How I Go Columbia: Heathwood chaplain Raven Tarpley
As chaplain for Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, Raven Graydon Tarpley officiates chapel services for the independent private school in Columbia.
Tarpley, who joined the faculty in 2000, also teaches two classes in the middle school as well as Old and New Testament classes and a world religions class in the upper school. Heathwood starts its 65th academic year on Wednesday.
A Lexington County native, Tarpley attended Heathwood Hall through sixth grade – the highest grade in the school during the 1960s – before going on to Hand Middle School and Dreher High School, where she graduated in 1972. From there, she received an English degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a lifetime member of Trinity Cathedral, wife of the late Peter Tarpley and mother of daughter Raven, who resides with her husband in Chicago.
EAT: “My favorite lunch spot is The Gourmet Shop in Five Points. Owners Linda and Dennis Hiltner are friends and have created a wonderful shop, in addition to the great cafe. For special occasions, Baan Sawan is my choice. In all my travels, it is the best Thai food I have ever had. Right now, I am really into grits, corn meal and hominy from The Congaree Milling Company. Ken DuBard’s products are simply wonderful and from right here in Columbia.”
DRINK: “I am a fool for coffee, and my favorite spot is Cool Beans on College Street. It is right at the Horseshoe on USC’s campus. Perhaps selfishly, I used to walk the two blocks from Trinity Cathedral with my high school Sunday school class for a change of pace, a relaxed atmosphere and a mighty fine cup of coffee.”
LISTEN: “We are very blessed to have an excellent orchestra here in Columbia. I always enjoy going to the Koger Center to hear the South Carolina Philharmonic. I think my favorite performance in recent years was with guest Bela Fleck, a well-known and acclaimed banjo player. It was such a playful joy to hear that banjo backed up by a fine orchestra. And I have to put a plug in for the Trinity Cathedral choir. Jed Johnson, the choirmaster and organist, has some wonderful things offered all year.”
PLAY: “My toy poodle Blanche (named for Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams’ “Streetcar Named Desire”) and I are always walking, and Columbia has so many awesome parks. One of our favorites is Emily Douglas Park, right across from Hand Middle School. They have a special dog area Blanche loves, although I am not sure she realizes that she is a dog. Just walking the streets is fun, too. There are so many lovely homes and beautiful yards, and we are so lucky to live in a climate where something is blooming year-round.”
SEE: “I am a huge fan of the Columbia Museum of Art. Two shows that really stand out are one of photographer Annie Leibovitz’s work and one of abstract paintings by Mark Rothko. There is always something good going on.
“And I have to say, the campus of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School is a must-see. We are located in the flood plain of the Congaree River and surrounded by fields growing corn, grains and sunflowers. Our students become familiar with much of the flora and fauna of South Carolina in their native habitat. With the leadership of our fifth-grade science teacher and master gardener Todd Beasley, our campus is a stunning display of plants and flowers native to South Carolina.”
Janet Kendall, Special to Go Columbia
This story was originally published August 12, 2015 at 2:17 PM.