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By Marilyn Thomas Hazel Livingston Tribute Every year, the Lexington Woman’s Club, a volunteer service organization that has invested in the local community for nearly 70 years, sponsors an award to recognize a “Woman of Distinction.” Recently, Lexington’s mayor, Hazel Livingston, was the recipient of this notable accolade. In response to this award, she states, “I am deeply humbled and honored to have been chosen by the Lexington Woman’s Club as the Woman of Distinction for 2025–2026.” “[I] had no idea I would be receiving such a special honor that evening at the Lexington Women’s Club meeting,” she recalls. “When…
Building Trust, One Roof at a Time Success Through Relationships and Integrity By Samantha Brown Sometimes the pivotal decisions of life are made in the most unexpected places, and for Joe Nettles, that moment occurred in 2018, during a hiking trip in the Northwest Territories of Canada. While he and his trail partner were enjoying the view from the top of a waterfall, their conversation was philosophical as they discussed the definition of happiness and whether or not they were truly satisfied with the trajectory of their lives. Specifically, neither felt particularly pleased with their jobs, so right there, surveying…
Leadership Not Just a Skill for the Game By Alexis Winters As I am entering my final season of being known as “Lexi, the softball player,” I get to look back on the last 16 years of my life being centered around the sport and what it has given me. My athletic career has definitely had its ebbs and flows from the very beginning at the tee-ball fields to today, as I am writing this. Born and raised in the Midlands, I remember as a seven-year-old having to choose what position on the team I wanted to solidify as my…
Outdoor Living Create. Refresh. Enjoy. By Julia Bell For winter-weary homeowners, the arrival of springtime weather is a welcome invitation to get back outside and enjoy time with family and friends. With this in mind, this is the perfect opportunity to install a fire pit, water feature, or sitting area to maximize outdoor entertainment potential. As homeowners refresh flower beds and tackle enhancement projects, it’s also a good idea to conduct important safety and security checks around the property and home, so everything is ready for the warm months ahead. Many outdoor living projects can be done affordably. Homeowners who…
Everything Eggs! From brunch tables to backyard gatherings, eggs have a way of showing up for every occasion. Celebrate this humble, hardworking ingredient with three classic favorites that never go out of style— creamy deviled eggs, a comforting, flavor-packed quiche, and a fresh, satisfying egg salad. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something simple and delicious, these egg-centric recipes prove that when it comes to versatility, eggs really do rule the kitchen. Deviled Eggs INGREDIENTS: 12 large eggs 1/2 c. mayonnaise 2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 1/2 tbsp. pickle juice 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 tsp. freshly ground…
“Just Over There” By Scott Vaughan Easter 1967 came on Sunday, March 26. I was 7 years old. About 5 a.m. that Easter morning, my mom gently woke me, and I slipped from the warm covers of the double bed that I shared with my middle brother. As I passed through the family room, dressing as I went, Mom let me stop to inspect (but not open) my Easter basket. I was thrilled to see the Spalding baseball, packs of baseball cards, malted milk balls (my favorite), and comic books. She and I then stepped into the darkness for a…
Springtime Cheer Light Returns By Guy Smith March and April jolt us from the dark of winter. Carolina jessamine drapes the pines along the highway, yellow bells (Forsythia x intermedia) burst into bloom before their leaves even appear, and daffodils magically pop up in areas you forgot they were planted. I don’t know about you, but despite seeing it happen for over 60 years, I am still awestruck that those shrubs, vines, and bulbs contain everything they need to burst into action at just the right time. I know it is coming, but the new season’s arrival still takes me…
Teaching Humans to Train Their Dogs By Mary Ann Hutcheson Pets need training. Period. Jaime Gwyn has been around dogs her entire life. At age eight, her mother brought home a Rottweiler puppy named Willie T, the first of many dogs Gwyn would own. Her mother enrolled them in the Greater Columbia Obedience Club, where they excelled and graduated together. Since then, Gwyn has dedicated herself to developing her dog obedience training skills. At 18, she was hired by Cayce to help launch animal control programs in Cayce, West Columbia, and Springdale. She advanced from animal control to dispatch, then…
Sensory Disability Awareness By Kristi Antley Imagine walking into a restaurant where every seat is taken. Music blares as diners engage in loud conversations, blinding light beams pierce every corner of the room, employees frantically run around bellowing orders, and a strong, pungent scent of roasting meat emanates from the kitchen. Many people accept this atmosphere as ordinary while enjoying their meals and even hanging around for dessert. For those with sensory sensitivity issues, however, this scene can be quite overwhelming, potentially leading to a distressing and even dangerous situation. Depending on the severity and type of sensitivity disability, the…
A Family Business With A Clear Future By Marilyn Thomas Absolute Glass, Inc., a family-owned, Lexington-based glass repair and installation company, is proving that a generation gap can be a very productive part of a growing business. After founding the company more than 20 years ago, owners Mary Anne and Ray Jones are now sharing this homegrown enterprise with their son, Raymond. As a result, operations continue to successfully provide the surrounding communities with personalized, efficient and effective service, which develops a large base of satisfied, returning customers. When Mary Anne and Ray married in 1998, they were blazing their…