Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT), Cryptocurrencies, and the Art World

After reading a recent article entitled "Boy makes $400,000 in Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) with digital Whale Art", I decided it was time to do a little research and write a short blog to our readers providing a very brief introduction on the topic of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) and their use in the Art World.

I started my research with an interesting and amusing article about Non-Fungible Token (NFT) and Art Marketplaces. It was a good read, but unfortunately, after reading the article I was just as confused about the topic as when I started.

A much more informative article was published by The Atlantic called NFTs Weren't Supposed to End Like This. According to the article, a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) is a digital asset that represents real-world objects like art, music, in-game items and videos and they can be bought and sold online, frequently with cryptocurrencies that use blockchain technology. Read Unraveling the Confusion about Blockchain Technology and Bitcoin

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) exist on a blockchain, which is a distributed public ledger that records transactions. The use of blockchain technology and NFTs afford artists and content creators a new way to monetize their artwork. For example, artists no longer have to rely on galleries or auction houses to sell their art. Instead, the artist can sell it directly to the consumer as an NFT, which also lets them keep more of the profits. In addition, artists can arrange to receive royalties whenever their art is sold to a new owner. Artists generally do not receive future proceeds after their art is first sold, so this is an attractive new feature.

Are Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) worth the money—or the hype? Some experts say they’re a bubble poised to pop, like the dotcom craze. Others believe NFTs are here to stay and will change investing forever. We’ll find out over the coming years. See Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) on Wikipedia

Getting Started: If you’re keen to start your own NFT collection, you’ll need to acquire some key items. First, you’ll need to get a digital wallet that allows you to store NFTs and cryptocurrencies. You’ll likely need to purchase some cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin or Ether, depending on what currencies your NFT provider accepts. You’ll then be able to move it from the exchange to your wallet of choice. You’ll also want to keep various fees in mind that most exchanges may charge you. Explore Coinbase and Exodus

Once you’ve got your wallet set up and funded, there’s no shortage of NFT sites to shop for items. Currently, the largest NFT marketplaces include OpenSea, Rarible, Nifty Gateway, and several others. Finally, approach NFTs just like you would any investment: Do your research, understand the potential risks, then if you decide to take the plunge, proceed with caution.

Other selected articles on Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) that you might want to peruse include:

• What You Need To Know About Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT)
  

• What Are NFTs and Why They Are Shaking Up the Art World?

• NFT Art: What is it, How it works, and What it means for the Creative Industry

• Lost Art: Do NFTs mean the end of real-world art?

• These millennial creators are making 6 figures selling NFTs

• NFTs for Beginners: The latest Crypto Craze
  

To conclude this very brief introduction to the topic of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) in the Art World, here are a couple of parting thoughts.

Bottom Line: Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) in the Art World gives you a new way to sell your works online. But...

Caution: Investing in NFTs is a largely personal decision. If you have money to spare, it may be worth considering, especially if a piece holds meaning for you. 

 

 * Read How to Create, Buy and Sell Your Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) Artworks

Clarendon County Industrial Park near Summerton attracts New Businesses

Who says you can’t have it all! Economic development in Clarendon County is experiencing strong growth as a range of new companies have moved into this region of rural South Carolina.

The Clarendon County Industrial Park is located just off the I-95 interstate highway outside the town of Summerton, South Carolina. Since the pandemic started a little over a year ago, the industrial park has seen nearly $35 million invested in developing new facilities that will eventually house over 345 new jobs.

The recent economic boom started last year when Loctek, a manufacturer of ergonomic solution products, moved into the industrial park. It was soon followed by Westinghouse Electric Company,Palmetto Yacht Management, On Time Distribution, and F. Hunt Enterprise. They join the many other companies that have moved into the area.

To get all these companies to relocate, the county's economic development team worked with officials in the City of Manning, the Clarendon County Council, and others to make it all happen. Factors that have contributed to the recent growth, include the proximity of the industrial park to the I-95 and I-26 Interstate highways, in addition to its central location approximately 90 miles away from Charleston, Savannah, Columbia, and Florence.

These companies relocating to the Clarendon County Industrial Park can use the Ports of Charleston and Savannah to bring in containers of products from overseas that can then be repackaged and distributed up and down the East Coast. Truckers moving goods can stop by the large travel and refueling centers at Exit 108 in Summerton and Exit 115 in Manning.

Along with these new businesses come the potential for more restaurants, homes, and hospitality industries opening in the county. Low cost housing and our location by beautiful Lake Marion are also big selling points. A number of other projects are also still in the pipeline involving companies that want to move into the area.

For more information about Clarendon County and potential business opportunities check out the following links:

• Clarendon County Government, S.C.
• Chamber of Commerce, Clarendon County, S.C.
• Clarendon County Industrial Park – Central/SC Alliance
• Clarendon County Industrial Park – Vimeo Video
• Destination Clarendon County, S.C. - YouTube Video
• South Carolina Business One-Stop (SCBOS)
• Town of Summerton, South Carolina

Summerton receives AARP Community Challenge Grant to run “Cross My Heart Free Mobile Clinic"

The Town of Summerton is thrilled to announce we have been selected to receive a 2021 AARP Community Challenge grant. The town is one of only 233 grantees selected from across all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 
With this “quick action” grant, students will design, build, and staff a mobile clinic that will bring healthcare to residents’ doors. The 'Cross My Heart Free Mobile Clinic' will be led by a Nurse Practitioner and staffed by a rotation of student nurses from Midlands Technical College, Central Carolina Technical College (CCTC) and University of South Carolina College
of Nursing.

 
“We are incredibly excited to support the Town of Summerton as they work to bring improved
access to health services for the town’s residents. The Cross My Heart Free Mobile Clinic is a
promising idea we hope will jumpstart long-term change,” said Teresa Arnold, AARP South
Carolina State Director. “Our goal at AARP South Carolina is to support the efforts of our
communities to be great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to live, work, retire and enjoy their lives.”

 
The various partners of this initiative will provide primary healthcare services to rural Clarendon County residents who have limited or no access to medical services, which will help improve the overall health and wellness of the people of Summerton. With a population of approximately 1,000 residents, the Cross My Heart Free Mobile Clinic will offer citizens much needed access to a wide variety of health services.

 

The mobile clinic will offer a very effective way to help reach patients who forgo preventative care because they can’t afford it. “The Town of Summerton is extremely proud that AARP selected us to receive this grant,” stated Cedric Liqueur, Development Director for the Town of Summerton. “AARP is a nationwide leader making neighborhoods, towns, and cities more livable for all residents and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our community.”

 

 

Christianity and the Spirit and Practice of Healing

Introduction

As shown in the following table, healing is one of the central themes of the gospels presented in the New Testament of the Bible. During his ministry, Jesus healed lepers, blind men, the lame, a hemorrhaging woman, the demon-possessed, and even raised the dead.

In the book of Acts, Jesus involved his disciples in the work of healing. That book contains a number of accounts of healing by Christ's followers. The epistles of Paul also discuss healing as a gift of the Holy Spirit. 

 

New Testament Verses in the Gospels about Healing

Jesus Heals a Leper Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16 Jesus Heals a Roman Officer’s Servant Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10 Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-In-Law Matthew 8:14-15; Jesus Heals the Many Matthew 8:15-16; Luke 4:38-39 Jesus Heals Two Men Matthew 8:28-32; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39 Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26 Jesus Heals a Woman Who Touched His Cloak Matthew 9:20-22; Luke 8:43-48 Jesus Heals the Officials Daughter Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56 Jesus Heals Two Blind Men Matthew 9:27-31 Jesus Heals a Dumb Man Matthew 9:32-33

Jesus Heals Many People Matthew 9:35   The Healing Mission Matthew 10:7-8; Luke 9:1-6   Jesus Heals the Man with the Paralyzed Hand Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11   Jesus Heals a Crowd Matthew 12:15-16   Jesus Heals a Blind and Dumb Man Matthew 12:22; Luke 11:14   Jesus Heals a Woman’s Daughter Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30   Jesus Heals Large Crowds Matthew 15:30-31   Jesus Heals an Epileptic Boy Matthew 17:15-18; Luke 9:38-43   Jesus Heals Two Blind Men at Jericho Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43

Background

During the early years of Christianity, physical healing was an integral component of Christian life and faith reflecting God's message of love, compassion, and care. In the 4th century, influenced primarily by Western theologians, Christians began to regard illness as a punishment from God. Over the centuries, spiritual versus physical health increasingly became separate or compartmentalized.

During the Dark Ages and subsequent centuries, an attitude toward faith as an intellectual rather than experiential exercise, further diminished the ministry of healing in the church. By the mid-19th century, people began to reaffirm the relationships between faith and healing. Today, a more holistic, integrated view of health has emerged and many of the faithful have become involved in the Christian ministry of healing. For more detail on the History of Christianity and Healing, go to Encyclopedia.com

Definitions The term spiritual healing is often used to refer to healing solely through spiritual means, rather than through any physical or psychological methods. Spiritual healing often means reliance upon meditation instead of medication, aspiration rather than medication, turning to God and relying on the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer. Modern medicine involves the application of the most effective treatment to diagnose, treat, and care for patients seeking medical help… based on the biomedical sciences, medical research, new surgical techniques, and a variety of other tested therapies, medical technologies, and pharmaceutical solutions. Combine the two approaches to healing and amazing things can happen!

Conclusions & Recommendations

Christian spiritual healing is often seen as healing through faith, prayer, spiritual disciplines, and the dominance of spiritual values in one’s quest for wholeness. However, most Christians also understand that healing is not limited to spiritual methods alone. Spiritual methods often rely on the overlapping use of the physical and psychological methods of healing used in modern medicine.

Christians should absolutely continue to believe in spiritual healing, praying for those who are physically sick, but they should also take advantage of modern medicine and procedures... viewing them as gifts from God. Christians ought to not only avail ourselves of the best modern medicine has to offer, but we should simultaneously pray for the effectiveness of the latest medical treatments, while giving thanks for them.

I resurfaced this article I had previously written because it seems very appropriate as millions struggle today with the decision whether to get vaccinated against COVID-19 during these trying times. Feel free to add your constructive comments.

Summerton Receives SC Arts Commission Grant

The Town of Summerton has been awarded an FY22 Horizon Opportunities Grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC). This small grant, in the amount of $750.00, will be used for the creation and execution of two Interstate highway destination and distance signs.

 

The “I’m Going To Summerton” signs will be installed at the I-95 Exit 115 at Alex Harvin Hwy. and I-95 Exit 108 at Bluff Road and provide destination and distance information to the Town of Summerton. The creative and unique hand-painted signs will be constructed from durable cypress wood and finished in a durable material able to withstand South Carolina’s changing weather and climate.
 

Commissioning a local artist and getting input from Summerton’s Mayor Mac Bagnal, Town Council, residents, schools, and businesses will begin in early September. The finished destination and distance signs are expected to be unveiled in November 2021.