Lexington Woman Vol 9 No 6 2015

VOL 10, NO 1

COMPLIMENTARY

CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING WOMEN

Real

Adrianna Kleckley of Carolina Behavior and Beyond

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Morningside of Lexington Executive Director

Brenda Harris

Theresa Adams Preserving A Legacy

Cayce, Chapin, Lexington, Irmo, Lake Murray, West Columbia, & White Knoll

in this issue...

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From the Editor

Pets

Events

20 Traveling Tips for Cat Owners

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www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lori Samples Duncan loriduncan86@gmail.com

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES Cathy Williams cw@woman2womanonline.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Briana Davis, DVM Lori Samples Duncan Carol Ryall Tracey Lease Tina Bulloch Ashby Jones Cameron Barkley, DVM Charlie Assey

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lisa Ashworth woman2womanlisa@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Clark Berry Photography Timeless Expressions Photography

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New Year, New People What’s Happening?

Professional 5

Mercer House Estate Winery

6

Brenda Harris of Morningside of Lexington

8

Adrianna Kleckley of Carolina Behavior and Beyond

18 Meet Cameron Barkley, DVM

Feature

22 Theresa Adams - Preserving a Legacy

Shopping

26 Inspire Interiors - A Store with a Mission 28 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Recipes

Education

21

Health & Wellness

11 White Cheddar, Green Apple, & Pomegranate Flatbread Dark Chocolate Irish Cream Brownies

30 How to Make a Six-Month SAT Study Plan 32 Fixing Back Pain that Won’t Quit

Let’s Talk

Business & Web Directory

14 Coaching Your Son or Daughter

Personal Note

12 From Clean Plate to Home Plate 16 The Ashby Chronicle: Princess Demon Posession

22

35 Contact our Advertisers 36 Love and Baseball!

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INFORMATION

info@lexingtonwomanonline.com

Find us on facebook!

Woman 2 Woman Media, LLC (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

It’s a New Year, and that means another year of celebrating, motivating, and educating real women! Make this year count by following through with all of your New Years Resolutions. Whether it be to eat halthier, make progress in your career, spend time with family, or volunteer more in your community, now is a better time than ever to improve upon yourself!

This issue is very special, and one reason is because of our cover story featuring Theresa Adams. Her sister, Tina Bulloch, shares with us how she became the owner of Adams Apples Eatery by honoring a a family tradition and ultimately preserving her Grandmother’s legacy. Be sure to read the stories of other influential community members such as Adrianna Kleckley with Carolina Behavior and Beyond, Shannon Mercer with Mercer House Estate Winery, and Cameron Barkley with Millcreek Animal Hospital!

As always, I want to remind our readers that the businesses within Lexington Woman Magazine have made a commitment to always offer quality products and services to the people of this community. Make sure to visit them online or in their store and let them know where you heard about them. It is through their support that LWM is able to bring you the stories of real Lexington Women in every single issue.

This is our 10th volume which means it is Lexington Woman’s 10th Year Anniversary. We will be having a very special anniversary issue this year, and we need your help deciding which stories to feature. We will be taking submissions for your favorite story we have run in the past 9 years. If you would like to send us a story or suggest someone that you think should be featured in Lexington Woman Magazine’s anniversary issue, please feel free to email me personally at loriduncan86@gmail.com.

God Bless and See you next time!

Your friend,

Lori Samples Duncan

Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real Women

Events Events

First Fridays featuring Gretchen Evans Parker Friday, February 5, 2016 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

121 A Main Street

First Fridays in Lexington will feature Award Winning color pencil artist Gretchen Evans Parker. Meet Gretchen and check out many of her beautiful works of art. Enjoy wine and art at Esihle Designs. For more info contact Alexandra White of South Carolina Artists. www.southcarolinaartists.com

Orchids on the Riverbanks Festival Friday - Sunday, February 12 - 14, 2016 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Presented by The South Carolina Orchid Society, Ikebana International Chapter 182 and Riverbanks Botanical Garden. See hundreds of blooming orchids and get expert growing advice. Entry is free with paid admission to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. www.riverbanks.org

2016 Chamber Awards Night Thursday, February 18, 2016 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Greater Lexington Chamber

At the annual Chamber Awards Night presented

by Wells Fargo, the Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center takes the time to celebrate and recognize the achievement of its members and show support for the best of the best in Lexington.This is the night where members can help bring special recognition to their hard-working and deserving friends or colleagues by nominating them for: Young Professional of the Year, Small Business/Person of the Year, Large Business of the Year To nominate a friend or colleague, please download the Awards Night 2016 Nomination Form www.lexingtonsc.org

16th Annual Race Against Hunger Saturday, February 27, 2016 8:00 a.m.

Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church

A 10km run and wheelchair race, a 5km fitness walk, and a one-mile fun run. 100% of profit feeds the hungry. Group Discounts: Encourange health and wellness at your workplace or organization. All groups of seven or more receive a $3.00 per person discount from the above listed prices. Group registrations must be submitted together and received no later than February 20, 2016. www.lrah.org

Classical Shuffle Concert Sunday, February 28, 2016 7:30 p.m.

Harbison Theater at Midlands Tech

Come watch the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra play a selection of timeless classial favorites sure to be included on everyone’s playlist.

Admission is free but donations will gratefully be accepted. www.lmso.org

LTC Career Festival Thursday, March 17, 2016 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Lexington Technology Center

Each program will be showcased through project displays, demonstrations, and interactive activities. The Career Festival will provide Lexington students, parents, and business leaders insight about educational and career opportunities available through LTC. There will be music, food, and entertainment for the entire family. Your future is golden at Lexington Technology Center! www.ltc.lexington1.net

Wine Tasting at Riverbanks Friday, April 29, 2106 7:30 p.m.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Join us and sip a variety of domestic and imported wines, taste an array of micro-brews, and sample light bites from local restaurants. Listen to live music by Jamie Beresford Jazz! Proceeds support ongoing conservation and education efforts at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. www.lmso.org

7th Annual Oyster Roast and St. Patrick’s Day Party Thursday, March 17, 2016 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Greater Lexington Chamber

Get your shucking arms ready! The Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center is hosting the biggest party of the year - the 7th Annual Oyster Roast & St. Patrick’s Day Party. With presenting sponsor Southern First Bank helping us bring you beer, wine, food, live music by tokyo joe and bushels of oysters to enjoy, we know that the Oyster Roast will be a home run! www.lexingtonsccom

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Breakfast has been liberated.

All Day Breakfast menu available at your local Lexington area McDonald’s®:

We use SC Certified grapes, fruits and vegetables to produce Wine, Saba, Vinegar, Balsamic, Oil, Flour and Jellies. Mercer House can assure you the very best quality products free of any chemicals and preservatives.

TOURS EVERY SUNDAY

• Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit • Sausage Biscuit with Egg • Sausage Biscuit • Sausage Burrito • Hotcakes • Hotcakes and Sausage • Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait • Fruit & Maple Oatmeal • Hash Browns*

1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Wine • Music • Fun

All other breakfast menu items available until 10:30 a.m. *Available breakfast items vary by location.

Please visit your local McDonald’s at: 340 Longs Pond Rd., Lexington, SC • 1011 South Lake Dr., Lexington, SC • 1770 South Lake Dr., Lexington, SC • 250 Columbia Ave., Lexington, SC • 4364 Augusta Rd., West Columbia, SC 2700 Emanuel Church Rd., West Columbia, SC • 659 Columbia Ave., Chapin, SC • 210 W. Columbia Ave., Batesburg, SC • 401 N. Jennings & Travis Ave., Saluda, SC At participating McDonald’s restaurants. ©2015 McDonald’s.

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real Women

Bridal & Baby Showers, Parties, Anniversaries, Group & Company Meetsings, & More!

(803) 957 - 7102

394 Walter Rawl Road Lexington, SC 29072

M E R C E R H O U S E E S TAT E W I N E RY. C O M

Professional

MERCER HOUSE ESTATE WINERY

By Carol Ryall

Shannon Mercer, with his wife Kim, is one of those fortunate people who loves what he does. The owner of Mercer House Estate Winery in Lexington is passionate about what his winery could become. Shannon’s five vineyards are home to fifty varieties of the South’s beloved muscadine grapes. Unfortunately, they are frequently dismissed by oenophiles as “sweet Southern stuff” and not given the same respect the European grapes possess. Shannon is working to change this perception, one glass at a time.

Besides their distinctly unique flavor, there are several other attributes of the muscadine that make them worthy of much more respect and appreciation. The only grape with 40 chromosomes, muscadines contain Resveratrol (well known for its health benefits in red wine), and they are the only grape that contain Ellagic Acid, a powerful anti-oxidant.

Studies have shown that muscadines contain 40x more antioxidants than any other fruit!

Prakash Nagarkatti, Ph.D. and Vice President for Research at USC, has received a 20 million dollar grant to study the anti-inflammatory qualities of muscadine and recently visited the vineyards at Mercer House Estate to gather organic samples.

By using an ancient and time-consuming, field-blending technique, Shannon has achieved a more complex wine, and has been exceptionally successful in accomplishing the first part of his goal. After eight years of planting, researching, replanting, cellar and barrel aging, he now bottles reds, rose’ and white wines with varying degrees of dry to off-sweet profiles. Shannon also produces delightful ‘Country’ wines which include Pumpkin Spice, Blueberry, Fig, Wild Plum and yes, even Kale! The hard part now is getting

these delicious libations introduced to the rest of the world.

Mr. Mercer named each of his five vineyards and describes the wines they express this way, “‘Hattie produces the crisp and off-dry wine, Dulcet Fox. ‘Mal’et’ produces the bold, full-bodied red wine, Zani. ‘Sally Mae’ creates a spicy, semi-dry dark wine, Farmers Red. ‘Adele’ offers the embodiment of Southern red wine, of the same name. ‘Neal-Anne’ will amaze your taste buds as the blushful, semidry rose’, Drunken Dove!” Seeking Organic Certification, the vineyards (and wines) are all natural and organically produced. No pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers are used on the vineyards with little or no sulfites in the wine!

A fabulous possibility for Christmas gifts, whether personal or corporate, is to buy a case of wine with your own custom labels on the bottles, “Merry Christmas from the Smith Family” or “Thanks for your business from Acme Distributing!”

Every Sunday afternoon, from 1 to 5 pm, Shannon and Kim open the studio for Wine Tasting at their Mercer House Estate Winery.

Can you think of a better way to spend a

relaxing Sunday afternoon than to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of a beautiful and secluded country vineyard, sipping wine and listening to live music with your friends?

The Tasting Studio, paved with over 286,000 pennies, is also available to rent for small parties, meetings and other events. While there is no kitchen, caterers and guests are welcome to bring food in. The libations, of course, will be Mercer House Estate wines. Is your Bridge Club or Bunco group ready for a change of scenery? Want to do something special for your next meeting? Need space for a seated dinner or a drop–in? Have a bridal shower to give? Here is your perfect venue. Since they have just started renting it out, they are not totally booked up through the holidays, yet.

Make a trip out to Mercer House Estate Winery to enjoy a wine tasting this Sunday.

They’re located at 397 Walter Rawl Road Lexington, SC 29072. For more information, call them at (803)957-7102, join their Facebook page or see their website at www.mercerhouseestatewinery.com.

Shannon plays for guests at the bar after a Sundaywww.lexingtonwomanonline.com tasting

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Professional

Morningside of Lexington

By Carol Ryall

BRENDA HARRIS

She likes working at Morningside, she explained, because, “We have a very caring and dedicated staff. We treat our residents like we would our own grandparents. Our staff goes above and beyond to provide the utmost respect and care for the residents and takes pride in putting the occupants first with all they do.

We put people first, we act with integrity, we mind the business, we listen, and then act decisively, and we work to be our best. These are the values on which Five Star has built its business.

“When you walk in the front door of Morningside, you feel like you are in someone’s home – which you are. We offer a variety of services and a range of care, based on what our residents want and need. Our amenities include restau6

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

After twenty-three years of working with Intellectually Delayed people, Brenda Harris came home from work one day in 2014 and told her husband that she felt like God was leading her in a new direction and wanted her to share her talents with Senior Citizens instead. Mrs. Harris’ grandfathers lived into their eighties and nineties, and she always loved spending time with them and helping them. That is probably where her passion to work with senior adults had its start. On October 23, 2015, she celebrated her first anniversary of serving as the Executive Director of Morningside of Lexington, a Senior Residence facility owned by Five Star Senior Living. rant-style dining, social and recreational activities, a library and games room,” Brenda continued. “We have fitness programs, an in-house beauty salon/barber shop and offer transportation, laundry and housekeeping services.”

When someone has decided to make Morningside their home, Mrs. Harris and her staff will do a customized assessment of support services that may be needed before they ever move in. They will follow-up after move-in to make sure the level of care is appropriate. Depending on what may be required, Morningside can offer everything from Independent Living apartments, Assisted Living, Respite Care, and Short Term Stays. The Independent Living facilities at Morningside range from a small studio apartment to

Real Women

one and two bedroom deluxe apartments.

Every resident is different and “Assisted Living Services” means different things to different people. Morningside residents do everything they want to do, and they do it on their own to the best of their abilities. When assistance is required, the

Our staff goes above and beyond to provide the utmost respect and care for the residents and takes pride in putting the occupants first with all they do. well-trained staff is there to provide it.

From basic activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, to transportation and reminders to take medication, they offer you the help you need and the respect you deserve.

Celebrity Chef Brad Miller has worked

with the Five Star culinary staff to create a specialized menu ranging from rich fare to special dietary options. The distinctive flavors and emphasis on regional food sources to ensure the highest quality, freshest ingredients combined to earn Five Star Senior Living recognition as the Best of the Best in Senior Living Dining.

The Morningside residents enjoy the results in the delicious meals served in their dining room

have come so far to have the opportunity to become successful business women.

I believe with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.”

Brenda Harris pointed out, “It’s not just enough for seniors to come live here.

We want them to thrive here. Five Star has developed the Lifestyle360 program - a holistic approach to active community living that focuses on five dimensions of wellness: intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual to ensure they do.

When asked for any advice she might give other professional women, Brenda’s response was, “I think the most important tip I can give any woman is never to give up on your dreams. We, as women,

Assisted Living • Respite Care and Short Term Stays

218 Old Chapin Road Lexington, SC 29072

(803) 957 - 3600 Visit us online at MorningsideOfLexington.com to learn more and schedule a tour.

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7

Helping Children Move Forward

Adrianna Kleckley

Not many younger brothers can take full credit for inspiring their “big sister” to enter a challenging, but rewarding, profession, but Reuben Kleckley can. As Adrianna Kleckley put it, “Having a younger brother with special needs, I understand the struggles these children and their families’ go through. When I was growing up people frequently commented on ‘How good you are with Reuben.’ so, it didn’t surprise my family when I changed my college major to work with children with disabilities. I have found my purpose in life, and I know that I have Reuben to thank for that.”

After graduating from USC in 2002 with a degree in Psychology, Ms. Kleckley first worked with children with autism. She later worked as a Lead ABA therapist (Applied Behavior Analysis, the first certified treatment program for children with Autism) and as an Early Interventionist. She’s specialized in Sensory Integration Disorders, Beckman Oral Motor Therapy, Functional Behavior Assessments, ABA/ Verbal Behavior Therapy, Potty Training and Sign Language.

In August of 2011, Adrianna opened Carolina Behavior & Beyond, a home-based Early Intervention provider which serves families in Calhoun, Lexington, Newberry, Richland and Saluda Counties. Early Intervention is a comprehensive program that supports infants and children with developmental delays and offers parents and caregivers an opportunity to have a family-focused, in-home service to assist their child.

Carolina Behavior & Beyond will connect you with resources and programs in the community, as well as teach you how to advocate for your child and about your rights as a parent of a child with special needs. They also offer potty-training workshops, positive behavior support & training, parent support groups and free developmental screenings for schools and daycares.

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Adrianna couldn’t be more proud of her staff.

“We have a diverse group of exceptionally well-qualified, caring individuals. Everyone on our staff looks at this as their personal calling instead of just a job.”

Katie Wilson, EI Supervisor, graduated from USC with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education. Because she has a daughter who received Early Intervention services, she has a deep personal appreciation for the differences Early Intervention can make.

Kim Bracy, EI, a graduate of Bethel University with a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology is the mother of eight children aged three to twenty-three. She serves as the FAMILY Service Coordinator, providing staff training on subjects such as crisis management, waivers, and community resources for the families they serve.

Kelly Wofford, EI, graduated from USC with a Master’s in Social Work and is a licensed SC Social Worker.

Whitney Starling, EI, graduated from Winthrop University with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences and a specialization in Early Intervention.

Real Women

Keena King, a graduate of Columbia College, is a mom or two, who worked in the local school district in a special education setting before she joined CB&B. Natasha Dinkins is a USC graduate. Natasha was an EI prior to becoming a mommy to three beautiful children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum.

Laura Gay worked as an ABA therapist for children with autism before graduating from South University and loves working with children.

Adrianna’s Mother, Patt Kleckley, serves as the Administrative Coordinator of the group. Patt taught art for thirty years, was twice chosen as Northside Middle School Teacher of the Year, and was the Lexington Two District Teacher of the year for 2008.

Adrianna observed, “Every child has potential that should never be limited. Having a hopeful and positive outlook for the future is critical. We try to pass along this approach to each of the families we serve.”

For more information, or to refer a child, you can call Carolina Behavior & Beyond at 803-446-8113 or check out their website, www.CarolinaBehaviorAndBeyond.com

Professional

W E A R E A P P R OAC H I N G O U R

10 YEAR A N N I V E R S A RY !

THANK YOU TO OUR READERS! Send us your favorite story from any of our past issues so that we can include them in a special anniversary edition!

I N F O @ L E X I N G TO N W O M A N O N L I N E . C O M

A home-based early intervention provider serving children with special needs ages birth to five.

Your Journey is Our Passion Serving these counties:

Calhoun • Lexington • Orangeburg Newberry • Richland • Saluda

Services available:

One on one early intervention services Service coordination • Behavior planning • Potty training Parent support groups • Free developmental screenings Play groups

5594-C Sunset Blvd. Box 219 Lexington, SC 29072 | 803-446-8113 | www.carolinabehaviorandbeyond.com www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

After

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Recipes

White Cheddar, Green Apple & Pomegranate

M

FLATBREAD

y husband is spoiled. It’s OK, I say that lovingly and because he will say the same thing. Teaching culinary classes at an Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar boutique has its perks; we are never without the ingredients for an amazing vinaigrette. Being an avid runner, he pays particular attention to what fuels his body. He can’t help it…the boy simply loves healthy, fresh and flavorful!

Although I love making salad dressings from scratch, it’s really nice to have other options in the fridge. It’s great to have something a little more convenient, creamy and decadent, that keeps the same standards of flavor and freshness as we do when we make our dressings from scratch.

Enter Organic Girl’s new line of fresh salads and salad dressings. Organic Girl offers a full line of baby greens in earth-friendly 100% recycled plastic clamshells, made from 100% recycled PET bottles (5 bottles per clamshell to be exact) that are fully recyclable. Greens are also washed THREE times before packaging.

It’s a great feeling to find products that are good AND good for you. Organic Girl set a new standard of fresh with these great additions.

Recipe • 1 cup Organic Girl White Cheddar salad dressing • 2 cups Organic Girl Pepper Greens • 4 flatbreads • 1 red onion, thinly sliced • 1/2 green apple, shaved • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts • 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds • 4 slices nitrate free, honey turkey bacon (made by coating turkey bacon with honey and roasting), crumbled

• 1 cup White Cheddar, shredded

Generously brush or spoon White Cheddar Dressing onto flatbreads. Top with pepper greens, cheese and remaining ingredients. Bake at 425 for 8-10 minutes or until flatbread is crispy and cheese has melted. Serve with a fresh salad and additional dressing for dipping!

For more of these wonderful recipes please visit Melissa at: www.thefrontporchgourmet.com

*A very special thank you to Organic Girl for providing these amazing products. Although they were complimentary, all thoughts, opinions, words, and drooling are entirely my own.

For more information on Organic Girl Products and where to find them, visit their website at www.lexingtonwomanonline.com 11 www.iloveorganicgirl.com.

FROM CLEAN PLATE TO HOME PLATE!

By Carol Ryall Photo By Clark Berry

SHANNON & ASHLEY BURNETT Shannon laughed when asked what initially attracted her to Ashley. “I’m really not sure,” she replied, “but Ashley said he knew I was a keeper when we went on our first date and I cleaned my plate. He said he hated spending money on food that his dates didn’t eat!”

married to a high school coach comes with its own unique set of challenges and rewards. Shannon Burnett described them this way, “Ashley coaches baseball year round. He coaches travel ball in the summer and fall and then his season at Gilbert is basically January through May. “

“We only dated 3 months and when he proposed” she continued, “he presented me with a hollowed out baseball with the diamond ring inside! Because I had a background in athletic training, I knew what I was getting myself into by marrying a coach and I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

“I think it’s important for people to understand that one of the hardest parts of coaching comes at the beginning of the season,” she explained. “Tryouts can be very stressful. Parents often think that the coach isn’t bothered by cutting kids from the team and I’m here to tell you they are definitely wrong! ”

“The greatest reward I see as a coach’s wife is the relationship that Ashley creates with his players.”

“One challenge I experience is not being able to attend all of his ballgames. When we were first married Ashley’s dad and I would drive to all the games (even the far away ones) and it was fun being there for everything. I love watching Ashley coach because he loves what he does and he’s really good at it. But, with the girls’ busy schedules and the general business of life, we often miss games and it makes me feel like I’m missing out.”

They married in 2001 and have two daughters, Alex (11) and Abby (10). Both girls love riding horses at Mallory Horse Farms in Leesville and spend at least 2 afternoons a week there. Both Ashley and Shannon are native Lexingtonians. Her parents live next door to them and his are a mile or so away, with all of their siblings also nearby. Mrs. Burnett is currently employed as Director of Family Life at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church.

This has been an especially exciting spring for the Burnett’s, as Ashley had his 400th win as a coach and the Gilbert Indians won their region and district titles. Being 12

Gilbert Baseball Coach Ashley Burnett played ball at Lexington High School under the tutelage of Coach Tommy Williams. He and his Coach became close friends as Ashley began his coaching career. When Ashley became the head coach at Gilbert, Coach Williams and Head Athletic Trainer Damone Leaphart decided to act as matchmakers and introduced Ashley to Shannon O’Brien, a new teacher and Assistant Athletic Trainer at Lexington High School.

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

“Another challenge is that he misses some of his children’s activities because of ball. But, the girls know that he is their greatest cheerleader even when he can’t be there. Our schedules are quite busy, and we have a weekly calendar that everything gets writ-

Real Women

ten down on – horse lessons, ballgames, church activities, when bills are due and when to buy groceries. If it’s not written down, it doesn’t get done! I think having a plan is key to making it all happen. We like to relax by spending time with friends and family and eating good food. Ashley loves to grill, so he does that a lot when he’s not coaching. However, I would rather go out! Either way, friends, family, fun, and food go together beautifully.” Shannon continued, “Balance can be hard, but we are very blessed to have family and amazing friends that help out in a pinch.”

Shannon concluded, “The greatest reward I see as a coach’s wife is the relationship that Ashley creates with his players. His goal is not to just have good players and win games. He wants his kids to be good people – make good choices, be responsible, be accountable, be hard workers, and be successful. And when they succeed in life it makes all the time he invests worthwhile.”

Check us out online at W W W. L E X I N G TO N W O M A N O N L I N E . C O M

TO SEE ALL OF OUR PAST ISSUES AND STAY IN TOUCH!

Coaching Your Son or Daughter

By Charlie Assey

Charlie, and sons Charles and Daniel at Furman Being a local high school coach there was a constant microscope on my children and a pressure that was imposed mainly by me.

I had rules for our teams that I strongly enforced. I could not let my sons act one way and have rules for the other players.

So my relationship with my sons was more of a Coach to Player relationship instead of Father to Son. I was proud of my sons. I loved my sons. Just not sure I said those things enough. Those were things I know now they wanted to hear. It put a lot of strains on them when growing up.

I can remember driving my oldest son Charles to baseball practice when he was 11. We were riding down a dirt road to the practice field and I didn’t like the something he did so I stopped my jeep on the side of the road and made him get out and take 100 dry swings with his bat until I thought he got it right. As a ninth grader he played on our varsity baseball team and we won a big game against a local rival. He went 3-4 at the plate. This was one of his greatest memories, especially as a ninth grader.

When we got in the jeep to head home our conversation was about what he did when

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

s a high school coach for over 29 years I have experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. We won State Championships and several individual awards along the way. But probably the biggest thrill was when I had the opportunity to coach my sons in youth sports and then at the high school level.

he made the one out. Why he didn’t go 4-4.

Wow, what was I thinking. I asked him what one of his greatest days has been over his career and jokingly but seriously he told me it was the day he got his driver’s license. I quickly wanted to know why and thought so he could go on a date. He replied, “because now I don’t have to ride home with you and get lectured on the ride home as well as what you gave us in the locker room.”

Today, 20 years later, that is a great story to tell and really funny. But it made me realize how hard I may have been back then. I was coaching my youngest son Daniel when he was playing 13 year old pony league baseball at Ball Park road. I was an assistant helping a good friend of mine who was the head coach. His son played on the team also. A few games into the season the head coach and I looked at each other and made a deal. I will handle your son and you handle mine. I was ready to jerk a knot in my son.

Another funny story to tell 14 years later, but back then it was not so funny.

Today we have gotten into a “specialization” era. The days of playing football, basketball,

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baseball and soccer are over. Parents are looking for their children to get athletic scholarships. Travelball, AAU, and Showcase programs have evolved. Kids are playing one sport year around because there is an attitude it is the only way for my child to get a scholarship. Back in the early 1990’s when I was the head baseball coach at Brookland Cayce HS, I was approached by a few Dad’s from local high schools to talk about Fall Baseball. Back then it was an idea for the baseball players that did not play football.

Give them something to do in the off season. Initially it was let’s come together and play a doubleheader on Saturdays in the fall for fun. Then once going it turned into picking an all star team and go out of town to play in a weekend tournament. Then if a son didn’t get picked for the all star team then a parent or two would start another team to make sure my son can play.

Now today we have travel ball teams everywhere, every age and almost every day. It has become a money making machine for some. It has gotten out of control. This is not just baseball. It is soccer and basketball as well. So with all this specialization our

children are forced to pick one sport at such a young age.

Playing one sport leads to injuries of over using parts of your body with no rest or break from that sport and activity. Here is a stat that I don’t think has changed very much over the last 30 years: One out of every 100 high school baseball players get to play college baseball. One out of every 100 college baseball players get to be picked in the draft. There are 750 jobs in major league baseball if you go with the 25 man roster. 1200 if you go with the 40 man roster. There are over 4000 brain surgeons in the US. What do you think your son has a better chance of becoming?

Lastly, there was a study done that polled over 250 Division 1 athletes. They asked 2 questions. Question 1: What was your worst experience in youth sports?

Unanimous answer was: The ride home with Dad and Mom after a game. It was criticism of play. How bad the coach or umpire was. Parents upset over playing time.

Question 2: What was your most favorite memory of youth sports? Unanimous answer was: When Dad and Mom turned back in to Dad and Mom. Parents need to be silent supporters of their child. Be positive from the bleachers or behind the fence. During a game the number 1 person an athlete doesn’t want to let down is their parents. They can hear their parent over all the voices of everyone else. Be a positive and silent supporter of your son or daughter during competition.

Let them be a part of a team. Not an individual. Now that I am a Grandparent I can see this more vivid. I sat where all parents sit. See how quick you can return to being Dad and Mom. Our children will be the winners.

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Let’s Talk photo by Clark Berry Photography

THE ASHBY CHRONICLE:

Princess Demon Possession

by Ashby Jones

Ashby Jones

I

do not believe I offended ALL of my friends before my wedding on July 20, 1996, but I sure tried.You see, I got married before Bridezilla was a television show and it became generally acceptable to make a fool out of yourself just so you could get married. At the time, all I really wanted was to marry my cute boyfriend, a live band to perform at my reception, and to wear a designer gown. And a limousine. And shrimp.

I don’t know what happens when a woman becomes engaged. It’s like a princess spirit (or princess demon) takes over the bride’s body. The princess spirit removes memory from the bride’s brain.The memory removal allows the bride to believe this wedding is the only time she has ever demonstrated success in her entire life. The bride doesn’t remember all the real successes of her past – the time she made an A in Algebra II, or the time she didn’t fall on her bottom during the cheerleading competition. Or, the time she helped rebuild dilapidated homes for a week one hot summer in the South Carolina lowcountry.

No, the bride must demonstrate that she selected the best prince available, and all of her friends are genuinely elated for her, and her waist is skinnier. To achieve this type of success, you really have to make many important decisions.

Like what your color scheme will be. My bridesmaid’s dresses were navy blue. This selection caused a bit of an uproar and resulted in a family meeting wherein my grandmother and my Aunt Mimbee explained to me that navy blue was so much like black that it would appear all of my nine bridesmaids were in mourning. I couldn’t really choose what other colors I liked

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

so I told everyone to pick “primary colors.” Stefanie pointed out that if I did this all of my towels and sheets would be multicolored. She suggested that I choose white linens, because I could add to my collection of fine sheets and towels over the years. I ignored all of the color advisors. Thus, my bridesmaids sort of looked like they were in mourning and the first several years of my marriage my linen closet looked like a rainbow.

My bridesmaids and honorary bridesmaids were given detailed instructions. I believe I drew an actual circle on a memorandum I mailed to all of them, demonstrating the

I don’t know what happens when a woman becomes engaged. It’s like a princess spirit (or princess demon) takes over the bride’s body.

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acceptable circumference of their earrings. I felt I was being generous, allowing them to wear their own earrings at my ceremony. Allison and Darra were my bouncers. I figured, since they were lawyers in training like me they would be completely comfortable confronting people who had the gall to bring children to the ceremony.

(They weren’t comfortable with this).

Almost all of them have forgiven me. Probably because they were later possessed by the princess demon, and they were able to get even with me (making me wear a dress the color of phlegm, insisting

that I learn an intricate line dance for the reception, inviting me to thirteen showers where I had to appear with a gift). But they also forgave me because I returned to normal really quickly. In fact, as soon as the ceremony was over I told my parents I didn’t really need to attend my reception at all, that I was satisfied with my ceremony. At which point my mother reminded me of the live rock band and ridiculous cake and shrimp I had insisted on and instructed me to get a certain posterior portion of my anatomy into the white stretch limousine and to the reception NOW.

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17

Let’s Talk

Dr. Vanessa Brooks, Dr. Cameron Barkley, & Dr. Mara Holland

Meet Cameron Barkley, DVM

Flash back to elementary school when little Cameron found a juvenile squirrel out of its nest and injured. Shecarried it into the house; and, countless phone calls later Cameron’s mother drove her and the towel-wrapped squirrel across town to Seven Oaks Animal Hospital for rehab. rom early childhood Cameron Barkley’s passion for animals was evident and echoed by family and friends.She completed a BA at Wake Forest University, from there to Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine graduating magna cum laude. Immediately after graduation, Dr. Barkley joined Millcreek Animal Hospital; and, five years later when clinic founders, Drs. Dew and Thorsen retired, she purchased the clinic. Since 2005 the 25 year old practice has grown considerably. Dr. Vanessa Brooks and Dr. Mara Hollandjoined, and staff has expanded to eleven.Open fiveand-a-half days a week, they average 7000 medical and surgical cases a year.Millcreek participates in work study programs and hosts many shadowing students.

Away from the clinic Dr. Barkley is a wife and mother to three daughters, and shepherds two dogs and six cats. Her devotion extends beyond the clinic as she invests considerable time and knowledge in two special organizations: The Heartworm Project and Carolina Wildlife Center. The Millcreek staff averages60pro bono hours per month foranimal-related programs.

The Heartworm Project takes shelter animals with treatable diseases, such as heartworm,on the verge of being euthanized and rehabilitates them. HWP offers assistance to shelters willing to initiate treatment for heartworm-positive

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

dogs. Dr. Barkley believes that HWP’s impact is evident in reduced euthanasia rates at public shelters in Lexington, Richland, Chester, Union, Laurens, Abbeville, Florence and Calhoun counties. Truly unique, HWP is 100% volunteer;relies completely on private donations and receives zero-tax dollar funding. All three Millcreek veterinarians, and the staff are involved as the clinic is one of threehousing and treating these cases.A memorable case was a very senior, very decrepit Pekingese that Nicole Howland, founder and President of HWP, pulled from a shelter. Dr. Vanessa Brooks refused to give up, and spent countless hours on treatments. When the make-over photo appeared on the HWP website “Mr. Brooks” was adopted by a loving, devoted family. After Mr. Brooks passed away, his owner adopted two younger dogs and another senior Pekingese, and her parents adopted a senior Pomeranian.

plores wider interests by volunteering with the Carolina Wildlife Center. Treating 250+ wild animals per year, CWC advocates for critical needs,provides care and rehabilitation for all varieties of animals often displaced and injured due to human impact on habitat. Serving the midlands and all of South Caroling, they are completely reliant on private donations.The goal is always to releaseback into the wild; but, animals that are deemed non-releasable travel to schools and functions becoming teaching animals promoting wildlife, appropriate interaction, andhabitat protection.CWC creates connectionsby sponsoring wildlife camps and unique educational programs. All three Millcreek veterinarians are involved; and, Dr. Brooks’ considerable experience with exotic animals is highly valued. Dr. Barkleyespecially appreciates being able to contribute to the education of volunteers, citizens and school age children about wildlife and our ecosystem.

Providing pro bono services and low cost medicine makes a significant difference for animals in public sheltersfacing scarce funds andfew advocates. Donating and volunteering is open to everyone wanting to contribute to positive change.HWP’s motto summarizes their success: “If everyone does their part, no one has to do much.”

“We share space with many species and our lives are amazingly intertwined. Domestic or wild, animals play definitive roles in our individual lives and greater community. By educating and sharing knowledge, I hope to be an influencer to family, friends, colleagues and clients.My drive comes from a lifelong love and appreciation of the human animal bond, and a desire to positively impact preservation.” ~ Cameron Barkley, DVM

Beyond companion animals Dr. Barkley ex-

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19

TRAVELING TIPS

Pets

Professional

for CAT OWNERS

by Briana Davis, DVM

O

ur feline friends are an important part of our family. However, statistics show cats visit the veterinarian about half as often as dogs. Routine exams are just as important to cats as they are to dogs, so why the lower number of visits? Often, it is the unique challenges cats present to traveling that give owners the misapprehension that the risks of a veterinary visit aren’t worth the benefits!

It is common for our kitties to disappear as soon as the pet carrier appears. These reclusive cats are often found in the deepest, darkest recesses of their homes (ie, under the bed, in the closet, in a cabinet).

Wrangling them out of their hiding spots can be as challenging as manipulating them in to the carrier. These processes pose no small risk to the owner as swatting claws and biting teeth are often involved.

Once contained in their carrier and in the car, these unhappy kitties

change their defense tactics. Using the sound-enhancing enclosed space of the car, the cats yowl at the top of their lungs to convey their displeasure. The only pauses from this auditory assault occur as the cats release previously ingested material from various orifices of their body. The culmination of this distressing journey occurs at the veterinary hospital. Here the cat is exposed to all sorts of strange smells and noises. It is also subjected to strangers with bright lights

Often, it is the unique challenges cats present to traveling that give owners the misapprehension that the risks of a veterinary visit aren’t worth the benefits.

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real Women

and sharp objects poking and prodding it. So, it is with little surprise that such a trip can make for frightened, ferocious felines and frazzled owners.

Luckily, there are some steps that can be taken to lessen the stress of routine veterinary exams for both cats and their owners.The first step is to take the fear out of the carrier.

Have your cat associate the carrier as a fun and calm environment.

Start with placing the carrier in a room your cat likes to be in. Put a soft blanket or article of clothing from your cat’s favorite person in carrier. Place treats and toys in the carrier to encourage your pet to go in and out voluntarily. Eventually work up to closing the door of the carrier with your cat in it, give them a treat, and then open the door.

Once your cat is comfortable with this step, move the carrier a few feet with your cat in it. Gradually increase the distance you move them until you are able to place them in the car.Then start taking short trips with your cat in the car. All of these steps need to be taken slowly and gradually, with the primary goal being to keep your cat calm and happy during the process. Go back to the previous step if your pet becomes anxious with the current one.

Other tools that may help your fe-

line friend remain calm include the use of synthetic pheromone sprays (Feliway) in the carrier ½ an hour prior to your trip. You can cover the carrier with a blanket, creating the dark, protected haven many cats desire. Traveling on an empty stomach lessens the likelihood of your cat developing nausea during the trip. It also increases the likelihood your pet will take a treats while at the vet, making the experience a more positive one. Carriers with removeable tops can allow the veterinarian to start their exam with the patient still comfortably in the bottom half of the carrier. Try to schedule fun social visits to the vet (where the only purpose is to give kitties treats to positively reinforce the experience). If these steps aren’t enough to reduce vet-visit anxiety, your veterinarian may prescribe medication that can help.

Our feline friends can pose several challenges when traveling to the vet. However, the importance of a routine health exam shouldn’t be compromised because of those challenges. Taking the time to teach cats to relax in the carrier and during travel can help take the fear and trauma out of the vet visit for both the cat and its owner.

DARK CHOCOLATE IRISH CREAM BROWNIES For the Irish Cream Center Layer: 2 blocks cream cheese, room temperature 1 container Marscapone cheese, room temperature ½ cup sugar 1 egg ½ cup Bailey’s Irish Cream

For the Brownies: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. sea salt 1 1/2 cup butter, softened 12 oz. GOOD unsweetened chocolate, melted 2 cups sugar 2 cups light brown sugar 4 large eggs, at room temperature 1/4 cup orange blossom honey 2 tsp. good vanilla 1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips or discs Directions: For the Irish Cream Layer: In a stand mixer, whip cream cheese. Add sugar

and remaining ingredients. Place in a small bowl and set to the side.

For the brownies: Sift together all dry ingredients. Place in the mixer, then add eggs, butter, honey, vanilla and melted chocolate. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips last.

Place a sheet of parchment paper in the bottom of a 13×9 baking pan. Coat the bottom and sides of pan well with non stick spray. Pour half of the chocolate brownie batter into the pan, spreading evenly. Next, cover the brownie layer with a layer of the Irish Cream mixture, using the all of the mixture. Finally, spread the remaining half of the brownie batter over the Irish cream layer. Bake at 350 for about an hour to one hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Life is too short to eat ugly food y’all!

For more of these wonderful recipes please visit Melissa at: www.thefrontporchgourmet.com

By: Melissa Hass

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21

Health & Wellness

Redeeming the apple one jar at a time.

Theresa Adams Preserving A Legacy

By Tina Bulloch / Photos By Jenna Drury, Timeless Expressions Photography 22

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real Women

he apple, long revered as the symbol of all things good, sweet, healthy, portable, and the heart and soul of an all-American favorite, apple pie; this little beauty hides a sorted past (or questionable beginning). Commonly blamed as “The Fruit” that proved too tempting for Eve, and ultimately triggering the fall of Adam and the entire human race, one local southern lady is on a mission to forgive that errant piece of history in favor of its redemption through a simple jar of apple butter.

“Redeeming the apple, one jar at a time,” is Theresa Adams’ motto and passion for this simple fruit with big promise.

Theresa, owner of Adams Apple Eatables in Lexington, SC, upon meeting, is as familiar as the neighbor next door as she chats about how she got to this place and her love for not just apple butter, but what the giving and receiving, oh, and the eating of it, does for the soul.

Upon meeting her, Theresa warms your heart like a piece of hot apple pie fresh from the oven with her smile all the while, chatting about her love for apples, and cinnamon, and the journey therein.

It is her dream that drives her entrepreneurial spirit to redeem this beloved fruit into more than just a jar of apple butter.

It is sweet, cinnamon-sass, and the neighbor next door all wrapped in a smartly

dressed glass jar with a vintage plaid label, coordinating gift box/bag, complete with twine, and a signature Adams Apple wooden spoon.

It is a far cry from Theresa’s first encounter with apple butter. She recalls that “Apple Aha!” entrepreneurial moment while watching her aunt and uncle’s family make apple butter in a giant copper kettle over a fire at their farm in rural Illinois. They used an oversized wooden paddle to cook down the apples and mix in bags of sugar bigger than her 6 year old self. The business end of it was watching this sweet, dark yumminess packaged and sold for money at the Mennonite Relief Sale in Peoria, Illinois.

Theresa, daughter of a career Navy father and a music teacher mother, was born in Maine. She managed to change the family landscape for her older sister, Tina, who, at the time of this article is most thankful for and proud of her little sister and talks as often as she can with her. Life is life, often beyond our understanding, and 5 year old Theresa, along with her father and sister, moved to Illinois to be close to their grandparents after losing her mother to cancer.

“My grandmother seemed to live in the kitchen. When she finished preparing breakfast, she was on to preparing lunch,

then baking yeast rolls every evening for ‘supper’. Apple pies were frequently on the menu, and I remember coming home from kindergarten every day where Grandma would have sliced apple and Ritz crackers with cream cheese. It’s

funny that now my favorite way to eat apple butter is on a Ritz cracker with cream cheese.” She also says “one of Grandma’s ways of showing love to her family was by cooking. She definitely instilled that in me, because there is so much joy in what I do. No one is ever upset because they received a jar of apple butter.”

Theresa began trying her hand at making apple butter while in college as an

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23

inexpensive way to give gifts to family and friends. Little did she know that a few years later, she would meet this “really good-looking guy who swept me off my feet. And wouldn’t you know it, his last name was Adams.” They married, and Theresa continued to make apple butter every Christmas, changing the recipe over the years until she got it “just where she wanted it”. Adams Apple Butter was born. After twenty years of gifting her Adams Apple Butter, she tried selling it one Christmas as a fundraiser for her youngest son to go on a student ambassador trip. “Friends, family, and even strangers were so supportive that I quickly sold out and had to make another batch”, Theresa says. “I had so many people tell me it was the best apple butter they’d ever had, and that I should make a business of it.” After winning a blue ribbon for her apple butter at the SC State Fair in 2014, she began the painstaking process of getting samples 24

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

tested, finding a DHEC approved kitchen, passing inspection, doing proper labeling with nutritional facts and ingredients, all while buying 80 pounds of apples for each batch, peeling, cooking, and canning from morning till night.

After a successful first “official” holiday season in 2014, she quickly realized that changes would need to take place in 2015 in order for the business to succeed. Her time would be better spent using her marketing background to grow the business instead of spending countless hours making the product. She now has her product manufactured, using her very own recipe she’s developed over the years. She also introduced Adams Apple Pie Jam in the fall of 2015, and plans to introduce more products, all with an element of apple, of course, in 2016. Theresa says “I’d love to see a line of ‘Adams Apple’ products in specialty stores across the country.” Her prod-

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ucts can be found at a growing list of stores in the Midlands, and you can find a complete list on her website, adamsappleeatables.com.

On select Saturdays throughout the year, you can find her and her youngest son, Avery, at the Soda City Market in downtown Columbia, and she’ll be participating in this year’s Charleston Wine and Food Festival in March. Her product can also be purchased from her website, and she ships anywhere in the country.

Theresa decided the best thing to do with this business was to commit to the good Lord from day one. “I’ve made a lot of decisions in my life without checking with Him first, but this is too important. This is part of who I am. I want to do it right. In fact, I’m not just preserving apple butter, I’m preserving a legacy.”

I’m not just preserving apple butter, I’m preserving a legacy.

www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

25

Shopping

Inspire Interiors

By Carol Ryall

A STORE WITH A MISSION

With the beginning of the year many of us think of sprucing up our home, as well as deciding what, and how redecorating we want to do. If that’s the mood you’re in right now, Inspire Interiors is a new shop in town eager to help with either or both of those projects.

This store is the dream of Lisa Gissendanner. “I want INSPIRE to be a light in our community and a ministry. I want ladies & gentlemen to come into the shop and feel welcomed and at home. I want anyone who needs design/decor guidance to be able to afford it,” Mrs. Gissendanner explained.

“We want to give very personal one-on-one service to each of our clients. We want to know their likes and dislikes and also what’s going on in their life! We want to be able to rejoice with them or pray with them. To me personally, that’s more important than selling them something!”

Inspire Interiors is an interior design resource, a home accessories store, and a gift shop.

There is an assortment of fabulous, unique furniture. Many pieces have the popular rustic feel (the “Southern Comfortable” look) while other pieces are as elegant and sophisticated as anyone could want. A wide selection of tables, lamps, mirrors, pictures, pillows and throw rugs offers “just the right thing” for that one space in your home you’ve never completed.

They offer an array of serving pieces and other entertaining needs in a diverse range of styles from an antique wooden dough bowl to a porcelain serving piece that just cries out to be filled with wassail or eggnog. You’ll also find an outstanding assortment of jewelry, featuring unique statement pieces and some exceptional necklaces with cross pendants. In addition to all that, the store is filled with Christmas decorations, arrangements, stockings, and myriad other holiday adornments to fill your home with sparkle and joy.

Lisa commented, “Our services include event decorating, including Christmas, redecorating homes or offices to bring them up to date, remodeling, and new construction. We can do blinds & custom window treatments. We offer design services from a simple one-room redecorating job to full-scale interior decorating services for new construction. Our goal is to match your style and make you feel comfortable in your home on your budget.

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

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“I’ve been blessed with two talented women who work beside me. Annalee Jewell of Jewell builders is our shop manager. Tonya Hammond is also a designer who has been doing design work In Lexington for years. The three of us are a perfect fit and enjoy our work immensely.”

A West Columbia native, Lisa, her husband Monty and their three children have lived in Lexington since Lisa and Monty married, twenty-seven years ago. Lisa remarked, “My husband is my biggest supporter and fan. I literally could not do this without him. He’s an engineer who has been in construction his entire adult life.

He comes along beside me and helps me with many of my projects.”

Lisa credits her friend Shannon Bogan, a designer with a beautiful retail shop on John’s Island, with inspiring her to “Go for it and do my own thing.” Lisa started working in design under Bonnie O’Connor of O’Connor Designs.

“Bonnie was very gracious to mentor me, to be my friend and to teach me some invaluable lessons along the way. When Bonnie decided to retire, I made the decision to start my own design business and retail shop,” Lisa said. And so, in September 2015 she opened Inspire Interiors. This cornucopia of delights awaits your visit at McCauley Square, across from Target on Hwy 378.You can also find them on Facebook as Inspire Interiors and Instagram as Inspireinteriorslex or call them at (803) 399-8269.

Health & Wellness

伀倀䔀一䤀一䜀 䤀一 匀䔀倀吀䔀䴀䈀䔀刀 NOW OPEN! 䐀攀猀椀最渀 匀攀爀瘀椀挀攀猀 昦 䰀椀最栀琀椀渀最 昦 䴀椀爀爀漀爀猀 䌀甀猀琀漀洀 圀椀渀搀漀眀 吀爀攀愀琀洀攀渀琀猀 䌀甀猀琀漀洀 䨀攀眀攀氀爀礀 䰀椀渀攀猀 䰀漀挀愀氀氀礀 䴀愀搀攀 倀爀漀搀甀挀琀猀 唀渀椀焀甀攀 䠀漀洀攀 䄀挀挀攀猀猀漀爀椀攀猀 䜀椀昀琀眀愀爀攀 昦 倀漀琀琀攀爀礀 昦 䄀爀琀眀漀爀欀

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27

Shopping

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

By Tracey Lease

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Many of us have grown up with this mantra. I remember the day our little town in New Jersey decided to make recycling mandatory – you could be fined if you threw your cans or bottles in the trash. What a huge upheaval for such a small town!

Now 30-some years later, recycling is, to many, a way of life. We don’t think about it much anymore.

So, when someone says that they have a new way to recycle or re-purpose items, and – even better – make money at it? We tend to sit up and take notice.

This is just what Marie Generoso is doing for the lovely ladies of the Columbia area!

Wink Consignment Sales is an upscale consignment sales event for women of all ages and sizes. For women? Yes! Most women, especially moms, have heard of consignment sales for children and kids. But Marie has re-imagined the way women with a budget should shop. Awesome!

Marie and her husband, Ron, used to operate three retail shops.

Unfortunately, their businesses closed when the economy went sour. They had a dilemma; what to 28

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

do with the inventory they were not able to sell. “When we had Aaron, I was able to consign his clothes to a few local kid’s consignment sales. I had the opportunity to make money and recycle his clothes.

So why not my clothes that have been sitting in my closet not being used and why not a Women’s consignment sale? I researched it and found none in the area so last year is when I started getting serious with the concept. I enjoy the retail aspect of the business and at the same time, I would be able to help moms and women make money, recycle, and save.”

will make a percentage of their sold items.” How does it work? I needed some advice. Marie told me a consignor (seller) will take their time going through their items – both clothing and accessories. They will be sure that they are current, quality brand-name items that are clean, fresh-smelling and free of stains.

They will register through the website at www.winkconsign.com to create an online account, tag and price their items and attach it to the clothing. The only thing left is to drop them off at the sale location and then relax.

Marie, Ron, and their 4-year old son, Aaron, live in Northeast Columbia. Marie works full-time as a Clinical Applications Analyst and is a Registered Nurse. She came to South Carolina from the Philippines when she was a teenager and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina.

When not working, Marie loves to draw, read, and play with Aaron. As he grows, Marie has lots of advice that she will give him, but one of her favorites is “Find your passion and give your best always in everything that you do.”

Of course, there are those ladies that would like to make just a few more dollars on their items. Instead of not selling something because it is priced too high, Marie suggests to “price your items well and discount it for the last day of the sale.

Shoppers tend to come in on Discount Day.” So, how can they make a few extra dollars? Consignors can volunteer for the many opportunities offered before and during the days of the sale. The more 3 hour shifts you volunteer to work, the more commission you have the opportunity to make – up to 75% of your sold items!

For three days, twice a year, Marie is the driving force behind Wink Consignment Sales. “We do all the advertising, set up the location, set up fixtures and equipment, sell and clean up. The consignors

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On the flip side, some consignors don’t have time to tag and enter their items.

Wink Consignment can handle that, too, for a fee, and those consignors receive a

50% commission. Of course, you don’t want those unsold items to go back in your closet, right? Wink has the solution for that, too; you can donate them after the sale – no need to drag them home!

So, what about those women who like to shop? The three day event is on March 17-19 with sale hours each day. Women can shop deals early on Ladies’ Night on March 17 for a fee. According to Marie, “You will find great deals on clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry and accessories up to 90% off retail…We inspect these items to be up to our strict standards.” Please visit Wink Consignment’s website for all the details. Do you own or manage a business that could benefit from advertising at this event? Again, visit the website for more information!

Sale Hours: Thur: Ladies' Night 6pm with $10 fee Fri: 8am - 8pm Sat: 8am - 2pm (1/2 price sale on most items)

When Marie began this journey, I wonder if she thought – really thought – about the mantra: Reduce (the size of your closet), Reuse (don’t buy it new, buy it new-ish!), Recycle (donate the unsold items). I can’t wait to go shopping!

www.winkconsign.com on Facebook: winkconsign winkconsign@gmail.com 803.466.7836

SHOP AND SELL!

ACCEPTING CONSIGNORS NOW

Women and Teens CONSIGNMENT SALES EVENT March 17-19, 2016 Holiday Inn & Suites Columbia-Airport 110 McSwain Drive (803) 466 - 7836 www.winkconsign.com www.facebook.com/winkconsign winkconsign@gmail.com

Protect Your Heart Don’t Become a Statistic

More women die of cardiovascular disease than from the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. But 80 percent of cardiac events in women could be prevented if women made the right choices for their hearts involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking. Make it your mission to learn all you can about heart attacks and stroke — don’t become a statistic. CALL 9-1-1.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.

Signs of a Heart Attack in Women

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

• As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or dis

comfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1...Get to a hospital right away.

National Heart Association, www.heart.org www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

29

Education

How to Make a Six-Month SAT Study Plan

By Dr. Rick Bavaria

It’s a new year and a new semester for high schoolers. SATs are a topic of importance and although the spring test dates seem far away, they’re actually right around the corner. If your child is contemplating taking the SAT, it’s wise to have a plan. “six-month game plan” will be useful and build confidence for those kids who have kept up their studies, maintained a relatively decent GPA, and have taken school mostly seriously.

However, for those kids who’ve slacked off and think they can undo freshman/sophomore/junior year indolence, this six-month SAT study plan can help but it will be time to really buckle down.

For the next six months, make sure your child . . .

1. . . . takes the PSAT. This “preliminary” test is usually for juniors and helps test-takers to become familiar with the exam without a lot of pressure, as the scores aren’t official.

If your child is a senior and hasn’t taken the PSAT, you can find samples online or ask your guidance counselor for help.

2. . . . is enrolled in the right classes. Courses that stretch abilities, boost vocabulary, demand lots of writing, and push computing and analytical skills are all good choices.

3. . . . has plenty of support. That means from you, from teachers and counselors, from friends (They’re taking the SAT, also, right?), and from study buddies with whom your

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

child prepares for important assignments, projects, and classroom tests. As the saying goes, it takes a village.

4. . . . maintains good study habits. Kids know what good study habits are, they just need us adults to make sure they’re practicing them. Avoiding distractions, managing time, being organized, keeping to deadlines, paying attention in class, and getting help when they need it are essential.

5. . . . takes an SAT prep course if necessary.

There are lots to choose from, ranging from private tutoring to small group instruction, to large group lectures. If your child decides to do this, allow for at least eight weeks before test time. Above all, remember testprep classes are not about learning the content of subjects that kids have been studying for years. Rather, they’re about learning strategies for test-taking, like knowing how to eliminate distracters in multiple-choice questions, how to read directions strategically and how to pace throughout the sections. Test-prep classes are the equivalent of athletes’ practices and performers’ rehearsals. Sylvan Learning’s been doing this for years and is really good at it.

6. . . . doesn’t put off preparing until the final minute. Kids are good at this. That’s why they

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need parents and teachers to keep them on track and nag if necessary. Cramming is never a good idea for learning. You and your child can sit down together to map out a study schedule. Assign one or two areas to focus on each session and spend the most time on the subjects that he or she feels the most uncertain of. As you get closer to the exam, your child will be grateful for this extra time and can beat anxiety on the big day.

7. . . . puts it all in perspective. Yes, the SAT is important, but it’s not the only determinant in college acceptance. Colleges are looking at overall GPA, extracurricular activities, teacher/coach/clergy recommendations and well-written, thoughtful essays. If your child can say, “I did my best,” then the whole family should be happy.

To schedule a free practice SAT test, or to enroll in Sylvan Test Prep, please contact Sylvan of the Midlands at 803-781-7323 for Irmo/Lexington, and 803-741-0999 for N.E. Columbia.

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31

Health & Wellness

BACK ON TRACK

Fixing Back Pain That Won’t Quit Chronic back pain can be debilitating and keep you from enjoying quality of life and activities with friends and family. You may even be at the point where you think there’s nothing else that can be done to help.

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That’s where Lexington Brain and Spine Institute comes in. As a comprehensive center for conditions of the spine and peripheral nerves, the clinicians at this Lexington Medical Center physician practice believe there are always more options available to treat back pain. Neurosurgeons Scott Boyd, MD; Brett Gunter, MD; C. Philip Toussaint, MD, FAANS; and interventional pain specialist Erin Lawson, MD, work every day to alleviate back pain.

Sometimes, Dr. Toussaint says he sees new patients who have had previous spine procedures elsewhere without success. They suffer from conditions including herniated discs, spinal cord compression and spinal stenosis – all of which can be very painful.

“Being a neurosurgeon is a lot like being a detective,” said Dr. Toussaint.

“We have to seek out the cause of the problem.”

By looking at medical records, reviewing imaging, proscribing physical therapy and considering spinal injections to quell pain, Lexington Brain and Spine

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“We have to take our detective work to the next level,” Dr. Toussaint said.

“We uncover why their treatment didn’t work and how to make it better.”

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Institute develops plans that will get patients’ backs on track again.

One procedure that has positive results is spinal cord stimulation. It’s for patients who have undergone back surgery, but still experience pain in the back and legs, despite having no structural problem that can be fixed with surger y. Their pain may be caused by scar tissue or ner ve damage.

In this outpatient procedure, a batter y-powered device about the size of a pocket watch and similar to a pacemaker for the hear t is inser ted under the skin. A lead stimulates ner ve fibers

Health & Wellness in the spinal cord to reduce pain signals. The result is that instead of pain, patients feel a sensation of vibration or buzzing. The device works for up to 20 years.

blocks. These treatments can provide significant benefits to patients with spine pain, residual pain after surgery, cancer pain, complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia or joint pain.

option, but it can be effective if previous surgeries were not the right choice for a certain disorder, or if the cause of the symptoms is different than previously thought.

“We’ve seen a dramatic improvement in quality of life and the ability to perform activities of daily living in these patients. In addition, they have a reduction in use of oral pain medicine, and most insurance covers it.”

“These procedures can be new choices for patients who have exhausted all other options,” Dr. Lawson said.

With state-of-the-art technology, Lexington Brain and Spine Institute uses both open and minimally invasive techniques to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients. The practice has convenient locations on the hospital campus in West Columbia and in downtown Lexington.

The neurosurgeons at Lexington Brain and Spine Institute work closely with interventional pain specialist Dr. Erin Lawson for pain management. Dr. Lawson provides patients excellent choices to reduce pain including steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation and nerve

There are many reasons why people experience back pain. They range from degenerative spinal disorders to accumulation of injury, age, general wear and tear, and genetic factors. It’s important to find doctors who are aware of new technology and able to address all the possible methods of curing back pain.

Call (803) 935-8410 for an appointment. And, visit LexingtonBrainandSpine.com

Revision neurosurgery is always the last

West Columbia Location 146 North Hospital Drive Suite 120 West Columbia, SC 29169 (803) 935-8410

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2016

VOL 7, NO 6

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CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING Real WOMEN

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CELEBRATIN G, MOTIVATING AND EDUC , ATING WOMEN

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The Lexington High Schoo Team inspir es a communityl Varsity

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35

Personal Note

A

nother season of baseball is over for us at the Duncan household. Of my three sons, Colton is our baseball player. Trey started for a few years but chose football when he was eight. Ryan started at five but preferred soccer. Colton began his baseball journey when he was four.

At the Lexington YMCA, it was a fun experience. For his five-year-old season, we moved to Lexington Recreation and so began the next seven years of baseball. Colton loves the game of baseball. He loves his teammates and coaches. He will be the first one to tell you who the “good guys” are (in his humble opinion, of course!) He is that guy who just loves the game. No doubt he will be the kind of man who plays for our church softball team one day and coaches his son or sons in Little League.

When he was seven, Colton had a coach who shaved his head for cancer. That inspired Colton. Later, when he heard me talking about a little girl with leukemia, he decided he wanted to shave his head to raise money and help her family. We had a big party at Snip-Its in Lexington and invited the community to come out and support the cause. That same year, he broke his wrist and was out of baseball for half a season.

Seven seasons of games provide many memories, both good and bad. I’ve witnessed parents screaming at their children after we lost games. I saw a 10-year-old pitcher cry, as he stood in front of parents and friends being berated by his father. I watched other parents scream at children who didn’t even belong to them because they made a bad play or struck out. Baseball was ugly at times and beautiful at others. I watched coaches who never raised their voice, and I watched coaches who screamed to hear themselves scream. I also watched coaches who encouraged our sons to do their best.

The last two years we have been privileged to be with a set of coaches who are outstanding. Guys who love baseball almost as much as their sons love it. Or, perhaps, they love baseball because they love their boys so much.

Last year we won the championship game for our division. We had some superstars on our team who went on to play for the high school teams this year. There were some returners on our team for this season, but no one stood out as being a phenomenal baseball player. There were lots of good solid players, but no superstars.

This year’s team has been, by far, my favorite team to watch play. It seemed when some of our solid players had a bad day, some of our other players stepped up and made a great play or hit a deep ball and scored some needed runs. This little team with no “superstars” won every single game. There were close calls. I remember a game when a player was injured on the other team. It was scary for the boys and parents to watch, but we rallied and won. In fact in three games we came back from a deficit to win the game. We had two Jacks on our team, and two Jacksons, Zane, Mason, Colton, Braden, Carson, Bryce, and Alex and they played for Academy Sports.

We made it to the championship again this year. In the first game of the tournament, the coach’s son was injured. This young man was the heart of our team; a good player, a better person. I never witnessed him be anything but respectful and kind. My son told me once that Braden was a friend to everyone. He said even when the other boys might be inclined to pick on someone or be unkind, Braden never participated. Our whole team went down with Braden when he injured himself at first base, and we lost the first game of the playoffs.

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

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I should back up and tell you this year the parents were the best, as well. Baseball parents aren’t like football parents in my experience. Baseball is an individual sport as well as a team sport. Parents cheer differently at baseball games. In baseball, most people tend to cheer only for their sons. I like to cheer for all the kids (but, especially for my boy, of course.) These parents were exceptionally sportsmanlike.

I never heard one of them say anything ugly (at least not out loud) when someone struck out, and we needed them to get a hit. I never heard a dad yell at anyone but an umpire. Bryce’s dad had this great “radio voice”, and he would yell for all of our children. He knew each of them by name. He would encourage every hitter, every pitcher and his own son, (who was a good solid player) as well. On several occasions I witnessed him leaving the ball park with his arm over Bryce’s shoulder, both of them smiling. Good job, Dad. We won game two. Braden returned with a cast on his arm, cheered on his teammates and stood with his face to the field encouraging his friends.

He came back to see his team, and his father win a championship.

Game three we won again, and the title was ours, for the second year in a row. We won because we were a group of eleven boys who played as a unit; not because we were a team full of superstars. When one couldn’t produce, another player did exactly that. They also had a coach who cared more about them as individuals and giving their best effort than just winning games.

Don’t get me wrong. Clete Cordero likes to win. My husband and I met Clete when Colton did, so my interaction with him is just the parent of baseball player that he coached for two years. You remember the scripture that says, you will know a tree by the fruit it bears? Well, I feel safe to say he is a Christian. I know that he is a hard worker who loves his son. I know he loved to see those boys win. You could see it in his expression, and you could hear it in his words.

Sometimes he would get upset because they had worked on something at practice, and it didn’t materialize in a game. He would take his hat off and mutter under his breath, or he might call a player out. But, he would also be the first one to encourage a player. He would yell at the top of his lungs to tell him what a great job he did on a stealing a base, or making a huge play. I heard him say every child’s name multiple times during the season when his words were encouraging and affirmative.

A coach holds a lot of influence over our sons and daughters at this age. A good coach or a bad coach can have an immense influence on a young person’s self-image. We have been lucky to have men who understood their influence and were careful of how they used it. Coach Clete, Coach Cash, and Coach Anderson really made these last two seasons fun for our boys.

Baseball is a great sport with many good memories attached to it for me. I used to watch the Braves play with my dad. I took the kids to Major League games when we were in Atlanta. I saw Glavin and Smoltz and Chipper Jones play when they were in their prime. That was exciting, but my all-time favorite baseball player is number 12. He is 12 years old. He has blonde hair and blue eyes and a smile he is always ready to share. He has a lot of his father’s characteristics, and he is strong-willed like his mother. Some people wait a lifetime to meet their favorite player. Mine calls me Mom. Congratulations to all the baseball players finishing up the 2015 season. Hope to see you next season at the ballpark.

Until Next Time, Your Friend

Lori Samples Duncan

Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the “me” for the “we.”

-Coach Phil Jackson www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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Health & Wellness

New Hope

When Open Heart Surgery Isn’t An Option

For people with severe aortic stenosis, like Martha Gregg of Sumter, open heart surgery isn’t an option. But the avid bowler and grandmother of 17 got new hope with transcatheter aortic valve (TAVR) replacement at Lexington Medical Heart Center.

Our experienced cardiovascular team has performed more TAVR procedures than any other hospital in the Midlands, working together to provide this less invasive treatment option. It’s another way we’re providing new hope for the patients we serve.

Martha Gregg Sumter, SC 38

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