🌿Hey Y'all! Come on in-Here's the Pulse! {April 1, 2025}

This issue of The Palmetto Pulse is sponsored by

Savor a cup of community at Loveland Coffee, where every sip is crafted with care and a passion for bringing people together. Whether you stop by their cozy shop in Irmo or visit their kiosk on St. Andrews Road, you’re not just enjoying great coffee—you’re supporting a local treasure that truly loves Columbia & her people!

MEME’S FAMOUS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Ingredients:

• 1 Crisco stick (1 cup)

• 2/3 cup light brown sugar

• 2/3 cup sugar

• 2 eggs

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 (12 oz) package semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Mix together Crisco and both sugars. Add eggs, beat slightly, then add flour, salt, soda and vanilla. All of this can be done with an electric hand mixer. Don’t over beat this mixture. Using a wooden spoon, add chocolate chips.

Spoon mixture, a little bit bigger than a walnut, onto ungreased cookie sheet. I usually put 1 dozen on a sheet. Bake at 350 until light brown. (Approximately 6-8 minutes). This recipe makes 3 dozen cookies!

Make sure to share with family and friends! MeMe has served entire bus loads of teens with these so you may want to make extras as they are sure to go fast! And just like MeMe always says, “Everybody remember, Shine for Jesus!” 💛

Columbia International Festival

📅 Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
📅 Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 SC State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC
💰 Price: $10.00

• 🌍 Explore Cultures – Learn about 80+ countries through exhibits, artifacts, and personal stories.

• 🍽️ Taste the World – Enjoy authentic international cuisine at the Food Court.

• 🎶 Live Entertainment – Experience music, dance, and cultural performances all weekend.

• 🎏 Parade of Nations – See representatives from nearly 100 countries showcase their flags (Saturday, 2 PM).

Soda City Market

📍 Where: Main Street, Columbia, SC
🕘 When: Saturday, April 5 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

💡 Insider Tips:
🚗 Arrive early for the best parking and fewer crowds!
🅿️ Free parking available in metered spots & nearby garages.
🍽️ Come hungry—enjoy global street food, fresh pastries, and local treats!

Newberry County FFA Spring Plant Sale

📍 Where: Newberry County Career Center, 3413 Main Street, Newberry, SC
🕘 When: April 1–10 | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

💡 Insider Tip:

🌿 Arrive early for the best selection of plants and herbs.
🌱 Shop a variety of locally grown vegetables, flowers, and herbs perfect for spring planting.
💵 Bring cash or check, just in case
🎓 Proceeds support the Newberry County FFA program and student agricultural projects.

South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Ole Miss Rebels Softball Series

📍 Where: Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field, Columbia, SC
🕘 When:
🏆 Friday, April 4: 6:00 PM
🏆 Saturday, April 5: 12:00 PM
🏆 Sunday, April 6: 3:00 PM

💡 Insider Tips:
🎟️ Get your tickets early at gamecocksonline.com for the best seats!
🚗 Arrive early for easy parking near the stadium.

🐣 EGG-Cessible Egg Hunt

📍 Where: Leo's Landing Inclusive Playground, Saluda Shoals Park, 6071 St. Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC
🕘 When: Friday, April 4 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

💡 Insider Tips:
🌟 Inclusive fun—designed for children of all abilities!
🧺 Bring a basket & arrive early for parking and check-in.
🛝 Fully accessible playground for all participants to enjoy!

🥚 Egg Hunt at Saluda Shoals Park

📍 Where: Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC
🕘 When: Saturday, April 5 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

💡 Insider Tips:
🐰 Egg hunts start at 4:30 PM—kids (0-7) divided by age group.
🍔 Food trucks (4:00–6:00 PM)—grab a treat before or after!
📸 Snap a pic with the Easter Bunny—don’t forget your camera!

PULSE PRO TIP: Don’t forget your Easter basket! {But a plastic bag will do the job in a pinch, too! Anyone else had one of these moments? Oops!}

The Five-Minute Habit That Keeps a Home Feeling Welcoming

You know that feeling when you walk into a home and it just feels good? The kind of place where you instinctively exhale and settle in a little deeper on the sofa? That feeling doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from care. {But it doesn’t have to take all day & can easily be a daily practice!}

A quick five-minute reset every morning or evening can make all the difference. Set the timer on your phone or on the oven while you fluff the pillows, straighten the coffee table, light a candle, and wipe the kitchen counters. Brownie points for getting all those dishes in the washer and emptying the sink! Consider it your 5 minute tidy time! If you know you’ve got someone about to walk in the door…or even if it’s just for you, turn on some soft music and exhale. It’s not about making things spotless; it’s about setting the tone for a home that says, Come on in and stay awhile. You belong here.

Loveland Coffee

Get ready to fall in love with the dynamic duo that’s always brewing up something truly special—Beach and Jessica Loveland, the beating heart of Loveland Coffee! We’re absolutely bursting with excitement to turn the Small Business Spotlight on these two remarkable souls who’ve turned their passion for coffee into a community treasure. Whether you’re swinging by their charming kiosk on St. Andrews Road or stepping into the warm embrace of their storefront that includes a wall of windows into the most amazing roaster and you’ll feel it instantly—this isn’t just about coffee. It’s about connection, belonging, and that rare magic where strangers become friends over a perfectly crafted cup.

Picture this: a place where every sip comes with a side of heart, where the air buzzes with laughter and stories, and where infectious energy makes you feel right at home. And oh, the treats! Their gluten-free and vegan goodies are so mind-blowingly delicious, you’ll be racing back for seconds (and thirds). Of course they have amazing versions of the regulars like cinnamon buns and coffee cake, too. Loveland Coffee isn’t just serving coffee—there is passion, joy, and a whole lot of soul into every moment, making our community brighter one cup at a time. Trust us when we tell you that their Bourbon Barrel Beans are the best you’ll ever enjoy! Head on over to Loveland Coffee, grab a brew, and join the family they’ve built. You’ll want to be part of this beautiful story and immediately feel like family! See y’all soon! We love to sit up top and get a bird’s eye view while enjoying a coconut milk latte!

The Vista Greenway – Columbia, SC

Tucked away in the heart of Columbia, the Vista Greenway is one of those little gems you almost can’t believe exists right in the city. This 0.8-mile trail winds from Finlay Park to Lady Street in the Vista, following an old railroad corridor. Along the way, you’ll pass historic ruins, lush greenery, and a quiet little creek—the kind of peaceful spot that makes you forget you’re still downtown. It’s short enough to fit into a lunch break but just long enough to clear your head and get your steps in—no workout gear required!

💡 Insider Tip: Start at the Lady Street entrance with a cup of coffee, and you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into a hidden retreat. If you’re already downtown, this is the perfect excuse to slow down and take a breather!

Thanks for spending a little piece of your week with The Palmetto Pulse! We hope you found something to love, laugh about, or look forward to. If you enjoyed this edition, share it with a friend who might love a little Southern charm in their inbox too! 💙🌿