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heartland towns
Aiken, SC
Bennettsville, SC
Camden, SC
Cary, NC
Chapel
Hill, NC
Charlotte, NC
Cheraw, SC
Columbia, SC
Durham, NC
Fayetteville, NC
Florence, SC
Greensboro, NC
Greenwood, SC
Hartsville, SC
Hickory, NC
High
Point, NC
Lexington, SC
Lincolnton, NC
Manning, SC
Marion
County, SC
Newberry, SC
North
Augusta, SC
Orangeburg, SC
Pinehurst, NC
Pittsboro, NC
Raleigh, NC
Research
Triangle, NC
Sanford, NC
Santee, SC
Sumter, SC
Vance
County, NC
Winston-Salem, NC
Books About The
Carolinas
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Boating on Lake Marion
offers woodsy views, serene breezes, quality time with friends, and perhaps, a very fresh Striped Bass for dinner.
Downtown
is enjoying a
renaissance, and
shoppers can
find
one-of-a-kind
treasures at
reasonable
prices. Plan to
stay for lunch
at one of
Manning's great
little
restaurants. |
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MANNING |
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ixteen years ago, George and Carol Summers retired to Wyboo Plantation in Clarendon County and they are still happy with the choice they made. He was born in Wisconsin, and his wife in North Carolina and as a military family, they moved quite a bit. They were living in Sumter when he decided to retire and they began to look around the area.
“We found Wyboo Plantation and really liked what we saw,” Mr. Summers explained. “We bought a new house there and we were the twelfth family to move in.” Now, of course there are lots of families living at Wyboo, and an established community and social activities for those who want them.
“It’s a nice community,” he continued. “We like seeing all the wild creatures and we love living on the water.” The couple even had a doe give birth in their backyard, and enjoyed seeing a minutes-old fawn follow Mom away. They spend quality boating time on Lake Marion as well as playing the two championship 18-hole golf courses.
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he couple has become fascinated with Revolutionary War history and participates in the Swamp Fox Murals Trail, with nearly 30 murals depicting scenes from the life and battles of General Francis Marion, Revolutionary War hero. “In the fall we have a Francis Marion Symposium that attracts people from all over to meet and learn more about the Swamp Fox,” Mr. Summers explains.
The Summers also enjoy the Cypress after Five concerts held from January-April, and they’re looking forward to the opening of the Weldon Auditorium which will bring more events to the area. They’ve got neighbors from Long Island and New Jersey and enjoy the easy lifestyle they’ve found in Clarendon County.
“We can get to Myrtle Beach in slightly more than an hour,” Mr. Summers said. “But, there’s plenty to do here.”
Manning has lots of reasons to detour off of I-95, starting with Lake Marion and the aforementioned Swamp Fox Murals Trail. If it’s lunch time, stop in at Sweet Sensations or the French Hens in Manning. Both are known for their good food.
Manning is also known for its Striped Bass Festival, held in the spring as a tribute to the beauty of the county. The Striped Bass put the Santee Cooper Lakes–Marion and Moultrie–and Clarendon County on the fishing map of the world, and fishing enthusiasts know that these waters contain fine specimens of these delicious fish.
History enthusiasts can find more than 50 buildings and areas of historical interest, including churches, homes and plantations and battle sites.
Clearly, there’s plenty to do during a visit to Manning and Clarendon County, but there are also compelling reasons to put down roots and consider retirement living in this rural, yet accessible area. First is proximity to I-95. In just minutes, families can be headed up north for a family visit, or welcoming loved ones who’re driving south for a break from winter. For most of the time, however, newcomers will have as much (or as little) to do at home, with recreation, clubs, special events, shopping and fun.
Marie Land is co-chair of MainStreet Manning, a program which is revitalizing downtown. “Manning is a picture-postcard little town,” she says. “We’ve just become a historic district, with 37 buildings registered. We’re relocating business back downtown, and people enjoy shopping and dining in the area.”
Mrs. Land is the wife of SC Senator John Land who was born in Manning. She was born in Maryland but has been a champion of this southern community for more than 40 years. “It’s a friendly, accepting town and embraces newcomers from everywhere,” she says. Newcomers will find all kinds of social clubs, volunteer opportunities, and active churches.
As for culture, there’s always something happening, but with the renovation and grand re-opening of Weldon Auditorium, the area will have virtually ongoing live entertainment, from ballet performances, to world-renown singers, to Shakespeare, comedy and a bit of Broadway.
Healthcare is important here as well. Clarendon Memorial Hospital is undergoing a $22 million expansion to increase the number of beds, add state-of-the-art surgery suites, expand their emergency department, and much more. They will be the first in-patient hospital in South Carolina to be LEED certified, and offer specialties in many areas, including orthopedics, urology, podiatry, pain management, ear, nose and throat, and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
“Many people move to Clarendon County because of our great lake, but I hope they will also relocate because of the outstanding healthcare we provide,” explains Jeffrey Black, Director of Public Relations for the Clarendon Health System.
For many, a second home or retirement home near world-class lakes would be incentive enough. But, add to that these year-round services and amenities – plus a significant dose of arts and entertainment – and the result is quite compelling. And did we mention the friendly people?
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Katherine O. Pettit has worked as a writer, magazine editor,
printer and public relations consultant. The Columbia resident has published more than 250 articles in
magazines and newspapers. Her writing explores a variety of subjects including travel, lifestyles,
business and management.
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