October 2023

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Kim Brauss

Mark W. Buyck, III

Cynthia Ford

La’Quanita Goodman

Bri Jackson

Bryan Holt

Arrvind Raghunath, MD

Doug Smith

Taylor Thompson, FNP-C

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Advanced Breast Cancer Care Offered at McLeod

story by Arrvind Raghunath, MD, McLeod Oncology and Hematology Associates

The McLeod Breast Health Center promotes continuity of care by providing the full spectrum of services for women, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and support. The goal is to make the individual patient’s entry into the system as painless and seamless as possible. McLeod also strives to provide personalized breast cancer care since one treatment does not fit all. The team individualizes a plan to each and every patient’s needs.

Dedicated to the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, McLeod is the only Breast Health Center in the area accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. McLeod received this prestigious acknowledgement because of the quality of care it offers to breast cancer patients in 2010 – the first and only breast program in the region to achieve this designation. Additionally, McLeod is an American College of Radiology Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center.

Annually, breast cancer is the most commonly treated cancer at McLeod Regional Medical Center. Because a tremendous volume of breast cancer patients are cared for at McLeod, the hospital, staff, and physicians have put considerable effort into ensuring stateof-the-art care for women with breast cancer and that the NAPBC standards are met or exceeded.

Facets of the comprehensive breast cancer program at McLeod include all of the following:

BREAST IMAGING

Today’s 3D mammograms pick up tiny cancers that are not just treatable, but curable. So, most of the women, who are diagnosed with breast cancer at McLeod, are detected at a very early stage. These women have a totally normal life expectancy. As surveillance and imaging has improved, the McLeod team finds and treats cancer earlier.

McLeod Physicians believe at age 40, a woman should start having yearly mammograms. However, any woman with a breast abnormality should definitely be seen by their doctor. If a woman has a first degree relative with the BRCA gene (mother, sister), then the McLeod Breast Team advises to begin annual screening mammograms 10 years earlier than the family member who was diagnosed. So, if your mother was diagnosed at 38, then at 28, you need regular screening.

BREAST TUMOR BOARD

At the McLeod Center for Cancer Treatment and Research, breast cancer patients receive a second, third, fourth and fifth opinion on their treatment plan from the Tumor Board, whose mission is to provide patients not only with peace of mind but also the best cancer treatment plan possible for each specific diagnosis.

Each week at McLeod, physicians representing Medical Oncology, Pathology, Radiation Oncology, Radiology, and Surgery, discuss every breast cancer patient’s case presented to the tumor board. Together, they recommend the best treatment plans for patients with breast cancer. During the Breast Tumor Board meeting, these cancer specialists review the pertinent imaging and diagnostic studies, as well as the pathology, and listen as the patient’s case is presented by their physician, including the history and physical findings. All members of the team give their input and the plan is put into place.

BREAST SURGERY

When a woman is faced with breast cancer, the first goal is to perform an operation that removes the breast cancer. The second goal is to give the patient a cosmetic outcome that results in the breast looking as natural as it did before the surgery or even better in some cases.

If a woman undergoes a mastectomy, she may be interested in breast reconstruction surgery which involves the expertise of a plastic surgeon. At McLeod Regional Medical Center, patients are offered multiple options for breast reconstruction. These options include implant-based reconstruction using silicone or saline breast implants to recreate the breast or flapbased reconstruction in which the patient’s own tissue is used to reconstruct the breast (including DIEP).

BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND ONCOLOGY TREATMENT

Discovering new ways to treat and prevent cancer is the goal of medical research. At McLeod, cancer research efforts were first developed more than 40 years ago with the arrival of Oncologist Dr. Michael Pavy. Today, the McLeod Center for Cancer Treatment and Research offers patients access to three dedicated cancer research nurses.

One cancer that has benefitted greatly from research is breast cancer. Thanks to clinical trials, breast cancer research continues to evolve with multiple advancements in care. There are now more chemotherapy agents and targeted treatments to help women than ever before. McLeod Cancer Specialists also understand that there are very specific pathways cancer cells navigate for their survival. This research has led to the development of drugs that can block parts of those pathways and suppress the cancer. Additionally, immunotherapy is available which arms the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. This form of therapy helps the immune system recognize

the cancer, then stimulate an intense response against the tumor. As research of breast cancer continues, these discoveries will help guide treatment in the future and improve survival.

RADIATION ONCOLOGY TREATMENT

Radiation therapy is necessary for many women with breast cancer. Most women who undergo a lumpectomy are receiving 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, the post-lumpectomy radiation would be delivered, five days a week for five to six weeks. But, thanks to 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, who have early-stage breast cancer, can actually be treated with a technique called hypofractionated radiation therapy where the length of radiation treatment is reduced down to three to four weeks, making it more convenient for patients.

Advancements in early detection with the latest technology and a dedication to ensuring the national standards in breast cancer treatment are met or exceeded, demonstrates the McLeod Health commitment to improving survival and access to care.

For more information on breast cancer, please contact McLeod Breast Health Nurse Navigator Tracey O’Neal at 843-777-5418.

For more information, visit McLeodHealth.org

Dr. Arrvind Raghunath cares for patients at McLeod Oncology and Hematology Associates, a division of McLeod Regional Medical Center. Dr. Raghunath joined McLeod In September 2023 following the completion of his Fellowships in Hematology and Medical Oncology and Leukemia at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. He received his medical degree in 2015 from SRM Medical College and Research Center in Chennai, India, and completed his Internal Medicine Residency in 2019 at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center in Akron, Ohio.

Members of the McLeod Cancer Center team who offer their expertise in the treatment of breast cancer include Oncologist Dr. Ravneet Bajwa, Radiation Oncologist Dr. Virginia Clyburn-Ipock, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Dustin Eck, Radiologist Dr. Shawn Conwell, Breast Surgeon Dr. Amy Murrell and Pathologist Dr. Sharon Mitchell.

SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SEXUAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

The COVID-19 pandemic has dominated health conversations since 2020 and continues to remain a part of our current health care landscape. Along with the rest of the world, the primary focus of many Americans during the height of the pandemic quickly shifted from other concerns to the turmoil caused by COVID-19. An unforeseen consequence of that shift in focus, in combination with fear of contracting and/ or spreading the virus, was a sharp decline in elective health screenings. While a drop in screenings was universal, according to the CDC, it was more substantial among those of racial and ethnic minority groups, especially those of lower socioeconomic status.

Routine health screenings have proven to have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. A substantial proportion of these elective health screenings fall under the sexual and reproductive health category. While sexual health screenings play a vital role in the early detection and treatment of reproductive cancers and sexually transmitted diseases, they also exist to ensure men and women are able to engage in mutually enjoyable and safe intimate relationships.

In order to simplify screening recommendations, the United States created a task force to specify when screenings should begin and how often they should occur. Without this basic knowledge, many Americans are left with the misconception that if they are not having problems, they do not need to be checked out.

One of the most frequent misconceptions I see in the clinic is related to screening for cervical cancer. Many young women believe when they undergo a pelvic examination, they have had screening for cervical cancer - however, this is not always the case.

Cervical cancer screening requires the collection of cells from the cervix with a small tool referred to as a brush or broom. The sample is then evaluated in the lab for underlying abnormalities. Recent guidelines recommend women begin cervical cancer screening via pap smear at age 21, with follow-up screenings every three to five years depending on the type of initial test performed. For women who undergo a pap test alone, a repeat screening should be performed in three years. If the initial pap smear also screened for HPV, the virus responsible for over 90% of cervical cancers, then repeat screening should be performed in five years. These guidelines pertain only to those who have normal results. Special circumstances, like a family history of certain cancers, personal history of abnormal pap smears, chronic diseases that weaken the immune system, or concerning signs and symptoms may warrant more frequent screenings.

It is important not to exclude breast cancer screening in the conversation surrounding preventive sexual health screenings. Some controversy exists around whether or not there is a significant impact of performing self-examinations at home; however, many cancerous abnormalities are brought to the

story by Taylor Thompson, FNP-C

attention of a provider after being noted on self-examination. In my professional opinion, knowing your baseline makes it easier to pinpoint anything unusual. Self-examination in combination with clinical examination and staying up-to-date with routine preventive screening recommendations are key components in early detection and improved prognosis associated with reproductive cancers. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends breast cancer screening via mammography every one to two years from ages 40-79.

Screening for sexually transmitted infections is particularly important for optimal sexual health among sexually active individuals. It is a common misconception that sexually transmitted infections always produce symptoms and the only way of contracting them is through penetrative sex. For the purpose of this article, sexually active

means engaging in any form of sexual activity (oral, anal, vaginal). Sexually active individuals should undergo screening for sexually transmitted infections at least once a yearincluding screening for HIV and Hepatitis C, even if they are not showing any symptoms. Screening should occur more frequently if symptoms are present, after unprotected intercourse with a new partner, and if engaging in an open relationship. Unfortunately, South Carolina is ranked among the top five states for STI prevalence in the nation. One of the best ways to decrease the spread of sexually transmitted infections is to know your status and use protection when engaging in intercourse outside of a mutually monogamous relationship.

Screening recommendations vary according to personal risk factors. It is very important to discuss your personal risks with your health care provider to determine what screening schedule is right for you.

Taylor Thompson is a family nurse practitioner providing care for patients in the HopeXpress program for young adults. She has special interest in heart health preventive care for younger adults, and keeping young adults in care.

From Florence, Thompson earned her Master of Science/ Family Nurse Practitioner degree from South University, Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with summa cum laude honors from the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.

She is a member of the American Nurses Association, South Carolina Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society.

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.

Taylor Thompson, FNP-C

Pepsi will roll out the new look in time for the brand’s 125th anniversary. The new design evolves the Pepsi brand to represent its most unapologetic and enjoyable qualities, and will span across all physical and digital touchpoints, including packaging, fountain and cooler equipment, fleet, fashion and dining. Pepsi plays a critical role in achieving the PepsiCo Positive sustainable packaging targets and in the U.S., as of 2022, Pepsi has begun to convert all 20oz bottles of Pepsi, including Pepsi Zero Sugar to 100% recycled PET. The new logo and visual identity pays homage to the brand's rich heritage while taking a big leap toward the future.

Throughout its storied history, Pepsi has maintained a bold challenger mindset and a strong link to pop culture. From the Pepsi Challenge and reimagining the Super Bowl Halftime Show, to creating some of the most iconic ads of all time with the world's most renowned musicians and actors, Pepsi has always pushed culture forward to deliver

one-of-a-kind fan experiences in a timely way, while simultaneously remaining iconic and timeless. Pepsi also continuously reinvents itself with brave marketing and product innovation, from creating its own television shows, exploring Web3 and introducing compelling new varieties over the years including the recent Nitro Pepsi, Pepsi x Peeps, Pepsi for SodaStream and an improved Pepsi Zero Sugar taste in the U.S. to give fans the best tasting cola in the zero-sugar category.

At its core, Pepsi is inspired by helping fans choose more moments of unapologetic enjoyment. In an increasingly digital world, the revitalized and distinct design introduces movement and animation into the visual system, unlocking more flexibility for Pepsi to move between physical and digital spaces, from retail shelves to the metaverse. It also allows for more seamless and creative collaboration with partners and retailers and more versatility to engage fans in the places they shop, dine, work and play.

Pepsi® of Florence invited current and retired employees to celebrate the unveiling of the new Pepsi logo marking the iconic brand’s next era.

photo by Fred Salley

CAROLINA GOLD

South Carolina’s first major cash crop was rice. The first record of rice exports from the Colony was 10,407 pounds in 1698. Over the following 50 years, rice became the State’s dominant export and was shipped around the world. It has been said that 8 of the 10 wealthiest Americans in 1750 were rice planters in Georgetown and Charleston counties. The South Carolina Low Country was uniquely suited for rice cultivation. Rice fields require constant irrigation. South Carolina’s coastal rivers and bays are subject to tidal flows the same as our beaches. By 1750, the “tidal system” was introduced to rice planters. Rice “trunks” installed on dams and levees had swinging gates which allowed the incoming tide to flood the fields. The doors would close when the tide turned keeping the field irrigated. If the farmer wished to empty the field, he would reverse the process.

In 1709, the State exported 1.5 million pounds of rice; in 1727, 11.3 million; 1739, 32 million and by 1752, 42.2 million pounds. In 1773, exports were 81.4 million pounds. The increase in rice exports is correlated with an increase in slave imports. Rice was being cultivated

in Western Africa, in particular the region around the Gambia River. South Carolina slave holders sought out slaves from those regions due to their knowledge of the rice culture. Africans introduced many innovations to the growing and milling process as well as technological improvements to the massive trunk, levee and dam systems required for large fields.

Rice plantations operated as far north as the Cape Fear River and as far south as St. John’s River in the current Jacksonville, Florida area. The ports of Georgetown, Beaufort, and Savannah were all engaged in the rice trade; however, Charleston was the commercial hub for the crop.

"It has been said that 8 of the 10 wealthiest Americans in 1750 were rice planters in Georgetown and Charleston counties."

The History of

story by Mark W. Buyck, III

Rice commerce was not limited to planters. Traders, brokers, agents, bankers, shippers, millers, and lawyers were all active in the trade. Henry Laurens is an example. Although Laurens owned several rice plantations, he was also quite successful as a factor (business agent). He received a 10% commission for marketing rice and indigo for planters. He would also receive a commission from English mercantile houses who would place their finished exports with Laurens for sale to Americans. It was in this role that Laurens became involved in the slave trade.

Evidence of the rice culture still abounds in the low country. There were rice plantations on the Black River, Pee Dee and Waccamaw Rivers, as well as Winyah Bay. The open fields on either side of these rivers were not natural. Tens of thousands of acres of cypress-gum swamps were cleared tree by tree by enslaved Africans. Some compare this feat with the labor required to build the Egyptian pyramids. There remain visible dikes, cut throughs, and mills.

trade began to decline during the 1820s. Cheaper grains were grown in Bengal and Burma. In 1838, East Indian rice cost less in Charleston than the homegrown. The State’s political leadership threatened to secede from the United States during the Nullification Crisis in 1833 due to tariffs they considered unconstitutional. By 1846, the same political leaders were successfully advocating for a tariff to protect low country rice planters from cheaper foreign competition. The Civil War ended the planters’ “free” labor business model and by the 1880s, farmers in Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas began cultivating rice with machinery. The same machinery was inoperable in the mud of the South Carolina low country. A series of hurricanes beginning with the Great Storm of 1893 essentially ended rice production in the State thereby ending the commerce. Many of the former rice plantations were purchased by northern industrialists who recognized that the rice fields were perfect impoundments for duck hunting.

Growth. Family. Community.

There isn’t much these business partners and brothers haven’t come to experience during their 30plus years with Chase Oil Company. Possibly the two most important observations made have been the importance of family, those related by blood and the ones inherited in life, and how to repay the community that helped drive their business's generational success.

Back in 1946, Maitland Chase, the grandfather of Charles, Jr. and Chase Howard, started Chase Oil Company. “He was an American oil gas distributor first in the Florence area,” says Chase. “The story I heard was that he was having breakfast at a local restaurant and met the American oil representative who said they were here trying to sign people up to distribute gasoline because he thought it might be popular. So our grandfather smartly got into that.” Maitland’s business quickly grew into nearly 20 full-service, bowtie-wearing, rag-in-the-back-pocket gas stations.

Maitland had two sons, Maitland, Jr. and Simons John, and one daughter, Bettis. Maitland, Jr. and Simons worked for their father’s company beginning in the 60s. In November of 1963, Miss Natalie “Bettis” Chase became the bride of Charles Grandison Howard. Charles was invited by Maitland to join the family business. “At one point, our grandfather had his two sons and his son-in-law working with him,” explains Charles, Jr. “Our

grandfather, Big Daddy as we called him, died in 1970 and then our Uncle Simons passed away in 1980 from leukemia.” This left Charles, Sr. and Maitland, Jr. running Chase Oil Company.

By the 1990s, Uncle Maitland was ready for retirement. “Our father brought us in shortly after we finished college,” says Chase. Charles continues, “I was a banker; Chase was a salesman in the petroleum industry selling equipment. Dad came to us and said there was an opportunity to join the family business. He discussed with us that our uncle was ready to retire and we could buy Mait’s interest out of the company.” “Let me remind you,” says Chase looking at his brother, “our father wanted us to join the company but he made it clear that he wasn’t doing it for us!” They both laughed at the memory of their father planting a seed without paving the path.

“So that’s what we did,” continued Chase. “We worked like dogs for 15 years to pay off our uncle’s share of the business. Charles, Jr. was newly married

Charles Howard & Chase Howard

Scrubby's Car

with two small children. Dad didn’t make it easy for us; he taught us the value of working hard. The people who knew our father will relate. Our father made us work for our place in the business.”

“The beautiful thing out of that lesson from our dad was that he gave us moxie and determination to work,” said Chase. During those early years, Charles, Jr. and Chase worked multiple side gigs for extra income. “Chase and I were the largest firework distributors in Florence for about three or four years,” said Charles, Jr. “At our peak, we had seven firework trailers scattered across the Pee Dee area. December and July were our busiest months of the year.” While their pay at Chase Oil Company supplied them with basic life necessities, it was their firework stands that helped them begin to get in front of those monthly bills.

How they got out of the fireworks business is quite a story. “Christmas Day is one of the higher volume days for firework sales,” explains Chase. “We were sitting around the dinner table one Christmas with our family.

dad doesn’t pay us enough! Needless to say, that was the last year we were in the fireworks business. We got a raise at Chase Oil.”

While the fireworks business was now in their rearview mirrors, the brothers still learned a valuable lesson on how to grow professionally outside of Chase Oil. Charles, Jr. and Chase had always looked into other avenues to grow their business portfolio. Carwashes became a big topic of conversation. In the late 90s, they became owners of their first carwash near Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina. “It was a complete piece of junk,” laughs Chase. “I was out there working on that machine every single day. It was a lemon.” Meanwhile, the brothers watched a carwash on Cashua Drive, a Scrubby’s location they now own, have lines of cars and even added an additional bay to accommodate more customers. “We would ride by every day and the guy was just killing it!” Said Chase. After a year of attempting to make their location thrive, they discovered that the equipment they were sold did have a glitch. They were reimbursed and invested that money in laser wash equipment. “We washed more cars the first month with the new equipment than

important to us. History is full of family businesses that don’t make it. There was a time or two we looked at each other and wondered if we were going to make it. I think what’s different about the two of us is that we are different people and we have different strengths. We complement each other. We’ve figured out our lanes and we stay in them. We help each other; we lean on each other. If I have something I don’t understand or can’t wrap my arm around, I go to Chase and he does the same to me. I think that’s a big reason we have had the success that we’ve had.”

“Every time you go through a generation, the percentage of success drops,” says Chase. “It’s common that third generations usually don’t make it. We lean on each other and that's our magic sauce. It’s about not being greedy. We were raised that money is an instrument of what we are doing but it’s not the driving force for why we do it. We both enjoy what we’re doing. We’re best friends. We talk all of the time outside of work and I trust him one hundred percent and he does me. That’s the key.”

“That’s what drives us,” says Charles, Jr. “We don’t get hung up on who has what and who has done what. We let the success drive our bus. I know there isn’t a better salesman than Chase in Florence County; he can sell ice to an Eskimo, and he’s as good as it gets. So I don’t have to worry about that part of the business, I can shut that off.” Chase adds, “And I know that Charles is the best banker in Florence and I guarantee many of the bankers in Florence would agree.”

station sites. They now have 77 gas station sites that they have some financial involvement in and more than 10 carwash sites. After a trip to a trade show in Las Vegas in the early 2000s, Chase came home with the knowledge of a new tunnel industry for carwashes. Charles explained, “Chase came to me and said I think we need to do this. At the time, it was the biggest investment we had ever made in anything. When Chase told me the cost, I said, ‘Dear Lord, that’s four times what we typically invest in a new project.’ But that was our process. He was convinced that it would be a great investment and had done the research to support that. It took us 12 to 18 months of doing the due diligence before we finally came to the conclusion that this was what we wanted to do."

“I felt like the technology in the carwash industry had finally caught up to the modern day,” says Chase. We completed the

Lumberton location and in the first month, we washed nearly 9,000 cars in one month. It took us a year to do that many at one of our other washes. We were sold!”

From there, Charles and Chase went on to open a tunnel carwash in Murrells Inlet, then in Socastee, Hartsville, and one in Georgetown. “Now we come full circle. We have three sites under construction including the one in Florence that will be open this month and six scheduled to be built,” says Chase. “Our main goal at the moment is to attack the Pee Dee area and parts of North Carolina. We have grown from just the two of us running Scrubby’s to nearly 100 employees. We basically have two very successful businesses under one roof.”

The Florence location will be the largest around with a 130-foot tunnel, 20 vacuum positions, free cleaning supplies, and towels supplied. The drive-through lanes are large enough for nearly any vehicle and long enough that you won’t be pushed out into the street. They will have an unlimited Scrub Club where customers pay a flat monthly fee with a dedicated lane that is economically priced for everyone. It sits in an easily accessible location at the corner of Hoffmeyer and Beltline Drive, across from the Pharmacy.

In the middle of all of this growth was Bettis and Charles, Sr., the very proud parents. Bettis got sick and passed away in October of 2021. Just five months later, Charles, Sr. passed away. “People say to us all of the time how they wished our father would have been able to see the Florence project,” says Charles. “But he actually did. He was still around when we were in the process of acquiring that site. He was very well aware of it. He was in the office every day up until the week he passed away.”

Remarkably, Charles, Sr. worked literally until the day he died. “We always said, half-jokingly, that Dad would work until the day he died. When Mom passed, we didn't want him sitting at home alone. Chase would go pick him up and bring him to the office in the morning. The girls up front would take care of him during the day and make sure he had lunch, and then I’d take him home in the evenings.” Chase adds, “Towards the end, we were carrying him in here.”

One Friday in March of 2022, Charles, Jr. and Sr. were heading into the office after a doctor's appointment when Charles, Sr. decided he should just go home for the day. He passed away the following Tuesday. He missed by one day coming into the office on that Monday. “Dad didn’t take vacations, he didn’t go anywhere. He hunted, fished, and went to work,” said Chase. “His vacation was at Witherspoon Island or in a oneman boat on Black Creek. That’s what he did his entire life.”

These brothers without a doubt see the immeasurable blessings that have been bestowed on them. This would include the wonderful people that surround them at Chase Oil Company and Scrubby’s. “The people that work with us, not for us but with us, are really the key to what makes us successful,” says Charles. “Chase and I figured out a long time ago that we aren't the smartest or the most talented but we try to hire people that have specific talents that help support what we do. We wouldn’t be able to have this growth if it weren’t for them.”

“That’s our message and culture here,” says Chase. “The people that work here are our family. Our customers are our family. We do a ton of business with new Americans and when they respect me enough to give us their business, they have our phone numbers, they call 24-7, and if they get in trouble, they have a big brother that will be there for them all of the time.”

Scrubby’s is also known for its community outreach in every area it’s planted. “We are monsters in the fundraising world,” says Chase. “We are all about fundraising for local schools, churches, and nonprofits in their efforts to raise money. That’s a big part of what we do.”

“The Pee Dee is our home,” says Charles. “We grew up here. We went to school here. I raised my kids here. We go to church here. We’re on different boards throughout the area and represent different organizations here. The money that we are fortunate enough to make stays here to support this community. That’s important to us. This is where we live, this is what we do. We are beyond excited to bring our Scrubby’s brand to Florence!”

OCTOBER 2023

Pee Dee Plant & Flower Festival, PD State Farmer’s Market, Florence

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

Child Health Day

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

The Wallflowers, FMU PAC, Florence

Columbus Day

FMU Occupational Therapy Doctorate Information Session, Carter Center for Health Science, Florence

Succulent Pumpkins Workshop, Growing Hobby, Florence

Eric Schultz with FSO, FMU

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

Eats on the Street, Downtown Dillon

Taste of Hartsville, Hartsville Country Club

Trunk or Treat, Central United Methodist Church, Florence

Ain’t Misbehavin’ Auditions, Florence Little Theatre

Boss’s Day National Grouch Day Boston Cream Pie Day

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

Florence County Museum

Airplant Suncatcher Workshop, Growing Hobby, Florence

Story Time in the Park Amazing Grace Park, Marion

Cooks For Christ Benefit, West Florence Fire Dept Don McLean, FMU PAC, Florence

Upside Down Planter Workshop, Growing Hobby, Florence FMU Concert Band, FMU PAC, Florence

Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, FMU PAC, Florence

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

Trunk or Treat, Highland Park Church, Florence

Candy Corn Day

Happy Halloween!

PAC, Florence

LOCAL EVENT CALENDAR + NATIONAL DAYS!

Saturday

Empty Bowls for Kids

St. Luke Church, Florence Crossroads Music/Market, Lake City

Kid’s Pumpkin Pizzazz, Forest Lake Greenhouses, Flo

Fall Plant Sale & Market, Moore Farms, Lake City Bluegrass Music, Grand Old Post Office, Darlington

FMU Open House, FMU

Downtown Florence Fright Fest, Downtown Florence

Pink Out Ladies Night, Carolina Trading Post, Florence

Sweet Potato Festival, Darlington Travis Tritt, Florence Center Wild Wonders, Forest Lake Greenhouses

Screen on the Green, Burry Park, Hartsville

Trucks ‘N Treats, Darlington Raceway

Kickin’ Chicken Wing and Chili Festival, Downtown Florence

Evening Under the Oaks, Historic Oak Manor, Hartsville

Witch's Run, Hartsville YMCA

FMU Fall Festival, FMU

Halloween Costume Ball, Florence Country Club

2023 Heart Walk, FMU PAC

Friday Night Flicks, Amazing Grace Park, Marion Bootanical Garden 2023, Moore Farms

Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee, Downtown Dillon

Night of Hope Oyster Roast, Hartsville Country Club

City-Center Farmers Market, Downtown Florence Saturdays, 9a-1p

Florence County Library Presents

Ghost Stories with Donna Washington

The Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library will be hosting Donna Washington, a well renowned storyteller, as she tells ghost stories for adults. There will be two programs on Tuesday October 10: one at 10:00 a.m.; and one at 5:30 p.m. in the Stukes Meeting Room.

Washington is an internationally known, multiple award winning storyteller, spoken word recording artist, and author. A highly animated performer, she has been entertaining, educating, and inspiring audiences with her vocal pyrotechnics and deep characterizations that bring folklore, literary tales, and personal narratives to life for over thirty years.

This program is free and open to adults and children 10+ years old (minors must be accompanied by parent or guardian). For information, call (843) 413-7074. The Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library is located at 509 S. Dargan Street in Florence. This program is made possible by Friends of Florence County Library.

Donna Washington

photos by Sleet Photograpy

Nicole Abbott

Discipline.

Endurance. Strength.

Performance. Interest.

All are qualities helpful in creating the perfect recipe for fitness success. It’s one that’s earned Nicole Abbott the Second Fittest in the World title this spring.

Abbott was born and raised in Zürich, Switzerland, by her single mother. At the age of 20, Abbott decided to travel to the United States to train at a gym in Massachusetts, where she was invited by a Karate world champion.

“I had just finished an apprenticeship and got a business degree in Switzerland, and I wanted to travel a bit before getting a real job. … At that gym, I met my husband in April of 1994. We got married in March of 1995 and moved to upstate New York for his first job as a mechanical engineer,” Abbott said. And Abbott started college so she could play soccer.

After a year, they moved back to Massachusetts and started their family. Abbott graduated with a bachelor’s degree in modern world languages and secondary education. She taught high school French and Spanish for two years. “My teacher salary barely covered daycare so I became a stay-at-home mom.” The Abbotts, now a family with three children, moved to Florence in December 2006 when her husband started working at Sonoco in Hartsville.

Long the active athlete, Abbott coached soccer. “One of my players told me about CrossFit, and she said I should take a class because she thought I’d like it. I didn’t know what CrossFit was, and I wasn’t interested in trying something new at the time.”

Another year passed before Abbott was persuaded to try it out.

story by Kim Brauss and pics by Fred Salley

“I remember that first class! I almost died and I couldn’t walk for five days, but I fell in love with it! I was amazed at what some of the women in that class were able to do,” Abbott said. “And I thought to myself: I want to be able to do that, too.”

Since 2013, Abbott has not only tried out CrossFit but also the owner at Pee Dee CrossFit got Abbott to compete in the CrossFit Open, an online competition, almost every year since. She also coaches CrossFit classes and does personal training.

“The Open is the first stage of qualification to the CrossFit Games. The Open is a worldwide competition that anyone can sign up for. So, thousands of people all over the world do the exact same workouts. At the end of the Open, the top 200 athletes in the age group divisions moved on to quarterfinals. The past two years they changed that to the top 10 percent.”

In 2018, she qualified for the CrossFit Games and came in fifth place. In 2019, the second time in the games, she reached sixth place as her shoulder shredded.

“I had three shoulder surgeries and two years of nonstop rehab and physical therapy. The next time I competed was 2022, which was my last year in the 45-49 age group. Then this year was my first year in the 50-54 division.”

And this year, 6,450 women signed up in Abbott’s age group.

“The second stage of qualifiers is the quarterfinals. Same as the Open, but only four workouts are scheduled. The other difference is you have to video all the workouts. If you’re in contention or near contention to move on to semifinals, they will watch your workouts to make sure you followed all the rules and standards. If you didn’t follow the standards, then points can be taken off your score and it will not only affect you, but it also affects the other athletes on the leaderboard.

“That’s what happened to me this year! I was in 39th after quarterfinals. So, nine spots out of qualifying for semifinals. I thought my season was over. But during the video review process, other athletes ahead of me kept getting penalized for not following rules and not upholding standards. Each day I kept moving a spot or two up. At the end of the video review, I was in 30th place. The last qualifying spot for semifinals. Semifinals were

“ And I thought to myself: I want to be able to do that, too.”

in May. One weekend, four workouts, 30 athletes. At the end of semis, I was in fifth place! I qualified for the CrossFit games for my third time.”

The CrossFit Games is a three-day competition with eight workouts. On day one, there were three workouts. On day two, there were three workouts, and on day three, two workouts. Each workout is different. What’s tested over those three days includes strength, power, endurance, gymnastics skills, speed, weightlifting, running and so much more.

“We had to do Olympic weightlifting, carry two 70 lb. bags, do burpees, wallballs, rowing, kettlebell swings, pull-ups, run 400m, handstand walk, box jumps, one-legged squats, run a 5K, pull a heavy sled, rope climbs, push a heavy sled, bar muscle ups, dumbbell squat snatches, and more.”

“I did well at the Games this year. I didn’t win a single workout! But my finishes were very consistent. I made no major mistakes. I’m fitter than I’ve ever been,” Abbott said. “I do have limits now because of my shoulder so I can admit I got lucky with the workouts. There was nothing I couldn’t do.”

“I don’t do CrossFit so I can compete. … I did it for me. I love CrossFit! I enjoy training! It makes me feel good! I enjoy training hard. I love the variety.

“And it feels amazing to say I’m the second fittest in the world! Because it validates what I’ve been doing since my surgeries and before. But most of all I’m happy I was able to perform well for my coach who’s always supported me and my kids and husband who’ve seen me go through the surgeries and rehab and have had to sacrifice some because of my training. That was my favorite part about standing on that podium. … I didn’t do it alone, I had so much support from so many.”

“ I don’t do CrossFit so I can compete. … I did it for me. I love CrossFit!

I enjoy training! It makes me feel good! I enjoy training hard. I love the variety.

Local Potters to Help Feed Florence County Children

When a community comes together to feed hungry children, everyone wins. On Saturday, October 7, St. Luke Lutheran Church will hold its first ever Empty Bowls 4 Kids, an event to feed Florence County’s hungry children. All proceeds will go to Help 4 Kids Florence, an organization that feeds approximately 2,400 food insecure children each week. Pastor Kehl of St. Luke’s got the idea to host this event from Empty Bowls, a grassroots effort that brings together potters and communities who give of their time, art, and money to feed local children.

The first person Pastor Kehl shared his idea with was Peggy Brown, a potter in his congregation. He told her that the event would need 100-150 bowls. Peggy eagerly took on the project and started looking for help. She found it on the pickleball court with her “clay partner" and fellow potter Sasha Federer. When Peggy asked Sasha about making bowls, he responded, “Yes, I do these things.”

A fitting response from a man whose passion for pottery began some 45 years ago with a forgotten lunch. Sasha was working as a clinical psychologist at an outpatient clinic for children in Washington, when he saw the program’s art director setting up a potting wheel. “I

sat behind the wheel and something started to grow in my hands.” Over the years, Sasha’s passion for and talents in clay grew as he took classes and made it into a career. Today in semi-retirement from head of the Psychology Department at Carolinas Hospital, he turns out one work of art after another. He especially enjoys mixing his own glazes and applying them to his works. He will donate 50 bowls to the Empty Bowls 4 Kids event.

Similarly, Peggy’s passion for clay began many decades ago as a factory worker at Haeger Pottery in her home state of Illinois. She started there at age 16 working on the production finishing line before ending up in the glazing spray booth. “I even did a special lettuce green leaf glaze with black spots on a few pieces that I planned to purchase for my mother for Mother’s Day.”

Those pieces caught the eye of Haeger’s ceramicist who took Peggy under her wing and sat her in front of a potting wheel for the first time. “She taught me how to pull up clay.” But it wasn’t until 2002 that Peggy took up the art again when a friend invited her to throw a piece on her wheel. Peggy’s clay work has expanded into a small studio with various artworks for sale. Peggy will also donate 50 bowls to the Empty Bowls 4 Kids event.

Pastor Kehl and Peggy Brown Donate Claywork for "Empty Bowls 4 Kids"

“We are really looking forward to the first Empty Bowls 4 Kids event, and we hope it will grow every year,” said Pastor Kehl. “We are excited to host the event and provide funds to feed Florence County’s hungry children. We look forward to a fun evening while supporting Help 4 Kids Florence’s mission to reduce childhood food insecurity in Florence County School Districts.”

You're Invited To Empty Bowls 4 Kids

Saturday, October 7 6:30p-8pm

$60/person

Handmade Bowl and Meal

Music by Allen Johnson

All proceeds to Benefit Help 4 Kids

St. Luke Lutheran Church

1201 Cherokee Road, Florence, SC stlukeflorence.org

Empty Bowls 4 Kids will be Saturday, October 7 from 6:30-8pm at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1201 Cherokee Road, Florence. Tickets are $60 and will include a handmade bowl by Peggy Brown and Sasha Federer, a soup supper, as well as entertainment by Allen Johnson. There will be a limited number of tickets available for advance purchase by calling St. Luke, 843-662-4622. All proceeds from the event will benefit the children who receive bags of food each Friday from Help 4 Kids Florence. Help 4 Kids Florence has been serving the food insecure children of our community for 11 years, and they need your help to continue their mission. Currently, H4KF is providing weekend bags of food for 2,140 children across Florence County at no cost to them or their families.

Please consider supporting Help 4 Kids’ Amazon Food Drive!

Youth & Substance Abuse

Engaging with students through travel

In 2017, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) youth development organization began in the county of Florence, South Carolina - Future Entrepreneurs. It envisions today's youth as tomorrow’s business, civic, and community leaders. The organization provides an opportunity for students to have oneon-one mentorship with business leaders in the community. It also allows them to ask questions to local entrepreneurs and to be involved in community service projects.

The Future Entrepreneurs organization began networking with business professionals and eventually had them speak with students within a classroom setting. The Board of Directors for Future Entrepreneurs observed how students became engaged when working with mentors. Students would create business plans and set goals while being guided by members of the organization that came from many different professional backgrounds.

The Organization’s mission is to prepare children for career development through

field trips in and outside of the state of South Carolina, and host community events highlighting entrepreneurship. In 2020, Future Entrepreneurs implemented the Young Innovators Program which aims to make support available to youth via online tutoring and mentorship services. The Young Innovators Program has given Future Entrepreneurs a platform to not only assist youth in the state of South Carolina but also help children and parents across the United States. The Board relies heavily on its volunteers and sponsors helping to spread the word about tutoring and mentorship through Future Entrepreneurs.

The Future Entrepreneurs Foundation mentors youth in the Florence community, South Carolina offering a life-changing positive impact for youth and the entire community. From exciting local business guest lecturers to dynamic field studies to local companies, students learn entrepreneurship skills in an experimental project-based approach. With our considerable knowledge of travel, heart for servitude, and financial resources, our platform starts youth on the path to global citizenship.

The Kids Travel Program empowers students to strengthen the leadership, creativity, and communication skills needed for success while positively affecting global communities.

The Future Entrepreneurs Foundation believes exposure is the key to growth, and travel serves as a catalyst to inspire young minds. For many of our youth, the world outside their communities is unknown. Our programs introduce students to cultural experiences abroad through hands-on learning and service. Exposure to new environments and global perspectives helps students find the best version of themselves while developing critical life skills.

The Future Entrepreneurs Foundation is a proud partner of the Florence Mayor's Youth Initiative established by Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin. We would like to thank the Duke Energy Foundation in support of the Future Entrepreneurs Foundation’s mission toward our Kids Travel Program.

You’ll remember an experience of a lifetime! Come spend Spring Break with us! in Dubai March 31-April 6

Children ages 17 and under have all expenses covered by Future Entrepreneurs.

*Need parent/guardian required to travel.

Youth package includes:

• Roundtrip flight

• Hotel accommodations

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner

• Activities Book now! Call 800-913-8261 www.scfutureentrepreneurs.com

McLeod Men:

Making Lives Better

Let’s start with the basics…What is McLeod Men? In 2014, a group of 60 men joined forces to become the McLeod Men – a philanthropic organization partnered with the McLeod Health Foundation. The purpose of the group is to provide healthcare-related educational opportunities for men to develop their knowledge of the importance of philanthropy on the healthcare for our region. An annual membership of $100 creates a fund to invest in projects that build and strengthen Foundationsupported programs through the power of joint philanthropy. Today, the group is made up of more than 120 men who together have donated nearly $46,000 to the community’s health needs in order to make lives better.

Barry Wingard, Chair of the McLeod Men Advisory Committee, was invited to become a charter member by the former McLeod Health Foundation Executive Director, Jill Bramblett. “I was a little flattered and agreed immediately,” said Barry. “I know a lot of people at McLeod including several doctors who have treated me over the years. The staff, and the whole organization, have always demonstrated professionalism and medical expertise. I thought it would be interesting and a great opportunity to learn more about McLeod.”

Meetings for the McLeod Men members are held quarterly over breakfast. During each meeting, a health-related educational presentation is given. While every meeting is impactful, Barry remembers a presentation about robotic surgery being particularly captivating. “We had a machine and video in the conference room and watched as a

our immediate contact, Kendra Collins. But, the entire staff plays a role in making our group what it is. They help coordinate the speakers, send mail about meetings or issues, and keep track of the money. They are our backbone.”

doctor peeled a grape. Amazing. And, we had the opportunity to try it. I could not peel a grape.”

Another speaker, Dr. Virginia Clyburn-Ipock, a radiation oncologist, gave an outstanding lecture on men’s health. “Here was a woman talking to over 100 men about our health,” says Barry. “She was funny but obviously an expert in her field.” Dr. Pat Denton, a highly regarded orthopedic surgeon, has spoken to the Men twice to talk about joint replacement. He most recently talked about how robotics is now part of orthopedics. “Others who have participated are from the administrative and business side of McLeod like Donna Isgett and Will McLeod who informed our group about the overall operations and future endeavors,” says Barry.

Over the course of nine years, McLeod Men has supplied grants for several life-changing projects

GerryBraunispicturedwith McLeodMenAdvisoryChair BarryWingard.

funded equipment used to enhance the patient experience. They were recognized in 2016 for supplying nine AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) for the City of Florence parks and recreation facilities. AEDs were conveniently located for use in emergency cases of sudden cardiac arrest at nine strategic locations.

The McLeod Men also took part in supporting the Butterfly Fund, a reserve that provides immediate support for Hospice and Palliative Care patients who struggle to afford basic items necessary for their care. This includes medication, nutrition, minor medical equipment, and other needs requiring urgent assistance. “I had a chance to serve on their board for a short time,” says Barry. “It was an eye opener about the needs in our community and the incredible McLeod nurses who fill those needs.”

Another aspect of the group that continues to have a strong effect on Barry is the McLeod Men members.

“They are a great cross-section of the Florence community. Bankers, lawyers, educators, elected officials…all are bringing different experiences to the table to help us support men’s health issues. It is a really fun group to be around, despite most of us being over the hill,” he says.

McLeod Men is also made possible due to the great support from the staff at McLeod Foundation. Barry explains, “It starts with Elizabeth Jones and our immediate contact, Kendra Collins. But, the entire staff plays a role in making our group what it is. They help coordinate the speakers, send mail about meetings or issues, and keep track of the money. They are our backbone.”

If you would like to learn more about becoming a member of McLeod Men, you can visit their website, www.mcleodfoundation.org and click the “Get Involved” tab.

Members of the McLeod Men groupincludeTimCunningham and Senator Mike Reichenbach.

Elevating Halloween Delights: The Art of Pairing Wine with Your Favorite Candy

story by Bryan Holt

As Halloween approaches, it's the perfect opportunity to indulge in both sweet treats and fine wines. Finding the right wine to complement your favorite Halloween candy might seem like an unorthodox adventure, but trust us, the flavors can harmonize in truly delightful ways. Let's take a little stroll through the world of Halloween candy and wine pairings that will leave your taste buds captivated.

Milk Chocolate Bars: Embracing Elegance

The classic milk chocolate bar exudes simple elegance. To match its smooth and creamy character, opt for a wine that won't overshadow it. A Pinot Noir, known for its light and fruity notes, or a Merlot with its approachable, wellrounded profile can create a partnership that enhances the chocolate's subtle sweetness.

Ideal Pairing - Revelry Merlot or Lingua Franca Pinot Noir

Candy Corn: Balancing Sweetness

Candy corn's polarizing reputation calls for a wine that can balance its sweetness. A semi-sweet Riesling or a Moscato can elevate the candy's sugary nature without overwhelming your palate. The wine's natural fruity undertones and gentle acidity will provide a delightful contrast to the candy's flavor.

Ideal Pairing - La Perlina Moscato or Urban Riesling

When it comes to pairing Halloween candy with wine, experimentation is key. These suggestions offer a starting point but don't hesitate to explore and discover your own eerie ensembles. With the right balance, your Halloween festivities can transform into a tasteful exploration that showcases the intricate interplay of flavors between candy and wine. Cheers to Halloween!!!

Dark Chocolate: Embracing Depth: Dark chocolate's complex bitterness requires a wine with depth and character. Look for a red wine with firm tannins and dark fruit notes, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Syrah. These wines possess the structure to stand up to the chocolate's intensity, creating a sophisticated combination.

Ideal Pairing - Cataclysm Cabernet Sauvignon or Michel Chapoutier Bila-Haut Rouge

Sour Candies: Crisp and Refreshing: For tangy and sour candies, a refreshing wine with bright acidity is key. A sparkling wine, like a Brut Champagne or a Prosecco, can cleanse your palate between bites, enhancing the candy's zesty flavors and leaving you refreshed.

Ideal Pairing - Charles Méras

Brut or Belstar Prosecco

Caramel Treats: Indulgent

Richness: Caramel's decadent sweetness pairs well with wines that offer similar indulgence. A Cream Sherry or a Tawny Port can echo the caramel's rich and nutty flavors, creating a luxurious experience that's perfect for savoring.

Ideal Pairing - Warre’s Otima 10 Tawny Port

Peanut Butter Cups: Nutty

Harmony: Peanut butter cups' nutty richness pairs beautifully with wines that offer similar depth. Consider a Ruby Port or a dessert wine like a lateharvest Zinfandel. These wines amplify the candy's nutty essence while adding a layer of sweetness that harmonizes with the chocolate.

Ideal Pairing - Sandeman Ruby

Porto

Licorice: Unexpected Allure: For black licorice aficionados, finding the right wine might seem mysterious. An earthy and aromatic wine like a Malbec or a Grenache can complement licorice's unique flavor profile. These wines bring a touch of spice and complexity that resonate with licorice's intriguing taste.

Ideal Pairing - Joel Gott’s Shatter Grenache

Gummy Candies: Embracing

Playfulness: Gummy candies' playful and fruity nature deserves a wine that matches its vivacity. An off-dry Riesling or a sparkling Rosé can amplify the candy's fruitiness and add a touch of effervescence, creating a lively and enjoyable pairing.

Ideal Pairing - Sofia Brut Rosé

is the owner of Cru Wine & Tap located in Downtown Florence, SC. He was the wine buyer at Micky Finn’s for over 20 years and is now the Spirits Manager at Global Party Shop located on West Palmetto Street.

with

Artist Marty Rhodes

Marty taught school for more than 40 years. She has also been a flight attendant and worked for a newspaper in Atlanta. However, she still finds herself drawn back to the classroom setting.

Q. Describe your art.

A. My current art is called "Color of His Life”. It’s water color pencil creatives and realistic drawings of various birds, fish, butterflies, dragon flies, and more.

Q. How has your art changed over the years?

A. I use to create art from objects like rocks, palmetto bark, and wine bottles. My art included photography, graphic art, word art, abstract paintings, and realistic paintings and drawings. I recently started dabbling with spray painting the surface with positioned stencils like leaves, palmetto fronds, branches, and roots followed by adding details to create a different abstract yet realistic form of art.

Q. What artist(s) do you admire?

A. I enjoy Picasso and more recently, artists who create art outside of the box like Nikki Farquharson. Many members of my family also have artistic talents that I’m fond of. My daughter, Charlee, has many talents. Her artwork is unique and impressive. My brother, Gary, can take a drawer and create an animal penthouse.

Q. What has been a favorite piece that you’ve created?

A. One of my favorite works is “S SELEMOH” which is the word homeless spelled backwards. It is a word art. My technique uses related phrases to create lines and details replacing detailed outlines of the image. This particular piece has 103 phrases about homelessness.

photo by Fred Salley

scan for more info & tickets

St. Ann Catholic Parish's

Halloween Costume Ball

St. Ann Catholic Parish has served the community of Florence since 1940 when it was founded as a mission church. The Parish is well known for its “Scholarship Tea Event” hosted in May where they raise money for area youth scholarships and also their “Come to the Manger” event during the Christmas season where dozens of nativity scenes are displayed through a weekend-long affair. This year, members have decided to add something new to the list by hosting their first annual Halloween Costume Ball for adults!

Mary Jane Weir, a parishioner since 2012, joined St. Ann’s with a committed heart to serve. When discussing their annual fundraisers, members approached the idea of doing something a bit different. “We wanted to have a themed event. Halloween provides the perfect theme for a fun and entertaining event for all aged adults,” said Mary Jane. “So many people love to celebrate Halloween, and this should be a great evening for adults to have fun, dress up as their favorite characters, and be entertained by a great band!”

The $85 admission fee for the Halloween Costume Ball benefits improvements to the church and facilities so that the Parish can expand their community services. In addition to the abovementioned events, St. Ann’s operates a food pantry at its location adjacent to McLeod Hospital, they distribute hygiene items for the homeless and make blankets and dresses for various charities through an interdenominational collaboration. During the Christmas season, they provide support to needy families by purchasing toys, clothes, and educational items via an Angel Tree. They also provide support for numerous special needs within the community and beyond. Proceeds from the Ball will help them continue these efforts and increase their giving.

The Halloween Ball begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and a social gathering. Attendees will be able to stroll through a silent auction while also being enticed by fun games. Upon arrival, individuals will have the opportunity for a spooky photo at the Halloween photo booth. Dinner is served at 7:00 p.m. From there on, guests are encouraged to hit the dance floor as a band plays some all-time favorite hits. Once the silent auction closes, a live auction will proceed. Costumes will be judged and prizes will be given to several favorite costume categories.

The night will be one to remember while also supporting a cause that benefits our entire community. “We are all called to help others according to our capacities,” says Mary Jane. “I love serving at St. Ann’s as giving back, especially through my church, is integral to my beliefs and the teachings of our church. I also enjoy fellowshipping and serving with others, as it is quite fulfilling to know that we are helping so many.”

St. Ann Catholic Parish has mastered how to combine fun with a great night spent with new and old friends during its Halloween Costume Ball. And, who doesn't enjoy dressing up every now and then? So get ready, pick out your perfect costume, and come dance the night away!

HALLOWEEN COSTUME BALL

October 21, 2023 | 6:30pm-11pm

Florence Country Club

$85 per person - Adults Only

Live Music • Silent & Live Auction

Food • Drinks • Games

Costume contest for the funniest, scariest & couples

St. Ann's Catholic Church, 133 S. Kemp St., Florence • 843.661.5012

www.stanncatholicparish.com

Meet Mrs. Lizzie

The importance of connecting with older adults

story by Cynthia Ford

We live amongst valuable treasures that yield a wealth of wisdom suitable to all ages. Specifically, adults who were born between 1923 and 1933 when so many structural things were occurring throughout the world. Families operated differently and occupational opportunities mirrored the necessities during that era of time. It’s important to capture stories and information for adults born between that time.

The mysteries and secrets of a lifetime are exposed through lived experiences and revelation. Everyone hopes to have a prosperous, healthy, and long life. Some promote consuming healthy foods and consistent activities as a way of extending their time. What holds the key to a long healthy life? Even with the best life practices, we cannot guarantee anything. However, those who have had the opportunity to have a long life can offer many words of wisdom and life experiences that could be helpful for generations to come.

When asked what is the secret to a long life, ninety-six-year-old Lizzie Ford simply said, “I don’t know. I just pray.” Lizzie expressed that she doesn’t feel any different in her 90s than she did when she was younger, except for minor knee pain.

As the matriarch of the Ford family, Lizzie is revered by her eleven children, multiple grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She often extends her love by cooking for many around the community.

Adults who are between the ages of 90 and 100 have survived many changes in this world. Sit and talk with an older adult while you have time. Soak in the information you need for now and save other information for future times when you could use it.

Lizzie is the fifth of her parent's nine children. She and her siblings grew up on a farm in Dillon County. She attended school until the fifth grade and began to work around the age of seven or eight helping with the tobacco crops. At age 12, Lizzie began cooking, and many years later people all around still brag about her skills in the kitchen.

Lizzie learned the value of working from her parents. She and her sisters would help her mother in the home and the boys would work outside of the home. On Saturdays, the family cleaned and on Sundays, they attended church. During the summer they worked in tobacco and also picked cotton. She remembers the family earning around $12 per week.

Lizzie attended a school in Hayestown in Dillon County near Fork Chapel Church. She recalls all the students of different ages being in the same room. She didn’t have the luxury of riding a bus to school, as she and her siblings would get up early in the morning and walk a long way to get to school. After the fifth grade she discontinued attending school and focused her efforts in the home.

When Lizzie was younger, if you went to someone's home and misbehaved, you would get in trouble at their home too. She believes that children should mind adults better. Lizzie remarked that she and her siblings were allowed to go to their family members' homes but did not stay overnight. They didn’t have a specific time to be back home but had to be in the yard by dark. Some of their favorite games to play were hopscotch, marbles, and riding bicycles. They also loved playing baseball. Lizzie feels that children use to play outside more and were never allowed to be in adult conversations. She maintains the same expectations in her home today.

As a child, Lizzie learned to cook by watching her mother. One of her favorite things to do was be around her mother when she was cooking. As a result, she became an excellent cook and passed the skills down to her children. As a family tradition, Lizzie, now with the assistance of her daughters, creates Sunday dinners where they enjoy conversation and a great meal. As practiced, the table is set with the spread of food to be shared. Family gatherings are not taken lightly.

Lizzie remembers meeting her grandparents, Jim and Lula Clark and Luke and Lizzie Canery. Luke was a tall Native American with long black, pretty hair, and Lula, was an African American. She notes that her grandfather was very protective of her. She learned a lot from her experiences with her grandparents and her parents Bishop and Sallie Canery.

At the age of 16, Lizzie married her husband Olin Ford, Sr. and remained married until he preceded her

in death. She remembers their wedding being really quick, as they married at the local courthouse. She and her husband eventually moved from Dillon County and purchased a home in Marion County. She jokes that you could count the fact that she has eleven children, and said, "I bet you can’t tell me how many grandchildren I have." From the eleven children, sprouts a huge number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A brother, William Canery, and Lizzie are the remaining siblings. Throughout the years she maintained a close loving relationship with her siblings and enjoyed every opportunity spent together. William Canery has also recently joined the 90s club.

Even in her 90s, Lizzie expressed she doesn’t like to sit around and do nothing. She believes that will cause your life to go down quicker. She enjoys seeing others happy, especially from a meal she prepared. She has passed down skills of canning vegetables and the mindset of working for what you want to her children. She still prefers fresh home-cooked meals compared to fast food dining. She also still practices putting away vegetables from the garden or from the farmer's market.

Family connection, joy, laughter, and God keep her going. Her mother taught her to be mindful of her appearance anytime she goes anywhere and she has always taken pride in looking her best. Upon first glance, most see her as the quiet humble person she is, yet she has gained the respect of many and established a boundary that yields the utmost respect.

Lizzie’s motto to her family is that, “She wants everyone to continue to stay together and to love one another.” She’s an unsung hero right in the heart of Marion County with a heart of gold who loves people and loves to see others happy. Her meals have fed many, and her words and actions are timeless.

It’s important to soak in the knowledge from older adults. Their experiences can help shape the activities and behaviors of others today if they’re open to receiving them. Adults who are between the ages of 90 and 100 have survived many changes in this world. Sit and talk with an older adult while you have time. Soak in the information you need for now and save other information for future times when you could use it.

Something to Celebrate...

Chris Keasler, Tonette Chatman-Brown, and Demeco Heath from Spectrum Enterprise along with Chamber Ambassadors cut the ribbon joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Spectrum Enterprise is excited to offer a comprehensive and modernized approach to helping companies do business. With a stellar line of products including dedicated fiber, managed network security, Unified Communications, and many other exciting and truly customizable services, they look forward to doing business with Florence and all surrounding areas. Their goal is to truly understand a company’s business goals and create a plan to help your business run more efficiently, while reaching milestone after milestone.

To contact Spectrum Enterprise to set up a meeting you can contact Tonette Chatman-Brown at 803-231-9996 or Tonette. chatman-brown@charter.com

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. Announces MacLennan Was Selected as One of the 2023 SC Lawyers Weekly Leadership in Law

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. is pleased to announce that Perry MacLennan has been selected as one of the 2023 South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leadership in Law honorees.

Perry is among 34 attorneys from across the state to be recognized. Leadership in Law honorees are nominated by peers and selected by South Carolina Lawyers Weekly. Honorees have achieved success in their practice and have made a positive impact on the legal community as well as the community at large.

Having always been passionate about serving in the legal profession, Perry has volunteered in various leadership roles in state and national legal organizations. He has served as the U.S. National Representative for the International Association of Young Lawyers and on the South Carolina Bar (SC Bar) Board of Governors. He was active in the SC Bar Young Lawyers Division (YLD) for eight years, eventually serving as President, and served on the American Bar Association YLD Senior Cabinet for five years.

In the local community, Perry serves as a Board Member for Helping and Lending Outreach Support (HALOS) and on the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Human Resources Committee. He also has an active practice assisting non-profit organizations with employment law matters.

Duke Energy Foundation Grant Helps Fund Young Explorers

Duke Energy came out in full force to the North Florence Boys & Girls Club on Friday. The Duke Energy In Action Team trimmed hedges, put out pine straw, cleaned air vent registers, replaced air filters, and power washed the sidewalk.

“It’s a joy to serve,” said one volunteer.

First, they delivered a $10,000 grant from Duke Energy Foundation to fund transportation for the Young Explorers Program.

This summer, the Young Explorers Program was our first concentrated effort to serve the homeless and with your assistance we want to continue the program throughout the school year. This program provides access to the Club for youth that are homeless. The majority of these youth live in hotels and shelters.

Students receive a full meal at the Club, and, through our partnership with Help4Kids, they will take home meals.

The program’s priorities will be the same as for all our youth - one that provides a comprehensive youth development program that deliveries impact, including Daily homework help (Monday – Thursday), Weekly supplemental ELA & Math activities, Weekly STEM, character development, and fitness programming, and Enriching field studies on non-school days.

Some of our other partners include SC Department of Social Services, SC Department of Education, SC DHEC, F1S, shelters, BeeHelpful Transportation, and of course our Club Board that is committed to serve these kids.

The Marion Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Southern Belle & Beaus Boutique on Friday, Sept. 15th at 2:30pm. Marion Chamber President, Byron Beck welcomed those attending and Mayor Ashley Brady thanked owner Beth Williams for investing in Marion. They are located at 614 North Main and will be open Monday-Friday 10am-7pm and Saturday 9am-2pm. Visit this unique boutique and browse the wonderful selection of children’s clothing, accessories and more.

MacLennan

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

FMU receives $25,000 from Honda to fund cybersecurity initiatives Francis Marion University recently received $25,000 in funding from Honda of South Carolina to support the expansion of cybersecurity initiatives at the university. The funding will allow the university to begin establishing additional curricula in cybersecurity that will benefit both students as well as community members.

Funding from this gift will be used to provide specialized equipment and software to train and certify students in cybersecurity. Faculty training will also be available through this generous support.

FMU’s School of Business and Computer Science program will be home to this new initiative. Job growth in the cybersecurity industry is expected to increase 35 percent in the next ten years. With Honda’s generous support, FMU will have the opportunity to increase the number of qualified individuals in the Pee Dee region.

“Time and time again, Honda has stepped forward with generous support for our programs,”  said FMU President Fred Carter. “All they ask in return is the opportunity to interview and hire our graduates into fine careers. These types of corporate partnerships are an important part of the future of this university. They are also essential to the success of the entire region.”

Florence Chamber Welcomes Victoria Mitchell, Owner of Mitchell's Soul Food

Victoria Mitchell (owner) along with family members, friends and Chamber Ambassadors welcomed Mitchell’s Soul Food Restaurant to the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Victoria’s Love of God, family, food, and tradition are the cornerstones of Mitchell's Soul Food. As a child, Victoria's mother would fry fish every Friday for the family. It is one of Victoria's fondest memories and would be the inspiration for starting her business. The Friday fish fries forged a family tradition that she has passed to her children and her children have passed to theirs. Motivated by her family who believed she was the best cook in the world, Victoria Mitchell opened Mitchell's Fish house and Seafood Market in April of 2014 in Norfolk, VA. Since the successful launch of her first restaurant in Norfolk, Victoria has taken her food on the road! Mitchell’s Soul Food has thrived at several locations including Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam Air Force Base, and Schofield Barracks, located in Hawaii. In 2017, Mitchell’s Soul Food returned to Columbia, SC which is where she spent over 12 years raising her family. By that time the business had a new look with the same great taste! Columbia welcomed Mitchell’s Mobile food truck with open arms! Customers from all over the city were lining up to get a taste of the south! In 2022, Victoria was invited to set up shop in Florence, SC. Mitchell’s Soul Food most recently opened its doors in September 2023, at Florence Regional Airport, right outside of the TSA checkpoint!

Mitchell’s Soul Food is located at 2100 Terminal Drive in Florence.

MUSC Health Florence and Marion Medical Centers Announce DAISY Award Recipients

MUSC Health Florence and Marion Medical Centers would like to announce the most recent DAISY honorees. The DAISY award is given to a nurse whose job performance exemplifies the mission, vision and values of MUSC Health. The recipient must also keep a consistent focus on meeting patient-family goals, collaborate with the healthcare team to meet patients’ needs, use critical thinking to deliver extraordinary patient care, and demonstrate a caring attitude, as well as professionalism in the workplace during all situations, according to the hospital announcement.

MUSC Health Florence Medical Center recently named 8th floor MedSurg registered nurse, Teresa Jenkins, as the latest recipient of the DAISY Award for nursing. She has spent 37 years in nursing. “As a little girl I always had compassion for others and put their needs before my own,” Jenkins said.

She was nominated by patient, Bart Meyers, and Linda Meyers, and described Jenkins as, “present every day with a smile on her face and a calm patient spirit. I watched her handle so many issues at one time, it was amazing. She never got frustrated or impatient. She is here early and stays late at the end of her shift to make sure her patients have what they need. She is thoughtful and thorough.”

Jenkins’ co-workers describe her as, “dedicated, kind, respectful to patients and staff alike, having a passion for nursing, compassionate, thorough and knowledgeable.”

MUSC Health Marion Medical Center recently also named Licensed Practical Nurse Shenna Davis, as the latest recipient of the DAISY Award for nursing.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. Recipients of the DAISY Award are chosen quarterly by the DAISY committees at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center and MUSC Health Marion Medical Center.

Davis Jenkins

Boston Cream Pie or Is It?

No confection is as cloaked in mystery as the Boston Cream Pie. It seems that no one knows where this popular dessert came from, how it was named after Boston, or even why it’s called a pie at all.

The Boston Cream Pie is a confusing dessert in more than just its name. Tracing its local origins is not exactly as easy as pie (or is it cake?). “History is the past agreed upon. In which case, there is no history of Boston Cream Pie because nobody can agree,” Susan Wilson, a historian at the Omni Parker House.

The story of the first Boston Cream Pie is a layered one. Chef Augustine François Anezin first introduced the delicacy at the Parker House, now the Omni Parker House.

However, according to Wilson, the details down to the French chef’s and dessert’s names are disputed. Anezin’s last name is widely misreported as Sanizan, likely due to a 1925 interview where his name was misprinted. The mistake runs rampant, Wilson said and has even been printed in publications like the Wall Street Journal.

You see from the 1920s throughout the rest of the 20th century, and still to this day it’s misprinted in papers because people keep copying the past and repeating the error.

Chef Anezin’s confection appeared on the hotel’s menu in 1865, but similar desserts began to pop up around the area, with names like American Pudding Pie, Washington Pie, and Chocolate Cream Pie. Although we see it on historical menus, the original ingredients may never be known. One of the essential problems is that menus are not recipes. So menus exist and you can find names on menus, and recipe books exist where you can find the name of a thing and then read the recipe for that. But you never know what recipe the chef used to create the menu if it’s not documented.

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

I did travel to Boston a few years ago, stayed at the Omni Parker House and walked the halls reading all the history packs like Ralph Waldo Emerson stayed here, Mark Twain, renowned author known for writing The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Charles Dickens, celebrated author known for such works as Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and A Tale of Two Cities, Babe Ruth, legendary baseball player and the list went on and on. I came across a picture of the old kitchen by the restaurant entrance that said “Home of the Boston Cream Pie." So I had to walk in and order one with a cup of coffee. As I enjoyed this mid-afternoon treat sitting at the very table JFK and Jackie O once sat, I asked myself is this really a pie? From a historical perspective, maybe some would say that during colonial times, the words “cake” and “pie” were used interchangeably. Some would say the cake was baked in pie tins. But it’s really a sponge cake that has a custard filling topped with chocolate.

In colonial times, New England was one of the only regions of the country to have easy access to chocolate. Other regions had to have their chocolate shipped in which was difficult and costly. Due to the rarity of its production, chocolate and any dishes or beverages that used it were available to a select few. It would have been a relatively

The Boston Cream Pie is a confusing dessert in more than just its name.

exclusive dessert at that time, primarily for the upper middle class. Additionally, most components of baked goods (i.e. sugar and cacao) came with a high cost.

While the dessert was popularized in the 19th century, the Boston Cream Pie didn’t pick up the name Boston Cream Pie until the second half of the 20th century that we see and think of today.

The dish exploded in popularity in the 1950s, when Betty Crocker included it in her cookbook. Crocker also began making a boxed mix of Boston Cream Pie in 1958, which was sold into the 1990s.

“Best of luck to all of you in recreating this piece of culinary history. Of course, if you’d rather leave the creation and experience to Parker House, stop in next time you’re in Boston for great food and a slice of Boston Cream Pie for dessert. JFK and Jackie’s table awaits.”

-Omni Parker House

The Original Boston Cream Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

Sponge Cake

• 7 eggs, separated

• 8 oz. sugar

• 1 cup flour

• 1 oz. melted butter

Icing

• 5 oz. fondant for white icing

• 6 oz. fondant for chocolate icing

• 3 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, melted

Method:

For the cake:

Pastry Cream

• 1 tbsp. butter

• 2 cups milk

• 2 cups light cream

• ½ cup sugar

• 3 ½ tbsp. cornstarch

• 6 eggs

• 1 tsp. dark rum

Step 1: Separate egg yolks and whites into two separate bowls. Add ½ of the sugar to each bowl. Beat both until peaked. When stiff, fold the whites into the yolk mixture. Gradually add flour, mixing with a wooden spatula. Mix in the butter. Pour this mixture into a 10-inch greased cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until spongy and golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool fully.

Step 2: Bring to a boil in a saucepan the butter, milk, and light cream. While this mixture is cooking, combine the sugar, cornstarch, and eggs in a bowl and whip until ribbons form. When the cream, milk, and butter mixture reaches the boiling point, whisk in the egg mixture and cook to boiling. Boil for one minute. Pour into a bowl and cover the surface with plastic wrap. Chill overnight if possible. When chilled, whisk to smooth out and flavor with 1 tsp. dark rum.

Step 3: Level the sponge cake off at the top using a slicing knife. Cut the cake into two layers. Spread the flavored pastry cream over one layer. Top with the second cake layer. Reserve a small amount of the pastry cream to spread on the sides to adhere to the almonds.

For the chocolate and white fondant icing:

Step 4: For the chocolate fondant: Warm 6 oz. of white fondant over boiling water to approximately 105 degrees. Add melted chocolate. Thin to a spreading consistency with water. For the white fondant: Warm 5 oz. of white fondant over boiling water to approximately 105 degrees. Thin with water if necessary. Place in a piping bag with a 1/8-inch tip.

Alternate approach to Step 4: Melt the chocolate. Combine with warm water. Combine ingredients and warm to approximately 105 degrees. Adjust the consistency with water. It should flow freely from the pastry bag.

Step 5: Spread a thin layer of chocolate fondant icing on the top of the cake. Follow immediately with spiral lines starting from the center of the cake, using the white fondant in the pastry bag. Score the white lines with the point of a paring knife, starting at the center and pulling outward to the edge. Spread the sides of the cake with a thin coating of the reserved pastry cream. Press on toasted almonds for the final step of our classic Boston Cream Pie recipe.

Rachel Liptak’s, Librarian at the Timmonsville branch of the Florence County Library System, Book Review of 2020 Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley:

Generations of students have studied Beowulf, the Old English epic poem. You may remember—fondly or otherwise— reading one of the many translations that academics and poets have undertaken. Maybe you enjoyed it, the adventures of the eponymous hero stirring you; or maybe the density of language and layers of cultural context needed to understand its intricacies overwhelmed you. Whatever the case, you’ll find Maria Dahvana Headley’s 2020 Beowulf: A New Translation to be unlike any version of the story you’ve read before.

Written in mainly modern American English vocabulary, this translation bridges the millennium between when the poem was first recorded and now, making its ancient conflicts and relationships more understandable to a modern audience. Headley mixes Internet-era slang (because of the profanity in it, the translation is unlikely to appear on any high school reading list) with some of the poem’s Old English roots. These few carefully-chosen words

and poetic techniques—particularly kennings and abundant alliteration, for the English majors among us—remind readers of the epic’s ancient roots. But don’t let these convince you that the translation is too daunting to tackle; more than anything, they drive the narration forward—as if a story about battling monsters and dragons needed any help on that front. The result is a poem that still feels very 10th-century, while being understandable to 21stcentury readers.

Headley’s translation is available in our consortium as a print book and a CD audiobook. Even if you’re not an audiobook aficionado, Beowulf is at its best aloud. Whether you read this newest translation or listen to it, though, you’ll be taking part in a long literary tradition, and helping make true Queen Wealhtheow’s words to the hero:

“You’re famous here, and long after your lifetime, you’ll be known, your story sweeping as the sea, shores borne into being by waves of words.”.

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.

Headley