Summer memories have been packed away along with beach towels and sand buckets as we anticipate the cooler temperatures and fabulous fun of fall. No matter where I am in the season of life, I always approach fall with a "back to school" attitude. I feel a sudden urge to raid the office supplies, sharpen a few pencils and purchase a new outfit just like I did for the first day of school.
My almost 3-year-old daughter, Caroline, has headed to school this year with her own sense of style. Purple socks with sandals, red skirt and yellow t-shirt, topped off with a hot pink bow, seems to be her idea of preschool fashion. I can only imagine what will happen when she is almost 13. If you are already facing the fashion dilemma with your teenage daughter, you will sympathize with the mother/daughter pairs in Katie McElveen's article on page 36. These duos seek advice from personal shopper Nancy Walters for age-appropriate fashion do's and don'ts and experience a total fashion transformation.
Fall means football, especially in Columbia, and you may be one of many who are in "mixed" relationships when it comes to your allegiance to Carolina or Clemson. Although, there is no documentation that a family has been permanently split over the rivalry, the dinner table discussions and annual bragging rights can create a civil war between brothers and friends. "Flying Feathers and Fur" on page 44 takes a look into the rivalry and relationships of several Midlands "mixed" couples and one "mixed" business to see how they manage their team spirit during the heated football season.
If you spent any time this summer on the Lexington side of Lake Murray, you know that it is a growing community and a great place to live within the Midlands. Enjoy our special section on Lexington Living and meet several of Lexington's own who have become staples in the community.
With this issue, we are excited to introduce a new annual section – Columbia Entertains. There is no time like the present to start a supper club, throw a dinner party or enjoy a wine tasting. B. Y. Wilson discovered many secrets to home entertaining that can turn a true novice into an amazing host or hostess. See her article on page 66. Also, F. Gwynn-Allan Crawford offers palatable information on wines and wine tastings around town in her article on page 70. And Susan Slack introduces us to a unique supper club group in the Northeast and gives tips on how to start your own gathering in "Food, Fun and Friends" on page 58.
Whether your are returning to the classroom with a new sense of style, anxiously awaiting the 104th meeting of Carolina and Clemson or busy getting ready for a fabulous night with friends, I hope that you enjoy crisp autumn air, blue skies and this issue of Columbia Metropolitan.
Sincerely
Emily S. Tinch
Editor
This Issue