October 2022

Publisher Tammy Clark tmclark225@gmail.com

Editor Heather Page heather@vipmagsc.com

Office Manager

Tiffany Skipper jtskipp35@gmail.com

Advertising Executives

Julie C. Tyler juliectyler@yahoo.com

Creative Design Tuesday Taylor Ashley Rogers

Contributing Photographers

Erin Daniel Rebecca Giese

Fred Salley

Contributing Writers

Francisco X. Barrera, MD

Kim Brauss Mark W. Buyck, III

Erin Dnaiel

Ashley Elvington

Cynthia Ford

Rebecca Giese

La’Quanita Goodman Dioval Remonde, MD

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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ON THE FRONT COVER:

McLeod Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Srinivas Kolla and McLeod Pulmonologist Dr. Vinod Jona are pictured with the da Vinci Xi robot which takes the treatment of lung cancer to the next level and allows McLeod to provide superior care to patients.

See page 7 for the McLeod Health ad and pages 46-47 for the article on Radiation Advancements in the Treatment of Breast Cancer.

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The Legacy of

TOM YAWKEY

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL OWNER AND OUTDOORSMAN

story by Mark W. Buyck, III

The Yawkey Wildlife Center surrounds the mouth of Winyah Bay in Georgetown County. The property is made up of North Island, South Island and Cat Island. Tom Yawkey bequeathed the greatest part of the property to the State of South Carolina upon his death in 1976. The property contains 31 square miles or 24,000 acres of marsh, wetlands, ocean beaches, longleaf pine uplands and maritime forest. Regular readers will recall that the Marquis de Lafayette first landed in America on North Island in 1777. Many believe that De Allyon’s 1526 expedition visited and may have attempted a settlement on these islands. The beach stretches from North Inlet just south of DeBordieu beach all the way to the North Santee delta. The Audubon Society estimates that over 1,500 different bird species live or visit here annually. It is a haven for migrating waterfowl as ducks have not been hunted in nearly 70 years. The miles of undeveloped beaches are ideal for Loggerhead turtle nesting. The Tom Yawkey

Wildlife Center Alligator Project has been studying these once threatened animals since 1979, the longest continuous alligator study in the world.

The Yawkey Wildlife Center is managed by 10 full time employees of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The principal funding for the ongoing management and research efforts is through the Yawkey Foundation. While the islands are not open to the general public, SCDNR does offer tours throughout the year on a reservation only basis. Tom Yawkey’ s gift may be the most significant contribution to wildlife conservation in the state of South Carolina and arguably one of the most significant in the United States. Despite this, Tom Yawkey remains relatively unknown to most South Carolinians and his reputation unfairly tarnished in recent years.

Baseball fans of a certain age know Yawkey as the longtime owner of the Boston Red Sox. He bought the team in 1933 and owned it continuously until his death in 1976. Following his death, his wife Jean Yawkey maintained a majority interest in the club until its sale in 2002 for a then record $700 million. One hundred percent of the Yawkey proceeds, $400 million, was placed into the Yawkey Foundation.

The Yawkey Wildlife Center in Georgetown County

The Yawkey Foundation continues to honor the Yawkey’ s philanthropic ideals through assisting conservation work at the Yawkey Wildlife Center as well as support for scholarships and other charitable works in Georgetown County and the greater Boston area. The Foundation maintains a corpus of approximately $500 million and has awarded more than $530 million in charitable grants since its inception.

Tom Yawkey was born in Detroit on February 21, 1903. His birth name was Thomas Yawkey Austin; however, his father died when he was six months old. His father figure growing up was his mother’s brother, Bill Yawkey, who purchased the majority interest of the Detroit Tigers baseball team, also in 1903. The Yawkey family had become wealthy mainly in the lumber and iron ore businesses in the upper Midwest. Tom’s mother died in 1918 during the Spanish flu epidemic. After her death, his uncle Bill adopted Tom legally changing his name to Tom Yawkey. Six months later, Bill Yawkey died in Augusta, Georgia, returning to Detroit following spring training in Macon. At the age of 16 Tom inherited approximately $20 million, the bulk of which was held in trust until he reached the age of 30. During his

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lifetime Bill Yawkey was a member of the South Island Gun Club where he frequently entertained his nephew. Bill began purchasing tracts throughout Cat Island and South Island and had acquired a majority of those two islands which Tom inherited at Bill's death. Tom continued to visit to hunt and fish the property and continued acquiring tracts and acreage as they became available.

Four days after reaching his 30th birthday, Tom Yawkey purchased the Boston Red Sox. The team had enjoyed little success since the infamous sale of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1920. Yawkey became the youngest and wealthiest owner of a major league team at that time. He began purchasing players himself and undertook extensive renovations of a dilapidated Fenway Park. For the next 43 years of his life, he would spend his summers mainly in Boston, late spring and early fall tending to his business interests in New York City and November through March at his home on Cat Island. Tom and Jean Yawkey’ s philanthropic legacy will be discussed in the next installment.

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SOUTH CAROLINA

Fantasy Fibers

“(It’s) my way of making the world more colorful and happy,” Catherine Simpson, the media specialist at North Vista Elementary School, said. She initially started SC Fantasy Fibers when dyeing fibers in her kitchen as an outlet during graduate school for her knitting projects.

Before she was a librarian, the Michigan native was a classroom teacher. As an elementary school librarian, she said she gets to share her passion for reading with students. “The name of my brand actually comes from my love of reading science fiction. And her love of knitting started after college. She said people said she should sell her work: “I didn't think much about it until I learned to dye. I quickly learned that I can dye much quicker than I can knit, and SC Fantasy Fibers (SCFF) was born,” Simpson said.

Simpson and her good friend Marney Baker Boatwright talked about where she could go with dyeing one day in the back of the yarn shop. Simpson “jumped head first into playing with dye and color. I draw my color inspiration from just about everywhere I go. When I was on vacation recently, I took a picture of a parrot's wing so I could remember the bright blue to navy transition.” And after talking to her husband, Jason, SC Fantasy Fibers was a reality.

“Marney and I got a booth together in the 2018 S.C. Pecan Festival, and that gave me the confidence to do more shows,” Simpson said. “Four years later, SCFF has been to 30+ markets in North and South Carolina.”

And for almost two years now, Simpson is also a vendor at the City Center Farmers Market in downtown Florence.

story by Kimberly Brass / pictures by Fred Salley

“I wanted to sell at the Market because it was one of my favorite places to shop as a customer. The community at the City Center is unrivaled both as a customer and as a vendor,” Simpson said. “Plus, all the businesses/farmers are local, which means the candle I bought is supporting a teacher, not a big box company.”

Not only does she work a booth at the City Center about twice a month during cooler months (September-April) and once a month during hot months, Simpson is pursuing a long-term goal of being a certified SC product. What’s more, she is leading workshops on silk dyeing or felting.

“To me, SCFF is more than just my small business,” Simpson said.

At her booth, Simpson has yarn in all colors and sizes that started it all. She also has creations for sale made from yarn – hats, shawls, baby blankets, washcloths, and an octopus or two. Felt creatures are also in the booth line-up.

“One of the crowd favorites is our felt ball fidgets,” Simpson said. “Parents love them because they are silent, and kids enjoy rolling and playing with them.” For October, Simpson will have dinosaur hats at the market. “They are one of a kind and something I think that children are going to love.”

Catherine's Artifields exhibit

As for her favorites, “My top two are Sir Octie, my crochet octopus, and my scrappy shawls. I currently have three shawls that were made from leftover yarns from other projects. I can repeat the patterns, but there will never be the exact shawl again.”

For now, Simpson is living into the present: “At the moment, SC Fantasy Fibers is a side gig that allows me to travel and meet so many awesome people.”

When Simpson isn’t working her main career or small business, keeping her company at home are her supportive husband Jason, Lexie the dog, and Hokie Pokie the hedgehog.

The City Center Farmers Market is open yearround from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. It is located at 200 Sanborn St. in Florence.

A FIELD OF OPPORTUNITIES WITH

In 1976, the company known as Field (or Field Fastener) was founded in Rockford, Illinois. It wasn't long before founder Dick Field established a reputation that set the standard for being a quality fastener partner to businesses both in and out of the Rockford area. Current owners Bill and Jim Derry purchased Field in 1990 with a common goal in mind - to provide cost savings to their customers through supply chain solutions and engineering services, while protecting and enhancing their unique culture as they grow. Bill and Jim succeeded in their goal for Field, as the company has managed to maintain an average growth rate of 18% per year since 1990. Field has now expanded its services worldwide – quite a journey to make from the early days of Rockford, Illinois.

Field's mission statement is “To have everyone who interacts with us, Love us” They do this by working with their customers, suppliers, and the community to build strong relationships. To Field, community matters. Richard "Rich" Rowlett, Site Leader at Field, explains, “Culture is what we base everything off of with Field. We look for good team members that want to help enrich our culture while taking care of our customers. We work in a fast-paced environment that relies on teamwork and integrity of our work and our people, and we entrust that all of our team members will take care of the customer and will make decisions that work best for everyone involved.”

Rich has been an team member of Field for eight years. He started as a VMI Representative; later, he was chosen for a two-year development program. Once he graduated, Rich set his sights on running a Center of Excellence in the not-too-distant future. He was an Operations Project Leader for a while, traveling to places in the United States and Mexico to train team members, which led to him becoming an Operations Team Leader. For the past four years, Rich has been the Site Leader of Florence Operations. In January 2019, he was able to see his dream come true as he helped open Florence's Center of Excellence. He shares, “This started in late 2018 and I was involved

Pictured left to right: Michael LaViscount, Rich Rowlett, and Phillis Greene

story by Ashley Elvington

since the beginning of finding a building, cleaning it up, and developing it into a working distribution center.” It was rewarding to see his hard work pay off, as Rich had moved his family from Rockford to Florence in order to oversee and manage business operations in Florence. “We started with just a few team members and now have 20 team members.” That's just the start of Florence's Center of Excellence, as there are job opportunities currently available and the center has no plans to stop growing.

You may ask – what is the purpose of Field in Florence County? The answer is simple – to help improve lives. Field plans on accomplishing this by helping folks in the Pee Dee have jobs while also dedicating time to serve its community. Some of the opportunities with Field include: warehouse work (picking and packing orders for customers throughout the East Coast), receiving products from suppliers, quality inspection of incoming and outgoing products, administrative work (account management of customers, buying and sourcing fasteners and commodities customers need, etc.), and on-site vendor managed inventory representatives who help customers manage their inventory while building and maintaining established relationships with them. Perks of working with Field include: health insurance, life insurance, supplemental life/dependent life insurance, 401k, paid maternity/paternity leave, gym reimbursement, Smart Dollar Financial Wellness, an employee assistance program, a quarterly bonus program, and paid volunteer time to a 501c3. All fulltime team members (hourly and salary) are provided with at least ten days of paid time off each year – this number increases as years of service increase. Hourly team members are given an additional two days of paid personal time annually. Rich has set a new goal he hopes to one day see fulfilled by partnering with Florence One Schools to develop a scholarship or work program to –you guessed it – help improve the lives of our youth here in Florence County. In the meantime, Rich is invested in the community through the United Way of Florence County's Board of Directors. He also participates in the Fellows of Education program and charity raffles, as well as helps sponsor community activities. It's possible to also find Rich hosting community organizations at Field for quarterly Lunch and Learns to help businesses expand. He's always looking for ways his team members can volunteer to help give back to Florence.

In 2020 when the rest of the world seemed to be falling apart, Field was focused on improving the future. They hope to accomplish this with their 10-Year Strategic Plan, which is to last from 2020 to 2030.

There are five “secret ingredients” to this perfect concoction – worldclass culture, people and leadership excellence, innovation, customer cost reduction experts, and profitable growth. According to the Field website, “Field hires to culture fit first, and to job fit second.” Their plan is to hire exceptional people, provide them with high-quality training, then step back and watch them work their magic in their communities. At Field, you are encouraged to succeed and the company will do its best and go beyond to help you achieve this. When it comes to workforce, Field desires diversity and strives to have an environment where team members can be the best version of themselves. With plans to place a large emphasis on teamwork and leadership excellence, Field hopes team members, customers, and suppliers all love working with them. If you're wondering how Field has continued to grow since 1990, it's their distinctive ability to save customers money. The plan is for Field to be the best globally at implementing savings each year by removing inefficiency from the design, procurement, or installation process. They want to be THE fastener engineering department with the most technically competent team in their industry. By living their company mission, Field will be able to sustain profitable growth and will only continue to grow and expand as

The Field Fastener Florence Center of Excellence is located at 1803 Otis Way, Florence, SC. To learn more, visit www.fieldfastener.com.

We Make Furniture Art!

Bring us your old, boring furniture and we will transform it into art!

ALL HANDS ON DECK:

Shannon and Mike Currie of Brush and Broom story by Ashley Elvington

Shannon Currie comes from a family with strong work ethics. “I am a sea captain's daughter; my father has been dedicated to his career for well over 65 years. My older brothers are also sea captains.” While Shannon isn't operating on the high seas, she knows a thing or two about adjusting your sails due to rough waters. “My father had a drinking problem and my mother grew up way too fast, which created her mental health issues –our childhood was extremely difficult. We had a lot of physical and mental abuse; later came sexual abuse. As children, we went back and forth from school to school and had very little stability. In the prime of my father's business, he decided to sell and move us back to his hometown of Mullins, South Carolina. We grew up on the Little Pee Dee River, as I started attending Green Sea Floyds and began to flourish... That ended when I was 16 years old and left with my grandma in Wilmington, North Carolina. At the top of my class, that was my last year of school; I never graduated.”

By the time she turned 22, Shannon was a single mom of three kids who was also going through a divorce. She bought her first house at age 30; this was also the year she picked up certain traits that would

later help set the foundation of her business, Brush and Broom. “I worked at Beneteau (formerly in Marion, South Carolina) for eight years and learned so many trades and shortcuts through problem-solving, which is needed when it's up to you to figure out the problem. While at Beneteau, I learned the love of woodworking - I had no idea back then that my passion could turn into a job. I left Beneteau to become a framer down at the beach. It is here where I learned how to read and use a tape measure, and I also learned how to cut wood. I was the only woman, which gave me a sense of pride.” After spending a year framing houses and also bartending at night, Shannon had saved enough money for a down payment on a house. With a new home and a passion for the skills she had acquired over time, Shannon felt the calling to work from home. "I finally had enough money for the down payment on our house which led me to work closer to home." After working other jobs, Shannon made the steps necessary to obtain her GED. After two years of night classes, she received it. Two weeks after her last job ended, Shannon created Brush and Broom with her children. “It's like life just fell into place.”

Starting your own company has its challenges, but Shannon was ready to face them head-on. “Hard work has never been a stranger to me. I was on my father's boat at the age of two and I grew up working, like my older siblings, as a mate on his boat. We helped build my father's business together, so those were deep roots that I taught my children. Around that time, there was the mentality that women needed a man's help in order to succeed, so that was my first deep-rooted cord that was cut. It was a sense of satisfaction.”

Shannon admits that the first five years were rough. Brush and Broom started as a cleaning business that evolved into refurbishing furniture. In the beginning, even though her passion was paint, Shannon had to work her way up to the painting side of the business. "Painting is an expensive business where you have to generate a great name for yourself," she says. "We built the cleaning side to where we would clean 15 house per week and then we would come home and paint. I would take my client's furniture pieces home to work on them. It was a lot of work and could have been the breaking point for us, but our love carried us through those times. Eventually, the painting side grew and after five years, we were able to drop the cleaning side of the business. This was a strategic move for us and put us exactly where we needed to be."

Eventually, Shannon was able to start purchasing quality furniture from auctions as the Brush and Broom Facebook page grew in popularity,

business. As the business grew, so did Shannon. “I broke free of a shell that my past had created. Having this newfound freedom gave me the chance to take chances, to see what worked and what didn’t. Through that method, I was able to learn to paint with stains. It’s hard and tedious, and one swipe can change the whole look, but in that moment, I can create a whole bedroom set within hours by myself in my own space. I feel free every day that I get to create, it’s my life now.”

As Shannon thrived, so did her daughter, Abbie. “We have an extremely close relationship. We showed everyone what we could do as 'just girls.' She was there in the beginning and she saw her mom struggle - it made her become this strong partner in crime. Not only was she helping me clean houses, but she was picking up heavy pieces, she was sanding and marketing, she was my auction partner, and she became a master at matching paint. She graduated high school with her cosmetology degree, so that color wheel she learned was priceless for Brush and Broom! The love we had, and still have, for each other carried us through the hard times. Money was tight and our dreams were big.” Shannon's sons, Robert and Jacob, were her heavy lifters. “We had to work as a family. They saw that and helped me at auctions, they went with me on pick-ups and deliveries. If they couldn’t help, their friends did. It became a community effort. We started taking our furniture to shows in different states,

and through those years, we visited many places.”

While her children have lives of their own now as adults, Shannon has a new helper at Brush and Broom – her husband, Mike, who has been helping her full-time for a year and a half. He shares, “My two main roles are the woodworker and the businessman. I got a business degree from a prestigious university up in Canada, which is where I'm from, so I've been implementing better business practices. However, my main dayto-day role is repairing furniture. Most of the stuff purchased by us or brought to us is broken in some way, or many ways. A lot of my time is spent on repairs. I knew nothing about woodworking when I met Shannon. I was a selfproclaimed 'unhandy man,' but I have since fallen in love with it. When I get focused on something that I enjoy and am interested in, I go all in. I've transformed myself into a fairly competent woodworker in a fairly short time frame. To me, it was the way that would allow me to be as valuable as possible for Shannon and for Brush and Broom.”

According to Mike, Shannon operates like a machine. “She works at top speed, all of the time, yet still maintains a very high standard of work. We create between 10 and 20 pieces a week, every week. Right now, working out of our super inefficient setup, we could do two full bedroom sets a week, possibly three if they were a straightforward technique and didn't require too much repair. We could do a whole city block's worth of furniture between September and Christmas (I am only half joking!).” As for a favorite piece, it is hard for Shannon to make a decision. However, their “Cream and Kona” technique is a favorite among customers. Perhaps her favorite

To learn more about Brush and Broom or to see more of their work, visit www.facebook. com/brushandbroom.

would be her and Mike's wedding bench, made out of an old bed. “That is a cool piece that means a lot to us.” Shannon is constantly searching for new tricks to learn. Mike adds, “If she can't do it yet, she'll figure out how!” In the meantime, she is hoping to build more pieces in the future as soon as Brush and Broom has a new shop. Shannon concludes, “I enjoy the challenge of taking something old and making it a 'new and improved' something else... Taking old, boring furniture and turning it into art.”

There is a saying that smooth seas never made a skilled sailor. Shannon has spent her time on stormy waters and through perseverance and unwavering dedication to following her heart, she has managed to drift out into a brighter horizon, coasting on the beautiful waves of life.

jennifer sherman fine art

story and photography by Erin Daniel

What’s the next best thing to going on vacation?  How about having art displayed around your home that reminds you of all things coastal?  Jennifer Sherman, a Low Country native, is a full-time artist whose paintings transport you to the Carolina coast in a single glance!

Born and raised in Yemassee, South Carolina, Jennifer grew up loving art.  Surrounded by other artistically inclined and creative family members, such as her mother and grandfather, she learned from their imaginations and developed a fine-tuned one of her own.

“I would often spend time with my grandfather who would sketch funny pictures on sticky notes or a piece of yellow paper from his legal pad, and carve wooden airplanes with me out of scrap wood from projects my father had finished up as a carpenter. My mother also instilled a love for creativity by writing fictional short stories with me as a child. She could always turn anything into a magical adventure.”

When it came time for college, Jennifer attended Anderson University where she briefly studied Architectural Drawing and Graphic Design as an

Interior Design major, but soon realized her passion was deeply rooted in painting.  Life brought her to Florence, where she currently resides while raising her two children, Ellie Kate and Jude.  With her paternal grandfather having lived here, Jennifer states that she finds a sense of nostalgia, family, and community here.  Pulling inspiration from her birthplace has allowed her to share a little piece of her origins with those more inland!

“Inspired by faith, emotion, my native roots, light, pattern, the human mind in its relationship to nature, and visualizing beyond the naked human eye, I strive to portray a balance of ethereal abstraction with loose realism, causing one to compliment the other.”

One of her favorite, most sentimental pieces was completed this year, titled The Mustard Seed, is based on one of her favorite Bible verses, Matthew 17:20, which tells us that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains and anything is possible.  Jennifer started on this piece when her father was diagnosed with rapidly-spreading cancer

in hopes that he would soon be healed.  Unfortunately, it was only a short few months before he passed.

“While that healing did not give me more time with him here, God was still faithful in delivering his promise. This piece has been a beautiful reminder to me that God's blueprint for our lives doesn't always play out in ways we hope, imagine or pray that they will and yet, he is still faithful.”

While grieving the unexpected loss of her father, Jennifer was inspired to paint a beautiful picture of a hummingbird.  Being that she is fascinated by a bird’s intuition and their ability to be carefree in knowing their needs will be provided for, she has been able to draw the parallel in her own life, knowing that God will always be there to comfort her and allow her to find peace in this difficult time.  She is reminded of this in another one of her favorite Bible verses, Matthew 6:26.

A more lighthearted story follows her least favorite painting.  Jennifer saw a fun idea for an acrylic pour painting on Pinterest and decided to give it a try using a largescale canvas, 48” x 48” to be exact.  As she worked, she realized this painting wasn’t turning out the way she envisioned.  In an effort to salvage the canvas, Jennifer brought it outside where she doused it with her garden hose and washed all the paint off.  She ended up rescuing the canvas and was able to recycle it for another painting!

Some of the biggest moments in her painting career have happened within the past few years, including signing a contract with West Elm, which allowed her to sell her artwork at their Charleston location!  She also was commissioned locally to paint the mural on the side of the former Mailroom Barbershop building here in Florence!  Even though they have since relocated, this was still a huge accomplishment for Jennifer to experience!  Future dreams and goals include opening her own art gallery or at least seeing her paintings hung in a museum!  After seeing her beautiful work, I believe these dreams are absolutely within her reach!

Jennifer Sherman Fine Art

To see more of her artwork or shop for your own piece, you can visit www.jennifershermanart. com!  You can also follow along on Facebook or Instagram (@jenniferashleysherman.fineart)!

Race

The KFB Lynches River Adventure Race was held on September 17th at the Lynches River County Park in Coward. Proceeds from the event will benefit Keep Florence Beautiful and Lynches River County Park. In addition, a portion of the proceeds is also being earmarked to help keep parts of Lynches River clear of debris so that everyone can continue to enjoy the river.

Individuals and teams raced a 5K trail run through Lynches River County Park and then paddled five miles down Lynches River.

AROUND

ADVENTURE RACE

Pictures by Phillip Guyton, Jr.

Something to Celebrate...

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

Jarrod Bell - PDRTA

Glaceria Mason - Diversity Works Magazine Carron McNeal- Pee Dee Coalition

The Mullins Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for BILLY BOYZ Fine Dining on Friday, August 19th at 10:00am. Mullins Mayor Robert Woodbury welcomed those attending and thanked owner Billy Avant for opening his business in Mullins. Chamber President Michele Rogers expressed the Chamber's commitment to helping his business prosper. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner during week and is open 11am-3pm on Saturday and Sunday. Stop by and visit them at 304 South Main Street in Mullins and definitely try the fried asparagus!

Ribbon Cutting At Mercantile On Main

The Marion Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Mercantile on Main on Tuesday, August 23rd at 10:30am. Marion Chamber President, Audrey Wiggins welcomed those attending the ribbon cutting and Mayor Ashley Brady thanked owner Dana Rogers for investing in Marion. This cute home goods shop has lots of beautiful choices for decorating your home. They are located at 304 North Main Street. Drop in and see what they have to offer.

Innovative Hydroponic Research Lab Takes Root at GSSM

2022 Emerging Leaders Summer Institute Graduation Held and more, a hands-on teaching tool to engage their creativity and critical thinking through this advanced technology platform.

The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) unveiled its innovative Hydroponic Research Lab on Thursday. The lab, which is constructed from a shipping container that has traveled across the world, is a first of its kind in the Pee Dee region.

The Hydroponic Research Lab, which provides 900 cubic-feet of growing space, will give students that are interested in biology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, computer science, robotics, economics

“Innovative ideas that come from faculty, staff and alumni that will impact students on and off our campus are usually good ideas,” GSSM President Danny Dorsel said. “The Hydroponic Research Lab is one such idea, and we are blessed to see all of the hard work coming to fruition. We are anxious to start growing plants and having our students conduct research that could shape the future of hydroponic plant production.”

Students will have the ability to experiment on aspects of the controlled environment, study the research findings and help answer questions about the effects of the agricultural community in our region, state and beyond. The lab will also help students’ ability to develop and standardize hydroponic research protocols for model plants used in plant science, plants of interest and plants beneficial to the area.

The GSSM Hydroponic Research Lab has the capacity to grow nearly 8,000 plants at once. Unlike in nature, the Hydroponic Research Lab will allow the growth of a variety of plants yearround due to the advanced technology that automates and controls the environment inside the lab. The lab allows users to monitor the nutrient levels, pH, light schedules, water usage, humidity, temperature levels and air currents.

The lab also represents a connection to the rich history and innovative future of agriculture in South Carolina. It will create the perfect platform to engage students in meaningful research while they solve real-world problems through GSSM’s proven interdisciplinary and immersive approach to education.

For more information on GSSM, visit scgssm.org or call 843-383-9000.

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce held a graduation ceremony for the 2022 Emerging Leaders Summer Institute on Wednesday night at the Chamber.

Congratulations to the 2022 Emerging Leaders Cohorts:

Sharonda Eagle - Lighthouse Ministries

BILLY BOYZ Joins Mullins Chamber of Commerce

Nathaniel Rowell Jr - America's Choice Realty Trey Smith III - PDRTA Ken Swaringer II - Greater ApostolicGethsamane Church

OCTOBER 2022 CALENDAR of EVENTS

Plant & Flower Festival PD Farmers Market, Florence

A Choice To Make Golf Tournament

Florence Country Club

Reformers Unanimous Program

Every Friday pm & Sunday am

Florence Baptist Temple

Florence Symphony Orchestra presents "Titan", FMU PAC

Succulent Pumpkin Workshop (October 4 & 11) Growing Hobby, Florence

Palmetto Pawz Doggie Daycare Open House Palmetto Pawz, Florence

World

Wonderful Wednesday Amazing Grace Park, Marion

Eats On The Street Downtown Dillon

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

Trunk or Treat, 4pm-6pm

Highland Park Church, Florence

Taste of Marion County Downtown Marion

Halloween

FMU Concert Band FMU PAC, Florence

Trivia (every Wed.) Seminar Brewing, Florence

Florence Chamber Golf Tournament Traces Golf Course, Florence

No Bra Day

Taste of Hartsville Hartsville Country Club

Dancer Flow Afro Latin Dance, Florence

The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O'Brien (Oct 20-22 & Oct 26-29)

FMU PAC, Florence

ECA Fair Begins (October 27-Nov. 6)

Florence Fairgrounds

Cooks For Christ Chicken Bog Fundraiser West Florence Fire Department

Techies

Candy

friday saturday

Plant & Flower Festival

PD Farmers Market, Florence

Toss N Taste Cornhole Tournament Southern Hops, Florence Garba Festival, Florence Center

Think Like A ButterflyMoore Farms, Lake City

Bluegrass Concert Old Post Office, Darlington

Oktoberfest Downtown Florence

Bert Kreischer Florence Center

Witch's Walk YMCA, Hartsville

Evening Wine Walk Moore Farms

Oyster Roast The Blind Pig, Hartsville

Sweet Potato Fest Darlington Square

Picnic & Story Time Moore Farms, Lake City

Tandem, Women's Retreat Newspring Church, Florence

Benefit for My Brother's Keeper Shelter SiMT, Florence

Be Bald and Be Free Day

Kickin' Chicken Wing & Chili Fest

Downtown Florence

Downtown Block Party Carolina Ave, Hartsville

Films At The Farm: Beetlejuice

Moore Farms, Lake City

Friday Night Flicks

Amazing Grace Park, Marion

Breast Cancer Awareness Pickleball Tournament Timrod Park, Florence

Women's Cancer Awareness Luncheon

Lakeview Baptist Church, Hartsville

Family Harvest Festival

Pee Dee State Farmers Market, Florence

Jiffy Lube 20 Year Celebration

Evan Street Location, Florence

Casting Crowns: The Healers Tour Florence Center

BOOtanical Moore Farms, Lake City

Pierogi Day

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center hosted the Third Annual Jumpstart Your Heart 5K on September 10th. The event raised money to purchase Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for local schools and non-profit organizations. “Between our amazing sponsors and over 200 runners that registered, we were able to raise enough money to donate 12 AEDs!”

If your school or non-profit organization is in need of an AED, please visit cprmc.com/donationform to complete the request form!

story and photos by Rebecca Giese

This Season's Craze: Pumpkins

I am not sure what it is about pumpkins and Fall in general, but a vast majority are hooked. If the seasons were in a high school rom-com, Fall would be at the popular table. Maybe it is just the cozy and, dare I say, cute vibes that pumpkins bring. Or perhaps it is what they represent? A change from the horrible humidity of the never-ending summer to crisper cooler temperatures. Whatever it is, it looks like the pumpkin craze is here to stay, and I am here for it! I am on team pumpkin. But I am also on the team Do It Yourself. With how trendy Fall decor has become, there are many options to dress your house to the nines with all things pumpkin. Those shopping carts full of pumpkins add up fast! Today I am sharing a fun, family-friendly craft to create a modern pumpkin garland with every day craft items you may already have around your home!

Supplies:

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*If you want to skip step 1, use the construction paper of your choice*

Directions:

STEP 1: Paint your watercolor paper all over with one color. I love the look of the different saturation levels of paint over regular construction paper, but for less mess, you can use the construction paper you have on hand. And let it dry before heading to step 2.

STEP 2: Once the paper is dry, cut the paper into about .5-inch x 5-inch strips.

STEP 3: Make loops with the pieces and glue the ends together (similar to an old-school paper chain link, but don't link them)

STEP 4: Then, take three loops, and with a small dab of glue, weave them into each other. (see photo for reference of shape)

STEP 5: Cut a small piece of pipe cleaner and bend it to form a stock of the pumpkin. Use a small dab of hot glue to attach.

STEP 6: Once you have made as many pumpkins as your heart desires, thread the ribbon through the middle of the pumpkins, and it is ready to hang on your bulletin board, across your mantle, or anywhere you wish!

Fall

When the weather turns cold outside, many of us look forward to special treats to warm up with. If you're lucky, there might be a special treat bubbling in a large pot on the stove in the kitchen. As you sniff the air, you detect the aroma of meat, peppers, and spices. A quick glance inside the pot reveals the presence of a thick soup some would call a stew that's sure to delight. What are we talking about – chili, of course!

For Chili!

If you're a fan of chili, you know that this spicy dish comes in an almost endless number of varieties. I have been fortunate to judge multiple chili cook-offs and you'll be amazed at the versions you'll see. From mild to hot, chili can feature different types of peppers, meats, spices, and even beans and noodles in some versions.

But where exactly did this spicy dish first come into existence? Some would say that ancient man probably figured out how to combine meat and peppers into a tasty stew over a thousand years ago. Myths and tall tales are not hard to find when it comes to the origin of chili. For example, one popular tale is of a Spanish nun, Sister Mary, who supernaturally appeared to Native Americans in the early 1600s and returned with the first chili recipe: chili peppers, venison (deer meat), onions, and tomatoes.

A Chili Day Dish: A dish to help warm up dinnertime

Ingredients

2 Pounds Ground Beef

1 Chopped Onion

2 Cloves Garlic, Chopped

1 8-Ounce Can Tomato Sauce

2 Tablespoons Chili Powder

1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin

1 Teaspoon Ground Oregano

1 Teaspoon Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

1 15-Ounce Can Kidney Beans, Drained and Rinsed

1 15-Ounce

The modern dish we know as chili with beans does appear to have roots in the American West, particularly in the State of Texas. An old legend holds that immigrants from the Canary Islands brought a recipe for chili with them when they settled in San Antonio in the early 1700s. Historians do know that chili was a popular meal amongst cowboys and pioneers on the western frontier.

In the 1880s, chili stands became popular in San Antonio. Women known as "Chili Queens" served "Bowls o' Red" to customers, and the fame of chili began to spread across the country. The 1893 World's Fair in Chicago featured the dish at the San Antonio Chili Stand. Since that time, chili has become a popular dish all over the United States. Its association with Texas, however, remains quite strong. In fact, the Texas legislature named chili the official state dish in 1977.

Rinsed

Method

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

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

Today, playful debates rage at chili cook-offs regarding which ingredients compose "real" chili. For many Texans, a "Bowl o' Red" contains nothing more than chili peppers, meat, and spices. Midwestern versions often add beans and additional fat into the mix. It's not uncommon to find regional varieties of chili that also feature tomato sauce and/or pasta noodles.

Chili cook-off contestants will often create their own unique version of chili by choosing specific ingredients they feel will create the most intense flavor. You'll find chilis with different types of meat, including beef, sausage, turkey, and venison. Vegetarian chilis are also popular, replacing meat with a variety of flavorful vegetables. Chili chefs will also customize the spiciness of their chili by selecting a variety of chili peppers that they believe will give their chili the perfect amount of spice and heat.

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

HARVEST FULL OF FALL FINDS

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PRETTY N BLISS

1267 Celebration Blvd, Florence prettynbliss.com

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SEVEN BOUTIQUE

130 E Main St, Lake City sevenboutiquellc.com

3

CYNTHIA

1935 Hoffmeyer Rd, Florence

4

KNIGHT FURNITURE

214 2nd Loop Rd, Florence knightfurn.com

5

BUTLER’S FINE MEN’S CLOTHING

2533 W Palmetto St, Florence butlersfineclothing.com

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BLOOM, A UNIQUE BOUTIQUE

1001-G S Cashua Dr, Florence

7

DOUG THE FOOD GUY

Saturdays at the City Center Farmers Market, 200 Sanborn St, Florence

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MOGS BOUTIQUE

823 S Fifth St, Hartsville mogsboutique.com

9

WOODHAVEN CANDLE & SALT THERAPY

219 N Main St, Marion woodhavencandles.com

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RAISED DOWN SOUTH

154 E Carolina Ave, Hartsville

11

TRENDY TWIST BOUTIQUE

910 S Cashua Dr, Florence trendytwistboutique.com

12

PLAYIN HOOKY

2292 Pamplico Hwy, Florence

What better way to celebrate National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day than by enjoying a delicious, homemade pumpkin cheesecake?

Cheesecake is one of America’s favorite deserts and by adding pumpkin, we celebrate the flavoring of the season.

The Best Ever Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients

The Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, from about 12 whole graham crackers

• 6 Tbsp 3/4 stick melted, unsalted butter

• 1 Tbsp sugar

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

The Filling:

• 24 oz cream cheese, room temperature

• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar

• 15 oz can pumpkin pie mix

• 4 large eggs

• 1/4 cup sour cream

• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 Tbsp real vanilla extract

Optional Toppings:

• 1 cup whipped cream

• Pumpkin pie spice to dust

• Caramel sauce

• Toasted pecans

Instructions:

Crust: Preheat oven to 350˚F.

1. Pulse graham crackers in a food processor until fine crumbs form.

2. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 6 Tbsp melted butter. Transfer into a 9-inch springform pan with 3" tall walls and use a large spoon to press crumbs into the bottom of your springform pan, and going about 1/2" up the sides of the pan. Bake at 350˚F for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temp.

Filling: Preheat oven to 350˚F.

1. Beat the 3 packages of softened cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar on med speed until light and fluffy and without lumps, about five minutes, scraping down the bowl once to make sure you don't have chunks of cream cheese.

2. In a separate bowl, using a whisk, stir together 15 oz pumpkin pie mix, 4 large eggs, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 tbsp flour, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1/4 tsp salt and 1 tbsp vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Add this mixture to the cheesecake filling and continue mixing on low speed just until well combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.

3. Transfer filling into pre-baked crust and bake on the middle rack at 350˚F for 1 hour. Turn off heat, prop the oven door open slightly with a wooden spoon and let cheesecake sit in the oven another 45 min. Then remove from the oven and let cool to room temp before covering with plastic wrap and refrigerating. Serve when fully chilled (at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, or overnight).

4. Before serving, carefully remove cheesecake from springform pan by running a blunt knife along the sides of the cheesecake to release from the springform mold. Add desired toppings.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pumpkin Facts:

1. Over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced each year in the United States.

2. Each pumpkin has about 500 seeds.

3. Although we often think of pumpkins as a vegetable, they are actually a fruit.

4. Every part of the pumpkin is edible, including the skin, leaves, flowers, and stem.

5. Pumpkins are packed with nutrition – vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin E, iron, folate, and niacin.

Do You Love To Read?

THE DUTCH HOUSE

BY ALAINA URQUHART

From the co-host of charttopping true crime podcast Morbid, a thrilling debut novel told from the dueling perspectives of a notorious serial killer and the medical examiner following where his trail of victims leads.

Something dark is lurking in the Louisiana bayou: a methodical killer with a penchant for medical experimentation is hard at work completing his most harrowing crime yet, taunting the authorities who desperately try to catch up.

But forensic pathologist Dr. Wren Muller is the best there is. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of historical crimes, and years of experience working in the Medical Examiner's office, she's never encountered a case she couldn't solve. Until now. Case after case is piling up on Wren's examination table, and soon she is sucked into an all-consuming cat-and-mouse chase with a brutal murderer getting more brazen by the day.

An addictive read with straightfrom-the-morgue details only an autopsy technician could provide, The Butcher and the Wren promises to ensnare all who enter.

Email heather@vipmagsc.com if you would like to share a book review with our readers.

Aliana Urquhart is the science-loving co-host of the chart-topping show Morbid: A True Crime Podcast. As an autopsy technician by trade, she offers a unique perspective from deep inside the morgue. Alaina hails from Boston, where she lives with her wonderful husband, John, their three amazing daughters, and a ghost Puggle named Bailey. She is about 75 percent coffee, and truly believes she and Agent Clarice Starling could be friends.

Before writing her first psychological horror novel, she received degrees in criminal justice, psychology, and biology. When she isn't hosting Morbid, she hosts the Parcast original show Crime Countdown, and a horror movie podcast called Scream!.

Her days are usually spent either recording or eviscerating. The way she sees it, when she hangs up her microphone for the day, it's time to let the dead speak.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HORMONES FOR YOUR HAPPINESS & HEALTH

Hormones maintain a critical balance in the complex systems of the body

story by Francisco X. Barrera, MD

Our endocrine system is the unsung hero of the human body. When it works as intended, little thought is given to our endocrine glands and the hormones they produce. They operate much like stagehands, supporting our heart, brain, and other major organs as they take center stage. But without sufficient hormones to communicate with our organ systems, the show can’t go on.

Too much or too little of any hormone from the endocrine glands can upset the delicate balance that enables organ systems to operate as one, causing disruptions to everyday functions or the onset of chronic disease. But what exactly is the endocrine system, and how does it interact with other systems of our body?

The endocrine system comprises multiple glands such as the thyroid, adrenal, testicles, ovaries, pituitary, parathyroid, and pancreas. These glands secrete hormones which act as chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream, targeting organs and triggering chemical signals inside target cells to change their operation and functionality. These changes, influenced by your endocrine system, direct multiple critical body functions, ranging from body temperature, sexual development, and sleep, to mood and stress.

Chronic conditions of the endocrine system like diabetes and hyperthyroidism result from failure of endocrine glands to produce the necessary amount of hormones to help the body maintain equilibrium. For example, type 2 diabetes results from the pancreas becoming less sensitive to blood sugar (blood glucose) levels, preventing adequate release of the hormone insulin to stabilize blood sugar by storing glucose. Glucose is absorbed from the foods we eat and acts as the main fuel source for our body’s cells. Too much or too little glucose (hyper/hypoglycemia) can be devastating, resulting in the complications common with diabetes, including heart disease, chronic kidney disease, nerve damage, amputation of limbs, and death.

Unfortunately, there has been a substantial increase in the prevalence of endocrine disorders as of late. Obesity, an aging population, and modern dietary habits and lifestyle are some of the multiple underlying factors that are contributing to the development of diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

Endocrine disorders have a considerable impact on public health; they can cause long-term disability, diminish the quality of life for affected patients, and are the fifth leading cause of death. Endocrinologists, doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and management of endocrine disorders, work with patients to address symptoms with treatments that improve hormone imbalances and restore quality of life.

Over the last 20 years, the endocrinology specialty has continuously evolved, producing multiple advances in therapies, devices, and diagnostic tools that have changed the lives of millions of patients dealing with endocrine disorders. These interventions, however, can be very costly, preventing access to care for many.

The best treatment for endocrine disorders is prevention. Eat balanced meals, get active, and see your primary care provider regularly for routine check-ups to ensure early detection. If you develop a metabolic disorder, seek out an endocrinologist for specialized care tailored to your needs.

HopeHealth offers specialized endocrinology care for people living with a variety of metabolic conditions. HopeHealth also offers comprehensive services through the Diabetes and Nutrition Institute for education, medical nutrition therapy and counseling, and other support. If you are living with conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, hyperparathyroidism, Addison’s disease, osteoporosis, Cushing’s disease, or gender dysphoria, or are seeking help to diagnose a possible endocrine disorder, please reach out to schedule an appointment by calling (843) 667-9414 or visiting hope-health.org.

Francisco X. Barrera, MD

Dr. Francisco X. Barrera is an endocrinologist providing care for patients at the HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence.

He completed his fellowship in Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System in Miami Florida. He earned his doctorate from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua in Managua, Nicaragua. Dr. Barrera is fluent in English and Spanish, and the recipient of the Harry Kurz, MD Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching by an Internal Medicine Resident. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Lipidology and a member of the Obesity Medicine Association and the American Board of Obesity.

RADIATION ADVANCEMENTS in the Treatment of Breast Cancer

story by Dioval Remonde, MD, McLeod Radiation Oncology

Advancements in radiation oncology are reducing the length of time a woman undergoes treatment for breast cancer as well as improving survival for those battling Stage IV disease.

Historically, a total mastectomy, which is a major surgery involving removal of the entire breast and underlying tissue used to be the only option for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. However, the treatment paradigm has now shifted to performing a lumpectomy procedure, removing just the tumor, followed by radiation to the breast. This offers the same effectiveness in curing the cancer as a total mastectomy based on multiple published studies.

This paradigm, which is called breast conservation treatment, has allowed women to preserve the cosmetic integrity of their breast while also avoiding a major, potentially disfiguring surgery. Breast conservation has become the standard of care across

the world with the vast majority of women undergoing a lumpectomy at initial diagnosis if they are eligible.

Most women who undergo a lumpectomy receive radiation to eradicate any microscopic cancer cells in the breast that remain after surgery. This significantly decreases the risk of recurrence of cancer within the breast.

Traditionally, post-lumpectomy radiation consisted of daily treatments Monday through Friday for a duration of five to seven weeks; however, thanks to multiple clinical trials, we now know there is no increased risk of recurrence in the women who receive a shorter course of radiation. Today, many women with early-stage breast cancer can actually be treated with a technique called hypofractionated radiation therapy where we shorten the length of radiation treatment down to three to four weeks, making it more convenient for patients.

Radiation Oncologists Dr. Dioval Remonde, Dr. Virginia-Clyburn-Ipock and Dr. T. Rhett Spencer are pictured with staff members of the McLeod Radiation Oncology team, which includes physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and nurses.

This technique has been made possible by advancements in technology that have refined our ability to deliver high doses of radiation to the tumor and avoid areas of normal tissue. By improving our ability to shape/ mold radiation, we have been able to reduce the number of treatment sessions as we are able to safely give a higher dose per day. The total or effective biological dose remains unchanged, but we have drastically reduced the length of treatment down from 30 to 35 daily treatments to now 15 to 20 treatments routinely. For some patients with low-risk, earlystage breast cancer, with low-risk defined by various factors such as tumor size, hormone receptor status, grade, etc, we can even do as little as one week or five days of treatment, which is certainly more convenient for those who are traveling long distances.

For women with Stage IV disease, meaning cancer cells that originated in the breast have spread (metastasized) into distant organs such as the lung, bone, or brain, radiation was historically only used in a palliative sense to alleviate pain; however, there is growing evidence that targeted radiation to these sites of metastatic spread can offer not only symptom relief, but can often increase the likelihood of remission or rendering a cancer inactive, especially in women who have limited metastasis to five or fewer distant sites outside of the breast, which is termed oligometastasis.

We utilize a technique called SBRT, or stereotactic body radiotherapy to deliver high, ablative doses of radiation to areas of limited metastatic (i.e. oligometastatic) disease, generally in five or fewer treatment sessions, which is called oligometastasisdirected therapy. The growing

McLeod provides care to patients utilizing three TrueBeam linear accelerators which involve special equipment to position the patient and precisely deliver a large radiation dose to a tumor in the brain or body, reducing the amount of time during treatment and resulting in fewer treatments.

body of evidence showing improved outcomes with oligometastasisdirected therapy highlights the idea that NOT all Stage IV diagnoses are the same and that some patients, particularly those with limited disease, can derive significant benefit from ablative radiation/SBRT.

There are multiple approaches to the treatment of breast cancer which can involve any combination of surgery plus or minus chemo/immunotherapy plus or minus radiation. In light of rapidly evolving treatment options, there is often no single universal formula for treatment as there is no identical patient, which highlights the importance of shared decision-making in cancer care with clinicians and patients working together to reach a consensus decision about treatment.

At McLeod, we are dedicated to ensuring patients are aware of all possible options so they can make sound, informed decisions about their care. We are also committed to offering the latest advancements in cancer technology to improve survival and access to care.

Dr. Dioval Remonde is a Radiation Oncologist with the McLeod Center for Cancer Treatment and Research. Dr. Remonde received his medical degree from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He completed a residency in Radiation Oncology at University of Texas Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Remonde joined the McLeod Radiation Oncology team in 2022. He cares for patients with Dr. Virginia Clyburn-Ipock and Dr. T. Rhett Spencer.

For more information, visit McLeodHealth.org.

Dioval Remonde, MD

EAT BETTER TOGETHER

Change is not always a welcoming subject. Some echo the sentiment, "If it's not broken, don't fix it." As a result of multiple health concerns related to specific food consumption, there has been a cry for change as it relates to the food industry. Experts say that unhealthy foods directly contribute to many health crises plaguing our communities today. Among these are illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

Unhealthy options have become easy to access and are often cheaper than healthy alternatives. Some believe they are winning by choosing the less expensive option. However, it may ultimately equal the price of healthier options due to the amount of money spent covering medical expenses due to food-related illnesses.

Food consumption is an essential part of our existence. Food serves the purpose of providing energy and nutrients to the body. Research has shown that

food and water are necessary for survival. What to eat and when to eat is heavily embedded in our culture. Making a conscious decision to choose the foods that are right for you is just as important as the act of consumption.

When is the best time to eat? We have programmed ourselves to eat at certain times. This programming starts way before we can even speak. Even with newborns, we are careful to keep our babies on a feeding schedule. Instinctively we eat when we are hungry. However, some eat when sad, bored, or even attending a scheduled event. Eating better together may mean that we refrain from eating just to eat or because food is in front of us.

The holidays are fast approaching, and often we tend to consume more food during the holidays. Much of the time, food offered during these special occasions are less healthier options. Even with the various time frames of eating, we ultimately control what we choose to consume.

As we seek to change the outcome of our health and the layout of our communities, we must first commit to making a change. Change can start with small steps. Those small steps would lead to total transformation with consistent work towards a collective goal. How can we eat better together? Many schools throughout our country began offering healthier options for our children. We can support that effort by making conscious food decisions in our homes and communities.

Together, we can increase the availability of nutritious and tasteful foods. One myth about healthy food options is that it is less appealing to the taste. Some options are acquired taste; however, we can make healthy options just as tasteful. One way that we can eat better together is by building community gardens.

story by Cynthia Ford

"We begin by doing small things at the local level like planting community gardens or looking out for our neighbors. That is how change takes place in living systems." (Grace Lee Boggs)

Community gardens include utilizing a central property in which fruit and vegetables can be planted, maintained, and consumed by the community. Start with local community partners who specialize in gardening. Recruit master gardeners to teach the community participants how to plant, maintain, harvest, and store the products properly. Secure consistent volunteers and community citizens who will dedicate time to the garden as needed.

The garden can be raised bed gardens or planted directly into the ground. Raised bed gardens have the advantage of having a cleaner look and easier maintenance. The community can utilize volunteers skilled in building this raised garden bed, or the bed can be purchased from a local store selling farming equipment.

As you educate yourself on building the garden, educate yourself on the planted produce. It is essential to understand when to grow certain fruits and vegetables. All must be planted in the right season to have the best outcome. Ensure that the property being used is feasible for planting and that permission is granted for use. Partnering with the city of county municipalities is ideal. The chosen municipality may choose to donate land to create the community garden.

Here is a list of benefits of community gardens:

• Reduces food insecurity

• Increase lifestyle changes

• Reduce obesity

• Increase intake of vegetables and fruit

• Strong community ties

• Increase movement with garden management

• Consistent access to fresh foods

Community gardens are hard work; however, the long list of benefits is well worth the required work. Eating better together does not start and stop with the selected volunteers. The partnership extends across the community to local stores, farmer's markets, and even economic development boards. The vision is broader than the visible garden. The essential skill of gardening should be passed on to our children. Our children can not only be partakers of the produce but joint partners who learn the value of investing in valuable opportunities. Teaching our children to invest in the skill of community gardening will yield a return of better, well-rounded communities. The cohesiveness spills over into other parts of our lives. Together we win. Together we change lives and start with the simple task of eating better together.