February 2020 by VIP Magazine

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

magazine Publisher Tammy Clark tmclark225@gmail.com Editor Heather Page heather@vipmagsc.com Office Manager Tiffany Skipper jtskipp35@gmail.com Advertising Executives Julie C. Tyler juliectyler@yahoo.com Creative Design Tuesday Taylor Ashley Rogers

Contributing Photographers Jon Boatwright Nancy Devon Carsten Erin Daniel The True Story Photography Fred Salley Kirk Wardy Contributing Writers Mark W. Buyck, III Kent Daniels Julia Derrick Ashley Elvington Rebecca Giese Zach Hughes Allie Roark Doug Smith John Sweeney Donna Tracy

Serving Florence, Hartsville, Darlington, Marion, Mullins, Lake City and the surrounding areas 2011-B Second Loop Rd, Florence, SC 29501 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

For advertising rates, call 843-687-4236.

COVER CONCEPT We love the photographers we get to work with every month. We especially LOVE Erin Daniel this month for working with writer Rebecca Giese to capture this beautiful cover. Looking at this photo takes us right out of cold gloomy days and into a warming heart ready to celebrate with loved ones. More about this picture can be found on page 48. Happy Reading!

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

CONTENTS

ISSUE 51

FEBRUARY 2020 BUSINESS 12 Treno: Chef Jason Houser 14 Qulture of Florence: Chef Consuelo Casey 16 Sam Kendall's: Jonathan Bazinet 18 Gift Guide: Playing It By Ear 22 Eagle Bay Outfitters: Keith & Marsha Herring 24 Crema Coffee Bar: Tiffany & Jason Crist 26 9Round: Chad & Jill Strawn 28 The True Story Photography: Gary & Shamaria Staggers 30 A History of the Bahá'í Faith in South Carolina Author Louis Venters 32 February 2020 Calendar 34 Willcox, Buyck & Williams, PA: Reconstruction in SC

36 Florence Chamber: Dilmar Oil Company 38 Keeping Time: Mike Reichenbach 40 Newsworthy

HEALTH + WELLNESS 42 HopeHealth: Britni Brown 44 Gift Guide: Loco for Coco

LIFESTYLE 46 Allie Roark: 3 Tips to Finding Clarity 48 Rebecca Giese: Celebrating Valentine's

HOME 50 Kent Daniels: Early Lake City Schools 52 Doug Smith: What Are Recipes? 54 The History of Valentine's Day 56 Our Backyard: Kalmia Gardens 58 Tech Gadgets

52 8

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

60 Drink of the Month: Mint for You

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

love + food

"Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate." -Alan D. Wolfelt February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

BUSINESS

“Cooking has been something I’ve done my entire life." - Chef Jason Houser

photo by NDC Photography

A Classic Italian Cuisine “Cooking has been something I’ve done my entire life,” says Jason Houser, Culinary Director for Crossroads Hospitality Group in Lake City. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Jason studied Eastern Religion at the College of Charleston. When not in class, Jason spent time in some of Charleston’s most prominent restaurants where he continued to grow in his culinary skills. Charleston Grill, a name recognized by many in the Pee Dee, is where Jason served as Sous Chef for five years under the leadership of Chef Michelle Weaver and Chef Bob Waggoner, two well-known leaders in the food and beverage industry in Charleston. After several years of building his culinary resume, including one position where he was nominated for the James Beard Award Best Chef Southeast, Chef Houser began consulting for restaurants. This is where he was introduced to Visit Lake City, SC. Now at Crossroads Hospitality Group, Chef Houser has been perfecting the menu for Lake City’s newest venture - Treno, a classic Italian restaurant.

walks of life. If it’s a romantic evening out with your

Treno, the Italian pronunciation of train, is nestled within the art layered walls of The Inn at the Crossroads. The idea behind Treno is to offer a traditional Italian menu that can be enjoyed by all

if you’re looking for a special Valentine’s experience,

spouse, a girl's night out on the town, or dinner you grab in transit from work to home, the menu and atmosphere have something to offer everyone. Chef Houser describes it as, “Better than anything out there but still affordable.” He continues, “We want to make it great and make it elevated in the best version that you’ve ever seen and we can do that by using the best ingredients. The menu is something we can stand behind for astounding customers while also not being overpriced.” Some menu items include Chicken Parmesan, Classic Lasagna, Pork Osso Bucco, and Tiramisu. When asked his favorite menu item, Chef Houser says that’s a question he can’t answer. “It may be better worded as a dish closest to my heart; that would be Gnocchi Bolognese, so simple but so great.” Treno opens it’s doors on Monday, February 3rd at 5 p.m. Join them for a palette-pleasing night. And Treno will be offering a three-course menu for two, including champagne, for $85. Call today to make your reservation!

Located inside of The Inn At The Crossroads Lake City, 843.374.2103 12

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

BUSINESS

photography by Kirk Wardy

When did you know you wanted to be a chef? Consuelo: I honestly didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize my love for cooking until I purchased the building which is now Qulture Bistro. My original plans where to hire an executive chef but I ended up being my own Chef and now people are raving about the cuisine at Qulture.

How would you describe the cuisine? Consuelo: Qultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cuisine is American with an alternative twist.

What is your favorite dish to prepare? Consuelo: My favorite dish is the Grilled Salmon with pineapple habanero glaze.

What is the one ingredient you use the most and why? Consuelo: Paprika is the most used spice for color and the smoked flavor.

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

Consuelo Casey, a mother of two adults, a son aged 27 and daughter that's 24, was raised in Latta and is truly a jack of all trades. For 10 years she owned and operated a salon in Dillon before relocating to New York City to pursue a career in entertainment. After studying production, she went on to become a talent agent. Being a talent agent led her to music where she went on to artist development and talent booking. During this time, she was able to work with some of the biggest artists and booked them all over the country. When client engagements became more demanding, Consuelo decided to invest in a bistro as a way to entertain her clients; this is where she was able to develop and share her culinary skills. Vip had the opportunity to sit down with Consuelo for her to share the journey in opening Qulture Bistro, located in Florence. You wear many hats in the business world, how does being a chef fit into that? Consuelo: Although I really enjoy cooking, sharing my culinary creations and running Qulture Bistro, I don't consider myself a chef but more of a serial entrepreneur. I would like to be known simply as a businesswoman.

What are your plans for celebrating Valentine's at Qulture? Consuelo: February's calendar is very exciting, beginning black history month observation each Sunday of the month "For The Qulture" which will feature a soulful inspired menu. "Qulture After Dark" every Thursday night includes a special priced menu and drink specials. Ladies night is every Saturday and will include menu and drink specials for women from selected local companies in the Pee Dee area. We are also hosting a Super Bowl Sunday watch party. Come out and join us!

Qulture Cobbler Ingredients:

Directions:

2 cups flour

Mix flour, pancake mix, butter, cinnamon, and water. Spray a baking pan with olive oil spray. Pour in peaches and peach jam. Pour flour mixture over peach mixture and allow to bake at 350 degrees for 45 min or to desired consistency.

1 cup pancake mix 1 stick unsalted butter 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 cans of sliced peaches 3 ounces peach jam 1 tablespoon of vanilla 2 cups of water

Let cool a for about 5 minutes, place a portion in a bowl top with your favorite vanilla ice cream and dust with powdered sugar.

Makes 4 servings

Qulture of Florence | 3027C E Palmetto St, Florence, 843.407.6320 February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

BUSINESS

We sat down with the owner and the man behind the menu,

Jonathan Bazinet, of Sam Kendall's in Hartsville to learn more about him and some of the delicious meals they are offering.

Sam Kendall's Founded In 2007, Sam Kendall's Strives To Provide An Outstanding Dining Experience, From Expertly Crafted Dishes To Exemplary Service. story by Rebecca Giese | photography by Erin Daniel

What makes Sam Kendall's unique and worth coming back time and time again?

What is your favorite menu item? And what seems to be a crowd favorite?

At Sam Kendall's, we focus on three main aspects that we believe make us unique and successful. First off, we pride ourselves on the quality of our food and ingredients being superior to our competitors. Secondly, we have a unique, authentic ambiance. Last but not least, solid and excellent service from all our staff.

Everything is excellent, but the crab cakes have been rated in the top 10 in SC. A cult favorite is the Kingston Cut; this special cut is marinated in pineapple, soy, ginger, and Caribbean spices. One of our new items and quickly becoming a crowd favorite is our Shrimp and Grits, wild Gulf shrimp, savory grit cake with our homemade spicy, creamy andouille sauce. Another popular dish is prime rib, which we serve nightly Thursday through Saturday at our Hartsville location.

Who is the head chef? And what is their culinary background? With decades of experience, I, Jonathan Bazinet, am the man behind the menu. I spent years working in operations for culinary franchises like Steak and Ale, Boston Market, and Einstein Bagels. During this time, I learned from the best in the test kitchens on how to take a recipe and scale it to a restaurant's kitchen to create consistently high quality. Now I use this experience to develop Sam Kendall's menu, most recently our Shrimp and Grits and our signature grit cake.

Sam Kendalls is already a great restaurant to celebrate special occasions and date nights, are there plans to have a Valentine's Day special? If so, can we have the details? We do not have a special finalized yet, but usually our special does include lobster. But you can't go wrong with a nice steak dinner on Valentine's Day.

Sam Kendall's | 134 E Carolina Ave, Hartsville, 843.339.2005 16

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

GIFT GUIDE

4 6

Playing it by Ear 1 Pieces, Florence 2 CYNTHIA-Apparel & Shoes, Florence 3 Goosie Ganders Interiors & Gifts, Florence 4 Love, Bobby Design Co., instagram.com/love_bobbydesignco 5 Mainstream Boutique, Florence 6

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

L. Mae Boutique, Florence 7 Mahala Reese Boutique, Hartsville 8 Pretty N Bliss, Florence 9 Fisher Jewelers & Silversmith, Florence

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

BUSINESS

Marsha Herring holding a photograph from her wedding day

story by Ashley Elvington

Keith & Marsha Herring

Eagle Bay Outfitters story by Ashley Elvington | photography by Jon Boatwright The incomparable Mr. Johnny Cash used to sing about how love is a burning thing. When it comes to Mr. Keith Herring, no one sets his heart ablaze quite like his wife, Marsha. Keith first met Marsha in October 1972 when he hired her to help with his recently acquired shoe store. Keith had previously been working at Tucker’s Men Shop while also attending school at Francis Marion University. JD Tucker, his employer, believed in Keith enough to not only ask him to manage the store but to also help build it from the ground up. Keith was only 19 at the time but was eager to prove he could do any job asked of him. It didn’t take long for the owners to allow Keith to buy in as a full partner and Shoe Fair opened in August 1972.

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

Needing assistance at the store, Keith hired Marsha to come in after school and on Saturdays. He recalls, “Little did I know she would change my life.” By January 1973, they were dating and by August of that same year, they were married. Changes were not only being made in Keith’s personal life but in his professional life as well. While Shoe Fair began as a shoe store for men and women with some accessories, the business has adapted to the times over the 47+ years it has been open; one major change being the name, as it is now known as Eagle Bay Outfitters (EBO). You can still find a great pair of shoes there, but you can also shop for men’s and women’s apparel, jewelry, coolers, drinkwear, baby gifts, and many more items sure to appeal to both your eye and your budget.

" In August [of 1972], I hired my future wife, Marsha, and by February we were dating and married the next August." - Keith Herring, owner of Eagle Bay Outfitters

The store may be different from the days of Shoe Fair, but one thing remains the same – Keith and his staff are more than willing to go above and beyond to see each customer arrive and leave with a smile. Eagle Bay Outfitters is now a family business too, as Keith and Marsha’s son Justin help them run the store. Keith shares, “I can turn over this store to him and not worry.” He can be found at EBO five days a week, doing everything from handling the front end of the store to buying items for inventory and arranging the store. The employee who has been there the longest is Cindy Coleman, who has been the Assistant Manager for over 25 years. The Herring family is grateful for her hard work and endless dedication to providing the best experience possible for customers. Their newest employee is Kara Marion, Keith and Marsha’s niece. Marsha’s still there too, except her schedule has changed these days. She’s able to work only when she’s not babysitting their three grandsons, ages 5, 3, and 16 months. Valentine’s Day varies in importance based on who you ask. To some, it’s the most important day of the year. However, when you have a love like Keith and Marsha’s, every day is worth celebrating. This year, Keith and Justin will be in Atlanta for Valentine’s Day, attending a semi-annual shoe show; however, that doesn’t mean he is neglecting his beloved Marsha. When you have a love that lasts close to 50 years, it’s safe to say it is going to be the love of a lifetime.

Eagle Bay Outfitters 2803 US-76, Mullins • 843.423.5161 February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

BUSINESS

Does being the owner and operator of a coffee shop make every day a “coffee date?” We had the pleasure of conducting a His vs. Her Q&A with the couple behind Crema Coffee Bar, Jason and Tiffany Crist, located in Hartsville.

Favorite way to drink your coffee? Her: I usually drink just plain black coffee, but if I’m feeling fancy I drink a vanilla latte. His: The 4.0 (White Chocolate and Hazelnut). Often she will draw cute pictures on the cup. That makes the drink a million times better.

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

Tiffany & Jason Crist | photography by Erin Daniel

Who had the idea to start Crema? Her: Crema has been a dream of mine since I was in college, way before I met Jason. My family and I opened Crema in April 2015, Jason and I started dating that November. His: It was hers. I wandered in because of her idea though. So thanks for that, Tiffany.

What is the best part of running a business together? Her: I would say having the flexibility to have Atlas, our three-month-old son, with me at work is the best part about having a family run business. His: Because everyone is so close, it’s pretty smooth sailing... until we want to go on a family vacation.

Favorite thing to do on your day off? Her: Hanging out with Atlas, running, or practicing music. His: Watching my baby boy grow like a beanstalk, playing board games and video games, playing music, and listening to Tiffany sing.

What is your best tip to balance family and work life? Her: Leave work at work. If you are a business owner, surround yourself with staff that you trust, and that you know can handle tough situations. Make sure they know they are appreciated and loved. That way, there are fewer calls when I get home to my family. His: It’s ok to vent about work to family, but it should be left to a minimum. Let them exist separately as much as possible.

Favorite thing about your spouse? Her: Jason balances me out. I like to over plan, he likes to be spontaneous. I am introverted, he’s extroverted. He’s hilarious, I’m sarcastic and dry. His: She’s so silly and we always have the funniest conversations. Then we wonder if other couples have the same incredibly random conversations as well.

Crema Coffee Bar 136 W Carolina Ave, Hartsville • 843.309.9606 February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

BUSINESS

photo by Fred Salley

Chad and Jill Strawn, owners of 9Round, base their entire business around helping others. Jill has spent the last 27 years as a Physical Therapist, helping people reach their personal goals. After finishing the Coast Guard, Chad searched for another avenue to help people. Opening a gym seemed like a natural choice! While Jill still works as a PT, Chad focuses full-time on the businesses, one in Florence and one in Conway. Vip sat down with them to see what it's like being married and business partners.

Which one of you had the idea to open a 9Round? Her: Both of us. Chad is such a fitness nut and I am a physical therapist. He is a great encourager and a people person. I love to help people reach their goals. It was a great fit for the two of us. Him: It was OURS :). Seriously, I think we both decided to pray about it and allowed the Lord to guide and direct us in purchasing the franchise here in Florence.

What's your favorite 9Round exercise? Her: Round kicks and spinning back fists on the heavy bag. And I LOVE trainer-led round as well! Him: Trainer-led round is my favorite. Three minutes of nonstop punching and kicking combos on the hand pads or Thai pads and then burning it out for the last 30 seconds!

Making members stronger in 30 minutes physically and mentally. 26

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

What is the best part of operating a business together? Her: The hard work, TOGETHER. We sometimes have very different perspectives about things, but at the end of the day, we respect each other for our strengths and try to channel those strengths into the business. Him: It really is the greatest thing I could ever hope for! It's not always easy because we are wired differently and there are times where she wants to kill me but at the end of the day to be able to work with my best friend then go home with her is a dream that came true for me.

Favorite thing to do on your day off? Her: Truly?? I love to hang out around the house, read, and chill out. Life gets so busy sometimes, and it is nice to be able to just slow down for a while! Him: Workout at 9Round of course! To be able to come in and sweat alongside our members is awesome. Our members are such an encouragement to me and when you're tired and want to stop, you hear a member or trainer say "keep pushing." I also like to run. I'm currently training for a 50-mile trail race in April.

Favorite thing about your spouse? Her: Chad lives out his Christian faith daily. He is the most humble, faithful, and loyal person you will ever meet, and I love that about him. I know he is there for me and our family, no matter what. Him: Jill is selfless. She is always putting our family first even it means she has to sacrifice. From my time in the military, while deployed, she was always taking care of Alex and Emily (our kids), doing whatever it takes. While I was serving my country, she was serving our family and I'm forever thankful and grateful for that quality in her.

9Round 2151 W Evans St Suite F, Florence â&#x20AC;˘ 843.799.1497 www.9round.com/fitness/Florence-SC February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

BUSINESS

Gary and Shamaria Staggers aren't strangers to making the home and work-life mesh well. With children to add to the mix, these two have learned how to love being able to spend their days together at work and appreciate the moments they get to spend with their family. A favorite photograph to take? Her: My favorite photograph to take is of children. I have been teaching 3 and 4-year-olds for about five years so I'm naturally drawn to children. It's always fun to watch their different personalities come out in a shoot. Him: My favorite photograph to take is our holiday mini sessions. Seeing the children get excited about Christmas is just a beautiful thing. Last Christmas was our first year using Santa for pictures and hearing the Christmas list the children prepared was the best!

Who had the idea to open a photography studio? Her: Although Gary is usually the one behind the camera and I assist with posing and setups, it was my idea to open a photography studio. We have been doing photography for a while but did not have a set location. Him: As a photographer, I always knew that a studio was in our future. I believed that once the timing was right along with God's will it would happen. My wife was more vocal about it throughout our journey so I will give her the credit on this one.

"My wife's work ethic is the best. She strives for perfection & challenges me all the time." - Gary Staggers, owner of The True Story Photography, Downtown Marion, SC

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

What is the best part of running a business together? Her: The best part of running a business together is that we naturally “click.” We know each other's strengths and weaknesses so we can help each other out in the areas needed. I have a way to calm down children and get them to smile so while I'm doing that he's taking the shot. I feel like we're the perfect duo! Him: The best part of running a business together is being able to bring our creative ideas together. Along with that, we complement each other well so what I lack she provides and what she is not fluent in I'm able to step it up.

Name your favorite thing to do on your days off. Her: My favorite thing to do on a day off is to travel to new places with our two children. Him: What's a day off? When we have a day that does not consist of work we typically make our day about our children. We love to travel and get away to get a piece of mind as well as expose our children to new things and places.

What's your favorite thing about your spouse? Her: My favorite thing about Gary is that he always finds a way to make you laugh and that he is a hard worker; he always finds a way to make it happen and get it done. Him: My wife's work ethic is the best. She strives for perfection and challenges me all the time. She beats herself up at times but it's only because she does not settle and only wants the best for the business.

www.thetruestoryphotography.com

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

FEBRUARY BOOK SUGGESTION

Are you looking for recommendations for a new book to read during 2020? Look no further! Here is a suggestion to get you through February.

A History of the Baha'i Faith by Louis Venters

A History of the Baha'i Faith in South Carolina is the first concise history of the first century of the new religion in a state with one of its strongest followings. A slim volume at under 200 pages and intended for a general audience, it chronicles the arrival, growth, and development of a distinctively interracial religious movement from the dark days of Jim Crow segregation to the early 21st century. With 70+ maps and historic images, including many that have never before been published, it provides the first opportunity for a new generation to see the faces of the remarkable Baha'i movement

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

in South Carolina, as well as entirely new scholarship about the "Carolinian Pentecost" of the 1970s and 1980s. Catch the author, Louis Venters, a history professor at Francis Marion University, for book talks in Beaufort, SC on Friday, February 7th from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at USC-Beaufort and Saturday, February 8th from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Penn Center's York W. Bailey Museum. For more information or to purchase a copy, visit www.louisventers.com. It can also be purchased at www.amazon.com.

FEBRUARY CALENDAR of EVENTS sunday

monday

tuesday

wednesday

thursday

TRENO Opens The Inn at the Crossroads, Lake City

Happy Groundhog Dog

Think & Ramen Local Motive, Florence

Youth Day Mechanicsville Church, Darlington

National Thank a Mail Carrier Day

A Taste of India Montessori School of Florence

Fire Extinguisher Training Hartsville Chamber, Florence

National Guitar Day

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

Trivia Night Southern Hops, Florence

National Galentine's Day

Karaoke Local Motive, Florence Wild Weekends Lynches River County Park, Coward

President's Day

Heart & Sole Line Dancing Poynor School, Florence

Wine Down Wednesday Dolce Vita Cafe, Florence

“Peter and the Wolf” and “The Toy Symphony” FMU PAC, Florence Trinity Byrnes Open House Darlington

SC Chamber Music Festival begins FMU PAC, Florence

National Clam Chowder Day

Celebrity BBQ Benefit various locations

Masquerade Ball Leatherman Senior Center, Florence

27 100th Anniversary of Rotary Club Florence Center

Send in your events to heather@vipmagsc.com! friday

saturday

Monster Jam Florence Center

St. John's Church Oyster Roast, Florence

Florence Stampede and Pro Rodeo, Florence Center (7th & 8th)

Little Red Hen FLT, Florence

Sounds of Motown & More Center Theatre, Hartsville Lake City Junior League Oyster Roast Bean Market, Lake City

15 Crazy Love Karoke FLT, Florence

Happy Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day!

Library Movie Matinee Florence Co Library

American Heritage Festival Graham's Historic Farm, Lake City (15th & 16th)

ONEPalmetto Scholarship & College Fair Wilson High, Florence

29 Runfest 5k Run/Walk + Swamp Fox Chili Cook Off Main Street, Marion

Live Jazz Jazz on Dargan, Florence

Blazin' Keys Dueling Pianos Dizzy Crab, Florence

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

BUSINESS

story by Mark W. Buyck, III

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

in South Carolina The Reconstruction Era was a volatile time in South Carolina. The State’s two largest cities, Charleston and Columbia, had both suffered dearly during the final year of the Civil War. More than 20,000 white South Carolina males died during the war. At the conclusion of the war, in April 1865, 400,000 former slaves were emancipated and for the most part left to their own devices as to how they would adjust to their, as yet, undefined place in society. The issue of who would govern the former confederate states was bitterly disputed. Immediately after the war, U.S. President Andrew Johnson appointed a former unionist, Benjamin Franklin Perry, as the 72nd Governor of South Carolina. Perry oversaw the writing of the new State Constitution in 1865. In November 1865, James Lawrence Orr was elected Governor following the adoption of the 1865 Constitution. The 1865 Constitution severely restricted the rights of blacks to vote and participate in the government. The United States Congress refused to readmit South Carolina into the Union until this Constitution was rewritten. In the five years following the war, the United States adopted the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution.

story by Mark W. Buyck, III These are referred to as the Reconstruction Amendments. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and was enacted in December 1865. The 14th Amendment concerned citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws and was enacted in 1868 in response to mistreatment of freedmen following the war. The Congress refused to recognize representatives or senators from the Confederate States until those state legislative bodies ratified the 14th Amendment. The 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870 and prohibits state and federal governments from denying citizens the right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” On January 14, 1868, a South Carolina Constitutional Convention met in Charleston. This was the first convention in the state where freedmen participated in the election of delegates. This Constitution was quite progressive for its time. It presaged the 15th Amendment by two years abolishing race as a condition for voting. Black codes were eliminated, prohibition on interracial marriage was removed, and all public schools were open to all races. It would be the first time that a uniform system of free public schools was provided by

During Reconstruction, South Carolina was one of two southern states where blacks constituted a majority of the population. law. It also provided certain rights to women. There was widespread black voting and participation in South Carolina government from 1868-1876, and more limited from 1876-1895. During Reconstruction, South Carolina was one of two southern states where blacks constituted a majority of the population. During Reconstruction, an overwhelming majority of blacks were Republicans. Black South Carolinians were a majority of the state legislature from 1868 to 1876, and Republicans controlled the governorship and both legislative bodies. Although the three governors who served from 1868 until 1876 were white, there were blacks serving as judges, U.S. Congressmen, and numerous local, state and federal officials. In 1870, Joseph Rainey was the first black person elected to the United States House of Representatives. At the time of his election, Rainey was serving as the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee of the South Carolina State Senate. He served four terms as a house member from South Carolina’s first congressional district. In all, there were eight African American United States house members elected from South Carolina between 1870 and 1897, all Republicans.

248 West Evans Street | Florence, SC | 843.662.3258 2050 Corporate Centre’ Drive, Suite 230 Myrtle Beach, SC | 843.650.6777

Business Law, Litigation, Real Estate, and Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys February 2020

Mark W. Buyck, III VIPMagSC.com

BUSINESS: GREATER FLORENCE CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE MONTH

story by Ashley Elvington

+ Dilmar Oil Company, Inc. has been serving the Southeast region since 1932. This family-owned company is a full line petroleum and lubricant distributor is headquartered in Florence, South Carolina. In addition to distributing various lubricants, oils, greases, and other petroleum products, Dilmar also offers fluid reclamation services. Dilmar has 3 business segments – Oil Distribution, Real Estate Investments, and Fluid Reclamation Services. No matter which division you are a part of, when you work at Dilmar, you’re treated as if you’re family.

Earle Atkinson II (in middle) with sons, Gray (left) and Earle III (right)

four semi-trailers, four portable units, and a stationary location. Dilmar joined the Florence Chamber of Commerce in 1975 and has made a conscious effort to actively participate in Chamber related events. Each time, the company has been rewarded with an outstanding networking experience. Dilmar is grateful for the Chamber helping them get their name into the community so they can better serve the charming folks of the Pee Dee Region.

This business is anything but small, as the Dilmar team This community means so serves transport, Founder, R.E. Atkinson, with son Earle Atkinson II much to Dilmar, and they consumer, and prove this by constantly giving industrial clients back. Dilmar has donated whenever possible to local throughout the Southeast. Dilmar has over 1 million charities such as House of Hope, Habitat for Humanity, gallons of bulk storage capacity, 125,000 square HopeHealth, and the American Cancer Society. Dilmar's feet of package storage, and state of the art delivery team members enjoy any opportunity to get out into equipment. That being said, it should come as no the community by donating their time. Most recently, surprise that Dilmar is currently one of the largest they've participated with a local Habitat build, packed lubricant distributors in the Southeast. lunches for Help 4 Kids, and helped to organize and With over 40 bulk and packaging trucks that clean the Habitat ReStore. operate out of eight bulk plant locations throughout 2020 will undoubtedly bring new opportunities for the Carolinas and Georgia, this team ensures reliable Dilmar to serve those in need. Congrats, Dilmar, on delivery of all orders. Their fluid reclamation division being the Florence Chamber of Commerce's Member performs on-site reclamation of lubricants along with of the Month! 100 W Evans St, Florence 843.665.0515 | flochamber.com

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

BUSINESS: KEEPING TIME, A MONTHLY FEATURE

Keeping Time, conversations in time management with community difference makers, is an interview series with community leaders from a variety of fields discussing their day-byday pursuit of professional success, focusing specifically on how they manage their time. You can hear the full 30-minute interviews on the “Keeping Time Podcast,” available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Moving From Success To Significance story by John Sweeney For Mike Reichenbach, the success of his three South Carolina dealerships isn’t the end of his story. It’s the beginning of his calling. “I think, personally, God has given me skillsets and talents that just shouldn’t be relegated to buy more dealerships,” he said. “Now, I’ve been successful, from an occupational standpoint, how do I be more significant in people’s lives.” Chasing that significance has come in the form of his work outside the dealerships, which began when he and his wife of almost 24 years, Charisse, bought what was Hub Ford Lincoln Mercury dealership in 2008. The growth from that dealership to Reichenbach Volkswagen, also in Florence, and Mike Reichenbach 38

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

Chevrolet in Okatie, South Carolina, has resulted in the Reichenbach's pursuit of something more. Reichenbach is chair-elect of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, currently participating in both Leadership Florence and Leadership South Carolina programs, in addition to being a Liberty Fellow. He’s a board member of the McLeod Health Foundation and Florence-Darlington Technical Foundation, and he’s a game warden. But getting there from the height of the Great Recession, when he bought the first dealership, has been anything but easy and it was accomplished one day at a time, with a large emphasis on managing his time well. That day starts between 5:30 to 6 a.m. when Reichenbach wakes up and spends about 45 minutes in prayer and reading the Bible. Faith is just a part of the reason Reichenbach says this routine is important to him. It also allows him to focus on the day ahead, assuring that he can, in his words, “manage my day instead of letting my day manage me.” Reichenbach freely admits it can be hard to adhere to this tried and true routine. “I sometimes let my mind get ahead of me,” he said. “I’ll sometimes start with my laptop or I’ll start on my phone and once I get engaged in that mode, it’s very, very hard - almost impossible - for me to then disengage and for me to then stop thinking about work.”

When Reichenbach gets to the office, he first checks-in with his senior management team across the three dealerships. This is done via email and text mostly. He tries to avoid calling them early in the morning. “I want them to start their days and their routine instead of having the owner call them every morning!” Reichenbach laughs. “Delegation is really the only way I’m able to do all of the additional tasks that I’m involved in now - the boards, the military, the game warden - all of those are possible because I finally have the right recipe of the senior leadership team.” The culture of the dealerships bearing the Reichenbach name is very important to the Rechienbachs. Since it is literally the family name on the side of the buildings, their approach is that every person who walks in the door has to be able to experience the ethics Mike personally adheres too, even if they never meet him. “It’s easy to find people who can do the mechanics of the job,” he said. “It’s much harder to find people who will do it the way you would do it in your absence." So much more was covered in our interview with Mike Reichenbach: tips on the hiring process, more on establishing a successful business culture, and more on moving from success to significance over the course of a career. Listen to the entire 30-minute conversation by subscribing to the Keeping Time Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you download podcasts. You can also find the Keep Time Podcasts by logging on to www. sweeneymediaandconsulting.com. Writer bio: John Sweeney lives in Florence with his wife, Sarah, and their daughter. When not interviewing the area’s most productive citizens, you can find John working his day job at the regional economic development group NESA and trying to maximize his time exploring the wonderful Pee Dee region.

611 N Coit St, Florence • 843.292.4200 mikereichenbachfordflorence.com | mrvwofflorence.com

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

NEWSWORTHY

Something to Celebrate... Members of Hartsville Young Professionals present City of Hartsville representatives with a check

DOG PARK RECEIVES DONATION FROM HARTSVILLE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY'S ONLINE MSN PROGRAM NOTED IN USN & WR RANKINGS

The City of Hartsville Parks and Recreation Department received a donation from proceeds of the Doggie Dash 5K to make improvements to the Dog Park at Byerly Park. This 5K race was hosted by the Hartsville Young Professionals in August 2019 in Downtown Hartsville. The group raised a total of $1,752.76 from their first 5K race to present to the Dog Park. The Hartsville Young Professionals Board came out to the Dog Park on January 15th, 2020 to present the check to City of Hartsville representatives.

Francis Marion University’s Master of Science Nursing degree was among the schools included in U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking of Best Online Master’s Nursing Programs for 2020.

Hartsville Young Professionals 2019 Board President, Kelly Benton, said, “Members of Hartsville Young Professionals noticed there was a huge need at the Dog Park at Byerly Park and decided that we were the group that could do something about it. This 5K race was successful because of the community’s involvement and we were all so excited to help the Parks and Recreation Department make these improvements to the Dog Park.”

FMU’s program was launched in 2012 to meet a growing need for frontline advanced care practitioners across healthcare. The program began with a MSN Family Nurse Practitioner degree. FMU is set to launch its second specialty, a MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program this year.

Parks and Recreation Manager, Adam Bedard, was thrilled to receive the donation from this organization. Bedard said, “It is amazing how many people in our community take interest in the facilities that we offer. We are hopeful that with the improvements we make to the Dog Park because of these funds, more people will bring their dogs out to enjoy our facilities.”

The popular program is built upon FMU’s highly respected Bachelor of Science Nursing degree program, and has produced hundreds of graduates since its launch. The MSN program also paved the way for the development of Doctorate in Nursing Practice program, FMU’s first doctoral-level degree. All are part of FMU’s fast-growing School of Health Sciences, which also encompasses graduate-level programs for physician assistants and in speech-language pathology.

The Parks and Recreation Department plans to make several needed improvements to the Dog Park. The list of improvements includes purchasing more benches, adding ramps and other features for the dogs to play on, and adding a shade to make the park more comfortable for patrons in the heat of the summer. The Department has already begun adding more lighting to the area which will make it safer for guests that use the Dog Park in the early mornings and late afternoons. Byerly Park is located at 700 Russell Road. The Dog Park can be found between the track and field area and the walking track. The Dog Park features an area for large dogs and an area for small dogs. If anyone is interested in making additional donations to improvements at the Byerly Park Dog Park, they can stop by the Coach T.B. Thomas Sports Center, call 843.339.2878, or email parks@hartsvillesc.gov.

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

If you are celebrating a positive achievement or have been awarded for a newsworthy accomplishment, email Heather Page at heather@vipmagsc.com.

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

HEALTH ++ BEAUTY BEAUTY HEALTH

HOPEHEALTH

staying on top of

your

health When it rains, it pours. Britni Brown knows this old adage all too well as she faced the loss of her health insurance on the heels of her divorce in 2019. A nurse by trade, Brown admits that she’s always been one to be more concerned with helping others than asking for help herself. However, single parenting her two daughters and the mounting pressure to find affordable care to treat her type 1 diabetes and other health conditions drove her to seek help. “It was scary,” Brown remembers, “my diabetes requires on-going care, and I didn’t know what I was going to do without insurance, but I discovered HopeHealth at just the right time.”

BRITNI

BROWN 42

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

Having inconsistent access to an endocrinologist had already been problematic prior to Brown losing health insurance coverage. However, with the help of a behaviorist and patient benefits counselor, she gained access to much needed services and HopeHealth’s financial assistance programs, which put her back on the road to better health. “It’s important to me to take care of myself so that I can be the best caretaker I can be for my family and for my patients. My care team helped me navigate every story by Julia Derrick, Communications Coordinator, HopeHealth

step needed to apply for the sliding fee scale and made it easy to take care of my appointments,” said Brown. HopeHealth makes getting care not only accessible, but affordable as well. Through HopeHealth’s integrated care model, Brown has been able to manage her diabetes and preventive health needs, including primary care, dental, endocrinology, and rheumatology. HopeHealth providers collaborate to provide comprehensive, synchronized care for patients. This also means that a patient’s medical records are all in one place, which led to further help for Brown. At a routine dental appointment, her dentist, Dr. Lydia Wright, discovered a pattern in her dental and medical histories that prompted her to refer Brown to HopeHealth rheumatologist, Dr. Supen Patel. “Trying to make a firm diagnosis with incomplete information is challenging, even for a seasoned practitioner,” said Dr. Wright. “With our integrated electronic health records from all HopeHealth providers, we can eliminate part of the hunt for pieces to each person’s medical puzzle. In Britni’s case, we could combine dental signs and symptoms with her complex medical history to ensure she saw a specialist who could make an accurate diagnosis.” “I was diagnosed shortly after meeting with Dr. Patel with frozen shoulder. Just having a new illness is scary and can be overwhelming. But all of my providers at HopeHealth have worked together to help me feel better. They really communicate with each other about me and my health, and I feel as if they know me as more than just a patient,” said Brown. “ Get into care, even if you don’t have diabetes or other conditions like I do. Staying on top of your health is essential to catching things early,” she said.

360 NORTH IRBY ST. FLORENCE 843.667.9414 | HOPE-HEALTH.ORG

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

GIFT GUIDE

ite eesecake Wh Ch y rr e 2 Ch Bonbon Chocolate

Homemade brownies

Prosecco-flavored liquid center cordials covered in dark chocolate

Vanilla cake with chocolate buttercream icing

Loco Over Coco 1 Griggs Circle Bakery, Hartsville 2 Dolce Vita CafĂŠ & More, Florence 3 Sweet Tooth, Florence 4 Marion Emporium, Marion

5 www.GillespiesPeanuts.com

6 Edible Arrangements, Florence

Chocolate covered peanuts 6

Strawberries dipped in indulgent semisweet chocolate and rolled in velvet cake crumbles 44

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

LIFESTYLE

3 Tips

to Finding Clarity story by Allie Roark

How are those New Year's goals coming along? I am sure that you are killing it, and because of that, you need to celebrate yourself for any progress that you have made. Whether you’re in a weight-loss contest, a Dave Ramsey Finance class, or leaving all things toxic in 2019 - change is hard. I think we all have the best of intentions of changing bad habits with lifegiving replacements. However, if you are anything like me, you may have so many ideas that it is overwhelming to know where to get started. I have the idea of ensuring intentionality this year so that our dreams can be achieved. Each month, I hope to give you tips and tricks to own 2020. This is our year. Are you in?

Let's go! Last month, I challenged you to make room in your schedule for the things that matter most to you in order to limit exhaustion and enhance purpose. That being said, these three tips will help you evaluate the mental and physical clutter that distracts us from what’s important.

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

1 Don't know where to start? Start with gratitude. It’s easy to lose sight of the things we are grateful for when we are constantly chasing after holographs of what we see others have. They are holographic because as soon as we get it, it doesn’t satisfy us as we thought it would. We immediately move on towards the next thing. Many have heard of keeping a gratitude journal, but if journaling isn’t your thing, a piece of paper or the notes on your phone will work just fine. Each morning try and think of ten things that you are grateful for. Here’s the kicker - it’s easy to list the big things like your job, house, husband etc., but the little things like the compliment you received at work or the conversation that you had with your mom on the phone, those are the things that will give you a new perspective on how blessed you really are. It truly does make a difference when you start off the day with a thankful heart and appreciating the things that God has already done in your life. I don’t know about you, but I am tired of being on the hunt for the next thing just to feel like I am keeping up.

2 Simplify your space. I am so excited about this one. Over Christmas break, I used several days to purge or declutter my house. It was tough because I can find meaning and value in anything I own. I can’t tell you how many keepsake boxes of cards that I have in my closet, because I refuse to throw away any type of affirmation. However, I grabbed a few trash bags and boxes, and I cleaned - like really cleaned. Okay, so maybe not anything in my keepsake boxes, but we’re getting there. Clearing some space in my house provided me with mental clarity. My fiancé jokes and tells me I will buy anything and it’s true. I am a sucker for buying junk. However, this year I am running towards a life of simplicity. Want to join me? Below is a list of things that I found on Pinterest to guide me on what to throw out. As much as I want to follow the minimalist trend, I am not ready to wear the same outfit everyday of the week or stop using plastic water bottles. This change is minor and it’s good. We are allowed to take baby steps!

Things to consider throwing out... • old magazines

• socks with holes

• old couch pillows

• underwear with holes

• movies you don't watch

• clothes you haven't worn in the last 6 months

• movies that are scratched • burnt out candles • extra cords • games with missing pieces

• clothes that don't fit • earrings without a match • old ties • old belts

• old books

• old purses

• broken makeup

• old hats and gloves

• old makeup

• worn-out shoes

• old nail polish

• worn-out blankets

• old perfume

• old pillows

• old toothbrushes

• expired food

• half-empty bottles

• take out menus

• towels with holes

• restaurant sauce packets

• anything you haven't used in the last 3 months • socks without a match

• old coupons • old mail • excess Tupperware

3 There's an app for that. I’ve mentioned before that I love to buy junk. A few months ago, I bought the ugliest/cutest pair of llama slippers from Hobby Lobby. I didn’t need them, but they were $6 and made me so happy. Planning a wedding and a forever with my fiancé has made me realize that it is time to manage my money better and smarter. I love monthly subscriptions and coming home to packages on my front porch, but most of the stuff I purged a few weeks ago came out of those packages. Did I really need the slippers? No, I didn’t, and even though $6 isn’t a lot, I am sure that $6 could have gone towards the furniture in our future house. After a little research, I discovered Truebill. Truebill is an app that has helped me cancel subscriptions and memberships that I didn’t realize I had. Truebill has shown me where and how to make room in my budget by eliminating unnecessary purchases. It has been a total game-changer. If you are wondering, I put the llama slippers in my pile of things to donate to Pee Dee Thrift. Not only does Ryan hate them, but our dog Izzy attacks them every time she sees them on my feet. These three tips are basic, but they will help get us started. 2020 is a year where we go after the dreams that give us purpose. We can’t do kingdom work with a mind full of distraction and clutter. Have fun cleaning, and I will see you next month for Ways to Make It Happen in March.

• old receipts February 2019

VIPMagSC.com

LIFESTYLE

Celebrating Valentine's

story by Rebecca Giese & photography by Erin Daniel

VIPMagSC.com

November 2019

Valentine's Day may be the crowned queen of February, but in the last couple of years, "Galentine" celebrations have created a stir in the metaphorical polling. Galentine's Day or a Galentine Party, celebrate the "gals" in your life, best friends, and supportive relationships not tied to couples-status. A Galentine party may be a fun Saturday brunch or an evening cocktail hour, either way, 9 out of 10 times there will be a bar cart or spread of sweets and libations. As a big Galentine lover and minor holiday celebrator, I am bringing some of my tips and crafty ideas to elevate your bar cart during Galentine's or Valentine's Day! Have a Signature Cocktail - Having a unique cocktail helps solidify the theme while also honing in on the alcohol budget for the event. A signature cocktail doesn't have to be complicated or need a bartender to create. I love a simple Galentines Punch, which is sparkling rose´, with a splash of grenadine syrup. Simple, but you can impress your guest with the garnish options like fresh pomegranate or like photographed here strawberry hearts. Or wow them with a sugar rim, dip the edge of the glass in simple syrup and then into fine sugar sprinkles. Pro tip - make sure the glass is 100% dry before dipping into syrup and sugar, or it will run and create a mess. Love the recipe and the recipe illustration for your bar? You are in luck! It is a free downloadable at www.southernspirations.com.

Anchor with a Watercolor Banner - What good

party doesn't have a fun banner? Recreate your very own watercolor banner, like the one in the photos, in several easy steps! First, use art masking fluid to freehand the individual letters on cardstock or watercolor paper. Once the masking fluid is dry, after about 5 minutes, use a paintbrush and pink or red watercolor paints to paint around and over the letters. Once the paper is fully dry, rub/pull over the masking fluid to reveal your letters and cut out the pieces. Try to cut the pieces to about the same size for a clean look. Then glue or tape to a ribbon or string of your choosing!

Accessorize with Heart Stirrers - Little accessories are the perfect finishing touch to any bar cart. Personally, I don't want to spend a ton of money on items that may be used, at most, once a year. So I have a fun, quick DIY for heart cocktail stirrers! While you have the watercolor paints out from making your banner, on cardstock or watercolor paper paint medium size hearts. Once dry, cut them out and hot glue them to the end of cake-pop plastic sticks. Give Friendship Valentines - Who said giving Valentines is just for elementary kids? I love giving Valentines to friends and coworkers as a fun way to show appreciation and enjoy the holiday season even when single. Make your own or purchase a set; either way, they are sure to put a smile on your friends' faces. The collection shown in the photos is available for purchase by Southern'spirations at Fleur De Lis, in Hartsville, South Carolina.

On My Radar! Fresh'n up with Flowers - Valentine's Day

may have the monopoly on roses, but for a Galentine celebration, I stick to carnations. The pink carnation stands for gratitude and an unforgettable bond, is there a better flower for a celebration of friendship than that? Plus, carnations are much cheaper than a dozen roses!

I am marking my calendar for The 5th Annual American Heritage Festival in Lake City, February 15th. When I'm not writing fun articles about bar carts, I love learning about US history and consider myself a history buff. All Valentine's Day sweet treats! Check out Grigg's Bakery in Hartsville for a great selection of delectable goodies. I love their sugar cookies and petit fours.

November 2019

VIPMagSC.com

HOME

Did You Know... The Graded School Established in 1907

story by Kent Daniels

EARLY LAKE CITY SCHOOLS From the first settling of this area until 1878, people educated their children in their own homes, in an “Old Field School,” probably in church buildings, and in groups housed mostly in private dwelling. (1) In 1878, on the Baptist church grounds, Middleton Kelly and Henry H. Singletary built the “Academy,” Lake City’s first school building planned especially as a school. (2) About 1888, just south of the baptist church, a larger schoolhouse was constructed because the Academy was too small to qualify for public funding. W.L. Bass, attorney and often times reporter to the local newspaper, became this school’s first principal. Three teachers taught most subjects, but Mr. Bass taught classes of rhetoric, algebra, and chemistry, in preparation for college. (3) In 1901 a new school opened, this one financed entirely by public funds. A modern handsome building of three large rooms, a hallway, piazza, porch, and belfry, (4) this school also trained students for college. (5) In 1902, the new school year began with over one hundred students and only two teachers. (6) It was located on the west side of what is now North McAllister Street, behind the east end of the presently existing The Continuum. Where this elegant school building stood became and continues today as a vacant lot. Lake City’s dominant industries - strawberries, then tobacco, later beans, and other vegetables - attracted many new people to the community. As a result, the citizens of Lake City needed a larger school. Therefore, in 1907 the city floated a bond and purchased land to build another school. This building was situated on the corner of North Acline Avenue, known earlier as North Railroad Street, and Kelly Street. (7)

This 1907 school cost $9,000, not including the approximately $1400 cost for land, furniture, toilets, architectural fees, etc. The building was “a splendid structure, of simple, yet elegant design, substantial, convenient, and comfortable, quite an ornament for the town and a credit to the people.” (8) This twostory structure, completed in November of the same year, 1907, had eight large classrooms, an auditorium, a music room, a superintendent’s office, four halls, and two stairways. Its modern heat came through radiators from a basement furnace. The interior of this handsome structure is even more attractive than the exterior. (9) During the ten years from 1900 to 1910, the population of Lake City tripled from 375 to over one thousand. Lake City again needed more school space. So in 1912, Lake City spent approximately $10,000 to add several more classrooms and an auditorium. (10) In 1923 a new high school was built on East Main Street, and the school along the railroad tracks became a graded school - that is, a school of six separated grades. This building continued to house Lake City’s graded school until 1940, when it moved into the newly completed elementary school on Blanding Street.

Notes: (1) Carter, Margaret L., History of Lake City, South Carolina, (Carlton Press, New York, 1976). (2) Ibid. (3) Ibid. (4) The [Williamsbrg] County Record, November 7, 1901. (5) Carter. (6) The [Williamsburg] County Record, October 9, 1902. (7) Carter. (8) The [Williamsbrg] County Record, July 4, 1902. (9) The [Williamsbrg] County Record, November 14, 1907. (10) The [Williamsbrg] County Record, October 31, 1912.

Kent Daniels is a Lake City native, retired teacher, and now Director of the Lynches Lake Historical Society.

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

HOME

"Recipes are stories, glimpses of unforgettable moments between vulnerable hungry/thirsty people who are fed by love through the art of cooking."

What Are Recipes? story by Doug Smith

Just recently the thought came to my mind, "What is a recipe?" It’s one of those things that you just know, or at least you think you do. So I looked it up. According to Merriam-Webster, the word 'recipe' comes from the word 'receipt' and is defined as: "A set of instructions for making something from various ingredients." Now I was very curious about what a receipt could possibly have to do with a great tasting cake. Some would say when you buy it at the store you get a receipt. Well, that’s only part of the story but not what I was looking for here. To understand the connection you need to go back to the 1500s when the word recipe becomes part of the English language. Up until this point, instructions for cooking or actually anything that needed a step by step set of instructions was called a receipt. Then in an unrelated event, there was much advancement in the field of medicine around the mid-1500s. One such advancement was a new word; this new word was recipe. It was used exclusively by a doctor to communicate in Latin to the pharmacists. Fast forward a few years and slowly the word recipe became associated with food. By the early 1800s, the two words had come into their own. A receipt was a list of items purchased at the store which is then used to make your favorite recipe. This still didn’t answer my original question though, "What are recipes?" To me, it’s more than a list of ingredients with instructions. I often think of homemade pound cake. There’s

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

nothing better than a slice of pound cake still warm just out of the oven. Now you could go to one of a thousand websites that will have what they call the "Best Pound Cake Recipe Ever" or "Mom’s Easy Pound Cake Recipe" to name a couple. I could even walk out of my favorite grocery store with a fully baked presliced pound cake ready to eat. But I am looking for more than just a good pound cake. I need an experience. See, to me, a recipe is more of a story. I think about a memory of my mother baking a cake for a Saturday night fish fry where all the friends and family gathered around the fire pit. Recipes help make new memories as we share our creations with the people that are most important in our lives. It’s a way to share love with friends and family. As said perfectly by Pat Pedrosa, “Recipes are stories, glimpses of unforgettable moments between vulnerable hungry/thirsty people who are fed by love through the art of cooking. They are not just a list of ingredients and steps, no matter how many websites present them that way. Let’s not allow the internet to kill them: keep recipes alive by telling their stories.”

Get more from Doug Smith by following him on Facebook and Instagram at "Doug the Food Guy".

-Doug

My Pound Cake INGREDIENTS 4 cups all-purpose flour 3 cups sugar 2 cups butter, softened 3/4 cup milk 6 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract METHOD • Preheat oven to 325°. • Layer ingredients and mix. Place flour, sugar, butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla (in that order) in a 4-qt. bowl of a heavy-duty electric stand mixer. Beat at low speed 1 minute, stopping to scrape down the sides. Beat at medium speed 2 minutes. • Pour into a greased and floured 10-inch bunt pan, smooth the top. • Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack, and cool completely (about 1 hour). February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

HOME

The History of

Valentine’s Day 1714

1894

Charles II of Sweden begins communicating with flowers and assigning a different message to each type. This tradition allegedly assigned love and romance to the red rose.

The Hershey Chocolate Company is founded, bringing what was previously "a European luxury product" to the U.S.

1822

Conversation candies become heart-shaped.

1902

The Cadbury chocolate company sells the first heart-shaped box of chocolates in England.

1907

1849

The Hershey Chocolate Company introduces Kisses candy.

Howland produces a dozen sample Valentine’s Day cards and sends them off with her brother to distribute during a sales trip for their father’s company hoping to earn $200. Instead, he returns with 25X that amount, indicating a much higher-than-expected demand.

1866 Conversation candies are developed, when Daniel Chase -- brother of New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) founder Oliver Chase -- uses vegetable dye to print words onto confections.

1870

1913 Hallmark produces its first Valentine’s Day card.

1948 The De Beers diamond company launches its "A Diamond is Forever" campaign, sending the message that gifting high-end jewelry can be used as an expression of love.

2005 Valentine’s Day begins to go digital. On February 14, 2005, YouTube -- which originated as an online dating site -- makes its debut.

Howland incorporates her booming card business as the New England Valentine Company, operating out of her home via an assembly line that was largely comprised of her friends.

2013

1880-1888

2016

Howland sells the New England Valentine Company to the George C. Whitney Company. Whitney has acquired at least 10 competitors, including Berlin and Jones, which had become New York City’s “largest manufacturer of Valentines.”

NetBase, a social media analytics platform, releases a Valentine’s Day Sentiment Analysis, measuring how people engage with and discuss the holiday on social media. It measured nine million mentions of Valentine’s Day, with the vast majority of them mentioning a specific brand -- Netflix. The top hashtag was #happyvalentinesday.

This timeline of events from HubSpot have helped shape Valentine’s Day into what it is today.

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

Ride sharing company Uber rolls out “Romance On Demand,” allowing users to send flowers on Valentine’s Day via the app.

Streaming platforms offer thousands of movies and show options and sometimes it can be tough to know what to choose. Looking for recommendations? You no longer have to #askfacebook because we’re here to help!

For as long as they can recall, Grace (Jane Fonda), a retired cosmetics mogul, and Frankie (Lily Tomlin), a hippie art teacher, have been rivals. Their one-upmanship comes crashing to a halt, however, when they learn that their husbands have fallen in love with each other and want to get married. Conveniently, husbands Robert and Sol are partners at a successful divorce law office. As everything around the ladies is coming apart, the only thing they can really rely on is each other. This Netflix original is on its sixth season and is worthy of a weekend binge watch. Martin Sheen plays Grace’s husband and Sam Waterston plays Frankie’s husband. This allstar cast will keep you glued-in and doubled over with laughter.

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

OUR BACKYARD

Kalmia Gardens story by Zach Hughes

One of the things that I have come to admire about the Pee Dee is that there is no shortage of places in our own backyard that are worth exploring. Many of them can be an escape from our daily lives or just a chance to step back into nature. None the less, I have discovered that you don't have to travel far to find your next adventure. After spending a few months working in Hartsville, it was easy to fall in love with the area. The downtown is comfortable and the community seems in touch. Each day I ventured out in Hartsville to find something new or interesting. Over the years I have heard of a place on the edge of town named Kalmia Gardens. A friend of my fathers worked there and told me to put it on my list of places to visit. Conveniently for me, I got a job working nearby so I would spend my lunch breaks sitting on the edge of the gardens eating lunch. I made sure to go for a walk to explore what the gardens had to offer. As soon as you step onto the footpath, the trail becomes surrounded by a multitude of different colors of flowers and lush bushes. I could immediately hear a small fountain that led to an area called the Sensory Garden. This little nook nestled in by a brick fence filled my senses with the smell flowers and fresh plants along with the trickle of the small fountain. The mesmerizing variety of colors was buzzing with bees at work taking nectar from the flowers. After stepping back onto the footpath, I found a wooden staircase that led down into a deep cool forest of hardwood trees. The drop-off felt like the earth had been carved out from underneath your

56 56

VIPMagSC.com VIPMagSC.com

February 2020 September 2019

feet. At the base of the stairs, a boardwalk appears that takes you through the hardwood forest. One of the paths takes you to a bridge that leads over Black Creek. All around the creek, there is a multitude of large knobby cypress trees. Along my journey through the gardens, I found a variety of other neat features. Years ago the gardens realized that they found some storm drain water making its way into the river, so work was done to create a natural filter system that cleaned the water through rocks and pools before it entered the river. This was a neat discovery! There are several different trails to walk around and get lost in. You'll see a small pond filled with water lilies and small fish that had a wooden deck on its edge. As I looked down into the pond it appeared as if the fish were looking right back at me trying to figure out what I was. During a few of my visits, I ran into my dad's old friend, Danny Hill - an enthusiastic nature lover who takes pride in the work he does and knows more about the park than I ever could. We usually had a few short conversations about the importance of conservation and he reminded me of neat features about the gardens. Spending time on this path is enough to immerse yourself in the forest and find yourself getting lost in the trees. Doing this every day was all I needed to find peace and escape from a chaotic day. Make sure to find a space near you to cleanse your mind and get lost in the trees. Adventure is a lot closer than you think. Oh and make sure to stop Danny Hill and ask him about the gardens, he is sure to point you in the right direction.

1624 W Carolina Ave, Hartsville 843.383.8145 | www.kalmiagardens.org

Zach Hughes resides in Florence with his wife Alexis and their 1 year old son, Christopher. Zach is a local entrepreneur, and has spent most of his time working around the automotive industry. In his spare time, Zach enjoys discovering South Carolina and dabbling in journalism. February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

HOME

tech gadgets Waydoo Flyer Do you want to feel like you’re flying over the water? Well, now you can! For $6,495, the Waydoo Flyer claims to be much less expensive than other electric surfboards that can cost as much as $22,000. The sport is called foiling, e-foiling, or hydro-foiling and it’s catching on quickly! The Waydoo Flyer can surf up to 28 miles per hour and can last up to 120 minutes. That allows you to go a nearly 35 mile range. Sounds almost romantic...Just you and whichever body of water you choose to float above. A wireless Bluetooth hand-held controller allows five speeds and proficiency modes; this board is good for the beginners and something even the more advanced surfers will love. The carbon construction keeps it lightweight, sturdy, and fast. To purchase or for more information, visit www.waydootech.com.

Altec Lansing EVP (Everything Proof) Vertical Speaker This speaker has fixed all of the things we complain about in our current speakers. It’s IP67 Everything Proof, which means it’s water, dust, snow, and dirt proof AND...it can float in water. In addition, it has a 100 feet wireless range and you can pair multiple of them together. This gadget will be released spring of 2020. There will be five sizes and will range in price from $40 to $200. To purchase, visit www.alteclansing.com.

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020

SERVICE DIRECTORY

February 2020

VIPMagSC.com

LIFESTYLE

MINT FOR YOU INGREDIENTS:

10 fresh mint leaves 1 lime 1 tbsp. grapefruit juice 2 tbsp. simple syrup 1 1/2 oz. tequila 1 cup ice 1/3 cup seltzer water 1 slice grapefruit

DIRECTIONS:

Place 6 to 10 fresh mint leaves in a short glass. Squeeze in the juice from 1 lime and use a muddler to gently crush the mint. Stir in 2 tbsp. of grapefruit juice, 2 tbsp. of simple syrup, 1 ½ oz. of tequila, and strain if desired. Add 1 cup of ice and ⅓ cup of seltzer water. Stir if needed. Garnish the glass with a mint sprig and a grapefruit slice.

VIPMagSC.com

February 2020