lakemurraylifemagazine-july14

July/ August 2014 | lAKE MuRRAy lIFE | 1

2 | lAKE MuRRAy lIFE | July/ August 2014


Happy 4th of July! I hope you’re having a blast this summer and staying safe. We recent-ly adopted a cat at the Reynolds house: Jacx is two years old, and keeps the snakes away (thank goodness!). It’s been a hot summer so far, and we’re so blessed to have the lake in our back yard. I love being able to jump on the boat at any given time to see the stars and the moon come up and the sun go down — what a beautiful sight!

Terry and I have been busy this summer try-ing out new restaurants on and near the lake. When you get a chance, check out Frayed Knot Bar & Grill in Chapin and Big Jim’s Steak & Seafood in Prosperity. In the Irmo area, try Social Grill in Ballentine for burgers, steak and seafood, and Inakaya Watanabe on St. An-drews for the best sushi.

Looking for more ways to enjoy the lake this summer? SouthShore Marina rents boats and all the equipment you need for tubing and other activities. Boland’s True Value Hard-ware in Chapin carries worms, water toys, and flowers for your lakefront landscape. Freyja Sa-lon in Irmo can give you a fresh new look for summer, and is now accepting appointments. And don’t forget two of our favorites: Char-lie’s Fisherman’s Wharf for great seafood and dancing on the deck, and Big Man’s Marina in Leesville for gas, cheeseburgers and church on Sunday. Tell these and other advertisers that you saw them in Lake Murray Life!

We’ll meet you back here in September. Un-til then, remember to let your little light shine.

FEATURES8 Anderson Toyota12 Rivers Edge Retreat: A Haven for Hope

ColUmnS10 Car Talk Baker Collision Express

DEPARTmEnTS3 From the Editor5 Events7 Lake Murray Life

Leaders Grover Pilot15 Spice of Life

Publisher & editor-in-Chieftodd shevchik

[email protected]

editor & sales ManagerAnne Reynolds

[email protected]

aCCount exeCutivesDonna [email protected]

assistant editor/ProduCtion Manager

Kristi [email protected]

editorial ConsultantAllison Caldwell

[email protected]

graPhiC designJane Carter

Website designerPaul tomlinson

Contributing Writersand PhotograPhers

Jackie Perrone, steve Ware

CONTACT US225-B Columbia Avenue, Lexington, SC 29072803.356.6500

EDITORfrom the

INSIDE the ISSUE

12

Kristi Antley and Anne Reynolds


Can it really be different? From the moment you walk through the front door

you will know why many consider The Village at Southlake the premier Retirement Community in the Lexington area.

From the fine finishes in your apartment, Garden Home, or Cottage, exceptional cuisine prepared by our talented culinary team,

to our innovative Life-Long Learning series, Retirement Living can be different...let us show you how!

Life Lives Better at The Village

Villageatsouthlake.com 123 Gibson Road, Lexington, SC 29072 • (803) 200-2865






































tThursday, July 10TeenScene: CSI ScienceLexington County Main Library, 3 p.m.Curious about how popular TV shows compare to real life? Kids and teens in grades 6-12 can learn all about Crime Scene Investiga-tion with officers from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Call 785-2630 to register.

Sat-Sun, July 12-13Repticon Reptile and Exotic Animal ShowJamil Temple, Columbia Reptile exhibits, seminars, kid’s activities, raffles, merchandise ven-dors — you can even take home a pet! Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-4. 206 Jamil Road. Repticon.com.

Saturday, July 12Harley Haven Heat Wave EventHarley Haven, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.Live music, food, refreshments and more to help keep you cool all day! 941 Western Lane in Irmo. Harley-Haven.com.

Saturday, July 195th Annual Tasty Tomato FestivalCity Roots Urban Farm, 4-9 p.m.A celebration of locally grown food! Free heirloom tomato tasting,

live music, local food vendors, tomato bobbing, and the highly an-ticipated Tasty Tomato Contest and Restaurant Feast. TastyToma-toFestival.com.

Sunday, July 20 Summer Bridal ShowcaseColumbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1-5 p.m.Hundreds of wedding vendors, photographers, caterers, florists, bakeries, planners and more — all in one location! $10 admission. ColumbiaBride.com.

Saturday, July 26Night Ops Ultimate Mud Run Challenge1215 Valley Ridge Road, 7 p.m. – midnight Registration deadline is July 12! This 5K version of the Leatherneck features 20 obstacles illuminated with chem lights and luminescent paint. Registration is limited to 1200 teams. UltimateChallengeMu-dRun.org or 451-1197.

Sunday, July 27Riverbanks Zoo Bowling for RhinosJ.C.’s Lexington Bowl, 6:30-9:30 p.m.Join the Riverbanks Zoo American Association of Zookeepers for a night of bowling with a silent auction, door prizes and more! $15 per person; proceeds benefit wildlife conservation. RBZkeepers.blogspot.com.

August 8-142014 Dixie Youth World SeriesLexington Sports Complex36 teams from 11 Southeastern states will compete in Lexington for the title! Opening ceremonies at Carolina Stadium in Colum-bia, followed by games at 501 Ballpark Road. 2014DixieWorld-Series.com.

Saturday, August 91st Annual Owen Walker Caldwell Memorial 5KFirst Baptist of Lexington, 8-11 a.m.Facilitated by Run Hard and Crossover Athletics, activities in-clude a Celebration of Life ceremony (8 a.m.), 5K run/walk (8:30 a.m.), and a Family Fun Zone (8:30-10:30 a.m.) with face paint-ing, bounce houses, music, the Kona Ice Truck and more! Proceeds benefit Hands of Hope SC, offering pediatric hospice and palliative care. Sponsor, donate, register or volunteer: RunHard.org/Owen. 528-0740.

JulyEvents

ttt


Celebrate the sweet life

Visit us at your local McDonald’s at:340 Longs Pond Rd., Lexington, SC • 1011 South Lake Dr., Lexington, SC 1770 South Lake Dr., Lexington, SC • 250 Columbia Ave., Lexington, SC 4364 Augusta Rd., West Columbia, SC • 2700 Emanuel Church Rd., West Columbia, SC 659 Columbia Ave., Chapin, SC • 210 W. Columbia Ave., Batesburg, SC © 2014 McDonald’s.

∑ ø œ ∂ ˚

Ricardo Hagood803-250-4930

275 Harbison Blvd • Columbia

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. See geico.com for more details. GEICO and Affiliates. Washington DC 20076. GEICO Gecko

image © 1999-2014. © 2014 GEICO.

Saving people money on more than just car insurance.®

REAL. LOCAL. SAVINGS.See how much you could save on car insurance today.


Grover Pilot is an aptly-named Air Force veteran who never piloted a plane, but has devoted much of his life to hon-oring military service in our community. Under his leadership at VFW Post 6740 in Leesville, dedication was held recently for a POW-MIA monument at the Post headquarters. Under sunny May skies, local leaders, veterans and their families gathered to pay tribute to those who gave so much for their country.

“We are proud that we were able to ac-complish this,” he says. “The idea came from my son Joe Pilot, who currently serves as president of the Friends of Post 6740. He attended a state convention of the VFW, and witnessed for the first time the White Table ceremony that honors POW-MIA. It made such a deep impres-sion on him that he came home with the plan for our Post to erect a POW-MIA monument. With plenty of community support and all the labor furnished by volunteers, that vision is now a reality.”

Grover Pilot is a Life Member of Post 6740, and was recently elected to serve a fifth year as Post Commander. He’s proud of that honor, and of the Post which has been an important part of the Leesville community for many years.

He grew up in the Ridge Spring area. When he graduated from high school there in 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force with a promise of pilot training. As

it turned out, during this Korean War pe-riod when young men were being drafted and the military services were expanding, the flight schools were filled and Pilot was never able to achieve admission. Instead, he received training in radio repair and welding of specialty metals. Those skills were put to use in Japan, in support of Air Force actions in Korea.

“When my tour was over, the Air Force wanted to keep me,” he says. “They prom-ised me admission into pilot training. That had not been true before, so I said No Thanks, and was discharged.”

Pilot returned to South Carolina and began a career with Continental Chemi-cal Company which lasted 40 years. He’s an outstanding example of the self-educated man, spending many of those

years taking courses at Midlands Techni-cal schools, and achieving an Associate Degree. He retired as Vice President of Engineering at Anchor Continental. For a few years he worked as an independent sales rep for several major national rub-ber and plastic equipment manufactur-ers. Now, his time and energies go into VFW Post 6740.

“Our Post was named All State and All American Post in 2012-2013,” he says. “We are extremely proud of that honor. We work to support our veterans, our community, our schools, our Scouts and many other worthwhile programs.”

His personal life is centered around his friends and family. He says he owns his own little piece of paradise on Lake Murray. n

Lake Murray

By Jackie Perrone

LEADER

GroverPilot


The all-new Fred Anderson Toyota of Columbia is part of the Anderson Automotive Group, which has proudly served the Carolinas since 1955. The Anderson Automotive Group is family owned and operated, with deep roots intertwined within our community aimed at providing strong commitments to our customers while exceeding all expectations.

Apart from being the largest retailer of Toyotas in the Carolinas, our locations also represent Nissan and Kia brands with a guiding principle of volume with honor. With multiple dealerships in both North and South Carolina, we call home to Colum-bia, Charleston, Raleigh, Sanford, Fayetteville and Asheville.

CEO Fred Anderson and his family have been present in the automobile industry since 1948, earning a position in the Top 100 Dealer Group awarded by WardsAuto and Automotive News. Fred’s father, Andy Anderson, set the mold for the success of the company after holding the title for largest volume GM dealer in Western North Carolina for decades.

Fred’s son and Chief Operating Officer, Michael Anderson, is behind day-to-day operations for all eight dealerships while serving on the Board of Advisors. He is also a vital member of the executive management team and proudly serves as president of the third generation family business.

We have always prided ourselves on adding value to our products through service and convenience, which is why we offer each custom-er our Family Plan. Fred Anderson Toyota of Columbia understands the importance of choosing the right vehicle with fast and friendly service. To support this notion, we offer our $3,000 Advantage Family Plan with any new Toyota vehicle.

Another dominant part of our commitment to the Columbia area is eliminating any unnecessary waste while conserving as much en-ergy as possible. Our new green facility has 37,000 square feet of eco-friendly features. We have even reused wood and materials from our previous location to create as low of an impact as possible throughout the building process.

In order to ensure the most ecological environment, Fred Ander-son Toyota of Columbia features energy-efficient LED lighting to emit brighter lights while preserving energy. Our new location also in-cludes solar panels that use only the sun’s energy to avoid releasing smoke, gas or chemical byproducts into the air. To further avoid any additional waste, we have installed a water funnel filtration system to cleanse and reuse rainwater throughout the entire building, eliminat-ing the need for gutters. Now that’s going green!

Come visit our brand-new facility, conveniently located off I-26 Exit 110 on Highway 378 so we can prove our commitment to you. Wheth-er you’re shopping for a new vehicle or in need of vehicle mainte-nance, the all-new Fred Anderson Toyota of Columbia is here for you!

The Anderson Automotive Group Promise has always been to not only to improve lives through excellence, but also to lead an employee-centered, customer-focused, competitive organization.

Since the beginning, our business principles have been guided by continuous improvement and respect for people. That’s why Anderson Automotive Group is the proud title-holder for multiple awards, including the following:n Toyota Board of Governors Award (2006, 2007, 2008, 2012): Awarded to the 60

highest volume Toyota dealers in the nation with good customer satisfaction ratings.

n Toyota President’s Cabinet (2006, 2007, 2012): The highest award pre-

sented by Toyota to its dealers, based on highest customer satisfaction scores within the Board of Governors.

n President’s Award: Only awarded to about 15 percent of dealers nationally per year for maintaining Toyota’s high standards for cus-tomer satisfaction.

n Customer Satisfaction Award: Awarded for our constant commitment to exceptional custom-er service to match the quality of our products.

ALL NEWfor You!

(844) 241-2379 • ToyotaOfColumbia.com2136 Sunset Blvd (Hwy 378) West Columbia, SC 29169COLUMBIAHWY

378

OF

Fred ANderSON TOyOTA of Columbia


for You!Our Fred Anderson Family Plan coverage includes:

n Lifetime oil changesn Lifetime powertrain warranty (lifetime, limited non-factory warranty good at participating

dealerships)n Lifetime car washes (with every

service)n Lifetime loaner carsn Loyalty discounts

Fred Anderson Toyota of Columbia’s Family Plan provides exceptional value and savings throughout the life of your vehicle. It is our commitment to you and all of your vehicle needs — before, during and after the sale.

(844) 241-2379 • ToyotaOfColumbia.com2136 Sunset Blvd (Hwy 378) West Columbia, SC 29169


larry, steve, Matt, and abby baker7433 Broad River Road Irmo SC • 407-52885215 Sunset Blvd Lexington SC • 957-4900

Chris Hart

CAR talk

I knew something unusual was happening when I got to work early on Tuesday, May 27. The front lot was filled with dinged cars, and there were already several customers waiting at the front door for estimates. If I had watched the local news, I would have known that it had been storming in Columbia. Those dings, of course, were caused by the golf ball-sized hail that bombarded the northeast areas of our city that weekend.

For the last two weeks, I’ve probably written a hail damage estimate every 25 minutes. The hailstorms resulted in over 12,000 auto damage claims, and damages are estimated to be upwards of $2 million. Only now is it starting to feel like we’ve made a dent (pun intended) in the amount of work that needs to be done to get our customers’ vehicles back to pre-accident condition or better.

Nobody wants to drive around in a vehicle that looks like it’s been parked on a driving range, and most of our customers want their vehicles repaired right away. Here at Baker Collision Express, our staff is constantly challenged to think creatively re-garding our customer service, and this hailstorm has provided many opportunities.

Currently, every spare garage bay (as well as our showroom in the front office) is filled with paintless dent repair techni-cians. For those of you who don’t yet know, most hail dam-age on body panels can be repaired using paintless dent repair (PDR), a process by which a specialized technician can skill-fully work with the metal to remove the dents without damag-ing the existing paint. This method is faster, more cost effective, and less invasive than traditional body repair. It’s great to see the surprise and gratitude on our customers’ faces when they see their hail-damaged vehicles restored in such a short amount of time.


Lexington... we’re here for you 24/7 withamazing new homes, ready right now!

essexhomes.netessexhomes.net844 456 2020844 456 2020

Steve Ware is changing lives in this Lexington County suburb. This entrepre-neur rose above a deprived background to achieve financial success which he now devotes to his passion: guiding young people into constructive paths with a bright future. To quote the slogan of River’s Edge Retreat, “Shaping Future Young Leaders of Tomorrow … Today !”

River’s Edge Retreat is the culmination of his dream to help children reach their potential.

Ware’s connections with young peo-ple, especially those with difficulties such as poor education, broken homes, and lack of motivation. “I’ve been there,” he states simply. “When a kid acts up, defies authority, refuses to cooperate, I

understand. I know how lack of stabil-ity and support can keep children from accomplishing anything. I know how to listen instead of lecture. I wish every child could have a caring adult to keep him from giving in to discouragement and hopelessness.”

Ware’s childhood was chaotic, as he was passed from home to home and end-ed up living in over 30 different homes. At age 14, he was enrolling in his third high school in one year, and as he puts it, “hit rock bottom” at the Greenville Res-cue Mission, a homeless shelter located in Greenville, S.C. At this place, after many years of drifting and failing, he encoun-tered mentors who turned his life around by helping him appreciate his potential and the dangers of giving up.

His natural talents for leadership and industry brought him success in real es-tate, automobile sales, and the mortgage business. “Before I hit my forties I was a millionaire,” he says. It wasn’t enough. Ware felt an emptiness that told him he should be doing something better. He knew what he wanted to undertake, and he set about making it happen in spite of the daunting obstacles. “Everybody has hurdles,” he says. “I overcame mine. I can help others do the same.”

The faith community helped provide the foundation which has brought him into the enterprise he now heads up with the support of business, community, churches, and individuals. River’s Edge Retreat offers the Young Future Leaders program over a three-week period. Week One: The SEED Program. That’s Science, Exploration, Experiences and Devel-opment. Week Two: Mentorship. How to listen and lead others. Week Three: Counselor in Training. Work ethics and responsibility.

A choice bit of property in the Gardendale area of Irmo has been trans-formed from a neighborhood Swim Club into something exciting and unique. Behind an imposing wall along Garden Valley Road, a sign announcing “Riv-er’s Edge Retreat” proclaims a place of promise. Spacious buildings and well-equipped grounds await human participation. Something is going on in this place, and whatever it is involves activity and learning at a high level. Who-ever’s in charge has created a haven for hope. What’s the story?

River’s Edge RetreatA Haven for Hope

by Jackie Perrone


A special effort is ongoing to keep the price affordable, and because of the sponsorship of supporters, partial schol-arships can be offered to needy students. Sponsorships from such entities as IT-Ology, Ameris Bank, Kenneth Shuler

Schools, Crossroads and Brookland churches, Bojangles, LEIP Law Firm, and Bill Horton and Mary Major have made possible a computer lab with 40 units, a recording studio, meals and snacks, and field trips. SCANA is making a nearby building available as a technology center.

River’s Edge Retreat is now entering its fourth summer of offering unique summer-camp outdoor-in-town experi-ences in the Irmo area, just blocks from Interstate 20 and comfortably nestled into a riverside residential area. CEO Ware has turned the abandoned community recre-

ation center into an impressive facility of several buildings, a pool and athletic fields along with technology labs and study ar-eas, where swimming and crafts join with computer technology and a recording stu-dio to provide the ultimate summer expe-

rience. Every week in the summer camp season 400 youngsters come through the facilities. That’s 4000 and counting, so far, for River’s Edge Retreat.

A favorite analogy of Steve Ware’s is the expression, “If you want to be an artist, we will provide the brush, paint, canvas and teacher. If you want to be a baseball player, we will provide the ball, bat, gloves and coach.” It all starts with aspirations, and River’s Edge Re-treat focuses on making that possible.

“In the summer, when camp is in full swing, there are about 40

adults helping me here, mostly volun-teers. But year-round, it’s just me.” A Board of Directors and also a Board of Advisors help plan and carry out the mission of River’s Edge.

“It’s easy to place blame,” he says. “The home situation, the school, the financial struggle. Everybody can point fingers and criticize. What counts is to work toward helping each child to overcome the prob-lems and reach for a better life. I think it’s everyone’s responsibility to help develop the leaders of tomorrow. That’s why I’m here today.” n

“Everybody has hurdles...I overcame mine. I can help others do the same.”

Learn more and get involved! RiversEdgeRetreat.org(803) 772-2500


SPICEof LifeTilapia with Wine and Tomatoes4 (4-oz.) tilapia filetsSalt and pepper to taste4 Tbsp. butter3 cloves garlic, pressed4 fresh basil leaves, chopped1 large tomato, chopped1 cup white winePreheat a grill for medium-high heat. Place tilapia filets side by side on a large piece of aluminum foil; season with salt and pepper. Place one tablespoon of butter on top of each piece of fish; sprinkle with garlic, basil and to-mato. Pour the wine over everything. Fold foil up around fish and seal into a packet. Place packet on a cookie sheet for easy transport to and from the grill. Place foil packet on the

preheated grill and cook for 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Open the packet carefully so as not to get burned from the steam, and serve.

BLT Pasta Salad1 (16-oz.) package medium seashell pasta1 pound sliced bacon 1-1/2 cups light Ranch-style salad dressing1 small onion, chopped2 tomatoes, choppedBring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat un-til browned and crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. In a large bowl, stir together the Ranch dressing, onion, and tomatoes. Mix in the cooled pasta. The pasta will absorb some of the dressing, so don’t worry if it seems like too much. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Crumble ba-con over the top just before serving.

Watermelon Cooler Slushi 4 cups cubed, seedless watermelon10 ice cubes1/3 cup fresh lime juice1/4 cup white sugar1/8 teaspoon saltPlace watermelon and ice into a blender. Pour in lime juice, sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth, and enjoy!

Red, White & Blue


palhea_007645.05_PrintAds_LakeMurrayLife_7.875x10_01.indd 1 4/30/14 10:07 AM

lakemurraylifemagazine-july14

Documents

life lives

lexington area

hot summer

irmo area

premier retirement community

big jims steak seafood

garden home

exceptional cuisine