Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

First Friday’s on Gallery Row on Historic Broad Street in Charleston – December

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The Broad Street Merchants Association hosts “First Fridays on Broad” on Friday, December 4th, from 5pm – 8pm. Come out and celebrate “Christmas in Charleston” by enjoying fine art and refreshments in the boutiques, fine art galleries, and bodegas on Gallery Row.
Stroll from one gallery to another while enjoying Christmas lights and southern charm.

COCO VIVO Fine Art & Design will highlight a special art show featuring the work of plein air artist Roger Milinowski of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Hamlet Fine Art Gallery will feature new paintings by Stephanie Shuler Hamlet, Kellie Jacobs and Melinda Lewin of St. Simons Island. The mother and daughters spent a week recently at St. Simon painting on site or en plein air with renown pastel artist, Albert Handell from Santa Fe, also featuring new copper frogs by Charles and Zan Smith.

Edward Dare Gallery will be featuring new work by Beth McLean during the month of December. The gallery will also be showcasing new pottery tableware and garden accessories for the holidays.
The Spencer Art Gallery at 55 Broad street will be hosting a reception for an exhibit of new art works by Marlene Rosenthal entitled “Charleston Shadows” and The Spencer Art Gallery at 57 Broad Street will be hosting a reception for Anne Thames exhibit entitled “New Works”.
Mary Martin will be hosting a workshop for Randall LaGro on Dec 1,2,& 3rd. LaGro is known for his intuitive poetic expressionism.

Participating merchants for Historic Broad Street on December 4th, 2009 from 5 pm – 8pm.include: Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, Hamlet Fine Art, Edward Dare Gallery, COCO VIVO, Mary Martin Fine Art, UTOPIA, Atmah Ja’s, Spencer Galleries, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Martin Gallery, SCOOP Studios, Jake’s, Blind Tiger and the Oak Steak House.

For information please contact Charlestongalleryrow.com or for questions, please call Stephanie Hamlet at 843-722-1944.
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Holiday Tour of Historic Homes in Savannah, Georgia in December

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This is a time of year when southern hospitality is more welcoming than ever. The people of Savannah is again welcoming visitors into their private residences for the always popular annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes.
The Holiday tour of Historic Homes has been described as “an intimate visit with residents of Savannah’s Historic District.”, and there is simply no better way to get a closer look at the historic district. The tour is arranged by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, so it is hosted by folks who actually live in the neighborhood.

This year two classic self-guided tours of historic Savannah homes are offered, one in the afternoon and another in the evening. Guests will receive the complete Tour Program at Tour Headquarters. The program includes maps, directions, and descriptions of all the homes.

For more information, please click here to visit the website for The tour of historic homes.

Christmas Festival at Hampton Plantation “Christmas through the Ages” – Charleston, SC

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Golden ChristmasHampton Plantation State Historic Site will celebrate the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a festival called “Christmas through the Ages.” Visitors will join the park staff in exploring the history of Christmas traditions in the Lowcountry. Highlights include tours of the 18th-century plantation mansion decorated for the holidays, dramatic readings of classic Christmas tales and hands-on activities such as creating Christmas cards.

The cost is $4 for adults ages 16 – 64, $3 for children ages 6 – 15, $2.50 for any South Carolina senior citizen over the age of 65, and free for any one under the age of 6.

Here is the schedule for the day:
Self-Guided Tours: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Story Time: Featuring “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Santa Claus Meet & Greet: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Make Your Own Christmas Card: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Guided House Tour: 3 p.m. – 4p.m.

Participants are advised to dress warmly and bring a camera. For more information call (843)546-9361 or e-mail greiter@scprt.com.
The event also is being held in conjunction with the year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of South Carolina’s state parks. For more information on Hampton Plantation and the State Park Service, go to www.SouthCarolinaParks.com.

St. Marys Candlelight Tour of Homes – Georgia

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The public is invited to re-live the joys of an old-fashioned Christmas as they tour historic homes, inns, and Churches and other historic buildings from 5 to 9 pm on December 13, 2008.

An annual tradition hosted by St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau  partnering, with the Historic Preservation Commission; this year’s tour includes some sites that the public might not ordinarily have access to such as the old city jail in City Hall, the Historic St. Marys Railroad Depot.

Some of the city’s most beautiful bed and breakfasts and homes will be on the tour this year as well, each uniquely decorated in the fashion of their era. The Bachlott House (home of the National Park Service), the Stotesbury Johnson House (home of Family Matters), six private homes, two bed and breakfast inns, and five churches will open their doors for the event—many serving refreshments.

Carolers will further enhance the Norman Rockwell experience, and other entertainment includes bagpipes and hand bells.

Transportation between tour stops will be provided by golf carts hosted by members of the St. Marys Golf Cart Association , the St. Marys First Baptist Church bus, and the new Convention & Visitors Bureau trolley.

Tickets may be purchased at the St. Marys Welcome Center, 406 Osborne Street, Sheila’s Hallmark, The Goodbread House, Cumberland Inn & Suites, Spencer House, French Quarter, Once Upon a Bookseller, and at the ITT Department at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base for $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the tour.

This year’s Candlelight Tour is dedicated to the memory of St. Marys’ beloved resident and history lover Ann Stacy. Proceeds will benefit the Historic Preservation Commission of St. Marys and support tourism development by St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For more information about the tour, call 912-882-4000. For information about St. Marys, visit www.stmaryswelcome.com.