Casting off

Local woman uses growing technology to tell others' stories

January 30, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

You've probably heard the old saying that everyone has a story to tell.
It's an adage that Christy Croft believes in.
"When you get to talking to people and you get to know them better, you realize there is so much more going on under the surface than you'd ever know just passing them in town," Croft said.
It's also an adage that Croft, who works as a bookkeeper at Exterior Supply Co. in Greenwood, has used to reach listeners each week with new her podcast series, Psycheology: Audio Burlesque.
Similar to radio talk shows, podcasts are audio shows that are delivered to listeners over the Internet. Podcasters record their sessions and upload them to the Internet, and listeners who subscribe to the free podcast can use special "podcatchers" - software that automatically scans podcasting Web sites for updated podcasts -to download the sessions to their computer. The listeners can then use their computer or another audio file player, such as a mobile MP3 player or an iPod, to listen to the sessions when and where they want.
Podcasting, a term coined in 2004, has grown into a popular technology on the Internet, and according to Wikipedia.org, the New Oxford American Dictionary selected the term as the 2005 Word of the Year.
Croft said she expects podcasting to become even more widely used in 2006, as more and more listeners become aware of podcasting and have better access to the technology.
Croft said there are podcasts about "anything you can think of," though she mostly listens to educational, historical and religious podcasts.
After working for seven years as a behavioral consultant for children with autism and as a youth director for several churches, Croft moved to Greenwood about a year ago to begin working in the office of her father's business.
"It was the first time in my life where I haven't gotten that sense of fulfillment of helping people and doing something good for the world from my job," she said. "I thought if I could do a podcast, then maybe that could be the outlet for me to feel like I was doing something good, something helpful, something useful."
Croft said she wanted to create a podcast series that would highlight personal stories and give people insight into the lives of others.
"My goal is inspiring more compassion in people - to help people better understand through a personal story what it's like to have different sorts of issues in your life and to let them know what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes," Croft said.
She recorded her first podcast in December using her husband Dennis, who suffered a stroke in his 20s and has worked to overcome stroke-related health issues, as the focus of the session.
Since then, Croft has recorded six other podcasts, with topics ranging from being a Muslim in the U.S. after 9/11 to sexual abuse to childhood obesity. She spends about one or two hours on each interview and anywhere from three to seven hours editing and adding music and segues to the audio files.
"If I get really excited, sometimes I'll be up until three in the morning finishing it up," she said, laughing. Once the sessions are ready for an audience, Croft uses special software to upload them to a server where listeners can download them. The sessions can also be found on Croft's Web site, www.psycheology.com.
Croft mostly interviews people she knows, but as her show becomes more popular among Internet listeners, she said she has also started looking at the stories strangers have to tell.
"When people tell me the things they've been through or done, I am consistently amazed, partly of what they are capable of getting through in their lives, but also at the variety of human experience," Croft said, adding that the experience is therapeutic for both the listeners and the interviewees.
"So far, for the people I've talked to, it's been cathartic and helpful for them to tell their stories," she said. It's also been a learning experience for Croft.
"Most interviews, while I'm recording them, I am doing my thing and asking questions because I'm so focused on getting what I need for audio," she said. "But then I go home and lay in bed at night and I can't sleep because I'm thinking about (the story), or it makes me cry. It hits me afterwards what some people are able to make it through."
She said she's also learned that podcasting is a fun hobby.
"I enjoy it," she said, smiling. "I used to dream about being a commentator for (National Public Radio) or being a writer. This is something that I never thought I wold have the means of doing."

Megan Varner covers general assignments in Greenwood and the Lakelands. She can be reached at 223-1811, ext. 3308, or: mvarner@indexjournal.com

Decker ready to guide Lady Bearcats

January 30, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

When most people start a new job, it's important to be ready to hit the ground running.
When the new job is head volleyball coach at a NCAA Division II university, you better really be ready.
Such is the case with new Lander volleyball coach Carla Decker.
Decker was named to the position Jan. 3 and succeeds Doug Spears, who returned for a one-year stint following last summer's resignation of then-coach Angela McGuire.
Considering the fact the 2005-06 school year is more than halfway completed, Decker said she has her work cut out for her.
"The timing isn't too bad," Decker said. "As far as recruiting goes, there are still some quality athletes out there that haven't signed. Another challenge we're going through is scheduling for next season, which will need to be done as soon as possible."
Another function Decker is trying to coordinate in quick order is to get the current Lady Bearcats' roster on a spring schedule, one which would consist of practices, scrimmages and special tournament matches.
Decker arrives at Lander after two years as coach at West Virginia Wesleyan College, which was her first collegiate head coach experience.
She previously served as an assistant coach at Presbyterian.
Decker finished her time at West Virginia Wesleyan with a 39-27 record, going 32-6 record in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Decker said she valued her time guiding West Virginia Wesleyan.
"Anytime you go into a situation in the first year, you learn a lot," Decker said. "Every new situation provides a different challenge. But there were a lot of positives."
Decker said her first years coaching collegiately were tough, but she hopes her beginning at Lander will be her "last first year."
Decker said she feels fortunate to have the opportunity to coach at Lander, a school she admired in the past.
"When I was an assistant at Presbyterian, we used to come to Greenwood and play Lander," Decker said. "And I was just so impressed by the athletic facilities and the school and the campus and the town. I knew it would be an attractive position for any volleyball coach."
Decker said she was impressed by athletic director Jeff May and the Lander staff she met during the interview process.
It was that aspect that sealed her decision to take the challenge of coaching the Lady Bearcats.
After growing up and attending college in northern Iowa and subsequently coaching in West Virginia, Decker said there is one aspect she particularly appreciates about Greenwood is the warmer winter weather.
"In a way I'll miss the snows in Iowa and the skiing and hiking up in West Virginia," Decker said. "But on the other hand, I'm a warm-weather girl who enjoys sun and the beach, too.
"It should be nice."
Decker's first extended foray into the Southeast was when she attended the University of South Carolina to get her Masters in Teaching Physical Education. After completing the program, she took the head volleyball coaching position at Ridge View High School, which she maintained for two years.
"I knew I enjoyed teaching, but I really loved coaching," Decker said. "I knew I wanted to make that my main focus as I continued on."
Decker said she is optimistic about her team's chances in the fall and her tenure at Lander.
"Change is good is what I always say," Decker said. "And I am truly very excited about this new transition."

Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com.

Opinion

Later start for schools? Debate not going away

January 30, 2006

Efforts against early school starts won't go away, and they shouldn't. Many South Carolinians, from one end of the state to the other, are actively seeking changes.
It's growing, too, A bill has cleared a House Education subcommittee that would mandate that students would return to school each year no earlier than August 15. It would allow school districts to decide when to end classes.
August 15 is not much of a compromise. It's better than August 1, to be sure, but it would still rob children and parents of family time they all need, put children back in classrooms at the hottest time of the year, and involve a variety of other negatives that early starts create ….. not to mentioned taking away perhaps the most valuable time in a child's summer: time to dream and play.
Grades? Figures in districts that start later show better results. That should tell us something.

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

Obituaries

Lill Billington

NINETY SIX - Lill Eva Billington, 68, of 2102 Carter Road, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006 at her home. Born in Norway, she was a homemaker.
Survivors include a daughter, Nona Gail of Steam Boat Springs, Colo.; two sons, Marc Hess of Ninety Six and Eric Hess of Houston; two sisters of Norway, and five grandchildren.
Memorial service is 4 p.m. Tuesday at Harley Funeral Home & Crematory.
The family is at the home of her son, 210 Carter Road.
Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Geneva Ferguson

McCORMICK - Geneva Ferguson, 83, of 204 Holiday Road, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006 at McCormick Health Care Center.
Services will be announced by Richie Funeral Home Inc.

Willie Mae Gilchrist

Willie Mae "Popeye" Gilchrist, 64, of 3-H Phoenix Place, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006 at her home.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Wally Moore and Nellie Mae Scott. She was a member of Beulah Baptist Church and formerly employed at Self Regional Medical Center in the dietary dept. and as a patient home sitter.
Survivors include a son, Thomas Gilchrist of Greenwood; two daughters, Brenda Turner of the home and Barbara Scott of Waterloo; three brothers, James and Robert Scott of Greenwood and Charles Scott of Florida; three sisters, Linda Martin and Betty Moore of Greenwood and Mary Jean Smith of Edgefield; two grandchildren, one reared in the home, Miriah Frazier.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Carrol 'Clyde' Goff

WAGENER - Carroll "Clyde" Goff of 669 Sand Dam Road, husband of Frieda Williamson Goff, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006 at his home.
Born in Saluda County, he was a son of the late Joseph Graham and Edna Duncan Goff. He was also predeceased by his stepmother, Lila Corder Goff.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Randy Goff; a daughter, Sandy Merck; a sister, Patricia Goodwin of Greenwood; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Convent Baptist Church, Fairview. Burial is in the Wagener Cemetery. Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Blizzard Funeral Home, Inc.
Blizzard Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blizzardfuneralhome.com

Eva Mae Huffman

HONEA PATH - Eva Mae Adams Huffman, 85, of 21 E. Glendale St., widow of Willie Huffman, died Friday Jan. 27, 2006 at the Oakmont East Nursing Center in Greenville.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late Alex and Hattie Walker Adams. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board, Jubilee Choir, the Women's Missionary and the Golden Ages. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Martin King, Chapter No. 367. She was a retired cook at Watkins School.
Survivors include two daughters, Jennie R. Smith, Honea Path and Eva Cannon, Anderson; a sister, Azalee Mattison, Belton; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Liberty Baptist Church, conducted by the Revs. Kenneth Harrison and Jermiah Palmer. The body will be placed in the church at 2. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is 2:30-3 at Liberty Baptist Church.
The family is at the home.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, is in charge.

Carroll Ouzts

John Carroll Ouzts, 92, of Sterling House and former resident of the Pittsburg Community, widower of Virginia Robinson Ouzts, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006 at the Hospice House.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late Cleveland B. and Mary Ann Hamilton Ouzts. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School, retired from Carolina Tool Co. and a cattle farmer. He was a member of Mountain Creek Baptist Church where he formerly served as deacon, Sunday school superintendent and church clerk.
He was the last member of his immediate family.
Services are 3 p.m. Tuesday at Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, conducted by the Rev. Henry Schwarzman. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Wayne Jones, Jerry Jones, Johnny Rhodes, Stan Robinson, Hal Robinson, Gerald Robinson, Barry Robinson, Jack Burton, Burt Wetzel and Chad Caron.
Visitation is 2-3 Tuesday at Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
The family is at their respective homes.
Memorials may be made to Mountain Creek Baptist Church, 108 Mountain Creek Road, Troy, S.C. 29848 or to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood S.C. 29646.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Earline Parks

McCORMICK - Services for Earline Parks are 2 p.m. Tuesday at the New Hope Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Michael Butler, assisted by the Revs. R.C. Holloway and David Parks. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Johnny Coleman, Byron Scott, David Seigler, Kevin Morton, Keith Cunningham and Grant Stevens. Flower bearers are nieces and cousins.
The body is at Walker Funeral Home. The funeral procession will leave from her home at Highway 378 East at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Debra Simpson

Debra Ellison Simpson, 82, of 1209 East Durst Ave., widow of Rudolph M. Simpson, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006 at 104 Pecan Drive.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Jim and Elizabeth Galloway Ellison. She was a homemaker. Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Ray (Annette) Billingsley of Pelzer, Mrs. John Lee (Doris) Erwin of Starr, Carolyn Drawdy of Greenwood, Gene Farrell of Ocean Springs, Md. and Sandra Magglos of Hattesburg, Miss.; a sister, Ruby Cleveland of Anderson; two brothers, David Ellison of Saluda and Walter Ellison of Greenwood; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. today at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, conducted by the Rev. Milton Hannah.
Pallbearers are Larry Simpson Jr., Charles Erwin, John Erwin Jr., Darrell Chapman, Chris Farrell and Dennis Yelverton.
Visitation is following the service at the cemetery.
The family is at the home of her daughter, Carolyn, 115 Lawton St., Greenwood.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com