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Their Quest to Cut Pests By Marilyn Thomas Mosquito Joe of Lake Murray, a local, award-winning pest control company, was launched by the Powell family in 2015 because they were personally sold on the franchise’s product and approach, which are effective, eco-friendly, and customer-oriented. The business still thrives today, and its goal is to continue to provide satisfactory services to the greater Lexington community and beyond. Originally from Virginia, Trey and Cindy Powell moved to Columbia in 2003 to develop a franchise for preparing income tax, but by 2015, they were looking for a different type of business to invest…
How They Turned Grief Into a Gift of Hope By Samantha Brown Everyone knows the story of the tortoise and the hare. The slow, steady turtle wins the race, not because he’s fast, but because he refuses to give up. But there’s a question that the story never answers: How did the turtle learn not to give up? For the Harmon family, that question became the foundation of a children’s book that would honor a mother’s courage, help a family heal, and offer hope to others walking through the darkest valleys. Sarah Harmon faced a nearly two-year battle with colon…
By Algrish Williams The chair is empty. It sits quietly at the table, unnoticed by many, yet it carries the weight of a life once lived in service to something greater. Memorial Day is about that empty chair. As a veteran with more than 26 years of service, I am often asked about the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. It is a fair question, but the distinction is profound. Veterans Day honors those who served. Memorial Day honors those who never came home. It is about the son, the daughter, the brother, the sister, the father, the mother,…
Wrong Time, Wrong Place —A Success Story By Jacob Hester Simply put, summers in South Carolina are HOT with temperatures sometimes rising to the 100-degree mark. For the fisherman, the sweltering climate creates its own set of unique challenges, and at Lake Murray, the warm-bath waters force the fish to dive down deep, in search of relief and sustenance. On any particular summer weekend, experienced fishermen arrive early to beat the heat in hopes of hooking a few bass. As the sun rises, their boats are seen floating in the middle of the lake with their lines submerged in the…
Your Team Matters By Julia Bell The secret’s out—Lexington County is a wonderful place to call home! According to the U.S. Census Bureau, this area has experienced a 15.7-percent population growth in the last ten years. These figures represent individuals who have chosen to relocate to the area, and that decision often involves finding long-term housing. Whether the goal is to buy, sell, or build a home, the experience will be much more gratifying if the future homeowner does their homework ahead of time and selects the right team to assist in the process. “Lexington offers an exceptional cost of…
Radiating Hope, Freedom, and a Future By Marilyn Thomas Lighthouse for Life, a local nonprofit dedicated to eradicating human trafficking, defines this crime as “the force, fraud, or coercion of an individual for commercial sex or forced labor in exchange for something of value (money, clothing, food, etc.).” As a faith-based organization, Lighthouse for Life bases its rejection of human trafficking on the biblical belief that all of humanity is created by God and has been made in His image. Social media, commercials, and the entertainment industry fuel the sexualization of human beings, and some people are willing to pay…
More Than Cookies The Heart of Girl Scouts By Samantha Brown Every January, you start to see them—tables set up outside grocery stores, bright green vests, eager faces, and the familiar call: “Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?” For most people, that is where the story begins and ends—a box of Thin Mints, a smile, and a transaction. But for the girls standing behind those tables, and the troop leaders and parents who support them, the story runs so much deeper. I know this firsthand. I was a Girl Scout myself, earning badges through the Junior level.…
The State Capitals Test By Scott Vaughan In the 1960s, the State of Georgia decided that fifth graders should learn the names of our 50 states and each state’s capital. In addition, everything had to be spelled correctly. I thought it was cruel to slide in a spelling test as part of this nightmarish exercise. I was not a great student, having already proved that with a record-setting 36 on a major science test. I enjoyed the information presented in class, but I didn’t enjoy studying. I was too easily distracted by a library book. I had said nothing to…
The Reel Deal: Fresh Fish for Summer Tables Light and natural, these healthy takes on popular seafood selections can turn a successful day of saltwater fishing or an ordinary grocery run into a delicious meal for the whole family. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of preparation, the flavorful rewards will not disappoint! Tomato Basil Baked Tilapia INGREDIENTS: 4 tilapia fillets 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice 3 cloves garlic, minced Salt and black pepper, to taste ¼ cup fresh basil, torn in small pieces DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven…
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day have always been special occasions in my family. When we were little, it meant a time of rest and relaxation for Mama and Dad. It meant bringing them little handmade cards and gifts that they would happily display on the refrigerator or on the table. When I got married, I was blessed to have a mother-in-law whom I love, and thankfully, she loves me, too. Now, we celebrate with dinners, flowers, cards, and edible arrangements for parents and grandparents while enjoying each moment together. Next came the birth of my children. My daughter and son…