March 2020

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 Nancy Devon Carsten Phillip Guyton Fred Salley Adam Silverman Contributing Writers Mark W. Buyck, III Kent Daniels Ashley Elvington Rebecca Giese Emily Powell 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

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The Vip team is scratching to get out in the crisp morning, warm afternoon spring weather that’s where the inspiration came for March’s cover.

As we all sat inside, pounding away at our keyboards, all we wanted to do is get outside. We hope this cover gives you a little outside inspiration.

And we also hope that you learn more about our community while flipping through the pages! Happy reading!

CONTENTS

ISSUE 52

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MARCH 2020 HEALTH + WELLNESS 10 HopeHealth: Sharon Grubb 12 City Center Farmers Market 16 Celebrating Disability Awareness Month

18 Around Town: Miracle League Oyster Roast 20 Newsworthy

LIFESTYLE 22 Newsome Travel: Advice On Planning Your Vacation 24 Allie Roark: Life Full of Value and Purpose 26 Sheriff William Barnes: Running A Tight Shift 28 State Elder Elijah Green: 50th Year in Florence 30 St. Patrick's Day Local Events 32 February 2020 Calendar

BUSINESS 34 Financial Focus: Edward Jones 36 Book Suggestion: Topics of Conversations 38 Darlington County Club: Nancy & Tim Huntley

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40 Getting to Know Haley Hughes 42 Willcox, Buyck & Williams, PA: The Rollin Sisters

44 Keeping Time: Meg Temple 48 In Our State: Fountain Inn

HOME 52 Five Facts About Hummingbirds 54 Rebecca Giese: How To Make Irish Beer Bread 56 Kent Daniels: South Acline Avenue 58 Doug Smith: Thinking Outside the Recipe

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60 Drink of the Month: The Greenhouse Cocktail

HEALTH + WELLNESS

Preventing Diabetes with a little of this, a little of that

story by Donna Tracy, Communication Coordinator, HopeHealth

After three decades of fighting crime in Chicago, retired police officers James and Sharon Grubb headed south to plant new roots in Florence. They looked forward to a life of fishing and good weather, but complications with James’ diabetes led to two amputations.

This was a wakeup call for Sharon. After her husband’s traumatic event and with her own rising blood sugar levels, she knew she had to make a change.

While she knew medications would help manage her sugar levels, she wanted to learn what lifestyle changes could help prevent the development of diabetes.

Moving her care to HopeHealth, Sharon found Dr. Lisa Lanning at the Medical Plaza in Florence. Due to some family history, Dr. Lanning listened to Sharon’s desire to not rely on diabetes medications. Her family members had tried reducing their blood sugar levels with medications but had still become insulin dependent and developed complications.

“I tell them all the time, ‘this is from diabetes.’ The congestive heart failure, the peripheral artery disease, the double amputation; that’s all from diabetes, and if you don’t heed the warning signs of diabetes, this could happen to you,” said Sharon.

She didn’t want to follow that same path. Seeing Sharon’s drive and commitment to improving her health, Dr. Lanning referred her to Caitlin Guess, a HopeHealth dietitian.

Sharon enrolled in the year-long Diabetes Prevention Program. The program was exactly what she was looking for.

“We had a fantastic group, and I started following what the instructor said: life-style changes and portion control. I was exercising and riding my bike every morning,” said Sharon. “The class really made me feel better and stronger, so I didn’t get that ice cream sandwich or bag of chips. We’d sit and talk and exchange different recipes and tips for making recipes healthier.”

For Sharon, the biggest surprise was each time she got on the scale.

“I was like, ‘What?!’ Five points, six pounds, 10 pounds! I was losing it, and I eat what I want, just not as much. The weight just started falling off!”

Completing her class in February, Sharon succeeded in lowering her blood sugar levels to a healthy range and lost 45 pounds!

“I’ve seen what changing my eating and exercise habits has done for my health,” Sharon said. “Getting control of my prediabetes was one of best decisions I have made.”

“I am so proud of Sharon!“ said Dr. Lanning. “She is a model patient.”

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

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“

I was like, ‘What?!’

Five points, six pounds, 10 pounds! I was losing it, and I eat what I want, just not as much. The weight just started falling off!

”

For more information on diabetes and programs to prevent and manage the disease, visit hope-health.org/diabetes or contact Sonda Jett-Clair at 843-432-3717.

HEALTH + WELLNESS

~ City

Center Farmers Market ~

FRESH VEGETABLES • MEATS • DAIRY • ARTISAN GOODS story by Ashley Elvington photo by Phillip Guyton

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CITY CEN TER FARM ERS MAR KET & PROD UCTI ON KITC HEN S

SAN

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The City Center Farmers Market is located at 200 Sanborn Street in downtown Florence.

OPEN HOURS: 9 AM-1 PM every Saturday, year-round

UNLESS

you’ve been living under a rock for quite some time, then you’re well aware that the City of Florence is flourishing in a state of constant expansion. Long gone are the days of small-town boredom – these days, Florence is getting the attention of out-of-towners and even the locals can’t seem to stay away! With so much to offer the public, why would anyone want to? There is plenty to do that will keep you busy – you’ll find fine dining, entertaining nightlife, Florence After Five, many other fun-filled outdoor events, the Florence Little Theatre, the Florence County Museum, and so much more! Needless to say, Florence is colorful, diverse, and modern.

While making your list of things to do in this great city, be sure to stop by the City Center Market, home to the City’s Farmers Market.

With its new location on 200 Sanborn Street, the City Center Market is conveniently located to your neighborhood and near downtown Florence where you’ll find shopping, dining, cafes, and so much more.

Since 2016, this year-round farmer’s market has placed a strong emphasis on creating a place where local foods and fresh produce can be easily accessed by all of the City’s residents. At the new facility and location, the market has dramatically increased its offerings to the public. This exciting new chapter is just beginning, as new features will continue to be revealed throughout the year. Visitors will not only discover a growing market, but they’ll also be able to access food trucks, a commercial kitchen space available for rent by the hour, private/business incubator spaces for food and beverage businesses, as well as an eye-catching location that can be rented for outdoor events. As a part of the City’s Wellness Campus, other amenities such as the Pearl Moore Gymnasium and B.K.’s Inclusive Playground are available for the public's use as well. To say it’s only a farmers market, simply isn’t true!

The City Center Market and Kitchen now offers space for food truck operators to park and utilize electricity hookups for service. They can also share space in the kitchen as a base of operations or commissary, as required by DHEC. The commercial kitchen space can be used by caterers, food truck operators, food and/or beverage entrepreneurs who need larger space and a commercial kitchen in order to produce story continues on page 14

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HEALTH + WELLNESS

~ Fresh Vegetables • Meats • Dairy • Artisan Goods ~ for wholesale and retail markets, including the farmers market. It’s unlikely you won’t find what you need in this kitchen, as it has a double convection oven, proofing cabinets, a 30-quart mixer, a 6-burner gas stove, a stockpot range, dry goods, and cold and freezer storage units. Users are encouraged to bring their own small-wares and are rest-assured they won’t be crowded, as the kitchen is rented to only one user at a time.

If you’ve found yourself searching for even more space than the kitchen has to offer, you may want to look into renting a business incubator space. These three private leased spaces are furnished by the tenant and serve primarily as production spaces.

If you’re planning an event and need a venue, look no further than the market’s rental space. This raised plaza and large lawn area are the perfect spot for outdoor music and festivities. It’s also a special piece of history, as this wooden railroad shed was covered over with a WWII Quonset hut with a multibarrel roof structure. This structure was then covered with sheet metal, and made to look rectangular in shape. Sixty years later, some TLC was needed. Layers were peeled away and the remains of those barrels are what you will see today, painted bright red on the old concrete foundation. Wood from the original shed was repurposed in the shelter on the lawn and serves as a stage.

The market will continue as an openair event every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM and vendors selling homegrown produce, proteins (such as eggs and meats) or handmade crafts are encouraged to come find a spot at the market. You’ll be welcomed with warm Southern hospitality by 20+ vendors under the wooden shelter or tents on the yard who offer an incredibly diverse array of products you cannot find in a big-brand store. Some of the items offered at the market include: grass-fed beef, pastured pork, freerange chicken, wild-caught fish, Happy Cow milk, kombucha, eggs, a wide selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables, local honey, fresh pasta, pasta sauce, lasagna, European style breads of many varieties, pretzels, baked goods, herbal remedies, handmade soaps, lotions, and candles, knitted items, recipes, handmade woodcraft items, quilts, paper-craft, toys, jewelry, custom breakfast and 14

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photo by Adam Silverman

lunch using market ingredients, soups, and hand-forged ironwork. If you have to have your caffeine first thing in the morning to get you going? No problem, as several vendors sell coffee in their tents!

Vendor David White of Maypop Farm took over the Ovis Hill market spot when Charlie Caldwell retired. He has been with the market for a year and is excited about the new location near downtown Florence, especially the wooden shelter, which he claims will make the market more vibrant. To name a few of David’s items for sale would include meats, such as chicken and pork raised in Darlington. He shares, “I grind my own feed using non-GM grains and I feed no antibiotics or growth promotants. The animals have access to the outside.”

The grass-fed beef is raised by John Rogers at Hill Creek Farm and the dairy is supplied by two dairies in the state - Happy Cow in Pelzer (who also provides cheese and butter) and One Way Dairy in Pineland. David also has various dry goods, many of which are locally sourced, such as peanuts, honey, grits, and rice. You can find David and Maypop Farm under the wooden shelter every Satuday.

Andrea Caputa of Angel Crafts Bakery, market vendor since May 2019, is looking forward to a more professional setting offered by the new location.

She and her team offer items such as rye bread with caraway seed and multi-seed bread (both made with vegan ingredients and organic stone-ground rye), sandwich sourdough, and cinnamon sourdough. Some items that may be up for sale in the future include ciabatta, cranberry bread, German rolls, and German pretzels – all made with vegan ingredients. If one of these sets off a spark to your taste buds, stop by and let her know! She also has seasonal items, including pumpkin bread and a Christmas bread known as German Stollen.

Harold Ellerbe of Timmonsville’s Ellerbe Vegetable Farm has been with the market for three years and loves the new look of the market and potential of meeting new customers. To say he grows a bit of produce is quite an understatement! Harold grows kohlrabi, kale, romaine and bibb lettuces, squash, zucchini, arugula, broccoli, cauliflower, rutabagas, cabbage, mustard greens, turnips, cucumbers, string beans, peppers, tomatoes, red potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes, Russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, okra…You name it and Harold more than likely grows it!

photo by Adam Silverman

Now the million-dollar question

– are you drooling yet?

Because there are so many wonderful surprises and treasures just waiting to be discovered at the City Center Farmers Market. See you there!

Interested in being a vendor?

Visit www.florencedowntown.com/ citycenterfarmersmarket or email mdowdell@cityofflorence.com to participate in the market. Food truck vendors are encouraged to apply, but must also abide by regulations regarding zoning and permits.

Call 843-665-3113 for more information.For kitchen, incubator, and rental space, contact Jennie Pezé at jpeze@cityofflorence.com.

Mark Your Calendars: • March 3rd, 11am - Market Ribbon Cutting • March 7th - Grand Opening Market day • May 2nd - Jam Fest • June 20th - Veg Fest • SeptemberMarch 26th2020 - Full Life Festival VIPMagSC.com

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Celebrating Disability Awareness Month For hundreds of years, people with intellectual disabilities (I/DD) had labels like retarded or moron. People thought the worse about people with IDD. Parents were told to put their children in institutions. Today we celebrate because of how far we have come. We are still overcoming barriers and stipulations, but mindsets have changed and still are changing.

Across South Carolina, everyone will be reinforcing a commitment to embrace people and support in our communities during March.

Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board supports and believes that inclusion is one of the most diverse ways to support people with intellectual disabilities. Through the work of self-advocates served by the board, people with IDD show their leadership by standing up for themselves and others, speaking up on issues, and advocating for their rights. They want to be treated like everyone else in their communities.

Self-Advocate groups work together to change laws in their states. They work on issues such as voting rights, transportation, getting real jobs; and most importantly, being respected.

Self-Advocates are in a real movement.

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Self-Advocates will celebrate in March with some of the following events: • Participate in the 31st Annual Disability Advocacy Day at the State House on March 4, 2020, in Columbia, SC. • Promote Leadership Training module. This training can be offered to organizations upon request. It is important to know that self-advocates lead the training.

Self-Advocates continue to gain knowledge. They often come together by participating in workshops and conferences to talk about their lives and concerns. Some self-advocates may work on state and national levels to gain greater insight into the selfadvocacy movement.

We celebrate Disability Awareness to gain equal access and equal opportunity for all. Join us in our celebration of Disability Awareness Month! For more information contact: Our Voices Count, Too Self Advocacy Council and an affiliate of Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board.

• Join Florence County Council Meeting as a participant of information on issues.

• Increase their opportunities in the community by building relationships with other leaders of the community and organizations.

• Participate in Employer Incentive programs to gain more employment opportunities in the community.

1650 East Palmetto St Florence, SC • 843.662.4021 www.fcdfoundation.org

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AROUND TOWN: MIRACLE LEAGUE’S OYSTER ROAST

Miracle League of Florence

Annual Oyster Roast

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The 6th Annual Oyster Roast benefiting the Miracle League of Florence County was held on Saturday, January 25th at Southern Hops. The Jebb Mac Band rocked the stage while attendees enjoyed oysters, chicken bog and a silent auction.

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NEWSWORTHY

o t g n i h t e m o S Celebrate...

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

MCLEOD HEALTH COO NAMED BOARD CHAIR FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION Donna Isgett, Chief Operating Officer for McLeod Health, has been named the new board chair for the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA). The announcement was made during the SCHA Annual Meeting on February 4, 2020.

Picture Caption: Donna Isgett, Chief Operating Officer for McLeod Health, has been installed as the new Board Chair for the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA). She is pictured with outgoing Board Chair Tod Augsburger, President and CEO of Lexington Medical Center, at left, and Thornton Kirby, President and CEO of SCHA, at right.

NEPTUNE ISLAND OFFERS REWARDS FOR GOOD GRADES Neptune Island Waterpark is excited to announce an incentive for students to make good grades as they finish out the school year. The Hartsville, South Carolina waterpark is continuing the Splashin’ Grades Program during their third season at the park. This program rewards students from Kindergarten through 12th Grade with one single day admission when they provide a final report card for the 2019-2020 school year with A or AB Honor Roll status. Neptune Island will honor the equivalent grade in any school’s grading system. This promotion is valid June 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020.

Neptune Island Waterpark believes that students who work hard in school should be rewarded and a fun day at the park is a great way to do that. Jordan Braddock, General Manager, says, “We saw great success with this program during its debut season last year. We at Neptune Island know how hard kids work during the school year to maintain good grades, and we are excited to take this opportunity to reward them with some fun in the sun and splashin’ around the park this June. We hope to see a lot of parents bringing their kids out to take advantage of this fun reward.” The park is scheduled to open on a limited weekend only schedule beginning May 17th and fully open daily on June 6th. The hours for Neptune Island are Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

For more information about Neptune Island, please visit neptuneisland.com or follow Neptune Island on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat.

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DIGITAL-IGNITE ADVERTISING WELCOMES EXCEPTIONAL FLORENCE COMMUNITY MEMBER JEFF SMITH TO ITS SALES AND MARKETING TEAM Digital-Ignite Advertising, a data science driven advertising and marketing agency headquartered in Charleston, SC, is proud to announce the addition of Jeff Smith to its sales and marketing team.

Smith is also recognized by Digital-Ignite Advertising for his years of volunteerism including ongoing participation in the work of the East Florence Mission, Florence SC. “At Digital-Ignite Advertising, our employees are committed to adding value to the communities in which we live and work,” said Edward Seeger, CEO, Digital-Ignite Advertising. “We are proud to have Jeff on our team and equally proud of his commitment to serving the children and families of Florence. He is but one example of our corporate mission to make a positive impact through service.”

Smith’s position with Digital-Ignite Advertising includes sales and marketing in Florence and the surrounding area. Additional marketing services for the company’s international clientele handled

by Smith include graphic design and photography.

At the East Florence Mission, Jeff Smith is a fixture in the kitchen as well as an eager participant in any musical or athletic activities occurring with the youth.

“I enjoy any chance I can get to talk with the kids as so many are full of amazing dreams including becoming doctors or lawyers,” said Smith. “The ability to nurture these dreams is a way I am able to give back to this community where my family and I live and work.”

The East Florence Mission was begun in 1970 by a Christian group seeking to touch the lives of youth in east Florence through establishing a bible study program. Today, the Mission operates a Day School as well as provides an outreach to children with an activity center offering bible studies and dinner.

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LIFESTYLE

Have you started planning your family vacation?

We asked Brenda Newsome of Newsome Travel for help advice on planning and booking this year's vacation.

Brenda Newsome, owner Newsome Travel www.newsometravel.com 843.332.2247

Vip: "What is the benefit of hiring a trip advisor like

Vip: "What is your biggest tip when booking online?"

Brenda: "A travel advisor has undergone training as

the internet. I know, I see the ads as well and get a chuckle out of lots of them. Remember Glamour Shots? The pictures made even the plainest Jane look like a model. Remember you get what you pay for and if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! Seek professional advice."

yourself?"

well as experiencing countless resorts, ships, hotels, etc. She (or he) can advise you about options and steer you in the right direction. Nothing is worse than a vacation that has gone wrong. We are here to help."

Brenda: "Remember that anything can look good on

Vip: "What are the top destinations you see people booking/planning?"

Brenda: "Cruises and beach destinations are always popular. Cruises are so reasonable and offer a perfect vacation for families or couples on a budget. Once upon a time, they were out of reach but now they are easily accessible for all economic groups. You can cruise on a limited budget or opt for a 5-star experience.

"All-inclusive's are also popular. With an allinclusive, you don't have to worry about the bill you receive on your last day! Everything is paid upfront.

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again! This is also a good option for families as well. You don't have to worry about paying a tab for food left on the plate. Your children can just try something else. With charter flights out of Charlotte, there are some very, very reasonable all-inclusive vacations.

"Europe is still popular. Clients are enjoying riverboats since they offer an all-inclusive vacation on the beautiful rivers of Europe. And you only have to unpack one time!"

Vip: "When planning a trip, what would you suggest as the first step?"

Brenda: "Be realistic! You can't see 10 countries in a week. You can't stay in a 5-star hotel for 3-star pricing. Look at your budget and think of what you like to do on a vacation. From those choices, look at destinations that provide those options.

Do you want to be active or enjoy leisure time?

Do you love history? Are you a foodie?"

Vip: "Are there key dates people should book their trips by?"

Brenda: "Usually, the earlier the better. If you wait too long, you may not get the room category you prefer. You may not be able to book the sailing you want. The earlier you book, the more time you have to pay for your vacation as well. Last-minute requires full payment pretty quickly."

Vip: “What upcoming trips do are you working on that Vip readers could take part in?”

Brenda: “At the end of March I have a Riverboat Cruise to Bordeaux that you don’t want to miss!

We will also be doing a scheduled group trip to Scotland in September and Sicily in November.”

"Come travel with us!"

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LIFESTYLE

LIVE YOUR LIFE FULL OF VALUE & PURPOSE story by Allie Roark

If you are following along with me in this journey of eliminating distractions and finding clarity and have completed the challenges assigned to you in last month's article, you should be ready for these next steps.

Now that we are all feeling refreshed and a little more simplified, I think it's time that we kick it up a notch. What do ya' say? Are you ready to make it happen in March?

This month I am presenting you with three challenges that will take us another step closer to less anxiety and more life full of value and purpose.

1.) Let's deal!

I've never really been much of a collector.

However, lately, I've been collecting Rae Dunn, handmade pottery with fun text scribbled on each piece.

But if you were to check out my car or my bedside table you'd think I collected water bottles, too. So here's the thing, being an achiever, I love a checklist. It's so easy for me to add to the list and check it off later, but I've found the 2-minute rule to be just as satisfying. Whether it's changing your laundry from the washer to the dryer, throwing away water bottles, or remembering to wash your face after you have already settled into bed, the rule is if it takes less than 2 minutes, do it right then. If for some reason, you're like me and running late for your next appointment, make it a priority to complete that task that same day. There's no excuse why I can't clean my car each time I get out of it. To be honest, every morning when I'm driving to work, the number of cups and water bottles stresses me out. Instead of doing this to myself, I'm going to do myself a favor and apply this rule to my everyday life and avoid adding another task to my to-do list to do later on.

2.) Make a promise and keep it!

I'm a flake. No, really, I love making plans in the morning, however by 4 o'clock I am thinking of a reason to cancel. Not only am I guilty of doing this to my best friends, but I also struggle with commitments to myself. If

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you're feeling just as guilty as I am, let's make a promise to ourselves and follow through with it for 21 days. Maybe you want to focus on a self-care routine or staying away from fast food. Whatever you choose, write it down and make a promise to yourself and commit. I've always been told that it takes 21 days to create a habit. So this month, I am promising myself to make my bed every morning, drink a bottle of water before coffee, and get the trash, cups, and water bottles out of my car each day when I get home from work.

3.) Let your light shine!

Last month I received a random Facebook message from a VIP reader and the encouragement she sent me will never be forgotten. Knowing my love language, I love kind and inspiring words, but it also meant a lot to me that someone I don't even know took the time to reach out to me. Which got me thinking about the impact we can make by simply encouraging those around us with our words and encouragement. Whether it's a friend, spouse, teacher, Bible study leader, or whoever, take a few minutes and generate a list of people that you can encourage this month. Personally, I know I am more likely to reach out to someone after someone has reached out to me. It's like a domino effect. With that being said, let's start something crazy and just start spreading kind and encouraging words to people in our lives that may be starving to hear it with hopes that they will turn around and do the same thing.

March always seems to fly by to me which means we have some work to do. So go ahead and roll up your sleeves and apply the two-minute rule to your life, make a commitment to yourself and follow through with it for 21 days, and let your beautiful light shine to those around you.

~Together we are going to make it happen.~

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LIFESTYLE

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SHERIFF WILLIAM BARNES

RUNNING A TIGHT SHIFT story by Emily Powell It’s no secret that the Florence County Sheriff's Office has been under quite a bit of scrutiny lately.

Under the watchful eye of locals and patiently awaiting media, we’ve found ourselves observing carefully to see what unravels next. However, new leadership provided

by Florence County Sheriff William “Billy” Barnes suggests things are turning around. Sheriff Barnes has made it his personal goal to clean the department up before the November 2020 elected sheriff takes office at the end of the year.

Sheriff Barnes was born and raised in Florence County. He’s a graduate of McClenaghan High School and followed that up with a four-year stint with the United States Air Force. After leaving the Air Force, he attended the University of South Carolina. During this time, he also began his law enforcement career with SLED. “I grew up wanting to become a police officer. It was a natural decision to accept a position with SLED,” Barnes explains. After nine years with SLED, Sheriff Barnes took his last assignment. Then-Governor John West and SLED Chief J. P. Strom assigned him to fill a vacant sheriff position in his home county of Florence, which was in 1974.

Barnes went on to serve three additional terms as Sheriff of Florence County, retiring in January of 1993. He then opened a private detective and security company that he successfully ran for several years.

Once Kenney Boone was elected sheriff, Barnes rejoined the Florence County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) working part-time doing polygraphs. He continued this until being re-appointed sheriff in April of 2019. “I never truly stepped away from law enforcement; I had it in my hand the entire time,” Barnes says.

What’s changed in nearly 30 years since he last retired? “A whole lot,” Barnes says. “We didn’t have cell phones back then, only pagers. We’d have to find a payphone to call into the office.” Possibly the largest change came in the forensics department. Barnes says it has progressed so much that it’s hard to put into words. Even with the help of state-of-the-art forensic abilities, Sheriff Barnes still relies heavily on good ole’ detective work. “Most criminals can’t keep a secret.

When they commit a crime, they get to drinking and

tell a friend. They like to brag about what they’ve done.

And we’re close by listening.”

Following the news can certainly lead us to believe that crimes have drastically increased over the years.

Where people use to fight with fists, a gun has become a preferred choice of retaliation. “The sad part is that many of these shooters are young, only 13 or 14 years old,” Barnes explains. “They become affiliated with gangs and that’s a big problem.” To combat gangs, the FCSO has assigned one officer to work full-time on learning every aspect of gang activity. “We now know who these gangs are and are working to become proactive instead of only reactive.”

Barnes believes that a large part of the problem is criminals aren’t afraid of the punishment anymore. He’s from a time where if you did the crime, you did the time. Chief Glen Kirby was recently asked to gather facts about serious crimes that were committed within the last year. His findings were that almost all of those crimes were committed by people out on bond, people released on probation after committing other serious crimes, or even those that completed their probation but didn’t necessarily serve as much time as they should have.

Armed robberies are another growing crime in Florence County - until recently that is. Sheriff Barnes has assigned a group of Special Operations deputies to assist patrolmen in high traffic areas such as the entrance to Interstate 95 in Florence. Crime reports have gone down drastically due to these teams. Just in the first two weeks of January, nine fugitives were arrested, 12 stolen guns were apprehended and a lot of drugs were taken off of the streets.

“We have a great team here,” explains Sheriff Barnes.

“My goal is to get this office back in shape. I believe the people who work here appreciate the fact that they have a sheriff that has their back and is aware of what’s going on. I come to work every day, I stay all day, I go to raids when they do - I’m a hands-on sheriff.”

Sheriff Barnes wants the community to know that they are here to serve the people of Florence County. In his words, "There's a new sheriff in town!"

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The Real Thing:

State Elder Elijah Green Enters His 50th Year in Ministry in Florence story by Heather Page Pastor Green, House of God

Have you ever met someone that had a light that shone so bright you could nearly see their halo as they stepped into a room?

I’m aware of what a powerful statement that is to make but State Elder Elijah Green, Pastor of House of God Church on Wilson Road in Florence, certainly glows in the glory of the Lord. For nearly two years now Pastor Green has stopped by our office every Monday morning to pray with us and for us, both individually and as a business. His prayer has certainly made our team stronger and encouraged our walk with the Lord. This month we celebrate Pastor Green as he enters his 50th year in ministry!

Pastor Green has ministered at House of God for 45 years, a church his mother started with four members back in 1958. In 1970, Pastor Green moved to Florence from Connecticut with his wife, Florena, to help his mother grow the church. He and Florena relied on the Lord during their move; they had no jobs, no decent place to live, but they knew that they would be taken care of. Pastor Green went door-to-door inviting people to their ‘little shack’ they considered church on Cannon Street in West Florence. “The church was so raggedy, people would visit and never come back,” Green says.

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building conditions, I started visiting people at home, getting them saved, and they eventually began coming to church.”

In 1973 Pastor Green began pastoring at House of God. By 1974 he built the first church on Brunson Street and filled it with members. Pastor Green, along with Florena who joined him as Assistant Pastor in 1987, grew the church to nearly 250 members and 20 preachers by 1999. It was then they decided to build their current location on Wilson Road in Florence.

In addition to being a witness to Christ, Pastor Green is passionate about the city he came from - Pamplico. Visiting and praying with the businesses in Pamplico led Pastor Green to further his reach.

“I saw how it helped my hometown so I wanted to increase my foot print into Florence businesses.” Pastor Green continues, “You ought to talk about Jesus everywhere you go. Somebody helped me once, so I’m just doing what I can to help somebody else.” And he does just that.

State Elder Elijah Green and wife, Elder Florena Green

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LIFESTYLE

Ceiliúradh!

You don't have to look far for Saint Patrick's Day festivities, the Pee Dee has a schedule jammed pack with fun for any age!

Voted as one of the top places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in South Carolina is The Junior League of Florence’s Lucky Shamrock Festival in downtown Florence. Join the crowd on Friday, March 13th for great food, cold beverages, live music and a whole lot of fun!

Also, on Saturday, March 14th, Hoof and Hound in Hartsville will host the Shamrock Pub Crawl in Downtown Hartsville. The party starts at 4:30 and tickets are $30 per person.

Stops on the crawl are: Bizzells, The Rooftop Bar at the Mantissa, Retro SipN-Seat, Vintage Craft Beer and Wine, and Hoof and Hound. The night ends with The Buzz live at Hoof and Hound.

For more information, visit the Shamrock Crawl Facebook event page!

Saturday, March 14th, is the Shamrock Shenanigans Festival. This event is presented

by YMCA of the Upper Pee Dee in partnership with the City of Hartsville. The festival starts with a Color Me Green 5k, where runners will be doused with gold and green powders throughout the fun run. Later that morning, there is also the YMCA Shamrock Shenanigans 10K. Following the races, there will be an event for kid's activities, food, and craft vendors plus live music!

On March 17th, the

Green Frog Social House in Lake City will open its doors. Join them for an evening of live music, green drinks, fun, and games!

Illustrations by Rebecca Giese

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MARCH 2020 CALENDAR of EVENTS sunday

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monday

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tuesday

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wednesday

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ARTFIELDS Volunteer Kick-Off The Bean Market, Lake City

FMU Concert Band FMU PAC, Florence

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9

Daylight Savings Time Starts

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Hug a GI Day

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Evening of Hope Florence Center, Florence

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11

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Building Bridges Diversity and Leadership Summit SiMT,Florence

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Worship of Tools Day Guys, you can relate!

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Saint Patrick's Day

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Kiwanis Pancake Supper 1st Pres Church, Florence

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International Find a Pay Phone Booth Day

Legislative Breakfast First Baptist Church, Mullins

Sister Act Lake City Community Theatre, (12th - 15th)

Cooks for Christ WFFD, Florence

282nd Army Band Florence Center

National Pig Day

thursday

Lighthouse Ministries BBQ Fundraiser St. Johns Church, Florence

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Blood Drive Central UMC, Florence

19 Spring Fling River Neck Acres ATV Park, Florence Florence West Rotary Spaghetti Central UMC, Florence

26 Florence County Dancing For Our Future Stars SiMT, Florence

SCDT Presents Sleeping Beauty FMU PAC 3p

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Surf and Turf Triathlon Francis Marion University

National Puppy Day

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National Doctor's Day

National Cheesesteak Day

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Heart & Sole Line Dancing Poynor , Florence

National Waffle Day

BBQ Shag Festival Hemingway

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

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saturday

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Royal Hanneford Circus Florence Center, Florence Padri Gras Retrofit Sip-N-Sip, Hartsville

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Lucky Shamrock Downtown Florence

The Temptations FMU PAC, Florence

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Pacing 4 Pieces Downtown Florence Garden Tea Party MFBG, Lake City

Speed & Feed BBQ Festival Darlington Raceway Pee Dee Outdoor Classic Florence Center, Lake City (13th - 15th)

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Films at the Farm: Lion King Moore Farms, Lake City

Heartbeat Gala Newspring Church, Florence

Power Comicon SiMT, Florence Gun & Knife Show Florence Center, Florence

21 The Tortoise and The Hare Musical, Florence Little Theatre Kalmia Gardens Oyster Roast Hartsville

Sleeping Beauty FMU PAC, Florence

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Pee Dee Shad Roe-Deo Ark Lodge, Woodbury SC

Florence Beer Fest Palmetto Peddlers, Florence Open House Florence Christian School, Florence

Pee Dee Roundup Florence Downtown Development

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BUSINESS

Financial Focus: Are You a Mindful Investor? story provided by Howard Tripp, Edward Jones Financial Advisor

Recently, we’ve seen an increased interest in mindfulness, although the concept itself is thousands of years old. Essentially, being mindful means you are living very much in the present, highly conscious of your thoughts and feelings. However, being mindful doesn’t mean acting on those thoughts and feelings – it’s just the opposite. With mindfulness, your decision-making is based on cognitive skills and a rational perspective, rather than emotions. As such, mindfulness can be quite valuable as you make investment decisions.

Two of the most common emotions or tendencies associated with investing are fear and greed. Let’s see how they can affect investors’ behavior.

• When investors are fearful … Investors’ biggest fear is losing money. So, how did many of them respond during the steep market decline from late 2007 through early 2009? They began selling off their stocks and stockbased mutual funds and fled for “safer” investments, such as Treasury bills and certificates of deposit. But mindful investors witnessed the same situation and saw something else: a great buying opportunity. By looking past the fear of losing money, they recognized the chance to buy quality investments at bargain prices.

And they were rewarded for their patience, long-term perspective and refusal to let fear govern their decisions, because 10 years after the market bottomed out in March 2009 (as measured by the Dow Jones Industrial Average), it had risen about 300 percent.

• When investors are greedy … We only have to go back a few years before the 2007-09 bear market to see a classic example of greed in the investment world. From 1995 to early 2000, investors chased after almost any company that had “dot com” in its name, even companies with no business plans, no assets and, in some cases, no products. Yet, the rising stock prices of these companies led more and more investors to buy shares in them,

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causing a greed-driven vicious circle – more demand led to higher prices, which led to more demand. But the bubble burst in March 2000, and by October 2002, the technology-dominated Nasdaq stock index had fallen more than 75%. And since some of these companies not only lost value, but went out of business, many investors never recouped their investments.

To avoid the dangers of fear and greed, take these steps: • Know your investments. Make sure you understand what you’re investing in. Know the fundamentals, such as the quality of the product or service, the skill of the management team, the state of the industry, whether the stock is priced fairly or overvalued, and so on. The better informed you are, the less likely you’ll be to chase after “hot” investments or to bail out on good ones.

• Rebalance when necessary. If you’ve decided your portfolio should contain certain percentages of stocks, bonds and other vehicles, stick to those percentages and rebalance when necessary.

• Keep investing. Ups and downs are a normal feature of the investment landscape. By continuing to invest over time, rather than stopping and starting, you can reduce the effects of volatility on your portfolio.

It’s not always easy to be a mindful investor and to avoid letting emotions drive your decisions – but it’s well worth the effort.

Howard Tripp - Financial Advisor howard.tripp@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com/howard-tripp

115 Cargill Way, Suite C-1 Hartsville, SC 29550 843-332-4298

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice.

You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

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LIFESTYLE

Book of the Month: Topics of Conversation

by Miranda Popkey

Formally adventurous and blisteringly current, this debut novel spanning almost two decades of conversations between women wrestles with the stories women tell about desire, friendship, and violence, among other subjects. In glittering prose, Popkey illuminates the performative nature of storytelling, assessing the degree to which the stories we tell about our lives are fictions.

Topics of Conversation can be purchased on Amazon.com or by visiting your local book store.

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BUSINESS

Nancy & Tim Huntley

Reinventing the

Darlington Country Club story by Heather Page

If there’s one thing I’ve learned during interviews with business owners throughout the Pee Dee, it’s the pride they take in their city and community - their need to give back to the place they grew up and the cities that have given so much to them. Nancy, retired registered nurse and educator, and Tim Huntley, owner and operator of Fastrack convenience stores, are the epitome of community servants. Their most recent venture to help renew their community is the purchase of the Darlington Country Club.

Nancy grew up wandering the greens at the Darlington Country Club where her father was an avid golf player. He made many attempts to persuade Nancy to enjoy the sport but after she lost more golf balls than he could count into Black Creek, he agreed her time was better spent by the pool. A factor in purchasing the club was due in part of the memory of Nancy’s father. In fact, newly placed Club entry columns are there in his honor.

Tim and Nancy met in grade school in Darlington and have been a pair since. They both graduated from Clemson University (where Tim was a member of the Clemson 1981 National Championship Football Team - Go Tigers!) and returned to the Pee Dee to pursue careers. Upon purchasing the Club in July of 2019, they agreed to knowing very little of how one is 38

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operated. However, that didn’t waiver their decision as they vowed to listen and learn as quickly as possible so that they could create the best atmosphere for current members and staff. Their goal has been to make the Club something members and the community could be proud of, and that’s exactly what they’ve done.

With many areas still under construction, Tim and Nancy have already completed renovations to the Club restaurant by upgrading floors, painting walls, reupholstering furniture, and updating bathrooms (including adding handicap accessible areas). They’ve also added a women’s locker room with indoor and outdoor access, two full-size tennis courts and four pickle ball courts. The pool area is under renovations and expects to be open by Memorial Day. The pool area will include new outdoor facilities, a bbq area, and the pool will have a sloped entry great for smaller swimmers. The greens of the golf course were already in great shape but needed a few upgrades like new sprinkler systems and additional drainage areas for when Black Creek floods onto the course. Tim and Nancy are also cleaning up the overgrown wooded areas where old debris was left to rot. They want your eyes to easily access the flowing creek that surrounds the property.

With all the upgrades taking shape, one thing that didn’t need improvement was the existing staff.

Tim and Nancy praise them for their patience and work ethic. Through this tremendous learning curve for Tim and Nancy and the complete overhaul of the facilities, the staff have been open-minded to the changes and embraced their new owners. And Tim and Nancy certainly make that an easy task as they are dedicated to making the Club a comfortable and warm environment for all.

There’s nothing like the calmness of playing golf.

The creek softly making its way around you while the birds are chirping and a distant crack sounds as a club meets the golf ball. If golfing isn’t your thing, try enjoying the surroundings on the golf cart while a loved one hits a few balls followed by a delicious meal at the Club. It’ll be a short escape from the usual hustle and bustle of town.

Darlington Country Club golf course is open to members and non-members. The restaurant is open Tuesdays for member's family night; Wednesdays and Thursdays for lunch; Fridays for dinner; Saturdays for breakfast; and Sundays for a full lunch buffet. Friday nights are a crowd pleaser and known by locals as the best place around to grab a steak. The Club area is also great for events such as business meetings with television monitors, weddings, bridal and baby showers, and receptions as it holds up to 400 people.

Darlington Country Club, along with Tim and Nancy, welcome you to the new club experience where Southern charm greets you at the door. Their kind and knowledgable staff are awaiting your visit and eager to share the beautiful amenities they have to offer. To learn more about the Club or to become a member, give them a call at (843) 393-0236, visit them on site or follow their Facebook page.

125 COUNTRY CLUB RD. • DARLINGTON, SC (843) 393-0236 March 2020

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BUSINESS

getting to know

Haley Hughes Marketing Manager, Visit Lake City, SC

Lake City is booming with growth and it has its people to thank for that. Haley Hughes, originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, joined the Moore Farms Botanical Garden (MFBG) family in late 2018 as its Marketing and Communications Coordinator. At the beginning of 2020, marketing staff within the Darla Moore Foundation were consolidated under the Visit Lake City, SC umbrella. Today Haley continues to handle the marketing for MFBG but has also taken on marketing roles for other Foundation entities, including Lynches Lake Historical Society and Museum. We sat down with Haley to find out a little more about what her day-to-day looks like and how working with the Visit Lake City, SC team has added culture to her life.

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photo by Nancy Devon Carsten Photography

Vip: “Haley, when walking into the Visit Lake City, SC office, I was immediately greeted with smiles and conversation. It appears that everyone is excited to be here.”

Haley: “We are! What’s great about the staff at Visit Lake City, SC, is our shared passion for promoting all that Lake City has to offer – the food scene; downtown shopping; ArtFields and the Public Art Walk; Moore Farms Botanical Garden; Rhythm & Q's; Lynches Lake Historical Society and Museum; and the Greater Lake City Community Resource Center, just to name a few.”

Vip: “What makes you particularly fond of a career with Visit Lake City, SC?” Haley: “For me, working with MFBG has vastly expanded my understanding of horticulture. Before joining the staff, I had only limited knowledge about plants, mostly gained from piddling around my own yard. I can now easily identify many plants in the garden (native and non-native) and talk about their origin, history, unique attributes, fun facts, and ideal growing conditions. In handling marketing for other entities, I’m expanding my knowledge about Lake City history and its current revitalization efforts. I love learning new things, so this job feeds my thirst for knowledge.”

Vip: “Getting back to horticulture, what does the garden in your yard look like?”

Haley: “I am obsessed with German bearded irises! I have more than 50 cultivars in my yard. (Wow, I didn’t realize until just counting that there were that many!)

When I moved to Florence to take the job at MFBG and bought my house, I inherited camellias, red-tip photinias, gardenias, crape myrtles, a loropetalum, and azaleas from the previous homeowners that I’ve been happily maintaining. I have since added a weeping redbud ‘Traveller,’ Vitex (aka chaste tree) ‘Riverbanks White,’ a magnolia, an Asian beautyberry, and several Texas star hibiscus to my yard. Most evenings and weekends when the weather is good you’ll find me working in the yard.”

Vip: “What upcoming projects is the team specifically excited about?”

Haley: “The staff is particularly excited about the opening of Green Frog Social House on East Main Street. Green Frog will feature craft beer and traditional pub fares like fish and chips. The name has historical significance: Green Frog was a restaurant that opened in 1947 on South Acline Street, adjacent to the train depot in Lake City.”

Vip: “So is it easily said that German bearded irises are your favorite?”

Haley: “Yes, but there are so many others I love too.

I love to look at German bearded irises. I love the wide range of colors available and how eye-catching they are. They’ll stop you in your tracks. I also love sunflowers because, well, they’re so sunny. I also must mention a maple at MFBG called ‘Winter Lightning.’

It’s most striking in the winter when its branches are bare of leaves because you can see its bark is a bright, vibrant yellow. It just really pops!

“However, when it comes to a favorite fragrant plant, I have several others! One is a magnolia at MFBG called 'Grape Expectations.' Its blooms smell exactly like grape bubblegum! I also love the smell of Edgeworthia chrysantha (aka paperbush). Its fragrance is similar to honeysuckle but richer and headier.”

Vip: "What events are coming up at MFBG so we can go check out some of these amazing plants ourselves?"

Haley: "Bulbapalooza is March 14th, 15th, 20th and 21st. It's our way of celebrating the first of spring.

Come stroll through the garden with us and view a stunning display of over 40,000 bulbs! Our daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and alliums create an exquisite array of pastels all throughout the garden. Admission is free and no registration is required!"

Visit Lake City, SC 110 E. Main St., Lake City (843) 374-0534 • visitlakecitysc.com

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BUSINESS

The

ROLLIN Sisters story by Mark W. Buyck, III

"In this era of political turmoil, some of the most influential lobbyists and power brokers of the State were five Black sisters, the Rollin sisters."

Reconstruction in South Carolina was violent and volatile. White South Carolinians struggled to acknowledge that not only had they lost a war, but the social and governmental underpinnings of the State would be transformed forever. Newly freed enslaved Blacks would have to adapt and adjust to what was then an undefined future role in society.

Interracial conflict was inevitable and particularly prevalent during elections. Northern troops were garrisoned in the State. These troops were seen by some as protectors of liberty and others as an occupation force.

In this era of political turmoil, some of the most influential lobbyists and power brokers of the State were five Black sisters, the Rollin sisters. The first historical reference to the Rollin sisters is found in The American Annual Cyclopedia and Register of Important Events For The Year 1867. “In August a captain of a steamboat was tried before a post-court at Charleston and condemned to pay a fine of $250 for refusing a first-class passage to a colored woman, in violation of Section 8 of General Orders No. 32.”

This Order prohibited discrimination “because of color or caste in public conveyances on all ‘railroads, highways, streets, and navigable waters’.” That

woman was Frances Ann Rollin Whipper. She and her sisters Katherine, Charlotte, Louise, and Florence were born in Charleston. Their parents were both free persons. Their father William Rollin was a landowner and dealer in wood and lumber. All of the sisters were educated in private Charleston schools and by tutors. The family was Roman Catholic and Mr. Rollin had employed a number of Irish immigrants prior to the Civil War. William Rollin lost most of his wealth during the War. Immediately after the War, Katherine and Charlotte established a freedman school in Charleston; however, by 1869 both were employed as clerks in the State House in Columbia. Frances Rollin married William J. Whipper in 1868. Whipper was an abolitionist, lawyer, and judge. He came to South Carolina as a member of the Union Army during the War. He remained and was elected to the State legislature from Beaufort. The other four Rollin sisters Charlotte, Louise, Katherine, and Florence lived and entertained in a home on the corner of Senate and Sumter Streets, across the street from the State House.

Mark W. Buyck, III

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A reporter from the New York Sun in an 1871 article wrote: “Their house is a kind of Republican Headquarters.

They entertain very handsomely … The government meets at the Rollin house almost nightly, and in the parlors of that mansion much of the wisdom which controls our affairs is generated.”

The sisters were also frequent guests at the Governor’s Mansion.

The Rollin sisters were not only interested in securing the rights of Blacks but also were early advocates for equal rights for women. In 1869, Charlotte was described in national press accounts as “an advocate of impartial suffrage who had delivered an address in the House of Representatives (before the Judiciary Committee) of this State, demanding suffrage for her sex.” In an 1871 article in the Woman’s Journal, Charlotte is quoted: “We ask suffrage not as a favor, not as a privilege, but as a right based on the grounds that we are human beings and as such entitled to all human rights. While we concede that woman’s ennobling influence should be confined chiefly to the home and society, we claim that public opinion has had a tendency to limit woman’s sphere to too small a circle and until woman has the right to representation this will last, and other rights will be held by insecure tenure.”

Charlotte represented the South Carolina Chapter at the 1872 National Convention of the American Woman Suffrage Association. That year the General Assembly voted to endorse a petition granting women equal rights, although no specific legislation or action was ever forthcoming.

South Carolina’s experiment with bi-racial governments began to fall apart following the 1876 election. Former Confederate General Wade Hampton was elected Governor and the Democrats were firmly in control of the State Legislature.

Charlotte and Louise Rollin along with their mother relocated to Brooklyn. Frances Rollin Whipper and William Whipper relocated to Washington, D.C. Later in life, Frances worked for her “venerable friend” Frederick Douglas as a clerk in the Recorder of Deeds Office in D.C.

Business Law, Litigation, Real Estate, and Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys 248 W. Evans St., Florence, SC | 843.662.3258 2050 Corporate Centre’ Dr., Suite 230, Myrtle Beach, SC 843.650.6777 March 2020

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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.

Meg Temple

Take care of yourself so you can take care of others story by John Sweeney Flexibility, delegation, and balance; these are the ways Meg Temple manages her time as executive director of the Care House of the Pee Dee, a children’s advocacy center working with victims of abuse and their families.

“I have pieces of routine, here and there, but I’ve also found that the field that I work in that flexibility really is the most important thing,” Temple said. “A lot of what we (at the Care House) deal with can be emergency situations and so the day changes as you move through the day.”

Next month will be even busier than usual. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, full of activities for Care House that concludes with the group’s CAPES for Kids Run fundraiser, a 5K and 10K on April 29 at Briggs Elementary School (To learn more about CAPES and to sign up, visit: https://www.thecarehouse.com/ capes-for-kids-run).

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A graduate of Presbyterian College with a Bachelors of Science degree in psychology who went on to earn a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Francis Marion University, Temple manages a staff of more than a dozen professionals, while also being a wife and mother of two. Juggling it all isn’t easy, but she has managed to do it for 13 years, crediting a routine emphasizes flexibility.

Because of the uncertainty of her schedule, Temple knocks out some important tasks early in the day; however, sometimes the most important things aren’t work-related. A trip to the gym for some exercise and socialization sets the tone for the day, allowing her to take care of herself before she heads home to help her husband get the kids off to school, and pick up McGuffy - the Care House’s licensed service dog - and head to the office.

Having a work-life balance prepares Temple for what can be emotionally difficult work.

Even though she and her staff are professional counselors, Temple says everyone needs to be reminded that they can’t take care of anyone if they don’t take care of themselves first.

“We want our staff to stay long term, but we also want them to maintain mental health, their own positive mental health, because they’re not going to be helpful for other people if they’re not in a good place,” she said. “And sometimes that might mean we need to see counselors ourselves.

We need to have somebody else to work through things with, to be the best self that we can be.”

Scheduling meetings and knocking out her admin “to-do” list early in the week (preferably Mondays), is a part of that routine, too. Doing so frees Meg up to focus on clients the rest of the week. The timing doesn’t always work out, but that’s why the need to be flexible is a necessity.

Given the demands on her time, Meg naturally has to rely on delegating certain tasks to her more than a dozen professionals on staff at Care House.

The temptation to try and do everything yourself is always there, but approaching things with humility can make you realize quickly you may not be the right person for every job.

“Sometimes we would just like to do things ourselves because then it can be done the way we want it,” she said. “But I’ve also realized over time that that doesn’t give somebody the opportunity to grow.”

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IN OUR STATE

FOUNTAIN INN, SC story by Ashley Elvington / photos by Rebecca Giese

Some of the world’s greatest treasures can be found tucked away in small towns. One, in particular, is Fountain Inn, a charming place not too far away from Greenville, South Carolina. Like many small towns, Fountain Inn is changing and expanding with the times, but there is just something different about Fountain Inn from the rest. In our journey to find out what makes Fountain Inn so unique, we interviewed City Administrator Shawn Bell, who, along with Mayor McLeer, is devoted to showing the world what Fountain Inn can offer.

Shawn grew up as the oldest of three siblings in St. Louis, Missouri, and his parents are both teachers in the public school system. Shawn received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri – Columbia and a Master of Public Administration degree from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. During his senior year, Shawn had an internship with the youngest Missouri State Representative in history at that time who is now a US Congressman. Once he graduated, he began working on Missouri State Representative campaigns for the 2008 election cycle. Once elections concluded, Shawn spent time in Jefferson City working in the Missouri House and Missouri Senate, as well as a political consultant/operative.

He later moved to the D.C. area and started working for a state government relations firm in Arlington, Virginia. It was here where Shawn would meet a 48

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coworker, Kristen, who would one day become his wife. Shawn eventually moved back home to obtain his graduate degree; during this time he also had an internship working for a city manager in a St. Louis suburb.

Shawn’s wife is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, and she had her sights set upon settling down in either her home state or South Carolina.

The decision ended up being South Carolina, as Shawn accepted a job as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Abbeville in May 2013. Shawn was only 27 years old at the time. In November 2014, he accepted the position of City Administrator for the City of Lake City. He recalls, “At age 28, I was the youngest City Manager in the state and probably one of the youngest in the country.” It was October 2017, however, when Shawn and family arrived in Fountain Inn. According to the 2018 census estimates, Fountain Inn was named the second fastest-growing city in South Carolina overall but the fastest growing with over 1,000 people. Shawn shares, “We have now eclipsed the 10,000 resident mark, and I don't see a ton of slowdown on the horizon. Fountain Inn is unique because we are located right off I-385 and are only 17.5 miles to Falls Park in Downtown Greenville. Our residents get all of the amenities of living near a larger city, but at the same time,

they can live in a tight-knit community with small-town Southern charm. I would put our downtown up against any other community of similar size in the state. Our free Friday night summer concert series, our Saturday morning farmers market, our downtown splash pad, our history museum, our performing arts center, three-week Christmas festival with horse-drawn carriage rides, our shops, our restaurants, and our citizens make this a wonderful place to live and raise a family.”

Fountain Inn, in all of its beautiful glory, appeals to all age groups and demographics. “We have historic and beautiful homes near our central business district, but we also have brand new subdivisions for the millennials, young professionals, young families, and retirees. While I would certainly advocate for all of our residents to eat and shop in Fountain Inn, all of the typical suburban big-box stores can be found within just a few short minutes up the Golden Strip in Simpsonville and Mauldin.”

If you find yourself interested in seeing what Fountain Inn has to offer, here are some suggestions from Shawn: Restaurants: Sweet Catherine’s for lunch, Cucina 100 for dinner, Growler Haus for drinks, and Steam Coffee & Cream for hot beverages Play Time: Fountain on Main Downtown Splash Pad, Emanuel Sullivan Sports Complex, or any of the special events throughout the year, including the Mac Arnold Cornbread and Collard Greens Blues Festival, Christmas Inn Our Town, and the Friday Night Concert Series: Sounds of Summer.

Stay-cation: While there isn’t a hotel in city limits yet, there are many beautiful historic homes located within close proximity to downtown that can be found on Airbnb.

The current mayor of Fountain Inn, who is only 31, is the youngest the city has had so far. Shawn is only 33, making the two of them the youngest Mayor-City Administrator combo in the state of South Carolina. Shawn shares, “My job is to work with and carry out the policy decisions of all my elected officials. With that being said, I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with Mayor McLeer for the next four years. With us being so close in age, we seem to view the world through a similar lens. We both are extremely passionate about local government and this community, and I think we make an excellent team. So far, it has been incredible witnessing how engaged he has been; at the same time, he completely understands his role as being the one who sets the vision and direction for the City while the staff carries those details out. In our council form of government, he knows he is just one of seven votes, but he is tasked with being ‘the face’ of Fountain Inn, being a good communicator, and trying to find consensus among the other six council members. Mayor McLeer is committed to transparency, and I think our citizens find that extremely refreshing.” Big plans are in store for Fountain Inn’s future, including – finishing the Main Street "streetscape" from Jones to 418, improving pay and benefits for city employees, revamping/renovating all remaining city parks, adding interstate interchange signage at Fountain Inn’s four exits off of I-385, completing a robust citywide wayfinding project, attracting a hotel and additional grocer within city limits, expanding the Activities Center to include more gymnasiums and fitness areas, and re-instituting a façade improvement grant program for the central business district. Shawn and Mayor McLeer are excited for what’s to come, and the city will welcome you with open arms, should you find your GPS set to Fountain Inn. February 2019

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HOME

5Hummingbirds Facts About

As we tire of the cold and prepare for spring, it’s a lovely sight to pull the hummingbird feeders out of storage. These creatures are fascinating and seeing one always gives us a giddy feeling - like seeing magic. While we anticipate the arrival of this interesting bird, let’s brush up on a few facts about them!

j How much does a hummingbird weigh?

An average hummingbird weighs around 4 grams or 0.141 ounce - less than a nickel. However, before migrating, it can store a layer of fat equal to half its body weight. 25 to 30 percent of a hummingbird’s weight is in its pectoral muscles which are responsible for flying.

m How big are hummingbird eggs?

Hummingbirds lay the smallest eggs of all birds, it’s smaller than a jelly bean. The average number of eggs laid is only two. These eggs have been found in nests smaller than a half dollar and are known to be made of moss and spider webs so they can expand as the baby grows. A baby hummingbird is the size of a penny and unable to fly.

n Are hummingbirds endangered? k How fast can a hummingbird fly?

On average, a hummingbird typically flies 25 to 30 miles per hour. When they dive, they can reach up to 50 miles per hour. Many species of hummingbirds (there are more than 300 species in the world) flap their wings between 50 and 80 beats per second.

They can get up to 200 times per second when diving. The are also the only bird that navigates like a helicopter - they can go forward, backward and side to side.

l How much can a hummingbird eat?

Hummingbirds have tongues that are grooved in the shape of a “W” and it can go in and out of a flower an average of 13 times per second. A hummingbirds diet is primarily nectar with the occasional small insect, tree sap, or juice from broken fruits. It must consume approximately one half of its weight in sugar daily. In order to do this, it feeds five to eight times per day. The average heart rate of a hummingbird is 1,200 beats per minute.

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About 10 percent of the 300+ species are listed as either Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. However, in the United States, species are benefiting from people using bird feeders and planting hummingbird friendly flowers. Their list of predators can be pretty long. Reptiles like snakes and lizards feast on them. Large frogs and even fish will jump out of water to catch one. Birds of prey like kestrels, corvids (crows, jays, ravens, etc.) and shrikes will also eat hummingbirds. We can’t forget invertebrates like large praying mantises, they will grab a passing small hummingbird. With all of these obstacles, a hummingbirds lifespan is three to five years with the oldest wild hummingbird reaching 12 years old. They have been recorded to living up to 14 years in captivity.

With these fun facts in mind, it’s time to prepare for their arrival. Hummingbirds have no sense of smell and are attracted to bright colors, specifically reds and oranges. Don’t forget, red dye can be harmful to the bird when added to food. Instead plant naturally red or orange flowers or use feeders that have a red coloring. Happy bird watching!

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How to Make

IRISH BEER BREAD story & receipe by Rebecca Giese

I discovered the delicious simplicity that is beer bread after a Saint Patrick's Day celebration several years ago. Some of my guests had left craft beers behind, and I was in the mood to bake, so I went to Pinterest. Beer bread is a super simple bread to make, with no active yeast you do not have to wait for the dough to rise, plus it is a great dairy-free and depending on the beer used, vegan option.

This beer bread recipe is easy peasy, a one mixing bowl recipe to impress with little mess. I prefer a darker or more fragrant beer when cooking or baking so that you can taste the beer used, and all the flavor is not lost in the cooking process. The Pixels IPA by Seminar Brewing, located in Florence South Carolina is a great option and has a wonderful hoppy flavor that holds up to baking, and the one I used for this recipe.

If you are not in the mood to bake but want to have some fun with friends, check out their brewery at 551 West Lucas Street and enjoy one of their many IPAs and ales on tap!

IRISH BEER BREAD

Ingredients 3 cups All-Purpose Flour

3 tablespoons Sugar

1 tablespoon Baking Powder

4 tablespoons Melted Butter

1 teaspoon Salt

12 ounce Beer

Directions Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt in the mixing bowl and stir together.

In the same bowl, add in the sugar, butter, and beer. Mix with either a bread mixing arm attachment or by folding with spatula/spoon. The key is to minimize additional air to avoid bubbles or holes in finished loaves.

Pour into greased loaf pans and bake for 45 minutes or until the tops are golden.

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Kent Daniels is a Lake City native, retired teacher, and now Director of the Lynches Lake Historical Society. Each month, he educates our readers about historic Lake City.

Did You Know...

Acline Aveune and The Bank of Lake City (cir. 1908)

A Short History of South Acline Avenue before 1910 The arrival of the Northeast Railroad in 1856 changed the face of Lake City and began shaping it into the town we now know. Prior to this date, there were two primary dirt roads which passed through Grahams. One, from Georgetown to Camden (also known as the Indiantown to Lynchburg Road), crossed the other, from Kingstree to Cheraw, at the property of Aaron Graham. At this location, which was the heart of the community, were the homes of the Grahams, a gin, and an inn which, in the 1820s had been McCrae’s store.

If you were traveling North through our community from Kingstree, you would have first encountered Bethlehem Baptist Church just before arriving at the Grahams and the crossroads. If you were traveling West towards Camden, you would have passed through the crossroads after many miles of farms and with only farmland beyond. A small place indeed!

With the construction of the railroad, the Kingstree road was cut twice. On the Southside of town, the crossing created a short cut to the Camden road. This was Railroad street, which consisted of two dirt roads running parallel to the train tracks. Both of these roads continued to be called Railroad Street until sometime around the turn of the century when they were renamed. The new name was A. C. Line Street for the Atlantic Coast Line, the new name of the railroad company. It was soon shortened in usage to the present Acline Avenue. This quickly shifted the business district on the Camden Road from the crossing to what is now West Acline and West Main Street. East Main Street was slower in developing.

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Homes were built along the railroad as many people saw the passing of the trains as entertainment. Business sprung up near the intersection with the Camden road with the first being stables and distilleries. In the 1870s, S. M. Askins opened a general merchandise store across from the train depot. A little later Fannie Rodgers opened a hotel, also across from the depot. Closer to Main Street, the Singletary family sold horses, mules, and feed for stock from their stable.

About 200 feet south of the Camden road, there was a road running west through the McAllister farms and which was called McAllister Street. By the 1880s, on the southern corner of Railroad and McAllister, Dr. A. H. Williams erected a wooden building where he opened the Lake City Drug Co. The Globe Millinery store also operated in this building. On the other side (North) of McAllister Street, the Sturgeon family operated a hotel, which was set well off Railroad Street. Later, they opened a mercantile store at the corner of West Acline and Main Street, but this business fronted onto Main Street.

In 1903, Dr. Williams, along with his partners, formed the Bank of Lake City on the property Dr. Williams owned and used as his drug store. After tearing down the old wooden building, construction was completed in 1905. One of the first brick buildings in Lake City, it was a multi-use property. On the ground floor (on the corner with John Street) was the bank with another door on Acline Avenue for the Lake City Drug Co. Dr. Williams kept an office for his practice in the back of the drug store. His building also had a second floor, which was

accessed from John Street, where Dr. Williams leased office space, which idea was quickly copied by other builders in town. W. L. Bass, Esquire, the attorney for the Lake City Bank Co., was among the first office occupants. Doctors, dentists, and lawyers seemed to be the most common occupations renting office space above retail space in town.

Dr. Williams was one of our original “earth-shakers” in developing Lake City. He gave up his practice of medicine around 1900 and turned to developing property. After building the bank,

Dr. Asbury H. Williams

he joined with Charles A. Smith of Timmonsville to build Smith-Williams furniture store next to his Drug Co., in 1905. His many business ventures are worthy of a separate telling.

In 1906, Lake City Hardware built a 6,500 sq. ft. building next to Smith-Williams. This made this part of Acline a vibrant part of the business activity in Lake City in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Activity today on this part of downtown Lake City belies its rich business history and the important role it played in our community.

Governor Charles Smith

Dr. A. H. Williams’ business partner, Charles A. Smith, holds the record for the shortest term among South Carolina’s governors. As a business partner of Dr. Williams, the assumption is that Dr. Williams, who served several terms as Williamsburg County’s Senator in the State Senate, met Governor Smith as an outgrowth of his political career and their relationship turned into a business one. Governor Smith, who lived in Timmonsville, had been the president of several banks prior to going into politics. The details surrounding Governor Smith’s term are interesting and are related below.

Governor Charles Aureliu Smith, 91st Governor of South Carolina, was governor from January 14, 1915 to January 19, 1915. Smith was one of the state’s most prominent Baptist laymen, having served as president of the Baptist State Convention, a vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and president of the board of trustees of Furman. Smith died on March 3, 1916.

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THINKING Outside The Recipe story and recipe by Doug Smith

"Do you actually test all of the recipes you post?" That's a question I am often asked.

The answer is yes, and I do a taste testing on my friends and family. Some are winners, yet some need a little work. Another question people often ask is how do I find the recipes that I use?

This question is a little harder to answer because I find inspiration in multiple places. Our family library contains many passed down recipes and cookbooks as well as copied recipes from here and there. Most of my research is done online or simply by asking someone to tell me about their favorite dish. Then I put my own spin on it by adding a local ingredient and sometimes by using what I find in the fridge.

Gathering recipe inspiration reminds me of a story. Just recently I volunteered to bring a breakfast dish to my Sunday school class. After finding this great looking frittata recipe which included kale, ricotta cheese, and fresh thyme, I couldn’t wait to try it. Not only did it look amazing but it sounded delicious. I woke up early on Sunday morning, went to the refrigerator and to my surprise we didn’t have any kale, ricotta cheese or thyme. Not willing for us to show up emptyhanded, I turned my attention to what we did have. Fortunately, my wife had just purchased fresh collards and beets from Harold Ellerbe at the Florence City Centers Farmers Market.

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fresh parsley and mozzarella cheese. Surely these items would work in harmony together. Right? Good news, the frittata was a big hit and multiple people commented on how much they enjoyed it. My friend, David, referred to me as the “MacGyver of the kitchen”.

This is just one example of how I get the well-tested recipes that I post.

Now a question for you, are you one of those people that only uses a recipe as a reference or do you follow every single step? I urge you to try something a little "outside the recipe” for 2020 and change things up.

Maybe change or add something new to that favorite dish. If you see a recipe that piques your interest, get a general idea of ingredients and methods and look at what you already have in your fridge and just go for it.

It could very well turn out to be amazing — or not. The important thing is to have some fun and see what you come up with thinking outside the recipe.

So, I ask, will you let your creative food flag fly? Let me know what you make and how it turned out. I love seeing pictures and hearing the stories, so please share.

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

Collard and Beet Greens Frittata INGREDIENTS 8 Eggs 1 Lemon (for juicing) 1/2 Handful of fresh collard greens (washed and chopped ) 1/2 Handful of beet greens (washed and chopped) 1 Piece of Prosciutto 1/2 c mozzarella cheese (shredded) 2 tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 tbs fresh parsley (washed & chopped) Salt & pepper to taste METHOD • Chop the greens and cook over medium heat in a dry pan for 5 minutes or until they start to wilt.

Remove from pan. Drizzle greens with olive oil and add the juice from 1/2 of a lemon. Then season greens with salt and pepper. Set greens aside.

• Break the eggs in a mixing bowl.

Then lightly beat. Add the olive oil to the pan and pour in the eggs.

Roughly chop the prosciutto and sprinkle into the pan. Add the greens and gently press into the eggs.

Cover the top with shredded cheese.

Sprinkle the parsley on top and season with salt and pepper to taste.

• Bake on 350º for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

SERVICE DIRECTORY

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DRINK OF THE MONTH

THE

GREENHOUSE COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 oz Tequila 1/4 oz Green Chartreuse 1/2 oz Dry vermouth 1/2 oz Pea Shrub 1/2 oz Lime juice 6 Mint leaves

DIRECTIONS:

Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice.

Shake very hard and strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.

Garnish with a mint sprig.

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