March/April 2017

Anderson andersonmagazine.com March/April 2017

magazine

America’s Favorite Pastime

Hits the Road

Artisan Gardens

Feed the Soul

Role Reversal

caring for aging parents

March/April 2017

contents table of

andersonmagazine.com Publisher/Editor April Cameron Advertising Sales Jeanie Campbell Kim Ellison

Anderson County Jobs Trending Upward

6

Role Reversal Caring for Aging Parents

8

This Little Theater Came to Market

12

Artisan Gardens Feed the Soul

14

Flipping Out The “house flipping” trend

22

The Business of Farming

44

America’s Favorite Pastime Hits the Road

28

Soccer is What’s Up at the Electric City Cup

32

Faith Community Nursing Program

34

Golfing Guide

38

A Place for Every Student

42

Graphic Design Jennifer Walker Contributing Writers Caroline Anneaux John Boone Liz Carey Lisa Marie Carter Anna Craft Andy Hazle Mike McMillan Chris Stiles Greg Wilson Jay Wright Contributing Photographers Black Truffle Photography Tyler Baldwin – Crescent High School Life is a Tripp Photography JC Images Madison Ladines – Pendleton High School Norma Hughes Smith Anderson Magazine is published six times a year.

Advertising Inquiries: AndersonMagJeanie@gmail.com 864-634-9191 Kim@andersonmagazine.com 864-221-2886 Editorial Inquiries: News@andersonmagazine.com 864-221-8445

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Working in Anderson County

46

Go Fish Profiles of major players in the Anderson area fishing arena

48

Anderson Roots Author Bren McClain

54

Cover Photography by Black Truffle Photography

58

Anderson Magazine PO Box 3848 Anderson, SC 29622 864.221.8445

Special Olympics Spring Games

Copyright: All contents of this issue ©2017, Anderson Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner without prior consent of the publisher. The publishers believe that the information contained in this publication is accurate. However, the information is not warranted, and Anderson Magazine does not assume any liability or responsibility for actual, consequential or incidental damages resulting from inaccurate erroneous information.

Making Landfall

FRIED SE

CHOICE OF TARTAR

OR COCKT

FISH & CHIPS….…… ………………

FRIED CLAMS……… …………………

FRIED CATFISH…… …………………

FRIED SHRIMP……… ………………

FRIED OYSTERS.…… ………………

CHOOSE ANY 2 COMB O……………

SIDE

Downtown Anderson

……………………FREN CH…………

FRIES | HOMEMADE ………… …………17 COLE SLAW | BLEU

CHILDREN’S M (12 AND

CHEESEBURGER DERBY PIE………..5

CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE TOPPED WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM

UNDER ONLY) INC

| GRILLED CHEE

DESSERT

MAPLE BREAD PUDD IN

TOPPED WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM AN MAPLE SYRUP

Lake Hartwell

1476 Harbor Light Marina Hartwell, Georgia 706-356-1230 *Consuming raw

Lake Murray

1925 Johnson Marina Chapin, South Carolina 803-749-1555

or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, foodborne illness, shellfi especially if you have certain m

Fresh seafood

Great sandwiches

126 North Main St. Anderson, SC

Giant portio 864-760-1

Serving Lunch & Dinner Wednesday thru Sunda From the

family that brought you

Letter from the Editor The warmer months are upon us, and we are already enjoying the benefits of living in the South! It doesn’t take long for us in South Carolina (and the Anderson community) to start whipping out the flip flops and shorts when the temp hits the 60s after the official months of winter.

Some people, unlike lucky me, just see the spring as the dreaded allergy season! Pollen is lurking around every plant and bush. Flowers and green grasses are the enemy causing sneezes, headaches, watery eyes and more.

Then, some other people, like me, relish this time of year! I can’t wait to shed the long pants and boots (although I do adore my boots).

I can’t wait for days of sitting on the deck in the sun instead of wrapped up in a blanket on the couch.

But for me, and also many other parents, spring also means it is time to pack a chair, a cooler full of Gatorade and snacks, and spend every weekend burning up the roads to a baseball tournament somewhere.

Travel baseball has become a huge activity for many families in our community – and everywhere – for that matter. Elementary school age children up to high school age kids spend their weekends playing baseball from sun up to sun down. And loving every minute of it.

Including my child! We’ve got a great story on the kids, the parents and the coaches dedicated to this travel ball phenomenon.

And speaking of sports, our friends at VisitAnderson announced that the “super bowl” of fishing, the BassMaster Classic will return to Hartwell Lake in 2018. What a great opportunity for Anderson County to host this tournament again! We’ve always known our lake was amazing, but it seems the rest of the world has caught on too!

We’ve got a great story on three local fishermen who grew up fishing on Hartwell and how some are making a name for themselves as professionals in this competitive arena. Check out their stories and hear about their love of the sport.

Other stories in this issue that I know you will enjoy include a great feature on the house flipping trend and what you should look for if this kind of thing interests you. We also look at the business side of agriculture. Farming isn’t just about the hard work of getting your hands dirty in the dirt! There’s so much involved with the business aspect of it, and we talk to a local farmer who takes responsibility for all sides of the business. And if you like to swing a big stick at a little white ball for relaxation, you’ll really enjoy the golf guide we’ve pulled together this issue.

Ladies and gentlemen, spring has sprung and brought along some warmer weather, lots of outdoor activities and perhaps a seasonal allergy or two. Hope you’ll be able to enjoy reading this issue of Anderson Magazine in the warm sunshine or your back deck, perhaps…maybe on a boat dock…maybe on a boat…or at the ballfield in between games.

Enjoy!

~April

andersonmagazine.com 4 March/April 2017

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE AN ADULT TO “GIVE BACK” Youth in Anderson Are Making A Difference “Giving Back” is not just something adults do. We often overlook some our best resources when we talk about giving back – our youth. Middle-school age and high-school age youth have a lot to offer! While their pockets may be empty for donating dollars, their energy and spark for making a difference is full!

We are proud to have in the Anderson community an avenue for capturing that energy to spark good work that is helping others, all the while, giving youth an opportunity to experience and learn from giving back.

Through the United Way of Anderson County, youth can get involved through the Youth Volunteer Corps. The Volunteer Youth Corps (YVC) is a national service program aimed at creating volunteer opportunities to address community needs and to inspire youth for a lifetime commitment to service. YVC is a network of affiliated organizations across the U.S. and Canada engaging youth ages 11-18 in team-based, structured, diverse, flexible service-learning opportunities.

In 2016, the Youth Volunteer Corps of Anderson was named a 2016 Gold Level YVC Affiliate, one of less than 15 YVC programs throughout the U.S. and Canada awarded this honor. The Gold Level rating goes only to the very top YVC programs that serve as stand-out examples for how the program can serve its community.

As summer months will quickly be upon us, what better way for a youth to spend some time than to volunteer!

To learn more or become a part of the Youth Volunteer Corps go to www.yvcanderson.org. n

“I love to volunteer, because I enjoy making a difference in people’s lives, big or small. Whether it’s playing baseball with special needs’ children, packaging warm meals, building a ramp for an elderly woman, or making our roads cleaner, I love to help those in need. Volunteering with YVC for three years has been amazing, and I always look forward to our upcoming projects with our youth volunteers and going to the Annual YVC Summit with them! YVC has helped me grow in my confidence and communication skills, and I have become a better leader overall throughout projects in which I have lead.”

Laura Jarriel, senior at T. L. Hanna and Anderson’s Youth Advisory Board President

andersonmagazine.com 5 March/April 2017

Anderson County Jobs Trending Upward

By Steve Newton, Anderson County

2016 saw Anderson County continue its steady pace of recovery from the Great Recession. According to figures released by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, Anderson County’s unemployment rate in December 2016 was 4.6 percent. The 86,762 residents recorded as working during that month set a new record for total number employed. Preliminary estimates show the County’s unemployment rate for all of 2016 to be 4.6 percent.

“These numbers seem to indicate that 2016 was a good year for us with regard to employment numbers,” said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “All told, we added over 2,300 jobs over the course of the year. The annual unemployment rate fell from 5.4 percent in 2015 down to 4.6 percent. These added jobs and expanded workforce seem to indicate movement in a positive direction.”

Anderson County has come a long way since January of 2010, when the recession brought the unemployment rate to over 13.5 percent. “We had over 80,000 county residents employed in May of 2008, and by January of 2010 there were fewer than 74,000,” said Dunn.

“So many families were hard up. Bad times. I was one of several new Council members who had taken office right as the recession was picking up steam. One of our first actions was prioritization of our economic development efforts, and we are starting to see those results on a big scale now.”

Our recovery from the Great Recession is due in large part to the efforts of the Anderson County Council, Administrator’s Office, and Office of Economic Development. The stage was set for the recovery by the company of 1,000 jobs and capital investment of over $1 billion. Since 2009, Anderson County has announced new and expanded industry commitments totaling 4,247 new jobs and $2.888 billion in capital investment.

This level of direct job creation and capital investment has positive indirect effects as well on the county and the region as the payroll from these jobs circulates through the local economy, spurring investment and job growth across multiple sectors.

Last year brought a typical amount of economic development activity to Anderson County. We welcomed two new firms to our community and celebrated the expansion of three existing industries. The expansion

by TTI in December comes on the heels of their 2015 announcement of 216 jobs and $85 million in capital investment at their new campus near I-85, Exit 27.

County leaders are excited about the prospects for an even better year for recruitment in 2017. According to Chairman Dunn, “We will not be happy until everybody who wants a job can get a good job. We want to be known as the community where people come to work.”

COMPANY NAME TYPE INVESTMENT JOBS Engineered Plastic Components (EPC) New $5,300,000 43 Wexler US Plastic Expansion $5,000,000 29 Ortec New $20,000,000 60 TTI Expansion $75,000,000 250 Milliken Expansion $5,000,000 0 382 TOTALS $110,300,000 andersonmagazine.com 6 March/April 2017

Euwe Eugen Wexler US Plastics, Inc. •

• • •

A German plastic injection molding manufacturer; automotive supplier First international operation 2015 announced an $11.1 million in capital investment in anticipating the creation of 49 new jobs 2016 Announcement of $5 million in capital Investment/Anticipating on creating an additional 29 new jobs over the next 5 years

Walgreens: Distribution Center •

• •

Features a work environment designed to be inclusive for people with cognitive and physical disabilities. Ex: Flexible Workstations, Elevators, Touchscreen computers with large icons for visually impaired.

Walgreens goal is to fill 20% of its distribution center jobs with people with disabilities.

700,000 sq. ft. facility sits on approximately 110 acres.

Orian Rugs •

A family-owned manufacturer of machine woven area rugs.

•

Orian Rugs is a 38 year business partner in our Anderson County community, opening its doors in 1979.

•

The facility is 550,000 sq. ft.

•

Currently employs 400 people.

TechTronic Industries (TTI) • • • •

A global leader in design, manufacturing and marketing of quality consumer, professional and industrial products.

A global leader from Hong Kong that employs more than 20,000 workers worldwide.

TTI expansion is an $85 million capital investment.

With a planned expansion of 1.3 million sq. ft. distribution, assembly, and reconditioning center; creating 216 new jobs.

andersonmagazine.com 7 March/April 2017

Rhodes Respite Care at First Presbyterian

I

Role Reversal

By Lisa Marie Carter

t’s something we don’t want to think about, becoming the “parent” to our parents, taking care of them, their finances and their future. Yet this scenario comes to fruition more often than not. Though it’s not easy, it is necessary to not only think about, but also plan for.

Lindsay Dohmen of Anderson knows all too well how necessary this is. In 2015, her 82-year-old father suddenly passed away from a massive brain hemorrhage. Her mother was struggling before he passed, but she had no idea until later that her mother was suffering from undiagnosed Alzheimer’s disease. Her parents greatly depended on each other in their daily lives, and since her mom was now alone, something had to be done immediately. Luckily, Dohmen was given information about Caroline Bell, an elder advocate who owns Preparing for Care.

Dohmen quickly realized her mom could not stay by herself and needed assistance.

“I knew that my dad, being the brilliant man he was, had taken out long-term assisted living insurance on the both of them,” said Dohmen. “However, I was not prepared for the amount of time it takes to get the ball rolling.”

With Dohmen and her husband working full time and her siblings living in Maryland and California and unable to assist with the situation, Preparing for Care stepped in to help. Bell handled getting the insurance

started, setting up caregivers to come out to the family home, and recommended an assisted living option, the Garden House. She even helped find a place to auction the contents of the home.

“I had no idea there was so much to do,” said Dohmen. “I am extremely fortunate that my father had the insurance policy and am thankful every day for his knowledge and foresight. Even though he has passed, he is still taking care of my mother. She can’t remember how she got to the Garden House, but believes my father took care of it all for her. This makes me happy.

“I wish I would have personally been more prepared for the situation, but with Caroline’s help, my mom is a success story. I am thankful that mom has a wonderful apartment with all her things around her to make her feel at home. Garden House provides her physical therapy, and they have an in-house doctor, so I no longer have to take her to them. Medication is taken care of, so I no longer have to go to the pharmacy.”

Bell said one of the biggest mistakes people make is not having a pro-active aging plan for a parent. Don’t assume your parents have saved for their retirement or that they have the legal documents in place just because they are your parents and have always taken care of everything, she says. Assuming this can lead to a crisis.

After experiencing a crisis with her own parents, Bell started her business to assist aging adults and adult children who needed to know where to begin to help

andersonmagazine.com 8 March/April 2017

with their parents. Preparing for Care is modeled to assist the family with the start of the aging conversation, and to put together the pro-active plan. This will help avoid the surprises and “sticker shock” of care.

There are five areas Bell recommends adult children consider, and she suggests that when someone is looking at Medicare at around age 63 to 65 is actually the perfect time to discuss an aging plan.

• Safety in the house and driving. Falls are the number one reason that a senior ends up in a skilled nursing home, which typically costs nearly $9,000 per month.

• Legal issues. Make sure parents have the legal documents needed, that they are in a known place in the house, and that there is a copy with all adult children.

(She suggests keeping them in the glove box of all the cars so that the papers are always with you.)

• Financial planning. Sufficient money for aging, longterm care policies, and VA benefits for veterans and their spouses are among the financial issues to consider.

• Placement. Tour independent, assisted living and memory care communities prior to the person needing to move so they are picking their place to live and it’s not their adult children picking it in a crisis.

• Legacy. Ensure their legacy is discussed and end-oflife wishes are made with pre-planning of funerals/ burials.

There are two other areas seldom thought of. First, consider what will be done with a pet. Many elders will not leave the home for fear that something will happen to their pet. Not all adult children do what they say when it comes to caring for a senior’s pet. The pet may end up in the shelter, which is devastating to both the pet and owner. Part of the conversation and planning is having power of attorney documents for pets that seniors can sign and give to their adult child, veterinarian or another individual that they trust stipulating who will be caring for the pet. They can leave money for the care of the pet as well.

The second, sometimes overlooked consideration is an “elder orphan,” an older person who is socially or physically isolated, without an available family member or caregiver to help them manage aging. Based on the number of people older than 65 who are either unmarried, widowed, childless or who have no nearby family, experts estimate as many as 22.6 percent of the older population nationwide is at risk of aging alone, or already is. Preparing now, even if you aren’t near the age of needing help, ensures you get the care that you want.

If you are a caregiver to an elder already, there is assistance for you out there. One service is Rhodes Respite Care, which is offered at First Presbyterian Church in Anderson. It is open to persons from Anderson County and nearby counties who meet the criteria, including

FOCUS ON THE FUN STUFF WE’LL TAKE CARE OF THE REST. Marchbanks’ beautiful & spacious community offers every opportunity for a rich, engaging lifestyle without the headaches associated with running a household. We take care of tasks like cooking and cleaning and provide the additional care and support you need so you can focus on what matters most: living your best life every day.

Ready to get busy living YOUR best life?

Call our Executive Director Cynthia Sweney at 864.231.7786 to learn more.

INDEPENDENCE WHEN YOU WANT IT, ASSISTANCE WHEN YOU NEED IT.

2203 Marchbanks Avenue • (864) 231-7786 • www.MarchbanksAL.com andersonmagazine.com 9 March/April 2017

being able to walk and do other things on their own as they participate in a small group setting for several hours during the day. All participants are experiencing cognitive and physical decline to a varying degree.

The mission is to meet the social, spiritual, physical and emotional needs of adults with early stage Alzheimer’s or other memory loss.

This ministry provides a much-needed break to family caregivers as they are allowed to leave their loved ones at the church under the watchful eyes of trained staff and volunteers. Respite (a break from care giving) allows caregivers to run errands, shop, make personal appointments, or just relax while being assured that their family member is cared for in a loving atmosphere.

Now is as good a time as ever to have that talk or make those preparations. As the saying goes, “Tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.”

Be sure to look for our November/December issue with more information about dementia and caring for those affected with this disease, in conjunction with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. n

Caroline Bell, right, helps families prepare aging plans.

Local Aging Care Professionals Preparing for Care - Caroline Bell

864-353-7379 cbell@preparingforcare.com - preparingforcare.com

Rhodes Respite Care

864-225-2551 RhodesRespiteCare@fpcandersonsc.com.

Morningside of Anderson Assisted Living invites residents into our senior living community not just to live with us, but to thrive with us. We provide individualized care services based on the specific needs of our residents. You can taste the Five Star difference with a variety of entrée selections for every meal. Our Lifestyle360 program is a holistic approach to active community living that focuses on five dimensions of wellness: intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual.

These five dimensions empower our residents to live a happier, healthier, well-rounded lifestyle.

Call Hollins today to schedule an appointment

864.964.9088

www.morningsideofanderson.com

P: 864.964.9088 | F: 864.964.9057 • 1304 McLees Road, Anderson, SC 29621

www.morningsideofanderson.com andersonmagazine.com 10 March/April 2017

andersonmagazine.com 11 March/April 2017

This Little Theater Came to Market

photo c redit: C asey

Bates

photo credit: Casey Bates

By Mike McMillan

Joshua Barnes clomped around on the long, narrow stage, stopping by a completely dry makeshift liquor cabinet. As he’s peppered with Rob Gentry’s lectures, he fires back curtly. Gentry answers Barnes’ lust for liquor with admonitions spoken in a distinctly genteel Southern drawl.

Barnes and Gentry are part of the Market Theatre Company’s production of the Tennessee Williams classic “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” the first show of its second season. Barnes plays the alcoholic slacker Brick, while Gentry plays Big Daddy, a patriarch of the Old South.

The Market is part of Anderson’s vibrant theater community, joining several other companies in town.

What makes it so different, according to co-founder Noah Taylor, is it’s pushing the boundaries of what can be done. While they’re producing shows for families, like the musical version of the children’s classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” they’re pushing boundaries with shows like “The Fantasticks” and “Next to Normal.”

“What’s important is that we’re telling stories that are relevant,” Taylor said. “It allows people to see the world from a different perspective.”

The dream of opening this theater was something shared between the four founders of the Market, all of whom are alumni of the theater program at Anderson University. Married couples Dalton and Meghan Cole and Noah and Carlie Taylor wanted to open a theater, but, as Taylor put it, it was something they thought they wouldn’t do until much later in life.

“We never thought it would come to fruition,” Taylor said.

It wasn’t until they saw an ad a day before the deadline for a competitive grant sponsored by the City of Anderson from Accelerate Anderson that they saw an opportunity to make their dream come true. They had to pull an all-nighter to bring together their proposal, but before long they were told they were one of three winners of a $12,000 grant and a business services package.

They found a space in the Anderson Arts Center’s Arts Warehouse to set up shop. Their vision was for an arts venue, community hub and theater venue all wrapped into one. Its rustic-chic decor might have you thinking you were in an early 1900s mill rather than a theater, if you took away the stage, chairs and lights. In fact, a rusted, belt-driven contraption hangs from the ceiling, long since having outlived its usefulness.

The company has been growing steadily through its first season, and is confidently charging into the second.

While it’s not been an easy road, it’s been a rewarding one, according to Taylor.

“We have had so many challenges and so many successes,” he said.

andersonmagazine.com 12 March/April 2017

As word-of-mouth about the theater has spread, its seats have filled up. Through social media, The Market has been able to get the word out much faster than what would have been possible in the past. Taylor also said the feedback they’ve had has been great.

It helped that The Market’s founders were well-connected to the theater community in the Anderson and Greenville areas. They’ve been able to pull in directors and actors from around the upstate, including Christopher Rose, who is directing “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”

Rose, who lives in Greenville, also directed The Market’s production of “Julius Caesar” and was part of the cast of “The Fantasticks.”

The production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ” involves a unique style called “theater in the round.” Essentially, it’s a central stage surrounded by the audience. Rose and cast member Barnes consider it a unique challenge.

“You forget where people are,” Barnes said. “You always feel like you’re closing off someone. It’s also more rewarding.”

“It’s much more difficult,” Rose added.

Cast members come from all walks of life, ranging from children to nearly any age of adult. In the “Cat” cast, for example, Barnes is a theater student at Anderson University, while Gentry is self-employed and nearing retirement age. Experience is not necessary, but cast members will have to commit to three to five nights a week of rehearsals for several hours a night. As such, Taylor said, it takes more searching to fill some roles.

Along with “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” the 2017 season will bring four other productions: “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” the Tony-winning “Next to Normal,” “Junie B. Jones: The Musical” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” — with a twist! It will be a live radio play.

The theater isn’t just for productions. The theater’s mission has a broader mission, Rose said. The Market offers a weeklong theater summer camp. They’ve also hosted the Mystic Players from Anderson University.

And they’ve even been known to host a karaoke night or two. n

Churchill’s P U B

Under New Ownership Daily Happy Hour Specials

Lunch & Dinner Menu

The neighborhood pub you love…just better.

2005 East Greenville Street • ( 864-540-8400

Come see our newest Snappy location on Hwy 81N, near Anmed.

Upcoming events: Legally Blonde: The Musical May 19-June 4 Next to Normal July 7-23 Junie B. Jones: The Musical Oct. 13-29

Featuring everything you love about Snappy... plus now you can ADD our *Interior Cleaning Service* to your wash!

SnappyWash.com

andersonmagazine.com 13 March/April 2017

Artisan Gardens Feed the Soul

By Liz Carey

Marci Sloan considers it her mission to bring people together in the name of Christ.

And one way she is working to do that is to build gardens in the “alphabet streets,” of one of Anderson’s former mill neighborhoods.

Using forfeited property, Sloan has created two plots of land dedicated to not just growing and harvesting vegetables, but to bringing together the residents of the low-income neighborhood.

For three years now, Sloan has cultivated and planted seeds into the ground of a garden on G Street. Joined by a group of volunteers from the church run by her husband and her, Artisan Fellowship Church on Market Street, they plant tomatoes, peppers, carrots, onions, potatoes, squash, cucumbers and other produce.

“We take a piece of property owned by the forfeited land commissions that has been left vacant, and we turn it into something beautiful,” Sloan said.

“In addition to the vegetables in the raised beds, we add flowers and put in andersonmagazine.com 14 March/April 2017

benches to create a place that the block can be proud to use.”

The goal, she said, is not just to provide food to the community, but to give the residents of the community a sense of purpose and productivity.

“We’re hoping to restore true community in the block where the garden is,” she said. “Hopefully, the gardens will one day be on every block in the alphabet streets. By learning how to grow things, they learn skills and realize that they can not only be productive, but also learn things. We want this to inspire people to better themselves and feel better about themselves.”

The project falls under the umbrella of The LOT Project, but is working to achieve its own non-profit, or 501(c)3 status. Started as a mission to provide food and clothes to lower income residents in Anderson, as a platform for the body of Christ, The LOT Project—its name is an acronym for “least of these”—has begun to expand its mission to help other budding non-profit organizations.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, The LOT Project opens to feed upwards of 100 people, said Andy Gibson, executive director of the ministry. With food donated by individuals and local businesses, the mission serves anyone who comes to the door. In addition, the guests can take a plastic grocery bag full of clothes or other donated items.

The project has been open for seven years, Gibson said, and has started to expand its mission.

“We know how to apply for 501(c)3 status and how to fill out paperwork and how to create a database of supporters,” Gibson said. “So what we decided to do was to help founding organizations to do those things so they could go out and focus on their missions. The Artisan Gardens is one of those projects.”

The LOT Project also hopes to create an area where Anderson residents can come together and create art, he said.

“My ministry is extremely relational,” Gibson said.

“A lot of people have been coming to The LOT Project since we opened. Now they’re my friends and family.

Serving the poor radically changed my life. My perspective on everything – my ability to be patient, my ability to forgive, my ability to refrain from judging – it all changed. For me, The LOT Project and this ministry is all about teaching people ‘This is love.’ This IS love and love is hard.”

Artisan Gardens grew out of that love, said Sloan, and it has helped her to combine all of the things she loved in life in one project.

“This was a way for me to put my passions together,” Sloan said. “I am certified in nutritional counseling. Whole foods are an important part of that. Also, my husband and I started Artisan Fellowship Church on Market Street. We consider that neighborhood our

I have always felt that the only way to impact lives was with love and relationships.

By growing foods, we develop relationships with each other and with the Earth.

- Marci Sloan

andersonmagazine.com 15 March/April 2017

neighborhood. I have always felt that the only way to impact lives was with love and relationships. By growing foods, we develop relationships with each other and with the Earth. You put something in the ground and wait for it to grow and produce, and then you enjoy it and the relationships that you’ve developed.”

This year, Artisan Gardens will open another garden on E Street, Sloan said.

And while initially the gardens are tended to and harvested by volunteers and church members, she feels certain that more residents in the neighborhoods the garden serve will get involved.

“It’s going to take time, but we’re going to keep working on that. We’ve made a lot of progress on G Street,” Sloan said. “We’ve had neighbors come and help with the yard work a bit. But we’ve made the garden a self-teaching garden with signs about what it is, what it looks like when it’s ready to be picked. That way if people want to use it, but don’t necessarily know what growing, they can learn for themselves.”

In March, planting on both lots began – early crops in spring, followed by summer crops in May. When the crops are ready, they’ll be harvested. What isn’t used in the church is handed out to the neighbors around the gardens they cleared.

It’s a dream come true for Sloan, and hopefully, she said, will help those in the neighborhoods learn to dream too.

“I’ve been so focused on people I feel have not been taught to dream because of generational poverty,” she said. “My focus for so long has been on Artisan Fellowship and on our ministry. I haven’t had a dream in a long time because other things always got in the way.

“This was the first dream I’ve had in a long, long time. Having been in that world for so many years now, I’ve seen so many get pushed around by the system, the neighborhood and strangers. It doesn’t have to be that way. Finding a way to show them someone believes in them and that they can be more is a dream I hope I can give to others.” n

Evergreen Plantation Weddings & Events

4800 Highway 187 South • Starr, SC 29684 • www.evergreen-plantation.com Jessica Faulkenberry - Event Coordinator • 864.437.3400 andersonmagazine.com 16 March/April 2017

e s t t s s for r s t t t t fir s r fir r fir fir s rst rst fir s r fir r fir fir s rst fir s r fir fir s fir s rst r fir fir s r fir fir s r r fir fir s eve foreve oreve oreve oreve oreve reve oreve rever rever rever rever rever rever rever rever rever ever fi ever ever fi ever fi ver fi ever fi ver fi r r f r f f r r o f o fo re t o o fo fo o fo re o tf fir s r fir s t r fir s r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t fir s t fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t fo r s t fo fir s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r e r e ve r er er r fi ve r fi ve er er r fi ve r fi er ve ve er er r fi o r e s t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e v t f o r ev f o r ev f o r ev f o r e v f o r e v f o r ev f o r ev f o r ev f o r eve f o r e v e o r e ve o r eve o r eve o r eve r e v e o r e ve r eve r f t t s f f t t s s f t r s t s fo s t f t s r t t s s fo s t r t r s t s r t s r t r s s fi r r t s s r fi r s t s r s fi r fi r s fi r fi r fi s r r fi r fi r s fi r fi r r fi e ver reve rever rever rever rever rever rever ever ever ever ever fi ever fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fir ver fi er fir ver fir e e r e e v r r o e t fo fir s t f r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo s t fo r s t fo s t for s t for s t for s t for s t for t fore t for t fore t fore t fore t fore fore t fore forev fi fi rs rs fi rs r fi rs fir rs st fir r fi fir rs rs fir rs r fi r fi fir rst fir eve reve oreve rever reve rever rever rever rever rever rever rever rever ever ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ver fi ever fi ver fi ver fi ver fir ver fi o o r e e o r o r f e o r r o o f f e r o r o f r f o f re fore r o f o f r o o f f o f o f o f t o f o f o t o f f t f t o t f f t t s f f t t s t f s r s t r fir s t fir s t r fir s t fir s t t t s s r s r r t s s r r s s r s r fir s s t fir s t t st s t fir s t fir s r fir er fi er fi er fi r fir r fir er er fi er fi r fir r fir fir s ve r fir er fi er fi r fir ve r fir e o r e t f o r e v t f o r e f o r e v t f o r ev f o r e v f o r ev f o r ev f o r e v f o r ev f o r ev f o r e v e f o r e ve o r ev e o r eve o r ev e o r e v e o r e v e r eve r o r ev e r eve r r e v e r r eve r r ev e r f t t o o f f t t o o f s f t fir s er fir r fir s er fir s r fir s er fir s r fir s r fir s r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t fir s t fir s t fir s t fir s t fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f r s t fo fir s t f r s t fo r r e v r e e r v r ve e er ve r fi ve er ve er er ev r fi ve f o r t f o r e s t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r ev t f o r e f o r e v f o r ev f o r ev f o r ev f o r ev f o r e v f o r e v f o r eve f o r ev e o r eve f o r e v e o r eve o r ev e r eve o r ev e t t s f s f t t s s f t r s t s t fo s t f s r r t t s s r t r s t s r t s r t r s s fi r r t s s r fi r s fi s r s fi fi r r s fi fi r r fi s r r fi r fi r st fi r fi r r r fi r r fi r fi r e r eve eve r fi er er r fi ve r fi er er r fi ve r fi er er ve r fi ve r er ve r er fi er fi r fir f o t f o r s t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e v t f o r e v f o r ev f o r ev f o r ev f o r e v f o r e v f o r ev f o r ev f o r eve f o r e v e o r eve f o r ev e o r eve o r ev e r e v e o r e t s t t s f s f r t t f t t fo s t f t t t rst r fir r fir s r fir r fir s r fir s r fir s r fir s fir s rst fir s rst fir s fir s rst r r fir fir s fir s rst fir s fir s fir s r eve foreve oreve foreve oreve oreve reve oreve rever rever rever rever rever rever rever rever rever ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ver fi ever fi ver fi o e r r o f o f r r o o f r f o f r t o f o f re t o o f f o f t o t f o f t t o s o f f t o t o f s f t f t o t s f s f r t t s s f f t r s t s t f s r r t t s s t r r s t s r t fi r r fi r r s s r fi r s fi s rs s fi fi rs rs st st fi st r fir r fir ve r er fi ver fi er fi er fi er fi r fir r fir ve r r fir r fir ve r er fi er fi er fi er fi r fir ve r r fir ve r ver o r e s t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r ev t f o r e f o r ev f o r e v f o r ev f o r ev f o r ev f o r ev f o r e v f o r eve f o r ev e o r eve o r ev e o r e v e o r ev e r eve o r ev e r eve r t o f s f t f t o t s f s f r t t f t r s t s t f s r t r t s s rs t rs er fi ver fi ever fi ver fi ver fi ver fir ver fi ver fir ver fir er fir ver fir er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s r fir s t r fir s r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r v v re fore re v e r eve r eve r eve r eve r e v e eve r e f o r e f ore f o r ev f o r e re ev o r ev o r e v o r ev o r ev o e e r o o e o o f r r f f r f f o t t o o f f t t t t t s t t s t t t t f r s t f r s t f r s t f r s t f r s t fo r s t fo s t fo s t fo s t fo s t fo s t for s fir s r fir s fir s fir s r fir r fir s r fir fir s fir s r fir s r fir s r fir s fi r r eve reve oreve rever reve rever rever rever rever rever rever rever rever ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fir ver fi r r r e ore r r fo r s t f re f o r e fore f ore fore o o fo r s t fo s t fo s t fo s t fo s t fo o o r o o f o f o o f f t f o t f f f o f t f t s t t s f t t r r r s s t r r s t s r t s t fir s t fir s t fir s t fir s t fi t r s r fir s fi tf fir s r fir s r fir er fir fir s er fi er fi r fir r fir fir s er fi ver fi r fir er fi er fi er fi r fir s ve r r e r r o r e t f o r ev t f o r e f o r ev t f o r e v f o r e v f o r ev f o r ev f o r ev f o r e v e f o r ev f o r ev e f o r eve o r ev e o r e v e o r ev e o r eve o r ev e r eve r r e v e r eve r r ev e r r eve r r ev e r o f t o t f o f t t o s f o f t t o f s f t s f o t t s f s f r t t s s f t r s t s t r f s r t r t s s r t r s t s r t s fi r t r s s fi r r s s fi r fi r s fi s r s fi fi r r s fi r st r fir r fir ver er fi ver fi er fi r fir er fi er fi r fir ve r r fir r fir ve r er fi er fi er fi er fi r fir ve r ve r eve ve r f o r t f o r e s t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e v t f o r e f o r ev f o r ev f o r ev f o r e v f o r ev f o r ev f o r ev f o r eve f o r e v e o r eve o r ev e o r eve o r ev e r e v e o r ev e o t f s f t s f t t s f s f r t t s s f t r r r r t t s s r t r s t s rs t s fi rs t rs st st er fi rever ever fi ever fi ver fi ever fi ver fi ever fi ver fi ver fi ver fir ver fir ver fir ver fir ver fir er fir er fir er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s r fir s t ve r e f o t f o r s t f o r t f o r e t f o r t f o r e t f o r t f o r e t f o r e f o r e f o r e f o r e f o r e f o r e f o r ev f o r e v f o r ev f o r ev o r ev o r ev o r e v o r ev e t r s t f s f t s r f t t s f s r t t fo s t fo t t t rst rst fir s r fir s rst r fir r fir s r fir r fir s r fir s fir s rst fir s r r fir er fi fir s fir s rst r fir fir s fir s r fir s eve forev oreve foreve oreve oreve reve oreve rever reve rever rever rever rever rever rever rever ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ver fi o r o r f o e f r r o o f f r o r t o f f o f r o t f o f t o o f f t o f o t s t f o f t t o s o f f t t o f s f t s r f t t s f s f r t t s s f t r s t fi r s r fir s s t fir s t fir s t fir s t r s r fir s fir er fi er fir er fi r s r fir s s t fir s t r s r fir s st fir er fir er fir er fir v r fir e r r v er fi r fir e ve r r er fi v r fir v er fi e r v ve r er fi o r e s t f o r e t f o r e s t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r ev t f o r e f o r ev t f o r ev f o r ev f o r ev f o r e v f o r ev f o r ev f o r eve f o r ev e o r e v e o r ev e o r e ve o r e v e o r e v e o r e ve r e v e r f f r f t t f s f r t t s s fo t rs st tf st tf rs st rs er fi ver fi ever fi ver fir ver fi ver fir ver fi ver fir ver fir er fir ver fir er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t v v v v v e v re fore v re t for ve r e v e r e v e r e ve r e v e r e ve e ve ev f o r e re f o r e re e e r e e e r e e r o r e o r r o o r r o f r f r f o f o o f o o t t t t t s t t t tf t f rst f tf t f r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo s t fo s t fo s t fo s t fo s t for s fir s r fir s fir s fir s r fir s r fir fir s fir s fir s r fir s r fir s r fir s r fi eve rever oreve rever reve rever rever rever rever rever rever ever rever ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fir ver fir o r e e o r r o e f o e r r o o f r e f ore o f r o r f o f r r o f o f r o o t f f o f re t o f o f t t o o f f t o f t o s t f f t o t s f f t rs rs rs t rs fir rs st tf st rs st fir rst t fo rst st st fir s rst rst st f st f fir s ver ever rever ever fi rever ever fi ever fi ver fi ever fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fir ver fir ver fir ver fir ver fir er fir er fir er fir s er fir s er fir s er fi e r e e r v v r e e e o e e e r ev o r e v for for rev r ev t fo t for f or for for t fo ore f or ore for t fo t fo ore ore for for for fir s er fir s r fir s er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t fir s t fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t fo r s t fo e e r r fi e v r e e r v r e e r r v e r v e r e v v e e r e v v e e e v v e f o r t f o r e s t f o r t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e f o r e t f o r e f o r ev f o r e f o r ev f o r e v f o r e v f o r e v f o r e v f o r e v f o r e v o r eve o r e v e o r e ve o r e v e r e v e o r e ve t t o s f f t s t f s f t s r f t t s f s r t t s s r t r s t s r t s r t r t s s t r fi r s t s r s fi r t r s s fi fi r r s s fi r fi r s fi s r r fi fi r fi r r fi eOther fir er fir eravailable. er r fi vetor credit fir r fi ve e r r ev e ev e r fir r fi ver fiSome fir r fi ver fi may fir s er fi everNMLS ver rePacific ver rMortgage eve orevCompany verestrictions rev oreve 2014 verapply. reSierra v r revprograms e Subject r v eve#1788. eveapproval. v e r r eve r r e v e r r e e r o e e r o e r e e r o r f e o r r o f e r r o o f r f o r f o f r t o o f f o t o f f o f o t subject t t t t conditions s t Program r s fir s t t f r sto st tf r s fir s t t fwithout t fchange t fnotice t f r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo s t fo r s t fo fir s r fir s r fir r fir s r fir r fir s r fir s fir s fir s r fir s r fi r fir s fir s r fi er fi fi eve forev oreve foreve oreve oreve reve oreve rever reve rever rever rever rever rever rever rever ever ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ver fi r o o f r e o f r o r f o f r r t o o f f r o r o t f f o f o t f o f t t o o s f f t o f t o s t f o f t o t s f f t r s t f s f t s r fi rs fir rs rs fir fir rst rst st st fir rst fir s rst st f fir s st f rst r fi fir s rst fir s rst ver oreve rever rever rever rever rever rever ever fi rever ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fir ver fir ver fir ver fir er e r o f o f o t f o s t f o t f or fo r s t fo s t fo o r t f o r t f o r t f o r t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e f o r e f o r e f o r e f o r e f o r e f o r ev f rst st f s rst s s t rst r st f er fi ver fi ever fi ver fir ver fi ver fir ver fi ver fir ver fir er fir ver fir er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s r fir s r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t e v e v v e e v v r e e v v e r v e e ve r r e e r e r r e ve ve e r r o e e ve r r o e r e eve o r o r f eve eve o r r o f o r r o o f f t r s t fir s t f fir s t fir s t f fir s t fir s t f fir s t f r s t fo fir s t f r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t for s t for s t for s t fore s t fore s t fore s fi r r fi fi r r fi r r fi r fi r r r fi r fi r e fi r fi r fi e r r fi fi r e r fi fi r e fi e r fi r v e e r r e v r e e r v r e e r r v v e e e e e e e v e e v e e e e eve r e v e r ev f o r e o r e v f o r e o r e v o r e v r e v o r ev rev rev for r ev rev r ev rev ore for rev e ore for r ev rev r s t r fir s t fir s t r fir s t fir s t f r fir s t fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t for r s t for s t for r r r r r fi r fir er fi v e eve r r eve e v e r r e v e e ve r e v e r r fi ver fi ver fi ver fi er fi er fi er fi er fi e e e e e r e r e e v v v v v r v e v e e r e r r o v v re fore fore f ore f ore o re e e e v o r ev o r e v o r ev o r e v for s t for sFDIC t fo t fo t fo t f o t f or st f f or f or ore for ore t fo t fo f f t o f f fir s er fir er fir s er fir s r fir s t er firMember fir er fir s er fir s er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t fir s t fir s t fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f r v e e v r v r e e r r v v e e v r e e v v e e e v v e e v e e v r v e e e e v v r e e e e v v e r v e e v r r v e e r v v r e o r v e e v r o r e e r r o e f fo r s t f fo r s t f t or t fo fo r s t fo s t fo s t fo s t fo s t fo or t f or t f or t f or t for t fore t f ore f ore f ore fore f ore rst rst r st f t s rst t st f fi r t r t s s r fi rs s er fi rever ever fi rever ver fi ever fi ver fi ever fi ver fi ver fi ver fir ver fi ver fir ver fir ver fir ver fir er fir er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s r fir s t e e v v e r v e e v r r v e e r v v e r o r e e ve r o r e e r r o e f r e e o r o r f e e o r r o f ev o e r r o o f f r o f r o r t f o f r s fir s t r s t fir s t r s t fir s t r s t fir s t f fir s t fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t for r s t for fi fi fi r r r r r r fi r fi r e fi r fi r fi e r r fi fi r e r e fi fi r e e r fi r v e e r r e v r e e r v r v e e r r v v e e v e r e v v e e e f o r t f o r e s t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e f o r ev t f o r e f o r e v f o r e v f o r e v f o r ev f o r e v f o r ev f o r e v f o r e v o r eve o r e v e o r eve o r e v e o r e v e r eve o r t s f t o s t f f t t fir r fir s r fir er fir s ver fir er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s r fir s er fir s r fir s t r fir s r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t fir s t fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f r e e r v r ve e e r r v v e e v eve e r o r e s t f o r t f o r e s t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e v t f o r e f o r ev t f o r e v f o r e v f o r ev f o r e v f o r ev f o r e v f o r e v f o r eve f o r e v e o r eve o r e v e o r e v e o r eve o r e v e r eve f f r t t f f t r s t f s fo t s rs t t st st rs tf rs er fi ver fi ever fi ver fir ver fi ver fir ver fi er fir ver fir er fir s ver fir er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s r fir s r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t vx 2”re e e e v v e e v e e v e r v e e e 3.5” v v r e e e v v e r r v e e v r v e e r v v r e o r e e v r o r e e r r o e o f r e e o r o r f t f fir s t t f fir s t t fo fir s t f r s t fo r s t f r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo s t fo r s t fo s t fo s t fo s t for s t for s t for s t for t for t fore t fore t fore r fi r fir s r fir s r fi r r s s fi r r fi r fi rs r fi fi rs rs eve rever oreve rever reve rever rever rever rever ever rever ever fi rever ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fi ver fir ver fir o r e e r r o e o f e r e o r o r f e e o r r o f o f e r r o o f f r o f r t o r f o f r t o o f f o r s t r fir s fir s t r fir s fir s t r fir s t ®fir s t r fir s t fir s t r s t fir s t f fir s t fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo fi r fi e r r fi fi r e r er fi fi ve r er er fi r r ve er er r fi o r e f o r ev t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e v f o r e v f o r ev f o r e v e f o r ev f o r e v e f o r e v o r e ve f o r e v e o r eve o r e v e o r e v e o r eve r e v e r eve r r e v e r r e v e r r eve r r e v e r r eve r o o t f f t o f t t s f f t t s f f t f t o s t fo s t fo s t fo s t fo s r t t s s t r s t s f t s r t t s s r r t t s s r r fi s s r s fi r r t s s r fi r s fir s r fi r fi r fi r fi r r s fi r r fi r fi r r fi r fi r fi r fi r r fi e r fi fi e ver ver ver eve ver rever rever rever rever rever rever rever ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi ver fi ve rev eve eve rev eve t fo s t for r s t fo s t for r s t for s t fore s t for t fore s t fore t fore s t Financial fo t fo s tAdvisor o o fo s t fo s t fo or t f or t for t for t f or t f ore t f ore f f f t t s r r t s r r s r fi r s r s fi r r r rs fi fir fir fir fir fir s r fir s r fir s r fir s r fir s r fir s r fir s t . r fi er fi rever ever fi rever ver fi ever fi ver fi ever fi ver fi ver fi ve ver rever rever ever rever ever fi everbookkeeping e e r e e ve ve e r r ve r e v e r e v e r eve r e v e r r o r r o r o r f o o f r o r o r f o o f o f fo s t fo s t fo o fo s t fo s t fore s t fore s t fore• payroll r s t fir s t fo s t fo s t fo r s t fir s t f fir s t fir s t f fir s t fir s t f fir s t f r s t fo fir120 t fo r s t Road s t f firScenic t s fi s r s t f fir s tservice r r r r r r r r fi r fi r fi r r r fi r fi r r fi e r r r e fi r fi ver fi v& r business r fi vetax r e e eve forev oreve forev oreve foreve reve oreve rever oreve rever rever rever rever rever rever revepersonal er fi ever fi ever fi v v e r re re o f o f re re o t o Anderson, f f r o SC 29621 fo r t o r fir s r fir s t r fir s r fir s t r fir s t fir s t r fir s t fir s t f r fir s t fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r r fiMain rStreet fi North r e fi r fi er fiSC 29621 r e r r fi er fi e r e r ve e v e r e e r v r e e r e v 1211 • Anderson v e e r v e e e r v v e e v e e v v e e e v v r e 864-222-0421 e v e v r v e e e or s t f o t f or s t fo t f or f o r t f o r e s t f o r t f o r e t f o r t f o r e t f o r e f o r e t f o r e f o r e f o r e f o r ev f o r e v f o r e v f o r ev f o r e v f o r ev f o r e v o r e v r s r t t s s f f t rst s t s t s r er fi ver fir ever fi ver fir ver fi ver fir ver fi er fir ver fir er fir s ver fir er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t v e e e v v e e e v v e r e e v e e e v r v e e e v v r e r e v v e r r v e e v r r o v e e r v e r o r e e r o r re re re re t fo fir s t f r s t fo fir s t f r s t fo r s t f r s t fo r s t fo s t fo r s t fo s t fo r s t fo s t for s t fo s t for s t for t for s t forwww.westsmallbusiness.com ore ore r s fi r r s t f fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t fo fir s t fo fir s t fo r s r fi r fi r r fi r fi r fi r fi r fi r fi fi r fi fi r e fi r fi r fi e r r fi r e r r e r r v fi e r e e r e ev f o r e v o r ev f o r e v o r e v e f o r ev r e v e o r ev r e v e o r e v e r eve r e v e r e ve r e v e r e v e r r eve r e v e r r eve r e v e r e v e r eve r e v e r eve r e o for o f o f r r or and oclinic or or for cost fspay foneuter r s t r fir s t fir s t r fir s t fir s t f r fir s t fir s t f r fir s t fir s t f fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t fo r s t fo fir s t fo r s t fo r s t fo r s tLow r s t fir s t fir s t f fir s t f fir s t f fi r fi e r fi r fi e r r fi fi r e r r e r r v e r e e r v r e e r r v e e r r e v r v e e r e v r v e e e v v e e v e v v e e e v v e e v e e v Anderson County Humane Society v e v v r e e v v e r or f ore t f or f ore t fore f ore v e e v r v e e r r e r e e r o r e e e r fo fo fo fo tf or t foBox or fo fo t t fo f or s for t for ore t f ore t f o for • Anderson, for s t fSC 2262 t t s s fir s ver fir r fir s er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t r fir s t fir s t r fir s t fir s t f fir s t f firP.O. s s r rs fir er fir er fir ve ve er er ve ve er er fi(864) ve ev er ve re ve er225-9855 ev ve ve r ev eve er fi t f o s t f o r r s t f o s t f o r e r s t f o r s t f o r e s t f o r t f o r e s t f o r e t f o r e s t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e t f o r e v t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e v f o r ev f o r e v f o r ev f o r e v f o r e v f o r ev f o r e v e t r s t s t r s r t t r s s fi r t r t s s t r fi r s t s r s er fi rever ever fi rever ver fi ever fi ver fi ever fi ver fi ever fi ver fir ver fi ver fir ver fir ver fir ver fir er fir er fir er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s er fir s r r re re o re or fo r e f o r ev f o r e v f o r ev f o r e v o r e v o r ev o r e v o r ev o r e v or re 2017 oreMarch/April ore s t fore t fore t17 o o f f f f r s t fir s t fo fir s t f fir s t fo fir s t f r s t fo fir s t f r s t fo fir s t fo andersonmagazine.com f f t f t f f t t t t t t t fir s r fir rst r fir s rst fir s r fir s rst r r fir s fir s r r fir s er fir s r fi fir s er r fi fir s fir s eve forev oreve forev oreve foreve reve oreve rever oreve rever reve rever rever rever rever rever rever ever ever ever fi ever fi ever fi ever fi o r o r f o f r r o t f o f

117 Broadbent Way • Anderson, SC 29625

People first.

Community first.

Forever First.

Russell D Rhodes

firstcitizens.com

864.226.0042

The Rotary Club of Greater Anderson announces the 11 th annual

DAncing

r u o r fo •

Heroes

c e o S i o t t g i o n o ' B o o B Benefitting

AMERICAN RED CROSS - UPSTATE ANDERSON FREE CLINIC CANCER ASSOCIATION OF ANDERSON FOOTHILLS ALLIANCE FRIENDS OF THE ANDERSON COUNTY MUSEUM HOSPICE OF THE UPSTATE

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF ANDERSON COUNTY MEALS ON WHEELS - ANDERSON PENNIES FOR PREEMIES POLIO PLUS SHALOM HOUSE MINISTRIES UNITED WAY OF ANDERSON COUNTY

Friday, April 21 st at6:30 pm Civic Center of Anderson $475 TABLE OF FRIENDS (8 SEATS) $55 TICKETS (DINNER INCLUDED) $35 COCKTAIL TICKETS (DINNER NOT INCLUDED) TICKETS AVAILABLE AT PIP MARKETING SIGNS PRINT 1005 N. FANT STREET • 864.225.1471

Presented by

andersonmagazine.com 18 March/April 2017

On your mark, get set, roof!

By Anna Craft & Caroline Anneaux

Jamie Buchanan

F

inding a leak or hole in your roof is something you have to take care of immediately, because the roof on your home or business keeps bugs and animals out as well as protecting your family, personal belongings and office during storms and harsh weather. One call to Family Roofing in Anderson can get those roofing problems fixed quickly.

Family Roofing was established by Sammy Buchanan in 2012, and is currently run by his son, Jamie Buchanan, a Townville native who has lived in Anderson for the last 10 years.

“My father, Sammy, had a general store in Townville for 30 years,” said Jamie Buchanan. “I pretty much grew up in that store. After he closed the store, I felt prepared to take on the challenges of running the new roofing business. I chose Anderson because I live here, it is a bigger city and is centrally located in the middle of my customer base.”

Recently relocated from Whitehall Road to their current location on Highway 24, Family Roofing is a family-owned business providing full service to both residential and commercial properties, including installing gutters and making roofing repairs. Residential re-roofing is their main focus and keeps Buchanan and his crew really busy.

Buchanan said the business emphasizes professionalism, honesty, integrity, quality workmanship and providing excellent customer service.

“Seeing the smiling face of a satisfied customer and getting our business name out there by word of mouth is great,” Buchanan said. “It is such a competitive business.

There are a lot of people around the area who need roofing services, and we just have to keep pushing ourselves to make people as happy as we can.”

Buchanan said he oversees every job through from start to finish and offers a 10-year workmanship warranty.

“The best compliment is a referral,” he said.

“We have a lot of repeat customers,” Buchanan said.

“Each year in business you gain a little more trust as you go, so we’re getting at the tipping point where it’s making a difference how long we’ve been around.” n Jamie Buchanan has worked in construction for over 20 years and has a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University in construction science and management.

He has two daughters, Emma and Addie. Buchanan and his crew give back to the community by sponsoring events with Freedom Fences, Special Olympics Golf Tournament and by donating services to re-roof houses for AIM (formerly Anderson Interfaith Ministries).

Family Roofing • 261-0841 5011 B Hwy. 24 • Anderson, SC

andersonmagazine.com 19 March/April 2017

Anderson is just home!

I have lived in Anderson since 2008, moving here with my wife Sarah from Charlotte. Growing up in Clemson, I was constantly visiting Anderson. My grandfather was a real estate agent in Anderson for close to 50 years and my grandmother worked downtown at Perpetual Bank, now SunTrust Bank. Anderson has always been a place I called home.

When I started working for myself in 2009, my grandfather encouraged me to start my business here in Anderson. I took his advice hoping I could integrate myself here in this community much like my grandfather. As my business grew, I found myself looking for an office downtown. I found a great little spot above a restaurant on Main Street. It was small, but it was the perfect place to start my journey.

Over time, I was able to grow my business, but with growth came the need for expansion. I began to realize my clients needed more services than I had time to provide. It was time to grow and potentially find a partner. Given my background in digital communications, health care communications, and nonprofit communications; I crossed paths with a great group in Texas called Gray Digital Group. We found a wonderful intersection of business where we could compliment our services both in Texas and South Carolina. A partnership was formed.

Gray Digital Group opened their third location here in Anderson, SC; along side San Antonio and Austin, Texas. We are a digital communications agency providing a list of services including: • Responsive Website Design and Development • Content Management Systems • Search Engine Optimization (SEO) • Search Engine Marketing (SEM) • Social Media Strategy • Content Development and Storytelling • Video Production We service clients all over the United States and spend a lot of time helping organizations in health care, nonprofits, foundations, and numerous other verticals.

Locally we work with Anderson Interfaith Ministries, AnMed Health, Greenville Health System, Homes of Hope, Safe Harbor, South Carolina Hospital Association, The Duke Endowment, and many others.

In our Anderson office, we specialize in documentary style video production. We like to tell stories lever-

aging many different types of video production techniques. Whether stories are told using social media, television, or even inside an event; our Anderson office crafts all types of video production and content development for our clients locally and nationally.

There are so many times I wish my grandfather were still alive to see how much the business has grown.

He would be fascinated with our use of technology and digital marketing techniques. I think he would just like to stop by and visit me in my office, maybe head down to his favorite place to get a hotdog. It is my hope you might do the same, come by and share your story with us! You never know; we might just help you tell your story, right here in Anderson. n

We are located at 109A Sharpe Street, Anderson, SC 29621. Stop by for a visit!

Bobby Rettew is the chief storyteller for Gray Digital Group, a digital communications agency with offices in San Antonio and Austin, Texas along with the South Carolina office here in Anderson. Bobby grew up in the upstate of South Carolina and currently lives with his wife Sarah and daughter Rose in Anderson.

andersonmagazine.com 20 March/April 2017

Flipping Out

By Lisa Marie Carter

Turn on your television, and flip (no pun intended) through a few channels, and you’re bound to see someone working on a home. They are very likely “flipping a house.” Flipping a house starts by finding a cheap home for sale, usually a foreclosure or auction. You invest some money and time into fixing any repair issues, updating where necessary, and most of the time, making several cosmetic changes.

Ideally, you then put the house back up for sale at a huge profit. On the television shows, it appears easy to make enormous profits fairly quickly, but is it really that simple? The short answer is NO! it’s not as quick and easy as you see on television. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you end up losing more than just your time.

Let’s say you purchase a house for $90,000, investing time and another $30,000 in renovations, and you put the house up for sale and you get no bites. Now, you have your own mortgage (or rent) and your own house bills in addition to the mortgage for the investment home, plus the utilities, insurance, property taxes and home owners association dues, if applicable. This could quickly break a person’s bank account!

We contacted Realtor Amy Hammond, who dabbles in flipping homes to get some tips. Hammond has flipped four properties to date. She explained some of the ins and outs of the business.

First and foremost, Hammond says you need someone with extensive knowledge of today’s market and someone with the vision and ability to make the proper changes to the property for maximum profit. Demographics and supply and demand are among some of the most important factors when buying a flip property.

Hammond’s primary job is a Realtor/broker at Agent Owned Realty, and she has the upper hand in knowing the market.

Show me the money! The first question most people want to know is how much can I expect to make?

Hammond explains the average profit can range greatly. It depends on the market you are in and how much time and money will be required to get the property into shape to sell.

Sometimes you get lucky and find a hidden gem in the property, such as the antique light fixtures Hammond came upon in one of her flips, and that can help with your profit margin. Hammond chose to keep the fixtures in the home for resale value; however another option would be to sell them out right for a profit.

Though these types of things may be few and far between, it’s a reminder to carefully inspect everything at the property.

Hammond reminds everyone there are downfalls.

“The downfalls of flipping houses are waiting for your return and being able to wait on the market for your home to sell. I like to stick with median price range homes because there is a larger demand and more buyers for these homes,” she said. Hammond adds this little tip, “USDA homes are very popular right now!”

USDA provides homeownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income rural Americans through several loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs. The programs also make funding available to individuals to finance vital improvements necessary to make their homes decent, safe, and sanitary.

The current home Hammond is working on is a complete gut project, and as long as the market stays

andersonmagazine.com 22 March/April 2017

stable, she feels she should see a reasonable return on her investment. It was her great-grandmother’s house that was bought in the 1940s, and she recently purchased it back from a college that the family had donated it to. A nice touch to this purchase is the money they paid for the home will go toward a scholarship in her grandmother’s name.

Located in what is sometimes referred to as “Old Anderson,” the home is close to central downtown.

Hammond’s vision for the home is to open the house up to an open/airy floor plan. They are gutting the entire house, adding granite counters and new floors as well as a new heating and air system, yet still keeping some of the home’s history and character. For resale purposes, they will have to add some basic yet modern updates such as stainless steel appliances and a spa bathroom.

Hammond hopes to have the renovations complete and the home for sale by early summer.

If you are considering entering into the flipping houses game, be sure to do your own research and contact some trusted advisors and professionals (both financial and construction).

A few of the basics to keep in mind: Location, location, location.

Did we mention location matters? It doesn’t matter how good of a deal you brokered when you purchased the property. If the location or market in that area isn’t a strong one, don’t expect to make a lot of money on your flip. However, keep in mind even a 10 to 20 percent profit margin on a flipping deal is still a successful one, if it happens in a timely manner.

This is an investment property, not your personal home.

Therefore the house should not reflect your personal taste. A common mistake among new flippers is to try to personalize the property the way they would like it. This normally doesn’t work. Any remodeling work you do needs to appeal to the broadest possible viewers.

In other words, if you love green and farmhouse-type décor, this doesn’t go in your investment property; keep it for your personal home.

Financing for house flipping is available, but it costs investors more.

It’s not just because an investor has less to lose than a person who lives in the home, it’s usually because the lender is still on the hook for what may sometimes become a neglected piece of property. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender may have further trouble selling.

Do the math – CORRECTLY! If you are calculating a potential flip this way, buy a house for $100,000, spend $20,000 on improvements, sell it for $150,000 and earn $30,000 profit, you clearly haven’t done all the math that is needed to properly consider your potential profit.

What about the cost of borrowed money (bank fees, etc.) and the cost of selling the house such as commission for a Realtor and/or advertising, staging, etc.?

Have you thought about the possibility that the contractor might discover, once he starts the work, that half the plumbing lines are rotted? Did you remember to include the cost of insurance, utilities, property taxes, any homeowner association dues, general upkeep and maintenance like lawn work, weather damage, cleaning etc., while you own the house?

If flipping houses is something you are going to pursue, remember to carefully weigh all the pros and cons listed above, and do your research. You may also want to consider consulting a financial expert and real estate professional to review your potential investment so that your house flipping adventure doesn’t end up a house flipping disaster. n

andersonmagazine.com 23 March/April 2017

The Business of Farming

By Liz Carey

In a typical 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. day, Mac McGee does more than just herd cattle.

As a farmer, he’s not just handling the cattle and pigs and chickens that roam his farm. He is involved in the production process and the transportation process, the management of the minerals used to keep his stock healthy, the storage of his produce and the accounting surrounding his farm.

But, he said, it’s his wife, Robin, who handles the marketing and advertising.

McGee is a great example of how the agribusiness industry is evolving in South Carolina. That’s important, because that industry accounts for more than 10 percent of the state’s workforce, and more than $41 billion of the state’s total economy.

In the upstate, agribusiness is a growing industry spanning multiple fields. And it’s growing – not only in numbers, but also in the area’s economic importance.

Agribusiness encompasses more than just farming, said Wilder Ferreria, executive director of the Freshwater Coast Center for Rural Development and agribusiness development agent for the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.

“Agribusiness covers everything from the farm to the table,” Ferreria said. “From storing the food, to grading it, to processing and transportation, to accounting, to marketing. It’s more than just the farming aspect of it these days.”

The agribusiness industry is seeing a slight uptick in its numbers, Ferreria said. While agribusiness stayed steady for a number of years, the last three years have seen an increase in the number of farms across the state.

Carson Buzhardt, a Clemson University student studying agribusiness with a minor in packaging, said she’s seen the interest in the industry grow at her school as well. Membership in the Agribusiness Association on campus has increased over the last three years, she said, an indication of the interest in the industry as a major.

“I’ve been told that I shouldn’t have any trouble finding a job,” she said.

For her, growing up on a farm has shown her not only the diversity of agribusiness, but the necessity of it as well.

“I grew up on a farm in South Carolina, so I’ve always wanted to go into the agribusiness industry. It’s interesting to me the different places that you can use an agribusiness major. For me, I want to work in the food industry, so you think of the all the areas you can use it – the supply chains (from the farmer to the distribution points), the seed companies, and the poultry, swine and beef production facilities. There’s also work in corporate offices – like marketing and sales, management, finance and public relations,” she said.

“Living on a farm and growing up on a farm taught me the importance of a strong work ethic. Seeing all the details of how food gets from the farm to the table… it’s huge. You really see and appreciate how much of a huge part agriculture is in our lives. If we didn’t have agribusiness, we wouldn’t have clothes, we wouldn’t have food…it’s a really important part of our life,” she concluded.

According to Hugh Weathers, the South Carolina commissioner of agriculture, the agribusiness cluster

andersonmagazine.com 24 March/April 2017

Living on a farm and growing up on a farm taught me the importance of a strong work ethic. Seeing all the details of how food gets from the farm to the table…it’s huge. of industry in South Carolina is composed of 60 agriculture sectors and 29 forestry sectors. The industry generates nearly $8.8 billion in labor income in South Carolina.

“It’s exciting to see this growth in jobs and our agribusiness economy,” said Weathers when he released a report about the industry in 2016. “The numbers also help portray the magnitude and powerful influence of this great industry in our state. We must continue to actively support our farmers and producers in South Carolina to generate an even greater impact on the rural economy as well as job growth.”

In the upstate, traditional farmers as well as some who have taken on new techniques and products provide food and much more to the area. That farming impacts the local economy, said Brandon Grace, president of the Anderson Area Food and Farm Association.

“It has a pretty big impact on the economy,” he said.

“If you’re doing your shopping at a big supermarket, that money is going out of the community. But if you buy from a local farmer, that money has a bigger impact here because it stays in the community.”

Buying from local farmers also ensures that buyers know what they are buying, Grace said. “There’s definitely been an uptick in interest from consumers for buying from the local farmer,” he said. “There’s no better guarantee that you’re getting a good product than buying from a local farmer.”

But just because the farmers are local, doesn’t mean they operate old-fashioned farms putting out the same kinds of products consumers have seen for the past 100 years.

Local farmers are using new methods to create healthy produce, like Don and Tina Black at Pipe Dream Farm in Starr, who use hydroponics to grow vegetables without soil; Tammy and Ron Lubsen of Forx Farm in Pendleton, who produce “wildflower honey” from their 15-year-old hives; and Diana and Tom Kerr of Forest Moon Farms in Anderson, who use wind and solar power to operate their farm and grow a variety of greens and other vegetables.

Even McGee, who has been farming since he was 12 years old, is using new methods.

McGee mixes his own minerals to feed to his animals to ensure that they are healthy, instead of feeding them pre-mixed chemicals.

“We have no insecticides, no pesticides, no chemicals,” McGee said. “We’ve worked to heritage-breed animals to ensure quality and sustainability. There’s a lot more to it. We’re going back and doing stuff now like my granddaddy did it.”

But the throwback to the old days stops there, he said.

“The difference is from a technology standpoint,” he said. “You don’t do just one thing anymore, you have to do it all.”

Including, he said, distribution.

“I had a woman call today, I have no idea how she found us,” he said. “She couldn’t get our products where she is, so she wanted to see if there was a way we could get it to her.”

Learning how to use computers helps to take care of some of the extra duties he has to take on, he said.

“The difference is in the technology. You’ve got to be computer savvy and Internet savvy. If you’re not, you’re losing business.” n

andersonmagazine.com 25 March/April 2017

Meet Coach and Sophie

Nield Gordon is known as “Coach” at The Legacy. He is a basketball legend in this area, and has been inducted to multiple Hall of Fames. He is a graduate of Furman University where he also served as Assistant Basketball Coach from1956-1963. He then became the Basketball Coach at Newberry College from 1963-1977.

In 1977 Coach was named “Coach of the Year” for the state of South Carolina.

Coach also received his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of South Carolina. He then became the Athletic Director and Basketball Coach at Winthrop University from 1977-1986.

Coach owned and operated Camp Chatuga for Boys & Girls for over 40 years. Now his family operates the camp.

Coach’s accomplishments far exceed the space allowed here in this ad. His greatest treasure is his family. He has two daughters, three son-in-laws and 11 grandchildren.

Stop by The Legacy and say hello to Coach and his dog Sophie!

after

Call Christy Tripp today to schedule a visit, and be sure to ask about their all day dining menu!

864-276-3501

www.legacyofandersonseniorliving.com andersonmagazine.com 26 March/April 2017

“This was our second experience with Chappelear & Associates and both were wonderful...

Professional, knowledgeable, would recommend to anyone.”

-Michael & Katie

www.AndersonForSale.com Chappelear & Associates, Inc. R E A L E S TAT E Ala: 864.314.9346

ala@andersonforsale.com

Craig: 864.940.1598

craig@andersonforsale.com

Anderson’s #1 Team FOR 2015

Quality Matters!

Roofing • Gutters • Vinyl Siding -Residential and Commercial-

231 West Market Street • Anderson

864-241-8133

*Based on information from the Western Upstate Multiple Listing Service from 1-1-15 thru 12-31-2015.

A WEALTH of OPPORTUNITY

CAROLA DAUCHERT REAL ESTATE www.CallCarola.com

• Financial Planning • Asset Managment • Investment Managment

• Tax & Estate Planning • Insurance Needs • Business Continuation Planning

ANDERSON

(888) 7WAGNER

301 S. McDuffie St.

Anderson •Greenville •Seneca

Selling? Call us - we can get it sold!

Looking to buy? We will find that special home or lot for you!

We are here to help you with all of you real estate needs.

18 years experience

w w w. w a g n e r w e a l t h m a n a g e m e n t . c o m Securities offered through Triad Advisors, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Wealth Management Advisors. Wealth Management Advisors is not affiliated with Triad Advisors.

864-226-5473

1203 N. Fant St., Anderson, SC 29621

andersonmagazine.com 27 March/April 2017

America’s Favorite Pastime

Hits the Road

by John Boone andersonmagazine.com 28 March/April 2017

It’s a rite of Spring - the pop of a mitt, the crack (or ping) of a bat. Baseball, America’s pastime, is back.

Many of the “Boys of Summer,” all aiming to perfect the art of the diamond, never really left. Instead, they’ve just emerged from the indoor batting cages, weight rooms, and training facilities they’ve frequented during the colder months. These are the baseball-hooked, the seriously impassioned, the baseball rats. These are the travel ball players.

“My son identifies himself with baseball,” long-time travel ball parent Ricky Stuckey says of his 14-year-old son Mac, who also plays at TL Hanna High School.

“He’s driven by it. I don’t have any preconceived notions as to how far he’ll go, but as long as he wants to do it, I’ll support him.”

Most of the travel teams in the Anderson area and throughout the state attend tournaments organized and governed by the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), a mammoth multi-sport organization headquartered in Kissimmee, Florida, that registers close to 50,000 baseball teams nationwide each year.

Teams are classified according to age, from as young as 4 and under up to 18 and under, and skill level - A, AA, AAA, and Majors - to allow teams to compete with others of similar abilities.

South Carolina’s USSSA chapter fields teams from the 8 and under (8U) up to 18U Elite, from AA to Majors, with tournaments scheduled all over the state most every weekend from February through August, the older ages starting after the high school season ends.

Dozens of those teams originate in Anderson and the Upstate.

Jason Gross, the state’s director, says on the USSSA’s GameDay Sports South Carolina website, “We have found that kids develop at different stages and our philosophy is that all kids should all be given the ‘All Star’ opportunity at ALL ages and levels. Our goal is to keep as many kids playing baseball as possible.”

“Some kids could play a hundred games a season,” says Tom Yoder, a veteran travel coach who has fielded two USSSA-sanctioned teams over the years. His current Carolina Stampede 11U team went 13-2 last season at the AA level and topped the power rankings, losing only to two teams outside the state. He started his own teams so that he could mold a certain type of player and create a certain type of atmosphere. “Our kids play seven or eight tournaments a season, with four to five games per tournament, so they’re playing over 30 games. We’re very conscientious about how much they play.”

Yoder keeps only 10 players on his roster to ensure plenty of playing time for all, and builds it not only around individual baseball abilities, but also character and family.

“We want good kids all the way around. We want this experience to be about making friends, learning lessons, and playing good baseball. We like the fact that everybody knows everybody, and our families go out to dinner together after the games. And we’re very competitive. We have had great results and have developed some pretty good players.”

There’s quite a cost commitment involved in travel, too. Yoder will collect $700 from each player this season, though much of the cost is offset by fundraising efforts. The cost to play for some teams could be two to even three times as much as Yoder charges.

“It’s a consideration,” Ricky Stuckey says. “It all adds up, especially as the players get older.”

“Being able to go places you’ve never been, play good competition and make yourself better makes it fun, and I appreciate the opportunity,” Mac Stuckey adds.

andersonmagazine.com 29 March/April 2017

Some players, like Mac Stuckey, are taking their baseball career step by step. He “graduated” from rec league ball to travel ball in hopes of making his high school team. He’ll see where he goes from there. Other players look even further ahead, setting their gaze on college, or even professional ball.

Many travel players turn to sports training facilities, like TNT Sports, on I-85 in Anderson, or Blue Chip Baseball on Ghent Drive near the I-85 Clemson exit in Anderson to get an edge on the competition. Both facilities are run by former Clemson baseball stars who were drafted by Major League teams and spent some time in pro ball. Those facilities also field their own travel teams.

“We paint pictures of what life is going to look like and what you’re going to have to do to get to where you want to go,” Seth Brizek, owner of Blue Chip says.

“Amidst all the distractions and options of things to do, we want players who are going to focus on baseball, and that means while they are here, while they are on the field, and while they are at home or otherwise just bored. We want players who grind, who work.”

In return, Brizek, who also coaches the nationally ranked Blue Chip Bulls 18U team, guarantees a topnotch experience from an all-star roster of instructors, who focus on getting their players into college baseball programs, or beyond. Several have gone on to play pro ball.

While there may be varying intents and purposes for players getting into travel baseball - and those can

vary greatly - one constant theme emerges from all involved: if players and their parents agree on realistic goals, find the right coach and team that fit those goals, and make a commitment to accomplishing those goals, their experience in travel baseball will be a fun and rewarding pastime. n Some team members from Tom Yoder’s 12U Carolina Stampede answered questions about what they liked best about their travel team: Nick Yoder I like going out of town and playing different teams, and I like playing with my friends and going out to eat with everybody.

Will Craddock I like being with all my friends and playing baseball.

I also like my coaches and all the people that cheer me on. I also love how Avery always makes me happy when I am down.

Shane Bradley I get to play against really good players and teams, and we have great coaches.

Cooper Cameron I like to go out of town to do things, and I like to play baseball with all of my friends.

Owen Alexander I like to play with all of my friends, and I love spending my weekends outside playing ball.

andersonmagazine.com 30 March/April 2017

Brothers and sisters across boundaries

By Johnny McKinney Pastor, Boulevard Baptist Church

Looking to buy/sell or invest?

We’re Realtors that will work hard for YOU! Tim Jones REALTOR®

803-463-9758

TimJonesRE@gmail.com

Luanne Jones Broker/REALTOR®

864-202-0991

LuanneJones58@gmail.com

www.coldwellbanker.com/agents/luanne-jones-29621

New Location To Serve You

Same Great Food Same Great Service New Convenient Location 4460 Liberty Highway, Anderson www.westwindinc.com

“Brothers and sisters!” Those innocent enough nouns are commonplace around churches and faith communities. They are so much a part of our vernacular that it is easy enough to forget how radical the notion truly is. American theologian George Lindbeck of Yale notes that the church defeated the Roman Empire in less than 400 years, using none of the props by which Roman institutions constituted themselves. Assaulting family, gender, race (so dear to Roman hearts), social class and economic level, the church formed a people on nothing more than the Word, the intrusive Word which plowed through Roman institutions and values, creating a new people where previously there had been none. It was out of that all-out assault on cultural standards that the first Christians called each other — regardless of race, status or background — brother and sister.

There is a proverb often heard in our culture, “blood is thicker than water.” It implies that family relationships are stronger than any other connections. But the church has, at its best, always said “no.” The church has declared that our connections through baptism trump all other societal markers. As the apostle Paul declared in Galatians, “All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (3:27-28) Controversial English author and philosopher Aldous Huxley has a poetic expression that captures the Christian perspective, whether he intended it that way or not: “Blood, as we all know, than water’s thicker/But water’s wider, thank the Lord, than blood.” The wideness of those baptismal waters means that the most unlikely bonds exist between believers around the globe.

We are part of one faith family — high church and low church, those who worship in cathedrals and those who worship in open air markets, Pentecostal and liturgical, liberal and conservative, black, brown and white. This has profound implications for how we should relate to one another in community, and of the ethical imperatives for those who would follow Jesus — to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. n

andersonmagazine.com 31 March/April 2017

Soccer is What’s Up

By Chris Stiles

at the Electric City Cup

Anderson is part of a national growth trend in soccer, especially among children and teens.

This is evidenced by the Clemson-Anderson Soccer Alliance (CASA), a junior club soccer program which continues to grow as interest in the sport increases.

With growth comes the opportunity to benefit the community, something CASA looks to do as it plans the Electric City Cup, a tournament scheduled for April 1-2 at the Anderson Civic Center.

Around 50 teams are currently signed up for the event, and CASA’s goal is to get 64, with boys and girls brackets for ages 9 and under to 12 and under. Teams from James Island, Lexington, and Jefferson, Ga. are already committed to play.

CASA’s board is working with both the city of Anderson and Anderson County ahead of the event, which planners estimate will bring 1,000 people to Anderson, including players and their families.

“Most will be coming in Friday night, and spend all day Saturday,” said CASA board member Chris Sullivan.

“We’ll have two games (per team) on Saturday, and one to two games on Sunday, so you’ve got them eating breakfast in town, lunch and dinner. They’re spending 48 hours in Anderson once it’s all over.”

“It could have a great economic impact on the area,” said Neil Paul, executive director for Visit Anderson, the visitors and convention bureau. “The average visitor to Anderson spends about $85 per day; that includes food, lodging, gas, and miscellaneous items, including entertainment.”

Players will receive a gift bag upon arrival, containing coupons and information about restaurants and the downtown Anderson area.

Many of the preparations, including behind-thescenes chores like hiring referees, fall to the CASA board, including president Gary Greenwood, who also coaches varsity girls’ soccer at T.L. Hanna High School.

“It’s kind of a huge ordeal,” Greenwood said. “Even though it’s a small tournament, it’s a lot of work.”

CASA has previously run the CASA Classic, but has rebranded the event this year after moving the date to April and improving facilities.

The CASA program has teams ranging in age from 8 and under to 19 and under, with the idea of a club for both the Clemson and Anderson areas, since neither area individually has enough players in each age group to form teams.

“Now they’re able to have an outlet other than just

U14 boys listen to their coach at half time.

YMCA ball playing locally,” Sullivan said. “So it just kind of gave them a bigger pool of kids to play soccer at a higher level.”

“We’re taking the opportunity to teach the kids the proper way and teach the kids about the game, and then we travel around and play in other areas across the state, and also travel to North Carolina and Georgia and play some of their youth programs as well,” said Jimmy George, CASA’s director of coaching, who also coaches varsity boys’ soccer at Westside High School.

Out of CASA’s roughly 300 participants, Greenwood estimates that about 60 percent live in Anderson, with the rest split among Clemson, Seneca, Walhalla, Belton, and other areas in the tri-county region.

Under Greenwood’s leadership since he became CASA’s board president last year, the club has launched a Pre-Junior Academy program for 5- to 7-yearolds. They also gave out a club record of $20,000 in scholarships last year, helping alleviate the cost of playing for low-income families.

CASA’s vision is to work with the YMCA and recreational programs to collectively create better quality junior soccer programs. About 1,000 children played soccer in Anderson last fall, a number Greenwood says could potentially expand to 1,500 or 2,000 over the next few years.

andersonmagazine.com 32 March/April 2017

“My goal is to unify everybody in Anderson, and get us all on the same page, with the way we train the kids, and have a program where we’re all heading in the same direction,” Greenwood said.

Three CASA players have qualified to represent South Carolina and compete against other states with the Olympic Development Program, and several players have received scholarships to play college soccer, another of the program’s major goals.

S.I.N. SUNDAY Service Industry Night Drinks, Sushi & Appetizer Specials 6 p.m. - Close

Weekday Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 4pm-6pm

Sushi • Hibachi • Ultrafit & More The Murasaki Experience Anderson Mall • 3131 N Main St • Anderson Another goal of growing the CASA soccer community through events like the Electric City Cup is evident to those outside the organization, like Paul.

“I give a lot of credit to the folks at CASA for their hard work and effort, because they’re mostly volunteers and they have a passion, not only for the soccer programs that benefit the youth, but also for their community,” Paul said.

As CASA continues to grow, its leaders want the Anderson community to grow with them.

“We want this community to grow,” George said.

“We want the kids to learn the proper way to play, and we want the kids to have fun, and our club is huge on a family atmosphere. We want us to be close, and we want everybody to want the same things for our community, and our children.” n

(864) 760-0630

Also at the Haywood Mall and Downtown Greenville Sushi Murasaki in Downtown Greenville • 864-271-2452

While you’re away,

let your pets play!

Electric City Stay and Play is the resort for pets. Canine guests can take a dip in the heated, bone shaped pool and feline friends can take a romp around the floor to ceiling play room. Overnight and day play for dogs, cats, exotics, pocket pets and birds. Veterinarian owned and operated.

Now Open!

Call to schedule your free tour!

(864) 225-6440 • ecstayandplay@gmail.com 120 Charley Drive • Anderson, SC

andersonmagazine.com 33 March/April 2017

AnMed Health

Faith community nursing program nourishes body, mind and spirit Churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith communities enrich many lives by providing spiritual care, but a growing initiative through AnMed Health is guiding these faith communities to help with physical health as well.

A program called faith community nursing (FCN) utilizes faith communities to improve the physical health of people within their congregations. FCN is a specialized practice of professional nursing focusing on care of the spirit as well as health and prevention or minimization of illness within a faith community.

“In many neighborhoods, the churches or synagogues are the anchor of the community,” said Amy Goodson, AnMed Health faith community nurse coordinator. “In African American, Hispanic and other communities, we’re trying to build the program to help more people and promote better health.”

These nurses touch individual lives by organizing services such as meals, rides to medical appointments, and addressing home safety issues and other needs. They promote the health of their congregation overall through education, screenings and facilitating access to resources.

Most volunteer their time, although a few are paid.

Like a nurse in a hospital or doctor’s office, they must document care while maintaining patient confidentiality, dignity, and spiritual beliefs and practices. Each FCN is encouraged to complete the Faith Community Nurse Foundations course and must adhere to the American Nurses Association’s Scope and Standards of Practice for Faith Community Nursing.

There are limits to what a faith community nurse can do. They cannot replace home health or a primary care provider. Their care is considered “hands-off,” meaning they cannot administer medications, change dressings or any other “hands on” procedures.

Churches also must make a commitment to be part of the FCN. Each signs a covenant with AnMed Health, which provides access to resources and education. They must develop a wellness committee, provide private work space for the FCN, and supply basic equipment and supplies.

“These requirements may be difficult for some small churches that don’t have many resources,” Goodson said. “I eventually would like to link some of the bigger churches with the smaller churches to help them.”

The health ministries can also have volunteers who aren’t trained health care providers, but they must understand the role of the FCN program. Volunteers can assist providing meals, transportation and other needs as directed by the FCN.

One important goal Goodson has is for FCNs to work with the hospital’s “transitions of care,” to ensure people leaving the hospital receive resources they need to properly heal and prevent re-admittance.

“We would like to work with faith community nurses to keep these patients healthy and help them with whatever they need. We also would like nurses to reach into the community to help patients who don’t necessarily go to church,” Goodson said. “A lot of people move from elsewhere, and they don’t have family here to support them.”

Mike Johnston, AnMed Health director of Spiritual Care, wanted to revive faith-based community nursing after a program from the early 2000s fizzled from lack of funding. He felt the model would benefit the Anderson area and he knew the most successful programs work under the umbrella of a hospital.

In late 2016, AnMed Health’s Faith and Health Ministry hired Goodson to grow the program. She began with three nurses who were already working in local congregations.

Since then, the program has grown to 12 churches that sponsor an FCN. AnMed Health’s Faith Community Nursing program supports the local nurses by providing training, ideas, resources and educational materials. Goodson hosts a monthly meeting where FCNs can exchange information, participate in a devotional and pray with each other. The meetings are a way of nourishing the faith community nurses in mind and spirit so they can do the same for their congregations.

For more information about the program, contact Amy Goodson at 512.9094 or amy.goodson@anmedhealth.org. n

Faith community nurses (front row, l to r) Debbie Harnesburger, Christina Hornbeck, Lynne Ramsey and Ann Cothran, (back row) Kristie Rucker, Amy Goodson and Lisa Moss recently completed the FCN Foundations course.

andersonmagazine.com 34 March/April 2017

Anderson Historic District 826 S. McDuffie St. Anderson, SC

Custom Renovated Multi-use opportunity

Call for Appointment

New Price!!! $269,000

Call Downtown Denise Anderson’s Downtown Commercial Property Specialist

Denise Frederick 864-940-3777

www.TheCleverPeople.com dfrederick@joynercommercial.com

• 6 Rooms w/Antique 100-year-old wooden bar • 4 Fireplaces • 1.5” Pine Hwd Floors on Main Level • 10” Ceilings • Custom eat-in kitchen • Minutes from Downtown Anderson

Mark Thoennes Builders, LLC

Helps people achieve their real estate dreams through our strong commitment to RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY and COMMUNITY. Call one of our highly qualified REALTORS® today!

1924 Pearman Dairy Rd. Anderson, SC 29625 - 864-226-8100

Anchors Aweigh

F

or 22-year-old Samuel Hill, 2016 was the year of results. “This was the year where I saw my hard work pay off,” said Hill, a 2016 Tri-County Technical College Associate in Science graduate who spent 2015 working toward his goal of being accepted into the United States Naval Academy. Only 7 percent, or 1,184, of the 17,043 applicants are admitted.

After a year of preparation and application, he learned from Senator Tim Scott’s office last February he would be offered a full qualified appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. The admission process is lengthy and requires the nomination of a U.S. Congressman or one of the state’s two U.S. Senators. Samuel received both – a #1 nomination from Congressman Jeff Duncan and a nomination from Senator Scott, as well.

“I received a call from Senator Scott’s office, who told me I would receive an offer of appointment to the Naval Academy the next week. I was at work and saw a Columbia area code pop up on my phone. I heard Taylor Yarnal’s voice, who was my contact with the nomination process. I didn’t scream then, but I did a lot of smiling.”

It was among his proudest moments. “It is a lifelong dream to be accepted into the Naval Academy. It will

Samuel Hill

help me to succeed in anything I do,” he said.

He departed for Annapolis, Maryland, June 30 after finishing his final summer school class and a month before Tri-County’s summer commencement.

Hill entered Tri-County in 2014 just before his 21st birthday with the goals of building academic clout needed for admission into the Naval Academy and cultivating his leadership skills.

He had the opportunity to address the S.C. Legislative Delegation in Columbia in early 2016. “TriCounty helped me to achieve my dream,” said Hill, who was home schooled for 12 years. He told the lawmakers about his experiences as a student and how Tri-County helped him to reach his goals.

“My extracurricular activity was strong, but my academics were lacking because I didn’t have a recognized accredited high school transcript. It was a big deal and pretty cool to speak to this group of people whom I admire. One day, I want to be one of them listening to a Tri-County student like me telling his or her success story,” he said.

“My first year at Tri-County I was super focused on my studies and my jobs,” said Hill, who worked two part-time jobs –at Anderson Regional Airport as a part-time Flight Line Technician and he operated his handyman business on the side. While holding down a full academic load, at times 19 credit hours, Hill joined the Anderson Civil Air Patrol in 2014 and within three months was appointed Deputy Commander of Cadets.

The next semester he sought out opportunities for service.

He began by visiting the Student Government Association (SGA) office and asking questions. “An organization that is designed to promote student activities and to better the student experience appealed to me,” he said.

He was elected Vice President of SGA and traveled with fellow officers to Columbia to accept third-place honors in the 2015-2016 South Carolina Technical Education Association Community Involvement Project competition. Their project was titled, “Captivating Lives with Literacy.”

“Service is a big part of my life,” said Hill. “When you serve others, it adds value to your own life. You’re part of something bigger.”

Croslena Johnson, manager of student development and wellness programs and advisor for SGA, says, “Sam is the kind of person who genuinely cares about being an active, committed participant in whatever he does.

andersonmagazine.com 36 March/April 2017

He says his biggest achievement was serving as Project Manager in 1992 for the one-million-square-foot facility on Liberty Highway. From May 1992 – June 1994, he was immersed in the new project, calculating every item needed for the facility based on growth calculations.

“Tri-County’s hands-on approach gave me the foundation I needed to tackle complicated problems. Through the math and work measurement, I had the building blocks to do calculations and be a part of group discussions,” he said.

In 2007 he was named Glen Raven’s Vice President of Operations.

He is charged with directing the sustainability program for Glen Raven globally. He leads the corporate-wide sustainability initiative which achieved Landfill-Free Status in all operations in North America, France, and China. In 2012 Glen Raven received Duke Energy’s Power Partners Award for its efforts in energy efficiency, sustainability, and business growth.

“Glen Raven has given me wonderful opportunities,” said Blackston. “Years ago, I joined an amazing company, and I’m thankful I could use my education to work for the greatest company in the world,” he said.

He worked as an instructor for Tri-County, serving as an adjunct for the Engineering and Industrial Technology Division from 1995 – 2003. He also developed the first web-based quality classes for the College’s Quality Assurance program.

“Teaching was a great source of relaxation. I taught real-world exercises by taking actual data and presenting it to the class. Students really appreciated this. Teaching made me a better manager. I would do it tomorrow if time allowed,” he said.

Blackston also is active in his community, serving on the Board of Directors for Imagine Anderson, the American Heart Association, South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Board, Ambassadors Board for AnMed Health, the Board of Visitors at Anderson University and the Industrial Engineering Advisory Board at Clemson Tri-County President Ronnie L. Booth and SamuelUniversity.

Hill

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Tri-County Technical College More than 70 majors Lowest Tuition in Upstate Highest Success Rate among State’s 16 Technical Colleges Ranked in Top 5% Nationally for Successful Transfer Nearly 80% of Students Receive Financial Assistance and Scholarships 19:1 Student-Faculty Ratio

Meet Other Successful TCTC in Anderson Whether it is Chorus or SGA —heAlumni even when we needed aCounty guitarist for our believes in hard work and teamwork. band, he jumped right in and worked He is definitely a strong leader, and his hardest to make himself and others an humble servant who knows how to shine,” she said. motivate the team,” she said.

“I’m so proud to have worked with Hill also is a singer and performed in him. I’ll always consider him not only church for most of his life. He joined the one of my brightest students but a great College’s Chorus in 2015. Julia West, friend as well, and I can’t wait to see music instructor and director of choral/ what he can do going forward.” band activities, said, “From the start, How does he see himself in 10 years?

SamWallace was one of those students I knew “Flying off the decks of navy aircraft Cobbs John Woodson Carly Heventhal I could count on.

He’s one of those rare carriers, ” he said.

On-Air Personality, Assistant Principal, Dixon people always wants to learn “If not serving in the Newwho Prospect Classicmore Rock 101.1;In two decades?

Registered Nurse, andElementary do the hard work to make himself military, I will be pursuing School Program Coordinator, AnMed Health my political a better, smarter, and stronger person aspirations, ” he said. n Media Arts every single day. He’s alwaysProduction,Tri-County willing to lend a hand; nearly every timeTechnical I needed College a student to perform at a special event, andersonmagazine.com 37 March/April 2017

Four Campuses to Serve You Selected to Compete for 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Home to Nationally-Known Bridge to Clemson Program RN, LPN Grads’ NCLEX Scores Exceed State, National Averages

www.tctc.edu 864.646.TCTC (8282)

Golfing Guide

As we move towards spring, with the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National right around the corner, if you’re anything like me, you’re dusting off the golf clubs and hitting the range to tune up the game in time for warm weather. There’s nothing much worse than stepping up to the tee for that first round of the year and whiffing right there in front of your buddies. It always provides a good laugh, but it’s never fun when it’s at your own expense. Here is an overview of some of the great courses in the area and what you can expect when you step onto the tee.

The Club at Brookstone

Formerly Brookstone Meadows, The Club at Brookstone has recently gone through some exciting improvements to offer a new experience to players led by world-renowned golf course designer Troy Vincent. The upgrades to the golf course include rebuilt and reshaped bunkers, TifEagle Bermuda greens and all the tee boxes have been laser leveled. The course features an excellent collection of par 3s, ranging from long irons to well-bunkered greens to short irons over water. The driving range has gone through a complete transformation, offering players an excellent practice facility. After your round you can now enjoy an excellent dinner at Brookstone’s Earle Street Kitchen and Bar, the second location of one of Anderson’s hottest restaurants. Brookstone also has plans to renovate the clubhouse and grounds to include many amenities such as a luxury pool for members. Also featured is a beautiful tennis facility.

“In golf, the player, coach and official are rolled into one, and they overlap completely.

Golf really is the best microcosm of life – or at least the way life should be.”

– Lou Holtz

By Andy Hazle andersonmagazine.com 38 March/April 2017

Cobbs Glen Country Club

Cobbs Glen Country Club is located in Anderson just off Old Williamston Road. Designed by George Cobb, Cobbs Glen first opened its doors for play in 1976. The course provides a true test no matter the skill level, with four different sets of tee boxes to accommodate every player. In 2012, Cobbs Glen went through a full renovation of the greens, switching to the TifEagle Hybrid Bermuda. The course offers a nice challenge for the skilled golfer from the back tees that will challenge every aspect of your game. The par 5s offer the options for a cautious lay up or the go-for-broke hero shot. The course closes with one of the hardest finishing holes in South Carolina. Number 18 is a long, uphill dogleg left par 4 that features a tough second shot to a well-bunkered green. The course also features a driving range, putting green, a full-service pro shop, and a restaurant and bar. The clubhouse has a members’ lounge and men’s and women’s locker rooms. Also included on the grounds is an Olympic-sized swimming pool and tennis courts.

Saluda Valley

Built in 1963 off Beaverdam Road in Williamston, Saluda Valley offers a hilly layout that is still convenient for players who enjoy walking. The course provides a different test with each nine holes. The front nine is fairly open, while the back nine plays shorter with more trees. A lot of area players call Saluda Valley the hidden gem of the upstate. The course features exciting par 4s and many reachable par 5s. Other amenities are a driving range with mats and sod, putting green, and a full-service clubhouse. Also on the grounds for members is a swimming pool and wedding/banquet facilities.

Boscobel Golf Club

Boscobel is located near Pendleton just off Hwy. 76 going towards Clemson. Established in the 1930s, this Fred Bolton-designed layout is considered by most an old-fashioned course with Bermuda fairways and bent grass greens. Boscobel offers a tough challenge with shot making and putting being a priority, with the quickest greens in Anderson. Boscobel features challenging par 4s and reachable par 5s after a well-placed tee shot. You’ll find the 16th hole to be one of the most beautiful but challenging holes in the area with a tough dog-leg left off the tee with a long iron shot into a green about 25 yards below your feet. Amenities at Boscobel include a large, spacious clubhouse, snack bar and grill, and a fully stocked pro shop for all of your equipment needs.

Southern Oaks

Southern Oaks is located just off I-85 between Anderson and Greenville. Built in 1989 by the Merritt Family, the course was opened with the idea of providing a fun and family-oriented environment. The course features one of the most beautiful settings for a round of golf in the upstate, including two large lakes with streams and woods that come into play throughout your round. You will find the Champion Bermuda greens to always be in good shape and rolling true. The course is a great opportunity for any golfer looking to test every shot in their bag! Facilities include a driving range, practice green, and putting green, and the clubhouse is well suited to fit any player’s needs with its “The 19th Hole” grill and snack bar.

andersonmagazine.com 39 March/April 2017

Bob Roche 864-617-1870

105 Carter Oaks Drive - $397,500 Awesome 4 bedroom, 3 bath home in Carter Oaks.

Spa like back yard with pool, patio, firepit, doll house, extra workshop, over 3000 sq ft, great home for entertaining. $397,500

sale pe

bob.roche@agentowned.com

109 Teeside Drive - $249,000

nding

113 Grove Park Drive - $329,900 - JUST REDUCED

Glorious 16th green with views of 16th & 10th fairway at Boscobel Golf Course at Boscobel Manor, wall of windows along back, screen porch, large deck with automatic awning, Great home with 2400 SF, 3 br, 2 ½ bath all on one floor, vaulted ceilings, split bedroom plan, FP with builtins, security alarm, irrigation, huge floored attic for storage, 2 car garage and workshop.

104 Postelle Drive - REDUCED $349,900

Immaculate home on the 18th fairway at Brookstone Meadows Village, awesome sunroom, all brick, cathedral ceilings, thermo tilt windows, irragation, central vac, 3 bedrooms 2.5 baths and a huge bonus plus a balcony desk and bookcase area and both stay. New granite in kitchen.

Over 3100 sq ft. Lovely!

156 Tully Drive - $469,900 Gorgeous custom home on 3th fairway in Tully Pointe at Brookstone Meadows. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bath, soaring ceilings, awesome kitchen with granite and S/S, Beautiful moldings, irrigation, 825 sq ft 3 car garage and work shop, 425 sq ft bonus room with built ins. Must be seen!

Beautiful, spacious custom home on a beautifully landscaped acre near AU and Cater Lake, offering 5 bathrooms, 5.5 baths, 2-car garage and ample addl. parking. Formals, custom wet bar in pine paneled family room, updated kitchen with granite, s/s appliances and wall oven, new roof, gutters, trim paint, screen porch, patio-covered and open, walk-up attic, irrigation, security, basement could be in-law suite complete with bedroom, rec room and bath, beautiful flowering yard.

Get Hooked

sale pe

nding

Your Dream. A Reality.

new construction. roof replacement. renovations.

On Lake Hartwell Lake Homes...Condos...Cottages...Lots

~Lake ~Golf ~Fishing ~Skiing ~Relaxing

864-207-1073

www.southernshieldllc.com Selling Real Estate on and around Lake Hartwell and surrounding lakes Keowee, Secession, Broadway

Locally owned, committed to the customer, fair and honest.

Licensed in SC and GA

Owners: Thomas Raspet, Cal McGann and Craig Drennon

andersonmagazine.com 40 March/April 2017

Q.

Ask an Expert

Let us enhance your loved one’s quality of life while providing you with peace of mind.

Since Mom’s fall last year, she just hasn’t been as steady as we like.

I’m worried for her to stay by herself all day. But don’t want her to feel like she has a babysitter either. What are my options?

• Caring

A.

Under normal circumstances, the family can expect their elderly parent to fall an average of twice a year. So, with that said, you really need to figure out where you stand on the balance between safety and quality of life.

My 94-year-old Dad, my sister and I have had the talk, and Dad wants to be in his own home and as independent as possible. We provide him with a personally chosen C3 Caregiver who stays with him three hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. My sister and I fill in on the off days.

We try to keep his environment as safe as possible. We have removed all throw rugs, cleaned up all the clutter, removed protruding furniture, and all extension cords, etc. We added a handrail at the entrance door and grab rails in the bathroom. A toilet riser with side grips is very helpful and non-slip flooring strips in the shower and bathtub are a must. We painted many of the walls a lighter color and increased the wattage of all lights using the new LED and fluorescent bulbs. Many older houses are dark and quite often falls are caused by low light sight environments.

Lift recliners and chairs with arms help seniors rise and sit safely. The use of four-pronged walking sticks, wheelchairs and walkers with rollers should be used as needed.

If you lean more towards the safety side, you likely need to think about an assisted living facility or as much in-home care as possible.

These two options are expensive, but in many cases they are the only way to provide you peace of mind and keep your family member safe and secure.

• Compassion • Companionship

Non-medical care provided by compassionate hands: • driving to appointments • light cooking • light housekeeping • care provided up to 24/7 • social outings • conversations ...and more

107 North Main Street, Anderson

864-934-5600

www.eldercare.net

~ Senior Care Specialists ~ Is it time for an Aging Plan?

864.401.8115 Sylvia Mesaros - owner

If you have a senior adult in your life, it may be time for an Aging Plan to discuss the complex topics of healthcare and life changes. The plan will evaluate living arrangements, in-home care needs, financial, legal and safety issues. Allow me to assist you in preparing for care.

Senior Finances Need a Check-Up Too! We can help:

Organize your assets Simplify resources Monitor investments Plan for long-term care

Call today for a free consultation

Aging parents struggling with staying on deadlines for paying bills? We can help Let The Alliances help your parents with daily financial tasks, like monthly bill payments, organization and reconciliations.

Talk to us about what system works best for your family. We’re here to make it simple and stressfree for you and your parents.

w w w.theallia n ces. n et

Senior Advocate Expert Caroline Bell

864-353-7379

cbell@preparingforcare.com www.preparingforcare.com andersonmagazine.com 41 March/April 2017

R. Carter Knobel

First Vice President/Investments

(864) 225-7177

114 East Benson Street Anderson, South Carolina 29624 Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com

A Place for Every Student

By Caroline Anneaux The public schools of Anderson County strive to offer a quality education for every student, including those with special needs. Not only do the individual schools work independently to assess and match students up with programs designed for their special needs, the directors of special education services in each district get together and share ideas and concerns in order to make sure every child is taken care of while they attend school each week day.

“Our district starts assessing children early on,” said Dr. Brenda Harper, Anderson School District Five’s director of special education. “BabyNet is a social services program in our area, and they help identify children under the age of three who show signs of not keeping up with their peers. By the time they reach us at age three, we are ready to place them in one of two amazing facilities we have for preschool children.”

West Market School of Early Education and South Fant School of Early Education are the two preschools run by District Five for children ages three and four.

These preschools are for children with and without learning delays, and they have separate areas for children who require additional services. For instance, both preschools have sensory rooms which teachers use to help calm down autistic children. They contain massive swings where the adult can sit with the child, a crash pad which the child is safe to jump around on, and even soft lighting and blue lights to escape the harsh fluorescent lighting in the classroom.

“It takes a team approach to get the children the services they need,” said Andrea Borders, school psychologist at West Market School of Early Education and Glenview Middle School. “We are fortunate in this district that BabyNet helps identify special needs children under age three, and we are ready to pick them up at age three to begin work on reasoning and motor skills, speech therapy, occupational therapy, sensory issues and more.”

It is difficult to label some children as having learning differences when they are at such a young age. Some children are just a little slower to catch on, but they will eventually catch up to their peers. For those who will require more help in school, observing the progress of the students as they pass through classrooms in their early years will enable teachers and school counselors and psychologists to identify and place them in proper classroom settings in elementary and middle school.

Skip forward to high schools in the districts, and you will find programs for children who were identified early on as children with special needs, and who have

Students at Pendleton High School practice using a time clock in the PAES lab.

been a part of the special education program during their early school years.

“It is the people who make it work,” said Leigh Burton, director of special education in Anderson School District Three. “We have children in Crescent High School using the PAES [Practical Assessment Exploration System] lab and learning real life skills, pre-vocation, how to behave in the workplace and more. Our special needs teachers and assistants work with the children and the community to teach these students something useful for life after graduation or phasing out at age 21.”

The PAES program is a work development transition curriculum. It is utilized by several of the Anderson County districts, including Anderson School District Four. The classroom becomes a simulated work site and students are exposed to a variety of real-life working environments such as business/marketing, construction/ industrial, consumer services, computer technology and processing/production. The teachers play the role of “boss” and the students are the “employees” in this program, which is designed to foster independence in these young adults with learning differences. They also

andersonmagazine.com 42 March/April 2017

get “paid” with special vouchers to mimic a paycheck and may use those funds in school stores set up just for this purpose.

“The PAES program gives our teachers great information on the students,” said Michael Shelton, director of special services for Anderson School District Four. “The data we get is incredibly helpful for setting up yearly IEPs [Individual Education Plans] for the kids. It works with students who are mild to severe and really helps them with encouraging independence.”

“Special education is not a place, it is a service,” said Shelton. He believes that the teachers and administration have real empathy for the students and care about each one individually.

“We have a foundation to do great things in the district and community,” said Shelton. “We are just building on what is already in place. This district understands that our special needs programs are preparing our students for a future after they leave us. It is a win-win situation for everyone – including the employers who will benefit from getting dedicated employees who show up enthusiastic and ready to work every day for years.”

A visit to Pendleton High School’s PAES lab shows a group of approximately 20 students working independently on their assigned “jobs” in the classroom. Candice Davis, transition special

“I like cutting paper with the paper cutter because it is easier than using scissors. I also like it when we cook and make hash browns and cheesecake.” ~ Ryan Klinkowski,

Crescent High School

B E LT O N - H O N E A PAT H Clemson 40 min Greenville 30 min

Anderson 15 min Greenwood 30 min

The place to raise your family and educate your children, and only a short drive to work. @AndersonSchoolDistrict2 @ A n d e r s o n _ Tw o

andersonmagazine.com 43 March/April 2017

Since 1920, the McDougalds have served the Anderson community with dignity and integrity.

education teacher, and her assistants and student teacher stay busy going from student to student supervising their progression through the 264 jobs in the PAES program.

“As much as we want to help them with all of their tasks, it is so important to let them work as independently as possible,” said Davis. “Our goal is for the students to be employable. We are so happy that the community businesses support us as much as they do. It makes it much easier to transition from high school, to Vocational Rehabilitation and on to real jobs.”

“My favorite part of the week is when I work at Clemson Community Care. I get to help bag the food and walk customers out to their cars.”

~ Kiarriah Baldwin

Pendleton High School

Students in Davis’s classroom get on-the-job experience through Bi-Lo, Scott’s Hill Equestrian Center, the dining hall at Southern Wesleyan University, Teal’s Automotive, South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation and many other businesses that open their doors to support these students on a daily or weekly basis.

Crescent High School in Iva also utilizes the PAES program. Special education teachers Haley Collins and Sylvia Bryant set up real-world working opportunities for the students when they are not in the PAES lab.

“My students love the PAES lab, but they also love getting out of the classroom and working in the community every day,” said Collins. “The Town of Iva co-sponsors the Crescent High School Thrift Store on East Front Street. It is open every day from 12:30 to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and our students and their job coaches operate it. Quality Foods in Iva also has a program for our students to help out in the grocery store.”

The days of placing special needs children into selfcontained classrooms all day are long gone in Anderson County schools. The students are learning inside and outside of the regular classrooms, attending classes with their peers and working towards transitioning into the community. n

Let our family assist your family when compassion, sincerity and trust often matter the most.

2211 N Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 (864) 224-4343 www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com

bring

ROOF LEAKS full-service roofing specialist providing services for your residential and commercial properties

CallFamilyRoofing.com • 864.261.0841 info@callfamilyroofing.com

andersonmagazine.com 44 March/April 2017

Celebrating a Century of Serving Honea Path

By Lisa Marie Carter

The Honea Path Fire Department, which was originally organized as a bucket brigade in 1856, just celebrated its 100th birthday and can boast of being one of the oldest service organizations in the town of Honea Path.

Chief Jimmy Smith, also a physician, is just the fourth chief appointed to the Honea Path Fire Department.

Smith has served as chief since 1995.

The Honea Path Fire Department was comprised of all volunteers until they combined with EMS in 2010. Today, they have approximately 16 volunteers, 10 full-time positions and 26 part-time positions. They now operate

out of two stations with four engine companies, one ladder truck, two rescue trucks, a chief ’s vehicle and six ambulances.

Since Insurance Service Office (ISO), a for-profit organization that provides statistical information on risk rankings, began ranking Honea path Fire Department in the 1950s, the department went from an 8 ranking all the way up to a 2 ranking (with a 1 Ranking being the best), and was awarded this higher ranking approximately two years ago.

Smith said a very proud moment for the department was when they were able to repurchase the old 1944 pumper that was originally owned by the fire department but was sold in 1973. They have repurposed the pumper, and it is now used for fire prevention and parades.

They celebrated their 100th year at their annual banquet. This century mark was distinguished by handing out 100 year commemorative coins to the members.

Happy 100th Birthday, Honea Path Fire Department, and thank you for your service to the community. n

WHERE TO SHOP

SHOPANDERSONMALL.COM

For Every Occasion

andersonmagazine.com 45 March/April 2017

United Way of Anderson 604 N Murray Ave Anderson, SC 29625 (864) 226-3438

unitedwayofanderson.org andersonmagazine.com 46 March/April 2017

A United Effort to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is Working Gone are the days when conversations about love, sex and relationships were held behind closed doors. In Anderson County, teaching young people how to make responsible decisions when it comes to their bodies and their futures is a community effort.

For the past 13 years, the United Way of Anderson has held teen pregnancy prevention as one of its top priorities. Working with their Women’s Leadership Council, the organization has managed to propel teen pregnancy prevention efforts forward within Anderson County School District Three and Four. Because of this community-wide effort, Anderson has experienced a 55 percent drop in its teen birth rate since 1991.

Making steady progress, Anderson’s teen birth rate decreased from 35.8 births per 1,000 females in 2014 to 31.6 births per 1,000 females in 2015 according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

In addition to their phenomenal work within Anderson County School District Three, the United Way of Anderson has partnered with the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy for a project entitled Expanding the Reach. Funded by the Office of Adolescent Health, this five-year grant aims to integrate teen pregnancy programs into schools, health centers and youth-serving organizations county-wide.

Adult and youth community action groups have been formed by the United Way of Anderson as a dedicated effort to continue declines in the teen birth rate in Anderson County.

According to Jamie Nimmo, Director of Strategic Markets at the United Way of Anderson, “The Adult Community Action Group has brought together individuals from across the county who are passionate about the health of our youth and decreasing teen pregnancy rates. Organizations represented on the committee include DHEC, DSS, AnMed Health, Nurse Family Partnership, Foothills Alliance, Mental Health and more.”

The Youth Community Action Group is working just as diligently, joining other action groups from Orangeburg and Aiken for Expanding the Reach’s Annual Youth Retreat. Youth action groups were able to learn about teen pregnancy prevention, social media and how they can use their voices to create change in their own communities.

“It is so exciting to see our youth engaged and motivated while working on an issue that truly matters to them,” said Kristin Fouts, Anderson County School District Three Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coordinator.

Youth Action group at Expanding the Reach Keepers of Cool Retreat

Fouts joined the United Way of Anderson Youth Action Group for the retreat in August of 2016.

The United Way of Anderson is off to a quick start this year planning a parenting skills workshop and hosting a How to Be an “Askable Adult” training in May. For Fouts, Expanding the Reach has been a wonderful opportunity for adults and youth in Anderson to be proactive in creating change. “It brings together community members and youth from around the county for the common goal of preventing teen pregnancy and enhancing the lives of all teens,” she said. “The impact can be huge if we all work together. It can truly change the landscape of our community.”

For the United Way of Anderson, teen pregnancy prevention stretches far beyond the issue of teen pregnancy itself. “The investment and involvement in teen pregnancy prevention is so important because our youth are our future,” said Fouts. “We have a responsibility to educate them and give them the tools so they can make proud and responsible decisions to positively impact their future. If we can reduce teen pregnancy, we will also reduce the poverty level, incarceration numbers, future teen pregnancies, and so much more.”

With organizations as committed to the future of today’s youth as the United Way of Anderson, community members can guarantee not just a healthier Anderson, but a healthier South Carolina. n

andersonmagazine.com 47 March/April 2017

Courtesy of FLW by JodyWhite

There is no peace to equal that, of fishing by a Lake, Or a stream, or river broad, or pond within a wood, If worries you would cast away, take a fishing break, Nature, is the balm that soothes, the restless soul for good.

- Damian Cranney

For many, the 56,000 acres that make up Hartwell Lake are a great source of recreation. You can easily tell the warmer weather is approaching when you see how busy the lake becomes with boats each weekend. But, besides the swimmers and boaters enjoying the water, the main attraction to the Hartwell Lake may be the championship fishing.

h s i F o G

andersonmagazine.com 48 March/April 2017

By Greg Wilson

For Neil Paul, fishing started on the bank of a little river in the low country of South Carolina, casting out with his little fishing kit, under the eye of his grandfather.

“Some of my fondest memories of fishing were with my grandfather,” said the new executive director of the Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau. “I would use that little push-button Zebco, while my grandfather sat on the tailgate of his truck. He would have to sneak away from my grandmother to have a beer, so he would take me fishing and enjoy a Budweiser,” Paul said, grinning.

Thirty years later Paul still enjoys fishing, but he has upgraded his gear to a Quantum, a professional reel produced by Zebco, and if he sees Budweiser, it is likely a sponsorship banner or patch for one of Anderson’s national professional tournaments.

“With the excitement of Green Pond, I have probably had less time to catch fish during the last three or four years than at any other time in my life,” Paul said.

“But I have never had more fun enjoying it in my life.”

After serving nearly seven years as sales manager for the visitors bureau, also known as Visit Anderson, Paul was recently named executive director of the organization which helps spread the good word about Anderson to visitors from all over the world. The organization offers information and assistance to a wide range of people, from those thinking of moving here to individuals and groups wanting to explore Anderson’s attractions, to companies considering relocating to Anderson.

Since the opening of Green Pond Landing in 2015, Anderson has become a coveted spot for professional and amateur anglers alike. Offering the deepest water boat landing on Hartwell Lake, the facility has hosted dozens of tournaments over the past two years, and along the way brought in an additional $27 million to Anderson County.

“We have such a great lake,” Paul said. “And any time you can put a tournament on a body of water the size of Hartwell Lake, you have something special. Both the pros and amateurs love coming here because it offers so many ways to fish.

“Whether they like to fish shallow, in small creek channels, in deeper water, along the river systems, there’s something for almost everybody here. And the thing that folks like most about fishing the lake is you can have a large tournament without fishermen fishing on top of each other.”

Paul said Green Pond Landing gave Anderson a place to launch the large professional tournament, the kind that receives national television coverage. The facility also has led to Hartwell Lake being named one of the top bass fishing lakes in America.

l u a P l Nei

But the deep water landing is not the only thing that makes Anderson attractive to big-time anglers.

Paul said the people of Anderson make it even more special to the men and women who make their living fishing lakes.

“Anderson County has really shown how to take care of the people who come in for the tournaments,” Paul said. “We have a community that supports fishing.

Every angler I talked to has said the local people treat them with respect and give them space to fish.”

Paul said the anglers have told him they are overwhelmed by the hospitality of the people in restaurants, at gas stations and pretty much anywhere they go in Anderson.

“Those are the kinds of things that makes this such a special community and a great place to fish,” Paul said.

Beginning with the Bassmaster Classic, the Super Bowl of bass fishing, held during the frozen February of 2015, Green Pond has played host to almost every other professional bass fishing organization in the nation.

From the Bassmaster series -- which includes Elite Series, College Series, Open Series, and sanctioned high school fishing -- to the Fishing World League (FLW), the American Bass Anglers (ABA), to the Lady Bass Anglers Association (LBAA), Anderson has become a premier fishing destination.

“Everyone wants to fish in a popular place and we have built that reputation over the past few years,” said Paul. n

andersonmagazine.com 49 March/April 2017

Courtesy of FLW by Andy Hagedon

b b o C n o d n a r B Brandon Cobb started fishing with his dad, Doug Cobb, when he was only four years old, and by the age of seven he had his future cast before him as he participated in his first tournament.

Brandon did not win the father-son benefit competition on Lake Greenwood, but he did finish with an experience still thriving in his live well of memory.

“I caught a three-pounder,” Cobb said. “And I remember I caught it with a red-and-white ‘Tiny Torpedo’ [lure]. I’ll never forget that.”

Brandon continued to fish with his dad, who always supported his fishing aspirations, until he was 14, when he got his license to pilot a boat.

“When I got my boater’s license, my dad would take me to the lake on the way to work and I’d fish all day until he came back after work to get me,” Cobb said. In the summer, this meant four or five days a week of all-day fishing.

After high school, Cobb attended Clemson University, where -- with the help of several other students -he helped revive the fishing club into a legitimate sports team.

“Back then we didn’t fish in that many college tournaments,” he said. “There was just no funding for us at that time.”

But it did introduce him to the Bass Fishing League (BFL) and the Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), and when he graduated in 2008 with a degree in wildlife and fisheries biology, he began pursuing a career in fishing.

He considered using his degree to join the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, possibly as a forest ranger, but his success fishing in the Southern Opens led to him being named a BFL All-American, and to his decision to follow the path of a professional angler.

Four years later, the 27-year-old from Greenwood has no regrets. Cobb has fished in 88 total events, winning two and finishing in the top 10 in 28 tournaments.

His career earnings have already surpassed $200,000.

During his time on the tournament circuit, Cobb said he has continued the same fishing strategies that had always been successful for him.

“There are not many secret places when fishing a lake,” he said. “If there is a spot where there are fish, somebody’s fishing it.

“A lot of people think fishing is about the bait. I’m not a huge bait switcher. I am more of an area switcher; if they are there, you will catch them.”

There is a lot more to professional fishing, he said, than simply casting a line on the lake.

Cobb said he spends a lot of time on marketing, sponsor relations and researching various lakes around the country which host tournaments.

For now, he will continue in his pro career, working hard to get more exposure to establish himself as one of the major names on the pro circuit.

He maintains a strong presence on social media, with a fan page on Facebook, a YouTube Channel and an Instagram account.

But as important as the other work is, he said he reminds kids not to forget that the actual fishing is the main thing.

“A lot of the young kids are more worried about catching sponsors than catching fish,” Cobb said. “But the key, especially early in your career, is putting the time on the water and learning about fishing. You do well fishing and the sponsors will find you.”

Cobb said one of his sponsors, Visit Anderson, has been a big help in his career.

“Hartwell Lake is my favorite place to fish, and I have been fortunate to work with [Visit Anderson Executive Director] Neil Paul. He’s helped me more than I could even imagine, including helping me build relationships with other sponsors.”

When he’s not fishing, Cobb helps out in the family business in Hodges. Barrett’s Store was founded by his late grandfather, John Barrett, who never fished, but who Brandon said was one of his biggest supporters when he was starting out. The store, which sells everything from tires and gas to convenience store items, is perhaps most famous for its BBQ and hot dogs.

And this fall professional angler Brandon Cobb will reel in his biggest catch of all, when he marries fiancée Amy Caplan in November. n

andersonmagazine.com 50 March/April 2017

Courtesy of FLW by Jody White

Brian Latimer understands that fishing for a living is hard work. But hard work marked Latimer’s path long before he joined the elite anglers on tour.

Though he has been fishing as long as he can remember, he does recall catching his first fish during a night tournament while still in second grade. Nearly 27 years later, Latimer made his full-time professional debut last year at the age of 34, after fishing every weekend working his way up through the minor leagues.

“My route has been a little different,” Latimer said.

“My dad [former Professional Angler Jimmy Latimer] is hard-core old school. He was very supportive, but he made sure I earned every bit of it. I bought every boat, earned every entry fee, and that’s one of the reasons it took me a little longer to get here.”

At Belton-Honea Path High School, Latimer was a standout tennis player, so good that many of his classmates thought he might choose that sport as his career.

But shortly after graduation, at age 19, the Belton native bought his dad’s bass boat and has been pursuing his dream ever since. It was made a little easier by being a part of a family that loves fish.

“Nearly everybody on my father’s side of the family is involved in fishing in some way,” Brian said. “It’s always been the centerpiece of conversation at our Sunday dinners in my family. Some like to fish; others just like to eat them.”

He also said that a lot of people don’t recognize the athleticism involved in the sport of professional fishing.

“Rain, sleet, snow, choppy water and wind; this is not your grandpa’s fishing,” Latimer said. “Fishing all day long, 14-16 hours a day, three days in a row, can take a toll on your body.”

In addition to cramps and regular aches and pains, anglers have to be physically fit to survive and avoid shoulder and knee injuries. Fortunately, Latimer shares his life with a “fitness guru.”

He said his wife, Ariane, who teaches eighth grade science, is always in the gym and helps him stay in shape.

Latimer said the professional circuit provides a quick reminder of why the sport is called fishing.

“One of the biggest things a lot of people don’t know is that a lot of times there is not a lot of catching going on. I fish more than 150 days a year, and I can tell you, they don’t just jump into your live well.

“A lot of times you go to these events, spend thousands of dollars, and then don’t catch anything in practice rounds,” Latimer said. “It can make you nervous because you know you have to catch them on the actual tournament days. Even the top guys don’t really win a lot [ percentage wise] in bass fishing. ” During the months he is not on the water, Latimer is working with sponsors or developing his social media platform to raise his visibility and that of the sport. He

r e m i t a Brian L puts a new video on his YouTube channel every week, as well as keeping up with posts on his Instagram account and Facebook pages.

Though he has sponsors from all across the nation, Latimer said he is most proud of the support he receives from his local sponsors, Green Pond Landing and Grady’s Great Outdoors.

“I appreciate all they do and have worked closely with those guys,” Latimer said. “They are great, and we have a great relationship.”

This year, Latimer will launch a program with the goal of reaching out and teaching more about the sport.

The “Angler Development Program” will start with “Angler Labs” this summer, aimed at sharing his experience and wisdom, as well as bringing in other professional anglers to do the same.

“Every other sport has an outlet that they train upand-coming athletes,” Latimer said. “We really don’t have this for fishing. I’ve had this idea a long time and am starting with seminars this summer.”

He plans to expand the program to include on-thewater experience in the months ahead.

When he’s not working on the professional side of fishing, he spends time with his four-year-old son, Brevyn, doing what else? Fishing.

“I am just one of the good old guys,” Latimer said. “I just really, really love fishing.” n

andersonmagazine.com 51 March/April 2017

Courtesy of FLW by CharlesWaldorf

n o s i r r Ha rson Ande

In this community, fishing is also a team sport.

It has found its way in the local sports scene in high schools and colleges in the area and across the state, and one Anderson native has helped kick start this effort.

Hampton Anderson was a member of the two-time state championship fishing team at T.L. Hanna High School in 2011 and 2012. He went on to find even bigger success as part of the team at the University of South Carolina.

Though he’d loved fishing since he was in diapers, starting at the family pond in Anderson, his first taste of competitive angling came while a junior at Hanna.

“I remember my dad [Andy Anderson] got an email about the first state high school championship that was coming up, and it said we needed a sponsor from the high school,” Anderson said. One of his math teachers took the bait and Anderson and three other schoolmates took on the challenge.

When he, Harrison Bramlett, Austin Duffy and Kyle Barber put boats in at Lake Keowee, they launched not only the fishing team for T.L. Hanna, but a legacy of champions.

That year only about 25 boats were on the water.

The following year, they won the championship again, on Lake Greenwood featuring more than 60 boats.

Upon graduation, Anderson headed to the University of South Carolina to study finance and management.

But declaring his major was not at the top of his list.

“The first thing I did was to get in touch with the fishing team,” Anderson said. It was a good move, for over the next four years he found more than a little success.

In 2016, Anderson and teammate Chris Blanchett won the 2016 FLW College Fishing National Championship. And, his senior year, he won a series of events to qualify for the national FLW Forrest Wood Cup, where he finished 49th among a field of pros.

Since graduation, Anderson has stayed close to the water, but not as a pro angler.

Today he works at 360 Marine in Chapin, S.C., and he still gets to fish at least three days a week. n

CONGRATULATIONS

ie

Madd ntha

Sama

Macy

Jesse

Logan Grant

The ASD4 Clay Dogs competed in the SCDNR State Trap and Skeet Championships in February.

The middle school ladies squad - Maddie Reeves, Macy Brock, and Samantha Walker - finished 2nd place for skeet and 3rd place in trap. Maddie Reeves shot the HOA (High Overall Average) for her division for skeet.

The middle school squad - Jesse Poston, Grant O’Shields, and Logan Briggs - won the 1st place in the Middle School Division in trap.

They also placed 3rd in skeet. Grant O’Shields shot the HOA for his division in skeet, and Logan Briggs won the HOA for trap. Congratulations teams! Way to break some clays and make Anderson County proud!

andersonmagazine.com 52 March/April 2017

March & April Events

around Anderson

March 10 Art Gallery on Pendleton Square Friday, 6-8 p.m.

102-A East Main, Pendleton Artgalleryps.org 221-0129 March 11 Boy Scout Troop 84 BBQ Fundraiser & Bake Sale Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Central Presbyterian Church, Anderson For tickets, call 864-958-0864 March 18 Race the Rainbow Saturday, 8 a.m.

Anderson County Historic Courthouse www.active.com to sign up or find First Flight Alliance on Facebook.

March 18 Walk with the Docs Saturday, 8-11 a.m.

AnMed Health North Campus & Honea Path Middle School Football Field Andersonfreeclinic.org or call 864-226-1294 March 21 Meals on Wheels “I March Because…”

Tuesday, 9 a.m.

Anderson Mall 864-225-6800 March 23 Power of the Purse – United Way of Anderson County Women’s Leadership Council Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

The Bleckley Station http://bidpal.net/uwpop or 864-226-3438.

March 25 Junior League Trail Run Saturday, 8 a.m.

Anderson Civic Center www.active.com.

March 25 Kill the Hill Connector Run – benefits Meals on Wheels Saturday, 8 a.m.

East West Connector www.go-geenevents.com or call 864-225-6800

St. Patrick’s Day RACE THE RAINBOW 1MILE/5K/10K

March 25 How To Fair Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Anderson County Library 300 N. McDuffie St., Anderson www.andersonlibrary.org, or email howtofair@andersonlibrary.org April 1 Jordan Leggett & Ben Boulware Autograph Session Saturday, 1-3p.m.

Anderson Mall, Presented by Dillard’s Shopandersonmall.com April 1 Montessori School of Anderson Super Service Saturday Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Montessori School Campus 280 Sam McGee Road, Anderson Or www.msasc.org or 864-226-5344 April 8 Color Me Pink Run Saturday, 8 a.m.

Anderson Civic Center www.active.com.

April 22 KidX Celebrating Mother Earth Saturday, 11a.m.-1 p.m.

Anderson Mall www.eventbrite.com.

April 27 Moms & Mimosas - benefits Developmental Center for Exceptional Children (DCEC) Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Anderson Civic Center www.momsandmimosasevent.com.

April 29 Junior League’s Touch a Truck Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Balloon Launch Pad Anderson Civic Center Area www.juniorleagueofanderson.org or email Juniorleagueofandersoncounty@gmail.com April 29 Pasta for the Pups – spaghetti lunch fundraiser for Hyco Dog Run Park Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Roberts Presbyterian Church 2716 Highway 187 S, Anderson www.robertspresbyterian.org or contact Manella Calhoun at 864-940-6060 or mhc@g. clemson.edu

andersonmagazine.com 53 March/April 2017

DOWNTOWN ANDERSON MARCH 18, 2017 FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.DOWNTOWNANDERSON.COM

OLD FARM DAY WOODBURN HOUSE & AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM OF S.C.

March 25, 2017 10am-3pm $5 per person (children under 5 free)

Tickets include access to all Agricultural Museum of SC exhibits, museum, demonstations, outdoor exhibits, tour of Woodburn House and grounds, tractor rides and more!

864-646-7249

www.pendletonhistoricfoundation.org

864-646-7271 www.EGAMSC.org

Anderson Roots

by Jay Wright

“My Anderson roots continue to run very deep, and they appear often in my new novel.”

Just exactly how deep do country roots run? Is our past destined to remain in the past? Can we draw from our roots to fulfill dreams that were hatched long ago?

Brenda McClain is betting the farm that she can. Although she now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, Bren’s roots are a 72-acre beef cattle and grain farm where she grew up in the Centerville area of Anderson.

February marked the launch of her new book, “One Good Mama Bone” in Anderson at the Anderson County Museum and the Foothills Writers Guild (where she’s a member). Her book tour will take her to venues in Charleston, Columbia, Edisto Island, and Beaufort before heading to other states.

Her southern fiction book is set in the 1950s in poverty-stricken, rural Anderson County. It chronicles a woman’s quest to find her “mama bone” after being left to care for a boy who is not her own. The theme is animals-as-teachers. The book was inspired by Bren’s memories of mama cows calling for their babies that had been weaned and separated from them the day before. Memories of those mama cows, their eyes pleading with Bren to bring their babies back. Memories of the babies, huddled in a fenced area fifty feet away, matching their mothers’ cries.

Bren’s journey as a writer began as a 3-year-old in New Prospect Baptist Church, where her mother gave her a pencil and Green Stamp book to draw on just

to keep her still. She loved marking in that book. As a fourth grader at Centerville Elementary School, she wrote a play that was performed for the entire school.

In the fifth grade, she wrote a novel about a girl who wanted a pony.

Later, she graduated Furman University with a BA in English and then taught at Westside High School.

From there, she wrote for Anderson’s daily newspaper, then became a radio reporter, and then a television reporter and anchor at various stations in the Southeast.

In 1990, she began her own consulting business, McClain Communications, in Nashville – now in her 27th year. “I’m a 27-year, overnight success,” she quips.

“My Anderson roots continue to run very deep, and they appear often in my new novel,” she said. “The McClain boy winning a 4-H contest is an example where I used my dad’s name. That was to honor Dad, Edwin McClain, who passed last summer. In March of 1941 he actually showed the Grand Champion winner at the inaugural Fat Cattle Show and Sale in Anderson. That steer weighed 1,100 pounds. Dad’s photo was on the front of the Independent Mail, and he was treated to free lunches all over the county. He was quite a celebrity in the area.”

One of Bren’s cows, Mama Red, is about 25 years old and provided much of the inspiration – and research – for Bren’s story. She’s a large Santa Gertrudis,

andersonmagazine.com 54 March/April 2017

a tropical beef breed of cattle developed in southern Texas. She’s the centerpiece of Bren’s novel, and lives on the McClain farm. Mama Red has become the supreme mama for the entire herd. The leader. The one most revered. The one who licks all the others.

For much of the rest of her research, Bren logged many hours in the Anderson County Library going through area newspapers, documents and books to supplement her life experiences of living on a farm and being around farmers.

“As a journalist, I was fascinated to read about the Dust Bowl in the Midwest back during The Great Depression. Fifteen hundred cattle were transported by train to Anderson in 1934. Farmers here were paid 50 cents a month per cow to pasture them until early winter, when they would be slaughtered and given to the poor. My grandfather brought a dozen or so to his farm for pasturing. Twenty-five cows were spared and one given to each of twenty-five poor families to raise.

“The choking scene at the Calhoun Hotel in my novel actually happened. I also read about how much food, clothes, and toys cost around here by reading ads from the newspapers and magazines from that era. I also learned about agriculture and events the same way. But my best information about farming as a way of life was from Dad, and I used that throughout the book.”

Why does Bren’s novel deserve to be in my library?

What’s so special about it? What does she bring to it that no one else could? She brings two generations of firsthand farm culture roots. She brings a deep love of and respect for farm animals that began a lifetime ago. She brings her own unique farmgirl point of view as well as that of Mama Red’s. She brings 27 years of success as an entrepreneur. And she brings a passion for writing that was unleashed at the age of three in a church pew just a short distance from the family farm. n

Purchase your copy of One Good Mama Bone locally at: • Anderson County Museum • McDowell’s Emporium • Books a Million * Also available online and as a audiobook at Audible, iTunes

J. Brent Copeland

DMD, FAGD, PA

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

With years of experience and a gentle touch, Dr. Copeland and his team provide comprehensive dentistry services for the entire family.

preventive care cosmetic and restorative dentistry dental implant restorations (864) 226-6574 • 1406 N. Fant St. • Anderson

w w w. d r b r e n t c o p e l a n d . c o m

Anderson Fiv

864-2

400 Pea Ander

"Committed “Committed To Excellence” to Excellence"

Anderson Five ~ District Accredited

864-260-5000 400 Pearman Dairy Road Anderson, SC 29625

www.anderson5.net

andersonmagazine.com 55 March/April 2017

www.a

andersonmagazine.com 56 March/April 2017

Six Locations to Serve You Iva

801 E Front S, Iva 348-6181

Homeland Park

3010 S Main St, Anderson 296-3480

Downtown

605 N Main St, Anderson 261-6500

Greenville Street

1921 E Greenville St, Anderson 222-2601

Clemson Blvd

3901 Clemson Blvd, Anderson 261-3211

Highway 24

3009 Whitehall Rd, Anderson 222-4038

On the Web www.peoplesbanksc.com

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ peoplesbankofiva

Taking Hometown Hightech Modern conveniences. You’ve got to admit it – you love a lot of them.

Most of them actually.

Where would we be without microwaves? What about programmable coffee pots? And let’s fast forward to modern day. Hello, Netflix? Cell phones? And now, Alexa can turn our lights off with a verbal command.

How about online banking? That’s a convenience most of us really enjoy. Paying bills online and no more concern with writing and mailing checks. Checking our balances and getting real-time information. These are some conveniences that make it extremely easy to do personal or business banking, unless you need additional services at one of our six locations in Anderson and Iva. That’s where The Peoples Bank comes in. It offers the best of both worlds to its customers and has new mobile banking options that will change the way you bank.

According to Sheryl McCollum, Assistant Vice President of Business Development, The Peoples Bank, has developed a customized, user-friendly app for mobile banking that offers several unique features.

“Mobile banking with instant balance is the ultimate in on-demand service,” said McCollum. “It’s available for personal or business accounts, and with this, you can receive alerts about your account activity delivered right to your cell phone.”

From a smart phone, you can securely view your current balance, view transactions and transfer funds between accounts. But, the CardValet® feature may be what separates The Peoples Bank from the other players in mobile banking.

“The CardValet® allows you to turn your card on or off as you like,” said Christy Burnette, Marketing Director for The Peoples Bank. “For example, if your card is lost or stolen, you can use your phone app to turn the card off so it can’t be used. Or, if you have children, you can set up restrictions on spending amounts that limit card use.”

The CardValet® feature is a way to make sure you stay in control of the way your debit card is used. You can define the geographical area where your card can be used; you can limit the purchase by merchant type and set up restrictions on the dollar amount of purchases. In conclusion, the CardValet® app allows you to be in control: your card on your terms in the palm of your hand.

In addition to the instant responses of CardValet® and mobile banking, The Peoples Bank also now has Instant Issue Debit Cards. The bank can now issue personal and business debit cards “on the spot,” and customers do not have to wait weeks to receive a new card.

“As the only hometown bank in Anderson County, we believe in building relationships with our customers both in person and online,” said Burnette. “These hightech services offer a convenience and safety factor that our customers control and monitor. We’re taking our hometown bank a little hightech with some of the best products available.” andersonmagazine.com 57 March/April 2017

training for the

39th Spring Games

By Caroline Anneaux

Anderson Area 14 Special Olympics will hold their 39th Spring Games in April this year, and the olympians planning on participating are gearing up and getting ready for this exciting community-wide event. Special Olympics is a year-long program promoting athleticism for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and the Anderson County Spring Games is one of the hugely anticipated events of the year.

Winning medals and getting ribbons is a big part of the Spring Games. Olympians may sign up for any event they are interested in and are cheered on by friends, family and other teammates.

“My favorite event is walking,” said Sarah Wright, a

16 year veteran of the Special Olympics. “I practice for it when I am with the Rainbow Gang, and sometimes I practice in my neighborhood. When I am in an event at the Special Olympics I get really excited when everyone is clapping and cheering for me. It makes me smile a lot.”

The Special Olympics Spring Games is considered a “fun” event in the spring, because this event is not as regulated as the various other competitions and tournaments held throughout the year. Everyone in the community is invited to attend the Games, and the participants come from all of the school districts, the Developmental Center for Exceptional Children (DCEC), the

andersonmagazine.com 58 March/April 2017

Anderson County Disabilities & Special Needs Board and more. Participants are not required to have any athletic experience, although some of the school-age children will practice during their PE classes at school. The main goal is to get out and have fun during the Spring Games.

There is a day program on South Main Street for participants who have graduated or aged out of high school called Special Population Recreation “Rainbow Gang.” Everyone in this program participates in the Spring Games and other Special Olympics competitions throughout the year. Tennis tournaments, swim meets, bowling and cheerleading are just a few of the areas they practice and compete in year-round as part of the Special Olympics. The day program encourages adults with physical and intellectual challenges to continue to be physically active for as long as possible.

“My 26 year old daughter, Sarah, has participated in the Special Olympics for at least 16 years,” said Susan Parton Wright. “She really loves the Rainbow Gang program and attends every day of the week from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Anderson County has done an incredible job supporting this thriving program.”

Kathy Schofield and Jane Ollis are the Anderson Area 14, co-area directors in charge of organizing the Spring Games – where parents, teachers and volunteers all come together to celebrate these special athletes of all ages.

“We expect to have about 500 participants this year for the Spring Games,” said Schofield.

“The Special Olympics are open to all ages and to people with any physical and intellectual chal-

Area 14 Special Olympics takes place April 5 & 6

lenges. We have a wide variety of events to choose from.”

Track and field, standing long jump, 100 meter walk/run, 50 and 100 meter walk/run and a wheelchair race are some of the events that the participants ages eight and older are invited to compete in during the Spring Games.

“We really want to include the young ones to make them feel like a part of it as well, and we set up some great developmental games for them,” said Schofield. “We have a short walk, basketball toss and ring toss for participants under age eight, and this year we have added a soccer dribble & shoot event for them too.”

For more information about signing up or volunteering for the Special Olympics, contact Kathy Schofield or Jane Ollis at 260-4142. n

Come out and support our athletes

April 5th

Anderson Districts 1 - 4 will host their Spring Games at Southern Wesleyan University in Central

April 6th

Anderson District 5 will host their Spring Games at T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson andersonmagazine.com 59 March/April 2017

This photo Courtesy of Crafts Photography

Anderson’s Social Page

The elegance and grandeur of a turn-of-the-century train station with the warmth and charm reflective of The Bleckley…

THE

STAT ION A venue to accommodate a variety of meaningful events…

500 person seated banquet capacity Catering kitchen, stage, tables & chairs

864-225-7203 •

www.bleckleyinn.com •

Downtown Anderson, South Carolina

andersonmagazine.com 60 March/April 2017

This photo Courtesy of Crafts Photography

Anderson’s Social Page

Book your parties at the

Check out our new website at

arts

beltonmuseum.com

and The Listening Room on Main

center!

Summer Camps

Anderson School District Two students present a

ALL Summer starting in June.

New Camp every week

“ Spring Showcase Exhibit” March 18 April 7-8

5th Annual Community Rummage Sale 8am-1pm Chili Cook-Off

April 7 - Block Party April 8 - Hot Chili Eating Contest

April 30 “Jazz: More Than Just the Music” exhibit open

Support the Museum Become a Member today

110 Federal Street • Anderson, SC

(864) 222-2787

beltonmuseum@bellsouth.net 100 N. Main St. • Belton, SC 864-338-7400

andersonmagazine.com 61 March/April 2017

Opening Reception March 1, 4:00-6:30pm

Exhibit dates March 1-24, 2017 306 City Square Belton, SC

864-338-8556 www.beltonsc.com

The Adult Version

of Netflix & Chill

There’s a “saying” the kids use today that doesn’t really mean what it sounds like. I’m not going to give the Urban Dictionary definition here, so you can look that up yourself. Because in my world, I use this definition literally. Netflix and chill.

Netflix changed my life. Truly, absolutely, life-changing. Not only do you have access to television shows that no longer come on television. You also have access to shows that come on in other countries.

Then, there are shows that only come on Netflix. There is access to a variety of movies, documentaries…the list goes on and on. But, the true pleasure for me comes from binge watching.

There’s another new-fangled word that Webster has had to add to its dictionary. As a matter of fact, Merriam-Webster added “binge watch” to the dictionary on Feb. 7, 2017. It means: to watch many or all episodes (of a TV series) in rapid succession. This is how I like to watch television. I like to find a television series and watch every single episode in succession. No more of this waiting from week to week to see what happens.

Why would I do that when I can watch ALL the episodes and find out the ending all at one time? (Besides the fact it could potentially take hours to get to the end.)

However, I have found that the way I do life sometimes works to my favor regarding my binge watching.

While this has not proven to be very beneficial over the years, my method of doing laundry is now a perfect way to binge watch Netflix. If you wait to do all your laundry on one day, then you literally have HOURS of laundry to do. To stay efficient with folding and putting away, you can’t really leave the house, so you might as well watch Netflix while you fold and put away. Bingo! Binge watching time!

“Mom! What are you doing,” say the kids.

“Laundry,” I respond. “So much laundry,” I say, while I get in a season or two of Orange is the New Black or House of Cards or Game of Thrones or Santa Clarita Diet or the dozens of other things I have watched on various available channels on my Smart TV. It is such a guilty pleasure to watch that much television. I am somewhat ashamed. Somewhat. But other than when I do binge watch, I don’t watch at all. But I

artwork by Jeanie Campbell

By April Cameron

really, really, really enjoy watching an entire series before moving on to another show. And it helps to motivate me to go to the gym if I can look forward to watching my show while I’m on the elliptical or treadmill!

However, then I find myself in somewhat of a depression. After the series has ended, or after the season has ended and there isn’t another season for several months, I feel lost. I don’t know what to watch. Oh, there are plenty of options out there, but will it be as good as what I just finished? I’m always sure it won’t be.

There are probably support groups out there for people like me. Or, maybe they’re just called fan clubs. n

Ralph Hayes Toyota

For more than 60 YEARS, all of us here at RALPH HAYES TOYOTA have been treating our customers so well, you’d think you were family!

Learn what it feels like to be part of the family when you purchase a new Toyota or a select pre-owned vehicle from Ralph Hayes Toyota. We promise you’ll feel like a member of the Ralph Hayes family because we put your needs first & foremost! Check it out below to see what it means to be

part of our Family Promise Program!

All of us here at Ralph Hayes Toyota sincerely appreciate the relationship we have been able to foster with our customers. We pride ourselves in offering our customers an entire staff that is knowledgeable, friendly, & above all, willing to please to ensure that you have the best car buying experience.

We hope to see you soon!

Shop online, anytime at

RalphHayesToyota.com 800-868-8066

Harrison Hayes,

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1951

your hometown superstore!

Clemson Blvd.

• 800-868-8066 Sales: (888) 475-07853525 Service: (800) 868-8066 SHOWROOM HOURS: PARTS/SERVICE/BODY MON.- FRI. 7:30AM-6:30PM 8:30AM-8PM 3525 Clemson Blvd MON.-FRI. Anderson, SC 29621 SATURDAY 7:30AM-5PM SATURDAY 8:30AM-8PM

You want the best for her. The top specialists, advanced treatments and the newest technologies.

So do we. That’s why we’ve teamed up with an emerging leader in cancer care, Levine Cancer Institute, part of Carolinas HealthCare System.

We’re working side-by-side with some of the country’s top cancer specialists to provide even more advanced expertise and treatment. So you know she’ll get the very best of care – with all the love and support she finds here at home.

To find the best cancer care possible, visit LoveAnMedHealth.org.