Latest news with #RecreationandTourism
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Roanoke County to celebrate summer fun with Play All Day event
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – PLAY ALL DAY with Roanoke Parks, Recreation and Tourism will be celebrating outdoor fun on Friday, June 20. This event is across Virginia for a statewide day of fun. Boys & Girls Club hosts 4th annual Four on the 4th Run in Vinton Here are the summer events and locations: Summer Solstice Yoga – Brambleton Rec: 8 a.m. Plein Air Painting – Walrond Park: 5:30 p.m. Splash Valley Water Park – DJ + Afternoon Fun Hello Summer Festival – Green Hill Park | 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Free!) To learn more and to register, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Popular' bobbleheads of Gov. McMaster benefit SC parks. They're a Statehouse exclusive.
Bobbleheads of Gov. Henry McMaster in the Statehouse gift shop on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA — If Gov. Henry McMaster isn't in his Statehouse office, try a few doors down the hall. Sitting among the snow globes, notebooks and T-shirts in the Statehouse gift shop is a bobblehead version of McMaster, wearing a dark blue suit and red tie, with his arms crossed over his chest and a big plastic smile beaming out at gift shop visitors. The base reads, 'Henry McMaster, 117th Governor of South Carolina.' This is the first time staff of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, which runs the gift shop, are aware of a novelty item featuring the likeness of a governor being sold at the Statehouse, said agency spokeswoman Sam Queen. And they're exclusive to that store. The idea for the bobblehead came from a conversation between the agency's director, Duane Parrish, and the governor's chief of staff, Trey Walker. The two got to talking about how people collect coins, Beanie Babies and baseball cards, and Walker wondered out loud whether a bobblehead of the governor might turn into a collectible of its own, he said. 'It seemed like a neat, novel thing they didn't have in the gift shop,' Walker said. Parrish agreed to the idea, thinking the bobblehead 'would be a unique item to offer,' Queen said. The figurine officially hit shelves May 20, about two weeks after the 2025 legislative session officially ended. As of Thursday, the gift shop had sold 28 of the 150 bobbleheads it ordered, despite less foot traffic from lobbyists and legislators, Queen said. 'It's been a popular item in the short time it's been available,' she said. The design was approved by the governor's office. When McMaster first saw the finished product, he liked it so much he brought one back to the Governor's Mansion and showed it off during a gathering that night, Walker said. On Thursday, McMaster told reporters he found the take on himself 'interesting,' adding he might buy a couple for his grandchildren. His only concern is the $50 price tag, which the Republican governor said seems a bit steep. 'Fifty dollars for those things — that was a surprise to me,' McMaster said. None of the money goes to him or his office. The price is a matter of limited supply, Queen said. About 12% of the bobblehead's cost will support the gift store's operations. The novelty and scarcity of it will hopefully drive more people into the store to shop, she added. All proceeds from Statehouse gift shop sales support operations for the parks department. More than 40% of the agency's budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 comes from self-generated revenue, including store sales, park entry fees and camping fees. 'It brings a smile and brings in a little bit of money for the state, so that's a good thing,' Walker said. McMaster is the longest-serving elected governor in South Carolina's history. The former lieutenant governor ascended to the job in January 2017, when Nikki Haley became President Donald Trump's first United Nations ambassador. That gave McMaster two years in office before his first inauguration. He can't seek another term.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pine Island park has an opening date. What the Lake Murray attraction offers
South Carolina's newest state park has an opening date. Park officials on Wednesday updated the Lake Murray community on plans for Pine Island, which will now have a 'soft opening' to the public on Oct. 1 after years of preparation. Initially, the park will open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, said Tim Ritter, Pine Island's new on-site park manager. That will allow the new park to gauge how many visitors the new park might draw during the off season and work out any kinks before an expected busier season next summer. Ritter and other park rangers hosted an open house on Wednesday so the public could take a look at the island that has been closed to visitors for years now, and get a sense of what the parks department hopes to do with it before it opens back up. Pine Island was once maintained as a getaway spot for employees of South Carolina Electric & Gas, which owned the lake and its hydropower dam. It was closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the struggling utility — which was absorbed by Dominion Energy in 2019 — offered the island to the state as a potential future park to meet its tax liabilities after the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project. The new 27-acre park was originally slated to be opened by the fall of 2024, but several snags delayed the planned opening. A fire destroyed the building meant to house the park manager in April of that year, and then the island suffered damage to both trees and structures from Hurricane Helene last fall. Now the park is back on track, and the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism is eager to show it off. For the last three months, Ritter has been living in the rebuilt manager's house with his wife and 10-month-old son. The former manager of Croft State Park in Spartanburg has family in Chapin, while his wife's family is in Columbia, so 'we're so fortunate to be able to live on site,' he said. The surrounding community has been very welcoming. One neighbor even called to tell them when a delivery person left their packages at the island's entry booth in the rain. Neighbors had been concerned about traffic headed to the small island on the narrow residential streets leading from the interstate. Parks officials said the plan is to limit entry at the park gate based on how many parking spaces are available on the island, but that nearby residents can walk in or bicycle if they get a 'park passport', similar to how the park service manages its beach parks. 'We don't want you to be coming home from church and be waiting an hour to turn into your driveway,' said regional parks chief John Moon. Entrance for the park will be $6 for adults, $3.75 for seniors, $3.50 for children between 6 and 15, and free for kids 5 and under. The park still has some repairs to make to its docks and its picnic stations, which may be adjusted depending on how many visitors the park sees once it opens, Moon said. The parks department plans to renovate the existing clubhouse into what will be called Sunset Hall, with large windows to take in the views of the lake and a stone patio with a fire pit, which the park will then rent out for events. But gone will be the old clubhouse pool. Instead the park service wants to offer spaces for swimming in the lake. Spectacular sunsets over the lake are seen as a top attraction, and Moon said the park hopes to offer by-appointment, after-hour tours so guests will be able to see the sight. 'The sunsets are absolutely stunning,' Ritter said. The park also plans to do offer boat owners slips at the marina for six-month to one-year leases. Residents who live within two square miles of the park will have the first opportunity to purchase them, Ritter said.
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Duke Energy Marks Earth Month in South Carolina With $375,000 in Grants To Fight Trash, Promote Tree Planting, Sustain Trail Access
GREENVILLE, S.C., May 13, 2025 /3BL/ - Throughout the month of April, Duke Energy highlighted the importance of sustainability of our state's natural assets with $375,000 in grants to organizations that manage and provide support to state and local parks, tree planting and advocacy, trail maintenance and litter prevention. Why it matters: By educating ourselves about environmental issues and making small changes, such as reducing plastic use, recycling, conserving energy and planting trees, we can move towards understanding the impact of our actions and become more responsible stewards of the earth, ensuring that it remains a thriving, livable place for us all especially at a time of booming population growth in the state. Every effort, no matter how small, contributes to a better, cleaner world. Where the money goes: The following qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits and governmental organizations received funding from Duke Energy Foundation ( click here for additional details): Dozens of Duke Energy employees also volunteered their time and energy in April by supporting five organized trash pickups and similar events in communities across the state. What they're saying Tim Pearson, Duke Energy's South Carolina president:'The natural beauty of South Carolina draws new residents and businesses to our state every year, and it's important for companies like ours to work alongside our communities to protect, enhance and promote these tremendous assets of the Palmetto State.' Duane Parrish, South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism executive director:'The Upstate has been through a lot since last fall. From the first responders who secured our safety after Helene and in the recent wildfires, to the partners who have stepped up afterwards to help make us whole again, we have not had to face those dark days and difficult challenges alone. We are incredibly grateful to Duke Energy, who has been an amazing partner to South Carolina State Parks for many years. They have a heart for what we do in State Parks, and their generous support is pivotal in helping us protect, advance, and share our treasured places with visitors.' Aaron Davis, TreesUpstate executive director:'For the past nine years, Duke Energy has helped thousands of Upstate residents save electricity costs through this really 'cool' Energy Savings Tree Giveaway program. Their generosity and partnership show how much Duke Energy values nonprofits, communities, and our wonderful natural resources.' Duke Energy Foundation Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders. Duke Energy Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. More information is available at and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. Contact: Ryan Mosier24-Hour: 800.559.3853 View original content here. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Duke Energy Corporation
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Two South Carolina state agencies working on land buys in Florence, Horry counties valued at $12M
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A pair of state agencies are working on conservation deals that would protect vast swaths of wetlands and other vulnerable ecosystems from invasive developments. Documents included in Wednesday's Joint Bond Review Committee show involvement by the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism on a 111.2-acre project abutting Waties Island and a nearly 4,600-acre acquisition that's part of Snow's Island in Florence County — with a combined purchase price of more than $12 million. The New York-based Open Space Institute in February said it secured 115 acres on and around Waties Island, South Carolina's last pristine barrier island that spans 22 miles from Myrtle Beach to the North Carolina border. 'The project was established as a donation, however, due to the availability of federal funds to reimburse the state for its initial contribution, the property will now be purchased,' the agenda says. 'The property is one of the last remaining undeveloped and unprotected barrier islands of this size in the southeastern United States.' Locking up the land would protect 'key ecological services afford by this open space to the larger built environment around it,' state officials said. Open Space Institute is offering the land for $2 million, which would be paid for using National American Wetlands Conservation Grant Act funds. Just before Christmas, Gov. Henry McMaster visited Snow's Island in Florence County to celebrate a landmark land preservation deal totaling 7,600 acres. A full project estimate shows $1.5 million from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and $8.5 million from the federal Forest Service. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
