Emerald Center moving

Growth in client numbers leads center to buy building

January 11, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

When the Hope Center opened its doors in 1971 to offer community-based programs for disabilities and special needs, the center served eight clients with a staff of two at its headquarters at the old Brewer High School.
Thirty-five years later, the agency now known as the Emerald Center serves about 1,000 people in more than five counties and has a total staff of about 455 employees.
“It’s been nothing but growth and unbelievable progress,” said Emerald Center Executive Director Felton Burton, “and we are continuing to grow.”
Burton said it is because of that growth that the center’s location in the old Blake School building on Phoenix Street, where the Emerald Center has been housed since the 1980s, has become too small.
Last week, center officials closed a deal to purchase the former Kemet Corp. building on S.C. 72/U.S. 221, a 131,000-square-foot facility near the center’s administrative offices.
The Greenwood Kemet plant, which manufactured tantalum capacitors used for electronics, was one of two plants that closed in 2002 in an effort to reduce costs for the parent company.
The building has been vacant since the closure, Burton said. Burton’s son, Jimmy, now a member of the Emerald Center administration, worked with Kemet before it closed, and Burton said his son’s knowledge of the facility helped Emerald Center officials with the decision to make the purchase.
“(Jimmy) helped start the plan up and he helped close it down,” Burton said.
The Emerald Center is a nonprofit governmental agency providing services for people with disabilities and special needs — such as mental retardation, autism or head and spinal cord injuries — and their families in Greenwood, Abbeville, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties.
The center provides infant stimulation, child development skills and adult vocational services for day program individuals. The center also provides supervised living programs, community training homes, rehabilitation support services and respite care services.
The center recently expanded its services to include Lexington County. Burton said officials are already operating homes in the county with plans to soon begin day programs there.
Burton said Emerald Center officials had been looking for a place to expand their operations for several years. About three years ago, the center moved its administrative offices to the Palmetto Place building on S.C. 72, and Burton said officials originally thought the entire center could move to that location. But because of prohibitive costs, the plan was scratched in favor of looking for a larger facility that could hold the center and its administration.
“The Kemet building became available and we became interested because we felt we could negotiate a good contract with them,” Burton said. “(The Kemet building) is double the size we’ve got now and, most importantly, the whole organization will be in one building.”
The current Emerald Center building, with several floors, has posed accessibility issues to clients and others with wheelchairs and mobility problems.
The Kemet facility is one-story, with office and classroom space, a cafeteria and large manufacturing area. Burton said the building should be more accessible with everything on one level.
Burton said the large acreage that surrounds the facility also will allow the center to potentially offer a ball field, walking trails and other outdoor activities for clients. Parking, a problem at the Phoenix Street location, will be much improved as well, Burton added, with 600 parking spaces already available at the Kemet location.
Burton said the center is currently working out the financing on the building, and officials are hoping to receive several grants to cover the $1.2 million in costs to improve and move to the facility.
The Blake School building and the administrative offices will be sold or leased, and Burton said the agency already has received some inquiries about the properties.
Though the Kemet facility has been vacant for three years, Burton said the building is in “excellent shape,” and will require little renovation on the center’s part to prepare it for use.
“It’s really a nice looking building. We do not anticipate a lot of extra things we have to do,” Burton said. “By the end of the year, it should be operational, but we will have to do it in phases. There will be some adjustments we have to make, and we will have to do this in a way so there will be as little disruption (for our clients) as possible.”
Burton said the renovations should be complete in about six months, and he said he is looking forward to the future of the Emerald Center.
“The potential is unbelievable for what we can do with it,” Burton said of the new facility. “We think it’s a great opportunity for us to be one of the finest showplaces in the Southeast for providing for people with disabilities and special needs.”

Vannie Brewer

SENECA, SC — Vannie Irene Medlin Brewer “Granny B”, 101, of 1811 Industrial Park Drive, Seneca, SC (formerly of Six Mile), went to be with her Lord and Savior Monday, January 9, 2006. She was born February 4, 1904 in Greenville County, SC, and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Medlin.
She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Deloris of Greenwood, SC, Charles and Willie Mae of Six Mile, SC, Adger and Bobbie Jean of Ocala, FL, Donald and Jean of Anderson, SC, Ansel and Martha of Greenwood, SC, and Billie Brewer (widow of Ralph L. Brewer) of Greenwood, SC; two daughters, Guynell Haley of Westminster, SC, and Wylene Thrasher and husband, Joe, of Seneca, SC; 30 grandchildren; 59 great grandchildren; and 15 great-great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, W.D. Brewer; infant son, Robert; and son, Ralph L. Brewer.
Funeral services will be Thursday at 3:00 p.m. at Golden Creek Baptist Church in Liberty, SC, with the Reverends Joe Pace, Jimmie Rholetter, and Bobby Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers with grandchildren and great grandchildren serving as honorary escorts, and Dr. William E. Dukes Sr. serving as special escort.
Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons, is assisting the family with the arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Harold Jackson

DONALDS — Harold Jackson, 74, of 106 Bell Road, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Hodges, he was a son of the late Henry S. and Amanda Butler Jackson. He was a retired schoolteacher with Greenwood District 50 and an Army veteran. A member of Good Hope Baptist Church, he had been a Sunday school teacher, superintendent of Sunday School and a deacon. He also served as superintendent of Union No. 1, Little River Baptist Association and was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Dunn Creek Masonic Lodge and the Eastern Star.
Survivors include his wife, Julia J. Jackson of the home; two sons, Harold L. Jackson Sr. of Greenwood and Michael L. Jackson of Decatur, Ga.; two daughters, Felecia Lynne Jackson Brownlee and Pamela L. Morton, both of Greenwood; three brothers, William Earl Jackson of Kentucky, Bernard Jackson of Donalds and Sherman Jackson of Detroit; two sisters, Eunivester Dinwiddie of Detroit and Irma Patterson, Snellville, Ga.; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Good Hope Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Stanley Haltiwanger. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Former students of Harold Jackson are flower bearers and pallbearers.
Viewing begins at 1 today at Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals.
Memorials may be made to Good Hope Baptist Church Scholarship Fund or the Self Regional Cancer Center.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service is in charge.

Eddie Kennedy Sr.

CALHOUN FALLS — Eddie Kennedy Sr., 90, of 100 Waterford, Apt. 4, husband of Estella Kennedy, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 at his home.
Born in Abbeville, he was a son of the late Calhoun and Daisy Kennedy Ware. He was a member of Springfield Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, Eddie Kennedy Jr. of Brooklyn, N.Y.; two daughters, Fannie Kennedy and Daisy Kennedy of Brooklyn; three stepdaughters, Mrs. Michael (Shirley) Johnson and Mrs. Dona (Sunday) Obet of Calhoun Falls and Mrs. James (Faye) Willingham of Greenville.
Memorial services are 11 a.m. today at Springfield Baptist Church, Calhoun Falls, conducted by the Rev. Johnnie Waller, pastor.
The family is at the home.
Friendly Funeral Home is in charge.

Margaret Lee Kidd

GREENWOOD — Margaret Lee Stockman Kidd, 84, resident of 607 Callison Highway, widow of G.M. “Johnnie” Kidd, died January 9, 2006 at her home.
Born in Greenwood County, April 14, 1921, she was a daughter of the late Ivy B. Sr. and Annie Elizabeth Tharpe Stockman. She was a 1940 graduate of Greenwood High School and was retired from Park Seed Co.
Mrs. Kidd was a member of Rehoboth United Methodist Church, the Fellowship Sunday School Class of the church and was a member of the Park Seed Co. Retirees Club.
She was the last member of her immediate family.
Surviving are a son, Jimmy Kidd; two daughters, Judy and husband, Jack Steinberg and Susan and husband, Wayne Whatley, all of Greenwood; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm Thursday at the Rehoboth United Methodist Church with Rev. Joseph Curtis officiating.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Dan Warner, James Marshall Gardner, Clifton Eakin, David Anderson, Hoyt Stockman, Roy Dickerson and Tony Maynor.
Honorary escort will be members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class and members of the Park Seed Retirees Club along with James Rodgers, Lawton Gardner, Julian Wightman, Virgil Warner, Earl Goff and J.P. Cook.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1 pm Thursday.
The family is at the home on the Callison Highway and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 Wednesday evening and in the church Social Hall immediately following the service.
Memorials may be made to Rehoboth United Methodist Church Air Conditioning Fund, 1808 Callison Hwy., Green-wood, SC 29646.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services are assisting the Kidd family.
PAID OBITUARY

Anne Parris

GREENWOOD — Anne Boling Parris, 77, former resident of Rosemont Drive, widow of James Ansel Parris, died January 10, 2006 at RoseCrest Retirement Community in Inman, SC.
Born in Union County, March 19, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Jefferson Henry and Nora Burnett Boling. She was a 1946 graduate of Fort Mill High School, retired from Park-Davis Co. in Greenwood and was a member of Callie Self Memorial Baptist Church in Greenwood.
Mrs. Parris was a loving and devoted wife to her husband, supportive and generous spirit toward her daughters and doting and tender hearted toward her grandchildren. She was a dedicated supporter of various, charities and foundations. She leaves a legacy of treasured memories and devotion to her family.
Surviving are two daughters, Judie P. Hamilton and husband John W. “Sonny” Hamilton Hines, all of Spartanburg; a sister, Edith Boling Wilburn of Union and a nephew, William Jefferson Boling of Durango, CO. A granddaughter, Amy Hamilton Hoover and husband, Todd Duncan Hoover of Suwanee, GA; two grandsons, John Matthew Hamilton and wife, Happi Smith Hamilton and Jefferson Scott Hines, all of Spartanburg; a great-grandson, John Hamilton “Jack” Hoover of Suwanee, GA.
Private family crypt side services will be conducted Thursday at Oakbrook Memorial Park Mausoleum with Pastor Deborah Steed officiating.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hospice, PO Box 1353, Greer, SC 29652.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood, is assisting the Parris family.
PAID OBITUARY

Richard Tai Phan

NEWBERRY — Richard Tai Phan, 81, of 321 Player St., died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Hong Kong, he was a son of the late Hung Phan and Mui Phung. He was a retired employee of the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Thai Phan of Newberry; three daughters, My Huong Phan of Greenwood, My Anh Phan Nguyen of Newberry and Julea Phan Ingold of Lexington; seven sons, Nang H. Phan of Newberry, Tri H. Phan of Greenwood, Robert T. Phan of North Augusta, Timothy H. Phan of Austin, Texas, Woody H. Phan of Cary, N.C., Dave H. Phan of Bogart, Ga., and Thinh H. Phan of Seattle; three sisters; two brothers; 23 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Whitaker Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Rokuzan Kroenke. Burial is in Rosemont Cemetery.
Pallbearers are sons and sons-in-law.
The family is at the home.
Whitaker Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.

Chiefs receive boost up front

January 11, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

WARE SHOALS — Basketball is similar to war in one small sense: oftentimes, the battle is won on the front line.
Such was the case Tuesday night, as McCormick High School downed Ware Shoals, 65-50, in a Region I-A game in front of a large crowd at Ware Shoals.
The Chiefs’ (6-4overall, 4-0 region) win came in large part because of the superlative play of their frontcourt. McCormick center Jake Letman and power forward Cody Mursier each poured in 22 points, while lanky small forward Brandon Cisco added nine, including a thunderous dunk at the close of the game.
“When those guys are on, they’re on,” McCormick coach John Greene said. “We wanted to get each of them some good looks early in the game. I really think this team is starting to gel.”
Letman discussed McCormick’s team effort, as well as his own performance.
“We just tried to stay together out there,” Letman said. “This was a total team effort. We knew when we came out here tonight we wanted to get the ball inside, and that’s what we did.”
Ware Shoals forward Cameron Dorn paced the Hornets with 17 points, while Anthony Leverette added 10.
The Chiefs seemed to be caught slightly off guard in the opening moments by the team quickness of Ware Shoals.
Several of McCormick’s attempted entry passes and backdoor cuts were flicked away by aggressive Hornets defenders such as James Spikes and Santonio Mays.
McCormick began to find success later in the quarter when Mursier entered the game.
The explosive freshman quickly reeled off six points near the end of the first quarter, allowing the Chiefs to head to the second with a slim 14-12 lead.
The back and forth play continued in the second quarter.
McCormick surged into a 21-15 lead 4 minutes, 35 seconds into the quarter, only to see back-to-back 3-pointers by Ware Shoals’ Anthony Leverette and Cameron Dorn tie the game 21-21 with 1:53 remaining in the half.
The teams traded baskets as the half expired, with Letman’s two free throws giving McCormick the slight 26-25 advantage at halftime.
The Chiefs opened the game up in the third quarter.
Mursier opened the second half with three consecutive baskets. Moments later, Letman powered his way to the hoop for layups on consecutive possessions, capping a 10-0 run to open the half for McCormick.
The Chiefs found themselves with a 46-33 lead heading into the fourth quarter. “It’s always big to get a region victory,” Letman said. “We were just trying to get the win.”

Keep discussions on park going ... ideas are varied

January 11, 2006

Various people in Greenwood have a variety of thoughts on whether a new park should be located on CPW property at the corner of Bypass 72 and Grace Street. There also are a variety of thoughts on what a new park should be like, as well as how the property should or should not be divided.
Some ideas about what to do make sense. Chances are, though, some don’t offer any possibilities. Nevertheless, all should have the benefit of exploration by local officials and the public. That’s why it’s good to keep the discussions active. There should be no hurry to build. Talk, though, could lay the groundwork for planning.
A major consideration, of course, is the cost. What would be the source for financing such a project? And, should the debt on the East Cambridge Park be paid off before anything else is done?

ONE IDEA FROM A COMMUNITY business leader offers possibilities that should get attention. There are other ideas, to be sure, but this particular one “puts it all on the table” for discussion.
It would address the financing question. Lots fronting the bypass, for example, could be developed privately to help raise money for a park on the rest of the property. Then, factor in the old Northside Junior High/Middle School site. A new school is to be built north of the city on Deadfall Road. If a deal could be worked out to use part of the old school site as part of a park on the adjoining CPW site, such things as the gymnasium or tennis courts, for example, would add to the park’s appeal.
There are other suggestions that include other extensions and/or developments in a more comprehensive park/trail “network.” Taken together, it could all influence restoration and rebuilding some rundown neighborhoods.

TIE THEM ALL IN WITH THE new arts complex and library, and the possibilities offer opportunities for revitalizing much of the community.
These things, and some other ideas from other people, may or may not be feasible. They are, however, reasonable suggestions worth considering.
There is no simple solution to anything, of course. As long as the “idea” remains alive, though, and before the public, it at least remains a possibility. It would enhance the perception and the reality of a community that not only has a glorious past, it also has leaders and citizens who value the quality of life that is almost always present in progressive and forward-thinking cities and counties.
Be it yay or nay, talk about it. Who knows? A little give and take on both sides of the issue could works wonders.