Fort Mill Magazine WINTER 2012 by Steelecroft Media Group

Winter 2012

magazine

ashion

For

Him... and a little for her

& Wine

Food

Talk

Success with

Stephen Cooley

Get the dish on the best party pairings

Introducing

Digital Expanded edition

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28 Talk Success with Stephen Cooley 66 Food& Wine 88 ashion for Him

and a little for her

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Cover photo and photo on left of Clayton Brannon by Glenn Roberson. Hair and makeup by Erica Arcilesi and Kelly Coulter. Photo of Stephen Cooley by Clayton Brannon. Hair and makeup by Sara Egri. Photo of food and wine pairing by Dave Tally.

F Cover

On the

Citizens For Historic Preservation Preserving and revitalizing York Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse historic resources and advocating their appreciation, protection, and use.

Get Involved! Find out how you can become a member of Citizens For Historic Preservation. citizensforhistoricpreservation.org

departments around town

local folks

fine living

wealth

travel

to your health

good eats

indulge

southern style

inspired thought

106

Integrate fun reading into your child’s everyday life. Explore the impact the 2012 Democratic National Convention had on our local town.

Learn how a Nation Ford High School student is making her dreams come true through focus and hard work.

Get some of the hottest holiday decorating tips, and discover what the holiday season is like for a young family new to Fort Mill.

Sit down with nationally-ranked real estate agent, Stephen Cooley, and learn his secrets to success.

Discover why the Holiday season in the Big Apple is a magical place or take a historical tour of faith by traveling to the Holy Land.

Stick to your New Year resolution in 2013, learn how to greet your grandparent, brighten your smile, and build your immune system with a little adjusting.

Try out some new Christmas Cookie recipes that the whole family can enjoy, and shop local by eating at Passion 8 Bistro.

Hosting a party? Look great day and night no matter what the occassion may be and our wine and food expert will help you figure out which wines to pair whether your serving fried chicken, chocolate, or lobster.

Having trouble finding that perfect gift for your man this season? Check out the Men’s Winter Fashion spread for great ideas. Also, take a break from the hussel and bussel and go to the ballet. Experience Charlotte Seen Fashion Week with Fort Mill Magazine.

Experience Winter’s Blue.

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photographers Published by

Publishers

Market Style, LLC

Louis Roman | Tracey Roman

Assistant Editor Emily Wyatt

Contributors

Photographers

Clayton Brannon | Darlene Cunnup | Stefanie Morris | Glenn Roberson | Dave Tally

GLENN ROBERSON

glennroberson.com facebook.com/glennrobersonphotography glenn@glennroberson.com 704-307-9543

Vice President of Marketing

Louis Roman | 803-207-0851 | louis@fortmillmagazine.com

Marketing Director

Angela Dykes | 865-382-1691 | angela@fortmillmagazine.com

Please send all editorial items to

Tracey Roman | Editor in Chief | troman@fortmillmagazine.com ÂŠ2012 Fort Mill Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the expess written consent of the copyright owner. Fort Mill Magazine does not necessarily endorse the views and perceptions of contributors or advertisers. Winter 2012 ISSUE

stefanie Morris

photographybysmm.com | 803-994-9590 stefanie@photographybysmm.com

Clayton Brannon claytonbphotography.com facebook.com/claytonbphotog

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For even more great stories and photographs not showcased in PRINT go to fortmillmagazine.com to view the extended digital Winter 2012 issue.

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fromthe publishers Left to Right: Fort Mill Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Tracey Roman, Ana Roman, and Publisher Louis Roman at the CN2 News 20th Anniversary Celebration

Photo by Alison Rauch

We’re talking success with Stephen Cooley, exploring some unusual food and wine pairings, and suggesting exclusive gifts for men in this Winter issue of Fort Mill Magazine. Both indulgent and inspiring, this issue will tantalize the senses. We recap Charlotte Fashion Week and the Democratic National Convention, dream big with a local high school student, and deck the halls in an exquisite Fort Mill dwelling. We experience the holiday delights of New York City and take a faithful journey to the Holy Land. We tempt your palate with rum soaked Fruit Cake cookies, then whirl with the York County Ballet. To take it over the top, we’ve expanded our digital edition to include all the great content available in print plus a whole lot more. You’ll find more advice from our local experts, new exclusive articles, and additional amazing photography. Enjoy this refined print edition, then indulge in our enhanced digital experience. Explore it now by going to fortmillmagazine.com. As we strive for the best community-rich content, we look to you for suggestions, ideas, and comments. Please share your thoughts with us. Creating good,

Louis & Tracey Louis & Tracey Roman Publishers Fort Mill Magazine

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fromthe mayor

Your Private Health Coach

Professional Nurse of 20 years Personal Trainer Health and Fitness specialist Kathryn Webner Katalyst Personal Training, LLC katalystpersonaltraining.com 704-785-0804

Dear Readers, On behalf of the Honorable Town Council of the Town of Fort Mill, I bring you holiday greetings. We have many exciting changes coming up for the New Year. Our current Town Manager, David Hudspeth, is retiring at the end of January. The vetting process has been a difficult one and Council has worked diligently to narrow the search from the original 75 candidates to the final three. We know that at the end of our process we’ll end up with a terrific Town Manager, a topflight professional, qualified and capable of maintaining our commitment to keep Fort Mill one of the top ten places in the country to raise a family. As part of our continuing focus on the quality of life, Council has also been working to expand and improve our inventory of park venues. Our plans include the completion of the second phase of Millstone Park by extending our linear park concept to the end of White and Spratt Streets. Whereas the first phase highlighted the “Mill” part of our name, the next phase will showcase the “Fort” aspect of Fort Mill. The park is scheduled to be finished by the end of the first quarter of 2013. We’re also underway with the expansion of our existing Doby’s Bridge Park. Construction involves improving the existing baseball field as we add additional fields to help meet the future recreational demands of our community. Wrapping it up, Fort Mill has an amazing holiday season planned, including our annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade, so please check out our holiday calendar for the upcoming events around town. Kindest regards,

Danny P. Funderburk Mayor Town of Fort Mill

Angela Dykes

Fort Mill Magazine Marketing Director

To advertise or sponsor a future event or podcast, contact Angela Dykes. Call Today (865) 382-1691 angela@fortmillmagazine.com fortmillmagazine.com

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What’s New at the

Velodrome W Text by Spencer Lueders

Photos by Kayla Dugger

When Rock Hill’s Giordana Velodrome opened in March 2012, the local community was introduced to bicycle riding like it had not seen in over 100 years. As cyclists zoomed around the 42 degree bank of the track, the City leaders told the crowd that this was just the beginning and they were right. The Rock Hill Outdoor Center, a state of the art facility nestled in the 1000acre Riverwalk development on the shores of the Catawba River, will be home to not only the best velodrome in the southeastern United States, but also 8 miles of mountain biking trails, a BMX Supercross track, a permanent cyclocross course, and a 1-mile, criterium-style road course. While the terms “Supercross,” “cyclocross,” and “criterium” may not be familiar to many in the local community, they most certainly will be in the coming years as local, regional, national, and international attention is garnered by these world class cycling amenities. As of this writing, the mountain biking trails have also been built and opened to the public. Readily marked and accessible from the popular Riverwalk Trail, the mountain biking trails feature multiple trail distances, incredible views, and over 120 feet of elevation change. Groups and individuals use the trails on a daily basis, and the trails are set to host future events, from local races to national championships. Even more exciting is the future BMX track. For those that don’t know, there is BMX, and then there’s BMX Supercross. Featuring a 40-foot start ramp and monster jumps, BMX Supercross is one of the newest Olympic sports and attracts the best riders in the world. The Rock Hill facility will feature both Supercross and regular BMX tracks creating the most unique and state of the art track layout in the world. USA Cycling, the national sanctioning body, has committed its resources to deliver national events and help attract international events.

around town 10

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That’s just the first three amenities at the Rock Hill Outdoor Center. As these facilities are built and the Riverwalk commercial and residential communities are developed around them, the Rock Hill region will become known internationally and reap the economic impact from visitors coming to ride, watch, and race. Even better, it’s in our back yard and open year round. Pump up those tires and enjoy these remarkable cycling facilities.

Spencer Lueders Spencer Lueders is co-founder of Ride Rock Hill, a website dedicated to promoting the cycling facilities at the Rock Hill Outdoor Center. Learn more at riderockhill.com.

The Habits NOT to Break Text by Derick Wilder

Again, again!” I’m not sure if there’s a more rewarding phrase for your child to utter. In the case of Taylor, my four-year-old daughter, this seems to happen most often when she’s being pushed on a swing or engaged in a spirited game of hide-and-seek. There’s another time that is especially rewarding, as I often hear those words the moment we finish one of her favorite books. Of all the things we do as parents in guiding children through the exploration of their world, I believe helping them cultivate a love of reading should be at the top of the list. It is one trait that can truly open the door to a lifetime of learning. Kids who make reading a habit are more likely to be adults who read. One quote that has always stuck with me comes from the findings of a Commission on Reading report: “The single most important activity for building knowledge required for eventual success is reading aloud to children.” With the imagery overload that we experience in today’s society, the relative quiet and solitude of reading a book can be a wonderfully peaceful respite for both you and your child. I relish those breaks, and there are a few emergency items that can always be found in Taylor’s backpack; a juice box, a snack, and a book. Lisa Palladino, founder of the Ballantyne Reading Academy for the Very Young (www.BallantyneReading.com), points out that a great way to get reluctant readers, or those who choose not to read, excited about reading is to pick materials that match their interests. In her case, it was a love of NFL football and subsequent crush on Joe Namath, the quarterback of her beloved New York Jets. Palladino

was over the moon when her brother gave her a paperback simply titled Joe Namath. Even though Palladino’s affection for Broadway Joe eventually faded, her love of books never did. There are countless opportunities to integrate reading sessions into our everyday errands. First, there’s the treasure that is your public library, a veritable free gateway to learning. Even a visit to the mall can include a stop by its bookstore. Along with riding the escalators, Taylor most looks forward to reading in the forest at Barnes & Noble. As she enters the shopping spree years, I’m sure I’ll look back and treasure these merchandise-free visits. Even your local big box retailer typically has a children’s book section, though I can tell you that perching on the hard edge of the bottom shelf while previewing new stories is not for the faint-hearted. The amazing thing is that reading is truly a shared experience, as you’ll enjoy the time as much as your child. Whether snuggled up during a bedtime ritual, lying under a tree at the park, or sitting at a miniature table in the library, you may even be lucky enough to hear those magical words, “Again, again!”

Derick Wilder As a regular contributor, Derick focuses on children and families. He’s a director for Playball, a child development organization, and heads Reading Giraffe, a literacy initiative. Reach him at coachderick@yahoo.com or 803-487-4687.

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Pet

Arthritis

As the cold weather approaches our pets can experience difficulties with arthritis and mobility. Arthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is a particularly common condition in our pets. One in five dogs and one in eight cats suffer from some form of degenerative joint disease in their lifetime. The frequency of arthritis in our pets warrants a discussion regarding prevention, diagnosing, and treatment of this condition.

Weight management of our pets is the most effective way to prevent arthritis and maintain mobility in our pets as they age. How do you know if your pet is overweight? Veterinary health professionals use a body condition score rather then weight on a scale to determine if a pet is in a healthy weight category. If you are concerned that your pet may be overweight, schedule a discussion with your veterinarian. Responsible breeding of purebred dogs is another form to prevent this condition in our pets. Whether you are considering breeding your pet or selecting a puppy from a breeder, it is important to know that preliminary tests can be performed on the parents to determine if they will pass on healthy joints to future generations. The Orthopedic

Text by Dr. Julie Reck Foundation for Animals provides a grading system on hips, elbows, and other joints to prevent the development of early age arthritis in dogs. If your pet has demonstrated any limping, stiffness, or reduced mobility, then you maybe concerned that they are developing arthritis. The first step is to schedule a consultation with your veterinarian. They will likely perform an orthopedic examination and then x-rays to diagnose where and how severe arthritis is occurring in your pet. a. If your pet is diagnosed with hip dysplasia or arthritis elsewhere in the body it will be necessary to start a treatment program. There are numerous treatment methods to help pets with arthritis. Some conditions have a surgical procedure that can eliminate or alleviate pain from arthritis. If a procedure is not available or your pet is not able to have surgery, then your veterinarian will likely discuss a medication protocol that can dramatically reduce pain and increase the overall quality of your pet’s life. Glucosamine supplements with added ingredients such as MSM, chondroitin, and antioxidants can increase the joint fluid produced and therefore provide increased cushioning in an arthritic joint. Because glucosamine supplements are considered nutraceuticals and not under regular FDA regulation, it is best to speak with your veterinarian about brands of joint supplements they recommend and trust. In addition to glucosamine supplementation, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription anti-inflammatory. Medications such as Rimadyl®, Deramaxx®, and Previcox® are frequently given to dogs to improve their mobility and overall quality of life when suffering from arthritis. They provide pain management and also significantly reduce inflammation of the joint associated with arthritis. Generally, it is not safe or advisable to give over the counter pain medications to pets. Tylenol® is toxic to dogs and cats, and aspirin can cause severe gastrointestinal disease in some dogs. Another form of arthritis treatment is a series of injections called Adequan®. Adequan® injections increase the synovial fluid in a joint providing cushioning and can slow the progression of arthritis. Alternative therapies such as massage and acupuncture have also shown to decrease the discomfort of arthritis. The common occurrence of arthritis in our pets makes it an important issue to prevent, diagnose, and treat. Proper management of this condition can greatly improve the overall quality and comfort of our pet’s life.

Dr. Julie Reck Dr. Julie Reck is a local veterinarian and the owner of the Veterinary Medical Center of Fort Mill. To learn more, visit vmcfortmill.com or call 803-396-9130.

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Special Advertiser’s Section

2013 South Carolina Strawberry

Festival

The South Carolina Strawberry Festival in the Town of Fort Mill has been recognized as one of the premier family friendly events in the Southeast. Established in 2010, the South Carolina Strawberry Festival has been honored as South Carolina’s Event of the Year with having more than 50,000 individuals attend throughout the region and state. A festival of this magnitude requires a significant amount of planning and organization from committee members, sponsors, volunteers, and the town to orchestrate such an event. After the conclusion of a successful Strawberry Festival, planning immediately starts for the following year’s event. An organizational structure is formed including a Festival Director, Festival Chair, Immediate Past Chairman, Festival Vice-Chair, and Secretary. Team committee leaders in subgroups are formed including a Development Team, Marketing Team, Inside Logistics Team, Outside Logistics Team, Events Team, Activities Team, Entertainment Team, Volunteer Team, Vendors Team, and Safety Team. All these teams together make the planning and organization such a success. There is a substantial cost associated with a festival of this size and the festival’s Development Team is always seeking sponsors to offset the

budget. Sponsorship packages are offered at different levels and range from $1,000-$25,000. Sponsors also help champion the event in the community. Their moral support is invaluable when it comes to recruiting volunteers, members of the board, and other sponsors. While the budget and moral support are major considerations for the festival, having a team in place to keep things running smoothly can often prove the larger task. An army of volunteers is needed for the festival to help with everything from parking to pre-festival setup. The “Berry Brigade,” as festival volunteers are called, is recruited from local civic, community, and religious groups. The volunteers often work for service hours as part of their community service obligation. The impressive amount of volunteers play a chief role in making the Strawberry Festival the award winning event it is today. Committee members, sponsors, and volunteers work tirelessly and devote much of their private time to make the festival that much better. The planning and organization go hand in hand to bring the community, region, and state an event to remember. Join us in May 2013 for The South Carolina Strawberry Festival. For additional information on the sponsorship packages, contact David Ward at 803-322-0241 or email sponsor@scstrawberryfestival.com.

2012 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

“

Photo courtesy of PBS News Hour

Text by Ken Caputo

this

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aside,

Political affiliations was Charlotte’s moment...

Those of us who love Fort Mill are starting to get used to all the deserved attention. After all, our school system is now legendary and the district consistently ranks in the top ten percent in the nation. Family Circle even honored our town by naming it one of the ten best towns in the country to raise a family. All of this attention could not prepare us for what our neighboring city, Charlotte, experienced in the first week of September. The 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) brought international attention. Attention that we are still feeling the effects of. Political affiliations aside, this was the Charlotte region’s moment to showcase our vitality, hospitality, and genuine Southern charm. It succeeded on all counts. For an admitted news junkie from Newark, New Jersey, covering a national political convention for Fort Mill Magazine and my adopted hometown, this proved to be a once in a lifetime experience.

Kelly Klaiber co-owner of Fort Mill’s Executive Limo-Line (formerly known as Carolinas Party Line) had a somewhat different experience. She explained the company literally rebranded itself to take advantage of the national event. “We went all out to change our corporate image, register with the DNC, personally visit all the hotels, and even took the DNC committee around York County for free,” said Klaiber. She was disappointed to learn that the DNC ultimately hired outside vendors to transport folks from York County to Charlotte. Despite this, Executive Limo-Line was able to provide shuttle service for existing corporate clients. They even secured a new corporate client thanks to offering their services to a company in the region. Thanks to the DNC, lodging for local hotels serving our region jumped more than $1.3 million during September 1 – 6. According to

According to the Official Convention Media Guide, more than 35,000 visitors from every state descended on Charlotte for the convention that took place September 3rd through 6th. The members of the media topped 15,000 and included press from local, national, and international sources. Delegates topped more than 60,000 from every section of the country. Just as visible were the hordes of over 10,000 volunteers who represented the welcoming smiles of folks from greater Charlotte, including Fort Mill. Excitement charged the air as Charlotte opened it arms to embrace the attention and resulting economic boost. According to Mark Farris, Director of York County Economic Development, he hasn’t seen the impact of having the DNC in our backyard. But, it’s still early. It didn’t take long for Sandra Gayness, owner of Hip Chic Photo of Charlotte, to feel the impact. Her firm was one of the local companies hired to provide photography for the DNC, primarily for the media welcome and delegate parties. “The DNC was a great opportunity for us to make some incredible contacts. The energy was amazing!” Gayness admitted, however, that there was a lot of red tape involved. Her company only found out the week before that they were an officially selected vendor. Still, the DNC proved to be a real shot in the arm for her two year old company she co-owns with husband Odell.

guests with a smile, a peach, and other healthy snacks. Costumed characters joined in. There was even some music to get everyone in the mood. The Peach Stop was a targeted activity to welcome DNC guests who had extended their trips to South Carolina. Back on the floor of the convention there were other stories to tell. Volunteer Barb Putnam, a nurse from Denver, Colorado came out on her own dime to be a part of history. Why? “Its fun and I wanted so much to be in the thick of it.” Putnam exemplified the attitude of so many who came to town to tangibly support their political beliefs. Oregon Delegate Dorila Nava was excited and honored to represent her state. “So far I’m very impressed with Charlotte. I’d like to come back when I have more time to explore the area,” she said. I soon discovered having a press pass was my passport to virtually every area of the Arena. I stood on the floor as James Taylor, the Foo Fighters, Mary J. Blige, and Marc Anthony did their warmups. It also gave me the chance to see DNC Site Manager Kimberlin Love direct last minute Convention Floor arrangements prior to the evening schedule. Many of the speeches were spellbinding. Seeing up close and personal so many of my favorite media stars was incredible. I even shared a hot dog with Obama’s former Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and the experience blew me away. As I took the Lynx light rail to my car for the trip home each night, I thought of how well organized the DNC was. The hordes of volunteers stationed everywhere were well-trained and bent over backwards to make sure everyone who came felt welcome and at home. While it all happened in the Queen City, the whole region received a huge boost. The national and international coverage introduced the Carolinas to the world. Fort Mill shared in the excitement.

Photo courtesy of PBS News Hour

Sonja Burris, Communications Manager for the Rock Hill/York County Visitors Bureau, “This figure accounts for rooms alone and not gas stations, restaurants, and retail stores that were able to take advantage of the influx of visitors.” Burris explained that York County also made visitors feel extra special and welcome through local hospitality efforts. “A nonpartisan committee of volunteers and our office hosted Breakfast Greeters in 9 of the hotels throughout York County during key days of the convention. We had costumed characters connected to local attractions to see the DNC guests off in the morning as well as guests coming back during the evening.” The other major dose of South Carolina hospitality came in the form of a Peach Stop at the South Carolina Welcome Center on 1-77 right in Fort Mill. Volunteers greeted

Ken Caputo Ken Caputo is a regular contributor to Fort Mill Magazine. He is the owner of KC Communications LLC. For more information, go to kccommteam.com. You can reach Ken at ken@kccommteam. com or by calling 803-389-6446.

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thewithair On

Carly Williams Text by Alexander Galloway Photos by Stefanie Morris

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local folks

“Mom, I think I want to try out for KTV News.” With those words, the dream began for Carly Williams. On her way home from school one afternoon in the fifth grade, Carly told her mom that she wanted to create an audition tape for her school’s television show. Having made this decision the day before the tape was due, she had to put something together quickly. Her mother, Lori, had previously been a producer herself at CNN, so the two of them filmed a segment on the wildfires that were ravaging the woods near their Central Florida home. Carly got the part and hasn’t looked back since that day. In six short years, the dream has taken Carly up and down the east coast. Now a junior at Nation Ford High School, she has had the opportunity to interview the Harlem Globetrotters and to dance the cha-cha with So You Think You Can Dance contestants Lauren Froderman and Kent Boyd. “Going in, they told us there were going to be a few other TV stations there,” Carly recounts, “but the others didn’t end up showing up; we had forty-five minutes, but were only prepared to ask three questions. So we asked the questions, and then we quickly

When Carly confided her life goal, Natalie Morales told her,

“I have no doubt you’ll be sitting here one day.” decided to have them teach me how to dance.” In that moment, she learned a valuable lesson: always be able to improvise. That was just the beginning; she now regularly reports for Teen Kids News, an Emmy award-winning show that airs all over the world and locally on Fox Charlotte. Carly has recently reported segments on the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in New York and the history of the Star-Spangled Banner (Fort McHenry) in Baltimore, Maryland. At home, Carly is in her third year as the anchor for NAFO News at Nation Ford High. “Carly is a wonderful asset to our program,” says Chuck Walker, her journalism teacher. “She is always professional. If

I need anything done, I can ask Carly. I don’t have to worry about it again; it’s going to be done right, on time, the first time. She’s a great role model for the kids.” Not limiting herself to television, Carly is also in her third year on the Nation Ford Dance Team. Carly has already been very successful; she was named Charlotte Observer’s Young Achiever in 2011, but she is setting her sights even higher. “My dream,” she says, “ever since I started, is to host The Today Show.” On Carly’s ninth birthday, she had the opportunity to share donuts with Katie Couric in the green room; she made a return visit to the show again last year and met Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Natalie Morales, and Al Roker. Talking to her, you can’t help but sense that she is laser-focused on making her dream come true. She understands that she has a long way to go, but knows exactly what it will take to get there. She has plenty of people who believe in her. When Carly confided her life goal, Natalie Morales told her, “I have no doubt you’ll be sitting here one day.”

Alexander Galloway Alexander Galloway is a Risk Architext at Peoples First in Rock Hill. He enjoys the outdoors and fine cuisine. Contact him at algalloway13@gmail.com

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fine

living Holiday Home

Photos by Stefanie Morris

Built in 2005, this elegant, spacious, full brick home is nestled on a private wooded golf course cul-de-sac in Regent Park. This single family residential home has a flowing Gourmet Kitchen, Great room, and Morning room. Walls of windows open to outdoor living with stone benches and a fabulous fire pit. It also features a guest suite on the main level. The luxurious master suite contains a huge closet and a second laundry and exercise room. 947 Hickory Stick Dr. in the Enclave at Regent Park. 5 BRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PLUS Bonus / BR 6 4059 Sq Ft. School District: Fort Mill List Price: $478,000 Contact Kathryn Miller about this home at 803-517-1975.

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Mill 1Fort Christmas st

Text by Wendy Bartlett Photos by Stefanie Morris

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On a crystal clear, balmy November day and April and Luis Folgar are watching their children toss coins into the fountain in front of Baxter’s Fish Market. If wishes are granted by tossing coins in a fountain, then April believes it worked for them. “We feel like our wishes came true when we moved to Fort Mill,“ said April as 3-year-old Gavin and 18-month-old Olivia gleefully chase each another around the fountain. “Fort Mill has everything we were looking for to ensure our family has a bright future.” Luis, a manager of Research and Development at 3D Systems, and April, a Business Systems Analyst at McKesson, met at Virginia Tech and remain diehard fans of the college. Relocating for an employment opportunity, the family moved from Phoenixville, PA to their new home in English Trails in late September. “We have been very pleasantly surprised at how quickly we have integrated into the neighborhood. The neighbors have been so friendly and invited us to do things with them right away,” said April. “It took about a year to make friends where we came from. It was much easier to break the ice here.” “We enjoy Friday night bonfires where all the neighbors get together and unwind from the week,” said Luis. “And for the holidays, neighbors take turns hosting a dinner. We’re really looking forward to that.“ More Christmas traditions will be made anew as the Folgars explore the area for things like where to cut a real tree for their living room, what light display will dazzle the kids and the best place to get that perfect photo with Santa. “As Gavin and Olivia get older, we are excited to discover all there is to do during the holidays and yearround in Fort Mill. We also appreciate how close we are to Charlotte and everything the city has to offer,” said April. Although they’ve been here for less than two months, the Folgars already have their thumb on the pulse of the community. “We’ve heard about the Strawberry Festival and all the events in Baxter for St. Patty’s Day, the 4th of July and so on,” said Luis. “We plan to visit Discovery Place and Discovery Kids. Gavin and Olivia got a kick out of the Anne Springs Close Greenway at Halloween with all the pumpkins, mazes, and train rides. And so far, our favorite restaurants are McAllisters, Beef O’Brady’s and Mac’s...not to mention Cupcrazed! If you scoot in there just before they close on a Saturday, you can get their wonderful cupcakes half-price!” When the Folgars found out they were relocating and researched the best place to live, Fort Mill rose to the top. “In addition to the excellent schools and affordable cost of living, there’s the weather. It hasn’t taken us long to adjust to the milder temperatures and frequent sunny days, but mowing the lawn in November is new for us.”

Wendy Bartlett Wendy Bartlett’s passion is helping people buy or sell their homes. Licensed in North and South Carolina, she works with Coldwell Banker United. Reach her at 803-493-7885 or wendy.bartlett@cbunited.com.

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Holiday Organization

Tips to Keep Holiday Stress At Bay Text by Jennifer Burnham

Christmas is right around the corner. Every year you are out enjoying the beach and pool, then before you know it, Christmas music is playing on the radio. As the season approaches, I challenge you to enjoy the holiday spirit. Don’t let budgets for gifts, holiday traffic, and parties galore ruin the spirit for you. Enjoy the season and time with family. It is the most wonderful time of the year after all. 1. Make a list & check it twice. Who do you want to give presents to this holiday season? Set a budget for each person & stick to it. 2. Rest, relax, & exercise Schedule in some “me” time. 3. Book any beauty appointments now. 4. While you are at it, book the babysitter. 5. Save the date If you are hosting a get-together for friends, family, or neighbors, send an email or invite now to secure your date. 6. Clear out clutter Kitchen Donate anything that you don’t absolutely love, never use, or have multiples of.

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If you don’t use it, then donate it so someone else can. Kid’s rooms Donate anything that hasn’t been played with in a while. Your kids will be more willing if you tell them where the toy will go and who it will help. While your children are going through the toys, you need to go through their closet. Donate clothes they have outgrown and toss anything that has seen better days. 7. Create a wrapping station Get a basket and put all of your wrapping supplies into the basket. Wrap as you go instead of wrapping all at once. Save money on wrapping paper Buy a variety of solid colored rolls that go with your decor. Remember, the holidays are meant to be enjoyed, so use these simple tips and you’ll be toasting a glass full of cheer.

Jennifer Burnham Jennifer Burnham, owner of Pure & Simple Organizing, encourages families to live life a little easier by clearing out clutter that is accumulating in their home. For more information, call 704-879-1526 or visit www.pureandsimpleorganizing.com.

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wealth

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Q&A

Stephen Cooley

talks Success Photos by Clayton Brannon

Where are you from? What brought you here? There is a town called Cooley Springs between Gaffney and Asheville. My people come from that area. I grew up near there in a no red light town called Mayo, SC. I came to the area for Winthrop University. I was 17 years old and paid my own way through college. I worked full time and still graduated on time in 4 years. I didn’t have the money to take extra time. What was your field of study at Winthrop? I have a BA in Political Science with a double minor in Economics and Sociology. I thought I wanted to be a city manager when I was in college. When did you decide to become a Realtor/ Broker? I have always loved residential homes. When I was little, if I was being good, as a reward, my mom would ride me down the streets of the wealthy neighborhood in my home town so I could look at the homes. I have visited the Biltmore house twenty times. When I go on vacations, I go see the houses of that area. I became an agent when I was 21 years old. I think I choose the right career.

What sets you apart from others in this industry? I have always been the first one to work and the last one to leave. I use my time wisely. I entered real estate with less than $500 in my bank account. I was number one in the local MLS system by the time I was 26. Currently, I have the largest real estate team in the Carolinas. We are ranked #1 for Keller Williams (the second largest real estate franchise in the nation) in both Carolinas, ranked in the top 50 for Keller Williams (out of 100,000) in the nation, and ranked in the top 250 Realtors in the nation (out of 1 million agents). How did your TV program start? I started the show before homes were available on the internet. I saw a need for people to be able to home shop from their living rooms. Comporium (CN2) shared that vision. It has been a great relationship for 12 years. We filmed our first show on September 11, 2001. The filming took all morning. The film crew and I were glued to the TV watching the World Trade Centers burn and the other awful events of that day. I was trying to call a friend of mine who worked in one of the towers. It was a very

hard day to film. I still have the tape of that show. The stress was on all of our faces. I wish I had another date to call my first day on the job for the TV show.

What do you like most about your career? I love the day to day interaction with the public. Selling someone’s home ranks in the top 5 most stressful events in someone’s life. It is an honor to make that event go smoothly. If you had a “do over,” what would you change? Nothing! I am pleased. I have an amazing family which includes a 20 year old daughter. I am a happy person. I do things correctly the first time. I try not to make many mistakes. When I do, I learn from them. My goal is to offer incredible real estate services. I meet my goal 99% of the time. How do you juggle a successful home life while running a business? I time block, time manage, and categorize my life. Every business and personal appointment goes on the same paper calendar which I keep with me 24 hours a day. What are your other interests? When I leave work, I always go to the gym. Physical health is important to mental health. I am also a parent. Do parents get any other hobbies? I am also deeply involved with my 2 nonprofit interests, health care and animal rescue. I serve as Chair of the board for Catawba Care and do various things for animals throughout the year. Also, I designed a candle for people selling their houses. It is being marketed across the nation. What’s your advise for agents or entrepreneurs looking for success? First, find the most successful agent in your office and follow them around. They are doing something right. Second, look your best. I dress up for church and work. It’s how my parents raised me. Next, hire good people, train them and then let them do their jobs. Hold employees accountable and reward them verbally and financially for their hard work. Lastly, love people, not things because people will love you back. For more on Stephen Cooley go to stephencooley.com. Special thanks to Hair and Makup Artist Sara Egri. Contact Sara at saraegri.com.

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“ranks in

Selling someone’s home the

most top 5 stressfull events in someone’s life. It is an

honor to make that event go 30

smoothly.”

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When I leave work, I always go to the gym. Physical health is important to mental health. I am also a parent. Do parents get any other hobbies? fortmillmagazine.com

ClaytonB Photography Fashion i Beauty i Wedding i Portrait

www.ClaytonBPhotography.com Facebook.com/ClaytonBPhotog

Wishing You A

Debt Free

Christmas Text by Michelle Black

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“

Break free of the cycle of overspending and avoid setting your family up for unnecessary debt and financial stress.

Year after year, Americans fall into the trap of overspending at Christmas. Using credit cards to charge gifts and meals and trips to see loved ones is common place. In fact, the average person spends nearly $1,200 on these pleasures during the holiday. As we all know, Christmas debt and overspending can have very serious effects when January shows up. The good news is that if you will approach December with a solid plan in place, you can break free of the cycle of overspending and avoid setting your family up for unnecessary debt and financial stress. You can still have wonderful, warm memories and show appreciation to the ones you love without breaking the bank. Here are some practical tips to help you enjoy a debt-free Christmas:

1. Plan your budget before you buy anything.

Figure out how much extra you can really afford to set aside for Christmas spending. If the answer is $500, then determine ahead of time not to go over budget for any reason. Once you know your exact budget, you should make a list of everyone for whom you wish to buy a gift. Then, divide the total among the list (i.e. wife $150, child $125, parents $80, in-laws $80, nephew $20, siblings and friends $45). Armed with these figures in mind, you can plan your gift buying accordingly.

2. Stretch your Christmas budget with nontraditional gift ideas.

In the example above, you will notice that I listed a budget of only $45 for the siblings and friends category. While it may seem challenging to buy gifts with such a limited budget, it is completely possible with a little imagination. Christmas cookies or other treats made with love are a wonderful option. If (like myself) you are not a great cook, then perhaps a different handmade gift would be a better choice. A few years ago, I made a family photo slideshow, added some music, and burned copies to DVD for the whole family. The DVDs only cost me a few hours and about $2 each to make. Plus, they were a bigger hit than

”

many of the expensive gifts given that year. Photo albums, scrapbooks, framed pictures, custom woodwork, quilts, and many other DIY (doit-yourself) projects make truly wonderful and inexpensive gifts. If you are short on ideas, then check Pinterest for an unending supply of delicious Christmas recipes and other great DIY ideas for gift giving.

3. Volunteer together with your loved ones.

Social pressure to buy big ticket items is huge during this time of year. You may begin with the best of intentions to stick to your Christmas budget. As the month goes on, however, you may begin to feel a little blue that you cannot afford to purchase that new gaming system or expensive piece of jewelry for your loved one. There is no better way to remind yourself and your family about the true meaning of Christmas than through volunteering. Help to package shoebox gifts to be sent to third world countries with Samaritan’s Purse (SamaritansPurse.org/OCC) or volunteer at the Fort Mill Care Center (fortmillcarecenter.org). There is nothing like giving your time to others to help put your priorities back in order. I guarantee that if you set a budget, stick to it, look for ways to make memories with your loved ones, and focus on giving to others this Christmas season, then you will make the holiday immensely more enjoyable for yourself and your family. Furthermore, you can give your family the gift of starting 2013 off on the right foot, without the stress and regret of Christmas overspending hanging around your necks.

Michelle Black As a HOPE4USA.com credit expert and seminar speaker with 10+ years of credit industry experience, Michelle’s articles discuss credit issues important to today’s consumer. Contact her at 803-548-5548 or at michelle@hope4usa.com.

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12 daysof Christmas

Advising Text by Matt Griffin

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Your true love may be sending you a partridge in a pear tree this holiday season, but this financial advisor is instead writing you a list of 12 things that every investor should have. “On the first day of Christmas, my advisor said to me: have an emergency fund.” Professionals can argue back and forth about whether we prefer 6 months or 12 months of living expenses, but we all agree that you need to have this slush fund. It does not necessarily have to be in a bank, but it should offer daily liquidity, be very safe, and pay a decent interest rate. Having this kind of account prevents investors from having to sell investments to cover life’s expenses. Now that I mention selling investments…. “On the second day of Christmas, my advisor said to me: keep a budget.” Nobody likes budgeting every penny each month, but without a budget, people often end up living above their means. This leads to having to tap into their investments at inopportune times, which fouls up their entire financial plan. Speaking of financial plans…. “On the third day of Christmas, my advisor said to me: have a written financial plan.” If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Each person should set specific goals about retirement, education planning, etc., and then hire a trusted advisor to create a written financial plan. This acts as both a road map to get the investor to where he wants to go, and as a quasicontract to keep the investor calm during market downturns. Stick to the plan. “On the fourth day of Christmas, my advisor said to me: have an asset allocation.” We all know not to put all of your eggs in one basket, but how many baskets? Four? Ten? Every investor should have an asset allocation that is specifically designed to pursue their individual goals according to their risk tolerance. * “On the fifth day of Christmas, my advisor said to me: buy adequate insurance.” Many people have enough life insurance coverage, probably due to the quality salesmanship displayed by most insurance brokers. However, insurance is all about managing risk, and in order to do that, investors need to have disability insurance, umbrella policies, etc. You have worked too hard for your money, so protect it accordingly. “On the sixth day of Christmas, my advisor said to me: hire a CPA.” Although you can save money by preparing your own taxes, I believe in hiring a professional to take care of your 1040. They will likely find things (read: loopholes) that you will not see, and in the rare event that you get audited, the CPA will act as your defense attorney while meeting with the IRS. You do not want to be sitting at that table alone. “On the seventh day of Christmas, my advisor said to me: prepare a last will and testament.” If you do not specify who gets the money, a court will. The larger the estate, the more advanced the planning needs to be to maximize the amount of money your heirs will receive. However, I believe that everyone needs the “big 4” documents: last will and testament, power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, and living will. Ask your financial advisor to refer you to an attorney if you do not already have one.

“On the eighth day of Christmas, my advisor said to me name your beneficiaries.” All retirement accounts should have primary and contingent beneficiaries named. Do not name your estate. Do not name a trust. Name individual people and specify the percentages. This allows them more flexibility upon your death and also helps the asset avoid probate court. This is easier to manage if the accounts are in one location. Such as…. “On the ninth day of Christmas, my advisor said to me consolidate your accounts.” There is no need to have random pools of money sprinkled all over creation. You can avoid maintenance fees, and become a larger fish to your advisor by choosing one person and giving them all the business. This DOES NOT mean you are not diversified, just as having 23 accounts at 18 different institutions doesn’t mean you ARE diversified. Rollover those old 401(k)s. Simplify. The fewer professionals you have working for you, the more fee clarity you get, which transitions into…. “On the tenth day of Christmas, my advisor said to me: know what fees you’re paying.” Many fees in the investment world are hidden inside the investment vehicle itself, and I would read the prospectus before buying any product. Furthermore, ask the broker what commission he/she will earn if you buy the product they recommend. It is your right to know this information, and if they balk, walk away. Also, there are sometimes annoying maintenance fees for IRAs that can be avoided by consolidating your accounts. “On the eleventh day of Christmas, my advisor said to me: have a home equity line of credit.” Interest rates are at historic lows. Interest on a HELOC is tax deductible. I recommend that every family maintains a home equity line of credit. It may never get used, but in an emergency, can provide a lifeline. “On the twelfth day of Christmas, my advisor said to me: give money to a charity.” I feel as though wealthy people are blessed so that they can be a blessing to someone else. Many times, gifting money is more rewarding for the person that gives than for those who receive. It warms the heart, and also provides a valuable tax benefit. Be a blessing this Christmas season.

*Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss Disclosure: Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. Not NCUA Insured

No Credit Union Guarantee

May Lose Value

Matt Griffin Matt is the financial consultant for Family Trust Investment Services. Follow Matt on Twitter (WallStSteward) and on Facebook (WallStreetSteward). You can also get more investing tips by going to Matt’s blog wallstreetsteward.com

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Holiday in the Apple Big Text by Anita Sayago Photos by Darlene Cunnup

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travel

Center, Wollman Rink would be a great choice and it is much larger and a little easier on the pocketbook. For the people watchers out there, you can enjoy some steamy hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream while the skaters whiz by and if you’re really lucky you just might get to hang out with Kelly Ripa and her family. Yes, it had to be one of the highlights of my life. For the hopeless romantics, enjoy a ride on a horse drawn carriage in the crisp winter air or take a stroll on one of the parks many paths. Rest assured, whatever you do here will not be easily forgotten and will be full of the sights and smells that make NYC so special.

The holiday season is well under way as New Yorkers enjoy all the wonderful things their great city has to offer. By now, the island has been transformed into a veritable wonderland of breathtaking window displays, tree lightings and spectacular shows. Just as a wide-eyed child sorts through all the sights and smells of a Wonka inspired candy shop, so should visitors staying in NYC during this holiday season. It is truly a feast for all the senses and to be enjoyed by all. Rockefeller Center, located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan is one of my favorite destinations in NYC. To give you an idea of its scope, it sits atop 22 acres, between 48th and 51st street and spans the area between 5th and 6th avenue which includes 19 commercial buildings. Rockefeller Center is the home to NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall, Top of the Rock Observation Deck and an unimaginable amount of specialty shops and restaurants. If you have never had the pleasure of gliding amongst figure skaters and amateurs alike in the most magical of places, then Rockefeller Center’s beautiful skating rink needs to be at the top of your list. While the flags of the world flutter majestically in the wind above you and the prized Christmas tree stands tall, you can’t help but smell the scent of roasting chestnuts wafting through the air. This will surely get your taste buds jumping, but rest assured there is plenty of delicious fare in and around Rockefeller Center, not to mention the shopping. From holiday markets to luxurious department stores like the highly acclaimed, Saks Fifth Avenue, there is no rest for the weary as shoppers are hard pressed to find something for everyone on their list.

Whether you are a child or just young at heart, nothing will put you in the holiday spirit like a trip to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular located in nearby Radio City Music Hall. Radio City is the world’s largest indoor theatre. At night, its marquee that runs a full city block illuminates 5th Avenue. This holiday musical features the women’s precision dance team better known as the Rockettes and will truly be one of the highlights of your trip. A great complement to this spectacle would be a visit to FAO Schwartz, the oldest toy store in the US and home to the floor piano portrayed in the classic movie, Big. Don’t be surprised if you are greeted by a life size toy soldier or a Marvel super hero, and be sure to visit the cupcake bar and candy shop.

As a young girl, some of my most indelible moments were spent in NYC and there really is nothing like it. So, while it may sound cliché to some, when it comes to the city that never sleeps, there truly is no time like the present. So put on your best walking shoes, use public transportation, avoid most of the spots mentioned on weekends, and you are sure to have a blast.

Anita Sayago A native New Yorker, Anita graduated from Baruch College in Manhattan with a Bachelor in Business Administration. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four sons.

If Santa is someone you’d like to visit while in town, Macy’s spares no expense to make your time with him most memorable. The elaborate Santaland is spectacular. You’ll not only see Santa, but a whole North Pole village, elves, an enchanted forest with animatronic toys and a train display. After you’ve said “hello” to the man in the red suit, for a few extra dollars you can see a puppet show modeled after the famous film, Miracle on 34th Street. If you’ve never been to Macy’s during Christmas, run, do not walk. It is so surreal, only a visit will do it justice. Another spot near and dear to my heart is Central Park. It rests less than a mile and a half from Rockefeller Center and is the largest park in NYC. This beautiful park boasts lakes, ponds, playgrounds, an open-air theatre and my personal favorite, Trump’s Wollman Ice Skating Rink. If you are looking for skating that exudes the same feel as Rockefeller

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The

Holy Land Text by Linda Murfin Photos by Don Murfin

Just saying the words “the Holy Land” seems to elicit a similar response from just about everyone you meet. For the past year whenever we mentioned we were going there (and now that we have returned and mention that) almost everyone has said, “Oh, that’s definitely got a place on my bucket list. Was it wonderful?” And the answer is yes, it was! Planning for our two week journey began over a year ago with my selecting the itinerary and fine tuning it, then gathering people to make up the group. We ended up with thirtyone people, which is a very manageable number. According to Charles Ford of Lake Wylie, our local teacher/host, “any more than that and you start having breakdowns into smaller groups or cliques. Thirty to thirty five is perfect.” He was right. The rough outline of our trip would provide an overnight departure on the eleven hour flight from the United States to Tel Aviv, spending a night there, then heading on to Tiberias for two nights and Jerusalem for six. At that point, those that chose to extend their trip to

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Jordan would go on to Amman and the others would return to the US. (More about that later.) When the final itinerary arrived, it looked overwhelming. How could we see that many sites each day? Israel is only the size of the state of New Jersey, but there are five different climates throughout the country and we would be visiting most every one of them during our stay. Tel Aviv airport is a huge, modern facility where we found our way to our baggage and fabulous tour guide, Wisam, quite easily. From there, we were whisked away on our luxurious Mercedes tour bus. After spending so long on the fully-booked plane, the first stop at Jaffa, where we could stretch our legs and walk around, was quite welcome. Jaffa (Joppa) is just outside of Tel Aviv and is famous throughout the Bible with references to the city by Solomon and Peter as well as the starting point for Jonah’s journey to Tarshish during which he was swallowed by a whale.

Today’s Jaffa is a lovely city with streets and buildings of ancient stone and a very inviting artists’ quarter with its quaint streets and workshops. It’s a good thing we didn’t have long there. I could have put a real dent in my pocketbook on that first evening. The luxurious Dan Panorama hotel in Tel Aviv was home for the night. After a great buffet dinner with every sort of fresh vegetable and fruit imaginable, we retired to the pool terrace overlooking the Mediterranean for a moonlight devotion and time to give thanks that we were in this historic land and arrived without incident. Bright and early the next day, we boarded the bus and headed out of the modern metropolis of Tel Aviv for Caesarea, the restored crusader city on the Mediterranean which was built by Herod in 20 BC. The ancient Roman theater there has been cleared and renovated and hosts summer concerts and performances. The elaborate system of ancient aqueducts bringing fresh water from the Carmel mountain range to the city for their baths, fountains, and

irrigation was in large part responsible for the success of Caesarea. For 600 years, it was the capital of the Roman province of Judea and the official residence of its governors, including Pontus Pilate. Next, our bus sped across the fertile valley where we saw numerous banana plantations and fruit and vegetable farms - the source of those great treats at dinner the previous night. It climbed the hill to Mount Carmel lookout on the route to Haifa, Israel’s largest port. In Haifa, we visited the Baha’i Gardens surrounding the Baha’i Temple and walked a bit through the German Village with its quaint restaurants and shops. The up and down streets were reminiscent of an old San Francisco. Our driver, Asad, amazed us with the way he maneuvered that 50 passenger bus through the narrow, winding curves. Soon we were at our next destination of Acre (Akko) where we wound our way on foot through the street markets to a local cafe serving shishkebab, falafel, and schawarma, a sandwich made of shaved turkey carved from a vertical spit and served on a pita. Acre, a sea port from ancient times, dates back 4000 years to the Egyptians. It lay on the Via Maris and had connections with the cross-country highway to the east and the Way of the Patriarchs linking Egypt to the empires of the north. Throughout history, Acre had various rulers including Alexander the Great who renamed it Ptolemais. Under the Romans, it became an army headquarters and assaults on the Jewish strongholds of the Galilee were launched from here. Later in the sixth century, Muslims took the city and changed the name back to Akko. Then in the 11th century, it fell to the Crusaders and became their capital. What is seen today, is the wonderfully preserved, now underground complex of knights’ halls with vaulted ceilings and stone

floors. They were used as living quarters, dining halls, and for ceremonial uses. The largest knights’ hall is used today for concerts. The old city is best known now for its fishing boat harbor, its souk (market), and it’s narrow, picturesque streets. The end of a long first day found us heading to Tiberias and the hotel we would call home for the next two nights. Tiberias is on the southwestern shore of the Lake of Galilee, as it is called today, and is the capital of the Lower Galilee region. The lake is 13 miles long by 8 miles wide at the widest and it’s deepest point is 120’. It sits at 700 feet below sea level. The lake is fed by three springs from the north. At the southern end of the lake are a number of mineral springs which, along with its temperate climate, make it one of the most popular vacation spots in Israel for locals and foreigners alike. In fact, our hotel had its own swimming complex and spa fed by one of the hot springs. What a lovely thing it was to soak in the mineral-rich waters after those long days of sightseeing. From the south end of Galilee flows the Jordan River, known as the “river of life”. Tiberias was built by Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great around 20 AD. So very many biblical events took place in Tiberias that it became one of the four holy cities of Palestine, along with Jerusalem, Hebron, and Safed. According to scripture, Jesus spent much of His time here in the mountains on the north side of the lake. The visitor sites there include the Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, and the Primacy of St. Peter. The Church of the Beatitudes was built in 1936 on the mount presumed to be where Jesus spoke the eight beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-10. Most holy sites are modern erections on a holy place that has been determined to be likely where biblical events took place. The Mount of Beatitudes, as well as many other holy sites, is in an area where ancient caravans would pass through because of the availability of fresh water from the springs and abundant fish from the lake. That is why this area

is also believed to be where the 5,000 were fed with five loaves and three fishes at Tabgha. Traders would bring supplies to the main trade routes to sell to the people in the caravans, which could easily number 5,000. What is now modern-day Israel was the main route to get from Macedonia to Egypt and was very heavily traveled. There would be no other logical reason for that many people to be in this area at one time. Jesus took advantage of the opportunity to preach to these thousands while they were passing through which made this place one of the most significant for adding His followers. Of course the Sea of Galilee was the site of both the story of the fishermen casting their nets to find plentiful fish where there had been none and that of Jesus walking on the water during the storm. Not wanting to miss out on opportunity, modern day businesses have capitalized on their location on the north side of the lake. Probably the group’s favorite lunch stop was at St. Peter’s Restaurant where we were served, what else but, St. Peter’s fish. Nearby Capernaum, a wealthy Jewish town in Roman times, is the site of a 4th century synagogue. The elaborate columns and pillars show that it was a pretty fancy place. It was here that Jesus met his first disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew. All of them were fisherman who worked out on the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum was the site of many of Jesus’ miracles. It was destroyed by the Arabs in the sixth century. The Franciscans obtained the unexcavated site in the late 1800’s, but it wasn’t until the 1960’s and 1970’s that restoration began. In addition to the synagogue are groups of houses, one of which belonged to Peter where Jesus stayed when in town. The rest of the afternoon consisted of visits to Mount Hermon, Caesarea Phillipi, Banias,

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and the Golan Heights, where we looked out across the Syrian border at the point where recent mortar shells have been exchanged.

silver, and bronze jewelry, wrapped in fabric and hidden in a vessel at Megiddo. How exciting it must be to have a find like that.

Leaving Tiberias the following morning, we had a stop at the Jordan River site where numerous groups were being baptized in those same waters that were used for that purpose some 2000 years ago.

From this 7,000-year-old civilization, we headed to Nazareth which is not mentioned in the bible until the New Testament gospels. Here we visited the Church of the Annunciation, built in 1965 and the largest church in the middle east today. Mary’s house was located here and it is likely that this is where the angel would have come to tell Mary that she would be having a child, a very special child.

Bet She’an, another former stop on the caravan route, was the largest of the ten cities of the decapolis, a group of ten cities on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire. It was known then as Scythopolis. Bet She’an is where the Israelis fought the Philistines in the bible and is where King Saul and his family were killed and their bodies hung on the wall of the city for all to see. A stop that I was really looking forward to was Megiddo, also called Armageddon in Revelation. According to The Megiddo Expedition Megiddo.tau.ac.il, “Megiddo is the jewel in the crown of biblical archaeology. Strategically perched above the most important land route in the ancient Near East, the city dominated international traffic for over 6,000 years — from ca. 7,000 B.C.E. through to biblical times. As civilizations came and went, succeeding settlements at ancient Megiddo were built on the ruins of their predecessors, creating a multi-layered archaeological legacy that abounds in unparalleled treasures that include monumental temples, lavish palaces, mighty fortifications, and remarkably engineered water systems.”

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The lower floor of the church is built around and over the house of Mary. The upper floor is very modern and has paintings and sculptures from each of the countries that contributed to the building of the church. The one from the USA is a very modern metallic relief piece that everyone either loved or hated.

Jerusalem like Jericho, the Dead Sea, and Bethlehem. We spent six nights in Jerusalem and spent all day every day touring them. I had done my homework prior to the trip, but I was still a little overwhelmed. Thankfully, our guide Wisam was so knowledgeable in history, religion, art, and geography that he helped it all make sense. Seeing the walls of the Old City for the first time was nothing short of breathtaking. As we toured and walked on streets built by the Romans and walked upon by Jesus and the early Christians, it was hard to take in all that has taken place there over the centuries since Solomon built the first temple at the City of David 4,000 years ago. It wasn’t until 1947 that a man by the name of Robinson hired people to excavate at the walls and the true height of them could be realized. We were able to visit the southern wall and the western “wailing wall” leading to the Temple Mount before night began to fall. As it did, we finished our initial tour of Jerusalem and the golden glow of the lights upon the western wall made it even more appealing. I could hardly wait for our next visit, so we could explore even further.

Over 25 civilizations have built on this hill, one over the top of the other.

I was not disappointed. Over 25 civilizations have built on this hill, one over top of the other. Another caravan route stop, rulers here could sit on the top of the tel, or hill, and see for miles if anyone was passing through their land so they could then collect “tolls” for that privilege. The last civilization to live here was in the 4th century BC. In the 9th-10th century BC an elaborate spring system was built so the city could still have water while under attack. One of our tour mates said that this spring was the one described in James A. Michener’s book, The Source. As recently as this past September, archaeologists have found a collection of gold,

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Leaving Nazareth on our way to Jerusalem, we stopped for a short look at the Cliff of Nazareth from where Jesus’ accusers wanted to push him to his death. Jerusalem has so many sites within short proximity that it makes a good home base from which to operate. It is the capital of Israel and is so diverse it is hard to wrap your arms around it at times. It is the home of the world’s three major religions: Islam, Judaism, and Christian. Old Jerusalem is a citywithin-a-city and there are Jewish, Armenian, Muslim, and Christian quarters within it. Just about any tour book or map that you pick up will have a completely separate section on Jerusalem. While there on tour, you will likely visit the Mount of Olives, the City of David, the Citadel, the Temple Mount, the via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Garden Tomb, along with other sites just outside of

”

Before that next visit came an outing to the Jericho, Bethlehem, and the Wilderness. As much as it is mentioned in the bible, I had no clear picture in my mind of what the wilderness looked like. It is extremely vast and very quiet and peaceful, which makes it a great place for meditation. It is very dry, much like the southwest US, but there are splotches of green vegetation wherever there is a spring. One stunning sight is the St. George monastery which has been built into the wall of a canyon laced with caves. Beside it, hundreds of feet below, is the ancient Jericho road. We wandered for a while and were soon encountered by modern day bedouins selling head scarves and camel bone necklaces. Jericho is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world dating back over 10,000 years. It is also the lowest place on earth at 1300’ below sea level. Its early settlement was likely due to the moderate climate with no extremes of heat or cold and the nearby Elisha spring which provided water. It is situated on the west bank of the Jordan and is under

Palestinian authority, so we had to go through a cursory check point to get there. The main industry in Jericho today is farming. It is known as the “fruit basket” of the area. Not much is discussed in Jericho about what always comes to my mind at its mention; Joshua and his priests encircling the city in about 3000 BC and toppling the walls around it by blasting their trumpets. There is little evidence of the wall’s existence, so it would be conjecture to point out where this occurred. Bethlehem is also under Palestinian authority, so there were check points here, too. According to our guide Wisam, the Israelis say this is for security while the Palestinians call it politics. Wisam, a Palestinian Christian, is also a master woodcarver as was his father and grandfather. We were fortunate to have him take us to a small church in Bethlehem which had altars intricately carved from stone by his grandfather. Along the way, we encountered a group of bus drivers blocking the street to protest for not being

paid by their employer for the past 11 months. As we made our way to the Church of the Nativity, we passed by a mosque where you could hear many loud chants and wails. What a contrast when the clock struck noon and the lovely bells of the church began to chime. The church is the oldest in the world in continuous use. It was built by Helena in 325AD, damaged in 529 and rebuilt in 536 and has been in continuous use ever since. Today there is a tiny entrance that any normal size adult must stoop down to pass through. Originally there was an enormous gate, but the Crusaders altered it to the 3’ one to keep horsemen out. The Muslims have never destroyed the Church of Nativity because they know that Jesus was a prophet born of a virgin and they respect that sanctity. Today four religions worship here; Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian, and Assyrian, so Christmas is celebrated on three different dates. A recent find in the church was a

part of the original mosaic floor. The entire church is built overtop a series of caves which were rediscovered in the 16th century. It is thought that this cave like manger is where Joseph and Mary headed for Jesus’ birth when there was no room at the inn. Curved steps descend into the grotto and a silver star commemorates the spot of His birth. Just outside of Bethlehem is the Shepherds’ Field, Wisam’s home. Shepherds still put their sheep to pasture and take shelter here much as they did in Jesus’ time when they heard the good tidings of His birth and were told to “go adore him” (Luke 2). By late afternoon, we returned to Jerusalem to do the walk of the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It was a Friday which is when the Jewish sabbath or Shabbat begins, so many of the shops within the old city were closed. Even so, the streets were crowded with people from all around the world. We made our way through, ending up at the church just as it was about to close for a

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special service. There were literally thousands of people trying to get in and probably just as many trying to get out. It is believed by many that the church lies on the Hill of Golgotha where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. It lies within the Christian quarter of the old city and is used by Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian worshippers, however, according to Wisam, the key to the church is held by a Muslim family because the other denominations are always fighting with one another about control of the church. Our visit was short and shallow. Even the eleven-year-old who was with her parents and grandparents in our group said it didn’t seem like a very holy place. When we visited the Garden Tomb located a few blocks away, outside the Old City, a few days later, it was a much different experience. There, on a property bought by a British group in 1894 to use as a place of worship, you can see a skull appearance in the side of the hill and you can walk into the type of tomb where Jesus would have been buried. Admission is free and there are lovely gardens with plenty of benches to sit and meditate and pray. The well-trained and amiable guides are clear to point out that they are not saying “this is the spot, Folks,” but that many facts point to the possibility of this being the real place of the crucifixion. Some of these facts are that there was a garden on this spot in Jesus’ time, the tomb is very close to the crucifixion spot, the place was described as being outside the city walls as this is and it was described as being close to a major road, which this is. I don’t know more than anyone else which is the true spot but I, along with most everyone in our group, somehow found a much more real experience at the Garden Tomb. The Mount of Olives is Jerusalem’s holiest mountain and is where Jesus often came to pray and to teach His disciples. It is also the highest mountain in Jerusalem and provides a beautiful panorama of the city. Ironically, the Chapel of Ascension is a Muslim site. It was built by the crusaders, but was later taken over by the Muslims. They believe that Jesus ascended to heaven, but not that He was crucified. Inside the Chapel is a stone which is believed to be the one where Jesus stepped as He ascended. On the slopes of the Mount of Olives, in the Garden of Gethsemane is where Jesus was taken captive. Also, Jewish legend tells that the Messiah will enter the Temple Courts through

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the now blocked Golden Gate opposite the mount. For this reason, devout Jews have chosen to be buried here so that they can be among the first to follow Messiah on the Day of Redemption. Gethsemane means “olive press” in Hebrew. In the garden are olive trees that are over 2,000 years old. Our last official tour site in Jerusalem was the Citadel, one of Jerusalem’s oldest and most prominent landmarks, and David’s tower. This beautiful palace was yet another built by Herod, in 24 BC. To protect it, he built three large towers and a series of connecting ramparts. For a small admission fee, you can climb to the top of the ramparts and walk upon them today. There is also a self-guided tour through the Citadel which gives a very good picture of its history. Our excursion to Qumran, Masada, and the Dead Sea took us through the wilderness again and then along the western shore of the Dead Sea. When we arrived at Masada we quickly ascended to the 1300’ peak via cable car. Masada, meaning “fortress” is where the Jews made their last stand against the Romans in 73AD. The massive structure consisting of fortifications, palaces, and storehouses built over a Hasmonean fortress to protect Herod in case of war. He died before ever getting to see it. After the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in 70 AD, a group of 960 Jewish zealots barricaded themselves inside of Masada for three years. Determined not to be taken as slaves to the Romans, they staged a mass murder/suicide when their capture was eminent. When the Romans eventually entered the city, all they found were corpses of the men, women, and children who had lived there. On summer evenings the tragedy is reenacted in a sound and light show which tells the epic of Masada. Ruins of a Byzantine church built in the sixth century as well as the elaborate bath houses, swimming pool, synagogue, and storehouses of Herod’s structure can be seen at Masada. Qumran is the now famous site where two shepherd boys found seven earthenware vessels in 1947 containing priceless biblical manuscripts now referred to as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Some of these scrolls contain the oldest existing old testament texts. Parts from all of the old testament books except for Esther were found along with some books of the Apocrypha. This showed the world that these texts have not basically changed in two thousand years.

Armed with swimsuits and towels, we all headed for a swim in the Dead Sea, so named because there is nothing that can live in it due to its intense salt content. The oily feeling of the water comes from the high percentage of solids contents such as magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium chlorides, and magnesium bromide. The percentage of salts in the Dead Sea is over ten times what is found in ocean water. When you hear that anyone can float in the Dead Sea you may think, “yeah, so what?” I think a better statement is “no one can sink in the Dead Sea.” There is a lot of muck and mud as you enter the water, so much so that one wrong step can put you thigh deep into it. Even though we were warned not to get the water into our mouths, I had one little slip where I accidentally got it on my face and could taste it. Yuck! Salty is not the word to describe it at all. It is more like a bitter petroleum taste. You definitely want to have a good shower after a swim here. There is no outlet for the Dead Sea and the valley surrounding it gets so hot that 1 to 3 million liters of water evaporate from it every day. This helps concentrate the salt even more and is also causing it to shrink dramatically. At this point in our trip, those that purchased the basic plan were ready to head back to the US while those who had purchased the extension would go on to Jordan for three days to stay in Amman and visit Petra, Mount Nebo, and the mosaics at Madaba, among other sites. As it turned out, Hurricane Sandy made other plans and the ones on the basic trip had their flight back to Newark cancelled. Even with representatives from the tour company on site in the hotel and working along with the US office, the 10 that should have gotten home three days prior to the rest didn’t get back until after the others. Fortunately, all had purchased cancellation insurance and were able to stay on at the same hotel with most all of their expenses covered.

Linda Murfin A regular contributor for Fort Mill Magazine, Linda loves to document her travels and is owner of Above the Crowds Travel. To book your next adventure, contact her at 803-835-0585 or linda@abovethecrowds.com

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Heatlh

The New Year’s Resolution

Solution L Text by Bree Ziegler

Lose weight. Eat healthy foods. Hit the gym. Kick the smoking habit. If you’re like many people, you have made these or similar pledges to yourself year after year. As the New Year quickly approaches, we are given another opportunity to vow to ourselves to start fresh. Yet, statistics show the success rates aren’t very promising. According to University of Scranton psychologist John Norcross, 64% of people maintain their New Year’s resolutions through the end of January and only 8% of people are successful with their resolutions at the end of the year. These disappointing success rates are rarely because of weakness, failure, and lack of willpower. It is simply because the right steps are not taken to set the stage for success. When the right pieces are in place, success becomes inevitable, and changing to new habits becomes as easy as brushing your teeth in the morning. New behaviors become second nature and the challenge of resolutions melts away.

“

is to consider the five senses: look, taste, touch, sight, and smell. For each sense, think of a positive experience that you have every day. If you love the smell of your coffee or tea in the morning, use that for your “smell” anchor. Each time that you smell coffee, check in with your motivating factor and mentally or verbally remind yourself why you are dedicated to making choices that support your success. After only a few days, the anchors become habit and your new choices will soon follow.

Setting the stage for success begins by getting clear on your big motivating factor.

Setting the stage for success begins by getting clear on your big motivating factor. This is the “why” of your resolution. Setting a goal to lose twenty pounds or quit smoking sounds great; however, when the journey gets tough, you will slip back into your old ways easily without knowing why you want to reach your goal. If you reached your goal, what would you be able to do that you can’t do now? As you consider your resolutions, get crystal clear on why you desire that result. Write down what you want, why you want it, and what it will look like when you have it. Visualize how your end result will benefit others that you care about or people in need. The second step to being inevitably successful is to anchor your motivating factor into your daily life. A very effective way to anchor

Finally, the most valuable key to inevitable success is having the right support. The truth is lasting change is hard when you try to go alone. There will be a time when you want to slide back into your old destructive habits and you will tell yourself whatever you need to hear to justify those actions. Share your plan with someone who you know will help keep you on track and ask for help when needed. The most successful people believe that they can do anything, but know that they can’t do it alone.

”

Bree Ziegler Bree Ziegler RN, BCHC is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Weight Loss Specialist and Registered Nurse. To learn more about personalized coaching or group programs, visit vitalityhealthcoach.com or contact Bree at 803-727-7607.

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Greeting Grandma Text by Carol Howell

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“Hi Grandma. Merry Christmas!” Grandma doesn’t seem to respond to the greeting. She sees, but doesn’t recognize. She doesn’t smile in return. Grandma has Alzheimer’s and the disease has robbed her of the memory of her grandchildren. This scene is played in homes every year during the Christmas season. A few tips for making the season more enjoyable are in order. When greeting a loved one with dementia, avoid saying, “Grandma, it’s Donna. Do you remember me?” That puts Grandma in a position to feel less intelligent than she is. It also confuses her. In actuality, she probably doesn’t remember. Therefore, it is important to make her feel comfortable, instead of inferior. Try saying, “Hi Susan, it’s Donna. I’m so glad to see you. I wanted to celebrate Christmas with you.” If Grandma’s dementia has progressed to the point she doesn’t recognize you, using her given name is more comfortable for her than calling her “grandma.” Enter Grandma’s life in the time and space in which she is living. It may be 2012 to you, but Grandma may be living in 1939. Go to that world with her. If she chooses to talk about her high school classmates, then join the conversation. Use your imagination to allow yourself the opportunity to connect with Grandma. Always adjust the event to accommodate the abilities of the individual with dementia. Remember, they become tired easily. Allow a quiet

place for them to withdraw and relax. Don’t expect their energy level to keep pace with everyone else. Their body is burning calories at a massive rate because of their disease, and they become tired easily. Be sensitive to their need for rest. Always approach your loved one from the front. Never come from behind. As the dementia progresses, peripheral vision decreases dramatically. Approaching from the front will allow them to see you. Extend your hand before coming very close. If they accept your hand and pull you toward them, accept that as an invitation to come closer. If they accept your hand, but do not initiate the little tug on your hand, keep yourself at a respectful distance. In the later stages, it is possible they will not respond to your hand at all. Be aware of how they respond. Do not force yourself on them. Be aware of a these tips to make your approach optimal and you’ll be off to a great start for a meaningful holiday with your loved one.

Carol Howell Carol Howell is a Certified Dementia Specialist who offers Music Therapy and Public Speaking seminars. To learn more, go to seniorlifejourneys.com

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Providence Chiropractic

two systems communicate primarily via neuromodulators (chemical messengers of the nervous system) and immunomodulators (chemical messengers of immune cells). Additionally, anatomists have observed that millions of nerve fibers have direct contact with lymphocytes in the spleen and thymus gland, stimulating the production and programming of immune cells. It has been discovered that the peripheral nervous system also connects directly with red bone marrow; regulating the increased production of white blood cells. So what could cause our nervous system, and therefore our immune system, to not function as well as the systems of our superhuman, never-sick friend? One word: “disconnection.”

The signs of winter are here. Hot chocolate, ginger bread and pumpkin pie are the symbols of the season. Unfortunately, so are lozenges, tissues, and dehumidifiers. Despite the spirit of goodwill and brotherly love, nothing isolates you faster from your friends and loved ones than a nose beginning to drip. No one likes being sick, and most have too much on our shoulders to risk a “sick-day.” Of course, there is always that one person in every group who never seems to get sick. You know, the one that could stand in the midst of biological terrorist attack and never even sniffle. What makes his/her immune system stronger than the average person? After all, doesn’t that person send his/her kids to the same daycare? Live in the same neighborhood? Work in the same office? What is their secret? The truth is, their superhuman health may not be due to the immune system alone, but another system that controls and modulates the immune system: the central nervous system. In science class, we learned that our central nervous system, composed of the brain and spinal cord, is what controls every cell, tissue, organ and function in our body; yes, this includes our immune system. The

When a vertebrae (spinal bone) moves from its proper alignment and puts abnormal tension on the spinal nerves, this is called a Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC). The VSC interferes with a nervous system’s ability to properly send and receive information. In other words, if your brain is unable to send the messages to coordinate the multitude of chemical modulators and immune cell production, your immune system will not be able to handle the challenging demands of the winter season. How can you tell if you have a VSC? Seek the advice of a professional who specializes in detecting and removing nerve interference: a chiropractor. Specializing in motion x-ray and other advanced technologies, we deliver specific, scientific chiropractic care to our community. To find out more about how we can serve your health needs, call our office at 803-835-0444, or visit our website at providence-chiropractic.com. Our office is located at 3071 HWY 21 in Fort Mill.

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Gold Hill

family & cosmetic dentistry

At Gold Hill Dentistry, we are committed to providing the Fort Mill area with the highest standard of dental care. We strive to optimize the patient experience, not only by offering state-of-the-art equipment and a friendly, highly trained staff, but also by creating a calming, upscale environment. From our plush waiting area to our patient-room entertainment, we deliver a relaxing and comfortable experience from the moment you step through our doors. In doing so, we aim to promote the well-being of not just your mouth, but the mind and body as well. Led by Dr. Kavi Sagunarthy, DDS, the entire team at Gold Hill Dentistry is involved in guiding patients through their treatment, advising them on a personalized plan that is most appropriate for their dental needs. Dr. Sagunarthy places a strong emphasis on continuing education for all staff members. Himself a graduate of The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. as well as the University of Buffaloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Dental Medicine in Buffalo, NY, Dr. Sagunarthy is currently pursuing a fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. In addition to his education in general dentistry, he also is highly trained in implant dentistry, receiving the International Congress of Oral Implantologists Award in 2007.

Gold Hill Dentistry is proud to offer a range of dental services, from family dentistry to implants and cosmetic dentistry. We understand that each patient presents a unique set of dental needs, so we focus on comprehensive care for each member of your family. We offer, asides from routine preventative dentistry, teeth straightening, teeth whitening, and our high-quality dental implants improve both appearance and function, whether allowing a better fit for dentures or simply enhancing your smile. And with a variety of cosmetic options available, we can provide minimally invasive care with maximum cosmetic results. Whatever your needs, we at Gold Hill are committed to finding the best and most comfortable dental solution for you and your family. Situated in Fort Mill, Gold Hill Dentistry serves the entire south Charlotte area and is convenient to Rock Hill, Indian Land, and Ballantyne. We are located at 2848 Pleasant Road Suite104, just off 77 at the Gold Hill Road exit. To find out more about our offices, staff, and services, please visit us at www.goldhilldentistry.com or call us at (803) 547-4466 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to your visit.

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Happy and Healthy India Hook Dental Care gives you a reason to smile Text by Melodie W. Bretscher, R.D.H.

At India Hook Dental Care, our primary goal is for every patient to achieve optimum dental health. It is also important to us that our patients are happy with the appearance of their teeth. Nothing says happy, healthy and youthful like a bright, beautiful smile. Whether it’s landing that job, going on a first date or celebrating at a holiday party, a dazzling smile will boost your confidence and make a great first impression. Dull or yellowed teeth can make you look much older than you are. Over time, our teeth become discolored by daily habits such as drinking coffee and tea, smoking and poor oral hygiene. Teeth whitening can take several years off your appearance. India Hook Dental Care offers three different types of teeth whitening to suit your needs and your budget: Sheer White Films, Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gel, and Zoom Whitening. Sheer White Films (strips) for home use is one of the most convenient methods available today. The kit includes 10 films to be used on the upper and lower teeth for a five day period. Unlike traditional over the counter whitening strips, Sheer White’s thin, flexible films completely contour to teeth tightly adapting to each patient’s individual anatomy. The films can be worn for one to two hours, or overnight if desired to achieve faster results. Another whitening option is Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gel which is delivered via customized bleaching trays. Your dental professional will create the trays from impressions of your mouth. This customization is part of why this whitening method is so effective. Patients usually start seeing results in about a week, and optimum results can be seen within two to three weeks. Another advantage of customized trays is that the patient will have them for years if touchups are desired. Zoom Whitening is an in-office treatment for those patients desiring immediate results. The procedure is performed by your dental professional and takes about two hours. After taking precautionary measures to protect the soft tissues of the mouth, a bleaching gel is

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applied to the teeth and a special light is used to activate the gel. This procedure is repeated two to three times until a desired shade is reached. The patient then receives customized bleaching trays and a bleaching agent to continue whitening at home. Carbamide peroxide is the active ingredient in most bleaching agents. It was originally used as an oral antiseptic for gingival (gum) wound healing when the side effect of tooth whitening was discovered. Carbamide peroxide applied nightly in a customized tray is also proven to be effective in the removal of plaque, the reduction of bacteria that causes cavities, and the elevation of pH in the mouth. As our population ages and is living longer with more teeth, there is a greater number of people who are faced with the difficulty of maintaining a healthy mouth. Many elderly patients experience rampant root surface cavities associated with reduction in salivary flow due to both aging and side effects of medications. There is also a loss of manual dexterity resulting in the inability to brush and floss properly. In our office, we have seen profound success with many of our elderly patients. Not only do they experience a reduction in cavities, but the pleasant side-effect of whiter teeth as well. Studies have even shown that after whitening many people take more pride in their newly whitened teeth. They actually spend more time brushing and flossing which results in a healthier mouth. Before whitening your teeth, you will want to consult your dentist to make sure you are a good candidate. You will also want to make sure that any cavities have been treated and that all necessary dental work has been done. Maintaining a healthy mouth is of utmost importance. The only exception would be holding off on fillings in the front teeth to be sure that they match your newly whitened smile. At India Hook Dental Care, we use state-of-the-art technology to provide our patients with the highest quality of dental care. We always welcome new patients, so come see us and let us help you get the beautiful, healthy smile you’ve been wanting. Sources: Robert Milton, Austin Dental Center; Eat, Breathe, Blog; Dentalaegis.com; Opalescence.com; Professor Van B. Haywood, DMD; “Bleaching and Caries Control in Elderly Patients”

Pop Quiz

The answers to a bright, white 1) What is the active ingredient in most bleaching agents? a. Hydrogen peroxide b. Carbamide peroxide c. Household bleach

Smile

2) Which whitening method is an in-office procedure? a. Zoom Whitening b. Opalescence Whitening Gel c. Sheer White Films 3) Carbamide peroxide was first used: a. To whiten teeth b. To heal wounds in the mouth c. As a household cleaning product

Before Sheer White

4) Carbamide peroxide has been shown to reduce cavities in elderly patients. True or False Answers: 1. b; 2. a.; 3. b.; 4. True After Sheer White

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Passion Bistro

Foodie Review

In this edition of Fort Mill Magazine, our editors have decided to try a new format for our Foodie Review. Two contributors, Jennifer Burnham and Valerie McGann have been assigned the task to a â&#x20AC;&#x153;dueling forks reviewâ&#x20AC;?. To keep it cohesive, Jennifer and Valerie agree to taste an identical menu from appetizer to dessert, and give their own comments as to their opinion of the dish. Passion8 is a locally owned bistro nestled among the Fort Mill highways. The management philosophy is centered on the love of life and the love of food. The menu changes daily due to their desire to serve locally grown produce to emulate great European hospitality.

Passion 8 Bistro is located at 3415 HWY 51 in Fort Mill, SC. They recommend that you make reservations. You can make reservations online at passion8bistro.com, or you can call (803) 802-7455.

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Text by Jennifer Burnham and Valerie McGann Photos by Dave Tally

Jennifer

From the outside, you might keep driving past Passion8, believing it is a diner or BBQ joint. However, the interior is a cross between rustic and contemporary with a 5-star restaurant atmosphere. The chalkboard wall and massive chandelier create focal points that steal the show.

Good

Eats

I had no idea what to expect in regards to their menu as it changes daily and is not listed on their website. I could not wait to dig in to our appetizer.

We chose salad as our appetizer, Caesar in a jar. Serving an “interactive” salad was interesting and unique. The diner has the opportunity to shake the sauce over the top of their greens and either eat straight from the jar or pour it onto a plate. We chose out of the jar. The dressing was one of the best Caesar dressing I’ve ever had. The main course was delicious. Light and fluffy black grouper served over almond cherry rice pilaf. The dish was satisfying and filling, but not to the point of feeling overstuffed. I’m glad we settled on fish rather than a large steak. I agree with Valerie on all points regarding the main dish. Exquisite! Last, but not least, my favorite part of any meal: dessert. The dessert was much drier than I expected. It resembled an overcooked brownie not a torte. It left me wishing we had ordered the Pumpkin Cookie instead.

Score

Valerie

The building itself is unassuming and nestled away from the heavy traffic on Carowinds Blvd., with an earthy gold-tone stucco finish. Once inside you are impressed with the warm shabby-chic flair.

Our first tasting was a delicious palate-cleansing pear and dried cherry soaked in Ouzo. We were then served fresh sourdough type bread, with a delicious crusty outside, but a supple and dense inside. There is nothing like having dinner with another person and trying to be polite and not give in to your inner desire to steal the dipping sauce for yourself. Our first course was Caesar in a Jar. The salad was layered inside of a sealed mason jar. The dressing was rich and creamy, but the presence of anchovy fillets was a little too prominent in some bites. The main course we chose was a visually stimulating, black grouper nestled on top of a cherry almond rice and garnished with mizuna (a Japanese green similar in taste and texture to a cross of frisee and radicchio). The black grouper was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The mizuna was a visually interesting garnish. I was unable to discern the mushrooms, beet puree, and salsa verde among the other flavors of the fish and the cherry almond rice. For dessert we decided on the chocolate torte. This was not what I was expecting; it was a cake-like brownie consistency. I was expecting something a little more creamy and rich. I was impressed with the homemade panna cotta and the dollop of espresso mousse on top. I felt this would be an exquisite finish to the fantastic and ingenuitive culinary creations sampled on our visit.

Score

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Modern Family Dinner

Cookies Text by Valerie McGann

Photos by Stefanie Morris

The holiday season is upon us again and my mind begins to spin around about everything I need to prepare. Whether it be Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and the office parties, school parties and out of town guests who come to visit during this time, a few sweet confection are in order. It is so easy to get involved in planning for the perfect family visit, the perfect holiday celebration, the perfect everything, that we lose ourselves in the planning and forget to take time out to enjoy the season. The remedy for me; three recipes that celebrate the sweeter side of the holiday season. Grab a few helpers, so you can focus on making holiday memories.

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Easy: Chocolate Covered Pretzels 2 Cups milk chocolate chips (you can substitute white chocolate or dark chocolate) 2 tbsp. shortening 1 10 oz. package pretzel sticks Rainbow non-perial sprinkles or chopped salted nuts Melt the chocolate and shortening in a double boiler (or in a glass microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals until the chocolate is melted). Dip the pretzels in the chocolate covering at least half of the pretzel. Roll the pretzels onto a cookie sheet with a layer of the sprinkles or nuts. Place the pretzels on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Store in the refrigerator.

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Intermediate: Jean’s Peppermint Candy Bars 1 c. margarine (do not use butter) 1 c. sugar 1 egg 2 c. flour ¼ tsp. peppermint extract 5 drops of red food coloring ½ tsp. salt 1 c. crushed peppermint candy canes 1 package semisweet chocolate chips Cream the margarine and sugar. Add egg, beat well. Add the flavoring and food coloring, and beat until well blended. Stir in the flour and salt. Add ½ of the crushed candy canes and stir the batter until thoroughly combined. Spread the batter into a greased 9”x13” baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Once removed from the oven, immediately pour the entire bag of chocolate chips over the top of the baked cookie and place a cookie sheet on top of the baking dish to allow the chips to melt from the heat of the cookies. After 3 minutes, remove the pan and spread the chocolate over the top of the cookies until smooth. Sprinkle the remaining crushed candy canes over the top of the chocolate. Wait 15 minutes, and cut the cookies into squares while they are still warm. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

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Advanced: Joyce’s Fruit Cake Cookies 1 ½ c. golden raisins ¼ c. diced candied lemon peel ½ lb. chopped candied cherries (half red and half green) ½ c. dark rum 1 stick butter, softened ½ c. packed brown sugar 2 eggs 1½ c. flour ½ tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. ground cloves ½ tsp. ground nutmeg ¼ tsp. salt ½ lb. chopped pecans confectioner’s sugar Place raisins, candied lemon peel, and cherries into a bowl. Pour the rum over the fruit and let stand overnight. Cream butter. Add the sugar and eggs and beat until fluffy. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and spices. Add to the butter mixture and mix well. Add the nuts and rum soaked fruit. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Place the 1 tbsp. sized balls of batter onto a greased baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 325 degrees. Cool on a wire rack and then sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar to taste. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

Valerie McGann To learn more about Valerie McGann go to modernfortmillmfamilydinner.blogspot.com.

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Grid Iron Now owned and operated by the Randazzo family of the renowned Tony’s Pizza and Papa Pino’s, the Grid Iron offers two types of experiences: a cozy family restaurant and a separate bar. There is also a room for private dining and outdoor dining. Their speciality is Italian food, but they serve steaks and seafood as well. You can enjoy a live band every month, or let a DJ pick your play list every Friday and Saturday night. Call for New Years Eve party information. Grid Iron 13105 S. Tryon St Charlotte, NC 28278 704-588-1130 Breakfast 8am-12pm | Lunch 11am-4pm Dinner 4pm-10pm | Late Night 10pm-2am

Fratelli

Ristorante & Pizzeria

Enjoy our classic Italian atmosphere right around the corner in Baxter Town Center with signature soups, salads, appetizers and genuine Italian dishes like pasta, chicken, and fish prepared fresh. Our extensive pizza selection features New York Pizza, Pan Pizza, and Gourmet Pizza, as well as Calzones. Pizza dough, bread, and sauces are prepared from scratch on the premises, we offer a full bar seven days a week and a over 100 wines on our new wine list! Serving lunch daily 11-3 with Pizza by the Slice or Lunch Specials for under $5. Fratelli Ristorante & Pizzeria 975 Market Street Fort Mill SC 29708 803-802-4449 www.fratellibaxter.com Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm

Citizen Corners & The Vault Here at Citizen Corners we offer a casual setting in what was once a bank during the 1920’s. We feature classic southern cuisine with a creole twist. From our stuffed flounder and blackened salmon filet to our hand cut rib eyes and filet mignon you are sure to have an enjoyable experience. If you are wanting a more laid back atmosphere be sure to check out The Vault, a full service bar located in the basement of Citizen Corners. Citizen Corners & The Vault 157 East Main Street Rock Hill, SC 29730 803-980-1150 www.citizencornersonline.com

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John’s Family

Restaurant

We have been serving up delicious, home cooked meals for over 25 years here in Charlotte. From seafood and steak to southern home style dishes and more, we have all your taste buds covered! All of our menu selections are made from the freshest ingredients. Have a sweet tooth? Try our homemade desserts! Beer and wine are also available. We are family owned and operated and focus on bringing you, our customer, the best food served in a family atmosphere. John’s Family Restaurant 2002 Westinghouse Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28273 (704) 588-6613 www.johnsfamilyrestaurant.com

Craving more great content & mind-blowing photography? If you enjoy Fort Mill Mag in print, you’ll love our digital Winter 2012 Issue with additional local experts, expanded content, & more fabulous images. Go to fortmillmagazine.com to get it NOW ! fortmillmagazine.com

indulge

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Wine Food & Pairings Text by Scott Daniel Photos by Dave Tally

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“&

Though you may be tempted to pop open on chocolatey dessert, remember tha enjoyed at the end of a great m sublime pairing by

Traditionally a buttery, oaky Chardonnay is the no brainer coupling with lobster, but this will be a much more edgy pairing involving a French white that many people have heard of, but have never tasted. The varietal is 100% Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley, and the semi-dry style gives some body and a hint of sweetness to match the richness of the crustacean without sacrificing freshness and aromatics. I recommend the 2010 Charles Bove, a wine we have turned many of our Blue patrons on to over the past 10 years, as an exemplary offering of Vouvray at a moderate price point. As a sommelier it is easy to fall into pairing ruts, and simply picking the best Cabernet Sauvignon or Cab-based blend to complement red meat is a common routine that while effective, can end up being rather uninspired. The less ubiquitous Petite Sirah, with its abundant black & blue fruit and grippy tannins, actually pairs wonderfully with the fattiest strips and ribeyes while still being dense and smooth enough to tackle lamb, venison, and braised meats. This up and coming varietal is not actually a version of Syrah, but a cross of that noble Rhone grape with Peloursin from the French Alps. A favorite at Blue is the 2010 Earthquake Petite Sirah from Lodi, a flagship label for the Michael David Family of Wines that is best known for making Seven Deadly Zins a household name. While this pairing is slightly off the beaten path, the next serves as a nouveau-riche standard you’d be hard pressed to locate with a map and a compass. Classic Champagne, one of the most austere and revered wines the world has ever know, has served as the perfect counterpoint for some of the most classic haute cuisine throughout the ages. Caviar, oysters, and truffles have all gracefully been aided by the bubbly rush of this effervescent flume. Now taking its place alongside these culinary standards is the latest coupling for this noble quaff: Southern Fried Chicken. Not sure who we can credit for the original attempt here, but just as someone had to try that first oyster, there was quite a reward for the effort. The scrubbing bubbles perfectly cut through the golden, greasy crust and the creamy, toasty mid-palette hold up wonderfully to both the white and dark meat underneath. While the better the bubbles, the better the pairing - don’t hesitate to go for vintage Champagne here

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- we have enjoyed great success with Taittinger’s California property Domaine Carneros and their 2008 Carneros Sparkling Brut. All the elegance of France at approximately half the price, with a vintage to boot. And though you may be tempted to pop open one of these sparklers with a rich & chocolatey dessert, remember that just because both are often enjoyed at the end of a great meal doesn’t make a sublime pairing by default. We suggest looking a little closer to home for that perfect chocolate soufflé companion. While Childress Vineyards in Lexington, NC has helped to put the Carolinas on the national wine radar with traditional varietals and a state of the art facility, it was actually a quirky little dessert wine not even produced from grapes that first caught our eye several years ago. The non-vintage Starbound is a fortified portstyle wine produced from local rabbit-eye blueberries that pairs up perfectly with dark, milk, and even white chocolate. Did we mention that Mr. Childress dabbles in auto-racing? Sweet victory, indeed.

Scott Daniel A Wine Director for the past 10 years, Scott worked first for Levy Restaurants in Charlotte’s iconic Bistro100, followed by the past 7 years with Alex Myrick’s Blue Restaurant & Bar and now concurrently Osso Restaurant & Lounge. At Blue we have designed and developed a 900 bottle list that has received Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for the past 4 years, an award bestowed upon only 590 restaurants in the US (23 in the Carolinas). I have been able to hone my pairing skills at Blue’s monthly cooking classes, where Chef Gene’s innovative cuisine provides ample opportunities to provide those “wow” moments when food and wine are brought together and become a sum greater than the individual components. Annual staff trips to wine country destinations in California and Oregon have further connected us with winemakers and winery owners, allowing us to immerse ourselves even deeper into the culture.

ne of these sparklers with a rich at just because both are often meal doesn’t make a y default. Pricing:

”

Charles Bove Vouvray $45/bottle Earthquake Petite Sirah $72/bottle Domaine Carneros Sparkling $17.95/glass $75/bottle Childress Starbound $10.95/glass $45/half bottle Blue Restaurant & Bar 214 N. Tryon St. Suite 100 Charlotte NC 28202 www.bluecharlotte.com

Osso Restaurant & Lounge 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd Suite C10 Charlotte NC 28206 www.ossocharlotte.com

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Special Advertiser’s Section

Dolce Lusso: Your Full Service Lifestyle Aveda Salon&Day Spa

Need the perfect stocking stuffer this holiday season? Get your special someone a Dolce Lusso Salon and Spa gift card available in any quantity, anytime. Dolce Lusso Salon and Spa is a full service flagship Aveda salon and spa offering Aveda Signature Services, including Aveda hair, skin, and makeup products exclusively with an array of services.

We offer full service massages, facials, waxing, threading, ear candling, body treatments, and polishes. Many of our services are offered in packages to make sure you have the most relaxing day. Try the Pianosa, which includes a 60 minute facial, body polish, a spa lunch, and a signature manicure and pedicure; the Capri, which includes a 30 minutes massage, a 30 minute facial, and an essential manicure and pedicure; the Torcello, which includes a 30 minute facial, a 60 minute massage, and a sports manicure; and the Sicily, which includes a 60 minute massage, a 60 minute facial, luxury manicure and pedicure, a spa lunch, a shampoo and style, and makeup application. All of these amazing packages are available NOW. Coming in January, we’ll introduce an incredible spa option to alleviate stress and help you relax called the Restorative Eye Treatment. The Restorative Eye Treatment will be offered as a full service or as an add-on treatment with your other necessary spa services. We are also offering a new semiprecious stone eye enhancer. This enhancer helps to reduce puffiness around your eyes, so you look younger and refreshed. The best way to say happy holidays is with the promise of relaxation. So, if you are looking for a great stocking stuffer for anyone in your family, think of Dolce Lusso Salon and Spa: Your Full Service Lifestyle Aveda Salon and Day Spa. Go to dolcelusso.com for more exclusive offers.

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Party Ready

Day or Night Photos by Stefanie Morris

Dolce Lusso thought it would be nice to show our readers how to always be ready for your next party, day or night. Just follow these great tips and you’ll be on your way to looking your best anytime. First 1. Prep skin with Aveda Botanical Kinetics Moisturizer, and Aveda Green Science Eye Cream. 2. Aveda Concealer 3. Aveda Tinted Moisturizer

Eyes 1. Dust Aveda Bittersweet eye color on lash line to under the brow. 2. Put Aveda Night Iris eye color in crease. 3. Aveda Black Forest Mosscara on top and bottom lashes.

Day Cheeks 1. Dust Aveda Peach Lights on Apples of the cheeks. 2. Highlight face with Aveda Callalily Eyeshadow.

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Lips 1. Line and fill in lips with Aveda Foxglove lip liner. 2. Top with Aveda Pearl Rose Lip Glaze.

How To Do the Hairdo

Step 1. Part hair from back to front in

the middle of the head. Place scarf in front of part and add volume to the back by back combing.

Step 4.

Pull front hair reserved across scarf securing in ponytail, repeat on opposite side.

Step 2.

Step 3. Braid hair incorporating scarf

Step 5. Fold braid pinning into nape.

Step 6. Fold braid into scalp securing

Leave 1” section around face and secure headband to head with hair pins.

into braid.

with hair pins.

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Night

1. Add individual lashes to top.

3. New Aveda Holiday Lip Glaze Nepali Berry (limited edition)

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2. Aveda Brown Velvet Rose eye shadow on outter third of lid and use as a liner on top and bottom.

Special Thanks to: Dolce Lusso Salon & Day Spa General Manager: Kara Ward Stylists: Brittany Dion Thomas Smith Â Makeup Artist: Nikki Curran Model: Brandy Milazzo of Shumaker, Loop, & Kendrick, LLP

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Art Scene

York

County

Ballet Photos by Dave Tally

York County Ballet uses a mixture of culture, class, and beauty to create a masterpiece of art, Dance.

The York County Ballet was founded in 1978. The company has grown significantly under the artistic direction of Anne Blackwell. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s repertoire includes Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, The Wizard of Oz, Hansel and Gretel, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast and of course the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. In addition to its classical ballet repertoire, the York County Ballet has a growing contemporary body of work commissioned by regional professional choreographers annually. The York County Ballet performs two full length ballets each year including an original ballet or a ballet from the classical repertoire and The Nutcracker during the holiday season. The company also performs at regional events such as BalletFest Atlanta, Charlotte Dance Festival,

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South Carolina Dance Festival, South Carolina Dance Association Gala, Come See Me, Christmasville, Holiday Lights in the Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, and Blues and Jazz Festival. York County Ballet members have been selected by audition to participate in state and national summer and academic year residential training programs including American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Harid Conservatory, South Carolina Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School for the Arts and Humanities, North Carolina School of the Arts, South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory, Cary Ballet Conservatory, and Winthrop University ST-Arts . York County Ballet makes its home at the York County Community Performance Center, 249 East Main Street, in Rock Hill. For more information go to yorkcountyballet.org, call (803) 328-8328, or email info@yorkcountyballet.org.

outhern tyle

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It Dance Athlete Takes

an Artist to be a

but

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Dancer â&#x20AC;?

-Shanna LeFleur

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tutu

glissade pliĂŠ Danse

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Attitude

Special Thanks To: York County Ballet Anne Blackwell Leslie Cooper Ballerinas Lucy Russell Lily McGinley Victoria Parker Julia Owens Anna Watts Sophie Walker Kaitlynn Robinson Winthrop University Robert “Biff ” Edge

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SPECIALIZING IN UNIQUE COMPOSITES AND HEAD SHOTS FOR ACTORS, MODELS, AND BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS

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Music News

Musically Yours Text by Emily Wyatt Photos by Glenn Roberson

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For Jayne and Randall Sprinkle and Diane Reed Cox, music has always been a part of life. “It’s hard to imagine a day without it,” Randall Sprinkle admitted. That’s why these three get along so well and their string trio, Musically Yours sounds so sweet. Each player has his or her own story to contribute to the beginnings of this fun-loving, down-to-earth musical group.

Jayne Sprinkle started playing piano at the age of five. “At the time, we had a wooden toy piano. I would bang on it, singing at the top of my lungs. My parents decided that lessons might help direct that energy,” Jayne said. Jayne joined her middle school band in seventh grade and took up the drums. She went on to Appalachian State University for school and received a degree in Music Education. While pursuing her graduate degree, she met Randall. Randall was the Thursday night entertainment at the same

“

It seemed like our faces all lit up as soon as we started playing.

Left to Right: Randall Sprinkle, Jayne Sprinkle, Diane Reed Cox

Randall picked up a guitar at the age of twelve. “There was no turning back at that point,” Randall said. Randall picked up several different styles of playing from a few of his friends over the years. He played in cover bands that toured all over the United States and in Canada. “Eventually, I went to technical college so I could learn a career and continued to play music on the weekends,” Randall admitted. Then four years ago, Stephen Bennett introduced Randall to the harp guitar. “I was drawn to that sound,” Randall said. Two year later, Randall picked up his first harp guitar and has been playing it ever since.

restaurant that Jayne was hostess at during graduate school. Their musical history gave them an instant connection and a few years later, Jayne and Randall were married. On a visit to the Carolina Renaissance Festival, they came across a harp vendor. Randall asked Jayne if she wanted to start playing. “Sure, it looks fun,” Jayne said. She confided later that she had finally found the instrument that truly speaks to her. Diane Cox was the daughter of a cellist and a church organist. “We had an entire room in our house dedicated to music with an organ, a piano, and a variety of other instruments,” Diane said. She took piano and cello lessons throughout her childhood and started playing piano for her church in high school. “I love all forms of music and enjoy inspiring others to love music. That’s why I spend my time either playing music or teaching others to play and enjoy music,” Diane said. She teaches part-time at Ludmila European Academy of the Arts in Cornelius, NC and leads the choir and plays at her church, North Cross Presbyterian in Huntersville, NC. Musically Yours started with Randall and his harp guitar and Jayne with her harp. “We had been playing weddings and special events as a duo for about five years,” Randall said. Then last spring, they happened upon an ad on craigslist, Diane’s ad. The ad read, “Cellist,

who wants to rock,” Diane laughed. “I was simply looking for some musicians to play with who aren’t crazy and think too highly of their talents,” she concluded. Jayne and Randall invited Diane to their home and hit it off immediately. “It seemed like our faces all lit up as soon as we started playing,” Diane recalled. “It was very refreshing to play with musicians like Jayne and Randall. Fortunately for me, they invited me into their group with open arms.” Today, Musically Yours plays a wide variety of music including classical and original scores. “We are also very open to playing nontraditional wedding music, the combination of harp, cello, and harp guitar gives us the ability to arrange popular tunes in a tasteful manner,” Randall said. In fact, they just covered a few Jimmy Buffet songs at a wedding. “So far, we have been able to accommodate all requests,” Randall said. For more on Musically Yours, go to their Youtube channel, musicallyyoursnc and join their Facebook group. To book them for your event, call Randall Sprinkle at (704) 560-6152 or email randallsprinkle@windstream.net.

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For

Him

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...and a little for her Photos by Glenn Roberson

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Special Thanks to: Citizen Corners Fine Food and Spirits Hair and Makeup: Erica Arcilesi Kelly Coulter

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Models: Clayton Brannon Chelsea Lewis Joanne Maye William Moreno Luis Machicao Couture Lions Jewelers Allen Edmonds Charlotte Ferrari Club Hendrick Porsche Intern Chelsea Walker

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glenn roberson photography glennroberson.com facebook.com/glennrobersonphotography

gown by Machicao Couture modeled by anna degrauw hair and makeup by sara egri

Fashion I Charlotte Seen

I’m writing this early in the morning. I have spent more time in the office this week than I have waking hours in my own home. It’s that time of the year, and I don’t mean the holidays. It’s time to rush to get the magazine ready. It comes with the territory. I’m not complaining, just setting you up for this: I’m exhausted. As I sit here recalling Charlotte Seen Fashion Week in September, I can’t help but think to myself, “I’m not near as tired as I was then.” Every night there was an event to go to. Everyone dressed to the nines, tens, and elevens, if that’s a thing. It was a good exhaustion though. Much like I’m experiencing now, it was exhilarating, difficult, and a little addicting.

Anyway, I’m not a fashionista. My idea of dressing up is jeans without holes in them and a blouse that’s not entirely made out of cotton. So for me, Fashion Week was a learning experience. The show took place at the NC Music Factory. Italy themed the week, and it was apparent in the music selections and the decor. It was amazing to be apart of. The first night of Fashion Week, Tuesday, September 18, was a meet and greet for sponsors, guests, and designers alike. There was a lot of mingling and meeting great new people. We met photographers, makeup artists, designers, models, all from the greater Charlotte area. I knew this area was talented, but I had no idea. We were in the same

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room, meeting some of the most creative, outgoing people I’ve ever met; true artists. The event was held at Emerson Joseph on South Tryon Street. Fun Fact: Emerson Joseph sits on top of a Prohibition era speak easy. The history nerd in me went crazy as we descended the steps. Ironically, bourbon and whiskey tasting were taking place in the speakeasy. No, I didn’t try it.

The Residence at South Park housed the next night of Fashion Week festivities. The theme was coined Gentleman Swank. The music was great, but the view was even better. You could see the Charlotte Skyline perfectly from the roof of the building. It was remarkable. The entire event seemed very high class. The runway was a bit small and crowded, but that gave you the opportunity to be very close to the clothes, so you could actually see what everyone was wearing. The whole event was very fun. The first main night, Thursday, September 20, featured Bridal and Couture. VIP guests were served entrees and a main course catered by Newk’s. It was delicious. When the show started, the energy in the room skyrocketed. Everyone was very excited to see the new line of bridal wear. Each designer brought something new to the table. Designers such as Luis Machicao, Pixton Bridal, J. Major’s Bridal, Erin

Week Text by Emily Wyatt Photos by Stefanie Morris

Grey Couture, and Rachel Gordon (my personal favorite) brought something new to the table. Some went with a vintage, 1920s swing feel while others incorporated colors I’d never thought of for bridal. It all worked.

The next night, Friday, September 21, featured Fashion and Emerging Designers. This was really the night everyone was waiting for. The lines wrapped around the Music Factory. Luckily, we had the inside scoop and didn’t have to wait. No one likes waiting in heels. This is the night that all the talented people I met Tuesday really shined. Anno Domini took the Italian themed week to heart. Every piece was very Seventeenth Century Italy with a modern twist. KSH Couture, INC brought some fun new designs to the table. Made by Maria, Maria Allen’s line, really stood out though. Maria Allen relocated to Charlotte after Katrina hit. Her look is very sexy tomboy, right up my alley. That’s exactly what her look portrayed on Friday night. Kevin Carter, owner of KevinVain, proved to be another stand out designer. A West Mecklenburg High School student, Kevin’s style is very edgy and hasn’t gone unnoticed by the community. He is currently featured in the “And The Bead Goes On” Exhibit in the Mint Museum through March 31st. He is also headlining another fashion show, “Artfusion” at the Mint Museum in early December.

The last night, Saturday, September 22, was Recyclable Designer Evening. This was a night full of surprises. Designers made beautiful gowns out of magazine pages, paint swatches, wire, shopping bags, you name it. I must admit though, the highlight of my night was made by a very sleepy puppy. Project Halo sponsored the show every night. That night they brought some of the more relaxed adoptable dogs down the runway for everyone to see. Well, I just happened to be sitting beside the dogs that night, and one puppy really wanted to be in my lap. So I let her, and she slept, the entire time. It was adorable and I still want her. Anyway, I digress. Charlotte Seen Fashion Week was an amazing experience. Granted, I still normally wear jeans or yoga pants to work. When I do go out and give the fashion thing a whirl though, I have a little bit of knowledge to fall back on. For additional information and future fashion events, go to charlottefashionweek.com.

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A Romantic Evening in Italy

Thursday Bridal and Couture

100

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101

Friday

When In Rome

Fashion and Emerging Designers 102

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103

Saturday Veni Vidi Vici

104

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Recyclable Designer Evening

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105

inspired

thought

Have a photo that inspires? Want to be published? As the parting shot, your photo should feature nature, architecture, or an artistic still life from the area. Only images in RAW format or 11x17 at 300 dpi will be considered for publication. Never resize in Photoshop. For consideration, submit to photoeditor@fortmillmagazine.com.

Winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Blue

Text by Tracey Roman

Chilly weather brings an icy palette to the landscape, but your mood need not be gray. Embrace the blue. Focus on details missing before the chill. The absence of leaves brings greater expanse of sky from the pale azure of day to the twinkly indigo of night. Tree trunks and branches dominate the forest set against a periwinkle gaze. Frosty tendrils hold an opalescent glow and even the powdered snow reflects a hint of sapphire. From morning to nigh, the crisp air and cool ambience is bathed in blue; beautiful, shimmery, ethereal blue.

106

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