Boykin, South Carolina, formerly a small farming community at the northeastern end of the COWASEE Basin, a few miles south of Camden, has "reinvented itself" as they say.

Starting in the early 1980s the "broom lady," Susan Simpson, moved her enterprise from Hagood to an old restored settler's house, now listed on the National Register, in Boykin right off Highway 261. Simpson started making brooms back in 1969 in Asheville when she answered an ad in the local paper for some old broom- making equipment for sale that came with how- to lessons. The lessons were not quite up to par but the equipment, manufactured in the 1800s, was, so she pretty much taught herself using library books and the encyclopedia.

Over the years she has perfected broom making to a work of art and her products are much too pretty to actually use for sweeping, although they make great working brooms and are much sturdier than any store- bought broom.

She gets the broom's main ingredient, "broom corn," from Mexico while the handles come from Laredo, Texas. She makes the standard, straw- colored broom but also sells a lot of colorful ones using colored broom corn that she dyes herself. A particularly attractive broom she makes consists of multi- colored strands of broom corn woven together. And for you Tiger and Gamecock fans, she can make a broom with the school colors.

The "broom lady," Susan Simpson, puts the finishing touches on a hand- crafted broom made on equipment manufactured in the 1800s. Simpson was not sure how many brooms she has made over the years but it would have to be in the tens of thousands. She has shipped brooms to all 50 states as well as 29 countries. She does not carry a supply of brooms on hand but processes orders as they come in. Her number is 8 0 3 - 4 2 5 - 0 9 3 3 (803- 469- 2940 after 7 pm). Better yet, go by and place an order in person and watch her work; she's open Tuesday- Friday from 10:30- 5:00, and Sat- urday from 10:30- 2:00. Time your visit when the Boykin Company Grille, just across the street, is open for lunch, 11:30- 2:00, Tuesday- Saturday, and you can eat and place a broom order at the same time.

The Boykin Grille does a brisk business with local customers but also has a following from Columbia, Sumter, and Camden. There were nine cars out front when I was there on a Wednesday afternoon. It has a varied menu of appetizers, salads, sandwich baskets, platters, and desserts. Some of the more interesting items include fried pickles and alligator tidbits. Speaking from personal experience, they serve a mean pimento burger and a bacon bleu cheeseburger.

Sides include cole slaw, sweet potato chips, or French fries. While you're there, pick up some fresh stone- ground white grits.

The Boykin Grille also serves dinner Thursday- Saturday from 5:30- 9:00. On Friday and Saturday evenings they have live music, bluegrass or country.

Next door to Mrs. Simpson's broom factory and overlooking the picturesque Boykin Mill Pond is the Mill Pond Steak House located in restored farm buildings and known for its steaks and fine dining.

Boykin also features an annual Christmas Parade, now going into its 16th year. Among the festivities includes some fine Boykin BBQ.

(Next week: Horatio, home of LeNoir's Store)