Ninety Six golf course feels full effect of storm

May 23, 2006

By JIM JOYCE
Index-Journal special projects editor

NINETY SIX — Golf at The Fort at Ninety Six was almost at a standstill Monday as owners, grounds crews and players awaited the outcome of a storm that did extensive damage to the front nine of the course.
Trees were blown over Sunday, water filled the bunkers and debris was scattered on the fairways and greens, most of which caused the front nine to be closed. There was some play on the back nine, however.
“Todd Mitchell (co-owner) had gotten a phone call and somebody reported a tornado,” said co-owner and head pro Tommy Pendley, who was out Monday assessing the damage and helping clear the back nine.
“You know people can get excited when they hear about something like this happening. To me, it looks like it was high winds, a micro-burst where everything was blown in the same direction — not spiral like a tornado.”
Meterologist Larry Lee, of the National Weather Service in Greer, said there was no report of a tornado in the area, but there were warnings issued.
“We have had no report of a tornado, but there was a severe thunderstorm,” he said. “We did issue a severe thurnderstorm warning for southern Greenwood County at 3:02 p.m. The warning was that the storm would be producing nickel-size hail and damaging winds about six miles southwest of Greenwood and heading east at about 65 miles per hour.”
Shortly thereafter, he said, word was received that a severe thunderstorm had gone across the Ninety Six area.
“Apparently, that was information that the warning had been verified,” Lee said, “but there was nothing about a tornado.”
“I haven’t seen everything back over at two and three, but our front nine took a pretty heavy beating,” Pendley said. “Somewhere between 20 and 30 trees were blown down. We lost one critical tree at No. 6, where it guarded the left side approach into the green. That was a big oak tree and it’s down.
“The back nine did not have as much damage and our crews had it open Monday morning. I’m not sure about the front nine. We’re waiting on the insurance people to have a look at it before we start clearing it.
“We’re guessing Wednesday for opening the front nine, unless we have some other delays.”
Scattered weather-related damage was reported throughout Greenwood and Abbeville counties. Steve McDade, Abbeville County emergency preparedness director, said there were at least 15 to 18 roads blocked by downed trees. McDade said the majority of damage seemed to be within city limits, as city and county fire and the police department worked together to clear the road for traffic for more than two hours after the storm.
He said sporadic power outages were reported to Little River Electric Coop Inc., City of Abbeville and Duke Power after the storm that lasted for about 45 minutes.
McDade reported no injuries sustained from the storm, but said one trailer was hit by a fallen tree. Abbeville County Fire Marshal Dan Evatt said his department responded to 71 calls for down limbs, power outages and transformers that had caught on fire.
In Greenwood, the problems were mostly in the county. Police Department Capt. Urban Mitchell said most of the damage occurred on the outskirts of the city. He said the police department responded to three reports of downed limbs, but mostly checked out alarms set off from the storm.
“It wasn’t too bad inside the city limits,” Mitchell said.

Staff writer Joanie Baker contributed to this article.

‘Sista Smoke’ laughs way through tragedy

May 23, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

She asked God to give her a sign that her son had been taken into heaven.
And while Promised Land resident LaShawn Thomas said she was looking for a rainbow as she stood at her son’s grave, what she got were fire ants.
With a great big smile, Thomas hopped around smacking her ankles, screaming thanks to the Lord for His sign as witnesses giggled uncontrollably at the humorous re-enactment.
It doesn’t take much for Thomas to make people laugh.
In fact, when Thomas told her coworkers at Reflections of U beauty salon of her calling to be a Christian comedian, she said most of them fell on the floor laughing.
“I said, ‘Well, Lord, I didn’t know it was going to be this easy,’” Thomas said.
Just a few months after her 9-year-old son Michael G. Thomas died unexpectedly from a heart attack in 2002, Thomas said she was able to turn her grieving energies into something that not only would help her cope, but could reach other people through laughter.
“It makes a big difference when God comes into the laughter and it just flows,” Thomas said. “It makes me feel good that I have helped someone else in a situation they didn’t know what to do but laughter helped.”
Now, Thomas said the Lord keeps her up all night long giving her ideas for material.
“The Lord will be feeding me stuff and I’ll be laughing in the bed writing it all down,” she said. “I finally have to say ‘Lord, I got all I need tonight, can I please go to sleep.’”
Having performed at least 20 times for functions at Mount Zion AME Church, the renowned class clown will be taking her act to Simpsonville on Thursday for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition performance in front of the Rev. Al Sharpton, Sinbad and Jesse Jackson.
Mount Zion AME preacher the Rev. James Speed Sr. recommended Thomas for the program. He said his favorite act is when Thomas dresses like a cook and “roasts people clean.”
“Other comedians who do it, they don’t do it in a kind spirit,” Speed said. “But when you walk away, you don’t feel insulted. It’s funny but it’s kind.”
Speed gave Thomas her stage name “Sista Smoke” because he said she has fire inside her spirit, and “where there is smoke, there is fire.”
“She’s the epitome of what it means to love Jesus and still have fun,” Speed said. “She does that with everything she does. Even tragedy has not dampened her spirit or subdued her hymnal.”
When Speed told Thomas to be expecting a call from the committee of the Rainbow PUSH program, Thomas said she immediately changed her cell phone ring from the “Scooby Doo” theme song to “When the Saints Go Marching In.” She said before she received the call last week, she and her cell phone became “best friends” as they waited to hear the saints.
But, Thomas said, the excitement from the show is blocking out any nervousness.
“Just to have the opportunity to get before so many important people and make them laugh,” Thomas said.
“Not only will they see my laughter but they will see what God has brought me from, through and to.”
Nervousness has never really been much of a problem for Thomas. Though her nephew went with her to her first big performance in Greenville prepared with a sign that said “laugh,” she said he never had to use it.
“Once you’re up there telling jokes and you see people laughing, it just pumps you up,” she said, adding that she won’t be rehearsing for the big show. “It’s hard to rehearse being funny. Either you’re funny or you’re not.”
Being the second youngest of eight children, Thomas has always made her older siblings laugh with her clean humor, sister Linda Cason said.
“She is always standing in the light,” Cason said. “When we go to dinner somewhere, we laugh so much sometimes people just stop and stare.”
Thomas, who claims to be shy, said people always think she’s joking and they have a hard time taking her seriously. But Thomas said she enjoys making people laugh because it’s hard to be sad when you’re laughing.
“Sometimes when I go to different performances, I’ll be tired and I’ll need somebody to make me laugh,” she said. “But just to see them laughing, sometimes they laugh so hard it makes me laugh. It’s a healing process.”
Before each performance, Thomas said she turns to God to be with her and to touch other people who need some laughter in their lives.
“If you think Tylenol Extra Strength was working for you, you need to try Jesus,” Thomas said of the Lord’s healing powers for her and others. “And you don’t need to take him every eight hours. He’s good.”
Tickets for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bethlehem Baptist Church Family Life Center are available at 943-1177 or 227-2241.

Lander hires women’s soccer coach

May 23, 2006

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

Lander University is stepping out on a different coaching level for the 2006-07 season, having hired Monday its first full-time women’s soccer coach since the 1998 inception of the program.
Athletic Director Jeff May announced the hiring of Chris Ayer for that position, which was handled by men’s soccer coach Van Taylor the past two seasons.
Ayer comes to Lander after coaching the men’s and women’s soccer teams the past three years at Coker College, of the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference. He joined Coker in 2002 as women’s coach and added the men’s team to his line of duties in 2003.
“I’m excited,” Ayer said from his Coker College office. “It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity. It will give me a chance to build a program that will be very good for Lander.”
The Columbia native, who played and graduated from Lipscomb University in Tennessee, said, “I don’t know anything about the players, but I know they have a good team coming back. I hope to transform it to where we can continue to build.”
Ayer said he doesn’t have a particular philosophy about coaching.
“I just try to get the girls to play hard and, hopefully, they will get it down,” he said. “I just try to get the best out of every player, which is part of the coach’s job.”
The Lady Bearcats return a nucleus of five freshmen, seven sophomores and five juniors, plus any player who might be signed before the new year begins.
“I will try to work with the players coach Taylor has been seeking and going after,” Ayer said of any possible recruiting for next season. “We’ll see if we can finalize some of those.”
In switching from the CVAC to the Peach Belt Conference, Ayer said, “Both are good, and the Peach Belt is a very good level. It will be exciting.”
Taylor said he is pleased with Ayer’s hiring.
“I am excited about the direction the women’s program has taken by hiring Coach Ayer,” said Taylor, who has coached Lander’s men’s team since 1985. “I look forward to watching the development of the women’s program.”
Ayer officially begins his Lander duties in August.
“We look forward to Chris joining the athletic staff,” May said.
“He comes to us highly recommended, and we’re pleased that, for the first time, we are able to have a full-time coach to lead the Lady Bearcat soccer program.”
Ayer has a USSF “A” license and, for the past six years, has served as a senior staff coach at the Ralph Lundy Soccer Academy.
Ayer’s first game as head coach of the Lady Bearcats is Aug. 26 against an opponent he met in the CVAC. Anderson University visits the Lander campus for that game.

Opinion

Will a changed ‘climate’ favor the Dixie Chicks?

May 23, 2006

The Dixie Chicks are at it again. They’re speaking their minds, which is a right they share with all other Americans.
Remember when this very successful country music trio told an audience in England they were ashamed of President Bush, that he also came from the state of Texas. It didn’t take long for that to sink into the music-buying public. Sales of Dixie Chicks recordings and their public appearances dropped out of sight. Not only that, many radio states, some in South Carolina, stopped playing their records on the air.
Somewhere along the way they say they apologized. Now, though, they say that was a mistake. Once again they’ve denounced the president.

THEY ARE PRETTY HARSH, TOO. They say now that President Bush doesn’t deserve “ ...any respect whatsoever.”
In the process the Chicks have taken a kind of back-handed swipe at country music stars, Reba McEntire and Toby Keith.
As always, they have the right to their opinions and the right to voice them. Every American should support that whether they agree or not. Still, they must remember that every other American has the same rights. They have the right not to buy the Dixie Chicks records, buy tickets for their concerts or listen to their music on the radio or television. They also should know by now that radio stations have no obligation to play their records and that radio listeners and TV watchers have the right to tune out any stations that might.

IT WILL, HOWEVER, BE INTERESTING to see if the latest denigration of the president will create the same kind of backlash as before. Or, have things changed? Will the Dixie Chicks find a more accommodating public because of issues like Iraq and immigration?
Chances are they’ll pick up some supporters this time around. Nevertheless, despite everything, Americans are fair people. They have a history of disagreeing with the president and anyone else over issues. They are, however, savvy enough to separate issues from personal attacks. When that happens, they are not shy about speaking their minds, either. Will this be one of those times?
Freedom of speech allows us to speak out on issues ..... and sometimes people. The Dixie Chicks can flail away at President Bush. Let them. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.
Stay tuned.

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

Obituaries

Margaret Barton

GREENWOOD — Margaret Cadden Barton, 78, of 112 Snyder Road, widow of Paul Benjamin Barton, Sr. died May 22, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Augusta, GA May 23, 1927, she was a daughter of the late Richard Earl and Claude Lane Cadden. She was retired from Greenwood Mills Sloan Plant and was a faithful member of Trinity Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Survivors include her son, Paul B. “Butch” Barton, Jr. and wife Gail of the home; 3 grandchildren, Paula Black of Greenwood, Jennifer Patterson of Hodges and J.P. Barton of Greenwood; 3 great grandchildren, Abigail Davenport and Ella Davenport, both of Hodges and Ryleigh Barton of Greenwood; and brother, James Toby Cadden and wife, Mary of Bradley.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 4:00 PM at Greenwood Memorial Gardens with Dr. Eldon Tucker officiating.
Pallbearers will be Frank Jones, Neal Richey, J.P. Barton, Jack Davenport and Jake Lowery.
The family is at the home, 112 Snyder Road, Greenwood and will receive friends Wednesday from 2:30-3:30 PM at Blyth Funeral Home.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Barton family.
PAID OBITUARY

Ellen Cannon

Ellen Cannon, 85, of 700 Owens St., died Saturday, May 20, 2006.
Born in Newberry County, she was a daughter of the late Simon and Rachel Cannon. She was a member of Little River Baptist Church, Silverstreet.
Survivors include a son, Frank Cannon of Prosperity; a sister, Lucille Scurry of Newberry; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild.
Services are 3 p.m. Wednesday at Little River Baptist Church, Silverstreet.
Viewing at Wilson Funeral Home, Newberry, begins noon today. Viewing at Robinson & Son Mortuary begins at 6 p.m.
Visitation is at the home of her son, Frank and Mary Cannon, 102 Byrd St., Prosperity.
Wilson Funeral Home is in charge.

Robert ‘Bob’ Forsyth

ABBEVILLE, SC — Robert “Bob” B. Forsyth, 84, of 165 Double H. Farm Rd. Donalds, husband of the late Elizabeth G. Forsyth died Sunday, May 21, 2006 at his residence. He was a former resident of Arroyogranda, CA. and was born in Santa Barbara, CA to the late Ronald G. and Helen Forsyth. Mr. Forsyth had served in WWII in the United States Army Air Corp, and was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. He retired from General Electric as a welder. Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth will always be remembered for funding the building of two orphanages in Southern India that combined helped over 500 children.
Mr. Forsyth was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a beloved friend to all that knew him.
Surviving Mr. Forsyth are two sons, Thomas H. Forsyth of Piedmont, SC., and James R. Forsyth of Easley, SC., six daughters, Leah E. Detamore of Hodges, Madelaine A. Dodgens of Elche, Spain, Barbara H. Semanach of Oakley, MI, Norma C. Lunn of Landrum, SC., Rebecca D. Kaiser of Taylors, SC., and Joanne Johnk of Piedmont, SC., twenty-six grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, May 24, 2006 from 3:00PM to 5:00PM at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Antreville. Funeral Services will follow at 5:00PM in the church. Graveside will follow in the church cemetery.
All family members are at their respective homes.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Forsyth may be sent to The Wilds Christian Camp, 1000 Wilds Ridge Rd. Brevard, NC 28712-7273 OR to Hopegivers International Orphanages, India Project, PO Box 8808 Columbus, GA 31908.
Online condolences may be sent to the Forsyth family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME of Abbeville is assisting the Forsyth family
PAID OBITUARY

Rosemary Ginn

Rosemary Werts Ginn, 74, of 109 Ginn St., wife of William L. “Billy” Ginn, died Sunday, May 21, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Wesley Clarence and Inez McKinney Werts. She was a Greenwood High School graduate and formerly operated Ginn’s Grocery. She was a charter member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; a son, William Dennis Ginn of Greenwood; a granddaughter.
Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Blyth Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. George Thomas. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Alvin Allison, Wayne Snedegar, Buddy Gatlin, Alan Caudell, Troy Hudgins, Tom Hill and Jack Walton.
Honorary escorts are the men of Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 103 Northside Drive E., Greenwood, SC 29649. Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

William Hudzy

HODGES — William Pete Hudzy, 78, of 6111 Highway 25 N., formerly of Smoke Run, Pa., widower of Rosalie Louise Lucas Hudzy, died Sunday, May 21, 2006 at his home.
Born in Connellsville, Pa., he was a son of the late Nicholas and May Cushin Hudzy. He was a World War II Army veteran, serving as a military police officer. He retired from Evansbury State School, Pennsylvania and was a member of St. Barbers Catholic Church, Phillipsburg, Pa.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Randy (Mary) Kerr of Hodges; two sons, Frank Hudzy and Michael Hudzy; a sister, Annie Epson of Westchester, Pa.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is at a later date at St. Barbers Catholic Church, Phillipsburg.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Willie Thomas Jones

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Willie Thomas Jones, 58, of 13 Burnie Lane, died Sunday, May 21, 2006 at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo.
The family is at the home of his mother, Nancy Jones, 110 Caldwell St., Calhoun Falls, S.C.
Services will be announced by Abbeville & White Mortuary Inc., Abbeville, S.C.