Florence County Real Estate Blog

            What use to be the Railway Restaurant in Lake City is now the Railway Charcoal Grill and Club Car Pub. After three months of renovations, Tony Whitlock and Katherine Fridl have definitely reached their goal of offering a restaurant that is classy but still casual, sophisticated but friendly, and great taste but without a great cost. They accomplished this by offering the Dining Car which offers a non-smoking dining experience and the Club Car Pub which is an English style pub. Both offer a full menu including unique dishes such as fried alligator bites to traditional entrees like the 16 oz. bone-in Rib-Eye steak. The cocktail menu is also diverse with offerings such as the Railway's Dirty Blue Martini to the Railway's signature lemonade made with Firefly sweet tea vodka. Desserts are to die for with a sure to be favorite of caramel filled donuts with a coffee dipping sauce. So for a different but for sure wonderful dining experience get all aboard for a great dining experience at the Railway Grill in Lake City located in the old railroad depot.

For too many years we have been getting pills to treat our symptoms rather than prevent the diseases that plague the Pee Dee region in South Carolina. Some physicians in the little town of Lake City may have the medical model that is needed in health care. Lake City is the home of a new six million dollar investment, the Live Oak Medical Center. This may just be the answer that we need to help with sky rocketing costs of health care. Instead of just treating the symptoms of our disease, it is also about preventing the diseases. Live Oak Medical Center combines physician offices, wellness center and physical therapy center. Dr. Albert Mims, one of the founding physicians said “I have practiced in Lake City for 28 years and see this concept as an answer to some of the issues that plague the I-95 corridor where there is limited access to health care and little chance to correct diet and sedentary lifestyles that can prevent or delay chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes.” Hats off to these physicians for providing the Pee Dee region with a chance not just to treat their symptoms, but to also make some life style changes that can prevent or delay many diseases. The facility though, will only be as effective as the willingness of the patients to take advantage of the many resources offered there.

If you are looking for a different place to eat, then be sure to try Food Scapes located at the Lake City Airport. Yes, believe it or not Lake City does have an airport, but better than that it has one of the best little restaurants around called - Food Scapes. All dishes are prepared using fresh, seasonal, local ingredients and boy do they know how to do it right. Along with a wonderful selection of entrees, they have some of the best desserts around. Food Scapes also offers - delivery, grab and go deli case, boxed luches, corporate catering, special events catering, "tween" pricing, children's menu and gift cards. So, are you ready for a new place to eat? Check out Foodscapes at the Lake City Airport, 244 Clifton Road, Lake City, SC. Don't be fooled by the small green block building that houses Food Scapes. I promise you will be making many more trips to Lake City for this hidden treasure.

I experienced a first today. I went on my first train ride, catching Amtrak in Florence, SC and traveling to Wilmington, Delaware. My 83 year old mother, two sisters and I are visiting a first cousin in Maryland, the Amish country and Philadelphia. I was very pleased with the train ride. There is a lot more room on the train than you have on an airplane and you have electricity to power any electronic devices. I was able to use my laptop and not worry about losing power. Our train did not have a dining car, only a concession stand, so it was good that we brought along sandwiches and snacks for the trip (very cost effective too.) It was nice not to have to worry about driving and being able to visit with my mother and sisters during the trip. So if you have never experienced a train ride, I would definitely recommend trying one especially if you are traveling with family or friends. It gives you bonding time, sleeping time, reading time, or whatever you want to make of it time. All Aboard!

The National Bean Market Museum of SC located at 111 Henry St., Lake City, SC will be hosting a plethora of events the remainder of 2008. The schedule is as follows.

Hours of Operation Monday – Friday 8-4 2008

Fall Schedule of Events

Farmers Market every Saturday through October (9am – 1pm)

September 3rd – October 1st The SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum Traveling Exhibit: Write from the Front. This exhibit showcases SC Military who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bosnia.

September 20th SC Tobacco Festival: Activities at the Bean Market: Attic Artifacts (a showcase of local’s citizen’s antiques and antiquities), Antique Auction, Exhibits, Expanded Farmers Market, and Entertainment.

October 24th – December 21st Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibit: Key Ingredients: American by Food

October 24th and 25th The SC Humanities Festival with guest speakers, tours and entertainment.

November 1st Registration Payment for European Trip: Germany and Switzerland (July 8th - July 21st) Dr. Joe Stukes Tour Leader and Sherri Moore/Briley Altman Tour Coordinators.

November 15th Junior Women’s Club Annual Oyster Roast

November 21st and 22nd Native American Days (schedule TBA)

November 29th Clemson-Carolina Tailgate and Game

December 5th – 7th SC Holiday Market (schedule TBA)

Currently, renovations and reconstruction of the Bean Market building are under way. However, intensive designs and redevelopment of the building to enhance the property as a community facility without diminishing the Bean Market feel will start after the first of the year. The National Bean Market Museum will close January – March 2009 due to these renovations; the office, however, remains open at an offsite location.

Scrantons's Schoolhouse Bar-B-Que offers some of the best food to be found. It is in Florence County in a historical setting. This popular restaurant opened in 1994 in Scranton, SC in a schoolhouse built in the 1930's during the Great Depression. Howell has added on several times due to his growing business and now has a seating capacity of 350. So if you want some good ole southern barbeque or fried chicken leave  church a little early on Sunday because the crowd will be gathering for their Sunday dinner and the line is always back out the door.

The sign is a replica of the actual building which Howell has decorated with a lot tins to lend to the rustic atmosphere. So see what the buzz is all about in Scranton Thursday - Sunday at the Schoolhouse Bar-B-Que.

Mcleod Park offers over 50 acres of recreational fun in the heart of Florence on Santiago Drive. It has many of the common features you find in most parks - picnic areas, nature trails, tennis courts, volleyball court, baseball fields, basketball goals, horse shoes, concession stand and restrooms. But one unique feature that you don't find at other parks is a Skate Park Facility. Skate boarding is a passion of many especially the younger crowd and they now have a place to perfect their skills without using sidewalks and parking lots. So thumbs up Florence to offering this facility that is unique and needed.

Florence County is fortunate to be the home of the new Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SIMT). Located at Florence Darlington Technical College, SIMT will provide training and technology solutions that will maximize workforce productivity in the manufacturing industry. According to the SIMT's website, "The Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology is the premiere technical service provider, and training facility, for industry in the southeastern portion of the United States. It’s state of the art facilities are located on a 146-acre campus in Florence, SC. SIMT provides engineering/CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, and 3D/virtual reality services as well as leading edge manufacturing workforce development and business process training."

Coward may be small but it is home of one of the best barbeque restaurants around. A little over a year now Fat Back's BB-Que has made its home in the little town of Coward. So when you are passing down Highway 52 from Florence to Lake City stop by and enjoy a good ole plate of southern barbeque in their rustic setting. The restaurant mimics an old tobacco barn.

Effingham is a community or populated place located in Florence County on Highway 52 between Florence and Lake City. Lynches River runs through Effingham and on the river is the McCalls Farms Cannery. The cannery added a $3.9 Million Dollar expansion that includes a vegetable-freezing division to the already massive operation. Effingham is also home to the Florence County Detention Center. The Detention Center, part of the Law Enforcement Complex, has a reputation among the law enforcement community of being one of the finest facilities of its kind anywhere.

Need a quick birthday gift or wedding gift? Then go to the hospital. What? The Hospital? Yes, one of the best gift shops in Lake City is located at the Lake City Community Hospital. The Gift Nook is located in the front entrance of the hospital. It is open Monday through Friday from 9am – 4pm. The Gift Nook has a variety of gifts for many occasions. It is staffed by the volunteer auxiliary. Not only will you find great gifts there but you will also be helping out the community by supporting the local hospital.

Coward is a small town located on Highway 52 in Florence County between the towns of Florence and Lake City. The town has a population of approximately 700 people. Coward is home of the Lynches River County Park which features fishing, canoeing, nature trails, picnicking, cabin rentals and more. The park has a community center which can be rented for events, a Splash Pad for entertainment for the family, and a newly constructed Environmental Discovery Center. Coward is also home of a recreation complex featuring three fields, picnic shelter and concessions. Coward has a community center, public tennis courts and a park in the center of town.

Lake City is located 23 miles south of Florence in the lower part of Florence County. Lake City is strategically located in the state. It is only 60 miles from Myrtle Beach, 90 miles from Charleston, and only 80 miles from Columbia. Lake City has a population of around 7000 people and is the second largest city in Florence County. The recreational activities within the city include the 18-hole golf course at the Lake City Country Club, eight public tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, and playgrounds. Lake City has a history rich in agriculture and is home of the National Bean Market Museum located in downtown Lake City. The Museum sponsors many community activities including the Farmer’s Festival, Tobacco Festival and many more. The museum includes exhibits and displays depicting early farm life in the Pee Dee area. The site includes a pole tobacco barn, market area and Agriculture Center. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

I recently had the opportunity to visit with my nephew in Greenville, SC. While I was there I went to check out the downtown area. What a wonderful atmosphere. It reminds me of Charleston with all the people shopping and hanging out at the local restaurants. But to my surprise the most amazing thing is located near the end of Main Street. That hidden treasure is the Falls Water Park. Who would have thought in the middle of Greenville you would find water falls? It is amazing what the city of Greenville has invested to make this park an awesome showcase for the city. Along with the falls there is a bridge that crosses over the river. The $4.5 million Liberty Bridge does more than span the Reedy River -- it serves as the focal point of Falls Park , showcasing man’s creativity alongside nature’s beauty. The bridge is 355-feet long, 12-feet wide, has a horizontal curve radius of 214-feet and 90-foot towers weighing 26 tons each. The falls are just one of the many features you will find at Falls Park, so the next time you are in Greenville, SC check out this wonderful attraction in the heart of downtown. Kudos to Greenville for their efforts.

With so much spam mail, it is highly likely that your clients may not receive your email or newsletters unless they have added you as a safe sender. It is a good idea when people sign up to receive correspondence from you that you remind them to add you as a safe sender or add your domain so future emails will be received. Below is a list of steps for doing this in some of the major email providers.

1. How do I add email address or domain to my Safe Senders list in Outlook? 1. On the Tools menu, click Options. 2. On the Preferences tab, under E-mail, click "Junk E-mail" 3. Click the "Safe Senders" tab. 4. Click "Add" 5. Enter "@teresamcdonald.com into the list box 6. Click "Okay" 

2. How do I add a Newsletter email address or domain to my friends list in AOL? 1. Open your latest newsletter e-mail if you haven't already. 2. Click on the "Add Address" icon. 3. Your newsletter email address should automatically appear in the name and e-mail fields in the "Add Contact" pop-up box. Verify the information was entered correctly. 4. Click the Save button. 5. Your newsletter email address will be entered into your AOL Address Book.

3. How do I add the Newsletter email address or domain to my email address book in Hotmail? 1. Open your newsletter e-mail if you haven't already. 2. Click "Save Address(es)" at the top of the message. 3. Your newsletter email address should automatically appear in the e-mail field on the "Add to Address Book" page. Verify the information was entered correctly. 4. Your newsletter email address will be entered into your Hotmail Address Book.

4. How do I add the Newsletter email address or domain to my email address book in Yahoo! mail? 1. Open your latest newsletter e-mail if you haven't already. 2. Click the "Add to Address Book" link next to the icon on the far right. 3. Your newsletter email address should automatically appear in the e-mail field on the "Add to Address Book" page. Verify the information was entered correctly. 4. Click "Add to Address Book." 5. Your newsletter email address will be entered into your Yahoo! Address Book.

5. How do I add the Newsletter email address or domain to my email address book in Earthlink mail? 1. Open your latest newsletter e-mail if you haven't already. 2. Click your mailbox's "Message" menu and choose "Add Senders" to your Address Book. 3. Your newsletter email address will be entered into your EarthLink Address Book.

I hope this information is helpful to your clients.

Use this link to check out the report cards for schools in Florence School District 3, which covers all the public schools in the city of Lake City: http://ed.sc.gov/topics/researchandstats/schoolreportcard/2007/2103.html.The schools are listed by name. The report cards for 2008 will not be available until mid fall of 2008.

Use this link to check out the report cards for all schools in South Carolina: http://ed.sc.gov/topics/researchandstats/schoolreportcard/2007/default.cfm On this page simply select the category of school you want to check out – such as Elementary, Middle or High and then you will be directed to a page with those report cards listed by school name (note that you may have to scroll down to see the school names.) Keep in mind that just because a school may not have a good rating for the current year does not mean that it is not a good school. It is best to look at the long range data and not just for a single year. You can access the data for previous years on the state website.

Use this link to check out the report cards for schools in Florence School District 1, which covers all the public schools in the city of Florence: http://ed.sc.gov/topics/researchandstats/schoolreportcard/2007/2101.html. The schools are listed by name. The report cards for 2008 will not be available until mid fall of 2008.

Use this link to check out the report cards for all schools in South Carolina: http://ed.sc.gov/topics/researchandstats/schoolreportcard/2007/default.cfm 

On this page simply select the category of school you want to check out – such as Elementary, Middle or High and then you will be directed to a page with those report cards listed by school name (note that you may have to scroll down to see the school names.)

Keep in mind that just because a school may not have a good rating for the current year does not mean that it is not a good school. It is best to look at the long range data and not just for a single year. You can access the data for previous years on the state website.

I have been blogging now for a few months on ActiveRain and like all good members I have been reading blogs and commenting and trying to learn all I can about blogging and the ways to use my blogging in my real estate career. My blogs have been a mix of things. I have posted on Localism to showcase my community and I have posted for members things of interest to me and I hope to my fellow ActiveRain members. Now that we can have outside blogs I have an outside blog which I link to from my website. I am now a member of Digg and I have read that it is a good idea to also post your blogs there by linking to your blog. I am confused at this point though. Should the link go directly to my outside blog, my ActiveRain blog, or to my website where they can access my blog. Should I post all my blogs to digg or just the ones I think people in general will like. I would love to increase traffic to my website so is there a better way to access my outside blog rather than just linking to it from my website? As soon as I feel like I have mastered some pieces of this technology maze I find there is more that I don't know and that I am not utilizing. What do you other real estate professionals do with your blogs? I haven't even made it to doing any videos which seems to be the buzz now? Will I ever learn it all? Any advice?

With the downturn in the real estate market in many areas, it is advantageous to take advantage of all the free marketing and exposure you can get for your listings. I just came across a wonderful place! RealBird.com is a site where you can get free exposure for your listings. These are some of the things that you can take advantage of at RealBird. "Create single property websites in minutes with state-of-the-art presentation features.Unlimited listings, unlimited content, unlimited photos, unlimited design themes. Promote your listings via major classifieds sites automatically, and with RealBird widgets on your website and blogs. The Listing Publisher supports the 3Ps of online real estate listing marketing: Promotion, Presentation and Pre-qualification." This is just a few of the features RealBird has listed on its homepage and best of all it is FREE! Of course they do offer other paid features if you are looking for more, but why not check it out and take advantage of the free exposure. See what you think. I just added my first listing and plan on adding RealBird to my repertoire of marketing for all my listings.

The "Monster" is coming and along with it a $28 million dollar investment and 750 jobs for Florence County, SC. Plans were announced today by Monster World Wide South Carolina, Inc. to build a customer service facility in Florence County. Out of 3600 initial site possibilities, Florence County was chosen as the site for the facility. According to Monster's vice president Art O'Donnell "Florence is an ideal choice for us because it's a rapidly developing labor market with the talent we'll need to bring best-in-class service to our customers. "The investment will definitely bring a boost to the county and especially to the real estate market. More jobs mean more home buyers. Monster's plans are to open in September in a temporary facility with 350 employees until the permanent facility is built. Within five years the company plans on having 750 employees in the customer service center. So watch out Florence County, the "Monster" is coming!