Candlelight vigil honors domestic violence victims

October 5, 2005

By JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer

There’s no excuse for domestic violence and it is, without question, unacceptable. That was the message Alice Hodges delivered with absolute conviction Tuesday night.
As chief executive officer of MEG’s House, a shelter for abused women and children, she was addressing people who gathered outside the Greenwood County Courthouse for “Light Up the Night,” the organization’s second annual candlelight remembrance vigil. They were honoring those killed by domestic violence.
“We all have a part in putting an end to domestic violence and, as a community, we need to be committed to that goal,” Hodges said. “It’s the responsibility of all of us to protect and support the victims of domestic violence.”
Keynote speaker was Greenwood County Council member Edith Childs. Founder of Greenwood Crime Stoppers and “an advocate for all victims,” Childs called domestic violence an epidemic that has swept across the nation.
“Every twelve seconds that we’re standing here today, a woman is being beaten,” she said. “Every ninety seconds, a woman in the U.S. is being raped. This must end — and it must end with the people standing here today.”
In Greenwood County, there were 1,021 cases of domestic violence reported in 2004, making it no surprise the state is ranked sixth in the nation for the number of women killed by men, Childs said.
As candles were lit in memory of victims, Hodges said the flames were a reflection of hope, love, joy and peace for every woman and child.
“Tonight we lift our light high to help all women realize that stepping into the light gives new hope, joy and everlasting peace in their lives,” Hodges said.
Tuesday’s ceremony was one of many taking place this month in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Other events planned include a program Oct. 20 at Lander University to teach young men and women the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, and a program Oct. 24 at the Piedmont Agency on Aging about domestic abuse of the elderly. Several area businesses will also be distributing purple ribbons and information about domestic violence throughout the month, and an information booth will be set up from 10 a.m.- noon Oct. 26 at Greenwood Mall.
“I really hope people will get involved with these events,” Hodges said. “It’s really important for Greenwood, as a community, to come together and say we’re not going to take this anymore.”
For information about events, call 227-1890. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you can call the domestic violence hot line 24 hours a day at (800) 447-7992.

Mildred Bannister

GREENWOOD — Mildred Adams Bannister, 85, sister of Isabelle Walker and Jean Bailey, died Tuesday, October 4, 2005.
Graveside services will be conducted at 3 pm Wednesday in Greenwood Memorial Gardens with Rev. Harry (Hal) Lane officiating.
God bless her tender, loving memories.
Memorials may 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 AND CREMATION SERVICES IS IN CHARGE.
PAID OBITUARY

Irene Bickley

Irene Conwell Bickley, of 1110 Marshall Road, widow of Henry Bickley, died Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2005 at Wesley Commons.
Born in Abbeville, she was a daughter of the late J.T.E. and Maude Tucker Conwell. She was a former employee of Greenwood Mills, Durst Plant, and a member of Bold Spring Baptist Church. She was twice married, first to the late Orion “Jack” Cook.
Survivors include a son, Ronald O. Cook of Greenwood; a sister, Dorothy Conwell of Greenwood; a stepson, Charles Bickley of Chapin; a stepdaughter, Carolyn Bickley of Chapin; four step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, conducted by the Rev. Carol Peppers-Wray.
Family members are their respective homes.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 6604, Columbia, SC 29260-6604. Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Claude A. McElhannon

GREENWOOD — Mr. Claude A. McElhannon, 71, of 109 Summitt Street, husband of Billie Pollard McElhannon died Monday, October 3, 2005, at his residence.
Mr. McElhannon was born December 16, 1935 in Orange-burg a son of the late James Grady and Bernice Prather McElhannon. He was raised in Clinton and was a US Navy Veteran. Mr. McElhannon was retired from Monsanto (now Solutia) and was a member of Rice Memorial Baptist Church. Surviving in addition to his wife of 47 years are daughters and son-in-law, Cindy M. and Barry Esco, and Claudia “Frankie” McElhannon; grand-sons, Brandon Lee Esco and Taylor Claude Esco, all of Greenwood; and brother and sister-in-law, James and Betty McElhannon of Clinton. He was preceded in death by a brother Joel McElhannon.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 3:00 PM from the chapel of Blyth Funeral Home with Reverend Alvin Hodges and Reverend Jimmy Tucker officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Esco, Taylor Esco, Joey Owens, Joey McElhannon, Johnathan Owens, Josh Owens and John McElhannon.
Honorary escort will be Jimmy O’Bryant, Jim Edwards, Robbie Taylor, Olin Scoggins, James & Linda Bowers, Steven & Julie Gottlieb, Glenda Hatfield and Asa Hatfield.
The family is at the home and will receive friends from 7-9 PM Thursday at the funeral home. For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE McELHAN-NON FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY

Melvin Middleton Jr.

McCORMICK — Melvin Clyde Middleton Jr., 42, died Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood, after a sudden illness.
Born in McCormick, he was a son of Catherine M. Middleton Almond and the late Willie Middleton. He attended McCormick High School and was employed by Thomas Concrete Co. of Greenwood.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Larry Almond, of McCormick; three daughters, Vanna Nicole Perrin, Mikita Lashae Middleton and Zanna Middleton, all of Greenwood; five sons, Damon S. Duncan and Shawta Morton, both of Greenwood, Dakis Middleton, Matrekisa Middleton and Melvin Middleton, all of Charlotte, N.C.; two sisters, Betty Middleton of McCormick and Hazel Faye Brown of Charlotte; three stepsisters, Nicole Almond, Jenea Almond and Tammara Almond, all of Detroit; six brothers, Damon Middleton, Elvin Middleton and Phillip Middleton, all of Greenwood, Jesse Middleton and David Middleton of McCormick and James E. Middleton of Newark, N.J.; and a stepbrother, Troy Almond of Stone Mountain, Ga.
The family is at the home of his mother, B-341 Quarles and Wright Road, off of Highway 378 East. Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

Lee Nelson Sweezy II

Lee Nelson Sweezy II, infant son of Jimmy Ray Sweezy Jr. and Dee’L Lee Sweezy, died Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 at Laurens County Hospital.
Survivors include his parents; a sister, Lexie Sweezy of the home; maternal grandparents, Judy Nelson of Greenwood and Kuker Lee of Johnson City, Tenn.; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Ray Sweezy Sr. of Greenwood; and maternal great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. D.K. Lee of Ware Shoals.
Graveside services are 4:30 p.m. today at Ware Shoals Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Nina Reynolds.
Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals, is in charge.

Thirty-nine and counting

GHS puts Region I-AAAA win streak on the line against Westside

October 5, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

For the last seven years, the Greenwood High School football team has found a welcome respite in Region I-AAAA after its rugged non-region schedule.
And that could be putting it lightly.
The Eagles, ranked No. 8 in Class AAAA, have won 39 consecutive Region I-AAAA games, dating back to 1998. The last region opponent to defeat Greenwood was Laurens, 42-14, on Nov. 7, 1997.
So, for the record, the last time Greenwood (4-2) suffered a loss in region play:
n Bill Clinton was in the White House.
n Gasoline was $1.18 a gallon.
n Britney Spears was an unknown variety-show singer from Louisiana.
Westside, ranked No.4 in AAAA, hopes to change all of that Friday night.
The Rams are headed to Greenwood undefeated at 6-0, the best start in school history. They will be accompanied by a school-record setting quarterback, Thomas Griffin, and a wide receiver, Mo Brown, who has verbally committed to play football for South Carolina.
“I’m very pleased with what we’ve been able to do,” Westside coach Ted Luckadoo said. “We are 6-0, and we’ve done it against some good teams. And it has certainly pumped a lot of excitement into the fans up here in Anderson.”
Greenwood coach Shell Dula said the Eagles are not considering the winning streak in preparing for their showdown with the Rams.
“This is a new team and a new year,” Dula said. “We don’t think about the past. We have to deal with what we have in front of us right now. And right now we’re looking at a darn good Westside team.”
Luckadoo acknowledges and admires Greenwood’s preeminence in region play.
“We know what it means to play Greenwood,” Luckadoo said. “If you have designs on winning this region you have to go through Greenwood. It’s that simple. They’ve really got a streak going.”
One potential marquee match-up within Friday’s game could be the dual between the two quarterbacks.
Greenwood’s Armanti Edwards has been remarkably efficient this season. The senior has thrown for 1,056 yards on 69 of 106 passing with seven touchdowns and only one interception. Edwards was one positive for Greenwood in an otherwise forgettable 62-34 loss against Byrnes a week ago, passing for 288 yards and rushing for 158.
Westside’s Griffin also had a banner game last week. The quarterback passed for 406 yards, a school record, in the Rams’ 28-20 road win at South Aiken. Griffin has passed for 1,407 yards and 21 touchdowns on the year.
“Both quarterbacks have the ability to make you pay,” Luckadoo said. “We’ll have to work hard this week to prepare our players for everything that (Edwards) can do.”
The Greenwood secondary will focus its attention upon Brown. The speedy wideout and future Steve Spurrier pupil has hauled in 32 passes for 561 yards in five touchdowns in 2005.
“We have to make sure he doesn’t behind our defense,” Dula said. “If he gets back there, watch out. All of their receivers are playing with confidence right now.
Dula said one of the reasons the Eagles have been able to maintain such a high caliber of region play for so long is the establishment of consistency in expectations of players and the cohesiveness of their offensive identity. It’s an identity Luckadoo is looking to establish at Westside in his twenty-second year as head coach at the school.
“We’ve changed some philosophies and adjusted our gameplan is several different areas,” Luckadoo said. “I’ve seen good and bad in 22 years. We feel like we’re in a place where we can continue to move up.”
Though Greenwood has won so many consecutive games in Region I-AAAA, Dula said the Eagles certainly will not be taking the Rams lightly.
“Schools go through cycles when the quality of athletes goes up and down,” Dula said. “We’ve been through it. My first year here, Westside beat us 49-7, one of the worst losses we ever had here. Now, they’re back again. It should be a very entertaining ball game.”

‘No’ law shall be made ... What does that tell us?

October 5, 2005

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

That, of course, is the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Notice one thing in particular. It says flatly that “no” law shall be made ….. not one. You have to wonder, then, how it is that so many “laws” are used by so many individuals and groups to stop us from exercising our First Amendment rights.
Every South Carolinian is familiar with the efforts to ban the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag from schools, as well as other challenges to religion in a variety of places and ways.

IN THE PALMETTO STATE, a Wiccan priestess and the ACLU are telling local councils and boards they should not use Jesus Christ’s name during prayers at public meetings.
No doubt the courts will have to settle the issue. Meanwhile, every person has a constitutional right to pray, and if they want to do it at meetings, it would seem that under the First Amendment they are granted that right, whether in a public meeting or elsewhere. After all, the First Amendment does not say where it applies ….. nor does it say where it does not apply. It simply says NO LAW shall be made.
What part of NO is so hard to understand?