Author: Kristina Parella

Willpower, Resilience and Respect By Kristi Antley. Successful female leaders possess the same basic traits as any good leader: assertiveness, determination, accountability, creativity, and adaptability. Long-term positions of authority require more than just skill, tenacity, and education; these pioneers must have the capacity to view the complete picture as it pertains to the company as a whole while maintaining a level of compassion to protect dedicated employees, affiliates, and clients as well as partners and investors. Studies and detailed research from the past few decades have proven that companies with intentional female representation in leadership and within the workforce are…

By Bret Carter, Co-Chairman, Real Mean Wear Pink.My involvement with Real Men Wear Pink (now going on four years) is deeply personal. My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She underwent a mastectomy and thankfully, lived almost another 20 years. In 2011, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy that same year, and we were fortunate that it was caught early. She has been cancer-free since then, but the diagnosis hit close to home. Coping with the fear and uncertainty of my mother’s diagnosis was one of the most challenging experiences of my life.…

By David Kohen,  Photos: S.C. Dept. of Archives and History, NRHP.Have you ever wondered about the prestigious, creamy-yellow colored Queen Anne-style house that sits by the railroad tracks on South Lake Drive in Lexington? This local landmark of Southern charm and sophistication called the “Cinnamon Hill” house was built in 1892 by Charles Edward Corley (1866-1943). It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as the “C.E. Corley House” in 1983 and boasts many ornate, original features of the period including wood floors, a gigantic porch with enormous columns, corbeled chimneys, hand-blown glass windows, and several inviting fireplaces.…

By Kristi Antley“Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” ~Unknown AuthorWhile animal shelters and rescue efforts across South Carolina reflect the values of their respective communities, they each share the fundamental goal of helping vulnerable animals and seeking resources and support to help accomplish that goal. As inhabitants and protectors of our planet, we share an innate responsibility for the care and protection of innocent domestic, exotic, and farm animals. A collective initiative must be taken within our local region to become familiar with neighbors (especially the elderly), extended family and distant relatives, friends, and co-workers…

By Heather Bedford, Columbia Counseling Center, MA, LPC, NCC.We’ve all heard the analogy that “we have to put on our own oxygen mask before we can help someone else”, but what do you do when there is no oxygen flowing? When your cup is empty, your plate is full and you’ve nothing left to give? In the counseling world, we call this “compassion fatigue.”  However, compassion fatigue is not limited to the world of psychotherapy. Pastors, nurses, teachers, first responders, coaches, parents, (and more!) are on the front lines of the hurting, the broken, and the lost.I’ve seen this so…

Take the work out of weeknight meal planning with these simple and DELICIOUS “one-sheet and repeat” dinners from the staff at Our Town Magazine! These are some of our favorite cozy dinners bursting with squash, Brussels sprouts, and even a little apple. We believe that your family will ask for them again and again. Go ahead and add these easy fall recipes to your regular menu rotation and enjoy them all year long! Savory Sausage and Harvest Veggies Ingredients: 1-12 oz. sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds 1 kabocha or butternut squash, seeded and diced (no need to peel!)  2…

by Anna Wingard, Business Operations Manager, Wingard Towing Service.50 states have “slow down move over” laws mandating motorists to reduce speed and safely change lanes when approaching flashing emergency vehicle lights. This is a collective effort to reduce secondary collisions on our nation’s highways by giving those working on the roadways extra space to perform job duties. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fewer than 30% of Americans are aware of these laws.The Move Over law originated in Lexington, South Carolina in 1996 when James Garcia, a paramedic, responded to a roadway collision and was struck by a…

By Mary Ann Hutcheson If you have walked into Bellacino’s Pizzas and Grinders of Irmo in the past few years, you have probably witnessed Ty Hendrix’s welcoming smile and bright, warm eyes. His magnetic, confident, and vibrant personality cannot be overlooked. The Gilbert High School graduate works five days a week from 7 am to 4 pm, with, as he says, “one day to chill.” He has been a part of the Irmo team for four years after initial training at the Lexington location. His position involves being a floater, attending the register, answering the phone, exhibiting excellent customer service,…

By Jerry Grimes For thousands of Carolinians, the “shag” is a beloved dance step popularized in the 1940s and 50s along the Grand Strand. Our elders often reminisce of swaying to the beat and gliding effortlessly across dance floors on sultry summer nights with the ocean roaring steps away. Having movements related to the “swing” or the “jitterbug”, it is fascinating to watch shaggers with fluid, graceful movements and fancy footwork. It’s a part of life here in the South, and in fact, the South Carolina Shag is the official state dance.“I’d rather shag dance than eat,” said Vickey Van…

By Blair Smith, Senior Pastor, First Baptist of Irmo This romanticist painting from 1818 is called “Wanderer Above a Sea of Fog” by Caspar David Friedrich. There is a stark contrast between the stillness of the picture and the feeling of movement it gives the viewer. As you see it from a third-person perspective, it causes you to have first-person emotions; almost as if it were you on that peak looking out. What is your response to this painting? “Breathtaking,” “overwhelming,” “triumphant,” and “lonely” are some of my responses to this well-known painting. How often does this happen to us…