Watt’s Up?

Here's a look at the price of power these days

August 20, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Willie and Sabra Moseley needed a new refrigerator after their older one died, so they visited Lowe’s Saturday afternoon like many other people.
What they didn’t know was that the new refrigerator would cost them an average of $9.07 each month in electricity. The Moseleys also didn’t know that a computer with a monitor would eat out of their pocketbooks an average of $2.40 a month in electricity.
“That’s not bad,” Willie Moseley said.
Figuring out how much your appliances add onto your power bill is easy once you know your electric rate per kilowatt hour, said John Young, assistant manager of the Laurens CPW.
Say watt?
Exactly.
A watt is the unit of measurement for electricity, Young said. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts.
The electric rate per kilowatt hour is what the electric company charges consumers for each kilowatt they use in their homes, Young said.
Greenwood’s CPW charges 7 1/2 cents per kilowatt hour, said CPW electrician Jeff Meredith.
Multiply the average monthly kilowatt-per-hour use of an appliance by the kilowatt rate to get the amount CPW puts on your bill every month.
For example, an answering machine uses an average of 7 kilowatts a month, Young said.
Seven times 7 1/2 equals 52 cents per month to power an answering machine.
Averages can change, depending on appliances’ use and the season, Young said.
Air conditioners tend to be used more in the summer, so electricity bills tend to rise then.
The size of a family also changes the electricity price formula.
A 75-year-old man who lives alone uses his water heater less than a family of five, Young said.
Rick Shinta, of Laurens, stopped and looked at a water heater for sale at Lowe’s Saturday.
He recently turned down the thermostat on his water heater to save energy.
It might not save him any money, because his power bill fluctuates from month to month.
Air conditioners, which cost about $12 a month to use, and water heaters, which cost about $27 a month, are also the appliance equivalents of SUVs when it comes to using energy.
VCRs, electric clocks and computer printers use the least kilowatts and cost pennies to run a month, Young said.
Meredith suggested keeping refrigerator doors and blinds closed during the summer to save on electricity costs, along with adding more insulation to your home and setting the thermostat conservatively.
Leaving the thermostat at 74 to 78 degrees during the summer and 68 to 72 degrees in the winter should keep power costs low, Meredith said.
Unplugging appliances when not in use doesn’t save enough money to be a valuable conservation tool, but turning off appliances when no one is using them can help keep money in your pockets.
Like the Moseleys, Eloise Moore stopped by Lowe’s Saturday to look at new appliances.
Moore has many antiques in her home, so she is thinking about buying a ceiling fan with an antique look. A ceiling fan with three 60-watt light bulbs costs $3.07 a month.
Ceiling fans are good for circulating air in a room and making it feel cooler, Moore said.
They also use less electricity a month than air conditioners.
Watt a great deal!

Here's a list of a few appliances and their average monthly cost:
DVD player: 52 cents
Oven: $1.87
Computer: $2.40
Microwave: $1.12
Refrigerator: $9.07
Water heater: $26.25
Dishwasher: 75 cents
Television: $1.12
Ceiling fan: $3.07

For recovering addicts,
Faith Home a ‘hallowed place’

Graduates celebrate program’s 40 years

August 20, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Hayward Edmunds had lost everything important to him to alcoholism. His wife had left him, he had spent all his fortune and his children had grown up and left.
Edmunds said he felt like he was out of options until a friend told him about Faith Home. He has been a gratefully recovering alcoholic since 2002.
Edmunds said he owes it all to Faith Home. “It’s a hallowed place,” he said.
Faith Home celebrated its 40th anniversary with its annual homecoming for graduates of the alcohol and drug addiction program and their families, said Del Ezell, president of the board of directors for Faith Home.
The normal Saturday graduation meal of spaghetti was put aside for a potluck dinner provided by more than 200 people. Faith Home currently has about 55 men in its eight-week program in Greenwood, Ezell said.
A graduate of the program gave the Home’s message after a church service following the dinner, said Aline Barnes, executive director of Faith Home.
Barnes said she was overjoyed by seeing many of the success stories of her program all in one room.
“It makes me have a heart full of gratitude,” she said.
Edmunds moved to Greenwood from Charleston following his graduation from the program. He has since worked for Faith Home and visits almost every day.
It was at Faith Home’s pond years ago that he left all the rage and self-pity caused by alcohol behind.
Edmunds said he hasn’t had a “craving” since then.
Faith Home is a gift, he said.
Edmunds said Faith Home’s spiritual foundation helped him find faith and a purpose in life he hadn’t had before.
His belief has not made his struggle out of alcoholism seem any easier.
“I’m not one to sit on a pink cloud,” he said.
Barnes said she could tell from years of helping alcoholics and drug addicts how they felt about their graduations from the program.
Their laughter and the serene look on their faces lets her know that they’ve been freed from their personal prisons. Scott Clayton came from Atlanta to be at the homecoming. He is a three-month graduate of the program. Clayton has been alcohol-free since then.
“I couldn’t have done it without Faith Home,” he said.
Clayton is indebted to the program for helping him and his family. There are good Christian people at Faith Home, he said.
Clayton said he wanted to return to Faith Home to show current residents that somebody can make it through the program.

Obituaries

Margurite Butler

SALUDA — Margurite Edwards Butler, 90, of 283 Trinity Rd., died Friday, August 18, 2006, at HospiceCare of the Piedmont in Greenwood.
Born in Saluda County, September 7, 1915, and a daughter of the late Jack and Mary Ellen Attaway Edwards, she was the wife of the late James William “Bill” Butler. She retired from the Saluda Shirt Plant and worked for a number of years at Carolyn Chenille in Saluda. Mrs. Butler was a Charter member of Bible Believers Congregational Holiness Church.
Surviving are four sons and daughters-in-law, James Ray and Betty Lou Leopard Butler of Saluda, William Carl and Juanita Jackson Butler of Greenwood, Thomas Edward and Betty Lou Turner Butler of Saluda and Jimmy Dean and Judy Price Butler of Ninety Six; three daughters and a son-in-law, Mrs. Charles (Sylvia) Peele of Commerce, GA, Mrs. Billy (Betty Ann) McCarty of Spartanburg and Mrs. Tommy (Mary Jean) Perry of Saluda; one brother, Robert Edwards of Titusville, FL; 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren.
A grandson, Greg McCarty and three sisters and two brothers preceded Mrs. Butler in death.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, August 21, 2006, at Bible Believers Congregational Holiness Church with Rev. David Cockrell and Rev. Dennis Campbell officiating. Interment will follow in Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 PM Sunday evening at Ramey Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the home of a son Ray Butler, Trinity Rd., Saluda.
The family respectfully request that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to Bible Believers Congregational Holiness Church, c/o Mrs. Betty Butler, Treasurer, 277 Trinity Rd., Saluda, SC 29138.
PAID OBITUARY

Stella Earle

ABBEVILLE — Stella Maria Dinolfo Earle, 85, resident of 117 Calhoun St., widow of Capt. George M. Earle, died Friday, Aug. 18, 2006 at Hospice House in Greenwood, SC.
Born in Dover, Ohio she was a daughter of the late Lorenzo and Mary Dinoi Dinolfo.
The family was very well known in the Dover area for their family business Dinolfo’s Dining Room. She was a retired employee of the former Belk’s Department Store in Abbeville and was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. After her retirement she enjoyed many hours of work at Abbeville Co. Memorial Hospital working with Abbeville Meals on Wheels Program and especially time spent at the Abbeville Senior Center. Stella will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
Survivors are: 2 daughters Barbara Earle Thompson and her husband Richard of Ware Shoals, SC, Ruby Earle Hedden and her husband Robert of Abbeville, SC, and her grandchildren Heather Thompson Gambrell and her husband Michael of Ninety Six, SC, Laurie Thompson Bradberry and her husband Ryan of Greenwood, SC, Robbie Hedden Trasak and her husband David of Greenwood, SC, and Allison Hedden Hall of Abbeville, SC, 2 great-granddaughters Reece Maclain Bradberry of Greenwood, and Kinsley Nicole Trasak of Greenwood.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday Aug. 21, 2006 at 4:00 PM from The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Doug Kauffman officiating. The burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery, Abbeville, SC.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 3:00 until 4:00 PM Monday afternoon prior to services. The family is at the home of her daughter Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hedden, 1384 Hwy. 20 Abbeville, SC.
Active pallbearers will be Michael Gambrell, Ryan Bradberry, David Trasak, Josh Henderson, Sammy Lewis and Lewis Freeman.
Honorary escorts will be staff and friends of the Abbeville Senior Center.
Online condolences may be sent the Earle family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

Julia Ann Butler Goodwin

NINETY SIX — Julia Ann Butler Goodwin, 90, of 210 Little Mountain Road, widow of John Henry Butler and Elmer Goodwin, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006 at her home.
Born in Ninety Six, she was a daughter of the late Hezekiah Mayes and Jewel Blocker Forrest. She was a member of Old Mount Zion Baptist Church, Epworth, and the Senior Choir, Missionary Society and Pastor’s Aide of the church. She was also a member of Little Mountain Road Community Club for more than 50 years.
Survivors include a son, Thomas Butler of Ninety Six; two stepsons, Calvin Leon Goodwin of Jonesboro, Ark., and Michael Goodwin of Anderson; three daughters, Joan B. White of the home, Mrs. Emmanuel (Peggy) Munroe of Taylors and Mrs. James (Beulah) White of Greenwood; 13 grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood.

James ‘Bubba’ Jones

James “Bubba” Jones, 85, of 122 Russell St., widower of Mary Lewis Jones, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006 at Hospice House of the Piedmont.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late William Jones Sr. and Nellie Thomas Jones. He retired from Greenwood Packing Plant and was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Ninety Six.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Calvin (Mary Jones) Edwards of Greenwood; two brothers, David Jones and William Jones Sr., both of Greenwood; three sisters, Rebecca Mayes, Thelma Duncan and Mrs. Charles (Janie) Fisher, all of Greenwood; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Calvin (Mary Jones) Edwards, 203 Wisewood Circle.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Jerry Spearman

GREENWOOD — Jerry Carlton Spearman, Sr., 63, resident of 403 Starboard Tack, husband of Myra Rucker Spearman, died August 19, 2006 at his home.
Born in Anderson County, August 3, 1943, he was a son of Gladys Bagwell Spearman and the late J.C. Spearman. He was a 1965 graduate in Civil Engineering of The Citadel and later received his MBA Degree in Civil Engineering 1982. Mr. Spearman was a US Air Force Veteran and served as an A-7 Fighter Plane Pilot in the South Carolina Air National Guard. A business owner and real estate developer, he formerly co-owned and operated Stoney Point Golf Community.
He was currently serving as chairman of the board of commissioners of the Greenwood Metropolitan Sewer System and was an active member and former President of the Greenwood County Board of Realtors. A member of the First Baptist Church, he was also a member and former teacher of the Bowers Sunday School Class.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home and mother of Piedmont are three sons, Jerry Carlton, Jr. and wife Liz Spearman of Greenwood, Cary and wife Cyndi Spearman of Greenville, NC and James and wife Leigh Ann Spearman of Surfside Beach; two step-sons, Dwight Thomas of Surfside Beach and Derek and wife Kerri Thomas of Easley; a step-daughter, Terri and husband Troy Cross of Gainsville, GA; twin brother, James B. and wife Janis Spearman of Pickens and brother, William I. and wife Nancy Spearman of Greer; two sisters, Linda McLeod of Florence and Mary Ann and husband Don Barnette of Piedmont; eleven grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 PM Monday at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Tony Hopkins and Rev. Ray Ridgeway officiating.
Burial will be in White Planes Baptist Church Cemetery near Pelzer.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Timmons, John Sheffield, Dr. O.T. Williard, John Steele, Charlie Herndon and Heath Davis.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1:00 PM Monday.
The family is at the home in Stoney Point and will receive friends in the church narthex from 1:00 to 3:00 Monday afternoon.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Spearman family.
PAID OBITUARY

Opinion

Lessons taught children come back, haunt parents

August 20, 2006

“Scofflaw” is not a word heard very often, but it should be. It tells in one word what many of us are ..... if not all of us at one time or another.
A scofflaw is simply a contemptuous violator of the law. There are so many of us around who fit that description, it seems, that the word should be a regular visitor to conversations all over South Carolina every day.
Contempt for the law, of course, covers almost every aspect of our daily lives, whether it’s ignoring traffic laws or cheating on income tax returns. It has become such an integral part of society that ignoring or breaking laws has become a way of life. And we somehow just manage to tune it out.

SPEEDING, RECKLESS DRIVING and other traffic tickets, including driving under the influence? Has anyone tried to get a traffic ticket “fixed?” The better question might be who hasn’t.
Even such things as parallel parking while facing the wrong way on the wrong side of the street is a common practice. In fact, there are routine violations of just about every kind of traffic law imaginable. And that includes perfectly healthy people wrongly parking in spaces reserved for the handicapped.
How about taxes. Does anyone ever come up with creative ways to “doctor” income tax returns? No, you say? Now, really!
There are numerous ways employed to get around all kinds of laws that govern social behavior. It even gets down sometimes to whether we should always tell the truth or if maybe a “little white lie” wouldn’t be all that wrong.

LOOK AROUND GREENWOOD or anywhere in the Lakelands. Try to spot violations of the law. Would it surprise anyone to realize that we all wink at the law and violations so often that it has become an accepted routine?
When facing reality, there can be no denying that anyone and everyone can be a scofflaw ..... and that at times most of us are.
That said, now consider the effect our “everyday” attitudes are having on our children.We’ve teaching them bad habits and that it’s sometimes acceptable to ignore the law in a variety of ways.
Talk about the apple not falling far from the tree! Don’t we complain about our children’s behavior when we should be looking at our own and the lessons we teach by example?