By Peg Eastman The iconic First Scots Presbyterian Church has a layered history that goes back to the early 18th century. The current building was constructed in 1814, making it the fifth-oldest church building in the city. This year, 2026, is the sestercentennial (250th ) anniversary of our nation’s founding. First (Scots) was the scene of divided allegiances — Patriot vs. Loya...

By Robert Kosian    The author in front of the Great Pyramids of Egypt. As seen from the Nile, the Ancient Egypt Temple of Esna. IMAGES COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR Fascination with Egypt   Take a big step back in time and remember how Howard Carter’s stunning discovery of the Tomb of the tomb of King Tutankhamun ignited a worldwide Egyptian craze. Like many of us, the Pyramids, Valle...

Tommy Dew. PHOTO BY TRAVIS DEW By Tommy Dew    In 2016, three applicants failed the Charleston tour guide test, sued the city concerning its legality — and won. The decades-old process, which consisted of a written and oral exam, was deemed unconstitutional by a federal court. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution is clear:  “Congress shall make no law … abridgin...

Wentworth Street, in front of The Restoration Hotel, looking toward King Street; here we see a combination of missing pavement, old brick and even an old trolley track. By Jay Williams, Jr.  No one can claim that South Carolina is a low-tax state. We’ve got property taxes, state and city sales taxes, an income tax, meals and accommodations tax and a gas tax — not counting fees...

Drew Bumpious and Smoke with a harvest of raccoons. PHOTO PROVIDED BY DREW BUMPIOUS By Ford Walpole    Coon hunting is an ancient pastime firmly entrenched in the rich culture of the Southern outdoors. In years past, raccoons were hunted both for their pelts and meat, which is described as dark and greasy, though tasty. In John Lawson’s colonial classic, A New Voyage to Carolina...