Nov-Dec 2017

Anderson andersonmagazine.com November/December 2017

Anderson County

Board of Education

There is no OFFSEASON

Entrepreneurs:

Guts & Glory (and chocolate)

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NOVEMBER 17 - 19 ANDERSON CIVIC CENTER

200 Handmade Crafters. LOcal Vendors & Great Food!

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Stage Schedule FRIDAY - VIP - OPENING NIGHT 4:30 Holiday Carolers 5:30 Music for the Season Anderson District 5 Orchestra 6:15 Holiday Decorating by Sandra Bagwell – Sandra’s Silks & Fresh 7:00 Holiday H’orderves Demonstration & Tastings by Tommie Rae Fowler TV Show “Chopped” Grand Champion 8:00 Make & Take Craft for Grown-Ups!

by Tammy Hall - Art 2 Go SATURDAY 9:30 Holiday Music 10:30 Moana Meet & Storytime – Stagecraft Theatre for Kids 11:00 Kids Sing & Play by Sing & Play Upstate 11:30 Teen Talk by Author & Actress Tessa Emily Hall 12:00 Make & Take Kids Christmas Crafts by Tammy Hall – Kids Art 2 Go 12:30 Holiday Fun Show by Mr. Twister the Elf 1:00 - 5:00 Pictures with Santa SUNDAY 1:30 Elevation Dance 2:00 Kids Sing & Play by Sing & Play Upstate 2:30 Holiday Fun Show by Mr. Twister the Elf 3:00 Christmas Stories - Stagecraft Theatre for Kids

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November/December 2017

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

contents table of

5

Graphic Design Jennifer Walker

6 A Mess of Collard Greens

Contributing Writers Caroline Anneaux John Boone Liz Carey Lisa Marie Carter Lynn Donegan Mike McMillan Frances Parrish Featured Photographer Black Truffle Photography Anderson Magazine is published six times a year.

8

Keeping Anderson’s Foster Children Closer to Home

10

Board of Education Profiles

38 Holiday Home: Decorating Ideas

Advertising Inquiries: Kim@andersonmagazine.com 864-221-2996

On the Cover David Saidat of CocoBon Chocolatier

22 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.

Anderson Magazine PO Box 3848 Anderson, SC 29622 864.221.8445

Hiking? Stay Free of Injuries

26

The Salvation Army: More Than Red Kettles & Bells Entrepreneurs: Guts & Glory

32 Perfect Pairings: Delicious Wines for Holiday Dishes 44 46

There is No Offseason: Student Athletes Vote for The A List

Letter from the Editor

Oh the weather outside is…just about the way it should have been back in September! Y’all know things move a little slower in the south. It even takes us longer to get to fall-like temperatures in the fall. But when we finally do, it’s my favorite time of year!

Speaking of favorites, we have a fun story on one of my favorite foods – collard greens! The Holliday family in Belton supplies many an Anderson County table with this New Year Day traditional food. There are even a few cooking tips to help you make a delicious mess of greens this year.

We also have a great feature story on the Anderson County Board of Education. The school system is so important to our county in so many ways. From educating our children to preparing our future workforce to being a large employment system, there is much to be considered when schools are involved.

Read about how the Board of Education works with all five school districts and why those elected to the Board have a passion for this work.

I also really love our story on entrepreneurs. When I decided to start this magazine, I didn’t think of myself as an entrepreneur. I really just had a passion for storytelling and knew there were so many interesting things about Anderson County sitting right here under our noses that needed to be shared with our community.

But, every great idea doesn’t just “work” as a business.

That’s why I love highlighting a couple of entrepreneurs in this story about people who found a passion and then found a way to turn their passion into something that made business sense, too.

And, lastly, please take time to find the voting page for The A List! This is your chance to let everyone know what your favorite things are in and around Anderson County! You can vote with a paper version from the magazine or online at www.andersonmagazine.com.

We’ll reveal the winners in the next issue.

As we enter into this holiday season, I’m sending you warm wishes from the Anderson Magazine family!

~April

David Saidat & April Cameron

Come join me...

November 3 • 6:30 pm

Anderson Arts Center Art Auction Arts Center Warehouse

Enjoy the 35th annual art auction with a New York theme. Silent auction.

After party from 10-midnight.

For tickets contact: morgand@andersonarts.org

AnMed Health

Guide to Injury Free Hiking One of the best parts of living in the tristate area is easy access to some of the best fall hiking available. With cooler temperatures and fall colors, it’s the perfect time of year to lace up your boots and get outside.

Dr. Jesus Castillo, an orthopaedic surgeon with AnMed Health Community Orthopedics, regularly explores Paris Mountain State Park, its’ a chance for him to connect with his family and nature. Dr. Castillo, a general orthopaedic surgeon with an emphasis in sports medicine, encourages patients to engage in outdoor fall activities such as hiking.

We asked him for a few tips to help hikers stay injury free when hitting the trails.

1. Build Endurance You wouldn’t run a marathon without training and the same goes for hiking. Dr. Castillo recommends speaking to your primary care physician if you have pre-existing conditions prior to hiking for the first time. Review a hike’s difficulty level in terms of distance, elevation and terrain and build to that fitness level. Test your shoes, backpack and any other gear on a walk around your neighborhood, before heading out on your first hike.

2. Proper Gear & Planning One of the most common hiking injuries Dr. Castillo examines is sprained ankles. These can often be the result of poor footwear choices.

Invest in a good pair of hiking boots that protect the ankle, while providing, traction, cushion and support. Pair your boots with cushioned hiking socks which will also protect the feet from blisters.

Consider using a walking stick or purchasing a trekking stick, that can be adjusted to your height. Hiking sticks are helpful in enhancing stability and reducing the load on your back and legs.

Pack smart when going on a hike – bring a bag and include a water bottle, snack, cellphone and flashlight in case of emergency. Hike with a friend and always let someone know your hiking plans before heading out.

Dr. Castillo says that with cooler temperatures, hikers often forget to hydrate. He recommends drinking 8-12 ounces before going on a hike and continuing to sip water during the hike and after to fend off dehydration.

Dress in layers as temperatures may change at different elevations and during various times of the day. Remember a hat, sunscreen and bug spray.

3. How to Warm Up and Cool Down You never want to stretch cold muscles. To properly warm up, Dr. Castillo recommends starting your hike slowly, building up your pace for about 10-15 minutes before stopping to stretch. Continue stretching as you walk and again at the end of your hike.

Focus on stretches that target the lower back, hamstrings, quads and calves such as leg swings and touching your toes. n Jesus Castillo, D.O. is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with AnMed Health Community Orthopaedics. Dr. Castillo practices general orthopaedic surgery with an emphasis on treatment of sports injuries; shoulder, hip and knee arthroscopy; cartilage restoration; and trauma.

IF YOU SPRAIN AN ANKLE WHILE HIKING

The most common hiking injury is a sprained ankle. If you lightly sprain an ankle, you may be able to treat it using the below tips:

RICE Technique

(Rest – Ice – Compression – Elevation)

REST – If you sprain your ankle, stop and take a break from hiking, especially if your experiencing pain or soreness. Rest and protect the ankle.

ICE – To reduce pain and swelling, quickly apply an ice or cold pack (wrapped in a towel) onto the skin. The quicker you put ice on the injury, the more helpful it can be in reducing and minimizing swelling.

Apply the ice for 15 minutes, 3 or more times a day.

COMPRESSION – Put pressure on the ankle by lightly wrapping the injured area with an elastic bandage. This pressure will help decrease swelling. Be careful to not wrap the bandage too tightly and only keep the bandage on for a day or two.

ELEVATION – Lift the ankle at or above heart level to minimize swelling. Elevate the ankle as often as possible. Use pillows to help.

If the ankle has considerable swelling and is difficult to bear weight on, Dr. Castillo recommends having the injury evaluated by a medical professional.

X-rays may be taken to determine if the ankle has been broken.

ANKLE STRENGTHENING

It can be helpful to work on ankle strengthening exercises in advance of hiking. Dr. Castillo recommends including this ankle stability exercise each morning and evening while brushing your teeth.

Ankle Stability Exercise Holding a counter for support, slowly lift your right leg up, keeping your left leg pressed into the floor.

Hold the right leg up for 5-15 seconds, you will feel the leg muscles in your left leg activate.

Switch legs and repeat. Repeat multiple times increasing the time you are holding each leg up as you improve.

With a little preparation, there is no better time to get active and safely explore the great outdoors!

andersonmagazine.com 5 November/December 2017

A “Mess” of Greens For the past 15 years, on New Year’s Eve, Andy Holliday and his family have brought collard greens from his farm to the Anderson County Farmers Market.

And every year, they sell out.

Andy, his wife, Casey, and his parents Twila and Ryan Holliday run Holliday Farms in Belton. Andy started growing vegetables for a Future Farmers of America project in high school, and his interest in farming has continued ever since. In 2015, he left his full-time job to be a full-time farmer. Holliday Farms is a staple at the Anderson County Farmers Market throughout the year.

This year in mid-October, his wife said, he would put out about 40,000 collard plants. Some he will wholesale to Quality Foods and Bargain Foods in Anderson. They’ll start to ripen after the first frost.

But every year, Andy Holliday sets aside some collards to sell on New Year’s Eve at the Anderson County Farmers Market. The collards are picked straight from the farm and loaded onto the back of a trailer and sold straight from the truck to the consumer.

Each year, the family sells about 3,500 collard greens on New Year’s Eve. “If I don’t stake my claim to some, I won’t have any for us,” Casey Holliday said. “Last year, he sold so andersonmagazine.com 6 November/December 2017

By Liz Carey

many, so quickly I had to go out into the garden and cut little baby stems off the plants for our New Year’s Day celebration.”

According to Andrew Rodrigues, historian at the Gullah Museum in Georgetown, South Carolina, collard greens probably got their start as a New Year’s Day tradition after Watch Night Services. Watch Night Services are held on New Year’s Eve in African American communities to celebrate the old year and herald in the new.

“Primarily the food of slaves was rice, okra and black-eyed peas. Collards were used to accompany black-eyed peas,” Rodrigues said. “After Watch Night Services, historically and through the present, at midnight the congregation would jump up and say ‘Hallelujah’ and then run home to their hoppin’ john and collard greens.”

Traditionally, collard greens and black-eyed peas are served on New Year’s Day to ensure wealth in the coming year. The collards are green and represent dollars, while the black-eyed peas, usually served in hoppin’ john – a dish consisting of rice, ham and blackeyed peas – represent the coins.

For the Hollidays, collard greens are on the table from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. The family recipe calls for cooking them with a bit of pork, said Casey Holliday. Her mother-in-law, she said, will roll the collards up and slice them with a knife to get them into thin strips. Then, she will cook them with the pork.

“One of the little old ladies here said I should try them with a smoked turkey leg,” Casey Holliday said. “I wash the collards really well, tear them up and put them in the crock pot with a smoked turkey leg. It gives it a nice flavor, and if you cook them on low for most of the day, they’ll be ready for dinner.”

But everyone has their own version, she said.

“Every Southern lady has their own way of doing it,” she said. “And all of them are delicious.” n

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Keeping Anderson’s Children Close to Home

By Mike McMillan

Tara Hall, program director; Tamra Scott, licensing specialist and Crystal Cook, foster parent applicant

Getting removed from a home by social services can be a nerve-wracking experience for a child. Now suppose the child has been exposed to trauma or may have other special needs. The child faces a compounding set of problems that only get worse should he or she be moved to a home in another county.

Anderson County has more than 80 children requiring therapeutic foster care, and only 37 therapeutic foster care homes. Many of those children will be placed far from their homes — sometimes in homes across the state.

New Foundations Home for Children in Anderson is hoping to keep these children close to friends and family in order to make transitions as painless as possible through Connections, a new therapeutic foster care program. New Foundations is a private nonprofit, but the staff works closely with Department of Social Services and other state services.

What makes Connections different from normal foster care programs, according to program director Tara Hall, is the amount of training caregivers complete.

Prospective foster parents must complete 32 hours of training as opposed to 14 for the non-therapeutic parents. In addition, parents must complete 16 hours of training every year to keep their foster care license.

There is also a lengthy vetting process to make sure families that are willing to take in these foster children are in it for the right reasons. “People can be surprised how long it can take to get licensed,” Hall said.

According to Hall, the children in this therapeutic foster program tend to be older ones who need structure, attention and care, and there will also be plenty of counseling appointments and teacher meetings. In other words, foster parents will need to be very responsive to the needs of these children.

While the challenges can seem daunting, the rewards can be even greater, according to Jim Rosenberger, who

is one of the counselors with New Foundations’ Family Counseling Center of Anderson. “[The Connections program is] something that’s been needed for a long time,” Rosenberger said. He said these children are very appreciative of any help families can offer. They get an idea of what a “normal” life can be.

“It can be a nightmare for these kids — some can get dumped with a new home in the middle of the night,” Rosenberger said.

The process to find new parents can take a while, but it can start with reaching out to New Foundations and getting the ball rolling. Potential foster parents can contact the organization at newfoundationschildren. com or by calling Tara Hall at 864-965-7774. After that, there’s an orientation that can either be conducted at New Foundations’ offices or in the home — whatever’s most comfortable. The licensing process can take four months or longer and require plenty of training. There’s no cost to become licensed or serve as a foster parent.

So far, there are several families already interested in working with the new program, but there are still plenty of opportunities for families willing to open their homes.

In the meantime, New Foundations staff are looking for opportunities to get the word out — speaking engagements, meetings with faith-based organizations or any other group that will hear them out.

“We’re willing to do anything to try and reach people,” Hall said.

For those on the fence about whether they would make good foster parents, Hall said they should just get started; every step along the way is an opportunity for questions and evaluation.

“We all have a duty to our community — especially our children,” she said. n

andersonmagazine.com 8 November/December 2017

ASK AN EXPERT

Now that my mother is alone she doesn’t enjoy the holidays how can I lift her spirits during the holidays?

For many, especially the elderly, the holidays can bring isolation and a feeling of loneliness. We are all busy and even stressed ourselves during the holiday season but by simplifying things and concentrating on what really matters, your family, you can offer your parent help through what can be a difficult time of year.

Caroline Bell of Preparing for Care suggests these few simple tips to help keep the joy in this joyous time of year; Understand and really listen when they want to talk, even if the talk is negative or repetitive. Avoid making them feel they are whining or that they should snap out of it. Try to put yourself into their place.

Always remind them how they are an important part of your holiday celebration and take care not to act like what you do for them is a hassle.

However, again, put yourself in their place. They may feel useless and like a burden but keep reminding them they are loved.

Holiday cards often diminish in quantity. Help them write their own cards to mail out and ask family members from all around to write and send cards to them.

If your parent(s) live in a retirement community, check with the local kindergarten or day care centers to see if they can bring children to visit the elders. Young children's presence, especially during the holiday time can brighten the day for anyone. If possible, take the elders out to school programs, especially if they feature grandchildren.

Bring traditional baked goods or treats regularly for your elders and their friends to share.

The most important thing you can do is give them the gift of time.

Look at holiday photos or videos with them and leave the photos so they can reminisce when they are alone.

Caroline Bell can help you ensure your loved elder is going to get the proper care, call today to schedule your consultation and start preparing for the future today.

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

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andersonmagazine.com 9 November/December 2017

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Anderson County Board of Education

By Frances Parrish

The elected nine-member Anderson County Board of Education serves several functions for the five county school districts. The primary function is financial oversight, in that it oversees all local funding for the school districts and allocates the state funds. The budgets are submitted to and approved by the board members, and the local school tax levy is approved by the board as well.

The board provides other functions, such as school food service management for Anderson School Districts Two and Three and mental health counselors for all five school districts.

It also helps school districts correct issues with student attendance, and as a last step, if warranted, provides legal services related to attendance.

andersonmagazine.com 10 November/December 2017

Joey Nimmer Education is in Joey Nimmer’s blood.

“My wife is a teacher, two of my sons are teachers. It’s in our blood,” Nimmer said. “My wife is the daughter of a teacher, and two of her sisters are teachers. We just feel like that’s what we were called to do.”

Nimmer has been the administrator to the Anderson County Board of Education for 11 years, and prior to that he had experience in higher education and in K-12 schools.

He is from Jasper County, though he’s spent half of his life in the Upstate. He was first introduced to this area when he went to Clemson University to earn his bachelor’s degree in administrative management and a master’s degree in industrial management.

After earning his degrees, he taught a couple of courses at Clemson and then worked in the university’s small business development center.

Then, he worked in K-12 schools in Jasper County. He coached sports and served as an assistant principal. Though he left the education field for a few years to help run his family’s turf farm, he couldn’t stay away for long.

He went back to work in public schools for seven years in Jasper County before moving back to the Upstate in 2006 to work with the county board of education.

Nimmer was working in education administration in Jasper County, when a friend saw the job description for the county board administrator position in Anderson and said he’d be perfect for it. Nimmer and his wife had been

Administrator to the Anderson County Board of Education

wanting to move back to the Upstate and this seemed to be his ticket.

“It’s sort of a God-thing,” Nimmer said. “Everything just came together. My background seemed to work for this, and I love it.”

As an administrator, his primary job is to keep the board members informed of the status of programs and school districts as well as answer their questions. In the years to come, he hopes to help continue to foster the relationships that the county board has built with the five individual school districts.

“I would like to see things continue in the trend that we’re seeing with all the districts and the county board working together on some projects,” Nimmer said. “The programs that we have in place with the districts have grown over the years, and there may be other things that come up in the years to come that we can work together on. I’d like to see that continue. The collaboration is at an all-time high, at least during my time here, and it’s a very good and positive working relationship.”

His passion for education stems from a calling he had to answer.

“To be an effective member of the education community, you have to have a calling,” Nimmer said. “We joke in my family that it’s our family business. I think I do have a passion for education, and I want to do everything I can to make it the best it can be in this county.” n

andersonmagazine.com 11 November/December 2017

David Draisen David Draisen’s passion for education led him to run for Anderson County Board of Education.

Draisen was an advocate for Anderson School District Five through an advocacy program while his sons were in school. As an advocate, Draisen represented District Five in the community and helped answer parents’ questions.

He decided to run for the Anderson County Board of Education in 2004 after the chairman of Anderson School District Five Board of Trustees at the time, asked if anyone was interested in representing the district and its constituents on the county board.

So Draisen said he would run.

Draisen has been the chairman of the county board of education for the past eight years. His goal is to see children succeed.

“My goal has always been to make sure every child, every student in Anderson County, has the same opportunities regardless of where they live,” Draisen said.

He said the primary job of the board is to “represent the taxpayers, and make sure that the money being spent by the individual districts is spent wisely and in the way in which the voters and members of our county would want it to be spent.”

In addition to this mission, he hopes to see the board grow the mental health counseling program.

When he began serving on the board, there were three mental health counselors, and now there are nine.

He’s also passionate about the Anderson County Alternative School, which serves students in grades six through 12.

Chairman of the Anderson County Board of Education

“The alternative school is wonderful for our area, because it gives kids who are misbehaving, making bad choices, a chance,” Draisen said. “It’s so wonderful to see even two or three kids graduating who never would have.”

He said both the counseling and alternative school programs give students a chance to work through their problems that “they don’t know how to fix or handle.”

But what is he most passionate about? The students.

And he said the board is committed to them as well.

“We have a good team, and all the boards in Anderson County, I think, represent the kids quite well,” Draisen said.

“All of us are passionate.”

Draisen has worked as a medical technologist for the past 20 years with AnMed Health Family Medicine, as well as at Elbert Memorial Hospital and AnMed Pediatrics Associates, which are all under the AnMed umbrella.

Before that, he co-owned a family business, DraisenEdwards Music Company, in Anderson with his brother.

Draisen has a bachelor’s degree in financial management from Clemson University, but went back to school at Anderson University to get additional certifications to be a medical technologist.

He switched from the family business because of the stories his wife, who is a pediatrician, would tell about her job. “I decided that it would be neat to do something like that,” he said. The T.L. Hanna graduate said he is happy to serve his community on the county board of education.

“It’s great,” Draisen said. “It’s a good feeling. I feel like I’m giving back to the community that gave so much to me when I went through school.” n

andersonmagazine.com 12 November/December 2017

Brenda Bradberry

Brenda Bradberry had plans to work at NASA, but student teaching changed her mind.

“My first grade teacher told me I was going to be a teacher, and I said ‘No,’” Bradberry said. “So she was always proud that I became a teacher. After my student teaching, I fell in love with education, and that’s where my passion’s always been.”

After graduating as valedictorian from her high school in Hartwell, Georgia, she was in the first full-time class of females at Clemson University. She majored in applied mathematics with a dream to work for NASA. After she married, a friend suggested that she take education classes in case she wanted to teach. So, she did this in her senior year of college and fell in love with it.

Her 30-year teaching career began at T.L. Hanna High School. She also taught at what is now McCants Middle School, Southwood Academy of the Arts and Westside High School.

She loved her students and they loved her.

While she was teaching at the middle school level, she and her husband were in the midst of building a new house after their daughter was born. As a surprise, her students saved up their money to buy her a picture for her new house.

“I cried and cried,” she said. “They were just sweet children and I loved them to death. You just get to think of them as yours.”

She was also passionate about the district’s employees.

After her first year of teaching, she felt very strongly about equal rights and equal pay regardless of gender.

“I did some marching in Washington, and I did some marching here,” Bradberry said. “I just thought right was right and wrong was wrong. If you do the same work as a man, you ought to get the same pay.”

After she retired from teaching, she continued to mentor and tutor students, but she wanted to do more. So, in 2000, she ran for and was elected to the county board of education.

With experience as a teacher and a member of the National Education Association, the South Carolina Education Association and the local education association as well as a lobbyist in education for the Third Congressional District, Bradberry said she had a lot to give to the board.

“I wanted to do what was best for the students and the taxpayers with what little money we could get from the state, local and national levels,” she said.

She’s also passionate about the mental health counseling program provided by the board for the school districts, and hopes to add more counselors in the future.

“We are in desperate need. You’d be surprised how many students come to school, and they don’t achieve because of what’s going on at home or in the community and they can’t keep their mind on their schoolwork,” Bradberry said.

A passion for the students and taxpayers is what’s kept her on the board for 17 years. n

andersonmagazine.com 13 November/December 2017

Mike Brock

Mike Brock ran for the Anderson County Board of Education to help students.

“I felt like I could represent the school district and my people and help them,” Brock said.

He said he had a calling to join the board because he wanted to make sure his children as well as others in the county were prepared for life after high school.

Brock said he didn’t prepare himself for his job after high school, but his employer sent him to Tri-County Technical College, so he could be more prepared.

Because of this experience, he was inspired to run for the board.

“I just felt like education was an important thing if you were going to survive in this day and time,” he said.

He was elected to the board 29 years ago, and he continues to run for election because he wants to stay involved in education.

The Belton Honea Path High School graduate worked for BASF Corporation, which made polyester and nylon, for 35 years, and then worked for two years with Honeywell, before retiring in 2005.

Brock is passionate about the Anderson County Alternative School, as he was on the board when it was founded in 1996.

The board saw a need for an alternative school in the county, but it didn’t come about overnight.

He said he’ll never forget a co-worker at BASF asking him if he was on the county board and if the board members could make the alternative school happen. This conversation made Brock want to push even harder for the school.

“His son was expelled and the father didn’t want him on the streets,” Brock said. “I brought it back to the county board when we were discussing one (alternative school).”

Brock said that the school has been good for the county by helping students who have had trouble in their traditional schools.

“The kids that come there, some of them, are from troubled homes,” Brock said. “I just feel for them about some of the situations they have to deal with.”

He’s also passionate about the career centers in Anderson County because of how Districts 1&2 Career and Technology Center has prepared his grandson, who is now studying mechatronics at Tri-County.

“He loves it,” Brock said of his grandson’s classes. “And he is in a co-op with Glen Raven and is paid. He loves his job.”

“That’s one of the great things that happened to our area in Honea Path and Williamston,” he said of the career center.

“I’m amazed at the students going straight into good-paying jobs right after high school.”

He said he’s also excited for the new career and technology center to be built for Anderson School Districts Three, Four and Five.

“I think we got a good thing going in Anderson County,” Brock said. “It’s going to create so many opportunities for these kids.”

But through all the upcoming changes and in the future, Brock said he just hopes for the board “to keep a good relationship with the districts, and let them know that we’re there to help them too.” n

andersonmagazine.com 14 November/December 2017

Gary Burgess Gary Burgess was inspired by his government professor at Wofford College to pursue a career in education.

“His coolness about teaching. The way he taught, how he taught,” Burgess said. “His interest in the students inspired me. I realized I can make a difference in the lives of people.”

During his career, he’s been a teacher, principal, superintendent, and now a researcher.

Burgess was a first-generation college student in his family, and because of his mother’s influence, he earned his Ph.D. “The person with the highest attained education in my immediate family was my mother, who had her high school diploma,” Burgess said. “She would tell us her biggest mistake was that she didn’t go to college. She stressed to us about that.”

The Inman native got his bachelor’s degree in political science and education at Wofford. He also has a master’s in education administration from Converse College and a doctorate in education leadership from University of South Carolina.

He taught at Dorman High School and was then recruited to administration at various schools in Spartanburg County such as Byrnes High School, Myles W. Whitlock Flexible Learning Center, an alternative school, and D.R. Hill Middle School.

He was then recruited by a mentor to be principal at Pendleton High School.

He said he enjoyed his time at the high school, and then he moved into the role of assistant superintendent for Anderson School District Four. He served as superintendent for three years.

Under his leadership, the district passed a bond referendum in the mid-2000s to build a new elementary school and renovate other schools, and Riverside Middle School was recognized as one of Palmetto’s Finest schools.

Since retiring from public education, he’s run his own private research company called Burgess Research Action Group for the past nine years, which specializes in social research on education issues such as results of the ACT and how kids are faring. The group publishes this research and presents it to various educational associations.

But he wanted to do more for his community. So, he ran and was elected to the board of education in 2010.

He wanted “to insure within the statutory limits of the board that taxpayer dollars are being maximized when it comes to educating kids,” Burgess said.

He hopes for the county board of education to continue their meetings with the individual school board to talk about the budgets and hopes “to continue to reduce the tax burden to the taxpayers without hurting students,” he said.

Burgess is passionate about programs in Anderson County like AVID – Advancement Via Individual Determination – and arts and athletics, which help students reach their potential.

He said he wants to make sure “that classrooms and curriculum are relevant and that students have an opportunity to excel in an area they’re passionate about themselves.”

And he wants to make sure barriers are removed for students so they can achieve all that they can.

“I think making sure that student populations are served, particularly those students who we call disadvantaged, do well,” Burgess said. “Because if those kids do well, then South Carolina could become an academic leader nationally.” n

andersonmagazine.com 15 November/December 2017

Nakia Davis From running the recreational program to volunteering at the schools, Nakia Davis is heavily involved in Anderson School District Three’s children’s lives.

He’s a branch manager at one of the Anderson locations of The People’s Bank, and he’s been there for 20 years. He’s also been president of the Iva Rec Association for about 10 years. Davis has three children in District 3.

The Iva native went to Gardner-Webb University to play football after graduation from Crescent High School and transferred to receive his associate’s degree in business from Tri-County Technical College. He got his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Anderson University.

A third-generation banker, Davis uses his profession to give back to the children in Starr and Iva by speaking at the schools on financial literacy and saving money.

But he wanted to do more to help, so he ran for and was elected to the Anderson County Board of Education in 2014.

“I was born and raised in this community and I really enjoy giving back to the community I grew up in,” Davis said. “I have a passion for the kids. I just want to see that they have the best possible avenues to a good education.”

But he was also influenced to join the board by his family. His grandfather as well as his father served on the Anderson School District Three Board of Trustees.

“Being third-generation and seeing my grandfather and father give back to the community in that way did influence me some,” Davis said. “I saw how much time that they gave back to the community, and felt privileged to the do same.”

Davis is particularly passionate about the technology and the implementation of it throughout the county. He said he’s seen students’ PowerPoint presentations, movies and STEM projects.

“It’s amazing to see what these kids can do with technology,” Davis said. “That’s what I’ve enjoyed the most about being on the board is hearing ideas from each district across the county.”

When he went to his first robotics competition for elementary schools, he said he was blown away.

“It’s just fascinating to watch them build a machine that they programmed that goes out, picks stuff up and brings it back,” Davis said.

He said technology is a need.

“From the business world that I’m in, I see how important technology is now,” Davis said. “I can only imagine where it’s going to be in eight to ten years when they graduate. I think putting that stuff in their hands now will be huge for them when they graduate.”

In the future, he said he’d like to see the board continue to work together with each district as well as increase the

mental health counseling program.

“I would like to see our five districts continue to work and progress, academically, athletically,” Davis said. “Mental health is something each district can work on and catch at an early age. It’s a rising problem across the country, and we can help manage that. It’s vital to our county and state, to get them [students] on the right track.” n

andersonmagazine.com 16 November/December 2017

Dana Grant Dana Grant’s mission is to serve her community.

Through her activity with the Anderson County Board of Education, and throughout her career, she’s dedicated herself to serving others.

She grew up in Townville and graduated from Pendleton High School. She then attended Anderson University and graduated with a degree in elementary education.

She found her passion for education in high school.

“When I was in high school, I had done some job shadowing, and just really thought I would like to share knowledge with people,” Grant said. “I liked being around people and children.”

Though none of her family members were teachers, the church she grew up in, Townville Baptist Church, had many members who were teachers who influenced her.

She started her education career in the Anderson 1 &2 Adult Education Center. She taught a group of youth that were at risk of dropping out of high school. After a few years, she moved to the Greenville County School District where she worked with early childhood programs for about two years, and then decided to go back to get her master’s degree in divergent learning.

Divergent learning is about different strategies to teach students who are at risk of not finishing school, Grant said.

“I was interested in it probably because of some of the things I saw in the Greenville County School District,” Grant said.

“Pre-K programs are based on an at-risk factor and income factor. Being around those students and seeing the different backgrounds that they came from, that made me interested.

Seeing how much they could accomplish when they were able to grasp concepts motivated me to pursue a master’s.”

After obtaining her master’s she worked for nine years with at-risk youth through Palmetto Youth Connections, which served Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties.

She now works with AIM in Anderson as the vice president of programs. She works with all the programs as well as a new workforce development program, where they take people who are unemployed and help them move off government assistance.

“It’s incredible to watch people be that successful,” Grant said. “I find it extremely rewarding. They’re self-sufficient and to me that’s rewarding.”

She was inspired to run for the Anderson County Board of Education six years ago to provide a voice for others and serve the community.

“When I first got on the board, I was interested in having a voice for teachers because that’s a perspective I know well,” Grant said. “But also I’m a parent who had a child in the school district. I wanted to provide a voice for the teachers, students and parents.”

Advocating for the students is her passion.

“That’s what makes a huge difference for some students,” Grant said. “But we have some students who don’t have someone to advocate for them. That’s what my passion is about: that all students have those same opportunities. As a board, we have talked about making sure we have programs available to students who need them.” n

andersonmagazine.com 17 November/December 2017

C. Dale Martin

He helped build the recreational sports program in Williamston because of his love of children and sports.

C. Dale Martin’s passion for sports started from a young age after his father died from leukemia. He was six years old.

“I tried to make the best of it,” Martin said of his situation.

Sports helped him focus through school, and he wanted to share his love of sports with other children, he said.

“It’s a big part of my life,” Martin said of sports.

Martin grew up in Liberty and then went to play football at Wofford College, where he majored in education.

During his career, he coached football, taught physical education and math, was an assistant principal and then a principal.

He started working in Anderson School District One in 1961 and he coached football and girls’ basketball. Under his leadership, the Palmetto High School football team won the AAA State Championship in 1970. Eventually he moved into the assistant principal role at Wren Middle School and was there for 10 years.

He then worked at Greenville County Technical College as the liaison between business and the college and helped write over $3 million in grants. Three years later, he worked in Abbeville County as principal of Antreville Elementary and then Calhoun Falls Elementary.

He retired from the public school system in 1996 after 34 years, and a year later was inducted into the Palmetto

High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Martin worked part time for the town’s recreational department while he worked in public schools. But, once he left the school system, he worked full time as the parks and recreations director in Williamston.

Through the years, Martin slowly built the recreational baseball program in Williamston, base by base and field by field. He and his sons would lay bases down and rake rocks from the baseball fields. He worked for the town for a total of 52 years.

In recent years, the Williamston baseball field complex was named after him, as well as the Palmetto High football field.

He served on the Anderson School District One Board of Trustees prior to running for and being elected to the Anderson County Board of Education.

He decided to run for the county board in 2009 because “I felt like that was the best way to have some input on what was going on,” he said.

He said he’s enjoyed his time on the board, and one thing that he hopes the board will continue with is to keep everyone and all the districts on the “same page.”

But what makes serving on the board great is the people he serves with, he said.

“Everybody is in it for the same purpose,” Martin said.

“We have goals that we set, and we try to reach those goals.”

If you ask him what he’s most passionate about and why he does what he does, his answer is simple. The students. n

andersonmagazine.com 18 November/December 2017

Rufus Mitchell Rufus Mitchell, a retired preacher, has a love for children and his community.

Through the years, he’s taught at the high school and collegiate level as well as mentored students, but he decided to do more.

He ran for and was elected to the Anderson County Board of Education in 2004.

“It’s a privilege,” Mitchell said about serving on the board.

But it wasn’t his idea initially to run for the board; it was his eldest son’s.

“My son suggested that I should look into running, and I did,” Mitchell said. “I’m glad that I decided to follow through with it. It has been rewarding in that I have been able to see various needs and was in a position to vote accordingly.”

Mitchell, who was born in Walhalla, got his bachelor’s degree of divinity from Morris College, his master’s degree of education from what is now known as University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, and earned his doctorate of divinity from Morris College.

His first passion was preaching. He was in the 11th grade when he realized that was his calling. But he wasn’t sure he could support his family on just a preacher’s salary so eventually he took up teaching.

While he preached, he worked in the Oconee County schools.

He taught social studies at Blue Ridge High School until integration, when he went to Westminster High School.

He worked there for one year, and then decided to teach on the college level at Tri-County Technical College as an instructor in psychology and economics.

Before retiring from education in 1994, he was TriCounty’s access and equity coordinator. His role was “to encourage black young men to attend college,” he said.

After he retired from education, he continued to pastor and mentor students.

“One thing I did when I was pastoring was that I was an encourager to students in high school and college,” Mitchell said. “I encouraged students to study hard and to stay in school.”

He was pastor at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Starr for 53 years until he retired in 2013.

With his background in education, Mitchell said he has a lot to contribute to the board.

“With my experience in the teaching field, and especially when it deals with the budget, I know how important education is, and therefore I look very seriously at the budget and try to give the schools what they need,” he said.

He’s passionate about the service of mental health counselors that the board provides the school districts, and he would like to see that program continue to expand.

“To me, having seen the problems that we’ve faced in school, there is a need for additional social workers,” Mitchell said. “There is a need I think for additional social workers because of the various problems students are experiencing.”

But what keeps him on the board year after year?

“A passion for students, that’s the main thing,” Mitchell said. n

andersonmagazine.com 19 November/December 2017

Mike Upton

Mike Upton was asked to run for the school board, and he said he’s glad he did.

His predecessor didn’t sign up for re-election one year, so Anderson School District One’s administration and board members asked him if he would be a write-in candidate. His wife, Nancy, has been on the Anderson School District One Board of Trustees for more than 20 years.

So he agreed to run for the county board of education.

Before the election, his wife and daughter-in-law did a Facebook campaign for him, and he won against two other challengers.

He’s continued to stay on the board for a second term after his re-election in 2016.

“I enjoy it. It’s a different perspective from the individual school district,” Upton said. “Mainly it’s just involvement. I was involved in it, and I was learning more.”

And he didn’t want to quit.

The Beaufort native attended Clemson University for a couple years after high school, but left to enlist in the National Guard. He spent six months on active duty in the U.S. Army. Afterward he went back to his hometown to work, when he met the woman who would become his wife.

He moved back to the Upstate, and went back to school to get a two-year degree and then went back to Clemson to complete his bachelor’s degree. He retired in 2000 from the National Guard as a lieutenant colonel.

After he earned his certified public accounting certificate, he opened his own practice. Nancy was a chorus

teacher in Anderson School District One, but when Mike was diagnosed with testicular cancer, she quit teaching to help him at his practice. She liked working there and started taking courses to earn her CPA certificate.

“It went from Upton CPA to Upton and Upton CPA,” Upton said.

The arts and technology are two of his biggest passions.

He said technology is influencing the way everyone communicates and learns in the classroom.

“Technology is a big thing and everybody’s growing into it. The arts, both the performing and vocal arts, and visual, have to pay the price for other things sometimes when they shouldn’t,” Upton said.

With the arts, however, he likes that students are able to pursue their passions while staying engaged in school.

“It’s an outlet, a sense of accomplishment other than schoolwork that adds to the accomplishment of schoolwork to support the motivation to learn and continue on,” he said.

But what made him passionate about the arts?

“My wife,” he said with a smile. “Just seeing it. She had some students who weren’t good students in other classes, but they were some of her best singers.”

Nancy Upton’s experience teaching chorus and helping with school plays fueled his passion for the arts, as he saw how it affected her students and classes.

In the future, he hopes the board can provide the individual school districts with more services, and continue to enhance the ones already provided. n

andersonmagazine.com 20 November/December 2017

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andersonmagazine.com 21 November/December 2017

More than just Angel Trees and Red Kettles

By Liz Carey Most of us think about the Salvation Army during the holidays.

The ever-present red kettles with their bell ringers beside them are synonymous with Christmas.

But while we may only think of the Salvation Army one time of the year, the organization is there, working for the community, all year round.

Capts. Rob and Heather Dolby run Anderson’s Salvation Army, headquartered in the Stringer Emergency Lodge off Whitner Street. The married couple, who have three children, see their work here as a way to praise God and to give hope, support and encouragement to those who need it.

“When people know they have a safe place to lay their head, a good meal and stable housing, it helps them to get back on their feet,” Capt. Heather Dolby said. “There are organizations here that can help with these big issues people are facing. But what we do is focus on the here and now. We’ll help introduce them to others down the line that can help, but what we give them is emergency stabilization.”

In September, the lodge provided housing for 30 men and women and two families. Those at the shelter come in at 4 p.m. to get settled and check in. Afterwards, Salvation Army employees feed them dinner. Later, it’s lights out. Men and women are separated. Some sleep in bunk beds, some in single beds eight to a room.

Families share a suite of rooms together. There are bathroom facilities, a place to store their belongings and a TV. All shelter residents have to be out by 7 a.m.

Some leave to go to work, some leave to go to the library to research for jobs, some work on other issues.

But it’s only part of what the Salvation Army does, the Dolbys said.

After storms from Hurricane Irma swiped the Upstate in September, the Dolbys took their emergency mobile kitchen and hit the road, handing out hot meals to those without power. They traveled to Belton and later worked at the emergency shelter at the Anderson Civic Center where 30 people came after their electricity went out.

“Some of them were older residents who just didn’t feel safe in their houses without the electricity,” Heather Dolby said. “Some were single mothers with kids. It was a mix of people. We ended up serving them meals out of our kitchen. At the same time, the Civic Center was a staging area for Duke Energy. They were also catering meals for the linemen who were there to get the power back on. One of the men came over to me and said ‘We always have leftovers. Can you use them?’ And so we were able to use some of those leftovers to feed even more people.”

The Salvation Army also runs the Boys and Girls Club in a building on Salem Church Road. The club provides afterschool care for children for as little as $25 a week.

andersonmagazine.com 22 November/December 2017

Twice a year, Heather Dolby said, the organization uses grant money to help people who may need help with their electric bills – in the summer and in the winter, when weather may make gas and electrical bills higher.

And the organization is working with others in the area to address human trafficking. Volunteers at the shelter are trained to recognize the signs of human trafficking and help women to escape from it.

So far, they’ve identified six women between August and September who have been coming out of human trafficking and helped them get the help they need.

“We don’t want to duplicate services,” Heather Dolby said. “But we do want to be the organization that says ‘what’s falling through the cracks’ and address those needs.”

The money raised in the red kettles, she said, helps the Salvation Army provide those services, and more, all year long.

“About 50 percent of our annual budget comes from the Red Kettle Campaign,” Capt. Rob Dolby said. “We don’t get federal money for our shelters. The money we raise in those kettles is so important.”

Also in December, the organization puts up Angel Trees, where people can select a paper angel off the trees to buy Christmas presents for a child.

“When someone chooses an angel, they’re choosing

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a real person, a real child in need that they will help,” Rob Dolby said. “And what they purchase goes directly to the child. I couldn’t even imagine denying a child a gift for Christmas.”

The Dolbys said it is through people’s gifts that sometimes people see things in a new light.

“We love to find opportunities to say yes, what can we do,” Rob Dolby said. “That generosity can sometimes be the agent for change. We’ll have a lot of people who will come in and sign up for the Angel Tree program [for their children] and then they will ask if there’s a way to volunteer here to help pay us back for the help.”

To make a donation, or to volunteer, you can contact the Salvation Army at (864) 226-9340.

“We hope people will come and meet our friends,” Heather Dolby said. “There’s such an incredible opportunity for reconciliation here. There’s such an opportunity to create a community where people feel welcome.” n

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andersonmagazine.com 23 November/December 2017

Mayor Roberts Chosen as United Way Communitarian

United Way of Anderson County is pleased to announce that The Honorable Mayor Terence V. Roberts has been selected as the 2017 Communitarian of The Year. Mayor Roberts was chosen by the past recipients of the award for his commitment to the betterment of the community through his work and vision for the City of Anderson.

Mayor Terence Roberts is an Anderson native who has been in the forefront of the business community for nearly 30 years. He has served on boards and commissions at nearly every level: from caring for displaced children to chairing the Chamber of Commerce Board. He has a judicious approach to decision making - seeking to build a consensus for the betterment of the Anderson community. He has been recognized for his leadership, community service and passion for education - particularly during the school readiness years.

“I was delighted with our Past Communitarian’s selection of Mayor Roberts as our 2017 honoree”, stated Carol Burdette, CEO of United Way of Anderson

County. “He is a quiet leader who gets things done, and he has done a lot to support the work of United Way.” Roberts is the 13th recipient of this distinguished honor. His life of servanthood epitomizes the qualities of one worthy of this honor. Past recipients are: Fred Foster, Dr. Becky Campbell, D. Kirk Oglesby, Jr, Lila Albergotti, James (JT) Boseman, Dr. Harold & Julie Morse, Dr. William “Mack” Burriss, Cordes & Clinky Seabrook, Rex Maynard, Greg Shore, David and Sheila King and most recently Dr. Evans Whitaker.

The banquet honoring Mayor Roberts will be held at 6:30, November 9 at Tucker’s Restaurant. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.unitedwayofanderson. org. or by calling 864.226.3438. Advertising is also available for the commemorative Communitarian booklet honoring Mayor Roberts. For advertising opportunities, contact Lynn Dingle at 864.226.3438. n

andersonmagazine.com 24 November/December 2017

November & December Events Nov. 4 Make Your Mark Car Show Palmetto Distillery, 11 a.m.

Enjoy viewing the beautiful cars at Palmetto Distillery on Benson Street in Anderson. Hosted by Image Fitness.

Nov. 18 A Milltown Christmas in Pelzer Events on the grounds of the Historic Pelzer Gym begin at 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, November 18, the Holiday Fair will open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. More info at townofpelzer.us

Nov. 8 Foothills Alliance Pieces of the Season Luncheon The Bleckley Station, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Hear from award-winning author and Human Trafficking Advocate/survivor Barbara Amaya. Also guests will hear from author and pastor’s wife Sharie King. Doors open at 11 am. Program and lunch at noon. Holiday store opens at 11 a.m. until until 6:30 pm. Tickets are $35 and available foothillsalliance.org.

December 1-3, 8-10 The Clemson Little Theater Miracle on 34th Street Friday & Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays 3:00 pm Theater is located at 214 S. Mechanic St. Pendleton, SC 29670. Call 864.646.8100 for tickets.

Nov. 9 United Way’s Communitarian Award Tucker’s Restaurant, 6:30 p.m.

Join the United Way of Anderson County in honoring Mayor Terence Roberts as the recipient of the 2017 Communitarian of the Year. Tickets available at www. unitedwayofanderson.org.

Nov. 17-19 Holly Jolly Holiday Fair Anderson Civic Center Local artisans, crafters, tempting foods and holiday vendors. Opens Friday: 5-9; Saturday: 10-6; Sunday: 1-5.

Dec. 1 Christmas Tree Lighting Downtown Anderson Head downtown on to get in the holiday spirit with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Santa will make an appearance and local businesses will be open late. And the Anderson Arts Center will have its annual Christmas Gala that night, this year focusing on quilts.

Dec. 1 The Christmas Park Williamston Thousands of lights in Mineral Spring Park in Williamston. A visit with Santa in the Boy Scout Hut is a treat for the children, and parents. Free, open evenings during December.

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andersonmagazine.com 25 November/December 2017

Dec. 2 The Farm’s Craft & Vendor Fair The Farm at Sandy Springs, 20 Largess Lane, Piedmont Local artisans and direct sale vendors will have booths so get your holiday shopping done early. Visit with Santa also. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

More info, call (864) 568-5800.

Dec. 5 French Wine Christmas Dinner The Kitchen Emporium, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Enjoy a 5-Course French Christmas Dinner while learning the art of wine pairing. Chef Andrew Wood will prepare and demonstrate French dishes. $55 per person. Reservations required.For more information, call (864) 225-2021.

Dec. 9 Evie Claire Performs Anderson Christmas Lights Anderson Civic Center Area at Woodcrest Drive, 7-10 p.m. Evie Clair, top 10 contestant on this seasons America’s Got Talent will be at the Anderson Christmas Lights to sing for the visitors.

Bring your camera!

Dec. 9 Crawl for a Cause Downtown Anderson Enjoy a shopping crawl in downtown Anderson to benefit the Cancer Association of Anderson.

2-6 p.m.

Entrepreneurs:

Guts & Glory

W

By Liz Carey

hen Craig Kinley stepped away from the world of wireless telecom and moved to Anderson to raise his kids, something bothered him.

“I was looking into and learning about how to do a small start-up business and I realized that we had to go to Greenville if we wanted to get good beer,” he said. It was the beginning of an idea. “So, we took a Starbucks concept, and we inserted beer.”

From that, Growler Haus on Main Street in Anderson was born. Now some five years later, Growler Haus has locations in West Greenville, Fountain Inn, Anderson and Spartanburg.

As an entrepreneur, Kinley has not only built his own business, but has also helped the City of Anderson develop the grants to fund Emerge @ the Garage.

andersonmagazine.com 26 November/December 2017

Kinley also helped some of the business competitors who participated in the 2015 Accelerate Anderson Downtown Challenge to help small businesses get started in a property in the city.

In 2013, Kinley won a similar competition in Spartanburg, and helped the winning business in that city’s 2014 competition.

For him, entrepreneurship is about having a passion to do something, and to be willing to hustle every day to see that passion come to life. The key for a successful entrepreneurial effort is to do your homework first, he said.

“I think the things that you need are to first figure out what problem are you solving, what’s the market look like, how are you going solve that problem, who’s on the team and what are you going to spend,” he said. “Once you know those things, it’s easier to move forward.”

Of course, none of that happens without money.

Mike Wooles, who is with First Citizens Bank, said talking with a banker from the outset is a great way to started with a new business.

“You really should develop a relationship with your bank,” Wooles said. “A banker can help entrepreneurs understand what resources they will need. And from a financial perspective, they’ll be able to help you with income and balance sheets and how to make the projections for your business.”

Wooles said the transformation of downtown Anderson, thanks to entrepreneurs, has been staggering.

“Back in 2001, at noontime, there’d be maybe five cars downtown,” he said. “Now, it’s been growing for a while.

At noon time, I can’t find a parking spot downtown… and the business mentality has changed as well. It used to be people would say, ‘Do you think this would work?’

But now they’re saying things are going well downtown, I had better get some of that space before it’s all gone.”

Wooles suggested those interested in starting their own business to talk with the South Carolina Small Business Administration, as well as people with the city government to determine the proper licensing, inspections and permits they will need and to get help in finding space downtown.

David Saidat is one of Anderson’s successful entrepreneurs. And although on the surface it looks like he’s an overnight success, it’s a success that has been 10 years in the making.

Saidat owns Coco Bon Chocolatier, which was one of the three winners of Anderson’s Downtown Challenge in 2015. Saidat makes and sells chocolate, as well as period candy and some popcorn items, from his store front at 111 N. Main Street.

The décor is a tribute to the building’s history, which once served as a storefront in the 1900s. With a player piano, simple décor and turn-of-the 20th century

uniforms, the store feels like a throwback to a simpler time, before everything was mass produced. Here, Saidat makes truffles and bonbons by hand alongside his son, Alec, and sells them in his shop.

But it didn’t start out that way. Saidat and his wife moved to Anderson to be closer to her mother in North Georgia. There he started making chocolates for wholesale.

“Any entrepreneur finds his business is going to evolve,” he said. “I started in January 2007 selling chocolate on the Internet. I had very few sales. In the way I’d structured the business, I was set up for wholesale customers. So, in 2008, I started doing tradeshows. By 2013, I wanted to get out of the trade show business. I had to make the decision to either close up shop, or sell retail.”

Winning the Downtown Challenge help him to see his dreams come true in Anderson.

“This place is family-owned and operated,” Saidat said. In addition to his son, his wife Cathy comes in periodically to help out. His granddaughter has worked there too. “I love it here. I love the fact that we live in a rural setting on the lake in a relaxed business climate. I love that I am able to combine my love for history with my love for making chocolate.” n

andersonmagazine.com 28 November/December 2017

The Legacy of Anderson is an Independent Senior Living Community

What does that mean?

We are a community for independent seniors age 55+

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

-we do not have any clinical staff on site -we do not manage medications -we do not have memory care -we are not assisted living -we do provide 3 meals per day -we do provide housekeeping -we do provide transportation -we do provide social and wellness programs -we do provide emergency call pendants -we do provide security -we do provide services under one roof -we do allow small pets -we do love our residents

andersonmagazine.com 29 November/December 2017

Layoff Leads to Career Change for Anderson Resident

S

Travis Rice and his parents, Bobby and Frances Rice.

ometimes in life you have to lose in order to win.

Travis Rice is a testament of how sudden and unexpected events in life, like losing a job and your livelihood, can turn into life lessons that lead to a different direction. For Travis, the layoff was the catalyst for change that resulted in the discovery, at age 37, of a surprising new career calling.

After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Architecture and Real Estate Development from Clemson University, Travis spent the first half of the 2000s working as an Architect/Developer in Atlanta.

“It was a great career,” he said. “I thought it was going to be a lifelong career until 2008 came and the housing market crashed,” he says. The economic downturn and the housing bubble led to half of the workforce at Regent Partners, LLC, including Travis, affected by devastating job cuts. With no job prospects, he was forced to leave Atlanta and headed back to his hometown of Anderson.

“I thought I could develop underserved communities and engage in public-private partnership projects in the city where I grew up,” said the 1997 T.L. Hanna High grad. “My back-up plan was a no go,” he remembers.

He began to send out a steady stream of resumes, but

still no offers.

At his mother’s suggestion, he joined her as a volunteer -- presumably just for a day -- at AnMed Health. “She thought volunteerism could jump start a new career and a desire to work in health care,” he said.

Travis agreed to go and about a month later, volunteerism turned into a Nursing Assistant job with on-the-job training and a much needed paycheck. But he was always banking on the economy rebounding and returning to Atlanta as a Real Estate Developer.

But his mother’s intuition was right –volunteering eventually led to a decision to enter the health care field -- and a strong desire to help others. His decision was influenced by AnMed Health Neurosciences Nurse Manager Chuck Horton. “Fortunately, I landed a volunteer role on one of the best floors in the hospital -- Neurosciences -- under one of the best Nurse Managers, Chuck Horton. A month passed and that volunteer nursing assistant position turned into a paying Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) position. That meant income! I needed that stability for me and my twin daughters,” he said.

He continued to interview for real estate development

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jobs in the Upstate but nothing materialized. He began to get offers to return to Atlanta but didn’t want to leave his daughters. He enrolled in prerequisite classes at Tri-County Technical College’s Anderson Campus - just in case he decided to apply to the College’s associate degree Nursing program.

He breezed through the Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Microbiology, and even Organic Chemistry classes. He began seriously to think about med school. Still, in the back of his mind, he hadn’t given up on real estate development and continued to interview for jobs.

At the Anderson Campus, he met Anatomy and Physiology instructor David Little, who became a friend and mentor like Horton. “He told me he could see me as a doctor or a physician’s assistant,” said Travis.

He respected Little and Horton’s comments and encouragement, but it was a patient on 7 South who really made an impact on Travis. “This patient really made it click for me,” said Travis, referring to a chronically-ill, homeless man who had been there for over a year. “He was non-compliant and combative and uncommunicative. He didn’t talk to anyone. One day I decided to dive in and get to know the man. Over the next few weeks, he became a priority.

One day, after grooming, feeding, bathing top to bottom, fighting through the stubbornness, working with therapy, showering and shaving, he looked like a new person. When I wheeled him out in the lobby, no one knew who he was.

It was amazing. And he spoke. He thanked me. But I told him he did more for me than I did for him. A man of few words thanked me. That’s when I knew

“Entering Tri-County’s Nursing program and working at the hospital have added a layer of empathy to me. It has helped me as a dad, a son, a brother, a person, and a student.”- Travis Rice this was the career for me – hands-on care. He solidified my choice. We both felt appreciated. The light came on. I saw what I could do.”

Four months later, his patient was moved to an assisted living facility and on Travis’s day off, he went to the hospital and wheeled him down to the transport area. “There were tears on both ends. It was very emotional. As an architect, I had never cried over a building. We shook hands and hugged. He told me I changed his life. The truth is, he changed my life. I made up my mind that I was going to make a difference. That patient, that experience, those failures, those successes led me to nursing school.” Meeting that gentleman was a defining moment for Travis, one he calls his ‘road to Damascus.’ “Now, I’m all in. I think a lot about him because he is part of my story,” said Travis.

“Entering Tri-County’s Nursing program and working at the hospital have added a layer of empathy to me. It has helped me as a dad, a son, a brother, a person, and a student,” he added.

After graduating this spring, Travis accepted a job in the Neurointensive Care Unit on the Neurosciences floor at AnMed Health. He plans to pursue his BSN degree. His goal is to be a nurse practitioner or a certified RN anesthetist.

“My friends from Hanna tell me they never would have placed me in a nursing career. But I’ve thought about it, and I disagree. An architect is detailed, does his research, and educates his clients about ideas. A nurse does the same thing in a hospital. Patient education is key, along with prioritizing and discipline.

“I always thought of myself as Travis Rice, architect. But now I am Travis Rice, R.N.” andersonmagazine.com 31 November/December 2017

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Tri-County Technical College 1. More than 70 majors 2. Lowest Tuition in Upstate 3. Highest Success Rate among State’s 16 Technical Colleges 4. Ranked in Top 5% Nationally for Successful Transfer 5. Nearly 80% of Students Receive Financial Assistance and Scholarships 6. 19:1 Student-Faculty Ratio 7. Four Campuses to Serve You 8. Co-ops and Internships Allow You to Learn While You Earn 9. Home to Nationally-Known Bridge to Clemson Program 10. RN, LPN Grads’ NCLEX Scores Exceed State, National Averages

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Perfect Pairings:

By Lynn Donegan

Anderson Wine Experts Discuss Best Holiday Wines

The holiday season is upon us, which means that it is time to begin planning for those upcoming holiday feasts. Whether you are responsible for preparing the main course or contributing a side-dish, don’t forget a complimentary beverage to serve with that perfect holiday meal. If you are looking for an ideal wine or champagne for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s, Anderson experts have you covered!

I had the opportunity to sit down with Gay McLeskey, owner of The Kitchen Emporium, and wine representative, Andrew Wood, to chat about wine and champagne pairings for holiday cuisine. Gay and Andrew were more than happy to share their impressive expertise with me.

As Andrew says, “What’s a kitchen without wine?” Gay agrees. “I just think food and wine go together; it’s just a natural thing.”

Gay and her husband, Mac, bought The Kitchen Emporium in early 2006. As there were no other wine shops in the area at the time, Gay sensed a need for a place that offered wine selections for an expanding downtown and a growing community. Now located at 311 N. Main Street, The Kitchen Emporium offers a wide variety of wines and champagnes.

Gay, who has been cooking since she was five, particularly enjoys the pairing of wine with food.

“People come in and go, ‘Gay, I’m going to have [a certain meal] for supper. What would go with it?’” she says. “So, then I ask them about the sauces, and the

Andrew Wood and Gay McLeskey

seasonings, and the sides, what they’re going to have, and I try my hardest to get the best wine. So, that’s fun.”

When it comes to a traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, Andrew, who is a former chef, explains that either red or white wines can be served. For a red wine, he suggests a pinot noir, which is usually a lightbodied, French red wine that pairs well with white meat and ham. Pinot noir’s cherry overtones also pair perfectly with cranberries. For Italian wines, Andrew recommends primitivo or brunello. If you prefer a spicy wine, you could try malbec, a South American wine, which pairs well with leg of lamb. With meats such

andersonmagazine.com 32 November/December 2017

as pork chops or barbeque, a heavier red wine is an excellent option.

Gay and Andrew also enthusiastically recommend rosé for the holidays. Flavorful and refreshing, rosé is “not just for spring and summer.” As “an in-between wine,” rosé is typically a dry wine that can be paired with chicken, fish, and turkey.

For those who are planning a non-traditional holiday meal, sweet wines should be paired with spicy foods because sweet wines cut through the heat in foods such as Thai and Cajun. Riesling wines work well for spicy dishes. “The sweeter the wines, the spicy foods, the better,” Gay says.

If you are looking for wine to enjoy over a holiday dessert, Andrew recommends sparkling wines, which are “very versatile.” The brut, or dryness, of the wine counterbalances the sweetness of the dessert. Sparkling wines also go well with appetizers such as bruschetta, cheese, mini quiches, and any type of seafoodparticularly lobster, oysters, clams, and shellfish. For seafood, heavy red wines should be avoided because they can easily overwhelm seafood’s delicate flavor.

Sparkling wines, on the other hand, are light enough to enhance the flavor of seafood.

If you enjoy sushi for the holidays, champagne is a great sparkling wine option. Most people immediately think of champagne for New Year’s celebrations.

However, Gay insists, “Champagne is for every time of the year!”

For New Year’s festivities, anything goes! As a celebratory time, this is a great time to bring out your best wines, whether sparkling or otherwise.

You might try a cabernet, brunello, barolo, California cabernet, or Bordeaux.

When choosing a wine to go with a particular food, remember that the goal is to enhance flavor, not to over-power. “With your more delicate, lighter foods you want to compliment with a more delicate, lighter wine,” says Gay. “Bigger, bolder foods require bigger, bolder wines.” Andrew and Gay warn against pairing too strong of a wine with a light dish. “You want to compliment, not step on [the food],” Andrew emphasizes, “You don’t want the wine to cover up the flavor of whatever you’re eating.”

When cooking with wine, quality is key: make sure that you choose a wine that you would also drink. “Do not put wine that you would not drink into your food,” Gay cautions.

Stemware and temperature are other aspects to consider when

serving wine because both affect the taste of the wine.

“The glass does make the difference,” says Gay. Andrew adds, “The better the crystal you can afford, and the thinner it is, the better that wine tastes.” Red wines should be served in glasses with wider mouths, and whites wines should have smaller mouths.

Gay believes that most Americans make the mistake of serving red wines too warm and white wines too cold. Her philosophy for ideal wine temperatures is to chill red wines in the cooler for about ten minutes before serving and to take white wines out of the cooler for about ten minutes. Sixty to sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit is preferable for red wines, while 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit is preferable for white wines.

Ultimately, however, everyone has their individual preferences when it comes to wine. “It’s your experience,” says Andrew, “Wine is like food…it should be personal.

At the end of the day…there’s no right or wrong answer.”

When you are asked as a guest to bring a bottle of wine to a holiday party, “Bring something that YOU enjoy,” Gay advises. “That way you always have something that you can drink when you’re out in a gathering.”

Describing food and wine as a “beautiful compliment to each other,” Gay is more than happy to share her passion for wine with others. She would love to assist you in choosing your ideal wine for the holidays, and her shop also offers cooking and wine classes for the community. If you want to learn more about different wines and their food pairings, The Kitchen Emporium is the perfect place to start! n

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Anderson County Human Relations Council Receives Statewide Recognition The members of the Anderson County Human Relations Council (HRC) have worked diligently over the years to promote goodwill among groups of people who historically have had systemic difficulties getting along, and their work has now been recognized in a big way across the state of South Carolina as a model for other groups with similar goals and aspirations.

Established in 1993 as a joint initiative of Anderson County Council, the cities and towns in Anderson County, and the State of South Carolina, the Anderson County Human Relations Council has sought ever since to improve human relations by building bridges and lowering barriers among all races, ethnic, and age groups represented throughout Anderson County. The HRC is an organization of volunteers appointed by the seven members of Anderson County Council and the nine municipal mayors in our county.

At the recent 2017 South Carolina Community Relations and Development Annual Conference hosted in North Charleston by the Institute for Community Development at the College of Charleston, the Anderson County Human Relations Council won a statewide award for its exceptional efforts to promote positive interaction and cooperation among all racial, ethnic, and age groups in the Anderson community. Ms. Janie Turmon, Chairwoman of the Anderson County HRC, received the recognition on behalf of the group, and the State of South Carolina Human Affairs Commission was also on hand to introduce Ms. Turmon as its new state co-chair.

Upon receiving the award, Ms. Turmon said, “I’d like to thank the entire committee of the South Carolina Community Relations and Deployment Conference Committee for choosing Anderson County Human Relations Council for such an outstanding recognition among other nonprofit, government, educational organizations. It is such an honor to have been chosen to represent Anderson County. I am humbled as Chair of the Human Relations Council to accept this award on behalf of the entire board.”

Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator, upon hearing of the HRC’s accolades, said, “We are grateful for our Human Relations Council members and the important work they do in our community, and it is gratifying to see their efforts recognized at the state level. It is our desire for our HRC to be a model program for the state, and, in fact, we are already receiving requests for help in setting up similar programs in other locations.”

The HRC hosts several community events every year, the most well-known of which is the Cory White Diversity Awards, which honors a student from each middle and high school in the County who has

Anderson County Council presents Resolution honoring Anderson County HRC at its first meeting in September 2017 From left to right: Doris Reed, Elise Hind, Laura Garren, Gilbert Green, Tom Allen, Janie Turmon, Cynthia Robertson, Elizabeth Strong, Alesia Carroll, Olivia Walls, and Rev. Darrin Johnson made a positive impact on peers, teachers, and school staff in the areas of human rights, special needs and disabilities, and/or cultural inclusion and acceptance.

The Awards honor the memory of the student designer of the Anderson County Human Relations Council logo, Cory White, who was a student at Belton-Honea Path High School at the time of his tragic death in an automobile accident. Cory White was an outstanding young man who demonstrated his love and acceptance of all people and went out of his way to make others feel important and valued. The HRC established the Cory White Diversity Award to honor his memory and recognize young people within the community who share his values and strong character.

The HRC was recently honored with a resolution at the first Anderson County Council meeting in September.

The group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse in downtown Anderson. To learn more about the HRC, visit www. andersoncountysc.org/humanrelations. To apply to become part of the HRC, visit www.andersoncountysc. org/boardapp. n

andersonmagazine.com 34 November/December 2017

andersonmagazine.com 35 November/December 2017

Find The Right Fit For YOUR Insurance Needs Working with a local Independent Agent begins the process of finding the best insurance for your needs. Independent Agents represent more than one company and are licensed professionals who are able to offer a choice and shop the insurance market for you.

They will be able to answer your questions regarding coverages and access your personal needs to find the right fit for you.

When it comes to auto insurance there are many ways to decrease your cost but you need to be sure you are properly covered in case of an accident. So, how do you evaluate what you really need for your particular car and situation? The first step is to understand what the limits are on your policy, how they work and what state minimums are required. Discuss with your agent your current limits and consider the risk to you, if there is not an adequate amount to settle a claim that you are responsible for.

Home insurance can be even more confusing. There are so many variables and questions like; How much coverage do you know you need for contents, liability, etc? Do you need Flood Insurance? If you purchased your home many years ago, the value may have increased, especially if you have made some upgrades or improvements, or possibly depreciated depending on the area and upkeep. How do you know what the true value of your home is especially with the housing market constantly changing?

An agent can assist with determining the replacement cost of your home. A recent appraisal or information provided on your home can be used to calculate the current replacement cost. Replacement cost is not the same as market value and needs to be considered when determining coverage. There are additional policies you may purchase to compliment your homeowners policy. A flood policy is required if your home is located in a designated flood zone and you have a mortgage, but anyone can purchase this coverage. An umbrella policy is another policy that can be purchased. The umbrella policy offers an extra layer of liability coverage to protect you in the event of a large claim you are legally liable for at a minimal cost. All the options mentioned above, should be discussed with your agent so they may find the policy and company that offers the best fit for your current needs.

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10

Decorating Ideas for the Holidays

andersonmagazine.com 38 November/December 2017

By Caroline Anneaux

Holiday season is upon us! Here are TEN fantastic ideas to get you motivated and excited for the upcoming season!

number 1

Anna Cheek from Cheek Interiors on East Greenville Street has some amazing tablescape ideas to wow your guests from Thanksgiving all the way through Christmas. Choose a base color you enjoy and then change out a few items to create the look for the specific holiday that month. Cheek suggested using elements you have in your yard.

“Sometimes we just need to go back to the basics to create that rich holiday look,” said Cheek. “So much of what is in your own backyard can create a beautiful backdrop for your Thanksgiving and Christmas displays.

Pine branches, acorns and twigs, pinecones, magnolia leaves or berries can be added to your everyday table settings and mantle décor for a classic natural style.”

no. 1 number 2

Mimosa Garden Club Member Ruth Hopkins enjoys picking up holiday decorating tips at the monthly meetings she attends. Anderson residents who are interested in learning how to create seasonal items from their gardens may contact them about joining their club.

“Each month at our meetings we have a member or invited guest speaker who teaches us something relevant about the season we are in,” said Hopkins.

“Last fall we gathered items from our gardens and brought them to our meeting. We created beautiful swag centerpieces which could also hang as door decorations. Adding fall colors makes them perfect for Thanksgiving, and putting Christmas ribbons and accents allows you to use them for the rest of the season.”

no. 2 number 3

no. 3

Cherie Williams of Pendleton shared her favorite decorating tip for the holidays: baking and decorating sugar cookies. It’s not a traditional decoration like a wreath or mantle display, but still a very popular “decorating” activity in her household. With all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, slowing down for an afternoon to bake with your family and then share with loved ones is a really nice idea.

“My mother and grandmother baked them with me as a child,” said Williams. “I continued the tradition of making and decorating the cookies with my children and now my own grandchildren. I personally roll out, cut, cook and then decorate 20 to 25 dozen cookies a year for my friends, family and neighbors.” andersonmagazine.com 39 November/December 2017

number 4

Angela Shaw is blessed with some very creative genes and loves decorating for the holidays. She is always on the lookout for new ideas and finds amazing handmade projects on websites like Pinterest or friends’ Facebook pages. “Totally Tutorials” and “The Family Handyman” have tons of step-by-step instructions on how to make decorations for the holidays, whether you are a beginner or an experienced crafter.

“I used clothespins to make these gorgeous stars for my Christmas tree last year,” said Shaw. “They caught my eye as I was searching the web for ideas, and I decided to make them one weekend. Sitting down to create something for my family to enjoy is very relaxing to me, especially during the hectic holiday season.”

no. 4 number 5 Finding trained interior designers may be helpful when you have to decorate but you are not sure where to start. Anderson University interior design students came to the rescue when Linda and Chuck McCuen needed help decorating their historic home, also known as the Sitton House, for the Pendleton Christmas Home Tour.

“My husband is the seventh generation owner of our home right off of the square in Pendleton,” said Linda McCuen. “When he came home in July and told me our home would be on the tour, I knew I would need help. I enlisted the help of the interior design students through my friend and coworker, Anne Martin. The girls showed up to work, and I gave them free rein to do whatever they wanted with the decorations I had. They did an incredible job!”

no. 5 number 6

no. 6

Looking for a bargain and want your home or office to look festive for November and December? Check out over 15 local thrift shops for holiday decor at really low prices. This is a great way to add to your own collection or begin one for young adults starting off on their own. Some people like to buy new things every year and donate gently used, almost-new items. You may luck out and find some lights, greenery, wreaths, knick-knacks and more that will be perfect in your home. Recycling holiday decorations keeps them out of landfills, so you are doing your part in keeping Anderson green!

andersonmagazine.com 40 November/December 2017

number 7

Anderson resident Stacie Mahaffey believes it is important to bring the spirit of the holidays to the workplace.

Mahaffey works for Foothills Alliance, and helps add a festive atmosphere by bringing in holiday decorations and using them to spread cheer in the office.

“People spend so many hours at work each week, and I feel that decorating the office is something I can do to bring joy to my coworkers,” said Mahaffey. “I really enjoy decorating and love that I am able to share the spirit of the holidays with them.

If you are not a creative person but you would enjoy learning to make a handmade item, look for free or inexpensive classes at local stores. Michael’s lists crafting classes on their website for adults and children. Home Depot has DIY (Do It Yourself) projects each month to teach you and your children how to make simple to elaborate holiday gifts and decorations. Hobby Lobby also has a nice selection of seasonal how-to classes. These classes are led by adults who will walk you through the project from beginning to end. Go in empty-handed and come out with a unique gift or holiday decoration you personally created.

no. 8 number 9 Beverly and Tony Childs’s decorating tip is to start early!

As previous hosts on the Anderson Heritage Christmas Home Tour, they know it is necessary to pull items out of storage and get started on Thanksgiving weekend -- or the week before if you are hosting Thanksgiving at your house.

“It takes both of us to decorate the outside and inside of our 1927 stone home near Anderson University,” said Beverly. “We have collected ornaments for over 35 years and decorate up to five trees in our home. Tony especially loves his vehicle-themed tree in his study, and I love my Hallmark and Radko ornament tree in the living room. I must mention that grouping and storing our ornaments at the end of the season makes our decorating job much easier when we pull items out each November!”

no. 10

no. 7 number 8

no. 9 number 10

Above all, the most important tip is to relax and have fun as often as you can! Enjoy the next two months. Invite friends over to make a craft together. Have fun making place cards for the Thanksgiving meal. Spend time baking or decorating with a child. Ride around and look at the holiday lights with an elderly friend or family member who doesn’t drive at night any more. The holiday season passes by so quickly.

Be sure to savor every moment of it! n

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EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE

The Anderson Christmas Parade

T

By Liz Carey

he Christmas Parade through downtown Anderson has long been a holiday tradition in the Electric City.

As early as 1945, people lined the streets to see the floats and, of course, Santa Claus travel down the street. As a child, Steve Kay, owner of The Bleckley Inn, remembers his grandmother taking him and his siblings out of school to get what she thought was the best viewing spot for the parade.

“She didn’t play around,” he said. “We lived in Starr, and she’d come and get us and take us to downtown Anderson, and we’d get a seat right there in front of the courthouse. And she was serious about it too. She wouldn’t let anyone sit in front of us.”

Stephen Chapman, who grew up in Anderson, said on Facebook that the parade and the Christmas decorations downtown were the beginning of the holiday season for him: “[A decorative string of reindeer leading a sleigh hung over downtown] was indeed a fixture for all of us in the 50s . . The view from University Hill was striking, especially if one was five,” he said. “Decorations were never turned on until the Christmas Parade, and that event was always scheduled for the first week in December . . . Christmas was pretty much all in December back then.”

By the 60s, the parade had become a mainstay among Anderson Christmas traditions. Dena Sysbee Graydon, an Anderson native, said her family figured out how to watch the parade and keep warm on chilly December days.

“I remember my grandfather renting a room at the Calhoun Hotel so that we could watch it up there and

out of the cold,” she said. “And I remember helping to decorate our school float in a building behind Kings’ Corner and Marett’s flower shop.”

As an adult, Steve Kay joined the Anderson Jaycees that ran the parade in Anderson. For years, it was the Jaycees’ responsibility, he said, to go get the floats that were made across the state line in Georgia and drive them over to Anderson.

“Every one of us with a truck or a car with a hitch on it was pulled into service to bring these floats over for the parade from Georgia,” Kay said. “It must have made quite a sight with a dozen or so floats coming down the road.”

The Jaycees would sell use of the floats to local businesses and the businesses would drive the floats in the parade.

Around the 1980s, Kay said, the Jaycees couldn’t do it anymore and the responsibility for the parade was turned over to the City of Anderson.

Since then, the responsibility for the parade has shifted to the City of Anderson Recreation Department.

Running down Main Street from Greenville Street through to River Street, the parade is held on the first Sunday in December, except when the first Sunday falls during Thanksgiving weekend. Only 100 entries are selected for the parade and application to be in the parade ends on November 16.

For more information about the parade, contact the City of Anderson Recreation Department at www.cityofandersonsc.com or via phone at (864) 231-2232.

andersonmagazine.com 42 November/December 2017

Wishing you a joyous holiday season with peace and cheer throughout the New Year!

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Andrew Olson trains soccer player Jon Lott at the Anderson Area YMCA.

There is no OFFSEASON

By John Boone

“There is no offseason.” What once was mostly a motivational line used to sell t-shirts and tennis shoes is now reality for teen athletes. Want to make the varsity team? Then you’d better bring the best of your best, because if you don’t, someone else will.

In nearly every sport, “offseason” offerings in this area include travel teams and various training programs.

Jon Lott, a 15-year-old freshman junior varsity soccer player at T.L. Hanna High School, wants to play left back on the varsity team.

His detractors say his 110-pound frame will make that possibility a long shot. Lott doesn’t listen. He trains. “I know my disadvantages, one being speed. I’m working on explosiveness, closing the gaps – parachute runs, sled pulls. I’ve dropped a good bit off my 40 [yard dash] time, I’ve gotten stronger, and I feel more confident.”

Brett Campbell, a Wren High School and Anderson University alum, started the program that trains Wall and other young athletes at the Anderson Area YMCA. He started the program three years ago and has seen it grow with the Y’s recent 12,000-square-foot expansion.

“There are around 30 kids in the program now,” says Campbell, a certified National Exercise Training Association personal trainer and an American Council on Exercise sports conditioning specialist. His program also includes college and master athletes, with individual and group training rates starting at around $70 per month. “During their offseason, we tell them to take a little of a break from what they’re doing skill-wise for their sport and have them focus on weightlifting and things to build the muscles back up after tearing them down over a long season,” he explained.

“A lot of kids play travel ball now, so they see the different

andersonmagazine.com 44 November/December 2017

ability levels of athletes they are playing against. With the addition of training programs, it gives kids the opportunity to work on specific skills that they might not work on by themselves. In this case that means a lot of kids are always working to make themselves better.

This goes a long way to making high school sports more competitive.”

Noah Hall’s whole basketball team from Anderson Christian School takes CrossFit classes together at the Y, yet another tactic that varsity coach and Anderson University legend Brandon Young has implemented to help bolster his team as a regional power.

“It definitely has helped our endurance and speed, our verticals, and our mental toughness. It helps us push through, both individually and as a team,” says Hall, who also plays a lot of pick-up basketball himself.

“The love of the sport always keeps you motivated to want to do something to make yourself better.”

Senior pitcher/outfielder Cole Simpson of Pendleton High School has a baseball scholarship waiting for him at The Citadel. He credits former pro pitcher Jay Reames at Top Notch Training (TNT Sports) in Williamston, for helping to make that happen.

“I needed help pitching and he helped a bunch,” says Simpson, who’s trained at TNT for over two years.

“Working with the weights, getting bigger and stronger, was all very important. I want to compete at a level where I make a difference.”

Joe Don Reames, who with Jay co-owns TNT Sports and trains numerous professional athletes, says even with the youngest of athletes he trains – some even in elementary school – it all starts with passion.

“I’ll know right away if they really want to do it or not,” the former two-sport Clemson star says. “If they don’t, I’m not going to take their money or waste time.

If they do, I’ll take them as far as they can go.”

TNT may be hardcore, but dozens of young athletes pursuing numerous sports train there every week, their parents shelling out top dollars for top training.

Addie Anderson has been competing at a high level in tennis for a while now, but her story is also a cautionary tale for those who train year-round, year after year.

The T.L. Hanna sophomore, recently named Region 1 Player of the Year, Addie Anderson, sophomore tennis has been playing player, trains with Brett Campbell. tennis almost constantly for as long as she can remember. “My Mom and Dad play, my sister plays, it’s always been a big part of our lives,” the 15-year-old sophomore says. But last spring, Anderson began to feel pain in her right (serving) shoulder. She finally relented to having it looked at, and it was found to have some fraying cartilage. The cause?

Overuse.

With surgery not required, Anderson turned to Campbell for a rehab program. Campbell designed one to strengthen the muscles around the affected area, and Anderson went on to have her strong sophomore season with very little discomfort.

“I would say that she has a better understanding now [of her body],” Campbell says. “A lot more injuries are occurring today because you do not see kids taking the proper measures to prepare their bodies. With Addie having gone through this, it showed her the importance of the rehab and maintaining her shoulder strength during all parts of the season.”

The season. The season that never ends.

Will Anderson take a break? “Maybe a week,” she says.

“Maybe two,” Campbell shoots back. n

andersonmagazine.com 45 November/December 2017

the on

on be

you want istthe to l ly

There’s no doubt that Anderson County is full of GREAT THINGS! But we each have our OWN FAVORITES… whether it’s your favorite restaurant, your favorite place to play golf or your favorite pediatrician.

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TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF Best Spa Best Hair Salon Best Nail Salon Best Gym/Workout Best Dry Cleaners Aesthetician

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Anderson Magazine

andersonmagazine.com 47 November/December 2017

www.an

Stroke: Know the signs and symptoms When we started working on this campaign, I barely knew anything about stroke. I barely knew the signs and symptoms. I did not know that South Carolina has the 7th highest stroke rate in the nation. I did not know that stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in South Carolina with nearly 2600 deaths per year. I did not know that of the 190,000 people in Anderson County, 162 people have died of a stroke over a two year period.

In 2017, Gray Digital Group partnered with the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) and Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to raise awareness for the signs and symptoms of stroke across the Palmetto State. We created a robust digital communication strategy to deploy videos on Facebook and Instagram educating the public about each sign and symptom. This project has taught us so much, yet we have so much more to learn.

Stroke is serious, impacting the people we love. Stroke is so serious that South Carolina hospitals have committed time, energy, and resources to not only fight the stroke epidemic, but educate the public about the signs and symptoms. It is so simple, so let me share it with you. FAST. Yep, that is it. FAST is the acronym for Face Arm Speech Time, the four signs of stroke.

FACE: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb?

ARM: Is one arm weak or numb?

SPEECH: Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand?

TIME: If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, CALL 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately.

If you go to FaceArmSpeechTime.com, you will find an educational website showcasing each sign and symptom with educational information and a video showcasing the indicators of each sign. Not only will you find video content, interactive media, and a downloadable PDF for you to share with your family and friends; you will find all the video content was captured and produced right here in Anderson County.

We partnered with Five Forks Rescue Squad in Townville along with Medshore and AnMed Health right here in downtown Anderson. If you watch the Face video, you will notice it was captured in Townville on a farm. If you watch the Arm video, you will notice it was captured at Linley Park, all using local people not actors. AnMed Health’s stroke coordinators worked closely with our team to advise us how to portray each sign and symptom to portray them as authentic as possible. We were excited to work with so many great groups right here in Anderson to create this wonderful campaign, showcasing our commitment to stroke care across the Palmetto State.

AnMed Health has wonderful stroke coordinators in their Neuroscience Center. You may ask, what is a stroke coordinator? They are highly skilled nurses committed to the quality of care delivered to each stroke patient as they move through the continuum of care. They are clinical experts and serve as a resource to the family, nursing staff, other clinical staff, physicians, and the community. They are right here to help.

Stroke is a serious disease, and as the numbers indicate here in Anderson Country; it impacts the people we love right here. It is exciting work on such a powerful awareness campaign and how we as a community can collaborate to share the signs and symptoms of stroke.

To learn more, go to FaceArmSpeechTime.com.

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 48 November/December 2017

FaceArmSpeechTime.com

andersonmagazine.com 49 November/December 2017

Anderson’s Social Page

Local Anderson homeschool group heads to Virginia for a field trip.

Clemson Game Day

Anderson Cavaliers Volleyball team meets Zion Williamson

T.L. Hanna band members YMCA Falcons team

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of Anderson andersonmagazine.com 50 November/December 2017

With the holiday season approaching, we would like to express how sincerely thankful we are for our wonderful clients, and wish everyone a

Does Your Bank Do This?

The Peoples Bank offers a schools-based financial education program to 5 high schools across Anderson County at no cost to schools. The web-based interactive course empowers young people with the essential skills needed to make sound financial decisions.

The Peoples Bank is proud to support Anderson County Schools and to have Nakia Davis, Vice President/ Branch Manager as a member of the Anderson County Board of Education.

Happy Thanksgiving and a

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www.AndersonForSale.com CHAPPELEAR & ASSOCIATES, INC. R E A L E S TAT E Ala: 864.314.9346

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Join us for the holidays!

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Opening Night: November 28. 5:00 - 8:00 PM Handmade gifts by local artists.

December 3

3:00 - 6:30 PM Tickets may be purchased in advance. $20 Adults / $5 Children

306 City Square, Belton

864-338-8556

Craig: 864.940.1598

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and

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beltoncenterforthearts.org

bank • real estate • art • drinks • museum • shop • dine

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SUPPORT THE MUSEUM BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

tis’ the season for

ART Visit the Bay 3 artisan gallery for unique and origianal gifts this holiday season.

864.222.2787 www.andersonarts.org andersonmagazine.com 51 November/December 2017

Nov. 4 Hunter Education Class - 8-4 Nov. 16 Family Trees & Me Resources a Plenty! - 7pm Nov. 18 3rd Annual Turkey Shoot Dec. 2 Christmas in Belton Fins, Feathers, Paws, & Claws exhibit will be open through Dec. 16.

Contact the museum for more information about any of our events. beltonmuseum.com beltonmuseum@bellsouth.net

100 N. Main St. • Belton, SC • 864-338-7400

HIKING

THROWING FOOTBALLS

LEAF VIEWING ROASTING MARSHMALLOWS

KNEE PAIN

& APPLE PICKING YOUR FALL TO-DO LIST SHOULDN’T INCLUDE ORTHOPAEDIC PAIN. AnMed Health Community Orthopaedics provides complete orthopaedic care, building personal relationships with patients. We specialize in the treatment of hip, knee and shoulder pain, hand care and sports medicine injuries.

Learn more or schedule an appointment: 864.641.4383 or www.communityortho.com.

Community Orthopaedics Team

Darius Divina, D.O.

Jesus Castillo, D.O.

John Saunders, M.D.