Roofing Contractor inWalterboro, SC.

For The Press and Standard

Just over a year ago, Twig sisters Mandy and Jessy were talking shop – quite literally – when inspiration struck!

Together they own Twig (a lovely gift and clothing boutique in downtown

Walterboro) and they were brainstorming how to grow. Then one day during a company meeting, it hit them that what Walterboro needed was a coffee shop! And we’re not talking your typical franchise, but a cozy, inviting coffee shop – where you can meet your friends, do afternoon studies, or just take a few minutes to enjoy your day.

If you’ve ever been to their boutique Twig, you will notice it isn’t your typical boutique. Their products are current and classy and tend to shy away from trendy items in favor of something unique. When you step through the door, not only does it smell amazing, but you are struck by the hospitable atmosphere and the beautiful displays.

And that is the dream behind Colleton Coffee – excellent service, delicious coffee, unique products, and a hospitable environment!

But this isn’t just a coffee shop – they also carry a growing variety of books, coffee mugs, children’s toys and more! You won’t necessarily find the latest releases from the New York Times bestsellers list on their shelves, but rather classics, how-tos, intriguing mysteries, and inspiring books on all subjects. They work to have a truly interesting variety of products.

Colleton Coffee is a relaxing spot to meet up with friends. You will definitely get friendly, top-notch service! They want to help put a spring in your step and be a bright spot in your day!

The sisters give full credit to God and are so thankful to the community who has given so much to them. The support, encouragement and friendship they have experienced through Twig has been such a blessing and they want to do something to bless the town in return!

And isn’t that what life should be about? Encouraging, helping, and serving one another?! They hope that is what you will find at Colleton Coffee! Well, that and the best cup of coffee around!

Be sure to join them for their Grand Opening on March 25th, 9a-3p! 252 E Washington St, Walterboro, SC 29488.

Colleton Coffee is Open Weekdays 7:30a-3:30p and Saturday 9a-3p.

For The Press and Standard

In February, the Municipal Association and County governments visited the State House for their respective legislative days. I was delighted to welcome Mayor Bill Young and City Council members Judy Bridge, James Broderick, and Carl Brown. I also had a chance to visit with County Council members, Bubba Trippe and Scott Biering. We were able to discuss issues of concern and budget needs for 2023-2024.

The House of Representatives has moved a great deal of legislation in the first 2 months of the session. Below is a summary of several important pieces of legislation that I voted for, and we have passed:

I was a co-sponsor of bill H.3197. This bill ensures school districts are protecting parental rights and engaging parents in the decision-making process. This is important as our schools need involved parents to best educate our children.

Additionally, the full House of Representatives - with my support - passed H.3728. This bill will ensure that our public education system is a fair and open system where instruction is without bias and includes a broad scope of history. I especially like that this bill does NOT create extra work for teachers but ensures that we have a transparent policy for teachers, parents, and students to maintain high quality education.

As a fierce defender of life, I proudly voted for passage of the Human Life Protection Act. This bill ensures that life is protected at conception. The bill overwhelmingly passed the House of Representative by a vote of 77-31.

H.3774 will allow a licensed physician to perform an abortion only in cases where a pregnancy results from incidents of rape or incest, when a fatal fetal anomaly is present, or when the life of the mother is at risk.

The bill explicitly protects contraception, in vitro fertilization [IVF], and other assistive reproduction technologies. In addition, biological fathers will be responsible for paying 50 percent of the birth mother’s pregnancy expenses from the time of conception as well as child support to be calculated from the date of conception. The bill now moves over to the Senate.

We also voted to affirm the constitutional right to bear arms. This bill mirrors the freedoms guaranteed by our founding fathers. It will provide more options for individuals and families to protect themselves. H.3594, the Second Amendment Preservation Act, passed the House with a landslide 90-30 vote. I voted for this bill so that South Carolinians who can lawfully own a firearm can freely exercise their constitutional rights.

This bill was developed with the help of SC’s top law enforcement officials to make it tougher on felons who carry guns. For any felon charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm, first-time violators could face up to 5 years in jail, second-time offenders would face 5 to 20 years, and third-time or more violators would face 10 to 30 years.

It is my honor to represent you, the citizens of District 97. Feel free to contact me at RobertRobbins@schouse.gov or 803-212-6973.

For The Press and Standard

You’ve heard of a master gardener? How about master backyarding?

Backyarding, the art of living, working and enjoying our yards, parks and community green spaces, became a way of life in the last few years. Now that life is turning to somewhat “normal,” the TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care for and use of managed landscapes, has found people are finding ways to continue the backyarding trend by taking it to a new level.

Enter Master Backyarding.

“Backyarding has become part of our daily lives,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation. “But master backyarders have taken this idea to a new level. Their backyarding skills are elevated and inspirational.”

According to the TurfMutt Foundation, the three key characteristics of master backyarders include:

Planting & Planning with Purpose. Master backyarders know that putting the right plant in the right place is good for the environment, not to mention making maintenance less of a hassle. They recognize the value of their outdoor space to the overall eco-corridors and plant with pollinators and other wildlife in mind. Most of all, they know that if they work in the yard it will work for them, their family and the environment in a host of ways so they plan and plant with that purpose in mind.

Taking All Aspects of Life Outside. For master backyarders, the yard is not just beautiful, it is an integral part of how they experience their everyday lives. They use their yards…for everything. From throwing a dinner party on the patio to exercising on a carpet of lawn and even staging a staycation for their family, it’s hard to tell where the indoor living shifts to the outdoors for master backyarders. They are always learning and looking for the next opportunity to make their yard even more useful.

Inspiring Others About Backyarding. If you have a master backyarder in your life, you have no doubt heard them tout the many benefits of backyarding. Not to mention the joy they get out of cultivating their backyard space and using it. Master backyarders are backyarding advocates, and they share their knowledge with others, including their kids – the next generation of backyarders.

To learn more about backyarding and how to take your backyarding practices up a notch, go to TurfMutt.com.

Debbi Mayster

On Behalf of the TurfMutt Foundation 240.988.6243

A photo is attached of Kris and his pup MoMo. Please credit: TurfMutt Foundation

WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCSC) - Colleton County has two large industries coming around Walterboro in the near future and county officials are already thinking about how this is going to affect housing.

Pomega Energy Storage Technologies, a subsidiary of Kontrolmatik Technologies that makes lithium-ion batteries, is investing $279 million to build a facility located in the Colleton Industrial Campus near Walterboro.

“That is the largest economic investment of a company coming to this county in history,” Colleton County Councilman Scott Biering said.

This industry will bring in 575 jobs, but that’s not all. Biering says Boise Cascade Company, a leading manufacturer for building materials, will also bring in 30 additional jobs and developers have already sent in applications.

“I think there’s two developments, like maybe 100 houses per development,” Biering said. “And that’s a big deal for us.”

Mark Wysong, the president of the Colleton County Chamber of Commerce, says this will bring greater prosperity to the city of Walterboro.

“Right now, that’s one of the biggest challenges that we have in Colleton County is affordable housing,” Wysong said.

Wysong says these industry jobs will increase the median income within the county, improving the housing market overall. Biering says there are roughly 9,000 people that leave every day to go work in neighboring counties and they want to try to keep those people a little closer to home.

“There’s not been a whole lot of homes and developers in this area for a long time,” Biering said. “So, this is something new to us to have this amount of interest.”

Wysong says he knows locals will want to keep their small town the way it is, but no one should have to worry about losing it.

“While retaining the small-town feel, I think these new developments coming in will adopt that look and feel, so you retain this really small neighborhood community,” Wysong said.

Biering says these housing developments are only in the planning stages, and nothing has been approved so far.

“We like to live, work and play here,” Biering said. “We’d like to keep it closer to the center. So, I think the housing will be a big plus in that direction.”

Biering says Pomega is hopefully expected to break ground in 2024.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

“A colonel in the Army was in his office. A private knocked on his door. Wanting to impress the private, the colonel picked up the phone and started talking while waving this private into his office. The colonel stated, ‘Yes, Mr. President. I will get on this right away. You have the right man for the job. Thank you for thinking of me. By the way, give my best to the First Lady,’ and hung up the phone.

“The colonel then turned to the private and shouted in a harsh tone, ‘What do you want!’

“The private said, ‘Nothing sir. I am just here to fix the phone’” (“Thinking You Are Important”).

Throwing your weight around because you have a top position on your job, are from a prominent family, live in a mansion on the hill, hold a coveted leadership position in your community, and the list goes on, will not get you into God’s Kingdom because He frowns upon arrogance. Romans 12:3 (ESV) affirms, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Make no mistake; God punishes arrogance because He said, “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5 ESV). When you let arrogance take over your life, negative consequences will soon follow. Most people will tend to avoid you. Great opportunities will pass you by because no one will want to bow down to your “Holier than Thou” attitude! Eventually, your proclaimed happiness will wane. Ultimately, you will bring shame to yourself and your family. In other words, your arrogance will eventually run out and bring you to ruin. Although God hates and punishes arrogance, He loves and rewards humility. James 4:10 (ESV) declares, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” Please think on these important words of wisdom that I leave with you: ? Be careful how you look down on those who are less fortunate than you as you climb the ladder of success, for you will meet those same people on your way back down. ? If you want God to answer your prayers and give you peace and healing, practice humility, not arrogance. ? Remember that compassion and humility will make you one of God’s chosen ones. ? You must answer the Master’s call to die one day, so remember you will have to give an account of your sins.

Always abound in the faith, and never leave home without Him!