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“President Carter said his main concern is that turkey season ends this week, and he has not reached his limit. He hopes the State of Georgia will allow him to roll over the unused limit to next year.”
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—from a statement by the Carter Center on President Jimmy Carter, who fell at his home in Plains, Georgia, while leaving to go turkey hunting Monday morning and is now recovering after successful surgery to repair a broken hip.
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A Classic Comes BackThirty years ago, Steel Magnolias hit movie theaters, introducing the world to M’Lynn, Shelby, Truvy, Annelle, Ouiser, and Clairee, and making armadillo cake famous. If you’ve never had a chance to see it on the big screen, you’re in luck. In honor of the anniversary, the film will be showing in select theaters around the country for three days this month—May 19, 21, and 22. Find a showing near you, and read our interview with playwright and screenwriter Robert Harling and others for the behind-the-scenes story of the enduring Southern classic.
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Comics CacheThe University of South Carolina library received a once-in-a-lifetime gift this month: 143,000 comic books, valued at $2.5 million. The gift, which includes many rare issues, came from a collector in Ohio, Gary Lee Watson. And while other schools were after the trove, USC won out after promising to keep the books together as a single collection. Better yet? Members of the public can peruse the comics free of charge during library hours.
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From Haskell Harris, Style Director
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When my younger sister got married, these topiaries of man’s best friend were a hit in the garden during the reception. Each topiary (from Labs and golden retrievers to pointers and more) is constructed from living sphagnum moss over black powder-coated titanium rods, and they make for a friendly greeting any time of year. $194-$477 (includes shipping); ggfieldshop.com
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Southern Shades on Sale
Krewe is a New Orleans-based company that specializes in stylish, hand-crafted eyewear. Its frames, spotted on the likes of Beyoncé, Reese Witherspoon, and Leon Bridges, go on sale just twice annually during exclusive online events, with the latest sale happening next week—May 20–24. A range of sunglasses will be discounted up to seventy percent, with free shipping on orders over $200 and rewards for purchases over $350. To get the deals, go to krewe.com/sale and enter your email address. You’ll then receive private access to the sale—and be eligible to win a weekend trip to the Big Easy, complete with an itinerary and accommodations tailored by the folks at Krewe. Click for access to the invite-only event and your chance to win.
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From Dacey Sivewright, Digital Editor
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Timeless Tunes
As usual, my playlist is loaded with country and Americana. Lately I’ve been listening to Caroline Spence, a Nashville singer-songwriter whose new album, Mint Condition, came out this month. The simple strum behind the title track allows the lyrics to shine as they praise a long-term love that forever feels brand new. “Nothing ’bout you ever gets old,” she sings, and right now, I’m convinced nothing about this record will either.
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Behind the MusicEven my podcasts tend to serve up a healthy dose of twang. At the top of the list is Cocaine & Rhinestones, a series by Tyler Mahan Coe (son of country singer David Allan Coe) that digs into the untold stories behind country music history. Coe’s meticulous research makes each hour-plus episode a gold mine of fascinating anecdotes, and I’ve found myself re-listening to my favorite installments ( Bobbie Gentry! Loretta Lynn!) just to make sure I caught everything. Listen to the first season here, and support Coe on Patreon to stay in the loop on season two.
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The Softest T-Shirt Ever
As the days get longer, I’ve ditched the gym in favor of outdoor runs around Charleston, and I’ve also found some great new gear in the process. I bought the CloudKnit Tee, from Austin, Texas–based activewear company Outdoor Voices, for uphill climbs on the Ravenel Bridge and sandy sprints on Sullivan’s Island, but it’s so soft that I’ve found myself doing laundry just so I can wear it again—not only while running, but also tucked into jeans and skirts for a casual look. The tee, which comes in multiple styles for men and women, is lightweight, slightly stretchy, and sweat-wicking: a must as we approach the sticky Lowcountry summer.
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We recently asked, “What’s the most essential Southern album or song?” Among the most mentioned:
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Eat a Peach by the Allman Brothers Band
“Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles
At Fillmore East by the Allman Brothers Band
“Blue Sky” by the Allman Brothers Band
“Carolina in my Mind” by James Taylor
“Will the Circle Be Unbroken” (various artists)
“Tennessee Waltz” (various artists)
Other responses:
“‘Can’t You See’ by the Marshall Tucker Band. Southern Rock at its finest.” —Patricia C.
“Southern Accents, album by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. This is a slam dunk to me.” —Ron V.
“Every time I hear ‘Ode to Billie Joe,’ I am among those gathered round that table for ‘dinner on Sunday.’ Native Mississippian Bobbie Gentry wrote/sang the best ‘storytelling’ tune of all time—mysterious and sultry, just like the South!” —Holly C.
“‘Margaritaville.’ It displays a story in song, but also gives us the ultimate good-vibe party-drinking song. Jimmy Buffett and family are about as Southern as it gets.” —Scott T.
“Live from Alabama by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. It’s his older stuff and a lot with the Truckers (the most Southern band since Skynyrd), but also a few covers of other Southern music.” —Tucker K.
“Most definitely Rosanne Cash’s The List. Nostalgia and heredity in one wonderful CD.” —Joan L.
“Murmur from R.E.M. Every time I put it on the player it just screams the South ... Stipe’s poetry, Buck’s jingle-jangle guitar riffs.” —Eric L.
“‘Midnight Train to Georgia.’” —Nancy Z.
“Atlanta Rhythm Section’s ‘Doraville.’ The imagery simply oozes Southern. Indeed, ‘New York’s fine, but it ain’t Doraville.’” —Allen A.
“‘Southern Nights,’ by Allen Toussaint.” —Julie H.
“An argument can be made for ‘Outfit’ by the Drive-By Truckers. No matter where I go in the world, the line ‘Don’t worry about losing your accent, a Southern man tells better jokes’ reminds me to just be myself.” —Stephanie K.
“‘Oh, Atlanta’ by Alison Krauss. Should be the city’s signature song!” —Julie F.
“‘Rainy Night in Georgia.’” —Vicki A.
“If it’s football Saturday, then it’s ‘Rocky Top,’ of course.” —Larry S.
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THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONWhat advice would you give a graduate of the class of 2019?
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May 18
Cheers to Cheerwine
Salisbury, North Carolina, hosts the Cheerwine Fest, celebrating the native soft drink with live music, food and art vendors, and plenty of the fizzy stuff to go around.
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May 18
Race Day
The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, takes place in Baltimore. Although Maximum Security and Country House will not be running, we’re still getting ready to place our bets and mix up a few Southsides.
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May 18
Lovely Lilies
The Cahaba Lily is one of the rarest—and most beautiful—water lilies in the South and an icon of Central Alabama. The town of West Blocton honors the native plants with the Cahaba Lily Festival, including nature talks and a trip to the Cahaba River to soak up the blooms. Check out a sneak peek here.
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