In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits

Bon Secours Offering Free Diabetes Prevention Program

Bon Secours is offering “Destination Health,” a six-week lifestyle change program aimed at helping people who are pre-diabetic or are at risk for the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates 96 million adults in the U.S. have pre-diabetes, and nearly 80% are not aware of the condition. Pre-diabetes puts people at a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

The free program will begin Sept. 20 and continue through Oct. 25. The program will consist of one-hour sessions every Wednesday in a group setting. Each participant will receive a Food Share fresh produce box, the My Plate model, and a measuring cup and measuring spoons.

“Our goal is to provide a safe environment where participants are encouraged to self-monitor while also sharing their journey with others going through something similar,” explained Community Wellness Outreach nurse Irene Pena.

For information, contact nurse Allison Harrold, at Allison_Harrold@bshsi.org or (864) 608-0849.

Reedy Reels, Governor’s School Sponsor Student Film Showcase

Piedmont Natural Gas and South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities are calling on student filmmakers to take part in Reedy Reels: The Greenville Festival.

The 321 Student Film Festival gets its name from the format of the films, said Matt Foster, CEO and co-founder of Reedy Reels. A 3-2-1 format is a film with a maximum of three pages of script, two actors, and one location. The length of the film cannot exceed five minutes.

The contest is open to all high school and college students in South Carolina. For rules and information about submitting films, go to www.reedyreels.com.

“Reedy Reels is excited to partner with the Governor’s School to help build interest and education in filmmaking with the next generation,” Foster said. “To build the Upstate filmmaking industry, we must invest in our younger generation.”

The festival will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Governor’s School, 15 University Street, Greenville. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

The Governor’s School will offer a year-round high school film program beginning in the fall of 2024.

More than 300 films have been shown during the past eight festivals. Reedy Reels plans to show 60 films during a three-day festival in March.

Reedy Reels: The Greenville Festival is a nonprofit, independent film festival that promotes filmmaking while supporting independent filmmakers.

The Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville trains young artists from across the state in creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. It is a public, residential high school. Summer programs are available to rising 7th- and 12th-graders. The Governor’s School also serves as a resource to teachers and students.

Greenville Credit Union Awards 20 Grants To Teachers

Greenville Federal Credit Union gave grants of $500 to 20 teachers in Greenville County Schools as part of its Teacher Grants program, doubling the number of grants planned for 2023.

Charis Burger, who received a grant from the Greenville Federal Credit Union, with Principal Mike Peake of Mauldin High School.
Charis Burger, who received a grant from the Greenville Federal Credit Union, with Principal Mike Peake of Mauldin High School.

The grants are designed to help teachers fund projects or needs in their classrooms.

The credit union received 448 applications, a 474% increase over the previous year. Applications represent 90 different elementary, middle, high, and special-focus schools across Greenville County.

“When we began to see the significant increase in applications over last year’s grant cycle, we knew we needed to do more,” said Paul Hughes, credit union President and CEO. “Teachers in our community are doing all they can to inspire curiosity and learning. We know these grants will give them the extra support they need.”

Grant recipients are: Michael Parrish, Alexander Elementary School; Mary McGowan, Berea Elementary School; Cynthia Brown, Blue Ridge Middle School; Mattie Mitchell, Blythe Academy; Renee Covert, Bryson Middle School; Adam Ezell, Fountain Inn Elementary School; Grace Eskew, Gateway Elementary School; Brian Simpson, Golden Strip Career Center; Taylor Gibson, Greer High School; Maureen Prince, Hillcrest High School; Bruce "Dunn" Franco, Lakeview Middle School; Charis Burger, Mauldin High School; Brad Johnson, Riverside Middle School; Erin Camire, Sara Collins Elementary School; Monica Fite, Sevier Middle School; Melody Powell, Stone Academy; Erica McCall, Taylors Elementary School; Cynthia Brandeis, Travelers Rest High School; Leila Tyler, Wade Hampton High School; Kathy Hopkins, Woodmont Middle School.

The Teacher Grants program is part of the Greenville Federal Credit Union Foundation, which supports nonprofit, community-based programs in Greenville County. Its primary focus is youth and education.

Greenville Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit alternative to traditional banking with six branches in Greenville County serving more than 33,000 members.

Tickets Available For Simpsonville Wine Tasting Tour

Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce will host Sippin’ in Simpsonville, a walking wine-tasting tour downtown, on Sept. 15.

In addition to tastings, the event will include retail vendors, art displays, live music, and a chance to visit and tour downtown shops and businesses.

The tour is presented by Weichert, Realtors - Shaun & Shari Group. More than 25 businesses will pour one-ounce samples of local, regional and unique wines.

Regular tickets, which include tastings and a commemorative glass, are $30.

VIP tickets are $50 and include tastings, a commemorative glass, early check-in, a bottle of wine to take home, and a VIP gift.

For tickets or to become a tasting location, go to members.simpsonvillechamber.com/events/details/sippin-in-simpsonville-fall-wine-tasting.

Food Truck Park Planned In Simpsonville

Allie and Justin Holck plan to open Scuffletown Food Truck Park at 206 Ladean Court in Simpsonville.

Though the Food Truck Park will not be on Scuffletown Road, the name honors the town of Scuffletown, which was in Laurens County. The town’s name was changed in the 1800s. Scuffletown Road is in Greenville County.

Six food trucks are expected to take part. So far, the lineup includes One Love Fusion, Too Sauced Up, Birria Boy, Half Rooted, and Chicken Up. The park will serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; 21 self-serve beer taps will serve local craft beers. A pavilion with a 120-inch screen will show sporting events. A fenced play area will be available for children.

Historic Taylors Mill For Sale

The historic Taylors Mill is for sale. Reedy Commercial listed the property, which is approximately 720,000 square feet, on behalf of the owner and local businessman, Caleb Lewis, for $10 million.

The redeveloped mill houses a range of tenants including artist studios, offices, retail shops, restaurants, and event venues. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.

The brokers are Anna Friddle and Lindsay Twining.

NHE Develops Affordable Housing

South Carolina-based developer Taylor Davis of NHE is breaking ground Ovata at Reedy Creek in Charlotte. This is his third affordable community in North Carolina; it is designed for ages 55 and older.

Davis and NHE have developed and/or managed dozens of affordable properties in South Carolina.

“There is a startling deficit of high-quality, affordable housing for families, senior citizens and those of lesser means,” said Davis, President & CEO of NHE, a developer and property management organization.

The development will include 78 apartment homes in Charlotte. Completion is planned for next summer.

Irmo Research Firm Gains Partner

Integrated Micro-Chromatography Systems Inc. in Irmo, a leader in automating laboratory workflows, and Tymora Analytical, an authority in exosome purification and proteomics services, have expanded their ongoing collaboration.

The partnership began in 2017.

Exosomes, secreted by cells, have potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. But purifying exosomes is challenging. IMCS is set to simplify and automate exosome purification.

Tymora Analytical has proprietary technology that profiles exosome proteins. The collaboration with IMCS will advance the understanding of exosome research.

Integrated Micro-Chromatography Systems Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company that creates, manufactures and distributes next-generation biotechnology products.

Tymora Analytical Operations, located in Indiana, provides diagnostics, technologies, and products to enhance cancer research. It partners with organizations that design and validate early detection and post-treatment cancer monitoring.

Simpsonville Halloween To Be Held At Heritage Park

Halloween At Heritage Park, presented by Ray Thompson's Upstate Karate, will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 28. The event is offered by the Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Simpsonville Recreation Department.

The event will feature inflatables, face painting, touch-a-truck, local businesses that will hand out free candy, and more. The event will take place inside Heritage Park on S.E. Main Street.

September Well Walkers Dates

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System and the Bon Secours Wellness Arena have scheduled September dates for the Well Walkers program.

Dates are Sept. 12, Sept. 14, Sept. 19, Sept. 26, and Sept. 28.

The arena concourse will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each loop around the concourse is a quarter mile. Well Walkers is free and open to the public; no registration is required. Free parking is available in the VIP lot at the arena, located off Church Street.

Event Aimed At Entrepreneurs

Startup enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and investors may register for ConvergeSouth Powered by Flywheel on Oct. 5 and 6 at Cabarrus Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 57 Union Street South, Concord, North Carolina.

More than 30 sessions will be offered to small businesses and startup enterprises. Over 500 attendees are expected. The event covers topics such as sales, marketing, operational systems, digital media, fundraising and tech platforms.

For information, go to https://convergesouth.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits