‘Pole cat’ Fiona awaiting rescue from Humane Society

January 25, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

Nearly a week after her harrowing experience atop a utility pole on Trakas Avenue in Greenwood, Fiona, the brown and black tabby whose story captured the hearts of area residents, is in need of another rescue – this time by a loving new owner.
The cat, which spent more than three days stranded on a 30-foot utility pole before being rescued by CPW workers, is now awaiting adoption at the Humane Society of Greenwood, after a mandatory five-day waiting period elapsed with no owner claiming the famous feline.
Society director Karen Pettay said Fiona fared her ordeal very well, and appears to be a happy, healthy cat.
“She is wonderful and very playful – she’s the happiest cat. You’d never know she lived on a telephone pole for four days,” Pettay said. “She’s very easygoing and laid back, which was probably a key factor in her surviving her situation.”
Although phone calls poured into the clinic after Fiona’s rescue, Pettay said the calls have since slowed down, and she said she hopes someone will now give Fiona the good home she needs.
Fiona will be tested for feline leukemia and spayed this week, and Pettay said the clinic should know more about the cat’s health by Thursday.
“Fiona is an inspiration,” Pettay said. “She is proof that you can put up with anything.”
To adopt Fiona or any of the animals in need of a good home, contact the Humane Society of Greenwood at 942-8558.

Facing high expectations

LU baseball coach Mike McGuire: ‘it’s far and away my best club’

January 25, 2005

By BRIAN HOWARD
Assistant sports editor

As Mike McGuire enters his third season as coach of the Lander University baseball team, expectations are high for this year’s Bearcats team.
“Certainly in three years, this is going to be my best club,” said McGuire, who has compiled a 60-52 record during his two years at the school. “On paper, it’s far and away my best club. We’re deeper on the mound than we’ve ever been. We’re deeper offensively.”
In McGuire’s first season, the Bearcats were 27-29, but during his second year, Lander tied a school record with 33 wins and was 33-27.
Lander, which was selected No. 32 in a preseason Top 40 poll by Collegiate Baseball Magazine, opens the season Feb. 1 at St. Andrews in Laurinburg, N.C. The Bearcats’ first home contest is Feb. 5 with a noon doubleheader against Fairmont State.
McGuire had the Bearcats go through a six-week fall practice schedule, culminating with the Banana Split World Series, which is held the first weekend in November.
Perhaps the biggest difference from the past two seasons will be depth.
“On the mound, we have several quality pitchers competing for innings,” McGuire said. “This should remain our strength of our team. Chris Cook (pitching coach) does a great job with our pitching staff. I expect us to have one of the top staffs in the nation.”
Lander’s success starts on the mound, where the team finished No. 13 in the nation in ERA (3.54).
All-American candidate senior David Wilson (8-1, 2.53 ERA) and sophomore David Glover (7-7, 2.93) will be the top two pitchers for the Bearcats.
The left-handed Wilson struck out 92 hitters, tying his own single-season record. He walked 17 in 91 innings.
Senior David Wilson, who is the team’s ace and was selected all-region last season, and sophomore David Glover will be the key pitchers for Lander this season.
With the loss of Nick Powell (6-3, 4.02 ERA) and relief pitcher Mike Sammis (3-1 4.46) to graduation, McGuire knew he would have to replace to valuable starters.
Returning on the mound besides Wilson and Glover is senior reliever Corey Watkins, junior Tyler Addison, junior Drew Weir, who was injured most of the season last year, and sophomore William Dudley, who is a Greenwood High School graduate.
Watkins is coming off his best year, after tying a Lander record with 25 appearances. Addison finished in the top 10 in saves.
“We expect both Corey and Tyler to contribute during late innings in big ball games all season. William Dudley has progressed nicely since his freshmen campaign, after pitching in the prestigious Valley Baseball League during the summer. Drew Weir is coming back from having Tommy John surgery last spring, and is progressing nicely through rehab.”
The newcomers to the pitching will include junior Evan Christian, juniors Chris Marks, Nate Cundiff, freshmen Justin Altman, Jermey Thompson and Garrett Brewster.
McGuire said he expects Christian and Marks to compete for a weekend starting role, while Cundiff, Altman, Thompson, and Brewster will likely be important parts of the relief core during the season.
Offensively, the Bearcats will look to replace first baseman Bob Fenn (six homers, 45 RBIs, .301 batting average), outfielder Jason Spivey (.338, 18 stolen bases, school-record 77 hits), outfielder Kyle Whitson (.338), shortstop Corey Reed (.277, 26 RBIs), catcher Jeff Whitfield (.270, 32 RBIs), Greg Smith (.248, 16 steals), and Kevin Faulkner (.286, team-high seven home runs in 91 at-bats).
“Offensively, we aren’t going to be a club that leads the league in home runs,” McGuire said. “At the same, our ball park is one of the biggest ball parks in the league. We’ve got some guys that can hit the ball out of the yard. We’ve got some guys that can run a little bit and are some pretty good athletes.”
Senior David Walton leads the offense coming into this season. Walton, who was all-region, hit .374, had 74 hits, 18 doubles, three triples, two homers and 38 RBIs during his junior year. Also returning is senior second baseman Jeremy Ryals, senior outfielder/first baseman Ryan Roeder (.304), senior first baseman/DH Justin Dickson (.304, four home runs) and sophomore outfielder Walter Cochrane.
Last season, the Bearcats were hit by the injury bug offensively, and McGuire hopes to have two key players healthy this season – Ryan Brisby and former Abbeville High School standout Jonathan Myers.
Myers was the Bearcats’ lead-off hitter, hitting .289 with 12 stolen bases in 2003, but saw his season cut short after just three games in ’04.
Brisby, who is expected to provide some punch to the middle of the order, was sidelines last year after shoulder surgery.
Newcomers to the squad are junior college transfers Adam Hutchins (catcher), James Compo (outfielder), Kevin Davis (shortstop) and Kevin Jones (second/third baseman). Sophomore catcher Adam Strongman will also be a big addition, McGuire said, after hitting .284 as a freshman for PBC conference foe USC Aiken in 2003.
Also expected to add to the depth is sophomore catcher Justin King, a Ware Shoals graduate, freshmen catchers Eric Barrett, Jordan Jones, and second baseman/outfielder Jared Altus.
“We should be able to hit our fair-share of doubles,” McGuire said. “We ought to be able to steal some bags. We’re going to be a club that going to have to manufacture some runs. I think we will win with pitching and defense.”
Lander is playing 62-game schedule this season, with a different feel during spring break. In the past two seasons under McGuire, the Bearcats played at home. This year, Lander is travel across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii.
“It’s a great trip for the players and a great recruiting tool,” McGuire said. “It’s something that I wanted to try and do from the time I took this job. It’s going to be a great trip. We go for seven days and play on three of those days. So the kids are going to have some time to enjoy Hawaii.”
The Bearcats will play Hawaii-Pacific six times in three days and will play those games at Aloha Stadium, which plays host to the NFL Pro Bowl game.
Lander, which was picked to finish sixth in the PBC, will have its first PBC series Feb 19-20 at Augusta State.

Opinion

Carson, master showman, did it with humor, dignity

January 25, 2005

Johnny Carson’s last night as the host of “The Tonight Show” on the NBC television network was on May 22, 1992. It was reported that 55 million people tuned in that night to watch the king of nighttime TV say goodbye.
That many watchers was not surprising, though. For three decades Carson reached out and touched our funny bones and spilled our tickle boxes like no one had ever done. There have been great comics and other entertainers, of course, but Carson established a connection with the American public that was unmatched.
There has been tribute after tribute paid to the man, to this comedy genius, to be sure. From President Bush and other world leaders, to that late night TV addict in Greenwood, the laudatory remembrances are as unique and as varied as any of his audiences.

HE WAS SPECIAL TO SO MANY, sure. But why? He was a terrific entertainer, without question. He never used his celebrity for political purposes, either. So, what was it about the man that endeared him to so many?
Start with two things. First, he had a knack for taking events of the day – often bad news stuff – and lampooning them to the point where they just didn’t seem all that depressing or threatening. He used humor as a master surgeon might use a scalpel. He helped us feel as if all was right with the world, and we slept better.
And, then, perhaps the one thing that set Johnny Carson apart and brought him the respect and love of millions was something that could benefit each of us. He laughed at himself ….. a lot ….. a characteristic the human race has all but lost.

WE TAKE OURSELVES MUCH too seriously these days when a little self-deprecation would work wonders in how we are seen. More importantly, though, it could work wonders in how others react.
Johnny Carson was a master showman, no question about that. He also was a student of humanity and knew what got us to laugh and to not only feel better about ourselves, but also about everything around us.
Laughter. We sometimes laugh at others when we shouldn’t, and we sometimes don’t laugh at ourselves when we should. We got a 30-year lesson from Johnny Carson in how to deflate our egos. He did it with dignity and good humor. We don’t get that kind of role model very often.

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

Obituaries

Nancy Gilder Bates

GREENWOOD – Nancy Gilder Coleman Wallace Bates, 82, resident of 523 East Creswell Avenue, wife of Dr. Phillips L Bates, died January 23, 2005 at her home.
Born in Greenwood County, February 24, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Leland Abney and Evelyn VeRelle Coleman. She was a graduate of Lander College and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Bates was predeceased by her first husband, Richard Harris Wallace, an infant daughter, Betty Braxton Wallace and a brother, Leland Abney Coleman, Jr.
Surviving in addition to her husband of the home are two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard Harris Wallace, Jr. and Rebecca Wallace of Columbia, Abney Coleman Wallace and Susan Wallace of Greenwood; a daughter and son-in-law. Nancy Gilder Wallace Cantrell and Joe Cantrell of Greenwood; a sister, Lucie Elizabeth Coleman Lumley of Greenwood; two step-daughters, Susan Bates Rebillet and Sally Bates McWilIiam; eight grandchildren, Richard Harris Wallace, III, Jane Abney Wallace Durham, Susan Wallace Haws, Lee Cantrell Rains; Abney Coleman Wallace, Jr., William Harris Smith, Joseph Brandt Wallace and Andrew Gilder Wallace; five step-grandchildren, Austin Thornton; Marc Rebillet, Reece McWilliams, Phillips McWilliams and Andrew McWilliams; seven great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2 PM Wednesday in the Bethlehem Cemetery, Coronaca with Dr. David Mayo and The Reverend Peter Hawes officiating.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home.
The family is at the home on East Creswell Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE BATES FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY

Reginald Culbertson

Reginald Culbertson, of 2431 S. Main St., died Monday, Jan. 24, 2005 at his home.
The family is at the home of a daughter, 2423 S. Main St.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.

Katherine Gary

Katherine Denise Gary, 39, of 522-B Green St., wife of Terry L. Gary, died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Raleigh, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Amanda Walker. She was a former waitress and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include her husband of the home; a son, Alfonzo Walker of the home; a daughter, Alquetta Walker of Greenwood; and a brother, Jessie Walker of Raleigh.
The family is at 125 Roundtree Drive, Hodges.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Ezekiel Goode Jr.

NINETY SIX — Ezekiel “Red” Goode Jr., 82, of 6521 Highway 702, husband of Naomi Butler Goode, died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Saluda County, he was a son of the late Ezekiel Sr. and Rachel Payne Goode. He was a member of Pine Pleasant Baptist Church, where he served with the Board of Deacons, senior choir and the Brotherhood. A member of Pearl Chapel Masonic Lodge No. 118 and a World War II Army veteran, he retired from Greenwood Mills.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Randolph Goode and Ezekiel Goode III, both of Ninety Six; two daughters, Rachel Glover and Dorothy Harry, both of Stone Mountain, Ga.; two sisters, Ella Beatrice Booker and Pauline Carroll, both of Greenwood; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. Wednesday at Pine Pleasant Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Ernest Cannon, pastor. Assisting are the Revs. Raymond Adams, James Edwards and Joseph Caldwell. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 12.
Pallbearers are members of Pearl Chapel Lodge No. 118.
Flower bearers are the Eastern Star’s.
The family is at the home.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, is in charge.

Nikki Knox

ABBEVILLE, SC – Nikki Ellinas Knox, 75, resident of 1303 Hwy. 72, widow of Edward Lawrence Knox, Jr. died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005 at Roosevelt Center in Warm Springs, GA. She was a daughter of the late John and Angelina Ellinas.
She was a homemaker and a member of Sharon United Methodist Church where she was also a member of the church choir.
Survivors are; 1 son, John T. Knox, Sr. and his wife Kathy of LaGrange, GA; 2 brothers, James Ellinas of Atlanta, GA; Manuel Ellinas of Jonesboro, GA; 3 grandchildren, John T. Knox, Jr. and his wife Jennifer, LaGrange, GA; Paul Lawrence Knox and his wife Rachel, Valley, Alabama; Angie Crockett and her husband Joseph, LaGrange, GA; 3 great-grandchildren, Chloe Crockett, Peyton Knox, Nikki Knox.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday Jan. 26, 2005 at 11:00 AM from Sharon United Methodist Church with the Rev. Herbert Franklin officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Abbeville, SC.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Tuesday evening. The family is at the home, 1303 Hwy. 72, Abbeville, SC.
Memorials may be made to Sharon United Methodist Church, 246 Sharon Church Rd., Abbeville, SC 29620.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC is in charge of the arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Martin Wayne Napier

TAMASSEE — Martin Wayne “Chicken” Napier, 41, of 129 Hodge Drive, died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005 at Oconee Memorial Hospital.
A native of Oak Hill, W.Va., he was a son of David and Wilsie Ann Sucik Belk and the late William Wheeler Napier. He was a former dry wall employee and was of the Church of God faith.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather of Tamassee; two sons, Jeremy Napier of Greenwood and Daniel Napier of Tamassee; a daughter, Amanda Napier of Greenwood; two brothers, Gary Napier of Ninety Six and David Belk Jr. of Tamassee; two sisters, Gay Johnson of Calhoun Falls and Faye Edwards of Abbeville; and two grandchildren.
Services are 4 p.m. Wednesday at Salem Church of God, Salem. The body will be placed in the church at 3:30. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Davenport Funeral Home, Walhalla.
The family is at the home of his parents, 116 Hodge Drive, Tamassee.
Davenport Funeral Home is in charge.

Robert Thomas Wright

Robert Thomas Wright, 86, of National Healthcare of Greenwood, died Monday, Jan. 24, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
The family is at the home, 118 New St.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Ralph Norman in Monday’s paper, there was an error in one of the memorial addresses given to The Index-Journal. The church is Main Street United Methodist Church, Capital Fund, 211 N. Main St., Greenwood, SC 29646.