If you’re like me (Jess here 👋 ) you’ve been streaming Hamilton non-stop since it was released on Disney+ at the beginning of the month. For those who don’t know, Hamilton is an award-winning Broadway show (and now a movie) that has been trending since its debut. The play tells the story of an underrated founding father featuring catchy hip hop, rap + jazz musical numbers created by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
While Alexander Hamilton is definitely the star of the show, there’s a cast of supporting characters to help shape the story. DYK that one of the characters has a major tie to South Carolina?
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“I’m John Laurens in the place to be, A-two pints of Sam Adams but I’m workin on three.”
John Laurens, both a character and real-life figure, was friends with Hamilton + wanted to establish a Black military battalion. But before we get into those details, let’s look around and go back to the beginning of his story.
John Laurens was born in October 1754 in Charleston, South Carolina and was the son of Henry Laurens. If Henry Laurens sounds familiar, it’s probably because Laurens County was named after him.
Laurens was sent with his brothers to Europe for his education and returned to the US in 1777. Tensions were on the rise between England and the Colonies and Laurens joined the efforts as an assistant and secretary to George Washington. This is where he met Alexander Hamilton and Marquis de Lafayette; if you don’t know, now you know.
During his time as Washington’s aide with Hamilton + Lafayette, Laurens fought in a few historic battles, including Brandywine, Germantown, Valley Forge + Yorktown, and was also involved in a duel with General Charles Lee (que Ten Duel Commandments).
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| In the Broadway play Hamilton, who else does Anthony Ramos (John Laurens) play in the show? |
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| Coronavirus
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○ ICYMI – Photographer Mary Dennan of Mary Dennan Photography will be hosting free professional headshots today for those who lost their jobs due to COVID-19. The pop-up photography studio will be at Columbiana Center (100 Columbiana Cir.) from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. + is part of a nationwide initiative to provide 10,000 headshots in a single day to those who are unemployed. Register for a time slot here.
○ In a press conference about reopening schools with Gov. Henry McMaster yesterday, Vice President Mike Pence supported the call for schools to reopen Sept. 8. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was also in attendance. Read more about the discussion here. (The State)
○ Every Thursday morning from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. through the end of August, free, fresh produce is available for any and all Columbia residents at Columbia First Nazarene, 901 St. Andrews Rd. Each week, the church provides 30,000 pounds of food in partnership with Reconciliation Ministries and Convoy of Hope. (WLTX)
○ Beginning Monday, July 27, Bi-Lo will require its shoppers to wear face coverings inside of its stores. (WIS)
Click the button below for local resources regarding the coronavirus.
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| Hey, there. Looking for today’s #MustDo events? In accordance with the
CDC’s recommendations regarding public gatherings, we have decided to postpone public event coverage for the time being. We look forward to bringing you Columbia’s #MustDo events soon (until then, feel free to submit your virtual events
here).
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Steel Hands Brewing really raised the roof + put those hands to good use this week. The group volunteered for a project with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity and helped build sheds that will be placed in the City of Cayce, where the brewery is located.
~Wood~ you like to see more? Click here.
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| News Notes
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Weather
○ 96º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain
○ As if 2020 wasn’t strange enough already, now an eerie scud cloud formation seen over Marion County has the internet thoroughly creeped out. Although many say it looks like “a sign of the apocalypse,” the North Carolina Weather Authority says the cloud is completely “harmless.” See photos here. ☁️ (The State)
Biz
○ A new business in Lexington has combined two needs in one location. My Pharmacy & Optical, located at 808 Hwy. 378, is a one stop shop for customers to go pick up their prescription medication + receive an eye exam. (Cola Daily)
Community
○ Local activist Lawrence Nathaniel is working to create a Black Lives Matter chapter in South Carolina. If successful, the chapter would be the third southern chapter of the national organization, joining two chapters established in Tennessee. (Free Times)
Drink
○ Cottontown Brew Lab has announced that it will release its brew of Black is Beautiful on August 2 + will hold a pre-sale of the cans and glassware. Check its social channels for more information.
PlanAhead
○ Richland Library is bringing the concert back to your living room + hosting another online performance. Tune in on Friday, July 24 for Evening Arts: Jazz with Eboni Ramm and Friends from 7-8 p.m., on the library’s Facebook Page. Eboni Ramm has new song selections and a musical line-up, featuring Kyle Bryant on guitar, Nick Vlandis on piano and keyboard, Travis Shaw on bass, + Tony Lee on drums.
FactOrFiction
○ After depositing a check via mobile deposit, you should shred it. Fact or fiction? 🤔 Answer here. Ⓟ
FeaturedDig
○ Unexpected beauty in NC mountains | 3 BD, 2 BA | $300,000 Ⓟ
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| The Wrap
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Answered: Yesterday we asked what y’all’s go-to sound track was for a road trip + approx. 54% responded with “throwbacks all the way.” We’re here for it.
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