Wedding & Event Venue Near Abbeville, SC.

Abbeville chef, Erica McCier, named 20203 South Carolina Chef Ambassador

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ABBEVILLE, S.C. —

An Upstate chef is being recognized for her local flavors and community collaborations, earning her the honor of 2023 South Carolina Chef Ambassador.

Erica McCier is the owner and executive chef of Indigenous Underground in Abbeville.

In January, she and three other South Carolina chefs were named as the 2023 ambassadors. According to the state, the ambassadors represent South Carolina through culinary events and promotional opportunities.

“We’re like the spokespeople, the 'spokeschefs' I guess you could say- for the state of South Carolina," said McCier.

McCier says she creates dishes that remind her of her childhood.

“I grew up living off the land," she said. "A lot of my items on the menu just reflect those foods– those indigenous foods of South Carolina.”

But, she says she thinks her work with local farmers and other producers is what earned her the honor from the state.

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“I think that’s what caught their eye," she said, "because I pull so many different businesses into this business as well.”

McCier says she is excited to have received the honor but that, ultimately, it's not about her. She says it's more about those businesses that she works alongside.

“It wasn’t really me thinking about myself and what this does for me as a chef," she said. "It really came down to what this does for Indigenous Underground, what this does for the workers here at Indigenous Underground, what this does for Abbeville – the city of Abbeville, and what this does for the farmers that I use, you know, the products that they use in Abbeville."

McCier describes her kitchen as a 'little kitchen with big flavor.' But more impressive than the flavorful dishes is the story behind the woman who creates them.

McCier is a former art teacher. She taught middle school until she was diagnosed with a kidney disease.

“My life just got flipped upside down. I couldn’t teach anymore," she said. "All of the activities I was doing at this time, I couldn’t do any of those."

But, it was during this tough time that McCier discovered cooking.

“While I was on dialysis, I started watching the Food Network, and I also liked the cooking channel," she said.

McCier, inspired by the chefs she watching on television, Googled "culinary schools near me," leading her to Greenville Tech to visit their culinary program.

She decided to enroll, if nothing else, to learn to enjoy a new hobby.

“'Hey, I’ve learned a new skill. I’m not bored with life.' You know, I did something besides go to dialysis and go home," she said.

McCier attended classes at Greenville Tech on Tuesdays and Thursdays, all the while continuing dialysis on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Then, she fell in love.

“Needless to say, I just fell in love. I fell in love with cooking," she said.

Next came a catering business, her first successful restaurant venture, teaching culinary classes and even a kidney transplant.

Now, McCier operates Indigenous Underground in a building in downtown Abbeville that she has loved for years.

"In like 2014, I was saying, ‘that’s going to be my building one day!'" she said.

Her goal: connecting the people of Abbeville with their community and celebrating all that her city has to offer.

“You don’t have to drive to Greenville or Columbia or Augusta," she said. "because it’s right here in our backyard."

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A fire at an Abbeville apartment complex is under investigation after 17 peoples' possessions and homes were destroyed.

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ABBEVILLE, S.C. —

A fire at an Abbeville apartment complex is under investigation after 17 peoples' possessions and homes were destroyed.

The fire broke out Monday at the Hickory Heights Apartments, and while everyone made it out alive, many wonder how they'll survive going forward.

The fire broke out toward the back of the building on the second floor, blowing out windows on either side, and then spreading through the roof into other apartment units.

"It's disheartening," said Abbeville Mayor Trey Edwards as he surveyed the damage. "It's a tragedy, and people will have to be moved out of their home and placed somewhere else."

Abbeville Fire Chief Chris Clemmons said a neighbor spotted the fire and called dispatch just before 12:45 a.m. on Monday. It took 27 city and county firefighters to put out the blaze.

Clemmons said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The people who lived in the apartment where the fire started were home at the time and left town soon after. Others made it out safely, many with only the clothes on their backs.

"They had children, they had babies that when they woke up, probably had nothing to wear to school," said Christine Long, an American Red Cross volunteer. "One young lady came out, she was in shorts, and she said this is all I've got."

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It took nearly seven hours to fully put out the embers. Every unit was damaged by fire, smoke, flooding, or a combination of all three.

The American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina is providing families with financial, medical, spiritual, and mental health assistance, as well as a few nights at a local motel. Long says many of the families are still in shock.

"One young lady was crying," she said. "I don't think she had rental insurance. She had worked hard to get what she had, and just to lose it in the blink of an eye, it was tough."

But after Tuesday night, that motel stay ends, and several families (some with young children) will have to figure out what to do and where to go.

We reached out to the property managers, DGA Residential. They responded Wednesday, saying:

“We immediately reserved hotel rooms for affected residents and have since been able to move all affected households to other apartments at the property. During this time, we have also worked with the Red Cross to provide immediate assistance to affected households and continue to work with a non-profit to coordinate additional local resources for each affected household. Our first priority is housing and assistance for affected residents and we are now beginning the process of assessing the damage and determining our next steps with respect to the affected building.”

ABBEVILLE, S.C. —

The Abbeville Panthers won a state championship last year, their 12th in program history and eighth under head coach Jamie Nickles. Heading into a new season, Nickles said this is the youngest team he has ever had since his first year as a head coach 19 years ago.

The Panthers return five starters on offense and six on defense. When asked which key players he has to replace this season, Nickles said jokingly, "The whole team. We had a lot of good ones last year. That whole senior class- they were a special bunch."

The Panthers went 3-2 in their non-region schedule last year before winning out the rest of the way.

"It made us better when we went into region play," Nickles said.

"You have to face adversity to be where you want to go," Abbeville safety Damarcus Leach said. "To be able to bounce back and be the best team in 2A, it gives us a lot of hope we can do whatever we want to no matter what happens early on."

Nickles did say he's confident in his team's run game and defensive line heading into this season. He also loves their mindset.

"They're eager beavers," Nickles said. "They're ready to go. I hope they remain that way as the schedule gets tough and all, but right now, they're a bunch of eager beavers."

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Nickles said his message to his team this year is to just do the little things right.

Leach says the Panthers are hungry to win another title this year.

"Our mindset is to bond together and gel together," Leach said. "We can't really reflect on last year because that's gone. We bonded together trying to get to the same goal this year."

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Folks in part of the Upstate made calls and sent emails to the WYF News 4 newsroom Monday about a "scary" loud boom.

WYFF News 4 found out it's probably not the last time our area will hear the startling noises.

Above video was published on Jan. 26.

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Callers said the loud noise was heard from Abbeville, Antreville, Due West, and Donalds, and they all were seeking answers to the question, "What was that?"

"That was scary," one viewer wrote at about 10:20 a.m. "Something is going on!!!! I could hear a jet but not see it. Guess it was a sonic boom. "

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"What was the loud boom in Due West, SC, around 10 a.m.," another wrote.

We talked to someone at Due West City Hall who said the building shook and agreed, "it was scary."

Due West Mayor Jeannie Knight said she remembered where she was during the boom.

"I was out in my garage feeding my cat and suddenly this boom and the metal ceiling of my garage shook," Knight said.

Students at Erskine College said they felt the sonic boom as well.

"I thought it was an accident or something. I turned around and the street was cleared," Quintel Johnson said.

A student at a local high school said he felt boom during his second-period class.

"I thought at first it was kind of an explosion but other than that, I didn’t think it was anything else," Alex Soule said. "It was crazy to hear. Coming from here, such a small town but other than that it was nice and it was cool."

A representative from Lockheed Martin released the following statement about the likely cause:

"Lockheed Martin can confirm we had flight operations in that area and around that time this morning. As part of the pre-delivery testing, all F-16s will conduct flight tests that include flying supersonic. All our flight testing takes place in airspace designated by the FAA, and noise levels heard by the community will depend on various factors such as the type of flight operations, the power setting, altitude, and weather conditions. In January, we launched a new era for the F-16 program, with the successful first flight of the F-16 Block 70 in Greenville. This F-16 Block 70 jet is the first of 16 jets to be delivered to Bahrain. The jet will undergo continued flight tests in Greenville followed by additional flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base."

Last month, a similar "boom" was heard in the Honea Path area, prompting calls and emails.

At the time, Lockheed Martin representative Liz Lutz said as part of the testing, all F-16s will conduct flights that include flying supersonic.

"Our flight profiles – specific airspace and altitude – are designed to minimize a sonic boom," she said. "In most weather conditions, a sonic boom will never reach the ground."

Employees of the Donaldson Center Fire Department posted photos to Facebook in January of what they called Lockheed Martin's first flight of the F-16s made in Greenville.

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Residents in Due West said while the situation was odd, they see it as a claim to fame for the small town.

"It went around. Everyone was like that was cool. They came over dew west of all places. Its just interesting. You don’t expect something like that to happen around here. Its really quiet," Will Moore said.

"Everybody's fine and there's no balloon in the air so we’re ok. We’ll fine," Knight said.

Nestled in the upper western corner of South Carolina, you’ll find the Old 96 District, comprised of five counties offering everything from historic sites and outdoor adventures to distillery tours — an ideal destination if you’re in the mood to be charmed. We’re counting down nine darling bed and breakfasts in the area that are perfect for anchoring your next weekend getaway!

Sharon Manor | Abbeville County

12 Firehouse Rd., Abbeville, SC 29620 • (864) 378-9310

Owned by husband-and-wife duo David and Benita Chupp, Sharon Manor offers four luxurious guest suites, each styled after a place the Chupps hold close to their hearts.

The newest suite, The Amelia, is modeled after Amelia Island, FL, and offers a king bed, kitchenette, and spacious private bath. The Litchfield suite also has a king bed and the property’s largest kitchenette — it’s designed after a town in Connecticut where the Chupp’s oldest son lives. This room can also be adjoined with The Blue Ridge, named after the Blue Ridge Parkway, which offers a queen bed, cozy sitting area, kitchenette, and private bathroom. The property’s final room, The Beaufort, offers subtle nods to the Lowcountry and includes a king bed, plenty of natural light, a kitchenette, and a private bathroom.

SB Tip: Don’t skip Sharon Manor’s coffee, which is roasted in-house!

Pictured here is Sharon Manor’s Amelia suite, which channels the beachy feel of Florida’s Atlantic Coast.

The Belmont Inn | Abbeville County

104 E. Pickens St., Abbeville, SC 29620 • (864) 214-7453

The Belmont Inn is an Abbeville landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. What started as a hotel for railroad visitors and Abbeville Opera House performers has been renovated into a beautiful and luxurious modern bed and breakfast — all while maintaining the building’s original architecture.

As you enter The Belmont Inn, you’re immediately greeted by a spacious veranda with marble terrazzo flooring and many antiques and furnishings from the early 1900s. Eight guestrooms are on the first floor, while the remaining 17 are upstairs (with room number 13 being omitted from the lineup to account for superstition). Accommodations include a wine parlor, breakfast room, and the inn’s on-site restaurant, JP’s Food & Spirits.

The Belmont Inn is located near Abbeville’s famous Court Square, home to the famed Trinity Episcopal Church as well as plenty of shopping and dining.

The Lofts at Court Square | Abbeville County

103 Court Square Apt. 2, Abbeville, SC 29620 • (864) 221-6935

If you prefer to stay in an Airbnb, The Lofts at Court Square is a fantastic option. Located off Abbeville’s historic square, the property’s one-bedroom apartment accommodates up to four guests and includes a stunning antique queen bed, a queen pull-out sofa, a full kitchen, and a dining area.

The property also recently introduced a king suite that sleeps up to four and includes a California king bed, a full-size pull-out sofa, a full kitchen, and an additional full-size couch. Both units are within walking distance of some of Abbeville’s best shopping and dining locations, including Two Brews.

Veranda on Main | Abbeville County

802 N. Main St., Abbeville, SC 29620 • (864) 366-9540

Veranda on Main is a luxurious bed and breakfast located in the heart of Abbeville. Beautifully renovated to fit the exact specifications of a historic 1800s home, the property is the perfect home base for a getaway with girlfriends or a relaxing couples’ weekend. As you step inside, take note of the hardwood floors, sourced from the Tennessee mountains, and the Swarovski crystal chandelier hanging in the entryway. No matter which room you stay in, you’ll enjoy high-end bedding, linens, and drapes.

Old 96 District’s Abbeville County is home to over 250 miles of hiking and biking trails, three lakes, and six state parks.

Azalea Inn | Edgefield County

201 Egghouse Rd., Johnston, SC 29832 • (217) 412-9617

Located on a working farm, Azalea Inn is a unique bed and breakfast located in Edgefield County. The 137-year-old farmhouse offers four guest suites, each with a four-poster bed and high-end linens. Plus, guests can enjoy a homemade breakfast every morning, courtesy of the farm’s daily harvest.

For dinner, you’re guaranteed a reservation at the inn’s restaurant in Edgefield, Christine’s Farm to Fork. In addition to other farm attractions like Three Star Vineyard & Orchard and Hickory Hill Milk, guests are just minutes from Palmetto Shooting Complex, the Old Edgefield District Genealogy Society, the Forks Area Trail System, and the Ten Governor Rail Trail.

SB Tip: Azalea Inn’s daily harvest includes fresh strawberries from now through June!

Isabella’s Bed & Breakfast | Edgefield County

601 Mims Ave., Johnston, SC 29832 • (803) 275-0735

Located in a historic 1800s Victorian home, Isabella’s Bed & Breakfast is the third oldest home in Johnston. Offering three guest suites — each equipped with an antique queen bed and private bathroom — this is the perfect getaway for couples, families, or a group of friends.

For a stay with a bit of added luxury, book the second-floor suite, which includes a separate sitting area and a private balcony. When you wake up, you can expect something different (yet equally delicious!) every morning for breakfast — including waffles, muffins, sausage, and more.

Inn on the Square | Greenwood County

104 Court Ave. E., Greenwood, SC 29646 • (864) 330-1010

As Greenwood’s only full-service boutique hotel, Inn on the Square is a top choice for many travelers. Carefully renovated to preserve the building’s original architecture, the inn offers two luxurious levels. Amenities and accommodations include a full-service restaurant, casual bar and lounge, and 24-hour fitness center.

Each of the 49 guest rooms has been thoughtfully designed to meet your every need, offering high-quality linens, premium toiletries, comfortable beds, and more. The hotel is also within walking distance to Uptown Greenwood’s Main Street, which is home to a wide variety of dining and shopping options.

Lady Amelia Bed & Breakfast Inn | Laurens County

258 N Main St, Cross Hill, SC 29332 • (864) 998-3040

Built in 1894, the Lady Amelia Bed & Breakfast Inn is the perfect place to unwind. As you enter the historic home, you’ll immediately notice the stately hardwood floors and carefully curated collection of antiques and furnishings throughout. Upstairs is where you’ll find the warm and inviting guest rooms. A charming red barn is located near the back of the inn and is home to the on-site antiques shop and restaurant. The restaurant is known for standout French dishes, including its fondue and raclette!

Hickory Knob State Park Resort | McCormick County

1591 Resort Dr., McCormick, SC 29835 • (864) 391-2450

While technically not a bed and breakfast, the lodging options at Hickory Knob State Park Resort are equally charming. If you’re looking to disconnect and enjoy the shores of Lake Strom Thurmond, this is the spot to call home for your stay.

The resort includes 16 one-bedroom, one-bathroom cabins for up to four guests, and each one sits about 100 yards from the lake. If you have a larger group, opt for the two-bedroom cabin located in the restored Historic French Huguenot Guillebeau House. The park is also home to 76 lodge/motel rooms that include television, coffee makers, and other modern amenities.

Enjoy your South Carolina travels, wherever they may take you!

This article is sponsored by Old 96 District. All photography provided.