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Consumer Stories
Consumer Stories

Aiken Tech Nursing Program receives donations at the right time

If you’ve ever been to a doctor or been hospitalized, you understand the need for a good nurse. Someone who checks your vital signs, performs lab work, or maybe holds your hand and tells you everything will be all right. Aiken Technical College trains students to provide those skills and much more. A recent $4,000 donation from the Aiken Chapter of Mended Hearts will provide equipment including teaching stethoscopes and an EKG simulator for hands-on training. This is not the first time the group, consisting of former heart patients, has

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Mitzi Oxford August 23, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Soap company to open Columbia County location

A national handmade soap company will soon open a new location in Columbia County. Buff City Soap will be located near Target and Kohl’s in the Mullins Crossing shopping center at 4225-3 Washington Road in Evans. The company makes and sells a variety of plant-based products, including hand, bath, and laundry soaps, as well as bath bombs, beard oils, and lotions. Accessories include soap dishes, loofahs, and body brushes. Founded in Tennessee in 2013, Buff City Soap has locations throughout the U.S., including Florida, South Carolina, and Texas. For more

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Josh Heath August 23, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local baker launches 1950’s-inspired dessert business

Corry D’Alessandro wasn’t alive in the 1950’s, but she’s still inspired by the decade, which she refers to as a simpler time. That’s why D’Alessandro, a New Jersey native and owner of a local home-based dessert business called Mother Truckin Eatz, LLC, has given many of her treats 50’s-inspired names, such as June Cleaver and Susie Q. She offers a variety of American and Italian desserts, such as cookies, cakes, and biscotti. D’Alessandro’s passion for baking can be traced back to her Italian grandmother, who will soon turn 100. Her

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Josh Heath August 22, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

United Way kicks off 2022 campaign, sets a big goal

For the first time in three years, United Way of the CSRA held an in-person campaign kickoff event this past Friday. Part of the event included the United Way’s annual Project Serve day. This year’s goal is to raise $2.4 million to help meet the continued demands of the CSRA. Last year, United Way of the CSRA used the funds to help support 38 programs at 25 different non-profits throughout the CSRA that impacted more than 253,000 people. “Our community needs United Way, our strong partnerships, and ability to mobilize

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Gary Kauffman August 22, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local business lets customers smash stress one breakable at a time

While business ownership comes with its share of perks, it often comes with more than its share of stresses. But, so does writing about businesses. Before ABD publisher, Neil Gordon offered me the job of business reporter, I was well acquainted with stress. For many years, I juggled various full-time jobs in higher education and freelance writing gigs that consumed much of my spare time. Writing is now my full-time profession, and, while I still love storytelling, I often feel stressed out. And I’ve discovered I’m not alone. According to

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Josh Heath August 22, 2022 1 Comment
Consumer Stories

Frontier adds air routes to vacation spots, offers low rates

If you just need to get away, Frontier Airlines is offering some new destinations from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In November and December, Frontier will start flying to San Jose, Costa Rica; Liberia, Costa Rica; Nassau, Bahamas; San Salvador, El Salvador; and Kingston, Jamaica. Less than a year ago, Frontier had also added routes to Cancun, Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. To celebrate, Frontier is offering some special introductory fares. Flights to Nassau and San Salvador have an introductory rate of $69; to Kingston and Liberia,

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Gary Kauffman August 21, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New leadership for two CSRA hospitals

Doctor’s Hospital in Augusta has tapped Joanna Conley as the CEO of the HCA-owned facility. Conley has served in healthcare and leadership roles with HCA in Nashville and Kissimmee, Fla., prior to assuming her role in Augusta. She holds a B.S. Degree in Public Health, Health Policy and Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management. Conley is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She assumes the role following the retirement of CEO,

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Mitzi Oxford August 18, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Starbucks to open new Columbia County location

No matter where you live in the CSRA, you probably don’t have to drive very far to get to a Starbucks. The coffee giant will soon bring another location to Columbia County. The land has been cleared to make room for the new store, which will be located between Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Taco Bell on South Belair Road in Martinez. Starbucks already has numerous shops throughout Columbia County and the CSRA, including Grovetown, Evans, Augusta, and North Augusta. Coffee lovers can also visit locations in local Kroger and Target

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Story and Photos by Josh Heath August 18, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Sweet tale of retirement to proprietorship gives local woman new outlook of purpose

The logo of one local business depicts a cheerful, apron-donned woman whose head is in the shape of an icing-drizzled Bundt cake. However, for Katrina Golden, baking homemade goodies from scratch is not only in her head but also in her heart. The 52-year-old retiree is now taking her heart’s desire to the masses through Lil Mama’s Sweets and Treats. “My husband and son operate the business with me and we also have a small staff,” Golden said. “We started this business after I retired from the Social Security Administration

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Monique Williams August 18, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local nonprofit to host 5K for a worthy cause

On Tuesday, in only two hours, the Augusta Dream Center provided food for 138 CSRA families, according to its Executive Director, Kellie Cardona. In about three weeks, with help from its corporate sponsors and the local community, the Center will host a race to help feed more families. The nonprofit will hold its third annual Run for Hope 5K on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 9 a.m. at its offices located at 3364 Peach Orchard Road in south Augusta, behind Stevens Creek Church. Corporate sponsors for the event include Cadence Bank,

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Josh Heath August 18, 2022 No Comments
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