game day goodies MILLION DOLLAR DIP | BOBBIE SMITH, FLORENCE
.............................................................................................................. INGREDIENTS 5 green onions, chopped 8 oz. low fat cheddar cheese, shredded 1- 1/2 cups light mayonnaise-I’ve used greek yogurt instead & loved it! 1 jar Hormel Real Bacon Bits 1 pkg. slivered almonds .............................................................................................................. INSTRUCTIONS Mix the onions, cheese, mayo, bacon bits, and slivered almonds together. Chill for 2 hours. Serve with favorite cracker or celery (I love it on celery)
HAM & SWISS SLIDERS | TAMMY CLARK, FLORENCE
..............................................................................................................
FLORENCE 843-468-9803 2300 Pamplico Hwy
INGREDIENTS 24 slices of deli honey ham 1/3 cup mayonnaise 6 slices of Swiss cheese, cut into fourths 1 tablespoon Poppy seeds 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon IGA Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup butter, melted 24 KING’S HAWAIIAN Original Hawaiian Sweet Dinner Rolls ..............................................................................................................
FLORENCE 843-661-2462 525 S Ebenezer Rd
INSTRUCTIONS Cut rolls in half and spread mayo onto 1 side of the rolls. Place a slice or two of ham and slice of swiss cheese in roll. Replace the top of the rolls and bunch them closely together into a baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together poppy seeds, dijon mustard, melted butter, onion powder and worcestershire sauce. Pour sauce over the rolls, just covering the tops. Cover with foil and let sit for 10 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Uncover and cook for additional 2 minutes until tops are slightly browned and crisp. Serve warm.
QUINBY 843-662-8721 900 E Ashby Rd
HALFTIME BROCCOLI SALAD | TIFFANY SKIPPER, FLORENCE
................................................................................................. INGREDIENTS 1 cup mayonnaise or reduced-fat mayonnaise dressing 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1/2 cup raisins 3 -5 tablespoons IGA sugar 2 tablespoons vinegar 7 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets 1/2 cup sunflower seeds 8 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained and crumbled .............................................................................................................. INSTRUCTIONS In a large bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, onion, raisins, sugar and vinegar. Add chopped broccoli and stir to coat. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Just before serving, stir in sunflower seeds and bacon.
SUGAR COATED PEANUTS | HEATHER PAGE, FLORENCE
................................................................................................. INGREDIENTS 1 cup IGA sugar 1/2 cup water 2 cups raw peanuts .............................................................................................................. INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add peanuts, and cook stirring, over medium heat until peanuts are evenly coated, and no syrup is left in pan. Spread nuts out on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to evenly roast peanuts.
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ISSUE 22
SEPTEMBER CONTENTS 10 Advocating Healthcare
24 Business Spotlight
Overcoming Obesity | HopeHealth
12 Under The Dome
27-30 Cover Story
Wilcox, Buyck, & Williams, P.A.
14 In The Head Of
32 Officially Speaking Judge Laverne Ard
34 Florence Community
Specialty Drinks
18 Buy It Local
The Benefits of A Ribbon Cutting
36 Balancing Act
Select Furniture Finds
20 Tech Savvy
Pretty N Bliss | Rhonda Page
38 Fashion for Work & Play
Proximity Marketing | Shane Gebhards
22 Visit Lake City!
50 Experience Hartsville Education Outreach | BCSD
Jiffy Lube
With Tre Gammage
16 Try It Local
48 Time to Toast
Foster Insurance Agency
David Smith & Greg Ammons
46 Happenings
Writers in the Round Serving Florence, Hartsville, Darlington, Marion, Mullins, Lake City and the surrounding areas
52 Health and Wellness Genesis Signature Liposculpting
54 Pay It Forward Look Good Feel Better®
56 Pay It Forward Pee Dee Heart Walk
58 Tax Prep Making It to the Breaks | Elizabeth Campbell
60 Employee Spotlight John Sullivan | Apple Annie’s
For advertising rates, call 843-687-4236. September 2017 | VIP Magazine
7
ADVOCATING HEALTHCARE
Overcoming the Obesity Epidemic with Dr. Paul DeMarco story by Stephanie Jones, HopeHealth
Chances are you or someone you know is trying to lose at least a few pounds. The fight against the freshman fifteen and the doughy dad bod has us all looking for ways to squeeze healthier eating and more activity into our already busy lives. Clothes shopping can be traumatizing. Ads and Facebook posts promise us fast, easy ways to lose twenty pounds and entice us with fad diets. Maintaining control of your weight can seem like an uphill battle as evidenced by the fact that Americans are getting heavier despite campaigns from the CDC encouraging weight loss. You may have even heard in the news that the World Health Organization considers obesity to be an actual epidemic and it’s on the rise. And not just in adults - childhood obesity is also a rising concern. Why all the fuss? Because obesity is fast becoming the leading cause of death in developed countries around the world, and the U.S. ranks highest in obesity of any developed nation. Digging deeper, South Carolina has the 13th highest adult obesity rate in the nation at 31.7% according to The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America. Also, a host of chronic health conditions can result from being overweight including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, some cancers and arthritis. What does this mean for our communities? According to SC DHEC, it means that two out of three adults and one out of three children are affected by obesity. It means that family medicine providers like Dr. Paul DeMarco, an internal medicine physician with HopeHealth at Francis Marion University, are seeing more and more patients with chronic obesity-related health problems. Obesity is defined as excess adipose (fat) tissue and there are several different methods used to measure 10
VIP Magazine | September 2017
Paul DeMarco, MD HopeHealth at FMU
excess fat tissue. The most popular method is the Body Mass Index (BMI) which is a mathematical calculation using your height and weight ([Weight (lbs) ÷ height (in)2 ] x 704.5 =BMI). A person is considered overweight if their BMI is 25 and obese if it hits 30. Dr. DeMarco’s office tracks BMI for every patient regardless of their size. He says broaching obesity and weight loss with a patient can be a touchy subject, and he doesn’t harass his clients over their extra pounds. He tries to gauge their level of readiness to make a change and, because HopeHealth offers a patient-centered health system with integrated care, he can refer them to a dietitian at the HopeHealth Diabetes & Nutrition Center, a HopeHealth behavioral health counselor or psychiatrist, or other specialty services provider at HopeHealth to give them as many resources as possible to help them achieve their goals. “The most frustrating part of treating overweight patients is that education is not enough. Eating habits are established at a young age and it is hard to make lifestyle changes that are so ingrained,” says Dr. DeMarco. He also says that less than 5% of his overweight patients are successful in losing significant weight. When they are, he asks them what they did and gets all the expected answers: cut out sugar, made better food choices, became more active, etc. Lifestyle trends specific to South Carolinians, whose history is rich in farming, include eating a lot of meat and
starting the day with large meals to compensate for the back breaking labor in the fields. Times have changed and we’ve maintained that heavy meal structure but not the activity level. And let’s face it, it’s difficult to exercise your way to significant weight loss although there are numerous other benefits to getting enough exercise. Dr. DeMarco says he can identify with patients in that area because even he doesn’t feel he gets enough daily exercise apart from his 10,000 steps that he monitors on his activity tracker. Making better food choices can be time consuming and more expensive. Dr. DeMarco said that if he could give a patient just one tip to try and lose weight it would be to not drink your calories: use artificial sweeteners and drink more water. Sugary drinks can be deceiving because your body doesn’t register as having eaten something substantial and feeling full. He also recommends cooking your own meals and paying attention to the nutrition labels and serving sizes on the foods you buy. Prevention is key since obesity is difficult to treat and the longer a person is obese, the more significant obeserelated factors become. Genetics can play a role but eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise can counteract some of the gene-related obesity risk. It’s scary to lose control of your body and your health. But you can start taking back control, even if all you need to lose is a few pounds, by incorporating some of the following habits: 1. Replace sugary drinks with water or artificially sweetened, non-calorie drinks. 2. Try to eat more whole foods and steer clear of processed and “fast” foods. Portion control is key! The USDA has free meal planning tools available at www. choosemyplate.gov. 3. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 times per week. Encourage your workplace to get in on the action! Develop a relationship with your primary care provider to better achieve your health goals. Dr. DeMarco, and other primary care providers at HopeHealth, can help you come up with a plan to prevent or treat an obesityrelated problem. Our registered dietitian and nutritionists can also provide medical nutrition therapy/nutrition counseling for weight management which includes exercise guidelines and lifestyle coaching.
Dr. Paul DeMarco is an Internal Medicine Physician with HopeHealth at Francis Marion University. He has been providing medical care to patients in rural and underserved areas since 1993 and began practicing with HopeHealth in February 2011. He is a resident of Marion, South Carolina.
September 2017 | VIP Magazine
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UNDER THE DOME
WHAT’S MINE IS
YOURS
How The Law of Eminent Domain Works in SC story by
Mark W. Buyck, III
Concentrating in Banking, Business, Civil and Business Litigation and Appeals, Contracts, Employment, Government, Real Estate
Eminent Domain is the power of a government to take private property for public use. Condemnation is the formal act of a government exercising the power of eminent domain to transfer title in the property. When a condemnor takes private property, he must pay the landowner just compensation. “Just compensation” is the difference in the value of the property before the taking compared to its value after the taking. Just compensation also takes into consideration any decrease in the value of the landowner’s remaining land caused by the taking. The most common uses of property taken by eminent domain are for roads and public utilities. The practice of condemnation existed during colonial times and was incorporated into the United States Constitution as part of the Fifth Amendment in the Bill of Rights. “No person shall … be obliged to relinquish his property, where it may be necessary for public use, without just compensation …” South Carolina incorporated eminent domain in Article I, Section 13 of the South Carolina Constitution. South Carolina is more protective of private landowners than federal law and most states. The South Carolina Constitution
prohibits the taking of private property for private uses without the specific consent of the landowner. Historically, eminent domain referred to the taking of private property by local, state, or federal governments for “public use” or “public purpose”. The South Carolina Legislature by statute grants condemnation powers to certain entities. These entities include electrical co-ops, municipalities, the South Carolina Department of Transportation, and gas pipeline companies. The public purposes are generally obvious and involve the providing of roads and utility services. While South Carolina historically restricted the use of eminent domain, other states and the federal government have broadened the use of eminent domain. In 1954, the United States Supreme Court expanded the definition of “public use” granting local governments broad authority to condemn “blighted areas.” This ruling paved the way for the grand urban renewal projects of the 1960s and 1970s which destroyed many historic urban centers for the sake of “progress”. Many state and local governments extended the use of eminent domain to include economic development projects. In the
1990s, big-box retailers such as Home Depot and Costco, partnered with local governments to expand into cities. In his private life, Donald Trump was a proponent of utilizing state and local governments’ eminent domain authority for private economic development projects. The United States Supreme Court revisited the issue of eminent domain in the Kelo case in 2005. At that time, South Carolina was one of only 9 states which prohibited condemnation for private purposes. In a 5 to 4 decision, the Court ruled that the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution permits the use of eminent domain for economic development purposes. The Court also specifically noted that states were free to place their own restrictions on the exercise of the takings power. In response to Kelo, many state legislatures imposed public use requirements that were stricter than the federal baseline. South Carolinians have historically been very protective of private property rights and its law of eminent domain reflects this; however, the law is not so restrictive as to deter the efficient provision of public utilities.
Serving Businesses and Individuals from Florence to Myrtle Beach: the Business Law, Litigation, Real Estate, and Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys of Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A.
willcoxlaw.com
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VIP Magazine | September 2017
248 West Evans Street | Florence, SC | 843.662.3258 2050 Corporate Centre’ Drive, Suite 230 | Myrtle Beach, SC | 843.650.6777
September 2017 | VIP Magazine
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IN THE HEAD OF
TRE GAMMAGE
ENTREPRENEUR, PODCAST HOST, FACILITATOR story by Jordan Pupa
Tre Gammage has a unique outlook on life. At the age of only 24, he has been able to touch the hearts and minds of others. Without fear to take risks, he has been able to immerse himself in the journey of life. By setting goals, building connections, and working hard for what he is most passionate about, he has been able to make a difference within the local community and beyond. Tre is from South Bend, Indiana and graduated from Miami University in 2015 where he studied Psychology and minored in Management and Leadership. In college, he was able to study abroad where he developed a dream of becoming a motivational public speaker. Tre joined Toastmasters soon after returning from his trip abroad with a goal of becoming the world champion of public speaking. With a future goal of starting his own motivational speaking and public outreach business, he accepted job positions that allowed him the flexibility and affordability to plan and reach his ambitions within a certain time span. He temporarily worked on a project with the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, and then received a job offer at the SC Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) in Hartsville as the Residence Life Coordinator. After weighing job offer options between the position in Hartsville and one in Chicago, he decided Hartsville would be a better fit due to its slower pace, which can lead to ease of mind and comfort when developing a business. “I like to make big decisions and like to take risks. Hartsville is a cool place for young professionals being that the opportunity to take huge risks can lead to huge rewards. If an idea fails, it is not a big deal. If it goes well, it is so rewarding.”
“I like to take risks, I like to help people, and I want to make an impact.” 14
VIP Magazine | September 2017
Tre had the chance to compete in the Toastmasters speaking competition, which is a public speaking competition where winners continue to compete at different levels as they advance. Tre became the State Champion of SC, then advanced to the international competition, where he competed against the top one-hundred speakers from all over the world. After being defeated in the competition, he made a realization that his message needed to be more people-focused. The humbling experience led him to start setting goals with a newfound purpose. Brainstorming on what direction he wanted to go in, setting a goal driven timeline, and documenting each day in a journal were all tasks Tre was able to focus on that would help him achieve his dreams. Tre was able to plan and implement community events, which in turn led him to a contract to become a consultant. In January, Tre started Gammage Enterprize, LLC. The company name was inspired by his grandfather. After reaching his personal planning goal deadline early, he decided it was time to resign from his position at the GSSM after two years. Tre believed it was time for him to really focus on his new venture that had been in progress for quite some time. Tre Gammage Enterprize focuses on interpersonal training methods through professional and personal development. Messages are beneficial for a variety of audiences from managers, leaders, or educators, to teams and students. Tre says, “Why am I waking up in the morning? To try and make it easier for someone else to do what they love to do.� His purpose is to help others find their own purpose. Since living in Hartsville, Tre has successfully completed around 75 speaking engagements throughout the state including a variety of events such as graduation ceremonies, pep rallies, and church events. He speaks on principles more so than topics that relate to the audience he is speaking to. In addition, he will launch his 50th podcast in September. Tre’s message focuses on helping others to be successful while delivering a powerful and inspirational message. He also focuses on bridging the gap between generations. In addition to consulting, podcasting, and community outreach projects through Gammage Enterprize, Tre will be running for city council in the November election. He hopes the opportunity will allow him to stay involved and make an impact on the community. By having a voice in the community, he hopes to create more opportunities for others.
Visit Tre Gammage online
www.tregammage.com FB, IG, Soundcloud, LinkedIn
@tregammage
September 2017 | VIP Magazine
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TRY IT LOCAL!
Your guide to
y a D e m Ga s l i a t k c o C
Apple Cranberry Mule 126 W Evans St., Florence 843.665.0846 victorsflorence.com
Mantissa Mojito
Happy Hour: Monday-Saturday 4p-6p
130 E Carolina Ave., Hartsville 843.917.0669 mantissaboutique.com Happy Hour: Monday-Saturday 5p-7p
Visit these fine locations for one of their great tasting Signature cocktails. 16
VIP Magazine | September 2017
Pawley’s Hammock 911 Sunset Acres Ln., Florence 843.667.1900 southernhops.com Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 4p-7p
September 2017 | VIP Magazine
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BUY IT LOCAL!
Your guide to
Select Furniture Finds
Barn Door Entertainment Center
Julianna Sectional
Entertain your loved ones with this incredibly spacious entertainment center. This set includes 16 shelves in assorted sizes and two stylish barn style doors that open to unveil the television of your liking.
King Hickory’s Julianna sectional is as comfortable as it is beautiful. Hand applied nail heads cover this piece from back to front. The intricate nail patterns are applied by hand by skilled craftsmen. The sectional comes in fabric, leather, or combination of both!
Pope’s Furniture 315 E Main St, Dillon, 843-774-8255
Palmetto Furniture 319 N Main St., Society Hill, 843.378.4541
Open Monday - Friday, 9a-5p & Saturday, 9a-1p
Webbed Back Chair
A webbed back chair in Winthrop Blossom from Lee Industries provides the perfect pop of color to any room in your home. With over 100 lines to choose from, O’Harra-Mellette is perfect for your retail and full interior design needs!
O’Harra Mellette Interiors
158 N Dragon St, Florence 843.669.7777 Open Tuesday - Friday, 10a-5p
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VIP Magazine | September 2017
Open Monday - Friday, 9a-5p & Saturday, 9a-2p
Expandable Table
This traditional expandable conference table is made of flex steel and has a mahogany finish. Black executive conference chairs complete the look. Wilcox Office Mart’s fleet of moving trucks and a team of moving experts can deliver directly to your home or office.
Wilcox Office Mart
1109 W. Lucas St., Florence, 843.662.1563 Open Monday - Friday, 9a-5p
September 2017 | VIP Magazine
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TECH SAVVY
Proximity Marketing
What it is and why your business needs it story by Shane Gebhards, SVG Digital www.svgdigital.com In today’s world, we are inundated with information coming at us from all directions. You can’t walk or drive down the street without 10 new advertisements striving for your attention every second. The same holds true when surfing the web or browsing on Facebook. This leaves business owners to wonder – how in the world am I supposed to get in front of my potential customers? Enter Proximity Marketing. What is Proximity Marketing? Proximity Marketing uses cellular technology to identify mobile device users that are within a certain location of a business to send enticing marketing messages. This technology is powered by little devices called beacons. Beacons are small devices that send Bluetooth Low Energy signals (BLE) to smartphones and tablets nearby. Once emitted, these one-way radio waves reach the phones in the vicinity of the Beacon device and interact with them. That means that when the signal from a Beacon reaches a phone, it triggers specific actions, like locationbased notifications and alerts. Why Should Your Business Use Proximity Marketing? Beacons can trigger location-based notifications on customer’s phones. These notifications might inform customers, in a personalized way, about special promotions, discounts or new products available within the store where the beacons are placed. Location-based notifications can be used to invite customers to enter a nearby store, or to welcome them when they enter the store, or to greet them when they leave by providing a discount or a special treat to encourage them to come back. All these strategies are very powerful tactics to drive foot traffic to retail stores and increase their conversion rates and sales volume. Also, this use of Beacons can help retailers attract users to their apps, retain those users, and increase engagement on those apps. • Proximity marketing gives the ability to tailor messages and promotions to certain groups based on their preferences and their location in and outside the business
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VIP Magazine | September 2017
• Based on the proximity of a customer to a business and the delivery of a targeted offer or message, this can lead to higher conversion rates. • 53% of consumers are willing to share their location to receive relevant advertising and offers • According to a study, 72% of consumers will act on a call to action from a marketing message if they receive it while in sight of the retailer Businesses and Industries Already Using Proximity Marketing Some industries that are already integrating proximity marketing into their efforts include: Real Estate Agents/Agencies, Retail Stores, Insurance, Restaurants, Ice Cream Shops, Car Washes, Salons, Florists, Dentists, Chiropractors, Pest Control, Plumbers, HVAC A common misconception a lot of people have is that this technology is designed for retail businesses with a store front. That is not the case. If you have any sort of offer you can make to potential customers based on a location they frequent, then you can use proximity marketing to drive more business. Top Tips For Your Proximity Marketing We recommend you stick to the following tips when running proximity marketing campaigns: • Make the service optional to allow customers opt-in or out. Do not force it on them. • Vouchers or discounts are the best type of message as 63% of consumers feel these are the most valuable • Deliver interesting and relevant content to enhance a consumers experience or knowledge of a product or service. Videos work very well here. • Deliver a message that will make the consumers experience easier, quicker and more pleasant.
September 2017 | VIP Magazine
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VISIT LAKE CITY!
FRANK ROGERS
LYNN HUTTON
BRENT ANDERSON
MONTY CRISWELL
“WRITERS IN THE ROUND” “Writers in the Round” The Bean Market 111 Henry Street Lake City, SC 29560
Thursday, October 5 6:00pm – 7:30pm: VIP Reception at Atlantic Coast Line Building - 103 Irvin Street (reception includes meet & greet with performing artists, heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer & wine) 7:00: Doors Open at The Bean Market 7:30pm – 10:00pm: Writers in the Round Program at The Bean Market
VIP tickets $125
(includes VIP reception, table-side service and 2 complimentary drinks from the full bar at the event)
General admission $75 More info and to purchase tickets:
witr.eventbrite.com All proceeds benefit Lake City Boys & Girls Club
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VIP Magazine | September 2017
“Writers in the Round” is a unique event in that it allows the spotlight to shine on the actual composers of your favorite country songs, not necessarily the artists whose recorded work became a big hit! This Bluebird Café-inspired “Writers in the Round” performance allows songwriters of some of modern country music’s hottest hits to take to the stage to perform their songs, and to share stories about their compositions as well. This recipe results in a festive party atmosphere onstage as the audience is treated to a most memorable evening with a band of songwriting buddies who have such a good time in each other’s company, thrilled to be sharing their tunes and tales! Now in its 4th successful year spearheaded by Florence native and country songwriter extraordinaire Frank Rogers, this year’s performance will also feature songwriters Brent Anderson, Monty Criswell and Lynn Hutton. Frank Rogers, a native son of Florence, is a record producer, songwriter, musician, music publisher and record label executive. Fresh out of college in 1995, Rogers went to work for EMI Nashville where he rose to the position of Vice President. While at EMI, Rogers signed and produced artists including Brad Paisley, Darryl Worley and Josh Turner. In 1999, Rogers established Sea Gayle Music with Brad Paisley and Chris DuBois. Sea Gayle Music boasts 40 Billboard number one songs, and they were named ASCAP’s Country Music Publisher of the Year in 2010 & 2011. In 2009, the three partners formed Sea Gayle Records, with a roster including Jerrod Niemann and Sheryl Crow. Rogers has produced hits for many prominent country music performers since 1999. His accolades as producer include 39 number one and 70 top 20 songs, 18 Country Music Association award nominations (with one win) and 27 Academy of Country Music award nominations (with five wins.) As a songwriter, Rogers has earned four Billboard number one songs: “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)” by Brad Paisley, “Alright” and “This” by Darius Rucker, and “Backroad Song” by Granger Smith. In 2016, Rogers opened Fluid Music Revolution in conjunction with Spirit Music Group.
Among the Nashville notables joining Frank Rogers onstage for this year’s “Writers in the Round” program is Brent Anderson, a Mississippi native, who moved to Nashville and secured his first publishing deal at age 16! In 2009, he signed with Sea Gayle Music and has since written for Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line, and Danielle Bradbery, among others. His credits also include the #1 hit “Lonely Tonight” by Blake Shelton featuring Ashley Monroe. Brent is also enjoying success as a producer, including Chris Jansen’s breakthrough hit “Buy Me A Boat.” Monty Criswell came to Nashville from the Alabama coast after passing on an acceptance to law school. He is currently signed to Sony ATV Tree Publishing as a staff songwriter. Monty is a two-time Grammy nominee for Country Song of the Year, and he won the Country Music Association’s Single of the Year Award in 2008. To date, he has a roster of over 200 recorded songs by artists such as Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, George Strait, Trace Adkins, Josh Turner and Darius Rucker. Rounding out this talented quartet is Knoxville’s Lynn Hutton. He moved to Nashville in 1998 and began singing demos for many Nashville hit songwriters. After signing with Sea Gayle Music in 2009, Hutton’s collaborations landed him on the multiplatinum-selling “Chief” album by Eric Church with the song “Jack Daniels,” as well as Scotty McCreery’s platinum-selling “Clear as Day” album. Hutton’s other songwriting credits include tracks by Trace Adkins, Ronnie Dunn, Joe Nichols, and the title track of Florida Georgia Line’s debut album, “Here’s to the Good Times.” The four “Writers in the Round” artists will be taking the centrally-located stage in the historic Bean Market, surrounded by the audience seated at banquet tables for an intimate evening of musical performances and behind-the-scenes stories about the tunes themselves. The acoustics in The Bean Market are stellar, so sound aficionados are sure to be pleased. Refreshments, including a full bar, will be available. Proceeds from this event benefit the Lake City Boys & Girls Club.
September 2017 | VIP Magazine
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Q & A: VIP and Sarah Foster of
Foster Insurance Agency Helping Families and Small Businesses Since 1981
Growing up, what inspired you
Share your role in the
to strive towards leaving a
community outside of insurance:
legacy in the field of insurance? Sarah: I began working in my
father’s agency when I was in high school - it was my after-school job. He had just established the agency and I went into the office after school to help him answer the phone and file. Today, paper files don’t exist in my office. I graduated from the University of South Carolina and began to use my degree in Economics and Marketing by working with a Columbia-based marketing firm that helped small businesses get off the ground. I was working long hours trying to establish myself in the business. In 1987, my dad came to take me to lunch and he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse - he would pay me more money and I’d work less hours if I would move back to Florence and work in the agency. I continued to work with him until 2005, when he retired. In 1997, my father expanded the agency into North Carolina by opening offices in Wilmington and Shallotte, North Carolina. I still own the office in Shallotte and it serves the Brunswick County area of NC.
Sarah: I am a member of the Church
at Sandhurst, as well as a member of the local chapter of The Women in Philanthropy and an alumna of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
What aspects of your job help you take pride in what you do each day? Sarah: The most rewarding aspect
of my business is saving a new customer money on their insurance premium. I have seen clients that have saved $800 or even $1200 a year by allowing us to write their home and auto insurance together. To me, that’s a really great day. It’s like reaching down into your couch cushions and pulling out a roll of $100 bills. To be able to keep the same coverage that they have and save money is really important to families today. We all need to make our family budgets stretch as far as they will go. Another very rewarding part of my career is helping a new small business owner get the insurance policies that he or she needs to start his or her business. We really
enjoy working with small business owners. Starting a small business can be an overwhelming and bewildering process, so we want to make the insurance process easy for business owners. We work with all types of small businesses, from artisan contractors and store owners to home health care businesses and landscapers. We sell workman’s comp insurance, as well as general liability, commercial property and commercial auto insurance, and professional liability insurance.
What rewards are reaped from being an independent agent? Sarah: The largest advantage
of being an independent insurance agency is the fact that I can work with and market to several insurance companies to find the best premium and the best coverage for our clients. Sometimes, cheaper is not better. It is important to compare apples to apples when shopping for insurance of all kinds. Many times, a cheaper premium will also mean that you are buying less coverage for your protection.
“I have seen clients that have saved $800 or even $1200 a year by allowing us to write their home and auto insurance together. To me, that’s a really great day.” 24
VIP Magazine | September 2017
Photo by Fred Salley
In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge in the insurance industry? Sarah: I believe that the lack of
insurance education and information is a very large problem for our community. Customers do not understand what kind of insurance they have or need and they don’t understand what insurance will pay for and what it does not cover. I wish that our education system spent some time focusing on helping our high school students begin to learn about insurance. Besides a mortgage, we spend more on insurance than any other expense in our lifetime. It is very important to know what insurance we need and know what the policy will cover - and it will be different with every company. Finding these things out after having a catastrophe or filing a claim is a very expensive mistake and can be devastating to a family or a business. One of the largest problems facing my business right now is the lack of auto insurance availability in our state. So many companies have quit writing new policies and this has caused insurance premiums to sky rocket. It is a huge strain on our citizens and the price increases have been shocking - even to me. It’s a basic lesson in supply and demand - and right now, there is very little supply.
Why should readers choose you? Sarah: I believe that service is what is
important to all clients - above price or any other factors. In my agency, we search and compare rates for our clients at the renewal terms, just to see if any other companies offer a more competitive rate. Companies change their rates all of the time, and what is the best option one year may not be competitive next year. So, we
Sandra Martin, Kamika Park, Sarah Foster, and Donda Johnson automatically re-quote our insurance policies. We know that customers are very conscious of their premiums and we hope that if we re-rate the policy in our office, our clients won’t have to call another agency to find the best possible premium. It is important to me that our customers are confident that me and my agents have done our very best to serve their needs. I also believe that our experience in the insurance industry is very important and makes us stand out in our community. My father started this independent agency in 1981 after being a Farm Bureau agent. I have been a licensed insurance agent for 30 years. I have two other agents in the office, as well as a finance and payment manager. Sandra Martin has been working in my agency for 13 years. Kamika Park has been working with me for nine years. Donda Johnson, my finance manager, began working with my dad when he owned the agency - she has been with us for 25 years. These ladies are a huge blessing to me. As the owner of a small business and a mom, I am very thankful to have these women working for me. I know that they look out for me, my business, and also my customers. That’s all that a business owner could possibly ask for from the employees. Because these ladies have been with my agency for so many years, we have experienced many personal life-changing events together. It’s very important to me that we share each other’s burdens and know that we support each other - both at work and in our private lives.
901 W. Evans St., Florence, SC, 843.662.2414 www.FosterInsAgency.com
September 2017 | VIP Magazine
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VIP Magazine | September 2017
COVER STORY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRED SALLEY
. . e ic v r e S l a n io t p e c x E
IN A JIFFY!
Samantha and Nathan Poe; Silvia, Chad and Savana Weisbeck
COVER STORY • Jiffy Lube
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRED SALLEY
Exceptional Service... IN A JIFFY
At Jiffy Lube, it’s a Weisbeck affair! story by Ashey Elvington
Chad Weisbeck began working in the automobile service industry in 1994. It was the summer before he returned to college, and he had just completed some time in the Navy. “I was young, broke, and living with some guys a block off the beach in Jacksonville, Florida. A guy I was in the Navy with asked me to come work for him at a Texaco Express Lube. After trying to find work for a couple of weeks, I gave in and went to work for minimum wage.” Chad learned the basics, such as how to change oil, and in less than two weeks he was asked to be the Assistant Manager. “I didn’t even have a uniform yet!” It was then that Chad saw the opportunity to excel in this career field. “I was sent to manager training just a few months in the business and forewent my first semester of college I had planned for. I became a general manager a month later and during my first full year, the facility I managed led the nation in sales growth.” It’s no surprise that by July 1997, Chad was the District Manager of nine locations and was receiving quite the success as a multi-level supervisor. Once he moved back to South Carolina, Chad began working at Jiffy Lube and was promoted to Regional Manager of 18 Jiffy Lubes in Columbia and Charleston by the year 2000. Opportunity knocked in 2002 when Chad was approached to operate and co-own a franchise of Grease Monkeys. During this time, he was also looking at two Florence Jiffy Lubes for the franchise he was employed with and presented them to the company to purchase. While the company wasn’t interested, Chad was. He had little money as well as requirements at the time, but his dreams were priceless. He stepped out on faith and turned in his resume and the owner of Jiffy Lubes out of Savannah, Georgia, was highly impressed. By September 2002, the two locations in Florence (on West Evans Street and Irby Street) belonged to Chad. In August 2003, he acquired the Pine Needles Road location. He also added onto the W. Evans location to incorporate new services. By May 2014, he had purchased the Pamplico Highway location. And recently, Chad opened Jiffy Lube’s first location in Greenville, South Carolina.
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At Jiffy Lube, it’s a Weisbeck affair. Chad may run the show, but he does so successfully with the help of his fellow family members. “I have a wonderful wife, Silvia, and two great daughters, Samantha and Savanna, who are 21 and 14. I have a fantastic son-in-law as well, Nathan Poe. When you are a company as small as we are, the family is involved, whether physically or not. I have been fortunate to have had support in every way from my wife and family. Silvia physically worked in the stores for the first couple of years and then did administrative work for me as well. Samantha worked in the store in high school and even some while in college. She and Nathan are living in Batesburg, working, and Samantha is going to college. The door is open for either of them to be more involved in our family business or pursue dreams of their own.” As for Silvia, she is assisting with getting the Greenville site running. With 23 years of experience, there’s a special place in Chad’s heart for Jiffy Lube. “They have been doing this since 1979 and they have a wonderful system. Their support system has always been very strong for us franchisees.
They have a great process and superior, world class training. The name has value but means very little without quality people inside of the buildings. We are fortunate to have many people who do a fantastic job for us and they work hard to implement the process and take care of our people. Jiffy Lube is built around making the service convenient and fast, but also thorough. For our franchise, we train for the very best service to be delivered each and every time a customer comes in.” While it may seem like his schedule stays booked, Chad manages to find time for involvement in his community. “I am serving on the Chamber of Commerce board for my second year. I have also served, and loved serving, on the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) board for nearly two years as well. My family and I regularly give to many churches and other local fundraisers, and we sponsor multiple sports every year. My largest contribution, which I would call more of a gift to me, has been the time spent coaching our local Florence kids in soccer. I have coached for 10 years at FCA and it has given more to me than me to it. I really do love coaching kids and it is the same for coaching my employees.” The community has rewarded Chad and his team at Jiffy Lube over the years. This includes winning multiple national awards, Franchise of the Year, Operations of the Year, Top Facilities, Best Place to Change Oil, etc. Chad isn’t taking all the credit; he is grateful for the individuals on his team that help make Jiffy Lube such a great success. “We have been really fortunate to have had a lot of great people wear a Jiffy Lube uniform over the years, some with us still and some not. Each have helped shape our brand. I wish sometimes our customers understood that in order to keep good people working for us, we need to charge a little more than the next guy. We do like to reward them for doing a great job for us, but mostly for the customer. We now have a long list of benefits, including 401K with matching, which is a big benefit to employees and not too common at an automotive facility. We have multiple managers and staff that have been with us for several years, some since the beginning. Mark McGivaren, Manager at Pine Needles Road, has been with us since the beginning and has been like family to me. He
and his daughter work in our facilities. Thomas Springs, Manager at Pamplico Highway, has been with us over 10 years and regularly has customers looking for him personally because he is really great with his customers. Robert Russell, Technician at Pamplico Highway, has been with us since the beginning and actually started at Jiffy Lube when the first one opened on West Evans Street. Vicky Davis, Office Manager, has been with us since the beginning and has literally worked every job in our company other than the lower bay position. She is someone I literally trust with everything. Jacob Koele, Lead Technician at West Evans Street, worked for us before he was 16 years old and has been with us for the better half of the last 10 years. There are many others, of course, but I really appreciate these folks.” Robert Gayle in particular has held significant influence in Chad’s professional career. “When I became a district manager in Florida in 1997, Robert had just started as a technician at a location. I soon learned that he was something different, certainly special. He quickly advanced to a manager and we created a location for him to run our district’s ‘training store,’ which hadn’t been done before. He led the nation in growth his first year and trained a multitude of managers over that period. Not long before I got promoted to Regional Manager in Columbia, he got advanced to my equivalent role. Not long after I left for my role, he got promoted to the same role in Charlotte, North Carolina.” Chad and Robert often joked about working together again in the future, little did they know it would happen eventually. “In 2011, our company was ready to grow more, but I needed a guy like Robert to do it and he was ready to come on board. I know that this was a big move for him and his family from the big city to Florence, and many know that this is quite the adjustment. He immediately made a huge impact and is ultimately the biggest reason that we have been
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COVER STORY • Jiffy Lube
S IRBY ST / 843-669-3278
able to grow to this point. He is also a big reason our company has been able to have the success and win the rewards we have.” As Operations Manager, Robert is what Chad calls the company’s “rock.” He is a man of many hats and is in charge of decisions. “Even with my new facility, I call him for answers. He runs all operations and most personnel decisions are made by him and ultimately approved by me. With Robert in Florence, I am sure operations will continue to be strong and our customers overall will be satisfied.” Customers who visit the Florence locations will find a variety of services to choose from, including: oil change, brakes, cooling systems, drivetrains, air conditioning and air filtration, alignments, battery maintenance and replacement, engine and transmission, suspension, tires, fuel system cleaning, and windshield repairs and blade replacements. Chad adds, “We also do several smaller services like lights, headlight cleanings, etc.” As for the Greenville location, which opened on August 10th, Chad is excited for this new chapter. “Greenville is growing fast! It’s beautiful there and the opportunity is present for our brand.” Just as he did with Florence, Chad sees the future beholding multiple locations. However, nothing holds a candle to Florence.
PINE NEEDLES RD / 843-662-1163
W EVANS ST / 843-662-0400
PAMPLICO HWY / 843-407-5041
e and will “Florence is our hlaom ce we look to continue to be a p w in the future.” sustain and even gro - CHAD WEISBECK
NEW GREENVILLE LOCATION 30
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OFFICIALLY SPEAKING
JUDGE LAVERNE ARD story by Ashley Elvington
Judge Laverne Ard has held many titles throughout his life – perhaps it’s best to call him a renaissance man. He started out at Marsh Lumber Company, where he worked for 52 years. His career began with hauling trash, later he was promoted to grading lumber, and eventually he became the manager until his retirement in 2008. “I’ve always been very mechanical minded. Mr. J. Everett Marsh (owner of Marsh Lumber back then) noticed me working on a piece of equipment and that’s where it started. I appreciated Mr. Marsh’s trust. Anything I ever wanted to do school wise, he paid for it. He took care of me. When I took over as General Manager, we had 15 employees. Mr. Marsh trusted me, he let me try anything. If I told him what I needed to do, he’d see that I could do it. We did well.” He has also spent time as the Mayor of Pamplico (19671983), a role he came into rather unexpectedly. “The mayor wanted me to work for 30 days, I did, then he said he didn’t have anyone yet for the position. He asked me to do another 30 days…and that’s been 24 years ago.” Since 1993, he has been a municipal judge in Pamplico. No matter what he’s done in his career, however, Judge Ard is grateful for the people who have surrounded him along the way. “I’ve been blessed with good employees. I had three girls in the office and 131 employees at Marsh Lumber Company. I had on my door, ‘These doors brought in the greatest employees in the industry,’ and they were. They were great workers. I can see one now and they will just hug my neck. We all had a great relationship.” One of the most endearing titles he holds, however, is that of farmer. Judge Ard’s farm, built mostly by him alone, is a sight to see, located two miles away from his home. This farm is the home of quite an eclectic group of characters, including four donkeys, 13 swans, three cows, one charismatic and a surprisingly friendly bull named Hugo (who will show you his horns for a cracker), two horses, chickens, ninnies, one cat, and some goats. “Hugo likes to eat raisin cakes! For a while, I’d bring him one everyday. He got so aggravating coming up to the door begging for them, so I had to quit!”
Judge Ard also co-owns a BP Station in Pamplico with his son, Andy. It’s confounding how such a busy man would have time to build a farm, but Judge Ard has done so successfully. He spent many afternoons digging the ponds, planting trees (including 500 Cypresses), and building barns. “The first thing I built was a barn. I worked on it here and there by myself. I’d come out here after work with one old bull dozer. People couldn’t believe that I was doing this. They thought I was crazy! But, I was determined… I’ve always been determined.” He continues working as judge on Thursdays, when he’s present for court at 4PM.
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The farm undoubtedly proved to be a peaceful escape for Judge Ard once his health started taking a turn for the worse. In 2004, he was given the diagnosis of renal cancer and an unfortunate prediction of six months to live. Blessed and humbled, Judge Ard is doing well today, even though he suffered from a massive heart attack in 2014. “I don’t have much strength, but I work everyday.” He may be limited in what he can do these days, but he doesn’t let that affect his work ethic he has worked hard to establish…Especially in 2016, when the farm fell victim to Hurricane Matthew. “My dam broke and I lost all of the water in the pond. I had to put over 100 loads of dirt to fill the dam. I lost my fish, everything. However, I replaced them with shell crackers, brim, and bass from North Carolina.” He also bales hay, completing up to 87 bales in two days. “My animals only eat about 20 bales a year, so I sell the rest.” Judge Ard often enlists the help of family friend Boy, who assists with any needs the farm has that Judge Ard cannot accomplish alone. Despite the storm, nature appreciates Judge Ard’s farm, as he sees anywhere from 40-50 purple martins fly overhead in a year’s time. “I’m a big fan! I love to watch them fly.” And, he takes pride in letting his many animals roam freely amongst the grounds. His wife and three children have grown to love it also, as Judge Ard admits they often have family dinners on the farm. From hauling trash to impacting a community, Judge Ard is proud of his many accomplishments. And, lucky for him, he gets to reflect upon them all with a smile down on the farm. “I’ll tell you what’s living - I go up there and sit on that back porch. The wind blows through there, and I could just sit there all day. It’s so peaceful out here.” September 2017 | VIP Magazine
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FLORENCE COMMUNITY
Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce 100 W Evans St, Florence 843.665.0515 | flochamber.com email: jlavrinc@flochamer.com
The Benefits Of A
RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY story by Jay Lavrinc, President of Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce
According to Wikipedia a “Ribbon-Cutting” symbolizes a grand opening ceremony, or a ceremony marking the official opening of a newly-constructed location, or the start of an event. But the question remains, “Where does this symbolization come from?” There are many theories as to where and how ribbon-cutting ceremonies began. Today’s ribboncutting ceremonies symbolize new beginnings, as similar ceremonies have done for centuries. A ribboncutting ceremony is often organized by a city’s chamber of commerce, as we do with the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce here in the Pee Dee Region, when a new business becomes a member or opens a new location. The ceremony is reminiscent of wedding customs that symbolized the start of a marriage partnership but in this case, we celebrate the beginning of a new business or an existing business that has recently joined the Chamber. Traditionally ribbon-cuttings have long been components of wedding ceremonies. In France, 34
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the bride might cut ribbons that have been stretched across the road as her groom escorts her to the church, which symbolizes the couple overcoming obstacles together. In Italy, the bride or her father might cut a ribbon that has been stretched across the door of the family home, symbolizing her newfound freedom and leaving her life as a single woman behind. While ribbons tied together can symbolize a bond between a bride and groom, the cutting of a ribbon signifies a fresh start. Just like a couple beginning a new life together, a new business can use a ribbon-cutting ceremony to show the public that it is open for business. A ribbon can be stretched across an entryway to signify that what is behind the ribbon is waiting to be presented to the world. When the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce has a ribbon-cutting event we invite our Ambassadors and the local newspaper to cover these events. The Ambassadors are local business people that give up their time to welcome new and existing businesses to the Chamber and the
Florence community. During the event, a large ribbon is stretched in front of the location and ceremoniously cut by the owner or manager of the business using oversized scissors. So, what are the benefits of a ribbon-cutting ceremony? • It generates media coverage and marketing opportunities. • It appears in the local newspaper • It draws the public’s attention to your business • Ribbon cutting provides a main event for a gathering that announces a grand opening for your business • Attendees and participants get to pose with the ribbon and scissors for commemorative photographs that may be framed So, ribbon-cutting ceremonies have varied reasons for their occurrence but the most important of all is welcoming a new or existing business into the Florence community.
FDTC &
Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation is continuously providing grants for local projects. Many of Florence’s primary sites, including the library which is named for the Foundation as well as a 14-field soccer complex set to be completed in October, have been made possible in part because of the Foundation and it’s contributions. Last month VIP featured the history and growth of Florence-Darlington Technical College through the cover story. What we failed to include within the article is the substantial contributions the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation has made to the college over the years. Since the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation’s inception in 1995 through 2016, it has granted a total of $2,180,148 to Florence-Darlington Technical College and its Educational Foundation. Virtually all of these grants were for Allied Health Curriculum scholarships or medical training equipment related to the downtown campus. Dr. Ben Dillard, President of FDTC, added, “The Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation has been a wonderful supporter of Florence-Darlington Technical College for more than 15 years. Gifts that are given to the college ensure that Allied Health students who need the funding are able to continue their education. We are so thankful for the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation’s generosity.” Contact FDTC today and start your path to a successful future. To learn more, please call (843)661-8324.
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BALANCING ACT PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLLIN M. SMITH
Rhonda Page, owner of Pretty-N-Bliss in Florence, talks about the Balancing Act of owning a business while juggling three kiddos, Lauren, Callie and Emerson. What encouraged your career path change? “My days as a nurse were very long and I felt like something was missing and I wasn’t where God wanted me. I prayed for months for God to show me where he wanted me to be. I was thinking of transferring to another unit. I wanted to work where I could openly talk about my faith and not be persecuted for it. One day, my husband, Grant, asked me if I wanted to open my own store. Other family members had a boutique and I loved shopping there. So, I prayed and prayed and said if this was the Lord’s will it would happen. My retail experience stops at my love for shopping and being good with managing money, but God has put people in my path to help guide me along the way.”
What have been the advantages of owning your own business? “For the most part, I am able to make and plan my own schedule. I love that I get to shop and buy on a grand scale, and that my kids can come to work with me. Also, I have enjoyed having Sundays off.” 36
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CALLIE (8), RHONDA, EMERSON (4) & LAUREN (12) PAGE
What have been the disadvantages of owning your own business? “Stress, stress, and more stress in making all the decisions. (Luckily, my husband and manager help with the decision-making.) The downside is that I am always on-call, especially with social media being so prevalent in today’s society. If someone calls out, then I work in their place. Staying on top of the game is always a struggle with three children at home. When my children have activities or parties at school, I might miss those moments with them. Retail season is usually very busy around holidays.”
How do you make time to stay healthy? “I make time to workout at 9Round Fitness. It’s my stress reliever and one of three things I do daily for myself. I’m a much happier person if I workout. The other things I do include reading a daily devotion and taking care of my skin with Rodan & Fields. I have recently discovered CleanEatz and this has made meals a lot easier. They have healthy options and make eating healthy so much easier and quick. I believe I have to take care of myself so that I can watch my children grow and be able to make memories. Also, our bodies are our temples and our face to the world. I need to take care of mine so that I can help spread God’s message and word to others.”
Pretty N Bliss is located at 2509 South Cashua Drive in Florence. Rhonda can be reached at (843) 662-8135.
What is your most memorable day of taking your kids to work with you? Three days come to mind. One day Emerson was about 2 and half and had to come to work with me. We were working on potty training and he thought he had it all figured out. Well, unbeknownst to me, he had a bowel movement and decided he would check it out himself. Well apparently the texture really bothered him and he proceeded to wipe his hands all on the walls and furniture on his way to the bathroom (not on inventory, praise the LORD). Once in the bathroom, he tried desperately to get it off his hands while touching his clothes, the doorknobs, mirror, step stool, sink, faucet, light switch, and changing table before calling for help. Can you hear the Clorox bottle hitting the counter top now? At least an hour of cleanup and I can laugh about it now. Another day, my second child, Callie, came to work with me. She was about 2 years old and is not a morning person. After much stress of trying to get out of the house with her, I finally gave in and let her wear pajamas to the store with me that day. (I did make her put on clean ones.) I gave in. It was a battle that I didn’t need to waste anymore time and energy on. About 5:00 that day, she came walking to the front and I was busy assisting customers and an elderly woman said, “Why is she still wearing pajamas?” I said, “She wanted to and that’s not a battle I was going to have this morning.” I couldn’t have done that if I didn’t own my own business. Another day, Emerson was about 9 months old and he came to work with me every day. He would sit in his bouncy seat rocking away and smiling at all the pretty ladies when they came in. This day he wanted no part of the bouncy seat so I let him out and he crawled until his heart was content. He even crawled under all the dressing rooms one by one, stopping and sitting up in each occupied dressing room smiling at the ladies. I was 10 shades of red and was trying to coax him out with everything I had with no luck. I was completely embarrassed. I apologized profusely to the customers. Needless to say, it was a while before he was turned loose again in the back of the showroom floor.”
Are you looking forward to school starting back? YES, we function much better on a routine schedule. I am not looking forward to the disagreements over homework and bedtime though. It’s a bittersweet time. September 2017 | VIP Magazine
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FASHION FOR WORK AND PLAY
Suit Up for Game Day David Smith and Greg Ammons with Smith Ammons, LLC, wear top labels from Butler’s and Hoffman and Hoffman, sporting style with a touch of color to support their team on game day.
GREG Sport coat by Baroni Brackish Bow Tie and Thicket Pin
DAVID Enzo sport coat with all the colors of fall PB Aristo cotton quarter zip
Peter Millar white collared shirt
Overton sport shirt
Peter Millar black vest
Enzo 5 pocket pant
Agave Denim pant
Martin Dingman suede Chukka Boot
Peter Millar Bit Loafer in black
2533 W Palmetto St., Florence (843) 667-9671
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRED SALLEY
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2618 2nd Loop Rd., Florence (843) 669-9009
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AROUND TOWN
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ales and tails donation drive Hartsville Young Professional board members Alex Forrest, Matt Majka, and Jordan Pupa had the opportunity to deliver donated items from the Ales and Tails donation drive to the humane society. HYP is pleased at the amount of support from the Hartsville community. Not only were all the items pictured donated, but they also raised $1,100. The community had the pleasure of meeting some of the animals up for adoption while attending the event. “Thank you to everyone who attended and donated! We couldn’t have done it without your contribution!” said Jordan Pupa.
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AROUND TOWN
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Photography Shelly & Phil Sarvis, 811 Creations
Southern Style Promotions hosted another successful Shake It Up Marion County on August 12 to benefit Marion Mullins Rotary Club. This year’s winning couples were: Best Overall Dance Couple - Julianne Heck and Bobby Davis; Most Entertaining - Brittany Fincannon and Antonio Vaught; and Most Popular Couple - Melissa Herrington and George McMillan. The Emmalynn Davis School of Dance spent the past two months practicing with dancers to put on an unforgettable performance. Rodney Berry along with Karen Coleman and Debra Buffkin of Southern Style Promotions emceed this years event. “We are grateful to Anderson Brothers Bank, Carolinas Hospital System and Howard B. Smith Agency for helping make Shake It Up possible!” says Debra Buffkin.
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AROUND TOWN
fdtc back-to-school bash
Walking with
patrick McMillan On August 5, locals joined Patrick McMillan for a guided walk through of Kalmia Gardens. “We are very thankful to Patrick for leading walks at Kalmia Gardens. We had an amazing ‘Expedition’ in the Gardens. Thanks to everyone who helped put this wonderful event together and to all who came out to support Kalmia Gardens,” said Kalmia staff.
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HAPPENINGS
Featured Event 35th Annual Golden Leaf Festival September 22nd & 23rd What better way to celebrate fall then a two-day, outdoor festival featuring the states finest BBQ and entertainment by the locals favorite - Jebb Mac Band, Eaglewing, 3xcluzive, Tastes Like Chicken, and many more! September 22-23, the City of Mullins will host their annual Golden Leaf Festival. Local vendors will provide original arts and crafts while cooks will challenge your tastebuds as they compete for South Carolina’s Best BBQ. • Local & Regional Artisans • BBQ Cook-Off • Great Food Court • Live Entertainment • Car Show • Kids Park – inflatables & rock wall • The Great Parade • Lions Club Run for Sight – 5k On Friday, the “Anything Butt” competition takes place. Teams will have the opportunity to cook ANYTHING but BBQ Pork for a friendly competition judged by local celebrities. Starting at 6pm in the Anderson Brother’s Bank parking lot there will be live music and then at 7pm the competition opens to the public. $10 for a wristband to sample all you want! Beer and wine will be available too! On Saturday, “BBQ Pork Butts” competition kicks off. For $10 you can buy a wristband that will get you a taste of South Carolina’s finest BBQ! This is a SC BBQ Association sanctioned competition that will open for Public Tasting at 11am. There will be music and lots of fun. Come down to the ABB parking lot and see who goes home with the $12,000 worth of prize money!
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FLORENCE 1.......................................................................................................................... Southeastern Classic Auto Fair | Farmers Market 8a-6p First Fridays: N’tranz | James Allen Plaza 6p-10p 7......................................................................................................................... Trivia Night | Wholly Smokin 6:30p 8-17.................................................................................................................... Disney’s Beauty & the Beast | Florence Little Theater 9......................................................................................................................... Family Day | Florence County Museum 1p-3p Rally for Recovery | Timrod 2p-5p 13........................................................................................................................ Pee Dee Grassroots Meeting | SiMT 8a-9a 14....................................................................................................................... Salsa Dance Class | Soule Café 7p-10p Naomi Project Annual Luncheon | St. John’s Church 10a-2p 16....................................................................................................................... Annual Sickle Cell Walk | 137B McQueen Street 8:30a 16....................................................................................................................... Gun & Knife Show | Civic Center 9a-5p 17........................................................................................................................ Gun & Knife Show | Civic Center 10a-4p 21........................................................................................................................ Trivia Night | Wholly Smokin 6:30p 24...................................................................................................................... Big Church Night Out | Civic Center 6p 29...................................................................................................................... Chamber Legislative Breakfast | Civic Center 7:30a Pee Dee Fall Plant & Flower Festival | Farmer’s Market 8a 30...................................................................................................................... Pee Dee Fall Plant & Flower Festival | Farmer’s Market 8a KFB Brew Fest | Roseneath Farm 2p-6p 2017 Tour of Homes | 10a-5p Oct 1.................................................................................................................. Pee Dee Fall Plant & Flower Festival | Farmer’s Market 8a WEEKLY EVENTS Wednesdays.................................................................................................. Wine Down Wednesday | Dolce Vita 4p Thursdays....................................................................................................... Ovis Hill Farmer’s Market | Naturally Outdoors 3p-7p Trivia Night | Southern Hops 7p Live Music | The Dispensary Fridays............................................................................................................. Live Music, The Dispensary Saturdays........................................................................................................ City Center Farmer’s Market | Downtown 9a-1p Live Music, The Dispensary
LAKE CITY 7............................................................................................................................ SC Tobacco Festival, 9a-midnight 17.......................................................................................................................... MFBG Beer Fest | Moore Farms Botanical Gardens 1p-5p
SEPTEMBER 2017 DARLINGTON 1......................................................................................................................... Free Concert | Liberty Lane Walk of Fame 7p-10p 2........................................................................................................................ Market on Darlington Square, 9 a to 1 p 3........................................................................................................................ Bojangles Southern 500 Race, Darlington Raceway
HARTSVILLE 7............................................................................................................. Downtown Block Party | East College Avenue 6p-9p 8............................................................................................................. Women’s Leadership Symposium | DeLoach Center 9a- 3p 9............................................................................................................. Hartsville Farmers Market | East Carolina Avenue 9a- 1p 9/11 Day of Service | Coker College 12............................................................................................................ YP Pizza & Game Night | Rooftop at Mantissa 6p 15........................................................................................................... Services Summit | First Presbyterian Church 8a 16........................................................................................................... Drive-In Movie Night: Dirty Dancing | Byerly Park 7p (Movie starts at 8p) 17............................................................................................................ Dog Days of Summer | Piratesville Splash Pad 2p-4p 21............................................................................................................ Downtown Block Party | East College Avenue 6p-9p 24.......................................................................................................... Fall Paddlefest | Lawton Park 2p-6p WEEKLY EVENTS Thursdays........................................................................................... Centennial Farmers Market | 5th & Carolina 3p-6p
MULLINS 12............................................................................................................ City Council Meeting | Municipal Complex 6p 16........................................................................................................... Golden Leaf Scholarship Pageant | CD Joyner, Marion 7p 22-23.................................................................................................... Golden Leaf Festival | Smithhaven Park
PAMPLICO 15-16................................................................................................................ Pamplico Cypress Festival
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TIME TO TOAST
FDTC Helps Manufacturing Job Seekers Florence-Darlington Technical College’s Corporate and Workforce Development (CWD) division seeks to provide training that keeps a pipeline of skilled workers ready for employment at area companies, as well as to support ongoing workforce development needs of employers in the Pee Dee region. The division is housed at the College’s Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT).
Pee Dee Electric Produces Solar Farm
Earlier this year, CWD launched one of its most successful training programs, the Manufacturing Skills: Pre-Employment course. “The Manufacturing Skills classes are designed to equip individuals who are jobless or underemployed with three valuable manufacturing credentials in a fast and efficient manner, providing them an opportunity to be prepared for employment quickly,” said Lauren Holland, Associate Vice President of CWD.
Congratulations to Pee Dee Electric for leading the way to renewable energy.
The Manufacturing Skills: Pre-Employment course, which is offered each month, consists of 25 hours of certifications in Forklift Driving, Six Sigma Yellowbelt and OSHA 10 for General Industry. The program is offered during the day, but will be expanded this year to include evening sessions, in order to accommodate individuals who are currently working, but seeking an opportunity for a new career path.
Although solar power is more costly to produce and variable because it’s weather dependent, the environmental benefits are valuable. “We’ve built a 250kW solar farm right beside our headquarters in Darlington, allowing our members to share in the clean energy it produces without the burden of residential solar panels at home. Members may volunteer to participate at a rate of $2.50 per month added to your monthly Pee Dee Electric bill and may cancel at any time.” Make a difference. Enroll today. Visitpdec.com for more information.
To learn more or for a schedule of upcoming classes, contact CWD via email at Elizabeth.Shelton@fdtc.edu or call 843 413-2727.
Pee Dee Electric is always looking for ways to deliver innovative solutions to their members. That’s why they’re joining South Carolina’s 20 electric cooperatives in building the largest network of community solar installations across our state. It’s a significant investment, but one they know will make a difference long into the future.
Florence County Emergency Management Promotes Spires Five-year veteran Florence County Telecommunications Operator Heather Spires recently was promoted to assistance shift supervisor for Florence County Central Dispatch. “As an assistance shift supervisor, Ms. Spires will be responsible for helping to manage a team of eight telecommunications officers who handle, on average, 972 calls per day. Telecommunications officers receive 911 calls for assistance from citizens and dispatch Police, EMS and Fire Fighters from 26 different agencies across Florence County,” said Levi James, Jr., public information officer for the Florence County Emergency Management Division.
Junior League Names New Board Members The Junior League of Florence has announced its 201718 board members. The new directors are Lauren Vause, president; Emily S. Jordan, president-elect; Lyndsay Brown, secretary; Brigitte Shumpert, treasurer; Jillian Wilkes, vice president of community; Meggie Baker, vice president of strategic planning; Alison Swaggard, vice president of finance; Katherine Barnette, vice president of communications; Elizabeth Neyle, vice president of membership; Emily Crayton, vice president of fund development, and Elizabeth Heustess, sustainer liaison.
Lake City Hotel Appoints New Executive Chef The Inn at the Crossroads, an upscale bistro-style restaurant serving regional cuisine with a European twist in historic downtown Lake City has appointed Mahmoud “Sherif” Elkhyati as their new executive chef. Elkhyati has over a decade of culinary experience in various restaurants and catering operations. Elkhyati will oversee all of the hotel’s food and beverage operations, including the Crossroads on Main restaurant as well as all banquet and catering menus. For more information or to book a reservation please call the hotel directly at (843) 394-2100 or by visiting theinnatthecrossroads.com or crossroadsonmain.com.
New UPS Store Opens in Florence Congratulations to THE UPS Store on their grand opening! Stop by their new location at 2023 S Irby Street in Florence - across from Chick-fil-A.
New PDRTA Bus Stop A ribbon cutting at the new PDRTA bus stop was held at the Darlington Wal-Mart last week.
FSD1 Opens Doors Florence School Distrist 1 proudly welcomed students to their newest school, Delmae Heights Elementary in August.
Hartsville Chamber Honors SPC Credit Union CEO
TD Bank Brings Change to All 4 Autism As part of its “Bring Change” campaign, the local TD Bank served as a designated hub to support All 4 Autism which is a Florence-based advocacy group that increases awareness, resources and support for those of all ages with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout the Pee Dee Region. The organization also provides ASD workshops, support services and referrals for people within the community through its Autism Resource Center. TD Bank invited people to participate in a community fundraiser event to support the organization, which ran from July 31- August 4. “Our local fundraising efforts have made a positive impact for this wonderful organization. Our customers and employees are excited to support All 4 Autism in their commitment to the ASD families of the Pee Dee Region.” -TD Bank Pee Dee Area Executive, Kevin Gause A check presentation was made on August 4, in the amount of $9,105.00. All funds will help All 4 Autism continue offering its services to those who need it most.
Linda Weatherford has been named the 2017 Woman of Achievement by the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce. Weatherford became SPC Credit Union’s first female CEO Weatherford in January of 2016. Prior to CEO, she served as the Director of Marketing and Business Development for SPC for 12 years. Since 1987, she has worked for credit unions in leadership roles, and has been an advocate for the credit union movement, promoting the philosophy of “people helping people.” Weatherford achieved success in her career by devoting herself to leadership and developing the credit unions she served into competitive organizations. Travis Walters, chairman of the SPC Board of Directors, said, “In addition to her business competency, Linda possesses tremendous integrity, vision and faith in God. She is passionate about the credit union movement and how we can help others, especially the underserved in our communities.” Under her leadership as Marketing Director, SPC Credit Union’s Cares2Share program received the 2014 Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award and the 2013 Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award, which is coveted by credit unions across the nation. The Chamber will present the award during its first Women’s Leadership Symposium on September 8. For more information about the Symposium, visit www.hartsvillechamber.org.
Florence County E911 Names Employee of the Quarter Sixteen-year Florence County Communications veteran, Megan Driggers, has been named as Employee of the 2nd Quarter for Florence County E911 Central Dispatch. Megan is a variable time telecommunications operator who is not assigned to a single shift; rather she floats between all shifts filling slots as necessary. She effectively adapts to change and works well under pressure. Megan displays an exceptional ability to comprehend and retain details and is an active listener, both of which are especially critical skills for a 911 telecommunications officer.
EXPERIENCE HARTSVILLE
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH through the Art of Dance story by Jordan Pupa Brenda Cranford School of Dance of Hartsville will begin its 37th dance season this year. The school of dance provides dance education in the areas of tap, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and many other genres all taught by trained staff members. Brenda Cranford, owner and director, her family, and her business, have had a major impact on the Hartsville community over the years. BCSD has been a Hartsville Chamber of Commerce member for 36 years. In addition, Brenda was a past recipient of the Business Person of the Year award and her husband, Kim Cranford, recently won the Citizen of the Year Award. Brenda
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and her family have always found a way to give back to the community. Within the last few years Brenda has collaborated with the Columbia City Ballet and has arranged to bring extraordinary opportunities in the arts to Hartsville for locals to enjoy. Most educational lessons may take place within a classroom, but the Columbia City Ballet Company offers a unique learning opportunity for students through the art of dance performance. The Columbia City Ballet’s Educational Outreach Program transforms the theatre into a classroom by showcasing its professional dancers on stage
while portraying an educational message. Educational messages are on select topics that will benefit the younger generation. Additionally, the professional ballet company also brings the Nutcracker to the Hartsville Center Theater and allows local dancers to audition and perform in the ballet. For the third year, the Columbia City Ballet will portray a lesson through ballet for elementary school students within Hartsville at the Center Theater on December 14th and 15th. The performance for 2017 will be T’was the Night Before Christmas and will educate children on the topic of behavioral issues. Bringing the program to Hartsville started with a vision from Brenda’s husband, Kim. With sponsor support from Brenda Cranford School of Dance and many other local businesses, over 3,000 elementary school students had the opportunity to attend last year’s show of Rudolph, which focused on anti-bullying. The show also includes a lesson on the history of the arts, theatre etiquette, and a
question and answer session all lead by Columbia City Ballet’s Artistic and Executive Director, William Starrett. The ballet performance allows local students to be exposed to a professional ballet show that they otherwise may never have the opportunity to experience. Without the support of the community, bringing the educational program to Hartsville for the students would not be possible. In addition to Brenda Cranford School of Dance, major sponsors for the 2016 show included Coker College, North Industrial Machine, Sonoco Products Company, South State Bank, and Black Creek Arts Council. In addition to the community outreach program, the Columbia City Ballet will also give local dancers the opportunity to perform with its professional dancers in the Nutcracker this winter. For the fourth year, auditions will be held at the Hartsville Center Theater for any local dancers ages four and up. Male and female dancers are encouraged to participate. William Starrett will hold the auditions for the 2017 show on September 15th. It is encouraged that dancers wear proper ballet attire including pink tights, a black leotard, ballet shoes, and have hair secured in a bun. Those selected will rehearse for four Sunday afternoons up until the show. They then will perform in a one-time show of the Nutcracker with the award winning Columbia City Ballet on December 15th at 7:30pm in Hartsville. The production, including everything from the set, lights, and company dancers will all be identical to the Nutcracker performance held at the Koger Center in Columbia, SC. Costumes will be provided by the ballet company. The opportunity for a local dancer to take the stage with professional dancers, plus participate in a real audition and rehearsal process is a one of a kind experience. Tickets for the Nutcracker will go on sale starting in November and can be purchased online via Vendini or at the Hartsville Center Theater.
Check out events at bcschoolofdance.com.
L-R: Kim Cranford, William Starrett, Brenda Cranford
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HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Genesis SIGNATURE
LIPOSCULPTING Edward O’Dell, M.D., FACOG Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center Medical Director and Co-Founder
You’ve tried sticking to that diet, you’ve exercised, you have done all those things that trimmed you before………but now it’s not working. Whether you can’t do those things or you are doing them with no results …our Genesis Lipo program can help you achieve the look you desire. We have so many patients who come in complaining that their tummy pooch won’t go away or that the legs have gotten bigger and are looking like grandmas. Others complain about the sagging chin or the “bat-wing” look on the back of the arms. Some folks can’t loose those love handles and are tired of the muffin top look. Don’t despair. Genesis LipoSculpting can help.
What differs us from other lipo centers? We use a unique combination of Vaser ultrasonic fat dissolve combined with laser skin tightening to pre-treat your problem area prior to doing the lipo-suctioning. In addition we use a powered suction device called Tickle Lipo to assist in maximizing the amount of fat we remove from a given area. These three modalities in combination result in more fat removed and a more sculpted look. Best of all the suctioning is done through tiny puncture holes, not through an incision and is done without the use of general anesthesia. Genesis is the only local center offering this combination of technologies.
story by Dr. Edward O’Dell, M.D., FACOG
prior to any laser work and then carefully placing it back in the desired area. In addition we add back your platelets to help stimulate associated stem cells to make vascular and structural support to the fat. After sculpting your new body we ask that you follow a high protein/low carb diet and wear a support garment that will further enhance your look while you are healing. Downtime for Lipo can vary from 1 to 5 days depending on the site done. Many of our patients report that after doing lipo they noticed a decreased appetite resulting in further weight loss. If you have ever wondered about getting Lipo then please consider Genesis Signature LipoSculpting. We offer free consultation where we can explain more about how we can help you achieve the look and shape you want. We want to help you get off what diet and exercise won’t.
Another big part of our LipoSculpting is fat transfer. This can be done to enhance volume loss in the face and hands due to aging or smoking, to re-volumize and reshape the breasts, or to enhance the size of the buttocks. Fat transfer is done by gently harvesting the fat
For more information, please visit our website at genesiscosmeticlasercenter.com. Call us at 843-669-2220 to schedule your appointment.
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PAYING IT FORWARD
Look Good Feel BetterŽ Look Good Feel Better, is a free national public service program for women who are undergoing cancer treatment. Cancer treatment can lead to physical and emotional concerns, but also changes in skin tone, hair loss, weight gain, and other effects, which can hurt a woman’s self-esteem. The program is aimed to help women with cancer cope with appearance side effects from their treatment. Since 1989, the program has empowered nearly one million women in the US, reclaiming their confidence and self-esteem. The non-medical program is offered through a collaboration with The Personal Care Products Council Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the Professional Beauty Association. Look Good Feel Better offers complimentary group, individual and online beauty sessions. The two-hour workshops
consist of beauty sessions that include lessons on temporary hair loss, plus skin, complexion, and nail changes due to cancer treatment. Led by volunteer beauty experts, techniques are demonstrated on make-up application, skin and nail care guidance, and ways to manage hair loss, such as the use of wigs, turbans, scarves, and other accessories. Workshop participants even receive a complimentary cosmetic kit. Women have the opportunity to discover ways to manage their cancer treatment and to do it surrounded by a community of those who are going through a same or similar experience. The program helps women regain a sense of confidence and normalcy. Florence currently has a Look Good Feel Better host site that offers patient workshops four times per year. This site has 2 dates left for 2017, including September 11 and December 17 from 9am-11am. Workshops are held in the cancer center conference room at the McLeod Regional Medical Center on Cheves St.
To register for a Look Good Feel Better patient workshop, please call 1-800-227-2345. For more information about the Look Good Feel Better program, please visit
www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org or call 1-800-395-LOOK [5665].
If you would like more information about the American Cancer Society, please visit www.cancer.org. 54
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PAYING IT FORWARD
October 21 • Downtown Florence
Pee Dee Heart Walk A Day to Celebrate and Honor Those Affected by Heart Disease story by Ashley Elvington In 1924, six dedicated cardiologists established The American Heart Association, now known as the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. With more than 22.5 million volunteers and supporters, the AHA funds innovative research, fights for stronger public health policies, and provides critical tools and information to save and improve lives. The arrival of October 21st marks the annual 3-mile Heart Walk, an event fun for all ages in celebration of heart health and the commitment to providing better self-care. Sheryl Love, Senior Director of Development, explains, “It’s a day for the community to celebrate heart disease, stroke, and congenital heart disease survivors and to honor those they’ve lost. We walk with our friends, coworkers or family members to improve our heart health. The Heart Walk is also the premiere event for raising funds to save lives from this country’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers - heart disease and stroke.” All funds raised go towards research that could prevent many South Carolinians from the deadly effects of heart disease and stroke. Through events such as the Pee Dee Heart Walk, the AHA is funding over $5 million in research in South Carolina Institutions alone. At this year’s walk, face painting and games will be offered at the Kids’ Area. There will also be health screenings and a special VIP section for those who raise over $1000 or more for the AHA. In celebration of survivors, attendees will receive special hats at the event. Heart and stroke survivors will receive a free red or white cap, and children born with a congenital heart defect will receive a cape. After all, they are superheroes in the eyes of
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Young Survivors
Oldest Survivor
their loved ones! The Lifestyle Change Award will be present to an individual who has made significant, positive changes to improve their quality of life and overall health, there’s also a t-shirt contest for both kids and adults. This year, the Heart Walk is officially a part of Healthy For Good, a movement created to inspire permanent changes in your health and lifestyle by making one small step at a time. How, you ask? It’s simple! It all starts with making a commitment to eat smart, add color, move more, and be well. The Heart Walk is just the beginning for the Healthy For Good movement, as the American Heart Association will continue to work within the community and leave a lasting legacy. Another exciting addition this year is the welcoming of Marie Saleeby (Administrator of McLeod Regional Medical Center), who will be chairing this year’s Pee Dee Heart Walk. Marie and her team of 18 professionals from throughout the Pee Dee have set a goal of over $300,000 to raise in the fight against heart disease, stroke, and various other cardiovascular diseases. This year’s walk will be held in Downtown Florence and over 2,000 walkers are welcome to join to walk for the cause. “McLeod Health has been a long-time supporter of the American Heart Association and I am honored to serve as this year’s chair,” said Marie, “It is such a joy to work with an organization that is devoted to making the health of our community better. I want to challenge all of my friends and colleagues to support this year’s Heart Walk by enlisting their companies and employees to participate. By forming or joining a fundraising team, we can all make a lasting difference in the health and well being of our community.” Sheryl adds, “We are excited to introduce the Healthy For Good campaign to the Pee Dee community and we know that Marie will be an excellent leader for our organization.”
For more information on sponsorship opportunities and how to register for the Pee Dee Heart Walk, visit PeeDeeHeartWalk.org or call the American Heart Association at 843-665-0985.
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TAX PREP
Making It To The Breaks story by Elizabeth K. Campbell, EA
We did it!
We have successfully purchased new book bags, lunchboxes, shoes, clothes and school supplies as our wallets grew thinner. We have drug ourselves through the first couple of weeks of getting back into the routine of school. Our little people are singing the Summer’s Over Blues and have begun counting down until Winter Break. It’s official – School’s Back in Session! I do not know about you, but I thoroughly enjoyed this summer with my children. Unfortunately, enjoying the summer meant emptying our piggy bank. For some reason, kids prefer water parks to a sprinkler in the yard and racing go carts at a track to riding bicycles in the neighborhood. Do not get me wrong, we did some free stuff too, like swimming in our pool with the Golden Retrievers, which is like swimming with Dolphins but way cheaper and a lot hairier. There are days that I feel like all I do is pay for some kid related item. However, in their defense, our children can be some real money savers at tax time. A big credit for working parents is the Dependent Care Credit. If you paid a qualified daycare, summer camp, babysitter, etc. to provide care for a child under the age of 13 or a disabled dependent, you may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35% of qualify expenses of $3000.00 for one child or up to $6000.00 for two or more children. There are a few big things to remember about this credit – it is based on the parent’s income, it must occur because the parents are working or looking for work and it does not apply to overnight camps, school tuition or any other school related expenses. Our children are truly an investment in our future so why not get some benefit out of taking that seriously? There are many options to put money aside for our children for their future education needs. An important one for taxes is a Coverdell Education Savings Account. Although you cannot deduct what you contribute, the earnings grow tax free and remain tax free until withdrawal as long as it is used for legitimate education 58
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expenses. South Carolina is one of the states that allows a state deduction for all contributions to a South Carolina Tuition Prepayment Program (SCTPP). The earnings are exempt from tax while they are held in the account and to continue to be tax free, must be later rolled over into a qualified 529 Plan. The good news is that at some point, you may, depending on your income, be able to get a credit to ease the burden of your child’s education expenses. The American Opportunity Credit is for the student’s first four years in college. The maximum credit is $2500.00 per year for tuition and fees and is based on the parent’s income. The Lifetime Learning Credit is for those enrolled in an approved university or college for one semester per tax year or for those required to take professional courses for their career. This is a nonrefundable credit of up to $2000.00 for tuition and fees, again, based on the parent’s income. Please make sure you have a family tax plan in place to use these credits as it best fits the needs of your family as a whole. An education for your child can be the gift that keeps on giving as long as the child still qualifies as your dependent. Let’s face it, most of the time student loans are involved in the higher education plan we have set up for our children. Once the child has finished school, those student loans, with principle and interest, have to be paid. Fortunately, up to $2000.00 of the interest portion may be deductible (depending on income). Hug your little dependents tight tonight and remember that you may get a tax credit for some of the money you are paying out on those sweet little angels. Either way, know that they will be the best investment you will ever have, so make every minute count!
Elizabeth “Betsy” K. Campbell owns Campbell Accounting Solutions, LLC. Call (843) 662-9700 or email taxinfo@campbellgroupsc.com for your tax solutions.
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
JOHN SULLIVAN “I started working at Apple Annies in September of 1975. It was called Wholesale Beverage back then and changed over to Apple Annies in 1984. In 1976 I started working full-time with the Social Security Administration and retired from there in 2004. During those years I still worked part-time at Apple Annies. I’m here every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. I bring Krispy Kreme doughnuts every Wednesday and Friday, I’ve been doing that for at least 10 years now. People know when I’m not here because the doughnuts aren’t sitting on the table. I love this job; they’re going to bury me behind one of these kegs.”
WHAT THE LOCALS SAY... “I’ve known John for about 10 years, and you can’t ask for a better friend than John!”
“You can tell John truly loves what he does. You can be good at what you do, and he’s great at it. I’ve never seen him in a bad mood. He’s such a humble and kind person.”
-HENRY SLONE
-HOOD TEMPLE
APPLE ANNIES DELI AND PUB 1720 W Palmetto Street | Florence, SC | (843) 669-6247
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(843) 667-1779 • 2320 Trade Ct (Next to Lowes on David McLeod) • Florence, South Carolina
N.C. State at Missouri Kentucky Louisiana Tech at Texas A&M Arkansas ----at Tennessee Vanderbilt at Georgia Florida Wofford Clemson
Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 13 Oct. 14 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18 Nov. 25
Kent State Auburn at Louisville Boston College at Virginia Tech Wake Forest at Syracuse ----Georgia Tech at NC State Florida State The Citadel at USC
CLEMSON TIGERS
USC GAMECOCKS
2017 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
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