November 2016

Strategically Planning E V E RY M OV E November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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VIP Magazine | November 2016

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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Happy Thanksgiving Perfect Turkey

Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

Servings: 24

Servings: 10 INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons IGA butter, softened 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 3/4 cup pumpkin butter 1 (9 inch) IGA prepared graham cracker crust DIRECTIONS Combine pecans and 1/4 cup brown sugar; cut in butter or margarine with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Set aside. Beat cream cheese at high speed of an electric mixer until smooth.

Add 1/3 cup brown sugar; beat well. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in pumpkin butter. Pour mixture into crust. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 minutes.

Sprinkle pecan mixture over pie. Bake for 5 additional minutes, or until butter or margarine and sugar melt. Cool on a wire rack. Cover, and chill for at least 4 hours.

Cheesy Squash & Zucchini Servings: 8 INGREDIENTS 1 pound yellow squash, sliced 1 pound zucchini, sliced 1/2 onion, diced 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1/2 cup buscuit baking mix (such as Bisquick®) 1/2 cup IGA butter 10 saltine crackers, or as needed, crushed INGREDIENTS

1 (18 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed 2 large onions, peeled and chopped 2 cups kosher salt 4 carrots, peeled and chopped

1/2 cup IGA butter, melted 2 sprigs fresh thyme 4 stalks celery, chopped 1 cup dry white wine 1 bay leaf pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Rub the turkey inside and out with the kosher salt. Place the bird in a large stock pot, and cover with cold water. Place in the refrigerator, and allow the turkey to soak in the salt and water mixture 12 hours, or overnight. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Thoroughly rinse the turkey, and discard the brine mixture. Brush the turkey with 1/2 the melted butter. Place breast side down on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Stuff the turkey cavity with 1 onion, 1/2 the carrots, 1/2 the celery, 1 sprig of thyme, and the bay leaf. Scatter the remaining vegetables and thyme around the bottom of the roasting pan, and cover with the white wine.

Roast uncovered 3 1/2 to 4 hours in the preheated oven, until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Carefully turn the turkey breast side up about 2/3 through the roasting time, and brush with the remaining butter. Allow the bird to stand about 30 minutes before carving.

Florence • 843-468-9803 2300 Pamplico Highway

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil.

Add yellow squash, zucchini, and onion; bring back to a boil, and cook vegetables until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and transfer vegetables to a large bowl. Mix Cheddar cheese, baking mix, butter, eggs, sugar, and salt with the cooked vegetables using a large spoon; stir until butter has melted and baking mix has dissolved. Fold crushed crackers into the mixture until the liquid has been absorbed. Pour mixture into a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish; top with bread crumbs. Bake until lightly browned, 30 minutes.

Awesome Sausage, Apple and Cranberry Stuffing Servings: 10 INGREDIENTS 1 Golden Delicious apple, 1 1/2 c cubed whole cored and chopped wheat bread 3 3/4 c cubed white bread 3/4 c dried cranberries 1 lb ground turkey sausage 1/3 c minced fresh parsley 1 cooked turkey liver, 1 c chopped onion finely chopped 3/4 c chopped celery 3/4 c turkey stock 2 1/2 tsp dried sage 1 1/2 tsp dried rosemary 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted 1/2 tsp dried thyme DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degree F (175 degree C). Spread the white and whole wheat bread cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until evenly toasted. Transfer toasted bread cubes to a large bowl. In a large skillet, cook the sausage and onions over medium heat, stirring and breaking up the lumps until evenly browned. Add the celery, sage, rosemary, and thyme; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes to blend flavors. Pour sausage mixture over bread in bowl. Mix in chopped apple, dried cranberries, parsley, and liver. Drizzle with turkey stock and melted butter, and mix lightly. Allow stuffing to cool completely before loosely stuffing a turkey.

Quinby • 843-662-8721 407 Quinby Plaza ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2015 Allrecipes.com

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1 teaspoon IGA salt 1/4 cup IGA bread crumbs 2 eggs 1 tablespoon IGA white sugar

Florence • 843-661-2462 525 South Ebenezer Road

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VOL 2. ISSUE 1

NOVEMBER CONTENTS 10 In the Head Of House of God | Pastor Elijah Green

12 Under the Dome Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A.

14 Innovate StartUp Hartsville Competition

16 All Access Nation’s Lending

18 Advocating Healthcare Read Men Wear Scrubs | HopeHealth

20 Positive Pursuit Make Yourself Available | Chip Scruggs

22 Health and Wellness Pee Dee Heart Walk

24 Cover Story Signature Wealth Strategies

28 Future Leaders All Saints’ Episcopal Day School

30 Florence Community Boost Your Business | Jay Lavrinc

34 Professional at Play Pat Miller Baker

36 Community Embrace Marion County | Life After The Storm

38 Business Spotlight Pee Dee Electric Cooperative

40 Business Spotlight

44 Tech Savvy Local Impact | Miranda Hebert

50 Paying It Forward Florence Co Disabilities Foundation

52 Business Spotlight Bazen’s Landscaping

54 Happenings 56 Developing Downtown PDRTA | Downtown Florence

58 Agribusiness Outdoor Life | ArborOne

60 Employee Spotlight ADP | Lakecha Rainey

Duke Energy

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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VIP TEAM

Publisher and Co-Founder Tammy Clark tmclark225@gmail.com Co-Founder Rodney Berry Editor Heather Page heather@vipmagsc.com Office Manager Tiffany Skipper jtskipp35@gmail.com Advertising Executives Rion McAllister rion@vipmagsc.com Mary Kevin Miller marykevinmiller@gmail.com

Contributing Photographers Patricia Burkett Infinity Images Bradley Lail Fred Salley Barry Thompson Contributing Writers Patricia Burkett Mark W. Buyck, III Miranda Hebert Beth Hopewell Jay Lavrinc Ella Lawson Amy Moore Chip Munn Chip Scruggs Donna Tracy

Creative Design Candy Smith Tuesday Taylor

COVER CONCEPT

Signature Wealth Strategies is constantly looking to make the next best move. When Patricia Burkett, photographer for the November cover, suggested the advisors surround a Chess board, it seemed fitting. The team is consistently seeking ways to invest more into their members and the community. Their exceptional character and superior work has granted them a major player in the area.

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A LETTER FROM OUR TEAM Investing In Yourself We talk about it all the time. Investment. In this fast paced world we live in we have to constantly invest in every area of our lives in order to keep in step with forward progression and there is no end to the facets of life that need to be considered. We invest financially for our futures as well as mentally in our careers. We have to invest into family, marriages and children. We invest in education for the youth of today and tomorrow. In people, programs and causes we invest financially, emotionally and personally. We give of our time, our energy and our ourselves. We are constantly being asked for more and more to allocate of our precious resources with the only motivation being a promise of a better tomorrow… for everyone and everything other than ourselves. With all of this time and energy being divided between all of these different areas of our lives, when do we have time to invest in ourselves?

You’ve heard it said that you can’t draw water from an empty well. The same holds true for people. We can’t continue to make withdraws from an “account” that we never make deposits into. We should be finding ways to build our brand by investing in ourselves. We can do this by signing up for that continuing education class. Self investment is accomplished by taking that yoga class to improve our health or even catching up on some much needed rest and relaxation. Any and everything that adds back to our lives, instead of taking away, is beneficial to our personal bottom line. It is the single most important self improvement strategy we can implement to become ever better versions of our already pretty great selves!

When we find ways to give back to ourselves it ensures that we are refreshed and able to give our very best to all of those other demanding areas of our lives. We have to be ever vigilant in search of finding new ways to add back to the different parts of ourselves from which we so freely give from. So join that basketball team, book that vacation to the beach and go get that spa treatment! By investing in yourself you are taking necessary steps to maintain constant investment in every other area of your very busy life. Make a deposit, you will be glad you did!

-TEAM VIP

Serving Florence, Hartsville, Darlington, Marion, Mullins, Lake City and the surrounding areas NOVEMBER 2016 | VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 2011-B Second Loop Rd, Florence, SC 29501 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

For advertising rates, call 843-687-4236.

We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission.

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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IN THE HEAD OF

Pastor Elijah Green Praying for Businesses story by Heather Page

Today’s business leaders carry a great deal of responsibility. Most are determined to demonstrate strong ethics with the community, employees, and other businesses. As they focus on goals that will grow their business, obstacles are constantly thrown in their path to derail them from the ethics originally set in place. State Elder Elijah Green has made it his passion to see businesses grow - faithfully and economically.

Pastor Green has lead The House of God on Wilson Rd in Florence for 43 years. He began visiting and praying for businesses in 2003 after he saw what an impact his visits made in his hometown of Pamplico.

Businesses now ask for Pastor Green to visit on a weekly basis. When not praying with his regulars, he visits where the Lord leads him. Green enjoys helping people and watching their businesses grow.

“Somebody helped me one day so I’ve dedicated my life to helping others,” he says.

The House of God located at 115 Wilson Road in Florence celebrates its 58th Church Anniversary on November 20th at 3pm. Please join them on this special occasion for a grand and glorious time in the Lord.

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Pastor Green has found a great way to support businesses and their leaders - encouraging them through prayer. “He [Jesus] told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’” Matthew 20:4. Green shares this verse as he steps through business doors, in hopes that it may encourage employees to also work in His vineyard.

If you are seeking prayer for your business, call Pastor Green at 843-206-9606 to be added to the list of businesses he visits. House of God Church offers Noon Prayers, Monday through Friday.

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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UNDER THE DOME

Paid Sick Leave Is it mandatory for employers to offer paid time off?

There is no general legal requirement that requires private employers to provide their employees sick leave. Most employers will give their employees some combination of sick days and/or paid time off (PTO) and many will utilize generous leave policies as an enticement to hire and retain qualified employees. Employers should have a defined, documented leave policy that is fairly communicated to employees.

Employees will be well served if they understand employer leave policies when seeking employment.

There are federal laws which currently mandate leave in certain circumstances. The most prominent is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA requires covered employers (typically those with 50 or more employees) to provide job-protected unpaid leave to covered employees for qualified medical and family reasons, such as family or personal illness. In September, 2015, President Obama signed an Executive Order requiring paid sick leave for federal contractor employees. The U.S. Department of Labor regulations implementing the Executive Order allow for leave in similar circumstances as the FMLA, and effective January 1, 2017 Federal Contractor employees accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of work, up to a total of seven paid days for any twelve month period.

While the application of that Executive Order is limited to Federal Contractors, there is a growing movement for expansion of paid sick leave requirements to the private sector as well as local and state government employers. Currently five states, the

District of Columbia, and 29 cities require employers to provide paid sick leave. During the current Presidential campaign both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have proposed dramatic increases in the availability of paid time off. Clinton’s proposal is that any employee utilizing FMLA qualifying leave will be entitled to at least two-thirds of his wages while on leave. Her plan is not limited to FMLA employers; she specifically includes small businesses in the proposal. She proposes that the federal government create a paid leave fund, presumably something akin to the Social Security Trust fund, to pay for this new employee entitlement. She also promises that no one will be required to fund the entitlement; responsibility for paying the benefit will come from “making the wealthy pay their fair share.”

Trump’s plan would guarantee six weeks of paid maternity leave offered through existing unemployment insurance plans.

He claims that the unemployment insurance premium would not increase for employers or employees but savings will be realized by “offsetting reductions in the program.” The Family Act is a proposal from Congressional Democrats similar to Mrs. Clinton’s plan; under it paid leave would be funded through a Social Security-type trust fund with the funding coming from a payroll tax paid by employers and employees.

Paid leave laws will almost certainly become a legislative priority regardless of the winner of this year’s Presidential election. Employers can expect a greater obligation to “take care of” their employees. Likewise employees can expect the availability of expanded benefits, uncertain of how those benefits will be paid for.

Serving Businesses and Individuals from Florence to Myrtle Beach: the Business Law, Litigation, Real Estate, and Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys of Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. 248 West Evans Street | Florence, SC | 843.536.8050 2050 Corporate Centre’ Drive, Suite 230 | Myrtle Beach, SC | 843.461.3020

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VIP Magazine | November 2016

Mark W. Buyck, III

Grades 7-12 Performing & Visual Arts • Athletics • AP Course Selection Financial Assistance Available

TRINITY-BYRNES OPEN HOUSE November 20TH 2PM-4PM

5001 Hoffmeyer Rd. Darlington, SC 29532 843-395-9124

For more information, contact April Munn. amunn@trinitybyrnes.org

WWW.TRINITYBYRNES.ORG

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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INNOVATION

Barry Thompson Photograhy

Past StartUp winners: DeVane’s Fashions (above) and Griggs Circle Bakery (left) Infinity Images

Ensuring the Growth of Downtown Hartsville Startsville Kicks Off Third Annual Competition It’s that time of year again.

Startsville: the Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics Foundation’s Innovation Center – launched the community’s third startup competition in mid-October.

Originally supported by the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s Innovation Challenge grants, the Startup Hartsville Competition is an effort designed to help sustain the cycle of downtown development, ensuring that as Hartsville grows and changes, there is a steady pipeline of new businesses adding character and opportunity to the community.

Business ideas eligible for the competition include startups, franchises, relocation of existing businesses from other communities, as well as established Hartsville shops and companies looking to expand into additional business concepts.

The competition will encourage participating entrepreneurs through short-term financial incentives and support, as well as through

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programming and networking events.

In the past, businesses that participated played a key role in helping to continue develop the cultural fabric of downtown Hartsville, building on the efforts of the companies whose longstanding presence has sustained the community’s growth.

The Grand Prize Winners from the last two years – Seersuckergypsy, Retrofit Sip-N-Seat, DeVane’s Fashions and Griggs Circle Bakery – have all contributed to the unique character of downtown Hartsville.

Numerous other businesses entered the competitions, including Crema Coffee, LighterSide and The Grooming Lounge. In the coming months, previous competitors Mahala Reese of Hartsville and Red Fox To Go will also join the downtown scene.

With the success of the competition and influx of new businesses, the City of Hartsville, in conjunction with the Innovation Center, will continue to

offer an incentive package of $12,000 each to two winning entrepreneurs dedicated to opening a downtown storefront.

The six-month competition launched on October 17th and the first round of applications are due no later than December 16th. The final ceremony and announcement of winners will take place in mid-April 2017.

Anyone interested in participating should visit the Startsville website: startsville.com/startuphartsville2017 Startsville: GSSM Foundation’s Innovation Center is a creativity hub in downtown Hartsville, Startsville serves as an incubator for ideas, startups and collaborations, as well as a base of operations for the Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics Foundation’s Career Services Center, with the goal of strengthening the economic vitality of Hartsville and the surrounding Pee Dee Region. Find us on Twitter, Facebook, or at startsville.com.

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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ALL ACCESS Fred Salley Photography

2011-C Second Loop Rd, Florence (843) 536-1001 | GregTannerMortgage.com

CAITLIN MCPHATTER, JEFFERY HILL, MELISSA MAXWELL, GREG TANNER, EDWARD SAWICKI, KATIE BAILEY, MATTHEW HEDGEPETH, LATOYA ROSS

Providing You & Your Family the Best Service Possible While causing chaos to many, the Great Recession of 2008 offered several highly trained finance professionals a career at Chase Mortgage Banking in Florence. But by 2013 when the market turned around and homeowners were needing less assistance with mortgages, many employees in the Florence Chase office were laid off. In January of 2013, 300 employees were having to find other means of work and in March of 2013, an additional 550 were laid off. This left several individuals scrambling for jobs in the Pee Dee, causing nearly five applicants to apply for every available job position. It was a tough time for workers with such a unique skill set to find jobs and continue to support their families.

Greg worked mortgage originations, a business he grew to know well. It was a natural decision to go back to originations, fewer short sales was a clear sign that the market was on the upswing.

Greg Tanner started a career with Chase in the pricing department where he audited rate locks and quickly worked his way up to Assistant Vice President in the Short Sale Department. As the market improved, fewer short sales were coming in and by 2013 Greg was faced with relocating his family to Texas to continue with Chase or be laid off. Before Chase,

Nations Lending knows that loans are not “one size fits all,” each customer has unique needs and their team of

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Setting the transition into place, Greg began working as a loan officer in a one room office space. As his business grew, he pulled employees he once worked alongside at Chase. Three years later, Greg operates as the Branch Manager of Nations Lending with a staff of nine, eight of those having worked with Chase. Together they have helped hundreds of people buy homes and are expanding their territory into Myrtle Beach and Charleston while keeping their main focus on serving home buyers in the Pee Dee.

story by Heather Page

experts research every loan objectively.

“Purchasing a home is typically a family’s largest financial decision and should be treated with careful consideration,” says Greg. His office offers in-house Processing and Quality Control staff that eliminate the alternating requests you get with other lenders. They use state-of-the-art software that allows a borrower to track progress on their computer, smart phone, and tablet.

Greg Tanner’s team at Nations Lending has very competitive rates while also working with borrowers who have had credit issues in the past. Nations Lending works hard to assure customers are in the best financial position after purchasing a home. They communicate clearly before, during, and after the closing in order to build a relationship where customers are happy to share their experience. “We look forward to earning your business!”

“Greg and his team were PHENOMENAL! Not only did everyone work relentlessly in order to make sure my loan closed; they also provided detailed information regarding each step of the loan process. I highly recommend Greg Tanner and his team of professionals, and will definitely reach out to them first if I’m in the home buying market in the future.” -Zillow Customer Review

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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ADVOCATING HEALTHCARE

Howard Yarborough Staff Nurse, HopeHealth Photo by Bradley Lail

REAL MEN WEAR SCRUBS ...and visit their doctor regularly story by Donna Tracy

A former Chinook helicopter mechanic who always wanted to do something in the medical field finds his passion in health care promoting men’s health.

Desert Storm veteran and motorcycle enthusiast Howard Yarborough, a nurse at HopeHealth Medical Plaza, always wanted to work in the medical field. Both his parents were also in the military, and his mother was a nurse. After serving in the US Army, Yarborough tried several career paths and found his passion as a licensed practical nurse after graduating from Central Carolina Technical College in August 2011.

Yarborough joined the HopeHealth team nearly two years ago and has found that succeeding as a military mechanic and a medical nurse have common grounds. “Just like the military, health care is a team effort.” said Yarborough. “From pilot, to flight engineer, to crew chief; and, from practitioner, to nurse to medical assistant, there is a team striving for the best outcome possible.”

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With many behind-the-scenes duties, Yarborough’s job involves record searches and administrative tasks but also keeps him face-to-face with patients by assisting with procedures, providing patients with lab and test results, and spending time talking with them about their concerns.

Sometimes, especially with men, a little tough love is necessary.

Yarborough explained that many men avoid going to the doctor because they feel it is a sign of weakness.

Compliance is also an issue, and some men wait until a basic symptom becomes complicated or until a serious emergency occurs such as a heart attack or stroke before visiting a doctor. Especially in cases of mental health needs, men rarely ask for help.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women are 100 percent more likely to see a doctor for regular visits and health screenings. Those visits are among the factors that impact the five-year gap in life expectancy between men and women.

Yarborough says he tries to explain the importance of regular check ups, even when feeling healthy, to keep up on demographic-appropriate screenings such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, depression and infectious diseases. For men over 40, some of those screenings include osteoporosis and cancers such as colon, prostate, testicular and lung.

Patients also need to understand why medication compliance is vitally important. “Through tough love, I tell my patients how possible it is to have a heart attack or even die if they choose not to take their medication as instructed.” At the end of the day, Yarborough wants his patients to understand how important it is to take control of their own health.

Listening to patients and digging to the root of what is happening with his patients has helped Yarborough succeed in his role. ‘Spending a few extra minutes talking with a patient allows me to really learn what drives the person to be better.”

This strategy of communication and care has really grown Yarborough as a nurse. As a diabetic himself, he also uses his own experiences and struggles to relate to his patients. More than a dozen years ago, Yarborough was working out and keeping himself in shape. He was used to being physically fit but began struggling to stay as active as usual. He found out he was diabetic, and at one point, got up to 360 pounds. Today, Yarborough said he has lost much of that excess weight and continues to work every day on managing his diabetes. This helps make him a better nurse, husband and father.

Yarborough is the biggest cheerleader for many of his patients. He uses his ‘can do’ attitude to challenge them and remind them that they, too, can have success stories of their own.

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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POSITIVE PURSUIT

REVELATION MINISTRIES Chip Scruggs, Lead Pastor 507 Tom Gasque Ave, Marion, SC (843) 423-5444

MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE When our past haunts us and our fears control us, we are almost always prevented from the amazing plan God has for our lives. You’ve heard about Moses—how he killed an Egyptian and fled to the desert of Midian where he spent forty years as a shepherd to his father-in-law’s flocks. You know that he sees the burning bush and God speaks to him and tells Moses to return to Egypt.

An amazing plan which hinged on a most unusual moment—Exodus 4, verses 1-3a; “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” 2 Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

“A staff,” he replied. 3 The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”

God tells Moses to take his shepherd’s staff and throw it on the ground. I’m guessing it was just an average, run-ofthe-mill stick, weathered and worn from forty years of use. There was nothing special about the staff until it was set apart for use in serving God. Then it was used to perform great and mighty miracles! It makes me wonder; might there be something very common in our hands (a talent, finances, our business, etc.) which could be used by God in a most uncommon way?

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Consider also how many of us identify ourselves by our profession or vocation. “I’m a doctor, lawyer, pastor, police officer, business person, or I’m a stay at home mom raising champions.”

Understand this: God told Moses to cast down his shepherd’s staff (his identity, his vocation), and to pick up the rod of God. God’s great and Divine purposes were to be carried out by the man, Moses… but he had to drop his former identity and embrace the new person and new plan God had for him.

The same is true for you and for me; once we place ourselves in God’s hands, once we lay down our identity and embrace what He says about us, then our life takes on great purpose and meaning. 2 Corinthians 5:17 liberates and gives us a brand new beginning: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” I need to hit the reset button sometimes and remind myself that God is the Father, He is in control, and my life is in His hands.

I find it encouraging that God used this ordinary man with an ordinary stick to do an extraordinary work. This tells us that God isn’t looking for people who are “qualified” to do His best works. On the contrary, God is seeking people who

story by Chip Scruggs

will simply make themselves available to Him to do amazing and extraordinary things. He gets the greatest glory when the weak and ordinary are used in powerful and extraordinary ways.

But there was a problem. You see, even after Moses had seen the burning bush, taken off his sandals and dropped his stick, he then begins making excuses to God why he couldn’t and wouldn’t be good at this! “Lord, send someone else” Moses finally confesses. “And God’s anger burned at him.” I’m not that thrilled about having God’s anger burning against me… are you? I’m most interested in hearing, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Our ugly past is the parent of “fear of failure” and her ugly twin sister “fear of success” and these monsters have their roots in our god of comfort. “If I fail, will I lose what I have now? If I succeed, what will that mean to what I have right now?” You cannot stay where you are and go with God. Just think of how God used Moses, a common shepherd with a common stick to do uncommon things…things we still talk about today!

Talk about a legacy! Today, drop your

sticks, stop with the excuses, and step into the future God has for you!

Opening Early 2017

367 West Evans Street, Florence (Corner of McQueen and Evans Streets)

Until then, visit us at our Cheves Street location.

Stokes Regional Eye Centers THE FIRST CHOICE FOR TOTAL EYECARE

602 East Cheves Street, Florence, S.C. • (843) 669-4156 Isam J. Zakhour, M.D.

Mark J. Ross, M.D.

Hunter R. Stokes, Jr., M.D.

Mark R. Stokes, M.D.

Deanna P. Lyttle, M.D.

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS Fred Salley Photography

The HEART of the Cause story by Ella Lawson In 1924, six dedicated cardiologists established The American Heart Association, now known as the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. With more than 22.5 million volunteers and supporters, the AHA funds innovative research, fights for stronger public health policies, and provides critical tools and information to save and improve lives.

To improve the standard of living for each individual in contact with the organization, the AHA provides public health education in a variety of ways.

Senior Director of Development Sheryl Love elaborates, “We’re the nation’s leader in CPR education training. We help people understand the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. We provide sciencebased treatment guidelines to healthcare professionals to help them provide quality care to their patients. We educate lawmakers, policymakers, and the public as we advocate for changes to protect and improve the health of our communities.”

This month marks the annual Heart Walk, an event fun for all ages in celebration of heart health and the

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commitment to providing better selfcare. Sheryl explains, “It’s a day for the community to celebrate heart disease, stroke, and congenital heart disease survivors and to honor those they’ve lost.

We walk with our friends, coworkers or family members to improve our heart health. The Heart Walk is also the premiere event for raising funds to save lives from this country’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers - heart disease and stroke.” All funds raised go towards research that could prevent many South Carolinians from the deadly effects of heart disease and stroke. Through events such as the Pee Dee Heart Walk, the AHA is funding over $5 million in research in South Carolina hospitals alone.

While some are hesitant to make lifestyle changes, the journey to better health really does begin with one small step. Sheryl explains, “Not only does the Heart Walk impact how we can treat heart disease and stroke in the future, but it can help individuals prevent heart disease from ever happening. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in South Carolina and stroke is the leading cause of disability. One of the biggest contributors to these statistics is a lack of

commitment to a heart healthy lifestyle.

Your lifestyle is not only your best defense against heart disease and stroke, it’s also your responsibility. Walking is one of the simplest ways to get active and stay active. The Heart Walk is the best place for Pee Dee residents to start getting active.

With each step you take, you travel further down the path to a healthier lifestyle.

Research has shown that walking can have a significant impact on your health by lowering your chances of heart disease.”

Some of the benefits of walking 30 minutes a day include: • Reducing your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke • Lowering blood pressure • Preventing weight gain • Enhancing your mental well-being • Reducing your risk of osteoporosis • Reducing your risk of breast and colon cancer • Reducing your risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes

The goal of this year’s Pee Dee Heart Walk is $300,000. Sheryl and her team are remaining optimistic as the walk approaches. “Last year, there were six research awards in South Carolina worth over $750,000 dollars that the American Heart Association thought was valuable research, but we did not have the funding to support them. Reaching our $300,000 goal would give us an opportunity to fund some of the important research projects that previously we had to turn away due to lack of funds.” In addition to funding research, the Heart Walk helps the AHA fund public health education, such as CPR classes, and advocate for laws that protect and improve the health of Pee Dee citizens.

Sharing this education is a crucial component to saving lives and is now offered to South Carolina high school students, as the AHA helped pass a law requiring CPR classes to be taught as a part of health education and as a requirement for graduation.

At this year’s walk, face painting and games will be offered at the Kids’ Area.

There will also be health screenings and a special VIP section for those who raise over $1000 or more for the AHA. In celebration of survivors, attendees will receive special hats at the event. Heart and stroke survivors will receive a free red or white cap, and children born with a congenital heart defect will receive a red cape. After all, they are superheroes in the eyes of their loved ones!

The Lifestyle Change Award will be present to an individual who has made significant, positive changes to improve their quality of life and overall health, there’s also a t-shirt contest and a costume contest for both kids and adults.

It’s never too late to become involved with this heartfelt cause.

You can walk with friends, family, or coworkers.

Register to walk for free and more details, visit peedeeheartwalk.org.

The Pee Dee Heart Walk will be held on November 12th.

Check the website for location.

If your company is interested in sponsoring the walk, contact Sheryl Love at sheryl.love@heart.org.

2015 Event: Oldest Survivor

2015 Event: Young Survivors

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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COVER STORY Patricia Burkett Photography

Strategically Planning E V E RY M OV E story by Patricia Burkett

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“You have to be moving two moves ahead.”

For the Signature Wealth Strategies team, the sights have always been set on what’s coming up next.

In 2013, the team committed to move into Downtown Florence, long before any signs of revitalization took hold and long before they had any real clue as to whether or not their hunch to relocate would pay off.

“There comes a time in any revitalization where the public sector has done all it can do. After some key investors and developers stepped up to the plate, we were able to join in on the efforts and saw the momentum slowly begin to build in the right direction,” Signature CEO Chip Munn said of the decision to move downtown.

Fast-forward to 2016. Munn and his team now look down from their Waters Building offices onto crowded, music filled-streets during Florence After Five events, can walk to meet clients for food and drinks at any one of several downtown restaurants and have a front-row seat to the progress they envisioned so many years ago.

“We wanted more.”

Many things have changed over the last four-plus decades, but one thing hasn’t: the presence of the advisors of Signature Wealth Strategies in the Carolinas. It all started with Bob Mitchell who decided to leave the FBI in 1970 for a career in the investment business. In 1993, his son Scott Mitchell would join him and in 1998, Munn joined the practice. Throughout those decades, the group changed names and companies a time or two, brought on Myrtle Beach-based partner Lewis Butler, Chief Compliance Officer Quincy Kennedy and spent nearly 14 years under the umbrella of Hilliard Lyons. With each passing year, the team’s spirit of entrepreneurship kept it one step ahead of the pack.

and customized plans and the ability to help families plan their financial futures with confidence. In the Spring of 2016, Signature Wealth Strategies was born.

“We didn’t worry about whether or not we would fly. There were several things that played into feeling comfortable making a decision like that. We do research and planning for a living, that’s what we do. We researched options, we created a plan and we executed it, that’s what we do every day and this was no different,” Munn said.

“World-class technology, headquartered at home.”

Today, the Signature team is more focused on the future than ever before. The group plans to expand its presence at the beach, is developing additional resources that will make financial planning accessible to an even larger group of people and is utilizing new technology and tools that allow clients to have immense amounts of access, control and perspective over their financial futures. Munn said the secret to Signature’s success lies in the team’s ability to anticipate the industry’s next moves and to strategize their plays to stay one step ahead of the curve.

“We’ve always worked, for 18 years, as a team. I think that the idea of an entrepreneur being a single person is not necessarily accurate. I think that a group collectively can have the entrepreneurial spirit. None of us does anything on our own. We are a team in the truest sense of the word,” Munn said.

Patricia Burkett Photography

Then, in 2015, the pack sped up.

Munn and the other team members began to see the kinds of tools they could incorporate into their practice, if only they had the available technology and resources to do so. The team began to increasingly feel the itch to spread their entrepreneurial wings as an independent firm.

“We wanted to be able to continue to deepen our client relationships, we wanted more tools, we kept wanting more and to be able to expand what we offered to people and to be able to communicate with them where they were,” Munn said.

In 2016, the desire for “more” led Munn and his team to start their own, independent firm that would bear the name of the concepts they held most dear: the desire to provide unique November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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COVER STORY

Mission: Our sincere desire is to help a select group of families plan their financial futures with confidence by providing comprehensive strategies, financial solutions and concierge level service.

Fundamental Services Financial Planning Building and preserving your personal wealth requires specialized attention. Signature Wealth Strategies has developed a process designed to assess where you are now and where you intend to be with customized solutions that address your distinct needs. Your one-on-one guidance from specialized investors will only take the necessary risks to reasonably reach your financial goal. Collaboratively, Signature provides a plan and monitors those decisions over time in order to benefit its members the most.

Investment Management Signature offers an investment management process that takes the conventional factors used to determine portfolio allocation (age, risk tolerance and investment time horizon) and applies two other concepts as well. Those concepts are current economic factors and investor sentiment. Overall investment allocation varies based on current events such as interest rate environment or the price of oil, Signature makes adjustments for these type of factors.

Key Services: Executives With corporate governance now more stringent than ever, executing corporate goals can easily force executives to neglect their personal life and personal finances. At Signature, advisors can organize a plan tailored to you and then focus on carrying out your mission while you focus on carrying out the mission of your company.

Entrepreneurs Signature understands the commitment required from business owners. Managing inventory, customer expectations and employees can leave little time or energy to focus on your personal goals. Signature advisors can help you maintain a personal plan that runs alongside your business plan so that your business serves your life, not the other way around.

Medical Professionals There are a variety of things that medical professionals deal with on a daily basis that have little to do with providing care. The repercussions of the Affordable Care Act are far-reaching and much of the burden falls on the medical practitioner. Signature advisors understand the mental, physical and time constraints that have been added to your day. They can design a care plan tailored specifically to your financial needs while you’re busy meeting the needs of others.

Patricia Burkett Photography Quincy Kennedy, Scott Mitchell, Lewis Butler and Chip Munn

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Vision: To enable our clients who understand the value of advice, to plan their family’s financial futures with confidence.

Exceptional Character “Scott Mitchell is a true leader and an outstanding ambassador for Florence-Darlington Technical College. Scott is Membership Chairman for the FDTC Educational Foundation Board of Directors. He is a self-motivated individual who is comfortable managing several projects simultaneously, which is what it takes to actually engage in the College’s activities and manage one’s own business. Scott is a consummate professional that one can always count on …he has a passion for volunteering and the energy to bring others along!”

- Jill Lewis, VP, Institutional Advancement & Development, FDTC

“Chip Munn has been involved with the McLeod Foundation since 2007. He is a strong believer in the work of McLeod Health, not only through his philanthropy, but also through sharing his gifts of time, knowledge and expertise to our work. He has been involved in our efforts to raise funds to support the McLeod Hospice House, McLeod Cancer Center for Treatment and Research, the Mobile Mammography Unit and McLeod Children’s Hospital, just to name a few. Chip shares in McLeod Health’s vision to provide medical excellence for our region.”

- Jill Bramblett, Executive Director, McLeod Foundation

“Chip is a strategic thinker, and when I was looking for board members for The Florence Downtown Development Corporation and The Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, he was at the top of my list. Running a business keeps Chip busy but he balances his time for family and his community, and is committed to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Florence and the state of South Carolina. He executes board tasks with enthusiasm and vision and is a pleasure to work with.”

- Tom Ewart, Chairman of Florence Downtown Development Corporation and Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, Chief Banking Officer at First Reliance

“We deeply appreciate Signature Wealth Strategies allowing Quincy to volunteer as not only our Board Chair for the past two years, but also as the chair of our Community Investment Committee last year. A lot of obstacles come with running a non-profit and Quincy has been the strong, level-headed, analytical person we need to help guide us through all the twists and turns. As an organization we are extremely grateful for all he has done and I, personally, am grateful for him being such a wonderful mentor to me after I accepted my new role as President.”

- Wendy Bird, President, United Way of Florence County

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FUTURE LEADERS

1425 Cherokee Rd, Florence (843) 662-8134 | aseds.com

Young Ambassadors (L-R): Tristen McKay, Jay Smith, Hannah Michael Gregory, Matthew Warren, Sophie Freeman

Blake, Drew Jeffords, Humane Society (L-R): Drew Jeffords, Drew Flynn, Tristen McKay

All Saints’ Episcopal Day School Learning, Growing, Leading story by Beth Hopewell

They come to school with enthusiasm and high expectations.

They are eager to learn. They grow by leaps and bounds every day. They develop knowledge, self-confidence, and a passion to help others. These are All Saints’ Episcopal Day School students – some of our finest future leaders.

Area Humane Society, BEDS ministry, Help4Kids, Harvest Hope and Lighthouse Ministries, and they respond to acute needs like relief efforts for Hurricane Matthew. The 3rd-6th grade class representatives visit the 3K-2nd graders each week to learn what they are doing and share news about council projects.

“Since 1960 we have enjoyed the opportunity to teach 3K-6th grade children from the Pee Dee area and all over the world,” said Headmaster Joan Pennstrom. “Education is important to their families at home. All Saints’ offers a challenging academic curriculum in a nurturing Christian environment,” she continued.

This is the 10th year of the Young Ambassadors Club (YAC), a group of 6th graders who apply are selected as leaders to represent All Saints’ Day School in admissions and other school events. They meet every week to learn and practice communication skills, etiquette, and help with open house events and other All Saints’ activities. The YAC plans and hosts Grandparents and Special Friends Day in February each year with close to 500 guests on campus. They also sponsor a community service project in the spring.

There is a strong sense of community throughout the campus.

Everyone gathers for chapel programs three mornings a week, in the gym for Spirit Day on Fridays, and there are special events each week like the 4K Apple Festival, 2nd grade fossil program, Student Council collection for the Humane Society, soccer games, and chorus performances – just to name a few!

Student leadership opportunities begin early. Classrooms are like small communities, with shared responsibilities to present creative class projects, stage performances, and foster the Christian spirit that connects students, teachers, and families. “My first chapel program each year is about the Golden Rule,” Pennstrom explained. “How we treat one another and communicate is so important at school, at home, and in every other area of our lives. When you learn and practice this important lesson it can change your life!” she said.

Student government representatives and officers on the Student Council are busy every week. They get everyone at school involved in community service projects like the Florence

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“We continue to have a solid foundation of support and a bright future at All Saints’ Day School. Our students are thriving and sharing an excitement for learning and giving. We hear about our graduates throughout middle school, high school, college, and their adult lives,” Pennstrom said.

In her 21 years at All Saints’, Pennstrom has seen consistently high student achievement, not just on paper but in action as they excel in academics, athletics, arts and sciences, and government in our community and throughout the United States. They are physicians, lawyers, journalists, musicians, judges, and small business owners who continue to have and share enthusiasm and high expectations-the All Saints’ way.

Watch the “Learning, Growing, Leading” school video at www.aseds.com

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FLORENCE COMMUNITY

Looking to Get the Biggest Bang For Your Buck?

story by Jay Lavrinc

Jay Lavrinc,

Director of Customer Relations Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce

Jay can be reached at 843-665-0515 or 843-519-0938 or by email, jlavrinc@flochamber.com.

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In today’s world of advertising, whether it is in a newspaper, magazine, TV or social media, the one opportunity that is sometimes overlooked is your local Chamber of Commerce. The question is how can the Chamber help my business with advertising and boost my sales?

whether for business with some of our major corporations, or for pleasure as they stay within the Pee Dee region. Just think about the number of people you can reach that may or may not be local residents or first time buyers here in Florence!

When you become a member of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce many things fall into place with your membership. First and foremost you are immediately listed on our website as a member. This may not seem like a big deal, however, if you take into account that the Chamber website has an average of 1,700 inquiries a month and of those inquiries over 75% are first time visits with over 50% directly from the Pee Dee area, this then becomes a major opportunity to get advertising at a very inexpensive rate.

Another advantage for a local business is that when you become a member we have a Ribbon Cutting ceremony at your place of business to welcome you to the Greater Florence Chamber. We invite the local press and our Ambassadors to the ceremony to celebrate your membership.

Typically this Ribbon Cutting ceremony will show up the next day in the business section of the Morning News. This is “instant advertising at its best.”

If you also realize, that of the 75% of first time visits, many are from out of state and also out of the country. This is especially important with the fact that people are looking for places to purchase goods while they are in Florence area

So when you are looking for better ways to stretch your advertising dollars and get the “Biggest Bang for your Buck,” look no further than your local Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. For more information on the Chamber and all of its benefits, contact us at 843-665-0515 or you can reach us at flochamber.com.

Turkey Fr yer Safety Tips HOW TO AVOID FIRE AND GREASE BURNS: • Keep fryer in full view while the burner is on.

• Place fryer in an open area away from all walls, fences, or other structures.

• Never use in, on or under a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or any structure that can catch fire.

• Raise and lower food SLOWLY to reduce splatter, avoid burns, and NEVER use a FROZEN TURKEY. • Cover bare skin when adding or removing food.

• If a fire occurs, call 911 immediately.

DO NOT attempt to extinguish the fire with water.

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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AROUND TOWN

2016 Florence Chamber Fall Golf Classic Country Club of South Carolina - October 6th

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Monster.com | 1st place

Young Professionals Group | Runner-up

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1 Monster: Eric McLamb, Drake Hoffman, Bradley Hamilton & Tommy Carpenter 2 Young Professionals: Jason Boss, Matt Brady, Jon Weiss & John Shaffer 3 Finance of America: Hank Edwards, Dewitt Sturkie, Robbie Singleton & Kevin Medlin 4 Carolinas Hospital: Darcy Craven, Loren Rials, Mark Warrin, Kyle Baxter 5 ADP: Robert Tankersley, Frank Lawrence & Larry Waite 6 McLeod Health: Mark Chapmen, Dr. Rosi & Derick Urqhart 7 BB&T: Cole Bonoit, Conrad Kellahan, Matthew Langston & Jonathon Odom 8 Pee Dee Food Service: Jack Weatherford, Preston Grantham, Mike Klim & Wayne McQuade 9 Wells Fargo: John Bankson, Amber Turner & Julle Elrdride 10 ABB: Tim Fricano, Jeff Selfe, Mark Weir & Richard Rocamontes 11 WBTW: Jeff West, Jimmy Conigliaro, Terry Moore & Shawn Carraway 12 Duke Energy: Wendell Lane, Drew Patrick & Tommy Patrick 13 Performance Foodservice: David Ghiringhelli, Richard Anderson, Mike Woodberry & Charlie Tripp 14 Duke Energy: Ray Reich & Bill Taylor 15 TD Bank: Kevin Gause, Adam Kieffer, Chad Llewellyn & Roger Gause 16 BCBS: Collin Liggett & Scott Auspelmyer 17 First Reliance Bank: Adam Cyran, Paul Sanders, Ed Hoffman & Tom Ewart 18 Carolina Bank: Brad Avent, Russ Sloan, Rick Beasley & Jim Shaw 19 FBI Construction: Mike Tyler, Robin Quigley, Kyle Gunter & Mike Illes 20 Efird Chrysler Jeep Dodge: Van Holt, Steve Garcia, Jesy Spivey & Mike Gamble 21 South State Bank: Bobby Tanner, Jamie Carsten, Keith Young & Sam Gibson 22 Pepsi: Frank Cobia, Phillip Godwin, Carson Coker & David Cicirello 23 TEAM VIP: Heather Page, Rion McAllister, Tiffany Skipper, Tuesday Taylor, Kevin Miller & Tammy Clark 24 Assurant: Brian Parrott, Kevin Todd, Brian Hickman & John Cariati 25 Pee Dee Electric: Chris Byrd, Jeff Singletary Bradley Narron & Luke Wilcox 26 Raldex: Tristen Watson, Roger Allen, Lee Freeman & Gary Taylor 27 First Bank: Spencer Jordan, Robert Fordan, John Long & Paul Seward 28 Cintas: Mark Fornari, Andy Haigler, Jon Hall & Al Hall 29 HopeHealth: Clay Oliver, Don Courtney, Carl Humphries & Bill Curtis

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PROFESSIONAL AT PLAY Fred Salley Photography

For more information, visit PatMillerBaker.com or call 843.230.5303.

Taking the Opportunity for a Second Career story by Heather Page

With pointe shoes in tow, Pat Baker followed her dreams to DC to join the Washington School of Ballet. She saw the potential in a career with dance at the early age of 16. By the age of 19, she joined Joffrey Ballet where she was able to travel the country, dancing her way across many famous stages including the San Francisco Opera House and the Lincoln Center in New York. For 33 years, Pat followed where ballet lead her and after retirement she was blessed with a new profession interior design.

Throughout her career with ballet, she often helped family and friends

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decorate their homes, quickly growing her hobby into a side business. Three years ago, Pat made the switch, retiring her ballet shoes to start her second career - Pat Miller Baker Interior Designs. She has enjoyed getting to know her clients and create a space that brings them happiness.

Over the last year Pat has had new doors open for her design business.

She was approached by business owners looking to leave the era of stuffy professional offices and create more of an inviting space with natural elements. Pat had no intentions of decorating business offices but since

the opportunity arose, she took advantage and found that she loves it.

Most recently, Ervin Engineering, a land surveying business in Florence, asked for Pat’s expertise in decorating their office space. After discovering their needs, she began digging. In a back room Pat found beautiful old maps that became her inspiration for the design.

When decorating a home or business Pat believes function first, then beauty. She produces a design for the way you live. “You can spend as much money as you’d like but in the end, if you can’t live in the space there’s no purpose,” says Pat.

SHOP•LOCAL

EAT•LOCAL

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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COMMUNITY EMBRACE

If you or someone you know has been impacted by Hurricane Matthew, feel free to call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362. A Disaster Recovery Center has been set up at Mullins City Hall to help residents with damages and losses.

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Life After The Storm story by Ella Lawson When preparing for a hurricane, we Southerners are known for preparing by buying bread and milk, flashlights, batteries, candles, firewood… The list goes on. This was no different back in October when anxiously awaiting for Hurricane Matthew. While some weren’t concerned with a Category 1 storm, others were fearing the worst. No matter, none of us were prepared for the destruction and heartbreak it would leave behind. Hundreds were evacuated as they lost their homes, some even lost family members. Roofs were damaged, trees fell upon homes and vehicles, power was out for up to a week or longer for many…worst of all, however, was the massive flooding. Storms such as Hurricane Matthew have the power to break small towns such as Marion, Mullins, and Nichols… yet it wasn’t strong enough to break its people.

This action was taken immediately after the weekend of Hurricane Matthew. Around the same time, a Facebook page was created by Karen, Brittany Fincannon, and Tammy to provide citizens with information on collection and distribution sites, food pantries, FEMA assistance, fundraisers, SNAP benefits and various other resources (known as Hurricane Matthew Operation “Adopt A Family”). The following weekend after the storm, Marion Physical Therapy was open to the public for pick-ups of needed items. Volunteers sorted clothing, distributed items, provided and unloaded donations, etc. Williamson Printing bought lunch for the 25+ volunteers helping that Friday and the Third Thursday Supper Club grilled burgers and hot dogs for volunteers working at the collection/distribution center that Saturday. Kindness was contagious in Marion and many were eager to pay it forward.

With the Southern hospitality and kindness found only in these parts of America, the citizens of Marion County, both residents and businesses, decided to take Marion Physical Therapy and action and help their fellow Wildlife Action will continue neighbors. A couple in particular, to accept essential items for Tammy and David Erwin of residents needing recovery Marion Physical Therapy, are assistance, such as toiletries, doing all they can to help by cleaning supplies, tools, school turning their business warehouse into a collection and distribution uniforms and supplies, feminine center. Tammy and David, along and personal hygiene products, with Brittany Fincannon, Debra baby wipes, diapers, etc. Toys Buffkin, Pamela Jordan, Karen are also accepted, sure to Coleman and various other bring a smile to the face of a volunteers, have worked tirelessly child impacted by the storm. to help collect, sort, distribute Something local Marion school and purchase items for those teacher Stephanie Indergaard greatly impacted by Hurricane discovered as she and the Matthew. Karen Coleman shares, Jimmy Devers, Nichols Farm Supply community collected over 1,300 “Many of us have taken numerous phone calls and text messages and have attempted to meet the stuffed animals for distribution the day school resumed. Other needs brought to our attention by members of the community relief efforts include: donation accounts at Anderson Brothers for families that have been devastated by the flooding. The Bank (all locations), the accepting and matching of donations volunteers, along with multiple Marion County businesses (Marion at Whittington Dentistry, the selling of raffle tickets for a car Physical Therapy, Donny Gerald Auto Sales, First Charter, Southern giveaway at Donny Gerald Auto Sales (all proceeds going to the Style Promotions, Whittington Dentistry, JessFit, Blanton Supplies, American Red Cross), claim assistance from First Charter and Wildlife Action and more) and local law enforcement officers from other local insurance companies, church and gift card donations, both Marion and Florence County, have all been working together adopting families, etc. More fundraisers are currently in the works. to provide families with toiletries, clothing, cleaning supplies, baby items, school uniforms, school supplies, tools, etc.”

Items have been collected and delivered to Marion Physical Therapy from across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida.

Tammy and David have packaged and delivered items to Nichols, the town that received the worst impact from Hurricane Matthew.

Tammy has attended recovery meetings to obtain necessary information on how to help her fellow Marion citizens and Pamela Jordan has been working with law enforcement in Mullins and Florence to help distribute items to Nichols and Mullins. Debra Buffkin, along with the staff of Wildlife Action in Mullins, has been accepting and distributing clothing to residents and organizing a cleaning crew from out of town to help restore homes during November.

Victims and volunteers can both agree on the same thing – their town truly is a blessing. Karen shares, “Our community is a wonderful place to live; it is filled with so many compassionate and caring people. It is heartbreaking to be surrounded by so many areas that have been destroyed by the hurricane. In order for a community to be strong, local residents must work together to help one another. Now, more than ever, is the time for us to be empathetic towards others, unite, and use the abilities God has given us to assist others in need. Many of us were fortunate and did not suffer a great loss from this hurricane, but one day, we too may walk in the same shoes of someone that was left without a place to call home.”

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Eugene Bryant, Tyler Alban, and Timmy Poston

Thank you for all of your hard work!

On October 9th, over 92% of Pee Dee Electric members were without power following Hurricane Matthew and 22 out of 34 substations lost transmission service. By Sunday, October 16th, 100% of those that could receive power were restored, with only the flooded areas remaining. During those seven days, staff and crews were working 16 hour shifts. We are grateful to the hardworking men and women that make up Pee Dee Electric.

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November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Joel Gore (above) and Steven Tucker

Thank you for all of your hard work!

More than 150,000 South Carolina Duke Energy customers lost power, with 92% of customers in the Pee Dee without power immediately following the storm. Duke Energy brought in 10,000 additional workers to aid the team in restoring power in the Carolinas. Hurricane Matthew is a reminder of the unsung heroes that work tirelessly to restore power. Duke Energy’s lineman, tree trimmers, and other support personnel put in long hours in challenging conditions to get the power turned back on as safely and quickly as possible.

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November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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AROUND TOWN

VIP Magazine would like to extend our thanks to all the linemen, first responders, and volunteers that helped during and after Hurricane Matthew.

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November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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TECH SAVVY

Attract New Customers and Increase Revenue

Market Your Business Online

by Miranda Hebert, CEO, Local Impact

If you want your business to succeed, you need to start marketing online! In today’s internet-driven economy, it is absolutely necessary to create a quality website, establish a presence on social media, and take advantage of the power of e-mail marketing. Marketing your business online is more effective than traditional marketing channels such as TV, radio, or direct mail. You can get more results with less money and connect with your target audience in a highly personalized way!

4A QUALITY WEBSITE IS A POWERFUL MARKETING TOOL3 A website helps people find your business, generates new customers, and drives revenue. You should link your website to every social media post and email so people can easily find more information about your business, products, and services. A website can also make sales online, collect information, generate leads, answer frequently asked questions, cut down on timeconsuming phone calls, reduce paperwork . . . the possibilities and marketing opportunities are endless! Keep in mind that over 75% of people access the Internet via mobile devices; therefore, your website must be responsive, meaning it functions properly on smart phones and tablets.

4UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE REGULARLY3 People judge your business based on the quality of your website. If your website is exciting and engaging, people will be more likely to hire you or purchase a product from you! Likewise, if your website is outdated, people will assume the same about your company and will hire one of your competitors instead.

You should update the information on your website as often as possible and update the design at least once per year.

4HELP PEOPLE FIND YOUR WEBSITE3 What good is a website if people can’t find it? Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an Internet marketing strategy that

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increases the number of visitors to your website. SEO is a smart investment for every business, and you can use tools such as Google Analytics to track the return on your investment. Beware of SEO scams – they typically guarantee that your business will appear at the top of Google search results or they claim they have a special relationship with Google.

4SOCIAL MEDIA IS VALUABLE AND EFFECTIVE3 Using social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.) is an easy way to reach and engage more people. Social media enables you to build your brand, advertise promotions and events, connect with customers, share information, answer questions about your products or services, drive traffic to your website, grow your e-mail database, and more! If you are not using social media, or if you are not using it the right way, you are missing out on customers!

4E-MAIL MARKETING DRIVES REVENUE3 Start using e-mail marketing to increase revenue immediately!

It’s easy, effective, and inexpensive, and the return on investment is incredible! Numerous studies show that every $1 spent on email marketing returns $38 to $44 in revenue. If you are not already collecting email addresses from your customers, start today! Your customers want to receive coupons from you, and they enjoy reading emails that educate and engage them.

You should send an email to your network at least twice per month – many businesses send emails on a weekly basis.

4VISIT LOCALIMPACT.CO FOR A FREE CONSULTATION3 Local Impact specializes in helping businesses develop and implement online marketing strategies at affordable rates.

Miranda Hebert is the CEO of Local Impact. She can be reached by calling 803-248-4149 or emailing miranda@localimpact.co.

November 2016 | VIP Magazine

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AROUND TOWN

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2ND PLACE : BBQ COOKOFF

1ST PLACE : BBQ COOKOFF

WING WINNER

3RD PLACE : BBQ COOKOFF

1ST PLACE : CHILI COOKOFF

2ND PLACE : CHILI COOKOFF

Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce

3rd Annual Chili, Brews & BBQ Downtown Florence October 21 & 22 People’s Choice Wings Winner: Bucky’s Bar-B-Q Chili Cook Off 2nd place: Otis Elevator 2nd place: Victors BBQ Cook Off 1st place: Tail Gater Hater 2nd place: Bucky’s Bar-B-Q 3rd place: Monkey Bottom BBQ

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TIME TO TOAST

Local Salute

Volenteers Join Together For Clean Up Darlington Day Kalmia Garden Study Club, Kiwanis Club, and Darlington High School Honors College students helped clean up Darlington on Saturday morning. Projects included planting flowers, putting out pine straw, and trimming trees among other things.

• Volunteers included Laura Burns, Ronda Brown, Abbigail Rogers, Adrianna Shealy, Felicia Rogers, Julie Howle, Myra Bumgarner, Anayely Olvera-Lozano, Savannah Odom, Doris Mims, Joe Gates, Bobby Kilgo, Will Johnson, Preston Kelly, Lisa Rock, Lou Kirchen, Karen Sprott, Delette Jordan, Margaret Baggett, Marie Ross, M. Wilson, Echo McDonalad, Diane Langston, Faye Dixon, and Joan Alston.

Sam Cabris Group of Darlington County Organize Hurricane Matthew Cleanup Sam Carbis Solutions Group of Darlington County brought a busload of employees to assist with clean up in the City of Darlington on Tuesday morning. The teams of volunteers chopped up downed trees and debris at several locations across town including Lee Street, Pine Street, Grove Hill Cemetery, South Ervin Street, and South Warley Street among others.

• Group photo: Sam Cabris Solutions Group with the City of Darlington Fire Department and Darlington Mayor, Gloria C. Hines taken at Grove Hill Cemetery

Courtney McGinnis Graham Community Shelter Opens in Florence Friends, volunteers, community leaders, and members of the House of Hope organization celebrated the grand opening of the Courtney McGinnis Graham Community Shelter on October 16 with a ribbon cutting at the shelter on Church Street.

The new shelter represents broad community collaboration, driven by the contributions of the McGinnis family in honor of their daughter Courtney, a community activist with a special heart for helping the homeless. Graham died suddenly last year. Local governments, churches, foundations and individuals have contributed to the shelters up fit and its operational costs.

The House of Hope, which already operates two transitional shelters in Florence County, will operate the new community shelter.

The shelter will provide daily, temporary housing for approximately 40 individuals. It has separate sections for men, women and families. The roughly 6,000-square foot facility includes kitchen and dining facilities, and space for limited counseling and job search services.

Bryan Braddock, executive of the House of Hope, says the new shelter meets a vital community need. “The Courtney McGinnis Graham Shelter will help the area’s homeless population take a much-needed first step,” says Braddock. “We believe it fills something of a void in the community by offering those in need an emergency shelter where the can be safe and can began a process of recovery. We’re grateful to all those who have made it possible. It’s a wonderful legacy that has come out of the tragedy of Courtney’s passing.”

John McGinnis and Cade, Courtney’s son

The shelter will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Paid staff from House of Hope will provide the administrative backbone for the shelter, but it will depend heavily on volunteers.

• For more information on volunteering and donating, contact Bryan at 843-667-9000, bbraddock@hofh.org or visit www.hofh.org.

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In the Spotlight Dove Data Products Becomes First ISO 9001:2015 Certified Company in South Carolina Dove Data Products, Inc., a leader in toner remanufacturing and a national provider of printing solutions for an extensive line of laser printers, copiers, and fax machines, recently announced that they received ISO 9001:2015 certification. They are the first company to earn this award not only in Florence County but also the state of South Carolina. In addition, Dove Data Products announced the achievement of STMC re-certification.

“This ISO 9001:2015 certification acknowledges our continuing drive for excellence in our re-manufacturing process which translates into our customers finding the best products in the marketplace,” said Rick Coxe, CEO. Dove Data Products quality management system has met the quality requirements of ISO 9001:2015 and continues to be a part of a select group of companies in the Global International Standards Organizations.

Recently, the company has also initiated a lean enterprise transformation of their production process while working towards Lean Six Sigma certification. Their contingent of six trained and certified green and yellow belts has resulted in a reduction of manufacturing costs while improving productivity. This has allowed Dove to become a higher quality product manufacturer who can keep up with the increased customer demands.

Coxe continued, “Our ability to achieve this ISO certification is due to the hard work of our employees every day and their dedication to meeting these requirements directly results in better products for our customers. We strongly believe in customer satisfaction and our commitment to our customers is reflected in our ISO 9001:2015 achievement as well as our goal to move to a Lean Six Sigma process. Due to the latest technology in remanufacturing, Dove Data Products, Inc. is a large contributor to global recycling and is committed to helping to create a cleaner environment.

Main Street Hartsville Host Two Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Grand Openings of Downtown Businesses

Carolina Canners, Inc. Expanding Chesterfield County Operations

Anna Byrd, BSN, RN, LNHA Receives Promotion as Executive Director of Morrell Nursing Center Morrell Nursing Center and The Rehab at Morrell announce the promotion of Anna Byrd to Executive Director of Morrell Nursing Center. Anna is a graduate of both Florence Darlington Technical College and Western Governor’s University. She has years of proven management and nursing experience as Morrell’s Director of Nursing. Anna is dedicated to providing excellent care to seniors Morrell Nursing Center is located at 900 North Marquis Highway in Hartsville, SC.

The ribbon cutting and grand opening of LighterSide was hosted

by Main Street Hartsville on Thursday, October 20.

The celebration included a night with champagne, cake and live music.

LighterSide is the home of feel good food and drinks with 16 beers on tap. It is located at 217 North Fifth Street in Hartsville.

Main Street Hartsville celebrated the opening of Griggs Circle Bakery with a ribbon cutting on Saturday, October 22. Griggs Circle Bakery handcrafts breads, breakfast items and custom cakes with love and other quality ingredients. It is located at 116 North Fifth Street in Hartsville.

Carolina Canners, Inc., an independent Pepsi bottler and production cooperative, hosted a ground breaking ceremony on October 25 for it’s $45-million, 45,000-square-feet plant expansion in Cheraw, S.C. Expected to create 40 new jobs within the coming year, the new hot-fill manufacturing line will be used primarily to produce the Pepsi-Lipton Tea Partnership’s fast-growing Pure Leaf, a premium iced tea brewed from real tea leaves.

Hiring for the new positions will begin in the second quarter of 2017. A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for May, 2017.

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PAYING IT FORWARD

Honoring 40 years of Service

WALTER SPARROW story by Amy Moore

Chartered by the SC Secretary of State, the Florence County Disabilities Foundation was founded in July of 1992 to provide both financial and volunteer support services to the Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board. Since inception, and under the direction of Walter M. Sparrow, the Foundation has grown from providing life enhancing services for 75 individuals to over 1400 individuals with life long disabilities in every municipality throughout Florence County.

During Walter Sparrow’s tenure as Director, the Foundation (chartered as a 501-”C” “3” non-profit) developed and began operating five Pee Dee Thrift stores. The Pee Dee Thrift stores provide 50% of income for the foundation as well as training and employment opportunities for over 35 adult individuals with life long disabilities. The thrift stores also operate as a clothing bank to citizens in the community that have been referred to the Foundation from local Fire Departments and civic organizations. They ask for your donations through their eight bins at various county recycling centers and they are available to pick up your larger donations as well.

The funding from the stores, coupled with corporate and individual donations, allows the Foundation to provide much needed services to citizens in the Florence and surrounding communities living with life long disabilities. From early intervention services to children with congenital disabilities, to providing residential care to 150 adults, and even providing burial services to consumers without surviving family members, the mission of the Foundation is to meet the needs of their consumers.

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According to Board Chairman, Paul Seward, “Walter Sparrow has been an integral part of assisting individuals with disabilities in Florence County for decades. Working with and advocating for these individuals has been his lifelong passion and mission…”. Born from Sparrow’s passion, the “Making a Difference at Christmas” campaign was founded. On Christmas Eve 25 years ago, Walter discovered that six individuals in the care of the DSN Board had no surviving family and would be spending Christmas alone.

That evening, he personally purchased gifts for the residents and brought all six individuals to his mother’s house for Christmas dinner. He vowed to himself that no individual served by the DSN Board in Florence would go without gifts or adopted families on Christmas Day. Today, the Foundation provides Christmas gifts to over 450 individuals that might otherwise not receive during the holidays.

“Walter Sparrow has been an integral part of assisting individuals with disabilities in Florence County for decades. Working with and advocating for these individuals has been his lifelong passion and mission…”

-Paul Seward, Board Chairman

After 40 years of dedicated service to differently abled individuals, Walter retired this past September and stated, “I have been extremely fortunate to come along at a time when there was a major focus in South Carolina on de-institutionalization and developing community services to help families keep their loved ones at home. Florence County has been very fortunate to have a strong Board of Directors and dedicated volunteers and supporters who have helped make our county one of the more progressive in South Carolina in providing these desperately needed services.”

Paul Seward, Board Chairman, along with the 23 member volunteer Board of Directors, will miss Walter. Seward states, “Our Board has been honored to work with Walter and we are grateful for his many years of service to our community.” Walter leaves a legacy of service that the new Executive Director, Anne Carpenter, looks forward to continuing.

“Walter is a wonderful example of a great leader and I will have my job cut out for me to continue his work with the Foundation. The Foundation has so many dedicated and passionate employees and volunteers, including a caring Board of Directors, and I know we will continue to move in a positive direction. I am very excited to be a part of this group and the good work they do.”

In the upcoming year, the Foundation has big plans. The FCDF will provide funding to over 50 athletes to participate in the Special Olympics, four of which are from Florence County. They will compete this spring in the World Olympics in Austria. The Foundation also supports a Spring Prom for more than 500 consumers. Other events include a talent show that focuses on the abilities of the talented performances and artists as well as other programs that include aquatic therapy, equine therapy, and music and art therapy. Consumers throughout the state compete in the “Amazing Art by Special Artists” during ArtFields in Lake City, SC. They will provide aquatic therapy for children with Cerebral Palsy allowing children to experience freedom of movement that cannot be felt outside of the therapies. And there are many more activities planned for the year!

For twenty-four years, the FCDF has been the trusted name in providing quality programming for individuals served by the DSN Board in our community. The caring and generosity of neighbors and local businesses have grown the Florence County Disabilities Foundation (FCDF) to the largest and most active DSN Foundation in South Carolina. It has provided approximately two million dollars worth of services to enhance and enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities throughout Florence County.

If you would like to be a part of this story, you can help change someone’s life by donating to the Florence County Disabilities Foundation.

The Foundation looks forward to sharing it’s successes with you in person and through their website.

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Family Grown Business Bazen’s Landscaping, Scott & Will Bazen Twenty seven years ago, if you were to drive among our Florence neighborhoods, you would very likely spot a young Will Bazen working diligently cutting grass and pruning hedges under his father’s direction. If you were really lucky, you might just get a glimpse of the youngest, Scott Bazen, eagerly tagging behind and “helping” like children do. They were always perusing the streets, in true entrepreneurial fashion, hunting small lawn care jobs and loving every moment! Will was a teenager with no greater plans than to earn money for the next concert. Scott was a young boy who only had dreams of growing up to be just like his father and big brother. Wally Bazen was just looking for a way to teach his sons the value of a dollar earned by hard work. They had no way of knowing the doors this family hobby was about to open.

As Scott hit high school, his training with Wally began. Scott started by going out with Wally on weekends when Will was gone to this concert or that festival. Together, they perfected their trade and began to earn a respectable reputation in the lawn care industry. A lifelong Florentine, Wally was well known and liked throughout the community making the task of securing and retaining loyal clients a very natural process. Just like that, the transformation was complete. A father and his sons had created a profitable career path full of opportunities.

Scott and Will attribute a large part of their early success to their parents, especially their mother Mary Bazen. Aside from the love and support that she provided her boys, it was in fact her Cadillac that they used for their work in earlier days.

The boys would hook a trailer full of lawn equipment to that Cadillac and cruise around town in search of work. If you ask them what their favorite part of their job is, they unanimously agree that they are able to work with and for great people.

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story by Rion McAllister

They love being outside and doing something that keeps them connected to nature and each other. When asked how they compromise on issues, they smirk and give a look only siblings share before answering, “we find a way to work it out.” You get the feeling that there are a lot of “rock-paper-scissors” type decisions made behind the scenes.

They have since graduated from their mother’s faithful Cadillac. What started out as a lawn care maintenance operation has evolved to include and primarily focus on commercial construction landscaping services. Bazen’s Landscaping have made the new build and renovation processes completely turn-key for quite some time now.

After years of experience, they have developed an expertise in blueprint, lighting, irrigation, and hardscaping design and execution. In 2014 Bazen’s Landscaping ventured out again to include a retail store, Inland Garden, located at the Farmers Market. Inland Garden has allowed them to share their first hand knowledge about grow-ability of certain trees and shrubs with the rest of the Pee Dee Region.

Over the years the family and the business has seen many ups and downs, most notably the loss of their patriarch Wally Bazen. The Bazen brothers continued in their father’s footsteps and no matter what life brought their way, Bazen’s Landscaping has continued to enjoy amazing success. When you ask them what they attribute their success to, they give all of the credit to the fabulous clients and employees they consider family. They have come a long way from two boys and a Cadillac some twenty-seven years ago. Their story is a tribute to how, with dedication and hard work, a small town entrepreneur can reach success at unimaginable heights.

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HAPPENINGS

NOVEMBER

CALENDAR HARTSVILLE 4: Live2Lead: Transform Hartsville, Center Theater, 8a-12:30p 10: Women’s Leadership Network, Brandi’s on College, 5:30p-7p 10: Downtown Block Party featuring PaperWork, 6p-9p 12: Hartsville Farmers Market, E. Carolina Ave, 9a-1p 17: Downtown Holiday Celebration: Tree Lighting, Holiday Open House, Pictures with Santa, and real snow, 6p-9p Centennial Farmers Market, every Thursday, 4-7pm Downtown, between Centennial Park & First Citizens Bank Centennial Farmers Market focuses on fresh, local food

DARLINGTON 5: Southeastern Bluegrass Association of SC Concert, Darlington Music Hall, 4p 6: Thomas Pandolfi, Trinity United Methodist Church, 5p, free 11: Veteran’s Day Memorial, Darlington Square 11-12: Speed & Feed Cook-Off/Car Show, Darlington Raceway

LAKE CITY 5: ColorFall, Moore Farms Botanical Garden, 8:30a-2p 5: Drawing in Nature Holiday Edition, MFBG, 9a-4p 8: City Council Meeting, 7p-9p 10: Thanksgiving Centerpieces, MFBG, 9:30a-2p 11: FDT’s Grill Master Challenge, The Bean Market, 6p-8p 15: History: Seeds of Marion’s Men, Whitehead Infirmary 7p-8p 17: Holiday Appetizers, MFBG, 1:30-3:30p 19: Super Tasters!, MFBG, 10a – 11:30a Month-long events: Thursdays – Farmers Market, Pole Barn, 1:30-6:30p

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FLORENCE 1: Kiwanis BBQ Fundraiser, Rogers BBQ, 11a-2p 1: Florence Welcoming Club Meeting, 7p 1: Florence Co Museum Annual Oyster Roast, 558 Spruce St, 6:30p 1: FMU Concert Band, FMU PAC, 7:30p 2: FMU Music Industry Ensemble, FMU, 7:30p 3: FDTC’s 52nd Anniversary Celebration, SiMT, 6p 5: 13th Annual SC Pecan Festival, Downtown, 10a 5: Business Empowerment and Shopping Expo, Civic Center, 11a 6: PDLT’s 6th Annual Bountiful Brunch, Boxwood Plantation, 12p 6: Daylight Savings Time Ends 8: Election Day 10: Cooks for Christ, WF Fire Department 10: Enrique Graf, FMU PAC, 7:30p 10: Merry Marketplace, SiMT, 6p-9p 11: Merry Marketplace, SiMT, 10a-9p 11: Florence Veterans Day Ceremony, Florence Veterans Park, 11a 11: I Love the 90’s Tour, Civic Center, 8p 12: Fabulous Fall Garage Sale, Carolinas Parking Lot, 7a 12: Merry Marketplace, SiMT, 9a-6p 12: All 4 Autism presents Bandwagon, Boxwood Plantation, 12p 12: Hands of Hope, Waters Building, 4-11p 12: FMU Steel Drum Band/Yelodrama, FMU PAC, 4p 11-12: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, FLT, 7:30p 13: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, FLT, 3p 13: Merry Marketplace, SiMT, 12p-5p 15: ‘Embrace’ Screening, Regal Cinema Swamp Fox, 7:30p 15-19: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, FLT, 7:30p 14: Florence Symphony Orchestra: Remembrance, FMU PAC, 7:30p 16: ‘Helping Hands Outreach’, College Park Baptist Church, 6:30p 17: An Evening with Danny Gokey, Civic Center, 7p 18: 2016 Oktoberfest, Downtown, 5:30p 18: An Evening for Mercy, Palmetto Peddlers, 7p 18: Tanya Tucker Live, Civic Center, 7:30p 18: FMU Percussion Ensemble, FMU PAC, 7:30p 19: Car, Truck & Bike Show, St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9a 19: The Grass Roots, FMU PAC, 7:30p 19: A Day with Santa & Holiday Auction, McLeod Medical Plaza, Breakfast 8:30a-11:30p, Lunch 1p-4p 20: Trinity-Byrnes Open House, 2-4p 21: FMU String Ensemble, FMU PAC, 7:30p 22: FMU Guitar Studio Concert, FMU PAC, 7:30p 23: Love Jones The Musical, Civic Center, 8p 24: Happy Thanksgiving!

26: Small Business Saturday 28: WWE Live Holiday Tour, Civic Center, 7:30p 29: FMU Jazz Combo, FMU PAC, 7:30p

Month-long events: Wednesdays - Wine Down Wednesday, Dolce Vita, 7:30p Thursdays - Trivia Night, Southern Hops, 7p

FEATURED EVENT

Get ready to travel down memory lane as the I Love The 90’s Tour comes to Florence. Featuring performances from Vanilla Ice, Salt N Pepa with Spinderella, Kid N Play, Rob Base, Coolio, Tone Loc and Young MC the tour reunites these fan favorites for one incredible night of hit after hit after hit that will have everyone reminiscing.

The 1990’s was a vibrant decade marked by multiculturalism and globalization which was enhanced by a piece of game changing technology known then as the world wide web. One of the era’s most successful TV shows, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, dramatically & comedically displayed how hip hop culture was spread across the suburbs. Dope, fresh & da bomb became regular vernacular, baggy pants & backwards baseball hats were the 8th grade uniform and the music of Salt-NPepa (“Push it”), Coolio (“Gangsta’s Paradise”), Kid ‘n Play (“Rollin’ with Kid ‘n Play”), Rob Base (“It Takes Two”) & Young MC (“Bust a Move”) were taking over top 40 radio.

Friday, November 11, 2016 Doors at 7pm / Show at 8pm Florence Civic Center

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DEVELOPING DOWNTOWN FLORENCE

What’s New Downtown?

NEXT STOP? DOWNTOWN! story by Ella Lawson

In 2015, the PDRTA partnered with Genesis Health, a company that facilitates neighborhood health clinics in Darlington and Olanta. With plans to open a new clinic in Lamar in 2016, Genesis Health wanted to support a method of transportation for their patients to get to and from appointments. With the understanding that PDRTA is a public agency, Genesis offered its support in hopes of inspiring other businesses in the community to do the same.

In early 2016, the PDRTA met with Hope Health in Florence to see if a similar partnership could be developed to resolve transportation issues for their patients.

PDRTA Executive Director Chuck MacNeil recalls, “They shared that since their new facility opened on Irby Street and they were maintaining services at their East Palmetto Street facility as well, they had to get clients to and from both facilities and felt a shuttle service would be of benefit.” This led to meetings with various stakeholders in Downtown Florence, including City Manager Drew Griffin, who saw a Downtown Florence shuttle as a potential solution to the issues with

parking and traffic due to construction and revitalization efforts. Director of Access to Health Pee Dee Joe Bittle, didn’t hesitate to offer his support as well, believing the shuttle would be a great benefit for citizens to get to and from various health services around the downtown area.

This summer, a summit meeting was held with representatives from the City of Florence, downtown medical practices, the Luther F. Carter Center for Health Sciences and private businesses to discuss a PDRTA proposal on a downtown shuttle service and the appropriate funds needed to operate this successfully. All agreed the service would be beneficial and thus funding commitments were received from the City of Florence, Hope Health, and Access to Health Pee Dee. Other health services eventually committed to funding as well, helping the shuttle service with enough support to last at least through June 2017. A federal grant was secured in September, allowing the shuttle service to initiate plans of becoming operational.

Chuck shares, “The goal of the shuttle is to provide a convenient and quick option for anyone to get around Downtown Florence. Instead of spending time walking to and from

a parked car, anyone can board the new shuttle as it goes by and get to anywhere along the route. The service operates Monday through Friday every 15 minutes between 11AM and 3PM, and every 30 minutes between 9AM and 11AM and between 3PM and 5PM. It goes by most of the common destinations downtown, some more than once every trip.” Best of all? There is no cost to ride on one of the two brand new six-passenger minivans, both fully accessible just as are all PDRTA transport vehicles. A vehicle with larger passenger capacity will be considered once demand for the shuttle increases. “Should the service become a great success, our goal is to one day have new attractive clean-air vehicles, which can be procured with 80% federal funds.”

This program is also catered to business professionals working in and around Downtown Florence, as those with various appointments in different locations will find the shuttle to be a timesaver as opposed to walking to and from parking lots. Passengers can also get to the many restaurants and retail stores located downtown, and medical students at the Luther F. Carter Health Sciences Center can easily travel to McLeod Regional Medical Center.

Indeed, it is a great benefit for all!

“The service operates Monday through Friday every 15 minutes between 11AM and 3PM, and every 30 minutes between 9AM and 11AM and between 3PM and 5PM. It goes by most of the common destinations downtown, some more than once every trip.”

- Chuck MacNeil

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AGRIBUSINESS

OUTDOOR LIFE:

Hunting Season Find your sanctuary with ArborOne. story by Heather Page

The first cool nights in October remind us that fall is rolling in here in the Pee Dee Region. College football is in full swing, dove shoots have us gathered on Saturdays, and the best deer hunting is just around the corner.

For many outdoor enthusiasts, fall is our favorite time of year for reasons as abundant as the colors of a fall sky.

ArborOne has offices in Florence and Conway. We are here to help, with over 100 years of lending experience.

Give us a call today, and you can be ready for the next season!

For more information, find us on Facebook at ArborOne Farm Credit, visit us at www.arborone.com, or give us a call at (843) 662-1527.

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The build up towards fall begins with the preparation for hunting season. Each year that starts just as the leaves are starting to fill the oak trees in April. Food plots being planted, dove fields prepared, trees trimmed and pond dams mowed are just some of the tasks of land owners across the state that begin in the spring. While these tasks may seem burdensome to some, if you ask most land managers or land owners what their favorite part of the process is, often times they will tell you it is the preparation for the fall that they like the most. Why is that? It’s the satisfaction that comes with doing something and doing it well - the feeling of knowing that your hard work has prepared this property - and that feeling is very rewarding.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has structured the game laws in a way that allow sufficient access to game from hunters while still protecting the wildlife for

future seasons and generations. We are fortunate in South Carolina to have an abundant source of game, and a wide variety as well. Turkeys in the spring lead to dove, deer and ducks from fall through winter. The longstanding favorite, bobwhite quail, is mounting a comeback across the state thanks in part to conservation groups and proactive land managers.

In other words, there’s pretty much always something in season in South Carolina.

Recreational properties and hunting properties are often gathering places.

No matter what region of the Pee Dee you may reside or hunt in, fall gives land owners the perfect opportunity to showcase their property to friends and family. The summer months preparing fields for dove hunting and food plots for deer now have an audience of hunters and game alike. For those of us with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, nothing will replace the feeling of taking a child hunting or on a walk through of your own property.

Who doesn’t want to have a place to escape to on the weekends, where you can ride a four-wheeler, hunt, fish, entertain or just relax? Here’s where ArborOne comes in.

If the idea of owning a property were you can manage the land to promote interaction with wildlife

and nature excites you, ArborOne can help you get there.

Maybe you already own such a property but need assistance improving it to its potential with additional equipment or improvements such as a pond or tree plantings. Or maybe you own the land but need to add a cabin, barn or other structure.

Whatever the situation, ArborOne has loan products to assist you.

And if it’s the perfect rural retreat you are looking for, ArborOne offers long term fixed rate land loans for recreational and hunting properties. And—our loans have no balloons and no surprises. We also finance the equipment and resources necessary to make that one property your dream property—one that you can pass down for generations to come. One where you can make lasting memories for your family and friends.

Finally, at ArborOne, we work with you every step of the way to help make your recreational retreat dreams a reality.

Our relationship managers hunt and fish in the same areas that you want to, and they’ll come to your office or property to discuss your plans and needs. After all, ArborOne has been financing rural America since 1916 - we are your recreational property experts!

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Fred Salley Photography

“In the 9 years that I’ve worked for ADP, I’ve learned so much. I am the first point of contact for clients and guests that visit ADP. I love working for a company that cares enough to bring excitement to the workplace.” #Hellowork

-Lakecha Rainey Receptionist at ADP

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www.adp.com

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