Show will go on, despite PETA’s request
that Civic Center not host Shrine Circus

March 24, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) asked managers of the Greenwood Civic Center on Thursday to make a “compassionate decision” and not allow the Shrine Circus to perform at the facility next week.
But the civic center’s general manager says the show will go on as planned.
PETA Captive Exotic Animal Specialist Lisa Wathne sent a letter to the center’s managers, claiming Shrine-sponsored circuses “have deplorable records of U.S. Department of Agriculture violations, including failure to provide veterinary care, adequate shelter, nutritious food and clean water, as well as failure to handle animals in a manner that prevents trauma and ensures public safety.”
“There is no circus that uses animals that is acceptable,” Wathne said. “The very nature of a circus means nothing but misery for an animal.” She said there is no plan by the group to stage a protest at the circus in Greenwood.
Sherwood Kaiser, executive administrator of the circus for the Hejaz Temple of Upstate South Carolina, said that, in his 20 years, he has never seen an animal mistreated.
The former vice president of Shrine Circus and Fundraiser Association and potentate officer said the Shriners do not own any of the animals but do the promotional work for their fundraiser and work with a contracted circus. The contracted group that will perform in Greenwood this year is Hamid Circus Inc.
Kaiser said that, in the past, a circus director paid for a veterinarian to fly in from another country to treat a sick elephant. After a minor surgery, the vet stayed with the animal for three days, Kaiser said.
“In my opinion, the animals are well kept, well fed, well groomed,” he said. “Those animals are treated a whole lot better than they would be in the wild.”
In the PETA letter, several references were made to injured circus-goers and handlers who were killed while dealing with “rampaging” elephants. In Fort Wayne, Ind., a trainer “was stomped to death as he loaded elephants into a trailer,” the letter said.
The Journal Gazette newspaper in Fort Wayne reported on Feb. 2, 2005 that a “Texas man who died Monday while loading elephants onto a trailer fell and hit his head while trying to climb out.
Two elephants then stomped on him and swatted at him like a basketball ...”
The elephants were already tethered to the trailer and were accustomed to the trainer and the trailer, the circus manager told the newspaper.
When the trainer fell out of the elephants’ sight, “they did not see him and began to play with him as if he were a tire or tree trunk — items trainers often give the elephants to play,” The Journal Gazette reported.
Wathne also cited an incident of “dangerous animals used by Shrine Circuses” in Evansville, Ind., where a circus-goer was “reportedly hospitalized after being bitten on the face by a chimpanzee.”
Evansville Executive Circus Director Joe Vezzoso said the claim by PETA is an “outright lie” and called what happened a “non-event.”
He said there was an incident in which a trainer turned his head and the chimp got out of its chair and hugged a child, but Vezzoso would not specify the injury.
Channel 14 WFIE, of Evansville, reported on its Web site that officials called the event a “freak accident” in which some guests were having their picture made with a chimpanzee when one of the chimps bit a guest on the cheek. The guest was “taken to the hospital for the puncture wound and treated and released,” the TV station’s Web site said.
Vezzoso said the injury was treated and the child returned to the circus the same night and the following night with friends and family.
“(PETA) is the worst group in the country,” he said. “They should be sued and disbanded.”
Wathne said in a press release that, “contrary to popular belief, the profits from Shrine Circuses are, more often than not, used to fund the temples’ administrative costs, not the Shriners children’s hospitals.”
Kaiser said that, to his knowledge, people were never led to believe otherwise.
“The temple fundraising project goes to administration of the Shrine Temple, but without them, we won’t have a hospital,” Kaiser said, adding that the Hejaz Temple is No. 1 on the South Carolina secretary of state’s “Angel List.” The list rates organizations “that were found to be extremely effective at giving a high percentage of their total expenditures directly to programs for their designated cause,” the secretary of state’s Web site says.
Ron Plemmons, general manager for the Greenwood Civic Center, said shows at 5 and 8 p.m. Tuesday will go on as planned. He said the center’s responsibility is to the Shriners who rent the building and that there is no proof to PETA’s claim.
“I do know with certainty that the Shriners do help many, many people,” Plemmons said.
Hamid Circus Inc., contracted by the Hejaz Temple, will go on to perform Shrine Circuses on Wednesday and Thursday in Anderson, and then March 31-April 2 at Furman University’s Timmons Arena.
Tickets for the Greenwood show are available at the civic center box office, and kids can register for free bicycles at all shows.

Wham squeezes Eagles by Vikes

March 24, 2006

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

Brent Wham found himself in a situation that every young baseball player longs for: heated crosstown rival, late in the game, bases loaded, two outs, tie ballgame.
The Greenwood High School center fielder, who has been struggling from the plate and entered the at-bat 0-for-3, strode to the batter’s box in the bottom of the sixth and looked at his coach for the sign: suicide-squeeze.
Wham delivered the perfect bunt down the third-base line to bring in D.J. Butler and give the Eagles a 10-9 win over Emerald Thursday night at Greenwood High School.
“I was just thinking ‘get the bunt down,’” said Wham, who’s moved from leadoff to the nine spot in the lineup. “Just ‘get on and get the runner home.’
“Coach had confidence in me that I could get it down and I did it. I’m proud to be in the lineup with each and everyone of these guys. It doesn’t matter to me where I hit. I knew it (drop in lineup) was for a reason. Maybe this (squeeze bunt) will get me out of that slump.”
The score capped a three-run sixth for the Eagles (9-6) to snatch the lead back from the Vikings (12-3) and give Greenwood the series sweep of its crosstown rival, winning both games by a run.
“We’ll take them any way we can get them. We don’t care,” Greenwood coach Stanley Moss said.
“That’s our goal to win them any way we can. It’s a tribute to the kids that they kept fighting and playing hard, even when we were almost done.”
Greenwood’s Justin Lawson entered in the sixth and retired the Vikings’ side in order.
And with the lead in hand, Lawson pitched out of a two-on, two-out jam in the top of the seventh by getting Emerald sophomore Brandon Miller to fly out to — fittingly enough — Wham in center.
“You want to win this game. We take pride when we win this game, but we just couldn’t get it done,” Emerald coach Chad Evans said. “We fought back and we’ve done that a lot this season.
“Our kids battled. I’m proud of them for that. I just hope we learned something out there tonight.” The Vikings and starting pitcher Blake Moore dug themselves a deep hole early in the game.
After taking an 1-0 lead after the first inning, Greenwood followed with back-to-back three run innings, including a crushing three-run homer from catcher Trey Wimmer in the second to put the Eagles up 6-1.
The Vikings responded with with four runs in the third, three coming on a base-clearing double from cleanup hitter Cruse Tollison.
Tollison later scored on a sacrifice fly from James Childress to bring Emerald to within one, at 6-5.
Scoring a pair in the fourth and fifth gave the Vikings a 9-6 advantage.
After struggling through the first two innings, Moore had only allowed three hits and a run over the next three. But the Eagles got to the Emerald senior in the sixth. Moore went 5 2/3 and allowed 11 hits and 10 runs, while striking out six.

Opinion

Investing by foreigners in S. C. and nation good

March 24, 2006

News article: “Washington (AP) - The furor over efforts by an Arab company to buy U. S. port operations has focused attention on a little noticed economic fact of life: America is increasingly foreign owned.
“From the ritzy Essex House hotel in Manhattan, owned by the Dubai Investment Group, to the nationwide chains of Caribou Coffee and Church’s Chicken. owned by another company serving Arab investors, foreigners are buying bigger and bigger chunks of the country...”
The implication of that report could, of course, be negative. Then, again, it could be more positive than anyone might think.
It is negative, to be sure, in that American dollars are being taken out of this country into the banks of other nations ..... whether owned by rich and influential individuals or other governments.

ON A POSITIVE NOTE, IT’S reassuring to see foreigners investing in the United States. That is a a sure sign that people all over the world still look at this country as a place where investing is safe and opportunities to succeed and grow still exist. There are numerous businesses and industries in South Carolina that are economic proof. Fuji in Greenwood, BMW at Greer and Toyota in Florence County, for example, have a positive impact on local and state economies, as do many others from many different nations.
To put foreign ownership in perspective, though, consider the government of South Carolina. It has been policy for many years for state officials, from the governor on down, and industry recruiters from various industries and communities to actively encourage foreign firms to build in the Palmetto State.

THESE REPRESENTATIVES of the state travel abroad and recruit industry, hoping to “land” a company that will offer many jobs to South Carolina workers.
We employ all kinds of economic incentives to convince them that South Carolina is the place to be. And, we have done it on a regular basis for at least half a century.
The fact that we have been successful in our recruitment efforts is evident in reports of foreign ownership, not only in this state, but all over the country. Foreigners may own big chunks of the country, but we have encouraged it ..... officially.
Is that bad for South Carolinians. That probably depends on who has jobs and who doesn’t.

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

Obituaries

Izell Dobey Sr.

EDGEFIELD — Izell Dobey Sr., 80, of 321 Glover St., died Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at Trinity Mission Health & Rehab. Center.
A native of Edgefield, he was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church and served in the deacons ministry and male chorus. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Lizzie Jackson Dobey; four daughters, Louette Dobey, Beatrice Burnett, Millicent Punett and Jeanie McClain; four sons, George Dobey, Izell Dobey Jr., Adell Dobey and Terry Dobey; three sisters, Rose McManus, Irene Byrd and Pearl Jones; 22 grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Bethlehem Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Edward Lloyd. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Viewing is after 1 p.m. today.
The family is at the home.
G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary is in charge.

Rosa Lee Nance

Rosa Lee Nance, 65, of 221 Tompkins St., widow of Samuel Nance, died Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late Willie Robinson and Floyd Williams Robinson. She was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include two daughters, Wanda Robinson of Greenwood and Sherri Nance of the home; two brothers, Rev. Sammie Robinson of Greenwood and Charles Robinson of Atlanta; three grandchildren, one reared in the home, Keltravious Nance.
Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Dunham Temple CME Church, conducted by the Rev. James McKee. Burial is in Evening Star. The body will be placed in the church at noon.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends of the family.
Visitation is at the home of a daughter, Wanda Robinson, 226 Brooks Stuart Drive.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net

Robert W. Stewart

Robert W. Stewart, 85, formerly of 513 Bolt St., died Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at Morningside Assisted Living Facility.
Born in Abbeville, he was a son of the late William Earl and Bessie Lee Ellis Stewart. He was retired from Greenwood Mills, Mathews Plant, and was a member of the Quarter Century Club. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, serving in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe and was a recipient of a Bronze Star Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with Five Bronze Battle Stars. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include a nephew reared in the home, Roger Stewart.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. today at Long Cane Cemetery in Abbeville, conducted by the Rev. Annie Brooks.
Visitation is 2 p.m. today at Morningside Assisted Living Facility, 116 Enterprise Court.
Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Harry Wharton

ABBEVILLE — Harry Wharton, 57, of 560 Grey Rock Estates, husband of Eleanor Johnson Wharton, died Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at his home.
Born in Abbeville, he was a son of the late Mary Fair and Walter Wharton. He was a graduate of J.S. Wright High School, Piedmont Technical College, and Limestone College. He also served in the United States Marine Corps and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was well known and active throughout the Abbeville Community. Among his many business ventures, he was owner and operator of Harry’s Ice Cream Parlor and the Abbeville Pawn Shop. He was a member of the Abbeville Chapter of the United States Jaycees, Abbeville Rotary Club and the Abbeville County Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Board of Commissioners for the South Carolina Regional Housing Authority No. 1. He was of Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Nakishia S. Wharton of Columbia, SC; a brother, Walter Wharton, Jr. of Abbeville; an aunt, Roxie Jackson of Abbeville and a host of other relatives.
Services are 2 p.m. Sunday at St. James A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Raymond Pressley and the Rev. Judy Richardson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Pallbearers and Flower Bearers are the J.S. Wright High School Class of 1968.
Viewing is Saturday 7-9 p.m. at Richie Funeral Home, Abbeville.
The family is at the home.
Richie Funeral Home is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY

Ruby Winecoff

WARE SHOALS — Ruby Plyler Winecoff, 91, of 21 Ware St., widow of William Luther Winecoff, died Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Monroe County, N.C. she was a daughter of the late Ransom and Minnie Baker Plyler. She was a member of Ware Shoals First Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Rita Winecoff Jackson of Ware Shoals; a sister, Edith Plyler Stegall of Kannapolis, N.C.; one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter.
Services are 3 p.m. today at Ware Shoals First Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. Wayne Wicker and the Honorable George D. Rush. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Harry Irick, Larry Stegall, Lee Culbertson, Gregg Harrell, Ray Thompson and Mark Wilson. Honorary escorts are the Ladies Hebron Sunday School Class.
Visitation is 2-3 today at the church.
The family is at the home of her daughter, Rita Winecoff Jackson, 23 South Greenwood Ave.
Memorial may be made to Ware Shoals First Presbyterian Church, Youth Hand Bell Choir, PO Box 542, Ware Shoals, SC 29692.
Parker-White Funeral Home is in charge.

Lillie Mae Workman

GREENVILLE — Lillie Mae Workman, 64, widow of Johnny Workman, died Monday, March 20, 2006 at Magnolia Manor Nursing Home.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late John Henry and Verna Chase Watts. She was a homemaker and attended Queen Street Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Brenda J. Hamilton of Mauldin, Jeanette Austin of Greenville and Lisa Burnside of Baltimore; three sons, Michael Hamilton of Philadelphia, Reno Watts of Greenville and Rico Watts of Mauldin; four sisters, Henrietta Martin of Indianapolis, Vera M. Kelly of Simpsonville, Bernice Hentz of Mauldin and Mary R. Warren of Greenwood; three brothers, Charles E. Watts of Greenwood, Calvin Watts of Enoree and John V. Watts of Greenwood; 15 grandchildren.
Graveside services are noon today at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Piedmont, conducted by Elder Joe W. Warren.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Brenda J. Hamilton, Ashmore Bridge Estates, 17 Farm Ridge, Mauldin.
Announcement courtesy of Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood.