VIP Magazine

Category: Current Articles

  • River Neck Acres ATV Park

    River Neck Acres ATV Park

        River Neck Acres provides enjoyable, family-friendly camping and thrilling ATV riding near the Great Pee Dee River. The ATV Park is located on the outskirts of Florence County on 1,174.99 acres of swamps, hills, dirt, and mud. They accept ATV’s, 4-wheelers, UTV’s, side-by-sides, and golf carts. The property has several cabins and around forty-three campsites that can be rented. With feature scheduled events at the park open to the public, they offer a little something for everyone to enjoy!

        Connie Hardwick owns the property and her twin daughters, Jamey Hilburn and Jordan Hicks, run the business. Connie is a retired New York Life agent. With a master’s degree in Education, Connie also taught at Marion High School in the late 1980s. Her daughter, Jamey, shares, “She has a giving heart and will give you her last cent if she believes you’d be better off. She’s the heart behind all our charity work, which we hope to continue to do more of in the future.”

        Jamey and Jordan both graduated from Aynor High School. Jamey attends Horry Georgetown Technical college and plans to transfer to Coastal Carolina in the spring of 2019 to pursue a degree in hospitality. She married her high school sweetheart, Bruce. Jordan will be attending the College of Charleston starting in the fall and also married her high school sweetheart, Brandon. In addition to helping with River Neck Acres, Bruce and Brandon co-own a food truck, Burgers-In-Law. It’s hard to believe these couples are barely out of high school but the success of both businesses proves their age is merely a number. Within minutes you can tell they were born to be entrepreneurs.

        For several years, Connie ran the property as an equine park. She found great pleasure in the business but it began to be tough to make ends meet. That’s when Jamey and Jordan approached her with the idea of an ATV park. The girls enjoyed riding and had several friends that supported their idea. “Had it been left up to me, the business would have completely sunk,” says Connie. “These girls turned it around and have made it far more successful than I could have ever imagined!”

        River Neck Acres opened just last summer. “We wanted a safe, fun place for families to be able to enjoy the outdoors on ATVs without the worry and dangers that come from riding on highways,” explains Jamey. River Neck Acres allows any motorized vehicles that do not have to be registered by the DMV to ride. They hold mud races, concerts, and hope to expand to other spaces in the future. They also try their best to accommodate any sort of group outings or celebrations. Plans for the future are bright, as they plan to expand their land, add more cabins and accommodations, and host more concerts featuring larger artists.

  • Hartsville Young Professionals

    Hartsville Young Professionals

        Fear, stress, anxiety. Who will I socialize with? What will I do for fun?

        These are all thoughts and feelings that are associated with moving to a new town. Hartsville Young Professionals aims to eliminate those thoughts and feelings. We have a motto, “Let’s do something together”. HYP wants to make young professional life in a small town a great experience. When I joined HYP I remember having my reservations, but figured it would be a nice way to meet other young professionals in the area. After getting more involved and meeting people I had never met in a town I thought I knew everyone in, it was eye opening. Fast forward a few years and I’m now in my sixth month as president of HYP. I am supported by a great board made up of motivated and talented professionals who work hard to make HYP a success.

        During this past year we have been looking back at the leadership that created HYP. They knew how important forming relationships would be to young professionals moving to Hartsville, as well as natives that want to call Hartsville home. Growth of the city is dependent on a great community welcoming young professionals deciding to plant roots and raise families.  The low cost of living, high quality of life, and excellent employment opportunities make Hartsville the perfect place for someone who wants to become involved in a strong community. Our town is full of opportunities to get involved and lead that  might not be available to a young professional in a larger city.

        HYP is proud to be a division of the Hartsville Chamber of Commerce. We have a strong audience of supporters in our community. Sonoco has sponsored us since the beginning and recognizes our value and role in the community. Other businesses like McGee Financial and Project EXcape, provided fun, interactive opportunities for us to network and get connected. The true purpose of HYP is to create friendships and ease what may have otherwise been a stressful adventure. We have some great events coming up. We will be hosting a cookout at the Hartsville Country Club sponsored by SPC Credit Union on July 13th from 6 to 9 p.m. If you’d like to give HYP a try, we’d love for you to join us.

        Hartsville is a great community that is caring and inclusive. There are wonderful opportunities to get involved in our growing town. It is a place where you come thinking it’s temporary, but then you find yourself planting roots and finding a home. The friends I’ve made through HYP are some of the closest I have. We welcome anyone who would like to get involved.

  • Heather Byrd – New Owner of Montessori Day Academy of Hartsville

    Heather Byrd – New Owner of Montessori Day Academy of Hartsville

        Heather Byrd grew up in Charleston, SC and attended College of Charleston, but has called the quaint town of McBee, SC home for the past twelve years. Her family members are all celebrating next chapters of their lives. Her son, Gage, and daughter-in-law, Cassidy, are expecting their first child in October. Her daughter, Lindsay, is going away to college this fall. Heather and her boyfriend, Daniel, will soon experience a new feeling as empty-nesters. Just last month Heather took her own leap of faith into an exciting new life chapter as becoming the new owner of Montessori Day Academy of Hartsville (MDAH).

        Heather owns Infinity Images Portrait Studio where she specializes in photographing children from Birth to 1 year. Heather shares, “After many years in the photography business I decided it was time to look for work that isn’t so taxing on my body. Photographing babies is my favorite thing to do but it is tough work and I know my body won’t be able to do it for many more years.” Heather approached the former owner and friend, Terie Rousseau, about coming to work for her as Administrator. After many conversations and much deliberation, Teri offered to sell Heather the school. “It wasn’t in my plans, but after speaking with the parents and staff I knew I would be a good fit and it would be such a rewarding experience.” While Heather will be opening the door to a new adventure, she will still run her photography studio on a part-time basis. “I can’t imagine not having that in my life,” says Heather.

        Montessori Day Academy of Hartsville is a private, independent education institution that practices the Montessori Method of learning serving children from ages six weeks to six years. The curriculum at MDAH promotes learning through a psychology-based approach to education that encourages students to explore math, science, language arts, music and the outdoors in an academically stimulating environment at their own pace. The school incorporates the time-tested, research-based, nurturing educational philosophy of Maria Montessori with an emphasis on individualized learning, student independence, and strong family engagement. MDAH intentionally attracts and supports a diverse student and parent body.

        Heather has big plans for the upcoming school year. “We have hired a new Lead Guide for our Toddler Room as well as several new after-school teachers who will be doing French lessons, music and baby sign language,” explains Heather. “Together with families, we are going to continue our mission to build a school that meets the needs of all learners and helps all of our children reach their full potential.” Open Enrollment for the school year continues through the end of July with the new school year starting on August 6th.

  • Lake City – Best Small Town Cultural Scene – USA Today’s 10Best

    Lake City – Best Small Town Cultural Scene – USA Today’s 10Best

        A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees for Best Small Town Cultural Scene by USA Today. The top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Seth Kines, Executive Director of Visit Lake City SC, shares more about the contest and how Lake City was named number 1 in the 10Best selection.

    Were you aware that Lake City was being researched as a 10Best?

        “Initially, we were not aware of this.  USA TODAY 10 Best has a panel of experts that focuses on different regions of the country.  Their South Carolina representative recommended Lake City as a nominee for Best Small Town Cultural Scene because of the progress that’s been made with regards to recent revitalization efforts.”

    How did your team react when you were notified about being chosen as a finalist?

        “We were overjoyed! It was such an honor to be nominated as one of the top 20 small towns recognized for their cultural scene.  The nomination was exciting, but we quickly changed our focus from celebrating the nomination to spreading the word to encourage voting.  The voting process lasted for approximately a month, so we were thrilled to hear that we came out on top  to be named the #1 “Best Small Town Cultural Scene!” From a marketing perspective, it is invaluable to receive a national award from a well-known, reputable source like USA TODAY 10 Best!  We also have the rights to use the USA TODAY 10 Best logo for marketing & promotional purposes over the next year so we can help promote our cultural scene and remarkably unique venues to tourists and conference meeting planners.”

    What qualities do you feel led Lake City to be nominated?

        “When you realize everything we have going on in Lake City, it’s pretty easy to understand.  ArtFields received the Charles A. Bundy Award last year in recognition of its positive impact on tourism in rural communities.  The upcoming inaugural Rhythm & Q’s BBQ Competition featuring live, local music boasts the largest cash prize purse for S.C. BBQ competitions. No visit to Lake City would be complete without a trip to Moore Farms Botanical Garden, known not only for its lush beauty, but for its engaging event calendar as well!  Our historic downtown features great shopping & dining, a fabulous boutique hotel, and three art galleries!  Lake City Creative Alliance brings art out into the streets of our historic downtown, with a variety of vibrant murals peppering downtown walls and sculptures enhancing the beauty of enchanting downtown floral beds. Also, local organizations like Lake City Community Theatre, Lake City Concert Series & Lynches Lake Historical Society add to our rich cultural tapestry that is obviously centered around the arts.”

    What can we look forward to from Lake City to continue being named the “Best”? 

        “We’re moving full steam ahead with revitalization projects including several downtown apartments so residents can maximize the “live, work, play” feel that our downtown offers.  We are actively filling the few available downtown retail spaces to complete the diverse palette of shopping & dining options available for locals and visitors.  It’s particularly exciting that one of our historic venues, The Ragsdale Old Building (affectionately known as The ROB), has taken off as a hotspot for wedding receptions, trade shows and festivals!  Upcoming events at The ROB include Lake City Community Outreach’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration, The Southeast Wedding & Event Expo, Pee Dee Comicon & SC Arms Collectors Association’s Gun & Knife Show. We’re excited to play a role in the continued development of Lake City as a destination for tourism, events, festivals and corporate conferences.”

  • Savvy Soiree

    Savvy Soiree

     

        Planning a wedding can be overwhelming to say the least. However, Andrea Knapp and Stephanie Forte have had years of experience in creating the special day. In 2015, Andrea and Stephanie decided it was time to share their expertise, as well as the expertise of many local wedding professionals, with brides throughout the Pee Dee by hosting a wedding expo, Savvy Soiree Wedding and Event Showcase. Join us as we venture into the minds and backgrounds of these skilled wedding professionals.

    VIP: “Tell us a little about yourselves.”

    Andrea: “I moved to the U.S. almost 20 years ago and became a citizen in 2009. I have been a professional photographer for 14 years and am the owner of ‘Photographs by Andrea.’ As a wedding and portrait photographer, I have shot 25 to 30 weddings each year.”

    Stephanie: “I’m lead planner at Elegant Events, a wedding and event planning company. I became a certified wedding and event planner shortly after moving to Columbia 13 years ago. I’m originally from Johnsonville so we work a lot in the Pee Dee area because it’s still home to me. Seeing a wedding or event come together and executed flawlessly is one of my greatest joys.”

    VIP: “How did the two of you meet?”

    Stephanie: “We met through a wedding vendor forum online right after Andrea moved to S.C. She was searching for area wedding vendors to network with and we QUICKLY became GREAT friends. We have worked a couple of weddings together as vendors, Andrea as the photographer and I as the wedding planner.”

    Andrea: “During this time we also attended and participated in many wedding shows in S.C. and N.C. We quickly realized that we weren’t happy with the way those shows were being produced or the way we were treated as wedding experts. We knew that we could do better by producing well-rounded shows.”

    Stephanie: “While being vendors, we also learned that we didn’t only want to cater to the needs of brides and grooms, but also to the industry experts. We wanted to do everything we could to get their businesses known to people that need their services.”

    VIP: “How is the success of Savvy Soiree?”

    Andrea: “Each one has been more successful than the previous one! We have industry experts that showcase with one show and immediately sign up for the following one, which is a testament to our success. The feedback from not only the experts who showcase with us, but also the brides confirms this. We have brides and grooms that have been to one show recommending the follow up shows to their recently engaged friends.”

    Stephanie: “We are excited to take the show on the road this August to The R.O.B. in Lake City! Our next expo, August 5th, will be our first show outside of Florence. Seth Kines and the team at Visit Lake City have been wonderful to work with.”

  • Honda of South Carolina Celebrates 20 Years

    Honda of South Carolina Celebrates 20 Years

     

       In July, Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc. (HSC) reaches an enormous milestone with the celebration of 20 years at the Timmonsville plant location. The company will celebrate with associates on July 17th by providing a team lunch and commemorative gifts. Local elected officials, community partners, local media, and Honda company guests have been invited to celebrate with the team. HSC will also acknowledge a few local organizations with donations that tie into their 20 years of success in the community.

       During HSC’s 20 years, they have provided countless employment opportunities to the surrounding areas. In fact, 66 of their current associates have been with the company since it originated. HSC believes that their associates are the foundation of the company. Although the facility has grown in both size and number of associates, they have “mostly grown together,” says Michele Pridgen, Assistant Manager and 20 Year Associate. She continues, “Our workforce is made up of a variety of skilled and passionate associates that are all striving for the same goal: Building the Best Product on Earth!”

       HSC associates can agree that the company “isn’t somewhere you just get a job, it’s somewhere you make a career,” says Justin Watkins, 16 Year Associate. HSC has created an atmosphere where associates encourage family and friends to also search for a career path within the company. Several associates have family members that have joined the HSC team after witnessing their success.

       In addition to being part of a team that builds top-of-the-line products, associates pride themselves in being owners of Honda ATV’s and side-by-sides (SxS). And Honda prides itself in building where the product is utilized and largely sold. That motto has also encouraged their dedication in being involved with the community in a wide variety of avenues. Education being a large platform, but they also seek to be involved in community events and local non-profit organizations that are preferred by HSC associates.

       Along with celebrating 20 years, HSC will produce its 3 millionth ATV during July, an operation that couldn’t be accomplished without their skilled associates.. Over the next several pages, we present some of Honda’s most popular products, built right here in Timmonsville, and tell the success stories of associates that have chosen HSC as their career.

  • In the Head of – June

    In the Head of – June

  • In Our State – June

    In Our State – June

  • Florence Community – June

    Florence Community – June

  • Fashion – June

    Fashion – June