See You At The Pole

Students ‘focus on what’s important’ during prayer time at the flagpoles

September 22, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER and JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writers

If you drove by a school in Greenwood County early Wednesday morning, you might have noticed dozens of students gathered at the flagpole with their heads bowed, their hands clasped and their spirits united in the power of prayer.
It was a scene that was played out at schools across the nation Wednesday as millions of students took part in the annual “See You at the Pole” celebration.
“This is a time for the students to focus on what’s important,” said Beth Taylor, principal at Greenwood High School, where dozens of students and faculty members assembled around the school’s flagpole before classes began. “It’s an opportunity for these kids to come together for one purpose.”
The event at Greenwood High followed on the heels of a special prayer rally Tuesday night at the school, Taylor said.
During Wednesday’s event, students and staff sang Christian-based songs and each had the opportunity to lead the group in a prayer for the school, the nation and the world.
“In the world today, everybody is trying to take God out of the schools,” said Greenwood High Fellowship of Christian Athletes President Allie Gray. “It’s important that they know that there are Christians in school and that we are here standing up for our faith.”
About 50 students at Emerald High gathered to share in their faiths as Christians and pray for their classmates and teachers.
They huddled near the flagpole and were asked to get into smaller groups of five and six to pray.
Emerald students were led in prayer by Travis Agnew, 20-somethings and missions pastor at North Side Baptist Church. He began the ceremony with a mini-sermon, in which he quoted Jeremiah 33:3. The verse reads, “Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Adam Newton, an 11th-grader at Emerald, said he attends the event every year because he’s proud to admit his faith and wants to share it with others.
“I feel like there aren’t enough people willing to admit they’re Christians,” Newton said. “I think you should be proud to stand up and say it and not care what other people say about it. This is a good opportunity for us (students) to come together and express our united faith.”
Cheyenne Coleman, a 10th-grader at Emerald, said she attended because she wanted to share in her faith with classmates. She said she was brought closer to God after her mother was involved in a car accident and her faith changed her life for the better. She said she prayed for people who hadn’t yet let God into their lives.
Greenwood High junior Amber Scates said she thinks the prayer around the flagpole is a great opportunity to bring the student body together for one purpose.
“It takes courage to stand up in front of your peers and say what you believe in — that you’re not ashamed to be a Christian and believe in Jesus Christ,” she said.
Sisters Daniela and Darcel Lancaster, both seniors at Greenwood High, also said it took courage to speak out in front of other students.
“It moves me to see all of these people out here. We could be somewhere else but we chose to be at the pole,” Daniela said. “I’m a Christian and I believe if you pray every morning, you’ll get your day started off right.
“Since I prayed, my day should be going well,” she added, laughing.

Location, location, location

The Vikings head out of town Friday to visit the road-weary Blue Flashes

September 22, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

The Emerald and Calhoun Falls football teams get to do something Friday night they haven’t done in quite a while.
The Blue Flashes finally return to their sanctuary after nearly a month away, while the Vikings are planning their first extended road trip of the season.
The Vikings, who have played all four games this season inside the Greenwood city limits, travel to Calhoun Falls for an 8 p.m. matchup with the Class A No. 4 Flashes (3-1).
“We’ve really not gone out on the road yet this season,” said Emerald coach Mac Bryan, whose Vikings are off to their best start since the 1998 Class AA championship season.
“Even when we were at Greenwood, just four miles down the road, we had a strong contingent of our fans there.
“This is going to be a challenge for us. To see how we respond to playing in what will probably be a very hostile environment.”
Meanwhile, the Flashes return to Fulmer Stadium for the first time since the season-opening win over McCormick Aug. 26.
“Anytime we get to play at home, it’s exciting for us,” Calhoun Falls coach Eddie Roberts said. “We seem to play good at home. It’s been an advantage for us.”
And what an advantage playing at Fulmer Stadium has been. The Flashes have won their last 22 straight games in their friendly confines. The team’s last loss at home came on Oct. 26, 2001 to the Chiefs.
“I think every good team, every good program looks to develop a strong homefield advantage, where the odds are in your favor when you’re at home,” Bryan said. “When you go on the road, you’ve got to respond to that as well.
Where you enjoy taking the crowd out of the game.”
The Vikings have done their share to add to the Flashes’ home winning streak, contributing three victories to the tally.
In fact, none of the seniors enjoyed a win over the Flashes in a varsity contest, as Calhoun Falls has won in each of the last three seasons.
“From what I’ve heard, I know we haven’t had a lot of success against them,” said Bryan.
“They are a very good football program and they have tremendous athletes.
“But I’m not sure when the last time they lost a game in that stadium. I know it’s been a while. So, it will be quite a task.”
Bryan said getting on the scoreboard early would be one factor to give his team an edge and help to quiet the crowd.
“Scoring first does help a lot,” Bryan said. “You don’t want a home team to get momentum on you early and get up on you early. One touchdown may not be as big a deal, but if you let them get a couple of scores on you, it gets very hard to come back in that hostile environment.”
And scoring is something the Vikings have been able to do during their current three game winning streak. Emerald is averaging more than 37 points a game since its shutout loss to Greenwood.
Senior quarterback Dan Wideman has been the catalyst for the Vikings’ spread offense. Wideman has thrown for 826 yards and six touchdowns, completing 62 percent of his passes, and has rushed for 308 yards and seven scores.
“Wideman can beat you with his arm and his legs. We’ve got to contain him,” Roberts said. “We have to be able to control the clock and keep their offense off the field. They have a potent offense that can score and score quickly.”
Wideman was one of two Vikings to rush for more than 100 yards in last week’s 33-13 win over Abbeville. Senior tailback Brandon Davis rushed for a team-high 119 yards, while Josh Boville added 83 yards.
But what has pleased the Emerald coach as much as seeing his newly installed offense clicking is how the defense has been making strides.
After giving up eight touchdowns in the first two weeks, the Emerald defense has allowed half that number in the last two games.
“Our defense has played very well over the last two weeks,” Bryan said. “We’ve made a lot of plays and force some turnovers.”
And like last week’s meeting with Abbeville, the Vikings face another run-first offense going up against the Flashes’ wing T.
Since the 22-point loss to Ninety Six in Week 2, the Flashes have put up 28 points in wins over Jonesville and Crescent.
“The thing that Calhoun Falls brings to the table is they have three or four skill people that on any given play can go all the way on you,” Bryan said. “They can throw a hitch out to No. 7 (Theo Tillman) and on film, it looks like everybody else is just standing still. He’s that fast.
“The key for our defense is that we can’t miss tackles. If you miss a tackle against this bunch, you’re going to pay for it.”
Tillman was virtually unstoppable in the Flashes’ opener, rushing for 164 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries against the Chiefs.
However since that game, the All-Lakelands back, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, seems to be playing with an invisible target on him.
In the last three weeks, the senior has been limited to 59 rushing yards and zero touchdowns on the ground.
“He probably had three rushing touchdowns and 180 yards called back because of penalties,” Roberts said, about Tillman’s performance last week. “Everybody is keying on him. He goes in motion and the defense flies after him.
“We have to find a way to get him the ball. We do have some other good running backs, like Santonio Tillman, doing a great job, but we’re having too many breakdowns on offense.”
Tillman has been a lethal target through the air for senior quarterback D.J. Roundtree. Tillman has eight catches for 266 yards and four touchdowns.
With the focus of attention on Theo Tillman, Santonio and Roundtree have picked up the rushing slack. Santonio Tillman is second among area backs with 353 yards rushing, while Roundtree has 178 yards rushing and 130 passing in two games.

Opinion

One better way to settle debate over school start

September 22, 2005

In the midst of continuous news about one hurricane or another, violence in Iraq and elsewhere, and political bickering on the state and national level, there are a lot of people interested in a more up close and personal question: Should school start at the beginning of August or not until after Labor Day?
There’s been an argument going on for some time about that issue, and it is definitely an issue. Issues, to be sure, always have two sides.
On one side of this question there are many parents, and children, who feel they’re being cheated out of part of their summer when public schools are required to go back to work in early August. They also see it as taking time from children who need the time just to be children.

THERE ARE, TO BE SURE, other considerations, like waiting for the school bus in the darkness of winter mornings, detractions from family time that full summers allow, and a variety of practical, everyday matters. There are pertinent budget concerns, as well.
<$>On the other side are early start proponents who strongly believe that when children stay out too long in the summer they forget some of what they’ve learned. They further believe that earlier starts better prepares children for an extended learning experience that will enhance education all around, including higher schools on standardized tests.
There are other ramifications, but the pros and cons of earlier school starts seem pretty well understood by all involved.

DON’T FORGET, OF COURSE, there are some who see all kinds of motivations on both sides of the question ... Positive and negative.
What’s the answer? It depends on who is doing the talking. Some school officials around the state – and Greenwood – say there’s really not that much interest in what has been the traditional after Labor Day start of schools. They say they haven’t had that many requests, from parents or anyone else.
The other side, however, says that’s not necessarily the case, that interest is high for a later start.
Greenwood School District 50 trustees recently voted down a motion to create a special committee to study the advantages and disadvantages of a later start. That would indicate that considering a later start is out of the question, at least as far and the majority of District 50 trustees are concerned.
There is one way to find out what the taxpayers want. Ask them. Put the question on the next ballot. That would end the debate on who wants what when.
That, without debate, would be fair.

Obituaries

Joel Brooks Sr.

Services for Joel Brooks Sr., of 210 Hillyard St., are 3 p.m. Friday at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, conducted by Pastor Raymond Adams, assisted by Apostle Jessie Simmons, Pastors Kevin Simmons, Yvonne Cheatham and Curtis Carter and the Rev. Lahoma Mosley. The body will be placed in the church at 2. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews.
Flower bearers are nieces.
Visitation is this evening at the home of Edna Kinard and Jewel Lockhart, A-6 Wood Glen Apartments and the home of a daughter and son, Ethel Brooks and Joel Brooks Jr., 628 Pearl St.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Patricia Eckstein

NINETY SIX, SC — Patricia Marlene Shuler Eckstein, 67, resident of 326 Compass Point, on Lake Greenwood, wife of Michael Albert Eckstein, died September 20, 2005 at The Hospice House in Greenwood, SC Born in Chicago, IL, she was a daughter of the late Nilan J. Shuler and Maurine Akers Shuler. Surviving in addition to her husband of the home are two daughters, Cheri McKenna of Manhattan, IL and Jill Matosky of Loveland, OH; grandchildren, Tom, Kyle and Tyler McKenna, Jim and Mandy Matosky; a son-in-law, James Matosky. She was predeceased in death by a son-in-law, Thomas McKenna, Also surviving are a brother. Ronald Shuler and wife, Barbara, brother-in-law, Martin Eckstein and wife, Nancy, sister-in-law, Maryann Reid and husband Robert; five nieces and three nephews.
Mike and Pat were high school sweethearts in the Chicago suburb of Harvey, 1L. They would be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on February 11, 2006. While attending college on a part-time basis Pat was a secretary for the Chicago Heights Public School District. After moving to Flossmoor, IL she became a real estate agent and owner of a specialty toy store in Frankfort, IL.
Moving to Mason (Cincin-nati). OH in 1978 she joined her husband’s company as a manufacturer’s representative. They represented various toy manufacturers throughout sev-eral countries. The Ecksteins retired from the toy business and moved to Grand Harbor in Ninety Six in December 2000. They were the first residents of Grand Harbor and are blessed with loving and caring neighbors. Pat thought of them as her extended family.
Pat’s volunteer work has included mentoring at Mason, OH Middle School, church organizations, PTA President, social director of HOA, Montgomery, OH Woman’s Club, Greenwood Republican Women’s Club, Greenwood County Relay for Life and American Cancer Society. She attended St. Paul United Methodist Church in Ninety Six.
Pat enjoyed golf, tennis and boating and was especially proud of being a grandmother to her five grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life for Patricia Eckstein will be held at 2 pm Friday, September 23, 2005 in the chapel of Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood with Dr. Bill Quarles officiating. There will be a private service at Oakbrook Memorial Park for the family.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 231 Hampton Avenue, Green-wood, SC 29646 or to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com BLYTH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES IS ASSISTING THE ECKSTEIN FAMILY. PAID OBITUARY

‘Buddy’ Ellenburg

Fred M. “Buddy” Ellenburg Sr., 63, of 113 Pinsonville Road, husband of Shirley Harbin Ellenburg, died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005.
Born in Easley, he was a son of the late Fred Winfred and Ophelia Waldrop Ellenburg. He was retired from Solutia and had served in the Navy.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Deborah Ellenburg Powell of Greenwood; a son, Fred M. Ellenburg Jr. of Greenwood; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren. Services are 11 a.m. Friday at Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Harley Funeral Home.
Family members are at their respective homes.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Franklin D. Norman

CALHOUN FALLS — Franklin D. Roosevelt Norman, 68, of 512 Seneca St., widower of Manda Starks Norman, died Friday, Sept. 16, 2005 at Abbeville County Memorial Hospital.
Born in Lincolnton, Ga., he was a son of the late Cliff Norman Sr. and Revilla Blackwell Norman. He was a former sanitation employee for the town of Calhoun Falls and a member of McAllister Chapel Holiness Church of Mount Carmel.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. David (Bernice) Hall and Darlene Norman of Miami; three brothers, Bishop F.M. Norman of Miami, Bishop Grant Norman of Madison, Fla., and Isiah Norman of Calhoun Falls; two sisters, Dorsa Mae Harrison and Mattie Norman of Boston; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Rockford AME Church, Mount Carmel, conducted by the Rev. Fred M. Armfield, pastor. Burial is in the church cemetery.
The family is at the home of a nephew, Albert Norman, 153 Tugaloo St., Calhoun Falls.
Friendly Funeral Home is in charge.

Odell Jones Timmerman

RIDGE SPRING — Odell Jones Timmerman, 86, died Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2005. Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Ridge Spring Cemetery with Rev. John Kneece officiating. Pallbearers will be Alfred, David and Ralph McCamish, Kristian and Bryan Hiers and Derek Jones. Honorary Pallbearers will be Borell and Irvin Boatwright, Robert Steadman and Andrew Rutland.
Mrs. Timmerman was born in Dyer, KY to the late Florence and Ira Preston McCamish. She was a member of Ridge Spring Baptist Church, W.M.U., Wish Garden Club and The American Legion Auxiliary. Her first husband was the late John Omar Jones and she was a homemaker.
Surviving is her husband, Bruce E. Timmerman of Batesburg; son and daughter-in-law, Rev. Mack Jones of Greenwood and wife Linda; daughter and son-in-law, Diane Hiers of Greensboro, NC and husband, Dick; sister, Lena Mae Butler of Irvington, KY; 3 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren.
Family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday prior to the service at the funeral home. Milton Shealy Funeral Home 803-532-6100 is in charge of all arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY