VIP Magazine

Author: vipmagsc

  • Preparing for the Masses

    Preparing for the Masses

    story by Bryan Holt

        Helping a person pair an amazing dinner with the perfect bottle of wine is something anyone in the wine industry loves to do. There is a certain sense of pride and fulfillment of the ego that comes with the territory. Planning for a couple of people or even a supper club is a pretty easy task if you know a little bit about wine. Planning for about 300 people is a different animal in its own right. It can be a very overwhelming task, dealing with twelve different chefs/cooks who want to showcase their talents, but are not necessarily worried about the wines can make it a little daunting.

        This is Micky Finn’s second year of being a sponsor for the Sip and Stroll that’s held downtown Florence in April. One of our responsibilities is helping the board come up with the wine pairings with each dish provided at each stop. Typically when pairing a wine with a food dish you can always go with the standard, red meat with red wine and white meat with white wine. The last few decades have seen wine experts deviating from this philosophy and beginning to pair white meats with red wine and red meats with white wines. Think of BBQ chicken with a Rioja (Spanish red wine) and ribeye steak with a Bandol or Tavel (both French rosés). Or you can always do what my parents have done since forever…Riesling goes with anything since that’s all they really drink.

         I’m always looking forward to the day when I get the first email with the menu for that night. I know it’s going to be a risk. Are they going to use something that is a standard menu item? Are they going to go with something new that no one has ever tried? Is it going to be something that I’ve had before? This year was actually not that difficult. A few dishes had me stumped and a few others were questionable, but after a few phone calls and some Hail Mary’s, I think that I have it planned pretty well. I won’t break down every table that will be out there, but I would like to describe a few of them and discuss how I came up with the pairings.  Hopefully, it’ll show you that not everything is simply red and red and white and white.

        The awesome staff at Bird’s Nest are making Hamburger sliders featured at the Hyatt Place. I wanted to showcase some new wines we will be carrying soon at Micky Finn’s, Gehricke Wines. They have an awesome Cabernet Sauvignon from the Knight’s Valley, an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Sonoma County, California, which will pair nicely with these sliders. Also, we will have their Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This will be the only station that has three wines, so you don’t want to miss this one.

        Over at O’Harra Mellette Interiors, we will have some pulled pork BBQ sliders prepared by Wholly Smokin’ Downtown. The two wines I love to pair with pulled pork BBQ are St Cosme Cote du Rhone red and Chateau Trinquevedel Rosé (I know right). Typically, Syrah and pork go great together. The Syrah doesn’t have too high of an alcohol content to make the spice stand out and you can never go wrong with a Rosé for a BBQ or,  in general, any outside gathering. Rosé, like Champagne, is a versatile wine and can handle basically any food you throw at it.

        At Mainstream Boutique we will have Victor’s She Crab shooters served with fresh shrimp. This one wasn’t extremely difficult. I just had to find a good white to hold up with the body of a She Crab soup. The white I chose is Willm Pinot Gris. This wine came down to two basic thoughts. First, this is an amazing wine that has so much balance to hold up to the heartiness the soup brings. Second, I didn’t have any Pinot Grigio for the whole event. So…it wins by default. The red is an amazing Italian red wine called Amicone Rosso Venento. This wine is made from the same grapes they use for Amarone, Corvina. The result is an easy drinking, full-bodied red that has lots of rich soft, smooth texture.

        So, here are just three of the twelve tables that will be showcased Downtown Florence on April 12th, 2019. I hope that you enjoy the pairings and I hope to see you all out there.

    Bryan and Walter Bressia, one of the pioneers of wine in Argentina.

    Micky Finns

    550 Pamplico Hwy • Florence • 843.413.1183

    194 S Cashua Dr • Florence • 843.317.9463

  • Everything Spring

  • Evening Under the Oaks

    Evening Under the Oaks

    Benefitting the Darlington County Humane Society

         The Darlington County Humane Society has cared for homeless pets in the area since 1997. Today, the shelter building is aging, and space is cramped due to the increasing number of abandoned animals brought in each year. In 2018 alone, over 3,000 animals were brought to the shelter, many with urgent medical needs. Clean, adequate shelter for the dogs and cats surrendered daily is becoming a luxury. DCHS has reached a point where a new and improved shelter is a necessity. There is a plan for a new indoor facility, which will help save more animals and increase the number of adoptions while keeping animals and visitors safe in Darlington County. Evening Under the Oaks will help bring the vision of a new shelter to life.

        Evening Under the Oaks is a spring event full of fine food, spirits and a live auction held on the front lawn of Oak Manor Inn, a beautiful bed and breakfast full of local charm with century-old live oaks. The event is fully funded by sponsors with all proceeds going directly to DCHS. The first event, held in 2016, began with a group of volunteers, a vision, and two generous donors, Oak Manor Inn and North Industrial of Hartsville, who have been great supporters throughout the years. While there have been numerous fundraisers in place for DCHS, none equal the size and scale of Evening Under the Oaks. Last year, the event raised $45,000! This year, all proceeds will benefit the capital campaign fund for an indoor shelter to replace the current outdoor non-climate-controlled shelter. A dedicated steering committee and a handful of volunteers bring the event to life each year.

        The weather is changing, the flowers are blooming, and nothing is better this time of year than a formal lawn party! The evening of April 13th will begin with a Welcome Prosecco Pass and will end with a high-energy live auction. In between, you’ll be entertained with live music, delicious Southern cuisine (including delicious oysters & crab legs sponsored by North Industrial), fantastic cocktails, and plenty of opportunities to support Darlington County Humane Society. By attending Evening Under the Oaks, you can help make a difference. To purchase tickets online, visit www.eveningundertheoaks.com. Tickets can also be purchased locally in Hartsville at Burry Bookstore, Re-tail Therapy, and Oak Manor Inn.

    For more information on the event, visit eveningundertheoaks.com. To read more about the DCHS Capital Campaign, visit raisethewoofdchs.org/.

  • 2019 Pee Dee Youth of the Year – Bryanna Williams

    2019 Pee Dee Youth of the Year – Bryanna Williams

    story by Kayla Jebaily

        From a young age, Bryanna Williams had to learn to depend on herself. Originally from Texas, she was moved to foster care at the age of six. At age nine, she moved to Georgetown, South Carolina, where she bounced around to multiple foster homes for several years. During this time, Bryanna became withdrawn and reserved, often untrusting of those around her. She found it difficult to form relationships with people when she did not know how long she would be staying in a home or school. It was not until the age of fourteen, when she moved into her current foster home in Hemingway, that she opened up and become comfortable with those around her. Bryanna also began attending the Rick & Susan Goings Boys & Girls Club in Hemingway around this time. Her foster mom, Amy, is credited with introducing Bryanna to the Boys & Girls Club. While Bryanna had heard of the organization back in Texas, she was unaware that Hemingway had a club where teens like her were able to socialize in a positive place.

        The first few months in her new foster home and at the Boys & Girls Club were difficult for Bryanna. She was shy and did not know anyone in Hemingway. Even in the gym at the club she watched others play basketball instead of joining in because she was too nervous. But with the steady encouragement of Amy and staff at the club, Bryanna began to come out of her shell. She became more confident as she realized she finally had a support group around her who had her back. She made friends and participated in activities around the club, particularly basketball, for which she discovered she has quite the talent and functions as a stress reliever. Now a senior in high school, Bryanna is a shining star in her

    school. She plays basketball, volleyball, runs track, and is an artist. She is in the top 5% of her senior class in terms of academics, earning all A’s. She still frequently attends the Boys & Girls Club, where she participates in the Job Readiness Training program, Junior Staff, and other Boys & Girls Club activities and programs. Bryanna also works at KJ’s Market as a cashier. She has high aspirations for her college career, hoping to attend Claflin University, Clemson University, University of South Carolina, Francis Marion University, or Coastal Carolina and earn her degree in computer science so she can pursue a career in computer engineering.

        Most recently, Bryanna won the 2019 Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Youth of the Year competition after she was named the Hemingway Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Representative. She will go on to compete in the State Youth of the Year Competition in late April. Staff at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee are honored to have such an accomplished and humble young woman as the organization’s youth representative. Her story is one that shows perseverance and courage. While she has many important decisions to make regarding her future as she nears high school graduation, one thing is certainly clear, Bryanna Williams is a force to be reckoned with, and no matter what she does, her determination and positive attitude will take her far in life.

     

    310 Roughfork Street, Florence | 843.662.1142 | bgcpda.org

  • Committed to Protecting Our Community

    Committed to Protecting Our Community

    submitted by Pee Dee Coalition

        Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the reduction of sexual assault, family violence, and child abuse and to the needs of its victims. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. This April and all year long, Pee Dee Coalition is dedicated to helping the region become a safer, more compassionate community.   

        Emily Ross, LPC, CACI, Florence County Trauma Counselor for Pee Dee Coalition, has seen a lot of survivors of abuse and sexual assault in her almost 10 years as a counselor. She has seen some amazing transformations in women. Ross says that if you are a victim of abuse or assault, just remember “you are the expert of your own life.” No one can tell you how to heal, but if you are searching for a place to start with your journey to healing, please see the below tips and ideas to a better tomorrow.

    • Give yourself a break. You need time to heal. It is okay not to be okay; to feel angry, sad, upset, numb, or scared, that’s normal.

    •  Self-care is important at this time. You will need to learn to love yourself again, and that won’t happen overnight. Challenge the negative thoughts in your head.

    •  Empower yourself to make decisions on your own. It’s certainly okay to ask for support and opinions of others, but only you can take charge of your own life.

    •  Seeking counseling and therapy is a sign of strength. Asking for help is a step in the healing process.

    •  Be open to surrounding yourself with other survivors in safe settings, like a support group. It certainly doesn’t have to be right away, but being a part of a group will show you that you are not alone. Even if you decide not to share, it can be empowering or comforting to hear other’s stories.

        All of the services, including trauma counseling services, that Pee Dee Coalition offers are completely free of charge. Ross works with the clients of Pee Dee Coalition because she wants to “help survivors find their true self and no longer live in fear.”

     

    If you or someone you know is healing from abuse or assault, please contact Pee Dee Coalition at 843-664-4694 or the 24-hour crisis line at 800-273-1820. There is help. Pee Dee Coalition covers Florence, Darlington, Sumter, Marion, Dillon, Chesterfield, Marlboro, and Williamsburg Counties. Pee Dee Coalition is a member of the United Way.

  • A Fresh Look for Spring

        When it comes to makeup, this year’s look of choice is BOLD, BOLD, BOLD! Bold lips and even bolder eye makeup ruled the runways. The most colorful effects were created with an eye shadow. There were pops of pigmented neon, magenta, pink, turquoise, yellow and electric blue! Also popular were ultra-glamorous natural makeup looks using soft neutrals and bronze shimmers with a bold cranberry, red or hot pink lip. Let’s be honest, we wouldn’t even consider walking out of the door with most of these makeup runway trends on our face, but here are some revised “anyone can wear these trends” looks.

    SKINCARE

        But first, skincare. Always the #1 trend any and all years!

        Fresh, vibrant, exfoliated, and hydrated skin guarantees the best makeup application! You should most definitely be taking the best care of your skin at any age anyway. I promise you’ll thank yourself in years to come! Cleansing, toning, exfoliating, treating, and moisturizing should be a daily ritual. Throw in some weekly masks for that extra glowing skin!

     

    BASE MAKEUP

        Natural bronzed and highlighted skin is all the rage, and a look you should be able to do and do easily! With a little practice, you can wow yourself and your pals!

        After your skincare and SPF has been applied, makeup primer is an absolute must! It will seal your skin care in and prevent your makeup from getting into fine lines and pores. I can go on and on about primer benefits, but I will save that for another time. Next, select your type of foundation and apply. Make sure you’ve selected a color that is your natural skin tone for optimal results. For best results, get a color match! Next, apply concealer properly (see Do’s) and bronze and/or contour.

        Add a pop of highlighting for that “glow.” Peachy or pale pink blush and a neutral lip will finish your natural glowing look. Now, set your makeup with a setting powder or setting spray.

    GO BOLD!

        Now for the FUN STUFF.

        If you’re going to go bold on your lips, then keep your eyes neutral with pops of shimmer! Select your boldest hot pink or red lipstick, put on that mascara and girl you’re already following the spring/summer trend!

        I am probably not going to put on a neon eyeliner or eyelid color – but DO YOU! Rock it if you have it! Electric blue/purple eyeliner or hot pink eyeshadow (use your blush) is a super fun way to ensure a bold eye. Keep your lips neutral and you’ve just gotten another spring trend down!

    MAKEUP DO’S!

    •  Purchase good quality makeup and invest in great tools (brushes and sponges) and keep them clean!!!

    •  Get a professional color match for your foundation.

    •  Apply concealer in a V shape well below eye issues including dark under eye circles and baggy eyes.

    •  Fill in your eyebrows! It really makes a big difference and frames your face.

    •  Always, always, always wash off your makeup and have an evening skincare routine.

    •  Practice and have fun with your makeup!

  • Seasonal Allergies

    Seasonal Allergies

    story by Donna Tracy, Communication Coordinator, HopeHealth

        When the world turns yellow, you know allergy season is here. Ironically, the pine pollen that coats cars, lawns, and everything else, is not typically the culprit of the itchy eyes, sneezes, coughs, and general misery that allergy and asthma sufferers endure each spring. However, there are dozens of trees, grasses, and weeds that pollenate our air at the same time as the sticky, grainy, yellow pollen that blankets most of our region.

        It is these pollens that are the microscopic irritants that invade our respiratory system and turn a beautiful spring into more than just a headache.

        “Pollen can be carried great distances though the air, and being that pollen is very fine, it is easily inhaled as it comes in contact with our respiratory tract which includes the nose, mouth and  nasal passageways,” said Dr. Krista Kozacki, a primary care physician at the HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence.  They invade our airways and our body reacts by releasing  a chemical called histamine. Histamine is part of the body’s defense system and works to remove allergens from the areas affected.  “The job of the histamine is to help the body get rid of whatever is bothering it.  In this case the trigger is an allergen or “pollen,” she added.

        If that area is your nose, for example, the histamine makes your body produce more mucus to filter the allergens and prevent them from getting into your airway.  So the pollen is the trigger, but the body’s histamine response to eliminate or remove the trigger is what causes the nasal stuffiness, runny nose, and the itching of the eyes and nose, Dr. Kozacki explained. “Our immune system is beginning the battle against the pollen.”

        The severity of allergy symptoms varies. They can be mild, causing a few sniffles, itchy eyes, and a little discomfort. They can be debilitating, with severe reactions such as rashes, hives, low blood pressure, breathing trouble, asthma attacks, and even death.

        Allergens especially impact those with asthma or other upper respiratory conditions and can cause an increase in asthma symptoms. Asthma is the leading chronic disease in children, and, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 11.5 million people with asthma, including nearly 3 million children, had one or more asthma episodes or attacks in 2015. Recent statistics indicate that 53% of children with asthma will have an attack per year.

    Allergy Symptoms

    Nasal Congestion: Histamine create inflammation in your nose causing swelling and congestion. This can result in trouble breathing, especially when lying down. Congestion is often one of the first allergy symptoms to appear.

    Runny Nose: Mucus in your nose is normal, but histamine reactions to an allergen can increase mucus production and cause a runny nose.

    Sneezing: Sneezing helps remove irritants such as pollen and mold spores from your nose.

    Itchy nose and eyes: An itchy nose or itchy or watery eyes is histamine at work!

     

    Allergy treatment

    Avoid the Triggers: One of the best ways to treat allergies is to simply minimize exposure to them when possible.

    • Wear a protective mask when gardening or doing yard work.

    • Use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters in air conditioners to trap pollen spores and change them often.

    • Wash your hair before going to bed to avoid pollen transfer to your pillowcase.

    •  Pay attention to pollen accounts: counts are typically higher on hot, windy, sunny days and lower on cool days without much wind.

    Treatment

       Your primary care doctor or allergist can recommend a variety of medications to improve your seasonal allergies. Some, including many approved for children, are available over-the-counter from your pharmacist. Options include:

    •  Saline nose spray – can be used throughout the day to help flush out pollen triggers in the nasal passageway.

    •  Eye drops – can help itchy eyes.

    •  Topical nasal sprays – these contain prescription medications called corticosteroids that help reduce the inflammation in the lining of the nose and are typically used daily during allergy season.

    •  Oral antihistamines – available over the counter in generic (loratadine) and name-brand versions. Check with your primary care provider to make sure the medication will not interfere with other medical conditions that you have. Be aware that over-the-counter allergy options often include a decongestant that may elevate blood pressure and heart rate.

    •  Immunotherapy (allergy shots) – tiny amounts of the allergen are injected over time to stimulate the immune system.

     

    360 North Irby St., Florence  | 843.667.9414 | hope-health.org

  • April TV & Book Suggestions

    This month we return to your local network station, ABC, to dive into a new addictive series – Bless This Mess.

    What’s All The Hype About?

        Newlyweds Rio and Mike make the decision to change the course of their life together and move from the relentless pace of big city New York to what they think will be a more relaxed existence in rural Nebraska. After dropping everything –including their jobs and an overbearing mother-in-law — to make the move from skyscrapers to farmhouses, they soon realize that the simpler life isn’t as easy as they had planned. Rio and Mike must now learn how to weather the storm as they are faced with unexpected challenges in their new lives as farmers.

        The series premiere of Bless This Mess airs TUESDAY APRIL 16 9:30|8:30c on ABC.

     

     

    This Easter, search for new recipe traditions!

        Charleston Receipts was first published in 1950 and is the oldest Junior League cookbook still in print. It contains 750 recipes, Gullah verses, and sketches by Charleston artists. This classic cookbook is a must-have for any collector! Inducted into the McIlhenny Hall of Fame, an award given for book sales that exceed 100,000 copies.

    (www.goodreads.com)

     

    Recommended by Burry Bookstore Wall of Books • 130 W Carolina Ave • Hartsville • 843.332.2511

  • Easter Bonnets & Spinach Pie

    Easter Bonnets & Spinach Pie

    story by Dough Smith

        I promise I will get to the spinach pie, but first, I must tell you about the Easter bonnet. Let’s go back about nineteen years. My daughter, Savannah, was one year old and Easter was quickly approaching. On Good Friday, we noticed Savannah didn’t have her Easter outfit. Being that this was a serious problem, my wife Jackie and I immediately went shopping. This was an all-day affair. Traveling to different stores, we spent hour after hour shuffling through different outfits. We drove from Florence to Georgetown, exploring different outlets. Our intentions were to shop for Savannah but there were so many gifts and antique stores that we simply had to explore.

        After strolling on the boardwalk in Georgetown, we ate at a cute little cafe right on the water. We enjoyed each other’s company, talked about a lot of nothing and decided the fun was in the journey. Time passed by so quickly.

        We eventually made our way to Charleston. To our next adventure we went! With more selections to choose from, Jackie became focused on Easter bonnets. Then out of nowhere, a simple white bonnet with a light pink ribbon and bow was happily purchased from a small boutique. With the Easter bonnet purchase complete, Jackie now has a new, clear, focused direction on the dress idea. “There is a dress that this very bonnet would look great with at a shop in Georgetown,” she said. With no time to spare, we were off, back to the cute little dress shop for the very dress that our new bonnet needed. The dress was bought, and Savannah’s Easter attire was completed. This day holds many of my favorite memories.

        Now, how does an Easter bonnet remind me of Tuscan Spinach Pie? It was that same Good Friday of this adventure when I heard a radio interview with Francine Segan, a food historian, and author. She shared the story and recipe for Tuscany’s sweet spinach pie. I soon after discovered the fun in making this dish. It looks great and is quite delicious. I was so intrigued with the radio interview that I now make this pie as an Easter treat for my friends and family. Savannah doesn’t wear the bonnet anymore though, but she does enjoy the Spinach Pie.

    Tuscan Spinach Pie

    Ingredients

    • 2 Deep dish ready to bake pie shells
    • 12 ounces frozen spinach or 1 pound fresh baby spinach
    • 8 ounces blanched ground peanuts or Almonds
    • 4 large eggs, separated
    • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 lemon zested
    • 1/4 cup Maraschino or other aromatic liqueur
    • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
    • Confectioners’ sugar

     

    Method

    • Cook the spinach in a few ounces of salted water until tender. Allow to cool.
    • Squeeze out all the cooking liquids and finely chop in a mini food processor. Reserve.
    • In a food processor, grind the almonds until they resemble coarse sand. Reserve.
    • In a bowl, beat the yolks with 1/3 cup of the sugar until creamy and light yellow.
    • Add the almonds and beat until well combined.
    • Add the spinach, lemon zest and liqueur, and mix until well combined.
    • In a separate bowl, beat the whites until soft peaks form, then add in the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar and beat until it forms a glossy meringue.
    • Slowly fold the meringue into the yolk mixture.
    • Pour into the prepared pie crust. Sprinkle with the pine nuts and top with the remaining dough in a lattice pattern.
    • Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour, until golden.
    • Allow to cool to room temperature, then serve sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar.

     

    Recipe from Francine Segan Dolci: Italy’s Sweets

     

     

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

  • Staycation Ideas

    Staycation Ideas

        Just because school is closed for a week doesn’t mean that your kids have to stop learning or get bored. This year make your time off more enjoyable by skipping the stress of packing, airport lines, and road trip meltdowns. You can take a Spring Break Staycation right here in the Pee Dee area! We will help you investigate some events and attractions close to home with a handful of great ideas!

    Picnic & Play

    It’s time to put away those electronics and spend some time outdoors! There are many great parks in the Pee Dee area. Have you checked out Hartsville’s new handicapable playground at Byerly Park or the Lake City Park and boardwalk? What about Moore Farms Botanical Gardens in Lake City? Give your pet some special attention and visit a dog park in Florence or Hartsville. Let the kids be part of preparing and packing a healthy picnic lunch that you bring to the park. As the weather warms up, it is a great time for kids to pull out their bikes again or to hit the water with RiverRats in Scranton!

    Movies & Museums

    Entertainment is key! Look up matinee times for your local movie theater and check out a new release movie. Movies at home with popcorn can also be fun! When was the last time you visited a local museum? Avoid the soon-to-be summer crowd by visiting during spring break. Ever stepped foot in the SC Tobacco Museum in Mullins? Have you been to EdVenture in Hartsville yet?

    Area Attractions

    Day trips can be easy! Plan a trip to a nearby town for shopping, lunch, and to visit their local attractions. The Pee Dee area is full of great art, restaurants, boutiques, and more. Strolling down new downtown sidewalks is a great way to take in new scenery and to experience a new community. Have you checked out Pearl Fryer’s Topiary Garden in Bishopville or The Barn, an antique and home décor shop, in downtown Mullins? Anywhere you go, you’ll find something unique!

    Crafts & Creations

    When kids are able to create and learn new skills, it helps boost their self-confidence. Science experiments, cooking, baking, knitting, and building. Whatever it may be, you may already have the tools you need at home. Check out some tutorials, templates, or recipes on Pinterest and enjoy working on a new project for the week. Even adults can take on a new project! You can even check out Artbug Studio, Seersucker Gypsy, Girls University, or Olio Studio for some art class events.

    Volunteer

    Instead of wasting time binging Netflix shows, do something life-changing and impactful. You can serve your local community in many different ways. Visit your local humane society and help walk dogs or help build homes with Habitat for Humanity. Research volunteer opportunities near you and make the most of your time by contributing to something meaningful.

    Events

    There are usually great events and camps planned specifically for spring break. Check out social media sites and your local Chamber of Commerce and City websites to find upcoming community events. Plan ahead to make the most of your Spring Break Staycation!