Gearing up for the new school year, summer has come to a close and the back-to-school supply list is being checked off. Oh, the seasons of life. Learning to ebb and flow with all that life can bring can evoke so many emotions in us in various ways. I believe learning to embrace the flowing waters allows us to have peace and joy in all of the times.

We have often said that people are our passion, and learning about people’s stories is what makes what we do so incredible. We hear and learn the wisdom, mistakes, lessons and choices that the fascinating people of Sumter County have and we get to share the in-depth background and details. We are always so honored to glean from these pages and hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Families, like the McNeills, are on the forefront of preserving history intertwined with modern additives and a good healthy dose of old-fashioned hard work! Also included is child music prodigy, David Busman, whose story will give you chills about how he uses his ability to speak to the world through music. Sharad Patel and his hard working family show such loyalty and passion to the Sumter community and truly captivate what a family owned business looks like.

Each of these stories, and so many more, walk you from the beginning to the present of the different pages of life that each have experienced; lessons learned along the way and the journey ahead.

Thank you to all of our readers for sharing in our joy and continuing to open your arms of friendship. We are so grateful for our clients who continue to make this publication possible and they are listed on page 136. Please thank them and continue to support them.

Landon and Mandi Spivey