Lexington Woman Volume 9 No. 3 2015

VOL 9, NO 3

COMPLIMENTARY

CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING WOMEN TM

Real

ROBIN CARPENTER A Hero’s Mother

Cayce, Chapin, Lexington, West Columbia, & White Knoll

In this Issue TM

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lori Samples Duncan (loriduncan86@gmail.com)

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

Cathy Williams (info@lexingtonwomanonline.com)

From the Editor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ashby Jones Carol Ryall Jennifer W. Potts Kimberly Richardson Lori Samples Duncan Patti McGrath Stephanie Y. Vokral Paul Kirby

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lisa Ashworth woman2womanlisa@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Clark Berry Photography Joe Willis Photography Tanya Waller Photography

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The Real Coaches Wives of South Carolina

Events 3

What’s Happening?

The Front Porch Gourmet 4

Summer Grilling Recipes and Tips

Health & Wellness

28 Tackling Headaches with a Combination of OT, PT, and Alternative Therapy 31 Lexington Medical Center Expands Cardiac Rehabilition Into Irmo

Pets

32 Women of Lexington Medical: Terry Ullsperger

Let’s Talk!

10 Meet Sherry Cariens

31 Women of Lexington Medical: Barbara Willm

14 The Ashby Chronicle: A Mother’s Care

Around Town

18 The life of Robin Carpenter, mother of an American hero

Business & Web Directory

22 Kim Koon Supports Local Cop

Personal Note

9 Pet Boarding Tips

Professional

34 Local School Achievments 36 Contact our Advertisers 45 Oh, the Memories!

24 The Roof Over Your Head

Find us on facebook!

Woman 2 Woman Media, LLC Woman 2 Woman Publishing (803) 785-4475 104 Pine Tree Drive Lexington, SC 29073

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However, the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or omissions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. © 2014

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From The Editor

his issue was especially near and dear to me.

As a mother, I can appreciate the fact that you simply do what you need to do. Sometimes it is a thankless job. Dads seem to be cooler than moms. And let’s face it, ine months of a life altering experience and nine times out of ten your children look just look like your husband, so where is the glory?

In all seriousness I never knew how difficult the job was until I became a mom myself. So to all of you mothers out there, Lexington Woman Magazines salutes you . We do not salute you because of Mothers’ Day but we salute you every single day. For all the lunches you pack, for all the boo boos you kiss, for all the compassion you teach, and little hearts you mend, we salute you daily. I hope you enjoy reading about some pretty amazing mothers in this issue of LWM. We had a lot of fun putting this together, and we came up with a pretty impressive list of ladies, if I do say so myself.

We want to remind you to tell our advertisers you saw them in the pages of Lexington Woman Magazine. We like to bring you the best of the best, and local business, in our humble opinion, is the best. Support local businesses that are supporting our communities. The businesses in these pages have made a commitment to you , to provide quality services, products and superior customer service. Let them know you appreciate what they are doing locally.

We hope you have a happy and healthy summer and look forward to seeing you again in the month of July. If this weather is any indication, it is going to be a hot one SC ! Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and do something nice for someone today.

God Bless and See you soon!

Your friend,

Lori Samples Duncan

Ecclesiastes 8:15

And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

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What’s Happening in Lexington?

4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray July 4, 2015 9:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Imagine a parade of 100 boats or more, festooned in red, white and blue, with similarly decorated people aboard them. Add about 5,000 spectators – on other boats and at Dreher Island State Park – all marveling at the revelry and creative costuming. This is just the first part of the 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray. The event also features an evening concert of patriotic music by the Lake Murray Orchestra, followed by about 20 minutes of fireworks over the water. Registration for the boat parade is free, and the concert, on Dreher Island State Park, is free as well (after paying for park entry).

www.lakemurraycountry.com

Lexington County Peach Festival in Gilbert July 4, 2015 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Peaches and Patriotism are the stars of this time-honored festival, and maybe nothing illustrates the spirit of Lexington County better. Held every July 4, except when it falls on a Sunday, the Peach Festival is powered by generations of the same families who work year-round to make sure their hundreds of guests get an authentic taste of what makes this area special.

There’s barbeque. Hamburgers. Hot dogs. And peaches – let’s discuss the ways. Besides the requisite peach cobbler and peach ice cream (don’t pass that up), you can try peach tea, peach parfait, peach sundaes, peach slushes, peach almond delights, and peach zip. Cooks can submit creations to the peach recipe contest; little girls to young ladies can enter the many levels of the Miss Peach Queen contest.

www.lexingtoncountypeachfestival.com

Farmer’s Market June - September 2015

Town of Lexington’s Farmers Market. Join us from 9am - 12pm at Lexington Square Park on the corner of Main St. and S. Lake Dr. We have a great list of vendors always ready to showcase their local products.

The Town of Lexington Farmers Market is primarily intended as a farmer/grower market that uses a community-friendly atmosphere to promote, support and encourage local food production, while educating citizens on the benefits of eating local, fresh produce and supporting the Certified South Carolina program.

1st Annual Artisan Fair June 20, 2015 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Palms to Palmettos is hosting it’s 1st Annual Artisan Fair at 3357 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, SC 29169.We will have the Art and Antique Gallery open for all to visit as well as many local Artists and Craftsmen on hand. Great unique gifts just in time for Fathers Day.

White Knoll Patriot Run June 27, 2015 Registration starts at 7:00am Race begins at 8:00am White Knoll High School 5643 Platt Springs Road

The registration fee is $25, or $30 with a t-shirt. The t-shirt comes free with registration if you register before June 1st.

www.patriotrunwhiteknoll.com

Events

GRILLING

SUMMER

Recipes By Melissa Pelkey-Hass at The Front Porch Gourmet Mr. Sweet and I have been travelling quite a bit these days. We’ve been to Hilton Head Island, St. Simons, Myrtle Beach, Lexington SC, Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, Helen, stay-cations in downtown Atlanta, and preparing for San Francisco and Austin, Texas. Whew.

Lately, we’ve been real road hogs.

I love visiting new places, seeing new things and of course, eating new foods, because well, I’m a food-a-holic, a food junkie and food obsessed. Does that make me weird? Well, pretty much, but I’m good with that. I embrace my foodie weirdness.

Through all of our travels I have finally, at long last, determined the very best spot in the entire world to chow down. Are you ready for the big reveal? Are you breathless with anticipation? Ok…you asked. The BEST place we’ve eaten in the past year has been…

Our backyard!! I KNOW right? It was there all along.

I’m really not kidding. I mean come on, you KNOW me! We don’t mess around! And we don’t charge nearly as much.

On the rare weekends we get to really enjoy our backyard and our grill, we savor the moments. This past weekend what we really 4

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

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savored was this fabulous skewered grilled chicken and vegetables with an incredibly delicious, lick the bowl clean like cake batter, Brown Sugar Sriracha Glaze, compliments of our friend Loriann at casa de la Cargill. Y’all seriously. It doesn’t get any better than this glaze. We love it like a fat kid loves cake. Like Laverne loved Shirley. Like Joni loved Chachi. Like Bo loved Hope. Like Victor loved Nikki. (I’m telling my age here.) Like Front Porch Gourmet loves casa de la Cargill. Really though, I can’t wait to try it on pork chops and shrimp and more roasted veggies! I LOVED it.

YOU will love it. It will be a great big, gigantic love fest on your grill!

Here’s my version used on the chicken kabobs and a grilled peach salad, and don’t miss Loriann’s original recipe with some fantastic Pork Kabobs here.

Don’t bother with plates! Use this for date night and just put everything on one big platter to share with a bottle of wine. Or three.

As far as food lovers of the world go, I think we kinda “School House Rock” it!

The Front Porch Gourmet

Grilled Chicken KABOBS over Peach & Ricotta Salad with Brown Sugar Sriracha Glaze Ingredients: For the Kabobs: 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed 2 cups vegetables of your choice Cherry tomatoes for the ends wooden skewers Brown Sugar Sriracha Glaze below For the Grilled Peach Salad: 3 peaches, halved and pits removed 1 bag Arugula Greens 1 recipe Homemade Ricotta Brown Sugar Sriracha Glaze below 1 package Proscuitto 1 loaf crusty bread For the Brown Sugar Sriracha Glaze: ¾ cup chicken stock ¼ cup dark brown sugar ¼ cup soy sauce 1 tbsp sriracha sauce ½ tbsp garlic paste ¼ tsp. black pepper

Directions: First, prepare the Sriracha glaze. Heat all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium high heat; bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until reduced by half.

Skewer the meat and vegetables. Grill for about 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through but not dried. Brush with glaze during the last 5 minutes of cooking to avoid burning. Brush with additional glaze after kabobs are fully cooked for great, additional flavor.

While kabobs are on the grill, prepare the salad. Prepare a bed of greens. Lightly brush peaches with Sriracha glaze. Grill cut side down for approximately 45 seconds to one minute. You’re looking for a little caramelization and nice grill marks.

Remove from grill and place peaches on the bed of Arugula. Add slices of Prosciutto, bread and a bowl of Homemade Ricotta cheese. (Recipe at thefrontporchgourmet.com) Store bought is NOT the same. Trust me on this. Because I love you and would never, ever lie to you. And it is so easy your goldfish could make it. You got this. Then you can get what’s in that photo up there. Thank me later for sharing. I could have kept it all to myself you know www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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The Front Porch Gourmet

Grilled Cheddar HOT DOGS with Hard Cider Onions and Candied Jalapenos (Jalopy Jelly)

Ingredients: 8 Cheddar filled hot dogs, sausage dogs or turkey dogs 8 buns 2 large onions Stone ground mustard hot dog chili 1 bottle hard cider 2 tbsp. butter salt & pepper to taste Candied Jalapenos or Jalopy Jelly Cole slaw for topping optional*

Directions: In a skillet, add butter, cider, onions, salt & pepper. Allow to cook until onions are crisp tender, about ten minutes. Grill or prepare hot dogs. Place in a warm bun and top with all the fixins including onions.

So easy! So good!!

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Grilled STONE FRUIT with Mixed Spring Greens, Fresh Ricotta & Ciabatta Bread

Let’s Talk

The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat Open the palm of your hand.

Relax the hand. Take the index finger of your other hand and push on the fleshy area between the thumb and the base of the palm. Make sure your hand is relaxed. This is what raw meat feels like. (Check this out the next time you have a raw steak to cook.)

Press the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb. The fleshy area below the thumb should give quite a bit. This is what meat cooked to rare feels like. Open up your palm again and compare raw to rare.

Gently press the tip of your middle finger to the tip of your thumb. This is medium rare.

Ingredients: 1 bag/container Mixed Spring Greens with Arugula 6 mixed stone fruit; I used peaches and plums 1 container fresh ricotta (recipe at thegourmetfrontporch.com) Ciabatta or crusty bread Good Olive Oil Good Red Wine or Flavored Balsamic Vinegar

DIRECTIONS: Cut fruit in half and remove pits. Grill or griddle face down until the fruit caramelizes. Place fruit on top of a bed of the mixed greens and serve with oil and vinegar for your salad dressing, ricotta and sliced bread. This is so simple, but so gorgeous and so good!

NOTE: This is a fantastic, beautiful dish to split between guests.

For a more hearty first course, add good Pancetta, Prosciutto or country ham to your platter with a side of candied walnuts.

Press the tip of your ring finger and your thumb together. The flesh beneath the thumb should give a little more. This is what meat cooked to a medium doneness feels like.

Now gently press the tip of your pinky and your thumb together.

Again feel the fleshy area below the thumb. It should feel quite firm. This is what well done meat feels like when you press on it.

(Check this out the next time you overcook a piece of meat.)

All recipes provided by

TheGourmetFrontPorch.com

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The Front Porch Gourmet

Ingredients: For pork chops: 6 assorted bone-in pork chops 1 jar Raspberry Chipotle sauce or homemade 1/4 cup salt 1/4 cup sugar Salt & pepper to taste For homemade sauce: 2 tbsp. olive oil 2 cloves minced garlic 2 tsp. adobo sauce 2 cups fresh raspberries 1/2 cup raspberry flavored or aged Balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar For the Squash: 3 patty pan squash, cut into thin slices lengthwise 1/4 cup Dill flavored olive oil or a good olive oil 1 bunch fresh chopped Dill Salt & pepper to taste

Raspberry Chipotle PORK CHOPS with Grilled & Dilled Patty Pan Squash Directions: For pork chops: Place pork chops in a large container with lid. Cover pork chops with water.

Add 1/4 cup salt and 1/4 cup sugar to the water. Replace lid and put in fridge. Allow them to sit at least an hour or overnight.

This brine will keep your chops moist.

Drain from brine and sprinkle with salt & pepper. Grill for about 15 minutes or until done. Brush with Raspberry Chipotle sauce during the last 5 minutes of grilling so the sauce doesn’t burn.

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

For homemade sauce: Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and puree. I like to leave some raspberries intact for small bursts of flavor in the sauce. Place in a sauce pot over medium heat and allow to cook 15 minutes.

For the Squash: Brush each squash slice with oil and sprinkle with dill. Grill on the top rack for about 15 minutes or until squash is tender.

Real Women

Pets

ensure your pets stay while boarding!

HELP

healthy and safe

By Briana Davis

N

ow is the time for Spring Breaks, Summer Breaks, and much needed family vacation time. For families with pets, this means boarding time as well. Boarding facilities can provide a fun environment for pets while their families are on vacation. Here are some tips to help ensure your pets stay healthy and safe while boarding.

Pets need to be up to date on their vaccines.

Like children receiving vaccines prior to starting school, pets also need protection against the common diseases that may be carried by other pets. Different boarding facilities may have different vaccine requirements. Be sure your pets vaccine history meets those requirements prior to checking in to the facility. If vaccines need to be updated, it’s best to have them done at least 1-2 weeks prior to boarding so that the vaccines have time to become protective. Your pet also needs to be current on their flea/tick control, heartworm prevention, and intestinal dewormer.

Many pets are prone to developing vomiting and/or diarrhea secondary to sudden diet changes. Bringing their own food so their diet will be consistent will help prevent that.

Our cats, picky eaters that they often are, may be more likely to eat their own food rather than a food that they aren't used to. Maintaining a good appetite is especially important

in our overlarge kitties. If an obese cat goes without eating, it can lead to a debilitating liver disease called hepatic lipidosis. Therefore it’s especially important to encourage a good appetite by providing their regular diet.

Also bring any daily medications your pet takes. Make sure the directions for use are clearly labeled.

Though boarding staff are skilled and knowledgeable about taking care of animals in general, it’s important you let them know about your pet's tendencies in particular. If you have a little dog that is prone to leaping from tall heights into your arms, let them know. That way they can be prepared to catch your pet when they open the cage door, or, better yet, place them in a floor level cage.

This will help prevent a vacation-ending phone call that "Fluffy" has a concussion or broken leg. If your dog’s favorite pastime is digging to China or scaling Mt. Everest, let the boarding staff know. They will be able to

closely monitor to make sure your pet isn't climbing over the fence or tunneling their way to freedom. If your dog tends to chew on things that aren't digestable, the boarding staff can take precautions to make sure your pet doesn't eat their bedding. Many boarding facilities also have group play time for their boarders. Its important to let the boarding staff know if your pet doesn't play well with others so potential fights can be avoided.

Some pets are very anxious in new surroundings. Their anxiety may be to the point that they will quit eating, bark non-stop, or stay curled in a ball trying to hide. For these guys it may be best to keep them in their regular environment. There are several pet-sitting/ house-sitting services available. However, most pets do well with boarding. Following the above tips will help them to enjoy their vacation as their family is enjoying theirs!

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AIMING TO BE

Best

By Carol A. Ryall Photos By Tanya Waller

S

herry Cariens, the outstanding Principal at Oak Grove Elementary School, knew from the fifth grade that she wanted to be a teacher. She has certainly fulfilled that ambition and exceeded it in many ways.

Growing up on School Street in Belmont, NC, right across the street from her elementary school, she would voluntarily stay after school to help her teachers, who were both her mentors and role models. She then selected Appalachian State University because of its reputation as the best teachers’ program in North Carolina.

After graduating from ASU, Sherry Cariens researched which school districts in South Carolina were the strongest. Lexington One was on the top of her list. As she put it, “I wanted to work in the best district and I wanted my future children to be in the best schools. Having beautiful Lake Murray at my door and also being so close to Columbia were added perks! I was thrilled when I was hired to teach math and science at Oak Grove Elementary School!”

come a Lighthouse School for Leadership is a three-year process in conjunction with Leader in Me, a division of FranklinCovey, Inc. While we were completing that progression, we were named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2012.” (The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.)

Ms. Cariens continued, “When Lexington Middle School opened, I was moved there to teach 7th-grade math and then was named Assistant Principal. As Lexington One continued to grow, I moved to Lexington Intermediate School as Assistant Principal and soon became Principal there.”

Under her leadership, the school won a Writing Award and was named a Red Carpet School. (This award, presented by the State Department of Education, recognizes schools with outstanding family-friendly environments.)

“We were awarded the distinction of being a Lighthouse School for Leadership in 2014, then in 2015 we were named Palmetto’s Finest!” (Each year only two elementary schools in the state are given this recognition by the SC Association of School Administrators.) In the Spring of 2014, former Lexington One superintendent Joseph Bedenbaugh presented her with the “Joseph Bedenbaugh Lexington One Administrator of the Year” award. He was proud to take credit for being the one who had hired her to come to Lexington One and Oak Grove Elementary initially.

Ms. Cariens was named Principal at Oak Grove Elementary School five years ago.

She immediately began pursuing a Leadership program for the students. Sherry Cariens explained, “The procedure to be-

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Unlike the disciplinarian we were all afraid of back in the old days, the children at Oak Grove love their principal and are delighted when they get to “Have Lunch With

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the Principal” in her office. The feeling is mutual, as she explained that her favorite part of the job is “…spending time with our students.”

When asked how Oak Grove has been able to succeed in so many areas, Principal Cariens quoted an Oak Grove parent. “I want you to know that your school looks beautiful and well cared for. You may not have all the pretty stuff the newer schools have, but you have something money can’t buy. This school feels like a very welcoming family!” Mrs. Cariens explained, “We are all on the same team and our goal is to do what is best for the students. Our teachers believe in ‘bell-to-bell instruction’ and I do my best to support them in every way I can. Each grade’s teachers have a joint planning period together every day, so they can collaborate, compare notes and tweak their technique. We have found that to be invaluable.”

Most students, staff, teachers and parents would agree that Sherry Cariens is also an invaluable part of their success. She has certainly done her part to see that Lexington One remains one of the top districts in the state!

Lets Talk

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Let’s Talk

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THE ASHBY CHRONICLE:

ylists

A Mother’s Care

By Ashby Jones

W

hen you’re sick or in pain, you want your Mom. When y’all are sick or in pain, trust me, y’all want my Mom. Her name is Peggy.

We didn’t get sick much when we were little, probably because we were allowed to eat potato chips off the floor, we shared ice cream cones, and my sister swallowed pebbles from the front yard. This was before antibacterial living. It was also a time when you didn’t go to the pediatrician for every single ailment. Usually you just went to school in spite of the runny nose. But when we did get sick, really sick, Peggy was in full force. “Wes, get your doctor’s bag and let’s take her temperature.” “Wes, she’s throwing up, do we have any medicine in the house?”

(Doctors’ kids always had the good medicine in the house). Peggy’s kids weren’t going to feel pain.

Emotional pain was a little trickier. Typical middle school rejection heartache was met with a shopping trip. Always. While Peggy didn’t really care about clothes, she wanted her girls to wear the cute stuff. On one particularly humiliating day in the 9th grade, Peggy withdrew me from school and we drove directly to the mall.

Fear of failure was met with a reality check. I worried a lot about my grades. Peggy listened to me sob about an Algebra test once.

She quietly listened to all my fears and when I was done, and had surpassed the ugly-cry part where you can’t even breathe you are so upset, Peggy said the following,

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“Ashby, one day, many years from today, you will be in a room in your house. In this room will be a crib. Beside that crib will be a changing table. On that changing table will be a baby. This baby will be your baby. This baby will have a bad diaper. It will be everywhere Ashby. It will be on the baby’s skin, it will have splattered on the wall, it will be on your hands, on your clothes, and you will suspect it is also in your mouth. You will not be able to run to the bathroom to see if anything is in your mouth, because you can’t leave the baby on the changing table.

And you will not remember this Algebra test!”

Let’s Talk

And then there was grief. Oh how Peggy tried to protect us from true grief.

Peggy buried her own mother on Mother’s Day weekend. I called my grandmother Noni. Peggy paid someone a ton of money to arrange a spray of roses over Noni’s casket. When the casket arrived, the spray was not good enough. Noni was a gardener. Noni’s garden was a miracle. Her casket could not be second-rate. So Peggy took it apart and painstakingly rebuilt the arrangement. Also, Noni famously hated carnations so Peggy arranged all the flowers at the funeral so the “hideous” ones containing carnations could not be seen.

Peggy had spent the past several months doing all she could to help her ailing mother - living in a hospital, wheeling her to radiology, playing Noni’s elevator music, acting appropriately when Noni would complain “what is this, a death watch??” And when it was time for Noni to come home from the hospital, Peggy purchased a hospital bed, an enormous television for Days of Our Lives Watching, and cast Noni’s eyes towards her own garden, a junior version of Noni’s. And Peggy was patient. When her mother told her to “get out there now and turn that plastic bird in the garden towards me so I can see its wings turning” Peggy diligently walked outside and positioned the plastic bird windmill to her mother’s liking.

Noni spent one night in that perfectly outfitted room.

And when it was over, on Mother’s Day, our enormous family convened for Noni’s services. Peggy told stories of her mother, and we laughed when we discovered Noni had color coded all her earthly possessions so each of her children would know which antique belonged to them.

But she didn’t apply a colored sticker to her only valuable piece of jewelry. Because it was always on her hand. Noni’s ring was not

classically beautiful. it was fashioned from her own mother’s “earbobs.” When I was a girl, I thought the ring looked like an owl. I suppose Peggy removed it from Noni’s hand, I’ve never asked.

On her last night at home, in an effort to tell her how much I adored her, I had promised Noni I would name a child for her. I would name a child Margaret. I would call her Maggie, because that was Noni’s nickname.

She replied “You just want my diamond ring.”

Where the ring rested from the time it left Noni’s hand until Mother’s Day 1999, I do not know. But on Mother’s Day afternoon, a hot day, a day with lots of gnats, following a lunch of mayonnaise-based funeral food, Peggy took me deep within Noni’s garden. Peggy knelt in front of me. And Peggy tried to take away some of her little girl’s pain.

She gave me the ring.

I love you, Mom.

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Let’s Talk

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SINGLE, ARTSY LADY SEEKS SINGLE ARTSY GUY. If you love painting, decorating, baking and

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Sig� up for Summer Camps Now! • Frozen Dance Camp • Princess Dance Camp • Luau Dance Par�� • American Girl Dance Camp • Hip Hop Intensive

Camps open to ages 2 and up.

Register by May 1st to receive a discount.

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Robin Carpenter says her most important role is that of a mother.

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Raising a

Hero

By Lori Duncan Photos By Mike Guinto - Combat Camera.

hen I realized that I wanted to interview Robin Carpenter, it was totally selfish of me. I wanted to know what kind of woman raised such an unselfish hero as Kyle Carpenter: a man who is credited with using his body as a shield to protect fellow Marines.

William Kyle Carpenter (born October 17, 1989), also known as Kyle Carpenter, is a medically retired United States Marine who received the United States’ highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010. According to Wikipedia, Carpenter is the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient.

Although I am not sure I was successful, I tried to articulate to Robin the reasons I wanted to interview her. As a mother of four and a woman who loves my country, I appreciate what her son did. I am grateful for his and his fellow Marines’ service.

I also appreciate the sacrifices that our military service men and women, as well as their families, make on a daily basis. So who was this woman who raised her to son to be the kind of man who would willingly place himself in harm’s way to protect someone else?

I talked with Robin about the twins that they chose to attend different high schools.

That says to me that Robin was the kind of mother that supported her children’s decisions to be their own people and nurtured each of them differently, focusing on their individual needs. Now, all three of Robin’s sons are college students. Kyle is at USC and the twins, Peyton and Price, are at two other schools. Peyton is at Tri-County and will hopefully be transferring to Clemson in the fall and Price is at the Citadel. Robin says family is her first priority. She is very close to her mother and sisters and lots of nieces and nephews. “Extended family is very important to me.”

Robin Carpenter is the mother of three boys. She is an employee of Lexington Medical Center at the Irmo facility as an x-ray technician, however Robin says her most important role is that of a mother.

Easy going and down to earth, talking with Robin was like chatting with one of my neighbors.

Robin explained to me that they were not a military family. Her boys didn’t have grandfathers or uncles who served. Kyle didn’t even grow up with a military father.

However, she was not surprised that Kyle did what he did when the details of that day starting coming to light. “That is just who is he. He was always the kind of person who would protect others.” From the story Robin recounted, I got the impression that it didn’t matter who needed his protection, he was willing to give it. So when Kyle came to her and his dad and said he was going into the Marines, Robin and her husband were not overjoyed.

Robin says when she found out she was pregnant with twins, she was so excited.

“Kyle helped us raise them. He is such a good brother.” It was interesting to me as

Now don’t get me wrong, I got the distinct impression that Robin and her family are very much lovers of America. It was just unexpected. After talking with Kyle and www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

19

one another, they both agreed to support Kyle’s decision. She never felt easy about his going, and she says she prayed every day for Kyle while he was away. When she learned of his accident, she wasn’t even shocked. It was like she knew something was going to happen.

Time seemed to fly as I listened to Robin walk me through part of the process of learning Kyle was injured. Robin says there isn’t a single branch of the military that she has not had some dealing with since Kyle’s injury. “Everyone has treated us wonderfully.” Robin laughed and even gave me some helpful advice as she shared details of getting Kyle home and settled. I was fascinated with her mothering skills; I think in part because I have never felt more helpless in my life than when my child was in pain and I couldn’t help them. I remember when my oldest was four and he had a

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

blister on his inner ear. For about twenty minutes he begged me to help him. I could only cry with him and hold him until the pain medicine kicked in. I remember the faces of the other mothers in the doctor’s office that day: tears streaming down their faces for a stranger’s little boy. Not because they loved my son, but because they loved their sons. I felt the same way about Robin.

I felt as if I knew Kyle. I felt as if this woman was taking care of all of our sons. She was helping heal a part of all of us, because after all, Kyle was defending our freedoms.

I prayed for him before I ever knew his name. I prayed for his mother after I knew his name.

I asked Robin’s husband and her sons to share a little about her with us. Here is what they had to say. “On this upcoming Mothers’ Day, there is no more deserving mother than Robin Carpenter. While

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other Mom’s may have experienced more tragedy and grief in their life, none have exhibited more love and selflessness through it.

“Much like Kyle never complained about the intense pain and discomfort he felt, Robin never complained about the emotional pain, loneliness, and helplessness she felt as a Mom. “Not only the inability to ease Kyle suffering, but also being away from her twin sons Peyton and Price for their birthdays and missing their school functions.

“She was tired - but never showed it.

“She was scared - but told everyone it was going to be okay.

“She was lonely- but always spoke and encouraged every stranger she met at Bethesda Hospital.

“Before Kyle left after 3 1/2 long years, everyone at Bethesda knew Robin “Birdie” Carpenter.

“She was petite- but don’t neglect taking care of her baby, Kyle. She learned quickly the squeaky wheel gets the grease. She was the mother- the mother that I admired.”

While other mom’s may have experienced more tragedy and grief in their life, none have exhibited more love and selflessness through it.

Price sent me this… “The only things I have to say about her is she is the perfect example of a mom. She would give up anything and everything for me or my brothers and without a second thought of if it benefits herself. She’s is completely sacrificial and anyone you talk to who knows her would tell you that.”

Peyton had this to say, “She is the best mom I could ever ask for. She tells me every day that she is thinking about me and that she loves me. She dedicates every

second of her life to me and my brothers.”

Kyle said this about his mother, “She brushed my teeth when my hands and arms couldn’t. Instead of having a comfortable bed, she slept in a hospital bed next to me so I could fall asleep. She loves me more than I can comprehend. She cooks dinner and cleans everyday so we can have good meals and a clean house. She checks in daily with my brothers and me to make sure we’re ok. She is the rock of our family.

Happy Mothers’ Day mom! I love you and thank you for always being there and helping me to become the man I am today.”

After listening to her husband and sons, what else can I possibly write about Robin Carpenter?

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21

Let’s Talk

Kim Koon

Has Plans to Stay Humble While Supporting County’s Top Cop

By Paul Kirby exington, SC – Recently, Jay Koon was sworn in as the first newly elected Sheriff of Lexington County in over 42 years. Jay won in a landslide when four candidates crowded the primary, making most think that a runoff would be necessary.

Many who know the Sheriff, and lots who don’t, realized that his life would change forever. What many people didn’t consider was how much his family’s life would be affected also. With that in mind, I sat down with the Sheriff ’s wife recently to talk with her about how this whirlwind of new challenges is changing their family and her relationship with the man she loves.

When Kim speaks of Jay, it’s obvious that she loves him immensely. Her face portrays her true emotions quickly and it brightens as she tells you how he’s transformed. The a quiet, shy high school boy she knew and dated, has developed into a well-trained, capable leader who people have entrusted to run Lexington County’s largest, most consuming department.

Jay and Kim Koon started dating when she was a freshman at Lexington High School.

Jay was a senior and Kim’s mother taught some of his classes.

More than just love, Kim admires and respects the man and leader Jay has become.

She describes him as, “a man of character and a mighty man of God,” and says she and Jay depend on God to open doors and direct their path in life.

When Jay graduated and began attending classes at USC, Kim thought their relationship might cool but it grew and remained strong. Kim eventually graduated herself and went to Columbia College where she played volleyball and got her teaching degree.

After college, Kim went to work for Lexington School District One teaching in Pelion area schools and coaching girls’ volleyball. One year later, in 1998, she and Jay were married.

Kim and Jay are the parents of 14 year-old Jacob and 12 year-old Katie, both students at local, public schools. With teen children who are active in school and sports, Kim and Jay have a hectic schedule that takes effort to coordinate and to get everyone where they need to be when they need to be there.

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

When Sheriff McCarty called last spring to ask Jay to come over to the Sheriff ’s Department and help right that ship, it took the couple completely by surprise. Kim supported the move, a loan of Jay to the county by the town really, if he thought it would be something he wanted to do.

As time went by, Jay stayed at the Sheriff ’s Department five months. It became apparent that former Sheriff Metts would not return and there would be an election to fill that spot. Jay and Kim discussed the possibility of Jay running for office for the first time.

Kim knew her heart. She never wanted to be the older woman, sitting in a rocking chair in retirement, wondering how different things would have been if she and Jay

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had made different choices. They took the time to check in with their children, they spoke with her parents for their valuable advice and then, together, they decided that Jay would run.

Kim says nothing could prepare you for the bruising, political game. “I thought I was ready,” she said, “but when people start publically attacking someone that you love so much, it’s hard to remain calm.”

Kim credits their Pastor, Jim Glatz of Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, and her parents with helping her get through the roughest spots. Pastor Glatz would text her short scriptures that lifted her and helped her through the election.

Let’s Talk

She especially drew strength from Jeremiah, 29:11 and Philippians, 4:13. These passages deal with trusting in God’s plan and drawing strength from the Lord.

During the election, Kim says she put her faith in Christ and through that trust, came strength.

Kim says that the couple talked about how their lives would change if Jay was elected Sheriff. Both agreed that it was important to remain humble in their lives and to model that humbleness for their children.

Kim and Jay’s expectations are high for their children, not because they’re the children of the Sheriff, but because they love them and want them to be successful in life. “We want the kids to do things for the right reason,” Kim said. “We know they’re being closely scrutinized but that can’t

change the way we parent them. I’m still Jacob and Katie’s mom first and Jay is still their dad. Then, we are Sheriff Koon and the first lady of the Sheriff ’s Department.”

her husband fervently. “I’ll take care of Jay and the kids so he can take care of the county,” Kim said.

Along that same line, Kim says that she and Jay have agreed that he will be there first, for his family. Then and only then, have they agreed to share him with the county that he loves. “He’s Jacob and Katie’s dad first and Kim’s husband, then he’ll be Sheriff Koon.” She continued by saying that they are working hard to blend the man into a Sheriff, dad and husband.

Kim ended our conversation by saying, “We know who we are and remember where we came from.” They both have accountability partners that they can depend on to keep them in check so that egos and attitudes never get out of control.

“Jay is going to give 100% in everything he does. He’s a cop first; now he’s learning to be a politician, a skill that doesn’t come naturally to him.”

As for her role as the wife of a successful lawman, Kim sees herself as a supporter who helps raise the children, runs the everyday functions of the household and takes care of Jay. She does that by coordinating their schedules and by praying for

It was obvious as we talked that our county is in good hands with Sheriff Koon at the helm. It’s also clear; our Sheriff is in great hands with Kim Koon standing behind to love, honor and support the man she loves so much.

SPRING SPECIAL:

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23

THE

I

Roof

By Carol A. Ryall Photos By Tanya Waller

OVER YOUR HEAD

f you have lived in the Midlands area for very long, you have probably noticed that our weather can be… unpredictable and a little extreme at times. Just in the last month alone, we’ve had tornados and hail storms and high winds!

One of the downsides to these high-powered storms is the damage they can do to your home. Of course, if a tree comes down on your house, you’re going to notice that (although we certainly hope it never happens!) However, the hail stones and high winds can also do damage that, while not necessarily as noticeable, can be just as destructive in its own way. The worst part is, while you would be on the phone to your insurance adjuster immediately about that hypothetical tree, you might easily ignore the wind and hail damage. Steve Odom, owner of Lakeside Construction of Columbia, advises you not to do that.

Someone from Lakeside Construction of Columbia will be happy to come, inspect your roof for damage, and give you a full report. Odom explained, “We are like

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

every other roofing company and can give you a quote, but what we specialize in is educating homeowners about insurance roofing. Even if people know they had a storm they say, “We don’t have any leaks, so why file a claim?” Here’s why. All but one insurance company only give you 1 year after a documented storm to file a claim.

(The standout only gives you 6 months.) If you have a storm today, but you don’t have leaks for 15 months, at that point, a lot of times, you are out of luck. If you have had a storm in the past 12 month time frame, it costs you nothing for us to inspect it. If there is no damage, we’ll let you know and hope if there is another storm you will remember Lakeside. If there is damage, we will replace your roof for the insurance estimates so your expense for the job would be your insurance deductible and

Real Women

any upgrades.”

“Most insurance adjusters like working with us,” he continued, “because we weed out the nuisance claims. If we don’t think there is enough damage for a claim, we’re honest and tell the home owner that.”

Odom warns, “A lot of times in the case of big storms or hurricanes, “storm chaser” outfits from out of state show up. Once the job is done they’re gone and if there is an issue in the future the homeowner will get no support for repairs. We’re local and offer a 5 year craftsmanship warranty, in addition to manufacturer warranties.”

When asked how he came to be in the roofing business, Odom’s answer was, “Dumb luck! The previous owners’ of Lakeside

Professional mentioned something to a mutual friend about selling and he knew I was looking to buy. It wasn’t on the market yet. When I met with the owners the first time they didn’t even have a price set. But, I liked the business model. Everybody needs a roof at one time or another and I saw a lot of room for developing new business. Right now we do just full roof replacement. I hope to get back into small construction/ remodeling, but have to find the right manager. Current employees already have more than 25 years’ experience in roofing.”

Steve Odom, a native of Sumter, moved to Columbia twenty years ago, and loves living within twenty minutes of Lake Murray, with his wife, Amy, and their two children Will, 17, and Emily, 14, a dog and four cats. Steve serves as president of the Dutch Fork Lacrosse Booster Club, and on the Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni Board, and Clemson Board of Visitors.

If your neighborhood was in the path of one of those storms in the past few months, take a few minutes to call Steve Odom at 803358-0109 or email him at steveno@lakesidecola.com and set up an appointment for a roof inspection by Lakeside Construction of Columbia.

Steve Odom

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VOL 7, NO 6

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27

TA C K L I N G

Headaches

WITH A C O M B I N AT I O N O F OT, P T, A N D A LT E R N AT I V E THERAPY

By Hima Dalal

or Bob, his experience with migraine headaches has been a roller coaster. Since he fell down the stairs in his home two years ago, he has been to doctor after doctor and had test after test performed to diagnose the cause of his headaches. However, for two years, he lived with the constant pain in his head that would never go away. Although he was able to function and continue on with his life, only his family knew he was constantly struggling with the ongoing pain. He hid this pain from the world and quietly suffered, accepting that this was his new way of life. In November 2014, he had another accident that landed him in the emergency room and in front of yet another doctor. Luckily, this doctor had heard of Vital Energy Wellness and Rehab Center, and he was referred for his first visit with us.

Willing to try anything, he came for his first visit to meet me, Hima Dalal, owner, founder, and head occupational therapist at Vital Energy. After listening to Bob’s story, we created a plan of care to include muscle energy treatment, craniosacral therapy, and other traditional techniques to release the fascia and tightness in his head and neck. After only two months, not only is his headache gone, but his family states that his attitude and demeanor has been better than ever. With the craniosacral therapy, we were able to reset the rhythm of Bob’s craniosacral fluid, and with the muscle energy treatments, we were able to release the emotional pain trapped in his muscles caused by the fear that the headache would return.

Worried about if the pain will come back, Bob was given a home exercise program where he can treat any minor headaches on his own with simple trigger point release and deep breath-

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

ing exercises commonly used in yoga called pranayama.

Bob is just one of the headache cases where Vital Energy’s approach of traditional plus alternative therapy has had a miraculous effect.

Other specific examples include an active duty member of the armed forces who has been suffering a headache linked to PTSD, as well as a local physician who has been suffering from her own sinus headache for months.

Headaches are a common ailment, but they can cause tremendous pain and distress when chronic or severe. Headaches are one of the body’s most effective ways to signal dysfunction in the body as they are most often a warning signal of either physical or psychological overload.

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According to specialists, there are many different types of headaches as seen in Figure 1.

A common cause of headaches is tense muscles of the head or neck or other imbalance within the body. Occupational and physical therapy can often relieve this tension and thus lessening headache pain if not eliminating it altogether. At Vital Energy Wellness and Rehab Center, the combined therapy approach of traditional occupational and physical therapy along with alternative techniques has proven highly successful in alleviating pain.

Physical and occupational therapists are trained to evaluate and effectively treat headaches of all different types. The therapists at Vital Energy will evaluate the location, nature, and behavior of the headache as well as the intensity and frequency of the pain.

They will also ask about other symptoms in

Professional case there may be an underlying link or cause. In many cases like in Bob’s, history of injury to the neck, back, or jaw can cause not only a headache, but numerous issues with vision or cognition, trigger point and fascia restriction, as well as limited range of motion and muscle weakness. Any of the issues listed can cause additional secondary issues with posture, sleep habits, lifestyle management, diet, and stress levels. The Vital Energy approach to treat headaches and migraines includes muscle energy treatment, trigger point release, myofascial release, crystal myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, stretching, building postural muscle strength, and any other traditional modalities as needed.

In addition to the techniques already mentioned, Hima Dalal has pioneered a technique combining traditional occupational and physical therapy manual techniques with the alternative concept of crystal healing power. This non-invasive technique is referred to as Crystal Myofascial Release or CMFR. CMFR helps to not only release tension in the muscles of the head and neck, but also to eliminate the emotional pain held in the muscles. It also helps to regulate craniosacral fluid rhythm and volume in the brain. It regenerates healthy soft tissue and removes scar tissue from the fascia, skin, muscle, and tendons. By increasing range of motion and blood flow to the area, it reduces pain significantly. For more information and more patient stories, please visit our website at www.vitalenergytherapy.com.

Sources: Keville, K, et al. (1999). Ailments & Treatments: Headaches.

In The Complete Guide to Natural Healing. Orangeville, ON: International Masters.

Figure 1.

TYPES OF HEADACHES

• Simple headaches, includes tension headaches

• Migraine and cluster headaches • Secondary headaches, those caused by fever, infectious disease, sinus disorder, ear infections, tumors, or another illness • Cervicogenic, occipital, or cranial neuralgia caused by fascial pain in the jaw or neck, or caused by high blood pressure • Headaches caused by trauma, i.e. post-concussion, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, stress & depression

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Sandhills Family Medicine Welcomes

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She is board certified and an American Academy of Family Physicians Fellow with additional certifications in advanced cardiac life support, basic cardiac life support, neonatal resuscitation and pediatric advanced life support. Dr. McNair is also a certified medical examiner. She joins Sandhills Family Medicine to provide comprehensive medical care to patients of all ages.

Now Accepting New Patients SandhillsFamilyMedicine.com 30

811 West Main Street, Suite 207 • Lexington, SC 29072 • (803) 358-6420 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

REBECCA B. MCNAIR, MD

Health & Wellness

Lexington Medical Center Expands Cardiac Rehabilitation into Irmo he walk up the hill to her granddaughter’s house should have been an easy one.

But a weak heart made it nearly impossible for Wilma Bell.

“My heart was racing and I was short of breath,” the 77-year-old Lexington County woman said. “I could hardly even get out of the car.”

Lexington Medical Center now offers cardiac rehabilitation in Irmo. The 2,500 square foot facility is the first cardiac rehabilitation location in the Irmo area.

That was devastating because Wilma has seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren she loves to visit.

With her doctor’s blessing, Wilma began Lexington Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program in January. Three times per week, she stretched, exercised on a step machine and treadmill, and had her blood pressure, glucose and weight monitored, all under the close supervision of clinical experts who have dedicated their careers to caring for heart patients.

Wilma has had heart trouble for years. First, it was an abnormal heartbeat known as an arrhythmia. Then, doctors diagnosed her with heart failure, noting that her heart was only working at 20 percent capacity. And last November, she suffered a heart attack.

Lexington Medical Center clinicians told Wilma about cardiac rehabilitation.

“They told me that exercise would build up the muscles in my heart in a good way, making them stronger,” she said. “At that point, I couldn’t walk, let alone exercise. But I was willing to give it a try.”

Cardiac Rehabilitation at Lexington Medical Center is a medically supervised program designed to optimize a cardiac patient’s physical, psychological and social functioning, in addition to stabilizing, slowing or even reversing the progression of cardiovascular disease.

Studies show that cardiac rehabilitation participants experience a 31 to 46 percent reduction in death rates compared to non-participants. They also have a reduction in symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue. And they report increased energy, improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, quicker returns to work and leisure activities, and a lower chance of experiencing another cardiac event.

Lexington Medical Center has offered cardiac rehabilitation at the main hospital in West Columbia for more than 20 years and at the hospital’s community medical center in Lexington since 2002.

“I started my routine and didn’t miss a day,” Wilma said. “The staff was dedicated to making sure you did the right thing.”

Along with the exercise training, there were education classes addressing topics such as heart disease risk factors, healthy nutrition, weight management, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, managing diabetes, and understanding stress and your emotions.

The results were excellent. Just three months later, Wilma had an impressive amount of energy.

“I’ve even done some vacuuming and yard work. I’m not 16 again, but cardiac rehabilitation really helped me.”

People who benefit from cardiac rehabilitation include patients with a history of heart attack, angioplasty or stenting, heart valve surgery, heart transplant, angina, heart failure or heart bypass surgery.

Mark Stout is a supervisor at the hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation program in Irmo. With more than 20 years of experience working with heart patients, he understands the significance of Wilma’s story.

The need for heart care is clear in our state and our community. In South Carolina, one out of every three deaths is related to cardiovascular disease. That’s one reason why Lexington Medical Center has now expanded its Cardiac Rehabilitation program to Irmo, with a new facility on the campus of Lexington Medical Center Irmo at 7033 St. Andrews Road.

“We’re bringing a great service to the people of the Irmo community,” said Stout. “If it’s more convenient, patients will go more often.

These medical professionals with expertise in cardiac rehabilitation are close to your home and your activities.”

As for Wilma, she has just completed the cardiac rehabilitation program. Today, she’s walking up the hill to her granddaughter’s house better than ever, grateful for cardiac rehabilitation.

“I would advise anyone to do it,” she said.

“You’ll be surprised how much it will help you.”

For more information about Cardiac Rehabilitation at Lexington Medical Center, visit LexMed.com/heart.

The staff was dedicated to making sure you did the right thing.

“Cardiac rehabilitation provides better outcomes and better quality of life,” he said. “It’s allowed Wilma to stay out of the hospital and enjoy daily activities again.”

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31

L A D I E S O F L E X I N G TO N M E D I C A L

Around the Town

Teri Ullsperger

T

By Patti McGrath Photo By Tanya Waller

eri Ullsperger has been working in the emergency room at Lexington Medical Center (LMC) for thirteen years, and an emergency room nurse for most of her twenty two year career. “The ever-changing flow of patients’ unique medical issues coupled with the adrenaline rush that comes with saving lives and taking care of critically ill patients are two of the many reasons I love working in the Emergency Room,” Teri says. “Being able to directly see the positive results of my efforts as a patient recovers and gets better is an indescribable reward.”

“Emergency nursing is unlike any other type of nursing. We have to be competent in many different areas and able to take care of anyone who walks in the door. From newborn babies, to trauma victims, to strokes and heart attacks and everything in between, we need to be ready,” she explains.

serving others is something that I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember. In the past I have volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center and for many years led vacation Bible school at my church,” she states. “Being the mom of two volleyball players has also led to me being ‘team mom’ several times.”

“In my time at LMC I have been a staff nurse and a clinical coordinator, with my current role being that of a clinical mentor. Being a clinical mentor includes the challenge of educating all the staff on all of the new processes and changes that take place in the hospital, while continuing to maintain my skills by taking care of patients,” Teri continues. “We have a great team of nurses and physicians in the Emergency Department and I feel very blessed to have been a part of this team for so long.”

We have a great team of nurses and physicians in the Emergency Department and I feel very blessed to have been a part of this team for so long.

Volunteering has always been important to Teri. As the clinical mentor at LMC, Teri now has full-time hours and hasn’t been able to devote as much time to volunteering as she could before, but she still loves to help out when and where she can. “Giving back and

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Now Teri volunteers where her children are involved, at school or with their sports, because her primary goal is to raise her children well. “My main focus now is on my family.

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I feel that one of the most important things a person can do in this world is raise good kids. I saw the other day someone wrote how we are always talking about ‘leaving a better planet for our kids.’ Then he asks, ‘how about we leave better kids for our planet?’ That hits home with me. I feel that my greatest responsibility now is to raise good children.”

Teri feels that if she focuses on raising good people to leave to this world, the positive effects will last far longer than anything else she can contribute. And, the good news is, as her children get older and move on in their lives, she will again be able and excited to devote more time to outside causes.

Her positive efforts both at work, through her volunteer work, and with her family affect many people for the better, and will for many years to come.

L A D I E S O F L E X I N G TO N M E D I C A L

Barbara Willm

By Patti McGrath

B

arbara Willm has been fortunate to have a career that has exposed her to many charitable organizations, and opened doors for her to volunteer in her community. Barbara is the Vice President of Community Relations at Lexington Medical Center (LMC), and has been there for almost twenty-nine years.

“I am responsible for advancing the hospital and community relations by explaining the focus, objectives and image of the hospital,” Barbara says. “I plan special community events that promote good will and provide community education. I am the liaison to the Community Outreach Committee of the LMC Board of Directors that financially supports programs in the community that provide medical services that augment the hospital’s mission.”

healthcare at no cost to residents that have no healthcare. It primarily serves residents of Richland and Lexington counties, but can only offer these services because of its dedicated volunteers and through the financial support of donors. “Their mission is so in line with LMC,” Barbara explains. “They serve every day with little resources to take care of our most vulnerable population.” (For more information please view their website at www.freemedclinic.org).

It’s a job she has loved. “I am honored to work for an organization with the values and culture of LMC. It is impressive that this organization recognizes the strength of the relationship with our community,” she states. “We are all blessed to live in such a great community. My job allows me to see so many outstanding organizations and people giving so much to help their neighbors.”

Another cause close to Barbara’s heart is working with the Saluda Shoal Foundation, where she is this year’s Chair for their Board of Directors. “I love this park and what it means to have a regional draw that combines nature, art and education in one spectacular venue,” she says. The park gives people visiting the opportunity to experience nature in an urban environment. As a Board member, Barbara works to make the community aware of the outdoor recreational activities, environmental education, cultural opportunities, and more.

The key to volunteerism is finding causes you are passionate about, then supporting an organization that champions that cause. Barbara enjoys working with several organizations like the free medical clinic, a medical home to the underserved located at 1875 Harden Street in Columbia. The clinic offers quality

to unite people and resources to improve the quality of life in the Midlands. The organization works to determine and respond to human service needs in the community. “The United Way of the Midlands provides hope for so many,” Barbara shares. “They focus on literacy and health care to insure that everyone in our community can have the same opportunities for a stable life.”

It doesn’t matter which cause you choose to support as long as you decide to make a difference. It’s up to us! “We all must be good stewards of our community and do everything we can to support and protect the most vulnerable members of our society,” Barbara encourages. “Recognize that everyone has something that they can contribute.

Start with what you are able to do and JUST DO IT!”

Barbara also serves as Chair for LMC’s United Way employee campaign for the United Way of the Midlands whose mission is www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

33

Gilbert High announces 2015

Miss GHS

Gilbert High crowns Miss GHS 2015. The court includes (L-R) People’s Choice Winner Ashton Porter, Miss Senior Jenna Sills, Miss Junior Danica Myers, Miss GHS 2015 Abbey Bedenbaugh, Miss Congeniality and Miss Sophomore Natalie Lewis and Miss Freshman Lindsey Gunter.

The GHS Student Council sponsored the People’s Choice Competition during the pageant and raised more than $500 for the Ronald McDonald House at The Medical University of South Carolina.

White Knoll Middle School Robotics Team Wins First-place Award at State Competition The White Knoll Middle Robotics Team walked away with a first-place win at the South Carolina FIRST LEGO League West State Championship held March 21.

Sixty teams competed in four judged areas including core values, project, robot design and robot performance.

For the second year in a row, the WKMS team won the project research category.

WKMS Team Members include Denis Champoux, Lexie Goad,Timothy Gilpatrick, Zion Grant, Jordon Harsey, Mak Hulon and Brace Hutchison.

Kathleen Brown and Alan Lominick coach the WKMS Robotics Team.

Look out for our upcoming JULY issue!

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real Women

Pelion High Science Spring Semester Students (back) Jessica Padgett, Breanna Southern, Meagan Jeffcoat, (front) Nicole Waltman, Chloe Outlaw, Mckenzie Leaphart and Mary Anna Cureton earn their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification.

A CNA helps patients or clients with health care needs under the supervision of a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse.

Download the Lexington Woman media kit from our website to see our rates and ad specs. If you have questions about advertising with us, please call us at (803) 785-4475.

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Art and Entertainment Stepping Out Dance Studio......................... 17 steppingoutsc.com Attorney Kinard & Jones.............................................. 13 kinardandjones.com Construction Lakeside Construction................................. 25 lakesidecola.com Eye Care Envision Family Eye Care............................ 35 envisionfamilyeyecare.com Gyms & Fitness Elite Personal Training.................................12 elitepersonaltrainingstudio.com Health Services Bee Healthy................................................... 36 beehealthyclinics.com Centa Hearing Center.................................. 35 centamedical.com Lexington Medical Center........... Back Cover lexmed.com Sandhills Family Medicine..........................30 sandhillsfamilymedicine.com Vital Energy Rehab Center.......................... 29 vitalenergytherapy.com Hotels Holiday Inn Express and Suites..................12 hiexpress.com Wingate by Wyndham...........................16, 27 wingatehotels.com Insurance State Farm......................................................16 markrouse.org First South Insurance Agency.....................26 fsia.net Landscaping Grounds Guys............................................... 23 groundsguys.com Limousine Services 5 Star Limos................................................... 11 5starlimosc.com Monuments Memorial Design.......30memorialdesign.com Pets Grace Pets Animal Hospital........................ 10 gracepets.com

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Millcreek Animal Hospital.......................... 26 millcreekanimalhospital.com Photography Clark Berry Photography............................ IFC clarkberry.com Tanya Waller Photography............................17 tanyawaller.com Restaurants McDonalds.................................................... 26 mcdonalds.com Retirement Communities The Columbia Presbyterian Community‌.36 preshomesc.org Shopping Edible Arrangements................................... 30 ediblearrangements.com Sew Suite Studio............................................ 12 sewsuitestudio.com Todd & Moore................................................16 toddandmoore.com Devine Street Association............................11 devinestreetcolumbia.com

A Personal Note

o you ever feel like you are moving in circles? In the last few months, I have found myself wondering about the state of this world. How senseless some things are, or so they seem to be to me. I rarely turn the news on anymore because there is so much sadness. A little face that haunts my dreams or a pair of grief stricken eyes that I can’t get out of my mind.

I read once that our children are like little tanks. Imagine their bellies are a reserve filled with either positive or negative emotions. Those emotions both good and bad come from us.

Whatever we fill that tank with, is what comes out of their mouths.

So I have to wonder, why are people so mean? When I was younger, I can remember my parents teaching me to be kind. I know it’s hard to believe I just wasn’t born that way, right? Seriously, if I said something that wasn’t nice, my mother would say, “That isn’t a nice thing to say.” or if I was being rude or unkind, I remember hearing the old adage, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

Now days people think it’s funny to say mean things. They sit around and see who can say the meanest things. Does it come from this new form of socializing that we have, Facebook/ twitter/Instagram/snapchat , where we can shoot off a comment to someone without any real consequence. Where we can hide behind a computer screen and make veiled remarks, yet everyone knows who you are talking about. Does that make it ok if you don’t name the person you are “slamming” specifically?

I was at a local performance recently and two young ladies were sitting behind me. I felt like I was at a casting call for a “Mean Girls” movie. The seventeen-ish year old young woman, spent an hour… critiquing every single person who stepped foot on the stage. I was embarrassed for her and I felt badly for the young people who were being graded on this performance.

I usually bite my tongue, however, this time I could not. I asked a teacher to tell me her name. She did better than that, she called her over. Now I could embarrass her by telling you all who she was, but my mama raised me better than that. I only mention this because it is scary to me to think we have lost our compassion for one another. When I was in school if I was watching student performances my thoughts would have been, “They must be very nervous!”; “Wow, that took a lot of guts to sing that song!”; “ That was amazing for a solo performance!”; “What great dancers!” Instead, here was a young lady who had absolutely nothing nice to say for fifty plus minutes.

After I admonished her for her behavior, I was very sad. I wondered how self conscious this young woman was, and how insecure in herself she must be, how empty of positive emotions to share from her love tank.

It may be “uncool” and terribly “unpopular” but I want to always be the positive and not the negative. I want to fill all the people I “pour” into with kindness and love. I know at times I have failed at that. I am sure I have said some not-nice things myself from time to time, and I will do better. Maybe because I shared this with you, you will stop yourself or someone else from being unnecessarily unkind to someone.

Until Next Time, Your Friend

Lori Samples Duncan

Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.

-Lady Bird Johnson, former U.S. first lady www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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Health & Wellness

Just Say Know.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women.

Heart disease claims the lives of more women than all forms of cancer combined.

Yet most of us still think of heart disease as a man’s disease. And that lack of awareness can be deadly.

When it comes to taking care of your heart, knowledge is power.

• Know the risk factors.

• Know the importance of talking to your doctor.

• Know how to lower your risk.

• Know when to call 9-1-1.

Armed with knowledge, you have the power to protect yourself and the other women in your life. Take our online quiz at LexMed.com and learn more about heart disease.

Just say know to heart disease.

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real Women

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