Apostles build up Greenwood

October 2, 2005

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

Jennifer Ferrell didn’t experience the loss of a home the way people in Louisiana and Mississippi did.
But she needs a place of her own, nonetheless, just as the hurricane victims being assisted by Habitat for Humanity do. She’s having that need fulfilled, in part because of a band of volunteers who came for another Saturday to work on her place on Wright Street.
Ferrell was surprised Saturday by more than 30 people, most from Westminster Presbyterian Church, installing siding on her house. Usually there are five or six people working, and she and daughter Courtney Pardue, 10, chip in their work, too.
“I haven’t seen this many people working on my home,” she said. “Courtney keeps me informed.”
Courtney watches the ongoing work when she’s at recess at Mathews Elementary, across the street from the stretch of Wright Street, where 14 Habitat homes have sprung up.
Farrell moved out of the home she and her husband shared when he died.
After that, she applied to Habitat for Humanity with assistance from her church, Harris Baptist. Homeowners contribute 250 hours of their own work, combined with 250 hours of volunteer labor. “A lot of people don’t know about this program. They think it’s for one type of folk and it’s not,” Ferrell said.
“We were homeowners before. This is a chance for us to start over. We’re very excited.”
Ferrell’s home is an Apostles Build project, sponsored by 40 Greenwood area church that donate their volunteers’ labor.
“Just about every Saturday there’s a church or a youth group here,” said Steve Gahagan, construction manager. “Connie Maxwell comes out once a month. During the week it’s my regular volunteers, mostly retired.”
In addition to the homes for local people, Gahagan said the Greenwood Habitat wants to build a “house in a box” that can be shipped to the Gulf region for hurricane relief.
The idea is to have local affiliates build the houses and have them shipped to the Gulf, rather than having builders there try to locate scarce building supplies. “You can imagine what a calamity that is right now,” Gahagan said.
Ken Leach, Westminster’s missions committee chairman, said the church is shifting its missions focus in light of the hurricanes that have wrecked Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas.
Instead of a spring mission trip to Nicaragua, the church is planning a Gulf Coast mission.
“We’re in the process of putting a team together to go to the Gulf,” he said. “We’ll let the dust settle and go where we’re needed.”
A small team likely will make the trip this fall, and the large mission trip is envisioned later. “We’ve decided to spend our time at home,” Leach said.
Habitat sent letters to local churches about the Apostles Build, and Leach said it struck a chord. “We decided this is something we can do,” he said. “It’s something people in the church have an interest in.”
And that interest has spread to other churches. Volunteer Pete Snelling comes to the project through the Coronaca Baptist Church men’s mission program. He said he doesn’t bring expertise; he’s a retired truck driver.
“I do a lot of volunteer work around the church,” he said. “I won’t be here next Saturday, though, gotta go to Texas,” to visit a son who’s in the oil business and had to evacuate from the Houston/Galvaston area.
Snelling said the reward for giving up Saturday mornings will be at the dedication, when the home is turned over to the owner. One thing he’s not looking forward to, however, is the emotion.
“I cry at Lassie movies.”

Rounds, Whitmire win All-Lakelands meet

October 2, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

A pair of upstarts ran away with the top prize Saturday morning at Greenwood High School, leading their perspective squads to team victories.
Ninety Six High School’s Michael Rounds and Emerald’s Stephanie Whitmire, both first-year runners, claimed first place at the All-Lakelands cross country meet, which included teams from Greenwood, Emerald and Ninety Six.
The top seven finishers were awarded All-Lakelands honors.
Rounds sprinted the final 40 yards to the finish line for a time of 18 minutes, 6 seconds.
His finish started an onslaught of Wildcat runners. Rounds’ teammates John Haley (18:27), Alex Trowbridge (18:31) and Jordan Hine (18:32) finished in succession at second, third and fourth, respectively, to give the team four All-Lakelands runners and help the Wildcats earn the team win.
“There was an Emerald guy with me, then he pulled back and the rest of my guys came up behind me,” Rounds said. “It was great to have them finish behind me. I was expecting to win but I didn’t think we’d do this good.”
Ninety Six finished with 18 points, which was well ahead of second-place Emerald (55) and Greenwood (62). And it was a finish Ninety Six coach Sandi Zehr was expecting.
“My guys have put in a lot of hours and we’ve been practicing really hard,” Zehr said.
“They’ve got a lot of mental strength. Michael is a really strong runner and he’s very inspiring for the guys. They’re just doing an awesome job.”
Whitmire came in at 21:27, which was 37 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Ninety Six’s Andrea Downey, giving the eighth-grader from Westview her second meet victory this season.
“It felt great,” Whitmire said.
“I was really surprised I beat Andrea. I caught her a little bit after the first mile. Once I started going up the hill, I knew that she was far enough behind me that I could make it.”
Whitmire’s teammates Katie Henderson (22:43) and Sydney Robinson (22:47) crossed the finish line at third and fourth, respectively. Emerald’s Andrea Hodge (24:35) finished seventh to give the Lady Vikings four All-Lakelands runners.
“We’ve been working hard on teamwork, helping each other push to the front, and we did well with that today,” Polatty said.
“We were really looking for the win today. She (Whitmire) started out really well, pushed to the front and turned it on in that second mile, which we’ve been practicing.”
Downey’s teammates Jasmin Juergens (24:07) and Tori Richards (24:13) also earned All-Lakelands finishes, coming in at fifth and sixth, respectively.
Emerald’s Andrew Wilson and Matthew Menard followed the quartet of Ninety Six runners to grab All-Lakelands honors.
Wilson finished fifth in 18:47, while Menard finished five seconds later for sixth.
The Eagles’ Rett Templeton, who was without three of his top teammates, took Greenwood’s only All-Lakelands distinction of the day, finishing in 18:59, which was four seconds ahead of Ninety Six’s Bobby Harvley for seventh place.
The Lady Eagles’ top-finisher was Kayla Shelley, who took eighth in 24:52.
The Ninety Six boys and the Emerald girls went 1-2 in the jayvee races, as well. The Wildcats’ Shaun Richards (20:03) came away with the top finish, while teammate R.J. Walling (20:55) was second. Leslie Bledsoe (25:29) took first for the Lady Vikings, with teammate Bridgett Lee (26:25) finishing second.

Opinion

Newspapers, communities have special relationships

October 2, 2005

This in National Newspaper Week, a time to take out a few old thoughts and look at ourselves. That’s not always easy to do from the inside looking out, but as they say, fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
When television entered the mainstream of everyday life in America more than half a century ago, prophets of doom came out of the woodwork to predict that newspapers wouldn’t be long for this world. As someone once said, the reports of their death was, to say the least, exaggerated.
How newspapers are produced has changed considerably over the years, certainly. The mission remains the same, though: informing, entertaining, teaching, advising, and being a voice for the community, along with evoking and provoking thought that enhances public debate.

THAT, IN TURN, ADDS TO the general welfare through citizen participation, in their government, their economy, and the moral, religious, educational and civic life that makes our day everyday.
Technology has changed a number of times and newspapers have had to invest heavily in their futures or fall woefully behind. Some didn’t, and have found themselves struggling to keep up. Most have kept up, though, and they continue to serve their communities in a hometown way that television cannot do because of, among other things, time limitations.
The Index-Journal, for instance, recently invested in a new press, and presses these days don’t come cheaply. But it was more than an investment in equipment. It was an investment in Greenwood and all the counties that make up the Lakelands region of South Carolina. It was an investment in the confidence that comes from the economic vitality created through the industriousness of the people hereabouts. It reflects that confidence by demonstrating faith in what the future holds for all of us.

THE NEWSPAPER, IN FACT, and those who read it and advertise in it, encourage economic activity that helps create and maintain jobs, recruit industry and stabilize commerce – retail and wholesale – that is good for everyone, and that includes government, schools, and churches.
The best thing any newspaper can aspire to is to be a good citizen. That The Index-Journal and all the others strive to do, everyday. There are pitfalls sometimes, and mistakes. In the long-run, though, newspapers are only as good as the communities they serve and the service they give to those communities. If they keep that and local coverage in focus, they will continue the special relationships they share.
The Index and The Journal began in the 1890s. The Index-Journal has served and persevered since 1919. Together, with the people of Greenwood and the Lakelands, the partnership will only get stronger.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Lillie M. Chambers

Lillie M. Chambers, 71, of 300-A Margaret St., died Friday, Sept. 30, 2005 at Hospice Care of the Piedmont.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of Mary C. Thomas. She was a member of Morris Chapel Baptist Church, a member of the Missionary Society and Gospel Chorus. She was a member of the Women Aide No. 62, formerly employed by The Vogue for 25 years and employed by Steve and Jamie Lyles for 33 years.
Survivors include her mother of Greenwood; two sons, Thomas Chambers of North Charleston and Raymond Chambers of Greenville; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Mildred S. Deaton

Mildred Styron Deaton, 87, of 207 Devore Road, widow of Edgar C. Deaton, died Friday, September 30, 2005, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Saluda, SC; a daughter of the late Luther Dubose and Mattie Burnett Styron. She was retired from the A&P and was a member of Harris Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Willing Workers Sunday School Class, The Joy Group, and the Bereavement Committee. She was predeceased by three brothers, R.O. Styron, J.W. Styron, and Coley Styron.
Surviving are a son Gerald Deaton of Greenwood; two sisters Felicia and husband Johnny Lowman of Greenwood and Elizabeth Luquire of Greenwood; a number of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Frank Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Frank Coursey, Fred Holmes, Danny Grubbs, Emmett Hutto, Keith Coker, and David Perrin.
Honorary escorts will be the Willing Workers Sunday School Class of Harris Baptist Church. The body is at Harris Funeral Home where the family will receive friends Sunday night from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of Harris Baptist Church, 300 Center Street, Greenwood, SC, 29649.
The family is at the home of her son, 207 Devore Road, Greenwood.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.
PAID OBITUARY

Bobby Easler

JOHNSTON — Bobby Joe Easler, 68, of 125 Rocky Creek Rd., died Thursday, September 29, 2005 at University Hospital in Augusta, GA.
Born in Saluda County and a son of the late W. Palmer, Sr. and Fannie Easler, he was the husband of Betty Bledsoe Easler. Mr. Easler was a member of Ninety Six Congregational Holiness Church and an avid fisherman.
Surviving is his wife, Betty Bledsoe Easler of the home, two daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda E. and Hoyt Edwards of Johnston, SC and Karen E. and Rev. Thomas Cavender of Hodges, SC, two sons and daughters-in-law, Rev. Keith and Ashley Easler of Leesville, SC and Rev. Heath and Christina Easler of Johnston, SC, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two brothers and five sisters, Harold Easler of Valdosta, GA, Sadie Rushton and Stella Faulkner both of Ninety Six, SC, Dudley Easler of Mentone, Ala, Ruth Smith of Virginia, Dale Shealy of Missouri, Geneva Pauline of West Columbia and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 3PM, Sunday, October 2, 2005 at Faith Temple Church with the Rev. Danny Swinnea officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Ramey Funeral Home is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY

Rosa H. Fincher

EASLEY — Rosa Elizabeth H. Anderson Fincher, 78, died Friday, September 30, 2005.
She was born in Ninety Six, the daughter of the late Butler Moses and Bertha M. Davis Hendricks and was of the Methodist faith.
Surviving are a daughter-in-law, Gail Anderson of Anderson; grandchildren, Danielle Anderson and John Anderson both of Anderson and Lloyd Ray “Butch” Anderson III of Murrells Inlet, SC; brothers, Ralph Hendricks of Enterprise, AL and Billy Ray Hendricks of Charleston. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a son, Rev. Ray Anderson Jr. and a brother, Roy Hendricks.
Graveside Services will be held at 2 PM Monday at Forest Lawn Memorial, Anderson.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
The family is at the home of the daughter-in-law, Gail Anderson, 314 Lakewood Lane, Anderson, SC 29625.
Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown Easley is assisting the family with arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Buck Rodgers Sr.

JOHNSTON — Elbert William “Buck” Rodgers Sr., 72, of 17 Block Plant Drive, husband of Nancy Patterson Rodgers, died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Ridge Spring, he was a son of the late Jadie N. and Catherine Juanita Rodgers. He was a graduate of Ridge Spring High School and attended Clemson University. He was a member of the Army, and served in the Korean Conflict. He was a retired heating and cooling instructor from Piedmont Technical College. He was a member of Rice Memorial Baptist Church of Greenwood, and a member of Masonic Lodge No. 134 of Ridge Spring.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Cathy R. Pickard of Charlotte, N.C., and Diane R. Smith of Inman; a son, Elbert W. “Bill” Rodgers Jr. of Virginia; a brother, Larry R. Rodgers of Abbeville; four sisters, Doris Merritt of Wilmington, N.C., Gloria Rodgers and Jean Pitts, both of Johnston, and Betty Moore of Kingsport, Tenn.; and six grandchildren.
Services are at 3 Monday at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood, conducted by the Rev. Alvin Hodges. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are James Pickard, Brandon Rodgers, Jacob Smith, Josh Rodgers, Jerry Patterson, Ronnie Patterson and Steve Patterson.
Honorary escorts will be Earl Davenport, Warren Langley, Jerry Owens, Joe Pracht, Russell Scott, Don Campbell, Haynes Workman and Kim Gantt.
Visitation is from 6-8 Sunday at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of a brother, Larry Rodgers, 1602 Klugh Road in Abbeville.
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Greenwood, P.O. Box 242, Greenwood, S.C., 29648.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood, is in charge.
For additional information, please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.