THE CAROLINA CRESCENT
LAND of the WAT ERFALLS
Brevard, North Carolina
T H E JO CASSEE CHALLENGE Women in the Outdoors WINTER 2022
AIMI NG H IGH
Higher Education Options in the Carolina Crescent
THERE'S A PLACE WHERE THE BEST-OF-BOTH-WORLDS KIND OF LIVING COMES JUST AS NATURAL AS THE EXTRAORDINARY LANDSCAPE THAT SURROUNDS IT. HERE, YOU WILL HAVE THE SPACE TO FEEL MORE CONNECTED. NESTLED IN THE SOUTHERN FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS IN SOUTH CAROLINA'S BEAUTIFUL UPCOUNTRY, TRAVELERS REST –TR AS THE LOCALS KNOW IT – IS TRULY A TRAVELER'S HAVEN – NAMED FOR ITS NATURAL AMENITIES AND PROXIMITY TO NEARBY DESTINATIONS. FROM LOCALLY OWNED SHOPS AND TOP-RATED RESTAURANTS TO A 22-MILE MULTI-USE GREENWAY AND ABUNDANT OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, YOU'LL SOON LEARN WHY IT ALL STARTS WITH TR.
T R AV E L E R S R E S T S C . C O M
AD SPONSORED BY BANK OF TRAVELERS REST
The Carolina Crescent is one of the most beautiful regions of our country. It is also consistently ranked as a desired location
for business development and growth. The counties of the Carolina Crescent include Anderson, Oconee, Pickens, Greenville and Spartanburg in South Carolina, and Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania in North Carolina. Collectively this area epitomizes the merging of conservation and innovation.
Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina make up a portion of the Blue Ridge Escarpment – the bottom of the
Appalachian Mountain chain. This area has over 2,000,000 acres of protected forests and land with an unsurpassed biological and geological diversity; often being referred to as one of the most resilient places in the entire world.
In addition to the expansive quality of life amenities available in the Carolina Crescent, the region is also a fast-growing hub for
education, manufacturing, technology, and healthcare. The area is dotted with large-scale industries such as BMW and Michelin and continues to enjoy the growth of small businesses, making it the economic engine of the Carolinas.
Our publication aims to promote the Carolina Crescent as a resilient, sustainable, quality place to retire, raise a family, or start a
business. We will present topics related to conservation, healthy living, business growth, education, healthcare, and more. As the area continues to grow, we will also advocate for policies and practices that protect and sustain our natural resources. Welcome to the Carolina Crescent family. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
INNOVATION 36-37: THE MOVE from SEATTLE to ANDERSON, SC An Interview with the President of SYNC.MD 38-39: WHERE THE WORLD COMES TO WORK 40-43: SCHOOL CHOICE in the Carolina Crescent 44-51: AIMING HIGH Higher Education Options in the Carolina Crescent 52-55: EAT YOUR VIEW The Agrihood 60-65: LIVING in RUSTIC ELEGANCE Longview Carolina
12 CONSERVATION
60
WELLNESS
6-11: WATERS of the CAROLINA CRESCENT
68-73: GOOD EATS Easy, Healthy Recipes for Every Day
12-13: LAND of WATERFALLS Brevard, NC
74-75: AN APPLE A DAY
14-17: CLIMATE 18-21: PLACE of the LOST ONE
ATORS
POLLIN
22-25: SAVE THE BEES The Other Side of the Story from a Wildlife Biologist 28-33: THE JOCASSEE CHALLENGE Women in the Outdoors
22
68
Pamela Evette Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
I
decided to make South Carolina my home over 17 years ago when I married my husband, David. Originally from Ohio, I fell in love with this region of our country. From the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains to the booming economy, the Carolina Crescent is more than just a place to live, it is a place to call home. The South Carolina upstate is thriving with massive industries, commerce, and real estate. This economy is one of the reasons I chose to start my own business here. Prior to taking office as South Carolina’s first female Republican lieutenant governor, I founded Quality Business Solutions, Inc. (QBS), a payroll, human resources, and benefits services firm headquartered in Travelers Rest. Under my leadership as President and CEO, QBS grew exponentially, going from start-up to one of the nation’s fastest growing small businesses. It was this experience that led me to believe that business is the business of South Carolina. In my role as Lt. Governor, I have been laser-focused on utilizing my professional background to serve the people and businesses of South Carolina. I have dedicated my time to highlighting S.C.’s thriving small business ecosystem and attracting new business to the Palmetto state. This region isn’t just perfect for business, it’s also wonderful for outdoor enthusiasts like me. The Carolina Crescent is famous for its breathtaking views and I encourage everyone who visits or lives in the Upstate to get outdoors. While we’re out enjoying nature, we should also remember the precious gift it is. In partnership with PalmettoPride, I created the annual #GrabABagSC Statewide Cleanup initiative in 2019 to share the importance of protecting South Carolina’s natural resources. So, the next time you hit the trails for a hike or bike ride, grab a bag and help keep our state beautiful.
Whether I am riding horses on our family’s farm in Traveler’s Rest or sharing a meal with friends in Downtown Greenville, I am grateful to live, serve, and raise my family in this region. It’s where I built my business, made memories with my family, and began to chase my dream to give back to the state that has blessed me. South Carolina is made of smiling faces, beautiful places and this could not be truer of the Carolina Crescent. I am proud to call this region my home and welcome you to visit, live, and enjoy our little piece of paradise.
There are over 2-million acres of protected forests and public lands within a two hours’ drive, with 225,000 of those acres in the South Carolina Upstate. My family enjoys some of the best state parks in the nation, right here in our back yard. Once you’ve seen the great outdoors, stop by one of our vibrant downtowns to enjoy shopping, dining, and you can even catch a show at the world-renowned Peace Center. carolinacrescent.com
3
Discover Discover our our mountains mountains Discover our mountains
NoNoother othercounty countyininSouth SouthCarolina Carolinacan canclaim claimownership ownershipofof No other county in South Carolina can claim ownership of the theBlue BlueRidge RidgeMountains Mountainsand anditsitsdeep deepAppalachian Appalachianheritage heritage the Blue Ridge Mountains and itsruns deep Appalachian heritage more more than than Pickens. Pickens. This Thisheritage heritage runsdeep deepand andcan canbe be more than Pickens. This heritage runs deep and can be seen seenininarts artsand andcrafts, crafts,music, music,food, food,and andlove loveofofthe theland landthat that seen in arts and crafts, music, food, and love of the land that makes makesupupthe thetapestry tapestryofofPickens PickensCounty. County.Explore Explorethe thesmall small makes up the tapestry of Pickens County. Explore the small towns, towns,trails, trails,lakes lakes-- --ororsimply simplyrelax. relax. towns, trails, lakes -- or simply relax.
CO CU OR U TRNT ENYE YK O KB O LBELRE RP HP O H TOOT G OR GA R PAHP YH Y
COURTNEY KOBLER PHOTOGRAPHY
of the
waters Words by Heather Nix (Clemson University Cooperative Extension) Emerald Clark (Greenville Water) / Stacey Flax (Renewable Water Resources)
Eastatoee River
T
he Blue Ridge ecoregion of the Carolinas has many spectacular water resources – from pristine rivers to beautiful lakes. With nearly endless miles of rivers and streams and numerous lakes to explore, there’s something for everyone. Considered the “Crown Jewel” by many, the Chattooga Wild & Scenic River is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the Southeast and features trout fishing and world-class whitewater paddling, including the famous Five Falls stretch of rapids. Lesser-known rivers, such as the Chauga, Twelve Mile, and Eastatoe, also offer impressive paddling or trout fishing. These and additional river recreation opportunities are detailed on www.gopaddlesc.com.
Jocassee Gorge
The continued high quality of our waterways is due to efforts by many organizations and passionate individuals throughout our region’s history. Local legend, Tommy Wyche, led efforts that protected land encompassing some of our most pristine waterways and resulted in the creation of many of the region’s public treasures, including Jones Gap State Park, Caesar’s Head State Park, Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area, and the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Some of our community’s most vital protected lands surround two of our three primary drinking water sources, the Table Rock and North Saluda Reservoirs, both located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Greenville County. These watersheds comprise approximately 30,000 acres of permanently protected lands through a conservation easement held by The Nature Conservancy and are managed according to a robust watershed plan that promotes sustainability, reliability, and resiliency of our water supply into 2100. A third reservoir at Lake Keowee provides another high-quality drinking water source to Greenville, and portions of Oconee, Anderson, Laurens, and Pickens counties. Lake Keowee also supports vital energy production and offers tremendous recreational opportunities.
View of Table Rock from Caesar's Head State Park
Table Rock Reservoir Courtesy of Greenville Water
Lake Keowee, Courtesy of Greenville Water
Collaborative efforts, such as the Lake Keowee Source Water Protection Team (LKSWPT), which Greenville Water co-founded, are accelerating water quality improvements to mitigate issues from existing development and to improve protections moving forward. Ultimately, the LKSWPT provides a platform to promote conservation and environmental best practices so that a new generation better understands that water is the most critical natural resource for our community’s continued economic vitality, welfare, growth, and longevity. Beyond providing some of the best water in the world, Greenville Water is also working to enhance local rivers and expand recreational opportunities through projects such as the restoration along the North Saluda River that will improve ecological value and support a trout fishery that may rival that of the South Saluda River, which was previously restored by a consortium of natural resource agencies and organizations. Our region has realized dramatic growth over the last 20 years, making the need to protect essential water resources even more critical. Significant additional efforts are continuing our community’s legacy of improving and protecting our waterways. Organizations like Upstate Forever have worked tirelessly to protect our quality of life by protecting priority lands, crafting policies that encourage sustainable growth, and assisting landowners with on-the-ground improvements that benefit water resources. Currently, Upstate Forever is leading efforts to protect drinking water sources along 3&20 Creek and the Tyger River.
Tyger River
SC Adopt-A-Stream volunteers sample Long Creek. Courtesy of Kaleigh Sims
Educating and empowering citizens is another critical element of ensuring the long-term continued health of our waterways. Clemson University’s SC Water Resources Center and Cooperative Extension were instrumental in launching and expanding the official SC Adopt-AStream program. This statewide volunteer water quality monitoring effort provides valuable insight into local stream conditions – and helps our community respond quickly to potentially harmful situations. Learn more or join our efforts by visiting scaas.app.clemson.edu. Like many regions, we’ve faced challenges with accommodating our rapid population growth with aging wastewater infrastructure. Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) transforms wastewater into a renewable water resource and aligns community investments to provide this critical resource with efficient and cost-effective infrastructure solutions. A focus on implementing strategies to enhance local waterways supports the ultimate goal of providing the highest quality of life in our community. Clean water is essential to achieving this goal, and ReWa’s team of forward-thinking individuals strategically plan for responsible, sustainable, and smart economic growth solutions to keep our water as clean as possible. In fact, ReWa is nearing completion on Dig Greenville, their largest wastewater conveyance project, a 1.3-mile tunnel located 100 feet underground in downtown Greenville. This project provides new and improved infrastructure to match the growing capacity needs of our community and protects our waterways by preventing overflows during large storm events. Inside the Dig Greenville tunnel. Courtesy of ReWa
Aerial view of Reedy Falls Park in Downtown Greenville
The Reedy River is a centerpiece of downtown Greenville and a popular destination for recreation, especially along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, which is directly adjacent to the river for many miles. In the mid-2000's, Upstate Forever led the creation of a comprehensive watershed study that helped focus efforts on restoring the Reedy River and downstream waters including Boyds Mill Pond and Lake Greenwood. ReWa took an important leadership role and helped establish the Reedy River Water Quality Group, an innovative collaborative effort to identify and implement water quality solutions most suited for our region. ReWa’s collaborative efforts ensure that communities downstream receive clean, protected water resources to sustain their everyday life. Water from our area is recycled more than 10 times before it reaches the SC coastline – even more reasons to protect our greatest resource.
Conestee Nature Preserve
Conestee Nature Preserve is an unexpected gem along the Reedy River that was made possible by dedicated individuals and creative partnerships. Just minutes from downtown Greenville, visitors might feel a world away in this 406-acre wildlife preserve and birding hotspot that has been named an Important Bird Area of Global Significance.
What we enjoy most is held together and sustained by one element, our water. The Carolina Crescent area is fortunate to have numerous spectacular water resources – and many passionate stewards working together to improve and protect it. We hope you’ll enjoy our waterways – and help us leave them a little better than you found them to ensure we have clean, plentiful water for future generations!
WHITEWATER FALLS is known for being the tallest water fall east of the Mississippi. There is an upper section that falls 411 feet and a lower section falling over 400 feet that can be accessed in South Carolina. Nestled into a beautiful gorge, this water fall is a favorite of professional and novice photographers.
LAND OF THE
wat e r fa l l s BREVARD, NC
People are drawn to water. It speaks to us;
calms us; invigorates us. We love to be at the water’s edge, whether it be at the ocean, a lake, or a river. Or even at a waterfall. Waterfalls are magical; one of nature’s most magnificent gifts. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they are also thought by many to generate positive vibes and make us happier. How? Waterfalls are natural ion generators – meaning the rapidly falling water produces negative ions in the air. When we take in these negative ions, our bodies produce serotonin, the chemical that alleviates stress, boosts energy, and increases feelings of happiness. The Carolina Crescent Region is full of waterfalls, with over 250 located in Transylvania County alone. Dubbed the “Land of the Waterfalls”, the Town of Brevard is in Transylvania County and is a popular hub for exploring the surrounding Pisgah National Forest. 12
carolinacrescent.com
HOOKER FALLS is located inside of Dupont State Recreation Forest. It’s easily accessible and has a per fect little swimming hole for added fun. Another fun fact is this fall was featured in the hit movie, The Last of the Mohicans.
RAINBOW FALLS is one of the most beloved falls in the area. Cascading over 150 feet, this water fall gets its name from the rainbow that often makes its debut on sunny days, especially when water levels are high. It is one of a series of water falls along a two-mile stretch of the Horsepasture River.
250 waterfalls. 300 miles of single track. 100,000 acres of protected land. The numbers don’t lie.
Brevard and Transylvania County offer one-of-a-kind opportunities to pursue the highest level of outdoor activity—be it fly fishing, mountain biking, road cycling, rock climbing, hiking, camping, or whatever else floats your canoe. But the great outdoors is not all there is to explore up here. You can discover exquisite arts and crafts (and get to know some of the makers). Catch world-class musical performances. Enjoy celebrated cuisine and delicious locally brewed beer. Spend the day shopping and wandering through historic downtown Brevard. Simply relax and recharge in luxury amid the exquisite scenery. There is a little something for everyone here in the Heart of Adventure, no matter what calls to you. For more information, visit explorebrevard.com
carolinacrescent.com 13
Mike McConnell, born in Greenville, SC, graduate of Furman University, 30 year Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy, former Director of NSA, former Director of National Intelligence, former Defense Contractor and currently serving as the Executive Director of Cyber Florida hosted by the University of South Florida in Tampa promoting Cybersecurity education, research and outreach across the state and the nation.
O N E O F T HE B EST, IF NOT THE BEST, PL AC ES I N A ME RI C A TO L IVE WORK Words by Mike McConnell, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret)
A
s a career Intelligence Officer in the US Navy, I had the opportunity to live, work and serve all over the globe: Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe, the Persian Gulf in the Middle East and in the U.S. In my travels, the only continent I did not visit was Antarctica. Born and raised in Upstate South Carolina and spending my leisure time as a youngster roaming the mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina and the mountains of Upstate SC, I was always mindful of the comparisons between my birthplace and my global travels, the heat and jungles of Southeast Asia to the deserts of the Middle East.
When serving as the U.S. Director of Intelligence for President George W. Bush in 2008, the Democratically controlled Senate was pushing me to conduct an intelligence assessment of the impact of global warming. President Bush, being from the energy producing state of Texas, controlled by the Republicans, was not supportive of such a study. Mindful of Congressional oversight (and control of my funding), I decided to ‘play Solomon’ telling the President while we were not predicting global warming and while we would not engage in the policy debates about what we should do about climate
change, the U.S. Intelligence Community would conduct an assessment on the premise that “if United Nations studies are accurate, here is an assessment on the global impacts of climate change.” The result of our assessment, if United Nations studies are accurate, was tragic: drought, rising oceans, crop failures, mass migration, border wars, wildfires, and extreme weather.
carolinacrescent.com 15
Since, I have continued to think of my birthplace, the place of gentle mountains, cool forests and plentiful rainfall. The Appalachian Mountains run NE to SW from Maine to North Carolina turning west around Asheville. This geography, at elevations from 2,000 to 6,000 feet, offer plentiful rainfall from the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico with a climate that is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than the lower evaluations. This area, now known as the Carolina Crescent, is a delightful micro climate that enjoys the ‘first drink’ of fresh water from the plentiful rainfall and sustenance for the beautiful forests. The bustling cities of Greenville, SC and Asheville, NC offer fine restaurants, cultural events, wineries & breweries, streams, rivers and lakes and growing economies to compliment the pleasant temperatures. Friendly people, robust educational opportunities, and growing economies make the Carolina Crescent the perfect place to live and work. After 50+ years of roaming the globe, I intend to spend the rest of my days enjoying this beautiful area, away from whatever may result from a changing climate. I have purchased a home on the NC/SC border at 3,200 feet looking down on beautiful Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee above the Jocassee Gorge. It is truly a beautiful, pleasant place to live and work away from the effects of any potential climate change.
CR AG GY GAR D E N S P I N N AC L E TR AIL a lo n g t h e Bl u e R i d ge P ar k way.
greenville, s outh carolina
B LU E RIDGE PARK WAY
A S H E V I L L E , N ORT H C ARO L INA
LOST ONE
Words by Phil Gaines
P L A C E
J
ocassee literally means "Place of the Lost One" in Cherokee. Jocassee and its meaning are derived from the legend of a Cherokee maiden, Jocassee, and her forbidden love, Nagoochee. As the legend goes, Jocassee fell in love with Nagoochee after nursing him back to health when he broke his leg near what is today known as Musterground. This love, however, was forbidden because Nagoochee was a member of the Eastatoees, a rival tribe of Jocassee’s tribe, the Oconees. Forbidden love turned to tragedy when Nagoochee was killed by Jocassee’s brother. Jocassee was devastated and took a canoe onto the water to grieve. Legend claims that she stepped out of the canoe and did not sink, but instead walked across the water to meet the spirit of Nagoochee; and she was never to be seen again.
The Cherokee would occupy this land until European settlers began trading with the Cherokee, which would later result in war and the removal of the native people. Over time, more settlers moved into the valley, but the remoteness and topography of the area would limit the number of setters for generations. The Jocassee Valley would remain a secret for a while; its beauty reserved for the few. The locals, who referred to the area as “The Horsepasture”, would continue to utilize and enjoy the beauty and unique features of area, until the demand for hydroelectric power made its way to Jocassee. Duke Power, now Duke Energy, purchased the land from the Singer Corporation, who used the timber from Jocassee for their sewing machine cabinets. As Duke began planning for a 7500-acre lake, the movie Deliverance was released in 1972, and one year later the dam at Jocassee was complete. “The Horsepasture” would never be the same. Soon the curious would venture to see where the movie was made, and they would not be disappointed. The beauty and dramatic scenery were not a trick of Hollywood cinematography; it was the real deal, a place whose beauty would take your breath away. In 1991 Devils Fork State Park opened to the public providing public access to Lake Jocassee and seven years later the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources became stewards of the Jocassee Gorges. Protection and public access to one of South Carolina’s greatest treasures was now secured for this and future generations. Located in the far northwestern corner of South Carolina, Lake Jocassee is one of the most beautiful and remote areas of the state. Accessible only through Devils Fork State Park, the lake is beyond description; its feeling of seclusion perhaps one of the greatest qualities. Unique is often an overused word and rarely lives up to expectations. Unique means exceptional, exclusive, and one-of-a-kind. Jocassee is all that, and more. The Jocassee Gorges are filled with streams and rivers meandering down the steep escarpment that form the base of the Blue
Ridge mountains and flow into the clear deep waters of Lake Jocassee. These “gorges” add to the diversity and magic that defines this “unique” piece of South Carolina. Jocassee is home to flora such as Carolina hemlock, sweet birch, mountain mint and Oconee bells and fauna that includes eagles, warbler, peregrine falcon, wild turkey, and black bear. The dramatic elevation changes, ravines, crystal clear streams, and dramatic waterfalls provide a unique ecosystem that allows for amazing diversity. These same details are why the Jocassee Gorges were designated a "Destination of a Lifetime” by National Geographic.
It’s awe-inspiring to witness this ancient place. The rivers and streams flowing through the rocks and ridges that have been folded, twisted, and squeezed by over a billion years of geologic activity and now entering the lake in dramatic fashion. The flowing water falls off the very rocks that once cradled it along its journey. The clear water turns white and is accompanied by the unmistakable sounds of falling water as it makes its dramatic drop into the lake we call Jocassee. While the water may be the star of Jocassee, the forest plays its costarring role to perfection. Everchanging while providing the backdrop to the waters below. From the light greens of new growth of the deciduous trees to the darker greens of hemlocks and laurels, and just a splash of white from flowering dogwoods in the spring. The forest is alive with color as green becomes the predominant color of summer, highlighted by a brilliant blue sky harmonizing perfectly against the emerald green of the lake. Fall is when nature uses its full palette of colors across the landscape in a display that would leave even the most talented artist envious. While Jocassee’s beauty is unmistakable, its greatest gift may be the opportunity it provides us to get away, to get lost in the overwhelming sense of solitude that these mountains provide. For a moment I’m alone and consumed with the sounds of the falling waters of Wright Creek and covered by a blanket of protection the Blue Ridge provides from a fast-paced world. Jocassee, the place of the lost one. Sometimes we all could use a place like this.
S AVE T HE B EESOLLINATORS P
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY FROM A WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST Words by Cole McCollum
COLE RECEIVED A DEGREE FROM CLEMSON UNIVERSITY IN WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES BIOLOGY WITH A MINOR IN AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION. HE HAS WORKED FOR THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, AND AS A WILDLIFE CONSULTANT THROUGH THE SOUTHEAST.
E
veryone has heard of the ominous threat looming over our favorite pollinators. We see the call to action, “Save the Bees”, everywhere. Countless articles, blogs, and news reports have brought to light the epidemic now known as “Colony Collapse Disorder” which has plagued our beloved honey bees. Our entire ecosystem is dependent on the process of pollination and honey bees add at least $15 billion to the value of U.S. agriculture annually, so the issue is most definitely important. One may ask “What can I do to help? Buy from local keepers? Maybe keep a colony of my own?” Before jumping into the bee keeping hobby, we should first consider the ramifications of bee keeping. People have been culturally reinforced to appreciate honey bees, but what if honey bees are actually harmful to the environment, at least in the Americas? Honey bees (Genus Apis.) derive from Europe and Asia. Why does this matter? Well, flora native to the Americas coevolve side by side with the
pollinators native to the Americas. In some instances, specific species of plants can be pollinated by only one species of pollinator. The introduction of invasive European honey bees have disrupted these unique and fragile interactions. Studies have shown that because European honey bees did not coevolve with our native flora, they actually pollinate said flora 30% to 60% less efficiently. They also spread diseases and parasites to our native pollinators, in addition to depriving native pollinators of floral resources. The average European bee colony consists of 6,000 to 12,000 individuals. Most bees native to the Americas are solitary or consist of colonies with 50 individuals. 12,000 to 1 doesn’t seem very fair, right?
carolinacrescent.com 23
Now, let’s address “Colony Collapse Disorder”. This mysterious phenomenon – where the majority of the worker bees disappear from a colony, leaving a Queen and a few young bees - has sent all our self-appointed “environmentalist” friends into a tizzy. They mean well, but some important points are being missed in the overall conversation. The frenzy around Colony Collapse Disorder is fueled in large part by disgruntled bee keepers, and amplified by misinformed media. There are several factors that lead to the misconception that honey bee populations are in decline. Improper management has led to the proliferation of mites (Varroa destructor and V. jacobsoniand). In addition, overharvesting of honey can lead the colony to starve during the winter. And, yes, occasional pollution of a water source via a pesticide can kill off bees as well. In reality, there has been no recorded extirpation of honey bee populations in the United States. However, there are studies that indicate wild pollinators, such as the bumble bee (Bombus spp.), are declining. But, because of our focus on the Colony Collapse Disorder and how it affects honey bees, resources that could be used to understand pollinators on a larger scale have been diverted. In conclusion, the collapse of honey bee colonies is not an apocalyptic anomaly. Honey bees are not “endangered”. They are not even considered wildlife, so by definition they cannot be considered as such. These creatures are domesticated animals. They have been line bred to be docile, to accumulate in large numbers, and to create a TON of honey. They are essentially categorized as livestock. One could say that the term “Save the Bees” could be similar to “Save the Cows”; however, their impacts on the environment would be more analogous to the impacts of feral wild hogs. Another story for another time. This begs the question … should honey bees be eradicated? The answer is, no. We have many agricultural old-world crop industries that rely on the pollination of these bees. Almond, apple, and citrus orchards are among these. Honestly, native pollinators do not care to interact with these foreign plants anyway. Plus, honey is a very desirable commodity. There is a place for honey bees , but they shouldn’t be
placed on a pedestal as the keystone species that they are marketed as today. So, if we want to save pollinators, and save the global food supply, we need to study and understand the contributions of ALL pollinators, not just honey bees.
There are many native bee species, such as the bumblebee, in north America. In addition, beetles, flies, moths, butterflies, hummingbirds, wasp, and even flying foxes and lizards are considered pollinators indigenous to the Americas.
carolinacrescent.com 25
mindful
VS.
mindless
We live in stressful times. Anxiety, worry, and tension are everyday occurrences and oftentimes we find ourselves ignoring or masking the effects of stress instead of being mindful in reducing it. Exercise is one critical factor in reducing stress. If you are interested in your exercise routines becoming more “mindful” instead of “mindless,” you might practice yoga or Pilates. But a quiet stroll can be just as therapeutic. Walking is an extremely popular form of exercise and is suitable for all ages, can be done alone or in a group, and requires no special equipment. The next time you are experiencing a period of extreme stress, try walking with intention through “conscious movement.”
1.
Before you start your walk, stand still with your eyes closed. Take a few deep breaths and notice the sounds and smells around you. Listen to the sound of air flowing inward through your nose and blowing outward from your mouth.
2.
As you begin walking, walk at a natural pace. The goal is not the speed of the walk, but rather finding serenity in your movement. Pay attention to how the ground feels as you walk. Is it rough or smooth, soft, or hard? How does the air feel on your skin? Is it cold or hot? Humid or dry?
3.
As you move, notice your body. Do you swing your arms or keep them stationary? Feel the muscles in your legs as they move you forward. Notice any tension that might be in your neck or shoulders.
26
carolinacrescent.com
4.
Look around. What colors do you see? What movement is in your surroundings? Can you hear the wind blowing? What animals or insects are busy around you?
5.
As you finish your walk, bring your attention back to yourself. Do you feel more relaxed? Is your breathing different? Is your heartbeat steady?
Practice this form of meditative walking for at least 20 minutes several times per week.
carolinacrescent.com 27
The JocasseE Challenge Women
in the
Outdoors
Stress. There’s no need to provide
a definition; we’ve all experienced it. It’s a natural part of life and a small amount of stress can keep us motivated and focused. However, too much stress, especially prolonged periods of stress, can lead to a decline in our mental, emotional, and physical health. The modern lifestyle, left unchecked, can leave us over-worked and over-scheduled with terrible sleep habits and even worse diets - a recipe for disaster. And recently the stresses of everyday life have become magnified by the pandemic. If we can find a silver lining in the past two years, it’s the fact that many people have searched for relief and respite among nature. Visitation at national and state parks is up dramatically and the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) reports that 69 percent of Americans have gained a renewed appreciation for the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In their most recent Outdoor Participation Report, the OIA shows that about half the U.S. population participated in outdoor recreation at least once in the past year, including hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, and paddling. That’s great, right? Yes, unless you consider the fact that given half of the population participated in at least one outdoor event…the other half of the U.S. population does not participate in outdoor recreation at all!
Here are some alarming trends identified in the report: Less than 20 percent of Americans recreated outside at least once a week. Americans went on one billion fewer outdoor outings in 2018 than they did in 2008. Of the people who report they go outside, 63 percent report they go outside within 10 miles of their home. Kids went on 15 percent fewer annual outings in 2018 than they did in 2012. For the last eight years females have represented just 46 percent of outdoor participants, even though 51 percent of Americans are female.
In October 2021, Pinnacle Partners of the Carolinas and the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor teamed up with Pamela Evette, South Carolina’s Lt. Governor, to challenge a group of women to help improve these numbers. The Challenge was a two-day excursion in the famed Jocassee Gorges, a place recently named by National Geographic as one of “50 of the World’s Last Great Places.” With more than 50,000 acres of lush, protected forestlands and one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the eastern US, the Jocassee Gorges offers a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience in the South and North Carolina mountains. Although hiking, camping, and kayaking were included in the two-day event, the challenge was not the physical difficulty of the activities. These activities were simply meant to inspire getting in the outdoors. The challenge issued was for each of the 12 women, who were leaders in their individual communities, to be intentional about getting their family, friends, employees, and co-workers in the outdoors. The group was encouraged to not simply “talk” to people about the importance of getting outdoors for health and wellness, but to be deliberate about actually getting them outdoors – plan an overnight camping trip with their family, arrange a kayak trip for a group of girlfriends, seek out organized hikes for employees and co-workers; in other words, don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk. Literally. Set the example and lead others into the outdoors.
During the Jocassee Challenge, the group was fully immersed into the area National Geographic also deemed a “Destination of a Lifetime.” The two days consisted of a lot of nature viewing, trail exploration, making s’mores by the fire and watching the sun set behind and rise over the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Most importantly, however, were the conversations that took place during these activities and around the campfire. They decided to make the event an annual gathering with a commitment to bring one new person each, preferably someone who was not “outdoorsy.” In addition, they departed the Jocassee Gorges and immediately began working in their communities on the tasks at hand. One participant is creating partnerships to introduce underserved women to the outdoors utilizing urban parks and trail systems. Another is organizing hiking trips for female veterans, and another has engaged her organization in a statewide virtual fitness challenge. Other great projects are also emerging. The challenge was accepted, and the event was a huge success. The Carolina Crescent Region is blessed with amazing outdoor resources. From hiking and biking to paddling and fishing, the mountains, rivers, and lakes offer enormous opportunities to get outdoors. Be deliberate about your health and the health and wellness of those you love. We challenge you to be the example. See you in the outdoors!
World's 1st Secure Mobile Personal Health Record SHARE DATA AND PERSONAL RECORDS WITH ANYONE, ANYWHERE, ANY TIME OF YOUR CHOICE .
PUTTING YOU IN CONTROL. In today’s environment, care coordination and time to care are affected by the delay in the availability of health records. Sync.MD makes paper copies of records obsolete. Mobile personal health records for patients ensures immediate availability in any setting. Sync.MD turns that paradigm on its head by providing a simple solution for immediate access to records 24 hours per day 7 days a week. The patient is the custodian of their records. The control of sharing this data with others resides with the patient and translates to including providers, caregivers, family or others who may need access to critical data. SYNC.MD’s framework provides for the close coordination of health information based on the patient’s desires.
Learn more about Sync.MD by visiting syncmd.com
The Move from Seattle to Anderson, SC An interview with the President of Sync.MD
1. Can you tell us a little about Sync.MD?
2. Sync.MD was founded in Seattle, WA, and you made the decision to move your entire company to Anderson, SC last year. Why?
Sync.MD patented technology enables individuals to securely store their complete and current health care
Sync.MD was founded mostly by former Microsoft
records, and updated information on their smartphone
employees, that’s why our original headquarters ended
for seamless sharing of medical records with healthcare
up being in Redmond, WA. However, being surrounded
providers. Sync.MD helps solve the problem of connecting
by huge corporations like Microsoft, Amazon, and others
otherwise incompatible medical records systems, as well
has its downside, mostly because it becomes hard to get
as meet the specific needs of our veterans or those who
attention from potential clients and customers being a
require specialized care beyond their usual healthcare
small company. Upstate SC's environment is pretty much
provider. The company’s innovative technology enables
the opposite - people here are much more interested
higher quality coordination of care, which means better
in talking with smaller, way more dynamic companies,
outcomes and reduced costs for patients.
rather than typical “big tech” structures. We feel like we found a hidden gem here, where a phenomenal business
In simple terms, we are what you would call a “digital
climate and southern hospitality create a truly open-door
suitcase” for every individual – that’s all of us.
environment.
3. Have you found the area to be “business friendly”? In the beginning, we weren’t really sure how our company would be received by the people we met on our first visit in February 2021. But it became clear to us that the values of our company are very much aligned with what South Carolina is all about. The support of the community is prominent in all conversations. It ensures that any company that was embraced by South Carolina as one
EUGENE LUSKIN Co-founder & CEO
of their own becomes part of the family, and we are very honored and humbled to be embraced in this way. Every day that has passed, we are thankful for every person we meet. Eugene has over 12 years of CEO experience out of
4. What have you found to be unique about this area? South Carolina is a definite hidden gem: the people, the history, its spiritual foundation are what make South Carolina a gem.
5. How has your team adjusted to the move?
20+ total years in software/firmware/hardware development industry. A computer science graduate from the University of Haifa (Israel), his technology background includes a variety of roles at large companies such as Microsoft, Intel and Parametric as well as advisory and executive positions at several startups. Prior to founding VYRTY Corporation, as a Chairman and CEO of Lagotek Corporation, he successfully managed
We don’t really think there was any adjustment! –
the company for 7 years from inception, building a
well maybe, the humidity in July and August was a
uniquely assembled team, releasing multiple versions
little adjustment (laughing), but really, there was no
of the software platform and over 10 hardware product
adjustment. We embraced our new home state.
lines, managing international manufacturing processes, steadily growing revenue numbers and structuring
6. Have you felt supported by the community? Very much so and in more ways than we could have imagined.
multiple funding rounds. Eugene has multiple issued and pending patents. During 7 years spent at Microsoft, Eugene’s responsibilities ranged from developing core parts of MS OLAP Server to managing processes and projects
7. What advice to you have for anyone looking to relocate their family or business to the Carolina Crescent region? Core values are important and when this is aligned, the opportunities are boundless and the quality of life achievable.
of designing, releasing and deploying a company wide data instrumentation, collection and ingestion platforms, driving cross team adoption with multiple engineering and marketing departments, working closely with legal, security and privacy professionals to receive compliance certifications in accordance with the US and International regulations and coping with the increasingly sophisticated demands of data producers and consumers while maintaining high levels of data availability and reliability. While at Intel, Eugene was leading development, implementation and project structure definitions of tools for inductance calculation in microprocessors, including screening, extraction, scan-line based and other algorithms.
WHERE THE WORLD COMES TO WORK ANDERSON COUNTY, SC
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge
Mountains, Anderson County sits in the state's northwestern corner, conveniently located halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte along Interstate 85. With an excellent business environment and exceptional quality of life, Anderson provides the perfect combination for your growing business. The Anderson Economic Development Office provides industry expertise and economic resources to companies interested in locating or expanding their business in Anderson County. Come grow with us.
acedsc.org
ANDERSON COUNTY, SC FACT SHEET
more than
more than
20
International Manufactures
200
Major Manufactures
9
more than
90,000 Labor Force
Municipalities
Anderson, Belton, Honea Path, Iva, Pelzer, Pendleton, Starr, West Pelzer & Williamston
5
School Districts
more than nearly
1,000 MI Shoreline
718 MI
Graduates Each Year
2
Colleges & Universities within a 50 mile radius
of land mass
Centrally located on the Southern Corridor of I-85
Anderson County, SC strategically situated between two major cities, Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC. With easy access to ports as well as international airports, Anderson County, SC is an industrial, international hub.
2000 15
CHARLOTTE
AIRPORTS
GSP / CLT / KAND / ATL
ANDERSON
RAILWAYS
Norfolk Southern/Pickens CSX/Greenville & Western ATLANTA
AIRPORT ACCESS within 35 miles
HIGHWAYS
I-85 / I-95 / I-26 / I-20 / I-77
PORTS
Port of Charleston / Greer Inland Port
I-85
16 Major cities across the US 18 Major airports across the US 59 Non-stop daily departures
Conveniently located on
1
All major metropolitan areas in the US are accessible by rail within
DAY SERVICE
Direct access to the Port of Charleston from the South Carolina Inland Port
with 37 miles of frontage & 11 interchanges
3-6 DAYS
SCHOOL CHOICE IN THE CAROLINA CRESCENT
“ The 3 C’s of Life:
Choices, Chances, Changes. You must make a choice to
take a chance or your life will never change. - Unknown
C
hoice is defined as the act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. Having a choice is a wonderful thing. From deciding where to live and what food to eat to what clothes to wear and what music we listen to, having the ability to choose what is best for ourselves is extremely powerful. Choice provides a sense of self-control and helps build responsibility and initiative. The same also holds true for choice in education. Within the communities that make up the Carolina Crescent, parents have choices beyond their local public school that include charter, private, online, and homeschool. Within each choice, the school’s curriculum, philosophy, teaching methods, teachers, and extra-curricular programs are unique and serve a variety of needs and life goals of their students.
Why is choice important? On a personal level, choice gives parents control over their child’s education. Parents know their child best, so providing a variety of educational options allows parents the ability to place their child on the right trajectory for success. Just as schools differ, no two children are the same. Some students respond best to visual learning while others process information best when it is spoken. Some students excel in social environments while others need to study without social distractions. These dynamics are critical considerations when selecting the pathway that will help a child meet their full potential.
On a community level, school choice raises the success bar for all. When parents are given the power to pull their children out of failing public schools, the schools are then forced to find solutions to improve their outcomes and keep students enrolled. And non-traditional schools must also meet student needs, parental expectations, and educational outcomes. It amplifies accountability across the board. Market competition is a great motivator and encourages all schools to constantly assess their performance. When schools are performing at a higher level, it is a great benefit to the overall community. High performing schools attract a strong residential base and, due to job preparedness and an educated workforce, it also attracts businesses. And, most importantly, it best serves the students.
”
This past year, the Carolina Crescent participated in an Education Roundtable in Greenville, South Carolina. The event was facilitated by South Carolina Lt. Governor, Pamela Evette, and included 20 leaders in non-traditional education from the Upstate region of South Carolina. The goal was to break down silos among non-traditional schools and start a dialogue to identify and share best practices in education. Lt. Gov. Evette kicked off the discussion. “There is a big tent for education in South Carolina and we are seeing great successes in non-traditional education. Every child is different, and every family is different. That’s why the work you are doing is so important. I’m excited to be here today to hear directly from you - the people on the front-lines of education in our state.” Five hours of lively discussion took place and included topics ranging from new trends in education and socioeconomic factors to parent accountability and student resiliency. A common thread for success found among the participating non-traditional schools was parental involvement. The philosophy of the three-legged stool (parents, students, and teachers) provides the balance necessary for successful outcomes. When parents and teachers work closely together, it strengthens the ability to build self-reliance and resiliency in children. In a traditional school environment, oftentimes individual needs of students are overshadowed by the measurement goals and objectives put in place by a massive system. Traditional schools by nature do not have the ability to promote or advance specific values held by individual families. In today’s world, allowing parents the choice to have their child educated in an environment that supports their world view and values is a growing advantage for non-traditional education. Another trend discussed for nontraditional education is career readiness. South Carolina is blessed with advanced technology jobs and non-traditional schools have moved quickly to provide the resources necessary to ensure students are prepared to
meet workforce demands. All agreed that opportunities other than the traditional four-year university should be better promoted to students and parents. In addition, career counseling at the middle school level should be altered to promote trade school as a viable and practical alternative to a traditional degree program. More should be done to inform parents of educational options for their children. Although South Carolina supports school choice, these options are not widely known. And knowing and understanding these choices are vitally important to lowincome families. A parent’s income should never determine the child’s access to a quality education. And the requirement to essentially pay twice (taxes and private tuition) is simply not fair. For many lowincome families, traditional school not only means lower graduation rates and less than adequate education outcomes, but school safety is also a concern. Lastly, the era of Covid-19 has brought attention to non-traditional teaching methods. It has been a positive experience for some parents who have enjoyed being more involved in their child’s education and they are now exploring options and choices for the future. For those with bad experiences learning from home, it is important that they understand the negative issues public schools have faced with remote learning are not issues found in schools
properly set up for this method of teaching and learning. The timing is right to educate the public on these matters because the topic is top-of-mind for many people. All participants agreed that the first step to positive change in education is to be honest about what works and does not work, to stop criticizing other schools and teaching methods, and support individual choice without judgment. Not every private school works for every student; not every virtual school works for every student; and not every public school works for every student. Breaking down silos and learning from each other can only strengthen education in our state. The group unanimously agreed to maintain contact through an established group email platform and to also visit each other’s schools throughout the coming year. Five hours was simply not enough time, which is a great indicator of a successful conversation. Lt. Governor Evette challenged the group to hold an annual event and widen the tent. Challenge accepted. Plans are already underway for next years’ event.
AIMING
H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N O P T I O N S I N T H E C A RO L I N A C R E S C E N T Words by Michelle McCollum
Q
uality education is essential for advancing opportunity, prosperity, and growth in a community. It is also vitally important to many people in choosing where to call “home.” Of all the amenities that can influence a buyer's decision to purchase a home, proximity to good quality schools is one of the most influential. According to the National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 25% of home buyers listed school quality as a major deciding factor in their home purchase. Students across the Carolina Crescent are able to build strong foundations in the area’s K-12 school systems. From public and private schools to online and special purpose schools such as the Lakes and Bridges Charter School serving students with dyslexia, the diversity of choice allows parents to select the very best option for their child. School choice also creates competition which raises the bar for all school systems.
Diversity of choice is the continuing theme for higher education in the Carolina Crescent region. After high school, the area has over 40 colleges and universities with a wide variety of degrees to choose from, preparing graduates for the expanding job markets in the area. A recent study from Emsi and the Wall Street Journal found that graduates tend to stay close by their alma mater, contributing to the region as both workers and community leaders.
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY Clemson, SC Along with enormous recognition for their National Championship football team, Clemson University is also a renowned public research institution located in Upstate South Carolina. Engineering, Business Management, Marketing, Biological Science, and Biomedical Science are popular programs offered.
FURMAN UNIVERSITY GREENVILLE, SC Furman University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts and sciences universities, offering rigorous academics, broad research opportunities, a robust visual and performing arts program, located on a campus internationally recognized for its beauty.
T R I - C O U N T Y T E C H N I C A L C O L L EG E anderson, oconee, pickens, S.C. Tri-County Technical College, a public two-year community and technical college serving Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties in South Carolina, boasts the highest student success, transfer, and graduation rates among two-year colleges in the State and ranks in the top one percent nationally for successful student transfers to four-year colleges and universities. The College serves more than 9,000 students annually in more than 70 major fields of study.
B R E VA R D C O L L EG E B R E VA R D , N . C . Brevard College is consistently recognized as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the Southeast. The College’s focus on experiential learning, small class sizes, and location in the mountains of Western North Carolina near Asheville make Brevard a top choice college for students around the world.
BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE hendersonville and T r a n s y lva n i a , N . C . Blue Ridge Community College offers over 100 degrees in 30 areas of study. These include an extensive lineup of technical programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in nursing, automotive technology, law enforcement, emergency response, engineering technology, machining technology, and many others.
Asheville Buncombe Technical College, Asheville, N.C. Anderson University, Anderson, S.C.
USC School of Medicine - Greenville Campus, Greenville, S.C.
Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, N.C. Brevard College, Brevard, N.C. Bob Jones University, Greenville, S.C. Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. Converse College, Spartanburg, S.C. ECPI College of Technology, Greenville, S.C. Embry Riddle, Greenville, S.C. Furman University, Greenville, S.C. Greenville Technical College, Greenville, S.C. Southern Wesleyan University, Central, S.C. Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg, S. C. Spartanburg Methodist College, Spartanburg, S.C. Strayer University, Greenville, S.C. Tri-County Technical College, Pendleton, S.C. USC School of Medicine - Greenville Campus, Greenville, S.C. Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.
Converse College, Spartanburg, S.C.
Asheville Buncombe Technical College, Asheville, N.C.
Words by Robert Turner
E AT Y O U R V I E W THE AGRIHOOD
TA K E E V E RY T H I N G T H AT YO U KNOW ABOUT THE GROW LOCAL, FA R M T O TA B L E M O V E M E N T A N D STRETCH IT TO THE EXTREME. W H AT D O YO U E N D U P W I T H ?
Rather than bringing food to where the people are, save the 1,500 miles and bring the people to where the food is. In fact, plant them right in the middle of it with the tomatoes and onions. This is where the local food movement is going, and it’s called the agricultural neighborhood, or agrihood. Why bring the farm to the table when you can bring the table to the farm?
CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH THE LAND. The agricultural neighborhood, or “agrihood,” is a new concept in urban design where an organic farm and agriculture are designed and built right into the community as a central feature and amenity. It’s a growing trend in real estate development, and there are somewhere between 150 and 200 of these agrihoods sprouting up around the country. The Upstate and Western North Carolina has two of them- Riverstead in Marietta, South Carolina, and Creekside Farm at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove in Arden, North Carolina. Most residents in an agrihood like the idea of coming home to the farm. And for the people who want to reconnect to the farm and the bucolic lifestyle that it represents, this newest trend, the agricultural community, is a way to help them to do just that: plug in instantly. To many residents, it’s all about living closer to the land, more aware of the cycles of the seasons, the rain, the sun, the animals in the pasture, and the green things coming up on the farm and in the garden. It’s about living well, in a place, on the land. In the land planning world of architects and developers, the agrihood is all about protecting and preserving farm land and farming capacity in a region. It’s about mindful development. Justifiable development. This healthy, food-based trend is now convincing developers and land planners to save some farmland and the food producing capacity of a place as a desirable amenity, much like a golf course or a swimming pool. This is a good thing, especially in areas with rapid growth and development. Otherwise, land might get developed in its entirety with no consideration of the possible amenity of farming and local food production.
The agricultural community promises fresh air, pastoral views of beautiful rolling farmland, a connection to nature and to where our food comes from, a clean and healthy environment, and fresh, organically grown food. Most importantly, it offers closer connections to a more sustainable food web. If that’s not your thing, then you probably wouldn’t want to live there. But recent research shows that having connections to nature, like standing in a garden and simply immersing yourself in nature for 30 minutes, relieves stress, lowers blood pressure and offers other health benefits. A true agricultural community has a working farm at its center, with all the activities related to organic farming going on in real time in and around the community for all to see and partake in, if they wish. Real farmers do all the hard work, but residents are welcome to help out in the vegetable gardens for exercise and enjoyment. Or they can just walk down to the garden to sit and chat with neighbors or the farmer for a while. It’s entirely up to them. But the agrihood is the newest trend in urban planning and design because it’s the natural progression of a much larger farm to table food trend happening in America. And it’s the other half of the health and wellness equation that most wellness communities are missing—the food. Total wellness is about a healthy diet and exercise, not just the exercise. The agrihood also offers numerous opportunities for neighbors to get together to share and celebrate the bounty of the harvest, such as cooking and canning classes, farm to table dinner events, and a Fall Harvest Festival. These social connections have important psychological benefits to our health and well-being. Let’s call that happiness.
e sid ek at Cr e en G ar d
T H E B ROA D E R I M PAC T O F FOOD. Local food, like that grown sustainably and regeneratively in an agricultural neighborhood, is better for our health, but also the health of the environment around us. The modern, industrialized food system is a major source of water contamination and greenhouse gasses, responsible for about 30% of the total global emissions, mostly from intensive tilling, chemical applications and deforestation. According to recent studies at Oxford and other prominent universities, even if global emissions from energy, industry and transportation came to a screeching halt, we could still exceed the limits of the Paris Climate Accord unless we do something about food and how we produce it. Farming, done right, can sequester millions of tons of carbon from the atmosphere, and many scientists now believe
that sustainable, regenerative agriculture is the most cost-effective tool that we have to pull excess carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the ground where it belongs.
led us to an obesity and diabetes crisis along with the monocropping of more corn to produce high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners.
Regenerative agriculture includes simple steps like no-till or limited till planting, cover crops in winter, reduced chemical applications, and crop rotations (and not monocropping corn year after year in the same field, as done in the corn belt of the Midwest.)
Improving how we produce food, and slight changes in the foods that we consume, can save the earth while it saves ourselves. Take the Mediterranean diet, for example. The Mediterranean diet is inspired by the lifestyle, cultural heritage and eating habits of Spain, Italy, and Greece. The diet includes a high consumption of olive oil, legumes (including beans, peas, soybeans, peanuts), unrefined cereals (grains and breads), fruits (as a desert or snack), lots of vegetables, some fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of meat products (once or twice a week).
It is interesting to consider how the human diet and the health of the planet are closely entwined—and how a healthier human diet is so much better for the planet. The opposite is also true—what’s not good for humans is also not good for the planet. Too much red meat can lead to heart disease but also leads to environmentally disastrous confined animal feed operations (CAFO’s) and a monocropping system to produce the corn to feed the cows. Too much sugar has
Old Barn (1932) and tractor (1942) at Creekside Farm
Simply eating less meat and less processed food will have significant benefits in the battle against global warming. And it could save your life. The American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association recommend the Mediterranean diet as a healthy dietary pattern that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes and can help with weight loss. But I like how UNESCO describes the Mediterranean diet as "a set of skills, knowledge, rituals, symbols and traditions concerning crops, harvesting, fishing, animal husbandry, conservation, processing, cooking, and particularly the sharing and consumption of food". It’s a way of life. It’s a way to transcend the mundane approach to food that we have in this country. It’s a way to find deeper meaning, a sense of the sublime, some deeper experience in food. This might be what attracts people to live in an agricultural neighborhood, where farming and food play a more important role in their lives. You can always build your own set of beliefs, skills, habits, and traditions that lead to a lifestyle change which can improve your health and the health of the planet. A healthier diet is a commitment to yourself and to the natural world, and it can bring fulfillment, satisfaction, and a spiritual connection to nature.
Living T
he temperate climate of the Carolina Crescent Region is perfect for gathering around a fire anytime of the year. From campfires outside of your tent to fire pits around your pool, there is something special about a fire. The flame of a fire draws us in and creates a closeness to those circled around it. Whether you’re telling spooky ghost stories to your kids or cuddled up under a blanket sipping wine for a romantic date-night, building and maintaining the perfect fire will make your evening magical.
Here are a few tips for starting and maintaining your fire. Build fires only in designated fire rings, grills, or fireplaces. Remove any dried brush or low-hanging branches before starting the fire. In dry or windy conditions keep the fire small because flying embers could easily start a wildfire. Have a water force nearby to extinguish your blaze in case it gets out of control.
TYPES OF FUEL: Tinder: small twigs, dry leaves, pine needles, moss, or even newspaper. Kindling: small sticks, typically less than one inch around. Firewood: any larger piece of wood
POPULAR TYPES OF FIREWOOD: Oak: Oak is one of the most popular. It is a slow-burning wood that produces a hot, minimal-sparking fire. Beech: Beech firewood can burn hot and long, but it is extremely dense, requiring it to dry for a long period of time before burning. Maple: Maple wood is dense and known for producing a long-burning campfire. Birch: Birch is a softer type of firewood that tends to burn quickly, but it gives off plenty of heat.
STACKING YOUR WOOD: Cone: Light a small cone of kindling around a few handfuls of tinder that are loosely piled in the center of the fire ring. As the fire gets going and begins to burn strong, add larger logs a few at a time as needed. Log cabin: Create a square structure in the center of your fire ring, starting with two parallel logs as the base and build up several layers mimicking a “log cabin” design. Insert your kindling in the middle of the “cabin”. Place a final layer of logs on the top to form a “roof ”, leaving plenty of air space between your layers. Finish with a layer of kindling and tinder across the top.
LIGHTING YOUR FIRE: Light your tinder and gently blow or fan the flame to get it going. Aim for a fairly gentle but steady flow of air because if you overdo it, you can easily snuff it out. Once the tinder gets going, add a layer of kindling and a decent flame should catch. As heat is generated, lay a few thick pieces of firewood across the fire, allowing space for oxygen to flow. Use a twig or poker stick to carefully push any bits of tinder that fall or drift away back into the bundle. Extinguish your fire by pouring water on it, stirring the ashes, then applying more water. Repeat as often as needed. Ashes should be cool to the touch before you leave the site. Be absolutely certain your fire and its embers are out and cold before you depart. Never leave a fire unattended.
Living in
Rustic Elegance
T
he times they are a’changin’ and people now want more from the place they live. They want more than a house with a deck, pool, and possibly a golf course in the backyard. They want more than simply a home; they want a lifestyle. Across the South, we’ve seen a growing trend of resilient communities that are focused on sustainability, wellness, and land conservation. These communities are created in a way that embraces the land and fosters a unique lifestyle for their residents. The homes are built with nature in mind and the communities provide opportunities for residents to interact and fellowship, truly capturing the spirit of “community.” The Carolina Crescent Region is the perfect location for this new way to develop. From mountains and lakes to rivers and trails, outdoor opportunities are endless. In addition to the natural amenities, art and culture are just a stone’s throw away in the nearby city centers. The area provides opportunities to feel worlds apart, yet minutes away.
This is actually the theme for an upcoming residential community, Longview Carolina, located on what feels like the top of world, yet its only two miles from Downtown Easley. With long range, panoramic views that span from South Carolina into the Georgia and North Carolina Mountains, Longview Carolina, will offer its residents a lifestyle of rustic elegance. Immense spaces, vast views, and magnificent experiences will be part of the life lived in this meticulously designed gated community. Over a third of the property will be set aside for green space and trails and unique amenities are being planned that will make Longview Carolina a well-desired location for luxury living. If a resilient lifestyle is calling you, sign up for updates through the Longview Carolina website – www.longviewcarolina.com.
Longview Carolina WORLD'S APART. MINUTES AWAY. Coming 2022 Easley, SC
• Panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain Views
• Gated community with homesites averaging 1 acre
• Located less than 2 miles from Downtown Easley
• Hiking & biking trails throughout the community
• Encompasses 180 acres
• Potential for restaurant/lodging on the mountain top
• Approximately a third of the land is green space
• Easy access to Highway 93 and 123
longviewcarolina.com
HEALTH BENEFITS OF WALKING Brighten Your Mood:
IMPROVE SLEEP:
When you exercise, your body releases hormones called endorphins. Endorphins interact with receptors in your brain, triggering a feel-good response that has been compared with the effects of morphine. Getting your blood pumping is also a great way to combat the winter blues.
Several studies have shown that exercise helps you to fall asleep faster and get overall better quality of sleep. There is no concrete evidence pointing to what time of day is most effective for better sleep, so try out a few different times and see which one your body responds best to.
Increase Circulation:
A quick-paced, 30-minute walk can burn up to 200 calories. Over time, your body will shed pounds and you will feel healthier overall. Aerobic exercise increases the rate at which oxygen flows through the bloodstream, improves lung function, and increases stamina.
Getting your heart rate up on a regular basis can decrease heart disease, lower blood pressure, and strengthen the heart. Harvard School of Public Health in Boston found that women who walk 30 minutes a day can reduce their risk of stroke by 20%, and by 40% when they stepped up the pace.
Support Joints & Strengthen Muscles: Regular use and movement of muscles and joints increases circulation of blood as well as joint fluid, which provides more widespread nutrients, increasing fitness. Pumping your arms while walking is a full body exercise that is also has positive impact on joints.
LOSE WEIGHT:
Good Eats
E ASY, H E A LT H Y R E C I P E S F O R E V E RY DAY
Recipes by Vicky Anthony
Vicky Anthony has a passion for healthy
living. An avid outdoorswoman, she loves hunting, fishing, hiking, and traveling. She also loves to grow the food she eats and when not eating from her own garden, she makes it a priority to eat organic. The quote, "The food you eat can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison” was made by Ann Wigmore but is a perfect summation of Vicky's philosophy on nutrition. Vicky shared a few of her family’s favorite recipes, starting with her morning ritual of juicing. She and her husband began juicing 20 years ago to help with her arthritis and insists that as long as she juices, the inflammation and pain stay at a minimum. She says it’s a great way to fuel your day. She happily shares her juice and other healthy recipes your family is sure to enjoy.
Tips: Use organic vegetables. Do not use fruit. Fruit is too high in sugar. Drink 8 oz. per day
Morning Juice Kale
Prepare & freeze if the process cannot be done daily.
(large bunch)
3 large carrots 3 celery stalks 1/2 English cucumber Whole lemon 1 medium beet Fresh ginger
(fresh and unpeeled)
Run all ingredients through the juicer and enjoy.
Vicky's Healthy Muffins Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray muffin tins (usually makes 14 muffins). DRY INGREDIENTS:
WET INGREDIENTS:
1 ½ cups Oat Bran hot cereal (an example is Hodgson®)
2 eggs
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour or gluten free flour
1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
1 ½ tsp baking powder
4 tsp oil
2 to 3 tsp of cinnamon
½ cup brown sugar
Pinch of salt
½ cup buttermilk 1 tsp vanilla
Mix dry ingredients together then add whatever you choose to the dry ingredients to coat. I use ½ cup raisins, ½ cup walnuts, ½ cup pecans, dried cranberries, etc. Mix wet ingredients and then combine dry to wet. I use an ice cream scoop to fill my tins. Do not overfill. Cook 15 minutes and let cool in tins with a clean dry cloth over them.
Trout Dip 8 oz. smoked trout (broken apart)
1 medium lemon (zest and juice)
8 oz. of cream cheese
½ cup sour cream
1 Tbsp capers (diced)
¼ cup red onion (diced fine)
1 tsp dried dillweed
½ tsp horseradish
1 tsp smoked paprika
Dash of black pepper
Mix all ingredients together in bowl and chill before serving. Serve with crackers or pita chips.
Mountain Chili 1 large onion (diced) 1 red pepper (chopped) 3 cloves of garlic (minced) 1 lb. vegetable based meat (example Impossible™ Burger) 1 Tbsp brown sugar 1 Tbsp chili powder 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp onion powder ¾ tsp black pepper ½ tsp salt 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper 1 ½ cup vegetable stock 15 oz can red kidney beans (rinsed and drained) 15 oz can black beans (rinsed and drained) 14.5 oz can of fire-roasted tomatoes with liquid 7 oz can fire roasted green chilis ¼ cup tomato paste 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp smokeless oil
Heat oil in a Dutch oven. Add onion and red pepper and cook for 3-5 minutes. Add garlic, salt and pepper. Add the vegetable based meat and break it apart. When it has browned, add sugar and spices. Stir well. Add vegetable stock, beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, chilis, and Wochestershire sauce. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until desired juice consistency.
ple A D p A ay An .
..
We’ve all heard the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” A lesser-known adage is the original Welch version ‘‘Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.”
Apples have long been associated with a healthy diet. The fruit is low in calories and sodium, and high in fiber and Vitamin C. They come in a variety of flavors and colors and are easy to pack and keep with you throughout the day. And let’s not forget they make the most delicious treats: apple pie, apple butter, apple jelly, apple tarts, and the list goes on and on.
FAVORITE
North Carolina VARIETIES:
Red Rome These apples ripen in September and are a good allaround choice for a standard apple taste.
Law Rome This variety has a green tint to its red skin. The flavor gets richer when cooked and is therefore very popular for pies.
Gala
These apples ripen early in the season and can be picked as early as late August. They are very sweet and excellent to eat raw.
Granny Smith These tart, crisp apples ripen in September and October. Their tartness makes them perfect for, you guessed it, apple tarts.
Red Delicious Ready in late September, this is this most popular apple variety.
Western North Carolina is well known for its agribusinesses, with a favorite being its amazing apple orchards. In Henderson County alone there are over 150 apple orchards, and these orchards collectively help rank the county as the seventh largest apple producing county in the country and the largest in the Carolina Crescent Region. Along with food staples and traditional apple juice, apples have also made their debut alongside the many wineries and breweries across Western North Carolina with awardwinning ciders. Two favorite cideries are Appalachian Ridge Hard Cidery and Bold Rock Hard Cidery. For more information on cideries, vineyards and breweries, check out the Cheers Trail at www.visithendersonvillenc.org.
carolinacrescent.com 75
LIFE WITH A DOG Words by Michelle McCollum
It was the summer of 2006, and I was browsing through the airport gift shop waiting on my flight from Greenville, South Carolina, to Yuma, Arizona. I grabbed a coffee, snack, and a book to read during my flight; the book was “Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog”. The book caught my attention because we had recently bought a yellow Labrador Retriever, like Marley, and I thought the book would be a pleasant read for a long flight. From the first page, I was sucked into the life and times of the Marley. I found myself identifying with both the frustration and irritation of a misbehaved puppy, as well as the unconditional love between a dog and its family. The first half of the book can be described as nothing less than hilarious. I found myself laughing, a lot, and even out loud. On the flight back home, however, the laughs turned to tears and I found myself sobbing at times. Again, out loud. The book is based on the real-life relationship between journalist John Grogan and his dog. Told in first-person narrative, the book is a heartwarming portrayal of Grogan and his family's life during the 13 years that they lived with Marley. Marley was high-strung,
energetic, and often misbehaved. But they loved him and the bond they shared as a family tugged at my heart and reminded me of my own sweet, precious pup back at home. If you haven’t read the book, it’s a “must read”. But have tissues nearby. It was a story full of emotion and a perfect representation of how much we grow to care for and love our dogs. Our lab, Champ, was more than just a pet; he was a full-fledged member of our family. He grew up alongside our children and he added so much joy and love to our home. It was heartbreaking to lose him, and he still holds a very special place in our hearts. Once he passed, there was a void in our home and we quickly got another four-legged child, Ellie, our tender-hearted and overly hyper German Shorthaired Pointer. Like Champ, she has become an official member of the family.
Many people feel as passionately as we do about their pets. In fact, sixty-seven percent of U.S. households, or about 85 million families, own a pet, according to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association. The most popular pets are dogs. Cats come in at a close second. Dogs are extraordinary, loyal animals. They are not only incredible companions, but they can also make us healthier and happier. Dogs can lower our stress levels and can increase our dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin levels. These are the chemicals in our brains that improve mood and make us feel good. And, dogs are known for decreasing cortisol, the stress hormone. Nothing quite compares with sitting with your dog, stroking his head, and knowing that you are your dog’s world. They have a very special way of making us feel important and loved, which is an amazing mental boost at the end of a long day.
Dogs need exercise just like we do, so team up with Fido and walk each day. A 30-minute walk will benefit both of you by improving cardiovascular health, building muscle, and increasing overall flexibility. View walking your dog as not a chore, but as a time to bond with your best friend. The Carolina Crescent Region has myriad opportunities to get outdoors with your dog. Many downtowns are packed with dog-friendly restaurants and stores, and there are countless parks and trails to explore.
So, grab a leash and get outdoors! The weather in the Carolina Crescent is perfect for yearround hikes. For great places to stay, play, and eat with your dog, check out bringfido.com. BringFido is the world’s leading pet travel and lifestyle brand. Their website and mobile apps connect millions of pet owners around the globe with more than 250,000 pet friendly places.
A FEW FAVORITES: Mount Mitchell – Asheville, NC 4 Miles The high elevation of this trail offers cooler temperatures, even in the heat of summer. A small waterfall near the summit provides a great place to cool off after a hike.
Pink Beds Trail – Brevard, NC 6 Miles This loop trail features a river and is good for all skill levels, which makes it perfect for very young or older dogs. This trail is especially beautiful when the rhododendron is in bloom. Paris Mountain State Park – Greenville, SC Several trail options This heavily forested park provides lots of shade for hot days and streams and ponds for waterloving dogs. The park is extremely popular, so if you or your dog prefers more solitude make sure to plan your hike as the park opens.
Wa n t t o l e a r n m o r e ? Vi s i t c a r o l i n a c r e s c e n t . c o m
carolinacrescent.com
