BLUE LAWS

Greenwood residents, business owners
debate necessity of Sunday sales rules

January 16, 2005

By WALLACE McBRIDE
Index-Journal senior staff writer

It’s legal to buy bacon on Sunday mornings in South Carolina, but you’ll have to wait a few hours before you can legally purchase a frying pan to cook it.
Blue laws — named for the color of the paper they were once printed on — originated in colonial America to restrict a variety of activities on Sundays.
Generally, businesses are not allowed to open their doors until 1:30 p.m. in South Carolina, but there are exceptions. Even business owners have a hard time figuring out which products are legal to sell on Sunday morning.
“I went to Wal-Mart one time after church to buy some dog food,” said Carol Welch, owner of The Bookstore. “It was before 1:30 and I couldn’t buy it — I could wait a couple of hours, but I didn’t understand where they drew the line.”
In South Carolina, it is unlawful to work, sell or offer to sell — publicly, privately or by telephone — any “goods, wares or merchandise” with the exceptions of “work of necessity or charity.”
Other exceptions include food, ice and soft drinks, tobacco products, the operation or mass media business such as television and newspapers, and the operation of public utilities.
Exceptions are also made for funeral homes and cemeteries, janitorial work, the sale of novelties, souvenirs, cameras, batteries, flowers, fishing equipment and light bulbs.
About the only items barred from Sunday sales by the state’s blue laws are general retail items such as clothes, clocks, luggage, musical instruments, radios, and other items found for sale in retail outlets.
“It doesn’t make sense,” Welch said. “It should be across the board for everybody. I go to church myself, but I don’t think it should affect businesses.”
Businesses that open before 1:30 p.m. Sunday can be fined between $50 and $250 for the first offense, and between $100 and $500 for subsequent offenses.
As a political issue, blue laws have received little attention from state legislators in recent years, said State Rep. Gene Pinson, R-Greenwood.
“I can’t remember the last time anyone’s mentioned anything about blue laws,” he said. “It doesn’t seem to be a general concern out there.”
Amendments to blue laws have steadily drained them of whatever impact they were intended to make, he said.
“Over the past 15 years it has disintegrated into nothing,” he said. “We’ve made Sunday just another day. It’s not another day to me, but it is to a lot of folks out there, and that’s sad.”
South Carolina counties can abandon blue laws — for a price.
If a county collects more than $900,000 a year from accommodations taxes, it is allowed to abolish state blue laws, according to the S.C. Association of Counties.
Presently, only eight counties in the state qualify for this exemption. Greenwood County is hundreds of thousands of dollars away from reaching this annual mark.
Counties are allowed, though, to exempt local businesses from blue laws for “special occasion” purposes, such as holiday sales. The temporary exemption would have to be approved by county council.
Many locally owned businesses have no interest in opening any earlier on Sundays, though.
“I don’t open on Sunday anyway,” said Ernest Cannon, owner of Cannon’s Jewelers, “so it wouldn’t have an effect on me. Sunday is just a day that I worship — I use that for my spiritual growth. If there’s somebody that wants to be open on Sunday, I have no problem with that.”
“I’m open Sunday, but I wouldn’t open any earlier,” said Terry Rust, owner of Home Field Advantage, which sells sports cards, collectible card games, comic books and other hobby items. “Personally, I‘m against opening any earlier.”
Welch said the laws may be confusing, but she also has no desire to open her business any earlier.
“It probably would not affect my business because it is so small,” she said. “I’m not open Sunday afternoon, anyway, except on Christmas.”
While state laws may place a disproportionate burden on retail businesses, Rust said he thinks some items take precedence over others.
“Everything in this life is not fair,” he said. “People have to eat, and people need to be able to buy prescription drugs and cough syrup, but I think that’s a little more important than going out and buying the latest video game release.”

Not about height

5-foot-2 LaShonda Chiles shining at Anderson

January 16, 2005

By BRIAN HOWARD
Assistant sports editor

ANDERSON — Every night the Anderson College women’s basketball team plays, she’s the shortest person on the court.
But what LaShonda Chiles lacks in height, she makes up in heart and determination.
That’s why the former Greenwood High School basketball player is making the most out of her college experience and helping lead the Lady Trojans to a No. 11 ranking in Division II.
“Our season is going really well,” the 5-foot-2 guard said. “We didn’t expect to be in the top 10 this season and nobody expected us to get that ranking so fast.”
Before Jan. 7, the Lady Trojans earned their highest ranking ever, placing No. 9. However, a two-point loss to Barton College on Jan. 8 knocked Anderson (13-2) out of the Top 10.
“I thought we came out a little flat,” Chiles said about the loss. “We played really well in the second half, but that first half is what did us in.”
The sophomore, who plans to become a physical therapist after college, enjoyed the spotlight as a freshman.
In 2003-04, Chiles set the Anderson single-season record for points scored with 578, averaging 18.7 per game. She missed the season opener against Coastal Carolina, then started the remaining 31 games. She scored 20 or more points 15 times, with a season-high of 34 against Queens on Feb. 29, 2004.
Amazingly, Chiles shot 49.7 percent from the field , 39.5 percent on 3-pointers and 87.5 percent from the free-throw line during her freshman season.
The Lady Trojans went 25-7 in Chiles’ first year and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time.
At the East Regional in California, Pa., Anderson opened with an 88-78 victory over West Liberty State. Chiles poured in 32 points against West Liberty, including eight straight during a critical two-minute span in the game, lifting the Lady Trojans to the win.
The second round, Chiles’ shot with eight seconds remaining bounced off the rim, allowing Glenville State to escape with a 72-71 victory in the East Regional semifinal.
Despite the loss, Chiles’ accolades were just beginning. She earned Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors and was selected first-team All-CVAC.
Chiles was also selected to the East Regional All-Tournament team after posting 44 points in the Lady Trojans’ two games.
“It was great getting there,” Chiles said. “But after getting there, we didn’t want this season to be a fluke. That’s why we go out each night and give it our best.”
Chiles also earned two more awards after her first year. She was named to All-Freshmen team by the Division II bulletin and won the Anderson College Athlete of the Year Award.
“Last year, nobody knew who she was,” Lady Trojans coach Kevin Pederson said. “She earned tons of awards as a freshman and I knew going into this season that teams would be focusing on stopping her, but she finds ways to get the ball and score, or get the ball and dish it off for an assist.”
Chiles began this season just like she left the last one.
She earned All-CVAC preseason honors and was selected to the all-tournament team as Anderson opened the 2004-05 basketball season in Orlando, Fla. at the Disney Tip-Off Classic.
Chiles led the Lady Trojans to a 78-70 victory over Henderson in the third-place game of the tourney, scoring 20 of her 25 points in the second half.
In the three games in the tourney, Chiles scored 49 points and helped Anderson beat Peach Belt Conference preseason No. 1 Armstrong Atlantic State in the opening game.
“There were some good teams we played down there,” Chiles said. “For us, this was a chance to play against some good competition, perhaps teams we would match-up with later on.”
Chiles was selected CVAC player of the week twice last season, and has already earned that honor once this season (Nov. 29), after being named to the All-Disney team.
Through Friday, Chiles is averaging 20.3 points a game and has shot 100-of-252 from the field. She has registered 69 assists in 14 games this season and is averaging 5.4 rebounds a contest.
Chiles isn’t the only women’s basketball player from Greenwood and the Lakelands area playing at Anderson.
Former Ninety Six High School standout Leanna Willis, who is a freshman, also suits up for the Lady Trojans.
Willis, who has been suffering an ankle injury, hasn’t seen much action, but did pull down 10 rebounds and score seven points in a win this season against Queens University.

Opinion

Observations ... on Washington

January 16, 2005

Some things are taken for granted. Naturally. You get so familiar and comfortable with a particular routine that you almost expect it to stay the way it is forever. But, as Aristotle observed more than 300 years before Christ, “Time crumbles things; everything grows old under the power of Time and is forgotten through the lapse of Time.”
That thought was fitting when Congress got back to work this year. It just wasn’t the same, though, as in years past. Two faces and names that have been part of that scene for decades were gone. We got so used to having both the late Strom Thurmond and Fritz Hollings there, that without them, it feels as if something is missing.
South Carolina is missing something, of course, and it’s something valuable on the banks of the Potomac. That’s seniority.

* * * * *

The “new” boys on the block are, of course, Senators Lindsey Graham, now the senior senator from South Carolina, and Jim DeMint. Both are Republicans. With a Republican majority in the Senate and House and a Republican in the White House, having two Republican senators just might help offset the loss of all that seniority … at least partially.
One thing is already clear, though. Both Graham and DeMint appear to have become favorites of the television talk shows. Graham has been since he was central to the impeachment proceedings against former President Bill Clinton. DeMint, who served six years in the House before being elected to fill Hollings’ old seat, never got much TV exposure then. As a senator, he already appears to be a regular. That, too, only adds to the state’s senatorial influence.

* * * * *

Two subjects that DeMint has shown an interest in are important to many, if not all, of his constituents. They are the Social Security system and tax reform.
DeMint, while a member of the House, had a plan to change the way Social Security is handled. He also wrote a bill that would have created a commission to work on finding a way to overhaul the federal tax system.
President Bush, of course, will present his ideas on both those subjects and DeMint will have to wait to see how all that shakes out.
There’s no doubt that both could use a going over. Social Security, by all counts, needs strengthening and, some say, saving. The tax code is so complex and long that it’s doubtful if anyone really knows everything that’s in it.
It wouldn’t be surprising if a lot of savings could be found by rewriting the federal tax code. That would have to be good news for taxpayers.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Orabell Andrews

SALUDA — Orabell Andrews, 73, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2005 at the Saluda Nursing Center.
Born in Saluda County, she was a daughter of the late Johnnie and Sallie Dozier Andrews. She was of the Baptist faith, a member of the Women’s Home Aide Society No. 126 and the Mine Creek Burial Aide Society.
Survivors include two brothers, Willie M. Andrews, Washington and Raymond Andrews, Paterson, N.J.; three sisters, Gladys Graham and Mary Andrews, both of Saluda and Kathleen Lindo, San Antonio.
Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday at Rock Hill Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Herbert Martin Jr., assisted by the Rev. Richard Dozier. The body will be placed in the church at 10. Burial is in the church cemetery.
The family is at the home of her sister, Gladys Graham, 120 Gladys Lane, Saluda.
Memorials may be made to Rock Hill Baptist Church, P.O.B. 836, Saluda, S.C. 29138 or the Saluda Nursing Center, P.O.B. 398, Saluda, S.C. 29138.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

Clarence ‘Buddy’ Bussey, 103

JOHNSTON — Clarence “Buddy” Bussey, 103, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005.
Born in Edgefield County, he was a son of the late C.J. and Hattie Quarles Bussey. He was a member of the China Grove Baptist Church, Edgefield. He was the oldest retired policeman in America, a member of the F.O.B. Fraternity Order of Policeman of Philadelphia and life member of the NAACP. Survivors include a stepdaughter, Ollie Bell Simpkins, Edgefield; step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at the China Grove Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. David Parks, assisted by the Rev. Luther Garrett.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are family and friends.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, is in charge.

Jamie Corley

James Abner “Jamie” Corley, 88, resident of 114 Merriman Ave., widower of Etrulia Garvin Corley died January 14, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Edgefield County, June 11, 1916, he was a son of the late Abner Vinson and Minona Murrah Corley. He was formerly employed by Greenwood Mills and retired from Neptune Measurement Co. (now Schlumberger). Mr. Corley was associated with Blyth Funeral Home for over 50 years.
A member of Lowell Street United Methodist Church and the Men’s Bible Class of the church, he was also a member of the Piedmont Seniors Golf Group and was a Mason.
Mr. Corley was twice married. First to the late Virginia Wilson Corley.
Surviving are a son, James N. “Jimmy” and wife Nancy Corley of Greenwood. A sister, Nona Lee Vaughn of Greenwood. A brother, L. Maurice and wife Betty Corley of Greenwood. Three grandchildren, Robby and wife Karla Corley of Atlanta, GA, Ginger C. and husband Scott Carter and Gina C. and husband Brian Wood, all of Greenwood. Five great-grandchildren, Crystal Carter, Jaxon Carter, Ryan Skidmore, Madelyn Wood and Patrick Wood.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Monday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Richard Waldrep and Rev. David Templeton officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy May, Tripp May, Steve Corley, Vince Corley, Bob Corley, Robbie Corley, Howard Vaughn and Larry Vaughn.
Honorary escort will be members of the Men’s Bible Class of Lowell Street United Methodist Church, staff of Blyth Funeral Home and Coffee Buddies at the Dixie Drive In.
The family is at the home on Merriman Ave. and will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 to 7:00 Sunday evening.
Memorials may be made to Lowell Street United Methodist Church, 300 Lowell Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Rehoboth United Methodist Church Heating and Cooling Fund, 1808 Callison Hwy., Greenwood, SC 29646.
PAID OBITUARY

James Wilson Gray Sr.

Services for James Wilson Gray Sr. are 2 p.m. Monday at Dunham Temple C.M.E. Church, conducted by the Rev. James McKee. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in The Evening Star cemetery.
Pallbearers are Robert Lee Williams, Garnell Morgan, David Turner, Larry Tolbert, Sam Ross, Dexter Hill and Kenneth Carroll.
Flower bearers are Belinda Sue Gray, Wanda Williams, Sharon Quarles, Lenna Puckett, Jacqueline Deal, Peggy Jones, Diane Coleman and Jeanette Carter.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Juliana Patten, 130 Watson St.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Pearlene Seawright

DONALDS — Pearlene Woodall Seawright, 86, of 375 Highway 178 N., widow of Albert Lee Seawright, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2004 at Abbeville County Memorial Hospital.
Born in Oconee County, she was a daughter of the late Purl and Lula Swofford Woodall. She was retired from Belk Simpson of Honea Path. She was a member of Greenville Presbyterian Church, Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Honea Path Chapter and served the American Cancer Society, Abbeville Chapter for many years.
Survivors include two sons, Jimmy Seawright and Jerry Seawright, both of Donalds; a daughter, Joy Golden of Donalds; two brothers, Johnny Woodall and Blease Woodall, both of Westminster; three sisters, Maudell Cobb of Mountain Rest, Beexie Lee of Westminster and Irene Spencer of Seneca; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Monday at Greenville Presbyterian Church, conducted by Dr. George Wilson and the Rev. Webb Curry. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Pruitt Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Donalds Grange No. 497, c/o Mrs. W.E. Barmore, 7930 Highway 184 E., Donalds, S.C. 29638.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Honea Path, is in charge.

Charlie N. Ward

CHARLESTON — Charlie N. Ward, husband of Emma L. Ward, died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005 in the Veterans Hospital.
He was a son of Florence Ward.
Survivors include his wife and mother; two stepsons, David Fields and Ernest Fields; a brother, Ernest Ward; four sisters, Janie Hill, Ruby Barnes, Mary Alice Kinard and Louise Self; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 180 Romney St., Charleston, S.C. Burial is in Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, S.C.
Viewing is 12-5 at the William M. Smith Memorial Chapel, 2 Radcliffe St., Charleston, S.C. and at the church from 6-8, with visitation from 7-8.
W.M. Smith-McNeal Funeral Home Inc., Charleston, is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood.