Nov. 2012 TOWN

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CELEBRATING THE WORK OF SECRETARY RICHARD W. RILEY AND THE RECIPIENTS OF THE ANNUAL CHARITABLE GIVING AWARDS

SCULPTOR EILEEN POWELL FINDS NATURAL INSPIRATION NOVEMBER 2 012 TOWNCAROLINA.COM

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“On a professional level, it allows me to see things I would not see here,” such as leprosy or malaria. “On another level, it’s very fulfilling to help someone who can’t help themselves and who has no other means of getting help unless you go there and help them,” he says. “It resets how you look at life.”

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Photograph by J. Aaron Greene

Blount, whose self-titled CD was released in late May, lives for performing. “Music is such a big part of people’s lives,” he says. “You can really see people let go of all their stress and worries. They can just come and forget about that for a couple of hours.”

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History

Victor Fienup, retired U.S. Air Force colonel, took to the skies / by Garnette Bane / photographs courtesy of Colonel Victor Fienup

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Fighter Pilot: Colonel Victor Fienup flew missions in World War II as part of the 100th Bomber Group, later rechristened the “Bloody One Hundredth.” He survived, and currently resides in Greenville.

ictor Fienup was an excited 7-year-old when his father suggested they visit the local airport in St. Louis about two miles from their home.

The year was 1927, and for Vic it would be the first time he had seen an airplane. That visit, however, proved to be a life-changing experience.

While he and his father were standing along the fence, a tall, blond man, dressed in jacquard pants, goggles, helmet, and flight jacket, walked over to where they were standing and asked if the young boy would like to see the inside of the plane.

“Of course I was anxious, as I had never seen anything so beautiful,” Fienup says. The man, as it turns out, was Charles Lindbergh, and the plane was the Spirit of St. Louis. “It was an experience I will never forget. I found it amazing that the plane had no windshield, and he showed me how he landed the plane by sticking his head out the side cockpit window. The plane was equipped with a periscope in the front for additional visibility, which helped with take-off and landing. I was hooked right then. I knew that I wanted to become a pilot,” says Fienup, 92, a retired colonel of the United States Air Force, now living in Greenville.

When he finished high school, his sights were set on flying, while his father wanted him to join the family-owned plumbing business. Vic did both, working with his father during the day to secure his journeyman’s license and earning enough money to enroll in flying lessons. Vic’s father hoped that as long as Vic was working as a plumber he wouldn’t be drafted. But Fienup was adamant about flying. “I had different ideas. I thought that as long as I was going to fly, I might as well let someone else pay for the lessons. While I had earned 60 credit hours, I didn’t have quite enough to join the Air Corps.

I took the written exam, was in good physical condition. I passed and enlisted, much to my parents’ dismay.”

A friend signed up with him, and they were put on a waiting list for further training. “We were called to active duty December 19, 1941, right after Pearl Harbor was bombed,” he says.

At 22, Vic was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant, and became a commander of a B-17 bomber with the 100th Bomber Group. The 100th followed a North Atlantic route from Maine to Iceland to Scotland to northwest England. “We had 40 new pilots in 43B when we went overseas, but only four finished the 25 assigned missions, either being killed, captured, or seriously wounded. They had a 90-percent attrition rate,” he says.

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Photographs of albums by Paul Mehaffey

Air Time

Later, the group became known as the Bloody One Hundredth, not because they lost more planes and crews than other outfits, but when they were hit, it was big. On the Munster Mission, October 10, 1943, of the 13 planes sent out, only one—Rosie’s Riveters—returned. “Because we did not have longrange fighter cover, we lost as many as 20 percent of our planes per day,” says Fienup, commander of the plane Janie. “It wasn’t unusual to lose aircraft while ferrying them across the Atlantic.

Fienup’s crew remained together for 15 missions before being shot down on September 3, 1943. His aircraft was third in formation, flying about 23,000 feet over Évre, France, near Paris, when something went awry. History has not established whether the aircraft was accidentally hit by the tail of a U.S. plane or by enemy gunfire. “There were too many conflicting stories during debriefing to determine the actual cause. It could have been one of our planes that dropped a bomb that knocked off the tail of our plane.

“We heard a loud crash, and the plane went straight up. Instantly, the oxygen tanks exploded, and everything was blazing. We were at 23,000 feet, and the crew was without oxygen. The bomb bay doors were open, and I gave the bailout order for the crew to jump. The engineer was hesitant, so I pushed the co-pilot who pushed the engineer. “I couldn’t stand the heat any longer, so I went back to the cockpit with my chest parachute on and stuck my head and shoulders out the window. As I was attempting to pull myself through the opening, I began to lose consciousness. As I got my head and shoulders out, I felt the explosion and blacked out. The aircraft was blown apart and set me free,” he says.

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Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network

HOME TEAM

GAIHN helps homeless families take shelter

“Few organizations know better than GAIHN the importance of a healthy environment and home to rely on. We are proud to present this award to an outstanding organization that provides such a vital service.”

—Michael S. Wilson, Duke Energy South Carolina

THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD, SPONSORED BY DUKE ENERGY, IS GIVEN TO AN OUTSTANDING LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS VITAL PROGRAMS AND EFFORTS TO COMMUNICATE AND PARTNER WITH OTHER NONPROFITS.

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omewhere in Greenville tonight, in a parking lot off in a dark corner, there will be a family sleeping in their car. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true in almost every town in the country. Call family homelessness an epidemic, call it a shame, but the fact is it’s a reality, and it’s in our own backyard.

There are as many causes as there are possible solutions, but one group is taking action by treating homeless families as welcomed guests and offering up some genuine hospitality.

“Families who are homeless wish to remain invisible,” says Reverend Tony McDade, executive director of the Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (GAIHN). “A lot of folks aren’t realizing the gravity of the situation, but probably around 700 students in Greenville County Schools right now are part of families regarded as homeless—that is, staying in a shelter, staying piled in with family or friends, staying in a motel, or staying in their car.” GAIHN is working hard to erase this horrible statistic. A collaborative ministry, GAIHN is made up of 42 congregations who utilize their church classrooms and other facilities to provide homeless families with safe shelter, nourishing meals, and genuine hospitality. Two congregations host up to three families for a week at a time on a rotating basis, each hosting about four times per year.

Although there are many homeless shelters throughout the Upstate, almost all have rules that separate individuals by gender. Which means a homeless single mom with a ten-year-old son is faced with the choice of sleeping in a car or going to a shelter that will separate her from her son. “Thus, you can see the choices that folks make,” says McDade. GAIHN’s network keeps these families stay together. Each family has their own room, and each family member their own bed. “Our theory is families are much more likely to thrive if they are together,” says McDade. While the host congregations handle each family’s basic needs, such as shelter and food, the GAIHN staff provides the nitty-gritty social work. “That is, how can we help you find a job and find a place to stay,” says McDade. “We don’t do that for folks; we do that with them.” GAIHN partners with many organizations to connect families with the information and resources they need to become self-sustaining. McDade credits the collaborative spirit of the Upstate’s many charities for GAIHN’s success.

“Three out of four families who enter a program like ours, and we’re one of 180 across the country, leave with a job and a place to stay,” says McDade. “And we’re actually ahead of that as a success ratio. That’s because Greenville is a remarkably generous, hospitable community.” But even with groups such as GAIHN and tireless advocates like McDade, homelessness will continue until the root issues are solved.

“Greenville still has a dearth of affordable housing,” says McDade. “There is more being built, but not at a fast-enough clip. As a community, we’re better than that, and there’s a day out there when homeless families will be able to find a place that is safe and good and nurturing.” McDade looks forward to that day, but in the meantime GAIHN will continue to serve the community and keep families together. “Helping congregations minister effectively with homeless families, that’s what we do at GAIHN. And that is my personal calling as well, as a minister and as a human being.”

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Jackson Marketing Group

FOCUS FEATURE

Jackson Marketing Group zeroes in on needful opportunities

“JHM is proud of the way Jackson Marketing Group has consistently helped nonprofits tell their story in Greenville. It is an honor to thank them for the many ways they make our hometown a better place to live.”

—Heather Meadors, JHM Hotels

THE CREATIVE SPIRIT AWARD, SPONSORED BY ONE, A COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM OF JHM HOTELS, HONORS AN INDIVIDUAL OR AGENCY WHOSE PRO-BONO CREATIVE INPUT—FROM DESIGNING LOGOS, TO DEVELOPING A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN, TO DEVISING WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS, TO PLANNING EVENTS—HAS BEEN INTEGRAL TO THE SUCCESS OF LOCAL NONPROFITS.

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o whom much is given much is expected.” That was Larry Jackson’s philosophy when he first started doing business in 1980, and it remains his philosophy today. Born and raised in Greenville, Jackson graduated with a master’s degree in film and video production from Bob Jones University.

Upon graduation, he joined the Army, serving at Fort Hood. He was then hired by Ford Motor Company’s public affairs unit in Detroit. “A tremendous opportunity,” says Jackson, “especially for a young kid with no experience.” In 1980, Jackson and a friend started their own marketing communications company in Detroit, focusing on the automotive industry. Their belief in giving back was a fundamental part of their business model. “We had a very strong desire to use our corporate profits for charities and ministry organizations,” says Jackson, “and from day one, we’ve been able to do that.”

But after several years in Detroit, Jackson was itching to get back to the place he calls home. “I grew up in the South, so I wanted my kids to eat grits and say ‘yes ma’am’ and ‘no ma’am,’” says Jackson. So in 1987, he and his family moved back to the Upstate, and Jackson opened what is now Jackson Marketing Group.

Jackson’s commitment to giving was tested from day one. “It was kind of interesting when we opened the office here the very first day,” Jackson recalls. “No clients yet, just some furniture and a couple of people, and the very first phone call is a charity saying, ‘We need some pro bono work.’” Jackson answered that call and has been answering it every since.

The list of charities and nonprofits that Jackson Marketing Group assists is as long as some agencies’ entire client rosters. Broken down into four categories, cultural programs, charitable and ministry, economic development, and personal involvement, Jackson Marketing Group takes a broad approach in using its talent and passion to create positive change in the Upstate and around the world. “For numerous Christian camps, we have literally produced things, almost all over the globe,” says Jackson. A partial list of local organizations benefiting from Jackson Marketing Group’s expertise includes Artisphere, the South Carolina Children’s Theater, the American Red Cross, Freedom Weekend Aloft, and the United Way. And Jackson is personally involved with Bob Jones University, the Greenville Technical College Foundation, the Wilds Christian Camp, and the Greenville Area Development Corporation.

Although he’s a registered pilot who loves to fly, Jackson has his feet firmly planted in Greenville. “We’re so blessed here in the Upstate area,” he says. “We have a very giving and caring community—it’s extremely exciting.” A man of honor and principle, Jackson’s business and personal philosophies are one in the same. “It’s all about integrity. When you are so blessed to live in a community that is striving so hard to improve itself, it’s hard not to get passionate about giving back.”

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The Lifetime of Charitable Giving Award, sponsored by Elliott Davis, celebrates lifelong service to others through both individual endeavors and community involvement.

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ALENTED T R. ILEY M R Richard W. Riley has a knack for being chosen.

After all, the former South Carolina governor and United States secretary of education was, among other things, the co-captain of his football team at Greenville High School. This, despite Riley’s confession: “I was not the star player at all.” Ever humble, one thing’s for sure of the decorated statesman, advocate, and recipient of the 2012 Lifetime of Charitable Giving Award: He deserves a gold star. p.

Jac Chebatoris Photography by Paul Mehaffey By

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“Elliott Davis salutes Secretary Riley for his indelible legacy and lifetime commitment of service to the country, our state, and to the city of Greenville.”

—Rick Davis, Elliott Davis

FIRST CHAIR : Riley continues to be an advocate for education, from participating on panel discussions with NBC’s Brian Williams to bringing in NASA experts to the classroom.

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Guide

DINING

ORIENT ON MAIN Here, you’ll find the standards, along with house specialties (whole steamed flounder or a Triple Gourmet Bird Nest, a “nest” of lo mein noodles filled with a mix of meat and veggies), and hibachi dinner entrées that come with rice, vegetables, soup, and salad. From kung pao shrimp to chicken coconut curry to tofu, there’s something for everyone. $-$$, L, D.

thank you for 53 years of patronage.

Closed Sunday. 4 S Main St. (864) 787-6241

— The Melehes family

OVERLOOK GRILL Perched on the edge of Falls Park, the Overlook features a flavorful blend of burgers, salads, wraps, and Southern favorites. Indulge in a spicy, New Orleans–style crab cake sandwich or a loaded Philly cheese steak for lunch.

Savor stone-ground grits and sautéed shrimp topped with Tasso ham sauce for dinner. $$, L, D. 601 S Main St.

Mouth-watering steaks, chops, chicken, and seafood, served in a casual, fine dining atMosphere Monday through Thursday 5:30-9:30pm Friday and Saturday 5:30-10:00pm Private dining rooms available. Reservations suggested

(864) 271-9700, overlookgrill.com

864-244-2665

POMEGRANATE ON MAIN Pomegranate serves traditional Persian cuisine in an eclectic Eastern ambience.

Attentive service, reasonable prices, and a flavorful variety, such as the slowcooked lamb shank or the charbroiled Cornish hen kabobs, make this an

excellent spot for lunch or dinner. Also try the martini menu. $$-$$$, L, D. 618 S Main St. (864) 241-3012, pomegranateonmain.com

PROVENCIA AT THE HYATT REGENCY Whether you’re a guest or a local, the Provencia is a sure bet. Ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible to make for a hearty breakfast. Try the Southwestern Benedict or the Captain Crunch French toast. For those who like a little bit of everything, there’s also a full breakfast buffet. $$, B. 220 N Main St. (864) 2351234, greenville.hyatt.com

PURPLE INTERNATIONAL BISTRO & SUSHI A stone’s throw from Fluor Field, this place serves an Asian mix. There are Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Asianfusion entrées, but sushi is a strong suit, or go for the specials, offered at lunch and dinner. The udon with Prince Edward Island mussels, mahimahi with a spicy crawfish glaze, or roasted duck are worthy options. The latter, perfumed with star anise, is roasted to order—and worth the wait. $$-$$$, L, D. Closed Sunday.

933 S Main St. (864) 232-3255

Minutes from downtown with on-site parking

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2801 wade hampton Boulevard

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Don’t Forget to order your cakes and pies for the Holidays!

Photograph by Paul Mehaffey

LARKIN’S ON THE RIVER 315 Augusta Street Greenville’s West End 864.421.0111 www.BrickStreetCafe.com

Located fortuitously between the Peace Center and the Reedy River, Larkin’s seeks to balance upscale dining with comfort. Start with she-crab soup, then an entrée from the day’s selections— or opt for an aged filet mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus. $$$-$$$$, L, D. 318 S Main St. (864) 467-9777, larkinsontheriver.com K102S

Sweet Potato Pie Sweet Potato Cake Miss Becky’s Coconut Cake Best Chocolate Cake I’ve Ever Had Cake & Many More!

Hot Plate

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