Grand Strand Newsmakers

County honors employees for service

Georgetown County’s Department of Public Services and Director Ray Funnye paid tribute to the department’s outstanding employees this month and presented several awards for dedication and hard work, including Employee of the Year. The awards were presented on Nov. 18 during a ceremony at the Waccamaw Regional Recreation Center in Pawleys Island.

“After all the hard work each of you has put forth this past year, it is important that we stop and take the time to focus on each one of you as individuals,” Funnye told his staff during the event. “You are more than our employees. Each of you is a vital part of our team. You give your best every day to make Georgetown County the wonderful place that it is.”

The department recognized three employees who stood out this year in their excellence.

Bob Julian, an HVAC technician, was named Public Services Employee of the Year. Julian joined the county staff after eight years in the Navy. He increased his knowledge and experience of mechanical operations while being employed as a technician on the maintenance staff at a college. Immediately after beginning work with the Facility Services Division of the county’s Public Services Department, he started volunteering his free time to share his skills with inmates participating in the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office Re-entry Program. The program teaches inmates job skills to help them avoid recidivism.

Julian goes several days a week to teach inmates how to diagnose common problems with HVAC systems and has never requested comp time or any form of reimbursement for his time and efforts.

Julian is described as very self-sufficient and has the ability to complete projects correctly with very little input from supervisors.

The 2015 Professional Achievement Award was presented to Cassandra Coleman, administrative assistant for the Facility Services and Capital Projects divisions. Coleman has been employed with thecounty for nearly 10 years and works diligently to keep the operations in both divisions running smoothly. She also graciously accepted positions on two departmental committees, taking on additional responsibilities. She serves on the department’s Watershed Committee and the department’s American Public Works Association re-accreditation Committee.

“Without her work on both committees, their work wouldn’t be as professional or asaccurate,” said Tracy Jones, Stormwater Division manager, who presented the award.

Mary Hezekiah, scalehouse operator at the Georgetown County Landfill, was the recipient of the 2015 Customer Service Award. She has worked for the county for 20 years and provides outstanding customer service, while collecting accurate disposal data and tipping fees, and educating her customers on current programs offered by her division, Jones said. Hezekiah has a Class III supervisor certification and continues to increase her knowledge of the solid waste industry through continuing education courses.

“Her charming character and warm disposition with customers allows her to provide stellar customer service,” Jones said.

Black River United Way recognizes support

The Black River United Way is pleased to report funding received from corporate, foundation and business donors to assist with Flood Relief and Recovery efforts being made throughout Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. Funds will be dispersed directly to nonprofit partners in both counties who are working with families and individuals affected by last month’s flooding. Funds will be used for housing repairs, food, furniture and medical needs as determined by the case management process. One hundred percent of the funds received for Flood Relief by the United Way are being distributed back into Georgetown and Williamsburg counties.

Locally the most generous partners include Anderson Brothers Bank ($15,000) and Tidelands Community Hospital ($10,000).

Austin Beard, Manager and city executive of Anderson Brothers Bank, said that it was important for the bank to support the relief efforts since many of its customers and community neighbors had been affected by the flooding.

Tidelands Health, the largest health care provider in Georgetown and Horry counties stepped in to share support to individuals recovering from displacement from the floods.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC Foundation has earmarked a portion of its flood relief funding, up to $50,000, to the region to assist with new projects and support as needed.

United Way of Midlands has distributed to date almost $45,000 to the region from funds generated through the United Way state funding site for flood relief.

The following businesses and organizations have donated over $30,000 in funds to the Black River Flood Relief Fund: Blackwater, Inc. (Aynor), Faison Group (Charlotte), Gov Solution Group (Charleston), Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church (Pawleys Island), Renaissance Charitable Fund (Indianapolis), Sisters of Charity Foundation (Columbia), Spivey Family Foundation (Pawleys Island) and The Cato Corporation (Kingstree).

Area Maaco donates refurbished truck to veteran

Jason Hess, Myrtle Beach resident and veteran, is now riding around the city on a new set of wheels. On Veterans Day, Joe Johnson, owner of Maaco Myrtle Beach, handed over the keys to a truck his team restored to gift to an area veteran in need of transportation. Jason Hess served 10 years in the U.S. Navy.

Area KOA wins President’s, Founder’s awards

The Myrtle Beach KOA has earned the prestigious 2016 KOA President’s and Founder’s Awards from Kampgrounds of America Inc., the world’s largest system of family-friendly, open-to-the-public campgrounds.

The awards were presented Wednesday, November 18 at KOA’s Annual International Convention in Daytona Beach, Florida. KOA is celebrating its 53rd Anniversary in 2015.

The KOA President’s Awards are presented annually to campgrounds that receive high scores in customer service from their campers, and also receive high scores in KOA’s annual Campground Quality Review.

The KOA Founder’s Award is named in honor of Dave Drum, who founded KOA on the banks of the Yellowstone River in Billings, Montana in 1962. It is given to those KOA campgrounds that attained the very top scores in both customer service and the KOA Quality Review.

KOA surveys hundreds of thousands of campers each year regarding their KOA camping experience, and those surveys are used as a basis for the awards.

“We know that our overall success at KOA hinges on the experience our campground owners provide to our guests,” said KOA President Pat Hittmeier. “Our owners just keep getting better and better at providing great camping for our guests. At the same time, they continue to invest in their KOA properties to add activities and amenities that ensure our success in the future.”

“It’s an honor to recognize these great KOA owners for their efforts,” Hittmeier said. “The KOA President’s Award and KOA Founder’s Award are well deserved.”

To find out more about this KOA any of the other 490 KOAs in the U.S. or Canada, go to www.KOA.com.

Subhead

On November 11, the Little River Elks No. 2840 hosted the Veterans Day Ceremony at the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Little River. About 150veterans and patriots attended this ceremony honoring veterans on this day.

Following is a list of volunteers who participated in this event;N.M.B. Memorial Gardens Staff, Little River Elks Lodge # 2840, Singers Jason Cox and Leslie Clock (from Alabama Theater), M.B. Regional Pipe Band, Fort Jackson Riffle Brigade and Burglar, Pastor Shane Robertson, N.M.B. High School NJROTC, N.M.B. Christian School Marine Corps. JROTC, 4th Degree Assembly of the Knights of Columbus St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, M. B. Sam’s Club, N.M.B. Walmart and Richard Sellers Sound Equipment.

Special Guests were; John Mortimer (retired Army Lt. Colonel), Associate Dean and Professor, at the Wall Collage of Business and Jason Miller Former Sgt. 1 Class, Green Beret from Fort Bragg, N.C. Special thanks to Allisun Hendricks, owner of Memorial Gardens for her continued support of honoring our veterans at her facility.

Middle school students create award-winning art

Aynor Middle School students know how to turn trash into treasure. Sixth grader Abigail Gray and seventh graders Samuel Ard, Railey Smith and Mitchell Goude used cardboard, paper, and bottle caps to create a piece of art called, “Bruce Refuse!”, which was selected as the grand prize winner in the Horry County Solid Waste Authority’s POP Art Contest in recognition of America Recycles Day.

As grand prizewinner, the sixth and seventh graders received a Walmart gift card, a plaque and a prize pack of recycled-content items including school supplies.

This was the 11th year the Horry County Solid Waste Authority offered the POP (Protect Our Planet) Art Contest. The contest is designed to promote environmental awareness and highlight the creative talents of students. The contest was open to all middle school students in Horry County.

The students were required to create a work of art using at least 70% of a specified material chosen by the Solid Waste Authority. This year’s material was bottle caps, a material which is usually thrown away.

“Bruce Refuse!” will be on display through January 2016 at the Horry County Solid Waste Authority, located at 1886 S.C. 90, Conway.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C.

Camera club announces winners

The Coastal Carolina Camera Club held an open print competition at its November meeting with awards given in Novice, Intermediate and Advanced Divisions.

Winning the Novice Division was Bill Halkovitch with an image entitled “Shrimp Boats.” JoAnn Matthews’ image “Amsterdan” placed second and David Kilgore was awarded third for “Elk River, N.C.”

In the Intermediate Division, Trish Brock received first place honors for “Morning Sunrise”. Second place winner was Rosemary Connell for “Autumn”. Julie Farrell placed third with “Zebra Butterfly”.

In the Advanced Division, Harvey Lindenbaum took first place with “Southern White Face Scoop.” Michelle Tinger’s “Traveling Alone” placed second and Carmen Daughtry took third with “Pensive.”

The club meets monthly, every second Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Shallotte Presbyterian Church, 5070 Main Street in Shallotte. Membership is open to photographers of all skill levels. Meetings consist of informative programs on photographic techniques and software usage, member photo presentations and critiques, guest speakers and much more. Guests are always welcome. Visit the website at www.coastalcarolinacameraclub.org. or call 287-6311 for more information.

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Grand Strand Newsmakers."