Working in local TV news was something I wanted to do since I was a child...ask my parents, I would stage interviews and anchor from the couch in our ranch-style home when we had smooth wood hugging the TV and its 4 channels. ABC, NBC, CBS & PBS during the 1980s. My dad is a news lover and from a young age, I always watched news. Most parents in today's world would say "She's too young. You can't expose kids to that!" But when did a Nelson truly listen to other people? I grew up watching Charleston TV news. I idolized local reporters during Hurricane Hugo like Cathy O'Hara, had a crush on Dan Krosse and was even scared to walk up to Kellen Butler when we were both at the Music Farm. Local TV was different back then in the 90s/2000s. I've told the story often but, humor me here... I was dating my boyfriend-now-husband, Darren, and was the traffic reporter for ABC News 4 in Charleston. I had never been a traffic reporter until then, but figured when I ...
As we say farewell to 2014, Firefly Distillery and Irvin~House Vineyards are proud to announce that for the first time ever, they will remain open the month of January in 2015. Since their inception, the vineyard and distillery closed every January for annual maintenance but due to popular demand, they will continue pouring their local spirits and wines. They will be closed January 1 for the New Year’s Holiday but will reopen Friday, January 2, 2015. 
Regular hours at the vineyard are Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Regular hours at the Firefly Distillery are Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to relax on the expansive lawn. Tastings in the Firefly Distillery and Irvin~House Vineyard winery are only $6.00 to taste 6 of 25 flavors of Firefly Spirits and $5.00 to taste 5 wines. Patrons will receive complimentary glasses during both tastings. Pets are allowed but must be leashed, and no coolers please.
The famous Sippin’ Saturdays will return in February with the annual kick off party, the Third Annual Cork Shuckin’ Festival on Saturday, February 7, 2015. It’s a shuckin’ good time with oysters by the bucket, music by Rawberry Jam, food and more. For more on the Cork Shuckin’ Festival, visit the website. 
