‘This is our only Earth’

Greenwood industries, residents gather to kick off Earth Week

April 18, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

With the sun-filled blue skies and budding green trees as a backdrop, West Cambridge Park served as the perfect stage Monday for the kickoff of Earth Week in Greenwood.
Folks who gathered at the park’s gazebo learned a little history behind Earth Day and the reasons why everyone, including businesses and industries, needs to pitch in when it comes to reducing waste, reusing resources and recycling.
“We take it all for granted,” said Brian Waldrep, an engineering manager with Greenwood Metropolitan District (GMD), one of the event’s organizers and participating groups. “We have to conserve our resources so we can have beautiful parks like (West Cambridge Park) ... You only get one time around with this Earth. You can’t use it up and go to another one.”
Representatives with GMD, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Greenwood Area Chamber of Commerce, public works, and county landfill and recycling were also on hand, and St. Mark United Methodist Church’s Kids’ World singers performed a number of Earth-related songs.
Greenwood Mayor Floyd Nicholson signed a proclamation honoring Earth Day in Greenwood, and the event was the first of several Earth Week-related activities scheduled to take place this week leading up to South Carolina’s official Earth Day on April 22.
Beyond keeping the planet beautiful for future generations, Waldrep said Earth Day is also about keeping pollutants out of Earth’s resources, which is a main focus for organizations such as GMD and DHEC.
“Our primary job is to protect public health,” Waldrep said, adding that the wastewater recycled by GMD is cleaned and placed back into the streams for use by residents in other counties.
While a biology major in college, Mike Runyan, now an associate professor at Lander University, said he heard chatter and rumors from environmental groups about organizing a day focused on the harm being done to Earth.
Thirty six years later, Earth Day has seen highs and lows in momentum, Runyan said, but thanks to efforts by today’s business, government and community leaders — who grew up in the zeal of the first Earth Day celebrations in the 1970s — environmental awareness is at the forefront of societal issues.
The momentum has pushed Earth Day beyond bumper stickers and T-shirts to teaching awareness in schools and changing attitudes, Runyan said, adding that many industries have created their own strict environmental standards.
“What a fantastic turn of events,” Runyan said. “It’s because companies, businesses and people see that we are in this together ... This is the only Earth. If we relax our standards, our children and their children will pay.”
He said issues such as global warming, which is touted by some scientists as melting ice caps and raising ocean levels, is one type of damage being done to the Earth’s ecosystem, and it is damage that could take years to correct.
By reducing, reusing and recycling, and by keeping environmental concerns at the forefront of government and industry, Runyan said people can make Earth Day last 365 days a year.
“But mostly, we can make a difference by showing our children how to be good stewards of this Earth,” he said.

Jannie Bell Callaham

PLUM BRANCH — Services for Jannie Bell Callaham are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Melvin Gordon, pastor. Assisting are the Revs. Otis Cunningham and Robert J. Haskell. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends of the family.
The family is at the home of a son Cleveland Callaham, 597 L.W. Lyons Road, Plum Branch. Walker Funeral Home, McCormick, is in charge.

Flossie A. Jenkins

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Flossie A. Stokes Jenkins, 81, widow of David Vernon “D.V.” Jenkins, died Thursday, April 13, 2006 at Bayside Nursing Center in Leonardtown.
Born in Bowman, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Lovick J. and Lucy Sally Stokes. She was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church, Hodges, S.C., and had lived in Maryland since 1999.
Survivors include a son, David R. Jenkins of Loveville, Md.; a sister, Pearl Bodden of Jersey City, N.Y.; a brother, James Stokes of Bowman; four grandchildren; a great-grandchild.
Graveside services are at noon today at Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, Hodges.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, S.C., is in charge.

Arthur Edward Phillips

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Arthur Edward Phillips, 70, died Wednesday, April 12, 2006.
Born in Edgefield County, S.C., he was a son of Luther Mitchell and the late Susie Mae Phillips Mitchell. He was a former member of Springfield Baptist Church and Flint Hill Baptist Church. He was an Army veteran.
Survivors include his father of Edgefield; two sons, Leonard C. Holmes of Clarksville and Anthony D. Phillips Sr. of Nashville; two daughters, Shirley P. Wells and Cynthia P. Mallard, both of Clarksville; three brothers, Luther Mitchell Jr. of Edgefield, Charlie B. Mitchell of Washington, D.C., and James Eddie Mitchell of Bladenburg, Md.; four sisters, Annie Lou Young of Greenwood, S.C., Dorise Mitchell, Claudine Mitchell and Mary Emma Graham, all of Washington, D.C.; two grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. Wednesday at Flint Hill Baptist Church, Greenwood County, S.C., conducted by the Rev. John R. Brightharp, pastor. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, S.C., is in charge.

Bland Powell, Jr.

JOHNSTON, SC — Elzie Bland Powell, Jr., 75, of 1759 Johnston Hwy., Johnston, SC died Monday, April 17, 2006 at the Hospice House of the Piedmont, Greenwood, SC.
Born in Saluda County and a son of the late Elzie B. Powell, Sr. and Velma Quarles Powell, he was the husband of Aline Horne Powell. Mr. Powell retired as maintenance superintendent of Shaw Industries and was formerly employed as electrical supervisor with Milliken of Saluda, SC. He held the distinction of being the first Saluda County employee hired for the Milliken Plant upon its construction. He was also formerly employed as an electrician with Graniteville Company. He was a lifelong member of Kadosh Masonic Lodge #181 in Johnston, SC and recently received 50 years membership pin. He was also a member and past President of the Saluda County Shrine Club of the Hejaz Temple. Mr. Powell was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church and served as chairman of the cemetery committee and member of the board of trustees and choir.
Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Aline H. Powell of the home, a son and daughter-in-law, Gerald B. and Janice R. Powell of Saluda, two daughters and sons-in-law, Glenda P. and Joe Warren of Saluda and Virginia P. and Greg Enlow of Ninety Six, a brother, James H. Powell of Aiken and a sister, Maggie P. Rushton of Tucker, GA., five grandchildren, Travis Powell, Daniel Powell, Brandon Warren (and Alicea), Carey Shealy (and Elaine) and Cassie Warren Cantu (and Michael), two great-grandchildren, David Brandon Warren and Alicea Caroline Warren.
Two sisters, Doris Doolittle and Daisy McClain, preceded Mr. Powell in death.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 9PM, Tuesday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 4PM, Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tina Thomas and Rev. Wayne Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, c/o Tim Berry, 705 Edisto St., Johnston, SC 29832 or The Hospice House, Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
PAID OBITUARY

Leo B. Talbert

Leo B. Talbert, 65, of 1004 Magnolia Drive, husband of Janie N. Talbert, died Monday, April 17, 2006 at his home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Area teams prep for playoffs

Emerald, Dixie to open postseason play at home; Ware Shoals, Greenwood travel

April 18, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

The road to a possible state championship officially begins this week for four Lakelands area baseball teams.
The South Carolina High School League playoffs begin Thursday across all four classifications.
Qualified teams will first compete in a double-elimination district championship tournament, the winners of which will then compete for Upper and Lower State championships. Those champions will then meet in a best two out of three series to determine the respective state champions.
Emerald (20-3) is the only team from the Lakelands to secure a top seed for the playoffs.
The Vikings were Region III-AA champions, locking in the region’s top seed. Emerald hosts Columbia 7 p.m. Thursday. The Capitals are the fourth-place team out of Region IV-AA. The teams are playing in Upper State District III.
Greenwood qualified for the AAAA playoffs with a 15-10 overall record and a 5-5 mark in Region IV-AAAA. The Eagles travel Thursday to take on Region III champion Gaffney. Greenwood fell to the Indians in the first game of the 2005 playoffs.
In the Class A playoffs, Dixie secured the No. 2 seed for Region I-A. Dixie (13-8, 8-4) has a home game Thursday against Region II-AA third-seed Blacksburg. The match-up will take place within District IV.
Ware Shoals have also earned a spot in the Class A tournament. Ware Shoals is the No. 4 seed from Region I-A and will be playing in District II. The Purple Hornets travel Thursday to take on Region II-AA No. 1 seed and top-ranked team in Class A Landrum.
Emerald coach Chad Evans said he is confident about the way the Vikings have been playing heading into the playoffs.
“Our guys are playing well at the right time,” said Evans, whose Vikings enter as the defending Upper State champion. “Our defense has been solid and we’re getting timely hitting. It helps to have a number one seed. If you can win your first two games, that is a big, big plus.” Evans admits he doesn’t know a lot about Columbia, a team the Vikings defeated in the first game a year ago. Though the Capitals are a four seed, Evans said the Vikings would be remiss to overlook them. Evans said any team that qualifies for the state playoffs can be dangerous.
The Vikings are led by the potent pitching duo of Brandon Miller and Blake Moore. Miller, a University of South Carolina commitment, is 9-0 with an ERA of 0.38 and 109 strikeouts. Moore is 5-2 with an 0.83 ERA and has fanned 43 batters.
Across town, Moss said the Eagles seem to be peaking at the right time.
“We have a good group of guys on this team,” Moss said. “I feel like we can compete with anybody. We match up pretty well with Gaffney and the other teams in our district, so I think we’ll have the opportunity to make some noise.”
One player Moss said he thinks could have a positive impact on the Eagles postseason performance is senior pitcher Justin Lawson, who pitched only 10 innings last season.
However, he has pitched nearly 40 inning this season and is carrying a record of 6-1 into the playoffs.
In terms of position players, look for Eagles’ shortstop Kyle Behrendt to be a key figure in Greenwood’s playoff plans. Behrendt, a Wofford commitment, has proven to be a slick fielding defensive player with considerable pop at the plate.
Lollis said his young Hornets-the team has only two players back from a year ago- are excited about taking on the state’s top-ranked A team.
“Oh, they’re looking forward to it,” said Lollis of his team playing the Cardinals. “As we get closer to Thursday the excitement will build even more. I think it’s an advantage that we haven’t played Landrum this season, so we don’t know what to expect from them and they don’t know what to expect from us.”
Lollis said Travis Rice may get the start on the mound for the Purple Hornets Thursday. Rice was set to be the team’s No. 1 starter coming into the season, but was not able to pitch because of a rotator cuff injury. However, Lollis said Rice is ready to go.
“He’s been stretching and working hard to get back,” Lollis said. “He pitched our last two games against McCormick, and he looked really good. He may start Thursday. If not, Damien Robinson could start.”
Rice is one of the two Purple Hornets that returned from last season, the other being shortstop Wesley Skinner. Lollis said he will look to both players to provide upperclassmen leadership. When Dixie takes on Blacksburg, it will look to catcher Sean Lown to be key contributor. Lown has been adept at throwing out runners from his catching position and collecting key hits in clutch situations.
Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com.

How can U. S. continue to do the job for U. N.?

April 18, 2006

One more time! Iran’s radical President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has thumbed his nose at the United Nations’ nuclear agency chief. In doing so, Ahmadinejad rejected a request for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment, a process that can aid the development of nuclear weapons.
This has been going on for some time, with the UN seeking cooperation and Iran telling it where to go. So far, the UN has done nothing substantively to impact Iran. That may not make any difference, anyway, since the UN, as every South Carolinian knows - or should know - has not been taken seriously, precisely because it has failed to do anything when it has been rebuffed, most of the times arrogantly.

THE IRANIANS “WENT TO SCHOOL” on Iraq. The UN issued resolution after resolution against Iraq’s dictator, Saddam Hussein, and he did what Iran is now doing. That is, he ignored the resolutions and it was business as usual until the United States put its military, money and reputation on the line to do the job the UN should have done but wouldn’t ..... or couldn’t.
Economic sanctions against Iran are possible, of course. But we know that Saddam’s Iraq maneuvered around them all and they had no effect. It’s likely the same thing would occur if the UN took that approach to Iran. Besides, Russia and China, being permanent members of the UN Security Council, would likely veto any such move.
Anything the UN might consider, though, would probably be laughed at by Iran, based on the UN’s namby-pamby history in similar situations. Face it. The UN has become a worldwide, expensive bureaucracy that has fallen far short of its charter responsibilities toward its member nations.

SO MANY THINGS HAVE OCCURRED and the UN has too often failed to act. Does anyone nowadays really respect the UN or heed its talk. After all, it has been a speak-softly-but-carry-no-stick approach that has made it an ineffective tool in world affairs.
Will it confront the madmen of Iran if the situation continues as it is? Will it address Iran’s “40,000 suicide bombers” threat? Or will the U. S. be forced to take the lead in stopping Iran’s nuclear threats? The way it looks, there will be no alternative left. But, then, why should the U. S. shoulder the responsibility and the expense of stopping Iran’s nuclear intentions? If that comes, maybe it would be time to consider if the UN is worth what it costs.