Thousands find way to beat
the heat, enjoy local festival

July 16, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

It didn’t take long before people attending the sixth annual Festival of Discovery Saturday in Uptown Greenwood began to empathize with the meat on the grills.
“I’ve had six bottled waters, two orange juices, four Cokes and two Smoothies,” said Ed Young, of Maggie Valley, N.C., at about 2 p.m. “If you don’t take something down about every 45 minutes, you’re going to get sick.”
Despite record high temperatures creating a heat index that felt like 103 degrees, Uptown Greenwood Development Corp. Manager Angie Jones said an estimated 5,000 people turned out for barbecue, music and kids’ activities.
“I think it all turned out really well,” Jones said. “Even despite the heat, people seemed to be having a good time.”
With music and children’s laughter from the Kid’s Fun Zone floating through the occasional breeze, people everywhere seemed to be seeking a cool outlet.
Amanda and Barry Johnson, of Greer, found out about the Greenwood festival while looking for something to do on the Internet. Seeing it was dog-friendly, the couple brought along their two Boston Terriers that seemed to receive pampering from the heat everywhere they went.
“People gave them barbecue, ice water and they’ve even hosed them down a couple of times,” Amanda Johnson said.
After only two hours of sleep the night before, Lisa Roberts, of Big Daddy’s Butt Rub, was battling sleep deprivation and the high temperatures in the group’s tent caused from the sun and the barbecue grills. Roberts said she heard a group ask a police officer how much the fine would be if they jumped in the fountain.
“The policeman said ‘$400.’ And the guy said, ‘well, does that include a hotel stay?’ and the policeman said ‘maybe, but you might not get out until Monday,’” Roberts said.
Despite rising temperatures, Assistant City Manager Charlie Barrineau said he was not aware of anyone being taken off the site for heat-related injuries.
“We did everything we could to put various fans and mist fans to keep people cool,” he said. “We added a lot more tents this year too.”
Mike Vaughn, of Laurens, who brought his hat, flag and accessory booth, “Mike’s Toys,” in for the festival, said while he expected business to pick up after the sun went down, the sale of his hand-held pig fans had skyrocketed, as he had sold about 30 by mid-afternoon.
Linda Cawthorn, with The Silver Link booth from Easley, said the heat made it hard to eat. “The only reason I’m eating is because I know I have to,” she said.
But not everyone had a problem eating. During the hot dog eating competition, Cody Dorn, 13, of Greenwood, managed to eat 14 hot dogs in 12 minutes to win the male division of the contest.
Dorn said he never had been in an eating competition before and decided to give it a try when he saw it in the newspaper Friday. Without much time for “training,” Dorn said he just skipped breakfast Saturday morning to leave room for the dogs.
Linda Reed, of Greenwood, also didn’t have a hard time taking down 7 1/2 hot dogs in 12 minutes to win the female division of the competition.
The only problem Reed had was getting on the stage at all. Before the competition began, there were seven males to compete and no females. As the master of ceremonies probed women to join the competition, he offered an extra $100 to the female winner, drawing Reed and another contestant. As a crowd of about 150 spectators rooted the contestants on screaming “eat, eat, eat, eat,” during the sixth annual hot dog competition, Reed ate more hot dogs than the male winner did during the first contest. After eating, Reed said she was “quite nauseous.”
“I’m not eating any hot dogs for a long time,” Reed said.

Opinion

We have to fight wars on a variety of fronts

July 16, 2006

Part I of III: We are at war. Would anyone in South Carolina be surprised if told that the nation is at war? That, of course, isn’t likely. Every person knows there is a war raging against terror, It’s necessary, to be sure, because terrorists are waging a war against the rest of the world. Whether in the Middle East, Asia, Europe or anywhere on the planet, it’s a fact of life, naturally, but it’s really more a fact of death.
There are other wars going on, too, although they may not be recognized as such. While the war on terror is important to freedom as we know it, other wars will have a tremendous impact on our future just as much.

EVERY TERRORIST ACT anywhere in the world is immediately flashed around the world by the major news media. It doesn’t matter what political position we take about this particular war. We know that freedom-loving people everywhere will suffer - and die - in the longrun if we don’t win it. Terrorists, whether they are Muslim or anything else, will continue their bloody campaign to kill and control everyone who doesn’t fit their description of acceptable.
Another war is more subtle, perhaps, but it’s obvious just the same. It is a struggle to re-establish the “goodness” of America, which is about faith, morality, family, and a work ethic based on self-discipline and personal industriousness.
This, too, is a necessary war because that “goodness” is being lost to the constant erosion of the values instilled in us not only by our families, but also by the institutions that have taught us right and wrong all our lives.

WHETHER IN SUNDAY schools or other venues of faith or “golden rule” upbringing, the lifelong lessons we have been taught are being torn apart by our failure to stand up for principle against the “me first gratifications” that exploit our fading morality.
That war is another we cannot afford to lose. It’s simple. We fight back or else. Good people can only be pushed so far, though, before they push back. That’s what the war for faith and morality is all about, and whether anyone sees it or not, it’s there, and it’s going on everyday. It’s hard to miss, really, if we look at what’s going on with an open mind.
Next: Part II: The war to stabilize the ship of state.

Obituaries

Judy Broome

McCORMICK — Judy White Broome, 64, of 3061 Upper Mill Road, McCormick, died Friday, July 14, 2006 at her home.
Born in McCormick County, she was the daughter of Florence Jennings McKinney and the late Paul E. White. She was formerly employed at Piedmont Agency on Aging in Greenwood, and retired from Solutia after 34 years of service. Ms. Broome was a member of Bethany Baptist Church where she was a member of the Love Sunday School Class, and served as Secretary.
Surviving is her mother of McCormick; a daughter, Vicky B. Bennett of Evans, GA; a brother, Ben Allen White of Greenwood; a half brother, Paul E. White of VA; two half sisters, Kaye Ferqueron of McCormick and Tina Wilkie of Greenwood; and a granddaughter, Skyler Bennett.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday at Bethany Baptist Church with the Reverend C. B. Love and the Reverend Lloyd Prince officiating.
The family will receive friends at Bethany Baptist Church in the fellowship hall after the service.
The family has requested that flowers be omitted and memorials be made to Bethany Baptist Church Building Fund Charles Fuller, 3114 Upper Mill Road, McCormick, SC 29835.
The family is at the home.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

John ‘Tune’Butler Jr.

John “Tune” Butler, Jr., 74, husband of Alice Woolridge Butler, of 104 Hickory Lane, died July 15, 2006 at his home.
Born in Greenwood County, he was the son of the late John Butler, Sr., and Carrie Turner Butler. He was a member of American Legion Post 224, Morris Chapel Baptist Church and retired from U.S. Army after 21 years of service.
He was the last survivor of his immediate family.
Survivors are, his wife of the home, one son, Michael (Charlene) V. Butler of Early Branch, SC, 4 grandchildren; Alessan Dro Butler of Hartford, CT., Alessia, Alexander and Alexandria Butler of Early Branch, S.C. and 1 great grandchild, D’Andre Butler of New Britain, CT. The family is at the home.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Dorothy Coleman

SALUDA — Dorothy Duffie Coleman, 96, of 1411 Denny Hwy., died Saturday, July 15, 2006 at Saluda Nursing Center.
Born July 30, 1909, in Saluda County, and a daughter of the late Henry Lucious and Melissie McCarty Duffie. She was the wife of the late George William Coleman. Mrs. Coleman attended Summerland College and was a homemaker. She was a member of Butler United Methodist Church and was very active in the church as a Sunday school teacher and Choir member as long as her health permitted.
Surviving are a daughter and son in-law, Hannah C. and J.T. Hallman of Saluda, three sons and daughters in-law, William O. and Weita Coleman of Hopkins, Ted L. and Peggy Coleman of Saluda and Joe Thad and Shelby Coleman of Saluda, ten grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM, Sunday evening at Ramey Funeral Home and at other times at the home of Mrs. Coleman, 1411 Denny Hwy., Saluda.
Funeral services will be 11 AM, Monday, July 17, 2006 at Butler United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lee Cothran officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ted Coleman, Jr., Nick Satterfield, Paul Atlkinson, Jeff Hallman, John Hallman, Joe Coleman, Kevin Coleman, Chuck Harmon and Will Pou.
Memorials may be made to Butler United Methodist Church Building Fund or Cemetery Fund, c/o Sandra M. Collard, 791 Long Rd., Saluda, SC 29138.
PAID OBITUARY

Odessa Partlow Roundtree

Services for Odessa Partlow Roundtree are 2 p.m. Monday at Flint Hill Missionary Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. John R. Brightharp, assisted by the Rev.’s William Booker Sr., Arthur Kemp, Willie Evans, Minister Shirley Kinard, and Bishop Emanuel Spearman. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are the Deacon and Trustee ministry of the church; flower bearers are the Deaconess, Usher, and Missionary ministry of the church.
Visitation is at the home, 1309 McKenzie Road, Ninety Six.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.

Annie M. Williams

HODGES — Annie M. Williams, 90, widow of Arthur Williams Jr., of 4921 Highway 178, died Saturday, July 15, 2006 at National Health Care.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Paul Evans and Willie Waller. She was a member of Pine Grove AME Church where she was a Church Steward Missionary, Sunday School teacher and Treasurer, and a member of the Senior Choir.
Survivors include a daughter of the home, Daisy L. Williams; two sons, George E. Williams of Inglewood, Calif. and John F. Williams of Pelzer; 21 grandchildren; seven reared in the home, Sheila Williams-Berry of Atlanta, Harold B. Williams of Inglewood, Calif., Maya A. Moss of Greenwood, Yvonne W. Neal of Washington, George E. Williams Jr. of Atlanta, Michelle R. Adams and John P. Williams of Atlanta; 18 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to The County Bank.
Percival-Tompkins is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh@earthlink.net