2012 catfish festival

VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO

ALL CATFISH FESTIVAL MEMBERS

AND SPONSORS

for their part in the

20th AnnualCatf ish Festival

2012

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2 •CATFISH FESTIVAL 2012 WEDNESDAY • MARCH 21, 2012

323 E- Main St. | Moncks Corner 29461 | 843.761.6397 | BerkeleyInd.com

We the Catfish Festival!20th annual

Friday

March30th

sunday

April1st

saturday

March31st

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Proud to Cover the Catfish Festival!

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Staff Writer: Dan Brown

Advertising Staff: Ann Mack

Administrative Assistant: Betsy Craven-Bailey

Graphic Designer: Linda Anderson

Online Content Assistant: Adrian Grimes

To subscribe or advertise, call 843-761-6397.

Cover:Krena Lanham

Ellen PriestPresid

Frank JohnsonEditor

Chris ZoellerRegional Advertising Director

Cheryl CargillBusiness Manager

323 E- Main St. - Moncks Corner 29461843.761.6397 - BerkeleyInd.com

CATFISH FESTIVAL 2012 • 3WEDNESDAY • MARCH 21, 2012

BY DAN BROWNThe Independent

here’s a hint of cat-fish in the air.

That aroma of goodfood can only meanthe 2012 St. StephenCatfish Festival isjust around the cor-ner.

The CatfishFestival will run from March 30-April 1, andthis year event organizer Johnny Broome saysthere will be a few changes and twists, includ-ing a roaming magic act and some additions

to the Catfish Stew Cook Off. “We’ve got a couple new things coming to

this year’s Catfish Festival,” Broome said.“We have a magician coming, Ricker M., whowill walk around the festival grounds per-forming various magic tricks for kids andmagic fans of all ages.”

According to Broome, Ricker M. is a magi-cal entertainer performing professionallysince 1979.

“He delivers his shows with humor andinteraction that gets everyone involved in theact,” Broome said. “He is also an accom-plished balloonist, juggler and puppeteer.He’ll be available all three days of the festi-

Annual event promises excitement – and a few changes – in 2012

Catfish Festivalequals family fun

See FESTIVAL Page 6

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219 N. Highway 52, Ste AMoncks Corner, SC 29461

www.aormc.com843.761.8176

Welcome toSt. Stephen’s20th Annual

Be safe, havefun and enjoy

yourself.

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Full service SalonJewelryHandbagsTanning bedsAir brush taming

Walk-ins Welcome

Have a great day at the St. Stephen’s20th Annual Catfish Festival

Glamour Cuts“Where looking good is understood”

232 North Live Oak DriveMoncks Corner, SC (843) 899-4343

Berkeley Monument and Sign LLC504 Altman St., Moncks Corner, SC 29461

843.899.3003Berkeley Monument and Sign LLC

504 Altman St., Moncks Corner, SC 29461

843.899.3003

Berkeley Monument and Sign LLC504 Altman St., Moncks Corner, SC 29461

843.899.3003

St. Stephen’s 20th Annual Catfish Festival

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Dan Brown/Independent

A wide assortment of delectable treats were available to sample at the 2011 CatfishFestival, including smoked turkey legs, Italian sausage, and Polish links served up byKahl Almour of Caribbean Grill.

DELECTABLE TREATS

THE TOWN OF ST. STEPHEN’S 20TH ANNUAL CATFISH FESTIVAL

We welcome everyone to come out and enjoy the many festivities that will be going on at the festival March 30, 31 and April 1.

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Robert B. Hoffman Mayor

CouncilJohn W. Rivers,Mayor Pro Tem

Robbie Ballentine Louis Brown Anne P. Keller Jerry L. Thrower

William F. Truesdale


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AUTO - RESIDENTIAL – COMMERCIAL STORE FRONT

“Maximum Service – Minimum Cost”

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Come see our large selection of FashionJewelry • Rings • Earrings • Necklaces

• Assortment of Bangle Bracelets

All at affordable prices

4042-A Byrnes Dr., St. Stephen, SC • 843.567.7555 4042-A Byrnes Dr., St. Stephen, SC • 843.567.7555

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“The Hair Dresser will put a change on you”

St. Stephen’s 20th Annual Catfish Festival

THE HAIR DRESSERHAIR & BEAUTY SUPPLIES


val.” Broome added that Miss

Jingles the clown will also beback this year with a facepainting booth.

“Miss Jingles has always

been a crowd favorite here,”he said.

The Catfish Festival beginsFriday afternoon, March 30,at 4 p.m., and will continuethrough Sunday evening at 7p.m. The festival will presentall local fare, crafts and foodfor the public to enjoy.

While the annual undertak-

ing may be made up of funand games, the importance ofthe festival can’t be denied.

“It’s important for people toknow that they can bring thewhole family out here for agood time,” Broome said.

The three-day event is freeand open to the public.

FESTIVALfrom page 3


Hannah Garbrick and Brooklyn Windham of St. Stephen, enjoy a ride at the 2010 editionof the Catfish Festival.

See FESTIVAL 2 Page 7

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Broome Mobile DJ and Sound Service

KaraokeMusic For All Occasions

(843) 906-6835

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• Professional Prescription Service• High Quality Pharmaceuticals• Durable Medical Equipment• Sick room supplies• Most Medical Insurance Accepted• Medicare and Medicaid• Orthotics• Diabetic Shoes and Supplies• Nebulizers• Consultations by Appointment• Serving Saint Stephen and

Northern Berkeley County since 1971• William F. Truesdale, RPH, Owner

Santee Drug Center 3931-D Byrnes Drive

Saint Stephen, SC 29479Telephone: 1-843-567-3291

Fax: 1-843-567-5212E-mail: [email protected]

Night and Emergencies: 1-843-567-4731Business Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday8:30am until 6:00pm

Wednesday and Saturday8:30am until 1:00pm


Broom said all the standard CatfishFestival favorites will be present in thedays ahead, including the annual CakeWalk, Sweet Pea contest and CatfishStew Cook Off scheduled for Saturdayafternoon.

“This year we’re doing something alittle different with the Catfish StewCook Off,” Broome said. “This yearwe’re not requiring that you prepareyour catfish stew in the designated site.”

While the rules of same-day prepara-tion apply, contestants can prepare theirstew anywhere on the festival grounds.

“You have to cook it there during thefestival, but you can cook it anywhereon the festival grounds,” Broome said.“This will allow some of the festivalvendors to participate as well.”

There will be more than 20 food ven-dors onsite at this year’s CatfishFestival.

“We want to open up the contest fielda little bit and give everybody an oppor-tunity to participate,” Broome said.“Some of our festival vendors can whipup a good batch of catfish stew.”

FESTIVAL 2from page 6

Jennifer Easler/Special to The Independent

Billie Davis accepts the first place prize moneyfor winning the 2010 Catfish Stew Cook-off.See FESTIVAL 3 Page 10

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Two-year-old Sky Ladson from Hugergets her first taste of riding the rangeat the Catfish Festival’s pony rideattraction in 2011.

PONY RIDEFUN

OLIVER-CLARKE FURNITURE Hwy. 52, St. Stephen • 843-567-4275

Store Hours: MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY & FRIDAY 8-6, WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY 8-1

“Where you have a friend in the furniture business”

Furniture Floor CoveringsAppliances

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WELCOME TO ST. STEPHEN’S 20TH ANNUAL

CATFISH FESTIVAL

We hope everyone has a fun andsafe day while enjoying the

activities of the Catfish Festival.

St. Stephen, SCEmploying dedicated people

from the Lowcountry since 1956


BY DAN BROWNThe Independent

his time every year Iget asked the samequestion: “Are youjudging the CatfishStew Cook Off in St.Stephen?”

They rememberwhat happened thefirst time.

This is the St. Stephen Catfish Festival, Ireply, I’ll be there with bells on. And theychuckle.

This of course, always starts the requiredretelling of what has quickly become some-thing of a folk tale around these parts, my firstexperience in judging the Catfish Stew CookOff and how I downed six pints of catfishstew in a little over 15 minutes.

I had never judged any kind of a contestbefore, but figured it couldn’t be that hard.You pick whatever food tastes best.

Simple enough, right? One would think so.The wrinkle here is that I am not much of a

seafood fan. Call it a lingering yet mild caseof post-traumatic stress disorder over an inci-dent involving a fishbone embedded in mytonsil as a child, and my mom wanting topluck it out with a steak knife.

I figured that which did not make me illwould win the contest.

While waiting on the stew I first received abit of a treat, lime sherbet.

“To cleanse your palate,” the sherbet ladysaid.

This is catfish stew, who needs a cleanpalate? I saw it as dessert, except first. So Iobliged and took a full-on palate bath,devouring the cup of lime sherbet.

Then I’m brought the first cup of catfishstew.

The cup wasn’t a small cup either, but one ofthose 16-ounce varieties, and it was nearlythree-quarters full of catfish stew.

Very tasty, I thought sampling the first

In 2012, still a Catfish Stew fool …

See STEW Page 11

HOOD’S INSURANCE AND REALTY SERVICE

PINNACLE 1Tax Service

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Since 1970Auto – Home – Business

102 Roosevelt Drive, St. Stephen, SC 29479

843-567-2863

102 RooseveltSt. Stephen, SC843-567-2863

100-A Cumbie PlazaMoncks Corner, SC

843-899-7833

Trust ORVIN’S INSURANCE AGNECY“Your Family Has Since 1974”

AUTOMOBILE • COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

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HOMEOWNERS • MOBILE HOME • LIFE INSURANCE

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854-567-3181111 Welch Street, St. Stephen, SC

Mon-Tue-Thurs-Fri 9:00–5:30 Wed 9:00–12:30

Dale Orvin – Broker/Agent Cathy O. Ollic – AgentBI01-718999


The 20-plus vendors on hand will pro-vide the same fare the Catfish Festival hasenjoyed for years, including funnel cakesand hand-dipped corn dogs, gyro wrapsand frozen treats, just to name a few.

“We have a large variety of great foodavailable every year,” Broome said.

Broome said that while last year’s weath-er was a little blustery, the sunshine and

warmer temperatures paid off, turning2011 into one of the most attended festivalin years.

“Our turnout last year was one of ourbiggest years,” he said. “We had greatattendance all three days.”

Broome also mentioned the growingpopularity of the festival’s final day thatfeatures daylong gospel concerts.

“We are open on Sunday at 1 p.m. andwill remain open until 7 p.m. Sundaynight,” he said. “We will feature livegospel singing throughout the day. The

popularity of gospel music has reallygrown over the years and we didn’t realizehow popular gospel singing was.”

In addition to a wide variety of foodselections the Catfish Festival offers someof the best in local arts and crafts.

“We have a good many craft vendorscoming this year,” Broome said.

The annual Catfish Festival Paradebegins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 31.At 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon, judging forthe Catfish Stew Cook Off wraps up, andcapping the day’s festivities is judging for

the annual Miss Catfish Festival andSweet Pea contest.

“Anyone who wants to dress up in a skirtand heels is invited to enter the Sweet PeaContest,” Broome said.

Broome also wanted to thank his topsponsors Home Telecom and St. StephenIGA, and TDS St. Stephen, which is spon-soring the catfish stew cook off.

Festival hours are Friday, 4 to 10:30p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; andSunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FESTIVAL 3from page 7

Delicious food will be a major part of theSt. Stephen Catfish Festival experiencein 2012.Frank Johnson/Independent

GOOD FOOD,GOOD TIMES

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The Town of Bonneau

“Where the Living is Easy.”

THE TOWN OF BONNEAU congratulates St. Stephen on their

20th Annual Catfish Festival.

We hope everyone that attends

will enjoy the many festivities

and have a safe and fun day.

MayorREMBERT WRENN

CouncilmenAllen June

Debbie ThomasJ.C. Ray

Jimmy Ward

Visit our website at bonneausc.comBI01-718793BI01-718863

S t . S t e p h e n ’ s 2 0 A n n u a l C a t f i s h F e s t i v a l

4042 Byrnes DriveP.O. Box 1242

St. Stephen, SC 29479

843.567.3240843.607.2713

COMPUTERFACTORYOUTLETFreddie JamesREPAIR/UPGRADE


spoonful. Then I had at it. I knocked off

that first cup of stew in a hurry,even scraping the bottom of thecup for that last morsel of stewresidue.

I contentedly sighed, andmarked on my judge’s sheet, “Wehave a winner.”

Then I looked up and saw a sec-ond cup of catfish stew.Awesome, I thought. I had at itagain. I emptied that cup as well.

This was when I looked up andsaw four more cups of catfishstew awaiting my spoon.

Whoo-boy, I thought. This is alot of stew.

I noticed others were down totheir final cups.

Dang, I’m behind here. Thisjudging thing is harder than Ithought.

So I got busy on cups 3, 4 and5.

I was half way through cupnumber 6 when I hit the wall. I

STEWfrom page 9

See STEW 2 Page 12


Catfish festival organizer Johnny Broome is expectinggreat things from the 2012 event.

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Chandler Morris,Cooper Powell andKalai Johnson enjoythe Paratrooper rideat the 2011 CatfishFestival in St.Stephen.Dan Brown/Independent

UP INTHEAIR!

S U P P O R T I N G M Y H O M E T O W N

20th Annual Catfish Festival St. Stephen, SC

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Paid by the committee to elect Joe Jefferson Jr.PO Box 637, St. Stephen, SC 29479

Joe JeffersonSC House of Representatives,

Dist. 102

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Sunday WorshipRite I Holy Eucharist 8:45 a.m.

Sunday School and coffee hour immediately after mass

Weekday Worship & StudyWednesday: Rite II Holy Eucharist 6:30 p.m.

Adult Christian Education: Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Special Lenten Services: April 1st: Palm Sunday Mass at 8:45 a.m.

April 4th: Tenebrae Prayers & Psalms at 6:30 p.m.

April 5th: Maundy Thursday Mass at 5:30 p.m.

April 6th: Good Friday Solemn Liturgy at 3:00 p.m.

April 6th: Stations of the Cross at 6:00 p.m.

April 8th: Easter Mass at 8:45 a.m.

"All are welcome"

ST. STEPHEN’SEPISCOPAL CHURCH

~ Established 1754 ~

Catfish Festival 2012

1 9 6 B R I C K C H U R C H C I R C L E

S T. S T E P H E N , S . C . 2 9 4 7 98 4 3 - 5 6 7 - 3 4 1 9


was full. I turned to the judge

seated next to me andmuttered, “I don’t think Ican finish this last cup ofstew. What do I do?”

He looked at me.Then he looked at my

neat stack of empty 16-ounce Styrofoam cups.

He said, “Dude, you’renot supposed to eat it all.You only take a couplebites. You didn’t knowthat?”

Oh. No, I didn’t knowthat. I wish somebodyhad told me that up front.

It was about this timewhen my stomach sentme a little text messageby way of the back of mythroat: “You have 15minutes to get home orall bets are off.”

I handed in my tallysheet and said, “I got togo.”

The sherbet lady asked,

STEW 2from page 11


The 2012 Catfish Stew Cook Off promises to be a fierce competition. Chuck Dunning proudly displays the first placeplaque as winner of the 2011Catfish Stew Cook Off. Paired withhis brother Steve, the Dunnings claimed the top prize.

“Hon, are you okay?”I replied that I thought I’d

eaten too much stew.“How much stew did you eat?”All of it.“Oh good gracious, sweetie

you weren’t supposed to eat itall. Didn’t you know that?”

I do now. I did the math. That’s almost a

half-gallon of stew. Now, eachyear I’m reminded, Dan, youonly take a spoonful of stew.

And I appreciate thereminder. More than they’llever know.

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Jamestown, South CarolinaMay 4th and 5th

Lots of fun and activities for the entire family!

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March 30, 2012 - Friday7:00am Vendor Set-up Begins - Trailers Only

Noon Vendor Set-up - All Others

3:30pm Vendor Set-up - Ends (All vehicles must be out of festival area)

4:00pm Festival Opens to Public

5:00pm Local Entertainment (Main Stage)

7:00pm Nu Attitude Band (Main Stage)

10:30pm Festival Closes (Clean Up Begins)

March 31, 2012 - Saturday8:00am Registration for Catfish Stew Cook-Off Begins

9:00am Vendors must have all vehicles out of festival area

9:30am Parade Line-Up At Brick Church Circle

10:00am Parade Starts

11:00am Puppets Praising Jesus (Main Stage)

Noon Catfish Stew Cook-Off Registration Ends

Ms. Jingles Clown (Live Festival Grounds)

1:00pm Puppets Praising Jesus (Main Stage)

Ricker M. (Magical Entertainer) (Live Festival Grounds)

2:00pm Cake Walks (Main Stage)

4:00pm Carolina Dancers (In front of main stage)

5:00pm Catfish Stew Cook-Off Judging Begins

TJ Phillips, Gary Griffin and Ric Rush from WEZL

Wranglers Rockin? Country (In front of main stage)

5:20pm All You Can Eat Catfish Stew Will Go On Sale

6:00pm Miss Catfish Festival Sweet-Pea Contest (Main Stage)

7:00pm The Fantastic Shakers (Main Stage)

11:00pm Festivities Closes (Clean Up Begins)

April 1, 2012 – Sunday1:00pm Rides and Vendors Open

2:00pm Gospel Singing Begins

7:00pm Festival Ends

Schedule Of EventsMarch 30th , 31st April 1st, 2012

*** Events and Times Are Subject To Change ***

Welcome to St. Stephen’s 20th

Annual Catfish Festival

We hope you have asafe and fun time.

SMITH INSURANCE AGENCY3883 Byrnes Dr., St. Stephen 29479843-567-2899 843-881-1381

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AmandaSchumann workssome high-flyingacrobatics on thebungee jump atthe 2010 CatfishFestival.Dan Brown/Independent

JUSTHANGIN’

OUT

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Holly Hill803-496-3430

Moncks Corner843-761-8888

Branchville803-274-88231

Carnes Crossroads843-719-8888

Bowman803-829-2581

Eutawville803-492-3676

St. Stephen843-567-3152

Cameron803-823-2310

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We would like to thank the town of St. Stephen

and our patients for their continued support.

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1142 Main Street| St. Stephen, SC

(843)-567-2900

ST. STEPHENFAMILY

DENTISTRYTristan M. Cordray, DMD

Now accepting new patients

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2012 catfish festival

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