Music, singing, food, dancing and oh yes, storytelling; highlighted the first night of the Bamberg County’s Brew Celebrating Our People and Heritage Low Country Boil, Friday evening, March 19 at the Bamberg Civic Center.

From the music of saxophonist Bo Gardner, to the singing of Bill Humphries, Jake Green, Mac Davis, Walter Bryant and the Beach Music of Robbie Kearse; the Praise Dancing of Kathryn Moore, historical vignettes performed by several local actors; the Storytelling of Donna Washington, and a “bald faced lie” thrown in for good measure; local connoisseurs of the arts got the first night of the Salkehatchie Stew Bamberg County’s Brew ; that seeks to highlight the people, arts and culture of Bamberg County off to a smashing success.

“Afantastic job, thanks to the Bamberg Committee and Chairwoman Cindy Hurst,” said Ann Rice of the USC Salkehatchie Leadership Institute, who in partnership with the Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce acts as a guide to this economic development project in Bamberg County.

“Five pounds of possum in my headlights tonight” and “Kansas City here I come” were a couple of the traditional songs played by the Bill Humphries Band. An appearance by General Francis Marion Bamberg, (Billy Rhoad), a ride on the “The Best Friend” of Charleston Railroad from Midway to Charleston ($3.50) with (Carolyn Davis and Angus Kirkland) and a drop-in by automaker Henry Ford (Rev. Herbert Thomas), who borrowed $25,000 from C.F. Rizer of Olar (Bo Griffin) to get his automobile business in Detroit Mi. started, were a part of the evening’s entertainment.

Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, (Liller Hamilton) founder of Voorhees College came by the civic center to tell the remarkable story of how she came from Tuskegee, Alabama to become the founder of the college in Denmark. Each of the evening’s historical vignettes served as a prelude to the main attraction-Storyteller Donna Washington.

“The story of a woman scorned,” “Beir Rabbit, Beir Fox, and Beir Bear”: the fractured story of a fairy tale that started out with the name “The Three Princes Riding” and evolved into the woodsman of the popular fairytale “Little Riding hood”, were a few of the stories that renowned Storyteller Donna Washington told the large, attentive, audience at the Bamberg Civic Center.

At the end of her performance, the audience awarded Washington with a standing ovation.

Saturday’s Brew

Jerry Durgan, Contributing Writer

Salkehatchie Stew brought “Bamberg County’s Brew,” a celebration of Bamberg County’s people and heritage on March 20 to Denmark.

At the Old Denmark School on Highway 321 Saturday, one could smell the barbequing of chicken two blocks away, find crowds surrounding antique cars and tractors near the entrance to the old school and enjoying fellowshipping with old friends from all over the county.

Inside was story telling, displays of doll collections, arrowheads, quilts, artwork, collectibles, courses in handwork, corn-husk doll-making, a collection of firearms bullets from the easily recognized .306 caliber to the weird and strange.

There were displays of military uniforms, a “patriotic room,” “how-to” classes and tales of Bamberg county by the regionally recognized historian Betty Jane Miller in period costume.

Events included entertaining storytelling for all ages, displays of interesting collections and the stories behind them, a tall tale telling contest, delectable food such as cakes and baked goods, soft drinks, and barbeque chicken, student story contest, and historical remembrances of Bamberg County and even hear a 'Bald-faced lie or two.'

The Salkehatchie Stew website explains that the “Stew” is “a pleasing dish of assorted ingredients and flavors … constantly cooking up a medley of artistic expression through theatrical productions, visual arts, music, and spoken word. Creative juices from Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton and Hampton counties have been simmering together since 2006, cooking up the perfect Salkehatchie Stew. For those who enjoy variety on their menu we offer community productions and storytelling gatherings throughout the year.”

Bamberg will be sponsoring a heritage tour of local gardens and porches on April 17.