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contents Volume 22 Number 2 48
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27
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Features Our Community Champions The 2011 Best of Philanthropy Awards By Rosanne McDowell
48
A Team of Champions USC baseball team knows what it takes to win By Travis Haney
52
Looking to the Past for Fashion Inspiration By Anne Postic
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Departments Athlete’s Corner No Socks, No Shoes, No Problem Is barefoot the way we were born to run? By Robyn Culbertson
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Carolina Community The Warrior’s Last Steps Warriors Walk provides hospice care to veterans By Meredith Good Columbia Cuisine Fin, Feather and Fur Supper Club Fun and game for 38 years By Katie McElveen Home Style A Touch of Tuscany An Italian resort in a Columbia backyard By Margaret Clay
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contents Volume 22 Number 2
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Efficient and Effective Renovations that work By Deena C. Bouknight
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A Trusting Relationship A Stadium Village Loft gets a stunning transformation By Harriet McElveen Rice
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Award Winning Remodels The 2011 Columbia Remodelers Awards By Sam Morton
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Remodeling Resource Guide
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Palmetto Business Work Place Renovations Area business owners offer advice for updating work spaces By Harriet McElveen Rice
103 Managing Your Financial Life The right advisor can keep you financially healthy By Anne Creed advertising sections 36 Gotta Have It 106 Financial Planning Profiles 122 Getting Down to Business
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In every issue 10 From the Editor 12 City Scoop 100 Spread the Word
127 128
Just Married Picture This
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FROM THE EDITOR Publisher
Henry Clay e d i to r
I
don’t know how they did it, but they did! My father and stepmother recently completed a seven-month whole house renovation while living together with their 70 pound Golden Retriever in a bus in the backyard. Okay, it wasn’t exactly a bus, but close enough. In order to save a few pennies and keep a close eye on the renovation project, these baby boomers simply packed their furniture and most of their belongings into a storage facility and moved into a 38- x 8-foot RV Motorcoach to buckle down for the impending project. My father called it “304-square-feet of marital bliss.” My stepmother became the master of the microwaved meal, and my father spent an awful lot of time on the golf course. The project went off without any major problems, and the happy couple soon moved into their newly refurbished home. A marriage that can withstand these close quarters can surely withstand anything. For those of you considering a home remodel or a room renovation, we can certainly get you headed in the right direction. In this issue, our entire Home Style section is devoted to home renovations. Get tips from seasoned Columbia residents who have taken on the challenge and survived to tell their stories. Check out this year’s award-winning remodels from the Columbia Remodelers Association, and don’t miss the remodeling resource guide at the end of the section that provides information about the area’s best in the business. And while we are on the topic of home projects, the perfect time to take a look at your personal finances is before you begin knocking holes in your walls and ripping out old appliances. In this issue, writer Anne Creed interviews several local people at various stages in life to pinpoint their financial planning strategies. Read their stories and become inspired to get your affairs in order. The financial advisor profiles that follow the article offer a broad sampling of the numerous businesses in our area that can help. After you’ve completed your master renovation and your financial affairs are in order, it’s time to celebrate! Anne Postic provides everything you need to look your best in her generationally-inspired fashion shoot, beginning on page 52. Once you’ve chosen your attire, invite your closest friends over for dinner. In this issue, writer Katie McElveen interviews members of a local supper club who have been getting together for 38 years. Their club, called Fin, Feather and Fur, is a wild game supper club that gathers four times a year for impressive cuisine and guaranteed fun. Read their story and get tips on how to make your own supper club an unforgettable success. We wish you the best of luck on all your endeavors and hope that you enjoy this issue of Columbia Metropolitan. As always, thanks for reading!
Emily S. Tinch Editor
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Emily Tinch A SSO C I ATE EDITOR e d i to r i a l A rt D i r e c to r
Robyn Culbertson a d v e rt i s i n g A rt D i r e c to r
Dennis Craighead Design SENIOR A DVERTISING E X E C UTIVE
Shawn Coward A DVERTISING s a l e s
Emily Clay, Margaret Clay, Helen Clay production manager
Nancy Lambert INTERN s
Hannah Chillag, Sallie Gregory, Lara Leitner contributing writers
Deena Bouknight, Anne Creed, Meredith Good, Travis Haney, Rosanne McDowell, Katie McElveen, Anne Postic, Harriet McElveen Rice, Sam Morton P h o to g r ap h y
Jeff Amberg, Robert Clark, Paul Collins, Jennifer Covington, Bob Lancaster Columbia Metropolitan is published 10 times a year by Clay Publishing, Inc., 3700 Forest Drive, Suite 106, Columbia, S.C. 29204. Copyright© Columbia Metropolitan 2011. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Advertising rates available upon request. The publishers are not responsible for the comments of authors or for unsolicited manuscripts. Subscription price $19.97 a year, $29.97 for two years in the United States. Postmaster send address changes to: Columbia Metropolitan, P. O . B o x 6 6 6 6 , Columbia, South Carolina 29260. (803)787-6501.
About the cover: Congratulations to the 2011 USC Baseball team for another national championship. Photography by Paul Collins/Gamecock Central
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CITY SCOOP
photo courtesy lexington Medical CEnter
Local High School Students Join Lexington Medical’s Partners Program By Hannah Chillag
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e x i n g t o n Me d i c a l Ce n t e r, a h o s p i t a l l o c a t e d i n We s t Columbia, extended a warm welcome to the 60 applicants chosen for its popular and intensive summer internship, “The Partners Program.” The internship, which is in its 21st year of operation and a tradition that many look forward to at the hospital, offers some of the brightest students in Lexington County an inside look into the happenings of a hospital. Students focus on clinical training around the hospital and assist health care workers in areas including checking blood pressure, taking temperatures and feeding patients. In addition, they tour hospital departments and attend classes where health professionals speak about careers in medicine. This internship is one in which not only the students gain advantage, but the hospital as well. In the past, some of the interns have gone on to receive
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health care degrees and come back to work at Lexington Medical Center as trained professionals. Lexington Medical Center awarded a $1,000 book scholarship to one rising senior from each Lexington County high school, home school and private school, for a total of 13 scholarships awarded. High schools with students that participated in this esteemed internship are Airport, Batesburg-Leesville, Brookland Cayce, Chapin, Dutch Fork, Gilbert, Irmo, Lexington, Pelion, Swansea and White Knoll High School.
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CITY SCOOP
Palmetto Health Foundation’s 21st Walk for Life and 5k Run By Hannah Chillag
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Additional booths, decorations and festivities will be on-site for the 7,000 walkers and 1,000 runners to enjoy. Entertainment along the walkers’ and runners’ path will keep motivation and spirit levels high. Each breast cancer survivor who registers will receive a pink bandana, and participants who raise at least $250 will receive a pink longsleeved t-shirt. This year’s featured breast cancer survivor will be Lisa Helfer, who works part-time at Blue Choice and who also is a life coach. To learn more about her journey in battling breast cancer and for registration for this year’s activities, visit www.palmettohealthfoundation.org.
photo courtesy palmettohealth.org
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almetto Health Foundation’s 21st Walk for Life and 5k Race for Life will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 in Finlay Park at 8:30 a.m. to honor people who have been affected by breast cancer. Six million dollars in total proceeds raised by the event over the years have directly benefitted the local community through Palmetto Health Breast Center. Funds have been used to purchase equipment – such as digital mammography and ultrasound machines – that helps detect cancer in its earliest stages. Proceeds also have helped fund research, outreach and services provided to patients and their families. Th i s y e a r, P a l m e t t o H e a l t h Foundation is taking new steps to help make the event even more successful.
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CITY SCOOP
Colonial Challenge for Charity Raises Funds for Area Non-Profits
By Hannah Chillag / Photo courtesy Colonial Life
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idlands area organizations are more than $50,000 earned a $1,000 donation for Daybreak Crisis Pregnancy richer, thanks to donations from the successful Center. The Challenge for Charity was introduced in 2002, Colonial Life Challenge for Charity competition. This show-style competition, which celebrated its 10th with a $1,000 donation going to the winning team. Since anniversary in June, pits teams of local media celebrities then, the event has grown to include donations of more against each other in a battle of wits to earn donations for than $6,000 each year divided among the competition’s top three finishers. Organizations that have benefitted from their favorite charities. This year, Robyn Culbertson, Columbia Metropolitan this annual competition include Harvest Hope Food Bank, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, magazine’s associate editor, partnered Specials Olympics South Carolina, with Tonia Cochran, Central Carolina Oliver Gospel Mission, Girls on the Community Foundation’s director Run, Saluda Shoals Foundation, Project of marketing and communications, Pet, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Friends of to beat eight other area teams. Their Juvenile Justice and several colleges. flawless victory netted the foundation “The passion of our media celebrities a $3,000 donation in the magazine’s for these different organizations is honor. Second place went to Alicia what makes the event work,” says event Barnes and Anderson Burns of WOLOcoordinator Jeanne Reynolds. “It’s a TV, who earned a $2,000 donation for wonderful partnership, a great way to the Columbia Museum of Art, and show support to some different and very third place went to Michelle Renew Robyn Culbertson and Tonia Cochran worthwhile causes, and just a lot of fun.” and Kelly Congel of WMHK-FM, who
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CITY SCOOP
B ojangles’ A wards M idlands T eacher Five-Night Caribbean Cruise
with
By Hannah Chillag
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photo courtesy BoJangles’
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ojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits, in sponsorship of South Carolina’s Teacher Appreciation Month and with the support of its loyal customers and more than 100 restaurants across the state, has raised $20,000 for South Carolina Future Minds, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting teachers and public education. Camden Middle School’s Lori Cooper was selected from among the thousands of teachers honored online and in Bojangles’ restaurants to be awarded a five-night Caribbean cruise. Lori, who also is the 2010-2011 Kershaw County School District Teacher of the Year, took her cruise in August to celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary with her husband, who also is a teacher. As the founding sponsor of Teacher Appreciation Month, Bojangles’ held a two-week in-store fundraiser during which customers purchased $1 and $5 paper apples to honor teachers who have made differences in their lives. South Carolina Future Minds also provided a chance to make a donation and recognize a teacher on its website, www.scfutureminds.org. Bojangles’ is a major supporter of the state’s Teacher of
(L to R) SC Future Minds Executive Director Trip DuBard, Bojangles’ Franchisee Eddie Frazier of Camden, Bojangles’ President and CEO Randy Kibler and Kershaw County Teacher of the Year Lori Cooper
the Year program, having donated more than 3,000 books to the schools and classrooms of District Teachers of the Year in recent months.
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CITY SCOOP
Butterfly Release at Whispers Event By Hannah Chillag
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eautiful butterflies will fill the air at the S.C. State House on Sept. 27 at 5:30 p.m., as participants release hundreds of butterflies in honor of someone special who has been affected by ovarian cancer. This annual event, “Whispers,” is held by the S.C. Ovarian Cancer Foundation Riverbanks Region Chapter to promote awareness of the whispering symptoms of ovarian cancer. September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, commemorating the more than 20,000 women each year who are diagnosed with this exhaustive cancer and who often do not recognize the initial symptoms. Often called “the disease that whispers” because of those unrecognizable symptoms, ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest cancers among women, frequently detected too late to be cured. One in 72 women will develop some form of ovarian cancer in their lifetime. Columbia businesswoman Cathy Novinger, who chairs the regional chapter and is an ovarian cancer survivor, says, “It’s important to understand that all women are at risk for this disease, but it does not have to be fatal. Symptoms are vague, but they do exist. We want to make sure women know what they are and that there are tests available to aid in early detection.” For more information on how to participate in this annual butterfly release, contact either Sandy Boozer or Cathy Novinger at (803) 926-3462.
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Viva La Vista Returns By Hannah Chillag
Tour Columbia Metropolitan magazine’s
11th Dream Home
October 14-30 at the Saluda River Club Tickets are $10
Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society For more information, be sure to pick up our October issue.
V
iva la Vista, Columbia Congaree Vista’s annual epicurean event, is returning Sept. 25 from noon to 6 p.m. to showcase the tastes and talents of its award-winning restaurants. Always a destination for arts, entertainment and a great meal, the Vista is holding this event in and around the Gervais Street corridor at Lincoln Street so that visitors can expand their palates by sampling Southern and international cuisine, wine and beer. The event is free and open to the public and is expected to feature
Vista favorites, as well as live music for all of its participants to enjoy. Free parking is available in all three Vista garages. Last year’s dishes included mini osso buco by Ristorante Divino, organic pizza by Z Pizza and seared scallops by Gervais and Vine. New to this event will be the inaugural Doctor’s Care Dash and the Viva la Vista 5k road race, which will take place in the morning before the tasting portion of the festival kicks off. Visit www.vivalavista.com for a list of participating restaurants, events and shopping opportunities and for more details regarding registration for the runs.
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ATHLETE’s CORNER
No Socks, No Shoes, No Problem Is barefoot the way we were born to run? By Robyn Culbertson Photography by Jennifer Covington
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f you were to see John Richards running around Columbia, you’d think he looks just the way you’d expect a runner to – tall, lean and running with a grace that makes it all seem so easy – until you look down at his feet. They’re bare. That’s right, completely bare. John is part of a small but growing movement in the United States of barefoot runners, people who run for fun, fitness and sport with nothing whatsoever on their feet. The popularity of the practice was spurred on by the publication in 2009 of Born to Run, a book by Christopher McDougall, writer for Outside and Men’s Health magazines. In his book, McDougall tells of the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico, a tribe whose members have, for centuries, trained to run hundreds of miles without rest, all while wearing the thinnest of shoes. McDougall discovered through his observations that the reason they could run so far and for so long without injury had nothing to do with stretching, training or the right shoe; it had to do with technique. And the safest technique of all, he believes, is running barefoot. Humans have been running since the dawn of man. They had to hunt their prey, often covering long distances, and frequently while running, without the expensive cushioning and arch support of modern shoes. Pheidippides ran that first marathon in the 6th century B.C. without the benefit of a shoe that prevented pronation or plantar fasciitis. Even Bill Bowerman, founder of Nike, spent 24 years as head coach of the Oregon men’s track team from 1948 to 1972 and didn’t come up with his first shoe until 1966. So running shoes are, relatively, almost a brand new invention. At any given time, in any running group or track club in America, a handful of people are nursing injuries, ranging from the mildly annoying to the debilitating. McDougall writes that eight out of every 10 runners get hurt every year. Ask him the cause of that, and he’ll likely say it’s because typical running shoes cause runners to land in an unnatural position – heel first,
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John Richards started running barefoot about three years ago simply because he thought it might be fun to try.
then rolling through to the toes. That initial heel strike causes a shockwave of force to run up the legs and through the body, which can’t be good for the knees, hips and back. According to Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton, the barefoot running guru, the best way to run is with the feet landing underneath the center of balance, knees bent, stride short and quick. This has the benefit of causing the runner to fall slightly, letting gravity pull the body forward. It’s hard to do that with a pair of ultra-cushioned, thick-heeled, motion-control shoes. Many people who gravitate toward barefoot running do so for one of two reasons: they’ve been injured and are looking for
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anything that will keep them on the roads instead of on the sidelines, or they’re the type of people who just like to try things that are out-of-the-box. John, 41, says he is neither of those. Having just started running five and half years ago to get into shape, he was fortunate to not have suffered any injuries, and he says he’s not an against the grain type of guy. But three years ago he saw a post online about barefoot running, and he thought it might be fun to try. Plus, there would be the added benefit of not having to spend $150 every three months on a new pair of shoes. At first, John would kick off his shoes after his regular runs and sprint around in his bare feet for 100 yards or so. He emphasizes the importance of not going straight out to run regular runs with no shoes. “Start very slow, going
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How to Start Barefoot Running According to Barefoot Running Step by Step by Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton, running barefoot isn’t as simple as running with no shoes on. There’s actually a technique involved. It does take some time to strengthen the ligaments and muscles in your lower legs and feet to the point that you can go long distances, so start slowly with short runs and gradually increase the distance. Here are some tips to help you run well, from the top of your head to the bottoms of your feet: • Keep your head and neck upright and your face forward • Relax your shoulders • Keep your arms relaxed, hanging and swinging vertically • Keep the torso relaxed and upright • Relax the hips • Bend the knees • Relax the calves • Lift the feet early and often, but not too high • Follow a 1-2-3 landing pattern: ball of foot-toes-heel or ball of foot-heels-toe (whichever is your natural tendency) • Let your overall motion be led by your hips as you practically fall foward
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Barefoot Running Shoes? If you’ve ever seen someone wearing a pair of Vibram FiveFingers, you’ve either done a double take or snickered at how ridiculous they look. They’re similar to gloves, only they’re for your feet instead of your hands. Lots of people call them “barefoot running shoes” when, in fact, they are minimalist shoes. There’s really no such thing as a barefoot running shoe. In order to run barefoot, you run barefoot. Purists won’t run any other way. But if you’re hesitant to make that initial jump from the heavy, cushioned, motion control shoes you’ve always run in – although barefoot running guru Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton and our own John Richards suggest nothing else – there are ways to ease into it. You could try one of the barefoot running style shoes, like the Vibram FiveFingers, the New Balance Minimus or the Terra Plana Evo. These shoes feel like there’s nothing on your feet, and provide almost no cushioning, but still provide some protection from rocks, nails, glass and whatever else might be found on the road. Want more between you and the ground than that? The Nike Run Free, Saucony Kinvara and Brooks Green Silence offer more cushioning, but in a lighter weight and with a shorter heel height than a regular running shoe. Want to go even lighter and flatter? Try a racing flat, like Mizuno’s Wave Universe or Zoot’s Ultra Speed. Or you could try John’s huaraches, which are about as minimalist as you can get. Just don’t call them barefoot running shoes.
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Minimalist running shoes: (clockwise from left) Nike Free Run+, New Balance Minimus Trail, huaraches
short distances, or even consider just walking,” he says. “It’s easy to do too much too fast, and that’s when injuries like stress fractures and calf injuries happen.” John also cautions against what might seem like a smart idea: starting out running on sand or grass. “Walking and running on sand or grass is not ideal because they’re too giving and allow for sloppy form. Grass, unless very short like a golfing green, also can hide rocks, sticks, screws or nails that no one, especially a beginning barefooter, wants to land on. I think it’s best for a beginner to start with a hard surface, like a paved road or sidewalk.” Today, John spends as much time as he can barefoot, whether he’s running, at home or at work, and he does all of his runs without shoes, including the Governor’s Cup Half Marathon in November 2010. One might think, then, that his feet would be calloused and blistered. Not so, he says. “It’s the rubbing from your shoes that causes those.” John plans to run the Columbia Marathon in March 2012 unshod as well, which means he’ll be doing a lot of his runs in the cold of winter this year. He has a pair of huaraches, which have a very thin sandal-like base with a rope strap that keeps them on the feet. They won’t keep his feet warm; they’ll simply make the ground bearable to step on when it’s frozen solid. But John is unfazed. Asked why he keeps running barefoot, John says, “It’s freeing, like running was when I was a kid. And it’s so much fun to jump in mud puddles.”
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CAROLINA COMMUNITY
The Warrior’s Last Steps Warriors Walk provides hospice care to veterans
Warriors Walk is a warm, peaceful and hospitable 10-bed unit with a solarium and a roomy kitchen, offering plenty of space for families to visit.
By Meredith Good / Photography by Robert Clark
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ulia Brennecke’s dad was 85 years young, living at his home by himself, and “very independent,” according to Julia. However, over about a six month period of time, his family started to notice waning strength and increasing unsteadiness on his feet. At the end of January 2011, it became apparent that Frank Brennecke could not be at home alone anymore, in spite of his autonomous spirit. One evening he experienced a bad fall, with no one to find him until morning. After a series of tests, which showed a brain tumor,
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the family realized that it was going to be necessary to have someone in the home with him around the clock. With family members living in town, initially it was manageable, but although he had mobility with a walker, it became increasingly hard to take care of him. “I am a nurse, and because of that, I knew what I wanted for him, and I could see we couldn’t do it,” says Julia. Since Frank had served in the United States Navy in the Pacific at the end of World War II, he was being followed by the outpatient physicians at the Dorn
Veterans Administration (VA) hospital, located in Southeast Columbia. He had been going to the VA for years, so when Julia went with him to discuss treatment options with his doctor, it was a familiar and comfortable place. The doctor mentioned the hospice unit located inside of the Dorn VA, and Frank Brennecke
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Above (L to R): Sheila Brown, Susan Zourzoukis, Debra Layer and Carolyn Peterson, staff at Warriors Walk, stand in front of a photo of a Korean War veteran embracing an Iraqi veteran. Below: Immediately after a patient’s passing, family and friends gather for a Ceremony of Remembrance at this mural.
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Julia remembers, “I filed that information in the back of my head so we could pull it out if we needed it.” “My father was quite lucid, until the end of his life, so he became concerned with who was going to be with him each day. It reached a point where that concern was sort of wearing on him, and we were struggling just to put together his basic needs.” Julia expresses the relief the family felt when Frank finally was admitted to Warriors Walk, the hospice unit the doctor had mentioned to them previously. “Warriors Walk took care of him physically, so we then became much more available for his emotional well-being, and that was the blessing, that we could just sit and talk with him and pray with him,” she says. Opened on Aug. 3, 2009, Warriors Walk is a warm, peaceful and hospitable 10-bed unit, which surprises anyone who has a fixed idea of the term “hospital.” With a solarium and a roomy kitchen, there is plenty of space for families to visit, share special dinners with their loved ones, and generally move about freely just as they would at home. The veterans are young and old, male and female. The commonality is that they all qualify for hospice, which is comfort care when aggressive, curative treatment is no longer effective during the last six months of a patient’s life. “It was good for him to know he wasn’t going to a nursing home but that he was going to the VA, and that was familiar to him. My father’s experience at the Dorn VA was very positive, and the thing that struck me again and again was the mission that the staff has to serve those who had served our country. The staff went out of their way to ask him about his years of military service,” says Julia. Always the survivor, Frank made a smooth adjustment after arriving on the unit. According to his daughter, “He was a kind man and always enjoyed flirting with the nurses. He would say, “Why, you are just prettier than the last one!’” Julia says that the entire family is grateful to each staff member of the Warriors Walk, but she remembers program director Debra Layer, NP, being a wonderful support as well. “She brought a lot to the experience and integrated it into her practice,” says Julia. Debra explains how the unit’s name originated: “Warriors – We welcome warriors to this unit, which is defined as any service member who signed up to serve their country and give the ultimate sacrifice. Walk – They are not alone; we are walking alongside them in their journey towards end of life.” “Here, the caregiver delegates the physical care to our staff so that loved ones are freed to provide the emotional
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care they would often otherwise be too exhausted to offer,” says Debra. “These veterans answered their country’s call when it was needed -- we want them to know now that their country is there for them.” Many of the staff members at Warriors Walk also have served in the United States military, and at least half of the staff have hospice experience. Every detail of a patient’s stay reflects this, giving a special touch that often is needed. Cheryl Addison, a nursing assistant on the unit, explains the unique approach that culminates the patient’s stay at Warriors Walk. “At the time of death, we present to the family a nameplate with the veteran’s branch and years of service,
Sheila Brown, a nurse at Warriors Walk, and Harold Bloom, a patient, play a game of cards in the unit’s solarium.
as well as the handcrafted afghan that was used throughout their stay.” The staff and family also pause to have a Ceremony of Remembrance. For this, they gather together at the beautiful landscape mural donated by artist Suzie Shealy, mother of fallen soldier Sgt. Joseph Derrick. A miniature golden footprint with the vet’s name and date of death is placed on the mural. The family chooses where the veteran’s “footprint” should be placed, kind of like a visual final resting place. Everyone is given the opportunity to share memories that honor their vet. It proves to be an incredible time for both the family and staff together to pay tribute to the veteran and his or her life.
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There are many other aspects that make this unit unique. For example, once death becomes imminent, hospitality baskets are provided so that the family does not have to leave the bedside for snacks or other essentials. And the entire family is encouraged to come; with updated shot records, even a special pet is considered an essential visitor. “Bereavement starts the day they come to this unit,” says Susan Zourzoukis, LMSW, the unit’s social worker. “The vets have made some important decisions and are looking at a loss of routines, plans and roles. The goal of our care is to bring them to the point of saying, ‘I am ready.” “For a lot of these vets, death and pain are the enemy,” explains Susan. “It’s like they have an ‘I have to be on watch’ mentality, but we let them know upon arrival that we have their backs and are keeping watch for them, so they don’t have to.” The staff seeks in every patient interaction to bring honor to the dying process. “When we thank our veterans and families for their service to our country and for choosing Warriors Walk, we acknowledge that they are warriors,” says Debra. “It’s vital for a veteran to grieve their losses and show their emotions as they prepare for impending death. We never encourage families to give up hope, but their hopes change, from the hope for a cure to the hope for a peaceful death for their veteran.” Though the terms “hospital” and “hospice” are derived originally from Latin and do imply hospitality, today’s hospitals are often perceived as anything but welcoming. Often patients and families may report feeling intimidated, lost and fearful. But visiting the Warriors Walk is like strolling into a surreal medical experience. The quiet, peaceful hallway seems to defy all that is normally associated with a modern medical center. There is value placed on the whole patient, including emotional and spiritual aspects, as well as relationships with loved ones. The pace in the hallways is unhurried and welcoming. And the staff seems as though they feel it is a privilege just to be at work. Debra summarizes beautifully: “Uniformly the staff says what a privilege it is to sit with a vet when they are dying, and to know that our faces are the last ones they see before they see the face of God.” 30 C o lu m b i a M e t ro p o l i ta n
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columbia CUISINE
Fin, Feather and Fur Supper Club
Tom Milliken and Yancy McLeod
Fun and game for 38 years By Katie McElveen / Photography by Emily Clay
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t was 1973. Secretariat had won the first Triple Crown in 25 years, bar codes and jet skis had just been invented and the Sears Tower had overtaken the World Trade Center as the tallest building in the world. In Columbia, 12 young couples had gotten together for the first meeting of the Fin, Feather and Fur Club, a supper club where only fish or wild game were served as the main course.
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Fast forward 38 years. We’re scanning our own bar codes at the grocery store, the last Triple Crown winner was in 1978 and the world’s tallest building rises over the landscape in Dubai. Jet skis outnumber bass at Lake Murray. And the Fin, Feather and Fur Club? Still going strong. Anne Milliken, who, with her husband Tom, was one of the club’s founding members, recalls the
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group’s early years. “We started out meeting once a month, but that got to be too much, so we changed it to quarterly,” she says. “We wanted the men to relax, so we told them that they had to put a dollar in the kitty (which was a lot of money back then) if they brought up work during the party. Turned out no one ever had to pay because all they wanted to talk about was sports, hunting and fishing.” Although the wives are given credit for starting the club, it didn’t take long for the men, all of whom are avid hunters and/or fishermen, to get on board. “A number of the wives – we won’t say who – won’t cook game,” says one member with a smile. “The club gave their husbands a chance to cook what they killed.” For most of the wives, though, the club forced them to learn to cook game – a good skill to have, given that some form of wild beast was going to show up nearly every weekend and eventually fill the freezer. “We were all young with very limited kitchen skills,” says Anne Milliken. “And here we were with these freshly killed wild things. We had no choice but to figure out how to make them taste good.” Over the years, the variety of food at the dinners has been astounding, ranging from South Carolina’s usual game suspects – venison, quail, wild hog, dove, duck, shrimp and all kinds of fish – to the truly exotic. “We’ve had bear, alligator, ostrich, squirrel, shad roe, elk and pheasant,” says Ann Juk, another member, along with her husband Stan. Amazingly, no one recalls ever having anything that wasn’t delicious. “Of course some things are better than others,” says another member, “but everyone works hard to serve something that their friends will enjoy. It’s part of the fun. There are always great sauces and new preparations, too, so it’s a good way to learn a new way to cook duck or venison.” Members generally bring their dishes hot from the oven but sometimes grill on site. From the beginning the club has had rules, some of which are quite detailed. And while members agree that it’s sometimes a challenge to impose regulations on friends, they’ve also found that sticking to them is part of the reason why the club has been able to withstand the test of time. “We didn’t want to leave room for hurt feelings,” says Kay
Stan and Ann Juk, Yancy and Robin McLeod, Tom and Anne Milliken
Johnny and Weezie Caskey
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Morris. “This way, it’s always fair.” Rules like host pairings (randomly assigned), host duties (they provide all food beyond the main course, wine for dinner and drink setups), serving method (Fin, Feather and Fur serves buffet style; guests eat where they can find a seat), number of servings per dish (enough for four to six “ravenous adults, no bird-sized servings, please” reads a 1986 list of rules) and the number of guests allowed (hosts can invite two couples each) are fairly common supper club guidelines. Others, such as the requirement that cooks label their dishes, evolved out of necessity. “It was the mystery meat,” smiles Anne Milliken. “We just couldn’t deal with it, so we decided that everyone had to label what they’d brought.” The group also decided that to have some order in the serving process, they allowed guests to serve themselves first, followed by the previous quarter’s hosts, then everyone else. Cleanup is
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a group affair with everyone pitching in. Dessert, which tends toward cakes, brownies and other easily-eaten treats, is passed as guests move from room to room. The club broke its guest rule just once, with great success. “We decided that we’d all bring our children,” recalls Anne Milliken. “It was wild, but they had so much fun that some of them started their own wild game supper club. They’re sort of the second generation Fin, Feather and Fur.” As to the original club, it has grown to 19 couples. Three spouses, still greatly missed, have died, but not a single couple has divorced. There are no plans to disband or change anything – except, perhaps, the venue. “I can’t imagine a time when we don’t have game supper club,” says Anne Milliken. “Even when we’re all in ‘The Home.’ We’ll just have it there.”
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FEATURE
Our Community Champions
20 1 1 BEST OF PHILANTHROPY AWARDS HONORING OUR COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
By Rosanne McDowell / Photography by Bob Lancaster
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oving your neighbor can take myriad forms and may rise from surprising sources. How about a 9-year-old who creates fashionable handmade earrings to help fund cancer research? Or an 85-year-old who delivers meals to seniors and teaches English to internationals? Or a young woman whose law school training led her to enlist rescued dogs to teach at-risk kids there’s hope and a better way? These salt-of-the-earth folks, three of this year’s Best of Philanthropy Award winners, are not alone in serving their neighbors; wonderfully, such large-hearted people abound in the Midlands. For the second year, therefore, Central Carolina Community Foundation and Columbia Metropolitan magazine are partnering to present the annual Best of Philanthropy Awards: Honoring Our Community Champions to shine a light on individuals, groups and families in our community who make significant contributions to those around them. To salute this year’s seven winners, nominated in five categories by the community at large and selected by the awards committee, we will present them each with a $500 donation in their names to the nonprofit organizations of their choice. The checks will be presented at an awards gala in their honor, to be held Sept. 16 at Leaside. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.yourfoundation.org or by calling (803) 254-5601, ext. 330.
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Ken Kasper Lisa Kasper
Family Community Champions
The Kasper Family
They have seven dogs, all rescues. Three wandered up to the family’s Lexington home as puppies; four came through adoption from Pawmetto Lifeline. They tend to take dogs that are hard to place. On hearing the above description, anyone at Pawmetto Lifeline would immediately chuckle and say, “You’re talking about Lisa and Ken Kasper.” For many years, these two have worked diligently for Pawmetto Lifeline, donating their time, sweat equity and money toward rescuing animals from municipal shelters and educating the public regarding the need for spaying, neutering and the humane treatment of animals. Lisa has long volunteered nights to help with necessary animal care, computer work and administrative duties. Additionally, she has devoted so much volunteer time to the organization’s CareA-Van program, which provides pet vaccines and medical care to low-income families, that recently she was hired to work that program as a regular employee. But she still devotes many unpaid hours to Pawmetto Lifeline and is always the first to volunteer for any special project. As Tracy Johnson of Pawmetto Lifeline testifies, “Lisa and Ken are constantly making improvements to Pawmetto Lifeline’s programs through innovative ideas and the research and development of much-needed resources. As a volunteer, Ken regularly performs facility maintenance and provides us donated computers and equipment. And each hour of Ken’s volunteer time is matched with a donation from his employer, Verizon Wireless. Lisa and Ken also negotiated the purchase of animal caging for us, and Lisa purchased these cages out of pocket and donated them, providing us thousands of dollars’ worth of essential equipment.” Lisa and Ken, Tracy says, give a tremendous amount of love to Pawmetto Lifeline’s charges, too. Just ask Benny, Bear, Buck, Sparky, Squiggy, Susie and Missy, those rescued pooches that are now beloved Kasper family members.
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Student Community Champion (tie)
Gigi Shevchik
When a family unplugs the home television for good, something has to fill the vacuum once occupied by the little screen. After Todd and Donna Shevchik shut theirs off in October 2009, daughter Gigi took to making jewelry in place of watching shows in the evenings. She had already begun making a little jewelry for fun earlier that year. “ Wh e n m y m o t h e r passed away in June 2009,” says Todd, “she did so wearing a bracelet and earrings that Gigi made for her. They brought her so much joy during the last moments of her battle with cancer. She continually told Gigi how much they meant to her, and it made a very big impression on Gigi, who was then only 7 years old.” That fall, Gigi crafted earrings of sterling silver and beads and went door to door selling them. The business grew, along with Gigi’s desire to give from her profits to cancer charities, a passion stimulated by her grandmother’s death. Now age 9, she has racks Gigi Shevchik of earrings under the name Gigi’s Jewelry in 15 Lexington retail locations, and she hosts holiday and special-occasion jewelry parties, where she makes custom earrings for attendees, often in custom colors to suit the occasion. In addition, she has set up a website that lists retail outlets for her jewelry (www.jewelry4cancer. com). This disciplined young lady daily sets aside time to make her jewelry, assisted by her brothers, Joey and Noah, and she donates 75 percent of her profits to charity while saving 25 percent toward college. Thankful for her success, Gigi confides, “So far, I’ve given $250 to Children’s Chance, $750 to the Ta-tinis and $500 to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. It makes me feel happy when I make my earrings!” In recognition of her work, Gigi received an honorary lifetime membership with the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and served as a speaker at Midlands Technical College’s Entrepreneur Workshop. She plans to be an attorney and also wants to attend Yale to learn about cancer and its causes.
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Student Community Champion (tie)
Morgan Polans
About 60 children per week find life a sweeter deal because of Hammond School senior Morgan Polans and her bucket of art supplies. The founder of the non-profit My Art Project, online at www.myartproject.org, Morgan has conducted art projects with children in after-school community programs since 2009. “I volunteer with Boys and Girls Clubs, Richland County Recreation Commission, Sistercare and Columbia College’s Clubhouse,” Morgan says. “I bring everything the kids need at no charge to them and teach them how to make the project. At the end of the session, they get to take it home.” The daughter of Robert and Chrissy Polans, Morgan puts approximately seven hours weekly into her volunteer work and uses all donations for art supplies, taking nothing out for her own expenses. And she’s not averse to helping her kids in ways not related to art. For example, when she found that the children at Sistercare couldn’t check out books from the library, she held a community book drive for the organization. It netted 200 children’s books for Sistercare, which the kids Morgan Polans can read while they’re staying there. Headmaster Chris Angel of Hammond School, who nominated Morgan, explains that m a n y ch i l d r e n h a v e built self-confidence through creativity while participating in her program. As proven by Morg an’s M ar t i n Luther King Dream K e e p e r S ch o l a r s h i p Award, granted to her in January 2011 by the City of Columbia for her outstanding community service, Morgan’s circle of appreciative supporters is growing. Serious about academics, Morgan is considering college majors in elementary education and special education, as well as law school. Whatever she does, she wants to help kids. “If I have a hard day at school,” she says, “all I have to do is start working with the kids, and my day is turned around. I didn’t think they’d be able to give me anything, but they’ve given me more than I could ever imagine.”
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Group Community Champion
Gilbert Elementary School Relay For Life Team
“Nobody can figure out how a three-grade rural school can be Lexington One’s top fundraiser for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life event, but somehow we’ve done it for five of the last 12 years,” says Donna Clarke, Gilbert Elementary School nurse and captain of the school’s Relay For Life team. Kids, faculty and staff, parents, even community members — everybody gets involved, not only in the main relay event but also in the smaller fundraising events held during the year toward the cause. With justifiable pride, Donna notes, “By the time our students leave us, they know cancer isn’t contagious, that some people will lose their hair, that some people will not survive it but that we are raising money to try to find a cure. We have an in-house television show that explains what cancer is, and the students learn a lot of life lessons through our staff and faculty. Just knowing the facts helps reduce the stress these children may feel from having a loved one stricken with cancer.” Donna adds that they try to do all this with a sense of humor, as last year when principal Tim Oswald promised, “If y’all raise Gilbert Elementary School faculty and staff
$15,000, I’ll let Nurse Clarke shave my head!” They raised $15,735, so the principal got his shave during a special assembly. This past year, Relay For Life came home to Gilbert Elementary when a GES fourth-grader was diagnosed with brain cancer and by the end of the school year still had not returned to school. He really missed seeing his classmates, so his teacher asked his mom, “Can you just drive him by on the last day of school? I’ll get my class out there by the roadside, and we’ll just wave at him.” According to Donna, “The kids found out, and all of a sudden the whole school was on board with this. In less than two days, our 700 kids plus staff were on the road singly lined up, holding signs and chanting “Wyatt! Wyatt!” in support of this little boy. A fire truck drove him down the main street in front of the school and back again. Then, the firemen opened the door to the truck, and the child had face-to-face time with his classmates from several feet away [due to his weakened immune system]. Our kids have learned over the years that this is the kind of thing you’re supposed to do to help somebody survive cancer. They’ve learned compassion.”
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Local Business Community Champion
Kristian Niemi owner, Gervais & Vine and Rosso Trattoria Italia Ac c o r d i n g t o E l l e n Clark of Cullen’s Archangel Re s c u E , I n c . , K r i s t i a n Niemi, owner of Gervais & Vine and Rosso Trattoria Italia, feeds all types of hunger, making life better for women, children and animals in the Midlands. “Some of his philanthropy is well known,” says Ellen, “like Kristian’s Wine Goddess events, held several times a year. For each event, Kristian spotlights a different nonprofit that helps women or children. Supporters purchase an event ticket, Kristian donates the food and beverages, and ticket proceeds go to the featured charity.” During the Christmas season, Kristian also puts up South Carolina Youth Advocate Program Angel Trees at his two restaurants. Guests can give featured foster children gifts so they don’t feel forgotten. Kristian himself “adopts” several children each year. In addition to his concern for needy women and children, Kristian has a soft spot for animals in tough situations, and he has generated thousands of dollars toward their support. Kristian Niemi Among other efforts, Kristian says, “We do special nights at the restaurant where we donate a large portion of the profits from certain items to a specific nonprofit, usually a pet charity. Last year, we did a big event at Rosso benefiting a camp for special-needs kids. In one evening, we raised over $13,000 for them. I volunteer at this camp, so I got to see those dollars at work.” With his busy life, it would seem impossible for him to add charitable work to his schedule. But Kristian encourages others to realize it doesn’t take much to help. “You can do philanthropic activities in the course of a day without even breaking stride, whether it’s donating money or dropping off clothes or food at a local shelter.”
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Julia Colson
Individual Community Champion (tie)
Julia Colson
Raised in the country, Julia Colson grew up wanting to help others just as her mom did, so she has volunteered all her 85 years. After she retired from teaching, she increased her volunteer hours so that now the only day she doesn’t volunteer is Saturday — unless somebody really needs her. And she does allow herself a little rest Sunday afternoons after church. “I serve as a volunteer chaplain at Palmetto Baptist Hospital and White Oak Nursing Home,” Julia says, “and I deliver Meals On Wheels through Senior Resources and have done so for more than 15 years. At my church, First Baptist of Columbia, I teach an English class on Sunday mornings to internationals, using the Bible as a textbook. I also teach English as a second language on Thursday mornings at First Baptist, and on Fridays at my home I tutor individual internationals who need help with English. It keeps me busy!” Annie Eveleigh of Senior Resources says of Julia, “If for some reason she doesn’t volunteer, her Meals On Wheels clients call us to check on her. She quite possibly may have saved several of their lives, too. On two occasions when she opened the door of a homebound senior, she smelled gas. The gas company was notified and the problems corrected. If she had not gone to those two homes, who knows what the outcomes may have been for the residents?” “Julia,” Annie continues, “doesn’t let anything stop her from volunteering — not the weather, not how she feels, not even cancer.” Last year, this remarkable senior even scheduled her radiation treatments for brain cancer around her volunteer duties. “I’ve been blessed greatly through working with other people,” says Julia. “As long as I am able, I want to serve. I’m trusting the Lord to leave me here as long as He wants me here.”
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Individual Community Champion (tie)
Cheri Brown Thompson
While in law school, Cheri Brown Thompson learned that most violent “depraved heart” incarcerated offenders were abused as children and began repeating abuse at an early age against animals. Feeling compelled to reach children before their hearts became depraved, she graduated from USC law school and passed the bar exam, but she then changed course in a direction she felt would better enable her to reach kids in need. The result was Healing Species, an Orangeburg-based education ministry that helps children overcome violence, bullying and crime. “With these kids,” Cheri recalls, “I discovered that the missing link in most of their lives was the notion of compassion. So I decided I would intercept crime in the early adolescent years by teaching compassion. And what better way to teach compassion than through the story of a rescued dog? Some dog that nobody else wanted and how this dog, though he had been abused and abandoned, responded only with love.” Cheri’s dogs accompany Healing Species instructors into classes to teach children how to become aware of abuse, how to get help if needed, and that they deserve to be safe. For 10 years, Cheri has worked without compensation in order to reach more youth with volunteers and a paid-staff team, and she and her husband have adopted two young boys she met while teaching a Healing Species lesson. These boys have become a real joy to the couple. She also has started the Healing Species Sanctuary, which houses abused or neglected dogs and finds them loving homes. This aspect of her work needs sponsors because the sanctuary remains full to capacity. Good counsel and time in prayer, Cheri says, have allowed her and her staff to make the Healing Species successful. She’s grateful for every supporter and every prayer that enables the Healing Species (www.healingspecies.org) to continue being a voice for the voiceless.
Cheri Brown Thompson with her sons, Cameron and Joe
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FEATURE
A Team of Champions USC’s baseball team knows what it takes to win By Travis Haney / Photography by Paul Collins/GamecockCentral
USC’s baseball team celebrates winning the 2011 College World Series.
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ichael Roth was counting down the minutes until his July 1 flight for Spain, via Atlanta, left the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. Fumbling with his phone, the University of South Carolina junior pitcher looked up to see several children, and a couple of adults, standing in front of him. They were smiling. They wanted autographs. They wanted pictures with him. Athletes are always asked at what point a big sports moment hits them after the fact. For Roth, that was the moment. That was when it registered that, three days earlier in Nebraska, the Gamecocks had again won a national baseball championship. It took the school more than a century to win its first men’s national championship. The second NCAA title required all of 364 days to capture. “You kind of look back and go, ‘How the heck did we do that? How did we get that done?’” says Roth, an All-American in his first year as a starting pitcher, who had an SEC high in wins (14) and league low in earned-run average (1.06). “It’s just weird thinking we did it twice.” All right, so maybe it’s still setting in a bit. Drama Kings It’s forgivable, what Roth was feeling. His coach, Ray Tanner, says he would need “a few days” to grasp the most recent championship. “It’s really difficult to put into words what we’ve experienced,” Tanner says, dumbfounded, in the moments after the win. At best, what the Gamecocks did in the 2011 College World Series caused head scratching around the country. For true fans of the team, it might have shaved years off lives, or at least induced an ulcer or two. I t w as no t a s u r p r i s e So u t h Carolina won. The Gamecocks were the 2010 champs. They arrived with 50 victories. They were the NCAA Tournament’s No. 4 overall seed, when they were unseeded champions – indeed, upset winners – in 2010. No, it was not a surprise South Carolina won in 2011. It was a surprise how South Carolina won. It became
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the first team to go undefeated in the postseason since 2001. But it was anything but simple. “It may seem like it was easy,” Roth says, “but you have to have a lot of stuff go your way. It’s still a tough road, no matter what.” Seemingly night after night, the Gamecocks would get themselves into impossible, you-just-can’t-win predicaments. And, yet, they would find a way to come through the fire without even a blemish. The two extra-inning victories in Omaha will be among the most remembered games in the history of the program. On June 24 against Virginia, pitcher Matt Price entered in the eighth inning – and he was still on the mound in the 13th, 95 pitches and several jams later. The Cavaliers, the top seed in the tournament, loaded the bases against Price in the 10th, 12th and 13th innings. And they didn’t score. In the 13th, Virginia had runners on every base with none out. Price struck out the team’s toughest hitter and then got a line-drive double play to end the inning. Two throwing errors brought home Adam Matthews with the winning run in the bottom of the 13th. What’s new? The Gamecocks had two extra-inning walk-off wins in the 2010 event. The Virginia victory was the second walk-off of 2011, paired with Scott Wingo’s ninth-inning hit in the CWS opener against Texas A&M.
Escape Artists Somehow, the next game – and win – managed to top that one. Against Florida in the finals, the Gamecocks looked hopeless against Gators starter Hudson Randall, until Wingo poked a single up the middle in the eighth inning to tie the game at one. The game remained tied until the 11th, despite the fact that – again – a team had the bases loaded against the Gamecocks with none out. This time, John Taylor extricated the Gamecocks from disaster when a single Florida run in the ninth would have signaled the end of the game – and a 1-0 Florida lead in the best-of-three series. With the infield drawn in, the first ground ball was hit sharply to Wingo at second. He spun and fired home. Well, wide of home. Catcher Robert Beary picked the ball up on a short hop, extremely difficult to do with a catcher’s mitt, to get the first out. Phew. The second ground ball was hit even harder to Wingo. He came home with a better throw, and Beary had enough time to sling the ball to first base for a most unconventional 4-2-3 double play. Florida had the game all but wrapped up, but it did not score. Phew. And phew. A base hit in the 10th inning by Florida catcher Mike Zunino, the SEC’s player of the year, looked as if it would
TD Ameritrade Park, home of the 2011 College World Series
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Robert Beary tags out Florida’s Cody Dent before he reaches home plate, averting a Florida win in the first game of the 2011 championship series.
surely score the winning run from second base. Cody Dent rounded third, headed home – and was met by the baseball. Despite a modest arm, left fielder Jake Williams zipped a perfect strike to Beary, who applied the tag two steps before Dent reached the plate. “That’s the best throw I’ve seen him make since I’ve known him,” Tanner says. Phew, phew and phew. The escapes paved the way for another weird finish. Christian Walker scored the
Michael Roth pitched 7 1/3 innings to win the final game in the 2011 CWS.
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winning run in the bottom of the 11th when he stole second base and throwing errors by Zunino and Florida’s center fielder allowed him to get home. Walker was playing – and had two hits – despite a broken bone in his left hand. After taking a breath, or trying to, the Gamecocks found themselves one victory from a second consecutive national title. Pitching Wins Championships Winning the last one was easy. Compared to all of the team’s games requiring a defibrillator for viewing, the Gamecocks made light work of the Gators in the second game of the finals. They scored three times in the third and rode Roth, who went 7 2/3 innings and allowed just two earned runs despite making his third start of the CWS and second in five days. Shortstop Peter Mooney tacked on the exclamation point with a sixth-inning home run – the only one USC hit in its five CWS games at the large, new ballpark. B u t t h a t f i g u r e s . Th e 2 0 1 0 championship was all about pitching, with Mark Calvi’s staff allowing just 16 runs in six games (2.17 ERA). The 2011 championship was more of the same – but, somehow, better. In Jerry Meyers’ first season back as pitching coach, the Gamecocks finished
with a 2.45 ERA – and a 0.88 ERA in five College World Series games. The staff featured an All-American at the front end of the rotation, Roth, and one at its back end, Price. Price, the redshirt sophomore, saved 20 games and won seven more. He finished with a 1.83 ERA, and half of his 12 earned runs were allowed in one shaky outing in March. Then there was Taylor, who did receive one second-team All-America nod. Taylor was used sporadically in 2010, but he was as close as you’ll see to an everyday pitcher in 2011. Taylor was in 50 of USC’s 69 games, one appearance shy of the NCAA single-season record. Taylor won eight games and a 1.14 ERA in 71 1/3 innings. Taylor and Price, close as they might have gotten at times to danger, did not allow a run in Omaha in 16 2/3 innings. “I mean,” Wingo says, succinctly, “they just make pitches.” They did, sure, but there were guys such as Mooney and Wingo making plays behind the pitchers. The defense seemed to save its best for the very end. Then again, that applied to a lot of areas of the team. Wingo was another. The Mauldin native blossomed as a senior, going from offensive afterthought to the College World Series’ Most Outstanding Player for his all-around performance. “We were good at a time of the year s e p te m b er 2011
Charlie Peters, one of USC’s batboys in the 2011 CWS
when you have to be,” Tanner says. “We didn’t give up a whole lot of runs, we played great defense and had some timely hitting. We were able to survive.” The Real Battle That’s an interesting word choice, considering the Gamecocks have drawn the past two seasons from stories of those trying to survive brushes with cancer. A year ago, 7-year-old Bishopville native Bayler Teal lost his fight with the disease during the most dramatic game of the 2010 season, in which USC was down to its final strike trailing by a run in the 12th inning in the CWS. The team played in his memory, and his grief-stricken parents flew to Omaha to celebrate his life. Emotional, they helped hoist the national championship trophy. A companion story in 2010, and one that emerged with verve in 2011, was that of Charlie Peters. Tanner originally met Peters when the team was in Omaha in 2003. Peters was in a children’s hospital, having been diagnosed earlier that year with Burkitt’s lymphoma. Peters improved dramatically by the time the Gamecocks returned in 2004. He welcomed the team back in 2010 and again in 2011, as a 13-year-old who is now a ballplayer himself. For the final four games of the tournament, Tanner stationed Peters in the dugout as one of the team’s batboys. The day of the championship game against Florida, Tanner was stressed
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when he arrived at the ballpark. A visit with Peters in the dugout, though, and Tanner was at ease. “We chatted, just me and Charlie,” Tanner says. “It put it in perspective for me. We’re playing a game. Sometimes we feel like there’s nothing worse in the world than a loss, but it’s really not that big of a deal when you get right down to it. Perspective is an important thing.” So is the sort of hope that watching Peters walk, talk – and smile – provides. “I think hope is one of the true, true reasons for existence,” says his mom, Jenny. “For some reason, God wanted him to still be here. He beat the odds. He cheated death. Charlie is a sign of hope.” One of USC’s mantra’s in the College World Series was “battle.” Bayler and Charlie first taught the Gamecocks how to battle.
their sunglasses and hats upside down. During a tense, late-game moment against then-No. 1 Vanderbilt in the regularseason, several relievers were doing the Rockettes’ routine in the bullpen. USC won each of those games. And a whole bunch more. The 2011 team adopted Tanner’s longheld mantra “win, anyway” more than his other squads. South Carolina won against teams – including Florida – that were, in theory, more talented. It won when Clemson’s coach accused it of warming bats to increase power. It won when preseason All-American Jackie Bradley, Jr. went down with an injury that caused him to miss two months. Others missed significant time, too. It won and won and won, anyway. Fifty-five victories and 14 losses later, the Gamecocks were again the only team to win their final game. “To go back to back, and win another national championship,” Wingo says, “it’s just incredible.” South Carolina currently owns a 16-game winning streak in the NCAA Tournament, the longest of any team in college baseball history. “They say history happens here,” Roth says of Omaha, “and it’s pretty special to be part of history.” Sequels are generally regarded as letdowns. This one was not. “Everything about it was perfect,” says Walker, a sophomore. “Maybe we can do it again next year.”
Playing Like Champs The Peters story as an example, there was more to this team than anything that can be observed in a box score – just the same as it was with the 2010 bunch. The core of the team returned from the initial title run, and that nucleus was vital for myriad reasons. The Gamecocks, one opposing coach noted during the NCAA Tournament, played with the swagger of a champion all year in 2011. Confidence was a huge component in what the team did to defend its title. It knew it had the Scott Wingo receives the 2011 CWS ability to win Most Oustanding Player Award. big – because it had already. “We perform on a big stage,” says third baseman Adrian Morales, the team’s tough-guy l e a d e r . “ We perform under p r e s s u r e . We don’t panic.” Wi t h t h e light-hearted Roth around, the team also knew how to stay loose. Down late in one of the CWS games, the players, Roth included, wore
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FEATURE
Looking to the Past for Fashion Inspiration
By Anne Postic Photography by Jeff Amberg
D
ressing for an evening out is an art. Drawing inspiration from decades past is always in fashion. What’s the new rule for trends? There are no rules. Choose your favorite period in fashion, and you’ll be sure to find modern pieces in one of Columbia’s finest boutiques to complete your vision. The Columbia Museum of Art is the perfect backdrop for modern classics with historical sartorial significance, from the elegant 1950s to the dramatic 1980s. Makeup by Valerie Co and hair by Kayce Rowe, both of Austral Salon. Models courtesy of Millie Lewis.
Bethany Perry is ready for a night on the town in this classic 1950s-inspired ensemble.
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Dress, Lanvin from Coplon’s, $2,500 Pumps, Miu Miu sequin and animal print from Coplon’s, $650 Necklace, Kenneth Jay Lane from Coplon’s, $468 Ring, Kenneth Jay Lane from Coplon’s $98
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Meredith Bilbro is hip in a 1960s-inspired go-go dancer look. Dress, vintage from Revente, $97 Earrings, Revente, $12 Boots, Miu Miu from Coplon’s, $1,200
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Bethany Perry gives her 1970s-inspired look a graceful elegance.
Dress, Hunter Dixon from VanJean, $430 Shoes, Loeffler Randall mesh cutout booties from VanJean, $675 Earrings, Theodosia gold hammered disc with pearl from VanJean, $170 Ring, Dannijo rose gold coco crystal ring from VanJean, $245 Bracelet, Kara Ross from VanJean, $295 Belt, Kenneth Jay Lane from VanJean, $212
(Hunter Bell of Hunter Dixon and Jenny Thonpson of Theodosia are South Carolina natives.)
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Erin Harris’s stunning 1980s-inspired look adds just the right touch of glamour. Dress, MacDuggal from Round Robin, $804 Shoes, Caparros peep-toe heels from Round Robin, $74 Earrings, sparkle hoops from Round Robin, $30
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HOME STYLE
A touch of tuscany An Italian resort in a Columbia backyard By Margaret Clay / Photography by Emily Clay
J
oel Smith and Pamela Roberts never could have foreseen the impact that their t e e n a g e ch i l d r e n would have on their yard just by getting their driver’s licenses. “Remodeling our yard all started when Rob and then Grace turned 15,” explains Pamela. “Our single narrow driveway made it very difficult to back out onto a busy curve on Kilbourne Road. So we decided to redo the layout of the front yard.” However, the renovations did not stop with a circular driveway. Their older son, Ned, is a Clemson graduate with a degree in landscape architecture, and Pamela and Joel were only too pleased to have an opportunity to take advantage of his talent in reworking the back yard too. “I went to the library and spent hours going through books with pictures of the look I wanted, and I subsequently sent them to Ned,” says Pamela. “I was ultimately going for a tailored look and an Italian atmosphere — a balance between varying shades of green accented by pops of color, with straight edges to create a symmetrical, clean feeling.” “Ned designed the look we wanted, and then Trent Hutchinson fit it to the yard, made a few adjustments, and picked a lot of
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Between the grassy lawn and the pool at Pamela Roberts and Joel Smith’s home is a walk lined with lounge chairs and three containers of Bottlebrush surrounded in the base by Peach Verbena, Creeping Jenny and Rosemary dripping down the sides.
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A retaining wall with steps running down the center leads to a smaller, more intimate level of the yard.
the colors,” Joel explains. Trent, a landscaper for the past 25 years and owner of Blue Moon Landscaping, was essential in making their dream a practical reality by blending their desires with plants and flowers that would thrive in the different areas of their yard. “Trent really knows the agronomic aspect of gardening — he
Pamela Roberts and Joel Smith with their children, Rob and Grace, and their Golden Retriever, Sequoia 58 C olu m b i a M et ro p ol i ta n
knows how to make it all come together aesthetically while ensuring that each plant is suited for its individual environment,” says Joel. One example of this is in their front yard, which receives the full, merciless force of our famous Columbia afternoon summer sun. Trent used Portulaca, a flower suited for a desert
A pocket garden behind the patio thrives with a variety of greenery and flowers. se p tem b e r 2011
A patio with comfortable outdoor furniture invites the family to spend time together outside.
climate that blooms in many radiant colors. “Trent has a good ear and really listens to everyone’s thoughts and to any hesitations. He is very flexible and will offer several different options for a given area. While he is respectful of everyone’s ideas, he also speaks up if something just isn’t going to work,” says Pamela.
For Trent, the most stimulating and yet the most challenging aspect of this particular garden was tying in all the different elements. “This garden is different from any other that I have done because I was able to incorporate so many different components and have them flow together for a complete whole — the
A heated swimming pool, featuring a waterfall that overflows from the hot tub above, stretches down the left side of the yard. w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m
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structures, lighting, the lawn, annual colors, containers, flowers for cutting, the vegetable garden and the herb garden. I wanted to create a relaxed, resort-feel in the back yard with a Mediterranean influence so that they feel as though they are on vacation without leaving home.� Th e y e a r l o n g p r o j e c t w a s completed this past April, and Joel and Pamela now truly have a coherent blend of everything in their back yard. Immediately out the back door is a patio with comfortable outdoor furniture, a fire pit and, most importantly, a swimming pool with a waterfall overflowing from the hot tub just above it on the far end. It is also heated which adds two months to
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the swimming season each year. Stereo speakers unobtrusively surround the pool in the form of rocks. To the right of the back door is a beautiful grassy lawn which is perfect for just about anything — from entertaining and hosting parties, to kicking around a soccer ball or playing with their Golden Retriever, Sequoia. Down the middle, in between the grassy lawn and the pool and leading to the end of the yard, is a walk lined with three containers of Bottlebrush surrounded in the base by Peach Verbena, Creeping Jenny and Rosemary. A retaining wall with steps running down the center leads to a smaller, more intimate level of the yard. To the right are four patches
DURING se p tem b e r 2011
Because the front yard receives the full merciless force of the summer sun, Trent Hutchinson of Blue Moon Landscaping planted Portulaca, a flower suited for a desert climate that blooms in many radiant colors.
of garden space with pebble walks between them. One is for roses, one is for herbs, one is for vegetable, and one is devoted purely to tomatoes. “I check on my tomatoes like people check on their children,” Joel admits. Pamela and Joel both have strong memories of gardening with their parents and had grandmothers who were quite influential in their love of gardening. Gardenias are nestled into every flowerbed in honor of Pamela’s grandmother, and a fig tree and several tea olives stand in recognition of Joel’s grandmother. Pamela and Joel wanted to have a place where they could escape as well as an environment where their teenage children
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would want to hang out with friends. “We wanted to have a place where our home and living space could be expanded beyond the structure of the house, and we now spend just as much time outside as inside when we are home.” They say that they were not anticipating quite the haven that their yard has become, and that it is now such a wonderful place to enjoy God’s handiwork and appreciate the natural beauty of the world. Pamela admits that there are many things that you just can’t plan for, but in their case, all were pleasant surprises. Joel says he never expected to enjoy herb gardening so much (his pleasure in caring for the tomatoes was no surprise). Pamela has been thrilled at how the Italian cypresses, which will grow to be over 40 feet tall, add such a dramatic touch and are yet so practical in creating a sense of privacy around the yard. Pamela says that her favorite aspect of gardening is the satisfaction of nurturing, of putting in the time and seeing results for something you truly care about. The hardest part? Not being able to be a full time gardener. “We can’t wait to get out into the yard every morning and when we get home in the evening, and often we will spend all day Saturday in it. It is just impossible to tear ourselves away!”
TIPS
• Be very attentive, especially in the beginning, if you want a significant change in your yard or garden. Joel spent four hours a day in the beginning, waking up at the crack of dawn. They now each spend an average of two hours per day working in it during the week and more on the weekends. • You must truly be engaged. • Remember that you can overdo it, especially with water and fertilizer. The tendency is to want to do, do, do, but there is a time to stop with some things. • Water the ground, not the plant. It is much more effective. • Have PATIENCE! You can’t control everything. • Trent’s mushroom compost is wonderful for tomatoes. It makes anything just shoot out of the ground.
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HOME STYLE
Efficient and Effective Renovations that work
A
sk most builders or contractors these days and they will tell you that the current economic slow down means homeowners are often opting to stay in their homes and renovate instead of building new. Advancements in building materials, appliances and home energy products
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By Deena C. Bouknight / Photography by Robert Clark mean homes can be economically updated to be more energy efficient. Plus, budget consciousness often results in more effective living spaces as homeowners consider the most practical uses for additional square footage. Such is the case with Craig and Lee Hess in West Columbia. The couple has
lived in their 1960s-built home since 1999. They have three children – two teenagers and a pre-teen – and they home-school. “Our house seemed to literally shrink as the kids grew,” says Lee. In the family room, there was space for only a sofa and a few chairs, so
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In their newly expanded family room, Lee Hess and two of her children, Caroline, 12, and Samuel, 17, enjoy the view of their beautiful backyard beyond the wall of windows.
watching a movie together as a family meant cramming together. Plus, says Lee, “We have a really pretty backyard, but we couldn’t enjoy it because there were essentially no windows in the family room – just a lot of paneling.” She adds, “Craig already had good ideas of what he wanted to do, and that included getting rid of the brick fireplace that blocked the view of the backyard, putting three huge windows across the back and building a fireplace with gas logs into an interior wall.” Before the Hesses embarked on their first renovation project, they asked an interior designer friend, Martha
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McGown, to visit and give them some ideas about decorating. They shared their ideas about a remodeling project and she suggested some names of builders and contractors. With her suggestions and their ideas, they had a draftsperson draw up plans that included adding 250 square feet onto the back of the house to extend the family room space. At the same time, they decided to gut the kitchen, which flows from the family room. Their builder was recommended by a friend, and his bid met their budget, so they looked no further. He hired the subcontractors and estimated a
turnaround time of two months, which ended up actually being four months once the final touches were completed. “The important thing I learned right off is to have a good attitude about the remodeling process,” says Lee. “The contractor would apologize if something wasn’t happening or taking too long, and I would always come back with, ‘We’re one step closer.’ It’s a little inconvenience for a long-term goal. A few months is a small amount of time when you consider you will enjoy it for a lifetime.” Jeff and Janell Kull, who have a 70-year-old home in the Kilbourne Park
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area, echo Lee’s sentiments. Their 1,900 square foot brick home quickly shrank as the couple had four children in five years. They looked into purchasing a larger home for their expanding family but quickly determined that their neighborhood, the locale and their neighbors were all pluses. The couple already had remodeled their outdated kitchen almost two years ago, so they decided to stay and add on and renovate instead. What they were seeking was the addition of two more bedrooms and two more bathrooms – for a total of five bedrooms and four baths – plus a laundry room. They gleaned many ideas from architecture and home magazines, then hired a draftsperson to incorporate them into 900 square feet added onto the back and side of the home’s den area. The couple made certain the draftsperson included electrical and plumbing plans in the drawings.
“We
have a really pretty
backyard, but we couldn’t enjoy it because there we r e
e s s e n t i a l ly
no
w i n d ow s i n t h e fa m i ly
– j u st paneling.” room
a l ot o f
Lee Hess After asking a few contractors to bid on the project, Jeff decided to oversee portions of the work himself in order to cut costs. He researched the cost factors of the many aspects of the job to determine a general budget. When selecting the subcontractors, Jeff required recommendations from friends or colleagues and that they have insurance. He worked during the day as an attorney and at night and Saturdays managing the project and actually doing some of the hands-on work. For example, instead of paying someone to take off an old deck, he gradually removed it himself. He also helped level the ground for the foundation, cleaned up the site each evening to prepare for
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the next day’s work, and did much of the finishing in terms of puttying nail holes, caulking and painting. “It was an ongoing process of deciding where to spend the money and what to do ourselves,” says Jeff. “We just tried to keep everything at a mid-priced range, opting for quality. I think we probably saved 25 percent doing it ourselves and looking for costcutting ideas and products.” The Kulls started their project in June 2010 and were recently able to occupy their new spaces. “There were frustrations that went along with it, but that’s like anything,” says Janell. “It was fun to see it unfold, but difficult when workers wouldn’t show up. For the most part, though, workers were responsible and did a good job.” She adds, “I have to admit that I had rose-colored glasses on at first. I thought it would not take that long, but I learned patience, and we tried to get away as much as possible that first summer so the work could get done without us being in the way.” For those who decide to stay in a home while it is being remodeled, there is extra strain and stress – especially if children are involved. “Daily life was interesting this past year,” says Janell. “I home-school two of my children, so we were all packed in a few rooms. But I kept the kids occupied and they enjoyed watching what was happening. Sometimes they even ‘helped.’” The Hesses, as well, needed to cram in on top of one another for a few months. “We had to delay some of the home-schooling,” Lee says. For her sanity, Lee says she was able to use an existing sink island while the kitchen was being renovated, and she equipped the dining room table with a microwave, crockpot and electric skillet. Plus, she often made bread in the bread machine. “We ended up not having to eat out all that much.” The Kulls now have room for their children, a renovated den space, a new master bedroom and a laundry room. The old laundry closet houses curriculum and supplies for home schooling.
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In their newly expanded family room, the Hesses now have space for everyone to enjoy a movie together on a flatscreen television mounted over the new fireplace. They purchased a new sofa and loveseat and use two existing recliners in that room. “We’re all happy we did this,” says Lee. Lynn Busch, who lives in a small 1,000-square-foot home in West Columbia that was built in 1986, recently had her kitchen remodeled to add more space. “It needed a better flow,” she says. “One cabinet that jutted out kept catching my hip. I needed more shelving and cabinets that were easier to get to and use.” Items were piled up on counters and atop cabinets since there was so little room for storage, and she often had to take everything out of the cupboards to find the one item she would need to prepare a meal. Lynn hired a contractor, whom she learned about through word of mouth, to not only update the kitchen space but to incorporate more accessibility as well. The removal of the pesky cabinet that always caught her hip opened the space between the kitchen and dining room and has made the whole area area seem larger. She also has new custombuilt cabinets, a roll out pantry (“Every woman should have one of those!” she says), new lighting, granite countertops, a decorative tile backsplash, a new sink, new appliances, oak wood flooring throughout the kitchen, dining room, living room, hall and hall bath, and new linoleum in the master bath. “This remodel not only made a difference in how my home looks, but how it works for me,” says Lynn. “The contractor did an excellent job making improvements that were affordable and practical.” Kevin K. Bell, who bought his grandparents’ 1950s home on a small pond in Forest Acres when his grandmother passed away in the 1990s, says so much about the house was impractical that he considered having it torn down so he could rebuild on
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the site. For example, the kitchen, currently under renovation, is a tight 8by 14-foot space that needs expanding. “I decided to work with it, warts and all, to make it work,” he says. One major cost-cutting improvement has been to replace all the old windows with new Lincoln Windows. “It had those old aluminum roll-out windows. If there were blinds there, you could literally watch the air flow through.” Tips for Do it Yourselfers If you plan to oversee the remodeling project yourself, make sure you contact a city building inspector, who will give you a checklist of each stage that needs to be inspected.
Jeff Kull opted to oversee most of the remodeling work himself .
at
his
W hen
home
selecting
subcontractors,
he
required that they have recommendations from friends or colleagues and that they have insurance. The right building permits need to be obtained and each stage must be approved before you move forward. In addition, make certain that you research any environmental stipulations and any energy efficient benefits. Make a list of all the different subcontractors and specialists you will need and map out a flexible schedule and budget for each. For example, Jeff Kull says his project involved experts in brick, tile, carpet and hardwood floor laying, as well as framing, dry wall, electrical and trimwork. Seal off areas of the home that will still be lived in with sheets of plastic and tape to alleviate dust and debris. Pack up all items in the rooms that are being worked on and store in another area of the house so they are not damaged or covered in dust.
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“T he
important thing
I
learned right off is to h av e a g o o d at t i t u d e a b ou t t h e r e m o d e l i ng process.
It’s
a little
inconvenience for a longterm goal.”
Lee Hess
Checklist for Cutting Costs and Saving Energy 3 Look for clearance items, overstocks and discontinued items at local hardware and specialty stores. 3 Look for overstocks in lumber yards. 3 If you plan to paint any brick you install, visit the brickyard to find the “culls” or bricks that have discolorations. “That saves about a third in the cost of bricks,” says Jeff Kull. 3 Update and add insulation. 3 Add an attic fan. 3 Consider a tankless water heater. According to South Carolina Electric and Gas, even though tankless units may cost more than most conventional water heaters, they are cheaper to operate because energy is not required to maintain a large tank of hot water 24 hours a day. 3 Buy energy efficient windows and doors. 3 Update old heating and air units. SCE&G points out that natural gas furnaces heat a home quickly and provide heat up to 25 degrees warmer than electricity. 3 Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75 percent less energy and can last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs, according to SCE&G. 3 Many improvements to a home can result in rebates, incentives, and tax credits. For more information, call 1-877-510-SCEG or visit www.sceg.com/ energywise.
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HOME STYLE
A TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP
Ellen Taylor created a very open and clean space in Gary and Jeanne Pennington’s Stadium Village Loft that offers a Gamecock feel without actually having any Gamecock paraphernalia around.
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A Stadium Village Loft gets a stunning transformation By Harriet McElveen Rice / Photography by Robert Clark
C
all it fate. They were not exactly strangers, but on a relaxed evening of shopping and browsing galleries during Artista Vista, two parties came together and
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two works of art melded into a most unexpected venture. One party, Gary and Jeanne Pennington, had purchased a unit at The Stadium Village Lofts in late 2010. Gary, owner
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A spiral staircase leads to the roof, where an outside entertainment patio, complete with bar and outdoor seating and dining, looks out over the Cockabooses and Williams-Brice Stadium.
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of Pennington Law Firm, had been looking for an investment property. Gary and Jeanne have graduate degrees from USC, and they had rented a unit at The Lofts during the 2010 USC
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football season. They knew that if the right opportunity came along The Lofts would be an ideal investment, not only from the corporate standpoint of premier overnight
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accommodations for clients, but also as the perfect entertainment spot both during football season and the offseason. While enjoying shopping and dining during Artista Vista, Jeanne and Gary stopped by the shop of their friend Ellen Taylor of Ellen Taylor Designs – party number two. Before opening their design business, Ellen and her husband, Gary, had been builders and had built the Penningtons’ former home. That night, not only did Ellen acquire the design job for the Penningtons’ new loft, but she also sold them two pieces of art which ended up being incorporated into plans for the loft’s renovation. The Penningtons were comfortable giving Ellen free reign since they knew she was familiar with their likes and dislikes. The only direction Ellen was given was to focus on a modern, minimalist decor. “We wanted a Manhattan style,” says Gary, “and I know that Ellen has a taste for that.” After the contract was signed on Jan. 2, and other than a PowerPoint presentation that Ellen produced during the renovation process, the Penningtons didn’t see the loft again until April when the project was completed. Jeanne says, “The contractor said it was the first time he had ever completed a project without having met the clients until the end.” The loft’s primary purpose is corporate entertaining. Located on the front porch of the unit is a spiral staircase that leads to the roof, where an outside entertainment patio, complete with bar and outdoor seating and dining, looks out over the Cockabooses and WilliamsBrice Stadium. Stepping into the unit, one enters the great room, which features a large sitting area, the kitchen and a wet bar. At the back of the unit are a hall bath and two bedrooms, one with its own bath. Structurally, the unit was in good shape. The only renovation involved tearing out the old kitchen cabinets and installing new ones. The existing cherry floors in the living area and slate tile in the kitchen were all that remained after the cabinets were removed. Palmetto Wood Design was contracted to fabricate Ellen’s kitchen, which was
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laid out primarily for entertaining and features a custom bar. The cabinet doors are solid cherry slab style finished in a bold transparent gray stain. Referred to as “the Ellen finish,” it gives a gorgeous soft gray finish to the cherry panel doors while still exposing the wood’s natural grain.
The
Penningtons
comfortable giving
were
Ellen
free reign since they knew she was familiar with their likes
and
dislikes.
only direction
Ellen
The was
given was to focus on a modern, minimalist decor.
Manhattan style,” says Gary, “and I know that Ellen has a taste for that.” “We
wanted a
One of the focal points of the great room is Gary’s entertainment system, which includes a 60-inch television with surround sound that allows for an up close and personal game day experience. An original diptych by Debbie Martin livens up the entertainment area. Another piece of art on display is by Jim Victor, an artist from Manhattan who resides in Mt. Pleasant and won the 2011 Piccolo Spoleto Mayors Award for Best in Show. Ellen’s gallery displays the largest collection of Jim Victor’s paintings, and this was one art piece that set the design inspiration in motion. The heavily textured, contemporary acrylic piece displays strong square designs in deep crimson tones and was Ellen’s inspiration for the entire great room design. The walls are covered in a subtle gray industrial wallpaper emulating fabric textured with squares. The square black and white marble backsplash tiles in the kitchen, coupled with the square slate floor tiles and custom-made carpet with a square motif, continue the flow. Four
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barstools at the open kitchen counter, the sofa and a pair of rosewood occasional chairs – all from Bolier Furniture and all of black leather – surround the great room. This sets the tone for a very open and clean space of glass, stainless steel and subtle garnet and black undertones that offers a Gamecock feel without actually having any Gamecock paraphernalia around.
Once Ellen Taylor starting working on their loft, Gary and Jeanne Pennington didn’t see it again until the project was completed. Jeanne says, “The contractor said it was the first time he had ever completed a project without having met the clients until the end.”
Jeanne’s concerns over lighting issues were allayed when Ellen chose an extra large, yet unassuming, overhead drum light fixture for the main sitting area, plus a lot of under cabinet lighting for the kitchen and bar area. “The lighting and wall covering are my favorite features,” Jeanne says. Gary says, “The modern and minimalist decor is what I like best.” Hanging on the hall wall at the rear of the unit is another piece of art that influenced the unit’s look. A panoramic photograph of the Columbia skyline taken at sunset by photographer Bette Walker rivals any Manhattan skyline shot and incorporates well into the unit’s style. Because the Penningtons do not plan to use the loft for personal overnight use, one bedroom is all they need. The single bedroom features a black rosewood Bolier bed and end tables, and the wallpaper behind the bed is an amazing metallic cork, continuing the clean, contemporary aura introduced in the great room. It successfully creates the illusion of a high end Manhattan hotel room. The bedroom across the hall was morphed into “the ladies lounge,” laughs Ellen. “It was designed for an escape for the ladies who were not interested in watching ball games.” This room includes comfortable sectional sofas adorned with oversized pillows and Bellati linens in magnificently rich teal hues – a stark step outside of the rest of the loft’s decor. Lauren Mauer acrylic and watercolor dress paintings hang from the walls. It is a welcome retreat from game day excitement. “I was not nervous with the unveiling of the renovation,” says Ellen. “Gary had seen a presentation, and I knew he and Jeanne were familiar with my work.” The Penningtons agree. “We were very pleased when we walked in. It was better than we could have imagined.”
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HOME STYLE
Award Winning Remodels The 2011 Columbia Remodelers Awards By Sam Morton / Photos courtesy of the winners
Y
ou get what you pay for. Clichés become cliché because there is an undeniable truth in them, and this one has never been truer than in the current economy. Trying to sell your house in today’s depressed real estate market is like trying to sell a bottle of water to a drowning man. Homeowners, therefore, have decided in large measure to make the home they have work for their current needs, even if that means taking out a wall here or adding a room there. A remodeled kitchen or bath requires a tidy sum, but it’s always less expensive than carrying two mortgages. The critical decision is getting the best investment out of the dollars you spend to remodel. A smart consumer chooses as his or her contractor a member of the Columbia Remodelers, a council of
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Category 8 Winner: Julee Clarke and François Mongeon expected to undertake a major remodeling project when they moved into their 20-year-old home. After talking with several remodelers, they decided to hire Cliff Cinamon of Design & Remodeling Solutions. “He was able to see our vision for transforming our dark and outdated kitchen into an open and light space,” Julee says.
the Homebuilders Association of Greater Columbia. Members of Columbia Remodelers are area builders, contractors, craftspeople and vendors. They agree to adhere to a strict code of ethics, attend educational seminars and offer homeowners choices in the latest building products, techniques and technologies. Each year Columbia Remodelers bestows the Columbia Remodelers Awards upon its members who compete for the distinction. They are judged on how well they completed a project to their customers’ satisfaction, the construction challenges they encountered and the creativity and effectiveness of the solutions they devised. If you’ve got a remodeling job on the horizon, make a wise investment. Choose from among these dedicated craftspeople or their fellow members of the Columbia Remodelers. Here are the 2011 Remodelers Award winners:
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Category 1 Small Kitchen Remodel Hinson Cabinet Company Richard and Kathy Handel wanted to bring their kitchen up to today’s standards, but they also wanted to keep the historic feel of their downtown Shandon home. What Steve Hinson thought was just going to be a kitchen facelift turned out to be a full renovation. All the walls in the kitchen and the door to the pantry were covered with paneling. Once he removed it, Steve discovered old damage to the existing door and casings. One of his biggest challenges was making the old casings match the new. From a design standpoint, he had to ensure that all the appliances were in the most efficient spots in the kitchen. For finish work, they chose blue-stained cabinets for a modern feel and added a white marble tile back splash. Blue Pearl
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Category 3 Winner: With relatives from England due to arrive, Susan Ahmed of Irmo decided that she needed to completely gut and design a dream kitchen and adjacent utility room. For that she turned to Cliff Cinamon of Design & Remodeling Solutions.
granite countertops, a cork floor, a stainless stove and hood, stainless drawer pulls and a butcher block table complement the cabinet color. Now the Handels have both an efficient cooking space and a fantastic place to gather with their friends. BEFORE
Category 2 Medium Kitchen Remodel Design & Remodeling Solutions Michael and Sheila Fitts wanted to preserve the historic feel of their Melrose Heights home, but they also wanted to update and expand the kitchen and dining room space to give
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both a more open feel. Cliff Cinamon of Design & Remodeling Solutions had to find extra space in the kitchen without adding square footage. To accomplish this, he moved the carport door 14 inches to allow a back wall to have full counter depth. He
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then expanded the layout by installing a smaller casement window and moved the peninsula about 12 inches farther from the sink using the overhang space from the dining room side. A sleek glass overhead stove vent completed the transformation. Because he could not find matching baseboards, he had Lindler Manufacturing custom make new ones. To expand the dining room, they constructed a cantilevered Walk-aBay window where an original picture window was, adding about 30 square feet without encroaching on the existing exterior walkway. One of Cliff ’s biggest challenges was completely replacing the floor joist system in order to meet code for the window. Another major challenge was matching the exterior brick, so Cliff used period looking colored stone instead that blends into the old brick. The new bay window’s roof did not match up with the home’s existing shingles, so he also added an entirely new roof and still stayed within budget.
Category 3 (tie) Large Kitchen Remodel Design & Remodeling Solutions With relatives from England due to arrive in August, Susan Ahmed of Irmo decided that she needed to completely gut and design a dream kitchen and adjacent utility room. For that she turned to Cliff Cinamon. Most contractors will tell you that they don’t know how much work needs to be done until they actually get into the job. When Cliff dove into this particular project, he found that couldn’t be closer to the truth. He discovered that none of the walls within the project’s scope had 2” x 4” studs; instead, it had steel furring strips with 3/4” cross boards. In addition, there was no insulation, the lighting and wiring was something Cliff called “Swiss cheese,” the ceilings were 10’ 4”, a double window in the kitchen was out of plumb, the utility room floor was six inches of solid 50 year old concrete with a drain, and the trim was unavailable to match at
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Category 11 Winner: For a home in King’s Grant, Ken Baker of Carolina Traditional Homes created an outbuilding for entertaining and an area where the family could entertain and have large cookouts for neighbors.
any price. Cliff had quite a challenge in front of him. Cliff updated the electrical to meet code, and all outlets were put into the false bottoms of special order cabinets. Closed cell foam was used to insulate the walls, and the window trim and sills were reconstructed to align with the cabinets. A custom island now features a stove in the middle. Brazilian cherry flooring and granite countertops were installed, and the crew also added a patterned earth-tone tile back splash and under-counter lighting. In two laborious days, Cliff ’s son Kevin removed the concrete floor in the utility room with a jackhammer. Several cabinets and some countertops were repurposed there, and a full wall with a door and transom was installed. The transom was a period piece found at His House that was reclaimed and reglazed. New trim to match the old was created on site. After much hard work by Cliff and his crew, Susan now has an elegant entertaining area to welcome any visitors.
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Category 3 (tie) Large Kitchen Remodel Hinson Cabinet Company There were co-winners in this category, and Hinson Cabinet Company took home its share of the prize for transforming a Lexington kitchen from stodgy to stunning. The homeowners had a very utilitarian kitchen, literally a black and white room with granite countertops and white cabinetry. When Steve finished the job, the kitchen had rich cherry cabinets, earth-toned marble counters and a mosaic backsplash behind the cooktop. The island, a feature in the old kitchen, now comes with a bar sink.
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Recessed can lights replaced a single overhead ceiling fan with a light fixture. The new space practically invites you in. The island sink presented a challenge, as did the venting of the stove and running new electrical for the additional lighting. To overcome these obstacles, Steve and his staff had to remove the ceiling of the floor below the kitchen in order to gain access to run the required electrical and plumbing equipment. With the ceiling repaired and new Prestige appliances in place, Steve’s clients have a new elegant space to cook and entertain.
Category 4 Small Bath Remodel Carolina Traditional Homes In 2008, Allen Butts bought a modest two-bedroom, two-bath home in The Avenues neighborhood of West Columbia. The home was a traditional 1950s style bungalow complete with 1950s style decor. As a bachelor, Allen was able to overlook all the outdated features of the home except for one — a completely pink master bathroom suite. The room included a single pink sink, pink toilet, pink bathtub, pink tile flooring, pink tile surround, one small mirror and a water-damaged window in the tub. Carolina Traditional Homes helped Allen turn the space into a sophisticated, updated bath. Ken Baker installed tile flooring that was earthy and masculine. He replaced the cabinet vanity with dark cherry wood and added a double sink. Individually framed mirrors and light fixtures were added to both sinks. He replaced the toilet and painted the walls a stylish tan. His crew also added crown moulding and large baseboards to give the small bathroom a more elegant feel. Allen wanted to preserve the natural light in the bathroom, but the window was so water damaged that it had to be replaced. Ken installed a vinyl, transom style window that allows for both natural light and privacy. Existing plumbing fixtures were updated and the tile surround replaced. Alas, the pink tub was in good condition, but Allen insisted that it be resurfaced to a different color.
Category 5 Medium Bath Remodel Hinson Cabinet Company Homeowner Miles Hayes found himself with two very small bathrooms, each at 64 square feet. He wanted to combine the two in a single functional space, so he called on Steve Hinson to design it for him. In turn, Steve turned to Rob Gutierrez of Palmetto Millwork & Renovation to take these two 50s era bathrooms and convert them into a 21st century marvel. Before construction began, each room lined up a sink, a toilet and a bathtub, with barely enough room to shut the door without bumping the towel rack. Steve created a separate space for a vanity with a modern sink, plenty of counter
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Category 4 Winner: Allen Butts was able to overlook all the outdated features of his home, except the completely pink master bathroom suite. Ken Baker of Carolina Traditional Homes helped turn the space into a sophisticated and updated bath.
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space and an elegant base for storage. Using a pocket door, he separated the toilet into its own separate water closet. The shower is a work of art with its large glass enclosure, several wall niches for soaps and shampoo and a hand-held spray. Two traditional windows and a large circular window
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let in plenty of light. Steve’s final touch was a new warm wall color that complements the shower tile and countertops and eliminates the stark white glare of the old rooms.
Category 6 Large Bath Remodel Hinson Cabinet Company Boyd and Nancy Scott’s West Columbia home was built in 1964. The home’s small bathroom reflected the building trends of the time. It was galley-like, wallpapered and had neutral colored cabinetry. The Scotts decided that they would like a complete renovation, especially one with a larger shower. Steve Hinson of Hinson Cabinet Company used Micalline products, and he incorporated a storage room into the new bathroom to create a larger shower area. He removed the concrete floor and added a new Rinnai water heating system. The result was a bathroom that is both stately and elegant. Steve incorporated warm cherry wood cabinetry, silver pulls, black granite countertops and chrome sink fixtures that fit the décor of the house. The light-colored walls, wide baseboards and earth-toned tile flooring complement the cabinet color. The new larger shower, set off by oversized tiles, a recessed niche for accessories and a small teak bench, is perfect for enjoying a long relaxing hot shower. An oversized mirror above the sink gives the room added depth and reflects the natural light from the window peering out over a lush green backyard. A built-in linen closet and medicine cabinet were also added to complete the bathroom.
Category 7 Area Remodel Under 500 Square Feet Carolina Traditional Homes Any good remodeler is used to doing the impossible. That’s exactly what John and Margaret McCardell asked of Ken Baker when they contracted with him to build their new master bedroom suite. The existing master was barely large enough for a queen-sized bed, there was no room for a dresser or additional furniture, and the one master closet was so awkwardly set up that it was not wide enough even for clothes hangers. The McCardells even considered not using the space as a master bedroom because of its size and inherent problems. That’s when Ken stepped in with a solution. An adjacent room had been previously used as an art studio, as it was too small a space for use as much else. That room and the master both featured prominent, decorative windows, so Ken removed the wall between them, added a support beam flush with the ceiling and created one large room. He installed hisand-hers closets and converted the small awkward closet into a shoe closet. He also updated the master bathroom paint, refinished the tub and installed new plumbing fixtures.
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Category 8 Large Remodeled Area Design & Remodeling Solutions
Moving into a home that was more than 20 years old, Julee Clarke and François Mongeon expected to undertake a major remodeling project. After talking with several remodelers, they decided to hire Cliff Cinamon of Design & Remodeling Solutions. “He was able to see our vision for transforming our dark and outdated kitchen into an open and light space,” Julee says. Julee and François wanted to remove the load-bearing wall between their formal dining room and kitchen, but they preferred not to have a visible header or beam in the center of the two rooms. Cliff accomplished this by removing the wall between the two rooms completely and constructing temporary walls on each floor to support the house. He then cut out floor joists in the ceiling and installed a 16-foot steel I-beam with hangars off each side that connected the old joists. They also wanted to replace the tile floor in their existing kitchen with wood, but they needed it to match the existing 25-year old hardwood flooring in the adjacent dining room and den. So Cliff found wood that matched the grain of the floor in the den, then sanded and stained it to match. The floors, along with an 11-foot long island and soapstone countertops, give the kitchen a French country look. Other plans included installing a Charleston-style brick wall in the kitchen near the stairs that looks like it’s always been there, adding a new French patio door access to the back deck from the kitchen, installing a 9-foot picture window that looks onto the front yard, updating other windows and the shutters and remodeling the upstairs master suite. The biggest challenge was figuring out what to do with 260 bottles of wine that were boxed up in an air-conditioned storage area off the garage. Cliff recommended converting the coat closet in the entryway into a wine cellar. He designed a one-of-a-kind, climate controlled custom wine closet using rough oak, and custom built bins and racks to hold the wine bottles, which was constructed by his son Kevin and trim carpenter Ronnie Kubischke. A French door stained 6 times was used to complete the look.
Category 9 Room Addition Hinson Cabinet Company Janice and Kent Nickerson decided that they would like to better utilize the space in their kitchen. But to do that they also decided they needed to add space, so they called on Steve Hinson of Hinson Cabinet Company and Richard Davis of RED Construction. Steve used the couple’s existing stove and refrigerator but installed a new undercounter, front-loading washer and dryer and a farm sink. As a matter of fact, one of the challenges Steve encountered was
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accommodating the homeowners’ wish to keep the washer and dryer in the kitchen. Richard increased the space and opened up the area by adding 150 square feet. Though it took some convincing, they did talk the homeowners into angled storage and into cutting down a wall. He installed pocket doors, painted the cabinets in a shaker style and added antique drawer and cabinet pulls. The white cabinets are set off by black countertops, which contrast nicely with light oak flooring. The angled stove with its suspended vent and hood give the kitchen a gourmet feel.
Category 10 Large Room Addition Hinson Cabinet Company Usually when a contractor talks about yards or half yards, he’s talking about measurements or landscaping. In this case, Steve Hinson of Hinson Cabinet Company would be talking to his clients Sonya and Gordon White about the English pub they wanted constructed in their home. The feature was a brand-new addition and added 450 square feet to the home, which was accomplished by Richard Davis of RED Construction. Starting from scratch, Steve ended up with a pub that could have been directly transported from Whitechapel or Canonbury. The new edition features custom-made, cherry toned cabinetry, a dark sandy brown countertop, a bar sink, a wine chiller and overhead racks for storing glasses waiting to be filled with frothy cold beverages. The bar is fully enclosed. Steve incorporated spindle-and scroll-work, which gives this bar an authentic English pub look and feel. Drink up and have another round!
Category 11 Outdoor Living Carolina Traditional Homes This King’s Grant homeowner made plans to update his outdoor living space, but he realized he was missing something. He wanted an outbuilding for entertaining and a quiet space all for his own. With his children getting older, he wanted an area where his family could entertain the soccer team or have large cookouts for neighbors. Ken Baker of Carolina Traditional Homes helped bring some of these creative ideas to life. Ken constructed an outbuilding that includes a wet bar, a small refrigerator and an exterior sound system. Inside the building he created the coup de grace with a home theater for watching the big game. Special accent lighting was added to the tray ceiling to create a theater feel. Ken included a special coded door lock so there’s never a need for a key, and he completed the project with a remote control Daikin ultra quiet mini split heating and air system.
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REMODELING RESOURCE GUIDE ART City Art 1224 Lincoln St., Columbia (803) 252-3616 www.cityartonline.com Cabinetry Hinson Cabinets 1220 Atlas Rd., Columbia (803) 647-1380 www.hinsoncabinets.com Construction/Remodeling/ Custom Home Building/ Real Estate Carolina Traditional Homes 1062 Hampton Crest Dr., West Columbia (803) 518-4217 www.carolinatraditionalhomes.com Design and Remodeling Solutions 144 Daybreak Dr., Gaston (803) 794-7993 / (803) 318-6773 www.designandremodeling solutions.com Hanson Brick 5100 Brickyard Rd., Columbia (803) 786-1260 www.hansonbrick.com Home Advantage Realty, LLC 2615 Devine St., Columbia (803) 787-1773 www.homeadvantagerealty.com LaMotte Builders 4021 Cassina Rd., Columbia (803) 787-3215 www.lamottebuilders.com Mooring Home Builders 4605 Meadowood Rd., Columbia (803) 348-6314 www.mooringhomebuilders.com Palmetto Construction & Renovations 818 Heyward St., Columbia (803) 917-5755 Paradime Construction P. O. Box 5892, Columbia (803) 600-4237 www.colahome.com Remodeling Services Unlimited 914 Richland St., Suite B202, Columbia 92 C o lu m b i a M e t ro p o l i ta n
(803) 765-9363 www.remodeling servicesunlimited.com Willm Construction 2832 Burney Dr., Columbia (803) 256-3755 www.willmconstruction.com Custom Doors Southern Custom Doors 409 Larch Rd., Lugoff (803) 438-8115 www.scdoors.com Custom Furniture/ Cabinets/ Antique & Furniture Restoration Casual Furniture Restoration 721 Shull St., West Columbia (803) 796-9469 casualfurniturerestoration@ yahoo.com Custom Woodworking Spring Hill Woodworking 1631 Pet Sites Rd., Chapin (803) 345-9392 springhillwoodworking.com Fans Dan’s Fan City 275 Harbison Blvd., Suite AA, Columbia (803) 781-3267 www.dansfancity.com Flooring/Walls Stark Carpet 11415 Granite St., Suite A, Charlotte (704) 588-8842 www.starkoutlet.com/charlotte Wallpaper Additions 3143 Forest Dr., Columbia (803) 790-7201 Framing/Art/Lighting The Picture Place 4831 Forest Dr., Columbia (803) 782-6138 Interior Design Brandon Davidson Interiors 2200 Devine St., Columbia (803) 929-0047 www.brandondavidson interiors.com
Don Danford Designs Columbia (803) 351-6075 www.dondanforddesigns.com LGB Interiors 614 Hilton St., Columbia (803) 929-5322 www.lgbinteriors.com M. Gallery Interiors 711 E Main St., Suite I, Lexington (803) 785-4620 www.lexingtonoldmill.com/ mgallery Material Things 910 Chapin Rd., Suite D, Chapin (803) 932-0699 Paul D. Sloan Interiors 1012 Gervais St., Columbia (803) 733-1704 www.pdsinteriors.com Steven Ford Interiors 2200 Devine St., Columbia (803) 799-1177 www.stevenfordinteriors.com Verve 1127 Gregg St., Columbia (803) 799-0045 www.verveinteriors.com Westend 830 Meeting St., West Columbia (803) 794-5010 www.westendluxury.com Landscaping/Fencing/ Nursery Blue Moon 1836 Pineview Rd., Columbia (803) 776-3838 Forest Lake Gardens Outdoor Creations 5210 North Trenholm Rd., Columbia (803) 309-5454 www.forestlakegardens.com Green Earth Services 7426 Fairfield Rd., Columbia (803) 735-1006 www.greenearthservices.com Hay Hill Services 200 Hay Hill Farm Lane,
St. Matthews (803) 874-3303 www.hayhillservices.com Ryan Brewer Enterprises 1446 Pineview Dr., Columbia (803) 647-1591 www.ryanbrewer.net Sox & Freeman 3615 Phillips St., Columbia (803) 252-7294 www.soxandfreeman.com Wingard’s Nursery 1403 N. Lake Dr., Lexington (803) 359-9091 www.wingardsnursery.com Plumbing and Gas Superior Plumbing and Gas 104 Ott Rd., Columbia (803) 254-9988 www.superiorplumbing andgas.com Refinishing Surface 830 Meeting St., Columbia (803) 237-2838 Stained Glass Windows & Doors Classical Glass of SC, Inc. 3031 Main St., Columbia (803) 929-0707 www.classicalglasssc.com TV/Furniture/Appliances Jeffers McGill 6650 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia (803) 776-4466 www.jeffers-mcgill.com S&G Builder Appliances 1212 Bluff Rd., Columbia (803) 254-3800 www.sgbuilder.com Strobler Home Furnishings 4721 Forest Dr., Columbia (803) 799-8883 www.strobler.com WINDOwS & doors Marvin Windows and Doors 1410 Colonial Life Blvd., Columbia (803) 767-4153 www.marvinshowplace.com s e p t e m b e r 2011
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PALMETTO BUSINESS
Work Place Renovations Area business owners offer advice for updating work spaces By Harriet McElveen Rice / Photos courtesy of the respective businesses
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ard work has paid off and you have been able to build a successful business. However, the space which has provided you and your employees with a productive, comfortable work environment for years is starting to look dated and feel cramped, and the technology features are reflective of the stone age. An office renovation may be a necessary investment, but where do you start and how do you avoid business downtime? Steve Koewler, president of Miller-Valentine Group, a designbuild-contractor company and a real estate and development firm, says, “Before you go too far down the path of renovating, it’s a good idea to try to understand how real estate fits into your business plan. Are you expanding or contracting? Will you lease the space or own it?” These are important considerations because, if you lease, it’s not just up to you if you want to renovate. Any renovations must be approved by the property owner, and the issue of who pays for what must be negotiated. If you’re currently occupying the space that you intend to renovate, your property owner may want you to
renew your lease for a longer period. As a business owner you must determine if the newly renovated space will still fill your needs that far into the future. BEFORE
photography by Lucas brown/kickstand studios
Studio 2LR was the architect for the mixed use project at the corner of Pulaski and Gervais. The renovated space now houses a spa, TD Ameritrade and conference space.
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Miller-Valentine Group renovated a historic building in the overlay district of the Vista.
If you own your building, you’ve got more flexibility to do what you want, but you should be mindful of your renovation’s scope. “Too over the top or out there, and you won’t recoup your investment should you decide to sell at a later date,” Steve says. Once you’ve decided that renovation is the best choice for your business, you should map out exactly what you want to get out of your space, being sure to consider whether your business is growing. If you plan to expand your business in the future, you may want to consider going larger and renting out the extra space until you need it. That way you’ve got flexibility, plus some extra income in the interim. There is a seemingly endless list of considerations that need to be addressed. And once the renovation process starts, an untold number of issues might arise. For instance, when MillerValentine Group renovated an office at 823 Gervais Street in the Vista, they were presented with a rather significant obstacle. “The property was in the overlay district,” Steve explains, “which means there was some historical significance, so we were limited as to what we could do to the exterior and facade. The requirements from several review boards had to be met.” He continues, “We wanted to capitalize on the historic features, but we had our work cut out for us. The front of the building was built in the 1890s and an addition in the back was built in the 1940s. There were two different elevations in these two parts, plus a 30-inch difference between the floors on the second level. We incorporated these inconsistencies into our design.” The clients chose to keep all of the exposed brick and exposed ceiling, as well as the heart pine floors (except in the w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m
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space on the first floor where Jason’s Deli is located, due to the traffic density). Tripp Riley, an architect with Studio 2LR, advises business owners looking to upgrade to consider moving to temporary space if it looks like there might be too much downtime, or to consider doing the renovation in phases in order to avoid work disruption. He also underscores the importance of working with the right people for the job: “Hire the right architect for your particular business, as there are plenty of architects who specialize in different areas. It is an important relationship because goals must be understood and visions need to be brought to life.” Studio 2LR was the architect for the mixed use project at the corner of Pulaski and Gervais streets across from the Vista Publix. C o lu m b i a M e t ro p o l i ta n 97
(This photo): Dr. Richard Boyd decided to convert a bank into his new orthodontic office. (Below): Dr. Boyd hired a firm that specializes in dental office design to remodel the interior space.
The design included the renovation of the former antique mall and the construction of a new office building which replaced the old Hood Tire building. A courtyard was incorporated between the renovated structure and the new building. This mixed use project now houses such businesses as a spa, TD Ameritrade and conference space. Dr. Richard Boyd is an orthodontist whose father was a builder, and Richard also happens to have his homebuilder’s license. He knows the building lingo and has done many renovations himself, but when he decided to convert a bank on the corner of Beltline and Devine into his new orthodontic office, he sought the advice of experts. He hired a specialized firm to remodel the interior space. Joyce Matlack of Matlack-Van Every Design, an interior design firm that specializes in orthodontic and dental office design,
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fit the bill. Seemingly simple things like chair selection – what kind, how many and placement – are more of a science than just a decorating concern in an orthodontic and dental office. Richard also hired a local architect for the exterior and structural engineering aspects of the building and used Mark Hood of Hood Construction as his builder. Mark worked closely with Richard in order to assure him as little downtime as possible. “It was all money well spent because I had a very old building, including the challenge of what to do with the bank vault, and I needed a detailed plan,” Richard says. “I had sketched out a rough idea, but I wanted the result to be something of which the city would be proud. I also paid very close attention to what would make my staff enjoy being at work, and I wanted the atmosphere
to be very comfortable and soothing for my patients and their families.” Being eco-friendly was a big priority in the building process. Cheryl Holland, president of Abacus Planning Group, made the decision to buy and renovate a building on the corner of Queen and Devine streets instead of renovating her existing office space, which was also located on Devine Street. “This worked out best for us because we only had to shut down one day while we packed and moved, and we were open and ready for business by noon the next day,” Cheryl says. She advises that a business use a renovation as an opportunity not only for space change, but also for technology change by integrating the newest, most appropriate technology for your particular business. Abacus Planning Group’s new building features open space floor plans
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and an abundance of natural lighting. It is a bright, warm, inviting office and each work area has the feel of being next to a window even if it is not. Cheryl also shares some good advice on where to start when choosing your office color: “Take your company’s brand colors and use them for your palette in the renovation.” Cheryl has been very pleased with the results of the new office space and says, “Our open, functional floor plan and technology upgrades, coupled with the new facade and other enrichments, have been a big morale boost for all of us.” Cheryl’s husband, Doug Quackenbush, is an architect and co-owner of the building, and she learned from him how to effectively communicate with building professionals on what she wanted done, rather than how she wanted things done. Cheryl also says, “Consider green issues where possible. Our energy costs are now two-thirds what they were in our previous space. We are not completely LEED certified, but only because our heating and cooling system is practically brand new, and it is not financially advantageous to change that at this point.” LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a nonprofit “green” certification program developed by the
U.S. Green Building Council. Tripp Riley says, “Business interest in the LEED certification has grown tremendously since its inception in the early 90s. The program educates people about sustainability and how small changes in certain habits make sense. It’s more than just using low VOCs in paint; it is a lifestyle change.” Richard’s new space has allowed him to become the only Eco-Dental certified orthodontic office in the country. “The Eco-Dentistry Association, based out of Berkeley, Calif., encourages green dentistry in an effort to reduce waste and pollution and to save on water and energy,” he says. Each and every business displays its own needs, culture and personality. Business space needs to support and reflect these attributes. If your business space is below par, resulting in a loss of productivity, and office morale is reflecting frustration and anxiety, then it may be time to consider a change. A collaborative effort between the business owner, architects, designers and contractors will aid in a smooth transition and renovation project, and more than likely the pros of the ending result will far outweigh any frustrations and downtime.
(All photos this page): Cheryl Holland, owner of Abacus Planning Group, bought and renovated a building at the corner of Queen and Devine streets instead of renovating her previous space.
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spread the word
Morgan Midgett
Daniel Settana
Ronald Rhames
Jay Courie
Landon Hughey
Edward Rawl
Rusty Goudelock
Sterling Davies
Stuart Lee
Nancy Hoffman
Kaitlyn Mills
Patrick Palmer
David J. Precht
J. Hagood Tighe
Judith M. Davis
Bruce W. Hughes
Aaron Shealy
Joel W. Collins. Jr.
Jay Hutchins
Scott Edgerton
Corinne Sheridan
Lee Bullington
David Labrecque
Amanda Pye
Darrell Murray
Meghan E. Billings
Daniel Machado
Catherine W. Horne
Fred Manning
Michael Fields
Sharon W. Bryant
Timothy Allen
Alan B. Kahn of M.B. Kahn Construction Co. and Kahn Development Co., has been elected president of USC’s University Associates. Asheley Scott, AIA, LEED AP has announced the launch of 1x1 Design, Inc., a full service architectural design firm. Novella Taylor and Phil Jenkins have joined ERA Wilder Realty. Providence Heart and Vascular Institute has received a 3 stat rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has awarded 10 Responsive Grants totaling $467,937 to nonprofit and faith-based organization across South Carolina. Alice Hurley has been honored with the foundation’s Leadership In Diversity Award. Morgan Midgett has joined DuBose Web Group as director of customer support. Daniel R. Settana, Jr., of McKay, Cauthen, Settana, & Stubley, PA, has been selected to serve on the Trucking Substantive Law Committee for the SC Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association. Ashley S. Hunter has been selected to serve on the Communications and Public Relations Committee 100 C o lu m b i a M e t ro p o l i ta n
for the SC Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Ronald L. Rhames, Midlands Technical College’s senior vice president for Business Affairs, has been elected president of the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers. The Radisson Hotel and Convention Center Columbia has become a DoubleTree by Hilton. David Dukes, Steve Morrison and Michael Core of Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough have been recognized by the 2011 U.S. edition of The Legal 500. James Rourke has joined Nexsen Pruet as an associate in its Columbia office. David Dubberly, Mark Knight, Alan Lipsitz, Marc Manos, Ed Menzie and Susan McWilliams have been named Leaders in their Field by Chambers USA. Jay Courie of McAngus Goudelock and Courie has been re-elected to serve as the chairman of Hammond School’s Board of Trustees. Landon “Rocky” Hughey has been named to the board of directors of Kid’s Chance of South Carolina. C. Edward Rawl, Jr., has been named American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division District 10 Representative. Rusty Goudelock and Sterling Davies have been invited to join the Council on Litigation Management.
Lexington Medical Center has received a Gold Plus award for stroke care from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Stuart M. Lee of Rogers Townsend & Thomas, PC has joined the Leadership Columbia Committee and the Board of Directors and Advocates for the Historic Columbia Foundation. Nancy Hoffman and Kaitlyn Mills have joined the office staff at NAI Avant. Patrick Palmer has joined NAI Avant Brokerage Group. Breta Smith has been named director of finance at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. David J. Precht of Westinghouse Columbia has been named chair of the 2012 Midlands Heart Walk. J. Hagood Tighe, Judith M. Davis and Bruce W. Hughes have been elected officers of the Central Carolina Community Foundation board. Ashleigh Pash has been named marketing manager for Cromer’s P-nuts. Charles Akins, a Columbia artist, has illustrated Lisa Kelley’s new children’s book, The Lonely Parrot. C-Anne Able, Trey Cantey, Patrick Cunningham, Nancy Galloway, Brad Grooms, Laurie Grooms, s e p t e m b e r 2011
Roger Herring, Jona Hodges, Scott Johnson, Jim Macfie, David O’Kelly, Lavone Roberston, Aaron Shealy, Jeff Smoak, Bill Tindall and Eva Turner have been designated 2011 Allstate Premier Service Agents. Palmetto Health Richland has been awarded Primary Stroke Center Certification from the Joint Commission. Joel W. Collins, Jr., of Collins and Lacy has been appointed to the board of the American Board of Trial Advocates. TRUE Group has moved to its new location at 5000 Thurman Mall, Suite 114 in Columbia. The Sheraton Columbia has been awarded a Four Diamond AAA rating. Jay Hutchins of Colonial Life has been named to the Boston College Varsity Hall of Fame. Scott Edgerton and Corinne Sheridan have joined Core Advisors, Ltd., as financial planning associates. Bob Duker, Silvia Holliday, Lee Bullington, David Labrecque, Amanda Pye, Corey Williams, Stephen Milne, Darrell Murray and Jarrett Villanueva have joined the Midlands offices of Coldwell Banker United, Realtors. Meghan E. Billings has joined True Matter as project manager. Daniel Machado has joined the firm as front-end web designer/developer. Carl L. Solomon has been appointed City of Columbia Municipal Court Judge. Catherine Wilson Horne of EdVenture has been elected to the board of the Association of Children’s Museums. CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., has been named to the FORTUNE 500 list of the largest U.S.-based companies. Michael Carrouth, Daniel Ellzey, Stephen C. Mitchell, Jonathan Pearson and J. Hagood Tighe of Fisher and Phillips have been ranked by Chambers USA among America’s Leading Business Lawyers. Fred Manning has been certified as a specialist in employment and labor law. Michael Fields has been recognized by The SC Society of Association Executives as Executive of the Year. Heather Simmons Jones has been elected president of the SC Economic Developers’ Association. The seminary at Columbia International University has been renamed CIU Seminary & School of Ministry. John Hutto of Learning Express has received an award for his franchise at the company convention. P. Nelson Lindsay has been named director of economic development for Richland County. Sharon W. Bryant has been appointed chair of SC Bankers Association. Bowman and Brooke LLP has earned a LEED certification award from the U.S. Green Building Council. Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA, has received numerous distinctions in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Timothy Allen has joined WebsterRogers as director of practice development. w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m
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PALMETTO BUSINESS
Managing Your Financial Life
The right advisor can keep you financially healthy
By Anne Creed
Y
ou visit your doctor to monitor and protect your health. A financial advisor can do the same for your financial wellbeing, especially in tumultuous financial times. Columbia Metropolitan spoke with three local married couples and a local single person who is going through a divorce about their views on financial planning, their financial concerns and plans for the future. Their names have been changed to preserve their privacy. Finding the right financial advisor isn’t easy. Mark and Marie, a couple in their mid-30s with three children, had wanted to use a financial advisor for a long time. Mark is a sales representative and Marie is a nurse by trade who has chosen to stay at home with their three children, ranging in age from a newborn to a four-year-old. They’re smart people but they don’t have any extra time. “There’s so much going on in life,” Mark says. “I try to keep track of things financially, but financial planning isn’t my area of expertise, and I don’t have time.” “About three years ago I realized I needed to do something, so I reached out to an acquaintance who represented himself as a financial advisor but was really a broker,” Mark says. “I told him my plans and asked, ‘What do I do? Where do I put my resources?’ What happened was that he opened up a few brokerage accounts, and I was paying more fees than I was earning. That wasn’t working out.” “So I went to a friend of a friend who was supposed to be a financial advisor, and it turned out that they really weren’t,” Mark says. Frustrated, Mark and Marie asked their CPA if he knew of a good financial advisor. It turns out that their accountant had one right in his office. This Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is paid a negotiated fee based on the clients’ needs and circumstances. “We set up a meeting with her and gave her all of our information,” Mark continues. The
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financial advisor presented them with an analysis of their current financial situation and projections for the future. “It was very eye opening to see the numbers, to really lay everything out and see where our dollars were going. We learned we needed to reallocate our resources, and realized that there is a better way to do it.” “Before the advisor, we were doing what we thought we needed to be doing. Now we are working with real numbers. Seeing the actual numbers shows how much we actually need to be putting away instead of guessing.” The advisor helped them focus on what they really wanted in the future and asked hard questions about their values and priorities. Mark and Marie are now on track to have six months of reserve funds in case of an emergency, be able to retire early and even have money saved for not only their children’s college educations, but also their weddings. “Our advisor broadened the scope of things we are preparing for. Then she gave us the blueprint to get there. We check in with her several times a year to be sure we are staying on track.” “She’s also a resource for when we have questions. She’s somebody I can call and say, ‘I want to invest in this piece of property.’ I tell her my thoughts, and she looks at the numbers and tells me whether it’s a good investment or not. She’s not emotionally tied in like I am, so she can give unbiased advice.” An added benefit is that working with a financial advisor has brought Mark and Marie together on their finances and has them working toward the same goal. If you’re looking for a financial advisor, Mark advises, “It’s important to get a referral from someone you trust, and then to figure out how you’re going to interview that person. There are a lot of financial advisors out there, and they are all different in what they
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do. It took me three tries before I found the right person.” Another couple, James and Susan, find themselves balancing the financial demands of having two kids in college and an aging parent in a nursing home. “Fortunately, my mother and father did some financial planning to prepare for Mom’s widowhood and old age, so she’s taken care of. I don’t know what we’d do if they hadn’t.” James, who is an independent consultant with a fluctuating income, and Susan, who has a management position at a local high school, have used a financial advisor to create their family’s safety net and plan for retirement. “It’s hard when you don’t know what’s coming in from month-tomonth,” says James. “That’s why planning for the worst — and using the guidance of a professional — has enabled us to send our daughters to the colleges they wanted while still saving for our eventual retirement.” Ed and Elaine, a couple in their late 50s, are searching for a financial advisor to help them make decisions on what to do with their investments, retirement accounts and mortgage and to answer the big question: When can they retire? Elaine, who is a CPA, says, “I simply don’t feel like I have time to keep up with things and do the research. We’ve tried to do what’s right, we’ve participated in employee savings plans since they became popular in the mid-90s, so we’ve saved money, but I’m not sure we’re properly taken care of. Even though I’m a CPA, I feel like I should know better.” Ed adds, “And I’m mostly clueless.” Until recently, Ed and Elaine didn’t know what they wanted their retirement to look like. They thought they wanted to retire near the lake, and had been trying to buy property for years. Recently, they found the answer when a new house near the lake was
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put on the market in a distress sale. They bought it and will live there when they retire — they just don’t know when that will be. “Our notion is to pay off our mortgage sooner rather than later, but we don’t have a clear idea of how to accomplish that,” Ed says. “We’re trying to evaluate interest rates and market performance. We’re also trying to figure out how much longer we want to work.” They’re seeking a financial advisor who can help them manage their investments and make smart decisions. They’ve worked hard for what they have and said they have never lived in luxury. “We’ve never had a high-end car, and the last time we bought a new car was in 1985.” But now it’s time for some professional help. Elaine says, “Are we doing the right things? When do we want to retire? Do we even have a realistic idea of how much we need to live comfortably? As a CPA, I know enough to be dangerous. Our situation is even more complicated because some of our retirement funds are in the federal Thrift plan. We don’t know if we should leave our money there or what.” Financial planning can get even more complicated when you’re faced with a major life change, such as divorce. Columbia resident Alice has found real value in using the services of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). “Divorce is traumatic and overrun with money worries,” she says. “Our divorce financial advisor has been instrumental in helping us make sound and fair decisions about how to divide assets. She doesn’t just look at the value of our assets and split them fifty-fifty. She uses software to predict how our separate financial positions will evolve over the next decades, based on the nature of the
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assets. That’s when the real shock can hit.” What may look like an equal division of assets and debt can turn into one partner getting into serious financial trouble just a few years down the road because taxes, liquidity, costs and other factors were not fully considered. It’s very common for one of the divorcing parties to end up bankrupt. “Many lawyers and even some financial people don’t think about all the implications when assets and liabilities are divided,” Alice says. “I’ve learned so much from my financial advisor. I was recently listening to Dave Ramsey’s radio show, and I heard him tell a divorcing listener to value their 401K at face value when splitting property in their divorce. I now know that his advice was only partially true in light of all of the other important factors besides an asset’s current gross value. That 401(k) asset may actually be worth much less than another asset with the same current face value due to taxes and the possibility of incurring an early withdrawal penalty. Financial mistakes made during divorce settlements can be especially costly.” “Smart people know how to manage their money,” Alice says. “Smarter people know they don’t know enough on their own, so they hire a financial advisor.” As Mark and Marie found out, it’s important to know whether your financial advisor is selling products, charging for his or her time, or charging an ongoing management fee. You should know what you’re paying for. It’s also important to separate financial planning from investment advice, as they are two distinct decisions. Finally, be sure to set realistic goals that you can actually meet and then follow through with them.
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financial management
Vista Wealth Management, LLC 717 Lady Street Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 661-7671 www.vistawealth.wfadv.com What’s the best way to invest my money to reach my goals? How do I save for soaring college costs? What should I do with my rollover 401K now that I have retired? Will I be able to maintain my current lifestyle during my retirement years? Registered Principal Paul Bennett and his team at Vista Wealth Management regularly address questions such as these with their clients. Changes in the marketplace, such as the recent economic
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downfall, have spurred Americans’ desire to save more and spend less, to plan ahead and not fall behind financially. In general, Paul and his team have noticed that clients strive to become more financially savvy, and it is his goal to make sure they stay up-to-date on trends, investment opportunities and economic turns that may affect their investments. A Columbia native, Paul has been working with individual investors and companies for more than 17 years. Last September, after careful consideration of a rapidly changing environment and both his clients’ and his need for stability, he decided to form a locally-owned, independent investment and wealth management firm, Vista Wealth Management, on Lady Street in downtown Columbia. Vista Wealth Management offers products and services through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network (WFAFN), member SIPC, one of the largest broker-dealers in the country.
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(L to R) Paul Bennett, Bennett Carnes, James Braun
Paul was drawn to WFAFN mainly because of its impressive technology that’s user-friendly for clients, as well as wide-range access and resources to the financial markets. Now Paul and his team – including Registered Client Associate James Braun and Client Associate Bennett Carnes, both of Columbia – provide clients with hands-on tools and high-tech resources that can help them keep on track with their investments. This year, the team introduced an investment planning tool called Envision®, which lays out a step-by-step process to help clients of all ages reach a new level in their investment planning. What makes Vista Wealth Management different from other financial services firms in Columbia? Although Vista Wealth Management is tied to one of the biggest names in the industry that allows access to top resources, it’s also locally-owned and independently operated — making it possible for the team to be more selective in building and
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maintaining a manageable client base — all which leads to great service and attention. Vista Wealth Management provides a full range of financial solutions to help clients in their unique situations. Whether clients are planning for retirement, education funding or estate investment planning and trusts (through affiliates), Vista Wealth can develop personalized plans to help guide them through. Everyone’s situation changes over time, and so do individual needs and goals. That’s why this firm is with their clients every step of the way to provide ongoing guidance, along with the exceptional service their clients deserve. Vista Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN. Investment and insurance products: NOT FDIC-Insured
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NO Bank Guarantee
May Lose Value
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financial management
(L to R) Carlynn Cary, Michael Burkett, Chris Antley
CCM Investment Advisers 1201 Main Street, Suite 1910 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 254-9500 www.ccminc.com CCM Investment Advisers is a privately-owned investment counseling firm located in the Capital Center Plaza in downtown Columbia that provides asset management services for high net worth individuals, corporations, municipalities and institutions. Founded in 1986, CCM manages over $2.5 billion in investable assets. The firm’s only business is the active management of client investment portfolios.
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CCM was founded on the premise that quality investment advice requires individual attention to the investment objectives of each client. Accordingly, each investor’s relationship begins with a thorough discussion of their goals, objectives and risk tolerance. Agreement on each item is formalized in an Investment Policy Statement that is personal to each client, and which becomes the guideposts by which CCM portfolio managers invest client funds. CCM’s investment philosophy is that a disciplined total portfolio management system which identifies relative value among asset classes, as well as individual securities, will provide consistently superior investment performance. The firm’s first priority is risk management, which leads to value determination, which combined ultimately drive performance.
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(L to R) Robert Key, Rebecca Rhodes, Fowler Cary, John Leaphart, Dixie Bullock
Active management at CCM involves the three basic decisions of portfolio management: asset allocation, security selection and timing. Unlike many asset managers employing a static asset allocation process, CCM utilizes proprietary research to drive tactical asset allocation decisions that allow portfolio managers to shift funds from overvalued assets to undervalued assets within a timely, logical and unbiased framework. Securities are selected through a disciplined “bottom up” approach while maintaining a “clear view of the top.” Utilizing the same relative value philosophy employed in the asset allocation system, the CCM team evaluates a universe of 1,500 stocks to develop an optimum portfolio of 40 to 60 stocks. The bond strategy is built on a macro-economic based
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view of interest rate direction and valuation of corporate bonds relative to Treasury and U.S. Agency bonds. Portfolio managers then purchase securities for clients in accordance with agreed upon investment policies, and manage portfolios ongoing to reflect changes in CCM’s investment views. Through shared ownership in the profitability of the firm, CCM Investment Advisers investment professionals have a clear vested interest in the long term success of their clients. This permits portfolio managers to integrate a disciplined, conservative approach with an appreciation for each client’s individual circumstances. The organizational structure is designed to attract and retain both professional, experienced and, most importantly, ethical personnel who place client interests first and foremost.
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financial management
(L to R): Bobby Spires, First Citizens Securities Corporation Compliance Manager; Sharon Bryant, Regional Executive Vice President and Director of Wealth Advisory Group; Jim Zimmerman, Director of Private Banking Group; Paul Lehman, Director of Capital Management Group
First Citizens Wealth Advisory Group 1230 Main Street Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 931-1851 www.firstcitizensonline.com Building relationships that last. With so many options for managing your money and with fraudulent investment activity dominating recent headlines, finding a financial advisor you can trust is not as easy as you might think. There are many choices, but ultimately it boils down to a partnership. “What differentiates First Citizens from other financial advisors is our ability to truly understand clients’ goals and risk profiles,” says Sharon Bryant, executive vice president and director of the First Citizens Wealth Advisory Group. “At First Citizens, financial management is about building relationships and keeping them strong, providing urgent and friendly attention, being a trusted friend and neighbor, and treating our clients the way they deserve to be treated,” says Bryant. “That’s who we are and what we stand for, and that’s never going to change.”
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World class solutions. Personally focused. Locally delivered. First Citizens has grown to become one of the leading banks in the Southeast, with more than $8 billion in assets and more than 190 locations in South Carolina and Georgia. The goal of the First Citizens Wealth Advisory Group is to be the number one trusted advisor and wealth partner in the markets they serve. First Citizens is large enough to give clients all the money management experience of a big firm and small enough to develop financial solutions that are tailored to an individual’s needs. First Citizens’ clients benefit from the bank’s rich heritage and strong track record, because it has worked with generations of individuals and businesses. “At First Citizens, there’s a good chance we’ve known and served your great-grandmother, your uncle, your neighbor and your best friend,” says Bryant. Given the recent economic downturn, many potential investors have exited the stock market and have significant cash on hand. A common misperception is that these investors need to go outside South Carolina – to places like New York, Los Angeles and Dallas – to find someone they trust to manage their money. When it comes down to it,
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The Midlands Wealth Management Team (L to R): Elizabeth Holstein, Private Banking Relationship Manager; Adam Davis, Private Banking Relationship Manager; Brenda Wheeler, Wealth Advisor; Brian Blackwelder, Private Banking Relationship Manager; Virginia Roach, Private Banking Relationship Manager
what potential investors want is a partnership and relationship with an advisor they can trust to help them manage their assets and plan for the future. First Citizens guarantees local attention and accessibility for their clients, because all First Citizens financial advisors live and work in their respective communities. “For the majority of investors in South Carolina today, we are the best solution,” says Paul Lehman, director of the First Citizens Capital Management Group. “We are a financially strong, locally-owned company that has access to worldwide money management and worldclass platforms for investing. And, unlike other banks, we do not offer proprietary products, so there is no hidden agenda and no conflict of interest in the advice we give.” Three teams make up the First Citizens Wealth Advisory Group. • First Citizens Capital Management Group – a team of Wealth Advisors and Client Relationship Officers who have advanced wealth management designations and focus on helping clients grow, preserve and transfer their wealth. The Capital Management Group professionals offer clients and their businesses a variety of services, including customized money management, financial planning, personal trust
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services, insurance, estate and retirement planning. The First Citizens Capital Management Group currently has more than $1 billion of assets under care. • First Citizens Securities Corporation – a team of Financial Advisors who provide clients with brokerage and investment services, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, IRAs, 529 Plans and other taxadvantaged investments. • Private Banking Group – a team of Private Bankers who provide traditional, comprehensive financial services and customized credit solutions to clients. The combined team has more than 70 associates, including eight Certified Financial Planners, two associates with juris doctorate degrees, one Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) and one Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®). Why does First Citizens’ Wealth Advisory Group stand out from the competition? “The bank is a partner, which leads to a friend, which then leads to a trusted advisor,” said Bryant. “Although First Citizens has a large team of experts, we make sure our clients have a dedicated Wealth Advisor, because we believe that having one point of contact simplifies our clients’ financial life and increases our ability to anticipate their needs.”
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financial management
(L to R) David Dunlap, AAMS®, Five Points, 799-1070 Leslie Slaughter, Irmo-Ballentine, 749-2490 Jonathan Mauffray, Dutch Square, 731-0056 Mindy Kyzer, AAMS®, Lexington, 957-0470 Keith Thomason, Lexington, 957-5557
Edward Jones www.edwardjones.com
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The opportunities available in the market today are as plentiful as ever, but so is the need for individual investors to work with a qualified financial-services professional, according to Edward Jones Financial Advsors “At Edward Jones, we take time to understand our clients’ unique financial needs and risk tolerance levels so that we can implement solutions that will put them on track to achieve their long-term financial goals,” said local advisors. “With a well-balanced, diversified portfolio of quality investments, even with short-term fluctuations in the market, investors can make progress toward their goals. Our job is to help individual investors take advantage
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(L to R) J.P. Sineath, Forest Acres, 738-8362 Bevan Weyburn, The Vista, 256-8986 Monty Faile, AAMS®, CFP®, ChFC®, Lake Carolina, 419-2106 Rebecca L. Dixon, Northeast Columbia, 699-4607 Fred Sellers, AAMS®, Village at Sandhill, 699-9341
of potential opportunities and keep them focused on a long-term view.” Serving individual investors through a one-financial-advisor branch office network enables Edward Jones to deliver personal service in convenient office locations. “The Edward Jones business model allows us to get to know our clients, educate them about appropriate investments and then make recommendations based on their individual needs,” local advisors said. “Clients appreciate this level of personal service and, having an office in the community in which they live, makes it convenient to do business with us.” “Our view of the business has not changed,” advisors said. “Our clients come first and everything springs from that concept.” Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of
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the firm’s business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm’s 12,000-plus financial advisors work directly with nearly 7 million clients to understand their personal goals -- from college savings to retirement -- and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to understand and make sense of the investment options available today. Edward Jones, which ranked No. 11 on FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” in 2011, is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward Jones web site is located at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting web site is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.
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(Back Row) Robbie Forsyth, Stuart Paulk, Aaron Rowland, Hagood Ellison (3rd Row) Gordon Whittaker, John DaWalt, Bud Kibler, Rick Migliore (2nd Row) Angie Douglas, John McCardell, Karen Alessi (Front Row) Mandi Turner, Laura Robinson, Cathy Hinson, Emily Long
Ellison Kibler and Associates 1224 Sumter Street Columbia, SC 29201 • (803) 733-2130 Ellison Kibler and Associates was formed with the goal of providing a superior wealth management experience and unsurpassed client service to corporations, affluent families, endowments and foundations. The firm has built its reputation on providing wealth management advice to some of the most high-net-
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worth individual and institutional clients in the country. Ellison Kibler and Associates Financial Advisors have more than 110 years of combined experience working together. They have navigated the markets for their clients since 1983 and have the wisdom from that experience to apply to their clients’ investments. For virtually every aspect of your financial life, Ellison Kibler and Associates can bring you access to the banking strength of Bank of America and the investment insights of Merrill Lynch, one of the largest wealth management organizations in the world.
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financial management
(Seated) Carole L. Moser, W. Patrick Dorn, Jr. (Standing, L to R) John H Moorman, Jr., Margaret Ellen Pender, Gary G. Dannelly
Anchor Investment Management, LLC 6 Calendar Court, Suite 4 Columbia, SC 29206 (803) 790-6654 www.anchorinvestmentmanagement.com A Knowledgeable Partner Since 2000, Anchor Investment Management has been providing high net worth individuals and families with a level of financial expertise and service that has made them a valued and trusted partner. The firm specializes in providing high-quality investment management services with a focus on long-term, tax efficient results. Their goal is simple: to understand the needs of their clients, create strategies that address their unique financial situations and deliver the solutions that will help them reach their objectives. As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), Anchor Investment Management offers a compelling value in the marketplace and provides clients with a number of important benefits:
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• Greater Independence – Because Anchor Investment Management is not part of a brokerage firm with in-house products and services to sell, they are able to operate free of any conflicts of interests and make objective investment decisions on behalf of their clients. • Interests Aligned with Yours – Their compensation (“fee only”) is based on a percentage of assets under management, so their success is directly linked to that of their clients. They work collaboratively with accountants, attorneys and other professionals to serve their clients fully. • Accountability and Focus – They are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and regulated by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; thus they have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of their clients at all times. Anchor’s size and focus allow them to serve clients with a deeper understanding of their goals and desires. • Experience and Qualifications – The professionals at Anchor Investment Management bring proven expertise and a combined 140 years of experience in investments and related financial fields to every client relationship — backed by industry credentials.
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financial management
(L to R) Larry Miller, Jocelyn Henderson, Laurie White, Andrew Todd
Asset Management and Planning, LLC 602 Meeting Street, Suite C West Columbia, SC 29169 (803) 739-6311 www.assetmgtplanning.com Asset Management and Planning is dedicated to providing objective long-term financial planning and investment management with a fee-only approach that puts clients first and eliminates product bias. Clients get the personal attention required to develop financial plans tailored to their individual needs using available resources. The firm’s goal is a long-term relationship where they assist each client in navigating the volatile financial markets of tomorrow. Financial planning is the process of quantifying your current financial position, determining realistic goals and structuring a plan to achieve them. Asset Management and Planning implements and monitors each plan,
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making adjustments as needed to keep your investment plan on the proper course. Agents meet with each client regularly to discuss changes that may occur in their personal situation as well as to evaluate how the plan in place is performing. Asset Management and Planning’s investment philosophy centers on asset allocation and diversification, the most sound and academically proven method to achieve excellent long term results. With more than 30 years of experience in the fixed income markets, the firm’s ability to structure personalized fixed income portfolios is unique. That experience enables them to find better yields without sacrificing credit quality in both taxable and tax exempt bonds. Asset Management and Planning’s comprehensive approach is goal oriented. The firm strives to offer total planning that includes each individual’s estate plan, tax planning and insurance needs, as well as investment management. Their mission is to help clients reach their goals and provide them with financial peace of mind.
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financial management
(L to R) Dana Theus, Clarke McNair, Samantha Wood, Bob Davidson, Jr., Linda Chen, Jac Carrington
The Davidson-McNair Group The Davidson-McNair Group Morgan Stanley Smith Barney 1320 Main Street, 8th Floor Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 343-8944 www.fa.smithbarney.com/thedavidsonmcnairgroup The Davidson-McNair Group’s most important goal is to simplify your life … helping you achieve your financial objectives by providing proactive guidance and impeccable services that allow your wealth to do more. Managing wealth involves far more than managing an investment portfolio. It begins with developing a holistic, comprehensive understanding of who you are and the financial forces at work in your life. It means helping you understand and respond effectively to these forces. And, of course, it means helping you invest your assets in a way that reflects the uniqueness
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of your life and the realities of your long-term goals. The Davidson-McNair Group is committed to building a relationship of trust in which they work closely with you to help you define your objectives, explore alternatives and choose financial strategies that are most appropriate. They address their clients’ needs, return expectations and risk tolerances through: • a disciplined and well defined investment process • an emphasis and expertise in financial planning • integrity, commitment and dedication to client service The Davidson-McNair Group has established a professional team to meet the financial needs of high net worth families, endowments and institutions who customarily have investable assets of $500,000 or greater. With the strength of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney behind the team, the firm’s worldwide resources are focused on providing quality advice, integrated solutions, and intelligence across global markets. The Davidson-McNair Group is passionate about helping you accomplish your financial goals.
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financial management
SCBT Wealth Management Group 520 Gervais Street Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 231-3551 www.SCBTonline.com SCBT Wealth Management Group is dedicated to helping affluent families in the Midlands achieve their financial aspirations. The firm’s experienced team of professionals delivers comprehensive, highly customized, advice-based financial strategies recognizing every family’s unique characteristics. They offer multi-disciplined expertise with a focus on developing and implementing solutions for the important financial issues families must address, including: • Financial and Estate Planning • Asset Strategy and Management • Trust Administration • Estate Settlement • Philanthropy SCBT Wealth Management Group’s clients value customized relationship management, delivered locally by professionals who have dedicated their entire careers to advising families regarding financial matters. They deliver sophisticated solutions in a comfortable, stable environment that is free from the bureaucracy found in larger institutions. They firmly believe in the value of local decisions and the simplicity of personal service. The team includes attorneys, Certified Financial Planners®, Certified Trust and Financial Advisors and Accredited Investment Fiduciaries. Their experienced team can help you protect, procure and grow your family’s wealth.
(Back to Front) Charles Williams, Portfolio Manager; Deedie Jordan, Senior Trust Advisor; Karen Crapse, Trust Associate; Donna Murray, Wealth Planning Advisor; Brian Barker, Portfolio Manager; Fran Cass, Trust Advisor; Tatiana Williams, Trust Associate; Ann Gluse, Division Manager; and Bill Coker, Senior Relationship Manager
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financial management
JHS Capital Advisors 1333 Main Street, Suite 170 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 988-0761 • www.jhscapital.com
Above: Bruce K. Snell, JHS Capital Advisors, Managing Director, Southeast Region. Inset (L to R): Frank Braddock , Jerry Stafford, Donna Able, Cameron Runyan
JHS Capital Advisors has been steadily strengthening its Columbia presence. The firm opened its Main Street office, which includes the Braddock Group advisory team, last year and has looked to a Columbia native with deep financial industry experience to help expand its growing roster of advisors. As managing director of the Southeast region, Bruce K. Snell is primarily responsible for recruiting advisors to JHS. He has worked in the financial services industry for over 25 years, mostly in Columbia. “At JHS, we’re creating not just a new firm, but a new kind of firm. We’re very selective, hiring by invitation only,” Snell says. “There are more than 1,100 financial advisors in the state of South Carolina. While they all won’t be a fit for JHS, we’re dedicated to finding the best of the best, who put their clients’ needs first, to join our growing organization.” Snell is an active member of the Columbia community, serving on the Columbia Area Young Life Committee. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He sees his involvement with these organizations part of his commitment to living the JHS code of ethics, a cornerstone in the firm’s culture. “We want to work with advisors we can be proud of,” Snell says, “and our commitment to integrity doesn’t stop at the end of the work day. We live it in every aspect of our lives.”
Equity Payment (803) 360-9516 www.equitypayment.com Do you know the top five triggers that add costs to your credit card processing fees? Paul Truesdale of Equity Payment does, and he can share his expertise with your business. “Credit card processing has become incredibly complex in today’s world. It’s so much more involved than ‘the rate.’” “How a business processes, how much it processes, the risk factor of the purchase, and how quickly a business wants its money turned around and back in the bank ... its bank ... are just a few of the factors we advise on in order to give a company its best return,” w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m
Paul says. Equity Payment is an active advocate for its clients. “Our job is to reduce overall costs, improve processing and provide the best security measures possible. We are dealing with people’s money, after all. While it may not be the heart of a business, it’s certainly the life blood and it needs to be protected.” Equity Payment can create a custom tailored solution for any retail business, professional practice or government agency that processes credit cards. To request a consult with Paul about your specific business needs, call (877) 909-4968 or email ptruesdale@equitypayment.com. SPECIAL A D V ERTISING SECTION
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financial management
T. H. Kepley Financial Services, LLC P.O. Box 61076 Columbia, SC 29260 (803) 787-3500 thkepley.com T. H. Kepley Financial Services, LLC was founded in 2008 to fill the gap in financial services between the large, slow-moving firms and less experienced individuals. With over 25 years in the financial industry, Thomas Kepley saw many solutions created before the customer existed and felt that the lack of personalization was a barrier to achieving the customer’s financial goals. The Retirement and Wealth Management markets face many challenges in today’s economy. T. H. Kepley Financial Services’ unique approach to these markets creates a process to focus on the goals of its clients. Being independent allows T. H. Kepley associates to find the best possible solution from all of the available choices - not just what is the most obvious - for their clients. Whether those clients are individuals or corporations, Thomas wants to address their unique concerns. The firm specializes in Corporate Retirement Plans and Individual Retirement Planning, Wealth Preservation and Estate Planning. Thomas Kepley maintains the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from Fiduciary360 (fi360), an organization offering training, tools and resources to promote a culture of fiduciary responsibility and improve the decision making processes of fiduciaries. Less than one percent of all financial services professionals in the state of South Carolina hold the AIF designation. T. H. Kepley Financial Services offers all securities through Capitol Securities Management, Inc. Capitol Securities (100 Concourse Blvd., Suite 101, Glen Allen, VA 23059) is a registered Broker/Dealer and a member of FINRA and SIPC.
Thomas Kepley
Capital Financial Partners, Inc. 388 St. Andrews Road • Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 561-9003 • www.capitalfinancialpartners.com Ben Herritage, a founding partner of Capital Financial Partners, Inc., has been working with clients across South Carolina for more than a decade. With care, understanding and expertise, each client receives personal attention to his or her needs and goals. In this day of uncertainty, it is critical to trust that your advisor is working in your best interest at all
times. As a comprehensive Financial Planning and Employee Benefits firm, Capital Financial Partners has the ability to help businesses as well as individuals seeking a trusted advisor. From small businesses to individuals, Capital Financial Partners will help design and implement custom strategies that best suit their clients’ needs.
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Dyadic Financial Management, LLC 115 Atrium Way, Suite 103 Columbia, SC 29223 (803) 708-4727 www.dyadicfinancial.com Dyadic Financial Management is an independent wealth planning practice located in Northeast Columbia. The firm was founded on the idea of being independent, and the founder therefore chose the services of one of the largest independent broker/dealers in the country, LPL Financial. With this independence and a wide array of financial products, Dyadic Financial is able to put client’s goals and needs above all else. The firm focuses on retirement planning for both the accumulation and distribution phases and investment planning. Their planning process helps clients develop a road map to a successful retirement by considering all aspects of the retirement picture. Their investment process personalizes an investment strategy for each client and steps away from most of the typical investment strategies like “buy and hold.” Dyadic Financial was founded by Brad Blackburn who is a native of South Carolina and a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelors Degree in Financial Management. Brad started in the financial services industry in 1998 and has since earned several designations including the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Charter Financial Consultant® designation. In addition to his work, Brad is a deacon at Gantt Street Baptist Church, a board member for Child Evangelism Fellowship, and a member of the Spring Valley Rotary Club. Brad and his wife Melanie, a pediatrician, participate in medical mission trips to Micronesia and have four children. Contact Dyadic Financial to find out if they might be the right fit for you. Brad Blackburn, CFP®, ChFC®
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.
Palmetto Citizens Trust & Investment Services 3122 Millwood Avenue Columbia, SC 29205 (803) 376-2805 www.palmettocitizens.org The Palmetto Citizens Trust and Investment Services at Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union offers a full range of financial, retirement, estate, and wealth management services. The team of Robin D. Arnold, CFP®, CRPC®, Vice President-Wealth Management and Trust Liaison Officer, Benjamin C. Ingram, Investment Representative, Elizabeth Dioguardi and Tanya Maldonado has over 40 years combined experience and is dedicated to helping you reach your goals and achieve your potential.
Palmetto Citizens offers a full suite of investment management services including retirement planning, insurance planning and college funding, in addition to estate* and trust services. For more information or to arrange a no-cost private consultation, call (803) 376-2805. Work with Someone You Trust. *Representative is neither a tax advisor nor attorney. For information regarding your specific tax situation, please consult a tax professional. For legal questions, including a discussion about estate planning, please consult your attorney. Representatives are registered, securities are sold, and investment advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free 800-369-2862. Trust services available through MEMBERS Trust Company. Nondeposit investment and insurance products are not federally insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the financial institution. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution, through the financial services program, to make securities available to members. FR071120-EB1F
(L to R) Benjamin C. Ingram, Tanya Maldonado, Elizabeth Dioguardi, Robin D. Arnold w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m
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getting down to business with
Providence Hospitals F
ounded in 1938 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine to minister to the community in both body and spirit, Providence Hospitals is known statewide for its compassionate care. The non-profit organization, which has been a staple in healthcare services in the Midlands for decades, is comprised of four entities: Providence Hospital, Providence Heart & Vascular Institute, Providence Hospital No r t h e a s t a n d P r o v i d e n c e Orthopaedic & Neuro Spine Institute. Wh i l e t h e s e f a c i l i t i e s and services have laid a solid foundation of innovation and quality, healthcare is changing and new challenges have led the current CEO, George Zara, to look ahead. Driven by the same spirit that inspired a pastor and a local businessman to establish a Catholic hospital in Columbia in the 1930s, Zara and his team continue to explore and implement necessary changes within the organization to stay ahead of industry factors that are out of their control. “Our nation’s healthcare system is at a tipping point,” says George. “It is clear that its existing structure and fundamentals are not sustainable. In South Carolina, physicians and hospitals will see reduced payments for services. In addition, patients want to receive care differently. More procedures are converting from inpatient to outpatient.” Governments at the national and state levels are reducing the revenue paid to both physicians and hospitals for providing healthcare. The future model of care must be provided in the lowest cost setting, it must demonstrate high-quality 122 C olu m b ia M e t ro p oli tan
George Zara, CEO of Providence Hospitals
outcomes and a great personal experience, and it must be coordinated across all sites of care. Providence is committed to creating such a model of care and getting ahead of the healthcare changes that the entire industry faces. “Providence is strong today, but in order to remain strong well into the future, we need to change our thinking and how we deliver care while ensuring that the patient remains our focus,” George says. “Sometimes, this will require making tough decisions.” SPE C I A L A D V ERT I S I N G SE C T I O N
Among some of the tough decisions that have been made are staffing adjustments, streamlined procedures and reduced supply costs. These and other measures, along with George’s vision for the organization’s future, have positioned Providence Hospitals to continue to deliver the highest quality of care to patients for years to come. For more information about Providence Hospitals, visit www.providencehospitals.com or Like them on Facebook at facebook.com/ ProvidenceHospitals.
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getting down to business with
Holder Properties ASPYRE
ASPYRE
ASPYRE
MAIN & GERVAIS
MAIN & GERVAIS
MERIDIAN
MERIDIAN
ADESSO
ADESSO
ADESSO
H
older Properties is a fullservice real estate development company with properties throughout the United States. Founded in 1980, the company has completed over $1.5 billion of development encompassing over 10 million square feet of commercial and residential space. Since 2004, Holder Properties has developed four major downtown Columbia projects valued at more than $250 million. You may already be familiar with Meridian, the 18 story office tower at 1320 Main Street. This building opened in 2004 and, in addition to the rooftop garden, also features two pocket parks, a fitness center and is home to Zoë’s Kitchen. Adesso, a luxury condominium building, is conveniently located in
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downtown Columbia at the corner of Main and Blossom streets. The building features 110 residences, ranging from one bedroom to three bedrooms, as well as first-class amenities. The community boasts a beautiful pool deck and welllandscaped terrace elevated above street level and nestled quietly in the center of the property for breathtaking sunset views. Adesso offers its residents a lifestyle like no other: a secluded feel and, at the same time, the convenience of in-town living and the joys that come with it. Aspyre at Assembly Station is a 400 unit apartment complex at the corner of Assembly and Whaley streets. The property has an impressive list of resident services, extensive recreational amenities and an award-winning management team. The four-story SPE C I A L A D V ERT I S I N G SE C T I O N
building covering over 7 acres includes one, two and three bedroom apartment homes, a parking deck, club room, 24-hour fitness center and five outdoor amenity courtyards. Another contribution to the downtown skyline is Main & Gervais, an 18 story office building located across from the Capitol. Three Columbia based tenants – The McNair Law Firm, Edens & Avant and The National Bank of South Carolina – occupy this state of the art, class A building. Whether you need a new place to live or a new space for your business, Holder Properties sets the standard for quality in Columbia. For more information on Holder Properties, visit www.holderproperties.com. C olu m b ia M e t ro p oli tan 123
getting down to business with
Moore Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
M
oore Sports Medicine is one of the most comprehensive, knowledgeable and experienced sports medicine programs in the state. The practice currently provides medical services, including on-the-field medical coverage and school pre-participation physicals, to over 25 high schools, middle schools and colleges in South Carolina. In addition to its heavy involvement in school sports coverage, Moore Sports Medicine has also covered other community sports programs and events, including Columbia Volleyball Club, Girls on the Run Columbia, Providence Heart and Sole 5K, USA Rugby’s SC Tournament, SCVarsity.com, Sunburn Open Tennis Tournament and the USMC Mud Run.
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Moore Sports Medicine has on staff 8 doctors, 14 sports rehab physical therapists and 20 certified athletic trainers. In addition to the Sports Medicine Concussion Center, services offered at the practice include surgical and non-surgical orthopedics, athletic training, sports performance training, custommolded orthotics, sports rehab physical therapy and prophylactic and functional sports bracing. If you are interested in having The Moore Sports Medicine team work with your school, organization or event, please contact the practice at (803) 227-8159. If you would like more information about the Sports Medicine Concussion Center, or to register your child for concussion baseline testing, call (803) 227-8170.
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getting down to business with
Seawell’s
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eawell’s is a family owned and operated catering business that has been serving delicious food in the Columbia area since 1946. Once a well known restaurant, Seawell’s now provides catering for private events such as weddings, corporate meetings, cocktail parties and banquets of all sizes. From groups of 20 to over 1,000, Seawell’s not only offers it services in their facility located on Rosewood Drive but at off-site locations also. Seawell’s was founded by Carroll O. Seawell, Sr., and first opened as a small hamburger/hot dog stand on North Main Street. Over time, Seawell’s was expanded into a drive-in restaurant, a meat and 3 vegetable buffet and then in to a full-time catering operation. In the early 1970s, w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m
Seawell’s moved from its original location on North Main to inside the South Carolina State Fairgrounds, where it operated for over 20 years. In January 1999, Seawell’s opened the doors to its own 30,000 square foot facility that contains a 13,000+ square foot banquet hall/reception center. Seawell’s takes pride in not only serving the best and freshest foods, but also in giving top-notch service to make any event a success. Seawell’s can handle a very formal wedding reception or cocktail party as well as a casual Low Country Beaufort Stew. Just recently Seawell’s began serving a lunch buffet on weekdays from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. The buffet includes a selection of entrées, fresh vegetables and starches, a garden fresh salad bar, SPE C I A L A D V ERT I S I N G SE C T I O N
a soup of the day, bread and butter, a large selection of desserts and tea or coffee. Wi t h s o n s C a l , Ro b b i e a n d Gary running the second generation establishment, Seawell’s continues to focus on delivering fresh, delicious food in a family-run environment. That means treating employees and clients like family and always giving the highest quality of service. Seawell’s also offers its “GAMECOCK GAME DAY” for all USC home football games. There is season or individual game parking with indoor restrooms and a large tailgating menu to choose from. Call Seawell’s for your next event at (803) 771-7385 or visit seawellscateringsc.com. C olu m b ia M e t ro p oli tan 125
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Sara Rentz and Seth Krisnow
Lauren Bagnal and Zac Rhinesmith
p h o t o g r a p h y b y C l a r k B e r r y. c o m photography by michael koska
p h o t o g r a p h y b y C l a r k B e r r y. c o m
Shannon Griffin and Frank Martin
p h o t o g r a p h y b y H o l ly G r a c i a n o P h o t o g r a p h y
Tasha Anderson and William Oliver
p h o t o g r a p h y b y c l a r k b e r r y. c o m
Amanda Speaks and Jeffrey Frankhouse
photography by Michael Koska
Charlotte Gardner and Rion Cobb
married
Elizabeth Pittman and David Lee
Dale Ewald and Michele Clevenger
Andrew Petrarca and Laura Russell
Submit your wedding photos for Just Married or your event photos for Picture This!
Lyndsay Curtis and Breck Taylor
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liz roberts photography
photography by all dressed up photography
photography by Michael Koska
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p h o t o g r a p h y b y C l a r k B e r r y. c o m
just
Send an email to robyn@columbiametro.com for details. Sophie Hodaly and Vladimir Gorrin
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picture this
Family Connection’s Annual Spring Benefit
Lynette Landers, Kyllan Hutchinson, Monica Scott, Esther Dennis, Heyward Brabham, McIver Williamson, Jackie Richards
Vanessa Clark, LaKisha Cross, Crystal Ray
Crystal Garrett, Anthony Day
Heyward Brabham, Carole Brabham, Caty Garside
Joe Pinner
Encore! The SC Philharmonic’s Annual Gala
Lynn Hodge, Joseph Rackers, Marina Lomazov
Tom Monahan, Cheryl Black, Boyd Black
Bill Danielson, Peg Danielson, Jacquelyn Klynemberg, Brian Buck
Simons Hane, Violet Hane, Ginger Rhodes, Austin Rhodes
Marvin Chernoff, Libby Heath
Hanna Horne, Joseph Horne
PAALS Un-Gala
Joni Scates, Stacey Johns
Ken Gaines
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Dori Tempio, Casper, Crystal Black, Katy, Kelly Springer, Charlie, Rebecca Terry, A.J.
Jen Rogers, Chuck Rogers
Sandra Gaines
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