DRINK OF THE MONTH
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DRINK OF THE MONTH
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December 2021
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DRINK OF THE MONTH
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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
Contributing Photographers Mike Baker Erin Daniel Kaylea Holt Fred Salley Contributing Writers Kim Brauss Mark W. Buyck, III Cynthia Ford Kaylea Holt Vinod Jona, MD Doug Smith Taylor Thompson, FNP-C
Creative Design Tuesday Taylor Ashley Rogers
Serving Florence, Hartsville, Darlington, Marion, Mullins, Lake City and the surrounding areas 2011-B Second Loop Rd, Florence, SC 29501 FIND US ON FACEBOOK
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ISSUE 81 80 ISSUE
ABOUT THE COVER
Cale Yarborough & Darlington, page 10
Eliza's Vegan Cafe, page 14
Breads & Threads, page 12
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CrissCross Yoga, page 18
CONTENT: AUGUST 2022
BUSINESS 10 Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A.: Cale Yarborough & Darlington
Page 42
12 Breads & Threads: Joyce Edwards 14 Eliza's Vegan Cafe 16 Cynthia Ford: Business Changes During This "New Era"
LIFEST YLE
18 CrissCross Yoga: Celebrating 1 Year
32 University of South Carolina Football Schedule
20 Aroha Afro Latin Dance
34 Clemson University Football Schedule BOOK OF THE MONTH
36 Local Football Stars
22 The Lies I Tell: Julie Clark
• Malik Terry • Ethan Hunt • Tre' McLeod • Shamontae Burgess • Zach Martin 40 KUMON: Practice Makes Possibilities 42 Buck Graham: The Path To A Second Career 44 Elaine Jones: Education Redefined At The Continuum 46 A Perfect Match: The Benefits of Jigsaw Puzzles Page 24
HEALTH
HOME 48 Vip August Recipe Page 50 Doug Smith: Summer Rotisserie Chicken Salad
24 McLeod Health: Navigating to Earlier Detection of Lung Cancer 26 HopeHealth: HopeXpress 30 MUSC: Life-saving Blood Clot Procedure
DRINK 52 La'Quantia Goodman: Apple-Politan
CALENDAR
Page 52
28 August 2022: Fun Days and Events
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BUSINESS
CALE
YARBOROUGH
& DARLINGTON story by Mark W. Buyck, III
Nascar Hall of Famer, Cale Yarborough, was born March 27, 1939 on his family’s tobacco farm in the Florence county community of Sardis. He attended his first Southern 500 as a twelve-year-old in 1951, slipping in through a hole in the fence. A few years later he forged a birth certificate and attempted to enter a car into the race. This ruse was discovered and he was denied entry. Cale had a rough and tumble childhood. At the age of 7 he was bitten by a rattlesnake and struck by lightning. He was a football star at Timmonsville High School and a Gold Glove boxer. He didn’t shy away from a fight whether in the ring or not. He stared death in the face when he was forced to eject from a crashing plane only to have his parachute only partially deploy. He landed in a muddy field, and is said to have walked away. The Darlington Raceway first opened in 1950. At that time, it was a paved 1.25-mile track, by far the biggest facility to host the series during the 1950s. Darlington was the premiere racetrack in the series and the Labor Day Southern 500 Nascar’s biggest event. In the late 50s and early 60s the Southern 500 was drawing attendance between 70-80,000 fans. Its purse was also the highest of all Nascar tracks. The track would become synonymous with its local star, Cale Yarborough, as well as another South Carolina native, Spartanburg’s David Pearson. In 1957, Cale made his first Nascar appearance at the 500. 75,000 were in attendance that Labor Day and watched Cale start 44th out of 50 drivers. He would 10
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finish 42nd when engine problems ended his day after 31 laps. The total purse that day was $41,175, more than double any other race that season. Cale’s share was $100. His next race was two years later at the 1959, 500. He would finish 27th out of the 50 drivers, completing 219 out of 364 laps. Cale’s next attempt at the Southern 500 was in 1961, he finished 30th out of the 43 drivers, collecting $200. The announced attendance that day was 80,000, nearly 30,000 more than had attended the third annual Daytona 500 that year. With the opening of the new Daytona International Speedway in 1959 and the 1.5-mile Atlanta International Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1960, Nascar began transitioning away from the half mile dirt tracks which had dominated its schedule during its formative years. Darlington was no longer the only superspeedway on the circuit. In 1962, Cale started eight races. In his first Daytona 500 he started 21st but finished 48th in dead last after only completing four laps. That May, he started 17th in the Rebel 300 at Darlington and finished 13th, two spots ahead of Richard Petty. He was not as successful in the Southern 500, finishing 38th and only completing 39 laps. In 1963, he ran 18 races, but he failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 when his car overheated in the qualifying race. This was the only time in his career that he would not qualify for an event. He finished 11th in the Darlington Spring race and finished 5th on three occasions: Myrtle Beach, Savannah, and Spartanburg. He also had his best finish in the 500 to that point starting 21st and finishing 17th, 58 laps behind the winner, Fireball Roberts. In 1964, he ran 24 races finishing 17th at Daytona and 8th in
(Stats can be found on racing-reference.info. YouTube has a video of the 1965 Darlington wreck and other Yarborough related clips – most notably the last lap of the 1979 Daytona 500.)
would finish 11th. In 1967 he had 17 starts. He won 4 poles, had 7 top fives and 9 top tens. He won the Spring Atlanta race as well as the July 4th Firecracker 400 in Daytona. He won $57,185 that year and was sixth on the money list.
the Southern 500. The Southern 500 was his second race for Holman-Moody racing, one of the premiere teams in Nascar at the time. 1965 was Cale’s breakout season. He was 9th in the Daytona 500. On June 27th, he had his first win, a 200-lap event on a half-mile dirt Valdosta Speedway. The winner’s purse was $1,000. He would finish 4th at the Watkins-Glen Road course, 2nd at Spartanburg, and 5th in Columbia. He qualified 9th for the Southern 500 and had already led two laps when one of the most memorable moments in Darlington raceway history occured. Coming through what was then the first and second turns, Cale attempted to pass a fellow competitor. His car turned sideways and flipped over what was then only a guardrail and off of the racetrack. He ended up at the bottom of the hill, his car sideways against the retaining fence. Once again, he walked away without a scratch declaring “I sailed through the air like an astronaut.” In total, he had 46 starts that season, 13 top fives and finished 10th in the season ending points. His total purses were $24,155. Beginning with the 1966 season Cale would become more selective in his races, only racing on paved tracks. He led 33 laps at the Daytona 500, finishing 2nd. His next race was in Rockingham, where he led 177 laps and also finished 2nd. His first race for the Wood Brothers was at the Southern 500. He
1968 was also a breakout year as Cale had six wins and 12 top fives in only 21 starts. He won 3 of the first 6 races that season. He won both Daytona races and his first Southern 500. His purse for winning the Southern 500 that year was $25,415. He was 17th in points for the season but 1st in purses collected. 1968 was the first of five Southern 500s he would win. He defeated David Pearson by 50 feet at the checkered flag. Cale would go on to win the Southern 500 again in 1973, 1974, 1978 and 1982. His five victories were only surpassed when Jeff Gordon won his 6th in 2007. The 1970s were transitional for Nascar. 1972 is considered the beginning of the “modern era” of Nascar racing. No longer were dirt races on the schedule for the premiere series. All of the tracks were paved, the number of races was reduced, resulting in more drivers running full schedules placing greater emphasis on championships. This new era suited Cale and his driving style. Cale was the series runner-up in 1973 and 1974. Cale won 3 Nascar championships in succession from 1976-1978. During those 3 years he won, 9, 9, and 10 races. In 1983, after flipping and destroying his car during qualifying, he won his 3rd Daytona 500 in a backup car. In 1984, he was the first driver to qualify at Daytona at over 200 mph, winning his 4th Daytona 500. He won his last race in 1985 at Charlotte. He retired in 1988, shortly after Bobby Allison’s near fatal crash at the Pocono Raceway. Cale’s 83 career victories ranks 5th all-time.
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 August 2022
Mark W. Buyck, III VIPMagSC.com
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BUSINESS story by Kimberly Brauss
BREADS & THREADS Specializing in made from scratch sourdough loaves and a variety of sweet rolls “I love the smell of fresh-baked bread from the oven,” Joyce Edwards, owner of Breads & Threads, said. “My favorite thing to bake is my sourdough loaves. My favorite thing to eat that I bake is my Pound Cake… topped with fresh in-season berries!” A highlight for shoppers is the baked goods at the City Center Farmers Market in Florence. Edwards is one of the original vendors at the market since it launched in the Florence City Center in 2015.
Joyce Edwards
Before expanding into Florence County, Edwards launched her business and built up a clientele in Marion County. “I became a Baker and Farmers Market Vendor in 2013, opening my first booth in Marion,” Edwards said. “Over the next few years, we would expand to vending in Conway Markets, Dillon County Healthcare Initiative, and Florence City Center Market. In 2020, we opened a second vendor spot at the HMRA Farmers Market in our hometown of Marion, and it’s still going strong.” Born and raised in the Temperance Hill community of Marion, Edwards grew up on a farm with her sister and two brothers. Their parents farmed tobacco, corn, and soybeans. As a family, they were involved in the farming as well as feeding the poultry, collecting eggs, and planting and harvesting in the garden. “I loved helping plant the garden by dropping seeds at a very young age,” Edwards said. “The boys took care of the outside chores and the girls took care of the housekeeping chores, preparing meals, and laundry. I didn’t always like to “Rise ’n Shine” in farm living but it taught me responsibility, useful skills, pride, and many other valuable lessons.”
BREADS & THREADS @ CITY CENTER FARMERS MARKET, FLORENCE Every SATURDAY 9AM-1PM | 843.289.2318 FOLLOW BREADS & THREADS ON FACEBOOK!
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But it was her love for baking that developed when she was 8 years old when she became involved in Marion’s first 4-H Club. “We learned to sew, grow food, plan meals, and cook and bake from scratch. At about the same age I started spending Saturdays in the kitchen with my Grandma Hewitt making desserts for Sunday,” Edwards said. “I cherished
her visits, and over the years my sister and I began collecting her recipes. And until I was 19, I grew this book of recipes. These were the staples, dishes, and desserts I would take to our home someday to cook for my own family. “I also loved watching my mother sew on her foot-pedal operated ‘Singer’ sewing machine. It fascinated me but I could never master operating it as well as mom. My father, seeing my interest in sewing, decided to surprise me by buying me my first sewing machine. It was thoroughly enjoyed and useful as my sewing skills advanced while taking Home Economics classes in high school.” Edwards ended a 28-year career with Russell Stover Candies when it closed in Marion in 2000. Six of those years were in a lab and the rest were in quality control, cost accounting, and inventory control. She then worked at Marion School District until 2006 and finished her career in retail and accounting. She started baking professionally at age 61. Breads & Threads offers scratch-made sourdough loaves and assorted rolls, sweet potato bread, pound cake, and sweet treats. The sourdough loaves are vegan, and all of the breads are made from locally sourced ingredients. This month she will also have some small seasonal fruit cobblers available on her table. Edwards’ two daughters gave her inspiration to offer baked goods as a market vendor. “Their love, support, and belief in me and my product gave me the confidence I needed to work for financial independence doing something my heart enjoys. They have helped in the kitchen, helped fill orders, make deliveries, and even run our Marion vendor spot,” Edwards said. “They inspire me every day! August 2022
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BUSINESS story by Erin Daniel photo by Erin Daniel
photo by Erin Daniel
Eliza's Vegan Cafe Florence's premier 100% vegan food truck has opened a brick and mortar restaurant on Hwy 52 Markeyshi K'patrick
If you’ve ever been to Eats on the Creek Food Truck Park on West Palmetto, or even driven past it, you might have noticed Florence’s first-ever vegan food truck, Eliza’s Vegan Café, owned and operated by Markeyshi K’patrick. The whole concept behind her mobile café is to prove to consumers that vegan food can look and taste just like (if not better than) non-vegan comfort food, but without the cholesterol and other health risks that may come along with eating the more common meat-heavy American diet. Well, her food truck proved to be a successful endeavor and Markeyshi has now expanded Eliza’s into a full brickand-mortar restaurant! Conveniently located off I-95, Markeyshi has opened Eliza’s newest establishment in the perfect location for not only locals to enjoy her offerings, but for travelers passing through to enjoy as well! Inside her restaurant, two large photos, accompanied by quotes, greet you. Both of these photographs are of Eliza Jenkins, Markeyshi’s maternal grandmother, for whom her restaurant is named after. Eliza advocated personal health, being a mindful consumer and entrepreneurism. She believed that in a full 24-hour day, eight hours were to be used for sleeping, while the other 16 were an opportunity to create a financial oasis! She was a natural-born entrepreneur who could hold her own and didn’t take nonsense from anybody! Eliza was ahead of her time and not only worked multiple jobs simultaneously but also started up multiple businesses whenever she saw a need for one in her community. These businesses included 14
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photo by Erin Daniel
a fleet of garbage trucks, a laundromat, a bodega, and a TV repair shop. She owned a three-story house where she lived in the basement and rented out the upper floors. She also owned her own cars, which she purchased in cash, in a time when it was uncommon for women, let alone African American women, to own assets. With a plethora of savings at all times, she made an incredibly successful life for herself. Naturally, Markeyshi was inspired by her grandmother’s intelligence and ambitions, and used the lessons Eliza instilled in her to make a successful life of her own!
Markeyshi became a full vegan over 21 years ago, after gradually modifying her diet to cater to her health over time. Her first elimination was pork. A few years later, she learned about Mad Cow disease and dropped beef. She eventually reached a point where she no longer cared to handle raw chicken and eliminated it from her diet, as well. After reading an article pertaining to the dangerous mercury levels in fish, Markeyshi stopped consuming seafood. Slowly, she started removing other animal products from her diet to the point where she unknowingly became a vegan! The health benefits outweighed the potential health risks of her former dietary choices, so she stuck with it! Being that Eliza was a wonderful cook, Markeyshi would find herself longing for her grandmother’s delicious comfort foods that she grew up on. She quickly taught herself how to replicate those flavorful dishes without meat! When she moved to Florence, she realized there was a great need for vegan dining options in the area. This led to the idea behind opening Eliza’s Vegan Café! From “cheeseburgers” to “chicken nuggets”, to “macaroni” and “meatloaf”, Eliza’s offers a complete vegan menu! Just like Eliza, Markeyshi believes that what you put into your body today will determine your health for tomorrow. With this in mind, Markeyshi always tries to use organic produce that’s in season in her dishes whenever possible. Any fried foods offered at her restaurant are cooked in organic grapeseed oil, which Dr. Sebi (her late mentor) recommends because it is a much healthier option than all other cooking oils. Unlike other restaurants that might offer a few vegan options but still serve meat, Eliza’s can 100% guarantee that there will never be any crosscontamination with animal products! Even if you aren’t a strict vegan or you’re still very much a meateater, Markeyshi invites everyone to stop into her restaurant located at 1832-B West Lucas Street here in Florence for a nourishing, mouth-watering meal or even a refreshing beverage! She makes her very own fresh, hand-pressed juices in-house. One of the most popular flavors is the “Liza Colada”, which she describes as “our version of a pina colada, but better”. For the record, after trying this one myself, I can testify that she’s absolutely correct! Even though she just opened her restaurant in June, Markeyshi has a LOT of exciting things in store for Eliza’s, including a drive-thru window and local delivery! She also plans to continue running the food truck and reaching new areas of interest.
photo by Erin Daniel
100% Vegan Never worry about cross-contamination!
To follow along with the latest updates and learn about new menu items, follow her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/elizasvegan), on Instagram (@elizasvegan), or on her website (elizasvegan.com)!
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BUSINESS
BUSINESS CHANGES DURING THIS "NEW ERA" The ways recent shifts have been the driving force for business success Who would think that we would see a world where the dream job of many is to work from the comfort of their homes? Business is not business as usual. Business make-up worldwide has shifted, and we must be prepared to flow with that shift. Technology is one of the driving forces for transformation. Change is happening every day before our eyes, yet it will still catch some by surprise at the culmination of the new era. What does a businessman or businesswoman look like today? You may see the usual suit, tie, skirt, and high heels. However, you may see jeans, flip-flops, t-shirts, or shorts. It is not the outer appearance that will make the difference but the services the business offers. The driving success of a company is solidified by the consumer's needs, the owner's business competence, and the team that helps keep the business flowing. One of the biggest reasons for business failure is the lack of demand for the product or service and the location of the business. One of the reasons for business success is the business owner recognizes their strengths and skills and fulfills the consumer's needs. The business owner does not have to do everything to keep the business running. The business owner taps into the skills of a business partner or others who can assist in fulfilling required duties. What caused our most recent business shift? Much of the world stood still in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Within days businesses were required to strategize regarding a virtual plan in order to keep their businesses open. Most companies had to learn to operate from home for an indefinite
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period due to the uncertainty of the pandemic. What a challenge that became for many who were not used to working with technology. Consumers quickly sought entertainment, information, and comfort from online platforms. Unsurprisingly, many struggled as offices attempted to transition back to their usual way of handling business. Some struggled with reporting back to their place of business after seeing how successful they managed the business from home. Others struggled, realizing that the way business was handled before 2020 will never fully be the same. The mindset of many shifted to survival mode due to health concerns and the reduction in the availability of products or services needed. This change brought out creativity that was dormant in many people and forced some to seek opportunities that they’d never experienced before. One of the leading voices during this transition was established entrepreneurs. In 2021, the term ‘The Great Resignation’ was coined. There was a record-breaking number of employees resigning from their jobs. Several businesses suffered during this period, leading to a change in hours due to being short-staffed. The high unemployment rates were not due to the lack of available jobs but the low rate of potential employees applying. It was believed that this was due to the changes that occurred during the shutdown in 2020. Some employers had idle time to consider their true feelings about their job. There was also a big push to focus on passions and purpose. Online influencers provided
story by Cynthia Ford timelines and mastermind courses with tips for pursuing your true calling. The problem with that concept is that many who echoed the sentiment of 'quitting your job' did not sufficiently provide people with a secure alternate. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy task. It can be rewarding but is not easy. Before quitting your job, prepare yourself for your next move. Research to discover all pros and cons. We still need people to operate in nine-tofive jobs. However, if you decide to transition into entrepreneurship, understand that it takes more than what the marketing team shows you on social media. Understand that the face of business has changed and continues to shift with time. To successfully operate a business, there are several things to consider. The first thing to be aware of is the need to conduct thorough research. Opening a business requires more than just having a good idea. Researchers have concluded that many businesses fail within the first three years of opening due to the owner not being fully prepared to operate the business. Research should include all aspects of the potential business idea, such as the current market trends, production, services, companies with similar attributes, and most importantly, the consumer. Another critical factor is funding. Future business owners are often encouraged to have enough money in their savings to cover three to six months of their current expenses before transitioning to entrepreneurship. Determine if you will fund the start-up cost or if you will require a business loan. If you obtain a business loan, you must ensure credit worthiness. You must be able to balance personal and business finances and ensure to separate the two. If your business fails to offer a product or service that proves to be in demand or is a need for consumers, the company may struggle. Most consumers purchase things that are considered to be of value. Understand your target audience and cater your marketing to that audience's interest. Before spending the first dollar on the business, create a business plan. The business plan will include multiple layers of the business you plan to operate. As you build your business, offer support to other companies. This support will provide you with the ability to understand business as an owner and a consumer. Transition if you must yet evolve with the right mindset while being fully prepared for success. We honor all businesses this month and salute black business in honor of Black Business Month.
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BUSINESS BUSINESS
Celebrating One Year In Business! story by Kimberly Brauss | photos by Mike Baker
Charlee (like The Chocolate Factory) Rhodes loves life, people, and yoga. Naturally, her life goal is to work with people and be an advocate for creating a wholesome working environment. The Lake City native and daughter of a teacher has her bachelor’s degree in psychology and works as a safety and compliance officer for two trucking fleets. This August, Rhodes not only celebrates her birthday but also the anniversary of her mobile yoga business, CrissCross Yoga. Rhodes found yoga as a teenager through tutorials on YouTube to help with soreness after volleyball practice. “After that, I practiced on and off for about ten years before choosing to create a deeper personal practice.” In the spring of 2020, Rhodes said she needed a life change and incorporated yoga into her daily routine for a full month. “And after my 30th day, I felt changed,” Rhodes said. “I felt like I had a solid plan and I knew that I was capable of changing my life for the better and accomplishing my goals. Since that month, yoga is almost a daily part of my life. Sometimes it’s restorative, sometimes it’s powerful, and sometimes my practice may look like a meditation session.”
CRISSCROSS YOGA Follow CrossCross Yoga on Facebook: @crisscrossyogalc Instagram: @crisscrossyoga www.crisscross.yoga 843.372.5686 | Charlee@crisscross.yoga
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An Inherent Awareness… “For me, Yoga is more about body awareness – learning and listening to your body,” Rhodes said. “These simple steps can increase an overall healthy lifestyle that will also positively affect your weight. Yoga is a powerful tool that can help your mindset during a life change, which can help you reach your goals in a powerful way!” And for those looking for an incredible challenge? “There are many different styles of yoga and some can provide the benefits of cardio, such as a Vinyasa Yoga class,” Rhodes adds.
Rhodes said her big push to start her own business was from her great friend, Carla Angus. It was through listening to Angus talk about her own business that Rhodes realized that owning a yoga company might be something she’d like to do. Through research and contemplation, Rhodes decided to become her own boss, teach classes her way, and when and where she wanted to under the name of CrissCross Yoga. “The hard part was dropping the belief that I wasn’t capable of being successful and changing my story to, ‘I can do anything I want if I put in the sweat equity and use the correct guidance.’” CrissCross Was Born… “The name CrissCross came from several pieces. … I don’t like to say that yoga changed my life because I believe that YOU are the only one who has the power to change your life. I like to say that yoga was the train that helped me get where I wanted to go,” Rhodes said. “Also, my business is based out of Lake City, and at our heart, we are a railroad town. The last piece was that my favorite pose to begin a yoga class with is Easy Seat, the same pose that we all know so well, ‘criss-cross applesauce.’” While strictly a mobile yoga studio now, Rhodes said a brick-and-mortar studio is a dream of hers. “My plan,” Rhodes said, "is to keep moving and growing and see where CrissCross leads!” Her company name is specific to her goal – to make classes available for all and create an atmosphere where all feel welcome and comfortable in their own bodies. “I want to show people that yoga can help you create a roadmap to your own success.” Rhodes partners with local businesses and organizations for use of space. As Rhodes’ business grows, she plans to increase weekly class offerings as well as the variety of yoga classes. “I am so blessed to have such a great community around me," Rhodes said. “Specifically, Johnathan Strickland from Strickland’s Boxing and Fitness in Lake City. He was so excited to be able to offer yoga and has been a huge pioneer for me since the beginning.” One type of yoga class Rhodes leads has a more social atmosphere. Gaining popularity are sip-flow combo classes – a combination of enjoying a beverage as well as yoga poses. “For any CrissCross Beer/Mimosa Yoga Class the atmosphere will always be light – friends meeting up, bartenders serving drinks, and people finding a comfortable place to set up their mats,” Rhodes said. “We settle in for a clinking of glasses to say cheers before beginning each class. First we find a relaxed breath, setting an intention, and then begin our flow. I always try to incorporate sips of your drink in the flows and we use blocks to help make poses more comfortable for each body. We end each class with a cool lavender towel and a 3- to 5-minute meditation. After class, everyone is free to hang out, have another drink, and get to meet new people in a relaxed environment.” As a lighter practice, Rhodes said these types of classes can help “people to feel comfortable with yoga, their bodies, and to see if a deeper personal practice is something they may want to pursue.” And what’s more, it’s a great way to celebrate her practice’s first year in business. The Birthday SipFlow will be held at 11 a.m. on August 6 at SipCo Wine + Beer in Lake City. “This will be a day where all participants get to see a slideshow of our year, enjoy a special drink and pastries, and give back to our community.” In giving back to the community, Rhodes chose to partner this Birthday SipFlow CrissCross with Foster The Kids, a nonprofit that works with children in the foster care system to create duffle bags, build bikes, and create birthday boxes. “Most people are unaware that when children move from one home to another, they are given a black trash bag to put all they have in. Each yogi who participates and any volunteers who come after class will be able to help create beautiful bags to be given to kids in need.”
Charlee Rhodes explains...
How Yoga Helps Your Mind & Body • Yoga is about body awareness, learning, and listening to your body. These simple steps can increase an overall healthy lifestyle that will positively affect your weight. • Yoga is a powerful tool that can help your mindset during a life change, which can help you reach your goals! • Yoga can help you enjoy better sleep and help return your central nervous system to a place of rest, aiding in your fight against stress. Yoga focuses on relaxation through breathing techniques (Pranayama), this can help calm your mind and bring your nervous system back down from the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic. Not only helping you reduce the anxiety that stress creates, but also training your body and mind to regulate when you recognize feelings of stress. • Yoga can help with concentration by increasing blood circulation through the circulatory system. Deep breathing and moving the joints can help distribute fresh oxygenated blood to the body and push nutrients through the blood. • Yoga can also aid in the relaxation of the mind and body by practicing being present in the moment. This can aid in concentration and encourage you to take your tasks one at a time. August 2022
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BUSINESS story by Heather Page
Aroha definition: love, compassion, or affectionate. Origin: Maori. Aroha: The term that Adalia Ellis not only named her business after but also lives life by. When she and her husband met, as opposed to taking each other's last names, they set out on a path to find a name/ word that encompassed their relationship. Once they heard Aroha, they knew it was the perfect fit. Now Adalia can share that same love and compassion with fellow dancers at her studio, Aroha Afro Latin Dance in Downtown Florence. Vip had the opportunity to sit down with Adalia to discover how she learned dance techniques and the benefits she’s found while teaching others. Read along to learn more about how dance can spread love and compassion!
Q. What is your favorite style of dance? “This is a hard one. My favorite style of dance has evolved as I have evolved. I loved lyrical dance at one time because it allowed me the freedom to express myself. I loved dancing Hip-Hop from my childhood up through early adulthood. I fell in love with Merengue dancing in my best friend and her husband's living room when I was in college. I fell in love with Bachata when I saw it danced for the first time in Chicago. I fell in love with Salsa when I first moved to South Korea. All of it is important to me because each style of music allows for a different way for my body to move and each rhythm allows for a different kind of expression. Even now I feel how I approach dance is evolving again.”
Q: When did you become attracted to dancing? “I loved dancing from a very young age. I was attracted to movement and it felt so natural to me. I was born to a white mother and black father and wasn’t always welcomed as a child of color in predominately white studios so I wasn’t able to receive formal training. As a pre-teen, I became involved in grassroots dance and performing arts groups. I learned to create choreography and to follow my intuition and how my body responded to music as a dancer. I attended Maxwell International Baha’i School, a high school in British Columbia, where I continued to dance in a student-led dance program with professional coordinators. It was there that I received training with a dancer from the Dance Theater of Harlem and a choreographer and dancer in stage production. For years I felt robbed of the opportunity to become formally trained. At some point, I came to realize that my path in dance allowed me to connect with people and to see their movement as a reflection of who they are rather than a formula. I am grateful now for the unique way I came to experience dance.”
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Q. What is the meaning of Afro Latin dance? “As I have come to learn the history of people of African descent and how the trans-Atlantic slave trade spread the influence of music, movement, and language, I have come to understand that the roots of Latin dance like Tango, Rumba, Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata are of African origin. The largest number of Africans were taken to the Caribbean, Central, and South America. Some of the dances we dance today socially were first work dances in the fields of plantations in these countries. There were intentional efforts to erase the influence of African music and movement. As I came to understand this, I renamed my company and added 'AFRO' to acknowledge the roots...to remember that these dances were first a form of dance therapy and allowed for people to stay grounded in who they were despite the horrors of slavery. The traditional Latin dances are what I teach. Ballroom has a slightly different approach to the Latin dances. I don’t teach ballroom style.”
Q. Tell us about your classes! “We offer beginner to skilled levels and focus specifically on adults over 18. My beginner classes are in Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, and we are adding Chicago Step. Students move on to more advanced classes after they master the fundamentals. The classes are in four-week cycles and students usually complete the fundamentals in that four weeks and move up into our classes that build on this foundation. These are partner dancing classes and I always have such a hard time getting men to come. That being said, my instructors and I can lead and follow so for this reason people don't have to come with a partner. My program is community focused as well so we practice cooperative learning, which means that people change partners in class. This way leads become stronger leads and follows become stronger follows. Come dressed comfortably; wear shoes that you can easily turn in and do repetitive movements or we can give you dance socks that go over the front of your sneakers for easier movement. Dance is exercise and you will sweat, so keep that in mind!”
Q. When did you open Aroha Afro Latin Dance in Downtown Florence? “I have been teaching dance for 15 years. My first dance company was Salsa Queen Productions. I rebranded in 2015 to Aroha Latin Dance and then again in 2017 to Aroha Afro Latin Dance. My business was really solidified after I became a client in the Francis Marion University Kelley Business Incubator. I had an office in their downtown location and really loved the closeness to everything. I love Downtown Development. That team is so encouraging and helpful for new businesses. I have gotten so much support from both the Incubator and Downtown Development. I also appreciate the proximity to restaurants, the architecture, and the small-town feel of Downtown Florence. For years I have wanted to have my own studio here. I always imagined having a studio in the heart of Florence.”
Classes begin on Monday, August 8th, for this four-week session. Adalia teaches Salsa Fundamentals on Mondays, NEW! Dance Wellness Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and NEW! Chicago Step Fundamentals on Wednesdays. Additionally, Adalia will be teaching a college level course on the History of Afro-Latin Dance and Music as a part of Francis Marion University's community initiative to bring Evening College courses to Downtown Florence. For more information, visit www.arohaafrolatindance.com.
Aroha Afro Latin Dance | 167 North Dargan St, Florence 843.310.1926 | Find us on Facebook and Instagram
August 2022
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VIP'S BOOK CLUB
A BOOK REVIEW OF
THE LIES I TELL BY JULIE CLARK
Meg Williams. Maggie Littleton. Melody Wilde. Different names for the same person, depending on the town, depending on the job. She's a con artist who erases herself to become whoever you need her to be―a college student. A life coach. A real estate agent. Nothing about her is real. She slides alongside you and tells you exactly what you need to hear, and by the time she's done, you've likely lost everything. Kat Roberts has been waiting ten years for the woman who upended her life to return. And now that she has, Kat is determined to be the one to expose her. But as the two women grow closer, Kat's long-held assumptions begin to crumble, leaving Kat to wonder who Meg's true target is.
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Julie Clark is the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Flight. It has earned starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal, and the New York Times has called it “thoroughly absorbing”. It’s been named an Indie Next Pick, a Library Reads Pick, and a Best Book of 2020 by Amazon Editors and Apple Books. Her debut, The Ones We Choose, was published in 2018 and has been optioned for television by Lionsgate. She lives in Los Angeles with her two sons and a golden doodle with poor impulse control.
Do You Love To Read?
If you would like to share a book review with our readers, email heather@vipmagsc.com.
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HEALTH + WELLNESS McLeod Pulmonologist Dr. Vinod Jona is pictured with the SPiN Thoracic Navigation System in the McLeod Endoscopy Lab.
NAVIGATING TO EARLIER DETECTION OF LUNG CANCER with SPiN Thoracic Navigation System story by Vinod Jona, MD, McLeod Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates
Building on the success of its Lung Cancer Screening program, the McLeod Health team has been detecting lung cancer earlier and saving lives through low-dose CT scans for more than seven years. Since that time the cancer team has expanded the program to include four dedicated nurse navigators, a lung nodule clinic and patient conferences with multiple specialists. Now, the addition of innovative early detection technology is enabling the team to precisely track and diagnose lung cancer in its earliest stages with electromagnetic navigation. This new technology revolutionizes the speed and accuracy with which lung cancer can be diagnosed, allowing for treatment to begin sooner. Offered at McLeod Regional Medical Center and McLeod Health Seacoast, the SPiN Thoracic Navigation System provides electromagnetic navigation and guidance to distant regions of the lungs in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, enabling McLeod Health Pulmonologists to locate, biopsy and plan treatment for lung nodules that were previously difficult to access with traditional technology. The McLeod team is utilizing the system to act sooner and not wait for nodules to grow before they are biopsied.
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Prior to the procedure, we use the data from a patient’s lung CT scans and SPiN technology to build a dynamic 3D map of the patient’s lungs and navigate the shortest, safest path to the targeted nodule. Since it is often difficult to reach a specific nodule in the lung because it is a moving target, SPiN accommodates the constant movement within the lungs created by normal breathing. Similar to GPS in your car, electromagnetic navigation (EMN) uses the natural airways of a patient’s lung as roadways. Utilizing sensor tip tracked instruments, we can accurately navigate through the lungs using the EMN roadmap to access smaller and harder-to-reach nodules. We can also obtain tissue samples for biopsy by seamlessly transitioning from navigational bronchoscopy to a transthoracic needle aspiration (TTNA) in the same procedure. The SPiN technology provides patients with an earlier and more precise diagnosis. Earlier treatment for lung cancer is proven to increase survival rates to as high as 92 percent. Using this technology, we can establish the diagnosis sooner and potentially perform pre-surgical staging in a single procedure. This is beneficial to patients because it requires fewer hospital visits and leads to better patient outcomes. And, it allows me to ease their concerns or fears and focus on the course of treatment they want to pursue whether that is surgery or radiation treatment. In 2020, the team of dedicated caregivers at McLeod Regional Medical Center established the McLeod Lung Nodule Clinic to evaluate and monitor those patients who have been screened for lung cancer and a pulmonary nodule was detected, or those who had a nodule found incidentally as a result of a lung CT scan after a car accident, pneumonia or injury. This clinic enables us to determine the patient’s risk of developing lung cancer and ensure they receive high quality care and follow the evidence-based guidelines. A year later, our team began inviting lung nodule patients to participate in a conference with providers from multiple specialties before they may ever be diagnosed with lung cancer. Offering this access through a virtual platform provides convenience for the patients and their families. Each clinic patient receives complete testing and consultation with a physician to determine the best course of action for them, all in one visit. This simplifies things for the patient while maximizing early detection of disease and minimizing unnecessary medical or surgical procedures. During the conference, this team of specialists review the pertinent medical history, imaging scans, diagnostic
The SPiN technology allows the physician to accurately navigate and access small, hard-to-reach lung nodules and obtain a tissue sample for biopsy.
studies and pathology to develop a plan appropriate for the patient. If the lung nodule is not growing in size or showing signs of developing into cancer the medical team follows the nationally, evidence-based recommendations for lung nodules which may involve scheduling follow-up imaging scans at three, six or 12 months. When this system is a part of a low-dose lung CT screening program like it is at McLeod Health it significantly improves the chances of detecting lung cancer in its earliest stages and assists pulmonologists in providing their patients with the best course of treatment. For more information on the McLeod Lung Cancer Screening Program, please call Amy Perugini at (843) 777-5953 at McLeod Regional Medical Center or Kristy Hincher at (843) 366-2220 at McLeod Health Seacoast.
Dr. Vinod K. Jona joined the medical staff of McLeod Health in 2001 and has been instrumental in the expansion of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine programs. He most recently served as Chief of the Medical Staff for McLeod Regional Medical Center. Additionally, Dr. Jona serves as Medical Director of the McLeod Healthy Lungs Initiative Program and the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Committee. He is also a member of the Medical Staff Executive Committee, Quality Operations Committee and the McLeod Physician Associates Steering Board Committee. Board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and Sleep Medicine, Dr. Jona obtained his medical degree at Kakatiya Medical College in Warangal, India. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Jacobi Medical Center of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Yeshiva University, in Bronx, New York, and a fellowship in Pulmonary Disease at Albert Einstein Health Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Jona cares for patients at McLeod Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates. August 2022
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HEALTH ++ WELLNESS WELLNESS HEALTH
Discover how HopeHealth is working to improve access to routine healthcare for an underserved group.
360 N. IRBY STREET, FLORENCE 843.667.9414 HOPE-HEALTH.ORG
Taylor Thompson, FNP Taylor Thompson is a family nurse practitioner providing care for patients in the HopeXpress program for young adults. She has special interest in heart health, preventive care for younger adults, and keeping young adults in care. Thompson is a member of the American Nurses Association, South Carolina Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society.
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HopeXpress story by Taylor Thompson, FNP-C, HopeHealth It’s easy to see why young adults may not prioritize regular wellness visits. Between juggling jobs, going to school, starting families, and other challenges, a trip to the doctor can seem like an extra (and unnecessary) chore. Especially when factoring in insurance coverage, tight budgets, and rising costs of living, young adults can view routine medical care as a waste of time and money when they are young, healthy, and have no known medical problems – or so they think. The problem is young adults can develop chronic medical conditions, and without routine medical checkups, early detection and intervention doesn’t happen. Conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes can develop and progress, leading to more problems and more costly medical care down the road. People often underestimate the role genetics can play in their health as well.
Even young adults with healthy lifestyles getting regular exercise, eating balanced meals, and getting enough sleep can develop chronic medical conditions. HopeXpress is a service at HopeHealth created to bridge this gap in care by providing convenient access to affordable primary care and preventive medicine services for young adults, aged 18 to 30. Our goal is to eliminate common barriers that discourage young adults from getting routine care, such as appointment availability, wait times, cost, and preferred methods of communication (text notifications, online portal access, and smartphone app support). By offering same-day appointments and integrated care, our hope is to empower young adults to take an active role in maintaining their health for better outcomes.
HopeXpress is a rapidly evolving service that helps many patients get routine care and early detection of more serious, previously unknown conditions. In cases where we have identified pregnancy or detected issues like diabetes, anxiety and depression, or HIV infection, HopeXpress provides a smooth transition to a higher level of care. One of the program’s biggest benefits is that we offer integrated care. We are tapped into a wonderful network of providers covering a broad range of specialties, so we can connect with providers from other areas such as endocrinology, mental health, or women’s health, and transfer care when patients need more specialized management. In addition to integrated care, we offer continuity of care, which improves the overall quality of health care services. Often, young adults will only seek out care when they are sick or injured, usually in urgent cares and emergency rooms. Going to urgent care for a case of pink eye is one thing, but by never establishing a home for regular health care services, patients lose out on the personalized care that comes from an established care team that knows their medical history and can monitor their health over time. HopeXpress offers consistency, which is invaluable during the constant changes that come with your late teens and twenties. Another significant barrier that prevents young adults from establishing routine care is cost. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), HopeHealth has different options, which is especially helpful at a time when people are struggling to pay for groceries and rent. For patients without medical insurance, we offer a sliding scale that enables patients to pay what they can afford. This ensures that their finances are never a barrier to wellness. We also offer benefits counseling so patients can take advantage of programs to assist with medical expenses they may not be aware of or at least need help starting. HopeXpress is also embracing technology to make it easier to stay engaged with patients. Young people tend to value digital access to information via online portals and smart phone apps, so we have prioritized making those options available as methods to view information, contact us, and have questions answered by our care team before arrival. Our patients value easy access, quick visits, and above all flexibility, and so do we! HopeXpress is open Monday – Friday, 8AM to 5PM. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a patient, give us a call at 843-432-2940 or visit hope-health.org. August 2022
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AUGUST 2022 CALENDAR sunday
monday
of
1
EVENTS tuesday
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wednesday
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thursday
4 Lake City Farmers Market (Every Thursday) The Bean Market, Lake City
School of Dance Arts Open House (Aug 1-3) Florence
FLORENCE 1 SCHOOLS First Day of School
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TAX FREE WEEKEND
Reformers Unanimous Program Every Friday pm & Sunday am Florence Baptist Temple
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Brenda Canford School of Dance Open House & Registration (Aug 8-11 & 15-18) Hartsville
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Watermelon Day
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Clue Additions (Aug 8 & 9) Florence Little Theatre, Florence
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Sean Mills + The Gnosh Pit Food Truck Sipco Wine + Beer, Lake City
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Wellness Walk Amazing Grace Park, Marion
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Karaoke Green Frog Social, Lake City
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Brunch with Dee Tallon Wild Heart Brewing Company, Hartsville Gospel in the Park Pride Park, Hartsville
National Relaxation Day
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Social Justice Sunday
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Rainbow Baby Day
Give a Dog a Bone Week
Open Mic Night (every Tues.) F.E. Pops, Florence
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National Sports Day
Trivia (every Wed.) Seminar Brewing, Florence
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Waffle Day
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Beach Day
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An Evening of Wine & Jazz Florence Country Club
Pint for a Pint Blood Drive Wild Heart Brewing Company, Hartsville
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Couple's Day
Dancer Flow with CrissCross Yoga Aroha Afro Latin Dance, Florence
Send in your events to heather@vipmagsc.com! friday
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saturday
6 TAX FREE WEEKEND Kingstree Live 2022 Downtown Kingstree Friday Night Live Music Purple Fish Coffee Company, Darlington
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TAX FREE WEEKEND Garden Art Moore Farms Botanical Gardens, Lake City Track Laps for Charity Darlington Raceway SIPFLOW and CrissCross Yoga Sipco Wine + Beer, Lake City
13 Middle Child Day
Harmony for Hearing Music in the Courtyard Wholly Smokin, Florence
Rainwater Harvesting Moore Farms Botanical Gardens, Lake City Florence Bridal Showcase Homewood Suites, Florence Hartsville Screen on the Green Burry Park, Florence Saturdays on the Square Downtown Darlington
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David Phelps Calvary Baptist Church, Florence
The Fabulous Thunderbirds FMU PAC, Florence Hartsville Downtown Block Party Downtown Hartsville
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20 Pee Dee Annual Doll & Toy Show and Sale SiMT, Florence Rotary Club of Florence Forget Me Not 5k James Allen Plaza, Florence
27 Florence After 5 Downtown Florence
Friday Night Flicks Amazing Grace Park, Marion Analog Saints Wholly Smokin', Florence
Vermiculture Moore Farms, Lake City The Princess Ball The Little Gym, Florence Gospel on the Green Village Green, Lake City
The Revolution in the Pee Dee The Bean Market, Lake City
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HOME + WELLNESS HEALTH
Signs of a potentially fatal blood clot are shortness of breath, chest pain, acute anxiety, dizziness or passing out, and rapid heart rate.
MUSC HEALTH OFFERS LIFE-SAVING BLOOD CLOT PROCEDURE A pulmonary embolism is a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot. The clot, or embolus, can form in a matter of hours and travel through a vein in the leg to the lung, creating a life-threatening condition. If not treated, between 25 and 30 percent of patients can die; the mortality rate drops to 8 percent if patients are treated effectively, says Dr. Abdallah Kamouh, director of cardiology at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center.
Dr. Abdallah Kamouh
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Kamouh, an interventional cardiologist, was among the first to treat patients in the Pee Dee region using a largeBore pulmonary aspiration thrombectomy (PT), an advanced procedure technique removing the clot from the lung arteries. He used PT to treat patients with large clot burden in shock status, with rapidly
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worsening respiratory conditions, who are not able to be treated or who have not responded to the clotbusting drug tPA. In a pulmonary thrombectomy, surgeons insert a large, hollow catheter into a vein in the patient’s leg and, using guided imaging, thread it up throughout the right side of the heart into the lung arteries to suction out the clot. While suctioning the clot, most of the blood will be filtered and returned back to the patient. A large amount of well-formed clots is usually removed during the procedure, and imaging will confirm significant improvement of blood flow to the lungs. “The treatment can be challenging to perform, but life-saving for patients. Pulmonary thrombectomy has shown to improve the patient’s clinical symptoms significantly in the short and long term. it improves function in the right side of the heart, lowers blood pressure in the lungs, and in the short term can prevent a stay in the ICU and gets the patient out of the hospital quicker, says Kamouh.”
The inpatient procedure, performed while the patient is awake under light anesthesia, takes about one to two hours. Patients typically remain in the hospital for one to two nights, he says. Time is critical, Kamouh says. “The longer the clot is lodged in the artery, the more difficult it is to treat. If it’s older than 48-72 hours, the efficacy of the procedure will decrease significantly. Often, this procedure is performed within 24 hours of diagnosis”. Common signs of a potentially fatal clot are severe shortness of breath, chest pain, acute anxiety, dizziness or passing out, and rapid heart rate. About 25% of patients with Pulmonary Embolism die suddenly. Someone can develop a clot at any age, Kamouh says. Those most susceptible include individuals who have recently had surgery and have to be still in bed for days, people who sit for long periods of time without moving, such as passengers on long flights, and women who take birth control pills. Kamouh says the advanced pulmonary aspiration thrombectomy is a definite improvement over prior treatments that provided only limited efficacy. This newer technology has shown promising data in ongoing clinical trials especially given the advantage of the rapid and complete evacuation of proximal and large thrombi. “The clot-busting tPA, although efficacious in some cases, carries significant risk mainly major life-threatening bleeding that’s why many physicians are often hesitant to use it, especially in patients at risk.” Pulmonary thrombectomy for qualified patients has fewer complications and significantly reduces morbidity and mortality. “Not only is it life-saving; it is life-changing.”
Dr. Abdallah Kamouh is an interventional cardiologist at MUSC Health-Cardiology in Florence. For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 843-674-4787 or visit MUSCHealth.org/florence.
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DRINK OF THE MONTH
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DRINK OF THE MONTH
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LIFESTYLE
Get To Know Our
Local Football stars As They Enter Their College Careers VIP had the privilege of interviewing several hometown football stars. Read along to see what drives their passion. You can also catch them on field this fall playing their hearts out!
Malik Terry Newberry College
When and why did you start playing football? I started playing football at age 7. I was on a recreational football team called the Giants. I played Madden games on the PlayStation, that got me interested in football. What were your stats at South Florence High School (SFHS)? My senior year was great at South Florence. I had 165 Carries, 1,116 yards, 11TDS, while splitting carries. What is your favorite football memory at SFHS? My favorite memory at South Florence was our homecoming game against Hartsville. Why Newberry College? I chose to continue my academic and football career at Newberry because it has a great business program and a winning atmosphere. What’s your favorite food spot in Newberry so far? So far, Tokyo Grill. What position do you play? Running back and slot receiver. Do you have a favorite professional team? My favorite NFL team is the New Orleans Saints and my favorite players are Alvin Kamara and Deebo Samuel. Did you play any other sports at SFHS? I ran track. 36
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Ethan Hunt
Charleston Southern University
When did you start playing football? My football career began with the Lamar Recreation Department playing flag football when I was six years old. Stats at Lamar High School? Over the course of my senior season, I achieved 14 solo tackles, 11 first hits, 30 assists, 10 QB press, 2.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 2 recovered fumbles, and 1 blocked field goal. When did you know you had the potential to play for Charleston Southern University (CSU)? I decided right before junior year while I was working with Cory Helms, a trainer from Columbia, South Carolina, that played for the Carolina Gamecocks. He also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New Orleans Saints; he specializes in training offensive linemen. I also had a great amount of guidance from Levon Kirkland who is a Lamar High School Alumni, Clemson All-American, and a second round draft pick to the Steelers in 1992. What is your favorite memory from Lamar High? My favorite memory is when the coach allowed me to select the final play that delivered the regional championship win for the Lamar Silver Foxes during my senior season. Why did you choose to continue your career at CSU? I feel that CSU has the best opportunities for me to succeed both educationally and athletically. I have dreamed since I was very young of playing division 1 football and CSU was the perfect fit to fulfill that dream. Football is a long-standing family tradition, starting with my grandfather (Pa); my uncle played for CSU in college also. What position do you play? I’m playing offensive tackle at CSU now but played defensive end and kicker in high school.
Tre' McLeod Furman University
How was your senior year at Trinity Collegiate School? My senior year was great! We had a great year going to the state championship game. I rushed for 1,466 yards, with 19 rushing touchdowns, 258 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and 82 tackles. What is your favorite football memory at TCS? My tenth grade year when we won the state championship! There’s no feeling like that!! Why Furman? It was an all round great place – the academics are great there, the coach’s are the best and really care about you, and the football is also great. Where’s your favorite place to eat near Furman? Definitely this chicken place called Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack! What position do you play? Strong Safety. Do you have a favorite professional team? My favorite team professional team is the Cowboys and my favorite player is Jalen Ramsey. Did you play any other sports at TCS? I also played basketball and even played baseball during my ninth and tenth grade years. August 2022
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LIFESTYLE
Zach Martin Newberry College
Shamontae Burgess South Carolina State University When and why did you start playing football? I started playing football when I was 5 years old. When I picked up a football as a kid I fell in love. The first team I played on was the Steelers. How was your senior year at Lake City (LCHS)? My senior year at LCHS was great we played 6 games. As a senior, I started at both the running back and wide out. I rushed 43 times for 488 yards and five rushing touchdowns and pulled in 22 receptions for 207 yards. What is your favorite football memory at LCHS? When I caught a one handed touchdown against Loris High School. I’ll never forget that game. Why South Carolina State College? Because I know SC State is the place for me. On my first visit, this place automatically felt like home and also the coaching staff and players are a big family. What is your major at SC State? Sports Management What position do you play? Wide receiver Do you have a favorite professional team? My favorite team is the Seattle Seahawks and my favorite player is Tyreek Hill. He’s my favorite because our game is very similar. Did you play any other sports at LCHS? I played basketball and baseball. 38
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How was your senior year at Pee Dee Academy (PDA)? My senior year went very well. We finished the season with nine wins and two loses. I started all eleven games and finished the season with 29 pancake blocks and only allowed one sack. Why do you like to play football? It’s a unique experience but I also really enjoy moving people from one place to another. When did you know you had the potential to play for Newberry College? Since I first met the coaches in ninth grade at a prospect camp, I’ve always believed that I could play at Newberry. I just knew it would take a lot of hard work. What is your favorite football memory at PDA? Winning the region championship my freshman year. Since it hadn’t happened in a long time and the whole school and team was excited, it made it really special! Why Newberry College? Since my freshman year of high school, it has had a spot in my heart. I’ve always enjoyed going to camps in the summer time and getting to talk with the coaches all through high school. When I got the opportunity to make it official, I knew it was the right fit for me. What’s your favorite food spot in Newberry so far? I’ve always been a big Sonic guy so finding out there was a Sonic in Newberry was great! I’ll probably find myself there a good bit. What position do you play? Offensive Line. Do you have a favorite professional team? I am a big fan of the Carolina Panthers but my favorite player would have to be Taylor Lewan from the Tennessee Titans.
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BUSINESS story by Heather Page BUSINESS
Top artists, athletes, and scholars have one very important act in common – they practice. The good intentions of making ourselves and our children practice educational activities, such as math sheets or joining a reading club, over the summer have met their deadline. Results are in and if you’re like many, goals were set aside for some good, waterloving, mountain-climbing summer fun. That’s okay! However, there’s no better time than the present to jump back in, full force, and start your path to another successful school year. While you may enjoy being your child's educational cheerleader, did you know there was a business that pours its heart and soul into coaching your child through higher achievements? That’s right! Kumon in Florence goes far beyond tutoring to deliver the results you seek for success at school and beyond. Led by Bonneva Ezekiel, an early childhood educator for over 30 years with a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Kumon provides lasting techniques that offer a lifetime of advantages. Bonneva serves as co-owner and instructor at Kumon. Her primary role is to develop students’ skills by observing their abilities and following through with proper instructions. “The goal is to have each student achieve one to two grade levels above their current grade,” she explains. “I am responsible for creating lesson plans for students and developing skills such as focus, Bonneva Ezekiel concentration, stamina, work skills, study attitude, and study approach. These skills are developed during careful observation of students while encouraging them to be independent, self-learners.” Kumon offers a math program and a reading program. Students are encouraged to participate 40 40
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Kumon inspires children to reach heights they never imagined possible.
in both to gain the most advantages but may also choose to do only one program. Upon joining the Kumon experience, students are walked through their daily class routine and given instructions on how how to complete the worksheets provided. “Accountability is another major part of our program,” says Bonneva. “On their journey of being independent, self-learners, students are given the ‘responsibility’ talk where they are told this is ‘their’ Kumon and they are responsible for making sure they not only do their homework and classwork, but they are also responsible for making sure they come to class prepared with their supplies.” Each student, no matter the grade level, follows the same routine, from three-year-old to high school seniors. There are three tiers of learners at Kumon – Early Learners, Primary Instruction, and Independent Students. The Early Learners range from three to about six years old. This age group is immediately greeted by an assistant that will work with them during the entire class time. The Primary Instruction students are those that are not quite ready to work 100% independently. They are monitored closely and get assistance initially to make sure they have a good start. Then they are observed and assisted when they ask. Finally, the Independent Students work completely independently and may also ask for help when needed. The last two tiers are closely monitored by instructors and adjustments are made on the spot when necessary. Graders are grading students’ homework while they are working on their classwork. Once a student completes their classwork, they take it to the graders for grading. The graders give students back their graded homework and students work independently making corrections. The exchanging of work continues until both homework and classwork achieve a score of 100%, then the student leaves for the day. Students can spend as little as 20 minutes to as long as one hour on two subjects.
What sets Kumon apart from other learning programs?
When asked about student success stories, Bonneva’s face radiates with happiness. “I’m super proud to say that there have been so many success stories since our Florence program began in August of 2020,” she tells. “One of many student success stories in the Kumon journey is Emily Patton. Emily Patton Emily started the program at age three. She was a shy three-year-old that would barely talk to me. We quickly bonded and Emily grew to trust me and the Kumon method. She slowly climbed her way through multiple levels of math and reading. Her perseverance awarded her the prestigious honor of being named Kumon top 20 students in math in her age group throughout the United States! She was also the only student in South Carolina that reached the achievement and was awarded the Platinum and Gold medal during our awards ceremony.” Much of Emily’s success is due to Kumon’s repetition program. When Emily didn’t meet Kumon's standard completion times or made multiple mistakes, she was assigned repetitions to ensure she was retaining and mastering the materials before moving on to the next concept. Another Kumon achiever was Krish Patel who started the program when it first opened. “His tenacity and drive catapulted him quickly through the math levels,” said Bonneva. “He earned the G by 4 award which means reaching our level G (seventhgrade math) by fourth-grade. This is Krish Patel a major Kumon accomplishment. Krish held the highest levels for both math and reading for two years earning Platinum and Gold during our awards ceremony.” Kavya Rana was four when she began the Kumon program and is now performing on a third-grade
level for math and reading while still in kindergarten. Nashat Bhagat has not entered formal school and is working on a third-grade level in math and a first-grade level in reading. “These are just a few of the success stories of some of our Kumon students. Every student works hard and we are proud to be a part of their educational journey.”
Kavya Rana
Bonneva believes that Kumon helps to build confidence which makes learning easier allowing students to not struggle during school work but enjoy studying. Nakshat Bhagat She explains, “Kumon gives students basic fundamentals of math and reading which helps them to build a strong, solid foundation towards academy success. Kumon aims to develop skills that students will be able to use for life. Kumon is also aiming for students to have a smooth transition into high school math and reading while preparing them for the SAT and ACT simultaneously. What I love most about Kumon is that students achieve at their own pace while mastering concepts. Our new motto is ‘Practice Makes Possibilities.’ Students are first introduced to new concepts and achieve their breakthroughs, after their breakthroughs, students are working with confidence. They quickly move from working confidently, to working independently, and finally, mastery. Every student can benefit from the Kumon program where we pride ourselves on developing independent, self-learners!” Kumon Math and Reading Center 2511 S Cashua Dr, Florence | 843.919.0919 SCHEDULE ORIENTATION ONLINE | www.kumon.com August 2022
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LIFESTYLE
BUCK GRAHAM The Path To A Second Career story by Heather Page
While many Francis Marion University graduates, or Francis Marion College graduates if it was before 1992, leave the Florence area to apply their educational background on a career, many others stay nearby to plant that foundation right here in the Pee Dee. The latter was certainly the case for Buck Graham, a 1984 Francis Marion College graduate who has climbed the ladder of success within the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control while residing in his hometown of Dillon. Thirty-eight years later, Buck finds himself reentering Francis Marion University with a desire to pursue a second career in Healthcare Executive Management. After graduating Dillon High School in 1980, Buck sought a career in the wildlife or environmental fields. Sticking close to home, he began the journey to fulfill that aspiration at Francis Marion University (FMU). Shortly after obtaining a biology degree with a minor in chemistry, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) offered Buck an entry-level position as an Environmental Technician III in the wastewater program. From there, he moved through the ranks to obtain the Program Manager II level, a Regional Director position that is the highest executive level position within the regional offices. Today Buck manages SCDHEC’s Office of Rural Water in Columbia, South Carolina. During his time with SCDHEC, Buck has gained a tremendous amount of personal and professional achievements which include obtaining his Certified Public Manager credential, a nationally recognized accreditation for public managers and agency leaders. However, many of the accomplishments he was able to contribute to brought personal gains as opposed to rewards and titles. “I have orchestrated several high-profile projects, one of which was a gasoline release cleanup project in the Little Pee Dee River in Dillon County,” Buck recalls. “It was rewarding to directly have a positive impact on the community I grew up in.” Buck was also a part of the 42
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team that worked on the merger between the Town of Timmonsville and the City of Florence's water and wastewater systems. “This involved numerous local, state, and federal agencies, as well as state political leaders.” While that was a large project, there were smaller ones that also made a lasting impression. “I was helping locate a stormwater drainpipe, which was unknown to anyone. We found it under an elderly woman’s home in McColl, South Carolina. Her yard stayed flooded and was only accessible by stepping on concrete blocks. Once the pipe was located, a hole was cut in the blocked storm drainpipe and within four hours she had dry ground. She was ecstatic!” Buck has led a very successful and rewarding career over the years, and now he anticipates the next chapter of life. He and his wife, Wanda, who also earned her undergraduate at FMU, have focused their lives on seeing that their two sons received the education they desired without the tremendous amount of debt that can accompany it. “My wife and I put them as our top priority and commitment. We sacrificed so that they could obtain any education level they desired. After they graduated and acquired successful careers, I wanted to pursue my master’s degree and Healthcare Executive Management (HEM) intrigued me. I wanted to learn more about the evolving healthcare industry. This led me back to Francis Marion.” A Francis Marion University education has had and continues to create a tremendous impact on the working environment. Over the years, the school has had more than just a name change. They’ve acquired many new programs and seen significant
growth. One substantial change that is helping Buck seek his second career is the online component. “It affords working professionals access to advanced degrees that they might not be able to obtain under the traditional format,” he says. “In addition, the communication between students is greatly enhanced with the technological advances in telephones, other communication devices, and social media. This connects workgroups to study material in Zoom or Teams settings versus everyone having to travel to a single location.” As Buck looks to graduate in the spring of 2023, he’s admiring the healthcare that Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) provide to patients with a reduced or inability to pay. “Patients would likely have to forego treatments and services if not for the FQHCs, which never refuse service or treatment based on a patient’s ability to pay." Organizations in Florence such as HopeHealth provide these services. Through the guidance of FMU professors providing him an extended education, Buck looks forward to joining the healthcare community during his second career. Ready to start your FMU journey? For more information on obtaining a higher education, visit www.fmarion.edu.
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LIFESTYLE story and picture by Kaylea Holt
Elaine Jones pictured with two of her children, Jasausha and Jason Pope.
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EDUCATION REDEFINED The Continuum is a regional education center, created to provide education and training in the rural Pee Dee area. The Continuum provides technical training and certification opportunities through Florence Darlington Technical (FDTC) such as Welding, Industrial Maintenance Technology (IMT), Certified Nursing Assistant, and Forklift for both high school students and adults. Francis Marion University (FMU) provides academic dual enrollment courses such as math, English, biology, and psychology for high school students. The Continuum provides opportunities for adults pursuing new careers or additional certifications to further their current career. The opportunities extend to adults and high school students as they can take classes focused on technical training and traditional academic education. One family utilized every opportunity available at the Continuum. Elaine Jones and her two (of six) children, Jasausha and Jason Pope took full advantage of the opportunities available through Florence-Darlington Technical College and Francis Marion University. Elaine, Jasausha, and Jason are all graduates of Lake City High School. Elaine overcame many challenges during her high school years but conquered them and graduated on time, with her class. After graduation, Elaine attended Allen University, where she majored in biology, while having two children. Jones’s passion for taking care of others led to her career with the Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board and now in the home health field, where she has dedicated over 20 years of service. Her career path inspired her to enroll in Florence-Darlington Technical College’s Certified Nursing Assistant Certification course at the Continuum. She began the class in April of 2022 and graduated on June 29, 2022. Elaine said, “I’m not finished yet; I am going to keep climbing the ladder.” Elaine's daughter, Jasausha was a student in the inaugural semester at the Continuum in the
fall of 2019. She utilized dual enrollment courses through both Florence-Darlington Technical College and Francis Marion University. She was enrolled in courses ranging from biology to history to Spanish. Pope received over 50 college credits and was a distinguished graduate, receiving eight awards and scholarships. She is now a rising sophomore at Claflin University on full scholarship, a member of the Alice Carson Tisdale’s Honors College, majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry, with plans to become a pediatric dentist. Jason began taking Dual Enrollment courses at the Continuum for Industrial Maintenance Technology (IMT) through Florence-Darlington Technical College. He also took academic courses through Francis Marion University. Jason said, “The Continuum helped me see beyond my passions and opened my eyes to unique classes and the many opportunities available while I was in high school.” Jason graduated high school in 2022 with six major scholarships including The Meeting Street Scholarship, the BioSpine Scholarship, and the Ron McNair Scholarship. He will be attending the University of South Carolina in the fall of 2022 on full scholarship, majoring in computer science. The Continuum was designed to meet the needs of those in the community, similar to that of Elaine, Jasausha, and Jason. The opportunities at the Continuum are ever expanding as new healthcare pathways are being added, technical training labs are expanding, and business and industry partnerships are strengthened. The Continuum team continues to work with business and industry partners to create apprenticeship and internship pipelines to provide opportunities for the student enrolled in the various courses and certifications.
To learn more about the opportunities at the Continuum, contact our team at (843) 374-4200 or email us at info@thelccontinuum.org! August 2022
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LIFESTYLE story by Kimberly Brauss
A PERFECT MATCH: THE BENEFITS OF JIGSAW PUZZLES
It doesn’t matter our age, odds are most of us love puzzles. Be it the brain stimulation or the entertainment value – who doesn’t look for a puzzle on a rainy day at the beach? Many of us are drawn to many different types of puzzles. We start out at a young age working puzzles – those three- to five-pieced puzzles. They’re captivating even as infants. Young children thrive on challenges by putting together age-appropriate puzzles. What’s more are the developmental benefits we receive from puzzles. Starting out as toddlers, puzzles help our development – the fine motor skills stretch, handeye coordination improves, as well as spatial awareness and problem-solving. “Young children learn by doing. The act of putting age-appropriate puzzles together is a huge benefit for a child’s development,” said Beth Hepler, director of First Presbyterian Church’s Child Development Center. “This eye-hand correlation activity requires concentration and the use of repetitive memory skills. Even the feeling of accomplishment is very rewarding! And it is all connected with math. What is gained from putting together puzzles is limitless.” But let’s not forget to mention the sense of accomplishment, satisfaction at completion. It’s an opportunity to persevere, learn patience, and overcome challenges. Working on a puzzle is an effective way to help improve our short-term memory, as well. Research has found even older adults who regularly work puzzles have sharper brains. Working puzzles improves our Visual-Spatial Reasoning – those skills help with our daily tasks, including driving a car, and packing our suitcase and car trunks. Not only can piecing together a puzzle improve your thinking, the best of it is it can delay dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Putting together a puzzle protects our brains.
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“When it comes to the benefits of puzzles – whether jigsaw, word, or other types – the picture is largely a common sense one. Engagement with puzzles requires multiple cognitive domains from attention and concentration to visuospatial skills and working memory. They can also provide benefits in the psychological domain as people often experience them as fun, challenging, or relaxing, which comes with a host of mood-related and even social benefits,” said Dr. Brittany Rainwater, Psy.D, LCP, Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Director of Behavioral Science, McLeod Family Medicine Center. “The research, of which there is more and more on the topic, appears to suggest that doing puzzles improves cognitive skills, even some aspects of intelligence (i.e. fluid intelligence), and slows cognitive decline. The jury is still out on just how helpful different ‘brain-training’ programs can be and in what context. Puzzles don’t seem to be any kind of magic wand for increasing IQ or eliminating dementia, but they do seem to be a part of the big picture (with sleep and exercise) of improving our overall mental/cognitive/ emotional health throughout the lifespan.” Dr. Rainwater continued, “But back to the commonsense part – our brain is very much like the rest of our body. When we give it regular exercise, it doesn’t eliminate disease, aging, or injury, but it sure offers a lot of protection and makes us stronger, quicker, and more resilient.” Sitting down to a puzzle feels calming, restorative and productive. Working a puzzle increases the production of dopamine, a chemical that regulates mood, memory, and concentration.
“An increased production of dopamine in the body brings self-satisfaction as a child proudly exclaims, ‘I did it all by myself!” Hepler said. And if you’re like me, find an eyecapturing puzzle and then seal, frame it, hang it, or give it away. The Charles Wysocki puzzle I completed is waiting to be sealed. And the Clemson stadium one is waiting to be put together for my home office. And the completed Van Gogh puzzles are framed in my older brother’s home. So the next time you reach for a puzzle, know there’s more to it than filling the afternoon with something to do. You’re restoring regulation to the brain. Stimulating your focus and thinking goes a long way, especially in bringing back a sense of calm and comfort that was there as a child.
PUZZLING BENEFITS: • Improved Memory • Better Problem-Solving Skills • Improved Visual-Spatial Reasoning • Increased IQ • Improved Mood • Lower Stress Levels • Increased Attention to Detail • Increased Productivity • Better Collaboration SOURCE: Madd Capp Puzzles August 2022
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HOME
Summer Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Elegant as it is simple - the perfect dish to throw together...
story and recipe by Doug Smith
Get more from Doug Smith by following him on Facebook and Instagram at "Doug the Food Guy".
You've exhausted the peanut butter and jelly routine and have rolled your final turkey and cheese wrap. Now what? When it comes to packing your and your kids' lunchboxes, variety is key; after all, no child or adult looks forward to eating the same lunch day after day, so it's important to keep the midday meal both interesting and easy to eat. Let’s keep it as kid-friendly and adult as we can. Your mornings may go more smoothly than mine, but in order to get everything done and out the door on time I need to have a bunch of lunch staples on hand. Sometimes those supplies come right from last night’s dinner. Make it even easier on yourself by preparing the lunches as you clean up after dinner, while everything’s still out and the creative juices are flowing. There’s nothing wrong with serving leftovers but I suggest changing it a little so that it feels fresh and new. Any time we serve rolls or crusted bread, I always use the extras for sandwiches the next day. If the slices are big, you can cut them down into smaller pieces and pack two or three sandwiches. Soup, stew, or almost any leftover can go into a store-bought pie crust or puff pastry and become a tiny pot pie, perfect for lunch even if served at room temperature. Another great mix-it-up idea is to make quesadillas. I like to use flour tortillas stuffed with shredded cheese, sliced ham or turkey and a few veggies like shredded carrots then add a couple of pieces of baby spinach. Now you have a well-balanced delicious lunch fit for a king. Another easy and delicious lunch is leftover rotisserie chicken. You can simply pull the chicken and add a little BBQ sauce to make a tasty sandwich or if you’re wanting to step it up a notch make chicken salad. This just might be my favorite sandwich of all time, rotisserie chicken salad with just a little mayo. Leftover Rotisserie chicken equals heaven on bread.
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SUMMER ROTISSERIE CHICKEN SALAD
Ingredients:
1 rotisserie chicken 3/4 to 1 cup mayo 1 diced Granny Smith Apple A drizzle of local honey Sprinkle with celery seed Salt and pepper to taste Pecan (optional)
Method:
Shred chicken into small pieces. Mix in mayo and diced apple. Fold in the honey and spices to your liking. Finish off with pecans, if you like.
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DRINK OF THE MONTH
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DRINK OF THE MONTH
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