Your Mom’s Donuts, home to two locations in Charlotte, NC, has opened their third location on John’s Island, SC at 3157 Maybank Hwy, offering crazy and creative square treats with both sweet and savory flavors ranging from Bananas Foster and Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake to Blackberry Cornmeal (made with blackberries from the John’s Island Farmers Market) and Pimento Cheese.
When she’s not managing her rockstar team of bakers, Courtney can be found homeschooling her three kids (she’s a single mom and truly does it all), walking her six dogs, or tending to her 8 horses that she boards on her property.
Ever since moving to the Charlotte area in 2005, Courtney worked to connect local farms to restaurants that were in search of a better product. That work helped her create the relationships she needed to source her ingredients for her donuts from farmers and purveyors who mimic her philosophy of sustainability and quality.
Her donuts are all crafted with locally sourced ingredients like strawberries, blueberries and watermelon from local farms such as Fireant Farms and Wishbone Heritage Farms. If you ask Courtney one thing that matters to her more than anything- it’s community. She lives and breathes it.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Charleston Parks Conservancy has received a $5,000 grant from Publix Super Market Charities to support its community garden program.
This month, Publix Super Markets Charities is donating $5.5 million to 300 Feeding America member food banks and other nonprofit organizations as part of their ongoing support to alleviate hunger and help local communities within Publix’s operating area.
The Conservancy currently manages three community gardens:
Corrine Jones Park and Community Garden in downtown Charleston
Magnolia Park and Community Garden in West Ashley
Medway Park and Community Garden on James Island
In each community garden, beds are available for the public to lease and grow their own produce. Additional community beds are used for education and demonstration. Volunteers help harvest the produce from those beds, which is donated to local food pantries and community organizations. So far in 2021, the Conservancy has donated 2,561 pounds of produce.
Since the Conservancy’s Grow It Forward program launched in 2014, produce has been grown in more than 35 community beds, supporting neighbors who are dealing with food insecurity. The produce harvested from these beds is donated to community partners, including Destiny Community Cafe, Stone Soup Collective, Lowcountry Food Bank, One180Place and James Island Outreach as well to organizations focused on critical illnesses, such as Amor Healing Kitchen.
In 2020, the Conservancy began working with organizations serving the community, including the Eastside Community Development Corporation and the Friends of Joseph Floyd Manor.
More than 19,000 pounds of produce have been donated to these organizations over the last seven years.
“Our community gardens are an integral part of our work to create stronger neighborhoods, promote healthy living and provide fresh produce to local food pantries,” said Tom McGuire, the Conservancy’s executive director. “Through this program, community members can grow their own food in a public park, learn about urban horticulture, and donate fresh produce to those battling food insecurity in our community. We’re tremendously grateful to Publix Super Markets Charities for recognizing the important role community gardens play in fighting hunger.”
Through a public-private partnership model, the Conservancy works with the city’s Parks Department as well as community leaders, neighborhoods and engaged citizens to transform and activate the city’s parks and green spaces. The Conservancy and its Park Angel volunteers actively maintain more than 20 city parks and gardens.
The Charleston Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the people of Charleston to connect with their parks and create stunning public places and a strong community. For more than 13 years, the Conservancy — through public-private partnerships — has had a hand in renovating and beautifying more than 20 parks in the City of Charleston. In 2020, renovations were completed at Moultrie Playground and at St. Julian Devine Community Center & Park. Other notable projects include the complete renovation of Colonial Lake, the renovation of the Rose Pavilion at Hampton Park as well as Magnolia Park and Community Garden and Medway Park and Community Garden. For more information, visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org.
Pictured from left are Lee Island, store manager at the Publix at Ashley Landing; Stephanie Lee, donor relations manager for the Charleston Parks Conservancy; and Courtney Olson, Conservancy’s community garden manager & educator.
[Photo Courtney Olson produce donation]
Courtney Olson, community garden manager & educator for the Charleston Parks Conservancy, gathers produce to share with local food pantries.
Clemson University was once again ranked as one of the top public universities in the country according to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report ranking of 381 national universities. Clemson tied for No. 30 among public institutions, marking the 16th consecutive year the University has ranked among the top 30 nationally.
The University remains the top public institution in the state of South Carolina according to U.S. News, and Clemson recorded its highest-ever academic reputation score, tabulated from a survey of peer institutions.
“The value of a Clemson degree, and the impact Clemson University continues to make on the citizens of the State of South Carolina, remain our highest priority,” Provost Bob Jones said. “It’s always great to be recognized among national leaders in these rankings, especially by our peer institutions for specific programs and colleges.”
Among individual undergraduate programs recognized in 2021, engineering, nursing, computer science and business were among the nation’s best. Industrial engineering and accounting were specifically highlighted as top programs, recognized specifically through nomination by other institutions.
The rankings also recognized the University’s strong alumni engagement and financial support, placing Clemson third among all public universities for alumni participation. In FY21, the generosity and commitment of Clemson alumni and friends led to another historic year of philanthropy with more than $202 million raised, creating 115 new scholarships and fellowships and 85 new endowments.
Additionally, the University was cited as the 26th most innovative among all national universities.
Clemson’s support for students was recognized, including its internship and co-op programs, ranking 15th among all schools.
Bank of America’s $500,000 grant expands program statewide
Three Chamber organizations from across South Carolina jointly announced today that Bank of America has provided a $500,000 grant to launch a statewide Minority Business Accelerator program. This program will be led by the Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville Chambers and is set to launch in January of 2022.
The Minority Business Accelerator supports and scales high-potential minority-owned firms by providing targeted training, access to business coaches, and access to large corporations. Participants leave the program with a three-year Strategic Growth Action Plan to guide their development. The $500,000 grant from Bank of America to fund this program expansion is part of the bank’s $1.25 billion, five-year commitment to help advance racial equality and economic opportunity in local communities.
“Together with the Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville Chamber organizations, we are working to do our part to support minority-owned businesses, and we hope to encourage others as well,” said Kim Wilkerson, president, Bank of America South Carolina. “Here in South Carolina, Bank of America remains focused on creating opportunity in the areas of jobs, training, and workforce development as these areas are where systemic, long-term gaps have existed and where significant change is required to achieve sustainable progress.”
The Minority Business Accelerator has existed in the Upstate through the Greenville Chamber since 2012 and has been tremendously successful. The program will now be replicated in the Midlands and Lowcountry markets. The program in each region will be led by the respective Chamber and a program instructor following the internationally-recognized Interise StreetWise ‘MBA’ curriculum. Participants undergo intensive training for the first six months, then work closely with mentors, coaches and MBA peers on their Strategic Growth Action Plans and implementation of learnings for the last six months.
Upon leaving the program, these firms are positioned for accelerated growth with enhanced access to capital and business networks. Nationwide, after completing the StreetWise ‘MBA’ program, businesses experience 36% growth rate in revenue, create jobs four times faster than the private sector, and see $2.4 million in new contracts per firm. These businesses also help meet increasing demand among large corporations to improve vendor and supplier diversity.
Expanding the program statewide will create a more prosperous South Carolina through inclusive economic development and job creation. The three chambers working together, supported by Bank of America, provide a foundation of success for South Carolina’s minority business enterprises.
Cake cafe owners with open sign
The program is open to socially or economically underrepresented businesses including those that are minority-owned, woman-owned or veteran-owned. Participants must have at least one other full-time employee and must also be headquartered in South Carolina.
Recruitment for program participants will begin this fall, with the three programs set to launch in January.
About the Charleston Metro Chamber
With approximately 1,600 member organizations representing 160,000 professionals, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as the collective voice of the business community, and a catalyst for regional economic advancement and member success through Talent, Advocacy, Leadership and Business Development. Visit www.charlestonchamber.org.
About Columbia Chamber
The Columbia Chamber is a private, nonprofit, Partner-driven organization comprised of 1,200 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its Partners and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its Partners through networking, professional development, advocacy, and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.
About the Greenville Chamber
The Greenville Chamber, now in its 133rd year of operation, is the largest business organization in Upstate South Carolina with over 1900 Investors supporting the vision of a globally competitive Upstate economy where businesses succeed and people prosper. For information, visit greenvillechamber.org.
About Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer, and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).
After 3 long years of trying to open our own Pumpkin Patch the time has finally come! Come celebrate with us Saturday, September 25th at our Grand Opening Event! We’ll have live music and everything Fall you can think of.
We’ll have a type of Pumpkins, Mums, Straw Bales, Gourds, Indian corn and so much more! Come see our gift shop with all types of unique Fall and Halloween decor. We are excited to have you!
When: September 25, 2021 – Open 10:00AM on Saturday until 8:00PM.
Where: Dreaming Farms, 1540 Camp Road, Charleston, SC 29412, Charleston, United States
CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Citadel is the U.S. News and World Report #1 Top Public College in the South for the 11th successive year. The ranking, for institutions offering up to a master’s degree, is part of the digital media company’s new, 2022 college rankings released Sept. 13, 2021.
“This is not an easy feat, but The Citadel is resolute about providing a transformational experience for cadets that cultivates long-term dividends,” said The Citadel President Gen. Glenn M. Walters, USMC (Ret.), Class of 1979. “Earning the ranking of #1 Top Public College in the South from U.S. News & World Report one time, let alone 11 times, is only possible because of the passion and commitment of everyone on campus and our steadfast alumni.”
The Citadel’s most prominent rankings on the U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges lists include:
#1 Top Public College, Regional Universities (South); #2 overall including private
“The Citadel is simply the best choice for people willing to take on exceptional challenges in college that will lead to exceptional results in life,” said the Regimental Commander of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, Cadet Col. Kathryn Christmas. “Being ranked the top public college in the South year after year by U.S. News & World Report helps validate the value of a Citadel experience for those who may not yet know about the benefits within the Corps.”
Christmas, who is from Easley, South Carolina, explained that The Citadel education begins with Four Pillars – character, academics, military and fitness. “Developing the whole person makes our graduates strong and ready to lead no matter where they go.”
U.S. News & World Report was one of the first American publishers to produce a college rankings list based on a complex formula of publicly reported data that is submitted to the U.S. Department of Education annually by all institutions of higher education.
Remember being young and chasing after ice cream trucks? Well, now kids of all ages can run no further because Dashi has just opened their anxiously awaited Dessert Camper, which will be parked at the restaurant (located at 1262 Remount Road) all summer long. There’s really no better way to beat the Charleston heat than cooling off with an ice cream cone, cup or sundae after enjoying a delicious meal.
The Dashi Dessert Camper will feature local ice cream from Cirsea, with fun flavors like Vanilla Black Pepper, Latte, Green Tea, Cinnamon, Strawberry Goat Cheese, Strawberry Cheesecake, Bourbon Caramel and more. Toppings include everything from the traditional chocolate and sprinkles to the more unique Thai tea pecans and peach compote. Rotating soft serve flavors will also be available, as well as a sundae of the week.
Austin Dubinsky has been named Pastry Chef and joins Dashi from The 5th Street Group where he continues to make pastries for 5Church and Tempest. While in his hometown of St. Louis, he worked at James Beard Award-Winning Chef Gerard Craft’s French bistro, Brasserie, and trained under Pastry Chef Elise Mensing, grasping the art of desserts from tarts to sorbets to profiteroles.
The Dashi Dessert Camper is open during the restaurant’s normal business hours: Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m
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