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ISSUE 15
FEBRUARY CONTENTS 10 Under the Dome Willcox, Buyck, Williams, P.A.
12 Launch Elite Tactical Laser Tag
14 Experience Hartsville Good Morning Hartsville
16 All Access Circle Park Behavioral Health
18 Tax Prep Tax Matters | WebsterRogers
20 Paying It Forward Shand Josey
22 All Access ASEDS | Joan Pennstorm
24 Finances Retirement Rules | Chip Munn
26 Paying It Forward The Manna House
29 Cover Story Banking with a Heart | SPC
34 Advocating Healthcare Caring For Your Newborn | HopeHealth
36 Paying It Forward Cooks for Christ
42 Time to Toast 44 Happenings 46 Q & A
48 Q & A Rodney and Denise Godwin
50 Q & A Steve and Anna Toniolo
52 Business Spotlight The Pink Hanger | Leann Davis
54 Professionals at Play Southern Style Promotions
56 Tax Prep Love & Tax Season | Elizabeth Campbell, EA
58 Florence Community Greater Florence Chamber | Jay Lavrinc
60 Employee Spotlight Carolinas Hospital System | Ziad Skaff, M.D.
Bryan and Tena Rabon
February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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Publisher Tammy Clark tmclark225@gmail.com Editor Heather Page heather@vipmagsc.com Office Manager Tiffany Skipper jtskipp35@gmail.com Advertising Executive Mary Kevin Miller marykevinmiller@gmail.com Creative Design Candy Smith Tuesday Taylor
Contributing Photographers Jonathan Boatwright Heather Byrd David Gray Bradley Lail C. Holst Photography Fred Salley Contributing Writers Mark W. Buyck, III Elizabeth Campbell, EA Jay Lavrinc Ella Lawson Rion McAllister Morgan Melton, DNP Chip Munn Linda Stokes Emily Stone Alison Swaggard Donna Tracy
COVER CONCEPT
If you haven’t yet gathered from the previous year of VIP Magazine, we have a very soft spot for our community. We especially love to see leaders in the business industry doing their part to give back to the community. When SPC shared their 75 Acts of Kindness Grants with our staff, it was a nobrainer to help spread the word. With the help of Heather Byrd of Infinity Images, the cover showcases a few deserving recipients of SPC’s Act of Kindness.
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A LETTER FROM OUR TEAM Is Your Business Remaining Relevant? As we approach February, we turn our attention away from the busyness of the Holidays and the contemplation of resolutions. We begin to settle into comfortable and familiar routines. As we breathe a sigh of relief, we start to see a glimmer of normalcy returning to the overly chaotic lifestyle patterns we found ourselves trapped in during the late fall and early winter. We look forward to the security and comfort that a regular routine brings. But are we getting too comfortable? Are our routines and schedules efficient and productive? Do they provide opportunities to push professional boundaries and challenge us the improve or are they just safe havens in which we can shelter ourselves from the growing pains that stepping out of our comfort zone often imposes? At what point do our professional routines become dangerously stagnant? Business growth relies on constant evaluation and progressive evolution. In order to do better; to be better; we have to be willing to look for ways to improve upon what we do or where we are. We are always looking to achieve “perfection” in all areas of life. But is the notion of perfection only a myth? The very notion of perfection suggests that, once reached, we no longer have a need to improve. In that right, attaining perfection promotes stagnation, routine, and monotony while perpetuating the misguided belief that we have found the one and only perfect way to go about something. That would be great, except, there is ALWAYS a better way. The kicker here is, if you are not in constant search of improvement because you believe you have cultivated a “perfect” system, you will fall blindly and blissfully stagnant. Day-in and day-out, you complete the same task, all the while happily congratulating yourself for finding “a perfect way” to go about a business task. That’s great, but while you pat yourself on the back for this discovered perfection, your competitors are hunting and developing new and more efficient processes. Change and continual evaluation are required in order to remain relevant, fresh, and progressive. It is how we evolve together in our fields of expertise to advance further than our predecessors. However, we also have to employ discernment in our quest for constant improvement. We have to exercise professional wisdom to know what areas of business need our attention now and which ones can wait. By this act of continual and methodical evaluation, we remain ever progressive in each facet of business and ensure that our comfortable daily routines never become a stagnant rut.
-TEAM VIP Serving Florence, Hartsville, Darlington, Marion, Mullins, Lake City and the surrounding areas FEBRUARY 2017 | ISSUE 15 2011-B Second Loop Rd, Florence, SC 29501 FIND US ON FACEBOOK
For advertising rates, call 843-687-4236. We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission.
February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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UNDER THE DOME
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURALS ARE SOMETIMES MESSY story by Mark W. Buyck, III Concentrating in Banking, Business, Civil and Business Litigation and Appeals, Contracts, Employment, Government, Real Estate
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017. This inauguration, like most before it, was characterized by pomp and circumstance. The presidential inauguration has become one of the most enduring ceremonial events in our Nation’s history. The United States Constitution does not prescribe the exact ceremony. The Constitution only requires that the incoming President take an oath of office. There is nothing that requires a President to place his or her hand on the Bible or any other religious document. George Washington began the tradition of placing his hand on the Bible. President John Quincy Adams believed this was contrary to the separation of church and state. During his swearing-in, J.Q. Adams took the oath with his hand on the top of a book of US laws. There is also no requirement that the outgoing President attend his successor’s inauguration. In fact, there were several occasions in the first hundred years of the Republic when the outgoing Presidents and the
incoming Presidents were less than cordial. The second President, John Adams, refused to attend Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural and instead left Washington, DC prior to the event. Adams’s son, John Quincy Adams, likewise refused to attend Andrew Jackson’s inauguration believing Jackson a backwoods country bumpkin unworthy of the office. In 1869, President Andrew Johnson and incoming President Ulysses S. Grant got into a snit over Grant’s refusal to allow Johnson to accompany him in his carriage to the swearing-in ceremony at the Capital. Johnson instead convened a Cabinet meeting in the White House on the morning of the inauguration. At the appointed hour of the transfer of power, noon, Johnson got in his own carriage and rode away to a friend’s house. During Grant’s first inaugural, he asked guests to check their coats. After the ceremony, it was discovered that the coat check attendants were illiterate and couldn’t read the tickets. Fights erupted over the mix-up and several of the women guests were in
tears. Four years later, Grant’s staff neglected to heat the room where his second inaugural ball was taking place. Unfortunately for those in attendance, it was the coldest March day on record for a March inaugural. Birds were supposed to fly in honor of the celebration; however, many of them died, falling on the heads of dancing guests. Barack Obama took the oath of office on three (3) different occasions during his first term. During his inaugural ceremony, Chief Justice John Roberts misstated the exact language of the oath and Obama just repeated after him. After the controversy over Obama’s birthplace began gaining momentum, President Obama requested that Chief Justice Roberts perform a second ceremony using the exact language. The second ceremony was held in private and presumably precise. As agitation grew on the Internet about whether Obama had actually taken the oath, President Obama and Chief Justice Roberts had a third swearing-in, this one public and accurate.
Serving Businesses and Individuals from Florence to Myrtle Beach: the Business Law, Litigation, Real Estate, and Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys of Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A.
willcoxlaw.com
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VIP Magazine | February 2017
248 West Evans Street | Florence, SC | 843.662.3258 2050 Corporate Centre’ Drive, Suite 230 | Myrtle Beach, SC | 843.650.6777
February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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LAUNCH
Elite Tactical
LASER TAG Duo Brings Live Action Entertainment to Florence story by Rion McAllister
Every week, without fail, Monday comes and so does the inevitable water cooler conversation about the past weekends itineraries. You might hear about a coworker catching the game with family or friends. Maybe you are regaled by tales of yard work, laundry or home repairs. Those things are fine and respectable ways to spend a weekend no doubt, but when is the last time you got to tell Bob from accounting about how you were able to help a SWAT team rid a local neighborhood of a vicious gang?! Or when have you ever been able to impress your boss with the story about an espionage mission where you helped to recover critical intelligence by using brute force?! Or maybe you’ll tell Ann from HR about how you helped to defend the planet from a group of Borg invaders who had come to threaten the very essence of human existence as we know it?! This past weekend you were able to travel the world over, participating in crucial missions using realistic weaponry, and you did it all without traveling farther than Irby Street. This amazing experience, that brings realistic simulated combat situations, has come to Florence by way of Elite Tactical Laser Tag! After his wife suggested a family game of Laser Tag while visiting Myrtle Beach in 2014, Efrem Andrews realized that they might have stumbled onto a profitable business venture that wouldn’t require him or his wife quitting their full time jobs. After a few enjoyable games with family, the Area Human Resource Manager for Perdue Foods was sold. Efrem went on the hunt to find the perfect laser tag offering and location. He knew Tactical Laser Tag was exactly the sport he was looking to bring to the community and aptly named the venture Elite Tactical Laser Tag (ETLT). The space, however, proved to be a bit trickier. Finding an existing building with 16ft ceilings to build the arena proved to be a problematic search. A year and a half was spent and money invested into several different failed locations to get the project off the ground. When all seemed lost, Efrem says God provided a way and the perfect location for ETLT. With God’s provision, Efrem’s dream of bringing a safe and exciting form of entertainment to Florence began to take shape!
Efrem & Matilda Andrews The differences that ETLT offers are the live action Hollywood venues coupled with lifelike weaponry and fully engaging mission scenarios. Not your standard laser tag, ETLT equipment and guns maintain a realistic quality even down to the recoil! Through the implementation of iCombat software, gamers have the ability to create profiles and compete against others across the world. A highly active and competitive sport, ETLT is an action packed 1.5 hour experience that is sure to leave even the most hardcore adrenaline junky wanting more! Elite Tactical Laser Tag caters to a wide range of ages and applications. Gamers aged 13 and older can take advantage of this brand new state of the art arena for parties, fundraisers, corporate outings, military and police training, and any other group functions. But you don’t need a group to participate; ETLT is perfect for individuals too and while walk-ins are always welcome, reservations are always recommended to ensure space. Other than that, Efrem says all you need to bring are closed toed shoes, a good attitude, and be prepared to sweat!
Elite Tactical Laser Tag opened it’s doors January 2017 to the community. Efrem and his family look forward to all that the business will do to offer a new form of entertainment that is exciting, safe, and active. They believe that ETLT will bring a unique quality and add value to the community for years to come. Efrem says, “This excitement (of ETLT) has the potential to put Florence, SC on the map as a destination must for those wanting to get off the couch and be a real action hero…even if only for an hour and a half!”
Elite Tactical Laser Tag, 200 E. South Village, Florence | (843) 407-6864 | www.elitetaclt.com 12
VIP Magazine | February 2017
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February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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EXPERIENCE HARTSVILLE
L: Coker College Communications Intern - Devion Whetston, Calhoun & Poplava, Below: Dancing With the Stars of Darlington County 2017
st Sharman Poplava, Ho -host & Dawn Calhoun, Co
d photos by Heather Byr
“Good Morning Hartsville” 95.9FM An Interview with Sharman Poplava on Hosting GMH! When did Good Morning Hartsville radio talk show begin and how did the idea come about? GMH! has entertained Hartsville residents since February 2011 when it first aired at the Village Café Restaurant. WHEZ 95.9FM station owner, Harold Bledsoe, wanted to produce a live program that aired from the heart of downtown featuring on-air guests sharing local information. He contacted me and we teamed up to create GMH! and the show has become a mainstay on Wednesday mornings ever since. I met Dawn Calhoun who was the owner of the Village Café and asked her to join the show as co-host. We hit it off and have a great time. (Dawn and I are also starting to dip our toes into emceeing events.)
What type of news do you share on GMH!? We provide the good news about Hartsville - events, activities, people who are involved in the community, and organizations that contribute to the fabric of the area. We do it in a fun, talk-show format highlighting the best of the best. For a small community, there is a lot going on. We have a saying on the show, “If you can’t find anything to do in Hartsville, then you need to tune in to GMH! every Wednesday.” 14
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How do you choose people to interview? We have monthly “regulars” who represent organizations in town that always have info to share. Those include: Coker College, Florence-Darlington Tech, SC Governor’s School for Science and Math, Hartsville YMCA, Main Street Hartsville, City of Hartsville, Hartsville Chamber, Darlington County Library System, Black Creek Arts Center, Darlington County First Steps, Kalmia Gardens, and Hartsville Tourism. We also have local special guests who have upcoming events like Dancing with the Stars of Darlington County. We have special shows like the “All Pink” show where we focus on breast cancer awareness. In that show we have Chinel Boateng with the Cancer Society and breast cancer survivors talk about their journeys. We’ve interviewed national authors Mary Alice Monroe and Beverly Spears who were in town, and cookbook author, Holly Holladay. A show in March is dedicated to the annual RenoFest bluegrass festival where musicians play some bluegrass and we interview the festival organizers. The last show before Christmas has musicians on the show and we sing Christmas carols. Occasionally we have some “firsts.” Dr. Murray Brockman,
then president of the Governor’s School, publicly announced his resignation on the show. That was fun!
What has been your favorite part of hosting GMH!? The most rewarding thing about doing the show is spreading the word about Hartsville. There is so much to this community, so much enthusiasm, vitality and cooperation. We have new businesses springing up all the time. And the people, meeting the caring people who make this community special. People who contribute to the good and want to make Hartsville even better. Here’s just a recent example: Scottie Hill is starting a center called the Trent Hill Center for Children and Families. Scottie is originally from Hartsville. She and her husband and children moved back to Hartsville a couple of years ago. She has jumped in and wants to impact children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Hartsville is full of people like Scottie who want to make a difference. I want share to those stories in addition to the events.
Listen to Sharman and Dawn live:
Every Wednesday, 8am-9am at the Rooster, tune into 95.9FM or stream them on whez.com/listenlive
February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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ALL ACCESS
Circle Park
Behavioral Health Services
Randy Cole and Joey McMillian Speak About Their Passion to Help Others story by Rion McAllister Substance abuse is an affliction that touches most every life in one way or another. Chances are that even if you haven’t suffered directly at the hands of addiction, you’ve had a close family member, friend, or co-worker that has. Maybe you have helplessly watched as they have attempted to free themselves from this imprisoning disorder. This disease doesn’t discriminate based on race, income, or status. It claims the young and the old alike; destroying individuals and families by attacking finances, relationships, and emotions. With a staggering 24 million Americans suffering from substance abuse, it is estimated that only 11% will ever actually receive treatment services. Leading the fight in the Pee Dee’s prevention and treatment of substance abuse is Circle Park. It started out with a desire to help individuals fight addiction, a $10k investment from both the city and county government, and rented window space inside of an old furniture store in 1973. Circle Park has grown into a respected and effective drug and alcohol prevention and rehabilitation center operating a four and a half million dollar yearly budget in the heart of Florence.
Circle Park’s Outpatient Treatment, and Administative offices are located in downtown Florence at 238 S. Coit Street.
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The nonprofit, accredited by CARF , offers a wide variety of fully confidential in-patient and out-patient services. The services offered range from educational classes, screenings, assessments, individual and group counseling and a 24/7 assistance line. In 1992, Circle Park also opened the Chrysalis Center, a 16 bed women’s substance abuse rehabilitation facility that offers specialized services to women, expecting moms, and mothers with young children. The Chrysalis Center has educational and daycare programs in place to remove the barriers and allow their residents to succeed in treatment. Most recently, Circle Park moved out-patient and administrative services to the home of it’s new location at 238 S. Coit Street. The beautifully renovated building provides opportunities to establish immediate and impactful connections with clients that the previous space wouldn’t allow. This huge advantage will go a long way to ensure that every person that finds the courage to seek help and walks through the doors of Circle Park has a positive initial experience. This government nonprofit is operated by a twelve member board, appointed by the county council, who come from every walk of life. Board Chairman, Joe McMillian Jr., believes that the one common thread that binds this board together is their passion to help those who face the struggle of addiction. “You have to have passion to do the work that this board does. They work very well together to put policy in place.” McMillian says. The team consists of 68 full-time staff including licensed counselors and associates, most with Master’s degrees, and a few part-time associates as well. They are led by Chief Executive Officer Randy Cole who succeeded the very first Director, Charles Young. In addition to the admiration he has for the dedicated Board, Joe McMillian also
photos by David Gray
Randy Cole, CEO of Circle Park and Joey McMillian, Board Chairman
has great things to say about their Chief Executive Officer. He says that Circle Park has seen enormous benefits from Randy’s extensive experience in grant writing and legislative work as well as his twenty five plus years working in the addiction field. This motivated group of professionals wears many hats for the purpose of keeping their costs low. They currently run an unheard of operating cost of only 15%! Randy believes the secret to Circle Park’s efficiency rests in the ability to get the right people in the right places doing the right jobs. Execution of this simple business strategy improves efficiency and lowers costs. Circle Park has recently been able to allocate an impressive 85% of revenue directly back to the services it provides for the community. Circle Park also is an active entity within the community giving back as often as possible. They enjoy many community partnerships such with United Way, Pee Dee Mental Health Center, Hope for the Pee Dee, The Department of Social Services, Florence County schools, Durant Center, House of Hope, Lighthouse Ministries, and Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault and the 12th Judicial Circuit Court System As Circle Park continues in their quest to provide quality addiction and recovery support, they know it is necessary to continue to evolve and prepare for the future. Some goals on the horizon include growing the number of scheduled assessments by 34% weekly. By driving the number of assessments, they will ultimately increase the number of people they are able to serve and positively impact. They also have plans to increase their community presence by way of recently purchased adjacent property on Palmetto Street. The hope with the acquisition of this new property is to eventually expand to include a medication assisted treatment program that aids with opiate disorders. Additionally, thanks to
the advances of ever changing technology, Circle Park has secured a grant to revamp the infrastructure of it’s IT department. This will allow the implementation of video conferencing services for those who may be homebound, have child care issues, or other transportation barriers. The virtual care platform will be anchored by eight different county drug and alcohol facilities throughout the state including Circle Park and looks to be in place by the Spring of 2017. It will create a personalized interaction between the client and the provider creating yet another way for Circle Park to reach the masses affected by substance abuse giving the afflicted help and hope. Circle Park has made some amazing strides in the prevention and treatment of substance abuse issues here in our region and with no signs of slowing down. As they continue in their education and outreach efforts, Randy wants to remind the community that no matter what way substance abuse is affecting your life, they are there to help. When asked what message he would like to leave with the community, Randy says, “Don’t struggle with the problem alone, bring it to us and let us help. The only way that you can make positive change is to be open about it. This disease impacts not just the individual, but the entire family.”
Contact Circle Park Behavioral Health Services
238 South Coit Street, Florence, SC • (843) 665-9349 • www.circlepark.com
February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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TAX PREP
Taxes in the Month of Love?
NOW THAT’S RISKY BUSINESS story by Elizabeth (Betsy) Campbell, EA
So Valentine’s Day is coming up but it’s not all hearts and roses if you own a business. The dreaded corporate returns are due March 15th. This is when some of you may be panicking because you see the shoe box, coffee can, or other random vessel you have deemed as your business tax receipt keeper. Let’s not even discuss what a bad idea that was to start with. Let’s go with all of the crumpled up and faded receipts from the entire year and do not forget the bank statements you have stuffed in there too. You have a mess and now have to do something with the mess to have someone look over it for accurateness, put it on a form and send it to the IRS!!! You are now Chicken Little waiting for the sky to fall …or are you? It is a lot to do if you have not touched it for a year or six months but you can do it. Look at your return from last year and see what categories of expenses you used. Then make a spread sheet or neat columns on paper and fill in the expenses receipt by receipt, and line item by line item from your statements. Total each category at the end. Total all of your deposits and/or cash money received and add that to your master sheet. Make sure to note any personal money you put in or took out of the business separately. Make a list of any new assets purchased for the year including when they were purchased and the cost. Now your tax preparer will be pretty happy and can guide you through the rest
of it more easily. If you have a business and do not have a professional prepare your return, you should reconsider. Do it yourself Business Returns by a non professional are just a bad idea. There are things that need to be done that the average Joe will not know. It’s not worth the risk. Some of you are saying, “but I do mine year round on an accounting program.” That is great because you are not panicking about faded receipts and being under the wire. My advice to you is to make an appointment with your tax preparer to review what you have before it’s crunch time. That gives you an extra trained pair of eyes on your records and gives enough time to make corrections prior to the return being processed. You get a pat on the back and will leave happy. To those of you that have a firm processing monthly bookwork for you, it should be very simple as you have been working all year for this. Strategizing together for your best tax outcome. Now all you have to do is ask any remaining questions you may have and bring in any additional documentation you are asked for and BAM the return is done; you are happy and everyone is on the same page. I guarantee if you follow at least some of this advice and work with your tax preparer you will spend Valentine’s Day with the one you love instead of digging through a coffee can of receipts (yes, it’s a true story). Y
Elizabeth( Betsy) Campbell, EA owns Campbell Accounting Solutions, LLC. Call (843) 662-9700 or email taxinfo@campbellgroupsc.com for your tax solutions.
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February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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PAYING IT FORWARD
Rainey, Shand, Ann Collins, Lane, and Wilson Josey
Shand Josey The Heart of the Matter story by Ella Lawson With over 16 years of experience in the education field, students truly matter to Shand Josey. Before becoming the Assistant Principal of Williams Middle School, she served as Curriculum Coordinator at Moore Intermediate and taught at Royall Elementary. No matter what position she fulfills, Shand is content simply to be working with her students, with a particular soft spot for those in middle school. “I very quickly came to love not only this age group, but also my 8th graders and the Williams Middle School Family. Middle school can often be a tough transition period for students as they have more responsibility, both academically and socially. As a middle school administrator, I have a unique opportunity to walk alongside my students and hopefully guide them in making smart choices now that will prepare them well for high school and beyond.” She, along with Principal Pamela Johnson, are both new to Williams Middle School, joining alongside Assistant Principal Michael Woodham, who has been a part of the Williams’ staff for years. These three passionate individuals are working towards improving the academic environment of the school, as well as the school climate and opportunities available to students and parents. Shand’s love and admiration for her fellow peers in the educational field further increased in 2013 after her son, Wilson, experienced cardiac arrest on the tennis courts of West Florence High School. Within a matter of seconds, teachers and school nurses were by his side to perform CPR, use the automated external defibrillator, and call 911. Had they not had the proper training, the Josey family’s story would be much different today. 20
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In 2016, Governor Nikki Haley passed the bill requiring all high school students to receive CPR training as a part of their graduation process. Since Wilson’s incident, faculty and staff members have shown increasing interest in CPR classes and recertification. “To have CPR as a part of all high school physical education classes really hit home with me. Were it not for the CPR trained teachers and nurses at West Florence, Wilson would not have survived his accident. Having all students in our state be CPR trained upon completion of high school would greatly increase the number of people that are able to respond and help in a cardiac emergency.” Shand is no stranger to Wilson’s heart defect, as her husband has the same condition as well as their other two children. “My husband was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) when he was in middle school during a school sports physical. Unfortunately, the disease is hereditary. My husband experienced no issues with his heart condition until the age of 40 when he suffered cardiac syncope (fainting) while at work. As a result, he had an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) implanted. Wilson was the first of our children to be diagnosed at the age of 12 and his disease was managed through lifestyle changes and medication until he experienced cardiac arrest while in PE class at West Florence High School. He was revived with an external defibrillator and after spending several days in an induced hypothermic coma, he had an internal defibrillator implanted. Our daughter, Ann Collins, was diagnosed during that same month and underwent surgery to implant a defibrillator to serve as a safety net. Our other son, Lane,
has been diagnosed with the genetic markers for HCM, but currently we are just monitoring his heart closely for any changes.” With hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the muscle of the heart wall becomes enlarged. The heart, while still strong, experiences disruptions of the electrical functions due to the abnormal sized wall. Once the heart’s electrical current is disturbed, the heart stops pumping and it must be shocked back into a normal rhythm. Because of this condition, the Josey children cannot participate in sports. They also have to stay adequately hydrated and monitor their heart rate. Quitting sports was rather difficult for Wilson and Lane, who had to resign from tennis and basketball. Ann Collins, however, was able to finish her senior year of high school as a cheerleader. All three remain limited in their physical activity capabilities. “We have to keep a careful watch for signs of dizziness or excessive fatigue, which could be indicators of heart troubles. Our older two children take daily Beta Blockers to slow down the beating of their heart in an effort to reduce stress on the heart. Ann Collins and Wilson have a remote device, which is connected to their ICDs, that stays by their bedside and allows the cardiac team to monitor any unusual heart events that are recorded
Watching her children adjust to this change in lifestyle and health has been difficult, but Shand is determined to not let it break her…but rather, inspire her to turn anxiety into awareness through the American Heart Association. “Certainly I worry, but I have had to make the conscious choice not to let worry consume me and dictate how I live each day. After several cardiac scares with all three of our children over the past three years, I am slowly becoming more comfortable with the fact that because of their ICDs and our incredible team of doctors and nurses, they are well taken care of.” According to Shand, the American Heart Association has been instrumental and literally lifesaving in Florence’s heart health education. As an educator, she has the ability to not only help save the lives of her students, but to inspire them, along with her fellow teachers and administrators, to take action. While they are no longer playing basketball, Wilson and Lane are coaching basketball and Ann Collins is enjoying her freshmen year at Clemson University. Because of his cardiac arrest, Wilson has spoken at several fundraising events and has been featured in local publications in support of automated external defibrillator devices, which are now available in all Florence school systems and public places.
To learn how you can become involved with the American Heart Association, call 864-627-4158 or visit heart.org. February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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ALL ACCESS
Headmaster
Joan Pennstrom ALL SAINTS’ EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Leading the Leaders of Tomorrow story by Rion McAllister It is a timeless parental dilemma. As children age out of a daycare setting, discerning parents look to find quality educators who will shape and mold the minds of their children for the next decade to come. Experienced educator Joan Pennstrom found herself in the midst of just such a search nearly 20 years ago. She could easily find someone to watch her four year old, however, she was looking for something more. Her son having a late birthday, Joan wanted to find a true 4K program that would help to nourish his mind and set him on an early path to success. Her pursuit for this type of quality education led her to the steps of All Saints’ Episcopal Day School. This simple move by a conscientious parent was the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship that would change the course of Joan’s career and alter the future landscape of All Saints’ in mighty, dream-worthy ways! All Saints’ Episcopal Day School opened its doors back in 1960 to students from 3K – 6th grade. After enrolling her son, Joan immediately recognized that she had stumbled across an education offering that was very different from anything she had experienced in all of her years as an educator. She decided to accept an administrative position and experience the All Saints’ difference for herself. She was able to see first-hand the phenomenal impact a true 22
VIP Magazine | February 2017
ALL SAINTS’ EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL 1425 Cherokee Rd, Florence (843) 662-8134 | aseds.com
family environment had on everyone involved. Students happily came to school prepared for the day and eager to learn. Teachers felt appreciated and enjoyed the autonomy to creatively educate their students. Parents put education first, and were able to see how their investment instilled lasting positive influence in their children. All Saints’ was a place that truly existed to promote advancement of the mind, body, and spirit. Joan was appointed Headmaster at All Saints’ Episcopal Day School in 1997. Over her 22 year career with All Saints’, she has seen this small preparatory school change significantly. They have grown from conducting classes in small mobile units and houses purchased along Cherokee Road, to operating in a beautiful classroom and multipurpose building alongside two well-equipped playgrounds. These additions were part of a three phase process that began in 2004 and were wrapped up after only five years thanks to an unbelievable Board of Directors. With close to 270 students in attendance, the school has a teacher to student ratio of 1:8 at the kindergarten level and 1:16 in the elementary grades. In addition to all teachers being state certified, the school recently received a five-year international accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a division of AdvancED. All Saints’ complements their educational program with student clubs, basketball, soccer, and volleyball programs, and an array of extracurricular activities. The students also meet three mornings a week in Chapel. This allows them to start the day with a time of fellowship that imparts an awareness of community and spiritual growth. All Saints’ knows that to stay in tune with the needs of their community, they have to undergo constant evaluation. With that in mind, All Saints’ will soon be offering a year-round 3K option. This program will include their traditional morning 3K class that is taught by certified teachers, with weekly classes in Spanish, art, library, music, and PE, combined with daily aftercare and summer programs until 6 PM. The school values education above all else and seeks to connect with families who share those beliefs. All Saints’ offers a scholarship program for families who need assistance so they can afford the highest quality elementary education the Pee Dee has to offer. Advancements in technology include i-Pad Labs and Promethean boards that enhance interactive learning. All Saints’ believes that technology is an important way for children to stay engaged and involved in their educational progress. In her 42nd year in education, Joan knows that the secret to the success of All Saints’ is no secret at all! It starts with a choice. Parents look to All Saints’ for something different; something special. They believe that the foundations laid in elementary school are the key to strong academic, physical, and spiritual development. This type of learning must begin, not in college, but with the tiniest of scholars. Dedicated educators prepare individualized experiences for each child. “We don’t teach textbooks, we teach children,” Joan says. When these students depart from All Saints’, they join the community as prepared, respectful top achievers. On any given morning you will find tiny people arriving at an amazing little school. They will be greeted by Headmaster Pennstrom as she lovingly welcomes each of them in turn. As she helps each child out of a seatbelt or into a sweater, she is eternally grateful for the privilege to influence these amazing little minds that will be the leaders of tomorrow! February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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FINANCES
Retirement
Rules
Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Start Living the Life You Deserve story by Chip Munn If you could retire from work today, what would you do with your time? Would you travel, spend more time with your families, volunteer or pursue a favorite hobby? Well, what if I told you that you could do all of those things -NOW- and still have money to plan comfortably for the future you desire? Yes, that’s actually possible. Over the course of the next few paragraphs, I’ll tell you how. My team and I spend a large portion of our time with clients talking about retirement. Without question, retiring and staying retired is far and away the top priority for many plans...and the sooner, the better. People want to travel, spend time with their family or volunteer – things that make life worth living – and things that, in many cases, they feel like they’ve neglected for their careers. Putting work over play is not only a cultural phenomenon, it’s also one that is apparently very “American.” In several other countries around the world, people have found ways to find “balance,” to live the lives they desire before they reach retirement... and they’re doing it with happy, healthy smiles on their faces. Did you know that if you take a look at the lists of countries whose residents are the happiest and then look at those countries whose residents are the healthiest, that there are four countries that show up on both lists? The “Fun
Four” - Switzerland, Netherlands, Australia and Sweden all rank in the top 10 in BOTH happy populations and healthy populations. If you ask me, (politics aside) they must be doing something right. After some digging, I think I’ve found at least part of the answer: in these countries, people take a lot of time off and much of it is mandatory. People in the “Fun Four” countries retire an average of 2.7 years later than those in the U.S., but work an average of 222 hours or four weeks less per year. They’re doing the things every year that many Americans feel like they have to retire to do! Would you work a few extra years in exchange for having more time to follow your passions? I bet you would. My question for you is why don’t you? Really. We’ve known clients who are entrepreneurs, executives, and physicians who’ve done it... and you can too. At Signature, we follow what we call the “A-to-B Planning Process.” It’s an outcome-oriented method of assessing where you are, where you want to be and the strategies that will help you get there, and we look at various scenarios to see how your decisions affect your outcomes. In a recent meeting, we helped someone compare what their life would look like if they continued to work 50-hour work weeks until the age of 62 versus slowing down to 36-hour work weeks
until the age of 66 with both scenarios involving the same income during retirement. Which one would you choose – or more importantly – do you know what your choices are? It would be a shame to give up opportunities that you didn’t even know you had, wouldn’t it? For almost twenty years, I’ve counseled people who truly wanted to work to live, not live to work. Whether it’s quarterly mission trips, summers in Florida or one month a year touring Europe, with proper planning and the commitment to do what it takes to execute those plans, having the best of both worlds really is possible! What would you do with an extra four weeks of living per year? Maybe it’s time you worked with a team who would help you develop a plan to explore the possibilities.
CHIP MUNN
Chief Executive Officer, SWS Senior Wealth Advisor, RJ 135 South Dargan Street | Suite 200 Florence, SC | 843.519.1100 chip@signaturewealthstrategies.com www.signaturewealthstrategies.com Facebook.com/signaturewealthstrategies Linkedin.com/company/signature-wealth-strategies Twitter.com/asignaturelife
Opinions expressed are those of chip Munn and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Chip Munn, Chief Executive Officer, SWS/Senior Wealth Advisor, RJFS. Signature Wealth Strategies is an independent firm. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. 135 South Dargan Street, Suite 200, Florence, SC, (843) 519-1100.
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VIP Magazine | February 2017
PAYING IT FORWARD
Personal Contact that Improves the Quality of Life story by Linda Stokes Most are aware, or at least have heard, of the generosity of The Manna House. Everyday the non-profit helps to provide warm meals to nearly 200 individuals who face crisis with sustaining their basic needs. Through the kindness of volunteers, those in need of a helping hand have been receiving care for 30 years. Most recently, the needs of our community have increased, making The Manna House more important than ever. Volunteers have helped to build a solid foundation for the organization and with the communities continued support, The Manna House will remain a constant in the lives of those in need. In 1986, a group of men and women observed a need in the community and sought to provide food and other basic services for those who are elderly, chronically or temporarily homeless, individuals in crisis, and the working poor. On July 4th, 1987, The Manna House served its first meal to 11 individuals. Fast forward to 2016 where The Manna House served 49,287 meals in the soup kitchen and 483 families received groceries from the food pantry. This couldn’t have been achieved without the numerous businesses and individuals that donated their time and helped to raise funds and collect food. The common thread in each individual that sits around the table at the Manna House is that they are all in need of someone who cares. Because of this, “feeding the hungry, because we care” has served as the organizations motto throughout the years. The Manna House has four paid employees and approximately 30 volunteers that help on a regular basis. The staff and volunteers share in 26
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that they have a sense of respect for the customers that visit The Manna House. “Many of the people that eat with us have been faced with a sudden crisis and are unsure of how to overcome the tragedy,” shares Cornelius Goston, Office Assistant. “We take passion in treating them as we would like to be treated. We eat with them and show interest in their needs, encouraging them to press forward.” The Manna House works directly with organizations such as House of Hope to help supply needs. HopeHealth also visits the facility once a month to educate individuals on wellness and to provide health screenings. The Manna House is always in need of volunteers to help prepare meals, serve clients, maintain the emergency food pantry, collect food donations, assist with administrative tasks, and prepare the facility for another day of sharing. Volunteer opportunities do not require a long term commitment; they are needed on even an hourly basis. If you would like to help by donating time, breakfast is served from 8:30am - 9:30am and lunch is served from 11am - 12pm, Monday through Friday. If donating time isn’t an option, please consider donating items that will allow The Manna House to continue their efforts to serve those in need. To become part of the sharing, call (843) 667-6077. Their team will help lead you into positively changing another person’s life. “Volunteers are the heart and soul of The Manna House. You do more than serve our clients hot meals; you provide the personal and social contact that improves the quality of life.”
The Manna House is in need of the items below: Canned goods - tomatoes, green beans, greens, potatoes, corn, beans, carrots, peanut butter, jelly, soup, mixed vegetables, baby food Canned fruit - plums, applesauce, peaches, pineapple, fruit cocktail, pears Canned meat - stew, corned beef, Vienna sausages, beanie weenies, tuna, salmon, Spam, ravioli Dry goods - rice, pasta, mac n’ cheese, corn meal, pudding, potatoes, cleaning supplies, cornbread mix, pancake mix, Jello, dry milk, instant coffee, baby wipes, baby diapers Cans with pop tops are always needed for people without kitchens.
The Manna House is located at 415 Jarrott Street, Florence For more info, call: (843) 667-6077
February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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COVER STORY
February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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COVER STORY • Banking with a Heart
Compassion. Connection. Community. story by Ella Lawson
Thanks to the insistence of James and Charles Coker, one hundred Sonoco Products Company employees met to discuss the establishment of a savings and loan association under the Federal Credit Union Act.
Arcade Hotel circa 1970s
On December 6, 1941, James and Charles Coker saw their simple vision of providing a way for their employees to save money and purchase a home take shape; on that day Sonoco Employees Credit Union was born. Options
were great for members, with the maximum number of shares for each member set at $.50, the maximum loan for one member $60 with security, maximum unsecured limit at $30 per member, and an interest rate of 1% on the unpaid balance. In keeping with the Cokers’ vision for the credit union, members with a loan on the books were required to save at least 25 cents per week while the loan was active. At their first annual meeting on December 31st of that year, the credit union’s total assets were $1,027.74, and the total number of loans on their books accounted for $843. In May of 1983, the Board of Directors approved an amendment allowing Byerly Hospital employees and their families to become credit union members. This marked the beginning of the credit union’s service to non-Sonoco employees. To signify the broadening of their member base, the name changed once again to SPC Cooperative Credit Union in February 1988. Throughout this period of growth, management began looking for a new site to house the main office operation of the credit union. A lack of adequate work space, and restricted traffic flow led them to purchase the historic Arcade Hotel building in downtown Hartsville. On July 4, 1989, after significant renovations, SPC moved its main office operation from the building at Sonoco Products Company to 204 North Fifth Street, which continues to act as its main office of operation. Over the years, SPC added products and services such as mortgage lending, online banking, credit cards, and business loans, transforming itself into a full service financial institution. SPC has a passion for innovation, always striving to add value to their members. They were the first credit union in South Carolina to become mortgage loan originators for the State Housing Authority and Fannie Mae Loans. “In 30 years, I have seen SPC come full circle in the products and services we offer to our members, said Elaine Hungerpiller, VP of Human Resources at SPC. “What is more important is what has remained consistent. We’ve helped our members purchase their dream home and car, and we’ve helped them save and invest for their retirement. We get to know our members personally. Often people approach me and say ‘I have been banking with you since my parents opened an account for me when I was born. SPC helped me to purchase my first home, and now my son has an account with you.’ The relationships we have with our members are generational, and we feel a real connection to them. To me, this is what Banking with a Heart is all about.” From humble beginnings exclusively serving the employees of Sonoco, to opening memberships to employees of other select employee groups, SPC has always looked for new ways to bring the benefits of their membership to more people. Between 2001 and 2007, SPC transitioned to a community based credit union, opened additional branches in Darlington, Bennettsville, and Florence, and began serving anyone who lives, works or attends school in Darlington, Marlboro, and Florence Counties.
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Join the Kindness Movement Current President/CEO Linda Weatherford is passionate about Community. “When we began to think about the ways in which we should celebrate SPC’s 75th Anniversary, we knew we wanted to use the occasion to benefit our communities. We wanted to not only celebrate SPC, but also highlight the amazing work done by local individuals and organizations to make our communities such a great place to live; to reward those who are driven to make their communities better.” And so the “75 Acts of Kindness” were born. Prior to this, SPC unveiled the “75 Days of Kindness”. Each day, from August 22 to December 6, 2016, they completed a display of kindness within the community. It was as simple as paying for the lunch of the person behind you in line, letting someone go ahead of you at the cash register on Black Friday or leaving a note in your child’s lunchbox. “Being able to bring a smile to someone’s face was priceless, said Wendy Patterson, Compliance Officer. People will never forget how you made them feel.” The idea of this program was to create a chain of good events, in hopes of inspiring more displays of kindness within the community. “The staff here really bought in to what we were trying to accomplish”, said Trey Ingalls, Sales and Community Development Officer. “They felt a great deal of ownership.”
The first 12 recipients of ts SPC’s “75 Acts of Kindness” Gran
SPC employees helping serve at the Hartsville Soup Kitchen
Trey Ingalls presents a check to Judy Brazukas of Hartsville Middle School to help send a less fortunate student to Disney World
All of this culminated in their 75th Anniversary Celebration, held at their main office on December 6, 2016. There they revealed the first twelve recipients of the $500 grants. Over the course of 2017, SPC will award the remaining “Acts of Kindness” to sixty-three other deserving projects that are committed to improving the lives of those living in the communities SPC serves. A small committee of staff members will review all applications for the month and award 5-6 grants. Grants are not limited to one per organization, an organization or individual may apply for one grant per project. Projects they assist do not have to be managed by 501(c)(3) non-profits. If you would like your project to be considered for one of the grants, you can find information and an application on their websitespccu.org. Says Linda Weatherford, “At SPC, our mission is built on compassion for people and our local community. The 75 Acts of Kindness allow us to live our mission in a tangible way by supporting projects throughout Darlington, Florence and Marlboro Counties.” February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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COVER STORY • Banking with a Heart
“75 Acts of Kindness” Recipients with their SPC Representative
Darnell Byrd-McPherson, Executive Director of Darlington County First Steps, pictured with Denise Tyner
“Darlington County First Steps offers a range of services: parent education, pregnancy prevention, kindergarten, and reading readiness. The SPC grant will support the purchase of books, baby wipes, diapers, and supplies for our literacy kits and Welcome Baby Bags. We are extremely grateful to SPC for their generous and much needed donation. Thank you SPC for sharing with others in this manner!”
Kathy McDonald, Treasurer of Darlington County Humane Society, pictured with Lynn Atkinson and Cheryl Weikel
“The SPCCU grant for Bridge means food and care for the pets housed there. With 53 dogs and 32 cats, food is always in short supply. Paid caretakers feed, medicate and clean twice every day so payroll is a constant struggle for DCHS. We are so grateful that SPCCU cares!”
Joann DeLong, Executive Director of United Way of Hartsville, pictured with Jim Stock
Andrea Pulling, Director of Carolina’s Kids pictured with Melissa Johnson, Jenny Morrell and Trey Ingalls
“Carolina’s Kids is grateful for the grant from SPC. We appreciate their commitment to helping the communities they serve. Carolina’s Kids has four programs that help the less fortunate children in Darlington County; we provide weekend food bags for elementary school children, free clothing, backpacks and schools supplies, and money for field trips and summer enrichment programs. Every week of the school year we pack 812 weekend food bags for children at 11 schools in the Darlington County School District. The SPC grant will be used for our food program.” 32
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It has been a passion of mine since moving here from Pennsylvania to help supply coats for those in need. Even though South Carolina winters aren’t as cold as Pennsylvania’s, cold is still cold. This winter we were able to provide 337 coats and we wouldn’t be able to do this without businesses like SPC. I can’t thank SPC enough for their continued support. I’m so glad they are here to provide for our community!
SPC Credit Union
75 Acts of Kindness Application In acknowledgement of our 75th anniversary, SPC will support 75 acts with a monetary value up to $500 each.
Name of Organization: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________ E-Mail: ______________________________________________________________ Describe in as much detail as possible the need for the Act of Kindness. (Attach additional sheets as necessary) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Eligibility: - Recipients DO NOT have to be members of the Credit Union to apply - Available to organizations in Darlington, Florence and Marlboro counties - Organizations can apply for multiple grants. One grant per project. Estimate cost: If cost is more than $500, are there sources to apply to balance of the project/act? $ _______ Supporting documentation: Provide as much supporting documentation as possible (official cost estimate, newspaper articles, photographs, etc.) Reference: Please list a reference for the recipient (i.e. teacher, doctor, employer, pastor, organization volunteer, community leader) Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Job title or position in community: _________________________________________________________________________ Are you willing to share your story and/or photo with SPC Credit Union print or online publications? (Answer does not affect eligibility.) Yes ________ No ________ 75 Acts of Kindness recipients will be selected by a committee of community members from the areas we service. Recipients will be notified by mail, email or phone.
How to submit this application: SPC Credit Union, Attn: Trey Ingalls, PO Box 1355, Hartsville, SC 29551 or by email: tingalls@spccu.org February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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ADVOCATING HEALTHCARE
Photo By Bradley Lail
CARING FOR YOUR NEWBORN By Morgan Melton, DNP The newborn period is one of change and adaptation for a new baby and also for his or her family. That being said, it should also be a time of great joy for a family to celebrate their newest addition. Our aim in providing newborn care is to enable parents and families to be able to rest easier and enjoy their baby knowing they are educated on what to expect with a newborn at home as well as knowing how to meet a newborn’s needs. NEWBORN CARE IN THE OUTPATIENT, PRIMARY CARE SETTING is generally provided by pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners. Typically, once discharged from the hospital, a well newborn should follow up with their primary care provider within the first week of being home. Based on the age of the infant as well as the progress of feedings and weight gain, additional visits may be needed before the infant turns one month old. Once growing well and eating well, as long as the family is doing well with adapting to having a new baby at home, the baby will return for a one-month visit. At the first visits with your baby’s provider, you should expect that he or she will be weighed and his or her length, as well as head circumference, will be measured by a nurse or medical assistant. This allows your baby’s provider to track and follow his or her growth. The infant will usually receive a full examination by his or her provider. Important things discussed 34
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will be feedings, including what type of feeding your baby is receiving. Specifically, if your baby is on formula, his or her provider would want to know what type of formula. If your baby is breastfeeding, important things to discuss would be how often your baby is feeding, if you are pumping breast milk at all, and any difficulties or concerns you have with breastfeeding. How often your baby is having wet and dirty diapers is very important to discuss, as this gives his or her provider more information regarding how much he or she is eating, and if he or she is tolerating their formula or breast milk feedings. GOOD THINGS TO BRINGS TO YOUR BABY’S FIRST VISIT would include any information on your baby that you were given at his or her hospital discharge, including any medications or immunizations given to your baby. If you had any health problems during delivery or during pregnancy, that is also something important to discuss with your baby’s provider during the first visits. WE AS PEDIATRIC PROVIDERS HAVE A PASSION FOR NEWBORN CARE. We enjoy watching your baby grow, and we also enjoy watching you learn to care for your baby and become educated about what is best for your baby as he or she grows. We follow recommendations provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics on developmental milestones expected for infants as they grow as well as recommended screening tools to complete at certain well visits. The ultimate goal of newborn care in the primary care setting is to closely monitor for any concerns with a new baby’s health as well as to help enable parents and families to take care of their new baby to the best of their ability.
Morgan Melton, DNP
HopeHealth PediatricsPhoto by Bradley Lail www.hope-health.org | (843) 667-9414
February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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PAYING IT FORWARD
An Event to Benefit the Town of Nichols story by Rion McAllister We all watched, horrified, as Hurricane Matthew made landfall in early October 2016. Residents along the entire east coast collectively held their breath and waited for this storm of epic proportion to pass. She left huge destruction and damage in her wake along the Pee Dee area but no community suffered quite like the town of Nichols. The small town of 400 residents, primarily made up of retirees and those living on modest means, experienced damage like we haven’t seen in decades. Out of a total of 261 homes in Nichols, only 6 were left virtually unscathed while a shocking 234 suffered major to severe damage. More than 300 cars were lost in the storm and 6 churches experienced flooding. In the past 3 months, out of 22 businesses, only 5 have been able to reopen. Even sadder still, only 25 homes have been able to be reoccupied. The damage and destruction that Nichols continues to experience is unfathomable and hard to comprehend. To quantify the destruction, it is estimated that it will take approximately 4 million dollars for individuals to rebuild and another 3.5 million to restore public spaces. That’s an overwhelming 7.5 million dollars needed to begin to rebuild from the wreckage. A Sunday school class at Southside Baptist Church began brainstorming for ways that they could potentially help the small town. Church member and Nichols native, Deborah Hammond, could not shake the feeling that something substantial had to be done. After a quick phone call to a co-worker and founder of Cooks for Christ, a plan had been set into motion to provide some much needed help for the suffering community of Nichols. The Cooks for Christ committee members met and graciously approved to sponsor the event. As plans started to take shape other church members began to get involved. Southside Baptist’s Children’s Ministry Director, Teresa Godwin, felt led to help and headed up the charge to get more churches and individuals on-board. She worked diligently by contacting the Florence Baptist Association to recruit more area churches and distributed information, requested donations, and organized volunteers from her own church family. It is because of the investments of the many like Deborah, Teresa, and the sponsorship of Cooks for Christ that this event promises to be successful providing some much needed support for the folks in Nichols.
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The Cooks for Christ event to benefit Nichols, SC is planned for Thursday, February 16 at the West Florence Fire Station #1 located at 3379 Pine Needles Road in Florence. They will be serving lunch from 11 am to 2 pm and dinner from 4 pm to 7 pm. There will be a bake sale all day of the event. Drive through service is available for both lunch and dinner and deliveries are also available for orders of 7 or more plates. As the event draws near, please visit www.facebook.com/ CooksforChristFlorenceSC for order forms and more details.
February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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AROUND TOWN
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SC AgriBiz & Farm Expo
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1 Justin Hoyle, Sam Case and Chris King 2 Dr. Christopher Mathis and Murry Nesmith 3 Kevin Elliott 4 Ashley Bell, Sarah Jackson, Bryant Sansbury 5 Altman Tractor 6 Jamie Pearson and Daniel Dorn 7 Louie Bodenhamer 8 Rebecca Barnett, Sarah Beth Averette and Sharon Norris 9 Christy Leard, Jonathan Windham and Tony Melton 10 Jessica Cabrera and Woody Dandrzler 11 Doug Groendyke 12 Ashley Hogwood 13 Eric and Whitney Farr
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Florence Gun Show The Florence Gun Show was held on January 16 & 17 at Florence Civic Center and was hosted by Mike Kent and Associates of South Carolina.
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1 Hillbilly Shooting Sports 2 Ray Fox 3 Andrew Diehl and Richard Diehl 4 Melissa Wood 5 Jennifer Champion and Cristin Manzolati 6 Cathy Kent and Dan E. Lockemy 7 Connie Wood 8 Reggie Wood
January 2017 | VIP Magazine
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AROUND TOWN
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Miracle League of Florence
Oyster Roast
The 3rd annual Oyster Roast benefiting the Miracle League of Florence was held at Southern Hops in Florence on January 21, raising nearly $22,000.
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February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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TIME TO TOAST
Local Salute
CSP Insurance Services Included In IIABA’s Best Practices Study
Richard and Allie Walker
CSP Insurance Services has been selected to be part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States participating in the Independent Insurance
Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) “Best Practices” Study Group. Only 254 independent agencies throughout the U.S. qualified for inclusion in the 2016 Best Practices Study. An IIABA affiliated state association or an insurance company must first nominate the agency which then must qualify based on outstanding customer retention, growth, stability and financial management. CSP Insurance Services joins an elite group as less than 1% of insurance agencies across the US earn the Best Practices designation. CSP Insurance Services was founded in 1939 and offers a wide range of insurance products including Personal coverage, Business Insurance, and Life and Health insurance products. Richard Walker of CSP Insurance Services attributes the designation as a Best Practices Agency to the hard work exhibited by everyone at CSP Insurance Services. After notification of winning the Best Practices designation, Walker said, “Our designation as a Best Practices agency directly reflects the client centered focus of our entire team. Everyone at CSP Insurance Services comes to work each day with one goal, which is to provide our clients with the best possible service and insurance coverage. CSP Insurance Services is proud to earn the Best Practices designation.”
Sunny Mart Ribbon Cutting in Nichols After months of recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Matthew, the Sunny Mart in Nichols has reopened it’s doors. On January 10th, the town’s Mayor, Lawson Battle, along with many locals were there to show support. The Sunny Mart is one of five businesses that have been able to reopen since the hurricane. More than 15 businesses are still unable to reopen.
Pace PSC Joins the Florence Chamber Pace PSG recently joined the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Pace is a media company that takes your entertainment to a new level. Utilizing a fire stick they can equip your television with local, international and movie channels. Complete packages can be discussed by calling them at 843-687-3886 or 843-956-3172.
Carolinas Hospital System Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Certified by Industry Leader Carolinas Hospital System is proud to announce the certification of its cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). Carolinas Hospital System was recognized for its commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care. Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and pulmonary problems (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], respiratory symptoms,) recover faster and improve their quality of life. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling, and support for patients and their families. Carolinas Hospital System’s cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation program participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of the program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other professional societies. Each program is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee and Certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors. “We are proud of our cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services staff for their dedication to continuously strive to improve the quality of life for our patients and their commitment to the cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation profession,” said Loren Rials, Interim CEO, CFO at Carolinas Hospital System. AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available. AACVPR Program Certification is valid for three years.
In the Spotlight WebsterRogers Welcomes New Partner WebsterRogers LLP, a leading South Carolina-based accounting and consulting firm with nine office across the state, announces the addition of a new partner Jennifer L. Miller, CPA. Jennifer has worked with WebsterRogers since 2005 in the firm’s Audit Group out of their Sumter office and has 15 years of public accounting experience with extensive involvement with audits of colleges and universities, governmental, not-for-profit, and commercial entities. Jennifer graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA). Jennifer is also active with the Young Professionals of Sumter, The Forum, and Sumter Junior Welfare League.
Francis Marion Celebrates Life of MLK Jr. with March and Arts Performances Francis Marion University hosted its 19th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Thursday night, including a march across campus and an “MLK Celebration through the Arts,” which featured special tributes in music, dance and word to the iconic Civil Rights figure. The event was co-sponsored by the Florence Chamber of Commerce. The evening’s event began with a candlelight march from the Wallace House to the McNair Science Building’s Chapman Auditorium, site of the celebration event. The program featured performances from Praise in Motion Dance Ministry, from FMU’s Young, Gifted and Blessed Gospel Choir, a short dramatic performance by the Patriot Players and a tribute in word by the FMU chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Francis Marion’s Tom Roop Leaves an Endearing Legacy The Francis Marion University community is in mourning over the loss of Dr. Tom Roop, one of the great figures in the university’s 47-year history. Roop, a professor of biology at FMU from 1972-2004, passed away at his home on January 14. He’ll be honored on campus this Saturday, Jan. 21. Roop, a native of Niagara Falls, N.Y., received numerous honors and accolades during his more than three decades at FMU, but colleagues and students remember him mostly for his personal warmth and compassion. Dr. Julia Krebs, who worked with Roop in the Department of Biology, says she was astounded by how kind and welcoming Roop was when she joined the faculty a few years after Roop. “And then I saw that he treated everyone – faculty, staff, students – the same way,” says Krebs. “He was a compassionate as any person I’ve ever met. He just took care of people, did his best to make sure they were on the right path.” Students recall Roop’s gentle nudges to push them onto career tracks that best fit their skills. They also remember the famous camping trips that Roop organized every fall to the North Carolina mountains, celebrations of fellowship for faculty, students and alumni. And they recall Roop’s astonishing memory. Decades after graduation, Roop would remember not only student names but intimate details about their lives. “He always made an effort to always treat me as a friend, calling me by name, and stopping to chat as if no time had passed, years, even decades after graduation,” says Paige Thomas, a Roop student from the late 1970s. “I have run into him on occasion over the 35 years since I was a student and it was always the same. I’m thankful to have had him as a professor and friend.” Adds Krebs, “His letters of recommendation were just amazing. He knew so much about every one of his students. If you read one of those about yourself, you’d feel good for a month.”
D&L Inc., a Heating and Air-conditioning Company holds Ribbon Cutting D&L Inc. a Heating and Air-conditioning company, recently had their Ribbon Cutting ceremony as they became a member of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. D&L Inc. handles industrial, commercial and consumer needs when it comes to HVAC. Pictured cutting the ribbon are Steven Hayes and Larry Schnieders along with the employees of D&L Inc. and our Chamber ambassadors.
HAPPENINGS
FEBRUARY 2017 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS FLORENCE 2..................................................................................................................................................... Annual Taste of Central | Central United Methodist Church 6:30p 3..................................................................................................................................................... Monster Jam 2017 | Civic Center 7p 4..................................................................................................................................................... Monster Jam 2017 | Civic Center 1p & 7p 7..................................................................................................................................................... Florence Welcoming Club Monthly Meeting | 7p 10................................................................................................................................................... 18th Annual Father Daughter Dance | SiMT 6:30p A Valentine’s To Die For, Murder Mystery Dinner | Waters Building 7p Florence Stampede and Pro Rodeo | Civic Center 8p 11.................................................................................................................................................... Three Little Pigs | Florence Little Threatre 11a Family Day | Florence County Museum 1p Florence Stampede and Pro Rodeo | Civic Center 8p 13................................................................................................................................................... Florence Symphony Orchestra, Spellbound Love | FMU PAC 7:30p 14................................................................................................................................................... Happy Valentine’s Day 16................................................................................................................................................... Cooks for Christ ‘Nichols Disaster Relief Fund’ | WF Fire Dept Heart Health Women & Wine | Floyd Conference Center CHS 6p 18................................................................................................................................................... Brantley Gilbert ‘The Devil Don’t Sleep Tour’ | Civic Center 7p 20.................................................................................................................................................. Presidents’ Day BREATHE Meeting | Palmetto Church of God 6p South Carolina Chamber Music Festival begins 20th-25th | FMU PAC 24.................................................................................................................................................. Florence Chamber’s Legislative Breakfast | Civic Center 7:30p 26.................................................................................................................................................. Trinity-Byrnes Open House | TBCS 2p-4p BREATHE Meeting | Palmetto Church of God 6p Starr Ward Chamber Music Series | Waters Building 5p WEEKLY EVENTS Wednesdays............................................................................................................................. Wine Down Wednesday | Dolce Vita 7:30p Thursdays.................................................................................................................................. Trivia Night | Southern Hops 7p Saturdays................................................................................................................................... City Center Farmer’s Market | Downtown 9a
LAKE CITY 2..................................................................................................................................................... Plant Classification for the Home Gardener | MFBG 9:30a-2p 7..................................................................................................................................................... History Fields: Growth of the Crossroads | Whitehead Infirmary 7p-8p 23.................................................................................................................................................. Grafting Made Easy | MFBG 9:30a – 12p 25.................................................................................................................................................. Crazy About Conifers | MFBG 9:30a-12p Winter Series: Meet the Greenhouse Gals | MFBG 10a-11:30a
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FEATURED EVENT A VALENTINE’S TO DIE FOR A Murder Mystery Dinner Friday, February 10 | 7p-10p The Waters Building | 135 S. Dargan Street, Florence
A Valentine’s to Die For is a fundraising Murder Mystery Dinner for the Florence Regional Arts Alliance. Ticket purchases include cocktails, dinner with the choice of a wine complement, the performance, an evening of fun and the generous spirit of giving to a good cause! To purchase tickets and info, visit florenceartsalliance.org.
DARLINGTON 4............................................................................................................................................. SBA of SC Bluegrass Concert | Darlington Music Hall 4p 9............................................................................................................................................. Annual Darlington Chamber Banquet Annual Daddy/Daughter Dance | 6p-9p, 843-398-4030 14........................................................................................................................................... Healthy Heart-Mile Walk | Williamson Park 10a 15........................................................................................................................................... Darlington Professional Women | Darlington County Club 12p 17........................................................................................................................................... 7th Annual Black & White Gala | SiMt 6p-10p
HARTSVILLE 2............................................................................................................................................. Classical Conversations LLC Open House | Kelleytown Baptist 9:15a 3............................................................................................................................................. A Seat at the Table | Hampton Inn 6p 16........................................................................................................................................... Chamber After Hours | Burry Bookstore 5:30a-7p 20.......................................................................................................................................... Chamber Membership Banquet | Deloach Center 5:30p 24.......................................................................................................................................... HR Managers’ Meeting | Hartsville Chamber 9a
MARION/MULLINS 6............................................................................................................................................. Mullins Chamber Annual Banquet | Academy for Careers 6:30p 18........................................................................................................................................... Wildlife Action Fun’raiser Supper | Woodhaven/Jimmy B’s 6p
Q&A
The Inside Scoop On
Bryan and Tena Rabon Owners of Bryan L Rabon, CPA & B.L. Rabon Real Estate, LLC >>>Learn how this couple balances marriage and business.
When did you begin working together? Bryan and I got married 12 years ago and began working together shortly after that.
What is your history of working together? Bryan has worked in accounting for 19 years and been a CPA since 2005. Together we opened an ALLSTATE agency in 2006. In 2010, we sold it and I took over the property management side of B.L. Rabon Real Estate. That same year we began working out of the same office; CPA on one side and the rental business out of the other side. Today we oversee more than 100 rental home properties throughout Florence, Darlington, Hartsville, and Santee. While Bryan manages the finances, I take care of the people.
What’s your day-to-day interactions? We stay busy during the day, we really don’t see each other a lot. He’s on one end of the office and I’m on the other. We email A LOT!
What are some challenges of working with a spouse? Our biggest challenge is operating home and work. Personal feelings and business decisions have to be separated. We try our best to not bring work home and to not talk about work during family time.
What’s the best part of working together? One of the best things about working together is our schedules are generally the same. We have three children, Cole (9), Mary Tiller (7), and Graham (6), so this makes holidays, vacations, and children’s activities easier to plan so we can all be together. photo by Fred Salley Photography • styled by Cynthia Apparel & Shoes
Contact Bryan and Tena
Bryan L Rabon, CPA & B.L. Rabon Real Estate, LLC • 1512 West Evans Street, Florence, SC • (843) 667-1000 46
VIP Magazine | February 2017
Q&A
The Inside Scoop On
Rodney and Denise Godwin Owners of Dun-Rite Automotive
photo by Fred Salley Photography
When did you begin working together?
no definite rolls in a small business except flexibility.
Rodney has owned Dun-Rite in Florence for 22 years. I joined the company 4 years ago. We are excited and blessed to have recently opened a second location in Darlington.
What’s your favorite part working with your spouse?
What roles do you each play at Dun-Rite? I handle HR and the account payable/receivable. Rodney oversees both offices. However, as small business owners, most days we both share in the roles as the IT person, receptionist, janitor, and everything in between. There are
Contact Rodney and Denise
I love that in a world where couples only see each other a few hours out of the day that we get to have more time together which gives us more time to focus on our family outside of the business.
What have you learned from working with Rodney? I have learned so much about business from Rodney and what
it takes to carry the responsibility of being a business owner. It’s not a 9-5, Monday through Friday job. It requires early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Rodney is great at balancing home and work and he always makes sure we stay focused on what really matters, helping people.
Tell us a little about Dun-Rite Automotive. Dunrite is a complete auto repair facility specializing in transmissions. We are a business that puts people first. It has been a pleasure to serve our community these last 22 years and we look forward to many more.
Dun-Rite Automotive • 174 S. Cashua Dr., Florence in Florence and 1634 S. Main St., Darlington • (843) 667-6679 48
VIP Magazine | February 2017
February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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Q&A
The Inside Scoop On
Steve and Anna Toniolo Owners of Stefano’s Italian Restaurant How long have you been married and when did you begin working together? We will be married 35 years in October and are both children of Sicilian-Italian immigrant parents. We first worked together at his families bakery in Pennsylvania. I began working there at age 14 and we started dating in 1981. We have worked together ever since and have few projects that we work independently on.
What roles do each of you play at Stefano’s? Today we share roles but it has evolved to this over the years. While raising our family and fighting to survive, our roles were very much cut and dry. Steve’s the administrator and chief in charge, and I cooked. Now we share in our vision and leadership style, which for that, we give God all the glory.
What have you learned from one another over the years? Steve has become more open minded and receptive to my input on administrative matters and I have become more receptive and welcoming of his culinary knowledge. We have learned to put our personal feelings aside when dealing with business matters, staying true to the vision of what we are building in Stefano’s and always remembering that love conquers all.
Tell readers something unique about Stefano’s? Stefano’s is named after Steve and was built to support a young struggling family. It has been a place that many have made fond memories. We have seen generations grow and their young families continue to visit us with families of their own. We are grateful to have been a part of their story! It is truly a blessing.
Contact Steve and Anna
Stefano’s Italian Restaurant • 2600 S Irby St, Florence • (843) 664.9191• stefanosflorence.com 50
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February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
photo by C. Holst Photography
There is no shortage of budding entrepreneurial spirit here in the Florence area and currently we are seeing it take shape in the loveliest ways. Twenty-six year old esthetician Leann Davis recently became the new owner of The Pink Hanger boutique. The boutique went on the market in the Fall of 2016 and Leann knew that this was the perfect moment to fulfill her dream by expanding her brand of beauty to the town she loves. This was her opportunity to apply her own unique style and passion to Florence by way of this picture perfect little store!
Leann Davis
True Entrepreneurial Style
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A born and raised Florentine, Leann grew up loving Florence and has deep family ties to the area. Growing up here afforded her the opportunity to be surrounded by family; most notably the strong women in her life that she would value as powerful influences. Women such as her mother, a thirty-five year employee and Director at Mcleod Health, a maternal grandmother who was a forty year employee of Sears, and a paternal grandmother, Lucy T. Davis,
THE PINK HANGER story by Rion McAllister who was an integral part in the shaping of the Florence school system, all instilled in her a sense of incredible work ethic and determination that would be required to embark on this bold journey of small business ownership. Upon graduation, Leann would secure an Associate in Pre-law and worked as a law firm runner for several years before deciding that something was missing. She knew she needed to pursue her true calling. With her appreciation for skincare, the art of makeup application, and desire to make others feel good about themselves inside and out, Leann decided to follow her dream of becoming an esthetician. While still attending the Southeastern Esthetics Institute, Leann knew that she would aspire to small business ownership. After graduating, she rented a small space and began to cultivate her skill and grow her clientele. Before too long, it was clear that she had outgrown the small rental. Coincidentally, the Pink Hanger Boutique went up for sale around the same time. Leann knew that the time to advance her budding career had arrived. With a lot of love, support and a little push from a beloved uncle, Leann jumped feet first into boutique ownership! The Pink Hanger has been the perfect platform to add her esthetics and spray tanning services to all while offering her the opportunity to expand her product offerings to fine clothes and accessories. She works to ensure that everyone who enters The Pink Hanger is able to find exactly what they are looking for. Leann says it is important to her that each shopper leaves feeling taken care of and satisfied with their visit. She mirrors similar feelings about her esthetic services saying, “My goal for each and every client that sits in my make-up chair or that lays on my facial table is that their confidence is boosted a little more before they walk out my door.� In true entrepreneurial style, Leann continues to make plans for her promising future at The Pink Hanger. With the recent addition of two hair stylists, The Pink Hanger has become a full service salon and boutique with no plans of slowing down! She knows that embarking on this huge adventure was the right move for her as she has achieved true happiness in her career choice. With the love and backing from her friends, family, and a supportive boyfriend, she says she will continue to live out the message inspired by her uncle and work hard every day for the success she wants!
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PROFESSIONALS AT PLAY Photo by Jonathan Boatwright
Karen Coleman and Debra Buffkin Working Together to Create Unforgettable Events story by Emily Stone It was just another lazy Cherry Grove beach day for best friends Karen Coleman and Debra Buffkin. They didn’t know it at the time, but this coast excursion would be different because that day would be the start of something magical. The two friends, who shared many common interests, and above all else the desire to help others, would come up with a unique spin that would rock the event planning industry here in the Pee Dee. On that lazy beach day, a shared dream of two friends was born, Southern Style Promotions. Karen, a Registered Nurse and Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) with her own consulting firm, Coleman & Associates, chose work that allowed her to be an advocate for the elderly by acting as a LNC with a special focus on nursing home neglect cases. In addition, Karen also practices as a Geriatric Care Manager and services her clients to ensure that they are provided with the best possible care either at home or in a facility. Debra is the Director of Public Relations and Senior VP of Environment for Wildlife Action, Inc. and has been involved with the non-profit organization for 16 years. She is also a wedding photographer for Photographs by Debra and has worked in the wedding community for 12 years. When the pair decided they wanted to break into the event planning industry, it seemed like a natural step, but they also wanted to find a way to honor their passion to help others. “Originally, we thought about planning weddings, birthday parties, and educational seminars. But later decided we also wanted to focus on events that would bring local communities together,” said Karen. To test the event planning waters, Karen and Debra helped to coordinate and plan several events such as Wildlife Action Banquet, Pee Dee Academy’s 1st Annual Eagle Run, and the Earth Day Run at Wildlife Action. They took the entrepreneurial leap of formally creating Southern Style Promotions. After which, the ladies, together with Rodney Berry, formulated the
concept of an event that would bring together all of Marion County. In 2016, the first annual Shake It Up event emerged offering seventy percent of the profits to help charitable organizations in Marion County. The ladies also went on to execute Boos, Brews, and Costumes Halloween Party where all proceeds went to the Marion Rotary Coats for Kids Program and a vast array of birthdays, weddings, and other parties that they have had the privilege of adding to the Southern Style Promotions resume. In addition to their interests of supporting others and their community, Southern Style Promotions is a full-service event planning and promotions company. The company plans, promotes, manages, oversees, and executes a wide range of corporate and private events. Karen and Debra’s experience, dedication, and upbeat outlooks allow them to maintain mutually profitable relationships with a long list of vendors to give their clients choices from the “best of the best” of the Pee Dee. These ladies look to convey their honest interest in taking care of every detail so that their clients can spend less time worrying about the painstaking event aspects and more time enjoying an unforgettably stylish experience! While the two admit that being best friends and business partners has its challenges, it is also unbelievably rewarding. As they continue to grow their business, Karen and Debra have learned that they each have a different set of skills they bring to the table. They are excited to find out where Southern Style Promotions will take them in 2017. Until then, you will find them planning unbelievable events. If not there, you might just find the pair of friends hatching plans to take over the event planning world on some beautiful beach in sunny South Carolina.
For event planning, contact Karen (843-431-8148) and Debra (843-340-0163) or visit their website, southernstylepromotions.com.
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February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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TAX PREP
Taxes in the Month of Love?
NOW THAT’S RISKY BUSINESS story by Elizabeth (Betsy) Campbell, EA
So Valentine’s Day is coming up but it’s not all hearts and roses if you own a business. The dreaded corporate returns are due March 15th. This is when some of you may be panicking because you see the shoe box, coffee can, or other random vessel you have deemed as your business tax receipt keeper. Let’s not even discuss what a bad idea that was to start with. Let’s go with all of the crumpled up and faded receipts from the entire year and do not forget the bank statements you have stuffed in there too. You have a mess and now have to do something with the mess to have someone look over it for accurateness, put it on a form and send it to the IRS!!! You are now Chicken Little waiting for the sky to fall …or are you? It is a lot to do if you have not touched it for a year or six months but you can do it. Look at your return from last year and see what categories of expenses you used. Then make a spread sheet or neat columns on paper and fill in the expenses receipt by receipt, and line item by line item from your statements. Total each category at the end. Total all of your deposits and/or cash money received and add that to your master sheet. Make sure to note any personal money you put in or took out of the business separately. Make a list of any new assets purchased for the year including when they were purchased and the cost. Now your tax preparer will be pretty happy and can guide you through the rest
of it more easily. If you have a business and do not have a professional prepare your return, you should reconsider. Do it yourself Business Returns by a non professional are just a bad idea. There are things that need to be done that the average Joe will not know. It’s not worth the risk. Some of you are saying, “but I do mine year round on an accounting program.” That is great because you are not panicking about faded receipts and being under the wire. My advice to you is to make an appointment with your tax preparer to review what you have before it’s crunch time. That gives you an extra trained pair of eyes on your records and gives enough time to make corrections prior to the return being processed. You get a pat on the back and will leave happy. To those of you that have a firm processing monthly bookwork for you, it should be very simple as you have been working all year for this. Strategizing together for your best tax outcome. Now all you have to do is ask any remaining questions you may have and bring in any additional documentation you are asked for and BAM the return is done; you are happy and everyone is on the same page. I guarantee if you follow at least some of this advice and work with your tax preparer you will spend Valentine’s Day with the one you love instead of digging through a coffee can of receipts (yes, it’s a true story). Y
Elizabeth (Betsy) Campbell, EA owns Campbell Accounting Solutions, LLC. Call (843) 662-9700 or email taxinfo@campbellgroupsc.com for your tax solutions.
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Carolinas Hospital System Names New CEO GARY MALAER Gary Malaer has been named the new chief executive officer of Carolinas Hospital System effective January 1, 2017. This is a promotion for Malaer who comes to Florence from 298bed Wuesthoff Medical CenterRockledge in Rockledge, Fla. He first joined Wuesthoff as COO in April 2015 and was promoted to CEO in October 2015. “Carolinas Hospital System has a strong tradition of providing compassionate, quality care for patients and I look forward to supporting the physicians, nurses and other caregivers who make a difference each day,” said Malaer. Malaer brings nearly 20 years of healthcare leadership experience working at hospitals in Texas and Florida. During his tenure at Wuesthoff, the hospital saw continual improvement in patient experience and quality metrics which led to growth in their ER, robotics surgeries, urology, neurosurgery, electrophysiology/atrial fibrillation and cath lab. He is deeply committed to working together with the medical staff, hospital employees, volunteers and board of trustees to build quality care and service. “Clearly, Gary brings tremendous skills and experience to this role,” said Edward C. Floyd, Chairman, Board of Trustees for Carolinas Hospital System. “We are confident he will build upon our strengths as we continue providing quality healthcare services for our community.” Malaer has been active in the communities where he has lived by fund raising for charities and serving on boards including Cocoa Beach Chamber, Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund and American Heart Association. A native Texan, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacagdoches, Texas and MBA in health services management from the University of Dallas.
805 Pamplico Highway, Florence, SC 843-674-5000 | CarolinasHospital.com
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FLORENCE COMMUNITY
A Passion for Service
Jay Lavrinc is the Director of Customer Relations at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at 843-665-0515 or by email, jlavrinc@ flochamber.com.
The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce story by Jay Lavrnic As we embark on our journey with a new President and his commitment to bring back manufacturing to the U.S., let us discuss how the current U.S. employment market is structured. First, a question: What is the largest and fastest growing business in the U.S. today? If you guessed service, you would be absolutely correct. The service sector has grown immensely since the end of World War II and it now makes up 80% of all U.S. Jobs. 80%, that means that 8 out of every 10 jobs are in service or a service related field.
utility bill or even a doctor’s office, you call an 800 number and get a menu that you need to scroll through to determine your needs. There is not a person whom you can speak to and who could easily fulfill your needs with just one press of a button. The fact is, we are failing as a service nation and that is what 80% of our employment job market is today SERVICE! So this leads to some very interesting observations and facts that present themselves from this opportunity for service:
This is a huge transition, and unfortunately it creates an employer/ employee conundrum. You ask why this creates a problem. Here are just a couple of reasons:
FACT: 7 out of 10 customers who stop
• Currently, no higher education institutions provide a service course as a basic course or requirement for students.
never complain about discourtesy, but 91% of them will not buy again from a business that offended them.
• Due to the every growing generation of communication by electronic media, whether it is Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter or any of the other social media communications, the day of dealing with customers in person and developing a relationship with that customer is, if not long gone, certainly waning. Think about our service society today. If you have a problem with an account, whether it is a credit card,
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doing business with a company do so because of the way they were treated on the first contact.
FACT: 96% of unhappy customers
FACT: According to the National Retail Federation, a 5% increase in customer retention can increase long term profitability by as much as 85%.
FACT: Courting new business can
So if you are an employer or an employee in the service business you might ask: What can I do? The answer to that is the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Bill Drury Workshop, will present Zig Ziglar’s Passion for Service. There will be two (2) seminar sessions available, one in the morning and one in the afternoon of April 6, 2017, at the Florence County Library Come learn the nuances of Great Customer service. Learn how to garner and maintain your customers. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to understand what makes customers purchase from you and how to get them to keep coming back!
Bill Drury Workshop presenting Zig Ziglar’s Passion for Service Date: April 6, 2017 Place: Florence County Library Time: 9am-12pm or 1pm–4pm Chamber Members: Early Registration (until April 1)
cost up to five times more than strengthening relationships with current clients.
1 Attendee 2-5 Attendees 5 or more
FACT: (And here is the kicker)
Late Registration (after April 1)
Customers can now instantly blast a bad service experience to everyone in the community through YouTube, Twitter, or Facebook.
1 Attendee 2-5 Attendees
99 89pp $ 79pp $
$
109 99pp
$ $
All Non-members: $199pp
February 2017 | VIP Magazine
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
“Recently Carolinas Hospital System joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network to enhance the quality of care and treatment to benefit patients and their families while staying close to home. This relationship allows physicians to have access to Mayo Clinic expertise, offering additional clinical opinions regarding their patients’ specific cases. I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with subspecialty physicians, enabling me to provide a second opinion and the best possible care for my patients.”
ZIAD SKAFF, M.D.
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Ziad Skaff, M.D. is board certified in hematology and oncology. He is associated with Carolinas Hematology & Oncology, an affiliate of Carolinas Medical Alliance and is a member of the medical staff of Carolinas Hospital System.
heart healthy favorite FLORENCE 2300 PAMPLICO HWY 843-468-9803 QUINBY 407 QUINBY PLAZA 843-662-8721 FLORENCE 525 S EBENEZER RD 843-661-2462
BLACK BEAN SOUP
..................................................................
CALORIES 245
SODIUM 34 mg
COOK TIME 25-30 mins
SERVINGS 4
.................................................................. INGREDIENTS nonstick cooking spray 1 medium onion (diced) 1 Tbsp garlic (jarred, minced) 2 tsp ground cumin 1 jalapeño (chopped)
2 16- oz canned, low-sodium black beans (undrained) 1 15- oz canned, no-salt-added, diced tomatoes (undrained) 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth chopped, fresh cilantro (optional)
.................................................................................................... INSTRUCTIONS 1 Spray large pot with cooking spray, over medium-high heat add onion and cook until translucent (5 minutes). 2 Add garlic, cumin and jalapeno and cook 1 minute more. 3 Add beans to pot and lightly mash with a potato masher or fork. 4 Add tomatoes and broth – bring to a boil and reduce to medium heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. 5 Serve topped with chopped fresh cilantro (optional). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2016 American Heart Association www.heart.org