Dye loses appeal to play for Byrnes

League says GHS football star failed to show change of address

August 24, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

COLUMBIA — Former Greenwood High School football star Xavier Dye’s attempt to play for four-time defending Class AAAA Division II state champion Byrnes might have finally come to an end.
Dye’s appeal to the South Carolina High School League executive committee for a hardship exception for athletic eleigbility at Byrnes was denied Wednesday in Columbia. It was Dye’s third attempt since June to gain athletic eligibility at the Duncan school.
The appeal was voted down by a unanimous 14-0 count.
Just like Dye’s first two requests for eligibility, which were made to SCHSL President Jerome Singleton, Wednesday’s appeal was denied because Dye failed to provide a bona fide change of address.
Dye, a 6-foot-5 wide receiver who has verbally committed to play for Clemson University, announced his intentions to transfer to Byrnes in June, saying he was moving to Ducan with his uncle, A.J. Rogers. Singleton denied that request, prompting an appeal from Dye.
Singleton then denied that appeal Aug. 15, prompting Wednesday’s hearing in front of the 14-member executive committee.
Dye appealed to the committee with his mother, Althea Wells, Rogers, Byrnes football coach Bobby Bentley, Byrnes principal Jeff Rogers and Byrnes team chaplain Gary Harper.
Also present at the hearing were Greenwood High School principal Beth Taylor and football coach Shell Dula.
One major dispute in the issue was who actually has guardianship of Dye, who turned 18 in May.
A.J. Rogers claimed guardianship and said Dye is living in a townhouse with him in Duncan.
“I couldn’t find a job in Greenwood,” Rogers told the committee. “So I got on the computer and saw jobs listed in Spartanburg and Greenville.”
Rogers said he is working for the Leer Co. in Spartanburg.
However, according to documents obtained by Singleton, Rogers does not have full custodial guardianship of Dye. He signed a temporary order for guardianship in 2003, but was never granted full custodial guardian rights. Those full rights have always been held by Wells.
“I have six kids,” Wells said. “There were some times in my life I had to make some decisions I didn’t necessarily like. My family has always helped me. So, Xavier went to stay with my brother (A.J.) when he was in fifth grade.”
While he hasn’t always had guardian rights, Rogers said he has raised Dye since “he was a toddler.”
Dye was asked why, after achieving great success at Greenwood, he would want to transfer his senior year.
“Sometimes you have to sacrifice for your family,” said Dye, speaking in a soft and calm voice. “I just did what I felt I had to do. I still have friends in Greenwood that I call and stay in touch with.”
Dye is enrolled in and is taking classes at Byrnes. He is set to graduate in December, and will enroll in Clemson in January to begin working out with the Tigers.
He has been practicing with the Rebels, but has not played in any games, jamborees or scrimmages.
In another opposition to Dye’s claim of hardship, the executive committee questioned Dye on how often he had stayed with family friends during his time at Greenwood High School.
Singleton produced documents with statements from Greenwood’s Steve Lloyd and John Shingler saying that Dye has spent as many as four to five nights a week at either of their houses since he was a sophomore. Dye is close friends with Lloyd and Shingler’s sons.
According to the documents, the Shinglers and Lloyds provided Dye with food and lodging and also paid for trips to football camps.
“I just don’t see where there’s a hardship,” committee member Rallie Liston said, addressing Dye.
Dye disputed the claims, saying he did not stay with those families that often.
“We’re friends,” Dye said. “We’d go over there after games on the weekends and have pizza. A bunch of us would stay over, and I’d sleep on the floor.”
Dye was asked if he had his own bedroom at the Shingler or Lloyd residence.
“No, sir,” was his succinct reply.
Another question posed to the lanky wide receiver was whether he had spent time at Byrnes quarterback and fellow Clemson commitment Willy Korn’s home prior to his original transfer announcement.
Dye replied that he had not, and said the only contact he had with Korn prior to the transfer announcement was when the two became friends at a Nike football camp in the summer of 2005.
Late in the hearing, Dula was asked to speak. He said he had heard rumors of Dye’s intentions to transfer as early as last December.
“I asked Xavier if he was planning on leaving us,” Dula said. “He said ‘No, sir, I am not.’ I took him at his word, but I also asked the Lloyds to explain the transfer rules to Xavier.”
In the end, it was simply Dye’s inability to provide a bona fide change of address that sealed his fate. He and Byrnes have now exhausted the appeals they can make to the SCHSL.
The only other step that can be taken now for Dye to gain eligibilty is for Byrnes and Dye to take the SCHSL to court in an attempt to have the ruling overturned.
Neither Dye nor any Byrnes official had a comment on that matter.

103 reasons to celebrate

August 24, 2006

By CAROLINE KLAPPER
Index-Journal staff writer

Bright balloons and decorations, a pizza party, a clown and plenty of presents are the usual makings of a good birthday party. What isn’t usual is for the birthday girl to be marking her 103rd birthday.
Dressed in bright yellow, Anna Ruth Gregory sat at the table of honor to receive hugs and congratulations from family, friends and the Emerald Gardens staff on her birthday Wednesday.
After guests sang “Happy Birthday” to her, Gregory stood up to thank everyone for coming and celebrating with her.
“You just keep on plugging at it and you might reach my age,” she said.
Gregory enjoyed one of her favorite foods for lunch — pizza that was donated by Domino’s — and she was presented a cake decorated with pink roses.
Despite admitting that “not everybody can live this long,” Gregory said she doesn’t have a big secret to long life.
“Just live a good, clean life,” she said with a smile. “Love everybody. That’s all I can say. I think when you have love in your heart, I think a little of it will slip out onto others.”
Born in 1903, Gregory was married to the late Rev. J. T. Gregory, a Methodist minister, and she stayed active at Lowell Street United Methodist Church for many years after her husband’s death.
Until April of this year, Gregory was still living in her own house, but she made up her mind to move into a room at Emerald Gardens when she decided she didn’t want to live alone anymore.
Myra and Jim Ballard, her daughter and son-in-law, said she picked out her own room and signed herself into Emerald Gardens even though they offered to let her live with them.
“She likes it here,” Myra said. “She says this is the first time she’s lived in a one-room house. She knows it’s home, so she says it’s a one-room house.”
Gregory walks with only the aid of a walker, drinks about three cups of coffee every morning, and although she no longer drives these days, she did renew her license at the age of 99.
“She said, ‘You know, I can drive until I’m 107,’” Jim said.
It’s obvious that Gregory has maintained a youthful spirit that still brings a mischievous sparkle to her eyes when she talks about her life.
“I’m a real cut-up,” she said. “I have a lot of fun.”
Local stores Uptown Bath and Kitchen, Ala’s, Thayer’s, Designed by Nature and The Bookstore donated gifts for the party, and entertainment was provided by Sue the Happy Clown and Ruby Martin, the chief cook at Emerald Gardens who sang “Happy Birthday” and a few hymns to the guests.
Gregory said she always knows when she’s coming up on another birthday because she gets a good deal of attention.
“If I go somewhere and there’s a crowd and they all look toward me, then I go, ‘Uh-oh’ because I know it’s because of my age,” she said with good humor. “I feel quite honored.”

Bennie Lee Warren Brown

Bennie Lee Warren Brown, 74, of 626 Pelzer St., wife of J.T. Brown, died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Verdery, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin And Ruby Gilchrist Warren. She was a member of Cross Road Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of Philadelphia; a son, John Brown of the home; a daughter, Frances Brown of Bowie, Md.; two sisters, Juanita Williams of Greenwood and Georgia Mae Berry of Cleveland, Ohio; three grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Cross Road Baptist Church, with the Rev. Joseph Caldwell officiating and the Rev. Bobby J. Chiles presiding. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews, and flower bearers are nieces.
Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com.

Robert Henry ‘H’ Pettigrew

May 22, 1911-August 22, 2006

Calhoun Falls, SC — Robert Henry (“H”) Pettigrew, Sr., 95, died on August 22nd. He was born in Abbeville, SC, served with the US Army in North Africa and Italy during World War II, and was a retired Postmaster and farmer. He was a member of Calhoun Falls United Methodist Church where he had served as Sunday School teacher and superintendent.
Survivors include his wife Jewell Wright Pettigrew; son Bob Pettigrew of Calhoun Falls, daughter Judy G. Pettigrew Boyle of San Diego, CA; three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Gaines Pettigrew of Calhoun Falls, Allen Pettigrew of Central, James E. Pettigrew of Columbia and Commander Joseph H. Pettigrew (USN Ret.) of San Diego.
A memorial service followed by a reception will be held at Calhoun Falls United Methodist Church at 11:00AM, Saturday, August 26th. The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorial gifts be made to Calhoun Falls United Methodist Church, PO Box 603, Calhoun Falls, SC 29628.
Calhoun Falls Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

James C. Prince

McCORMICK — Services for James C. Prince are 2 p.m. Friday at New Hope Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Michael Butler, pastor. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews and grandsons.
Flower bearers are church ushers.
Honorary escorts are members of Bethany Masonic Lodge 415.
The family is at the home of a daughter Louise Duncan, 2006 Highway 378 E.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

James Reese

James Reese, 85, of 208 Sullivan St., husband of Essie Mae Reese, died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2006 at HospiceCare of the Piedmont.
Born in Columbia, he was a son of the late John and Estelle Reese. He was a World War II Army veteran.
Survivors include his wife of the home; four daughters, Sandra Boozer, Annette, Reese, Bernadine Reese and Janice Reese, all of Greenwood; two sons, Joe Lewis Reese of California and Wayne Reese of Greenwood; two sisters, Marion Saunders of Columbia and Gertrude Reese of Atlantic City, N.J.; a brother, Ruben Reese of Atlantic City; 22 grandchildren, one reared in the home, Vincent Reese; 21 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild.
The family is at the home of a daughter, 229-A Brooks Stuart Drive.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.

Dorothy Simmons

GREENWOOD — Dorothy Mae Strawhorn Simmons, 74, of 2216 McCormick Highway, widow of Clarence L. Simmons, died Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at Hospice House.
Born in Abbeville, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Latisha Maynard Strawhorn. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Rose Harkless and a brother, Bill Strawhorn.
Surviving are three daughters, Dorothy Jean Smith of Hodges, Marie Yount of Ware Shoals and Elizabeth Bell of Greenwood; a son, Dwain Simmons of the home; a sister, Frances Wilson of Cold Point; two brothers, Joe Strawhorn and Eugene Strawhorn, both of Greenwood; two sisters-in-law, Carmen Dyer of Snellville, GA and Sara Strawhorn of Hodges; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens Chapel Mausoleum with the Rev. Richard Saxon and the Rev. Chris Stansell officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Jason Laughlin, David Bell, George Smith, Jamie Smith, Billy Yount and Danny Waites.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The family is at the home.
The family respectfully request that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Hospice House, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to a charity of ones’ choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Homer Walker

NINETY SIX — Homer Phillip Walker, 81, of 220 Port Royal Drive, Harbor Heights, husband of Totsye Dismukes Walker, died Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at Hospice House.
Born in Albany, GA, he was a son of the late Raymond Clifford and Elizabeth Faulk Walker. He was a graduate of Georgia Tech and was retired from Monsanto. He was a US Army-Air Force veteran of World War II and had served as president of the Ninety Six Lions Club and had served a one year term on the Greenwood City Council. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Ninety Six, where he had served as Sunday School superintendent for a year.
Surviving is his wife of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Tammy and Walt Juren of Greenwood and Joni and Chris Drafts of Saluda; and three grandchildren, Ashley Briggs, Bradley Juren and Chad Drafts.
Graveside services, with military rites, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Elmwood Cemetery, Ninety Six, with the Rev. Chuck Sprouse officiating.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to First Baptist Church, PO Box 85, Ninety Six, SC 29666.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Nona Watson

TROY — Nona Dill Watson, 91, formerly of 404 Long St., widow of Brady Edison Watson, died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006 at McCormick Health Care Center.
Born in Greenville, she was a daughter of the late Zimmie and Ethel Dill. She retired from Parke-Davis and was a member of Troy Baptist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Loretta W. Hudson, of Troy; a son, Ronald E. Watson, of Troy; a granddaughter raised in the home, Nancy Lynn Herron, of Beaufort; a sister, Ruva Howard, of Virginia Beach, Va.; four grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial services are 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at Troy Baptist Church.
Visitation is at the church after the service.
The family is at the home of a granddaughter, Miriam McAllister, 404 Long St.
Memorials made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

The annual rivalry renewed: Emerald vs. Greenwood

Former colleagues Dula, Clowney set to face off Friday

August 24, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Maybe the ninth time will be the charm.
That is a statement Emerald High School football players, coaches and fans might be telling themselves this week as they prepare for Friday’s annual crosstown rivalry game against Greenwood. Since the series began in 1998, the Eagles have won all eight meetings.
The game kicks off 7:30 p.m. Friday at J.W. Babb Stadium at Greenwood High. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the Dixie Drive-In and Dillard’s Sporting Goods, and at the gate before the game.
While the heated nature of the rivalry always makes this particular match-up interesting, this year there is another storyline that is adding drama to the event: the relationship between Greenwood coach Shell Dula and first-year Emerald coach Mike Clowney.
Clowney played for Dula at Union High School, then served as a defensive coordinator under Dula at Greenwood before leaving to be an assistant coach at Carson-Newman College.
When Clowney was named the new football coach and athletic director at Emerald, it set up Friday’s showdown, which Dula said is the first time he has gone against a head coach that is a former player of his.
“I’m certainly very proud of Mike and what he has accomplished,” Dula said. “I know he will do an outstanding job at Emerald. It’s always fun to compete against people you respect.”
Clowney emphasized the fun nature of the game as well.
“It’s just going to be fun,” Clowney said. “In a lot of ways it will be a very different experience. But, it’s going to be a blast playing those guys over there.”
This year’s edition of the crosstown rivalry is shaping up to be a fairly solid match-up.
Both teams will be breaking in new quarterbacks, tailbacks and wide receivers, so play along the offensive and defensive lines will be key.
“It will be important for us to be able to effectively block and be able to get our skill position players some room to run,” Dula said. “Emerald has really good players up front and excellent linebackers. That will be key for us.” Clowney said he is also concerned with line play and making sure everyone is lined up correctly is especially important in the first regulation game.
Both teams have had quarterback battles throughout the preseason, and each have settled on a signal caller — sort of. Clowney said Evan Bledsoe will get the start for the Vikings Friday. Meanwhile, Dula said junior Jay Spearman would start for the Eagles, but also added that Sam Chappell would very likely take snaps as well.
As one would expect, special teams could very well be important, particularly if this grudge match is close towards the end of the game.
For the moment, Greenwood is splitting all aspects of its kicking game. Christian Powell is punting, Adam Walden is place kicking and Andrew Tims is kicking off. Across town, Joseph Taylor is entrenched as Emerald’s kicker.
“Special teams could very well play a huge role in this game,” Dula said. “Our kicking situation is very much wide open. And certainly, Taylor is an excellent kicker for Emerald.”
Clowney said finally getting a win over Greenwood would be a huge accomplishment for the Emerald program.
“It would mean a lot to our kids,” Clowney said. “Greenwood has been doing this for a long time. They are an example of where we want to go in football. Emerald has had great success in every other sport but football. So, obviously, a win would be huge.”

New laws aren’t always limited to specific subject

August 24, 2006

How many federal laws are on the books? Who knows? How many of them were passed to address one thing and ended up having “tag ons” that addressed something else altogether different ..... without the public ever hearing about the tag ons until it impacted them personally? Who knows, if you don’t keep up?
Take the recent overhaul of pension and savings rules passed by Congress and signed by President Bush. The law, passed with a lot of fanfare gives companies seven years to shore up funding of their traditional pensions. Special rules for seriously underfunded companies require them to catch up faster.
The 30,000 such plans run by employers are estimated to be underfunded by $450 billion. The workers who’ve depended on those plans have, no doubt, worred about what they might do.

CONSIDERING THE FEDERAL bailout of some retirement plans - airlines, for example - the taxpayers already were affected so improvements were overdue.
There was at least one other thing tacked on to this pension bill that affects a lot of South Carolinians ..... those who give appliances, furniture, clothing, etc., to charities now face different rules. That didn’t have much to do with pensions, but it was included nevertheless.
That tells the American people one thing they probably already knew. Still, it never hurts to remind them. When Congress starts messin’ around with new laws, pay attention. There’s no telling what will come out.
And we wonder sometimes why government credibility takes a hit?