‘Only Santa Claus these kids have’

Local bikers bring toys so children
have something to open on Christmas

November 20, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

It isn’t very often you’ll see a cuddly Giant Panda riding a tough Harley Davidson.
But on Sunday, Cross Hill resident Bruce “Blade” Clayton strapped the enormous stuffed animal onto his motorcycle and rode with about 500 other Lakelands-area motorcyclists and classic car enthusiasts for the 17th annual toy run in Greenwood.
“If it has something to do with helping kids, that’s what I’m going to do. It doesn’t matter if there is rain, sleet or snow,” Clayton said.
“I enjoy knowing that kids are going to wrap their arms around these toys on Christmas morning and that there will be a smile on their faces.”
Panda bears and other stuffed animals, toy cars, dolls and games were among the hundreds of gifts collected for the toy run, which began at the Greenwood County Health Department and ended at Beef O’Brady’s. The toys were donated to the Department of Social Services, which will distribute the gifts to needy children during the Christmas holiday, said Bub Lollis, a Greenwood Motorcycle Club member and coordinator of the toy run.
Lollis said his club sponsors the event because there are children living in local communities who might not have a bright Christmas without the support of area toy runs.
“It is something we can do that we all like and it helps somebody,” he said.
Lollis’ daughter-in-law, Dee Lollis, said the event gets everyone into the “Christmas spirit.” “It feels like you are really helping somebody. You know you are giving something to someone who otherwise might not have anything on Christmas.”As the toys were paraded through town, some people gathered in little groups along the roadway to watch the impressive sight, and many of the motorcyclists waved at passersby as they drove down the road.
Anderson residents Terry and Becky Thompson, who participate in the Greenwood toy run each year, said that motorcycle riders enjoy that socialization and interaction with each other and the community, especially when it comes while riding for a purpose.
“It’s all about the kids. There are a lot of kids in this world that don’t have toys,” Terry Thompson said.
Becky Thompson added, “It’s also about the love of Harleys and everybody coming together for a good cause. There is always a sense of family (among motorcyclists).”
Greenwood Motorcycle Club President Randall Barrett said he encourages people to participate in as many toy runs as possible to ensure that all area children have the Christmas they deserve.
“Sometimes we’re the only Santa Claus these kids have,” he said.
Eve Poole, a supervisor with the Department of Social Services, said the ride is extremely important for the agency, adding that a great need exists in Greenwood for the toy run and other toy-donation events. Last year, the agency served about 500 families at Christmas, she said.
“This is basically what we depend on,” Poole said of the toy runs.
Black Cats members Nancy and Joe Light brought along two dolls to help make two little girls happy on Christmas morning.
“I let my husband (Joe) pick out the toys. I asked him why he didn’t get anything for boys,” Nancy Light said, laughing.
The pair have been riding in the toy run since it began years ago, and both said they love participating.
“Everybody is here to help the community and families,” Nancy Light said. “It is just a fun ride.”

Service brings those rooting for Jesus

November 20, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

There were hotdogs, hamburgers and fried chicken on the tables.
There were team jerseys, colorful umbrellas and lawn chairs all around.
But there was something a little different with this tailgate party.
These tailgaters were rooting for God.
About 100 area residents took part Sunday in the Refiner’s Fire Christian Assembly tailgate service, which was a first of its kind for the Greenwood-area church.
“We wanted to show everybody that being a Christian can be fun, that going to church can be fun, and we want to present to the world a Jesus that the world has been waiting to see,” said Dr. Byron W. Jones, senior pastor with Refiner’s Fire.
Jones said he got the idea for the “tailgate service” last year after seeing the excitement and enthusiasm surrounding an upcoming Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers football game. At the time, Jones was preaching a three-part series on enthusiasm, and he stumbled across images on the Internet of Green Bay and Pittsburgh fans wearing crazy hats and painting their bodies and faces.
“If the world can understand enthusiasm on that level, then why can’t the church understand enthusiasm on the level? We believe it is entirely possible to do that because of the way we worship,” Jones said. “We believe in showing forth the Jesus that lives on the inside of us.”
Refiner’s Fire members wore jerseys of red and gold — the church’s colors — inscribed with names or phrases of choice on the back. Some tailgaters had their own last names on the jerseys, while others wore “Got Jesus,” “Soul Man,” “Unity” and “Trinity.”
Kayla Goldman’s jersey said “Miracle Heart.”
The 15-year-old Refiner’s Fire member said she chose the name because she had a heart transplant when she was a toddler.
“I think this is awesome,” Goldman said. “I don’t know of any other church that would do something like this. It is great way for people to get to know each other better, hang out and have fun.”
Bringing that fun back into worship is what Jones said he hoped the tailgate service would do for every member.
“We’ve got a picture behind the pulpit called “Laughing Jesus,” and it is my favorite picture of Jesus,” Jones said. “I believe that is the way Jesus was. He was a magnet for people and fun to be around. I believe people were drawn to him because of his charisma.”
Ninety Six residents Brandi Rachels and Blake Lindley said they enjoyed being able to show their enthusiasm for God’s team.
“The whole thing is to praise God like you would praise a football team,” Rachels said.
Refiner’s Fire Care Pastor Terri Wilson said the unique service fits with the unique worship offered at the church.
“Our church is so different anyway, and I think this brings everybody together. There is a lot of team spirit going on,” Wilson said.
Jones said he hoped attendees would take that spirit along with them after the tailgating service.
“I want them to be excited about the God they serve,” he said. “I want them to take God from the church and take Him into every area of their lives. When they go to work tomorrow, I want people to take one glance at them and say, ‘I can see Jesus in you.’”

Andrew Brown Jr.

Services for Andrew Brown Jr. are 1 p.m. Tuesday at Durham Temple CME Church with Bishop Emanuel Spearman officiating. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Burial is in Ninety Six Community Cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews and friends of the family; flower bearers are nieces and friends of the family.
The family will receive friends from 6-7 Monday at Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Robert Jenkins

Robert Bobby Jenkins, 73, of 210 Brooks Stuart Drive, Apt. 210-C, husband of Mary Covington Jenkins, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, at his home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Geneva ‘Sister’ Lewis

Geneva “Sister” Holloway Lewis, 80, of 112 Russell St., wife of Vando Lewis Sr., died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at Self Regional Healthcare.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Mary Lee Palmore

HONEA PATH — Mary Lee Gaston Palmore, 89, of 2225 Hamby Road, wife of Walter Palmore, died Friday, Nov. 17, 2006 at AnMed Health Center, Anderson.
Born March 1, 1917, in McCormick County, she was the daughter of the late Essie Hogan and Willie Gaston. She was a retired presser from Metric Shirt Plant. At an early age, she joined Calvary Baptist Church, Callison.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Walter Palmore, of the home; daughters, Carrie LuJean (Edgar) Elam, Polly Mae Chiles, Annie Kate McMorris, all of Greenwood, Louise Palmore Vandiver and Mildred (Danny) Boggs, of Anderson; a niece reared in the home, Jannie Ruth Rapp of Greenwood; 35 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; 30 great-great- grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by sons, Floyd Robinson and Joe Lee Palmore; a sister, Margaret Brown Wideman Chapell; brothers, Robert and Phillip Harrison.
Services are 2 p.m.Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, at Bailey Bethel AME Church. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Interment is at Oakbrook Memorial Park, Greenwood.
Pallbearers are Bruce Harling, Robert Perrin, Lloyd Rapp, Robert Rapp, Bernard Robinson and Wilbur Robinson. Flower bearers are granddaughters.
The family will receive friends 6-9 Monday at Marcus D. Brown Funeral Home Inc., 1212 South Main St., Anderson.
Marcus D. Brown Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.marcusdbrownfuneralhome.com.

Ralph Strickland

Ralph Richard Strickland Sr., 82, resident of 120 Cornelia Circle, widower of Christine Wells Strickland, died Nov. 18, 2006, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, Oct. 21, 1924, he was the son of the late J. W. “Sam” and Ola Cole Strickland. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II serving on the USS Yorktown CV5, and retired as the director of grounds and landscaping for Self Memorial Hospital after 29 years of service.
Mr. Strickland was a member of Woodfields Baptist Church and was also a member of Greenwood Masonic Lodge # 91 AFM and the Hejaz Shrine Temple.
Surviving are a daughter, Janet and husband, Tommy Yon; two sons, Ralph “Dusty” and wife, Karon Strickland Jr., and Ted William and wife, Debbie Strickland, all of Greenwood; five grandchildren, Kristin Y. Loper, of Greenwood, Amy Yon, of Atlanta, Ga., Robby Strickland and Brandon Strickland, both of Greenwood, and CPL USMC Tanner Strickland, of Camp LeJune, N.C.; three great-grandchildren, Addison Loper, Collins Strickland and Dru Strickland.
Mr. Strickland was preceded in death by a brother, Bennie Strickland.
Funeral services are Monday 11 a.m. at Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Robert Miller officiating. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Ken Flinchum, Billy Mitchell, Martin Moore, George Jones, Harry Nichols, and Carey Wells.
Honorary escorts are John Hancock, Ralph Still, John Drummond, Jones Buchanan, Asa Hatfield, Dink Tatham, Wade Batson, Ray “Shorty” Riddle, Furman “Peanut” Ponder, Harold Lumley, Larry Wash, Robin Witt, Kelly Calvert, Michelle Johnson and Annie Mitchell.
The family is at the home of Ted and Debbie Strickland, 123 Tally Ho Drive in Hunter’s Creek.
Memorials may be made to the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation, 1325 Spring Street, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For additional information and online condolences, please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Strickland family.

Now is the time to work on cleaning up elections

November 20, 2006

There are valuable lessons to be learned from every election. Whether we learn them, of course, is not always a sure thing. In fact, if this election season is representative, we haven’t learned anything since we earned our independence.
It must be amazing and amusing to foreigners how we treat each other. It must be even more puzzling how we ever get anything accomplished. The cutthroat politics we engage in, the names we call each other and the underhanded things we do have to make even some of us wonder how we can survive in a world of ever-increasing volatility where there are people always looking for an opening to destroy us and our way of life.
Just mentally review the political process in South Carolina. Forget the national bickering and finger-pointing.

WE JUST FINISHED GETTING all we needed to tell us that something must be done to bring a sense of civility back into politicking. At least a degree of civility must be restored. Sooner or later the candidates and the people of the state will find themselves unable to overcome the heat of the battle by simply attributing it to “it’s just politics.” After a while the bitterness could easily cease to fade with time and become ingrained. What then?
Let level heads prevail. Now! The elections are over. There’s no better time for a bipartisan effort to rid South Carolina politics of the rancor and pettiness that are working against everything we should be doing to keep the pursuit of politics an honorable, respectable, and, yes, gracious part of our way of life.
Petty describes the gutter politics we’ve just witnessed. So does childish. Dirty fits, too. Nasty? Yes. Lies? Sometimes, yes. And worse.

IF SOUTH CAROLINA HAS statesmen and women, now’s the time for them to take the lead and get something started. Democrats. Republicans, Independents. Libertarians, Others. Get together, study the problem - it is a problem - and propose reforms.
Proposal: How about the chairmen of the political parties getting together and inviting others from academia, the clergy, medicine, business, etc., to form a committee to come up with a plan to clean up campaign rhetoric. Keep the numbers within reason so the group won’t be too large and unwieldy.
Oh, yes. By all means, invite representatives from the media ..... print and electronic. They have much to learn.