It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Mann-Simons Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Central, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“ABC helped me take care of my mother in her last few weeks. Trudy the”
“I’ve been a employee for 3 years I love working here”
“Great Place. Really caring people. would recommend if a friend of family member need”
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“The best care anyone can offer.”
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“ABC helped me take care of my mother in her last few weeks. Trudy the Caregiver was wonderful! Trudy was so gentle with mom, very compassionate and professional. You could tell she loves her job. she started helping in the evenings, then on weekends. Mom's health got really bad and she was hospitalized and Trudy changed her schedule so she could stay up at the hospital all night with my Mom. I never had to worry because I knew mom was in good hands and that Trudy would te… See more”
“I’ve been a employee for 3 years I love working here”
“Great Place. Really caring people. would recommend if a friend of family member need non-medical care.”
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“The best care anyone can offer.”
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Gibson Pond Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Circa 1886 Restaurant or visit Robert Mills House and Gardens, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Central, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Central, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Central, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – We want to First Alert you to heavy rain potential this evening and tonight!First Alert Headlines· 1-2″ of rain is possible tonight bringing a First Alert Weather Day for the heavy downpours.· Saturday morning has a few lingering showers with a 50% chance of rain.· Winds are picking up tonight and temps drop into the upper 30s with wind chills near 27-32.· Sunday will come along with widespread sunshine and a cool breeze....
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – We want to First Alert you to heavy rain potential this evening and tonight!
First Alert Headlines
· 1-2″ of rain is possible tonight bringing a First Alert Weather Day for the heavy downpours.
· Saturday morning has a few lingering showers with a 50% chance of rain.
· Winds are picking up tonight and temps drop into the upper 30s with wind chills near 27-32.
· Sunday will come along with widespread sunshine and a cool breeze.
First Alert Summary
Tonight we have a First Alert Weather Day for heavy rain in upwards of 1-2″. The heaviest rain happens late tonight around Midnight. Winds will gust from time to time near 25-35mph. Watch out for ponding on roadways and flooded streams!
Saturday we see a 50% chance of showers in the morning and then gusty winds and less of a chance for the afternoon. Right now we have a 50% chance of rain for the morning and then it goes down as we head into the afternoon.
Sunday morning our wind chills dip down into the upper 20s to low 30s as winds are up and lows are in the upper 30s. We have high pressure building into the region and that clears us up with sunny skies. Highs reach the mid 60s for the afternoon hours.
Monday morning will be chilly as well with some mid to upper 30s possible. Highs reach the upper 60s with partly cloudy skies.
Tuesday is warmer with mid 40s in the morning and high temps reach the low 70s. Our next good chance of rain comes in Wednesday with a cold front nearing. Lows are in the mid 50s and highs reach the low 70s.
First Alert Forecast
First Alert Weather Day for Tonight: Heavy rain is possible, breaking up late overnight. 100% Chance with lows in the mid to upper 50s.
Saturday: Drier conditions into the day with some isolated showers here and there. Highs in the upper mid-60s.
Sunday: Sunshine takes over with a cool breeze. Highs in the mid-60s.
Monday: Partly cloudy with highs in the upper mid-60s.
Tuesday: More clouds on the increase with highs nearing 70 degrees.
Wednesday: Cloudy with a 60% chance of showers and rain highs are in the low 70s.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2024 WIS. All rights reserved.
Lexington County’s largest school district has zeroed in on three candidates to eventually replace its current superintendent.The Lexington 1 school board unanimously voted Tuesday to move forward with three finalists for its newly created superintendent-elect position, revealing those candidates publicly two days later. The board voted earlier this year to transition its opening for a deputy superintendent to hire s...
Lexington County’s largest school district has zeroed in on three candidates to eventually replace its current superintendent.
The Lexington 1 school board unanimously voted Tuesday to move forward with three finalists for its newly created superintendent-elect position, revealing those candidates publicly two days later. The board voted earlier this year to transition its opening for a deputy superintendent to hire someone who will be on hand to take over when Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait retires.
Postlewait, who was hired in 2022, has said she intends to serve the district of more than 27,000 students through the end of her current contract, which runs through 2027, but that she has been in education for more than 50 years and her career is likely winding down in the near future.
The three candidates who emerged from the application process, which started in January, are Chris Ballenger, Keith Price and Eric Slater.
While the vote on the finalists was unanimous, the board did debate shortly after coming out of an executive session to discuss the candidates. Referring to the candidates by assigned numbers, the board mentioned four as strong possibilities before settling on the three finalists.
“I thought it was a great palette of candidates,” said board member Brent Powers. “I always enjoy the interview process, because you get to hear about what’s happening in different districts. But in this process, we heard about not just districts in the state, but outside of the state. And so hearing about education and some of the struggles that superintendents are having across the nation, it was just very affirming with some of the things we’ve worked through.”
“It was a very diverse slate, as well, like you said, from different states,” responded board member Michael Anderson.
Board Chair Anne Marie Green noted that the community will have a chance to meet the candidates after the district’s spring break, which is April 1-5. Per a news release, that public meeting is set for April 8 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Chris Ballenger
Ballenger is currently the superintendent of Virginia’s Warren County Public Schools, which serve more than 5,000 students in an area about an hour-and-a-half west of Washington, D.C.
Before coming to Warren County in 2020, he served for three years as assistant superintendent in another Virginia school district and for 13 years as superintendent in a school district in Oklahoma, where he started his career in education in 2000, working as a physical education, teacher, coach, athletic director, teacher and principal on his way to taking the district’s top job.
He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Southwestern College, along with a master’s degree in educational leadership studies and a bachelor’s in physical education/health and safety, both from Oklahoma State University.
Keith Price
Since 2020, Price has been the superintendent of South Carolina’s Georgetown County Public Schools, which serve more than 8,000 students in that area along the Palmetto State coastline.
He previously served for six years as assistant superintendent for secondary schools and athletics in the Richland 2 school district, for three years as principal of Blythewood High School and for four years as principal at E.L. Wright Middle School, both in Richland 2. He has worked in education since 1996, teaching math before moving into administration.
He is currently pursuing a doctorate in education at the University of South Carolina, from which he also holds an education specialist degree and a master’s in education administration. He has a bachelor’s in secondary education from Clemson University.
Erin Slater
Slater is the superintendent for Iowa’s Fort Madison Community School District, where she has served since 2016. That district fewer than 2,000 students.
She previously served as an assistant superintendent, director of K-12 curriculum and instruction, director of elementary education, and principal at two school districts in Illinois. She has been in education since 1995.
She holds three degrees from Northern Iowa University, including a doctorate and master’s in educational administration and education specialist degree. She also holds a bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of Iowa.
This story was originally published March 22, 2024, 5:30 AM.
Scoring Summary Logo Team Inning Play Description UT SC Totals 2 1 Tennessee Player IP H R ER BB SO WP BK HBP IBB AB BF FO GO NP ...
| Logo | Team | Inning | Play Description | UT | SC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals | 2 | 1 |
| Player | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | WP | BK | HBP | IBB | AB | BF | FO | GO | NP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pickens, Karlyn (W, 13-2) | 9.0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 33 | 4 | 14 | 129 |
| Gottshall, Payton (S, 1) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 22 |
| Totals | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 37 | 5 | 14 | 151 |
| Player | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | WP | BK | HBP | IBB | AB | BF | FO | GO | NP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S. Mardjetko (L, 5-3) | 7.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 27 | 11 | 4 | 106 |
| Totals | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 39 | 15 | 5 | 158 |
| Play Description | UT | SC |
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| POS | Player | AB | R | H | RBI | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SB | CS | HBP | SH | SF | SO | KL | GDP | PO | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pr | K. Ricks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| lf | K. Jones | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| dp/1b | A. Black | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| ph/dp | Z. Laneaux | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| rf | C. Henderson | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| pr | E. Sellers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ph | B. Warren | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| dp | A. Vawter | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 35 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 5 |
More than 20 competitors have showed up to the Sumter Fairgrounds for the annual barbecue competition, with proceeds going to the local Boy Scout chapter.SUMTER, S.C. — Despite the dreary weather, Sumter residents are getting outside to benefit the Boy Scouts with barbecue.More than 20 teams have come here to the ...
More than 20 competitors have showed up to the Sumter Fairgrounds for the annual barbecue competition, with proceeds going to the local Boy Scout chapter.
SUMTER, S.C. — Despite the dreary weather, Sumter residents are getting outside to benefit the Boy Scouts with barbecue.
More than 20 teams have come here to the Sumter Fairgrounds to test their skills rain or shine. They’re trying to find out who has the best barbecue — all for a good cause.
“I like the Carolina,” Sumter resident Vincent Gailliard shared about his favorite barbecue sauce. “If you got good barbecue, you don't even need sauce.”
Gailliard is just one of the residents planning to come out to the 12th annual barbecue competition benefiting the local Boy Scout chapter in Sumter, Lee and Clarendon Counties.
“That's great, you know, anytime you can give to a good cause, you know, I think I'm a charitable type of person,” Gailliard said. “So yeah, I love giving back.”
“For the young people,” Dennie Somheil with Big Butts Barbecue said about why he’s been coming back to the event every year since it started. “And you can't ask for anything any better. If it's anything to the benefit the younger group here in Sumter or anyplace else we go to, we really shine on trying to help that part.”
Somheil says the people who come to the event, from the cooks to the attendees, make it feel like a “reunion.” He cooks alongside people like Gene Culbertson with Backwoods BBQ.
“Anytime that you can keep it here in town and supporting the guys and girls, I mean, that means a lot,” Culbertson said.
Tailgater Hater owner Phillip Miles says the good cause keeps him coming back each year.
“Anytime you help anybody local, especially kids, you know with everything going on in the world today, they need some guidance so it’s a good cause,” Miles said.
It’s why Glenn Button works as the event chairman. Button is an Eagle Scout and his son and grandson are Boy Scouts.
“It’s helped me with my career,” Button shared. “Eagle Scouts, you know, they learn a lot of value in life and stuff before they get out in the real world and so that's helped me out with all my working time and being a father and also being a grandfather now.”
People like Madonna Herkes come out to support the cause, while the South Carolina Barbecue Association (SCBA) judges.
“I think it's good that they're doing that,” Herkes explained. “It really shows that community can come together. Yeah, I think that we should do more of these.”
As the SCBA Event Marshal, Harold Chandler says this event — and its good cause — is near to his heart since Sumter is his home.
“We look for the best barbecue we could ever find,” Chandler laughed. “Anytime you can come out into any community’s where I’ve been to judge other than being a marshal and see the folks who come out and support what's going on to benefit their community is just a fantastic thing. That's what we like to see is communities taking care of themselves.”
Chandler says the pork is judged on presentation, aroma, taste and texture (among other criteria) and can get a maximum score of 17.
“We have not had to my knowledge a perfect 17 in any contest we've done in forever,” Chandler said. “And what we do have what we call the 16 Plus Club and those folks who score a 16 plus, then they get a little sticker that they can put on their camper.”
The first day of the event, featuring chicken wings, ends at 9 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, attendees can get a $10 wristband to have all you can eat pork samples from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Workers are taking down parts of a closed downtown Myrtle Beach zip line attraction, as the owner says it was not his decision to close.In an interview with The Sun News, Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures operator Mike Holder said ...
Workers are taking down parts of a closed downtown Myrtle Beach zip line attraction, as the owner says it was not his decision to close.
In an interview with The Sun News, Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures operator Mike Holder said the site closed because Burroughs & Chapin did not renew the lease on the land for the former Pavilion site, giving Holder short notice before it closed in January 2024.
He added workers would finish removing the lines and structure closest to the intersection of 9th Avenue North and U.S. 17 Business by Friday, March 22, 2024, unless impeded by weather.
“It took two months to put up,” Holder said. “One week to take down.”
Holder ran the downtown attraction for eight years, leasing the land from a Burroughs & Chapin-controlled company. He previously had other partners but has run the zip line business alone for the last three years. Burroughs & Chapin did not return a request for comment from The Sun News.
He confirmed that the lease for Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures contained language that allowed Burroughs & Chapin to remove the zip line if the company ever chose to build something else on the former Pavilion land.
Holder also said business was also a struggle. In addition to the $100,000 cost to remove the zip line, Holder added that installing and remodeling the property cost an additional $600,000. He said the zip line never made enough money to break even.
“After the first year, we were lucky if we cleared $20,000 a year, maybe,” Holder said.
While Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures is closing, Holder said he’ll open a new location in Florence, S.C., within the next few months. Holder owns the adventure park design, installation and operation company American Adventure Park Systems. Holder also operates the zip line at Historic Banning Mills in Whitesburg, Georgia, and currently runs 11 attractions nationwide.
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