Hanahan ... home sweet home. I regret to say I wasn’t born here. But I sure got here as fast as I could.

Growing up in Hanahan would have felt like an American dream.

However, I truly believe that not growing up here has created a deeper appreciation for where I now choose to live and raise my family. While the location is ideal and central to the Charleston region, it’s the culture and family values that I treasure most.

Throughout this year, Hanahan has been celebrating its 50th birthday. This area was populated as far back as the 1600s, and one would find plantations where homes, parks and businesses now stand.

Sir John Yeamans founded Yeamans Hall, and brothers Arthur and Edward Middleton established Otranto Plantation to name a few of the first settlers.

After Reconstruction, the Charleston region grew, and so did its needs, especially for water.

To meet that need, the Commissioners of Public Works was established and purchased the Goose Creek Reservoir.

It later developed a vast system of tunnels and a pumping station to supply potable water to the region.

In addition to being a businessman and influential leader of this time, J. Ross Hanahan was named the first chairman of the Commissioners of Public Works. Upon his departure, the pumping station was named after him, and the area became known as Hanahan.

Schools were built. Business were created. Homes were established.

In September of 1973 (only a year after North Charleston officially became a city), the city of Hanahan was officially incorporated.

The city is still known for its award-winning schools, sports and community culture.

I recently co-authored a book called “Hanahan,” released by Arcadia publishing, as a part of its Images of America series.

When we met with people to learn about how Hanahan came to be, the stories weren’t just logistical. They were personal.

Stories of jumping off the train trestle into the water, dads coming home from work from the shipyard or paper mill, students at Senior Hill, first dates at the Arcadia Rollerdrome at Port Park, fishing at Mabeline Lodge and more.

Many stories started with “One time ...” or “Back in the day ...”

While the formation of the city itself is so important, just as important are the stories of the daily experiences of the people who became the city of Hanahan.

I began by referring to Hanahan as home sweet home. Many reading this will think of a place, a location, maybe even a house.

However, those who live in Hanahan know that home sweet home means the people, because through this extraordinary community one quickly learns that home is not a place but a person, or in our case, the people who surround us.

Christie Rainwater is Mayor of Hanahan.

HANAHAN, S.C. (WCIV) — Learning how to save lives one class at a time is the goal of a course at Hanahan Middle School.

"Our principal came to me last year , wanting to start a new class," teacher Susan Hill said. "And we did."

Read more: Berkeley County begins construction of Nexton Middle School

The new class, called Introduction to Health Professions, brings the medical world to the classroom.

"We go through a lot about the body systems, different tools used by health professionals, and different types of jobs," Hill said.

For students to get a complete understanding of what it’s like to work in the medical field, health professionals from the community are invited to come speak, including Rodney Profit, a training captain with Boeing Security and Fire.

Learning about these jobs isn't the only takeaway for the students; they leave the course certified in basic life support.

Learning how to save lives one class at a time is the goal of a course at Hanahan Middle School. (WCIV)

"We do everything from adult child infant, CPR, choking first aid, and AED usages to get these students certified in basic life support," Profit said. "Students are given a chance to kind of look and explore what's out there for them and letting them know that there are no hurdles. If there are any hurdles, they can transverse those hurdles, but no one can tell them they can't do what they want to do.”

This encouragement has left students with the world at their fingertips.

"This has opened a lot more like pathways," student Lianny Martinez said.

Student, Savannah Wika said, "I would say it really like helped me realize what I really want to do for like a job. It really opened up what's happening when you go to the hospital."

Read more: BCSD approves $1.5K and $500 bonuses for fourth incentive of the year

The course also includes off-campus field trips. The class recently visited Charleston Southern University (CSU), where students got a tour of the campus.

For Hill, she believes each and every one of the students are more than capable of accomplishing their dreams.

"I just hope they understand how valuable they are and what a future they have," she said. "They have their whole lives in front of them and I'm just really excited to see what they do with that."

Hill says she could not be prouder of her students and teaching them has been a rewarding experience.

Musicians and business owners across the Charleston area will be celebrated for their achievements at the annual Lowcountry Music Hall of Fame.

The idea to create a local celebration for the area’s musicians came from Michael Davis in 2015. Davis owns the 25-plus-year-old Ye Olde Music Shop in Hanahan. The store is advertised as the largest Gibson, Fender, Martin, Taylor and Paul Reed Smith dealer in South Carolina. Davis was inspired by his business and customers to create a new Lowcountry tradition that went beyond his beloved shop.

The Hall of Fame has inducted several well-known Charleston artists, as well as some “unsung heroes” who can benefit from the recognition. The inaugural ceremony in 2015 inducted local music stores, politicians and music schools, with the tradition continuing into 2023.

The Lowcountry Hall of Fame will introduce 15 artists, business owners and radio personalities into the 2023 catalogue.

Attendees can enjoy food trucks, music mastery and good times with local music lovers at the induction ceremony for the 2023 Lowcountry Music Hall of Fame at 1 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Hanahan Amphitheater, 3100 Amphitheater Ave.

Get a weekly list of tips on pop-ups, last minute tickets and little-known experiences hand-selected by our newsroom in your inbox each Thursday.

It’s the last “My Charleston Weekend” of January already. Luckily, the further we get into 2024, the more and more the Lowcountry has to offer by way of events and festivals.

While, unfortunately, you can’t be everywhere at once, it’s an action-packed Saturday here in Charleston. Celebrate Commonhouse Aleworks’ sixth anniversary. Imbibe at the Charleston Winter Wine Festival or the Onesie Bar Crawl. Or whet your appetite at the 13th annual Bo’s Oyster Roast & Chili Cook Off.

Commonhouse Aleworks Sixth Anniversary

Commonhouse Aleworks, 4831 O’Hear Ave., celebrates its sixth anniversary with a blowout block party and oyster roast noon-10 p.m. on Jan. 27. Enjoy the party, complete with a vendor market, a whole-hog barbecue from Swig & Swine, kettle corn, face painting and plenty of competitions, including a pinup contest, beard and mustache contest and a beer-tasting challenge. Plus, there’ll be a bevy of live music shows with well-known players such as Southern Flavor Bluegrass, the Hot Club of Charleston, Jared Petteys & The Headliners, Tommy and The Chucktown Players and Dallas Baker and Friends. If you’re curious about the beer-brewing process, check out the brewery tour as well. Attendance is free. For more info, visit bit.ly/48KWbpu.

Charleston Winter Wine Festival

Head down to the fifth annual Charleston Winter Wine Festival for one of two sessions, noon-4 p.m. or 6-10 p.m., on Jan. 27 at Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St. Enjoy tastings of more than 50 different wines, mimosas and beers while jamming out to live music from Mike Huhn and DJ Brent Folks. All beverage tastings are included in the ticket price, while food is available for separate purchase. Tickets are $55 in advance or, if available, $65 at the event. Guests will receive a souvenir acrylic wine glass with the purchase of a ticket. To grab your tickets and learn more, visit bit.ly/41gIBHE.

13th annual Bo’s Oyster Roast & Chili Cook Off

Oysters and chili join together to fight cancer from noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 27 at James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive. For the 13th year in a row, the James Island Vikings will throw a cook-off to benefit Islands Against Cancer and Sara’s Cure, two local nonprofit organizations dedicated to assisting those impacted by cancer. All ages are invited to get their fill. General admission tickets are $25 and provide access to the chili cook-off and entertainment. VIP tickets, $60, include all-you-can-eat oysters. For more information and tickets, visit bosroast.com.

Onesie Bar Crawl

The fan-favorite pajama party bar crawl is back from 3 to 11 p.m. on Jan. 27 starting at Uptown Social, 587 King St. Don your favorite onesie and brave the colder weather with your peers on King Street. Included in your ticket is a free crawl koozie, discounted drink specials, cover-free priority entry to top King Street bars and, for the first 300 to finish the crawl, custom celebratory T-shirts. Plus, enjoy an afterparty at Aura Latin Club, 28 Ann St., from 8 to 11 p.m. Anyone 21 and older is invited to participate, including designated drivers who are choosing not to drink! Tickets are $29 in advance or $34 the day of the event, available at bit.ly/47Kutbd.

Get a weekly list of tips on pop-ups, last minute tickets and little-known experiences hand-selected by our newsroom in your inbox each Thursday.

HANAHAN, S.C. (WCIV) — A Hanahan family is getting an outpouring of support after losing everything in a house fire.

A fire spread through the Stewarts' Rembert Drive home Sunday in the blink of an eye. Neighbor Mike Hinson said he dropped what he was doing to help because he knew it was right.

"Meghan was in a panic," Hinson said. "I brought the kids in, found them something to watch on TV, and made them a little snack just to kind of get their minds off stuff."

A fire gutting their home is just the latest obstacle for Meghan had Bobby Stewart.

Read more: "2 mobile homes destroyed in Colleton County fire, investigation ongoing."

Meghan fought breast cancer for five years.

Bobby is recovering from surgery.

Long-time neighbor Hinson said he had to help his fellow neighbors, remembering the support the family gave him when his wife had cancer.

"Two years ago, my wife passed away, and so many people come together for me," Hinson said. "You can't give that back. She helped my wife, Sheila, get through it the best that she could. And we did the same for her, just returning what it is that we had borrowed."

His front porch is now a sort of landing zone.

People are stopping by with bags filled with clothes and shoes for the kids, toiletries, and other items.

Read more: "Firefighter falls through floor during house fire response in downtown Charleston: CFD."

All to make life a little easier for the Stewarts.

Hinson said this is what the Hanahan community is all about.

"These people right here are the people who are doing it for the right reasons," Hinson said. "You know, it's coming from the heart. All in all, if nothing else, they feel a lot of love."

A GoFundMe for the Stewarts was created. It can be seen here.

HANAHAN, S.C. (WCIV) — He's got a following in Hanahan and an even bigger following on social media.

Jake the Fire Pibble won the hearts of first responders after being rescued from a fire in 2015. Thursday, he is living the semi-retired life but continuing to keep his department a close-knit family.

"His social media presence identified with our department and brought animal lovers, and we had some other means to talk about with people," said Michale Bargeron, an assistant fire chief at Hanahan Fire Department.

Engineer Bill Lindler was off duty when he noticed that a neighbor's backyard shed was on fire.

Read more: "Hanahan firefighter saves puppy's life, not once but twice."

With help from several first responders, he was able to save the lovable Jake, who managed to survive severe burns to become a local legend.

"I believe it was in December that Jake was officially sworn in as the honoree mascot and Goodwill Ambassador for the Hanahan Fire Department," Lindler said.

Lindler remembers the day saving him in 2015 like it was yesterday.

"I saw him free himself from under the fallen ceiling, and he disappeared back into the smoke over into a corner," Lindler said. "Jake was not breathing or anything. I got him around to the front yard, at which time I started doing mouth to snout on him and chest compressions on him as well."

Read more: "Vigilance rises in Lowcountry amidst nationwide mystery dog illness outbreak."

Despite burns over 75 percent of his body, Jake recovered and became a celebrity over the next eight years. He now has an Instagram account with more than 22,000 followers.

Lindler explained he loved being around the firefighters but is now enjoying a semi-retired life.

"He's a goofy dog, and he's got a great disposition, and he enlightens everybody his day that has time to spend some time with him," Bargeron said.

Read more: "Behind the Badge: Lowcountry K-9 trainer the 'dog whisperer' for law enforcement."

Jake's Instagram fame has also helped as a recruiting tool for the fire department.

"New firefighters come in, and the first thing they ask is about Jake because apparently, they know when you Google hand-to-hand fire department, Jake's picture, and his story pops up a lot," Lindler said. "Or even they just heard Jake's story, and they're like, 'Hey, we heard Jake's story. We were interested in becoming a firefighter.'"

Lindler said Jake is enjoying semi-retired life but still loves jumping on those big red trucks from time to time.