Lexington Woman November 2014 by Woman 2 Woman Enterprises

VOL 8, NO 6

COMPLIMENTARY

CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING WOMEN

Real

MEET Brian Drew with North Furniture Company

The Making of A Family

Christmas Tradition

Cayce, Chapin, Irmo, 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 Briana Davis Carol Ryall Kimberly Richardson Lori Samples Duncan Marian Warner Melissa Birdsong Patti McGrath Stacey Watts

Events 3

Lindsey Duncan

COVER PHOTO

Clark Berry Photography

PHOTOGRAPHY

Clark Berry Photography Robert Patrick Image Design

What’s Happening?

Pets 4

Vestibular Disease: Not Always A Stroke

Lets Talk! 5

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Making The Most of Every Moment

My Favorite Things

6 The Pasta Whisperer: Shrimp & Black Pepper Pappardelle 7 You are Blessed 8 The Making of a Family Christmas Tradition 12 How Physical Activity Helps Foster Healthy, Smart Children 14 Horray for the HOA 17 Meet Brian Drew

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Lexington Woman Magazine 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

18 Are you Hungry? 19 New Members of The Chamber of Lexington

Professional

24 Rita Ballington with First South Insurance

25 Norman & Merilee Landano: A Different Kind of Landscaping 27 For Your Good 30 Make Aiken Your Great Escape 32 Every Girl Should Feel Beautiful Celebrating the You! 34 Mamie Fryar

Survivor in

Health & Wellness

36 A Tale of Two Ladies 40 Calling it Quits: Lexington Medical Center Offers Help For Smokers

42 Meet Barbara Simon with Columbia’s Care Services, LLC

Business & Web Directory 44 Contact our Advertisers

Personal Note

45 The Gift of Children

20 Stacey Watts- Leadership Parenting Coach, Teacher, Speaker, Wife and Mother www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

From The Editor

know it’s November 1st, and you don’t want to talk about Christmas. I get it. We just took down our Halloween decorations today. I love Christmas but I don’t want to miss Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite times of the year. It makes me smile to think of all the wonderful memories of Thanksgiving that permeate my senses every time I smell sage or pumpkin spice. We are very fortunate this year to have made it through another round of seasons. There are some in our community who didn’t make it to Halloween, and still others among us who won’t be here come January 1, 2015. I think it’s important to embrace every day. Making the most of every moment. What a wonderful holiday season for Lexington if we all asked what we could do for this community to make it a better place to live and do business. This issue is full of exciting people. I think we have some really delicious recipes to share and our cover photo is thanks to the Berrys and their extended family. I love this idea and how that makes the story of Christmas come to life with just a well planned picture. I hope you enjoy reading about it as much as we have enjoyed putting it together for you. Don’t forget to let our advertisers know where you saw them. They will appreciate it very much. We feel that each of the businesses represented in these pages are the best of the best. They have made a commitment to you the reader, to provide quality services, products and customer service. Shop local as much as you can this year! Almost every dime you spend in a local business comes right back to where we live. Talk about boosting our local economy. We at Lexington Woman want to wish you Happy Holidays over the next two months. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ! From our families to yours. God Bless you.

Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Lori Samples Duncan 2

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

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What’s HAPPENING? Memorial Park Corner of Hampton and Gadsden Streets in the Vista- Friday May 23,2014 - Wednesday Dec 31, 2014 at ANYTIME! Visit City of Columbia Memorial Park: Tucked into the corner of Hampton and Gadsden Streets in the Vista is a lovely 4-acre park dedicated to the memory of those South Carolinians lost in WW11 and the Vietnam War. Monuments honor those lost in multiple conflicts during the mid 1900’s.

Dinosaurs: A Bite Out of Time South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais St., Columbia, SC 29201 June 21, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015 Mon.-Sat. 105, Sun. 1-5 Journey back in time when monsters walked the earth, swam in the seas and soared through the skies in Dinosaurs: A Bite Out of Time at the South Carolina State Museum. After being extinct for more than 65 million years, these life-like dinosaurs are here and are hungry. The blockbuster exhibit features robotic dinosaurs and strange creatures from prehistoric times, including the ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex, the massive Stegosaurus, the long-necked Elasmosaurus and the flying Pteranodon. A variety of hands-on activities will make the past come alive, including a controllable duck bill dinosaur, a fossil rub station, a dinosaur dig box and two dinosaur puppet show booths. Visit scmuseum.org to learn more about the exhibit and to purchase advance tickets.

Be an Angel and Give the Gift of HOPE! Blush Boutique and Home 5175 Sunset Blvd, Suite 7, Lexington, SC 29072 October 15, 2014 - December 24, 2014 With each purchase at Blush Boutique and Home simply donate an extra $2 as a gift for LICS.

With each donation Blush Boutique and Home will give you a Foxy Gourmet treat. These treats (smoothie mixes, savoury dip mixes, etc.) will help you be the “Hostess with the Mostess” during the holidays or

they’d make a perfect stocking stuffer. A simple donation will do more than help...but give hope!

Toy Drive Your NEW, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center located at 311 West Main Street, Lexington, SC. October 27, 2014 - December 8, 2014 Please donate NEW, unwrapped toys for children in need in your community. Please bring in your donations and place them in the BIG RED barrel. Without your help some children may not receive anything this Christmas.

Dinner Theatre Merrily Presents MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE Performing at the Old Mill, 711 E. Main St., Lower Level, Suite O, Lexington, SC Lexington’s Only Dinner Theatre Merrily Presents MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE – Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 6:15 pm – Dec 4,5,6,11,12,13,18,19 and 20th; Sundays at 4:15 pm Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Mary and David are hosting their annual Christmas party. This year, however, they are in for a surprise visit from Santa. Murder, mayhem, and mirth abound in the murder mystery “Murder Under the Mistletoe”. (This show has a level of audience participation in it on a volunteer basis.) Tickets are $32.00 for Students, Military and Seniors; $34.00 for everyone else. This price includes both dinner and the play. Dinner is provided by A&J Catering. To reserve tickets and make dinner selections, check out their website at www.scdinnertheatre.com or call 803 200 2012.

First Annual Run Hard Lexington Half Marathon First Baptist Church of Lexington, 415 Barr Road. (803)957-0686 December 6, 2014

PattyPacks have teamed up to offer two amazing races on one day! First Annual Run Hard Lexington Half Marathon and Third Annual Warm A Heart PattyPacks 5K. The all new Lexington Half Marathon will start and finish at First Baptist of Lexington on Barr Road. Runners will wind their way through country roads then off to the straight away of Hwy 1 and 378. The course will offer runners a great opportunity to run a “negative split” as the last half of the course is a net downhill!

Mrs. Santa Day Wingard’s Nursery - 1403 North Lake Drive (Hwy. 6), Lexington, SC 29072; Between Lexington and the Lake Murray Dam: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST Dec 6, 2014 Wingard’s Nursery - Mrs. Santa Day: While Santa Claus is getting the sleigh and gifts ready for his long ride, come out and meet Mrs. Santa. She will read the kids a Christmas story, while enjoying some hot cider and cookies, and don’t forget, The Christmas Train will be here for the children.

Labors of Love & Leadership Lexington Presentation Center Commerce Lexington- January 29, 2015 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Labors of Love & Leadership A Healthy Loving Leads to Healthy Minds© Program is a leadership program for HR and corporate leadership from the CEO to the front-line supervisor and the aspiring leader. -PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT -LEADERSHIP IN CHILDREN-ADULT OUTCOMES -STRESS RESPONSE Identify team members with engagement difficulties. Proactive approach. Mentoring/coaching methods Assessment skills to choose personalized leadership to promote healthy relationships Stress response neurobiology so that you can grow your team for effective succession planning

Attention Runners! Run Hard Running Teams and

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Pets

VESTIBULAR DISEASE: NOT ALWAYS A STROKE

By: Briana Davis, DVM

estibular disease is a condition where a pet acutely loses their sense of balance. Signs of vestibular disease can be severe and may lead owners to think their pet has suffered a stroke. While strokes are a rare cause

of vestibular disease, there are several other causes of vestibular disease. Depending on the cause, many vestibular cases make full or near full recoveries. The vestibular system is the part of the nervous system responsible for maintaining our sense of balance. Components of the vestibular system exist in the brain as well as the middle/inner ear. Conditions affecting either of these locations can cause the signs we see with vestibular disease. Signs of vestibular disease can range from being mild to severe. They include in-coordination (ataxia), persistent head tilt, circling/ falling to a particular side, and involuntary jerky eye movements (nystagmus). Because their sense of balance is off, pets may also experience motion sickness. This can lead to anorexia and vomiting.

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There are many causes of vestibular disease. Some include inner ear infections, head trauma, toxins, inflammation/infection, hypothyroidism, vascular events (strokes), and tumors. When no underlying cause of the vestibular disease can be identified, it is termed idiopathic. Idiopathic vestibular disease is one of the more common forms that we see. Diagnosing vestibular disease is based on physical exam. Determining the cause can be more challenging. History, labwork, and advanced imaging (CT scan, MRI) can be used to help make that determination. Treatment of vestibular disease involves

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treating the underlying cause, if one can be found. Idiopathic vestibular disease will improve on its own, usually within several days to several weeks. Supportive care for the imbalance and nausea that accompanies vestibular disease is needed, regardless of the cause. The signs of vestibular disease can be frightening to witness. They often lead owners to feel that their pet has a poor prognosis. However there are several causes of vestibular disease that can have successful outcomes with appropriate care and time.

These are a few of my By Lori Samples Duncan

Hudson’s Barbecue

I also love people who love our community. Robin Hudson is a man who gave of himself and literally fed hundreds of kids in this community during the short time that I was blessed to know him. I will continue to support his legacy and his family owned business. It is with heartfelt condolences I extend my deepest sympathy to his family.

Lets Talk

favorite things….

The Auto Daus guys are incredible. They really took the time to talk me through the issues our Volkswagon was having and I would highly recommend them for any work on VW’s.

Chicken Shack

I love to buy local and support our local economy. So when I am looking for new places to try or support, I try to show our locally owned restaurants some love. The fried Chicken is amazing, but if you are like me and need a healthier option the smoked chicken is a real crowd pleaser as well.

Dems Fine Jewelers

I love the new ID engravable necklaces. I love Dems and all they stand for. I especially love the beads for survivors. Cancer has affected all of our lives in some way. I appreciate the fact Dems has found a way to honor so many women who have touched so many of us.

Tabitha Smith Wreaths

I love these original wreaths by Tabitha Smith. It doesn't matter if you are looking to support a team or just want something for Fall. She can customize any size or motif for you. Shoot her an email to order yours before the holidays.

I love back issues of LWM!! Visit online to read a previous issue. Here is my favorite cover of all time Featuring Miss Kayleigh Howell. Laura and Dean Howell of Lexington’s daughter.

Auto Daus

So, as a Chevy girl, finding someone to work on my daughter’s little bug was a challenge.

5541 Sunset Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072 www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

Lets Talk

The Pasta Whisperer: Shrimp & Black Pepper Pappardelle By: Melissa Birdsong

was born to love pasta. If I could have sucked noodles through the bottle I’m pretty sure that would have been my meal of preference.

Although my waistline and my taste buds DRASTICALLY disagree on this, at the end of the day, the buds win. Hands down. Every. Time. My pasta affair begin as far back as I can remember. When mama would make mac n cheese she would always scoop out a nice bowl of macaroni noodles, piping hot with tons of melted butter. On a chilly morning, that was heaven in a bowl. She would do the same with spaghetti noodles before I found an equal love for the sauce. And it was sheer and utter bliss when I came home to boxed Kraft Mac and cheese and fried Spam…I had won the dinner lottery. Although you still can’t beat a good old box of Kraft, I’m pleased to say my pasta buds have evolved. It was just in the cards for me to become a pasta connoisseur, trying every brand, flavor, make and model of pasta available to me, and even trying my hand at making my own. I was born for this. I’ve been fickle with pasta, changing my pasta crush like most would change underwear. Around every supermarket corner there was new beauty begging for marinara, lemon juice, olive oil, Alfredo or any array of roasted vegetables. I mean really. I heard them…like a pasta whisperer. There was ye old faithful macaroni that begged to be baked in gooey cheese and eggs, and beside that was the corkscrew who just wanted to become a salad with broccoli, bacon and ranch dressing. All in a beautiful starchy line were Bowties, seashells, Penne, Manicotti, Rotini, Fussili, Linguini, Orzo and…. what’s this? Almost hidden by the other, stronger traditional pastas was a beautiful, elegant, wide noodle with specs of spicy black pepper; Black Pepper Pappardelle. Are you even kidding me? My initial thought was noodle soup. Wide egg noodles flaked with pepper, with the remainder of last week’s herb roasted chicken? I think YES! But… then I heard the whisper. Shrimp. At first, it was a tiny, faint little voice. But as it spoke, it grew in self definition of what it truly wanted….no….needed, to be. Shrimp, with fresh mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, and green onion in a white wine, lemon juice and butter sauce with fresh garlic. And so it became, and so it was done. And it was…spectacular.

1 pound Jumbo shrimp, peeled and de-veined 1 bag Black Pepper Pappardelle Egg Noodles 1 package sun dried tomatoes 1 container baby bella mushrooms 1/4 cup diced green onion 5 cloves of garlic – finely diced 1 cup GOOD white wine 1 stick butter 3 tbsp. Lemon juice 1 tbsp. EVOO Salt & Pepper to taste

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Directions:

Cook pasta as directed. Preheat oven to 500. Brush shrimp with EVOO and lightly salt & pepper. Place shrimp in oven until they turn pink, approximately 4-5 minutes. In a large saute’ pan, reduce the white wine on medium heat for 6-10 minutes allowing the alcohol to cook off. Add butter, lemon juice and garlic and cook until garlic becomes fragrant. Add remaining ingredients and cook until vegetables are tender, but not soggy. Add the shrimp and serve over pasta. Serve with crusty garlic bread and a nice salad. I like easy. Bon appetit y’all!

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You Are Blessed By: Kimberly Richardson

Dear Married Women,

Do you know that you are blessed to have found and married the love of your life? So many women will never experience love, or marrying the man they fell in love with. When was the last time you nagged your husband, argued at your husband, or disrespected your husband? Now that you've answered those questions, answer this: When was the last time you complimented your husband, made love to your husband, gave him a massage, or listened to him vent about work? Maintaining a healthy and happy marriage takes a lot of patience and work, but it's worth it. It's important in a marriage that each person communicate, be considerate, be willing to compromise and be considerate of each other's feelings. Keep your business between just the two of you, pray daily, and seek marriage counseling. The things you did to get your husband are the things you do to keep him. Yes, I know things have changed and you may have children, may be working long hours, or attending night classes, but it's essential that you make time for your husband. We make time for things we really want. Plan to have a date night with your husband. Buy a new nightgown, run some bubble bath and light some candles. Find a babysitter and enjoy your evening with your husband. The grass always looks greener on the other side - or so we think. So you see your friends on social media posting pictures of things they have received - flowers, new ring, car, or purse, for example - and you get mad with your husband because he hasn't brought you anything in a while. Maybe she is taking care of her man. Maybe she bought those things and is trying to make her friends jealous. Maybe he's trying to get out of the dog house. No matter what the situation, never compare your husband or wish for someone else's husband. Marriage is what you make of it. It can be the best decision you can make or the worst decision.

Imagine if you received a call and the caller told you that your husband was involved in a car accident and he didn’t survive. Can you even imagine? I will never forget the day the coroner knocked on my door and delivered that horrific news. All of the things I nagged my husband about went out of the window. All I had left were our memories. I don’t even remember the last thing we fussed about. Why do we have to lose something or someone to appreciate what we had? Never take your spouse for granted because he could be here one day and gone the next. Never go to bed angry. Always tell your spouse you love them even when they have worked your last nerve. You have time to make up and change your ways. I will never have that opportunity again. Life is short and we can never get back time.

Tips to improve your marriage: • Pray • Seek marriage counseling • Be considerate • Compromise • Communicate respectfully • Respect your spouse • Keep your business between you and your spouse • Appreciate what you have • Make love to your spouse

Kimberly Richardson • Make time for your spouse • Stop bringing up the past You are blessed to have a husband and you should be thankful. The next time you want to complain about what your spouse isn’t doing right, make sure you check yourself. If you want a change, then change starts with you. Need a motivational speaker? Book me today! Visit www.widowsofopportunity. com if you are interested. www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

THE MAKING OF A FAMILY

Christmas Tradition

By: Marian Warner Photography by Clark Berry

ave you ever wondered how a family tradition begins? Who started it? Where did they get the idea? Did each member of the family continue it as they started their own family? Does it have any meaning to anyone other than their family? Maybe you have wondered and maybe not. Some traditions have been passed down for so long, that no one questions anything about it until one day someone asks “Why do we cut the end off of the ham before we put it in the pan to bake it?” Then the answer surfaces, “because that’s the way Grandmother always did it.” It has nothing to do with the size of the pan or the size of the ham. It has everything to do with keeping the tradition.

Our family has had a tradition of dressing all of the grandchildren in costumes to portray the Nativity since 1999. The idea all came into focus as I glanced at a picture of a child at church dressed as a little shepherd. My, I thought, I have enough grandchildren to portray almost the entire Nativity. How special this would be for me to include a picture of them in my Christmas

cards and hopefully it would be a blessing to all who received them. What a fabulous idea! After making sure this wouldn’t offend the little shepherd’s mother, we took her idea and ran with it.

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With five grandchildren, we staged our first Nativity setting for Christmas 1999. The outfits were borrowed from our church closet and we set up a makeshift

stable in the basement of Becki and Clark’s home. A doll was used for baby Jesus. Oh what fun it was to get all of these little ones cooperating: (A one year old, two three year olds, one six year old, and one eight year old.) You can only imagine. It was a feat, but the tradition had begun and little did we know that it would continue on for years and be such a blessing to those we shared it

with. Of course, I couldn’t have been a prouder Grandmother, including these meaningful pictures of my grandchildren in every Christmas card I sent out. It was a special way to share the real Christmas Story with everyone in my world through the beauty of photography.

Let’s Talk In September of 2000, we were blessed with another baby in our family. She was the perfect addition to our Nativity and portrayed the baby Jesus. This was a real curiosity for the two year old who thought she had to thoroughly check out each and every one of her toes. Our costumes didn’t change much that year, but the excitement over what we were doing grew. Getting that one “perfect shot” was a little harder, but Clark captured it and off to the printers it went for an order of at least 200 prints. After two years in a row of our Nativity Picture, requests were made for us to be sure and send a Nativity picture in our Christmas card again this year. Another year, another baby and now we had another angel. We had begun making some of the outfits and our little Mary was just beautiful in her adornment. We had enough children to begin taking turns for who would be Mary and Joseph. It was decided that these characters would be portrayed in age order beginning with the oldest and working through to the youngest. By 2004 our little tribe had grown to ten: six girls and four boys. All of the girls are eager to be Mary, but they get this opportunity only once every six years, so they are content to be angels the other five years. However, they quickly calculate how old they will be the next time they are Mary. The boys get to be Joseph once every four years and switch off being Wise Men and Shepherds. We have even had a little drummer boy a time or two. Organization and set up used to be a little on the hectic side, but now we pretty much have it down to a science. We choose the setting. It has been inside, outside in the pasture at Larry and Jennifer’s house; up on our tree farm in Fairfield County, and in our back yard. Once that is decided, I gather the three latest pictures and plan who will wear what trying not repeat too many of the costumes. (Angel costumes are an exception.) I

tape or pin their name and character on the front of the outfit. These outfits are laid out or hung and they each come in and find their outfit and put it on. It only takes minutes and then the head dresses, wings, and bling go on. They grab their staffs and to the set they go. While this is going on; the parents are spreading the hay, placing baby Jesus in the manger and arranging the prop animals. Clark gets the camera in position and the shutter begins to fly. When the serious pictures are done; it is time for fun and they can do anything they want and it is amazing the things they do. They have tons of fun after the real deal is done and we love to capture this part on video. Each year we receive notes in our Christmas cards from others thanking us for sending the pictures of the children. “We love to see how they have grown.” It means so much to us to receive this each year.” “It’s just not Christmas until our Nativity picture arrives.” “What a blessing this is to us each year.” “This truly does tell the story of Christmas.” One of the folks on my Christmas list is a couple who never had children. She calls or writes me a note sometime in November and reminds me that she is looking forward to receiving her picture and that she has every single one on her refrigerator. She says that her husband loves getting them as much as she does and they quickly compare the changes in the children from year to year. Their ages range from ten years to twenty three years old. They’re still willing and we’re still able to continue this tradition hopefully as long as I live and who knows maybe it will continue on to all of the generations to come of the Leitner and Berry Clans. It is our hope that you are blessed by our tradition and we invite you to duplicate it in your family if you are so inclined to do so. Marian H. Warner Proud grandmother of these ten children www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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Photography by Robert Patrick Image Design

How Physical Activity HELPS Foster

Healthy, Smart Children

ovember, 2014 – Parents looking to help young children achieve their best later in life may find that physical activity programs, such as at The Little Gym of Lexington, will do more than just teach chil-

dren how to tumble. New research suggests that creative physical activity may be the key to fostering confident, successful kids. At The Little Gym, we use physical activity as a conduit for Three-Dimensional Learning, a philosophy that helps children develop new skills in a non-competitive setting. We build confidence in children by helping them develop skills that will benefit them at home, in the classroom and throughout life. The first tenet of Three-Dimensional Learning is “Get Moving.” This helps build flexibility and strength, and lays the groundwork for

a lifetime of healthy activity. Studies have shown that young children who acquire “fundamental movement skills” such as running, hopping, balancing, and twisting, are more likely to get and stay physically active. Our second tenet, “Brain Boost,” fosters listening skills, sustained concentration, and decision-making. Young children’s brains undergo tremendous growth and change, and participation in structured and repetitive physical activities help foster this intellectual growth. Rounding out Three-Dimensional Learning is an element we call “Citizen Kid.” These activities focus on helping children develop skills like cooperation, listening, sharing and taking turns. Groundbreaking studies conducted by Columbia University have tracked the leadership success of children who developed the ability to take turns and wait for a reward. These children grew into adolescents who were better able to handle frustration and stress, pay attention, and generally perform better in both school and social situations. After 8 years of working with children at The

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Little Gym of Lexington, where Eric Bradford has worked as Gym Director for 2.5 of those years, we can say with confidence that children who keep active, build their concentration skills, and learn to positively engage with others are certain to be champions in life. We are always accepting new students in our Seriously Fun classes for children ages 10 months – 12 years, and we are now enrolling for our Winter Camps!

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Let’s Talk photo by Clark Berry Photography

Hooray

for the HOA by Ashby Jones

Ashby Jones

or the first two years of our marriage, my husband and I lived in a tiny apartment complex. I believe we were the only tenants under the age of seventy. Though I thought our lives were relatively boring (I was studying, he was teaching, we were broke), our neighbors seemed supremely interested in whether Bret and I were following all apartment complex rules. Our neighbors had banded together in a secret club – a society of like-minded observers.

Our neighbors had formed a Homeowners’ Association. Bret and I were soon reading well-written letters complaining that he had backed our Toyota into the parking space, when the rules required that the vehicle face the building. The time he parked the vehicle sideways in two spaces so he could easily wash it with the hose created a real stink. Years later, I somehow agreed to serve on the Board of my neighborhood Homeowners’ Association. I am fairly certain I was elected to this position during my absence (which is typically how one lands on these Boards.) Month after month, our group of officers met to discuss pressing neighborhood issues: Did the non-swimmer neighbor have to pay dues to support the pool upkeep? Could we afford to have someone spray the air with insecticide so as to kill off all the July mosquitoes? How many bids must we receive for the repair of the dime-sized hole on the entrance sign? Were the trees on either side of the main roadway trimmed enough? Too much? Should they be removed

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altogether? I soon realized I was not cut out to serve on the Board of a Homeowners’ Association. It was not that I felt I was above all the decision-making. I truly was grateful for those neighbors who paid attention to the details. It was mainly that I just did not care that much if they raised the dues a bit or if we changed banks or if we purchased the teak pool chairs. Before long, I knew I had to find a way out of this arrangement. Once you are on the Board of the HOA, it is darn near impossible to gracefully leave. You are sort of expected to find your own replacement. Since all of your good friends in the neighborhood have heard you whine about the meetings and the nutty complaints, you have eliminated all of your friends as possible replacements. Also, if you were voted into the position during your absence, then you are either the Secretary or Treasurer. And no one wants to be the Secretary or Treasurer. Months after I decided I had to get out of this assignment, I

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Once you are on the Board of the HOA, it is darn near impossible to gracefully leave. You are sort of expected to find your own replacement. found myself in a particularly uncomfortable HOA Board meeting. Once again, we were discussing the neighborhood pool. Apparently someone had an unfortunate “accident” in the pool one night. When this unfortunate “accident” occurred a second time, our esteemed Board realized it was not really an accident. Our Board launched Operation Figure Out Who Is Doing This to Our Pool. The initial fact-finding mission included obtaining quotes from various security firms, so we could install infrared motion detectors and video cameras with alarms. Unfortunately, our budget did not really allow for the fancy equipment so we reached a compromise: We installed a few signs warning about cameras and some cameras that were inoperable. Without actual surveillance

included in your surveillance package, it is difficult to catch a person having “accidents” in the pool. We discussed this at length. We pondered who the culprit might be. We made lists and subcommittees held meetings. There were hushed conversations and wringing of hands. I had had enough. One evening I was complaining to my friend Jamie that I just did not really care who was having “accidents” in our pool late at night. I told Jamie I was done talking about these events, that it just had to end! I didn’t want to be Secretary or Treasurer (whichever one, can’t recall) anymore! How, I asked her, how can I get out of this Board and move on? Jamie thought for a minute and responded: “Tell them it was you.”

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MEET Brian Drew By: Patti McGrath

f you don’t like the big chain furniture stores and the high

pressure sales people that usually accompany them, it may be time you visit North Furniture. “I want people to know we are a family business that has been proudly serving our customers for over 60 years,” says co-owner Brian Drew.

“This business was started by my father’s grandmother back in 1947. My dad and his brothers worked in the business the early years until my dad took sole possession of it in 1970,” Drew explains. Today the business is owned by Brian and his mother, Cynthia Drew. Drew was destined to be in the furniture business. “I don’t know that anything really made me decide to work at the store, I was just always there when I was kid,” Drew remembers. “As I got older, I started working in the warehouse. Being in the store so much just became part of who I am.” “I graduated from North High School back in 1992 and have worked at the store since. Even in high school, I worked at the store and was trained by our employees,” he continues. “I would guess that I have been at the store for a total of 26 years - from my high school time and being a full time employee.” It’s this experience that can help you as a customer. “Like my dad, I enjoy working with

the public. Each customer has their own needs and I like being able to meet their need with a good product and good value,” Drew states. “I enjoy decorating the store and have always gotten compliments on how well our furniture is presented. The furniture business has provided for my family, our staff, and our community. Furniture is necessity for all, so it’s a business that will always be here.” The store is located in a small city about 30 miles south of Lexington. “The town is called North and easily strikes up fun conversations when telling someone about our town,” Drew says. “Our town has two major highways that cross each other so many people travel thru our town daily.” But, don’t let the short drive keep you from coming to North Furniture because it will be worth the trip. The store’s personnel are focused on bringing you high quality furniture with great service. In fact, to avoid the high pressure sales tactics of some furniture stores, at North Furniture the staff doesn’t work on commission,

so you know they are trying to meet your specific needs rather than trying to sell you the most expensive items. It’s a total team effort from the sale to the delivery. “My goal for each customer who walks through our doors is that they the get the best customer service possible. I want them to be happy with what they buy and to know that we appreciate them shopping at our store.” Drew says emphatically. “Our customers will get the best value for their hard earned money. They can buy with confidence knowing they will get great customer service before and after the sale!” To Drew, it’s all about service. ”If someone buys furniture in our store I hope they remember the shopping experience,” he says. “From our great office staff to our delivery team, I want them to know they got the best service they can get!!” Come see how North Furniture Company has the discount prices to put quality and comfort in every room of your house.

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ARE YOU HUNGRY? By: Carol Ryall Photography by Lindsey Duncan

Deborah Tuten Dyches If you haven’t eaten with them, you have missed a treat - but DO NOT go to the Chicken Shack unless you are hungry! The Dyches believe in giving you good food and plenty of it. There is a buffet line every day. The menu changes daily. There are usually two to four meat choices, which include a variety of Southern delicacies. You may have Meatloaf, Chicken Livers, Country Fried Steak, Fresh Smoked Pulled Pork or Fried Pork Chops from which to choose. Fried Chicken is always available (It is to die for!) and they have recently added Smoked Chicken for those of us trying to eat more healthily. The sides may include indulgences like Rice and Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy or Homemade Macaroni and Cheese. You might also have Homemade Potato Salad, ColeSlaw, Carrot and Raisin Salad, Green Beans, Lima Beans, Pickled Beets, Sweet Peas, Baked Beans, Fresh Steamed Cabbage or Buttered Corn as your selections. If you aren’t drooling by now, you must not have grown up in the South! For $6.45, you can choose a meat, two sides, and get bread and your beverage. You can exchange one side for a salad for $.50 more, or get a third side for $1.00 more. That is a very good (in every sense of the word!) deal. However, if that doesn’t suit your fancy, they also offer a full menu of Burgers, Fries, and other selections which are prepared to order.

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eborah Tuten Dyches and her husband, Tracy, have been preparing “down home country cookin’ ” since 1974. They started out in Denmark, SC serving Fried Chicken, Burgers and Seafood at a small "Get It and Go" type place, and they are still operating in Denmark today. In January 2013, the Dyches opened The Chicken Shack in Lexington, in a building that had previously been a bar/lounge. What a tremendous difference they have made! The Chicken Shack is a Family Restaurant with a kid friendly atmosphere and children’s specials every day.

(Oh, and did I mention the desserts? They cost extra, but, oh my! They are SO good!) Deborah’s recent post on Facebook says a lot about how good their food is: “omgoodnesss... We sold out of SMOKED CHICKEN BEFORE LUNCH WAS OVER TODAY!! I wanted to apologize personally to my folks that were not able to get the SMOKED CHICKEN today...We SMOKE OUR CHICKEN FRESH DAILY...We NEVER freeze any of our Meats, and they are all Marinated for 24 hours before Cooking. With our Demand growing so will our Supply! Thank y'all for all the Support!” The Chicken Shack is easy to find, just off of Hwy 6 at 144 Glassmaster Road, behind the Shell station at the I-20 intersection. They are open Mon - Tue: 10:30 am - 3:00 pm; Wed - Fri: 10:30 am - 9:00 pm; and Sat: 10:30 am 3:00 pm. If you call them at (803) 399-1103, they will have your order ready to be picked up when you get there. Or, even better, if you call with four or more orders, they will bring it to your office for you (within a reasonable distance, of course!!) They also have a large room to accommodate groups or meetings, and they cater offsite, as well. The Chicken Shack is the sort of place you

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can go for lunch and relax; knowing you are going to get good food, the buffet line is going to be quick and the people are as friendly and accommodating as they can be. When the weather is nice, you can sit out on the patio. What more can you ask for? Stop by The Chicken Shack at 144 Glassmaster Road, Lexington, SC 29072 for lunch tomorrow. Tell Deborah we sent you! She’ll treat you right!

New Members of the he Chamber of Lexington (As of October 2014)

Anytime Fitness

Limestone College: 803-691-3016

AW Canvas: 803-957-4001

Marty Rae’s of Lexington: 803-957-7999

Bill Barley & Associates: 803-755-1554

Moonlight Distillery: 803-339-1529

Carolina Health Care

Peter Balsamo, PhD: 803-520-6650

Cellular Source

Plexus Worldwide: 803-553-9326

Copper Horse Distilling: 803-779-2993

Precious Little Soles/Enchanted Closet: 803-749-5322

Fun Time Events, LLC: 803-851-5081

Re/Max Purpose Driven: 803-356-0424

Genova Family Karate of Lexington, LLC: 803-358-2500

River Bluff of Lexington: 803-356-8000

Gibson’s on Devine: 803-771-4520

Save Green Self Storage: 803-772-9075

Hanks Art Glass: 703-674-7774

Sew Suite Studio: 803-957-0677

Home Again Forge, LLC: 803-422-4714

Spectacle Tinting: 803-200-2040

House of Peace Co.: 803-552-9336

Stone River: 803-727-8047

i4 Detail Cleaning Service: 803-960-7581

The Sigurd Center: 803-926-7204

Jordan, Rauton & Scott, LLC: 803-785-7878

Trevett’s Direct, LLC: 803-781-3150

JPS LLC dbl The Smart Device Doctors: 803-216-1049

Walker Farms Partnership: 803-796-0324

Kotas Your Way: 803-996-5682

Webster University Columbia: 803-699-0900

La Boutique: 803-996-0665 www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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Stacey Watts-

Leadership Parenting Coach, Teacher, Speaker, Wife, and Mother By: Stacey Watts

was more than blessed to have grown up in a Christian home surrounded by faith-filled extended and church family. I accepted Christ as my personal Savior at a very young age and rededicated my life to the Lord as a teenager. The believers’ language and speech have always been quite familiar and such an integral part of my everyday life. Hearing testimonials of fellow believers who were “called” to serve was quite commonplace.

Of course, my deep southern upbringing coincided with these experiences and the expectation that we are all to serve humbly and with great doses of southern hospitality! But to receive a “calling” into ministry is something different entirely, something I was sure I understood. Then I got mine. You see, I had spent my whole life as the child of small business owners … a childcare center in fact. My mother was a teacher and a child at heart herself. Work ethic and contribution were instilled practically from birth with education and matters of children and families a part of everyday living. This was especially true around the dinner table each evening. I began working in the family business at age 13 and have been working in some capacity ever since.

and no doubt provided the best background for an Early Childhood major in college. I completed my Master’s degree in teaching and, like most first year teachers, couldn’t wait to begin shaping minds and living the idyllic one-room schoolhouse teacher scenario with nary a book out of place and a freshly polished apple each morning from adoring, knowledge-hungry students! You are waiting for the shocking, disillusioned reality, aren’t you? Truth is, I did have a great first year … minus the polished apples and neat-as-a-pin classroom. I was newly married with no children of my own, so my students became “my children;” they had my full attention and all of my heart. What strides were made that year! What connections! What growth! And that was just me! But, it was not meant to last.

These experiences served me well

My husband and I found we were expecting our first child that year (to be born in the summer, so

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I needed to be in a relationship with my Savior and allow him to use me as He intended, little did I realize, He had been preparing me all along. as not to upset the school year, of course). The first grandchild on my side of the family and the desire of my mother’s heart! Georgia was born in July – beautiful, alert, and precious beyond measure. But what should have been the most joyous and irreplaceable experience in the lives of new parents quickly turned to devastation. My mother, the proud new grandmother, suffered a seizure at work the day after I had given birth. The days that followed are now just a blur of doctors, surgeries, diagnoses, and talk of the brain tumor that turned our world upside down. All the

while, I couldn’t be at her side … my mother’s side … my best friend’s side. We were in separate hospitals, which could just as easily have been a million miles apart. More emotions than we’ve ever known and pain that would eventually lead to strength were dispensed in large doses. We all go through pain here on earth and none is like another. Age doesn’t determine what we know in this life; it’s our experiences and faith in the aftermath. At 26, my “life” had essentially just begun with newness aplenty … new wife, new teacher, new home, new mother. But by 29, I felt as though I had aged two

Let’s Talk decades. By then we had two children, my mother had gone to be with the Lord, the childcare business that had prepared me so well for my teaching career was now my own, and between running the business, teaching kindergarten, managing the books, and forging ahead with new construction to expand, I was nearly at the end of my lucid rope. Losing my mother and, in turn, losing the path that I had chosen for my life, put me in a spiral of unending busyness and shallow filler. Those who know me best know my life still emits an air of “eau de on the go!” But this was something altogether different. I was so frantically trying to get back to a place in my life where everything made sense again and where I had purpose (of my own interpretation.) I learned a lot in the years to come about priority, worth, and my own faith. As a good southern Christian girl, I would never dream of interpreting the Lord’s intent of the experiences in my life. But I will say that in all suffering, there is hope and there is renewal, at least for me. My husband and I had been a bit inconsistent in our church attendance in the years leading up to my mother’s death.

But in the months following her passing, I had a strong desire to return to my smaller childhood church family. We returned to the wise council of our pastor before we wed, “to grow closer to Christ will draw you closer to one another.” My husband gave his life to the Lord and found a genuine, close friendship with our pastor. Our relationship became so much more than we could have ever felt on our wedding day. My heart leaps with joy in knowing that he will spend eternity with our Lord! So there I was – off my track but discovering newness of life in our darkest hour. I’d be lying if I said returning to my home church and finding comfort in our renewed relationships was the glorious rescue from my hurt and floundering. Don’t misunderstand – I was still able to work, teach, cope, mother, and be a wife to my husband … ever the southern belle on the outside… but I was a “hot mess” on the inside. I did all of that and knew in my head what an opportunity to be able to be with my own children, to get to be their teacher and to be my own boss (for those of you who are self-employed, feel free to insert your thoughts here).

heart to understand. Pressing on, I heeded the advice of family and others I held in high regard, to take charge of my situation. I made changes within myself as an employer and teacher. Dealing with families on a large scale required much more than just tending to children and teaching them in the classroom. (The children are the easy part!) I was longing for the life I knew as a child – a tight family, a very close relationship with my mother, and happiness.

The problem was getting my

Driving in to work one day I

realized it was me; an attitude adjustment was desperately needed. I needed to quit mourning the life and plans I had had for myself. Just get over myself! I needed to be in a relationship with my Savior and allow him to use me as He intended. Little did I realize, He had been preparing me all along. What blessings I did have! What gifts I had been given! Relinquishing control is not one of my strong suits, but looking back I found the strongest sense of control as a result of this revelation.

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Let’s Talk God took control of my life in a more powerful way than I had ever experienced. Everything in my life up to that point started to make sense rather than feel to be in such disarray. As is the case with most life-altering experiences, they come out of nowhere. Unexpected opportunities fell into place … to continue my own education and to draw on my own experience in order to become a parenting coach. Having been in the classroom for a number of years, becoming a parenting coach seemed to be a great resource to have in my line of work and an enhancement at best. But there I go thinking I have it all figured out! So here we are 12 years later. Graced and supplied with all my life experience, God is calling … loud and clear. Grounded in biblical truths, I am armed to share and encourage parents to raise humble, God-fearing, well-behaved children. He has gifted me with the ability to teach. It was my plan to forever teach children, but His plan includes reaching out to parents in order to strengthen the home.

We all go through pain here on earth and none is like another. Age doesn’t determine what we know in this life; it’s our experiences and faith in the aftermath. So after reaching a point in my life where everything seems to have regained normalcy and my joy has returned, He smiles down and says, “Now, go do this to further My Kingdom." For just as I did when I thought my life was in total chaos, I am thrown yet another curve. But this time, it isn’t “what’s” around the bend, but “Who.” Allowing Christ to take full control of my life, to use me as His vessel, is beyond any sense of control I can muster on my own and so much more fulfilling! Allowing the Holy Spirit to fill me and use me has brought more joy to my life than any path I could ever lay out on my own. Through my trials, doubts, and fears, He has proven Himself. What seemed to be an eternity has been but a blink and has brought me to the place I was meant to be! So that’s my story. How I came to be at this place in my life… Parenting Coach, still an educator but educating parents as they seek to raise God fearing, well disciplined, and service minded children. Many details…some that are sad, some that are funny, and even more that are real life in your face…are not included here. Those details I’ll save…for now. –Stacey Stacey Watts – Leadership Parenting Coach, Teacher, Speaker, Wife, and Mother www.happilyparenting.com

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Rita Ballington with First South Insurance By: Patti McGrath Photography by Patrick Mooney

“

exington is a great community,” says Rita Ballington. “I have seen it grow in my lifetime into a beautiful town with many friendly folks, yet it still has that downhome feel, which I hope it always keeps!” So, when the opportunity to purchase the Lexington business where she was working became available, she decided to take it. “There are many new faces, neighborhoods, and businesses popping up everywhere, which is good for the economy and the insurance business! I am proud to be of service to and to be a part of such a great community.” Rita Ballington and her husband Butch purchased the business in January 2010. “I’ve worked at First South Insurance Agency since October of 1995. I started as a customer service representative,” she explains. “My role transitioned to office manager and with the purchase of the agency in 2010, I became president and owner. The agency has been in business for thirty years now.”

Our whole team is like family, we have several team members who’ve been an integral part of the agency for over ten years. Our entire team is committed to serving our clients with integrity and providing a high standard of excellence in all that we do. We want to establish a firm relationship of mutual trust and service with each of our clients to help them protect their assets.”

Rita and her family have always been a part of this community. “I was born in Lexington at the old Liverman Hospital on Church Street, and raised in Gilbert. I graduated from Gilbert High School, married right out of high school and joined the work force,” she recalls. “My husband and I have two children and four grandchildren who all work or go to school in and reside in Lexington County.”

Going into the insurance business was a great decision for Rita. “I love that every day is different. We represent many companies and there is always something new to learn. Each company has their own guidelines and their appetite differs in various ways,” she says. “I enjoy putting a complete and individualized package together for a client. Most of all, I enjoy talking and working with our clients. It is interesting to initially build the relationship, but because many of our valued clients have been with the agency for so many years, it has been fulfilling to continue the relationships throughout the different phases of life.”

Rita had been a stay at home mom for about twelve years when she decided she wanted to return to work. The Grabys, who were First South Insurance Agency’s original owners, hired her and fourteen years later sold the agency to her. “It was the Graby’s wish that the agency be taken over by an employee who was interested in continuing to operate the agency as a family business,” she states. And, it remains a family business. “Our daughter, Melissa Mortenson, and I both work here. Our daughter-in-law, Amanda, also worked here for six years.

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First South Insurance Agency offers most types of personal insurance coverage such as Homeowners, Automobile, Flood, Boat, RV, Collectible Items, and Umbrella coverage as well as Select Business coverages. “We are a boutique agency; a professional agency with personal services,” Rita states. “The quality

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Insurance is important because it provides an affordable way to provide funds for some of life’s most unpredictable events of our products and the customized packages that we are able to put together are designed to meet individual needs and to help our clients protect their assets.”

dictable, and what could have been a devastating claim, but am beyond grateful that I had the coverage in place to help us recover.”

“Insurance is important because it provides an affordable way to provide funds for some of life’s most unpredictable events,” she continues. “I have personally experienced a massive, unpre-

“Stop by to see us some time! We would love to meet you and provide you with a customized insurance package and excellent service,” she exclaims.

Norman and Merilee Landano: A DIFFERENT Kind of Landscape By: Lori Samples Duncan Photography by Patrick Mooney

orman Landano has over thirty years of experience in landscaping, but it wasn’t until 2002 that he decided to take his love of making things beautiful to a full time operation. Like most successful busi-

ness owners, Norman says from the time as a young man, he felt in his heart that he wanted to be a landscaper. His love of the land started when he went to work on a golf course as a teenager, and he always knew he wanted to own his own business. Norman has been a part of the Grounds Guys family since 2012. He was drawn to the franchise because of their code of values, which mirrored his own, and the culture of care that they followed. “I had always tried to set my standards higher than my competition, so after researching the Grounds Guys I felt this was the right opportunity to grow my business.” the parent company of the Ground Guys. "It made me set my standards higher, as an owner and it made me treat my employees better," says Norman. "They have an amazing amount of resources to help with any issue that may arise. The training is ongoing and they really want you to be successful."

Norman can handle any landscaping job, but commercial and high end residential are his favorites. Norman says he tries to look at everyone’s house and create a finished product that he would want in his own home. “I love to sit back after I have done a job and just enjoy the beauty of nature.” Another benefit of Landscaping, Norman says, is that it keeps him healthy and in shape. Being a business owner has

afforded Norman and his wife Merilee more opportunity to give back to the community. The Grounds Guys as a group have been able to help Ronald McDonald houses in many communities and specifically Norman and Merilee have been able to give back here locally through the Ronald McDonald house. Professionally, the Dwyer group is one that has really inspired Norman in business. They are

“Providing quality service, appreciating my employees, and setting the standards for us as a company are things I have learned that have served me well in business.” Something both Norman and Merilee are both very proud of is the way the Grounds Guys promote their employees within the organization. They have a “Grow Program” that allows employees who want to one day own their own business an opportunity to attain that goal. To relax, Norman loves to watch football and Nascar, Merilee, on the other hand, enjoys her horses. His goals for the future are to build a committed customer base while maintaining the same quality they currently provide, all while consistently growing their business.

Norman and Merilee feel their greatest accomplishment to date is having grown to where they are today both personally and professionally. “I feel as if I have changed a lot as a professional and a person.” Merilee was born and raised a “city” girl. She says she never pictured herself driving a tractor and shoveling horse “poo”. “I am a military brat and very proud of it. I think I would love for people to realize the world has so much to more to offer than just what is in your back yard.” Merilee lived in South East Asia, she was born in Italy and she says having had this life experience has made her very adaptable. She is full of stories about her life experience and enjoys doing so when it opens up a new world to others. “You can grow and do better for yourself.” As to the best business advice that Norman has received and feels worth sharing, he says “You have to love your employees and your customers. Even more than you love yourself. You take care of your customers and you will have customers for life.”

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Is all ﬁnancial advice in my best interest? How can I understand the difference? Stephanie Y.Vokral, CFP®, AIF® Assisting Women in Transition

Stephanie Y. Vokral

Stephanie: Even though I have been advising clients for 17 years, I continue to realize what a poor job I (and other Investment Advisors Representatives registered with a Registered Investment Advisors or RIAs) have done communicating how I am different from other “advisors” in the financial services industry. What I mean is many people think all “financial advisors” are the same and, especially if they like the person, their advice is in their client’s best interest. This is just not the case. I recommend asking good questions and looking at the Broker Check on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) websites to see if your advisor has a clean record.

W2W: How does a woman know if her advisor is an Investment Advisor Representative offering advice in her best interest? Stephanie: It‘s a tough conversation to have, but a woman can

What I mean is many people think all “financial advisors” are the same and, especially if they like the person, their advice is in their client’s best interest. This is just not the case.

lmost every woman reading this has someone they listen to for financial advice. How can they be sure they can trust the advice they are getting is the best advice for them?

ask. Investment Advisor Representatives or IARs registered with a RIA are held to a fiduciary standard with a client. Registered Representatives or RRs are held to a suitability standard.

Since IARs are held to a fiduciary standard, they are obligated to make recommendations in your best interest and are therefore held to a higher standard than a RR at a broker dealer.

A fiduciary standard means recommendations are made in the best interest of the client. A suitability standard means the representative makes a recommendation that would be considered suitable for the client. Therefore, the RR could potentially recommend a product for a client containing a higher commission to the representative (and higher expenses to the client) instead of another product accomplishing the same goal for the client with fewer expenses (and lesser commissions to the RR).

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advice offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, a registered investment advisor. Independent Advisor Alliance and Boan Financial Group are separate entities from LPL Financial. For more information contact Stephanie Y. Vokral, CFP®, AIF® Wealth Advisor Boan Financial Group 7911 Broad River Road, Suite 200 Irmo, SC 29063 Phone: 803-920-3519 stephanie.vokral@lpl.com

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Make Aiken your Great Escape

f you are looking for the perfect holiday getaway, make Aiken your great escape! The beautiful city of Aiken captures the spirit of the season and offers a southern landscape

that features historic homes, beautiful parkways and peaceful pathways, a lively downtown, and events for the yuletide.

Hopelands Gardens, a 14 acre estate that opened in 1969 as a public garden, is a serene mixture of oak trees, magnolias, and stunning cedars that are brought to life during the holiday season. The gardens are illuminated with over 1.5 miles of holiday displays with over 100,000 lights. Have hot chocolate, and on select nights enjoy an outdoor concert, watch a movie or visit Mrs. Clause. If your dream is to visit the Land of Sweets and to see the Sugar Plum Fairy, performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker will be performed by the Aiken Civic Ballet at the University of South Carolina’s Etherredge Center. The Aiken Civic Ballet is South Carolina’s longest continuously operating Dance Company, while the Etherredge Center features a 687 seat theater known for its acoustical quality. Try something new this year. Instead of watching Frank Capra’s classic holiday movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” on television, come see it performed on stage. The Aiken Community Playhouse, located in downtown Aiken, will feature several showings of the touching play. Are you interested in fine dining and great music? You can find both at the Stables Restaurant at Rose Hill Estate. Various artists perform a variety of musical styles including bluegrass and jazz at the historic estate. Built in 1898 as a winter colony residence, the Rose Hill Estate occupies an entire city block in downtown Aiken. Tis the season to shop, so you need to add an afternoon downtown to your itinerary. It is a special place to spend the afternoon. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants like the Aiken Brewing Company, where they brew a variety of beers. Then visit the unique and eclectic shops. You’ll be able to find someone

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special for anyone on your shopping list. “Downtown Aiken offers small town charm with big city amenities,” says Elizabeth Harm, Tourism Supervisor with the City of Aiken. “From fine boutiques to unique gift shops there is something fun for everyone to explore. And, the restaurants throughout Aiken offer every taste bud an opportunity to be tickled. Of course, some of my personal favorites are our quiet parks and parkways. It’s nice to just stroll and take in the beautiful City.” One thing is certain - Aiken isn’t just a place to visit during the holidays. “Christmas is just one special time that we encourage visitors to come to Aiken! Aiken is a beautiful place to visit year around,” Harm states. “Most weekends guests can find a street fair, festival or concert happening in Aiken. And, our Farmers Market is a fun place to explore on Saturday mornings. Also, there is the Saturday morning historic tour. You climb aboard our trolley and learn all the wonderful stories and history lessons that make Aiken unique… making a weekend of Aiken is a great choice.” Harm suggests when arriving in Aiken you start your exploration at our Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum (406 Park Avenue). The staff and volunteers can help visitors plan a trip you won’t forget. “We welcome special guests to Aiken…and everyone visiting is a special guest to us!” she adds. So, make Aiken your new weekend destination. You’ll be glad you did! (Please visit http://visitaikensc.com for more information).

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LAD IES OF M AIN S TR E E T

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LADIES OF MAIN S TR E E T

Every Girl Should Feel Beautiful

By: Carol Ryall Photography by Robert Patrick Image Design

s the Mother of three daughters who were in high school pageants and various other pag-

eants across the state, Tammy Newton had spent a lot of time and money outfitting her daughters for these events. When the owner of PJ’s asked her to help out in her store, she agreed and learned a lot more about the business of Formal Wear.

It was her husband, Chris’, idea that they open a store of their own. Because he graduated from Airport High School, Chris felt strongly about locating their business in West Columbia. In 2005, Chris and Tammy Newton opened Catz Formals beside Lizard’s Thicket Restaurant on Airport Blvd. They have since moved to another location behind Lizard’s Thicket that is three times the size of their first store. They are obviously doing something right! Are you a high school student looking for your first prom dress or a veteran of beauty pageants who needs a special new gown? Maybe you are bride-to-be looking for the dress of your dreams or the mother of a little girl in pageants. No matter what your need, you will be able to find a

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marvelous dress at Catz Formals. There is also a full line of Tuxedo Rentals for the grooms, groomsmen and escorts of all those beautiful girls. Tammy stresses that, while they are a specialty store selling top quality high end gowns, not a discount or bargain store, they have a very down-to-earth and comfortable atmosphere, and their goal is NOT to sell the most expensive dress they can. They want to find the very best dress for each person. Her belief is, “It is the girl who makes the dress, not the other way around.” They carry sizes 00 to 30, so no matter your size and shape, they will be able to help you find a lovely gown. The traditional start of Prom Season is MLK weekend, but the Spring gowns are already arriving

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in the store. It isn't too early to start thinking about what you want to wear (maybe even to let Santa know that a Prom Dress or a CATZ Gift Certificate would be a great Christmas present.) Tammy said that this year the average Prom Dress will run around $425.00, although you can find selections at Catz Formals starting under $200. You can lay-away the dress of your dreams and make payments on it between now and your Prom date. She also stressed that your escort should NOT wait until two weeks before Prom to come in to rent his Tuxedo. The Tuxes have to be ordered from a national provider and Proms are happening at the same time all over the country. Get him to come to Catz Formals early to be fitted for his Tux and get it reserved. He can wait to order his Bow-tie, Suspenders or Vest to coordinate with your dress if need be. Tammy said many people think they can save money by ordering a Prom, Pageant or Wedding Dress on-line. She warned that there are many websites based in China, and what you see on them is not always what you get. Frequently the fabric is of much lower quality, and they are poorly made. It is as true here as elsewhere, “You get what you pay for.” If the price is cheap, the quality is probably going to be inferior. While there are some

legitimate websites for gowns, even there you won’t be able to try several dresses on to see which cut and color is the most flattering to you. Very often colors look entirely different in real life from how they appear on a website or in a photograph. A website also can’t give you personal one-on-one assistance with fitting, nor the knowledge of what the dress requirements of local high schools or colleges might be. A Military Ball or a Christian High School may have very different standards of acceptable dress with which a website will not be familiar. The folks at Catz Formals do know and can guide you to the appropriate selections. It is only by supporting these local merchants that you can be sure to have a local store to visit in the future. Whether you are planning your wedding, going to a formal social occasion, looking forward to Prom or participating in a Beauty Pageant, it is well worth your time to look first at Catz Formals. By taking Airport Blvd. off I-26, they are easily reached from any part of the Midlands. Their address is 2224 Airport Blvd., West Columbia, SC 29170. You can also browse their selections on-line at http://www.catzformalwear.com/. If you have any questions, feel free to call Tammy Newton at 803 926-7170. She would love to talk to you.

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Treat Yourself.

White Hot Chocolate

White Chocolate Latte

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Visit us at 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., W. Columbia, SC 2700 Emanuel Church Rd., W. Columbia, SC 659 Columbia Ave., Chapin, SC 210 W. Columbia Ave., Batesburg, SC

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Lexi ngt on Woman celeb r a tes the sur v ivor in you

here are some people who, when you first meet them, it feels like you have known them forever. Mamie Fryar is one such woman. Her smile was warm and open as she spoke candidly with me about her journey with Cancer. Her first diagnosis

came when she was only thirty-three and, after a lumpectomy and radiation, she got back a clear report. Though it sounds simple for all that Mamie went through, that is exactly how she made it seem - as if Cancer was just a minor interruption in the flow of her life. Mamie remembers the day of her second diagnosis like it was yesterday. She was forty-seven and this time it seemed more serious. She had just come home from a tough day at work. She sat down and started to tell her husband about her day, when she felt a lump. It was in the same breast she had cancer in before. She immediately told her husband, Kenneth, who reassured her that it was “…probably just scar tissue.” She had had a mammogram just three months prior with a clear result. However, she called her doctor, Dr. Montoya, who said, “Mamie, it probably is just scar tissue but with your history and your family history, let’s check it out.” Mamie had two aunts that lost their battle to Cancer before they reached the age of fifty. Because the result of the second mammogram was unclear, she was sent for an ultrasound which revealed not one, but two masses. Ironically, this appointment was on Mamie’s birthday, May 18th. A biopsy was ordered next. Mamie went to her biopsy appointment and then went on to work. Dr. Montoya called her at work with the results. Mamie knew when she heard her doctor’s voice, that the news was not good. She was right, but she didn’t fall apart or cry. She was alone in the break room

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

when the call came in. After the call, Mamie says she remembers looking up and saying out loud, “God, you did it before, you can do it again.” She said that her faith helped her not to be fearful. Her questions were not, “Why me?” or “How did this happen to me?” but rather, “What is the plan?” and “When do we get started?” Mamie shared that the hardest thing about this cancer was telling her husband,Kenneth, the second time. In fact, she found it so difficult that she didn’t tell him. She just called him and said they needed to go to Summerville to the doctor’s office right then. He said, “OK,”, and was ready to go when Mamie arrived home. It was in Dr. Montoya’s office, while she was explaining to Mamie what the next steps were, that she realized Mamie’s husband didn’t know why they were there. It was actually Dr. Montoya who broke the news to him. When I asked Mamie why it was so hard for her to tell Kenneth, she said something that, in all the years I have been interviewing survivors, I had never heard articulated this way, “When you go through cancer, everyone who loves you goes through cancer, too.” Mamie had already accepted whatever outcome God

Real Women

had in store for her but, with a husband who had already been through this with her once before, and a mother who was caring for her sick husband, it was hard for Mamie to add another worry to her husband’s plate. This time it was determined Mamie would need a mastectomy. Mamie also had chemo with her second battle and said, “Yes, I knew I was bald headed and cute!” Mamie said when she found out she was going to lose her breast, she was okay with that. “I chose to live,” she said. She also shared with me how she talked to her husband and told him, “I love you with all of my heart. If you can’t handle this, I won’t hold it against you. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I am okay with it.” His response to her was, “Let’s do whatever we need to do to keep you here.” (Though I have never met Kenneth, I really like him.) Mamie’s oncologist is Dr. Douglas Michaelson at the Charleston Cancer Center, which Mamie says is “The BEST Place.” Mamie called Susan Appelbaum, RN, OCN, her angel. “She made it so easy to understand what was happening and to deal with (and be prepared for) the side effects of chemotherapy.” While Mamie does have some lingering effects of her chemo, she

is survivin’ and thrivin’ by all accounts.

Celebrating the Survivor in You!

I asked Mamie what she wanted our readers to know about her journey. “If you have strong faith, you can conquer anything. Fear cripples you. I did not want fear to cripple me, so I allowed no fear.” One of her favorite scriptures is “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” “I am a happy person; I like making others happy.”, she remarked. The other scriptures Mamie shared were along the same vein. “The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. Psalms 28:7” “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment, you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17” and “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31” Mamie said, “Don’t focus on yourself. You are just the vessel He is using. He has a purpose and a plan and your job is to stay in that plan.” Out of Mamie’s experience she has created something called, “Especially for Women.” This is a women’s conference for all women. Not just women who have had cancer, but women who have gone through any battle. If they are struggling with self-esteem or if they have trouble making good choices for themselves or if they, too, have had a life threatening illness, this conference is for them. Mamie Fryar is a woman who loves the Lord, her husband and her family. She is a woman who has found true joy. “Even in the midst of adversity and when people didn’t understand, I was so thankful just to see another day.” She celebrated her 50th birthday this year and I am sure with her attitude and faith she will celebrate every single day of her life!

www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

Shoulder Stretching & Lymphedema Massage with Hima Dalal

A Tale of Two Ladies

By Carol Ryall Photography by Lindsey Duncan

magine if you will, being diagnosed with breast cancer after living only a few months in a new city. Most of your friends and support system are in other places. You know very few people here. What would you do?

That’s the situation Sofia Reino found herself facing. She and her husband, Kevin, had moved to Columbia with their two daughters and a dog in July of 2013. She was busy getting settled into their new home in Columbia’s Northeast area, helping their girls adjust to new schools and environments, being a wife, mother, and design and marketing professional. Then, in May of this year, she found a lump in her breast. She called her physician, who scheduled her for a mammogram, which was followed by an ultrasound and biopsy. She was immediately referred to an

oncologist and diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. This is an especially aggressive form of breast cancer. What Sofia did was to immediately begin searching for a local holistic medicine practitioner who could supplement what her oncologist and surgeon would be doing. She found Hima Dalal, the owner and lead occupational therapist of Vital Energy Wellness and Rehab Center. She began visiting Vital Energy even before her surgery, to increase her energy level as well as strengthen her arm,

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

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shoulder and back in preparation for the upcoming double mastectomy. Originally from Portugal, Sofia said that Europeans, in general, are much more open to alternative forms of medicine than people who live in the United States. From her teenage years and on she has always believed in combining western medicine with other more holistic practices. As she put it, “You get the best of both worlds that way.” Post-surgery, she has continued to make the forty minute drive

from her home twice a week because the staff and therapy sessions at Vital Energy have made such an improvement in her recovery. She especially appreciates that they do not focus on just one ailment, but on whole body wellness. Some of the issues Hima and Sofia focused on during her treatments include increasing range of motion and flexibility, decreasing fascia restrictions, all-over body pain, scar reduction, breathing techniques and meditation, lymphedema prevention, self-esteem/ self-image and post-cancer precautions. Also, Hima

performed treatments of crystal myofascial release to decrease numbness, burning, and hypersensitivity specifically around her scar area.

family returned to the states in 2002 and settled in Columbia where she built her dream rehab center which is now Vital Energy.

Sofia stated, “I looked for someone closer to our home, but there just is no one else in the area like them. It is well worth the time it takes me to get there and back because everyone at Vital Energy is so friendly, caring and supportive. I just can’t say enough good about Hima Dalal and her staff.”

The beautiful Vital Energy facility in Lexington opened in 2007 and offers physical and occupational therapy to address a wide range of rehabilitation needs as well as providing alternative therapies to treat the person as a whole – body, mind, and spirit. They also provide aquatic therapy for adult and pediatric patients along with fitness & wellness services.

A native of Bombay, India, Hima graduated as an occupational therapist there in 1980. In 1981, Hima moved to Cleveland, Ohio where she pioneered a program for breast cancer patients to receive rehab before breast reconstruction and became a spokesperson for breast cancer recovery for the Ohio region. After a move back to India in 1995, Hima and her

803.359.1551

Vital Energy has two other locations in the area, inside the Gold’s Gyms on both Forest Drive and Killian Road. They currently offer physical therapy at both of those locations and plan to add occupational therapy by the end of the year. When asked what her advice to

MAIN LOCATION:

www.vitalenergytherapy.com 163 Charter Oak Road FM/CFS Support Group Lexington, SC 29072

others who have been diagnosed with breast cancer would be, Sofia said, “Get yourself a support group. I belong to Young Survivors Coalition, a nationwide group organized to support younger

women with Breast Cancer. The local group has been very helpful and caring. The other thing is to make an appointment with Hima at Vital Energy. Working with her has made a world of difference in my recovery.”

NEW LOCATIONS: 450 Killian Road Columbia, SC 29203 Inside Golds Gym- Forest Acres 4114 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC 29206 www.lexingtonwomanonline.com 37

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

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Health & Wellness

Calling it Quits: Lexington Medical Center

Offers HELP for Smokers

ackie Watts smoked cigarettes for 20 years. But that changed on September 1, 2013. That’s the day the 47-year-old Lexington County woman suffered a heart attack.

“While out shopping, I felt like I had indigestion, my chest and back hurt and I was sweating,” she said. After an ambulance rushed her to the hospital, tests revealed two blockages in her heart. The news came as a surprise to Watts. She was not overweight, and did not have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Doctors believed that smoking was a major factor – and told her that she had to quit. They recommended a smoking-cessation class offered at Lexington Medical Center’s community medical center in Lexington. The class meets once a week for two hours and lasts eight weeks. It is open to anyone who wants to quit smoking and, because of a generous grant from

the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, there is no cost to participate. Participants also have an above average success rate. A Lexington Medical Center Lexington cardiac rehabilitation nurse, Watts began the program in 2013. “The class helped me learn what to do when I had a craving,” Watts said. Tips included changing your routines, chewing gum, not carrying cigarettes with you and not allowing yourself to smoke in your car or house. It wasn’t easy, but it worked. The smoking-cessation program is just one way Lexington Medical Center is helping smokers make healthier choices. The hospital also offers lung cancer screenings with a low-dose CT scan

Jackie Watts enjoying the porch at her Lexington County home

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real Women

to help detect lung cancer in its early stages. “In South Carolina, lung cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, behind prostate and breast cancer,” said Dr. Myron Barwick, a Lexington Medical Center surgeon and past chair of the hospital’s cancer committee. “When you’re diagnosed at an early stage, lung cancer is very treatable. But when it’s advanced, treatments are not as effective.” Qualified lung cancer screening patients should be between the ages of 55-74 and have a 30 pack-year smoking history. If the patient is a former smoker, he or she must have quit within the past 15 years. Or, patients should be age 50 or older and have a 20 pack-year smoking history with one addition-

Dr. Myron Barwick, Lexington Medical Center surgeon

Health & Wellness al risk factor. Additional risk factors include radon exposure, occupational exposure, personal cancer history, family history of lung cancer, and disease history. The screening costs $149, which is about the cost of three cartons of cigarettes. A pack-year is calculated by multiplying the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the number of years the person has smoked. For example, 1 pack-year is equal to smoking one pack per day for 1 year or two packs per day for a half year. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. because only a small number of patients with lung

When you’re diagnosed at an early stage, lung cancer is very treatable. But when it’s advanced, treatments are not as effective. cancer are diagnosed with early stage disease. A national study showed a decrease in mortality by 20 percent when lung cancer was diagnosed early. Watts was successful. She has not

smoked a cigarette since completing the Lexington Medical Center smoking-cessation program last November. And she feels great. “Considering it’s free, I don’t know why more people don’t take this class. It’s very beneficial.” If you or someone you know wants to quit smoking and participate in Lexington Medical Center’s smoking-cessation program, please call (803) 358-6180.

For information about lung cancer screenings, please call (803) 936-8050.

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

MEET

Health & Wellness

Barbara Simon with Columbia’s Care Services LLC By: Patti McGrath Photography by Robert Patrick Image Design

or Barbara Simon, taking care of the elderly and those in need is a calling not a job. “I made the

decision to become a caregiver when I was about ten years old. I had a grandmother and an uncle that passed away in a nursing/ retirement home due to abuse,” she explains. “I feel like no one should take advantage of our elders or those less fortunate. Our elders paved the way for us today.” After working in numerous care related positions over the years, Simon decided to open her own company, Columbia’s Care Services, LLC, last July. “At Columbia’s Care Service, LLC we specialize in healthcare services like Alzheimer’s care, fall prevention, hospice care, long term care facilities and primary care. When I say primary care I mean some light housekeeping, assist with bathing, feeding, medication reminders and we also do errands to

grocery stores as well as doctor’s appointments. We go into homes and facilities to care for your loved ones. We do it all,” she says. “I want our clients to know that we are not only caregivers but a part of the family - if they allow us into their homes they will be treated like family. All my caregivers are loving and caring individuals because I picked them myself. They have to have the same passion and drive that I have when caring for my family.” “If someone needs short term

Barbara Simmon care, like someone recovering from surgery, we help them with their recovery so that they can carry on with their daily living activities. We are not just limited to taking care of the senior citizens but anyone that is in need,” Simon continues. “If a client needs long term care, our goal is to make them as comfortable and happy as possible. Some of our senior citizens just want companionship and someone to listen to them. And, that’s exactly what we do. Our mission is to provide excellent private care service with competitive and affordable rates to individuals seeking one-onone assistance with their daily living activities.” Running a business and managing to find family time could be hard to do, but not for Simon. “Balancing work and home life is easy because I don’t look at this as a job but as a privilege and honor to serve our senior citizens,” Simon states. “When you find something that you love, you can’t wait to wake up the next morning to do it. You don’t see it as a job but as another family member that needs your help.” Deciding to start her own compa-

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ny was the hard decision. “When I was trying to decide whether or not to quit my full time job with benefits for me and my children and start my own business someone said to me, ‘Pray about it and step out on faith. God will lead the way,’ and so I did,” she remembers. It was a great move. “Right now I have 15 employees, but hope to grow,” she says. “I also have a great support team. My family are also involved with my business and they give me the motivation to keep going. I get so much joy when I see the smiles on my client’s faces when I walk in the room. I have to keep myself busy doing something because if I have any time on my hands I think that there is someone out there who needs my help.” It is this kind, loving, and dedicated care that Simon hopes all of her clients feel when an employee of Columbia’s Care Service, LLC, takes care of them. If you would like more information on what Columbia’s Care Service, LLC has to offer contact Barbara Simon at (803) 556-2968 or at barbarasimon88@yahoo.com.

803-785-4475

Business & Web Directory Adult Care Columbia’s Care Services LLC.................... 43 www.columbiascare.com Presbyterian Communities......................... 29 www.preshomesc.org Art and Entertainment Aiken Visitors Center.................................. 29 www.visitaikensc.com Colonial Life Aren..................................28, 10 www.coloniallifearena.com Spinners Resort & Marina........................... 11 www.spinnersresort.com Stepping Out Dance Studio......................... 19 www.steppingoutsc.com Town Theatre................................................ 22 www.towntheatre.com

Centa Hearing Center.................................. 43 www.centamedical.com Lexington Medical Center..... 41 ,Back Cover www.lexmed.com Triangle Pharmacy....................................... 43 Vital Energy Rehab Center.......................... 37 www.vitalenergytherapy.com Home Services JDM Building Group................................... 33 www.jdmbuildinggroup.com Hotels Comfort Suites.............................................. 23 www.comfortsuiteslexington.com

Homewood Suites by Hilton................................16 www.homewoodsuites3.hilton.com

Attorney Kinard & Jones.............................................. 15 www.kinardandjones.com

Wingate by Wyndham..........................................31 www.wingatehotels.com

Bedding and Furniture North Furniture............................................ 16

Insurance

Southern Bedding of Columbia.................. 11 www.southernbeddingofcolumbia.com Childrens Instructional Play Programs The Little Gym.............................................. 11 www.thelittlegym.com Dentist Northwood Dental....................................... 39 www.northwooddentalsc.com

First South Insurance Agency, INC........... 23 www.fsia.net Health Markets – Jeff Howle....................... 35 www.healthmarkets.com State Farm- Misty Stathos........................... 11 www.misty@stathosagency.com Interior Design Chris Metz Interiors..................................... 35 www.chrismetzinteriors.com Landscaping

Eye Care Envision Family EyeCare............................. 39 www.envisionfamilyeyecare.com

Grounds Guys............................................... 26 www.groundsguys.com

Health Services

Parent Coaching Happily Parenting......................................... 22 www.happilyparenting.com

Bee healthy...................................................... 5 www.beehealthyclinics.com

Pets Grace Pets Animal Hospital.......................... 4 www.gracepets.com Millcreek Animal Hospital.......................... 31 www.millcreekanimalhospital.com Photography Clark Berry Photography.....................................................13 www.clarkberry.com Robert Patrick Image Design............................................................. IFC www.rpimagedesign.com Real Estate

Earth Available Realty, Inc.......................................26 www.EarthAvailable.com

Remax – Laura Reid..................................... 31 www.lakemurraylaura.com Restaurants Chicken Shack............................................... 19 Mcdonalds..................................................... 33 www.mcdonalds.com Spa Pura Wellness Spa......................................... 39 www.Bepura.com Shopping Catz Formals................................................. 33 www.catzformalwear.com Creative Sewing Machine Center............... 23 www.creativesewingmachinecenter.com The Classy Cruet........................................... 33 www.theclassycruet.com

A Personal Note

n the spirit of thanksgiving I wanted to share a few things on my heart with you today. I am so thankful for so many things in my life. I am thankful for salvation. I believe I am saved by the grace of God and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. I am thankful for my husband. Neither of us are perfect, don’t get me wrong but he is perfect for me. I love him beyond what I thought I knew about love at age 21 when I married him and so much more since he has become the spiritual leader of our home. He is smart and brave. He has shown his love to me in so many ways over the last twenty years. I am a blessed woman. I am thankful for the gift of our children. Each of them mean so much to me. As a mother they have taught me things I never even knew I needed to learn. Recently I was leaving a football game at Furman and I had stopped at the dorm to give Trey some things he had asked for, and some things I just wanted him to have, and he hugged me goodbye. He stood with a friend for a moment and then he nudged her, “That’s my MVP,” he said. There I was a few months ago telling you all how I worried about him. Here he was affirming his affection for me with three little words. I wouldn’t take a million dollars for that one moment. I am thankful for that moment. I am thankful for my mother. She has taught me about enduring and forgiveness. Things that no other person could have taught me the way she has. She taught me what it meant to make a commitment and stick to it (even if sticking to it was the last thing you wanted to do.) I am thankful for my dad. I am thankful that I miss him. The ache inside me is proof of what he meant to me. Some people have fathers pass and they don’t even really know they are gone. I am grateful my father was a missable father. I am thankful for my siblings. All of them. Especially the younger ones. Besides Siblings are the only people who know how crazy your parents really were when you were growing up and definitely the only people you can talk to about it. I am thankful for all the incredible women and men who let me tell their stories. Thank you for allowing the story of your strength , your courage, your ability to overcome, help someone else with what they are going through. Someone asked me once what I would write about when there were no stories left to tell in Lexington. That’s silly. As long as there are people there will be stories. I hope this holiday season is the best yet for all of us. Be good to each other. Smile more. I told Ryan once, “Ryan do you know how much I love you?” “Yes,” He said very matter of fact. “How do you know?” I asked impressed with his confidence. “Because you smile every time you see me.” Out of the mouths of babes. Show someone you love them, Smile. See you in January,

Lori Samples Duncan

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.