February 2023

Publisher Tammy Clark tmclark225@gmail.com

Editor Heather Page heather@vipmagsc.com

Office Manager Tiffany Skipper jtskipp35@gmail.com

Advertising Executives

Julie C. Tyler juliectyler@yahoo.com

magazine

Creative Design

Tuesday Taylor

Ashley Rogers

Contributing Photographers

A. Grafing Photography

Fred Salley Photography

Contributing Writers

Mark W. Buyck, III

Cynthia Ford

La’Quanita Goodman

Heather Leisy, MD

Doug Smith

Rachel Stanton

Kylie Tutts

Serving Florence, Hartsville, Darlington, Marion, Mullins, Lake City and the surrounding areas

2011-B Second Loop Rd, Florence, SC 29501 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

For advertising rates, email heather@vipmagsc.com.

ABOUT THE COVER

ON THE FRONT COVER:

McLeod Orthopaedics physicians are performing robotic-assisted knee replacements. A patient's surgical experience is less painful, allows for a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and a quicker return to normal activities.

Page

HEALTH

11 McLeod Health: Leaders in RoboticAssisted Surgery

12 HopeHealth: Cardiovascular HealthA Preventive View

14 McLeod Health: New Electrophysiology Device Lab at McLeod

BUSINESS

18 SC Balloon Babe: Adding Extra Pop To Your Events

20 Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A.: Charles "Chino" Smith

22 Rebecca Smith: ClaySmith Creations

24 KFA: The Dancing Doesn't Stop

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH: A Preventive

View

story by Heather Leisy, MD, MBA, MPH, HopeHealth

Cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, describes disorders that affect the circulatory system including coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Why is it so important that we recognize cardiovascular disease and work to prevent it?

National Vital Statistics reports show that heart disease is the overall leading cause of death in the United States, causing more than 600,000 deaths each year. In South Carolina, the cardiovascular disease death rate between 2018-2020 was higher than the national rate, according to the CDC, with 438.6 deaths per 100,000 people compared to 422.4. The rate in Florence county was even higher, at 628.0 deaths per 100,000.

About half of those who die suddenly from coronary heart disease had no idea they even had the disease, according to the American Heart Association. This lack of knowledge indicates the critical need for more preventive cardiovascular health awareness.

So, what are some factors to look for in order to help predict developing the disease? Studies show that blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, and other risk factors can forecast cardiovascular disease. These risk factors can be modified by our behaviors and choices to help mitigate our risk.

Blood Pressure – It is important to check your blood pressure and make sure it is in control. According to the American Heart Association, normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. Higher levels may signify the need for lifestyle changes or medications based on discussions with your medical provider.

Cholesterol – Your cholesterol levels should be checked at least every five years or more frequently depending on family history and current medical conditions. Cholesterol levels are checked with a simple blood test. The results help your provider determine your risks or need for cholesterol management and your cardiovascular risks.

Smoking – Smoking not only increases your blood pressure but damages your heart, blood vessels, and lungs. Quitting is hard, but it is possible! Talk with your provider or enroll in support programs designed to help overcome tobacco dependence.

Diabetes – According to the American Heart Association, there is a strong correlation between cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Those with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease. Ask your provider to see if a statin medication for cardiovascular protection is right for you.

Healthy behavioral changes can help prevent cardiovascular disease. These behaviors include maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, healthy eating, and regular physical activity. Meals focused on cardiovascular health avoid saturated and trans fats, limit sodium and alcohol, and include high-fiber foods. An example could be a plant-based diet rich with oats, beans, soy, almonds, and brightly colored whole fruits and vegetables.

Physical activity of any sort can be beneficial; however, higher intensity activities can relay more heart protection. It is recommended you aim for at least 150 minutes each week of moderate level physical activity such brisk walking, slow cycling, or yard work. Care should be taken with high intensity activities as they can increase the risk of injuries if your body is not conditioned.

Heart health is particularly important for those already diagnosed with conditions such as previous stroke or heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, peripheral artery disease, and diabetes. It is important to follow-up with your medical provider on a regular basis and make sure to take your medications as prescribed.

Overall, being aware and proactively taking steps to aid your heart health will assist in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Heather Leisy, MD, MBA, MPH

patient outcomes.

Dr. Heather Leisy is the director of preventive medicine at the HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence. She provides preventive medical care and researches and implements methods to improve

NEW ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY DEVICE LAB AT M c LEOD

Opens the Way for the Treatment of More Heart Patients

The McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute has opened a new dedicated Electrophysiology Device Lab at McLeod Regional Medical Center. With the opening of the new lab, McLeod Health now has four dedicated Electrophysiology Labs: one at McLeod Health Seacoast and three at the Florence campus. Pacemakers, Defibrillators, and Internal Loop Recorders are some of the services that are offered in this new space.

Dr. Prabal Guha and Dr. Cyrus Kocherla at McLeod Regional Medical Center, and Dr. Kishore Subnani at McLeod Health Seacoast are the McLeod Electrophysiologists who provide electrophysiology care. Electrophysiology is the treatment of the heart’s electrical system.

With this three-physician team, volume demands and case complexity have increased and an additional Electrophysiology Lab was warranted. The new lab had been designed to accommodate physician workspace from both sides of the operating table, ease of access for stretchers, upgraded imaging equipment, and a cohesive monitoring room.

Radiation exposure is always a concern in electrophysiology. Excellent image quality and the lowest possible radiation dose are both requirements for patient

and staff. Additionally, the new system at McLeod is a truly integrated solution for enhanced patient care. It is equipped with standard applications for dose savings and image quality enhancements to help deliver better patient care at the lowest possible dose.

The two original Electrophysiology Labs at McLeod Regional Medical Center enabled the physicians to perform the more complex cases such as ablations with 3D mapping and the Watchman, an implantable device that reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation related strokes. The McLeod Electrophysiology team was the first to bring this technology to McLeod. Interventional Cardiologists Dr. Brian Blaker and Dr. Ravi Parikh from the McLeod Structural Heart Team are now also credentialed and performing the Watchman procedure.

• STRUCTURAL HEART PROGRAM

The opening of the new Electrophysiology Lab has also paved the way for increased availability for cases performed by the McLeod Structural Heart Team. Many of these procedures need the advanced technological equipment available in a specialized lab.

Dr. Prabal Guha and Dr. Cyrus Kocherla celebrate the opening of the new device lab with the McLeod Electrophysiology Team.

Structural heart disease can be present at birth or develop with age. It refers to abnormalities in the heart’s valves, walls, or chambers.

The McLeod Structural Heart Program specializes in percutaneous (minimally invasive) and surgical treatment of patients with a variety of structural heart disease, including patients who do not qualify for conventional openheart procedures. Examples of minimally invasive treatments include Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) for the treatment of aortic stenosis, MitraClip for the treatment of mitral regurgitation, and ASD/PFO closure.

• TAVR

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a procedure to replace a diseased heart valve. During this procedure, the physician inserts a long flexible thin tube, called a catheter, through a small incision in the groin. It is then advanced to the heart using X-ray imaging. The artificial valve is then passed through the catheter over a wire and precisely positioned across the diseased valve. The new valve is then released and starts functioning immediately. The old valve provides the foundation to hold the new valve in place

• MITRACLIP

MitraClip is a device used to treat mitral regurgitation, also known as a leaking heart valve. This procedure uses X-Ray imaging and ultrasound technology to deliver the MitraClip device to the correct position in the heart using a catheter advanced through a blood vessel in the leg. Once in place, the clip connects the two mitral valve leaflets reducing the amount of regurgitation or leaking.

• PATENT FORAMEN OVALE (PFO)

Everyone is born with a small flap, or hole, between the upper chambers of the heart to allow the baby to receive oxygen from the mom. It typically seals off within a few months. For about 75 percent of the population, the flap will seal. For the other 25 percent, the flap remains open, and is

commonly referred to as a “hole in the heart” or in medical terms a patent foramen ovale (PFO). While most people who have a PFO are asymptomatic, some individuals can be at an increased risk for stroke.

The technology available at McLeod to seal off the hole is the PFO Closure Procedure. It is another minimally invasive procedure achieved by passing a small device through a vein in the leg. Performed in the cardiac catheterization lab under conscious sedation and using local anesthetic, most patients can go home the next day.

Dr. Brian Blaker is Board Certified Interventional and Structural Cardiologist with McLeod Cardiology Associates. Dr. Blaker serves as the Medical Director of the McLeod Structural Heart Program and cares for patients at McLeod Cardiology Associates in Florence.

For more information, visit McLeodHealth.org

Prabal Guha, MD McLeod Electrophysiologist

The new dedicated Electrophysiology Device Laboratory at McLeod Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Prabal Guha is a Board Certified Electrophysiologist with McLeod Cardiology Associates. Dr. Guha cares for patients at McLeod Cardiology Associates offices located in Florence and Sumter.

Brian Blaker, MD McLeod Interventional Cardiologist

ADDING EXTRA POP TO YOUR EVENTS

story

What is it about a balloon that immediately creates a smile? It’s built into us at an early age…it’s as if the floating objects are filled with magical air. When Hunter Frazer was preparing the party of a century for her daughter Poppie’s first birthday, of course balloons were a top requirement. After some research, she created a balloon showstopper that guests were raving about. This experience was the beginning of what is now known as SC Balloon Babe.

Hunter was born and raised in the beautiful Hartsville, South Carolina. She graduated from Mayo High School in 2012 and spent four years at the University of South Carolina where she graduated with a degree in English and a focus on creative writing. “I’ve done a little bit of everything,” she says. “…Retail from the time I was 15 through college, your typical entry-level desk job upon graduation, blogging, social media management, and consulting.” After Poppie’s birthday decor was such a success, Hunter reached out to a friend and event party planner to inquire about the market for balloon garlands and decor in the area. Turns out the need was great! “That weekend, I had three bookings on the calendar. It hasn’t slowed since!”

When it comes to SC Balloon Babe, it’s all about the celebration. “I love working with clients to help customize their events and maximize the aesthetic they’re trying to achieve. The joy balloons bring to children and adults alike is something I still haven’t gotten over,” says Hunter.

by Kylie Tuts photos by A. Grafing Photography

SC Balloon Babe - Hunter Frazer Specializing in balloon garlands and fixtures throughout the Pee Dee area

contact Hunter: 843.307.7171 or email, Scballoonbabe@gmail.com

It’s easy to describe Hunter’s work as a masterpiece. The creativity behind each piece is exceptional. Like many things, practice makes progress and Hunter’s clients are benefiting from it. She explains, “I think with any skill, especially one that requires a level of artistic ability, there is ALWAYS room for growth. Where there is a passion for your craft, there should be consistent improvement. Sometimes I look at my first installation and cringe, but then it becomes a reminder of my growth and all the learning that has taken place over the last year and a half.” Hunter continues to learn new techniques for making arrangements more striking, easier to transport and install, and ways to custom colormatch her clients’ needs.

Hunter, aka the SC Balloon Babe, believes that life should be a celebration and any celebration deserves a balloon garland! Her most common events include birthday parties, baby and bridal showers, retirement parties, and special holidays. However, Hunter says her favorite orders are the ones for friends that may be having a bad day or just need an extra boost of happiness in their life. “It reminds me of how much joy balloons can bring.” Some of her favorite pieces have been a five and a half feet tall cactus, a huge rainbow with a pot of gold, and a mermaid tail. “My current favorite, however, is a magical Encanto-themed installation with vines, butterflies, and bright colors that make me swoon!”

SC Balloon Babe is based out of Hartsville but Hunter also enjoys traveling throughout the Pee Dee to deliver joy-filled balloon decorations. In 2023, Hunter looks forward to offering an updated, more streamlined system for ordering and even more grab-and-go options.

Encanto-themed installation with vines

Five and a half feet tall cactus

Antioch to New York & Back:

The Best Hitter in Baseball History

story by Mark W. Buyck, III

Charles “Chino” Smith is the only player in any professional baseball league to end his career with a batting average over .400. He was one of the most prolific hitters in the Negro leagues in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Smith was born in 1901 in either Hamlet, North Carolina or Society Hill, South Carolina. He spent his childhood in the small sharecropping community of Antioch, halfway between Hartsville and Society Hill. As a teenager, Smith was sent to Benedict College in Columbia, which at that time was primarily a boarding school. While at Benedict he played on the school’s baseball team as well as in various barnstorming teams in the Columbia area.

CHARLES "CHINO" SMITH

By 1920 Chino had relocated to New York City. The 1920 Census identifies him a cabby and chauffeur. Chino’s stat line began appearing in semi-professional baseball box scores in 1923. His first season with the professional Eastern Colored League was in 1925. He was primarily a right-fielder but also played second base.

Baseball for Negro leaguers during this time involve three components. The teams would play their regular season games during the Spring and Summers, concluding their seasons at about the same time as the players in the all-white Major League Baseball. The players would then go on barn-storming tours across the country playing against each other or against teams fielded by the white major leaguers, such as Babe Ruth’s Allstars and Lou Gehrig’s Allstars. Chino’s team played one series versus the Bustin Babes & Larrupin Lous. Following the barn-storming schedule, Chino and other Negro leaguers would sail to Cuba for the Cuban Winter League.

By 1927 he had established himself as the best hitter in black baseball. That year he had a .451 batting average and a .703 slugging percentage playing for the Brooklyn Royal Giants. For the 1929 season he joined the New York Lincoln Giants which was recognized as one of the best teams in the Negro leagues at the time. That year he led the league in batting average (.464), home runs (23), doubles (27), runs (82), and outfield assists (14). In 1930 he remained with the New York Lincoln Giants. The American Negro League had disbanded; however, the teams determined that they would continue playing. He once again led the league in batting average (.492), doubles (17) and triples (5).

On July 5, 1930, the Giants played the Baltimore Black Sox in Yankee Stadium. This was the first time that two black teams had played in Yankee Stadium. The game benefitted the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and the crowd size has been estimated at anywhere between 14-20,000. The doubleheader was so successful that the Yankees began renting the stadium to the Giants whenever the Yankees were out of town.

Smith’s playing style has been described as “scrappy” and “pugnacious.” A report of one game indicates that he was “banished from the game” after hitting an umpire in the head with his bat. One player declared,

“This guy could do more with fans down on him. He’d get up to bat and spit at the first two pitches. If the fans booed, he pretended to charge them, making them boo even louder. Then he hit the ball out of the ballpark and would go around the bases waving his arms at the stands.” (Bill Holland – New York Lincoln Giants)

After the completion of the 1930 regular season the Pittsburgh Homestead Grays played a best of 11 series against the Giants to determine the Negro League baseball champion. The Grays won 6 games to 4. In the fifth inning of the final game, Chino charged for a fly ball from right-field. He collided with second baseman, Rev Kannady. Kannady’s knee slammed into Smith’s stomach, and he was carried off the field in pain. He traveled to Cuba that fall to play in the Cuban league but he wasn’t himself physically. Word was spreading that he had contracted yellow fever and he played only a handful of games before returning to New York City.

In the 1931 season he played only a few games for his old team, the Brooklyn Royal Giants. His last game appears to have been on August 6, 1931. Chino Smith died on January 15, 1932, in Manhattan. His death certificate indicates that he died from stomach and pancreatic cancer.

Chino Smith won three Negro League batting titles in only six years of play. His teams won two Cuban Winter League championships and he is still the only player in professional baseball history to end his career with a batting average over .400. After his death, his body was returned to his family in Antioch. He is buried at the historic New Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church; however, his grave remains unmarked and its exact location unknown.

photos by Fred Salley

ClaySmith Creations

Have you ever imagined bringing a beloved childhood project to life as an adult? Could you take the hobby you enjoyed so much at a young age and have it assist as extra income for you as an adult? Rebecca Smith did just that…She has found an outlet for her adolescent ambitions with ClaySmith Creations. Vip Magazine had the pleasure to check out some of ClaySmith Creations' jewelry and find out how she got into playing with clay.

Q: Tell us about the younger days of playing with clay.

A: I became interested in clay jewelry when I was about 13 years old. My aunt was a huge inspiration for my clay-making career. She is a published clay artist, and at the time, she traveled all over the East Coast and Midwest to participate in juried clay shows. She would send me her clay beads and I would add seed beads and make bracelets for her. I was very intrigued by the colors and techniques she used, but I never thought about being an artist myself.

Q: What encouraged you to take that leap of faith?

A: During the Covid shutdown, I started to play with clay and studied how to create earrings. I had the wonderful opportunity of spending six weeks in Indiana with my aunt who showed me the ins and outs of clay. She taught me all of the basic techniques. Then I came home and perfected the skill to make it my own. ClaySmith Creation became a business in 2021. Clay has been a very therapeutic outlet for me. It has been a true blessing to watch my business grow in the community.

Rebecca Smith

Q: What all do you create and do you use any other mediums?

A: I am mostly known for my earrings, however, I also make barrettes and bracelets. The bracelets are my favorite because of the caning technique used. Most people think the flower beads are painted, but they are actually made with several pieces of clay molded and stretched into a cane. Caning is a detailed and long process that takes several hours from beginning to end to create each cane. The process after the cane is created consists of slicing each bead, drilling the holes, and hand beading each bracelet, taking an extended amount of time as well. Each cane is unique and intricately designed. The uniqueness of each cane makes them my favorite. Clay is the main medium used for my jewelry, however, I sometimes use gold leaf, pepper, oil pastels, and acrylic paint, as well as other household items to add texture and different effects.

Q: Who helps you with your creations?

A: My mom is my ‘behind the scene’ partner. She completes the vendor applications and helps me set up and manage each event. She keeps me organized and her help is much appreciated!

Q: What do you enjoy most about ClaySmith Jewelry?

A: The people. My favorite moment in selling products is when buyers find the perfect piece of jewelry. Knowing that I have made someone happy makes me happy. It is a pleasure to work with the public and meet lots of people each week.

February 5th 1p-5p

Playin Hooky Children’s Boutique, Florence

February 11th, 18th & 25th 9a-1p

City Center Farmers Market, Florence

Visit ClaySmith Creations' Facebook page to see all of her creations and to make purchases.

Where to find ClaySmith Jewelry in February…

The DANCING Doesn’t Stop

story by Rachel Stanton

Choreographing a dance and having several students time their steps in one smooth, rhythmic movement can be paralleled with the efforts taken to build a life together. The skills involved for both take patience, practice, and purpose. Sid Newman and Burnadene Kelley-Newman, owners of KFA Dance and Gymnastics, are not only dedicated to spending as much time as possible together as a married couple but are also meeting the demands of running a successful business together.

Burnadene and Sid met in high school but it was years later that they began a relationship after reconnecting through social media. Burnadene grew up in New Zion, South Carolina, a small town bordering the southern edge of the Pee Dee. Sid was just a short distance away in Sumter, South Carolina.

Her college years included double majoring in Dance and Elementary Education while his was spent at the University of South Carolina gaining a degree in Civil Engineering. It was in 2012 that the two shared their first Valentine’s Day and one month later, on March 30th, they were married.

To make up for lost time, Sid and Burnadene decided that working together could help fill the void of those lost years. Burnadene opened KFA Dance in 1989 and founded the KFA Dance Company in 1991. Sid saw an opportunity to trade in his career to work with Burnadene at KFA where he can wear many different hats. Burnadene along with her daughter Alexis McDonald teach, choose music and costumes, and decide on choreography for recreational and

Burnadene Kelley-Newman and Sid Newman

competitive dance. Sid is responsible for general business and accounting for KFA, public relations, building maintenance, prop building, and occasionally filling in for gym teachers. However, he says his most important job is to keep Burnadene calm!

When Burnadene was a little girl, she would tell her mom that she wanted 100 children. “My mom would recite ‘There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe’. That sort of became a reality with our KFA Dance Company. For our 30th birthday, we did a hip-hop production to that nursery rhyme,” said Burnadene. Having Sid’s handyman abilities helped bring the dance to life. “Sid built a shoe large enough for the dancers to literally slide down…it was amazing and something I’ll never forget.”

“When graduating with a dance degree, one of my main goals was to bring back more opportunities for dancers in our area,” explains Burnadene. “Over the past 34 years, we have performed at Macy’s, on Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruises, Disney, Universal Studios, the Bahamas, MGM Las Vegas, Gator Bowl, Citrus Bowl, and taken lots of trips to New York for classes and workshops. I simply never know where we are headed next but I can assure you we will stand by our motto – Anytime anywhere, we are ALWAYS DANCING!”

The dancing doesn’t stop with Sid either. When asked how often they get to dance together, Sid replies, “Every chance we can! In the kitchen is where it happens most often but these days we mostly dance with our granddaughter, Kelley Ann. She tells us what moves to do and we do

Over the past 34 years, we have performed at Macy’s, on Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruises, Disney, Universal Studios, the Bahamas, MGM Las Vegas, Gator Bowl, Citrus Bowl, and taken lots of trips to New York for classes and workshops. I simply never know where we are headed next but I can assure you we will stand by our motto – Anytime anywhere, we are ALWAYS DANCING !

them.” However, the couple performed together last year for the Miss South Carolina Pageant representing KFA. “It was so much fun,” says Burnadene. “Sid had recently had back surgery so we had to play it safe but it was still a lot of fun dancing together in front of a crowd.”

A love story is unique. How a couple meets and decides that spending time together is the ultimate goal…each pair shares an experience unlike another. Sid and Burnadene have been blessed as soulmates, excited to surrender to the music. They will always have KFA’s studios buzzing, the music thumping, and the dance floors alive.

kfadanceandgym.weebly.com

843.629.0033

kfadance@yahoo.com

Sid and Burnadene, together, are parents to five and grandparents to one with another on the way.

Something to Celebrate...

Lee Advances At Anderson Brothers Bank

Anderson Brothers Bank is pleased to announce the advancement of Terry Lee to Branch Operations Coordinator of the bank’s Marion office located at 2500 East Hwy 76. Terry also serves as Branch Operations Coordinator of the Marion Main office located at 728 North Main Street, a position she has held since 2018.

“The Marion Market is very excited for Terry’s advancement to Branch Operations Coordinator,” said Jimmy Trussell, Marion City Executive with Anderson Brothers Bank. “Her attention to detail and customer service has built her a loyal following. Terry has been an asset to Anderson Brothers Bank for over twenty-five years, and we look forward to her continued success."

Franklin Home Health Ribbon Cutting Held In Marion

The Marion Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at Franklin Home Health, located at 410 North Main Street, on Thursday, January 12th at

11:30am to announce new services that are being provided. A tour was provided showing the new CNA classrooms. Bishop Michael Blue opened with prayer and Mayor Ashley Brady thanked Larry and Yvette Franklin for their investment in Marion. Yvette Franklin discussed their services and vision. Franklin Home Health Agency is a home-care provider offering CNAs/PCAs, nurse visitation, homemaker services, companionship, physical therapy and other healthcare needs.

At Franklin Home Health Agency it is their goal to present a worry-free resource center that will liaise with clients, family members, physicians, insurance carriers and or the necessary facility to insure our clients’ smooth transfer back into the community. Through this personal and professional network of resources, Franklin Home Health Agency strategically plans and implements our clients’ individualized care plans.

There new endeavor is in-house training for CNAs and on Feb. 15th will offer advanced health diagnostics. Call them to secure your home healthcare needs at 843-765-3212.

HopeHealth Helps Local Nonprofits

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, HopeHealth helped local nonprofits, Epsilon Chi Omega Chapter, The Palmetto Pearls Foundation in partnership with the Mayor’s Youth Initiative, to donate food to students in need at Wilson High School. Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin and Dr. Eric Robinson, principal of WHS, helped pack 100 bags.

ECD Program

Receives Donation from SC Endeavors

Dr. Meredith Taylor Joins FDTC Area Commission

Florence-Darlington Technical College welcomes Dr. Meredith Taylor as the newest member of the colleges Area Commission which serves as the college’s governing board.

“This is an exciting time in higher education, especially at the technical college level,” Dr. Taylor said. “There are so many more opportunities for students and families that will change the trajectory and significantly impact our communities economically and culturally.”

Taylor will be replacing Dr. Bill Boyd, who served faithfully as an FDTC Area Commissioner for 22 years.

“On behalf of the Area Commissioners, we are very excited to have Dr. Taylor join the Florence Darlington Technical College team as we strive to help the residents of the Pee Dee Region by providing an excellent opportunity to receive a quality education at a very reasonable price,” FDTC Area Commission Chairman Paul Seward said. “We are thankful that Dr. Taylor has agreed to take some time out of her very busy schedule to work with our team and we are also very thankful for the many years of service that Dr. Bill Boyd gave to our college as an Area Commissioner whom Dr. Taylor will be replacing with this new appointment.”

Dr. Taylor joins the Area Commission with 24 years as an educator in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Darlington County School Districts. She has served in a number of roles including as a school counselor, assistant principal, elementary and middle level principal, Director of Teacher Quality, and the Director of Elementary Education in Darlington County. She currently serves as founder and CEO of Taylor Made Educational Consultants, LLC and also as a Professional Development Specialist with Curriculum Associates, Inc.

Florence-Darlington Technical College receives $16,500 donation from SC Endeavors for the colleges Early Childhood Education program which educates students interested in a career working with children as child-care workers in private and public centers, school systems, community and state agencies, as well as religious institutions.

“The donation is incredibly generous and greatly appreciated,” FDTC Early Childhood Instructor Elizabeth Crow said. “With this funding, our program will be better equipped to educate our current students, connect with alumni and recruit new students in our service area. SC Endeavors has always been a dedicated supporter of Florence-Darlington Technical College, and the size of this donation is a testament to the mission of the agency.  I cannot thank SC Endeavors enough for the opportunities that this funding will provide.”

SC Endeavors (formerly the Center for Child Care Career Development or CCCCD), is the professional development system for South Carolina’s early childhood workforce. Their mission is to support the continuous growth and improvement of early education programs and professionals to create positive outcomes for young children and their families in South Carolina.

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

The Marion Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at La Cucina Italiana Ristorante, located at 105 Harllee Street, on Wednesday, January 18th at 11am. Chamber President, Byron Beck welcomed those in attendance and Mayor Ashley Brady thanked owner Braulio Matamoros for investing in Marion. Make plans to go and enjoy their wonderful Italian appetizers, entrees, and desserts. They are open Wednesday through Saturday for lunch (11am-2:30pm) and dinner (5-9pm).

Dupont Retiree Club Donates To Lighthouse Ministries

"Thank you to the Dupont Retiree Club for their generous donation! Their support will help to built ramps for individuals in Florence County who are struggling to safely enter and exit their homes."

- Lighthouse Ministries

MFBG Giveback

Fleming Promoted To Senior Vice President

The Citizens Bank congratulates Margi Fleming, in the Corporate Office in Florence, on her promotion to Senior Vice President! Margi's contributions and commitment to the Bank are top-notch.

Coker University Announces Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

At its annual meeting, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) announced approval for Coker University to begin offering a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). This is the first doctoral program in University history.

The University welcomed its first cohort of Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) students in the Fall 2022. Dean of Nursing, Dr. Carolyn Hart, has capitalized on the demand for nurses and the opportunity to meet the educational needs of future nursing students across the region.

“The DNP is the highest practice degree for nurses and reflects the changing demands in our complex healthcare environment. DNP-prepared nurses have a greater understanding of the underlying knowledge of nursing practice; they are more informed about health equity and the quality of patient care,” shared Dr. Hart.

ALL

ticket proceeds to local nonprofits in the Greater Lake City area. Thanks to the community, they were able to giveback $48,000 in 2022.

Students in the DNP program will be able to complete their coursework 100% online - offering the flexibility they need to continue their education while providing quality patient care. Current nurses with a master’s degree will complete ten courses in 6-week terms to complete the program. The application for the DNP program will open on January 5, 2023, for the inaugural class starting in August 2023.

La Cucina Italiana Ristorante Joins Marion Chamber

Moore Farms Botanical Gardens donates

event

FEBRUARYCALENDAR of EVENTS 2023

sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday

Trivia (every Wed.) Green Frog Social, Lake City

Montessori School of Florence Open House

Open Mic Night (every Tues.) F.E. Pops, Florence

Valentine's Day Pop-up Event Playin' Hooky, Cashua LocationFlorence

Chopsticks Day

Galentine’s Day

Reformers Unanimous Program

Every Friday pm & Sunday am Florence Baptist Temple

FSO's “Classical Soul”, FMU PAC, Florence

Happy Valentine's Day! Small Box with a Revolver by Dustin Hageland (Feb 14-18) FMU PAC, Florence

Trivia (every Wed.) Seminar Brewing, Florence

Groundhog Day

Karaoke (every Thurs.) Green Frog Social, Lake City

Pizza Day

Presidents' Day

Andy Timmons, guitar FMU PAC, Florence

Artful Expression Group for Cancer Patients and Caregivers Meet (3rd Tuesday of the Month)

Florence Public Library

Candle Making Workshop Florence Public Library

Singles Awareness Day

Do a Grouch a Favor Day

Tell a Fairy Tale Day

Strawberry Day

SC Chamber Music Festival: Violinist Hye-Jin Kim FMU PAC, Florence

National Margarita Day

Banana Bread Day

friday saturday

Bluegrass Music Concert Grand Old Post Office, Darlington

Love to Give 5K Briggs Elementary, Florence

Florence Stampede & Pro Rodeo (Feb 3 & 4) Florence Center, Florence

Cabaret ~ a talent Black Creek Arts Council, Hartsville

Valentines Soiree 2023 The Bean Market,Lake City

Craft Pop-up Market

Pee Dee State Farmer's Market, Florence

Father Daughter Dance SiMT Building, Florence

Palmetto Destruction Demolition Derby (Feb 17 & 18) Florence Center

Chocolate Crawl Downtown Florence

Winter Legislative Breakfast Florence Center

Sweetheart Sock Hop Auction & Gala Florence Country Club

Chosen Road Live Calvary Baptist Church, Florence

The American Heritage Festival (Feb 18 & 19)

Graham Historic Farm Lake City

Bonsai for Beginners Forest Lake Greenhouses, Florence

GSSM's 5k Race for Mental Health Awareness

401 Railroad Ave, Hartsville

Swamp Fox Chili Cookoff Main Street Commons, Marion

Heartwarming GIFTS FOR YOUR VALENTINE

1 Esme Heart Pavé Hoop by Julie Vos Seven Boutique, Lake City

2 Votivo Bamboo Leaf Candle Pretty N Bliss, Florence

3 Passion Flower Grey Gown by The One Hundred Stars collaboration with KEW Royal Botanic Gardens Goosie Ganders, Florence

4 Smithy Ironware 5.5 qt Dutch Oven The Pharmacy Gifts, Florence

5 Mi.iM Shoes Elle Mid Star Sneakers The Grey Nickle, Mullins

6 SARGE Leather Messenger Briefcase Butler's Fine Men's Clothing, Florence

7 Southern Sportsman Needlepoint Belt Palmetto Outpost, Florence, Marion & Dillon

8 BudhaGirl Three Kings Bangles Raised Down South, Hartsville

Teach Your Children The Importance of Good Oral Health

National Children's Dental Health Month

In February, we recognize National Children's Dental Health Month. During this time, we remind children and adults of the importance of maintaining good oral health. Adults do take pride in children's teeth more than we acknowledge. For example, a glimpse of baby teeth peeking through an infant's gum yields an automatic expression of excitement. We pridefully show off the two or four pegs protruding through the infant's delicate gums. The onset of teeth makes a distinctive difference and is the first thing we notice during a bright smile.

There is so much more behind your smile. There is a mouth full of unique pearly whites that serves a purpose far beyond what the eyes can see. Oral health extends from the enamel we see to the blood and nerve endings snuggled inside each tooth. Usually, the big focus on oral health for children has been to teach them to brush their teeth and floss daily. However, a more significant push should be made to teach children to be more intentional with maintaining oral health.

There are many foundational things that children need to be exposed to as we begin to teach them about oral health. This year we can intentionally give children a deeper view based on their understanding.

take a step further with foundational concepts that will last for a lifetime.

Have you ever tried to explain the purpose of teeth to children? Many people do not. We are encouraged to brush our teeth twice daily because it is the proper thing to do. However, overall, we need to make this act of brushing purposeful. When you take the time to make an action purposeful and meaningful, you will have a better outcome with the desired practice.

With a quick flash, many children grab their toothbrushes, squirt their toothpaste and attempt to brush their teeth in haste. Let us teach our children to slow down and brush their teeth for two minutes. A timer can be used, or even a song may be played to help the two-minute time frame pass. Children should also use proper brushing techniques to remove food, tartar, or other unwanted particles. If they are brushing in haste, they could miss something.

Children usually acquire twenty primary teeth (baby teeth) that are eventually replaced by thirty-two permanent adult teeth by the time they are teenagers. The first way we can make oral health practice an intentional practice is by teaching our children the names of permanent teeth and the role of each set of teeth. We have incisors, canine, pre-molars, molars, and wisdom teeth.

Incisors are square-shaped teeth at the front, with four at the top and four at the bottom. These teeth are responsible for cutting food as you take a bite. The four canine teeth are the sharp "vampire" teeth next to the incisors and help tear food. The pre-molars beside the canine teeth are wider and help grind and crush

food. The molars are positioned at the back of the mouth and are the strongest. These teeth also help grind food so it would be easy to swallow. The wisdom teeth usually grow later than others and serve the same purpose as a molar. Understanding the role of each set can foster a deeper connection with oral maintenance.

Maintaining good oral health also impacts self-confidence. Good oral health reduces the barriers that inhibit smiles. Children will be more inclined to speak confidently if they have good oral health. Teeth technically help with speech. Even though we can speak without teeth, teeth help with the process of pronouncing words correctly.

We must also teach children how teeth have an overall impact on total health. We see the crown of a tooth but cannot see the root unless an x-ray is performed. Poor oral health generates within the gums and can spread throughout the mouth. The impact can eventually affect other systems throughout the body. Poor oral health has been linked to other life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The mouth is the gateway to our body's systems and can house various forms of bacteria if not cared for correctly.

The American Dental Association was the originator of National Children's Dental Health month. The intent was to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Since its inception, many advancements have been revealed, which makes maintaining oral health a much easier task. It is important to remember that oral health starts in infancy and should last a lifetime. This means there will be fewer incidents of correcting bad oral health habits.

Maintaining good oral health should also include introducing children to the dentist early. There should also be an intentional effort not to instill fear of the dentist in children. We can also be more purposeful in celebrating good oral health. Compliment their brushing techniques and habits. Let us give them a reason to keep a bright, healthy smile.

When Words Are Not Enough,

Make Art

story by Heather Page

It doesn’t take an artist to create art. Sometimes it takes emotion and a room full of support to enable the ability to bring life to a piece of paper or a mound of clay. Light conversations shared amongst peers while staring down the tip of a pencil has a way of curing, or at least softening daily stressors. Raquel Serrano, a McLeod Health Oncology Social Worker, helped start the Artful Expression Group, a program that encourages cancer patients and their caregivers to take a breather through the process of creating art during this season of life. And, boy, does it!

In addition to having a love for helping others, Raquel is also a breast cancer survivor. Her responsibilities at McLeod Health include identifying the needs of cancer patients and learning how she can assist them with those needs. In 2015, Raquel had an idea. The idea to surround individuals suffering similar feelings of depression or anxiety due to cancer around a table to create personal masterpieces. She shared her idea with the Florence Regional Arts Alliance and they were delighted to help fund the project. For five years, Raquel would meet monthly with a group of people she grew to love and respect for the journey they’d been given. However, in March 2020, due to the outbreak of Covid-19, the project was postponed indefinitely.

It took nearly three years but the Artful Expression Group for Cancer Patients and Caregivers is back and more colorful than ever! A reunion took place on January 17th at the Florence County Museum as previous attendees greeted one another while new members also found their seats around the table. Uschi Jeffcoat, Curator of Education and Community Outreach at the Florence County Museum, eagerly greeted the amateur artists as they joined the class. Uschi worked with Raquel through the Arts Alliance during the initial planning of the group in 2015 and was happy to assist in welcoming the program back to the Florence County Museum.

Before the class began their attempt at art, they shared praise reports and the journey they’d been on over the past three years while also giving hugs to their old friends. Some also spoke of newly diagnosed friends that could use extra prayers. It was a wholesome experience that could easily lift anyone’s spirits.

Demetria McCutcheon

Sherry Cordell

As stories came to a close, Raquel passed out the materials for the project, a Zentagle Method that is easy to learn and proven to calm anxiety. “We’ve used Zentagle projects in the past and it’s fascinating to see how we are all given the same task but come up with completely different pieces of art,” shares Raquel. There is no right or wrong in the method, each person just creates what feels good to them.

“I’m no artist,” says Linda Mallick, a breast cancer survivor who has been in remission for 11 years. “I’m the worse one in the class and have no artistic talent whatsoever; I can’t even draw a stick figure. It’s the camaraderie the class has, the fact that we have all experienced cancer in some form, and we’re here to support each other in this socalled journey. Raquel helps us express ourselves in ways I’ve never thought of. Yes, cancer comes up. Yes, we do talk about things. But it’s a give and take, a cry and laugh, and we meet somewhere in the middle.”

“Having cancer is a stressful life event, and symptoms of cancer are not limited to the physical,” Raquel explains. “Many of our cancer patients and caregivers are in distress and in need of additional psycho-social care and support.” The Artful Expression Group is in place to help with these needs.

Demetria McCutchen, a five-year cancer survivor, says this process is not only an excellent learning experience but also good therapy. “I just enjoy being able to sit amongst friends and make art,” she says.

The Artful Expression Group is for all genders suffering from any sort of cancer as well as their caregivers and anyone familiar with the strains cancer causes. Some members are in remission while others may have only recently been diagnosed. Its purpose is simply to engage cancer patients in integrative medicines to relieve stress and anxiety. “It’s very well documented that art is one of those ways that can be used to address some of those issues,” says Raquel.

The Artful Expression Group meets monthly at the Florence County Museum.

Their next meeting is February 21st, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., where they will dabble in Egyptian glue.

Future projects will also involve different mediums including drawing, mixed media, journaling, and scrapbooking to allow cancer patients to use creativity to express their emotions. In addition, the group facilitators are incorporating supportive themes with the art lesson each month such as fear of recurrence, body image, financial concerns, finding meaning, and sharing the individual’s journey.

Thanks to sponsorships by the McLeod Health Foundation, The Florence Regional Arts Alliance, and the Florence County Museum, there is no cost to attend the session and supplies are provided.

No art experience is necessary – your willingness to express yourself is all you will need.

Designed to:

• Reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression

• Improve self-esteem and overall feelings of self-worth

• Increase social and communication activities

• Increase energy

For more information, please contact: Raquel Serrano (843) 777-5695

Zentangle Method given to Raquel from a previous member

Dena Cox & Robin Dickerson

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH

6PM - 11PM

Dinner | Dancing | Cocktails

The Bean Market 111 Henry St., Lake City at

The Florence Chapter of Jack & Jill of America Inc. cordially invites you to celebrate an elegant evening of love with us as we host a charity event supporting The Jack & Jill of America Foundation and the Lake City Boys & Girls Club & Youth Technology Center. Dinner, dancing, and cocktails featuring jazz saxophonist Dante Lewis from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at The Bean Market, 111 Henry St., Lake City. Formal dress required. Tickets are $125 and are available on Eventbrite or by contacting flochapterfinancialsec@gmail.com.

ABOUT JACK & JILL

Founded in 1938, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a membership organization for African American mothers of children ages 2 to 19, dedicated to raising the next generation of African American leaders while enhancing the lives of all children. We have more than 11,500 active members in 252 chapters across the country. With programming for the entire family, we engage mothers, fathers and children who come from predominantly married (85%), college educated (99%) households with a majority of families having incomes above $100K. The majority of our members are aged 40 to 49 years old (55%).

Located at 131 Calhoun St., the Lake City Club offer hours from 2 to 6 p.m. on school days. Beyond the standard mentoring, tutoring, games, STEM activities, and homework help, the Club holds Mr. Stormy Day on Wednesdays and offers a lending closet of ties and formal shirts. The Club sponsored 76 children for Christmas with clothes and gifts and handed out 96 turkeys this past Thanksgiving. For information, call (843) 374-3749 or visit www.bgcpda.org.

Director Stormy Gillens pictured with youth dressed for Mr. Stormy Day

Florence Chapter of Jack and Jill of America

William Henry Johnson

William Henry Johnson was born in Florence, South Carolina, on March 18, 1901, to parents Henry Johnson and Alice Smoot, both laborers. At an early age, Johnson enjoyed copying cartoons from the local papers. Becoming an artist was a far dream for a young African American boy born to a poor family during a segregated era. While he may have suppressed those artistic aspirations early in life, by the age of 17 he was ready to travel and discover his true abilities.

Johnson followed his dreams to New York City where he enrolled at the National Academy of Design and met Charles Webster Hawthorne, a well-known artist. Hawthorne recognized Johnson’s talents but was also aware of the hardships he’d face attempting to become an African American artist in the United States. Hawthorne encouraged and helped raise funds for Johnson to move to Paris, France, upon graduating in 1926 to further pursue his dreams of becoming an artist.

The Paris culture had a significant influence on Johnson’s artwork. The city’s vibrance and

the exposure to works of Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Cézanne inspired him to experiment with more colors and forms. After several years of meeting and learning from other artist in Paris, Johnson moved back to the United States to make a name for himself in his home country.

Johnson is considered a major American artist that has produced hundreds of works including oils, watercolors, gouaches, penand-ink sketches, block prints, silk screens, and ceramics. He is best known for his landscapes and portraits. Johnson’s artwork includes African American culture and history, several series of paintings that featured religious subjects, political themes, the rural South, and the modern military.

WILLIAM HENRY JOHNSON ARTWORK

We asked, "What was your... BEST OR WORST VALENTINES DAY?

think we’d need a reservation and we faced a two hour wait at the restaurant. He called around frantically to a bunch of places that all obviously had the same answer. We ended up being very overdressed at the local iHOP, which seems lame, but it started a funny new tradition, and we plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day there again this year!”

- Roberta Burns

- Erin Jordan

“My best Valentine's Day was in 2021 with my boyfriend Deon. We went to a wine tasting and got to learn about the types of wine and how they paired with different foods, and it was a very fun experience! It was also the first Valentine's Day we spent together, so that made it special.”

- Sheridan Murray

“Jake loves to joke with me, or at me to say the least. With both of us being very driven and busy, and the fact that Valentine's day falls during basketball season, the event is usually not what directors dream up in the movies. A favorite memory I cherish is of our first Valentine's together and naturally, it's a joke.

“February 14th, 2021, Jake and I meet at his place to head to dinner together. I am prepared with a card, and a gift, and Jake meets me with a warm welcome. As he opens his card, he sheepishly looks up at me and says, ‘I didn't have time to get you anything.’ Which begins the silent stewing before dinner. We make sure we are ready for dinner and head down to the car, wafts of steam coming from my disappointed feelings follow us to the door. It was freezing and when I jump in the car I almost step on a surprise gift.

“Closing the door and looking over at Jake with a Times Square sized smile on his face, he begins to laugh. He asks me if I believed him, to which I respond with a burst of laughter and relief. Driving to our dinner I open a sweet card, chocolates and a personalized coffee mug.

“Moral of the story, joke with your partner, but get to the punchline before dinner.”

- Charlee Rhodes

“My husband has always gone a little overboard on Valentine's Day. It's his holiday and since I am the lucky recipient of his efforts, I will not complain at all. We had only been married a little over two years on February 14, 2011, and I am sure he had elaborate plans and sure that he told them to me at some point, but that particular Valentine's Day, he and several hundred other firefighters were called to the Rainbow Agrium

Plant in Hartsville that had exploded. Not only did I not see him on Valentine's Day, I spent most of the evening worried that he would be injured in the explosions. What turned out to be an awful Valentine's Day was followed up by one of the most romantic days of my life, though. To make it up to me the next day he planned a scavenger hunt that led me two miles from our home to a candle lit, rose-lined dock at the lake where he waited with food and music.”

- Shannon Flowers

"Love is beautiful, patient, and kind. Love is my best friend and husband, Bruce E. Williams. We’re always competingtoexpressourloveforeach otherandespeciallyonValentine’sDay.

"The best Valentine’s experience we’ve shared together was the time my husband planned an entire WEEKEND of activities! I woke up that Friday to a full breakfast with a large bouquet of flowers. He then told me we would be out all day on excursions. I was so excited because I knew he had something up his sleeve. We went shopping, had brunch, and then he said we were going to do our country-side drive.

"Well, I fell asleep during our drive because it was so relaxing. When the car finally stopped, I woke up and looked over to see my husband grinning. We were in Charlotte, NC! Unbeknownsttome,myhusbandhad our suitcases in the trunk of the car and had already made reservations. We explored Charlotte’s attractions, had scrumptious dinners, and enjoyed sunsets from the balcony of our exquisite hotel suite which was adorned with gorgeous flowers. The quality and quiet time we shared that Valentine’s weekend was priceless."

- Lisa Scott-Williams

SPEARHEADS

SENIOR BUDDIES

Senior Buddies, The Senior Buddy Program at Trinity Collegiate School Explained...

When Isabella Stamato was a junior at Trinity Collegiate School in Darlington, she saw a need for building a community amongst the students at her school.

Trinity Collegiate had recently added a sixth grade, bringing the school from around the Pee Dee area. Most of the time, the seniors and the sixth graders had very little interaction. Their classes and lockers were even in entirely different buildings, so she came up with the idea for a Senior Buddy program to change all of that.

The Senior Buddy Program pairs an outgoing senior with an incoming sixthgrader in order to facilitate their transition into a new school. The sixth-grade students are able to ask their buddies questions about the school, about where things are, or even for help with homework. The seniors help them feel welcome in the school and are role models for the child.

Every sixth grader came onto the Trinity campus with a built-in friend. So far this year, sixth graders and their senior buddies have had a get-to-know-you party, a Halloween costume party, and a holiday get-together where they exchanged gifts. Each one of them has spent the school year with at least one more friend than they would have had before entering the program.

In addition to spearheading the Senior Buddies program, Isabella is a member of the National Honor Society, Girls Service Club, National Spanish Honor Society, Varsity Volleyball, the MENSA Honor Society, Connections Club, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Youth Leadership Foundation and has received a total of over $600,000 in scholarships and grants from the colleges and universities she has applied to for the fall.

Isabella Stamato

Emalee Watts, pictured with her Senior Buddy, Isabella

If you're interested in a tour of Trinity Collegiate School, call April Munn at (843) 395-9124.

STARS IN AN ITALIAN SKY

BY JILL SANTOPOLO

From the New York Timesbestselling author of The Light We Lost comes a sweeping story of two star-crossed lovers in post-World War II Italy, and a blossoming relationship generations later that will reveal a long-buried family secret.

Genoa, Italy, 1946. Vincenzo and Giovanna fall in love at twenty-one the moment they set eyes on each other. The son of a count and the daughter of a tailor, they belong to opposing worlds. Despite this, the undeniable spark between them quickly burns into a deep and passionate relationship spent exploring each other’s minds, bodies and their city, as well as Vincenzo’s family’s sprawling vineyard, Villa Della Rosa—until shifts in political power force them each to choose a side and commit what the other believes is a betrayal, shattering the bright future they dreamed of together.

New York, 2017. Cassandra and Luca are in love. Although neither quite fits with the other’s family, Cass and Luca have always felt like a perfect match for each other. But when Luca, an artist, convinces his grandfather and Cass’s grandmother to pose for a painting, past and present collide and reveal a secret that changes everything.

Jill Santopolo is the internationally best-selling author of the upcoming Everything After, More Than Words and The Light We Lost, which was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick and has been optioned for film. Her books have been translated into more than 35 languages, and have been named to the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal Apple, and Indie Bound bestseller lists. She is also the author of the Alec Flint Mysteries, the Sparkle Spa series, and the Follow Your Heart books. Jill holds a BA in English Literature from Columbia University, an MFA in Writing for Children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and a certificate in Intellectual Property Law from NYU. She is the associate publisher of Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group. Jill has worked as a thesis advisor at The New School in their MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults and was on the faculty of the Columbia Publishing Course. She was also an adjunct professor at McDaniel College, where she helped develop the curriculum for their certificate program in Writing for Children. Jill has traveled all over the U.S.—and to Canada and Europe—to speak about writing and storytelling. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband and daughter.

Super Sunday...

and Fan Approved Party Inspirations

story by Doug Smith

Super Sunday is February 12th. My team didn’t make this year’s cut but I’m celebrating the game of football and even looking forward to watching the commercials. For those of you that don’t love sports, you can still find inspiration to plan a party for the big game. Throwing a party can be just as much fun for the host (Coach) as it is for your guests (Team).

Keeping it simple and fun is the secret recipe for a legendary super party. As the coach, don’t be afraid to ask for a team effort. It’s a good idea to draw up a simple playbook focusing on the three elements of the game; appetizers and beverages (special teams), the main entree (offense line), and a dessert (defensive line). As coach and leader of the offense, I’m calling the plays on the main entree. This year we’re going all the way on the first snap with Super Chili made with beef and beans.

I have a lot of confidence that each of my teammates are hungry for a little competition so I’m asking my team to bring their favorite tailgate dish. The rules of the game are simple. It must be a real fan-pleaser. For this play to work well you should include two or three options that highlight color and texture such as chips and salsa (with a bit of a kick), cheese dip, spinach dip, or even a meaty dip.

Another well-designed play is a tray of assorted sticky chicken wings prepared with a range of flavors from extra spicy to sweet and mild and have a few dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese on the side. Wings are the perfect finger food, but be sure to have plenty of penalty flags (some would call napkins) ready. That will be a five-yard penalty for finger-licking good eats!

In the game of football, it takes all three elements working together for 60 minutes to win. More often than not the game comes down to that last play. It’s like the dessert everyone was waiting for. Win or lose. The clock will expire and the whistle will blow for the final time and the game will be in the record books.

Doug's Super Chili

Ingredients

2 Pounds Ground Beef

1 Chopped Onion

2 Cloves Garlic, Chopped

1 8-Ounce Can Tomato Sauce

2 Tablespoons Chili Powder

1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin

1 Teaspoon Ground Oregano

1 Teaspoon Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

1 15-Ounce Can Kidney Beans, Drained and Rinsed

1 15-Ounce Can Pinto Beans, Drained and Rinsed

Shredded Cheddar for Serving

Method

Place the chopped onion and garlic in a large pot. Cook over medium heat until translucent. Add the ground beef and cook until brown. Drain off the excess fat and then pour in the beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne. Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat. Simmer on low heat for one hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add water as needed.

After an hour of simmering, taste and adjust the seasonings. Serve with shredded cheddar.

GET MORE FROM DOUG SMITH BY FOLLOWING HIM ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM AT "DOUG THE FOOD GUY". FIND DOUG THE FOODGUY ON SPOTIFY & APPLE PODCASTS @THE PIZZERIA & ENZO SHOW