Traditional gifts still most popular
for Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2006

By JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer

In the past decade or so, the Internet has changed many things, including the way we communicate, shop and locate information.
It would seem, however, that not even the Internet can change certain Valentine’s Day traditions.
Despite the popularity of e-greetings and other online services such as virtual flower deliveries, which can be sent from Web sites including iflowers.com or virtualflorist.com, most people still seem to prefer the real thing for their sweethearts on Valentine’s Day, area florists say.
Valentine’s Day continues to be the busiest holiday of the year for American florists and that holds true in Greenwood. At the Floral Case on Main Street, owner Debra Case had her hands full Monday getting ready for the big day. She had been working on Valentine’s Day arrangements since early that morning and expected to be at work well past midnight to have orders ready.
Today marks Case’s 33rd Valentine’s Day as a florist, and, if anything, she’s more busy than ever, she said. Trends have started changing a little, but the traditional gifts are still the most popular.
Roses, particularly those of the red variety, hold true as the most popular purchase. More nontraditional choices, such as tulips and calla lilies, however, are becoming increasingly popular, especially among younger customers, she said. Roses of colors other than red also are gaining in popularity.
Case said she isn’t feeling the effects of online options at all in her shop. Instead of decreasing, she actually has seen an increase in business from high school- and college-age people who would be more likely than older customers to turn to online options, she said. She attributes the increase to an effort to offer more affordable selections at the Floral Case. The most popular gifts from young people are non-traditional flowers, balloons and stuffed animals, she said. Stuffed animals that sing and dance are particularly popular with that age group.
At Jerry’s Floral Shop and Greenhouses, located on East Cambridge Avenue, the entire Ouzts family, which owns the shop, spent Monday up to their elbows in cut flowers, ribbon and cellophane. Like Case, they all expected to be hard at work into the morning hours and said today would be even more hectic as last minute shoppers rushed to secure gifts for their valentines.
As opposed to the Floral Case, florists at Jerry’s say they have seen a decrease in teenage customers, though they don’t attribute it to online options. They say orders for that age group dropped off severely when area high schools stopped accepting deliveries for students. The shop gets a large number of inquiries each year about delivering to Emerald and Greenwood High School, but neither school accepts deliveries for students, said April Ouzts-Smith.
Many customers, especially parents who want to send gifts to their children are disappointed, she said. Some request home deliveries instead, but others decide not to order.
Red roses are still the most-ordered flower at Jerry’s, and are are often accompanied by balloons, candy and stuffed animals, said Ouzts-Smith. While tulips have become more popular with their customers, as well, it seems to be to a lesser extent.
In Greenwood School District 50, the decision of whether to allow deliveries for students is left up to the individual school. The only district policy in the matter restricts students from carrying objects, such as balloons or large bouquets onto buses, as these may block the bus driver’s line of vision.
Some of the lower schools in District 50 do accept deliveries. Several schools that don’t allow deliveries make other options available to students, so they can still celebrate the holiday.
At Greenwood High School, for example, the National Honor Society sponsors the Valentine Post Office and has since the 1950s. The project is a fundraiser for the group, and they sell and deliver flowers and candy to students during morning classes on Valentine’s Day. Members of the school chorus even deliver singing valentines. Connie Hammett, a math teacher and sponsor for the Honor Society, said the project serves as a good and affordable options for students. Many of the deliveries are made to friends, rather than boyfriends or girlfriends, and some students even send candy to themselves, she said.
At Elmblad’s Hallmark in Westwood Plaza, Valentine’s Day Cards have been flying off the shelves since early this past week, said manager Carolyn Cockfield. E-mail and e-greetings have had little or no effect on sales, she said. The store saw a number of teenage customers on Saturday.
Early this past week, the majority of customers were women, Cockfield said. Men started flocking in later that week, and she expects a number of last minute shoppers of both sexes to be flooding in all day today.
Singing and musical cards are especially popular this year with all customers, as are singing stuffed animals and even large singing balloons. As far as candy, truffles are a big seller this year.

Post-season party

15 basketball teams from Greenwood and Lakelands in state playoffs

February 14, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

It’s time to see if Lakelands area basketball teams can turn regular season success into postseason glory.
The area has seen great success in hoops this season, qualifying 15 — eight girls teams and seven boys squads — of a possible 18 teams for the state playoffs. The postseason begins tonight with a full slate of area girls teams and one boys team (Dixie) in action. The other six Lakelands area boys teams will begin first-round games Wednesday.
All first-round games will begin at 7 p.m., except for tonight’s Boiling Springs-Greenwood game and the Dixie games at Landrum.
The Lady Eagles will start at 6:30 p.m., while the Lady Hornets and Lady Cardinals will play at 6, with the Dixie-Landrum boy’s game following at 7:30.
After missing the playoffs a year ago, the Greenwood girls team will be back in the postseason mix tonight as a No. 2 seed from Region I-AAAA. The Lady Eagles will host Region II-AAAA No. 3 seed Boiling Springs at Greenwood.
The Lady Eagles will look to establish the pace of the game early on, likely using a mix of full court pressure and man-to-man defense. While Greenwood is a perimeter-oriented team, essentially using a three-guard offense with Vijya Corbett, Ashly Chandler and Syteria Robinson, if it hopes for lasting success in the playoffs it will need solid inside play from versatile center Jacena Thompson.
The Emerald girls team was Region III-AA champions, and thus secured a No.1 seed for the playoffs.
The Lady Vikings will host No. 4 seeded C.A. Johnson out of Region IV-AA tonight. The Vikings would be remiss, however, to disregard coach Calvin Davis’ Lady Green Hornets on the basis of being a No. 4 seed. C.A. Johnson plays in the rugged Region IV-AA, with teams such as Columbia and Keenan, where competition is fierce. The Lady Vikings will need solid performances from center Elizabeth Nicholson and forward Brittany Connor if they hope to find their way into the second round.
The McCormick Lady Chiefs were also region champions this season, taking the honors in Region I-A. McCormick hosts Region II-AA No. 4 seed Southside Christian tonight.

Opinion

Retirees moving to area have a positive impact

February 14, 2006

Greenwood, Abbeville and McCormick, along with other areas in South Carolina’s mountains, lakes and along the coast, have become favored destinations for many people who have found the right place to retire. They come, they see, they buy and, best of all, they live life to the fullest.
Savannah Lakes has been around for a while, of course, and, as the song goes, the living there is easy. Other areas, too, like the Grand Harbor development, have also become attractive places for retirees to spend their golden years.
These are quality people, too, and they add a lot to the mix hereabouts. The positive impact they have on community life is worth noting as they become involved in churches, education, entertainment, commerce and other aspects of our daily lives.

Their life experiences and the expertise they have gained in a wide variety of pursuits provide support that is integral to a progressive, caring, and welcoming community.
There has been an organized effort by Greenwood and other area people to attract retirees - and others - to a way of life that offers just about everything anyone could want. The state also has made great strides in convincing a lot of people that the Palmetto State is a prime destination in which to spend the future. Looking at the quality of people who have decided to make this area home, it’s good to see Gov. Mark Sanford put emphasis on South Carolina as a little piece of paradise for retirees.
When the welcome mat is out, and when there are people who want to make a difference, like people here do, it becomes a winning combination for those who come and those who welcome them.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Blanche Pauline Banes

GREENWOOD — Blanche Pauline Esco Banes, 85, former resident of Stevens Street and The Ashley House, widow of Willie Raymond Banes, died February 11, 2006 at Agape Senior Nursing Center in West Columbia.
Born April 10, 1920 in Madison County, Georgia, she was a daughter of the late Guy and Addie Hanley Esco. Mrs. Banes was retired from Greenwood Mills, Mathews Plant and was a member of the Greenwood Mills Quarter Century Club.
She was a member of West Side Baptist Church and the Evelyn Ford Sunday School Class of the church.
Surviving are one sister, Lutrelle Phillips of Comer, GA; three grandchildren, Robin and husband Donnie Tidwell of Lexington, Kimberly Trotter and Phillip Trotter, both of Greenwood; two great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by a daughter, Peggy B. Boyd.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:30 Wednesday at West Side Baptist Church with Rev. Hal Lane officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be nephews, Tommy Banes, Rick Walters, David Walters, Barry Esco, Dennis Esco, Randy Miles, Clark Temple, Timothy Walters, Bruce Walters, Steve Walters and Elliott Temples.
Honorary escort will be members of the Adult I Sunday School Department along with Luella Yeargin, Omega Pardue, Hazel Hipp, Gladys Sams, Chris Leslie, Margaret Hollingsworth, Coley Burton, Ruth Toney and Cornelia Godsey.
The family will be at their respective homes and will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 6 to 8 Tuesday evening.
Memorials may be made to West Side Baptist Church Building Fund, 215 By-Pass 225 S., Greenwood, SC 29649.
Online condolences may be made at blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Banes family.
PAID OBITUARY

Ronnie Bowie

ABBEVILLE — Ronald “Ronnie” Dudley Bowie, 57, of 1962 Cedar Springs Road, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006 at Abbeville County Memorial Hospital.
Born in Abbeville, he was a son of the late Willie Lee Bowie Sr. and Polly Jo Dudley Bowie. He was an Army veteran and was employed by the City of Abbeville as the animal control officer.
Survivors include two brothers, Willie Lee “Red” Bowie Jr. and Anthony Ray Bowie, both of Abbeville.
Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Ray Massey. Burial is in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
Visitation is 12:30-1:30 Wednesday at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of a brother, Mr. & Mrs. Willie Lee Bowie Jr., 1895 Cedar Springs Road.
Memorials may be made to the Pentecostal Holiness Church, 109 Barnett St., Abbeville, SC 29620.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home is in charge.

Fred S. Callaham

PLUM BRANCH — Services for Fred Samuel “Fess” Callaham are at noon Thursday at Cedar Spring Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Chuck Smallwood, pastor. Assisting are the Revs. Melvin Gordon, James Price, Otis Cunningham and Jasper Chamberlain. The body will be placed in the church at 11. Burial is in the church cemetery.
pallbearers are Kent Bacon, Willie Bacon Jr., Benjamin Robinson, Johnny Tolbert, Jonathan Tolbert and James Stevens.
Flower bearers are nieces and granddaughters.
The family is at the home, 135 Outz-Moton Drive.
Walker Funeral Home, McCormick, is in charge.

Laura B. Madden

MAULDIN — Laura Belle Sumerel Madden, 85, of 301 Elm Drive, wife of Fred C. Madden, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2006 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Laurens, she was a daughter of the late Roy B. and Alma Hazel Sumerel. She was a homemaker and a member of Mauldin United Methodist Church, the Martha Circle, and Marguerite Verdin Sunday School Class.
Surviving in addition to her husband is one son, Ronald Brown of Greenwood; one daughter, Judith Dawkins and husband Michael of Greenwood; one brother, J. L. Sumerel of Laurens; a sister, Shirley Smith of Batesburg; four grand-children, Jeff Brown, Greg Dawkins, Tracy Carroll, and Susan Strobel; six grandchildren; and a special friend, Jill Clem of Ninety Six.
Funeral services will be 2:00PM, Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at The Kennedy Mortuary Chapel conducted by Rev. Jerry Temple with burial in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
The family will be at the residence and will receive friends at The Kennedy Mortuary from 1:00 to 2:00 pm before the service.
Memorials may be made to Mauldin United Methodist Church, 100 East Butler Avenue, Mauldin, SC 29662.
The Kennedy Mortuary, Laurens
PAID OBITUARY

Bernice McCoy Phillips

Bernice W. McCoy Phillips, 78, of 101 Ron McNair St., Promised Land, widow of Marshall Phillips, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Len and Dollie Brown White. She was a former member of St. Stephens AME Church, Chicago and a member of Mount Zion AME Church, Promised Land, where she was a missionary and Gospel Chorus member. A 1944 Brewer High School graduate and 1948 graduate of Benedict Colle ge, Columbia, she was a retired nurse from Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago.
Survivors include a daughter, Wanda Small of Chicago; two grandchildren, one of the home, Brian Small; and five great-grandchildren.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

E. L. Williams

Services for E.L. Williams are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Good Hope Baptist Church, Waterloo, conducted by the Rev. Guy Sullivan. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are cousins.
Flower bearers are cousins and friends.
Honorary pallbearers are church deacons and trustees.
Visitation is 7-8 tonight at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
The family is at the home, 336 Sullivan St.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Idella Zimmerman

McCORMICK — Idella Zimmerman, 80, widow of Edward Zimmerman, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006 at National Health Care after an extended illness.
Born in McCormick County, she was a daughter of the late Lane Collins Morris and of the Baptist faith.
She was the last survivor of her immediate family.
Services are 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Walker Funeral Home. Burial is in Overbrook Cemetery.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.