Hybrid cars, ethanol could be solution
for Lakelands residents in near future

April 22, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

During the past year, Katie Easler has found more than just her car sitting in its parked spot when she pushes her cart full of groceries out of the store.
She has been finding a group of strangers orbiting her vehicle, all looking for one thing: the extension cord she uses to “plug it in” at night.
Like many Greenwood and the Lakelands residents, Katie and husband Gene became concerned as the price of gas crept closer and closer to the $3 mark last year.
After some research, they decided to invest in the hybrid Toyota Prius, a vehicle that boasts 60 miles per gallon in the city and 51 miles per gallon on the highway. Two weeks ago, the couple returned to the Ballentine Toyota dealership in Greenwood to purchase a second Prius for Gene. Katie said she thought the car was ugly at first, but Gene insisted that “ugly wouldn’t get her around the block.”
Now, Katie said she can’t get over the comfort of the vehicle.
“People seem to be really interested in them,” said Katie, who added her most common answer to people’s question is “no, you don’t plug it in.” “There’s always people looking at you strange when you’re driving around, but I’ve really enjoyed it.”
The rising cost of gas has caused many people, including Spinx Company Inc. founder Stewart Spinks, to look for alternatives to combat the situation forcing many to reach past the holes in their pockets to drive.
Though General Motors has not released a hybrid model car to date, many of their models are flex-fuel compatible, which allows them to use Ethanol fuel, derived from crops such as corn, and standard fuel.
The only problem with flex-fuel vehicles in the Lakelands is that the closest location to purchase Ethanol, also known as E85, is at a Spinx station in Honea Path.
But Jerry Sprouse, director of fleet for the Spinx Company, said that is all about to change. He said the company anticipates offering the fuel, that many drivers don’t even realize can be used in their vehicles, at the Spinx station on U.S. 25 NE within the next year.
Sprouse said that after a renovation to the station, that will allow it to accommodate the excess tankage, the station also will feature biodiesel fuel. Commonly known as B20, the fuel is made of 20 percent soybeans and 80 percent diesel. In June, the Spinx station in Greer became the first station to offer legendary musician Willie Nelson’s “BioWillie biodiesel.”
Sprouse said the alternative fuel, that will be used mostly in the trucking market and in foreign cars such as Mercedes-Benz, will boost the South Carolina economy with the increased demand of soybeans.
Restaurants also might be contributing to this revolution away from standard diesel by giving over their waste cooking oil to the biodiesel market.
And talk about combatting air pollution. Several research statements about the fuel say that cars burning the fuel will smell as french fries and doughtnuts.
“Stewart is state-of-the-art,” Sprouse said of the Spinx company owner. “He does everything to stay on top of what is being researched and what will benefit the environment.”
While some drivers will wait for the comparable Ethanol to become available in the area, others will continue to stay parked on a waiting list for a hybrid model such as the Easler’s Prius. Ford, Honda, Lexus and Mercury all have hybrid models that are applicable for federal tax credit. On Tuesday, a bill that would give consumers a state income tax credit of $500 to $700 for purchasing hybrid cars passed a House subcommittee.
But don’t expect to be able to just walk in, slap down about $22,000 and drive away in a hybrid. John Madison, the sales consultant who sold the Easlers both their Prius’ at Ballentine Toyota, said the average waiting time for the cars is about three months. He said there are currently about half a dozen people waiting for the next hybrid to come in. In some states, people have been waiting up to 12 months for a car.
“You would not think the car has that kind of ride or performance, but it does,” Madison said. “When Gene said he was interested in buying the second Prius, I said ‘these things are moving pretty fast, so when I call you, you need to come quick.’”
When Madison called Gene, the latter quickly left the mall, where he had been walking laps, to put a down payment on the new model that comes with a federal tax credit of $1,300.
“You don’t give up comfort, you don’t give up performance and you don’t give up safety,” Gene said. “It’s a plus-plus situation. We got the best of all of it, really.”
As a nurse who commutes daily to Clinton, Katie said the car has cut gas expenses in half.
Depending on how much she uses the air conditioner and how fast she drives, she averages about 52 miles to the gallon.
Though Gene’s newer model includes a rearview camera and a setting that tells what pressure the tires are at, both cars feature a keyless control that hangs on a keychain and tells the car if you are approaching.
After it unlocks the doors, the car is ready to be started by pushing a button.
A screen in the dash shows the constant action in the car, such as when it changes over from the gasoline engine to the electric motor. The car is designed to use the electric motor when the car is rolling at low speeds, and to charge the batteries every time the driver uses the brakes or comes to a stop, much like a generator.
“It has more bells and whistles than we’ll ever be able to blow,” Gene said.
Gene said a lot of people ask him if the car can run without gas, and he explains that because of the gasoline engine, it is not entirely electric.
The performance of the car, that he said makes it run “like a scalded dog,” simply blew him away.
“I was just sold on it when I saw it,” he said. “I think Toyota has a winner there.”

One mission accomplished

Greenwood native shoots 7 under in second round of Hooters event

April 22, 2006

By MICHAEL STONE
Index-Journal sports editor

McCORMICK — Emmett Turner came into Friday’s round of the Savannah Lakes Resort Classic looking to post a score good enough to qualify him for weekend play.
Mission accomplished.
The Greenwood native fired a 7-under-par 65, tying for the best round of the day, and moved into a tie for 15th place after two rounds of the NGA/Hooters Tour event at Monticello Golf Club in McCormick.
Play was suspended because of inclement weather with one-third of the field still having to finish their rounds.
The second round will resume at 8 this morning, with the third round scheduled to start at 9:45. Turner is at 8-under 136 heading into the third round, four strokes behind co-leaders Gareth Maybin, of Northern Ireland, and Tommy Biershenk, of Boiling Springs.
“So far we haven’t had that afternoon wind this (course) is famous for, so low scores are out there,” Turner said. “It may take a score in the 20s (under par) to win.”
Gusting winds probably wouldn’t have stopped Turner Friday. Using a dominating short game, the Greenwood High School graduate finished the round with eight birdies and one bogey, and needed only 27 putts for 18 holes.
How hot was his short game? Turner:
Hit his approach shot on No. 4 within three feet of the pin to set up his first birdie.
Hit a six-foot birdie putt on No. 5
Blasted out of a sand trap on No. 6 to within two feet of the hole to save par.
Chipped in from 20 feet on No. 7 for a birdie.
Hit his approach shot on No. 9 within four feet of the hole to set up another birdie putt.
And that was just the front nine.
He added four more birdies on the back nine — twice hitting long putts to break par, and twice chipping within two feet of the hole — and his bogey on No. 10 came when his par putt lipped out of the cup.
But he saved his most impressive shots for the end of the round.
His tee shot on the 242-yard par 3 No. 16 reached the green, but 60 feet to the left of the pin.
Turner line up his putt and rolled the ball to within two feet of the hole to earn a par.
On the 393-yard par 4 No. 17, Turner’s approach shot nearly hit the went in the hole for an eagle, ending up a foot away from the pin. He tapped in for an easy birdie, his last of the day.
“I feel like I hit the ball the same as (Thursday); I was two under after five holes, just like I was yesterday,” Turner said. “But I bogeyed eight and nine yesterday, and birdied them today.
“I was hitting those 10-to 15-foot putts that didn’t go down (Thursday), and my chipping was on.”
Turner will have to keep playing well if he wants to finish well after Sunday’s final round. One of Turner’s playing partners, Hank Kim, of Jonesboro, Ga., was also at 8 under after two rounds, one of seven players tied with Turner.
Four players matched Turner’s 65 Friday, including Maybin, to earn a share of the lead, and former Clemson golfer Brent DelaHoussaye, which put him at 9 under after two rounds, tied for seventh place.
Not only was Turner benefiting from some solid play, but he was also getting some family help.
His father, Mike, and mother, Emie, were on hand to watch Turner play.
After playing in NGA/Hooter events in Florida, Georgia and Alabama in the last month, Turner is spending a few days sleeping in his old bed and eating home-cooked meals.
Plus, Turner’s father caddied for him Friday after Turner carried his own bag Thursday. The last time Mike carried the bag for his son was at the 2005 South Carolina Golf Association Amateur Championship.
Turner won that event, tying a Daniel Island Club course record with an 8-under-par 64 on the final day to finish at 14 under.
“My dad has a policy; when he carries the bag, he doesn’t say a word to me about golf,” Turner laughed. “We might talk walking down the fairway, but not about golf.”
Michael Stone is the sports editor for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: mstone@indexjournal.com

Opinion

Observations ...

... and other opinions

April 22, 2006

Give University of South Carolina athletics director Eric Hyman credit. He has instituted a course for athletes where they will learn how to act ...... manners, in fact.
It’s never too late, of course, and it’s good to see USC working on something that ought to be second nature ..... but too often isn’t anywhere to be found. Other colleges should do the same. In today’s world there is a crying need for it.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea for all colleges to make it a required course. Manners - or lack of manners - should be addressed, even in grammar or high school. So many parents obviously are not doing the job - in that and many other areas - and they expect teachers to be babysitters and surrogate parents. Why not teach kids manners? It might even improve their grades.

* * * * *

The state of South Carolina could collect $60 million more in taxes this fiscal year than was previously projected. At least data indicate that.
In February, the state Board of Economic Advisors added $237 million to revenues projected for the current budget year and next year. Collections since then have exceeded those estimates. The key word there, of course, is “estimates.” Nevertheless, to borrow from the movie “Field of Dreams,” project it and they will spend it. Could it be projected for a reserve fund? Dream on!

* * * * *

All elected officeholders, especially those in Washington, should be wary of upcoming elections. They can forget about immigration, Social Security, Iraq and a variety of other issues that command time and attention. All, Democrats and Republicans alike, from President Bush on down, will likely be judged on one thing. That’s the cost of gasoline.
Every motorist sees the price skyrocketing and wonders how they can make it. And, they wonder where it will end.
According to AAA Carolinas, driving a car in South Carolina could cost more than 52 cents a mile this year ..... $7,856 for the year. For the average person, that’s stiff.
Many people are one-issue voters, anyway. This year it won’t be surprising if that one issue is gasoline.

* * * * *

Most South Carolinians probably have some concerns about the immigration issue. Most, no doubt, favor it ..... when it’s legal.
Georgia may have the answer. It plans to require proof of legal status before any benefits are distributed to immigrants. How difficult would it be to do that?

Obituaries

Wilma H. Bannister

Wilma Jones Holsonback Bannister, 88, of 303 Draper St., widow of Manning “Smiley” Holsonback and Bradley E. Bannister, died Thursday, April 20, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Piedmont, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Grady and Leila Hughey Jones. She retired from Greenwood Mills Plant No. 4 after 47 years of service and was a member of the Quarter Century Club. She was a member of West Side Baptist Church and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class.
Survivors include a sister, Camilla J. Bailey of Greenwood.
Services are 3 p.m. Sunday at Blyth Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Hal Lane. Burial is in Edgewood Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Marvin Dangerfield, David Ayers, Bobby Cox, Clyde Balchin, Eddie Pruitt, Brad Byars and Gene Hall.
Honorary escorts are the Senior Adult Sunday School Class at West Side Baptist Church, Huey and Janet Holsonback, John and Sylvia Hastings, Donald Crocker, J.W. and Dot Brock, Thomas and Edna Gentry, Clarence and Mary Wilson and Billy and June Powell.
Visitation is 2-3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 6604, Columbia, SC 29260-6604 or National Kidney Foundation, 5000 Thurmond Mall, Suite 106, Columbia, SC 29201.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Lemuel “Bo” Madden Bell

LAURENS — Lemuel “Bo” Madden Bell, 86, widower of Winnie Mae Simpson Bell, of Indianapolis, IN died Wednesday, April 19, 2006.
Born on Nov. 24, 1919 in Greenwood, SC to the late Alma Wesley & Kate (Madden) Bell. Bo was a US Navy veteran of WWII, serving on the USS Columbia. He retired from General Motors/Chevrolet Body after 33 years of service. He was a life member & Past Commander of the Ernie Pyle VFW Post No. 1120, a life member of the Garfield American Legion Post No. 88 and the 40/8 Voiture Locale #145 and a member of the Capitol City Masonic Lodge No. 312 F & AM. He was an avid bowler.
Survivors include, two step-sons, Albert Clay Simpson and Delbert Ray Simpson; a sister, Margaret Bell Bryan; two nephews, Randy and Bill Bryan; one niece, Ann Parker; 7 grandchildren, 10 great grand-children and one great-great grandson. He was predeceased by a brother William Bell.
Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 AM Monday, April 24, 2006 at The Kennedy Mortuary.
Graveside services will be 11:30 AM Monday at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the USS Columbia Association.
Kennedy Mortuary, Laurens
PAID OBITUARY