Plus, Blue Man Group is coming

Hello Friday.

April 25 2025

Lake life will be more accessible for Columbia residents next summer with the addition of a new state park at Pine Island on Lake Murray.

For approx. 60 years, Pine Island operated as an exclusive club for SCANA employees and guests. When the power company was acquired by Dominion Energy in 2019, the fate of the club came into question.

The property — valued at $9.5 million — will become a state park as part of a settlement agreement between Dominion Energy and the SC Department of Revenue.

Flyover view of Pine Island | Giphy by Google Earth

The new state park could be ready by mid-2022.

🎣 The Amenities

9,000-sqft conference center
Swimming pool
Boat slips
Beach swimming area
Playground
Basketball court
Tennis and volleyball courts
Outdoor shelter with grill

🏕️ What’s to come

South Carolina State Park’s agency plans to build campgrounds on the 27-acre island.
In addition to Pine Island, the state also acquired the 94-acre Bundrick Island on Lake Murray. This island has a sandy beach, but no buildings or other structures. No future plans for this area are currently set.

🦆 The Bonus

In addition to Pine Island, the state also acquired Misty Lake, a 190-acre property in North Augusta and the historic 2,600-acre Ramsey Grove Plantation — valued at $28 million — on the Black River in Georgetown County.

This will give SC 50 state parks in total, with the newest locations offering South Carolinians access to scenic properties in the Midlands, Lowcountry, and Central Savannah River Area.

Use the buttons below to share this story with lake loving friends and those who enjoy the outdoors.

What would you like to see at the 94-acre Bundrick Island on Lake Murray?

We would love to hear your opinion on the topic.

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EVENTS

Today

Show Me The Body, Candy, Regional Justice Center | Mon., Dec. 13 | 6 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern | $15+ | Headlined by an American hardcore band from New York with an eclectic sound.
Geminids Meteor Shower | Mon., Dec. 13 | 9-11 p.m. | Saluda Shoals Park | $2 | Don’t forget a blanket or chair, binoculars + warm clothing. 💫

Tuesday

Let’s Talk Race Community Conversation | Tues., Dec. 14 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free | Space is limited, so registration is required.
A Magical Cirque Christmas | Tues., Dec. 14 + Wed., Dec. 15 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $38+ 🎄
One Life Christmas Ballet | Tues., Dec. 14-Thurs., Dec. 16 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater | $10 💃
Gamecock Men’s Basketball vs. Allen University | Tues., Dec. 14 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $10+ 🏀

Wednesday

Outdoor Holiday Market | Wed., Dec. 15 | 5-8 p.m. | Curiosity Coffee Bar | Free

Thursday

Grits & Grace: Annual Leadership Breakfast | Thurs., Dec. 16 | 7:30-9:30 a.m. | Palmetto Club, 1231 Sumter St. | $30+ | Join Women in Philanthropy for a conversation about women finding resilience in change.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE EVENTS

Art classroom at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science + Mathematics (GSSM) | Photo by the 6AM City team

We recently toured GSSM + learned a ton — we’re using this knowledge to clarify a few misconceptions folks might have about the school:

Myth no. 1: GSSM is private/tuition based.

Nope. It’s a free, public high school.

Myth no. 2: GSSM is residential-only.
Wrong again. There are remote and virtual high school programs, summer camps + after school programs.

Myth no. 3: Only STEM courses are offered.

False. There is an arts program + an athletics program with multiple state championship wins in recent years.*

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW

NEWS NOTES

Weather

60º | Sunny | 4% chance of rain ☀️

Coming Soon

Starbucks is opening a new store in Lexington on Long Ponds Road at Interstate 20. The opening date is set for spring 2022, and will employ up to 15 people. ☕ (The State)

Sports

From walk-on to All American. Gamecock Football senior defensive back Jaylan Foster was named to the Walter Camp Second-Team All-America squad last week. Jaylan is the first Gamecock to earn the honor since Javon Kinlaw in 2019. 🏈
Dutch Fork High School star football player Antonio Williams announced his commitment to play football at Clemson. The Richland County Player of the Year and MaxPreps’ SC Player of the Year was highly sought after by USC and many others. 🐯 (The State)
Gamecock men's basketball defeated Florida State Sunday afternoon 66-65 to go to 6-2 on the season. They'll play next at home vs. Allen University Tues. evening. (The State)
Gamecock women's basketball defeated No. 8 Maryland Sunday afternoon 66-59 to go 10-0 on the season. They'll play next at Duke Wed. evening.

Announced

Tickets are on sale now for the Blue Man Group coming to the Koger Center for the Arts May 12, 2022. The men in blue’s live show features signature drumming, colorful moments of creativity + quirky comedy. 🟦

Open

Canvases with Candace — which started as a mobile art company — opened a brick-and-mortar art studio at Hope Plaza in Lexington. The location offers onsite painting sessions, instruction + on site events like Parents’ Night Out. (Cola Daily)

Arts

Columbia artist Jordan Sheridan was one of five artists selected by the SC Arts Commission for an Emerging Artist grant. Now in its second year, the work from the inaugural Emerging Artist class of 2021 can be viewed here. 🎨

State

A new vanity license plate commemorating the 250 year anniversary of South Carolina’s role in the Revolutionary War will be released in January. Designed by the South Carolina Revolutionary War Sestercentennial Commission, the new plate will expire in 2033. 🚘 (Cola Daily)

The Buy

If you forgot to get a gift for someone (and are literally on the way to the party) — don’t freak, Lowes Foods has your back. Here are five fun last-minute gift ideas you can grab from any Lowes Foods location.*

Finance

Hosting a holiday party this winter? Read up on 5 easy tips to make it all happen without breaking the bank.*

Coronavirus

Traveling for the holidays and need proof of a negative COVID-19 test? Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) has a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in its cell phone lot. The free Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are available on a first-come, first-serve basis from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.*

Edu

Nephron Pharmaceuticals recently announced its 2021 Pharmacy Technician Apprentice graduates, a group of five aspiring pharmacy technicians with an average GPA of 3.5+. The program is a partnership between Nephron + Midlands Technical College.*

President in the Coop

📸 @UofSC

Breathe a sigh of relief Gamecock students, finals are over.

Interim-President Harris Pastides and First Lady Patricia Moore-Pastides stopped by Thomas Cooper Library (T. Coop) with a bag of snacks and plenty of smiles to help students through finals week. See you in January — we hope you have a relaxing holiday season.

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THE WRAP

Editor's Pick: We had a date night at The War Mouth Friday evening and found out the secret to their seasoning salt. It's the dehydrated leftovers from making their house hot sauce. Both would make excellent spicy stocking stuffers.

Missed yesterday's newsletter? Click here to find the best places to drive around town and see Christmas lights.

Today's Edition by:

David

COLAtoday Team

Editorial: Samantha, David, Kaylee

Sales: Rachel

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