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November 2019

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magazine

Publisher Tammy Clark tmclark225@gmail.com

Contributing Photographers

Editor Heather Page heather@vipmagsc.com

Fred Salley

Office Manager Tiffany Skipper jtskipp35@gmail.com Advertising Executives Julie C. Tyler juliectyler@yahoo.com Creative Design Tuesday Taylor Ashley Rogers

Erin Daniel Phillip Guyton Jordan Forman

Contributing Writers Brock McAllister Mark W. Buyck, III Susan K. Carter Cookie Cawthon Cynthia Ford Shannon Gainey, FNP Caitlin Guess Bri Jackson Eden Hunt Doug Smith Jeremy Sparkman Rebecca Stewart Sarah Sweeney Karthik Tanneru, MD

Serving Florence, Hartsville, Darlington, Marion, Mullins, Lake City and the surrounding areas 2011-B Second Loop Rd, Florence, SC 29501 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

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COVER CONCEPT

Front Cover: Pictured are McLeod Electrophysiologists Dr. Prabal Guha with a quarter and Dr. Cyrus Kocherla with the leadless pacemaker to show the comparison in size. The leadless pacemaker is 93 percent smaller than modern day pacemakers.

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 74

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JANUARY 2022 BUSINESS 10 Mark W. Buyck II: Lawyers Making The Law 12 Fifth Street Cleaners: A Clean Start

HOME 14 Doug Smith: Tea Talk

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16 Book of the Month: The Pursuit of Love

LIFESTYLE 18 Sarah Sweeney: My Weight Loss Journey 20 MLK, Jr.: Pursuing The Dream 22 Five Sparrows: His Eye Is On The Sparrow 24 Pee Dee Mental Health: Emotional Wellness 26 January 2022 Calendar

HEALTH + WELLNESS

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32 McLeod: Orthopedic Cold Trauma 34 HopeHealth: Body Mass Index 36 Balance Yoga: Physical Wellness & Mental Clarity 38 Carolina Pines: Annual Screenings 40 Eden Hunt: 6 Healthy Skin Habits for Any Age 42 Studio 610: Sweating Through The New Year 44 MUSC: Bladder Health 46 What's That App? 48 Flo-town Fitness: What Are You Looking For? 50 Newsworthy

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52 Drink of the Month: The Aviation Cocktail

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Lawyers Making the Law

BUSINESS BUSINESS

story by Mark W. Buyck, III

The Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville made this observation from his 1831 travels in the United States: "The government of democracy is favorable to the political power of lawyers; for when the wealthy, the noble, and the Prince are excluded from the government, the lawyers take possession of it, in their own right, as it were, since they are the only men of information and sagacity, beyond the sphere of the people, who can be the object of the popular choice. … Lawyers belong to the people by birth and interests, and to the aristocracy by habit and taste; they may be looked upon as a connecting link between the two great classes of society.”

Much has changed over the last 190 years. While lawyers as a profession may not be held in as high esteem as they were in previous times, there is no denying that citizens with legal training have shaped the country’s founding and have been active participants in governmental affairs.

56 founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, declaring the American colonies free from England’s monarchy and its Parliament’s taxes.

Twenty-five of these patriots were lawyers including John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The four signers from South Carolina were all trained in the law.

Thomas Heyward, Thomas Lynch, Jr and Edward Rutledge were all practicing lawyers and Arthur Middleton had studied law in England at the Inns of Court.

When the Constitutional Convention was called in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation, 70 delegates were appointed by the various states. Only 55 made it to the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia to undertake the process of drafting the United States’ Constitution. 32 of the 55 framers of the Constitution were lawyers. Prominent among these were Alexander Hamilton and William Livingston. James Madison had also been a student of the law but never considered himself a lawyer. Three of the four South Carolina delegates were lawyers, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, and John Rutledge. Charles Pinckney was particularly active during the writing and debate of the Convention. He also played a key role in South Carolina becoming the eighth state to ratify the resulting Constitution. Charles Pinckney served as Governor of South Carolina on three separate occasions. He was Thomas Jefferson’s ambassador to Spain and also served in the United State’s Senate and the United State’s House of Representatives.

Since 1776, 51 of South Carolina’s 86 Governors have been lawyers. Beginning with Strom Thurmond’s election in 1946, 11 of South Carolina’s 15 Governors have been lawyers including our current Governor, Henry McMaster. Joe Biden is the 27th lawyer of the 46 men who have served as President of the United States. This ratio, 59%, is exactly the same as South Carolina’s Governors.

On January 4, 1964, the New York Times ran a story entitled “Are There Too Many Lawyers in Congress?” At the time, 315 of the 535 members of the 88th Congress, were lawyers. This included 66 of the 100 senators and 249 of the 435 members of the House of Representatives. The article noted that the second most common profession was “businessman” with less than half as many as lawyers. In the article, the author made the claim, “it is doubtless true that lawyers both in and out of Congress tend to the conservative side… [B]ut in the final analysis, conservative Congressmen, intent on resisting innovation, are the ones who most frequently use their training in the law to political advantage.”

The author then noted that 74 of 106 Southerners in the House of Representatives were lawyers. He complained that the Southerners “adroitness at Constitutional argumentation has sounded the death knell for numberless bills in recent sessions.”

Lawyers’ dominance at the Federal and State level has steadily declined over the years. In the mid-19th century, nearly 80% of the members of Congress were lawyers. In the mid-1960s, this was just under 60%. In the current Congress, only 40% have a legal background. The same trend is also occurring in the South Carolina legislature. In 1955, 28 of the 46 state senators, (61%) and 55 of 124 state representatives (44%) were lawyers. In 1987, 23 senators and 31 representatives were lawyers. In the current General Assembly, 19 senators and 32 house members are lawyers which is less than 1 in 3 members. Lawyers will continue to actively pursue elected political office; however, those who claim that lawyers are running the show in Columbia and D.C., are behind the times.

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 January 2022

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LIFESTYLE

FIFTH STREET CLEANERS Starting the New Year with a Clean Start story by Rebecca Stewart

These days, it isn’t common to hear of a 75-year-old family-owned business. The dedication from not only the original generation, but also from the generations to follow involves passion, determination, and prayer. Dick Coker, owner of Fifth Street Cleaners in Hartsville, has gladly accepted the position handed down to him from his father, Dan Hollis Coker, and grandfather, James Reaves Coker.

Even before these generations of Fifth Street Cleaners began, Dick’s great grandfather, Dan Hollis, also had a knack for offering superior customer service and freshly pressed clothing while running a cleaners in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in the early 1900s. The cleaning expertise certainly runs in this family’s blood. Dick spent much of his childhood running amongst the many lines of hanging garments at Fifth Street Cleaners before he began helping at the business as a youth. After graduating from Clemson University and working in the textile industry, Dick returned to Hartsville in 1994 to continue his career under his father’s leadership.

Traci Teal & Dick Coker 12

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Dick includes, “I truly believe that God has blessed this business in so many ways, including bringing Traci at a time when our business could be handed over and continue operating and serving Hartsville.” As Traci steps takes on Fifth Street Cleaners, her plans will be to continue having the clothes go out looking as if they were just purchased. She says, “When you run a business like Dick has, there isn’t a lot you have to change.”

Over the years, Dick has had the pleasure of building lasting relationships with customers as well as employees. Rose Marie Colclough has worked for Fifth Street Cleaners for more than 58 years, the only job she’s ever had, and shares fond memories of Dick’s elders and even him as a small child. “This family has become my family,” she says. “Every generation has treated me with kindness and respect, making this the only job I ever wanted to have.” Another long-term employee is Alta Mae Lee who started with the company in her teens, left to pursue a 30-year career, and came back after retiring. Based off of the company’s employee retention, it’s safe to say they are loved by not only their customers, but also their associates.

Long-term employee and Hartsville native, Traci Teal, also values the family that began Fifth Street Cleaners. Traci sought employment at Fifth Street Cleaners when her and her family faced a significant life change. She wanted to work for Dick because she knew “of his reputation as an employer, his keen eye for quality, and his integrity.” She says, “I knew he would be great to work for.” She eventually had the opportunity to change employment, but consistently wanted to stay. Time led to a conversation between her and Dick about transitioning the business from his ownership to hers. “It was more of a what if, but the seed was planted,” Traci says. As the next few weeks went by, Dick and Traci became more serious about the idea. “Traci is exactly the type of person that I know my grandfather and father would approve,” says Dick. While this may be factual, handing over ownership of a family business can still be quite the decision. However, over the years Dick has seen first hand how Traci loves the customers, associates, and Hartsville just as much as he does. It became a no brainer to offer it to her. After reaching a well deserved agreement, this New Year Traci will celebrate taking over ownership of Fifth Street Cleaners.

left to right: Alta Mae Lee, Traci Teal & Rose Marie Colclough

Dick includes, “I truly believe that God has blessed this business in so many ways, including bringing Traci at a time when our business could be handed over and continue operating and serving Hartsville.” As Traci takes on Fifth Street Cleaners, her plans will be to continue having the clothes go out looking as if they were just purchased. She says, “When you run a business like Dick has, there isn’t a lot you have to change.” Her goal will be to continue to obtain the strong ties with the community that the generations before her did.

Dick will continue mentoring Traci. He would like to thank the community for allowing he and his family to serve them over the years. “My fondest memories are definitely the relationships I developed over the past years with my parents’ dear friends and their children,” he says. Traci looks forward to continuing their top notch cleaning traditions for many years to come!

FIFTH STREET CLEANERS 508 S. 5th St, Hartsville • 843.332.6482

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HOME HOME

TeaTalk story and recipe by Doug Smith Did you know tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world? Hot Tea has influenced different countries and their cuisine for hundreds of years. The beverage is used to enhance our health, calm our fears, and spear great conversation.

Tea even plays a part in many cultures and their representation of what is the best way to serve tea. The Chinese put more emphasis on its original pure aroma. They drink their tea without additional ingredients because they have a large array of tea with natural flavors like green tea, black tea, white tea, yellow tea, and lavender tea to name a few.

English tea appreciates the varied flavoring added. There are many additives to be poured into English tea such as milk, sugar, lemon, and honey.

At home, we have English tea regularly served from a teapot known as “Brown Betty.” It is filled with hot water just before adding the loose tea leaves to steep. I often wondered why the name Brown Betty? Certainly the brown in the name refers to the color of the pot that was easy. Betty? Why Betty?

Get more from Doug Smith by following him on Facebook and Instagram at "Doug the Food Guy".

Find Doug the FoodGuy on Spotify and Apple podcasts @The Pizzeria & Enzo Show

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January 2022 2022 January

During the Victorian era in England, the home was managed with lots of staff such as butlers and housemaids. These were coveted positions as they paid more than most other jobs and had an opportunity for advancement. Elizabeth was the most popular female name during that time.

Chances were at least one of the housemaids was Elizabeth, called Betty for short. Since it was highly probable that she served tea, the pot was christened Brown Betty. This is the most common story. No one knows for sure but I like it and it sounds like a good story. One thing I know for sure is when we watch tv or movies that show someone being served tea it’s almost always a Brown Betty like the one that adorns our breakfast room.

Whether you follow the brewing traditions of the English or Chinese or you simply microwave your tea, take time this month (National Hot Tea Month) to enjoy a cuppa with a friend.

A cuppa facts about tea First Tea Brewed 2300 BC - It’s believed Chinese Emperor Shen Nung discovered hot brewed tea when tea leaves accidentally fell into his pot of drinking water.

The British Intervene on Illegal Tea Trading 1784 - The British parliament reduced import taxes on tea in an effort to end smuggling practices over the majority of tea imports.

Tea Grows in South Carolina 1888 - Dr. Charles Shepard founded the Pinehurst Tea Plantation. South Carolina and American grown tea become a reality which is now known as Charleston Tea Garden.

Tea Bags Accidentally Created 1904 - Thomas Sullivan successfully marketed tea bags after he sent his tea in silk bags to clients and they mistakenly steeped it in them. Today there are over 1,000 flavors of hot tea. My favorite is traditional black tea with a spot of milk and sometimes honey.

How to make the perfect cuppa using a Brown Betty 1 heaped teaspoon of tea and one cup of water per person The water should be just below boiling.

Add the water to the Betty to slightly cool the water before adding the tea.

Steep for about a minute or two if you prefer a stronger tea.

Serve in a nice teacup.

Have a few of your favorite flavorings available: milk, sugar, lemon, and honey.

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VIP'S BOOK CLUB

Nancy Mitford was witty, intelligent, often acerbic and an acute observer of upper-class English idiosyncrasies. With the publication of her novels The Pursuit of Love, Love in a Cold Climate and The Blessing, she became a huge bestseller and a household name. An inveterate writer of letters, she wrote almost daily to, among others, Evelyn Waugh, Harold Action, John Betjeman, Lord Berners, Lady Seafield, and, of course, her sisters.

BRI JACKSON REVIEWS

THE PURSUIT OF LOVE

BY NANCY MITFORD

Set in England around World War II, The Pursuit of Love follows the lives of cousins and best friends, Fanny and Linda, as narrated by the former with the latter the main character of fascination. The novel is a satire that follows the girls from their early teenage years through their 20s, mostly taking place at Linda’s family home, Alconleigh. Linda’s father, Uncle Matthew, whose shovel that “whacked down” Germans during the First World War hangs with prominence over the family’s drawing room mantelpiece, enjoys hunting the children with his four bloodhounds and tells you all you really need to know about the girls’ eccentric upbringing.

Fanny, the down to earth and quite ordinary – as is pointed out to her on numerous occasions – narrator is 16

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enamored along with everyone else with her dear cousin Linda. Linda is interested in only one thing and that is falling in love, which she manages to do three times over.

The story is clever and tongue and cheek with sincere moments and quite a bit of tragedy but is in the end a comedy. It is a great book to curl up with this cold winter and enjoy a few chuckles over the antics of the Radlett children and the adults responsible for them.

Amazon Prime adapted the novel into a three part series by the same title that is really quite entertaining and a wonderful interpretation of the book and its interesting characters. And should you find yourself as fascinated with the characters as I was, there are three more books that delve into the lives of Fanny, Linda, and their ilk.

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LIFESTYLE

WHAT HELPED ME THROUGH

My Weight Loss Journey

Sarah Sweeney participating in the Myrtle Beach Mini-Marathon.

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Sarah Sweeney, wife, mother, and full-time employee at United Way, shares how she manages staying focused on her health while managing a busy life.

In March of 2020, my husband took a photo of my daughter and I in matching dresses. I realized two things that day: first, my daughter will love me and look at me with the same smile no matter how much I weigh; secondly, it was time to start loving myself the way she loves me and invest time in getting healthier.

I jumped headfirst into a weight loss journey that has taught me so much about myself. Although I still have weight I’d like to lose, I have started to love myself at every stage of this incredible journey. Here are the tools I used every day that helped me lose 50 pounds in a year.

MY FITNESS PAL APP – I learned that the first step to weight loss is tracking what goes into my body. I use the My Fitness Pal app to track my weight, water intake, and calorie count every day.

GARMIN CONNECT APP – Really, you can use any app that connects to a smartwatch. I wanted to make sure I tracked my workout activity, daily steps, stress levels, and heart rates and the Garmin app worked for me because I had a Garmin watch.

INSTAGRAM – Hear me out. I created a fitness-specific Instagram account and this pushed me over the edge with a weight loss plateau. I had the accountability of followers asking when my next video would be, and I had some comments like “I’ve lost weight because I watched your videos.” Creating a fitness journey Instagram account forced me to put myself out there in ways I never had before plus it made me love myself more because I was able to have fun while not taking myself too seriously.

BEACHBODY ON DEMAND – In 2020, all the gyms were closed and I was getting bored with just running outside, so I downloaded this paid subscription app ($99/year) and did tons of athome workouts. I will tell you that the hardest part is pressing play; getting the motivation to get up and workout when I could just binge Netflix was tough.

But after a few workouts, I wanted to exercise more than I wanted to watch CSI. LIGHTED RUNNING VEST – I trained for and ran a half marathon this year and I am an early riser. Most of my running is done in the dark so I wear a lighted vest that I got on Amazon. It’s rechargeable and makes me feel safe.

GO GUARDED SELF DEFENSE RING – As a selfdefense instructor, I am not one to be unprepared, so I run with a Go Guarded knife ring.

Once I had someone tell me that they were jealous of my motivation, and I responded with the quote that I try to live by now: “I am not motivated, I am disciplined. Motivation will only carry you so far.” I had to learn discipline while managing a healthier lifestyle, but these apps and tools helped me stay disciplined.

If a fitness journey is in your plan for 2022, I hope you will use some of these tools to be successful.

INSIGHT TIMER APP – When the anxiety of not losing the weight "fast enough” takes over, I pull up the Insight Timer app and do a quick 20-minute guided meditation. Insight Timer is a great app for those who have trouble sleeping too because there are thousands of guided breathing exercises that help you fall asleep.

Before & after: lost 50 pounds within a year!

For more tips, follow me on Instagram at @WillRunForBooks_.

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LIFESTYLE

Pursuing The Dream story by Cynthia Ford

On August 28, 1963, in Washington D.C. at the Lincoln Memorial, thousands of people stood, listening to one of the most powerful speeches voiced by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The speech was titled "I Have a Dream." Like most days in August, the temperatures were high. The large crowd of supporters enhanced the heat as they stood there being empowered by the hope that flowed through that powerful speech. The temperament of the people varied across the land. Some stood with him and praised his works, while others saw him as a rebel and thought that he should be silenced.

The opinions of Americans varied because of the continuous turmoil that plagued and continued to divide the people. We encounter different types of people today, as we did during that period of time. Some people are unbothered with living in the status quo. They are unbothered in doing what they're told because they are used to being told what to do. They keep quiet and keep the peace, in hopes of causing "no trouble." They will have no willing part in confrontation if they can help it. Despite how they are treated in the world around them, they keep quiet and stay in their lane.

Our personalities vary and everyone has a purpose. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was not a keep quiet, stay in your lane type of person. One of the key components of his movement was to proceed without being violent. He worked tirelessly until the day he died, pursuing the dream. I'm quite sure Dr. King had plans to live a long life, see his children grow up, and to one day meet his grandchildren. He was full of experience and wisdom. Unfortunately, at the tender age of 20

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39 years old, his life was taken.

I was not there during this challenging period, but the deeply rooted stories in history will forever be repeated and never forgotten.

The "I Have a Dream" speech has been repeated many times since its inception.

The words promised a day in which people from all colors and backgrounds will work together in a great expression of unity. The speech declared a day in which the rights that were given to all people are finally enforced. The speech declared a day in which character reigned over skin color and privilege.

Dr. King's dream planted seeds that have given birth to many additional dreams.

Several left the Lincoln Memorial that day full of inspiration. They were motivated and transformed. They had a choice to either pick up the torch and help make the dream come true or let the dream continue to be just a dream. If you take a look at the world around you, it is evident that someone picked up the torch and began working towards the dream.

Think about the natural state of dreaming and what occurs in the body when dreaming occurs. In a natural state of dreaming several processes happen before arriving at the period of dreaming. Through research, it has been discovered that sleep occurs in cycles. One very active cycle of sleep, noted as Rapid Eye Movement (REM), is when dreaming occurs. The amazing thing about REM sleep is that even though your brain s active due to the dreams, the brain is also relaxed, allowing one to continue sleeping.

Dr. King dreamed of a new day for America. He dreamed of a platform in which all Americans will be treated equally. Dr. King remained active while dreaming. A portion of his dream became a reality. What did that mean for the thousands of people listening to his speech that day? What does it mean for the people who were born years after those words were spoken across the Lincoln Memorial? Since he died before the dream came to fruition, did that mean the dream could not become a reality?

Just as in the stages of sleep, after REM, the mind cycles back around to the other stages. This provides periods of rest before going back into REM. Our work and our dreams do not mean we will not have moments of being still, moments of planning, and moments of rest. We, as the stages of sleep, cycle back around and continue the work.

Some picked up the torch and continued the dream. I am a dreamer. I am an active dreamer. Here I stand in REM, dreaming, and pursuing every passion and goal that is planted inside of me. Just as Dr. King did, I speak those things that sometimes seem impossible to the world around me. Yet, I'm still dreaming and moving forward.

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LIFESTYLE

story by Cookie Cawthon

His Eye Is On The Sparrow story by Cookie Cawthon

I ate at my kitchen table with my phone face-up - a usual no-no, but these were special circumstances.

My phone rang, but it wasn’t the number I expected. I answered, prepared for the characteristic pause and then distant voice of a telemarketer.

“Hey, Miss Cookie. I’m ready.”

“AAAAAHHHHH! I’m so excited and can’t wait to give you a big squeeze. I’m really proud of you! Casea will be there in a few minutes to pick you up. She’ll take you through a drive-thru to pick up dinner and then to Walmart to get anything you need. I will stop by the house to see you after my nephew’s tee-ball game.”

And with that call, a dream stepped into reality. Five Sparrows had its first resident.

Five Sparrows is a free, comprehensive two-year recovery residence for formerly incarcerated women who are survivors of abuse, addiction, poverty, and prostitution.

That phone call on May 27, 2021, can be traced back to the evening of June 3, 2015 - the first time I went to jail.

The first time I stood before sliding steel doors. The first

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time I was patted down in booking. The first time I made the quarter-mile trek to H-pod in the Florence County Detention Center.

I was there to participate in revival services for the inmates, and I was terrified.

At that time, Tenacious Grace was a new women’s ministry, creating spiritual growth resources and speaking at local women’s events. I had recently announced to the team that I felt we needed to carry our resources and teaching to women in our county jail. The mission of Tenacious Grace has always been to engage hurting women from all walks of life with the message of Truth, strength, and hope in Jesus; encouraging and loving women in jail was definitely within the scope of our ministry.

So I joined the Florence County Detention Center Ministry Team under the leadership of Chaplain Buddy Rainwater. That first night he told me, “You will quickly know if this is your thing or not.” When I reached H-pod, I fell completely in love with the women I met.

If you would like to follow our story, you can check out tenaciousgrace.cc and/or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. If you would like to purchase items for the house, you can find our registries at tenaciousgrace.cc/fivesparrows. If you would like to attend our annual fundraising event The Grace Bash - on February 10, you can email us at howdy@tenaciousgrace.cc.

During the past five years, we became students of Thistle Farms, a like-minded organization in Nashville, Tennessee, serving female survivors of sexual exploitation since 1997. We adopted their model for twenty-four months of safe, free housing and trauma-informed programming and joined their National Network of 100 similar organizations around the country.

Pictured L to R: Casea David, Cookie Cawthon, Rachel Desta, Danielle Rhodes, and Lindsey Haseldon Women facing away from the camera are residents of Five Sparrows

They were gracious and strong and vulnerable and beautiful and kind and real. There was no pretense about their desperation….unlike how we mask our brand of desperation with flattering filters and selective cropping.

This was my thing.

After a year of weekly jail visits, I began to see ladies re-arrested. As I began to wrestle through the causes for cycling through the system, I came to learn it was foolish to expect new lives from women forced to return to the same destructive environments and relationships they left when arrested.

Over time it became clear that this reality was not okay with our Heavenly Father. He meant to use His resourced daughters to help those without. He meant for His girls who had been given many chances to grow and thrive to help their sisters, many of whom had never been given a real chance. He placed a divine compulsion upon Tenacious Grace to provide a safe place for our sisters to find healing and health, a place conducive to the gospel, a place called Five Sparrows.

After establishing our 501c3 status, we began to raise money for this vision in 2016. By 2020 - thanks to the generosity of many faithful donors, we were able to purchase a charming, 2300 square foot home with an oasis of a backyard.

We can lock arms with five residents at a time for a period of two years of intense healing and growth. Many of our ladies bring decades of complex trauma and abuse to their stay, and there is no shortcut through the pain they have carried a lifetime. It takes a long time to unlearn unhealthy survival skills when they are no longer needed. Building trust is a fragile marathon, and rest is vital. Time is our partner.

Four gorgeous souls live in the house today. Two others have been in the program and many ladies have applied over the past six months. When making admissions decisions, we pray a lot. We ask God for discernment as we look for the women with the greatest obstacles and the strongest willingness to do the hard work.

These ladies are the bravest, strongest, most resilient women I’ve ever met. They have survived a hell many of them had no part in creating. I was recently asked if addiction is the root of the incarceration of women. It is not. Pain is. Substance abuse is the coping mechanism that keeps them from being swallowed up by it.

Obviously, this is a beautiful endeavor only possible as a collaborative effort - empowered, equipped, and assembled by God Himself. The Tenacious Grace board believes in this work and supports us with their wisdom and expertise. Our donor base is the instrument of divine provision that keeps these expensive offerings free to the ladies we serve. Our community partners (i.e., HopeHealth, Poynor Adult Education, FDTC, Equine Intervention, FCSO, many area churches, and the strong Florence recovery community) provide the services that are helping our residents build their new lives.

I am blessed to journey beside the warriors in the house and the heroes on the Tenacious Grace team.

These days my job as the Executive Director is to raise the money to help these women do what God gifted them to do: Lindsay Haselden, Creative Director; Danielle Rhodes, Operations Director; Rachel Desta, Five Sparrows Program Director; and Casea David, Five Sparrows Residential Manager. They are the boots on the ground, in lockstep as we keep our hearts open and our souls sensitive to the Lord’s leading.

Because we ourselves are beneficiaries of a grace that won’t quit, we are honored to be extensions of His love in dark places.

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LIFESTYLE

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS

is vital to a Healthy lifestyle story by Susan K. Carter, Pee Dee Mental Health Center Are you satisfied with your personal and work life? Many of us report at least some dissatisfaction with one or more aspects of our lives at any given time. Loneliness and job stress are two common culprits keeping many people from feeling fulfilled and optimistic. One new report suggests that 36% of all Americans experience “serious loneliness” (Loneliness in America: How the Pandemic Has Deepened an Epidemic of Loneliness and What We Can Do About It). This statistic includes 61% of young adults and 51% of mothers with young children and is based on an online survey of approximately 950 Americans in October 2020. Arguably more common than loneliness, job stress has increased in recent decades as more people perceive little control over the increased demands placed on them in the workplace. For example, 46% of respondents to a recent survey cited “workload” as their primary workplace stressor. These demands have been demonstrated to be associated with increased rates of heart attack, hypertension, and other disorders (The American Institute of Stress).

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Although some stress is inevitable and even motivating, too much pressure leads to physical and emotional conditions that can become chronic and debilitating. Developing and maintaining emotional wellness will enhance your ability to meet life’s challenges with resilience and acceptance.

Emotional wellness refers to an awareness, understanding, and acceptance of your emotions and the ability to deal with challenges and change (Mcleancare.org). These skills help you bounce back quickly after a setback. They also allow you to hold on to positive emotions and appreciate the good times longer. Decreasing stress can help give your immune system a boost and allow you to get through the day more easily.

a childhood hobby or musical interest by taking lessons or joining a choir. These activities will increase your confidence and mood as your skills increase. Volunteering for things you care about in your community will also increase your mood as advocating for others increases happiness more than personal gains such as shopping for yourself.

Strategies to help you manage stress, deal with loneliness and social isolation, and improve your overall mental health include:

Sleep affects both our mental and physical health and is vital to our well-being. To improve the quality of your sleep, go to bed at the same time each night, and get up at the same time each morning.

Sleep in a dark, quiet, comfortable environment.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol late in the day.

Adopt a positive mindset: Give yourself credit for the good things you do each day. Note them in a journal or use a happiness app such as Happify to measure and improve your mood. For example, the Happify app will score your happiness based on a questionnaire that includes questions about all aspects of your life, especially your health. The app uses the results to develop programs based on your score and includes activities such as guided meditations, writing assignments, and games to increase your happiness based on evidence-based research.

Forgive yourself and others. Understand that everyone makes mistakes; learn from what went wrong but don’t dwell on it. Surround yourself with positive, happy people. Focus on the good. You’ll feel better if you look at the positive aspects of people, new experiences, meals, and everyday life.

Get connected to the people around you. Our emotional health is closely related to our social connections. Strengthen your social circle by reaching out to others, including through Facebook or Instagram. Sharing your positive thoughts and milestones with others and responding to theirs builds closeness and community. Go for a walk and talk with neighbors or join a gym and get to know other wellness-minded people. Revisit

Relieve stress: Chronic stress, the feeling of being on “high alert,” for a long time, harms both body and mind.

Boost your resilience to difficulties by getting enough sleep and exercising most days. Walking for just half an hour can boost your mood significantly.

Establish Boundaries: Frustration, anxiety, and stress arise when we feel we have too much to do. Establish boundaries through prioritizing tasks and communicating your limits with others. Having priorities will help you figure out what you are willing to spend your time and energy on. Let people know what you will and will not tolerate. Don’t assume they know if you don’t tell them kindly and firmly.

Don’t say yes just to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. Use your instinct to help you make decisions. Ask: Am I excited to do this? Do I dread doing this? Only commit to voluntary things you want to do.

Think about the amount of time something will take compared to the amount of positive impact it will have. If it will take up more time than it’s worth, say no.

Most importantly, make sure you spend time doing things that bring you joy and help you feel better about yourself. In times of uncertainty, emotional wellness is an essential coping tool.

Taking good care of yourself is the best gift you can give yourself and those around you!

Pee Dee Mental Health Center 125 E. Cheves Street, Florence, SC (843) 629-2493 susan.carter@scdmh.org

Susan K. Carter Office of Performance Improvement and Education (OPIE) January 2022

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JANUARY 2022 CALENDAR of EVENTS sunday

monday

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3

Last Day of Ice Skating Florence Center

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Nothing Day

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

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Inspire Your Heart With Art Day

Croissant Day

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Plan for Vacation Day

Technology Day

13

Rubber Ducky Day

Kiss A Ginger Day

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20

Popcorn Day

Winnie The Pooh Day

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Compliment Day

Pie Day

Blood Drive Carolina Pines, Hartsville

Human Trafficking Awareness Day

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thursday

6

12

Clean Off Your Desk Day

24

30

Spaghetti Day

11

17

wednesday

5

Thank God It’s Monday Day

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

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4

10

16

tuesday

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Arts Explorers Art Class ArtFields, Lake City

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Spouses Day

Chocolate Cake Day

Send in your events to heather@vipmagsc.com! friday

saturday

1 Happy New Year!

Polar Bear Plunge Prestwood Country Club, Hartsville

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8 Miss Hartsville & Miss Hartsville Teen Pageant Center Theatre, Hartsville

The Travel Jamboree Leatherman Senior Center, Florence

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Dress Up Your Pet Day

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Cooper Alan Benefit Concert Florence Center

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Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live (15th & 16th) Florence Center

22 Miracle League Annual Oyster Roast Florence Fairgrounds

National Hugging Day

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Celebration of Life Day

29 Kids Jamboree (29th & 30th) Florence Center

Glorious! begins Florence Little Theatre

Girls with Goals FMU Performing Arts Center

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December 2021

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CONTENTS

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5 January 2022

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HEALTH + WELLNESS

ORTHOPEDIC COLD TRAUMA story by Dr. Jeremy Sparkman, McLeod Orthopaedics

Understanding Malunion and Nonunion Fractures Over the course of a lifetime, it is not unusual to experience an orthopedic injury to a bone or joint, such as a dislocation or fracture.

Orthopedic trauma often occurs suddenly, as the result of a fall or car accident. It can also happen over time, by overuse, such as a stress fracture.

In most cases, after orthopedic intervention a fracture will heal with excellent alignment and hopefully with return of normal or near normal function. However, there are complications that can occur in the healing process that can result in the bone not healing properly or not healing at all, leading to a nonunion or a malunion.

A nonunion is when a fracture does not completely heal, and a malunion is when a bone does not heal with acceptable alignment and can result in loss of function or cosmetic deformity. Both nonunions and malunions can leave individuals with instability, weakness, pain or loss of function.

We refer to these types of improperly healed bones as orthopedic “cold” trauma because they stem from 32 32

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injuries in the past. In contrast, an emergent traumatic injury, or one that just occurred, would be “hot” trauma.

Nonunions are the result of a fractured bone failing to heal after an extended period, typically greater than six to nine months without healing.

Symptoms of nonunion may include persistent pain, mobility at the fracture site and persistent fracture line on x-ray. Nonunions are diagnosed using x-rays, CT scans, or other advanced imaging.

There are several types of nonunions, including hypertrophic, atrophic, oligotrophic, pseudoarthrosis and infected or “septic” nonunions.

A single factor or combination of multiple factors can lead to a nonunion, including mechanical factors such as too much or too little motion at the fracture site or inadequate blood supply, or biologic factors such as poorly controlled diabetes, hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency or tobacco use.

Nonsurgical treatment for a nonunion can include electromagnetic or ultrasonic bone stimulation, correcting biologic factors, bracing and lifestyle

modifications. Surgical treatment ranges from bone grafts, where the surgeon harvests and transplants bone to the nonunion site, to internal fixation, where plates, screws, external fixators, rods or a combination of implants are used to stabilize the nonunion.

Malunions are the result of a fractured bone healing in an abnormal position. In some cases, a malunion may not require further treatment because it does not impair function. However, when the bones are significantly malaligned and symptomatic, surgery may be required to correct the malunion. Correcting a malunion involves an osteotomy, where the surgeon either shortens, lengthens, or realigns the bones so they can heal with improved alignment.

Determining if you have a nonunion or malunion that may benefit from orthopedic intervention requires evaluation and consultation with an orthopedic trauma surgeon.

Dr. Jeremy Sparkman, a McLeod Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon, cares for patients at McLeod Orthopaedics in Florence and is accepting new patients.

He specializes in treating fracture malunions and nonunions, complex periarticular fracture dislocations, pelvic ring injuries, and acetabulum fractures. To schedule an appointment in Florence, call 843-777-7900.

For more information, visit McLeodHealth.org.

January 2022

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HEALTH ++ WELLNESS WELLNESS HEALTH

BMI: Body Mass Index What Is It & Why Is It Important? story by Caitlin Guess, MPH, RDN, CSR, LD, HopeHealth

It is no secret that weight and waistlines can change during the holiday season. With holiday celebrations, family gatherings, and other festivities involving food and alcohol, it is only natural that your body may store the extra calories you consume leading to changes in body shape and size as well as the number on the scale. If you go to the doctor in January, one topic of discussion related to any weight changes may be your BMI, which is short for body mass index. After these conversations, you may find yourself wondering what is body mass index, and why is it important for your health?

Simply put, BMI is a measure of your body size based on your height and weight that classifies the result as normal, underweight, overweight, or obese based on pre-set categories established in 1998 by a panel of nine medical experts: • A BMI less than 18.5 is considered underweight • A BMI between 26 and 29.9 is overweight • A BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obese • A normal BMI falls between 18.5 and 25 The calculation can be done at home using a mathematical equation, or you can go to any number of calculators online that will do it for you. I personally like: medcalc.com/body.html.

Does this mean that if your BMI is above or below normal you’re not healthy? Not exactly. In general, the higher your BMI, the higher your risk of developing a range of chronic health conditions linked with excess weight, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, liver disease, and sleep apnea. However, with all of these diseases, BMI alone is not the only factor to consider when determining health or illness.

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Important things to remember about BMI classifications are that they do not take into consideration weight from muscle versus weight from fat. They were also established based on population measures, not individual measures. For these reasons, BMI may be unreliable during pregnancy, for athletes, and for children or the elderly. Additionally, body composition, including percent body fat or amount of muscle mass, can vary by race and ethnic group. The current BMI definitions of overweight or obesity were based largely on white populations. So, while BMI may help predict health status among people who are white, it may be less accurate for people in other racial and ethnic groups.

What I like to remind my clients is that BMI alone does not define your health, but it absolutely needs to be considered in the overall assessment of your health. Independent of any particular disease, people with high BMIs often report feeling better, both physically and psychologically, after losing even 5-10 percent excess body weight. In general, the behaviors that impact your weight, and therefore BMI, like healthy eating, consistent movement or exercise, stress management, adequate sleep, and self-care are the most important things to focus on for your health in the new year and will lead to you feeling your best regardless of which BMI category you fall in.

Caitlin Guess is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at the Diabetes and Nutrition Institute at the HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence. She is a certified specialist in renal nutrition and is a member of the National Kidney Foundation. She is passionate about teaching others how to use nutrition for disease prevention and health promotion.

5 January 2022

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HEALTH + WELLNESS photos and story by Erin Daniel

"This set of foundational postures is physically strengthening, lengthening, and energetically grounding. The next time you’re short on time, give these six postures a try!" - Bridget Hearne

As the dust settles from the busy holiday season, you’re probably thinking about your laundry list of New Year’s resolutions. If we had to guess, they fall along the lines of exercising, eating healthier, sleeping more, and developing better routines.

Instead of placing unrealistic expectations on yourself, we encourage you to approach 2022 with Balance - see what we did there?!

Balance Yoga, located at 152 S. Dargan Street in Downtown Florence, opened its doors on October 1, 2021, with the mission to promote physical wellness and mental clarity through creative movement and energetic practices. We asked Bridget Hearne, owner of Balance, to share some of the benefits of yoga, and here’s what we learned: “Yoga offers so many benefits beyond physical health! In addition to strength and flexibility, a consistent, balanced yoga practice can promote mental calmness & clarity, reduce stress, and clear energetic blockages & imbalances! Also, it just makes you feel good!”

WARRIOR 2

PHYSICAL WELLNESS & MENTAL CLARITY

Standing with your feet together at the top of your mat, take a big step back with the left leg, pointing your toes to the long edge of your mat. Keeping the right toes pointed forward and the shoulders stacked over the hips, bend deeply into the front knee, and extend the arms. Set your gaze softly over the middle or ring finger. Take 7 breaths.

TIP: Avoid allowing the right leg to collapse in and keep the energy of your knee pressing out towards your pinky toe.

As with any practice, consistency is key. “One of my teachers told me a long time ago that a consistent five minutes a day is better than five hours crammed in once a week. I took that advice to heart, and during seasons of life when I couldn’t make it to a studio, I practiced the foundational postures at home. Along with meditation and breathwork, that simple routine had such a profound impact on my daily wellbeing both mentally and physically. I can’t encourage folks enough to take just five minutes a day to move their body intentionally and breathe with awareness.”

For more information or to sign up for your class, head to Facebook and Instagram @balanceyogaflo.

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SIDE ANGLE

Whether you’re brand new to yoga or have fallen out of your routine and ready to step back on the mat, Balance offers a variety of classes that will have you achieving goals this year – both physically and mentally!

From Warrior 2, keep a deep bend in the front knee and drop your right forearm down to the top of your leg. Avoid collapsing through the torso and into the right shoulder.

Reach the left arm up and overhead, feeling length all along the left side of the body. Take 7 breaths.

TIP: Press the feet down into the mat and away from one another, like you’re trying to rip your mat in half!

CHAIR Finally, from your twisted lunge, bring both hands back down to the mat.

Gaze forward, and keeping the right knee bent, step the left foot forward to meet the right into chair pose. Reach the arms up and forward.

Hold for 7 breaths.

TRIANGLE From side angle, take your gaze down to the mat. Begin to straighten through your front leg as you extend the right arm down towards the ground. If it feels okay on the neck, take your gaze up to the ceiling. Take 7 breaths.

TIP: Use a block or some support to bring the ground closer and prevent your torso from collapsing.

TIP: Keep lengthening through the lower back and drawing your navel back towards the spine and up towards the ribs. ** Repeat all previous steps using the other side of your body! **

LEGS UP THE WALL No yoga practice is complete without an inversion- and rest! Legs up the wall gives you the best of both worlds. In addition to reducing stress and anxiety, it also promotes healthy circulation. Find a stable wall and swing your legs up!

TWIST From triangle, gaze down towards the mat and bring both hands down to frame your front foot. Lift the back heel as you ground down through the left hand and extend the right arm up towards the ceiling.

Take 7 breaths.

TIP: Visualize your ribs revolving around your spine and draw the right hip into the body.

In addition to your physical and energetic health, Balance also emphasizes the importance of mental health. Beginning in January, Balance will release monthly themed habit trackers and mindfulness cards that will encourage you to create consistency off the mat. “I believe simple, consistent habits and mindfulness practices – both on and off the mat – can create huge positive shifts in our mental health. I hope people feel supported and encouraged in their mental and physical health journeys, not just when they walk through our doors for a class, but when they leave and move through their day-to-day lives.”

Bridget is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Psychology, and once complete, she plans to offer therapeutic options to support people working through their mental health journeys.

December 2021

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HEALTH + WELLNESS

Annual Screenings When it’s time to schedule your yearly physical, be prepared and armed with the knowledge about what to expect.

Blood Pressure Men aged 18 to 39 with no risk factors should have their blood pressure checked every three years. Men aged 40 and above, and anyone with increased risk factors, should have their blood pressure checked every year.

Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: kidney disease, family history of high blood pressure, African Americans, high-normal blood pressure, tobacco use, and overweight or obese persons.

Cholesterol Screening Testing should begin at age 20. Men with normal cholesterol should be retested every five years. Anyone with increased risk should be tested more often. Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: overweight or obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, personal history or family history of coronary heart disease, and tobacco use.

Diabetes Screening Starting at age 45, men should be screened every three years. Anyone with increased risk factors should be screened more often.

Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: overweight or obesity, tobacco use, high blood pressure, immediate relative with diabetes, high-risk ethnic group, history of gestational diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle.

Osteoporosis Screening Men aged 70 and older, with certain risk factors should screen for osteoporosis. Talk with your health care provider to see if you are at increased risk.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Men aged 45 to 75 should have a colonoscopy or other approved screening test. Talk with your health care provider to see which test is right for you and how often you need to be screened. Anyone with an immediate relative with colorectal cancer may need to screen earlier and/or may need more frequent screening. Talk with your health care provider to see if you are at increased risk. Anyone age 76 and older should have a discussion with their health care provider to weigh the risks and benefits of screening.

Prostate Cancer Screening At age 50, men should discuss screening with their health care provider. African American men and men with an immediate relative with prostate cancer should begin discussion at age 45.

Please discuss with your health care provider to see if you are at increased risk for any of these, as people with increased risk factors should have more frequent screening than those without risk factors. information provided by Shannon Gainey, FNP Carolina Pines Medical Group

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To schedule an appointment online visit CarolinaPinesMedicalGroup.com or call 843.383.CPMG (2764).

Mammogram Women aged 40 to 74 should have a mammogram every year, depending on their risk factors. Women above the age of 74 should discuss screening with their health care provider.

Blood Pressure Screening Women aged 18 to 39 with no risk factors, should have their blood pressure checked every three years. Women aged 40 and above, and anyone with increased risk factors, should have their blood pressure checked every year. Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: kidney disease, a family history of high blood pressure, African-Americans, high-normal blood pressure, tobacco use, and overweight or obese persons.

Cholesterol Screening Testing should begin at age 20. Women with normal cholesterol should be retested every five years. Women with increased risk should be tested more often. Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: overweight or obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, personal history or family history of coronary heart disease, and tobacco use.

Diabetes Screening Starting at age 45, women should be screened every three years. Women with increased risk factors should be screened more often.

Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: overweight or obesity, tobacco use, high blood pressure, immediate relative with diabetes, high-risk ethnic group, history of gestational diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle.

Osteoporosis Screening Women aged 65 and older should have a bone density scan (also known as DEXA) every two years. Postmenopausal women younger than age 65 with certain risk factors for fractures, should also have a bone density every two years. Ask your health care provider if you are at increased risk.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Women aged 45 to 75 should have a colonoscopy or other approved screening tests. Talk with your health care provider to see which test is right for you, and how often you need to be screened. Anyone with an immediate relative with colorectal cancer may need to screen earlier and/or may need more frequent screening. Talk with your health care provider to see if you are at increased risk. Anyone age 76 and older should have a discussion with their health care provider to weigh the risks and benefits of screening.

Cervical Cancer Screening Women aged 21 to 65 should have a Pap smear every three years or a Pap smear with HPV (human papillomavirus) test every five years. Women who have had a hysterectomy or are over the age of 65 should talk with their health care provider to see if they still need screening.

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HEALTH + WELLNESS story by Eden Hunt / photos by Jordan Forman Photography

6 Healthy Skin Habits

for Any Age!

Hello, friend! I’m Eden, Licensed Esthetician and owner of Eden Hunt - Skin Therapist, LLC in Florence.

We are a skincare studio that offers facial treatments, massage therapy, sugar hair removal, and brow and lash services. As an Esthetician, I specialize in customized skincare regimens and facial treatments. My goal is to give every client a personalized and effective treatment that will leave them with healthy skin and the confidence to match! I love to educate my clients on the importance of keeping their skin as healthy as possible! I'm sharing six tips on how to keep your skin healthy at any age!

#1 Wear Your Sunscreen

#2 A Customized Skincare Routine

If you ever see me at the pool or by the beach, I’m ALWAYS under an umbrella with a coverup on, covered in sunscreen! Why? Because 99% of aging comes from sun exposure. Not to mention skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Crazy right? SPF is the most important skincare product that you can use on your skin.

You should be using sunscreen every single day, even if it’s cloudy or cold outside.

With the influence of social media, it’s easy for us to get caught up in the influence of bloggers and celebrities. Don’t get me wrong! I am easily influenced and will “swipe up” in a skinny second to purchase a blogger's favorite purse or sweater, but skincare is a different story!

Sunscreen is made to protect your skin from the sun’s radiation. UVA rays contribute to signs of aging such as wrinkles and loss of elasticity.

UVB rays are known as “burning” rays and are the cause of sunburn. When choosing an SPF, I always recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

Always reapply your sunscreen every 80 minutes and don’t forget your hands!

Product recommendation: My two favorite sunscreens are Circadia Light Day Sunscreen and Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen.

Everyone’s skin is different! What works for Sally, might not work for you, and that’s okay!

We all have different skin types and concerns. A personalized skincare regimen for your skin will not only help keep your skin healthy, but can also help correct any skin concerns you have such as aging, sun damage, redness, acne, and blackheads.

I highly recommend booking a skincare consultation with a licensed esthetician to help you create a customized skincare plan specifically for your skin!

Don’t forget, consistency is key! Certain ingredients might take longer to see results. Use your customized routine morning and night to see your best results!

Pro Tip: Skincare is an investment! When choosing skincare products,

skip the drugstore and department store. Unlike drugstore and department store skincare, professional and medical-grade skincare products are formulated with potent and effective ingredients for best results!

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#3 Practice Good Hygiene There are many ways to practice good hygiene when it comes to taking care of your skin!

Here are my recommendations:

• Cleanse your skin twice a day • Cleanse after working out or sweating • Remove makeup before going to sleep • Wash your makeup brushes weekly • Change your pillowcase every three days • Only touch your face with clean hands • Always dry your face after cleansing with a clean towel • Do not pick at your breakouts or blackheads; get them extracted by a professional

#4 Get Your "Beauty Sleep"!

Did you know while we sleep, our body enters recovery mode and repairs itself from damage done during the day? Your skin also makes new collagen while you sleep which prevents signs of aging such as lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Not getting enough sleep can lead to dull skin, puffiness under the eyes, and dark circles. I recommend getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep to keep your skin happy and healthy!

#5 Schedule a Visit with Your Dermatologist Fact: In the United States, more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. A yearly skin screening is an opportunity for your dermatologist to examine your skin for any concerns, changes, or skin cancer. Early detection is key and can save your life!

If you have been waiting for a sign to book your next dermatologist appointment, this is it!

#6 Regular Facial Treatments Not only are facial treatments relaxing and rejuvenating to our mind and body, but they are also very beneficial to our skin health! Facial treatments are customized to your skin. Regular treatments can increase collagen production, improve skin health, and target any skin concerns you have. Also, who doesn’t love a neck and shoulder massage while laying on a comfy bed in a dark room with relaxing music! It’s a winwin if you ask me!

Left to Right: Grace Burnett, Esthetician; Lauren Barlow, Studio Manager; Eden Hunt, Esthetician/Owner; Tia Mishoe, Esthetician; and Kynedy Mills, Massage Therapist

1308 Celebration Blvd. Florence | 843.601.3546 edenhuntskintherapist@gmail.com www.edenhuntskintherapist.com

I hope this has been helpful for you!

It’s never too late to adapt healthy skin habits!

-Eden Hunt

Megan Adkins, Prevention Specialist Circle Park Behavioral Health Services www.circlepark.com

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HEALTH + WELLNESS

Sweating Through the New Year There are a plethora of avenues you can take to obtain your 2022 health and fitness goals.

Studio610 in Marion, South Carolina, opened its doors in 2017 with cycling at the forefront of their fitness. Over the years, they have added several other options to encourage your health and wellness: barre, yoga, high-intensity interval training, and strength training to name a few. They are a full circle fitness studio for both men and women of all ages.

@studio610fitness @studio610_fitness Studio610 mindbodyonline.com 843.430.0701 42

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This month Vip asked owner Jamie Craig to share some of the many benefits of cycling and how Studio610 can help get you on your fitness track. Here’s what she had to share!

How would you describe the benefits of cycling for our 2022 goals?

Weight management: “Stationary cycling is a great aerobic exercise that has an abundance of calorie-burning potential but also incorporates resistance training which works to build muscle. Muscle gain is key to continuing to burn calories well after class is over which is an added bonus for maintaining a healthy weight.”

Core workout: “Many think of cycling as a lower body workout, but it is a WHOLE body workout. The pushing and pulling of the pedals all start from your core, so once you get the form down, it's basically a whole class of crunches.

It especially targets the lower abdominals and obliques which are difficult to target with traditional crunches and abdominal exercises. Proper positioning on the bike also strengthens your back which improves posture... and I think we all wish we could sit up a little straighter.”

Boosts mental health: "Group fitness by itself is a great way to let your mind go and your body take over. Physical health benefits of working out take time, but I tell clients to focus on how working out makes them feel because that is almost immediate and what keeps clients motivated and coming back for more! Working out is my anxiety and stress relief.”

Positive start to the morning: “I will never claim to be a morning person, but I always feel better after a morning workout. There are in fact studies that show that AM sweat sessions help you think clearer for the rest of the day.”

Strengthen immune system: “Thanks for bringing this up! I think we have all learned the benefit of having a strong immune system and there is evidence that working out boosts your immune system making you less susceptible to infections and diseases. Exercise reduces inflammation and increases blood flow along with an abundance of other known immune-stimulating benefits.”

Heart health: “Our cycling classes are designed to give an interval training experience. Interval training involves higher intensity intervals alternated with less intense intervals or recovery periods. Interval aerobic workouts are the best way to increase lung capacity and maintain heart health plus they blast way more calories than steady state exercise.”

Is cycling good for beginners?

“This aspect was one of my main reasons for incorporating cycling classes as a staple for my small group fitness facility. Whether you are an avid cycler or a beginner, a group cycling class can offer you just what you need to continue to move toward your fitness goals. While the instructor guides you in adjusting your resistance settings, each client's resistance setting is specific to where they are in their fitness journey. Plus, it is low impact which protects your joints all while giving you an awesome workout. It's as simple as just keep pedaling!”

What are the benefits of group fitness?

“Accountability is key. Plus, we are small group fitness which provides the accountability of group fitness, but the personalized touch of an instructor that knows your name and your fitness goals.

I make a point to reach out to each client and inquire about their goals, so I can ensure they are getting what they need from us! Our atmosphere is encouraging and clients help hold each other accountable both during class and in between. I often say Studio610 is like the TV show Cheers... without the beers. We get to know all of our clients pretty quickly, and that's what makes us special.

We also offer special workshops each month geared to topics that provide advice on all levels of health and wellness.”

With the facts provided, it is time to discover if Studio610 is a fit for your 2022 goals. If you are looking for an encouraging and non-judgmental setting where you can discover what works for you, try registering for a class with Studio610 (no space) at mindbodyonline.com.

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HOME + WELLNESS HEALTH

Bladder Health: Things To Know When You Have To "Go" story by Dr. Karthik Tanneru, MUSC Health - Urology

We use our bladder several times each day, but we never really focus on bladder health. The normal capacity of the bladder is 400-500 milliliters. Some bladder health symptoms to be aware of are; frequency urinating more than 6-8 times in a 24-hour period; nocturia, defined as the feeling of needing to urinate greater than one to two times during sleep; a sense of urgency, meaning a strong desire to empty your bladder; urge incontinence (leakage of urine) or straining to urinate and poor urine flow. It’s essential to understand bladder health to identify problems and when to seek medical advice.

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Bladder dysfunction due to aging:

Older adults experience symptoms such as frequency, urgency, urinary incontinence, and impaired emptying. Physiologic changes like decreased bladder muscle strength, loss of estrogen affect blood flow leading to the loss of urethral muscle mass, prostate obstruction in men, and alterations in central neurological control mechanisms contribute to these symptoms. Diabetes mellitus, Dementia, and several types of medications may contribute to these symptoms. Constipation also plays a significant role in retaining urine.

It is possible to consider behavioral interventions to include prompted or timed voiding, reduction in fluid intake, or avoidance of bladder irritants. If behavioral changes fail, pharmacologic therapy or surgical therapy is an option for treatment.

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Overative bladder:

Some signs of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) can be symptoms of urgency, with or without urgency incontinence, usually with increased daytime frequency and nocturia.

Treatment for OAB includes lifestyle modifications such as avoiding caffeinated beverages. Other modifications also include reducing other bladder irritants and restricting fluid intake in the evening hours. Behavioral therapy, along with bladder retraining and pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation, are effective treatment options too.

Antimuscarinic agents and beta-3 agonists are OAB medical therapy options. If medication is not tolerated or is ineffective, injecting botulinum toxin A (Botox) into the bladder or sacral neuromodulation is available.

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Stress Urinary Incontinence:

An involuntary loss of urine from physical exertion, sneezing or coughing, can be attributed to defects in urethral support, urethral coaptivity, urethral composition, or neurologic innervation. These bladder symptoms are more common in women than in men.

Reasons for these symptoms in women can be due to childbearing, obesity, and constipation.

Medical treatment for urinary incontinence includes strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles by exercises, injectable agents for urethral bulking, or via surgical support using a sling, or placement of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS).

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Neurogenic bladder:

A neurogenic bladder is a result of many common neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, Dementia, or neuropathy. Treatment for this type of bladder dysfunction depends on the type of neurogenic bladder. The type is identified based on symptoms and a test called a urodynamic study. The urodynamic study involves placing tiny catheters inside the bladder to measure pressure changes.

TIPS for maintaining a healthy bladder: 1. Drink enough fluids, especially water (six to eight, 8-ounce glasses of fluid each day) 2. Urinate at least every 3-4 hours – Waiting long can weaken bladder muscle and increase the risk of infection and stones.

3. Cut down on coffee, tea, alcohol, and sodas 4. Avoid constipation 5. Quit smoking- you are three times more likely to have bladder cancer if you smoke.

6. Maintain a healthy weight - exercise regularly and do pelvic floor exercises (Kegels exercises) 7. Women should wipe from front to back after urinating. This helps keep bacteria from getting into the urethra.

8. Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes.

9. Urinate after sex to flush away bacteria that may have entered the urethra during sex.

Dr. Karthik Tanneru is a Urologist and Urologic Robotic Surgeon at MUSC Health – Urology in Florence.

For more information, or to make an appointment, please call 843-673-7525 or go to MUSCHealth.org/florence.

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HOME HEALTH + WELLNESS

What’s That App? Sometimes we need to be nudged towards a more health concious lifestyle. With millions of apps literally at the tips of our fingers, now it's as easy as ever to stay on track. Whether it's exercise, proper sleep, or saving money on perscriptions, check out these top eight apps to help get you focused on your goals for the new year.

Through science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools, Headspace helps you create lifechanging habits to support your mental health and find a healthier, happier you. Think of Headspace as your mind’s best friend. It is proven to reduce stress by 14% in just 10 days. It can also help you relax your mind in minutes, improve focus, and get the best sleep ever. Try it for free for seven days.

If you love it, it’s $12.99/month.

Carb Manager is the original Keto diet app + low-carb macro tracker with everything you need to manage your Keto diet.

Personalize your low-carb journey and meet all of your important health goals. They’re more than just a Keto calorie counter. Carb Manager can help you lose weight quickly, optimize energy, restore balance, reduce inflammation, gain mental clarity, and manage cravings. It also helps to save time by supplying meal plans and grocery lists tailored to specific food preferences and allergies.

Carb Manager has a Basic account that is free or you can upgrade to the premium account for $39.99/year.

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Ready to boost your metabolism, tone your gorgeous muscles, and achieve your fitness goals with the Tone It Up app? Work out at home with the top female trainers and millions of women worldwide in the Tone It Up community! The app helps guide you through workouts to get your body strong and toned, including yoga, cardio, barre, boxing, kettlebell, and strength training.

The app is free to download with an in-app purchase of $14.99/ month automatic renewal.

Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or are a seasoned runner, the MapMyRun app has what you need to stay on track and keep you motivated to hit your goals. Track every mile you run, connect your devices, and get closer to your personal goals.

The MapMyRun app tracks your distance, pace, calorie burn, elevation, and more.

The monthly subscription is $5.99 or $29.99 for the year.

Improve your sleep with Sleep Cycle, an intelligent alarm clock and tracker that analyzes patterns and wakes you up in your lightest sleep phase. By using Sleep Cycle to track your sleep and find your perfect wake up window, we believe you’ll be part of that change, for the benefit of better health. Sleep Cycle offers a “Freemium” and “Premium” subscription. The Premium is $9.99/month.

Prescription drug prices are not regulated. The cost of a prescription may differ by more than $100 between pharmacies across the street from each other. GoodRx gathers current prices and discounts to help you find the lowest cost pharmacy for your prescriptions. Compare prescription prices and save instantly with a free coupon. Enter a drug name to see current coupons for local pharmacies and save up to 80%.

No commitment and no fees.

AutoSleep automatically tracks your sleep via your Apple Watch.

It provides some of the most indepth data, including a detailed look at sleep, sleep quality, heart rate, deep sleep, and much more.

No buttons to press. Nothing to do.

Everything is automatic. $4.99 one time purchase.

The Clue app helps track a woman’s monthly cycle so that she can learn more about how her period affects her. With the options to input symptoms such as cramps and headaches throughout the month, as well as lifestyle factors such as alcohol, sleep, and sex, you’ll quickly build up a picture of how your cycle not only affects your physical health, but your mental health too.

The monthly subscription is $9.99 or $39.99 for the year.

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HEALTH + WELLNESS

REAL CLIENT RESULTS

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? story by Brock McAllister, Flo-Town Fitness If you go into Jiffy Lube and pay for an oil change, you should expect to leave with new oil in your car, right?

Do you expect the same results from your gym?

You're paying for a service, so you should have something to show for it!

Most start their fitness journey because they just want to improve their overall health. Maybe they want to get a little stronger, more flexible, chase their grandkids around the yard, or run a marathon. Whatever your reasoning is, you expect to see some improvements along the way. But most never answer the most important question, "What do I do when I am at the gym?"

Sydney

After working in the fitness industry for ten years, I have seen countless people walk into a traditional gym setting expecting results, but just do not know where to start. Does this sound familiar? You're excited about a new gym, so you sign up, someone shows you how to get into the facility, where the treadmills, free weights, and the machines are, maybe even how to use some equipment, then you're on your own.

We cannot stress how important it is for you to have a coach teaching you, a group of people to workout with consistently, and workouts that challenge you no matter what your fitness level.

Without the knowledge or tools, you will be stumbling through the dark hoping to find anything that might work. Here at Flo-Town Fitness, we answer that question for you and have the track record to show you that what we do works! At the end of the day, that is what you are looking for when you go to the gym, right?

Reggie

Flo-Town Fitness 612 S Irby St, Florence www.flo-town-fitness.triib.com Brock McCallister

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Renee

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NEWSWORTHY

Something to Celebrate...

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

SC Ports Awards $205,000 To Community Organizations South Carolina Ports has awarded $205,000 in grants to 111 community organizations and nonprofits throughout South Carolina as part of its fiscal year 2022 Community Giving Program.

SC Ports dedicates a portion of its revenues each year to support charitable organizations in the communities in which the port operates. Programs with measurable, sustained impacts receive priority during the selection process. Visit www.scspa.com for more information.

City of Florence's Business of the Quarter Business Named Congratulations to the Greater Florence Chamber and City of Florence's Business of the Quarter, Aroha Afro Latin Dance, located in Downtown Florence.

The Chamber, along with City of Florence, were honored to recognize Aroha owner Adalia Ellis during the December meeting of Florence City Council.

Business of the Quarter is a unique partnership of the City of Florence and the Chamber to recognize local businesses for contributions to community development, growth and civic engagement.

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center Earns National Recognition For Efforts To Improve Cardiovascular Treatment

The Greater Florence Chamber looks forward to Aroha's continued efforts to help promote the arts and inclusion in Florence and beyond.

MPD Electric Cooperative Hires New Vice President MPD Electric Cooperative is pleased to announce that Kullen Boling will be joining as Vice President of Rates and Contracts on January 3, 2022.

Having previously served as Rates Manager with Central Electric Power Cooperative, Boling brings a wealth of utility experience ranging from managing, billing and metering to rate analytics for large industrial members across South Carolina. Prior to that, he spent 14 years at SCANA Corporation in various finance roles focused on electric and gas, nuclear, fiber and tower communications, as well as deregulated gas marketing.

“We are very excited to welcome Kullen to MPD,” says William Fleming, Jr., President and CEO. “His leadership, experience and expertise in all areas of rate analytics will not only benefit the entire MPD team, but all our residential, commercial and industrial members as well.”

Along with a strong utility background in electric and gas markets and deregulated gas marketing, Boling holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina Aiken where he graduated with honors.

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Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center has received an American Heart Association Achievement Award for implementing quality improvement measures that ensure cardiovascular patients receive efficient and coordinated care, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer returns to the hospital.

Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have experienced some form of cardiovascular disease – including heart attack, stroke and heart failure. For patients with conditions that are severe enough to be transported or admitted to a hospital, time is critical.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline and Get With The Guidelines programs help reduce barriers to prompt treatment for cardiovascular events. As a participant in Get With The Guidelines program, Carolina Pines applied for the award recognitions by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care for patients.

“Carolina Pines is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to helping our patients have the best possible chance of survival and recovery after cardiovascular events,” said Dr. Brian Sponseller, Chief Medical Officer at Carolina Pines.

“The Mission: Lifeline and Get with the Guidelines programs help put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis to improve outcomes for cardiovascular patients.”

This year, Carolina Pines received the following Achievement Award: • Get With The Guidelines- Stroke SILVER PLUS with Honor Roll and Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Boiling

“We are pleased to recognize Carolina Pines for their commitment to cardiovascular care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the American Heart Association’s Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the American Heart Association’s quality improvement programs often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

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DRINK OF THE MONTH

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November 2019

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