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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
Contributing Photographers Devon Carsten Erin Daniel Laura Gainey Deven Holley James McCoy Fred Salley Bradley Shaw Viridiana Photography True Story Photography Memories by Lexi
Contributing Writers Emily Bair Amanda Burnett, M.D. Mark W. Buyck, III Cynthia Ford Rebecca Giese Prabal Guha, M.D. Bri Jackson Abdallah Kamouh, M.D. Brock McAllister Yvette Pierce Steven Sims
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.
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ISSUE 75
ABOUT THE COVER
MUSC HEALTH FLORENCE DIVISION HEART AND VASCULAR TEAM A revolutionary heart pump is making a big difference for acute heart failure in patients with severe decompensation and for those who need a life-saving procedure to survive. “At MUSC Health Florence, we have all the tools to treat cardiac patients so they can live full lives. This device allows us to tackle more complex and risky cases with much less risk for the patient,” Kamouh says. (Pictured above.) See page 10 the full story.
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CONTENTS: FEBRUARY 2022
HEALTH 10 MUSC: Heart Pump Helps Those Weak at Heart 12 HopeHealth: A Healthy Heart to Heart 14 McLeod Health: New Micra AV - Keeps Heart in Pace, Only Weighs a Penny 16 Flo-Town Fitness: Ownership, Values and Planning
LIFEST YLE 24 Cynthia Ford: How the Heart Mirrors Love 26 Moments in Black History: Impacts of Black Social Justice Movements 28 Doug Smith: Safely Reducing Food Waste 30 Castles and Cruises: Expert's Essential Travel Tips
CALENDAR 32 February 2022: Fun Days and Events
BUSINESS 18 Newsworthy 20 Mark W. Buyck, III: The Presidential Election of 1960
BRIDES 36 James and Sara Johnson 37 Adam and Elizabeth Celli 38 Collin and Annie Laurie Altman 39 Paige and Kyle Howard 40 Timothy and Meagan Johnson 42 Zachary and Danielle Ward 44 Lance and Melody Evans 46 Justin and Christina Pettis 48 Rebecca Giese: Tips for Customizing Your Wedding on a Budget 50 This History of the Wedding Band
BOOK REVIEW 22 Bri Jackson: At Home - A Short History of Private Life
DRINK 52 La'Quantia Goodman: Marital Bliss
February 2022
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HOME + WELLNESS HEALTH
A HEART PUMP HELPS THOSE WEAK AT HEART story by Abdallah Kamouh, M.D., MUSC Health – Cardiology – Florence Medical Pavilion A revolutionary heart pump is making a big difference for acute heart failure in patients with severe decompensation and for those who need a life-saving procedure to survive. A subset of patients with severe acute heart failure can present with shock that leads to organ injury and dysfunction and this is associated with very high risk of death. PCI, or percutaneous coronary intervention, is a procedure that restores blood flow to the heart in patients with coronary artery disease. Formerly called angioplasty with a stent, PCI can be an elective or emergency procedure. Although PCI is one of the preferred methods for opening up clogged arteries and restoring blood flow, it poses risks for patients with multiple blocked arteries, acute heart failure, and who are in cardiogenic shock after a heart attack, says Dr. Abdallah Kamouh, chief of cardiology at MUSC Health Florence. “The mortality risk for these patients is high,” Dr. Kamouh says. “Many of them are not candidates, or at very high risk for bypass surgery, often because of underlying health conditions, and their heart cannot pump enough blood for them to survive a safe PCI because their heart is too weak. They’re on the edge of dying.” A percutaneously inserted heart pump, called left ventricular assisted device (LVAD), has changed the landscape -- and the outcome – for these patients. 10
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“It gives patients a second chance,” he says. The pump reduces strain on the heart and provides circulatory support by pumping blood from the left side of the heart to the body’s organs through the main blood vessel, called the aorta. It is used when patients show severe heart failure decompensation with end organ damage. This pump will help them to recover from their acute illness and to buy them time in order to get more advanced heart failure therapy such as surgically placed LVAD or heart transplantation. Moreover, it is used in an acute heart attack complicated by cardiogenic shock and to facilitate high-risk procedures as well, Kamouh says. Made of metal and attached to a thin, flexible catheter, the pump is inserted through the femoral artery in the leg and placed in the heart’s left ventricle. The non-surgical procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes. “Basically, the motorized pump sucks the blood out of the main chamber of the heart and pushes it through the aorta so the blood can circulate throughout the body,” Kamouh says. For high-risk procedures the pump can be taken out at the end of the surgery. In other circumstances, usually the pump will be kept in place for few days depending on the patient condition to continue providing support to the heart. Kamouh says the pump can also be used while a cardiologist assesses a patient’s condition and during other complex procedures.
“AT MUSC HEALTH FLORENCE, WE HAVE ALL THE TOOLS TO TREAT CARDIAC PATIENTS SO THEY CAN LIVE FULL LIVES. THIS DEVICE ALLOWS US TO TACKLE MORE COMPLEX AND RISKY CASES WITH MUCH LESS RISK FOR THE PATIENT,” KAMOUH SAYS. “THEY’RE LIVING FULL LIVES BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO FIX THEIR ARTERIES. IT TRULY IS LIFE-CHANGING FOR SOME PATIENTS WHO HAVE NO HOPE.”
This cutting-edge heart pump represents an ongoing effort to provide the best in all types of medical care at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center, a recognized accredited Chest Pain Center. The MUSC Health Florence Division Heart and Vascular team:
Dr. Abdallah Kamouh,
Dr. Sam Rahman,
Dr. Mo Bourji,
Dr. Gregory May,
Dr. Daniel Ng,
Dr. Parinita Dherange,
Cardiologist
Cardiologist
Cardiologist
Cardiologist
Cardiologist
Electrophysiologist
For more information, or to speak with a cardiologist, please call 843-674-4787. Dr. Charles Stonerock, Vascular Surgeon
Dr. Dorn Smith, III,
Cardiothoracic/Vascular Surgeon
www.muschealth.org/medical-services/heart February 2022
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HEALTH HEALTH ++ WELLNESS WELLNESS
A Healthy Heart to Heart story by Amanda Burnette, MD, HopHealth
Valentine’s Day is a holiday devoted to matters of the heart, and what matters more than your heart health? February is American Heart Month and a time to spread awareness for cardiovascular wellness and provide tools to ensure that you are here for your partner and loved ones for many years to come. To celebrate Valentine's Day, here are some heart-healthy recommendations perfectly suited for a day of fun and romance.
Amanda Burnette, MD
360 N Irby St. Florence 843.667.9414 hope-health.org
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Amanda Burnette, MD is a physician serving patients at the HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence. Dr. Burnette is originally from Florence and is a member of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
February 2022
Sources: Red Wine: https://utswmed.org/medblog/polyphenols/ Dark Chocolate: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefitsdark-chocolate#1 Exercise: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitnessbasics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults Oxytocin: https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/what-toknow-about-oxytocin https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-andwellness/2018/february/affection
• Have a Glass of Red Wine with a Heart-Healthy Dinner. Red wine in moderation has been shown to benefit heart health thanks to the presence of antioxidants called polyphenols. Polyphenols have anti-inflammatory effects on the body, can lower blood pressure, and enhance blood flow, lowering risk for cardiovascular disease. Pair a glass of red wine (5 ounces) with a meal containing lean protein, vegetables, whole grains, and fruit for dessert. Add a romantic touch for Valentine's Day with chocolate-dipped strawberries or passion fruit.
• Be Affectionate. • Indulge in Some Dark Chocolate. If you and your partner have a weakness for chocolate, 1-2 ounces of dark chocolate daily can help to satisfy your sweet tooth, while providing health benefits for your heart. That’s right, chocolate can be good for you! Studies show dark chocolate can reduce inflammation throughout the body and prevent blood clots, as well as decrease blood pressure. Dark chocolate can also improve blood vessel flexibility, lowering the risk of atherosclerosis caused by deposits of plaque and fats that impede blood flow.
Make your heart your valentine in 2022 and give it all the attention it deserves. After all, it is a relationship you can’t live without.
Be Affectionate. Researchers have found that when you engage in physical touch with your partner or loved one, the “love hormone” and neurotransmitter oxytocin is released. Associated with childbirth and pair-bonding between mothers and newborns, oxytocin is also released with hugs, cuddling, and other forms of physical intimacy, and can reduce blood pressure, anxiety, and stress, which put strain on the heart. Affection doesn’t have to be limited to your partner, or even people. Regularly embracing friends, your children, and even your pets (more belly rubs for the puppies) can increase oxytocin levels for a more positive wellbeing. Not a hugger? You can also produce oxytocin with good conversations, acts of kindness, regular movement, and listening to music.
• Get Your Heartrate Up Together. Do physical activities with your partner that raise your heart rate for at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) per week, or 30 minutes daily for five days. You can go for walks together (bonus points for romance if they are long walks on the beach), go dancing, ride bicycles, take a hike, kayak, and more. Be as creative as you want! As long as you are active and limit the amount of time you are sedentary each week, your heart will enjoy the benefits of exercise, including reduced risks for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. An added benefit of exercising with your significant other is you can act as each other’s accountability partner, providing additional encouragement and support when adding activity to your daily routine.
February 2021
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HEALTH + WELLNESS
McLeod Electrophysiologist Dr. Prabal Guha implants pacemakers like the Micra and the Micra AV in the dedicated Electrophysiology Laboratory at McLeod Regional Medical Center.
THE NEW MICRA AV
Keeps Heart in Pace. Only Weighs a Penny.
Micra AV is a leadless pacemaker and is 93 percent smaller than modern-day pacemakers.
story by Dr. Prabal Guha, McLeod Electrophysiologist, McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute A pacemaker is a small battery-powered electronic device that sends electrical signals to the heart to help it beat at a proper rate. It is surgically placed under the skin and connected to the heart by one or more wires or leads. Pacemakers are used for cardiac conditions like bradycardia that disrupt the heart's normal electrical system. Bradycardia is characterized by a slow or irregular heart rhythm. At a low rate, the heart is unable to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body during normal activity or exercise causing dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath or fainting spells. Pacemakers are the most common way to treat bradycardia -- restoring the heart's normal rhythm and relieving symptoms by sending electrical impulses to the heart to increase the heart rate. 14 14
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Pacemakers do not take over the work of the heart but assist in regulating the timing and sequence of the heartbeat. Pacemakers only work when they are needed. These devices are sophisticated enough to decide when support to the heart is required. Over the years, the size of pacemakers has drastically changed. The first wearable pacemaker in the 1950s weighed over half a pound and was worn externally around the neck. Today’s pacemakers are about 2 inches wide and 1.5 inches high. As technology advanced, the devices continued to shrink. In 2017, McLeod began offering a new device, the Micra, that is 93 percent smaller than modern-day pacemakers. Micra weighs about the same as a penny and is the size of a vitamin capsule.
Micra is a leadless pacemaker, which means there are no leads to connect it to the heart. The technology for a leadless pacemaker consists of computer chips and a small battery in a sealed case that resembles a AAA battery. Micra delivers electrical impulses that pace the heart through an electrode located at the end of the device. Currently, the Micra device is only available for patients with certain medical conditions and a slow heart rate that would require pacing in the lower chamber of the heart. The original Micra does not cover all the medical problems that require the services of a pacemaker. This system previously did not provide the ability to synchronize the upper and lower chambers of the heart. A new treatment option in dual chamber pacing is the Micra AV. Micra AV is for patients with AV block, a condition in which the electrical signals between the chambers of the heart are impaired. Micra AV has internal sensing to detect activity of the upper chamber of the heart and deliver electrical pulses in the lower chamber maintaining time-based synchronization of the upper and lower chambers. Micra AV is the same size as the original Micra. Both are so small they are delivered via a catheter, similar to the way a heart catheterization is performed. The catheter is inserted through a vein in the leg. X-ray imaging guides the catheter to the right side of the heart. Micra is then implanted directly into the heart muscle. It attaches to the heart with small tines (hooks) that secure the device in place.
The Micra is implanted directly into the heart muscle and attached with small tines that secure the device in place. Image courtesy of Medtronic.
With the leadless device in place inside the heart, there is no lump under the skin that can be felt as with a traditional pacemaker. In addition, patients with a Micra implant will have no chest scar, or visible physical reminder like seen with the traditional pacemakers. With the addition of Micra AV, the benefits of a leadless pacemaker can be extended to even more patients. A cardiologist or electrophysiologist can help determine if a patient may be a candidate for a leadless pacemaker.
Dr. Prabal Guha is a Board Certified Electrophysiologist with McLeod Cardiology Associates who was voted the Best Cardiologist by the readers of the Morning News for the Best of the Pee Dee. Dr. Guha cares for patients at McLeod Cardiology Associates offices located in Florence and Sumter. Appointments can be made by calling 843-667-1891.
For more information, visit McLeodHealth.org. February 2022
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HEALTH + WELLNESS
Flo-Town Fitness
Ownership, Values & Planning story by Brock McAllister, Flo-Town Fitness
Over 90% of people who set New Year's resolutions never see it become reality! Why do you think that is? I can promise you it is not because they didn’t set a good goal. We are great at coming up with goals that sound good on paper or your social media posts, but we are not great at following through. The reasons for this are endless, but for me, it comes down to three principles; Ownership, Core Values, and Planning. These three principles, when aligned, allow people to accomplish some pretty amazing things. Starting with the most important principle, Ownership, you must understand that YOU and you alone are the person that is responsible for whether you will succeed or fail. That does not mean that you have to go at it alone, you're going to need help along the way, but it does mean that you must take full ownership of your actions and your mindset when it comes to the journey. Owning the process will eliminate 90% of the reasons people stop pursuing their goals. Next up will be the Core Values, which are the few things that drive YOU. When you allow yourself to make goals that align with what you find important in life, you will find the motivation that is not dependent on Instagram, Facebook, or a playlist, it comes from within you and that can never be taken away. Finally answering the question, “How the heck am I going to make this happen?” When planning, it is important to understand that the plan is not a make or break, it's only a guideline to make sure we are on the right track. Just because you took one step off the trail does not mean that you are lost, it just means you need to stop, find the trail, and move back in that direction. A good plan will have assessments, timetables, benchmarks, and accountability. It's important to first know where you are now, how far it is to your destination, and what you will pass before you get there. Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Well, let's go through setting a goal together.
FLO-TOWN FITNESS 612 S IRBY ST, FLORENCE | FLO-TOWN-FITNESS.TRIIB.COM
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GOAL: Lose 100 pounds by 2023 When it comes to ownership, I am responsible for making lifestyle changes in order to lose 100 pounds and no one else will be at fault if I am ever to not meet my goal. I know that I am going to need help with changing what I eat and with getting started at the gym. Family and work are two things I consider my core values, so losing this weight is important to me because I want to be there for my family, which requires me to be able to play with my kids. Also, I have people at work that rely on me to be able to handle physical and mental stress and by getting down to 300 pounds, I believe it will help me be better in both aspects of my life. Now how will I make this happen! My plan is to change what I eat and start going to the gym. I have asked one of the trainers to teach me how to eat healthier and I will be going to the gym at 6:00 AM Monday through Thursday every week. My benchmark goals are to lose twenty five pounds every three months and I will be weighing in every Thursday morning before class. If I do not meet my goal of 100 pounds by 2023, I will continue with the goals of twenty five pounds per quarter until I reach 300 pounds!
As you can see, this is a pretty solid game plan for meeting your goals, so all that is left is for you to set your sights on what you would like 2022 to be the year for and follow the three principles of OWNERSHIP, CORE VALUES, and PLANNING.
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NEWSWORTHY
Something to Celebrate... Carolina Canners, Inc. Hosts Employee Appreciation and Incentive Event The “Drive for Perfect Attendance” program culminates in new truck giveaway. Carolina Canners, Inc. (CCI) an independent Pepsi bottler and production cooperative, gave away a brand new 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor valued at over $43,000 to one of their full-time employees. The Drive for Perfect Attendance initiative was implemented in August 2021 to promote attendance among hourly employees. Each week that an employee achieved perfect attendance, his/her name was entered into a drawing for a chance to win the brand-new Ford truck. Employees also earned an additional entry be referring a candidate who was hired to work full-time. Employees who achieved perfect attendance for the full 18 weeks of the program earned an additional 18 entries into the drawing! Twenty employees achieved this milestone and were awarded a smaller level prize in addition to the extra entries. Temporary employees were not eligible to win the truck but earned an entry for a $250 cash prize for each week they achieved perfect attendance. The program culminated in the giveaway event on December 9th, which was hosted at the plant located in Cheraw, SC. All employees were invited to attend amid an atmosphere of celebration which included lunch and multiple door prizes ranging from Yeti coolers to Walmart gift cards. Over 75 people attended including State Senators Gerald Malloy and Penry Gustafson and Mayor Andy Ingram. The grand prize winner of the truck was 3rd Shift Injection Molder Corey Robinson who had worked his way up from temporary to full-time employee. Robert Johnson was the part-time employee winner of the $250 cash prize. The excitement in the crowd was at an all-time high when CCI President, Mark Avent, announced that all employees would receive a one-time bonus of $750! Jeff Stevens, CEO at Carolina Canners, Inc. (CCI) commented. “With all the challenges that the Pandemic has presented, our leadership team wanted to develop an incentive to promote and reward attendance among our hourly work force. We all benefit when everyone comes to work, and we work together as a team. Our most valuable asset at CCI is our people. They are the hardest working and most dedicated workforce that I have been associated with in my 36 years working in this industry. I am so proud of what they have been able to accomplish this year and thrilled we were able to offer this incentive and celebration as a testimony of their efforts”. Carolina Canners operates in Cheraw, SC and specializes in bottle injection molding and features two bottle-filling production lines, two can-filling production lines and a fountain syrup production line, producing and distributing Pepsi-Cola and other affiliated brands. The company purchases PET resin locally from Nanya Plastics in Lake City, SC and injects preforms to be used in state of the art, high speed bottling lines that blow and fill bottles at a rate of 1000 bottles per minute. Additional companies that fall under the CCI umbrella include Carolina Packaging Inc., Southeast Hot Fill, Pepsi of Florence, Pee Dee Foodservice and Pepsi of Greenville, SC.
MPD Electric Cooperative Sharing Success MPD Electric Cooperative delivered checks totaling $20,000 to four deserving organizations across the Pee Dee. The Community Kitchen of Bennettsville, Sandy Grove Baptist Church - Food Pantry of Bennettsville, Kids Closet of Darlington, and Help 4 Kids of Florence were all pleasantly surprised to learn they were recipients of these helpful donations. The contributions were part of the Cooperative’s bank, CoBank and their “Sharing Success” program. CoBank matched contributions of MPD Electric Cooperative to four local charities of its choice. Roger Griggs at the Community Kitchen stated, “You just don’t know what this means to us. We operate solely on donations, no government funding, and these funds go a long way”. The Community Kitchen serves lunch Monday through Friday to about 180 individuals and is staffed only by volunteers. MPD Electric Cooperative employees also provide food, cook, and serve meals several times each year at the kitchen. Sandy Grove’s Food Pantry packs food bags to put in cars that drive through the church parking lot every fourth Saturday feeding about 400 families. Food pantry services are available to anyone who qualifies and registers. Pastor Gilbert Wilson of Sandy Grove Baptist Church said, “The Lord blesses us so we may bless others. That’s what He calls us to do”. Deacon of the church, Thomas Johnson along with Pastor Wilson started the food pantry almost 20 years ago. Kids Closet in downtown Darlington provides clothes for needy children of all ages and sizes throughout the community. Their space is made to feel like a real retail store to give kids a sense of normalcy and “go shopping”. Beth Hubbard was thrilled to receive the donation and said, “Somehow, some way, the funds always show up just when they are needed." The organization can also use additional gently used clothing, jackets, shoes, and coat hangers. Diane Welch with Help 4 Kids stated, “The number of food insecure children in our area is surprising. You can’t expect children to learn and behave well in school if they’re going on an empty stomach. Our goal is that children get to school each morning rested, fed and ready to learn”. The organization packs food bags that are discretely sent home before the weekend with children who meet a certain criteria. “MPD’s cooperative spirit focuses on the needs of the people in our communities. These contributions aim to improve the quality of life in all the areas we serve and we’re grateful for the blessings we have to share with others,” said MPD Electric Cooperative President and CEO, William Fleming, Jr.
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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.
McLeod Health Foundation Receives $25,000 Grant from Truist Foundation Funds to Support Purchase of New Mobile Mammography Unit. The McLeod Health Foundation today announced it received a $25,000 grant from Truist Foundation to support the purchase of a new Mobile Mammography Unit. “We are pleased to receive this funding from Truist Foundation,” said Jill Bramblett, Executive Director of the McLeod Foundation. “This support will continue to ensure life-saving access to annual mammograms through the new McLeod Mobile Mammography Unit.” Donors to the McLeod Foundation made it possible for the purchase of the original unit in 2008. Since that time, breast cancer has been detected in 152 women and more than 33,000 women have been able to conveniently receive a screening mammogram -- many at industries throughout the region. This incredible resource needs to be replaced so it can reliably travel throughout the region to offer this special service to women, according to Bramblett. “Providing convenient access to medical care and screening supports our communities and can save lives,” said Mike Brenan, South Carolina, Regional President for Truist, speaking on behalf of the Truist Foundation. “The new Mobile Mammography Unit is an important addition that will help McLeod Health fulfill its mission and is another way Truist inspires and builds better lives and communities.”
New Funding Paves the Way for Growth at FMU's Wildsumaco Bilogical Station FMU’s Wildsumaco Biological Station in Ecuador is expanding its facilities to further enhance the experience for faculty and student researchers. Located in the foothills of the Andean Mountains, the station is an international hub for biological research. The facility currently consists of two buildings, a residence hall and a multipurpose room, but will soon include a new laboratory. FMU’s continued investment in the Wildsumaco Biological Station has created significantly more opportunities for scientific research and instruction since its inception ten years ago.
Amazing Grace Park Awarded Grant from Maron County Healthcare Foundation Amazing Grace Park is pleased to announce the acceptance of a 3 year grant from the Marion County Healthcare Foundation. The grant totals $56,000 annually. Amazing Grace Park (AGP) has received a grant from the MCHF to assist with maintenance, upkeep, and ongoing activities. With a focus on economic growth, education, and healthy living, these funds will be used to further the vision for the park. Said Pete Mazzaroni, Executive Director of the Foundation “the foundation board recognizes that completing park construction was one milestone, but becoming operational in the community is another. This operational grant will help the park achieve that goal.” Events will be planned to bring community members and visitors to Marion County. The events will include community celebrations, festivals, and more. AGP is working to provide group fitness opportunities to encourage healthy living. The park is partnering with local school districts to expand upon the learning experiences available to students. Park Manager, Stephanie Gamoneda, says “Amazing Grace Park is so thankful for this investment into our community. We strive to create a welcoming environment with inspiring reasons to continually visit the park. This grant will ensure we can provide those opportunities for our community and beyond.”
“We have funding now that we have already committed to the next phase of expansion at the Station,” said Travis Knowles, FMU biology professor and director of Wildsumaco Biological Station. “We want to apply to the National Science Foundation and other grant agencies for funding to equip the lab, so we have a good plan in place.” FMU partnered with UNC-Wilmington, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, and the Wildsumaco Wildlife Sanctuary in 2012 to create a research and lodging facility where biologists and related faculty can study and monitor rare and diverse species unique to the region. “A decade ago, FMU and UNC-Wilmington joined with a group of Ecuadorian partners to develop an exciting new biological station in the foothills of the Andean Mountains.” said Dr. Fred Carter, president of Francis Marion University. “Much of the collaborative effort was accomplished by Travis Knowles, one of our most innovative and resourceful biologists. The Station and the quality of work that it has produced has substantially exceeded the expectations of all of the institutions involved. We’re excited about expanding the facility so that even more students and faculty can undertake meaningful research in this unique international setting.” Wildsumaco Biological Station can house up to 18 faculty or student researchers. Currently, the facility has a multipurpose building that functions as a dining hall and lecture space for visiting groups. February 2022
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BUSINESS BUSINESS
story by Mark W. Buyck, III
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1960
The last six decades have seen six of the closest elections in America’s history. The founding fathers, in their wisdom, provided for the Electoral College in the United States Constitution. Under this system, electoral votes are cast by state rather than a nationwide popular vote. There have been five occasions in United States history when the winning presidential candidate lost the national popular vote yet prevailed in the Electoral College. This occurred in 2000 when George W. Bush defeated Vice President Al Gore and again in 2016 when Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. The 2000 election will hopefully be the closest ever experienced in this country. The difference in that election was 557 votes, President Bush’s margin of victory in the state of Florida. Had 558 of Bush’s supporters not bothered to cast their vote, Gore would have won. Likewise, if 279 of Bush’s voters had flipped and instead voted for Gore, our country could be radically different today. President Trump’s continued insistence that he won the 2020 election is not the first time a losing presidential candidate questioned the veracity of the vote count. The 1960 election between Republican Vice President Richard Nixon and Democrat Senator John F. Kennedy was the closest election in the 20th and 21st centuries measured by popular vote. Nationally, President Kennedy won by less than 119,000 votes. It was the first election with dedicated television coverage from all three national networks. When the country went to bed that night, the election had not been called 20
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as there were a number of close states. The networks in the early hours of Wednesday, mistakenly called California for Kennedy and based on that call, called the election. Over the following week, the state’s absentee ballots were counted and Nixon went from a 32,000 vote deficit to a 36,000 vote win in his home state. Nixon conceded the day after the election and Kennedy began his preparations for office. In the ensuing days, questions began arising about the conduct of the election in two of the largest states, Ohio and Texas. The Democrat-dominated Cooke County Election Commission waited until all of the rural and conservative counties in Illinois had reported their votes before reporting their final tally. The final count in Illinois was a Kennedy win by 8,858 votes. Nixon carried 92 of the state’s 101 counties. Republicans challenged the Cooke County votes with the state election commission and in the courts. They were ultimately unsuccessful. Kennedy and his Vice President nominee, Lyndon Johnson, then a Senator from Texas, carried Johnson’s home state by 46,000 votes. Nixon supporters attempted to secure a recount; however, the allDemocrat Texas Board of Elections declined the request. Allegations were made that in several precincts and counties there were more votes cast than registered voters. Had Nixon carried Illinois and Texas, he would have easily carried the Electoral College and won his first election in 1960 instead of 1968.
On election night, Hawaii was called for Nixon. Hawaii’s acting Republican Governor quickly certified Hawaii’s electors for the Vice President. Democrats continued to contest Nixon’s 141 vote margin and petition the courts for a recount. The state court ordered a recount of the votes which was not completed before the deadline established by the federal Electoral Count Act. When the recount was completed, it showed that Kennedy had won by 115 votes. Both the Democrat and Republican electors were presented to the United States Congress on January 6, 1961. Nixon, in the Vice President’s role, was presiding over the Senate. He graciously announced, “without the intent of establishing a precedent, I request unanimous consent that Hawaii’s three votes be counted for Kennedy.” During the 1960 election, there were ten states decided by less than 10,000 votes, including South Carolina, which Kennedy carried by 9,571 votes. If Nixon had selectively flipped 5,700 votes in Illinois, Hawaii, and New Mexico, he would have had the electoral votes necessary for election.
Business Law, Litigation, Real Estate, and Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys 248 West Evans Street | Florence, SC | 843.662.3258 2050 Corporate Centre’ Drive, Suite 230 Myrtle Beach, SC | 843.650.6777 February 2022
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VIP'S BOOK CLUB
BRI JACKSON REVIEWS
AT HOME
A SHORT HISTORY OF PRIVATE LIFE BY WILLIAM "BILL" MCGUIRE BRYSON Bill Bryson’s At Home: A Short History of Private Life takes the reader room by room through Bryson’s home, a Victorian parsonage in the English countryside, as he details the history of, well, almost everything. About a third of the way through the book, we find ourselves in the dining room and a detailed discussion of Victorian dining habits and the dishes one finds on the table, such as a cruet stand. Thus begins the history of condiments and spices. “Scores of other flavorings were applied in the kitchen. But just two were considered so indispensable that they never left the table at all. I refer of course to salt and pepper. Why is it that these two, out of all the hundreds of spices and flavorings available, have such a durable venerability…?” And with that, Bryson boards a British fleet in the 1740s that lost 1,400 men out of two thousand who sailed over a three-year period. Cause of death: scurvy. Bryson’s house is a map for the history of the world. In the drawing room with its expensive finishings of carved moldings, cornice, and fireplace surround, we are given the history of architecture and a detailed introduction to its most influential person, Andrea Palladio. On the landing, he studies the walls and with that comes a brief but fascinating history of wallpaper and paint. In the bathroom, we (maybe obviously?) learn about hygiene. 22
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Ancient peoples such as the Minoans, Greeks, and Romans, had fully developed water supply and drainage systems. We all know how much the Romans appreciated their baths. But then, at the beginning of the Middle Ages, people stopped bathing altogether. The Christian church began equating holiness with dirtiness. The start and spread of the plague during that time also made people averse to bathing and therefore opening their pores to the “deathly vapors”. I could really go on and on with the interesting facts and amusing stories found throughout this book. Full disclosure: it is one of my all-time favorite books. Bryson’s wit is sharp and quite amusingly imparts detailed history lessons as if they were fiction rather than fact. Although the introduction is a bit laborious (you have my permission to skip it), At Home is a pleasure to read and will surely improve your Jeopardy! game. William “Bill” McGuire Bryson, OBE, is an American writer. His work is of the bestselling category and comprises humorous books on travel; as well as books on the English language and on science. Though he was born in the USA, he spent most of his adult life in the UK.
FUN FACTS FROM THE NOVEL
THE FUSE BOX - “We forget just how painfully dim the world was before electricity. A good candle provides barely a hundredth of the illumination of a single 100-watt lightbulb. Open your refrigerator door and you summon forth more light than the total amount enjoyed by most households in the eighteenth century.”
THE GARDEN - “In the middle of the nineteenth century, London had just 218 acres of burial grounds. People were packed into them in densities almost beyond imagining. When the poet William Blake died in 1827, he was buried, at Bunhill Fields, on top of three others; later, four more were placed on top of him.”
THE HALL - “So little did people think of rooms in the modern sense that the word ‘room’, with the meaning of an enclosed chamber or distinct space, isn’t recorded in English until the time of the Tudors.”
THE KITCHEN - “Americans appreciated
ice as no people had before. They used it to chill beer and wine, to make delectable icy cocktails, to soothe fevers, and to create a vast range of frozen treats. Ice cream became popular—and startlingly inventive, too. At Delmonico’s, the celebrated New York restaurant, customers could order pumpernickel rye ice cream and asparagus ice cream, among many other unexpected flavors.” February 2022
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LIFESTYLE story by Cynthia Ford
How the Heart Mirrors Love In February, we are reminded of the importance of having a healthy heart, sharing love, and having healthy relationships. As we know, American Heart Health Month and Valentine’s Day reigns as a top focus. Even though the heart is about the size of a fist, it pacts a powerful punch with the huge responsibility it has for the body’s survival. The heartbeat is one of the first signs of life and has the power to send an immediate ray of joy to parents waiting to hear from their unborn child. There is a shattering number of individuals diagnosed with heart disease throughout the world. Therefore, everyone must understand the purpose and functionality of the heart as we strive to implement healthy change. This understanding will lead to intentional shifts in what is consumed and in purposeful pursuits. In this article, we will walk through the basics of the physical heart and how it mirrors love and relationships. Let’s start with a basic breakdown of the heart. The heart is separated into four chambers (right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle). Blood flows into the heart through the vena cava to the first chamber, the right atrium. Blood then travels down to the right ventricle. After leaving the right ventricle, it flows to the lungs. While in the lungs, the blood picks up oxygen as we inhale and exhale. The oxygenated blood displays a brighter red color after this exchange in the lungs. The blood then travels back into the heart through the left atrium and down to the left ventricle. After leaving the left ventricle, blood flows away from the heart to the rest of the body.
How does the heart mirror love and relationships?
This interaction between the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system is a powerful and amazing depiction of how our bodies are simple yet complex. The units within our body operate together strategically and the heart serves as a necessary central unit. The main purpose of the heart is to pump blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body.
Culturally, we learn the art of establishing relationships and how to display love. Yet we maintain some sort of commonality at the core of love and relationships. Love and relationships have a flow just like the heart has a continuous flow through the circulatory system.
Right Atrium Love Love offers a space to receive. In healthy relationships, we open ourselves to receive love from others. As we mature, we learn to filter out things that are not candid 24 24
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and present to be risky. Receiving is multifaceted, as we can receive emotionally and physically, naturally, and materialistically. It is important to allow space to receive love and remain vigilant yet open to those offering love.
Right Ventricle Love Love offers connection. From our inception, we have been connected to someone or something. No one is exempt from this attribute. This connection deepens with time and continuous interaction. What was your
initial connection with your loved one? What has weakened your connection? What has strengthened your connection? Maintaining this connection involves several strategies. It also involves an honest acknowledgment of the fact that as we continue to grow into ourselves, we are no longer the same person that started in the initial connection. Love accepts this change and the opportunity to grow individually and together.
Left Atrium Love Love offers an exchange of valuable energy. As we connect with our loved ones, we exchange energy through interaction and everything that makes our relationship what it is. We exchange love for love and value for value. When one begins to feel less valued and unloved, the connection is damaged. However, with communication and filtering through the actions that caused those feelings, the relationship can be repaired.
Left ventricle Love Love offers a space to pour your love into others willing to receive your love. This pouring of love is an investment. When one invests, there is an expectation of something in return. We invest in what we have labeled to be valuable. We pour our time, we pour our energy, and we pour pieces of ourselves. Pouring out without refilling will eventually lead to having a void space. This void space plays on emotions and causes one to either shut down due to lack or seek that which is missing.
What keeps your heart pumping? What keeps your relationship healthy and flowing? Knowledge of how to maintain a healthy heart and healthy relationship is a huge part of the foundation. Be informed on what is needed and strive to meet that need. Be cautious with what you’re feeding your heart and your relationship. Let’s keep our connections strong and recognize what brings our heart and relationship value. Our heart pumps to provide the appropriate flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients. Love is sometimes an action that pumps what relationships need. Each chamber of the heart does its part to sustain life. It is the job of each unit in relationships to do their part to sustain healthy relationships. February 2022
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LIFESTYLE
MOMENTS IN BLACK HISTORY:
Pierce
Sims
Impacts of Black Social Justice Movements
story by Yvette H. Pierce, Professor Emerita/FMU & Steven C. Sims, Access Services Librarian, Associate Professor/FMU
Once again, it is time to take a ‘moment’ to celebrate Black History Month; and certainly, as this is a celebratory time, it is also an opportunity to bring awareness and even allow for one’s own reflections as they pertain to the African/African American diaspora. For these writers, this month is not only one for reflecting, but additionally, it is a time to review, more comprehensively, moments in our history that were instrumental in the shaping of our place in America. From its founding, America’s history has been one of turbulency – fights for freedom, equality, opposition to oppression, and justice. No one group of people has endured more oppression, inequities, and injustices than have Black Americans, beginning with slavery and up until this present time. Eventually, many Blacks became tired and disillusioned by the harshness of societal conditions that were being inflicted upon them, and thus, the beginning of protests that later evolved into social movements. In 1926, Langston Hughes expressed much of this discouragement in his poem, I, Too, Sing America, because a people who helped to build this country were being denied equal opportunities, were being mistreated, and were being disenfranchised. Social movements in this country began many decades ago and were necessary to ensure that all people, especially people of color, were treated with dignity, equality, justice, and were not deprived of any of their rights. Social movements have been defined as …large, often informal groupings of people who come together against power holders around a common cause, in response to situations of perceived inequality, oppression and/or unmet social, political, economic or cultural demands (Menocal, 2016). This definition is not altogether accurate because the demands of Black America were and still are real, and not perceived. The proliferation of some of the ‘causes’ that were fought during the 1950’s and the 1960’s, and the outcomes, attest to the changes that were needed to make our country a better place to live for all of its citizens.
To itemize a few such causes, we begin with the following four.... 26
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(1) The group of Black students that became known as the Little Rock Nine. These students organized in 1957 to test the strength and enforcement of a major 1954 Supreme Court ruling, Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka; a landmark decision that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
UPCO
CUL
Little Rock Nine
(2) The Civil Rights Act of 1957 that allowed for the federal prosecution of anyone who tried to prevent persons from voting.
Civil Rights Act of 1957
The March on Washington
(3) The March on Washington in 1963 that was organized by A. Phillip Randolph and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) for better jobs, social justice, and freedom from all kinds of oppression. This is when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his infamous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Bloody Sunday
OMING
LTURAL
(4) What became known as Bloody Sunday occurred in the spring of 1965. The protest was organized again by the SCLC and the Student NonViolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) who were demanding voting rights, especially in Alabama and other states in the deep South. These four movements have been highlighted because of their significance in bringing about needed changes in America, and they are indicative of struggles that are still occurring today. Consequently, America must deal with the reality that all people, regardless of ethnicity, backgrounds, or cultural differences must be able to fully embrace freedom, justice, and opportunities to live productive lives without any form of fear, discrimination, or retaliation. If not, the emergence of organizations such as Black Lives Matter, now deemed a movement, as well as being a hashtag born out of the collective cry for Trayvon Martin in 2013 and re-ignited in 2021 after the killing of George Floyd and other innocent brothers and sisters, will continue to exist and thrive. In our democratic society, no one group of people should consider itself to be more superior or invaluable than another. We too, are America. Menocal, A. R. (2016). Social movements. GSDRC Professional Development Reading Pack no. 50. Birmingham, UK: University of Birmingham. https://gsdrc.org/professional-dev/social-movements/
UPCOMING
CULTURAL CONVERSATIONS Tuesday, February 22 Hair Like Mine with Dr. Shayna Wrighten Thursday, March 10 Dr. Christopher P. Barton, Assistant Professor of History, FMU
WWW.FMARION.EDU/AAFSC February 2022
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HOME story by Doug Smith LIFESTYLE
safely reducing FOOD WASTE In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30 and 40 percent of the total food supply. According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service, that’s approximately 133 billion pounds of food and $161 billion in 2010. This amount of waste has far-reaching impacts on how we can continue to feed our families. The cost to produce food just to add it to the landfill is a cost that is too high. As our population continues to grow we will need more available food each day in order to feed our families and with limited land and resources, this becomes more difficult. My question is why not find ways to use more of what we already have. Food loss occurs for many reasons. One type of loss such as spoilage occurs at every stage of the production. Between the farm and local retail outlet, food loss can happen from the harvest starting too soon or lasting so long that some just rots in the field. Inefficiency loss may occur during drying, milling, transporting, or processing which then exposes food to multiple types of damage. At the retail level, equipment malfunctioning, not being rotated properly, or simply over-ordering can lead to spoiled food. Even when everything goes right we waste more food by removing blemished produce or discarding meat that wasn’t cut as requested. We also contribute to food loss when we buy or cook more than needed and choose to throw out the leftovers. That’s just a few examples of what leads to nearly 40% of our food being wasted.
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So what can we do as consumers to stop wasting food? First, we need to stop throwing away good food. Almost weekly in my own home, I get asked questions like this, “Is this sauce still good? How about the bread?” In the past, I would simply say look at the date on the package for your answer. But no longer. I don’t want to waste good food anymore because it’s at or beyond the “Best by” date. So I asked myself what does that mean anyway? I looked it up and this is what I learned. There are no uniform descriptions used on food labels for dating. As a result, there are a wide variety of phrases used on labels to describe quality dates.
EXAMPLES OF COMMONLY USED PHRASE: • "Best If Used By/Before" date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. • "Sell-By" date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date. • “Use-By" date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula. • “Freeze-By” date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
My conclusion is manufacturers provide dating to help us, the consumer and retailers decide when food is of the best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety. The USDA estimates that almost 30 percent of our food is lost or wasted from consumers or retailers throwing away wholesome food because of confusion about the meaning of dates displayed on the label. To reduce consumer confusion and wasted food, The Food Safety and Inspection Service, a division of the USDA, recommends that food manufacturers and retailers use a “Best By” date. This is the most common date seen on the products we purchase. Foods not exhibiting signs of spoilage should be wholesome and may be purchased, donated, and consumed beyond the labeled "Best if Used By" date. So the question is, are foods safe to eat after the date on the package? With an exception of infant formula, if the date passes the use by, best by, freeze by, or sell by during at-home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until the time spoilage is evident. Spoiled foods will develop an off odor, flavor, or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage. If a food has developed such spoilage characteristics, it should not be eaten. When in doubt, throw it out!
HOW DOES DATE LABELING IMPACT FOOD WASTE? “Confusion over the meaning of dates applied to food products can result in consumers discarding wholesome food. In an effort to reduce food waste, consumers must understand that the dates applied to food are for quality and not for safety. Foods are safe to consume past the date on the label, and regardless of the date, consumers should evaluate the quality of the food product before its consumption.” (The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA)
LEFTOVERS AND FOOD SAFETY Often when we cook at home or eat in a restaurant, we have leftovers. To ensure that leftovers are safe to eat, make sure the food is cooked to a safe temperature and refrigerate the leftovers promptly. Not cooking food to a safe temperature and leaving food out at an unsafe temperature are the two main causes of foodborne illness. Safe handling of leftovers is very important to reducing foodborne illness. Follow the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service's recommendations for handling leftovers safely. • • • • • • •
Avoid cross-contamination by cleaning work areas Cook food to the recommended temperature Wrap leftovers well Store food below 40 ˚F Thaw frozen leftovers in the fridge overnight Reheat leftovers to 165 ˚F Reheat sauces, soups, and gravies by bringing them to a boil
info: www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/foodsafety-basics/leftovers-and-food-safety
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LIFESTYLE
STORY BY EMILY BAIR, VACATION PLANNER AND DISNEY SPECIALIST
It’s Wave Season... The most popular time to book your 2022 Vacations! After 18 months of delaying travel, the demand for a vacation is at an all-time high. Many popular travel destinations are open to visitors but how do you know what to expect? With Covid still circulating around the world, you never know how the travel protocols will be when you arrive for your vacation.
Here are some vacation options along with current protocols that are currently in place:
The Orlando Theme Parks Both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios have been open since the summer of 2020 and with great success! Neither requires proof of vaccination status or Covid tests to visit. I love planning Orlando theme park vacations because, during times of uncertainty with other vacation spots, we know what to expect and how to prepare our guests when they venture to the parks. Head to Walt Disney to enjoy the iconic parks and resorts based on your favorite Disney tales. Character meet and greets (from a distance), attractions, parades, and nightly firework displays are all open for your enjoyment. Protocols: What has changed at Walt Disney World? There is now a park reservation system to monitor the number of guests in a given park in a day. Masks are required indoors and
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on all forms of Disney transportation but not as you explore the parks outdoors. Restaurants are still not seating at full capacity. Unrelated to the pandemic, Disney has replaced the Fastpass system with a new in-app feature called Disney Genie Plus. Choose Universal Orlando to ride the fastest and tallest roller coaster in Florida! With the recent addition of the Velocicoaster and the ever-so-popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you will get your fill of thrills! Staying at a Universal Resort puts you minutes away from the park entrances and the ease of transportation to the parks truly makes you feel like you are on vacation. Protocols: What has changed at Universal Resort Orlando? Masks are currently required indoors.
Luxury Resorts of the Caribbean and Mexico If sunshine and sand are more your speed, there are many options for an island escape. The entry protocols for Covid testing vary by destination. And everyone ages two and up will have to test 24 hours prior to your return back to the United States.
Mexico Famous for all-inclusive resorts, Mexico caters to every budget from value resorts to super luxurious! And don't forget about Cabo! Fishing, scuba diving, marine life, and fine all-inclusive resorts are easy to find there.
Protocols: Some locations require a negative covid test for entry into restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. New York City is currently requiring ages five and up to be vaccinated to enter quite a few venues.
Protocols: Some resorts require masks indoors. Covid tests are not currently required to enter Mexico.
The Cruise Industry
St. Lucia Famous for hiking their pair of Mountains called the Pitons, St. Lucia also offers beautiful waterfalls, a “drive-in” volcano, relaxing volcanic beaches, reef diving, snorkeling, and sunset cruising. The Sandals brand of resorts are popular adult-only locations where you can stay at one and play at three. Protocols: A negative Covid test is required for entry.
Turks & Caicos Known for the most pristine beaches and water with upscale and luxurious accommodations. Some of the most Instagrammed spots are here. Protocols: Ages 16 and up must be vaccinated to visit. A negative Covid test is required to enter the country for all ages 10 and up.
Other Domestic Travel Travel within the United States has become more popular during the pandemic due to fewer travel restrictions and the comfort of knowing you will not be delayed on your return home. Alaska is booking quickly for the summer of 2022 as a popular spot for wildlife viewing, salmon fishing, dog sledding, and glacier experiences. National parks such as Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Zion are very popular as well.
Cruising started back in June 2021 after over a year of a "No Sail Order." Guests are now enjoying cruising all over the world with success. All cruise lines are currently mandating the Covid Vaccine to board their ships. Some cruise lines require ages five or twelve and up to be vaccinated, while other cruise lines are requiring all guests aboard to be vaccinated. Many lines are sailing at reduced capacity which makes it a nice time to sail with fewer passengers onboard. A Cruise with Confidence Policy for all cruise lines gives guests peace of mind when booking that a future cruise credit or full refund can be issued for any interruptions to your vacation.
International Travel Many international destinations are open for travel with certain restrictions. Each country varies and it is definitely best to have someone help you track the current rules for entry as they quickly fluctuate. All visitors ages two and up re-entering the United States must show proof of a negative Covid test within 24 hours of arrival. Due to the many changes and unknown factors with travel in current times, one thing is certain...Enlist the services of a travel advisor to share experiences and expertise in navigating our "new travel norm!" This is the best way to avoid unfortunate mishaps along the way.
Together, we can get you back to travel in 2022!
Emily Bair is a travel agent with Castles and Cruises Travel Agency who has been assisting clients with vacations for over five years. She grew up in Florence and has briefly lived in different states in the U.S. and in Italy. She currently resides in Florence and is also a registered nurse who has worked in Labor and Delivery at McLeod Regional Medical Center for almost 25 years. Her love for Disney and travel, known by her friends, led her to being invited to join her agency and from there, she has branched out to send clients all over the world! Contact her for all of your travel wishes!
843-319-8739 | Emily@CastlesandCruisesTravel.com Facebook: CastlesandCruisesTravel.EmilyBair February 2022
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FEBRUARY 2022 FUN DAYS & EVENTS
sunday
monday
tuesday
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wednesday
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thursday
3 Karaoke with Traci (every Thurs.) Green Frog Social, Lake City
Groundhog Day Open Mic Night (every Tues.) F.E. Pops, Florence
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Chopsticks Day
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Send a Card to a Friend Day
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Trivia with Traci (every Wed.) Green Frog Social, Lake City
Boy Scouts Day
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Pizza Day
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“Symphonic Love Stories”, FMU PAC, Florence
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Singles Awareness Day
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Giving Hearts Day
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Happy Valentine's Day! Galentine’s Day
Lake City Concert Series: The Four Top Notes Bean Market, Lake City
Pancake Day
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A Choice to Make's Heartbeat Gala, SiMT, Florence
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Presidents' Day Love Your Pet Day
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Strawberry Day
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Duo ViMaDeAn, FMU PAC, Florence
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Tooth Fairy Day
National Margarita Day
Banana Bread Day
Read Aloud in the Park, Amazing Grace Park, Marion
SEND IN YOUR EVENTS TO HEATHER@VIPMAGSC.COM!
friday
4
saturday
5 Father Daughter Dance YMCA, Florence
Florence Stampede & Pro Rodeo (Feb 4 & 5) Florence Center, Florence
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Oyster Roast Fundraiser Bean Market, Lake City Criss Cross Yoga SipFlow, Lake City Brandon Davis in Concert Florence Center, Florence
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Virtual Night to Shine West Hartsville Baptist Church Darlington County First Steps Addressing Health Equity in the Pee Dee SiMT, Florence
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Night of Country Music Center Theatre, Hartsville
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Chili Day
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Clam Chowder Day
American Heritage Festival (Feb 19 & 20) Graham's Farm, Lake City
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Eurasia Piano Trio, FMU PAC, Florence
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THE FIRST BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES
JAMES AND SARA JOHNSON NOV EMBER 6, 2021 “James and I were introduced by my sister at Apple Annie's. She called and told me to come out to meet someone she thought I would get along well with. We had an instant connection and have been inseparable ever since. We share the same love of movies, the outdoors, and games. We truly are a perfect match. We got engaged at our favorite spot on the beach and chose to have our wedding at my family farm, a very special place for us.”
Photographer and Videographer: James McCoy / Caterer: Hidden Treasuers, Patrick / Cake: Treats by Tabs / Flowers: FauxReal Flowers / Venue: Fox Family Farm / Wedding Planner: Brittany Douglas / Bride's Dress: The Gown Boutique, Charleston Bridesmaids' Dresses: Azazie / Groom's Suit: Butler's, Florence / Hair & Makeup: So Lace Salon – Madelynn Grainger, Lake City / Rings: Southern Jewelry Design, Florence Entertainment: The Buzz, Florence Invitations: B. Nance Fine Gifts, Florence
THE DETAILS
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THE FIRST BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES
THE DETAILS
ADAM AND ELIZABETH CELLI OCTOBER 16, 2021 "Adam and I met in Augusta, Georgia, after matching on Tinder. I was in college at the time and he was working at a nuclear power plant in Georgia. We knew from the moment we met that we wanted to spend forever with each other. In September 2019, we welcomed our first baby boy and in October 2020, we had our second boy." Venue: Hidden Acres, Marion / Photographer: Viridiana Photogaphy / Caterer: Hidden Treasures, Patrick Cake: Melissa Chavis, Florence / Flowers: Petals and Stems Florist, Dillon / Bride's Dress: Savvy Bride Boutique, Charlotte Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal / Groom's Suit: Men's Warehouse / Hair & Makeup: Madison Isgett & Jordan Lyerly Rings: KAY Jewelers / Music & Entertainment: Black Tie DJ Services, Florence / Invitations: Zazzle February 2022
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THE FIRST BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES
THE DETAILS
COLLIN AND ANNIE L AURIE ALTMAN DECEMBER 4, 2021 “Collin and I met in Oxford, Mississippi, at a football game when Ole Miss played against The University of South Carolina. I was attending USC and was neighbors with his best friends. We both went on this trip to the game with a big group of mutual friends. It wasn’t until the night of my graduation that we began a relationship. He came to Columbia that night to celebrate with our friends and we’ve talked every day since. In the beginning of our relationship, I was still living in Columbia and he was in Lake City. I knew I was in love when I realized how much I missed him while living that far away from him.” Venue: Ceremony - Lake City First Baptist Church; Reception - The Bean Market, Lake City / Videographer: Blue Edge Videography Photographer: NDC Photography / Caterer: Catering For All Occasions, Manning / Cake: Emily Matthews, Lake City / Bride's Dress: Evelyn’s Bridal, Lugoff / Groom's Suit: Butler’s, Florence Floral: Graham Solana and Stephanie Bates / Entertainment: Finesse Band / Rings: Lex Matthews, Florence / Makeup: Derrian Cooper / Hair: Solace Salon, Lake City 38
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PART Y FAVORS: PINECONE FIRE STARTERS
THE FIRST BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES
PAIGE AND K YLE HOWARD THE DETAILS
OCTOBER 24, 2021 “It’s hard to pinpoint the moment I fell in love with my now husband. It really seemed like I knew him much longer than I actually had. We never ran out of things to talk about; we’d spend hours on the phone together laughing and chatting. I found myself smiling at my phone anytime his notification sounded, and we’d always say how much we missed one another before we would hang up the phone or leave a date. One day after a crazy date of just “wingin’ it,” I was in my car getting ready to back out of his driveway and I jokingly said how much I missed him already. Kyle surprised me by telling me that every time he said “I miss you” he really meant “I love you.” I’ll always hold that memory close to my heart because although I felt for him gradually, a little at a time, that was the day I knew without a doubt that I loved him. Now I get to spend forever just wingin’ it with my best friend.”
Photographer and Videographer: Bradley Shaw / Caterer: The SCOTT'S Bar-B-Que, Hemingway; Piggly Wiggly, Florence; Freeman's Bakery, Florence / Cake: Them Cakes Tho, Timmonsville / Venue: The Cabin at Old Spur, Timmonsville / Bride's Dress: All Who Wander, "The Jett Gown" / Bridesmaids' Dresses: Baltic Born and Juliet's Bridal, Florence / Groom's Suit: Suit World, Florence / Rings: Reeds Jewelers, Florence / Entertainment: Entertainment with Elliot, Florence February 2022
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THE FIRST BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES
THE DETAILS
TIMOTHY AND MEAGAN JOHNSON JUNE 19, 2021 “Timothy and I were friends growing up but life led us down separate paths only to bring us back together! Since then there was nothing that could separate us! It’s like a fairy tale I didn’t know could ever exist. We couldn’t live this life apart and we are each other’s forever and always!” Venue: Hidden Acres, Marion Photographer & Videographer: The True Story Photography Caterer: Buddy’s BBQ, Marion / Cake: Francis Rouse Flowers: Judy’s Flowers / Bride's Dress: The Little White Dress Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal / Groom's Suit: Quality Cleaners / Hair & Makeup: 205 Hair Salon, Whitney Cooper, Marion / Rings: Reeds Jewelers Music & Entertainment: Black Tie DJ Services
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ENGAGEMENTS Photo by Erin Daniel
REBECC A GIESE AND ALEC POWELL 04.30.22
Photo by Bradley Shaw
C AROLINE HA M AND HAROLD BOAT WRIGHT 05.07.22
BALEIGH ELLIOT AND WESLE Y SMITH 09.10.22
Photo by Devon Carsten February 2022
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THE FIRST BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES
THE DETAILS "
ZACHARY AND DANIELLE WARD NOV EMBER 13, 2021 “Zachary and I met in 8th grade math class. We were assigned seats beside one another which led to passing a lot of notes and getting in trouble for talking most days. Even back then we realized something was starting to add up other than just the math we were learning. Our first date was so long ago that it’s hard to remember but I do know that we were too young to drive. Our parents dropped us off at the movies. After nearly 13 years of dating, he asked me to be his wife. Zachary grew up in a tight knit neighborhood with a lot of kids his age. Once they got older, they had a ‘neighborhood reunion’ where everybody came back home, bringing their spouses and significant others to meet and greet. In the middle of the cookout, Zachary got everyone’s attention because he wanted to make a speech, it was very unexpected. He started out by talking about growing up in the neighborhood and all the friendships he made, and then he started talking about how I was one of his best memories. At that moment he got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever with him." Venue: Glenview Farm, Timmonsville / Day of Coordinator: Ashley Razon / Photographer: Memories by Lexi / Caterer: Hidden Treasures, Patrick / Cake: Cindy Pate, Darlington / Bride's Dress: New York Bride and Groom, Columbia / Groom's Suit: Suit World, Florence Floral: A&B Florist, Florence / Entertainment: Black Tie DJ Services, Florence / Hair and Makeup: Caitlyn Harris, Florence Rings: Diamond Direct / Invitation: M&M Printing and Graphics, Florence 42
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L ANCE AND MELODY EVANS OCTOBER 9, 2021 “Lance and I met in Pamplico when I visited a high school friend. We reconnected nearly four years later when that same friend graduated nursing school! I was living in Raleigh, North Carolina, at the time. After spending a few weekends on the river and going to a fishing tournament with him, I knew I wanted to move to this small town and raise a family with him. I had never met a more selfless, hardworking, and giving man. We love our home and it was so special turning the woods on our property into a pine tree wedding venue.” Photographer: Laura Gainey Photography / Videographer: Blue Edge Videography / Caterer: Southern Bear Catering, Charleston Flowers: Sandra's Creative Styles, Florence Venue: Our home in Pamplico / Bride's Dress: Little White Dress, Myrtle Beach Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff Groom's Suit: Belk / Hair and Makeup: Lacey Balton, Hemingway / Rings: Southern Jewelry Design, Florence Entertainment: Party Time Music, Cheraw 44
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THE DETAILS
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THE DETAILS
JUSTIN AND CHRISTINA PET TIS NOV EMBER 13, 2021 “Justin and I met while four-wheeling with a friend group we had in common. What began as an amazing friendship overtime became evident to us both that it was so much more. On December 27, 2020, we had our first date at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet at the Night of 1,000 Candles and it was magical. Our lives were significantly less enjoyable when lived separately. We realized we were better together and that God was very quickly showing us both that we were meant to live life as a family."
Photographer: Erin Daniel Photography / Videographer: Photo17, Yeager Tedder / Caterer: Little Latin Kitchen, Nichols / Cake: Shelby Dawkins, Florence / Venue: Tanglewood Plantation, Lynchburg / Wedding Planner and Flowers: Jaime Dyce / Dresses: David's Bridal, Florence / Groom's Suit: Men's Wearhouse, Florence / Hair: The Mailroom Barber – Kayla Ward, Florence / Makeup: Jared Caleb Rings: James Allen (bride) and AXbands (groom) / Entertainment: Black Tie DJ Services, Florence / Invitations: Vistaprint 46
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LIFESTYLE
T I P S F O R C U S T O M I Z I N G YO U R
Wedding on a Budget Planning a wedding is the strangest sensation, one minute super exciting, the next completely and utterly overwhelming. Where do you even start? How can you create the wedding of your dreams without an extreme budget or expensive wedding planner? I would know this first hand because I am just over three months away from my wedding as I write this, and going as custom as possible. But this isn't my first rodeo in the wedding planning market; as a watercolor artist, I have a wide range of custom wedding clients with the desire to create something uniquely them. And the desire to have your wedding day be custom shouldn't be left to the wealthy and elite; it is a moment you have spent years dreaming and scrolling Pinterest over; it should be everything you dreamed of and more. But how do you create unique features or little moments without breaking the budget? I have several tips to help you make your dream wedding while being creative with your budget.
That is the biggest advice I would give anyone. Don't wait until the last minute for anything, especially if you want custom elements. Artists and designers need at least a couple of weeks to turn around designs, and if you are looking for specialty envelopes or a custom wax seal stamp, it may take a couple of weeks to ship. Continually checking your to-do list and staying on top of the deadlines is the only way to enjoy the season without a mad rush at the end or having to compromise your vision due to procrastination. Also, ordering things early when there are coupons or avoiding rush shipping will save your budget.
Be creative. Find a small business artisan, whether local (like myself) or on sites like Etsy, that can create custom designs for you without costing hundreds of dollars. Many of my clients gravitate towards watercolor stylings and request watercolor designs of their wedding florals. These designs are used from the Save the Date and invitations to water bottle labels! Reusing elements of the designs and the selected fonts help to create a high-end feeling event without the high-end cost. Connecting all the details also shows great finesse in the planning process. I had one client doing a mix of mid-century modern meets boho herb garden florals. We created an invitation that embodied her vision so people could tell the theme/ 48
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photos by Erin Daniel
Give yourself enough time!
vibe of the wedding months beforehand. Another client was having a rustic backyard wedding on her family farmland, and her favorite flower was the magnolia. At the same time, her now-husband is a tobacco farmer, so we mixed magnolias with greenery and dried tobacco leaves; she used the art on almost everything from informational signage to her waterbottles.
Do it yourself projects. Wedding season is the time to Do It Yourself! Create your seating chart or unplugged ceremony sign by painting on an old mirror or rustic window for your bar menu. Big box stores are convenient, but the custom aspect will make your event feel more designer while costing less. And bonus points if it is a piece you can use in your home after the wedding!
photos by Deven Holley Photography
Dry-erase boards and chalkboards are inexpensive and easy to resell.
Keeping wedding favors practical will help you stay within budget and also allows you to personalize your special day.
Buy decor that you can reuse or keeps resell value. Wedding decor is expensive but once used; it is almost worthless. You are lucky to make $25 on a box lot of items on Facebook Marketplace. I suggest going to thrift stores, finding things that go with your interior design style instead. For instance, I love ginger jars and brass candlesticks; they are already all over my home, so we have been collecting even more for the wedding. After the wedding, I will keep the ones I love and quickly sell the others. Plus, thrifted and home decor pieces will help create that custom wedding feel.
Skip the wedding favors. If you want to save money, I suggest enjoying other custom items like a cocktail napkin and skipping the generic favors; most people don't even pick them up. But they will pick up napkins throughout the evening. If you do choose to have a wedding favor, keep it practical and make it personal.
Skip the rules. When it comes to themes, decor, and everything in between, do what is suitable for you and your future spouse; all the other stuff is just stuff, find what is important to you both, and enjoy the season! February 2022
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THE FIRST
Best Days OF OUR LIVES
Pettis Wedding featured on page 46 photo by Erin Daniel
THE HIS TORY OF THE WEDDING BAND In many Western cultures – from the UK to the USA, Canada, and many European countries – engagement rings and wedding bands are customarily worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. Whether you’re somebody who enjoys playing by the rules or an individual who doesn’t tend to follow suit, you’ve most likely embraced this tradition without a second thought. But what’s the story behind the rule? Why is this digit the chosen vehicle for jewels so precious? The answer to these questions is rather endearing. The tradition of wearing jewelry that represents marriage or a relationship on the ring finger dates back to Ancient Egypt when it was believed that a vein called the Vena Amoris (meaning ‘vein of love’ in Latin) ran directly from the tip of that finger to the heart. It's assumed Americans choose the left hand as a matter of convenience as well as traditon. Considering approximately ten percent of the population is left-handed, the left hand, as a rule, isn't used as much as the right. 50
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The endless circular form of the engagement ring and wedding band is largely thought to symbolize the eternal nature of the romantic union, with the open center being a portal to the unexplored life ahead as a couple. Today, the modern understanding of anatomy shows that all fingers have venous connections to the heart, and no such singular vein exits. However, tradition still holds true for many couples who signify their commitments to one another with adorned jewelry resting on their left-hand ring finger. Another question you may ask is why we place the wedding band on the inner finger and the engagement ring outside of that. The reason is so that the wedding band lies closest to our hearts, strengthening the commitment. Over the next several pages, you’ll get to peek inside the stories of local couples as they celebrate their day of exchanging rings. They share how they first fell in love and also the many local businesses and individuals that helped create the magic that surrounded their special day.
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DRINK OF THE MONTH
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February 19-20, 2022 Revolutionary and WWII Reenactments • WWI Displays • Live Music Military Vehicles • Military Bi-Planes • Military Encampments Speakers Include: United States Congressman, James E. Clyburn; The South Carolina American Revolution Sester-centennial Commission President, Charles Baxley; General George Patton's Grandson, George Patton Waters. Visiting Graham’s Historic Farm, will help you travel back in time to the days when Marion’s brave men gave their all for one great nation under God. You’ll also see how Francis Marion earned his legendary nickname, “The Swamp Fox”. It’s educational fun for the family! Graham’s Historic Farm is located at 843 State Road S-21-85 in Lake City, SC. To participate in the festival, purchase tickets, or simply to learn more, visit TheAmericanHeritageFestival.com
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