June 12, 2024

Today’s Forecast

89º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:12 a.m. | Sunset 8:35 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

🏓 A new spin on tradition

Carolina Pong Gif 2 smallest.gif — Tripp Roche is the founder of the new Carolina Pong table tennis club. | Photo by COLAtoday

Tripp Roche could be at the beach, but instead, he’s in the unairconditioned second floor of Columbia’s oldest restaurant, training for the US National Table Tennis Championships and getting his newly founded Carolina Pong club off the ground.

Roche graduated from Chapin High School last week and is the fifth generation of his family involved in Villa Tronco, with plans to one day take over the family business. He’s set to start at USC this fall, where he’ll study Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management, but first, he plans to build a ping pong community.

It’s not uncommon for diners to come upstairs and play ping pong after their meal. | Photo by COLAtoday

“My grandfather has taken up close to a thousand customers, asking if they play ping pong and inviting them for nightly games,” Roche shared with pride.

Tripp’s been around the family business since he learned to walk, which includes playing on the old donated ping pong table upstairs. The building used to be the Columbia Fire Department, Engine No. 2, with the fire pole still standing. That old donated ping pong table now sits to the side, replaced by a shiny new table with a “tournament-approved bounce.”

Ping Pong.jpeg — Carolina Pongs installations help bring table tennis to the public. | Photo by Carolina Pong

“Carolina Pong isn’t just about playing ping pong; it’s about building a community,” Roche said.

At the First Thursday event in June on Main Street, Carolina Pong made its public debut by setting up four new tables on Boyd Plaza in front of the museum. The activation was a hit. From kids learning to play to some of the club’s aces rallying for spectators, ping pong brought a new level of excitement to the monthly gathering.

“Moving downtown is the end goal, and expanding Carolina Pong to other cities in the state is a dream we hope to achieve,” Roche envisions.

If you’re looking to learn and join the Carolina Pong club, all ages and skill levels are welcome. The club meets every Tuesday at St. Andrews Park gym from 6-8:30 p.m., with plans to expand.

Asked

What year did table tennis become an Olympic sport?

A. 1890
B. 1964
C. 1988
D. 2020

Bounce this way

Events

Wednesday, June 12

Southeastern Piano Festival | Wednesday, June 12-Saturday, June 15 | Times vary | USC School of Music, 1244 Blossom St., Columbia | $20 | Twenty of the most accomplished pre-college pianists on the piano scene today take part in a rigorous program.

Thursday, June 13

Mental Health Film & Panel | Thursday, June 13 | 6-8:30 p.m. | The Nickelodeon Theater, 1607 Main St., Columbia | $8 | Join The Nick for a screening of the film “Clean, Shaven,” followed by an engaging discussion aimed at destigmatizing mental illness.

Friday, June 14

2024 Southeastern BBQ Showdown | Friday, June 14-Saturday, June 15 | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $37-$50 | 30 BBQ teams from across the competition BBQ world will cook and provide samples.

Saturday, June 15

Pollinator Days at B.B. Barns | Saturday, June 15 | 8 a.m.-7 p.m. | B.B. Barns of Columbia, 1067 Woodleys Way + 2840 Dreher Shoals Rd., Columbia | Free | Stop by the location close to you with the whole family for plant shopping plus snacks, samples, demos, talks, and kids’ activities.
Reggaetronic Lake Murray Music Festival | Saturday, June 15 | 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | Spence Island Lake Murray, Lexington | $25-$275 | Enjoy this floating music festival on Lake Murray.

Sunday, June 16

Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Sunday, June 16 | 1-4 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | Free | On the third Sunday of each month, residents of Richland + Lexington counties can tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for free.
High Tea | Sunday, June 16 | 2-4 p.m. | Stone River, 121 Alexander Rd., West Columbia | $30-$55 | Start your experience with a glass of champagne, then choose from the selection of premium winter Rishi teas.

100+ more events

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Health

☀️ How Urgent Care can save your summer

Prisma Health providers can communicate your health plan with each other, whether it’s for a primary care visit or specialty service referral — talk about efficient care. | Photos provided by Prisma Health Urgent Care

It’s never a convenient time to be sick, especially with summer plans on the horizon. Luckily, Prisma Health Urgent Care is open every day from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. — including weekends and holidays.

You can book your visit ahead of time, or just walk in to your closest location.

When to go

Prisma Health Urgent Care providers are at the ready to help you nip your summer-related concerns in the bud. Think: non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries related to...

Heat
Hydration
Skin protection
Grilling + cooking
Water sports

Where to go

With 15 locations throughout the Upstate and Midlands (and several more opening later this year), there’s likely a Prisma Health Urgent Care near your home, workplace, or favorite shop.

Don’t want to drive? Virtual visits are available, too.

Bonus: Prisma Health Urgent Care has on-site medication dispensing, so you don’t have to make a trip to the pharmacy for your prescription.

Book your visit (or just walk in)

News Notes

Plan Ahead

The Gamecocks 2024 football schedule is set and will feature two night home games: against Akron on Saturday, Sept. 21 and Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 2. The Gamecocks open against Old Dominion at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 on the SEC Network. (Gamecocks Online)

Sports

USC announced that former LSU coach Paul Mainieri will be the new head coach of Gamecock baseball. Mainieri, who led LSU to a national championship in 2009, will aim to return the Gamecocks to Omaha. Assistant coach Monte Lee will stay on staff as Associate Head Coach. (Gamecocks Online)

Coming Soon

Spinx is planning two new convenience stores in Lexington County — one on Augusta Highway near Priceville Road in Gilbert and another on U.S. 378 near Charter Oak Road. No opening dates are set. (The State)

Community

Jeffrey Richardson has been appointed Acting Executive Director of Historic Columbia, effective Friday, June 28, replacing Robin Waites. He aims to continue preserving Columbia’s heritage and showcasing Cola’s cultural assets.

Listen

The Clemson Tigers experienced heartbreak and ejections in the NCAA Super Regional. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Clemson Tigers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Health

It’s officially flip flop season — so now’s the time to learn how to avoid ingrown toenails and other common foot problems. Save these tips to keep your feet healthy all summer long.*

Open

Workout whenever you want at the new 24/7 Planet Fitness on 2410 Augusta Rd. in West Columbia (the eighth Midlands location by local Planet Fitness franchisee, Lev Management). Bonus: You can take advantage of grand opening membership offers in-club or online, and stop by for a tour of the new facility.*

Travel

Celebrate Pride Month in Fayetteville by visiting these LGBTQ+-owned businesses — both this month and all year-long.*

Award

🍷 Grape expectations

Lula Drake Wine Parlour made Columbia history Monday night by winning the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, a first for the Capital City.

Tim Gardner, owner of Lula Drake, shared, “My greatest privilege is to work with these amazing women and men. They teach me more about being a good human than any book or wine consultant could ever do,” during is his acceptance speech.

Gardner opened Lula Drake on Main Street, Columbia in 2016. The establishment is now celebrated for its wine list, creative menu, and warm hospitality.

This award highlights Lula Drake’s role in elevating Columbia’s food and beverage scene, attracting both local and out-of-town guests. Gardner’s passion and dedication, alongside Chef Rachael Harrison’s culinary innovations, continue to put Columbia on the culinary map.

The Buy

Strut your stuff this summer with accessories from Designed For Joy. The Birdie purse comes in various colorways and features a scarf detail on the handle – perfect for a summer date night.

The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

While we were upstairs at Villa Tronco, Tripp shared with me some of his dreams for the future of the space. He mentioned he wanted to someday renovate it to be an event space and maybe add a balcony, keeping as many of the historical aspects as he could. It felt good to hear one of Cola’s oldest restaurants had a long-term vision for the future.

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