FINDING THE
RIGHT HOME Settling into your new hometown
WHAT’S NEW:
SCHOOLS
STUFF
TO DO PAYING
YOUR TAXES What you need to know
GETTING
INVOLVED Local groups and churches
DINING
HOT SPOTS
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[3]
Welcome to Fort Mill Township:
We’re glad you’re here!
Hello! How are you? If you’re new to Fort Mill Township like I was five years ago, that greeting may catch you a bit off guard. It’s OK.We understand. Some things just take a little getting used to. It’s no secret that many of the new residents fueling our area’s growth were not born and raised in the South. If the Northeast or Midwest regions are where you were born and raised, chances are you’ll cross paths with folks who know your cousin or someone you went to school or worked with “back home.” Mike Harrison As you settle into your new home, you’ll realize that despite all the editor transplants, this area remains rooted in Southern traditions and mores. I’m referring in general to an inherent friendliness, spirituality, civility, civic pride and a sense of humor that won’t quit. My first introduction to this way of life came the day after moving to Fort Mill, when I opened up my front door that morning and found a basket of homegrown veggies.To this day I don’t know who left them, but the gesture told me all I needed to know. For you folks who may be adjusting to a new culture, please realize that making eye contact with strangers is not only OK, it’s encouraged. And they won’t be strangers for long. So relax, live life at a pace that’s a step or two slower than a bustle and take the time to get to know your new neighbors. After all, isn’t that part of the reason you’re here? Perhaps you’ve only heard about our township, and this magazine you’re reading is the first step in the exploration for a new home. Whether you’ve just settled here or are still considering it, we hope “Focus on Fort Mill Township” relieves some of the burden that’s an inevitable part of relocating. And if there’s information you need but can’t find in our magazine, please let me know so we can include it in next year’s edition.
Special contributors relocated to Fort Collins, Colo. “The best way to describe my style of photography is that I usually think ‘closer is better.’ I try to get the viewer as close to the subject or the action as I can, closer than they could ever be.” You can take a look at Mike’s portfolio online at pbase.com/laughlinm1.
Jan Baucom Originally from Pennsylvania, Jan relocated to the Charlotte area in 1997 and now lives in Waxhaw, N.C. “My love of photography started when I was asked to take pictures at a motorcross race. That race was over 10 years ago and I don’t think I have put my camera down since,” she said. Jan recently opened her own studio. She enjoys shooting sports, portraits, scenery and everyday life. “My approach to photography is the same as life: Simple.” Visit her Web site at www.studiocattura.com.
Jeff Sochko
Jan Baucom photographer
Mike Laughlin While attending Winthrop University, Mike Laughlin began working for the school newspaper and has enjoyed working in the media ever since. Focusing on sports photography at first, Mike began to branch out into other areas of photography and eventually into reporting as well. He has worked as a reporter and photographer in upstate South Carolina and Chicago, and recently
[4]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Mike Laughlin photographer
Born in Minneapolis, Jeff Sochko, now a resident of Fort Mill, began his photography career early in high school. Jeff was on track to a promising career in fashion photography when “I accepted a challenge from a wise teacher.” The challenge was to study lighting on his own; if he could show progress, he would receive a passing grade. He started experimenting with lighting. That shifted Jeff’s career track and he became a lighting designer. He has traveled the world, working with some of the top performers of the day such as Stevie Nicks, Prince and Jeff Whitney Houston, to name a few. Jeff has had the opportunity to light five Sochko U.S. presidents, Billy and Franklin photographer Graham, Oprah Winfrey and many other celebrities. He recently finished a second assignment lighting the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. He can be reached by e-mail at jsochko@aol.com.
FINDING THE
RIGHT HOM E
Settling into you r
new hometo wn
WHAT’S NEW:
SCHOOLS
GETTING
INVOLVED Local groups and
churches
DINING
HOT SPOTS
STUFF
TO DO
PAYING
YOUR TAXES
What you nee
d to know
“Focus on Fort Mill Township: The 2009-’10 Guide for Newcomers” is an annual publication of the Fort Mill Times, 124 Main St., Fort Mill, SC 29715, (803) 547-2353. Published every July, it is distributed for free all year long at real estate agencies and 100 other local businesses. Content was compiled from the latest information available at press time. Publisher ..................................Patricia Larson Editor....................................Michael Harrison Advertising ..........Sherry Avant and Misty Hall Graphic design ....................Stephanie Garrett Editorial......Jonathan Allen, Toya Graham and Jenny Overman Special thanks ................................................ Sarah Metallo, Michael Bibo, Beth Covington, Tamara Ford Crawford, Andy Stahr, Joey Blethen, Lissa Johnston, Mayor Bob Runde, the Catawba Regional Council of Governments, CATS, the Charlotte Knights, Carowinds, York Electric Cooperative, Duke Energy, Julie Warner, SLED, Fort Mill School District, Lancaster County School District, S.C. DMV, Ashley Barron and Amy Boheler.
The cover Wakeboarding is becoming a hugely popular sport on Lake Wylie. To get involved with the local watersports scene, check out the SouthTown Riders, an organization based in Fort Mill that provides training for casual and competitive water sports, at www.southtownriders.com. Photo taken by Jeff Sochko and stylized by Stephanie Garrett.
2009-’10 FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP MAGAZINE
[44]
JULY 2009
[98]
GETTING STARTED 14 17 17 20 19
Fort Mill Township map Finding a place to live Moving and storage Hooking up utilities Drivers licenses
38 39 41 48 40
Attendance zones and how to enroll School performance ratings Calendars and school hours Day care centers and preschools Special needs services
56 58 57
Registering to vote Your elected representatives Social services
65 64 66
Emergency numbers Crime rates Fire districts and their ISO ratings
CONTENTS 54
How much will you pay? It depends…
92
Fort Mill Township has several access points to the Catawba River.
SCHOOLS
90
GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC SAFETY
52
THOSE DARN TAXES
A RIVER THAT BINDS US
RELAX ON THE GREENWAY
The 1,800-acre Anne Springs Close Greenway offers some welcome respite from a fast-paced life.
GOODBYE, MR. MAYOR
Tega Cay’s Mayor Bob Runde prepares to say goodbye to the city’s top job.
94
CAROLINA THREAD TRAIL
Environmental project aims to link thousands of miles of open space.
103 OUR FUTURE MUSEUM
An eco-friendly county museum will be built right here in Fort Mill Township.
70
Piedmont Medical Center is planning to build a full-fledged hospital here.
OUR FUTURE HOSPITAL
62
Neighbors and police unite in basic community policing efforts.
BAD GUYS, WATCH OUT
RECREATION 96 101 98 105 104
Area attractions Libraries and the arts Festivals and celebrations Recreation sports Parks
112 72 87 117 122 109 109 110
Dining guide Health care providers Vets and animal shelters Churches Civic organizations and support groups Major employers Chambers of commerce Local media
OTHER BIG STUFF
[34] 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[5]
Welcome to your new
HOME This statue is one of seven commissioned by Springs Industries to symbolize “The Springs of Achievement.� Renowned artist Bruno Lucchesi created statues to represent each of the seven tenets of the company: Quality, service, creativity, education, planning for the future, respect for history, and personal and family well-being. Jeff Sochko/Fort Mill Times
Fort Mill The Town of Fort Mill combines an historic sense of home with a growing sophistication. Born shortly after the creation of the railroad that runs through it, Fort Mill has grown into a thriving municipality About filled with small-town charm, but only 20 minutes south the name of Charlotte. It’s also eight miles north of Rock Hill, one Named after a of South Carolina’s larger cities. The town is the heart of a larger area known as Fort nearby grist Mill Township. The township is a section of York County mill and a that runs north to the state line, east to Sugar Creek and colonial-era southwest to the Catawba River and Rock Hill. Fort Mill fort built by Township is the fastest growing part of York County. the British. The area is accessible by I-77 and Hwy. 21 from the north and south, and Hwy. 160 from the east and west. With a rich heritage, excellent schools, an 1,800-acre greenway, comprehensive recreation complex, historic downtown district, and the headquarters of Springs Global, it’s no wonder the population is expected to double in the next 20 years.
Tega Cay Tega Cay residents describe their beloved city as a close-knit, recreational community fueled by volunteers. The peninsula city celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. Its beginnings go back to 1970, when the first About developer bought and began construction on the land. the name The 27-hole golf course, eight lighted tennis courts and 16 miles of shoreline along Lake Wylie attracted outdoor Tega Cay enthusiasts of all ages. Then on July 4, 1982, Tega Cay means went from gated resort community to official city. “beautiful The city contains a marina, three beach parks, three peninsula” in interior parks, two swimming pools, miles of walking trails, Polynesian. a golf clubhouse, a beach and swim center, community center and athletic fields.
Indian Land Indian Land is located in the “panhandle” of Lancaster County along Hwy. 521, east of Sugar Creek.Though not a municipality, the area is self-supportive and is served by its own high school, middle school and About elementary school. Indian Land has its own fire and rescue unit, with other services provided the name department by Lancaster County. Named for the Indian Land’s location just south of Charlotte and east of Fort Mill makes it a rapidly growing area. Many housing large number developments and several business parks are under of Catawba construction, with more planned. However, residents Indians who have been keeping an eye on the growth, making sure once lived in Indian Land doesn’t lose its unique flavor. In an unusual the area. cross-county situation, most Indian Land residents have Fort Mill phone numbers and receive mail via the Fort Mill Post Office. Indian Land got its own ZIP code – 29707 – in July 2007. But government decisions for the area, including zoning and development laws, are made by the Lancaster County Council.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[7]
Who we are Look who’s living in your new hometown
Households ■ ■ ■ ■
Total households ..............................22,742 People per household..........................2.58 Average home price....................$176,220* Average new home price ..........$303,218* As of July 2009
*
Sources: Piedmont Association of Realtors, Fort Mill Post Office, 2000 Census
Education levels Population in school now..............................11,679 Finished less than 9th grade ..........................1,065 9th-12th grade, but no diploma ....................2,166 High school diploma ........................................5,144 Some college, but no degree ..........................4,388 Associate’s degree ............................................1,599 Bachelor’s degree ............................................4,038 Graduate or professional degree....................1,643 Sources: 2000 Census, Fort Mill School District and Lancaster County School District
The fine reputation enjoyed by local schools has helped make Fort Mill Township a magnet for growing families.
[8]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Jeff Sochko/Fort Mill Times
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Approx. 12 square miles
Source: Catawba Regional Council of Governments
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[9]
Anne Springs Close speaks to a crowd on Earth Day during the dedication for a model of Webb's Grist Mill. The original mill is partly what the Town of Fort Mill is named for.
File/Fort Mill Times
Fort Mill’s history
From Catawbas to Mills to Now …
The history of this area starts with the Catawba Indians, the only surviving Native American tribe in South Carolina. At one time, 30,000 Catawbas roamed this area, dating back to 600 A.D. Unfortunately, few records exist about the tribal nation before 1760, when smallpox and other European diseases diminished it to 1,000 people.
The first white settler was Thomas Spratt, who traveled from the North using the Nation Ford Road looking FACT: for land. Spratt befriended the Fort Mill’s Catawbas, earning the Indian name “Kanawha.” Family members still live in Confederate Fort Mill. Park has two Both settlers and Catawbas used the ancient Nation Ford Road, which dates Civil War-era back to at least 1650, to travel and cannons. trade from Pennsylvania to Charles Towne (now Charleston). The trail passed through the Catawba Nation’s five villages and crossed the Catawba River where the railroad trestle now exists. Parts of the trail can still be seen, especially on the Anne Springs Close Greenway. In 1763, the English “gave” the Catawbas 144,000 acres – land originally theirs anyway – as a reward for helping them defeat the French in the French and Indian War.That original reservation sprawled over both the township, originally called Fort Hill, and Indian Land. The Catawbas began leasing that land to settlers soon afterward. [ 10 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Settlers opened a post office in 1820. By 1826, the Catawbas had rented out all their land, forcing them off their own reservation. In 1840 the Catawbas signed the Treaty of Nation Ford to sell their land to the state. Because there was another Fort Hill in South Carolina, settlers changed FACT: the name to Fort Mill around 1830, naming it after a grist mill on Steele The City of Creek and a small fort built by the Tega Cay has British in the 1750s, south of the town limits. In 1852, the Charlotte, Columbia the most and Augusta Railroad first traveled residents born through the area, with a station in Fort Mill.The trestle over the Catawba River, outside South built in 1851, burned down during an Carolina. 1865 Civil War skirmish and was rebuilt a year later. Jefferson Davis and the Confederate Cabinet passed through the area in their flight from Richmond in 1865, and the last meeting of the full Confederate Cabinet was held at the White Homestead in Fort Mill. In 1873, Fort Mill was chartered as a town. In 1887 Samuel Elliot White founded Fort Mill Manufacturing Co. – paving the way for Springs Global, the area’s main employer for years. White’s great-greatgranddaughter, Crandall Close Bowles, was the fifth generation to run the company. In 2006, she led Springs’ merger with a large Brazilian textile firm to become Springs Global, and in 2008, she stepped down. ■
Indian Land’s history
Catawbas’ land becomes part of S.C.
Louise Pettus historian
Indian Land history can be divided into three major periods. First, it was occupied by Catawba Indians, whose villages were all on the east side of the Catawba River. Presentday Fort Mill Township in York County and Indian Land in Lancaster County, as far south as Twelve Mile Creek, contained five to seven Catawba Indian villages. In 1743 there were 22 tribes in the Catawba Nation, most of them of Sioux descent.
John Lawson in 1701 estimated that the Catawba Nation had a population of around 11,000. The white man brought diseases, mainly smallpox, that decimated the tribes. Infected trade goods were the culprit in a major epidemic in 1738 and in 1758-’59 half of the remaining population succumbed to smallpox. Europeans generally did not die of smallpox, and though they would be very ill and scarred, would survive. At the end of the French and Indian Wars in 1763, the victorious English awarded their Catawba allies with an area of land 15 miles square in the Catawba Valley split by the Catawba River with the larger part in present-day York County. The Treaty of Augusta would provide complete autonomy to the Catawba; it was thought of as a nation-state with power to do whatever it wished with its prized 144,000 acres. The Catawbas were asked which colony they preferred to be located in, and they chose South Carolina. Lancaster County in 1785 did not include what is now known as Indian Land. The British had given complete sovereignty to the Catawbas in an area that covered 15 square miles as a reward for
the Indians’ service in the French and Indian Wars. South Carolina in 1840 purchased the Catawba Indian Land by the terms of the Nation Ford Treaty. The new name dropped “Catawba” and became just plain Indian Land. As early as 1808, there was a settlement called Bel Air (later Belair) which had an academy, a store and an inn. By 1813 there was a post office with Fowler Williams appointed as the first postmaster. Williams had a son, George Washington Williams, born in 1808, who has been described in state histories as “the greatest lawyer of his time.” In 1819, B. Harper and other church officers of Six Mile Presbyterian Church paid the Catawba Indians rent for “five and one half acres at the rate of twenty five cents per year.” In 1846 the state gave a charter to “Charlotte & South Carolina Railroad.” The intention was that it would parallel the Camden to Salisbury Road (present-day Hwy. 521), but when the surveyors and engineers began laying out the line they found the area on the N.C.-S.C. border had a hill too high for locomotives to negotiate, so they shifted to a route running through Rock Hill and Fort Mill. ■ 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 11 ]
Jan Baucom/Fort Mill Times
Ronnie Beck of the Catawba Nation performs a ceremonial dance to bless “The Reservation,” as Indian Land’s football stadium is now known.
FACT: Shawn Crawford of Van Wyck, a graduate of Indian Land High and a gold medalist in the 2004 Olympics, also competed in the 2008 Olympics on the U.S. men’s track team. He won a silver medal on a technicality, but later gave it to another competitor who had been disqualified.
[ 14 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 15 ]
LOCAL REALTORS ■ ■ ■ ■
■ ■
■ ■
Allen Tate Realtors, 547-1185 See their ads on pages 29, 31, 45 and 111. Carolina Properties, 548-2261
Century 21 First Choice, 548-3551 See their ads on pages 28 and 65. Century 21 Hawkins Realty Inc., 547-7583 See their ad on page 1. Clarity Realty, 417-2626
Coldwell Banker United Realtors, 548-1204, 1-800-537-3638 or 704-541-6100 See their ads on pages 25 and 27. EDI Real Estate, 396-1423
Eleanor Petrone Realty, 548-7209
■
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
First Properties of the Carolinas, 548-0131 See their ad on page 30.
Joyce Presley Realty, LLC, 547-4004 Keller Williams Realty, 835-2300 See their ads on pages 2 and 30.
Kuester Real Estate Services, 802-0004
Temporary Housing & Apartments ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
RE/MAX Metro, 802-0640 See their ad on page 16.
■
Rinehart Realty, 548-9797
■
Melton Realty, 548-0978
Triplett Realty, 547-6074
Bromley Village, 104 Bromley Park Drive, Fort Mill, 1-866-933-9903 The Commons at Fort Mill, 221 Embassy Drive, Fort Mill, 1-877-879-5880 Forest Ridge Apartments, 2300 Forest Ridge Drive, Fort Mill, 802-7368 Knollwood Apartments, 822 Archie St., Fort Mill, 547-7561 Millcrest Park, 208 Sedgwick Drive, Fort Mill 1-866-454-2594 Palmetto Place Apartments, 6000 Palmetto Place, Fort Mill, 802-3003 Peachtree Apartments, 1 Peachtree Lane, Fort Mill, 548-7600 See their ad on page 29. Walnut Lane Apartments, 12 Walnut Lane, Fort Mill, 547-6851
Retirement Communities ■
Four Seasons at Gold Hill, Gold Hill Road, 548-2807 Sun City Carolina Lakes, Hwy. 521, 396-9800
Moving ■ ■ ■
Budget Truck Rental, 547-7618 The Moving Man, 547-8813 U-Haul (4 locations): 802-3511, 547-2254, 547-2233 and 547-6770
Storage ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
■
■ ■ ■
A Lock-it Self Storage, Hwy. 160 East at Springfield Parkway, 802-2272 Carowinds State Line Store and Lock, 3203 Hwy. 21 Business, 548-4600 Eastshore Commerce Park, 2094 Gold Hill Road, 548-2201 Fort Mill Business Center Self-Storage, 2444 Hwy. 160 West, 548-0201 Gold Hill Self-Storage, Gold Hill Road, 802-2555 Shurgard, 9896 Old Charlotte Highway (Hwy. 521), 802-7000 Storage and Business Center of Tega Cay, 2012 Hwy. 160 West, 547-8989 Storett of Tega Cay, 144 B.W. Thomas Drive, 548-4900 Tega Cay Self Storage, 2026 Gold Hill Road, 547-2212 521 Storage, 7624 Charlotte Hwy., 802-7911 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 17 ]
How to get AROUND Airports
Two airports are just a short drive away: ■ Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is easily accessible to the north, either by I-77 or Hwy. 160 West. It is among the 15 largest airports in the nation in passenger departure, and is a major hub for US Airways flights. ■ The Rock Hill-York County Airport can accommodate small planes and corporate jets.
Buses
Heading to Charlotte or Rock Hill? The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) offers regular, affordable transportation. Fares run from $1.20 for local service to $2.40 for routes connecting to neighboring counties. There are reduced fares for senior citizens and children. For details, call 704-366-RIDE or visit www.charmeck.org/departments/cats/ home.htm.
Photo courtesy of Charlotte Area Transit System
The LYNX Blue Line, the Charlotte region’s first light-rail service, stretches 9.6 miles to key destinations in the Queen City.
Light rail
The 9.6-mile LYNX Blue Line, the Charlotte region’s first light-rail service, offers fast, quiet, convenient service to 15 stations between I-485 at South Boulevard near the state line and uptown Charlotte. Dozens of bus routes are timed to connect with trains at the Blue Line stations. Park-and-ride stations are equipped with
[ 18 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
electronic ticket vending machines. Trains operate seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., and service is available every 7.5 minutes during weekday rush hour and every 15 minutes during non-peak hours. During weekday evenings, the Blue Line operates every 30 minutes. Weekend service is every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes during late night hours. One-way fares are 65 cents
for students and seniors and $1.50 for adults. Roundtrip fares cost $1.30 for students and seniors and $2.60 for adults. All-day unlimited tickets cost $4, and unlimited tickets good for seven days cost $13. Editor’s note: Bus and rail fares are subject to change. For details, call 704-366-RIDE or visit www.charmeck.org/departments. ■
New to South Carolina? ■ If you move to South Carolina from another state, you have 45
days to register your vehicle and 90 days to convert to a South Carolina driver’s license. If your driver’s license from your home state has expired, you must also pass the knowledge and road tests. New state residents will also pay property taxes on your vehicles.
IMPORTANT! Failure to register your vehicle in York County could mean you’ll pay more on your county property taxes. See page 54 for details.
In person
Online
What to bring
You moved here at the right time! Newcomers used to have to drive to Rock Hill for the nearest DMV office, but because Fort Mill Township is the fastest-growing part of our state, South Carolina finally opened up a DMV office locally. Both the new Fort Mill location and the nearest Rock Hill location are: ■ 3071 Hwy. 21 (across the road from Bloom), Fort Mill, 547-8350 ■ 305 Hands Mill Road, Rock Hill, 329-6332 Offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. The Hands Mill Road office is also open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. To qualify for a South Carolina driver’s license, you must pass the DMV eye exam. A South Carolina license is valid for five years. The fee is $12.50.
Don’t always wait in long lines. Go online at www.scdmvonline.com and click on “Public Services” for: ■ Address changes ■ Driver’s license renewals, duplicates ■ ID card renewals ■ View your driver’s license status, and pay reinstatement fees ■ Duplicate registration certificates ■ Get your driving record Note: Some services require a fee that can be paid online with a debit or credit card.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you must show proof of identity and citizenship, your Social Security number, proof of residency and auto insurance. For details, go to www.scdmvonline.com. Here are the most common pieces of paper you’ll want to bring: ■ Original birth certificate (duplicates are OK, but no photocopies!) ■ Social Security card ■ Employer pay stub or employment records ■ Current utility bill ■ Proof of auto insurance from a company licensed to do business in South Carolina
FACT: The “Pennies For Progress” 1-cent sales tax imposed on York County residents was created to pay for the cost of building new roads. Two major road projects were developed to help alleviate congestion:
Northern Bypass
Southern Bypass
This $15 million, 4.2-mile, two-lane road runs from Gold Hill Road to Old Nation Road and connects with Springfield Parkway. It was completed in 2008.
This planned $15.1-million project will stretch 3.9 miles eastward from the Banks Street/Brickyard Road intersection (Fort Mill Parkway) to connect with Springfield Parkway at Tom Hall Street. Construction has been delayed until at least 2010.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 19 ]
GUIDE TO HOOKING UP YOUR Electricity
Duke Energy serves approximately 30,000 customers in York County. New customers must request service at least 24 hours in advance. Duke Energy is open 24 hours, seven days a week. A deposit may be required based on credit history. The main customer service number is 1-800777-9898. For special needs, such as medical notification and referrals to social service agencies, call 1-800-943-6914.Visit www.duke-energy.com. York Electric Cooperative Inc. is a member-owned, nonprofit utility that serves about 15,000 members in Fort Mill Township.York Electric’s Fort Mill branch office location is 2089 Hwy. 21 Bypass. The hours are 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. A $5 membership fee is required along with a deposit. Residential deposits of $145 may be waived if the member has qualifying credit or co-signer. Several payment options are offered including cash, check, credit card, bank draft and E-check. E-bill notification available.Visit www.yorkelectric.net or call 548-4244. To report an outage, call 1-866-374-1234.
Natural Gas
York County Natural Gas Authority serves all of York County. A deposit may be required based on credit worthiness. Deposits can cost up to $200 for residents. For more information or to pay your bill, go to www.ycnga.com. Customers can also pay by credit card or automatic bank draft. Call 329-5255. Lancaster County Natural Gas Authority serves some Indian Land residents. Deposits cost $100-$300 for renters and $25 for homeowners. Call 803-285-2045 or 548-4777.
Telephone
Comporium Communications serves the township, including most of Indian Land, down to Twelve Mile Creek Road and Hancock Road off Hwy. 521. A $100-$200 deposit may be required. Call 548-9011 (Peachtree Plaza office) or 802-9050 (Tom Hall Street office). A new office recently opened at 2386 Hwy. 160 West for walk-in customers. For details, go to www.comporium.com. Lancaster Telephone Co. serves the rest of the Indian Land/Van Wyck area. A $100 deposit may be required. Call 803-283-9011.
Internet & E-mail
Comporium Communications offers dial-up, ISDN, cable modem and DSL. Costs range from $9.95 (for 20 hours of dial-up) to $109.95 (for unlimited DSL) per month. Offices are open Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings. Call 548-9011 (Peachtree Plaza office). For details, go to www.comporium.com.
[ 20 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
UTILITIES Cable TV
Comporium Communications offers more than 100 channels including pay-perview options. Rates range in price from basic service ($9 a month in town limits) to a full digital cable package ($91.60 a month), including premium channels. Installation costs $45. Sign up at 404 Springcrest Drive (Peachtree Plaza off Hwy. 160) or 400 Tom Hall St. Call 548-9011. Go to www.comporium.com for details.
The Fort Mill Post Office delivers mail all over the township and in most of Indian Land, down to Six Mile Creek Road off Hwy. 521. It’s located on Tom Hall Street (5474101). The Fort Mill Post Office also operates a small station in South Lake Shopping Park on Gold Hill Road (5481957). The Lancaster Post Office serves the extreme southern end of Indian Land. Call 803-286-6202 for details.
Water & Sewer / Trash
The Town of Fort Mill provides water, sewer and trash collection to more than 4,800 households in the town limits and nearly 700 outside the town limits. Homeowners must pay a $20 deposit. Renters must pay $40. Recyclables and trash are collected weekly for $11.25 per month. Call 547-2034. For details, go to www.fortmillsc.org. Weekly trash pickups are free in Tega Cay. Recyclables are collected twice a month on the first and third Fridays of each month. Call Tega Cay City Hall at 548-3512. Tega Cay Water Service Inc., a private company, provides water and sewer service to the older parts of Tega Cay. The onetime, nonrefundable hookup fee is $30, plus a $100 refundable deposit. Call 548-0821. Tega Cay Utilities Department serves residents of Lake Shore on Lake Wylie.
There is a $50 activation fee and a $50 refundable deposit required. Call 548-3512. For details, go to www.tegacaysc.org. Riverview Community Water System serves the Riverview and Greyrock areas. The deposit is $90. Call 547-2458. York County Water and Sewer and Public Works serves township residents along Carowinds Boulevard, Gold Hill Road, Pleasant Road and part of Hwy. 160. The deposit and activation fee is $130. Call 803628-3210. For details, go to www.yorkcountygov.com. Lancaster County Water and Sewer provides water and sewer to some Indian Land residents. Deposits are $75. The tap fee is $950. Call 803-285-6919.
Recycling in York County
Two convenience centers operate in Fort Mill from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Bring household trash, large items such as furniture and tires, newspapers and magazines, junk mail, plastic bags, boxes (must be broken down), metal cans and plastic and glass bottles and containers. One center is located on Hwy. 160 West near Baxter Village, and the other is on Hwy. 160 East across from the Leroy Springs Recreation Complex.
Trash & Recycling in Indian Land
Indian Land residents are responsible for their own trash and recycling services. Homeowners associations in some neighborhoods provide the services via private companies but many residents use the county’s convenience site, located at 401 Jim Wilson Rd. The convenience site offers trash and recycling receptacles and is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday. The site is open on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is closed on Sunday and Wednesday. ■
Banks ■ American Community Bank 1738 Gold Hill Rd. Fort Mill, 802-6770
■ Bank of America 115 Tom Hall Street, Fort Mill, 981-5498 See their ad on page 31. ■ BB&T 1782 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 802-3031 3700 Avenue of the Carolinas, Suite 108, Fort Mill, 802-8444
■ Carolina First 100 Stone Village Drive, Fort Mill, 548-9700 8179 Charlotte Hwy., Fort Mill, 547-8020 ■ First Citizens Bank 1401 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 548-7831 2880 Hwy. 160 West, Tega Cay, 802-7120, 7580 Charlotte Hwy., Suite 500, Fort Mill, 802-8901 ■ First National Bank 1115 Stonecrest Blvd., Tega Cay, 548-6666
■ S.C. Bank & Trust of the Piedmont 808 Tom Hall Street, Fort Mill, 548-6292 817 Dave Gibson Blvd., Fort Mill, 802-2040 9789 Charlotte Hwy. (Hwy. 521), Indian Land, 802-2750 ■ State Farm Bank Wachovia Bank NA 403 Tom Hall Street, Fort Mill, 547-5551 2890 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 548-0562
Credit Unions ■ First Patriots Federal Credit Union 3064 Hwy. 21, Fort Mill, 548-9270
■ Founders Federal Credit Union 134 North White Street, Fort Mill, 547-5587 100 Springcrest Drive, Fort Mill, 802-7600 957 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, 396-5424 9881 Charlotte Hwy. (Hwy. 521), Indian Land, 548-3636 See their ad on the inside back cover.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 21 ]
When can I water my lawn? For more
■ More extensive information on drought-related water restrictions in Fort Mill is available on the town’s Web site, www.fortmillsc.org. ■ For more about York County water restrictions, visit York County’s Web site at www.york countygov. com. ■ For a full listing of the water restrictions recommended in Tega Cay, visit the city’s Web site at www.tega caysc.org. ■ For more about Lancaster County’s drought-related water restrictions, check out www.lcwasd.org.
[ 22 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Although drought conditions plagued Fort Mill Township the past two summers, a wet spring season has Lake Wylie’s water levels back to normal in 2009. During the worst part of the drought, Lake Wylie receded several feet, revealing acres of drying lake bed. Lake levels returned to normal during early 2008, but stream flows and the water table were still well below normal. Some local governments relaxed water restrictions, but the rules varied. As of July 2009, no local municipalities had water restrictions in effect. That means residents of the Town of Fort Mill, the City of Tega Cay and unincorporated parts of Fort Mill Township, including Indian Land, are not
obligated to follow any water restriction rules. You can water your lawn, wash your car or home, etc., at any time, any day. However, the City of Tega Cay has declared a Stage 1 Drought/Voluntary Conservation effort with the goal of reducing water use citywide by 3 to 4 percent. Among other suggestions, the city asks residents to use low-volume, hand-held devices to water their lawns and reduce the use of irrigation systems to two days a week. For a full list, call the city’s Planning Department at 548-3513. Note: Water restrictions can quickly change. If mandatory restrictions are enacted, that information will be published in the Fort Mill Times and on our Web site, www.fortmilltimes.com. ■
It’s got everything you remember from where you grew up. Great neighbors and strong community connections. A Village Green, YMCA, parks, festivals and wide open places to play. A Town Center where you can shop, eat and get ice cream, plus an elementary school and public library right in the neighborhood. But Baxter also offers new generation innovations like homes wired for technology, wireless hot spots, walking trails and a childcare center. Plus fast interstate access and big city conveniences just minutes away. Come rediscover the way things were, only better, in our next generation American small town.
Saussy Burbank Homes Evans Coghill Homes David Weekley Homes Miller Classic Homes Pulte Homes
Baxter Village Introduces
B •Y• O •B (Bring Your Own Builder)
www.villageofbaxter.com New Homes in Fort Mill. • Townhomes - from the low $200’s • Classic Homes - from the $290's • Custom Homes - from the $400's. Take I-77 to Exit 85. Go West on Highway 160. Baxter is on your left. For more information, call Toll-Free at 877-570-HOME or 803-802-TOWN.
When you buy one of the larger homesites in our BYOB phase, you can build your own home or bring your own builder. You will still be part of the overall neighborhood and enjoy the same exceptional amenities, but with more flexibility in design style.
Competition Pool | 7,500 sq. ft. clubhouse
Low Taxes | Fitness Center | Walking Trails
Tega Cay Lake Ridge is a master planned community located next to Lake Wylie and Baxter Village in Tega Cay, SC. The community features a wide variety of amenities to meet the individual lifestyles of each homeowner.
Grey Rock Village Active Adult homes from the $180s - $250s 803.802.0677 | TributeHomesUSA.com
Lake Ridge Commons Single Family homes from the $200s - $300s 800.758.0638 x 4901 | TrueHomesUSA.com
How’s the
WEATHER? Spring
The long spring here is a feast of pastels, with dogwoods, daffodils and azaleas blooming everywhere you look. By May temperatures begin reaching the 80s, inspiring kids to sprint through sprinklers and spend warm days in the sun.
Summer
There’s no other word to describe July and August but hot. Daytime temperatures are in the 90s, while evenings turn balmy – perfect for cookouts, pool parties and after-dinner strolls.
Fall
By late September, the weather begins to cool down. November’s crisper air turns our tree-lined streets into a kaleidoscope of autumn colors. And the township’s Anne Springs Close Greenway is never more beautiful.
Winter
Winters are mild for the most part, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s during the day. Occasionally, though, the mercury does drop into the 20s, but it doesn’t stay there long. Snow rarely shows itself here, but when a light dusting does occur, it usually melts quickly. However, in 2003, the area saw a record-breaking winter storm dump nearly 18 inches of snow on Fort Mill Township within a few hours.
Maximum temp...............................................................................................................71.5º Minimum temp. ..............................................................................................................49.8º Average temp...................................................................................................................60.7º Average annual rainfall ......................................................................................40 inches [ 26 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Jan Baucom/Fort Mill Times
Average temperatures
Cole Rasmussen takes the plunge at the Fort Mill YMCA pool.
S H O P • E AT • P L AY
Orypden eve ay • • •
INTERNATIONAL FOOD COURT OVER 100 SPECIALTY SHOPS THE BIGGEST INDOOR PLAYGROUND IN THE SOUTH
3700 AVENUE OF THE CAROLINAS FORT MILL, SC 29708 Take I-77 to SC Exit 90 at the North Carolina and South Carolina border. Information at 803.548.5888
www.plazafiestacarolinas.com [ 28 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
0308 PFC_AD 3.80x9.875.indd 1
7/16/09 1:58:06 PM
Weddings Receptions Meetings Bridal Showers Rehearsal Dinners
138 Clebourne Street Fort Mill, South Carolina 29715 www.theclebournehouse.com events@theclebournehouse.com
4 reasons 1 $8,000 Tax Credit*
to buy in 09
If you buy before 12.1.09
2 Low Interest Rates Get in before they go up
3 Amazing Deals
Price reductions & incentives
4 Financial Benefits Write off mortgage interest & home equity
Mill Creek Falls
HOMES FROM THE $170s New ranch plans Located minutes from Lake Wylie Close to shopping & dining Uptown 30 minutes away Community pool with gazebo
Call Today 803.831.5808 *Credit from the U.S. Government for first-time homebuyers if you buy before 12.1.09.
[ 30 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Home loan solutions from Bank of America • Competitive rates • A wide range of home financing solutions • Easy application process Contact me today:
Tom Griffin Assistant Vice President 803.981.5453 thomas.w.griffin@bankofamerica.com http://mortgage.bankofamerica.com/thomaswgriffin Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender © 2009 Bank of America Corporation. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. 00-62-0287D 04-2009 AR73004
Car Insurance with PERSONAL SERVICE.
NO EXTRA CHARGE. Are you there? You deserve a competitive rate on car insurance—and free personal service from me, your State Farm® agent. Let me help you find the coverage that’s right for you. Call me today for more information.
Phil Nase Ins Agcy Inc Phil Nase, Agent 200 Dobys Bridge Road, Suite 140 Bus: 803-547-5575 Toll Free: 866-547-5575 phil.nase.bvzk@statefarm.com
statefarm.com® P080259 11/08
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company • Bloomington, IL
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 31 ]
WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR
IN OUR SCHOOLS
Some of Fort Mill Township’s most precious resources are its schools. But as more and more people move here, school district officials face a perpetual challenge in keeping up with growth.
[ 34 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
New developments in Fort Mill Township will include schools Last year, voters approved $95.9 million in bonds to build two elementary schools, a middle school and to improve athletics facilities at both high schools.
Prior to that, the school district approved $70.3 million on an Installment Purchase Plan for two elementary schools and an expansion of classrooms at Nation Ford High. Less than a month after the district took advantage of the IPP, a state law took that option away from school districts across the state.
principal at Sugar Creek, located near the Regent Park area. Frattaroli, who had served as principal at Springfield Elementary, is excited about his new opportunity. “I’m fortunate because I’ll be working with a parent and student base that I’m already familiar with at Springfield,” Frattaroli said. “It’s great because I won’t have to start from the ground up.” Frattaroli began teaching second grade in the district 11 years ago, when Riverview Elementary was known as the Fort Mill Primary. Four years later, he became assistant principal at Riverview under Principal
Impact fees ■ Fort Mill is the only school district in the state that can collect impact fees. State lawmakers passed legislation to forbid any other districts from following Fort Mill’s lead of requiring developers to help offset the cost of rapid growth.
Total collected July 1997 – June 2008: $23,590,000 July 2008 ................................................$230,000 August 2008 ..........................................$57,500 September 2008................................$227,500 October 2008 ....................................$262,500 November 2008 ..................................$65,000 December 2008 ..................................$47,500 January 2009 ..........................................$67,500 February 2009 ......................................$87,500 March 2009 ..........................................$107,500 April 2009 ............................................$115,000 May 2009 ..............................................$237,500 June 2009 ..............................................$242,500 Total..............................$25,337,500
Future plans call for at least one more elementary, middle and high school. It wasn’t the first time Fort Mill has beat the buzzer. Since 1997, Fort Mill has been the only school district in the state able to charge impact fees on developments to offset capital expenses. Lawmakers took that option away, too. Every new home built in the school district pays a $2,500 impact fee, which is used to pay off debt for building new schools. The district has collected more than $25 million in impact fees since July 1997. Two new schools are scheduled to open this year – Sugar Creek and Pleasant Knoll elementary schools. Veteran administrator Scott Frattaroli will be the
Annette Chinchilla and served for five years before being named principal at Springfield three years ago. Pleasant Knoll, off Pleasant Road between Hwy. 160 West and Gold Hill Road, will be under the guidance of Travis Howard, who had been assistant principal at Riverview Elementary School. The district is eyeing land deals for two more elementary schools and another middle school. If all the proposed new schools are built, they will bring the total number of Fort Mill schools to 16: nine elementary schools, four middle schools, two high schools and an alternative school.
The district does face some challenges in getting all the schools open. Two potential sites, one for a middle school and one for an elementary school, depend on York County completing the first leg of the planned Fort Mill Southern Bypass. Because of S.C. Department of Transportation regulations, neither school can open without that first leg. — continued on page 36
Fort Mill: Student population projections
12,429
11,147
9,997
2009
2010
2011 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 35 ]
FACT: In 2009, Nation Ford High’s first senior class graduated. Because too few rising seniors at Fort Mill High were willing to transfer to Nation Ford, the new school did not have a senior class when it opened in 2007.
More schools: from page 35:
Jeff Sochko/Fort Mill Times
Nation Ford High School English teacher Chuck Walker helped launch the school’s student newspaper, The Talon, which won several awards last year. A former district Teacher of the Year, Walker is also a musician and plays in a Christian-oriented punk band. [ 36 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
The bypass was funded through the 2003 York County “Pennies for Progress” program. Although county and school officials pledged to work together to have the first leg open by 2009, the bypass has stalled in the planning stage. If the district continues to grow, even more construction could be in the near future. Long-range plans call for at least one more elementary, middle and high school over the next few years. The plan, which was completed before Fort Mill’s rapid growth cooled with the economy, called for a third high school by 2011, although that does not appear necessary or feasible at this point. The district has been getting help from developers and local governments. Three years ago, G.S. Carolina began building on 400 acres on Doby’s Bridge Road for a subdivision called Massey. From the beginning, the developer offered the district 20 acres for an elementary school, akin to the way Clear Springs Development had several years ago given the site for Orchard Park Elementary in Baxter Village. And on Sutton Road, the Museum of York County partnered with Cherokee Investment Partners to develop 340 acres around its planned museum and offered a 20-acre elementary school site. However, the developers’ plans are on hold indefinitely during this economic downturn. (See related story on page 103.) ■
FACT: In 1921, voters in Indian Land’s Belair community approved a bond issue for $2,000 to build a public school. The school’s construction cost about $6,000. File/Fort Mill Times
Maddison Byerley, Ashley Davis and Emma Gladu examine evidence during an experiment at Indian Land Middle School. Teachers Bill Bruno and Lisa Bachini created a mock crime scene for grade seven science students to investigate.
Indian Land: Schools keep up with growth
Indian Land schools, much like the community, have been several new classroom wings added to the building. Indian Land High School is built to expand as the student rapidly changing to keep up with the pace of growth.
The Indian Land Elementary, Middle and High schools sit on 126 acres between Doby’s Bridge Road and River Road. In 2007, Indian Land High School opened the doors to its new building, leaving the former high school building ready for the renovations that transformed it into the new Indian Land Middle School. The renovations to the former high school building included refurbishing the older parts of the building and building more classrooms inside the vocational section of the school. Renovations also closed in all three aspects of the building that were previously connected by covered walkways. The middle school, like the new high school, is built to accommodate the growing number of students in the Panhandle with
population grows. It was designed to hold 700 students initially but will be able to expand to a capacity of 1,200. While the middle and high school students will have room to move as more enroll, the elementary school is rapidly outgrowing its space. Middle school students moved out of mobile classrooms on the campus of the Indian Land Elementary School and into their new facility in January 2008, but many of the 11 mobile classrooms were quickly filled with a burgeoning elementary school population. The school district has already purchased land for a future school in the southern end of the Panhandle. But officials have not yet decided when that school will be constructed, or if it will be a middle school or elementary school. ■
Indian Land: Student population projections
2,832
2,603
1,403
2009
2010
2011 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 37 ]
How to enroll ■ Fort Mill Township Schools When: July Where: Family Resource Center at 513 Banks Street. What is needed: Proof of residency (such as a deed, certificate of occupancy, tax receipt or lease; power bills, driver’s license, and auto tax receipts won’t be accepted), your child’s Social Security card, complete state immunization form, and your child’s legal birth certificate. A $20 registration fee is required. To register at any other time of year, call the school district office at 548-2527. ■ Indian Land Schools Where: Indian Land High School When: July Where: Indian Land Elementary and Middle schools When: July Who: Registration at Indian Land Elementary, Middle or High School is needed only for a new or transfer student and students who have had a change of address and have not yet provided the office with the necessary proof. To register at any other time of year, call the high school at 5477571, the middle school at 548-3770, or the elementary school at 548-2916. [ 38 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
ATTENDANCE ZONES: FORT MILL Fort Mill School District elementary school attendance lines
Fort Mill School District high school attendance lines
Fort Mill School District middle school attendance lines
Springfield Middle School Fort Mill Middle School
Gold Hill Middle School
OUR SCHOOLS’
STANDARDS
FORT MILL
INDIAN LAND
SUPERINTENDENT .................. Dr. Keith Callicutt 548-2527
SUPERINTENDENT .................... Dr. Gene Moore 803-286-6972
ENROLLMENT .......................................... 9,427
ENROLLMENT .......................................... 2,252
WHITE ...................................................... 61.56% BLACK ........................................................ 9.43% OTHER ........................................................ 29.1%
WHITE .......................................................... 80% BLACK .......................................................... 15% OTHER ............................................................ 6%
NUMBER OF SCHOOLS .................................. 13
NUMBER OF SCHOOLS .................................... 3
ELEMENTARY ...................................................... 7 MIDDLE .............................................................. 3 HIGH .................................................................. 2
ELEMENTARY ...................................................... 1 MIDDLE .............................................................. 1 HIGH .................................................................. 1
STUDENT-TEACHER RATIOS
STUDENT-TEACHER RATIOS
K-2 .............................................................. 20.6:1 3-5 .............................................................. 22.2:1 6-8 ................................................................ 24:1 9-12 .............................................................. 26:1
AVERAGE SAT SCORES VERBAL .......................................................... 521 MATH .............................................................. 523 WRITING ........................................................ 504
K .................................................................... 1-3 ................................................................ 4-5 ................................................................ 6-8 ................................................................ 9-12 ..............................................................
22:1 22:1 27:1 22:1 21:2
AVERAGE SAT SCORES VERBAL .......................................................... 474 MATH .............................................................. 484 WRITING ........................................................ 462
PER STUDENT SPENDING INSTRUCTION ............................................ $5,185 PLANT OPERATIONS .................................. $1,999 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION .......................... $497 DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ............................ $76 FOOD ............................................................ $390
PER STUDENT SPENDING INSTRUCTION ............................................ $4,470 PLANT OPERATIONS .................................... $601 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION .......................... $465 DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION .......................... $165 FOOD ............................................................ $386
AVERAGE TEACHER SALARIES DISTRICT .................................................. $47,102 STATE ......................................................$47,304
AFTER GRADUATION COLLEGE ...................................................... 95% EMPLOYMENT/OTHER .................................... 5%
STATE REPORT CARDS* DISTRICT ABSOLUTE RATING ................................ Excellent PERFORMANCE & GROWTH RATING .... Excellent OTHERS Fort Mill High School Absolute: Excellent Growth: Excellent Gold Hill and Orchard Park elementary schools: Absolute: Excellent Growth: Good
Springfield Middle School: Absolute: Good Growth: Good Gold Hill Middle, and Fort Mill and Riverview elementary schools: Absolute: Good Growth: Average
Fort Mill Middle and Springfield Elementary schools: Absolute: Good Growth: Below Average Nation Ford High School: N/A
AVERAGE TEACHER SALARIES DISTRICT .............................................. $48,012 STATE .................................................. $47,304
AFTER GRADUATION COLLEGE ...................................................... 85% EMPLOYMENT/OTHER .................................. 15%
STATE REPORT CARDS* DISTRICT ABSOLUTE RATING ...................... Below Average PERFORMANCE & GROWTH RATING ...... Average OTHERS Indian Land High School Absolute: Good Growth: At Risk Indian Land Middle School Absolute: Average Growth: Below Average
Indian Land Elementary Absolute: Average Growth: Below Average * Source: S.C. Department of Education
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 39 ]
SPECIAL SERVICES:
Helping challenged students “The achievements of a community are the results of the combined effort of each individual.” – Vince Lombardi
Special needs services
Local schools offer an array of services for students with special needs. If your student attends Fort Mill schools, contact: Carolyn Logue, Director of Special Education 548-2527, loguec@fmsd4.fort-mill.k12.sc.us Amy Maziarz, Coordinator 548-2527, maziarza@fmsd4.fort-mill.k12.sc.us
If your student attends school in Indian Land, contact: Dr. Kathy Durbin, Student Services Director 803-285-8439, kdurbin@lancasterscschools.org
As the lift on the bus opens and makes its way to the black concrete, a 17-year-old boy with cerebral palsy pushes the switch for his power chair and zooms into one of the local high schools. All smiles Julie and eager to start his day, he hits the augmentative Warner communication device attached to his chair and a teacher voice sends a greeting to his classmates. Across town at one of the elementary schools, a young girl tightens the grip on her pencil and looks up as her teacher points to letters on the board. Affected by a learning disability, the girl struggles with writing but works hard to earn praise from her teacher. Using paper with raised lines helps her keep the letters neat and legible. At one of the middle schools, a picture schedule is posted on the wall in one classroom. The schedule helps provide the needed structure for several students with autism and developmental disabilities. Each part of the day is depicted by a symbol or photograph that tells the students what to expect. Searching for items in the grocery store, one young lady enters the prices on her calculator to determine the final cost. Learning to budget and make decisions is a vital skill that this student with cognitive delays has practiced throughout the school year. All across the Fort Mill School District, students with disabilities are being served by teams of professionals who design individualized instruction. From preschool to graduation, students with disabilities receive services that focus on skill building and independence. Special education teachers, speech and language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, psychologists and other professionals collaborate to ensure that exceptional students have any needed specialized equipment and are successful at school. Our district and community supports exceptional children in numerous ways. The high school teacher cadet program and early childhood classes are designed to prepare students interested in becoming teachers and provides opportunities for young people to work with students with disabilities. Likewise, Leroy Springs and Co. provides funds for horseback riding and swimming programs. Local agencies and employers, such as the High Five Club and Wal-Mart, support recreation/leisure and work opportunities. And, of course, Winthrop University boasts an outstanding program for people who have a passion for teaching students with disabilities. Having this program nearby allows us to have student interns and professionals in our classrooms. Like a huge jigsaw puzzle, the school district and the community contribute pieces that fit together to encourage, support and meet the needs of students with unique challenges! — Julie Warner was the district’s 2008 Teacher of the Year who now has a districtwide position in special education. You can e-mail her at warnerj@fortmill.k12.sc.us.
■ [ 40 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
PTOs and PTAs
Parents can volunteer in their children’s classrooms from elementary school all the way through high school thanks to local parent-teacher organizations and parent-teacher-student associations. With schools practically bursting at the seams because of new students, teachers need every bit of help they Nation Ford High can get. Parents who take part in local Parent Teacher ■ Cost to join: $25. Volunteer Organizations / Associations by working concession stands at already know that. That’s why games, helping with merchandise they spend so much time sales as well as membership preparing fundraisers and sign-ups. organizing teacher and ■ For details: Call Nation Ford student functions. They’re a Athletics Director Brian Turner vital part the Fort Mill and at 835-0003. Indian Land school systems. And the systems know it. Fort Mill High “Without parent volunteers, we couldn’t get ■ Cost to join: $30. Support all everything done that needs the teams at the school to be done,” Fort Mill School financially and through volunteer District spokesman Bob work and annually offers college Ormseth said. “If you go into scholarships to four of the any of our schools on any day, school’s athletes. there are parents helping out ■ Mail memberships to: P.O. Box 2061, Fort Mill, SC 29716. teachers and students. If we ■ For details, e-mail Jeanne had to pay these people, Gregory at there’s no way we could do gregory8@comporium.net. it.” There’s an active PTO/PTA Indian Land High at every school. They provide a variety of volunteer help, ■ For details, e-mail David but most hold yearly fundHelms at raisers to purchase school helms3@comporium.net or call supplies or equipment that Indian Land High School the district can’t find room in Athletics Director Michael the budget for. Not only does Mayer at 547-7571. the PTO/PTA help raise money for the schools, they are also there to support the teachers and students. PTO/PTAs typically meet once a month, although the meeting date is not always regularly set. PTO/PTA directors urge anyone interested in joining or attending a meeting to call their school for the next meeting date. ■
Booster clubs
For reference ... Fort Mill School District First day of School: Aug. 19 Student Holidays: Sept. 7 Oct. 12 Oct. 23 Nov. 25-27 Dec. 21-31 Jan. 1 Jan. 15 Jan. 18
Feb. 15 March 19 April 2 April 5-9 May 31
Possible weather make-up days: Sept. 7 Oct. 12 Oct. 23
Jan. 15 Jan. 18 Feb. 15 March 19 April 2 May 31 June 4
Last Day of School: June 3
Updates to this calendar are available at www.fort-mill.k12.sc.us.
Indian Land Schools (Lancaster County School District) First Day of School: Aug. 14 Sixth- and ninth-graders Aug. 17 All other grades Student Holidays: Sept. 7 Nov. 25-27
Dec. 21-Jan. 1 Jan. 18 April 5-9
Student make-up days: Oct. 12 Nov. 25
Jan. 11 Feb.15 March 12 April 7-9 May 28
Last Day of School: May 27
Updates to this calendar are available at www.lcsd.k12.sc.us.
School hours ■ Fort Mill Elementary, Gold Hill Elementary, Orchard Park Elementary, Riverview Elementary and Springfield Elementary: 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ■ Fort Mill Middle, Gold Hill Middle and Springfield Middle: 8:20 to 3:30 p.m. ■ Fort Mill High and Nation Ford High: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ■ Indian Land Elementary: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ■ Indian Land Middle: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ■ Indian Land High: 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Phone numbers ■ Fort Mill High, ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
548-1900 Nation Ford High, 835-0000 Fort Mill Middle, 547-5553 Gold Hill Middle, 548-8300 Springfield Middle, 548-8199 Gold Hill Elementary, 548-8250
■ Fort Mill
■ Sugar Creek
■
■
■ ■ ■
Elementary, 547-7546 Orchard Park Elementary, 548-8170 Pleasant Knoll Elementary, 835-0090 Riverview Elementary, 548-4677 Springfield Elementary, 548-8150
■ ■ ■
Elementary, 835-0150 Fort Mill Academy, 802-8505 Indian Land High, 547-7571 Indian Land Middle, 548-2500 Indian Land Elementary, 548-2916
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 41 ]
Fort Mill High School senior Justin Gomez works to pry loose a stubborn bolt as part of a front end alignment for a sports utility vehicle while another student looks on during an auto tech class at Nation Ford High School.
Toya Graham/Fort Mill Times
Program readies students for critical Aaron “A-Rob” Robinson wraps his oil-stained hands around a wheel on a engine. But not just any engine. The hodgepodge of metal, nuts and bolts is the hub that makes his Mazda RX7 work.
Except the Mazda sits idle. It has to, because its engine doesn’t work. “I’m rebuilding the engine because I blew it showing off,” said Robinson, a rising senior at Fort Mill High School. He isn’t an automotive technician – yet. But he started laying the foundation as an auto technology student at a program held at Nation Ford High School. The new class, which includes students from both of the district’s high schools, is demanding attention as the haven some students seek to gain skills to make them more marketable.
[ 42 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
“This is a recession-proof industry,” instructor Gary Perkins said of the auto industry. “Everybody always has to have their car fixed.” As the U.S. workforce shifts away from manufacturing into more service-oriented jobs, the demand for specialized job skills continues to rise. So Fort Mill’s two high schools are on the cutting edge of preparing students. High school students in the district were among the first in the state to have course work tailored to a specific career track. Called a “Career Cluster,” the program, launched six years ago, helps students focus their studies and choice of classes while learning in small group environments. Beginning on the day they enter high school, students develop a future career plan in one of four career clusters: Arts and Humanities, Business and Computer
Technology, Engineering and Industrial Technology, or Health and Human Services. The clusters are offered at both high schools. Prior to declaring a major, students take High School 101, which familiarizes them with high school, study skills, test taking and critical thinking skills. Freshmen develop a four-year plan around one of the clusters, but don’t begin taking classes focusing on that major until their sophomore or junior year. Students unsure of what track to follow can take classes in each of the main cluster areas to explore their options. Among some of the newer courses added over the past couple of years are Spanish for the Workplace, Spor ts Medicine III, Engineering Design and Development, Vir tual Enterprise and International Finance and Business 101, which is a duel enrollment with York
Career CLUSTERS career skills, experience Technical College. New courses being added this year include Animation in the Information Technology major, Auto Technology offered at Nation Ford High, and Biomedical Sciences II, which is being offered at both campuses. Other options for majors include accounting, computer programing, administrative support, protective services, agriscience, culinary arts and the Oracle Academy, a computer software training program. Completing a major in one of the clusters is designed to give graduates three options for leaving high school: ready to join the workforce, prepared to attend a technical school, or ready to attend a college or university. Unlike true majors in a post-secondary educational setting, a career cluster or major does not lock a student into a specific concentration. However, students
are encouraged to complete at least four courses in at least one major before leaving high school. Students who complete a major are honored at graduation with a tassel-like cord of distinction. In addition to preparing students for the next phase of their lives, the cluster program has generated national attention from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and resulted in Fort Mill High being named one of 30 “Model Schools” in the U.S. It also helped the high school earn a federal Blue Ribbon Award. The program has also drawn visitors, nationally and internationally, from more than 30 schools hoping to replicate Fort Mill’s success. More information about the career cluster program is available on the Fort Mill High and Nation Ford High schools’ Web sites, http://fmhs.for t-mill.k12.sc.us/ or http://nfhs.fort-mill.k12.sc.us/. ■
FACT: With a mission to promote academic excellence in the Fort Mill School District, the Foundation for Fort Mill Schools awards annual grants of $500 to teachers for innovative classroom projects projects that encompass innovation, creativity, educational value, student involvement and teacher commitment. The Foundation also establishes and manages scholarships for high school seniors, tailored to the specific goals of sponsors. The Foundation for Fort Mill Schools is able to support these programs through donations from individuals, community groups and local businesses. Contributions ensure that innovation and academic excellence will continue to be an integral part of students’ educational experience. ■ For more information, go to foundationforfortmill schools.org.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 43 ]
The
performing arts take center stage in our schools
[ 44 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
“
“
The community has gotten to where they are so supportive, they come to everything we do.
Michael Dove Fort Mill High School’s choir director
With no stage, no storage and little space for productions, the Indian Land High School Drama Club faces several big challenges – but that hasn’t stopped students and staff from putting on at least one performance each school year.
This past spring students presented “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” a comedy that included and cast and crew of 15 students – the school’s largest performance to date. The school’s theater department also relies heavily on the help of community members such as Janie Straight, of Straight Sewing and Costumes, who donated many of the costumes used for the production. The high school’s Building and Construction class also helped out by building sets. Indian Land High School’s drama department is only six years old, but growing. Their theater offerings include a drama club, which meets weekly, and drama classes offered once per school year, usually in the spring. Club and class members learn about the elements of small theater productions, including improvisation, script writing and set design. In the western side of the township, students at Fort Mill and Nation Ford high schools are also comfortable basking in the warmth of the spotlight. Fort Mill High’s major production this past year was “Peter Pan,” featuring professional equipment that allowed the title character – as well as the Darling kids – to actually soar over the stage. The production, directed by Michael Dove and Elizabeth Williams, dazzled the audience. Meanwhile, Nation Ford’s Drama Department made a big splash with “Seussical,” a musical/comedy that features the interaction of different Dr. Seuss characters. Theatre Director Amy Turner and her staff, only in their second year, are building a program that is quickly creating a buzz among students and the community. The department’s Madrigal Feast is now an annual fundraiser for the program that sells out well in advance. ■
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 45 ]
PAULA CREAMER, champion professional golfer
UNSTOPPABLE. PAULA CREAMER IS. So is her Citizen Eco-Drive.
Fueled by light, it never needs a battery. IT’S UNSTOPPABLE. Just like the people who wear it. ECO-DRIVE Serano 40 Diamonds. Mother-of-Pearl Dial. $525; collection priced from $525. Proud to be an authorized Citizen watch dealer.
K.W. GEMS | 122 Main St., Fort Mill 803.802.7020 | www.kwgems.com Hours: Tues-Fri 10am - 5pm, Sat 10am-3pm
[ 46 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 47 ]
DAY CARE AND PRESCHOOLS Looking for day care centers, preschools or a private school for your children? This list will help:
DAY CARE
■ Appleseed Child Development Center, 548-5250 ■ Burbee Place, 548-7420 ■ Carolina Kids, 802-4400 ■ Field of Dreams Nurture and Education Center, 396-0900 ■ Fort Mill Preparatory School, 548-8123 ■ Gateway Church of God Child Development Center, 802-3110 ■ Good Shepherd School, 5488805 ■ Indian Land Day Care and Development Center, 548-3330 ■ Kids R Kids, 802-8977 See their ad on this page. ■ Little Fox Nursery, 547-5410 ■ Pleasant Road Child Development Center, 548-3131 ■ Tre’s Learning Center, 548-3017
[ 48 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
PRESCHOOLS
■ Grace Presbyterian Preschool, 5480800 ■ Higher Ground Preschool, 802-3189 ■ Lake Wylie Lutheran, 548-5489 ■ Leroy Springs Recreation Complex, 547-4575 ■ Philadelphia United Methodist Mother’s Morning Out, 548-0102 ■ Pleasant Hill United Methodist Preschool, 548-4922 ■ St. John’s United Methodist Preschool, 547-7538 ■ St. Philip Neri Catholic Preschool, 548-7282 ■ The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development, 802-2112 ■ Ultimate Life Christian, 802-2641 ■ Ultimate Life Preschool Academy, 802-2641 ■ Unity Presbyterian, 547-5543
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
■ The Carpenter’s Workshop, 619-5091 ■ Comenius School for Creative Leadership, 547-3223, ext. 291 ■ Learning Link of the Carolinas, 802-5737 ■ Ultimate Life Christian Academy, 802-2641
Licensed providers
You can search South Carolina’s database of all licensed child care providers – day care centers, in-home individual care providers and more, all with the click of a mouse. Go to www.state.sc.us/dss/cdclrs/search/index.html and search by county, ZIP code or type of care. Search results will bring up all the state-licensed providers, contact information, capacity, hours of operation and any record of complaints.
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
Fort Mill Township is so close to Charlotte and Rock Hill that we have a variety of quality colleges and universities from which to choose:
■ Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte offers more than 60 degrees and diploma programs to nearly 60,000 students. The college has four campuses and the City View Center. ■ Clinton Junior College in Rock Hill, supported by the AME Zion Church, offers two-year college programs in business, divinity and general academics. ■ The University of North Carolina-Charlotte, 40 minutes away, is one of 16 UNC campuses. ■ The University of South Carolina-Lancaster is a liberal arts twoyear college about 30 minutes away that offers programs in arts, sciences, business, nursing, criminal justice, leadership and management, and the first two years of most USC degree programs. See their ad on this page.
■ Winthrop University is a state-supported, fully accredited university in Rock Hill. It offers four-year undergraduate degrees in the areas of business, education, arts and sciences, and visual and performing arts. See their ad on this page.
■ York Technical College is a two-year state-supported college with more than 80 degree, diploma and certificate programs.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 49 ]
Tega Cay’s retiring mayor Bob Runde [ 52 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
SAYING GOODBYE TO
MR. MAYOR
Tega Cay’s two-term leader, Bob Runde, set to retire in the fall of 2009 Seven years. That’s how long Robert “Bob” Runde has served as mayor for the City of Tega Cay. But don’t look for Runde to continue as mayor beyond his term’s end this fall. “It’s time for someone new to take the reins,” Runde said. “You should have new enthusiasm and new ideas.“
The administration also has acquired approximately seven acres on Gardendale Road for a future police, rescue and fire facility as well as a public works building and new water tower. Runde’s goal remains to annex additional commercial areas at the intersection of Hwy. 160 West and Gold Hill Road.
“
years later, he started a computer software company with two employees. In 1983, he moved his business to a Tega Cay building. When he sold the business in 1999, it employed 75. Selling the business allowed Runde to retire at 58 and subsequently turn his attention to Tega Cay. “I was concerned about the city. That’s
“
File/Fort Mill Times
I have no regrets because we’ve done a tremendous amount of work for the good of Tega Cay.
Runde was first elected in 2002. After that four-year term, voters chose him again in 2006. “In 2006, no one ran against me,” he said. “I think the consensus was that I was doing a good job.” Under Runde’s leadership, administration improved communication with residents and began televising all Tega Cay City Council meetings. The Tega Cay Police Department was outfitted in a new building. Several parks were added to the city and improvements were made to Runde and Turner fields. Crosswalks were installed along Tega Cay Drive and the walking trail along that same street was extended among other things. “It’s been a busy seven years,” Runde quipped. One of the biggest developments under Runde’s watch has been Stonecrest. The mixed-use community is anchored by a Wal-Mart and surrounded by other busy retail destinations.
“Tega Cay has been a bedroom community. We managed to add a significant amount of commercial areas. We just need more.” That move would bring more of a tax base to Tega Cay and would essentially take some of the burden off residents, Runde said. “We need more tax base without affecting our school system.” How best to accomplish that goal will be a task for the new mayor, who will be elected in November and take office in January. But don’t look for Runde to completely disappear from the political circle. “I still plan to stay involved within the community, just not at the same level. I will volunteer with things that will help the city but do not plan to interfere with the new regime. They need to do their thing. I will stay concerned. I will make sure that (city leaders) will continue to grow the city in the direction that it has been taken.” Runde moved to Tega Cay in 1972. Eight
why I ran for mayor.” Now he prepares to shift his focus to one that will allow him to concentrate on his family while embracing rest and relaxation. “It will allow me to do some things I’d planned to do in retirement but haven’t done as fully as I’d like.” “When I graduated from grammar school, in my book I said I wanted to travel the world. I’ve been in close to 50 countries and plan to see a lot more. I love seeing history and culture, just the beauty of this world. “The biggest problem is everything (traveling) has to be done between meetings. We have so many meetings. It’s very difficult to take the time I want to go where I want to go.” Yet leaving the mayorship is bittersweet. “I’ll miss it. I have no regrets because we’ve done a tremendous amount of work for the good of Tega Cay. We’ve got it (the city) going in the right direction.” ■ 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 53 ]
TAXES
Tax rates in York and Lancaster counties are lower than they have been in past years because of a change in the way South Carolina pays for education. The change removed school districts’ authority to levy taxes for operational costs, which, in practice, removed 163.4 mills from homeowners’ property tax burdens in 2008. To make up for the loss of property tax revenue for school districts, the state enacted a 1-cent sales tax that is distributed back to each district.
HOW MUCH WILL YOU PAY? Fort Mill (201.6 mills)
Based on this $200,000 home in Fort Mill (without Homestead Exemption): Assessed value $8,000 Total taxes due $1,612.80
Based on this $200,000 home in Fort Mill (with Homestead Exemption): Assessed value $8,000 Taxes before exemption $1,612.80 Homestead Exemption –$403.20 Total taxes due $1,209.60
Fort Mill Township (134.2 mills – Flint Hill Fire District)
Based on this $200,000 home in Fort Mill Township (without Homestead Exemption): Assessed value $8,000 Total taxes due $1,073.60
[ 54 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Based on this $200,000 home in Fort Mill Township (with Homestead Exemption): Assessed value $8,000 Taxes before exemption $1,073.60 Homestead Exemption –$268.40 Total taxes due $805.20
Owner-occupied residential property is assessed at 4 percent of its appraised value, multiplied by an area’s millage rate.This is how it works:
Step 1. Your home’s appraised value x 0.04 = the assessed value Step 2. The assessed value x (county mills + city mills + school mills + fire district mills) x 0.001
=
IMPORTANT!
You’ll pay 6% in taxes instead of 4% unless you register your vehicles when you move here.
See page 19 for details on registering your vehicle.
Your property tax amount*
Tega Cay (203.6 mills)
Based on this $200,000 home in Tega Cay (without Homestead Exemption):
Based on this $200,000 home in Tega Cay (with Homestead Exemption):
Assessed value $8,000 Total taxes due $1,628.80
Assessed value $8,000 Taxes before exemption $1,628.80 Homestead Exemption –$407.20 Total taxes due $1,221.60
Indian Land** (128.5 mills)
Based on this $200,000 home in Indian Land (without Homestead Exemption):
Based on this $200,000 home in Indian Land (with Homestead Exemption):
Assessed value $8,000 Total taxes due $1,028.00
Assessed value $8,000 Taxes before exemption $1,028.00 Homestead Exemption –$257.00 Total taxes due $771.00
Notes: Tax rates shown for York County and Indian Land are based on 2008 rates. The county sets new rates in June because the York and Lancaster counties’ financial year begins July 1. * There is a Homestead Exemption for homeowners aged 65 and older or disabled who have lived in South Carolina for at least one year prior to the previous Dec. 31. This exemption eliminates taxes levied on another $50,000 of assessed value. It is determined using the home’s total millage rate (2,000 x millage rate x .001 = the exemption amount). *** Some Indian Land residents will pay additional taxes, depending on where they live. Sun City Carolina Lakes is covered by a special tax district, so taxes will be slightly higher. All residents in the Pleasant Valley Fire District will pay an extra $75 each year. (To see which fire district covers your home, turn to page 66.)
Taxes and more information online York and Lancaster counties’ Web sites are treasure troves of information for new residents. York County residents can even pay their taxes online. Aside from contact numbers and and information about county offices, the sites also include meeting dates and times for the county councils and various other county boards and commissions in both counties. The York County Web site also offers visitors the opportunity to use an interactive mapping program called York County GIS. Currently, the program works only with Windows PCs, but it allows users to see all kinds of information about property in the county, including tax map numbers, zoning, existing structures, land use, roads, subdivisions, traffic counts, topography and even where every fire hydrant is located. The GIS system includes search features making the system even easier to use. Users can perform searches based on the tax map number, subdivision, address or a property owner’s name. The Web site addresses are: York County: ■ www.yorkcountygov.com ■ Lancaster County: www.lancastercountysc.net
FACT: The township’s two local municipalities, the Town of Fort Mill and the City of Tega Cay, have manager-style governments. 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 55 ]
Voting is high-tech in our two counties Fort Mill and Tega Cay
Indian Land
Balloting for all elections is done on touch screens.Voters can view and select candidates on a large, easy-to-read screen. Touch screens speed up the actual voting process as well as the tabulation of results. To register to vote, pick up an application at the Fort Mill Public Library, 1818 Second Baxter Crossing, or the Fort Mill Times office, 124 Main St.Tega Cay residents can also pick up an application at City Hall, 700 Tega Cay Drive. You can also pick up an application at the state Department of Motor Vehicles offices in Newport or on Heckle Boulevard in Rock Hill when you get your driver’s license. All applications have to be signed and mailed to the Voter Registration and Elections Office, 13 S. Congress St., York, SC 29745. Want a simpler way? Download an application off the Internet, print it out, sign and mail it in. Check it out at www.myscgov.com. To find which precinct you live in or get other related information, call 803-684-1242.
Indian Land residents should register at Lancaster County Voter Registration, P.O. Box 1809, Lancaster, SC 29721, or go online to www.myscgov.com to download an application. Residents vote at one of five precincts: ■ Pleasant Valley 1: Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 283 Fort Mill Highway ■ Pleasant Valley 2: Higher Ground Church, 8365 Possum Hollow Road ■ Belair 1: Indian Land Elementary and Middle School gymnasium, 4137, Doby’s Bridge Road ■ Belair 2: Indian Land Volunteer Fire Department, Six Mile Road ■ Van Wyck: Van Wyck Community Center, Old Hickory Road at West Rebound
[ 56 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Questions? Call the Lancaster County Voter Registration and Election Commission at 803-285-2969.
WHO TO TURN TO FOR HELP
Jonathan Allen/Fort Mill Times
Vickey Dodge (left) watches as Nell Walker, an adult day care center regular, gets a makeover from Kimberly McIntire. The act of someone else, like a family member or caretaker, applying makeup to an elderly woman adds a special element of touch to the women’s lives and is good for helping them keep up their self-esteem, according to Gilda Mitchell, a volunteer social worker at the adult day care center.
Municipal service agencies are here for us ■
S.C. Department of Social Services offers aid to families with dependent children, Medicaid, food stamps, medical assistance and foster care, and investigates neglect and abuse reports about children and adults. York County office complex, 1070 Heckle Blvd., Rock Hill, 909-7446. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; main office, 17 W. Liberty St., York. 803-684-2315.
■
■
The Fort Mill office of the York County Health Department provides immunization shots. Call the Family Resource Center for more information at 548-8028; or the health department’s main number at 909-7300. The Fort Mill/Tega Cay Adult Day Care Center provides therapeutic care for local senior citizens and other adults. 396-5336.
■
■
Lancaster County Council on Aging provides senior citizens with meals, information and referrals, transportation, in-home care, education and recreational programs. 803-285-6956. York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs includes developmental programs for children and adults, a work activity center, case management, residential services and a summer camp. 547-0987.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 57 ]
GUIDE TO YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES: FORT MILL TOWN COUNCIL Mayor
Danny Funderburk 122 Academy St. 547-5944
At-large 1
Waddell Gibson 113 E. Elliott St. 547-4857
At-large 2
Ward 1
Ward 2
Ken Starnes 217 Main St. 548-7511
Kerry Mosher 102 Riverwood Dr. 547-5313
Ronald Helms 310 Ardrey St. 547-6208
Ward 3
Larry Huntley 117 E. Lockman St. 548-1171
Ward 4
Tom Adams 214 Pebble Creek Crossing 548-3898
Town Manager
David Hudspeth 547-2116
They meet at 7 p.m. the second Monday of the month at Town Hall on Confederate Street.
TEGA CAY CITY COUNCIL Mayor
Bob Runde 16026 Kiki Court 548-4452
Council members
Les Conner 8040 Windjammer Dr. 547-3491
John Dervay 1114 Palmyra Dr. 242-5267
City Manager
Larry Harper 25030 Riley Lane 548-3050
George Sheppard 1047 Windsong Bay Lane 396-7706
Grant Duffield 548-3512
They meet at 7 p.m. the third Monday of the month at City Hall, 7000 Tega Cay Drive. Check out the council meetings broadcast live on Cable Channel 19 (for Tega Cay residents only).
FORT MILL SCHOOL BOARD Chairwoman
Jan Smiley 411 Pine St. 547-4299
Board members
Michael Johnson 8023 Windjammer Dr. 547-9853
Diane Dasher 528 Beacon Knoll Lane 547-6633
Chantay Bouler 114 Pelham Dr. 548-1774
Wyndie Havnaer 2071 Driftwood Circle 548-3072
Superintendent
Scott Patterson 2330 Len Patterson Road 547-4820
Patrick White 205 Old Springs Road 802-0033
They meet at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month at the district office, 120 E. Elliott St. The board also holds a work session the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. [ 58 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Dr. Keith Callicutt 548-2527
PEOPLE IN CHARGE INDIAN LAND School Board
County Council
Superintendent Gene Moore 803-286-6972
County Administrator Steve Willis 803-285-1565
The Lancaster County School Board meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 300 S. Catawba St., Lancaster.
The Lancaster County Council meets the first and fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 101 N. Main St., Lancaster.
Don McCorkle Board member 224 Murphy Dr. 548-1288
Larry McCullough Councilman 9251 Whistling Straits Dr. 802-5888
YORK COUNTY COUNCIL Fort Mill and Tega Cay
Paul Lindemann 1075 Market St. Fort Mill 493-2353
Fort Mill and Rock Hill
Curwood Chappell E. Chappell Road Rock Hill 324-1062
County Manager
Jim Baker 803-684-8511
SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE The York County Council meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 6 S. Congress St. in York.
State House
Carl Gullick (R)* 73 Ridgeport Road Lake Wylie 803-7343011 (o) 517-9368 (h)
State Senate
Mick Mulvaney (R) 550 Ralph Hood Road Indian Land 803-246-1001 (o) 547-0525 (h)
Deborah Long (R) 1115 John Short Road, Indian Land, 547-5547 (o) 547-5215 (h)
Wes Hayes (R) 1486 Cureton Dr. Rock Hill 324-2400 (o) 328-8532 (h)
U.S. CONGRESS U.S. House of Representatives John Spratt (D) 201 East Main Street Rock Hill 327-1114
U.S. Senate Lindsey Graham (R) 140 East Main Street Rock Hill 366-2828
Jim DeMint (R) 1901 Main Street, Suite 110 Columbia 803-771-6112
* Resigned in 2008. An election will be held Nov. 3.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 59 ]
BAD GUYS, YOU’D BETTER
WATCH OUT ...
Neighbors and law enforcement band together in community policing efforts When a normally quiet community was on edge after someone fired several shots into a home last August, a meeting was called. Approximately 100 residents filed into Fort Mill Middle School to hear what Lt. Ray Dixon had to say.
[ 62 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Get more info
Community watches take root in the Panhandle The growth in Indian Land has sparked the need for more community watch programs to keep residents on alert for suspicious vehicles, people or activities in their neighborhoods. Most communities in the Panhandle have an organized
community watch program or are in the process of creating one. Community watch programs are an active part of many Indian Land neighborhoods, including Legacy Park, Clairmont, Windsor Trace, Van Wyck, Sun City, Black Horse Run and the Osceola community. The watch programs are very effective in deterring crime, according to officials from the Lancaster County Sheriff ’s Office. Panhandle residents can also stay in touch by using the sheriff ’s office’s new Web site, www.linkingcommunities.org/lcso. The site allows residents to sign up for crime alerts via e-mail or text message. The Web site also offers crime prevention information, including handouts and brochures on topics such as internet safety and security. The brochures are available on the site for downloading and printing. Lancaster County’s Crime Prevention Officer, Deputy Eric Brown, said he hopes residents will use the materials at neighborhood watch meetings. The Web site also gives residents a chance to communicate with sheriff ’s office officials through a tipline attached to each message. Every e-mail and text alert sent from the sheriff ’s office has a link for residents to send tips back to the sheriff ’s office. For more information about the Web site or community watch programs in Indian Land, call Brown at 803-313-2123. ■
Jonathan Allen/Fort Mill Times
Dixon is the Fort Mill Police Department’s crime prevention officer. He organized the meeting. The officer said he thought it was a random, isolated act and he didn’t expect the person to come back. However, he had lots of advice for residents on how to be proactive and avoid becoming targets of criminals. Suggestions included using frosted window coverings available at most home improvement stores to prevent prowlers from peeking inside a home from the outside, or installing motion sensoractivated flood lights around the house. “Criminals don’t like light,” Dixon said. York County Sheriff ’s Office Sgt. Robbie Ellis also spoke to the crowd. Both he and Dixon said when someone is home alone and there is an unexpected knock on the door, to answer through the door, without opening it. “[Tell them] ‘we’re not interested, please leave,’ then call the police,” he advised. Using the pronoun “we” implies more than one person is home, and by telling the person to leave, a police officer or sheriff ’s deputy can arrest that person for trespassing if he or she does not leave,
Dixon said. The important thing is to make sure that person knows someone is home. For details about It was just one Fort Mill’s example of how community policing the FMPD efforts, or to e m p h a s i z e s schedule an officer community-based to speak to civic policing. The groups, Scouts or department has a church groups, call standing offer to Lt. Ray Dixon at 547-2022 or e-mail all town residents copper504@yahoo. to perform a free com. Also check out security survey at the FMPD Web site any home inside at www.fortmillsc. town limits. The org/TownServices_ detailed analysis of Police.aspx. the current home s e c u r i t y weaknesses will include suggestions on ways to address any deficiencies.
Fort Mill Police Lt. Ray Dixon suggested during a community meeting that homeowners use products such as window frosting to make themselves less of a target for criminals.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 63 ]
crime rates CRIME TOTALS 2008 TYPE
Murder Rape Robbery Aggravated Assault Burglary Larceny Motor Vehicle Theft Arson TOTAL
Tega Cay Fort Mill York County Lancaster County 0 0 9 60 44 253 11 1
0 0 0 2 11 38 0 0
1 12 12 52 180 557 42 4
2 42 33 47 759 1,264 105 N/A
378
51
860
2,252
Melissa Cherry/The Herald
Tega Cay Police Department’s bloodhound Niki walks around the office grounds with handler and patrolman Shane D. Bell.
Sources: Tega Cay Police Department, 2008-2009; Fort Mill Police Department, 2008-2009; York County Sheriff’s Office for the unincorporated portions of Fort Mill Township, 2008-2009; Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department for Indian Land and Van Wyck, 2008-2009.
Law enforcement agencies ■ Fort Mill Police Department Chief Jeff Helms P.O. Box 274, 111 Academy St., Fort Mill 547-2022; fax 547-0259 ■ Tega Cay Police Department Chief Rick Evelsizer 4 Tega Cay Drive, Tega Cay 548-0340; fax 548-7256 [ 64 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
■ York County Sheriff ’s Office Sheriff Bruce Bryant 1675-2A York Hwy., Moss Justice Center 803-628-3059 www.yorkcountysheriff.com ■ Lancaster County Sheriff ’s Department Sheriff Johnny Cauthen 1941 Pageland Hwy., Law Enforcement Center, 803-283-4136
■ State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) P.O. Box 21398, 4400 Broad River Road, Columbia 803-737-9000; www.sled.state.sc.us ■ York County Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit 803-628-3069
Emergency phone numbers Always dial 911 in an emergency. Non-emergency numbers are:
Rescue squads
■ Fort Mill Rescue Squad P.O. Box 1011, 216 S. White St., Fort Mill, Director Mark Garrick, 548-1456 ■ Indian Land Rescue Squad P.O. Box 601, Fort Mill; 8290 Charlotte Hwy., Lancaster, President Marie Broome, 547-4084 ■ Lancaster County Rescue Squad non-emergency, 803-283-3388 ■ Piedmont EMS ambulance service non-emergency transport, 329-1115 Note: Tega Cay does not have a rescue squad. Residents should dial 911 and a Tega Cay-based rescue squad will respond.
Emergency agencies
■ York County Fire Prevention 2151 Ogden Road, Rock Hill, Fire Marshal Randy Thompson, 909-7620; fax 909-7617 ■ York County Office of Emergency Management P.O. Box 11706, 155 Johnston St., Rock Hill, Director Cotton Howell, 329-7270; fax 324-7420; e-mail cohowell@co.york.sc.us
Emergency sirens
York County’s emergency sirens warn residents quickly in case of natural emergencies, such as tornadoes or severe thunderstorms, technological problems at the Catawba Nuclear Power Plant, or other area crises. Duke Energy owns and maintains the sirens throughout the county, but York County Office of Emergency Management controls and operates them. If the sirens sound, do not panic. Tune in to the following radio stations for more information and instructions: ■ WRHI 1340 AM (York County) ■ WBZK 980 AM (York County) ■ WAGI 105.3 FM (York County/Cherokee County) ■ WRHM 107.1 FM (Rock Hill/Lancaster) York County tests the sirens once every quarter to ensure they are working properly. A diagnostic test is also performed every Tuesday morning. ■ 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 65 ]
AREA FIRE DISTRICTS
[ 66 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
AREA FIRE DEPARTMENTS Flint Hill
Station I 1950 Hwy. 21 Bypass, Fort Mill 548-4805 Chief David Jennings Station II 2593 Pleasant Road, Fort Mill 802-2661
Fort Mill
121 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill 547-5511 Chief Ken Kerber
Indian Land
185 Six Mile Creek Road, Lancaster 547-2747 Chief Daniel Wilson
Pleasant Valley
Hwy. 160 East, Fort Mill 548-5600 Chief Paul Blackwelder
A Fort Mill firefighter goes into a smoke-filled house during a drill earlier this summer. During the drill, firefighters had to locate and save an adult-sized dummy that represented an unconscious victim of a house fire.
Riverview
Local insurance ratings
1899 Harris Road, Fort Mill 547-5921 Chief Sam Lesslie
Tega Cay
5000 Tega Cay Drive, Tega Cay 548-4321 Chief Scott Szymanski
Mike Laughlin/Fort Mill Times
As local fire departments continue to expand to meet the needs of the growing township, homeowners’ insurance rates have been decreasing. Here’s what your fire district’s Insurance Services Office rating is (the lower the number, the better your homeowners insurance rate will be):
FLINT HILL..........................................................4 FORT MILL..........................................................4 INDIAN LAND................................................6 PLEASANT VALLEY ......................................6 RIVERVIEW ........................................................7 TEGA CAY..................................................3, 9* *Note: Tega Cay has a split rating – meaning all structures located within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant rate the lower ISO rating of 3, while everything else rates a 9.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 67 ]
Site of the future Fort Mill Medical Center
FORT MILL MEDICAL CENTER (TENET) ■ $107 million building on 40 acres ■ 100 beds, could expand to 250 beds ■ at least one medical office building
[ 70 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
FORT MILL HOSPITAL PLAN
WAITING GAME
Court dispute delays 100-bed hospital construction project
It was big news three years ago when the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control decided Fort Mill needed its own hospital.
Tenet Healthcare, parent company of Rock Hill’s Piedmont Medical Center, was the first company to file plans for the facility. It even worked out a land deal with Clear Springs Development to build the hospital on a site at the corner of Hwy. 160 West and Hwy. 21, on the site of the old Peach Stand. Then DHEC announced it was going to accept competitive bids from hospital providers outside of York County.
Administrative Law Court. The legal dispute has been tied up now for more than two years. After several postponements, a hearing is scheduled for September 2009. Should Tenet ultimately prevail in the case, it plans to build a $124 million hospital, and as a for-profit company, it would pay millions of dollars in property taxes to Fort Mill, York County and the Fort Mill School District – although Tenet did get a deal from Fort Mill that effectively wipes out half of the company’s tax bill to the town for the first 10 years. Whoever wins, the construction of a Fort Mill hospital will likely be delayed
Whoever wins, the construction of a Fort Mill hospital will likely be delayed through 2010 or beyond. Three other companies jumped at the chance to build a 100-bed hospital in the township. After months of review and public hearings, DHEC decided to award the contract to Tenet, but two of the other bidders, Carolinas Healthcare System and Presbyterian Hospital, both not-for-profit entities, appealed the decision to the S.C.
through 2010 or longer. But once the hospital is built, township residents will finally have access to several amenities not available before, such as a maternity center, which will allow Fort Mill and Tega Cay mothers to give birth near home as opposed to traveling into Charlotte or Rock Hill. ■
A publicatio n of the Fort
Mill Time s, the Lake
Wylie Pilot
and the Enqu irer-Herald ■ March 21-23,
2006
Diagnose all four operations What’s the
prognosis ?
Give decisio your second n-makers opinion
GET MORE!
Read all about the fierce battle among four health care companies to win the bid to build a hospital in growing Fort Mill Township. Go to www.fortmill times.com. 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 71 ]
Healthoriented assistance programs ■ York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs includes developmental programs for children and adults, a work activity center, case management, residential services and a summer camp. 547-0987. ■ The Fort Mill office of the York County Health Department provides immunization shots. Call the Family Resource Center at 548-8028 for details, or the health department at 909-7300. ■ Carenet Inc. offers health care and assistance, prescriptions, limited laboratory and X-ray services for uninsured Lancaster County residents. Open 8:30 to 11 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. 803-285-CARE (2273). ■ Lancaster County Council on Aging provides senior citizens with meals, information and referrals, transportation, in-home care, education and recreational programs. 803285-6956. ■ Keystone provides substance abuse and detox programs to help more than 3,000 local drug and alcohol addicts every year. Most services are based in Rock Hill, though Keystone does have a Fort Mill office at the Family Resource Center, Banks Street, Fort Mill. 324-1800. ■ The Fort Mill/Tega Cay Adult Day Care Center provides therapeutic care for as many as 50 local residents per day. Transportation available. 396-5336. ■ Hospice Community Care aids families and loved ones who are terminally ill. 329-4663. ■ Ascension Hospice, 105 Stone Village Drive, Fort Mill aids families and loved ones who are terminally ill. 547-8367.
[ 72 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
FIND A DOCTOR OR SERVICE HERE Chiropractors
■ Ace Clinic of Chiropractic 111 Clebourne Street, Fort Mill, 803-746-7313 ■ Advanced Chiropractic Clinics 1808 2nd Baxter Crossing, Suite 108, Fort Mill, 802-2225 ■ Bentley Chiropractic 1171 Market St., (Baxter), Suite 104, Fort Mill, 802-2412 ■ Crown Plaza Chiropractic 3160 Hwy. 21, Fort Mill, 548-0991 ■ Fort Mill Chiropractic Health Center 306 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill, 548-1722 ■ Gonstead Chiropractic Center 1162 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 547-9977 ■ Randy Conger, Chiropractic 105 Stone Village Drive, Tega Cay, 802-5322 ■ Health First Wellness Center 1698 Hwy. 160 West, Suite 200, Fort Mill, 547-4343 ■ Kane Chiropractic 2116-B Gold Hill Road, Tega Cay, 802-6637 ■ The McCartney Chiropractic Center 2752 Pleasant Road, Suite 104, Fort Mill, 802-3737 ■ Regent Park Chiropractor 1046 Regent Parkway, Suite 106, Fort Mill, 396-1501 ■ Tega Cay Chiropractic 101 Stone Village Drive, Fort Mill, 802-5322 ■ Vitality Family Chiropractic, Fort Mill Vic Dees, 1-770-367-1116; Chad Frisch, 1-386-871-4451
Clinics
■ The Bariatric Clinic 377 Carowinds Blvd., Suite 110, Fort Mill, 548-4500 ■ Biogenesis Medical Center 344 Carowinds Blvd., Fort Mill, 548-3424 ■ Sanger Clinic 704 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, 835-0400
MEDICAL DIRECTORY Dentists & Orthodontists
■ Arnold Batchelor Jr., DMD 117 Spratt St., Fort Mill, 548-2191 ■ Brian Biehl, DMD 139 Ben Casey Drive, Tega Cay, 547-5002 ■ Jeff Blank, DMD 929 Market St. (Baxter), Fort Mill, 548-6480 ■ Carolina Professional Dentistry 200 Doby’s Bridge Road, Suite 108, Fort Mill, 396-5888 ■ Carolina Smile Center 1701 First Baxter, Suite 102, Fort Mill, 548-6480 ■ D&K Family Dentistry 304 Springcrest Drive, Fort MIll, 547-1888 ■ William “Dutch” Burns, DMD 264 Rockmont Drive, Tega Cay, 802-3090 ■ Charles H. Crawford Jr., DMD, Pediatric Dentistry 1686 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 548-2333 ■ Michael Davis, DMD 133 Clebourne St., Fort Mill, 547-7508 ■ Thomas Epps, DMD Fort Mill office 929 Market St. (Baxter), Suite 210, Fort Mill, 548-2428 – Wednesdays only ■ Christine Henson, DMD 765 Crossroads Plaza, Fort Mill, 396-7833 ■ Michele Jasper, DDS 2752 Pleasant Road, Suite 106, Fort Mill, 548-4351 See their ad on page 77.
■ Gary Kimsey, DMD South Lake Family Dentistry 1741 Gold Hill Road, Suite 2010, Tega Cay, 548-3342 See their ad on page 82. ■ Dr. Robert Penny 929 Market St. (Baxter), Fort Mill, 802-0285 ■ Michael Riordan, DMD, Orthodontist 1741 Gold Hill Road, Suite 200, Fort Mill, 802-2580 ■ Smiles By Design 1096 Assembly Dr., Suite 216, Fort Mill, 548-4899 ■ Michael Sloan, DMD South Lake Family Dentistry 1741 Gold Hill Road, Suite 2010, Tega Cay, 548-3342 See their ad on page 82. ■ Goodwin Thomas Jr., Orthodontist 105 Ben Casey Drive, Fort Mill, 548-8110
Eye care specialists
■ Carolina Family Eye Care 103 Stone Village Drive, Fort Mill, 396-3937 ■ Fort Mill Vision Center 1090 Spratt St., Fort Mill, 547-5547 See their ad on page 81.
■ In Focus Eyecare 1701 First Baxter Crossing, Suite 203, Fort Mill, 802-6522 See their ad on page 85.
■ Dr. Larry Jerge 1151 Stonecrest Blvd., Tega Cay, 802-4733 ■ Jewell Vision Care 9789 Charlotte Hwy., Suite 900, Indian Land, 802-7757 See their ad on page 79.
■ Lancaster Eye Clinic 1240 Colonial Commons, Lancaster, 803-285-4333 ■ Rock Hill Eye Center 1698 Hwy. 160 West, Suite 110, Fort Mill, 547-9510
Family practices
■ Edgewater Medical Center 1162A Fort Mill Hwy. (Hwy. 160), Indian Land, 396-7900 ■ Fort Mill Family Practice 1690 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 547-7541 ■ Indian Land Primary Care 7580 Charlotte Hwy., Suite 1000, Indian Land, 548-9393 ■ Mackey Family Practice 8351 Charlotte Hwy., Indian Land, 396-5333 ■ Metrolina Medical Associates Fort Mill office 122 Clebourne St., Fort Mill, 547-2522 Tega Cay office 115 Stone Village Drive, 802-8686 ■ Palmetto Tri-County Internal Medicine 9789 Charlotte Hwy., Suite 1400, Indian Land, 548-7007 ■ Piedmont Family Practice at Tega Cay 773 Stockbridge Drive, Fort Mill 547-5447 See their ad on page 80.
— continued on page 75 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 73 ]
The Power of a Heartbeat.
Robin Clinton Cardiac Patient, Rock Hill (pictured with daughter, Allison)
An active wife and mother of three. A shocking discovery. A second chance. Robin was making a quick trip to the grocery store when searing chest pain forced her to park the cart and rush to the doctor. Her physician immediately sent her to the cardiologists at Piedmont Medical Center where within minutes, a cardiac catheterization revealed total blockage of one artery. The team repaired the blockage, and today Robin is enjoying every heartbeat of her hectic, yet rewarding life. That’s powerful. That’s Piedmont.
For physician referral, call 803-329-1234
Powerful Medicine, Made Personal.
www.piedmontmedicalcenter.com
■ Shiland Family Medicine 704 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, 835-0420
Hospitals
■ Carolinas Center for Behavioral Health 2900 E. Phillips Road, West Columbia, 1-800-866-4673 ■ Carolinas Medical Center (handles major trauma cases) 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, 704-355-2000 ■ Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville 10628 Park Road, Charlotte, 704-543-2000 ■ Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation 1100 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, 704-355-4300 ■ Piedmont Medical Center (York, Chester, Lancaster and Union county residents only; Piedmont is the only hospital in York County) 222 S. Herlong Ave., Rock Hill, 329-1234, or 1-800-578-4555 See their ads on pages 74, 76, 78 and 80. ■ Presbyterian Hospital 200 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, 704-384-4000 ■ Springs Memorial Hospital (the only hospital in Lancaster County) 800 W. Meeting St., Lancaster, 803-286-1214 or 1-800-488-2567 See their ad on page 83.
Obstetrics & Gynecology
■ Fort Mill Gynecological & Obstetrical Associates 1666 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 548-2247 ■ Piedmont GYN/OB 704 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, 835-0434
Oral Surgeons
■ The Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, PA 1698 Hwy. 160 West, Suite 100, Fort Mill, 802-7700
Pediatricians
■ Rock Hill Pediatrics, Fort Mill office 704 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, 802-5900
Pharmacies
■ Bi-Lo Pharmacy 1329 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 548-6877 ■ Carolina Pharmacy 8437 Charlotte Hwy., Fort Mill, 578-8800 ■ Fort Mill Pharmacy 601 Springcrest Drive, Fort Mill, 548-2851 ■ CVS Pharmacy Tom Hall Street, 547-5586, 1740 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 8024425 ■ Rite Aid 2907 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill 548-6495
— continued on page 77
The Power to Fight Back.
Rosemary Clement Breast Cancer Survivor, Fort Mill (pictured with Remy)
A question is raised. A new plan emerges. A life of “giving back” ensues. Shortly after moving to Fort Mill, Rosemary was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was treated at a regional hospital, but she questioned aspects of her care. Then she met the cancer team at Piedmont Medical Center and found the expertise and support she needed. Now serving as Piedmont’s Cancer Nurse Navigator, Rosemary helps others get the care they need too. That’s powerful. That’s Piedmont.
For physician referral, call 803-329-1234
Powerful Medicine, Made Personal.
www.piedmontmedicalcenter.com
■ Tega Cay Family Pharmacy Tega Cay Village Shopping Center, Tega Cay, 547-6100 ■ Walgreens 1716 Pleasant Road (at Hwy. 160 West), Fort Mill, 8027644 ■ Wal-Mart Supercenter Pharmacy 1151 Stonecrest Blvd., Tega Cay, 578-4120
Physicians & surgeons
■ Mark T. Billman 1698 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 802-7700 ■ Carolina Orthopedic Clinic Fort Mill office 1690 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 548-2424 ■ Carolina Urology 580 Kingsley Park Drive, Fort Mill, 578-7600 See their ad on page 81. ■ Metrolina Neurological Associates Lancaster office 838 W. Meeting St., 803-285-6192 ■ Rock Hill Surgical Associates Fort Mill office 502 Sixth Baxter Crossing, 802-3844 ■ The Surgery Center at Edgewater 2536 Lengers Way, Indian Land, 802-9500 See their ad on page 85.
■ Walker Medical Center 112 Hwy. 9 Bypass West, Lancaster, 803-286-4446
Physical therapists
■ Catawba Rehabilitation Services 8351 Charlotte Hwy., Indian Land, 366-4415 ■ Palmetto Rehabilitation Specialists 105 Ben Casey Drive, Suite 127, Fort Mill, 396-2715 See their ad on page 79.
■ SCAPTA 3650 Centre Circle, Fort Mill, 802-5450 ■ Smith Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine 2000 Hwy. 160 West, Suite 113, Fort Mill, 802-0266 See their ad on page 81.
Radiologists
■ Carolinas Diagnostic Imaging 377 Carowinds Blvd., Fort Mill, 547-1100
Urgent care
■ Carolinas Healthcare Urgent Care, Fort Mill 704 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, 835-0430 ■ Edgewater Medical Center 1162A Fort Mill Hwy. (Hwy. 160), Fort Mill, 396-7900 ■ Piedmont Urgent Care Center at Baxter Village 502 Sixth Baxter Crossing, Fort Mill, 396-8100 See their ad on page 80. 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 77 ]
The Picture of Health.
Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services including High-Field Open MRI.
The road to recovery requires a closer look. The next time you need an X-ray or other diagnostic imaging procedure, ask your physician to refer you to The Imaging Center at Baxter Village. • Board-Certified Radiologists On-Site • Latest Technology & Equipment High-Field Open MRI 32-slice CT Scan Digital X-Ray Ultrasound
THE IMAGING CENTER AT BAXTER VILLAGE affiliated with
You can choose where to go for imaging services. Call 803.802.4949 for more information.
509 Sixth Baxter Crossing • Fort Mill • 803.802.4949
www.imagingatbaxter.com
We Are Proud To Announce Our Newest Office In
Steele Creek • Comprehensive Eye Care and Optical Services • Advanced Retina, Glaucoma and Diabetic Eye Care • Comprehensive Ear Nose and Throat Care • Facial Plastic Surgery • Adult and Pediatric Audiology Care • Hearing Aids • Comprehensive Voice and Swallowing Care
David S. Parsons, MD
James P. Pressly, MD RiverGate Shopping Center 14135 Steele Creek Road Suite 100 Charlotte, NC 28273
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 79 ]
FAMILY PRACTICE / INTERNAL MEDICINE
Quality Care Close to Home We realize, when you’re sick, you want to feel better as soon as
Piedmont Family Practice at Rock Hill 200 S. Herlong Avenue, Suite G Rock Hill, SC 29732 803-325-1770
Piedmont Family Practice at Tega Cay 773 Stockbridge Drive Fort Mill, SC 29708 803-547-5447 Specializing in Sports Medicine
Piedmont Internal Medicine at Baxter Village 502 Sixth Baxter Crossing, Suite A Fort Mill, SC 29708 803-802-2424
Piedmont Internal Medicine and Family Practice at York
urgent care centers are open seven
1795 Devinney Road York, SC 29745 803-818-5995
days a week. Primary care centers
URGENT CARE CENTERS
possible. For your convenience, our
are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and usually schedule same-day appointments.
Our offices accept most insurances and Medicare. We welcome new patients and the opportunity to provide you with personal, convenient and comprehensive care.
[ 80 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Piedmont East Urgent Care Center 760 Addison Avenue Rock Hill, SC 29730 803-329-1930 Open Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Open Sunday, 1 to 8 p.m.
Piedmont Urgent Care Center at Baxter Village 502 Sixth Baxter Crossing Fort Mill, SC 29708 803-396-8100 Open every day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 81 ]
[ 82 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Big on technology. Bigger on care.
It’s time to discover Lancaster County’s best-kept secret.
Sometimes the things you need most are right under your nose. Like skilled care close to home. Springs Memorial Hospital offers many of the same services and procedures you’ll find in big-city hospitals. But the difference is, we combine them with a genuine, nurturing concern for your well-being. We treat our patients like friends and neighbors because most of the time, that’s what they are. If you don’t know about the great care available right here in your community, it’s time to discover Springs Memorial for yourself. Learn more at www.springsmemorial.com.
800 West Meeting Street • Lancaster, SC 803-286-1214
[ 84 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Surgical Recovery that offers all the comforts of home. Because you are home. The professionally trained and highly skilled staff of The Surgery Center at Edgewater is ready to handle your same-day surgery needs. Our cutting-edge facility, conveniently located in the fastest-growing area of Lancaster County, offers a friendly, professional environment with a focus on quality. By providing outpatient surgery and procedures by day, you enjoy the comfort of your home by night. 2 5 3 6 L e n g e r s Wa y • I n d i a n L a n d , S C 2 9 7 0 7 803-802-9500 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 85 ]
Dedicated to Excellence and Compassion inVeterinary Care • Water Therapy • Physical Rehabilitation • Medical Acupuncture • Pain Management • Complete Medical, Surgical & Dental Care • Preventative Medicine • Senior Pet Care • Tender Loving Care • Boarding Services
Steele Creek Animal Hospital
Companion Animal Rehabilitation Services in Charlotte
9729 S.Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28273 Located on South Tryon Street Between Westinghouse & Carowinds Blvd. Mon.-Fri. 7:30 AM-7:00 PM • Sat. 7:30 AM-Noon
704-588-4400
www.keepingpetshealthy.com [ 86 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Find a new furry little friend
Keep Fido and Fifi leashed
local shelters
Are you longing to hear the pitter patter of four paws in your new home? Local agencies are available to help you find the perfect pet.
Humane Society of York County Founded in 1976, the Humane Society of York County is located at 2036 Carolina Place, off Hwy. 160 West in Fort Mill. The shelter is home to dozens of adoptable dogs and cats. Adoption hours are 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Fees are as follows: $60 for puppies and $80 for adult dogs. For pure breeds, the fee is $100; $60 for kittens, $85 for adult cats and $100 for declawed felines. Fees pay for appropriate veterinary care prior to adoption, including all
required shots. Adoption hours are 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. To view pets online, download an adoption form and more, visit www.petfinder.com/ shelters/SC76. html. For details, call 802-0902 or e-mail hsyc@comporium.net.
PAWSibilities In December 2008, a group of volunteers opened PAWSibilities, a Fort Mill thrift shop conceived to raise money for the Humane Society of York County. View a sampling of items at the popular store’s Web site, www.PAWSibilitiesThriftShop.com. New and gently used items (with the exception of adult clothes) are are gratefully accepted. Tax-deductible donations slips are available and 100 percent of the proceeds are used for the care of
Andy Burriss/The Herald
animals at the HSYC. Donations accepted during shop hours or from 1 to 4 p.m. every day but Monday at the Humane Society. Gift certificates available. Location: 2144 Carolina Place Pkwy., Fort Mill (past Lowe’s Home Improvement), 802-9017. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. ■
Your pets need doctors, too
veterinarians Fort Mill and Tega Cay ■ Fort Mill Animal Clinic 240 Main St., 547-2014 See their ad on page 86.
■ Tega Cay Animal Hospital 2152 Gold Hill Road, 548-2590 ■ Carolina Place Animal Hospital 2040 Carolina Place, Fort Mill, 547-3547 (Future relocation to: 8177 Regent Parkway, Fort Mill) ■ Palmetto Pet Hospital 1718 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, 547-8191
Indian Land
■ Curtsinger Animal Hospital 9955 Charlotte Hwy. (Hwy. 521), 548-8802 ■ Kent Thames, DVM 3510 Catawba River Road, 803-789-5667 ■ Indian Land Animal Hospital 9990 Charlotte Hwy., 547-7000 ■ Faulkner Animal Hospital 739 Lancaster Bypass, 803-286-8131
Emergencies
■ Carolina Veterinary Specialists 2225 Township Road, Charlotte 704-588-7015
■ York County and Lancaster County leash laws, which apply to Fort Mill, Tega Cay and Indian Land, state that dogs and cats are prohibited from running at large, and pets found not properly restrained or vaccinated will be impounded by York County Animal Control. A yearly rabies vaccine is required for dogs and cats, and rabies ID tags must be worn. ■ A pet in Lancaster County must be kept on a leash unless it is on the property of the owner, on the property of another person with permission, or within a vehicle. ■ If your pet is missing, immediately notify the Humane Society in Fort Mill, a no-kill shelter, or York County Animal Control. At York County Animal Control, animals are kept at least five days before they are put up for adoption or euthanized. Residents are encouraged to spay or neuter their pets. ■ For details, call York County Animal Control at 803-6283190.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 87 ]
Canoeing on Lake Haigler is one of many activities that kids love at the annual Anne Springs Close Greenway Earth
How to become a greenway member
[ 90 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
■ Greenway memberships are available to residents of Chester, Lancaster and York counties. Benefits include an annual user’s pass, a year’s subscription to the “Greenway Guide,” and fishing privileges. For details, call 548-7252 or visit www.leroysprings.com/Greenway.
■ Annual memberships
$30 - Seniors (65+) $70 - Adults (single) $135 - Families
A JEWEL IN FORT MILL’S CROWN
OUR GREENWAY Situated in the heart of Fort Mill Township, the Anne Springs Close Greenway offers you respite from a fast-paced life.
Jeff Sochko/Fort Mill Times
Day festival. For details, see page 98. ■ Daily fees for non-members
$2 - Hiking and picnicking $3 - Cycling $12 - Camping (pp/night)
■ Horseback rides:
1 horse: $10, 2 horses: $20, $5 each additional horse
■ Kayak rental:
30 min.: $7 single/$10 tandem 8 hrs.: $27 single/$30 tandem
■ Canoe rental:
30 min.: $10 tandem 8 hrs.: $30 tandem
The 1,800-acre nature preserve offers vast swaths of land that have remained unchanged since before European settlers FACT: began moving into the area. With more With a than 190 species of wildflowers and several historic species of birds and other animals, the greenway’s ponds, forests and prairies are annexation rich in natural resources. But the greenway in 2008, is not just for nature lovers. History buffs will find much to get excited about, too. the Anne Sections of the historic Nation Ford Road Springs run across the land. The pathway dates Close back to the 1600s. Historical buildings on the greenway include a circa-1800 log Greenway cabin, a 1780 hall and parlor log house and became a dairy barn built in 1946. And the site of the original grist mill, for which Fort Mill a part of was named, is located on the greenway. the Town The greenway is also home to a Nature of Fort Mill. Center that features an interactive learning station, a small boardroom for educational seminars, and a horse ring for equestrian shows during the year. Roughly 32 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails snake across the nature preserve. Maps of the trails are color coded for each type of use and posted at all of the entrances. Every morning at 7, staff open the greenway’s gates to the public. The greenway remains open until sunset. While dogs, as long as they are leashed, are allowed on the trails, motorized vehicles are prohibited. ■ 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 91 ]
The ocean may be a few hours away, but that doesn’t mean township residents can’t enjoy the water. River and lake
The constant
Catawba FACT: The Catawba has been designated as a state scenic river. [ 92 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Access points are free, and canoe and kayak rentals are available at several locations – so get paddling!
File/Fort Mill Times
access offers swimming, boating, fishing and more!
The river binds our communities together
With Lake Wylie and the Catawba River a short distance from all neighborhoods in Fort Mill and Tega Cay, a day on the water can be a welcome relief in the summer.
Whether you’re searching for the perfect fishing spot, taking a lazy canoe trip down the river or catching air on a wake board, there’s plenty to do on the water. However, if you don’t happen to live on the water or have your own dock, you’ll have to seek out one of three lake access points or the river access below the Lake Wylie Dam. Duke Energy, which manages several lakes on the Catawba River system, has installed one public access point for the Catawba River with parking and a boat ramp near the base of the Lake Wylie Dam off New Greyrock Road in Fort Mill. The company also built the Nivens
Creek Boat Landing on Lake Wylie off Dam Road which includes a handicapped-accessible boat ramp and parking. Both Duke Energy access points are free and open to the public. There are also two other Lake Wylie access points in the City of Tega Cay. The Tega Cay Marina rents boat slips on a yearly basis, and slip owners are free to park in the lot and use the boat ramp. However, the ramp itself is open to the public and a city parking sticker can be obtained from City Hall (free for residents and $75 each calendar year for nonresidents; call 548-3512 for more information). The parking lot is behind the old City Hall at the end of Tega Cay Drive. Pitcairn Park, at the corner of Triton Street and Executive Point, also features a public boat landing. A city parking permit is required to use that ramp as well. In Lancaster County, Landsford Canal
State Park offers canoe and kayak access to the Catawba River all year long. Kayaks and canoes are allowed access to the river at the park’s drop-off area and can follow a 7.4-mile river trail down the Catawba River. In late May and early June, when the spider lilies are at their peak, boaters crowd the river trail for a trip through the blankets of white flowers that hang on the river’s rocks. The 448-acre park also has an easy-to-walk trail along the river that leads to a viewing deck. Picnic areas and shelters are also part of Landsford Canal State Park’s offerings. Admission to Landsford Canal State Park costs $2 for adults and $1.25 for South Carolina senior citizens. The park is located 16 miles off I-77 Exit 77 and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. ■ 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 93 ]
Endangered species The Carolina Heelsplitter The Carolina Heelsplitter, an endangered freshwater mussel, is found in Six Mile Creek in Indian Land. Any development along the creek has to adhere to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services guidelines, including larger buffers for developments in the watershed and improving storm water controls to minimize runoff.
Schweinitz’s Sunflower The Schweinitz’s Sunflower is an endangered Carolina plant. It is found only in the Carolina Piedmont, where it is currently known from 10 populations in North Carolina and six in South Carolina. One of the six sites in the state is in York County, including right here in Fort Mill Township. It grows only in clearings and edges of upland woods. Get a close look at them on the Anne Springs Close Greenway.
Rocky Shoals Spider Lily The Catawba River is home to one of the world’s largest populations of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. It has adapted to life in a harsh environment and puts on one of the greatest natural “shows” on the East Coast each May. During peak bloom, these plants cover the river in a blanket of white. To learn more, go to www.stateparks.com/landsford_canal.html.
[ 94 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Project connects trails, greenways for hiking, biking The Carolina Thread Trail, a regional network of greenways, trails and conserved land, will eventually wind its way through York, Chester, Lancaster and Cherokee counties in South Carolina, as well as 11 counties in North Carolina, and will intersect Fort Mill. The system, in the works since 2004 and implemented in phases, aims to connect approximately 2.3 million people to cities, towns, attractions and natural areas across a 7,300-squaremile area.
The trail system, which could take up to 20 years to complete, will vary from paved trails to sidewalks to natural dirt and sand paths. York County has been selected to be a pilot program for the project, meaning it could see a proposed 120 miles of new trails soon. One of several local arteries, the Nation Ford thread that snakes along Sugar Creek, opened nearly two years ago. The entrance is on A.O. Jones Boulevard across the road from Nation Ford High School. The Carolina Thread Trail project, based in Charlotte, is an organization working closely with the Catawba Lands Conservancy, which works to protect natural areas, and the Nation Ford Land Trust and the Trust for Public Land, nonprofit organizations that work in reclaiming and preserving major river corridors and creating greenway systems. Ann Browning, the Carolina Thread Trail Project director, said about five years ago, members of the thread trail group and the CLC began searching for ideas. “We were looking for a project, something that would have a high impact, a positive regional and environmental impact and provide the vision of a regional community,” Browning said. The group studied other large-scale trail systems, then began spreading the idea of the trail and gathering support from local communities and organizations. Fort Mill was the first local government to adopt the plan, Browning said. It will be financed through both private donations and public funding. Donations to the thread trail will be dispersed as grants to local communities as an incentive for planning, design, land acquisition and construction of greenways that will eventually connect the system. The thread trail organization has been raising money and looking for funding opportunities from federal and state levels, since this project could qualify as infrastructure, recreation and land conservation.
Two nearby state parks worth seeing Landsford Canal State Park Landsford Canal is the uppermost of four canals constructed on the CatawbaWateree river system from 1820 to 1835. During this period, boats used the canals to bypass rapids while carrying goods to and from the coast. The park is located along the fall line of South Carolina. This 460-acre park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, includes historic ruins of canal-culverts, stone bridges, locks, an historic mill site and a lockkeeper’s house that contains interpretive exhibits about the canal system in South Carolina. The Land’s Ford is also associated with the Revolutionary War. Thomas Sumter’s troops crossed there on their way to the Battle of Hanging Rock. And the main British army under Lord Cornwallis crossed the Catawba there in October 1780 when it retreated from Charlotte after the Battle of Kings Mountain.
File/Fort Mill Times
Hikers take a stroll on the Nation Ford Greenway – the newest trail head on the ever-growing Carolina Thread Trail.
Where are the trails?
The massive trail system will connect more than 40 destinations between the 15 counties, including Lake Wylie, Lake Norman, Bank of America Stadium in downtown Charlotte, and South Mountains State Park. In York County, the trails will connect Fort Mill to Lake Wylie, Kings Mountain, Crowder’s Mountain, Historic Brattonsville, and myriad parks and recreation centers. The trail system in Fort Mill would consist primarily of the Nation Ford Greenway. It would also connect to the Anne Springs Close Greenway and the museum on the banks of the Catawba that has been in the works of several years.
Located off Sutton Road in an area annexed into the town last year, the museum and a related subdivision called Kanawha have been stalled because of the economic downturn, according to developers. Despite those setbacks, Browning said the system is popular with residents she’s heard from. Browning said this was a reason York County was chosen, along with Gaston County, as the first locations to see the new trails. “In York County, there were good trails already on the ground and a lot of good opportunities,” Browning said. “There is also a lot of enthusiasm.” ■
Andrew Jackson State Park Andrew Jackson State Park Andrew Jackson State Park is a 360-acre park located on Hwy. 521 headed toward Lancaster. Established in 1953, the park was created to honor the seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on the land near where he was born. The park is centered on a museum honoring Jackson’s childhood during the Revolutionary War. A plaque near the museum recognizes the birthplace of the former president. Besides the museum, a model of an 18th Century schoolhouse and a meeting house are also available for viewing. The museum, meeting house and other park features are accessible with park admission. A bronze statue of Jackson, created by Anna Hyatt Huntington, co-founder of Brookgreen Gardens, is the centerpiece of the park. Admission costs $2 for adults, $1.25 for seniors, and free to kids 15 and younger. 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 95 ]
[ 96 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
CAROWINDS: Fun for the whole family
One of the nation’s premier theme parks is right here in Fort Mill Township. Guests can take advantage of great attractions, shows and special events throughout the summer at the 112-acre theme and water park, including:
■ Boomerang Bay: The 20-acre, Australian-themed water park offers more than 25 water play activities including the all-new Bondi Beach wave pool, Kookaburra Bay lagoon, a second massive wave pool, two family water play areas and more than a dozen water slides. Boomerang Bay opens daily at 11 a.m. Closing times vary. ■ Carowinds Endless Summer on Ice: Experience an endless summer, from the last day of ■ Carowinds opens daily school until the end from May 30 through of summer vacation! Aug. 19, and Sat. – Sun. operation resumes Aug. The Carowinds Theatre stage once 23 to Oct. 26. The park again will be also is open Sept. 1. The transformed into a park is closed to the spectacular ice show. The show public Sept. 27. Parking continues through Aug. 24, daily except for Tuesdays. is free. For a complete ■ Dora the Explorer’s Sing-Along Adventure: Join Dora, operating schedule, visit Boots and their friends as they go on a musical adventure www.carowinds.com. based on the popular Nick Jr. show, “Dora the Explorer,” in the Nickelodeon Theatre. See marquee for show times. No ■ Park hours: Open daily at 10 a.m. Closing times performances on Wednesdays. ■ Bondi Beach, a 600,000-gallon, 34,000-square-foot vary. wave pool, provides a surf-like experience for water park ■ Season Passes: Available guests. The pool is surrounded by 16 rental cabanas which and valid for unlimited provide a great way to beat the heat in a comfortable, visits to Carowinds and shady setting and come complete with chair-side Boomerang Bay water service from one of Boomerang Bay’s eateries. park on any public ■ Yo-Yo: A whirling swing ride for adults and operating day during children that offers bird’s-eye views of the County the season. The Cedar Fair section. Fair Platinum Pass offers ■ SCarowinds Halloween Haunt:The Carolinas unlimited visits to all biggest and best haunted attraction returns for Cedar Fair parks. an eighth season of screams with its most wicked lineup of terror yet. Malicious mazes Junior/Senior versions and a terrifying lineup of rides – all in total of both pass types are darkness – complement the ghouls and available. goblins roaming the streets of the haunted theme park. Presented from 7 p.m. to midnight every Friday and Saturday night, Sept. 26 to Oct. 31, plus Sundays, Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 30. ■ Howl-O-Fest: Carowinds’ family-friendly, daytime Halloween event stirs up a bubbling cauldron of fun for little ghosts and goblins. The celebration of fall festivities is sure to make young guests and their families scream with eerie excitement and delight every Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4 to Oct. 26. ■
Park info
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 97 ]
festivals Halloween on Main Street The annual fall festival features trick or treating on Main Street for local children with Main Street business and vendors giving out candy as creative costumed children receive candy.
Art on Main
Earth Day
Move Fort Mill Forward presents Art on Main in Confederate Park on Main Street every fall. A variety of media, from paintings to sculptures and crafts, goes on display available for purchase.
Every April, the Anne Springs Close Greenway holds Earth Day. The festival features many activities for adults and children including hay rides, cane pole fishing, Catawba Indian dancers and other activities. Earth Day is held on the Greenway, a 2,300-acre nature preserve established by Anne Springs Close and her family.
Christmas parade The Fort Mill Christmas parade draws crowds to downtown Fort Mill every year the first Saturday in December. The town and the Chamber of Commerce combine efforts to organize the holiday event. Church groups, high schools, local residents and others don their holiday finest to parade through town and bring smiles to the faces of their neighbors.
Fall festivals The Tega Cay Block Party in October is designed to foster togetherness. Anyone who wants to rent a booth to sell food, clothes, crafts and other business items is welcome. The loosely organized event offers games for children, music and a variety of food,
Jan Baucom/Fort Mill Times
Pinetuckett was one of several bands that played at the annual bluegrass festival held at the Hensley farm in Fort Mill. [ 98 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Jeff Sochko/Fort Mill Times
Visitors to the Anne Springs Close Greenway walk along one of the paths that wind through the woods near the Dairy Barn.
Fall Into Fun
Italian Fest
Fort Mill Thunder
An annual festival held in Indian Land to support the Del Webb Library. The event is held in September in Sun City Carolina Lakes and features games, music, crafts, food and art.
The annual Benvenuti! Italian Festival is held in the spring at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church on Munn Road. In addition to homemade Italian specialties, including hundreds of pounds of handmade sausages, the festival features a children's costume parade, games and live entertainment featuring Italian Idol finalists. A dozen volunteers recently met at St. Philip Neri's kitchen to turn 900 pounds of raw pork into sausage links using Joe Tramontana's secret recipe. "We decided to go up to 900 pounds this year because we ran out last year," Tramontana said. "Last year, we had 650 pounds."
Another Move Fort Mill Forward downtown event, this one is held in May and features a car show, live music, activities for kids, food and more. Visit www.movefortmillforward.com.
Fourth of July Tega Cay has more to celebrate July 4 than the country’s independence. The historic date is also the anniversary of the day Tega Cay changed from resort community to an incorporated city. So Tega Cay’s annual Fourth of July Celebration is a huge deal, with events and activities for the whole family at the city’s Windjammer Park. Allday entertainment, food vendors, a parade, fireworks, and a lake full of boats are just some of the diverse attractions. And over in Fort Mill, town leaders and veterans fire one of the historic cannons downtown in celebration of Independence Day.
Spring Festival Indian Land also throws its own Spring Festival at Indian Land Elementary School. Music, food, games, a petting zoo and an auction are all part of the fun.
Springfest A new spring festival started by the Town of Fort Mill last year that offers a one-day festival that includes music from local school children and bands, as well as a chance for local residents to enjoy the company of their neighbors. Visit www.fortmillsc.org.
Music festivals ■ Carolina Legends is an all-day old-time country, bluegrass and gospel music festival held in early May at Andrew Jackson State Park in Indian Land. The festival features colonial crafts and living history demonstrations as well. ■ The City of Tega Cay’s outdoor summer family concert series offers a variety of performers. See the Fort Mill Times events calendar for details each summer. ■ For bluegrass fans, the Hensley family of Fort Mill holds an annual day-long, familyfriendly fest on their farm. Players and spectators alike are welcome to enjoy traditional music and fellowship. ■
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 99 ]
Fort Mill Art Guild Gallery and Classroom located at: The Art Mill 213 Main Street Downtown Fort Mill
Art Classes for adults & children Fine art and hand-crafted items for sale For detailed information, visit www.fortmillartguild.com (803) 802-3838
[ 100 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Arts thrive in the township Libraries full of stuff to do
There’s no need to go to Tales,” which tells the story of Here are some local Fort Mill, and Broadway classics, including “Plaza Suite.” Some options for you: ■ Fort Mill Arts Guild The Art Mill, 213 Main Street, downtown Fort Mill, www.fortmillartguild.com The Fort Mill Art Guild is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to educating residents in the value of pursuing creative skills and promoting local artists. All are welcome to join. Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month. The Art Mill serves as meeting space, classroom and gallery. See their ad on page 100. ■ Fort Mill Community Playhouse, 615 Banks St., Fort Mill, 548-8102 www.fortmillplayhouse.org Local theater at its best. Original productions, such as “Bandstand
Fort Mill
The original Fort Mill Public Library opened in 1972 on productions are dinner theater Confederate Street. It moved to its current location at 1818 events. Upcoming productions Second Baxter Crossing in 1999. are “Play on” and “Dixie Swim The library has 11, 900 Club.” Check the Fort Mill Times square feet. It has 18 public calendar for show dates/times. computer workstations with Want to get in the act? Check Internet access and two the Fort Mill Times calendar for children’s non-internet casting calls. computers. It has a meeting room with capacity for 75 ■ NarroWay Productions people, a small conference room, 3346 Hwy. 21 (near Carowinds and a study room available for Boulevard), Fort Mill, 802-2300, public use. Its holdings total more than 57,000 books. www.narroway.net The library hosts special Fort Mill is home to one of the programs for children, besides region’s premier Christian story times for infants, toddlers theatres. Family entertainment, and preschoolers. Events for including dinner theater teens include crafts, gaming and productions. Spectacular more. Adults can choose from musicals, holiday shows and book clubs and more. audience participation shows. ■ Hours: 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday Broadway value at Southern through Thursday and 9 a.m.prices! 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday. ■ ■ For details: www.yclibrary.org or 547-4114.
Indian Land The Del Webb Library at Indian Land, nicknamed “Indian Land’s Living Room” by Lancaster County Library Board Chairwoman Karen Paulson, opened in 2008. This is the first library for Indian Land, whose residents have previously had to rely on the Bookmobile or travel as much as 20 miles to check out the latest bestsellers. The library is sits on two acres in Carolina Commons, the commercial center on Hwy. 521 beside Sun City Carolina Lakes. The library has 11,000 square feet and is able to hold 40,000 to 50,000 books. ■ Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. MondayTuesday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.5 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. ■ For details: www.lanclib.org or 548-9260. ■
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 101 ]
Ocean Views from Every Room
Springmaid—Perfect for a Myrtle Beach Getaway
D
• 6 pools, 2 lazy rivers • 1/4 mile of spectacular beach • Harbor Oaks miniature golf and arcade • Marlin’s Restaurant and Pier Café
25
esigned by renowned architects, our 4 semi-private Clubs are perfect for enjoying Carolina golf at its finest; and they are ideal locations for unique business or social outings, receptions, weddings and more.
% off
Call or log on to find
savings up to
nightly rates
or ask about Bed & Breakfast, Theater, Golf and Other Packages!
Just Get Out There and Play!
! Lancaster Golf Club 803.416.4500 ! Chester Golf Club 803.581.5733 ! Fort Mill Golf Club 803.547.2044 ! Springfield Golf Club 803.548.3318
…a beach apart
866-297-0306 • springmaidbeach.com
leroy springs & company.
inc.
803-547-1000 leroysprings.com
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Escape to Springmaid Mountain.
W
The Perfect Setting For Any Event.
e offer a portfolio of unique event locations and catering options for corporate retreats, golf outings, family reunions, elegant weddings and more. " Full service catering with
flexible menus
Located right on the banks of the North Toe River, this 400 acre retreat is what the Blue Ridge Mountains are all about.
" A variety of incredible event settings-
from golf courses to a beautifully restored barn to banquet centers " Unbeatable recreation " Competitive pricing " Dedicated service professionals
Features: u
Hiking and Horseback Riding North Toe River Float Trips/Tubing u Fishing u Hayrides u 17 Secluded Cabins u 7 ponds and the North Toe River u Campground & Bath House u AAA, X Pondside Cabin u
50% off Trail Ride or River Activity (Tubing, canoeing, rafting)
2171 Henredon Road, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(877) 400-0024 u www.springmaidmountain.com
[ 102 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
(Only 1 coupon per cabin, valid for cabin rentals only. Restrictions apply)
Events & Catering leroy springs & company.
inc.
803-547-1000 leroysprings.com
New museum project in the works The Culture & Heritage Museums and residents of York County are incredibly blessed to have a special piece of land along the Catawba River, 400 acres donated by Jane Spratt McColl.
Plans are in place for a unique environmental history museum, located on a bluff overlooking the river and featuring indoor-outdoor experiences integrated into the natural surroundings. The 60-acre museum site will include hiking trails and public access to the Catawba River. Although construction on the new museum hasn’t begun, work behind the scenes, related programming and programs on the site are moving ahead. In August 2008 an interpretive master plan for the future museum was completed. Based on resources available for the museum,
surveys and focus groups of potential visitors and research about environmental history, this plan describes the major ideas that will shape the visitor’s experience at the future museum. The entry plaza for the future museum will be a departure point for the Carolina Thread Trail (see page 94), creating a public space for trail and museum visitors with welcoming architectural features including seating set in native plant and stone landscaping. Among the interactive experiences will be a river walk, naturalist center, planetarium and auditorium. A watershed exhibit will include aquariums and aquatic life dioramas with live animals. At the Museum of York County in Rock Hill, changing exhibits such as “Catawba River Docs” and “Made in Nature: Artisans, Handcrafts & Their Ties to the Land” and permanent exhibits such as the Catawba River Gallery and Carolina Piedmont Hall offer visitors an oppor tunity today to
experience environmental history focused on the Carolina Piedmont. Other current programs offer both participants and researchers a chance to use the property where the museum will be located: ■ River Ramblers, a series of day trips offered in the fall and spring, includes a visit to the future museum site. A geologist, historian and natural historian help participants explore the site’s natural and cultural history. ■ Culture & Heritage Museums staff have organized “Bio Blitzes” to learn more about plant and animal species on the site. These ongoing events bring together university experts in the fields of water quality, birds, amphibians and reptiles, fish, plants, fungi, insects and mammals. For details about programming or to schedule a tour, call Steve Fields at 329-2121, ext. 110. ■
An Oasis In Your Own Backyard. Leroy Springs Recreation Complex A Fitness Center and So Much More! Get away from it all without going too far! Enjoy our Nature Center, low impact recreation and even primitive campsites. Memberships available.
Featuring: d
2300 scenic acres of gorgeous terrain Swinging foot bridges d Historic Nation Ford Road markers and cabins d Fishing ponds & lakes d 32 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails d Beautiful facilities for reunions, weddings and corporate events d
Offering:
Features:
• Youth Sports Programming: baseball, t-ball, softball, football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, aquatics • Dance & Cheer Programs • FLYERS After-School Programs • Morning and Afternoon Preschool • Senior Activities • Summer Camps • Fitness and Enrichment Classes
• 60,000 sq ft facility • State of the Art Cardio and Weight Equipment • 25 Yard 6 Lane Indoor Pool • Full Court Basketball Gym • Six Lighted Tennis Courts • Aerobics/Fitness/Activity Studios • Ceramics Studio with Kilns
Discounts off programming for members!
ANNE SPRINGS CLOSE GREENWAY 803/548-7252 / www.leroysprings.com leroy springs & company. inc.
(803) 547-4575 www.leroysprings.com 971 Tom Hall Street, Fort Mill, SC
leroy springs & company.
inc.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 103 ]
Parks & fields
■ Carowinds, I-77 at Carowinds Boulevard: offers roller coasters, Zoom Zone, a water park and acres of rides and games. ■ Central Bark, Tega Cay: A quarter acre on New Gray Rock Road with with a fenced in area for dogs to play in. ■ Confederate Park, Main Street, Fort Mill: A unique grouping of four historic Civil War monuments for Confederate soldiers, women, loyal slaves and Catawba Indian supporters. ■ Doby’s Bridge “Field of Dreams” Park, Fort Mill: A 4.5-acre ballpark. ■ Harris Street Park, Fort Mill: A ballfield, sliding board, picnic shelter, shuffleboard, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball courts, swings and merry-go-round. ■ Steele Street Park, Fort Mill: A picnic shelter, swings, a merry-go-round, horseshoes, water park and playground. ■ Walter Y. Elisha Park, Fort Mill: Running/walking trail with fitness equipment and a playground. ■ Tega Cay Beach and Swim Center: A community room, fitness room, restrooms and a kitchen, a toddler pool with a waterfall umbrella, and a junior Olympicsized pool. ■ Runde Field, Tega Cay: Two ballfields, a 1/3-mile paved walking trail and playground. ■ Turner Field, Tega Cay: Baseball diamond and three soccer fields. ■ Linerieux Park, Tega Cay: A 2.5-mile nature trail and nature center on 4.8 lakefront acres. ■ Pitcairn Park, Tega Cay: Picnic shelter, pier boat launch, restrooms, playground, two observation decks, grills, a nature walk and a horseshoe pit. ■ Windjammer Park, Tega Cay: Three sandy beaches, swimming area, a picnic shelter, restrooms, and a playground and picnic area. Boats allowed. ■ Trailhead Park, Tega Cay: Swings, playground and paved walking trails. ■ Diamond Head Park, Tega Cay: Swings and a playground. ■ Koala Park, Tega Cay: Swings, walking trails and playgrounds. ■ Park on Palmyra Drive, Tega Cay: A park and play area. ■ Park on Heron Run, Tega Cay: Playground. ■ Lookout Park, off Newberry Lane,Tega Cay: A playground, picnic area and day field. ■ Indian Land Park, Hwy. 521 behind the old Indian Land school: Baseball field, two tennis courts and a baseball/soccer field. ■ Deputy Roy Hardin Memorial Park, Hwy. 521 behind the old Indian Land school: Picnic shelter, playground, walking trails and a nature area. Formerly known as Collins Road Park. ■ Van Wyck Park, Van Wyck Road: Picnic shelter, playground, and ballfield. [ 104 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
REC SPORTS Baseball ■ Charlotte Knights, the minor league baseball team for the Chicago White Sox, play home games at Knights Stadium off I-77, Exit 88, from April to Labor Day. ■ Tega Cay Parks and Recreation offers T-ball for ages 3-6 and baseball for ages 7-12. Call 5483516. ■ Leroy Springs Recreation Complex offers T-ball for ages 4-6 and baseball for ages 7-12. Call 547-1032 or 547-1045. ■ Baxter Village offers T-ball for children of Baxter residents aged 3-7. Call Charlotte Kost, 5485387. ■ Post 43 is Fort Mill’s locally-sponsored American Legion club and plays a highly competitive brand of baseball. For details, call Erik Baddeley at 336-580-1581 or e-mail erikbaddeley@yahoo.com. Basketball ■ Leroy Springs Recreation Complex offers youth basketball leagues for ages 4-16. The season runs November through March. For details, call 547-1032 or 547-1045. ■ Leroy Springs Recreation Complex also sponsors adult league basketball open to men 21 and older. For details, call 547-1032 or 5471045. ■ The Fort Mill YMCA branch offers a men’s spring basketball league for adults 25 and older. Call 548-8020. Cheerleading ■ LSRC offers youth cheerleading for children aged 5 to 12 in the fall. Participants will cheer at youth football games. Call 547-1032 or 5471062.
■ Cheer Jewels Cheerleading develops fitness, confidence and team unity through year-round competitive cheerleading for children starting at 4 years old. Coaches are Kendall Hardwick and Jennifer Wilson. Call 417-7116 or 547-4575. Dance ■ LSRC offers dance classes for ages 4 and up. Contact Eddie Mabry at eddiemabrydance@aol.com. ■ The Ballroom Dance Club meets at the LSRC. Learn a variety of steps, from waltz to swing. Cost is $5 per person for non-members. Attire is dressy casual; no jeans or T-shirts. Visit www.billandapril.com. ■ The Gold Hill YMCA offers a dance program for children aged 3-9. Call 548-9622.
www.tegacaygolfclub.com. ■ Regent Park Golf Club offers junior clinics and camps as well as adult clinics. Call 547-1300 or click on www.regentparkgolfclub.com. ■ The Fort Mill Golf Club offers lessons for adults and children. Call 547-2044. ■ Springfield Golf Club offers private instruction. Call 548-3318. ■ Carolina Lakes Golf Course is located within Sun City in Indian Land. For details or tee times, call 547-9688. ■ Baxter Village supports a men’s golf team for Baxter residents. Call Charlotte Kost, 548-5387.
Karate ■ LSRC has karate classes for kids aged 4 and older. Call 547-1032 or 547-1045. Kickball ■ Tega Cay Parks and Recreation offers co-ed kickball for adults aged 21 and older at a cost of $20 per person. Call 548-3516.
■ The Leroy Springs Recreation Complex, located on Tom Hall Street (Hwy. 160 East, near Springfield Parkway) attracts residents from all across the township. Besides youth and adult sports leagues, the complex offers weight and cardio training, fitness and arts-related classes, and more. Facilities include free weights and machines, treadmills and elliptical equipment, an indoor Olympic-sized pool, basketball and tennis courts, and outdoor ball fields. The complex is also the entrance to part of the Anne Springs Close Greenway, where hiking and biking trails are available. For details, call 547-2235.
TC Parks & Rec
Lacrosse ■ The Fort Mill Lacrosse Club offers teams for boys and girls for middle and high school ages. For details, go to www.fmlacrosse.com. ■ Tega Cay Parks and Recreation offers lacrosse camps and leagues in the summer for ages 817. Call 548-3516 or Trent Tursi at 704-2802776. Soccer ■ Tega Cay Parks and Recreation offers youth soccer programs for kids aged 3-17. For details, call 548-3516. ■ LSRC offers soccer leagues for boys and girls aged 4-17. Call 547-1032 or 547-1045. ■ The Gold Hill /Fort Mill YMCA offers soccer clinics for ages 3 and 4 and leagues for children aged 5-10. Call 548-9622 or 548-8020.
■ Tega Cay Parks and Recreation Department offers something for everyone who wants to participate in recreational sports. New sports added In the past two years: youth football, cheerleading, softball, lacrosse, croquet and travel soccer. Citysponsored teams have won recreation league championships in baseball and soccer. The last piece of the puzzle will be the completion of Catawba Park, which will be a state-of-the-art facility that provides recreational opportunities for participants of all ages. For details, call Joey Blethen at 548-3516 or e-mail rec@tegacaysc.org.
YMCA
Softball ■ Tega Cay Parks and Recreation offers both adult men’s and women’s softball leagues. Call 548-3516. ■ Tega Cay Parks and Recreation has spring softball leagues for girls aged 7-12. Call 5483516. ■ LSRC offers girls softball for kids aged 7-12. Call 547-1032 or 547-1045. ■ LSRC also sponsors church and open league adult softball for men and women 18 and older. Call 547-1032 or 547-1045. Swimming
■ LSRC offers youth league football for kids aged 5-6, 8-10, and 11-12 in the fall. Call 547-1032 or 547-1045. ■ LSRC offers flag football for ages 6 and 7. Call 547-1032 or 547-1045. ■ Tega Cay Parks and Recreation has youth football in the fall for ages 6-12. Call 548-3516.
■ LSRC sponsors a swim team during the winter and the summer, open to all ages. The complex also offers swim lessons for kids aged 3-18. Call 547-4575. ■ Tega Cay Parks and Recreation sponsors a swim team open to kids aged 6-18. For details, call 548-3516. ■ Baxter Village sponsors a swim team open to ages 4-18. See www.baxterbarracudas.com.
Golf
Tennis
■ The Tega Cay Golf Club offers child and adult lessons, refresher courses, junior golf clinics and adult clinics. Call 548-2918 or go to
■ LSRC has tennis courts available to members and paying guests. Daily guest fee is $7. Lessons available. Call 547-4575.
Football
LSRC
■ The Upper Palmetto YMCA has two branches here. Both offer fitness, sports and recreation programs and facilities. The Upper Palmetto YMCA also runs Camp Cherokee. This enriching camp at Kings Mountain provides an opportunity for children and adolescents to learn about the outdoors and activities such as archery and boating while they form friendships. One branch is on Gold Hill Road, near the entrance to Tega Cay. Call 548-9622. The other branch is in Baxter Village off Hwy. 160 West and features an outdoor pool. Call 548-8020. For details, visit www.upymca.org.
■ Tega Cay Tennis Club offers four outdoor lighted hard surface courts, water on courts, restrooms and a pro shop. Members have unlimited access to the courts and online court reservation privileges. Non-members pay a $5 court fee per match. For details, call 835-0530 or go to www.tegacaytennis.com. ■ 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 105 ]
THERE’S NO OTHER PLACE LIKE IT:
PLAZA FIESTA
Hispanic-themed mall on Carowinds Boulevard offers fun for everyone
Toya Graham/Fort Mill Times
Latin American-style shopping is just around the corner the United States. “They’re afraid to put their money in a bank,” manager Fiorella at Plaza Fiesta, a mall near the intersection of I-77 and Jimenez-Chirinos explained. “We’re teaching them to get over the Carowinds Boulevard.
Plaza Fiesta is a brightly colored mall that features shopping similar to a Hispanic market or plaza. A central cobblestone street runs through the mall, with smaller streets branching out towards the more than 200 shops. The small (10 feet by 10 feet) shops are designed to be affordable, and to give entrepreneurs an opportunity to start a small retail business. Each shop is independently owned and operated. A two-story play area is the centerpiece of the mall, surrounded by Latin American food vendors as well as restaurants featuring traditional American fare. Hildefonso Garcia clutched his identification and walked into BB&T Plaza Fiesta. Before the Charlotte man left the bank, he opened both a checking and savings account. The mall also features a bank – BB&T – that caters to Hispanics. BB&T Plaza Fiesta employees are Hispanic and speak their native tongue as well as English. And they understand the Hispanic culture and some marked differences Hispanics face when they migrate to
“
fear that they have with banking in their country.” Jimenez-Chirinos said many Hispanics usually have saving accounts, but not checking accounts in their home country. “If the bank goes bankrupt, they just close the doors, and the customer loses their money because it’s not insured,” she said. Money deposited into banks in the United States is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, often referred to as FDIC on bank signs, including one at BB&T Plaza Fiesta. While African-Americans and caucasian clients make up 10 percent of the bank’s customer base, 90 percent of the customer base is Hispanic, Jimenez-Chirinos said. “They are excited about having a bank that understands them and is here to serve them,” she said. Bank hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more details, call 802-8443. ■
“
Our proximity to Charlotte means this area is a great location for business.
[ 108 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Chambers of commerce can boost business
Chambers of commerce provide information for newcomers and help business people get to know their surroundings and to network.
Rendering courtesy of KC Udani
This is a drawing of the façade of the Country Inn & Suites coming to Fort Mill in 2010.
Major employers in our area Some of our largest companies are:
■ Baldor Electric, industrial electric motors,
Deerfield Drive, 148 employees ■ Black & Decker, distribution, Pleasant Road, 500 employees ■ Boral Brick Inc., brick manufacturer, Van Wyck Road, 100 employees ■ Cardinal Health, surgical equipment packaging, Fort Mill Hwy., 562 employees ■ Citifinancial, financial services, Munn Road, 1,850 employees ■ Internet Services Corp./ICCA, inspirational cassette tapes and videos, Fort Mill, 269 employees ■ Domtar, paper company regional headquarters, 100 Kingsley Park Drive, 120 employees ■ Employee Benefit Service, insurance, 534 Rivercrossing Drive, 225 employees ■ Inspiration Network, religious cable network headquarters, Charlotte Hwy, 275 employees ■ Mergent Inc. Financial Services, Kingsley Park Drive, 315 employees ■ Muzak, audio architecture, Lakemont Boulevard, 517 employees ■ Northern Tool and Equipment Inc., distribution of tools, Banks Road, 315 employees ■ Novant Health, health care, Fort Mill, 210 employees
■ P. Kaufmann Inc., converter of home furnishing textiles, York Southern Road, 100 employees ■ ProLogix, Magazine distribution, W. Hwy. 160, 120 employees ■ Ross Distribution, Ross clothing distribution, Retail Drive, 1,800 employees ■ Schaeffler Group USA, needle and roller bearings, Springhill Farm Road, 807 employees ■ Sharonview Credit Union, banking, 521 Corporate Center Drive, 135 employees ■ Springs Global US Inc. Executive Office and Close Development Center, corporate headquarters, North White Street, Fort Mill, 405 employees ■ Sunbelt Rentals, Deerfield Drive, Industrial and construction equipment rentals, 250 employees ■ URS Washington Division, nuclear energy center, EdgeWater Corporate Center, 400 employees ■ US Foodservice Inc., food distribution, Fort Mill Parkway, 781 employees ■ Virtual Image Technology, information and image management, Harrisburg Road, 125 employees ■ Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, home mortgages, Stateview Blvd., 1,500 employees ■ Wikoff Color Corp., printing inks and coatings, Merritt Road, 170 employees
The York County Regional Chamber of Commerce represents each town in issues that affect all of York County, while each town retains its own chamber council responsible for local programs: ■ Fort Mill Area Council, 210 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill. Trudie Bolin Heemsoth, director, 547-5900; Rob Youngblood, president, 3247500; Harvey Hawkins, chairman. Chamber hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. ■ Tega Cay Area Council, 1741 Gold Hill Road, Suite 104, Tega Cay. Becky Adams, director, 548-2444, Diane Woods, chairwoman; Rob Youngblood, president, 3247500. Chamber hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday and Friday. The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce represents businesses on issues that affect all of Lancaster County:
■ Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce (serving Indian Land), 453 Colonial Drive, Lancaster. L. Dean Faile, president and director, 803-283-4105; J. C. Rainey, chairman; Van Myers, chairman, Indian Land Council. Chamber hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 109 ]
LOCAL Keep up with the news Newspapers ■
■
■
■
■ ■
Fort Mill Times: A weekly community newspaper, published every Wednesday, that gives you in-depth news about Fort Mill, Tega Cay and Indian Land that you won’t get anywhere else. Distributed free to every household in Fort Mill Township and Indian Land. 547-2353. Visit www.fortmilltimes.com. The Herald: A daily newspaper that covers news, sports and entertainment in York, Chester and Lancaster counties. 3294000. Lake Wylie Pilot: A free weekly newspaper that covers Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, River Hills, Clover and other lakefront areas. 803-831-8166. The Lancaster News: A thrice-weekly newspaper that reports on Lancaster County, including Indian Land. It also publishes Carolina Gateway, a weekly newspaper distributed only in Indian Land. 803-283-1133. The Charlotte Observer: A daily Charlotte newspaper. Creative Loafing: A weekly entertainment tabloid based in Charlotte and distributed free in the area.
Cable ■
■
Comporium Communications serves up 62 basic cable channels and more than 100 digital channels. Included are city information channels for Fort Mill and Tega Cay residents. Cable News 2 (CN2) is a cable news station based in Rock Hill and owned by Comporium Communications.
Radio ■
■
■
[ 110 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Listeners can tune into local stations WRHI AM 1340, WRHM FM 107 and FM 94.3, WAVO Christian Radio 1150 AM and WNSC FM, each based in Rock Hill; WRBK 90.3 FM out of Richburg plays oldies; and WFAE-FM 90.7 in Charlotte, which carries NPR and Charlotte area programming. Other stations with strong signals here include WRFX 99.7 FM and WXRC 95.7 FM, both classic rock stations, WSOC 103.7 FM, the home of new and classic country, and WFNZ 660 AM, which provides 24-hour sports talk and live Panthers games. For a complete listing, check out www.ontheradio.net/metro/charlotte_nc.aspx. ■
MEDIA BLACKB LUERED YELLOW
MURDER CHARG E: Autho rities will seek de ath
24 PAG
Back to the
:
Pinch may get worse
By Jonath an
mat
Local wr estlers get toug h, 1B
ES
Predict ion
COVE RIN
G FORT
penalty if Fort M ill man is convic ted, 3A
What’s See “Cornew in school ? e Issues ,” 6A
www.fo WEDNES
State b udget c uts loom MILL,
TEGA
CAY AN
D IND
IAN LA
ND SIN
CE 189
2
By Jen ny Ove rman and Jonath an news@ Allen
revam p fortmi amid wh the distric lltime t’s bud s.com state budat he calls get FORT MIL get cut “the worst” era l fun State in his s he has budget L TOWNSH 21 yea $988,94 d and an IP — local rs on seen add itio cuts cou 2 About sch enue funcut in the $334 mil the job. and adm ool board ld force from specia nal it wil d. lion wa the l dra l revme ini The init mb str tough s cut budget state’s K-1 budget in us for ial bud 2 edu choice ato rs to maers cov at nex ,” Wa month s in the hope this lker sai t year’s ke ly due to the end of 200 cation ed ered by larg get cuts wer s. sho com er-than d. proper 8, e thin largertfa ing tax rev Tony ty tax -expect- out next yea g will wor “But I enue. Thells in state the revenu k itse tor for Walker, fina r, the in Aug get first cut sales of county. But the ust nce the late es from thi goi ng and economy willf cut s, with mo Lan s came direc- low Sch ool pic ing nk we l re Dec em wh ich cam st wave Dis tric caster Cou ’re loo k up, but nty Decem in No vem cuts folbeing ber e t, is try in , I kin g stil mid the ber and working l ing to ty, the ber. In Lan to det have Wa lke - I’ve been hardest yea at 201 0 cas sta cuts in here.” r since million te cuts tota ter Counthe dist ermine wh r Th e dis be ma hit to the ere led rict’s bud de. district a $3.2 get can stopped filltric t has alr “We feel ’s gening ead and new y is now like budget conside positions ing clas in line we can get ring inc for this the s sizes rea next yea year, but sr. Rais-
rtmilltim
DAY, JA N.
es.com
14, 20
09
COST
: 50¢
City Ha might ll move to Glenno Center n
Alle jallen@ fortmil n ltimes.c om FORT — A new MILL TO year brin WNSHIP bag of gs a mix challen fits for ed townsh ges and ben eip sch On the ools. one seems to fina hand, growth which lly will allo be slowing nity to catch w the commu , more tha its bre ath afte cen t or n a decade r of growth hig her pop 10 per. becaus However, it’s ulatio n e bottom the economy slowing ing out has bee revenu n es dow and taking tax n alon “The g haven’t experts are saywith it. Please see SCHOOL feel the even really ing, we S 4A beg my,” Supeffects of the un to By Jon ath Callicu erintende econojallen@ an Allen nt Kei tt told School th the For fortmi lltime ing Mo Board during t Mill s.com nda a TE GA me y night. funds etCAY will be sweate “No new — com state. r We’ll get ing from cil me to the nex Bri ng a the t city etin impact to feel counof the full The city g. Act 388 Act 388.” is con min side g $10 islation is the pie bud get ,000 from ring trimce dential that replac of legits 200 by not HVAC 8-09 rep lac statew property tax ed resisys Hall bui tem at the ing the es ide sal public es tax with a lding. old Cit edu “Staff y growth cation. Whto fund city div is suggesting wil l me ile less won’t est that the an itself fill Hall, of the so trict may as fast and sch ool s old Cit stop inv we’ re sug the not hav y gestin er app e to see disrov Manag esting in it g we at of bon al for anothe k votthe Finer Grant Du all,” City ds as r rou soon as pated, nd meetin anc e Com ffield told it mit are spe also means anticig fully we’last Thursd tee at a nding peo ple ay. “Ho That also less mo ll be end of means ney. ey is bein the yea out of it by peless mo the r.” Th e public g collected nheater air con dit ion to pay sch for are ope The dist ools. tion of rable ing and rict was $863,00 able houses the buildin in the por0 chasin for taxpayers to save g develop the city’s pla that now g million back more by purthe hea ment servic nning and tha es ment purworth of the n $1.2 t doe staf sn’t com f, but counci had sold chase plan installl ings are chamber whe on in the on the in 2006 for bonds it ere me hel 90.5 doll The ten d. etwas ava ar. That opp cents tative the bui ortuity plan is bond ilable on the lding, to sell seco ma comme which accord rket in Dec ndary is procee rcial use, andzoned for ing intende to Assista ember, ds to com use ished nt Sup nt half of plete the unfthe erThe boa Leanne Lor of the indo. the bot do to use rd author Philip ized Lor T. Gle tom floor nnon the dist up to $2 mil Com lion rict from ’s imp to make the tran act fee fun Lordo Please d saction said the see TEGA and tinue to district CAY 11A of bon look for ano will conKristen the ds Deaton the app to spend the r block decora rest of tes an ing tha roved funds adverti on. t sement trict wil move means Makboard at the run ove l pay less in the disbeginni ng of her The IPP r the life of thethe long shift Frid mortga bonds are sim bonds. ay at Bra ge and vo Gre rowed the dist ilar to a MIKE ek Sub the s in the LAUGHLIN/FOR schools money to rict borbuild new Plaza Fies T MILL TIME . S Creatin ta mal l. g a bud 2009-20 get 10 coming school yea for the r mo nths wil in the the boa l rd Callicu with tough present cuts havtt said. Sta choices, te trict mo e already cos budget this yea re than $2.2 t the disBy Mik still pos r, and deeper million e cuts are sibl news@ Laughlin By Jon Callicu e. FORT fortmi athan MIL will use tt also said lltime Allen and s.com wonderi L TOWNSHIP news@ Mike Lau fundin this year’s the state FORT fortmi — Wi ng if the g ghlin lltime Hoping MILL TO the bas after all the level of s.com At the ir next th corporat WNSH e Ameri Plaza IP — stantial to capitalize budget. eline for nex cuts as paych on Fie He in t eck yea ca said the sta in ty made gains the nat the sublike usi sla will be that wou r’s mall sai their las shing jobs Cou nty in Novemberional parto fun ng the 2005-06 ld be d the do Fort Mill ne d educati lef , budget t. t Dem ar and rig wntur kic ked ocr ati the York on in “We’re Alex n in the Carowinds, ht, wo forum off a new c Par ty mentary opening two 2010. point Hefner, the rke ma eco , ser of ma rs new na mo nth nomy ies offi are lef gers of elebe hel will hav schools nex for new view, more nager of ly cials said has aff d in the t t Ton the va ulation e a bigger studyear and will ect they alreemploymentand more peo y’s Pizza, tow The rio ed nsh firs , probab us foo ent pop sai them ip. ple or eve t forum ady hav Thursd cent, and ly by 3 d court n extra have bee d from his “We, in differ was e. ay n out jobs in ket res night at the held last me I hav now you’reor 4 pereateri opport along with ent wa hired additio looking tauran Papa Pin unity es Fish Ma at ys. lage. Abo budget e to do it on telling n to wh he sai comes t in Bax job. She another com ro’s, get the I d. at up pany, the foru ut 50 people ter Vilhe sai had three yea same surviv “But we hav to hire som application Hefner ’s been loo d. e too rs ago king in but she nee e to wat s eone, sai Democr m, the first attended ,” we’re daily. If the ded an The foo .” restau ch wh Subway d. large-sc atic gat happy ran at we ext d indust Mil ’s ra ts is ava ale Pla the am hering do. We for a litt to l sin par ry, ilable, ount of za Fiesta loc ’re try do it,” in For le while, t-time that sence the Nov has bee typically an recent ous yea ing to t job app .4 ation ” mo n clos rs, has the Wh t one of the elections ing its area where “My mo nths. “We alw according lications this received doors part-tim m actual to Ma close to ed the ite House andir own to ays see year, to new copies nager ir con double ly got m to worker e work expand and 7 Anil Patcompared trol of laid off “It s in to pre 6866 Althou then they’rerun out of Congre 3 from the viapplica el. gh ma 3093 tur nou wa s a rea ss. 0 colleg 3 airpor ny foo gone,” he tions. e age, said. d ser We ma t and the sec t,” said Che lly goo d there got rie ke has bee vice worker the Yor ond vic e cha Mabrey, n a rec s are hig k irm an Cou ent shi Party. ft in the h school or “It’s a nty Democr of social types trying atic eve of peo to people get togeth nt. We’re er and involv Please keep ed [in see ECON the par OMY 4A ty].”
GO BB LI NG
UP JO BS
: Food se
rvice in recessio n
Dems’ forums coming to town
Restaura effects o nt industry feels f slow ec onomy
Put out for Con your change nor on Jan. 24
By Jen ny Ove rma
jov erm
W EL L RE
Please see
AD : Lib rary
:
●
Busin
ess, 5A
Please see ●
FORUM 11A
’s first ca rdholde r Shirley Adams the firs was t receive person to a from the library card Library Del Webb at The new Indian Lan d. opened library Sunday.
PRSRT STD U.S. Posta ge PAID Permit #85 Fort Mill, S.C.
Delivery questions ? Give us a call at 909-4235 .
INSIDE
an@for n tmillti mes.co FORT m n’t kno MILL — Pai to her w han ily, but Connor Mc ge Williams she kne ds and face doesKemey donatin that isn’t sto or wa nte w tha t she, pping his famd them g her time fam ily. to hel p his and mo her from out. ney to Connor bered She rem em help fun cent of , 13,was bur son did draisers herout of his body wh ned over 85 in wh in Cub Scouts an out en per a ich fire eru door fire ily’s Teg fam ilie were pted Connor giv Since a Cay hom place at his bag to en a plastics e the famMcKem in an Aug accident, three weeks ey donatiofill with foo ago. usta, Ga. Connor d ns and going though has the , burn sur center, been be don t that som ir front por set on When geries and eth und ch. nor, who Williams skin grafts. er- set out e with pocketing similar She could to se mothe heard abo cha Comm Williammake it hap nge and she ut r also suffere Conpen. s and unity d her frie burns Calen nd Ch dar, 2A risty
Story, 3A
MCKEMEY 11A
Educati
on, 7A
●
Religion
, 8A
●
JENNY OVERMAN /FORT MILL
TIMES
Opinion
, 10-11
A
Get the Fort Mill Times!
If you just moved to the township, you may not be aware that our newspaper, the Fort Mill Times, is delivered free on Wednesdays to every home.
Only out-of-town delivery, sent by U.S. mail, requires a paid subscription. Cost is $40 per year, with a $3 discount for senior citizens. Perhaps you are already receiving the Fort Mill Times. If not, please call our circulation folks at 909-4235 or send an e-mail to plarson@fortmilltimes.com. Delivery should begin the following Wednesday. In the meantime, feel free to stop by our office at 124 Main Street, Fort Mill, say hello to our staff and pick up a current edition of the newspaper. ■ 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 111 ]
YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL
DINING
You sigh and prop your feet up with a packing crate as you gaze out the window. Your stomach tells you it is dinner time, but you curse at the thought of eating. You have no kitchen appliances yet but with the clamor of children arguing over whose room is whose and the clatter of the plumber installing new pipes, you need to find a place to eat – fast. So, we’ve put together this guide of restaurants so you’ll know where to go in your new town. American
Asian
Fort Mill BBQ Company 737 Stockbridge Drive, Fort Mill 548-7400 www.fortmillbbq.com What type of food do you serve?: Catered, Southern cuisine What is your price range?: $5-$20 Do you take reservations?: No Are you child-friendly?: Yes What is the dress code?: Casual Which credit cards do you accept?: VISA, MC, Discover, Amex Do you serve alcohol?: Yes What are your top menu items? Barbecue, wings, ribs
Red Bowl Asian Bistro 845 Stockbridge Drive, Fort Mill 802-5666 www.redbowltegacay.com What type of food do you serve?: Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese What is your price range?: $7-$14 Do you take reservations?: Yes Are you child-friendly?: Yes What is the dress code?: Casual Which credit cards do you accept?: VISA, MC, Discover, Amex Do you serve alcohol?: Yes What are your top menu items?: Hibachi steak, Dragon and Phoenix
Sweet Peppers Deli 936 Market St., Fort Mill 396-8888 Sweetpeppersdeli.com What type of food do you serve?: Specialty sandwiches, paninis, salads, monster potatoes, soups and desserts What is your price range?: $2.30-$8 Do you take reservations?: As needed Are you child-friendly?: Yes What is the dress code?: Shirt and shoes Which credit cards do you accept?: Visa, MC, Discover, Amex Do you serve alcohol?: Beer and wine What are your top menu items? Cuban Panini, Waldorf Salad and loaded baked potatoes
Saiki Japanese & Vietnamese Restaurant 709 Crossroads Plaza, 548-7437 What type of food do you serve?: Japanese Hibachi style and Vietnamese What is your price range?: Lunch, $5-$9; Dinner, $7-$22 Do you take reservations?: No Are you child-friendly?: Yes What is the dress code?: Casual Which credit cards do you accept?: Visa, MC, Discover Do you serve alcohol?: Beer, wine, sake What are your top menu items? Hibachi Chicken,Vietnamese Pho and spicy tuna roll
Other Options: A.M. Joe’s, 101 Spratt St., 802-0707 Di-Dees Diner, 8637 Charlotte Hwy., 547-3143 521 BBQ & Grill 7580 Charlotte Hwy. (Hwy. 521), 548-7675 Flamingo Food and Spirits, 377 Carowinds Blvd., 547-1038 Johnny K’s Restaurant, 1385 Hwy. 160 E., 802-3210 Longitude 81, 971 Gold Hill Rd., 8029981 Passion8 Bistro, 3415 Hwy., 51802-7455 www.passion8bistro.com Roasting Oven & Grill, 3700 Avenue of the Carolinas, 548-4122 Steve & Kelly’s Grille House, 2150 Gold Hill Rd., 548-1799 The Peach Stand Café, 1325 Hwy. 160 W., 547-7563 The Station Resaurant & Bar, 1143 Stonecrest Blvd. (off Hwy. 160 W.), 5488852 [ 112 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Other Options: Best China (V),1046 Regent Parkway suite 107, 802-9862, 802-9863 Big Wok, 1750 Hwy. 160 W., 547-5565 China II, 757 Crossroads Plaza, 547-1935 China East, 1350 Hwy. 160 E., 802-7737 Great Wall of China, 3700 Avenue of the Carolinas, 548-7003 Jin-Jin Restaurant, 1800 Gold Hill Road, 548-7533 Lui Lui’s, 940 Market St., 547-1838 www.luiluis.com Ocean Palace, 414 Tom Hall St., 547-4200
Sandwiches / more Fairway Deli, 1010 Carolina Place, 548-5440 Ida Roselle’s, 235 Main St., 802-5360 Jump N Java Cafe/Bistro, 1646 160 W., 547-1122 Logan Farms Honeyglazed Hams, 855 Gold Hill Rd., 548-9777 Nerd Net Café, 855 Gold Hill Rd., Suite 101, 547-NERD, www.nerdnetcafe.com
Pubs Checkers, 1685 Katy Lane, 548-7433 grapevine Wine Shop/Wine Bar, 1012 Market St., 802-9989 Hoopers Bar & Grill, 900 Crossroads Plaza, 802-3990 Six Pence Restaurant and Pub, 993 Market St., 802-5885 McHale’s Irish Pub, 1820 Gold Hill Rd., 548-2151 Towne Tavern, 2000 Hwy. 160 W., 8022340
Italian Carmella’s Pizza Grill. 3150 Hwy. 21, 802-4404 DeMarco’s, 1741 Gold Hill Road, 8023223 Donatos Pizza, 1143 Stonecrest Blvd. (off Hwy. 160 W.), 548-9001 Figaro’s Pizza, 8167 Charlotte Hwy. (Hwy. 521), 802-3800 Fratelli Ristorante and Pizzeria, 975 Market St., 802-4449 Si’s Pizzeria, 9931 Charlotte Hwy., 5471104 Village Pizza & Italian Restaurant, 773 Crossroads Plaza, 547-7770
Mexican El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, 741 Crossroads Plaza, 802-7555 www.elmaguey.biz What type of food do you serve?: Mexican What is your price range?: $5.50 and up Do you take reservations?: Yes Are you child-friendly?: Yes What is the dress code?: Casual Which credit cards do you accept?: All Do you serve alcohol?: Yes What are your top menu items?: Fajitas, quezadillas, mexicanas, chimichangas
Other options: El Cancun, 197 Carowinds Blvd., 548-6222 Los Aztecas, 100 Fort Mill Square, 3965515
Seafood Captain Steve’s Seafood, 1975 Hwy. 21, 547-2340 Fish Fare Express, 3071 Hwy. 21, Suite
100, 802-3155 Fish Market, 990 Market St.., 547-4024
Ice Cream Bruster’s Real Ice Cream 2603 Hwy. 160 West 548-4070 www.brusters.com What type of food do you serve?: Ice cream What is your price range?: $2.19 and up Do you take reservations?: No Are you child-friendly?: Yes What is the dress code?: Casual Which credit cards do you accept?: Visa, MC, Amex Do you serve alcohol?: No What are your top menu items? Waffle cones, shakes, ice cream cakes MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream & Treatery 753 Crossroads Plaza 548-6244 www.maggiemoos.com What type of food do you serve?: Super premium custom made ice cream creations, shakes, sundaes, ice cream cakes and cupcakes What is your price range?: $2.50 and up Do you take reservations?: No Are you child-friendly?: Yes What is the dress code?: Casual Which credit cards do you accept?: Visa, MC Do you serve alcohol?: No What are your top menu items? Fresh escapes, milkshakes, fresh fruit smoothies Other Options: Sayago’s Hometown Cafe & Ice Creamery, 940 Market St., 548-8686 Strickland’s Frozen Custard, 2000 Hwy. 160 W., Suite 104, 802-9911
Coffee and Tea Aroma Coffee House, 3150 Hwy. 21, Suite 112, 802-1711 Savannah’s Room, 108 Springs St., 8350580 BacInTyme Coffee Cafe, 124 Confederate St., 802-7155 Jump ‘N Java Cafe, 1646 Hwy. 160 W., 547-1122 Sugar Face Bakery, 217 Main St., 5481111
Local spirits
For those of you who like to unwind with a cocktail, there are stores in every corner of the township. Beer and wine are also sold in grocery stores. ■ Discount ABC 1800 Gold Hill Road Fort Mill 548-7533 ■ Fort Mill ABC Liquors and Spirits 2000 Hwy. 160 West, Suite 107, Fort Mill, 396-2966 ■ Friendly Spirits 8475 Charlotte Hwy. (Hwy. 521), Suite 104D, Fort Mill, 396-2952 ■ Frugal MacDoogal’s 3630 Festival Dr. (off Carowinds Boulevard), Fort Mill, 548-6634 ■ grapevine Wine Shop/Wine Bar 1012 Market Street, Baxter Village, Fort Mill, 802-9989 ■ Hammond’s Liquor Store 111 Railroad Ave, Fort Mill, 547-2152 ■ Southern Spirits 9989 Charlotte Hwy. (Hwy. 521), Fort Mill, 548-8888 ■ Village ABC 925 Crossroads Plaza (Hwy. 160 West, near Gold Hill Road), Fort Mill, 5480472 ■ Xpress Beverage 1294 Tom Hall Street (Corner of Hwy. 160 East and Springfield Parkway), Fort Mill, 548-7373
FRESH CRISP SALADS
*Note: The sale of alcohol on Sunday is prohibited by law in certain areas.
OVEN BAKED SUBS
WINGS
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 113 ]
FACT: Unity Presbyterian is Fort Mill’s oldest church, organized in 1788. The current structure is the fourth church in its history and dates from 1888.
Unity Presbyterian’s lead pastor, the Rev. Dr. Dan Holloway Jenny Overman/Fort Mill Times
Breaking
Ground
In May 2009, church members stood around the site of the future Unity Presbyterian Church sanctuary, just a few yards east of the current sanctuary, holding Ziploc baggies, buckets and pails full of dirt.
The Rev. Dr. Dan Holloway, who has spent the past 20 years at Unity Presbyterian ministering to the people of Fort Mill from its oldest church, brought dirt from the sites of the last three constructed. Holloway placed his “historical” dirt in the pile of sand marking where the church’s next sanctuary will stand. Church members young and old followed suit, adding their special dirt to what would [ 116 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Unity’s new sanctuary built on ‘many places of many people’
soon become the foundation of a new sanctuary. “Dirt, the basic thing of life,” said Holloway. “We place it as a reminder that we come from many places of many people.” On May 31, 2009, the church marked the official groundbreaking for the new sanctuary, now under construction. The new sanctuary will hold 550 people, more than doubling its current capacity. On a typical Sunday, Holloway said, Unity averages 435 people attending the two services. Ten or more services a year are so well attended that a room is set up for the overflow crowd, complete with a large screen capturing what is happening in the main sanctuary. With For t Mill continuing to grow,
Holloway said, church members felt like it was time for them to expand as well. “It’s a major step,” Holloway said. “But given the growth in Fort Mill, we want to reach out to new families and people moving to the area, and we want to have the tools to do it with.” The land for the new sanctuary was purchased from a church member, Holloway said, and is adjacent to Unity’s current site. The former sanctuary will continue to be used for small weddings, funerals and other events, Holloway said. “We’ve made the decision to maintain it for lots of reasons, absolutely. It’s sort of a symbol of Fort Mill, and it has lots of uses ahead of it,” he added. ■
DIRECTORY OF
CHURCHES
■ Mount Zion Church of God, 1001 Steele St., Fort Mill, 547-6581
■ Higher Ground Church, 8365 Possum Hollow Road, Fort Mill, 802-3189 ■ Lifepointe Christian Church, 2266 Deerfield Drive, Fort Mill, 802-8500 ■ SouthPoint Church, Gold Hill YMCA, Fort Mill, 431-6263 ■ The Crossing, 1466 Doby’s Bridge Road, Fort Mill, 396-0800 ■ The Lord’s Armory, 1734 Harris Road, Fort Mill, 548-0783 ■ Ultimate Life Church, 377 Carowinds Blvd., Suite 125, Fort Mill, 802-2641 ■ Community Life Church of the Carolinas, Indian Land, 704-277-9772
Episcopal
Pentecostal Holiness
AME Zion
Church of Christ
■ El Bethel AME Zion Church, 8631 Henry Harris Road, Fort Mill, 547-6688 ■ Gold Hill AME Zion Church, 9239 Van Wyck Road, Fort Mill, 547-2107 ■ Indian Hill AME Zion Church, 10728 Barberville Road, Fort Mill, 547-4506 ■ Mount Zion AME Zion Church, 2733 Hwy. 21 Business, Fort Mill, 548-4078 ■ United AME Zion Church, 804 Steele St., Fort Mill, 547-6646 ■ Volunteer Faith Center Inc., 102 Smith St., Fort Mill, 548-8083
■ Church of Christ at Gold Hill Road, 1055 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, 548-7762
ARP ■ Carolina Covenant Church-ARP, 1190 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, 548-6804
Assemblies of God ■ Real Life Assembly of God, 1930 Pleasant Road, Fort Mill, 802-7010 See their ad on page 118.
Baptist ■ Bethlehem Baptist Church, 601 Joe Louis St., Fort Mill, 547-7059 ■ Carolinas Cornerstone Church, 1705 Hwy. 21 Bypass, Fort Mill, 547-7781 ■ First Baptist Church of Fort Mill, 121 Monroe White St., Fort Mill, 547-2051 See their ad on page 119.
■ Flint Hill Baptist Church, 269 Flint Hill Road, Fort Mill, 548-0672 ■ Fort Mill Community Church, Main Street, Downtown Fort Mill, 327-2610 ■ Glenrock Baptist Church, 1815 Doby’s Bridge Road, Fort Mill, 547-6420 ■ Indian Land Baptist Church, 7583 Charlotte Hwy., Indian Land, 547-5881 ■ James Chapel Baptist Church, 3330 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 548-4367 ■ Jerusalem Baptist Church,, 300 Steele St., Fort Mill, 547-6277 ■ Sisk Memorial Baptist Church, 115 Massey St., Fort Mill, 547-2537 ■ Tega Cay Baptist Church, 1875 Gold Hill Road, Tega Cay, 548-2600 See their ad on page 119. ■ Westerly Hills Baptist Church, 1730 Doves Road, Fort Mill, 547-6150
Baptist – Free Will ■ Bethel Freewill Baptist Church, 9809 Blackwelder Road, Fort Mill, 548-3913
Baptist – Independent ■ Bible Baptist Church, 255 S. Hwy. 21 Bypass, Fort Mill, 547-2761 ■ Blessed Hope Baptist Church, 1270 Williams Road, Fort Mill, 803-320-8725
Baptist – Southern ■ Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 211 Marvin Road, Indian Land, 548-7208 See their ad on page 119.
Catholic ■ St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 292 Munn Road, Fort Mill, 548-7282
Church of God ■ Fort Mill Church of God, 221 Academy St., 547-2629 See their ad on page 118.
■ St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 501 Pine St., Fort Mill, 547-5968
Evangelical ■ Faith Bible Church, 3585 Centre Circle, Fort Mill, 547-3845
Foursquare Gospel ■ Lakeshore Christian Fellowship, Shoreline Pkwy., Tega Cay, 548-2755
Interdenominational ■ Freedom Christian Center, 1205 Gardendale Road, Fort Mill, 548-5464
Lutheran
■ Lighthouse Pentecostal Church, 333 Hwy. 21, Fort Mill, 547-6466 ■ Third Millennium Ministries, 2950 Hwy. 21 Business, Fort Mill
Presbyterian ■ Christ Cornerstone-PCA, 100 Springs St., Fort Mill, 548-2020 ■ Community Presbyterian Church, 600 N. White St., Fort Mill, 547-6501 ■ Doby’s Bridge Presbyterian Church, 2500 Doby’s Bridge Rd., Fort Mill, 547-5240 ■ Grace Presbyterian Church, 2615 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 548-0800 ■ Riverview Presbyterian USA, 124 N. Sutton Road, Fort Mill, 547-2581 ■ Unity Presbyterian Church, 303 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill, 547-5543
FACT: Among the many churches in Fort Mill Township, several have memberships that exceed 1,000 people. The top five congregations are: 1. First Baptist Church: 2,225 members 2. St. Philip Neri Catholic Church: 1,800 families / members 3. Fort Mill Church of God: 1,280 members 4. Unity Presbyterian Church: 1,100 members 5. Sisk Memorial Baptist Church: 1,000 members
■ Crossroads Lutheran Church, 8511 Shelley Mullis Road, Indian Land, 804-7968 ■ Lake Wylie Lutheran Church, 2906 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 548-5489
Messianic ■ Shabbat Shalom Messianic Ministries, 1691 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 324-1343
Methodist ■ Belair United Methodist Church, 8095 Shelley Mullis Road, Indian Land, 547-6631 ■ Osceola United Methodist Church, 6575 Charlotte Hwy., 803-285-7959 ■ Philadelphia United Methodist Church, 1691 Hwy. 160 West, Fort Mill, 548-0102 ■ Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 238 Fort Mill Hwy., 548-4922 ■ St. John’s United Methodist Church, 130 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill, 547-7538 ■ Grace Community United Methodist Church, 971 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill (inside Leroy Springs Recreation Complex) 371-0636 See their ad on this page.
Nazarene ■ Fort Mill Church of the Nazarene, 109 Harris St., 548-4633
Non-denominational ■ All Nations Church, 360 Hammond Road, Fort Mill, 396-8909 See their ad on page 118.
■ Celebration Center of the Carolinas, Tega Cay City Hall, 547-2858 ■ Eternal, Fort Mill YMCA in Baxter Village, 802-3070 ■ The Gathering, 866-562-9406 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 117 ]
Sunday Worship ~ 10:30 AM & 6:00 PM Wednesday Bible Study ~ 7:00 PM Fort Mill’s Assembly of God Church
Children’s Church & Nursery ~ Available during morning worship Men’s Ministries ~ Monthly
Women’s Ministries ~ Monthly Ladies Luncheon ~ Monthly Pastor, Gil Kinney
(803) 802-7010
1930 Pleasant Road • Fort Mill, SC www.reallifeassembly.org
Real People, with Real Struggles, Presenting Jesus with Real Answers.
[ 118 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 119 ]
Lend a hand in service...
United Way
The United Way brings together people to find answers to problems in the local community. Through contributions during its annual campaign, the United Way is able to give assistance to local agencies and provide vital benefits to residents and employees:
■ HELP NOW – The United Way of York County’s referral and information hotline, 211, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers are connected to a trained specialist or to agencies seeking volunteers. It’s easy, confidential and free. ■ PRESCRIPTION DRUG HELP – The United Way of York County has partnered with FamilyWize to offer prescription drug cards to York County residents and employees who don’t have prescription drug coverage. Cards can be obtained at one of 28 participating pharmacies in York County, online at www.familywize.com or by calling the United Way. ■ For details, visit www.unitedwayofyc. org or call 803-324-2735. ■ LIVE UNITED – Live United is an invitation by the United Way of Lancaster County to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. Give at the “LIVE UNITED” level of $260 or more to the Community Impact Fund and receive a “LIVE UNITED” card with discounts at local businesses in York and Lancaster counties.
[ 122 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
local groups Life is full of challenges, and what makes Fort Mill Township so special is our willingness to help our neighbors in need. Volunteers at aid organizations such as the Fort Mill Care Center, Humane Society and Adult Day Care Center, among others, are always welcome. There are also many groups to join for fun: Aid Organizations ■
■
■
■
■
The Fort Mill Care Center helps with food, prescriptions, and power and fuel assistance for Fort Mill Township residents. Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9 a.m. to noon, at the Family Resource Center, Banks Street, Fort Mill. 5477620. See their ad on page 101. United Way of York County provides financial help for local charities. 324-2735. American Red Cross helps victims of house fires and other disasters, holds blood drives, and provides military families with emergency communications and financial assistance. 200 Piedmont Blvd., Rock Hill. 329-6575. Or 212 Williams St., Lancaster. 803-283-4072. Humane Society of York County is a no-kill animal shelter supported entirely by donations from the community. Shelter hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday at 2036 Carolina Place, off Hwy. 160 West (near Burger King). 802-0902. Children’s Attention Home is an emergency shelter for neglected and abused
■
■
■
■
■
children from newborns through age 17. For a referral or to report abuse, call the state Department of Social Services at 803-684-2315, 328-6958 or (evenings) 803684-2310. To volunteer or make a donation, call 3288871. Safe Passage offers counseling, a shelter for battered women and their children, and a 24-hour crisis hotline for York County residents. 329-2800, administrative offices, 3293336. Lancaster County residents: 803-285-6533. Sexual Assault Resource Center offers hospital accompaniment and counseling for victims of sexual assault. 327-7558. Palmetto Citizens Against Sexual Assault provides 24hour support services for victims of sexual assault and abuse at 803-286-1214. For help from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., call 803-286-5232. York County Christian Women’s Job Corps helps women in need gain independence, an education and jobs. 327-6077. Fort Mill/Tega Cay Adult Day Care Center provides therapeutic care for local elderly residents. 396-5336.
■
Carenet Inc. offers health care and assistance, prescriptions, limited laboratory and X-ray services for uninsured Lancaster County residents. 803-285CARE (2273). Office hours are on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Wednesdays they open at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Arts & Recreation ■
■
■
■
Fort Mill Art Guild meets at the Art Mill, 213 Main St., Fort Mill and hosts a variety of events and classes. E-mail info@fortmillartguild.com or visit www.fortmillart guild.com. See their ad on page 100. Fort Mill Community Playhouse puts on several plays each year in the Banks Street Theater. 548-8102. Community Playhouse of Lancaster County, contact Walt Adkins, 803-283-1222. The drama departments at Fort Mill, Nation Ford and Indian Land high schools invite the public to professional-level stage productions. Read the Fort Mill Times during the school year for previews and show dates and times.
Jalen Hodges, Daniel Blackwood and Lane Torbush are into the action at the Boy Scouts’ annual Pinewood Derby.
Jan Baucom/Fort Mill Times
■
■
■
■
■
■
Fort Mill Tennis Association, contact Jim Hendrix, president, 548-0523. Tega Cay Tennis Association, contact Jim Bowen, 5470235. Vintage Club of Tega Cay, contact Marty Camhi at 3968550 or martycamhi@live.com. Tega Cay Writer’s Group meets at 1 p.m. on the second Friday of the month at the Fort Mill Public Library. Contact Debbie Holford, 396-8646. Young at Heart, an activity group for people aged 50 and older, meets every Thursday at the Leroy Springs Recreation Complex in Fort Mill. 547-4575. Arts Council of Rock Hill and York County supports local arts and artists involved in all media types. Center for the Arts, Main Street, Rock Hill. 328-2787.
■
Ballroom Dance Club meets the fourth Friday of every month from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Leroy Springs Recreation Complex, 971 Tom Hall Street, Fort Mill. Learn a variety of steps, from waltz to swing. Cost is $5 per person for nonmembers. Attire is dressy casual; no jeans or T-shirts. Visitors, beginners and singles welcome. Contact 366-9805 or log on to www.theballroomdanceclub.c om.
Civic Groups ■
Boys and Girls Club of York County (Banks Street Unit) offers a fun, safe, educational and affordable after school and summer camp program for children aged 6-18. 513 Banks Street, Fort Mill, director Cristina d’Erizans, 547-1978.
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts: Several churches in Fort Mill have an organized Boy Scout troops, and Girl Scouts are also very popular in the area: Boy Scouts, Troop 250, Grace Presbyterian Church, contact Luther Dasher, 547-6633. Boy Scouts, Troop 327, Riverview Presbyterian Church, 547-2851. Boy Scouts, Troop 108, Unity Presbyterian Church, contact Doug Chambers, 548-1991 Cub Scouts, Troop 219, St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, contact Don Younglove, 5470176. Cub Scouts, Pack 61, St. John’s United Methodist Church, contact 547-7538. BSA Venture Crew, Troop 1082, Unity Presbyterian Church, contact Wayne Bouldin, 5483411. Girl Scouts, contact Diana Smith, 803-283-8110 ■
Girl Scouts of Lancaster County, contact Charlie Ellis, 803288-3130. ■ Foundation for Fort Mill Schools. Promotes excellence in education with grants to teachers and college scholarships to high school seniors. Go to www.foundationforfortmillsch ools.org, e-mail foundation@fortmill.k12.sc.us. or call 5485559. ■ Junior Chamber of Commerce, Fort Mill/Tega Cay/ Rock Hill, 327-1003. ■ Lions Club of Fort Mill, call Len Branham, 548-8124. ■ Lions Club of Tega Cay, call Sue Gulasky, 548-3539 ■ Lioness Club of Fort Mill, call Terry Cameron, 327-5997. ■ Optimist Club, contact Daniel Watts, 547-7448.
— continued on page 124 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 123 ]
from page 123:
AARP tax assistance Nearly 1,000 residents had their taxes done for free at the Fort Mill AARP Tax Aide site at the Fort Mill Library this year. The program is open to everybody – not just senior citizens. The program’s 27 volunteers e-filed 742 federal returns and completed 45 paper returns, including amendments and prior year returns. In addition, 871 S.C. returns and 16 out-of-state returns were efiled. Volunteers are always welcome. Training is provided. Anyone who would like to donate a used desktop or laptop computer in good working condition can also help the program. For more information, call Bill Weaver at 547-5442.
Environmental Groups
Social Clubs
■
■
■
■
■
■
Garden Clubs ■ ■ ■ ■
■
■
Fort Mill Garden Club, call Betty Earl, 8020529. Gardening on the Cay, contact Christine McCallion, 548-0707. Iris, contact Janet Gaither, 548-7412. Lancaster County Community Garden, free gardening plots through an application to the United Way of Lancaster office, 109 S. Wylie Street. The garden is located at the Lancaster County Parks and Recreation Department, 260 S. Plantation Road, Lancaster. Call 803283-8923 or go to liveunited@uwaylcsc.org.
■
■ ■
■ ■
Patriotic Organizations ■ ■ ■
■
■
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
■
■
■
[ 124 ]
Beautification Committee of Tega Cay meets the second Thursday of the month, 2 p.m. at City Hall. Contact Sheila Baugh, 547-4113. Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, a nonprofit organization, serves as an advocate and watchdog of the Catawba River. Visit catawbariverkeeper.org. Henry’s Knob group of the Sierra Club meets at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Wesley Foundation, Stewart Street and Park Avenue. Call Joe Zdenek, 803-366-9763 Tega Cay City Pride, contact Leigh Van Blarcom, 548-5362, or Betty Worrell, 5484063. Friends of Andrew Jackson State Park, contact 803-285-3344.
American Legion Post 43, Fort Mill, contact John Passanisi, 547-2414. American Legion Auxiliary, Fort Mill, contact Minnie Stegall, 547-2414. Daughters of the American Revolution, Nation Ford Chapter, contact Leigh VanBlarcom, 5485362, or Jacci Wagner, 396-0634 or jacciwagner@yahoo.com. Daughters of the American Revolution, Indian Land Chapter, call Pat Donatelli at 547-1315 or Ann Sligar at 547-0713 or visit www.DAR.org. The Florence Thornwell Chapter 246, United Daughters of the Confederacy in Fort Mill welcomes new members as well as descendants of former chapter members. Call Gail Robinson at 548-9395. Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9138, contact Gen. Bill Trask 803-493-2014.
■
■
■
■
Newcomers Club, call Cassandra Hartke, 5477282. New Southern Women’s Club invites newcomers to meet people and participate in a wide range of activities. The club offers a crafts group, book club, garden club, supper club, vagabond trips to places of interest, socials, luncheons, euchre, bridge, bunco and golf. Contact Joy, 802-0903, or Sue, 802-2497. The Fort Mill Elks Lodge meets at the American Legion on the first and third Mondays of the month. Anyone interested in joining the Elks or more information, can contact Exalted Ruler Patrick Coyle at pcoyle@comporium.net or 704-968-7219 Professional Business Women’s Association, 396-8815. Fort Mill Friends in Business, contact Linda Hall, sales@lindahall.com. Toastmasters meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 292 Munn Road, Fort Mill. Contact Call Tim Gunnels at 493-9048 or Andy Hanschu at 704-287-0687. Woman’s Club of Fort Mill, call Trudie Heemsoth, 547-5900. Tega Cay Women’s Club, which meets at Tega Cay City Hall, offers arts and crafts, a book club, bunco, day trips, euchre, mahjongg, knitting and more. Call Dellree Whitehead, 548-4113, or Leslie Kell, 802-6691. Powerful Parents, contact Maria Burnett, 5475843. Mothers of Preschoolers, call Linda Bunge, 547-9898. Fort Mill area chapter of the MOMS Club is designed for stay-at-home mothers. E-mail steudel@flashlink.net for details. York County Stay at Home Dads meets every Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at various locations. Outings to parks, libraries and various kid-friendly attractions are planned. Contact Chris Bush, 328-0949, e-mail yorkcountydads@yahoo.com, or visit www.geocities.com/yorkcountydads. Young at Heart, an activity group for people aged 50 and older, meets every Thursday at the Leroy Springs Recreation Complex in Fort Mill. Contact Colleen Littlejohn, senior director at the complex, 547-4575. Fort Mill Women’s Aglow – A Community Lighthouse, contact Lisa Bahrenburg, 548-1194.
Municipal service agencies ■ S.C. Department of Social Services offers aid to families with dependent children, Medicaid, food stamps, medical assistance and foster care, and investigates neglect and abuse reports about children and adults. York County office complex, 1070 Heckle Blvd., Rock Hill, 909-7446. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; main office, 17 W. Liberty St., York. 803-684-2315. ■ The Fort Mill office of the York County Health Department provides immunization shots. Call the Family Resource Center for more information at 548-8028; or the health department’s main number at 909-7300. ■ The Fort Mill/Tega Cay Adult Day Care Center provides therapeutic care for local senior citizens and other adults. 3965336. ■ Lancaster County Council on Aging provides senior citizens with meals, information and referrals, transportation, in-home care, education and recreational programs. 803-285-6956. ■ York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs includes developmental programs for children and adults, a work activity center, case management, residential services and a summer camp. 547-0987.
Donated supplies are delivered to the Fort Mill Care Center. To donate items or cash, or to volunteer, call the Care Center at 547-7820.
File/Fort Mill Times
Support Groups ■
■
■
■
■
Alcoholics Anonymous: Meeting dates, times and locations for the York County Chapter of AA vary. Contact 328-8410. Al-Anon is open to anyone who has been affected by someone else’s drinking. Fort Mill meetings are held at the little brick house beside First Baptist Church on Monroe White Street on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Tega Cay meetings are held every Monday at 8 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church on Hwy. 160 at Gold Hill Road. Alateen is for teenagers who have problems because of someone else’s drinking. Meetings are held from 8 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays upstairs in the brick house next to First Baptist Church in Fort Mill. Keystone provides substance-abuse and detox programs to help more than 3,000 local drug and alcohol addicts every year. Most services are based in Rock Hill, though Keystone does have a Fort Mill office at the Family Resource Center, Banks Street, Fort Mill. 324-1800. Alzheimer’s and related dementia support group meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each moth at 6 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month at Spring Arbor on India Hook Road. These groups offer educational and emotional coping support to those involved in caring for an individual with dementia. Informative programs with films and speakers are featured, as well as confidential discussions of care situations. If a no-cost in-home sitter is needed to attend, call the Upstate S.C. Chapter in advance, 800-273-2555, or the Rock Hill office, 329-6565.
■
■
■ ■ ■
■
■
Moms of Multiples is a nonprofit group for mothers of twins, triplets or more. Contact Monica, 803-831-5343, or Ruth, 329-1813. Adoption birthmother support: A support group for women who have given up children for adoption is there to help heal from the pain of losing children. Confidentiality is stressed. Contact Carolyn, 548-7698, or e-mail at cress@comporium.net. Hospice Community Care aids families and loved ones who are terminally ill. 329-4663. Hospice of Lancaster, 803-286-1472. Caregiver support: The Fort Mill/Tega Cay Adult Day Care Center has a family caregiver support group at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month at 105 Lestina Court in Fort Mill. Anyone caring for a family member is welcome to attend. Support, training and educational information is offered. Facilitators are Vickey Dodge, director of the Fort Mill/Tega Cay Adult Day Care Center, and Deb Lewis, caregiver advocate for the Catawba Area Agency on Aging. Respite is available onsite with notice. Contact 396-5336 or 329-9670. Piedmont Area Scleroderma Support Group, counseling and aid to sufferers of scleroderma. Call Elaine Sealy, 803-366-5009, randesealy@comporium.net, and Sherron Coleman, 803-684-3100, sherroncoleman@bellsouth.net. The Western York County Parkinson Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month. This support group is for individuals with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, their families and friends, caregivers, the medical community, and the community at large. Call Martha Fowler, 704-286-3714. 2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 125 ]
2009-’10 FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP MAGAZINE JULY 2009
Animal Services
Fort Mill Animal Clinic ..................86 Steele Creek Animal Hospital ....86
Apartments
Peachtree Apartments ..................29
Apparel
L.A. East ..................................................28
Art
ADVERTISERS
Education
Kids R Kids ............................................48 Palisades Episcopal............................48 USC-Lancaster....................................49 Winthrop University ......................49
Financial Services
Bank of America - Tom Griffin ..31 Blackwell's Tax Service ................110 Founders Federal Credit Union ........................................................128
Arts Council of York County....101 Fort Mill Art Guild ........................100
Funeral Homes
Automotive
Gardening
Collins Auto Repair..........................65
Churches
All Nations Church ......................118 First Baptist Church of Fort Mill....119 Fort Mill Church of God ..........118 Grace Community Church ......117 Pleasant Valley Baptist Church ....119 Real Life Assembly ........................118 Tega Cay Baptist Church ..........119
Décor
Mattress Factory Outlet ............110 Tyndall Furniture ........................Inside Back Cover
Dentists / Orthodontists
Michele Jasper, DDS ........................77 Southlake Family Dentistry..........82
Dry Cleaning
The Cleaners ....................................111
[ 126 ]
FOCUS ON FORT MILL TOWNSHIP
Hartley Funeral Home ..................46 Chirp ’n Chatter ................................86
Health / Beauty / Fitness
Home Improvement
Diana’s Blinds & Designs................46
Hotels
Microtel ..................................................20
Insurance
Allstate - Corey Hinson ..................3 Allstate - Raye Felder & Larry Johnson........Back Cover Springs Insurance ..............................84 State Farm - Phil Nase ..................31
Irrigation
Fling Irrigation......................................20
Recreation
Leroy Springs Recreation Complex ............................................102, 103
Restaurants
Jewelers
KW Gems ............................................46
Donato's..............................................113 The Peach Stand ............................113 Liu Liu’s ................................................100 Sayago’s ................................................100
Optometrists
Resources
Belle Vive Spa ......................................24 Carolina Pilates ..................................85 Jazzercise..............................................100 Palmetto Skin & Laser....................81
Fort Mill Vision Center ..................81 Infocus Eye Care................................85 Jewell Vision ..........................................79
Health Care
Plumbing
Carolina Cardiology ......................Inside Front Cover Carolina Urology ..............................81 Carolina Medical Consultants ....79 Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat ............................................79 Palmetto Rehabilitation..................79 Piedmont Medical Center ..................................74, 76, 78, 80 Riverview Medical Center ..........84 Smith Physical Therapy ..................81 Springs Memorial Hospital ..........83 The Surgery Center at Edgewater ..........................................................85
CRS - Lisa Pollard ............................30 First Properties The Elaine Seigel Team ........30 Keller Williams - Cynthia Williams ..........................................................30 Keller Williams - Heather Lamp....2 Mercedes Homes ............................30 RE/MAX Metro..................................16 True & Tribute Homes ..................25
Fling Plumbing & Electric ..............20
Real Estate
Allen Tate - Martha Kinard, Guynn Savage, Jackie Fling & Barry Hollandsworth ..........................47 Allen Tate - Pam Orsburn............47 Allen Tate - Shannon Lawrence....31 Allen Tate - Suzanne Nguyen ....31 Allen Tate - Vicki Waier ......29, 111 Century 21 - Linda Hall................65 Century 21 - Debbie Taylor........28 Century 21 - Hawkins Realty ......1 Clear Springs - Baxter Village ....23 Coldwell Banker United................27 Coldwell Banker United Kathryn Miller............................25
Fort Mill Care Center ................101 I Love Fort Mill ..................................86
Senior Services
Agape Senior ......................................84 Bright Star Health Care ................75 Westminster Towers........................85
Special
The Clebourne House ..................29 Plaza Fiesta of the Carolinas ......28
INDEX of contents A
AARP tax assistance..............................124 Aid organizations ....................................122 Airports ..........................................................18 Andrew Jackson State Park..................95 Animal shelters............................................87 Anne Springs Close Greenway ................................................................90-91 Apartments....................................................17 Area attractions ..........................................96 Arts ............................................101, 122-123
B
Banks..................................................................21 Booster clubs................................................41 Buses..................................................................18 Business ....................................106-113 Chambers of Commerce..............109 Major employers ................................109 Media outlets ............................110-111
C
Carowinds ......................................................97 Carolina Thread Trail ........................94-95 Catawba River ......................................92-93 Chambers of Commerce ..................109 Charlotte Knights ......................................96 Churches ..................................114-119 Civic groups................................................123 Colleges & universities ............................49 Community policing ..........................62-63 Credit unions................................................21 Crime rates....................................................64
D
Day care centers ........................................48 Demographics ................................................8 Average home prices............................8 Education levels........................................8 Gender make-up ....................................9 Households ................................................8 Occupations ..............................................9 Racial make-up..........................................9 Dining guide................................................112 Doctors ........................................72-85 Drivers’ licenses ..........................................19 Drought restrictions ................................22
E
Endangered species ..................................94 Elected officials ....................................58-59 Emergency phone numbers ................65 Emergency sirens........................................65 Environmental groups ..........................124
F
Festivals ....................................................98-99 Fire departments ................................66-67
Fort Mill About the town ......................................7 Crime rates..............................................64 Demographics ..........................................8 Elected officials................................58-59 Festivals ..............................................98-99 Fire department ............................66-67 History........................................................10 Hospital, planned ..........................70-71 Library......................................................101 Impact fees ..............................................35 Parks..........................................................104 Property taxes ................................54-55 Fort Mill Times ............................................111
G
Garden clubs..............................................124 Government ................................50-59
H
Health agencies ..........................................72 Health care ..................................68-87 History ......................................................10-11 Home prices, average ................................8 Hospital, Fort Mill ..............................70-71
I
Impact fees ....................................................35 Indian Land About the area ........................................7 Crime rates..............................................64 Demographics ......................................8-9 Elected officials................................58-59 Festivals ..............................................98-99 Fire departments ..........................66-67 History........................................................11 Library......................................................101 Parks..........................................................104 Property taxes ................................54-55 Schools........................................37, 39, 41 Insurance ratings ........................................67
L
Landsford Canal State Park..................95 Law enforcement agencies ..................64 Leash laws ......................................................87 Leroy Springs Rec. Complex ..................105 Libraries ........................................................101 Liquor stores..............................................113 LYNX rail line ..............................................18
M
Mail ....................................................................21 Maps Area attractions ....................................96 Fire districts..............................................66 Fort Mill hospital ..................................70 Neighborhoods ..............................14-15 Polling precincts ....................................56 Schools ........................................14-15, 38 Major employers......................................109
Media outlets ..................................110-111 Medical providers ........................72-85 Moving & storage companies..............17 Municipal service agencies....................57 Museum ........................................................103
N
Nation Ford Greenway ..................94-95
P
Parks, local ..................................................104 Parks, state......................................................95 Patriotic organizations ..........................124 Pets ....................................................................87 Pharmacies ............................................75, 77 Plaza Fiesta ..................................................108 Population student, current......................................39 student, growth..............................35, 37 Preschools & private schools ..............48 PTOs and PTAs ..........................................41 Public Safety..................................60-67
R
Realtors............................................................17 Roadwork ......................................................19 Recreation ..................................88-105 Anne Springs Close Greenway ......................................................90-91, 99 Area attractions ....................................96 Arts............................................................101 Carowinds ................................................97 Charlotte Knights..................................96 Festivals ..............................................98-99 Leroy Springs Rec. Complex............105 Parks, local..............................................104 Recreation sports....................104-105 Tega Cay Parks & Rec ....................105 YMCA ......................................................105 Recycling..........................................................21 Restaurants ......................................112 Retirement communities ......................17 Runde, Mayor Bob ............................52-53
S
Schools ..........................................32-49 After graduation ......................................8 Athletics booster clubs......................41 Attendance zones ................................38 Calendars ..................................................41 Career clusters ..............................42-43 Colleges & universities ......................49 Day care centers, preschools & private schools..................................48 Education levels, average ....................8 Enroll, how to ........................................38 Enrollment, current..............................39 Hours ..........................................................41 Impact fees ..............................................35 Locations....................................14-15, 41 New schools....................................34-37
Performing arts ..............................44-45 Phone numbers ....................................41 PTOs and PTAs ....................................41 SAT scores, average ............................39 School board members....................58 Special needs services ......................40 Spending, per student ........................39 Student population, current ..........39 Student population, growth....35, 37 Student-teacher ratios ......................39 Superintendents ....................39, 58-59 State report cards................................39 Teacher salaries, average ..................39 Social clubs..................................................124 Social services ..............................................57 Sports, recreation....................................105 State parks ....................................................95 Support groups ........................................125
T
Taxes ..........................................................54-55 Tega Cay About the city ..........................................7 Crime rates..............................................64 Demographics ......................................8-9 Elected officials................................58-59 Festivals ..............................................98-99 Fire department ............................66-67 Parks..........................................................104 Tega Cay Parks & Rec ....................105 Property taxes ................................54-55 Runde, Mayor Bob........................52-53 Temporary housing ..................................17 Transportation ............................................18
U
United Way of York County ............122 Unity Presbyterian Church......116-117 Utilities ......................................................20-21
V
Veterinarians..................................................87 Volunteer opportunities........120-125 Aid organizations ..............................123 Arts and recreation................122-123 Civic groups ..........................................123 Environmental groups ....................124 Garden clubs ........................................124 Patriotic organizations ....................124 Social clubs ............................................124 Support groups ..................................125 Voting, registration & precincts ..........56
W
Watering restrictions ..............................22 Weather ..................................................26-27
Y
YMCA............................................................105
2009-’10 NEWCOMERS MAGAZINE
[ 127 ]
Relax.
Discover the Founders Difference
Free Checking with Debit Rewards1 • Money Market Plus • Platinum Visa® and MasterCard® • Call 24 • Bill Pay • Founders Online • Loans for All Reasons • Investment Services2 • Insurance Services3
1-800-845-1614 • www.foundersfcu.com Requires credit evaluation. Teens under the age of 18 are required to have an adult sign as joint owners. Points earned for signature purchases. No points earned for purchases that require the use of a personal identification number.
1
Securities and Investment advisory services offered through Financial Network Investment Corporation, member SIPC - Founders FCU and Financial network are not affiliated. A registered sales branch is located at 100 Springcrest Road; Fort Mill, SC 29715.
2
Not NCUA Insured - No Credit Union Guarantee - May Lose Value - Not Deposits - Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency.
The products offered through Founders Financial Group, Inc. doing business as Founders Insurance Services. Insurance products not underwritten by Founders Financial Group, Inc. or any affiliated company. Not NCUA Insured - No Credit Union Guarantee - May Lose Value - Not Deposits - Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency.
3
Federally insured by NCUA.
Equal Opportunity Lender
Your living room furnishings reflect the Casual, Comfortable Living Styles Of Today.
Serving NC & SC for over 25 years. Your home theater furnishings add style and Enhance Your Entertainment Experience.
“Where Our Customers Tell Their Friends To Shop For Furniture.� Formal or Casual, a place for hosting great get togethers For Family & Friends.
Indian Land, SC (803) 802-7710 9741 Harrisburg Rd. Hwy 521 N., Behind Showmars, Past Hwy 160.
Pineville, NC (704) 889-4393 208 North Polk St.
Tyndall Pedic Mattress Store (704) 970-7573 9941 Rea Rd. (In front of PetSmart and Best Buy)
Hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 7pm & Sun 1:30-6pm Visit our website:
www.tyndallfurniture.com
Relax, Lie Down, Unwind Linger in the room where each day begins and ends. Tyndall Pedic Visco Memory Foam Pain Free Sleep