Hello Wednesday.
April 09 2025
Whether we like it or not, summer is ending. Our least favorite part about summer is the bugs, but there’s a bug we’re actually fond of and are going to miss seeing light up our Greenville skies at night.
Fireflies or lightning bugs — whichever you call them — always make that evening summertime air feel a little more magical. Before we officially say goodbye to these critters and the “starry nights” they provide, we thought we’d give you some fast facts about these little critters.
Synchronous fireflies at Congaree National Park | Photo by @columbiasc + @_flashnick
What are they?
Fireflies are neither bugs nor flies, but rather soft-bellied beetles whose lower bodies light up from a chemical reaction. This kind of light production is known as bioluminescence.
Why do fireflies glow?
While some folks think fireflies light up as a defense mechanism intended to warn predators that they taste bad and will leave a bad taste in a predator’s mouth, the primary reason they light up is to attract mates (can you blame them?). Each species lights up differently. Some fireflies, like the blue ghost, glow rather than flash. Those that flash can have different flash sequences, while others flash in unison.
Other than beauty, what is their function?
Fireflies provide food for other creatures. Firefly larvae, known as glow worms, are specialized predators that feed on insects on the forest floor that would otherwise come for these flashy invertebrates. NC-based wildlife educator Carlton Burke says fireflies also act as good indicators of what’s going on in a given habitat. Not only do they help maintain delicate ecosystems, their sensitivity to things like herbicides and pesticides can help encourage sustainable environmental practices.
So, there you have it. Be sure to keep spending your nights outside to continue hearing the summer song of the cicadas and basking in the glow of the lightning bugs.
Now, let’s debate. What do you call them?
- Fireflies
- Lightning bugs
- Other
Drink
- Merryvale of Napa Wine Tasting Event | Mon., Aug. 23 | 7-9 p.m. | The Tasting Room of Travelers Rest | $30 | Taste the wines of Merryvale Vineyards — price includes a shared charcuterie box. 🍷
Arts
- Sunflower | Mon., Aug. 23 | 6:30 p.m. | Wine & Design, 1175 Woods Crossing Rd. | $35 | Bring your own beverage (wine or beer only) + snacks. 🎨
TryThis
- No Expectations Comedy | Mon., Aug. 23 | 7-9 p.m. | Coffee Underground | Free entry | Sign up 30 minutes before showtime. 🎤
ForKids
- Blooms & Tunes | Mon., Aug. 23 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Sassafras’s Flower Farm | $25 | Bring your kiddos to sing songs + frolic through the flowers. 💐
PlanAhead
- Folk Craft Day | Sat., Aug. 28 | 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Trailblazer Park, Travelers Rest | Free entry | Join an annual celebration of the unique skills that our vendors have inherited through generations of craftsmen with demonstrations from weavers, caners, potters, blacksmiths, and more. ✂️
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Getting a degree isn’t easy for reasons beyond difficult classes + exams – it’s also time-consuming, deadline-dependent, and, sometimes, inconvenient.
Greenville Technical College’s Flex Start addresses some of these most pressing issues when it comes to starting or completing your degree by providing a semester’s worth of credit in only 10 weeks with offerings in person and online. Plus, Greenville Technical College offers 100+ academic programs with Flex Start classes ranging from business, pre health sciences, transfer + more. There’s likely a program for you.
Flex Start students can earn their degrees faster + on a schedule that best works for them | Photo provided
While Greenville Technical College’s fall semester began on Aug. 23, Flex Start students will begin taking classes in the middle of the fall semester (Sept. 20, to be exact) — so if the original start date just didn’t work for you, you can still work toward a degree this fall.
Flex Start also allows you to learn + earn your degree on your own timeline through designated Flex Start courses, flexible scheduling, and more. Ⓟ
Weather
- 93º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain
Biz
- BMW Manufacturing has announced its Rising Scholars program will be expanding to include 2 pre-apprenticeship categories for high school seniors + recent graduates. The program allows high school seniors to work part time at BMW while attending classes. ✏️ (Upstate Business Journal)
Number
- $68 million. That’s the amount Cypress Creek Renewables — a solar and storage energy company — announced it will invest to build a 50-megawatt solar facility that will power 9,000 homes in Anderson County. ♻️ (Upstate Business Journal)
- That’s how many ingredients are needed for this simple, delicious citrus smoothie recipe. Hello, refreshing summer snack. 🍊Ⓟ
Greenvillian
- David Britt — a Spartanburg County Council member, Tindall Corporation vice president, and general manager of SC Division — was recently awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Gov. Henry McMaster. The award is the state’s highest civilian honor. 🏆 (Upstate Business Journal)
Coronavirus
- The Peace Center and The Warehouse Theatre will be requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for anyone attending a performance. Children ages 5 to 12 must wear masks. Other local businesses may be implementing restrictions as well, so be sure to check individual requirements before you go. (Post and Courier Greenville)
Arts
- This past weekend, 2 different local bands debuted their new albums at The Radio Room. The hard-rocking quartet REdEFIND played a show to promote their new release, Images, and the Upstate trio Friday Night Feature played a show to celebrate their debut, “Cool Evenings, Hot Feelings.” 🎸 (Greenville Journal)
WaterCooler
- Football season is around the corner + if you're wondering how South Carolina college mascots came to be, check out this article about the history of the Tigers, Paladins, Gamecocks + Bulldogs. 🏈 (Greenville Journal)
Volunteer
- The City of Greenville is looking for volunteer wine servers for the annual Sippin’ Safari sampling event hosted by the Greenville Zoo Foundation. Interested? Fill out an application. 🍷
List
Job
- Benefits of working at Greenville Federal Credit Union include health, vision + dental insurance, competitive salaries, PTO, 401K saving plan + more. See openings and apply. Ⓟ
- A Polished Man is seeking a goal-oriented individual driven by a sense of style + eager to learn and grow in the men’s accessories retail market. The ideal candidate will have a true passion for fashion and look forward to giving customers a luxury experience. Send resumes to hello@apolishedman.com. Ⓟ
Stat: 37.5%. That’s the increase in peach sales in South Carolina compared to last year. This year, over 60,000 pounds of peaches have been sold, which brought ~$70,000 back to South Carolina farmers.
Check out this list of vendors to shop local.
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Grace here. 👋 Fireflies hold a special place in my heart + I remember many-a-night catching and releasing them in my grandparents’ backyard.
ProTip: If you plan to catch some and put them in a jar, that jar needs holes, but not holes that are so big that the fireflies escape and fill your grandparents house with bugs...it will take a while to get them all out — which I may or may not know from experience.
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