‘I hate to see old buildings being torn down’

Markets of Greenwood breathing life into historic mill complex

June 26, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Brandie Larsen, left, shows customer Myrtle Stewart, a Greenwood resident, a scented oil sample Saturday at Larsen’s vendor booth at Markets of Greenwood.

Rather than let the Greenwood Mills compound buildings along Edgefield Street sit empty and unused, one businessman decided to breathe life back into the complex by transforming the old buildings into a thriving marketplace.
Markets of Greenwood celebrated its grand opening this weekend, giving local residents and others an opportunity to shop for antiques, collectibles, furniture, art and more.
Steven Berman, a Florida resident who works in the investment industry, purchased the buildings near Mathews Mill about three years ago.
Berman, who also has a business in New Jersey, said the compound had once been used as a service center and recycling facility for the mill. With 100,000 square feet of floor space in the main building alone, Berman said he knew the compound would be the perfect place for the indoor flea-market business.
“I thought a flea-market would be an interesting use for a historical building, and I thought it would be a great entertainment point in Greenwood that could attract people from the surrounding areas,” he said. “This complex is huge, and it could become a pretty interesting regional attraction. We want to make this a destination point if you are a collector looking for a spot to seek out your passion.”
Berman, who also purchased old warehouses in the Cokesbury area, said buying and restoring historical buildings is a wise financial and cultural investment.
“It’s nice to bring life back to a facility that has historic value. There are people in Greenwood that have worked here, and when they come back here, they are smiling and nostalgic,” he said. “It (amazes) me that people will put up pre-fabricated metal buildings when there are a lot of great buildings around that can be modified or restored. Successful restorations can bring a lot of life back to a community.”
Though the grand opening was this weekend, Markets of Greenwood has been open for months, and Abbeville resident Doris New said she has enjoyed finding bargains at the flea-market on more than one occasion.
“You can find anything you want here. I think it’s fantastic,” she said. “I think it’s great that they have used this building for the market. I hate to see old buildings being torn down or just sitting and dilapidating.”
Greenwood residents Willie and Livia Watson said they thought the business will be a great asset for the community.
“I think this is a great idea. This building is really a part of the community,” Livia said. “There are a lot of memories here.”
The Markets of Greenwood, at 1902 Edgefield St., is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Booth rentals are available. For information, call 223-7181.

Festival golf takes center stage

Todd leads men’s event with 6-under-par 66; Hatfield one stroke back

June 26, 2005

By MICHAEL STONE
Index-Journal sports editor

Greenwood’s Michael Meredith Jr. rolls in a birdie putt on No. 18 Saturday during the opening round of the Festival of Flowers Men’s Golf Tournament at the Greenwood Country Club.

The greens were soft, the wind was light and most of the golfers were finished when a brief shower fell at the Greenwood Country Club.
All three added up to some low scores Saturday during the opening round of the Festival of Flowers Men’s Golf Tournament.
Eleven players finished under par, led by Walter Todd’s 6-under 66 at the 25th annual 36-hole tournament.
Greenwood’s Vince Hatfield is right behind after shooting a 67, with a trio of golfers —Raymond Wooten, Marshall Swails and Greenwood’s Ben Martin — at 69.
The 66 by Todd was his best opening round in his many years of playing the tournament. The Laurens resident has never won the event, but has finished second several times.
Todd had seven birdies through the first 12 holes and finished with just one bogey, on 17.
“I got off to a real good start and then just tried to stay out of my own way,” Todd said.
Hatfield, who will be golfing for Clemson University in the fall, had a similar start.
The Greenwood High School graduate birdied four of the first five holes — he bogeyed No. 2 — and added birdies at Nos. 8, 15 and 18.
Only a bogey on the par-3 No. 16 kept Hatfield from equaling Todd’s score.
“There were a whole lot more accessible pins on the front nine,” Hatfield said.
Both golfers are within range of the tournament record, which is 10-under 134 set by Brent Delahoussaye of Greer at the 2001 tournament.
Todd, Hatfield and Wooten will play in the final group today, with Martin, Swails and Koon (70) playing in the next-to-last group.
Martin, who will be joining Hatfield at Clemson, had six birdies and three bogeys in his first experience in the tournament.
“I was hitting it pretty good,” Martin said. “The greens were rolling pretty fast, at least quicker than they have been.”
Several players talked about the greens, which was music to the ears of GCC head professional Tommy Pendley.
The club had to re-seed the greens this spring, and the Cedar and Lake courses were just re-opened Memorial Day.
“We were very tickled,” Pendley said about Saturday’s play.
“I think the players might have been a little suspicious of the greens, but I think that’s why the scores were so low, because the greens were so soft.”
Greenwood’s Michael Meredith Jr. agreed.
Meredith said a few bad tee shots, at Nos. 7, 9 and 15, kept him from breaking par. But a birdie on No. 18 brought him in with a 73.
“The greens were a little slower than normal, and you had to hit the ball,” Meredith said. “They really did an amazing job on the greens, getting them ready in such a short time.”
Defending champion Chip Whitt was also happy with the greens, but said he needed to do a better job if he’s going to repeat.
Whitt fired a 1-under 71 in the opening round. He will play in the third group today with Adam Hart (70) and Kellen Altman (71).
“I made a few mental errors that I didn’t make last year,” Whitt said. “It’s going to take a low score to win this year.”
Hatfield said it will take a 134 to win the tournament.
“I told myself this morning I wanted to be at 10 under, and I’m halfway there,” he said. “Of course, the man in front of me is very good. It’s going to take a lot to catch him.”
Tee times for today’s final round begin at 7:46 a.m., with Todd, Hatfield and Wooten teeing off at 9:38.

Opinion

Conservative Republicans showing they’re unhappy

June 26, 2005

A lot of conservatives Republicans are unhappy these days with a couple of their high-profile government officials. Specifically, they have changed their opinions about U. S. Senator Lindsey Graham and President George W. Bush.
Many of these are longtime Republicans in South Carolina, and were big supporters of both men, with their votes and finances. Now, though, they are growing increasingly irritated by the actions, or lack of actions, by both.
Senator Graham first attracted the criticism when he took a primary role in the now-famous Republican/Democrat compromise on filibusters against Bush nominees to the federal bench.

FROM ALL APPEARANCES, despite a lot of explaining, that disillusionment over Senator Graham is getting worse, not better.
President Bush has been the target of a lot of conservative critics over a number of issues, but particularly about what they see as a weak effort to control illegal immigration.
The president, of course, cannot run again, so his political future is not affected all that much. Senator Graham, though, has a lot of campaigning in front of him ….. for one office or another. That being a very real consideration, the anger expressed by former supporters increases his vulnerability every day.

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

Obituaries

Marshall ‘Pete’ Brown

ABBEVILLE — Marshall “Pete” Brown, 59, husband of Clara Brown, died Saturday, June 25, 2005 at Hospice House in Greenwood.
The family is at the home of his wife, 112 Ellis St.
Services will be announced by Abbeville & White Mortuary.

Ailene C. Dickerson

Ailene Callahan Dickerson, 81, of 204 Vintage Court, Mill Pond subdivision, widow of Vedford Dickerson, died Friday, June 24, 2005 at her home.
Born in McCormick County, she was a daughter of the late Wiley and Maggie Thompkins Callahan.
Survivors include a son, Fred Dickerson of the home; two sisters, Miriam Tucker and O’dessa Seay, both of Trenton, N.J.; and two grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@emeraldis.com

Charlene Ledford

Thelma Charlene Tittle Ledford, 76, of 112 Dublin Road, widow of John Pershing Ledford, died Friday, June 24, 2005 at the Hospice House of Greenwood.
Born in Washington County, Tenn., she was a daughter of the late Joseph H. and Lula Pearl Rogers Tittle. She retired from Parrish Pharmacy and was also employed by Culp’s Shoes. She was a member of White Oak United Methodist Church, Red Bank, Tenn.
Survivors include a son, Terry B. Ledford of Greenwood; a daughter, Susan L. Leopard of Bradley; four brothers, Billy Norman Tittle of Pekin, Ill., Bobby Joe Tittle and Gene Lynn Tittle, both of Johnson City, Tenn., and Harold Don Tittle of Greenville, Tenn.; and four grandchildren. Graveside services are 11 a.m. Monday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, conducted by the Rev. Steve Crittendon.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Harley Funeral Home.
The family is at the home of her son, 204 St. Augustine Drive, Center Court.
Memorials may be made to Hospice House of Greenwood, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Bill Martin

GREENWOOD — William Paul “Bill” Martin, Jr., 78, resident of 106 Sheffield Road, husband of Ruth Rutledge Martin, died June 25, 2005, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Cross Hill December 25, 1926, he was a son of the late William P. Sr. and Willijo Austin Martin. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and attended Clemson College for his freshman year. Mr. Martin was a US Navy Veteran of World War II, where he served aboard the USS Philippine Sea. After the war, he entered Furman University where he served as President of the student council, the Furman Band and the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University.
After his graduation from Furman, Mr. Martin became a District Representative for Burroughs Adding Machine Company. In 1951, he became Secretary-Treasurer for CY Thomason Construction Company and became Vice President and Co-Owner of Bilbub, Inc. in 1968. He was also President and Co-Owner of Maybeck, Inc. Along with his wife, Mr. Martin formerly owned and operated Old House Gallery in Greenwood.
A member of the First Baptist Church and a founding member and Past President of the Carpenter Sunday School Class, he was also a former Deacon and member of the Chancel Choir. He was a member of the Greenwood Lions Club and formerly served for many years as Treasurer of the Greenwood Museum. He also served on the Board of the Greenwood /Lander Performing Arts and was a former trustee of the Greenwood YMCA.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 55 years of the home are three daughters, Jo Ann and husband Marvin L. Valentine of Aiken, Frances and husband James T. “Jim” Judy of Reevesville, and Tallulah “Lou” and husband Robert P. Minus of Summerville; two sons, William P. III “Bill” and wife Paula P. Martin of North Augusta and W. Rutledge Martin of Greenwood; his mother-in-law, Frances Godfrey Rutledge of Greenwood; seven grandchildren, Joshua M. Stewart, William Paul Martin, IV, Allison Ruth Minus, M. Blakely Valentine, J. Austin Minus, Fletcher M. Valentine, and Leeanna L. Valentine.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday from the First Baptist Church with Dr. Tony Hopkins and Rev. Kenny Standley officiating. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Richard Thomason, Dr. Mike Shurden, Tim Dixon, John Crosby, Dan Crosby, Jason Simmons, Trey Martin, Tom Taylor, Rob Jones and Jim Beasley.
Honorary escort will be members of the Carpenter Sunday School Class along with Callie Gault, Frank Godfrey, Bill Crosby, Dr. Bryan Dantzler, Billy Austin, Wayne Barnes, Bob Crisp, Dr. Ray Lewis, James Hamrick, Calhoun Mays, Jr., William John Park, George Ballentine, Lamar Lightsey, Andy Stewart and Jake Rasor, Jr.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 10:00 AM Monday.
The family is at the home in Sheffield and will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00 until 6:00 PM Sunday.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 722 Grace Street, Greenwood, SC 29649, or to Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville, SC 29613-5408.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE MARTIN FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY

Leonard B.
McKellar Sr.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Mr. Leonard B. McKellar Sr. beloved husband of the late Lucy Mims McKellar entered into rest Friday June 24, 2005 at Windermere Rehab Center. Mr. McKellar lived his adult life in the Augusta area and was retired as a manager of Interstate Life Insurance Co. Mr. McKellar was also a member of Fleming Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held Monday June 27, 2005 at 1 P.M. at Elliott Sons Funeral Home Lumpkin Road Chapel with Rev. Billy Atkins officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Serving as Pallbearers will be Mr. McKellar’s nephews.
Mr. McKellar is survived by a son, Len (Kay) McKellar of Augusta and daughter, Pat (Rob) Boulis of Kalamazoo, MI; grandchildren, Shelly Allen, Jennifer Holden, Alex McKellar, Sarah McKellar, Kevin Boulis & Angela Dumler; great-grandchildren, Brynn Allen, Emory Allen, Gage Holden, Cole Boulis and Allison Dumler; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. McKellar was preceded in death by his parents, John and Sarah McKellar and brother, Gerald McKellar.
Family will receive friends (today) Sunday from 7-9 P.M. at Elliott Sons Funeral Home, 2524 Lumpkin Rd.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1899 Central Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 or to Fleming Baptist Church Building Fund, 3207 Peach Orchard Rd., Augusta, GA 30906.
PAID OBITUARY