AROUND TOWN

Former Town of Lexington grants writer Mary Louise Resch has been named Central SC Habitat for Humanity Director of Philanthropy.

Resch leaves Harvest Hope Food Bank after raising up to $2.2 million annually for the food bank through grants and donations.

She will guide Habitat’s plan to build 30 new homes in the Midlands and repair 30 existing homes in 3 years with a $9 million fund-raising campaign.

The More Than A Home campaign will affect our community through the stability of home-ownership and neighborhood revitalization.

Cayce hires assistant city manager

The City of Cayce has selected its new Assistant City Manager.

Deputy Chief James Crosland of the Cayce Department of Public Safety started his term last week.

Crosland has served with the United States Coast Guard, as a Corrections Officer with Lexington County, an Officer of the Lexington County Narcotics Enforcement Team, a Patrol Sergeant for the Irmo Police Department, and as an instructor at the SC Criminal Justice Academy.

The Cayce Department of Public Safety has hired John “JJ” Jones to serve as the new Deputy Chief of the Department.

Jones, previously a Major with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, will officially step into his new role Aug. 22.

Delta Air Lines hits 85 years at CAE

Columbia Metropolitan Airport is celebrating 85 years of continuous service by Delta Air Lines in Columbia.

The airline’s first passenger flight departed Columbia August 8, 1934.

Delta first began serving Columbia passengers at Owens Field Airport (now Jim Hamilton-LB Owens Airport) on a 7-passenger Stinson Model T airplane with a flying speed of 100 mph.

A roundtrip ticket from Columbia to Dallas, in 1934, cost $87.39.

The flight to Dallas made 8 stops and took an elapsed time of over 20 hours.

VFW memorial fundraiser

The VFW Post 8738 of Lexington will hold a fundraiser to build a Memorial Walk at the VFW post location.

There will be an adult bike show and judging Aug. 24, from 2 – 4 pm at 424 Cedarcrest Dr. in Lexington.

There will be a Kids Bike show and judging based on a Patriotic Bike decoration contest at 1 pm.

There will be a Flag Retirement ceremony at 3pm showing the proper way to take an American Flag out of service.

BBQ, Hot dog plates will be available for donations from noon-6pm.

Hourly door prizes with ticket sales at the site and before. You don’t need to be there to win.

Estimated cost of the Memorial is $5,000.

Questions can be directed to Dan Holtel, VFW Post 8738, 803-587-2455, dwholtel@gmail.com .

Celebrate Black Philanthropy Month

Central Carolina Community Foundation will celebrate Black Philanthropy Month throughout August.

Black Philanthropy Month is a national, coordinated effort to celebrate African American and African-descent giving in all its forms.

The Foundation will sponsor local events and promote a giving day for black-led nonprofits and those supporting black individuals and communities.

The Foundation will also share stories of impact and giving throughout the month on social media.

The Black Entrepreneur Survival Summit on Aug. 23. will help current and emerging entrepreneurs learn more about how to start a business, develop a viable business plan, manage legal requirements, identify funding sources, and apply creative marketing and networking techniques. Learn more at www.yourfoundation.org/bpm2019/ .

SC disability employment workshop

The SC Disability Employment Coalition will host a free employment workshop for individuals with disabilities in West Columbia.

The “Disability Benefits & Employment: Make It Work for You!” workshop will be Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 1:30-3:30 pm, at SC Works Lexington, 671 Main Street, West Columbia.

The workshop will explore myths of how work affects disability benefits.

The workshop is part of the Hire Me SC campaign, a multi-year, statewide workforce development campaign to change the culture of disability employment.

Register for the workshop at http://bit.ly/LexWshop19 .

Hospital Hall of Fame inductee

The Hospital Marketing National Hall of Fame inducted Mark Shelley, vice president of Marketing and Communications at Lexington Medical Center, at its annual ceremony in June.

This honor recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in the advancement of marketing of hospitals or health care facilities.

“I am honored to be inducted into the Hospital Marketing National Hall of Fame,” Shelley said. “This recognition shows how well-respected Lexington Medical Center is by our peers in health care marketing and communications.”

Shelley has more than 35 years of experience in advertising and public relations. His work and leadership at Lexington Medical Center have been recognized with more than 500 international, national and regional advertising awards.

During his 12-year tenure at LMC, the hospital’s Marketing department has also been awarded 8 national “Best in Show” awards.

Black Rooster now open

One of the most anticipated restaurants in West Columbia history has opened.

Black Rooster opened this week at 201 Meeting Street in West Columbia.

The restaurant was operating on an invitation-only schedule last week, but is now open to the public. They will slowly phase from soft-open into their full service and menu, the Chronicle’s Terry Ward reported.

The French restaurant is at the lower corner of the Brookland complex and overlooks the scenic Congaree River at West Columbia’s popular Riverwalk.