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magazine Publisher Tammy Clark tmclark225@gmail.com Editor Heather Page heather@vipmagsc.com Office Manager Tiffany Skipper jtskipp35@gmail.com Advertising Executives Julie C. Tyler juliectyler@yahoo.com Creative Design Tuesday Taylor Ashley Rogers

Contributing Photographers Erin Daniel Phillip Guyton Contributing Writers Anja Benevento Kimberly Brauss Mark W. Buyck, III Harriet Charles Zimya Dewitt Chris Edwards Cynthia Ford Rebecca Giese Allie Roark Basil Shah, MD Doug Smith Emily Stewart Meg Temple Donna Tracy

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

Spring has arrived and we are screaming with excitement about the events on our horizon. After a year of doing our best to stay away from one another, it seems as if things are becoming a tad bit normal again. This month we prepare for ArtFields, the south’s most engaging art competition and festival held right here in Lake City! We feature four of our local artists that will have pieces in ArtFields. Check out their work beginning on page 12. Phillip Guyton also shares his art through photography on our cover and page 28.

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 65

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APRIL 2021 ARTFIELDS 2021 LOCAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 12 Jennifer Edwards 14 Ivana Reay-Jones 16 Vicki Palmer 18 Kevin Spaulding 22 Around Town: Moore Farms Garden Tea Party LIFESTYLE 24 The Road to Salvation: Chris Edwards

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26 Boys & Girls Club: Tykeisha Lewis, Youth of the Year 28 Bird Facts: Phillip Guyton 30 Charles Flint "Shad" Rhem: Mark W. Buyck 32 April 2021 Calendar 34 Child Abuse Prevention Month: Meg Temple 36 Paint Your (P)art: Historic Marion Revitalization Association HEALTH & WELLNESS 38 Clot Removing Stroke Care: McLeod Health 40 Are Vaccines Important?: HopeHealth 42 MUSC Boeing Center for Children's Wellness 44 Occupational Therapy Month: Carolina Pines

28 BUSINESS 46 Modern Village 48 Naturally Divine Products 50 The Perfect Flower Arrangement: Forest Lake HOME 52 Easter Through The Eyes Of A Child 54 Rebecca's Corner: Polymer Clay Dish 56 Babes Supporting Babes: Allie Segars 58 The Pecan: Doug Smith

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60 Drink of the Month: Strawberry Gin Splash

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ARTFIELDS 2021 LOCAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Ivana Reay-Jones story by Emily Stewart

Artist

It’s easy to wander down the rabbit hole of Ivana Reay-Jones’ Instagram page and find yourself enthralled in the images she captures. Simple, yet dramatic; colorful, yet muted; candid, yet staged. One thing is for sure, every image has a story to tell and we are eager to hear it. Especially the story behind the photograph she entered in Lake City’s ArtFields competition, titled Stayat-Home Haircut.

Ivana grew up surrounded by family members who worked in various media outlets (television, magazine, and photography), so her passion for storytelling began at an early age. “I carried this passion through college and graduate school where I earned degrees in journalism and photojournalism,” she explains. “Once I realized my passion also lies in education, I have always found ways to combine the two through my teaching and photography careers.”

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Originally from Europe, Ivana moved to Florence in 2006. She and her husband have one son who is the focal point of much of her photography. “Over the past year, I realized the importance of documenting our experiences as a family through the pandemic. It was not always easy to pick up the camera and the inspiration was not always there, but I tried to document as much of our day-to-day as possible. The piece that is in ArtFields is one of those experiences. It shows my husband giving our son a haircut, something we had not done before. It is an ordinary moment but, for us, it paints a larger picture – learning, trusting each other, and doing/seeing things from another perspective.”

Ivana enjoys creating memories and telling stories through photography for families and businesses. Along with the photograph hung in Jones-Carter Gallery, you can find her art by visiting her website, www. irjphoto.com. Ivana also has a new product launching soon, something you don’t want to miss! Follow her on Instagram @ivanareayjonesphotographyllc to be the first to know!

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ARTFIELDS 2021 LOCAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Vicki PalmerArtist

story by Kim Brauss

“I’ll try any type of art at least once,” says Florence artist Vicki Palmer.

“I can’t pin down one type of art that I do. I love all art. I paint, love pottery, jewelry making, and sculpture. …I am presently having fun working with unusual materials. I am working on a sculpture made from just about everything.”

Palmer, a graduate of Winthrop University with a major in art and art education, is among the artists 16

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accepted into ArtFields – the annual, nine-day art competition in Lake City. Palmer is one of the entrants in the Southeast competing for $100,000 in prizes. ArtFields was founded in 2013 with a “mission to celebrate Southern art and revitalize” the town through the arts.

“My art is inspired by everything around me.

With technology today, the possibilities are endless.

There are patterns in a piece of wood, color in the night sky; how can artists not be inspired? …I lived in Bishopville for thirty years. People who know me will be surprised by this because I was previously more of a wildlife artist.”

Palmer’s creativeness was recognized by her parents at an early age.

“My mother tried to find an art class for me to attend at age five. At that time there were no classes for small children. I was lucky enough to have the local YMCA allow me to take classes with adults.

I just loved it. I still remember the smell of the art materials, the beautiful paints, and the lovely women in that class,” Palmer said. “I have loved everything about art my entire life.”

Palmer’s been an art teacher and freelance artist most of her life. She taught at St. Anthony’s Catholic School for 13 years. She’s now semi-retired, working on her artwork during her spare time when she’s not working as an activities’ assistant at Karesh Wing nursing home, where her mother resides in Camden.

“My favorite piece I ever created usually is the last piece I worked on. I become so involved in the project that I almost forget why I created all the pieces before it. If I had to pick one, it would be a portrait of my dogs. The dogs in the painting have all passed away and it makes me smile when I see it.”

The piece of work accepted this year in the 2021 competition is titled, “Tranquility.” “The subject of this work is a chameleon made completely of glass and wooden beads. It also has a 3-dimensional element in the raised eye. Almost every bead was placed individually, which was very time-consuming.

The beads are placed to mimic the texture of the chameleon’s skin. Like a chameleon, the colors play off each other depending on the light source. I love how this piece turned out.”

Some ArtFields' enthusiasts may recognize Palmer’s 2019 entry titled “Steampunk George.”

Palmer painted a portrait of George Washington, the first president of the United States, and added elements of steampunk art. “Steampunk art is science fiction. It incorporates technology inspired by 19th Century industrial steam-powered machinery. It is usually incorporated with something historical that would not usually go together. As in my ‘Steampunk George’ painting,” Palmer said, “I Incorporated many science fiction elements, as well as technology that had not yet been invented.”

“I hope that sometime in the future my art will be my full-time career,” Palmer said.

Palmer’s work in ArtFields is for sale. The venues for the artwork this year can be found online here: www.artfieldssc.org/galleries/venues She also creates commissioned work. She is married to a “very patient and understanding husband, Steve,” and has two stepchildren, Scott and Stacey, and also has a 2-year-old granddaughter, Sloane. She can be reached at spalmer@live.com.

Palmer’s art will be located at Bold and Sassy Children’s boutique, 109 N. Acline St. Lake City, during ArtFields.

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ARTFIELDS 2021 LOCAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

The Sacrifice

Requiem

The Spectacle

Kevin Spaulding Artist Kevin Spaulding’s art has a particular way of capturing your attention. Its depth and darkness can speak to your soul. The piece Kevin entered into the 2021 ArtFields competition will surely have a similar profundity.

Raised an army brat, Kevin lived in over thirteen locations throughout the United States and in Germany.

After college, he began an art career as an illustrator and eventually transitioned into fine art. Kevin moved from New York to Florence eight years ago after meeting his wife, Laura.

Kevin reveals that most of his art is created during the evening, and continues through the night and until morning. “I’m currently working on a large piece, tentatively titled The Widow, which depicts an elderly woman standing in a dimly lit, stately English salon in the late 1800s,” says Kevin. When asked to name a favorite, he goes back to a piece titled Requiem, which featured an 18

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old, tattered hay rake in the Midwest during the Dust Bowl.

This piece won second place prize in the 2020 Pee Dee Regional Art Competition. Additionally, Kevin has won first prize for an oil painting titled The Hearth at the 2018 Pee Dee Regional Art Competition and first prize for a piece called The Sacrifice in the 2018 ArtFields Painting Category.

“There are many sources of inspiration in my work,” Kevin explains. “…cinema, literature, philosophy, and of course painting. Perhaps the two most important artists that have had a major influence on my art career are Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth.”

While Kevin has plans for creating a website to better display his work in the future, for now, you can find his art titled The Spectacle displayed at Merle Norman, 117 West Main Street, in Lake City for the ArtFields competition. Be sure to stop by, marvel, and cast your vote!

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AROUND TOWN: MFBG’S GARDEN TEA PARTY

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On Saturday, March 14th, Moore Farms hosted its annual Garden Tea Party - a delightfully refined, full-service party enjoyed by mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and little ladies. Patrons enjoyed views of the beautifully landscaped property while sipping gourmet tea and savoring assorted, delicious finger foods.

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Photos by Phillip Guyton, True Light Photography

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LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE

Jesus wants to be your Savior. Salvation, being set free from sin, is a free gift to all those who confess their sin, ask Jesus to be their Savior, and by faith start following Him.

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THE ROAD TO

Salvation story by Chris Edwards, Associate Pastor, Lebanon Church

As they gathered around the table that night to share a meal, a strange tension filled the room as Jesus taught another unique lesson on serving others and being His disciples. After they had finished eating, they made their way down the road. Then Jesus, feeling overwhelmed, knelt to pray. Still, the disciples had no clue what the next few hours or days entailed.

But what they saw turned their mourning into rejoicing. The stone had been rolled away! Angels were there proclaiming that the Son of God had risen from the dead!

The women ran to tell others that the KING is alive! Jesus had kept His word and proved His power!

He rose from the dead in victory, breaking the curse of sin, and giving us a chance for eternal life.

It wasn't long until the disciples heard footsteps coming into the garden, and they saw the light from the torches. A signal was given, and guards stepped in to arrest Jesus. Peter began to fight, and the others ran. In the middle of the chaos, Jesus told Peter to stand down as He healed an injured man. Jesus was arrested, lied about, tortured, and sentenced to a criminal's death by being hung on a cross. He willingly sacrificed His life, not only for those who believed but also for those who betrayed and rejected Him. Then, in His final breath, Jesus cried out, "Paid in full!"

Jesus didn't come to be a good teacher, prophet, or healer, but to be the Savior of the world. He was met with accusations, lies, and betrayal but responded with love, mercy, and grace. Jesus lived a sinless life of sacrifice, healed the sick, and raised the dead. He came to offer eternal life to anyone who would repent of their sin and follow Him. Sin is anything that goes against the word and character of God, and we are all guilty of it. The consequence of our sin is not a slap on the wrist or sitting in time out. In the book of Romans, we learn the penalty for sin is death.

This death is not just physical death but eternal separation from God.

Jesus was dead. Was this the end? What was going to happen now? The disciples went and hid in fear and confusion. On the third day, a few women went to the tomb to finish the burial ceremony.

guaranteed. Jesus wants to be your Savior. Salvation, being set free from sin, is a free gift to all those who confess their sin, ask Jesus to be their Savior, and by faith start following Him. If this is the first time you have confessed your sin and asked Jesus to be your Savior; Welcome to God's family! Now get involved with a Bible-teaching church and learn how to follow Jesus. Maybe you're a believer but have been slack in your walk with Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you and choose to follow Him as you should.

God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son to save us, and whoever puts their trust in Jesus will have eternal life.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you repented of your sin? Don't wait another day because tomorrow is not

SHARE THIS GREAT NEWS WITH SOMEONE TODAY! April 2021

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LIFESTYLE

Youth of the Year story by Anja Benevento

TYKEISHA LEWIS Ten years ago, Tykeisha (TK) Lewis and her parents—Cherry and Robert Bell—made a decision that would set her on a positive course and influence the direction of her life; together they decided that TK would attend the Rick & Susan Goings Boys & Girls Club in her hometown of Hemingway, where she would be nurtured and invested in by loving staff and encouraging peers.

When TK talks about her experience at the Club, she likens different staff members to family.

Coach Marcus—the unit director of the Hemingway Club—is like a second father to her, Ms. McCrea like a second mother, Ms. Annie an Aunt, and Mr. Jontae a big brother. They are what keep her coming back to the Club each day and she credits their love and support with helping her grow into the caring, friendly, and positive young lady she is today.

Under their guidance, she has cultivated the self-confidence, social awareness, problem solving skills, and mental and emotional fortitude necessary to set goals for herself and chart a path towards achieving those goals.

One of the most important goals TK has set for herself is to become a registered nurse. For her, the profession epitomizes her heart for service and

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giving back to others. Whether she is helping at the local Food Lion, or creating music in the Club’s state-of-the-art recording studio, TK seeks out ways to get involved in her community and make everyone’s day a little brighter Assisting others and being a positive example for her younger sister keeps TK motivated to serve.

In February, TK won the 2021 Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area Youth of the Year competition after she was named the Hemingway Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Representative. She will move on to the State Youth of the Year competition in April. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area staff are thrilled to have such a poised and accomplished young woman representing the Clubs. TK’s positive outlook on life and her dedication to serving others brighten any room she walks into, and it will continue to guide her in her decisions as she navigates her final years of high school and life beyond the Club.

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BIRD FACTS

To many, a favorite of spring is being able to step outdoors to the soft chatter of birds perched in nearby trees. Seeing these sometimes colorful and often dull-coated flyers, it’s an instinct to wonder which bird it is. As of 2019, the South Carolina Bird Records Committee of the Carolina Bird Club documented 431 bird species in South Carolina. Phillip Guyton captured photographs of several of these local bird species and gave some information on them to help you better identify them this spring.

Info & photos provided by Phillip Guyton, True Light Photography

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum - This one was photographed at the City Center Farmers Market in Florence. They are usually seen in flocks and love berries.

Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis - Usually seen in pairs or small groups near dense cover and forest edges, they will visit bird feeders and have a metallic chirp as well as a loud whistle.

Wood Duck Aix sponsa - Males show off stunning patterns of colors, females are gray-brown with thin white eyerings. They are smaller than other ducks in the area and are quick to flush.

Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter is an excellent spot to observe them.

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias - You can see these in almost any area with fish. I spot them in the swamps, on Forest Lake, and in many of the small ponds in the area.

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus - These are found near bodies of water, it's a scavenger, the white head doesn't fully come in for a few years after they are born.

Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula - The males have a stunning bright orange body with a black head. They like nectar, fruits, and jellies. Myrtle Beach State Park is my favorite location to spot them while they are here, typically September through May.

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Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus - This is a huge woodpecker found in the local woods. If you hear construction work in the middle of a swamp, it's probably one of these. They have a very loud clucking call. I'm always surprised at how big they are.

Barred Owl Strix varia - This is who is yelling “Who cooks for you?" at you from the depths of the woods, often near water or clearings where you might easily see a scurrying rodent. It is more active at night but is more active in daytime hours than many other owls.

Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja - Unique pink bird with a spoon-shaped bill. They can be found wading through both fresh and saltwater. They can usually be found in South Carolina between June and November. Huntington Beach State Park is my favorite location to spot them.

Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus - The smaller of the two most common hawks in our area, they prefer to perch on wires more than the Red-tailed Hawk. The Rail Trail System in Florence is a fantastic spot for finding them. It's rare that I don't finish a walk without seeing at least one.

Painted Bunting Passerina ciris - This is one of the most amazing birds to view.

They look like little living rainbows. They breed in Georgia and South Carolina and migrate to Florida and the Caribbean for the winter. My favorite spots to view them are along the shores of Lake Marion and Huntington Beach State Park. They are usually seen starting in late April until the weather gets cold.

Red-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris - This is a small bird with an amazing ability to hover midair.

Extremely fast and easy to attract in our area with sugar water (1 part sugar with 4 parts water) or flower gardens. Moore Farms Botanical Gardens is one of my favorite locations to visit that usually has legions of them.

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LIFESTYLE

Charles Flint “Shad” Rhem For many of us, as the weather warms, our thoughts turn to baseball. Since 1876, there have been 19,576 players who have appeared in a major league baseball game. 198 of those were born in the state of South Carolina. (I am not including those players who only appeared in the Negro leagues, many who would also make for a good story). Two Hall of Famers were from South Carolina, Jim Rice and Larry Doby. Shoeless Joe Jackson will probably never make the Hall of Fame although he was one of the all-time greats on the field.

Other colorful players include Mookie Wilson, Hurricane Hazle, and the pitcher Van Lingle Mungo. Closer to home, BoBo Newsom from Hartsville had a long career from 1929 to 1953. Sumter’s Bobby Richardson was an 8-time All-Star and 3-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees from the mid-fifties to the midsixties.

Perhaps the most colorful of all the South Carolina players was a pitcher, Charles Flint “Shad” Rhem.

Anyone driving to Georgetown from Florence will recognize the Rhems name, it is an unincorporated area around the intersection of South Carolina 51 and the Brown’s Ferry Road. Rhems’ most famous landmark is 30

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the Mingo Esso. The Rhem family has been in the area since 1846. Flint Rhem was born on January 24, 1901. His father worked for F. Rhem & Sons selling cotton, timber products, real estate, and operating the Black River and Mingo Steamboat Company. Rhem’s father did not approve of baseball and forbade his son from playing.

Flint attended Clemson University from 1920 until 1924; however, it appears he did not play on the baseball team until after his father died in 1922. He quickly drew the attention of the baseball world as he averaged 15 strikeouts per game. In an effort to promote himself, he sent a letter to Ty Cobb who was then the playermanager for the Detroit Tigers. Cobb later described the letter, “His spelling didn’t indicate that he was about to graduate magna cum-laude, but young Flint cited a flock of one- and two -hitters he’d pitched and asked for a tryout in Detroit.”

Flint Rhem (second from left) pitched for Clemson from 1922-24

Flint signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1924 and would play 12 seasons in the major leagues. His nickname at Clemson was Smokey, but after arriving in the big leagues, he was tagged “Shad” Rhem purportedly for the fish stories he told. In his first season in the minors, he led his league with 282 strikeouts and pitched a no-hitter. Two weeks later, he played his first major league game with the Cardinals on September 6, 1924. He stuck with the Cardinals and remained on the team through the 1928 season. His second full big-league season in 1926 was the best of his career. He led the National League with 20 wins and pitched 20 complete games. He had an 8-game winning streak and an ERA of 3.21, helping the Cardinals to a National League Pennant and a World Series Championship.

Flint started game 4 of the 1926 World Series against the Yankees. This was the famous game where Babe Ruth promised a critically ill youngster, Johnny Sylvester, that he would “knock a homer for ya on Wednesday.” By the fourth inning, Ruth had 2 homers off of Rhem who was then lifted for a relief pitcher. Ruth would hit a 3rd home run that game. According to the New York press at the time, young Johnny made a miraculous recovery after Ruth’s promise was fulfilled.

Rhem also appeared in the 1928 World Series against the Yankees. Rhem was scheduled to pitch the 3rd game of the series but his mother did not want him pitching on Sunday. Rhem was benched, but he did appear to pitch 2 innings in relief. At the conclusion of the 1928 season, Rhem was one of the better pitchers on a World Series contending Cardinals team; however, his off-field behavior was not endearing to Cardinals management.

Rhem was demoted to the minor leagues for the entire 1929 season and was eventually suspended allegedly due to his alcohol-fueled behavior. He was brought back to the big club for the 1930 season and had a decent year going 12-8. The Cardinals lost the World Series that year and Rhem was the starter and loser of game 3.

celebrated as an ardent prohibitionist, failed to appear at the Cardinals’ local headquarters [before a game in Brooklyn] on Monday night. Last night, however, he returned and faced ‘Gabby’ Street, the manager. ‘Yes?’ said Street coldly. ‘Yes.’ mumbled Rhem. ‘Bandits. Guns.

Kidnapping. They made me drink the awful stuff.’” Rhem went on to explain how he had been abducted and taken to a rural roadhouse while being forced to consume large quantities of liquor. “And I am sorry to say that I got drunk. Imagine that happening to me! Of all people, me!… I was helpless, always in fear of my life."

After a decent 1931 season with the Cardinals, Rhem opened the 1932 season with the Cardinals but was soon sold to the Philadelphia Phillies. While his off-field behavior remained a problem, he put together an overall 15-9 record with a 3.58 ERA. The AP reported that the “erstwhile playboy of the St. Louis Cardinals was having the year’s greatest baseball comeback.”

Unfortunately, his next season in Philadelphia was probably his worst as he went 5-14 with a 6.62 ERA. Before the 1934 season began, the Cardinals bought Rhem back from the Phillies. He only appeared in 5 games with the Cardinals that year as they sold him to the Boston Braves. He still managed a winning record doing 9-8 with a 3.69 ERA in the 1934 season.

Rhem started the 1935 season in Boston with an 0-5 record and was demoted to the minors. He was then sold to the Cincinnati Reds, who never called him up to the big-league squad. In June 1936, the Cardinals bought Rhem from the Reds for his third stint with the team.

His final appearance in the major leagues was August 26, 1936 at the age of 35. During his 12 seasons in the majors, he pitched 1,725.3 innings with a record of 10597 and an ERA of 4.20.

Rhem and his family lived in Greer after his baseball years were over. He reportedly maintained a farm in the Rhems area where he would frequently visit his relatives and hunt and fish. He died on July 30, 1969.

The most infamous event of Rhem’s baseball career occurred in 1930.

According to the story in the Atlanta Constitution, “Rhem, who through his diamond career has never been

Sources Include: Society For American Baseball Resource article written by Nancy Snell Griffith.

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

Business Law, Litigation, Real Estate, and Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Mark W. Buyck, III April 2021

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APRIL 2021 CALENDAR sunday

monday

of

EVENTS tuesday

wednesday

thursday

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April Fools' Day Until 7 Shopping Night Downtown Marion

Spring Home & Garden Show Carolina Trading Post, Florence (April 1-3)

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Easter Sunday

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Deep Dish Pizza Day

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Pet Day

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Grilled Cheese Day

Hanging Out Day

Scrabble Day

Lima Bean Respect Day

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Pretzel Day

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Learn to Sew House of Vacuums, Florence

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Pet Parents Day

Student-Athlete Day

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Kid Jamboree (17 & 18) Florence Center, Florence

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Celebrity BBQ Fundraiser Rogers BBQ, School House BBQ & Johnsonville Baptist

Zoo Lovers Day

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Karaoke Night (every Wed.) The Crab Spot, Florence

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Trivia (every Thurs.)

Southern Hops, Florence

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Trivia (every Wed.) Seminar Brewing, Florence

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Blueberry Pie Day

Earth Day

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Shrimp Scampi Day

Send in your events to heather@vipmagsc.com! friday

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saturday

3 Eggstravaganza Moore Farms, Lake City

Good Friday

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Farmer's Market Open (3rd & 17th) Main St Commons, Marion

10 Wine Stroll Moore Farms Botanical Gardens, Lake City

Cook-off & BBQ Fundrasier Blazin' Keys Dueling Pianos Dizzy Crab, Florence near Palmetto Peddler, Florence

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17 Hannah Skipper Foundation Fun Day West Florence High School

Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day

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COVID-19 Vaccine Drive-Through 8am-2pm Carolina Pines, Hartsville

24 ARTFIELDS (23-30) Lake City

Pee Dee Plant & Flower Show (23rd-25th) Farmers Market, Florence

COVID-19 Vaccine Drive-Through 8am-2pm Carolina Pines, Hartsville

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Hairstylist Appreciation Day

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LIFESTYLE

Supporting Children’s Awareness Of Their Feelings story by Meg Temple, CARE House of the Pee Dee Executive Director

Having worked as a therapist and forensic interviewer in the field of child abuse for over ten years, you may guess this cause is very important to me.

I love working with children and families promoting healthy family relationships. Our mission at CARE House of the Pee Dee is to provide help, hope, and healing to child abuse victims and their families through supportive services and prevention. We do this by providing forensic interviews, forensic medical exams, therapy, and advocacy. April is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and we would always prefer to prevent child abuse instead of treating its victims.

Prevention can include increasing communication amongst families and talking about emotions. Family game nights are a perfect way to do this. For a preschooler or younger elementary-aged child, create a Feeling Word Jar. Decorate a jar with your child and write age-appropriate emotion words on popsicle sticks or pieces of colored paper. Each family member can pull a word and share a time they recently felt that emotion. For children under five, age-appropriate words may be happy, mad, sad, frustrated, upset, excited, and loved.

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discussions. Add emotion words to Jenga pieces. Each time a block is pulled from the Jenga tower, the family member talks about a time they felt that emotion in the past week or month.

Talking about emotions and feelings can help children of all ages because it introduces children to an increased emotional vocabulary, where they can learn to better read other’s emotions and express their own.

For parents, I suggest utilizing the captive audience you have while riding in the car or eating dinner together.

Ask your child to tell you about something positive that happened today and how they felt when that happened.

Steer children away from using the words “good” and “bad” as feeling words. Then ask your child if anything happened they didn’t like. Have them tell you the story from the beginning to the end and ask them how they felt when it happened. Thank your child for telling you.

Include this as part of your daily or weekly routine and periodically remind your child that they can talk with you about anything. Lastly, encourage your child to listen to their feelings about others and to share this with you.

Feelings games and conversations may appear silly or basic, however, these increase communication and emotional intelligence, and it lays the groundwork to teach children about boundaries. These conversations and skills can help prevent abuse by supporting children’s awareness of their feelings around others and their open communication with you about those feelings.

For more ideas and information, visit THECAREHOUSE.COM & find CARE House of the Pee Dee on Facebook and Instagram.

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LIFESTYLE

Marion's Paint Your (P)art art installation project is a county-wide art contest that brings outdoor art into the city. Inspired by a midwest town that found success with a similar contest, Marion County worked with Historic Marion Revitalization Association (HMRA) on bringing the contest to their downtown area. "We would like to see our downtown area filled with art," explains Stephanie Rizzo, HMRA Executive Director.

The contest was opened to individuals living or working in Marion County who were over the age of 15.

The arts committee will choose up to ten finalists to produce their work of art on a 4' x 4' board that, upon completion, will hang on a wall on Main Street Marion. Popular vote judging will take place on May 6, both online and in person. Each person can vote one time at each participating business on Main Street until 7 pm that evening. First place will receive $400, second place will receive $200, and the student division winner will receive $200.

The project was made possible thanks to a grant from the Marion County Healthcare Foundation, as well as private donations and HMRA funding. The art will remain hanging for all to see and enjoy for one year.

The Paint Your (P)art competition will be an annual event in Marion County. In conjunction with that, HMRA is moving forward with plans for a mural at the Main Street Commons. Work on the mural is set to begin in April and pays homage to the county's past while also celebrating the present.

A graphic designer created a "Greetings from Marion" mural reminiscent of vintage postcards. "We are anxious and excited to get these art projects going, as art has a way of unifying a community and creating topics for discussion," says Stephanie.

For more on Paint Your (P)art and to cast your online vote, visit the HMRA website at www.theswampfox.org/paintyourpart.

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HEALTH + WELLNESS

CLOT REMOVING

STROKE CARE story by Dr. Basil Shah, McLeod Interventional Neuroradiologist

Ischemic strokes occur when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked by a clot. When this happens part of the brain is not getting the oxygen and blood it needs, which is a very dangerous and life-threatening situation.

Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke accounting for 87 percent of all strokes, according to the American Stroke Association.

The gold standard of care for patients diagnosed with an Ischemic stroke is a drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which dissolves the blood clot. If tPA is not successful, using new techniques, we can attempt to remove the clot with the help of sophisticated devices to restore blood flow and prevent further damage.

The benefits of tPA are time dependent and should be administered as quickly as possible. The window of opportunity for giving the medication is four and half hours after the onset of a stroke.

When larger brain vessels are blocked there are limitations on restoring blood flow. In this situation the vessels can be re-opened quickly and safely with a procedure called Thrombectomy, a minimally invasive surgery to remove a blood clot from a brain artery.

Time is also of the essence to restore blood flow back to the brain. And, not all hospitals are equipped with the staff, training and equipment necessary to perform the Thrombectomy procedure.

At McLeod Regional Medical Center, there is a dedicated Neurointerventional Bi-plane X-ray Suite for such procedures as Thrombectomy. The Bi-plane imaging system produces highly detailed threedimensional views of blood vessels heading to the brain and deep within the brain.

This technology allows doctors to follow the blood flow path to the exact location of the issue. Designed for the emergency treatment of stroke patients, the 38

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suite is equipped with the most advanced medical imaging technologies available, including two rotating cameras, one on each side of the patient, to take images simultaneously. We can rotate the cameras and study the blood vessels from multiple angles. Also, by producing images at the same time, it reduces the amount of contrast material needed and the time it takes to complete procedures.

The Thrombectomy procedure for stroke care is performed by an Interventional Neuroradiologist, who with the assistance of the Bi-plane X-ray imaging guides a catheter, a long flexible tube, through an artery in the groin up to the blocked artery. Once there, a stent retriever, a tiny net-like device, is inserted into the catheter and guided to the blockage to capture the clot and return blood flow back to the brain.

Our first patient this year was on January 5, 2021, a 40-year-old man with a wife and three young children.

Thanks to him seeking emergent stroke care and the Thrombectomy procedure he is home with his family and doing well.

At McLeod, the Neuroscience Steering Committee is comprised of a diverse group of professionals including nurses, physicians, advanced practice providers, and staff trained in pharmacology, physical and occupational therapy, and administrative leaders.

Together, they bring a multidisciplinary approach to improve the care of stroke and neurology patients.

Through the efforts established by this committee, including the Bi-plane X-Ray Suite staffed by a highly trained team, stroke and neurology patients can stay close to home and loved ones for their care.

Every minute counts for stroke patients and acting F.A.S.T. can lead patients to the stroke treatments they desperately need. The most effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within the first three hours of the first symptoms.

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do this simple test: F-FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A-ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S-SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

T-TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Dr. Basil Shah is a highly skilled Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiologist with McLeod Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Shah has diverse expertise in radiology, neuroradiology, and interventional neuroradiology.

Basil Shah, MD Interventional Neuroradiologist

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HEALTH ++ WELLNESS WELLNESS HEALTH

Are Vaccines Important? story by Donna Tracy, Communications Coordinator, HopeHealth

Vaccine. Vaccination. First dose.

Second dose. Lately, terms like these seem to be heavily used in all areas of the media. Of course, there is much focus on one significantly-trending vaccine: COVID-19. There is also a lot of focus on populations most at risk for complications from the virus, especially seniors.

While they are very important to the safety of our seniors, COVID-19 vaccines should not replace other less-trendy vaccines and preventive medicine.

“Even before the onset of any symptoms, any virus can spread between persons by contact or through handling of shared objects,” said Dr. Heather Leisy, director of preventive medicine at the HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence.

Vaccines recommended for seniors by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include: Ages 65 and older: • Annual influenza shot • Tdap booster every 10 years for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) • 2 doses of zoster recombinant to prevent shingles • 1 or 2 doses of pneumococcal polysaccharide to protect against pervasive infections such as meningitis Recommended for ages 65 or older with additional risk factors: • 1 or 2 doses of MMR for measles, mumps, and rubella • 2 doses of the varicella vaccination (chickenpox) 40

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• 1 dose of pneumococcal conjugate to protect against infections such as pneumonia • 2 or 3 doses of hepatitis A and hepatitis B to prevent liver infections • 1 or 2 doses of meningococcal A, C, W, Y to prevent meningitis • 2 or 3 doses of meningococcal B to prevent meningitis • 1 or 3 doses of haemophilus influenzae type b for protection against infections that can lead to severe pneumonia, meningitis, and other invasive diseases For those ages 50-64, the same vaccines are recommended in addition to one or two doses of MMR for measles, mumps, and rubella if not received earlier.

Many vaccines may have been administered to an individual at a younger age and immunodeficient health conditions can impact the recommendation of any vaccine, so it is always important to have a conversation with your primary care provider to navigate the vaccination schedule for your personal health care.

Each disease prevented through these vaccinations once ravaged populations just as virulently as COVID-19 is impacting the global population today.

• Vaccination efforts completely eradicated smallpox by 1980, an incurable disease that killed about 30 percent of those it affected - an estimated 300 million people in the 20th century, according to National Geographic data.

• In the U.S., polio has been eradicated since 1979, and since 1988 global vaccination efforts have reduced the number of cases by more than 99 percent. While most of today’s U.S. population are too young to recall the devastation caused by polio, some seniors may still remember getting the vaccine on a sugar cube and individuals in their youth who were paralyzed by the disease.

These successes and the significant decrease in instances of other once-prevalent diseases illustrate why vaccines have been described as one of most important medical discoveries in the last 200 years. Whether you are 1 or 100, vaccines are important and an essential part of preventing disease. Talk with your primary care provider today to make sure your vaccines are up to date.

360 NORTH IRBY ST, FLORENCE 843.667.9414 | HOPE-HEALTH.ORG

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HOME + WELLNESS HEALTH

MUSC Boeing Center for Children’s Wellness to support Florence 1 Schools through School-Based Wellness Initiative The MUSC Boeing Center for Children’s Wellness (BCCW) is proud to announce it has expanded its School-Based Wellness Initiative to Florence 1 Schools through support from BlueCross® BlueShield® of South Carolina Foundation for the Diabetes Free SC (DFSC) initiative.

DFSC is a long-term, multi-million dollar, statewide initiative dedicated to addressing the epidemic of diabetes in three strategic directions: improved pregnancy outcomes in women with diabetes; reduced lifelong risk of diabetes in children; and the prevention of diabetes and its complications in adults. The MUSC BCCW is included in the effort to reduce the lifelong risk of diabetes in children through their School-Based Wellness Initiative.

The Initiative assists schools in implementing population-level interventions that promote healthy eating and physical activity in order to decrease obesity, a modifiable cause of diabetes.

The MUSC BCCW School-Based Wellness Initiative engages schools and districts in creating a culture of wellness. Program Coordinators support participating schools as they utilize the MUSC BCCW’s innovative tool, the School Wellness Checklist©, which serves as a guide to choose evidence-based wellness strategies and resources that meet the needs of a school community. These practices help schools make policy, systems, and environmental changes required to sustain a culture of wellness.

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“The infrastructure for learning is already in place

within a school, making it the perfect environment to educate students on their health and wellness. I tell schools to think about what they are already doing and how they can add wellness into existing day-today activities,” says Lauren Kelly, Program Coordinator.

“Those changes embed wellness into the school culture, which creates long-lasting effects, including reducing the risk of diabetes among students and improving academic outcomes.”

During this pandemic, especially with students participating in virtual learning on their devices, children have been more sedentary than they have ever been,” says Jeff Murrie, Florence 1 Schools Farm to School Coordinator. “It is so important for us to encourage them to continue to be active and to encourage them to explore and enjoy foods that can fuel their minds and bodies. This partnership will help us share resources and tips to put our students on track for healthy living for years to come.”

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HEALTH + WELLNESS

April is Occupational Therapy Month, but what is occupational therapy?

Who needs it, and how is it different than physical therapy?

We had the pleasure to interview Rosemary Morgan-Lee, Carolina Pines Physical, and Occupational Therapy Director. We learned more about occupational therapy and the tremendous strides she and her team have taken to provide exceptional care for the individuals in the surrounding community.

Rosemary Morgan-Lee graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Physical Therapy in 1990 and has practiced for over 30 years. In August of 2019, she started her career at Carolina Pines.

When she first began with Carolina Pines, they did not provide occupational therapy. Rosemary saw fit to provide this service to the community. With the upper management's support, she recruited therapists with vast skill sets to provide care for everyone from pediatrics to dementia patients. This group of therapists now covers a wide range of specialties, including but not limited to pelvic floor and pediatrics, scoliosis, vertigo, dry needling, lymphodema, postop ortho, traumatic brain injury, hands, and wellness.

They are constantly changing and learning to meet the needs of the community.

But what exactly is occupational therapy?

The dictionary definition of occupational therapy is "a branch of health care that helps people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems.

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OT can help them regain independence in all areas of their lives." Occupational therapy is all about regaining independence. Rosemary explained it simply with comparison to physical therapy, " PT helps you get there, and OT is what you do when you get there."

Physical therapy focuses on gross motor skills like walking, whereas occupational therapy helps you with fine motor skills like writing your name after a hand injury, for example.

Carolina Pines and hospitals worldwide relied on Occupational therapy with COVID patients sit up and work on low level ADLS (activites of daily living) before hysical therapy comes in to work on out of bed activities. There is a lot of overlap between physical, occupational, and speech therapies, with occupational therapy in the middle. They help people learn how to feed, dress, wash, open a jar; the list is truly endless.

Some situations like COVID require inpatient services, but Rosemary's department also serves the community with a walk-in welcomed (with referral) outpatient office. This office sees everyone from young children with autism with sensory desensitization skills to dementia patients, training to use a simple system helping them take their daily medication independently or relearning to write a check and help them with financial management.

Occupational therapists help give people the skills, methods, and tools they need to live their most independent life no matter the obstacles life has put in front of them. For more information on Carolina Pines’ Occupational Therapy visit cprmc.com or call 843.383.5370.

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BUSINESS

NATURALLY DIVINE

A Healing Brand story by Zimya Dewitt

DeAndra Rogers is the founder of Naturally Divine, a store in Florence, South Carolina, that has the reputation of being miracle workers. From skin to hair, Naturally Divine products have the ability to clear your acne, grow your hair, and leave you feeling moisturized and fresh.

When she was just a little girl, DeAndra, or De as most people call her, was said to have “growing hands.” At just 11 years old she began her entrepreneurship by braiding hair for her family and friends. As De got older, she noticed that her adult sister still dealt with acne. That's when she started researching and then mixed together her famous charcoal soap. Within a month, her sister's skin was clear!

Being an accountant by trade, DeAndra never dreamed of starting her own business. However, a client by the name of Bethany Ford received some of the famous soap and convinced DeAndra to start her own company. In the year 2015, DeAndra herself began to deal with hair growth issues due to poor decisions made when she was younger. This is when she mixed her hair growth serum that has become one of her most purchased products.

DeAndra has devoted her time to Naturally Divine.

Her history in accounting has given her advantages in running her business. She also helps others with financial literacy for their businesses.

When asked what other products we can be looking out for, DeAndra said that she will be adding a deep conditioner, sugar scrubs used for exfoliation that will be infused with the healing oil, and a healing lip gloss.

If you were to ask DeAndra why she loves her brand so much, she would say it’s because they are all-natural. Her products embody the very thing she grew up loving to do - making things from the Earth.

DeAndra takes pride in knowing that Naturally Divine is, in her words, "a healing brand." All of her products are handmade with love and are of superior quality.

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DeAndra Rogers, founder & owner

Satisified Customer Reviews “I started using the NDP Healing Oil over a year ago for my daughter's dry scalp and my dry scalp and psoriasis. I have tried everything in the salon and over the counter for years for dry scalp and NOTHING worked until I started using the Healing Oil! My psoriasis has cleared up as well and I don’t use ANY prescriptions from the doctor, even for flare-ups during the winter months! I have naturally thick, curly hair and my stylist even said she can’t believe that my hair has even gotten thicker as well and she has never seen my scalp look better in the ten years she’s been doing my hair! NDP has a customer for life with me!” - Amanda J. “My mom, daughters, and I absolutely love NDP! We all use the Healing Hair and Body Oil and have seen tremendous results in our hair growth within a few weeks. My oldest daughter uses the skin care products because she suffers from teenage acne. She has seen great results within a few days after using the three-step facial cleansing system and the medicated soap. I’ve spent thousands of dollars taking my daughter to dermatologists over the last two years and using their recommended acne products but she never saw any positive results.

NDP is affordable and reliable. There’s no guessing for us anymore because we now have products that we can trust and depend on to work! We are satisfied customers.” - Stacey C.

For more transformations, follow us on Facebook!

For more info and to purchase: NATURALLY DIVINE PRODUCTS 936 S. Irby St. Florence (843) 466-8810 naturallydivineproducts.net

“I love this oil. I had a chemical burn from work on my fingers. I washed and washed and washed but it still would not come off. It did not burn so I chose not to go to the hospital. So when I got home I remembered the Healing Oil and said I would try it because I had used it before on a dark spot on my shin and it took it away.

So I rubbed a little on my fingers and hands and went to bed. In the morning it was all gone. Just like that. This oil is amazing for all it does.

You have a customer for life!!” - Latonya J.

“My daughter had a rash on her hand and I had bad eczema on my elbow. We both used the Healing Oil and it worked! I also use it for our hair and our hair has grown way past our shoulders and down our back for the first time ever.” - Chantay W.

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BUSINESS

The Perfect Flower Arrangement story and tips provided by Harriet Charles, co-owner of Forest Lake Greenhouses

The Forest Lake Greenhouse story began over 30 years ago when Tim and Lisa King sought out the help of local entrepreneur Ed Young to see their greenhouse dream become a reality. A partnership was born with the Kings and Mr. Young’s four daughters — Claudia Venable, Harriet Charles, Virginia Gene, and Rebecca Madden.

After decades of building, growing, and making a profound impact on the community of Florence, the Kings decided to retire. To carry on the legacy of Forest Lake Greenhouses, two of Mr. Young’s grandsons, Luke

Venable and Austin Charles, came together with their mothers Claudia and Harriet, and long-term friend Hunter Robertson to form a new partnership and keep the doors open.

Over the years Forest Lake Greenhouses has grown and evolved in many ways, the new leadership team seeks to offer the same superior quality of plants and extraordinary customer service everyone has come to know and love. They look forward to sharing more growth, more happiness, and more beauty with the community!

1 For this project, I started with a small to a medium-sized planter.

Studies show that using just dirt in the bottom of the pot as opposed to adding rocks is just as efficient for drainage. Be sure to use good soil. I used Sungro Professional Growers Mix, which is lightweight.

Another favorite is Happy Frog by Fox Farms. Both can be purchased at Forest Lake.

2 Determine the look you want and where the planter will be placed.

This pot will be tall in the back and short in the front.

3 I begin by picking a color palette. Start by finding a flower with a few variations of shades so that you can find other plants to pull in that are complementary. The flower I chose as my base for this arrangement was a Rocky Mountain Light Pink Geranium. It had the lighter pink on the outside of the petal and darker pink on the inside. It’s also important that every plant chosen requires the same amount of light exposure and water.

4 I start planting in the back with the tallest plants. A

Jolt Carnation For daily inspiration from the garden, follow us on Instagram: @forestlakegreenhouses 50

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Jolt Carnation gives you a nice height and comes in a variety of colors. I used the Jolt Cherry and Jolt Pink to compliment the geranium. Be sure to loosen the soil at the bottom of the plant when you take it from the store container.

5 You want to expose the roots on the bottom and possibly even sides so that they can jump into the new soil.

6 Next, plant the geranium directly in front of the carnations. The geranium is a medium-height plant.

7 Often referred to as the rose of spring, the ranunculus is great to carry the pinks throughout the pot. It’s all about color and texture and the ranunculus does just that. However, this plant won’t last in warmer temperatures. In July, you can replace it with another complimentary plant to give your arrangement a fresh new look for summer.

Ranunculus

Rocky Mountain Light Pink Geranium Red-veined Dock 8 Now that the base is complete, it’s time to fill in holes. The Euphorbia Diamond Frost will get tall and run wispy throughout the other plants giving it a whimsical look. Put this in the center so it can twine around other plants.

Sweet Alyssum

9 Next, I added the red-veined dock for texture and sweet alyssum for its colorful carpet of tiny flowers and delicious fragrance. A white nemesia is added next. This plant is similar to the sweet alyssum but grows upright and over, enhancing the whimsical appearance while offering extra height. The pink snapdragon is added to offer additional height, texture, and color to the arrangement.

White Nemesia

10 To complete the look, I add Bacopa, thyme, and wire vine. All of these plants spill over the sides of the pot rounding out the dramatic look.

You can find all of these plants including pots of every size, and potting soil at Forest Lake Greenhouses. If you’re more interested in having the finished product without the do-it-yourself work, the expert staff at Forest Lake are happy to create your masterpiece for you. They’ll even do it in your pot! Just drop it off, let them know what color palette and textures you’d like to see and they’ll take it from there!

843-66-Bloom • 3108 Alligator Rd, Florence SC www.ForestLakeGreenhouses.com April 2021

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Easter

HOME

THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD story by Cynthia Ford, Director of Beyond Empowerment

Let me take you down memory lane, to a time before you became an adult. As adults, we understand and fully connect with the whole meaning of Easter.

We are reminded of our "why" and reconnect with our faith. The songs hit different now that we can relate and know what the author of the song means. When we read the story of the crucifixion, our hearts feel with passion as we visualize everything that happened from the betrayal to the guard’s discovery that Christ was no longer in the tomb. We purchase the Easter baskets, coordinate the egg hunts, and purchase the perfect outfits for our children. However, do you remember your Easter weekend as a child, before you gained all the levels of responsibility that you have now?

Growing up in my neighborhood, Easter weekends religiously consisted of four things: the perfect outfit, egg hunt, getting hair done, and preparing for the Easter speech.

First, the outfit. We spent the Saturday morning before Easter finalizing the perfect outfit, going from store to store to get the right accessories and shoes.

Siblings would be dressed alike or at least in the same color scheme.

Second, you were bound to be a part of a good ole' fashion Easter egg hunt. The wind filled our bags as we ran around, laughed, and searched every inch of the yard to find the colored eggs. Our biggest goal was to find the lucky egg – the one with money in it.

The third thing was ensuring the boys had a fresh haircut and the girls had freshly straightened hair. This was the weekend that you could trade in the barrettes and ponytails and finally wear your hair down. If you’ve ever had your hair pressed with a straightening comb, you would remember seeing the steam as the comb glared in preparation to give you a brand-new look.

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With our ribbons, bows, beautiful dresses, and smiles – we were almost ready.

The last thing that summed up our weekend was reciting the Easter speech. Every year we would get our printed speech from the ladies at church. During the week before Easter, children heard the same question, “Have you practiced that Easter speech yet?”

I remember the first time I recited my Easter speech perfectly. Church members were used to me forgetting my speech, standing there looking afraid, or walking off crying. I was determined to say the whole speech without help. It seemed like the longest two minutes of my life. My hands were cold with sweat. I marched down the long church aisle, grabbed the microphone, and turned around to face the crowd. I said my speech like a champ, returned to the microphone, and pranced back to my seat. That was an amazing feeling!

For years and years, that was Easter through my childhood eyes. Now that I reflect on it, it seems as if Easter was a direct reflection of each family in a concealed way. The children didn’t want to be embarrassed by not remembering their speech; the parents wanted to have their children dressed appropriately for Easter; even if your hair didn’t hang half-way down your back, you still got your hair done.

Parents juggled all of that, while still maintaining their personal convictions of what Easter meant to them.

This Easter, I encourage parents to take a moment to reflect back to a good ole’ Easter weekend. Think of the smiles and laughter. Think of the outside games they used to play. I encourage parents to let their eyes be the eyes of a child. Let the wind fill your Easter bags. Go to a level of peace beyond any mask or any pandemic. For just a moment, take a breath and look through the eyes of a child.

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HOME

story and photos by Rebecca Giese 54

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Make your own...

Polymer Clay Dish Here's a fun weekend activity for family and friends! What's better? It's kidfriendly! Visit your local craft store for supplies and follow these easy steps to create your own dish.

Supply List • Polymer Clay - I suggest at least three colors and to buy the small packs. (Depending on the size, you may want more or less clay) • Taco Salad Shell Baking Dish or Any small ovensafe dish • Rolling Pin • Knife

• Small Paintbrush

Polymer clay has been on the market since the 1970s. Still, within the last couple of years, it has gone from a medium to make cute figurines to popular material for artisans to make earrings, pendants, and even ring dishes. Unlike its cousin, the air dry clay, polymer clay needs to bake in the oven to harden and become durable enough for wear and use. Heading into the polymer clay world can be overwhelming, with the color options and plethora of tools available. Luckily this project is perfect for beginners if you want to make something cute, usable, and with a minimum skillset.

• Clear Spray Sealer

• Gold Paint

Directions 1 Preheat your oven to 225 degrees OR what the temperature on your polymer clay package states.

2 Take your clay and rip/tear it into smaller pieces; the pieces do not need to be uniformed; this helps with the marbling effect.

3 Once you have a mix of the different colors, start kneading it like dough, pushing it all together to form a thick disk.

7 Place this circle of clay into your taco salad shell dish or the oven-safe dish of your choice.

8 Place on the middle shelve of your oven and bake for about 15 minutes. Check your clay packaging for the exact baking time. You do not want to cook it too long or not long enough because it will not harden correctly.

9 After it is baked, gently take it out of the dish and let it cool.

4 Use the rolling pin to flatten the disk. Then fold in half and roll again. You want to do this several times to get the clay marbled.

10 Once cool, it will be completely hardened. Now it is time to paint. Take your small brush and carefully paint only the edge of the dish with the gold paint. It may take several coats to cover the clay fully.

5 Once it is marbled to your taste, roll it out one last time to 1/4 of an inch thick.

11 After the paint is dry, spray the piece with a clear coat sealer to add an extra layer of durability.

6 Using your knife cut the clay into a circle of the desired size.

12 Fill with your favorite baubles!

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HOME

Babes Supporting Babes

We all complain about the negative impact that social media has on society, but social media can be used positively as well. You may have noticed that social media platforms have been filling your feed with marketing for companies and side hustles. These days you can run a business from home with the help of social media advertisement. This month I want to highlight a few of my favorite small businesses that you may not have heard of before.

by Allie Roark

The Little Barn on Bay by Caroline Jones A Hartsville cutie and artist, Caroline Jones makes the most beautiful handcrafted items. Her art is one of a kind, and she makes the most precious home decor items, custom stationery, invitations, and hand-made jewelry. Caroline is one of the sweetest people to work with and always makes it a priority for her customers to love their purchases.

Hannah Billingsley Photo by Hannah Billingsley This chick is amazing behind a camera. Whether she’s taking your bridal portraits, boudoir shoot, family portraits, engagement photos, or just snapping pictures at a bachelorette weekend–she captures the sweetest moments. I had the honor of having this girl as a photographer during my wedding season. Her pictures are easily my favorite. She can snap a picture, but what makes her stand out is the effect that she has on the person she’s capturing. She makes you feel so special and beautiful. If you’re anything like me and don’t know what to do, she has already done her research and has all of the poses planned out.

Lolos Treats By Logan Sturgeon Logan Sturgeon has been a friend of mine for over 10 years. I was a little salty at the fact she had been hiding one of her hidden talents from me all of these years. She is one heck of a baker.

She makes the most delicious cakes and desserts that will satisfy your sweet tooth. One of my favorites is her churro bars. Holy moly, they are so delicious. I highly recommend you to check her out for your next event or if you’re just looking to satisfy your sweet tooth.

These 3 girls are amazing, and I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface with the rest of my favorites. Any babe that’s working her booty off is worth celebrating and supporting.

Remember, when you can, shop local.

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Teamwork makes the dreamwork.

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HOME

THE

Pecan

Get more from Doug Smith by following him on Facebook and Instagram at "Doug the Food Guy".

story by Doug Smith

Some say, “pea-CAN” and others say, “peaKAHN.” It’s nostalgic for me to think back to when I had pecan trees right in my backyard. We would go back there, the kids and I, and collect as many pecans as we could to just crack them open ourselves. That’s a pleasure like no other. If you’re from the Pee Dee area, most of you can relate. The pecan tree is native to North America and I know so many folks who enjoy their pecan trees right in their own backyards.

“Pecan” is a Native American word that was defined as a nut that requires a stone to crack it. The American Indian would use pecans as a food source for their regular diet. Many explorers dating back to the 1500s recorded information about this American nut with the “fine and delicate” taste. In our home state of South Carolina, we are not the largest producer of the pecan but we are in the top ten producing over three million pounds per year.

In the 1920s, a gentleman by the name of TB Young began growing pecans in the Florence area. The company he founded, Young’s Plantation, still sells pecans to this day.

With Florence and the pecan being so closely connected, it only made sense that we would host the SC Pecan Music and Food Festival. This is one of the largest festivals in the state of South Carolina. There seems to always be lots of fun music and dancing, amazing food, and crafty shops. Thankfully, the Pecan Festival will be here in Florence this November 2021!

Though that festival is far away, I can almost smell the fresh-baked pecan pie cooling on the kitchen counter when I was a kid. My mom baked the best pecan pie, using the pecans I gathered for her from the backyard. Do yourself a favor, and look into this pecan pie recipe to share with your family on these sunny spring days.

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Mom’s Pecan Pie

Ingredients:

1 pre-made pie crust 2 c. pecans, unsalted 4 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. maple syrup 4 tbsp. butter 1/2 c. brown sugar

For the glaze:

3 tbsp. butter

3 tbsp. maple syrup

Method:

1. Take 1/2 cup of pecans and chop coarsely.

2. Beat eggs and sugar vigorously, then stir in softened butter, maple syrup, and vanilla.

3. Add chopped pecans.

4. Pour the mixture into the pie shell.

5. Arrange the remaining whole pecans on top.

6. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

7. Cover the pie with foil during the last 10 minutes of cooking to avoid burning the pecans.

8. Let cool for 15 minutes, heat the glaze in a small saucepan, and gently brush it over the top.

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DRINK OF OF THE THE MONTH MONTH DRINK

Strawberry Gin Smash

Raise a glass to a simple cocktail recipe!

Ingredients • 1 tsp sugar

• 1 lime wedge • 3 fresh strawberries, 2 hulled/sliced and 1 reserved for garnish • 3 ounces gin • Splash of club soda • Fresh mint sprig, for garnish

Method

In a tall glass, combine the sugar and a squeeze of juice from the lime wedge. Muddle with the back of a spoon to dissolve the sugar.

Add the sliced strawberries and lightly muddle.

Fill the glass with ice and add the gin. Top with a splash of club soda and garnish with the last strawberry and a sprig of mint.

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December April 2021 2020

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November 2019

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November 2019