‘Pole cat’ finds home

Local woman adopts feline rescued from utility pole

February 4, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

Fiona has finally found a new home.
The famous feline was adopted Thursday from the Humane Society by Greenwood resident Hazel Boyd, more than two weeks after her rescue from the top of a 30-foot utility pole on Trakas Avenue. Boyd, who has owned cats for years, said she followed Fiona’s story in The Index-Journal during the last few weeks.
“I read her story, and I saw the photo of her on the pole,” she said, adding that it wasn’t until she saw a photo of Fiona after her rescue that she decided to adopt the cat. “I saw her photo on the front page, and her face and eyes captivated me. I knew I didn’t need another cat, but that’s where my soft heart came into play.”
Ironically, Boyd lives just blocks from the infamous utility pole on which Fiona spent more than three days in sub-freezing temperatures. But she says Fiona won’t be climbing any poles again – she’ll be staying inside with Boyd’s other cat, Calico.
Humane Society Director Karen Pettay said she was delighted to have found a great home for Fiona. “This is really awesome – they are a good match,” Pettay said. “She is ready to be out of a cage. She’s a great cat, and she needs to be where she can run around and have her own house – she needs some elbow room.”

Area toddlers, seniors share joy of music

February 4, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

DUE WEST – Due West Retirement Center was full of youthful spirit Thursday, as area toddlers and their parents sang songs, played games and interacted with center residents as part of Ms. Susan’s School of Music Kindermusik program.
For more than three months, the toddlers have been coming to the retirement center each week for Kindermusik.
The sessions aim to integrate music into children’s daily routines to improve creative, verbal, mental and social skills.
Thursday’s class was the final one of the semester, and Ms. Susan’s director Susan Justesen said this is the first semester she has taught the Kindermusik class with seniors.
She said she thought having the program in the retirement center would give the children and residents a chance to interact and have fun through music.
“We had a five-week camp here this summer, and we liked it so much, I decided to do the fall semester here, too,” she said, adding that it has been a fun experience for everyone involved. “It gives the seniors a chance to interact with children, and the children a chance to interact with adults, and it is a lot of fun. This is the most fun class I’ve taught since I started teaching Kindermusik 17 years ago.”
This semester’s curriculum theme, “Milk and Cookies,” focused on home and daily activities, including cooking, washing and interacting with family and friends.
“Each semester the theme changes and there is a whole new focus. It’s about things that excite and enchant children – they learn so much more than music,” Justesen said, adding that Kindermusik is an international program with children from around the world participating in more than 5,000 classes.
Due West Retirement Center Director Paul Bell said having the Kindermusik program at the center has been a delight for young and old alike.
“This has been a great relationship for the residents as well as the children – they both benefit from being exposed to musical concepts,” he said. “The residents enjoy the children, and they have fun being together.”
Center resident Lila Bell Smith, one of about 15 residents who attended Thursday’s class, said she made it to nearly every Kindermusik program this semester.
“The children are so precious and smart,” Smith said. “You can’t help but enjoy these children.”

Eulalia Huguley

GREENWOOD – Eulalia Edwards Huguley, 90, resident of Wesley Commons, widow of George Murphy Huguley, died February 3, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Decatur, GA, December 21, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Eulalia Taylor Farr. She was a resident of Forest Hills for 41 years. In August 2000, she and George moved to Wesley Commons Retirement Center.
Mrs. Huguley was twice married, first to the late Frank Haden Edwards, Sr.
She was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church since 1943 where she taught various Sunday school classes over the years. Mrs. Huguley was also a long time member of the Azalea Garden Club and the McKissick Study Club.
Surviving are two sons, Frank H. Edwards, Jr. and wife, C.J. of Raleigh, NC and Andrew C. Edwards of Williamsburg, VA; a step-daughter, Rev. Rebecca J. Huguley of Spartanburg; a step-son, G. Gilreath Huguley and wife, Marina of Houston, TX; six grandchildren, F. Haden Edwards of New Albany MS, Laura E. Domville of Raleigh, NC, Gabe J. Felkel of Greeville, Meghan L. Pike and Jessica P. Pike, both of Raleigh, NC and Ilya Ivanov of West Point, NY; three great-grandchildren, Camden, Hayes and Payton Domville, all of Raleigh, NC.
She was predeceased by a sister, Charlotte Farr Odom.
A memorial service will be held at 2PM Friday at the Wesley Commons Chapel with Rev. Carol Peppers-Wray and Rev. Rebecca Huguley officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Wesley Commons Chapel from 1 to 2 Friday afternoon. Memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 211 N. Main Street, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Wesley Commons, 1110 Marshall Road, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For additional information you may visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE HUGULEY FAMILY,
PAID OBITUARY

Frances Giles

Frances Witt Giles, 84, formerly of 315 Lanham St., widow of Thomas B. Giles, died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005 at the Saluda Nursing Center. Born in McCormick, she was a daughter of the late Ansel and Genie Dillashaw Witt. She retired from the Holiday Inn and was a patient sitter. She was a member of Lowell Street United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Wanda Chrisley of Saluda and Connie Smith of Greenwood; two sons, Robert Giles and Ray Giles, both of Greenwood; a sister, Ethel Minor of Georgia; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Saturday at Harley Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Joseph Ouzts. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Danny Chrisley, Ricky Johnson, Donnie Parrish, Tommy Etters, J.W. Dillashaw, E.C. Gillion, Darrell Chrisley and Dewey Willis.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of a daughter Connie Smith, 112 Frances St.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Delores Johnson

ABBEVILLE — Delores Johnson, 68, of 42 Oak Lawn Drive, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late Minnie Jackson and Tilman Wooden. She was a retired employee of Abbeville Nursing Home, a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include five daughters, Sherry Sanders and Barbara Crawford, both of Abbeville, Tammy Johnson of Columbia, Judi Gooden of Detroit and Charlene Parker of Atlanta; a son, Terry Johnson of Abbeville; five brothers, John Henry Jackson of Calhoun Falls, Tilman Wooden of Decatur, Ga., Joseph Wooden, Henry L. Wooden and Hiram Wooden, all of Harvey, Ill.; two sisters, Jean Hall and Juanita Baker, both of Harvey; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Peter A.M.E. Church, conducted by the Rev. Alice Ridgill. The body will be placed in the church at 2. Burial is in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
Visitation and viewing are 7-8 p.m. Saturday at Brown and Walker Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Leroy Pinkney

Leroy Pinkney, 71, of 112 Gambrell St., husband of Hazel Pinkney, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late Jordan and Leola Morton Pinkney. He was a retired plumber from Benjamin Plumbing and a member of Holy Redeemer Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Curtis Pinkney and Michael Pinkney, both of Greenwood; a daughter, Gloria Jean Pinkney Pellin of Greenwood; a sister, Lucy Dean of Greenwood; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Terri M. Tompkins

Memorial services for Terri M. Tompkins, 45, are 4 p.m. today at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Paul Jennings Sr., assisted by Minister Dewey Brown.
Additional survivors include a grandmother, Lillie Benson of McCormick.
The family is at the home, 200 Holman St., Apt. 5-D.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Juanita Warren

BRADLEY — Services for Juanita Butler Warren are 2 p.m. Saturday at Cross Road Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Joseph Caldwell, pastor. Assisting are the Revs. Fred Gist, Earnest Cannon, Jerry Brown, Bruce Norman and Bernard White. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews, cousins and friends of the family. Flower bearers are nieces, cousins and friends of the family. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Promised Land Ladies Auxiliary.
Visitation is this evening at the home of her son, Michael Butler, 1314 Drew St. and at the home of Emma Jean Johnson, 107 Rambo Drive, both in Greenwood.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@emeraldis.com

No growing pains

GHS wrestling wants to continue climb Saturday

February 4, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

Greenwood wrestler Corbett Miller controls an opponent during a match. Miller is seeded second in the 160-pound weightclass for Saturday’s Region I-AAAA meet at Laurens.

Corbett Miller and John Hamrick have seen wrestling at Greenwood High School come a long way in their four years in the program.
The two watched the Eagles go from a squad that barely had enough to take a basketball court to one that can easily field two football platoons.
“I think we have a good team right now,” said Hamrick, a junior who wrestles at 189.
“We didn’t go to the playoffs (as a team), but we had a better chance this year than any other year. We had a full team, with 13 out of the 14 weight classes all year.
“It’s exciting to see so many guys out here, and a bunch of them out there are freshmen and sophomores.”
Miller and the Eagles weren’t able to qualify for the Class AAAA duals tournament, but the team will put its growth on display at Saturday morning’s Region I-AAAA meet in Laurens. Hamrick can’t compete in the tourney because he has mononucleosis.
The top four qualifiers in each weight class will move on to the Upper State individual meet Feb. 18-19 at Hillcrest High School in Simpsonville.
Despite finishing with a 12-15 record, the Eagles picked up 10 more team wins than a year ago. And the future of the program looks bright, as Greenwood had only five seniors on its 23-man roster. “It’s a big deal to see it (the wrestling program) come this far,” said Miller, a senior. “Last year, we went to matches knowing that we couldn’t win even if we pinned everybody, because of all of the forfeits we were giving up. “I’ll be looking for Greenwood to be big in wrestling for the next few years. I think these guys are going to be big when they get my age, because a bunch of them are freshmen and sophomores right now.” Greenwood coach Greg Brewer credits Miller and Hamrick with much of the Eagles’ development in his first season. The two finished the regular season with a combined 55-8 record in individual matches. “Every night when I looked at the other team and I was figuring where we could win or lose, I was automatically counting 12 points from them,” said Brewer. “I always felt like I had 12 before I stepped off the bus.” But while Miller will compete in his second region meet, wrestling as a No. 2 seed at 160 and fellow-senior Kyle Murphy will compete as the No. 3 seed at 145, Hamrick will miss out on the tournament altogether. The junior contracted mononucleosis earlier this month and will miss the rest of the wrestling season. Hamrick, who has already lost about 15 pounds because of the illness, won’t even be able to return to school until Feb. 14. The junior, who Brewer said would have been a No. 2 seed at 189 if well, is obviously discouraged about the recent turn of events. “I was having a great season,” Hamrick said. “I looked it up on the Internet, and I think at one point I had the second best record at 189 in the state. But it’s too bad that I can’t finish it. “It is disappointing, but at least it’s not my senior year. I’ll be back next year.” That’s a similar outlook that Miller had last season when he was forced to miss the end of his junior season, including the Region I-AAAA meet, with an ankle injury. “I know exactly how he feels, because it happened to me last year,” said Miller, who wrestled during the season at 171. “It’s tough, even with all of the support, because you’re giving up one more shot at it. “He just has to bulk up and prepare for next season. He had a good shot at going to state. He’s probably one of our … he is probably our best wrestler.” After missing out on the postseason last year, Miller is looking forward getting one final shot at reaching the state finals. “I would love to get to the state tournament, but I’m just looking to start from the beginning and focus on region,” said Miller, who was one of three Eagles to reach the Upper State meet his sophomore year. “Then I’ll hopefully place in the top four in Upper State and go to state, and then place in the top five there. I think that will be a big accomplishment.” Ron Cox covers prep sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ronc@indexjournal.com

Stabilizing gasoline prices must get more attention

February 4, 2005

Here we go again! The gasoline price roller coaster has started up one more time.
This continuous up/down gasoline activity plays havoc with budgets, of course. Fire departments, police agencies, trash collectors and others can never really plan on what to do to cope with what might be ahead, and that, in turn, plays havoc with taxpayers and indeed all consumers, too.
Likewise, business and industry that depend on transportation to keep afloat naturally are hit hard by the price spiral that is here today and gone tomorrow ….. but always back after that. And the beat goes on and on and on.

CONSIDER THE MANY South Carolinians who are on fixed incomes. When the price of a gallon of gasoline rises as much as 25 cents or more within a few days, as it often does, the finite dollars available can only stretch so far.
With the cost of living constantly affected by the prices of essentials, many of these folks are forced to choose which essential is absolutely essential. Sometimes, they really have no choice but to rob Peter to pay Paul.
The security of the Social Security system is important, particularly in the long run. Unless the instability of gasoline prices can be corrected, that will rival Social Security as a must-do situation for Congress.
If we needed proof to demonstrate a need to accelerate work on finding a solution to the oil/energy problem, we have it.

IF IT TAKES DRILLING in places now closed to drilling, it should not be out of the question. That includes Alaska and offshore. Production of ethanol and clean coal should increase, too.
The up and down pressures of gasoline prices for the average motorist in Greenwood and elsewhere provide more than enough proof that we cannot settle for the status quo. For those on fixed or little income, it is downright painful.
There should also be new efforts to tap nuclear energy for homes, business and industry as well. If there are concerns about safety, study what European nations are doing. Reportedly, their use of nuclear energy – safely – far surpasses ours.
Much has been made about people having to make choices on what to buy ….. groceries or medicine. Now, add gasoline.