ETV, camera crews invade McCormick

May 22, 2007

By LARRY SINGER
Index-Journal staff writer

McCORMICK — Beginning early Monday, a miniature army of nearly 50 lighting technicians, cameramen, producers, directors, production assistants, food servers, grips, on-camera talent and one rather large aardvark invaded the small town of McCormick.
By 10 a.m., the aardvark had taken over the county library, and the rest of the ETV crew had turned a parking lot next to the railroad tracks that run through the center of McCormick into three bustling open-air television studios roughly arranged in the shape of a triangle defined by thick, multicolored cables and heavy, professional quality tripods bearing massive — and very expensive — video cameras.
Precisely at noon, at the southernmost point of the triangle, Donna London, the anchorwoman of ETV’s “Your Day,” began interviewing Mayor Roy Smith Jr.
At the northern point of the triangle, ETV media personality Rhonda Matthews was getting ready to interview Georgia Lindley and her daughter, Parry Lindley Smith, and hopefully pry from them their secret for making the plate of yummy fried chicken on the table before her.
Immediately after the seven-minute fried chicken segment, local artist Jeffery Callaham was interviewed by Roy Scott, the executive producer of “Your Day.”
At 3 p.m., ETV switched over from tape to one hour of live broadcasting and began televising interviews with county administrator Bruce Cooley, local historian Bobby Edmunds and bee keeper John Leroy.
Also on the schedule of guests:
Tony Friar with the Modoc Speedway made an appearance to talk about the races every week at his track.
Sarah Juegnst, vice chairman of the McCormick Historical Commission, covered in detail the history of Willington.
Larry Davis, an officer with the Department of Natural Resources, talked about the many recreational activities available at Lake Thurmond.
Diane McCray, of McCray House Tea Room and Gift Shop, allowed the “Your Day” crew to sample her incredibly popular Mile-High Lemon Meringue Pie.
Despite the seemingly never-ending lineup of politicians and other interesting locals on “Your Day,” the monster attraction was a scholarly looking aardvark wearing glasses happily ensconced at the nearby county library.
From the moment Arthur the Aardvark arrived, a steady stream of young faces lit up for four hours as they as they met the star of the popular “Arthur” television show, which airs weekdays on ETV at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“Arthur is a hero to many of these kids, who watch his adventures on ETV. Seeing him in real life and shaking his hand is just the highlight of their day and is a memory we know they will have for years to come,” said Rob Schaller, director of communication for ETV.
“Parents love it, too, because they can bring their cameras and capture those ear-to-ear smiles.”
The library setting was chosen, Schaller said, “ because it encourages children to read.
“In some cases, coming to see Arthur can even serve as their introduction to the library,” he said. “With school almost out, we want to encourage youngsters to keep learning all summer long, and Arthur’s library visits during the ETV Road Show is a great way to reinforce that love for books.”
As Arthur enthralled his young fans, several hundred people split their time and attention between dining on lunch delicacies, watching the controlled pandemonium that was “Your Day,” and attending an Armed Forces Appreciation and Memorial Day program staged just south of the “Your Day” show.
During the program, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (retired) Sam Wakefield and state Adjutant Gen. Stanhope S. Spears spoke about patriotism and the need to support our military troops overseas.
Music for the military-appreciation event was provided McCormick High School students.

Competition adds to friendship

CFHS grads ‘blue flash cool’

May 22, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

CALHOUN FALLS — Demetria Carter can see it so clearly now.
All that remains of high school has come and nearly gone.
The finish line is truly — at long last — within sight.
On Friday, she and the other 40 or so members of the 2007 graduating class at Calhoun Falls High School will gather at 7:30 p.m. on the football field. It could very well be the last time the class meets in its entirety.
Carter — this year’s CFHS valedictorian — is not thinking about all that just yet. Right now she can’t stop laughing at salutatorian Zachary Price.
The two friends joke so easily with one another it’s hard to believe they’ve been locked in a running academic competition (for valedictorian) four years now and can still laugh about it at the end of the day.
But apparently they’re Blue Flash cool like that.
“It’s been a lot of hard work and determination, all of that,” Carter said. “We’re cool though.
We’ve been friends for a long time.”
“Demetria made me work hard to get there,” Price said.
Carter looks at him a little funny when he says her name — Demetria. They laugh again because Price doesn’t usually call her that.
Her nickname is Meechie — and Zach knows better than that.
“Meechie and I have been friends since the seventh grade, and we kind of competed for it,” Price said. “It was a real friendly thing though. We had all of the same classes, that kind of thing. I’ve worked hard to get here.”
Carter plans to attend South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, where she plans to study business administration and accounting, while Price will pursue dental hygiene at Piedmont Technical College.
Though Meechie is still unsure what exact remarks her farewell speech will contain — both she and Price will address the graduating class Friday — she knows it will be positive in nature and practical in its purpose.
“I’ll tell them to try for the best and to reach for the stars,” she said. “This right here, this Friday, is the beginning if the end for us (as a class).”
Price says he will talk about “the past and how far we’ve come.”
Carter never had to look very far for her inspiration.
Her mother, Ruby Ware, was always there when her daughter needed her. Never in a pushy kind of way, but rather in a soft, supporting role. Meechie has always respected and loved her mom for that.
“My mom definitely helped me to stay on track,” Carter said. “She was just always there for me. I guess I made momma proud.”

Emerald baseball keeps racking up the honors

May 22, 2007

By SCOTT J. BRYAN
Index-Journal sports editor

Emerald High School’s baseball season is over, but the accolades keep piling up.
Along with Region III-AA honors, several Vikings have earned all-state honors from various organizations.
Brandon Miller, a senior pitcher who has signed with South Carolina, was named the High School Sports Report’s Class AA and the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association’s Class AA Player of the Year. Miller also is a finalist for the Sports Report’s prestigious Mr. Baseball Award. Joining Miller on the Coaches Association’s all-state awards list are Josh Lovvorn and Stephen Gary. Lovvorn was also named all-state in baseball.
Miller was also named the Region III-AA Player of the Year for the second straight year, while Lovvorn, Gary and Josh Woolston were named to the all-region team.
Ryan Wilkie received the region’s Sportsmanship Award, and Chad Evans was named the Region III-AA Coach of the Year, the fourth consecutive year he’s received the honor.
Emerald finished the season 24-6-1 and lost in the Upper State finals to Mid-Carolina.
Evans, who resigned to accept an assistant principal job at Ninety Six High School, said he was proud of his program’s accomplishments.
After 10 years as the varsity head coach and one year as the school’s JV coach, Evans compiled a 160-86-1 record, which included four region championships, three District III championships and one Upper State title.
Evans said the biggest reason for taking the job at Ninety Six was so he could spend more time with his family.
“I want to see my wife and kids a little more,” Evans said. “For 11 years, I’ve coached baseball, and eight of those years I coached football, too. When you coach both of those, you’re never home. Football was seven days a week. So the main reason giving up coaching was so I could be with my family.
“I did want to get into the administrative part of school, so that was a big thing, too. But now I’ll get to get home a little earlier and see my kids play ball. That’s big for me.” Evans said he thinks the baseball program at Emerald will be left in good shape for the next coach.
“We’ve got some really good players coming up,” Evans said. “It’ll be very interesting to see who’s hired for the position. Right now, they’re unsure on what they’re going to do. Whoever gets the job will get two quality assistants and some really good players. We’ll return two all-region players and an all-state player. The seventh and eighth grade groups are extremely good, too.”
Emerald athletic director Mike Clowney said a hire has not been made for the baseball position or the two vacant soccer jobs.
He said he expects to make hires after graduation.
Evans is trading in his whistle for more paperwork as an administrator, but he said he’ll make frequent visits to the ballfield.
“Oh yeah, I’ll be seeing a bunch of games,” he said. “I’ll see as many as I can.”

Obituaries

Bertha L. Boddie

McCORMICK — Bertha L. Boddie entered into rest on May 21, 2007 after an extended illness. She was the widow of Joe H. Boddie, Sr. She was born in McCormick, SC, to Oliver and Ella Wideman Lawton. Having lived most of her life in McCormick, she had also lived in Greenwood, SC, and Florida. She was currently a resident of Wesley Commons in Greenwood, SC. She was a homemaker, having raised 3 children, Joe Boddie, Jr. (Shelby), Bobby Boddie (Barbara) and Wendy Willis (Bo). She was a grandmother to Kris Brewer (Jamie), Joe Boddie, III (Tamera), Jeffery Boddie (Brandi), Mandy Boddie, Daina and LeeAnne Boddie, Bradley Willis. She had 3 great-grandchildren, Colten and Brayden Brewer and Peyton Boddie. Her step-grandchildren are Dennis and Charla Parrish and Seth Scott. She was a sister to James Lawton (Annette), Willie Lawton (Becky) and Elizabeth Willis. She was predeceased in death by a brother Oliver Lawton, Jr. She also leaves behind a beloved friend Rebecca Brock. Bertha was a member of Buffalo Baptist Church, where she had worked for many years until her illness would not allow her to do so any more. She was a member of the Charlie Talbert Sunday School Class and president of the Ladies WMU group. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Buffalo Baptist Church Building Fund or Wesley Commons in the name of Bertha Boddie.
The family will receive friends at Strom’s Funeral Home on Tuesday from 7 to 9. Services will be held at Buffalo Baptist Church on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Overbrook Cemetery.
Strom Funeral Home is in charge.

Eddie Childers

GRAY COURT — A memorial service for Eddie Hugh Childers will be held at noon on Wednesday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Joe Chapman officiating.
The family is at the home, 979 Hellams Circle, where the family will receive friends on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Mr. Childers, 63, of 979 Hellams Circle, Gray Court, died Sunday, May 20, 2007 at his home.
Born in Lafayette, GA, he was a son of the late Frank and Nola Dillbeck Childers. He was employed as a screen printer and was a US Army veteran of the Vietnam War.
Surviving is a brother, Bill Childers of Sterling Heights, MI.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Angie Childers; two sisters, Linda Hall and Marie Avery; and two brothers, Glenn Childers and Jim Childers.
Online condolences may be sent to the Childers family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Cynthia Ann Clement

Cynthia Anne Armentrout Clement, wife of Bob Clement, of 111 Hampton Road, Greenwood, SC, passed away May 19 after a long illness.
She is survived by her mother, Virgilia Ware Clarke LePorte of Mauldin, SC; and a sister, Teresa Chaffin of Fountain Inn, SC. Predeceased was a brother, Christopher Scott Hall.
She was of the Catholic faith. A private family memorial service will be held at the home of her mother and stepfather. The family requests that flowers be omitted and memorials be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Street, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Cremation Society of South Carolina

Curtis Cogdill

Graveside services for Curtis William Cogdill will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Elmwood Cemetery with the Rev. Randy Ouzts officiating.
The family members are at their respective homes.
Mr. Cogdill, 75, of 107 McNeill Avenue, died Sunday, May 20, 2007 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Edward and Sadie Edwards Cogdill. He was a US Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and was a member of the D.A.V. No. 42 and Whitehall Church of God.
Surviving are three sisters, Mrs. Betty Stewart and Mrs. Marion Cothran, both of Greenwood and Mrs. Cecil Leopard of Athens, GA; and two brothers, Charles Cogdill and Ray Cogdill, both of Greenwood.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. Ruth Buffington and three brothers, Edward Cogdill, Jr., Blease Cogdill and Henry Cogdill.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the Cogdill family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Greg Lorentz

Gregory Anthony “Greg” Lorentz, 65, resident of 206 North Acres Road, husband of Clara Niemyjski “Chris” Lorentz, died May 20, 2007.
Born in Detroit, MI, Sept. 28, 1941, he was a son of the late Anthony B. and Dorothy Yelinek Lorentz. He was a graduate of Detroit University and was retired from the South Carolina Department of Corrections in McCormick. He had made his home in Greenwood since 1978 when he relocated from Detroit, MI, with Parke-Davis & Co.
Mr. Lorentz was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where he served as Eucharistic Minister, Acolytes Instructor and member of the Knights of Columbus, where he was previously twice Grand Knight. He was also a member and board member of the Greenwood Lions Club, the Greenwood Museum and the Humane Society of Greenwood. Mr. Lorentz was a volunteer of Operation Hope for over 26 years as well as the Greenwood Soup Kitchen, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Highway Clean-Up.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 42 years are a daughter, Nicole Lorentz of Ninety Six; two sons, Tony and wife, Andrea Lorentz of Laurens and Mark and wife, Deneen Lorentz of Williamston; a sister, Bonnie and husband, Sheldon Dickson of Michigan; two brothers, Michael and wife, Francine Lorentz and Daniel and wife, Kathleen Lorentz, all of Michigan; four grandchildren, Cody Tiller, Kela Davis, Kaitlin Davis and Kirstie Lorentz; and brother-in-law Richard Niemyjski and wife, Alice Faye.
Greg loved life, people, his friends, family, church and community. Greg will be truly missed. A Mass of Christian burial will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with Father Timothy Tebolt officiating.
Pallbearers will be the Knights of Columbus.
The family is at the home in Roman Acres and will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 6 to 9 Wednesday evening. A Rosary will be recited at the funeral home at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Life Center Building Fund, 915 Mathis Road, Greenwood, SC 29649 or to the Humane Society of Greenwood, PO Box 242, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com. Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Lorentz family.

Willie James Pope Jr.

NINETY SIX — Willie James Pope, Jr., 56, of 130 Panther Drive, husband of Estelle Oliver Pope, died Monday, May 21, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Greenwood County, he was the son of the late Willie James Pope, Sr. and the late Earline King Pope. He was a member of Pleasant Rock Baptist Church in Ninety Six and was a former treasurer of the Terra Villa Community Club.
Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Willie James Pope III of Kenedy, TX; one daughter, Stephanie Eileen Pope of the home; six brothers, William “Earl” (Marie) Pope, Larry (Dianne) Pope and Bruce (Gwen) Pope, all of Greenwood and Sanford “Al” Pope of Atlanta, GA, Carl (Toison) Pope of Hodgenville, KY, and Marion “Lee” (Benita) Pope of Simpsonville, SC; two sisters, Doris (Moses) Miller and Debra E. Pope, both of Greenwood; and one granddaughter, Kiana Renae Pope of Killen, TX.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com.

Kathleen Thomas

Services for Kathleen Vickery Broome Thomas will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Ted Williams and Dr. Larry Green officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Robby Price, Tyler Helton, Christopher Broome, Travis Broome, Tim Marusarz and Barry Campbell.
Honorary escort will be great-grandsons Christian Hansen, Hunter Skidmore, Bradley Marusarz, Chase Marusarz and Harrison Broome.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m.
The family is at the home of her daughter, Vicki Skidmore, 419 Bolt Avenue.
Memorials may be made to Abney Memorial Baptist Church, 208 Panola Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Mrs. Thomas, 79, formerly of 500 Bolt Avenue, widow of Clyde William Thomas, died Sunday, May 20, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Oconee County, she was a daughter of the late William Robert and Ollie McKee Vickery. She was retired from Monsanto (now Solutia) and was formerly employed by Greenwood Mills, Durst Plant. She was a member of Abney Memorial Baptist Church, where she was a member of the T.E.L. Sunday School Class and the WMU and was a member of the Red Hat Club at Wesley Commons.
She was twice married, first to the late Loyd Max Broome and was also preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra Broome Alexander.
Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Bobby Price of Ninety Six and Vicki and Keith Skidmore of Greenwood; a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Mary Francis Broome of Comer, GA; two brothers, Rudolph Vickery of Athens, GA, and Ralph Vickery of Anderson; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Online condolences may be sent to the Thomas family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Opinion

Immigration bill may be a start to find a solution

May 22, 2007

It is obvious after the U. S. Senate approved a new plan to deal with illegal immigrants that cross our borders, especially from Mexico, that there’s just as much dissension among the American people as ever. There may even be more dissatisfaction, and that includes many in the Palmetto State.
Does the Senate-backed plan provide amnesty for the illegals already in this country?
Proponents say no. Opponents say yes. South Carolina’s Senators are split. Jim DeMint says it does. Lindsey Graham says it doesn’t.For what it’s worth, DeMint was the one applauded at the recent state Repbulican meeting.
There will be, no doubt, a lot of bickering before any plan is given final approval. In fact, this Senate bill still has to pass muster in the House before it becomes law, and that’s never a sure thing.

DESPITE THE FACT THAT MANY Americans are unsettled one way or the other, there may be a silver lining to this hovering cloud that threatens a storm. As one lawmaker observed, it’s a start. Considering the lack of progress to date on solving the illegal immigration problem, something is needed to get the issue on the table.
When the debate comes up in the House there are a number of negatives to cover. One is that turning illegals into voting Americans could hand organized labor new members by the droves.
They generally align with the Democrats so they would also give that party a lot of new blood and, in effect, help stack the deck against Republicans.

EFFORTS TO FIND A PERMANENT solution must start somewhere, though, and this ought to be it. Let federal lawmakers argue the pros and cons. The American public, however, must continuously monitor the situation. It must make sure the deck is not stacked too much one way and turn the Republican Party into a minority force that could never again realize political parity.
As noted, though, it’s a start. Let’s just not let it become another boondoggle that defies fixing. Remember one thing while debating it, too. Immigrants that come into our country illegally are breaking the law, and they know it. What’s the lesson there? If we allow one law to be snubbed with impunity, what happens when some illegal immigrants think how easy it was and decide that other laws can also be broken? Will they expect exceptions then? Why not!