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This issue officially marks the 22nd anniversary of Lexington Life Magazine. A lot has changed in Lexington since 2004, that’s for sure. Where has the time gone? My kids have developed into young adults, and I have become a senior citizen. Donna and I are new empty-nesters, which has definitely been an adjustment for us.
Lexington has grown significantly over the past twentytwo years, it has been my pleasure to bring our magazine into your mailbox. I’d like to thank all our sponsors and supporters of Lexington Life Magazine. Lexington is local, that is what makes it special. I encourage local consumers to be diligent in shopping locally and businesses to trade locally too. Keeping money within the local community ensures a vibrant Lexington economy.
I’m super excited about the Main St. and Old Mill areas of downtown Lexington. The Old Mill walking trail is simply fabulous, and after working up a thirst, the Old Mill Brew Pub and Hazelwood Brewing are conveniently located right there to help with your “hydration” and hunger needs. In my past life, I was a Lexington Town Councilman from 2006 to 2016 and a significant member of the council that developed and funded the Lexington Icehouse Amphitheatre, which attracts people downtown to eat, shop, and play. Thanks for reading Lexington Life for the past 22 years. It has been a pleasure showcasing the good that Lexington has to offer. Lexington Life is the common thread weaving together our community of churches, schools, governments, businesses, organizations, and most importantly, the people.
Thank you for twenty-two years, Lexington!
I appreciate you investing your valuable time reading Lexington Life and caring about the future of our community for the next 22 years. Enjoy back-to-school, because time moves quickly and then the nest empties.
Warmest regards, Todd Shevchik
CALENDAR OFevents AUGUST
Friday, August 7
Brew at the Zoo
500 Wildlife Parkway | Columbia | 7 – 9:30 pm
Enjoy an unforgettable evening of craft and local beer, live music, and wildlife set against the stunning backdrop of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Visit riverbanks.org for tickets.
Saturday, August 8
Walk with a Doc
Saluda Riverwalk | 650 Candi Ln. | Columbia 9 am
Free monthly walking program led by local doctors or healthcare providers. Walk, learn about current health topics, and meet new people. For more information visit walkwithadoc.org.
Saturday, August 8
Floatchella Lake Murray
Friday, August 14
Paddle and Pint
Saluda Shoals Park | 5605 Bush River Rd. Columbia | 6 – 8 pm
Enjoy a scenic paddle on the Saluda River, enjoying peaceful surroundings and natural beauty. After your adventure on the water, unwind with a craft beer tasting with a selection of local brews. (ages 21+) Visit icrc. net to register.
Friday, August 14
Vince Gill
Township Auditorium | 1703 Taylor St.
Columbia | 7:30 pm
Known for his top-notch songwriting and world-class guitar playing, the legendary country music star celebrates 50 Years from Home. For tickets visit thetownship.org.
Saturday, August 22
Stars & Stripes Training Camp
Sports & Skate Station USA
129 Oak Dr. Lexington
8 am – 12:30 pm
Join Babs, Bug, and Kid—
Thursday, August 27
Band of Oz
Icehouse Amphitheatre | 107 West Main St. Lexington | 6:30 pm
Kick off the free Live Fall Concert Series with music from the Band of Oz performing their signature blend of beach music, classic hits, and high-energy performances. For more information visit icehouseamphitheater.com.
Friday, August 28 – Sunday, August 30
Vintage Market
SC State Fairground | 1200 Rosewood Dr. Columbia
A curated market experience featuring vintage goods, original works, handmade items, clothing, yummy treats, seasonal offerings, and family-friendly activities. For more information visit vintagemarketdays.com. n
“A good time occurs precisely when we lose track of what time it is.” — Robert Farrar Capon, Party Spirit: Some Entertaining Principles
Here is my contention: We have forgotten how to linger. And we have forgotten this wildly inefficient yet joy-constructing gift because we’re confused about time
One of my sons loves a good clock. Accurate time measurement has become his calling. Knowing what time it is, to him, is the chief end of man. And for good reason, having a packed schedule will do that to a young man. Maybe you feel the pressure of the clock, too. You’ve packed the schedule of life to the brim, and now your zipper is busted, causing you to rush frantically trying to hold it all together.
“Clock time and modern technology foster in us a belief that we can and should be doing something every moment we are awake. Productivity and diversion now rule us, leaving no quiet empty spaces for the mind and body. Can you feel it?” — Kelly Kapic, You’re Only Human
Robert Capon spoke about this, too, as he differentiated between chronos, abstract time as a diagram, a system of coordinates, and kairos, or high time, opportunity, season. We get lost in chronos, attempting to coordinate and maximize every second of every minute of every day. In chronos, we ask, and thereby train all the minions in your van to ask, “What time is it?” as you are forcefully squeezed into the finite window of time…and you hate it, but there is no other way, right?
But what if the better question isn’t “What time is it?” but rather “What time is it for?” Now that is a question with teeth, strong enough to really masticate the meat of life. Enter kairos, high time.
Kairos is an invitation, a different way of seeing our life and the life of our family and community. When we throw away the clocks and put our iPhones and watches away, we step across the threshold into high time, leaving the system of efficiency behind. It is scary at first, because those fears of being late, of not getting enough done, of failing to achieve will hustle to your mind and heart. But let them come, because you have the antidote. Lingering. As you enter another (potentially) high-stress season filled with work, school, and endless activities, my invitation to you is to trade all those things for more wasted time. Linger at the dinner table. Linger in the den. Linger at the church building on Sunday. Trade off some frantic activities for more wasted time. I believe when we do, we’ll find more joy. n
LEXINGTONleader
by Mary Ann Hutcheson
Ryan Taylor
Executive Director of Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter LPC, NCC
Lexington’s Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter began as Welcome Home, Inc. in 1972, Lexington’s first. From WWII barracks, it eventually moved into a new building in 1993, named for Nancy K. Perry. An annex and a full-time director followed. The shelter has had three executive directors: Nancy Perry, Gerald Smith (2000-2017), and the current director, Ryan Taylor, who began in 2018.
Taylor, born in Texas and raised in Colorado, moved to South Carolina in 2003, initially uncertain about his career path.
He said, “It really was a God movement in my life.” While seeking direction, a pivotal two-hour conversation with a co-worker became a turning point.
He recalled, “I left that conversation and walked down the hallway, and it was the first time I ever heard God’s audible voice. It said, ‘That’s what I want you to do for the rest of your life.’”
That conversation inspired him to pursue counseling. He earned an undergraduate degree from USC Aiken and a Master of Counseling from Liberty University, became a Licensed Professional Counselor, and later completed an MBA at the University of South Carolina.
The shelter offers a family-style environment for children in foster care to heal and grow. At present, all clients are referred through DSS. The shelter serves children ages 12 to 19 in foster care.
The goal is to help them succeed—find jobs, earn a driver’s license, return to school, graduate, and prepare for independence. Many have faced neglect or abuse, and staff provide support to help them overcome challenges and achieve independence.
Taylor and his staff focus on making a positive impact, even if brief. “We plant the seeds and water them as long as we can. Ultimately, the kids must take responsibility for their own actions.”
Taylor encourages the staff of Nancy K. Perry: “Hang your hat on kids that find success and keep moving forward to help
more.” Nancy K. Perry strives to be family-style and works with DSS toward reunification. Upon discharge, children and their families receive six months of aftercare therapy to support stability and progress.
The shelter operates as a business, with 24-hour operations, revenue, and paid staff, balancing its nonprofit mission with the need to support a business that provides vital services to the community.
Since 2017, Perry has been a boardrun nonprofit with 12 employees, mostly in direct service. Oversight comes from a nine-member board, with continued accreditation and licensing by the state. Community support is crucial to con tinuing their mission of serving children and families in many capacities.
Taylor quoted a favorite verse from James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
“That’s what we do here,” he said. “We are called to protect those that can’t pro tect themselves and keep them from being polluted by the world. Through all our ser vices, we strive to help provide children and families with a better path forward and cre ate positive environments that will impact generations.
When asked about outside hobbies, Taylor responded, “My wife and I have three children, ages 12, 10, and 5. All three are engaged in sports: T-ball, soft ball, and soccer. That’s what we do.”
OUR GOAL. “We want to make our kids successful and keep them from experiencing any more trauma. Not succumb to generational behaviors of abuse, neglect, or poverty. If that’s the only thing they know in life, then that behavior is acceptable. If they come here and see a different structure and a different path forward, whether they buy into it or not while they’re here, they can at least say when they’re older, ‘I don’t want to live like this anymore.
I’d rather live like I did while I was at Nancy K. Perry.’” — Ryan Taylor
WHERE WELLNESS COMES FIRST
How Jason Garner and Max Fitness are redefining wellness in Lexington
by Chesson Merritt • photos by Lola Dee Photography
After a career that stretched from Power 4 football programs to emergency medicine, and following a life-changing personal health diagnosis, Jason Garner is bringing a different vision of wellness to Lexington through the newly opened Max Fitness.
For years, the gym was where Jason helped athletes chase peak performance.
Today, it’s where he hopes to help ordinary people live healthier lives.
That shift is at the heart of Max Fitness, where Jason is creating a gym that extends well beyond rows of treadmills and weight machines. His vision is rooted in decades of experience spanning elite athletics, emergency medicine, and personal adversity, all of which have shaped a philosophy centered on coaching, community, and preventative wellness.
“I have an extensive background in athletic development from working with coaches such as Hugh Freeze, the former Ole Miss and Auburn head coach, to the likes of Nick Saban at Alabama, Brent Key at Georgia Tech, Mario Cristobal at Miami, and many others,” said Jason. “Coach Freeze and I still check in with each other every month. My wife and I developed scouting and recruiting software for student-athletes to connect with colleges looking to recruit them. We spent a ton of time with several major college coaches around the country developing that tech.”
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to directly affect college campuses and major college football budgets were adjusted to have dedicated funds for testing, Jason felt called to move into emergency medicine.
“I decided to jump on an ambulance and become an EMT. I worked for a local company here, First Priority,” said Jason. “I really felt the call to serve. I transitioned to Lexington Medical, working in the ER there and then over to Prisma Richland’s Level 1 Trauma Center.”
Working in emergency medicine and seeing firsthand the injuries and chronic illnesses people faced convinced Jason to return to what he calls the wellness side
of healthcare. Rather than helping elite athletes shave seconds off a sprint or add weight to a lift, he wanted to help everyday people stay healthy enough to avoid the emergency room altogether.
With that goal in mind, he created GarnerFit, a fitness coaching company focused on helping clients build sustainable habits instead of chasing the quick fixes that often dominate the fitness industry.
GarnerFit partnered with several gyms throughout the community, like Club Fitness in Irmo and Brickhouse Gym in downtown Columbia, and built up a roster of clients that were dedicated to improving their wellness one day at a time. The coaches utilized personalized workout plans and nutrition guidance hand-in-hand to guide clients toward their goals.
As GarnerFit continued to grow, Jason received news that changed his perspective on life and business even more. In December of 2025, doctors diagnosed him with a brain illness after discovering a small mass as well as two cavernomas. For a brief time, he questioned whether he should step away.
“When you get news like that, the world kind of stops,” said Jason. “I think that oftentimes in life when you’re faced with adversity, you can take one of two approaches. For us, I had a lot of mentors and people who care about me who suggested I step aside from my business and focus on my health and treatments. And actually, for a split second, I really considered that. But I ended up doing the opposite. I just doubled down on legacy. From that point, what I did know is that I wanted to build something that would positively impact as many people around me as I could. It lit a fire under me to go completely in on everything we’re doing at 100 miles per hour in a smart, calculated way.”
It wasn’t long before the right connection and right opportunity came along for Jason to expand GarnerFit and open up a gym with the same philosophies that the personal training business was founded on.
“I was introduced to Charlie Lindsey,
who owns the Max Fitness brand, through Nick Rials, who is now our Operations Director,” said Jason. “We had lunch one day and the opportunity for a partnership came up. We hit the ground running to look for available locations, and God put us in Lexington. The deal came across my desk, we did our due diligence, put it under contract, and closed on May 15th of this year.”
Jason and his partners acquired the former Dynamic Fitness off of Charter Oak Road and immediately gained over 2,000 members, 30,000 square feet of indoor fitness facility space, and an additional four acres of outdoor space with unlimited possibilities.
“We are serious about our new venture, and we care a lot about what we’ve got going on,” said Jason. “We wanted to get things going right out of the gate rather than start with taking things away. We’ve added yoga, stretch therapy, and our style of coaching with GarnerFit. Over the next six months, we’ll be completing a $1.2 million renovation on the facility and surrounding property.”
The facility will look dramatically different than it did prior to Jason and his team stepping in once the renovation is complete. There are no plans to close the gym during the renovation timeline, allowing members to continue their workouts with minimal interruptions.
Already, members are seeing upgraded equipment throughout the gym, expanded group fitness offerings, stretch therapy, red light therapy, and nutritional support through a new partnership with Bucked Up supplements. Outside, plans call for the area’s most unique fitness environment.
The property’s pond will be aerated and enhanced with walking paths, lighting, and gathering spaces, creating opportunities for everything from peaceful evening walks to triathlon training. A 50-yard multipurpose athletic field will provide additional outdoor training space while encouraging families to spend time together beyond the walls of the gym.
The goal is to create a destination where wellness becomes part of everyday life rather than something confined to the restrictions of an indoor, hour-long workout.
Affordability is also central to that mission, with memberships priced at $39.99 per month to include everything that Max Fitness offers, with the exception of the personal coaching. Jason’s intent is to remove or lower as many barriers to healthy living as possible.
“We want to spread wellness to everyone, and that includes the youth in our community... that’s something that’s greatly overlooked.” — Jason Garner
That philosophy extends to the youngest members of the community, too.
Instead of offering traditional childcare, Max Fitness is developing a kids gym designed to introduce children to healthy habits from an early age. While parents work out, children will spend time with trained coaches learning age-appropriate lessons about nutrition, movement, stretching, and physical activity in a dedicated space featuring indoor turf and interactive programming.
“We want to spread wellness to everyone, and that includes the youth in our community,” said Jason. “That’s something that’s greatly overlooked. We don’t want them just sitting in front of a screen when they come to the gym with their parents. We’re trying to create a true community for wellness in Lexington, and we want it to be a draw for everyone. We want people to just come and spend time here and be able to develop healthy habits and lifestyles while they’re with us.”
Jason understands that many people walk into a gym feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where they need to begin. That’s where GarnerFit’s coaching model becomes an extension of the Max Fitness experience.
“We take a very clinical, customized approach to coaching and personal training,” said Jason. “We work with seniors through our Fit Over 50 programming, we’ve written a specific curriculum that improves cardiovascular health along with the mind and body connection for clients with Down syn-
Does Jason look familiar to you?
You may have seen him on the big screen! Outside of Max Fitness and GarnerFit, Jason is a professional actor actively involved in shooting both feature film and local commercial work. He will appear in Straight Shot, debuting later this year, alongside Nikki Whalen, David A.R. White, Tyrese Gibson, and Dolph Lundgren. Jason has also booked his second feature film that will begin shooting this summer.
drome, we work with high school and college athletes, and everyone in between. Everything takes a very customized approach to give clients what they need to improve their wellness.”
Each GarnerFit coach at Max Fitness has the ability to work with every personal training client, which in turn benefits the clients as they have the opportunity to receive expertise and guidance from multiple experts in the field.
“Instead of having one coach that you go to and they just do the same thing each time, you have the ability to see a variety of coaches that have experience in different wellness areas,” said Jason. “They already know everything about what you’ve been doing and can introduce you to different ideas that will continue to push along your wellness journey.”
The collaborative coaching model serves a larger purpose than simply helping members achieve fitness goals. It’s about keeping people healthy long before they ever need
medical care. The philosophy is rooted in Jason’s years of working in emergency medicine, where he saw firsthand how preventative care could change lives.
“We want to prevent injuries,” said Jason. “We want to prevent people from having to go to the hospital for something that could be avoided with healthy lifestyle changes.”
For Jason, Max Fitness isn’t simply about building a better gym. It’s about building a healthier community.
After years spent coaching elite athletes, caring for patients in emergency rooms, and confronting his own health challenges, he believes wellness shouldn’t be reserved for a select few. It should be accessible to everyone.
“We want to bring something to Lexington that is unique and provides community to everybody,” said Jason. “No matter your background, the shape that you’re in, or your age, matters to us. We want people to come and be a part of what we’re doing at Max Fitness.” n
SC Career Kids Growing Talent for the Future
by Mary Ann Hutcheson
In March 2025, Katy Wiggs was honored by Hillstock Consulting as a “Trailblazing Woman Leader” for founding SC Career Kids, a program that introduces students to career opportunities early. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a shortage of critical-skills workers in fields like nursing and public safety. Wiggs was inspired to address the gap: 45% of jobs are considered “critical needs,” but only 29% of people have the right skills.
Developing the Program
Wiggs, a former classroom teacher, believes in exposing students to career options early. She launched SC Career Kids at the Irmo Chamber of Commerce, working with local partners to create supervised learning pods for remote learners. The team engaged local business owners, who provided real-world lessons – such as a baker connecting fractions to baking and an agriculturist making activities fun.
All program instructors and group leaders are experienced, certified teachers
skilled in observation and assessment, and collaboration is essential.
Without a playground, children built objects outside and developed problem-solving skills. SC Career Kids’ goal to connect students with industry partners and link classroom learning to real-world careers through hands-on activities was taking form.
Growing the Vision
A Department of Education grant helped launch a successful after-school club at Irmo Elementary, drawing full groups and experts to teach essential skills. The team also launched a summer camp that quickly sold out and soon outgrew its venue.
Wiggs was inspired by her childhood experience at “Safety City,” a program that taught traffic safety through hands-on play. She felt that a similar model would have a positive impact on their kids. As a result, SC Career Kids launched “Safety Town”, featuring mini businesses, roads, and a lake for exploration. Children interact with tools used by safety experts and participate in purposeful play to learn about community careers like farming, public service, and grocery work. Safety Town partners with organizations like the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and over a dozen others. Experts lead small-group rotations where children play, dress as professionals, and learn firsthand about various careers. Activities include riding bikes to practice safety, role-playing in professions, and exploring a miniature airport and hospital.
Another SC Kids’ goal is to empower children to make safe choices. In partnership with the Department of Natural Resources, they use a makeshift “blue lake” and a small rubber boat to teach water safety. Children practice with life jackets and whistles and learn not to go near water without proper supervision or a life jacket. Wiggs emphasizes that empowering kids to make these decisions is central to SC Kids’ mission.
Wiggs remembers that although their first year was challenging, the group agreed it was one of their best educational experiences. She considers her dedicated Career Kids team the best she’s ever worked with.
Partnering
The program aims to adapt to the needs of the community, students, and educators. Since their curriculum is unique and cost-prohibitive to run daily, they focus
on partnerships to extend their reach. SC Kids partners with programs like the Irmo/ Chapin Recreation Commission, which operates after-school programming in Lexington/Richland 5.
Through these partnerships, SC Kids now serves Lexington/Richland 5, Lexington 1, Richland 2, Spartanburg, and Career & Technical Education programs. Their “Safety Town” initiative now reaches schools statewide. They take their programs directly to schools or partner organizations such as MUSC in Charleston, ETV, and SC First Steps.
Without a physical base, staff rely on technology for collaboration and communication. Their business infrastructure includes support in social media, accounting, and document preparation.
Wiggs said, “SC Kids prides itself on the fact that the majority of the funding goes back into the program. The Town of Irmo has been wonderful to us, a huge supporter. SC Kids work with both Chapin and Irmo Chambers, who have been a huge help.”
The program has collaborated with the Department of Education and held workshops, focusing on continuous Pre-K elementary solutions that bring communi-
ty, curiosity, and collaboration into classrooms—not just during career days, but year-round.
A virtual Career Quest map on their website highlights businesses and organizations across the state, aimed at elementary and early middle school students. They hope to expand this resource, which features video excerpts and interactive explorations.
Anything is Possible
Wiggs believes in exposing young people to career possibilities. Her family’s background in education and business shaped her as a decision-maker with a broad out-
“ Our mission is to begin career exploration at
a formative time so that South Carolina’s future leaders and future workforce are exposed to future opportunities
right here in the Palmetto State.
This will give South Carolina an opportunity to develop and retain top talent.”
— Katy Wiggs, Founder of SC Career Kids
look. She always wanted to be a teacher - in part through time spent helping her grandmother, the first kindergarten teacher in Tipp City, Ohio. Her father ran his own business, and Wiggs showed an inherent interest in business as well.
As the Founder of SC Career Kids, Wiggs enjoys being able to think big, while her expert team helps bring her vision to life. In effect, she has merged the strengths she absorbed as a child, combining her love of teaching with her natural talent for business. Her own journey exemplifies an important goal of the SC Career Kids program.
Wiggs believes the SC Career Kids message is that anything is possible. Exposing
children to new experiences helps break stereotypes and empowers them to see all opportunities. In short, the program is growing talent in their community.
SC Kids is always looking for volunteers and sponsorships to help support their programs and make them accessible to all.
Wiggs and her husband, Barkclay, work remotely and have two children--son, Eli, and daughter, Ellis. Eli already shows an interest in engineering but also demonstrates essential people skills. Developing these skills is the key goal of SC Career Kids and for the Wiggs children as well.
For more information, visit their website at sccareerkids.com. n
One stitch at a time
Needlepoint attracts a new generation of crafters by
Betsey Guzior
The time-honored craft of needlepointing has found its time again.
Thank TikTok and Instagram for needlepoint’s latest moment, in which Gen Zers are discovering the soft art of needlepoint, which simply is using thread to create designs on cloth printed with a pattern. What seems like a task produces art.
For hundreds of years, needlepoint has been the meditative practice enjoyed by generations of women, often in a wealthy household.
This time, whimsical designs featuring Taylor Swift quotes and pop culture memes are selling alongside those of elaborate Victorian-like floral tableaus.
As seen in the Netflix streaming series “Bridgerton,” needlepoint attracted a new generation of fans. Taylor Swift herself has made small pieces for friends such as singer Ed Sheeran.
Celebrities like Kelly Ripa began displaying their works in progress. Luxury bag designer Fendi has sold one of its iconic Baguette purses with a canvas to decorate.
Some call them “Grandma hobbies.” Others would rather call them analog activities, luring them away from doomscrolling on their phones and tablets.
And like knitting and other crafts, needlepoint resurged post-pandemic by women who wanted the soothing satisfaction of a handmade item that can be treasured forever.
Now it’s estimated as a market that’s worth more than $2 billion, with a projection to reach $3 billion by 2035.
In the Midlands, a needlepoint store is helping a new generation of crafters.
Forest Acres Needlepoint, which opened in 2021, has a variety of patterns and an inventory of high-end threads and patterns that appeal to both beginners and veteran stitchers, as they’re called.
Kenzie Newton, who has been doing needlepoint for the last 20 years, began earnestly thinking about a shop that helps customers personally, rather than random ly finding something online.
Business has been brisk since she opened the store on North Beltline Boule vard. “We’ve gotten so many young stitch ers,” Newton said. “It’s just been incredi ble to see that so many people are wanting to learn.”
Forest Acres Needlepoint considers itself a full-service store, selling 20 lines of thread and canvases, and offering services to com plete unfinished projects with the help of local stitchers. “The one-on-one interaction is huge in a craft,” Newton said.
What the store doesn’t sell is kits. “We can help create a kit for you,” Newton said, by finding the right kind of thread, needles, gauging a good starter canvas, and specialized canvas holders and lights.
Canvases can be of all sorts of subjects, from holiday themes to landscapes, sayings, and even collegiate logos. Enjoy off-beat canvases with patterns such as a LaCroix beverage can, or a bunch of avocadoes, or even a jaunty gathering of witches. They can be used in pillows, ornaments, holiday stockings, or framed on a wall.
DeDe Ethridge of Lexington is one of the regulars at Forest Acres Needlecraft. Her obsession, like others, began with her mother. Ethridge grew up learning cross stitch but liked the way needlepoint items looked. So, she began learning and buying
kits at The Needler, a store in Lexington that closed in 2017.
“I absolutely loved it,” she said. And after taking a break, in 2022 she found she needed to keep herself busy. She picked up the hobby once again, this time with the help of Newton and Forest Acres Needlepoint.
Want to begin needlepointing?
Needlepoint involves using stitches to create a pattern covering a canvas.
Needlepoint uses a tightly woven cloth, while cross stitch employs a looser weave. Embroidery is stitching found on clothes and accessories, and cross stitch often features designs with less coverage by stitches.
The materials you need include a canvas with a pattern on it, tapestry needles, and instructions. Much of needlepoint depends on learning stitches, and the traditional tent stitch is a good place to start.
Start small, with an ornament or a small piece. And give yourself time to learn and make mistakes.
ularly to work on stocking, pillows, and ornaments.
“It is so therapeutic,” she said. “There’s something about the color change and the fun threads they have now.”
And as her children grew up and married, Ethridge would plan to make holiday stockings, even for future grandbabies. “I have one stocking in case somebody comes up pregnant with a little boy,” Ethridge said, laughing.
Now she meets with her friends reg-
Like any hobby, it can cost a little or a lot. Some canvases can cost up to $100, along with different price points depending on the kind of thread. You can spend just a few hours a week or make it all-consuming. “It’s an addiction, because when I see something that I love, I’m like, ‘I want that,’” Ethridge said.
Right now, she’s making a Santa pillow. n
“Great appointment availability, low wait times, and some of the most caring and informed staff I’ve met. My four littles never have to dread a doctor’s visit!”
Happy Wheels
brings a delightful distraction for young patients
by Betsey Guzior
The little boy stared from his hospital bed, his eyes fixed not on April Rish, but on the cart she was rolling outside his room.
Taller than the door opening, the cart was stuffed with colorful playthings: Some that will soothe his mind, some that will keep him calm for hours, others that would make him squeal with delight.
Rish told the boy he could pick one of them to play with. And keep.
The boy walked to the open door, his eyes wide with wonder with an expression only a 4-year-old can make when faced with a world of possibilities.
He could only say “wow.”
“It just does something for you,” recalled Rish, who is a volunteer for Happy Wheels.
Rish is a nurse in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Columbia. She also teaches there, and once a month, rolls a cart through pediatric wards for Happy Wheels, a South Carolina nonprofit that provides free books and toys for children undergoing treatment.
Happy Wheels, created as a nonprofit in 2012, was originally founded by Larissa and Jim Allsion to provide children at MUSC Children’s Hospital with a distraction from medical tests and procedures.
Happy Wheels now operates at three South Carolina children’s hospitals. You’ll see volunteers making rounds with a colorfully decorated cart, either filled with toys or books, at Prisma Children’s Hospital each week.
“When families and kids are in the hospital, they get no choices,” said Executive Director Tracey Rankin. “But we provide a knock on the door and an experience during that time in their journey.”
Volunteers deliver a cart filled with toys or books to children who are staying at the hospital for treatment or undergoing procedures that take all day, such as chemotherapy.
Rankin, who lives in Lexington, began as a volunteer, then moved onto the staff and now oversees programs that serve more than 400 children weekly in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville.
“Most of the knocks on the door are not great news,” Rankin said. “There are things that are unpleasant for the kids. ‘I need to take your vitals. I need you to take this medicine.’ We started doing it to do something happy for the kids, but we have seen the power of a choice for them.”
It’s not only a distraction for a child, but it also offers relief for parents and caretakers, who also feel a lack of control over their circumstances.
Coordinating Happy Wheels requires extensive logistics. Rankin supports a group of 40 volunteers who serve more than 13,000 children annually at the state’s three children’s hospitals. Then there’s the gathering of the toys and books to be distributed, along with fundraising events.
Rankin, who was named a “Southerner of the Year” in 2024 by Southern Living magazine, especially appreciates the constant support of the volunteers, who have to be super organized and work at a fast pace. “It’s a very big ask,” she said.
Lee Riser of Chapin is another volunteer at Prisma. She was motivated to volunteer even before she retired as a Lexington-Richland District 5 teacher by her experience with her son’s friend who was treated for leukemia when he was a third grader.
Most Tuesdays, you’ll see her taking a cart through inpatient wards, waiting
“These children are so joyful...they are really my heroes because they just have such resilience and joy.”
rooms, and units where children are waking up from sedation.
The patients she sees in the oncology-hematology units are toddlers, elementary school kids, and even those in their 30s who have been treated for years for sickle cell anemia. “These children are so joyful,” she said. “They are really my heroes because they just have such resilience and joy. They will come up with their little IV poles and just wheel on over to the cart.”
With needs all over the state, more than $1 million is needed in donations each year. The organization encourages people to donate money rather than materials so they can purchase what’s needed.
It’s primarily to accommodate allergies and other specific needs of immunocompromised children. For instance, toys that have a scent can’t be used for a child undergoing chemo.
The organization’s wish list on Amazon lists specific items for babies, such as teethers, toys with blocks, and baby blankets. Another big need is for teenagers, who are usually harder to please with gifts. Happy Wheels suggests crafts, card games, Nerf sets, Lego kits, and remote-control toys.
No need for books: Barnes and Noble donates all the books for Happy Wheels. Other local sponsors include Vulcan Materials, Prisma Health, and Midlands Gives.
Riser often sees kids and their families at their worst, but the delight on the children’s faces knowing they can pick a toy or a book to keep makes up for it.
She is also thrilled to see a child who is getting better.
“I remember one little girl I saw maybe six months ago, and I had not seen her for a while, and her hair had grown back. She had gotten so much taller, and I was so thrilled,” she said. n Happy Wheels, Inc.
When driving through Lexington, it is easy to miss the small elements that keep the town running. Traffic signals, parks, and public utilities are maintained in the background by town employees and volunteers. Local students can learn about these everyday operations through the Town of Lexington’s Youth Ambassador Program and see how they can help shape their own home’s government.
The program is entering its third year and offers high school seniors in Lexington the chance to spend the school year learning about their local government and making an impact on the community. The students meet with multiple departments and volunteer at events to learn about civic engagement and community service.
Lexington’s Marketing Coordinator and liaison for the program, Lauren Smith, calls the experience a “Town Hall 101” for high schoolers.
“It’s a way that we are allowing high school seniors in Lexington to learn about local municipal government, take the things that they learn, and apply them to their future careers,” said Smith.
The program runs from September to April with monthly class sessions where students visit the town departments, including the police station, transportation, and utilities, to learn how each sector contributes to serving Lexington. The seniors also attend some town council meetings to observe how the elected officials work together before presenting their own information to the council in April.
“They’re working with staff and learning the ins and outs and ups and downs and all the different inner workings of each department of the town and how each department works hand in hand with each other to execute goals that we have for our community and our municipality,” said Smith.
One of the key elements of the program is the community impact project created to discuss important issues within the town they have gathered from friends, family, and other residents. The group presents the final project to the town council and returns after the meeting with feedback to generate solutions.
Each year, 12 ambassadors are selected through an application and interview process. The Town of Lexington website outlines the qualifications to be eligible: the applicant must be a rising senior from Lexington High School, River Bluff High School, ALA, Homeschool Co-op, or Northside Christian who are available to attend each meeting and participate in a group volunteer event in December.
Interest in the program rises each year. “It’s in its third year right now, and each year it grows,” said Smith.
Beyond the monthly meetings, the am-
bassadors volunteer at community events such as the annual Snowball Festival, where they assist with activities like helping families navigate the event and providing support at activities inside the festival. Smith said the town hopes to expand the volunteer opportunities further because applicants have an increasing passion for serving the community.
“What we’ve seen so far from the applicants that we have interviewed is that they were eager to give back, and they have a hunger for volunteering, and they want to really make an impact on their community,” said Smith. “We want to be able to give them that opportunity.”
Their commitment to giving back isn’t new. Almost every applicant has some volunteer experience. “All kinds of different organizations, whether it’s through school, their community, or local nonprofits,” said Smith. “It’s really great to see a group of young kids that are so willing to give back to their community.”
Although the program operates outside of school hours and does not offer school credit currently, students commit time each month because they recognize the value of doing so. Smith believes one of the biggest benefits is helping students understand just how much time and effort go into the decisions that shape everyday life. This is one of the most direct ways for students in Lexington to learn about their government and gain firsthand experience in how a community functions. Smith points to the simple examples often overlooked in day-to-day life.
“When you look up and see a traffic light, you don’t think about traffic patterns in your everyday life. You don’t think about what goes into hosting an event in your everyday life, and you don’t think about what goes into which signs are allowed to be put
up on the streets or outside of businesses,” said Smith. “The youth ambassadors are the future leaders of our town, of our community, so it’s a great way for them to learn how it works.”
Even more important to town lead -
ers is the opportunity to learn from the youth in their town and create a two-way conversation.
“We can teach them how it works all day long, but at the same time, they’re teaching us their perspective, their needs, things that they think are important, which a lot of times doesn’t get thought about as much because they’re younger.”
— Lauren Smith
“We can teach them how it works all day long, but at the same time, they’re teaching us their perspective, their needs, things that they think are important, which a lot of times doesn’t get thought about as much because they’re younger,” said Smith.
As the program continues to develop, its impact will expand beyond the 12 students selected each year as they influence and assist others in Lexington with what they’ve learned. The town leadership aspires to educate the students on how Lexington functions so they can go on to inform others around them. n
Kids Glued to Screens? Boundaries That Actually Work
by Thomas Carter
Parents everywhere know the strain of daily screen battles: constant negotiating, frustration, and worry that too much time online is starting to shape your child’s routines. Screens can be helpful, but without clear boundaries around screen time, they quickly overwhelm healthier routines. You deserve a calmer, more predictable rhythm at home. Here are boundaries that genuinely support healthy screen time habits.
Establish a Device-Free Hour Before Bed
A device-free hour before bedtime helps your child’s brain shift out of stimulation mode. Blue light delays melatonin release, making it harder for kids to fall asleep and stay asleep, so setting clear bedtime screen rules protects their natural rhythm. This simple boundary also cre ates a predictable wind-down routine, which reduces evening tension and supports healthier sleep habits.
Set up a shared “parking station” where devices rest for the night, and offer calm alternatives like reading, light stretching, drawing, or quiet conversation. A 15-minute warning can ease resistance, especially for kids who struggle with transitions.
One overlooked benefit is how better sleep improves morn ings and focus. Framing this bound ary as protective rather than restrictive helps your child understand that screen time management isn’t about control; it’s about supporting their energy, mood, and wellbeing.
Set up a family charging station in a shared area and replace phone alarms with a simple clock. If your child says they need their device for homework, encourage them to work in a common space where you can stay aware of what they’re doing without hovering.
Many parents are surprised by how much this one shift reduces secret late-night scrolling. It also gives you a more accurate sense of how much time your child is truly spending online, which helps you reduce screen addiction in a sustainable way.
Put Away Screens During Meals
Keep Bedrooms Tech-Free
Removing devices from the bedroom removes the strongest late-night temptation kids face when self-control weakens. A techfree bedroom supports healthier sleep and reinforces the idea that this space is meant for rest, not constant entertainment. It also strengthens digital boundaries for children by giving them a clear physical limit they can understand and follow.
Turning off devices at mealtimes rebuilds face-to-face connection. Screens can distract from conversation, and without boundaries, they often replace meaningful interaction. Following this rule encourages healthy screen habits and reinforces tech-free family time, supporting both emotional well-being and communication. Have everyone - including parents - place devices out of reach during meals. Make the table engaging with conversation starters or involve kids in preparing food to keep attention on the shared experience. Starting small, maybe just dinner if three meals feels overwhelming, still makes a noticeable difference. Kids who eat without screens tend to recognize their natural hunger and fullness signals, while mealtimes become calmer and more connected for the whole family. This simple boundary offers a consistent, positive moment of connection in the day.
Schedule Three-Hour Screen-Free Periods on Weekends
Designating three-hour screen-free blocks on weekends gives kids a break from constant device use without feeling like a full-day deprivation. These blocks encourage creativity, problem-solving, and active skills that often get overlooked when screens dominate free time. Framing it as “adventure time” in-
stead of “no screens” keeps the boundary positive and exciting. Plan engaging alternatives such as trips to the park, arts and crafts, or cooking together. Making it a predictable part of the weekend routine helps kids anticipate and enjoy the experience.
It’s normal for kids to resist at first, but many quickly get absorbed in the activities and don’t want to stop. Being flexible with timing - Saturday morning, Sunday afternoon, or whichever fits your family rhythm - ensures the rule works for everyone while still reducing screen time.
Link Screen Time to Responsibilities
Shifting screen time from an automatic entitlement to a re-
ward earned through responsibilities teaches kids accountability and cause-and-effect. When children see that completing tasks like homework, chores, or reading leads to screen time, they naturally start managing their usage and making better choices. This approach reinforces positive habits without making technology feel like a punishment.
Use a clear chart or checklist to connect age-appropriate responsibilities to minutes of screen time. Avoid taking away already-earned time for unrelated issues, which can feel unfair and breed resentment.
Over time, kids learn to “own” their screen time, reducing the need for constant enforcement. This boundary combines parenting and technology in a practical way, making it easier to enforce screen time limits while encouraging independence and responsibility.
Why These Boundaries Work Together
Each of these boundaries targets a key area - sleep, family interaction, imaginative play, and personal responsibility - so together they create a balanced approach to screen time. Introducing one or two rules instead of all at once makes it easier for your family to adjust and keep the routine going.
Resistance is normal, but consistency over time helps these habits stick. Small, realistic changes compound into smoother routines, calmer evenings, and more engaged children. These boundaries aren’t about taking away joy; they teach balance while improving healthy screen time habits.
Over time, you’ll notice fewer conflicts, more quality family interaction, and kids naturally exploring screen time alternatives that keep them active, engaged, and fulfilled. n
crossword puzzle
Across
1 Accept an invitation
5. 2005 NBA first draft pick Andrew
10 Exam you take before you can perform it
14.Vera starter
15.Scent of a woman
16.Spring break destination
17.Lost
20.Way through the Paris underground
21.Having a toothed edge
22.Home of the 49ers
25.Phoebe of "Gremlins"
26.Deerly loved animated film
30.Renegade
33.Delineated sections
34.Become ragged at the edges
35.Spill the beans
38.Lost
42.By what means
43.DNC chairman
44.Wilder character
45.Brosnan, pre-Bond
47.Mayle's "___ in Provence"
48.Westernmost African capital
51.Actress Redgrave
53.Calls forth a reaction
56.South-of-the-border sayonara
60.Lost
64.Muscular distress
65.Jewish folklore figure
66.Home of the Taoiseach
67.Sit for a spell
68.Hindu honorific
69.Hexagram
Down
1."Go, team!"
2.Gracile
3.Exercise a political right
4.Decayed vegetable matter
5.Flitch or rasher content
6.Food scrap
7.Federal domain ending
8.Boo targets, often
9.Counterbalance
10.Dr. Phil
11.100 points
12.Decrease in intensity
13.Big bites for bookworms
18.Sign of a bad apple
19.Grampus relative
23.Morning mugful
24.Panacea
26.Verbally attack
27.Home of Kings and Monarchs
28.Catty remark
29.Famous sitcom setting
31.English historian Richard
32.Caustic soda
35.Alphabetic symbol of yore
36.Paul who sang "Having My Baby"
37.Simeon I, for one (Var.)
39.Ike's monogram
40.Cheadle's' "Hotel"
41.Famous victim of tiger attack
45.Powder-in-a-packet
46.Destiny's Child, for example
48.Father of thermos technology
49.Carol and Mike's maid
50.Kin partners
52.One of the Judds
54.Pulls on
55.Store for the future
57.The 13th of April
58.Foget, like an 'r', perhaps
59.Poet Teasdale
61.King preceder
62.Dream-time acronym
63.For each and every one
Fantastic Fruit Salads
Berry Watermelon Fruit Salad
3 cups watermelon, cut into 1” pieces
2 cups strawberries, sliced
2 cups blueberries
2 cups raspberries
1 dragon fruit, halved
2 cups cherries, pitted & halved
3-4 fresh mint leaves, chopped
1-2 tsp poppy seeds
Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl and mix well. Serve chilled for the best flavor.
Strawberry Banana Fruit Salad
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3.4 oz instant cheesecake pudding mix
¼ cup liquid vanilla coffee creamer
2 lb strawberries, sliced
3 bananas, peeled & sliced
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to whip cream cheese until it becomes smooth. Add dry pudding mix and continue mixing until well combined. Add creamer to the mixture, about a Tbsp at a time, and whip until smooth. In a large bowl, combine strawberries, banana, and lemon juice. Stir until all the fruit is coated with lemon juice. Add the mixture to the bowl and gently fold it into the fruit. Chill until ready to serve.
Tropical Fruit Salad
2 cups pineapple, cut into chunks
2 mangos, peeled & cut into chunks
1 papaya, peeled, seeded & cut into chunks
4 kiwi fruit peeled & cut into chunks
2 bananas, peeled & sliced
2 limes, juiced
½ cup coconut flakes
Place the fruit in a large bowl, add the lime juice, and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately, topped with the coconut flakes.
Rainbow Fruit Salad
2 cups strawberries, diced
2 cups mini orange slices
2 cups pineapple, diced
2 cups kiwi, peeled & diced
2 cups blueberries
2 cups red grapes, halved
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
Add the lemon juice and maple syrup to a large bowl and whisk together. Add all the fruit to the bowl and mix until combined and all the fruit is coated with the syrup. Serve chilled for the best flavor.
Breakfast Fruit Salad
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 cup green grapes, halved
1 cup red grapes, halved
1 cup blueberries
1 apple, peeled & diced
1 banana, peeled & sliced
¼ cup pecans, chopped
For Yogurt Sauce
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 - 2 Tbsp honey
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
Combine all of the fruit in a large bowl. In a small mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, honey, vanilla, and almond extract. Gently fold the yogurt mixture into the fruit. Top with chopped pecans before serving. n
