Best of ETV Road Show- Pee Dee (Florence, Dillon and Chesterfield)

Today we headed to Dillon and met up with Johnnie Luehrs. She is the director of the Dillon County Chamber and was one of the key people in the community to help us set up and execute the Road Show back in 2004.

We also went to Cheraw to visit the hometown of Dizzy Gillespie…a man, even through all his world travels, never forgot where he came from.

Known as the "City of Character", Florence is a community that has transformed throughout the years. Florence has a rich history and we learn about its renaissance spirit.

Another spot on the map, Chesterfield is considered the heart of the Carolinas. We stopped by to visit the vibrant downtown area and the community's beautiful tree-lined streets.

Best of ETV Road Show- Pee Dee (Hartsville and Darlington)

One of the fastest counties in South Carolina- The Pee Dee regions boasts the World Famous Darlington Raceway!

We met up with the President of Darlington Raceway- Chris Browning. After the interview we made sure to take a lap!

We also headed over to Coker College in Hartsville.

We met Trish DeHond who helped organize the Hartsville Road Show back in 2004. She says there have been many changed to the Hartsville area since we were there and invited folks to come and visit this beautiful community again.

Best of ETV Road Show- Coastal

Here are a group of pictures I just had to post to the blog.

Special thanks to our ETV Endowment Intern Sally Morris for being such a vital role to these shoots!

Best of ETV Road Show- Coastal

Day Three- We decided that waking up early and watching the sunrise was so amazing that we should do it again. We set up the camera on 8th Avenue to catch to sunrise. It was beautiful!

After that we headed to Broadway at the Beach!

We couldn't resist to feed the fish!

After that we headed to Conway and then into Marion County where we stopped in to the old Mullins railway station that today houses the Marion County Chamber of Commerce.

Best of ETV Road Show- Coastal (Georgetown)

Day Two: Today started before day break! We decided we wanted to do a time lapse of the sunrise out on Myrtle Beach so we packed up the truck and headed out at 5 AM!

It was so worth it- just look at this picture!

After we ate a little breakfast we headed out to Brookgreen Gardens where we met up with Helen Benso. The Gardens and Scupltures out there are absolutely amazing.

After that we headed to Murrells Inlet and then to Georgetown.

In Georgetown we met up with Jeanette Ard, a Georgetown resident and local business owner. She was one of the key members of the community to help with the ETV Road Show back in 2004.

Best of ETV Road Show-Coastal (Horry County)

Day One: Our first stop on our "Best Of" Coastal shoot was with Matt Houge from Coastal Carolina University. They were our gracious host back in 2004 when we stopped by for a visit into this area of the state.

On our second stop, we just had to hit up the beach so we headed to Surfside Beach were we caught some rays and met vacationers from all over the United States!

The Best of the ETV Road Show- Piedmont (Chester County)

In the afternoon we started our trek to Chester County. We stopped at the Fishing Creek Dam right inbetween Lancaster and Chester.

We headed into downtown Chester and met up with Nancy Anderson who has spent most of her life in Chester. We interviewed Mrs. Anderson in front of the new Transportation Museum on Wylie Street. The Musuem was so fascinating with an exhibit that included a 1916 Ford Model T, a 1925 School bus and many more large and small attractions.

Back in the downtown area of Chester, we took in the sights and sounds of this small but vibrant town. The "Hill" as it's known, makes the city's geographical layout very unique. The sweeping vista of brightly colored historic buildings creates a sight that helped the town be dubbed as the "Picture Perfect City".

The Best of the ETV Road Show- Piedmont (Lancaster County)

We started our morning in the town of Lancaster where we stopped by the L&C Railway museum. These retired rail cars were absolutely amazing and meticulously renovated to the taste of celebrities and others who prefer to travel by train.

Our next stop was in downtown Lancaster where we walked through internationally reknown artist, Bob Doster's, outdoor sculpture garden. It was an art lover's dream come true.


The last stop on our visit through Lancaster was at Kilburnie, one of the many historic homes in the county. This restored home was once in downtown Lancaster and then moved to the outskirts of town. Now this beautiful home serves as a bed and breakfast!

Best of ETV Road Show- Piedmont (York County)

    Known as the White Rose City, York is a small but bustling town.  In the afternoon we met up with Mayor Eddie Lee, who we interviewed first back in 2004.  He said the recent growth to the county has been significant due to the spillover from Charlotte.  He also said the ETV Road Show, that visited back in 2004, had a lasting impact on region.

     The downtown area of York is very quaint with many unique shops and restaurants.  York is a friendly town with tons of charm.

Best of ETV Road Show- Piedmont (Charlotte)

    We are back on the road again!  This trip we headed north of the border to the thriving metropolis of Charlotte.  We started the morning talking with Moira Quinn of Charlotte City Center Partners where we learned about all the exciting new changes to the Charlotte cityscape.  

     Later on we checked out a farmer's market that was set up right on the corner of S. Tryon and 4th street.  It's the perfect combination of economic development and environmental preservation that lend this city to a high quality of life.

Best of Road Show- Charleston Shoot Four

Today was our final day in this great area of South Carolina, for this particular shoot at least.

We started out at St. Phillips Church in the downtown area. It's one of the oldest churches in the area and is absolutely spectacular. After a short visit there we heading down a cobblestone street and found a beautiful park. We spoke to a family visiting from Oklahoma and then made our way to Summerville.

In Summerville we traveled to an old rice plantation called Middleton Place. This place was so amazing! With breath-taking views of the Ashley River, Middleton Place offers up a trip in time that is perfect for any family adventure!

Best of Road Show- Charleston Shoot Three

What an adventure today ended up being! We began our morning at the Charleston Harbor and then traveled through downtown to end up at the market.

The afternoon we spent on Sullivan's Island, a quaint small town with tons of character.

We interviewed Hal and Karen Coste. Hal, a 5th generation resident of the island, spoke about Sullivan's Island in the early years and Karen spoke about the need for preserving the island's unique history.

Best of Road Show- Charleston Shoot Two

     Well, I think the ETV Road Show found heaven on earth today.  Our travels took us to Lowndes Grove where we interviewed General Manager, Ashley Gunnin.  Back in 2004 Ashley was instrumental in helping coordinate the ETV Road Show's visit at the South Carolina Aquarium.

     On this bright and sunny July evening, about 4 years after our first meeting, our interview was about the many memories we had of the 5 hour Aquarium show and on to new topics like the impact of the Road Show and her new project, Lowndes Grove.

Best of Road Show- Charleston Shoot One

     Seven miles long and two blocks wide, the Isle of Palms is a southern paradise right off the coast of Charleston.

     Our first interview in our quest to find the best of Charleston led us to the Isle of Palms Marina with a man who knows this city very

 well.  Mayor Mike Sottile, who's been mayor for the last 7 years, has seen the island evolve into an attractive summer destination.  One of those major changes has been the recent beach

 restoration.

     Sottile was excited to see the ETV crew once again on the island and is happy to 

showcase the

 recent changes to this coastal oasis.  

 

Sumter County's Taste at the Gardens with ETV!

Swan Lake and the Iris Gardens was the perfect venue for the ETV Road Show Thursday night.

Kershaw County- Project Discovery

History and Horses were the topic this afternoon for Project Discovery!

Here, Amanda Loveday interviews Hope Cooper and Arch Kingsley about Steeplechasing in Camden.

Clifford The Big Red Dog is on the road!!!

Clifford The Big Red Dog entertains the crowd this year on the ETV Road Show!

The sweet and furry pup got to visit with all of his fans each of the county library's and in some of the site locations for Road Show!

Kershaw County the final stop on the ETV Road Show- 10th Edition

Kershaw County welcomes the ETV Road Show to Historic Camden!

Today's Line-up-

Walter Edgar's Journal- Noon

Project Discovery- 1PM

Your Day Extra- 3PM

ETV Road Show- 7PM

They're Off- 8:30PM (A 30-minute special on Steeplechases in Camden.)

Clarendon County- Behind the Scenes with ETV!!

ETV Road Show spotlights Clarendon County

Clarendon County hit the big time on ETV with 3 shows!

Show Schedule:

Your Day: Noon

Your Day Extra: 3PM

ETV Road Show: 7PM

Manning rolled out the red carpet for the ETV crew on Monday and it all started with a delicious cake that was presented by Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dawn Griffith.

Featured on Monday's show were features on the history of Manning, Sparkleberry Swamp, South Carolina's First Miss America, Bubba Davis and much, much more.

Your Day- Sumter County

The ETV Road Show headed for Sumter early Thursday morning. It was a beautiful day out at Swan Lake and the Iris Gardens. The noon Your Day show featured Bobby Richardson, a former Yankee baseball player, a segment on USC Sumter and an interview about the gardens.
Today's line-up:
Your Day: Noon
Your Day Extra: 3PM

ETV Road Show "Pre-Show": 7PM

The Big Picture: 7:30PM

ETV Road Show: 8PM

ETV Road Show

The ETV Road Show in Lee County was one of a kind with features on the Cotton Museum, Lee County State Park, the Button King, Pearl Fryar and, of course, the Lizard Man.
Drink Small provided the entertainment for the night as Lee County represented for Mayfest 2008!

Your Day Extra- Lee County

Your Day Extra was cheered on by the REL Academy Cheerleaders for the show from 3PM to 4PM today.  The Button King also made an appearance!  Other segments included the Cotton Museum and the Lee County Public Library.

Your Day- A Lee County Success

Bob Schuster of Clemson Radio interviews the REL Cheerleaders on Your Day.

Joe Sauvion captures the bunch during the noon show as a part of Mayfest 2008! in Lee County.

Other vendors are open for business and the Lee County Chamber of Commerce is selling Lizard Man t-shirts!

Speaking of the Lizard Man!!!

The man sized reptilian is scouring Main Street Bishopville.  For one day only visitors can walk through the Lizard Man museum and check out the van that was mauled by the Lizard Man earlier this year.