HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

This morning I logged on Twitter and Facebook like I do every day (because I am addicted)  and learned that today is International Women's Day! I consider myself a very intuitive person and usually know what's going on in the world, yet I had no idea that women have another holiday besides Mother's Day!   Even Google is joining in on the fun.

Today is the day to celebrate women’s accomplishments and advocate for gender equality! Some countries recognize the day as a national holiday, closing all schools and businesses. In China only women get the day off! (Lets just be honest.. that would be pretty awesome.)



Flowers are a symbol of International Women’s Day. Many countries celebrate by decorating with flowers, or by giving them to women as presents. In Italy, yellow mimosas are popular. Russians give a variety of flowers, including red roses. In Hanoi, Vietnam, it’s not just boyfriends and husbands giving flowers to the women in their lives, but also bosses and colleagues.

Today, not only would your mother/wife/daughter/grandmother be tickled pink if you gave her flowers, your dear friend with the sympathetic ear would feel a great amount of love as well.

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well."  ~ Voltaire

RED LIPSTICK.



A marketing agency is encouraging women across America to wear red lipstick in honor of International Women’s Day for the “Rock the Lips” campaign. Red lipstick symbolizes  femininity! So, you women who want to celebrate your femininity, submit photos of your pouts to the Rock the Lips Tumblr.

Again, HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY from all of us at SERVPRO!

For more information please vist http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

-Denea Duran

Free Lunch 'n Learn! Communications Marketing in a Post-Recession Era

If you RSVP today or tomorrow you can still attend the lunch 'n learn! Be  proactive! Your business will thank you later. 

-Denea Duran

Then and Now: New Orleans

First and foremost, let me start by apologizing to everyone. I have been absent in posting blogs last week because I went to New Orleans! Not only is the city rich in history but the people there are friendly and have great "southern hospitality". The food is not only amazing, but the people of New Orleans don't believe in portion control (Lets just say that I ate everything that I could get my hands on!)



Tip: New Orleans is known for their amazing praline candy. If you get a chance to head to New Orleans, you must STOP whatever your doing and try praline candy!  

I not only went down to New Orleans for pleasure, but I really wanted to take away a better understanding of the history of the city-- both before and after Hurricane Katrina. I think it is amazing how some of the homes and structures destoryed in 2005 look as if the hurricane had just made landfall. They are still boarded up and the water lines are still evident.

During my trip I got to speak with a few locals about the hurricane. Hearing them reminisce about that day, I was struck by the number of people who continue to hold positive attitudes following the event. Many even considered themselves blessed.

Before I left New Orleans, I met a business owner that lost his small business permanently. As we walked past his boarded up shop to the next stop of our vacation, I could feel my heart sink. It is amazing how a natural disaster can change your life forever.



My job here is to give you safety tips, but to be honest nothing can prepare you for a life-changing natural disaster. What I took away from my trip is that it is essential to stay positive through whatever is handed to you. And I thank the people of New Orleans for teaching me about courage and faith.

We will continue to keep the people and city of New Orleans in our prayers!

-Denea Duran

 

"Memories of Lexington's Old Mill" Gala Fundraiser

SERVPRO is excited to support the Lexington County Museum in their annual fundraiser & gala tomorrow, January 28th from 7:00pm-11:00pm! For $40, you receive a lively night of dinner, drinks and dancing with entertainment provided by the Great Society Band. There will also be a chance to win raffle prizes ranging $100-$300 in value from several vendors, including a free carpet cleaning from your very own SERVPRO of Lexington! Tickets are still available at the door!

We hope to see you tomorrow night at the Lexington Municipal Complex to promote one of our oldest and most vibrant foundations in Lexington County! You won't regret it.



For more information visit the event page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/133275296789409/

Lexington County Museum:

231 Fox Street, Lexington, SC 29072
Tue - Sat:10:00 am-4:00 pm
Sun: 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
803-359-8369
http://www.lex-co.com/museum.html
http://www.teachingushistory.org/qt-lex/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lexington-County-Museum/55124226871

 

Let's Have a Parade!

We're ready for the Batesburg parade!

And the Winner Is...

KEM OLIVER with RelyLocal! Congratulations to Kem! He has won a $50 Target gift card and a spotting kit! Thanks for all who entered!

Want to Win the Giveaway?

I think you do.

And here's how: comment HERE. The more comments, the better your chance of winning!

Oyster Roast Recap!

We had an incredible time at the Oyster Roast last week! Check out some photos. For more, please visit our Facebook page. We also need help tagging our friends, so if you see someone you know, please tag them for us. We would greatly appreciate it!

Sandy Hayden

A GIVEAWAY!

That's right. It's time for a blog giveaway. You can have three total entries. To qualify you must live (or work) in Lexington County. What you have to do: subscribe to the blog (click "sign me up" on the right), like the Facebook page (you can also do that on the right), and/or answer the following two questions: a) how did you hear about our blog? b) what would you like to see more of on the blog?

Now here is the tricky part, you must then comment on this blog post (see the comment box below) telling us each entry that you did. Each entry needs to be in a separate blog comment.

A winner will be chosen at 12am November 22, so you have a week to enter and tell your friends and family!

Sandy Hayden

Happy Birthday Mike Whittles

We spent last month here on the blog and on twitter recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but we want to take time to point out one of our personal heroes who is battling cancer. Mike Whittles is a SERVPRO individual who truly knows how to make every day count.



"Am I that special? No. I am not. My fellow cancer survivors are that special. My coaches are that special. My co-workers are that special. My daughter Jess spending one night a week with our grandson, extra-special. My Servpro family is that special. Reassuring Nick that it’s okay to be at school, that’s special. My eighty something year old parents and sister are that special. My football players are that special. My wonderful illness and my wonderful cancer have brought out the best in just about everyone that I am surrounded by. I don’t like having an illness but I like what it brings out in me and I like what it brings out in others. It seems like I only see the good in people so in a way, I thank cancer (although I still want to destroy it!)

Sometimes I think, what if I had just been in a deadly car accident with no warning, no goodbyes? This healing time, when it seems I can do little more than sleep, is heartwarming and for me when I close my eyes, knowing that I am enveloped in God’s arms and holding onto the warmth and power of friendship and family, I am special. YOU are that special."  -Mike Whittles

The great thing about SERVPRO is that it provides an opportunity to have an extended family. I've known Mike all of my life (literally). Though he probably has a better memory of those very early years, I DO remember spending time playing with Jessica (Mike's daughter) and the rest of the SERVPRO kids at convention. Jessica was like a cousin and Mike an uncle.. making for exactly 4 large family get togethers a year (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Convention). During high school and college graduation, as well as my brother's wedding this year, my SERVPRO family was just as present as my blood relatives.

Point being, we are incredibly blessed being a part of this system. Every year since I can remember, I've been surrounded by hard working, sincere, loving mentors who have taught me that there is no other way to live than to make every day count. I am very encouraged to know that there are countless others in my SERVPRO family, besides Mike, that would live with the same amount of passion and purpose given the grueling circumstances. Because it's not about the cancer. It's about being thankful and counting blessings. It's about always using the life you've been given for the greater good. And it's inspiring.

Thank you, Mike. Thank you for being a great father figure and leader just as my parents have been. I hope this is one of your happiest and fulfilling birthdays yet!

With lots of love from Tia, Taylor, Marty, Angie and the rest of the SERVPRO clan

It's Time...

FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL SERVPRO OYSTER ROAST! Hosted by SERVPRO of The Dutch Fork, Richland County, and yours truly (Cayce/West Columbia & Lexington), we're treating our property managers, agents, and adjusters! Join us November 10th from 5:30 to 9:30 at Saluda Shoals Park Environmental Education Center. There will also be beer and wine and some good ole Southern sides. For the non-oyster-loving folks, we will have a fish fry available. So just follow the green truck down to Saluda Shoals!

Not convinced? Check out last year's:

See you there!

Sandy Hayden

Lexington Oktoberfest Photo Recap

First of all, I have yet to mention that Lexington Medical Center actually won the 2011 Pink Glove Dance competition! We watched their video on the blog last Monday, so a huge thank you to all of you who voted for them!

And as promised, here is are some photos from the Lexington Oktoberfest! We had a blast out there and we hope you did too. For more pictures (and there are quite a bit more) please visit our Facebook page -- Oktoberfest '11 Part 1 and Part 2. Please help us tag all the beautiful faces!



Again, if you don't see your picture, you might find it on our Facebook. Thanks again for coming out!

Sandy Hayden