Cycling, concert combine for Live After Five event

April 29, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

Hundreds of people gathered in Uptown Greenwood Thursday for music, food and fun during the Live After Five Outdoor Concert and Third Annual Uptown Greenwood Pro Cycling Challenge.
The concert, featuring Hack Bartley and Shuffle, was the first of a series of six outdoor concerts planned for the Uptown area this spring and summer, said John Lowery, marketing director with the Partnership for Greater Greenwood County and Economic Alliance.
Though the Live After Five series has been around for years, this year marks the first time the program has been sponsored by the Partnership, Lowery said, and it is also the first time the event has taken place in conjunction with the Pro Cycling Challenge.
“It just seemed like a natural combination. The idea is to try to bring people into the Uptown area more frequently and to get them to shop in the stores and restaurants,” Lowery said, adding that the Partnership has also taken steps to enhance the concert series this year.
“We’ve expanded the format to go for more regional bands that have a larger draw,” he said.
Several local food vendors were at the site to offer tasty treats and refreshments, and for the younger attendees, a bike rodeo, complete with an obstacle course, as well as bicycle and helmet safety check stations were giving children a chance to learn about proper bicycle riding.
Many people arrived at the Countybank Plaza in Uptown early to set up lawn chairs for a great view of the concert, including Greenwood resident Linda Anderson.
“I love this,” she said. “Especially with spring coming around, it’s nice for people to get out and enjoy the great weather. You can sit out and enjoy the concert and see Greenwood people you haven’t seen in a while.”
Judy Webb, also of Greenwood, said she thought events like the concert series are not only fun for area residents but are a benefit for the city’s economy as well.
“This is something Greenwood should do more often – it should be here every week,” she said. “We need more events like this to bring people into Uptown to see what’s here and what is going on.”

Gladys Teen Blocker

Gladys Teen Blocker, 73, of 711 White Oak Lane, died Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at her home.
Born in Edgefield County, she was a daughter of the late Roosevelt Tompkins and Magalee Gaskins Searles. She was twice married, first to the late William Bettie Blocker and second to the late Ted Nelson. She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Survivors include four sons, McArthur Blocker of the home, William Thomas Blocker of Vidalia, Ga., Ernest Blocker of Greenwood and Sgt. John Henry Blocker of Fayetteville, N.C.; four daughters, Irene Robinson and Dorothy Jean Blocker, both of Abbeville, Betty Lou Alexander and Barbara Jean Felder, both of Greenwood; two sisters, Otina Jackson and Betty Jean Dean, both of McCormick; 19 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Susan Maffett

SALUDA, SC – Susan Leopard Maffett, 94, died Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at Saluda Nursing Center.
Born in Saluda County, and a daughter of the late W.E. and Annie Burnett Leopard, she was the wife of the late Roy Maffett. Mrs. Maffett was a homemaker and was a member of Faith Temple Assembly of Holiness Church. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Surviving are nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews, great-great-great nieces and great-great-great nephews, and her big brother, David McCary and Brenda McCary.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8PM, Friday evening at Ramey Funeral Home, other times the family will be at their respective residences.
Funeral service will be 11AM, Saturday, April 30, 2005 at Faith Temple Assembly of Holiness Church with the Rev. Danny Swinnea, Rev. John Turner and Rev. Grace B. Neal officiating.
Interment will follow in Mayson Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Russell Neal, Tommy Neal, Travis McCary, Bryan Moss, Darrell Dunning and Elon Maffett, Honorary Pallbearers will be the Adult Sunday School Class of Faith Temple Assembly of Holiness Church.
Memorials may be made to Home Mission Fund at Faith Temple Church c/o Sadie Rushton, Natchez Trace Dr., Ninety Six, SC 29666.
PAID OBITUARY

Willie Page

McCORMICK — Willie Page, 69, formerly of Mount Carmel, widower of Effie Lomax Page, died Thursday, April 28, 2005 at McCormick Health Care.
Born in Dillon, he was a son of the late Allan and Louise Page. He was a member of Rockford A.M.E. Church and a retired employee of West Point Stevens Manufacturing Co.
Survivors include a daughter, Sandra Page Garrett of Greenwood; a son, Jack William Page of Calhoun Falls; three sisters, Evelyne Page of Dillon, Bell Smoot of Loris and Katherine McCellan of Marion; and four grandchildren.
The family is at the home of a daughter Sandra Garrett, 3301 Scotts Ferry Road, Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Brown and Walker Funeral Home, Abbeville.

Elizabeth Reid

NINETY SIX — Elizabeth Long Reid, 90, widow of McGee Morris Reid Sr., died Thursday, April 28, 2005 at National Health Care of Greenwood.
Born in Newberry County, she was a daughter of the late Wilbur Eugene and Pearl Singly Long. She was a graduate of Newberry High School and a 1938 graduate of Newberry College. A retired teacher and principal from Ninety Six School District No. 52, she was a member of Ninety Six Presbyterian Church and church organist for 38 years and an organist at Siloam Baptist Church for five years.
Survivors include two sons, McGee “Mac” Morris Reid Jr. of Ninety Six and George Wilbur Reid of Greenwood; a sister, Barbara Roush of Orange Park, Fla.; and three grandchildren.
Graveside services are 4 p.m. today at Ninety Six Presbyterian Church Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Robert Marvin.
Visitation is graveside after the services.
The family is at the home of a son “Mac” Reid, 206 Port Royal, Harbor Heights.
Memorials may be made to Ninety Six Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 120 N. Cambridge St., Ninety Six, SC 29666.
Blyth Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Louise Tolbert

NINETY SIX – Louise Harmon Tolbert, 92, resident of Alterra Sterling House, former resident of 203 E. Main Street, Ninety Six, widow of Joseph Lincoln Tolbert, Sr., died April 27, 2005 at Wesley Commons.
Born in Newberry County, April 22, 1913, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Simeon and Annie Laurie Ballentine Harmon. She was a graduate of Newberry College and was a retired public school teacher, having taught in Chapin, Ninety Six and Easley schools. Mrs. Tolbert was the owner/operator of the family farm and was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. She was the secretary of the Star Fort Historic Commission; a delegate to the SC United Methodist Conference; a founding member of the SC Cowbelles Association and treasurer of the Music Lovers Club of Ninety Six.
Surviving are two sons, Joseph Lincoln Tolbert, Jr. and wife Mary Jo M. Tolbert of Ninety Six and Thomas Warren Tolbert and wife Judith K. Tolbert of Fort Mill; two grandchildren, Joseph McJunkin Tolbert and Yvette Roxanne Tolbert.
Funeral services will be conducted 3:00 p.m. Sunday from St. Paul United Methodist Church in Ninety Six with Rev. Ben Herlong officiating.
Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Eddy Ellison, George Rogers, Gary Berry, Jason Stewart, Paul Johnson and Richard Shealy.
Honorary escort will be Sara Hoole, Libby Cohen, Olive Laroche, Sherry Vickery, Grace Smith, Esther Thomas, Sara Shealy, Dr. Michael Bryant and Dr. Joe Logan.
The family will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 5 to 7 Saturday afternoon.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Newberry College, 2100 College Street, Newberry, SC 29108, attn: the president’s office; or to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 301 Cambridge Street, Ninety Six, SC 29666.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

‘Cuban Missile’ on target

Dominguez wins 3rd annual Greenwood cycling criterium

April 29, 2005

By DAVID HAYS
Special to the Index-Journal

Introduced as “the fastest man in North America,” the guy they call the “Cuban Missile” lived up to his nickname Thursday night.
Ivan Dominguez won the third annual Uptown Greenwood Pro Cycling Challenge criterium, crossing the finish line about two bicycle lengths ahead of runner-up Jeff Hopkins.
The Cuban defector completed the nearly 50-mile race in one hour, 29 minutes, 2 seconds. The time was slowed by about three to five minutes because of a crash involving several riders with 13 laps to go.
The 29-year-old sprint specialist earned the first-place share of the $10,000 purse.
“That was a tough race,” Dominguez said. “I was pretty tired today. I was not in condition. I was not at my best today.”
But the team Health Net rider was good enough to win several $100 cash prizes on specially designated laps called premes, and then make a dash to the finish line with a sizzling final lap of 65 seconds.
“I sat back about the last 20 laps, staying in the back waiting, waiting and waiting,” said Dominguez, who left Cuba in 1998 and now lives in Los Angeles. “I was behind my (Health Net) guys coming to the last corner and they were behind two (team) Jelly Bellys.”
Rounding out the top 10 were Hopkins of Jittery Joe’s; John Lieswyn, Health Net; David McCook, Jelly Belly; Alejandro Acton, SBR Multisports; Daniel Schmatz, Team Seasilver; Peter Lopinto, Team Seasilver; Chris Frederick, Aerospace Engineering; Gord Fraser, Health Net; and Glen Mitchell, Kodak Gallery/Sierra Nevada. The top 10 were separated by two seconds and the 50 who finished the race were separated by 34 seconds.
“I had to fight really hard,” Hopkins said of his second-place finish.
“I looked up and saw three Jelly Beans up in the front and I think four green (Health Net) guys in front of me. I kind of got past David (McCook) and John (Lieswyn) on the (finish) line. It was just a matter of keeping the elbows nice and sharp and holding the position.”
Lieswyn said, “Our modus operandi for the day was cover and kill which means put riders in breakaways and then don’t assist the break because we felt like we had some of the fastest riders in the race. But our competitors like Hopkins, as he showed at the finish, blew right past me for second.”
The Greenwood criterium was the second of two races in the South Carolina Heritage Cycling Series. Karl Menzies won the first race Wednesday night in Walterboro.
“It is exciting to see the endurance these individuals have, not even breathing hard after the race,” Greenwood Mayor Floyd Nicholson said. “This is the third year and we are so excited. We are glad to be part of this great event here in Greenwood.”
A criterium is a multi-lap race in a closed course, typically less than a mile long. This racing discipline has bred a unique type of cyclist who must demonstrate top speed and bike handling skills and has been referred to as “America’s contribution to bicycle racing.” The riders maintain a speed as high as 25-35 miles per hour on aerodynamic bicycles that cost in the thousands.
The 1.10-kilometer, four-turn course began at the corner of Court and Main streets, with right turns on to Washington, Monument and Maxwell back to Main. It look the riders less than two minutes per lap with a pace car leading the way. The race was approximately 60 laps.
Several of the riders also competed along with Lance Armstrong in the six-stage, 600-plus mile Tour de Georgia. But as Lieswyn described it, “This (criterium) is like drag racing and the Tour de Georgia would be like a NASCAR 500 (race).”
Zac Lake, a 17-year-old rider from Ware Shoals, was among the 83 professionals and amateurs who competed in the race and lasted a few laps.
“It’s great. Just looking around, there is a ton of people here,” the Ware Shoals High School student said. “It’s great to see this many people interested.”
It was Lake’s first chance to compete locally.
“People think, ‘I can ride a bike.’ But to do it like these guys do, at 30-plus miles per hour, racing so close to each other, so much concentration, it’s incredible,” said Lake, who has competed in the U.S. Cycling Federation Junior National Championship in Salt Lake City.
Thursday night was a chance to compete against the best, including a field with four world champions.
“It’s very, very intimidating. But it’s also really cool,” said Lake, who rides for Hincapie Sports. “I’m out there with the big guys and there is no better feeling than being out there with those guys. This is how fast you have to be.”
Several riders crashed a few yards from the start/finish line with 13 laps left. The race was ran under “neutral” conditions for about three laps, similar to a caution flag in NASCAR. No one was seriously hurt.
“It was pretty scary,” Lieswyn said. “There were a lot of riders kind of bouncing around like ping pong balls. Apparently that crash was right behind me. I told the people in the front of the pack, ‘we ought to afford the emergency crew time to get that rider out of the road.’”
“I got caught behind the crash,” Dominguez said. “I was very, very close. I put my feet out. I didn’t crash. But someone hit me in my head really bad.”
Dominguez, who skipped the Walterboro race and will head to the Athens Twilight Criterium in Georgia this weekend, added to his resume that includes wins in the prestigious Bank of America Criterium in Charlotte and the New York Cycling Championships. He also finished second to Armstrong in one of the stages of the 2004 Tour de Georgia.
After winning flowers after the race, Dominguez handed the bouquet to a small girl standing near the finish line.
“I saw a lot of people watching the race. For a small city, it’s a pretty good race. I see they like this kind of race,” Dominguez said.

No time like the present to protect water supplies

April 29, 2005

Alabama’s two U. S. senators recently blocked confirmation of a top Army official amid concerns that Georgia is getting favorable treatment from the federal government in a decade-old dispute over water. They put a “hold” on the nominee for assistant secretary of the Army for civil works. They said the hold would not be lifted until “the delegation’s concerns have been adequately addressed.”
They say there was favoritism toward Georgia in a recent settlement allowing Atlanta to draw more water from Lake Lanier. Alabama and Florida residents downstream on the Chattahoochee River allege Atlanta is taking far more than its fair share.

SOUTH CAROLINA HAS had its concerns about Atlanta taking water from the Savannah River at the expense of Palmetto State residents.
This should leave little doubt about what every state faces with diminishing water availability in the future. Water historically has been relatively plentiful and something we all have taken for granted. The problem will only get worse as populations and areas grow.
There’s no better time than immediately to make plans for future water supplies and to make sure no one is left dry. That’s a concern for every state, not just those in the Southeast.