Slow going on Main Street

Construction work, lane closures to last at least 2 months

August 12, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood residents might have experienced some delays while driving past the construction on South Main Street in the past few weeks, and it isn’t going to get better anytime soon.
Construction will continue for at least another two months, Assistant City Manager Charlie Barrineau said.
One lane of traffic has been closed once a day since construction began July 26, said Ken Bowyer, outdoor construction manager for Lynnstar, the general contractor for the project.
Both lanes are currently open, but that can change depending on what work needs to be done, Barrineau said.
Two inside lanes will be closed in the next few days while curbs and landscapes are built.
The project is being funded by the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) enhancement program. SCDOT Commissioner Marion Carnell helped secure the grant for the city.
The City of Greenwood, Uptown Greenwood Development Corp. and the Commissioners of Public Works are participating in the project.
The overall goal is to build a gateway into the southern end of Greenwood, Barrineau said.
“It’s an exciting project,” he said.
Construction on the abandoned railroad corridor across from the old Winn-Dixie and south from Inn on the Square to just before Greenwood High Apartments is the second part of the Uptown Greenwood streetscaping project.
The first section of streetscaping began two weeks ago on two areas in the middle of Main Street. Curved medians, much like the traffic islands lining Uptown Greenwood, will be created to ease traffic into Uptown.
A third phase will add a new entrance sign to Greenwood across from the old Winn-Dixie.
Digging up rocky ground and replacing it with better topsoil is the first part of the current project, said Boyd Purdy, president of BHC Trucking.
Purdy’s company has been subcontracted to move dirt for the project.
The new soil will cut out the potential liability the city might have faced by lawnmowers slinging stones from the former rocky ground at nearby cars, Barrineau said.
In the future, an irrigation system will be put in to maintain the corridor.
The corridor will be beautified with about 20 oak trees, street lighting and more green space.
The streetscaping project is part of the City Center Masterplan, which includes revitalization of the Greenwood Community Theatre.

Jamboree football kicks off

August 12, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

Abbeville and Greenwood squared off in the nightcap of the 2006 Abbeville jamboree at Hite Stadium. The stadium was rocking as Panthers and Eagles fans rooted for their teams, and Abbeville grabbed the 7-6 win.
Early in the contest Greenwood appeared to strike first after quarterback Jay Spearman pulled away from the entire Abbeville defense on his way to the end zone. The 79-yard touchdown run was negated by a holding penalty and the score remained 0-0.
After that defensive letdown, the Panthers regained consciousness and stepped up the defensive intensity. It started when Abbeville’s James Moore popped Spearman as he tried to escape defenders. On third down, David Hughey got into the act with a solid hit bringing up a fourth down. The Eagles decided to go for a first down and the Panthers stepped up to the challenge stuffing Marcus Carroll in the backfield.
On Abbeville’s first drive, the Panthers methodically moved down field behind a strong offensive line and nice running by James Moore, who finished the game with 9 carries for 35 yards including a 1-yard run for a 7-0 lead. The Eagles would score on a 14-yard pass by Spearman but would not convert on the extra point leaving Abbeville with a 7-6 lead and a great motivational boost going into the season.
“I though we gave a good effort tonight,” said coach Jamie Nickles. “We just talked about playing good fundamentals and that’s where it starts.

S. Thurmond 7, Ninety Six 0
The middle game of the night pitted Strom Thurmond against the Ninety Six Wildcats.
Strom Thurmond took the opening kickoff and moved down the field with a solid passing game on their first drive, but it would come to an end when the Wildcats forced a fumble.
Defensively for the Wildcats, Andy Louden was zeroed in, picking up five solid tackles from his defensive back position.
The Wildcats got a break following a punt on their second drive of the game when the punt returner for Strom Thurmond muffed the punt.
The Wildcats pounced on the ball to regain possession. The celebration would be short-lived for the Wildcats though, when Rashad Booker handed the ball back over to Strom Thurmond after fumbling following a first down pickup.
Strom Thurmond finally scored with 1:21 on the clock, when their quarterback Chris Hillary connected with his receiver for a 13-yard touchdown for a final score of 7-0.
“I thought we played hard tonight against the defending state champs,” said Ninety Six head coach Mike Doolittle. “We still got a ways to go and we need one of our young quarterbacks to step up.”

Ware Shoals 13, Crescent 0
Coach Jeff Murdock and the Ware Shoals Hornets decided to utilize their ground game in the first game of the Abbeville jamboree. Murdock said before that his main objective was to be able to hit and run with Crescent. His team did just that.
“I think overall we’ve had a good week of practice and we just want to improve on mistakes,” Murdock said.
Patorious Leverette found his way into the end zone twice against the Tigers, and Ware Shoals came out on top, 13-0.
In what was supposed to be a homecoming for former Abbeville quarterback and current Ware Shoals head coach Troy Gamble, it turned into more of an offensive show for the Hornets, who dominated the play clock during their 20-minute period.
“There’s a lot of memories on this field and to come back means a lot, but I’ll be glad when it counts for real,” Gamble said.
The Hornets picked up 113 rushing yards with Leverette leading the way with 37 yards.

Opinion

Honor former director; put McKellar on GCT

August 12, 2006

The Greenwood Community Theatre Uptown is undergoing a makeover. It is, it might be said, putting on a new face for the enjoyment of future audiences.
Already the new windows in the building give it a more modern and clean look from the outside. Inside the work goes on to transform GCT into one of the most impressive community theater buildings in South Carolina. When the makeover is completed, Greenwood amateur theater, along with the Abbeville Opera House will be second to none.
GCT has a new executive director, Beth Park Reynolds. She expects great things. So do those who support GCT ..... and more support is always welcome, whether in contributions, volunteering time to help in a variety of undertakings that make live theater what it is, or participating on stage.
Greenwood remembers, to be sure, that GCT has come a long way since it’s days at its old Mathews theater home. It would be nothing, though, without the hard work and perseverance of Donald McKellar, retired executive director. There may have been doubt at times, but he kept the faith and that kept GCT viable.
Considering what he has meant to GCT through the years, wouldn’t it be only right to rename the “new” building the Donald McKellar Greenwood Community Theatre?

Obituaries

Delores Maddox

GREENWOOD — Peggy Delores Jones Maddox, 59, resident of 116 Morrow Road, wife of Jyll P. Maddox, died August 10, 2006 at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
Born in Vicksburg, MS, November 6, 1946, she was a daughter of the late Catherine Wertie Jones. She was a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School and attended Huntington College, both in Montgomery, AL. Mrs. Maddox was the church secretary for Rice Memorial Baptist Church.
She was a member of Rice Memorial Baptist Church and the Open Door Sunday School Class.
Surviving in addition to her husband of the home are a daughter, Kathy Darragh of Greenwood; two sons, Danny Maddox of Tampa, FL and Wade Maddox of Greenwood; four grandchildren, Lauren Darragh, Matthew Darragh, Alex Maddox and Daulton Maddox; two brothers, Matthew Doyle Jones and Don Jones, both of Montgomery, AL.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 pm Sunday at Rice Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Alvin Hodges and Rev. Jimmy Tucker officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Jack Maddox, Billy Ray Price, James Nix, Ken Barnette, Mark Phillips, Jeff Maddox and Josh Harris.
Honorary escort will be the Open Door and Lydia Sunday School Classes of Rice Memorial Baptist Church.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 2 Sunday afternoon.
The family is at the home on Morrow Road and will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 Saturday evening.
Memorials may be made to Rice Memorial Baptist Church, 1975 Hwy 72 West, Greenwood, SC 29649.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Maddox family.
PAID OBITUARY

Elizabeth “Libby” Mundy

ABBEVILLE, SC — Elizabeth “Libby” Womack Mundy, 59, resident of 116 McGowan Ave. wife of Len Mundy died Thursday Aug. 10, 2006 at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood, SC.
Born in Honea Path, SC she was a daughter of the late William R. and Hazel James Womack.
Libby was a graduate of Erskine College with a BA Degree in English. She retired from School District 60 after 28 years of teaching. She spent the major part of her teaching career as a high school English teacher at Abbeville High School. Libby also did some tutoring after retirement at “A Place for Us Ministries” for unwed mothers. She was an active member of Grace Community Church in Greenwood, SC. She was a member of The Power of God Sunday School Class.
Survivors are: Her husband Len C. Mundy of the home, a son Jason Mundy of the home and a nephew Dr. James Benjamin Womack of Pensacola, FL.
She was preceded in death by a brother James William “Moose” Womack.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday Aug. 13, 2006 at 2:30 PM at Grace Community Church, Greenwood, SC with the Rev. Rodney Schultz officiating. The burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery in Abbeville, SC.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC where the family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:30 PM Saturday evening. The family is at the home 116 McGowan Ave., Abbeville, SC.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association Serving SC 2711 Middleburg Drive, Kittrell Center Suite 312, Columbia, SC 29204 or to Grace Community Church 1611 Woodlawn Rd. Greenwood, SC 29649.
Online condolences may be sent to the Mundy family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGEOF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

Ralph Spivey

ANDERSON — Ralph Edward Spivey, 77, husband of Shirley Pierce Spivey, of 410 Chauga Drive, died Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Leroy Otto and Jessie Mae Farmer Spivey. He retired from Owens Corning Fiberglas and was an Air Force veteran. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Ron Spivey, of Anderson, Wayne Spivey, of Seneca; two daughters, Mrs. Jeff (Lisa) Webb, of Belton, and Mrs. Jeff (Kristi) Prince, of Williamston; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter.
Services are 3 p.m. Sunday at McDougald Funeral Home, officiated by the Rev. Sam Duncan. Entombment is in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum with military honors.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Upstate SC Chapter, 521 N. McDuffie St., Anderson, SC 29621.
The McDougald Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.