A Year on the River, Part 2

Lake Wateree Throughout the Seasons

Here’s Part 2 of A Year on the River. Check out Part 1.

A Year on The River

Story by Tom Poland
Paintings by Harold Branham

Harold brings a whimsical, homespun take to each month on The River.

Cold January brings us a full moon rising that casts silver light across the water. Wateree Moonshine—“A full moon is as sweet as honey on a biscuit. At least once a month, the folks on The River get a good taste of Wateree Moonshine.”

February takes us to the dam Duke erected. Wateree Electric—“James Buchanan, Duke’s visionary for electric power, made it a reality for South Carolina.”

March brings a moody sunset. The sun’s sinking and dark clouds fill the sky. Wateree Closed—“Except for the night fishing and party boats The River closes at sundown. Folks will retire to their lounge chairs and grills with the setting of the sun. As they ponder through memories of a day on The River, plans are already being made for another day at Wateree.”

April paints The River blue. Wateree Sky—“Along with big water comes a big sky. There are many places on The River that will provide these spectacular extravaganzas for one’s amazement. The clouds will provide delights for the imagination and the big open water will supply the adventurous spirit … You will find there is no sky like a Wateree Sky.”

May brings us a pair of palmettos overlooking a dock. Wateree State—“South Carolina designated the palmetto as the official state tree in 1939. The palmetto was used to construct a fort at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island in 1776. The palmetto logs were able to absorb the impact of the British cannon balls, allowing the defeat of the British fleet. Although the palmetto is native to the coast, it is often used to adorn the yards and shoreline of Lake Wateree.”

June captures a lone fisherman standing on a bridge. Wateree Catch & Fry Club—“There’s a whole lot of fishin’ going on at The River. Not everyone has the fortune of owning or having access to a lot, or better yet a dock. Fairfield County is one of the last places you are allowed to fish off a bridge. The gentleman in this painting is doing the natural thing with a natural bait on a natural pole. And tonight he will the natural thing with his fish, eat ’um because he is a member of the ‘Catch and Fry Club.’ ”