South Carolina Living August 2021 by South Carolina Living

A healing CHANGEOUT place

Veterans and first responders battle post-traumatic stress at the Big Red Barn

SC RECIPE AUGUST 2021

Cooking up corn HUMOR ME

Back in shape

The independence you want. The safety you need. In emergencies big or small, the Lively™ Response Team is here for you, 24/7. Just press the button on the Lively Mobile Plus medical alert to speak to a friendly, caring certified Urgent Response Agent. The Lively Mobile Plus has the fastest call response time1, enhanced GPS accuracy and the most reliable network coverage2. It’s also one of the most affordable mobile medical alert systems you can purchase 3. Adding Lively’s Fall Detection service4 means that when you wear your Lively Mobile Plus on our specially designed lanyard, you’ll be connected to an Agent when a fall is detected, even if you’re unable to press the button. The Lively Mobile Plus is a truly mobile medical alert that doesn’t require a landline or a base station. It offers you two-way communication with the Lively Team. They can dispatch emergency services or connect you to a board-certified doctor or a registered nurse at the touch of a button.

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“GreatCall review”, TechRadar.com (Jul. 21, 2020). 2Consistently rated the most reliable network and best overall network performance in the country by IHS Markit’s RootScore Reports. 3Based on device cost, activation fee, plus 12 months of service among competitors with similar products and services (comparison conducted on 3/4/21). 4Fall Detection is an optional feature and may not always accurately detect a fall. Users should always push their button when they need help, if possible. Fall detection only available with purchase of Ultimate Health and Safety Plan. 5$1999 Basic Health & Safety service are only valid for new lines of service. Offer valid 7/26/21 through 8/28/21. Urgent Response Service tracks an approximate location of the device. Urgent Response or 9-1-1 calls can only be made when cellular service is available. Urgent Care, provided by FONEMED®, is not a substitute for dialing 911 and should not be used in a case of emergency. FONEMED’s registered nurses and contracted physicians, through MDLIVE, offer advice regarding healthcare decisions and may prescribe certain medications and make diagnoses. We are not liable for any act or omission, including negligence, of any FONEMED employee or contractor. Waterproof rated for up to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. LIVELY is a trademark of Best Buy and its affiliated companies. © 2021 Best Buy. All rights reserved. 1

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THE MAGAZINE FOR COOPERATIVE MEMBERS VOLUME 75 • NUMBER 8 (ISSN 0047-486X, USPS 316-240)

Read in more than 600,000 homes and businesses and published monthly except in December by The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Inc. 808 Knox Abbott Drive Cayce, SC 29033

2021 |aug

Tel: (803) 926‑3175 Fax: (803) 796‑6064 Email: letters@scliving.coop EDITOR

Keith Phillips Tel: (803) 739‑3040 Email: Keith.Phillips@ecsc.org FIELD EDITOR

Josh Crotzer

PUBLICATION COORDINATOR

Travis Ward

ART DIRECTOR

Sharri Harris Wolfgang DESIGNER

Camille Stewart PRODUCTION

Andrew Chapman WEB EDITOR

14 Thriving on the homefront

Chase Toler

COPY EDITORS

Blythewood’s Big Red Barn Retreat offers a place of healing for veterans and first responders fighting back against post-traumatic stress.

Trevor Bauknight, Jennifer Jas, Jim Poindexter CONTRIBUTORS

Kevin Dietrich, John Frick, Andrew Haworth, Jan A. Igoe, L.A. Jackson, Sydney Patterson, Belinda Smith-Sullivan, Paul Wesslund PUBLISHER

Lou Green

4 CO-OP NEWS

Updates from your cooperative

ADVERTISING

Mary Watts Tel: (803) 739‑5074 Email: ads@scliving.coop

6 AGENDA

Even in the middle of a pandemic, Americans still managed to reduce energy use by 7% in 2020.

NATIONAL REPRESENTATION

American MainStreet Publications Tel: (512) 441‑5200 Paid advertisements are not endorsements by any electric cooperative or this publication. If you encounter a difficulty with an advertisement, inform the Editor.

Rural South Carolina needs high-speed broadband service, and we need it now.

ADDRESS CHANGES: Please send to your

local co-op. Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to Address Change, c/o the address above. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, S.C., and additional mailing offices.

is brought to you by your member-owned, taxpaying, not-for-profit electric cooperative to inform you about your cooperative, wise energy use and the faces and places that identify the Palmetto State. Electric cooperatives are South Carolina’s — and America’s — largest utility network.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

$8 nonmembers

$5.72 members,

10 RECIPE The many sides of corn

Make the most of everyone’s favorite summer vegetable with these recipes from our own Chef Belinda Smith-Sullivan.

12 SC STORIES Made in the USA

The founders of North Charleston’s Allegiance Flag Supply are living an all-American success story.

18 MARKETPLACE 19 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 20 GARDENER Garden gold

Maybe it’s time to let goldenrod, the official wildflower of South Carolina, add some luster to your landscape.

22 Member of the AMP network reaching more than 9 million homes and businesses

HUMOR ME

Invert at your own risk

What does it take to turn Jan A. Igoe’s world upside down? Uncork a bottle of wine, invite a few friends over and grab a wrench to find out.

FRO M TO P : A N DRE W H AWO RTH; G I N A M OO RE; DEP OS ITPH OTOS

A healing place

Veterans and first responders battle post-traumatic stress at the Big Red Barn

SC RECIPE

Cooking up corn AUGUST 2021

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS:

8 DIALOGUE Waiting for the cable guys

HUMOR ME

Back in shape

Retired Command Sgt. Major Lamont “Chris” Christian, director of the Warrior PATHH program, leads veterans and first responders into battle against post-traumatic stress at the Big Red Barn Retreat. Photo by Andrew Haworth.

SC | agenda Energy efficiency keeps improving—even through a pandemic AMERICANS KEEP GETTING MORE

e fficient in their use of energy, a trend that’s even powered its way through the COVID-19 pandemic. According to 2020 statistics gathered by the U.S. Department of Energy, America’s energy consumption dropped by 7% last year, the largest annual decrease since they began keeping records in 1949. The department’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) attributes much of that decrease to the economy’s reaction to the coronavirus. Energy consumption didn’t just drop; it shifted as well. Commercial energy use fell dramatically as people stayed home. Residential use rose as more people worked from home, and peak hours for energy use shifted from 6 a.m—when people would normally shower and make breakfast before going to work—to times later in the day as many of us simply

walked from the kitchen to a home office. The 2020 statistics continue to show a long-term trend toward lower energy use as a result of new, energy-saving technologies. The use of highly efficient LED bulbs, to cite one example, grew from a 20% market share in 2015 to 60% in 2019—a trend unlikely to be reversed since LEDs last well over 10 years. In a new report, Annual Energy Outlook 2021, the EIA predicts these efficiency trends will keep going long into a post-pandemic world, thanks to tighter building codes, technological improvements that boost motor vehicle fuel economy, and even more energy- saving advances in lighting. —PAUL WESSLUND

Cold cash for a hot summer R E A D E R R E P LY T R AV E L S W E E P S TA K E S Register below, or online at SCLiving.coop/reader-reply YES! Enter me in the drawing for a $100 gift card. Name Address City State/ZIP Email* Phone* My electric cooperative is: SEND COUPON TO: South Carolina Living, RRTS, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033 or travel@SCLiving.coop. Entries must be received by Aug. 31, 2021, to be eligible. *Winner will be contacted to verify mailing address.

Sign up today for our August Reader Reply Travel Sweepstakes and your chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. Use the mail-in form or visit SCLiving.coop/reader-reply. We’ll draw the name of one lucky winner from all eligible entries received by Aug. 31, 2021. By entering, you may receive messages from these great sponsors, and you agree to join the South Carolina Living email list. j Alpine Helen, White County, Ga. j S.C. Apple Festival j South Carolina Living magazine

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | AUGUST 2021 | SCLIVING.COOP

SC Stay Plus Are you behind on your rent or utility payments? Thanks to the SC Stay Plus initiative of the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority, federal funds are available to low- and moderate-income families who have been impacted by COVID-19, have been unemployed, or are facing evictions. To find out if you qualify, apply now at SCHousing.com or call (800) 476-0412.

GONE FISHIN’

The Vektor Fish & Game Forecast provides feeding and migration times. Major periods can bracket the peak by an hour. Minor peaks, ½ hour before and after. Minor

AM Major

Minor

PM Major

AUGUST 16 — 8:07 8:37 4:37 17 12:52 9:22 10:07 5:37 18 2:22 10:22 11:07 6:07 19 3:37 11:07 11:37 6:37 20 4:37 11:52 12:22 7:07 21 — 5:22 7:37 12:37 22 12:52 6:07 8:07 1:07 23 1:22 6:52 8:22 1:37 24 1:52 7:37 8:52 2:07 25 2:37 8:22 9:07 2:37 26 9:07 3:07 3:07 9:22 27 9:52 3:52 3:22 9:37 28 11:22 4:37 3:22 9:52 29 — 5:52 — 9:52 30 — 7:07 — 9:52 31 — 8:37 12:07 5:52

SEPTEMBER 1 — 9:37 11:07 5:52 2 2:22 10:22 11:22 6:07 3 3:37 10:52 11:52 6:22 4 4:37 11:37 12:07 6:37 5 — 5:22 7:07 12:07 6 — 6:07 7:22 12:37 7 1:07 6:52 7:37 1:22 8 1:37 7:37 8:07 1:52 9 8:37 2:22 2:22 8:22 10 9:37 2:52 3:07 8:52 11 10:52 3:52 3:37 9:07 12 — 4:52 12:52 9:37 13 — 6:07 3:37 10:07 14 — 7:52 12:22 4:37 15 — 9:07 10:22 5:07

Armed Forces

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SC dialogue

Waiting for the cable guys with a large population, there’s a pretty good chance you have used a cable company for entertainment or internet. It’s also likely you have waited on the phone to schedule a service call, which wasn’t available for a week, only to leave work to go home and wait even longer for the cable guy to show. If you live in a less populated rural area, however, you are likely still waiting for the opportunity to wait on the cable guy. If big cable companies have their way, rural South Carolinians will have to wait even longer to get the high-speed internet they need. In a column published recently, the state’s cable industry described “an unbalanced set of rules [that] allow electric cooperatives ... to charge excessive rates for access” to their poles as the “greatest obstacles” to deploying broadband in rural areas. In reality, the greatest obstacle has been cable company resistance to extending internet access to rural areas because they could not make enough money in sparsely populated areas. When some electric cooperatives—and the federal government —got interested in doing the job (as they did for rural electrification in the first half of the 1900s), Big Cable and their powerful lobby began to pay attention. Now they’re fighting to make some rural South Carolinians pay extra for a service they might not receive and to make many rural residents wait even longer for high-speed internet. The cable industry is blaming others for their failure to serve, even though electric cooperatives voluntarily agreed to the same pole construction guidelines that govern every regulated pole owner in the nation. Last September’s Broadband Accessibility Act requires pole attachment rates be “just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory,” a standard to which, again, electric cooperatives agreed. Why would the cable industry criticize electric cooperatives in an attempt to get something they already have? I think they want to distract South Carolinians from their efforts to undermine competition in rural areas they have thus far declined to serve. Last year, the Federal Communications Commission created a competition to fund highspeed internet access to unserved parts of our state. To win, bidders had to request the smallest amount IF YOU LIVE IN A PART OF SOUTH CAROLINA

JOHN FRICK

Vice President for Government Relations, The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina

Cable companies resist extending internet access to rural areas because they can not make enough money.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | AUGUST 2021 | SCLIVING.COOP

of federal funding. In many areas where electric cooperatives competed for the funding, the cable company known as Charter claimed to be able to deliver internet access for as little as a penny of federal funding for each dollar it would cost. Charter won around 90% of all the money awarded in South Carolina, effectively eliminating a significant portion of available federal assistance in the process. It’s fine to bid low when it keeps government costs down, but not if the amount bid is insufficient to do the job. And it is just plain wrong to do that if the cable company expects electric cooperative consumers, many of whom won’t have access to the service, to bail them out for bidding too low. After the funding competition, Charter actively worked to keep competitors from accessing other sources of state and federal money in areas where Charter was awarded funds. They did this even though they have not formally committed to serve all of those areas and would have no obligation to do so until eight years after they receive the money. With the assistance of other state or federal dollars, some of the areas could be served by Charter’s competitors within two years, but Charter wants them to be considered already served even though high-speed internet isn’t available there now and won’t be for some time. In effect, if you live in an unserved rural area, Charter would rather you wait even longer to get high-speed internet than to have a competitor serve you sooner. Unserved South Carolinians are tired of waiting on the cable guys. Electric cooperatives think they have waited long enough and shouldn’t pay extra to boost the profits of big cable companies for services they may or may not provide. Co-ops worked with legislators to get the Broadband Accessibility Act introduced even before the pandemic. Co-ops will continue to fight to get rural South Carolinians the same high-speed internet access enjoyed by their friends in town.

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Monthly fees do not include government taxes or fees and are subject to change. Plans and services may require purchase of Lively device and one-time setup fee of $35. Urgent Response or 911 calls can be made only when cellular service is available. Urgent Response tracks an approx. location of device when device is turned on and connected to the network. Lively does not guarantee an exact location. Urgent Response is only available with the purchase of a Lively Health & Safety Package. Consistently rated the most reliable network and best overall network performance in the country by IHS Markit’s RootScore Reports. Amazon Alexa integration with Lively Flip requires Alexa registration and is subject to Alexa’s Terms of Use. By enabling Alexa on the Lively Flip, you acknowledge that Lively is not responsible for Amazon Alexa’s functionality or services. Amazon, Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. LIVELY and JITTERBUG are trademarks of Best Buy and its affiliated companies. ©2021 Best Buy. All rights reserved.

B C

SC recipe

BY BELINDA SMITH-SULLIVAN

M ICH A EL PH I LLI P S

The many sides of corn

Summertime table brings many vege on rn is e of the harvests, and co tify with eryone can iden most popular. Ev b, boiled ed corn on the co eating fresh-pick ts of slathered with lo to perfection and ra oh!!! This year, fo butter and salt. O of e on er id ns co change of pace, . these alternatives

GRILLED WHOLE CORN WITH FRESH GRATED PARMESAN SERVES 6

6 fresh whole ears of corn 2 tablespoons olive oil Kosher salt Fresh ground black pepper 4 tablespoons butter, softened 1 –2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley ½ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

G I N A M OO RE

CORN, AVOCADO AND OKRA SALAD

What’s cooking at SCLiving.coop

SERVES 4–6

2 large grilled ears of corn ¼ red onion, sliced 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, quartered 1 ½ cups sliced okra ( ½-inch thick) 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained 2 avocados, diced

Preheat grill to medium heat. Remove silk from corn. Brush or drizzle corn with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on grill and cook for 2–3 minutes or until kernels start to brown. Turn and continue cooking until brown on all sides. Mix butter and parsley together and brush corn all over. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

¼ cup chopped cilantro Kosher salt Fresh ground black pepper 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lime juice 2 tablespoons olive oil

In a large bowl, combine corn, onion, tomatoes, okra, beans and avocado. Toss lightly. Add cilantro, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with lime juice and olive oil and toss again to thoroughly combine. GW ÉN A ËL LE VOT

SAUTEED CORN WITH BELL PEPPERS SERVES 4–6

2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 large garlic clove, minced (optional) 3 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 ears of corn) 1 red bell pepper, cored and chopped (same size as corn kernels) Kosher salt Fresh ground black pepper Pinch, red pepper flakes 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil K A REN H ERM A N N

Melt butter in large skillet over low heat and lightly saute garlic just until soft but not browning. Add corn and bell peppers and stir; increase heat to medium-low. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until corn becomes tender—about 8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and pepper flakes. Stir in basil and serve.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | AUGUST 2021 | SCLIVING.COOP

MORE CORN PLEASE—Don’t let the summer fritter away before making Chef Belinda’s tasty corn fritters with roasted red pepper pesto. CLEAN YOUR COB—Let Chef Belinda show you a quick, safe and no-mess method for removing corn kernels from the cob. It’s genius!

Find this recipe and video plus many more at

SCLiving.coop/food/chefbelinda

The Invention of the Year The world’s lightest and most portable mobility device

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The first thing you’ll notice about the Zinger is its unique look. It doesn’t look like a scooter. Its sleek, lightweight yet durable frame is made with aircraft grade aluminum. It weighs only 47.2 lbs but can handle a passenger that’s up to 275 lbs! It features one-touch folding and unfolding– when

folded it can be wheeled around like a suitcase and fits easily into a backseat or trunk. Then, there are the steering levers. They enable the Zinger to move forward, backward, turn on a dime and even pull right up to a table or desk. With its compact yet powerful motor it can go up to 6 miles an hour and its rechargeable battery can go up to 8 miles on a single charge. With its low center of gravity and inflatable tires it can handle rugged terrain and is virtually tip-proof. Think about it, you can take your Zinger almost anywhere, so you don’t have to let mobility issues rule your life.

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85221

Throughout the ages, there have been many important advances in mobility. Canes, walkers, rollators, and scooters were created to help people with mobility issues get around and retain their independence. Lately, however, there haven’t been any new improvements to these existing products or developments in this field. Until now. Recently, an innovative design engineer who’s developed one of the world’s most popular products created a completely new breakthrough... a personal electric vehicle. It’s called the Zinger, and there is nothing out there quite like it.

SC stories

Made in the USA

Katie and Wes Lyon, Max Berry North Charleston. Founders, Allegiance Flag Supply (showallegiance.com). FAMILY BUSINESS: Max Berry’s grandfather once owned a textile plant in Savannah, Georgia. PREVIOUS JOBS: Katie Lyon worked as a fashion photographer in Los Angeles, and Wes Lyon worked for talent-management giant IMG. WORDS TO LIVE BY: “We love our country, and we’re proud to fly the flag,” Katie Lyon says. “But we had no idea it would take us to where we are today.” HOME BASE:

CLAIM TO FAME:

In business and in life, good timing can make all the difference in the world. That’s certainly the case for the founders of Allegiance Flag Supply. Katie and Wes Lyon, two-thirds of the team behind the company making waves in the American flag business, married in 2015. But Katie Lyon’s connection with Allegiance’s third founder, Max Berry, dates to when the pair attended Charleston’s Mason Preparatory School together, beginning in middle school. The trio came together as adults when Berry and Wes Lyon attended the College of Charleston’s MBA program. But it was buying homes that put them on the path to creating Allegiance. “We were both flying American flags and having the same problems: they were mildewing, ripping and tearing,” Katie Lyon says. “We couldn’t believe there was no one in America making quality American flags. And the thought of buying American flags made overseas was ridiculous. We started thinking this could be an opportunity.” They launched Allegiance in September 2018, working from their garages at night while continuing their day jobs. It was a slow start, but then sales jumped more than 4,000% (that’s not a typo) in 2020, and they are up another 500% during the first months of 2021, Berry says. “When COVID hit, I think there was a huge sense of American pride in that we were all in this together,” he says. “It hit around springtime, which is the flag-buying season. And people were at home and looking to upgrade the things in their home.” The trio quit their day jobs last year to concentrate on Allegiance and have since hired 19 employees. Flags are hand sewn at facilities in North Charleston and Vidalia, Georgia, and all Allegiance’s products, from wooden poles to brass spinners, are 100% American made. “We could have never forecasted the number of orders we’ve had,” Wes Lyon says. “But what we’re doing is very different in the flag world in terms of the quality.” —KEVIN DIETRICH | PHOTO BY MILTON MORRIS

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | AUGUST 2021 | SCLIVING.COOP

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th • Music • Rotary Golf Tournament • Food WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th • Arts and Crafts • Chattooga River Float • Kiddie Rides THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th • Parade • Apple Baking Contest • Children’s Activities • Ms. South Carolina • Rodeo Apple Festival Pageant • Quilt Show • Little Apple Dumplin’ Pageant • Classic Car Show FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th • Arts & Crafts For more information • Live Entertainment visit.scapplefestival.com • Quilt Show Or email: southcarolina • Rotary Luncheon applefestival@gmail.com • Apple Festival Parade • Rodeo • Street Dance Featuring Funk Factory SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th • Arts & Crafts • Children’s Activities • Live Entertainment • Rodeo

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THRIVING on the homefront Blythewood’s Big Red Barn Retreat offers a place of healing for veterans and first responders TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ANDREW HAWORTH

HERE, PAIN IS OFTEN THE COMMON DENOMINATOR.

The veterans, first responders and their families who— sometimes begrudgingly—seek shelter at the Big Red Barn Retreat in Blythewood may be suffering from post-traumatic stress, a physical injury, anxiety, depression or grief. They are young and old. Some are still in service. At the Big Red Barn Retreat, they all find peace. Located on 75 acres off Winnsboro Road in Richland County, the nonprofit retreat offers free healing programs based on equine therapy, meditation, art and music therapy, gardening, yoga, Tai Chi, and peer-to-peer mentoring. Visitors who pass through the gates are treated to a glimpse of the fireengine-red barn itself, which is surrounded by five miles of nature trails and lush horse pastures. The retreat is one of only 10 locations in the nation to offer the Warrior PATHH program, a breakthrough residency initiative that teaches self-care practices to veterans and first responders. Participants say the program saves lives and restores self-worth to men and women who have lived a large portion of their lives in service, says Sutton Shaw, executive director. “It’s a special breed that signs up to be in the military, or to be a first responder. They want to help; they run toward the danger,” Shaw says. “We’ve just got to train them to thrive in a civilian world, and it’s possible with this program.”

‘Are you fighting back?’

ATTAINING PEACE Warrior PATHH guides, led by program director Lamont Christian, top center, complete their labyrinth walk at the Big Red Barn Retreat.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | AUGUST 2021 | SCLIVING.COOP

PATHH program director Lamont “Chris” Christian says the retreat’s focus on “post-traumatic growth” helps veterans and first responders “create a better version” of themselves by making each day better than the one before it.

“At the end of the day, are you doing something to take care of yourself?” Christian asks participants. “Are you fighting back? That’s what post-traumatic growth is about.” Since 2014, the retreat has been a place of healing for military members and their families. It was founded by Shaw’s mother, Barbara, in honor of her husband Leon Irons, a Navy veteran who passed away in 2009. Horseback riding became a form of therapy for Shaw and her mother, who was compelled to purchase land and create a retreat to help veterans heal. “We started simple, with equine therapy, yoga and Tai Chi, and then it just started growing, with art and music,” Shaw says. “We became this place where these nontraditional programs could live.” Many veterans begin by just talking to their peers over coffee at the Barn. It lets participants blow off steam with others who understand their struggle firsthand. When they are ready to branch out, there is a diverse range of activities and classes they can select to bring them inner peace. The classes and services are free for veterans, active-duty service members, first responders and their spouses. The new Warrior PATHH program incorporates many of the services offered at the retreat. PATHH, which stands for “progressive and alternate training for healing heroes,” connects the services together like “puzzle pieces,” Shaw says. “For anyone getting out of the military, generally the struggles are when you come home,” she says. “It’s that one bump that’s going to come in life when your bucket’s full. And it could be that one moment that tips it over for you.” PATHH’s director Christian knows that tipping point well. The Brooklyn, New York, native spent his life in the Army, rising to the rank of Command Sgt. Major at Fort Jackson in Columbia. He became known worldwide as “America’s Drill Sergeant” and was even featured in a Gatorade commercial. But shortly after he retired, his 22-year-old daughter took her own life, and Christian experienced emotional trauma on a level he’d never imagined. After years spent helping soldiers, he felt like he couldn’t help his own daughter. “How do you get past that?” he says. “It was overwhelming me. I was drowning in it. On the outside, I’m Chris; inside, it was a terrible state of mind.” PATHH was developed by the veteran-led Boulder Crest Foundation. Shaw, who had heard about Warrior PATHH, told Christian about the program. When he attended a class in Arizona, Christian found a new purpose. “It’s an intense seven-day program. It’s training, it’s not

p HEALING SOULS Sutton Shaw,

volunteer executive director of the Big Red Barn Retreat, has firsthand knowledge of the benefits of equine therapy.

t FINDING A CALLING PATHH guide

Jason Dersch, left, moved from California to Blythewood to help set up the program at the Big Red Barn at the request of program director Lamont Christian, right. The men met while attending a PATHH program in Arizona in 2019.

therapy, it’s not some psychoanalysis,” he says. “We retrain ourselves to recognize how much of a situation is in our control. We learn to respond in a way that will allow us to continue past whatever it is.” When Shaw asked Christian to lead a Warrior PATHH program at the Big Red Barn, he immediately recruited California resident and 14-year Army Ranger Jason Dersch to help. The men met during the Arizona PATHH class and shared an immediate connection. Dersch entered the service at age 18, and from 2001 to 2009, he served on multiple combat tours. He says his problems stemmed from readjusting to life when he finally returned home. He spent the next decade wandering, riding a motor cycle across the nation and into Mexico, becoming a chef and restaurateur, and spent two years as a barber. “Outward, I was perfectly fine. Internally, I was torn up,” he says. “The key to that jail cell was in my pocket the whole time. They taught us how to find that key.” When Dersch got the call to help at the Big Red Barn, he didn’t hesitate. He drove cross-country and bought a house in Blythewood. That’s a testament to the power of the PATHH program, he says. “They make sure we understand we’re not broken,” Dersch says. “It’s about what happened, and finding profound strength from our struggle, and ultimately finding the purpose of how we can give back.” uu

SCLIVING.COOP | AUGUST 2021 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

BIG RED BARN

New missions

p RIDING TALL Army veteran Carla Walters pets

Calypso, one of the horses at the Big Red Barn. Walters is a graduate of the PATHH program and now serves as a program guide. Prior to attending the program, she was terrified of horses but has since earned the reputation of a “horse whisperer,” she says.

u GIVING BACK Navy veteran and West Columbia

native Russell Smith recently completed Warrior PATHH. A culinary school graduate, he returned to serve in the program as a chef.

p BEING THERE PATHH guide Sarah Ziaja, left, a medically retired Air Force

veteran, calls the Big Red Barn a “sanctuary in a world of craziness.” A graduate of the program, she credits PATHH for bringing renewed purpose to her civilian life. “Being part of this team and community is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done,” she says. “I know I’ve made a difference, and for me, that’s my shining glory.”

GET MORE To learn about the retreat’s programs or ways to help support veterans, call (803) 716-9097 or e-mail info@thebigredbarnretreat.org. For more information on the Warrior PATHH programs, visit thebigredbarnretreat.org/warrior-pathh. The Big Red Barn Retreat is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and operates entirely from the generosity of its supporters, community partners and an annual country music fundraising concert. To learn more, visit thebigredbarnretreat.org. This year’s fundraiser, the Fall Jam at the Ball Park, takes place Oct. 9 at Columbia’s Segra Park and features country music star Craig Morgan (“That’s What I Love about Sundays,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “International Harvester”). For concert details and advanced-purchase tickets, visit thebigredbarnretreat.org/fall-jam. 16

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | AUGUST 2021 | SCLIVING.COOP

Warrior PATHH candidates apply for the program online and undergo a phone interview. If selected, they attend free of charge. Meals and even transportation are paid for. Participants arrive in groups of six to eight and live in the retreat’s luxury log cabin lodge during seven days of training on dealing with the challenges of daily civilian life and shared experiences such as hiking, archery and meditation. “We might talk about how life has its narrow paths and it’s hard to navigate, then we might go walk into the woods,” Christian says. “With the literal and metaphorical application of that, the student can work on their ability to make decisions and better choices. There are no bad or good challenges in life. There’s just challenges.” The program continues with online classes, assignments and wellness checks for 18 months after participants leave the Big Red Barn. Service members are often referred to the Big Red Barn by their therapists or Veterans Affairs doctors. Many, like Army veteran Sgt. Carla Walters, are skeptical until they take advantage of the programs. Walters, who served in both the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom, lost her husband and her mother within months. Then she received a cancer diagnosis and lost her job not long after. She says she “couldn’t see a way out,” and that was when a friend suggested she visit the Big Red Barn. “It was the best decision I’ve made in my life,” Walters says. She found solace in walking the labyrinth, located near the retreat’s pond, which is nestled amid interconnected walking trails. Labyrinth walking is an ancient meditative practice designed to quiet the mind. “Something in there connected,” she says. The walk gave her time to reflect on her service and start the healing process. Just because she returned home from war didn’t mean the battle stopped. The Warrior PATHH program taught her coping skills that she now shares as a program guide. Navy veteran Russell Smith came to the Big Red Barn and the Warrior PATHH program in 2019 at the suggestion of his therapist. “It taught me different practices for when I’m feeling overstressed,” Smith says. “It gives you that inner peace, that separation, so when something ticks you off, it gives you a chance to sit back and think about what you’re going to say before you say it.” Like Walters, Smith decided to give back. A culinary school graduate, Smith is one of the chefs who prepares meals for PATHH attendees. “I get to see these people come in like I was, broken, heads down, not talking, and by the end of the week, they are joyful,” he says. “It’s good to see the change in people.”

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AUG 15–SEPT 30 SC calendar

Upstate AU G U ST

12–15 Greenville Fashion

Week, Main Street and the Courtyard Marriott Village Green, Greenville. (864) 704‑7710 or info@gvlfashionweek.com. 13–15 Mauldin Theatre Company presents: “In the Mood,” Mauldin Cultural Center, Mauldin. (864) 335‑4862. 18 Simpsonville Summer Music Series & Food Truck Rodeo: Reservoir Dogs, CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park, Simpsonville. (864) 967‑9526, ext. 307 or info@simpsonville.com. 19 Anniversary of the Battle of Musgrove Mill Hike, Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, Clinton. (864) 938‑0100 or mgmillsp@scprt.com. 19 White Claw Concerts: Tommy Emmanuel, TD Stage at the Peace Center, Greenville. (864) 467‑3000 or boxoffice@peacecenter.org. 21 Battle of Musgrove Mill Commemoration, Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, Clinton. (864) 938‑0100 or mgmillsp@scprt.com. 25 Simpsonville Summer Music Series & Food Truck Rodeo: Randomonium, CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park, Simpsonville. (864) 967‑9526, ext. 307 or info@simpsonville.com. 27–28 Williamston Spring Water Festival, Mineral Spring Park, Williamston. (864) 847‑7361. 28 Issaqueena’s Flight for the Fight 5K, Ponderosa Park, Six Mile. admin@flightforthefight.com. 28 The BlueWay Festival, Baker Creek State Park and Lake Thurmond, McCormick. (847) 400‑7298 or dchali4@gmail.com. SE P T EM B E R

2–12 Upper South Carolina

State Fair, Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Easley. (864) 269‑0852. upperscstatefair@gmail.com. 3–12 History Comes Alive Festival, Mauldin Cultural Center Amphitheater, Mauldin. caroline@historycomesalive.org. 6 Reedy River Run, Main Street, Greenville. www.ucbireedyriverrun.com/contact. 10–11 South Carolina Apple Festival, Main Street, Westminster. southcarolinaapplefestival@gmail.com. 10–11 SpartOberfest, Jesus, Our Risen Savior Catholic Church, Spartanburg. (864) 576‑1164.

SCLiving.coop/calendar Our mobile-friendly site lists even more festivals, shows and events. You’ll also find instructions on submitting your event. Please confirm information with the hosting event before attending.

16–19 Euphoria, downtown,

Greenville. (864) 617‑0231 or info@euphoriagreenville.com. 18 “Radiant,” Twichell Auditorium at Converse College, Spartanburg. (864) 948‑9020 or music@spartanarts.org. 21–25 South Carolina Foothills Heritage Fair, The F.A.R.M. Center, Seneca. (864) 723‑0698 or melinda.scfhf@gmail.com. 25 Harvest Day Festival, downtown, Inman. (864) 472‑3654. 26 Return to the Green, Fluor Field, Greenville. (864) 525‑8319. 30–Oct. 2 Albino Skunk Music Festival, Skunk Farm, Greer. info@albinoskunk.com. O NG O ING

Wednesdays through Sept. 29

Greenville Heritage Sound Check Concert Series, Peace Center Amphitheatre, Greenville. Third Thursdays ArtWalk, downtown cultural district, Spartanburg. (864) 542‑2787. Fridays through Aug. 27 Sounds of Summer Music Series, Commerce Park, Fountain Inn. (864) 724‑8044. First Fridays First Fridays Open Studios, Mayfair Art Studios, Spartanburg. (864) 278‑3228 or aheckel@spartanarts.org.

Midlands AUG UST

12–15 2021 South Carolina Women’s Open Golf Tournament and Open Pro-Am, Cobblestone Park Golf Club, Blythewood. (843) 757‑4653 or wscga@wscga.org. 20 Virtual Lunch and Learn: “Artificial Heads and the Market,” USC–Lancaster Native American Studies Center, Lancaster. (803) 313‑7172 or usclnasp@mailbox.sc.edu. 20–21 Henry Shelor Sumter County Boy Scouts BBQ Cookoff, American Legion Post 15 Fairgrounds, Sumter. (803) 983‑9934 or glenn.button@yahoo.com. 26 Medicinal Plant: Blackberry, Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site, Ehrhardt. (803) 267‑3675 or riversbridge@scprt.com.

26 Ricky Skaggs, Newberry Opera

House, Newberry. (803) 276‑5179. 26–28 Curing Kids Cancer Fire Truck Pull, virtual event, based in Columbia. info@curingkidscancer.org. 27 The Modern Gentlemen, Newberry Opera House, Newberry. (803) 276‑5179. 27–28 Sandy Oaks Pro Rodeo, Lazy “J” Arena, Edgefield. (803) 637‑5369 or sandyoak@gmail.com. 27–28 Summerfest, downtown, York. (803) 792‑8678 or agonzalez@yorksc.gov. S EPTEMBER

10–11 Big Grab 50-Mile Yard Sale, 50 miles of highway, Winnsboro to Blythewood. (803) 635‑4242 or susanyenner@fairfieldcountychamber. com. 11 By the Sweat of Our Brows, Historic Brattonsville, McConnells. (803) 684‑2327. 11 Springdale 5K, Historic Springdale Race Course and the National Steeplechase Museum, Camden. (803) 432‑0951. 11 Walk to End Hydrocephalus, Leslie M. Stover Middle School, Elgin. (888) 598‑3789 or columbiawalk@hydroassoc.org. 16 Medicinal Plant: Blackberry, Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site, Ehrhardt. (803) 267‑3675 or riversbridge@scprt.com. 17–18 St. Anne International Festival, St. Anne Catholic Church, Rock Hill. (803) 792‑1442. 18 Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture, Mann-Simons Site, Columbia. (803) 252‑1770, ext. 36. 23–25 Raylrode Daze Festivul, downtown, Branchville. (803) 829‑3754 or carriej658@gmail.com. 24 Rock 4 Recovery with Edwin McCain, Icehouse Amphitheater, Lexington. rrobertson@lradac.org. 26 Coffee & Cake, Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site, Ehrhardt. (803) 267‑3675 or riversbridge@scprt.com.

ONGOING

Saturdays until Oct. 2 Fairfield

Farmers and Artisans Market, downtown, Winnsboro. (803) 369‑1078 or fairfieldfarmersandartisansmkt@ gmail.com. Second Saturdays The Edgefield Market, Oakley Park Museum and other venues, Edgefield. (870) 703‑0778 or edgefieldmarket@gmail.com.

Lowcountry AU GU ST

18–19 An Enduring Rivalry: Spain Versus England, Visitor Center Classroom at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Charleston. (843) 852‑4200 or charlestowne@scprt.com. 19 Virtual Storytime at the Gibbes, virtual event on Facebook Live hosted by Gibbes Museum of Art, based in Charleston. (843) 722‑2706. www.facebook.com/thegibbesmuseum. 19–22 Humanities Festival, venues to-be-determined, Horry County. (803) 771‑2477 or info@schumanities.org. 21 Half Rubber Tournament, Isle of Palms Recreation Department, Isle of Palms. (843) 886‑8294 or asweet@iop.net. 25 The Art of Jazz: Geoffrey Dean Trio, Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston. (843) 722‑2706. 28 Race for the Ark 5K Run/ Walk, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Summerville. (843) 471‑1360 or info@thearkofsc.org. SEPTEMBER

4 Edisto Belles Beachwalk Fundraiser, Palmetto Boulevard, Edisto Island. (843) 869‑3867. 4 Preserving the Past, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, Summerville. (843) 873‑1740. 5 Southern 500 NASCAR Race, Darlington Raceway, Darlington. (866) 459‑7223. 11–12 Art In Common, Valor Memorial Garden, Myrtle Beach. (631) 434‑5884 or pietownusa@msn.com. 13 27th Annual Red Jacket Classic, Columbia Country Club, Blythewood. (803) 254‑3181 or beth@rmhcofcolumbia.org.

14–18 Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, various venues, Hilton Head. (843) 301‑9256 or info@hiltonheadwineandfood.com. 16–26 Society of Stranders Fall Migration, Ocean Drive Beach and Golf Resort, North Myrtle Beach. (803) 984‑4144. 18 Aynor Harvest Hoe‑Down Festival, Aynor Town Park, Aynor. (843) 358‑1074 or info@aynorhoedown.com. 18 Beach Sweep, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach. (843) 238‑0874. 18 Crowfieldfest, Middleton Park, Goose Creek. (843) 573‑4758, ext. 101, or events@crowfieldhoa.net. 18 Jazz on Broadway starring Manny Houston, Charleston Music Hall, Charleston. (843) 641‑0011 or jazz@charlestonjazz.com. 18 Lowcountry Splash, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, Mount Pleasant. (843) 642‑9232. 24–26 Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (803) 734‑0767. 25 Cooper River Bridge Run, Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, Charleston. (843) 856‑1949 or info@bridgerun.com. 25 Irish Italian International Festival, Main Street, North Myrtle Beach. (843) 280‑5570 or recreation@nmb.us. 26 Summerville Italian Feast, Hutchinson Square, Summerville. summervilleitalianfeast@gmail.com. ONGOING

Various dates through Aug. 27

Festival of Houses and Gardens, Morning History Walks, Old & Historic District, Charleston. (843) 722‑3405 or (843) 723‑1623.

Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 30

St. Phillips Island Excursion, Pier Nature Center at Hunting Island State Park, Hunting Island. (843) 838‑2011.

Tuesdays through Sundays until Aug. 22 Mamma Mia!, Arts Center

of Coastal Carolina, Hilton Head Island. (843) 686‑3945. Wednesdays Arts & Crafts Market, Bay Creek Park, Edisto Island. (843) 869‑3867.

Thursdays through Aug. 31

Surf Seining, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. (843) 235‑8755. First Thursdays through December First Thursdays Gullah

Spirituals (part of the Festival of Houses and Gardens Live Like a Local event series), Unitarian Church, Charleston. (843) 722‑3405 or (843) 723‑1623.

SCLIVING.COOP | AUGUST 2021 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING

SC gardener

Garden gold

AUGUST IN THE GARDEN

BY L.A. JACKSON

n Sure, it’s scorching outside, but this month is a good time to start the winter veggie garden by planting such coolseason favorites as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collards, rutabagas, beets, mustard greens, spinach, turnips and radishes.

L . A . JACKSO N

Christmas in August? Plan ahead if you want to turn the flowers of Queen Anne’s lace into Christmas snowflakes.

TIP OF THE MONTH Enjoy adorning your Christmas tree with all-natural ornaments? The blooms of the wild weed Queen Anne’s lace (which, like goldenrod, is flowering now) can be easily dried for use as faux snowflakes to dot evergreen branches in a seasonal wintry white. Simply snip off the blossom clusters at their bases, leaving a small bit of stem on each, and place flat on a screen tucked away in a warm, dry place such as an attic or garage. Come the holiday season, lightly spray the dried blooms with hair spray to prevent shedding and then let it “snow” on your Christmas tree!

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | AUGUST 2021 | SCLIVING.COOP

L . A . JACKSO N

n Watering the garden early in the morning will allow plant leaves to quickly dry out, which helps lessen the chances of many foliar diseases coming out to play on your pretties and edibles.

IN 2003, GOLDENROD (Solidago altissima) was designated the o fficial wildflower of South Carolina. The honor was well deserved because, at this time of year, its striking floret clusters the color of sunshine delightfully light up open meadows across our state. Such beauty hasn’t been missed by gardeners wanting to bring dependable, late-summer brightness to their landscapes, but many are reluctant to add it because of two syllables: A-CHOO! Ever since Methuselah was a kid, the rub on goldenrod in bloom has been that it causes flare-ups of late summer hay fever and allergies. Well, from the myth-busting files comes the fact that its pollen is too heavy to fly up the snoot and induce a fit of sneezing. The real culprit is ragweed, another native with inconspicuous flowers that happen to bloom at the same time as goldenrod. Now that goldenrod has been found innocent of all charges related to drippy eyes and noses, why not give it a go in your ornamental garden? True to its native roots, this dazzler is a tough perennial that will survive in the worst soils, but planted in a loamy, wellworked garden bed that basks in full sun, it will thrive. While admiring the blooming glory of goldenrod in your garden, expect company because it is irresistible to bees and butterflies. And garden designers take note: goldenrod’s feathery flowers look killer when mixed with the late-blossoming, pleasing purples of natives Joe Pye weed, New England aster or ironweed. There are over 100 species of golden rod native to North America, and some can be aggressive spreaders in a garden. However, cultivars have been developed that are not only pretty but pretty tame when it comes to playing nice

Crown of Rays is a shining example of a popular goldenrod cultivar for South Carolina gardens.

Now that goldenrod has been found innocent of all charges related to drippy eyes and noses, why not give it a go in your ornamental garden? with other plants. Fireworks and Crown of Rays, both of which can grow to over three feet high, are perhaps the easiest cultivars to find. If space in your garden is limited, Little Lemon or Golden Fleece are worth the search because they only top out at about 12 to 18 inches tall. Local garden centers might carry a few goldenrod selections, which should be showing off nicely now, but also check out in-state nurseries specializing in native plants, such as Woodlanders (Aiken), Roots and Shoots (Charleston), Carolina Wild (Anderson) and Naturescapes (Beaufort). Online finds can be had as well at such e-nurseries as High Country Gardens (highcountrygardens.com) and White Flower Farm (whiteflowerfarm.com). L.A. JACKSON is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.

SC humor me

Invert at your own risk BY JAN A. IGOE

HOW MANY WOMEN does it take to change a lightbulb? Some would say it takes one to hold the bulb and two to turn the ladder. That wouldn’t sit well with my friend Diane, the brilliant mechanical engineer, who would assemble dozens of experts to postulate the exact number. But they would suck the humor right out of this column. Assuming we don’t ask an engineer and we’re not dealing with a lightbulb— but rather an inversion table that arrived in 700 perplexing pieces— three would still work. One to decode the instructions, one to swing a wrench around, and one to keep the wine glasses full—the most important task. When women assemble complex objects, we need wine. I thought about this inversion contraption for a long time before ordering one because: 1) They are enormous; 2) They don’t fold and stash neatly under the bed; 3) There’s no place to hang clothes on them. When you realize you haven’t ridden your recumbent bike in three years, at least you can accessorize it with colorful fashions. Or repurpose it as a planter. But an inversion table isn’t exercise equipment. It’s a last resort when your back declares mutiny and there’s not enough Advil on Earth to put down the rebellion. Anything that promises relief is worth a try, even if it means inviting an alien creature into your living room. My chiropractor said the tables help, so I finally clicked the “buy now” button. It arrived in a 6-foot box that weighed 75 pounds. After lugging it inside, I spent

When I finally summoned the courage to open it, a smorgasbord of estranged parts leaped out, daring me to figure out where they belong. a full week staring at the box. (I tend to do that when it’s time to tackle a task above my pay grade.) When I finally summoned the courage to open it, a smorgasbord of estranged parts leaped out, daring me to figure out where they belong. I had considered avoiding the whole assembly phase by finding a used one. Lots of them show up on Facebook Marketplace, where users claim they work wonders, despite how eager they are to unload them. But what if someone with my engineering skill put it together? When you’re hanging by your ankles, you really hope a dingbat didn’t tighten the

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | AUGUST 2021 | SCLIVING.COOP

bolts. There’s also the matter of cooties. Anyway, Lucy brought her tools and I supplied the wine while my dogs made off with every crunchy accessory. Surprisingly, we only screwed a few things in backwards. And no surgical tech could have handed parts to Dr. Lucy any better than I did, despite how many times she called me Ethel. In a couple of hours, I had a working inversion table and hopped right on. Within seconds, something in my back popped (a chiropractor- quality pop) and the pain quit even before Lucy left the driveway. I was still hanging upside down when the dog returned with partially chewed instructions on how to use the thing. Unless you’re a world-class gymnast, you shouldn’t try hanging heels-overhead right away. Regular clumsy people should start with a 15-degree angle for a minute or two and make gradual adjustments, giving the body time to adapt. Baby steps. Bad things happen to inversion virgins who skip the manual. You’ll find them on YouTube screaming for help when they get stuck upside down like capsized turtles. “Help! I’ve inverted and I can’t get up.” I didn’t get stuck, just dizzy enough to get a bloody nose when I fell into the fireplace. Lucy might be right about the Ethel thing, but let’s not tell her. JAN A. IGOE wishes everyone a terrific, painless summer with no lightbulbs to change. Feel free to write to her at HumorMe@SCLiving.coop any time.

Boldly emblazoned on the back is a patch of a soaring eagle, its wings bearing our flag’s stars and stripes, surrounded by the words for which we stand LAND OF THE FREE and HOME OF THE BRAVE

An All-American Salute with Star Spangled Style It’s time to stand up and stand out as proud Americans. And now you can in dramatic fashion, with our custom-crafted “Home of the Brave” Men’s Hoodie, exclusively available from The Bradford Exchange. Crafted in easycare black cotton blend knit, with brushed fleece on the inside, it showcases a stirring eagle patch accented with our flag’s stars and stripes on the back along with the boldly printed motto: LAND OF THE FREE and HOME OF THE BRAVE. An American flag is embroidered on the front chest. You’ll notice plenty of design detail throughout this apparel exclusive, like contrasting gray lining in the hood, front pockets, knit cuffs and hem,

a full front zipper, and even chrome-look metal tippets on the hood drawstrings. Imported. An Outstanding Value… And Your Satisfaction Guaranteed This custom hoodie is available, in sizes Medium to XXL, only from The Bradford Exchange and only for a limited time. So don’t miss out— order yours as soon as possible! A remarkable value at $99.95*, you can pay for it in three convenient monthly installments of $33.32 each. (Add $10 for size XXL.) To order yours, backed by our 30-day guarantee, send no money now; just fill out and send in your Priority Reservation today!

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Uniquely Designed. Exclusively Yours. PRIORITY RESERVATION

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Please reserve the “Home of the Brave” Men’s Hoodie for me as described in this announcement. I’ve indicated my size preference below. Please Respond Promptly

❑ M (38-40) 01-16577-011 ❑ L (42-44) 01-16577-012

❑ XL (46-48) 01-16577-013 ❑ XXL (50-52) 01-16577-014

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