Author: Techpro

Tribute By Tracy Tuten While Christmas is a time to celebrate, it is also a time to remember those that we have lost; this can make the holidays a more somber time of year for some people. Many have lost grandparents, parents, siblings, children, cousins, friends, or other loved ones. For me, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of my niece, Kennedy Branham, just two days after Christmas. As the “Pray 4 Kennedy” community took Lexington by storm providing encouragement and strength, Kennedy came out of her shell and embraced life throughout her journey with brain cancer.…

By Kristi Antley Despite the wide range of vital and skilled services that first responders provide, their contributions and expertise are often unknown, misunderstood, or overlooked. Even those receiving active services do not understand this broad community and its full range of capabilities and resources. Its members stand ready and willing to provide lifesaving services 24 hours a day, seven days a week for both natural and man-made disasters, hazards, and emergencies. The essential responsibilities of first responders (not limited to, but including emergency medical technicians and dispatchers, paramedics, search and rescue personnel, firefighters, police officers, etc.), are very strenuous…

By Paige Youmans What local actor has appeared in numerous plays regarding the birth of Christ, sports a humped back, and loves Mountain Dew? Abraham the Camel! If you’ve spent the holidays in Lexington County during the past two decades, you’ve probably encountered Abraham, the Mountain Dew-guzzling camel. When the need for a camel arose for their church’s Christmas program over twenty years ago, Cliff and Margaret Fisher prayed for a way to help and ultimately found an answer to their prayers-they adopted a three-month-old camel! At that point, “Abraham” would come into the house for bottle feedings, often distributed…

By Pastor Stephen Mims, Pisgah Lutheran Church “What am I gonna get?” As a child, that question consumed my thoughts from Black Friday until 7am Christmas morning. (That’s the earliest my parents would get up). For me, the lights, cookies, decorations, and holiday TV specials were merely added bonuses to the true meaning of Christmas—getting presents. Sure, I knew that Jesus was the real reason for the Season, but I also knew that He was the best gift ever. That simply confirmed it. Christmas is all about getting. Then, when I was 9, my 11-year-old brother got the idea that…

By Paige Youmans Illness. Accident. Job loss. Eviction. For some Lexington County residents, these issues could result in a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. Enter Mission Lexington, a coordinated response for those who find themselves amid a crisis. Founded in 1978, Mission Lexington serves as the hub of care, assisting families and individuals in crisis with major essentials: food, clothing, shelter, resources, and guidance. With its mission based on Matthew 25:40 to “glorify God by serving our neighbors in crisis,” the Mission operates a thrift store, social service information center, food bank, and donation center. With a limited full-time staff…

Time to appreciate nature’s change from bright green hues to red and orange while inhaling the savory aroma of pumpkin spice floating through the air. Between deciding whether to decorate with a Halloween or harvest theme, and whether to serve family favorites or test some new, exciting recipes, preparing for the holiday season can be both thrilling and stressful. To add some zest to your celebration and reduce anxiety, the Our Town Magazine staff has culled some tastefully tempting and sinfully simple appetizers to aid in festivity preparations. By blending some new flavors with your traditional holiday menu, you can…

By Rev. Dan Williams It seems that the older I get the more I think of things for which I am thankful. But that is not because life gets easier with fewer struggles as we age—the reality is quite the opposite. The practice of willfully giving thanks daily, even when life is hard, can help us cope with adversity as a kind of natural antidepressant. This is why God states in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” There is always something to be thankful for, even in…

By Marilyn Thomas Recognized as a societal rite of passage, many teens anxiously await the day they can legally sit behind the wheel and commandeer a vehicle. With careful preparation, proper resources and strong support, parents can guide their teens as they maneuver this milestone and ensure that these fledgling endeavors are achieved independently, safely and successfully. In South Carolina, driving can begin at age 15 with supervision upon receiving a learner’s permit from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV’s website (scdmvonline.com) provides relevant information about the specific requirements (application, documentation, testing, insurance, costs, etc.) for…