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Meet Genevieve Drummond, owner of Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC in Charleston, SC, and learn about her personal journey and commitment to supporting the Lowcountry

June 22, 2022 by 0 Comments
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Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC 

Our mission is to optimize clinical efficiency while fostering a holistic approach to business development and clinical management. We believe that meeting the needs of the client is paramount in creating a lasting and trusting business relationship. Therefore, we make it a priority to understand the unique nature of your business and clearly identify your personal and professional goals. We are passionate and dedicated to improving patient care, clinical outcomes and business performance.     

OUR DIFFERENCE    

We get to the root of what makes your practice special. It is important to capture both the clinical philosophy and your business’s core morals and values in all of our planning.     

Why is that?   

We firmly believe that an individualized approach to our business planning and strategies will result in optimal long-term success. We are active listeners, problem solvers and creative planners.    

Although my stay at each practice will be interminable, my goal is to provide a personalized service, that will ensure our clients’ exact needs are met.      

I have a unique perspective on the internal functions of various clinical modalities, having spent over 8 years working as a Clinical Director and Consultant. I understand firsthand a doctor’s desire to impact change in the health of their community, and improve patient outcomes but still attain financial freedom and carve out time to connect with their family.      

Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC exists to solve the critical issues facing our clients, both large and small. Our approach is not only what differentiates us, but it’s what drives our client’s success. We provide a broad range of services and solutions to help clinics facilitate change, achieve their vision and optimize performance and productivity.     

My experience allows me to take all of your hopes and dreams for both your professional and personal life, and deliver them back to you in the form of an actionable, realistic strategy.  

Services   

Our process involves an initial analysis stage where we provide a contract proposal for review. At this stage, we will perform varying degrees of clinical, financial, marketing, business planning and website performance analysis. From there, we prepare our report of findings, where we meet to review our recommendations.     

Some clinics will have the infrastructure in place to implement our integrations and recommendations immediately, and others will need more ongoing support.   

This is where our uniquely offered add-on services come in.  

Whether you need more help with staffing, training, employee handbook creation, systems integrations and streamlining of work processes. Or perhaps your clinic has larger growth goals such as increased brand awareness, website design and digital marketing, passive revenue and program integrations, associate doctor hires and team training, or adding on a second location.   

We are able to curate a specific type of service package that will fit your individual needs.  

Gen Drummond, CEO – Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC   

With over 8 years of experience acting as both a consultant and clinical director, I have built programs and strategies that help practitioners optimize their businesses and clinical functions.     

With an educational foundation in Business Communications, Digital Marketing and Finance, I started my career as an Account Executive while working in financial services. I’ve supported the growth and management of corporate group health and wellness programs for large union-based organizations. After recognizing the health challenges so many individuals were facing, I felt drawn to position myself to have a greater positive impact in the field of healthcare. As such, I decided to pursue a career in the clinical medical space. I subsequently earned a degree in nutritional sciences while working in clinical consulting and management.     

Throughout my career, I have always maintained the desire to impact change in the quality of people’s lives.  After relocating from Ontario, Canada to Charleston, South Carolina, I knew I wanted to apply my industry knowledge and consulting experience to launch a unique business model. My goal was to create an environment where I could provide my clients with all the benefits of hiring a clinical director without having to be financially responsible for their long-term employment. This enables me to effectively support the growth and efficiencies of various medical and integrative clinics while being cost-effective.     

Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC was developed to impact change in the field of healthcare, address gaps in clinical management, optimize business development and clinical functions, as well as provide my clients with the freedom to live a balanced life.       

Our move to South Carolina    

We had always dreamed of making a move down south and away from our wintery Canada. I often joked with my husband, that “I’m made for sand, not snow!” After a quick weekend trip to Charleston in 2019, we found ourselves quickly falling in love with the food, landscapes, culture, history and people.     

After several months of contemplating and then eventually planning, we were finally ready to make the leap.  Until the unimaginable happened…     

My dad and business partner suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm and collapsed at our family cottage. He was rushed to the hospital and we spent the next several weeks fighting for his life. At the same time, I was on the heels of moving into our phased clinical expansion, as we had just closed on our new property.     

Over the following 5 weeks, my dad showed little improvement in his comatose state. I focused on getting our business up and running. I staffed an entirely new administrative team, as well as onboarded a new team of doctors to support the patient roster, all without my dad as our primary care provider.      

In April of 2021, my dad took his last breath.   The series of events that followed were truly mind-boggling.  Something inside of me still saw us raising our family in South Carolina. There was a light about the area that just felt like home to me, and after losing one of the most influential people in my life, I was looking for somewhere that could feel like home.     

So, I leaned into my Faith, and surrendered to something bigger than myself.  I somehow survived on less than 3 hours of sleep a night and spent the following months building up the business to great profitability, closed on my house and integrated fully remote management capabilities of the Center. In August of 2021, we made the leap and moved to Mount Pleasant, SC.     

The welcoming we received in our community in North Mount Pleasant, was something out of a dream. Here, we’ve made friendships that feel like family and have seen our son flourish in so many fantastic ways. I can’t quite describe the healing that’s taken place here after such a traumatic experience, but what I can say is that there truly is nothing like the community that you build around you. And here, there is a feeling of profound peace, belonging and motivation to contribute.        

MY WHY  

Hummingbird Clinical Consulting LLC was born out of my love for
healthcare and connecting with my community, building profitable and
streamlined practices as well as honoring my dad’s legacy. Hummingbirds were frequently seen at our family cottage and were my dad’s favorite animal. They represent joy, healing and abundance. They seek to remind us of the importance of enjoying the simple pleasures in life.  I truly get invested in all of my client’s visions, by drawing from my knowledge in both healthcare and marketing. I am purposeful when seeking to find the unique nature of their practices. Through my intentional and fulfilling work, I have connected with so many wonderful people with missions that are aligned

Lowcountry

Aquariums Applaud Introduction of the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act on World Sea Turtle Day

June 21, 2022 by 0 Comments
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The New England Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital takes in hundreds of cold-stunned turtles that strand on Cape Cod beaches each fall and winter, treating the animals for life-threatening medical conditions and rehabilitating them with the ultimate goal of returning to the turtles to their ocean home. CREDIT: New England Aquarium 

BALTIMORE, MD., BOSTON, MA. and CHARLESTON, SC. (June 16, 2022) – The National Aquarium, New England Aquarium and South Carolina Aquarium celebrate World Sea Turtle Day by recognizing Massachusetts legislators for introducing legislation to increase funding for sea turtle conservation. The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act of 2022, introduced by U.S. Representative William Keating and U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, will fill a crucial gap in sea turtle conservation by providing much-needed direct support to organizations who provide sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation.

Organizations like the National Aquarium, New England Aquarium and South Carolina Aquarium directly contribute to sea turtle conservation while educating the public on the threats facing these threatened and endangered species, which include fishing gear and other plastic debris entanglements, boat strikes and cold-stun events that in some regions are intensifying due to climate change. As a result, the number of sea turtle strandings and the costs associated are increasing. There is no existing grant program that provides direct support to the dozens of institutions who rescue and rehabilitate critically endangered sea turtles.  Aquarium partners are proud to help lead this nationwide effort to address the lack of federal support for sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation.

“For over 30 years, the National Aquarium’s Animal Health and Rescue teams have been working to rescue, rehabilitate and release sea turtles along the East Coast. This work has provided an up-close view to the challenges facing protected marine species and those who care for them” said National Aquarium CEO John Racanelli. “The National Aquarium is proud to help lead this nationwide effort to address the lack of federal support for sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation and is appreciative of the leadership of Representative William Keating and Senator Ed Markey for introducing the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act.”

“For the past three decades, the New England Aquarium has been operating one of the largest sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation programs in the world with the assistance of a vast, collaborative network of rescue partners. We are grateful for support from our Massachusetts delegation so that we can all continue this important conservation work and life-saving care,” said New England Aquarium President and CEO Vikki N. Spruill.

“The South Carolina Aquarium has been dedicated to rehabilitating sick and injured sea turtles for over 20 years. Sea turtles are ambassadors for conservation and drive awareness and actionable change for a better tomorrow,” says South Carolina Aquarium President and CEO Kevin Mills. “Their stories are critical to connecting people to water, wildlife and wild places, and we are grateful to lend our voice in the movement to secure federal financial assistance to continue this meaningful work.”

Thanks to a nationwide sea turtle funding effort led by the National Aquarium, New England Aquarium, and South Carolina Aquarium, three dozen bipartisan members of Congress and 42 institutions from 22 states and territories have already endorsed calls for funding sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation. The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act builds on that momentum by creating a permanent grant program to support organizations responding to and caring for threatened and endangered sea turtles.

Each year, hundreds of cold-stunned sea turtles wash up on the beaches of Cape Cod. Because of the rapidly changing water temperature and wind pattern, many turtles cannot escape the hook-like area of Cape Cod Bay before becoming hypothermic. Starting in October, staff and volunteers with sea turtle stranding network partners begin to comb the beaches looking for stranded, hypothermic turtles that are then transported to the New England Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital. The turtles are triaged and treated for life-threatening conditions, including pneumonia and dehydration. Once the turtles are stabilized, veterinarians examine animals that need further care before they can be released back into the wild and clear others for travel to partner facilities, including National Aquarium and South Carolina Aquarium, to continue rehabilitation.

The National Aquarium, New England Aquarium and South Carolina Aquarium participate in the AZA Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) Sea Turtle program, which is focused on making significant contributions to the conservation of sea turtles, specifically the Kemp’s ridley and the Eastern Pacific leatherback.

Stay up to date on happenings in the Lowcountry with Charleston Daily

Photo Credit: South Carolina Aquarium

Lowcountry

Charleston International Airport announces new flights and destinations

June 21, 2022 by 0 Comments
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The Charleston International Airport has recently announced new flights being offered from Charleston, SC.  Check out the new flights and dates of launch for Spring/Summer and beyond.

 Breeze Airways

  • San Francisco, CA – Beginning May 26 | 3x per week
  • Syracuse, NY – Beginning June 10 | 2x per week
  • Fort Myers, FL – Beginning June 11 | 2x per week
  • Orlando, FL – Beginning  – June 23 | Daily
  • White Plains, NY – Beginning June 28 | Daily
  • Las Vegas, NV – Beginning August 5 | 3x per week

Avelo Airlines

  • New Haven, CT – Beginning May 5 | 4x per week
  • Orlando, FL Beginning June 30 | 3x per week

Sun Country Airlines

  • Minneapolis, MN – Beginning April 7 | 2x per week

Southwest Airlines

  • Austin, TX – Beginning March 10

Learn more about happenings in Charleston, SC with Charleston Daily

Lowcountry

Local Charleston Business Rebecca Illustrated has created an artistic memory for your Girls Weekend, Wedding, or more

June 20, 2022 by 0 Comments
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Local Charleston Business “Rebecca Illustrated” has taken the concept of a Girls Weekend and created a permanent piece of art to document your adventures forever.

By translating your amazing itinerary of shopping, dining, drinking, dancing, and all-around friendship mayhem, Rebecca has created a unique approach to capture these memories in art.

Check out this recent commission:

James & John's Islands, SC - Lowcountry

Breakthrough musical sensation Indigo De Souza gave a powerful and personal performance at the Pour House in Charleston, SC

June 20, 2022 by 0 Comments
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By Kevin Keck

It is a rare experience to watch an emerging artist in a small club and know with absolute certainty that you are witnessing someone who is on the verge of becoming a bonafide star. That was certainly the case when Indigo De Souza took the stage at The Pour House in Charleston on June 14th. There was an electricity in the room before De Souza and her band strummed the first chords of the haunting “Darker Than Death” a little before 9:30, as though the crowd in attendance was fully aware that the intimacy of this performance was soon to be relegated to the past as the rest of the world becomes aware of the strength of De  Souza’s compositions and the charisma of her stage presence.

Lyrically and sonically, De Souza conjures a cocktail of all of the best recordings released by Matador Records in the 1990s; she is a singer-songwriter in the mold of Liz Phair and PJ Harvey, with a heavy helping of pop sensibilities thrown in for good measure. Her lyrics are confessional and introspective,  exploring the dark corners of relationships and the human condition with an honesty that is both refreshing and disarming. Onstage, she is a force of nature,  her powerful voice never faltering as she bares her soul to the audience. She is backed by a tight band that knows how to highlight her strengths without overpowering her.

The Pour House audience was willing to have a taste of whatever De  Souza served up—as she and her band took time to tune between the first few  songs of her set, the crowd exchanged banter with her and shouted words of  affirmation: “You’re perfect!” an acolyte screamed; “Not true!” De Souza shot back, clearly blushing and embarrassed by the praise, immediately launching into the very danceable and sing-a-long worthy gem “Kill Me” with its heartfelt instructions: Fuck me till my brains start dripping.  

As the set progressed the audience grew quiet and reverential between songs as if held in rapturous awe by the sight of De Souza bathed in the blue cascade of stage lights as if the sounds of her voice and guitar had consecrated the space and she was beatified at its center, preparing to lead us all into a palace of transcendence. And then she would start singing again, and we would all be brought back to the present moment with the force of her words and the power of her performance.

A high point of the night was the mid-set ballad “Real Pain”, a heart-wrenching song about the loss of love for which De Souza abandons the protective shield of her guitar and commands the stage with full-throated, Rock  God status. The simplicity of the song’s arrangement served to underscore the emotional power of the lyrics, and by the time she reached the final crescendo— belting out an expansive, crooning, empathetic voodoo wail—the entire room was awash in a sonic cacophony that left no doubt that De Souza did indeed know and understand pain and triumphed over it, and in doing so her triumph became our own. 

“Real Pain” was followed by the Mazzy Star-like blues dirge “What Are We  Gonna Do Now” that further showcased De Souza’s prodigious vocal talents.  Lyrically, the song plays with a dysfunctional domestic scenario, and the musical arrangement contains elements of 1950s honky-tonk, and it was hard not to notice a wry smile on De Souza’s face throughout this song, and how her hair was adorned with a red polka-dot bow—an appropriate homage to Rosie the  Riveter and the strength of a woman’s power.

Thematically, much of De Souza’s music deals with loss, grief, and pain,  but there is also an undercurrent of hope and resilience that runs through her  songs, such as in the arena-rock worthy “Way Out”: “There are no monsters  underneath your bed / And I’ll never be the only thing you love / … If you want  to change / I’ll be here to love you / I’ll be here to hold you through the pain.” 

It is difficult to overstate the crowd’s welcoming reception of Indigo De  Souza. 

She has a way of making you feel as though you are the only person in the room, even when it is packed to capacity. And her songs, which are often dark and introspective, take on a new meaning when performed live. They feel less like documents of experience and more like living, breathing entities,  capable of changing and evolving as she works through them onstage.

De Souza is definitely the kind of artist that the world needs now, bearing a horn of fire and light through the darkness constantly encroaching. De Souza is a rare talent,  and she is clearly on the verge of something great—her show immediately following Charleston was at Bonnaroo; she won’t be a well-kept secret for very long. If you have the opportunity to see her perform do not miss it. It will be an experience you cherish for quite some time.

Lowcountry

New Outdoor Amphitheater at The Refinery will Bring Live Entertainment to Downtown Charleston this Summer

June 19, 2022 by 0 Comments
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The Lowcountry’s newest mixed-use destination will host national, regional and local performance acts at its outdoor amphitheater 

CHARLESTON, SC (June 17, 2022) – The Refinery, Charleston’s newest mixed-use development designed for a work and play lifestyle, located at 1640 Meeting Street Rd., will begin hosting live concerts and events at its new outdoor music amphitheater this August. The new venue, in conjunction with Charleston-based entertainment agency Ear for Music, will welcome a variety of local, regional and national performing acts to the Lowcountry, including Trouble No More and Trevor Hall August 13th and 14th. Ticketing information and a complete schedule of events will be released soon.

“Our goal was to create a dynamic space that is accessible to the community, yet unique to downtown Charleston,” shares Lindsay Nevin, owner and CEO of The Flyway Companies. “We can’t wait to host an array of talented performers and entertainers from across the country right here in Charleston. The Refinery will be a place where locals and visitors alike can come together and experience the Lowcountry lifestyle in a unique way.”

The Refinery’s outdoor space accommodates up to 1,500 patrons and will offer fast and fun food and drink options during events via the property’s anchor tenants, The Whale, Sweet Grass Vodka and a new restaurant that will be announced soon. The Refinery building features 17 commercial spaces, as well as an outdoor rooftop called “The Platform,” which will offer an elevated VIP experience for concertgoers. The Platform is also available to rent for private events for up to 150 guests.

The Refinery Amphitheater will feature a covered stage, green space, permanent restrooms and concessions in retrofitted shipping containers, as well as unique greenrooms for artists, housed in a renovated railcar. Inspiration for the retrofitted railcar greenroom came from the property’s historical roots and industrial surroundings, which was once owned by Standard Oil.

For more information about The Refinery and opening weekend, visit therefinerychs.com or follow The Refinery on Facebook (The Refinery) and Instagram (@TheRefineryCHS). To inquire about available space or hosting a private event at The Refinery, email info@therefinerychs.com.

About The Refinery: 

Developed by The Flyway Companies and Mountain Shore Properties, The Refinery is an urban mixed-use development located on Charleston’s upper peninsula at 1640 Meeting Street Rd., situated between North Charleston and downtown Charleston. Designed for a work and play lifestyle, The Refinery attracts locals and visitors alike with retail, hospitality, office space and special event venues, as well as an outdoor music amphitheater. The Flyway Companies is made up of four Charleston-based organizations consisting of real estate, development, construction and property management, and focuses on adaptive reuse projects across the Southeast with developments in Nashville, Savannah and the Lowcountry. For more information on The Refinery, visit therefinerychs.com or follow along on Facebook (The Refinery) and Instagram (@TheRefineryCHS).

Lowcountry

The Children’s Musuem of the Lowcountry Executive Director, Nichole Myles, departs after 7 wonderful years

June 19, 2022 by 1 Comment
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Let us all take a moment to with Nichole the best wishes as she moves onto the next chapter of her life journey and thank her for 7 wonderful years with the Chidren’s Museum of the Lowcountry, Thank you Nichole!

Statement from the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry

Our Executive Director, Nichole Myles, is moving on to her next brilliant adventure! Join us in wishing her well as she leaves CML after caring for the Museum for the last 7 years and bringing it through the pandemic.

A note from Nichole: Seven years ago, I was recruited to lead the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry as Executive Director. I’d never spent any time in Charleston, South Carolina, except for a brief visit to the museum a couple of months earlier: but I knew potential when I saw it, and I wanted to bring what I saw to life.

The last seven years have been about realizing that vision for potential while navigating new opportunities and unexpected challenges (looking at you, COVID!) and I’m proud of the progress CML has made. We’ve set records in attendance, grown our potential-igniting events, created new and impactful community partnerships, and raised the conversation around the importance of early childhood experiences, especially for those who have been historically under-represented and under-served. We’ve improved and expanded our services onsite and built an entirely new, and vibrant outreach program serving children, families, and educators who had previously been unable to access us, in new and exciting ways.

I love hearing the ‘music’ of children, their caregivers, and educators humming through our space. Discovering, questioning, testing, and growing, learning, and uncovering their potential: the soundtrack to what is now almost 25 years in education and nonprofit experience. It’s been the backdrop to a blessed career, that is made only more brilliant by the incredible team of CML staff and exceptional board of directors I’ve had the opportunity to work with these past 7 years.

This week marks the end of my tenure with the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. The work has been an amazing experience and CML will always have a piece of my heart but it is time for me to begin my next chapter. After my departure, I’ll officially be launching MylestoGo Speaking and Consulting (mylestogo.net) as my full-time work. I’m excited to take my experiences in work and life forward, using my skills to help others navigate personal and organizational challenges through speaking, facilitating, and coaching.

I am so grateful for all of you who have been here during this time: as peers, colleagues, visitors, members, donor, board members, and joyful discoverers. While it’s hard for me to leave it behind, I know that the combined passions you’ve all demonstrated for CML will mean that the brilliant ‘hum’ of discovery goes on long after I leave.

The next chapter is almost always bittersweet and this one is no different. I am looking so forward to the impact I can bring to so many in my next endeavor, but I will miss my team, board, and seeing those little faces light up in real time the moment they realize ‘they can do it’. It’s a lesson (and an inspiration) we all can benefit from.


Lowcountry - North Charleston, SC

Dunkin’ Brings Next Generation Store to North Charleston – Grand Opening June 23, 2022

June 16, 2022 by 0 Comments
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Newly designed store of the future with modern changes to open on Rivers Avenue 

North Charleston, SC (June 16, 2022) – People who live, work and travel through North Charleston can now experience Dunkin’s store of the future. Dunkin’ will open its new restaurant at 7818 Rivers Avenue on Thursday, June 23, featuring the brand’s next generation design, with a modern atmosphere and innovative technologies.  

The restaurant will open at 5 a.m. on opening day, awarding the first 50 guests in line for the lobby with Free Coffee for a Year to the store and will celebrate at 7:30 a.m. with a ribbon cutting with local dignitaries, the franchisee and crew, and guests. In addition, guests can enjoy appearances by Dunkin’ mascots and swag giveaways. 

Exciting elements of Dunkin’s new restaurant experience at the Rivers Avenue location include:   

·                     Modern Design: The openness, colors and materials used in the design help to create an approachable, positive and energetic environment.   

·                     Premium Pours: Dunkin’s signature cold beverages are now served through an innovative tap system serving eight consistently cold beverages such as coffees, iced teas, cold brew coffee and nitro infused cold brew coffee. Crew members will also use top-quality flavor-maximizing espresso machines to make hand-crafted drinks to order.    

·                     Dunkin’ on Demand: Dunkin’ has also introduced an area dedicated to mobile pickups, so that members of the DD Perks® Rewards program who order ahead via Dunkin’s Mobile App can get in and out of the restaurant faster than ever before. Guests will be able to track the status of their orders placed for pickup inside the restaurant via a new digital order status board.   

·                     Increased Energy Efficiency: The new Dunkin’ is a DD Green Achievement™ restaurant, which is designed to save 25% more energy compared to a standard Dunkin’ restaurant.   

“Dunkin’s next generation stores have been exceedingly well-received, and we are proud to bring this innovative restaurant to the community,” said franchisee, George Ross. “The new modern design and technology updates will grab the attention of Dunkin’ fans old and new and help keep North Charleston running on Dunkin’ for years to come.”     

The restaurant will be open daily from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends, with the dining room closing at 7 p.m. every day. To learn more about Dunkin’ and this location, visit www.dunkindonuts.com, or subscribe to the Dunkin’ blog to receive notifications here.   

*Free coffee for a year comes in the form of 1 coupon book that includes coupons for free medium hot/iced coffee, 4 coupons per month for 12 months + 2 bonus months (total 56 coupons).    

About Dunkin’    

Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ is America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ is a market leader in the hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced regular/decaf/flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin’ has earned a No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for 14 years running. The company has more than 12,600 restaurants in 40 countries worldwide. Dunkin’ is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.   

Lowcountry

Moe’s Southwest Grill and Charleston County Parks Partner to Create Sweet Dreams Made of Queso at Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark After Passionate Plea for Queso Lazy River

June 15, 2022 by 0 Comments
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100 lucky winners will have the chance for free entry to float down the park’s Lazy River on a life-size tortilla chip float and win free Moe’s queso for a year

Charleston, SC – June 15, 2022 – After one Charleston man’s passionate pitch to transform the Rollin’ River Lazy River at Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark into a Moe’s Famous Queso-filled lazy river, Charleston County Parks and Moe’s Southwest Grill have teamed up to make his dream a close reality. On June 28, the waterpark’s 870-foot-long, winding lazy river, located at North Charleston’s Wannamaker County Park, will be filled with 100 tortilla chip floats.

This celebrated event wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for a Moe’s sign and an epic email exchange between Hagan Ragland, Charleston resident, and Nicholas Epps, a Charleston County Parks customer service representative. While dining at his local Moe’s, Ragland happened to see a sign that was based on a 2019 tweet from Moe’s: “Hear Me Out: Queso Lazy River.” A lightbulb went off, leading Ragland to write an email to   encourage the park to “turn the lazy river at Whirlin’ Waters into a queso cheese lazy river.” He painted a brilliant picture: “float in the river with a bag of chips and a long twisty straw and have the time of our lives with that sweet, sweet queso.”

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think the beauty of a queso lazy river would have the slightest chance of existence, but boy, was I proved wrong,” said Ragland. “Not only did the Charleston County Parks team go out of its way to ‘let me down gently,’ now the team and Moe’s are going out of their way to share my fantasy with the entire community.”

While Charleston County Parks could have simply responded ‘no’, Epps took it upon himself to ‘cheese the day’ with a witty reply. Epps’ humor, from “the cheesy oasis we have all dreamed of” to the “Jack and Rose situation” that the flimsy nacho chips would create, had people across the country roaring with laughter… Now, Epps and Ragland will get to live out their Queso Lazy River dreams floating side-by-side, with Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’ playing in the background, as they sit on top of their own tortilla chip floats, gliding into the sunset.

“After receiving Hagan’s initial email, I wanted the opportunity to meet him over a large bowl of queso, but this is even better,” said Epps. “I mean, it’s really what queso is all about: bringing people together.”

On June 14, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Charleston County Parks launched a social media contest for queso lovers to win the chance to participate in the “Queso Lazy River Day” at Whirlin’ Waters on June 28. 50 winners will be selected to receive two free tickets into the waterpark on June 28, two free floats and free queso for a year* from Moe’s Southwest Grill to enjoy and to share with a friend. Participants who are interested can visit the local Moe’s Instagram and Facebook pages to enter to win. Also follow Charleston County Parks (@CharlestonCountyParks) for more excitement and updates leading up to the big day. Winners will be announced on June 23.

*The Moe’s Free Queso for a Year Reward entitles each winner to one free cup of queso per week for 52 consecutive weeks through the Moe Rewards app. If you aren’t a Moe Rewards member just yet, check out their app here.