Category: Press Release

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Greenville, S.C.- The Barbara Stone Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on supporting visionary and creative programs and initiatives for individuals with disabilities, recently awarded seven Community Innovations Grants to Upstate non-profits. The Barbara Stone Foundation makes it a priority to invest in innovative programs that directly support individuals with disabilities through their bi-annual Community Innovations Grants program.

The following seven non-profit organizations were presented with Spring grants totaling $29,000:
1. Through Evely’s Eyes: $1,500
2. Aqua Angels: $10,000
3. Dance Collaborative: $2,500
4. PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services): $2,000
5. Mary Sunshine House: $5,000
6. Special Olympics of Greenville: $3,000
7. The YMCA of Greenville RECESS (Recreation, Education, Community, Exercise, Social and Service): $5,000

“We are incredibly honored and grateful to be selected as a recipient of the Barbara Stone Foundation grant,” said Rebekah Craig, Founder of Aqua Angels. “This generous support will help us launch our new Waves of Ability adaptive swim program, providing accessible, affordable swim lessons to children and adults of all abilities across Upstate South Carolina.”

“Our Community Innovations Grants program is a great way for the Barbara Stone Foundation to support groups across the Upstate who are actively aligned with our mission and working to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities,” said Lara Ceisel, Executive Director of the Barbara Stone Foundation.” We encourage any Upstate nonprofit that supports individuals with disabilities through meaningful programming and services to apply for our grants.” We award grants every Spring and Fall, and we encourage groups to apply.”

To learn more about Barbara Stone Foundation grants, visit www.barbarastonefoundation.org. Fall grant applications are due September 15, 2025. First-time applicants are encouraged to reach out before applying.

Greenville, S.C. – Green Valley Country Club (“Green Valley”) is opening the doors for its newest expansion, Club ’58. The club is hosting a grand opening event on June 17, 2025, which will offer new and current members an opportunity to gather, meet, and socialize together in Club ’58.

Nestled within Green Valley’s picturesque grounds, Club ’58 blends the ambiance and quality of Greenville’s top culinary destinations with country club hospitality. The venue will feature a rotating menu of chef-curated cuisine, seasonal ingredients, and craft cocktails—all set within a space designed to accommodate both intimate dinners and vibrant gatherings.

“Club ’58 was born from a vision to bring the elevated dining experiences of Greenville’s best restaurants into a private club atmosphere,” said Brian Peeples, Green Valley Managing Partner. “It’s not just a restaurant—it’s an experience tailored for our members, combining gourmet cuisine with the comfort and service of a classic country club.”

This opening marks the latest milestone in Green Valley’s ongoing growth, following recent renovations to its 20,000-square-foot clubhouse. In addition to Club ’58, members enjoy access to a full range of amenities including an 18-hole championship golf course, racquet sports, a recreation pool, private event venues, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Those interested in enjoying Club ’58 and the broader Green Valley Country Club can apply for membership by contacting Green Valley’s Membership Manager, Tianna Morresi, at tianna@greenvalley.cc and scheduling an in-person visit. Membership options include golf, sports, and social, all of which have access to the Club ‘58 amenities.

About Green Valley Country Club
Established in 1958, Green Valley Country Club is a private country club that has been owned and operated by the Kaplan Family since 2011. It offers exclusive amenities, services, and facilities for its members with a relaxed atmosphere.

Schmidt Vocal Arts Announces Winners of 2025 National Vocal Competition:

Savannah Weldon, soprano, First Place Taylor-Marie Robinson, soprano, Second Place
Jane Hasty, soprano, Third Place

Acclaimed Final Round Judges included mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, countertenor John Holiday of The Voice, and Melissa Wegner of the Metropolitan Opera

[Sarasota, FL, June 2, 2025]—Schmidt Vocal Arts (SVA), the premier national organization supporting early-career classical singers, announces the winners of its fourth annual National Vocal Competition for high school singers, held at the Sarasota Opera House on May 31 and June 1 in Sarasota, Florida.

A distinguished panel of adjudicators from the opera field—mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, countertenor John Holiday, and Melissa Wegner, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and the Laffont Competition— judged the final round of the competition.

The three top prizes were awarded to:
Savannah Weldon, soprano, from New York, NY First Place: $10,000 Taylor-Marie Robinson soprano, from Greenville, SC Second Place: $7,500 Jane Hasty, soprano, from Burbank, CA Third Place: $5,000

“The future of classical singing is not a distant vision—it’s unfolding right now, and it’s incredibly exciting to witness,” said renowned soprano and SVA Board member Christine Goerke. “These young artists bring a level of presence, skill, and musical maturity well beyond their years, and they are only just beginning their journeys. The work of SVA extends far beyond the stage; it’s about fostering community, nurturing potential, and creating space for emerging talent to thrive. I’m honored to be part of an organization so deeply committed to this essential work.”

Greenville, South Carolina, June 9, 2025— Red Oak Developers is proud to announce the addition of Tammy Strickland as Operations Manager. With a strong background in operations and accounting, Tammy brings a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set that will support the continued growth of Red Oak Developers and its affiliated companies: Red Oak Land Works and Old Milford Brokerage.
“We are very excited to have Tammy join our team as Operations Manager,” said Brad Skelton, President. “Her experience with operations and accounting, along with several other skillsets, will assist in the growth of our companies and enhance the efficiency of our day-to-day operations.”
Tammy’s role will focus on streamlining internal processes, optimizing project workflows, and reinforcing financial oversight across the organization. Her leadership is expected to play a key role in scaling operations as Red Oak expands its portfolio of residential and commercial development projects.

About Red Oak Developers
Red Oak Developers is a full-service real estate development firm committed to designing and building residential communities and commercial spaces that encourage healthy living and environmental stewardship. As a veteran-owned business, Red Oak Developers draws on deep industry expertise and a robust network of professional partnerships to take projects from vision to completion. With end-to-end capabilities—ranging from site selection and acquisition to project management and construction—Red Oak delivers high-quality developments with speed and precision.

For more information, visit https://www.redoakdevelopers.com/

McMillan Pazdan Smith is excited to announce the acquisition of Jumper Carter Sease (JCS), an accomplished architecture firm with a rich history of quality projects dating back to 1929.

“We’ve admired the talented JCS team’s thoughtful design process and exceptional client service for many years, and we are honored to welcome them into the MPS firm family,” said McMillan Pazdan Smith’s CEO Chad Cousins. “Our shared vision and culture are very well aligned. Together, we are focused on expanding the impact of purposeful architecture and advisory leadership for clients, communities, and campuses in the South Carolina Midlands and across the growing Southeast region.”

JCS’s portfolio includes significant projects across the state with many repeat clients, especially in the education, healthcare, civic and cultural sectors. JCS recently completed Catawba Ridge HS, Fort Mill School District (A4LE design award winner) and is currently designing the Education Center at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

Todd Sease and Joel Carter, founders of the firm, will continue to serve in leadership positions with MPS. “We are excited to be joining the collaborative culture of MPS, which aligns with our ongoing mission and commitment to design excellence and client-centered service and relationships,” said JCS Principal Todd Sease. Principal Joel Carter said, “This partnership expands our legacy of lasting and meaningful architecture, provides further resources and deep market expertise to serve clients, and grows and supports professional opportunities for our team.”

About McMillan Pazdan Smith

McMillan Pazdan Smith (MPS) is an architecture, advisory services, planning, and interior design firm. Practicing since 1955, the firm currently has nine offices throughout the Southeast. As a community-based firm, MPS is driven by a collaborative culture, creative client solutions, and design excellence. The firm’s purpose is to create meaningful and lasting impact for the good of all.