Plus, Al's Upstairs to close after 44 years.
 
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59º | Cloudy | 15% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:56 a.m. | Sunset 5:20 p.m.
 

✂ Shaping the Soda City

Weaving stories and art into Columbia’s topiary landscape
Mike Gibson State Museum.jpeg
Mike Gibson preserves Pearl Fryar’s topiary art at the SC State Museum. | Photo via Mike Gibson
When you walk up to the Columbia Parks and Recreation headquarters in Earlewood Park, the topiary artwork greets you.

Look closely, and with a little imagination, the shrubs transform. Some evoke the shape of a tennis ball, echoing the nearby courts, while others resemble a frisbee, a nod to the park’s popular disc golf course. This imaginative greenery is the creation of Columbia’s own Mike Gibson, affectionately known as “Gibby-Siz,” a visionary in “illusion topiary.”

Mike’s unique style, a blend of artistry and horticulture, is redefining the traditional topiary landscape. His recent piece at the SC State Fair, “Rooted in SC,” tells a personal story, intertwining his ancestral ties to SC with his artistic flair. “It’s more than shaping plants; it’s about carving out memories and legacies,” Mike said.

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Gibby Siz at work on a small shrub. | Photo via Mike Gibson

His journey into topiary art started in Youngstown, Ohio. Inspired by his artist father who introduced him to topiary legend Pearl Fryar, Mike began to see each property as an opportunity for creative expression.

“Every home, every hedge, it’s a story waiting to unfold,” he said. His relocation to Columbia in August 2021 marked a significant turn in his career, bringing him closer to his mentor, Pearl, and deeper into the topiary art world.

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A photo from Mike’s topiary workshop where he shares his skills and knowledge with the community. | Photo via Mike Gibson

Mike’s impact in the Soda City is evident beyond the artistic designs that grace the Midlands landscape, like the SC State Museum, where he preserves Pearl’s work. His “topiary therapy” workshops offer a unique blend of creativity and mindfulness, underscoring the therapeutic nature of his craft.

“It’s therapeutic, it’s empowering — that’s the message I want to bring to my community here,” he said.

Through his topiary art, Gibby Siz is not just beautifying Cola’s landscapes; he’s weaving stories and fostering a sense of well-being, one snip at a time.
Prisma Health
 
Events
Wednesday, Nov. 15
  • Historic Columbia’s Holiday House Tours | Wednesday, Nov. 15-Saturday, Dec. 30 | Times vary | Hampton-Preston Mansion, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | $15-$18 | Experience the holiday season with a guided holiday tour of the Robert Mills House and the Hampton-Preston Mansion.
Thursday, Nov. 16
  • John Mulaney in Concert | Thursday, Nov. 16 | 7 p.m. | The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia | $57.50-$127.50 | Don’t miss the chance to see this celebrated comedian known for his sharp wit and hilarious storytelling.
  • Vista Lights | Thursday, Nov. 16 | 6-10 p.m. | The Vista, 1200 Lincoln St., Columbia | Free | Kick off the holiday season in the Vista with great food, live entertainment, Santa, and help light the tree at 7 p.m.
  • Gamecocks Women’s Basketball vs. Clemson Tigers | Thursday, Nov. 16 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $25-$35 | The Gamecocks look to go 3-0 on the season against their in-state rivals.
Friday, Nov. 17
  • Rejectioneers, Crenshaw Pentecostal, Hillmouse, Kimberly Walsh | Friday, Nov. 17 | 6-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $15 | Watch these beloved local bands in their farewell performances at the original New Brookland Tavern.
  • Marshgrass Mamas with Admiral Radio | Friday, Nov. 17 | 7-10 p.m. | Central Energy, 2030 Gregg St., Columbia | $15-$20 | The Marshgrass Mamas are a Johns Island “slow grass” band led by Shovels and Rope front women Cary Ann Hearst.
Saturday, Nov. 18
  • Sergio Hudson: Conversation with the Designer | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 1:30-3 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | $100 / $75 for members | On opening day of “Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit,” join Community Curator Megan Pinckney Rutherford for an intimate conversation with this acclaimed, Ridgeway-born designer.
Sunday, Nov. 19
  • Free Sundays | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 1-4 p.m. | The Museum of the Reconstruction Era, 1705 Hampton St., Columbia | Free | The Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home is the nation’s only museum dedicated to showcasing the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and is housed in SC’s only remaining presidential site.
Calendar events here
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Community

How you can support COLAtoday’s 2024 vision
City Editor David sits with a table of community members.
Help us keep writing the stories that connect you closer to our city. | Photo by COLAtoday
It’s hard to believe it’s almost a wrap on 2023 — and what a year it’s been. We’ve been privileged enough to bring you incredible Columbia news stories straight to your inbox.

Check out some of City Editor David’s favorites:
We’re asking for your support to bring you even more stories like these next year.

We’re passionate about our approach to local news. In 2024, you can depend on us for newsletters free of divisive political content. Instead, we’ll deepen your Columbia roots, celebrate our city, and tell you ways to get involved with our community.

Joining our membership club is a powerful way to support our mission and keep our free newsletters hitting your inbox. Join and support us today.
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News Notes
Closing
  • Al’s Upstairs Italian Restaurant, a West Cola culinary staple, will close its doors on Tuesday, Dec. 19, after 44 years. Founder Al Loftis is retiring, marking an end to the establishment known for its Italian cuisine and views of downtown Cola. (WIS)
Sports
  • The Gamecock Men’s Basketball team went to 3-0 on the season after defeating VMI on Monday night at Colonial Life Arena. Next up, the squad will take on DePaul in the Arizona Tip-Off at Desert Diamond Arena at 11:30 p.m. on Friday on CBS Sports Network. (Gamecocks Online)
Environment
  • Deswine intervention. Congaree National Park announced a 24-hour closure starting at 4 p.m. today for feral hog management. The closure affects country trails, facilities, and campgrounds. The park reopens at 5 p.m. tomorrow.
Theater
  • “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” returns to Trustus Theatre beginning Friday, Dec. 1-17, infusing humor and holiday spirit. Directed by Robin Gottlieb, the show unites new and returning actors for a fresh take on this festive favorite. Audiences are encouraged to don ugly Christmas sweaters. Snag a ticket.
Cause
  • Pawmetto Lifeline launched a campaign for responsible pet ownership, focusing on mandatory microchipping and spay/neutering for pets over 6 months. This initiative aims to address pet overpopulation and high euthanasia rates in the Midlands.
Plan Ahead
  • Monster Jam will roar into Colonial Life Arena on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7. Tickets are available along with early access for Monster Jam Preferred Customers, which includes a Pit Party to meet the drivers and see the trucks up close.
Fun fact
  • It’s healthier to shop the outer aisles of the grocery store. Find out why.*
Shop
  • To help you find the best local gifts this season, we’re sharing our COLA Holiday Picks — including unique professional wellness courses from Southeastern Esthetics Institute. Explore and gift innovative courses like the Nail Technology + Massage Therapy programs.*
Pets
  • Say goodbye to fillers and weird ingredients in your dog’s food. Get 50% off your pup’s first order of Nom Nom for fresh, recognizable ingredients they’ll love.*
 
History

Relics emerge from Congaree Cleanup

Historic relics found in Congaree River cleanup
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Crews have finished the first phase of the Congaree River cleanup. | Photo by COLAtoday team
Recently, we shared about the early completion of Dominion Energy’s cleanup operation in the Congaree River. Now we know about the numerous Civil War relics and other historical artifacts they discovered hidden underwater. This extensive project, aimed at removing toxic tar deposits, revealed:
  • A rare Confederate saber
  • Cannonballs, varying in size
  • Musket ammunition
  • Native American ceramics
  • Historical bottles and horse hooves
The excavation is part of an initiative to improve river access and urban connectivity downtown. The recovered items will undergo preservation and are destined for display at the State Museum, offering a glimpse into SC’s historical heritage.
The Buy

The Buy 11.15.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The cutest to-go containers to make sure everyone walks away with leftovers this Thanksgiving. Pro tip: Remove the lid and heat them right in the oven.
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The Wrap
 
David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David
From the editor
If you’re attending Vista Lights on Thursday evening, be sure to pop into SOULhaus, a new art gallery on Lincoln Street from local art enthusiasts Eric Duncan, Kat Hunter, and Preach Jacobs. It’s located at 1223 Lincoln St. in the former space of Mike Brown Contemporary + if ART Gallery. The new gallery will focus on emerging, pop, and contemporary art.
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