Students get ‘Cocky’

Gamecocks’ mascot reads to East End children

December 15, 2005

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

Though a library is usually a place of peaceful serenity, East End Elementary decided to turn its library into a football field Wednesday.
That would explain the rowdy cheers from the student section of 203 kindergarten and first-graders sitting Indian-style on the carpet as the Gamecocks’ mascot flapped his wings.
East End students did the next best thing to watching a football game. They traded in their football players and referees for members of the University of South Carolina’s Student Government, and they traded their footballs and equipment for pop up books and holiday stories to be read to them “Cocky” style.
East End was one of the 23 elementary school in South Carolina chosen to participate in the Cocky’s Reading Express program coordinated by the SCU Student Government. During this week, 11 USC student leaders will be traveling the state promoting literacy to young children.
Principal Mark Blackwell said he thinks the program reached out to the students who are football fans. “It shows that sports and academics go hand in hand,” he said.
The program was sponsored by the School of Library and Information Science’s “Children, Libraries and Literacy” initiative, launched in September with the goal of eliminating illiteracy across South Carolina by targeting young children and adults.
All students received a copy of the “Hello Cocky” mascot book with a coloring book and bag.
“It was a wonderful thing that we were chosen out of the county to have Cocky come to school and read to the students,” media specialist assistant Leigh Saunders said. “The students truly enjoyed it. Cocky is a wonderful role model for the children.”

Joanie Baker covers general assignments in Greenwood and the Lakelands area. She can be reached at 223-1811, ext. 3306 or by e-mail at jbaker@indexjournal.com.

Shrine Bowl has dash of area flavor

Doolittle, Edwards and Rearden to play for S.C.
in 69th annual clash of the Carolinas

December 15, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

ROEBUCK — Even in small doses, this season’s Sandlappers squad has a special Lakelands feel to it. Despite the fact that there are only three high school football players from this area on the 42-man roster, virtually every offensive snap taken by the South Carolina team in the 69th annual Shrine Bowl will involve someone from Greenwood County.
Greenwood High School’s Armanti Edwards and Ninety Six’s Stan Doolittle will guide the Sandlappers’ offense when it takes on the North Carolina all-stars at 1 p.m. Saturday at Wofford College’s Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg. “I think it shows how underrated the quarterback position around our area is,” Doolittle said. “I’m pretty sure it’s a rarity to have both Shrine Bowl quarterbacks from the same county.”
Adding to the Lakelands flavor is Ninety Six coach Mike Doolittle, who is an assistant under head coach Joe Abercrombie, of Mauldin, and Greenwood offensive lineman Chandler Rearden.
“I’ve always wanted to go to the Shrine Bowl and God has blessed me with the stuff I needed to get here,” Rearden said.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting it when I got picked.
“I hope to use this to better prepare myself as a football player, and I want to have fun and win.”
Rearden, Edwards and Stan Doolittle, who are all multi-year starters at quarterback for their teams, are still trying to get used to something relatively new to them: sharing playing time.
The Greenwood County trio have spent the past three days, going through two-hour practices twice a day at Dorman High School, growing accustomed to watching someone else play their position for half the time.
Edwards has taken practically all of the quarterback snaps for the Eagles for two seasons.
The southpaw finished this season as the only QB in Greenwood’s storied history to throw for more than 2,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000, passing for 2,188 yards and rushing for 1,288.
“It’s kind of strange because we’ve both been used to starting and now we have to split time,” Edwards said. “It really doesn’t matter which one of us starts because we’re going to be splitting time.”
Edwards’ quarterback partner agreed.
“It is a little different going from three years of all you and nobody behind you to splitting time,” Doolittle said. “But me and Armanti have a lot of respect for each other. When he goes in, I’m cheering for him and when I’m in, he’s cheering for me.”
Being one of only eight players from Classes AA and A schools to make the Sandlappers’ team, Doolittle entered this week with the goal of showing his convincing career statistics weren’t superficial.
“I knew I’d have a lot to prove out here with me being a AA player, but coming out here and doing what I’ve done so far, I’ve proved what I can do,” said Doolittle, who threw for more than 8,000 yards and 75 touchdowns at Ninety Six.
“Hopefully, I can continue that Saturday.
But this Shrine Bowl week is more than just about playing a football game. For the three from Greenwood County, the experience of lining up along side former rivals is something they looked forward to doing.
“Being here now, it really is a lot of fun,” Rearden said. “You get to meet a lot of different people. It’s definitely tough with all of the good competition.”
Doolittle was a little hesitant at first about pairing up with other all-stars, but it didn’t take long for his view to change.
“Things here are even better than I thought they’d be,” the Ninety Six senior said. “It’s been great. Coming in, you’d think all of the egos would clash, but South Carolina has a good team and a good chemistry. We’ve had some fun on and off the field.”
The players from South and North Carolina found out the true meaning of what this all-star game is about before they ever hit the football field, travelling Sunday to Greenville’s Shriner’s Hospital for Children to visit with the young football fans that won’t be able to attend Saturday’s game.
“It meant a lot to me to go there,” Edwards said. “It showed me that we do really have a lot and they don’t have much. They look up to us and that’s special.”
But not all of the players from both teams got to take part in the trip to the hospital. Six randomly chosen players, three from each squad, had an adventurous time of their own.
Rearden and five other Shrine Bowlers were special guests at Sunday’s Carolina Panthers-Tampa Bay Buccaneers game. While the Greenwood senior regrets not being apart of the trip to the hospital, he relished in the opportunity to see his first professional football game from the sidelines.
“We got to meet players on the sideline, take pictures with them,” Rearden said. “I think they just drew names out of a hat and I just got lucky. That was my first pro football game.
“They brought us out on a stage at the 30-yard line, introduced us, we waved to the crowd, we met the cheerleaders. I got to talk with (Panthers All-Pro defensive lineman) Julius Peppers.
“It was nice.”

Obituaries

Bennie Belcher, Sr.

SALUDA, SC — James Benjamin “Bennie” Belcher, Sr., 68, of 868 Greenwood Hwy., died Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Edgefield County, he was a son of the late Thomas James and Ella Mae Adams Belcher. Mr. Belcher retired from the South Carolina National Guard 122nd in Saluda after serving 24 years and was retired from Lexington County Public Works. He was a mason and member of Travis Lodge #241 and a member of Good Hope Baptist Church.
Surviving is a son, Benjie Belcher of Saluda, two daughters, Sara Mae Belcher of Saluda and Cindy Vereen of Chappells, three grandchildren, Amanda New, Will Vereen and Carrie Belcher, a great grandchild, Jacob New and a aunt, Sara Adams of Saluda.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 9PM, Thursday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 2PM, Friday, December 16, 2005 at Good Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Justice and Rev. Burton Campbell officiating. Interment will follow in Mayson Memorial Cemetery.
PAID OBITUARY

Dorothy Carlon

ABBEVILLE — Dorothy Carlon, 80, of 99 Deer Run, died Wednesday Dec. 14, 2005 at Abbeville County Memorial Hospital.
Services will be announced by The Chnadler-Jackson Funeral Home.

Frances Duvall

GREENWOOD — Frances Langley Duvall, 95, former resident of Heritage West, widow of James Thomas Duvall, died December 13, 2005 at Magnolia Manor.
Born in Greenwood County, June 21, 1910, she was a daughter of the late William B. and Annie Ellis Langley. She was formerly employed by Greenwood Laundry, A&P Grocery, Whorton’s and retired from Duvall’s Grocery.
She was a member of Tranquil United Methodist Church and the Genet Langley Circle of the church.
Surviving are a daughter, Mable D. and husband John Jacob Hallum, Jr. of Lexington, KY. Two sisters, Lois L. Anderson and Erma L. Perrone, both of Greenwood. Two grandsons, Todd Jacob Hallum of Cincinnati, OH and Bart Jeffrey Hallum of Odenton, MD. Several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Friday at Tranquil United Methodist Church with Rev. A. Melton Arant, Jr. officiating.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Dr. John May, Jonathan May, Bryan May, Jim Hagan, Fred Reece and Ellis Langley.
Honorary escort will be members of the Brockwell Clark Sunday School Class.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 10:00 AM Friday.
The family is at the home of Owen and Jean Corley, 1515 McCormick Highway and will receive friends at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Friday.
Memorials may be made to Tranquil United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 1702 McCormick Highway, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Duvall family.
PAID OBITUARY

Telpher Boyd Gilchrist

Services for Deacon Telpher Boyd “Kangaroo” Gilchrist, of 118 Old Ninety Six Highway, are 2 p.m. Friday at Mount Herman Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Arthur Kemp, assisted by the Revs. Norris Turner, Herbert Martin Jr., Eddie Freeman and Nikita Canty. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Mount Pisgah Lodge No. 419 members.
Flower bearers are nieces.
Honorary escorts are members of the Sensational Gospel Eagles.
Visitation is this evening at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Melinda Sue Lampkin

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Melinda Sue Lampkin, 59, widow of Willie T. Gaskin Jr., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2005 at her home.
Born in Greenwood County, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Harris and Bessie Lampkin.
Survivors include two daughters, Crystal Sue Gaskin Williams and Davonna L. Gaskin Gaines of Greenwood; a stepdaughter, Angel Lampkin of Kansas City; a stepson, Cecil Lampkin of Kansas; five brothers, Vance, Jonas, Thomas, Harris and Clarence of Kansas City; a sister, Clora Lampkin of Kansas City; and seven grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. Thursday.
Ely Funeral Home is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Nancy Lindler

Nancy Maryland Huyler Lindler, 72, of 440 Dogwood Drive, widow of David Lee Lindler, died Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005 at her home.
Born in Long Island, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late Frank D. and Edna Huyler. She received a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Baylor University in 1956 and retired in 1996 from Self Memorial Hospital after 38 years of service. A member of North Side Baptist Church and former member of South Main Street Baptist Church, she was also a member of the Greenwood Festival Chorale and a Hospice volunteer.
Survivors include a son, David Neal Lindler of Greenwood; two daughters, Dianne L. Fields and Mrs. Wendell (Kathy) Kinard, both of Greenwood; a brother, Frank Huyler of Long Island; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Graveside services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, conducted by Dr. Jeff Lethco and the Rev. Ryan Eklund.
Pallbearers are Wendell Kinard, Jonathan Kinard, Trevor Lindler, Buddy Wells, John Timmerman and Jimmy Hughes. Honorary escorts are Dr. John Schannon, Dr. Jack Parham, Dr. John Holman and Dr. O.M. Cobb. Visitation is 7-9 p.m. Friday at Blyth Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646 or North Side Baptist Church, 409 W. Northside Drive, Greenwood, SC 29649.
Blyth Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Terry Simmons

WARE SHOALS — Terry Frank Simmons, 60, of 124 Gethsemane Circle, husband of Eva Judith (Judy) Woodward Simmons, died Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at Laurens County Hospital.
Born in Ellijay, Georgia, he was a son of the late Hubert Lowen Simmons and Sarah Simpson Simmons. He was retired from Solutia and attended Harmony United Methodist Church. He was a member of Brewerton Masonic Lodge #183.
Surviving are his wife of the home, one son Shane Simmons and his wife Keely of Ware Shoals, one brother, Hugh Simmons of Ware Shoals, two sisters, Ann Parks of Abbeville and Nena Thomason of Lexington. He was prede-ceased by one brother, James Wilford Simmons and one sister, Leathea Bowman.
Funeral services with Masonic Rites will be 2 P.M. Friday at Harmony United Methodist Church with Rev. Fred Treaster and Rev. John Parks and Rev. Harry Workman officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 P.M. Friday. Burial will follow in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 P.M. Thursday at Parker-White Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Harmony United Methodist Church, 36 Harmony Road, Ware Shoals, SC 29692. The family is at the home.
PAID OBITUARY

Opinion

Death sentence opposition drove protesters, not guilt

December 15, 2005

Stanley “Tookie” Williams, founder of the murderous Crips gang, was executed Tuesday. Numerous appeals, over a 20-year period, failed to save him after he killed four people.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggar refused yet another appeal.
The governor wasn’t on the spot alone, though. The very liberal Ninth U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to issue a last-minute reprieve, saying there was no “clear and convincing evidence of actual innocence.”
The entire situation, as should have been expected, turned into another media circus. Liberal activists, including several Hollywood types, demonstrated and managed to find “soapboxes” to plead their case on television shows in efforts to spare Williams.

THERE WAS NO DOUBT about the guilt of Williams. The evidence obviously was so convincing that court after court rejected attempts for new trials time after time. His supporters argued that Williams had seen the light and would prove invaluable in counseling young people to avoid a life as a gang member.
Neither the courts nor the governor bought that argument. It was not hard, to decide, either, considering that Williams never apologized for his brutal acts. Neither did he ever show the slightest hint of remorse. In fact, he was arrogant and belligerent to the end.
Put all that aside, though. The liberal celebrities calling for clemency, or so it appeared, had little interest in whether Williams was guilty or innocent.

WHAT THEY DID HAVE in common, though, was a longstanding and continuing opposition to the death penalty itself. Contrary to the ill-considered charges that the case against Williams was based solely on racism, it likely would have ended the same way no matter who had been involved.
No doubt about it, either. Demagogues, black and white, had a field day spreading their pettifoggery and rabble-rousing in front of the cameras. However, when even the land’s most liberal judges reject a plea, it’s a sure sign that despite all the posturing, the sentence was carried out according to the law. Had it been otherwise, the American justice system would have taken a giant step backward.

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