Wait, what? It’s November already? I feel like life has fast-forwarded from steamy summer days smack dab into the holidays. I haven’t yet stashed the Halloween gear, but before we know it, it’ll be time for turkey and decorating the Christmas tree. Thankfully, our annual Giving Issue has all the bases covered: the meal, the presents, and most importantly, the philanthropy.
For “Feast Favorites” (page 116), we handpicked some tried-and-true Thanksgiving dishes from our recipe archives. I can personally attest to Ashley Strickland Freeman’s pumpkin chai cheesecake; that’s the version my daughter, Abby, and I made a few years ago (right). It’s relatively easy and so delish that it has become a Turkey Day tradition in our family. As for gifting, we’ve done the legwork for you; our annual Holiday Gift Guide (page 82) includes 168 ideas—all from local stores and makers—and in price points for every budget.
Throughout this issue, you’ll find a focus on philanthropy, from an eco-minded coffee pod company that shares profits with its farmers (Biz, page 50) to the legacy of an 19th-century British expat that endures to this day (Milestone, page 56) to the celebration of the Coastal Community Foundation’s 50 years dedicated to improving life in the Lowcountry (Giving Back, page 54). For the feature “Inking a Future” (page 106), we revisited Turn90, a local nonprofit that helps formerly incarcerated men reenter society and the workforce. Since we last covered the program five years ago, it has expanded to three cities and gained attention for its innovative methods and outstanding stats in reducing recidivism. It’s truly incredible and has the potential to be replicated nationally.
As we were putting the finishing touches on this issue, Hurricane Helene brought devastating floods and winds to much of the Southeast, including our colleagues at WNC magazine in hard-hit Asheville, North Carolina. Our hearts are with all the families affected. And while we count our blessings in this season of giving, let’s remember their plight and give what we can to help in the long road to recovery ahead. Look for donation links at wncmagazine.com.
Wishing you and yours a happy and safe start to the season!
Darcy Shankland
dshankland@charlestonmag.com