Daisies, Sunflowers and Vi …

Kristina Parella

Billy Briggs

Odell Williams

Kristi Antley

Annette Carter Briggs

Kristina Parella

Billy Briggs

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Annette Briggs Ph: 803-309-2101 Website ColumbiaNaturalAwakenings.com

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Greetings readers. August has arrived, signaling the end of summer is just around the corner. And friends, it is with a heavy heart and bittersweet transparency and reflection that I pen this month’s publisher’s letter in honor of the life and legacy of one of my closest friends—Vi Melissa Racine. Sadly, Vi slipped away from us and entered into eternity on Friday, June 30. That was such a tough day for everyone that had the wonderful privilege of knowing and loving her— including me. I miss you dearly, my precious … and I want all of you to know a little more about this amazing person that touched my life and the lives of so many others.

Who was Vi Melissa? She was a beautiful, intelligent, classy and witty Southern belle in every sense of the word! She carried herself with great professionalism and poise. Vi was the total package, for sure—a dedicated and loving wife to Ray Racine (who is also a good friend of mine), a caring and devoted mother to two sons (Cory and Coleman), and a proud “nahnah” to her grandson, Evan, who she adored. Vi was also a loyal sister to Shelley and a fun-loving aunt to three nieces (Hanna, Ali and Jen). As a friend and colleague, Vi was very supportive and a joy to work with. I first met her in 2002 when we worked at a community newspaper together. And, over the course of time, we grew close as we got the chance to get to know each other more and more. Vi and I shared life’s sunny and cloudy days together (many of them at the lake where she lived). We’ve laughed together, cried together, and celebrated life together.

Melanie Rankin

Gabrielle W-Perillo

Lisa Doyle-Mitchell

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Those that knew Vi well also know that she loved gardening and had a small garden at her home. In fact, if you ever looked for Vi and couldn’t find her, she was most likely in her garden. Moreover, two of her favorite flowers were daisies and sunflowers, which are both interesting, colorful and beautiful just like her. Writer Marie Williams Johnstone once said, “True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away, even over distance and time.” Vi Melissa was and will always be our “sunflower” shining brightly through countless cherished memories that are firmly rooted in our hearts and minds.

On a more personal note, daisies and sunflowers are now two of my favorite flowers—very special indeed. Time and distance will never impact our friendship. And when I walk around beautiful Lake Murray, where many of our memories were created, I will smile (and probably cry at times) as I look for you in the sunsets. I will see you again on the shores of eternity someday.

Forever loving Vi,

Friday Night Laser Lights at S.C. State Museum

On Friday, August 18, from 6 to 10 p.m., the S.C. State Museum is hosting its Friday Night Laser Lights event. Guests will experience special cutting-edge presentations featuring laser lights choreographed to iconic and popular music inside the museum’s 55-foot dome housed in the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Planetarium. Also included will be a cash bar with craft beer selections, wine, specialty drinks and nonalcoholic beverages. In addition, delicious food selections will be available for purchase from the local food truck Babcha Korean Food.

Important note: Laser shows contain bright, flashing lights that may cause discomfort to those with light sensitivity or other pre-existing conditions.

Cost: $8, members; $12, nonmembers. For more information, call 803-898-4921 or visit SCMuseum.org/events/friday-night-laser-lights-august.

KMB and Lexington County Host Paper Shredding Event

Keep the Midlands Beautiful (KMB) is partnering with the town of Irmo and Lexington County to host a paper shredding event for Lexington County residents at the Irmo Community Park, located at 7505 Eastview Drive, on Saturday, August 26, from 9 a.m. to noon. Each household is limited to five boxes or bags of paper, and proof of residence is required. As a note, materials from businesses are not accepted.

For more information, call 803-733-1139 or email Traude Sander at TSander@kmbsc.org. Also visit KeepTheMidlandsBeautiful.org.

SCWF Hosts Spiders of September

OnThursday, September 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) is hosting its Spiders of September training workshop at Goodale State Park, located at 650 State Road, in Camden. Participants will learn to distinguish the sexes and specific attributes of spiders and gain a better understanding of the different types of webs spiders spin, including how and why they are spun. Participants will also learn the basic aspects of a spider’s natural history and better understand the relationship between spiders and their environment. The workshop will be facilitated and led by Austin Jenkins, who teaches and coordinates the popular Midlands Master Naturalist class for SCWF. Jenkins also teaches Natural History of South Carolina at the University of South Carolina–Sumter. Participants are asked to bring a bag lunch and water and be prepared for a day in the field.

Important note: SCWF reserves the right to cancel any event, due to unforeseen circumstances, extreme weather, low registration, or pandemic-related guidance from local/state officials. Any cancellation by SCWF will result in a full refund for all registrants.

Cost: $75. For more information or to register, call 803-256-0670 or visit scwf.org/events/2023/spiders-of-september.

Columbia Hosts the Main Street Latin Festival

On Saturday, August 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Main Street Latin Festival will be hosted at the 1400 block of Main Street in beautiful downtown Columbia. Proudly endorsed by the city of Columbia, one of the festival’s main objectives is to showcase the culture and vitality of Columbia’s Latin community. This is done by bringing together diverse groups of people to celebrate and share the Latin culture through its foods, arts, dances and music in a fun, family-oriented environment. Thousands of people will fill Main Street (as they do every year) for this amazing and unique cultural celebration.

Cost: Free admission. For more information, visit MainStreetLatinFestivalSC.com.

ICRC Hosts Indoor Yard Sale in Chapin

On Saturday, August 5, from 7 to 11 a.m., the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission

(ICRC) will host a garage sale at Crooked Creek Park, located at 1098 Old Lexington Highway, in Chapin. Residents throughout the Midlands are encouraged to clean out the garage, attic, kids’ rooms and closets, and bring those hidden treasures to Crooked Creek Park to sell. Make sure to drop by and check out all of the great bargains.

Cost: Free admission. For more information

For more information, including vendor details, call 803-772-1228 (ICRC main office) or 803-345-6181 (Crooked Creek Park). Also visit icrc.net/event/indoor-yard-sale-chapinicrc.net.

Dominion Energy Offers Double Rebate Through Appliance Recycling Program

F or a limited time only, Dominion Energy South Carolina customers that schedule a free appliance recycling pickup can receive a $100 cash back rebate, which is double the usual amount. Residential electric customers can dispose of their old, unwanted secondary refrigerators and freezers through this free, simple and environmentally friendly program. Customers need to call or submit an online request by Thursday, August 31, to receive the rebate. The scheduled appliance pickup must occur no later than Saturday, September 30. Customers and their appliances must meet the program eligibility criteria.

Dominion Energy works in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Responsible Appliance Disposal Program to follow current best practices. Research indicates that recycling just one refrigerator prevents and mitigates more than 150 pounds of material waste and ozone-depleting substances from being released into the environment. Refrigerator units must be full-sized and in working condition.

For more information about program eligibility and rules, or to schedule a free pickup, call 1-877-510-7234 or visit DominionEnergy.com/CashBackSC.

ICRC Hosts Kids Meal Prep at Seven Oaks Park

On Saturday, August 5, from noon to 2 p.m., the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) is hosting a Kids Meal Prep session at Seven Oaks Park, located at 200 Leisure Lane, in Columbia. For children age 7 and up, this uniquely fun and healthy cooking class is designed to encourage children to embrace the kitchen culinary experience, while providing a great opportunity for bonding and relationship building.

Cost: $65 (one parent and one child). For more information, call 803-772-3336 or visit icrc. net/event/kids-meal-prep.

KMB Hosts Lakeside Litter Sweep

Keep the Midlands Beautiful (KMB) is hosting its Lakeside Litter Sweep event on Saturday, September 16, around areas of Lake Murray. Local Midlands area residents are welcome to join more than 20 event partners and approximately 250 volunteers coming together to clean up Lake Murray's shorelines, islands and water while having a great time. Volunteers can choose to stay onshore, utilize their own boats, or sign up for a free pontoon boat ride to the islands designated to be cleaned. Preregistration is required.

For more information or to register, call 803-733-1139 or visit KeepTheMidlandsBeautiful.org.

ICRC Hosts Paddle and Pint

On Friday, August 25, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) is hosting its Paddle and Pint event at Saluda Shoals Park. For adults age 21 and up, participants will enjoy the scenic view while paddling the Lower Saluda River, fully surrounded by beautiful scenery and S.C. wildlife. After spending an hour on the water, guests will then have the opportunity to sample eight delicious craft beers at the River Overlook. Boats and all necessary equipment needed will be provided. As a note, the trip is dependent upon weather and river levels.

Cost: $47 per person. Location: 5605 Bush River Rd., Columbia. For more information, call 803-772-1228 or visit icrc.net/event/ paddle-and-pint-paddle-and-craft-beertasting-2.

ICRC Hosts Drive-In Movie Night at Saluda Shoals Park

On Saturday, August 26, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) is hosting a drive-in movie night at Saluda Shoals Park featuring The Super Mario Brothers. The movie will begin around 8:45 p.m., and there will be local area food trucks on-site to serve guests. The movie is open to all ages.

Cost: $15 (per car). Location: 6071 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia. For more information, call 803-772-1228 or visit icrc.net/event/drive-movie-night-supermario-bros.

Fireflies Host KMB Night at Segra Park

On Sunday, August 20, Keep the Midlands Beautiful (KMB) will be featured at the Fireflies game played at Segra Park, located at 1640 Freed Street, in Columbia. KMB invites all of its community partners and supporters for this special night of fun recognition. KMB-featured highlights include a table on the concourse with information and giveaways, a pregame onscreen commercial, two public announcements, and a video board shoutout. KMB supporters are encouraged to buy seats in section 111 to sit as a group.

For more information, including time and cost, call 803-733-1139 or visit KeepTheMidlandsBeautiful.org.

EdVenture Hosts Sensory Night

On Friday, August 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., EdVenture Children’s Museum, located at 211 Gervais Street, in Columbia, is hosting its Sensory Night event. There will be sensory-friendly environment, reduced lighting, limited crowd size, sensory-friendly educational programming and resources for parents.

Cost: Admission is free with registration. For more information or to register, call 803-7793100 or visit EdVenture.org.

Spiritual Nourishment and Connection for Families

For busy families trying to balance home, kids, school and work every day, it can be hard to make time for spiritual and personal growth. However, if you took a moment to make a list of the qualities of the ideal spiritual community, what might it include?

Perhaps you would want a community that is genuinely inclusive and fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance for all people, regardless of age, race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Perhaps it would offer opportunities for personal and spiritual growth that align with the teachings of Jesus in a progressive and relevant manner, allowing for personal exploration and connection with the underlying spiritual truths—never exclusionary, rigid or dogmatic.

Perhaps for the kids, the community would provide childcare and youth education every Sunday that is safe, positive, engaging and progressive, as well as supportive of each child’s unique and evolving expression of God. Perhaps the spiritual community would provide practical spiritual teachings that could be applied in daily life for leading a healthy, prosperous and meaningful life.

If this sounds good to you, then check out Unity of the Midlands—a positive path for spiritual living. I invite you to join us Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. for our weekly celebration of the power of Spirit in our lives through meditation, music and message.

For more information, visit UnityOfTheMidlands.org. See ad, page 27.

ICRC Hosts Sunset on the Shoals — Paddle and Wine Tasting

Are you ready for a great time on the water? On Friday, August 11, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) is hosting its Sunset on the Shoals event at Saluda Shoals Park. For adults age 21 and up, participants will enjoy an interpretive one-hour paddle tour on the Lower Saluda River while learning about the rich and unique history of the area. The tour will be followed by a wine tasting of eight different wine varieties. Boats and all necessary equipment needed will be provided. As a note, the trip is dependent upon weather and river levels.

Cost: $47 per person. Location: 5605 Bush River Rd., Columbia. For more information, call 803-772-1228 or visit icrc.net/event/sunset-shoals-paddleand-wine-tasting-5.

Lexington County Hosts Hazardous Waste Recycling Event

The county of Lexington is hosting a hazardous waste disposal and collection event on Friday, August 11, and Saturday, August 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at ECOFLO Inc., located at 1741 Calks Ferry Road, in Lexington. For Lexington County residents only, the list of acceptable items includes household electronics (limit of five devices), acids, brake fluid, degreasers, glue and solvents, paint (up to 8 gallons), pesticides and much more. Proof of residency is required and materials from businesses will not be accepted.

For more information (including a complete list of acceptable items and guidelines), call 803785-3325 or visit Recycling@Lex-co.com.