Lexington Life Magazine - February 23'

BEST OB/GYN PRACTICE

BEST ONCOLOGY PRACTICE

BEST ORTHOPAEDIC PRACTICE

Mayor Steve MacDougall

It’s the time of year for the annual State of the Town Address where we look forward to what’s happening in the year ahead and take a look back at some of the things we accomplished in the previous year.

One of the biggest projects now underway is the renovation and expansion of Virginia Hylton Park. The park will more than double in size bringing it to more than 15 acres total. It is a complete upgrade and will feature a new entrance, all new playground equipment, walking trails, splash pad, exercise stations and more. Construction is expected to last throughout this year.

The work on the Old Mill Pond dam is almost complete and this year the Town will start construction on the new walking trail that wraps around the pond. The path is one mile long and will be paved and lighted. This will add yet another amenity in the Downtown area for everyone to enjoy.

Council also continues to prioritize improving traffic. Traffic has been moving significantly better at Mineral Springs Road and 378 after a dedicated right turn lane was added to turn onto Highway 378. This year there will be additional improvements made with a dedicated right turn lane added on Highway 378 to turn right onto Mineral Springs Road.

The Town also made substantial progress in the I-20 utility service area by closing three large sewage lagoons. In doing so, it eliminates any possibility that raw sewage could contaminate the water in this area.

This is just a glimpse of what the Town has accomplished and what’s in store for this year. For a full look at the State of the Town Address visit the Town’s website at lexsc.com. n

www.lexsc.com • 803-996-3765

smacdougall@lexsc.com

I’m taking some editorial liberties and including a Valentine’s Day card to my wife Donna. Happy Valentine’s Day honey, I love you and am thankful you are such a big part of my life. Congratulations to all the Best of 2023 Winners who are revealed inside this month’s magazine. In celebration of Black History Month, we featured a piece on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the impact he made in bringing change and equality for all people, regardless of skin color.

Thanks for reading Lexington Life Magazine and have a wonderful February with those you love.

Dan Williams Pastor for Sr. Adults and Congregational Care Lexington Baptist Church

Does God Want Us To Be Perfect?

Your first reaction to this question may be, “He may want us to be perfect, and who wouldn’t like to be perfect, but nobody’s perfect!” Genesis 17:1 says, “The LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” In some English translations, including the King James version, the Hebrew word “tamim” has been translated as “perfect.” This has caused some misunderstandings because our western world’s definition of perfect is “being entirely without fault or defect: FLAWLESS.” That is not what God commanded Abraham to be. Nor is it what Jesus commanded us to be when he said in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” The better translations of the Hebrew word “tamim” are “blameless, whole, upright, with integrity, complete, or sound.” Those are words that can and should describe us.

So how do we become tamim or whole and upright people who are filled with integrity? One thing is for sure, those things don’t become personality traits overnight. You become tamim when those characteristics have been proven to be true in your reputation.

So, how does faith enter into the admonition for us to be tamim? Can people who have no faith in God become what God and Jesus commanded? The question that must be answered is: Who is it that you want to think of yourself as tamim? Is it more important to look good in the eyes of your peers or in the eyes of your God? Honor is a godly virtue. But they say there is honor among thieves when criminals refuse to rat on each other. In God’s eyes, there is no honor among thieves because His standards for being tamim are much higher.

The two words that stand out to me in the meanings of tamim are “whole” and “complete.” Every person without Jesus Christ in their heart is incomplete and is not whole as God intends for us to be. Jesus Christ is the only One who can fill that void and empty space in your heart. Only by trusting in Jesus can you be made complete. This is how you can become perfect/tamim. And Jesus would not have asked us to be something that is impossible for us to be. But with Him all things are possible! n

Susan Carter

“I love children,” says Susan Carter, “I left teaching for fourteen years to raise four of my own. I’ve even thought of myself as a stay-at-home mom. But next to being home, there’s no better place to be. Even on my hardest days, I love teaching.” She is humble about her exemplary award and achievement as Lexington School District One’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. She attributes her success to the Lord and is honored for the recognition she has received. However, the best reward for her is seeing success in her students.

Susan earned a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Education in divergent learning from Columbia College. She also holds certifications in early childhood and elementary education, learning disabilities and Reading Recovery. Throughout her career of 22 years, she has seen and done it all—teaching students of mainstream education, special education and students with specific learning disabilities. Her love for literature has been the catalyst to build dedicated readers in all students, regardless of where they fall on the scale. “I feel that passion about students and about whatever it is you teach is what makes your subject matter contagious,” Susan explains. “That causes us to want to build relationships, which inspires rigor. And rigor is keeping expectations high for all students.”

Her teaching foundation is that all children can learn if they have the right tools, the right atmosphere and gentle, but firm encouragement. She strives hard to create an environment where students trust her and feel safe enough to challenge themselves, “They need to know that I love them, believe in them and will continue to equip them until they are confident and successful.” Reading is empowering—it is the key to unlocking an abundant and fulfilling life. Being a part of and witnessing the steady, gradual level of a child’s ability and comprehension increase is an honor. With a shaky voice and teary eyes, a young boy once told Susan, “I can’t read anything.” She told him she would come to him every day and show him how words work. Through his Reading Recovery time with her, he improved and reached grade level within twenty weeks.

“The real success was that he learned to believe in himself,” explains Susan. “He found that he was smart, something he never believed in himself.” After leaving her class he continued to make gains with no extra support. And her reward? “I never pass him in the hallway without him giving me a big hug,” Susan warmly remarks. “He’s grateful to me, but I’m forever grateful that I was able to work with him and show him his full potential.” n

Valentines for Li fe

Valentine’s Day is a time to express appreciation, adoration and love between partners, family members and friends.

Traditionally it is celebrated with flowers, candy, cards, jewelry, an outing, or an intimate meal. Many people choose to serenade their significant other with music or poetry or create something memorable by hand. However, it is the small, seemingly mundane things we do for one another that make the largest impact in any type of relationship.

Back in 1945, Jim Sullivan gave a box of candy to his sweetheart, Shirley Allen on Valentine’s Day. Tucking it away in her drawer, Shirley recalled that she returned for it later to discover her brothers had eaten it. Jim and Shirley married the following June. Although finances would not allow them to do anything special for Valentine’s Day after they married, they learned to recognize, honor and be grateful for any opportunity they found to spend quality time together. The events and milestones described below are a testimony that true love does, in fact, not only exist, but with blood, sweat, tears, loyalty and patience, can flourish for eternity.

Young Love

Jim was born in February of 1928 just before the Great Depression. His parents separated when he and his two sisters were young and his mother moved them to Counsel Bluff, Iowa. As a single mother she supported herself and three children through the Great Depression and beyond by cleaning houses. Jim said they were rather poor but did not realize it at the time.

Shirley was born two months prior in December of 1927 and grew up in Counsel Bluff, Iowa. Her mother died when she was four years old; she went to live with her grandparents for 8 years. She moved in with her father and stepmother, her two brothers and two sisters when she was twelve. “My stepmother was very good to me,” Shirley said. “She was like a mom to me and we were very close.”

At age 16, Jim and a friend were cruising around town and decided to stop at the drug store for a soda or “pop”. Shirley was working that night and it was the first time they had ever met. For Jim, it was love at first sight. As he and his friend left the store that day, Jim confidently stated, “I’m going to marry that girl.” When asked about her first reaction to Jim, Shirley, who had a boyfriend at the time, said, “He was just alright at first.” Even though Shirley broke up with her boyfriend a few days later so she could date Jim, neither could have foreseen the life-long romance story that was about to unfold. Jim proposed about a week after their first date, and Shirley accepted!

The lovebirds were only 16 years old; their parents would have to give legal permission for them to marry, and only agreed to do so if the two still wanted to spend their lives together after a year. On June 21, 1945, the one year waiting period was up and Jim

and Shirley had graduated high school at the age of 17. The families planned to meet at the courthouse and go through with the proceedings. Unfortunately, Jim’s mother had a change of heart upon arrival and refused to give her approval or sign. Shirley’s father looked at her and said, “Oh, come on! I’ll buy you a drink after we sign.” Mrs. Sullivan agreed, the necessary documents were signed, and the rest is history. Shirley Allen and Jim Sullivan were united in matrimony with their parents’ written consent on June 21, 1945.

Married Life

Jim was one of three young men who had been selected from two high schools for civil engineering in an Army Specialized Training Reserve Program (ASTRP) at the University of Wyoming. After the first year Jim had to discontinue his education to support Shirley and himself. He went into the Army at that point and was stationed in Georgia where he served for one year. The couple then returned to Iowa and lived there until 1968. Jim worked for the railroad for about 4 years, then experimented with sales. When asked what type of sales position, he replied, “Just about anything you can think of,” which included vacuum cleaners, magazines, insurance, livestock products and vending machines. “I would try just about anything to make a living and if it didn’t work, I’d go on to the next job.” He eventually gave up on sales and worked in trucking, driving tractor trailers for ten years. This was the only time he was separated for any significant length of time from Shirley and their children.

As for the most special event or impactful moment their married life, both Jim and Shirley were at a loss for words: “How can we put all these years into a few sentences?” However, Shirley recalled the moment Jim came home to tell her he could get discharged from the Army. She was ecstatic and exclaimed, “I did want to go home!” The most impactful moment for Jim was when Shirley had polio and the doctor told him, “She’s going to live.” He was so thankful he would not lose his precious Shirley. She was a fulltime homemaker until their children were in school; at that time she went to work as a cashier for Montgomery Ward. When asked how she balanced home life with work life, she said, “I just did it.” It was a totally different era in America at that time; daycare services and remote careers did not exist. Shirley also remembers the most challenging experience came in 1952 when Jim worked for the railroad and she contracted polio. “It was a family affair taking care of 2 kids with family helping as needed.”

For Jim, it was love at first sight. As he and his friend left the store that day, Jim confidently stated, “I’m going to marry that girl.” When asked about her first reaction to Jim, Shirley, who had a boyfriend at the time, said, “He was just alright at first.”

In 1968, Jim and Shirley moved to Florida where they lived for about 45 years. Ten years ago, they moved into a home on family property in Lexington. At the sweet age of 95 they now have their own rooms in their daughter’s home. They obviously have strong genes, having outlived their immediate families--Jim’s last sibling passed away last year at age 99. Along with their 3 children, they also have 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 1 greatgreat-grandchild with whom they love spending time with when they come to visit.

Words of Wisdom

When asked how they have stayed married for so long and what helped them persevere through the rough patches, Jim quipped that Shirley is the reason. He added that it is important for men to pay attention to little sayings such as “happy wife, happy life” and “if mamma’s happy, everybody’s happy.” The couple explained that the culture was totally different in their generation. “If something went wrong, you just buckled down and worked through it instead of quitting.” They stressed that they helped each other through the rough times and neither one gave up, which most likely made their bond even stronger. Shirley said, “You give a little and take a little. Travel together when you can. Do things together as a family whenever possible.”

Jim and Shirley have lived a committed, adventurous life together; as empty nesters they retired, sold their house and traveled across the country in a fifth-wheel camper. Their love has stood the test of time and is a legacy for many generations. Now they enjoy visits from their grandchildren and great- and great-great-grandchildren. According to their daughter, Doreen, their bodies are naturally declining at age 95, but their minds are still intact. She said, “They have led a pretty full life together.” Shirley said she and Jim “hope to be able to celebrate that big 80th anniversary one day.” For now, they are content to celebrate 77 years of marriage and their 78th Valentine’s Day together. n

and

Best Aesthetic Spa: Allure Medical

Best Aesthetic Practice: Lexington Aesthetics Medical Spa

Best Afterschool Program: Palmetto Athletic Center PAC

Best Allergist: Palmetto ENT & Allergy

Best Kid Friendly Restaurant: Flight Deck

Best Ambulance Service: For Life Medical Transport

Best Apartment Complex: York Woods at Lake Murray

Best Electrical Company: Rytec Electric

Best Assisted Living Facility: Oakleaf Village

Best Attorney-Criminal Defense: Law Office of James Snell, Jr.

Best Attorney-Family Law: Farley Law Firm

Best Attorney-Litigation: Morgan Litigation Group

Best Attorney-Real Estate: The Templeton Law Firm

Best Audiologist: Lake Murray Hearing

Best Auto Body Shop: Gilbert Paint and Body

Best Auto Performance Shop: The Muffler Shop of Columbia

Best Auto Repair Shop-Domestic: Kestner Automotive

CHRIS TUTEN

it ’ s our honor to serve the people and businesses of lexington and we are humbled to have been voted Best Bank.

Best Auto Repair Shop-Foreign: B&T Automotive

Best Auto Service Department Dealership: Herndon Chevrolet

Best Bank: First Community Bank of SC

Best Barber Shop: Lexington Barber Shop

Best BBQ Restaurant: Hudsons BBQ

Best Breakfast: Bubbas Biscuits

Best Buffet: Shealy’s BBQ

Best Burger: Goodfellas Grill and Bar

Best Cardiologist: Dr. Garrison Morgan, MUSC

Best Carpet Store: Floor Boys

Best Car Wash: Franks Car Wash

Best Catering Company: Southern Way

Best Cell Phone and Tablet Repair: UBreakiFix

Best Charter School: Midlands Art Conservatory

Best Chiropractor: Old Mill Chiropractic

Best Coin and Collectible Dealer: Gilbert Coin and Collectible Exchange

Best Consignment Store: Magnolia Boutique

Best Commercial Real Estate Agency: Southern Visions Real Estate

Best Cosmetic Dentist: Southern Shores Dental

Best Cosmetology School: Southeastern Esthetics Institute

Best CPA: Dooley & Company

Best Credit Union: Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union

Best Custom Home Builder: Magnolia Custom Homes

Best Probate/Estate Law Firm: McCutchen McLean LLC

Best Dance Company: Stepping Out Dance Studio

Best Day Spa: Lexington Aesthetics

Best Day Care: Big Blue Marble

Best Deli: The Deli

Best Dentist-Adults: James Denny, DMD

Best Dentist-Kids: Sunset Childrens Dentistry

Best Dermatologist: Columbia Skin Clinic

Best Dessert: O’Hara’s Bakery Café

Best Discount Store: Costless Outlet

Best Engineering Firm: Mead & Hunt

Best Place to Buy Window Treatments/Coverings: EDs Paint and Decorating

Best Facial: Holistic Skin

Best Fast Food: Chick-Fil-A

Best Fitness Center: Lexington Fit Body Bootcamp

Best Florist: Lexington Florist

Best Funeral Home: Thompson Funeral Homes

Best Furniture Store: Scotts Furniture

Best Garden Center: Wingards Market

Best Gastroenterologist: Columbia Gastroenterology Associates

Best General Contractor: New Level Construction

Best Glass Store: Absolute Glass

Best Golf Course: Golden Hills Country Club

Best Greek Restaurant: Bellis House of Pizza

Best Gun and Ammunition Store: Kilo Charlie Shooting Range

Best Gym: Rock Box Fitness

Best Hair Salon-Adults: Palmetto Roots

Best Hair Salon-Kids: Snip-Its

Best Hair Stylist: Dale Elizabeth, Elevate Salon

Best Happy Hour: O’Hara’s Public House

Best Hardware Store: Bobs ACE Hardware Batesburg

Best Healthy Eating Restaurant: Clean Eatz Lexington

Best Heating and Air Company: All American Heating and Air

Best Home Builder: Youngs Contracting

Best Hospice Care: Medical Services of America

Best Ice Cream Shop: Menchies Frozen Yogurt

Best Insurance Agent: Hal Girard State Farm

Best Insurance-Auto: Tidwell Insurance

Best Insurance-Homeowners: The Scott Agency Allstate

Best Insurance-Life: Farm Bureau

Best Interior Design: Paige Butler Interior Design

Best Internet Service Provider: Comporium

Best Investment Firm: Crescent Financial Group

Best Italian Restaurant: Travinia Italian Kitchen

Best Jewelry Store: Chapman Jewelers

Best Place to Buy Tools: Mann Tool

Best Pet Supply Store: The Leash Connection

Best Landscaping Company: Blue Marlin Landscape

Best Learning Center: Mathnasium

Best Manicure/Pedicure: Blush Nails

Best Manufactured Housing Company: Lexington Discount Homes

Best Oral Surgeon: Dr. Davis Associates in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Best Marina: Big Man’s Marina

Best Massage: Better Bodies Massage Shellee Storm

Best Landscape Supply Company: Barthelemy Supply Company

Best Meat Store: Ole Timey Meat Market

Best Medical Spa: Cardinal Wellness and Aesthetics

Best Mens Clothing Store: Craig Reagan Clothiers

Best Mexican Restaurant: Diablos Southwest Grill

Best Therapist: Crossroads Counseling Center

Best Southern Cooking: Comfort Scratch Kitchen

Best Mortgage Company: Movement Mortgage

Best Mosquito Treatment: Mosquito Joe

Best Moving Company: Moving Squad

Best Music School: Lexington School of Music

Best OBGYN: Lexington Women’s Care

Best Oil Change: Take 5

Best Oncologist Practice: Lexington Medical Cancer Center

Best Ophthalmologist: Columbia Eye Clinic

Best Optometrist: My Pharmacy and Optical

Best Orthodontist: Braces Place

Best Orthopaedic: Lexington Orthopaedics

Best Pain Management: Thrive Wellness and Rehab

Best Place to Buy Beer/Wine/Liquor: Sam’s Wine and Spirits

Best Pediatric Practice: Southern Med Pediatrics

Best Periodontist: Southern Roots Periodontics

Best Personal Trainer: Rachel Maxwell, Hotworx

Best Pet Groomer: Central Bark

Best Pet Hospital: Cherokee Trail Veterinarian

Pet Kennel or Boarding Facility: Suttons Southern Pet Retreat

Best Pharmacy-Local: Medicine Mart of Lexington

Best Physical Therapy Practice: Select Physical Therapy

Best Pizza: Clara and Rays Ristorante Italiano

Best Birthday Party Venue: Hard Working Mom Studio

Best Place to Buy Bath or Kitchen Fixtures: Gateway Supply

Best Place to Buy a Boat or Watercraft: Captains Choice

Best Place to Buy a Car-New: Herndon Chevrolet

Best Place to Buy a Car-Used: Unicar Enterprise

Best Place to Buy Eyeglasses: My Pharmacy and Optical

Best Place to Buy Hardwood Floors: Floor Boys

Best Insurance-Health: Jeff Howle, Health Markets Insurance

Best Place to Buy Organic Products: Garners Natural Life

Best Place to Buy Outdoor Furniture: Carolina Pottery

Best Place to Buy Paint: Sherwin Williams

Best Place to Buy a Pool: S&S Pools

Best Place to Buy Pageant/Prom Apparel: Tylar Rose Pageant & Prom

Best Place to Buy Propane: Southern Flame Propane

Best Place to Buy an RV: John’s RV

Best Place to Buy Tires: Mavis Tires and Brakes

Best Place to Buy Windows: Stroud Supply

Best Place to Sell Gold: Gilbert Coin and Collectible Exchange

Best Place to Work Manufacturing/Industrial Company:

Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp.

Best Plastic Surgeon: Dr. Todd Lefkowitz

Best Plumber: Delta Plumbing

Best Pressure Washing Company: Trey Mathias Pressure Washing

Best Private School: Northside Christian Academy

Best Produce Farm: Four Oaks Farm

Best Property Management Company: Southern Dreams Realty

Best Real Estate Agent: April Stroud, Resource Realty Group

Best Real Estate Company: 803 Realty

Best Ribs: Willie Jewell’s BBQ

Best Roofing: Vista Roofing Co.

Best Travel Agency: Forest Lake Travel

Best Seafood Restaurant: Catch Seafood

Best Self Storage Facility: Charter Oak Storage

Best Senior Home Care: Assisting Hands Home Care

Best Senior Living Community: South Lake Village

Best Shooting Range: Kilo Charlie Shooting Range

Best Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center: NHC Healthcare

Best Smoothie: Clean Juice

Best Steak: Private Property

Best Subs: Bellacinos

Best Sushi: Konichiwa

Best Sign Company: Guerilla Graphics

Best Tanning Salon: Carolina Tan Factory

Best Temporary Employment Service: Snelling Staffing

Best Towing Service: Wingard Towing

Best Tree Removal Service: Mikes Tree Service

Best Unique Gift Shop: Blush Boutique & Home

Best Upholstery Repair: Hot Rods Upholstery

Best Urgent Care: Veritas Health Group

Best Urology Practice: Southern Urogynocology

Best Veterinarian: Grace Animal Hospital

Best Wait Staff: O’Hara’s Public House

Best Wedding Venue: Southern Oaks

Best Weight Loss Program: Bigbie Chiropractic

Best Women’s Clothing Store: Tulip Boutique

Best Womens Gym: Burn Boot Camp

Best Wings: Wings and Ale Lexington

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil

By Stephanie Moore

VISITING THE

ends, so plan accordingly.

To begin with, the center has a few exhibits in the main building. These exhibits, located upstairs, feature artifacts such as Dr. King’s Nobel Peace Prize, his packed suitcase, and one of Coretta Scott King’s gowns. There is even a special section devoted to the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who inspired Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy.

Once you are done with the exhibits you can get a ticket to tour the King home. The tour begins and ends at the former fire station across the street, which is now the King Center bookstore.

The tour starts at certain times during the day and you don’t want to procrastinate or you may be in line for hours. The guide will let you know what is about to happen and the length of the tour, which is usually no more than half an hour.

The King house is a large two-story Victorian structure; you will enjoy a history of the house as well as many anecdotal stories and entertaining descriptions of family life in the period. The house is as close to its original state as possible, with store-bought antiques serving as replacements for the real pieces that Dr. King’s parents had in the home. There are replicas of the toys that children played with in the forties. There are reproduced boxes of Clabber Girl baking soda and Argo cornstarch in the kitchen.

The guide will end the tour at the bookstore, a fantastic resource for black history books, guides, souvenirs, art, gifts and posters. After the tour you can walk the campus of the King Center and find other sites to tour: the reflecting pool where Dr. King and his wife are laid to rest beside an eternal flame, or the civil rights exhibit which is especially for children. This exhibit also features the wagon in which Dr. King’s coffin was transported. Near this exhibit is a small theater where the Center plays powerful and enlightening documentary films that tell the story of human rights abuses committed by and against all races. These movies may not be suitable for children.

The Martin Luther King Center is one of Atlanta, Georgia’s most important historical locations. It is a window into the past, allowing us to see one of the most volatile periods in history with fresh, innocent, unbiased lens. Exploring the grounds and buildings of the Center is a great educational opportunity for people of all races, ages, ethnicities and religions; a wonderful way to celebrate and honor Black History Month.

The King Center was opened in 1968 by the late wife of Dr. King. It sits on Auburn Avenue in the middle of the city, minutes from other major attractions like the CNN Center and Centennial Olympic Park. It is also a short drive from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. Since it is government-funded, the Center is free to the public, with free parking and optional local public transportation. A visit should last a few hours, if you engage in all the activities. Tour schedules vary on holidays and fill up fast on week-

A visit to the King Center is the beginning of many controversial questions about our nation; some events are shrouded in violence and mystery, some are bathed in pride and love, and some are beautiful, monumental strides in basic human rights. It is a place for students, families, and individuals to not only discover what it means to be an American, but what it means to be human. n

have the final word in reality. triumphant.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Historic SNOWSTORM of 1973 50th Anniversary

By Marilyn Thomas

South Carolina is known for its rather mild, fair winters; thousands of Northerners travel to the Midlands each year to escape the frigid, unforgiving weather. Residents on the southeastern seaboard are typically not prepared for the serious problems and complications that can result from inclement precipitation. While rumors and predictions of the white, fluffy flakes magically floating down to the south incite anticipation in children, it can create apocalyptic anxiety in adults. Often panic and the scarcity mindset promoted by media often leads to wild stampedes of never-ending lines and havoc at local stores. Perishable and dry goods such as milk, water, bread, candles and batteries are instantly stripped from the shelves at the first hint of sleet or snow. Proactive businesses monitor the weather and attempt to maintain a supply of staple items, but it is impossible to satisfy such a high demand in a timely, efficient manner. Rarely do locals encounter the shocking, record-breaking conditions that plummeted the Midlands in 1973.

Based on historical data collected by the State Climatology Office, there is only a 32-percent chance of snow in any given winter in Columbia, South Carolina, and when the infrequent flakes do fall, the accumulation averages less than one inch. The exceptional snowstorm that occurred on February 9-11 of 1973, however, obliterated those norms. The National Weather Service reported on the event, which began brewing on February 8, 1973; a cold front carrying a mixture of sleet, snow, and freezing rain originated in the Gulf of Mexico

and started moving toward the Southeast. The system dripped wintry precipitation on Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia and began to strengthen exponentially as it approached, eventually settling over the Carolinas on February 9. Moderate to heavy snow fell steadily for about 24 hours throughout the state of South Carolina. Some even reported hearing thunder during the storm in the early hours of February 10. When the snow clouds were depleted, the total accumulation in the Columbia area was nearly 16 inches!

For the Midlands region, the blizzard captured remarkable rankings such as “Largest 24-Hour Snowfall” and “Largest Snowfall Event” in the recorded history of the State Climatology Office, and also received the notoriety of being labeled as the state’s “Snowstorm of the Century” by the same government agency. Based on precipitation archives dating from 1878, the National Weather Service also positions this storm in first place of “Top Ten Snow Events for Columbia.”

The State Climatology Office, a branch that operates under the umbrella of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, describes a statewide aftermath that was shockingly grim. The snow was accompanied by strong winds and followed by severe cold—as low as five degrees— with drifts up to eight feet in some locations. Because snow removal equipment is not as accessible in this region, all highways in the central area of the state were closed for two or three days, approximately 30,000 tourists were stranded on major roadways,

and many had to be rescued by helicopter or other vehicles. When hotels were at full capacity and the armories, schools, and churches reached capacity and had to turn away stranded people, local farmers banded together and offered their hospitality. Tons of food and supplies were airlifted by helicopter to snowed-in residents. At least 200 buildings collapsed, along with thousands of smaller structures like awnings and carports. The agricultural industry was adversely impacted when chicken housing was crushed, killing countless birds. The overall property and road damage, plus the cost of snow removal and rescue operations were estimated at almost $30 million. Most detrimental, however, was the report that at least 11 fatalities resulted from exposure.

Memories

R.L. (“Dusty”) Rhodes, a resident of Cayce in those days, worked on the flight line for Delta Airlines at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport in 1973. The weather created a domino effect triggering a chain of unpleasant situations. “They said it was going to snow,” he recalls, “but we had no idea it was going to be what it was—nothing like 12 or 14 inches of snow. Trying to get to work the morning of the great snow, it was five miles from the airport and it took me about two hours to get there; and then we spent most of the day shoveling snow and melting ice. It was just a miserable day.” He amends, “It was actually a miserable WEEK because then you start playing catch up, trying to get all the flights that have been canceled and fit everyone back on the

schedule to try to get them back out again.”

Another airport employee at that time was Dick Workman. “I worked with Delta Airlines sales and aircraft maintenance,” he says.” I was home when it snowed, and I couldn’t get to the airport. I lived on the Lake [Murray], and it was snowing everywhere.” He adds, “As far as airplanes, we would have had to get the snow off the airplanes. They don’t like all that weight.” At home, “We were trying to keep warm with the fireplace, and all the heat was actually going up the chimney,” he says. “It was tough. For about a week, we were out of power and water. When we got out on the road, I had to go to my brother-in-law’s house to take a shower—me and my wife and kids. It was really miserable.” A father of three, Mr. Workman says about his children, “They enjoyed it for a while, but they got tired of it after a while. I think they were out of school about a week because you couldn’t get out on the road.”

Longtime West Columbia residents, Bob and Fran Perry, also recall the treacherous conditions and unusual challenges they faced during the 1973 storm. “It came in unexpectedly,” says Mrs. Perry. “The snow, right at first, was beautiful, and we had probably more snow than I’ve ever seen here.” The storm produced “quite a bit of ice,” she adds. “We didn’t have electricity for about ten days, and we didn’t have any heat in the house from electricity.” Mr Perry recalls, “I remember one thing specifically; I walked out after the biggest snowfall one morning, took a ruler out, and the walkway out in front of the yard measured 13 inches of snow. I remember that quite well.”

T han k you for voting us e best !

The couple also shares how they, along with their three children, stayed in one room of their house where there was a wood-burning fireplace. “We slept down here,” says Mr. Perry, “and we used wood to heat with, and we used wood to cook.” Mrs. Perry explains, “We were able to cook on this insert that we had in the fireplace. It used to be popular to put an insert into the fireplace, and so we had that that we could cook on. This fireplace was in the game room of the children at that time, so we were all able to stay in there, but you had to pretty much stay in there because it was so very cold.”

“I remember several other little things,” adds Mr. Perry. “My uncle lived four or five houses below us, and he didn’t have any electricity. He was so afraid that his food in the freezer was going to thaw out, and I took my motorhome down, which had a generator on it, and charged his freezer. He really thanked me for it.” At that time, Mr. Perry was a licensed pharmacist and co-owner of Riley’s Drugs, a staple business that was then located on Columbia Avenue in the town of Lexington. “We had to close the drugstore down because we couldn’t get out,” he says.

Mrs. Perry also tells how she took their youngest child to her sister’s house nearby because of the frigid temperatures. Born in 1971, “He was small, and she had gas heat, or she had a furnace at that time, so she had heat, so I would take him over to her house and let him stay, especially at night.” Originally from Cayce, Mrs. Perry was a full-time homemaker when her children were young, but prior to that she had been a private-duty, registered nurse who also worked at the main Columbia Hospital when it was locat-

ed on Harden Street. She was even part of the nursing staff who helped to open and operationalize the hospital’s first intensive care unit.

“I think the electric company had so much work to do, it was just slow getting electricity back to everybody,” she says. “At that time, they didn’t trim the trees by the lines like they do now, so a lot of trees and limbs came down, and I think that’s why the electricity was off for such a long time.” This scenario is hard to imagine for those who did not experience the storm. “We had very little road-clearing equipment from the highway department,” adds Mr. Perry, “because we didn’t have any snow usually. It took quite a while to get things going again after that.”

The Perrys also say that, while their two older children were unable to go to school because of the conditions, they made the most of their snow days. “I remember them playing in the snow, and there were other children in the neighborhood around that would come over, and they would all get out and play in the snow,” says Mrs. Perry. “It seems like they fixed [homemade] things to slide from our house going down toward the pond, so they would get on those things because that was such a good slope to slide down with the snow, and the neighborhood kids would all play together.” In the beginning, “They were excited about it,” she says, but, much like the adults, “by the time we were able to get the electricity back, they were plenty tired of it.” n

“They said it was going to snow, but we had no idea it was going to be what it was— nothing like 12 or 14 inches of snow.”

The Health Benefits of

Low-Intensity Exercise

by Marcy Roberts

With so much emphasis on working up a sweat during exercise, you might wonder whether there is true value in low-intensity exercise, like walking at a moderate pace, a slow jog, or low-intensity cycling. If you like exercising at a more leisurely pace, you’re in luck.

Low-intensity workouts, such as brisk walking, carry health benefits. While it’s true that to get direct cardiovascular benefits you need to exercise at a moderate intensity or greater, low-intensity workouts are still beneficial for your health and may lower your risk of premature death.

What Are the Health Benefits of LowIntensity Exercise?

Low-intensity workouts improve car-

diovascular endurance and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. They also improve mental health by countering the effects of stress on your mood. Less-intense exercise is an excellent option for people just starting to exercise or who can’t sustain higher-intensity workouts due to age or physical limitations.

Low-intensity physical activity, such as walking or light jogging, also has other health benefits. According to research, low-intensity exercise reduces blood pressure and lipid levels and may lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Exercise, even at a low to moderate intensity, improves insulin sensitivity for better blood sugar control. Plus, it’s a mood lifter.

All Exercise Contributes to Health

It all counts! Every bit of physical activity contributes to overall health and well-being, so incorporating low-intensity workouts into your routine is an effective way to improve your mental and physical health. Keep it interesting, though. Mix up your workouts and include a variety of exercises to challenge different muscle groups and keep your body guessing. This helps prevent boredom and keeps you motivated.

Several studies show that participants who participated in low-intensity exercise programs, such as walking, experienced a drop in resting blood pressure and a reduction in blood pressure spikes in response to stress.

Additionally, low-intensity exercise aids in weight management by burning calo-

Exercise

ries and countering the negative effects of prolonged sitting on heart health. In short, you don’t have to push yourself to the limit every time to reap the rewards of exercise. Even low-intensity physical activity can have significant benefits for your health.

Low-Intensity Exercise Helps Tame Cortisol

Low-intensity exercise benefits both mental and physical health because it lowers cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone known to increase belly fat, break down muscle protein, and suppress the immune system. While moderate to high-intensity exercise can raise cortisol levels, especially during long-duration cardio, low-intensity exercise does not have this effect. Instead, it helps lower cortisol.

High-intensity exercise provides direct

cardiovascular benefits, but low-intensity workouts benefit stress management and overall health. On days when you need a break from your usual high-intensity routine, go for a low-intensity walk and give your body a chance to recover.

Ready to Get Started?

If you have physical limitations that make it harder to do high-intensity exercise, low-intensity exercise might make up the bulk of your workouts. If not, you can enjoy the additional heart-health benefits of more intense exercise and use low-intensity exercise on alternate days to help your body recover.

Examples of low-intensity exercises include walking, cycling, swimming, stretching, yoga, and hiking. Other examples of low-intensity exercises include gardening, dancing, tai chi, and light weight training. Choose the type of exercise you enjoy most or do a different workout each day of the week. The key is to keep moving and avoid sitting too long.

Remember to listen to your body and pay attention to any signs of fatigue or discomfort. It’s always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have health concerns. Enjoy moving your body more! n

Devotion At An Abandoned Home Place

No matter how long, no matter how often you travel a road, it’ll surprise you.

I’ve driven Highway 378 into Georgia for not quite fifty years.

The road has been a journal, and some of my experiences along that highway have made it into print. Roads tell stories, if you look and listen.

by Tom Poland

Some stories tell of tragedy. I’ve come across the unimaginable “Mule Kick That Killed Eight People” in Edgefield County. Some tell of destruction. I’ve seen three stores arsonists burned along 378. Some tell of sadness. I’ve seen homes go dark when their owners died, and I’ve seen wheelchair ramps go up as the years roll by, but aging’s changes go far beyond wrinkles, silver hair, and wheelchair ramps.

Buildings, wildlife and aging woodlands litter Highway 378, the highway of change. Along the road, winter lays the land bare. I’ve caught glimpses of ghost bridges come cold days after billions of leaves have fallen. Such is the case with the old Hard Labor Creek Bridge, an apparition that vanishes come summer.

But now another form of revelation falls, not rises, to reveal hidden places, the cutting of forests. The rise in lumber prices has

translated into felling trees, clear-cutting, and places once hidden by woods reveal themselves. You see the lay of the land and you spot structures long concealed.

Driving west on Highway 378 for maybe the 1,500th time I saw an ancient house for the first time. Just past Redemption Way stood a house on a red clay hill. Redemption Way, isn’t that a great name for the road leading to a correctional institution? There’ll be no redemption, however, for the old home. It will soon vanish. Some kind of development’s coming.

The old home had to have been magnificent in its day. It had what appeared to be cedar shingles to my inexperienced eye. Might be oak. A tin roof overlay the shingles, and a fine red brick chimney flanked the two-story home’s western side. As aged as it was, the house looked solid.

Details began to catch my eye. In a window partially covered by a collapsed tin overhang I saw a red curtain and scrap of cloth, red also. And red sunlight struck the old house as the winter sun hovered just over the horizon. What held my eye, however, were two birds black as coal.

To the left of the home, northwest as the compass goes, were two buzzards. One was standing by its fallen mate. (To my surprise I learned that buzzards mate for life. So, I’m assuming they were more than feathered friends.) The buzzard maintaining a vigil, I’ll say, did not flee as I approached. It hopped several yards from its fellow buzzard and kept a wary eye on me. Its mate lay on the ground with its left wing appearing broken. The fallen buzzard was dead, or so I thought. Buzzards can play possum; this one did. As I backed away, I saw its head lift.

I respect buzzards. From boyhood times when hundreds of them circled over pastures back home, I’ve paid attention to them. Reviled and deemed repulsive by others, just where would we be without buzzards?

I don’t see them in numbers like I once did though I recall seeing a large wake of buzzards pull at a deer carcass along 378. Their hunched black-shoulders brought shabby-dressed pallbearers to mind.

The original ornithologists, the Cherokee, understood buzzards. According to Cherokee legend, buzzards beat their wings

in unison after the great flood. They dried all the mud and their synchronous wing beats carved out the valleys and mountains of Appalachia.

Buzzards and death go together. Buzzards like to perch in dead trees. They love dead houses too and I will surmise that they love their mates, maintaining a vigil, as this one seemed to do. Devoted and protective it seemed. The experts claim buzzards don’t eat fallen comrades, so suppress the cynic in you. Give the carrion-eating buzzard some credit for being a bit civilized, for having, if you will, a touch of humanity. n

In Memorium

MARJORIE HENDRIX WINGARD

May 10, 1928-December 29, 2022

WE CELEBRATE THE LEGACY SHE LEFT TO HER FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY.

Memorials may be made to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072 where they will be dedicated to the music program, or to any organization working to provide Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, support, research or advocacy.

Freezer Hacks to Save Money on Groceries

by Charlotte Myers

According to the charity Feeding America, Americans waste 108 billion pounds of food every year; nearly half of all food produced in the U.S. goes to waste. Many people have a tendency to cook too much which can be a habit instilled by their childhood environment, a result of having a previously larger immediate family, or the scarcity mindset of never having enough. Typically we justify cooking more by having good intentions to take the leftovers to work for lunch, serve them to our family again within a few days, or use the excess materials in a different recipe before the expiration date.

With that in mind, the most obvious and easiest way to save money on grocer-

ies is to reduce how much you discard or find ways to ensure that leftovers do not go to waste. To accomplish this, make the most of your time, money and freezer with these easy hacks that will not only increase your savings, but also avoid a guilty conscience.

Herbs

Fresh herbs taste better than dried ones, but they wilt or expire quickly. Often you only need a small amount for a recipe, which risks the rest going to waste if you buy too much. Did you know that most herbs can easily be frozen? Simply chop them up, divide them into portions in ice cube trays with some oil, and freeze. Then you can drop them into cooking straight from the freezer.

Meat

Meat is something that can be heavily discounted when bought in bulk--if you wisely utilize available freezer space and take the time to organize and label each package. No one likes “mystery meat”!! Each package should be plainly identified, properly preserved and used by the expiration date. Split large bulk packs of meat into smaller portions according to your family size, wrap with cellophane if necessary to keep the meat from sticking together, put in freezer bags and label them clearly.

Fruit & Vegetables

Contrary to popular belief, frozen fruit and vegetables may be healthier for you. How many times have you purchased beautiful, succulent fruit only to have it deteriorate and lose precious nutrients and texture? Our schedules can change frequently, leaving fresh fruits to wilt while we purchase fast food or visit a restaurant with friends, or sometimes we just get tired of eating the specific fruit. Even if there is an amazing sale that you just can’t resist, many times this is not a good idea unless you are going to freeze the excess fruit to lock in flavor and nutrients. Many stores reduce the price of actively expiring fruit as well as those that are not the perfect shape or size; often you can purchase and freeze these, saving money and future trips to the store.

Fruits such as grapes and berries are easily frozen. You can defrost them as needed or put them straight into the blender for smoothies. Don’t forget to flash-freeze on a baking tray first, mak-

ing sure none are touching. Then you can use exactly what you need with no waste. Frozen grapes are the perfect way to chill drinks such as white wine without diluting them with ice cubes. Bananas are also fantastic to freeze. Grate into smoothies, and the frozen banana will chill your drink without needing to water it down with ice.

If you have the time and are interested in freezing your own vegetables, this is a

bit more involved than freezing fruit and involves blanching to stop the process of losing nutrients but is still very beneficial. Take time to research viable options, recommended cooling times and freezing processes for any vegetable online.

Other Foods You Can Freeze

Ingredients that you only use a tiny amount of in a recipe often come in a huge container. Things like tomato paste normally only need a teaspoon or two, yet now the can is open, and you have to use it all before it expires. You can freeze it portioned out in ice cube trays, pop one or two out, and drop them straight into the pot during cooking. Garlic, chili, and ginger can be a pain to chop, and we often buy more than the small amount we need in a recipe. Yet if you freeze them, you can grate them straight from frozen. You get less waste, less mess, and less hassle.

You can also purchase cheese and butter in bulk, but, here again, you must keep in mind the life expectancy of each product and preserve it properly before freezing. Another idea is to freeze milk bought in bulk in both ice cube trays and in smaller jars to use as you need.

Batch Cooking

Batch cooking is probably the easiest way to start making the most of your freezer space. Double a recipe when you next cook a meal; divide the other half into portions when cooled, label appropriately, then freeze in containers. Sauce-based meals freeze great, as long as the sauce is not cream or egg based.

It’s a no-brainer; batch cooking requires less energy overall than to cook the same recipe twice. Stocking your freezer with batches of prepared meals can also be better for your health. Instead of grabbing a ready meal or takeout when you’re too tired to cook, you always have a homecooked meal ready to defrost and heat up. While a microwave uses less energy than a stove to heat food up, both are usually cheaper and healthier in the long run than purchasing food on the go.

Getting into the habit of cooking in bulk is a great way to save money and time. You will spend less per portion, save meal preparation time, reserve energy by using your stove and freezer more efficiently, and reap the benefits of eating healthier.

Never waste another dollar throwing away food again. Try these tips for yourself and you might be surprised at the amount of money you can save over a period of a year. Your energy bills will be lower, you will spend less money initially at the store, and the food you eat will be fresher. If you use these hacks to maximize freezer use, you’ll see the results in your wallet and help the environment simultaneously.

Quiche

Beautiful, Versatile and Delicious!

SALMON AND SWISS CHARD

QUICHE

cooking spray

1 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 bunch Swiss chard, chopped

1-1/2 c. sliced button mushrooms

1/3 c. chopped onion

2 tbsp. smoked salmon

3 large eggs

1-1/2 c. low-fat milk

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

chopped fresh chives for garnish (Optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; coat a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Swiss chard, mushrooms, and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Spread chard mixture on bottom of prepared pie plate. Break salmon into pieces and arrange evenly over chard. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, nutmeg, and pepper in a bowl. Pour over salmon. Bake until a knife inserted in center comes out clean, 28 to 30 minutes. Cool about 10 minutes before cutting into wedges. Top with chives (if using).

MUSHROOM AND SPINACH QUICHE

1 prepared 9-inch single pie crust

1/2 -10 oz. bag fresh spinach

1 -8 oz. package sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 yellow onion, sliced

1/2 - 4 oz. container crumbled feta cheese

1/2 -8 oz. package shredded Swiss cheese, divided

4 large eggs

3/4 c. milk

1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F; fit pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish. Gently combine spinach, mushrooms, onion, and feta cheese in a bowl. Spread mixture in the prepared pie dish; top with 1/2 of the Swiss cheese. Whisk eggs, milk, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg in the bowl. Pour egg mixture evenly over filling, swirling egg mixture in bowl to evenly distribute seasonings. Top with remaining Swiss cheese, then place quiche on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly puffed and browned, 45 to 50 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of the filling should come out clean. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.

EASY QUICHE LORRAINE

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

6 slices bacon

1 onion, chopped

1 1/2 c. milk

3 large eggs, beaten

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 c. shredded Swiss cheese

1 tbsp. all-purpose flour

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F; line pie crust with a double layer of aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until crust is just set, 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon grease in the skillet. Cook and stir onion in reserved grease in the skillet over medium heat until tender; drain and set aside. Mix to-

gether milk, eggs, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in bacon and onion. Toss together Swiss cheese and flour in a medium bowl; add to egg mixture and stir well. Pour into par-baked crust. Bake in the preheated oven until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cover edges of crust with foil if they begin to get too brown. Let quiche cool for 10 minutes before serving.

GARDEN CRUSTLESS QUICHE

1 tsp. olive oil, as needed

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 yellow onion, minced

3 cloves garlic, minced

5 c. chopped kale

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

2 grinds fresh black pepper, or to taste

1 c. diced tomato

1/2 cup shredded carrots

5 eggs

3/4 c. whole milk

7 1/2 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese

1/4 c. chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F; grease a 9-inch pie dish with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic in the hot oil until garlic is fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add kale, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until kale is wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir tomato and carrots into kale mixture; cook for 5 more minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Whisk eggs and milk together in a bowl. Stir Cheddar cheese, kale mixture, and parsley into egg mixture; pour into the prepared pie dish. Bake in the preheated oven until quiche is set in the middle and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Cool in pie dish for 2 to 3 minutes before slicing. n

The Highest Rating in Heart Surgery

AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT

Three Times Over

CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING

MITRAL VALVE REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR

At Lexington Medical Heart and Vascular Center, we’re proud to receive our third three-star rating for heart surgery — the highest measure of quality awarded by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

We’re honored to be recognized for our patient care and outcomes in three types of heart surgery. Fewer than 10% of hospitals in the country earn this elite distinction, and we’re proud to be included among them.

At Lexington Medical Heart and Vascular Center, we renew lives every day. And our quality ratings mean you can get the best heart care anywhere — right here at home.

Thursday, February 16th

Lake Murray and The Dreher Shoals Dam Fundraiser

Lexington Municipal Complex, 111 Maiden Lane Lexington, 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

The Friends of the Lexington County Museum will host its annual fundraiser to celebrate Lake Murray, the Dreher Shoals Dam and enhance existing exhibits. Admission is $60 and includes a silent auction and unlimited food and beverages. For more information call 803-3598369 or visit lexingtoncountymuseum.org.

Sunday, February 19th

2023 Lexington Chili Cookoff

Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 W. Main St., Lexington, 12:00 p.m. Bring the family out for an afternoon of food, music and unlimited chili samples! Advance adult tickets are $12, $15 the day of the event, kids 5-12 are $5, ages 4 and under are free. All proceeds will benefit local charities. Visit icehouseamphitheater.com for details and tickets.

Saturday, February 26th

Irish Ceili Performance and Celebration Event

Corley Mill House & Gardens, 221 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

This promises to be an evening to remember with Irish music, dance, food, fun, drink and laughter. Advance tickets are $10; $15.00 at the door, age 17 and under admitted free with paying adult. Tickets are available at O’Hara’s Public House, 131 E. Main Street, Lexington and benefit The Connick School of Irish Dance and other educational services. For more information, visit aohcolumbia.org or call 803-414-1076.

Thursday, March 2nd

2023 Taste of Lake Murray

DoubleTree by Hilton, 2100 Bush River Rd., Columbia, 6:00 p.m. This exciting evening of regional cuisine, fabulous drinks, amazing music and fun is the sole fundraiser for the Annual 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray to be presented on Saturday, July 1st, the Saturday PRIOR to the 4th of July. Visit lakemurraycountry.com for tickets and event details.

Sunday, March 5th

Valentines Forever Orchestra Performance

Incarnation Lutheran Church, 3005 Devine St., Columbia, 6:00 p.m.

The Palmetto Chamber Orchestra and Maestra Suzanna Pavlovsky proudly present the performance of Valentines Forever, which includes music from Chabrier, Korngold, Saint Saens and Marquez. Tickets available at the door: $15 general admission, VIP $25, students with ID and children under 12 are $5.

Tuesday, March 7th

2023 Assistive Technology Expo for People with Disabilities

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St., 8:30 a.m-4:00 p.m.

This is a FREE full day of exhibits and workshops showcasing assistive technology and addressing pressing issues for people with a wide range of disabilities. If you need special accommodations to participate, call 803-935-5263. For more information visit sc.edu.

Your Name

Dear Al,

Your Mother has forgotten your name. You believe she’s showing signs of dementia. You’ve asked for any guidance based on my experience with my own Mama. I only know my experience and bits gleaned from others. You may not see all these things, or you may see worse.

There is indeed a “landscape” to this journey which is worth pondering, so you may have a chance of recognizing where you are.

First, understand that you’re now a spectator in a war. Towards the end of my Mama’s life, she expressed a desire to die. She asked me why she couldn’t die. This is a hell of a question for one’s Mama to be asking. I asked her Doctor: “Mama wants to know why she can’t die.”

Doc saw lots of old folks and knew his business. He said: “You’ve heard of the Will to Live. But there’s also a Will to Die. Right now there is a monumental struggle going on within your Mother between the Will to

Live and the Will to Die. This battle is not under her control. The Will to Live will go to extraordinary efforts to fight to the bitter end. But one day, the Will to Die will gain the upper hand, and it’s over.”

What can you do to help your Mother? Using an historical example: Many Mothers were worried sick during World War II about their sons engaged in combat overseas. Their instinct was to scream and rage at the unfairness of it all. But what they DID was sit quietly at home and make mittens or scarves for the boys in battle.

This is your job. You’ve got to find a way past your fears and denial and anger, and settle down to somehow “making mittens and scarves.”

I am certain many dying folks reach a point where they are “ready to go,” because they don’t want to live like this. They are beginning to “see through the veil” that separated them from their loved ones on the other side. After a few glimpses of that, they’re ready to get over there and have a joyful reunion.

It is our job to let them go and help them be comfortable leaving us. It may seem horrible to consider telling your Mother “it’s okay to die,” but you may very well reach a point where that is the kindest and most loving thing you will ever say.

Hang in there, and know that God is listening and will carry you when you feel you cannot make it. Remember that people love you and are praying for you daily.

Enjoy each moment, no matter how confusing or chaotic it is, because one day your Mother will die.

When that happens, you’ll no longer be bothered by the suddenly miniscule things she forgot. At that point you will understand you would be willing to give anything you own to have another afternoon of talking with a woman who doesn’t know your name. n

David Clark writes and works in Cochran, GA. Connect with him at cw.w4trj@gmail.com.