Cardinal Wellness & Aesthetics Innovation Meets Compassion by Kristi Antley Each stage of human development, maturation, and growth warrants our attention and care, especially in later life. Although we may delay the aging process, there are subtle and obvious changes in dynamic biological, physiological, environmental, psychological, behavioral, and social processes on many levels. Most people do not realize that advancing age is one of the major risk factors for many chronic diseases, injuries, and ailments. While graying hair and receding hairlines are often benign signs of wisdom and grace, other hidden age-related changes can quickly result in unpleasant or dangerous…
Author: Tracy Tuten
What’s Ahead for You in Retirement? by Jerry Grimes Retirement is like crossing a bridge that leads you from the safety and familiarity of your work routine into a strange, new, confusing place. Because you can’t see everything on the other side, you may feel anxious and insecure about what should be the best years of your life. Although each situation is unique, three significant components affect every retiree: investment strategy, Medicare, and estate planning. One of the best ways to ensure a smooth transition throughout this journey is to seek solid direction that is sound, effective, and proven. You…
Private and Charter Schools: Finding the Right Fit for Education by Marilyn Thomas Every year, American school-aged children spend an average of 1,000 hours in a scholastic setting. Since so much time is invested in building a strong educational foundation, choosing the best academic fit is a priority for many parents. In South Carolina, public charter and private schools are two of the alternative academic options offered within the greater Midlands area. ALA Charter School The American Leadership Academy (ALA) is a tuition-free charter school for kindergarten through high school students that opened in the fall semester of 2023. Located…
Kick-off Your Day and Your Year! New Years is the time of year when resolutions are made. For some, that includes heating healthier, exercising, or taking time to enjoy life a little more than the year before. Our Town Magazine has partnered with a few local businesses to bring you some of the best ways to start your day on a healthier note and still enjoy life! The recipes included in this edition use fruits to bring you a fun and flavorful treat, jam, or breakfast this New Year. Here’s to your health! Apple Cinnamon Pancakes INGREDIENTS: • 3/4 c.…
Party of One by Tori Lewis A familiar team anthem is met with cheers as it pours through the speakers, transforming patrons into a choir as we prepare for kickoff. It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon as I sit near the bar in my favorite team colors—no date, no prospects, no ring on my finger—and yet, I can’t help but smile. This cozy little spot has become a favorite of mine since I began navigating the social scene as a party of one, and there are many singles in the area who share the sentiment. Groups of friends—unmarried, unattached—huddle together over…
Date Night Adventures by Jane Ivey “Left or right?” “Right.” “Left or right?” “Left.” “What time is it?” “6:30.” “How far away tonight?” “No more than an hour.” After planning a few date nights myself in the past that turned into more of a chore with underwhelming results in 2016, this is the date night route my husband, Tim, and I chose to take. We have always enjoyed spending time together and after being married for 45 years, raising our beautiful family, being active in our grandchildren’s lives, and running our own business, we decided it was time for yet…
PUBLISHER’S LETTER HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2025 is here and we are “over the moon” to be able to share it with you! We strive to have articles readers can relate to and provide resources to help you get the information you need using local contacts and businesses. With that in mind, we have been hard at work talking with our friends and neighbors and realizing that there are seasons of life we all have in common but may not be fully prepared for. When the time comes for your retirement or to take care of those who took care of…
Service with a Smile The Perfect Smile Starts Here Dr. Sam Purnell by Mary Ann Hutcheson Chapin native Sam Purnell, DMD says his first introduction to the world of dentistry was initially inspired by Craig DuPuis, a mentor from his church. It wasn’t until his first year at Clemson that he seriously considered a career in dentistry. “I realized that dentistry was very much a field of science and art,” he explains. “After shadowing different specialties in field, I was pleasantly surprised to realize how much I could connect to my penchant for art with dentistry.” As a child, he…
Let me say how blessed I feel compared to so many. While my family and I lost power and a tree, we did not suffer any major damage. Hurricane Helene wreaked unexpected havoc; plowing through South Carolina and neighboring states. So many families have been left with a huge amount of loss and devastation. To counteract the sadness and negative media, I would like to share some amazing things I witnessed when the sun rose again the next morning. I cannot imagine the horrors people in the direct path of the hurricane went through and the struggles that some are…
By Scott Vaughan In case you’ve forgotten, didn’t notice, or weren’t alive, times were tough in late 1973. It was a season of stagflation–high unemployment and high inflation. The post-World War II economic boon was waning as international competition accelerated and homegrown manufacturing jobs declined. People were unemployed, and many who were employed saw that their paychecks purchased less and less. My dad was self-employed and my mom was a secretary; we were limping along. My mother had already prepared us for Christmas to be different–fewer gifts and more time with church and family. That Christmas, my dad provided HVAC…