Songstress honing skills in Greenwood

July 11, 2005

By ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY
Index-Journal staff writer

Benetra Calhoun says she knows she’s done a good job with a singing telegram if the recipient blushes, or sings her praises for her performance.
Calhoun, 33, has been singing for much of her life, but began officially marketing her singing telegrams only about two years ago.
The idea meshed nicely with her existing business, Benetra’s Floral Design, at 514 E. Cambridge Ave. (the former location of Urquhart’s Flowers and Gifts.)
“As far as I know, I’m the only local business doing singing telegrams,” Calhoun said.
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s great when people tell me I’ve blessed their hearts with a song,” she said.
Things really started taking off for Benetra around St. Valentine’s Day this year.
“I started getting a lot of calls for telegrams for people’s significant others and from ‘secret admirers’ who wanted to let someone know they were interested in them,” Calhoun said.
Calhoun doesn’t have a set song list from which she performs, but she says many of her more popular songs are romantic in nature.
“I tend to sing a lot of songs by Brian McKnight and Whitney Houston and Patti LaBelle, but I also do ones by Shania Twain and Celine Dion,” Calhoun said.
She’s even got songs in her repertoire from the 1979 “Ice Castles” soundtrack, as well as gospel selections and original compositions that she has written.
So far, she says she hasn’t been asked to perform a rap song, but she says she’s confident she could pull it off.
“I consider myself to be very versatile,” Calhoun said.
Sometimes, she enlists the help of friends and fellow vocalists Kim Byrd and Marcus Simpkins.
“It all started when I was younger,” Calhoun said. “There was a group of us who liked to get together and sing for people. We got a kick out of it.
“We have learned songs in a day when we’ve had to do it,” Calhoun said. “And we’ve pulled it off well. I do have a few soundtracks that we sing along with, but much of what we do is a cappella.” “We have sung at hospitals, at apartment complexes, at people’s homes and at local (manufacturing) plants,” Calhoun said. “It tickles me to death when people cry or blush, especially the guys. If a guy blushes, you know you’ve done a good job.”
Calhoun’s business specializes in more than just flowers and singing telegrams. Benetra’s also routinely works with funeral homes and she has even sung for funeral services.
Her shop also has tuxedo rentals and ladies formalwear. Benetra is also available to coordinate weddings and to sing during ceremonies.
On occasion, you’ll find her singing at a wedding at which she is directing.
“I’ve had to learn so many different songs for weddings, and that helps with singing telegrams, too,” Calhoun said. “I had a singing telegram at a plant a few weeks ago, where a girl asked me to sing to a guy she wanted to impress.
“It was a lot of fun, because the guy didn’t know the girl had an interest in him, and when he found out, he blushed. People in the surrounding offices were peeking around the corner to see what was going on. It catches some people off guard, but we love it.”
She even wrote and recorded a song for her husband, Jesse, for their wedding anniversary.
“I didn’t have the nerve to sing it to him in person, but I recorded it in a studio, and had a radio station play it while he was on his way to work that morning,” Calhoun said.
Calhoun says she also enjoys singing for senior citizens, because they frequently remind her of her grandmother.
“It’s great to bring a smile and happiness to someone’s face,” she said.
Flowers and singing are two of Benetra’s loves. She began working in floral design about 10 years ago and attended Piedmont Tech for a course in commercial floral design.
She also has her sights on completing her own studio recording, with a local studio, UB Productions.
“Hopefully, it will be out by the first of next year,” Calhoun said. “I feel like God has blessed me with a talent.”

Starting the 2nd season

Post 20 opens playoffs with five-game series vs. Spartanburg

July 11, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

The second season begins tonight at Dorman High School.
After clinching second place in League VII with a 9-4 win over Walhalla Friday, the Greenwood American Legion Post 20 baseball team begins a best-of-5 series at 7 p.m. against Spartanburg in the first round of the state playoffs.
The victory over Walhalla provided the team some much needed momentum and focus heading into the postseason.
“Oh, it’s definitely something that can carry over to the Spartanburg series,” said Post 20’s Doug New.
“We knew how much the Walhalla game meant. We were cranked up and ready.”
For many of the Post 20 players, the playoffs mark a fresh start.
“That’s exactly what it is,” said Nick Milford, a pitcher and outfielder. “It gives you a whole different mind set. We’ve been up and down this year, but now we have a chance to make things right.”
Will Gary, who plays center field and pitches for Post 20, is looking forward to the increased intensity playoff baseball brings.
“First of all, there’s always more people in the stands,” said Gary with a laugh.
“As soon as you get to the park, you can tell there’s something different. It’s more intense.
Coaches, players, fans everyone gets more excited about the playoffs.”
Left-handed pitcher Josh Jones agrees on the intensity being ratcheted up.
“The competition and intensity are definitely turned up,” Jones said. “When you get to the playoffs, the competition becomes more consistent. You know that every team involved has proven themselves and is pretty good.”
Jones says the Post 20 pitching staff needs to step up its level of play against Post 28.
Spartanburg (12-4) averaged more than seven runs a game, scored in double figures six times and was shutout just once.
“We know that Spartanburg is going to put the bat on the ball,” Jones said.
“We’ve played them in the past. Our pitchers know that if we are not sharp, Spartanburg can really hurt us.
“We’re not a staff that’s going to strike everyone out. We just have to make smart pitches and get good help from the guys behind us.”
Catcher Wade Scott said Friday night’s win over Walhalla went a long way in providing some momentum for the state tournament.
“A win like that really boosts your confidence,” said Scott. “We had lost two in a row. So going out on the road and getting a big win gives us a positive mindset.”
Scott said Greenwood has responded well to road games all season.
“We just seem to play better on the road,” Scott said. “I don’t know what it is. But it does take away some of the hesitation about having to go on the road to play Spartanburg.”
Greenwood enters postseason play with a 9-7 record in League VII and an 11-9 mark overall. After a fast start, Post 20 bogged down a bit, losing five straight games at one point.
“I think we were kind of psyching ourselves out a little bit,”
left fielder Clint Burden. “We went though the league the first time and beat everybody. I think we kind of got the big head.
“We went through a tough time in the middle of the season. But we still give 110 percent every time out. We never give up. That’s the way the playoffs will be, too.”
Greenwood American Legion Post 20 and Legion Field will play host to this year’s state championship tournament July 26-31. Post 20 automatically gets a bid in the event as the host team.
The players, however, would prefer to play their way into the event.
“It would mean a lot more for us to earn our way in,” Jones said. “We’ve talked about not wanting to hear anybody say we got a free ride.”
Gary expounded upon the perception of the automatic bid.
“We don’t want to be seen as being given anything,” Gary said. “But more importantly we don’t want to be the number eight seed and have to play the top team right off. It give us a chance to prove ourselves.”
Gary says the team needs to focus on the fundamentals of the game if they hope to have success in the playoffs.
“We need to get hits with two outs and we need to come up big in big situations,” Gary said. “We hit the ball hard against Walhalla and we need to continue to do that. We’ve only put together nine really good innings of baseball a couple of times this year. One of those times was against Walhalla on Friday.
“If we can continue that against Spartanburg, I think we have a shot.”

Opinion

Observations ... and other reflections

July 11, 2005

The recent Supreme Court decision that would allow the government to take private property for private development disturbed a lot of people. It should have. It was a terribly heavy-handed action that, taken further, would make government too powerful and too intrusive.
Therefore, action by the legislative branch, in Washington and Columbia, would help right that wrong.
That, of course, is how our system of checks and balances is supposed to work. One branch checks the power of the others and provides the balance for the good of the people.

* * * * *

A new study indicates that eating fish on a regular basis can be helpful in the fight against a variety of heart problems. That, of course, is beneficial to the body. On the other hand, there’s something that can help the mental part of our being …... and every one of us has to do it or we wouldn’t be human. That’s eating crow.
Gnawing on that bitter fare can be a strong factor in humility adjustment. Are we seeing more of that these days, especially with some journalists and politicians, or does it just seem that way?

* * * * *

The Bush Administration is shaking up the intelligence-gathering bureaucracy with a number of changes and/or realignments. It comes not too soon. Experience in recent years shows it’s needed. Maybe it’s time, too, to shake up other federal bureaucracies. Most could use the attention.

* * * * *

It’s been reported that United Nations human rights experts have started questioning former terrorist suspects released from U. S. detention as they investigate prison conditions and allegations that some people are being held in secret locations.
Manfred Nowak, the U. N.’s special expert on torture, said some undeclared holding areas could include U. S. ships in international waters. He said there were “serious” allegations to that effect from Amnesty International and other non-government human rights groups.
There is a pertinent question. How can anyone from the U. N. question our record when it puts representatives from some of the most repressive regimes in history (Cuba, for example) on its own human rights commission?

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

Obituaries

Inez Boiter

PRINCETON — Mary Inez Hannah Boiter, 85, of 16047 Highway 76 W., widow of Tommie Boiter, died Sunday, July 10, 2005 at the Hospice House in Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals.

Howard J. DeEsch Jr.

Howard J. DeEsch Jr., 54, died Sunday, July 10, 2005, at his home.
Born in Allentown, Pa., he was a son of the late Howard J. and Lovinia Laudenslager DeEsch Sr. He lived in Cape Coral, Fla., before moving to Greenwood in 2003. He retired from Mack Trucks, Winnsboro, in 1999.
Survivors include his wife, Marcia A. Sittler DeEsch; two daughters, Brandy L. Poore of Greenwood and Sarah DeEsch of Allentown; two sons, Matthew J. DeEsch of Alburtis, Pa., and Jon DeEsch of Allentown; two sisters; Norma Hrincevich of Schnecksville, Pa., and Suzanne Gunshore of Lugoff; and two grandchildren.
Services are private.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont Inc., 408 West Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
South Carolina Cremation & Memorial Society, Aiken, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.southcarolinacremation.com

Marion Nicholson Jr.

OXON HILL, Md. — Marion “Nick” “June” Nicholson Jr., 65, died Saturday, July 2, 2005 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, S.C., he was a son of the late Marion and Nona Andrews Nicholson. He graduated from Brewer High School, Greenwood, May 29, 1959, Benedict College in 1963 and Howard University in 1973. He also attended George Washington University, American University and National-Louis University. Recipient of a distinguished meritorious award from Langston University, Okla., he completed the Phi Beta Kappa Teachers’ Institute, attending 1993-96. He began Army service May 28, 1963 at Fort Jackson, S.C., and served with the 101st Airborne Division. His awards included the Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Unit and Valorous Unit emblems, two Bronze Services, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with device 1960, Master and Senior Parachutist badges, Expert Badge with Rifle Bar, Sharpshooter Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Badge. He was an American Red Cross instructor in Fairfax County, Va., Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, Md., and Washington, D.C. He founded Nicholson Enterprises Inc. June 3, 1980. Retiring from District of Columbia public schools with 37.33 years of service, he was a football coach at Cardoza Senior High School and a health and physical education teacher and student dean at Sousa Middle School. He also taught at Richard Milburn Academy Charter School 2001-2 and Sims High School, Union, S.C., in the mid 1960s.
Survivors include a son, Vincent Roland Nicholson; a daughter, Sharon Deloris Nicholson; his wife, Karen Anne Nicholson; four grandchildren; two brothers, Floyd Nicholson and Milton Nicholson; three sisters, Carrie Lee Jones, Mrs. Clyde (Frances “Babe”) Rapp and Sophie Nicholson.
Services are 12-1 p.m. Wednesday at Masters Child Church Worship Center, 2001 Brooks Drive, Capitol Heights. Viewing is 10-12 at the church. Burial is at 3 in Arlington Cemetery.
Announcement courtesy of Parks Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Annie Rush

LEESVILLE — Annie Rush, 82, died Sunday, July 10, 2005. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2005, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Greenwood Memorial Gardens with Rev. Ray Truett officiating.
Mrs. Rush was born in Calhoun Falls, SC, to the late Major and Ethel McClain. She was a member of Steadman Baptist Church. She was married to the late Rev. John David Rush, Jr. and was a homemaker.
Surviving are her sons and daughters-in-law, David Rush and wife, Sheila of Lexington; Macky Rush and wife, Dedra of Leesville; five grandchildren.
Family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2005, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to Steadman Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1011 N. Edisto Road, Leesville, SC 29070 or S.C. Baptist Ministry for the Aging, Columbia, SC. Milton Shealy Funeral Home, 532-6100, is in charge of all arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Gladys Townsend

Gladys Elizabeth Price Townsend, 87, resident of 165 Orchard Park Dr., passed away Sunday, July 10, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Troy September 12, 1917, she was the daughter of Eldred McGowan and Mary Elizabeth Rosenswike Price. She graduated from McCormick High School where she was Salutatorian of her high school class. Mrs. Townsend came to Greenwood in 1935 and never left. She was a long-term secretary for John P. Abney and later for his son, Jack Abney, Jr., at the Abney Mills. She retired later from Heaner Engineering.
Mrs. Townsend was a member of South Main Street Baptist Church where she was a member of the AMOMA Sunday School Class. She loved her church and her faith was of paramount importance in her life.
Mrs. Townsend was an avid gardener. One of her greatest joys was working in the yard at her farm on Langley Road.
Mrs. Townsend was a woman of strong will and great frugality.
Mrs. Townsend was pre-deceased by a brother and four sisters and was the last surviving sibling.
Surviving Mrs. Townsend are sons Burnett Kenneth Townsend and wife Janice of Columbus, GA and John Abney Townsend and wife Irene of Houston, TX.
Also surviving are the following grandchildren: Tyler Townsend and wife Eleanore; Meredith Conklin and husband Mike; Theresa Mickiewicz and husband Cyril; Michelle Bell and husband Scott.
Surviving are great grandchildren Elizabeth Mickiewicz and Aiden Townsend who were truly precious to Mrs. Townsend.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. at South Main Street Baptist Church with the Rev. Ryan Eklund officiating.
Burial will be held in the Troy cemetery.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 till 8 p.m. Monday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the South Main Street Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 1093, Greenwood, SC 29648 or to the Soup Kitchen Ministry of Greenwood, PO Box 426, Greenwood, SC 29648.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home is assisting the Townsend family.
PAID OBITUARY

Paul White

SIMPSONVILLE — Paul Mabron White Sr., 72, of 9 Great Oaks Way, husband of Doris Hinton White, died Saturday, July 9, 2005 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home, Greenwood.