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6 3/23/10 4:38 PM Page 1
“A Doctor’s Confession to the City of Florence…”
Dear Friend,
Confessions are tough. Real
tough. But, sometimes a confession
can set the record straight, and
I want to give credit where
credit is due. Before I talk about
my confession, though, let me
say a few other things first.
Let me start by explaining
the photo in this letter. You
know, when I meet people in
town they usually say, “Oh,
yeah, I know you, you’re Dr
.Strickland, I’ve seen your ad
with that picture of you and the
little boy.” Well, I’m the guy on
the left.
Ten years ago something hap-
pened to me that changed my
life forever.
Back when I was freshman in
college, I injured my back while
water skiing. The pain in my
low back and leg was so intense
that I couldn’t even walk, and
sometimes I needed help getting
out of bed. I was afraid that I’d
lose the ability to even walk if
the disability
continued. After months of
prescription drugs, that did
more to disrupt my life than
ease the pain and numerous
steroid injections, I was told
that surgery was the only
option. Little did I know what
would happen. I lost a semester
in college (6 months of my life),
and was not better. But there’s
more.
A friend of mine convinced
me to give a chiropractor a try.
The chiropractor did an exam,
took some films, and then
“adjusted” my spine. The adjust-
ment didn’t hurt, it actually felt
good. I got relief, and I could
walk without pain again. It
worked so well that I went to
chiropractic school myself.
Now for Branton, who is the
little boy in the photo. About
two years ago he was plagued
with ear infections and chest
congestion. He took many
medications and even had to
have tubes in his ears. Imagine,
a little boy not being able to
play outside with his friends, he
was afraid of getting sick. After
we started to adjust him, the ear
infections and congestion start-
ed to improve immediately, and
now, his problems are only
occasional. He is able to run
And why, despite all, I still do what I do…
and play like kids should be able
to. That seems like a small
thing, but it makes a huge differ-
ence to him.
It’s strange how life is, because
now people come to see me
with their carpal tunnel syn-
drome problems. Also they
come to me with their
headaches, migraines, chronic
pain, neck pain, shoulder/arm
pain, whiplash from car acci-
dents, backaches, ear infections,
asthma, sinus/allergies, numb-
ness in limbs, athletic injuries,
just to name a few.
Here’s what some of my
patients had to say:
“I had headaches almost everyday of
my life for years; Dr. Strickland put
an end to that in a few adjustments!”
- (D. Kirkland-Florence. SC)
“I suffered with chronic pain for over
25 years. I tried numerous different
treatments including medication,
physical therapy, and even surgery.
A friend of mine told me about Dr.
Strickland. With his help, I am now
able to sleep through the night.
Thanks to my friend and Dr. Strickland” -
(H. Davis, Timmonsville, SC)
“I couldn’t sit, stand, or even lie
down without pain. After a couple of
visits, my low back and leg pain are
gone!” (K. Turner-Florence, SC)
Several times a day patients
thank me for helping them with
their health problems. But I
can’t really take the credit. My
confession is that I’ve never
healed anyone of anything .
What I do is perform a specific
spinal adjustment to remove
nerve pressure, and the body
responds by healing itself. We
get tremendous results. It’s a
simple as that!
Being a chiropractor can be
tough, because there’s a host of
so-called experts out there.
They tell people a lot of things
that are just plain ridiculous
about my profession. But the
studies speak for themselves,
like the Virginia study that
showed that 99% of patients
who saw a chiropractor were
satisfied with their results.
That’s just incredible!
Seventy-five million
Americans no longer have
health insurance , and those
who do have found that their
benefits are reduced. That’s
where chiropractic comes in.
Many people find that they
actually save money on their
health care expenses by seeing a
chiropractor. Another way to
save, studies show that chiropractic
can double your immune capac-
ity, naturally and without drugs.
The immune system fights
colds, flues, and other sickness-
es. So you may not be running
off to the doctor as much. This is
especially important if you are self-
employed. And, an entire week
of care in my office may cost
what you could pay for one visit
elsewhere.
You Benefit from an Amazing
Offer- Look, it shouldn’t cost
you an arm and a leg to correct
your health. You are going to
write a check to someone for
you health care expenses, you
may as well write one for a lesser
amount for chiropractic. When
you bring in this article (by
April 30, 2010) you will receive
my entire new patient exam for
$27. That’s with x-rays and a
thorough health
evaluation….the whole ball of
wax. This exam could cost you
$250 elsewhere. And, further
care is very affordable and you’ll
be happy to know that we have
affordable family plans. You
see I’m not trying to seduce you to
come see me with this low start up
fee, then to only make it up with
high fees after that. Further care is
very important to consider
when making your choice of
doctor. High costs can add up
very quickly.
Great care at a great fee…
Please, I hope that there’s
no misunderstanding about
quality of care just because I
have a lower exam fee. You’ll
get great care at a great fee. My
qualifications…I grew up in the
Pee Dee and love it here. I’m a
graduate of Palmer College in
Davenport, Iowa. Throughout
my career I have wanted to
return to the Pee Dee Region
and thankfully I was able to join
Dr. McKay. I am happy to be
back where I belong and doing
what I love, helping people
through chiropractic and natural
healthcare. I’ve been entrusted
to take care of tiny babies to pro
athletes that you may know. I
just have that low fee to help
more people who need care.
My assistants are Debbie and
Jennifer and they are really
great people. Our office is both
friendly and warm and we try
our best to make you feel at
home. We have a wonderful serv-
ice, at an exceptional fee. Our
office is called
ADVANTAGE HEALTH
& WELLNESS CENTER
and it is at 507 West Palmetto
St. (We are across from
Montessori School, 1 block
from the Venus Pancake
House). Our phone number is
843-669-1010. Call Debbie or
Leah today for an appointment.
We can help you. Thank you.
-Dr. Craig Strickland
P.S. When accompanied by the
first, I am also offering the second
family member this same examina-
tion for only $10.
P.S.S. Can you imagine not hav-
ing to wait at a doctor’s office?
Well, your time is as valuable as
mine is. That’s why we have a no-
wait policy. You will be seen with-
in minutes of your appointment.
7SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 10:01 AM Page 1

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10 3/23/10 1:15 PM Page 1

Testimonials “I had a knee replacement and went to Bethea’s Rehab

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After a knee replacement, I
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to recover. We worked every part of my leg, and even
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contents
76 82-83 96

in every issue
14 Letter from the Editor 44 Chicks of the Month 130 The Sir-Vey
Florence Co. Disabilities &
16 She mail Special Needs Board Family 132 Ask Dr. Avie
Support Services Avie J. Rainwater, III, PhD, ABPP
22 Mary Unmarried
Mary R. Dittman, MBA 50 She’s Closet 134 Fabulous Finds
28 Wings for the Spirit 60 She Wants to Know 140 The World According to
Sherry S. Page Atkinson Mindy Taylor
62 Beauty Buzz
30 In His Own Words 142 Birds and Beads
Stan Gibson 72 Shop Talk
Bridgers Drug Store 146 Who’s That Girl?
32 And She Cooks,Too! Ashly Bazen
104 Wee She
34 Chick Lit Mary Claussen Jones
Spring Fashion
38 Women at Work 116-117 There She Goes 120 • 122 • 124 • 126
Lisa King
128 Sheroes What Advertisers Say • 108
Women In Philanthrophy Fund

contributing writers
26 Cookie Cawthon
48 Sharon Bixler 114 Paige Self Thomas
Life,Work and Peanut A Bloomin’ Onion
Cupcakes and Tears Butter Cookies
40 Beth Grant 54 Aron Cannon Smith
118 Melodie Griffin
You Can’t Always Get What You Sittin’ Pretty
Blooming Where God Plants Me
Want: You Get What You Need
106 Jumana A. Swindler
136 Ouida K. Page, RN, LPC
46 Marti Miller Inflation Strikes Again
How to Blossom: Even If You
Still Find Yourself Planted in Barren
Soil
110 Ferebe Gasque
Music and Me
12-13 3/24/10 10:38 AM Page 3

She
Melia Flowers Berry
Publisher/Editor

TÑÜ|Ä ECDC
editor@shemagazine.com

Tuesday Taylor
General Manager
Advertising & Graphic Design

we are
tuesday@shemagazine.com

120 Dresden Tucker

Graphic Design
dresden@shemagazine.com

Leigh Clary Abdou

Production Manager
Advertising & Design
leigh@shemagazine.com

Heather Frick
Editorial Assistant / Advertising
hfrick@shemagazine.com

special features A shl ey R o gers

Graphic Design
76 Chrystal Brown ashley@shemagazine.com

78-79 Amber Wright Benton

Crystal Garris
80 Jenni Wiggins Graphic Design

82-83 Barbi Bassham & Kayce Brock

Christina Henderson
84-85 George-Anne McElveen Advertising Consultant
86 Kathryn R. Anderson, DVM
88 Major Karen Acosta Beverly Kelly - Executive Assistant

90-91 Tori Taylor

Ray Gasque - Distribution Manager
92 Mandi Brewer-Allen
94-95 Vanessa Brown Jacob Tucker - Distribution

96 Melissa J. Bradshaw
98 Rose Mary Parham She mail
E m a i l t o : e d i t o r @shemagazine.com
100 Rosanne Wallace Black Mail to: 609 North Main Street • Marion, SC 29571
Call us: 843.423.2393 office line • 843.423.9837 fax line

take us home
medical experts For a copy to be placed in your mailbox, send a check or money order
for $38 to the above address for a year's subscription.

66 J. Marshall Dent, III, MD She Magazine is published monthly and distributed at over 500 locations throughout
Use of HCG in the Treatment of Obesity
the Pee Dee. She Magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or con-

68 Nigel A.R.Watt, MD tent we deem inappropriate for the publication. Editorial contributions are welcome

The Lovely Bones: Osteoporosis - The Silent and will be considered by the editor. Please include name, address and contact
Epidemic number (email editor@shemagazine.com). Letters to the Editor may require editing

due to space limitations. The design, editorial and photo content in She is copyright
of She Magazine and may not be reproduced without written permission by the
publisher. She Magazine is a registered trademark.
14 3/24/10 11:00 AM Page 1
letter from the editor - April 2010
Bloom Where
You Are Planted
AVE you ever stopped to notice
the incredible sight of a blade of
grass that has miraculously made its way up from the
ground beneath inches of asphalt? I have. It has to be the
most fabulous display of BLOOMING WHERE YOU’RE
PLANTED in all of nature. It is also proof that with the
right attitude, tenacious will and unyielding determination,
all of God’s creations – including mankind – can make the
most of any given situation and still bloom.
And we can still bloom even if we find our-
selves in the one place we would rather not be. I can
just imagine that little blade of grass saying to itself, “I
really wish I was planted on a beautiful hill where I could
grow amongst pretty flowers and willowy trees. But,
here I am with this dark, thick barrier standing between
me and life. No matter, I refuse to be held down.”
If God placed within a little blade of grass the
will to BLOOM WHERE IT’S PLANTED, can you imagine
the power He gave to us to do the same? Well, that’s just
what this issue is about. BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE
PLANTED is about making the most of where you find
yourself. Two examples are Rosanne Black and Tori Taylor.
After being away from her hometown of Marion for 36
years, Rosanne returned to a new job and old friends.Tori
admits that her family’s move to Florence was a total act
of obedience to God. And while it may not have been
exactly what she wanted to begin with, she is BLOOM-
ING WHERE SHE’S PLANTED. Her story is very similar
to that of Stan Gibson, who IN HIS OWN WORDS,
writes about his desire to follow Christ, even though it
led him and his family hundreds of miles from their home
in Delaware to pastor Marion Baptist.
BLOOMING WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED also
means making the most of where you find yourself when
it comes to work. For some time now, I have wanted to
feature women with careers that are typically male-dom-
inated – what some may call “Gender Benders.” That
interest led me to investigate just how a woman does
make the most of such a courageous move – challenges
and all – to work in a field that most would consider to
be a man’s job. From the construction worker to a
Major on the police force, eleven women tell how they
have BLOOMED WHERE THEY’RE PLANTED – in a
presumably man’s world.
Speaking of
BLOOMING, in this
colorful issue, four female
physicians traded in their lab
coats for Spring’s prettiest clothes,
photographed by Collin Smith at Forest
Lake Greenhouses. I want to thank these
gracious ladies for lending their time and
beauty for this special Spring Fashion
section. Also, if you have been thinking
about a new look, check out BEAUTY
BUZZ and see how one reader’s look
was transformed when she traded in her
long locks for a totally chic short cut.
Now, while we’re on the subject of
a new look, I’ve been dying to ask you, “Have you
noticed that She is a full glossy magazine?” What a
fabulous way to begin our eighth year! Never resting on
what is a good thing, it has been my desire to make She
better and better for our readers to enjoy and an
unbeatable tool for our advertisers to promote their
businesses. A few months ago, a door was opened to me
presenting an opportunity to upgrade to this beautiful all-
gloss magazine that you are holding in your hands. What
better way to kick off Spring and all the beautiful colors
than in shiny, glossy pages! Fabulous, I say!
I am so grateful to God for WHERE I FIND
MYSELF PLANTED. Sometimes, though, I must admit, I
feel as if the soil around me is less than perfect for
growth. Due to a stressful lifestyle and spreading myself every tree, plant and flower. In every
thin, I feel like my soil is dry and barren. Other times, I color, they will all be blossoming against a new back-
let myself sink into the muck and mire of the garbage drop of fresh green grass. Crickets and baby birds will be
that exists because we are in an imperfect and sinful chirping. Only God Himself could have designed such a
world. I get uprooted and unearthed and feel myself glorious display of sights and sounds. I have to ask, is
starting to wilt. But, then, I remember where my there a season that offers more proof that God is real?
strength lies and what keeps me grounded and Who the How can you bear witness to Spring and not bear witness
source of eternal life is – Christ Jesus. That’s when, like to the Creator?
the little blade of grass, I have to dig down deep.Tapping As we celebrate the arrival of this glorious
into that magnificent source of strength that lives within Spring, let us pause to celebrate the One Who died on
me, fighting to break through the barrier and turning my a cross for our sins. Let us sing praises to the One Who
eyes toward the Son - I BLOOM! was raised from the dead and lives. Hallelujah!
By the time this issue makes its way to you, evi- Happy Springtime! Enjoy this issue . . .
dence that winter has passed and Spring has sprung will It’s a woman thing!
be all around us. New life will have burst forth from
melia flowers berr y
15SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 4:16 PM Page 1

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16 3/23/10 5:18 PM Page 1

She: mail
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Gina Ford
(She Magazine/Facebook © 2010) Marion, SC 29571
17SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 10:06 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 17

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1 2 3
APRIL 2010
In Every Issue
1. J. Marshall Dent, MD is Board Certified in Family Practice & Obstetrics and
Gynecology and also holds an Advanced Certification in Menopausal Medicine. He can
be contacted at Complete Women’s Health Care in Florence. This month, in keeping
4 5

Contributors
with the health and fitness theme, Dr. Dent explains how insulin resistance leads to
weight gain.

2. Avie J. Rainwater, III, Ph.D., ABPP This month, She Magazine is happy
to bring to our readers the debut of ASK DR. AVIE - A MAN’S PERSPECTIVE ON
THINGS WOMEN CARE ABOUT. A Senior Partner of LifeCare Psychology Group,
LLC, Dr. Avie J. Rainwater is the only Triple-Boarded Psychologist in SC, holding
Specialty Certification in Clinical Psychology and Sub-Specialty Designations in both
Biofeedback and Pain Management. He and his wife of 31 years, Karen, have three
children together. Chelsea, Seth and Josh.
6 7 8
3. Melodie Griffin is a Hartsville native who is proud to call the state of SC her
home. She resides in the Midlands now with her husband, 3 children and 2 Westies.
You can learn more about Melodie at www.melodiegriffin.com.

4. Erika Chapman loves her husband, Mark & living in Florence. Her passions include
raising her three boys, serving as a KidSpring Volunteer at NewSpring Church and reading just
about anything she can get her hands on.

9 10 11
5. Ouida K Page is a Licensed Professional and National Board Certified Counselor
with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and is a member of the International Honor Society
of Nursing. She specializes in families and issues relating to children, adolescents and
women of all ages.

6. Cookie Cawthon is wild about her family. She totally digs serving as a
greeter at NewSpring Church every week, and she flat out loves reading, writing,
speaking, teaching, and blogging www.cookiecawthon.com.
12 13
7. Jumana Swindler is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for
McLeod Health. Her personal favorite pastimes, reflected in her writings, are RV'ing,
movies,Theater, fishing, reading and spending time with her son and family.

8. Ferebe Gasque is excited about her journey to find the "new normal," whatev-
er that might be. She loves being the Music Therapist at McLeod Hospice House,
learning the adventures of being a literary agent, writing for She Magazine, and keep-
ing people guessing about her cyber-romance :)

9. Marti Miller lives and writes in Marion, SC and enjoys life, with
love and laughter. Pig collections are important to these pursuits - espe-
cially the flying variety. They do fly. Really, they do
10. Anna Pitts lives in Florence, She is currently pursuing her career as a School Library
Media Specialist and loving every minute of the journey! This month, Anna continues to write
about her upcoming wedding and fitting into her dream dress.
11. Paige Self Thomas lives in Florence with her husband, Joey, and two Sheltie chil-
dren,Timmy and Buddy. Together, Paige and Joey have seven grown children. She works
part-time as Business Administrator for the Francis Marion University Center for the Child
and is a Licensed Realtor with Prudential Segars in Florence.
In This Issue
14. Cheri Jordan is a Florence resident and has been married to her husband,
Robert, for eleven years. She is a stay-at-home mom to four children, Abbi, Luke,
Savannah and Matthew.
15. Sharon Bixler is blessed to be the wife of Hal, mother of Holly
(Stanley) and grandmother of Ian. She is a Member of Emmanuel Baptist
Church in Hartsville.
16. Nigel A. R.Watt, MD, With Pee Dee Orthopaedic Associates, specializes in
General Orthopaedics, Hip, Knee and Shoulder Surgery. In The Lovely Bones:
Osteoporosis -The Silent Epidemic, Dr.Watts explains who is at risk and what women
can do to protect their bones.

12. Beth Grant is an Artist, Interior Decorator and Writer. She and her
17. Aron Smith and her husband, Collin, live in Florence. They have a son, Makgil
(5) and a daughter, Clara Beth (3).
husband, Don, live on their family farm in Lamar, South Carolina. They own and
operate Mantissa Row in Hartsville.

13. Mary Dittman, MBA, is an Instructor of Marketing and Director of the

Internship Program in the School of Business at Francis Marion University. She con-
Artist Spotlight
sults for a variety of local and regional companies and is actively involved in the
Florence community. Her new column “Mary Unmarried” is now a reader favorite. 18. Amber Rene Chance is responsible for this month’s cover , a paper collage on
wood panel. A native of Southern Colorado where she received her B.F.A in Drawing and K-
12 Art Education, Amber is currently a student of Illustration at The Savannah College of Art
14 15 16 17 and Design. Her portfolio can be viewed at www.amberrenechance.com. You may also
contact her via email (amberrene@amberrenechance.com).

19. Liz Odom says,“photography is a passion that I have always possessed and I am truly
blessed that I now do what I love on a regular basis! Children and families are my specialty and
my style is all about capturing the moment in its natural state and then adding a creative flair! I
have a 4 year art degree from Anderson University,Anderson, SC and I now live in Florence
with my husband and three children.

18 19 20. Ricky Ford is a photographer out of marion who says, “ Photography is an art
20 21 to me and I want every image that I take to be timeless. His work is featured in this
issue of She in a photo shoot for one of the feature stories, and “Wee She.”
843.617.0147 • His work can be viewed at www.rickiford.com.

21. Collin Smith A portrait and wedding photographer based out of Florence, Collin
launched the $100 Portrait Project that donates 50% of its revenue to the Children’s
Miracle Network & stays in the Florence area. He is also the man behind the creative
photos in the CYNTHIA ads. View his work at www.cmsmithportraits.com.
19SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 2:39 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 19

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22SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:55 AM Page 1

UNMARRIED
`tÜç T f|ÇzÄx YÄÉãxÜ Zxàá
TÄÄ à{x TààxÇà|ÉÇ4
by Mary R. Dittman, MBA

g The Apostle Paul said he had “learned the secret to being content” (Philippians 4:11). I’m not sure what Paul’s secret was, but I
believe the secret to being content in your singleness is to “bloom where you’re planted.”
I used to be confused by Jesus’ parable of the talents. In this particular parable, several servants are given talents (money)
and then judged based on what they did with them. The servant who didn’t earn at least a minimal return on his talents was
punished, and his talents were given to the more successful servant. I wonder if this parable is telling us to do the most
we can with what we are given.
My best friend used to tell me I had to be happy being single before I could be happy being married. But
I had a lot of years where I felt like I could not be happy being single because I only wanted to be married. Sort
of a “Catch 22” – need to be happy alone but can’t be happy if I’m alone. What to do?
To me, “bloom where you’re planted” means “take care of what you currently have.” I remember
when I was a little girl, I wanted a new Barbie doll. But I had cut all the hair off my other Barbies and played
with them outside and generally had not taken good care of them. My parents told me I wouldn’t be get-
ting any new Barbies until I proved to them that I could take care of my toys. If that’s how earthly par-
ents handle their children, it makes sense to me that our Heavenly Father won’t entrust us with more
and more if we’re not taking care of what we have now.
Think about it like this: How do you get a promotion at work? You do an excellent job, show
up early, stay late, take on extra tasks, have a positive attitude, support others, treat the customers right,
respect your boss and do your best. Now that doesn’t guarantee you’ll get a promotion; but, if you don’t
do those things, you can be sure you won’t get a promotion! Well, the same is true in life. If you show
up fully in your current life, treat people lovingly, respect the boss and do your best, you’re more likely
to be given more. But, first, you have to show that you can take care of your little corner of the garden.
Here is the secret to my personal contentment regarding the single life. I decided to show up
fully in my current life. That meant treating my relationships (casual dates, friends, family) with love and
respect, serving others (hey, I don’t have a family to cook dinner for, so I can cook meals for people who are
sick or bereaved), taking care of my single friends, keeping my home tidy, doing volunteer work that I enjoy,
participating in Bible study and just enjoying the life I currently have.
It seems to me that many singles think they will be happier if they are married (or coupled). But ask any-
one who is part of a couple and they will tell you that while a good relationship is a blessing, even the best marriage
brings some additional heartache and drama. At the very least, you have to give up some things for a successful rela-
tionship. You’re not going to get your way all the time.
Nobody has a perfect life. Even the three people you’re envious of probably don’t have it all that
great. If you were able to look behind closed doors, you would find something that isn’t so great. If you
knew the absolute truth, a lot of your married friends would tell you that they are envious of your freedom
and time to yourself. I can promise you that.
I don’t believe God makes people be single if they don’t want to be, but I do believe
He will use anything and everything for His plan. He can use us to bless others – if we let him.
You have a choice. You can choose to be bitter in your singleness, or you can choose to
be better in your singleness. You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be negative. The choice
is yours. If you have decided you cannot be happy unless you have your way, God isn’t going to reward
your attitude. Again, think about your work life. Does your boss give you a raise and a promotion
when you pout, stomp around and complain about things not going the way you want them to go?
In the spirit of blooming where you are planted, let me share with you some of the bene-
fits I have experienced in my single life that my married friends are jealous of. I can dump a guy if he’s
irritating me. I can go to the symphony, theatre, all the movies I like, sporting events and church with-
out anyone complaining or feeling left behind. I can have dinner with my girlfriends or guy friends and
not get into an argument about it. I can paint the rooms in my house any color I like. I can spend as
much money as I want on shoes and handbags. I can lie around in my fuzzy pink bathrobe. I have time
to participate in a Bible study. I can travel anywhere I like. I can watch whatever I want to on TV. I can
cook what I want to eat or eat frozen entrees every night of the week.
I challenge you to make your own list of things that are good about being single. That doesn’t mean
you’ll be single forever, but it will help you be grateful for where you currently are.
In February, my dad’s wife of seventeen years died suddenly and unexpectedly. My dad and I both
loved her very much. The week after she died, Dad confided to me that his fear was “always” that he
“would end up alone.” My dad isn’t a single kind of guy! He has experienced a lot of anxiety and panic
over his new life as a single. I thought about what Mordecai said to Esther (and I paraphrase): “Who
knows that maybe you are single for such a time as this.”
As Dad and I take this journey of grief together, I’m grateful for my life of singleness because I’m the only
one in our family who can talk to him about what it’s like to live alone and to make a life on one’s own. You never know
how your life is going to help others, so bloom where you’re planted and show God – and others – that you can be a mature
adult and you can learn the secret of contentedness.
Remember: A happy, confident woman is attractive. So, learn to be content, confident and happy by blooming to
your full beauty where you’re currently planted.

Mary R. Dittman, MBA, is an Instructor of Marketing and Director of the Internship Program in the School of Business at Francis Marion University.
She consults for a variety of local and regional companies and is actively involved in the Florence community.
23SheMagazine_April10 3/24/10 9:33 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 23

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26 3/24/10 9:41 AM Page 1
i was driving to Savannah last night. Alone.
Serious face on. Blaring, I mean
blaring, Nickelback’s “If Today Was Your Last Day.” I had driven through several peri-
ods of rain along the way; thankfully they washed my windshield crystal clear. The
kinda clear that is sharp and crisp – unadulterated visual reality right in my face. The
kinda clear that suggests the windshield has disappeared. It was dusk and overcast, so
all around was a light grey glittered by approaching headlights. Beautiful contrast. A
clear view down the road (I am so accustomed to experiencing my surroundings
through the dust and grime of my not oft washed truck). After listening to and bel-
lowing the song a few times, I settled into thought.
Every Monday night we have friends over to our house. Eight couples and
their young children. We do life together. Well, in the past month, three of those cou-
ples have been touched closely by death (yeah, nobody wants to join our group) – all
somewhat unexpectedly – the Cawthons being one of those couples. God – in all of
His coolness – is allowing us to share death too. And just yesterday, our group wel-
comed a brand new baby girl and has another on deck for next month. Beautiful con-
trast. In a hard-to-swallow kinda way.
It was then that I sat in the clarity. It was one of those moments where scales
fell from my eyes and I just enjoyed right perspective – the place where you get a clear
view of the balance between life and death. I don’t often get it, but for that moment,
I got it. Sometimes death comes to walk a mile with you, and its gift is a super height-
ened appreciation and understanding of life. And in that place you make peace with
death – but for a fleeting time.
Somehow we spend most of our time anesthetized from death’s certainty. I
felt a panic last week as I drove Carson to school. The absolute certainty of my own
someday departure slammed on brakes in front of me. Whoa! Wig-out moment. That
reality can be alarming. I’m for sure going to the right place and all after I leave here;
however, it is a little startling to the senses and the brain. But. I do believe there is a
place where the proximity and certainty of death makes us live better. Unfortunately,
I don’t think we are permitted to reside in that place. The trappings of this life keep
us too in a tizzy with the now to live with a broad scope lens.
“I don’t often get it, but
for that moment, I got it.”
BY COOKIE CAWTHON
Tomorrow we will lay my father-in-law to rest and observe my eight year-old
niece’s birthday. The celebration of two lives at different points on the continuum.
Cupcakes and tears. A tense and natural contrast that is hard to call beautiful. Yet, in
a moment of crystal clarity and through a faith that leads me when my eyes are
impaired by the dust and grime of life, I will call it beautiful, trusting Him to make it so.
This has been a long, arduous winter. And I abhor being cold. I have been
begging for relief since December and threatened to move further South when it did
not relent. Santa in shorts is always A-okay with me. Everything has been so grey. And
drab. Dreary. Cold and dead.
But.
The Bradford pears are blooming; I wore flip-flops two days ago, and my
hydrangea has green poking forth among the brown remnants of last year’s growth.
The forecast for this weekend is sunny, warm, and fabulous, and spring is finally here.
Sunshine. Warmth. Rows of promising strawberry plants. Goldenrod and pink dog-
woods. The girls and I have been spotting blooms and buds all around town.
From the dreaded sprouts the dramatic!
On the darkest day in the history of the world, He who is life hung on a cross
– beaten, scorned, humiliated, and burdened by my own weakness and selfishness.
Death had its day.
But.
Life was too powerful to be contained. Divine contrast.
I will trust Him, indeed, to make it beautiful. It is His specialty. Bloom, sweet
friends; bloom in your spring.
The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
Isaiah 35:1-2
Cookie Cawthon thinks Jesus and spring rock in a very big way.
27SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 1:25 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 27

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j|Çzá yÉÜ à{x fÑ|Ü|à

by Sherry S. Page Atkinson

ENJOYlÉâÜ LIFE
Do you ever wish, as I do, that time would slow down If we want God’s blessings on our lives, as well as our If you have never invited Jesus into your heart and life
and let us catch up with it? Everyone is busy, especially families and our nation, He must be first place. Fellowship and would like to, it is very important to get involved in a
working parents with children in school and in extracurric- with Jesus moves us from fear to faith and replaces our Bible-believing church that worships Father God, Jesus and
ular activities. Retirees wonder how they ever had time for anxiety with peace. the Holy Spirit. And you could pray something like this
jobs outside the home. We all would like to have more Remember the Bible story of Mary and Martha? Mary prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and
hours in the day to do all we want to do. Time is valuable, chose to worship Jesus, while Martha chose to do her for sending Jesus,Your Son, to die on a cruel cross for the
but what a blessing to be able to be busy. chores. Uh-oh! How many of us are guilty of being like sins of the world. I am sorry for my sins and ask You, Jesus,
In our rushing here and there, you and I need to be Martha too often? God will help us get the necessary to forgive me. Come into my heart and life and save me.
reminded how short life is and to enjoy it. The next breath responsibilities done if we obey and put Him first. Blessings Thank You for eternal life with You in Heaven when my life
we take could be our last one. Every breath and every day and joy are waiting for us if you and I give back to Him some on earth is ended. I commit my life to You and ask You to
is a precious gift from God. In Psalm 31:15, the Bible tells of the valuable time He has given us. lead me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may be
us our times are in His hands. There is a special purpose strengthened to live the Christian life and serve You. In
in wherever we are at this very moment of our lives. If you Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.
have given your heart and life to the Lord Jesus, the Bible
states that our steps are ordered by the Lord. Whether
you are working or resting, sad or happy, worried or trust-
ing God, busy or bored, God is right there, loving you and
wanting you to enjoy your life.
You and I can experience peace as we are active with
our everyday duties – if we acknowledge God’s presence.
Psalm 23 reminds us: The Lord is my Shepherd!
Because He cares for us, He tells us to cast all our cares
(worries, not our responsibilities) on Him (I Peter 5:7). You
and I need to get out of the driver’s seat and let God be in
control. His way is the best way. Just trust and obey!
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways,
acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
And let us not lose heart, grow weary and faint in act-
ing nobly and doing right, For in due time and at the
appointed season, we shall reap, if we do not loosen and
relax our courage and faint (Galatians 6:9).
As you and I focus on the Lord Jesus, not on unpleas-
ant circumstances, no person or devil can prevent our being
victorious. During stressful times, the key to being an over- Make the most of today. It is
comer is spending time with God. If you go to church reg- all we have. Yesterday is gone and
ularly, that is very helpful and edifying, but it is not enough. cannot be relived.Tomorrow is not here
Father God wants to have fellowship with you. yet, and only our Heavenly Father knows
Psalm 16:11: In His presence is fullness of joy. Isaiah what it holds. Let’s keep in mind that He
30:15: For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, is able to do superabundantly far over and
in returning (to Me) and resting (in Me), you shall be saved; above all that we dare ask or think
in quietness and in (trusting) confidence, shall be your (Ephesians 3:20).
strength. In addition, John 10:10: The thief
Satan works hard to keep us from spending time with the comes to steal, kill and destroy. I came
Lord. He knows we will have more strength and power to that they may have and enjoy life, and
overcome him as you and I talk to Jesus with thankful hearts. have it in abundance (to the full, till it
The joy of the Lord is our strength, (Nehemiah 8:10). overflows). Because He lives, decide to
enjoy your life!

Sherry S. Page Atkinson lives in the Centenary Community of Marion County with her husband, Jimmy.
Those wishing to contact her may do so at the following address: 6526 South Highway 41, Marion.
Sherry teaches an Adult Co-Ed Class at Marion Baptist Church and loves leading people to Jesus.
29SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 2:41 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 29

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30SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:57 AM Page 1

When life doesn’t go my way

Could it be You sending me
On the ride of my life
IN his OWN WORDS For Your glory

STAN
Where I am, use me Lord
Where I am, use me Lord

Use all of my time

Use all my energy

GIBSON
Use all my money
For Your glory

Accepting a Pastorate at Marion Baptist Church meant moving his wife

and six children from Delaware to South Carolina. Through prayer and
the desire to follow God’s will for his life, Pastor Stan Gibson is excited
about BLOOMING WHERE HE IS PLANTED..

WORKING AT A CHURCH is more than just going to Sunday school

every day. Many ministers get burned out, have blow-ups or walk through dis-
couraging times. I have journeyed in full-time ministry since 1998. I started as
a Youth Pastor at Marion Baptist Church. This past January, I returned to be
the Pastor after being away for ten years.
I heard recently that there are “messy churches” or “pretending
churches.” I have seen and experienced that. Please know up front that this
has not lessened my commitment to the church but increased my passion to
lead the church.
I was in a difficult situation a few years ago. I knew the Lord was
moving me on but didn’t know where or when. The Lord put a guitar in my
hand and a song in my heart as I read through the story of Joseph in Genesis.
Joseph’s life was full of ups and downs. Even when he had been done
wrong, he let the Lord use him where he was. Joseph tended to “bloom where
he was planted.” God used me in that difficult situation and used that difficult
situation in me.
All of us go through ups and downs. Oftentimes, we are not where
we want to be. This is true in all our lives – whether it’s a job, a relationship,
school, etc. This song God gave me is not just for me in vocational ministry, Ricki Ford Photography
but for me in life, as well.
For those of us that follow Christ, the secret is staying connected to years of ministry. We had a friend call to gauge our interest in applying for the Pastorate
Christ. Jesus said it so well when He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man after my friend and a mentor, Daniel Inabinet, answered a call to return to Florence. At
remains in Me, and I, in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from Me, you can do nothing” the time, though, the timing wasn’t right. Over a year later, we had another friend call and
(John 15:5). ask us to pray about sending a resume. We prayed and sensed a need to be willing to
I made a decision to follow Christ when I was ten-years-old. Every year since I send a resume, in part because some key leaders were requesting it and in part because
was twelve, I was connected to youth ministry in some way – as a student, an intern, a of this increased passion in me to lead the people of God.
volunteer or a Youth Minister. The Youth Ministry at my home church came alongside my From a young age, I have done a couple things that have proved to be very ben-
family in helping me know how to follow Christ. Giving back to the Youth Ministry was eficial to me in my journey with Christ through good times and bad times, through times
a big part of my call and a big part of the reward in doing Youth Ministry. I served in Youth of making decisions and through times of repenting of sin. One, I have tried to hear God’s
Ministry in South Carolina,Tennessee and Delaware. I treasure my relationship with each voice and act on God’s direction primarily through Bible study and prayer. Two, I have
Pastor, each teenager and each person along the way. tried to surround myself with people that love Jesus and people that love me.
I used to say I would do missions or anything but pastor. It was God that I spoke with many people in discerning if Marion was God’s place, and now was
brought me to a point of being ready, willing and able to pastor. Certainly, I am unworthy the time to plant my life to bloom for the glory of Jesus. One man said that he was pray-
without His blood, grace, love, mercy and forgiveness. Even as I continue to work through ing we would have enough faith to take the next step – whatever it was – and with enough
personal issues and difficult situations, I find myself repeating something I heard: doubt that it required faith to take the next step. Faith requires us to wait sometimes
and move on at others.
We are all sinners Isaiah 40:31 presents the idea that strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.
We all need Jesus There were seasons where we were waiting on the church and seasons where the church
We all need each other was waiting on us. God had put on my heart to make myself available. It is evident now
The world needs the gospel that we all were waiting on God’s direction and God’s timing.
The people of Marion Baptist Church have been a blessing to me, my wife and
I can’t imagine doing anything other than leading the people of God to embrace our six children upon our return. It is my prayer that people will see Christ in me, in the
these biblical principles to help us all “bloom where we are planted.” I find myself crying people of Marion Baptist Church and in all Christ-followers everywhere. It is my desire
out that the church will be the church and the people of God will be the people of God. to be a servant and a leader in my family, in my church, in my community and in the world.
The people of Marion Baptist Church were a blessing to me in the formative May I bloom where I am planted – and may God use me where I am.

Stan Gibson is the Pastor of Marion Baptist Church. He and his wife, Heather, are excited about serving the Lord and making their home in Marion.
They have six children: Annie Kate, Nolan, Macy, Jenna, Sadie and Cora.
31SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 5:45 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 31

where style is created

An Upscale Salon Where
You’ll Feel Unique & Special!

Ashley’s
HAIR SALON
2709 2nd Loop Rd
(between Cashua & Palmetto)
Florence, SC

843.664.9555

Whether you’re building a new house or renovating

an existing home, clean burning natural gas is your
Bringing Your Dreams
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energy efficiency, more than 80% of the natural gas 843-665-6835 • 843-687-2906
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A home with natural gas reduces your impact on

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visit sceg.com/value. Beautiful Outdoor Wedding or Special Event.

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32SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:56 AM Page 1

Cinnamon
Cream
Cheese
Bars

ingredients for bars:

from the kitchen of
Amanda Tracewell
“My husband, Jeff, and I ran Carolina Sandwich Co. in
downtown Florence for eight years. As many know,
it burned in December 2007 at the hands of an
arsonist. Blessings come in many disguises, and
God has blessed us in so many ways since then.
Still, two years later, everywhere we go, we run
into our dear customers and, eventually, the
conversation always turns to ‘those Cinnamon
Bars!’ So, for our loyal customers whom
we love and miss so much, here you go!
Enjoy!”
~ Amanda Tracewell
Amanda works part-time from home doing medical transcription, which
allows her time to be a Full-Time Mom – her most important job! Jeff
thoroughly enjoys his job as Business Unit Manager at Carbis. They live
in Florence with their boys, Griffin (11) and Bryson (6).
• 2 Tubes (8-ounces each) of Refrigerated Crescent Rolls
• 2 Packages (8-ounces each) of Cream Cheese, Softened
• 1 Cup of Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 Cup of Butter, Melted
• 2-3 Teaspoons of Ground Cinnamon, Mixed with 1/2 Cup of Sugar
directions for bars:
• Unroll one tube of crescent roll dough and place it in a lightly greased 13 x9 x 2 Pan.
• Seal the seams and set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Spread the cream cheese mixture over the dough.
• Unroll the remaining tube of dough and place over the cream cheese mixture.
• Seal the seams as best you can and stretch to fit.
• Brush butter evenly over the top of the dough and sprinkle with the cinnamon/sugar mixture.
• Bake at 350º for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
• Cool and cut into squares (*).
*Makes 20-24 bars.
33SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 4:21 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 33

10,000 sq. ft.

of fabric at
AMAZING
PRICES
for only yd

FABRIC 902 Second Loop

Florence, SC

SOLUTIONS 843.413.3666

Dr. Joe A. Griffin, III

planted strong roots
in Florence in 1989
and established
Griffin Plastic Surgery.

With professionalism,
teamwork, personal care,
dedicated staff and
expert surgical skills,
the practice is “Blooming
Where It Was Planted.”

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

GRIFFIN PLASTIC SURGERY

513 S. Dargan Street • Florence, SC • (843) 664-1122
34 3/23/10 12:08 PM Page 1

chicklit:
What’s on
Amanda
Dowless’
Best-Seller
List?

Over a period of more than three decades and playing out across
the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the emotion-
al, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulk-
head of their lives.
From the beginning,Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world.
Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved uncondi-

“ FIREFLY LANE
is a story
tionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void
in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it’s television news that captivates her. She’ll follow her own blind
ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success – and loneliness.
Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by
a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own
quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn’t know is how being a wife and mother will change her, how
she’ll lose sight of who she once was – and what she once wanted – and how much she’ll envy her famous best

you’ll never friend.

For thirty years,Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship – jealousy,
anger, hurt and resentment. They think they’ve survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart and puts

forget. It’s one their courage and friendship to the ultimate test.
Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone’s Farm Apple Wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood
Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it’s the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed

you’ll want to by choices. It’s about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, it’s about the one person who really, truly
knows you – and knows what has the power to hurt you – and heal you. It’s an amazing book; I couldn’t put it down!
It’s especially great for friendships that have stood the test of time. The friend that gave it to me – well – we’ve been
pass on to your friends for 17 years, since the fifth grade. And, now, through the magic of aging, we have shared so much! I have
three children, and she has stood by my side and watched my children grow. Even through our struggles, we some-
how manage to make amends with each other.
best friend. Firefly Lane is a story you’ll never forget. It’s one you’ll want to pass on to your best friend.

” Amanda Dowless is married and a stay-at-home mother of three. She is also a freelance writer and photographer. Writing and reading
are her passions, right after her family and loved ones. She lives in Mullins and is eager to get to know others.
35SheMagazine_April10 3/24/10 10:20 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 35

Have Wagon Loads of fun at

Willard Farms!
Economical, Educational, Unforgettable
Pick Your own Strawberries or We Pick them for You!
Handicapped Accessible Wagon Ride Tours
NEW! Agri-Plex Farm Park
Cow Train Rides and Duck Derbies
Jumping and Climbing Fun
Hamburgers, Gourmet Hotdogs, and Fresh Cut Fries
Homemade Ice Cream and Homemade Fudge
Ole' Timey Candies, and Gourmet Salsa's, Dressings,
Preserves, Hams, Cheeses, and Breads

For the Freshest of Fresh! Get your

fruits and veggies by joining our CSA
Be Healthy with Willard Farms. For an Unbeatable Value with
Convenient Delivery. (The Butcher Shop, Florence and Ozzie's
at the Rustic Market, Sumter) We will bring you the Finest,
Freshest, Fruits and Vegetables Weekly with Delicious Recipes
and Ideas. Connect your family with Their Food Supply.
Guaranteed "Fresh From Our Fields"
Please call (803) 938-3188 for More Information
and Visit our Website for What's Fresh Now!
School and Group Tours Available

1220 South Brick Church Rd. ~ Gable, SC ~ (803) 938-2814 ~ www.WillardFarms.net

g s c o m e i n Check us out at

Cute thin
www.facebook.com/cottontailsboutique
& receive info on updates, new arrivals & sales!

Sma l l S i z e s !
New Beautiful Spring Clothing have arrived
for your kids and baby!

Bring this ad in for

$
10 off
your purchase
of $50 or more.*
*Some exclusions. Expires 04.30.10
New Sandals

Cottontails
Children’s Boutique
1210 Cashua Drive Suite 2 (across from Del Mae School) • Florence
www.cottontailsboutique.com • 843-661-7108
Store Hours: M-F 10-5:30 • Sat. 10-3
36SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 1:47 PM Page 1

36 • April 2010 • She Magazine

Catering Available
Group functions • Weddings
Parties • Special Events

Visit our website at

stefanosflorence.com
Customer comments welcome
and appreciated online!

Sunday Hours • 11am-5pm

2600 S. Irby Street, Florence • 843-664-9191

Rhonda Sanders recently joined the team of the Florence Presbyterian

Community as the Director of Nursing for the continuing care retirement
community located on West Lucas Street in Florence. She brings nine years of
nursing experience to the position that includes working in a 111 bed nursing
facility as well as providing nursing in a home care environment. She holds a
bachelors degree in Business from Francis Marion University but made a career
change to nursing in 2001 when she completed a nursing degree at Florence
Darlington Technical College. “I have always wanted to be a nurse and to be
able to help others,” said Sanders. “And I look forward to the challenges that
this new opportunity at the Florence Presbyterian Community provides.” She is
quick to say “the residents must come first” when talking about quality care,
customer service and the goals she has for her new nursing team.

Sanders is originally from Mullins, South Carolina where she and her
family live and are members of First Baptist Church. Rhonda enjoys spending
time with her family and relaxing at the beach with a good book. Florence
Presbyterian Community is one of five continuing care retirement communities
of Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina providing residency options
from patio homes and apartments to assisted living and skilled nursing care.

Please contact Marian Howard for more information: mhoward@preshomesc.org • 843-665-2222 X 114
2350 W. Lucas St. • Florence
37SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 1:51 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 37

38 3/23/10 6:34 PM Page 1

LISA
KING
with
FOREST LAKE GREENHOUSES
in Florence

orest Lake Greenhouses, named after the nearby
lake, is a full-service retail/wholesale garden
center and greenhouse specializing in
blooming plant sales and produc-
tion. We’re now celebrating twenty
years of “growing great gardens.”
Other than Owner, I don’t have an
official title. Here at Forest Lake Greenhouses, we all
work as a team. Many of the people I work with have been with
me for fifteen-plus years. They know how to keep the place running smoothly. Even better
than I do sometimes.
I give all the credit to my Grandmother Esther, who developed my interest in
plants and growing things, both indoors and out. She spent time with me and helped me
experience how much pleasure you get from watching things grow. I started working at
a Mom-and-Pop-garden-stand when I was fifteen-years-old and kept on through high
school and college. I have a Degree in Horticulture from Penn State University.
Forest Lake Greenhouses was officially opened in December of 1989. We have
been here for 21 years with the hope of being a place where people can get the plants
“ Grandmother
I give all the credit to my
Esther, who
developed my interest in
plants and growing
things, both indoors and out. “
they need so they can enjoy and experience their own pleasure for growing things. This
is also a special place where children are educated on growing things.
The biggest challenge in my job is so much to do, so little time! Trying to fit
everything I have to do within a specific time period is hard. It seems like I’m never fin-
ished. What I like most about my job, however, is the flexibility. Most of my work is done
at the greenhouse, but I can do some office/writing work at home. I am blessed with a
great boss – my husband – who lets me come and go as needed to spend time with our
daughter, Allison, and her activities.
There is no typical day at Forest Lake Greenhouses because every day requires
a different job to be done. Our business is seasonal, and we must change all aspects of
the business with every season. I’m doing something different every day. Constant change
is typical.
The greenhouse itself, with all its beautiful flowers, is a reason to get up and go
each day. Our gardening friends and customers make us want to get up and do it all over
again, as well. I hope our place fills emotional and spiritual needs for people. It’s not just
a place to buy flowers; we want our place to make people feel good. We want everyone
to have a good uplifting experience when they visit us. We want people to be inspired to
garden. We want them to go home and create a special place, where they can experience
the true joy that is possible from spending time in the garden.

Cheri Jordan is a Florence resident and has been married to her husband, Robert, for eleven years. She is a stay-at-home mom to four children: Abbi, Luke, Savannah and Matthew.
39 3/23/10 5:08 PM Page 1

Florence’s Only Certified Bariatrics Center

Florence Wellness
& Weight-loss Center
J. MARSHALL DENT, M.D.,
under the direction of
FLORENCE’S ONLY BARIATRIC PHYSICIAN
NOW OFFERING FULL & MODIFIED FAST AS WELL AS OTHER PROGRAMS TAILORED TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

“ I’ve lost 55 POUNDS!

Chrystal Hayes tells her story.
”
HER STORY... Several months after the birth of my second child, I was unsuccessful at losing the weight I gained dur-
ing the pregnancy. After my first pregnancy, I was back down to my pre-pregnancy weight within a few weeks, but I
knew that losing the weight would not be as easy the second time. I could only fit into my maternity clothes. At 183
pounds, I was heavier than I had ever been before and was not happy at all with my appearance.
One day, I had a doctor’s appointment, and I was reading She Magazine. I saw an ad for Florence Wellness &
Weight Loss Center. The next day, I called and spoke with Ms. Thelma, who briefly explained the program to me and
scheduled my first appointment.
I started on the Modified-Fast Program. I was able to have two supplements per day for breakfast and lunch. I
chose the chocolate shakes because they tasted delicious, and they were convenient. For supper, I ate a high-protein,
low-carb meal. A list of foods was given to me to choose from, along with the diet plan. It was so easy to follow, and I
think that’s why I have been successful.
I was motivated to continue the program every time I weighed in and had lost more weight. Everyone noticed
my weight loss. Even several of my co-workers, friends and family started the program, which helped me to stick to the
plan.
The hardest part was watching others eat the foods I love. The longer I was on the program, however, the eas-
ier it was to follow. The best thing about losing the weight is the increased energy. I feel better than I have felt in a long
time; I actually have the energy to work all day and keep up with my two young children.
My advice to anyone who wants to lose weight would be to call the staff at Florence Wellness & Weight Loss
Center. They are so kind and supportive. If you follow the program, you will lose weight and feel better.
My current weight is 128 pounds. I lost a total of 55 pounds. But, most importantly, I’ve been able to keep the
weight off.

Chrystal Hayes is married and has two children. She is a Registered Nurse and the Assistant Director of Nursing at
Morrell Nursing and Rehab Center in Hartsville, South Carolina.
after

Top 10 reasons to choose

Florence Wellness and Weight-loss Center
before
1. The ONLY board certified bariatric physician in the Pee Dee
2. The ONLY certified Bariatric Center in the Pee Dee
3. The most cost effective program in the Pee Dee
4. Individual programs tailored to your needs and the flexibility to change programs
5. Thorough metabolic laboratory evaluation on every patient
6. The knowledge and experience to offer hormone balancing to enhance weight loss
7. Bonafide maintenance program once goal weight is obtained
8. Each patient seen by physician every visit
9. All inclusive plans (no hidden cost)
10. Flexible hours and late hours to better accommodate your schedule
MOST COST EFFECTIVE WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM IN THE PEE DEE!
Programs as low as $45 every 2 weeks, including Lipotropic Injections, Vitamins, and Appetite Suppressants

Complete Women’s Health Care

See Dr. Dent’s article

J. Marshall Dent, M.D.

on pg. 66

Member of North American Menopausal Society • Member of American Bariatrics Physicians

410 South Coit Street • Florence • 665.5055

40SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:32 AM Page 1
You Can’t Always
Get What You Want,
YOU GET
WHAT
YOU
NEED
uddenly, the winter blues begin to abate and the sun begins to
warm my back. I’m free to smell the first blooms of spring and
realize how wonderful it is. Just for that moment, the smell
engulfs my senses and it’s so nice that I stop and pick a small
bloom to remember it longer. Oops, I drop it and when I lean to pick it up, I find a tiny
empty eggshell. The pale blue shell was once a safe haven to a baby bird who found its
way out into the world. All of a sudden, I hear the songs of many birds, and I wonder
which one belonged to the bird in the shell.
Tiny bits of green – new life – are beginning to poke through the yellowed win-
ter grass, and I sigh in honor of the first blooms bursting forth. A gentle breeze begins to
blow through my hair as I look up and watch the clouds move by. Gazing at the clouds, I
begin to see shapes form, and I stare at the sky for a long time. I start seeing what appear
to be faint water droplets drifting downward, and I close my eyes for a moment.
Just then, an anxious squirrel with a red tail scampers by and races up an old oak
tree, startling me. A pecan is in the paws of the squirrel that plants itself on a branch and
begins chewing at warp speed. Before me is nature’s beautiful bounty, complete with
weeds that need pulling. This spring, I’m going to enjoy the flowers amongst the weeds.
Recently, we took our grandchildren to a local sheep farm. I can’t describe the
happiness I felt as I witnessed their little precious hands feeding bottles to the newborn
lambs. There were squeals of joy from our grandchildren as the tiny lambs attacked the
bottles so hard it nearly knocked them down! The matted lamb’s wool felt so soft and
warm. The hens were flying around us and perching nearby. What a wonderful time we
had there – and it was free! We visited the farm’s market afterwards where you can pur-
chase organic eggs, milk, meat and cheese. Even the ride over was special because it’s nice
to take in the peaceful scenes along the way. Realizing these stolen moments of time with
our grandchildren don’t last forever; I savor them like a fine wine.
The changing of the seasons is also fun because of spring clothes with their bright
colors. They are just delicious after all the browns and blacks of winter. Well, they could
Beth Grant is an Artist, Interior Decorator and Writer. She and her husband, Don, live on their family farm in Lamar, South Carolina. They own and operate Mantissa Row in Hartsville.
by Beth Grant
be more fun if I hadn’t packed on the extra pounds this
past year. I remember the vow I took with myself when
I said I would never gain back the weight again! Well, even
my knit dresses don’t hide the evidence of my transgres-
sions. Boy, if you really want to ruin the day, try on four pairs
of last year’s pants and none of them fit. Even the blouses are
begging for mercy!
Oh, brother, here come the conversations with the girl in the mirror
again. “Now, you promised yourself you were not going to do this – and look at you! Now,
you’ll have to start all over.” Actually the conversation usually ends with me calling myself a
couple names, and somehow that seems therapeutic.
When I put on weight, you can bet a new hairstyle is soon to follow – as if that
neutralizes the view somehow. So, I tried bold blond highlights (just in the front) to liven
things up a bit. I looked in the mirror at the same person but with foreign hair. Did I feel
better? No, just different. After a couple compliments, I started to feel like maybe this
was a positive step. Perhaps the hair was detracting from the weight. Then the dreaded
roots started making their appearance and quickly began to overshadow the coolness of
the new look.
So, after a couple more tries, I gave up and went back to the more natural shade I
was born with. I should also mention that because I straighten my tresses, I’m sporting some
broken off “spikes.” So, now I have to basically pomade them to smash them down in place.
Wow, if I could just accept the weight gain as a passing phase and learn to love
my curls, then I could save twenty minutes getting ready every morning. Maybe I could go
“curly” most of the time and give my hair a break (and my straightening iron). Really, I
should be better about wanting what I have and seeing the beauty in it. Each season brings
welcome change and something special to look forward to. I should focus on the flowers
and not the weeds. After all, is it a weed? Or is it a flower?
41SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 4:50 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 41

peek-a-boo!
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42 3/23/10 4:58 PM Page 1

Specialized Health Care for Kids:

MCLEOD
CHILDREN'S
HOSPITAL
For decades, McLeod Children's Hospital has been providing the
highest level of pediatric care and technology for the sick and injured children
of Northeastern South Carolina and Southeastern North Carolina. McLeod
Children's Hospital treats the special needs of more than 26,000 children
who receive inpatient and outpatient care each year.

McLeod Children's Hospital - A Different Approach,

Appropriate for Kids.
One of only four Children's Hospitals in the state of South Carolina,
McLeod Children's Hospital stands out as among the very best in serving
children and their families.Without a Children's Hospital and Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit (PICU), children of Northeastern South Carolina and
Southeastern North Carolina would have to travel away from the region to
receive life-saving care.
Everything in the Children's Hospital is highly specialized and designed
specifically for children. From the child-friendly décor to its pediatric satellite
pharmacy, the McLeod Children's Hospital encompasses many areas of service
that are provided to its patients and their families.
Pediatric Subspecialties
Offered at McLeod
Children's Hospital
• Pediatric Intensivist
• Neonatal Intensivist
• Pediatric Endocrinologist
• Pediatric Cardiologist
• Pediatric Neurologist
• Pediatric Orthopedist
• Developmental Specialist
• Pediatric Pulmonologist
• Pediatric Nephrologist
• Geneticist
• Retinal Specialist
ChildReach Mobile Intensive Care Unit
Since 1992, a specially designated mobile pediatric intensive care unit,
ChildReach, has transported children and newborns from community hospitals
throughout the region to high-tech, lifesaving specialists at the McLeod
Children's Hospital. Nurses and respiratory therapists respond immediately
to assure high quality care for the newborn during transport, often
making the difference between life and death for the baby.
Camp Health
"Summer camp!" When heard by children and adults alike, this
phrase conjures thoughts of laughing with friends, singing timeless songs by a
campfire, and bunking up in wood cabins after a long day of canoeing on the
lake.
For children with chronic illnesses including Asthma, Sickle Cell, and
Type I Diabetes, attending a traditional summer camp can pose serious health
risks. For this special group of children, McLeod Children's Hospital hosts its
annual Camp Health. A free camp for children ages 5 - 12, Camp Health is
staffed by a team of nurses, therapists, and dieticians to monitor campers during
play and rest periods. Camp Health provides fun and exciting activities for its
campers, including trips to the aquarium,Water Day at the McLeod Health
and Fitness Center, Science Day at ScienceSouth, and bowling. Medical
professionals also provide illness-specific education and information to children
and their caregivers during Camp Health.

Tune in to the Miracles!

On Saturday, June 5, join the Children's Miracle

Network celebration and be a champion for children
Child Life Program
Because hospital experiences can be extremely stressful to children
by watching WBTW News 13 and calling in your
and their families, the Child Life Program at McLeod works to provide children pledge to support the care of infants and
with a more positive healthcare experience through the caring expertise of a children in our region at
Certified Child Life Specialist.The Child Life Specialist utilizes Diversion
Therapy and Medical Play to reduce the amount of stress the child and family McLeod Children's Hospital.
have during the child's hospitalization.The Child Life Specialist also uses the
Child Life Activity Center for the implementation of age-appropriate activities www.mcleodfoundation.org
for children to learn, be creative, have family time, and interact with other
children.The specialist also provides emotional support for the children
and their parents and acts as a liaison between the child's family and the medical
team.
43SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 2:48 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 43

44 3/23/10 12:47 PM Page 1

Chicks OF THE Month:

SheMagazine and
Chick-fil-A salute... ®

In a letter to She Magazine, Robin M. Parker, Service

Coordinator with the Florence County DSN Board, wrote:
I’d like to nominate the ladies of Florence County Disabilities
and Special Needs Board Family Support Services to be She Magazine’s
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The Family Support Services Department of the Florence County
DSN Board is made up of Service Coordinators and Early Interventionists
who serve over 1000 individuals in Florence County with Mental Retardation,
Related Disabilities and Head and Spinal Cord Injuries.
We all enjoy not only working for this outstanding agency, we also
enjoy sharing our lunch breaks together each day, often ordering takeout or
bringing leftovers and sharing recipes. We sometimes even get together and
cook a meal at the office in an effort to save money. This is what we call
Lunch Crunch!
And just as many other women across the Pee Dee, we love to
read She Magazine! There’s always a copy on our lunch table!

If you would like to receive lunch courtesy of She Magazine and Chick-fil-A at the Magnolia Mall, Magnolia Mall Drive-In and Florence
Darlington Tech locations, send an e-mail telling us why your office or group should be Chicks of the Month to: editor@shemagazine.com
45SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 2:52 PM Page 1
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46SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:48 AM Page 1

Still by Marti Miller

As four letter words go, STILL seems rather benign, doesn’t it - especially since, time of year, called to be STILL – to remember the greatest sacrifice ever made and the
at second glance and count, it’s actually a five letter word. Duh. So now there is proof pos- most significant evidence of agape love any of us can ever know. We rejoice in the
itive that math skill is not a gift I have received.Words, evidently, are more my thing? And Resurrection, as well we should, but it is in the sacrifice of crucifixion and death that we know
I really like that opening sentence, so let’s just count the different letters – that will make He loves us STILL. And yet, our sorry little Easter Bunny selves want to hop all over the
the title a four letter word after all. See? It STILL works. place…busy, busy, busy. In the words of the great cartoon philosopher, Pogo, “We have met
But yet, there is a mighty edge to this benign little word that bears further inves- the enemy and he is us”. Oh, Pogo, talk about hammering home a point in the funny pages.
tigation – like that very human urge to run one’s finger ever so gently along the rim of a The quiet STILL-ness of night is shattered by the STILL glorious fullness of each
disposable razor to test if it’s still sharp enough to slice through the forest growth on one’s new day. We cannot always be still. But we can always know. And the ability or necessity
legs. Oh.That’s just me, then, is it? Sorry. Fill in your own description for that human urge to be still allows us greater access to our Great High Priest.When the veil was torn, the
to investigate something further even when it makes no good sense to do so. Here’s a new covenant began. Blood is still shed to cover sin, but He covers it for all who believe,
thought: How about picking at a scab? Or running one’s tongue over and over that raised repent, and turn with His one sacrifice.The Levitical priesthood is no longer.The taberna-
bump where you bit the inside of your mouth because you were too busy shoveling in that cle worship system is
last bite? It kind of hurts, but we STILL keep messing with it, don’t we? Curious creatures replaced by the
are we. Christ. But still
STILL is one of those amazingly exciting words (just go with the irony, will ya?) does not mean
that can be used in so many ways. Artists sing of it all the time. Tim McGraw describes silent.We cannot
STILL on his album, Southern Voices: “In that quiet place where all of me is exposed – be silent in our
where God dwells and waits for us to come as we are to Him”. Love songs from Lionel understanding of
Ritchie and Reba McIntire bear the single (almost four letter?) word in their titles. STILL the Great
is used almost 300 times in the NIV Bible (Psalms, Job, and the gospels). This one tiny lit- Commission – to
tle word can be an adjective, an adverb, a verb, or a noun! Wow. It can be negative or pos- go forth and make
itive. It can be gentle and quiet or powerful and commanding. Oh, be STILL my little English disciples of all nations.
major’s heart. Let’s investigate this a little further, shall we? Can we please, please, can we? For God so loved the
Oh, thank you! world. He still does.We are
Let’s explore the adjective STILL first. Sometimes the message of God is called to be still and know and
described as a still, small voice. Here’s another: Still waters run deep.Well, well, well…who then to go forth in His example
knew? STILL makes for a pretty decent modifier – very descriptive, very deep - and some- and in His love.
times incredibly painful, as in a still birth – when one tiny word placed before another can But STILL…I love a good egg
bring so much grief. hunt too, don’t you? Peanut butter eggs
The adverb STILL can be either negative or positive in usage. For example, a and malted robin’s eggs and Butterfinger
classroom teacher or beleaguered mom might be aggravated enough to exclaim: “I’m eggs and coconut eggs and maybe even one
STILL waiting for your cooperation, little ones!” A person wishing to convey evidence of really sweet Cadbury egg and potato candy
a lasting relationship may use the words, “I am still loving you!” even after a perceived eggs and those dyed devilled eggs – the ones
wrong is suffered. with the pink and green and blue tint in the
Then, of course, there’s the noun – the one that usually describes a contraption white – these STILL excite me. Yes,
designed for the production of moonshine or white lightning or elixir for purely medici- curious creatures are we. Only
nal purposes.And the product’s purpose depends pretty much on personal preferences or when we focus on being His
geographic location or even family history. In these here parts, we don’t look too very children instead of His
kindly on the STILL, whether it be shaken or stirred or distilled. But there are other nouns creatures, though, can
too. Photographers create a STILL for movie marketing and promotion.Actors use STILLS we fully understand how
in their portfolios. Artists create STILL life canvasses. So the noun form of STILL isn’t so to be STILL and
bad after all.Who doesn’t appreciate a good fruit bowl painting or a George Clooney shot know…investigate His
(uh-oh, there goes the English major’s heart again)? There’s even a physician named STILL. word daily…hear His
He’s credited with pioneering the field of osteopathy. STILL nouns are all around us – we quiet and still Voice
just don’t always point out where they are located? beckoning us to live our
The verb form is probably my favorite though.Why? Consider this: Be STILL and lives full-out for Him…to
know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). Or try this one:The LORD will fight for you; you need dance with the One what
only to be STILL (Exodus 14:14). How can a verb be STILL? Doesn’t a verb require action? brung us, even when this
Yep. Sure does. It is an action to be STILL. Ever try getting a 3-year old to do that in a world’s music would have us
room filled with toys and puppies? Takes ever ounce of strength for that poor child to be hear a different beat. But,
STILL and not grab and go. STILL is an action of great purposefulness. STILL, we dance.
In this season of new life, when the very nature surrounding us shouts of move-
ment and growth, when our faith beholds anew the fulfillment of the prophesied Messiah,
we can get lost in the excitement, in all the commotion. We can’t be STILL. There is so
much to do! There are the Easter dinner necessities to purchase and prepare, the
search for brand new dresses and hats and gloves and shoes and bowties and
suits, the dying of eggs, the baskets to fill, the plastic eggs to hide, and
the chocolate bunnies to consume. There is just so much
to do.Yet, we are, more than perhaps any other
Marti Miller lives and writes in Marion, SC and tries to be still and
know every day, with the invaluable guidance of wonderful teachers
and discerners of Truth for whom she prays in gratitude daily.
47 3/24/10 10:14 AM Page 1

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48 3/23/10 12:12 PM Page 1
Oh! How I love peanut butter
cookies! Much like my job, they contain many different
ingredients, each having its own unique quality and purpose.
Some of them are very good (like a lump of brown sugar), while
others, I totally avoid (the shortening). Yet mixed together and
baked, they are delightful. Much the same way, God uniquely
combines our talents, experiences, knowledge and wisdom into
His Own special purpose for us. I don’t know why I started
making this comparison, but it just seemed to fit.
Recently, while baking peanut butter cookies, as I pre-
pared the cookie dough, I thought of the shortening, which is
rather solid and tends to slide around and tastes disgusting. It
represents all the tasks I have to do that aren’t necessarily fun
(making copies, packing and unpacking the car and conference
calls) and some I downright detest (e.g. my expense reports).
Then, I think of the margarine and peanut butter. These are my
students and customers. The margarine needs time to warm up
before it will blend well, as do some of the people I serve.
Others are more like the peanut butter – smooth, rich in flavor
and sticky. These are the folks who understand the value of
increasing their skills and knowledge and come prepared to
learn and then stick with it.
The flour gives the cookie its structure, much like the
material that I teach. The basic information may or may not change
much, but the content has to be constantly fluffed up and updated
in order to maintain the quality framework. The baking soda and
powder not only add lightness to my cookies, they also represent
my benefits and salary as an employee. Yes, these may seem small
in measure; but, over time, they grow. However, that is the compen-
sation – not the satisfaction – of my job.
Sharon Bixler is blessed to be the wife of Hal, mother of Holly (Stanley) and grandmother of Ian.
She is a Member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Hartsville.
by Sharon Bixler
A small sprinkle of salt for flavor reminds me of what
Jesus said, “Let your speech, at all times, be gracious, seasoned
with salt . . .” (Colossians 4:6). In other words,“Help illuminate
the dark places for others.” God has given me many opportu-
nities to encourage workers who rarely hear praise. I am even
able, at times, to sprinkle the Lord’s light by sharing Him with
others. There’s nothing like teaching something and watching
the light bulb go on when someone finally understands the con-
cept. These are all such wonderful opportunities that I thank
the Lord daily for in this job.
The sugars add sweet flavor and texture to the mix-
ture. My job may not always be smooth just as the brown sugar
needed for peanut butter cookies tends to be lumpy at times.
However, over all, my job is sweet and fully satisfying.
And last – but certainly not least by any means – are
the eggs, that which glues it all together. The residents are the
glue, the center of this mixture. Without them, everything else
would just fall apart.
As with cookies, all the ingredients have to be carefully
measured, mixed thoroughly and baked. My job is the same
way. Each part is a piece of the integral whole; none can stand
on its own and be the cookie. God made our purpose like that.
We can’t stand on our own because we tend to fall – or fail.
God purposes our lives and our work – which may or may not
be that purpose.
But, I propose that no matter where you are working
or who your boss is, if you acknowledge God as your CEO,
things will improve. Maybe not externally, but your attitude,
responsibility and peace will improve. And who knows? God
may show you your exact purpose for being in that job.
Remember,“. . . do all to glorify God” (I Corinthians 10:3).
49SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 2:08 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 49

Historic Marion Spring Tour

of Homes & Gardens Great Taste at

SPONSORED BY

the Ma rion Cha mber of Commerce

a Great Price!
Saturday, April 17, 2010, 10am - 3pm
Corporate Sponsors:
• Anderson Brothers Bank
• The City of Marion
• First Charter Company, Inc.
• First Citizens Bank
• Hulon Jewelers
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• Pee Dee Electric Cooperative
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• Professional Pharmacy
• Dr. E. Terry Smith, Jr., D.M.D.
• Coastal Oil Company Marion Chinese
TICKETS : $25 OR $20 IN ADVANCE
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Luncheon will be available, sponsored by the (across from the old Wal-Mart)
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Check our website for a list For more details, contact:
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50 3/23/10 12:15 PM Page 1

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51SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 10:34 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 51

52 3/23/10 5:24 PM Page 1

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53SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 4:52 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 53

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54 3/23/10 12:10 PM Page 1
Blooming
Where God Plants Me
Sometimes I wonder what
God’s reaction is when I tell Him I’m
not going to do something. Does He
chuckle, thinking what a silly, naïve child
I am? Or maybe He is saddened because I
don’t immediately respond to His request with
a, “Yes, Lord!”
This month’s issue is about blooming
where you have been planted. To be quite hon-
est, I am nowhere near the “blooming”
stage. But I have been planted. In a place
I never thought I would be. And to be
honest, it’s a place I never even wanted
to be. My husband, Collin, and I have
decided to (gasp!) homeschool our old-
est child next year. I know. I know. Some of
you just choked on your coffee. Some of you
rolled your eyes or laughed. And some of you nod-
ded in understanding or acceptance at the statement
I just made. Trust me. I’ve had all of those reactions and
then some.
This is not a decision we have come to lightly. I’ve
said no to it, prayed over it, lost sleep over it, cried over it,
researched it and discussed it to no end with anyone who
would sit and listen to me. The plain and simple fact is that
right now, this is what I am being led to do.
I remember when my son, Mak, was just an infant,
someone asked me if I would homeschool him. I smiled
and politely said,“No, that’s really not for us.” In my head,
though, I was thinking,“Are you insane?! I would never do
that! I want my child to be normal.” Funny how ideas can
change, huh?
Mak has been in the school system for the past
three years, and we have loved it! I really cannot say
enough about how excellent the entire experience has
been for us. He has an incredible teacher, who loves him
and has taught him more than I thought was possible
for a six-year-old child to understand. He has made
wonderful friends and been through incredible
experiences. And, yes, I’m a little scared about
him missing out on those things when we
bring him home. But I also know that there
are many things we can do at home that we
could never do if he stayed in traditional
school. And that excites me! I am so
ready for this task of teaching my boy!
Aron Smith and her husband, Collin,
live in Florence. They have a son,
Makgil (6) and a daughter,
Clara Beth (3).
You know what the really great thing is? Mak’s
excited, too! He wants to study the solar system. He wants
to learn what really makes a Corvette go. He wants to write
a book. He really wants to learn to write in cursive. In his
six-year-old mind, writing in cursive is the one thing that will
make him “big.” And he wants to do it.
And I’m really enjoying watching him learn. I had
to keep him home from school for an entire week recent-
ly because of an awful outbreak of hives. We spent the
whole week learning together. He wrote letters to friends
and family. He read to me; I read to him. We did a little of
everything. But the thing I remember most that week is
fractions. We worked on fractions for days. And I will
never forget the look in his eyes when it clicked with him.
He got it! And I’m the one that taught him. I selfishly loved
the feeling of joy that I got from seeing my boy understand
this new concept. I walked down the hall to Collin’s stu-
dio and said,“Okay, let’s do it. I really want to homeschool
him next year.” I knew that I wanted to be there for more
of those “Ah ha!” moments.
Collin was all for it. This in itself is a miracle.
Collin has always been a diehard-public-school-education
fan. But he is also excited about teaching Mak at home.
He fully believes that I am capable of teaching our child,
and he is there to encourage me when I have my doubts
(which happens a lot, by the way).
In fact, the amount of support I have received has
been overwhelming. I remember the first time I told
someone that we were planning on homeschooling Mak
next year – someone who was an acquaintance but not a
close friend. I had no idea what her views on education
were. We were sitting in the kid-section at Redbone Alley,
and she asked me what we were doing with Mak for school
next year. I remember thinking,“Okay, Lord, here it is. I’m
going to tell this girl that I’m homeschooling my child and
she’s going to look at me like I have threeheads.”
by Aron Cannon Smith
Her reaction blew me away! She responded with, “Oh,
that’s so great! Homeschooling is my dream!” I wanted to
jump up and run over to her and hug her. It was so far
from what I was expecting to hear from her but exactly
what I needed to hear. This type of thing has happened
more times than I can count. I have become friends with
people who have been where I am now and have become
my “go-to person” for all-things homeschool. I have dis-
covered friends who are also thinking about homeschool
and are as confused as I am. And I am so thankful for each
one of them.
I think a friend of mine said it best when she told
me that homeschool finally became okay in her mind when
she realized that there is no right or wrong. Public school
is great. Private school is great. Homeschool is great, too.
It’s all about finding the right fit for your family. For now,
that right fit is homeschool. I’m committing to one year.
From there, we’ll see. I certainly don’t see myself home-
schooling a seventh grader. But, then again, I didn’t see
myself homeschooling a first grader either. I’m learning not
to say, “I would never . . .”
I am scared out of my mind at what this adven-
ture will bring to our lives. Seriously, I’m terrified! But you
know what I keep coming back to? The one thing that
brings me peace more than any other thing? God loves my
son. He loves him even more than I do, and He wants the
best for him. He wants him to gain wisdom. He wants him
to have friends. And He has called me to this job of giving
these things to my son. If He believes in me, I should have
confidence in myself.
I have no idea where this journey will lead us or
if I will “bloom” in this place I have been planted. But I am
so excited about the opportunity!
55SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 10:29 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 55

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56 3/24/10 9:20 AM Page 1

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Be sure to include a day and evening contact number and WANTED in the
subject line of the email. DEADLINE IS APRIL 20th.
57SheMagazine_April10 3/24/10 11:02 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 57

FINKLEA LAW FIRM Sweet Berry Farm

Attorneys & Counselors at Law
REAL ESTATE LITIGATION
Fresh Strawberries around first
TRANSACTIONS Automobile Accidents
Personal Injury • Consumer Law
week in April
Purchase • Refinance
Equity Line Investment WILLS & PROBATE For more information, call: Harry Huggins at 260.6326
Commercial Construction •1031 Exchanges

Nearly everyone will eventually need a lawyer: buying a home,

making a will, settling a dispute. ALLOW US TO SERVE YOU. U-PICK OR
WE PICK
814 W. Evans St. • Florence, SC • 843-317-4900 4833 Pamplico Hwy. • Florence • 5.5 Miles past Carolinas Hospital

Pre-worked & Painted Canvases,

Pillows
Cascade, Paternayan, DMC Yarns &
Specialty Threads Bellpulls
Door Stops
Completion of Needlepoint
Projects Available • Lessons Given Ornaments
Stool Covers
Marsha Poston Chair Seats
3129 Claussen Rd. • Florence Luggage Straps
843-669-7869 • Mon. - Fri. 10:00 to 6:00

The Premier Home Builder in the Florence Area.

Alegacy Resource Solutions Specializing in Saving You Money
Visit Our Amazing Selection
Experience building elaborate & modest homes at reasonable prices Is “I Do!” in of Wedding Invitations,
Birthday Party, Bridal &
Work in a timely and professional manner your future? Baby Shower Invites. Plus
Each phase of construction is inspected and approved Many More Occasion
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New Homes & Additions
We take pride in our work and we take care of our customers!

Selections Include:
• Birchcrafts • Carlson Crafts
• McPherson • And Many More!
Save Up to 40% Off Now!
Visit us at www.HopkinsBuildersLLC.com or
Contact us at 843-992-4697 or HopkinsBuilders1@aol.com To Schedule a Consultation Appointment Call 843-468-0036

1301 W. Evan’s St. • Florence • 669-4372 • Corner of West Evans and Edisto

Computer Foot Detox Special: $25

Body Systems Analyzer Special: Now Only $25
The Body Systems Analyzer personalizes an Herbal program
Completely Redone Rolls Royce • Red carpet Roll Out
License Plate Displays Occasion • Air Conditioned
custom fit to your own body and needs.
Certified Herbalist • Certified National Health Professional
Gerald Photography Owner: Helen Holladay Cosmetologist: Anna Holladay
& Rolls Royce Services, LLC
(843)664-1116
www.Geraldsphoto.com • 3012 Glencove Dr • Florence Nature’s Sunshine Distributer
58-59 3/24/10 11:27 AM Page 2

get ready,
‘cause here

Visit our website www.shemagazine.com

for a vendor application. Spaces fill quickly.
58-59 3/24/10 11:26 AM Page 3

Shecomes!

with

Coming in September
at the Florence Civic Center
For more information,
call 423.2393 and speak to Tuesday Taylor.
60 3/23/10 12:43 PM Page 1

What area of your life could use

a little fertilizing to help you
reach your fullest potential?

Yvonne Thomas
FLORENCE

“A new professional
career path because if
you love your job, you’ll
never have to work a day
in your life.”

Aubre H. Lunn
HARTSVILLE

“To answer my true call to the min-

istry to become all I can in Christ. As
Assistant Pastor of my church, Faith
Outreach Family Worship Center in
Darlington, I want to reach the fullness
of His power.”

Julia Whisnut
FLORENCE
“Wedding planning – there is so much to
do and way too many decisions to make!”

Carol Jones
FLORENCE

“The area of my life that I feel could use

a little fertilizing to help me reach my
fullest potential is the spiritual area.
Staying connected to God and submitting
to His will guarantees me the ability to
reach my fullest potential.”
61SheMagazine_April10 3/24/10 9:43 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 61

This year's modified

health fair includes:
LOW COST & NO COST SATURDAY,
SCREENINGS FOR ADULTS MAY 15, 2010
• Cholesterol • Body Mass Index 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• EKG • Height & Weight
• Blood Pressure • Nutrition &
Health Infomation
Pre-Registration:
and Stroke
• Cancer & Diabetes and much more Monday, May 3
Screenings through Friday, May 7
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
249 W. Main St.
Located at the McLeod Dillon Hospital Main Lobby
Lake City
843.374.3054
Professional Building
705 N. 8th Avenue, Dillon, SC

Dare to Bare?
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843.662.7969
CONSULTATION! Huntington Medical Plaza • 1523- B Heritage Lane
Florence • (Just Off Second Loop)
62 3/23/10 12:54 PM Page 1

A Breath of
Fresh Hair...
Spring is finally here and what
better way to begin a new season
than with a new hairstyle?
This month in BEAUTY BUZZ, we found
a reader who was willing to go from long
to short to prove that nothing wakes up
After! a tired look quite like a fabulous cut!

SALON: First Impressions Salon in Florence

HAIR STYLIST: Patsy Clemmons, Owner

Before
FIRST IMPRESSION: Renee has a very demanding profession, so we
wanted to give her an easy-maintenance style.

CUT: Wispy, razored cut, root to ends, with side-swept bangs

COLOR: Rich chocolate brown with auburn highlights

PRODUCTS: Artec Textureline Magnifier while wet, Pureology Shine Luxe Finish Renee Lynch
lives in Coward and works as
EXTRAS: Renee was very pleased with her final look. The style made her eyes a Helper for a Pipe Fitter
and Safety Coordinator for
pop and enhanced her cheekbones.
Pipes-R-Us. What she love s
most about her job is being
MAINTENANCE: The style is low-maintenance; Renee just needs to follow up able to be outside and be
with the products we used. with her husband. She never
gets bored, having something
different to do every day.
MAKEUP: We started with an age-fighting moisturizer, full-coverage foundation, She enjoys getting her hands
concealer and a loose mineral powder that evened out her skin tones beautifully. in the dirt.
We stayed with neutral colors for the eyes and used eyeliner and mascara to make
her eyes pop.
64 3/23/10 6:03 PM Page 1

“It's spring fever....

You don't
quite know
what it is
you DO
want, but it just
fairly makes your
heart ache,
you want it so!”
-Mark Twain
65SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 4:48 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 65

fun
fresh,
Come see what’s
in store for you
this Spring!

315 RAINBOW DR. • FLORENCE • 843-665-6868

6 wks-6th grade 667-1975

401 Pamplico Hwy. • Florence, SC

66 3/23/10 5:10 PM Page 1

Use of HCG in the

Treatment of Obesity
by J. Marshall Dent, III, MD

I have had several people approach me about my opinion on the use of
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in dietary programs and the benefit it may
have for weight loss. I am very familiar with its usage and have known that it was
no more than a way to charge patients for something that was no more effective
than a placebo. In order to be fair and unbiased, I went to the authority on obesi-
ty – the American Board of Bariatric Physicians – for their position
statement.
HCG is a hormone normally secreted by the tro-
Summary:
• Numerous clinical trials have shown HCG to be ineffectual in producing weight loss.
• HCG injections can induce a slight increase in muscle mass in androgen-deficient males.
• The diet used by the Simeons Method provides lower protein intake that is advis-
able in view of current knowledge and practice.
• The overwhelming majority of medical reports are critical of the use of HCG
injections in weight loss.
• Physicians employing HCG or the diet recommended by Simeons may expose

“
phoblastic cells of the placenta during pregnancy. It
was first described as treatment for obesity in themselves to criticism from other physicians and from local, state and national
The combination conjunction with a very low calorie diet by Dr. medical boards.
of educated food A. Simeons in 1954. The Simeons Method
consisted of a rigid diet of about 500 calories The conclusion of the American Board of Bariatric Physicians:
choices, behavior per day combined with 125 units of HCG • The Simeons Diet for rapid weight loss is not recommended.
modification and injected six days per week for eight weeks.
The protein intake on the Simeons Diet
• The Simeons Diet is not recommended at all.
• The use of HCG for weight loss is not recommended.
exercise can give consisted of about 45 to 50 grams per day.
one a reasonable The Simeons Method was very popular in
Many feel that the use of HCG is only a ploy to take advantage of obese
the 1970’s, and advocates claimed that the
chance to maintain Method had numerous advantages, including people who will do or pay anything that
rapid weight loss with minimal hunger, no will help them to lose weight. I
their weight for weakness and dramatic loss of fat in the stom- wrote this article to educate the
many years to ach, hips, thighs and upper arms. readers of She Magazine that
After a series of clinical trials disputing the effec-
come. there is no magic shot that

” tiveness of the Simeons Method, it fell from favor; but,

popular demand for HCG in the treatment of obesity has
recently resurfaced in the United States. It is currently available for injection and
as a sublingual tablet.
A number of subsequent studies produced evidence that the HCG in the
will help you to lose
weight short of hard
work and dedication to
the task at hand. I have
found the best way for
Simeons Method was ineffective, and the weight loss was entirely due to the diet.
A Meta-Analysis in 1995 of prior studies concluded that there was no scientific evi- one to lose weight is
dence that HCG was effective in the treatment of obesity. The meta-analysis found through education of
insufficient evidence supporting the claims that HCG is effective in altering fat dis- the proper foods to
tribution, hunger reduction or inducing a feeling of well-being. The authors stated, eat, the correction of
“. . . the use of HCG should be regarded as an inappropriate therapy for weight poor eating patterns
reduction . . .” that is consistent with
The results of the meta-analysis support a firm standpoint against this mindless eating and
improper indication. Restraints on physicians practicing this therapy can be based learning the art of por-
on our findings. PubMed and Google Scholar searches (December 2009)
tion control. Taking a self-
revealed no favorable reports on the Simeons Method since the 1995 Meta-
analysis of our eating pat-
Analysis. On the other hand, there have been no significant harmful effects of HCG
injections in the medical literature. terns is the first step to
The diet employed in the Simeons Method provides a daily protein intake achieving ones’ weight
below the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) recommendations. The caloric intake goals.
of the Simeons Diet is similar to the Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD), but the protein Once the
intake is lower than that prescribed in the VLCD in current use. A further criticism weight goal is
of the Simeons Diet is that the amounts of protein per servings do not reach 30 reached, then mainte-
grams – the threshold dose required for the initiation of muscle protein synthesis. nance becomes the pri-
Recent studies indicate that HCG injections in men, especially with testos- mary focus. The combina-
terone deficiency, can produce a slight gain in muscle mass, which is thought to be due
tion of educated food
to rises in testosterone levels. The dose in the latter study was 250 units twice week-
choices, behavior modifica-
ly. However, no studies have been reported that muscle mass changes in patients before
and after weight loss with the Simeons Method. Therefore, one cannot assume that tion and exercise can give one
weight loss with the Simeons Method will result in a net gain in muscle mass. There a reasonable chance to main-
are no reports in the medical literature regarding the effectiveness of sublingual tain their weight for many
HCG. years to come.

Dr. Dent only uses Bio-Identical Hormones in his practice. If you have questions about the information in this article, you may contact Dr. Dent at Complete Women’s Health Care in Florence.
Dr. Dent is Board Certified in Family Practice and Obstetrics and Gynecology and also holds an Advanced Certification in Menopausal Medicine.
67SheMagazine_April10 3/24/10 8:59 AM Page 1
Lake City
Concert Series
Arts Benefit
Thursday May 6th at 6:30pm
Nan Ya Plastics Banquet Hall
featuring Glen Gourley and a
Broadway Ensemble
Included are fine food and drinks!
Tickets - $25 from the Lake City
Chamber of Commerce 374-8611
Featuring a silent auction with art
from local artists with the proceeds
supporting arts education.
Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee does not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap,
familial status, or national origin.
She Magazine • April 2010 • 67
WA T T E R S A N D WA T T E R S
TRUNK SHOW
april 23&24
5$,1%2: +$5%25 Ý 0 < 5 7 / ( % ( $ & +
5001 North Kings Hwy, Ste 111ÝAppointments 843-449-4940
7+(LITTLE:+,7(DRESS1(7


It’s spring at Asbury Village
Flowers bloom, birds sing out, and everything
seems to come alive. This spring, experience a
“rebirth” of your own - at Asbury Village. You’ll
enjoy the active lifestyle you’ve always dreamed
of - and, with the help of all of our amenities
and services you’ll be free to spend your time
exactly as you choose.
• No entrance or endowment fees
• Custom-built, all brick patio homes
• Spacious, private apartments
• Basic utilities, property taxes, For a personal tour, call
& insurance included
• Weekly housekeeping, linen, & laundry service
843-664-0700
& find out about
• Interior/exterior maintenance & repair included maintenance - free
• Restaurant-style dining with flexible meal plans retirement living!
• Full daily calendar of recreational, social,
& cultural activities
843-664-0700 • www.methodist-manor.com
2100 Twin Church Road • Florence, SC 29501
Patio Homes • Independent Living Apartments
Assisted Living Suites • Alzheimer’s Care Center
68 3/23/10 12:06 PM Page 1
The Lovely Bones:
Osteoporosis – The Silent Epidemic
by Nigel A.R.Watt
With Pee Dee Orthopaedic Associates
Anyone who has suffered a fracture (a broken bone) has been immediately
aware how important their bones are. When we read in Proverbs that “pleasant words are
health to the bones”, “healthy bones” and “healthy body” are used interchangeably.
Osteoporosis is, indeed,“the silent epidemic,” and the extent and impact on society
is considerable. Over half of the population over 50 years of age has either low bone mass
or established osteoporosis. One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50
are likely to suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. For a woman, the risk
of occurrence of a hip fracture is equal to the risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer
combined. The estimated cost of osteoporosis-related fractures is approximately 20 bil-
lion dollars annually. Even though osteoporosis is not a malignant or fatal condition, the
consequences and importance are great.
Clearly, one of the ways in which we can offer “pleasant words which will bring
health to the bones” is to pass on information concerning the detection, prevention and
treatment of this significant condition.
Here are some of the “bare bones” of the condition.
WHO? – Osteoporosis particularly affects post-menopausal women, but men are also
affected with incidence occurring approximately ten years older. Caucasians and Asians
are at greater risk than Hispanic and African Americans; however, all groups are at risk, and
the outcome following fractures is equally severe. There are well over fifty different
underlying medical conditions or factors which can cause or pre-dispose to osteoporo-
sis. Risk factors include females, older age, positive family history, low body weight, previ-
ous fractures, poor calcium and vitamin D intake, high protein, sodium or caffeine intake,
inactivity, smoking, alcohol intake of three or more drinks per day and medications (espe-
cially steroids). Underlying diseases include thyroid disease, diabetes, rheumatoid disease,
malabsorption, chronic renal disease and multiple other “primary” causes.
WHAT? – Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease. It consists of a loss of bone
mass where all elements of the bone structure are reduced, resulting in lower bone den-
sity. Osteoporosis is not itself painful, but what is painful are the resulting fractures which
can occur following even mild trauma in the course of normal daily activities or from a
low-energy fall such as a trip and fall from body height.
WHEN? – Osteoporosis may develop at any age with underlying diseases but is most
common in post-menopausal women and elderly men. The risk of fracture is also influ-
enced by the multiple environmental and personal factors that increase the risk of falling.
WHERE? – Osteoporosis affects the entire skeleton, but the resulting mechanical weak-
ness and risks of fractures from falls and other accidents are greatest in the spine (verte-
brae), wrist and hip. All fractures can have a significant and permanent effect on the qual-
ity of life and independence, but hip fractures have the greatest impact.
DETECTION – The diagnosis of osteoporosis and the diagnosis of “low bone mass” is made
following a bone mineral density (BMD) measurement. BMD testing is recommended for:
• Women over 65 years and men over 70.
• Post-menopausal women and men over 50 who have significant additional risk factors.
• Adults over the age of 50 who have suffered a fracture.
• Adults with certain medical conditions or medication treatments (including rheumatoid
arthritis and long-term steroid use).
• Adults who have been selected for medication treatment of osteoporosis or who are
already receiving osteoporosis treatment.
Nigel A. R.Watt, MD, specializes in General Orthopaedics, Hip, Knee and Shoulder Surgery. Originally from England, Nigel Watt, MD, earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Medical Degree from Cambridge
University. He completed his General Surgical and Orthopaedic training in London, Cambridge and Edinburgh and received the Diplomas of the Royal College of Surgeons in General and Orthopaedic Surgery
(UK equivalent of Board Certification). Dr Watt completed Fellowship Training in Arthroscopic and Joint Replacement Surgery of the Knee, Hip and Shoulder in Florence and Columbia, South Carolina, and served
as Associate Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of South Carolina.
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION – Orthopaedic surgeons, like myself (often
referred to as Bone Doctors), are usually involved in the treatment of fractures that occur
as a complication of osteoporosis but not in the treatment of the condition itself.
Your primary care provider or gynecologist will normally be the best to advise on test-
ing for diagnosis and treatment. A comprehensive evaluation is needed to detect or
exclude underlying disease as a cause of osteoporosis or other causes of abnormal bone
fractures (which may be more serious and complex than osteoporosis itself). Prevention
and treatment of osteoporosis overlaps with the (also important) prevention of fractures
and reduction of risk of falls and accidents.
• Speak to your doctor about your risk for osteoporosis and risk for suffering fractures.
• Have a medical checkup to exclude or identify secondary causes of bone diseases.
• Diet, adequate calcium (at least 1200 mg per day) and vitamin D (1000 IU per day but
often much more in certain individuals).
• Regular weight-bearing muscle strengthening exercises, mainly to reduce the risk of falls
and fractures.
• No smoking.
• No excessive alcohol intact (three or more units per day).
MEDICATION TREATMENT – If osteoporosis or low bone mass with high risk of
fractures is identified, prescription medications may be recommended. The choice of med-
ications will depend on the individual patient’s requirements and other medical considera-
tions and include biphosphonates, hormone therapy, calcitonin and parathyroid hormone
Reducing the risks of falls and resulting fractures may not sound easy, but
certain steps can be taken to reduce the risks. Physical Therapists and Occupational
Therapists can help significantly by improving physical, psychological and social independ-
ence and functioning. Modifying the home environment to avoid uneven surfaces, improving
lighting and providing assistive devices may reduce high-risk activities and injuries.
The treatment of fractures associated with osteoporosis follows the same prin-
ciples of treating any fracture. This involves initial relief of pain and general supportive
measures. Hip fractures frequently require surgery for either repair or replacement of
the broken part. Spinal fractures less commonly benefit from surgical intervention, but
may be helped by external support with bracing and procedures such as Kyphoplasty and
Vertebroplasty, which involve injection of cement into the damaged vertebrae. Wrist,
shoulder and other fractures may receive nonsurgical (e.g. cast or brace) or surgical treat-
ment, depending on the exact location and shape of the fractured area.
Overall, the impact of osteoporosis and treatment of the resulting fractures is a
very significant personal, social and economic burden. With our aging population and
altering lifestyles, this is likely to be an increasing issue in future years.
Those of you who wish to “bone up” on this subject may refer to the National
Osteoporosis Foundation (www.nof.org) for more details.
69SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 2:31 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 69

104 N. MacArthur Ave

Dillon, SC
843-774-9243

1970 E.Hwy 76
Marion, SC
843-423-2492

62 Public Square
Darlington, SC
843-395-2252

2151-F W. Evans St.

Florence, SC
843-662-0971

205 Kelly St.

Lake City, SC
843-394-1494

Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios have been

independently owned and operated since 1931.

HE’S EARNED A REPUTATION FOR

CARING, EXPERTISE,
AND PROFESSIONALISM.
AND NOW HE’S JOINED MCLEOD.
NEW MCLEOD NEUROLOGICAL ASSOCIATES
FEATURES DR. ROLAND SKINNER
McLeod Physician Associates is very pleased to announce that Dr. Roland Skinner is now
affiliated with the new McLeod Neurological Associates in Florence. Board certified in
Neurology and Sleep Disorders Medicine, Dr. Skinner has been treating the neurological
needs of area patients since 1987.
McLeod Neurological Associates offers state-of-the-art services for a full range of neurological
conditions. This includes stroke patients and patients for stroke prevention, seizure disorders,
headaches, multiple sclerosis, sleep and peripheral nerve disorders, and neurological
complications of other illnesses. Dr. Skinner is also skilled in the performance of
McLeod
Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies.
McLeod Neurological Associates and Dr. Skinner are now welcoming new patients
Physician Associates
by referral. www.McLeodHealth.org

McLeod Neurological Associates, 800 E. Cheves Street, Suite 380, Florence, South Carolina 29506 843-665-4104
70 3/24/10 9:21 AM Page 1

UxçÉÇw
à{x VÜÉááAAA
JESUS LIVES!

This Easter, we encourage you to believe

in the truth that is Jesus Christ.
Accept the JOY.
Accept the HOPE.
Accept the LIFE.

For God so loved the world that he gave His

one and only Son, that whoever believes in
Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (NIV)
71SheMagazine_April10 3/24/10 9:51 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 71

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD. Psalm 127

Serving our community since 1987

Open 7:00am - 6:30pm • Low Child / Teacher Ratios
2 Snacks & a Hot Lunch Provided Daily
Full Day Nursery & Preschool Programs (6 weeks - 4K)
Preschool Teaches ABEKA Curriculum

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM (5K-6th grade)

Transportation provided from many local schools: Greenwood, Carver,
Savannah Grove, Delmae, Royal, Moore & McLaurin

FULL DAY SUMMER PROGRAMS

Weekly Themes • Daily Activities
Field Trips (4K-6th grade)

Registration for
2010/2011 Summer
& Fall Programs
open to the public
March 15th. We currently have openings for
our After School Program (5K-6th grade).

1356 Pineland Dr • Florence • 843.667.0318

Debbie Peek • Director
Mullins Location. dpeek@southsidebaptist.org

Spring into your

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www.advancedwomenscare.com J. Michael Davidson, MD Paul E. Chandler, MD
901 East Cheves Street, Suite 200 • Florence, SC C. Dale Lusk, MD Mark A. Hucks, MD
72 3/23/10 3:53 PM Page 1

sho p i talk
IT’S A FAMILY THING . . .
Connie Thompson, Owner,
with daughter, Kelli Noland,
and granddaughters,
Blaine & Olivia

Ryan McCormick,
Deborah Davis,
Michelle Garner

B D S
Bridger’s Drug Store
ABOUT US: Currently in operation for 75 years,
Bridgers was founded in 1935 by E. B. Bridgers, Lee
Hewitt and O. M. Mabry. Later, O. M. Mabry became
Sole Proprietor. In 1980, Mike Thompson purchased the
business; Mike and Connie Thompson have owned and
operated the business ever since. Their eldest daughter,
Kelli Thompson Noland, has been with the business since
2000. In addition to being a pharmacy, Bridgers has
expanded into a gift shop, as well.
OUR STAFF: Bridgers Drug Store is owned and
operated by Michael (Mike) and Connie Thompson. Kelli
Thompson Noland functions as the Store Manager.
Our Pharmacists include Mike Thompson, Meritt Allen,
Larry Clark and Shrina Amin. Our Pharmacy Technicians
are Shannon Owens, Amanda Thompkins, Sommer Ford,
Rebecca Rabon and Amy Richardson. Ryan McCormick
is the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Billing
Representative, as well as a Pharmacy Technician.
Deborah Davis, Shelley Graham, Michelle Garner, Taylor
Herlong and Kristin Rewis serve as our Sales Associates.
Raymond Britt has been delivering for the store for over
20 years.
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE: In the hustle and
of Marion
bustle of today’s society, getting medicine can be a time-
consuming task. Thus, we provide free delivery services
within the city limits of Marion. Most chain pharmacies
today do not offer delivery services, and this makes
Bridgers a more convenient option for customers.
Orders placed by noon are delivered on the same day.
Orders placed after noon are delivered the subsequent
business day.
WHAT WE OFFER: Bridgers was founded on per-
sonal service and special attention, and we continue to
operate under that same principal. We currently offer
full prescription services. In addition to pharmaceutical
services, we offer a wide array of over-the-counter items.
Also, we accept most insurance policies and strive to
coordinate with physicians’ offices, insurance companies,
etc., as needed to ensure that our patients receive their
medications. Simply by dialing our phone number, Bridgers
offers an automated refill request line that is available 24
hours a day, seven days a week. We can also accept refill
requests via our website at www.bridgersdrugstore.com.
Also, in May of 2009, Bridgers was awarded accreditation
from the Healthcare Quality Association on
Accreditation to be able to provide Durable Medical
Equipment (DME) to Medicare Beneficiaries.
OUR GIFT LINES: In the last few years, we have
extended our gift lines to offer a broader range of items
that would suit most needs. Our gift lines include cards,
balloons, jewelry, handbags, shoes, scarves and home
decor. Most recently, we have added embroidery and
monogramming to the list of services that we provide. A
sample of our gift lines include: Russell Stover Candy,
Lindsay Phillips Switchflops Shoes, OKA b. Shoes and
Greenleaf Aroma Décor Diffusers.
FIND US: Bridgers Drug Store is located at 325
North Main Street in Marion. Our hours of operation
are Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM until 6:00 PM
and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Our phone num-
ber is 843-423-2682. Our fax number is 843-423-2429.
Please send your e-mail address to bridgersdrug-
store2@yahoo.com for sale information, specials and
updates on gift items.
73SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 2:34 PM Page 1

...Always Dancing & Creating Performance

Memories to last a lifetime!

REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER & FALL BEGINS APRIL 1ST!

CLASSES FOR BOYS & GIRLS - AGES 2-99 • CLASSES FILL UP FAST, SO DON’T WAIT
Those wishing to try out for KFA DANCE COMPANY must participate in summer classes-schedules now available!

Tap • Jazz • Ballet • Modern • Clogging • Gymnastics & Much More!

KFA Travels & Competes All Over the US and

Will Be Performing This Year on Carnival Cruiselines!

629-0033 or 374-4KFA
Florence • Lake City • Olanta
74SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 2:35 PM Page 1

74 • April 2010 • She Magazine

75SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:51 AM Page 1

Bloom
WHERE YOU
ARE PLANTED
Welcome Springtime!
It’s time to burst forth from the confines
of winter and blossom!
This issue is all about
BLOOMING WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED -
making the glorious most of where
your find yourself - now.
This month’s feature stories are about women
doing just that, along with a special tribute to
GENDER BENDERS.
These women have found themselves hard at work
amongst the boys - and they are blomming!
Feature stories begin on page 76
76 3/24/10 9:01 AM Page 1
E bloom where you’re planted...
GENDER BENDER
My job is muddy, dirty and smelly, but
somebody’s got to do it – and
that’s me! I work on my family’s
turkey farm in Lamar, South Carolina. It’s actually my dream-job-come-true! I love it!
My daddy, Johnny Watford, is the Owner/Operator of the farm. I work right
along with him and several other family members who help out from time to time.
Daddy has been a farmer all his life, but he actually started the turkey business in
October of 1995. I am a Tenth Generation Farmer – and proud of it!
I think my daddy is secretly proud of the idea that I’m following in his foot-
steps; although, he isn’t one for very much outward expression. As far as our rela-
tionship goes, we think alike and have the same personality, so it’s easy for me to learn
from him. But, this family trait also causes us to – at times – have too much togeth-
er-time, which brings out a clash in our personalities. It’s a good thing the farm is
large enough for us to work on opposite sides for a little while.
I’ve always liked being on the farm. I wanted to get involved with the turkey
farm from the moment I stepped foot on the property at 7:15 P.M. on October 25,
1995. Yep, I remember the exact day and time the first turkeys came in. Over the
years, I’ve helped out with just about everything from getting the houses ready for
the turkeys to come in and taking care of them to maintenance of the turkey hous-
es, grounds and equipment. Before I started working full-time, I helped after getting
off work as a Medical Transcriptionist.
When I started working full-time at the turkey farm, I kept the equipment
working, refilled foot pans, ran errands and fed the horses and cows. I didn’t pick up
the turkeys in the beginning because I was out of practice from not doing it in a while.
After all, I wasn’t exactly building muscles by transcribing all day. When I started full-
time, the turkeys already weighed an average of 45 pounds each.
Now, I dispense medication to the turkeys when needed, dispose of the dead
turkeys (I can do that now; I couldn’t when I first started), maintain equipment, run
errands, order supplies, call in feed inventory, pick up supplies and anything else that
needs to be done around the farm. I also haul hay for the horses and cows on the
other area of the farm.
The toughest thing I have to do is lifting those huge turkeys! Also, the tran-
sition of sitting behind a desk for years – and having an allergy to exercise – to work-
ing on a farm full-time and being on my feet all day was not easy. What I like most
about my job is being able to be outside and not be stuck behind a desk all day. I get
Chrystal Brown
TALKING TURKEY
“Working in a
male-dominated
environment and
a not-so-feminine Collin M. Smith
job isn’t really an Photography
issue with me.”
constant exercise, which is helping me to adopt a healthier lifestyle. But, most of all,
I love being able to work with family.
Most people in the area (99% of which are family) were not surprised by my
career choice. After all, as I mentioned before, I am a tenth generation farmer – that
includes my grandmothers, aunts and female cousins. As for the other people, I’ve
been told that I’m crazy for wanting to work on the farm instead of an inside air-con-
ditioned job. I was actually told by one person, “You have to be the secretary, right,
or the bookkeeper. Women don’t do this kind of work.” All I could do was laugh at
that man. Here I was covered from head-to-toe with dirt and other substances.
“Hmmmm!” I thought, “When is the last time you saw a secretary or bookkeeper
looking like this while on the job?! I don’t think this happens on ‘Casual Friday’
either.”
Working in a male-dominated environment and a not-so-feminine job isn’t
really an issue with me. When I’m at work, I get muddy, dusty and sweaty, not to men-
tion the fact that the whole neighborhood can smell that I’ve put in a day’s work; but,
that’s okay with me. After all, I love to go mud bogging – without a truck. When I’m
not at work, I like to get dressed up and go out on the town with my husband. I have
no problems at all maintaining my femininity.
The biggest obstacle to overcome being a woman in this business is, at times,
I’m not taken seriously when it comes to ordering parts or equipment from places
where the people aren’t familiar with me yet. I have had instances when I’ve been in
parts stores or warehouses and the friendly salesman directs every question toward
the male standing beside me if I’m with one of the men from the farm. This hasn’t
happened when the salesperson is a lady. After all, she’s working in an environment
that’s predominantly male, as well.
Yes, my job is muddy, dirty and smelly. And, yes, I’m a woman. But, most
importantly, I’m a woman who loves her job!
Thirty-seven-year-old Chrystal Brown and her husband, Chris, have been married for seven years. They
have a two-year-old son, Chase. She was born in Florence but has lived in Lamar most of her life,
which is where she considers to be home. Chrystal graduated from West Florence High School in
1991 and from Florence-Darlington Tech in 1992 with a Certificate in Medical Transcription. She was
a Medical Transcriptionist until she happily began working on the family turkey farm. Outside of work,
she loves spending time with her family, going shopping, going to flea markets and reading books.
77SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 10:46 AM Page 1

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78-79SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:37 AM Page 2

E bloom where you’re planted...

GENDER BENDER
“Homeowners will
look at me and say,
“I know you’re not
going on the roof!”...
I always look at them
with confidence
and say,
“Why, yes, I am!”

Collin M. Smith
Photography
78-79SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:37 AM Page 3

Amber Wright Benton

Construction Worker
Iam a wife, a mother of two, a housekeeper, a cook and, yes,
a full-time construction worker. My husband and I own
a construction company, and I’m very active in the busi-
ness. And, no, I’m not the secretary who answers the calls and shuffles papers all day.
My job’s not glamorous. I may be on jobsites supervising a crew of eight to
ten men at a time, whether it be from the ground or up on the roof. Other days, I
may have my tool box in hand, installing windows with other members of my crew.
Trash has to be taken somewhere, so you may find me pulling a double axle
hydraulic dump trailer around town heading to the local landfill – which I pull with
my personal work truck, a Ford F-250 diesel that I picked out myself. And might I
add, seeing a woman at the landfill is not a sight seen too often.
I went to college and obtained my Physical Therapy Assistant Degree and
worked in the Physical Therapy field from 1998 until November 2000. It’s a field that
I’m very passionate about and always looked forward to working in. I was working
full-time as a PTA, and Greg was working full-time in finance. Still, we had some
extra time and talent, so we began Southern Remodelers in 1998. The business real-
ly took off and with great hesitation and a lot of prayer, Greg stepped out on faith
and quit his job in finance and opened a mortgage company of his own and started
Southern Remodelers full-time. We were blessed from the start with our business,
and the Lord opened many doors for us. We decided in October 2000 that I need-
ed to quit my job as a PTA and start helping out. I began by taking care of the office
and running the mortgage business – something I really dreaded. I went to school
to prevent having an office job and here I was pushing papers. Uuuggghhh!
Little by little, I began to learn the construction side of the business. I
would go out with Greg to do estimates and ride with him to the jobs. I was learn-
ing by watching. Pretty soon, I began taking material to jobs, and it was obvious that
my Jeep Cherokee was not an appropriate vehicle for such work. So, it was destined
to be; I had to get a truck. And a truck I did get! A Ford F-250 Diesel! When peo-
ple see me step out of it, they say,“Wow! What a big truck for such a small woman!”
Now it was time to learn to pull trailers. And, yes, back them, too – all on
my own. And, that I have done, as well. So, now I pull trailers, supervise crews,
install windows, estimate jobs, dump trailers, load and unload material and anything
else that needs to be taken care of.
My husband and I work very closely together. It’s not always an easy task
working with your spouse 24/7, but it’s a rewarding one. Sure, it can be a challenge,
and it requires a lot of prayer and patience. And, yes, there are a lot of disagreements;
but, if you agree to disagree, you’ll be okay and go far. It’ll bring you closer together
and make you stronger as a couple.
My husband is very proud and supportive of me. We depend on each
other a lot, and we’re there to support one another. I couldn’t do it without him,
and he couldn’t do it without me. We’re a team. Many customers we encounter
admire the fact that Greg and I work so closely together. They say it’s wonderful to
see a husband and wife work together the way we do. I’m thankful to God that He
has given us a way to be so close to one another.
Greg supports me 100% in everything. When someone doubts the capa-
bilities of this small-framed five-foot woman, he assures them, “Looks are deceiving;
she’s as capable and competent as I am.” He’ll tell you that I’m a very determined
person and I let nothing stand in my way. Where there’s a will, there is a way!
Most people don’t question my capabilities as a female in our line of work.
However, there are always a few who do – especially men – up until the point they
see me in action. Occasionally, when Greg tells a homeowner that I will be on the
job instead of him, they’re a little skeptical. Nevertheless, Greg assures them that I
am very capable of handling any job and they shouldn’t have any worries.
Homeowners will look at me and say, “I know you’re not going on the roof!” Or,
they’ll ask me, “Are you really going to install my windows?” I always look at them
with confidence and say, “Why, yes, I am!”
Some contractors can’t believe Greg allows me to do the tasks he does. But
I don’t do them because I have to; I do them because I want to, and they give me a
sense of accomplishment. They’ll ask Greg if I could teach their wives to be as
involved in their businesses. We just laugh.
I must say that, as a female, I don’t lack respect in this field. The people I
work with – vendors, employees and other contractors – have a lot of respect for
me. And my guys would never let any harm come to me. They’re always there to
lend a helping hand when needed. Being a woman, some things may be a bit harder
for me in this field – such as lifting bundles of shingles or setting up ladders – but I
always find a way to overcome these challenges.
Doing tasks that are not so feminine doesn’t affect my femininity at all,
either. As a child, I grew up doing pageants. I also grew up in a neighborhood where
there was nothing but boys. So, I’ve learned to adjust with what is at hand. When I
was a little girl, on the weekends and when necessary, I’d put on that pretty little
dress, fix my hair and makeup and prance on stage with a smile. However, I would
also put on my jeans and go out in the woods and the ditches for a game of war
with the boys.
Even today, I love to get down and dirty with my two boys. But I still love
to dress up and go out for a nice meal with my husband or spend time with friends.
God has blessed me beyond anything I deserve. He has given me a wonder-
ful, loving husband; two beautiful, healthy boys; a beautiful home; and a successful busi-
ness. To God be the glory and all credit is given to Him. And, yes, I’m thankful to be
a woman working in a man’s world.
Collin M. Smith
Photography

Amber Wright Benton has been happily married to her amazing husband, Greg, for
fourteen years. They have two boys, Rivers (10) and Hunter (9). She was born and
raised in Florence. Amber and Greg are the Owners of Southern Remodelers, LLC,
in Florence. She loves spending time with her family.
80SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:30 AM Page 1
E bloom where you’re planted...
Some people are fortunate enough to get paid for
doing what they love. Jenni Wiggins, a
Mechanic First Class at Progress Energy’s
Robinson Nuclear Plant in Hartsville, is definitely one of those people.
“I got my interest in mechanics from my grandfather,” Jenni said. “He was a Master
Mechanic, and he would take me to work with him rather than to daycare.”
Jenni said that experience sparked her love for taking things apart and putting them back
together again, for fixing things that were broken and for working with her hands.
“I was his little grease monkey,” she said jokingly. “He would actually sit me up on
top of an engine when he was working on it, and I learned a lot from watching him.
Even around the house, he was always working on an engine or a car or something, and
I was always right there with him.”
In 2000, while working as a mechanic on an automated assembly line, Jenni decid-
ed to go to school to study electronics. While in school, she applied for a job at
Progress Energy’s Sutton Power Plant near Wilmington, North Carolina.
“I did well on the tests, and they offered me a job,” Jenni said. “To tell you the truth,
when I went to school for electronics, I had every intention of going to work for
Progress Energy right from the start. I wanted to work for this company.”
At the Sutton Plant, she quickly proved herself as a talented mechanic with an apti-
tude to work in a very demanding environment. In 2001, she saw an opening at the
company’s Robinson Nuclear Plant and applied for the position.
“It’s really challenging work, but I like the way Progress Energy does things,” Jenni
said. “They want the job done right the first time, and they train you to do that. That
sense of getting it right the first time is even more intense in the nuclear side of the
business – and it should be. We have very high standards.”
When she moved to the Robinson Plant, Jenni was the only woman in the plant’s
maintenance shop. But, she quickly found herself to be accepted as “one of the team,”
which is exactly what she wanted.
“It’s challenging, sometimes, being the only woman in the shop; but, the guys I work
with are great. I love the people I work with, and they don’t treat me any differently,”
she said. “They pick on me just like they pick on each other. But I can dish it out as
GENDER BENDER
Jenni
Wiggins
It’s In Her Blood:
Mechanic First
Class
As told to She Magazine
well as they can! That’s when you know you’re a part of the group; they pick on you.”
Jenni said Progress Energy’s policy on diversity and inclusion helps make it easier
for women to work in a male-dominated field.
“When I first got here, I really felt like I had to prove myself to everyone,” she
said. “I think anyone feels that way when they start a new job, but I probably felt a lit-
tle more pressure because I’m a woman. But the culture of the company is that no one
is to be treated differently because of who they are. It really is engrained in the cul-
ture, and it gave me a lot of confidence because I know that it would not be tolerated
– not just by the company but also by the group of people I work with. I know this
company actively embraces diversity and inclusion and, sometimes, I wonder if I would
have had the same opportunities at another company.”
She said that women have real opportunities to excel at the Robinson Plant, where
many roles that have traditionally been filled by men are now filled by high-achieving
women.
“We have female Reactor Operators, Chemistry Technicians, Engineers and
Managers,” Jenni said. “And every one of them is in the position because they are good
at their job. The nuclear industry is a really good place for women, but it’s definitely
not for everyone.”
A desire and willingness to learn new things has helped Jenni develop professional-
ly. She’s learning to weld, and she’s considering enrolling in an advanced welding pro-
gram at nearby Florence-Darlington Technical College.
“That’s one thing I love about my job,” she explains. “They actually encourage you
to expand your horizons, to grow and learn new things. And that’s an important part
of being happy in your job.”
Born and raised in Wilmington, NC (where she still calls home), Jenni Wiggins has a
small family. A total of eight members include her grandmother, mother, brother, uncle
and three cousins, all of which still live in Wilmington. Jenni moved to Hartsville in 2001
to pursue her career with Progress Energy. Now she loves this small town. Friends and
family are of utmost importance to her. She enjoys working in her yard, spending time
on the water – whether it’s at the beach or Lake Robinson – and entertaining her family
and friends.
81SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 3:12 PM Page 1

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82-83 3/23/10 4:17 PM Page 2

E bloom where you’re planted...

GENDER BENDERS
Barbi McDonald
Bassham, CPA & Kayce Mines
Brock

Ricki Ford Photography

82-83 3/23/10 7:15 PM Page 3
Barbi McDonald Bassham (left)
and Kayce Mines Brock
So, it’s that time of year again. April 15th is quickly approach-
ing, and we’re all looking at tax deadlines. Some of you
out there completed your paperwork long ago; but, oth-
ers (like myself) procrastinate until the very end. As you gather your papers to head
off to a local accountant, who do you expect to see behind the desk? A male or female?
More often than not, we assume that a man will be handling our money and our busi-
ness. For so long, the profession of CPAs has been dominated by men, but two local
ladies are helping to break that stereotypical mold. Meet Barbi McDonald Bassham and
Kayce Mines Brock.
Barbi lives in Florence with her husband, Jason, and their two pets, Bart and
Lydia. She is a Senior Tax Analyst with ESAB Welding & Cutting Products of Florence,
where she has been employed for five years. Some of Barbi’s
responsibilities at ESAB include federal and state tax reporting For so long, the
and compliance, international tax issues, property tax, tax planning
and research, cash management and financial reporting. Barbi is a
profession of CPAs
graduate of Francis Marion University, where she earned a has been dominated
Bachelor of Business Administration with a Concentration in
Accounting and a Master of Business Administration. She recent- by men, but two
ly became a Licensed Certified Public Accountant with the State
of South Carolina, and she is a Member of the American Institute
local ladies are
of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and South Carolina helping to break
Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA).
Kayce is a native of Hartsville, where she still resides
that stereotypical
with her husband, Mike, and their Basset Hound,Abby. She went mold.
to school at the University of South Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Science
in Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting and a Master of
Accountancy. She is well on her way to pursuing her Licensure from the State of South
Carolina as a Certified Public Accountant, as well. Kayce is currently employed as a
Senior Financial Analyst with Progress Energy at the H. B. Robinson Nuclear Plant. Her
primary job responsibilities include budget preparation, budget adherence monitoring,
monthly financial reporting, outage reporting and financial projections.
Both women knew early on that they were interested in a business career.
Barbi discovered her love for accounting when she took her first accounting course in
college. The subject matter made sense to her and inspired her to work harder towards
achieving her goals. Kayce knew she loved accounting before she was even out of high
school. She attended Hartsville High School, where she was fortunate enough to be
exposed to several business courses. She took two accounting classes and enjoyed
them immensely. “They held my attention and kept me busy,” Kayce says. It was from
this initial exposure in high school that she selected to pursue a career in accounting.
Barbi and Kayce both have numerous hobbies outside of work that include
traveling, shopping, running and exercising and spending time with family and friends.
They do feel blessed, however, that they also enjoy going to work. It’s not a mundane
drudgery to them, but something that they look forward to. Barbi enjoys the “strate-
gic thinking that is required by a tax accountant to help minimize the tax liability and
come up with optimal tax benefits for a company.” She goes on to say,“At the end of
the day, it feels good to know that I’ve contributed to the company, and I feel valued
and accomplished.”
Kayce enjoys her work, as well, because she knows that her work is making
a difference. “Financial success is at the heart of every business, and I appreciate the
Cheri Jordan is a Florence resident and has been married to her husband, Robert, for eleven years. She is a stay-at-home mom to four children: Abbi, Luke, Savannah and Matthew.
Public
Accountants
by Cheri Jordan
various perspectives that the accounting profession provides. I enjoy taking a detailed
financial report, analyzing the information, consolidating it into a simplified format and
then relaying this information in an effective manner to individuals outside of the
accounting field.”
As with any profession, there are a few negatives. Barbi does not enjoy the
deadlines. “They’re never-ending! It never fails. Every year, I know I’m going to work
New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July because a lot of deadlines fall on holidays.” Barbi
does feel, however, that she works well under the pressure of the deadlines.
For Kayce, the negative would be the stereotypes that are often associated
with the accounting profession. She says that people often look at her as a “bean count-
er” and assume that individual tax returns are all that accountants do. In addition to
stereotypes, the recent corporate scandals have also contributed
to some negative perception of the accounting profession.
I asked the women about obstacles that they face as
women in their career. Both agreed wholeheartedly on their
answers: The balance of motherhood and their career. While
neither of these ladies has children yet, they recognize that
mothering is a full-time job in itself, and they know that women
struggle with giving their best to their career, as well as their chil-
dren and family. And though they realize that the accounting
profession has always been more of a male-dominated profes-
sion, they both feel fortunate that they have faced very little
opposition in their field based on gender.
Barbi and Kayce are both content and satisfied with their
work; but, as with any profession, they have goals and aspirations that reach higher than
where they currently are today. Barbi wants to continue to grow personally and pro-
fessionally. “I strive to one day climb the corporate ladder and become part of the exec-
utive management team of a company where my experience and qualifications can be
utilized to help run a company.” Kayce aspires to eventually become a member of the
management team in a financial role.
And while both women have long-term goals, they also both agree that they
have already accomplished so much. Among their greatest accomplishments, Barbi and
Kayce acknowledge their marriages. Their husbands have been an invaluable support
to both women and often are the motivating factor that has encouraged them to pur-
sue their goals and dreams.
Both of these women were excited to share their stories with She and hope
that they can encourage other young women that may be interested in a career in
accounting. Kayce says,“I think Barbi and I break the stereotypical mold of CPAs. We’re
young, female and actually like to have fun rather than counting receipts out of a shoe
box all the time. I hope this exposure will shine a light on the profession and encour-
age female readers to pursue a career in accounting. The profession has been very
rewarding to me, and I want to share that experience with other individuals.”
Barbi wants to encourage readers that may be interested in the CPA profes-
sion, “Becoming a CPA can be a very rewarding career with interesting work, a high
level of respect and attractive career opportunities. I encourage young women read-
ing this article that have an interest in business and think they may want to become a
CPA to set in place the goal to put those three little letters that can have such a big
impact behind your name – CPA.”
84-85 3/23/10 12:52 PM Page 2
E bloom where you’re planted...
GENDER BENDER
From office manager to handywoman,
George-Anne McElveen
does it all!
After graduating from high school, I attended Peace
College in Raleigh, North Carolina. Peace is an
all-girls Presbyterian school. I graduated in 1996 with an Associates of Arts Degree.
From there, I went to NC State and graduated with an Agricultural Business
Management Degree. I was one of the very few girls in my classes. In many, I was the
only girl. I got along well with all the boys in my classes and was very active on campus.
I was voted in as the first female President of the Agricultural Institute Club. After grad-
uating from NC State, I lived and worked in Raleigh for a few years and then, much to
my surprise, I moved back to Marlboro County and bought a house in Bennettsville.
I started working for Palmetto Brick a little over six years ago. I was hired as
the Office Manager, which is the title that I still have today. Along with the typical Office
Manager responsibilities of keeping the office organized and running smoothly, I was
also hired to be the Dispatcher for the Florence Branch. Palmetto Brick has their own
fleet of trucks and it’s my responsibility to schedule shipments and pick-ups, all the
while keeping in mind that each customer needs their materials in a timely manner. It’s
not always easy, especially when the building boom was in full swing in the Pee Dee.
There were times when it was so busy that not only did we have all the trucks in our
fleet running at full capacity, I would also have to hire in trucks from trucking compa-
nies that specialize in brick delivery.
Palmetto Brick has been manufacturing brick in Wallace, South Carolina, since
1919; we have the distinction of being the oldest family-owned brick company in South
Carolina. We also represent about fifteen other brick companies that are spread
throughout the Southeastern United States. Organizing all the deliveries and pick-ups,
as well as processing all the paperwork that comes along with it, can be a daunting task.
But, with the support of the guys in the office, it gets done. There are only four of us
at Palmetto Brick of Florence. Mark Howle is our Manager. Marty Lee handles Inside
Sales and Customer Service, and Dale Sistare covers Outside Sales. Each of us has well-
defined responsibilities, but all of us come together to do whatever is needed.
When Mark (our Manager) told me a little over a year ago that we were going
to have to lay off our brickyard forklift driver and we’d all be expected to pick up the
slack, I didn’t hesitate. On February 10th, 2009, I received my forklift certification after
completing the test on the first attempt. I’ve always been the type of person that did
whatever was needed to get the job done. I’ve never had the thought that since I’m
female, there are things that I can’t do. I think my mindset came from being raised on
a farm. You just did what had to be done because no one was going to do it for you.
Don’t get me wrong, I miss wearing heels and cute skirts to work. Now it’s blue jeans
and steel-toed boots, but I thank God every day that not only do I have a job, but I
work for a great company, and I work with people that I consider family.
I’ve surprised many people with my ability to operate a forklift, but one of my
proudest moments came when a truck needed to be unloaded while our Vice President
and CFO were visiting our office. They came out on the brickyard to watch me unload the
brick. It made me a bit nervous, but I was glad to show them that not only could I keep
the office running smoothly, but I could do whatever else was needed – and do it well!
Along with driving the forklift, I also have to hand-load block and mortar into
customers’ vehicles. I also take my turn sweeping out the warehouse and restrapping
brick. Our former forklift driver also maintained our landscaping. There were many
days in the summer that you would see me mowing the grass in front of our office on
Cashua Drive. Let me tell you, it is no fun push-mowing the grass in 90+ degree weath-
er with cars going by honking their horns. But I didn’t feel right letting Mark and Marty
do it. It wouldn’t have been fair. Thank goodness, we now have a landscaping crew again.
I’ve never really thought about myself as being a “gender bender.” In a way, I
guess I am. But I really just think of myself as a person that works hard. I’m proud of
what I can do, but it’s not something that I’m surprised that I can do. When I was at
NC State, I had to take a Tractors and Machinery class. I was the only girl in the class
and on the first day of the lab, we were told that we would be split into groups. A huge
portion of the semester’s grade came from the group’s ability to tear down and rebuild
a tractor engine. When we first started working, one of my teammates was thrilled
that I was on his team because they had a “secretary.” It didn’t take long for the other
members of the group to realize that I could do more than just take notes and handle
the paperwork. By the end of the semester, I was elbow deep in grease and he was
taking notes. We got an “A”!
The thing I like most about my job is the respect that we all have for each
other and the jobs that we do. Palmetto Brick is a great company to work for. It’s a
family-owned business and the mentality throughout the company – from top to bot-
tom – is one of respect. I know I’m not being asked to do anything that the men in the
highest position haven’t done or wouldn’t do. And that says a lot! Not only about the
company as a whole but the family that runs it. I have no doubt that if I called Andy
Rogers or his father, Bobby (Owners and Vice-President and President, respectfully)
right now and told them that I needed their help, they would gladly lend a hand.
The men in my office are wonderful! They don’t look at me as a fragile female
nor do they view me as someone that is there to emasculate them. We’re all just here
to do a job the best that we can. If I need help loading 75-pound bags of mortar into
the back of someone’s pickup, Marty or Mark will be glad to help. And the reverse is
true, as well. If they need my help, I’ll be right by their side.
Sometimes the customers are a bit surprised when I come out into the ware-
house or onto the brickyard to load them; but, most of the time, it’s not an issue. I just
loaded a bag of mortar into the back of a brickmason’s truck. When I set it down, he
looked at me with widened, surprised eyes and said, “Girl, you are diesel!” I’m hoping
that was a compliment. Either way, I’m taking it as one.
I met my fiancé, Nelson Blackmon, at Palmetto Brick. His family owns
Blackmon Memorials in Darlington, and they engrave brick for organizations to use as
fundraisers. It all came together when I was getting a brick engraved for my former
boss, John Sanderson. Meeting Nelson through Palmetto Brick solidifies the realization
that this is where I’m meant to be.
 84-85 3/23/10 12:52 PM Page 3

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86SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:40 AM Page 1
E bloom where you’re planted...
GENDER BENDER
One would think staring a one-ton animal in the eye would
give you just a hint of fear – or at least a little appre-
hension. Not so for Kathryn R.Anderson, DVM. My interview with Dr. Katie Anderson
certainly blew my Veterinarian paradigms into oblivion. The Veterinary profession had
been dominated by men up until the last few years. My pitiful way of thinking went
something along the lines of, “If you were a male DVM, then at least you would have a
physical advantage, especially when treating large animals.”
“Not so,” says Dr. Anderson. “When a large animal looks me over (a barely
five-foot, maybe one-hundred-pound woman), they laugh. I am not intimidating at all,
whereas a big man definitely may make the animal bristle and think, ‘You’re not touch-
ing me!’ It’s all about brain-over-brawn. If your approach is gentle and you convince
them it’s their idea, treating them is not a problem.”
Dr. Anderson and I talked about some of the prejudices she encountered
through the years, beginning in college. She graduated in 1989 from the University of
Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine – the first class dominated by female students.
She recalled several incidents in practicals when the male professors were always hard-
er on the female students, adding that the school now has mostly female professors.
(My, my how times change!) Other incidents occurred mostly early in her own prac-
tice. She would examine a pet, and the owner would ask, “When is the Veterinarian
coming in?” And, men still experience difficulty discussing “private things” about their
pets with her.
I met Dr. Anderson well over ten years ago, and we have shared many trials,
sadness and happy outcomes over the years. I have followed her from practice to prac-
tice in Hartsville because of her gentle manner and care for all of our “family members.”
She opened her own practice because she “wanted to be able to control the style and
type of practice [she] had.”
Some of the challenges of starting her own practice were simply the logistics
of building the hospital, staffing and stocking the practice, all the while working full-time.
“However, I had a wonderful contractor to take the worries from the construction and
a sales representative that handled the procurement of drugs and equipment,” she said.
“Also, many of my friends helped, doing what they could.”
At times, I’m sure she was overwhelmed but most elated with the finished
project. Presently, she enjoys the challenge of both a large animal (equine) and com-
panion animal practice, treating approximately twenty animals a day. The last exotic ani-
mal to be treated was a pet iguana belonging to Mrs. Floyd’s class.
Sharon Bixler is blessed to be the wife of Hal, mother of Holly (Stanley) and grandmother of Ian. She is a Member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Hartsville.
Kathryn R.
Anderson,
DVM
by Sharon Bixler
Liz odom
Photography
Two years ago in March, I experienced firsthand what happens when a practice is unable
to treat a pet. I vividly remember the afternoon I went back to Dr.Anderson’s office to
check on my precious “designer dog” (a.k.a. all-American Mutt). I had taken Abbee in
early in the morning in Status Epilepticus (which means she had a continuous seizure for
three hours). When Dr.Anderson told me that she could not keep her – first, you could
have knocked me over with a feather and, second, I immediately thought,“What do you
mean you can’t keep her?! She needs you! I can’t take care of her!”
Then, Dr. Anderson calmly and quietly reassured me and explained that she
needed to be in an animal “hospital” where there is a Veterinarian on duty twenty-four
hours a day. Then, I understood. She said that she has to refer her patients to a special-
ist about five or so times a month. Thank goodness there are others who offer these spe-
cial services. (By the way,Abbee recovered and is fine, being maintained on medication.)
Stories that end like mine are only part of the joy that being a Veterinarian
offers. It’s also the every-day moments when they can make someone else’s day by send-
ing their precious friend home, healthy and happy.
A surprising reality in the profession, Dr.Anderson said that one of the biggest
dangers a Veterinarian faces is people! I expected “a danger” to be an agitated, hurt dog
that needs treatment or something like that. But, no! It’s that agitated-hurt-dog-that-
needs-treatment’s owner! She explained that, sometimes, when an outcome is not what
a person wants or expects, emotions become extreme and can get so out-of-hand to the
point of actually having to call the police.
In regards to the future, Dr. Anderson looks forward to continued advances in
both medicines and technology. However, the larger issue for Veterinarians continues to
be pet owners who will not take responsibility for basic care spay/neutering and vaccina-
tions. She and her staff continue to support the Darlington County Humane Society
through their spay/neutering program and also medical and surgical services as needed.
Nevertheless, she admitted that her greatest challenge is balance – her prac-
tice/business/on-call time; husband,William of twenty years; and her pets (which include
several dogs, cats and horses). Add all that to routine household chores and personal
obligations and it leaves very little “down” time. However, she occasionally does have
some leisure time to show her horses in dressage competitions. (Although she didn’t
mention it, I believe she has a few trophies and ribbons from these competitions, confirm-
ing her commitment to excellence.)
Our community is blessed to have Dr. Katie Anderson as one of the Veterinary
Services available. Her love for animals is written on her face, and the genuine concern
for both pet and family is echoed in her voice.
87SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 4:54 PM Page 1

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88 3/23/10 3:49 PM Page 1
E bloom where you’re planted...
GENDER BENDER
I knew at the age of five that I wanted to
be in the military and to be a
police officer. My journey began
as a freshman at Rutgers University in the ROTC Program. In my sophomore year,
I committed to the Army ROTC Program. Upon graduation from Rutgers
University, I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Military Police
Corps. My first duty station was Fort Ord, California. After that, my Army career
took me all over the world to include Presidio of San Francisco, California; Seoul,
Korea; Camp Market, Korea; Fort Sam Houston,Texas; Fort Ord, California and Los
Angeles, California, as well as drug enforcement work in Honduras.
After I retired from the Army, I started my civilian law enforcement career
as the Chief of Police in Kingstree, South Carolina. I spent two and a half years in
Kingstree and was selected to be a Major at the Florence Police Department. One
of the greatest professional experiences of my law enforcement career came when
the City of Florence sent me to the FBI National Academy.
My present position is the Patrol Division Commander. My job is to over-
see the daily operations of the Patrol Division such as the officers assigned to the
North and South Region, Community Services,Traffic Unit and Officers assigned to
safeguard the City-County Complex. In addition to my Patrol Division Leadership,
I am committed to community-oriented policing through various programs such as
the Citizens Police Academy and Neighborhood Crime Watch Associations. I am
also a Member of the Mayor’s Coalition to Prevent Juvenile Crime and a number of
other programs in which the primary task is to assist “at-risk” youth.
Being a Police Officer is something special and a profession not entered
into lightly. I did not enter this profession for monetary gain but because I truly
want to make a difference. My greatest satisfaction comes from helping others ver-
sus putting the bad guy in jail. My greatest hope is to make a difference in some-
one’s life – especially the life of a child. I have the privilege of working with officers
who want to make a difference in children’s lives – particularly those “at risk.” The
Born and raised in New Jersey, Karen Acosta has been in Florence for ten years. She is one of four siblings, having two sisters and a brother. She has two wonderful nephews, Brett, a senior at
Washington and Lee University, and Rob, a sophomore at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. She enjoys golf and baseball – more specifically the New York Yankees. She’s on the Board of
the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area. Karen is also a proud Founding Member of the Florence Veterans Park, having the privilege of working on several committees to establish the park.
Major Karen
Acosta
Patrol Division Commander
Florence Police Department
Florence Police Department is involved in a number of programs such as Camp
FEVER (Fuel to Encourage a Victorious and Evolving Resurrection), the Florence
Police Department Educational Basketball Program, the Junior Citizens Police
Academy and the Mayor’s Coalition to Prevent Juvenile Crime. I also have the honor
to serve on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Areas.
My biggest challenges are to impact families in a positive way and to build
relationships in communities where those relationships were not previously strong.
This is not only my challenge, but the challenge of the whole Florence Police
Department, and we are making positive progress.
The men I work with treat me as they do everyone else. I am viewed as
a contributing member of the Command Staff, and my opinions, experience and
input is valued. The people I come in contact with view me as a Police Officer per-
forming my job. I treat people fairly and firmly, and I haven’t had any issues due to
gender.
I never give much thought to being a “gender bender.” My career was
based on pursuing my childhood dream and the desire to serve. The Florence
Police Department currently is approximately 10% female, with me being the only
female on the Command Staff.
I don’t feel as if there are any disadvantages to being a female in my posi-
tion. Being a woman in this line of work brings a different perspective in resolving
issues. Since my entire career has been in law enforcement – and I have excelled
in my life’s work – gender, for me, is not an issue. It’s about doing the best job you
can, supporting those you work with and the community that depends on you.
Being in a career that some may not see as being feminine, I maintain my
femininity by reminding myself that while this is a very fulfilling job and I get great
satisfaction from it, my focus outside of work is my family and friends. And I indulge
myself with a well-deserved massage and facial whenever I can fit it into my busy
schedule.
89SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 6:39 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 89

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90-91 3/23/10 7:04 PM Page 2

E bloom where you’re planted...

GENDER BENDER

Collin M. Smith Photography

90-91 3/23/10 7:05 PM Page 3

Tori Taylor Detailer

by Erika Chapman
“...Tori is confident that she can depend on God.
She knows that He is the greatest Detailer of all.”
can be full of unexpected adventures that can He prefers not sitting behind a desk all day and enjoys being on the go.

Life often turn out to be just what we need rather

than the disaster they first appear to be. Tori
and Austin Taylor are learning firsthand that
sometimes the unexpected circumstances that the Lord leads us through may
be huge blessings in disguise. The Taylors and their four-year-old daughter,
So, now, Austin is enrolled at Florence-Darlington Tech, taking prerequisite
classes with the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse.
Roles have also shifted in their household a bit because Austin’s schedule
allows more flexibility to take on more household duties, and he’s more avail-
able to take care of Tyner during the day.
Tyner, live in Florence. By the time this story is printed, they will have wel- The circumstances they have faced as a family over the last nine months
comed their second child into the world. were definitely not what they would have “planned.” Nevertheless,Tori recog-
Tori earned a two-year Engineering Graphics Degree from Florence- nizes the goodness of God in them. She has seen God more at work in her life
Darlington Tech and began work as a Detailer in 2000. Her work involved draw- during this season than ever before. Experiencing a shift in roles as a couple
ing steel joists using a drafting program called AutoCAD. She now works for has given Austin and Tori a deeper appreciation for each other. She has seen
Aluminum Ladder and uses AutoCAD to draw safety access equipment. While God work in the details of their lives. For example, the fact that Austin made
her job is in a more male-dominated field, she has seen the number of women it into the next semester’s classes, even though it was the end of November
Detailers increase. In college,Tori was often the only girl in most of her classes. when he went to register, was definitely a blessing, as well as the coincidence
Now, however, six of the seventeen Detailers at Aluminum Ladder are women. that the birth of their baby will fall during his spring break from classes.
Tori loves the variety she finds in detailing the safety equipment. This season has increased Tori’s faith, and it has strengthened her mar-
Some days, she may work on something structural. Other days, it may involve riage. Indeed, the past few months have been stressful, and she recognizes that
moving parts. Her job requires great attention to detail because if one small more stress will come. But none of it compares with the peace she has found
piece is off, it may affect ten other things. Tori finds that her natural bent as a as she has been forced to fully rely on God.
woman is an asset in her work. Many of the projects she works on are time So, even though she faces the adventure of another child and Austin’s
consuming, so the ability to multitask and patience are characteristics that are new career,Tori is confident that she can depend on God. She knows that He
helpful and needed. is the greatest Detailer of all.
When Tori first started working as a Detailer after college, she found
that sometimes men seemed to have a hard time relating to women in the
Erika Chapman lives in Florence with her amazing husband and three busy little boys.
work field. At times, they almost seemed uncomfortable or scared about what She gets excited about discovering a great read, NewSpring Church and sharing her most
they could or couldn’t say around women. As the number of women Detailers recent adventures at www.erikaivory.wordpress.com.
increased, that seems to be less of an issue.
Last summer, after being with the company only six months, Tori was
sent on assignment to Louisiana to take field meas-
urements for two weeks. While it was difficult leav-
ing her husband, Austin, and little girl,Tyner, for that
length of time, it was also an honor to be given the
opportunity. In a sense, it felt like a small victory
both professionally and as a woman in a male-dom-
inated field.
The last nine months have been full of chal-
lenges and changes for the Taylors. Soon after Tori
returned from her out-of-state job assignment, she
became pregnant. The family was surprised and
delighted. Austin worked in lumber sales for fifteen
years and in November 2009, he was laid off.
Suddenly,Tori and Austin were faced with some cir-
cumstances they were not expecting.
At one time, Austin had encouraged Tori
to go back to school for a nursing degree, but she
felt that field just wouldn’t fit her personality or
skill set. When Austin found himself without a job,
the conversation turned to the possibility of him
going to school for nursing.
92SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:26 AM Page 1

E bloom where you’re planted...

Collin M. Smith
GENDER BENDER Photography

“To keep my
feminism in check,
I will occasionally
wear my heels
Mandi
to work.” Brewer-
Allen
A CRUSHING
CAREER

I am the Manager of Don’s Car Crushing in Sellers,

South Carolina – a position typically held by men. My grandfather started
the company in the 1940’s. From there, it went to my uncle and then to his
son, Donnie Brewer, who is the current owner.
Growing up, I wanted to be a race car driver. I guess that being a
woman in a man’s world has always been my dream. Now, I love working in
the junkyard. It never gets boring for me because every day is different. A
typical day for me, however, is weighing trucks in and out, paying customers,
arranging trucks for shipments and supervising the men who work there. I
also go out and look for scrap metal to buy. One day, I might be knocking
on someone’s door if they have old cars in their yard or I may be at a fac-
tory making a deal.
I also deal with issues involving our heavy equipment, which could
be anything from a unit breaking down to ordering fuel. Some days, you can
even find me on the yard riding our Case Front-End Loader.
The fact that it’s sometimes hard for the guys to take orders from
me can be intimidating at first, but I have to remind myself of my responsi-
bilities. The men I work with have accepted my role, and we constantly pro-
vide each other with feedback. Sometimes, my employees have a hard time
taking orders from a woman, especially those younger than I am since I’m
only 28-years-old. However, they do realize I know what I’m talking about
since I’ve been in this business all my life. They also know that I wouldn’t
tell them to do something that I wouldn’t get out there and do myself. I have
no problem putting on my boots and walking through mud to look at a junk
car. (To keep my feminism in check, though, I will occasionally wear my heels
to work.)
The biggest obstacle of being a woman in this business is getting
others – especially men – to take me seriously. I have to work harder to
prove to myself to them. I think some try to take advantage of the fact that
I’m a woman. But, I must admit that I get a feeling of empowerment when
they realize they cannot take advantage of me. Yes, men definitely do see me
differently. And I love proving to them that I know what I’m doing. To me,
that’s an accomplishment.
There are several perks to being a “gender bender.” The most
important to me is having others realize that a woman can succeed in a
man’s world. But, what I like most about what I do is the fact that I’m car-
rying on a family legacy.

Mandi Allen and her husband, Chad, have one son, Joseph. She grew up in Hemingway, but she has lived in Effingham for four years.
Her parents are Dewey and Rena Brewer. Outside of work, Mandi enjoys spending time with her family, reading, racing and boating.
93SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 10:55 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 93

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94-95SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:25 AM Page 2
E bloom where you’re planted...
“We had a choice to
make – stay where
life was nice and
comfortable or be
obedient to God.”
I’m a planner – the list maker, organizer, color-coded,
calendar-type of planner. God gets a kick out of my
plans and frequently reminds me of who’s really in
control. Surprise! Surprise! It’s not me! He got a
real good laugh out of my plans when I moved from Mexico to South Carolina to
attend Charleston Southern. I intended to move up for a year or so, experience
something new and then head back home to continue on with life. I was not going
to marry an American guy. And most definitely not someone going into the min-
istry! I ended up meeting, falling in love with and marrying Michael – handsome,
funny, godly. Most importantly, though, he was a business major. God sure does have
a sense of humor ‘cause just two years after our wedding, we moved to Texas. Not
for a great, big money-making job. No! We moved to Texas for seminary!
The transition was a difficult one. I’ve learned most transitions are for this
planner of a gal, but we eventually settled into a great life in the Dallas/Fort Worth
area. Michael completed seminary. We had great jobs, great friends, bought a house
and even got a puppy (also not part of my plan). Life was grand. And, although we
were away from all family, we were prepared to live in Texas the rest of our lives.
To my surprise, God didn’t really care how prepared we were to stay in Texas or
how grand a time we were having there. He had a different plan.
After four years in Texas, God called us to Anderson, South Carolina, to be
part of NewSpring Church. We were sad to leave Texas; but, at the same time, we
were excited about moving closer to family and getting involved in a growing
church. Things didn’t go as I had planned at first, and the move was very difficult.
Transitions are not easy for me. But, thankfully, God has it all under control.
Life in Anderson got better with time. Dare I say, life was great? He pro-
vided an amazing group of friends for us. I absolutely loved my job more than I ever
had before. We loved being part of God’s move at NewSpring. We had the per-
fect house. And if things weren’t going well enough for us, my mother-in-law was
Vanessa Brown is savoring life in Florence with her amazing husband, Michael, her active three-year-old, Matthan, and she is anticipating the arrival of Baby Girl.
She enjoys blogging at www.vanebrown.wordpress.com, and she loves serving at NewSpring Florence.
Vanessa
Brown
‘Sow’ Not
What I
Planned
able to care for our little boy during the week – for free! Could life get any bet-
ter?! We sure as heck didn’t think so. And this time – for real – we were done with
moving. Anderson is where we wanted to stay, grow our family and live forever!
I'm sure you can guess where this is going . . .
In November of 2007, after three and a half years of living in Anderson,
God started to reveal a new plan for us. This one was the scariest and most diffi-
cult to accept. He was asking – no – He was telling us it was time to move again.
And, this time, He planned for us to move to Florence. Florence! Of all places,
Florence was not on the top of any list we would have made. And, he wanted us to
start a church! Also, not at the top of the list.
“He must have gone crazy!”
“What in the world is God thinking?”
“Florence?”
“Start a church?”
It was all too much for us to process, so we kept quiet. (You know. If you
don’t tell anyone, you don’t have to do it, right?) We prayed and prayed and prayed
– for months. He didn’t change His mind. He was very clear about the location
and about what He wanted us to do.
We didn’t expect to uproot our family again; we did not want to start over.
This was not part of our plan. We had a choice to make – stay where life was nice
and comfortable or be obedient to God. We were obedient; but, I must admit, not
without some kicking and screaming along the way. I sure do know how to throw
a fit (proud moments, indeed). This time I’d had enough experience with moving to
know that it would not be easy. Tears would be shed, friends would be missed and
comparisons would be made. But, with time, life would not only get better, it would
be great again. And, it has been.
94-95SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 5:55 PM Page 3

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Florence officially launched in January of 2009, and throughout the year, we’ve wit-
nessed tremendous growth. But, most importantly, many lives have changed. We
have met some truly amazing people and have some pretty cool friends. We’ve
moved into a lovely home with a nice sized yard for that dog we still have. Our lit-
tle three-year-old is loving life and looking forward to being a big brother next
month.
The move has been hard. Michael’s job isn’t easy. We face many challenges
week after week. We moved out of a very comfortable life and into one with so
many more new and out-of-our-comfort-zone experiences than we could have ever
imagined. But, we are happier – truly happier – than we have ever been before.
We’ve seen God at work and moving in ways that we have never experienced Him
before. And that makes it all worth it. We know this is just the beginning, and already
life in Florence is great! Although I won’t say it can’t get any better. I’ve learned my
lesson!
Our personal experiences have involved a lot of moving, changes in jobs,
friendships, homes – this is what God has chosen to use as a pruning process for us.
Your experiences, challenges, ups and downs may look completely different. The
process of not only growing into who God has called you to be, but blooming in His
plan for you may look completely different, but we all go through a process.
Blooming into God’s purpose requires work, time and patience – all things I’ve expe-
rienced with each and every single move. He prunes, revealing – although sometimes
hurtful – the things in me that need to change. He always provides every single thing
we need to grow and bloom in the place where He has called us to be. A little water
in the form of new friendships, some fertilizer in new opportunities and good soil to
land on, allowing us to dig our roots in and grow. He requires us to put in some
work, some time and effort and, most definitely, practice patience. But, in time, a new
seed begins to sprout, and we begin to see glimpses of His purpose and His plan.
And you know what? It’s all worth it. Even if it wasn’t how I planned it.
96SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:39 AM Page 1

E bloom where you’re planted...

GENDER BENDER Liz Odom
Photography

Melissa
Bradshaw
“I think an advantage
of being a woman in
this industry is the
fact that a woman has
a natural instinct to
care for animals.”

I’m the Farm Manager at Palmetto Arabians, LLC.
The farm consists of four state-of-the-art barns
with 45 acres of pastures for the horses to
enjoy. The staff consists of a maintenance crew and me. My responsibilities
include general farm maintenance and horse care. I’m in charge of breeding
the horses using artificial reproductive technology. I manage the breeding stal-
lions’ collections and shipping schedule. I’m also in charge of foaling out preg-
nant mares in the springtime and marketing the young horses we have for sale.
I was drawn to this career because of my love for horses. It’s a facet
of the horse industry that doesn’t involve as many politics as being a horse
trainer. I participated in a Breeding Internship while at North Carolina State
University, and I really enjoyed it – even though the hours were crazy. Just as
in human births, you can’t determine when horses are going to give birth
either.
Although my job could be considered one that is male dominated, I’m
not so sure I consider myself a “gender bender.” Girls are always horse crazy.
Sometimes, though, I catch myself on the tractor or fixing a fence. I definitely
feel like I might be one then. It’s not often you see a girl doing those jobs.
Being a female makes my work more challenging because being a handyman
can be trying for me!
Farm
Manager
Three men work at the farm with me, and they are great!
Sometimes I think they might not be so happy when they hear me calling for
help, though. That’s because they know that I need some serious help if I
have resorted to call for them!
I think an advantage of being a woman in this industry is the fact that
a woman has a natural instinct to care for animals. Each and every mare
that I bred, every one that I checked as pregnant, every one that I watched
as her belly grew and assisted with having her foal – they have all been spe-
cial to me. And every foal that has been born feels like it is my own baby!
With that being said, foaling season is the best part of my job. Being
involved in foaling out mares is very rewarding after waiting 340 days for a
mare to have a full-term pregnancy. You never know what you’re going to get!
Being in a career that’s not seen as being very feminine, it’s still easy
to maintain my femininity. Actually, that’s not even an issue. Yes, I wear jeans,
boots, sweatshirts and my hair is up in a ponytail every day. But a shopping
trip, a day at the beach or getting dressed up for a night out with my hus-
band usually brings out the girly side of me really easily.
I love horses, and I work on a horse farm. I’m surely blooming
where I was planted.

Melissa Johnson Bradshaw and her husband, Eddie, have been married for little over a year. She has been in Florence for almost seven years.
She is a North Carolina State University Graduate. Her very large family consists of six half brothers and sisters. Pawleys Island is her favorite place in the world
and a day at the beach there is the best. She also enjoys traveling, going to horse shows and spending time with her family.
97SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 1:49 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 97

98SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:20 AM Page 1
E bloom where you’re planted...
GENDER BENDER
Rose Mary
Parham
THE PROSECUTOR
by Ferebe Gasque
To see the beautiful, model-like young
woman walking into the restaurant,
one would never guess she could
possibly be the mother of five and certainly not a tough-on-crime prosecutor. But,
looks can be deceptive. Rose Mary Parham is both of those.
As a little girl growing up, Rose Mary Sheppard dreamed of being a wife, a
mother, and a professional woman. Her parents always encouraged her to be inde-
pendent and productive. She knew she wanted to have the ability to provide for her-
self, even though she hoped to have both a career and a family. The logical thing to
do after finishing high school in Orangeburg was to go to college. Which college to
attend was never a concern. After all, she grew up in ORANGEburg (sorry, just
couldn’t leave that alone)and her dad (and several other family members) was a
Clemson graduate. She received her BA in English from Clemson (probably with a
very high GPA, though she would never say so), she entered Law School at the
University of South Carolina. In the meantime, she had fallen in love, as well. So, she
and her new football-player-husband moved to Alabama when he was offered a
coaching job there. In Alabama, she was able to complete her law degree, continuing
to work on her personal goals. As often happens to coaches, another move was in
the cards and, as a result,Texas was introduced to a beautiful, strong, confident, capa-
ble, South Carolina woman who very successfully served as Assistant District
Attorney for the Lone Star State for the next four years. In addition to practicing
law, Rose Mary also began fulfilling another part of that little girl fantasy of becoming
a mother.
Unfortunately, not all fairy tales come true exactly as we envision them and
Rose Mary’s marriage to her college sweetheart ended. Not to be thwarted in her
dreams, however, she returned to South Carolina and was hired by the US Attorney’s
office in Florence. Through this new position, she met and married Brad, who was at
that time an Assistant US Attorney in the Greenville office. After they married, Brad
was transferred to the Florence office, where they continue to “put away the bad guys”
together. Rose Mary and Brad added three additional children to the household.
Rose Mary says the only way she is able to juggle her life and to do so much
effectively is because she has such a wonderful husband. She also gives accolades to
Ms. Louetta, who is their right hand in helping keep the family and house running
smoothly.
Ferebe Gasque loves the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends by telling their stories to the readers of She Magazine.
Liz odom
Photography
Rose Mary loves all of her jobs. She loves being a wife and mother because
those roles keep her grounded. She is reminded each day by her family what is real-
ly important in this life. Isabelle (14) and Harriotte (12) are in the International
Baccalaureate program at Williams and Wilson. Margaret (8) and Mary Tindall (6)
attend Royall Elementary School. Arthur (4) is in the Montessori program at
McLaurin Elementary. Rose Mary and Brad feel that having their children in public
school is yet another way to invest their lives in the community.
That stability also helps her to fight harder to ensure those who have com-
mitted crimes receive the appropriate punishment. Being a prosecutor is not an easy
job. It is her responsibility to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Her commit-
ment to what is right, and to keeping this a safe place where her children can grow
up and be anything they want to be, encourages her to keep on keeping on, even
when the work is difficult.
She has successfully prosecuted many crimes in the past eleven years, since
coming to Florence. Several of the most recent notable are the Hanna case in
Johnsonville (where the City Manager was murdered by her husband), Kenneth
Hinson (who held the girls in the underground bunker), and Timothy Poole (who
murdered his adoptive parents).
The co-worker who nominated Rose Mary also said,“She and Brad are very
active in the Methodist church in Florence. She is a very friendly person and handles
a huge amount of responsibility almost without effort. Rose Mary has the largest case
production in South Carolina for the US Attorney’s Office. She also handles a real
estate rental business from home at night while attending every single function for
her 5 children. Rose Mary Parham is quite an inspiration to everyone who knows her
and is a fantastic role model for young women.”
Rose Mary was honored when she discovered that one of her peers had nom-
inated her months ago to be featured in She Magazine, which she reads regularly. Since
being intervied for this Gender Bender issue (never one to sit on her laurels), Rose
Mary announced her plans to resign her position as an Assistant United States Attorney
in order to run for Solicitor. In addition to her new political quest, she will be opening
her own law office where she will continue to practice law, in her pursuit of truth and
justice. This same beautiful, model-like, forty-year-young woman is determined to do
everything she can to keep her adopted home town and surrounding areas a safe place
where her children and their friends can grow and thrive.
99SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 6:55 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 99

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100SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:28 AM Page 1
E bloom where you’re planted...
“I’m back
at home.
I’m going to
bloom where
I was originally
planted.”
I was raised in Marion. When my family and I
moved back to Marion, we were fortunate
enough to be able to move back into the
house that I lived in when I was four or five years old. Life growing up on Northside
Avenue was fun, with lots of children living on the street at that time – most of which
were boys who wanted to play army. Therefore, the girls were the nurses. You weren’t
a true member of the neighborhood unless you had fallen into the ditch that was
behind my house. Even my Mom! Also, my Dad built a great treehouse in our back-
yard, which was always very busy.
I moved away from Marion when I went to Columbia College in 1973. I was
even gone in the summers as I usually spent them working in Myrtle Beach. I met my
husband, Greg, on a blind date in Columbia. I graduated from college in 1977, and we
were married in 1980. Columbia is where we stayed for four years. Then, we began a
series of moves. First, to Louisville, Kentucky, then to Memphis, Tennessee, and finally
to Myrtle Beach, where we lived for twenty years.
We started thinking about moving again after our youngest daughter finished
high school. My Mom needed some help, so we started applying for jobs in the Marion
area. Greg had already applied for his current job when Mom fell and went to McLeod
Hospital and eventually to McLeod Hospice. We met so many people there and now
have the privilege of being part of their ministry team.
We lost Mom in November 2008 and moved to Marion in January 2009. I
found out about the museum position when I saw an ad advertising the opening for a
Director. I had put in an application to the school system, but the hiring freeze came
and put a halt on that. I think that was one of those times when God closed the door
but opened a window. I’d say he opened one super window!
I applied for the Museum Director’s job and was hired. I love it! I feel like
I’ve found my niche here in Marion. It seems that the job calls for some teaching, some
event co-coordinating, some fundraising and I’m surrounded by lots of history. I love
everything about being the Museum Director! What a blessing to love your job.
Rosanne Wallace Black and her husband of almost thirty years, Greg, have three children: Jonathan, a Citadel Graduate, now working in Chicago as an Engineer;Wallace, a University of South
Carolina Graduate, who works for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; and Caroline, a Sophomore at the University of South Carolina, majoring in Sports Management.
Her parents are Brownie and Bettie Wallace of Marion. Rosanne enjoys scrapbooking, working in the yard, photography, baking sourdough bread and decorating.
GENDER BENDER
Rosanne
Wallace
Black
Museum Director,
Marion County
Rickiford.com
Museum
And, yes, I’ve heard the saying,“You can’t go home again.” That certainly does-
n’t apply to me because I think it’s been wonderful to go home again. It was a good
move for me. When you lose both your parents in a short time, you need friends to
“love on you.” And that’s what moving back to Marion has felt like to me – a big hug.
There’s nothing like being in your hometown – a place where the people loved your
parents, they loved your grandparents – and they love you. It’s comforting and sooth-
ing to hear stories that begin with, “I remember when . . .” about your family. I guess
you’d call all those stories special treasures.
I appreciate life in a smaller town now because it has a feeling of a communi-
ty; people care about you and your family. Of course, some of the larger places we’ve
lived have all had good things about them, but people are more transient and less con-
nected with their neighbors.
Nevertheless, I think I learned the lesson that you should do your best to
bloom – no matter where you are planted – the first time we moved. It really didn’t
do any good to focus on the negative things and make myself miserable. After wasting
some time, I learned that it’s much better to focus on the positive things and make the
best of wherever I am.
God places you where you’re supposed to be, so there must be something
good about that place – no matter where it is. And there must be something you’re sup-
posed to learn from it. Usually, it’s preparation for your next job, move or situation.
I want to make the most of returning to Marion by trying to do my best at the
Marion County Museum through sharing the history of our county and planning lots of
fun events, some fundraisers and educational events. That’s one of the perks of my job as
Director – getting to meet so many wonderful people that I wouldn’t ordinarily meet.
My parents always taught me to do the best job I can – even when no one is
looking. And that helps me with another goal, which is to reconnect with old friends
– and make lots of new ones.
I’m back at home. I’m going to bloom where I was originally planted.
101SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 1:52 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 101

April 30th at 7pm

•Sample food of “Anything Butt BBQ” contestants
•Nicki & DaBlooze Band playing country/rock/blues
•Participate in the “I Love My Blue Jeans” contest

May 1st, 9am-3pm

•Sample BBQ from SC BBQ
Sanctioned Cook Teams
• Bulk BBQ and side items available for purchase
•Good Living Marketplace
•Waiter’s Race 10:30am
•Smithfield, “The Painting Pig” Demonstrations

$20 Friday • $10 Saturday

$5 for ages 5-12 • Under 5 FREE

Event sponsored by:

Black Creek Arts Council of Darlington County

843-332-6234 BArtscounc@aol.com
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Now accepting new students

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843-383-5344
www.bcschoolofdance.com
102SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 3:01 PM Page 1

102 • April 2010 • She Magazine

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103SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 10:17 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 103

When it comes to
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104SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 12:03 PM Page 1

Collin M. Smith Photography

Six-year-old Mary Claussen Jones has a smile

that will light up the world! She attends the Montessori Program at
McLaurin Elementary; but, she still loves to play school.

In her spare time, she enjoys singing and dancing to

Taylor Swift and being a great BIG sister to her two-year-old sister,Tyler.
Also, she is learning how to play tennis just like her daddy.

Mary Claussen is so special

to her family because she is
willing to give
to those less fortunate. She loves to sup-
port any organization that is raising money and conducting
canned food drives. She has just discovered what the
Manna House is and their purpose and is already asking to volunteer.

She has a big heart for others and is always asking how
she can help. Mary Claussen is a special little girl who is
already an integral part of a better world.
This month’s “Wee She” was submitted by Mary Claussen’s mom, Dana Jones. If you would like to
nominate a little girl for “Wee She,” send an e-mail to editor@shemagazine.com with “Wee She” Nomination as the subject.
105SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 4:16 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 105

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106 3/23/10 12:56 PM Page 1

INFLATION STRIKES
AGAIN
“S pring has sprung, daffodils are out
and the Bradford pears are astinkin'.
And, apparently the human spare tires have
inflated since last year at this time.
“

Sincerely Yours, By Jumana A. Swindler

opened the bottom drawer of my armoire, where shorts and

I tees and hot weather clothing are kept and enthusiastically

pulled out one of the bathing suits I bought this past August.Ah,
I thought, it’s almost time to have fun in the sun again, to frolick
in frothy salt water and bask in heavily chlorinated pools.
Eagerly, I slipped on the garment in preparation for my favorite season to begin.
That’s when I noticed it…the shrinkage.
The suit was indeed tighter in key areas, specifically those that begin in
B – like Buttocks, Belly and Bosom. It was obvious that some mysterious virus
had attached itself to the fabric in those locations and made them smaller.
Alarmingly, this material was also the good stuff, cleaned and pressed cottons with
even some of the sales tags still attached. None of these garments were like the
new styles on display at area stores --- pre-wrinkled, pre-faded and pre-junky
looking. Wouldn’t it be cheaper for folks to just sleep in their outfits instead of
investing in this season’s fashions?
I started to panic, thinking this could be the new wave of chemical
warfare developed by enemy forces in the world, especially after I noticed
the same problem in some of the other items in the drawer. Primarily, the
fitted shorts and tops weren’t fitting. They were clean and neat, pressed and
some even still had the sales tags attached.
It was necessary for me to seek help and I went straight to the scientific
approach. I traveled over to see my friend,Vicky. She’s a nurse with a specialization in
epidemiology. (That means she studies epidemics, not causes them.) At any rate, she tried to
reassure me that her analysis of the situation eliminated any theory I had about a dangerous Cheese, did you see her hair?
disease-carrying bug that tightened summer fashion-wear. We had a meaty discussion regarding that plan.
“Listen kiddo, there’s a simple solution to this,” she said, obviously squinting at my He’s such a fruit cake.
chin. “What’s wrong,” I said, worried, “Am I breaking out in a rash, too?” That’s as easy as pie to do.
“No.” said Vicky calmly.“I was trying to identify the chocolate-like substance caked Don’t let them fudge on their order.
on your skin.” Frustrated, I explained that it was a chocolate-like substance. Chocolate I mean really!!! How can you get way from it? Certain canines are called weiner
syrup. I had eaten my daily hot fudge sundae on my way over. “But that’s not the issue dogs, making a fist is called a knuckle sandwich, responding with a negative spitting sound
here,” I yelled. “I want to know what’s caused my wear to warp!” is called a raspberry. People’s heads are called noodles, fun friends are called nuts or
Gently, Vicky explained my miscalculation – that it wasn’t the material that had their jokes are corny. Almost everything can be translated into a carbohydrate!
changed in shape, but was the product I was filling it with, like parts of my body, that had But dieting has to be done. Not dieting can cause stress on a large scale. I mean
changed proportions. it can really weigh heavily on your mind in summer. What I meant to say was that it can
That’s when I said it….. I rarely explode into four letter expletives, but it just came also lead to wide spread misery.
out: DIET!!!! I’ll have to diet. So the journey has begun again. Cutting calories, factoring fat “I tell you what,” Vicky said the other day. She noted that the only thing worn thin
grams and fretting over forgetting those fried foods. It has to be done almost every year by my weight reduction efforts of late were my nerves. “Sometimes moving furniture
at this time. around improves your moods. Just move your bathing suits and summer stuff you’ve been
But have you ever noticed that when you’re trying to avoid over indulgence, food concerned about to another drawer. Maybe the clothes will grow back by next year. Just
temptations seem to be constantly dangling before you – even in simple buy some new things for now….”
conversations. Sentences are full of enticements --- Gosh.Why didn’t I think of that.Thanks Vicky. I owe you a chocolate Sundae.

Jumana A. Swindler, a resident of Florence, is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for McLeod Health. Her personal favorite pastimes, reflected in her writings, are RV'ing, movies,
Theater, fishing, reading and spending time with her son and family.
107SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 2:47 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 107

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108SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 11:49 AM Page 1

What
Advertisers
SAY:
ABOUT ADVERTISING IN SHE MAGAZINE

The Little White Dress Bridal Boutique & More

In September 2009, a new full-service bridal boutique
opened at the Rainbow Harbor Shopping Center in Myrtle Beach.
Specializing in wedding gowns, dresses for the bridal party and the
Mother of the Occasion, The Little White Dress is the only full-
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Service and attention to detail is what the store is all about.
Brides deserve an amazing experience when they shop for the
dress that they are going to get married in. The ladies of The Little
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When we first opened our boutique, we purchased an ad in
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Recently, we participated in The Wedding Showcase at the Florence
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they recognized our name and logo from our ads in She Magazine!
As a new business, one of the most important goals is to get
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helped us do just that! We are in the business helping brides find
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109SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 2:53 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 109

110SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 12:00 PM Page 1

Music
and me by Ferebe Gasque
To be one who is famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) for NEVER
being at a loss for words, I often have difficulty coming up with an appropriate subject for
my She Magazine articles until the last minute. This month is no exception. I love spring.
I love flowers. I do NOT have a green thumb. I have, in fact, worked in a few “gender-ben-
der” arenas. I am a seminary graduate and was for awhile a Minister of Music, title and all.
There aren’t lots of women who do that. There really weren’t many of us in the early eight-
ies. Then, there was the time I worked for a construction management company onsite.
That was fun. And educational. And, I was definitely in the minority there. The guys sug-
gested I put “Mom” on my hard hat (which I did… in fact, I still have it). Of course one
of the reasons was that “Ferebe” wouldn’t fit. I lived in South America for a year, teaching
Missionary Kids. That wasn’t “gender-bender” but it was a great year. Hmmmm… maybe
another month for that one.
Hopefully, though, I am blooming where I am planted now. Back at home. I’ve
mentioned before that when my mother died I began searching for my “new normal.”
I in the fourth year of the five-year cycle.
Ferebe Gasque loves educating folks about the
wonderful world of Music Therapy, being the
Music Therapist at McLeod Hospice House,
and serving on the SC Task Force of the
American Music Therapy Association and the
Certification Board for Music Therapists.
wish I could tell you I’ve found it. Two years later, though, that isn’t the case. Perhaps my
“new normal” isn’t a place but a journey. One of the current stops on my journey is at
McLeod Hospice House where I have been privileged to serve as Music Therapist since
November of 2007. I am only there two nights each week, funded through the McLeod
Foundation, but those two nights are life-changing for me. Sometimes they are meaningful to
the patients and families and staff, as well.
My position at Hospice House did not just happen. It was a long, God-directed path that
led me there. However, that too is another story for another day. As I was pondering my sub-
ject, though, I decided it was time to enlighten folks who read She Magazine of a profession
that is not as well-known as doctor or lawyer or construction worker or even minister.
The allotted number of words do not allow me to tell you everything about the amazing
world of Music Therapy. I’ll definitely try to hit the high spots. I feel a sequel coming at
some point!
The official definition, according to the American Music Therapy Association, says:“Music
Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish indi-
vidualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has
completed an approved music therapy program.”
Most music can be therapeutic (there are some kinds that aren’t therapeutic to me,
but everybody’s different). But, having the ability to perform music does not make one a
music therapist. My training in Music Therapy began after I already had a Masters Degree
in Music. But, as I sat in classrooms at Florida State University, I realized who I really was.
I think I had always been a music therapist at heart; I just didn’t know what to call it. And,
since I didn’t have any formal training in the field, I couldn’t be one, anyway. However, after
classes in Anatomy and Physiology (not one of my shining moments) and Special Education
and Abnormal Psychology and Behavior Modification and… well, you get the picture, I
finally completed my course work. That’s when the fun began!
It was my honor and privilege to intern at the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee.
Though it was physically and emotionally taxing, I would not trade anything for the experi-
ences I was able to have during those six months. After successfully completing my intern-
ship, I was required to sit for the national Board Certification Exam. Certification must be
renewed every five years, either through continuing education credits or by retaking the exam
Most people, I don’t think, realize how much work is required to be a professional in many
fields. Those who love their jobs, those who see them as a calling rather than a position, help
to spread that false conception. As a Music Therapist, I want people to feel comfortable with
my presence and to be improved (in whatever their area of need) when I leave. That,I believe,
is the viewpoint of most professionals who really love what they do.
At Hospice House, I do not often use a lot of the training I am required to master.
Most often, I am in the rooms with the patients and families to provide comfort care, sup-
port, pain alleviation (so less medication is required), and assistance with respiration. My
training helps me to know what to sing or play, at what tempo, at what volume,
and even when not to provide music in a given situation. I am grateful for
the experiences and for the things I learn each week from those I
serve.
So, I suppose though I still haven’t found my “new normal” (if it
even exists), I hope to continue to bloom where I am planted.
For further information about Music Therapy, please feel free
to contact me at ferebe.she@earthlink.net, to join the Music
Therapy Association of South Carolina fan page on FaceBook,
or to check out www.musictherapy.org and www.cbmt.org.
For those of you who are interested in my ongoing cyber-
dating saga, the mystery man is scheduled to be visiting in
Florence in May…
111SheMagazine_April10 3/24/10 9:57 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 111

&
Gifts Accessories

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At The McLeod Health & Fitness Center To schedule an appointment or for a full menu of services,
2437 Willwood Drive • Florence call 843-777-3200 or visit us at www.mcleodhealth.org
112 3/24/10 9:45 AM Page 1

She is more than just a magazine. She is a movement!

A movement fueled by loyal readers who are passionate about what they find
within the pages each month. It’s a well-known fact that women make or influence
over 80% of all consumer purchase decisions. But the opportunity to market to the
female segment runs deeper than the supermarket checkout.

In essence, women are three consumers in one:

They are buying for themselves,
they are buying for their families and in more and more cases,
they are buying for business.

Want more proof that your business needs to tap into the
power of the SHEconomy?
Over 275 businesses advertise in She Magazine because they know that
targeting the SHEconomy is smart, and they advertise consistently because
She gets results.
113SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 2:59 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 113

PLANT.

GROW.

ENJOY!

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114 3/23/10 5:38 PM Page 1
a
Bloomin’
Onion
H ave you ever felt like your life was a jigsaw puzzle
and some of the pieces were missing? Like maybe some of
them were lost forever? If you have ever spent time putting
together a puzzle and enjoying watching the picture come to
life only to find out that it will never be completed, you
know what I mean. Sometimes, I think days and moments in
our lives are like that.
I have heard that phrase “Bloom where you are
planted” most of my life and have never really understood it.
In some ways, to me, it would be like putting the wrong
piece of the puzzle in a place it doesn’t belong and expect-
ing it to look the same. Not too long ago, I was at a supper
party where several of the guests were trying to help com-
plete a puzzle picture that was doomed, either because
pieces were lost or some had been misplaced in the scene.
What a frustrating and funny time we had trying to convince
ourselves that purples and blues could mix in the sky
and that somehow these thirteen pieces had to –
absolutely had to – fit, and we could say the work was
done.
When I think about that in regard to my life, I realize
how often I carry that mentality into a lot of situations.
It’s what I call sticking a round peg into a square hole.
I have often tried so hard to bloom in places I had no
business being and wondered if I must have smelled
and tasted like a bloomin’ onion. Actually, I have
been in the mood for a bloomin’ onion lately, and
they are actually mouth watering and delicious –
when you intend to head for Outback and have
an appetizer. But they’re not exactly what you
bargained for if you have waited all day for a
steak and shake. Nothing on earth can
make those two the same.
I’m being a little facetious about
this phrase, as I know there is merit
in our trying to make the best of
situations, to be all that we can
be wherever we are and to
love ourselves and life
regardless of the cir-
cumstances. But, on
by Paige Self Thomas
the flip side of that coin are lessons we can learn. There are
reasons why roses and veggies are generally not established
in the same garden and why we should not always think we
can bloom anywhere we are planted.
I fully believe that God has given each of us gifts and
talents. Finding those gifts and using them to the fullest is
part of our mission on this earth. When we use them
according to His plan and in line with who we were created
to be, it can be the most beautiful picture and pleasing sym-
phony. The other side of that is like trying to push that piece
of the puzzle into the wrong space or eating an onion when
steak is on our mind. It won’t fit, and it won’t accomplish
what was intended. From my experience, frustration can
often set in.
I think one of the best gifts we can give ourselves in
this process is to realize we are all a work-in-progress and
that the finished project is open-ended. I think most people
are a little bit like me in that life feels better when it’s some-
what settled; you know who you are and what to expect on
a daily basis. But, when there are things going on that seem
chaotic and the details of our lives are unknown, we can be
unnerved.
Herein enters that trust factor. Many, many people
are having times in their lives right now where things are
unknown and unsettled. We do that brave thing and try to
be okay with our present circumstances. We do what we
know to do to fix it and make the picture how we think it
should be. In doing so, we sometimes miss the moment
when we could realize that the something different is what
was intended. We are being shown a different way. The pic-
ture doesn’t have to turn out the same. And our “pieces”
can be used beautifully and in harmony, even if it’s not how
we thought – or want – them to be.
I am speaking to myself and to all my She girlfriends
when I say – as we enter into spring – just breathe. Realize
that we have a God Who wants to carry the burden and
Who has made us every bit of who we are for His divine
purpose. He has given us gifts we use and some we have yet
to discover. At the end of every day, as we pick the petals
off the daisy, know that it will end on,“He loves me.” What
better way to bloom than with that under your wings?
Paige Self Thomas lives in Florence with
her husband, Joey, and two Sheltie
pups. She has three grown sons and
four stepchildren. She works part-time
as Business Administrator for the
Francis Marion University Center for the
Child, and she is currently licensed as a
Realtor with Prudential Segars Realty in
Florence.
115SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 3:06 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 115

MAGNOLIA MALL
David McLeod Blvd.
Mon-Sat: 10am-9pm
Sun: 1:30-6pm
843-665-8758

1608 Second Loop Rd.

Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm
Sat: 10am-2pm
Closed Sunday
843-676-2708

SPECIALIZING IN:
Life & Health Insurance
Financial Consulting
1314 W. Evans Street ~ Florence, SC ~ (843) 665-9297
Venable’s
•Repairs •Engraving •Jewelry Service •Watch Batteries
•Remounts •Stone Setting •Chain & Charm Soldering
On Premise and Fast!
116-117SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 3:13 PM Page 2
NYC, NY
Nanyuki, Kenya
New York City, New York
Ginger Sullivan,Tippi Harwell, Bobby Saman, Sandra Anderson
November 2009 She Magazine
• “Each year, my sisters and I take a trip to the New York City
Wholesale Diamond District (on 47th Street, between 5th and 6th
Avenue) to celebrate my survival of breast cancer. Here we are with
our friend and NYC Business Owner, Bobby Saman, who we visit on
each and every trip.” - Tippi Harwell
Nanyuki, Kenya
(From left to right) Casey King, Kim Shaw, Courtney Gainey,
Jennifer Danford, Heather Cox, Cookie Cawthon, Alicia Parker
November 2009 She Magazine
• “Here we are on the Equator at Sweetwaters Tented Camp in
Ol Pejeta – Sweetwaters Conservancy near Nanyuki, Kenya. We
were part of a large group from NewSpring Church serving on a
short-term mission trip to the remote area of Segera.” - Cookie
Cawthon, Florence
Florence, SC
NYC, NY
Going Somewhere?
Take She along!
Florence, South Carolina
(Back row, left to right): Carolyn Gregg, Amanda Gregg, Carolina
Hewitt, Courtney Gregg, Shelley Smith, Madisyn Hewitt, Rachel Gregg,
Morgan Weatherford (Front row): Tripp McAlister, Dylan Bryant,
Carolina Smith, Colton Gregg, Cameron Weatherford
September 2009 She Magazine
• “During Hopewell Presbyterian Church’s Christmas Play, “The Toymaker,”
She Magazine was used as a prop by Carolina Hewitt’s character, “Margie.”
The entire Youth Group took turns passing it around during rehearsal
breaks.” - Dresden Tucker, Florence
New York City, New York
Melissa,Tater,Tammy, Julie, Pam, Lorre, Kathryn, Cheryl & Ruby
March 2009 She Magazine
• “This was our New York 2009 Girls’ Trip filled with shopping and fun! Our small
town of Turbeville, SC, has a historical restaurant named the Chat-n-Chew, which
was established in 1952. On our trip to New York, we located another Chat-n-
Chew, so we took a copy of She along to try out this familiar-named establishment.
There is no place like home, especially when it comes to Southern cooking.
Although the cooking was not the same, we had a great time!” - Kathryn Turbeville
116-117SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 10:19 AM Page 3

After

Donna Turner's
customer is happy
Update your rooms with custom with her new drapes
pleated drapes! made at Maibe Sew.
All Fabric $3/yard
843-317-0098 Mon-Fri 10-5:30 Sat 10-2
3332B W. Palmetto St. • Ebenezer Plaza
Hwy. 76 • Florence Before
(across from Dollar General towards Timmonsville)

Storrs, CT

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To be featured in “There She Goes,” send an e-mail to

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(and your traveling companions if you’d like) with a copy
of She Magazine along with a brief description. ua Dr.
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Storrs, Connecticut 843.661.5
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December 2009 She Magazine
• “I brought the December issue of She to share with my
family in Storrs, Connecticut, home of the University of
Connecticut.” - Drusilla Carter, Pageland, SC •Breakfast buffet includes
fruit bar & hot bar; featuring
cheese grits, scrambled eggs,
blueberry muffins,
Salzburg, Austria cantaloupe, & hot coffee.
•Lunch & dinner includes hot bar,
Patsy Allen and Caroline Tate soup & salad bar, & dessert bar with
hot cobblers, & ice cream.
December 2009 She Magazine •Meetings & party space available
up to 150 people.
• “Instead of ‘The hills are alive, with the sound of music’ in
Salzburg, the hills were alive with the words of She Magazine when
my mother, Patsy Allen of Florence, and I traveled to Salzburg,
Austria, with She Magazine. It provided entertainment as we trav-
Ladies Day!
Every Wednesday • $6.50
eled. We spent our Christmas holiday and New Year in Germany (Tax Included • Full Buffet)

and Austria with our husbands.” - Caroline Tate Hwy 52 & 95 • Florence • 843-669-1611
118SheMagazine_April10 3/24/10 9:46 AM Page 1

Sittin’Pretty
by Melodie Griffin
“How ARE you – really?” And I could honestly answer that I was pushing through with
“…for I have learned in whatever state God’s grace and strength – really.
I am, to be content.” Philippians 4:11. Then again, I have lived in some swank sectors, too. The view was incredible
The Apostle Paul said it – not me. I wouldn’t dare say that I have fully and
from the neighborhood of Maturity, Growth, and Fulfillment! And the birds were always
completely learned this lesson, but I am certainly a work in process.
singing when I made my home in Joy, Exhilaration, and Delight. Those places are my
“Whatever state I am in” has changed several times over the last many years.
favorite. But the key is somehow to find the serenity and peace God gives no matter
Let’s see. There was South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, then back to good ‘ole
South Carolina. While I am fairly sure that the apostle Paul was not referring to a geo- WHERE He has placed me for the time being. I don’t seem to find that in a Hershey
graphical state in which to be content, it is no secret that moving around can be tough. bar (though it never hurt). No, I find my focus when I spend time reading the words
There’s a new house, new license plate, new friends, new school, new church, new gro- God spoke, when I speak to Him and pour out the cares of my heart, and those deli-
cery store, new bank, and new names to try to remember. Lots of new. cious times I spend talking about Him over coffee or lunch with a friend. (We call that
Each time the address has changed on my driver’s license, I have found the “soul slushing.”)
intense need to hang onto God for dear life. That’s not a bad thing. Whether search- I will leave you with a more complete section of Paul’s writings from
ing for the laundry detergent aisle or that new best pal, God was quietly there assur- Philippians 4:11-12, and I will whisper a prayer that you and I can continue to experi-
ing me with His peace. Psalm 121:5 says that the Lord stands BESIDE you. Can’t you ence more and more of the contentment that comes from knowing the lush love of
just picture God standing in line with me at the DMV? What a thought! an extravagant Savior – regardless of the current state in which we find ourselves.
I’ve had other addresses, too, that I didn’t mention yet. Maybe you’ve lived “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what
there once or twice yourself. I recall the neighborhoods of Surprise, Disappointment,
it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being
and Stress. Oh, and let’s not forget the subdivision of Grief, Betrayal and Discomfort
content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty
either.Those were doozies! How vividly I remember sitting on the front porch of those
or in want.” (NIV)
emotions and wondering where my fairy tale life had gone – silently asking God the
questions that He knew were running around
in my heart. “What just happened? Why?
How? What now?” The numb throbbing
was loud in my ears. The fear of the
future ever present…but so was God’s
unmistakable peace. People would ask,

“Each time the

address has
changed on my
driver’s license, I
have found the
intense
need to hang
onto God
for dear life.”
Melodie Griffin is a Hartsville native who is proud to call the state of SC her home. She resides in the Midlands now
with her husband, 3 children and 2 Westies. You can learn more about Melodie at www.melodiegriffin.com.
119SheMagazine_April10 3/24/10 9:48 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 119

Monogramming
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Gift Items
Purses
Jewelry

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Nutrition Response Testing

Comes to Florence
Dr. Brian D. Porzio, DC
2234 W. Palmetto St. • Suite A • Florence • 843.665.5505 • pdchiro@yahoo.com

Ten years before I retired, I began having numerous health problems. I suffered with recurrent sinus
infections, daily bodily aches and pains, brittle splitting fingernails, and I felt weak and tired because I was
unable to sleep at night. I was living on medications and not feeling any better. I even started to notice
household items such as detergents and things with fragrances would make me feel sick. After feeling so horrible,
I gave up and withdrew from friends and family. I just did not want to live in sickness anymore.
So at the recommendation of my daughter, I decided to go see a doctor that wasn’t going to just give me
more medications. She said that this doctor would check me for any underlying nutritional deficiencies that
might correlate with my health problems.
Dr. Porzio performed a nutritional exam and was able to zero in on a few deficiencies that my other
doctors didn’t find. And guess what? I am now feeling great. My hair and nails are stronger, my sensitivities to
fragrances and detergents have diminished, my bodily pains are gone, and I am no longer sad and fearful. My
Connie entire outlook on life has changed. I am full of energy and feel alive again. I not only found help from Dr. Brian,
Pierce, I also found Hope.
Age 72

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120 3/23/10 6:10 PM Page 1

In keeping with our

BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED
theme and the focus on GENDER BENDERS,
we found four women physicians who were willing
(okay, with a little coercing) to trade in their lab
coats for this Spring’s prettiest clothes.

She wishes to thank each of these women for

making time in their hectic schedules for the
sake of fashion.

We also want to thank Forest Lake Greenhouses

for the use of their beautiful facility and
Collin M. Smith for lending his photographic talent.

This page:
DR. PAMELA CLARK, Pediatric Endocrinologist
with McLeod Pediatric Subspecialists – wearing
a golden fuchsia peacock feather halter dress by
Classique with eggplant leggings by Idea! and a
bold and bright blue flower ring
(FLIRT BOUTIQUE, FLORENCE)

Collin M. Smith Photography

121SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 3:46 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 121

Bloom your Room

into Spring!

Upscale Boutique
That Offers:
Jewelry, Handbags,
Monogrammed Gifts,
Children’s Wear, &
Gifts for All ages.

Girl’s clothes: newborn to 14 Antiques & Consignments

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Certified Wedding Director and Coordinator
122 3/23/10 6:09 PM Page 1

DR. MARY ALLYSON EMERSON,

with Family Medicine Associates
of Florence, a McLeod Physician
Associates Practice - wearing a
Kay Unger orchid pink textured
linen dress with a feminine
ruffled neckline
(CYNTHIA LADIES FINE APPAREL, FLORENCE)

Collin M. Smith Photography

123SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 10:20 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 123

TAP Now Featuring:

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124 3/23/10 6:08 PM Page 1

DR. ANDREA JACKSON with

Carolinas OB/GYN Associates
and a Member of the Medical
Staff at Carolinas Hospital System -
wearing a Print Shantung Skirt
Suit by Kim Rogers
This 2-piece Shantung Suit
includes a 3-button jacket
with a notch collar and a
slim skirt in an all over
watercolor print.
(BELK, MAGNOLIA MALL - FLORENCE) Collin M. Smith Photography
125SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 5:59 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 125

UPCOMING EVENTS
•Menopause Musical,
A Mother Day Treat
Charleston, SC May 8th,
$65 per person (Bus & ticket)
The King’s Academy
Hosts its Annual Spring
“Fiesta” Auction
•Disney Trip (June 13-15,2010)
Enjoy an authentic Mexican Meal $285pp(2)$265pp(3)$245pp(4)
Prepared by the Hispanic Ministry of Trinity
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Adults $7.00/Children 12 and under $3.50
•NY Shopping Trip July 25-28th,
Bid on artwork provided by Lynda English, $260pp(2)$220pp(3)$190pp(4)
vacation homes, jewelry, plane rides, 50
square feet of granite with stainless sink
provided by The Granite Store, Lowcountry
Dinner for 25 provided by Greg Stuckey •Essence Music Festival
and so much more! (July 2-5, 2010) $495pp(2)$395(3)
•Labor Day Weekend Nassau/Freeport Bahamas Cruise from
Friday, April 30th • Dinner 5:30 to 7:00 Charleston, SC Sept. 1-6, 2010, $395pp-IN, $425-OV
Silent and Live Auctions 5:30-8:30 **All trips include Motor Coach transportation.**
The King's Academy Fine Arts and
Athletic Building
1015 S. Ebenezer Road • Florence

www.carolinatravel.org
843-382-9293
1776 Cedar Swamp Rd.
Kingstree, SC 29556

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126 3/23/10 6:06 PM Page 1

DR. CECILIA FARINA

with McLeod Psychiatric Associates -
wearing a Muse bohemian blue jersey
border print dress with ruched detailing
for a flattering fit!
(CYNTHIA LADIES FINE APPAREL, FLORENCE)
Collin M. Smith Photography
127SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 3:18 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 127

You are invited to help change our world...

Ada Nwankudu is participating in an international contest to Completely ignorant of what to do, I prayed for divine guidance
become “T The Next Top Spiritual Author.” It is sponsored by and set sail on a journey that ended with a degree in
New York Time’s bestselling authors. To win, your vote MUST be Enlightenment –a degree that revealed the deficiencies of my
counted. My book, “T The Answer,” offers strategies to tackle the other four degrees. The real purpose of education is to help
mounting problems reaping our world apart. It explains the people identify their lives’ purpose and the whole process of life.
causes of these problems and offer practical solutions. “T The “TThe Answer” is about how to love, how to live simply, how to
Answer” is the product of a voice.Three years ago, while in my free our minds from prejudice, superstitions, fear and become
living room watching TV with my family, a voice spoke to me.The creators. Creators, by the nature of their being and their focus
voice said,“Ada, find a way to help people seek Me and find me. on the public good, improve the world around them.
So many of my children are lost. So many are depressed, angry,
anxious, unfulfilled, and unhappy.They are living a life void of pur- During this competition, I need you to be my co-messenger. I
pose. For answers, they turn to drugs, alcohol, crime, television, need our voices to speak the truth, the healing, and the change
other people, the experts and everywhere else except Me. I cre- our world yerns for. Let’s build a world in which the greatness of
ated these people. I hold the answers they are seeking.” the whole is a reflection of individual greatness.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. VOTE! The author with the greatest vote wins. Phase one voting is from March 29th to April 25th. I will
remind you of the other phases.To vote, go to http://www.NextTopAuthor.com. Ask all your friends anywhere
in the world to vote
2. JOIN my fan club, follow me on twitter, facebook, or write me at 1160 Berkeley Ave. Florence, SC 29505
3. PUBLICITY! Share your creative ideas --radio,TV, print media, flyers, internet, etc.This is the key to winning.
4. CAMPAIGN! Campaign for votes everywhere, every day. Recruit other campaigners.
5. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! Pray daily and help birth a miracle.
6. SPONSORSHIP! Send in financial gifts. Help sell raffle tickets or raise money. Help pay for this ad.

YOUR REWARDS FOR PARTICIPATING

1. Being able to preview the life enriching works of other authors, about 2000 of them.
2. One year of free Slim Magic—see ad in She Magazine. Enter via my e-mail at ANwankudu@yahoo.com
3. An hour a month spiritual coaching with me for a year. Enter via my e-mail.
4. The incredible joy that comes from giving and helping birth a miracle. Spiritual enrichment from the wealth
of information presented by the contestants.

- Ada holds four college degrees. She is a Spiritualist and a full-time Nurse Practitioner.
128 3/23/10 6:57 PM Page 1

Sheroes
Women in
Philanthropy
Fund
Erika Chapman speaks with
Linda Russell, the Chair for 2010,
to find out how this important
organization began and its vision
for the future.

by Erika Chapman

A As women, we naturally have the impulse to nurture. And when we look at the
world around us with eyes of compassion, we see many broken and hurting people with
numerous needs to be met. Our instinct is to try and help in some way; but, often, the
task seems daunting, and we don’t know where or how to begin. Where do we jump in?
Which organization do we choose to partner with? We often have resources to offer, but
they seem miniscule compared to the need.
In early 2009, a small group of women came together and decided to do some-
thing with their desire to help the community around them. Marguerite Willis, Susan
Bankson and Amy Urquhart laid the groundwork and began the Women In Philanthropy
Fund in Florence. This fund allows donors to join together to give capacity-building grants
to nonprofits. Marguerite Willis explains that they believed in “the transformational
impact that can be made through the power of collective giving.”
Their mission states: “We are an inclusive group of women seeking to dramati-
cally improve the overall well-being of citizens in the Pee Dee region through our com-
bined financial and intellectual resources.” The organization became official as a donor-
advised fund of the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation in late July 2009. The ECCF
acts as the host organization and provides infrastructure support. Throughout 2009, the
Women In Philanthropy Fund continued to bring in new members and gave away their first
grants on October 29th.
The Women In Philanthropy Fund made three grants to three organizations in
2009. Between July and September, they raised enough money to grant out $10,000.
They accepted applications from seven counties and received fifteen applications request-
ing over $110,000. The recipients included Mercy Medicine Clinic for $4,500 of a
$10,000 request for a free denture program. Services had been offered by dentists, but
there was still a need for denture supplies.
The second recipient was Dillon County Partnership 4 Kids, which requested
$2,000 and was awarded $1,000. This was used to buy cribs, car seats and other materi-
al items to help children stay in their homes instead of being taken to a foster care situa-
tion merely because child safety items could not be purchased by the parents. Some of
the grant will be used for literature to promote awareness of this program in Dillon
County.
Linda Russell, the Women In Philanthropy Fund Chair for 2010
The third grant recipient was the Naomi Project, one of only two long-term tran-
sitional facilities for domestic abuse in South Carolina. They granted $4,500 of a $10,000
request for volunteer training and literature to promote this nonprofit in Florence.
The Women In Philanthropy Fund currently has 35 members, and their goal is to
reach 100 members. Membership is $500 per year for women 36 years or older and $250
per year for women 35 years and younger. Several women have given a one-time gift to
encourage new membership and have committed to match every new membership pay-
ment made by April 30th, 2010. Linda Russell, the Women In Philanthropy Fund Chair for
2010 shares,“This gift by members just illustrates the enthusiasm and passion we have for
what we are doing.”
Women can become involved by contacting Susan Bankson, Executive Director
of the ECCF, at 843-667-1131, or via e-mail at susan@easterncarolinacf.org. All members
do have a vote on the final grant-awarding ballot and can be involved as little or as much
as they want.
Linda Russell explains, “Members are encouraged to attend meetings, especially
during the grant process so they will have a deeper understanding of the request thus giv-
ing them a greater insight when casting their vote.”
The Women In Philanthropy Fund is making a difference and will continue to do
so. It is a group of women passionate about impacting their world – beginning with the
community around them. They are looking for individuals that want to be involved in an
organization of women helping those in need. If this stirs your heart, makes you excited
or even peaks your interest, they would love to hear from you!

Erika Chapman lives in Florence with her amazing husband and three busy little boys.
She gets excited about discovering a great read, NewSpring Church and sharing her most recent adventures at www.erikaivory.wordpress.com.
129SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 4:03 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 129

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130 3/23/10 12:46 PM Page 1

This issue of She Magazine features

Gender Benders (women with careers
that are typically held by men). Do you
think that women can do, or do
you believe some jobs are best
held by men?

1 Dr. Joe Griffin - Florence

“There is around 5-10% of jobs at one end of the workforce spectrum that
only men should do and 5-10% of jobs at the other end that only women
should do, but both males and females are capable of doing the vast majority
of jobs. I’m not having a baby, though; I don’t care what anybody says!”

2 Bruce Olson - Florence

“It’s ironic that you caught me at Spa de Vie – a salon – with this question.
I’m helping my daughter because she just bought the business. I own a steel
distribution company; and, since I’m helping her set up this particular kind of
business, I would conclude that women or men can do any job. It comes
down to an individual’s personal and professional desire and motivation.”

3 Morry Thomas - Darlington

“Women in the military have proved – without a doubt – that they can hold
any job a man has traditionally held, including combat duty. Not limited to
the military only, women in the workforce have proved to be dedicated mul-
titaskers, which is something men are not suited for. Yes, women can do any
job a man can do. And in some cases, women do a better job!”

4 Jay Gregg - Florence

“As I watch how my wife, Kim, juggles being a full-time mom, nurse and
wife, I realize a woman can do anything she sets her mind to.”
131SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 4:06 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 131

are benign (noncancerous)

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• Anemia- resulting in fatigue

due to low blood count.

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132SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 12:05 PM Page 1

A MAN’S PERSPECTIVE ON THINGS WOMEN C ARE ABOUT

ASK
ASK
Dr. Avie
with Avie J. Rainwater, III, Ph.D., ABPP

Dear Dr. Avie,

I have a question for a friend. (Honestly, it really is for a friend). She keeps picking the wrong
men over and over again. She needs some advice on what to look for in a man. The thing is; she
doesn’t trust my opinion because I haven’t had the best luck either.
Seriously, from your perspective, what are some basic things that we should look for in a good
man? What are the red flags? When can we trust our hearts?

Dear Reader,
It sounds like you and your friend both have
the ability to choose the wrong man. Guess what?
Luck has nothing to do with it! We are each pulled into
relationships because we were created to be in relation-
ship. It began with God and Adam in the Garden of
Eden. It was then that God saw that Adam had a need
to be in a relationship with another human. He made
Eve for Adam – and vice-versa. So, we are quite literal-
ly made to be in relationships. And, as such, we are
drawn to others. While the need for companionship,
for fellowship, for connectedness is a wonderful thing,
one must also use wisdom. Just because we can be in
a relationship with someone, that doesn’t mean that we
should be in a relationship.
It would probably be a good idea to think
about two things before getting into a relationship.
First, what do you need in a partner – and what do you
want. The needs are the most fundamental aspect of a
relationship. While needs can be different for each per-
son, as a rule, men need respect and affection, while
women typically need companionship, caring and kind-
ness. It is likely the need for companionship (to not be
alone) is what trips most women up and lands them in
a relationship with the wrong man. The need to just be
with someone can crowd out the other needs and a
woman finds herself with someone, but it is a someone
that is otherwise not a good match to meet any of her
other needs – much less her wants.
Needs are typically related to values. They are
unique to you, but they need to be shared by your part-
ner – at least in a way that your needs are consistently
met. If your needs are foreign to your partner’s values
or interests, then you will constantly be unfulfilled. For
example, if you’re a religious person and your partner
is not, then you will feel unhappy that you can’t share
your experiences in your faith with this special person
in your life. If you’re politically liberal, yet you fall for
someone who is a staunch conservative; well, unless
you’re Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, this is
probably going to be an area of constant struggle for you.
This is precisely why eHarmony has performed better
than all other dating sites; they cause the subscriber to
think about their core issues and list them in a way that
matches the other individual to those areas. Of course,
you must know yourself well enough to be able to delin-
eate your own needs and wants. If you don’t, then no
relationship is going to work well. The bottom line – we
do better when we share most of the same core values.
The more inconsistency there is in the need’s area, the
most likely the relationship is to ultimately fail.
Wants are important, as well, but they are not
typically deal killers – unless you and your partner differ
vastly in these areas or the two of you can’t juggle time
sufficiently to get what you want on your own and still
have time for one another. Let’s say you’re an out-
doorsy person and your mate is more of a sedentary
soul. If you’re off camping every weekend, then you’re
going to be frustrated that you are doing this without
your partner. And more problematically, it won’t leave
much in the way of together time for the two of you if
you’re apart each weekend. Wants often have to do
with our hobbies and recreational activities, but they can
be related to more substantial issues such as finances. And
since these refuel us, they are very important. So, having
consistency in wants is very important, just not as
essential as compatibility in needs.
What are the red flags? If you find a man who
you think you might want to be with, but he isn’t caring
– that’s a flag. Even if he is attentive but not kind, that’s
a concern. Don’t sell yourself short! You have some
flexibility in your wants, but don’t settle for a man that
doesn’t meet your needs.When he is attentive to your
needs, then you can trust your heart.

Avie J. Rainwater, III, Ph.D., ABPP

Senior Partner of LifeCare Psychology Group, LLC, Dr. Avie J. Rainwater is the only Triple-Boarded Psychologist in SC, holding Specialty Certification in Clinical Psychology and
Sub-Specialty Designations in both Biofeedback and Pain Management. He and his wife of 31 years, Karen, have three children together, Chelsea, Seth and Josh.

* If you have a question that you would like to have answered in

ASK DR. AVIE, email anonymously to askdravie@shemagazine.com
133SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 1:30 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 133

Also offering
nutritional counseling.

Sherri K. Scott, LMT # 4017,

our licensed massage therapist,
specializes in caring, nurturing,
and individualized massage for
people with conditions that
require gentle care. Sherri is also
certified in cancer massages.
DR. JON K. BERGRIN DC, CCN

CHIROPRACTICS
along with Massage is
TOTAL HEALING!

843-662-4341
405 S. Ebenezer Rd. Florence
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134 3/24/10 9:24 AM Page 1

fabulous finds
Playing in
the Dirt...
Spring has sprung and it’s
time to get a little dirt Stone Bird Feeders

under your fingernails. Y|á{xÜËá ]xãxÄxÜá

Florence
Here are few things to help
you have more fun in the
garden and take care of
yourself while doing so!

SC Flag Metal Sign Pedestal Urn

(stand included)
^xxÄËá YÄtz f{ÉÑ Y|Üx \à hÑ
Florence
Florence

Crabtree & Evelyn Gardener’s

Hand Therapy Gift Set
`|ÇÇ|xËá Z|yà|Öâx
Hartsville Maui Jim Sunglasses
cxx Wxx bÑà|vtÄ
Florence

“See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak

No Evil” Garden Frogs
ZÉÉá|x ZtÇwxÜá
Florence
135SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 4:17 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 135

• Walkers
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136 3/24/10 10:18 AM Page 1

HOW TO BLOSSOM...
XäxÇ \y lÉâ Y|Çw lÉâÜáxÄy cÄtÇàxw
|Ç UtÜÜxÇ fÉ|Ä

by Ouida K. Page, RN, LPC

God has a way of helping us make the most of whatever situation we find our- the stabilizing factor in your life? What is your root system? Who or what do you
selves in when we seek His will in our lives. Sometimes, we end up in situations that He depend on to nourish and sustain you? I hope that you have a relationship with Almighty
never intended for us to be in. Nevertheless, He helps us become the best that we can God – for it is He that can lift you up when you are down. And He is the one that can
be anyway. For example, we could be in a marriage or a job that He never meant for us change your circumstances through prayer.
to be in. If you are in a job situation or a relationship that is really tough and seems
We all are talented human beings created by a God that truly loves us and impossible, ask God to help you because He specializes in the impossible and wants
wants what is best for us. He helps us bloom where we end up when we seek His will to help you do your best so you can bloom where you’re planted.
because He wants us to succeed and be the most influential that we can be. He con-
tinues to lead and guide us and give us wisdom even when we have made a poor deci-
sion that got us into a mess. Blooming where you’re planted is a choice, a challenge and,
many times, will involve change. The situation that we are in may be demanding, and we
may be in situations where we have to grow and change whether we want to or not if
we are going to survive.
In today’s economy, we may study and have a degree in one area and end up
working in a totally different business or career simply because we’re glad to have a job.
Some people are even adding degrees together and practicing Law and Real Estate, along
with having an Insurance Business or getting a Law Degree and an LPC-Licensed
Professional Counselor Degree. They are combining different practices in order to have
enough business and are spreading the work over several different yet compatible areas.
Some individuals may have worked in a plant all their lives and now that many
plants are closing, they are having to return to school much later in life and learn a new
career. This can be very challenging and scary at the least. Some individuals have not
attended school in twenty-plus years and now they need to blend in with the younger
population of students. This can be a real stressful process until you become comfort-
able with the routine of school, studying and exams. God knows when we are try-
ing to do our very best. When you do everything that you can and you ask Him
to intervene and help you, that’s when He steps in and works things out for your
best interest.
A dandelion is a plant that blooms wherever it’s planted. It may end up in
poor soil, but it has a tremendous root system that will sustain it anywhere. What is

Ouida K. Page is a Master’s Prepared Licensed Professional and National Board Certified Counselor.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau (International Honor Society of
Nursing). She has been in private practice in the Hartsville and Florence areas for over 15 years, specializ-
ing in families and issues relating to children, adolescents and women of all ages. She is married and has one
son who has graduated from Wofford College. To contact Ouida, you may call 843-398-0915. You may also
contact her by e-mailing editor@shemagazine.com with “Ouida” as the subject matter.
137SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 10:24 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 137

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MONDAY
•Healthcare Day
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138 3/23/10 4:03 PM Page 1

138 • April 2010 • She Magazine

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139SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 4:27 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 139

visit us online at www.portersgiftshop.com

Complete Dental Service for Over 80 years! •Fillings

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140SheMagazine_April10 3/23/10 6:58 PM Page 1

mindy taylor
My Family: I am married to Bill Taylor, the Town Administrator in Cheraw.
We have a blended family of three children: My son, Brandon, a senior at
Methodist University, where he played football for four years; and two step-
daughters, Olivia, who lives in New York City; and Katie and son-in-law JJ,
who live in Pineville, NC.

My Job: I am the Manager-Community Relations

for Progress Energy, responsible for a 13-
county region in South Carolina.

Childhood Ambition: I wanted to be a party planner.

My Escape: A weekend with my husband at our place in Biggest Challenge:

Pawley’s Island Time – there’s never enough!

Proudest Moments: The birth of my son and when I married the love My Music: 70’s – it brings back fond
of my life, Bill, and added two daughters to my family memories

Beauty Product I Can’t Live Without: Oil of Olay Daily Facials Cleansing Guilty Pleasure: A good glass of
Cloths red wine

If I Could Have a Do-Over, I Would . . . Have gone to graduate school Last Purchase: A colorful spring
immediately after graduating from Clemson University with a Degree in pocketbook
Economics.
Favorite Movie: Grease
One Thing You’ll Always Find in My Fridge: My grandmother
traveled to the Holy Land and brought back a bottle of water from the
Jordan River.

My Inspiration: My husband, who puts up with me every day. And my

parents, who didn’t kill me during my teenage years! I had a wonderful
childhood, and my parents are great role models.

Something Most People Would Be Surprised to Know about

Me: I got to fly in an F-16 Jet with a Fighter Pilot from Shaw Air Force
Base

The One Thing I Know for Sure: The Lord has blessed me
141SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 4:29 PM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 141

Business
Women
Love To
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Barter EXCHANGE

www.Barter.sc
(866)532-4725 Info@ Barter.sc
142 3/23/10 5:21 PM Page 1

g{x U|Üwá &

g{x Uxtwá
Accessories to make your
fashion heart sing!

D
C

where to shop:
E A. HandPicked - florence
B. Venable’s - florence
C. Goosie Ganders - florence
D. Minnie’s Giftique - hartsville
E. Flirt Boutique - florence
143SheMagazine_April10 3/24/10 9:26 AM Page 1

She Magazine • April 2010 • 143

gÉÑ [tà
fÑxv|tÄígxtá
Birthdays are
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234 W. Evans • Florence • 843.629.TEA6

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Mon-Fri • Lunch 11-3

Tea served daily: 2pm-5pm
Saturday afternoon teas by reservation
144 3/23/10 1:22 PM Page 1

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145 3/23/10 1:24 PM Page 1
146 3/23/10 12:09 PM Page 1
My Favorite Song: “Me and Jesus”
by Stellar Kart
My BFF: Taylor Weatherford
One Word That Describes Me and My
Personality: Outgoing – Because I never
meet a stranger
ASHLY BAZEN started riding horses when she was
five-years-old. That means she’s been riding for about twelve
years now. She started riding in Florence and wanted to
move up to the National Level. With that, she began train-
ing in Camden with Judy Young and then ventured out to the
larger shows.
Riding horses is Ashly’s life. Whenever she’s having a bad day, she can go to the
barn and everything is better. “It is so much fun, too! It’s the best feeling in the world.
Just you and the horse. There’s no other feeling like being in the saddle. I remember
when I was out of riding with my leg and going out to the barn in a wheelchair or on
crutches, just to see my horses and to brush them. It killed me to go to the barn and
know I wouldn’t be able to ride,” she recalls.
Ashly’s been riding horses competitively since she was six-years-old. Her most
memorable accomplishment was when she was eleven-years-old. She earned the most
points in any equitation divisions in North and South Carolina. She was awarded the
South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association Amy Gabrial Memorial Trophy and also the
North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association Trophy.
She rides English Style and has done the Hunter/Jumper Events from the local
shows all the way to the National Levels. Once she started getting serious about riding,
her family even made the move to Camden so that she could be with a National Level
trainer. Ashly has poured a lot of blood, sweat and tears into her passion.
In 2007, while practicing at home to leave for a show in Palm Beach the next
day, she had a riding accident. The horse spooked at a jump, ducked out and tossed her
to the ground. She landed on a jump standard and injured her leg. Being the tough kid
she is, she remounted (to correct the horse) and thought she had just sprained her ankle.
When the swelling wouldn’t go down, her parents took her to the doctor the
next day to find out that she had shattered her fibula. Surgery was scheduled for the
following day and her showing was halted. That was February 2007. From that point,
there was no riding; there was only watching from afar.
With a broken heart, Ashly’s only riding was in a wheelchair and then she was
on crutches until her second surgery in July 2007. With that surgery, there was still no
riding. The doctors removed all the hardware, but she was still not able to ride. All she
could do was watch.
Nevertheless, keep in mind, with a barn full of horses, she still continued with
their daily care. And she kept on attending some shows with friends and helped out.
Finally, in November 2007, Ashly was back in the saddle – with the same horse
that threw her! She was still having some serious issues with her leg; there was contin-
ued swelling and pain. And she had to rebuild the confidence of jumping. Most impor-
tantly, however, she had to learn to trust her mount again. There was always a horror in
the back of her mind that if she had a fall, it could result in another surgery.
Ashly’s parents are Vicki and Kenny Bazen of Timmonsville. She has two sisters, Kimberly Caples and Jessica O’Cain. She is a Home-Schooled Senior through Distance Learning with Laurel Springs High School.
Ashly
Bazen
Collin M. Smith Photography
Through it all, though, this courageous girl has never missed a beat. Although
she isn’t able to show at the level of jumping that she once did because of the pain and
swelling, she continues to run the family barn. She cares for nine horses on a daily basis.
And she rides and trains the horses. She has also ventured into some horse breeding.
Ashly’s passion is horses. Her dreams for the future are riding and teaching. She
wants to pursue this full-time and plans to start teaching riding in the spring. Although
she is still considered a Junior Rider in the show circuit, she plans to start a small lesson
program this spring/summer and make the turn to a professional level. She has talked this
over with Judy, her trainer, and will take baby steps to get the program started. “Safety
first is what I want to teach,” Ashly asserts.
She would love to make riding a career, and that’s what she plans to do. Ashly’s
always been in love with horses and she enjoys all disciplines, but she likes the
Hunter/Jumper Events the most. She’d like to eventually be like Judy Young, her trainer
in Camden. “She has been my role model in the horse industry. She got me where I
am today. I wouldn’t be the rider I am without her. She has taught me, kept me in the
saddle and given me opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” Ashly explains.
Several years while Ashly’s family lived in Camden, she was Judy’s only student
that lived nearby. Therefore, Ashly had the opportunity to go and ride different horses
every day and learn from them – good experiences and bad. Ashly said that the bad
horses teach you lessons that are invaluable and make you a better rider. She also had
opportunities to show many very nice expensive horses for Judy that gave her a lot of
exposure in the horse world and opportunities to do some of the larger shows.
Ashly has been very fortunate that her parents and sister were very supportive
during all this. In order for her to have the strict lesson program she needed when show-
ing on the National Level, the family actually moved to Camden for four years. Ashly’s
mom made the drive back and forth to Florence for work every day and her dad made
two drives to the barn every day for lessons. Her sister, Kimberly, even agreed to change
schools, without any hesitations.
Now her family has a small barn and horse sales business, which has enabled her
to continue her dream and also build it up so that she can step right in and take over.
With that, Ashly is very blessed and thankful and to all of them.
Bob Marley once said,“Love the life you live, live the life you love.” Those words
are Ashly’s inspiration. And as long as there’s a horse involved, Ashly’s loving and living
her life.
c3SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 10:10 AM Page 1

SPRING
INTO ACTION
Often, back pain or injury
doesn’t happen as the result
of a major accident. It is the
simple everyday task that
can be a real pain in the back.

PAIN MANAGEMENT
IS OUR SPECIALTY.

DR. JOSEPH CARTER

DR. STEPHEN TUEL

EASTERN CAROLINA MEDICINE

3124 S. Cashua Drive • Florence, SC
843.665.2600
3/10 of Mile past Celebration Blvd.
c4SheMagazine_April10 3/22/10 10:01 AM Page 1

When it comes to nurses,

Carolinas Hospital System
keeps striking gold.

Pictured (l-r): Tina Williamson, Education; Sissy Dennis, Progressive Care Unit; and Stefanie Gainey, 8th Floor.

Congratulations to our
2010 Palmetto Gold honorees!
W ith the announcement of the 2010 Palmetto Gold nurse awards, Carolinas Hospital System continues
as the only hospital in the Pee Dee to have nurses named recipients of the honor every year since the program’s
inception in 2002.
Given by a coalition of South Carolina nursing organizations,
the prestigious Palmetto Gold honors the best of the best in nursing.
These three outstanding nurses make us proud today and every
day, and we know there will be more to come.
'LVFRYHUWKH&DUROLQDVGLIIHUHQFH

805 Pamplico Highway • Florence, South Carolina • (843) 674-5000 • www.carolinashospital.com