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VIPMagSC.com
November 2019
magazine
Publisher Tammy Clark tmclark225@gmail.com Editor Heather Page heather@vipmagsc.com Office Manager Tiffany Skipper jtskipp35@gmail.com Advertising Executives Julie C. Tyler juliectyler@yahoo.com Creative Design Tuesday Taylor Ashley Rogers
Contributing Photographers Erin Daniel Phillip Guyton Fred Salley Contributing Writers Megan Adkins Mark W. Buyck, III Erin Daniel Jay Dolia, MD Cynthia Ford La’Quantia Goodman Bri Jackson Adam Richardson Laura Lee Samuel, FNP-C Doug Smith Belle Zeigler
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
The UPS Store is hard at work this holiday season. But did you know they do far more than delivering our packages to loved ones? The UPS Store is an expert when it comes to creative design and all of your printing needs, too! So this year, when you’ve realized it’s just a few days until Christmas and you haven’t made your Christmas cards, reach out to The UPS Store for a quick and neatly packaged fix! 6
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CONTENTS
ISSUE 73
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DECEMBER 2021 BUSINESS 10 Mark W. Buyck II: The Golden Leaf 12 Twisted Root Bakery 14 San-Glo Carolina 16 Sew Adorable: Lisa Hayes 18 Christmas Gift Guide 20 Book of the Month: The Midnight Library
HEALTH + WELLNESS
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22 McLeod Health: Surgical Treatments For Common Pelvic Health Conditions
24 HopeHealth: Preventing HIV 26 MUSC: Stroke Thrombectomy 28 December 2021 Calendar 30 Around Town: SC Pecan Festival & Veterans Day Celebration
LIFESTYLE 32 Be A Light & A Giver 34 Bill Hatfield: The Next Chapter
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36 Fishing with Chase Black 38 Circle Park: Holidays, Drinking & Your Adolescent 42 Christmas For The Tired 44 DJ Rowell Foundation 46 Newsworthy 48 Year In Review
HOME 50 Doug Smith: Family Christmas Traditions 52 Drink of the Month: Christmas Sour
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BUSINESS BUSINESS
The
Newcomers and those born in the last 25 years are likely unfamiliar with the economic impact which the growing of tobacco had in the Pee Dee region. Generations of Pee Dee farmers cultivated tobacco. The plant was uniquely suited to the Pee Dee’s soil and was the area’s “cash crop” from the 1880s until its rapid decline in the 1990s. Tobacco farming was prevalent from Horry to Chesterfield Counties. Auction warehouses were located in multiple Pee Dee counties and towns including, Conway, Darlington, Dillon, Hemingway, Kingstree, Lamar, and Loris. Some of the larger markets were located in Lake City, Mullins, Pamplico, and Timmonsville. All of these towns had a business infrastructure geared towards the needs of the tobacco farmer. Including banks, agricultural supply stores, storage facilities, rail access, and agricultural equipment dealers. South Carolina’s earliest settlers planted tobacco in the Charleston area beginning with the colonies’ settlement in 1670. By the 1690s, rice cultivation became the dominant crop in the colony and tobacco was all but forgotten. Tobacco was reintroduced to the colony
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Golden Leaf
in the 1760s in the upcountry among settlers arriving from Pennsylvania and Virginia. The tobacco grown and cured during this time was generally consumed as snuff, chewing tobacco, or pipe tobacco. The state of South Carolina eventually promoted the crop and established several inspection warehouses to facilitate the production and sale of the crop. Peak production in 1799 reached 10 million pounds; however, farmers quickly discovered a new cash crop. By the 1810’s cotton was king and tobacco had disappeared again. The tobacco century began in the Pee Dee in the mid-1880s. Farmers had discovered the process of flue-curing which produced bright leaf tobacco. Bright leaf was much milder than previous curing techniques. This coincided with the invention of the cigarette rolling machine. Cigarettes were being mass produced and aggressively marketed. Farmers throughout the Pee Dee recognized that tobacco was becoming much more profitable than cotton. In 1895 The State newspaper declared that tobacco was the “Pearl of the Pee Dee.” In 1900 the Pee Dee region planted 95% of the state’s tobacco crop acreage.
The first tobacco warehouse auction in the state was conducted by Frank Rogers in 1890 at the Florence Tobacco Manufacturing and Warehouse Company. 300 persons attended this auction. In 1896, The State described another Florence warehouse: “It is a handsome structure having a floor space 60 by 100 feet, and this is lighted by 20 large ground glass skylights. In front is a 2-story brick structure, 40 by 50 feet in size, containing the offices. It has large sliding doors on all sides and is equipped with the latest improved trucks, etc.” The auction season typically ran from mid-July through September and warehouses were lively hubs of commerce and social activities. The impact of tobacco is quite evident in the growth of several Pee Dee communities. From 1890 to 1900, Mullins grew from 242 to 821 persons. Between 1900 and 1910, Lake City grew from 375 to 1,074 and Marion from 1,831 to 3,844. Florence had a population of 4,647 in 1900, 7,057 in 1910 and 10,968 by 1920. The tobacco boom of the 1910’s gave way to the difficult decade of the 1920s for farmers in South Carolina. The boll-weevil arrived in South Carolina in the early 1920s and decimated the cotton crop. Many cotton farmers turned to tobacco which led to over production and decreased prices. During this time there was little regulation at the state and federal level addressing grade, quality, or general product control. For the most part, agricultural South Carolina did not participate in the roaring 20s. The depression years of the 1930s did see New Deal programs and regulations which attempted to raise prices by controlling production. These programs were not altogether successful; however, they did provide a framework for future government regulation of the agricultural markets. World War II saw a boom in the demand for tobacco products. Cigarettes were routinely provided to servicemen in their care packages. Females began taking up the habit in increasing numbers. In the years after World War II government production controls and price supports and the development of a quota system resulted in another boom for growers. The state produced 197 million pounds of tobacco in 1955, the most ever.
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The tobacco century began in the Pee Dee in the mid-1880s. Farmers had discovered the process of flue-curing which produced bright leaf tobacco.
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The long slow decline of tobacco likely began with the Surgeon General’s 1964 report linking smoking cigarettes with dangerous health effects, including lung cancer and heart disease. Farming was becoming more mechanized and less labor intensive. Tobacco companies increasingly looked offshore for product and the government began reducing quotas. From 1974 to 1992, more than 70% of the tobacco farms in the Pee Dee disappeared or were swallowed up by larger producers. In 1998, a global settlement agreement was reached between 46 United States Attorneys General and the four largest tobacco companies which severely restricted the marketing and sale of tobacco and imposed crushingly high taxes. The next year the manufacturers settled with tobacco-growing states creating a trust fund to compensate tobacco growers for anticipated losses. Auctions, price supports, quotas, etc., ceased to be. What little farming that was conducted was based on production contracts directly between farmers and the companies. The age of tobacco and the prosperity it brought was over. In 2020, the state grew 8.4 million pounds of tobacco, less than the state of Pennsylvania. The value of the crop was 16 million dollars, one-half the value of the state’s watermelon crop.
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 December 2021
Mark W. Buyck, III VIPMagSC.com
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LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE
story & photos by Erin Daniel
Twisted Roots
Plant-Based/Vegan Allergy-Friendly Baked Goods
Have you ever indulged in a stack of Oreos? Eaten a PB&J for lunch? Snacked on tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole at your favorite Mexican restaurant? If so, it’s safe to say you’ve eaten vegan food, whether you realized it or not! You may have heard a vegan diet jokingly being referred to as “bunny food” and assume one would only eat a strict diet of fruits and veggies to maintain this lifestyle. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth! In some cases, switching to plant-based or vegan options is a necessary diet change due to severe food allergies or intolerances. Vanessa Smyth-Heim, owner and baker at Twisted Roots Bakery, is here to prove to us that allergenfree, animal-free desserts don’t have to taste bland or contain broccoli! Vanessa and her husband, Dave, moved here about ten years ago when Dave’s job brought them to Florence. While raising two daughters and her son, they started to notice the beginning symptoms of food allergies in their family. They began cooking meals that eliminated dairy, gluten, eggs, casein, meat, and other ingredients that were causing adverse reactions. When her son, Cillian, was turning one, she realized he would need a birthday cake and there were no bakeries in the area that would cater to all those needs. Since ordering him a cake was out of the question, Vanessa took matters into her own hands. This is when she began making treats that her whole family could enjoy together without any allergic reactions. This was her starting inspiration for Twisted Roots Bakery!
Vanessa Smyth-Heim
“My main goal is to provide people with plant-based/vegan/allergy-friendly treats from somebody that eats just like them. It matters because there are so many random little things that are animalbased that people don't even realize. People who are plant-based, vegan, or suffer from food allergies, most likely have dissected the label of every product they have ever picked up.” 12
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Cake Jars with Royal icing
Hot chocolate
As a cottage baker, Vanessa bakes out of her own kitchen. Being a home baker has strict limitations that have pushed her to become creative with her offerings. To put it mildly, a lot of work goes into her recipes, as well as carefully selected ingredients, to ensure they are safe to eat and meet all state guidelines. She’s mastered using products such as aquafaba (chickpea brine) in her royal icing and flaxseed in place of eggs in her cakes. She has taken all the guesswork out of plant-based baking and perfected her recipes so that you don’t have to go through the frustration of finding new recipes yourself! Her understanding and education of veganism go as far back as college when she made the switch from a vegetarian diet to a plant-based diet. While Twisted Roots can cater to food sensitivities and intolerances, the kitchen is not certified allergen-free. “My main goal is to provide people with plant-based/ vegan/allergy-friendly treats from somebody that eats just like them. It matters because there are so many random little things that are animal-based that people don't even realize. People who are plant-based, vegan, or suffer from food allergies, most likely have dissected the label of every product they have ever picked up.”
Cupcakes with Royal icing You might be wondering if there’s a difference between plant-based and vegan foods. Plant-based simply means the ingredient came from a plant and is often used to describe a specific diet. Vegan means planted-based, with no animal products or byproducts (including honey, shellac (confectioner’s glaze), and bee pollen. Veganism is a bit stricter and spills over into lifestyle. A true vegan lifestyle avoids items such as leather, suede, fur, and even certain body products and makeups that contain animal byproducts. While it’s hard to pick a favorite dessert, Vanessa finds the most joy when she bakes cupcakes! She also enjoys decorating sugar cookies even though they are the most time-consuming dessert she makes. She loves the attention to detail that comes with uniquely decorating each cookie. One of the most rewarding parts of Vanessa’s bakery business is when she hears people, including non-vegans, say they can’t tell the difference in her vegan treats! “I like to have samples when I do pop-ups so people can try different treats. Non-vegans will usually say, 'Oh, that's actually good!' It cracks me up. In general, as a society, we have this misconception that plant-based/ vegan food is tasteless, bland, and even dry!? I don't know why, but it definitely doesn't have to be that way!” Vanessa strives to bridge the gap between diet restrictions, whether they are voluntary or by necessity. She enjoys offering desserts that everybody can enjoy without feeling excluded or restricted. Since opening Twisted Roots three years ago, Vanessa has seen tons of support from her community. Between quickly selling out of her products at the City Center Farmers Market and accommodating custom orders, she stays busy keeping the plant-based and non-plant based customers in Florence happy!
Decorate Your Own Sugar Cookie Kit
Vegan Buttercream Options
Vegan Cakes/Cupcakes (GF available)
Vanilla • Chocolate • Cookie Butter Cookies N Cream
Vanilla • Chocolate • Red Velvet Earl Grey • Chai
Pumpkin Pie Spice • Peanut Butter Mint • Lemon • Lime Mocha • Almond • Coffee • Snickerdoodle (Cinnamon Sugar) • Marshmallow
Chamomile • Chocolate Chip To place your custom orders, contact Vanessa at twistedrootsbakery@yahoo.com!
December 2021
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BUSINESS
San-Glo Carolina
Reflecting on Business When it comes to glass, this family knows it all. Claude Singletary began his career in the glass industry not knowing it would serve as part of his family’s foundation. 35 years later, he has built a legacy of quality repair and top-notch customer service serving the Pee Dee through San-Glo Carolina. Claude was born, raised, and spent most of his life in the Friendfield area of Florence County. He was drafted into the US Army in 1968 where he served under the 1st Cavalry Division in the Vietnam War. Before the war, he met and married the love of his life, Willa Jean Turner. Once back home from the war, Claude and Willa Jean settled and began raising their three sons – Brad, Brian, and Jason. Claude began his career in the glass business at Binswanger Glass and later went to work at Coastal Glass Distributors. In 1986, Claude decided to go out on his own where he opened Carolina Glass Company on Pamplico Highway in Florence. By 1995, he merged the company with Tommy King and James T. Stephens, moved to 3645 Hoffmeyer Road in Florence, and changed the name to Carolina Glass Co. of Florence Inc. d/b/a San-Glo Carolina. This is where the company currently resides. Claude has since bought out his partners and is now the sole owner. Today, two of Claude’s sons, Brad and Brian, share responsibilities at the company. His youngest son, Jason, followed his father’s footsteps indirectly as a selfemployed businessman and is a successful contractor in the area. Brad serves as the manager of San-Glo Carolina and oversees the day-to-day operations. Brian is in management in the service department along with Claude’s nephew Al Locklair. It’s a true family affair. Many of the employees have been with the company for more than 15 years. The atmosphere at San-Glo Carolina is
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certainly family oriented. "Everyone here is treated like family," says Brad. "We love our employees and they seem to love us, too!" From commercial contracts to shower doors, San-Glo Carolina does it all. They offer a full range of residential and commercial glass repair and services. “We are here for you when you need emergency glass service after a foul ball ends up in your living room and when you’d like our help during a bathroom remodel,” says Brad. “Let us add a custom framed mirror to go over the bar in your man cave or call us if you need 24-hour emergency board-up service before a hurricane hits.” Whatever it is, San-Go Carolina is prepared to help. On the commercial end of things, the company has provided glass services for several local landmarks including Moore Middle School in Florence, Hartsville High School, Lamar Elementary, Southside Middle School, plus many others. From a business aspect, the glass of your building sets it apart from the competition. “The exterior of your business should always reflect the pride and compassion you put into the work you do. Whether you’re looking to give your building a face-lift or you would like to restore it following damage, San-Glo Carolina can offer affordable services that is of the highest quality,” says Brad. San-Glo Carolina also offers reliable windshield repair services and other auto glass work. San-Glo Carolina services all of South Carolina and parts of North Carolina for all of their residential and commercial glass needs. “Storefront metals and glass coatings have changed due to becoming more energyefficient,” Claude explains. “We now have more hurricane impact materials being used in this area.” With over 35 years of experience, San-Glo Carolina is certainly a name you can trust. www.sanglocarolina.com | (843) 669-8700
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BUSINESS
SEW ADORABLE BY LISA HAYES HANDMADE CLOTHING, GIFTS & MORE Sew Adorable by Lisa Hayes has become quite the staple at the City Center Farmers Market in Florence. Her colorful and unique handmade baby clothes and accessories immediately grab your attention. However, while the products are fully capable of selling themselves, designer Lisa Hayes has a sweet persona that persuades you to stop to chat and assists in sealing the deal. Lisa was born and raised in Southwestern Ohio but has called Florence home for more than 20
years. She discovered the trade of sewing in high school and kept it as a hobby throughout her life. “I started sewing dresses for my daughter years ago and continued making clothes for my children as they grew up,” Lisa shares. “I was also asked to sew costumes, curtains, pillows, and other household items throughout the years. When I started making dresses for my granddaughter, people commented on how nice they were and suggested I start making and selling the dresses.” And just like that, Sew Adorable by Lisa Hayes was born.
LISA HAYES
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LISA AT THE CITY CENTER FARMERS MARKET LOCATED AT 200 SANBORN ST, FLORENCE
When asked where the name derived from, Lisa says it’s simple. “Almost everyone who saw my dresses commented (spontaneously) that they were ‘so adorable.’ I chose to play on words!” Lisa’s designs go further than dresses, she also creates burp clothes, baby hats, polar fleece jackets and ponchos, adult polar fleece hoodies, stuffed animals, I-Spy bags, and aprons. Additionally, Lisa enjoys making custom orders. “I frequently make ‘memory’ pillows, dresses, aprons, et cetera out of loved one’s dress shirts.” Lisa’s talents get displayed on stage too. “I made almost the entire costumes for the ‘King and I’ play for Florence Christian. Unfortunately, the play was canceled due to Covid-19 but will be performed on another date. This job included the 16 dancer’s pants and vests, the King’s costume, Elisa’s costume, and a few other major role character’s costumes.” Sew Adorable has been in business for seven years now, but Lisa has many more years of experience under her belt. While being a business, she’s enjoyed meeting and interacting with her customers. “I love it when customers show me pictures of their children or grandchildren in one of my dresses, and even more so when they bring their child with them dressed in an outfit that I created.” Sew Adorable's dresses and accessories also make a perfect Christmas gift. Lisa has a few pre-made designs but prefers to create seasonal items as requested. If you're searching for that one-of-a-kind gift item, look no further. You can meet Lisa in person nearly every Saturday at the City Center Farmers Market or you can reach her via Facebook under Sew Adorable By Lisa Hayes. December 2021
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LIFESTYLE
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Locally Made Gifts 1. Growing Hobby Pee Dee State Farmers Market 2513 W Lucas Street, Florence 2. Woodhaven Candle Company 219 N Main Street, Marion
3. Southern’spirations www.southernspirations.com 4. The Happy Hours Co. | (843) 409-2050 5. John Tanner Calls 3111 Henry Road, Hemingway
6. Christopher Neal Photography www.christophernealphotography.com 7. Sparrow Woodworking www.sparrowwoodworking.com
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Locally Purchased Gifts 1. Gigi's & Doc's 221 E Main Street, Dillon 2. Trendy Twist Boutique 910 S Cashua Drive, Florence
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3. Goosie Ganders 2533 W Palmetto Street, Florence
4. Raised Down South 154 E Carolina Avenue, Hartsville 5. Seven Boutique 130 E Main Street, Lake City
6. Shade Tree Outfitters 124 E Main Street, Lake City 7. Pretty N Bliss 1267 Celebration Blvd, Florence
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VIP'S BOOK CLUB series by Bri Jackson
THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY BY MATT HAIG The first line of The Midnight Library starts seemingly at the end. Stalled by her life’s many regrets, Nora Seed wants to die. And so, she finds herself in a library with her elementary school librarian Mrs. Elm where it is always midnight. “The only way to learn is to live,” said Mrs. Elm. And so that is what Nora attempts, choosing from an endless number of books, each titled “My Life” on the neverending shelves of the library. This book reminds me of the holiday classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life, where a person doesn’t realize their worth until they see how their void affected those they love. There’s quite a bit of philosophy and string theory in the book as Nora slides in and out of parallel lives trying to find one that fits, or die trying. But mostly, it is a beautifully written story full of imagination and empathy that left me feeling tender for this precious life even when things go sideways. My only criticism is that Matt Haig is too good of a writer. I couldn’t put the book down and finished it entirely too soon after only two days. “Never underestimate the big importance of small things,” said Mrs. Elm to Nora, which is fitting advice for us all as we enter this holiday season.
Do You Love To Read? Email heather@vipmagsc.com if you would like to share a book review with our readers.
about Matt Haig: Matt Haig is an author for children and adults. His memoir Reasons to Stay Alive was a number one bestseller, staying in the British top ten for 46 weeks. His children’s book A Boy Called Christmas was a runaway hit and is translated in over 40 languages. It is being made into a film starring Maggie Smith, Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent and The Guardian called it an ‘instant classic’. His novels for adults include the award-winning How To Stop Time, The Radleys, The Humans and the number one bestseller The Midnight Library. He has sold over three million books worldwide.
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HEALTH + WELLNESS
McLeod Robotic Surgery Team
Surgical Treatment for Common Pelvic Health Conditions Most women experience symptoms related to pelvic health issues at some point in their lifetime - from urinary incontinence, pelvic relaxation, uterine fibroids and endometriosis to chronic pelvic pain. These conditions often result when women have weakened pelvic muscles or tears in the connective tissue. While somewhat prevalent, pelvic health conditions are very personal health issues and sometimes difficult to discuss with a physician. However, McLeod Health’s team of pelvic health specialists are very knowledgeable about these conditions and compassionate when having personal conversations with their patients. Their ultimate goal is to provide relief from your symptoms and restore your quality of life so that you can thrive. Treatments for pelvic health conditions can range from simple exercises, medication, or physical therapy to non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures. When lifestyle modifications, medication and other conservative approaches such as pelvic floor therapy are no longer effective treatments, surgery may be the best solution. The idea of GYN surgery can cause mixed emotions – relief that a potential cure has been found as well as anxiety over what to expect. However, surgical 22
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advancements have led to more patient-friendly approaches for appropriate candidates. While many gynecological surgeries can be performed with traditional open surgery, involving larger incisions, or minimally invasive surgery with several small incisions, robotic-assisted gynecological surgery is another minimally invasive option for women to consider. Robotic-assisted surgery is an alternative to traditional open surgery and is performed through a few small incisions. It has all of the advantages of minimally invasive surgery, including less postoperative pain, smaller incisions, minimal scarring, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time, and a quicker return to normal activities. Additional advantages for the surgeon that lead to benefits for the patient include: • The robotic instruments are designed to reach the exact angle to stop a blood vessel’s bleeding. • All the robot’s movements are very smooth and precise, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue and organs. • Overall, there’s less blood loss and damage to surrounding tissue as well as a lower risk of infection compared to open procedures.
Dr. Brad Campbell prepares a patient for robotic surgery.
Dr. Candice Greenan and Dr. Eric Coughlin perform a myomectomy.
Robotic-assisted surgery can be used for a wide range of both complex and common gynecological procedures, including but not limited to hysterectomy, laparoscopy, and pelvic floor repair. At McLeod, robotic-assisted surgery is a team approach with a designated team of operating room staff specially trained to work with each surgeon and surgical specialty. The robotic-assisted surgical team consists of a physician assistant, operating room nurses, and surgical technologists in addition to the surgeon. Following a robotic surgery at McLeod, patients go to Extended Recovery, a model of care developed by McLeod Outpatient Surgery to facilitate early hospital discharges, often on the same day as the patient’s surgery. Traditionally, patients stayed in recovery for approxinately four hours before being admitted overnight for observation. Extended Recovery, however, allows patients to remain in recovery a bit longer – usually six to eight hours – and then go home. Both McLeod Regional Medical Center and McLeod Health Seacoast offer this service. Extended Recovery has many benefits for GYN patients, especially those with chronic conditions and young families. The surgical process no longer disrupts medication management nor requires the additional stress of making family arrangements to accommodate a hospital stay. The McLeod care team monitors patients closely to ensure they are ready for discharge, and if for some reason the patient is uncomfortable going home, the physician can certainly admit them for additional observation.
The program has achieved extremely positive outcomes including lower readmission rates and fewer visits to the Emergency Department after surgery. Extended Recovery is a convenient option for both patients and their families. The patient arrives and leaves from the same location, and the family stays in a single area to wait for their family member. With the advancements in robotic surgery, women now have more options than ever for treating their pelvic health condition. It is important to remember that roboticassisted surgery is not for everyone, so talk with your doctor to see if this is the right surgical option for you.
For more information, visit McLeodPelvicHealth.org.
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HEALTH ++ WELLNESS WELLNESS HEALTH
Preventing HIV:
5 Ways You Can Avoid Infection
story by Laura Lee Samuel, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Family Nurse Practitioner HopeHealth The Centers of Disease Prevention and Control reports nearly 37,000 people in the United States were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2019. Of those, 680 were in South Carolina. They join the almost 15,000 South Carolina residents that are living with HIV or AIDS today. For 30 years, HopeHealth has supported those living with HIV or AIDS. From its beginning as an all-volunteer support group, to an AIDS Service Organization helping people live full lives through treatment, to today’s primary care practice that can also help prevent new infections. What is the age group with some of the highest risk of contracting HIV? Our youth ages 13-24! While the annual rate of infection is decreasing, the CDC estimates 21 percent of those new infections in 2018 were in youths. Parents can make a difference. Talk to your teens early about HIV, how it is spread and how to protect themselves. Don’t be afraid to discuss the standard and why it is important for them to make safe decisions.
HIV, short for human immunodeficiency virus, damages your immune system, disabling your ability to fight infections. If untreated, HIV can cause AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. While decades of research and the development of effective treatments can now help those diagnosed with HIV live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives, HIV remains a debilitating and costly illness. If allowed to progress to AIDS with no treatment, patients generally die early in the disease process. However, if one commits to treatment, they can live a long prosperous life. Fortunately, unlike certain viruses like the common cold, flu, or even COVID-19, HIV is not transmitted through coughing, sneezing, or infected droplets on hard surfaces like doorknobs. HIV can only be transmitted through certain bodily fluids, such as blood, sex fluids, or breast milk. By avoiding certain risky behaviors, or quickly seeking medical treatment after exposure, you can greatly reduce your risk of contracting HIV. Here are FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS for preventing HIV infection: 1. Practice Abstinence: Since HIV is primarily a sexually transmitted disease, one of the best ways to prevent it is by refraining from sex, especially with partners whose HIV status is unknown. Reduce risky sexual practices for safer and healthier outcomes. 2. Practice Safe Sex: If you choose to have sex, be sure to use a condom. Condoms can prevent exposure to bodily fluids that carry HIV, protecting you from infection. Oral sex also offers less risk than anal or vaginal intercourse for getting an HIV infection.
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360 NORTH IRBY ST. FLORENCE 843.667.9414 | HOPE-HEALTH.ORG
Laura Lee Samuel,
Family Nurse Practitioner
Laura Lee Samuel is a family nurse practitioner at HopeHealth in Timmonsville. From Marlboro County originally, Samuel is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association, and South Carolina Nurses Association. She has spent most of her medical career in the Pee Dee region, which includes serving as the clinical manager, director and chief of nursing at HopeHealth from 2009-2017.
3. Always Use Clean Needles: Injection drug use is another common way to get HIV due to sharing used needles. Injecting yourself with a needle that was used by someone else can potentially introduce bloodborne infections like HIV into your body. When using syringes and other injectables, always use a fresh needle. 4. Taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Taking prescribed PrEP reduces the risk of contracting HIV from sex by about 99 percent, and from injection drug use by about 74 percent. The medication must be taken as prescribed to receive the full benefits and does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases, so condom use is still strongly encouraged. 5. Taking Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Sometimes, even when precautions are taken, HIV exposure can occur, such as with a broken condom, an accidental usedneedle stick, or sexual assault. If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV, you can take PEP to significantly improve your chances of preventing infection by about 80 percent. You must begin taking PEP within 72 hours (three days) of exposure, so see your primary care team immediately, or visit an urgent care or emergency department to begin treatment. PEP must be taken daily for 28 days to be effective. In addition to these recommendations, it is important to know your status. Get tested and do your part to keep yourself and partners healthy. If you would like to learn more about HIV and disease prevention, or you are HIV positive and need assistance with the management of condition, contact the HopeHealth Infectious Disease Treatment & Prevention Centers for support. December 2021
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HOME + WELLNESS HEALTH
Stroke Thrombectomy: A REVOLUTION IN FIGHTING CLOTS story by Dr. Jay Dolia, MUSC Health Florence Medical Center
When a stroke occurs, part of your brain shuts down, and so does a part of you. A blood clot can cause strokes to happen and blocks the blood flow to your brain. For each minute this is happening, you're permanently losing 1.9 million neurons. For each hour this blockage occurs, your brain ages by 3.6 years. If the clot is large enough, it could be fatal. This is why stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability. The most vital tool modern medicine has to fight stroke is a procedure called stroke thrombectomy. However, the race to stop the stroke starts by calling 911 and then depends on getting to the right hospital in time. Why is stroke thrombectomy so important, and how is it different from other stroke procedures? Thrombectomy is a revolutionary life-saving procedure for the treatment of strokes. It involves using a flexible tube with a tiny wire mesh cage on one end. It is then inserted into an artery near the patient’s wrist or groin and carefully guided up through the body into the brain. The cage then closes around the clot, which is plucked out, allowing blood to flow freely again, instantly. If performed quickly, numerous research studies have proven a thrombectomy can significantly reduce the risk of death or disability from a stroke. Before the availability of thrombectomy in 2015, the only treatment for patients suffering from an acute stroke was the “clot busting” drug called tPA, administered through an IV. tPA, however, is not likely to work on very large clots that block big arteries
supplying the brain with blood and oxygen. These are the blockages that cause the most significant brain tissue damage and the worst outcomes for patients. Thrombectomy has since revolutionized treatment in these cases. Is thrombectomy possible in every hospital?
Dr. Jay Dolia is a neuroendovascular surgeon at MUSC Health – Neurology, in Florence. If you would like more information call (843) 669-0927, or visit MUSCHealth.org/florence.
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Providing a world-class thrombectomy service is complex and requires a stroke Neurologist. Thrombectomy is proven to be an effective treatment option for stroke patients. These complex procedures and services have been implemented 24/7 in many large urban areas. However, the staffing and investment required for its implementation in rural areas is lagging significantly in comparison. My mission, and MUSC Health Florence Medical Center’s mission, is to reduce the disparity in thrombectomy access in rural areas beginning with the Pee Dee region. Every missed
IF THE CLOT IS LARGE ENOUGH, IT COULD BE FATAL. THIS IS WHY STROKE IS THE FIFTH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AND THE LEADING CAUSE OF ADULT DISABILITY.
thrombectomy is a missed opportunity to help someone walk again, hold the ones they love, or even say - “I love you” using their own voice. What is the best way to make thrombectomy services available to everyone in the Pee Dee? The key to success is getting the patient to the right hospital with the right team fast. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of stroke is crucial. Calling 911 initiates this vital process. Paramedics can quickly and accurately identify stroke patients and direct them to the nearest thrombectomy stroke center, which is the most efficient way to ensure we all have access to this life-saving treatment. What makes thrombectomy such an exciting procedure? Imagine you have in your possession the most powerful tool in the world. Now imagine the power of this tool will reduce disability more so than any other surgery in the world. It is more powerful than some chemotherapy treatments and five times as effective as similar treatments for heart attacks. For me, the tool is Thrombectomy. It is the tool we have in our hands at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center to help return your family member back home. It has changed the game for stroke patients. It takes the prognosis from terrible to the prospect of a cure. The idea that someone can have a major stroke, recover and continue to lead an active and independent life afterward is a reality with this procedure. As an Interventional Neurologist, it’s my job to provide comprehensive care and practice individualized medicine for every one of my patients suffering from a stroke.
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DECEMBER 2021 CALENDAR sunday
monday
of
EVENTS tuesday
wednesday
1 Hometown Holidays (Dec 3-5), Lake City Christmas Electric Extravaganza (all month long), Downtown Darlington New Year’s Eve Block Party Downtown!, Darlington Black Creek Arts Holiday Market (Dec 1, 3-8, 9, 10-12), Hartsville
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thursday
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Photos with Santa (all month long) Magnolia Mall, Florence
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Late Night Shopping + Pop Up Market + Horse Carriage Rides + Carolers (Dec 2, 9, 16 & 23) Downtown Marion
9 Wellness Walk Amazing Grace Park, Marion
Holiday Home Tour
Various Location, Florence
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Pet Photos with Santa, (every Monday in Dec.) Magnolia Mall, Florence
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Poinsettia Day
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Sangria Day
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Candy Cane Day
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Deodar Cedar Christmas Ornaments, Marion County Museum
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Fruitcake Day
Pledge of Allegiance Day
Christmas Card Day
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Cupcake Day
Monkey Day
Cocoa Day
Hard Candy Day
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Terrarium Christmas Ornament Growing Hobby, Florence
Museum Memories + viewing of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Marion County Museum
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Chocolate-covered Anything Day
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Date Nut Bread Day
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Re-Gifting Day
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Tick Tock Day
Bacon Day
Send in your events to heather@vipmagsc.com! friday
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SCDT's Nutcracker Ballet FMU PAC, Florence
SODA Spectacular Christmas SiMT, Florence Holiday Music & Light Show begins + Christmas Magic Downtown Florence
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saturday
4 SCDT's Nutcracker Ballet FMU PAC, Florence Christmas on Main Town of Lamar Christmas Bazaar Darlington Country Club
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Nobel Prize Day
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Masterworks Choir Central United Methodist Church, Florence
18 Cinderella,
FMU PAC, Florence
Holiday Luminary Walk, Benton House, Florence
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Answer The Telephone Like Buddy The Elf Day
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Christmas Eve
Merry Christmas
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New Year's Eve
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photos by Phillip Guyton, True Light Photography
AROUND TOWN
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SC Pecan Music + Food Festival
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The 2021 SC Pecan Music and Food Festival marked its 17th annual event on Saturday, November 6, 2021. This exciting one-day festival has delighted residents and visitors alike and is the area’s largest event, drawing over 50,000 attendees each year. The festival consistently wins Best of the Pee Dee awards and has been featured in numerous national publications such as Travel + Leisure Magazine Online and AAA’s Go Magazine.
photos by Phillip Guyton, True Light Photography
2021
Veterans Day CELEBRATION
The City of Florence Veterans Park hosted the annual Veteran’s Day ceremony on November 11th. December 2021
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LIFESTYLE story by Cynthia Ford
Be A Light & A Giver It is that favorite time of year again when we are full of holiday cheer and preparing to dive into our favorite holiday traditions. In our multicultural world, traditions may vary, but in some form, there is a similarity between them all. In December, three cultural holidays in the United States are celebrated: Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. Each of the three holidays has included light and giving in some form. You will notice in each of the holidays, lighting candles is a traditional thing to do. Between the three, Christmas is the more widely advertised. In October, stores shift their items to reflect this approaching holiday, even amid two ongoing holidays (Halloween and Thanksgiving). As the businesses prepare to cater to the needs of the consumers, they always keep in mind the traditions that matter the most to the consumers. Establishing that connection to what matters most to the customer is what drives the customers to purchase their products. Usually, the normal traditions will include families decorating the Christmas tree together, drinking eggnog, hanging the mistletoe, the nativity scene, and baking Christmas cookies. Some families include traditional games such as the gift exchange and scavenger hunts. The air is full of jingle bells, baked goods, and spices. December always smells of Christmas pine trees, nuts, fruit, gingerbread, and hot chocolate. There is one Christmas tradition that may not be as famous as a few others but has brought joy, hope, smiles, and imagination into the lives of children all over. This tradition is viewing the Sears Wish Book catalog. The catalog was first published in 1933 and was discontinued in 2011. The catalog was published for one more year in 2017. This book was full of toys and other Christmas merchandise. It was a tradition for children to filter through each page and circle which items they wished to have for Christmas. This version of virtual shopping allowed children to imagine themselves having the item that they circled. 32
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This wish book tradition brought to light and the spirit of giving just as light and giving is featured in each of the three major holidays in December. This year provides an opportunity to enhance the holiday tradition, while not veering from traditional practices. Let’s bring back the “big book”, also known as the wish book. However, let us show our children how to research and design their own wish book. This is a little deeper than writing your Christmas wish list. This process also leads to other successful habits for children such as being a strategic planner and mapping out goals in their future. This can easily be transitioned to a vision board planning session with children in the future. Being a light and a giver is interwoven into the traditions of December. This unspoken act automatically happens as we carry on with our usual holiday traditions. Many crowd the stores in an attempt to find the perfect gift to give. We have come a long way from circling our desires in our Sears Wish Book Catalog. We can shop within minutes from our mobile devices. As we carry on with our traditions this year, let us be attentive to being a light and a giver. We can be attentive to being the light and example for others to look up to, and this is true in all aspects of our lives. Being a hearty giver leaves room for you to receive regularly in return.
As we give this holiday season, let's remember these three ways to BE A LIGHT.
• Giving your time to someone in need. Sometimes your time is more valuable than any gift you purchase in-store or online. • Give your children more gifts that are meaningful instead of focusing on the number of gifts given. • Give a gift to yourself. We are often busy pouring out of ourselves to others that we often neglect ourselves. Give yourself rest, peace, and a moment of quietness. Give yourself that outfit, electronic device, or that one thing that you’ve been secretly hoping for.
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LIFESTYLE Bill and Cheryl Hatfield photo by Fred Salley
Bill Hatfield The Next Chapter Retirement, while greatly awaited, doesn’t come easy when you love your job as much as Bill Hatfield has. Bill served as an attorney for nearly 43 years and enjoyed every minute of it. He was grateful to work beside and be mentored by some of the greatest, and his coworkers throughout his career were friends that he considered family. Bill was born and raised in Florence, South Carolina, making his allegiance to the area deep-felt. His father was in WWII and was briefly stationed at Gilbert Field in Florence when he met Bill’s mother. His parents chose to stay in Florence to raise their family. Bill graduated from McClenaghan High School, Class of 1969, and continued his education at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina, and obtained his law degree at the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 1977. He came back to his hometown of Florence to begin practicing law at Hyman, Morgan & Brown in January of 1978. “After an interview with Pete Hyman, a partner at the firm, he told me to ‘Hang around and make yourself useful,’” Bill shared. “I worked almost two months before asking if I would be paid. Pete offered $200 a week, I was ecstatic!” And just like that, Bill's law career began. 34
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The name of the firm has changed over the years with attorneys coming and going, however, Bill remained with the same law office until retirement. Bill exclaims, “I was trained by the best trial lawyers in the state!” Reggie Brown, another law partner within the firm, was his mentor and became a dear friend. “At first, Reggie told me he didn’t like me and he was going to get rid of me. Within a year of that statement, he was in my wedding and we were inseparable.” While actively practicing, Bill became a boardcertified civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Boston and was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates. Soon after, in 1989, Hood Temple was hired by the practice. The two became quick friends. “Hood and I tried many significant cases together. The most memorable was our first in 1992. An elected Florence County official owned a mobile home park near Francis Marion University. Complaints about a faulty air conditioner were ignored, a trailer fire ensued, and a child died while the mother was injured. Hood proved to me early on that he was partnership material with his participation in that case which ended favorably for our client.”
The work atmosphere this team created is familyoriented. “I don’t know of any other law firm like ours,” Bill describes. “It was a business but we cared about each other and our staff. We all spent time together after work and were all the best of friends.” Reggie passed away in December of 2009 and Van Jeffords and Jim Rushton, fellow attorneys, retired shortly after. This is when Hyman Law Firm transitioned to Hatfield Temple. “The work atmosphere remained the same. Hood and I became even closer; he is my best friend and I love him! To this day, even after my retirement, we talk or text every day.” While many of us know Bill or have seen the billboards across town labeled Hatfield Temple with the recognizable T and H letters that overlap in their logo, we aren’t aware of how he has invested in our community. “I have always loved animals,” explains Bill. “My wife, Cheryl, and I have seven pups – Chloe, Lucy, Ricky, Layla, Butter, Gavin, and Player – five of them are rescues.” Ricky, a puppy that was hit by a car and suffered a broken leg, was Bill’s first rescue. “Hood and I were having lunch when a friend stopped at our table and mentioned an injured dachshund puppy was up for adoption at the Darlington County Humane Society (DCHS). Chloe and Lucy are ‘doxies’ so I decided to check it out.” Bill immediately realized Ricky wasn’t a doxie, however, he felt a personal obligation to see Ricky have a more fulfilling life. And as Bill says… “The rest is history.”
and Courtney, who have also contributed to making him a better person. Since retirement, Bill has slowly learned how to relax. "Although that is easier said than done after years of going full speed ahead,” he says. He and Cheryl are enjoying their time together. They have had the opportunity to travel to Europe to see two Formula 1 races in Monaco and Milan and have been able to explore new adventures on cruises. Bill describes his years as blessed beyond belief. He shares, "I have worked alongside brilliant lawyers who were my best friends, a staff that made me better and whom I loved dearly, loyal and good clients who allowed me to help them in times of need, and a family that always supported and loved me. I am one lucky fellow!” During this season of giving, consider a gift that will brighten a child's face for many years to come – a pet from your local humane society. It is the perfect gift that comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors, is furry and friendly, and is referred to as man's best friend for a very good reason. If adoption isn't something you're comfortable with, consider a monetary or supply donation. And remember, if you're adopting a pet from Darlington County Humane Society this season, adoption fees are taken care of by a very special Secret Santa!
Before long, Bill was asked to be on the Darlington County Humane Society board where he assisted in raising funds for a new shelter. During this time, Bill considered an additional way he could encourage others to adopt from the shelter. He established a Secret Santa program where he incurs all of the cost of pet adoption fees during November and December. Bill has continued this tradition for several years now and even extended it to the end of January of 2022 this season. Bill has spent his career and personal life attempting to enhance the lives of those around him. His character speaks for itself. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to meet Bill, you're immediately greeted with an inviting smile and a pleasantly spoken hello. However, Bill says he owes his success and his kind nature to his parents, Bill and Johnnie Hatfield. “They grew up in the great depression and on t had very difficult lives. They sacrificed g n i ne Darl uma H so their children could have opportunities y t E n Co u e t y F R E they never had.” Bill is also blessed i c N So PTIO with two wonderful children, Patrick ADO ugh t h ro , 2 0 2 2 ! 1 ary 3 Janu
www.htlawsc.com 177 W. Evans Street, Florence December 2021
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LIFESTYLE
Chase Black is a South Florence
High School student that competes on the fishing team at the school. He shares some insight on how he manages to reel in the big ones.
with
Chase Black What is your first memory of going fishing? "I fished in a Jon boat with my dad when I was five."
What was the first fish you caught and where was it? "The first fish I remember catching was a big catfish when I was with my grandpa and dad. I was around five and it was so big it almost pulled me in the water."
What is your favorite body of water to fish in locally? "I like Lake Marion. I have a lot of memories fishing there with my grandpa and my dad."
What’s your favorite fishing gear? "A Quantum Heavy Duty reel and a 7-foot Duckett Fishing rod that I like to throw with my little black Popping Frog on it."
What type of boat and motor do you prefer using? "The boat I prefer is a 20-foot Stratos and the motor I prefer is a Yamaha 250 V Max."
If you could fish anywhere, where would it be? "I would fish on Lake Okeechobee in Florida because they have some big bass."
Everyone has the “one” that got away. Tell us about yours. "It happened at the State Tournament on Lake Wylie. We had two good fish and needed one more at that time. We pulled up to the spot, I threw a Pop R to a log and a big bass blew up on it. I fought it for a few seconds and then he jumped out of the water and spit 36
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the bait back at me. We still won the tournament in the end but during that moment I was worried. I still remember it like it was yesterday."
What’s the best fish you’ve ever caught? "It was 9 lbs and I caught him at Santee on a white Popping Frog."
What’s the key to being a great fisherman? "You have to practice and pay attention to your surroundings on the water. Example: the birds feeding or baitfish flickering."
What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you during a day of fishing? "When I was fishing at Cooper River, a manatee came up and swam by the boat."
Tell us about your competitive fishing journey. "In middle school, I fished with my partner, Cayden Lawerence, at Southside Middle School. This year my sister, Ava, was able to fish so we fish together with the South Florence High School bass fishing team. My partner for the Jr. Bass Tournaments was Cayden Lawerence. During the 2019-20 school year we won Lake Marion, Jr. Bass Master and Lake Moultrie High School Division. During the 202021 school year we won: Lake Murray, Lake Marion/ Moultrie, and Lake Wylie State Championship. We then went to Tennessee for Nationals and placed 14th out of 62 teams. This was our second year fishing together. "Outside of school, I participated in a tournament called the BBZ Big Bass Jr. World Championship. In order to qualify for the championship, you had to win state. I caught 32.76 pounds with my five biggest fish to win the State in South Carolina. I then went to Branson, Missouri for the Championship and came in sixth place out of the 52 other State winners." December 2021
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HEALTH + WELLNESS LIFESTYLE
The Holidays, Underage Drinking & Your Adolescent story by Megan Adkins
The upcoming holiday season is sure to bring delicious food, lifted spirits, and most importantly, quality time with loved ones. If the past year and a half has taught us anything, it’s that time spent with friends and family should be prioritized and cherished. The holidays give everyone an excuse to relax and have fun without the stress of school or work, and young people are particularly prone to utilizing their free time to spend with friends. Despite the joyfulness of the holiday spirit as the world begins to regain a sense of normalcy, the season can also bring about concerning behavior patterns that could compromise the safety of youth. Alcohol is the most widely used substance among youth and underage drinking peaks during the holiday season. There are more opportunities for young people to get their hands on alcohol, whether it be from a parent’s liquor cabinet or holiday social gatherings. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving proves to be the highest underage drinking night of the year, with public health officials referring to it as “Black Wednesday.” This trend continues through the rest of the year, with one study reporting that nearly 2,000 underage people will spend New Year’s Day in the hospital because of alcohol. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) also reports that more than 11,000 young people in the United States, ages 12 to 17, use alcohol for the first time on an average December day. These troubling statistics demonstrate the importance of parents educating 38
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their children on the dangers of underage drinking and taking steps to protect them from this behavior. Parents can help to avoid underage drinking incidents by utilizing a few of the following tips: • Be clear with your expectations; let your child know that regardless of the situation, underage drinking and/ or being at a location where it is taking place is simply illegal and unacceptable. • Teach your children it is not necessary to have alcohol to have a good time. Plan and provide a nonalcoholic kid-friendly holiday party. • Help your children serve and enjoy traditional holiday drinks without alcohol such as cider, eggnog, or punch.
For parents of underage youth, it is important to monitor all temptations with the social activities that accompany the holiday season. It is important to pay close attention to the age of anyone consuming alcohol. A few tips to assist with this would be: • Never serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. • If you maintain alcohol at home, make sure to always keep track of your supply. • Establish a friendly relationship with parents of your children’s friends so that you can call ahead and make sure alcohol will not be involved in the parties or activities your child may be attending and that appropriate supervision will be on hand. • Make sure your child is maintaining healthy friendships and having friends who chose not to make alcohol a part of their holiday season. Alcohol-free holiday activities • Bake and decorate cookies • Build a bonfire and make s’mores • Host a family game night • Watch your family’s favorite holiday movies • Drive through Christmas light displays Parents hold a tremendous amount of power in aiding young people in making wise choices. Clear and direct communication often proves to be one of the most important factors in preparing youth to avoid high-risk situations. Furthermore, commitment to the consequences of set expectations allows for healthy boundaries and better functioning families which are protective factors for the prevention of underage drinking. For more information regarding Circle Park’s services, call 843-665-9349 or visit www.circlepark.com.
Megan Adkins, Prevention Specialist Circle Park Behavioral Health Services www.circlepark.com December 2021
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LIFESTYLE story by Adam Richardson, Lead Pastor, Church at Sandhurst LIFESTYLE
Christmas for the Tired
Take a deep BREATH (like, really). HOLD (a few seconds). EXHALE (slowly). It’s been a year. Two years. One more breath…
Once upon a time, I told my little daughter, “He’s got the whole world in His hands, Anna.” She asked, “Don’t His arms get tired?” I answered, “Uh - no they don’t actually.” But mine do.
He named Himself after His presence with us - Immanuel God with us. And with His presence, He gave us compassion, truth, redemption, faith, hope, love. He gave us confidence in the ultimate triumph of God, regardless of how dark the moment.
By this time I usually feel like Bing Crosby in Who-ville. This year I feel like the Grinch in My-ville. I really want to feel merry and light and joy - and well - Christmas spirit. But I’m tired of Covid and division and the world basically unhinged. It just doesn’t feel like the most wonderful time of the year. Can I get an amen?!
Let’s receive the gift of God this year, and give that gift to others. Forgiveness. Grace. An embrace. A listening ear. Encouragement. Genuine interest in crazy Uncle Barry. (Are we not the same to God?) A call to isolated family or friends.
But while our world doesn’t feel merry and bright - that’s the point. The Lord Christ was born into a dark and dead world - and He brought light and life. The main thing God has given the world is Himself. And it is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
At times my arms grow tired of working and my heart grows tired of longing. But Christmas reminds me that a world of beauty, simplicity, peace, and joy will not be my doing but God’s. A divine plan is unfolding, and for a season the distant echoes of God’s power and glory grow stronger. For a season, the joy and hope we have in His stunningly unconditional sacrificial life is given a name - “Christmas spirit.”
Because the spirit of Christmas – though we love the parties, gifts, Bing Crosby and friends, the decorations and other traditions (and we should – enjoy!) – the true spirit comes down to the one word ADVENT, meaning COMING. It is God coming to man, heaven coming toward hell, good coming toward evil, healing coming toward pain, and light coming toward the dark.
May we never recover from simple wonder at the mystery of God’s huge love.
He came to us...
Tidings of comfort and joy indeed! Merry Christmas!
From Isaiah - “On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned…for unto us a child is born, to us a son is given…and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Christmas at Sandhurst
Community Caroling: December 3rd, 7:oopm - 8:30pm
Christmas Day Service: December 25th, 10:15am - 11:30am
Christmas Celebration: December 12th, 10:15am - 11:30am
Christmas Eve Service: Decmeber 24th, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Carol Sing: December 19th, 9:00am - 10:00am
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Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth...
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LIFESTYLE
Photos provided by the DJ Rowell Foundation
Enhancing the Quality of Life for Local Children Gratefully, the holidays help to bring local nonprofit organizations to light. There’s a certain spirit in the air that encourages us to not only focus on giving to the ones we love but also to those that are less fortunate or are facing uncertainties. While focusing on fulfilling his own career dreams, local celebrity DJ Rowell has discovered how to also serve the community that helped shape him into the man he has become.
physical activity, specifically basketball. The Rockem Experience Camp is held in Marion annually and fully sponsors nearly 170 children to attend the week-long basketball camp. During the start of Covid-19, the camp was put on hold and DJ found himself looking for other avenues to still fulfill the need of area children.
David L. Rowell is a Marion, South Carolina, native. He graduated from Marion High School in 2011 where he played varsity basketball for four years before obtaining an athletic scholarship to Ohio Valley University. After college, DJ was fortunate enough to intern with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and later turned his interests to entertainment. Since then, DJ has successfully started a podcast and landed a lead role in the December 2020 debate of "Christmas in Carolina." DJ has also appeared in two more feature films, “Gaslight” and “Merry Little Switchmas.”
While on tour, DJ met a child who had been diagnosed with cancer. “He was such an incredible kid, with a spirit that could light up the entirety of New York Square,” said DJ. “I thought about how children like him, who are warriors, who fight every day for the chance of normalcy and of just being a kid, where the only expectation of a day should be to have fun. They need to know that people care. They need to know that they matter because their battles, in turn, will illuminate in understanding the smaller significant things in life that truly matter – each other.” That’s when DJ and his team decided to bring Christmas cheer to children that were hospitalized during the holidays.
As DJ's career goals were finding success, he was ready to focus some of his efforts on the betterment of children growing up in his hometown of Marion. He formed The DJ Rowell Foundation to enhance the quality of life in children through experiences and
This new opportunity to give came packaged in a backpack and began last Christmas. DJ and his team pack items such as stuffed animals, tablets, coloring books, crayons, tissues, hand wipes, lotion, toothbrushes, toys, books, pencils, board games,
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This year they will serve eight hospitals throughout South Carolina and have already collected over 400 backpacks at the time of this interview. “Our mission is to provide backpacks statewide, snowballing into a nationwide service and eventually catapulting globally,” DJ states.
pajamas, and of course a small DJ Foundation FRIENDS t-shirt into each backpack. The backpack symbolizes Santa’s big red velvety sack. The children continuously reach into the bag and pull out a gift just as Santa does! DJ along with the Foundations Vice President Jalisa Washington, Secretary Courtney Davis, and Board Member Michael Eaddy had the opportunity to hand-deliver these gifts last year. DJ described the moment as “AMAZING!” He said, “The moment was fulfilling both physically and emotionally. The smiles we received from children warmed the heart like a kettle on the stove. We were absolutely honored to give the backpacks filled with love, care, and a bunch of personalized goodies.” Last year, the Foundation donated 155 backpacks to four area hospitals including McLeod Children’s Hospital in Florence. This year they will serve eight hospitals throughout South Carolina and have already collected over 400 backpacks at the time of this interview. “Our mission is to provide backpacks statewide, snowballing into a nationwide service and eventually catapulting globally,” DJ states. Through partners, funding, fundraisers, donors, sponsors, and some personal investment, DJ and his team are able to supply items for the backpacks. “We LOVE what we do,” says DJ. “Giving to me is
something that allows me to show my appreciation. Marion is home; it is a place that will forever be near and dear to my heart. I was groomed here and taught the fundamentals of life before entering the outside world. Marion gave me humble beginnings; it’s truly a place like no other and gave me my very first true sense of making impactful memorable moments with people. This is where my first leading role was, right in Swamp Fox territory.” DJ is a dreamer and optimist who believes all things are possible with consistency, a strong work ethic, and a pure passion for impact. Today, the DJ Rowell Foundation has served over 1,000 kids through its programs and is growing to become fully sponsored. DJ shares, “Serving through the Foundation has been rewarding in every aspect. To know your vision, heart, and intention are all in alignment to make a positive impact on impressionable children is incredible." However, DJ is aware that he couldn’t do this without the support of others willing to give their time, make monetary donations, or gather supplies. Please join us in helping to further the DJ Rowell Foundation programs by visiting djrowellfoundation. org and clicking the “Donate” page. You can also email djrowellfoundation@gmail.com for information on drop-offs and other giving opportunities.
For more information on the DJ Rowell Foundation, visit www.djrowellfoundation.org. December 2021
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NEWSWORTHY
Something to Celebrate... Pee Dee Electric Cooperative Announces Another Large Rate Decrease Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PDEC) held its annual meeting on Saturday, October 23. The event, with COVID-19 precautions in place, featured live music, prize drawings including a choice between Honda Side-by-Sides or $10,000 cash, and an annual business session. During this once-a-year gathering, the member-owners of the electric co-op voted to receive a 10% rate decrease for the months of December 2021, January, and February 2022. This reduction will be applied automatically, and members will see it as a line item on their monthly bills. “We know that the winter months are a time when our members use the most energy and see their highest bills,” stated James Goodson, Chairman of the PDEC Board of Trustees. “We are so pleased to be able to show our appreciation by offering this significant rate decrease for that period.” Established in 1939, PDEC entered into a partnership with Marlboro Electric Cooperative (MEC) in September 2020. Known collectively as MPD, this strategic collaboration aligned the two neighboring co-ops with the goal of creating economic benefits, long-term efficiencies and overall improved service for members residing in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Lee, Marion and Marlboro counties. MEC is the lowest cost electric power provider in South Carolina according to the Federal Energy Information Administration (EIA), and this significant decrease is a major step towards aligning the two organizations’ electric rates. “We’re so proud to have been able to provide our members with a 5% rate decrease last winter, as well as the much larger 10% discount this past summer,” said William Fleming, Jr., MPD’s President and CEO. “The ability to offer an additional 10% rate decrease during the coldest and highest use months of the year demonstrates the benefits of the strategic alliance between the two co-ops. The ability to effectively perform as one of the largest electric cooperatives within the State and country provides each co-op the opportunity to regularly decrease rates and continue to improve member reliability across the entire region.”
Women in Philanthropy Awards Pee Dee Nonprofit Grants On Monday, November 15th, The Darla Moore Foundation announced a partnership with the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund to expand scholarship availability to 26 high schools in eight Pee Dee region counties. The new counties include Florence, Darlington, Dillon, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Williamsburg, and Clarendon and will begin in the 2021-2022 scholarship cycle. The program gives students a chance to earn up to $10,000 a year toward tuition and up to $40,000 over their college career.
Leadership Florence Participates in Healthcare Day The Florence Chamber Leadership Florence class of 20212022 held its November session on Tuesday, November 9th celebrating Healthcare Day. The 34-member class heard from several local healthcare organizations, which included visits to McLeod Regional Medical Center, MUSC Health Florence Medical Center and HopeHealth. Each organization had a very informative presentation for the group. The Chamber wants to thank MUSC Health for sponsoring breakfast, McLeod for sponsoring lunch and HopeHealth for providing group treats and special gifts for the participants.
Hand Surgery Associates Welcomes Dr. Nicholas R. White Nicholas R. White, MD has joined Robert W. Moore, MD at Hand Surgery Associates in Florence. Dr. White is a board-certified surgeon who has practiced for five years in Florence before accepting a prestigious hand fellowship at the University of Miami to specialize in surgery of the hand. Prior to the completion of his hand fellowship, Dr. White graduated from Wofford College and earned his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. White’s surgical interest include endoscopic carpal tunnel release, advanced nerve repair, and non-operative treatment of Dupuytren’s disease. Dr. White is now accepting new patients. Please call (843)676-2720. Hand Surgery Associates is located at 1498 Freedom Blvd., Florence, SC 29505.
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If you are celebrating a positive achievement or have been awarded for a newsworthy accomplishment, email Heather Page at heather@vipmagsc.com.
Women in Philanthropy Awards Pee Dee Nonprofit Grants On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, Eastern Carolina Community Foundation’s giving circle, Women in Philanthropy (WIP), hosted a brief program at St. John’s Church to announce the 2021 grant recipients. This year’s grants totaled $47,000 and were awarded to ten nonprofits who were carefully selected by the WIP grants committee. Grants ranged in amounts from $2,500 to $7,000. “The members of Women in Philanthropy are thrilled that we could award $47,000 to 10 very worthwhile nonprofit organizations,” said Carrington Wingard, WIP board member and grants committee chair. “This giving circle allows each member to be a philanthropist and make meaningful contributions to important community organizations.” This year’s grantees are: • CARE House of the Pee Dee • Caring Hearts of the Pee Dee • Drama Lady Theatre Group • Free Medical Clinic of Darlington • Foster Care Closing Closet • Helping Florence Flourish • Mercy Medicine Free Clinic • Manna House • The Naomi Project • Trent Hill Center “Women in Philanthropy is a wonderful group that supports CARE House of the Pee Dee and other local nonprofits,” shared Meg Temple, CARE House executive director. “This funding will ensure the privacy of child abuse victims while telling their stories of abuse by improving sound quality of interview space for investigation and prosecution.” Women in Philanthropy is a giving circle fund of Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, serving Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg Counties. The philosophy is that women informed about philanthropy and community needs can collectively make a difference in improving the quality of life and bring about change in the Pee Dee by combining financial and intellectual resources to award annual grants to local nonprofits. Since its 2009 inception, the WIP fund has contributed over $500,000 to nonprofits in the counties served by Eastern Carolina Community Foundation. More information about Eastern Carolina Community Foundation and Women in Philanthropy membership may be found at www.easterncarolinacf.org or by calling 843-667-1131.
Earns "Certified Zero Harm Awards" MUSC Health Florence and Marion Medical Centers have earned a combined 10 South Carolina “Certified Zero Harm Awards” from the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA). These awards are in recognition of the outstanding performance for patient safety and prevention of hospital-acquired infections. “These awards are a direct result of the hard work and dedication of each one of our care team members,” MUSC Health Florence Division Chief Executive Officer Jay Hinesley said. “This recognition further emphasizes our commitment to high reliability and is imperative to ensuring zero harm. I am incredibly proud of the resilience and continued focus we have to provide safe, high-quality care. “ The clinically focused Certified Zero Harm Awards remains a unique statewide program thanks to SCHA’s collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC), who independently validates the hospital data. While the core focus of the awards remains—that hospitals must eliminate or avoid specific preventable hospital-acquired infections over a period of time—SCHA has modified the awards this year to focus on the prior 12-month period to better assess year-to-year progress. “I am extremely proud of the 2021 Zero Harm Awards we received in the Florence Division. While our division has been heavily impacted by multiple surges of COVID-19, these awards make it clear how committed our providers are to providing high quality and safe care for our communities,” MUSC Health Florence Division Chief Medical Officer Rami Zebian said. “We work diligently to create a culture of high reliability and safety. We owe it to our patients to provide exceptional care, and these awards demonstrate just how well we work together across all locations to do that.” MUSC Health Florence Medical Center sustained two zero bloodstream infection awards in the Cardiovascular Intensive Critical Care Unit and the Medical Intensive Care Unit. The other two awards are for no Surgical Site Infections in Abdominal Hysterectomy and Knee Replacement. MUSC Health Florence Rehabilitation Center sustained two hospital-onset awards for no Clostridium difficile (C.diff) and no Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aurieus (MRSA) infections. MUSC Health Marion Medical Center sustained one bloodstream infection award in the Intensive Care Unit, two hospital-onset awards for no Clostridium difficile (C.diff), and no Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aurieus (MRSA) infections. In addition, it received a hospital-onset no pressure injury award, a new category for zero harm.
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LIFESTYLE
2021 VIP MAGAZINE THIS YEAR IN REVIEW
• Sanders Cartoon Mascots “Thank you to our community for giving my family the opportunity to be a part of your family’s celebrations. The opportunity is a major blessing. We have added Cocomelon and Batman to the Sanders Cartoon Mascot collection since we were featured in Vip in August of 2021. Thank you so much for allowing me to be in Vip, it was truly a honor and a pleasure to work with the Vip staff.” .... Robin Sanders
• GoodLife Fitness “This has been an AMAZING year for GoodLife Fitness! We are extremely grateful for GF being voted Best of the Pee Dee in four categories in 2021! Our huge virtual platform expansion now allows us to help clients all over the country! We are so appreciative of all the support and look forward to serving our community in greater capacities in 2022!” ...Nicole Goodman
• F1S Art Teacher “I want to thank F1S for the continued support and dedication to our staff, students and community throughout the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. Happy holidays, everyone!”...Krystal Fluentes
• The DIY Place Florence “We turned ONE in 2021 and we couldn’t be more thankful for the support from the Florence community throughout our first year! We are excited for what 2022 can bring!” ...Cornelia & Aimee Monjarrez
• North Industrial Machine “What a great year! We appreciate all the continued support from the community!” ...Brandy Johnson
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HOME HOME
Family Christmas TRADITIONS
Get more from Doug Smith by following him on Facebook and Instagram at "Doug the Food Guy". Find Doug the FoodGuy on Spotify and Apple podcasts @The Pizzeria & Enzo Show
story and recipe by Doug Smith Christmas is almost here and for me, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas traditions run deep for us and I would love to share a few of ours and hope to hear about some of yours. A tradition my wife Jackie and I started years ago is shopping for the perfect ornaments. When we go on vacation, we find ourselves looking for ornaments that will go side by side with the handmade angels, snowflakes, or white doves that adorn our tree honoring years past. I would say our tree is more of a family story told with small additions added one year at a time. Some chapters get hidden in the back out of sight by young adults (namely our children). Starting in mid-October, yes, I know that’s early, my daughter Savannah and I begin baking our Christmas cakes. Over the years this has become quite an event, we even have people ask to come help and be a part of this tradition. We consider this a great compliment. Another tradition is seeing the lights! We start right after Thanksgiving and visit them throughout December. We make lots of trips to several local light displays. Some we drive
BEST EVER HOT WASSAIL RECIPE INGREDIENTS
• • • •
2 quarts apple cider ½ cup lemon juice 4 cinnamon sticks 1 pinch ground nutmeg
METHOD
• 2 cups orange juice • 12 whole cloves • 1 pinch ground ginger
In a large pot over low heat, combine apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice. Season with cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer. Serve hot.
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through and some are for walking around and seeing who else you know that came out on that night. These are only a few of our family traditions. I encourage you to keep your traditions going or start a new one this year. Spending quality time with friends and family makes it special. Put on a pot of coffee or make hot cocoa. A personal favorite of mine is Hot Wassail. Invite a few people over and celebrate the reason for the season. A shortlist of popular Traditions from around the world: • Christmas Movies • 12 Days of Christmas • Advent calendars • Pickle in the Tree • Elf on the Shelf • Baking cookies • The Nutcracker Share your family Christmas traditions by uploading pictures and stories on my 'Doug the FoodGuy' Facebook page. Merry Chritmas!
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DRINK OF THE MONTH
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November 2021 December 2019
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November 2019
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November 2019
