Written by Perry Henderson, VP of Sales & Marketing at Anderson Dahlen, Inc.
Our family, like so many, has experienced the pain and struggle that comes when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This terrible reality hits nearly every family at some point. Whether you are the one with it, caring for a loved one who has it, or dealing with it in a less direct way… it’s a unrelenting enemy that takes away our minds, our time, and our health. Which is why our family remains committed to raising awareness and funding to help those struggling against this disease, or caring for someone they love who is in the fight. And we will continue supporting this cause until we have a cure!
And until we have that cure, we walk…
The Alzheimer’s Association works on many fronts, with dedicated individuals and teams working to fight for a cure, and to help individuals and caregivers. WALK To End Alzheimer’s is where my family, in particular my mom and her sisters (The Campbell Kids), began getting involved. In her own words, this is why she walks:
As you know, Alzheimer’s took my brother, Carroll, from us at a very early time in life. He was only in his late 50’s when he began to show signs and died 5 years after his diagnosis. He didn’t have a fighting chance! There are no survivors of Alzheimer’s ……not yet! We are walking to change that! With advanced research, our dreams can and will come true….an end to Alzheimer’s!
There are now many, many walk events all over the country being organized and promoted through the efforts of caring individuals and amazing communities. My community includes some amazing people at Riverside Tennis Club in Greer where we were able to be a sponsor at their recent tournament. The owners, Alison and Ray Frazier, have been extremely supportive, and so many of the members have generously donated as well as registered to walk.
I recall Greenville’s initial Walk being a small group of “walkers” at Rolling Green Village, and I had pulled my oldest boys in a wagon. They are now 19 and 20 years of age. Like them, the events have grown. Greenville’s walk is now dozens of teams and thousands of individuals. It’s hosted at the Greenville Drive stadium and the route is through downtown. It’s a great way to raise awareness in our great town… and it’s a great way for people struggling with the disease or the difficulties of caring someone who is, often in isolation, to realize there is a loving and caring community around them.
Sometimes I think that the most important thing for the caregivers is for them to realize the love and support that others offer them. They are not alone in this fight and their loved ones are honored and celebrated through this WALK annually.
If you would like to join us in this fight, please consider giving to and participating in the Walk To End Alzheimer’s in Greenville on Saturday, October 2. The Campbell Kids will be walking in honor of our family members and friends impacted by Alzheimer’s. We’d love for you to join us.
Please click here for info on donating + participating:
The Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of South Carolina, located in Pendleton, SC, is a comprehensive and innovative historic preservation and museum site. We are a different kind of museum because our motto is “get their hands in the dirt.” We firmly believe that agriculture connects people to the land and to a sense of place. South Carolina has a long agricultural history and culture, from Cherokee farmers to tenant farming, to modern-day fields monitored by drones. Through it all, South Carolina has remained an agrarian state with a people connected to the Earth. Our exhibits are more than just static fixtures hidden behind glass.
Initially a small space with exhibits representing the history and future of South Carolina agriculture, the museum opened its doors to the public in June 2013. Since then, it has grown into the state agricultural museum for South Carolina, with indoor and outdoor exhibits, monthly educational programs, tours, preserved structures including a Pee Dee tobacco barn and an early 20th-century schoolhouse, and a large collection of historic tractors.
Named for the son of the late Senator T. Ed and Juanita Garrison, who died tragically in a farm-related accident in 1990, BGAMSC has always been committed to preserving the agrarian culture of SC that he represented so well. Our goal is to showcase the culture and learn about the future by looking at the past. If we can spark curiosity about agriculture in a child, or send an adult home with a new-found skill such as canning, then we have done our job.
The Museum also serves as a base of operations for South Carolina’s Century Farm Program, a statewide program that celebrates South Carolina farms that have been in the same family for more than one hundred years. As of 2021 more than 500 farms are in our database, a number that grows larger every year.
Our parent organization, Lake Hartwell Country, is a regional tourism and historic preservation office for the state of South Carolina that covers Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties. Since 1966, Lake Hartwell Country has preserved artifacts in our archives, saved numerous buildings and cultural sites from decay and destruction, and marketed to visitors who come to see and enjoy the natural beauty of our area. Led by Executive Director Les McCall and supported by grant-writer Andrew Stevenson and the BGAMSC staff, Lake Hartwell Country’s focus is a dual mission of preserving our priceless Appalachian history and culture, as well as one of economic development through tourism in our region.
Our most recent structural addition, the Iron Oak Barn, completed in 2020, serves as our event center. Originally the McGee family mule barn, located in Starr, South Carolina, the barn has quickly grown into a major venue for our region, perfect for reunions, weddings, and parties. The barn has already attracted over 5,000 people since its debut and even plays host to our yearly Farm Day, an annual celebration of local farmers, crafters, demonstrators, and a wide variety of vendors.
Now more than ever, our museum team is dedicated to bringing the community together, be it in Pendleton or across the state. Museum Educator Jordan Bannister delights in giving tours and educating those that come into the museum. Site Coordinator Josh Johnson can often be seen at festivals, fairs, and craft shows bringing our mechanical milking cow Clarabelle and other vintage farm equipment to kids and adults alike. On the first and third Saturdays of every month, the museum is proud to offer a live blacksmith demonstration with Master Blacksmith Griz Hockwalt, and the second Saturday of each month features a combination of nature and historic walking trail along with the museum’s property in a partnership with Woodburn Historic House. At the forefront of these initiatives is the mission of bringing history into the present while also discussing the future of agriculture in our state. We are very proud of the work we have been doing here and look forward to sharing that experience with you.
2021 InnoVision Awards: 8 of 18 finalists are from the Upstate
When the weather begins to turn cooler, many South Carolinians think about football, leaf color, and pumpkin spice. But, for many of us, fall is all about celebrating innovation in South Carolina!
InnoVision Awards has been recognizing and supporting innovation in South Carolina through awards, forums, and networking since 1999. Each spring and early summer, we accept nominations and applications from innovative organizations. We then send the applications off to out-of-state independent judges. Now, as fall is arriving, we are ready to showcase the finalists with our free virtual Meet the Finalist (MTF) Series held Tuesdays at 4:00 PM on September 28th, October 5th, and October 12th.
The finalists this year are big corporations, small start-ups, educational institutions and not-for-profit organizations. They represent a diverse range of industries – from health care and medical devices to advanced materials, IT services, education, and community service. And, they are located throughout the state, with finalists from the Upstate, Midlands, and Low Country. A true testament to the strength of the SC Innovation Economy.
Eight of the 18 finalists are from the Upstate and are profiled below, with links to their specific MTF virtual receptions. The full list of finalists from across the state is attached at the end.
Join us at the Meet the Finalists receptions as we recognize and celebrate these innovators!
Elastrin Therapeutics, Inc. of Simpsonville is a finalist in the Technology Development Award category. Elastrin Therapeutics, a Clemson University spin-off, is a South Carolina-based biotech firm developing novel therapies to reverse cardiovascular disease.
Advoco: Connect for Good GVL of Greenville is a finalist in the Community Service Building on its software development and implementation business, Advoco launched a non-profit program to serve the community during the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic.
United Way of the Piedmont, located in Spartanburg, is a finalist in the Community Service Their Community Resource Coordinator (CRC) program has developed innovative service processes for long-term case management clients and crisis response.
To learn more about the nominated innovations from Elastrin Therapeutics, Advoco, and United Way of the Piedmont – and the other finalists in these two categories – join us for the September 28th virtual Meet the Finalist reception by registering here.
Aconabolics, LLC of Greenville is a finalist in the Small Enterprise Aconabolics, a Furman University spin-off, specializes in the development and synthesis of labeled metabolites for use in the rapid diagnosis of genetic and infectious disease.
Dru Feeding System LLC of Travelers Rest is a finalist in the Small Enterprise The Dru Feeding System is designed to solve myriad problems for babies feeding by bottle, particularly preemies and medically fragile infants.
Veterans ASCEND of Simpsonville is a finalist in the Small Enterprise Veterans ASCEND developed a proprietary, Artificial Intelligence-powered matching algorithm that translates the careers of military veterans and their spouses to meaningful skills required by employers.
SC Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH) of Greenville is a finalist in the Education The SCGSAH serves artistically talented high school students from across South Carolina through programs of pre-professional instruction in an environment of academic and artistic excellence.
To learn more about the nominated innovations from Aconabolics, Dru Feeding Systems, Veterans ASCEND, and the SC Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities – and the other finalists in these two categories – join us for the October 5th virtual Meet the Finalist reception by registering here.
Clemson University’s Clemson Composites Center in Greenville is a finalist in the Sustainability The Clemson Composites Center is a translational research, innovation, and development center focused on developing manufacturing innovations relevant for composites technologies.
To learn more about the nominated innovations from Clemson Composite Center – and the other finalists in these award categories – join us for the September 28th virtual Meet the Finalist reception by registering here.
The full list of 2021 InnoVision Award finalists.
Technology Development
ArchCath LLC (Awendaw)
Elastrin Therapeutics Inc. (Simpsonville)
FRD Accel, LLC (Charleston)
Community Service
Advoco (Greenville)
Camp Happy Days (Charleston)
United Way of the Piedmont (Spartanburg)
Small Enterprise
Aconabolics, LLC (Greenville)
Dru Feeding System, LLC (Travelers Rest)
Veterans ASCEND (Simpsonville)
Education
Early College High School, Charleston County School District (Charleston)
IT-oLogy (Columbia)
SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (Greenville)
Technology Integration
Diversey Holdings Ltd. (Ft. Mill)
PunchList USA (Charleston)
QuicksortRx Inc (Charleston)
Sustainability
Clemson University Composites Center (Greenville)
Ingevity (North Charleston)
GeoMat, LLC (Columbia)
InnoVision Awards, established in 1999, is South Carolina’s premier organization dedicated to the advancement of innovation and technology. InnoVision is the only organization of its kind – a grass-roots, volunteer-led non-profit made up of businesses, organizations, universities, and individuals dedicated to recognizing innovation in South Carolina. InnoVision honors innovation in products, services, and education from across the state, and recognize innovators for achievements in their respective fields. An InnoVision Award is the mark of distinction for outstanding leadership, innovation, and technological excellence. For more information, please visit www.innovisionawards.org.
Guest Speaker: George Shira, VP for Human Resources – Chemical Division, Milliken & Company and Jim Shew, Vice President – Employee Health & Benefits, Marsh & McLennan Agency
The GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site, in Greenwood, SC, is a historical preservation site and museum honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays. The Site includes the birth home of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, the Burns Spring School from the Epworth area that is identical to the Brickhouse School that Dr. Mays attended as a child, an interpretive museum, and a seven-foot bronze statue of the iconic Civil Rights leader that sits on a four-foot granite base. The museum captures Dr. Mays’ life in over 100 professionally framed photos and contains many of his personal items. The museum also contains a theatre that seats fifty-five, which allows visitors to view films and to hear speeches and sermons by and about Dr. Mays and his extraordinary life.
On November 5th– November 7th, 2021, the GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site will hold a 10th Anniversary Celebration. All events listed are free and open to the public. The celebration weekend will include an anniversary magazine that will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays and, through photographic commemoration, highlight 10 years of success as a historical preservation site. It will feature many quotes from the notable president of Morehouse College (1940 – 1967) will tell the story of his birth in Epworth, SC, and his rise to becoming a 20th-century giant through his outstanding leadership as a teacher, minister, scholar, author, theologian, and activist. The event schedule is below:
Friday, November 5, 2021, the celebration will include a panel discussion, co-sponsored by Lander University (Greenwood, SC), and the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity (Duke University). Panelists will include:
David Romine (Samuel DuBois Cook biographer) of The Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University;
James West (UK-based writer and historian), author of Ebony Magazine and Lerone Bennett Jr.: Popular Black History in Postwar America and currently working on a manuscript, Our Kind of Historian: A Biography of Lerone Bennett Jr.;
Randal Jelks (Professor of African and African American Studies and American Studies at the University of Kansas), author of Benjamin Elijah Mays, Schoolmaster of the Movement: A Biography; and
John Roper (Teaching Associate in History, Coastal Carolina University), author of The Magnificent Mays: A Biography of Benjamin Elijah Mays.
This event will be held in the Josephine B. Abney Cultural Center Auditorium (Lander University) and will begin promptly at 6 pm.
Saturday, November 6, 2021 – “A Legacy Worth Preserving” – The event will be held at the GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site and will take place from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Randal Jelks and entertainment will be provided by the Lander University Gospel Choir.
Sunday, November 7, 2021 – The weekend will conclude at Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Epworth, SC), the childhood church of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays. The theme of this worship service is “Lord the People Have Driven Me On” (the title of the shorter autobiography written by Dr. Mays) and will focus on the power of religious communities.
Join us as we celebrate 10 glorious years of the GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site.
Written by Perry Henderson, VP of Sales & Marketing at Anderson Dahlen, Inc.
Written by Josh Johnson
Guest Speaker: George Shira, VP for Human Resources – Chemical Division, Milliken & Company and Jim Shew, Vice President – Employee Health & Benefits, Marsh & McLennan Agency
Written by Chris Thomas, Mays House Curator