Category: Press Release

Ducklinks, an AI- driven, web-based application with mobile-accessibility, launched today transforming the way parents locate events and activities for their children. Ducklinks uses a proprietary matching algorithm to curate and deliver child-friendly activity suggestions directly to users’ fingertips.

Founded by Greenville full-time mother and attorney, Allison Rogers, the Ducklinks app seeks to redefine the way parents plan out their activities for their children. The app allows parents to receive information on customized child-friendly activities and events in the Greenville area by using search criteria tailored to their child’s age, interests, and schedule, as well as family’s cost considerations and location. The platform’s robust database is updated in real time with access to educational, cultural, athletic and community events. The touch of a single search bar connects busy families to a streamlined, curated list of enriching experiences for their children. Additionally, users can automatically integrate the selected events into their Google Calendar, and share with friends and other caregivers.

“Parents today are busier than ever trying to manage all aspects of their family, juggle a career, and on top of it all, complete the grocery list. It’s a constant struggle to do it all. As a mom of three and attorney, I would spend countless hours searching and planning events for my family trying to make the most of our time together,” said Allison Rogers, Co-Founder and CEO of Ducklinks. “The Ducklinks app gives parents a quick and stress-free method of planning their days with their kids- letting them stress less and focus on making memories.”

To provide users with exclusive insights and personalized event notifications, Ducklinks is a subscription-based application. The online platform uses patent-pending technology and AI-driven personalization to deliver curated recommendations that are specific to the user’s interests, location preferences and family identity.

For a limited time, new users can signup for 30 days’ free. Members can sign up for Ducklinks at www.ducklinksgvl.com. and learn more about the Ducklinks app and its capabilities. Follow them on social @Ducklinksgvl, to be the first to hear about additional features and market rollouts.

About Ducklinks

Ducklinks is a subscription-based application designed to effortlessly connect parents of children to hyper-local events and activities in their community. With the touch of finger, parents can efficiently access relevant and engaging activities for their entire family. Founded in 2023, by Greenville mom of 3 and attorney, Allison Rogers, Ducklinks is poised to transform the way parents plan their daily adventures. To learn more visit, www.ducklinksgvl.com.

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GREENVILLE, S.C. —  Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty has named its top Associates for August 2024.

 

In the Greenville office, the top Associates for listings closed were Morgan Coleman and Jessica Kilcoyne, and the top Associates for transactions closed for buyer clients were Coleman and Grace Herlong Loveless. In the Clemson office, the top Associate for listings closed was Diane Bostrom and Lisa Vogel and the top Associate for transactions closed was Vogel.

Kilcoyne has always had a passion for real estate. She’s a third-generation Greenville realtor, a local real estate investor and renovator, and has experience acquiring and managing short and long-term rental properties. She joined Joan Herlong & Associates in 2022, and was the office Rookie of the Year in 2023.

Coleman was named Rookie of the Year in 2020; won the Most Improved Award 2021; and the Skyrocket Award in 2021. She brings a lifelong passion for real estate to every transaction she handles at Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty. She was a member of the President’s Circle in 2023, which is for Associates who did more than $5 million in sales.

 

Loveless joined Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty in 2017, and in her first year, she sold more than $9 million and was named the company’s Rookie of the Year. She became a member of the President’s Circle in 2020 and the Chairman’s Circle in 2021, 2022 and 2023, which is for Associates who did more than $10 million in a year.  

 

Vogel specializes in Lake Keowee’s luxury market and private gated communities, and was the company’s top producer in 2023. She also has been the top producer for the Clemson office for two consecutive years. Before joining Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty, Vogel was broker-in-charge for one of North Carolina’s largest real estate companies.

 

Bostrom has been with Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty since April 2021 and she became a member of the Chairman’s Circle in 2021 and 2023 and the President’s Circle in 2022. She is committed to her clients—she once drove from Clemson to Charleston and back just to help a client with a closing.

“Expertise, honesty and integrity are what really sell homes,” said Joan Herlong, owner and CEO of Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty. “Those are the principles that our Associates practice every day.”

 

 

About Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty 

 

Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty is one of the leading and most trusted names in real estate in the Upstate of South Carolina. First founded by Owner/CEO Joan Herlong as AugustaRoad.com Realty in 2011, the firm has since handled thousands of properties in the Greenville and Upstate area. In 2017, the company affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, becoming Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty. The company has more than tripled in agent count and production volume since that time. Learn more at www.jha-sothebysrealty.com.  

 

About Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC 

Founded in 1976 to provide independent brokerages with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, the Sotheby’s International Realty network was designed to connect the finest independent real estate companies to the most prestigious clientele in the world. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation, and settlement services. In February 2004, Realogy entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby’s, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby’s International Realty name and the development of a full franchise system. Affiliations in the system are granted only to brokerages and individuals meeting strict qualifications. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC supports its affiliates with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational, and business development resources. Franchise affiliates also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby’s auction house, established in 1744. 

GREENVILLE, S.C. –  Adriana Fernandez has been hired by The Insurance Source as a Customer Service Representative focused on working with Spanish speaking clients.

A native of Venezuela, Fernandez comes to the Insurance Source from the national insurance brokerage Estrella Insurance , for 18 months. She is a member of the Hispanic Alliance in Greenville, and Health Agents for America (HAFA)

“Adriana helps us with a growing market in the Upstate – one that many other insurance companies are ignoring,” said Guy Furay, owner of The Insurance Source. “Her skills and experience will make her a great fit working with our current and future clients.”

About The Insurance Source:

The Insurance Source is an independent brokerage specializing in health, life, disability and dental insurance. The Insurance Source is located in Greer, South Carolina and has a simple and straightforward mission statement: “we make health insurance easier.®” Learn more at www.insure-u.com.

GREENVILLE, S.C. –  With judges citing an exemplary employee satisfaction rate and company culture, NHE, Inc. took home its fourth consecutive Best Places to Work in South Carolina Award this week.

This award series, led by Best Companies Group in partnership with SC Biz News, is a research-driven  program that examines a company’s practices, programs, and benefits and surveys its employees for their perspectives.

Best Places to Work honorees were determined using data collected from eight core focus areas on employee surveys: Leadership and Planning, Corporate Culture and Communications, Role Satisfaction, Work Environment, Relationship with Supervisor, Training, Development and Resources, Pay and Benefits, and Overall Engagement.

Winners must first meet or exceed the minimum response rate required on an employee survey in order for their data to be looked at. The overall score is a combination of the employee survey (worth 75%) and the Employer Questionnaire (worth 25%). Best Companies Group then looks for at least an 80% positive response from employees and alignment across the focus areas.

Some of the highlights from the employee surveys for NHE include positive feelings around benefits, a family-oriented environment, investment in employees and technology, an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, and strong senior leadership.

“We are so honored to be on this yet again list again,” said Taylor Davis, CEO of NHE, Inc. “It’s really a testament to the hard work and dedication we’ve put into creating our company culture.”

 

About NHE:

NHE provides professional association management, apartment management, community development and service coordination to communities across the Southeast, and currently represents more than 18,000 homes, apartments and condominiums in 15 states. NHE’s clients benefit from expertise, experience and leading-edge technology delivered by a dedicated staff offering diverse services to ensure premium performance and value. Actively engaged with national and state industry trade associations and government regulatory bodies, NHE holds the prestigious AMO (Accredited Management Organization) designation through the Institute of Real Estate Management and is a multi-year honoree of Top Workplaces in South Carolina and Best Places to Work. Learn more at nhe-inc.com.

The Center for Developmental Services (CDS) will host their 13th annual Eggs Benefit on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at The Poinsett Club in Downtown Greenville. Breakfast will be served at 7:30am and the program will begin at 8:00am.

The funds raised at the Eggs Benefit support the programs and services offered to over 8,000 children in our community with developmental delays and disabilities. A reservation is required to attend. Visit the event website at www.EggsBenefit.com to RSVP. For more information or to sponsor the event, contact Joy Blue at 864-331-1314 or Joy.Blue@cdservices.org.

About CDS
CDS is the largest multi-disciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive evaluation, diagnosis, therapy, psychology, audiology, day care needs for the medically fragile, early intervention, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of Clarity; Project Hope Foundation; Kidventures of Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,000 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville, SC. For more information about CDS and its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

GREENVILLE, S.C. –  The next month of workouts at the three Sportsclub Fitness & Wellness locations are taking on a unique goal.

As part of its 30 Days for $30 in September, 100% of every 30-day pass purchased in September is donated directly to Defenders for Children to help children in the community. People who purchase a $30 pass between September 1 and September 30 will enjoy 30 days of unlimited group exercise classes, aquatics centers, state-of-the-art fitness floors, and so much more at Sportsclub Fitness and Wellness.

Founded in 2010, Defenders for Children aims to prevent child abuse, trafficking, and child pornography by creating, implementing, and operating projects that raise community awareness by educating adults and children while increasing community involvement to keep children safe.

In addition to the 30 Days for $30 campaign, there will be several community events that also raise funds for Defenders for Children

·       The 9/11 Stair Climb: Being held at the Sportsclub Express location (667 SE Main Street, Simpsonville), the Stair Climb challenges people to do 110 flights under 30 minutes. The fastest three climbers will earn prizes and donations are accepted in order to take part. Register at the Simpsonville location and it will be held on Wednesday, September 11 from 5 am to 9 pm.

·       Members Make a Difference Social: This event will be had on Tuesday, September 17 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Five Forks location (317 Scuffletown Road, Simpsonville). It is open to people who purchase the 30-day pass. Highlights include a 50/50 raffle, hors d’oeuvres, soft drinks from Publix, cornhole in the courtyard, cocktail music Queue the K-9 from Defenders for Children.

·       Queue’s Superhero Pickleball and K9 Social: Being held on Sunday, September 22 from 2pm to 4 pm at the Greenville site (712 Congaree Road), this event will also feature opportunities to meet Queue the K-9, as well as prizes for best dog costumes, dog pools and tennis ball pits for dogs. For humans, there will be pickleball and barbecue.

Sportclub’s campaign is part of a larger one being led by its parent company, acac Fitness & Wellness Centers, which has locations in Pennsylvania, Virginia and South Carolina. The 30 Days for $30 campaign was originally created in 2009 to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary. Since then, acac has supported a variety of organizations including the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Red Cross, and more. 

 

 

About Sportsclub Fitness & Wellness:

Since 1975, Sportsclub Fitness & Wellness has been the choice for those who want something more than just a gym membership. Their mission is to provide the best health club experience in the Upstate of South Carolina.  Their members appreciate a wide variety of equipment, adult and youth fitness programming, group exercise classes and a friendly and knowledgeable team. From team sports to group activities to individual instruction, they can define a fitness program that suits anyone’s unique ability and lifestyle at their three convenient locations in Greenville. Learn more by visiting https://sportsclubsc.com.

About acac Fitness & Wellness Centers:

Founded by Phil Wendel in 1984, acac Fitness & Wellness Centers has become the gold standard for health and wellness facilities. With 11 locations throughout Virginia, Pennsylvania and now South Carolina, acac members and guests have access to a full spectrum of high quality programs, services and equipment. acac’s mission is to provide a great fitness experience for members of all ages in a clean and safe environment. Its team members are dedicated to the integration of medicine and fitness to improve community health by focusing on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of lifestyle-related disease. Learn more at https://acac.com.

GREENVILLE, SC (September 3, 2024) – Tickets are now on sale for Holiday Fair & Kringle Village, a uniquely elevated holiday experience created by the partnership of Greenville Convention Center’s Annual Holiday Fair and Rotary Club of Greenville’s Kringle Holiday Village.

Holiday Fair & Kringle Village will delight locals and draw visitors to the Upstate for three days of holiday fun December 5-7, 2024, at the Greenville Convention Center. Admission to Holiday Fair & Kringle Village Is $10 per person, and $9 for seniors, 60+. Tickets can be purchased online now. Parking at the Greenville Convention Center is $10 per car and can be purchased online or onsite.

Included in daily admission to Holiday Fair & Kringle Village is:

• Mingle @ Kringle – Don festive apparel and welcome local favorite, RANDOMONIUM, to the main stage for the opening night party. It will take place 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Thursday, December 5. Purchase group tickets for your holiday office party or enter with your Thursday general admission ticket.
• Vendor Market – More than 350 crafters and commercial vendors offering the region’s largest selection of holiday arts, crafts and gifts under one roof. Exhibitors from throughout the southeast will be selling a wide range of products, from holiday décor, jewelry, beauty items, home and garden goods, artisan goods, toys and games, clothing, pet products and more. The vendor market will be open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on December 5 and 6, and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on December 7. Limited vendor applications are available at www.meetgcc.com.
• Friday Movie Night – Join the community from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Friday, December 6 for a showing of a family friendly Christmas movie, Elf. Bring blankets and fuzzy slippers and enjoy popcorn, hot cocoa and visits from a local cast of holiday characters that bring the film to life.
• Kringle Village Main Stage – All three days of Holiday Fair & Kringle Village will feature live entertainment on the main stage from local bands, community choirs, performance and dance troupes, holiday DJ’s and an Oompah-Band. Magicians, acrobats and circus performers will surprise and delight attendees throughout the event. The full entertainment schedule will be released in October.
• Gluhwein, Bier Garden and Holiday Treats – Throughout all three days of Holiday Fair & Kringle Village, enjoy authentic European mulled wine and a variety of craft beers paired with giant pretzels, brats, homemade strudel, cinnamon buns and all your favorite holiday treats. Alcohol sales are 21+ and a photo ID is required.
• The North Pole – Bring your kids for snowball fights, giant inflatable snow slides and a life-sized snow globe. Visit Santa’s workshop and make gifts for family and friends before riding the old-world Carousel and taking photos with Santa. Open December 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and December 7 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Silent Auction and Kringle Cash – Throughout the event a silent auction featuring gifts from local businesses and one-of-a-kind travel destinations will take place. Participation in the silent auction doubles your holiday giving, providing an opportunity to bid on holiday gifts where proceeds benefit the community. Additionally, guests can purchase $10 tickets to win a 50/50 cash drawdown at the end of the event. Auction items will be announced online prior to opening night and bidding will occur in-person and virtually.

Available for an additional fee is:

• VIP Reception – Break out your fancy holiday attire to celebrate the season with a VIP reception. This night of festive elegance and indulgence features an elaborate chef prepared menu, full bar and live entertainment in the private ballroom followed by a VIP area at Mingle @ Kringle featuring Greenville’s favorite party band, RANDOMONIUM. VIP parking is included. Thursday, December 5, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Little Miss Kringle Pageant – Join Miss South Carolina as we celebrate the joy and creativity of the season. Ages eight and under are invited to parade across the main stage in their most festive and charming costumes in three age divisions. All registered participants will receive a trophy, photos with a winter princess and the winners will receive a tiara and sash. Saturday, December 7, 11 a.m.
• Enchanted Tea Party – Generations will come together to make memories in a magical atmosphere where they can listen to holiday stories, share visits with elves, take home special photos and enjoy delicious treats on Saturday, December 7 at 2 p.m. Hosted by Michael Cogdill, this unique experience is sure to sell out; early recommendations are recommended.

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About Greenville Convention Center

As one of the Southeast’s largest venues, boasting 280,000 square feet of impressive exhibit and event space in one of the most sought-after cities, the Greenville Convention Center is committed to providing you with the resources you need to turn your event into an experience that brings your plans to life.

About the Rotary Club of Greenville

Established in 1916, the Rotary Club of Greenville is the oldest Rotary Club in South Carolina. Rotary is an international service organization whose mission is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. In Rotary International, there are 46,000 clubs and 1.4 million members worldwide dedicated to “Service Above Self.” Each year, the Rotary Club of Greenville organizes various service and fundraising projects allowing its approximately 200 members to give back to the local community and beyond. Funds raised by the Rotary Club of Greenville are directed to its philanthropic arm “Rotary Charities,” which supports many non-profit organizations both locally and around the world. For more information, visit greenvillerotary.org and follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GVLRotary.

GREENVILLE, SC | September 3, 2024 – To celebrate National Recovery Month this September, Recovery Centers of America (RCA) is highlighting its expanded services and community initiatives aimed at supporting recovery and raising awareness about substance use disorders. As a leading healthcare network of substance use disorder treatment facilities in the East, Midwest and South, RCA is committed to providing comprehensive support to individuals and families impacted by addiction.

Throughout National Recovery Month, RCA invites members of the Greenville community to take part in an Alumni Association meeting to get connected with others that understand and support your recovery and growth. These are open to the public and take place on Tuesdays at 7 PM in person at 47 Fisherman Lane or virtually via Zoom.

RCA will also host a series of educational webinars to raise awareness about addiction recovery and offer resources to those in need. These events are accessible via RCA’s website and are designed to educate families about addiction, the recovery process, and ways to support loved ones in recovery.

“Recovery goes beyond treating the individual; it involves supporting the entire family and community. National Recovery Month is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to unite in support of evidence-based recovery, which has the power to save lives,” said Lisa Goodnough, CEO of Recovery Centers of America at Greenville. “At RCA, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive care and resources to help individuals and their families navigate the journey to recovery.”

RCA’s recovery support services are designed to meet the diverse needs of those struggling with substance use disorders. These include Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), individual and group therapy, and holistic therapies such as yoga and meditation, all tailored to address each patient’s unique needs. RCA’s mission extends beyond treatment, focusing on community education about addiction and recovery through various outreach programs and events.

RCA offers individualized treatment programs to help those with substance use disorders find lasting sobriety. If you or your loved one are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and need help, the staff at Recovery Centers of America is available 24/7. Call 1-844-5-RCA-NOW (844-722-2669) for help today.

About Recovery Centers of America

Recovery Centers of America (RCA) is on a mission to help 1 million patients achieve lifelong recovery through evidence-based treatment for substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions – one neighborhood at a time. The RCA Care Model features a clinically proven, full continuum of inpatient and outpatient services at 12 world-class facilities in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southeast regions. RCA admits patients 24/7, accepts most insurances, and provides transportation, intervention and family support services when needed. RCA is proud to have several of its sites recognized multiple times in Newsweek’s America’s Best Addiction Centers rankings for excellence. For inquiries or admissions, call 1-844-5-RCA-NOW (844-572-2669).

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“To educate and assimilate into “civilized” society.” That was the motive in the 1870s behind taking Native American children to distant residential boarding schools and stripping them of all signs of their culture. On Saturday, August 31, 2024, the Upcountry History Museum – Greenville County, a Smithsonian Affiliate, opens the exhibition, “Away from Home: Native American Boarding Schools,” which gives voice to the stories of thousands of children forced into a world that deprived them of their language, contact with their families, and their ethnic identity.

Students in these boarding schools were trained for domestic work and trade in a highly regimented environment through the 1930s with social reform compelling change into the 1970s. While some suffered in silence, some struggled bitterly, and others succumbed to physical abuse. Others, in some cases, found ways to build a new sense of self within this new, wider world. Away from Home takes visitors on a journey through stories of student resistance, accommodation, creative resolve, devoted participation, escape, and faith in self and heritage. As noted by Ojibwe tribe historian Brenda Childs, “the boarding school experience was carried out in public but had an intensely private dimension.”

Featured in the exhibition are photographs, artwork, objects, interactive timelines, and interviews, all presented through immersive environments, such as classroom and dormitory settings. Please note there are descriptions of human indignities, hardships and terms that reflect historically racist perspectives and language from past eras. In providing such historical context, this exhibition is advised for more mature audience members, grades eight to adult.

“Away from Home: Native American Boarding Schools” is on display from Aug. 31 through October 20, 2024. The exhibition is made possible by NEH on the Road, a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities. It was adapted from the permanent exhibition, “Away from Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories,” organized by The Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Upcountry History Museum is located at 540 Buncombe St., in Greenville, S.C. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 864-467-3100 or visit www.upcountryhistory.org.