Lighthouse Ministries Gets $2,500 Duke Energy Grant

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The Duke Energy Foundation, has given $2,00 for a program run by Lighthouse Ministries.  The $2,500 check was presented by Mindy Taylor, district manager of government and community relations, Executive Director Cecilia Meggs of Lighthouse Ministries, and Sharonda Eagle, coordinator of Working Mother’s Education and Support Program.  “This grant will allow the Working Mother’s Education and Support Program to impact even more families in Florence County,” said Meggs.  This program is a six-month comprehensive program that provides low-income mothers with life skills classes, money management sessions and ensures that they have an adequate supply of diapers and wipes. Florence County mothers, with children between the ages of birth-5, are eligible to apply for this program.

New Spark: Florence One Schools Dedicates Haigh Porter Park

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Haigh Porter said it never entered his mind that Florence One Schools planned to name the park between the McClenaghan Administrative Annex and the district’s attendance and zoning offices on Dargan Street after him.  Porter, the Florence County master-in-equity and a former mayor, said Thursday morning at a ceremony dedicating the park that he thought Florence One Schools Board Chairman Porter Stewart, who is a lawyer, was calling to discuss a case with him.  Porter said he hoped the park and the recently opened McClenaghan Administrative Annex building would be a “new spark” to set of revitalization and redevelopment of his old neighborhood.  He said that he had grown up three blocks away from the park and that the area was the upper end of his neighborhood.

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Harvest Hope Food Bank of the Pee Dee Moving to Former Monster Facility Off I-95

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Harvest Hope Food Bank of the Pee Dee will soon be getting a new. The regional food bank will be moving from its present location at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market on West Lucas Street to the 75,000-foot facility off S.C. 327 formerly owned by Monster Worldwide.   The announcement was made Thursday by Harvest Hope Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Erinn Rowe and Harvest Hope of the Pee Dee Executive Director Nichole Echols at the weekly meeting of the Florence West Rotary Club.  At present, there is no timeline on when the move will take place.  “This will change the way we operate,” said Echols. “Right now we are limited in the amount of space we have. We can do a whole lot more out of this building. The bigger the building, the more food we can provide for our clients. I am really excited.”

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Florence Save A Lot Opens in Downtown Florence

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Florence’s new Save A Lot opened on Wednesday, October 27th with a 9 a.m. ribbon cutting to mark its grand opening − an event that will feature in-store promotions and prizes followed by four days of giveaways and a community cookout.  The store, located at 310 North Dargan Street, features a bright and easy-to-shop footprint that includes shorter and wider aisles, new dairy and meat cases and a focus on fresh produce. We’re thrilled to be able to bring a Save A Lot store to our neighbors in Florence,” said Tim Waters, store owner and operator. “This new store has been a dream of mine for 20 years and I’m proud that it provides a modern aesthetic and easier-to-shop footprint, so this community can enjoy stocking up on grocery essentials, quality fresh meat and produce they deserve. We’ll be celebrating through Saturday with deals and promotions as a special thank you to the community.”

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Tilt Studio at Magnolia Mall Celebrates Opening with a Ribbon Cutting

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Tilt Studio celebrated its opening and joining of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, October 27th with a ribbon cutting. Chamber ambassadors joined in the celebration.  The Texas-based Tilt Studio at Magnolia Mall has transformed the former J.C. Penney’s space into a brightly lit fun center that includes games, Laser Tag Arena, mini bowling, two black light mini golf courses; Spin Zone Bumper Cars with Flip Zone Cars, and a completed Indy Driving Simulator. A Redemption Center features hundreds of prizes. There are between 100 and 150 classic and modern interactive video and redemption prize games for all skill levels and all ages.  There are virtual games, including one of the newest King Kong of Skull Island. Some of the other games include air hockey, Wheel of Fortune, and water game fun.  Tilt Studio is a 100,000-square-foot indoor family entertainment center.

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Pee Dee Vineyard Harvesting Productions Hold Ribbon Cutting

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Pee Dee Vineyard Harvesting Productions held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, October 26th in the James Allen Plaza on Dargan Street, hosted by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. The business celebrated its opening and joining the Chamber. Chamber ambassadors joined in the celebration. Owner Larry Hancock said he is continuing a tradition started by his grandfather Happy Hancock in the 1970s of promoting quality Judeo-Christian entertainment. He sees himself as a promoter of God’s work. “I am honored to serve as His promoter of quality entertainment with Judeo-Christian values, and I am honored for the backing and support of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce,” Hancock said on his website. Hancock said he did not want to just promote gospel music but dramas, Mystery Theater and other stage productions. He plans to host the Grand Gospel Music Celebration in October 2022.

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State Farm Agent Austin Wilson Holds Ribbon Cutting

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Austin Wilson State Farm on Second Loop Road in Florence held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the agency’s opening and membership in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, October 20th. Celebrating with Wilson and his staff were Chamber staff and ambassadors.  Wilson said he worked at State Farm for about five years before opening his office at 1625 Second Loop Road in 2020.  “I have been open here about a year,” Wilson said.  Wilson is a native of Florence and graduate of South Florence High School and Francis Marion University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He said State Farm makes it easy to convince customers of its value. He said it has a good reputation.

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A Great Day for the Chamber’s Fall Golf Classic

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The rain held off for The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Fall Golf Classic being played at Traces Golf Course on Thursday, October 7th. The shot-gun golf event was presented by First Bank.
Thirty teams comprised of 119 golfers played for the first and second place trophies, along with many other prizes, while enjoying a day filled with great food, beverages and giveaways throughout the golf course. In the end, there was a tie for first place. The Adams Outdoor team made up of Jon Weiss, Sr., Jon Weiss, Jr. and Dan Straub; First Bank Team with Matt Kimrey, Matt Moody, Paul Seward and Billy Early and the Wilcox Office Mart team of Luke Wilcox, John Coble, Pete Gioldasis and Levin Lynch all tied with adjusted scores of 51 for 18 holes. The Chamber thanks First Bank for being the presenting sponsor and the many hospitality hole sponsors: A & I Fire & Water Restoration, Dilmar Oil Company, Dixon Golf, First Bank, Floor Boys, Raines Co., Pepsi of Florence, Raldex Hospitality Group, Rytech of the Pee Dee/Myrtle Beach, ServiceMaster Fire & Water Restoration, Synovus Bank and WBTW TV-13.

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Trinity Auto Glass Celebrates Opening Storefront Location with Ribbon Cutting

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Trinity Auto Glass held a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, October 19th celebrating its new storefront location on Irby Street in Florence. Sharing in the event were the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and staff. Brian Hatchell, Owner, said he has been at the 1231 S. Irby St. location for about four months. The business was started by his brother, Chip Hatchell in 2005. Brian said his brother had a stroke and had to close the business. Hatchell’s brother operated a mobile business with a shop in back of the current location. Hatchell and his wife, Tiffany, have opened the business back up with the storefront location. He said business has been great so far. “We replace and repair any and all auto glass,” Hatchell said. “We do auto camera recalibrations.”  Hatchell said he uses the technology of John Bean ADAS Tru-Point that can calibrate within 1 millimeter of when the car was purchased. He said the nearest other place that does this is in Charleston.

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HopeHealth Earns National Recognition for Blood Pressure Control

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HopeHealth has been recognized by the American Heart Association and American Medical Association for its commitment to improving blood pressure control rates, earning Silver level recognition as part of the 2021 “Target: BP” Recognition Program.  The Silver Award recognizes practices that have demonstrated a commitment to improving blood pressure control through measurement accuracy.  “Being recognized by the AHA and AMA for our efforts in the treatment and management of high blood pressure is a tremendous achievement” said Tammy Garris, clinical data controller at HopeHealth.  “The providers and staff of HopeHealth have taken on the challenge of treating hypertension in our patients through evidence-based care that includes medications, nutrition counseling and physical activity counseling. Recognition at this level, during a global pandemic and at a time when so many medical staff are overwhelmed, brings with it a renewed sense of accomplishment and purpose, something we all need after the last year.”

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