We’re going to be rockin’ Greenwood’

Festival concert brings together
blues legend, Rick James’ drummer

July 14, 2006

By JOSEPH SITARZ
Accent/Features editor

A trio of blues lovers sat inside Stokie’s in Hampton Plaza and talked like they were friends for years. Two musicians and one club owner were preparing for the South Carolina Festival of Discovery concerts tonight and Saturday.
That’s what happens when those who love the blues get together.
In actuality, the three hadn’t known each other very long. Not long at all.
Greenwood native Toni Spearman, Greenwood musician Jimmy Workman and Stokie’s owner Stokes Adams were putting together the final touches for two concerts that are part of the Festival’s Blues Cruise.
Spearman, who has become a blues legend while living in Germany, will perform at Stokie’s with Workman as her drummer and band leader. Workman, who was a childhood friend of Rick James, has known Spearman for less than two months — most of which was via telephone. Adams has known Spearman for about five years and Workman since he moved to Greenwood.
Spearman has performed at Stokie’s for many of the past Festival of Discovery events.
“Toni playing here has worked out well for everyone,” Adams said. “It’s really worked out well for her and me. It’s sort of a one-time-a-year event that’s turned out well for everyone.
“We’ve had a really good response,” Adams said.
To find just how good the association between Spearman and Adams is, one just needs to hear what the performer named her upcoming CD. “Live at Stokie’s” is an 11-song CD that includes the singles “Live at Stokie’s” and “Boogie at Stokie’s.”
“I just found out about it. I was really surprised,” Adams said. “I didn’t know she was going to do that.”
Workman, who grew up in Buffalo, N.Y., worked with James for about four years before turmoil split up the band. Workman and James grew up on the same street in Buffalo. Back then, each street would have its own band and the two played together.
Then, James left town for about two months. When James returned, he saw Workman, who was deejaying. James handed Workman a record and told him to play it. It was what would become James’ first single, “You and I.”
The R&B artist would chart with hits including “Love Gun,” “Mary Jane,” “Give It to Me Baby,” “Cold Blooded,” “Sweet and Sexy Thing,” “Can’t Stop” and the monster “Super Freak.” Most of his hits were in the 1970s, but he also had songs chart in the 1980s. James died of natural causes in 2004 at 56.
When James started to tour, Workman was a roadie. He would eventually become James’ drummer.
“When I was growing up, I was into music,” said Workman, whose brother James owns Workman’s Restaurant in Greenwood. “I started playing guitar. I started when I was 6. I was amazed with the instruments.”
Workman’s love for music never died. Since he’s been in Greenwood, Workman has his own bands, played wedding receptions, performed at area clubs and has started playing gospel music at Crossroads Baptist Church.
“Since I’ve moved here, I’ve tried to keep a low profile,” Workman said.
A friend helped hook up Workman and Spearman.
“I was referred to her by a good friend, a really good friend. I’m glad I have the opportunity to play with her,” Spearman said.
Workman assembled a band of Greenwood area musicians Spearman is proud to have backing her for the show.
“All the band members are from the Greenwood area,” Spearman said. “I’m glad we’re using people who live here. I could have gotten musicians from New York or wherever. Why do that? We have musicians who are just as good or better here.”
With Workman on drums will be Ronnie Goldman on bass guitar, Chris Alexander on lead guitar and Charles Fisher on keyboards. Goldman and Alexander are members of the beach music’s Fabulous Expressions from Greenwood, and Fisher has been a member of BrassTyme, a beach music group out of McCormick.
“I really like the way he’s organized things,” Spearman said. “He got right on it. I was keeping in touch to see what was going on.”
“I’m lovin’ it,” Workman said.
The band has been rehearsing with Spearman since she got into town less than two weeks ago. “We’re ready,” Workman said.
Those attending the concerts shouldn’t be surprised if they see other musicians get up on stage and perform.
“Other musicians come here to see her,” Adams said. “It’s like one big festival inside the festival. It’s not unusual to see guys get up and play. That even makes it more entertaining.”
Spearman is more than willing to share the spotlight.
“Toni isn’t like that,” Adams said.
“I don’t mind,” Spearman said. “I welcome it, especially here in my hometown. We’re going to have a good time.”
Reservations are suggested for Spearman’s concert, which starts at 9 each night. Ben Sprouse opens for Spearman at 8:30 and plays acoustic. Call 223-7054 to make reservations.
For information about Spearman, visit www.tonispearman.com. For information about Stokie’s, visit www.stokies.com.

Dozens hoping to feel presence of God
during 99th Epworth Camp Meeting

July 14, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

Her friends don’t understand why she goes there because there’s no air conditioning, “it’s dirty” and it’s old.
But Autumn Joy, 15, of McCormick, said there is no place she looks more forward to going to every year than the Epworth Camp Meeting in July.
“You can feel the presence of God everywhere,” Joy said, adding that she doesn’t miss the technology she leaves behind every year for the message she finds of Jesus Christ at the camp. “Being here is the closest I can get to God, I think.”
On Thursday, during the 99th annual meeting of the camp that exposes people of all ages to the stories of Jesus, Joy recalled the first time she went to the camp at 8 years old when she dedicated her life to Jesus.
“I was sitting in that chair and it felt like it wasn’t even me going to that altar. It was like God picked me up and put me there,” Joy said. “When I left that week, I felt like a new person, like 1,000 pounds had been lifted off my shoulders. The first time, I was young. I knew what I was doing, but I didn’t understand the commitment. But it’s amazing to wake up every day and know that you don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen because God will be there.”
It was during that camp that Joy met her best friend, Sarah Porter, of Saluda. Joy said that for the past eight years, it has helped her knowing that Porter is going through the same things she is and that she can look to her and other Epworth attendees for Christian advice.
“Epworth is always with you,” Joy said after recalling her favorite Epworth memory of her nephew being saved there last year. “When you go back to school, you try to fit in with people. But ever since God came into my life, I don’t worry about it because I know I fit in here.”
Joy said she hopes to continue coming to the camp so that when she is old enough, she can join the board of trustees and she and Porter can be counselors.
For the Rev. Bobby Owings, that dream already has become somewhat of a reality.
Owings started coming to Epworth about 32 years ago when he was 11 years old. Though he already had been saved at 8, it was while kneeling at the altar in Epworth’s tabernacle that he received his calling to join the ministry. On Thursday, Owings was able to preach to the crowd of about 50 people about his experience while asking them “what does it mean to be right with God?”
“I remember sitting where you guys are sitting tonight and I remember it being hot,” Owings said to the rows of children. “But I also remember God started talking to me right here. I want to experience God’s presence with you tonight.”
About 60 children and adults are expected to attend the camp that runs through July 23. There will be daily church services open to the public at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the tabernacle at the camp on U.S. 178.

S.C. flag, its images
part of fashion statements

July 14, 2006

By LESLIE DRAFFIN
Index-Journal intern

From tattoos to bumper stickers, shot glasses to shirts, the South Carolina state flag is among the most reproduced images seen on local merchandise.
“We sell everything — T-shirts, souvenir items like purses and hats, basically anything with room to advertise,” Palmetto Treasures owner Eddie Dowey said.
“We’re a screenprinting company, so we do our own T-shirts with different trees on them.”
Dowey’s merchandise includes T-shirts with polka-dotted trees, Clemson and Carolina colored emblems and graphics very close to the actual state flag.
Its not just manufactured merchandise South Carolinians seem to be buying. Tattoo parlors are serving vast numbers of clients who want the emblem as a permanent reminder of their heritage. “We do many, many of them,” said Karen Brandt, owner of Painted Pony Tattoos in Greenwood. “It’s usually the crescent and palm tree from the flag, but we’ve done Clemson colors, camo, all sorts.”
The South Carolina flag is even popular outside the state.
“We have stores in Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia, and we sell some shirts there, especially along the borders,” Dowey said.
An employee from A Tattoo Studio in Augusta, Ga., also indicated he’d seen tattoos of the emblem done outside South Carolina. “We’ve done some of them, all colors, even with the rebel flag. They’ve always been around.”
But with so many representations of the state flag, the question remains, who has the right to use the emblem on merchandise? According to Terry Cowling, of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, “the state flag is a public entity. Anyone can take a part of the flag and reproduce it since it’s public domain.”
Michael Kelly, of the S.C. Secretary of State’s office, reiterated Cowling’s statement, saying, “The state flag and seal are both public domain. It (the flag) has been public domain since it was adopted.”
Kelly also commented on the popularity of the crescent and Palmetto tree, saying, “There is a big market right now, but I think you’ll see it runs in cycles and will sometime taper off.”
Carol Norryce, clerk at the Southern Patriot shop in Abbeville, thinks “it’s popular because South Carolinians are so proud of their state and their heritage.”
Norryce said the shop mostly sells “what you would call the more modern merchandise with the crescent and the palmetto tree. But we also have the real state flags on some things. We sell it really well.”
There is no way to know how many items of merchandise are sold displaying the crescent and palmetto tree of the South Carolina state flag. Kelly said there are few laws protecting the state flag and none making the desecration of the flag and its emblems illegal.
The South Carolina state flag was modified and officially adopted in 1861 as the national flag of the Confederate States of America. According to online sources, the blue background stood for the blue militia uniforms South Carolinians wore in the Revolutionary War. The white crescent, also seen on earlier flags, had been worn on the caps of militiamen and is actually a gorget, a type of armor worn to protect the neck, and not a moon. The palmetto tree was added to commemorate the defeat of the British at Fort Moultrie, where the Americans used Palmetto trees to construct the walls of the fort.

Post 20 sweeps Inman

July 14, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

Greenwood faced Inman in a series-ending game Thursday and took care of business in impressive fashion.
Fans were able to watch a couple of homers sail over the fence for Post 20, watch their team fall behind late and then watch them storm back for a 12-5 victory and 3-0 series win.
As the old saying goes, “all’s well that ends well.”
Greenwood now heads into the second round of the playoffs, beginning with a home game 7:30 Monday against Lancanster.
In the top of the second inning, Austin Johnson finally helped end a 25-inning scoreless streak for Inman. Johnson’s double allowed Hunter Johnson to score, giving Inman a 1-0 lead and bringing cheers from the Inman faithful.
The lead wouldn’t last for long though, as Cruse Tollison made sure Post 20 fans would also have something to cheer about.
Tollison sent a moon shot over the left field wall in the bottom of the second inning that might have landed in the next county.
“I was just wanted to get a hit and get something started and he just hung a curve ball and I got it.” Tollison said.
In the bottom of the third, a single by Brent Wham, followed by a Kyle Behrendt single put runners on first and second with one out. Trey Wimmer then stepped up to the plate for Post 20 sent a shot sailing out of the park, putting Greenwood up 4-1.
“I was looking for the fastball on the first pitch and I saw it.” Wimmer said.
There’s one word that perfectly describes the eighth inning: offense.
Just like they did in the second inning, Greenwood responded.
This time though, Post 20 would get creative and scored eight runs in the inning, giving them a final tally of 12-5.
“Our kids really responded well tonight,” coach Billy Dean Minor said. “Lawson pitched really well and we also hit a couple long balls, and I’m really proud of the kids.”

Obituaries

R. Lewis Bryan

BRUNSON, SC — Ransom Lewis Bryan, 74, widower of Florence Mims Bryan, died Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at his residence.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 10 A.M. at Academy Gardens in Edgefield with the Reverend Dr. James R. Bryan and Rev. Barry Bryan officiating.
Mr. Bryan was born in Greenwood County and was the son of the late James Allie Bryan and Leese Walton Bryan. He received a B.A. from Newberry College and a M.A. from Furman University. He was a coach, teacher, and principal for 38 years in Allendale, Aiken, and Edge-field County Schools. He was an active member in the Brunson Lions club and was a member of Brunson Baptist Church.
Survivors include his daughter — Sandra B. and Dr. Jack Reece, Edgefield, 2 sons — Dr. Ransom L. and Patricia Bryan, Jr., Edgefield, Dr. Edward M. and Dr. Kehan Bryan, San Francisco, 8 grandchildren — Dr. Eleanor R. Leaphart, Amelia R. Timmerman, Dr. Leah B. Wilkins, Elizabeth R. Harm, Ransom L. Bryan, III, William P. Bryan, Kevin L. Bryan, and Allen L. Bryan, 3 great-grandchildren — Jack Leaphart, Gray Leaphart, and Kate Timmerman, 2 brothers — Walton (Dot) Bryant, Batesburg-Leesville and Rev. James R. (Reba) Bryan, Hodges. He was predeceased by a sister Polly B. Stidham.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 1817 Gadson St., Columbia, S.C. 29201 The family will receive friends Friday from 5 to 7 P.M. at the home in Brunson. The family is at the home of his daughter, 303 Columbia Rd. in Edgefield and will receive friends following the service at her home.
Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Walter Cook

Walter “Doughboy” Cook, 46, of 105 Sylvan Road, Avondale Community, husband of Rosa Aikens Cook, died Monday, July 10, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Laurens County, he was a son of the late Woodrow and Margaret Hill Cook. He was a member of St. John Baptist Church. A 1979 Clinton High School graduate, he was a former employee of Watts Mill and served in the Marine Corps.
Survivors include his wife and two daughters, Asia “CeCe” Cook and Sterlin Cook, all of the home; a stepmother, Janie Cook of Cross Hill; two brothers, Willie James Cook of Cross Hill and Sammie Earl Cook of Mountville; eight sisters, Mary Latimore of Laurens, Sara Dendy of Waterloo, Roberta Lewis, Margaine Cook, Nina Longshore, Lucy Cook, Lee B. Cook and Malinda Cook, all of Cross Hill.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at St. John Baptist Church, Cross Hill, conducted by Pastor Willie B. Johnson. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial with military honors is in the church cemetery.
Sanders-Thompson Funeral Service, Clinton, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.sandersthompson.com

Mary K. Flowe

Mary K. Flowe, 47, of 1207 McCormick Highway, died Thursday, July 13, 2006 at her home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Bobby James Peterson

HODGES — Bobby James Peterson, 56, of 412 Cromer Road, died Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at his home.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late James and Beatrice Dean Peterson. He was of the Baptist faith and was formerly employed with Monsanto and Milliken Textiles.
Survivors include a son, Eric Lewis of Columbia; a daughter, Mrs. Frank (Natalie) Daniels III of Augusta, Ga.; four sisters, Bettie Gray of Greenwood, Mrs. Joe (Yvonne) Norman of McCormick, Mrs. Jimmie (Gwen) Motes of Cokesbury and Mrs. Paul (Veronica) Neely of Charlotte, N.C.; six grandchildren.
Memorial services are 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Robinson & Son Mortuary, conducted by the Rev. Clyde D. Cannon.
The family is at the home of a sister Mrs. Jimmie (Gwen) Motes, 4602 Cokesbury Road.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Celia Ann Robinson

McCORMICK — Celia Ann Robinson, 90, of 204 Holiday Road, widow of Samuel Robinson, died Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at McCormick Health Care Center.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late Holy and Chaney Dawson. She was a homemaker. A member of St. Peter AME Church, Abbeville, she served on the Stewardess and Missionary Boards and was the eldest female church member.
Survivors include a son, Samuel Robinson Jr. of Columbia; a daughter, Viola Donaldson of Abbeville; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild.
Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Peter AME Church, conducted by the Revs. Albert L. Thompson, pastor and Clinton J. Hall II. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends of the family.
Viewing is 11-7 today at Richie Funeral Home, Abbeville.
Visitation is at the home of her daughter, Viola Donaldson, 83 Mount Carmel Road, Abbeville.
Richie Funeral Home is in charge.

Odessa Partlow Roundtree

NINETY SIX — Odessa Partlow Roundtree, 81, of 1309 McKenzie Road, widow of Odell “O.D.” Roundtree, died Thursday, July 13, 2006 at her home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Maxie Waters

CALHOUN FALLS — Maxie L. Waters, 77, died Thursday, July 13, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Abbeville County, he was a son of the late Tinsley Horace Waters and Olivia Bonds.
Survivors include several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. today at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, Abbeville.
Calhoun Falls Funeral Home is in charge.

Opinion

Was politics real object of one-sided invitation?

July 14, 2006

A few South Carolina voters may be stupid. Most, though, are pretty quick to catch on if they smell strange politics in the air.
For example, the State Department of Education is requiring all first-year principals to attend a summer institute at Coastal Carolina University. They will be a captive audience.
Now, consider that the present State Superintendent of Education is Democrat Inez Tenenbaum, who has run for public office several times. She’s not seeking re-election and may not have been a player in this situation. However, consider that the Democratic candidate for her office was to be the keynote speaker at the institute but the Republican candidate was not invited ..... not until the controversy hit.

POLITICS? IT WOULD BE HARD to convince doubters it wasn’t, despite the denials.
Whether it was the looks, the smell or something else, the invitation for the Democratic candidate to speak was rescinded. University of South Carolina political scientist Blease Graham put it succinctly. “It certainly doesn’t look fair” he said, to invite one candidate for office to speak at an event where attendance is required without inviting others.
Hastily attempted explanations apparently failed to satisfy everyone. That’s understandable under the circumstances, particularly when you consider the liberal side of the education establishment is historically supportive of Democratic candidates for any public office.
There undoubtedly will be some who will argue that’s not necessarily so. History, though, argues otherwise, no matter who denies what.

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, so they say. In this case, though, South Carolina voters are likely to wonder how anyone would have the gall to try what seems a brazenly political stunt. But, then, political chicanery, or anything that resembles it, is becoming more of a divisive tactic these days and that tends to turn voters off.
Again, though, it all may have been an innocent happenstance with no ulteria motives. Some voters in the state may buy that. The majority, though, likely will take a bit of convincing. That’s because an increase in partisan political machinations has served to create skepticism among the voting public. Sometimes, it seems, a little healthy skepticism is a good thing ..... especially in election years.

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