August 2023

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 Photographer Fred Salley Photography

Contributing Writers Mark W. Buyck, III

Christy Evans, DNP

La’Quanita Goodman Tripp Hines, MD

Doug Smith

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, email heather@vipmagsc.com.

ISSUE 93

8

CALENDAR 24

Page 10

Page 34

BUSINESS

30 Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A.: Great Sea Island Hurricane

32 A Chain Reaction: Amanda Carroll

34 Recognizing Dr. Jennifer Taylor: SCISA Middle School Teacher of the Year

GIFT GUIDE

36 Gear Up For Game Day

NEWSWORTHY

38 Business Happenings: Something to Celebrate

HOME

Page 26

Page

Cheers to 10 Years

- About MFBG Beer Fest -

Craft beer enthusiasts, mark your calendars for a hop-tastic event that will ignite your taste buds and elevate your weekend plans. Moore Farms Botanical Garden proudly presents its highly anticipated 10th annual Beer Fest, a one-day extravaganza brimming with unlimited samples, delectable food trucks, vibrant vendors, and an electrifying live performance by the Jebb Mac Band. Be part of this remarkable celebration on Saturday, September 16, in Lake City — the only Beer Fest in the Pee Dee!

The centerpiece of this jubilant gathering is the opportunity to indulge in a selection of more than 40 brews and ciders. With over 20 local and regional craft breweries participating, beer and cider lovers can savor an array of unique flavors, styles, and aromas. From rich stouts to refreshing IPAs, the festival promises to be a haven for both the curious sipper and the seasoned connoisseur.

Tap into even more fun as the Jebb Mac Band takes the stage, delivering an energetic performance that will have you dancing along. Their contagious melodies and irresistible beats have made them a crowd favorite, and their presence is sure to elevate the festival's vibrant atmosphere to new heights.

Stay safe by utilizing our free “Sober Ride” shuttle service! The Sober Ride shuttle will be transporting guests both to and from Moore Farms Botanical Garden from downtown Lake City’s “The Inn at the Crossroads” from 12 pm - 5 pm.

Tickets are in high demand, so be sure to get yours today by visiting moorefarmsbg.org. Use code VIP15 for 15% OFF! Don't miss out on the chance to be part of MFBG’s 10th annual Beer Fest — a celebration of craft beer, local eats, live music, and a vibrant community coming together. Grab your friends, raise your glasses, and immerse yourself in a day of pure beer bliss!

Make it a weekend of FUN! Plan to stay in our beautiful boutique hotel, The Inn at the Crossroads, or load up the crew and reserve your spot in our luxury RV park, Crossroads Coach Resort.

Visit us online for more information and how to book your stay!

Sober Ride:

We will be providing a FREE Sober Ride shuttle service that will be running to and from The Inn at the Crossroads and Moore Farms Botanical Garden throughout the day. No pre-registration is needed to utilize this service.

Stay the night in Lake City!

• The Inn at the Crossroads (Boutique Hotel): 128 West Main Street, Lake City (843) 394-2100 www.theinnatthecrossroads.com

• Crossroads Coach Resort (RV Park): 243 South Church Street, Lake City, SC (843) 374-2131 www.lakecityrv.com

Mention “MFBG Beer Fest” for a special room rate

Moore Farms Botanical Garden is located at: 100 New Zion Rd, Lake City

For more information, call 843-210-7582 or visit moorefarmsbg.com

Jebb Mac Band

The Terrence F. Carraway Foundation

Allison Carraway continues Terrence’s vision to better serve the community

“Terrence was the epitome of what a community police officer should be. He wasn't afraid to get out of the car and learn about the people in the districts where he worked. If he saw or was told of a person or family in need, he would not hesitate to use his own money to assist them as best as possible. It resonated with him how he was raised as a young child and at one time or another was in that very same situation.”

When describing her late husband, Allison Carraway isn’t short of words. Sergeant Terrance F. Carraway’s heroism was one of the many qualities she admired most about him. On October 3, 2018, Sgt. Carraway was fatally shot while on duty with the Florence Police Department during a tragic event that impacted our entire community. While that day resonates throughout our state, Allison has made it her mission to bring light to one of her darkest moments by remembering and sharing how Sgt. Carraway dedicated his life to serving others and giving back to his community.

In addition to working for the Florence Police Department for more than 30 years, Sgt. Carraway also served in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years and was

a football coach at Darlington Middle School and Darlington High School from 2005 to 2011. He founded a successful Camp F.E.V.E.R. (Fuel to Encourage a Victorious and Evolving Resurrection) for at-risk youth in the Florence area that served the community for several years before he was promoted to investigator and needed to pause the program to focus on his career. Sgt. Carraway was a D.A.R.E. officer with Florence elementary schools until the program ended. Through much of his outreach, his purpose was to reduce gang violence and drug use, and to increase selfesteem in youth.

“Just to emphasize Terrence’s impact,” says Allison, “I am still meeting young adults who tell me how much influence he had on their lives.”

Since Sgt. Carraway’s passing, Allison has formed the Terrence F. Carraway (TFC) Foundation. While overcoming this tremendous loss is impossible, Allison is using the foundation as a tool to ensure the legacy of Terrance lives on. “TFC helps me navigate this new life without my husband…partner…and friend of 30plus years,” she says. The mission of the organization is

Allison Carrraway

SGT. TERRENCE “T-REX” CARRAWAY

For sponsorship opportunities, visit www.thetfcfoundation.com, or contact Allison directly, thetfcfoundation@gmail.com.

to continue Terrence’s vision of fusion between the community, law enforcement, and first responders through service, communications, education, and understanding.

Part of the foundation's outreach is to create a memorial park for fallen officers. Located at 611 South Main Street in Darlington, South Carolina, near the center of town, and just a short walk from the home Terrence grew up in is the growing South Carolina Fallen Officer’s Memorial in Honor of Sgt. Carraway. “I’m always excited when it comes to the memorial,” says Allison. The project is currently halfway through completion. Allison is working diligently to receive the additional funds to complete the memorial so she can announce the grand opening! Through generous donors, she has raised $300,000. In addition to thanking the community for their support in this sentimental project, Allison is also thankful to Gilbert Construction for seeing this project through.

“The purpose of the memorial is to provide a lasting tribute to honor those who have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting the citizens of

this great state,” says Allison. The memorial wall will display the names of all officers and K-9 dogs who have died in the line of duty. “The memorial is to provide a place of respite, reverence, and reflection for the families, friends, co-workers, and citizens of the officers whose lives were sacrificed to ensure that others live,” says Allison.

The TFC Foundation also enjoys partnering with local non-profits that focus on youth initiatives and community involvement. “We sponsor several little league baseball teams and the Darlington High athletic department,” says Allison. “The foundation also hosted its second annual Taste of Blue event at the City Center Farmer’s Market in Florence in July and it was a huge success. Some of the funds raised from this event went towards four $1000 scholarships for Darlington and Florence public high school seniors.”

Allison describes Sgt. Carraway as “an unforgettable, in-your-face, personality that was truly a gentle giant.” He had a major impact on the lives of many and his legacy will forever shine through those he inspired.

'Taste of Blue' 2023 Top 3 Executive Chef Sponsors

Shawn MizzellSam Carbis Solutions

Rosalee TulloFlorence Travel Plaza

Gilbert Construction

Florence Library’s Morris Gallery

Welcomes Patricia Sabreee

The Doctor N. Lee Morris Gallery will feature an exhibit entitled “Listen to the Land” by Gullah artist Patricia Sabreee. There will be an artist reception and exhibit opening on Thursday, August 17, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The exhibit, sponsored by Friends of Florence County Library, is inspired by her growing up on a large farm with 15 siblings, and will run through January 3, 2024.

Sabreee was born and raised in Lake City, S.C. on her family’s farm. She earned her B.A. from

The Doctor N. Lee Morris Gallery is located on the second floor of the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library in Florence and is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.; and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. For more information about this exhibit and related events, please visit www.florencelibrary.org

South Carolina State University and her Masters of Education from Southern Wesleyan. She taught art for twenty-one years, but in 2010 she decided to pursue her own art fulltime. She now has her own gallery; Sabreee’s Gallery of the Arts in Savannah, Georgia, which is dedicated to educating and preserving the Gullah culture. Sabreee has received several awards for her artwork. More information about Sabreee and her artwork can be found on her website, www.sabreesgallery.com.

Patricia Sabreee

A

Get Involved with

McLeod Angels

- Announce… We announce to the women in the community about our organization.

N - Network… We network with each other to help grow our membership.

G - Grant Funds… We grant funds for medical needs and services to patients and family members.

E - Enrich and Educate… We enrich our understanding of medical and social issues.

L - Life Issues… We discuss life issues geared toward our audience.

S - Socialization… We meet with friends to socialize over a wonderful meal and meaningful message.

Since 1986, McLeod Health Foundation has worked endlessly to provide specialized healthcare services for those most in need. From children struggling to survive serious illnesses to cancer patients looking for hope, the Foundation helps generate philanthropic support to perpetuate medical excellence at McLeod Health.

While there are many opportunities to become involved, one group of women that has been making a positive difference for patients is the McLeod Angels. The purpose of the McLeod Angels is to provide healthcare-related educational opportunities for women to develop their knowledge of the importance of philanthropy in healthcare to our region. Beverly Hazelwood, Chair, explains, “We started the Angels with a mission as an organization to be an extension of the McLeod Foundation. We wanted to give the women in our community that were inclined to support McLeod Health the opportunity to help us with our mission of generating funds for the Foundation.”

For an annual membership fee of only $100, women can join in creating opportunities for those in need when it matters most. The dues received create a fund to invest in projects that build and strengthen Foundation-supported programs through the power of joint philanthropy. “The projects the Angels support go beyond the scope of the capital funding that the hospital has,” explains Beverly. “Once the advisory committee narrows down the grant submissions, the remaining grants are presented to the group to be voted on.”

The more than 135 members meet four times a year to network and receive healthcare-related education. Since it was established in 2009, the McLeod Angels have funded 55 projects by granting more than $209,000. Areas of giving have included:

• The Forensic Nurse Examiner Program. This program serves victims of sexual assault by providing expert trauma care, collection of forensic evidence, appropriate referrals to post-assault after-care, as well as court testimony during trials of cases prosecuted. The Pee Dee Region was the last in the state to incorporate a forensic nurse examiner program.

McLeod Pulmonologist Dr. Vinod Jona speaks to the McLeod Angels about lung cancer screenings during a meeting in 2022

Eleanor Carson, Beverly Hiller and Joyce Dalsbo

Beverly Hazelwood

• The AccuVein® Vein Visualization System. The near-infrared technology enables healthcare professionals to visualize the superficial vasculature in order to identify veins for optimal peripheral venous access or avoid veins during aesthetic procedures. AccuVein is a simple, safe solution that increases vein assessment proficiency, helps avoid patient IV complications, and addresses clinical and operational priorities.

• Mammogram Scholarships for women of disparity in the region who cannot afford the cost of an annual screening mammogram.

• Sponsorships for 25 families who are unable to pay to stay at the Guest House at McLeod, a home away from home for families of patients who live outside of the Florence area.

• The HOPE Fund (Helping Oncology Patients Everyday), a program which provides services for patients undergoing cancer treatment such as transportation, medications, nutrition, and educational resources.

Become a McLeod Angel

McLeod Angels membership is open to all women. Each meeting has two components: Enriching medical understanding and participating in life issues such as gardening, skincare, and fashion. By joining the team of Angels, members are extending a helping hand to fund valuable grants that serve the community in many ways.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the McLeod Angels or one of the other groups, visit www.McLeodFoundation.org and click on the Get Involved tab.

Other Ways to Get Involved with the McLeod Health Foundation

McLeod Fellows:

McLeod Fellows is a chance for community leaders to get a behindthe-scenes look at medicine and to explore the complex issues driving healthcare today while demonstrating the continuing need for philanthropy. Throughout the program, participants have one-of-a-kind experiences and gain insight into medical and technological advances through access to areas of McLeod Health not commonly available to the public.

McLeod Men:

McLeod Men is an association of men organized through the McLeod Health Foundation. The purpose of McLeod Men is to provide healthcarerelated educational opportunities for men to develop their knowledge of the importance of philanthropy in healthcare for our region. Membership dues create a fund to invest in projects that build and strengthen Foundation-supported programs through the power of joint philanthropy. The membership dues for the McLeod Men are a minimum of $100 annually.

The Circle of Excellence:

The Circle of Excellence is a young giving society organized through the McLeod Health Foundation. It is comprised of individuals and couples 45 and under, who contribute $500 or more annually to support the work of the McLeod Foundation. The funds contributed by the members are held in the Circle of Excellence Fund, which is used to support programs and services of McLeod Health. Each year, members review a list of high-priority needs at McLeod Health and vote on how to award the funds.

Above: McLeod Angels shop the fall fashion trends and holiday shopping from the McLeod Gift Shop during a meeting in November.

Left: Pictured left to rightCarrington Wingard, Beth Ann Owens and Lindy Pietila

Champions for Youth Celebration

Save the date for the 2023 Champions for Youth celebration on Tuesday, September 12, as Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area honor decades of dedication to improving the lives of our youth.

This year’s honoree, Carlos Washington, has been involved with youth through sports for more than 31 years. Mr. Washington founded Florence International Basketball Association in 2003, and the association has taken youth to Cleveland, Thailand, Greece, Canada, and San Francisco.

The career firefighter continued serving the community after he retired from the City of Florence Fire Department in 2012. Besides helping to found Virtus Academy, Washington has served on the Salvation Army Board and the SC DJJ Advisory Board. For the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area, he supports and partners with our Florence Club and annual Carolina Classic Basketball Tournament (Scheduled for December 27-29, 2023).

“The Pee Dee area has been blessed by many years of support that Mr. Washington has provided to the youth of the Florence area,” says Neal Zimmerman, Florence Club Executive Director. “The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area is proud to honor Carlos as their 2023 Champion for Youth.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area will honor Carlos Washington as the 2023 Champion for Youth on Tuesday, September 12, at the SiMT building on the Florence-Darlington Technical College campus. The event will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. and the award presentation will start at 7 p.m.

The Champions for Youth Tribute supports Boys & Girls Club programs that help thousands of children throughout the Pee Dee grow into productive adults. Attendance and financial contributions will help brighten the lives of some of our community’s most promising children. The Boys & Girls Clubs serve youth every day after school and all day on non-school days and during the summer. Clubs provide a safe place where young people can learn and grow while helping them become productive citizens.

For more information and to learn about sponsorship opportunities, call 843-662-1142 or visit www.bgcpda.org.

Making an Impact Since 1964

Academics:

• Teachers said that 86% of our members who needed to improve their academic performance did so and that 80% of our members who needed to improve their behavior did so.

• Over 99% of members get promoted to the next grade level.

• 96% of parents report their children care more about learning since joining the Club.

Healthy Lifestyles:

• 87% of our teens report abstaining from alcohol use compared to 65 %nationally.

• 93% of our teens say they do not smoke compared to 84% nationally.

• With South Carolina having the 3rd highest obesity rate in the U.S., the Club schedules 1 hour of physical activity every day.

Good Character:

• 65% of teen members reported volunteering in their community within the last year compared to only 25% of U.S. adults who volunteer annually.

• 91% of parents believe their child's behavior has improved since joining the Club.

• 93% of parents reported that the Club encourages their youth to help others.

Washington

Succulent

KFA

Class:

Reformers

Framed

Ladies

LOCAL EVENT CALENDAR + NATIONAL DAYS!

Farmers Market Open Burry Park, Hartsville

Florence Cars and Coffee Highland Park Church, Florence

Screen on the Green Downtown Dillon

Blues Jam Seminar Brewing, Florence

Ivan Parker in Concert, Bethea Retirement Community, Florence

Florence Flamingo game, Carolina Bank Field, Florence

First Friday at the Fountain South Plaza- Downtown Dillon

Bluegrass Music Old Post Office, Darlington

Herbal Infusions: The Art of Tea Forest Lake Greenhouses, Florence

Community Archaeology Day Florence Public Library

City-Center Farmers Market, Downtown Florence Saturdays, 9a-1p

Back To School 5K Florence YMCA

Pee Dee Doll & Toy Show and Sale SiMT Building, Florence Florence After 5 Downtown Florence

Son’s And Daughter’s Day

Downtown Block PartyPreston Duffee Band Downtown Hartsville

Improving The Patient’s Quality of Life

story by Dr. Tripp Hines, Florence Neurosurgery and Spine at McLeod Health

Tremors, muscle spasms, stiffness, slow movement, difficulty speaking and swallowing, as well as poor balance and coordination can be symptoms of a movement disorder. Living with a condition such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor or dystonia can make daily life challenging.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects a person's muscle control, balance and movement. An estimated one million people in the United States are living with Parkinson’s disease and nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed every year, according to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease develop gradually over time and can be movementrelated, cognitive, and physical.

Essential tremor is a movement disorder that causes uncontrollable shaking of the hands, arms, trunk, or legs, and sometimes even the voice. Often confused with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor is the most common type of movement disorder -- estimated to be eight to 10 times more common than Parkinson’s disease.

Another movement disorder is dystonia which causes involuntary muscle contraction or muscle spasms that trigger slow repetitive movement or twisting of the affected body part. It can affect one muscle, a group of muscles, or the patient’s entire body and can be quite painful.

Medication, rehabilitative therapy, and tremor control devices are a few treatment options available to help patients manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia. Another option is a surgical treatment performed by a neurosurgeon called Deep Brain Stimulation, also known as DBS.

Using electrical stimulation, DBS aids in the treatment of movement disorders and can even be used to help control the symptoms of epilepsy and obsessive-compulsive disorder. DBS works by regulating abnormal signals in the brain.

During the medical procedure thin wires called electrodes are placed in the brain. A pulse generator, a programmable device that is like a heart pacemaker, is inserted in the chest area just under the skin.

The pulse generator sends mild electrical impulses to the electrodes in the brain. The electrical impulses stimulate the areas of the brain that control movement.

At McLeod, deep brain stimulation is performed in two stages. The first stage is an outpatient surgical procedure to place the pulse generator device and lead extensions in the chest. The second stage, which takes place a few days to a week later, is placement of the electrodes and connecting the pulse generator to the electrodes. The electrodes are placed in designated areas of the brain that are identified according to the patient’s diagnosis, symptoms, and other factors.

This surgical treatment continuously helps control symptoms, and the intensity of the electrical stimulation can be adjusted by the neurosurgeon and/or movement disorder team. Most generators are rechargeable and last for approximately 15 years, with nonrechargeable generators lasting on average from three to six years.

Deep brain stimulation is not for every patient, and it is not a cure for movement disorders. Patients are very carefully evaluated by the McLeod Neurosurgery team to determine if they are a candidate for DBS. When used with the right patient, DBS can be highly successful.

Movement disorder patients may be considered for DBS when:

• Medication does not control or no longer improves symptoms

• Medication causes severe side effects

• Tremors cause significant function disability and interfere with daily life activities such as eating, drinking, and writing

• Other forms of treatment are unsuccessful

Benefits of DBS include:

• Reduction in the severity of tremors and stiffness

• Decrease in the amount of medication needed to manage symptoms

• Increase in mobility

• Improved quality of life

Although deep brain stimulation may not eliminate a patient’s symptoms, it can significantly help patients become more active resulting in an improved quality of life. With DBS, the team at McLeod can restore function and give patients the chance to return to living and doing the activities they enjoy.

Florence Neurosurgery and Spine at McLeod Health

Dr. Tripp Hines is a Neurosurgeon caring for patients at Florence Neurosurgery and Spine at McLeod Health. Dr. Hines received his medical degree from East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee. He completed a Neurosurgery Residency and a Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery Fellowship at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Hines has special interest in Deep Brain Stimulation, Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, epilepsy, brain tumor surgery, pituitary/ transsphenoidal surgery, trigeminal neuralgia, and spine surgery.

For more information, visit McLeodHealth.org.

Dr. Tripp Hines

McLeod Neurosurgeon Dr. Tripp Hines holds a pulse generator device used in the DBS treatment.

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Eyes

story by Christy Evans, DNP, HopeHealth

Christy H. Evans joined HopeHealth at the Medical Plaza in Florence in 2013. She is a board-certified adult nurse practitioner who is passionate about her faith, family, friends, and empowering her patients to take control of their health. Evans enjoys working with patients to reach their blood glucose measurement goals. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice and her master’s degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, and received her undergraduate degree from Francis Marion University.

Christy Evans, DNP

Diabetic retinopathy - A complication of diabetes that affects the eyes explained

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetic retinopathy is a common form of diabetes-related eye disease and the leading cause of blindness in American adults. This is a growing problem - as the number of people living with diabetes increases, so does the number of people with impaired vision.

Retinopathy is a progressive eye disease that causes damage to the small blood vessels of the retina which allow you to see fine details. Diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss and blindness in people who have diabetes, partially due to poorly controlled blood sugar. This condition is the most common cause of irreversible blindness, impacting almost one-third of adults with diabetes over age 40 and more than one-third of all Black and Mexican Americans.

Those with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Risk factors include the duration of diabetes and blood sugar issues, elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and pregnancy.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may include blurred vision, seeing floating spots, and vision changes lasting more than a few days. Other symptoms include double vision, difficulty reading, a shadow across the visual field, eye pain or pressure, or difficulty with color perception. However, symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may not appear until damage has already begun - in the disease’s early stages, you may not notice any symptoms or changes in your eyesight. Due to this, it is essential to schedule a yearly retinal exam upon diagnosis, especially for those with type 2 diabetes. Patients with type one diabetes should have the initial exam within five years of diagnosis because retinopathy can take up to five years to develop after the onset of elevated blood sugar levels.

A retinal exam, also called an ophthalmoscopy or funduscopy, is a painless exam that can be performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or at a specialized diabetes center and the results should be shared with your primary care provider. Usually, eye drops are used to dilate the pupil to allow the provider to examine the back of your eye, including the retina, blood vessels, and the optic nerve.

The risk of diabetic retinopathy increases over time in patients who have diabetes, especially with uncontrolled diabetes, elevated blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels. Careful management of your diabetes is the best way to prevent vision loss. If you have diabetes, ensure you see your provider for your yearly eye exam with dilation, even if your vision seems fine. Additionally, contact your eye doctor right away if your vision changes suddenly or becomes blurry, spotty, or hazy. While diabetic retinopathy cannot be reversed, getting an annual retinal exam will allow your eye doctor to diagnose retinopathy early, help you manage the eye disease, and help prevent vision loss.

360 North Irby St Florence | 843.667.9414 hope-health.org

HopeHealth is a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides primary care, preventive care, and support services to patients in Florence, Clarendon, Williamsburg, Aiken, & Orangeburg Counties.

Great Sea Island Hurricane

The 1893 Sea Islands hurricane was a deadly major hurricane that struck the Sea Islands of Beaufort County on August 27, 1893.

story by Mark W. Buyck, III

The South Carolina Climatology Office updated a report in May of this year analyzing tropical storm impacts on the state since 1851. The time frame analyzed indicates that 263 tropical storms or hurricanes have impacted the state with 140 of those having their storm centers tracking through South Carolina. 61 were Category 1 or higher and 44 made direct landfall on the South Carolina coast. Only 4 of the landfalling hurricanes have been Category 3 or higher. Those 4 storms were the Great 1893 Sea Islands Hurricane, Hurricane Hazel (1954), Hurricane Gracie (1959), and the most recent, Hurricane Hugo (1989). The report estimates that there is an 80% chance of South Carolina being impacted by a tropical storm in any given year.

The Great Sea Islands Hurricane was the most deadly storm to ever hit the state. It is estimated that 1,000 to 2,000 people drowned in the Beaufort area. All but 2 of the deaths were African Americans. The majority of the homes on the islands were elevated less than 2’ and were not built to withstand the 120 mph winds and 15’ storm surge.

Beaufort County at the time of the storm had a population of 31,400 people, of these only 2,700 were white. The vast majority of African Americans were former slaves and their offspring. Most were farmers. Many lived on land they had purchased following the Civil War. At that time, the county was remote and warnings of the impending storm did not reach the islanders. It was 4 days after the storm before Governor Tillman received notice of the dire situation of the survivors.

Tillman contacted the American Red Cross requesting assistance. Three (3) weeks after

the storm, Clara Barton arrived in Beaufort to coordinate the relief efforts. Clara Barton was familiar with the area because she had spent nine (9) months on Hilton Head Island during the Civil War. She arrived to 30,000 sick, homeless, grieving souls who had no clean water to drink and no food. She set up warehouses in Beaufort and set up a schedule for families to receive provisions. She rewarded those willing to participate in the rebuilding efforts with double provisions. Barton continued her operations in Beaufort for seven (7) months. All of the Red Cross relief efforts were privately funded as neither the state nor the federal government appropriated any funds.

Beaufort County would not recover to its prestorm economic status until the World War II period. The Great Sea Island Hurricane marked the beginning of the end of the phosphate business in the state. Phosphate was being mined in coastal marsh areas and sold to fertilizer companies for distribution throughout the world. The storm likely put an end to rice cultivation in the state once and for all.

It is estimated that if the same size storm were to hit Beaufort County today, given the growth in the area over the last 75 years, damages would be in the $50B range.

A Chain Reaction

WHERE CREATIVITY MEETS THE CLASSROOM

Amanda Carroll is educating both in and out of the classroom. When she isn’t discussing fractions and states of matter with her fun-loving third graders at Pageland Elementary School, she’s building a brand for her side hustle, A Chain Reaction. Amanda has discovered her creative playground of merging customary, everyday items with bright and bold beads!

Amanda graduated from Francis Marion University with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and later received her master's degree from Coker University. Since then she has had the privilege of teaching in both North and South Carolina. “Making connections with students and showing them that I care is always my first priority,” says Amanda. “When students know you care about them, they want to do their best. This has been something I’ve tried to apply each year as a teacher. I love seeing my students blossom and become independent learners.”

When outside of the classroom, Amanda focuses on creating new, colorful items for her growing customer base. She explains how she got started, “A few years ago, I really got into painting. I’ve always enjoyed creating and felt like this was a good avenue to begin expressing that outlet. However, I quickly realized it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do.” After diving into research on other projects, Amanda saw someone creating with silicone beads. “I thought, ‘Man, that looks like fun!’” After watching several videos and finding the perfect silicone bead suppliers, she showed her husband and he agreed that it was something she should go for. “From there, it kind of quickly became a fun way for my husband Justin and I to spend time together.”

What began as a trial and error process, quickly transitioned into sell-out products. “I originally created keychains, then pens. From there we started making lanyards, badge reels, mini keychains, mirror hangers, and more,” says Amanda. “I have a bead board where I put my ideas before stringing them

Amanda Carroll

together. I try to think of ways I can put prints together to make them pop and grab attention while also incorporating more neutrals so that I have something for everyone.” Amanda and Justin also encourage customers to express their ideas so they can help bring them to life.

Amanda’s unique twist on a traditional pen is a customer favorite! “There are so many endless possibilities for pens,” says Amanda. “There are more beads than I could ever have imagined. When I saw the bead suppliers offered pens to bead, I knew I had to try them!” Amanda’s beaded pens are a versatile piece that adds a bit of flare to your stationery. They also make a wonderful gift for teachers, coworkers, family, friends… really everyone!

In January of 2023, Amanda and Justin welcomed customers into their new storefront located in downtown Jefferson, South Carolina. “Being able to have my own place feels wonderful. I love that I can come to the shop and create what I want. I also love that I have a place to store everything,” she says. “My favorite part about having a storefront is being able to meet so many people who have purchased from us. I love seeing people walking around with items we’ve created!”

In addition to creating unique products, Amanda and Justin also offer “Sip and Create” events. During this time, customers can choose their favorite beads and are taught how to make their own creations. Readers can follow their Facebook page to learn about upcoming events!

As Amanda enters her tenth year in the classroom, she looks forward to greeting new students that will surely make for another memorable year! She is also eager to discover new products she can add to her store. Drop by A Chain Reaction to find the perfect gift for yourself or a friend!

Chain Reaction

162 S. Main Street, Jefferson

Recognizing

Dr. Jennifer Taylor

In April of 2023, Dr. Jennifer Taylor, a math and science teacher at Thomas Hart Academy, was awarded the South Carolina Independent School Association Middle School Teacher of the Year. While Dr. Taylor is humbled with receiving this honor, her colleagues and students recognize it as an accomplishment well deserved. Her path to becoming a teacher and receiving this acknowledgment may be untraditional, however, her love for teaching is evident throughout the halls at Thomas Hart Academy!

Lyndsey Kowalczyk & Thomas Chapman

In high school, Dr. Taylor had the opportunity to attend the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) where she was offered a higher level of learning. “Many of the teachers at IMSA had an advanced level of content knowledge but could sometimes lack the ability to communicate well with students,” says Taylor. When deciding to become an educator, her goal was to meet both demands – knowledge and teaching skills. Taylor attended Washington University where she gained her Ph.D. but was also allowed to work with high school students which helped her learn how to better communicate with younger students.

“My goal as a teacher has been to give back to younger kids from all backgrounds. I want to bridge the gap of knowledge and preparation that I had experienced,” says Taylor. As a student, Taylor struggled with self-awareness of her learning process. As a teacher, she still considers this with her students. “I think about content, ways of learning, ways for the students to communicate what they have learned, and how to improve their learning.”

Dr. Taylor’s method of teaching combines the current curriculum with life experiences. “I have students do the same math problems in different ways to build their confidence. For instance, we use math to calculate taxes and tips when eating at a restaurant. I’ll bring in receipts from Walmart or McDonald's and we’ll work to calculate the tax percentage. These are everyday activities that involve math and help my students see the importance of learning math skills.” Taylor sees the benefits of students not only understanding that their way of doing a math problem works but also learning why it works.

Taylor also encourages students to pick topics they are interested in when it comes to projects. “I had a student that typically struggled academically. When deciding on a topic for the science fair, I encouraged her to choose something she was interested in. Then suddenly she was excited to do the work. Because it was a topic she was passionate about, she was able to explain it more clearly. She won a recognition ribbon from a Thomas Hart Academy teacher for how well she communicated the process and her parents were appreciative of her understanding of the scientific process.”

“Seeing my students filled with the joy of learning a new math or science fact is what I love most about teaching,” says Taylor. Her unique techniques in teaching also include discussing force and the direction of force with the volleyball team and teaching sixth graders a rap about bacteria. “Years later, my students were still able to sing the lyrics on prokaryotic cells and mitosis from memory!”

Over the years, Dr. Taylor has learned that she is always learning. “I have taught topics that I did not study in college or graduate school,” she says. She’s always researching how to build on lessons previously learned and what’s most valuable for students to know and understand. She is also studying ways to incorporate hands-on experiences, memorable videos or songs to remember key concepts, and staying focused on how students can achieve objectives for where they are academically. “Each year I assess the labs and activities I’ve introduced to reinforce the material.”

For those entering a career in education, Dr. Taylor says it's important to identify your strengths and use them to the best of your ability. “You don’t have to do what someone else does well to be a good teacher,” she explains. She also says to not assume a student knows the information. It’s important to her to connect current lessons with previous lessons and help the students understand that relationship. “We repeat content in different ways to help different kids see the lesson in a way that works for them,” she says. Each year, Dr. Taylor wants to have her teaching skills continue to grow and develop.

With all the many wonderful teachers throughout the state, Dr. Taylor was surprised to receive such a remarkable nomination. “I am excited that I get to come to a job that I love every day,” she says. “To be recognized for that is an honor. At Thomas Hart, we all work together for the benefit of the students. I love where I work and am appreciative of my colleagues for nominating me for the award.” As this new school year begins, Dr. Taylor looks forward to following her heart by keeping the students at the forefront of what she does every day!

“My goal as a teacher has been to give back to younger kids from all backgrounds. I want to bridge the gap of knowledge and preparation that I had experienced,” says Taylor.

Dr. Jennifer Taylor receiving her award at the SCISA Teacher of the Year banquet in Orangeburg.

Something to Celebrate...

CareSouth Carolina Recognized Nationally With Prestigious Award

CareSouth Carolina has been recognized as a Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Champion for their outstanding commitment, achievements, and innovations in addressing substance use disorder. This prestigious award, presented by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, acknowledges CareSouth Carolina's dedication to combating the opioid crisis through the Rural Communities Opioid Response

CareSouth Carolina's Director of Behavioral Health, Amy Cook, LISW-CP/S, and Daniel Myers, MAT/SUD Program Director, received the award in Washington, D.C. The recognition is a testament to the organization's tireless efforts and transformative initiatives in addressing substance use disorder within their community.

CareSouth Carolina has played a pivotal role in establishing the Rural Opioid Community Response Consortium. This consortium, formed under its leadership, focuses on destigmatizing treatment for opiate and other substance use disorders. With its three main objectives—prevention, treatment, and sustained recovery—the consortium aims to support individuals of all ages struggling with opiate use disorder or dependency.

McLeod Welcomes New Family Medicine Residents

McLeod Health is pleased to welcome ten new residents to the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program. The new physicians are: Alex Ash, DO; Miguel Caldera, DO; Miranda Hannah, MD; Les Herbst, MD; Prakshal Jain, DO; Amanda Jimenez, MD; Sarah Kaiser, DO; Jonathan Lubeck, MD; Charity Miles, DO; and Joice Muckom, MD.

The McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program is a program at McLeod Health designed to train the “physicians of tomorrow” in an effort to increase the availability of family medicine physicians for patients in the Pee Dee and other rural areas of South Carolina.

“The Residency Program’s mission is to graduate skilled family physicians who will provide superior health care services to underserved areas of South Carolina,” said Dr. Gerard Jebaily, Program Director.

Their mission is being fulfilled. In existence since 1980, there have been 284 graduates from the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program with 60 percent of the physicians staying in South Carolina and the McLeod Health service area of Northeastern South Carolina and Southeastern North Carolina.

“We welcome our new residents and their families to the Pee Dee area,” continued Dr. Jebaily. “A wonderful accomplishment in these physician’s lives is about to be realized as they begin their three-year residency program here at McLeod. Embarking on a career of caring for the sick and the infirmed is a lifelong dream for most of us in medicine.”

These physicians will care for patients at the McLeod Family Medicine Center, 144 North Ravenel Street, Florence on the McLeod Regional Medical Center campus. For information on becoming a new patient call 843-777-2800.

Photo: McLeod welcomes the following residents to the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program: Back row: Dr. Miguel Caldera, Dr. Les Herbst, Dr. Alex Ash, Dr. Prakshal Jain, Dr. Jonathan Lubeck

MPD Electric Cooperative Donates $2,500 to Pee Dee Coalition

MPD Electric Cooperative is pleased to donate $2,500 to the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault to assist the New Beginnings Transitional Shelter organization with providing comprehensive services to formerly abused women and children who are homeless as a result of the violence they have experienced. New Beginnings is located in the Wallace community and provides a supportive environment for women to rebuild their lives.

The contribution is part of the cooperative’s bank, CoBank, and its “Sharing Success” program. CoBank matched MPD Electric’s contribution for the Pee Dee Coalition.

––Front row: Dr. Amada Jimenez, Joice Muckom, Dr. Sarah Kaiser, Dr Charity Miles, Dr. Miranda Hannah

Honda Brings ATVs to Florence Boys & Girls Club

Engineers from Honda brought ATVs to the Florence Boys & Girls Club on Tuesday, July 11. In the last year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area have added or upgraded STEM labs at all our sites to fuel youths’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. That showed as the bleachers of kids peppered them with questions ranging from how fast they could make an ATV to their favorite subjects in school.

FUN FACTS Since 1998, Honda’s South Carolina Manufacturing has produced over 3 million products beginning with ATVs in 1998, ATV engines in 2000, and SxS in 2013. Of our Club kids, 94% enjoy learning new things and 86% have improved academic performance.

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center Awarded Spring 2023 ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from Leapfrog Group

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center (CPRMC) received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for Spring 2023 from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard of patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. This national distinction celebrates CPRMC’s achievements in prioritizing patient safety by protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. The new grades reflect performance primarily during the height of the pandemic, and represent the third consecutive “A” grade awarded to CPRMC.

“We are thrilled to once again earn Leapfrog’s highest safety rating,” said Bill Little, CEO of CPRMC. “It’s quite an honor, as only about a quarter of the 3,000 or so hospitals reviewed achieve an “A” grade. We view it as a validation of the hard work of our team members each day to provide high-quality, compassionate care in as safe an environment as possible. That’s why we’re here, and it is gratifying to have a national organization recognize our efforts.”

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

$66 Million Distribution Center Construction Begins in Florence County

The construction of Cheney Brothers' new $66 million distribution center in Florence County is under way. The project will be creating about 280 new jobs in the area and will be located at the Pee Dee Commerce City East Industrial Park!

The expansion will consist of a 400,000 square-foot distribution facility with major distribution access to our interstates and state roadways.

This large facility will be a welcome expansion to an already growing business community here in Florence County.

“This new update of Hospital Safety Grades shows that, at the national level, we saw deterioration in patient safety with the pandemic,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “But this hospital received an ‘A’ despite those challenges. I congratulate all the leaders, staff, volunteers, and clinicians who together made that possible.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

To see CPRMC’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook and via its newsletter.

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

What's The Difference?

Belgian Waffle Vs. A Regular Waffle

I was having waffles for breakfast the other day and that got me thinking... What is the difference between a Belgian waffle and a regular waffle? I guarantee by the time you’re done reading this, you’ll have a craving for waffles slathered in butter and drenched in real maple syrup.

Something similar to waffles has existed nearly since the beginning of time. Hotcakes were cooked on heated stones and were flipped so that both sides received heat. Fast forward to the iron age, when someone created iron plates or griddles, that could be used to heat both sides at the same time. And then the waffle was born. Some say it was "In Ancient Greece", that the first known waffle recipe was made. This was around the late 1400s, but it was a waffle in name only. It was a little over a hundred years later that the waffle began taking shape with the familiar grid pattern. There is evidence of waffles being sold by street vendors back in the 1600s.

Originally, the typical waffle iron was a cast iron hinged device that was held over an open fire, patented in 1869, and is why to this day we celebrate National Waffle Day on August 24th. It wasn’t until the 1910s that General

Electric’s electric waffle iron was introduced. Today waffle irons are almost a standard kitchen appliance.

Now to answer the question that everyone has been waiting for... What is the difference between a Belgian waffle and a regular waffle? While both Belgian waffles and regular waffles are considered waffles, there are quite a few differences. The waffles have different recipes, different methods of cooking and are often served differently. When it comes to Belgian waffles versus regular waffles, the two might be different, but they also have one crucial thing in common: they’re both delicious.

The biggest difference is in the waffle maker itself. Belgian waffle irons are larger and have larger squares giving you deeper pockets in your waffle to catch all the delicious pools of butter and maple syrup. But, did you know Belgian waffles are not traditionally served with maple syrup? Wait, what?

Belgian waffles originated in Belgium, a little country nestled between France, Germany, and the Netherlands. They make well-crafted beer and amazing chocolates but are most commonly known for their waffles. In Belgium, the waffle is a traditional street food eaten plan with your

story by Doug Smith

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

hands. The waffle itself is the sweet treat, not the toppings.

It was at the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, New York, where the Belgian waffle gained its popularity. They were served embellished with sliced strawberries and whipped cream. A breakfast delight was born.

Back to the big question, Belgian waffles have deep pockets, and more sugar and egg whites are added to the mix. Regular waffles on the other hand have smaller pockets, made with buttermilk that make them more of a cake-like texture. Still very good, just different.

Many people prefer Belgian waffles because the larger pockets allow the waffle to hold many more toppings. You can add lots of butter, syrup, fruit, whipped cream, and more to a Belgian waffle. Yep, it’s the Belgian waffle for me!

Make These: BELGIAN WAFFLES

Ingredients:

2 cups plan flour

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄4cup sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 eggs

1⁄2 cup vegetable oil

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

• Oil the waffle maker.

• Sift the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

• In separate bowl, separate egg whites and beat until stiff peaks form.

• In a separate bowl, mix together the egg yolks, milk, oil , and vanilla, stir slightly.

• Add to dry ingredients and mix well.

• Fold in egg whites.

• Cook in waffle iron on medium-high heat for around 5-10 minutes.

Did you know that Friends of Florence County Library provide critical support to library services and collections? This includes supporting children’s literacy through the Children’s Summer Reading Program and the Children’s Bookmobile, as well as by funding the library’s e-books and downloadable audio books (available through the Libby app, which can be found on the library web page at www.florencelibrary.org).

You can become a Friends of Florence County Library member for as little as $15 a year! Visit www.florencelibrary.org and select the Friends tab at the top of the page for more information.

Charleston native Hendrix delivers another vessel of horror rooted from southern culture his newest book, How to Sell a Haunted House. Readers of Hendrix know that he is remarkably at creating a rich narrative driven by character directive in a world that is filled with the abnormal. In How to Sell a Haunted House, Hendrix sends readers to observe siblings Louise and Mark as they work out their issues in order to sell their childhood home after their parents’ tragically sudden deaths.

Anyone that has visited Charleston before will be able to perfectly envision the touches of southern humor and beauty written into this book as Hendrix describes its people and neighborhoods. Even those that have not had the chance to visit will connect with the endless charm of each of the book’s characters, southern wit, and charming depictions of Charleston’s beautiful places.

Hendrix weaves these details into the story so beautifully that readers almost forget the looming sense that something is amiss. Louise, the story’s main protagonist, is the first to notice the subtle hints of peculiarity coming from the remaining possessions of her parents. Perhaps it is the intense recollection of childhood memories flooding her mind or the feeling that no matter where she goes in the home, something is watching.

Nevertheless, Louise must rally herself and Mark, even if his sentiments on the matter are intensely diverse than her own. As the siblings begin to clear out the home, the story evolves into a tapestry that demonstrates the woes that the family has dealt with over the years. Though the more they unpack, the more the remnants of the house awaken.

Readers will fall into this book, finding themselves trapped in its pages as they go along with Louise and Mark. Trying to solve the mystery, there are so many dark twists and turns that are sure to grip anyone’s attention and force them to wonder if Louise and Mark will make it out, or face the same fate as their parents.

Caleb Gainey's, Children’s Library Supervisor at the Florence County Library, Book Review of How To Sell A Haunted House:

Hendrix