The 2008 holiday season in Orangeburg is in full swing!

Dr. Leo Twiggs, S.C. State professor emeritus and distinguished artist-in-residence at Claflin University was nominated to decorate a Christmas ornament for the tree at the White House for the state of South Carolina this past September!   The White House sent a six-inch-round silver ornament to each artist to decorate. The design had to display a red, white and blue theme and represent the artist's state or region.

Twiggs design is of an American flag that flows around the ornament to form the letters "SC" on one side and a silhouette of the state painted in indigo blue with crescent moon and palmetto tree on the other. Some areas were left unpainted to reflect the lights from the tree.

In 2001 Twiggs also designed an ornament for the White House tree that was a miniature replica of the dilapidated Benjamin Mays House in Greenwood County. The ornament received national attention, and the Mays House was eventually moved to the city of Greenwood and restored. Way to GO!!

Orangeburg's Christmas parade was this past Sunday.  A variety of participants were led by grand marshal Thomas B. Eklund, an Orangeburg resident who has dedicated his life to working with children and served as principal at Rivelon Elementary School and executive director of the Orangeburg Area Boys and Girls Club. Eklund was honored by the Kiwanis Club of Orangeburg as its 2005 Orangeburg Citizen of the Year.  "A Storybook Christmas" was this year's theme and began at 3 p.m. Sunday, in downtown Orangeburg.

Don't forget to recycle your Christmas tree!  The Grinding of the Greens is an annual event, with drop off points at solid waste collection sites located throughout the county and curbside pickup within the City limits.    

www.JustCallTina.com to search for homes available within the Orangeburg market, or to contact your Relocation REALTOR...

Open House - November 2, 2008

2:00 - 4:00 PM

ERA Wilder Realty, Inc - Orangeburg Office Listings

ERA Wilder Realty in Orangeburg, SC will be offering you the opportunity to check what the local Real Estate market has to offer this Sunday!

Agents will be offering their homes for preview from 2-4 pm (check the Sunday paper for listings in the Home Showcase insert)...there will be plenty of choices or SEE THEM ALL! 

I will have three homes available from my listing inventory...a new construction:

1181 Huntington at $209,900 is the best buy in the neighborhood!  Seller will work with buyers to make this one work...has a fresh/clean interior; 2 car attached and a single detached garage w/workshop!  Sunroom; formal DR; family room; new carpet, landscaping redone this week:

4628 Edgewood in Robin Hill Subdivision is the newest on the market...with open floor plan, Berber carpet; underground fence in backyard for pets; large deck; playhouse and 2.38 ac lot at $179,900 you can't go wrong:

Located in Robin Hill Subdivision this 1902 sq ft home offers a tremendous value and nice amenities for entertaining. Open floor plan with cathedral ceiling in greatroom; fireplace and a large deck off the back. Wired for surround sound on the interior and also the deck! Berber carpet and laminate flooring in nice up to date colors; roofing replaced 10/08 with architectural shingles; playhouse remains!

An underground fence provides security for your pets without limiting yard space. Alarm system. Trey ceiling in breakfast nook and wood trey ceiling in master bedroom!

 This home has a lot to offer at $179,900 and has been well maintained-you won't be disappointed!

• Neighborhood: Robin Hill
• Lot Size: 2.38 acres
• Type: Single Family Residential for Sale
• Floors: Single Story
• Bedrooms: 3
• Baths: 2
• Square Feet: 1902
• Year Built: 1990
• School District: District Five

Thursday afternoon brought City officials and guests to the 21 year old Edisto Memorial Gardens for the dedication of the new Noisette Rose Garden.

What has been called the "Rose of the South" is now at home in Orangeburg's Edisto Memorial Gardens. While Noisette roses are not easy to come by, 54 varieties of the ever-blooming rose can be enjoyed in the Orangeburg gardens, thanks to a joint project between the City of Orangeburg and the South Carolina Rose Society, along with the Garden Club of South Carolina.

Forty-four varieties, including Rose Moschata and Old Blush, are included in the rose bed. Ten other varieties are on wrought iron trellises, where they will grow as large as 30 feet tall.

"The Noisette rose is the only rose that originated in North America, and we are honored to feature her in our community.

For additional information on other Orangeburg SC areas of interest visit www.JustCallTina.com

When we relocated from New England 18 years ago, I was terrified that a ferocious alligator or deadly swamp snake would claim my son Nathan. 

He grew up loving snakes, frogs, and above all ALLIGATORS!  I didn't ask questions when he and his friends would return from a hot, sweaty camp out in Santee.  Some things a mother is just more comfortable not knowing about.  He returned recently after a weekend in a tent, and since he is now over 18 - he certainly doesn't need Mommas permission when he wants to hang w/the guys.  I simply kept quiet.

Then I saw this posted in the newspaper...my son is now attending college in Cali and is facing creatures of a different sort these days, but I couldn't help but smile thinking about how he would have LOVED to have been in on this adventure.  South Carolina is still teeming with all the excitement that nature has to offer. 

It's what I count on to bring him home when he finishes his education.

After an entire day of patrolling, tracking, wrestling and shooting, some men from Elloree are still running on adrenaline after killing a 13.5-foot alligator at Stumphole Landing in the first days of South Carolina's first gator hunt since the 1960s.

After the Rose Festival in the spring, the Orangeburg County Fair offers the next best opportunity for area residents to gather after a long hot summer.  Providing a great time to eat, play and catch up with what's new in the community. 

Area businesses (your Neighborhood Realtor included) will be on hand to meet and greet in their respective booths, along with civic groups and local schools.  My favorite section is always the art displays, and then the crafts and ribbon winners. 

With corn dog,  kiddie rides & games enjoyed on the midway in much the same way for much of the fair's traditional 98-year history, a new web site brings this nostalgic event up to date.  We are ON-LINE!   

The fair will run from Sept. 29 to Oct. 5 this year.  Gates open on Monday at 5 pm w/regular admission prices (Adults $6, Children 6-12 $4, and under 6 free) and runs Tues - Sat 12:00 Noon to 10:30 pm.  Parking is free, with additional discounts available throughout the week, visit www.orangeburgcountyfair.org for an updated schedule.

Don't forget (my personal favorite): Lunch at the Fair

Free Lunch Period Parking and Admission

Tuesday, September 30 through Friday, October 3, anyone desiring to eat lunch on the Fairgrounds will be admitted FREE - PROVIDED THAT THEY DRIVE IN AT THE LOWER GATE ON MAGNOLIA BETWEEN 12:00 NOON AND 2:00 P.M.  Cars will be parked in a designated area and will be impounded and admission WILL BE CHARGED if not removed by 2:00 p.m.

For additional info on area events in Orangeburg SC visit www.JustCallTina.com

What's up with this new construction in Orangeburg, SC? 

Reduced to $120,000 this 3 BR 2 BA home is ready for you TODAY!!!  With 1300 sq ft of brand new, never before lived in, appliances in place...you can't go wrong. 

With neutral colors, updated features, a small deck in a well established neighborhood it is possible to feel like you have come home to the best deal in a VERY long time.  There have been many price reductions lately...but this is the best by far...the house needs nothing but your finishing touches to make it home.

Check this one out today...If you haven't seen it yet...do so...if you already have...TAKE ANOTHER LOOK!

Albemarle Corporation invited Orangeburg County's Keep America Beautiful board members to tour their latest project...a walking trail and outdoor classroom that they are constructing on acreage adjacent to their Orangeburg SC plant.

Not far along the trail they did run into a local 'critter' a five foot canebrake rattlesnake!  While the trail is patroled to ensure safety for the students and visitors it was very apparent that the wildlife is indeed protected and in place on this site.  There was also a whitetail deer spotted further along. 

YOU ARE HERE!

You can't get lost...there are kiosks along the trails with maps to help you identify the area.

Learning kiosks provide valuable information on local plans & wildlife along the trails...(desgined by David Andrews, employeed at Albemarle)...there is also an outdoor classroom complete with overhead fans for students to take a break and discuss the sights. 

While Albemarle's Orangeburg plant has been focusing on 'green' initiatives for over 20 years, this recent accomplishment is a valuable asset to our community.  Albemarle demonstrates a corporate commitment to environmental stewardship in many ways...in addition to being a member of the Wildlife Habitat Council, they are also active in the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care program.

Take time to visit Albemarles 100 Acre Wood trail...you will be amazed at what you find along the way...

Not your typical ranch with the unique touches throughout this property...obvious as soon as you enter the home with this charming mural!

This 3 BR 2 BA home has a double attached garage w/single detached garage/storage as well!  Wrought iron fencing for back yard w/charming arbor to walkway. 

Hardwood floors in wonderful condition....updated kitchen with tile flooring

You simply will not need to do a thing to this home...the kitchen is bright and clean - updated-ready for you to begin.  The bathrooms are in the same pristine condition.  Carpeting, flooring and paint all in excellent condition.  A rare find in todays market.

Everyone is looking for a kitchen that doesn't need to be remodeled!  And you have one here...

A nice family room w/hardwood flooring, FP and ceiling fan...as well as a sunroom off the back that could double as an office...

This is absolutely one of the best buys in Orangeburg...

Located on a corner lot, this 1260 sq ft bungalow offers neutral colors, stove, refrigerator and dishwasher. Enjoy the pleasure that comes from owning a home you need do nothing to but decorate to suit your syle. Add some roses, ferns and shrubs and this will be a charmer!! Not far from Edisto Memorial Garden - use that for your inspiration.

• Neighborhood: City of Orangeburg
• Lot Size: .20
• Type: Single Family Residential for Sale
• Floors: Single Story
• Bedrooms: 3
• Baths: 2
• Square Feet: 1260
• Year Built: 2007
• School District: Orangeburg District Five