June 2023

magazine

Publisher Tammy Clark tmclark225@gmail.com

Editor Heather Page heather@vipmagsc.com

Office Manager

Tiffany Skipper jtskipp35@gmail.com

Advertising Executives

Julie C. Tyler juliectyler@yahoo.com

Creative Design

Tuesday Taylor

Ashley Rogers

Contributing Photographer

Fred Salley Photography

Contributing Writers

Mark W. Buyck, III

Crystal Davis, PharmD

Cynthia Ford

La’Quanita Goodman

Matthew Jones, MD

Christopher Moore, MA, LPC

Doug Smith

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

2011-B Second Loop Rd, Florence, SC 29501

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For advertising rates, email heather@vipmagsc.com.

ABOUT THE COVER

BUSINESS

10 First Bank: Neighbors You Can Count On

14 Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A.: Henry & John Laurens

16 Patterson Eye Associates: Father-Son Duo, Skip Patterson & Dr. Drew Patterson

18 Employee Spotlight: Maddie Pasquale

20 Brotherhood Cook Team Catering

22 Comfort Keepers: Celebrating National Day of Joy & 25th Anniversary

24 Young Entrepreneur Spotlight: Jaylyn's Frozen Scoops

NEWSWORTHY

26 Business Happenings: Something to Celebrate

CALENDAR

ON THE FRONT COVER:

It might be hard to imagine a group of bankers doing the Electric Slide or the Cupid Shuffle, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at the Florence branch of First Bank every Friday. Line dancing on Fridays has become a tradition for the financial experts at the First Bank branch on West Evans Street. Their team would argue that there are more similarities between First Bank and line dancing than meets the eye.

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June 2023: Fun Days and Events

Page 20

Neighbors you can count on.

It might be hard to imagine a group of bankers doing the Electric Slide or the Cupid Shuffle, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at the Florence branch of First Bank every Friday. Line dancing on Fridays has become a tradition for the financial experts at the First Bank branch on West Evans Street. Their team would argue that there are more similarities between First Bank and line dancing than meets the eye. The choreography, methodical steps, camaraderie, and community-building aspects of line dancing have direct parallels with banking - and with First Bank specifically.

The Florence branch, operated by a wonderful team including Paul Seward, Area Executive, and newly promoted City Executive, Ashley Christenbury, is part of a growing First Bank network in South Carolina. In March of 2023, First Bank

expanded its South Carolina presence with the purchase of GrandSouth bank, adding 8 branches to the First Bank family. Now, with 15 branches throughout South Carolina and 5 in the Pee Dee region, First Bank has hundreds of employees in the area. Along with the branches, First Bank also operates 2 subsidiary businesses in South Carolina, CarBucks, a vehicle floor-plan finance group and Magnolia Financial, an asset-based lender.

When asked about her favorite part of working at First Bank, Ashley said, “First Bank’s commitment to the local communities we serve across our footprint is incredible. First Bank makes it a priority to support various initiatives on a corporate level and we are expected and encouraged to be involved in our communities on a local level. This is truly important to me as I enjoy giving back and serving and helping others.”

Much like the choreography needed for a group to do the “Biker Shuffle” in unison, the moving parts needed to operate one of the nation’s most successful banks must work together seamlessly. First Bank’s mission combines financial safety and soundness with community trust and confidence. Throughout their organization’s 87-year history, they have seen recessions, depressions, and many banks come and go. Through its commitment to being safe and sound and serving its customers, First Bank has been awarded as a Number 1 Best-in-State Bank by Forbes, as an Annual KBW Bank Honor Roll Award winner, and one of the Top 10 best-performing public banks in the nation by S&P Global, along with many other accolades.

The energy and teambuilding atmosphere cultivated at a line dance is hard to beat. As everyone works together, each dancer contributes to creating something larger than

themselves. As the group grows in size and complexity, the more impressive the dance becomes. Similarly, banks that work together with their communities foster mutual growth and lasting impact. An actively involved bank can provide their neighbors with increased access to small business loans, mortgages, charitable donations, and overall financial wellness. First Bank is committed to giving back to the areas in which its associates call home. The corporate citizenship program of First Bank, called the Power of Good, has invested over $1.2 billion in community development loans to revitalize low- and moderate-income areas. Additionally, in 2022, they donated $500,000 to support education-focused initiatives across the Carolinas. As First Bank grows, so do the communities they serve.

First Bank truly believes in taking care of the community. Just in the past few weeks the team in Florence volunteered to organize donations at the House of Hope of the PeeDee, has taught hundreds of students about financial literacy basics, donated $13,000 to local SC schools, and then last year gave $29,600 to various educators and non-profits in our Project Launch campaign. Recently the team participated in Kickball for a Cause to support the Leadership Florence Class in their

photos by Fred Salley Photography

House of Hope of the Pee Dee volunteering

Supporting Kickball for a Cause

Florence Main - 2170 W. Evans St.,

Florence Second Loop - 452 2nd Loop Rd

Locations in Latta, Dillon and Cheraw

843-669-4257

fundraising efforts, ultimately with the event giving donations to American Cancer Society, Lighthouse Ministries, CAREHouse of the Pee Dee and House of Hope. The team also supported Child Abuse Prevention Month for CAREHouse of the Pee Dee by being a pinwheel location, bringing awareness to the cause. The team puts the mission into practice and wants to see the area thrive in all the ways. Paul Seward said of the team, “Since joining the First Bank family 8 years ago, we have been very blessed to have had the opportunity to help many clients in the Pee Dee Region. Our purpose at First Bank is to help clients reach their financial goals by building trusted relationships and providing financial solutions and we pride ourselves on doing that every day. We want to be a trusted advisor. I have been banking and serving the Florence community in various community service roles for 23 years now and am truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to help a lot of people and organizations reach their goals by being their trusted advisor. Our teams throughout the bank take pride in the work that we do for our customers and our communities.”

No team in banking understands the nuances of line dancing and banking quite like the First Bank team at the Florence-Main branch. But don’t take our word for it! See it for yourself. Ashley and her team invite you to stop by their branch to ask about their Friday morning line dancing plans… and also your financial needs.

We help our customers realize their dreams by providing financial solutions and building trusted relationships.

CAREHouse of the Pee Dee pinwheel location

Dedicated Sponsor of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Golf Benefit

HENRY & JOHN LAURENS

story by Mark W. Buyck, III

Henry and John Laurens are two of the most significant South Carolinians of the Revolutionary War period. Henry Laurens was the second President of the Continental Congress and was serving in that capacity when the Articles of Confederation were signed. His son John was an aide-de-camp to General George Washington, as well as close friends with Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette. Henry Laurens was born in Charleston in 1724, the grandson of Huguenot immigrants. In 1744, he was sent to London to train in the counting house of a prominent merchant. Upon returning to Charleston three years later, Henry opened a trading house. He would eventually become one of the most prominent merchants in the Colonies. He dealt in imports from England and the slaves the English brought from Africa. He exported deer skins, naval stores, rice, and indigo. He used his profits to purchase eight (8) plantations and the enslaved necessary to operate them. At the time of the Revolutionary War, he was one of the wealthiest men in the Colonies.

John Laurens was born in Charleston in 1754. His mother died in 1770 and the next year Henry took John and his 2 younger brothers to England for their education. They relocated to Geneva and lived there until 1774 when Henry returned to Charleston where he would take a leading role in the Colonist’s cause. John remained in Europe and returned to London to begin the study of law in the Middle Temple at the Inns of Court. John was not particularly fond of the study of law, but he did enjoy the companionship of his London acquaintances who intellectually broadened his perspective.

In 1775–76, Henry Laurens became the President of the South Carolina Provincial Congress. In 1776, he helped write the first South Carolina Constitution. Upon its adoption, he was elected Vice-President of the State. He was elected to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1777. On November 1, 1777, he succeeded John Hancock as the President of the Continental Congress.

In 1777, John Laurens abandoned his study of law, returning to the Colonies to volunteer for military service. In August of 1777, Washington invited Laurens to join his staff. He participated in the September 1777 Battle of Brandywine. In October of that year, he was commissioned with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He spent the Winter of 1777-78 with the Continental Army at Valley Forge. He spent the 1778 campaign with Washington.

In the Fall of 1779, the Continental Congress appointed Henry Laurens as its minister to the Netherlands. He sailed to Amsterdam and successfully negotiated Dutch support for the war. In May of 1780, on a return voyage to Amsterdam, the British seized the ship in which Laurens was travelling. It was reported that Laurens heaved his satchel into the sea; however, the British retrieved it and discovered the extent of the Dutch assistance to the Colonies’ cause. Laurens was charged with treason, taken to London, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. The British then declared war against the Dutch Republic, the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War. There is a plaque in the Tower of London which reads:

“Slave trader and later politician Henry Laurens was the Towers’ only American prisoner. The British captured Laurens at sea in 1780 during the American War of Independence. Held in Yeoman Warder James Futterell’s home for 15 months before his release. Laurens befriended Futterell and his wife and kept extensive diaries. He noted that the guards played “Yankee Doodle” on his arrival which cheered him up, but was appalled at having to pay for his own food and security.”

By May of 1779, John Laurens was back in South Carolina, as the war in the South was becoming more active. He commanded an infantry regiment during the Battle of Savannah. In May of 1780, he was one of the 5,000 American soldiers who surrendered after the fall of Charleston. The next month, he was placed on a British transport ship and

John Laurens

Henry Laurens

sent to Pennsylvania. Upon arrival, he was paroled on the condition that he remain in Pennsylvania until he was exchanged. His exchange occurred in November of 1780 and he promptly asked General Washington to reassign him to the southern department which he did.

Before he had the opportunity to set off for South Carolina, the Continental Congress elected John to a position of Special Minister to France. Despite his protestations, he ultimately agreed to accept the position which he held from December 1780 until September of 1781. Working closely with Benjamin Franklin, Laurens was successful in securing loans and supplies for the Continental cause. He returned to the Colonies just in time to rejoin Washington at Yorktown, where he represented the American forces in the surrender negotiations with the British. Following the British surrender, their commander Lord of Cornwallis was exchanged for Henry Laurens.

Following Yorktown, John Laurens once again returned to South Carolina and was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. He was a member of the Jacksonborough Assembly, which first convened on January 8, 1782. Contrary to popular belief, the war did not end with the surrender at Yorktown. The British still maintained a sizeable force in the Colonies, including Charleston.

By February of 1782, John Laurens returned to active duty.

He served as the Southern Army’s Intelligence Officer tracking British and Tory communications in and around Charleston. On August 27, 1782, John Laurens was killed in a minor skirmish on the Combahee River. He was one of the last colonists to die in battle during the war.

In 1783, Congress sent Henry Laurens to Paris to participate in the negotiations of what would become the Treaty of Paris. The Treaty was signed on September 3, 1783 officially ending the American Revolutionary War. The American representatives were Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, John Adams, and Laurens. Henry Laurens’s public service was nearly complete. He declined urgings to return to the Continental Congress and the South Carolina Assembly. He did serve in the 1788 South Carolina Convention when South Carolina became the 8th state to ratify the United States Constitution. In 1784, he began rebuilding his home, Mepkin Plantation. The British had burned his previous home there during the war. Henry Laurens died on December 8, 1792 at Mepkin. John and Henry Laurens’s remains are located in the Mepkin Abbey Botanical Garden alongside subsequent owners Clare Booth Luce and Henry Luce. In 1949, much of Mepkin was donated to the Roman Catholic Church and it is now the location of Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery.

Portrait of Henry Laurens painted in 1781 "while in the Tower."

Mepkin, the Seat of Henry Laurens, Esq., May 1803

Meet The Pattersons

Father-Son Duo

Patterson Eye Association is a fullservice, non-surgical, father-son duo offering care for all of your visual needs. From having your glasses perfectly framed for your face to diagnosing and treating eye diseases, Skip Patterson and Dr. Patrick “Drew” Patterson along with their highly trained staff are your go-to team!

For more than 30 years, Skip has worked in the eye care world. He has served as manager and optician and now heads up his own practice at Patterson Eye Association. Skip attended Francis Marion University for Business Management and later became a South Carolina state-licensed optician and state-licensed optician dispenser.

In May of 2018, Skip opened Patterson Eye Associates where he advised customers on styles of eyewear that suited their needs. At that time, Drew, Skip’s son, was a thirdyear optometry school student and it had always been their dream to open an eye care center together.

After graduating from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry in 2020, Drew joined his father at Patterson Eye Association. The team is now able to diagnose and treat the most common issues that affect your eyes. Amongst many things, Drew offers glaucoma checks, diabetic eye exams, and has a passion for treating dry eye disease. “I love the day-to-day challenges I see with oculus pathology and being able to treat and monitor visionthreatening diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration,” explains Dr. Drew. Additionally, he speaks Spanish to aid in treating the growing Hispanic population.

Skip is proud and honored to have Dr. Drew be a part of his practice. “I’m even more proud for him to be making bigger footprints than I did,” says Skip. “We have had a great personal relationship and now that carries over into the professional world as well.” Dr. Drew adds, “Because of dad, I grew up in the eye world. The older I got, the more I valued the lifestyle that came with being an optometrist while being able to practice optometry and help people.”

The duo also looks forward to one day welcoming Caroline, Skip’s daughter, to the team. Caroline will begin attending optometry school this fall.

As a team, it is Patterson Eye Association’s goal to satisfy all of your visual needs and make sure your vision meets your style. Skip says, “We are a family-owned practice. When you become a part of our facility as a patient, you become a part of the family.”

Skip Patterson

Drew Patterson

MADDIE PASQUALE

The Groundout Coffee Bar

109 Arch Street, Marion, SC | (843) 430-9891

As Casting Crown’s “Glorious Day” hums in the background of the quiet and quaint Groundout Coffee Bar in Marion, Maddie Pasquale danced around the coffee press preparing customer favorites. As soon as she had a moment to answer a few questions, she said it would be easier with the warmth of her favorite coffee in hand - a regular drip, light in color and sweet to taste.

This June makes a year that Maddie has worked for the Groundout. She now serves as head barista and manager, helping give structure to the younger girls that work in the shop. She works the early shift most days, serving up steaming cups of Joe and ice-cold brews to the fast-flowing morning work crowd. A customer favorite and the one she makes most often is the caramel whipped coffee, served cold and sure to add an extra pep to your step.

While the coffee is what initially brings the crowd into the Groundout, Maddie believes it’s also the atmosphere. She praises owner Liz Herlong for her ability to provide a pleasant atmosphere for customers and employees.

“My favorite thing aside from the aroma of coffee is the Christian music that always plays in the background,” she says. “I don’t know if it has anything to do with it but I haven’t had a bad day at work. Sure, I’ve had a couple of days where I had personal stuff going on and I was in my head but I’ve never had a bad day at work here. I really think it attributes to there being a positive atmosphere. There’s always Christian music playing.”

Maddie also believes that part of that uplifting environment is brought in by the customers. “They are as pleasant as the music is. The Groundout is a positive place to work from start to finish.”

Open Monday through Saturday, Maddie is ready to serve up a pleasant smile and your favorite java! Stop by The Groundout Coffee Bar today!

Brotherhood Cook Team Catering

Kirby Anderson and partners of Brotherhood Cook Team Catering, Robert Bryan and Ray Turner, are no strangers to the grill. The friends earned their grilling fame while serving up quality meats and sides during events hosted by local nonprofits in an attempt to raise money. Between discovering their love for taking part in such events and watching customers enjoy their tasty cuisine, the guys realized there was more that they could offer the community. After several years of contemplating, Brotherhood Cook Team Catering was born!

VIP

Q: AT WHAT AGE DID YOU BEGIN COOKING?

A: “When I was a kid, I stayed with my grandma while on summer break from school. She was an amazing old-school cook…making homemade biscuits, chicken and dumplins', macaroni and cheese, butter beans, and peas – which I helped her pick from the garden and shell – and many other things. The first thing I remember learning to make is biscuits. The main lesson I learned from my grandma was that the only way to cook good food is to love doing it. Cooking truly is a labor of love. When you see people happy, smiling, and enjoying what they are eating, it makes it all worthwhile.”

Q: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED COOKING FOR EVENTS?

A: “I began planning and cooking for events and nonprofits 13 years ago. The Florence Area Literacy Council Tailgate Kick-Off was my first event, held at Palmetto Peddlers. We raised around $5,000 that day for the Literacy Council. I realized then how much I enjoyed planning and organizing events…and I never stopped. I met my cook partner that day, Robert Bryan. Never imagined we would be cooking together for events from then on.”

Kirby Anderson, Robert Bryan & Ray Turner

HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN WITH KIRBY TO FIND OUT WHAT DRIVES THEIR COMPANY TO PRODUCE DELICIOUS, SCRUMPTIOUS, TASTY, FLAVORFUL FOODS!

for the last ten years and knew when I retired from Raldex Hospitality that I would pursue it. It’s funny how your timing is not always how things end up going. I did an event for the Vintage Professionals Group, a Valentine's Social, and decided that our team could prepare the food ourselves. I called the guys and they were all for it, so we cooked for more than 200 people and it went great! We had several people at that event asking if we could cook for parties and events they had going on. I would say maybe one day but right now we just do this to help raise money for nonprofits. Fast forward two days, I made the call to Robert and asked him what he thought about starting a little business and cooking for parties. He was game! I hung up the phone and started thinking of business names. Since we are all like brothers to each other, Brotherhood Cook Team Catering was born. We are truly a team…a cooking family. I love these boys and they are the brothers I never had."

Q: ARE YOU STILL WORKING AT RALDEX HOSPITALITY?

A: "Raldex Hospitality is my full-time job and my number one priority. I absolutely love my job and everything about it. I work with the best people who are also family to me. They are all very supportive of my catering business. And of course, my coworkers enjoy the benefits of good food being around all of the time as well. Plus, while doing the catering jobs, I have the opportunity to promote our five hotels –Hilton Garden Inn, (2) Hampton Inn and Suites, Holiday Inn Express, and Staybridge Suites."

Q: TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR PARTNERS.

A: “My partners are Ray Turner, who works for the Hilton Garden Inn as Community Outreach Director, and Robert Bryan, who is a retired City of Florence Police Officer. Ray and I have been friends for more than 20 years and worked together at Pepsi Cola of Florence for many years. As I mentioned, Robert and I met 13 years ago during a Literacy Council Event. He and I are the cooks, we both can make pretty much anything. That being said, we each have our roles and know what to handle and it works smoothly. Ray is our organization guy. He thrives on everything being in place, in order, and clean. He handles how we set up and how things will work the best and operate smoothly. He even stirs the pot at times.”

Q: WHAT’S ON THE BROTHERHOOD MENU?

A: “We specialize in barbecue. We can do whole hogs, Boston butts, whole chickens, wings, ribs, burgers, hotdogs, and many sides and desserts. There really isn’t anything we don’t enjoy cooking, these are just our specialties. We can also do chicken salad, potato salad, meatballs, bacon-wrapped shrimp, dips, and plenty of items for a heavy hors d'evours menu.”

Q: WILL YOU WORK WITH CUSTOMERS ON SPECIAL MENU ITEMS FOR EVENTS?

A: “Most definitely! We love when the customer asks us for special items. Some we can do and some we can’t. We won’t tell you we can unless we know it is going to be good!”

Q: WHAT IS YOUR PREFERENCE FOR SAUCES FOR YOUR BARBECUE?

A: "We have homemade sauces for both barbecue and wings and that’s what everyone prefers. Personally, I think both are as good as it gets, but I might be a little biased. The barbecue sauce is a vinegar base that brings a subtle heat and the wing sauce is sweet with a touch of heat.”

Q: WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THIS NEW BUSINESS VENTURE?

A: “I love seeing people happy and good food makes people happy!”

Contact Kirby & Team:

By phone: 843.687.8189

Email: brotherhoodcookteam@gmail.com

Find Brotherhood Cook Team Catering on Facebook

Comfort Keepers ® Celebrates National Day of Joy & 25th Anniversary

As an advocate of positive, joyful living for 25 years, Comfort Keepers®, a market-leading provider of uplifting in-home care for seniors and adults, is celebrating its fifth annual National Day of Joy. On a mission to “Elevate the Human Spirit” during this holiday and every day, Comfort Keepers has based its business on the insight that no matter someone’s age or acuity, people still want to live a fulfilling life with joy and purpose. Celebrated on the last Wednesday in June (June 28, 2023), the National Day of Joy was established by Comfort Keepers to emphasize the importance of individuals finding joy.

This year’s theme is “Live the Joy” which encourages people to find a way to embrace the fun, meaningful, memorable moments that deliver the most joy and help them to live full, rewarding lives. As a brand that strives to never focus on loss, but all we can gain, Comfort Keepers is empowering their local offices, caregivers, seniors, and communities to find ways to embrace the moments of joy they live to the fullest.

Comfort Keepers has changed the lives of thousands by providing in-home care to loved ones. Their uplifting care services focus on physical, mental, and social wellbeing to help seniors live the highest quality of life in the sanctuary of their home. After 25 years, the Comfort Keepers brand still promises to help seniors thrive and achieve greater comfort by fostering everyday positive moments, connections, and a more purposeful life.

David Coker, Owner

Craig Goss, Sales & Marketing Manager

Pictured L to R: Craig Goss, Kaela Dean, Denise Robinson, Tiffany Drew, Haley Morris, Danielle Larymore, Amy Bailey, Brandy Williams, Skylar Avin, Chelsea Tilton, & Renee Smith

Locally owned and operated by David Coker, Comfort Keepers works with the community in celebrating the value and importance of connecting with family and friends, savoring the simple moments and not taking life for granted. Coker explains, “Our amazing network of caregivers bring moments of joy to so many seniors every day of the year – even during the most challenging of times. We thank them for all of their dedication and support. We encourage our community to do their part in reclaiming joy for themselves, their friends, and their loved ones. It’s never too late to take back the joy we may have missed and inspire others to do the same.”

Each Comfort Keepers client receives personalized attention and exceptional service. Their team handles everything from bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, and light housekeeping so the family can focus on what is most important –spending quality time together. Craig Goss, Sales and Marketing Manager, has worked with Comfort Keepers since 2005. During his 18 years in the healthcare field, he has seen many changes. Goss says, “However, the one thing that hasn’t changed is Comfort Keepers goal to provide compassionate, professional in-home care for our clients. It is our goal to give families a peace of mind knowing that Comfort Keepers is there. I am proud of our caregivers and office staff in all areas we serve including the Pee Dee, Columbia, Sumter, and Charleston.”

This June, Comfort Keepers asks you to help them share joy. A daily dose of joy can truly work wonders. No matter how old you are, finding joy in even the simplest everyday moments is scientifically proven to help improve and maintain overall wellness, including physical and mental health. That’s worth celebrating!

Scooping up a new dream

Tell us about Jaylyn’s Frozen Scoops.

“We have soft serve ice cream, scoop ice cream cones and cups, and milkshakes. I worked at Freckles and Giggles but sadly they had to close. I really enjoyed working there and meeting people from the community. It was a golden opportunity to be able to continue this sort of work by opening my own ice cream shop!”

At just 16 years old, how do you juggle operating your own business and schoolwork?

“I’m a sophomore at Pee Dee Academy. While owning a business is a big responsibility, schoolwork is my first priority. The hours Jaylyn’s is open will not interfere with school. Having the support of family and friends helps to keep me focused. My dad, mom, and uncle help with the business side of things including

jaylynsfrozenscoops

licensing, taxes, and helping me figure out how to pay everything. I also have several friends, including the ones I made while working at Freckles and Giggles, who help with the everyday stuff like customer service and making orders.”

What do you see in the future for Jaylyn’s Frozen Scoops?

“I hope to add several more items to our menu. My goal is to continue being successful and I look forward to my younger sister helping me one day!”

What is your favorite scoop?

“I love all ice cream but I’d have to say the mint chip is my favorite!”

Jaylyn's Frozen Scoops is located at 302 North Main Street in Marion, SC.

Vip meets young entrepreneur, Jaylyn Sanderson, the owner of Jaylyn’s Frozen Scoops

Something to Celebrate...

MUSC Health Marion Medical Center Awarded Spring 2023 ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from Leapfrog Group DCSD Celebrate First Harbor Freight Fellow and Latest Intern Signing Class

MUSC Health Marion Medical Center is proud to announce it has received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard of patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. This national distinction celebrates MUSC Health Marion Medical Center’s achievements in prioritizing patient safety by protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. The new grades reflect performance primarily during the height of the pandemic.

“We have implemented the right and thoughtful protocols to ensure safe care for our patients,” MUSC Health Marion Medical Center Executive Director Shametra Swaringer said. “This proves that our care team members are equipped and committed to our patients, and their care.”

“Achieving a LeapFrog hospital safety grade score of ‘A’ in Marion is a direct reflection of our commitment to providing the best care locally,” said MUSC Health Florence Division Chief Executive Officer Jay Hinesley. “At MUSC Health we believe all South Carolinians should have access to the highest quality care no matter where they live. In Marion County, we are doing just that.”

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

“This new update of Hospital Safety Grades shows that, at the national level, we saw deterioration in patient safety with the pandemic,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “But this hospital received an ‘A’ despite those challenges. I congratulate all the leaders, staff, volunteers and clinicians who together made that possible.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

Raven Newsome, a recent graduate of Hartsville High School, became Darlington County School District’s (DCSD) first Harbor Freight Fellow after completing nearly 200 hours of work through an auto mechanic business.

Newsome’s success shines a light on the continuing success of DCSD’s Key to Career program, which saw 49 students sign intent letters in January to complete paid internships with local businesses and industries.

Shannon Flowers, DCSD’s business engagement coordinator, praised Newsome’s hard work and determination to gain as much experience as she could while still in school.

“Raven is a wonderful young person with a heightened focus on not only her future but also the future of other women in CTE,” Flowers said. “It is my honor to be associated with her, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for her.”

The Harbor Freight Fellows Initiative is a partnership between Big Picture Learning and the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program to elevate the respect and resources accorded youth and their teachers, according to the partnership’s website.

“We support youth for whom the trades are the appropriate and chosen postsecondary path to a fulfilling life as a professional and community member–especially those who have been historically marginalized in the trades through race, ethnicity, or gender bias,” the site says.

Newsome’s honor as a Harbor Freight Fellow highlights another successful class of paid interns through DCSD’s Key to Career program. With 30 business partners on board this spring, 49 DCSD students from every high school in the district signed on earlier this semester to gain real-world job experience across the county.

Flowers explained how the Key to Career program is working to bolster students’ preparation for success after high school and the local workforce.

“The internship period will run through May 11, and our interns are paid an average of $10 per hour while working an average of 90 hours per semester,” she said. “Prior to this semester, students in the Key to Career program had earned over $248,000. Our program is one of the only paid high school internship programs in the state with 54 percent of our interns remaining employed with the internship host in some capacity after program completion.

“We are thankful to have partners that have supported us from the beginning like Hogge Precision, Fiber Industries, and North Industrial Machine, but now we have expanded to internships outside of manufacturing as well.”

Honda S.C. Manufacturing Produces 400,000 Side-by-side Since Production

Honda S.C. Manufacturing is proud to share that our associates have produced a total of 400,000 side-by-side vehicles since production of the #Pioneer began! Thank you, associates, for your efforts and commitment!

Those job experiences include health care, pharmacy, childcare, cosmetology, and small business management.

"This program has been successful in supporting economic and workforce development initiatives that help our students explore their career options postgraduation,” Flowers said. “The greatest successes of this program, though, are in the ways that student's lives are changed for the better, offering some of them hope for the future that they did not see before."

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

McLeod Regional Medical Center annually partners with Florence 1 Schools to conduct a senior-level capstone Health Careers course. This work-based course is instructed by McLeod Health’s Workforce Development Department and takes place entirely on the hospital campus. Students from the spring semester recently invited their families, school personnel, and hospital preceptors to a symposium where they shared all they had experienced during the 18-week course. The live exposure to cases in real-time, heavy discussions, and expert knowledge of McLeod Health's professionals greatly influenced the career outlooks for this group.

This semester's class chose to honor the Surgical Services Department as the most "Influential Department of the Semester."

Envision’s $810M Florence Battery Plant Sets Groundbreaking Date

Envision AESC will break ground on its $810 million electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant June 7 in a deal that will support one of South Carolina’s biggest carmakers.

The 1.5 million-square-foot factory, which will be in Florence County’s 900-acre Technology and Commerce Park at Estate Road and Old Marion Highway, will create 1,170 jobs.

Paint Your (P)art Competition Winners Announced

HMRA would also like to congratulate Benjamin Buffington as our second place winner with his entry - “Mountain Bluebird”. This year, HMRA had over 400 votes in our downtown district alone! With online voting, they had a total of 1,238 votes.

The artwork will remain in Art Alley for a whole year for you to enjoy on Main Street!

They extend a special thank you to the Marion County Healthcare Foundation for making this project possible!

Leigh Boulevard & Company Ribbon Cutting

Dalphanie Gamble along with her family, the Chamber and Chamber Ambassadors cuts her ribbon as a new member of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Leigh Boulevard & Company is a full-service Business Center exclusively designed for (but not limited to) Real Estate Professionals. Business owners can rent office suites, rooms for meetings, training, and/or workshops. We also offer shared office spaces, copy/fax/scan and notary services.

For a monthly fee, customers receive the use of an office (or offices) with necessary services such as phone, fax, internet/Wi-Fi, copier, and scanner. It is an ideal environment for any agent, lender, freelancer, or entrepreneur who needs professional workspace.

One of the biggest advantages of the Business Center is flexibility. Establishing your company in a Business Center means, above all, reducing expenses in contrast to renting an office by yourself. The Business Center has everything you need to run your business in the most efficient manner with no long-term commitment.

They are located at 2011 Second Loop Road Suite C Florence, SC 29501. You can reach us by Phone 843-702-0148 Fax 843-702-0149 or via email dalphanie@leighblvd.com Our hours of operation is MondayThursday 9am-5pm and Fridays and Saturdays by appointment only. They are also on Facebook, Leigh Boulevard and Company.

Congratulations to Abby Johnson! She’s the winner of the Historic Marion Revitalization Association's Paint Your (P)art Competition this year with her piece“Flower Shops”. Abby is a senior this year at Pee Dee Academy, and she plans to attend College of Charleston next year to major in Biology!

JUNE CALENDAR of EVENTS 2023

Florence Flamingo Opening Night Carolina Bank Field

Class: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Moore Farms, Lake City Annual Awards Night Florence Little Theatre

The Sound of Music Auditions Begin Florence Little Theatre

Rain Chain Workshop Growing Hobby, Florence

Reformers Unanimous Program Every Friday pm & Sunday am Florence Baptist Temple

Thank You Day

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

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

Lip Sync Battle SiMT Building, Florence

Juneteenth Art & Soul Mixer Downtown Florence

Masterworks Choir Memorial Concert FMU PAC, Florence

Loving Day

Bonsai 101 Workshop Growing Hobby, Florence

Flag Day

Eats on the Street Downtown Dillon

Happy Father's Day!

Juneteenth

Beautician’s Day

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

Trivia (every Wed.) Seminar Brewing, Florence

Cooks for Christ Benefit West Florence Fire Department

Turtle Topiary Workshop Growing Hobby, Florence Florence Symphony Orchestra presents “FSO Rocks 2023” FMU PAC, Florence

FMU

Handshake Day

Gospel in the Park Pride Park, Hartsville

Hanging Jar Garden Workshop Growing Hobby, Florence

Graduate Programs Open House Downtown - Carter Center for Health Services, Florence

friday saturday

Bluegrass Concert Grand Old Post Office, Darlington

Tractor Show PD State Farmers Market, Florence

June 3 & 4

First Friday @ The FountainMusic by The Pink Slips Band South Plaza, Downtown Dillon

Disney Beauty And The Beast Jr. Blanding Street Auditorium, Lake City

Girls with Goals, FMU PAC

Taste of Blue City Center Farmers Mrkt, Florence

Daddy + Me Kickball Game Freedom Florence Sports Complex

Screen on the Green Burry Park, Hartsville

“Boggin Down” Chicken Bog Festival, FMU PAC

Jukebox Music Festival

Amazing Grace Park, Marion

Baby Goat Yoga in the Garden Kalmia Garden, Hartsville

June 16-17

2023 Senior Games scseniorgames.com

Florence Food Truck Festival Florence Center

Downtown Block Party College Ave, Hartsville

Kingstree LIVE, Downtown Kingstree

Florence Food Truck Festival Florence Center

Class: Plant IdentificationBasic Principles Moore Farms, Lake City

Screen on the Green Downtown Dillon

June 23-25

QAT Florence Amateur Golf Championship

Traces Golf Course, Florence

Bee City Takeover City Center Farmers Mrkt, Florence

An Evening With Fantasia Florence Center

The Lizard Man Stomp Bishopville

Florence After 5Spare Change Downtown Florence

Friday Night Flicks

Amazing Grace Park, Marion

1 Butler's Fine Men's Clothing 2533 W Palmetto St, Florence

2 Palmetto Outpost Florence, Marion & Dillon

3 Patterson Eye Associates 1800 W Palmetto St, Florence

4 Shade Tree Outfitters 124 E Main St, Lake City

5 Salty's Surf & Skate Shop 2130 Hoffmeyer Rd, Florence

6 Jordans Furniture 2313 S Irby St, Florence

7 Swampfox Outdoors 318 N. Main St, Marion

HOW DO I...

Dispose of My Unwanted Medications?

story by Crystal Davis, PharmD, MUSC Health Outpatient Pharmacy

“How do I dispose of my unwanted medications?”

This is a common question asked by patients at community-based pharmacy counters. Improper medication disposal can have negative effects on our environment and wildlife and can lead to drugs getting into the wrong hands and accidental poisoning. Knowing when and how to dispose of unneeded medications can protect your family and environment.

The United States has tracked the effects of pharmaceuticals in wastewater for decades. Pharmaceuticals that enter lakes and streams can alter fish DNA and the reproductive cycles of fish and amphibians. Pharmaceuticals that make their way into our drinking water could lead to altered hormone levels, promote the development of certain cancers, and could contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Any medication that you are no longer taking should be properly discarded. One of the best ways to dispose of unwanted medications is through the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) National Drug Take Back Day event held twice a year. Dates and locations for take-back days are listed on the DEA website. Secure collection drop boxes found in many local pharmacies are another great way to dispose of medications. Lists of these locations can be found on the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) website. Mail-back programs are also an option but may require a fee upfront for the prepaid bag or envelope that is used to send the medication to the appropriate disposal facility.

Safe medication disposal helps protect everyone.

Federally sponsored takeback days and other sponsored programs are considered ideal, but at-home disposal is what is most practical for many patients. In this case, it is important for patients to know the correct way to dispose of different types of medications. For medications that can be disposed of in the regular trash, it is recommended to remove the medication from the original container, mix the medication with an undesirable substance, such as kitty litter or used coffee grounds, and dispose of the mixture in a sealed container. All patient-specific information should be removed or made illegible on the vial or bottle that held the medication prior to throwing it into the trash.

While flushing medications or pouring them down the drain is not typically recommended, there are certain drugs that the FDA does recommend disposing of this way when home disposal is needed. The FDA has a published list of flushable medications that includes, but is not limited to, opioids. Opioids include medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, buprenorphine, methadone, morphine, and fentanyl patches. These medications can lead to intentional or accidental overdose, and the FDA considers flushing these drugs to be more of a benefit in the prevention of human harm than a risk to the environment.

All syringes and medications administered with an attached needle, such as EpiPens, should be considered Sharps waste. Sharps containers are available to purchase online and at many local pharmacies. Sharps containers may have a mail-back option. This means that when the container is full, it is mailed to an appropriate disposal facility. If a mailback option is not available, the sharps container lid should be secured and then the properly labeled container may be thrown in the regular household trash. SCDHEC also has a program called “Get to the Point”, that outlines how to safely dispose of sharps waste when you do not have a sharps container. This program outlines how empty bleach or detergent bottles can be used to collect sharps waste and provides a printable label that should be affixed to the

Safe medication disposal helps protect everyone. It is important to note that the disposal methods outlined in this article pertain to home medication disposal only. Institutional settings have different requirements and guidelines for safe medication disposal. Also, it is important to regularly check with your state government for updates on medication disposal since these policies can change. All the information above and more can be found at deadiversion.usdoj.gov and scdhec.gov. Finally, if you have any additional questions, your local pharmacist should be able to help you choose the best way to dispose of medications to keep your home and environment safe. We are happy to answer your questions at the MUSC Health Florence Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy or by calling 843-674-5180.

BE A MAN ABOUT IT!

MENS MENTAL HEALTH

story by Christopher Moore, MA, LPC, HopeHealth

“Men don’t cry.” “Suck it up.” “Why are you being such a girl?” “Toughen up.” These are a few statements many men have heard over the course of their lives.

Often men are taught to be tough or macho no matter the circumstances, and have been led to believe that showing emotions or expressing innermost thoughts and feelings is the wrong thing to do. We have been told that keeping our issues buried makes us strong, but in reality, it does the opposite. This June, as we observe National Men’s Health Month, let’s take time to focus on men’s mental and physical health.

According to Mental Health America, five major mental health problems affecting men are depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia, and eating disorders. Studies show that men of all ages and ethnicities are less likely than women to seek help for these problems and more - including substance abuse and stressful life events - even though they encounter these problems at the same or greater rates as women.

It is estimated that six million men struggle with depression, yet men are less likely to seek treatment due to reasons including reluctance to talk, fear of stigmatization and judgment, and the inability to accept symptoms or verbalize the extent of their feelings.

A significant factor that prevents men from seeking help for mental health issues is what is commonly referred to as ‘masculine norms,’ especially in American society. Masculine norms are the social rules and expected behavior culturally associated with men and manhood within. Within these norms, a man is supposed to be strong and stoic, not weak or vulnerable which is a concept that prevents men from expressing their true feelings. The adherence to these norms results in toxic masculinity - men lack the ability to express themselves and as a result, their emotions have more of a chance of being suppressed or expressed through aggression or violence. Adherence to masculine norms can result in the following:

Suicide rates continue to grow each year and have been referred to as a ‘silent epidemic’ due to the alarming rate of suicides committed on a daily basis. According to a 2021 statistic, males make up 50% of the population but nearly 80% of suicides. This amounts to roughly 105 men dying by suicide daily.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Suicide is the 10th leading causing of death among all Americans

• Men account for 79 percent of all suicides

• Suicide is four times more prevalent for males than females

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death of men between the ages of 10-39

Mental Health America lists some of the factors that lead to suicide in males as social isolation, substance abuse, unemployment, military-related trauma, genetic predisposition, and other mood disorders.

Gay and bisexual men are more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual men before age 25, likely attributed to social stigma and nonacceptance. Additionally, young Black men commit suicide at more than three times the rate of Black women, with suicide rates in Black men 10 to 19 years old increasing by 60% since 2017.

As men, it is important we continue to show our strength by being vocal about what impacts us on a daily basis. It is also imperative that we express feelings in a healthy way, to avoid the pitfalls of burying or ignoring emotional difficulties. According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, in the year before they committed suicide, only 35% of men

in America on average sought care from a mental health practitioner. It is critical to speak up and seek help, before your emotional turmoil turns into bigger problems and manifests in negative, dangerous, or even life-ending behaviors.

We should take care of our emotional responsibilities with the same care and dedication we give to family, work, and financial obligations. It is not easy to share yourself with others, but we have to begin somewhere to lessen the stigma attached to men and their mental health.

Take the time today to check on the men in your lives and let them know it is okay to talk. Support them with encouraging empathetic, honest communication, signaling to them that you are a safe space for them to be vulnerable and open for the betterment of their mental health.

ROBOTIC-ASSISTED SURGERY

IS THE FUTURE OF HERNIA REPAIR

Discomfort. Pressure. A new bulge?

A small abdominal wall defect, known as a hernia, may be to blame.

A hernia can occur when there is a weakness or small hole in the fascia, or the lining of the musculature of the abdomen. Fat, intestines or even other organs can protrude through this defect. Over time, if left unaddressed, hernias can become more and more painful and cause significant mobility issues.

Some people are born with hernias, due to a defect in development, while others develop hernias over time due to coughing, strenuous exercises and heavy lifting. Obesity is the most common cause of a worsening hernia.

Common types of hernias include inguinal or groin hernias, where fat or bowels protrude through the muscles of the lower abdomen; hiatal hernias, when the normal opening of the diaphragm expands and the stomach or other organs can protrude into the chest; and ventral hernias, when the hernia pushes through the front of the abdominal wall. Ventral hernias include umbilical hernias, which occur near the belly button, and incisional hernias, which can form when a scar from abdominal surgery weakens over time.

Sometimes, hernias are visible from the outside, appearing as a lump or bulge in the groin, genitals, abdomen or thigh, while other times they are harder to detect because they lie deeper within the body. Symptoms can include discomfort, a feeling of pressure or sharp pain, or changes in the skin over it, especially while exerting yourself or bending over.

Hernias can be treated using multiple surgical techniques. In a traditional “open” hernia repair, the surgeon sutures the hernia defect closed and places a mesh around the repair, generally underneath it. Hernia repair surgery can also be done laparoscopically, where the surgeon uses a laparoscope to repair the hernia with minimal scarring for the patient. Generally, this is performed with tacks and sutures around the mesh, without closing the defect itself.

story by Dr. Matthew Jones, McLeod General Surgeon with Pee Dee Surgical Group

Hernia repair can also be performed with robotic assistance. This allows closure of the defect, placement of mesh between tissue planes, and improved surgeon comfort and dexterity. This option offers the most flexibility for the surgeon to fix the hernia however is best for the patient’s anatomy.

Robotic-assisted benefits

The robot has two different components. The first is the patient cart, where the arms are contained. From this cart, the surgical team inserts instruments inside the patient, through very small incisions. The

second component is the console, where the surgeon sits and can see in 3D with magnification. The surgeon gets full use of his hands and full range of motion, allowing them to perform the equivalent to open surgery through tiny incisions. On the console, hand controls allow the surgeon to manipulate the surgical instruments inside the patient with exact precision and control.

One of the most important benefits of using the robot for surgery is the high-definition 3D capabilities. With the robot, a surgeon can see the anatomy more clearly and have better results. The robotic instruments have more function and movement than human hands, allowing doctors to perform better surgeries. The full extent of the abdomen and its contents can be visualized through one set of incisions.

The benefits of roboticassisted surgery for patients include: The patient resumes their normal activities more quickly than with traditional surgery. Patients say that they have much less pain than expected.

Research also indicates that recurrence of hernias is significantly lower after robotic surgery than with open surgery. Depending on surgeon training and experience, robotic surgery can allow for better mesh repairs than similar hernias that were treated laparoscopically.

The robot can assist in a multitude of general surgery procedures. In addition to hernia repair, we can use robot-assisted surgery to remove gall bladders, perform colon procedures and removal, prevent acid reflux and perform many other surgeries.

For more information, visit McLeodHealth.org.

Dr. Matthew Jones is a McLeod General Surgeon with Pee Dee Surgical Group. Dr. Jones and the physicians of Pee Dee Surgical Group are accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (843) 665-7941.

The Surprising Origin of My Favorite Beverage –Root Beer

story by Doug Smith

Imagine describing the taste of root beer to someone who has never tried it before. What would you say? It’s probably not easy to come up with an answer. If you're like most people, you don't know exactly what’s in the glass. Roots? Beer? Who's to say?

A craft soda aficionado might say that a sip of root beer has the sweet taste of honey, notes of wintergreen, vanilla, and a creamy mouthfeel. This is all true, but what is root beer? The sweet, bubbly, non-alcoholic root beer we know today bears little resemblance to the root beers of yesteryear. Well, root beer is a beverage with surprisingly deep and distinctly American roots. Before the first root beer was brewed, root teas and medicines were all the rage. Many indigenous peoples of North America brewed medicinal teas out of roots, bark, berries, and flowers. Some of these medicinal drinks used sassafras, wintergreen, and sarsaparilla. These North and Central American plants were thought to boost immune function, reduce inflammation, combat allergies, and more.

In the 1870s, this all changed thanks to a Philadelphia pharmacist named Charles E. Hires. After tasting a particularly delicious root beer at an inn during his honeymoon, Hires begged the innkeeper’s wife for her recipe. Hires got it, and when he returned from his honeymoon he started experimenting with his recipe. First, he came up with a way to turn the ingredients into a shelf-stable powder. Root beer powder was easier to sell and distribute as the base for a tasty non-alcoholic drink. Hires was a Quaker, and he was deeply opposed to alcohol. So, he wasted no time in fervently marketing his new “powder root tea” to local miners, men known for their love of the sauce. This didn’t go over well until at the suggestion of his friend Russell Conwell (founder of Temple University), Hires began working on a liquid formulation for root beer – a beverage that would be more appealing to the masses. The result was a combination of more than 25 herbs, berries, and roots that Hires used to flavor carbonated soda water. At Conwell's urging, Hires introduced his version of root beer to the public at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Fair. Hires' Root Beer was a hit. In 1893, the Hires family first sold and distributed bottled root beer and a commercial hit was born.

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

Fast Facts: Top Root Beer Brands

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Charles Hires would have a lot to feel flattered about. The success of his commercial root beer sales soon inspired competition. Here are some of the most notable root beer brands.

• A & W: In 1919, Roy Allen bought a root beer recipe and began marketing his beverage in Lodi, California. A year later, Allen partnered with Frank Wright to form A&W Root Beer. In 1924, Allen bought his partner out and obtained a trademark for the brand that is now the top-selling root beer in the world.

• Barq's: Barq's Root Beer debuted in 1898. It was the creation of Edward Barq, who along with his brother Gaston were the principals of the Barq's Brothers Bottling Company founded in the New Orleans French Quarter in 1890. The brand is still owned by the Barqs family but is currently manufactured and distributed by the Coca-Cola Company.

• Dad's: The recipe for Dad's Root Beer was created by Ely Klapman and Barney Berns in the basement of Klapman's Chicago-area home in the late 1930s. It was the first product to make use of the six-pack packaging format invented by the Atlanta Paper Company in the 1940s.

• Mug Root Beer: Mug Root Beer was originally marketed as “Belfast Root Beer” during the 1940s by the Belfast Beverage Company. The product name was later changed to Mug Old Fashioned Root Beer, which was then shortened to Mug Root Beer. Currently manufactured and distributed by PepsiCo, Mug's brand mascot is a bulldog named “Dog.”

• Boylan Bottling: William Boylan began bottling his Root beer after partnering with John W. Sturr, a local politician, in 1900. The partnership soon fizzled, but Boylan continued bottling his product until Prohibition in the 1920s when Boylan was primarily sold in unused beer barrels.

Florence County Parks and Recreation is providing handpicked adventures to hidden gem destinations for senior adults through The Vintage Travelers program. The senior program has been in operation since 1982. While they had a few trips scheduled in the program early on, it wasn't until 2004 that the travel program officially kicked off. Since then, their team has become excellent planners when it comes to accommodating senior citizens while traveling around the globe. The group travel setting is a place for individuals to make life-long memories with new and old friends.

Peggy Brown, local Florentine and travel buddy describes these trips, as “convenient!” She continues, “I love traveling with Florence County Parks and Recreation! I can pick a destination and get on the bus and go! I don’t have to stress or worry about booking a thing, everything is taken care of for me.” When you choose to travel with Florence County Parks and Recreation (FCPR), you can expect exceptional customer service, energetic and organized tour directors, and handpicked trips chosen by seniors.

Oh, the places you’ll go with The Vintage Travelers! Senior Program Assistant, Brittany Aleo, has worked with FCPR since 2021 and has had the opportunity to experience many of these trips alongside the senior adults. So far she has attended 18 extended tours and 28 day tours. When asked about an unforgettable moment, she says, “During our trip to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, we had a group of ten senior travelers ride the zip-line down Freemont Street in Las Vegas! It was such a fun experience and it goes to show that you’re never too old to step out of your comfort zone and experience new things.” Mr. And Mrs. Bondy, senior adult travelers added, “We love traveling with others our age and making new friends. Taking these trips pushes us out of our comfort zone and allows us to see destinations we wouldn’t normally visit.”

Over the past 20 years, the program has significantly grown. What started as day trips quickly followed to extended trips to Hawaii and China where at that time only seven people attended. Today, FCPR regularly offers 40 day trips

From the Texas trip- at the Dallas Cowboys stadium

While in New Orleans visiting a park a few seniors got in statue to join the Jazz progression

Group from Greece 2022- overlooking Athens

Our group from Tuscany, Italy overlooking Florence, Italy

and 13 extended trips per year with 40 to 80 participants on all trips.

FCPR Director, Nathan Dawsey, says “Our senior travel program is a great asset to Florence County Parks and Recreation and creates lifelong memories for the seniors in our community.”

Are you an adult senior looking to make new memories, new friends and travel the world? Then The Vintage Travelers is for you! Check out this list of upcoming events to see where your next destination will be!

• September 17-22, 2023: Niagara Falls

• October 2-9, 2023: Iceland: The Land of Fire & Ice

• January 7-12, 2024: Mexican Riviera

• February 6-8, 2024: St. Augustine, Jacksonville, & Amelia Island, FL

• March 14-22, 2024: Treasures of Ireland

• April 12-15, 2024: Washington, DC Cherry Blossom Festival

• July 19-27, 2024: Alpine Swiss Villages & Rails (Switzerland)

To view a full list of 2024 tours, visit  www.florencecotravel.com or stop by The Leatherman Senior Center. To sign up for any trips, please call us at (843) 656-2450.

While we were in Michigan to see the Tulip Festival, we did a surprise trip to Lake Michigan so a few seniors could see it while we were in the state

"Want/Need"

Florence Library’s Morris Gallery Welcomes Colleen Crichter

The Doctor N. Lee Morris Gallery is currently displaying the exhibit “Want/Need” by artist Colleen Crichter. The exhibit runs through August 4, 2023.

The exhibit references consumer culture. In her artist statement she says “we are confronted by the things in every form and fashion available, in person, on your phone, on paper, through the radio waves. Via the influencers who teach you what you do not already possess. The things consume our everyday. We think we consume them, but aren’t they really consuming us?”

Colleen Crichter is a visual artist whose works focus on commodity culture, kitsch, and plastic things. Garden gnomes, unicorns, and dinosaurs are frequent subjects in her art. She earned her MFA in Painting from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2012. She lives and maintains a studio in Florence, SC. She had taught art foundations courses at Coker University, Coastal Carolina University, and Francis Marion University. She was the gallery coordinator for University Place Gallery for three years. Her work has been shown at the Southern, Redux Contemporary Art Gallery, Kai Lin Art, and 701 Center for Contemporary Art.

The Doctor N. Lee Morris Gallery is located on the second floor of the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library in Florence and is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.; and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. For more information about this exhibit and related events, please visit www.florencelibrary.org

Colleen Crichter

2023-2024 SPOTLIGHT SERIES

The FMU Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce its 2023-2024 Spotlight Series featuring diverse offerings including county, rock, Motown, Broadway, and more.

The season kicks off with country music icon Crystal Gayle, whose successes include Number 1 hits, decorated albums and awards from the Grammys, Country Music Association and American Music Awards. Her many hits include “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” “Talking in Your Sleep,” “Half the Way” and “When I Dream.”

Next up is Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, of “I’m Into Something Good” fame. Noone’s performances are the stuff of legend, deftly delivering a broad palette of music, all gems that defined a generation. His other legendary hits include “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” and “I’m Henry VIII, I Am.”

Taking the stage next is one of rock’s most dynamic and purposeful bands, The Wallflowers. The group’s signature style has been present through the decades, baked into the grooves of smash hits like 1996’s “Bringing Down the Horse” with the hit single “One Headlight,” as well as more recent and exploratory fare like 2012’s “Glad All Over.”

Next, “American Pie” singer Don McLean will bring rock music that has held up for generations. Other hits include “Crying,” “And I Love You So,” “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” and “Castles in the Air.”

RUMORS: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band has taken the US by storm with their stage scorching renditions of Fleetwood Mac songs. They will make

you dance, sing along at the top of your lungs, and you’ll even learn something new about Fleetwood Mac at each performance.

Forever Motown, featuring former members of The Four Tops, The Temptations, and the Marvelettes, will come together to deliver a genuine, soulful performance. The group features Theo Peoples, Glenn Carl Leonard, and Traci Robinson-Greene.

Direct from the UK, The Barricade Boys bring their West End party musical mashup, an electrifying show that takes the audience on a journey through the greatest musical eras of all time. The show combines music from famous Broadway musicals, as well as top hits throughout history from all genres.

Lastly, the PAC presents an Evening with Roger McGuinn, founding member of The Byrds. Mr. Tambourine Man not only lived history, he made history with his fearless sense of experimentation into the fusion of country and rock.

Don McLean

Roger McGuinn

SERIES LINEUP

August 24, 2023

An Evening with Crystal Gayle

September 14, 2023

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone

October 5, 2023

The Wallflowers

October 19, 2023

Don McLean

January 25, 2024

RUMOURS: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute

March 9, 2024

Forever Motown

April 26, 2024

The Barricade Boys

May 23, 2024

An Evening with Roger McGuinn

Single tickets as well as the popular Buy 4 PAC are on sale now. With the Buy 4 PAC, you can save 10% or more on your choice of four or more shows during the 2023-2024 season. Tickets may be purchased online at www.fmupac.org, by phone at 843-661-4444, or in person at the PAC Ticket Office.

For more information on each show or to purchase your tickets, visit www.fmupac.org.

The Barricade Boys

Forever Motown

The Wallflowers

Herman's Hermits

Crystal Gayle

Students are excited to fill the leisure of their day with whatever they choose to do, and parents are preparing for the factors that youth may not think about. If the parent maintains a full-time job during the day, the concerns range from safety to breakfast and lunch for their children. If old enough, youth are left home with strict instructions from their parents. Often those instructions include not letting anyone in the home, not cooking, or doing anything illegal. Some parents search for the best summer camps and plan time for family summer vacations.

There are several programs to provide a solution for the concerns that parents may have during the summer. One solution is to enroll their child in a structured summer program. There are many benefits to enrolling youth in summer programs. First, youth are provided a safe environment in which they could continue to engage with their peers. Youth often have fun and continue to learn in the process. Students are provided with healthy meals during the day. They will strengthen their social and emotional skills as they work towards self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making skills, and relationship skills (Social and Emotional Learning Model).

Choosing the right summer program for youth is based on a few facts such as the parent's and children’s preferences, distance, transportation, and cost. The program must be accommodating to the needed schedule and provide age-appropriate services for youth. Students are in school for the majority of the year and the summer break offers a respite for students and educational staff. Even though parents seek structure and safety for their children, they agree with their child’s hope that their experience will also be fun.

story by Cynthia Ford

As we explore the available summer programs, one particular program that offers multiple options for youth is The Performing Arts and Science Academy (PASA). PASA is a 501C 3 afterschool and summer enrichment program for youth ages 5-17 in Marion, South Carolina. The program focus for PASA is science, technology, engineering, arts, reading, and mathematics. After receiving a grant from Duke Energy and Marion County Health Care Foundation, PASA designed an aerospace flight simulator as an additional learning resource for youth. Through the simulator, youth experience virtual tours in which youth learn about the solar system. The simulator also allows for an increase in reading, science, mathematical and technology goals. One unique advantage of the simulator is that it was designed by a former NASA employee who previously served as a staff member at PASA.

School is out and summer is officially here!

PASA also offers dance. The styles of dance include traditional, jazz, hiphop, ballet, and cultural dances. PASA’S award-winning dance groups are known to perform in various settings across the state. PASA embodies the total health of youth and ensures opportunities for physical fitness and healthy eating. PASA serves as a sponsor for healthy nutrition programs, delivering meals across the county and throughout the Pee Dee. Through this program, hundreds of students across the Pee Dee are fed at no cost to their parents after school and during the summer.

PASA serves as a program to help deter youth from involvement in at-risk activities. Students are taught to value themselves and to prepare for the best possible version of their lives. PASA is supported by donors and grants. With the help of the 21st Century grant, youth can participate in the program at no cost to their parents.

The Performing Arts and Science Academy’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Justine Roberts, turned her passion into a reality, using her educational and professional experience with dance to design a stellar program for youth. For additional information about their program visit www.pasakids.org.

The degree of detail in programs such as the Performing Arts and Science Academy creates a sense of ease and security for parents. The program not only engages youth but also creates space for parents to participate with their children through family night. Whether family night includes listening to a speaker or creating a craft together, this engagement creates a greater experience for youth and families.

Beyond the structure and fun, summer programs will also teach youth to be lifelong leaders. As you explore summer opportunities for your children, consider your options and be mindful to choose the program that fits best for your family. Request a virtual or in-person tour or orientation before making your final decision. Assess the benefits of enrollment in the summer program.

Justine Roberts, CEODirector

Did you know that Friends of Florence County Library provide critical support to library services and collections? This includes supporting children’s literacy through the Children’s Summer Reading Program and the Children’s Bookmobile, as well as by funding the library’s e-books and downloadable audio books (available through the Libby app, which can be found on the library web page at www.florencelibrary.org).

You can become a Friends of Florence County Library member for as little as $15 a year! Visit www.florencelibrary.org and select the Friends tab at the top of the page for more information.

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BITTER AND SWEET

by Laekan

All Pen wants is to open a bakery alongside her father's restaurant, which she basically runs now anyway.  Her parents want something different for her.  When she reveals a lie she has been telling them (that she hasn’t been going to school as they wanted), she is thrown into another direction, trying to decide if she wants to follow tradition or go her own path.

Xander wants a family after being abandoned by his parents and living with his ailing abuelo.  He wants to find his father, who came to the US on a work visa and never came back. Xander gets a job at Pen's parent's restaurant where he begins to finally feel at home.  When his immigration status comes up and can cause friction, he decides to do whatever he can to help his new family.

This book is part coming of age, part romance, but such a great book.  You cheer on both Pen and Xander, hoping that they find what they are searching for. You love the sense of community and how everyone wants to help each other. The descriptions of the food make you hungry and make you want to visit your local Mexican restaurant (and also a bakery).

Julie Vaught's, Teen Librarian at the Florence County Library, Book Review of

Zea Kemp Kemp