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magazine Publisher Tammy Clark tmclark225@gmail.com Editor Heather Page heather@vipmagsc.com Office Manager Tiffany Skipper jtskipp35@gmail.com Advertising Executives Julie C. Tyler juliectyler@yahoo.com Creative Design Tuesday Taylor Ashley Rogers Marketing Consultant Bethany Rau
Contributing Photographers Erin Daniel Rebecca Giese Phillip Guyton Fred Salley Bethany Rau Contributing Writers Mark W. Buyck, III Brianna Coker Cynthia Ford Rebecca Giese Vinod Jona, MD Farrah Hughes, MD John Russell Allie Segars Doug Smith Alicia White
Serving Florence, Hartsville, Darlington, Marion, Mullins, Lake City and the surrounding areas 2011-B Second Loop Rd, Florence, SC 29501 FIND US ON FACEBOOK
For advertising rates, call 843-687-4236.
COVER CONCEPT
School bells are ringing! It’s that time of year again where teachers and students are getting back into their daily grind. Vip reached out to a few educators to see what inspired their career choice and how the students motivate them nearly as much as they motivate the students. Jump to page 18 to begin learning from some local teachers what their day-today journey is like in the school system.
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CONTENTS
ISSUE 69
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AUGUST 2021 BUSINESS 10 Pepsi of Florence Celebrates 85 Years! 12 Mark W. Buyck II: The English Arrive 14 Sanders Cartoon Mascots 16 Tandem Axe Throwing 18 Q & A with Kim Nelson 20 Newsworthy 22 "Funny Things My Student's Say" 24 Lunchbox Prep 26 The Value Of A Teacher 28 Tips To Get Preschoolers Ready 30 Artist Spotlight: Krystal Fuentes 32 August 2021 Calendar 36 Around Town: Darien Rencher
LIFESTYLE 38 Book Review: The Turn Of The Key 40 National Farmers Market Week 42 Team Rubicon Receives Donation
18 HEALTH & WELLNESS 44 McLeod Health: Lung Care Center 46 HopeHealth: Dating While Living With Family 48 MUSC: A True Pain In The Pelvis
HOME 50 Doug Smith: Grilled Okra 52 Drink of the Month: Boston Sour
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Pepsi of Florence Celebrates 85 Years! Vip Magazine rounded up five Pepsi of Florence employees that are celebrating 35+ years with the comapny! They share what led them to this career and what's kept them happy for so many years.
Why did you seek a career with Pepsi? “I was talking to my brother, Allen, and he said it was a great company to work for so I went and applied.” What positions have you held? “I started in the bottling line, then moved to driving a transport truck, and now I work in shipping and receiving.”
HENRY MINGO
TOMMY MARCH
What do you love most about working at Pepsi? “I love how we’re all treated like family here.”
ZANDER RODGERS
Why Pepsi? “I had a cousin working with the company at the time I started with Pepsi. He told me that the company was hiring.”
Why Pepsi? “I was told by a friend (Rickey Poston) that there was an opening for a driver and I should go apply, so I did.”
What positions have you held? “I started as a spare man then became a route driver, then express and now I work in management.”
What positions have you held? “Sales, Production, MEM, Accounts Payable, Payroll, IT Manager, Office Manager (Accounting), and back to the IT department.”
“When I got this job, Mr. CS Baker said something to me that always stuck – ‘If you don’t like change then you are in the wrong business.'” What do you love most about working at Pepsi? “I like being able to sell a product I like and to interact with the public on a regular basis.”
What have been some memorable moments? “Being here for the 50th anniversary is a great memory! The TV commercials with Richard Petty and getting to know a lot of employees across the Carolina Canners family are great memories too.”
FAVORITE PEPSI PRODUCT
RONALD OWENS Why Pepsi? “Bobby Byrd, a Pepsi employee, told me about a route driver position that was open. I applied for the job and never looked back.” What positions have you held? “Route driver, I've worked in the advertising department, I've worked as a supervisor in the refurb department, I've worked with special events and as a service technician.” What have been some memorable moments with the company? “I was hired during the companies 50th anniversary. It’s neat to see us now celebrating 85 years.”
BRETT DRAYTON Why did you seek a career with Pepsi? “Pepsi had a job posting in the newspaper. My mom gave it to me and said ‘Get up and go apply!’” What positions have you held? “I’ve been a driver and salesman.” What have been some memorable moments? “Our Christmas parties are always a blast and create a lot of lasting memories!” What do you love most about working at Pepsi? “I like the daily challenges.” 10
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the English arrive story by Mark W. Buyck, III
In the last couple of months, we have described early Spanish and French attempted settlements in South Carolina. The first successful permanent settlement in South Carolina was the English settlement of Charles Towne in April 1670. Charleston would become the fourth largest city in the British North American colonies by the time of the Revolutionary War. The only larger cities were Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. The expedition to Carolina was financed by the eight (8) Lords Proprietors of Carolina. Three ships, their crew, and passengers set sail from England in August 1669. The Lords Proprietors held a charter from King Charles, II, granting them all the land south of Virginia into Spanish Florida and west to the Pacific Ocean. The expedition reached Barbados in October 1669 and spent several months there. Barbados was first settled by the British in 1627. It is the easternmost of the Caribbean Islands and British settlers found the island ideally situated for farming sugarcane. The plantation system with large numbers of African slaves was the predominate economic model. During the mid-17th century, the small island of Barbados had a larger population than the British settlements in New England and the Chesapeake Bay area. Its influence on the settlement of Charleston and the creation of the South Carolina colony remains evident today. 12
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a replica 17th-century trading vessel visitors can board and explore beneath the deck at Charles Towne Landing
The 200-ton Frigate Carolina was the only one of the three ships to make its way to the Carolina coast. The 93 passengers on board the Carolina sailed into Port Royal but deemed it too close to the Spanish permanently settled in St. Augustine. A friendly tribe of Kiawah Indians pointed them northward to an area they described as better suited for farming. The Carolina sailed into Charleston Harbor in April 1670, sailing past Oyster Point, the site of the Battery today, and headed slightly further inland on the Ashley River. The Carolina followed the Old Town Creek on the south side of the Ashley River as far as it could go. The new arrivals began erecting shelters and named their town Albemarle Point, after Duke Albemarle, one of the Lords Proprietors. Indentured servants outnumbered “Masters” by about two to one. The Indentured servants were typically white Englishmen bound to serve their owners for two to five years in return for passage to the new world. All free men in the colony were provided an initial allocation of 150 acres of land with an additional 100 acres for each indentured servant belonging to them. Upon service of the indentures, those free men were entitled to their own 150-acre plots.
While Santa Elena was ultimately abandoned, it cannot be said that the settlement was a failure.The town was occupied for most of 21 years. It can be considered a “sister city” to the more widely recognized St. Augustine. majestic alley of oaks that will take your breath away
The Lords Proprietors promoted emigration to the colony. By 1670, open land was scarce in Barbados, Bermuda, and other British colonial islands. The English custom at the time was that the first son would inherit his father’s real estate leaving the remaining sons to fend for themselves. Many of the early settlers of the Carolina colony were second, third, and fourth sons from the Caribbean colonies. The first settlers went straight to work. They established defensive fortifications and a militia system. They established a government relying mainly on John Locke’s Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina and created a legislature which they called the Grand Council. Spanish ships arrived by sea in August 1670 but were so impressed with the defenses of the settlement that they called off the planned attack. The Lords Proprietors, intending to curry favor with the King, insisted that the new settlement be named Charles Town instead of Albemarle Point. By 1672 the population of the colony was 268 men, 69 women, and 59 children. These figures however did not include the ever-growing slave population. South Carolina was the only English colony where slavery was established at the outset as a fundamental component of the colony’s economic system. The Barbadians were well versed in the plantation system and experienced with working large tracts of land with slave labor. The colony also adopted the Barbadian slave code. By 1674 the Barbadian emigrants had control of both houses of
the legislature. These men’s personal and business aspirations were often opposed to the wishes of the Lords Proprietors back in England. As emigrants began arriving, many crossed the Ashley River and began settling the peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. By 1679 there were 20 houses built in the Oyster Point area and another 20 under construction. In December 1969, the Lords Proprietors announced that “Oyster Point is … a more convenient place to build a towne on than that… pitched on by the first settlers” and that “the people’s inclinations tend thither.” Therefore, “Oyster Point is the place wee doe appoint for the port towne… which you are to call Charles Towne.” The government functions were immediately moved across the river and the original Albemarle Point settlement was eventually abandoned. It is now the Charles Town Landing State Historic Site https://southcarolinaparks. com/charles-towne-landing. By the end of the Revolutionary War, the name Charleston became the preferred version.
248 West Evans Street | Florence, SC | 843.662.3258 2050 Corporate Centre’ Drive, Suite 230 Myrtle Beach, SC | 843.650.6777
Business Law, Litigation, Real Estate, and Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys
Mark W. Buyck, III August 2021
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Sanders Cartoon mascots bringing joy & Fun to Your Child's Birthday Party! story by Alicia White, photography by Fred Salley You know that feeling you have when you’re meeting someone for the first time and there’s this huge sensation of knowing that God purposely placed them in your path? That for some bigger reason, He wanted you to shake hands and share a smile with this person. This is exactly how I felt when meeting Robin Sanders and six of her children, along with three sweet grandchildren. This family has learned how to use their blessings in a big way and share it with others to enjoy. By dressing up in character costumes, they are providing smiles to little boys and girls all across the Pee Dee. Originally from Mullins, South Carolina, Robin graduated from Mullins High School and attended Florence Darlington Technical College and Virginia Technical College. She’s currently working on a degree in Business Management to help further the success of her business - Sanders Cartoon Mascots. Robin is the proud mama of seven kids - Ericka, Devin, Davon, Stephen, Kabresha, Jamaal, and Jakira; all of which play a role in the family business. Robin has spent most of her life raising children. Now that some of her kids are adults, she’s also stepped into the role of grandmother. For years she has learned and relearned what it takes to bring a smile to a child’s face. One thing that never failed to brighten a smile was a child seeing a cartoon character in person! “In July of 2018, I ordered a Mickey mascot for my oldest granddaughter’s birthday party,” Robin explains. “She enjoyed Mickey being at her party so much that I had the idea to use Mickey at other parties for children.” Robin pitched the idea to her children and to her surprise, they all loved the idea of dressing up like cartoon characters to bring happiness to a child. “We
For more information on having Sanders Cartoon Mascots at your next birthday or event, contact Robin at (843) 496-1158 or robinsanders349@gmail.com. 14
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have been doing birthday parties ever since and my kids never get tired of doing them, which is the best thing.” When asked about a memorable mascot moment, Robin mentions a charity event she worked in Mullins. This was the character's first public appearance like this and the group felt like they were where they belonged. “The unity is what made this event so memorable. I felt a sense of placement, like running this business was my calling and it wasn’t just something that took me further from my purpose. It was my purpose.” Some of the character choices include Spiderman, Pink Panther, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Hello Kitty, CoComelon JJ, and of course no birthday is complete without an appearance by Mickey and Minnie Mouse! The Sander’s crew isn’t just going to show up and sign a few autographs, they are all about interacting with the kids! They dance and play games with the kids, too! In addition to cartoon mascots, Robin and her group can easily do the planning and decorating for the party to coincide with your choice in character. You let them know your needs and they'll take it from there. The next time your find yourself hitting a wall and running out of time to plan a party, consider calling this sweet family to provide everything you need. The Sanders will entertain your child and their guests while making you look like the super-parent you truly are!
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www.TANDEMAXE.com A born and raised Florence native has decided to give his hometown community and surrounding areas an exciting new business! Thomas Brown has always aspired to be a small business owner and build his own brand while having fun along the way. One night he dreamt about owning an axe-throwing business, but making it mobile rather than a brick and mortar location. After some deep thought and intense planning, Thomas and his wife, Janet, decided to open Tandem Mobile Axe Throwing and turn this dream into a reality! While starting the business was the easy part, the Browns found that the hardest part of it all was trying to come up with a name! They wanted a name that represented community and togetherness. After thinking long and hard, they came up with Tandem Mobile Axe Throwing. To begin, the two targets are set up on a tandem axle trailer. Thomas worked with Trail Maker Trailers in Johnsonville to design and build the frame. Once the foundation was in place, he finished 16
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THROW, LIVE, TOGETHER story and photography by Erin Daniel
the trailer himself by adding two targets side-by-side on a motorized, wooden board that can be lowered for transporting and raised when it’s time to use. Since two people are able to throw axes “in tandem”, they thought the final business name was rather appropriate. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been practicing social distancing, while in turn missing out on fun activities with friends and family. Thomas had one mission that he set out to accomplish when starting his business: to bring people back together in a fun way! He and his wife were able to do this successfully since the business operates in open-air space on the trailer! The next item of business to consider was everybody’s safety while having a good time. Prior to throwing, every thrower must have on closed-toe shoes and be at least 12 years of age with parents’ consent. The consent form is made easily accessible via a QR code on the back of the trailer that can be scanned and downloaded to your phone. Before stepping up on
"Tandem is about togetherness. COVID has been hard on us all. I envision Tandem being a mechanism to bring people together." -Thomas Brown (right)
the trailer, there is a list of rules that must be followed, one of the requirements being that you must have fun! Thomas will coach users on how to throw the axes overhanded and ensure that the axe sticks to the board once it makes contact with the target. He’s also built a metal fence around the top and sides of the trailer to make sure blades don’t ricochet or hurt anyone. Being that Tandem Mobile Axe Throwing can come to you, they make the perfect addition to any corporate event, party, family gathering and so much more! You can even hire them for gender reveals or bachelor/ bachelorette parties and weddings! An average game is ten throws per person and takes about five to seven minutes to complete. They’ve also created points within the target where you have the opportunity to score more points on certain throws, which definitely adds to the competition! You may be wondering how other guests at your gathering remain occupied while waiting their turn to throw. The Browns have everybody covered, including those who may not feel comfortable throwing axes. Included in your rental are cornhole boards and a giant Jenga game. They even have a smaller target they can set up with foam axes for younger attendees! There is a two-hour minimum rental time and they currently serve the 35-mile radius surrounding Florence but are willing to travel for special events. Tandem has only been in service for about a month now, but they’ve stayed busy
each weekend with new events. Thomas says he has big dreams for growing the business! Ideas include the addition of lights and music on the trailer so that you can continue to throw even after the sun goes down! He wants to encourage anybody who may be interested in customizing their experience by adding their brand’s logo or name to their board, to reach out with any ideas! Future ideas also include holiday-themed target boards, such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day. What’s more romantic than some friendly competition between you and your Valentine? It’s also the perfect game to add to your college rival football parties! The future of Tandem Mobile Axe Throwing is exciting! This business is such a great concept and will be widely received by our community! If you are interested in booking them for your next unforgettable party or event, you can contact them via the website: tandemaxe.com. Tandem Mobile Axe Throwing can support your event and cater to your specific needs any day or time. They can best serve you when contacted at least 48 hours before your planned event and they look forward to working with you!
TANDEMAXE@GMAIL.COM | (843) 919.0111 August 2020
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Kim Nelson
is a longtime local law enforcement officer that was named Coordinator of Safety and Emergency Management for Darlington County School District this past January. Kim easily transitioned the experience she gained over the years to this new and exciting position. Vip met with Kim to discover more about her day-to-day routine.
Kimberly Nelson is married to James Nelson Sr. They have two sons, James Jr. and Nicholas. They also have two granddaughters, Kemoni and Jersey. Kim grew up in Dillon, South Carolina. She is the daughter of Frances Roberts and the late Joseph Lee Roberts. Kim also serves as the youth pastor at Nazareth Apostolic Church in Hartsville, South Carolina.
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q & a with
Kim Nelson
VIP: Tell us about yourself. KIM: “I have spent more than 21 years in law enforcement, all at Darlington Police Department (DPD). I have had the pleasure of wearing many hats at the DPD. I still serve as a part-time victim’s advocate and community relations contact. “I hold an Associate of Arts in criminal justice from Florence-Darlington Technical College, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Coker College, a Master of Arts in management and leadership from Webster University, and a Criminal Justice Post-Master’s Certificate from Northcentral University. I am also pursuing my Doctorate in Criminal Justice.”
VIP: Your personality is magnetic; I’m sure many of the students you interact with gravitate to you and possibly your profession as a career choice because of your positive outreach. Do you see yourself as a role model to these students?
KIM: “Over the years as a law enforcement officer, I have worked with many parents in finding resources for their children. I feel confident that my new role at the district will allow me to have more resources to help more children and parents. DCSD embraces me as an added tool to help protect, nurture and grow the best students around.”
VIP: Can you share a memorable moment with VIP:
What are your day-to-day duties?
KIM: "I am currently the Coordinator of
DCSD?
KIM: “Our district recently launched a district
Safety and Emergency Management for the Darlington County School District (DCSD). My primary responsibilities are to coordinate safety and security measures throughout the school district. I also get the opportunity to strengthen the bonds between the school district, law enforcement, and the community by serving and protecting.”
and community-wide initiative called, ‘The Orange Frog.’ This program gives us the tools and instructions for ‘Choosing Happiness' and coming together as one big team. Anyone can take a bad situation and make it worse but it takes guts to be the person who steps in and makes things a little better. I was challenged by the program to be that person.”
VIP: What do you enjoy most about your
VIP: How do you keep calm in potentially high-
position?
KIM: “What I enjoy most about this job is that I get the opportunity to interact with some amazing young people and that I have the opportunity to share my experiences with them as they develop into world changers. I also enjoy the fact that I get to tap into a wealth of knowledge that is held by so many that work for the DCSD.”
energy situations?
KIM: "My experiences have impressed upon me that someone has to remain calm in unpredictable situations. Most times a little calmness and discussion can solve an issue. I have learned to get the facts first, take a breath and then make the move forward."
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NEWSWORTHY NEWSWORTHY
Something to Celebrate... Amazing Grace Park, The Clementa Pinckney Memorial Announces Stephanie Rizzo As Park Manager Amazing Grace Park, The Clementa Pinckney Memorial is proud to announce and welcome Stephanie Rizzo as Park Manager. Rizzo will oversee day-to-day park activities, rental opportunities, park partnerships, events and general management responsibilities. Stephanie joins the park team from Historic Marion Revitalization Association (HMRA), where she served as Executive Director for 3.5 years. During her successful tenure at Rizzo HMRA, she directed the revitalization effort of downtown Marion, South Carolina. Prior to HMRA, Stephanie was an educator in South Carolina, North Carolina and South Korea. Rizzo’s responsibilities at Amazing Grace Park include creating, promoting and executing ongoing park activities, managing park rentals, coordinating partner initiatives and affiliate programs and leading efforts to collaborate with local communities and state leaders. Having worked on downtown development for the past few years, Rizzo regularly seeks impactful opportunities, which is exactly what Amazing Grace Park represents. The Park offers an opportunity to honor the life and legacy of the late Reverend Senator Clementa Pinckney, while also uniting the communities of Marion County and beyond. The Park will provide an uplifting experience for everyone from our youngest learners on educational field trips to our business leaders looking for an outdoor space to our retirees looking for a peaceful retreat. “I am truly humbled and honored to take on the lead role of park manager for the Amazing Grace Park, The Clementa Pinkney Memorial,” said Rizzo. “I knew from the moment I learned of park plans years ago that this would be something special, for both Marion County and The Pinckney Family. We are looking forward, not only to next month or next year, but to building something grand, that will keep visitors coming back for years to come. Keep a watchful eye on Amazing Grace Park; AMAZING things are on the horizon!” South Carolina State Senator Kent Williams said, “We are fortunate to have found someone with Ms. Rizzo’s background and proven expertise. I feel confident that she will be a valuable asset as we all work together, united by the Park’s important message. From building local support and multi-generational use of the park facilities, to attracting visitors from around the state and the country, we stand together and will succeed together.”
The Rotary Club of Florence Donates $16,500 in Grants to 9 Local Non-profit Agencies The non-profits that received grants include All 4 Autism, Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, Empowered to Heal, Harvest Hope Food Bank, McLeod Health Foundation, Pee Dee Coalition, the School Foundation, United Way of Florence and Youth Mentors of the Pee Dee. “In a year that presented many challenges for most every business across the nation, it’s refreshing that our Rotary club was in a position to provide much needed funds to true partners of our Florence community. The entities chosen this year will do great things to help bridge some of the gaps of service and goods disrupted by Covid-19. We should all be thankful Florence has so many non-profit organizations that devote their time and resources to help others in need,” said Derek Hemmingsen, the Past-President of the Rotary Club of Florence. The Rotary Club of Florence meets weekly on Mondays at Victors at 1:00 PM. For more information or to visit the club, please contact Ashley Christenbury at 803-968-1585.
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Echols
Les Echols Joins South Carolina Commission for Minority Affair's Les Echols of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce has joined business leaders from across South Carolina as a member of the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs’ Small and Minority Business Advisory Council. The primary focus of this new committee will be to help identify best business practices and recommend industry leading feedback that enhances and promotes economic growth throughout the state. The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs was created in 1993 by the South Carolina General Assembly to provide the citizenry of the state with a single point of contact for information regarding the State’s minority population. The mission of the Commission for Minority Affairs is to be a catalyst that identifies and examines emerging issues and trends by providing constructive solutions and approaches to support the policy and socio-economic development of ethnic minority communities. The committee is built of individuals with diverse experience and expertise that will actively contribute to a collaborative effort and partner to assist small and minority businesses.
If you are celebrating a positive achievement or have been awarded for a newsworthy accomplishment, email Heather Page at heather@vipmagsc.com.
Eastern Carolina Community Foundation Supports Pee Dee students with $16,500 in Scholarship Awards The foundation proudly awarded scholarships ranging from $500-$5,000 to thirteen deserving Pee Dee area students. These awards were made possible by generous donors. Eight different scholarship funds held at the foundation had recipients in 2021. Scholarship donors believe in the importance of investing in education and supporting the goals of young students. When donors turn this belief into scholarship funding which is professionally administered by ECCF, the entire Pee Dee region benefits. Scholarship funds are endowed in perpetuity meaning they will be available to support students now and in the future. Early each year there is a scholarship application period open to many students in the region. Applications are reviewed by scholarship selection committees. After selections are made and students are recognized, scholarship awards are paid directly to the educational institutions. Scholarships play a significant role in helping ECCF achieve its mission to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves.
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For more information, call 843-667-1131 to learn how the community foundation can help you establish a scholarship.
August 2021
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LIFESTYLE
THESE LOCAL TEACHERS SHARE
"Funny Things My Students Have Said." “This is probably the most public appropriate experience I can share: During my first year teaching, I saw one of my kids at the fair and he yelled, ‘Ms. Young!’ I turned around and gave him a hug and said, 'hello.' He responded with, ‘What are you doing here?! Teachers can’t leave school, they live there!’” -Ashton Young, 1st Grade Teacher, Royall Elementary
Kids say the darnedest things...
"One Monday during our class morning meeting, we shared about what we did over the weekend. I started the conversation by sharing my past weekend happenings..." Me: “I took my girls to Carowinds this past weekend with my sisters and niece. It was okay. I mainly walked around and munched on snacks, because I’m not really a theme park person.” Student: Raises hand and seriously asks, “Why not? Is it because you’re not tall enough to ride the rides?”
"This past year, we were learning about the pilgrims and Indians – how they dressed, what they wore, ate, etc. I showed them several videos and one student said, 'Wow, Mrs. Lewis, you did a great job with these videos. How long did you live with them? What did you use to video this, a camera or a phone – or did they have something different way back then?'" -Melanie Lewis, 2nd Grade Teacher, J.L Cain Elementary School
Me: 4’11 me stands there, mouth agape, as the rest of the class bursts into laughter. I decide to do the next best thing and join them in laughing as well. Student: Still serious faced waiting on my response. -Chimere McRae, 4th Grade Teacher, Lucy T. Davis Elementary
"Mrs. Hancock, your eyebrows look like an Angry Bird.” -Brandy Hancock, 1st Grade Teacher, Lake City Early Childhood Center of the Arts
"A first grade student once said to me, 'The mashed potatoes at school tasted like flamingo poop.' Another first grade student once said told me, 'My teacher is a stinky dump truck.'" -Lyn Sullivan, 1st Grade Teacher, Lake City Early Childhood Center of the Arts
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VIP Magazine wishes all students & teachers a safe and happy 2021-2022 school year!
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Creative Ideas for Packed Lunches Kids Will Actually Eat
LUNCHBOX PRep story by Allie Segars
Is it already time to go back to school? As we all plan, organize, and gather the necessities to begin a successful new school year, I thought I’d share some creative yet healthy lunchbox ideas that your child will love. As a teacher, I cringe watching a child throw away so much food come lunchtime. When I ask them about it they say, “I don’t like that.” Bless the mom that woke up early that morning to put a lunch box together as well as the child that goes home and raids the pantry due to being hungry.
Fillers
Prep it
bonus
Just like you would meal prep your meals for the week, go ahead and gather your child’s lunchbox items and place them in bins. This is a wonderful way to allow your child to have choices and teach them organization. Now I’m sure they will choose junk food like Little Debbies, but direct them to the healthy food groups that will keep them full, energized, and focused. With their help, this will become less of a chore and more bonding time together. Plus, it’s a great way to teach them how to stay healthy at an early age. As we know, grocery shopping can get expensive especially when shopping healthy. All the more reason to not let your food get wasted. Portion cups are amazing! You can buy reusable cupcake/muffin molds or the reusable ziploc bags. You may want to heavily emphasize to your child to not throw these away or else it defeats the purpose of being reused.
No lunch is complete without a little note from mom or dad. This past year, several students stashed a year's worth of lunchbox notes in their pencil pouch. Believe it or not, this type of affirmation starts at an early age. I remember the joy that I felt when my mom tucked a note that said, “I love you” in my lunch box when I was in school. It was just what I needed to get through a tough day.
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So what goes inside? Pinterest has so many ideas for picky eaters and children with food allergies. Being a teacher, I need my little firsties to be full, energized, and focused. So fruits, veggies, and meats and cheese are the must-haves. Hummus, ranch, or peanut butter make veggies more appetizing. Honestly, the options are endless. If time is your friend, you can even make it fun by making smiley faces and fun shapes.
Guess what? You are not a bad mom if you stick to a sandwich and chips in a brown lunch bag. No one knows your schedule like you do, and your child is still going to believe that you hung the moon. Good luck blasting off to a new school year! It’s a fresh start with so many adventures awaiting!
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story by Cynthia Ford
the Value of a Teacher Summer break is over, and it is time to roll up your sleeves and get back to work. Many teachers have thought of the perfect setup for their classrooms, are aware of which students are scheduled to be in their classes, and are mentally prepared to put their skill of teaching to work. Teaching is indeed an art and teachers are truly unsung heroes. If I had to paint a description of what teaching is, I would paint a rod, an ear, eyes, unmolded clay, and a calculator. The rod would represent teachers leading students while providing them with valuable knowledge that can never be taken away. The ears represent teachers listening to the spoken and unspoken words of students. The eyes represent the fact that teachers must be cognizant of what is going on around them while still teaching lessons based on the requirements of the school and the state. The unmolded clay represents each student that is being molded by the teacher. The calculator represents the fact that teachers are often viewed as problem solvers. A famous quote that is often repeated is “A beggar and a billionaire both have 24 hours in a day.” What you do with that time is what makes the difference. You can spend time or invest time. Throughout the year, teachers invest their time in students, knowing that there will be a return. The return is the students applying the knowledge and skills they were taught by teachers.
Teachers are tasked with protecting students from danger, teaching the student, and resolving issues presented by the student. Teachers must consider the student who is doing well and craves a pat on the back for their accomplishments; the student who cannot stay awake in class because they did not rest well at home; seeing the potential in the student who does not believe they are enough; the student who looks forward to lunch being their best meal of the day; the student with the silent scream who is dying to reveal a life-changing secret; wondering about the student who is truant; and the competitive student who clings to their every word in an attempt to earn the highest grades. With so many different students in mind, the teacher must keep a straight face while creatively presenting a lesson to a classroom of various personalities. Another talent that teachers have is the ability to pivot like a pro. Teachers prepare polished lesson plans and lay out perfect scenarios for students to learn. They make adjustments for students who need additional help, visual learners, auditory learners, and kinesthetic learners. However, they can never predict when an emergency or natural disaster may occur. A perfect example is the COVID-19 Pandemic that occurred in 2020. School districts scrambled to ensure they offered the best format to accommodate all students while ensuring the safety of everyone remained a top priority. Teachers are indeed artists in their own way and unsung heroes. Many say that teachers are the foundation of a society or even a nation. If you look at all jobs, trades, or careers, there is a similarity in their origin. Everyone had to be educated at some point in their lives. Even the teacher had to be taught. John Cotton Dana quoted “Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.” Educators are always learning in order to improve personally and professionally.
To all educators, keep doing the great work that you are doing. You are a valuable asset in this world. Your passion and pivot are not in vain. You have not only spent time but invested time into many lives. Because of your dedication to hundreds of students each year, your name alone will outlive you. It is true that we remember our best teachers and our worst teachers too. In the words of Mya Angelou, ”Your legacy is every life that you have touched. Your legacy is every person you have met whose influence is felt by you.” Start this school year off by remembering why you became an educator, choosing to invest your time wisely, and being committed to leaving a great legacy. -Cynthia
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LIFESTYLE
Top Tips to Get Preschoolers Ready For The First Day Of School! story by Rebecca Giese The first day of school is a day full of excitement and nerves before the student and the parents, especially for the first day of preschool. We asked a preschool expert to give us the best tips to prep for the new school year. Amber Potthoff is a 4k preschool teacher at Plainview Elementary School of Chesterfield County, South Carolina. She is heading into her third year as a preschool teacher and her ninth year of teaching. Amber initially taught Gifted and Talented students in grades third through sixth. She then began teaching third grade before moving to a preschool setting. Amber says, "I have loved every second of each year, but these preschool years have been extra special." Mentioning her favorite part of teaching preschool, "My favorite part of being a preschool teacher is all the love and joy each child brings into the room. No matter what is going on in the classroom, someone is always coming up to hug me, tell me they love me, or give me something they have made. It is so special to see their smiling faces each day. I also love building relationships with both my students and their families. There is just something so special about sharing the experience of the first year of school with each of them."
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Mrs. Potthoff's Tips For A Successful First Day of Preschool! 1 Talk to your child about school and what it will be like. The more exciting you make it sound, the more excited your child will be! 2 Show your child pictures of the school and classroom or visit the school, if possible. 3 Reach out to your child's teacher to see if they would be willing to talk to your child before the first day of school. Share pictures of the teacher with your child. 4 Tell your child they will make new friends and may even see some friends they already have. 5 Read together daily! 6 Emphasize that school is only a part of the day, and you will be eagerly waiting at home to hear all about their adventures as soon as the school day is over! 7 Build a relationship with your child's teacher from day one!
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ROYALL ELEMENTARY ART TEACHER
Krystal Fuentes
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
"I have to remind students often to allow yourself time to master something new."
How did you discover your interest in art? "I fell in love with art my kindergarten year with Kim Ryan at Greenwood Elementary School. She had a way of telling stories about artists that made the artwork come to life and she made sure we had a creative space that was our own. I remember when she told us the story about Vincent van Gogh when he cut off his ear. I was truly fascinated that someone who struggled with life still had a way to express themselves. This was an empowering moment to realize I could express myself no matter what at an early age. So, I would like to give a special thanks to my friend Kim!" 30
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Interview & photo by Bethany Rau
Were any of your family members artists? "Growing up, my mother was always making jewelry! The most fun was when she started nursing school and I had access to all of her highlighters, pens, and pencils. I always gravitated to the office supply section of any store rather than playing with toys or dolls."
Tell us about your college days.
"It was my Freshman year at College of Charleston that I enrolled in my first formal painting class. I then took every drawing, and sculpture class I could. I transferred to Francis Marion University and majored in Art Education. During my teaching career, I completed my Master’s Degree in Technology in Education at Lesley University."
How long have you been teaching?
"This coming school year will begin year 17 for me. I began my teaching career in 2003 at Lake City High School. I was there for nine years and then transferred back home to Florence and began teaching at Savannah Grove Elementary for five years. I am now beginning my third year at Royall Elementary School. I love my Royall family and appreciate the support of our principal Julie Smith; I am very thankful for the opportunity to work at Royall. I am also involved in the Florence County Museum Summer Art Camps."
What are some fun facts about yourself?
"I love to take on new projects. I do not like being bored and I love my sleep!! I know this will be surprising to some, but I have learned a new hobby of cooking! During the pandemic, I realized that I do like to cook! I also love to travel."
What is your favorite art medium?
"My favorite art medium is acrylic paint. I love painting on canvas. I also really like ceramics because usually this is the students’ favorite medium."
What are some challenges you face when teaching students to express themselves through art?
"Some challenges of teaching children how to express themselves is fostering patience in the process of any art medium. We live in a world where everything we do is instant and entertaining, so teaching students to be introspective and confident in personal decisions about their artwork and that it’s normal to make mistakes is a constant struggle. I have to remind students often to allow yourself time to master something new. Sometimes things you do take a little extra time and you have to trust yourself and not give up! You may surprise yourself in creating something new you love! Students need emotional expression and experimentation especially in a time when we have just experienced a new way of life."
What artist inpires you? "I have so many! I think the most inspirational artists are those who give a voice to those who otherwise would not have one and the artists you have a connection with who give you strength, courage to follow your dreams, and to be yourself are the most important. My favorite artists are not only painters and sculptors. I love musicians, writers, and those people who are here to make the world a better place through their artistic courage and creativity."
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AUGUST 2021 CALENDAR of EVENTS sunday
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monday
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TAX-FREE HOLIDAY
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Florence 1 Schools begin
Sisters Day
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World Honey Bee Day
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Roller Coaster Day
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South Carolina Day
Vinyl Record Day
Son’s and Daughter’s Day
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Potato Day
Pinot Noir Day
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Waffle Day
IPA Day
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Charcuterie Workshop, Sip Co. Wine, Lake City
Ride The Wind Day
Beach Day
Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
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Lemon Juice Day
S’mores Day
thursday
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Tooth Fairy Day
Harlem Globetrotters World Tour Florence Center 7p
Book Lovers Day
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wednesday
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CBD Day
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tuesday
Kiss and Make Up Day
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Dental Access Days (26-28) Florence Center
Send in your events to heather@vipmagsc.com! friday
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TAX-FREE HOLIDAY
saturday
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TAX-FREE HOLIDAY
FLT Volunteer Fair, Florence Little Theatre
End of Summer Fest featuring Painted Man, Downtown Florence 5:30p
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Learn to Cast Resin Moulds, Two Girls Treasures, PD State Farmers Market
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Trivia + Tacos, Sip Co. Wine, Lake City
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Pee Dee Doll Club’s Doll & Toy Show and Sale, SiMT @ FDTC
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Radio Day
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Rotary Club of Florence Forget Me Not 5K, James Allen Plaza
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Florence After 5 featuring Cat 5 Band, Downtown Florence 10th Annual Grateful Dog Festival, Sugar Magnolia Ranch
Beekeeper Certification, Moore Farms, Lake City
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AROUND TOWN: DARIEN RENCHER LUNCHEON
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On July 14th, Darien Rencher, a Clemson University football running back, spoke to a room full of spectators during a Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce event. Attendees were captivated as Darien shared his college football experiences and his ability to stay focused on the positivity that surrounds him. Darien is the recipient of several awards including the Disney Spirit Award for his efforts to save the 2020 college football season. Event sponsors include: Stingray Boat Company, Justin Evans for Mayor of Hartsville, North Industrial Machine, Carolina Pines, Duke Energy, Sonoco, SPC Credit Union, Driggers Law Firm, Elsesser Custom Cabinetry, Fiber Industries LLC, Hogge Precision Parts Co., SugaRush, 5 and The Byerly Foundation.
photos by Sonya Teal, Something to Remember Photo + Cinema
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BOOK REVIEW series by Bethany Rau
Brianna Coker
For the first addition of our Book Review series, I sat down with Brianna Coker, a 24 year old high school English teacher at East Clarendon Middle and High School, at Bean Bar to discuss the book, The Turn of the Key. Brianna is drinking a cherry fizz as recommended by the barista. -Bethany Rau "In Ruth Ware’s novel, The Turn of the Key, the reader follows the journey of a new nanny in a “smart” house. The narrator, Rowan, gives the audience details of her numerous spooks in a house full of cameras, a poisonous garden, and a hidden attic. Rowan experiences constant discontentment and the gnawing feeling that she’s being watched at every twist and turn. As she uncovers the history of this house, she begins to understand why every previous nanny has fled the scene. Her nightmares soon become a reality when an unexplainable incident gets her into deep, murky waters with the law. Rowan uses the pages to describe what happened from her own perspective. I personally am a huge fan of thriller and mystery books. This one was a page turner for sure. Many times, I found myself on the edge of my seat searching for an explanation. The feeling that the narrator had of being “watched” spooked me and left me checking the halls of my own home. If you are looking for an easy read that works your detective muscles, I think this book would be a wonderful read. I love Ware’s ability to take a story and completely turn it on it’s head within just a few pages. The novel definitely left me wanting more!" -Brianna Coker
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'Cherry Fizz', a Bean Bar of Florence speciality drink
LIFESTYLE
National Farmers Market Week AUGUST 1ST-7TH Did you know National Farmers Market week is August 1st through August 7th? August is the perfect month to brighten your tastebuds with all of the summer produce. The City Center Farmers Market on Sanborn Street in Florence is eager to connect farmers with locals. While they’re open every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm and every Tuesday from 4 pm to 7 pm, the vendors at the City Center Farmers Market are particularly excited to show off their products and produce during this nationally recognized week. CITY CENTER FARMERS MARKET 200 SANBORN ST, FLORENCE
Tuesday Evening Vendors during National Farmers Market Week Milliken Farm Maypop Farm Phil's Bicycle World FloWriters Plant Empowered Florence Rainbow Sales & Service Aroha Afro Latin Dance Gladys Nesmith Bella Home Care DHEC Snap-Education Program Holistic Health Coach
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SC Thrive Blood Connection The Griddle Box Welvista Vivid Knack Hobby Farmers The Doe Mercantile The Healing Arts Exchange
photography by Phillip Guyton
Saturday Vendors during National Farmers Market Week Carolina Donut Diva Hurst Farms Sea Moss Legacy Juice Little Women Gifts + Talents Little Latin Kitchen Sophronia's Farm Polly's Potted Plants Crafty Maibritt Sissys Boutique
Scented Hug Ellerbe vegetable farms Ronnie's Farm Fresh Eggs Breads & Threads, LLC Maypop Farm Rhodes Farm Altman Farms Sweet Briar Farms Dry Creek Group Milliken Farms Brooklyn South Deli LLC
Silver Lake Forge and Farm Sew Unique Sweet Caroline's Gramps Great Grubs Doug Smith Downcountry Gril Ellerbe Grill Pepper Patch Glorias Country Canning Sew Adorable Cheesecake Paradise
LIFESTYLE
Pepsi of Florence + Walmart Present a $2,000 Check to Team Rubicon story by Alicia White We believe that what defines the success of a business doesn’t only revolve around their product and services but also what they do to serve their community. The community partnership provided by Pepsi of Florence is easily recognized throughout the Pee Dee. While their talents can be tasted in the delicious and diverse beverages they deliver to businesses, schools, individuals, and everywhere in between, their willingness to donate time, services, and products to those in need is observed by many. Most recently Pepsi of Florence partnered with Walmart (630) on Beltline Drive to offer proceeds to Team Rubicon. Jack Grandey, Team Rubicon Area Administrator, attended the check presentation where they received $2,000 to help with their outreach. Team Rubicon is an international non-profit disaster response organization that unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy disaster response teams, free of charge, to communities affected by disasters. Grandey further explains the organization, “Our local geographic area encompasses both North and South Carolina. Florence is in the Carolinas region with local leadership in the Charleston Metro. Our S.C. members, known as Greyshirts, live throughout the state and are deployed directly to where they may be needed.” The money raised by the joint project of Pepsi of Florence and Walmart on Beltline Drive will help with the organization's ongoing operations. “As a 501(c)(3) not-forprofit enterprise, we depend upon private, local community, and corporate donations to conduct our disaster response services,” Grandey states. “We do not charge homeowners or communities for chainsaw operations, muck-outs, hazard mitigation, expedient home repairs, yard and street clearing, or any of our disaster response services.”
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Ramona Pressley, Walmart on Beltline Drive Market Manager, is passionate about giving back to the community. “We appreciate the support that Rubicon gives and wanted to participate in helping them continue to do the work they do,” she said. With the help of promotional signage supplied by Pepsi of Florence, Walmart customers were encouraged to purchase Mountain Dew products knowing that proceeds would benefit Team Rubicon. Pressley continued, “Giving back to the community is the best part of what we have the opportunity to do. We love our communities and enjoy any type of volunteer events or grants that we are able to take part in.”
Team Rubicon is primarily comprised of veterans who make up 70% of their volunteer membership. “Team Rubicon exists to give veterans the opportunity to continue to serve, following their active duty, alongside civilians and active-duty personnel. Funding supports our operations,” says Grandey.
If your business is looking to learn more about the operations of Team Rubicon and how you can help support its mission, Grandey will be happy to assist. Email Grandey at jack.grandey@teamrubiconusa.org or feel free to visit their website, www.teamrubiconusa.org.
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For more information on the McLeod Lung Cancer Screening Program, please call (843) 777-5953. To contact the McLeod Lung Nodule Clinic, please call (843) 777-7878.
HEALTH + WELLNESS
Placing the Patient at the Center of
LUNG CANCER CARE story by Vinod Jona, MD, McLeod Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates
above photo: McLeod Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Wayne Holley aligns the robotic camera to obtain 3D visualization for lung cancer surgery.
N
early seven years ago, McLeod Health made the decision to establish a Lung Cancer Screening Program to detect lung cancer earlier and save lives through the use of low-dose lung CT scans. Since then, we have expanded our program to include three dedicated nurse navigators, roboticassisted thoracic oncology surgery, molecular targeted therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy. Recently, we established the McLeod Lung Nodule Clinic to evaluate and monitor those patients who have been screened for lung cancer and a pulmonary nodule was detected or those who had a nodule found
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incidentally as a result of a lung CT scan after a car accident, pneumonia or injury. This clinic enables us to determine the patient’s risk of developing lung cancer and ensure they receive high quality care and follow the evidence-based guidelines. Once pulmonary nodules are discovered, the patients are referred for specialty care. Our main goal of developing the lung nodule clinic was to improve the quality of care with minimal resources and to create a model that could be spread across our McLeod Health system. In addtion, the lung nodule clinic is designed to improve access, efficiency, effectiveness and cost of care.
Hallmarks of the McLeod Lung Nodule Program include:
• • • • • • •
Prompt scheduling of initial visit On-site Radiologist with same day interpretation Timely assessment, diagnosis and recommendations Management of follow-up visits Coordination of care with multiple specialists Ongoing communication with referring physicians Patient education
Each of our patients receive complete testing and consultation with a physician to determine the best course of action for them, all in one visit. This simplifies things for our patients while maximizing early detection of disease and minimizing unnecessary medical or surgical procedures. Any lung nodule patient who is referred to our program is first evaluated by the Lung Nodule Clinic Nurse Navigator Ainsleigh Brown who reviews their history and CT scans. Their initial evaluation in the Lung Nodule Clinic also includes:
• Assessment by a Nurse Navigator • Examination by a Pulmonologist (lung specialist) • Diagnostic imaging if required along with a breathing test • Development of a plan for follow-up or treatment In addition to Brown, our patients also have access to two other specially trained nurse navigators: Beth Epps, our Lung Cancer Nurse Navigator and Amy Perugini, our Lung Cancer Screening Navigator. These three McLeod Nurse Navigators guide patients through the often complicated process of their medical care from initial screening and detection, to diagnosis and treatment, and on through to recovery and rehabilitation. At the center of any cancer program is the patient. Understanding that decisions are best made when the patient and family are involved, we now offer multidisciplinary rounds which include the patient. As part of her role, Brown brings the patient’s medical information to the lung multidisciplinary rounds and the patient is encouraged to attend through a virtual platform. We invite our lung nodule patients to participate in the multi-disciplinary rounds so they can receive guidance not only from a pulmonologist and nurse practitioner but also a radiologist, thoracic surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist before they may ever be diagnosed with lung cancer.
This team of cancer care specialists (pulmonologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, thoracic surgeons, medical internists, pharmacists, pathologists, and others) meet every other week at McLeod with the lung nodule patients who could potentially have cancer to design an individualized treatment plan to meet their particular medical needs. During the meeting, physicians review the pertinent history, imaging scans, diagnostic studies, and pathology, and develop a plan appropriate for the patient. The patient benefits by having easy access to all of these experts at one time as well as the opportunity to ask questions. This close communication enhances the patient’s care and the management of their disease. The patient remains at the center of what we do, and this team mindset gives us an opportunity to deliver the most advanced, effective treatment available to patients diagnosed with lung cancer. To further ensure the best outcomes for lung cancer patients in the region, McLeod offers the latest technology and advancements to treat this disease which includes: • Advanced Bronchoscopy. Endobronchial Ultrasound Bronchoscopy or EBUS, a minimally invasive means to see beyond the bronchial wall to diseased tissue, lymph nodes, or lesions outside of the bronchial airway as well as Navigational Bronchoscopy for difficult to reach lesions. • Robotic surgical procedures. This allows the patient to have a faster recovery with less pain and return to work and their daily lives sooner than if they would have undergone a thoracotomy. • Molecular Targeted Therapy, a procedure designed to treat cancer by interrupting unique molecular markers or abnormalities that drive cancer growth. This type of targeted therapy deploys drugs that interfere with specific biochemical pathways that lead to the growth and spread of certain kinds of cancer. • Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for the treatment of lung cancer in the medically-inoperable patient. The advantages of SBRT are high-dose delivery, reduced treatment time, minimal radiation exposure, and decreased adverse effects.
Dr. Vinod K. Jona joined the medical staff of McLeod Health in 2001 and has been instrumental in the expansion of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine programs. Dr. Jona currently serves as Chief of Medical Staff for McLeod Regional Medical Center. Additionally, Dr. Jona is Co-Chair of the McLeod Healthy Lungs Initiative Program. As a physician with multiple board certifications, Dr. Jona provides care and treatment to patients with lung conditions including COPD, asthma, lung cancer, interstitial lung disease, shortness of breath and cough as well as patients with sleep apnea, insomnia and narcolepsy. He cares for patients at McLeod Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates.
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HEALTH ++ WELLNESS WELLNESS HEALTH
360 NORTH IRBY ST. FLORENCE 843.667.9414 | HOPE-HEALTH.ORG
Farrah Hughes, PhD
Farrah Hughes, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and serves as the director of Behavioral Health Services at HopeHealth. She is happily married to her best friend of more than 20 years and together they have two children. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, and the Society for Couple and Family Psychology.
DATING While Living with Family For seniors:
Are you living with your adult kids? Or have they moved back in with you? If so, you’re not alone. In 2018, the Pew Research Center estimated more than a third of the U.S. adult population lives in a shared household. What’s more, about 14 percent of these adults are a parent of the household head; that is, they live with an adult child. Seniors who live with family members experience many benefits, such as spending extra time with grandchildren, gaining access to helpful family members who can assist when needed, and having a built-in antidote for loneliness. The flip side of this closeness, however, are potentially sensitive issues, such as how and where to spend time with guests or go on dates. Of course, seniors value their independence and their privacy, so it can be frustrating to have the additional consideration of at-home family when planning a date. Here are some tips for seniors – and their family members – to make the experience a little bit easier.
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• Be clear about your feelings and needs. If you feel like your privacy is not being valued, or you are interrogated every time you go out, start a conversation with your family members. They may have legitimate concerns that can be addressed in a more supportive way, or they may not know what you are thinking and feeling. For example, “I really like spending time with John, but I worry that you might not trust my instincts. How can I tell you what you need to know so you don’t feel like you need to ask so many questions each time I go out?” • Communicate openly. Avoid making assumptions about what others in the household are thinking or feeling. For example, you might assume that they don’t want you to bring a date around, when in fact they would be happy for you to do so. Say, “I understand the cookout you’re planning for this weekend is for family. I wonder how you would feel about me inviting Sarah.” • Share your general schedule and plans. Let your household partners know the who, what, where, and when. For safety, it is important others know about your plans – not so they can parent or micro-manage your life, but so they can know when to expect you to return home and be prepared in case you need assistance.
For family members: • Be concerned but avoid being parental. Your senior family member is not as naïve as you might think. If they date someone with health problems, you may become concerned that they will end up caring for another aging adult. Express concern by asking questions such as, “Where do you see the relationship going?” or, “What are you hoping for in this relationship?” rather than assuming they don’t know what is at stake. • They may need help avoiding scams. Though they have much wisdom and are not generally gullible, today’s scams are very deceiving. It is important to help them spot a scam, particularly if your senior family member is meeting people online or via dating apps. Scammers can create very believable scenarios in which they need financial help, and then they lure seniors into sending money. You could address this by saying, “oh, look at these dating profiles. I would love to hear about the people you are chatting with online.” • Be supportive and nurturing. Remember, it’s important for your loved one to live a vibrant and healthy life to the extent possible. Relationships and time spent with others are important, not just for emotional health, but also for physical health. Support their social endeavors and nurture their interest as much as you can. Ask, “what can we do to help you live the way you would like to in this chapter of your life?”
If you could use some help communicating with your family members about important issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted family friend, a pastor, or a behavioral health professional. Counselors (LPC), clinical social workers (LISWCP), psychologists (LP), and marriage and family therapists (LMFT) are available to help with difficult conversations in a healthy way and to improve your relationships. Augusst 2021
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HOME + WELLNESS HEALTH
Erin Pigge & Sherry Heiden
A True Pain In The Pelvis Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Therapy is helping women & men live a pain-free life. story by John Russell, MUSC Health Florence Medical Center 48
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Sherry Heiden didn’t know what exactly was wrong with her. All she knew is that she was in pain - and it was getting worse, even life-changing. Heiden is overall the picture of health in her mid-40’s, staying active, going to the gym regularly, and busy being a mother. However, the ‘pain’ started in 2018. “I was having a lot of pain in my pelvic area,” as Heiden describes. “It was hard because I’ve always been active and not been one to sit around and be idle.” She said at first, her doctor thought it was kidney stones, which she has had before. Talk to anyone who has ever had a kidney stone, and they’ll tell you it’s very painful. A month went by as she and her urologist monitored her symptoms, eventually sending her to get a scan for kidney stones. The test result came back negative – no stones present. Heiden and her doctors were baffled. “It [the pain] got to be so bad I could hardly get out of bed in the morning, or any other time of day. I can only describe it as excruciating. It’s nearly impossible to describe the pain I was in,” she said. “It was so bad my husband called my gynecologist for me. Before I knew it, I was scheduled for laparoscopic exploratory surgery. I was also informed both my gynecologist and urologist would be doing the surgery.” Surgery can be scary, but she said surgery with two doctors didn’t exactly put her at ease. Heiden’s mother died at an early age of cancer in the pelvic area. Women over the age of 50 can be at higher risk for pelvic cancer, but Sherry was in her mid-40s. On the day of her surgery, in mid-2018, she said her urologist didn’t find anything to be worried about. Her gynecologist, however, found endometriosis and treated it
with endometrial ablation. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the womb grows outside of the uterus and possibly other areas of the body. It can also show up in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and with tissues holding the uterus in place. Endometrial ablation is a procedure to destroy the endometrial tissue. “After the surgery, I was very hopeful my problem was solved. I thought, ‘yay, I’m going home and will feel better.’ Unfortunately, I didn’t feel better. I actually felt worse. I went back for another surgery, and they took out an ovary, both fallopian tubes, cervix, and my uterus. Once more I thought I’d get better, but it didn’t happen,” she said. In the last surgery, she had her other ovary removed and removed more endometriosis. This time she said she felt better, but it was the third surgery she had in nine months. Fast forward to 2019, and the pain was coming back. “It got to be so bad I couldn’t sit down, and I was having a lot of bladder issues. I felt like I had a kidney stone. I constantly had the urge to go to the bathroom,” she said, reflecting back on the experience. “I couldn’t ride in the car. It got so bad I had to hire someone (for a whole year) to pick my child up at school because I couldn’t sit in car line, go on a vacation, drive to Columbia. At night trying to sleep was horrible.” In the middle of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Heiden went for a follow-up appointment with her gynecologist, who told her she had a lot of scar tissue in her pelvic area. The doctor told her the pain was caused by endometriosis, scar tissue, and a tightening of her pelvic muscles. “Oddly enough, I was good with the pandemic because I could stay home, and no one would wonder why I couldn’t go out to do things. But, it was getting to the point where I wasn’t sure if I could live,” she said tearfully. “I was told I needed a pelvic floor therapist. Both my doctor and I looked everywhere but couldn’t find one nearby. The closest one was at least an hour away, and there’s no way I could ride in the car that long; it would be too painful.” Through social media, someone in Florence let Heiden know about Erin Pigge, a pelvic health physical therapist at MUSC Health Outpatient Rehabilitation Center in Florence. Pigge is trained to help women and men with pelvic health and specialized therapeutic treatment for women of all ages. “I was so relieved to have found someone that could help me finally – and they were local,” Heiden said with excitement. “I immediately called my gynecologist, who set me up with an appointment the next week with Erin.” “I help people with bowel and bladder dysfunction, urinary or stool leakage, and pain in the pelvic region.
For more information about pelvic health and women’s therapy services, or to speak with Erin Pigge please call the MUSC Health Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at 843-661-4360 or go to MUSChealth.org.
Depending on what the issue is, rehabilitation requires different approaches to therapy,” Pigge said. “When someone is in pain for years, like in Sherry’s case, the muscles can stay in a tightened position. I describe it as carrying several bags of groceries at a time. Once you set them down, your muscles are still tense. The goal is to get muscles to relax back into a lengthened state.” Pigge said education is the first part of therapy. Going over anatomy, why things happen in the pelvic area, how it works, and talking through everything is essential.
“I really believe if you understand your body and understand what we’re doing, then you are a better consumer of what I’m doing. We do breathing techniques, exercises, stretching, muscle retraining, and use manual muscle relaxation techniques. For many women, this therapy doesn’t feel good at first. I’d compare it to tense shoulders or knots you might have in your shoulders. Sometimes it hurts even to touch.” As Pigge pointed out, the pelvis is the muscular base of your body. Sitting, posture, legs, back, and hips all involve the pelvis. “It’s more than just focusing on one specific muscle. It’s more about addressing the entire system. That’s why this therapy is different,” she said. “I have to applaud Sherry because many of my patients and those with pelvic issues are very quiet about it. It’s a sensitive topic you don’t want to talk to other people about.” Sherry’s therapy is ongoing, and she feels optimistic about her path to a pain-free life.
“I am a new person, and it’s only been two months. I still have a way to go. I’m back to working out again, going on trips, and just doing everyday things. I’ve taught my daughter some of these breathing and relaxation techniques. I feel all women can benefit from these techniques. My life is 95% better because of this. I can live now!” -Sherry Heiden
August 2021
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HOME
OKRA
story and recipe by Doug Smith
I was once told, “Keep it simple and let the food shine.” This statement had me rethinking everything I had been taught about cooking, such as to be a great cook you need to have certain skills, a cabinet full of special spices, and maybe a large assortment of expensive kitchen gadgets. But that’s not true at all. All you need is a few ingredients that you like along with two or three basic seasonings, and don’t forget to throw in a little love. Now you have all you need to prepare a delicious meal. As I gathered my thoughts for this month’s article, thinking about all the inspiring teachers and mentors that poured their time and energy into helping me be better than even I could have imagined, lots of names kept coming to mind. People like Chef John that showed me how to keep things simple, Mr. Yarborough that introduced me to woodworking and how you can look at a piece of wood, feel the grain and make something special that can withstand the test of time. I also think of Mrs. Carrol. To be honest, she pushed me hard, really hard, at times to tears. See what most people don’t know is I was one of those kids that just struggled in school so much so that I was finally tested and diagnosed with dyslexia. This somehow was good news because now I had an excuse for all my bad grades. I say excuse because for a time I wore this like a badge of honor. I could tell you all the things I couldn’t do and why. See it wasn’t my fault. I had a learning disability. This is when I was put in Mrs. Carrol’s class for the last hour of the day to help me get my homework done. She was hard on me. She expected me to do my work and doing it halfway was not an option. She wouldn’t let me use this excuse anymore. I was told over and over “You can do this. We will come up with some tools you can use for the rest of your life. We will work together to identify your strengths then work on overcoming your weaknesses.” This was life-changing for me. Finally, I understood. I could do my school work. Maybe not a straight-A student but that’s okay, I can do it. Over time this weakness became more of an inconvenience than anything. Don’t get me wrong, I still struggle to this day. I read a little slower, always asking Jackie, my English teacher wife, or even Siri, how to spell this word or that word. So not that long ago it would have been unthinkable to write a letter or short note to someone in fear that a word may be misspelled or a sentence was incomplete. Fast forward to today where monthly I’m blessed to write this food-related article and have overcome so many obstacles. Thank you, Mrs. Carrol, and all the passionate teaches and mentors that poured their time into me and all the others just like me. 50
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August 2021
Get more from Doug Smith by following him on Facebook and Instagram at "Doug the Food Guy".
GRILLED OKRA
Ingredients:
- Fresh okra - Olive oil - Kosher or sea salt - Cracked black pepper
Method:
1. Heat grill to medium-high heat. 2. Wash and trim the okra on both ends and toss it with olive oil and spices. Slice lengthwise if desired. 3. Grill the okra until tender and browned, turning frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes.
5 August 2021
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DRINK OF THE MONTH
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