Too many shoes fit

Agency uses footwear to help raise awareness about sexual assault

April 27, 2006

By LINDSAY SAINLAR
Index-Journal intern

ABBEVILLE — Take a drive around Uptown Greenwood and notice the teal ribbons tied around the trees. They’re “ribbons of safety” used to signify sexual assault awareness and education.
Because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Sexual Trauma & Counseling Center has been working to inform the public about what the teal ribbons represent.
STCC personnel want people to step out of their not-in-my-backyard ideologies, Assistant Director Kris Burris said. So they showed up Wednesday at the Abbeville County Courthouse with some shoes, posterboards and a podium to set up for Walk in My Shoes.
Walk in My Shoes is a national event designed to raise awareness of and prevent sexual violence.
During the past three months, Burris said STCC has been pounding pavement and hanging fliers in an attempt to garner attention and shoe donations to fuel the campaign.
Similar to Take Back the Night, in which T-shirts decorated by rape victims are hung on clotheslines to reinforce the idea that more people are affected by rape than most realize, Walk in My Shoes displayed a pair of shoes for every 2005 victim of sexual assault in Abbeville.
From a pair of hot pink Converse high-tops to cleats, boots and heels, there were 96 shoes in the courtyard. According to STCC, only 16 percent of rapes are reported.
More than 500 shoes would be needed to show the impact of sexual assault in Greenwood, Abbeville and Laurens counties.
Seventeen people showed up to listen to 20 minutes of speeches from STCC representatives, a policeman and an elementary school counselor about the importance of realizing sexual assaults can and do happen, and what can be done to prevent such acts.
From 17, the crowd dwindled to a few people, with passersby stopping to ask about the shoe display.
“I was hoping for a bigger turnout,” STCC employee Allison Haddon said. “You don’t get a lot of people who come out for things like this.”
Sexual assault is a touchy subject that’s starting to make its headway in the public eye, Haddon said. It’s becoming less taboo to discuss it, she said.
Haddon’s grandmother, Florence, came to support the cause. She said she wanted to see what Walk in My Shoes was all about because she had listened to Allison talk about her work at STCC.
“If it doesn’t happen to someone you know, you don’t think about it,” Florence said. She was a teacher in Abbeville for many years before she retired in 1982, and Florence said she never had any students whom she knew were affected by sexual assaults.
“There could have been,” she said. “If it had ever happened, I didn’t know about it. I never heard anyone talking about it.”
That’s why STCC is doing its best to make people aware of sexual assaults, event organizers said.
Tuesday night Laura Lenz went to a baseball game and realized something.
“I thought, ‘Wow, there’s a lot of teenagers and families out here,’” said Lenz, a victim advocate. “There’s probably two men on this team that have been affected.”
After working at STCC for a year and half now, she said she realizes victims of sexual assault are everywhere, and she’s more watchful of her surroundings.
Knowledge and education are the most effective means to potentially thwart sexual assaults, Lenz said. There are currently 43 volunteers for the three counties STCC covers, and more are always needed, Haddon said.
Katherine Glenn came to the Abbeville Courthouse to pay taxes, and she stopped to ask Lenz about the shoes she was packing away.
A retired ER nurse, Glenn said she never realized the prevalence of sexual assaults. She gave Lenz and Haddon her address and asked to have STCC mail her volunteer information.
“I hope I can do something,” Glenn said.
As Glenn started to walk away, Lenz said, “The more people we have, the more we can break this cycle.”
For information about STCC and volunteer opportunities, call (864) 227-1623.

Area residents shop for careers
at local mall during regional job fair

April 27, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

For area employers, however, that worker surplus could be attractive, Johnson said.
“A lot of people are looking for workers, and they know the labor market is out there. Because of closures and layoffs we’ve had recently, there is a good pool of people looking for work,” she said.
Johnson said small businesses, which represented a good portion of the employers at the job fair, are particularly strong in the current job market.
“People aren’t hiring in large numbers, but smaller businesses are the ones supporting the economy right now,” Johnson said, adding that small businesses also can provide the health care benefits that many job seekers want.
Job seeker Rosa Ramsey, a Greenwood resident, said she was concerned about recent slumps in the local job market, but, like many who were searching for employment, she said she was hoping she would leave the job fair with at least a few interviews with potential employers.
“Job fairs like this help a lot of people that don’t have jobs to find one that is really (fitting for them),” she said.
Representatives with area economic development boards also gave participants a glimpse at what is on the horizon with the local job market and insight into what those employers are looking for in prospective employees.
Teresa Powers, with the Newberry County Economic Development Board, said several big projects are planned for that county in the coming year, including growth in the industrial and manufacturing district. Caterpillar Inc. has started assembling generators in Newberry County, and Kim Westbury, with Saluda County Economic Development, said the expansion could generate traffic from suppliers in surrounding counties.
But even in the wake of textile losses, some positive stories remain, such as that of Newberry County’s Renfro Corp., which has recently added jobs, Powers said.
“We all know there have been textile industry struggles and everyone is affected by them, but that (Renfro) is a success, and we are really excited about it,” Powers said. “All industries are looking for folks with good work ethics. Employers are willing to train if you bring the right attitude and work ethic to the position.”
That positive attitude is something that not only benefits employers, but employees as well, said Steve Bowles, with the Abbeville County Development Board.
“What jobs are out there? Any job you want,” Bowles told the crowd at one workshop.
Using his own experience as an example, he told job seekers about the importance of being passionate about a career and being willing to start at the bottom and work their way up.
“You may not get the job you want, but if you are willing to start at entry level, get into the organization and prove your worth, you will be able to climb that ladder,” Bowles said. “Fifty percent of your waking hours is devoted to work. You better enjoy what you are doing. Make it something that counts for you so you’ll love to wake up in the morning.”

Vikings get it done in one

EHS baseball cruises past Pendleton for District III title

April 27, 2006

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

Nothing against Ernie Banks, but Emerald High School coach Chad Evans had no desire to play two Wednesday.
And his Vikings, who only had to win one game to keep their season alive, responded in kind.
Behind an effective complete-game performance from senior Blake Moore and a few high scoring innings, the Vikings dispatched Pendleton, 9-1, in the first game of the District III finals at the Emerald baseball field.
“That’s the thing we talked about before the game,” Evans said. “I said, ‘Guys we do not want to play two games today. Let’s take care of business and have two days off.’
“And they did a great job of doing it.”
The win gives the Vikings the opportunity to defend their Upper State crown, advancing to the second double-elimination phase of the state playoffs for the second straight season.
“It’s hard to believe we’ve made it back,” Moore said. “We’ve got great players. We play as a team and that’s the thing.
“We don’t beat ourselves.”
Emerald will hit the road Saturday to the District IV champion. Region III-AA rival Newberry and Region IV-AA champion Gilbert vied for the District IV title Wednesday. The results of that game were not known at press time. Evans said University of South Carolina commitment Brandon Miller will pitch Saturday.
Moore, whose high-arching curve ball kept the Pendleton hitter off-stride, struck out six, while allowing one run on four hits and two walks in seven innings of work.
“My off-speed stuff was working. I think I’ve thrown better in the past, but, like always, I relied on my defense,” Moore said.
“Everyone knows I’m not overpowering, but if I get ahead and get ground balls, it works.
“As long as I hit my spots with it (curve ball)and not leave it up, it’s a big plus for me.”
Moore did get into trouble in the first inning.
After a one-out single and walk, Moore fielded Brandon Sanchez’s sacrifice bunt attempt. The Emerald pitcher went to third on the play, but not in time to get Spencer Williams, loading the bases.
Opposing starter B.J. Thrasher followed with what would be Pendleton’s only run on a sacrifice fly to center, bringing in Williams for the 1-0 lead.
But Moore got out of the inning by getting designated hitter Brandon Burton to look at strike three.
Pendleton had an opportunity to increase its lead in the second. After a four-up, three-down Emerald half of the first, Bulldogs’ Shane Burton reached on a two-out error.
Nick Martin followed with a shot to right-center. Emerald center fielder James Childress dove to make the grab, but came up short. However, the freshman recovered the ball and threw a dart to the cut-off Miller, who rocketed a throw to catcher Josh Lovvorn in time to tag Brown sliding into home.
“That was a huge play because that would have made it 2-0, but it ended up being the third out of the inning,” Evans said. “He (Childress) made a perfect throw and Brandon made a great relay. Without two great throws, it probably is 2-0.
“You couldn’t have asked for a better outcome after the ball hit the ground.”
Emerald, starting with Childress, responded to the defensive gem in the following inning.
Childress smacked the first of his three hits up the middle to lead off the second. A walk to Stephen Gary and a two-out infield single from Tyler McGraw loaded the bases for Moore.
Moore drew a five-pitch walk from Thrasher to tie the game. Miller followed with a crushing single to left-center to plate Gary and McGraw.
Moore’s courtesy runner Justin Davis later scored on a wild pitch to stake Moore to a 4-1 lead.
“Anytime we get runs on the board with our pitching staff, we feel pretty comfortable,” Evans said. “We felt like if we could get three or four runs, we’d be all right.”
The Vikings added two runs in the third and three more in the sixth to take a commanding 9-1 advantage.

Opinion

Time to change attitudes on underage drinking

April 27, 2006

Sometimes, it seems, you can’t win for losing. Some recent news tells the story quite well.
For example, some good news: A recent report from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says drug use among teens nationally has gone down. In the state-by-state survey, however, South Carolina was not among the states that showed a decline in teen drug use.
The bad news? At the same time, the survey showed that teen alcohol use remained unchanged. In fact, an official said, “While we are making progress on drug and alcohol use among youth, underage drinking continued as a stubbornly persistent problem.”

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE? “It’s time to change attitudes toward teen drinking from acceptance to abstinence. It begins,” he advised, “by recognizing the importance of parents talking to their children early and often about alcohol, especially before they’ve started drinking.”
That’s good advice, of course. Nevertheless, some parents are the kind that will always resent anyone telling them anything about their children. Some, believe it or not, have no problem with their children drinking in a “controlled environment.” That’s been documented too many times to doubt. They rationalize that it’s perfectly acceptable if their kids - and, unfortunately, their friends - drink at a party at home, and.

IT WOULDN’T BE SURPRISING, then, to learn that some of those same parents would be the first to blame somebody else if a child of theirs got into trouble.
There’s always a couple of terrible questions, though. How would those parents live with themselves if a child drinks, drives ... and gets killed? And, how would they explain to their kid’s friend’s parents if he also died?
Harsh stuff? Of course it is. It should be. Underage drinking is a persistent problem, as that official said. Sadly, it seems, it’s growing among even younger children, too.
Parents have an obligation to tell their children what drinking - and drugs - can do. It may not be pretty. But, then, it’s better than dying, on the roads or anywhere else. That picture is too horrible to contemplate ... if parents - and children - would simply face the facts of life ... and death.

Obituaries

Sara Frances Pulliam Best

MACON — Frances Pulliam Best, 89, died Thursday, March 30, 2006 in a local hospital. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 2, 2006 at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street with burial in Macon Memorial Park. Dr. Mark Johnson, the Rev. Gene Crowder and the Rev. Mike Ketchum officiated. The family suggests that those who wish may make memorial contributions to New Heights Baptist Church, 158 Lamar Road, Macon, GA 31220.
Mrs. Best, daughter of the late David E. and Bannie Wall Pulliam, was born in Henry County and had lived in Macon most of her life. She was the sister of the late Robert L. Pulliam and Christine Pulliam Thames. Mrs. Best was a member of New Heights Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of seventy-two years, Bernard L. Best of Macon; her daughter, Glenda Best Smith and her husband Dr. James H. Smith of Greenwood, SC; three grandchildren, Cristie D. Smith of Rome, Gena E. Smith of Rock Hill, SC and J. Michael Smith (Toni) of Atlanta; a great grandchild, Leah Mayo of Rome and a sister-in-law, Gilda Best of Macon.
Visit www.mem.com to express tributes.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street had charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Mary Eakin

Mary Lanier Eakin, 79, of 3218 Callison Highway, wife of Thomas E. “Ed” Eakin, died Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at Edgefield Hospital.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Walter Daniel and Louise McFerrin Lanier. She was a Greenwood High School graduate and retired from Duke Power Co. She was a member of Rehoboth United Methodist Church and the Fellowship Sunday School Class of the church. Survivors include her husband of the home and a sister, Dalene L. Gorham of Greenwood.
Services are 3 p.m. Friday at Rehoboth United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. Joseph Curtis. The body will be placed in the church at 2. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Dennis Darley, Daryl Dodgen, Hilton Dodgen Jr., Bobby Crowder, Stan Davis and Dan Warner.
Honorary escorts are members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class of the church, along with Bubba Fennell, Sharon Engeler, Bobby Foster and Glenn Jones.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Blyth Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Rehoboth United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 1808 Callison Highway, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Gregory L. Harling

Gregory L. Harling, 62, of 221 Sloan Ave., husband of Edith Harling, died Saturday, April 22, 2006 at Comanche County Hospital, Lawton, Okla.
A son of Willie James Harling and the late Blanche Harling, he was a truck driver for Pulliam Trucking Co. and was of the Catholic faith.
Survivors include his wife of the home; his father of Detroit; five sons, Adam Harling and Gregory Harling III, both of Greenwood, Gregory Harling Jr. and Jared Harling of Philadelphia and Michael Harling of Alabama; seven daughters, Tammy Harling-Herd, Kristina Harling and Sabrina Harling, all of Rochester, N.Y., Blanche Harling and Eve Harling, both of Syracuse, N.Y., Kelly Evans of Geneva, N.Y., and Serita Harling of Charlotte, N.C.; three brothers, Roderick Harling and Kenneth Harling, both of New York and Breland Harling of Atlanta; four sisters, Merita Brooks of Ann Arbor, Mich., Teresa Tate, Sharon Proctor and Kathy Gordon, all of Detroit; 27 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Services are Monday at Palmisano Funeral Home, Geneva, N.Y.
Palmisano Funeral Home is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Eva Crawford Posey

Eva Crawford Posey, 88, of 1548 Parkway, Apt. 4-F, died Monday, April 24, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late Robert Tolbert and Ethel Tolbert Crawford. She was a housekeeper and a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Willie Mae Crawford-Thompson of Washington, D.C.; a son, Leroy Crawford of Greenwood; four brothers, Curtis Crawford of Lanham, Md., James L. Crawford of Washington, D.C., Lloyd Crawford and Floyd Crawford, both of Greenwood; a sister, Blanche Crawford of Greenwood; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Raymond Adams, assisted by the Revs. Michael Butler, Lohona Mosley, Claude Tolbert and Ernest Cannon. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are grandsons.
Flower bearers are granddaughters.
Viewing begins 1 p.m. Friday at Parks Funeral Home.
Visitation is at the home of her son, Leroy Crawford, 108 Lisa Drive.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.

Susie Mae Williams

NEWBERRY — Services for Susie Mae Williams, of 23 Lonesome Road, widow of the Rev. Bennie Williams, are 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, Greenwood, conducted by the Rev. Otis Cunningham, assisted by the Revs. Joe Green, Curtis Bowman, Ricky Oliver and Jonathan Green. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery. Pallbearers are church deacons. Flower bearers are Missionary Society members. Honorary escorts are ministers’ wives and church deaconesses. Viewing begins 1 p.m. Friday and visitation is 7-8 Friday at Parks Funeral Home, Greenwood. The family is at the home of a niece Gladys Roundtree, 303 Dandy Drive, Promised Land. Parks Funeral Home is in charge.