Flowertown
Jenny Horne LAW FIRM
VOL 1, NO 1
COMPLIMENTARY
CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING WOMEN
Real
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In this Issue
Flowertown
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www.flowertownwomanonline.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Lori Samples Duncan loriduncan86@gmail.com
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE Cathy Williams info@woman2womanonline.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carol Ryall Kimberly Blaker Kimberly Richardson Lori Samples Duncan Melissa Pelkey Hass Patti McGrath
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Lindsey Duncan woman2womanlindsey@gmail.com
COVER PHOTO
Tammy Bevins Photography
From the Editor
2 Welcome to Flowertown Woman Magazine!
Events
3 What’s Happening?
Front Porch Gourmet
4 The Pasta Whisperer: Shrimp & Black Pepper Pappardelle 5 Dark Chocolate Irish Cream Brownies
Pets
6 Dr. Stacy Bostian’s Love For Animals
PHOTOGRAPHY
Tammy Bevins Photography
Let’s Talk
8 Family Fun in the Sun: Summer Recreation & Activities For the Whole Family
10 Meet Pat Bradley Find us on facebook!
Flowertown Woman Magazine Woman 2 Woman Media, LLC (803) 785-4475 104 Pine Tree Drive Lexington, SC 29073
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However, the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or omissions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. © 2014
17 Heirloom Tomato Salad 18 Meet Jenny Horne 20 A Long Career in Putting The Clients First
Celebrating the Survivor in You!
22 Mamie Fryar - Two Time Cancer Survivor - Surviving & Thriving
Health & Wellness
25 Meet Kim Brown - Life Saving Surgery, New Look 26 Helping People Hear is My Passion
Personal Note
28 Changing My Life
Business & Web Directory 29 Contact our Advertisers
12 73rd Running of The Aiken Trials 13 Female Engineer Bethany Fralick
Professional
15 Blessed to be a Single Woman 16 Teens & The Telephone www.flower www.charlestonwomanonline.com townwomanonline.com
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I
t was the Spring of 2005 when I finally decided to pursue my dream of owning my own business. What you see within these pages is a daily pursuit of those dreams.
Happy Spring!
I had been in advertising for 15 years and I wanted to do something that mattered- which brought me to you. Women! WE understand Women Rule the World. That doesn’t mean we don’t love our men. We do very much. We just want to celebrate all the many things that you are: Mother, wife, career woman, teacher, counselor, daughter, sister, friend, and so much more. I hope you enjoy reading the pages of Flowertown Woman as much as we enjoyed bringing this first edition to you. We searched Summerville, SC for what we feel are some of the best businesses in town. Each of them have made a renewed commitment to you, Flowertown Woman, to provide quality service and products. Please let them know that you saw them in Flowertown Woman. Feel free to send us any feedback you have about our articles or suggestions for future ones as well. We want to always hear from our readers. You are important to us. Until I see you again,
I hope everyone that is reading this is having a really good day. And if you are not, just know that in every new minute that passes you have an opportunity to change that. - Gillian Anderson
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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
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What’s HAPPENING? Passion in the Park Saturday, April 04, 2015 at 8:00 PM Azalea Park 105 West 5th South St. Summerville SC 29483
Bethany United Methodist Church invites you to attend a viewing of The Passion of the Christ at Azalea Park Amphitheater in Summerville, SC, on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 8:00 PM. This outdoor event is free and open to the community. The outdoor setting, under the stars creates an intimate setting to remember and honor the sacrifice that our Savior made for us all. Parking available at Bethany United Methodist Church. It is recommend that event goers bring lawn chairs or blankets for comfort. In the event of rain, the program will be held in the Fellowship Hall at Bethany United Methodist Church. Please note that this movie is rated R and may not be suitable for all ages.
Wine & Canvas Wednesday, April 08, 2015 at 6:30 - 9:30 PM Coastal Coffee Roasters 108 E. 3rd North St. Summerville SC 29483 $35 per person. Please register in advance using the link provided below.
Events
Please arrive at least thirty minutes before your scheduled walk.
No registration is required, but attendance may be limited to the capacity of the meeting room.
Enjoy an evening strolling through the oldest stand of virgin bald cypress and tupelo gum swamp in the world with a glass of wine! An expert guide will be with you to help you experience the wonders of the ancient swamp forest. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served before and during your walk, and a delicious array of desserts after.
This is a fun program designed for children to engage in role play and learn about the use of money.
Space is limited, so don’t miss this once-a-year event! Reserve your spot for a scheduled tour by calling (843) 462-2150. $50 per person.
The Little Library Shop & Cafe Friday, April 24, 2015 at 11:30am - 12:30 PM Dorchester County Library 76 Old Trolley Rd. Summerville SC 29485
In celebration of ALA’s MoneySmart week, please join the friendly folks at the Dorchester County Library at the Little Library Shop & Cafe, in which kids run a pretend shop and cafe here in the library. There will be toys, fake food, groceries, and money, tables, manipulatives, and other activities and toys with which children can pretend to work or be served in a shop or cafe. The event will be held at Summerville Library in the Westvaco Room.
Questions? Call Youth Services at 871.5075.
Back Nine 5k Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 7:45 AM Legends Oak Golf Course 118 Legend Oaks Way Summerville SC 29485
Pinewood Back Nine 5K and Fun Run to benefit Dorchester Children’s Center presented by American Automated Payroll The 5K course will be on the asphalt golf cart path and is USATF certified SC12026DW. There are a limited number of parking spots available, and this race will sell out. Please register early! Awards will be given for the top 3 male and female 5K finishers overall, plus standard 5 year age groups. All finishers of the 1 mile will get a prize, and awards will be given for the top 3 male and female for ages 6 and under, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12. Packet pick up will be Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24 from 12-6 p.m. at Pinewood, and at Legend Oaks Golf Course on the race morning until 7:30 a.m. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact jsmith@pinewoodprep.com
https://wineandcanvas.com/wine-and-canvas-calendar-charleston-sc.html Arrive a few minutes early to sit in your favorite seat! All of your supplies are waiting to create your masterpiece including an apron to keep your clothes clean. Talented local artists will instruct the featured artwork step-by-step while you relax, sip and paint along! Please check with Coastal Coffee Roasters for beverage selections!
Second Sunday Antique Stroll Sunday, April 12, 2015 at 1:00 - 4:00 PM Shop Antiques along the Sweet Tea Trail the Second Sunday of each month
Wine & Warblers Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 4:45 PM Beidler Forest 336 Sanctuary Rd. Harleyville SC 29448 Walks begin at 4:45 pm and leave every 20 minutes. www.flower townwomanonline.com
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The Front Porch Gourmet
The Pasta Whisperer: Shrimp & Black Pepper Pappardelle By: Melissa Pelkey Hass
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was born to love pasta. If I could have sucked noodles through the bottle I’m pretty sure that would have been my meal of preference.
Although my waistline and my taste buds DRASTICALLY disagree on this, at the end of the day, the buds win. Hands down. Every. Time. My pasta affair began as far back as I can remember. When mama would make mac’ n’ cheese she would always scoop out a nice bowl of macaroni noodles, piping hot with tons of melted butter. On a chilly morning, that was heaven in a bowl. She would do the same with spaghetti noodles before I found an equal love for the sauce. And it was sheer and utter bliss when I came home to boxed Kraft Mac and cheese and fried Spam…I had won the dinner lottery. Although you still can’t beat a good old box of Kraft, I’m pleased to say my pasta buds have evolved. It was just in the cards for me to become a pasta connoisseur, trying every brand, flavor, make and model of pasta available to me, and even trying my hand at making my own. I was born for this. I’ve been fickle with pasta, changing my pasta crush like most would change underwear. Around every supermarket corner there was new beauty begging for marinara, lemon juice, olive oil, Alfredo or any array of roasted vegetables. I mean, really, I heard them…like a pasta whisperer. There was ye old faithful macaroni that begged to be baked in gooey cheese and eggs, and beside that was the corkscrew who just wanted to become a salad with broccoli, bacon and ranch dressing. All in a beautiful starchy line were Bowties, Seashells, Penne, Manicotti, Rotini, Fussili, Linguini, Orzo and…. what’s this? Almost hidden by the other, stronger, traditional pastas was a beautiful, elegant, wide noodle with specs of spicy black pepper; Black Pepper Pappardelle. Are you kidding me? My initial thought was noodle soup. Wide egg noodles flaked with pepper, with the remainder of last week’s herb roasted chicken? I think YES! But… then I heard the whisper. Shrimp. At first, it was a tiny, faint little voice. But as it spoke, it grew in self definition of what it truly wanted….no….needed, to be. Shrimp, with fresh mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, and green onion in a white wine, lemon juice and butter sauce with fresh garlic. And so it became, and so it was done. And it was…spectacular.
1 pound Jumbo shrimp, peeled and de-veined 1 bag Black Pepper Pappardelle Egg Noodles 1 package sun dried tomatoes 1 container baby bella mushrooms 1/4 cup diced green onion 5 cloves of garlic – finely diced 1 cup GOOD white wine 1 stick butter 3 tbsp. Lemon juice 1 tbsp. EVOO Salt & Pepper to taste
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Directions:
Cook pasta as directed. Preheat oven to 500. Brush shrimp with EVOO and lightly salt & pepper. Place shrimp in oven until they turn pink, approximately 4-5 minutes. In a large saute’ pan, reduce the white wine on medium heat for 6-10 minutes allowing the alcohol to cook off. Add butter, lemon juice and garlic and cook until garlic becomes fragrant. Add remaining ingredients and cook until vegetables are tender, but not soggy. Add the shrimp and serve over pasta. Serve with crusty garlic bread and a nice salad. I like easy. Bon appetit y’all!
The Front Porch Gourmet
Dark
Chocolate Irish Cream Brownies
For the Irish Cream Center Layer: 2 blocks cream cheese, room temperature 1 container Marscapone cheese, room temperature ½ cup sugar 1 egg ½ cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
For the Brownies:
By: Melissa Pelkey Hass
small bowl and set to the side.
For the brownies: Sift together all dry ingredients. Place in the mixer, then add eggs, butter, honey, vanilla and melted chocolate. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips last.
2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. sea salt 1 1/2 cup butter, softened 12 oz. GOOD unsweetened chocolate, melted 2 cups sugar 2 cups light brown sugar 4 large eggs, at room temperature 1/4 cup orange blossom honey 2 tsp. good vanilla 1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips or discs
Place a sheet of parchment paper in the bottom of a 13×9 baking pan. Coat the bottom and sides of pan well with non stick spray. Pour half of the chocolate brownie batter into the pan, spreading evenly. Next, cover the brownie layer with a layer of the Irish Cream mixture, using the all of the mixture. Finally, spread the remaining half of the brownie batter over the Irish cream layer. Bake at 350 for about an hour to one hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Directions:
Life is too short to eat ugly food y’all!
For the Irish Cream Layer: In a stand mixer, whip cream cheese. Add sugar and remaining ingredients. Place in a
For more of these wonderful recipes please visit Melissa at:
www.thefrontporchgourmet.com www.flower townwomanonline.com
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Pets
Dr. Stacy Bostian’s
Love For Animals By: Patti McGrath Photography by Tammy Bevins Photography
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always there, and love you infinitely. The human-animal bond is something incredible,” she exclaims. So, veterinary medicine was a logical career choice. “Animals need a voice and the veterinary profession allows that. Being a vet allows you to help animals in need and experience their life-long journey with their owners.”
Dr. Stacy Bostian Dr. Bostian grew up in Batesburg-Leesville. “My mother was a first grade teacher and my father was a golf pro at the local golf course. We spent our days playing golf, but our evenings were spent rescuing animals that were finding homes in our golf cart/maintenance shed. My first kitten was one of the rescues from there,” she explains. After completing a degree in Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences at Clemson University, Dr. Bostian attended Tuskegee University where she received her doctorate in veterinary medicine. “I had friends in the veterinary field that knew Dr. Reynolds was looking for an associate and they spoke very highly of him,” she says. “After a visit to Central Veterinary Hospital of Summerville, I knew it was going to be home for me. It just felt like a fit from the start. I accepted the position two days later!” “As a veterinarian, I get to practice all areas of medicine including radiology, internal medicine, surgery, dermatology, etc. The vet profession differs from others because we treat multiple species on a daily basis. It is always a fun challenge,” Dr. Bostian explains. “I strive to provide the highest standard of care for my patients during times of illness and through preventative medicine.”
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r. Stacy Bostian’s love of animals began at young age. “Animals are always loyal,
After a visit to Central Veterinary Hospital of Summerville, I knew it was going to be home for me. It just felt like a fit from the start. I accepted the position two days later! “We are the Other Family Doctor! The relationship with the pet owner is gained through the standard of care given to their pet. It is then that the bond as a veterinarian is gained with an owner and a life-long relationship is formed. I can't say enough about the clients of Central Vet. They are a wonderful bunch of people who care about their pets’ health,” she continues. “I also get the opportunity to work with a shelter and rescue animals, which pulls on my heartstrings. It is very rewarding. Because I am also a pet owner, I can play an important role in concerns or decisions that owners may have on a personal level through my own experiences.” Coming to Summerville was a good decision for Dr. Bostian. “Living in Summerville reminds me of home. It has that small town feel. I enjoy the fact that my clients are also my friends that I live and 'play' with outside of the office,” she states. “When I am not in the
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office I like to play golf and tennis, or spend a day at the beach.” At home, Dr. Bostian has four dogs named Paisley, Tilley, Hogan, and Caddy. “At the end of a long day, I come home to happy dogs that greet me with tail wags and kisses. It always confirms that I chose the right career path,” she says. “The best part of my job is enriching peoples’ lives through their pets. Every day is somewhat of a mystery in veterinary medicine. Every day is different and every day holds a new learning experience,” Dr. Bostian concludes. “Veterinary medicine is very challenging, yet very rewarding! My profession is truly a passion that is forever evolving as pets continue to play an important role in people's lives.”
www.flower townwomanonline.com
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Let’s Talk
FAMILY Fun in the Sun: Summer
Recreation & Activities for the Whole Family By Kimberly Blaker
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ummer is the season your kids are waiting for. So start planning now in order to maximize the long lazy days of summer with your family! Celebrate the carefree season to its fullest with these outdoor activities and adventures your whole family will enjoy.
BACK TO NATURE
Trail blazing – Head to a local, state, or national park and make a day of nature hiking. Before you go, make a list of things for your family to find and identify, such as a black oak tree, woodpecker holes, a garter snake, or a raccoon paw print. Carry a backpack with binoculars, sunscreen, visors or sunglasses, and plenty of water and snacks. Don’t forget your hiking shoes and a lightweight jacket in case the shade becomes cool. Ride ‘em, cowboy – You don’t have to be a horse owner to enjoy the pleasure of riding one of these majestic beings. Visit your nearby horse rental stables and catch the sunset on horseback. For a stable near you, visit http://www.horserentals.com/ index.html. Make sure your child is provided a helmet for his safety before you ride. Z is for zoo – Summer wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the zoo. Visit the wild at one of the many zoos that have created natural, spacious settings for their animals, and teach your children the importance of these habitats. Check the schedule for animal presentations, and don’t miss the petting zoo where youngsters can walk and talk with the animals and feed them from their palms.
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to the strawberry patch for a day of fruit filled fun. When you get the strawberries home work together rinsing, removing stems, and preparing them for shortcake, smoothies, and fresh strawberry pie.
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
Beach bummin’ – Load up the beach ball, buckets, and blankets, and get ready for a day at the beach. For added fun, take along goggles, snorkels, and fins for underwater exploration. Wet your whistle….and more – Spend a smoldering summer day chilling off at one of the many water wonderlands where your family can swoosh down waterslides, catch the man-made waves, and tube around narrow canals. Before you go, ask about age and height requirements and what activities are available for the younger set. Don’t forget to protect your family’s skin. Apply sunscreen throughout the day.
The strawberry patch – Perk up those taste buds ‘cause strawberries are now in season. Round up the family and head
A trip downstream – Canoeing is a fun-filled family adventure for all ages. Look for canoe rentals on a clear river and take a cool dip when the day heats up. Carry belongings such as wallet, keys, and snacks in a waterproof bag that floats since tips are not only common (although can easily be avoided if caution is exercised), but can be half of the fun. Give kids plenty of opportunities to paddle
Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
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Women
Let’s Talk and steer. Ride the waves – So, you don’t have an ocean nearby? Don’t despair. You can likely find plenty of wave action at a wave pool in your own community or nearby. These pools often supply tubes and rafts for riding the waves. Call in advance to find out, and if they don’t, ask if you can bring your own. Backyard water blast – Plenty of cool fun can be had right in your own backyard. Make it a family tradition to have an annual water spree. Fill water balloons and play a game of catch, hook up the sprinklers for a cool game of tag, load up the squirt guns and super soakers, and make sure everyone stays drenched. Then take a refreshing break in the wading pool. Putt around the lake – You don’t have live on a lake or even own a boat to enjoy this luxury. Contact your nearby marinas, lakeside stores, and resorts to find out where you can rent a pontoon or motor boat for a cruise around the lake.
YOUR OWN BACKYARD
Under the stars – Take full advantage of the peaceful summer nights and campout in your backyard. Kick off the evening by watching the sun set then build a bonfire (if it’s permitted in your area), roast marshmallows, and gaze at the stars. Bring out your guide to the stars and see what you can spot: the Little Dipper, Hercules, or Sagittarius. Croquet champs – Set up this outdoor game that the whole family can play. Then hold a summer’s end family croquet match. Give handicaps to each family member based on their most recent scores for a game that’s fair to all. Up, up and away – Is the wind hampering your fun? It won’t be
Coasters, cars, and ferris wheels –A trip to a theme park can be the highlight of the season. If your children are at different ride levels, invite another family or two with children similar in age to your own. for long. Make the most of that breeze, and get your kite up in the air. Step right up – Organize a backyard carnival to raise funds for your favorite charity. The whole family will have a ball putting on this event. Hang posters in local businesses, and submit a press release to your local radio station and newspaper. Ask friends and neighbors to help man the booth, and set up games such as a bean bag toss or number wheel, a baked goods stand, fortune telling, face painting, and refreshments. Green thumbs – Make summer gardening a family affair. Ask each member to choose a favorite vegetable to plant. If you’re getting a late start, look for starter plants that have already sprouted. Work together to get the garden ready and plant it, then give each person his or her own responsibility for keeping it up: watering, pulling weeds, picking ripe produce, cleaning it and preparing it to eat or store. Swiss family who? – What’s a backyard without a hideout or special place to kick back? Little ones will thrill at building a tree house or fort. Older kids will look forward to a covered hangout, such as a gazebo, for visiting with friends. Whatever you build, have the whole family pitch in. Small children can feel a part of the project by carrying small materials, dispensing nails, and occasionally
swinging the hammer.
OUT AND ABOUT
Dancin’ in the street – Summer abounds with fairs and festivals along riverfronts and in the streets. Enjoy live music, new foods, boating and ski shows, magic acts, and arts and crafts. Look for upcoming festivals in the entertainment section of your newspaper, or pick up an event guide from your state travel bureau or chamber of commerce. Batter up - Family fun centers offer a variety of recreation for the whole family. Get ready to practice your batting swing, holler “fore,” speed around the race track, bump another boat, or have some wacky golfin’ fun. Recycled treasures – Join the craze, and spend the day rummaging for treasures. This is a great way for kids to get the most out of their limited earnings and to teach them the importance of recycling and how to get the best value for their money. Summer sights – Places and things to see in the summer are abundant from checking out the big city with its tall skyscrapers, old architecture, and murals and art displays, to viewing the wonders of nature from sand dunes and mountains to waterfalls and never ending shorelines.
Unwind listening to a summer concert in the park or taking in a movie under the stars. These events are often under publicized so contact area parks for a summer schedule. Big wheels and small – Paved trails are popping up everywhere: in parks, along riverbanks, and even through town. Pull out your bikes and roller blades, and take advantage of these smooth paths. For a better work out and to keep everyone moving at an equal pace, have small children ride bikes while older ones and parents push off on their blades. Coasters, cars, and ferris wheels –A trip to a theme park can be the highlight of the season. If your children are at different ride levels, invite another family or two with children similar in age to your own. Then divide up so everyone can get the most out of the day. Meet up for lunch and dinner to swap kids, so all adults get time with each age group. Park play – Take your little ones for a picnic and an afternoon at the park. Scout your area for an updated park with a large, enclosed fort-style playground. Bring along a playmate for your child, and they’ll be content for some time. Don’t forget to bring your reading to catch up on.
Performing arts in the park – www.flower townwomanonline.com
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MEET Pat Bradley By: Patti McGrath Photography by Tammy Bevins Photography
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ife is too short to be in a job you hate. That’s one reason Pat Bradley’s job is so important. Pat is a career specialist at Ashley Ridge High School (ARHS). She works with students to figure out what careers suit them best. “One of my students had dreamed of becoming a veterinarian since she was a little girl. That’s all she ever wanted to become. After completing a required job shadowing packet, I arranged for her to spend a day shadowing a vet at a local veterinarian’s office that assists me with students’ work-based learning,” Pat remembers. “It was a day scheduled for surgery. When the vet cut an incision into the cat she fainted! Her mom had to come pick her up. She said she was done with that dream. She has graduated and is now in college to become a school teacher. I run into her occasionally and we both just smile.” “This story shows how important career exploration is,” she continues. “It shows the importance of knowing or identifying your niche, and what’s a good match or fit for you. It’s equally important to identify what is not a good match or fit. These experiences help to prevent students from getting stuck in a career or job they do not enjoy. There’s a big difference in a job and a career.”
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Pat has been a member of the Dorchester School District Two family for twenty six years. “I have the pleasure of being one of the staff members that opened ARHS in the 2008/2009 school year,” she states, adding proudly that ARHS became a Palmetto Finest School in 2012-2013. “Working in education has given me more time with my family and friends to do the things I enjoy,” Pat says. “Working with the students has been very rewarding. Our students are totally awesome! It just makes my day whenever students and graduates stop by my office just to say hi and thank you for guiding them in their journey of college and career readiness and success, whether their future plans are going to college, entering the military, or going into the work force.” “I love everything about my job! I love assisting students with career goals and decision making skills that will affect them throughout their entire life. I enjoy helping them figure out what their interests, abilities, values, per-
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sonality, etc. are, in order to better understand themselves,” Pat explains. “Students need to be able to identify these components in the world of work in order to make career, educational and lifelong decisions. Career exploration gives a student the opportunity to identify not only what career clusters they enjoy, but what is it that they do not like or enjoy as well.” Pat helps the students evaluate these factors as they make career choices. Job shadowing helps in the process. “Most students’ job shadow and come back with terrific stories of their learning experiences,” she says. “You see the happiness in their eyes and hear the joy in their voices as they tell you all about the day.” Pat is thrilled to help students at ARHS and everyone she has worked with knows that her passion and influence has helped many students throughout the years.
Summertime is almost here! Savor every minute of backyard barbecues, pool time, and vacations!
You dont want to miss our summer issue!
www.flowertownwomanonline.com
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Let’s Talk
73rd Running of the
Aiken Trials A
IKEN, SC - The horses are training early every morning for The Aiken Trials to be held on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the Aiken Training Track. This Aiken, South Carolina tradition is a family friendly event suitable for any age.
The Aiken Trials is the first leg of the Aiken Triple Crown, the three-weekend-long celebration of horse sports that includes The Aiken Trials, The Aiken Steeplechase, and the USC Aiken Pacers and Polo match. This year’s 73rd running of the event will be held on Saturday, March 14. The Aiken Trials draws upwards of 10,000 spectators who enjoy a day of family fun that includes extravagant tailgating spreads, assorted vendors, good-natured side betting, and fun contests such as the hat contest and the best tailgate contest. The Mariachi band will return this year along with shop and food vendors. The Aiken Trials is offering a new Pack a Picnic special this year. The package includes 4 patron tickets and a second 12
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row parking spot for $60. Families and friends are encouraged to “pack a picnic” or tailgate, and come out to enjoy a fun day of racing. Aiken Trials Treasurer, Nikki Bargeloh, encourages the public to come out to the event. “The Trials are always an exciting day. You never know when you might see the next Classic Winner come through Aiken, like Palace Malice. It's a fun, family event where everyone really gets an opportunity to see these magnificent creatures up close and personal,” Bargeloh comments. Gates open at 10 am with the opening ceremonies and carriage parade beginning at 1 pm. Post time for the first race is 2 pm. Tickets are $10 for general park-
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ing (3rd row or farther) and $10 for gate entrance in advance. A VIP tent party will begin at 11 am. Tickets for the tent are $75 and include heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. This year, the VIP tent has increased in size to accommodate 500 patrons rather than 350. The Aiken Trials will be held at the Aiken Training Track which is located at 538 Two Notch Road, Aiken, SC 29801. Tickets for the Aiken Trials can be purchased online at www.aikentrials.com or by calling the Track office at (803) 648-4631. Find the Aiken Trials on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aikentrials.
Let’s Talk
Female Engineer
Bethany Fralick By: Patti McGrath
I Bethany Fralick Dr. Bethany Fralick, Assistant Professor of Engineering at the University of South Carolina Aiken, has enjoyed STEM since a young age and is now teaching students in pre-engineering courses. “During grade school, I really enjoyed my math classes. Math just seemed to make sense to me; I could figure out a process and apply a method to solving problems well,” she recalls. “I enjoyed my sciences courses as well. I appreciated methods and processes in learning more than memorizing dates and words. I still do not excel in memorization, but enjoy the idea of solving a problem with my knowledge and skills gained through experience. Middle school was the time when I developed my appreciation for math and science; I just ‘got it’ when it came to these classes.” “My father introduced me to science, math, and engineering. Being the oldest of three children, a lot of responsibility was placed on me like helping with indoor and outdoor chores while maintaining good grades. Through this responsibility to our family life, I became very interested in hands-on tasks,” Dr. Fralick explains. “I also never played with traditional girl toys. My parents always gave me
f you haven’t heard the term STEM in the news recently, chances are you will in the very near future. STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and employers are looking for people with skills in these areas. In fact, 62% of jobs today require STEM skills, but South Carolina isn’t producing enough college educated workers to fill the projected STEM jobs over the next decade. The state particularly needs females in these positions. The ratio of women in STEM fields is significantly lower than that of men. interactive, building type toys. I loved Legos and erector sets as a child. Unbeknownst to my parents’ years ago, I would take apart appliances in our home just to see how they worked. Most of the time I successfully put them back together; a few items were replaced in less than working order. This love for interactive toys and problem solving as a child was a direct result of my home environment and flourished into a professional appreciation for engineering.” Getting girls interested in science and math at a young age, and encouraging them to pursue these interests, may help them choose STEM careers as they grow older. But, some parents may wonder, why STEM subjects are so important to students? “STEM subjects directly affect everyday life. These subjects are very important for students to not only master, but appreciate because they impact how we live,” Dr. Fralick states. “A strong foundation in STEM enables students to excel in successful and growing fields in industry. Many businesses are thriving due to their emphasis on problem solving for everyday life. The STEM subjects best prepare us for this type of career and advancement.”
Women are under-represented in engineering as men dominate the field. This didn’t negatively affect Dr. Fralick’s career choice. “I love the process of engineering,” says Dr. Fralick. “All types of engineering and courses in engineering revolve around learning and applying knowledge to solve a problem. No two problems are the same; therefore, engineers must retain a large amount of knowledge and apply parts of it at different times and in varying order. I truly enjoy the feeling of victory after solving a problem; every time it feels like I have learned something new. This idea that I will always learn something new is what makes my job my passion. I enjoy teaching students how to apply knowledge in different ways to be successful.” Dr. Fralick currently teaches pre-engineering courses which cater to six main fields of engineering: biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, and mechanical. “I hope students leave my courses with an appreciation for the process. I hope they understand no two problems they will ever face as engineers will be the same and that they will be able to approach these problems head-on,” she states. “I strive to provide students with the tools necessary for success; these tools
can be anything from knowledge and visual understanding to a set of guidelines and a sense of ethical responsibility. I encourage my students to think about the process of getting from the start to the end and embrace the uniqueness of each individual solution. Engineering is not cookie-cutter. The students’ success depends on their abilities to start, fail, and restart until the end is reached. They must remember to be resilient and have faith in the process I try to teach them every day.” Currently, the USC Aiken Engineering program is for the student’s first two years, then they would transfer to USC in Columbia. However, a four year degree in Engineering is in the process of being approved by regulatory and accreditation committees. USC Aiken anticipates being able to offer a four year bachelor degree in industrial process engineering in the fall of 2015. As the demand for careers in STEM rises in South Carolina, let’s hope the state can provide qualified, educated workers so the jobs stay with South Carolinians – especially with the women in South Carolina.
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Blessed to be a Single Woman By: Kimberly Richardson Widows of Opportunity
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hen was the last time you heard a single woman brag about being single? We so often hear a woman bragging about being in a relationship, getting engaged, or being married. While all those things are great, it's a blessing being a single woman. Single Women - when was the last time you took yourself on a date or did something nice for yourself? As single women, we have to be careful how we talk to ourselves and treat ourselves. Stop allowing other factors social media, your coworkers, family and friends - to dictate your worth! Don't let them rush you into a relationship that you do not desire or aren't ready for. Some of you may say to yourself something along the lines of this: "I'm 30 (or 40, or 50), and I'm still single. What's wrong with me?" Great question! How about taking time out to find out the answer. Some of us aren't relationship material yet. Some of us need to work on improving ourselves. Some of us need to let go of our past baggage and trust
issues. Some of us need to sit down with a therapist to resolve some issues that we may have. If you take the time and energy that you are spending complaining about being single and put it towards improving yourself, you will not have time to complain. What's wrong with taking yourself on a date? Are you afraid of what people may think of you? That is something for you to work on. There will always be someone out there to judge you and dislike you - sometimes for no reason at all. That's not your problem. The day you stop caring about what others think about you is going to be a great day. It will be an amazing feeling! If you can't take yourself on a date and enjoy your own company, what makes you think a man wants to to do the same? Rebuild
your confidence. It takes a confident and bold woman to take herself out to eat or out to the movies - just to enjoy herself! Single Women - when was the last time you complimented yourself? It is so easy to bad mouth yourself about your looks, height, weight, or other things about you. No one is perfect - period! A confident woman works with what she has. If she can improve in some areas, she does. Stop pointing out your flaws, and start acknowledging your beauty! Get used to complimenting yourself, so that when someone tells you that you are beautiful you will just say "thank you" instead of "who me?", "not really", or " I'm just ok." The grass always looks greener on the other side. Being in a
relationship is a beautiful thing when both people are ready and mentally healthy. It's hard work no matter what you see in a person or on social media. There are so many women in relationships who wish they were single. Enjoy this time! When the time is right, Mr. Right will show himself. Until then, improve yourself, date yourself and learn how to live with yourself.
Tips for Single Women Treat yourself to something special Learn how to date yourself Learn how to love yourself Compliment yourself daily Be nice to yourself Being single is a blessing Stop looking for a man Embrace your singleness www.flower townwomanonline.com
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Teens and the TELEPHONE This article is by Kimberly Blaker, of Arizona, who is an author and freelance writer. Her articles have appeared in more than 200 newspapers, parenting and women's magazines, and other publications throughout the U.S.
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f anything is synonymous with adolescence, the telephone certainly tops the list. Of course, this phenomenon isn’t unique to today’s teens. Think back to your own teen years. Remember the carefree days of lingering on
the phone with your friends discussing such important matters as what to wear to your brother’s (and his cute teammates’) baseball game, your secret crush on the new boy next door, and the oppressive rules your parents have laid down for the summer? In many respects, today’s teens are no different. A study conducted by the University of Illinois found that the average teen spends 2 to 3 hours a day on the telephone (although only about half of that time is actually spent in conversation). While these statistics may seem excessive when considering how unhealthy such amounts of time spent plopped in front of the TV set or playing video games can be, there are significant differences in the effects. Psychologists say that teens need such opportunities for socializing in order to broaden and strengthen their social networks according to the May 1999 issue of Globe Magazine. “Teens have a developmental need to check in with each other, to reaffirm their place in the group,” explains Sharon Gordetsky, President of the Massachusetts Psychological Association, and
“They get panicky at the prospect of being left out.”
worried parents, as revealed by the Detroit News.
During the teen years this need for constant socializing, that sometimes appears a lack of responsibility and a shortage of other interests, is actually crucial to your teen’s social development and sense of identity. Nancy Cobb in Adolescence: Continuity, Change, and Diversity explains that adolescents’ friendships define “who they are and what they are going to be in life.”
Whatever the reason for teen cell phone use, some additional concerns that have arisen include high cell phone bills and safety issues that are posed when less experienced drivers are talking on the phone.
With modern technology, teen phone issues have become more complex, however. Seventy-eight percent of all teens now own cell phones, according to a 2013 study conducted by Pew Research. More than half of these teen owned cell phones have been purchased by, and to alleviate,
Regardless of teens’ high phone use, another related issue has evolved. According to twenty percent of teens surveyed by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, the use of online correspondence has become teens’ main means of communication with their peers. For families with a cable modem, this is good news as it frees up phone lines for family use and incoming calls. However, for those connected via the phone line, there’s no relief. Unless phone use is interfering with homework or chores, is substantially replacing physical activity and family time, or is tying up the phone line preventing others from its use, there’s no harm in lengthy phone conversations. However, while parents need to make allowances for their teen’s growing need to socialize, teens must also earn that privilege by adhering to general household courtesies. These courtesies are best learned, not only by the establishment of rules, but by the examples that parents set. Courtesies should be extended both ways. Rules and Solutions the Whole Family Can Live With There may come a point that an additional phone line, or cell phone, for your teen is the optimum solution. Families are often
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able to work out schedules and rules to eliminate most problems posed by a single phone line. However, an additional line or phone is sometimes necessary, or if nothing else, may eliminate much tension that can arise. If business calls come directly to your home, you have a large family, or Internet access significantly ties up your phone line, a second line may be the best solution. In addition, to reduce aggravations compounded by the summer heat and additional time that families spend together during the long summer months, set rules regarding phone use. Allow for your teen’s input, and take into consideration the needs of all family members. By establishing rules during the summer, you’ll also avoid conflict for the school year just ahead. Specify what times the phone may not be used including mealtime, during homework, and after a certain hour at night. If you have more than one adolescent, set specific times that each can use the phone and ask that they plan accordingly. Require homework and chores be completed before using the phone, or allow only a portion of the phone time to be used before completion. Have consequences for not abiding by phone rules. Loss of phone use would be appropriate.
Heirloom Tomato Salad
by Jason Palmer, Cotton Grill Chef
Heirloom tomato salad is a great way to enjoy the fruits of the garden with a great summer feel.
Shake vigorously for a minute or so and let sit in a cool place for a day or 2 until the pepper flavor really is incorporated.
Ingredients • orange juice • balsamic vinegar • 1 cup olive oil • 1 tablespoon fresh cracked pepper • Heirloom tomatoes • sea salt
Salad
Balsamic Glaze
Using equal parts orange juice and balsamic vinegar, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook until little bubbles appear and sauce becomes thick and sweet.
Pepper Infused Oil
To make pepper infused olive oil (I like pure or, if you can find it, a good French olive oil is great), combine 1 cup oil and 1 tablespoon of fresh cracked pepper (typically I like to use a blend of different peppercorn but black will be just as good).
Farm fresh not chilled fresh picked Heirloom tomatoes. Any varietal will be great. There is a wide variety of tomatoes to choose from. Pick the ones that best suit your taste and texture pallet to ensure a great meal. Slice the tomatoes about a 1/4 of an inch thick and place on a plate so the ends just overlap. Drizzle the peppered infused oil and the balsamic glaze around the tomatoes. A little goes a long way here and you can always add more if you want. I love to finish with some black sea salt or Hawaiian pink sea salt. Kosher salt will work just as well though.
Get call waiting or voice mail so that incoming calls can be retrieved. Get a cable modem, and free up the phone line by setting aside a daily phone allowance. If your teen wishes to socialize beyond this allotment, she can do so by email or instant messaging. Keep phone pads and pens next to the phone and require written messages. Require your teen to answer any incoming calls that have not been picked up by the second ring. If your teen has a cell phone, require that he pay a determined portion of the bill. Purchase prepaid minutes to keep teens from racking up high cell phone bills.
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Professional
MEET Jenny Horne By: Patti McGrath Photography by Tammy Bevins
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hen growing up in Ridgeville, SC, Jenny Horne probably couldn’t have imagined the direction her life would take. It wasn’t until she was a rising high school senior when she attended a oneweek leadership and training program called Palmetto Girls State that she became interested in law and politics. The program teaches governmental procedures and processes to outstanding students who show leadership skills, and school and community involvement.
“I decided to pursue a career in law after I attended Palmetto Girls State,” Jenny says. Her interest in politics began then as well. She had run for Attorney General while at Palmetto Girls State, and even though her bid was unsuccessful, she still wanted to learn more of the law and politics. “While attending the University of South Carolina Honors College, where I double
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majored in English and Political Science, I was a page and a legislative aide for several Charleston lawmakers,” she explains. “I guess my undergraduate years at the Statehouse inspired me to pursue a law degree and to eventually run for public office. I graduated from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1997 and clerked for federal trial judge The Honorable Margaret Beane Seymour. I
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then went into private practice in Columbia, Charleston and now I have my own practice in Summerville.” Jenny moved to Summerville with her husband Marc, to raise their two children, Nicholas and Maggie. Then, in 2007, she opened the Jenny Horne Law Firm, LLC, located at 133 E 1st N Street. “I have a broad practice that includes real estate
Jenny & Family law, family law, employment law and civil litigation in state and federal court,” she states. “By enjoying a diverse practice, I get to meet a broad range of clients; clients who have adopted a child in the foster care system, gone through the death of a loved one, or small business owners who have a contractual dispute,” Jenny explains. “Every client is unique and has their own individual needs and objectives. It is quite rewarding to assist clients in some of the most difficult of circumstances. My philosophy is that attorneys are not just lawyers, they are counselors for their clients. I have had the privilege of representing some outstanding clients over my 18 year career. The practice of law is an important element to the orderly administration of justice in our society.” “When I was opening my own practice in Summerville, I
decided to run for the South Carolina House of Representatives, but I was unsuccessful in my first actual run at public office,” she continues. “I learned a lot about campaigning by losing. So I ran again in 2008, and was elected to represent the people of House District 94 representing Dorchester and Charleston counties. It has been a high honor to earn the trust and support of the citizens of House District 94.” Today, Jenny Horne has a busy career as both a lawyer and a representative in the South Carolina House of Representatives, but she still finds time to encourage students to follow their dreams. “When I am asked to address students my advice to young people is never say never,” she smiles. “I could never have imagined the blessings that life has brought me. As far as my future plans, only God knows what is in store for me.” www.flower townwomanonline.com
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Professional
A Long Career in Putting
The Client First By: Annabelle Preston for the Suit Magazine
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cross the industry, financial advisors – including Charles Schwab, in an official statement – are calling upon the U.S. Department of Labor to encourage a shift in the national conversation about preparing for retirement, from one that is mainly centered on wealth accumulation to a conversation with a significant component dedicated to lifetime income replacement. That approach is enthusiastically supported by J. Michael Salley, owner of Salley Wealth Advisors Group, LLC, currently located in Summerville, SC. He knows his baby boomer clients are highly concerned that, unlike their parents, they could experience retirement years that are as numerous as their working years. “We have to plan accordingly,” Salley said. What we find is that many folks are worried about outliving their money. “One of the most effective tools we use now from an investment point of view is the annuity with a guaranteed living income rider which guarantees that – irrespective of what happens in the financial market over time – there will be a stream of income that they could not outlive.” Salley's advice aligns with that of Annuity Outlook Magazine, which has declared 2014 to be “The Year of the Fixed Annuity.” The magazine reported a 52 percent increase in the sale of annuities in the first three months of 2014 as compared to the same time period in 2013. Some of the increase is attributable
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to uncertainty regarding Obamacare's ability to adequately cover the generally higher geriatric medical expenses. The pieces of this puzzle, featuring an awkward financial dance between Medicare benefits and the deduction of its premiums from Social Security benefits, have yet to fit together. The magazine kindly called it, “a tricky financial situation for retirees.” Worries regarding the ability to survive another financial meltdown only complicate any retiree's world. It's easy to see, then, as the magazine reports, why annuities with guaranteed income riders are a go-to financial fix for baby boomers, especially after witnessing their investments suffer the draining effects of the financial meltdown of 2007 to 2009. Salley agrees that the Great Recession, as it has been termed, certainly changed investor approach. But this change was not necessarily for the worst. Many learned that viewing the market with short term optics and responding too dramatically to the day-to-day drama so prevalent during that tumultuous time was a mistake.
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“We are a long-time investor,” Salley said. “Our activities are never driven by short term events. Our philosophy is to make a plan for the duration and stick to that plan – and not get caught up in the day-to-day drama and emotion that drives the investment activity of most folks.” He's proud to say that not one of his clients pulled out of their plans during the Great Recession. Salley told his clients that they were in the right investments to weather the storm. He preferred not to have it on his conscience that fees would be paid to pull monies out of accounts, and that clients would have to pay these same fees again once the market settled, when they wanted back into certain investments. His view of all the movement in 2007 to 2009: mostly resulted in a whole lot of fees that didn't improve the financial situation of clients. That long-term view seems to have served him well. He's a 35-year veteran of the financial services industry, having successful relocated his practice from Long Island, New
York, to the South in 2005, after his children were grown. Salley himself grew up in a tough inner-city neighborhood. He attended Queens College of the City University of New York, majoring in American history and political science. He landed a spot in a recruitment project Merrill Lynch launched in 1979. Salley was in the right place at the right time and started his career as a financial advisor.
Our activities are never driven by short term events. Our philosophy is to make a plan for the duration and stick to that plan – and not get caught up in the day-to-day drama and emotion that drives the investment activity of most folks. “What I feel most proud about is that this is my first and only career,” he emphasized. While Salley stayed with Merrill Lynch for only three years, the lessons he learned there stuck with him for decades. “When I first came into the business, I spent all of my time hanging around the older guys. Those are the guys who taught me how to conduct my business. They made me believe and understand that it is very important that your main goal is to always put your clients first. If you just put people first and put your clients first, you will be in this industry for the rest of your life.”
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MAMIE FRYAR - Two Time Cancer Survivor
Surviving and Thriving
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here are some people who, when you first meet them, it feels like you have known them forever. Mamie Fryar is one such woman. Her smile was warm and open as she spoke candidly with me about her journey with Cancer. Her first diagnosis came when she was only thirty-three and, after a lumpectomy and radiation, she got back a clear report. Though it sounds simple for all that Mamie went through, that is exactly how she made it seem - as if Cancer was just a minor interruption in the flow of her life. Mamie remembers the day of her second diagnosis like it was yesterday. She was forty-seven and this time it seemed more serious. She had just come home from a tough day at work. She sat down and started to tell her husband about her day, when she felt a lump. It was in the same breast she had cancer in before. She immediately told her husband, Kenneth, who reassured her that it was “…probably just scar tissue.” She had had a mammogram just three months prior with a clear result. However, she called her doctor, Dr. Montoya, who said, “Mamie, it probably is just scar tissue but with your history and your family history, let’s check it out.” Mamie had two aunts who lost their battle to Cancer before they reached the age of fifty. Because the result of the second mammogram was unclear, she was sent for an ultrasound which revealed not one, but two masses. Ironically, this appointment was on Mamie’s birthday, May 18th. A biopsy was ordered next. Mamie went to her biopsy appointment and then went on to work. Dr. Montoya called her at work with the results. Mamie knew when she heard her doctor’s voice, that the news was not good. She was right, but she didn’t fall apart or cry. She was alone in the break room when the call came in. After the call, Mamie says she remembers looking up and saying out loud, “God, you did it before, you can do it again.” She said that her faith helped her not to be fearful. Her questions were not, “Why me?” or “How did this happen to me?” but rather, “What is the plan?” and “When do we get started?” Mamie shared that the hardest thing about this cancer was telling her husband,Kenneth, the second time. In fact, she found it so
difficult that she didn’t tell him. She just called him and said they needed to go to Summerville to the doctor’s office right then. He said, “OK.”, and was ready to go when Mamie arrived home. It was in Dr. Montoya’s office, while she was explaining to Mamie what the next steps were, that she realized Mamie’s husband didn’t know why they were there. It was actually Dr. Montoya who broke the news to him. When I asked Mamie why it was so hard for her to tell Kenneth, she said something that, in all the years I have been interviewing survivors, I had never heard articulated this way, “When you go through cancer, everyone who loves you goes through cancer, too.” Mamie had already accepted whatever outcome God had in store for her but, with a husband who had already been through this with her once before, and a mother who was caring for her sick father, it was hard for Mamie to add another worry to her husband’s plate. This time it was determined Mamie would need a mastectomy and more radiation. Mamie also had chemo with her second battle and said, “Yes I knew I was bald headed and cute!” Mamie said when she found out she was going to lose her breast, she was okay with that. “I chose to live,” she said. She also shared with me how she talked to her husband and told him, “I love you with all of my heart. If you can’t handle this, I won’t hold it against you. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I am okay with it.” His response to her was, “Let’s do whatever we need to do to keep you here.” (Though I have never met Kenneth, I really like him.)
Mamie’s oncologist is Dr. Douglas Michaelson at the Charleston Cancer Center, which Mamie says is “The BEST Place.” Mamie called Susan Appelbaum, RN, OCN, her angel. “She made it so easy to understand what was happening and to deal with (and be prepared for) the side effects of chemotherapy.”
If you have strong faith, you can conquer anything. Fear cripples you. I did not want fear to cripple me, so I allowed no fear. While Mamie does have some lingering effects of her chemo, she is survivin’ and thrivin’ by all accounts. I asked Mamie what she wanted our readers to know about her journey. “If you have strong faith, you can conquer anything. Fear cripples you. I did not want fear to cripple me, so I allowed no fear.” One of her favorite scriptures is “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” “I am a happy person; I like making others happy,” she remarked.
will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment, you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17” and “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31” Mamie said, “Don’t focus on yourself. You are just the vessel he is using. He has a purpose and a plan and your job is to stay in that plan.” Out of Mamie’s experience she has created something called, “Especially for Women.” This is a women’s conference for all women. Not just women who have had cancer, but women who have gone through any battle. If they are struggling with self-esteem or if they have trouble making good choices for themselves or if they, too, have had a life threatening illness, this conference is for them. Mamie Fryar is a woman who loves the Lord, her husband and her family. She is a woman who has found true joy. “Even in the midst of adversity and when people didn’t understand, I was so thankful just to see another day.” She celebrated her 50th birthday this year and I am sure with her attitude and faith she will celebrate every single day of her life!
The other scriptures Mamie shared were along the same vein. “7The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. Psalms 28:7” “No weapon that is formed against you www.flower townwomanonline.com
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Meet Kim Brown --
Lifesaving
Surgery, New Look
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irst-time visitors to Coastal Carolina Bariatric Center may not believe that the petite woman
who greets them once weighed 290 pounds. While she did not save many of her “before” photos, Kim Brown, who now weighs 130, keeps one at her to desk as proof so others will see the possibilities for change in their own lives. “I want them to see it can be accomplished,” she says. Her experience with weight-loss surgery and the support that she received from Dr. Neil McDevitt and his staff made such an impact on her that Brown recently joined them as a medical office specialist. Like many patients, she tells a story of heartaches and celebrations. “I was always very small in my high school days,” recalls the 43-year-old, who is 5-foot-3 inches tall. “Everybody kept saying, ‘You need to gain weight,’ and I did. And I kept gaining.” She married at 23, and a year later, she became pregnant and gained close to 60 pounds more, reaching a weight of 290. “It caused my blood pressure to just go off the roof, and I was borderline diabetic.” She developed pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition for mother and baby, and her placenta ruptured. After an emergency C-section, her daughter was born with brain damage
and died about two days later. Brown sunk into depression and avoided thinking about her weight. She had a miscarriage a year later, and while she ultimately had a successful pregnancy with the birth of her son Alex when she was 26, she struggled afterward to lose the weight. Her health declined over the next decade, and the hope of having another child faded away. “I was constantly sick with colds, and tired, and wound up having sleep apnea.” Her oxygen levels were low enough that her doctor considered putting her in the hospital. “If you don’t do something, you are not going to see your son graduate,” he warned her and referred her to Coastal Carolina Bariatric Center at Summerville Medical Center (SMC). In 2012, she went to a seminar with Dr. McDevitt, and started his pre-surgery program. She worked hard to eliminate bread,
Kim Brown rice, pasta and sweet tea from her diet while counting steps with a pedometer, trying to reach 10,000 a day. “My goal is to get you healthy,” Dr. McDevitt told her as he and the others at the center kept her motivated. She lost 30 pounds the first two months and was down to 250 at the time of her gastric bypass surgery at SMC. The surgery reduced the size of her stomach and rerouted the path her food takes during digestion, resulting in fewer calories absorbed. Kim now feels full after only a few bites of food. Over time, she dropped from a size 22 to her current petite size 6 or 8. She no longer needs blood pressure or glucose medication or her sleep apnea machine. She no longer struggles to go upstairs and now walks in 5Ks.
She also learned it was possible to have another baby, even in her early 40s. This time, she only gained 18 pounds during her pregnancy, and within two weeks of the birth of her son Walker, “our miracle,” she had lost her pregnancy weight. “A lot of people will tell you, ‘You took the easy way out because you did surgery,’” she says. “It’s not the easy way. The way I look at it, the only thing I cheated was death.”
*** Summerville Medical Center and Coastal Carolina Bariatric Center are accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). www.flower townwomanonline.com
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Health & Wellness
Helping People Hear
Is My Passion By: Patti McGrath Photography by Tammy Bevins
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Health & Wellness
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magine going through life in silence, unable to hear the many sounds that surround you. It can be a frightening thought, yet, when was the last time you had your hearing checked? Hearing is a valu-
able commodity that shouldn’t be taken for granted. “Hearing is THE connection to people,” says Dr. Beth Alberto of Hearing Care of Summerville. “Without hearing, people become isolated, lonely, and depressed. It is always amazing to witness the joy on people's faces when they hear properly and that joy spreads to their family. My primary goal when fitting a hearing aid is to connect people. Family is a gift and hearing makes that gift joyful.” If you or someone you love has experienced difficulties hearing, contact Dr. Alberto at the Hearing Care of Summerville. Dr. Alberto has over thirty years of experience and is a licensed audiologist, trained to understand the anatomy and physiology of hearing loss and other disorders of the auditory system. “My father was a doctor and my mom was a homemaker,” Dr. Alberto says. “I wanted to become a doctor like my dad, but he insisted that I go to college to be a teacher, so I did. I began teaching the deaf and hard of hearing from pre-school age
through sixth grade. But, I was so intrigued by audiology that I completed a master's program in audiology. It was all I could do to gain more education. My father was the proudest man when I received my doctorate degree!” “Hearing is the key to language. Without hearing, one cannot develop spoken language without an immense challenge,” she continues. “I worked with the children to make sense of what they were hearing through their hearing devices and built a language lab that provided all kinds of auditory/verbal stimulation.” “Shortly after the birth of my son, I was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer. I was treated with surgery and chemo-therapy for two years,” she states. “I returned to work with an incredible Ear/Nose/Throat doctor, and we developed the largest ENT practice in Findlay, Ohio. It is still there today, even though both he and I are gone.” Upon moving to Summerville, she found a new place to open a
hearing practice. “Summerville is very much like the town I grew up in...small, close-knit, family style, so it reminds me of home -except you don't have snow here,” she exclaims. Helping people hear is Dr. Alberto’s passion, and there are options available today for the hearing impaired. Dr. Alberto specializes not only in comprehensive hearing evaluations and hearing aid sales and service, but with custom ear molds, ear plugs, and assistive listening and signaling devices. At Hearing Care of Summerville, each patient is treated as an individual not just a customer. Employing the latest technology, Dr. Alberto works with each patient to find the best hearing solution that will fit both the patient’s needs and their budget. In fact, the entire staff is dedicated to providing the best patient care through education and compassion. In addition to providing hearing health care to all ages (infancy to adulthood), Dr. Alberto specializ-
es in managing and treating tinnitus, which is ringing in the ears. She is one of only two in the state to be trained and administer the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment and she also facilitates a monthly support group for those who experience this debilitating condition. So, if you find yourself turning up the television more than you used to or if you don’t quite understand everything being said around you, it’s probably time for a visit. Isn’t your life worth hearing? Visit www.lifeisworthhearing.com for more information or call (843) 871-9669 to set up your appointment today!
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Personal Note
I
t was after the death of my father that I decided to change my life. I wanted to be better not bitter. I spent the next year starting a new magazine, Savannah Woman. Then I moved to Lexington South Carolina with my new venture, Lexington Woman Magazine. As of today there are 6 cities in the State of South Carolina for which we produce magazines. Thousands of women have sent me emails about the ways we have inspired them and changed their lives. I hope to make you one of those women. Flowertown Woman is not about just providing income for our employees. It is about recognizing beautiful, awe-inspiring women all over this wonderful state that we live in and specifically your wonderful city. It’s about celebrating our differences and our struggles and acknowledging them and striving to be better people. Not just in our homes but in our communities. It may sound hokey to some people, but when I pour my heart out to you in a personal note and share my children’s lives with you, it isn’t because I have a sense of vanity that you just want to know about me. It is because every one of us struggle with different things and at different stages we might all be struggling with the same things. I want to say, “Hey… You are not the only one.” I also want to say, “Is it as bad as you think it is?” and “ Have you ever thought maybe someone else has it even worse than you do?” This life can be difficult. I thought when my father passed there wasn’t much else to live for. God gave me a new reason, or maybe just a different prospective. He helped me to see that life is still beautiful, that my children still need me. He helped me to see that I have a husband who loves and cherishes me, and that is more than some people have. He also helped me to see as long as there is breath in my body, he still has a work for me to do. I sincerely feel that Flowertown Woman is part of that work. Thank you and God Bless you.
Lori Samples Duncan
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
28
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Business & Web Directory Art & Entertainment Kelly’s Dance..............................................................................................................7 www.kellysdancesummerville.com Attorney Jenny Horne Law Firm, LLC..................................................................................19 www.jennyhornelaw.com Auto Care Holt Transmission Service.....................................................................................19 www.holttransservice.com Financial Advisor Salley Wealth Advisors...........................................................................................21 www.salleywealthadvisors.com Health Services Chellis Chiropractic................................................................................................24 www.chellischiropractic.com Hearing Care of Summerville................................................................................27 www.lifeisworthhearing.com Trident Health.................................................................................................. BC, 24 www.tridenthealthsystem.com
Hotel Wingate by Wyndham........................................................................................7, 14 www.wingatehotels.com Interior Design Transitions By Design..............................................................................................11 www.transitionsbydesignllc.com Photography Nuvo....................................................................................................................... IFC www.nuvoimages.com Schools University of South Carolina Aiken......................................................................11 www.web.usca.edu Real Estate Carolina One Real Estate........................................................................................21 www.LorenBethea.com Veternary Services Central Veterinary Hospital.....................................................................................7 www.centralvethospitalsummerville.com
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