Power of observation spurs man
to donate school supplies to kids

August 8, 2006

By Leslie Draffin
Index-Journal intern

When his daughter started first grade, Michael Evans did not have to worry about finding the money to buy her school supplies, but he clearly saw the needs of other children.
Through his observation, Evans has been led to serve the community by donating school supplies to one first-grader in each District 50 elementary school this year.
A former CVS drug store manager, Evans first noticed the needs of local students when he was working in Abbeville seven or eight years ago.
“Families would come into CVS and barely be able to afford the school supplies we had on sale,” he said.
“I thought, ‘I waste so much money on my children for all sorts of things, I could at least help one child get back-to-school items,’” Evans said.
“There’s so much peer pressure involved,” Evans said, “even about something as small as what kind of pencils kids have, either the cheap ones or the expensive ones.”
Evans called schools to find out if they would be interested in getting donations for needy children.
“It’s really easy. I just called the case managers and told them what I wanted to do, and they were just really excited,” Evans said. “I ask the schools to pick their most needy kid — it doesn’t matter to me if the kid is the worst student in the school — I just want the student with the most need to get the supplies,” Evans says.
When he did it in Abbeville, Evans “would tell them (the schools) to have the child and their family come into CVS and I would make sure they got whatever they needed for school.”
Evans said the expenses for supplies came out of his pocket and not from the corporation. Evans said he told CVS what he wanted to do and asked if it would like to help him but never got any assistance.
After moving to Greenwood and opening his store, Med Threads Medical Outfitter behind Sports Break, Evans says he is excited to begin donating to children again.
“This is the first time I’ll be able to work with kids here in Greenwood, but I hope to make it an annual thing from now on,” he said.
To begin helping Greenwood first-graders, Evans contacted the District 50 office and local elementary schools individually.
“They have lists with the specific school supplies children will need, so I really just pick up whatever is on the list,” Evans said.
He said that, in the past, he has spent between $40 and $50 on each child’s supplies.
Evans shopped for school supplies Monday afternoon at OfficeMax and felt like the employees were a big help. “They basically did everything. I just gave them a list,” Evans said.
This year, Evans’ average for each set of supplies was $25 since he got the book bags donated from Prison Ministries. Evans thinks it is not really that expensive when you consider the impact it will have on the students.
He hopes other local businesses will see the impact that donating school supplies has on children and join him in this community service.
“I challenge every small business to step up and donate one book bag to an area elementary school,” Evans said. “I have a feeling once word gets out, other people will want to help, especially when they see how easy it is.”
“I know there are needs in every grade but, to me, first grade is the start of school for so many children, and I think we should help school start out right,” Evans said.
Lakeview Prinicpal Ginny Metts said, “We have gotten donations from local churches and even some parents and any of it is so appreciated.”

Uptown to get additional parking

August 8, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood City Council voted Monday to move forward with constructing a parking lot next to Rick’s Uptown Cafeteria that will feature about 55 parking spaces for Uptown businesses.
Assistant City Manager Charlie Barrineau said the lot — which will benefit businesses at The Exchange and others such as the cafeteria, the Greenwood Barber College, the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Upper Savannah Council of Governments and the Western Piedmont Education Consortium — will feature the city’s first bio-retention cell, which will collect storm water and filtrate it through a system in the landscaped median.
The project, being completed by Satterfield Construction, was originally estimated to cost $110,000 when it was approved for consideration by council in 2003. But the project will end up costing the city about $94,000, which will be taken from Community Development funds. City Manager Steve Brown said he is “pleasantly surprised” at the cost.
Brown also said that after the lot is opened, he will recommend that the city look into prohibiting parking on the street in that area to cut back on traffic.
Council also voted in favor of a resolution to accept a South Carolina Department of Commerce Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Grant and to provide funding for the the renovations planned for Maxwell Avenue.
The $930,000 from the state will assist in the two-year project that will upgrade the sewer line, upgrade the water line and provide streetscaping and resurfacing of Maxwell Avenue once the project is complete. Barrineau said the project will benefit the Emerald Triangle, which includes the Greenwood Community Theatre, The Museum and the Federal Building.
Brown said the amount will be spread out so that it will not keep council from being able to fund other projects in the future.
Barrineau recommended Davis & Floyd Inc. for the designing and engineering services for phases one through three of renovating Uptown on Maxwell Avenue. The company will subcontract with Robertson Landesign for the landscaping. Furman Architects also will work on the project.
Barrineau also updated council on the City Center Masterplan projects. He said the first phase, which includes South Main Street, should be completed “hopefully in 45 days.”
Phase two, which will include three crosswalks being funded by the South Carolina Department of Transportation, is being delayed one year because SCDOT will be resurfacing Main Street in the future and informed council that the equipment could damage the crosswalks.
The third phase, the renovation of Oregon Avenue, is still in the drawing phases but is looking to include a two-way street with added benches, trash cans, trees and lighting to encourage pedestrian traffic.
Council also approved supporting a concert in Uptown Greenwood to welcome back Lander University students. Barrineau said Ian Morris, producer of Homemade Genius, said the concert will be advertised at many universities in the region.
Morris told him he is working on getting six bands to perform from 4 p.m.-11 Aug. 26 in Uptown. The city will provide $1,500 to assist with the program, as well as purchasing insurance for the property.
Barrineau said the first Homemade Genius event brought between 750 and 1,000 members of a diverse crowd to the Uptown square, adding that it was successful with minimal problems.

Ware Shoals teacher gets statewide honor

August 8, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — Genie McDill didn’t think she had to be at the Ware Shoals School District 51 back-to-school celebration at any particular time Monday.
She thought coming about 8:30 a.m. was good, until best friend Brenda Mattison yelled, “No!” McDill didn’t understand what the fuss was about until she received the Order of the Silver Crescent at Ware Shoals High School in front of the teachers of the school district.
She said she felt wonderful after receiving the award.
“I’m just so honored,” said McDill, a Ware Shoals High School social studies teacher.
She won the award for her service in the community and her work as a teacher, Superintendent Fay Sprouse said.
McDill helped organize a Hurricane Katrina relief fund through the Ware Shoals student council and a Christmas is for Kids fund for needy children in the area.
She also has been named teacher of the year twice for the district, said South Carolina Sen. Billy O’Dell, R-Ware Shoals.
State Rep. Mike Pitts, R-Laurens, and O’Dell sponsored McDill for the second highest civilian volunteer award in the state.
Sprouse said she met McDill when she was a student at Erskine College. McDill was dean of Women of the university at the time.
Sprouse said McDill has been a positive force in her life.
“I wish Genie McDill was infectious,” said Ed Farr, chairman of the board of trustees.
He said he’d like to have McDill at every school in the district.
McDill’s husband, John, said he and his children, Macie and Matthew, are proud of her for earning the award.
Sprouse spoke to the district’s teachers before McDill’s award about what needs to be done for students in the upcoming year.
She challenged teachers to become more aware of the political side of their profession.
Sprouse asked for 100 percent of the teachers to register to vote in the upcoming state elections.
A new state superintendent of education will be elected in the fall, along with the governor.
“We deeply need leaders who support education,” Sprouse said.
She said she wants teachers to model good citizenship for students.
Sprouse also said the district has a lot to offer students. Teachers should be eager for students to succeed, she said.
“We have an awesome responsibility to make this year great.” she said.

Mike Avery

Michael “Mike” Avery, 53, of 111 Perry Drive, Wilson Creek, husband of Teresa Reedy Avery, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Newberry, he was a son of Annette Mercer Avery and the late James Edward Avery. He retired from Lowe’s and was of the Methodist faith.
Survivors include his wife, of the home; his mother, of Greenwood; a daughter, Susan Avery, of Greenwood; a brother, Allen Terry, of Greenwood; a grandchild.
Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Harley Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Barry Butler. Burial is in Bethlehem Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Tony Johnson, Terry Avery Jr., Charles Dean Avery, Kevin Reedy, Michael Reedy and Maxie Reedy.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of his mother, 211 Willowbrook Road.
Memorials may be made to Bowers-Rodgers Home for Abused Children, PO Box 1252, Greenwood, SC 29648 or Hospice House, c/o HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at harleyfuneralhome.com

Clif Crooks

ABBEVILLE — Howard Clifton “Clif” Crooks, 68, of 897 Old Abbeville Highway, husband of Martha Wynne Crooks, died Friday, Aug. 4, 2006 at his home.
Born in Seneca, he was a son of the late Oscar Howard and Clara Skelton Crooks. He was an Army veteran, serving as a Ranger and Green Beret in Special Forces and EOD. Formerly employed with Poole’s Appliance, Columbia, for more than 10 years, he moved to Greenwood and was owner of C & J Appliance for more than 22 years. He was of the Baptist Faith and a member of Abbeville Moose Lodge and Abbeville American Legion Post No. 2.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Le Ann Turner, of Saluda, N.C.; three sons, William Andrew Crooks Sr., of Cayce, Charles Clifton Crooks, of Greenwood and Robert Lawrence Crooks, of Columbia; 10 grandchildren; a great grandchild; two brothers, Horace Crooks and David Crooks and a sister, Sue Crooks, all of Seneca.
Services are 3 p.m. Wednesday at Blyth Funeral Home, officiated by the Rev. Ty Sorrow. Burial with military honors is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Mark Crooks, Michael Crooks, Hyland Gresham, Sonny Gresham, Ray Ferqueron and Brett Padgett.
Honorary escorts are Sam Lewis and Mack Starnes.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Dorothy Searles Freeman

PLUM BRANCH — Dorothy Searles Freeman, widow of Bill O. Freeman, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006 in Greenwood.
Born in Plum Branch, she was a daughter of William and Geneva Wells Searles. She was a member of Pine Grove AME Church and active in the community.
Survivors include a daughter, Phyllis F. Knightner; a grandson; two sisters, Azolee S. Gilchrist and Georgia S. Beard.
Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pine Grove AME Church. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is 11-2:30 today at Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home, Columbia, and 5:30-10 tonight at the church.
Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646; Pine Grove AME Church Building Fund, PO Box, Plum Branch, SC 29845.
Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Jimmy Gentry

NINETY SIX — James Roger “Coconut” Gentry, 54, of 3314 Golf Course Road, husband of Ann Deloach Gentry, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2006 in Laurens County.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood.

Fremon Wilbon Gilchrist

Fremon Wilbon Gilchrist, 71, of 6-C Pine Ridge Apartments, widower of Lucille Gilchrist, died Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late Roosevelt Gilchrist and Helen Childs. He was a former member of Flint Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include his stepmother, Lillie Mae Gilchrist, of Greenwood; a nephew reared in the home, Bennie Gilchrist, of Greenwood; three brothers, James A. Gilchrist and Tim Wallace Gilchrist, both of Greenwood and Nelson F. Gilchrist, of Columbia; three sisters, Addie Gilchrist Goode and Ella Gilchrist Robinson, both of Greenwood and Neutrice Childs, of Charlotte, N.C.
The family is at the home of a sister Addie Goode, 204 Moss Creek Lane.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Donald Knighton

Donald Lee Knighton, 73, of 111 Thornhill Court, husband of Carolyn Few Knighton, died Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006 at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
Born in Enoree, he was a son of the late Ewell and Annie Lou Jones Knighton. He attended Mars Hill University and Furman University and was an Air Force veteran. Retiring in 1985 from Monsanto, Greenwood Plant, as a supervisor, he was an ordained Baptist minister and a member of Cedarwood Community Church, Waterloo.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Scott (Kim K.) Wilson, of Braselton, Ga.; a sister, Mrs. Sonny (Bobbie K.) Folk of Woodruff; two grandchildren; two step-grandchildren.
Services are 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Blyth Funeral Home, officiated by Dr. Darrell Rooks. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Luke Sherrill, Tommy Boozer, Bobby Lee, Tronie West, Buddy Few, Dennis Dickerson, Denny Dickerson, Dennis Jones and Russell Scott.
Honorary escorts are Bill Lovoy, Bobby Lee, Dr. John Holman, Dr. Jasper Carter, Dr. John Patteras and John Sherrill III.
Visitation is 3-4:30 Wednesday at the funeral home.
The family is at the home in Brentwood Hills.
Memorials may be made to Cedarwood Community Church, PO Box 8298, Greenwood, SC 29649.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Doris E. Murray

September 15, 1944 – August 7, 2006 ANDERSON, SC — Mrs. Doris E. Murray, age 61, of 307 Sarah Drive, Anderson, SC, died Monday, August 07, 2006 at her residence.
Born in Anderson on September 15, 1944, she was a daughter of the late Harvey Turner and Annie Bell Hicks Turner. She was a loving mother and homemaker and a member of the Whole Bible Ministries.
Mrs. Murray is survived by her husband, Larry Murray of the home, she is survived by daughters: Tina Selman of Fayetteville, NC, Tonya Babcock of Anderson, Mitzi Vazquez of Anderson; sons: Teddy Moore of Anderson, Timmy Moore of Fayetteville, NC, Justin Elrod of the home; sisters: Eileen Cheek of Greenville, Frances McKinnon of Honea Path, Ellen English of Belton, and Bonnie Wicker of Anderson; brother: James Turner of Anderson; 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters: Annie Mae Perry, Ruby Crocker, and Nellie Sue Wicker.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 in the Chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home with Evangelist Melvin Powell, Chaplin Richard Taylor, and Reverend Jacky Brady officiating. Interment will follow in New Silverbrook Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00pm until 8:00pm on Tuesday, August 8, 2006.
The family will be at the residence.
Flowers are optional. Memorials may be made to the Cancer Association of Anderson, 215 East Calhoun Street, Anderson, SC 29621.
A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com
THE McDOUGALD FUNERAL HOME, Anderson.
PAID OBITUARY

Ethel Mae Williams

EDGEFIELD — Ethel Mae Williams, 89, of Trinity Mission Rehabilitation Center, formerly of 853 Bowie St., Greenwood, widow of Otto Williams, died Friday, Aug. 4, 2006.
Born in Edgefield, she was a daughter of the late Lue and Lottie Holloway. She was a member of Flint Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include a goddaughter reared in the home, Gladys Q. Christopher, of Milledgeville, Ga.; two nephews reared in the home, Thomas Holloway, of Charlotte, N.C., and James Bowman, of Vicksburg, Miss.
Services are 1 p.m. Wednesday at Flint Hill Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. John R. Brightharp officiating and the Rev. Sloan Gordon presiding. Assisting are the Revs. Annette Edwards, Darren Jones Sr. and Willie Evans. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Darren Jones Jr., Rodney Holloway, Anthony Williams, Jamaal Williams, Melvin Williams and Harold Williams.
Flower bearers are nieces and friends of the family.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Wildcats working hard

August 8, 2006

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

NINETY SIX — “Ready, ready, go!”
With that command from Ninety Six High School football coach Mike Doolittle, members of the 2006 football team quickly assert themselves into the practice session.
The Wildcats are preparing for the Aug. 18 season opener at Hanahan in Charleston, and Doolittle knows they have a long way to go before that date arrives.
Ninety Six went 8-4 overall and 3-2 in Region III-AA last year, but their goal was to finish higher than third in the region.
“We had a good group of kids who worked hard, but got a little shell-shocked against Abbeville,” Doolittle said, referring to the Wildcats’ 49-14 loss to the Panthers in the season opener. “But, we responded well, just like a good football team will do.
“Everybody wants to win, but our kids have to be willing to do things it takes to win. We just fell short of where we wanted to be.”
Third in the region doesn’t sound good, he said, “But, it’s the toughest AA region in South Carolina. You’re talking about Batesburg, Newberry, Emerald, Saluda and Mid-Carolina. Week in and week out, you’d better have your gun loaded.”
There is one thing certain for Doolittle — he has student-athletes who have a strong desire to play.
“We had 29 kids make the 28 workouts this summer,” he said. “The most you can make is 32, and that’s good. About 80 percent made the minimum number to get their names on their jerseys.”
It has been hot, with temperatures in the high 90s, but, Doolittle said, “The kids have given great effort and have not complained.
“They have handled the heat extremely well.”
A Saturday morning scrimmage with Dreher High School, of Columbia, was quite pleasing to the Wildcats staff.
“They did real well,” he said. “Our defense caused three turnovers and we didn’t give up the ball a single time on offense. We only had three penalties on offense and that’s good for this early.”
Defensively, the Wildcats allowed a couple of scores in Dreher’s first two possessions, but clamped down and gave very little from that point on.
“On defense, we graduated seven from last year and that’s a big concern,” Doolittle added. “But they stepped up Saturday against Dreher and gave up almost nothing after the first two scores. We’re excited about that.”
A big concern, however, is staying healthy.
“We’re not as deep as we’ve been in the past in certain spots,” Doolittle said. “Our kicking game is a concern, but we’ve got two guys working at that.
“Around here, we talk defense, kicking game, then offense to win big games and championships.
“When you lose seven on defense, you lose kickers and punters, you know we’ve got our work cut out for us.”

Good intentions no good when people penalized

August 8, 2006

Depending on what Congress does, veterans and members of the U. S. military who are covered by TRICARE insurance soon might have to order their prescription medications through the mail. If that happens, independent pharmacies and others around South Carolina will lose business. It’s possible it could cost some people their jobs.
When the federal government has that kind of effect on the business climate it is inappropriate involvement ..... or should be. Some say the proposed change would be interference with private business by allowing the government to become, in effect, a business competitor.

IT IS, OF COURSE, A CLASSIC example of the adage, “The road to (you know where) is paved with good intentions.”
For the federal government, the intention of the legislation is, it appears, positive. It is, it seems, an effort to help military personnel and veterans better cope with medical expenses. In fact, Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S. C., was primarily responsible for enhancing veteran and military personnel TRICARE benefits. Now, though, the offices of Graham and U. S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, R-S. C. say there are concerns about some parts of the legislation that would negatively impact a lot of South Carolinians.

BOTH HOPE FOR A SOLUTION to the problem that would protect the interests of military personnel and veterans, as well as “the ability of community pharmacies to compete for business.” There should be no disagreements on providing that kind of protection. The government too often competes with the people it represents.
It happens too often with the federal government, however. While attempting to solve one problem, lawmakers create another. Hopefully it is unintentional. Nevertheless, penalizing pharmacies and some of their long-time customers would be contrary to the whole idea of providing and maintaining a medical care support system ..... good intentions or not.