11.02.2023

Today’s Forecast

59º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:44 a.m. | Sunset 6:31 p.m.

🎃 Good deeds with your pumpkin seeds

How to recycle your pumpkins and help a local farmer

Pro tip: Most farmers won’t take painted, moldy, or bleached pumpkins. | Photo by Cayce Farmer’s Market

Now that Halloween is over, you may want to trade your pumpkin decor for tinsel and garland. Don’t throw it away just yet — surrounding farms could use your help.

Maybe you have some uncarved pumpkins sitting on your porch that you used for decorations. Fun fact: You can donate them to local farmers. Many animals, including chickens, pigs, and goats, love feasting on pumpkins.

Feeding pumpkins to animals not only provides enrichment but also saves on the cost of feed for farmers. Check out how Cola’s own Riverbanks Zoo used pumpkins as enrichment this season.

Consider contacting + donating your pumpkins and gourds to one of these five local farms:

*Fun fact:* SeMoJo Homesteaders shared with me that pumpkin acts as a natural dewormer for animals. | Photo via @SEMOJOhomestead

Crazy Chic Heritage Farms, 450 Kenal Rd., Ridgeway

This farm offers meats, chickens, produce, and education for those looking to begin their own farm journey. All of their animals grub on pumpkins. Message them on Facebook for drop-off.

Doko Farm, 2101 Cedar Creek Rd., Blythewood

This local farm feeds pumpkins to a slew of animals each year. Pro tip: Email or text before dropping off your pumpkin. Also, plan ahead for its annual Harvest Market and Guided Tour event happening on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sal’s Ol’ Timey Feed & Seed, 113 Hilltop Dr., Columbia

This farm looks to educate and propagate. Shop local produce, or purchase some of its seasonal seeds and learn how to grow your own food by attending one of its classes.

Call Sal or reach out on Facebook to donate your pumpkins.

Fabel Farms, 1208 Hinnants Store Rd., Winnsboro

Just 25 minutes from Cola, Fabel Farms sells heritage Delaware chicken eggs weekly throughout the year, and their chickens love pumpkins. Contact Julie + Josh for pumpkin drop off.

SeMoJo Homestead, Lexington County

This local farm educates locals and beyond on how to homestead and as of last year, was able to raise + grow about 80% of what they consume. This family documents everything on its YouTube to share homesteading knowledge. Reach out on Facebook for more information and donations.

Events

Thursday, Nov. 2

Ribbon Cutting: Speech-Language Pathology Associates of South Carolina, LLC | Thursday, Nov. 2 | 2 p.m. | Speech-Language Pathology Associates of, LLC - 3710 Landmark Dr., Ste. 108, Columbia | Free | Attend this ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of Speech-Language Pathology Associates of South Carolina, LLC.
First Thursday | Thursday, Nov. 2 | 6 p.m. | Main Street, Columbia | Free | On the first Thursday of each month, businesses in downtown Columbia participate in First Thursday on Main by keeping their doors open late, offering a mix of specials, events, entertainment, and more.

Friday, Nov. 3

Pitchy Woman | Friday, Nov. 3 | Times vary | femme x Columbia, 1501 Richland St., Columbia | Free | Practice your elevator speech, present a new concept you are testing, and get feedback.
Fall Back Festival | Friday, Nov. 3 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Corner of State and Meeting Streets, Columbia | This free event perfectly celebrates the fall season with live music, art, food, and drinks.
Meet the Author: Walter Mosley | Friday, Nov. 3 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Free | Inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame in 2013, Walter is the winner of the O. Henry Award, The Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master Award, a Grammy, and PEN America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Saturday, Nov. 4

Jam Room Music Festival | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 12-10 p.m. | Downtown Columbia, Main St., Columbia | Free | Jam Room Music Festival returns to Columbia, SC’s Main Street with a diverse line-up of national, regional, and local acts on two stages.
Opera at USC - Le Nozze di Figaro | Saturday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 5 | Times vary | Drayton Hall Theatre, 1214 College St., Columbia | $10-$25 | Known also as The Marriage of Figaro, the comic opera was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Calendar events here

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Seasonal

Culture

Get in the holiday spirit at Newberry Opera House

Presented by a COLAtoday Partner

Newberry Opera House exterior at night with holiday lights

Mark your calendars for a stacked slate of holiday shows happening at Newberry Opera House throughout November and December. | Photo provided by Newberry Opera House

Experience the holiday season at Newberry Opera House during “Newberry Noel: NOH’s Holiday Celebration.” This dazzling array of shows includes festive entertainment for everyone, like:

Masters of Soul | Sunday, Nov. 19
A Christmas Carol | Saturday, Nov. 25
Pam Tillis | Thursday, Dec. 7
Edwin McCain | Friday, Dec. 15
and many more.

Learn more + book tickets

News Notes

Community

City officials and the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation celebrated the opening of the Sanctuary at Boyd Island, accessible via a footbridge on the Saluda Riverwalk. This seven-acre island features scenic views, an observation deck, trails, a pavilion, picnic tables, and more.

Development

The decade-long effort to remove toxic coal tar from Columbia’s Congaree River is finished. The project began in 2022 and concluded a year ahead of schedule, removing 38,000 tons of tar + materials. The cleanup is expected to create opportunities for future riverfront development. (WLTX)

Seasonal

Tickets for the 2023 Fireflies Holiday Lights event at Segra Park are now available. The event will run from Thursday, Nov. 16 to Friday, Dec. 31, featuring daily promotions. Ticket prices have been reduced to $10 per person in November and $12 per person in December.

Plan Ahead

The Greater Rosewood Merchant’s Association is hosting its Rosewood Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 3. The family + pet-friendly event will feature caroling, live music, Santa’s Corner, food, and more. (Cola Daily)

Number

$40,000. That’s the amount AT&T donated to the United Way of the Midlands. The contribution will provide laptops, anti-virus software, and digital skills training for students, helping bridge the digital divide and enhance digital learning experiences.

Try This

Historic Columbia is hosting various events this month, including Bulb Bonanza, Candlelight Tours, Columbia Canopy Project Launch Celebration, Free Sundays, and more. Purchase tickets + get plugged into local history.

Eat

We recently served up another helping of Doctors’ Orders, our series in which Midlands doctors share what they like to eat at some of our favorite local restaurants. Check out the latest installment, featuring Mr. Friendly’s.*

Wellness

Why optimize hormones as you age? You can improve strength, bone density, libido, blood pressure, and mood. Learn about your testosterone levels with Wellcore’s At-Home Assessment Kit.*

Environment

🌱 Smashing pumpkins

Here’s what to do with your fall pumpkins and leaves

This carved pumpkin comes from this year’s pumpkin carving contest. | Pumpkin submitted by Rae and Memphis D.

If you’re anything like us, you might have a slightly soggy jack-o'-lantern sitting on your porch that you carved at the beginning of October.

Above, we talked about how you can help out a local farmer, but what do you do if your pumpkin is already carved?

What do with carved pumpkins

Richland and Lexington Counties recommend placing your pumpkins into a backyard composter as the best option on its recycling page.

Each county recommends that 1/3 of your compost be “green” materials (fruits, vegetables) and 2/3 “brown” materials (leaves, branches) — and we know you have some of those materials lying around. Pro tip: Remember to turn the compost pile regularly.

The Buy

The Buy 11.02.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

These best-selling women’s fleece-lined leggings. Choose either one or three pockets and rock them for daily wear or outdoor activities.

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The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

After I got off the phone with Amanda from Doko Farm, she texted me and shared that folks should bring some of their pumpkins to the Harvest Market and Guided Tour event. During the farm tour, they will feed some of the animals with the pumpkins, so you can see your pumpkins being enjoyed live and the effects of your donation.

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