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 Myrtle Beach Colored School Museum and Education Center 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 Myrtle Beach, 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.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
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 Chapin Memorial 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 The Library Restaurant or visit Charlie's Place, 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 Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, 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.
When people emerge from the cold dark of winter with an unnatural orange color, a bad spray tan is usually to blame. But in the case of orange alligators, the reason’s a little different.Photographer Dan Krieger is no stranger to gators. With a host of ponds and small lakes connected by culverts that serve as storm drain reservoirs, his Lit...
When people emerge from the cold dark of winter with an unnatural orange color, a bad spray tan is usually to blame. But in the case of orange alligators, the reason’s a little different.
Photographer Dan Krieger is no stranger to gators. With a host of ponds and small lakes connected by culverts that serve as storm drain reservoirs, his Little River neighborhood is a welcoming habitat for the large reptiles.
But when he spotted a 9-foot alligator the color of a pumpkin from his back porch, Krieger knew he had to grab his camera.
“Sure enough, it was one of these orange gators, and it was a very sunny day, so he’s just lying out there sunning himself,” Krieger said. “I grabbed my camera and, fortunately, I didn’t have to get that close. I have a telephoto lens, and took a picture of Gary the gator.”
The Little River alligator Krieger affectionately dubbed “Gary” isn’t the only South Carolina animal seen donning an unusually bright coat this time of year. The strange coloring is a result of environmental factors, and can be completely natural.
During the winter, alligators hunker down in a period of relative inactivity called brumation. Their metabolic rates slow and, while they continue drinking to stay hydrated the reptiles cut out meals, according to the South Carolina Aquarium.
Brumating alligators settle into mud holes to stay warm on cold days, which can give them a distinctive orange color.
“Usually, an orange alligator is due to a mud that has clay in it, or sometimes it could be rust,” South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Alligator project leader Morgan Hart said. “But we’ve even seen them in pretty pristine wilderness where there wouldn’t necessarily be rust in the mud, so it can just be oxidized natural metals in the mud.”
According to Hart, orange gator sightings are common in cooler months not because the mud dyes or stains the reptiles during brumation, but because the reptiles emerge from the mud to sun themselves on warmer days.
As the sun dries the mud it brings out the vibrant orange, so folks are more likely to spot the gators. When February rolls around, South Carolina weather favors sightings. Krieger spotted an orange gator around this time last year and other sightings made February headlines in years past.
“They’ve been on the bottom, they’re covered in mud, they come up and they sit in the sun and it just dries on them like a thin coat,” she said. “And then it looks like their natural color is almost like a dark orange.”
Because the orange coloring is essentially nature’s body paint, Hart says it washes off like any other mud. In some cases, the mud will stick around longer in the alligator’s scutes or back scales, creating a grid-like pattern until the animal gets in the water for a prolonged period.
But why don’t other animals in the same ponds take on the same rust-colored crust as alligators? Well, some do.
Turtles have occasionally been spotted with similar coloring. With tough skin and shells, turtles sometimes dry with an orangey coating, just like gators.
“A beaver might be in the same water, or an otter, but they’re going to shake it off, and it’s not going to dry in that hard crust that you would get on the back of a turtle or an alligator,” Hart said.
Orange or otherwise, alligators are an important part of South Carolina’s ecosystem. But that doesn’t mean they’re friendly.
For those who spy one of the oddly-colored gators, it’s best to enjoy the sight from afar. Don’t try to feed alligators and remember to maintain a safe distance for humans and pets.
“Watch them and appreciate them,” she said. “It’s kind of a unique thing to see, and [people] get a little bit lucky if they get to see them.”
Pop music superstars the Jonas Brothers are coming back to Columbia for a concert in 2025, the group confirmed on their website.The brothers — Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas — will perform at Colonial Life Arena on Nov. 6, as part of the tour dubbed “Living The Dream.”The ...
Pop music superstars the Jonas Brothers are coming back to Columbia for a concert in 2025, the group confirmed on their website.
The brothers — Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas — will perform at Colonial Life Arena on Nov. 6, as part of the tour dubbed “Living The Dream.”
The Jonas Brothers previously performed at the Columbia, South Carolina arena in October 2023.
Tickets will go on sale to the public on March 28, but various presale events will begin March 27. To help fans get access to tickets, the Jonas Brothers are allowing people to register for a presale event on their website.
Information on ticket prices was not available.
After tickets go on sale to the general public exclusively at ticketmaster.com, any tickets that are still available can be purchased the next Tuesday at the Colonial Life Arena box office — as well as on ticketmaster.com.
The All-American Rejects are scheduled to appear as an opening act in Columbia for the Jonas Brothers’ “Living the Dream” tour stop.
This is the Jonas Brothers’ only scheduled performance in South Carolina on the upcoming tour. Prior to the Columbia performance, the group is slated to make tour stops in North Carolina — Raleigh and Charlotte — as well as a date in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Jonas Brothers formed in 2005 and rose to fame with help from the Disney Channel. They released four albums that sold about 4 million copies before breaking up in 2013 to pursue solo musical and acting careers among other ventures.
They reunited in 2019 and released the album “Happiness Begins,” which has sold more than 1.3 million copies worldwide.
The group is known for hits “Year 3000,” “Burnin’ Up,” “When You Look Me In The Eyes,” and “Sucker,” among other songs.
The Jonas Brothers have been nominated for two Grammy Awards (Best New Artist in 2009 and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2020).
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.BUSINESSTopeka Capital-JournalMatt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership is leaving the organization to take a position in South Carolina.Pivarnik will take the role of president and CEO of ...
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.
BUSINESS
Topeka Capital-Journal
Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership is leaving the organization to take a position in South Carolina.
Pivarnik will take the role of president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce encompasses Partnership Grand Strand and Visit Myrtle Beach.
Topeka Mayor Mike Padilla said Pivarnik’s leadership has changed the trajectory of Topeka for the better.
“His unwavering commitment to progress and his ability to unite business and community leaders has been truly inspiring," said Padilla. "He has made Topeka stronger, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. He and his wife Wendy have been friends to all, and my wife and I wish him the very best in this next chapter.”
Pivarnik’s final day with the GTP will be May 18, 2025, a GTP news release said.
Pivarnik said his past nine years have flown by in a flash.
"I’ve had the opportunity to serve alongside incredible leaders in moving Topeka & Shawnee County forward, and I will forever be a ‘Super Fan’ of this community that Wendy and I love so much. While this is heartbreaking in so many ways, the time is right for us to go in a new direction," Pivarnik said.
"I am happy that the Greater Topeka Partnership and all its entities are in a strong operational and financial position. The Partnership Executive Leadership Team is in the very top of its class in the country, and they are in position to lead the organization into the future."
Cody Foster, former chair of the Greater Topeka Partnership and co-founder of Advisors Excel, said while he's sad to see Pivarnik leave the community as a leader and friend, he knows Pivarnik has built a solid foundation for a new leader to build upon.
“The team he’s assembled and the progress that has been made over the past decade has positioned Topeka, and the next leader of the GTP, to do some incredible things,” said Foster.
Pivarnik arrived in Topeka in 2016 as the CEO of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. He graduated in 1990 with a business management degree from Oklahoma’s Northeastern State University. He went to work in the financial services industry straight out of school, working for credit unions and an association that represented credit unions, The Capital-Journal reported.
Before moving to Topeka, he lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he left the financial world at 31 in 1999 to work for the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Under his leadership, leaders said Topeka witnessed a historic era of collaboration, economic revitalization and community growth. He played a pivotal role in the formation of the Greater Topeka Partnership, bringing together such entities as GO Topeka, Visit Topeka and Downtown Topeka Inc. into a unified organization that has since led numerous economic and community development initiatives, the GTP release said.
"Topeka has changed dramatically and positively during our time here, and I credit that to this team, our full staff, volunteer leadership, stakeholders, and elected leaders. My life has been enriched by Topeka, and I will forever be indebted to this amazing place. The momentum has exceeded all our expectations, and Topeka’s best days are ahead.” said Pivarnik.
JuliAnn Mazachek, president of Washburn University and incoming 2026 GTP chair, will lead a search committee to identify Pivarnik’s successor.
More details on the search process will be announced in the coming weeks, said the release.
Mazachek highlighted Pivarnik’s role in fostering collaboration between the business community and local institutions.
“Matt Pivarnik’s leadership has elevated the way Topeka’s public and private sectors work together to drive growth and innovation," she said in the release. "His passion for this community and his ability to connect people and ideas have positioned Topeka for a strong future. While he will be missed, his contributions will continue to shape our city’s success for years to come.”
When coming to the Myrtle Beach area, tourists — especially those coming from an area without an ocean — are excited to get fresh seafood.However, people don’t need to drop a lot of money to get decent shrimp and flounder. Seafood markets are a great place to find quality seafood as you can often pick out what you want and have it fried up. ...
When coming to the Myrtle Beach area, tourists — especially those coming from an area without an ocean — are excited to get fresh seafood.
However, people don’t need to drop a lot of money to get decent shrimp and flounder. Seafood markets are a great place to find quality seafood as you can often pick out what you want and have it fried up. Publix will also steam certain seafood at no additional cost.
According to Yelp, here are the best local places, from North Myrtle Beach to Murrells Inlet, to grab seafood while on a budget.
The Cackalacky Fish Company, 400 S Kings Highway, is a fish market and restaurant. Patrons can order seafood platters, with sides like fries and hush puppies, or raw fish to cook at home. The restaurant took a small hiatus last fall before re-opening to the public again, The Sun News reported.
When looking for fried fish to go, The Fish Shak is a great option. The Murrells Inlet food truck, located at 513 Courtfield Drive, serves up flounder, grouper and shrimp, among other options. Find fried shrimp baskets and fish tacos for under $20.
The Tasty Crab House in Myrtle Beach, 740 Oak Forest Lane, dishes up seafood boils along with fried fish. Order boils have crawfish, snow crab legs and lobsters, as well as sausage, corn and potatoes. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, there’s also fried baskets and seafood combos.
A well-known seafood market in North Myrtle Beach, Platt’s Seafood, located at 1108 Sea Mountain Highway, offers baskets with steamed and fried fish to take to-go or to eat outside when the weather is nice. There’s also a seafood counter with everything from shrimp to salmon to stuffed crab.
Platt’s is a part of the Boulineau’s brand, a local North Myrtle Beach chain with a large grocery store, ice cream shop, hardware store and gift shop.
Another long-time seafood market in Myrtle Beach, Mr. Fish Seafood Market and Grill plates up fried platters, steam pots and specialties like a crab stuffed flounder. The family-owned restaurant, found at 6307 North Kings Highway, has been around for several decades in the Myrtle Beach area.
“It’s not easy to survive as long as we have,” said owner Ted Hammerman.
A video of a Myrtle Beach boy with spina bifida joyfully spotting a Target advertisement featuring another child in a wheelchair has touched the hearts of millions.“There’s a girl in a wheelchair, just like me,” then 4-year-old Ezra Spinelli repeats in the viral video. @ezbruhhspinz Just like me… ...
A video of a Myrtle Beach boy with spina bifida joyfully spotting a Target advertisement featuring another child in a wheelchair has touched the hearts of millions.
“There’s a girl in a wheelchair, just like me,” then 4-year-old Ezra Spinelli repeats in the viral video.
@ezbruhhspinz Just like me… #spinabifida #spinabifidastrong #spinabifidawarrior #spinabifidaawareness #spinabifidabeautiful #target #targetkids #physicaltherapy #occupationaltherapy #wheelchair #wheelchairkids #wheelz #IYKYK @Em + Abby @target ? Dreams - Acoustic - Jada Facer & Dave Moffatt
Since Ezra’s mother, Bri Spinelli, shared it on TikTok last Sunday, the candid moment has garnered more than 22 million views and 5 million likes.
Because of his spina bifida, a spinal condition where the neural tube doesn’t close completely or form properly, Ezra has weaker ankles than most kids and uses ankle-foot orthosis (AFOs) and a wheelchair to get around.
“My wife and my son were in Target together, and he wheeled up to this girl who was pictured in front of the kids clothing section, and she happened to be in a wheelchair, and he thought that that was a magical thing,” said Ezra’s father, Nick Spinelli. “And so my wife happened to have her phone near her at the time, and so she just took a candid video of my son in this wholesome moment.”
Now 5, Ezra’s been using his wheelchair for more than a year. But when Bri filmed the moment in March 2024, he was still getting used to wheeling around. Bri believes seeing the advertisement was “impactful” for Ezra.
“We own a small business, so we know not all businesses can have that representation, but to have a place that can afford that, a place that can do that, to have them put in those little details to bring joy to kids like that, that was amazing,” she said.
Bri first shared the sweet moment on Facebook last year, but it wasn’t until she posted the video to TikTok that it circulated among millions of people. The video has amassed nearly 34,000 TikTok comments, and even major brands like Barbie and Dove have chimed in.
For her and Nick, comments from other parents helping their kids navigate life with spina bifida are especially poignant. For Ezra, the scale of attention and support is difficult to grasp.
“He doesn’t understand the number … We’re like, ‘Ezra, seven-infinity people like your video and have been watching it,’” Bri said. “So we’re trying to explain to him it’s a crazy number, and he’s like, ‘wow!’ And he’s a typical 5-year-old, so he’s like, ‘Everyone loves me.’ He’s super excited about all the comments.”
While virality is new for the Spinelli family, Ezra’s parents say he’s always inspired joy.
“We’re just really proud of him … He is the type of kid that, when he’s wheeling around, he makes eye contact with everyone and tries to talk to all of them, and he’s such a bright light,” Bri said. “And honestly, from as soon as he was making eye contact with people and communicating and talking, he’s always brought so much joy.”
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