Your garden is key to keeping New Year resolutions

As we ring in 2023, many people will start thinking about resolutions for better living, losing weight, and whatnot. However, I would wager a guess that any of your resolutions, no matter what they are, can be accomplished in the garden.

Exercise more. Moving your body and being active will help burn calories, stretch muscles, and produce a healthy heart rate.

According to many activity trackers, including MyfitnessPal, Noom, Calory, and a lengthy meta-analysis1, getting out in the garden can have compounding positive effects on burning calories and an overall positive sense of well-being. So don’t get stressed about making it to that CrossFit class when you can go in your backyard and pull weeds for 30 minutes to exercise and have a measurable benefit in your yard. Save money. I, too, have heard the joke about folks spending $150 on gardening supplies for a $1 tomato. I agree tomatoes are complex, and the costbenefit is only sometimes there. That is why I don’t suggest growing tomatoes or wheat in the backyard to save money. But I do recommend having a pot of herbs. But herbs like thyme, basil, cilantro, and rosemary never stay fresh long enough at the grocery store. They are easy to grow with minimal garden supplies. See https:// hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/herbs/ for more information, or pick up our herb gardening factsheet at the Clemson Extension Office. Do more community good. Many people want to give back to the community in a meaningful way. The act of altruism is a singularly fantastic feeling for a person. The Pee Dee is home to several spectacular community gardens and community beautification opportunities. After even a few hours of service, you can have a visible impact on a greenspace that the entire community can enjoy. For more information on opportunities, call the Florence County Extension Office at 843-661-4800, and we can provide you with a list of groups looking for eager volunteers.

Try something new. If you want to try a new adventure, try gardening. Or better yet, try a different aspect of gardening. For example, try your hand at caring for a bonsai tree or set up a hydroponic system in a Florida room. There is no end to where you can go with gardening, and Clemson Extension is here to help you on your journey. Find peace. Many people will begin their journey this year with goals of being more mindful, having more gratitude, and finding solace. These are found in a garden. Go out in the garden or to a park and prac- tice being present. Notice the plants around you, listen to the sounds that you can hear, smell the flowers, and feel the leaves of grass underneath your shoes. This activity is a great technique to ground yourself in the present, and not be consumed by past and future worries.

Just remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day and, much like all aspects of gardening, progress is not linear. Keeping resolutions can be challenging, and your resolutions may have many parts. Still, I encour- age you to try incorporating outdoor time into your goal. I bet you will find that is one of the easier ways to keep to your resolution. That is until about July, and then I would have an indoor backup plan for your resolution because it’ll be mighty hard to get out there in a South Carolina summer. Happy gardening and have a blessed New Year.

Carrmen Ketron. Urban Horticulture Agent. Master Gardener Coordinator Darlington & Florence Counties.

The Florence Symphony Orchestra presents “Classical Soul” at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center on Feb. 13.

Pianist Mackenzie Melemed will perform with the Florence Symphony Orchestra, playing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Melemed, a Steinway Artist, has performed in venues such as The White House, Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully

Hall, Warsaw Philharmonic Hall and the Helsinki Music Centre.

Also featured in this performance is Overture to Fidelio by Beethoven and Symphony No.5 by Sibelius.

Country Club stunner with so many features! This home has been meticulously cared for by the owners. Gourmet kitchen with Wolf range, Thermador oven and Sub Zero refrigerator. Wet bar has icemaker and wine rack. First level master bedroom with fireplace and one entire closet dedicated to shoes. Hardwood floors, formal living room also has a fireplace with gas logs and a large formal dining room. Large casual den off kitchen. Downstairs guest room with full bath. Front porch has 22x18 covered living space with TV and out back is a 23x15 patio under a pergola with kitchen and wood burning fireplace. In addition to the two car garage there is a carport in the backyard with a workshop and craft room/playroom above. Automatic gates for driveway, security system with camera for every entrance, plus entire house generator. Short walk or golf cart ride to Florence Country Club. This home will not disappoint.

FLORENCE

Bazens Family Restaurant - 704 S. Irby Street

Boys & Girls Club - 310 W. Roughfork Street

B.P. - 4798 E. Palmetto Street

B.P. - 400 Pamplico Hwy.

BTC Building - 181 E. Evans Street

Captain D's - 201 Second Loop Road

Carolina Bank - 1538 S. Irby Street

Carolina Collectables - 1224A S. Irby Street

Carolinian - 718 S. Dargan Street

Carriage House - 739 Parker Drive

Chris’s Diner - 1513 Pamplico Hwy.

Convenience Corner Shell - 1315 Pamplico Hwy.

Courtyard by Marriott - 2680 Hospitality Blvd.

Dr. Welch - 1343 Second Loop Road

Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library - 509 S. Dargan Street

Elmcroft - 3006 Hoffmeyer Road

Fairfield Inn - 501 Woody Jones Blvd.

Finklea Law - 814 W. Evans Street

Florence Chamber of Commerce - 100 W. Evans Street

Florence Center - 3300 W. Radio Drive (3 locations)

Florence Little Theatre - 300 S. Dargan Street

Florence Pediatric Dentistry - 680 Senior Way

Golden Crown - 1988 W. Palmetto Street

Gregg Brothers Store - 3045 Francis Marion Road

Harris Teeter - 1930 W. Palmetto Street

Healthy Food Store - 2015 Elijah Ludd Road

Hotel Florence - 126 W. Evans Street

IGA - 525 E. Ebenezer Road

IGA - 2300 Pamplico Hwy.

INS Foods Exxon - 2351 Pamplico Hwy.

Janney - 1831 W. Evans Street, Suite 220

Jumpin J's - 898 S. Irby Street

King Cadillac Buick GMC - 1700 W. Evans Street

KP 76 Express - 3105 E. Palmetto Street

Liquors of Florence - 1200 W. Evans Street

Manna House - 450 Jarrott Street

Markette #16 - 1419 S. Irby Street

Mike Reichenbach Customer Service - 600 N. Coit Street

MUSC Health - Florence Medical Center - 800 Pamplico Hwy.

Emergency/waiting, Jazzmans, elevator area, Mall C entrance, Womans Center main entrance

New Generations - 2111 W. Jody Road

Palmetto Chop Shop - 1927 W. Palmetto Street

Paul Davis Dentistry - 220 A Cherokee Road

Pee Dee Thrift Store - 1650 E. Palmetto Street

MUSC Health broke ground in January 2021 to construct the new rural hospital located in Cades. MUSC Health Black River Medical Center was built to replace Williamsburg Regional (Kingstree) and Lake City Community hospitals and will become part of the MUSC Health Florence Division. From the beginning, MUSC Health worked diligently with Williamsburg Regional Hospital (Kingstree) and Lake City Community Hospital to create a planned and purposeful community transition.

“Today marks a great day in this area for every-

Pee Dee Thrift Store - 1524 S. Irby Street

Phoenix Mart - 2698 David McLeod Blvd.

Poynor Adult Education - 301 S. Dargan Street

Presbyterian Home - 2350 W. Lucas Street

Residence Inn - 2660 Hospitality Blvd

Rogers BBQ - 2004 Second Loop Road

Senior Center - 600 Senior Way

Shannon's - 2554 W. Palmetto Street

South Florence Exxon - 3099 S. Irby Street

South Florence Feed & Seed - 3901 S. Irby Street

Southland Healthcare - 722 S. Dargan Street

Springhill Suites by Marriott - 2670 Hospitality Blvd.

Stifel Nicolaus - 1325 Cherokee Road

The Manor - 2100 Twin Church Road

The Wash Tub Laundry - 910 E. Palmetto Street

The Wash Tub Laundry one in the community,” said MUSC Health Black River Executive Director Allen Abernethy. “We have worked tirelessly to make this the best rural hospital and provide the best care possible. I think we’ve done that, and we should be proud.”

Approximately 90% of current employees and providers from Lake City Hospital and Williamsburg Regional Hospital are employed at MUSC Health Black River Medical Center or other MUSC facilities in Florence, Marion, or the Charleston areas.

The 64,000 sq. ft. rural hospital will allow resi- dents of the community to have access to a full range of modern diagnostic and interventional capabilities. Some of the services offered include 3-D mammography, MRI, nuclear medicine, CT scanning, on-site pharmacy, and a complete imaging department. The new facility features 25 inpatient beds, four observation beds, two operating rooms, and 16 emergency treatment rooms. The new hospital serves Williamsburg and lower Florence counties and assumes the roles of Williamsburg Regional Hospital and Lake City Community Hospital.