The Post and Courier Greenville

Pickens, SC – October 21, 2025 – Upcountry Fiber Foundation, the charitable arm and permanent endowment of Upcountry Fiber, announces that it raised $133,100 at its charity golf tournament on September 29 at The Cliffs at Glassy Mountain. Upcountry Fiber, an internet service provider that bridges the digital divide by bringing broadband internet service to rural and other under and unserved communities, was created in 2020 through a partnership between Blue Ridge Electric Co-op (BREC) and West Carolina. Upcountry Fiber Foundation was launched in September 2022 to give back to Upstate philanthropic organizations.

Upcountry Fiber Foundation is focused on funding non-profits that serve the community in education, youth, culture, arts, and health and human services areas, as the foundation is committed to creating a stronger connection between the organizations that link people and businesses with areas of need. Funds raised from the charity golf tournament support local, non-profit organizations that make an immediate and direct impact on the people they serve in Anderson, Oconee, Pickens and Northern Greenville counties.

“We are thrilled to raise $133,000 at our charity golf tournament this year to support many fundamental initiatives throughout the Upstate,” said Jim Lovinggood, president and CEO, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. “Since the inception of the foundation, we have been able to give back nearly $160,000 to 33 non-profit grant applicants in our local community.”

“We are thankful for all our sponsors and donors, especially our presenting sponsor ElectriCom, who each contributed to make this effort a success,” said Chris Townson, CEO, West Carolina. “We look forward to continuing to support our neighbors and we are so appreciative for the work they do every single day to make the communities we serve stronger.”

For more information about Upcountry Fiber Foundation, visit: https://www.upcountryfiber.com/foundation

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Greenville, SC – Paysmart Payroll is pleased to welcome Mariel as the newest member of the team. A graduate of Clemson University with degrees in Sociology and Nutrition, Mariel brings strong communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills that will serve clients and colleagues alike.

Before entering the payroll field, Mariel served in the United States Navy as an Intelligence Analyst, an experience that honed her attention to detail and commitment to excellence. She is also active in the community through organizations such as Upstate Warrior Solutions, Vantage Point, and Upstate International SC.

Outside of work, Mariel enjoys life on her hobby farm, cooking and baking for her charcuterie business, reading, and traveling.

About Paysmart Payroll Services

For over 20 years, Paysmart Payroll Services has helped local businesses thrive with personalized service, expert knowledge, and industry-leading technology. More than just payroll, Paysmart is a trusted partner dedicated to accuracy, efficiency, and client success.

“It’s not payroll. It’s people.®”

Media Contact:

Brad Detandt
Director of Business Development
brad@paysmartsc.com
864.729.7655

Greenville, S.C. — The Matador brought its Mexican-inspired cuisine and agave spirits to Greenville’s West End in May 2025, and now invites guests to enjoy the upstairs Whiskey Hotel and rooftop patio this fall. Named for the neon sign that crowns the building, the Whiskey Hotel offers an intimate space and elevated dining experience, with rooftop views overlooking downtown Greenville.

Whiskey Hotel Offerings
-Upstairs cocktail menu featuring an intriguing selection of drinks based on American whiskeys — both traditional classics and reimagined contemporary selections, alongside some of our favorite Matador margaritas
-Expanded whiskey and bourbon selection
-Signature Whiskey Hotel Ribeye and a bar menu with select scratch-made Mexican-inspired cuisine
-Rooftop patio with fire tables, custom ironwork, and downtown views

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at The Matador
From October 31 to November 2, guests can celebrate Dia de los Muertos at the Whiskey Hotel. Join The Matador for discounted drink specials all weekend, complemented by culturally accurate decorations throughout.

For menus, hours, and more information, visit matadorrestaurants.com, or find us on Instagram at @matador_restaurants.

GREENVILLE, SC – The dog days of summer at acac Fitness and Wellness led to a $19,230 donation to the Greenville Humane Society this week.

Every year, acac Fitness & Wellness centers designate a month to host a 30 Days for $30 campaign, where 100 percent of all 30-day passes are donated to a local charity. This year, the three acac sites in the Upstate raised $19,230 for the Greenville Humane Society.

The mission of the Greenville Humane Society is to provide homeless pets with more than just the basics of food and shelter – their pets receive daily enrichment, loving attention and medical care. The Greenville Humane Society also provides a wide variety of preventative services like vaccinations and spay/neuter to make proper pet care affordable for the community so that pets can be pets for life.

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.

“We were so pleased with the outcome of this drive and want to thank our fantastic team, and everyone who joined our wonderful acac family in August,” said Jamie Hamler, acac’s Regional Manager. “They helped make this donation possible and impacted the wellness of our most devoted furry friends.”

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 14 locations throughout Virginia, Pennsylvania and 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 o

Greenville, SC – Stokes & Company CPAs is excited to welcome Shelly Davis as the newest Accountant!
Shelly Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Charleston Southern University and brings over 10 years of experience in the accounting industry. A member of the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB), she is also an Intuit Bookkeeper Certified and QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor.
Shelly specializes in law firm billing and accounting, with expertise across multiple legal software programs. She particularly enjoys building strong client relationships, navigating diverse business accounting needs, and collaborating on business tax strategies.
Outside of work, Shelly enjoys rehabbing old homes, building garden beds, and exploring interior design.
About Stokes & Company, CPAs
For over 25 years, Stokes & Company, CPAs has been a trusted partner for businesses and individuals, delivering expert accounting, tax, and advisory services tailored to their unique needs.
Media Contact:
Brad Detandt
Director of Business Development
brad@stokescpas.com
864.242.1418

GREENWOOD, S.C.— Cameron Dorn doesn’t just talk about pushing limits. He lives it.

Some might call the South Carolina native a business daredevil, but the founder of the business, Suitcase of Courage, strategically channels his passion for adventure into grueling races and endurance challenges that test both body and mind.

Dorn returned to his alma mater, Lander University, to speak to students and guests for the College of Business and Technology Week, which focuses on helping students learn about life after graduation. He carried with him a well-worn blue suitcase, given to him by a friend’s mother who filled it with snacks when he lost a race in Majorca, Spain. Dorn, who was pursuing a master’s degree in international business in England, found the opportunity to “unpack the suitcase and give the snacks to others,” he said.

And that desire to give back – to share with others – has been a hallmark of Dorn’s success as he’s won some 60 races in 68 countries while helping businesses throughout the nation, including Fujifilm in Greenwood, develop corporate wellness programs.

Dorn, who grew up in Waterloo and earned his bachelor’s degree at Lander in 2010, was determined to break out of the small-town life “and see the world … I wanted to put Waterloo on the map.”

A triathlon and duathlon champion, Dorn has earned Guinness World Record fame in three events and traveled the globe to undertake grueling adventures as varied as the Running of the Bulls and climbing the world’s highest summits. It’s hardly any wonder that Men’s Health magazine named Dorn one of “15 Ultimate Guys.”

In 2023, Dorn pushed paralyzed Marine veteran Mike Hudson, of Simpsonville, in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. He continues to seek new challenges and turns every test of strength into an opportunity to inspire others to find their own courage. “I want to prove that being from a small town doesn’t mean small opportunities.”

[GREENVILLE, S.C.] – Art & Light Gallery is happy to present “Set The Table”, an exhibition of work by Molly Mansfield (Austin, T.X.), Rachael Nerney Reese (Charleston, S.C.) and Megan Trueblood (Orem, U.T.) launching on the Art & Light website and in the gallery at 10:00 AM (EST) on Tuesday, November 4 with an opening reception on Friday, November 7 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.

Molly Mansfield studies the spaces we inhabit and the tablescapes that define our domestic lives. Molly’s practice is one of observation, but also imagination. Her still life paintings often focus on the table—a gathering place and a place for connection, sharing, and vulnerability. She typically creates a composition using family heirlooms: dishes, vintage fabrics, half finished quilts of women from past decades.

Rachael Nerney Reese is a painter, muralist, and illustrator who earned a BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her artwork captures fleeting moments through vibrant color, light, and pattern. Rachael finds inspiration in the everyday magic of food, color, and connection. Known for her joyful brushwork and love of all things food, she turns tabletops into works of art. In “Set the Table” she captures the warmth of shared meals, from sunny breakfasts and weekend brunches to cozy desserts and late-night bites. Every scene is a reminder to slow down, savor the moment, and enjoy the beauty of a well-set table.

Megan Trueblood finds beauty in the familiar and the everyday, her work is meant to inspire peace and provide a respite from the chaos of our busy lives. She is interested in the interaction of color and the use of negative space, and explores both in her detailed, luminous oil paintings. Trueblood says, “I paint ordinary objects that are present in my home and part of my family life. Often, as I make dinner or play with my children, an object will beautifully catch the light, and I’ll snap a quick photo to paint later in my studio.”