Greenwood ready to downsize

Residents step onto scales to kick off eight-week Shrinkdown program

January 10, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

“I’m going to eat healthy, exercise and get into shape.”
It’s quite possibly the most common resolution vowed by Americans as they usher in the new year.
For some people, that resolution is broken before they can finish one round of “Auld Lang Syne.”
But for those who showed up Monday at the PEES Gym at Lander University, the goal to be thinner and healthier in 2006 is one resolution they plan to keep.
Eight hundred and seventy-three local residents and others stepped onto the scales and stepped up to the health challenge for the Greater Greenwood Shrinkdown.
The eight-week local program, organized by the Greenwood Family YMCA with partners Lander University and Self Regional Medical Center, is one of 11 statewide in the Shrinkdown South Carolina program. The statewide effort is the only weight reduction and health information program of its kind in the country.
YMCA CEO Gray Stallworth said the state’s obesity rate is one of the highest in the nation, and the partners involved in the Greater Greenwood Shrinkdown want to emphasize the importance of good health in the community.
“(Obesity) affects this community and every community across the state,” he said, adding that the healthcare costs associated with obesity are extensive.
“We’re trying, along with our partners, to give the participants the encouragement and information they need to make good decisions for a healthy lifestyle, Stallworth said.
“It’s not just about losing pounds, it’s about feeling better.”
After an initial weigh-in, participants were given the chance to have their blood pressure and cholesterol screened and have a body-fat analysis performed.
Over the next eight weeks, participants will weigh-in each Friday at the YMCA, Lander’s Student Health Services or Wellness Works. Participants can track their progress with charts and receive nutritional and exercise information to help them achieve their weight-loss and health goals, Stallworth said. Participants can even log on to www.scshrinkdown.com to chart their progress compared to the other areas of the state. Weight loss will be charted in each community, without using participant names. Health Talk programs will be given each Monday and Thursday during the length of the program, Stallworth added.
“I need to lose weight, and I seem to do better if I have competition. The fact that so many people are doing this is a motivator,” Greenwood resident Barbara Dorn said.
Dorn, a teacher at Brewer Middle School, said she always has struggled with weight, though she and her husband have been going to the YMCA for about 2 ½ years.
“For me, it’s been a lifelong battle. I’ve never really known what it’s like to be ‘normal’ size,” she said. “I haven’t set a number of pounds (I want to lose) yet. I just want to get a jump start, and I want to continue.”
Tim Ervolina, executive director of the United Way of Greenwood and Abbeville Counties, does have a target, however.
“The 10 pounds that I gained over Christmas,” he said, laughing and adding that he does plan to start exercising more often. “I think if there is a day when I don’t need my car to go somewhere, I’m going to walk to work.”
Ervolina said he was excited to see so many United Way staff members and others from the community sign up for the program.
“It’s not just about weight loss, it’s about changing the community’s behaviors overall,” he said.
Twelve-year-old Charlene Johnson was one of the hundreds of people who stepped onto the scale Monday, and she said she wanted to participate in the program to “get fit.”
Her mother, YMCA fitness coach Mary Ann Johnson, knows the importance of being a healthy weight. Over the past four years, Mary Ann has lost 180 pounds.
“We want to be healthy so we can live longer. We know we have to take care of ourselves,” she said about her daughter’s participation in the program. “If you start now at a young age, it’s not as hard as it is when you are 30.”

Sarah Capell

Sarah Jones Capell, 91, formerly of Holloway Street, widow of Harvey S. Capell, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 at NHC Health Care Center.
Visitation is 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday at Mathews United Methodist Church.
The family is at the home of Paul Burdette, 108 Lacy Court.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home & Crematory.

Inez Gunnells

NINETY SIX — Inez Arnold Gunnells, 83, resident of 205 Coldwater Drive, wife of L. Ellis Gunnells, died Sunday, January 8, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born February 17, 1922 in Elberton, GA, she was a daughter of the late Dave S. and Tarvor Mercer Arnold. She was retired from Greenwood Mills, Ninety Six Plant and was a member of Temple Baptist Church and a former teacher of the TEL Sunday School Class of the church.
Surviving in addition to her husband of the home are three sons, Barry D. and wife Pat Gunnells, Colin B. and wife Alva Gunnells, and Barney E. and wife Gwen Gunnells, all of Ninety Six; two sisters, Darlene A. Gregory of Saluda and Julia A. Bufford of Ninety Six; three grandchildren, Lisa G. and husband Buddy Attaway of Ninety Six, Casey G. and husband Dr. Paul Velky of Greenwood and C. Blane Gunnells, Jr. of Ninety Six; two great-grandchildren, Courtney L Attaway and Jackson L. Velky.
Mrs. Gunnells was predeceased by a brother, Ed Collie Arnold.
The family will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 2:30 to 4:00 Tuesday immediately preceding the funeral service.
Funeral services will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Roger McCoy officiating.
Pallbearers will be nephews, Mark Moore, Gary Moore, Jr., Mike Bufford, Maurice Moore, and Ray Moore, along with Donnie McDowell.
Honorary escort will be members of the TEL Sunday School Class along with the men of Temple Baptist Church.
The family is at the home on Coldwater Drive in Greenwood Shores.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Temple Baptist Church, 95 Saluda Street, Ninety Six, SC 29666.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the Gunnells family.
PAID OBITUARY

Harold Jackson

DONALDS — Harold Jackson, 74, of 106 Bell Road, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals.

Margaret Lee Kidd

Margaret Lee Stockman Kidd, 84, of 607 Callison Highway, widow of G.M. “Johnnie” Kidd, died Monday, Jan. 9, 2006 at her home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Jerry Dean Marshall

McCORMICK — Services for Jerry Dean Marshall are 1 p.m. Wednesday at Walker Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Eric Butler. Burial is in Overbrook Cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends of the family.
The family is at the home of his mother, Lizzie Marshall, Saddle Horne Road.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Ebbie McCarthy

NINETY SIX — Ebbie Pow McCarthy, 72, of 117 Waterford Drive, Ninety Six, widow of John J. “Jack” McCarthy, died Monday, January 09, 2006 at the Hospice House.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late B. G. and Auzelle Adams Pow. She was retired from Monsanto and was a member of First Baptist Church of Ninety Six, where she taught the Ebbie McCarthy Sunday School Class for 25 years.
Surviving is her daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Andy Owings, with whom she made her home in Ninety Six; two grandsons, Michael Owings and his wife, Stacy, of Columbia and Matthew Owings of the home; two great grandchildren, Jackson Owings and Alex Owings; two sisters, Ruth Crawford and Betty Schumpert, both of Saluda and a brother, Bill Pow of Ninety Six.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Ninety Six with the Rev. Chuck Sprouse and the Rev. Steve Justice officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be nephews.
Honorary escort will be the members of the Ebbie McCarthy Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church along with Coach Mike Doolittle, Dr. Michael Bryant, Dr. David Knecht, Rebecca Wise, S. L. “Buddy” Hamrick, J. W. “Dub” Brock, Chief Pat Dixon, Frank Black, Carroll Addy, Vernon Clark, Gary Berry, Danny Berry, Butch Attaway, Larry Smith, Glenn Ellis, Gamewell Merchant, Chip Galphin and Colie Rushton.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to First Baptist Church, PO Box 85, Ninety Six, SC 29666.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Pauline McCauley

PROMISED LAND — Services for Pauline Odessa “Polly” Moore McCauley, of 302 Morton Road, are 2 p.m. Thursday at John’s Creek Baptist Church, with the Rev. Curtis Carter, pastor, officiating and the Rev. Joe Caldwell presiding. Assisting are the Revs. Gracie Smith, James E. Speed and Willie Neal Norman. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Ken Martin, Walter Bowie, T.J. Brown, T.L. Johnson, Wilbert Bennett and Bennie Evans.
Flower bearers are grandchildren and friends of the community.
Honorary escorts are members of Women’s Aide Society No. 98.
Visitation is Wednesday evening at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Louise Nichols Moore

MANNING — Louise Renfro Nichols Moore, 82, widow of Marion “Manny” Moore, died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006 at Clarendon Memorial Hospital in Manning.
Born in Rock Hill, she was a daughter of the late Dr. John Gettys McCain Nichols and Verna Renfro Nichols. She was a member of Presbyterian Church at Manning.
Survivors include two sons, Dr. John Marion Moore and Joseph Heyward Moore, both of Manning; a daughter, Verna Louise Pinnix of Ramseur, N.C.; a sister, Roseanne N. Barnes of Rock Hill; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services were 11 a.m. Monday at Presbyterian Church at Manning, conducted by the Rev. Dr. William J. Holmes. Burial was in Manning Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Presbyterian Church at Manning, PO Box 207, Manning, SC 29102.
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge.

Getting a foot in the door

Former AHS standout is starting coaching career at Furman

January 10, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

GREENVILLE — An Abbeville native has gotten off to a solid start in his NCAA coaching career.
Josh Chiles, who played for Abbeville High School, is serving as graduate assistant manager for the Furman University basketball team. Chiles played college basketball for Gardner-Webb from 2001-04. In Furman’s program, the position of graduate assistant manager is considered part of the coaching staff.
The last two graduate assistant managers for the Paladins, J.D. Powell and Michael Boynton, went on to coaching positions at Charleston Southern and Coastal Carolina, respectively.
“I’m loving it right now,” Chiles said. “I’m continuing my dream of a career in basketball.
Coaching has been different, but it’s been great.”
After four years playing at Gardner-Webb, Chiles considered his options last summer. He had contact with several foreign professional teams who sought his services as a player.
However, he didn’t think that was the way he wanted to go at the time. He hasn’t yet ruled it out as a possibility for the future however.
“This summer I may re-evaluate the possibility of playing overseas,” Chiles said. “But right now, coaching is my main focus.”
It was after deciding not to try his hand on foreign courts that Chiles turned his attention to the sidelines.
He served as a counselor at the Adidas All-Star Camp in Suwanee, Ga., in June when Georgia Tech recruiting coordinator Kevin Campwell, a friend of Chiles, suggested he give coaching a try.
Campwell helped guide Chiles in the right direction.
At first, Chiles thought he might coach at the high school level.
He had several serious conversations with Abbeville skipper Jamie Herman, who was an assistant coach to F.C. Sandlin during Chiles’ time with the Panthers, about the prospects of coaching prep players.
Ultimately, Chiles decided collegiate coaching seemed more viable.
The former guard was in talks with Lander and Spartanburg Methodist before landing an interview with Furman and coach Larry Davis.
“After that interview I knew Furman was the place for me right now,” Chiles said. “Coach Davis is a great coach who is really making a name for himself in Division I basketball.”
Chiles said there has been one major eye-opener for him when comparing coaching and playing college basketball: time.
According to Chiles, when he was playing, he spent several hours a day practicing and studying film. However, as a coach, he and the rest of the Paladins’ staff spend even more time working and planning.
“It’s not uncommon for us to work from 8 a.m. to 10 or 12 at night,” Chiles said. “We spend all day game planning, working on plays and day-to-day operations of the basketball program. We work around the clock.”
Chiles said there have been some anxious moments on the Paladins’ sideline in the early part of this season. Part of that comes from the fact Chiles experiences moments when he would like to hit the court and play the game himself.
“That’s definitely a factor,” Chiles said. “My senior year was just last year, so I know what they’re going through. When they’re getting ready for the game, I’ve got butterflies, too.”
According to Chiles, he feels he adds a unique perspective for current Furman players in that he has so recently been a player himself.
“They know I know what they’re going through, because I’ve just been through it,” Chiles said. “I have a feel for what they’re going through on the floor.”
Chiles said his ultimate goal is to be a head coach at the Division I level. Part of that was instilled in him by Sandlin.
Chiles said Sandlin told him in high school that he needed to have “tunnel vision” when it came to his goals and dreams. It’s an idea Chiles holds dear to this day.
“That’s what you get in this business for, to be a head coach,” Chiles said. “I want to take it as far as I possibly can and help younger athletes succeed.”

Courtesy costs nothing in Judge Alito hearings

January 10, 2006

The hearings began Monday, but the knock-down, drag-out battle over the U. S. Supreme Court gets down to serious business today.
After opening statements Monday, today’s the day the questioning of Judge Samuel Alito begins as his nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court moves forward. Members of the U. S. Senate’s Judiciary Committee continue the advice and consent process.
South Carolina’s Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is on that committee, says “The judge should be pushed and challenged with difficult questions, but he should not become a political punching bag.”
He’s right. Recent history, though, argues otherwise. Still, senators on both sides could show the American people they can ask tough questions without being rude. It doesn’t cost a thing to be courteous. Rudeness, however, is the reality of the bitter partisanship that rules politics today.
Unfortunately, it seems, it permeates all of society as well as politics. Unless the character assassination that now defines the process is checked, it will only get worse ….. and that hurts the American people. All of them.