The cost for healthy bones

Prices up for dairy products — with little relief in sight

February 8, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

The milk in your cereal or the cream in your coffee may be costing you a few extra pennies at local grocery stores.
Milk prices at some Greenwood-area stores have been on the increase during the past weeks, and dairy managers say they are not sure how long prices will stay high.
Prices at some grocery stores range from $3.29 per gallon to as much as $5 and more for some brands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Marketing Service reports that in 2004, the average price for a gallon of milk in major cities across the nation was $3.28 – up from $2.86 in 2003.
While reports of mad cow disease are being blamed for higher dairy prices in Canada, local retailers say they aren’t aware of any specific reason why U.S. prices have steadily increased.
In Columbia, legislators are considering a bill to create a South Carolina Milk Board. Proponents say the board to regulate the milk industry would help protect dairy operators from losing money to cheaper out-of-state operators.
At the Piggly Wiggly on Main Street, where milk ranges from $3.49 to just over $5, Kenneth Erskine, manager for the frozen food and dairy departments, said the main reason prices have jumped is because dairy farmers and milk distributors have raised their prices - forcing stores to do the same.
“The prices are getting pretty high and it’s been like this for three or four months,” he said, adding that current prices are some of the highest he has seen in his 10 years with Piggly Wiggly.
But, he added, the higher milk prices have not seemed to affect other dairy products – such as ice cream and cheese – which are always prone to price fluctuations.
“The prices for milk and dairy products change from week to week, but they usually stay within a certain range,” he said. “This hasn’t really affected every dairy product. Prices have stayed the same lately, but we just have to wait and see. They can go up and down.”
Shane Stargel, an employee in the frozen food and dairy departments at Bi-Lo on Bypass 25 NE, said the price jump has not caused a major decrease in sales at the store, where milk ranges from $3.59 to $4.59 per gallon.
“We haven’t seen a big increase or decrease in sales, and we’re ordering about the same amount,” he said. “Most people are just dealing with it, and some are buying half gallons instead of whole gallons.”
Ninety Six resident Vernon Clark, who said he buys at least two gallons of milk a week, said the rising costs have been a burden. But, just as drivers have to accept higher gasoline prices, he said shoppers who need milk are willing to pay the price.
“The higher prices hurt, but it is just like gas. If you have to have it, you have to pay what they charge,” he said.
Greenwood resident Glen Savory said the higher prices haven’t stopped him from buying about three gallons per week.
“It hasn’t really affected how much we buy – you have to have it to cook and drink,” he said, adding that the higher prices at the gas pump might have something to do with higher prices at the dairy case. “They have to get the milk from the dairy to the processor to the store, and they have to make up for higher gas prices somewhere.”
Some shoppers, such as Greenwood resident Kimberly Gresham, have cut back on their milk consumption to compensate for higher prices. Gresham, who has a young son and nephew, said she used to buy as much as six gallons of milk products per week, but prices have caused her to scale back to only one.
“We’ve been having to use powdered milk because it is a lot cheaper,” she said. “I haven’t heard a reason why the prices have gone up, but I hope they come down soon.”

Megan Varner covers general assignments in Greenwood and the Lakelands. She can be reached at 223-1811, ext. 3308, or: mvarner@indexjournal.com

Annie Donham

Annie Donham, 90, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2005 at Willow Creek Nursing Center in Iva.
Born in Benton, Ark., she was a daughter of the late Jethro and Effie Clark Donham. She retired from Nardis Clothing in Dallas, Texas and was a member of South Greenwood Assembly of God.
She was the last member of her immediate family.
Graveside services are 4:30 p.m. today at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, conducted by the Rev. Carroll Harrison.
Visitation is 3-4 today at Harley Funeral Home.
The family is at the home of her niece, Teresa Miller, 109 Saluda St., Ninety Six.
Memorials may be made to the Annie Donham account, c/o Harley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 777, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Julia L. Ross

Services for Julia L. Ross, of 8-C Pineridge Apartments, are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Old Field Bethel A.M.E. Church, conducted by the Rev. Paul Wharton. Assisting are the Revs. Rickey Oliver, John Eichelberger, Thomas Duncan and James McKee. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in Pine Grove A.M.E. Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Zachery Rapley, Herbert Rapley Jr., Charles T. Rapley, Lee Watts, Brennon Garrett and James A. Rapley.
Flower bearers are Nanette Garlington, Karen Rapley, Bridgette Thackson, Melody Martin, Connie Williams, Lizette Henderson, Sharon Rapley and Venice Rapley.
Honorary escorts are Women’s Aid Society No. 104 and Senior Choir members.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Annie R. Ross, 1501 S. Main St. and the home of a son, the Rev. Guy Ross Jr., 2417 Ridge Road, Hodges.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Margaret Stone

HONEA PATH — Margaret Elizabeth Bollinger Stone, 78, of 500 Sherwood Ave., wife of Furman Edgar Stone Sr., died Monday, Feb. 7, 2005 at her home.
Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late Preston and Elizabeth Ferguson Bollinger. She retired from Riegel Textile Corp. and was a member of Honea Path First Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; a son, Eddie Stone of Anderson; a sister, Myrtle Powl of Jacksonville, Fla.; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Honea Path First Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Mike Moody and Dr. Booker Bagby. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the Garden of Memories.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Pruitt Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Honea Path First Baptist Church Building Fund, 100 S. Main St., Honea Path, SC 29654.
Pruitt Funeral Home is in charge.

Lucille B. Tolbert

ABBEVILLE — Lucille B. Tolbert, 78, of 402 Cambridge St., widow of James G. Tolbert, died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005 at Magnolia Manor of Greenwood.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Martha Reynolds Black. She was a homemaker and a member of Long Cane A.M.E. Church and Women Home Aide Society No. 107.
Survivors include three sons, James E. Tolbert of Reisterstown, Md., Travis O. Tolbert of San Bernardino, Calif., and Carl A. Tolbert of Abbeville; four daughters, Carolyn J. Tolbert and Sandra A. Tolbert, both of Atlanta, Marilyn Brown of Abbeville and Elease J. Martin of Irmo; a sister, Mamie Black of Abbeville; 19 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. Thursday at Long Cane A.M.E. Church, conducted by the Rev. Julius Johnson. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at noon.
The family is at the home of a son Carl A. Tolbert, 265 Long Cane A.M.E. Church Road.
Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Emerald gets its football coach

Newberry College assistant John ‘Mac’ Bryan to take over Vikings

February 8, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

Emerald High School’s search is over.
John “Mac” Bryan, the assistant head football coach at Newberry College, was introduced to students, faculty and booster club members Monday as the school’s new athletic director and head football coach.
“It’s been a very good day for me,” Bryan said. “I can definitely tell this is an environment that truly cares about young people. The commitment is there.
“I really feel that Emerald is the perfect fit for me.”
Bryan, 45, a 23-year coaching veteran, becomes only the second person to fill those positions for Emerald.
He will replace the athletic program’s founding father, Frank Hill, who announced his retirement in December. Hill served as football coach for 22 years at Emerald, including the last 10 as a high school where he complied a 54-54 overall record and led the Vikings to the 1998 Class AA state championship.
Randy Vaughn, Greenwood School District 50’s assistant superintendent for human resources, said they received more than 50 applicants to fill the void left by Hill.
Bryan was one of eight candidates to be interviewed by District 50’s selection committee.
The committee consisted of Vaughn, District 50 Superintendent Dr. William Steed, Emerald principal Felicia Cartledge, Robert McClinton, the assistant superintendent for administration, and Dr. Gary Johnson, the assistant superintendent for business.
“We feel like we have a very strong candidate with coach Bryan,” Vaughn said. “His resume, the face-to-face interview and his references all contributed to our decision.
“It became abundantly clear that we had a man with extreme character. We have that with both of our high school coaches now. We’ve had it with Frank over the years, and it was an important point for us to be able to select the man that will continue to give character and integrity to the program.”
Bryan just finished his first season with the Indians, reuniting himself with Newberry head coach Zak Willis. Bryan served as Willis’ assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Pikeville College (2000-01).
“Mac is a great football coach and a class act,” Willis said. “Emerald High School stole themselves one with him. He will be a big, positive addition. It’s great not only for the high school, but for the community as well.”
Prior to joining Willis’ staff at Newberry, Bryan spent three seasons as an assistant head coach at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
This will be Bryan’s third stint as a high school coach and athletic director.
After starting his coaching career as an assistant for his alma mater Appalachian State, he coached for two years at West Wilkes High School in Millers Creek, N.C.
He was the head coach at Lees-McRae College for five seasons, where he was twice named the National Junior College Athletic Association Region X coach of the year.
Bryan, who played offensive tackle at Appalachian State, served as offensive line coach at the University of Southern Mississippi for three seasons.
He left there to become head coach/AD at Boiling Springs High School. Bryan guided the Bulldogs to the Class AAAA state playoffs five of his six seasons there.
Despite the bulk of his coaching experience coming from the collegiate ranks, Bryan is looking forward to returning to high school.
“I felt it was time to get back,” Bryan said. “I enjoyed what I did in college. I went back after Boiling Springs to do it one more time.
“But I was waiting for the right opening to get back into high school. I think Emerald is the perfect place for me.”
And he doesn’t want to waste any time in getting familiar with his new home. Bryan said he expects to return to the Emerald campus Thursday or Friday with plans of going full-force by next week.
“By Monday, I plan to give Emerald all that I can,” he said. “I want to use the experience Frank has here. I want to learn all of the inner-workings of the Emerald program.
“I want to get to know the coaching staff and the other athletes, and let them get to know me.”

Speaker tries once again to cut legislative session

February 8, 2005

Seldom has the South Carolina Legislature finished its business before its regulation five-month session is over. Lawmakers very often have to extend the session to work on pending legislation, including the budget. That, of course, means it costs taxpayers more.
Once more, as he has done just about every year, House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, has introduced a bill to shorten the session. “I believe we ought to get our work done quickly,” Wilkins says.
Chances are, if asked, every taxpayer in the state would agree.
Wilkins would cut the legislative session by three weeks at the beginning and the end. That would save $300,000, he says.

HE ALSO BELIEVES IT would make running for office more attractive for more people. Now, from January to June, lawmakers have to spend three days a week in Columbia, away from their families and their jobs.
It says something about state government in the Palmetto State when the House approves Wilkins’ bill with speed, every year. When it gets to the Senate, though, it gets nowhere. Anyone who has ever been around the Statehouse can easily see that a lot of time is wasted. Expenses still accumulate, though.
Could lawmakers get more efficient if they shortened the session? House members say yes. Senators, though, say it would leave less time to “deliberate” the people’s business.
Again, ask taxpayers, especially those who are familiar with how the legislature works, and it’s a good bet the majority would agree with the House.

ANYWAY, THE LONGER lawmakers stay in session, it obviously costs taxpayers more. Beyond that, though, the longer they stay in session and “deliberate” the “people’s” business, the more opportunity they have to pass more laws and dawdle. The way things have been in recent years, we could do without both.
There’s an old adage that states that work expands to fit the time allotted. It must have been coined for state legislatures and Congress.
Speaker Wilkins has the right idea ….. and he has it every year. The House supports him. Now, if voters could convince senators they could help the state by taking up the challenge, South Carolina just might prove that government can be efficient. History argues, though, that it might not be such a good thing to hold our collective breath until that happens. But, then, it’s all up to us, the voters. Isn’t it!