail magazine. See you back here in July, don’t forget to let your little light shine.

FEATURES9 Taste of Lake Murray Snapshots10 We Have Your Back, Jack!15 RV Education 10116 Bargain Hunters and Fast Cash20 Movies Under the Stars: The Big Mo

ColUmnS19 David Clark Mama’s Rain

DEPARTmEnTS3 From the Editor5 Events7 Lexington Leaders Deborah Carter23 Spice of Life

Publisher & editor-in-ChiefTodd Shevchik

[email protected]

direCtor of salesDonna [email protected]

editor & sales Manageranne Reynolds

[email protected]

assistant editor/ProduCtion ManagerKristi antley

[email protected]

aCCount exeCutiveTracy Tuten

[email protected]

editorial Consultantallison Caldwell

[email protected]

graPhiC designJane CarterKim Curlee

Website designerPaul Tomlinson

Contributing WritersKevin Oliver, Jackie Perrone, Tricia Callahan, Kristi antley

Contributing PhotograPhersLake Murray Chamber

EDITORfrom the

INSIDE the ISSUE

10

L-R: Tracy Tuten, Tiffanie Wise, Kristi Antley, Anne Reynolds


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Saturday, May 9We Have Your Back, Jack! Family Day and Poker RunLittle Mountain Reunion Park, Mill RoadEnjoy a day of fun and excitement in hon-or of Jack Enright of Chapin High School. The poker run begins at 9:00 a.m. at Yard Birds restaurant in Irmo (free breakfast for participants) and family events begin at 1:00 p.m. at the park in Little Moun-tain. Games, bands, crafts, food, dunking booth, auction and more!

Saturday, May 95K Race for FIDORiver Birch Shelter, Saluda Shoals Park, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.This is a fun annual fundraiser for FIDO, a Midlands dog rescue organization. You can run, walk, limp or crawl your way to the finish line, the only requirement is to have fun and if possible have a dog

for one of your running mates. Register before May 7th online at eventbrite.com, search for “fast and furriest 5K race for FIDO”.

Thursday and Saturday, May 14 and 1614th Annual Garden TourSaluda River Club, Lexington, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Lexington County Master Gardener Volun-teers present A Celebration of the Senses, a two-day escape in six lush, private gardens. $25 general admission, free for active and retired military personnel. Rain or shine. LCMGV.org or (803) 781-1103.

Sunday, May 17Open House at Mercer House Estate Winery397 Walter Rawl Road, 1:00–5:00 p.m.Tour the first winery in Lexington, weather permitting! Drop in for free samples of dry and sweet muscadine and fruit wines. Mer-cerHouseEstateWinery.com.

Thursday, May 21Sound of Irmo Concert SeriesPalmetto Health Amphitheater, 7507 Eastview Dr., Irmo, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.This series will feature Brian Conner and his amazing friends! Join us at the Irmo Community Park for a night of music and fellowship. Free admission.

Saturday, May 30Run for Jack 5K and Silent Auction Chapin High School Stadium, 6:00 p.m.Get involved and get fit! $25 registration and a t-shirt before May 4, $30 after. For additional details, follow @Jacks5K on Twitter. Proceeds will benefit Jack Enright, a Chapin High School student.

Wednesday, May 27Lexington Blowfish Baseball Opening NightLexington County Baseball Stadium, Ball Park Rd., Lexington 7:05 p.m.Be a part of Lexington history and support the Blowfish as they play against the Gasto-nia Grizzlies in their brand new state of the art facility. Bid on a one of a kind “Jewel of South Carolina” Lake Murray Blowfish jer-sey during the game against Martinsville on May 30th.

Saturday, May 30Shrimp, Shaggin’ and SudsLeonard Price Gardens, 104 Hendrix St., Lexington, 5:30–9:00 p.m.Help raise funds for the Meals on Wheels Program in Lexington County and learn how to combat senior hunger. $40 tickets include a Low Country shrimp boil, beer, wine, music and dancing. LCRAC.com or (803) 356-5111. Hosted by the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission.

MayEvents


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As Debra Carter explains it, the Lake Murray Chamber of Commerce is not a suit-and-tie organization. More likely, it’s a t-shirts and shorts, come-in-your-boat kind of gathering. It’s one of the reasons so many lake residents get to-gether to work for their community.

The Chamber named Debra the Best of the Best in 2013. That’s another ex-ample of their straightforward, laid-back approach. What better way to rec-ognize the energy and dedication that makes a good volunteer a great one?

This Midlands-born-and-bred res-ident was born in Columbia, lives in Cayce, is moving soon to Lexington, and will be on the lakeshore one of these days. Her business career has been built on insurance. She is present-ly employed at County Banc Insurance, with an office on Sunset Boulevard near Lexington. “I like to help people,” she says. “Insurance is one way to do that. Volunteering is another.”

Her enthusiastic touch has been felt on the Cayce Beautification Committee, the Moss Creek Association Board, the Greater Irmo Beauty Pageant, and in leadership roles for the Lake Murray Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a great way to meet a lot of your neighbors,” she says. “We enjoy doing service proj-ects together.”

One service program near to Debra Carter’s heart is called The Pink Posse Philes, made up of breast-cancer survi-vors (philes is Greek for loving friend). “We don’t focus on having had cancer. We have a monthly party and find ways to support the Lexington Medical Cen-ter and SCOA, the South Carolina On-cology Association. We raise money in various ways, including the Walk for

Breast Cancer, and we visit patients and offer support and information.”

She’s full of energy for new programs and ideas for the Lake Murray Chamber, also. “We’re not there to compete with other groups that promote the lake. We want to be a partner, and we emphasize the spring, summer and early fall. Did you know that the purple martins have left us? Apparently it was simply a case of over population. By their numbers, they pretty much destroyed the habitat on their island. We’ll plan a big clean-up program, and then we will replant the foliage to bring them back.”

“Another idea we have is to set up several different historical tours around the lake. We need markers at specific spots, and can put out maps with de-scriptions for short outings or combin-ing them for a longer tour.”

She thinks the Lake Murray Cham-ber is an ideal place to network, plan things together for our community, and make a difference in the world.

Debra’s husband Phil deals in real estate around the Midlands. Their two sons are Jeremy, a sales rep at Love Chevrolet, and Bret, who works at Blue-Cross BlueShield. n

Lake MurrayBy Jackie Perrone

LEADER

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Raising funds for Lake Murray July 4th fireworks, March 19, 2015

On March 4, junior Jack Enright suf-fered a crush fracture of a vertebra during a Lacrosse game between Chapin and Lex-ington High. This severe injury necessitat-ed immediate emergency surgery at Pal-metto Health Richland, followed by care in ICU and then a transfer to Shepherd Spine Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, GA.

Early reports indicated that although

Jack could not move his feet and legs, he had some feeling there and responded to touch. This is certainly grounds for hope, but unquestionably a long road of therapy lies ahead for this teenager, and the future is uncertain.

The outpouring of support for Jack from teammates, classmates, faculty and neigh-bors has overwhelmed his family — par-

ents Ann and Vince, and brother Conner. It’s not a case of “I wish there was some-thing we could do.” The parents’ employ-ment situation is not solid at the moment, and with no health insurance to assist, the financial needs are extreme. Money is need-

by Jackie Perrone

We Have Your Back,

JACK!In good tImes and bad, the ChapIn CommunIty stICks together. Nowhere is this more evident than among the teen-agers who work, study, socialize and play sports together at Chapin High School. Good times? A sports victory, a prestigious scholarship, an outstanding achievement — these bring out the cheers. Bad times? Well, just ask the family of Jack Enright what it means to be part of Chapin High School. It’s all-for-one in sup-port of Jack these days.

10 | LaKe MuRRay LIFe | May/June 2015


28ed in large amounts and for an extended time. Step up to help, Chapin!

GoFundMe was the first avenue to sur-face; $28,000 materialized quickly. TD Bank in Chapin made the first contribu-tion to a special account set up there in Jack’s name by the Chapin Eagle Club. Bil-lie Williams, teacher of Government and Economics and leader of student govern-ment, is spearheading the fundraising at Chapin High.

“The entire student body is supporting this effort,” she says. “We’re using Jack’s Lacrosse number 28 as a logo in every-thing. There’s a Run For Jack race set for May 30, 6 p.m. at Chapin High. Put on your running shoes for Jack!”

Mark Piepoli, Lacrosse coach at Lex-ington High, echoes the sentiment. “Ev-eryone at Lexington High wants to be part of the action to support Jack,” he says. “At the time of his injury, we had not had

any home games. Since then, every home game has included a bucket for voluntary donations from fans, along with a moment of silence. The first five home games raised $1500. After the last one, against Irmo on

April 10, we’re sending a check for all to the Enright family.”

This coach goes on to say that since Lacrosse is still considered a minor sport, the team and its supporters are a small and tight-knit group. “We care about each oth-er, and we want to help.”

Chapin Lacrosse coach Jeremy Metcalf has been amazed at the outpouring of sup-port. “I’ve never seen a reaction like this,” he says. “I’ve personally gotten an email from almost every coach in the state offer-ing help.” River Bluff High in Lexington declared Jack Enright Day on March 18; Dorman High in Spartanburg send a check for $350; SICS in Greenville sent $600.

Then there’s the response from the business community. CrossFit Bomb Is-land named April 25 as Get Jacked for Jack Day, a fundraising event of compe-titions followed by a silent auction and cookout, with all proceeds dedicated to Jack Enright.

Travinia Restaurant offered 15 per-cent of sales on one day in all four loca-tions: Lexington, Columbia, Aiken, and Asheville, raising several thousand dol-

lars. Bracelets honoring Jack and No. 28 are being sold at various local business-es, including Zesto’s, Groucho’s and Dos Amigos. Meanwhile, friends and team-mates have been tweeting their support

with the hashtag #PrayforJack. Saturday, May 9 is designated as an all-

out program for everyone to participate in We Have Your Back, Jack!

Sammy Bird of the Lake Murray Driv-ing Academy has focused on teenagers for many years. “Teenagers are my thing!” he says. “I love them and have fun with them.” Now he’s garnering help from doz-ens who feel the same way and are helping stage a big event for Jack Enright on May 9. It’s a First Annual Family Day and Ben-efit Poker Run in honor of Jack Enright at the Little Mountain Reunion Park, located on Mill Road in Little Mountain.

What is a Poker Run? Well, it’s a fun way to get outdoors and run around with others for a good cause. Many motorcy-clists participate in this activity; drivers in cars can take part as well. The Poker Run starts at Yard Birds at 11210 Broad River Road in Irmo. After a free breakfast there, the first vehicle leaves at 9:00 a.m., last one out at 11:00 a.m. They ride a designat-ed route, picking up a card at each stop. The best poker hand assembled wins the pot at the end — in this case $300, with

lesser amounts for runners-up. Family Day begins at 1:00 p.m.

at Reunion Park with a bake sale and vendor booths. The Scott Donaldson Band music and

JACK!“the entire student body

is supporting this (fundraising) effort. We’re using Jack’s Lacrosse number 28

as a logo in everything.

BBQ service will follow. At 3:30 p.m., an auction begins. 4:30 p.m., Poker win-ners will be announced at 4:30 p.m., fol-lowed by music from the Straight Shine band.

What do Jack Enright and his family think of all this? They’re still stunned and humbled by the support not only from the local community, but also the huge net-work of parents and friends that has de-veloped in Atlanta where Jack is receiving rehabilitation. He’s received calls, emails, letters, texts, gifts and visits from many people including dignitaries, major sports players and caring teenagers. His mother Ann says that her son seems to be an in-spiration for many people, but that could not be possible without the outpouring of love and encouragement he has received.

The first year and a half after an acci-dent is crucial because improvements typ-

ically occur during this time period. His mother is filled with hope and anticipa-tion. “Due to a slight movement in Jack’s left foot the past few days, we’ve been told that there is now a 10 percent chance that

he will walk again. We will take that percentage — it’s better than zero and we believe it will increase! Even though it seems like a tiny percentage to most people, it’s huge to us. He lost approximately 20 pounds during the first few weeks after the accident, but now has his appetite and is able to maintain and begin to build muscle. He works extremely hard six hours each day during therapy, and the response tests have been more positive. Jack was an avid sportsman just a month ago, enjoying snow skiing, wakeboarding,

scuba diving and more. I have com-plete confidence that he will partici-pate in these activities again in some capacity, because he has a strong will and is determined.”

Based on his recent improve-ments, Jack’s rehabilitation plan

will be reevaluated and there’s a possibil-ity that he may return home at the end of April or the first part of May. He may even be able to attend the poker run on May 9, his mother optimistically explains. “There’s a long, difficult road ahead of us both phys-ically and financially. However, we are tak-ing each day one at a time, helping Jack recuperate, working on our homecare cer-tification and learning how to balance hope and reality. Please continue to remember our family in your prayers.” n

“I’ve never seen a reaction like this, I’ve personally gotten an email from

almost every coach in the state offering help.”



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First, do your homework—spend time researching the various styles and sizes of RVs before making a decision. A huge fac-tor will be whether you want to pull the camper behind a vehicle or drive the ve-hicle to its destination. Decide how many people (and pets) the camper will need to accommodate and whether you want a rus-tic, nostalgic model or a new streamlined model. Find out how your choice of camper operates so that you are not at risk for ex-pensive accidents regarding waste disposal, electricity, refrigeration, awnings, hvac sys-tem, brakes, appliances, set up, etc. Know which tools and spare parts are necessary and unique to your choice of camper.

Should you rent or purchase? If your plan is to camp a few times each month or full-time, and you have enough storage space and money to purchase the RV upfront, your best bet is to buy. However, if you plan to go on a single trip every few months or a just a few times each year, are willing to pay for normal wear and tear and perhaps money is tight, you should rent.

Take a practice drive—different areas have varying degrees of terrain, roads, hills, vegetation and humidity. You may have to make adjustments as you travel to the inside or outside components of the camper. Don’t leave this to chance, take a short trip less than 100 miles away to a similar area and make sure you are pre-pared. Stop at rest areas along the way to check the camper. You will find that camping is not for lazy people, there are many intricate details that must be settled before you can climb into that reclining

rV eDUcatiOn 101:There is a recreational vehicle to fit almost every walk of life — young adventurous adults, families with children and pets, empty nesters. Contrary to popular belief, buying an RV is not like buying a car. It is inevitable that you will have some issues and there will be a learning curve.

Save time and money with these tips from veteran campers:


lawn chair beside the fire or beachfront.Resist the urge of making a hasty de-

cision to take a road trip. Avoid getting caught off guard; have a plan and stick to it. Prepare by reading websites and re-views online to find the best campground for your budget and the best experience for your family. Here are a few things that may help you map out your journey:

Are you more interested in history, hik-ing and biking, sightseeing, city lights, ed-ucation, theme parks, hunting and fishing or geocaching?

What is the predicted temperature and weather for the time of the year you will be traveling? Don’t forget about mosquitoes, ticks and sunburn!

Make a list of necessities and emergen-cy items and stock the camper ahead of time. Will you spend the majority of your time cooking indoors or outdoors? Will you purchase food ahead of time or after you arrive and set up?

What amenities does the campground offer? Will you need a bathhouse? Primitive campsites do not have electricity or water hookups, luxury sites may include cement pads, picnic tables, landscaped flowerbeds, porches, wi-fi and cable.

Answering these questions will insure that your trip will be one to remember and you will be on the road in no time, ready to tour the world in your home away from home. n

rV eDUcatiOn 101:

If you would like information on campgrounds in South Carolina, visit southcarolinaparks.com.

by Kristi Antley


N o matter where you’re from or what your background might be, there’s one thing that is univer-sally loved: a good deal. A good deal at the right time benefits

both parties — after all, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Let’s be honest: there are multiple unused items hiding in our attics, closets, junk drawers and garag-es. You don’t have to be a minimalist to recognize the value of the space this stuff occupies, the stress that these neglected items can cause our families, and the fi-nancial benefits and freedoms of downsiz-ing. Start fresh this new year by turning those gently used items into fast cash!

On the flipside, there’s nothing like the pure adrenaline rush of rummaging through a seller’s treasures at a garage sale or flea market and retrieving the item you need (or want to repurpose) at an earth-shattering, discounted price! Oc-casionally you can even find brand new items or pristine antiques at a fraction of what you would pay at a local boutique, department, grocery or general store. Here in Lexington, right off of Augusta Road, bargain hunters and resolute downsizers have the opportunity to buy and sell just

about anything imaginable at the Barnyard and U.S. #1 Metro Flea Markets. There’s truly something for everyone!

Barnyard Flea MarketUpon entering Barnyard Flea Mar-

ket, you are swallowed by the enormity of the barnyard-styled complex. As you walk down the aisles, you’ll see neatly blocked out booths for each vendor. On an idle Wednesday only a few tables and stores are open, but on Saturday the emp-ty stands come alive with parakeets, fresh vegetables, clothing, leather shops and an eclectic array of just about every-thing else. Something so vast has to have a be-ginning, and for Barn-yard Flea Market it was 26 years ago when Alec, Sr. and Alec, Jr. of the Chaplan Company start-ed this business.

Chaplan Company not only owns five dif-ferent Barnyard Flea Mar-kets, but also an RV park behind the Lexington lo-cation. Working directly

andby Tricia Callahan

BARGAINHUNTERSFast Cash


with the father-son team is General Man-ager Gerald Facteau, who has been with the company for seven years. Christina Hunter has been with Barnyard Flea Mar-ket for 20 years, 15 of which as manager of the Lexington location.

Visiting on a brisk Saturday in Octo-ber, you couldn’t walk two feet without seeing pink, because that weekend was specifically dedicated to a breast cancer fundraiser. This is one of many events that happen throughout the year. On Trick or Treat Saturday, visitors and vendors alike are dressed up in their favorite costumes. Perhaps the largest event of the year is Santa Land, which starts the Saturday after Thanks-giving and runs until December 23. Those weeks are filled with decorative Santas and holiday-themed memorabil-ia, a huge carousel and LED displays.

As for “veteran” vendors that have stood the test of time, Hunter easily lists five differ-ent store owners ranging from Sam’s Leather Shop to Mr. Gun-ner’s fishing supplies. The Barn-yard wouldn’t be complete without a mascot, so Hunter explains how Barney the Chicken is likely to pop up no matter

where they are, includ-ing business trips.

When asked what sets Barnyard Flea Mar-ket apart from others,

Hunter responded quickly: “We are very family-oriented. We want you to be able to bring your kids.” Between Barney the Chicken and the Holiday light show, it’s clear that this is indeed a place for the en-tire family.

U.S. #1 Metro Flea MarketU.S. #1 Flea Market has an open-air at-

mosphere, but it’s clear that each vendor sees their table as a store-front. Walking through the multiple aisles, you can hear different mu-sic from Latin tunes to country, chants of “buy five, get one free!” and strong men sitting si-

lently on the open tailgate of their trucks, selling tools so shiny you can’t look at them directly.

“It’s American capitalism at its best,” said owner Richard Hook. U.S. #1 Met-ro Flea Market has been in business

for 34 long years. Hook and Lex-ington Manager John Hardee work hand-in-hand to make an enjoyable experience for

vendors and visitors.Hook has a history in chem-

ical engineering, but says he was “bored to tears” on the weekend. Now that he’s running the flea market full-time, he couldn’t be more thrilled. “It started as a part-time hobby, and now here we are. It restores your faith in people and American enterprise.”

There are all kinds of goods and trea-

richard hooku.s. #1 Metro flea Market


sures to choose from, but a number of folks come just to buy fruits and vegetables. Hook says that local restaurants visit the market for their incredible produce.

What sets U.S. #1 Metro Flea Market apart? Aside from the truly friendly atmosphere, 700 tables and the deli-cious produce is the fantastic weekend deals you can get from sincere and honest vendors. There’s also a supple-mental indoor space open on weekends. This is the place to be when you need an interesting weekend diversion for family or friends that won’t break your wallet.

It’s clear with just these two flea markets in our lo-cal area that even the most serious bargain hunters can find their deal of the century, enterprising sellers can conduct a profitable business, and people like you can simply stroll through the aisles, nonchalant-ly scanning tables for that one-of-a-kind item you can’t possibly live without! n

U.S. #1 Metro Flea Market

3500 Augusta Road, West Columbia(803) 796-9294

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The clouds had been bulging for two solid days. They were waiting on some little something

to make them let go. The phone rang. It was Daddy.

“Son, the doctor says your Mama has Alzheimer’s.

We’ve got to put her in a nursing home, son.”

God was just waiting on us to hang up the phone.

I immediately heard the drops outside my bedroom window.

I walked straight out

to the shelter where my Daddy’s old Ford 8-N tractor is parked.

I sat in the coming darkness and listened to the low roar of the rain on the tin roof, and the dripping sounds the water makes in the dirt.

A slow rain on an old tin roof is the ear’s version of a campfire.

A man can get plum lost in that sound.

I thought of all the times

my Daddy said the rain falls on the evil and the just.

I thought of all the times he said everything works for the best

for those who love the Lord.

The thunder and lightning of the rains to come in my life

will always remind me of the first time my Mama didn’t know my name.

And while sitting with the old tractor

under the shelter during a rain will always remind me of sitting

with my Daddy when I was a little boy,

a slow rain on an old tin roof

will always beMama’s Rain.

David Clark is available to speak to groups. Email

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(803) 528-0740.

Mama’s Rain

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T he mention of a drive-in movie theater evokes nostalgic mem-ories for many who came of age during the heyday of drive-ins

in the 50s and 60s, when big cars and B-movies provided the backdrop for many a hot summer’s night. Fortunately, those bygone days are still within reach at the Monetta Drive-In. Affectionate-ly known as “The Big Mo”, it’s one of only three active drive-in theaters left in South Carolina.

At their peak, there were over 5,000 drive-ins nationwide. Now there are less than 500. The Big Mo was originally built in 1951, and operated continuous-ly until 1986. Lisa and Richard Boaz, the current owners and operators, reopened it in 1999.

The Previews: History and Restoration

“We used to go to a drive-in in West Virginia when we were first married, and we were there the night it closed down for the last time,” Lisa recalls as she tries to explain just what she and her husband were thinking when they purchased the remains of the original Monetta Drive-In.

“We got into the history of drive-ins, and spent some travel time seek-ing out the ones that had closed,” she says. “When we moved to South Caro-lina, Richard was traveling for work and stopped in at a couple of other sites. Someone mentioned Monetta, which wasn’t in any of the history books we had read.” In 1998 the couple purchased the theater site, which was in disrepair and disarray.

“There was no equipment left, and the screens were mostly gone,” Boaz says. “The only thing left was the screen tower and the concession building. Both were

by Kevin Oliver

Movies Under the Stars


just shells, so we really had to rebuild everything. Richard cut all the trees that had grown up in the fields himself.” The drive-in re-opened in March of 1999. A second screen was added in 2005, and a third in 2011, bringing the drive-in up to its current capacity and size.

Now Showing: An Experience Like No Other

Why go to a drive-in when there are so many nice indoor theaters available? Boaz says it means different things to dif-ferent people, but watching movies under the stars definitely has its advantages.

“For some people it’s the price, with us showing two movies for less than the price of one,” she says. “For others it’s the nostalgia, going back to a simpler time. For a lot of people it’s just a nice experience to share with your family or friends — a communal experience where you can be with others and not worry about be ing super quiet. There is plen-ty of time before the movie to visit with each other, play games — we have a play-ground for the kids.”

Big Mo theater-goer Charlie McLin-den enjoys the large scale screens as well as the nostalgia factor.

“It echoes a simpler, better era in Americana,” he says. “And you haven’t truly enjoyed a horror film until you’ve seen it 35 feet tall under a starry sky.”

The Von Fange family turns a Big Mo outing into their own version of the clas-sic dinner and a movie experience.

“We always get a large group together and pair the double feature with a trip to Shealy’s in Leesville,” says Sharon Von Fange. “Bringing lawn chairs and a portable radio means our son and his friends can sit outside of the car and en-joy the movie.”

The biggest change this season will be the installation (over the winter) of

three new digital projectors, something required as the industry shifts away from film prints and into digital copies of mov-ies for showings. The Big Mo was part of an online contest through Honda that en-abled them to win one of three projectors, an $80,000 prize that Boaz says came about due to the overwhelming support they received from theater lovers.

“It was unbelievable,” she says, re-

membering the excitement of entering and then winning the contest. “They only gave out nine projectors in the whole country, so for us to win one was pretty amazing. It was a very humbling experience to find out that many people cared about the drive-in — even folks who don’t come regularly, but didn’t want to see us close.”

Boaz says the new equipment will

Movies Under the Stars


provide a noticeably brighter, sharp-er picture, judging from the test runs they’ve given it leading up to this sea-son. As part of the process of installing the new projectors, the projection rooms themselves had to be upgraded for cli-mate control and to keep dirt and other things out of the new digital equipment.

“The old projectors would keep on chugging no matter what the condi-tions were, but the new ones have to be heated, cooled and generally sealed up,” Boaz says. “We used to run [the old ones] with the windows open a lot. Once in a while a bug would get into the camera during a movie, and you’d see a twenty foot bug leg on the screen until we could get it out.”

Coming Soon: Searching for the Past

The Boaz family considers themselves the caretakers of a grand tradition, one that has lasted now for over 60 years in Monetta. Sadly, they have precious little of the tangible history of the drive-in to show off. The Big Mo’s Facebook page offers a few black and white photos of the derelict stage prior to the reopening,

but Boaz says they would be very inter-ested in obtaining anything related to the theater in hopes of sharing that his-tory with others.

“We would love to have some pic-tures from the original run of the the-ater,” she says. “The only piece of memo-rabilia we have is a playbill-style sheet of paper showing what movie was going to be playing that weekend. It was found in a library book and brought to us.”

With so much history and local mem-ories tied up in the experience of going to The Big Mo, it’s reassuring to think that those memories will continue to be made — even in our new digital age — as yet another generation enjoys the drive-in for years to come. n

If You GoThe Big Mo is located at 5822 Columbia Highway North in Monetta. gates open at 6:30 p.m., movies start between 7:30 and 7:45 p.m.Cash only admission is $8 adults (ages 12 and up), $4 kids (ages 4-11), and free for age 3 and younger. debit/credit cards are accepted at the concession stand only.Multiple double features are offered each weekend, rain or moon. Call (803) 685-7949, visit TheBigMo.com or follow them on facebook for current listings.

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