Election Day in South Carolina

November 8 is just around the corner and the country will be selecting a new President along with several other offices.

South Carolina does not have early voting unless by absentee ballot.  Early voting by absentee applies to military service members or family members currently living overseas.

Polls open at 7 AM on November 8 and close at 7 PM.  You must bring an acceptable form of ID to vote such as Drivers License, ID card or Military ID card.

For a list of polling places and other voting information visit http://www.scvotes.org/.

Tricks or Treats This Year?

Halloween is a time for treats, sweets and lots of delicious eats!  While that is a fun and time-tested tradition there are ways to think outside the box when it comes to trick-or-treating this year.  Check out our list of unique Halloween treats!

- Stickers - Halloween themed is best!

- Temporary tattoos

- Small bags of pretzels or gummy bears

- Halloween theme pretzels or erasers

- Stamps

- Bubbles

- Bouncy balls

- Glow sticks or bracelets to wear while out trick-or-treating!

If the typical fun-size candy is more your speed, you aren't alone. The National Retail Federation anticipates $2.5 billion will be spend on Halloween candy this year. The most popular choices? Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kats and Butterfinger.

Fall Fun Nearby!

Enjoy the cooler weather and get outside this weekend! Here are some fun Fall activities within driving distance.  Pack a jacket and hit the road!


Steeds Dairy Farm - Grovetown, GA

- Open Saturdays from 10am-10pm
- Open Sundays from 1pm-7pm
- A real working dairy farm
- Family-friendly corn maize during the day and Haunted Maize at night
- Hay rides, jumping pillow and petting zoo


Holiday Farms - Ridgeland, SC
- Open Saturdays from 9am-Dark
- Open Sundays from 1pm-5pm
- Pumpkin patch, jump pad, hay rides
- Duck races, corn grinding, Barnyard Zoo


Clinton Sease Farms - Lexington, SC
- Open Saturdays from 10am-11pm
- Open Sundays from 2pm-7pm
- Pumpkin patch, hay rides and corn maize
- Haunted attractions available at night

Disaster Preparedness

With Hurricane Matthew baring down on Florida and the Southeast, now is the time to ensure you're prepared in the event of a natural disaster.

The most important thing to remember is to heed the words of your local government, law enforcement and emergency division. This includes knowing the latest forecasts and evacuation orders. Don't endanger your lives and the lives of others by not listening to the people around you who are trying to keep you safe.

Ensure you have a safety kit and first aid supplies on hand.  This includes:

- Water - gallons of water for consumption and hygiene
- A three-day supply of nonperishable food
- Flashlight and batteries
- Can opener
- Cell phone chargers
- Weather radio
- Extra cash

First Aid Kit

- Latex gloves
- Burn ointment
- Eyewash
- Bandages in various sizes
- Soap
- Sterile dressings
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Non-prescription drugs such as aspirin, antacid, anti-diarrhea medicine

Ensure all prescription medicines are full and readily available.

What else do you do to prepare for a natural disaster?

Ways to Save on Utilities

Yes the weather is actually getting cooler - which means the air conditioner doesn't have to run as much - a huge money saver!  Did you realize there are other ways to save? And they won't take much sacrifice!  Check them out and see what you can do to save some money each month!

1.  Unplug your appliances. Even appliances that are not in use are using your electricity just by being plugged in.  So check on toasters, laptops, coffee makers, etc. and unplug!

2.  Change your lightbulbs to LED. LED bulbs last at least 5 years and use much less energy!

3.  Reset your water heater's default temperature. Most are set at 140 degrees.  Reduce to 120 and you can save some easy money!

4.  Plan to do several loads of laundry at one time. This way your dryer doesn't cool all the way down between loads.

5.  Let your dishes air dry and skip the heat dry cycle on your dishwasher.

6.  When your phone is fully charged, unplug the charger. It will continue to pull electricity even if the phone is fully charged.

7.  Regularly change your air filters according to the manufacturers specifications - either every month or 3 months.

8.  Keep interior doors open to allow cooled air to flow through the home.

9.  Check all door and refrigerator seals to ensure there are no leaks.

10.  When shopping for new appliances or electronics, try to buy Energy Star rated equipment.

Budget Decorating Ideas

Decorating for Fall doesn't mean spending a fortune on new seasonal knick-knacks or expensive pre-made arrangements. You may have items around your home that just need a little touch to make them Autumn ready!  Here are some ideas.






Mason jar vases - just add some paint in using Fall hues!







Glue or tie some sticks to a plain votive vase to make an awesome Autumn candle holder!







Incorporate plaid scarves into your Fall decor - until it gets cold enough to use them of course!




Don't forget to set the season by incorporating smells!  Make some homemade potpourri by simmering apple, orange, cloves and cinnamon!

Setting Up a Home Workspace

Whether you work from home full time or just need space to get away and write out your thoughts in peace and quiet, a home office is a great addition to any home. A home office can be a designated extra bedroom or a corner of the upstairs loft.  No matter how big your space there are a few things to keep in mind when planning a workspace.

1. Think about your primary activities - will a desktop or laptop computer be necessary? Do you need a landline? Will you need a printer, router, or other space-taking equipment?

2. Ensure there is plenty of lighting - both overhead and lamp light. Take advantage of any and all natural light.

3. Sketch out your room before moving any furniture in. Include windows, electrical outlets, cables and doors or closets. It's much easier to sketch before moving furniture in or out! Try to position your desk where you have a view - near the windows!

4.  Use vertical space to your advantage.  You don't need a lot of square footage for a good office space - take advantage of your walls for filing or storage with bookcases and floating shelves.

5.  Add your own unique touches! Yes an office is for work but it doesn't have to be cold and sterile. Decorate with photos of loved ones, inspirational quotes and plants or fresh flowers.  Make the space somewhere you want to be!