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A lowcountry tradition, the Beaufort Water Festival, kicks off 10 days of festivities today.
The festival is rooted in the local shrimping industry, and boating festivities predominate. One of the key events is the “blessing of the fleet”. Whereas other SC festivals have a master-of-ceremonies or a grand marshal, the Water Festival is led by the Commodore. There is a sailing regatta, a sea kayak race, and tours of Coast Guard cutters. Even the band has a connection to the water: the Parris Island Marine Corps band plays tonight.
For more information, to view pictures of past events, or for tickets; visit the Water Festival website: http://www.bftwaterfestival.com/cwo/Home
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Throughout the year, but most especially in the summer, Sen. DeMint's D.C. office plays host to several interns looking to experience life in our nation's capital. Most hale from South Carolina, while a few trickle in from other parts of the country.
Introducing Hunter Wilson of West Columbia, S.C.:
Greetings from our nation's capital. My name is Hunter Wilson and I have been given the honor of serving our great Sen. Jim DeMint as an intern for the summer. I am from West Columbia and I went to Airport High School. I now attend Clemson University and I am studying industrial engineering.
Studying engineering and working in politics has been a great eye-opening experience. The District of Columbia is a fascinating place that is full of non-stop work but it is also non-stop fun. The quantity and quality of the people I get to work with and meet has made this the most amazing time of my life.
My father, mother and three older brothers have all been interns in D.C. I recommend to any college student apply because you will make friends from across the nation.
It has been a great privilege to be in Sen. DeMint’s office and I hope to make a positive impact on the people in this office and the people of South Carolina because they have done the same for me.
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Throughout the year, but most especially in the summer, Sen. DeMint's D.C. office plays host to several interns looking to experience life in our nation's capital. Most hale from South Carolina, while a few trickle in from other parts of the country.
Introducing Ben Dangerfield of Aiken, S.C.:
I have been extremely interested in politics since my early high school days. Upon my arrival to college, I decided that I should be a political science major. My love for politics began to grow as I began taking many classes in political science. Prior to my junior year at Clemson University, I attended a small dinner held for Sen. Jim DeMint. His message was refreshing and convincing, so I decided I would try working for his office in the following summer.
Having received the privilege to serve the state of South Carolina and Sen. DeMint, I have learned a tremendous amount about politics in a short stint thus far. I now have a greater respect for those men and women who choose the field of politics. It is a mentally exhausting job that requires a server’s attitude and a love for one’s country, state and neighbors. Furthermore, I have enjoyed working for the senator. I feel comfortable saying that he is an extremely hard-working man. However, this is not his only great attribute. One member in the staff described him as someone you would want to have as your neighbor. This statement completely summed Sen. DeMint’s qualities up. He is a terrific Christian man that will drop anything to help those he cares for, and he sticks to his guns.
Although I have only been working here for two weeks, I have had an amazing experience. I have been assigned a wide variety of different jobs which shows the enormous amount of work that is requires in running an efficient office. I have truly enjoyed being in the Capitol where the laws of the country are being made. For one of the first times in my life, I feel that I am a part of something that is truly meaningful. The staff is excellent in what they do, and it is very gratifying knowing that we are helping people all over the great state of South Carolina. I look forward to the rest of my experience. In particular, I hope to meet some of the great politicians that love this country and have taken this burden upon themselves to serve the greatest government Earth has ever seen.
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The newest member of Team DeMint as far as the Columbia office goes is Kati Youmans, a native of Florence, SC.
Kati began her tenure with Senator DeMint’s office as a Constituent Service Representative in February 2008. She primarily works with constituents who are seeking help with Social Security, Department of State, immigration issues, and passports.
She recently was able to help a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, who was trying to bring his parents to the U.S. for a special memorial service. The problem was that his parents were Albanian citizens living in Italy and were having a hard time working with the American embassy in Italy. After a lot of hard work on Kati’s part, they received their travel visa and joined their son for a very important moment in his life.
Kati is an ardent Gamecock fan, having graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2007 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Public Relations.
In her own words, “I have strong beliefs, and I am very passionate about what I believe in. Senator DeMint also shares this characteristic... Every day he stands up for what he believes is right (this has shown through even more with all of these bailouts). Because of these things, I am so proud to work for him and to call him my Senator.”
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In between taking a few phone calls supporting the Senator’s drive to get more American-made energy and writing some thank you notes, I noticed quite a crowd gathering across from the office building that houses the Senator’s Columbia office.
A view of Columbia's 2008 Greek Festival from the DeMint office
I had heard a radio announcement on the commute into Columbia this morning so I knew it must be the annual Columbia Greek Festival. Every year the festival is held at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Sumter Street in Columbia. So for lunch I and a few fellow staffers headed over for some delicious gyros!
A Greek Festival volunteer hard at work...
Even if you aren’t a big fan of gyros, there is lots more great food to enjoy.
And if you go be sure to check out some of the great music and shopping!
Greek sculpture for sale at the annual festival
A local band performs Greek music at the festival
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Throughout the year, but most especially in the summer, Sen. DeMint's Columbia office plays host to interns looking to experience life working for a U.S. senator. From time to time we like to shine the spotlight on these rising young stars who add so much to the combined efforts of Team DeMint.
Introducing Jennifer Lundy:
Hello, I am Jennifer Lundy from Lexington, South Carolina. I am interning in Sen. DeMint’s Columbia office for the summer. I interned with the senator in Washington, D.C. last summer, and I am super excited to be back in the office! This summer has allowed me to see the other side of a senator’s office, the side that helps constituents with needs and concerns. Having the opportunity to help the constituents of South Carolina has been a great pleasure.
I have always loved politics and having the opportunity to intern in senator's office is the experience of a lifetime. I am a rising Junior at Sweet Briar College, a small women’s college in Virginia, with a major in government, focusing on counterterrorism, and a double minor in dance and communications. My ultimate goal is to be elected president of the United States. I have a passion for helping others and speaking out for what I know is right, and I feel that through this position I can help the most people and truly make a difference in the world. Other than academics, I am the Sweet Briar College Student Government Association Secretary, a hostess for the Admissions Office, and I am involved in many other things around campus.
Besides interning for the senator, I am taking a summer class in microeconomics, hanging out with my amazing best friends, dancing, catching up on my reading, and just enjoying the lovely South Carolina summer!
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Lexington County is known for its summer festivals. There’s the Pelion Peanut Party, the Gaston Collard Festival, the Chapin Labor Day Parade, the Irmo Okra Strut and on and on...
There are so many it’s hard to pick a favorite, but the Peach Festival is definitely in the running as far as I'm concerned!
The festival has been taking place in Gilbert since 1958. But even before World War II, there has been a community gathering in Gilbert around the 4th of July. As local lore has it, in the days before television, there was a big stump meeting for all the politicians every year at the Gilbert train depot.
While there are still plenty of politicians that ride in the parade, the focus remains on “the queen of fruits.”
There are baskets and baskets of peaches for sale from the local peach orchards.
Even though there is nothing better than a juicy peach on a hot summer day, there are plenty of ways to get your peach fix if just one peach won’t do it. You can try peach cobbler, peach ice cream, peach tea, peach slushes, peach floats and peach sundaes. The “peach delight” is a peachy delicacy (and quite tasty), but my personal favorite is the “peach zip.”
I don’t really know what is in it (and the nice ladies who served me weren’t about to give up the secret recipe), but if you are lucky enough to be near Gilbert next July 4th you’d better give it a try!
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Recently Sen. DeMint visited the Midlands and toured one of two Michelin plants located in Lexington. The two plants employ around 1,600 people.
One plant makes performance tires for high end cars, but the plant the senator visited makes giant tires that fit on huge dump trucks used at mining operations.
These aren’t the Tonka trucks you played with when you were little. These tires go on the Caterpillar 797B Ultra-Class Mining Truck.
In fact, Michelin is the only company in the world that makes the tires for these trucks.
Michelin is known for its high quality tires, and it is a quality partner for the community of Lexington by supporting the local schools and many worthy causes.
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Throughout the year, but most especially in the summer, Sen. DeMint's D.C. office plays host to several interns looking to experience life in our nation's capital. Most hale from South Carolina, while a few trickle in from other parts of the country. Over the next few days we plan to spotlight the interns who have joined our staff for the month of June.
Introducing Randan Swindler of Blythewood, S.C.:
As a native South Carolinian, it is my privilege to be working in our nation’s capital with my senator, Mr. Jim DeMint. I grew up outside of Columbia in a small town called Blythewood, filled with farmland and neighbors always willing to help. After graduating from Ridge View High School I began my journey into the real world by enrolling at The University of South Carolina. For the past three years I have been studying English literature and political science, both of which continue to captivate my interest.
As my admiration for politics began to bloom, I applied to work within state government as an intern for Gov. Mark Sanford. This experience proved to be truly beneficial in helping me apply the concepts from the classroom into the reality of South Carolina’s government. During my tenure with Gov. Sanford I decided I wanted to spend my last summer as an undergrad working in Washington, D.C. I was thrilled to be invited to work with Sen. DeMint and his staff and looked forward to experiencing a little bit of the south while I was away from home.
Thus far my experience in D.C. has provided me with a small insight into the workings of our national government. I am happy to report that Sen. DeMint is just as humble and kind as everyone back home described him, with a staff that continues to exemplify these characteristics through their own benevolence. Over the next eight weeks I look forward to fully grasping all that this office does to ensure the success of both South Carolina and the great people who call it home.
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Throughout the year, but most especially in the summer, Sen. DeMint's D.C. office plays host to several interns looking to experience life in our nation's capital. Most hale from South Carolina, while a few trickle in from other parts of the country. Over the next few days we plan to spotlight the interns who have joined our staff for the month of June.
Introducing Virginia Roach from Columbia, S.C.:
Hello. I am a rising junior at Sewanee, where I am majoring economics and minoring in business. I am excited about this upcoming month in D.C and anticipate an enlightening, enjoyable experience in Sen. DeMint’s office.
As an economics major, I am interested in issues concerning our economy and banking system as well as international trade. Not only am I eager to learn more about the politics of business in the United States, but I also hope to visit monuments, museums and memorials around the capital city. I plan to take full advantage of the educational opportunities that the city offers and am especially interested in visiting the Library of Congress and the Jefferson Memorial. An internship on Capitol Hill is such an amazing opportunity and I look forward to an enriching, exciting month ahead.
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Regional Director
Ian Headley |
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1901 Main St
Suite 1475
Columbia, SC 29201
Map It!
P: 803-771-6112
F: 803-771-6455
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About the Regional Director
Ian Headley lives in Lexington with his wife and son. He grew up in Columbia and graduated from the University of South Carolina. When he’s not helping Sen. DeMint serve the people of South Carolina, Ian enjoys cheering on the Gamecocks. |
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Aiken
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Hampton
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Allendale
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Jasper
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Barnwell
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Lexington
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Beaufort
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Richland
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