November 2017

Publisher Tammy Clark tmclark225@gmail.com Editor Heather Page heather@vipmagsc.com Office Manager Tiffany Skipper jtskipp35@gmail.com Advertising Executive Mary Kevin Miller marykevinmiller@gmail.com Advertising Executive Jordan Pupa jordan@vipmagsc.com

Contributing Photographers Nancy Devon Carsten Dewey Ervin Phillip Guyton Bradley Lail Contributing Writers Pasha Buyck Elizabeth Campbell, EA Ashley Elvington Ryan Mosier Edward O’Dell, M.D. Jordan Pupa Elaine Sealey Mark Spuring Donna Tracy

Creative Design Tuesday Taylor

Serving Florence, Hartsville, Darlington, Marion, Mullins, Lake City and the surrounding areas 2011-B Second Loop Rd, Florence, SC 29501 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

For advertising rates, call 843-687-4236.

COVER CONCEPT

Greater Lake City Community Development Office is hosting the first Lake City Launchpad and inviting the public to take part. Until December 31st, 2017, you have an opportunity to apply for a grant to win $55,000 to open your business in Historic Downtown Lake City!

Devon Carsten with NDC Photography captured the team perfectly. Her interviews with current Downtown Lake City business owners will be unforgettable.

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ISSUE 24

NOVEMBER CONTENTS 10 Celebrating History Florence Veterans Park

12 Balancing Act Kelli Kaye

24 Business Spotlight

46 Happenings

Duke Energy

27-29 Cover Story Lake City Launchpad

48 Time to Toast 50 Pay It Forward Child & Family Resource Foundation

14 Business Spotlight Wise Design

30 Fashion for Work & Play Lake City Boutiques

52 Tech Savvy KRACK | Mark Spurling

16 Pay It Forward #GivingTuesday

32 Table Talk Blaire Burdette with Pieces

54 All Access Palmetto Arts

18 Executives at Play Florence Junior League

34 Florence Community Elaine Sealey

56 Launch Alive & Well

20 Under The Dome Wilcox, Buyck, & Williams, P.A.

36 Health & Wellness Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center

58 Tax Prep Checking that List | Elizabeth Campbell

22 Innovate Dillon County | Alive on I-95

38 Advocating Healthcare HopeHealth

60 Employee Spotlight Pee Dee Food Service

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November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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CELEBRATING HISTORY

Celebrating Veterans Florence Veterans Park dedicates new monument: November 11th at 11am

Since inception, Brown Memorials, a sixth generation company in Florence, has been involved with nearly every project displayed in the park. The US Air Force and US Army monuments were both designed by Bran Oswalt of Brown Memorials.

Alex Palkovich, internationally acclaimed sculptor and local Florentine, has worked on six of the monuments. The work of local artists has proven that the Florence Veterans Park committee members are taking full advantage of the huge talent the area offers.

“This November is significant because the Park will dedicate a monument to our men and women who served in Vietnam,” says 10

VIP Magazine | November 2017

If it’s on Veteran’s Day or for your next stroll on the Rail Trail, take a moment to view the mixture of art and history that complete this outdoor museum. “There is beauty, not only in the monuments and sculptures, but also how the City maintains the grounds. Some consider this sacred ground and a place to mediate.”

POW MIA

On November 11th at 11am, the community is invited to come celebrate Veterans at the Park as they unveil the newest monument.

It’s an opportunity to meet and thank hundreds that have served our country and helped to gain our freedom. It’s also a time to surround yourself in American history. Sitting as the centerpiece of the tribute to the US Navy is the 300-plus pound Ship’s Bell from the World War I USS South Carolina Battleship. A 2,200 pound anchor from the USCG Cutter Comanche, active in the North Atlantic in World War II, sits to honor those who served in the US Coast Guard. The Wall of Honor displays names of 684 Pee Dee area Veterans who honorably served our nation.

These monuments and others are located at Florence Veterans Park:

MARINE CORPS

Colonel Barringer Wingard, Jr. “It is completed and a spectacular homage to those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and women, and Marines, designed by the award winning memorialist, Bran Oswalt.” Standing at 9.5 feet tall, 4 feet wide, and 8 inches thick, the monument is a single piece of Indian black granite, hand etched by Dan Garrison (the same artist that etched on the Army monument found in the Florence Veterans Park).

AIR FORCE

As many know, Florence is home to a nationally recognized Veterans Park. Donated on November 11, 2008, by former US Congressman and World War II veteran, Edward L. Young and Byrd Estate. The park continues to erect and dedicate additional monuments each year.

It is currently home to several monuments that have garnered international awards. The Desert Stone Monument won first place in 1996 (a monument that originally stood at the old Florence Museum and was transferred to the Veterans Park in 2009), Armed Forces Monument earned first place in 2009, US Air Force Monument won first place in 2015 and US Army Monument received second place in 2016, all awarded by American Institute of Commemorative Art (AICA) which covers art in all of North America.

Rendering of new monument to recognize those that served during Vietnam

COAST GUARD

story by Heather Page

November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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BALANCING ACT

Balancing work & family with...

Kelli

Kaye

What’s your profession?

I am a licensed massage therapist and a physical therapist assistant. I was always interested in the medical field and I knew I did not want a desk job for the rest of my life. Anatomy and Physiology were my favorite subjects, and PTA school was a great experience for me. A few years after graduating from Greenville Technical College as a Physical Therapist Assistant, Florence-Darlington Technical College started offering massage therapy in which I was already interested in, especially since it complemented my current profession. It was perfect to hold dual licensure because I wanted to have flexibility with my schedule after having children so I could be with them as much as possible in at least the first five years of their life. Being able to work PRN and part-time doing both physical and massage therapy helped me do that. Also, it’s nice to have a variety of settings to work in so you can experience different things throughout your week, preventing burn out. I love the handson manual aspect of helping people. It’s always nice to hear from a patient/client that you have made them feel better; however, it’s God working through my hands, not me.

Tell us about your business.

I am the owner of Kel’s Therapeutic Massage LLC., and I have regular clients that come to my home for a table massage. However, I also get out in the community to perform chair massages at local businesses. I have really enjoyed it and so have my clients! It helps me meet new people and potentially gain more table massage clients.

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What are the benefits to businesses that offer on-site massages?

It reduces stress, increases employee productivity, improves office morale, increases focus, energy, and mental clarity, prevents repetitive strain injuries, and increases immune function, etc.

What are the pros and cons of having your own business?

The pros are having control of my schedule and getting to meet new people all of the time. The cons are no paid vacations or medical insurance.

Tell us about your family.

My husband, Bryan, is the Assistant Headmaster of All Saints Episcopal Day School, which is where my children go to school. Alexa, 7, is shy and sweet, laid back but motherly towards her little brother.

She loves to sing, but not in front of anyone so far and she just started Girl Scouts. Landon, 5, is funny, outgoing and super loving towards family and friends. He just finished YMCA soccer and he hopes to start karate soon. Both take Mandarin language once a week after school.

What is your daily routine?

After work and school, Bryan and I help the kids with homework, cook dinner, shower, read a book, then prepare for bedtime. It’s chop, chop, chop as soon as they walk in the door with Daddy from a long day at school! As busy as our days are, I’m grateful for my husbands support in our daily routine.

What is your family’s Thanksgiving tradition?

Our tradition includes going to my parents’ house or me hosting Thanksgiving at my house now that my Nana, who was very special to us all, has passed away. Some of the best memories of my life were the times spent during the holidays at my grandparents’ house.

November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Diane Wise pursues her passion of creative marketing and design story by Jordan Pupa November is a time that we reflect on what we are most grateful for. For Diane Wise, she is thankful for family, friends and the opportunity to live out her dream in the welcoming community of Hartsville.

Diane’s roots were planted in Hartsville, as she was born and raised there. After leaving for college, relocating, starting a family, and working numerous fulfilling jobs, Diane recently returned to her hometown.

She has been able to help her mother while they both pursue their passions. Diane recently started Wise Design, which focuses on marketing, design, event planning, and so much more.

Diane’s connection to Hartsville started early. Her father, John Wise, worked as a chemist at Sonoco and her mother, Ann, taught Physical Education at

Coker College and then was a counselor at the high school. Diane says, “It was wonderful growing up in Hartsville, but I was happy to head off to college. While at Winthrop, I had a graphic design instructor who was the first to really encourage my love for design.” After graduation, she landed a position at an advertising agency in Charlotte. This was her training ground on how to be a good designer and after several years, she became their Art Director.

Diane was married and was expecting her first child when she decided she wanted to be a stay-at-home mother. She started her own freelance design business, Heartworks. In 1992, she became a single mom and in 1993 she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease. She went through a year of chemotherapy and healing, all while working and caring for her two boys. In 1995, she was re-hired by the advertising agency and became the Director of Impressions. A radio interview about her position led to many local speaking engagements including one for the Allen Tate Realtor Fall Convention.

Diane not only spoke, but was hired as their Creative Director. She then became Promotions Manager for The Billy Graham Library, which gave her a chance to get involved with tourism. After several years, she had the opportunity to be the Global Marketing Manager for Alpha High Theft Solutions, a division of Checkpoint Systems.

By this time, Diane’s father had passed away. In 2015, her mother had surgery and ended up in intensive care for a month. Because of her lengthy hospital stay, even after rehabilitation, she was unable to walk. They were fortunate to move her to Morningside of Hartsville. “It was during one of my many weekend commutes to Hartsville to visit her that I realized I didn’t want to live out my life in Charlotte, but wanted to move back to Hartsville.”

Things fell into place. Diane moved to Hartsville and decided to start Wise Design. “I knew what I loved to do. This business is the culmination of my varied career;

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Diane and mother, Ann

a way of bringing all my skills and passions together in one place. “ While Wise Design offers a variety of services, Diane feels her greatest value is being able to listen to her customers, understand their needs, and come up with creative and unique solutions that are also affordable.

Those services include marketing, design, writing, event planning, exhibits and much more.

“One of the best things about Hartsville is the sense of community here, the ease with which you can get involved in so many things, and the emphasis they place on assisting other new businesses to get started. I am excited about the opportunity to offer other business owners affordable services so that their marketing and design reflects a solid brand.”

Diane also started Craft Café, which encourages women to gather, create, and try something new. There is usually one craft class a month focusing on a variety of fun projects.

Now that they are both in Hartsville, Diane is able to make sure her mother can pursue her passion for quilting. Ann is unable to make big quilts anymore, but she continues to touch the lives of others by making small quilts for children that she calls “Eye Spy Quilts.”

She has made more than 150 quilts in the last year and is happiest when she is cutting squares or hand-sewing the binding on each one. Diane states, “I love being able to be with her and make her life the best it can be.”

While balancing her own business and caring for her mother, Diane is also part of the Leadership Hartsville program through the Hartsville Chamber of Commerce.

Diane says, “It’s never too late to follow your dream.

Every day is an adventure and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT

GetWiseDesign.com OR E-MAIL DianeWiseDesign@gmail.com.

November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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PAYING IT FORWARD

November 28, 2017 story by Jordan Pupa

The upcoming holiday season is full of popular shopping days known for great deals. November includes Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Lastly, Giving Tuesday, which falls on November 28, is a day filled with giving and philanthropy versus spending. The day encourages end of year giving as the new year approaches. Known as a nationwide movement, Giving Tuesday started in 2012 and is a day to celebrate and discover ways to give back to individuals and organizations. The Eastern Carolina Community Foundation is working hard to create and implement a collaborative giving campaign for Pee Dee regional nonprofits known as #GivingTuesdayPeeDee. The day is for the charitable community to gain donations, volunteers, and a supportive voice from followers.

Participating agencys in training workshop

Serving the seven-county region of the Pee Dee, Eastern Carolina Community Foundation improves the quality of life in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina by helping individuals and organizations carry out philanthropic intent. ECCF is a public charity established in 2006 as a collection of charitable funds built with gifts and bequests from people in the eastern part of the Palmetto State. The Foundation acts as a partner and grant maker that inspires the generosity of donors to create effective approaches to charitable giving.

Through diverse and inclusive philanthropy, community foundations have become catalysts for positive community change around the world. There are 750 community foundations within the country.

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ECCF’s Giving Tuesday Pee Dee event consists of working with and creating awareness for Pee Dee area nonprofits. A total of around 40 nonprofit organizations throughout the Pee Dee will participate.

The mix of organizations is well rounded, with many different nonprofits being represented from healthcare organizations to environmental organizations. Social media platforms and the website will be used to increase awareness and to take online donations for nonprofits of choice.

Additionally, for the first time, a community fair event at the Florence Civic Center will take place on November 28 from 1pm-6pm to showcase the nonprofit organizations.

The public will have the chance to interact with organization representatives, donate, and seek volunteer opportunities. Nonprofits will have a chance to thank the public, and celebrate their existence and ability to serve the community. Those that attend will have the chance to actually speak with an organization they feel passionate about and to learn about others they may not be as familiar with. The Giving Tuesday Pee Dee community fair will raise profile visibility for the organizations and allow those that attend to gain a better understanding of what they do. The day will consist of games, prizes, fundraising, and fun!

ECCF has been hosting workshops open to nonprofits to provide helpful learning opportunities on how to prepare for Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday will allow the nonprofit community within the Pee Dee area to work together to create increased visibility and to make a larger, more meaningful impact.

To give, visit: www.easterncarolinacf.org/ givingtuesdaypeedee/

November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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EXECUTIVES AT PLAY

Junior League of Florence story by Ashley Elvington There are many aspects of Florence that make the ever-growing city so fascinating, charming, and truly heartwarming. While there are many individuals that contribute in a vast array of great ways to this beloved city, there’s power in numbers. Lucky for us, we have The Junior League of Florence, a group of dedicated women who strive to see Florence be the best it can be.

Founded in 1948, the Florence Chapter is passionate about volunteerism and helping women see their full potential as influential, legacy-leaving citizens of their community. The League is a part of the Association of Junior Leagues International, which is comprised of 290+ Leagues in America, Canada, United Kingdom, and Mexico. By educating and practicing charitable contributions, The Junior League plans to make a positive difference in Florence… Something to surely pass on to members of the community as the years go by.

With community assistance, community projects, and signature projects, the Junior League is creating an atmosphere of compassion and giving everywhere they go. Some of their annual events include: · Signature Projects: For the next five years, the League has partnered with EXPLORE- The Children’s Museum of the Pee Dee and has given them $25,000 in hopes of creating a place for kids to play, learn, and grow.

EXPLORE will have their Secret of Bee’s traveling exhibit from October to December at the Greenberg Children’s Library free of charge.

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· Lucky Shamrock: Came to Downtown Florence in 2014 and in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day is fun for all ages. Food, live music, face painting and a kids zone! All proceeds go towards our grants and scholarships that are given out at the end of the year. · Touch a Truck: Our first TAT event was in April 2015 at the Darlington Raceway. This event allows children to explore vehicles of all shapes and sizes – such as those in public services, emergency, utility, construction, landscaping, transportation, delivery, etc. Kids get to sit behind the wheel and meet the individuals who operate these vehicles. It’s a WHEELIE fun experience for all. · WBTW Treats for Kids: At Halloween, Treats for Kids provides a barrier-free environment for handicapped and disabled children to trick-or-treat. · Cookies & Cocoa with Santa: Hosted by the League at the Durant Children Center, holiday treats and photos with Santa are available to all who attend. · Pee Dee Heart Walk: This regional event funds efforts towards the fight against heart disease and stroke. · The Pee Dee Heart Ball: Proceeds from this special event go towards the American Heart and American Stroke Associations. The League assists with registering guest and operating the live/silent auctions. · Little Black Dress Initiative(LBDI): The “LBDI” is a campaign that seeks to raise both awareness and funds.

(Cont.) In February 2014, the Junior League of London pioneered the LBDI with the goal to “Make Poverty Unfashionable”. The first campaign was so successful that they decided to take the initiative worldwide!

The LBDI seeks to bring awareness to women living in poverty and their access to resources. Members pledge to wear the same black dress for five days to reflect women living in poverty and their limited options for clothing to wear when seeking employment and available wardrobe to wear to work.

In addition, the League has cookbooks for sale, which help provide funds for projects and events. They also award grants to organizations who help improve the lives of citizens in Florence and scholarships to young ladies who truly show the meaning of leadership and volunteerism within their community.

While many of the events for this year have already come and gone, one of the largest events closes each year in the “merriest” way.

On November 9th, the Merry Marketplace begins, held at the FDTC’s SiMT building. Boutique shopping, live music, live/silent auctions, and delectable food is just a small portion of fun to be had at this special event. The Marketplace lasts until November 12th and will open its Preview Night presented by Galloway and Moseley Fine Jewelers.

Preview Night tickets include weekend shopping passes to return another day and shop, as well as two drink tickets and food. Entry into the 9th Annual Galloway and Moseley Diamond Toast is an additional $20, attendees get a glass at the end of the night and one lucky glass will win the grand prize of a diamond necklace. Santa will be stopping by on November 11th from 10:00AM to 2PM for photos by Bethany Robinson Photography, and children can help decorate cookies and write a letter to Ole St. Nick himself.

The League also has an awesome opportunity to show the Christmas spirit for business owners. Local business men and women will have the chance to display merchandise from their stores by decorating Christmas trees that will be placed throughout the SiMT building during the Marketplace, a great method of advertising your business! Tree reservation forms can be found on their website and are first come, first serve. Forms should be submitted no later than November 1st.

Every woman who has a heart for volunteering/ community service and who wants to grow into the lady she’s destined to become is welcome to join The Junior League of Florence.

For more info on how to join or become a sponsor, visit WWW.JRLEAGUEOFFLORENCE.COM. November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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UNDER THE DOME

Dogs Not Allowed

EXCEPT FOR SERVICE DOGS But Only If It’s Really A Service Dog

We have all grown accustomed to seeing working service dogs in public places. The public accommodations provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act (enacted in 1990) requires that government offices, businesses, and non-profits that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. While this may sound straightforward, the devil is always in the details, particularly in how one defines “service animals” and “people with disabilities”. While guide dogs for the blind and pulling dogs for wheelchairs are obvious examples of service animals, other service animals may not be as obvious. Many hearing impaired individuals rely on service dogs to alert them to important sounds. Service dogs can be trained to assist individuals with disabilities related to balance issues, autism, seizure alert and response, as well as alerting them to medical issues such as low blood sugar or acute psychiatric episodes. The ADA defines a service animal as “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.” The ADA makes a particular distinction between working dogs and pets. “Work” or “task” requires the dog to be trained in specific actions needed to assist a person with a disability. The tasks performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.

True service dogs receive up to two years of training which can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000. Before they are placed, many new owners are required to live at the training center for a period of time to familiarize themselves with the care and interaction with their dog. Service dogs must be handler-focused, desensitized to distractions, and trained to do specific tasks. Service dogs typically wear an identifying vest; however, the ADA does not require that service dogs be vested, registered or licensed.

Often times questions arise when a person appears at a business establishment with their service dog. Under ADA guidelines, there are two questions which may be asked: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been

story by Mark. W. Buyck, III

trained to perform? Business owners and staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, any special identification card or training documentation for the dog, any medical documentation or any demonstration of the dog’s ability to perform the work or task. Businesses cannot deny access or refuse service to people using service animals for reasons due to allergies or fear of dogs. Grocery stores and restaurants must allow service animals in public areas even where state or local health codes prohibit animals on the premises. Persons with disabilities who use service animals cannot be treated less favorably or isolated from other patrons nor can they be charged fees that are not charged to patrons without animals.

With the limited inquiry allowed under the ADA, what is there to prevent pet owners from spending $25 on EBay for a service dog vest for their family pet? The ADA does not consider therapy animals or emotional support animals “service dogs.” Businesses have the right to expect that service dogs be restrained and not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other patrons.

Service dogs must be house-trained and not engage in disruptive behavior. In response to the epidemic of fake service dogs, 19 states have enacted laws making it illegal for people to pass off their pets as service animals.

Service dog trainers and persons with disabilities who utilize service dogs are also vigilant in reporting fake service animals. There is nothing more disconcerting to the owner of a highly trained service dog than to have an untrained pet attack their service dog in a public setting.

While South Carolina is not one of the 19 states that currently prosecute owners of fake service animals, it is a crime in South Carolina for people or their animals to attack, injure, or kill a service dog.

Mark W. Buyck, III

Concentrating in Banking, Business, Civil and Business Litigation and Appeals, Contracts, Employment, Government, Real Estate

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.

willcoxlaw.com

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VIP Magazine | November 2017

248 West Evans Street | Florence, SC | 843.662.3258 2050 Corporate Centre’ Drive, Suite 230 | Myrtle Beach, SC | 843.650.6777

November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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INNOVATE

so, what is

‘ALIVE ON I-95’? as told to VIP Magazine ‘Alive on I-95’ is ringing resound-fully true In Dillon County. The slogan and logo was created a couple of years ago by the Dillon County Economic Development Public Private Partnership in a workshop led by current county administrator Rodney Berry. Fast forward years later and Dillon County is poised for unprecedented growth.

Since the creation of this logo, Dillon County has announced the building of South Carolina’s second inland port. “Simplistically stated, It’s a big deal! All the anticipated calls from prospective industries are happening,” says Rodney Berry. So why is an inland port such a motivator for industry location one may ask? Routinely, payroll and freight (moving product) are the two biggest expenditures for companies. Locating in a port’s vicinity can exponentially reduce transportation cost. This is not only great news for the host county Dillon, but also the other counties in the region by way of proximity, counties that have traditionally suffered from high unemployment and poverty. So build it and they will come? Dillon County is not taking that approach. “It’s an enormous responsibility that requires us examining every aspect of our operations. We have some advantage of observing and talking to leaders in Greer, the first inland port.

We have taken two trips and met with their leaders in an attempt to avoid any pitfalls they may have experienced. County Council has done a great job in staying focused at the task at hand,” shared Berry.

Berry further explained some of the approaches they are taking. 1) Preparing the workforce.

Northeastern Technical College will play a pivotal

To hear more about what’s happening in Dillon County, visit www.dilloncounty.sc.gov.

role in fulfilling all the anticipated jobs. There are several other entities like SC WORKS that are in tuned with the process. “We all want our locals to benefit from the job opportunities and go to great lengths to get them prepared, but truth is we can’t expect any industry to lower their standards to accommodate us, instead we must fulfill their needs,” Rodney explains. 2) County and City service expansions. Increased jobs often equates to increased population. “Small increments and preparations made today in our various departments decrease the burdens of reacting late.” 3) Accommodations for population growth. The county forecast the private sector in both house building and retailers will knock on their door with anticipated increased demographics. In fact, two chain restaurants are already in construction. 4) Quality of life. Within the last year, Dillon County has already embarked on partnering with other entities to bring the citizens out. One of the most recent was the very successful, ‘Thursday Night Live in DC!’ This five week concert series included some of the best local talent in the Pee Dee and drew large diverse crowds on the beautiful court house lawn at the edge of downtown.

Talented workers today carefully weigh the quality of life when considering employment. Its truly an exciting time for Dillon County. The level of optimism is at an all time high. Many have felt like the Pee Dee has been overlooked for sometime and atlas it is our turn. Dillon County leaders fully realize there is so much work to be done and have struggled making it all happen financially but are united in believing the return on investment will be worth it. Leaders also acknowledge the inland port is a regional project and those beyond the county line will be needed to fulfill some of the jobs.

“‘Alive on I-95’ describes us perfectly. We’ve got it plastered everywhere, all county vehicles, new welcome signs soon to be erected when entering the county. We want everyone to buy in to the positive things happening. We are in the business of impacting lives for the better,” –concluded Rodney Berry.

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ALL ACCESS

Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe

Duke Energy embarks on a 10-year initiative to strengthen South Carolina’s energy grid story by Ryan Mosier Duke Energy embarks on a 10-year initiative to strengthen South Carolina’s energy grid Duke Energy is embarking on a bold plan to invest $3 billion over the next decade to strengthen the state’s energy grid, making it more resilient and secure, and to better prepare it for the increasing adoption of renewable energy across South Carolina.

significant uptick in economic growth here,” GharteyTagoe said. “Investing in a smarter, efficient energy future is more than just good business – it’s an investment in our state that helps to attract jobs and industry and make our economy and our communities stronger.”

The program – Power/Forward Carolinas – will consist of upgrades that will harden the system against storms and outages; make it safer and more resilient against cyber-attacks and physical threats; help expand renewable energy; generate jobs and stimulate economic growth.

Meeting the demands of today’s technological and customer-driven changes to South Carolina’s grid is becoming more challenging. Duke Energy’s Power/ Forward Carolinas initiative will help the company better serve its customers with focused investments that:

The investment will also give 740,000 customers in South Carolina more information to manage their energy use.

• Move targeted power lines underground to help reduce outages;

“Safely powering the lives of South Carolina’s hardworking families and communities is the most important job we have,” said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president. “When we improve our energy infrastructure, we improve power quality and reliability, help grow our economy and create jobs all while keeping energy at a reasonable price for everyone.”

Duke Energy’s 10-year modernization plan for South Carolina will result in: • Additional bill-lowering tools designed to help customers reduce energy costs • An average of nearly 3,300 jobs each year • Almost $200 million in new salaries and wages each year

• enhance grid technologies to self-identify problems and reroute power, decreasing outage numbers and duration; • advance smart metering infrastructure to enable more bill-lowering tools; • protect against physical and cyber-security threats and keep the grid safe; and • support the sustainable growth of renewable energy and emerging technologies.

Ghartey-Tagoe said that these same investments are critical in preparing the grid for the increased adoption of solar energy as interest across our customer groups grows.

• A total economic output of $5.8 billion over the 10 years

“Incorporating the growing interest from our customers in renewable energy has impacts to operating the 20th century grid we have now,” GharteyTagoe said. “This basic infrastructure and design have served our customers well for many years, but we now have to start planning for the needs of this century.”

“This level of capital investment in South Carolina represents one of the largest that the state has experienced in many years and will generate a

Once these investments are complete, the energy grid will be better prepared to receive power from these distributed energy resources and allow our customers more options as they pursue their own sustainability initiatives in the future, he said.

• More than $116 million in new tax revenue for the state

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Launchpad Competition story by Jordan Pupa | photography by Nancy Devon Carsten

Greater Lake City Community Development Office staff, listed left to right: T.D. Rykard, Steve Gantt, Seth Kines, Jason Morse Gregory Alexander, Jennifer Grimsley

Lake City, SC has taken off over the past few years. With top events such as ArtFields® and a developing downtown, the city is continuing to thrive. Lake City is offering an opportunity of a lifetime with its “Lake City Launchpad” competition hosted by the Greater Lake City Community Development Office.

The competition is designed to give a winning entrepreneur or business owner an incentive package to open a business in historic downtown Lake City.

The winner will receive an award of $55,000 that will go towards expenses and renovations.

Currently, downtown Lake City is home to many locallyowned businesses, including restaurants, clothing boutiques, hair salons and barber shops, an art studio, a professional photographer, pharmacy, gift shops, a boutique hotel, art gallery spaces, plus more. The goal of the competition is to increase downtown occupancy, recruit new businesses to

downtown Lake City, and to promote economic development in the Greater Lake City area.

If you are looking to offer your products and services to the Lake City community and launch your business, now is your chance. The winning business may be a franchise, an existing business interested in relocating to downtown Lake City, or a new business.

Applications are being accepted now until December 31, 2017 from entrepreneurs with November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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COVER STORY • Lake City Launchpad Competition story continued a strong vision of opening and running a successful business.

Finalists will be announced March 1, finalist presentations will be completed on March 15, and the winner will be announced by April 2, 2018. Twenty thousand dollars of the cash incentive is for expenses related to opening a business and $35,000 is for renovations and upfit to an identified building for the winning business. This may include signage, architectural services, and permanent fixtures. Assistance will also be offered with obtaining required licenses and permits to open and operate a business. The winning business must be open

to the public no later than two months after renovations to the selected building are successfully completed. Additionally, the winner must commit to a minimum four-year lease in downtown Lake City.

Seth Kines, Executive Director of Visit Lake City, said “With a $55,000 award for the winner of Lake City Launchpad, we are confident that we are helping a new business set the stage for success in our growing historic downtown area. With the addition of a new campus of FlorenceDarlington Technical College on Main Street currently under

construction with an anticipated opening date of January 2019, we are expecting to see downtown Lake City continue to grow and serve as a center of culture, art, entertainment and commerce.”

The Greater Lake City Community Development Office is supporting economic growth and offering the resources for entrepreneurs to be successful.

The Lake City Launchpad competition will boost Lake City’s thriving community and downtown. Apply today as a chance to bring your business dreams to life in flourishing downtown Lake City, SC!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT GREGORY ALEXANDER, DOWNTOWN BUSINESS LIAISON, AT 843-374-0171 OR GALEXANDER@GLCCDO.ORG.

JOIN US IN MAKING DOWNTOWN LAKE CITY YOUR BUSINESSES NEW HOME.

DeAnna Hansen, DeAnna’s Bath & Body “I wouldn’t have my business in any other town. Lake City is like coming home every day, where you can be yourself and the community supports you.”

Joe McGee, Joe’s Barber Shop “My business will have been in Downtown Lake City for 20 years in December. It’s a great place to be. I enjoy meeting new people; people from downtown, and others that travel from outside of town to get a hair cut.”

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Leigh Matthews, Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio “Lake City is coming back strong! The opportunities for business owners in Downtown Lake City are endless and I am so excited about the great, new things happening in this town!”

Clark Ward, Ward’s Comfort Shoes “Lake City Downtown-- a friendly and stimulating place to shop and find those unusual items you don’t see everywhere else. It’s exciting to see all the re-vitalization efforts coming to fruition.”

Roosevelt Bryant, Life Change Fitness “My dedication to fitness, and the lack of centers in Lake City, drove me to opening Life Change Fitness. I began inside a youth center in 2009 and had the opportunity to relocate to Downtown Lake City in 2016.

I enjoy this location because of all the traffic that comes through the downtown area.”

Caroline Tarantini, Olio Studio “I love that Downtown Lake City is made of up a diverse group of people and personalities. There is something for everyone and even through our differences we work together as a group to support the downtown as a whole.”

Anna Burrows, Seven Monogram Boutique “This is Home, what better place to own a business and do something you love everyday?”

November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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FASHION FOR WORK AND PLAY

Clothes to

Work in, Play in, Live in

get the look: Anna Burrows (Left) Owner of

130 E Main Street, Lake City (843) 374-7777

Mud Pie Rosalie lace up top Mud Pie Brodie quilted vest Charlie Paige tan booties Angry Rabbit jeans

Elizabeth Langston

(Right) Owner of

127 W Main Street, Lake City (843) 374-4247

Angry Rabbit corduroy overall dress Magenta ruffle cold-shoulder top

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NANCY DEVON CARSTEN

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TABLE TALK

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FLORENCE COMMUNITY

YOU GET BACK

What You Give

story by Elaine Sealey,

Branch Manager of SAFE Federal Credit Union

In 2004, I embarked on a career in the banking industry. During the beginning, an associate invited me to attend the Florence Chamber’s Spring and Fall Luncheons. It was during those events that I was first introduced to the Chamber staff and many of our key community leaders. Let’s just say that I was very impressed by the opportunity to network with so many knowledgeable folks. It was shortly after that first event I decided to attend a BusinessAfter-Hours program. I was hooked. In 2007, as a branch manager, I decided to join the Chambers Ambassador Program. This gave me invaluable connections within the Chamber network allowing me to be introduced to so many when attending the ribbon cutting events. Not only did I get to meet new business owners, but the employees as well. All these opportunities helped grow my relationships as a small business banker and branch manager.

In 2010, a colleague encouraged me to participate in the Greater Florence Chamber’s Leadership Program. This afforded me the chance to build relationships with 30 plus individuals from different professional backgrounds. We grew very close during our monthly sessions as we all learned so much about the different area organizations and businesses. The program covered how non-profit, schools, hospitals, government agencies, and other organizations operate and the impact they have on the community in which we live and work. It was eye opening to see first-hand how these establishments and businesses work to improve our quality of life. Meeting people from all types of trades and backgrounds helped me grow my career even more.

Today, the Class of 2010-2011 continues to stay in touch and cross paths at local events and business programs.

Recently, I was contacted to participate in the Fellows in Education process. This project is a partnership with Florence School District One, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and the School Foundation. This experience is providing me, and those participating, a behind the scenes look into Florence District One schools. The goal is to bring civic-minded support from local business leaders into today’s education process. Amazingly, while attending orientation for the Fellows program, I was surprised to see at least four former Leadership Florence graduates from my class that were also participating. I’ll call it a reunion of sorts!

My experiences with the Chamber continued to grow further after joining the Florence Chamber Board of Directors. As a former member, I can say that you get back what you give.

My time with the Florence Chamber has allowed me to develop relationships that have paid many dividends. It has helped me grow my career and while taking on opportunities, when asked, that stretched me both personally and professionally.

I encourage anyone looking to make an impact in our community to look for the chance to be part of one the many programs our Chamber offers. It will be well worth your time. I personally want to thank the Chamber for all they do to make our community a great place to work and live.

Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce | 100 W Evans St, Florence, 843.665.0515 | flochamber.com 34

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center

COSMETIC

Gynecology story by Edward O’Dell, M.D., FACOG Medical Director and Co-Founder, Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center

We live in a day and age of advancing knowledge and technology where looking and feeling younger is getting more and more popular and achievable. That not only goes for body sculpting and facial enhancement but has extended to Gynecology also.

results. We do use a numbing cream on the area, which is applied about 30 minutes or so before the procedure. For the Femi Lift alone most people have not needed the cream as only a minor pinch type sensation may be noted once or twice. Numbing is an option for the Femi Lift, though.

Just a few years ago the use of lasers or radiofrequency (RF) devises was introduced for use with vaginal rejuvenation. Prior to that introduction the only tool available for vaginal tightening was surgery. Surgery is still done for extreme cases but now most can be done with the non-invasive laser or RF technology. After evaluating what is on the market we chose to go with the Femi Lift system at Genesis. This tool uses a laser that is divided into several tiny pinpoints that, when fired, make micro dots into the support tissue of the vagina and stimulate new collagen growth that results in tightening the vaginal support tissue. As an added bonus with this devise it also corrects minor bladder leakage that occurs with activity such as walking, sneezing or coughing.

It achieves this because the tightening of the top of the vagina indirectly thickens and lifts the tissue around the bladder neck, giving you more control. Additionally, patients note an increase in vaginal moisture as a result of the lining cells being stimulated also. Many post menopausal women have noted a marked increase in moisture to the point that use of hormone creams etc. may be unnecessary. The Femi Lift treatment is done in as little as 5-10 minutes in our office and you can return to work or other activities immediately afterward. Compare that to some RF treatments that take about 20 minutes. We do recommend three treatments spaced a month apart to get the maximum effect. Patients have fairly consistently reported about a 50-60% improvement after the first treatment and 100% improvement after the second. The Femi Lift laser can also be used to address conditions of the labia minora. Enlargement and darkening of the labial skin are common problems that plague many women. Marked enlargement and asymmetry may require a surgical approach, which I will discuss below. However, for minor enlargement and darkening this laser has shown me excellent

For more extensive enlargement and deformity of the labia minora we are doing labiaplasty at Genesis. So many of my patients come in complaining of sexual discomfort or activity discomfort due to a labia minora that extends way beyond the labia majora. Another complaint is that they notice that enlargement through their clothes if wearing tights or a bathing suit. We are doing what is known as a wedge labiaplasty to correct this defect. After taking some mild oral sedation and applying a numbing cream, the enlarged area is carefully marked and a wedge of the enlarged tissue is removed. The area above the wedge is then attached to the area below the wedge with a dissolvable suture and allowed to heal. The result is a natural appearing labial edge that is properly proportioned and no longer protruding. Many patients have told me that the results of this procedure have given them more confidence in their appearance and taken away the discomfort they were having sexually or in doing physical activities. A variation of this procedure known as an edge labiaplasty can also be done where indicated.

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In addition to our exclusive Signature LipoSculpting, Genesis is very proud to offer women the newest techniques and technology in Cosmetic Gynecology at our office in Florence.

Please give us a call at 843-669-2220 and our staff will be glad to assist you in making a consultation appointment to discuss our Cosmetic GYN procedures or any of the number of services we offer at Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center.

Quit Burning Holes In Your Pocket. Stop Smoking. story by Donna Tracy, HopeHealth

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hat would you do with an extra $175 each month? Take a weekend trip with your significant other? Treat yourself to a day at the spa or yard-line seats at your favorite college football game? Stash it away for the down payment on a new car or home?

Fill those prescriptions you thought you couldn’t afford? How about investing in your health with a gym membership or a higher quality diet?

When you decide to quit, be prepared. Know the withdrawal symptoms you will likely experience, plan for dealing with cravings, and prepare those around you for the potential moodiness and general irritability you will feel.

At your worst moments, try to remember why you wanted to quit in the first place and all the benefits you will lose by choosing to light up “just one more cigarette.”

All are great ways to spend an extra $175 dollars, but where can you find that kind of extra money? If you are a smoker who enjoys a pack a day but wants to quit, that $175 is already in your pocket; it is the average cost per month for a daily pack of brand-named cigarettes. In fact, a 20-year, pack-a-day habit can cost more than $42,000 and a whole lot more for your health.

Plan for cravings before they start. When you quit smoking, some of the toughest moments can happen in an instant when you suddenly crave the nicotine or the routine you had established through habit. Often, cravings will subside if you can just wait it out for several minutes. Other times, the urge to cave into your craving is too intense to ignore. Opting for something sweet, crunchy, and tasty can help in the moment, but it is important not to replace one habit with another that could impact your nutrition, said Christy Evans, ANP-C, a nurse practitioner with the HopeHealth Diabetes and Nutrition Center at the Medical Plaza in Florence. Fruits, vegetables, nuts; anything with proteins and fiber are the substitutes that Evans recommends to help you feel satisfied and sooth cravings while reducing the chance of putting on the pounds while quitting.

But just how can you quit a habit you enjoy, even knowing how detrimental it is to your health? Willpower alone isn’t always enough, as many who have tried to quit multiple times can attest. Smoking isn’t just about the inhalation of the nicotine: it’s about the comradery that surrounded the development of your taste for the cured leaf, it’s about stress relief and the nerves instantly soothed by your first draw of a freshly-lit cigarette, it’s about those cravings satisfied by the flow of nicotine into your system; it’s about the companionship you share with your fellow smokers.

The key is deciding to quit and creating a plan to succeed. That can mean: • Understanding why it’s so difficult for many to quit • Preparing yourself (and family members) on what to expect as you quit – especially through the first several days • Recognizing your triggers and planning how to address them • Asking family members for their support and help • Changing your daily routine to avoid trigger situations • Using cessation aids such as medication, patches, gum, or lozenges, if needed • Developing positive habits to replace those moments you would have picked up a cigarette such as taking a five-minute walk in place of your usual smoke break So why is it so difficult to quit? We’ve all heard how addictive smoking is, but have you ever stopped to identify just what it is that drives the impulse to light up at a moment’s notice? Part of the lure of cigarette smoking is that nicotine is both a stimulant and a relaxant. Often, smokers adjust their smoking to achieve these effects without even being aware.

Smaller doses of nicotine from shallower draws can make a smoker more focused and alert; longer, deeper draws can help a smoker relax.

Nicotine achieves these effects by binding with neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine, a reward stimulator; serotonin, which affects moods; and noradrenaline, also known as the “stress hormone.” It’s little wonder quitting smoking can be so difficult!

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What benefits can you expect when you quit smoking – and just how soon? Some benefits are pretty quick. Your body begins to heal itself within 20 minutes of your last smoke by reducing your pulse rate and blood pressure. Within eight hours, half the carbon monoxide and nicotine in your system has been eliminated allowing more oxygen to flow through your body, and, by the end of your first full day without smoking, you have lowered your chances of having a heart attack. Of course at this point cravings have begun to gnaw at your resolve. If you can push through these moments, you’ll benefit from improvements in your abilities to taste, smell, and breath.

Quitting gets harder before it gets easier, and cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and triggers are different for everyone. Being prepared and having support can help. Keep in mind that the longer you go without another smoke, the more you benefit: After one year you half your risk of heart disease; at five years you have halved your risk for certain cancers and reduced your chances of having a stroke to the same levels as a nonsmoker. Detailed breakdowns of the body’s ability to heal after quitting smoking and other resources can be found at smokefree.gov.

The money pocketed from not smoking can be used to help you succeed.

You can use those funds to purchase cessation aids such as nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges, pursue a hobby you thought you couldn’t afford, or invest in other health-improving options that help replace a negative habit with positive habits. Remember, you don’t have to quit smoking alone. Reach out to your family, friends, primary care provider and behavioral health services for support and advice. After all, saving $175 a month is just pennies compared to saving your health.

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AROUND TOWN

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Legislative Breakfast On September 29th, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce held its Fall Legislative Breakfast at the Florence Civic Center.

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City Councilwoman, Teresa Myers-Ervin, State Representative, Jay Jordan, and House Speaker, Jay Lucas were featured speakers.

Senator Hugh Leatherman was the recipient of South Carolina Small Business Development Centers’ “Partner of Distinction”.

The award was presented by Michele Abraham, State Director of SC Small Business Development Centers, Mike Bell, Area Manager of the Florence Area SBDC, and Ray Reich, Florence Downtown Development Manager.

Greater Florence Chamber Fall Golf Classic The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce held their annual Fall Golf Classic on October 5th at the Country Club of South Carolina. Friends and business partners gathered for great food, their favorite beverages and a fun day on a great golf course.

Pictured: (1) Bill Taylor, Freddy Gamble, Jeff Peter and Tommy Patrick (2) Gary Malaer, Parks Coggins, Loren Rials and Kyle Baxter (3) Raldex Team (4) John Cariati, Kevin Todd, James Filgrove and Brian Parrott (5) Bob Vitali, Hank Moree, Mark Weir and Tim Fricano (6) Brandon Long, Kyle Cunningham, Jeff Cooper and Larry Waite (7) Luke Wilcox, Shane Brannon, Stephen Thompson and Andy Jeffords (8) Blake Gibbons, Joey Bostick, Ashley Wheeler and Billy Heustess (9) Joe Lee, Jay Pate, Dustin Harcrow and Charlie Tripp (10) Brent Townsend, Brian Linerode, David Chapman and Ken Shranko (11) Brandon Beasley, Chris Scott, Trey Ingalls and Kevin Goodwin.

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Hartsville Young Professionals Pizza & Game Night HYP held a Pizza and Game Night event on October 4th sponsored by The Rooftop at Mantissa. There were brainteaser games, prizes, pizza, and great bar specials. HYP provides networking and community service opportunities, friends, professional development, and fun events for the young members within the Hartsville community!

Pictured: (1) Matt Majka, Alex Forrest, (2) Danielle Sewell, Eli Jones, Kaitlyn Keyser, (3) Lukas Glenn, Nickles Mirmow, Mary Kate Truitt, Eli Jones, (4) Desmond Jackson, April Griggs, (5) Kelly Benton, Juli Atkinson, Caroline Williams

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Meet the Chef at Crossroads on Main On October 3rd, locals gathered to celebrate Chef Sherif Elkhyati at Crossroads on Main in Lake City. Visitors dined on new menu items while enjoying conversations amongst old and new friends.

More on Chef Elkhyati: A native of Alexandria, Egypt, Chef Mahmoud “Sherif” Elkhyati learned his love of food from his mother and still considers her an inspiration for many of his recipes. At 22, the culinary spark was ignited when he moved to the United States where he was delighted to find an assortment of ingredients that were scarce in Egypt. Starting in local bakeries and diners, Sherif went on to study Culinary Arts at North Hampton Community College and rounded out his education at Saucon Valley Country Club.

Prior to joining the team at Crossroads on Main, Chef worked as the Executive Co-Chef at Victor’s Steak House & Wine in Florence, SC where he was responsible for menu planning and preparation, catering events, as well as the hiring and training of new kitchen staff.

Chef Elkhyati has also held positions at Chelsea’s Restaurant and Pub in Lebanon, NJ as the Executive Chef and Kitchen Manager. He also worked as the Assistant Kitchen Manager at Carrabbas in Murrells Inlet, SC and was the Owner/Operator of the Norfay Café in Nazareth, PA. Crossroads on Main and the Lake City community are honored to have such a creative chef adding new flair to their kitchen.

Photography by Dewey Ervin

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AROUND TOWN

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Pee Dee Heart walk The American Heart Association hosted the annual Pee Dee Heart Walk. The event welcomed over 3,000 walkers from the Pee Dee on October 21st and nearly $200,000 was donated. Each year over 12,600 South Carolinians lose their lives to cardiovascular disease; that’s approximately one person every 45 minutes. If you missed the walk, it isn’t too late to donate. For more information, visit www.heart.org. photos by True Light Photography

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HAPPENINGS

Featured Event Hartsville YMCA

Thursday, November 23 Hartsville YMCA LOCATION:

Start in front of the Hartsville YMCA and run through the historic areas of Hartsville returning to the Y. The YMCA is located in the J.L. Coker building (a large brown brick building with columns in downtown Hartsville).

ENTRY FREE:

Pre-register on or before 11/11 Member $20 Potential Member $25 Registration on or after 11/12 Member $25 Potential Member $30 Fun Run- $6, flat fee T-shirts are guaranteed to all racers who register by November 7. Any registration after this day may not receive a shirt. Race day entries will be taken up until 7:40a. Cash or Check on day of event.

PACKET PICK-UP:

Packets may be picked up at the Hartsville YMCA front desk on November 23 from 4p-9pm or on the morning of the race.

They are available to pre-registered runners only.

START TIME:

5K Run/Walk starts at 8am Fun Run starts at 7:30am

We are on Facebook as “YMCA of the Upper Pee” and Twitter as @YmcaUpperPeeDee.

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FLORENCE 3 ...........................................................................................................................

Legends of Motown, Civic Center 4 ...........................................................................................................................

14th Annual SC Pecan Festival, Downtown 5 ...........................................................................................................................

Trinity-Byrnes Open House 2p-4p 9 ...........................................................................................................................

Merry Market Place 2017 Preview Night, SiMT 6p St. Luke UMC Bar-B-Q & Bake Sale, Roger’s Bar-B-Q 10 .........................................................................................................................

Merry Market Place 2017, SiMT 10a 11 ..........................................................................................................................

Merry Market Place 2017, SiMT 9a Veterans Day Ceremony, Florence Veterans Park 11a 12..........................................................................................................................

Merry Market Place 2017, SiMT 12p 15..........................................................................................................................

Flo Chamber Annual Membership Luncheon, Civic Center 16 .........................................................................................................................

Third Annual Entrepreneurial Forum Gala, SiMT 6p 16-17 ....................................................................................................................

66th Annual Greek Ladies Fall Food & Pastry Festival 18-19 ....................................................................................................................

2017 Horseshoe Tour National Championship, Civic Center 18..........................................................................................................................

Steep Canyon Rangers, FMU PAC 7:30p 20 ........................................................................................................................

Flo Symphony Orchestra: The B’s Have It, FMU PAC 7:30p 23.........................................................................................................................

Happy Thanksgiving 24 ........................................................................................................................

Black Friday 25.........................................................................................................................

Small Business Saturday 28.........................................................................................................................

Giving Tuesday, Online & Civic Center 30 ........................................................................................................................

Disney on Ice presents Frozen, Civic Center 7p The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays, Florence Little Threatre: November 10 at 7:30 PM | November 11 at 7:30 PM November 12 at 3:00 PM | November 14 at 7:30 PM November 15 at 7:30 PM | November 16 at 7:30 PM November 17 at 7:30 PM | November 18 at 7:30 PM WEEKLY EVENTS Wednesdays ....................................................................................................

Wine Down Wednesday | Dolce Vita 4p Thursdays .........................................................................................................

Ovis Hill Farmer’s Market | Naturally Outdoors 3p-7p Trivia Night | Southern Hops 7p Live Music | The Dispensary Fridays ...............................................................................................................

Live Music, The Dispensary Saturdays ..........................................................................................................

City Center Farmer’s Market | Downtown 9a-1p Live Music, The Dispensary

NOVEMBER 2017 HARTSVILLE 1-11 ............................................................................................................

The Way We Worked: A Traveling Smithsonian Exhibit | Black Creek Arts Council 2 ................................................................................................................

Mistletoe Market, T.B. Thomas Sports Center 5-8p 4 ................................................................................................................

HYP Friendsgiving & Football Bottle & Tap | 621 S. 5th St 9 ................................................................................................................

Connections After Hours | Retrofit Sip-n-Seat 5:30-7p 11 ...............................................................................................................

Devane’s Fall Fashion Showcase, Coker Arts Center 7p-9p Fall for Hartsville, Farmer’s Market, E Carolina Ave 9a-1p 16 ..............................................................................................................

Alive N Well Ribbon Cutting, Alive N Well 12:30p-1:30p Downtown Holiday Open House & Centennial Tree Lighting, Downtown 6-9 pm 16-January 19 .......................................................................................

Simply Christmas Exhibit | Hartsville Museum 17-18 .........................................................................................................

The LAST Cabaret, Black Creek Arts Council 7:30p 23..............................................................................................................

Turkey Trot, YMCA 7:30a 25..............................................................................................................

Shop Small Saturday, Downtown 30 .............................................................................................................

Christmas on Carolina, Downtown 6p-8p WEEKLY EVENTS Thursdays..............................................................................................

Centennial Farmers Market | 5th & Carolina 3p-6p

LAKE CITY 4..........................................................................................................................

Dog Daze, Moore Farms Botanical Garden 10:30a-2:30p Lit for Literacy Jamboree, R.O.B. 9..........................................................................................................................

Business After Hours, 154 W. Main St., 5:30-7pm Artfields Jr.,110 East Main St., 4pm-5:30pm 11 .........................................................................................................................

Camellia: The Heritage CollectioN, MFBG 9:30a-12p Fall Series: Bug Bungalows, MFBG 1:30p-3p 16 ........................................................................................................................

Drying D.I.Y., MFBG 9:30a–2p 30.......................................................................................................................

Concert Series, Colla Voce, Presbyterian Church

MULLINS 2 .................................................................................................................

Healthy Woman Anniversary, Homestead at Zion 4p-8p November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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TIME TO TOAST

Carolinas Hospital System Recognized For Patient Safety Record

City of Hartsville Recognzies Eagle Scout project, Lawton Park Kayak Dock

Carolinas Hospital System has earned four South Carolina “Certified Zero Harm Award” from the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA). The award is in recognition of the facility’s exemplary performance for patient safety in preventing hospitalacquired infections.

The City of Hartsville Parks and Recreation department will host a ribbon cutting event in recognition of the new kayak dock at Lawton Park. The project was organized and completed by Ryan Traver, Boy Scout Troop 523, as his Eagle Scout project.

Carolinas Hospital System sustained zero bloodstream infections for: 18 months in SICU; no surgical site infections for 24 months in abdominal hysterectomy and hip replacement; and 45 months in knee replacement surgery.

“I’ve grown up in Hartsville, I love the city and the people here, and I wanted to do something that would benefit the community,” says Ryan Traver, “I’ve been kayaking and canoeing since I was 8 or 9 years old, and I thought this project would be a great way to give back to the people of Hartsville.”

Since 2014, SCHA has presented Zero Harm Awards to hospitals that are on the forefront of preventing medical errors. By some estimates, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, with an economic impact that could reach one trillion dollars annually.

Thanks to collaboration with The Duke Endowment and The Joint Commission Center for Transforming Health, SCHA and South Carolina hospitals have taken part in a statewide effort to create a culture of high reliability and reduce harm in our facilities. This effort implements robust, evidence-based practices that make a positive impact on patients and the safety and quality of care. Certified Zero Harm Award hospitals must experience no preventable hospital-acquired infections of a specific nature over an extended period of time. All hospital data used for the awards is independently verified by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

“Patient safety is our number one priority at Carolinas Hospital System. These results prove our continuous commitment to high quality care and dedication of our staff,” said Gary Malaer, Chief Executive Officer, Carolinas Hospital System. “We are proud to be a member of SCHA and recognized as a Zero Harm Award hospital since the award’s inception.”

Congratulations to the FSD1 Principal and Teacher of the Year!

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Craig Washington of Southside Middle is the Florence One 2017-18 Principal of the Year.

Megerlyn Davis of Wilson High School is Florence One 2017-18 Teacher of the Year.

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For more information about the event, contact City of Hartsville Parks and Recreation at 843.339.2878.

(Pictured: Ryan Traver at the new kayak dock)

Lake City Recognized as Tree City Moore Farms Botanical Garden and the Greater Lake City Community Development Office co-hosted a “Tree City Celebration” in historic downtown Lake City’s newly refurbished Theatre Park on Thursday, September 28, 2017. This is the sixth consecutive year that Lake City has been recognized as a Tree City. Typically, this designation is presented by The S.C. Forestry Commission during city council meetings, but we decided to get into the “Tree City” spirit by hosting an outdoor event in our beautifully landscaped Theatre Park on Main Street. Attendees enjoyed tasty hors d’oeuvres and refreshing libations as Lois Edwards from the S.C. Forestry Commission spoke about the positive environmental, social and economic impact of the ongoing work performed by the horticulturists and landscape technicians of Moore Farms Botanical Garden to maintain Lake City’s Tree City status. The four standards that must be met for Tree City designation are as follows: a responsible tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry budget with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day Observance & Proclamation. The horticulturists and landscape technicians of Moore Farms Botanical Garden are to be commended for not only securing Lake City’s status as Tree City, but also for maintaining the florals and botanicals that make downtown Lake City such an enchanting locale.

Living a Beautiful Story Women’s Retreat held in Marion

Dillon Native Receives FMU Biology Alumni Award Frank Oliver, the chief executive officer at Wildlife Action, Inc. in Mullins was honored by the Francis Marion University Department of Biology Tuesday, Oct. 3 with the presentation of the Lawrence F. Swails Award.

Named after one of the Department of Biology original chairpersons, the Lawrence F. Swails Award has been presented annually since 2007 by the department to an outstanding alumni that has illustrated a high level of professional achievement, persisted in supporting their community and the University.

Oliver graduated from Francis Marion in 2001 with a degree in Biology, where he discovered his love for the outdoors could be fostered into a career. That affinity for the wilderness has had quite the impact on the Pee Dee. Oliver, the CEO of Wildlife Action, Inc. since 2014, oversees summer camps, which bring in nearly 3,000 children annually. The camps provide the attendees with a solid understanding of nature and the impact conservation can have at the local level.

Tenacious Grace for Tandem: Living a Beautiful Story, a one-day women’s retreat was held on September 30, 2017 in Historic Downtown Marion. — because our circumstances always work in tandem with God’s purposes!

Many women were blessed to hear the teachings from Cookie Cawthon during this event.

Pee Dee Land Trust promotes Lyles Cooper Lyles Lyles Cooper Lyles joined PDLT in April 2015 as the Director of Education and Outreach and was promoted to Executive Director in October 2017.

Lyles’ professional experience spans multiple organizations in both the corporate and non-profit worlds. A graduate of College of Charleston with a degree in Corporate Communications and Marketing, Lyles brings a unique mix of skills to PDLT. Lyles is actively involved in many community organizations and currently serves on the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of the Pee Dee.

Mentor-Connect Names Three of the ATE Community as 2018 Mentor Fellows

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A new initiative that prepares the next generation of mentors to assist perspective grantees for the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) Program has named three Mentor Fellows for 2018. The Mentor-Connect Project provides mentoring and technical assistance to help two-year colleges learn to prepare and submit competitive grant proposals to the NSF ATE Program. Mentor Fellows ensures that well prepared Mentors are available for this work. Mentor-Connect is based at Florence-Darlington Technical College and is funded by the National Science Foundation, grant numbers 1204463 and 1501183.

From a national pool of well-qualified candidates, the following three experienced NSF ATE Principal Investigators have been selected for a year-long fellowship: Diane Dostie, (Dean of Corporate & Community Services, Central Maine Community College, Auburn, ME-retired), Dr. Edgar E. Troudt, (Assistant Dean for Research and Strategic Partnerships, Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, NY), and Danine Alderete-Tomlin (Executive Director, Automotive Manufacturing Technology Education Center (AMTEC), Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Versailles, KY).

Mentor Fellows receive financial support and guidance as they shadow experienced Mentor-Connect Mentors and engage in a variety of learning activities throughout the year that prepares them to be Mentor-Connect mentors for potential ATE grantees. Mentor Fellows learn the specifics of NSF ATE grant proposal development and expand their own leadership skills as they observe and participate in the Mentor-Connect system that stimulates leadership development among the STEM faculty who participate as teams in a Mentor-Connect cohort. Mentor-Connect typically works with 20 new-to-ATE colleges each year.

The Mentor Fellows experience, which begins in January 2018, is one facet of the Mentor-Connect regenerative leadership development effort. The main thrust of Mentor-Connect, an ATE project of the South Carolina Advanced Technological Education (SCATE) Center, is to broaden the impact of the NSF ATE Program by diversifying the pool of two-year colleges and educators who receive ATE grant awards. Mentor-Connect mentees are faculty from two-year, associate-degree-granting institutions that are eligible for Small Grants for Institutions New to ATE. Mentor Fellows is a multi-year initiative. The next application date will be September 28, 2018. The application and details about the next fellowship opportunity will be available at www.mentor-connect.org.

November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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PAYING IT FORWARD

PROVIDING HELP TO OVERCOME GRIEF AND TRAUMA In a green meadow, bubbles floated in the wind while young children chased after them. Kids jumped in sacks as teams raced against one another. Parents sat at tables heaped with plates of pizza and donuts, engaged in conversations with one another, or watched their little ones play on the playground. Teenagers gathered around the horses, talking with one another. Other children dug in sand, swung in a hammock, or rode on the zip line. Music filled the air as Hannah and Noah Stanley performed. It was the third annual All Seasons Day Camp at Narrow Way Ranch.

“It is no secret that in today’s society our children are facing traumatic events and loss in their young lives at an alarming rate,” Tracy Redfearn says. She is the Director of All Seasons Grief Camp and Founder of Child and Family Resource Foundation, a nonprofit facility she founded after witnessing firsthand on a daily basis the overwhelming number of children who need services and the limited amount of resources available. Her foundation’s mission is to heal hurting children and provide educational and psychological services to families in our community, regardless of their financial position.

As a Licensed PsychoEducational Specialist and Nationally Board Certified School Psychologist in the school system, Redfearn became burdened with the desire to create a center with a vision of providing educational and psychological services in a warm and welcoming environment.

She opened her doors in 2012 and right away, she began noticing the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that hold so many children back from reaching their potentials.

Tragedies, traumas and loss plug the same neural pathways used for learning and prevent them from progressing in the school system. She began dreaming about a bereavement camp that would help them process their pain and became certified as a Child Adolescent Trauma Professional.

For years, Rob and Joanne Ludwick had a desire to set aside a portion of their land so families could come together to be healed.

They didn’t know exactly what that would look like until they met Tracy Redfearn. As Joanne explained their desire to Tracy about having a camp and place for equestrian therapy, Tracy knew they shared the same vision, and the first grief camp came together through their joint efforts.

On October 14 and 15, Tracy Redfearn partnered with the Ludwicks to hold the third annual All Seasons Grief Camp. Rogers Brothers Farms and Agape Hospice helped sponsor the event. Classes were held to help both children and caregivers overcome grief and trauma. Many volunteers from the community came to lend a hand. Members from Hartsville Community Fellowship Church provided gifts. Staff from Therapeutic Designs and Services led activities incorporating rhythmic drums, breath and movement. School psychologist Laura Matthews led therapeutic art activities. A teacher and a counselor from West Hartsville Elementary School led nature walks.

Over 125 people participated.

Plans are in the works to hold another camp in the spring. When asked if they would offer anything different, Tracy and Joanne both had ideas about what they would like to see. “In addition to therapeutic activities, I would like families and children to unify during lunch through festivities, such as food trucks and Dave Matthews, the Hartsville Bubble Guy,” Tracy says. “I’d like to have a piece of collaborative art at the camp that shows the vision of what we do here,” Joanne Ludwick added.

Learn More At: ChildAndFamilyResourceCenter.com/AllSeasons 50

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November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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TECH SAVVY

KRACK?

What is that?

story by Mark Spurling, Vice President of Service, Vivid Network Solutions

Did I just misspell it? Did I really intend to use the word crack? No, I meant to type “KRACK”. So, what is it?

Security is a major talking point in recent years, and especially right now. We are constantly reading or hearing on the news about security breaches: personal identity theft, healthcare records stolen, financial information compromised, and the list goes on and on.

It can be applied to many forms of technology.

KRACK stands for Key Reinstallation Attack, but what does that really mean? Recently in the news there were headlines that all wireless connections were now vulnerable to attacks and deemed unsafe.

If you’re like the typical American family you use the internet daily and through many devices, often times using a wireless connection. When you join a wireless network you are typically prompted for a password, which is in place to protect your information.

Unfortunately, they have found a flaw in the wireless encryption called WPA2 which was considered safe and secure. This flaw can be abused to steal sensitive information such as credit card numbers, passwords, chat messages, emails, photos, and so on. The attack works against all modern protected Wi-Fi networks.

Depending on the network configuration, it is also possible to inject and manipulate data. For example, an attacker might be able to inject ransomware or other malware into websites.

You’re now asking yourself, what are my options to protect myself and my information from being “at risk”? Ideally, those with vulnerable access points should avoid using Wi-Fi until patches are available, and the safest way is to use a wired connection is established. However there is good news! Your devices can be updated to prevent the KRACK vulnerability.

Updated devices and non-updated devices can coexist on the same network, as the fix is backward compatible.

You should update all your routers and Wi-Fi devices (laptops, phones, tablets…) with the latest 52

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security patches. You can also consider turning on auto-updates for future vulnerabilities, as this won’t be the breach in security. Modern operating systems have become quite good at auto-updates. Some devices (Android) don’t receive a lot of updates and could continue to pose risks.

The key point is that your equipment needs to be secured against KRACK because there are lots of potential attack vectors to consider.

If your router doesn’t yet have a patched fix, and you don’t have a secure WiFi access point that could be used for wireless, you should consider using cellular data on your phone. If you want to make sure nobody is watching your traffic, disable WiFi on your device and use cellular data instead. This isn’t ideal if you live somewhere with a spotty network, pay extra for mobile data, or if you don’t trust your telecom provider.

Devices running Android 6.0 and later are more vulnerable to attack than other devices. It is easy to perform a key reinstallation attack because of a bad implementation of the handshake mechanism in the WiFi stack. So, Android users do need to be more careful.

Take action accordingly by pulling the riskiest devices off your network until the manufacturer issue patches. And be sure to keep an eye on the kinds of devices your kids might be connecting to your home network.

Only you can determine your own level of risk and act accordingly.

www.vividnetworksolutions.com (843) 560-9108

November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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ALL ACCESS

Palmetto Arts Academy story by Jordan Pupa

With a thriving artistic presence through events and culture, it is clear that Lake City, SC is no stranger to the arts. Betty Frances Stone and Angel Neil Yock added to the movement a year ago by joining forces to open Palmetto Arts Academy, a unique non-competitive environment where children and adults could learn and express themselves through the arts. The first classes in their new studio on Acline St. in Lake City were held in September of 2016.

What makes Palmetto Arts Academy unique is that it is a place where children and adults can be exposed to different genres of the arts all in one place. Experienced instructors Betty Frances Stone and Angel Neil Yock have combined their skills to reach a wider audience within the community. Offerings at PAA include Broadway tap, musical theatre, piano, voice, and recently added guitar and ballroom dance. Most recently, based on customer demand, PAA has expanded their offerings to include choreography for private occasions such as weddings. They currently offer adult Cha-Cha classes and will be offering shag classes in January. A future goal includes the addition of instrumental programs for brass and woodwinds. Angel Neil Yock states, “We wanted children and adults to be involved in many 54

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Angel Neil Yock & Betty Frances

Stone

different areas of the arts, not just one. There is nothing like this in the area. Students can leave a piano lesson and then head to tap class. Adults feel welcome here because it is non-competitive. We focus on traditional learning but with the student’s goals in mind.”

Lake City native Betty Frances Stone has over 40 years of experience teaching dance with a specialty in Broadway tap. She has received many major dance choreography awards. After obtaining her Master’s degree in Music Education, Betty Frances spent over 30 years teaching music in public schools, which included directing and creating chorography for show choirs.

She has been involved in musical theatre as a performer and choreographer in both the US and Canada. “It is so rewarding to be able to help the students be able to achieve their goals, whether it be preparing for a career or fulfilling a wish list” she said. In 2016 Betty Frances was named Teacher of the Year for Florence District Three. Since 1993, she has been the Director of the Lake City Concert Series.

Angel Neil Yock has been teaching music in the public school system for 17 years. When employed as the choral director at Lake City High School, her choirs

won numerous choral competitions and she was voted Teacher of the Year for Lake City High School in 2012.

She currently teaches grades K-12 at Clarendon County School District Three. Angel serves as pianist for the Lake City United Methodist Church; performs as a solo singer in the community and plays in a rock band, Chop Suey. The Lake City Community Theater has recognized her talent with the leads in: Once Upon a Mattress; The Wiz; Pippin; 9 to 5; and South Pacific.

Palmetto Arts Academy has expanded to offering classes two days per week. “We have doubled our numbers since last year and the concept of an arts academy is catching on. We recently performed at the SC Tobacco Festival and the response was overwhelming. We featured a group performance by all our tap students including our instructors, with several solo and small group routines. Onlookers were most impressed by the wide range of ages participating and

by how much fun the students were clearly having. Our motto is “Good Times at PAA, no matter the age.”

Palmetto Arts Academy is a fun place to learn with no pressure, no extra costume fees, just enjoyment of the arts for those of different ages. Betty Frances Stone and Angel Neil Yock have produced a creative learning environment that strives to enhance the lives of people of all ages with the arts. PAA still has openings in their group classes, so contact them today to experience a one-of-a-kind arts opportunity.

Palmetto Arts Academy is located at 110 South Acline Street in Lake City, SC. Bettty Frances Stone can be contacted at 843.319.1493 and by email at bfslcsc@yahoo.com. Angel Neil Yock can be contacted at 843.373.4555 and can be emailed at angelneilyock@gmail.com.

November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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LAUNCH

A

Wave of

Dr. Susan Morris recently opened Alive N Well, a health food store in Hartsville. After moving back to Hartsville in 2004 to open a chiropractic office, Dr. Morris realized there was nowhere to buy organic and healthy food options like in larger states she previously lived in. At that time, Charleston and Myrtle Beach did not even carry the products, so she was forced to travel to New York, Georgia, and other states to obtain items she wanted and bring them back. With a strong interest in nutrition and experience as an athlete in school, health food has always been important.

Dr. Morris even speaks to groups on the subject to educate others. As the years progressed, more people became more informed about healthylifestyle choices. Products have been offered in Dr. Morris’ chiropractic office, Advanced Wellness Center Chiropractic, and the interest in the items and business has been strong from just her patients. She thought if her patients were interested, then surely the community would be as well. After much inspiration and taking a leap of faith, Dr. Morris opened storefront doors to Alive N Well this September. Her sister, Karen Deberry, moved to Hartsville from North Carolina to manage the store.

646 West Carolina | Hartsville (843) 917-4821

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Alive N Well offers everything a grocery store would offer, but on a healthier scale. The store offers a little bit of everything from packaged frozen foods, to infant formulas, children’s vitamins and supplements, plus gluten free pastas, cereal, and breads. Fresh produce is available in addition to essential oils, and dog treats too. The store even offers candies for those with peanut allergies, which makes for a great treat as the holiday season approaches. A shopper should be able to come into Alive N Well and pick up everything they need just like at a regular grocery store. The store currently has seven vendors with more coming. The store encourages

Wellness story by Jordan Pupa

those who make healthy, organic, natural, and vegan items to sell their products in the store. The goal is to have healthy foods in the store so locals do not have to go to Charlotte or Columbia anymore to buy them.

Located on West Carolina Avenue, the revamped building was vacant for around thirty years, but is now an inviting and attractive business. The store has only been open for a short time, but business has been great with busy foot traffic of those coming in to check it out. The hours for Alive N Well are from 8am-6pm Monday through Friday and Saturday from 8am-2pm.

Saturday hours may expand depending on interest level and activity on the weekends.

While the plan is to get the store fully stocked and running, they have already been approved by the City of Hartsville to create a hydroponic farm. The plumbing and electrical work is complete, but they will continue to clean the space and gather supplies with hopes to have it up and running by next summer. The hydroponic farm out of the back of the building will allow for fresh vegetables to be offered year round.

Additionally, with 7,000 square feet of space, there are considerations of offering a smoothie bar, a yoga studio, vegan cooking classes, essential oil classes, plus so much more.

Dr. Susan Morris states, “I feel we are in a wave of wellness in Hartsville. There’s an explosion going on right now and why not be a part of that explosion?

Things just fell into place and things have been going really well. I am just so excited because I know that this is super naturally inspired and that it is the right time and we are in the right place.”

November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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TAX PREP

Checking That List story by Elizabeth K. Campbell, EA

Ho, Ho, Ho, Santa’s coming to town! You are probably running around in a tizzy shopping and randomly throwing cash at charities set up in the stores. It seems like charitable organizations are out in full force providing for the needs of their recipients during this holiday season. While most of the charities are legitimate, I want to caution you about where you put your money if you are planning to take the tax exception on it in the next few months.

A true nonprofit (charitable) organization must meet the rules set forth by the IRS. To be a tax exempt 501 (c)(3), the organization must be fully registered and in good standing with the IRS. A nonprofit organization‘s main objectives are social well being and philanthropy (i.e. religious, charitable or economic activities that serve the public.) This does not include political campaigns, goods received for your contribution, giving money to a friend at church that fell on hard times or bail money for your cousin. I am by no means saying not to give to these causes if they speak to you, but they will not be deductible.

When you are planning to make a considerable donation, I suggest that you do your homework on the group before writing a check. Researching the financial health of the organization, understanding its mission and seeing the future goals laid out will give you a peace of mind that your money is being used wisely.

In taking the time to research properly you and the organization will benefit from an ongoing relationship that you both believe in.

I refer clients with questions about the charities they want to or have donated to go to www.guidestar.org for a basic reference related to their organization. It gives the pertinent information, in a snap shot, for local, regional and national charitable organizations. Some new or small charities may not be on the site but you can at least verify if they are classified as a 501(c)(3) or church to ensure your dollars will be deductible.

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Of course the Scrooge will show up about this time too, in the form of charity scams. Keep an eye out for organizations that use a name that is way too similar to a well known charity, those that refuse to provide the basic information described above, use high pressure tactics, or asks you to wire donations. In South Carolina you can check with the Secretary of State’s website for a list of Angel Charities (the legitimate ones) and Scrooge Charities (the not-so-legitimate ones) if you have questions.

As far as a deduction on your tax return, please remember that you will not save a dollar on taxes for every dollar you give. Donations will help to reduce your tax liability if you donate to legitimate organizations and have enough deductions to itemize. I frequently tell my clients to donate with their hearts and be happy when it results in a reduction of liability.

I would be remiss if I did not point out the obvious – nonprofit organizations need money to run year round, not just during the holidays. True, they may have a larger need right now but they are open all year long.

I encourage you to research your charity and make monthly or quarterly donations rather than a lump sum during the happiest time of the year. This may make the difference in someone’s life. Plus, I hear that Santa is always watching...Merry Christmas!

Elizabeth “Betsy” K. Campbell owns Campbell Accounting Solutions, LLC. Call (843) 662-9700 or email taxinfo@campbellgroupsc.com for your tax solutions.

November 2017 | VIP Magazine

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

GET TO KNOW THE HARD WORKING STAFF BEHIND THOSE DELICIOUS MEALS FOUND IN VENDING MACHINES ACROSS THE PEE DEE. Listed is the staff that makes magic happen in the kitchen, along with how many years they have dedicated themselves to Pee Dee Food Service. Next time you see them, shake their hand!

Back: Chris Moebus (Executive Chef) - 4 months, Tessa James - 1 month, Paul Vennoy - 1.5 years, Vontra Wilson - 17 years, Carrie Oddo (Assistant Manager) - 15 years, and Phil Stephenson (Commissary Manager) - 15 years.

Front: Renese Gavin - 10+ years, Dianne Brown - 17 years, Patricia Street - 3 months, Clara Washington - 17 years, and Christine Addison - 5 years.

In 1988, Pee Dee Food Service launched as an office coffee delivery company. Since then, it has grown to a well beloved business in the Pee Dee Community. By 1992, they expanded to vending products and services and in 2002, they added home, office, and business delivery of five gallons of spring water. Pee Dee Food Service takes pride in being a company that believes in providing secondto-none service, daily fresh food, extraordinary variety, state-of-the-art equipment, and value pricing. Now operating on 31 routes in North and South Carolina, the company plans on increasing their service areas as they continue to grow and succeed.

Over 150 different brand name food and drink products are available, leaving the selection of what fills each machine solely up to the customer.

With their vending services, you get more than just a food/drink machine. This comes with access to salespeople who will clean and restock the

machines, as well as address any issues that may arise; quick and easy refunds from machines with the latest technology; on-call service technicians who are available to help 24/7; a no contract business transaction; and employee recognition programs.

This business not only delivers, they also provide catering services. There’s no event too small or too large for Pee Dee Catering to manage. They also help plan a menu with you based on the event. From light lunch options for small work gatherings to fine dining experiences for large wedding parties, Pee Dee Catering is there to make your event catering as easy as possible.

The best part of it all, though? When you select Pee Dee Food Service, you’re supporting a local business that provides jobs to the residents of its community. What could be better than outstanding service, great products, and local business? After all, nothing compares to a “taste” of home!

Pee Dee Food Service is located at 2499 Florence Harllee Boulevard in Florence, South Carolina.

For more information, please call (843)679-2911 or visit www.peedeefoodservice.com.

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