A special day for special athletes

Special Olympics athletes compete at GHS

March 19, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

More than 200 Lakelands-area special athletes gathered for a day of competition and camaraderie Friday at the 2005 Greenwood Special Olympics Spring Games at Greenwood High School.
Participants watched as the Flame of Hope made its way around the football field during the opening ceremony, signaling the beginning of the 2005 Games.
Athletes, escorted by buddies and volunteers, then made their way to the game stations, which included the broad jump, boys and girls races, tennis ball and softball throws and wheelchair races.
Special athletes 8 years of age and older were eligible to compete in the games, and each received a ribbon for his or her effort in the competitions, said 2005 Games chairman and organizer Jay Baschon.
Baschon, who helped restart the event in the area last year, said seeing the excitement of the participants as they compete and receive their awards is why he and other organizers have dedicated their time to bringing the games back to the area.
“It’s great to see the smiles, the joy and the determination on the faces of the participants. Just to see that and to give them the opportunity to shine is why I do this,” he said. “The two years we didn’t have the games was (unfortunate) for the athletes, because they really lost out.”
Many area businesses and organizations participated in the event, including Papa John’s Pizza, which cooked 180 pizzas and about 1,500 chicken strips to help provide a free lunch for the athletes and volunteers.
“It really says something about the community we live in for everyone to pull together like this to do something so special,” said Papa John’s co-owner Tina Glover, food coordinator for the 2005 Games.
Sue Maner, vice president of programs and public relations for the Special Olympics of South Carolina, said more than 15,000 athletes compete in Special Olympics games throughout the state each year. She said athletes who place first in their competition at the local level may qualify to compete in the state games.
The national Special Olympics occur every four years, and the next competition is scheduled for July of 2006 in Ames, Iowa.
“It’s our mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities,” Maner said. “We look at ourselves as a very serious sports organization. We follow the (Olympic) rules, but we have a lot of fun at the same time.”
More than 200 buddies and volunteers also turned out for the event. Volunteer Dee Cohn, with the Greenwood Genetic Center, said she and her co-workers enjoyed helping the children and adults.
“We are the ones generally diagnosing these children, so we are here today to see the more human side of what we do,” Cohn said.
Buddy Ashley Timmerman, a Lander University special education major, said she has volunteered for Special Olympics Games in Aiken since she was in high school, but this was the first year she decided to help out in Greenwood.
“I like seeing all the different abilities of the athletes,” she said. “Everyone is treated equally, and it is great to come out and work with all these students.”
Ware Shoals Primary School’s Nathan Branch, 10, said he enjoyed making new friends at the games and competing in the softball throw.
“You get to throw fast – I don’t get to do that at home a lot,” he said, laughing. Branch’s father, Calvin Branch, said the Special Olympics are a great opportunity for his son and other athletes.
“It’s wonderful for these kids because it makes them feel that they aren’t left out in society,” he said. “They feel that they fit in.”

Returning to reality

Bearcats back in cold Carolina after Hawaii trip

March 19, 2005

By BRIAN HOWARD
Assistant sports editor

When the Lander University baseball team left the school March 7 for its spring break trip to Hawaii, the weather in Greenwood was in the mid-30s.
The Bearcats enjoyed seven days in the hot sun, playing baseball and seeing the sites in Honolulu, but the trip home proved to be a bit chilly when the team arrived back in Greenwood Tuesday.
Lander’s first game after its trip, scheduled for Thursday, was rained out.
The Bearcats try again today as they are scheduled to play host to Columbus State in a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader. The first game starts at 1 p.m.
Even though Lander — ranked No. 9 in Division II — went 2-4 in six games against Hawaii Pacific, coach Mike McGuire said the team enjoyed its time on the island.
“It was a good trip,” McGuire said. “Obviously we didn’t come back with the record we had hoped to come back with. Nonetheless, it was a good experience for the guys. They experienced a lot of things that they’ve never seen before and for some of them, it’s the only time they will get to Hawaii.
“We played good competition out there. There were six games and we played well in three, maybe four of them. I felt like two games we just gave away.”
The Bearcats (18-8) split the first four games against Hawaii Pacific, but were swept in Sunday’s doubleheader.
Lander relief pitcher Corey Watkins said Hawaii was not what he expected it to be.
“I expected it to be a lot less commercialize, a lot smaller than what it was,” he said. “It was about identical to Atlanta, as far as the capacity, like buildings. But it was beautiful weather for the most part. I had a good time.
“Every single game was a battle out there. They learned to hate us and we learned to hate them. They didn’t have any respect for us and you could see it.”
Watkins pitched in four innings during the six games, making two appearances. He surrendered seven runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out one.
Friday, the Bearcats opened the series with a 6-4 victory, but dropped the second, 3-2.
Saturday, Lander took the first game, 8-5, but lost the second, 12-7. The team lost both games Sunday, 12-8 and 9-8.
Former Greenwood High School pitcher William Dudley was on the mound in one game, working two innings, giving up four runs on four hits, walking one and striking out two.
Dudley said it was nice to hear about the cool weather in Greenwood while he was enjoying the sunshine in Hawaii.
But he also said the team should have won more than the two games.
“I think we should’ve come away with more (wins),” Dudley said. “We gave a couple of games away that we could have won.”
Abbeville High School graduate Jonathan Myers said the Bearcats bonded a few times, one being at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
“I really loved a place called Haunama Bay, which is a snorkeling tourist site.” Myers said. “I think the most amazing thing for me was going to Pearl Harbor. The whole team went together and is was touching to be there, where it actually happened.”
Myers’ offense came alive during the trip. The sophomore went 10-for-20 at the plate with eight runs scored and five RBIs. He had two stolen bases and a solo home run.
Myers’ homer wasn’t a shot over the fence. Myers drove the ball to the wall in left-center in Aloha Stadium. The ball bounced off the wall and came toward the infield. Meanwhile, with his speed, Myers sprinted around the bases and ended up with a stand-up inside-the-park home run.
“When I hit it, I caught the barrel pretty good,” Myers said. “I knew it had a chance to get into the gap, but the ball was carrying pretty good and I thought it might have a chance to get out. The ball hit the wall and by the time the center fielder got to the ball, I was rounding third base.”

Opinion

World of upheaval takes big steps toward peace

March 19, 2005

The Middle East has always been a hot spot. Now that many troops from South Carolina are deployed there, it has gotten more attention in these parts. Things are happening there, though, despite some of the negatives.
In a word, it’s democracy. In fact, democracy is breaking out all over. First, people in Afghanistan had a free election. Then the people of Iraq showed true character and braved danger to vote. It appears that Israel and the Palestinians are more serious about seeking peace. Now, Lebanese by the hundreds of thousands are speaking out for freedom from Syrian occupation and control.
Considering the historical volatility of that region, nothing is certain, of course. Nevertheless, that part of the world is taking steps toward peace never taken before.
That brings up an interesting question. Would any of this have happened had it not been for the U. S. and President Bush? Not likely.

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

Obituaries

James ‘Skeet’ Hearst

EDGEFIELD — James Edward “Skeet” Hearst, 58, formerly of Manor House, died Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at Aiken County Hospital.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late James Sims and Elizabeth Hearst.
Survivors include a son, James Hearst Jr. of Greenwood; two brothers, Robert Hearst and James Sims Jr., both of Greenwood; two sisters, Audrey Hearst and Trudie Johnson, both of Greenwood; and five grandchildren.
The family is at the home of a sister, Audrey Hearst, 207 N. Bethune St., Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Ellis Lowery Sr.

NINETY SIX — Ellis L. Lowery Sr., 69, of 2203 Island Ford Road, died Thursday, March 17, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late Edward Banks and Roxie Brazil Lowery. He was retired from Professional Medical Products and served in the Marine Corps. He was a member of Fountain of Life Worship Center.
Survivors include two sons, Lin Lowery and Chris Lowery, both of Greenwood; a daughter, Susan Lowery of Ninety Six; a sister, Donnie L. Rice of Yanceyville, N.C.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Services are at 2 Sunday at Harley Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Dewain G. Willis. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Keith Timms, Doyle Timms, Alvin “Peanut” Greene, Danny Burroughs, Jimmy Hollingsworth, Bob Drummond and Thomas Burroughs.
Visitation is from 6-8 tonight.
The family is at the home.
Harley Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Willie ‘Big Boy’ Perrin

McCORMICK — Willie “Big Boy” Perrin, 69, of Archery Road, husband of Mary Middleton Perrin, died Friday, March 18, 2005 at Abbeville County Memorial Hospital.
Born in McCormick County, he was a son of the late Smith and Parrie Lee Patterson Perrin. He was a member of Mt. Zion AME Church in McCormick County, where he served on the Trustee Board and was the yard attendant. He was a retired logger.
Survivors include his wife of the home; six daughters, Linda P. Cade, Ella Perrin and Melissa Perrin, all of McCormick, Lula P. Widmon of Dublin, Ga., Valarie P. Aikens of Abbeville and Shirley P. Norman of Little Rock, Ark.; two sons, Willie Perrin Jr. of McCormick and Patrick Perrin of Greenwood; four sisters, Irene Williams and Nina Middleton, both of Bridgeport, Conn., Mae Callaham of Abbeville and Thelma Sibert of McCormick; three brothers, George Perrin of Augusta, Ga., and Alexander Wideman of Lincolnton, Ga., and Curtis Sibert of Cincinnati, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
The family is at the home, Route 1, McCormick County.
Services will be announced by Brown and Walker Funeral Home, Abbeville.

Mr. Jennings Bryan ‘J.B.’ Rollins, Jr.

CHESTERFIELD, SC – Mr. Jennings Bryan “J.B.” Rollins, Jr., 76, died Thursday, March 17, 2005.
Mr. Rollins was born in Chesterfield, SC, a son of the late Jennings Bryan and Maggie Brigman Rollins. He was a retired MSGT with the U.S. Air Force, a member of Hopewell Baptist Church, VFW, and American Legion Post #74. Mr. Rollins was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Rollins, and two sisters, Margaret Kirkland and Simonetta Rollins.
Survivors: wife, Carmelita Wilbanks Rollins of the home; 3 sons, Jimmy B. Rollins and wife Cindy of Greenwood, SC; George L. Rollins and wife Lois and Randel L. Rollins, all of Cheraw, SC; a daughter, Jennifer R. White and husband Rev. Glenn Scott White of Cheraw, SC; 2 brothers, Carrison (Clara) Rollins of Cheraw, SC and Ralph (Kaye) Rollins of Chesterfield, SC; 4 sisters, Catherine (Edgar) Rivers of Chesterfield, SC; Annelle (Bill) Liles of Fort Mill, SC; Christine (Ted) Rogers of La Plata, MD; and Eunice (Doug) Ruff of Columbia, SC; also 7 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Funeral service will be at 4:00 PM today at Hopewell Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Hopewell Baptist Church “Bus Fund”, 15084 Hwy. 9, Chesterfield, SC 29709.
Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield is serving the Rollins family.
PAID OBITUARY

William Robert Savory

CASCO TOWNSHIP, Mich. — William Robert Savory, 51, husband of Sharon Savory, died Tuesday, March 15, 2005.
He was a son of Patricia Ann Savory of Greenwood, S.C., and the late Howard Lee Savory.
Survivors include his wife of the home; his mother of Greenwood; two sons, Robert Savory and Greg Savory, both of Detroit, Mich.; two brothers, Howard Savory and Glen Savory, both of Greenwood, S.C.; and three grandchildren.
Services are at 11 today at Glendernalik Funeral Home in New Baltimore, Mich.
Glendernalik Funeral Home, New Baltimore, Mich., is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Blyth Funeral Home, Greenwood, S.C.

Al Schukowsky

NINETY SIX – Alfanasi R. “Al” Schukowsky, 88, of 115 Park Street, widower of Nargie G. Schukowsky, died Friday, March 18, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
He was born in Belarus and was retired from Greenwood Mills, Sloan Plant and was a member of Cambridge United Methodist Church.
Surviving is a daughter, Frieda Schukowsky of Atlanta, GA; a son, Willie Schukowsky of the home; a granddaughter, Mrs. Trey (Nova) Hudson of Atlanta, GA and a special friend, Robbie Prince.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Elmwood Cemetery with the Rev. Gayle Summey officiating.
The family is at the home.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Robert Simmons

SALUDA — Robert Simmons, 75, of 194 Lennies Lane, died Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at his home.
Born in Saluda County, he was a son of the late Bob and Manervia Abney Simmons. He was a member of Cross Road AME Church and The Sons of Aide Lodge No. 42.
Survivors include a brother, Bob Simmons Jr. of Saluda; a sister, Mollie Glasco of Mitchellville, Md., and a half-sister, Jessie Spearman of Waterbury, Conn.
A memorial service is at 2 Sunday at the Cross Road AME Church, conducted by the Rev. Ethel Mae Boozer.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, is in charge.