GREENWOOD HAS PINBALL DOCTOR

January 25, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

Though the small building next to his house used to be a beauty parlor, Seth Mundy does not tinker with straightening the curls out of women's hair.
Instead, the 25-year-old spends about two hours every other day curling and re-splitting the 28 miles of wire inside the inoperable pinball machines he works on as a hobby.
When the former seventh-grade math teacher was working in Myrtle Beach, he passed by a yard sale and saw his first machine sitting on someone's manicured lawn.
Mundy said he realized right away that he couldn't pass up a pinball machine for $20. Since he was 10 years old, he was fascinated by the machines because they are "more real than a video game because you're actually controlling the flippers."
The only problem was, it didn't work, and Mundy had never attempted any mechanical work in his life.
"I drove everybody around me crazy for months asking them if they knew anybody who knew how to work on these things," said the classically sentimental Mundy, who also collects rock albums and sells original Nintendo games on eBay. "I finally found this old guy who had worked for an amusement company for the boulevard on the beach. I got his name from this guy who owned a skating rink. He had been working on those machines for years."
And, like the Karate Kid's Mr. Miyagi and Daniel Laruso, Mundy and Van Owens, of Conway, started working together. Owens said his father had worked on pinball machines and he has been working on machines since he could get a wrench in his pocket at age 12 until recently at age 64 because of disabilities. Under the name "Pinball Wizard," from The Who's rock opera, "Tommy," Owens said he enjoys "playing with people" in chatrooms, but not as much as working on the classic machines.
"I love to work on them. It's a part of my life," Owens said. "I would be out there if I could work. You better believe I'd be out there busting my rear end fixing them."
But teaching and helping Mundy repair the machines was just the right medicine for Owens to stay active in his passion and to pass on his knowledge.
"Seth is crazy like I am. He ain't got no sense. He's crazy," Owens said in a joking uncle-like tone. "I enjoy it because someone can learn it and carry it on. I don't mind showing nobody nothing." Owens claims that since he was struck by lightning at a young age, it "scared the electricity out of (his) body." Since then, Owens said he can tinker around in pinball machines without getting shocked. Mundy said Owens' "abilities" never ceased to amaze him.
"He could stick his fingers in a lightbulb socket and would say 'now don't you touch this,'" Mundy said. "You need a Popsicle stick to touch all these things inside and he'd just be grabbing them like it was nothing."
Since Mundy moved back home to Greenwood, he said he has worked on and restored about 10 machines, making every effort to restore them instead of taking parts from different machines to make one good one. He said he usually buys machines for about $100 and has sold a few for as much as $1,000.
"I've never really bought a machine that just works," he said, "which would be really nice for me because I would love to have one I can just play."
Mundy said a lot of people from the baby-boom generation seem to enjoy pinball machines for romantic reasons, bringing back childhood memories. But he said he was more surprised when his friends and people who had never mentioned liking them before started playing the machines whenever they came over.
"None of my friends or people I knew mentioned anything about wanting to play," he said. "But when I had four to five working, that's all they wanted to do was sit out there and play."

Greene's 3 lifts Lander to victory

January 26, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

It was fitting for the Lander men's basketball team that J.T. Greene took the final shot Wednesday night.
Greene's 3-pointer with 6.2 seconds remaining lifted the Bearcats to a 70-67 win over Peach Belt Conference foe UNC Pembroke Wednesday at Lander. Greene led all scorers with 21 points, hitting seven 3-pointers.
"We knew if one of our guards drove, their defense would collapse in," Greene said of the final play. "Michael penetrated and hit me with a good pass. I was trying to get fouled, honestly. But I'll take the three."
Lander coach Bruce Evans was pleased with the final moments.
"I knew we needed to attack the basket," Evans said. "Michael did a good job there. J.T. shot the ball well all night, and came through there. I thought our seniors really played well tonight."
The Bearcats grabbed a slim early lead.
Lander guards Jahi Rawlings and Michael Griffin got things started for the Bearcats, each hitting long 3-pointers. Moments later, Lander forward Emanuel Hodrea rolled to the basket and softly laid the ball in the hoop giving the Bearcats an 8-7 lead with 14:09 remaining in the half.
The Bearcats (5-11overall, 2-7 PBC) were able to open the margin slightly later in the half.
J.T. Greene began to warm up from behind the arc, nailing two 3-pointers. With 10:46 left in the half, Lander center Scottie Smith spun to the right baseline and hammered home a vicious two-handed slam dunk. The rim-rattler put Lander ahead 16-12.
Lander guard Michael Griffin roused the crowd on Lander's next possession. Dribbling on the right side of the key, Griffin crossed over and launched a 3-pointer, getting fouled in the process. The four-point play gave Lander the 20-12 edge with 9:33 to go in the half.
The Bearcats increased their lead further just before the half.
Greene continued his scoring ways, nailing another pair of 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Joe McEachern asserted himself in the paint. The Lander reserve forward grabbed several key rebounds, forced two turnovers and netted two free throws after being fouled on a hard drive to the basket.
The Bearcats led 37-25 at halftime.
The Braves cut into the Lander advantage as the second half commenced.
UNCP's Jarell Hunter started the half nailing two mid-range jumpers in heavy traffic. McEchern chipped in a hoop and foul for Lander, continuing his had-nosed play. But, back-to-back 3's from Jeffrey Brown made the score 39-38 in favor of Lander with 16:05 left in the contest.
The Bearcats made a push midway through the second half.
Greene once again began to dial long distance, nailing two more 3-pointers, one from the right corner and one from the left corner. Later, Griffin streaked down the right side, nabbing a pass at quarter court and exploding to the basket, laying the ball in. The shot gave Lander a 51-44 lead with 8:43 to go in the game.
UNCP was not set to go quietly, however.
Braves' forward Jabarr Adams, active on defense all night, started getting busy on offense. On consecutive possessions, Adams received an entry pass on the block, twirled and scooped the ball into the hoop. The pair of baskets cut Lander's lead to 61-59 with 3:03 left.

Opinion

Some lawmakers cannot keep intelligence secrets

January 26, 2006

Is there anybody around Greenwood who remembers the World War II slogan, "Loose Lips Sink Ships?" Some do, of course. They know that it helped save American lives. Such efforts against careless speech were helpful then. They're needed now, especially in intelligence work. We're in the middle of a war that could shrink WWII into relative insignificance.
The debate continues over whether the Bush Administration is on solid legal ground when "listening" to terrorist suspects in this country communicating with terrorists overseas.
The question often asked by opponents is why the president didn't get congressional permission before allowing the National Security Agency to act.


HE DID TALK WITH SEVERAL members of Congress, those in positions to receive certain intelligence data. That, however, didn't satisfy opponents. They argue he should have sought approval from all of Congress.
Experience teaches us there is a very good reason not to do that ….. an overriding reason. It's sad, but too many members of Congress don't know when to keep such secrets ….. or even want to. Some play politics so much they can't wait to tell all they know to the media. We also have learned the hard way that protecting information that should be classified is not always a consideration by some in the national media. For some, it seems, it's never a consideration.
Older South Carolinians know the importance - necessity, actually - of gathering intelligence and keeping it to ourselves. Actually, various intelligence people listen all the time on a worldwide basis. Other nations do the same.

WE MUST USE INFORMATION to keep more Americans from being killed by terrorists who more than likely are already in this country.
It's common sense, really. Why should we voluntarily tell our enemies how to avoid our security efforts and make it easy for them to kill us? We don't know, of course, whether terrorists are right next door, awaiting word to strike. We can find out through use of technology and prepare. We can't, though, if we alert them to everything we're doing and tell them what they might expect ….. and how to get around it.
If we haven't learned the value of surreptitious surveillance, it should be clear in the wake of the recent threat by Osama bin Laden. He, like all terrorists, doesn't want peace. He wants our destruction. Any help we give him is to our peril.

Obituaries

Christopher W. Chapman

ABBEVILLE - Christopher Warren Chapman, 9 days old, infant son of Kathy R. Chapman, died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include his mother and grandparents, Roy Lee and Mozell Chapman Bobo.
Graveside services are at noon Friday at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Hodges, conducted by the Rev. Willie Choice.
The family is at the home of the grandparents, Cambridge Street.
Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Drusilla Foster

WASHINGTON - Drusilla Foster, 52, died Monday, Jan. 23, 2006.
Born in Edgefield, S.C., she was a daughter of Mozell Foster.
Survivors include a daughter, Kiveyette LaGrant of St. Petersburg, Fla.; her mother; and two sisters, Cleo Williams and Jeanette Foster.
Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at Hodges-Edwards Funeral Home, Suitland, Md. Burial is in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Viewing is 9-10 Saturday at the funeral home.
Hodges-Edwards Funeral Home is in charge.

Frances Rutledge

GREENWOOD - Frances Elizabeth Godfrey Rutledge, 101, widow of Walter Thomas Rutledge, Sr., died January 24, 2006 at 7 pm at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Paul Martin, Jr. of 106 Sheffield Road. Her other home in Greenwood was with her daughter Mrs. Jessie Thomas Cox of 315 Hunting Road.
Born in Laurens County, April 2, 1904, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Benet Frank and Elizabeth Evalina Cunningham Godfrey. Her grandfather, Captain John Smith Cunningham, a Civil War soldier, who lived with them in her youth, was her surrogate father. Dr. Godfrey, her father, was killed in a tragic accident when she was four years old.
She was educated in the Clinton school system, and graduated from the two year teaching program at Winthrop College and received her master's degree from Furman University. She taught in Laurens County one year prior to her marriage. Most of her teaching career was at Dunean Elementary School in Greenville. She was the first principal at Greenbrier Elementary School in Mauldin and to her credit; Greenbrier was the first elementary school to attain accreditation during its first year. A member of First Baptist Church of Greenwood and a former member of Augusta Road Baptist Church in Greenville, she was also a member of the Augusta Road Community Club, the Star Fort Chapter of the D.A.R., the John Boswell Chapter of the Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century, the Magna Charta Dames, the Colonial Order of the Crown, the Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers Honor Society. She served her organizations with distinction.
She was the last member of her immediate family.
Surviving are a son, Walter Thomas Rutledge, Jr. and wife, Ruth Clark of Lexington, three daughters, Mrs. William Arnold (Lou) Putman, Jr. of Lexington, Mrs. William Paul (Ruth) Martin, Jr. and Mrs. Jessie Thomas (Ann) Cox, all of Greenwood; grandchildren, William Paul Martin, III, Jo Ann Martin Valentine, Elizabeth Putman Jones, Jesse Thomas Cox, Jr., Mary Rutledge McGowan, Frances Martin Judy, Marilu Putman McGregor, Debbie Cox Gardner, Lynn Putman Hudson, Suzanne Cox Martin, Tallulah Martin Minus, Sally Putman Sherrin, Rebecca Rutledge Creighton, Walter Rutledge Martin, William Arnold Putman, Jr. and Alan Edward Putman, great-grandchildren, John Rutledge McGregor, Jesse Thomas Cox, III, Derek Michael Gardner, Russell Patrick Jones, Jr., Joshua Martin Stewart, William Arnold Putman, III, Christopher Rutledge Jones, William Paul Martin, IV, Marvin Blakely Valentine, John Ross Gardner, Benjamin Walter Martin, Fletcher Martin Valentine, Dale Hampton Sherrin, Jr., Matthew Rutledge Martin, Thoma Lynn McGregor, Anje Elizabeth Cox, Allison Ruth Minus, Sally Renee Sherrin, Allison Capps Roberts, Julie Lou Hudson, Jennifer Austin Minus, Sandifer Elizabeth Hudson, Leeanna Lin Valentine, Elizabeth Cox Gardner, Meredith Way Cox, Mary Rutledge Cox, Daniel Gregory Putman, Grace Capps Putman and Morgan Chuan Ke Creighton, great-great grandchildren, Victoria Grace Gardner, Jamie Elizabeth Roberts.
Mrs. Rutledge was predeceased by a daughter, Frances Elizabeth Rutledge, brothers, Kirk Godfrey and General Ansel Godfrey and wife, Emmie Young of Clinton, B. Frank Godfrey and wife, Elise Hawkins of Columbia, a sister, Benet Katherine and husband, Clarence Monroe Asbill of Raleigh, NC. Funeral services will be conducted at 12 Noon Friday at First Baptist Church with Dr. Tony Hopkins officiating.
Burial will be at 3:30 pm in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Laurens.
Pallbearers will be great grandsons.
Honorary escort will be great granddaughters.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 10:30 Friday morning. The family is at the home of her daughters, Ruth Martin, 106 Sheffield Road and Mrs. Jessie Thomas Cox, 315 Hunting Road and will receive friends in the church fellowship hall from 10:30 to 12 Noon Friday.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 722 Grace Street, Greenwood, SC 29649 or to Thornwell Home & School for Children-Mrs. Bessie Godfrey Scholarship Fund, PO Box 60, Clinton, SC 29325-0060.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Rutledge family.
PAID OBITUARY

Dorothy V. Searles

McCORMICK - Dorothy V. Searles, 63, died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 at Greenwood Hospice of the Piedmont.
Born in McCormick, she was a daughter of the late Lewis and Anna Brown Searles. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and a homemaker.
Survivors include a daughter, Jacqueline Searles of McCormick; three sons, Robert Lewis Searles, Matthew E. Searles and James Edward Searles, all of McCormick; 10 grandchildren, two reared in the home, Laneisha Searles and Jakeitha Searles; three sisters, Martha Murray and Nora Lee Searles of Greenville and Matilda Ponder of New York; and a brother, Doc Searles of Greenwood.
The family is at Apt. 21, Cherry Valley Apartments.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

William Donald Wilson

McCORMICK, SC - William Donald Wilson, 60, of 3307 White Town Rd., husband of Patsy W. Wilson, died Tuesday, January 24, 2006. He was born in Abbeville to the late John W. and Rebecca Mildred Dansby Wilson.
Mr. Wilson was a member of the McCormick United Meth-odist Church. He has been the owner and operator of Don Wilson Exxon in McCormick for the past 36 years. Mr. Wilson was serving on the Little River Electric Board of Directors. He was past president of the Plum Branch Saddle Club, past chairman of the board of the Long Cane Academy and past president of the McCormick Country Club. He was a member of the McCormick National Guard Unit 122, a member of the Masonic Lodge, and he was a Shriner member of the Jamil Temple. Mr. Wilson will be most remembered as being a loving husband, father, and a wonderful grandfather.
Surviving Mr. Wilson is his wife of 36 years of the home, a daughter, Donna W. Thomas and her husband Matt of Hilton Head Island, SC., a son, William Bradley Wilson and his wife Michelle of Hilton Head Island, SC, a sister, Barbara Jean Yarborough of Waterloo, SC, three grandchildren, Jackson Bradley Wilson, Andrew James Wilson, and Wyatt Matthew Thomas.
The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Thursday, January 26, 2006 in the McCormick United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Funeral services will be 11:00AM Friday, January 27, 2006 at the McCormick United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Overbrook Cemetery with Masonic Rites.
The family is at the residence.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville is assisting the Wilson family.
PAID OBITUARY