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Proud to be an American....Proud to be a Daufuskie-an

I watched CNN in disbelief yesterday morning when it was reported that some small town Politican somewhere in this good old US of A decided to cancel the towns fireworks because of cost. The "talking CNN heads" were having a "field day" with this guy that was quoted as saying "I believe I made the right decision". Well...Well....Mr. Politician I am here to heartily disagree with your "right decision"  to take the "Spirit of American Patriotism and Independence away from true Americans because of a few dollars.

I wish I could have "time traveled" those poor folks from that town to Daufuskie Island last night. There on our pristine beaches they could have experienced a fireworks display of amazing proportions lighting up the Lowcountry sky. As a fingernail moon rose over the Palmetto trees bursts of color lit up the faces of folks of young and old alike as they arched their necks oohing and aahing as shell after shell bursting in midair. With each boom, whizzle and shrilled shriek folks in the "cat bird seats" 3rd floor Sandy Lane condos and perched atop a Funky Fuskie bus screamed and applauded with true appreciation. Flags flew, light sticks adorned necks, hats, clothing and the occasional "pooch" as the pride and spirit of being an American warmed the hearts and souls of the assembled merrymakers.

It all started in unison with Harbortown' first mighty bursts but long after the alloted fifteen minutes or so of a "programmed Hilton Head performance" were History, Daufuskie volunteers with red glowing flares dazzled the 300+ crowd. For almost three hours...with an actual intermission and DJ, shell bursts  called "High Octane"..."Taste of Heat" and "TNT" exploded sending multicolored reflections over the casual waves of an in-coming tide. As word spread, golf carts, pick up trucks and assorted vehicles loaded to the hilt with beach chairs and coolers flocked to the white sand. It was truly a sight to behold.

This morning I got up early and walked down to the beach to help clean up any wayward trash. To my amazement Daufuskie volunteers had already "arrived and left" and not a Budweiser beer can or fireworks funnel was to be found. It was like it never happened...like it was some sort of spiritual mystical event....but I knew different. Sitting on an old weathered log with coffee cup in hand I stared out towards Tybee Lighthouse and reminded myself of how lucky I was to live in such a special place. A place with neighbors like Stewart that worked feverish asking for donations from one and all so this unique and truly patriotic spectacle could take place. And Mr. Politician from somewhere..it all took  place merely with donations...from just ordinary folks that take pride in their Country and in their community. Yes, last night made me "Proud to be an "American" and "Proud to be a Daufuskie-an".

See ya on the high tide..

LowCountry Joe

The 4th of July

I find myself on this 4th of July sitting in the Historic Silver Dew Winery on the mystical Island of Daufuskie. And as of 2:30 this afternoon I must say it has been a super fun experience. Folks from literally all over the world stop by...intrigued by The Winery structure itself I guess....but also eager to hear about Lighthouse Keeper Papy Burn and the building made famous by Pat Conroy in his monumental book  "The Water is Wide". I am alway obliged to tell the story even though I have told it zillions of times before...... simply because it needs to be told.

And there is not a a better day than our Independence Day to relay the story of Papy Burn, Lighthouse Keeper, Daufuskie Magistrate, Taxidermist and most notably, The first licensed vintner of wine in South Carolina. Papy spent forty Independence days in this magnificent structure greeting, just locals back then,  and giving them a taste of his now famous Silver Dew. Now I greet "passers by".....and give them "A Taste of the Dew" and portray a  "snippet" of what life was like "back then" when the world was a much simpler place. I pontificate on how wine was made out of "fixins", things like peaches and pears that would easily ferment, and how Strom Thurmond, Papy's dear friend would visit on the 4th of July and how they would discuss timely political events.

So have a great 4th of July folks.....and if ya have a bit of time please stop by The Winery for a chat.

See Ya on the high tide...

LowCountry Joe