Having a moving experience

Freshmen arrive at new home during Lander’s move-in day

August 12, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

If everyone had a squadron of people to help them move into a new abode, it might make things a bit easier.
That was the goal Saturday at Lander University, as a large group of volunteers converged on the campus to help incoming freshman get moved into dormitories. Between 500 and 600 new students were set to arrive Saturday.
As the sun beat down, providing the Lakelands with another morning in the high 90s, students, parents and volunteer workers bustled around. Televisions, stereos, clothes, food, furniture and all manner of accessories were piled onto carts, into baskets or stuffed into boxes and hauled up stairs or elevators into suites and rooms.
Patrick Cummings, of Columbia, talked about the reasons he chose to attend the Greenwood campus as he helped his father, James Bouknight, load boxes onto a hand truck.
“I visited the campus and I thought it was beautiful, with the trees and greenery, it wasn’t like a city campus,” said Cummings, who plans to major in business administration. “I applied at a couple places, and I just like the atmosphere, especially with the smaller classes.”
Cummings said he is thrilled to be living at Centennial Hall, a virtually new facility entering its second school year.
Brittany Denard, a sophomore, was part of the volunteer move-in crew. She noted several members of her sorority were part of the crew, which wore red shirts featuring pirates and the phrase “Move Your Booty” on the back of them.
“I remember my freshman move-in day well,” said Denard, who said she will be living off-campus this year. “It seems like yesterday. Some of the looks on these faces seem familiar.”
As the new students swirled around getting moved into their new school — and, for some, new town — many were perhaps unaware one person helping them is a local political figure. Mayor Floyd Nicholson, who also works in the student services division at Lander, was front and center, shuttling students from one place to the next.
Nicholson, who attended South Carolina State in the 1960s, said things have certainly changed since his first day as a college freshman.
“I remember my first day, but it’s a big difference since then,” Nicholson said, smiling. “I only had one suitcase as opposed to these young people coming with a whole truckload of things. It didn’t take us long to move in back then. We hopped out with one suitcase, went to the room and we were through.”
While the heat did add an extra wrinkle to the day, most seemed to deal with the conditions.
“If it weren’t for the heat, this would have been really easy,” said incoming freshman Jake Kinderman, of Laurens. “We’ve had my TV, my computer and printer, some clothes and other stuff.
Just the essentials today.”
For freshman Lane Sharp, moving into Chipley Hall on Saturday was the beginning of what she hopes will be a four-year journey that ends with a degree. However, for her father, Alec Sharp — who graduated from Lander in 1987 — it was the beginning of a much longer stretch.
“I’ve got six children and she’s the oldest. We’re going to have a child in college every year for the next 22 years,” Alec said, grimacing. “This is the first one down, five to go.”

Priest fighting to stay in U.S.

August 12, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

The Rev. Allam Marreddy is the priest of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in McCormick and Sacred Heart Parish in Abbeville, but if immigration services do not grant him permanent residency (his home diocese is in India), he will have to leave the churches and return to his native country Oct. 29.
Marreddy came to the United States in 2002, applied for permanent residency to the Charleston Diocese in July 2006, and had his visa expire in May of this year. The priest is on a temporary visa with an I94 Form (the Arrival-Departure Record), letting him stay until the end of October.
However, Marreddy wants to stay — and his churches need him.
“Yeah, I like it so much,” he said. “The people are very fair and straightforward, and I have a sense of fulfillment of my religious vocation to be a priest over here. And the people are so receptive, and coming into the church and to their faith, that I appreciate. I have a great admiration for the people; not only to my people, but to all the people.”
Marreddy said those people, the ones in his two churches, will be affected negatively if he is made to leave.
“The thing is that the people here, the two parishes, will suffer a lot.”
“There’s a lot of faith in these two parishes,” said George Layer, parishioner at the Abbeville church. “And that would be jeopardized greatly; I know that, if he’s not allowed to come stay here, there would be quite an uproar among the people.”
Good Shepherd Catholic Church has three services and Sacred Heart has one, and the services are always full.
Marreddy explained that before he came to the area, the churches in Abbeville and McCormick had been without a regular priest for about eight years because of a shortage of Catholic priests.
“In this diocese, we’re short of priests, that’s why they go to get priests from India and get them approved here,” Layer said. “In Abbeville and McCormick, they’d been without a priest, a regular priest, for years. The need for a parish priest, so to speak, is really necessary for those two places.”
Layer said the Savannah Lakes population has increased, and most of the people from the community come from the north, an area with more Catholics.
“The main thing, I guess, is there’s been an increase in residency in McCormick County, and in Abbeville there’s been more of an influx of northerners who are predominantly Christian Catholics, and the demands of religious services are greatly needed more now than (they’ve) ever been in the past,” Layer said.
But why isn’t the priest allowed to stay?
“Initially, this time, it is taking a lot of time because they have given a reason saying they have found certain fraud cases, some people coming into (the) U.S. using religious visas,” Marreddy said. “Fraud cases. That is the reason they want to scrutinize and that is the reason why this is taking too long.”
An article was written about the situation by Christina Lee Knauss in the May 24 Catholic Miscellany. According to the article, Allison Posner, a staff attorney with the Legal Immigration Network Inc. in Washington, said a 2006 fraud study was conducted by the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The study found 30 percent of the R1 (religious worker) visas were fraudulent.
Now the department is asking for more and more information to be supplied by those requesting religious visas or permanent residency. Marreddy is no exception.
First, after the priest applied for permanent residency in July 2006, he sent all the information he thought the immigration department needed. Then, in a letter received last March, the department asked for proof of the diocese’s existence, photos of the church, utility bills and financial statements.
Coming to his aid are the members of Good Shepherd and Sacred Heart parishes. They have written letters to U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint, as well as U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett.
Their efforts have paid off: Marreddy has an interview with Barrett Wednesday.
“The campaign has gained momentum,” said Dave Lorenzatti, member of the pastoral council at Good Shepherd. “The pastor of the Lutheran Church by the Lake in McCormick and other local clergymen are urging the members of their flocks to do the same.
“They are also praying that the government will renew his visa before the deadline and allow him to remain in the country to continue his pastoral duties.”
But time’s running out, and progress is slow.
In Krauss’ article, Posner said the immigration department is still saying Marreddy’s application “has to go through further screening.”
“When Senator (Graham) contacted immigration services, they said it’s a security check,” Marreddy said. “We are waiting for the security check report. And as soon as we get the security check report, we will surely look into the case.”
When asked what he thinks his chances are of staying, Marreddy said, “I don’t know, looking at the immigration services thing. I think it may happen, it may not happen.”
Can the priest simply return to India and apply for another R1 visa to return to the States and his parishes?
Marreddy said he would return, but a clause exists stating the person must wait a year before reapplying, even though Bishop Robert Baker in Charleston and Bishop Govind Joji in Nalgona, India, agree Marreddy should continue his work in Abbeville and McCormick.
It’s obvious from talking to parish members that people of Good Shepherd and Sacred Heart want Marreddy to stay.
“Father Marreddy is more than a spiritual adviser,” Lorenzatti said. “In five short years, he has become a much-loved leader of our faith communities, and our lives and our spirituality have been enriched by his godly devotion to us.”
“As I said, Father Marreddy’s been here five years, and for him to be shut down and sent packing is something I can’t believe this country would do,” Layer said. “I know they got a lot of problems, but that’s a heck of a place to start in a case like this, and it appears to be that there’s no one that can break into this system.”

Red zone woes

Ninety Six still can’t score a touchdown as Emerald tops Wildcats

August 12, 2007

By MATT ANDERSON
Index-Journal sports writer

NINETY SIX — For the second straight night, Ninety Six High School outgained its opponent in a jamboree.
And for the second straight night, the Wildcats were unable to score a touchdown in a jamboree loss.
Emerald High School defeated Ninety Six 3-0 in the final contest of Saturday’s Region 3-AA Jamboree at Wilson-Campbell Stadium. A night after outgaining Strom Thurmond High School 101-82 in a 21-3 loss, the Wildcats outgained the Vikings 141-83.
“When you get down there in the red zone, you’ve got to score,” Ninety Six coach Brian Neal said. “That’s going to be a focus point when we go in next week.”
The Wildcats drove inside the Vikings’ 30-yard line on each of its three possessions, but were stopped by penalties on two series and a fumble on the other. In the game’s final minute, Ninety Six had a fourth and goal from the Emerald 2, but turned the ball over on downs after an incompletion.
Ninety Six rotated junior Parker Hite and senior Forrest Dove at quarterback Saturday night. Neal said it was likely the two would each see time at quarterback in the Wildcats’ opener Friday night against Hanahan High School.
The lone Emerald scoring drive was a 13-play, 85-yard drive that featured two third-down conversions and a fourth-down conversion.
The Vikings alternated Zane Newton and Hakeem Newton at quarterback on the drive — Emerald’s first offensive series — and put up the contest’s lone points on a 27-yard field goal by Jeremy Tommie.
“Our kids came out on that drive and ended up executing,” Emerald coach Mike Clowney said.
“The biggest thing is they believed in the fact that we could move the football.”
For Saluda, the biggest thing to happen in its 13-10 jamboree-opening loss to Batesburg-Leesville was an injury to starting quarterback Drey Mitchell. Mitchell will likely be out for an extended period of time with what coach Wayne Bell said was probably a broken collarbone. Mitchell was injured when he was sacked late in the 13-10 Batesburg-Leesville victory.
“A little sack he got hurt on probably shouldn’t have happened,” Bell said. “The whistle had been blown a long time.
“The officials have got to do a little bit better job on stopping something like that —not controlling that right there, broken collarbone starting quarterback for Saluda.”
Batesburg-Leesville closed the scrimmage with 13 unanswered points on the strength of two Josh Harris touchdown runs, one from 53 yards out and one of two yards.
“We didn’t line up properly sometimes,” Bell said. “If you don’t line up properly, sometimes that alone creates a big hole. You can’t have a big hole for Mr. Harris; he’ll find it and he’ll be in the end zone.”
One long run was all the offense Mid-Carolina could muster in its 10-7 loss to Batesburg-Leesville. The Rebels did not score after a 63-yard Tyrone Wilson touchdown run put Mid-Carolina ahead 7-3.
The Bulldogs tallied the game’s decisive touchdown when Shakeem Glenn scored from five yards out with 1:33 left.

Obituaries

Lt. Col. Fred T. Bridges, Jr., Ret.

DUE WEST — Fred T. Bridges, Jr., age 86, of the Due West Retirement Center, Due West, S.C., died on Saturday, August 11, 2007. His parents were the late Fred T., Sr., and Delpha M. Bridges, of Atlanta, Georgia.
Bridges was born in Dublin, Georgia, but at the age of two, his family moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he attended the Public Schools, graduating from Atlanta Boys High School.
In 1942, Bridges, graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management. While at Tech, he participated in the Advance R.O.T.C. Program and upon graduating, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps and immediately ordered to active duty.
During WWII, Bridges served in the Army Air Corps for 44 months, after which he returned to Georgia Tech where he earned a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Management.
Bridges spent 35 years in Industry, six with Dan River Mills in Danville, Virginia, and 29 with Reynolds Metals Company in Richmond, Virginia, retiring from the latter in 1982 as the Manager of Administrative Engineering.
Bridges possessed a great fondness for teaching. While in Danville, he taught “Government” at the Schoolfield High School and subsequently, for sixteen years, served as a Special Lecturer in “Management” at University College of the University of Richmond.
Bridges maintained his commission in the Air Force Reserve and, in 1981, retired from the Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Bridges was the co-inventor, along with Louisville, Kentucky artist, George A. Gottschalk, of twelve religious educational board games, published by Broadman Press of Nashville, Tennessee.
In 1989, Bridges and his wife Elise served six months as Management Consultants to the President of the International Baptist Seminary in Ruschlikon, Switzerland.
After having resided in Richmond, Virginia, for 36 years, the Bridges retired to Due West, South Carolina in 1994, where they were most active in the community life of the college town. Although Mr. Bridges had been an active churchman in the Baptist Church for 63 years, he joined the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in which he and Elise were married in 1943.
Bridges served the Due West ARP Church as Congregational Chairman, Deacon, Elder, and member of the Cemetery Association.
In 1997, when the Lions Club of Due West was organized, Bridges was elected the Charter President. The Fred T. Bridges, Jr. Annual Award was established in his honor. He also served four times as President of the Residents Council of the Due West Retirement Center.
Mr. Bridges is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elise Nance Bridges; a brother, Dr. Francis J. Bridges of Atlanta, Georgia; a sister, Margaret B. Trawicky of Decatur, Georgia; a daughter, Sara B. Metz; a son, Vance M. Bridges; and three grandsons, Fletcher Metz and his wife, Joanna; Hunter Metz all of Richmond, Virginia; and Terence Metz and his wife, Laura, of Lake Mary, Florida.
A graveside Service with full military rites will be conducted Monday, August 13, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. in the Due West ARP Church Cemetery, with a memorial Service to follow at 2 p.m. in the ARP Church Sanctuary. The Elders and Deacons of the Church will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. Immediately following the Service, the family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of the ARP Church.
Any memorial contributions should be directed either to the Ebenezer Foundation of the Due West Retirement Center PO Box 307 Due West, SC 29639 or to the Due West ARP Church Cemetery Association PO Box 144 Due West, SC 29639. Online condolences may be made to the Bridges family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC is in charge of arrangements.

Maxey Briley

PIEDMONT — Maxey Carlton Briley, Sr., 62, resident of 415 Camden Drive, husband of Dolorez Briley, died August 9, 2007 at his residence.
Born May 27, 1945 in Greenwood, he was a son of Dorothy Campbell Johnson and the late Ernest Briley. He was a US Army Veteran and a former employee of Daniel Construction and Condustrial, Inc. of Greenville.
He was a member of Emerald Baptist Church in Greenwood.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home and his mother of Ninety Six are two sisters, Lynda B. Black of Ninety Six and Iris Elaine Newton of Greenwood.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday at the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Curtis Eidson officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The family is at the home of his sister, Lynda Black, 2417 Highway 246 South, Ninety Six and will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 6 to 8 Sunday evening.
The family would like to thank the members and staff of Emerald Baptist Church in Greenwood and Heartland Hospice of Greenville for all their care and support during this time of great need. For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Briley family.

James Herbert Chiles

James Herbert Chiles died at his home, 215 Siloam Church Road, on Friday, Aug. 10, 2007.
The family is at the home of his sister, Mae Calhoun, 196 N. Mill Road, Greenwood.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.

Col. Frank Ferro

SUMTER — Col. Frank Ferro, USAF (ret), age 67, beloved husband of 46 years to Patricia Tucker Ferro, died Friday, August 10, 2007 at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Ferro was born January 17, 1940, in Dignano D’istria, Italy, a son of the late Luciano Ferro and Francesca Sorgarella Ferro. He retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force after 23 years of service, serving during Vietnam. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rutgers University and a Master of Arts and International Relations from the University of Southern California. Currently, he was the President of Eagle Travel Services of Sumter. He was a former member of the Sumter Rotary Club and a current member of the MOAA. He loved to play golf and was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife are one son, Mark S. Ferro of Sumter, SC; two daughters, Karen F. Reese and her husband Chad of Greenwood, SC, and Kathryn F. Nelson and her husband William of Jacksonville, FL; one brother, Lucio Ferro and his wife Nina of Waretown, NJ; and eight grandchildren, Hunter Reese, Katelyn Nelson, Abby Reese, William Nelson, Haleigh Ferro, Michael Ferro, Alexis Ferro, and Elizabeth Reese.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral service with full military honors will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Charles Donovan, C.sS.R. officiating. Burial will be private.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Monday, August 13, 2007 at Bullock Funeral Home with a prayer vigil at 7:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210 Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.bullockfuneralhome.com.
The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

Ryheem Rockregis Wideman

Ryheem Rockregis Wideman, age 14, of 106 Brockwood Drive, Pinetree Apartments, No. 109-E, died August 9, 2007. He was born in Greenwood, SC, October 25, 1992, a son of Larry Wideman and LaTonya Morgan Wideman. He was an eighth grade student at Brewer Middle School.
Survivors are his parents of Greenwood; two brothers, Larry Wideman, Jr. and Jarvis Wideman of Greenwood, SC; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ed (Edith Morgan) Moore of McCormick; paternal grandmother, Mrs. Annie Pearl Wideman of Myrtle Beach, SC; and great-great-aunt, Mrs. Janie Bell Thomas of McCormick, SC.
Services are Monday at 1 p.m. at Shiloh AME Church in McCormick with the pastor, Rev. James Louden officiating and Rev. Albert Bell assisting. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family is at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Moore, 936 Bell Field Road in McCormick.
Walker Funeral Home is assisting the Wideman family.

Opinion

Missions to help others bring multiple benefits

August 12, 2007

When “missionaries” come to Greenwood as volunteers to help local people in a variety of ways, some might wonder why. In fact, the first thought that might come to mind to a lot of people is why outsiders are doing what local volunteers should do.
For example, mission workers from across South Carolina and Georgia are helping remodel houses for many who need assistance, in Greenwood and all around the Lakelands area.
The benefits and motivations for mission workers and those being helped should be obvious. More often than not mission workers are sponsored by one church or another as a way to provide practical and hands-on learning while carrying out the church’s obligations to others.

THE FACT THAT VOLUNTEERS participate in missions elsewhere doesn’t mean, of course, that those in need locally are ignored by local people. Good news and goodwill are spread all over South Carolina. Volunteers help their own communities in various ways every day. That’s not all, though. That help is often extended to needy people in other countries, too.
The experience is particularly helpful to youngsters as a lesson in life.
Think of mission workers that travel from and to Greenwood. Think of the positive lessons volunteers learn from reaching out to others and seeing the results of their efforts ..... not to mention the smiles they see on the faces of those they help.
There’s no mystery about any of it. It’s a perfect example of the “golden rule” in action.