Lake City, SC

What use to be the Railway Restaurant in Lake City is now the Railway Charcoal Grill and Club Car Pub. After three months of renovations, Tony Whitlock and Katherine Fridl have definitely reached their goal of offering a restaurant that is classy but still casual, sophisticated but friendly, and great taste but without a great cost. They accomplished this by offering the Dining Car which offers a non-smoking dining experience and the Club Car Pub which is an English style pub. Both offer a full menu including unique dishes such as fried alligator bites to traditional entrees like the 16 oz. bone-in Rib-Eye steak. The cocktail menu is also diverse with offerings such as the Railway's Dirty Blue Martini to the Railway's signature lemonade made with Firefly sweet tea vodka. Desserts are to die for with a sure to be favorite of caramel filled donuts with a coffee dipping sauce. So for a different but for sure wonderful dining experience get all aboard for a great dining experience at the Railway Grill in Lake City located in the old railroad depot.

For too many years we have been getting pills to treat our symptoms rather than prevent the diseases that plague the Pee Dee region in South Carolina. Some physicians in the little town of Lake City may have the medical model that is needed in health care. Lake City is the home of a new six million dollar investment, the Live Oak Medical Center. This may just be the answer that we need to help with sky rocketing costs of health care. Instead of just treating the symptoms of our disease, it is also about preventing the diseases. Live Oak Medical Center combines physician offices, wellness center and physical therapy center. Dr. Albert Mims, one of the founding physicians said “I have practiced in Lake City for 28 years and see this concept as an answer to some of the issues that plague the I-95 corridor where there is limited access to health care and little chance to correct diet and sedentary lifestyles that can prevent or delay chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes.” Hats off to these physicians for providing the Pee Dee region with a chance not just to treat their symptoms, but to also make some life style changes that can prevent or delay many diseases. The facility though, will only be as effective as the willingness of the patients to take advantage of the many resources offered there.

If you are looking for a different place to eat, then be sure to try Food Scapes located at the Lake City Airport. Yes, believe it or not Lake City does have an airport, but better than that it has one of the best little restaurants around called - Food Scapes. All dishes are prepared using fresh, seasonal, local ingredients and boy do they know how to do it right. Along with a wonderful selection of entrees, they have some of the best desserts around. Food Scapes also offers - delivery, grab and go deli case, boxed luches, corporate catering, special events catering, "tween" pricing, children's menu and gift cards. So, are you ready for a new place to eat? Check out Foodscapes at the Lake City Airport, 244 Clifton Road, Lake City, SC. Don't be fooled by the small green block building that houses Food Scapes. I promise you will be making many more trips to Lake City for this hidden treasure.

The National Bean Market Museum of SC located at 111 Henry St., Lake City, SC will be hosting a plethora of events the remainder of 2008. The schedule is as follows.

Hours of Operation Monday – Friday 8-4 2008

Fall Schedule of Events

Farmers Market every Saturday through October (9am – 1pm)

September 3rd – October 1st The SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum Traveling Exhibit: Write from the Front. This exhibit showcases SC Military who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bosnia.

September 20th SC Tobacco Festival: Activities at the Bean Market: Attic Artifacts (a showcase of local’s citizen’s antiques and antiquities), Antique Auction, Exhibits, Expanded Farmers Market, and Entertainment.

October 24th – December 21st Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibit: Key Ingredients: American by Food

October 24th and 25th The SC Humanities Festival with guest speakers, tours and entertainment.

November 1st Registration Payment for European Trip: Germany and Switzerland (July 8th - July 21st) Dr. Joe Stukes Tour Leader and Sherri Moore/Briley Altman Tour Coordinators.

November 15th Junior Women’s Club Annual Oyster Roast

November 21st and 22nd Native American Days (schedule TBA)

November 29th Clemson-Carolina Tailgate and Game

December 5th – 7th SC Holiday Market (schedule TBA)

Currently, renovations and reconstruction of the Bean Market building are under way. However, intensive designs and redevelopment of the building to enhance the property as a community facility without diminishing the Bean Market feel will start after the first of the year. The National Bean Market Museum will close January – March 2009 due to these renovations; the office, however, remains open at an offsite location.

Need a quick birthday gift or wedding gift? Then go to the hospital. What? The Hospital? Yes, one of the best gift shops in Lake City is located at the Lake City Community Hospital. The Gift Nook is located in the front entrance of the hospital. It is open Monday through Friday from 9am – 4pm. The Gift Nook has a variety of gifts for many occasions. It is staffed by the volunteer auxiliary. Not only will you find great gifts there but you will also be helping out the community by supporting the local hospital.