Soldier’s Tiger loyalty rewarded with free tickets

November 24, 2006

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Chris Miller is a Tiger.
He lives and breathes Clemson University.
He has the college degree, received in 2003, and the education. Miller also has the rabid love for Clemson University athletics.
In his mind, like most Clemson football fans, he touches “Howard’s Rock” and runs down “The Hill” just like the team before every home game.
For him, Death Valley is like a second home.
He had all this.
But what he didn’t have was a pair of tickets to this weekend’s huge Palmetto State gridiron showdown between archrivals Clemson and South Carolina. This posed a bit of a problem.
Miller, a member of Delta Company of the 111th Signal Battalion based in Ware Shoals, had had his eye fixed on Nov. 25 long before he returned home from Iraq last Thursday.
He put out feelers and made calls from overseas in an attempt to secure a pair of seats, some of the toughest tickets to land each season.
“I was trying to look for them even while I was over there; it was just kind of hard to contact people from over there,” said Miller, who was stationed in Tikrit, Iraq, with the unit for 12 months.
It’s the game that fans on both sides can’t wait for, the one they won’t miss. Only it looked as if Miller — along with his wife, Ginger — might have do just that.
“Unless I went up there and tried to get tickets, I didn’t have them,” he said.
So he called. And called. And he called some more.
But there was no luck, and more importantly, no tickets.
“I was going up there regardless,” Miller added.
But there would be no guarantees.
That’s when Charles Johnson, a longtime friend of Miller’s family, went to work.
Johnson e-mailed Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden, as well as the university’s athletics director, Terry Don Phillips, asking them for any information on who might have a pair of tickets available for purchase.
He also placed the same request in an online blog at a popular Clemson fan Web site, tigerillustrated.com. Johnson was looking for tickets to purchase.
Clemson University did him one better.
“Coach Bowden forwarded the e-mail to the ticket office and I got a phone call saying that the athletics director, Terry Don Phillips, had two (complimentary) tickets to the game for us,” Miller said. “I was excited and thankful when they called and said they had two tickets. I definitely want to thank the university for what they’ve done.”
Miller hadn’t learned of his friend’s effort until it was already under way.
“I guess I owe him one now,” Miller said jokingly. “I didn’t know he was going to do anything like that.”
“He was thrilled,” said Debrah Miller, Chris’ mother.
As a homecoming present, the tickets nearly top the list.
“This a nice welcome-home present. It ranks right up there with seeing my newborn son,” Miller said. “It’s not quite there, but it’s close. I saw (Connor) when I came home for two weeks to see him born (June 2), but I hadn’t seen him since then.”
Now the situation has changed a bit — for the better. There will be no frantic search for tickets before the noon kickoff.
Chris and Ginger can relax.
When the Tigers make their traditional run this Saturday, the two of them will be right there, cheering them on.
“I’m looking forward to making the trip,” Miller said. “Hopefully, we can get a win. It’s always better knowing you have (tickets) before you go, especially with a game like this. It’s a great welcome-home present.”
There’s only one thing left on the pre-game agenda.
“I’m excited, too,” Ginger Miller said. “Now all we need to do is find a baby-sitter.”

Thanksgiving dinner offers
hearty helping of fellowship

Community unites to serve meal for needy

November 24, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

Whether they were in search of a meal or just fellowship, it was clear Thursday that those who attended the free Thanksgiving Day dinner at the R.L. Stevens Center in Greenwood left with full stomachs and hearts.
This year’s dinner was a collaborative effort between a brotherhood of area churches, including Mt. Moriah, Morris Chapel, Mt. Zion, Springfield and Flint Hill Baptist churches and Mt. Zion and Tranquil A.M.E. churches, as well as the Greenwood Soup Kitchen Ministries and the Order of the Eastern Star.
About 300 meals were ready to be served at the event, said Greenwood County Councilwoman Edith Childs, who co-sponsored the event.
“We feel that Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, and there are individuals out there who might not get a meal if we don’t provide it,” Childs said. “We are blessed in so many ways and we want to give back.”
It took more than 40 volunteers to keep the food and fellowship flowing throughout the center’s reception hall, which was filled with the smell of turkey, fried chicken, candied yams and sweet desserts.
Volunteer Donald Wright, with Mt. Zion A.M.E., said he was grateful to be using his Thanksgiving Day to help others in need.
“I’m thankful for life, health and strength, and I’m thankful for being able to be here today and help somebody else,” he said as he worked to prepare another load of chicken to be fried. Wright, who has been volunteering for about 5 years at the dinner, also works with the Department of Social Services in Greenwood, and he said seeing the people of the community enjoying the event is fulfilling for all the volunteers.
“You see the purpose of what you are doing,” he said.
That purpose is what brought Columbia resident Karen Walshe and her children, Alan, 18, and Lena, 14, to the dinner. The out-of-town volunteers helped serve food and brought plates to those sitting at the banquet tables, and Walshe said she was thankful and thrilled that her children were taking part in something important on the special day.
Walshe said her family usually has a traditional, formal Thanksgiving dinner at home, but her children said they wanted to reach out to the community this year. The family found their way to the Greenwood dinner through the soup kitchen, with which Walshe’s daughter has worked in the past.
“This is such a special experience and we wanted to come do it,” she said. “I am so thankful, in today’s society, to have raised two children who are so community service-oriented and are willing to be more giving than receiving. I’m really very blessed.”
Norm Fawcett, chairman of the Greenwood Soup Kitchen, said the kitchen has been serving meals to area residents every day for about 20 years, including Thanksgiving and other holidays. He said officials this year decided to combine the two area dinners rather than have meals offered in different locations at the same time.
“Rather than having dueling dinners,” Fawcett said, laughing, “we decided to come together and give everybody a great, wonderful meal.”
It was a meal that Greenwood resident Doc Chrisley said was delicious.
“I’m thankful to be here and have a good dinner,” he said. “This is a great thing because it gets people together and I enjoy being around people. It makes Thanksgiving more special.”
Dinner attendee Sarah Moates said the Thanksgiving Day dinners are vital for some in the community, who might not be able to have a warm meal on the day without help from others.
“Some people don’t have anything to eat and this is in walking distance to a lot of homes in the area,” she said, adding that she was thankful to be able to take part in the meal. “It’s special to see the people joining together on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day. I am proud to be here and I am glad I was able to come.”Childs said the need for assistance is great in the Greenwood community, though many in the area might not realize the scope of the hunger problem.
For example, Fawcett said the soup kitchen feeds 80-100 people every day. Last year alone, more than 22,000 meals were distributed through the kitchen, he said.
“Every time we have a meal, it is a different group of people,” Childs said, adding that families with four or more children are usually present at the dinners. “We know that the need is great, and we want to take every opportunity we get to share a meal and spread words of kindness to those in need.”

Megan Varner covers general assignments in Greenwood and the Lakelands. She can be reached at 223-1812, or: mvarner@indexjournal.com

Obituaries

Timothy O’neal Jones Jr.

CALHOUN FALLS — Timothy O’neal Jones, Jr., infant son of Timothy O’neal Jones and Nacasha Williams, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006, at Elbert County Memorial Hospital in Elberton, Ga.
The family is at the home, 209 Lee Street, Apt. 212.
Services will be announced by Abbeville & White Mortuary Inc., Abbeville.

James D. Kennedy Jr.

Nobel James D. Kennedy, 60, of 104 Norwich Court, died Monday, Nov. 20 at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Cartersville, SC, Dec. 2, 1945, he was a son of the late James and Ruby Daniels Kennedy. He was a member of Johns Creek Baptist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Deacon Board, member of the Senior Choir and the All Male Choir. He was a former employee of CSX Railroad. He was a member of the Mt. Pisgah Masonic Lodge #419, member of the O.E.S. #418 and veteran of the U.S. Army.
Those who will cherish his memory are his wife, Rebecca F. Kennedy of the home; three daughters, Tamesha Kennedy of Florence, SC, Cynthia McGrier and Wylette Christopher of Atlanta, GA; five sons, James Kennedy III, Jeremiah Kennedy of Florence, SC, Anthony Christopher and Sherman Christopher of Greenwood, Lamont McAllister of Sumter, SC; nine sisters, Delores Kennedy, Ruby Mozon, Mary Washington, Hessie Green, Mary Peoples, Alma Wilson of New York, NY, Betty Williams, Lue Walker, Elaine Ludd of Sumter, SC; two brothers, Sonnie (O’Neil) Salters, Doc Bennie Salters of New York, NY; eight grandchildren, Kentrell McGrier, Tinslee and Brandon Christopher, his special sidekick, Devric “Dooga” McKayan (Marietta, GA), all reared in the home, Zacchaius, Danielle, Keyonna and Takoya of Florence, SC.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. from Morris Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Curtis Carter officiating. Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park. The body will be in the church at noon. Pallbearers will be Mt. Pisgah Masonic Lodge #419. Flower bearers will be O.E.S. #418. Honorary escort will be Deacons and Trustees of Johns Creek Baptist Church.
The family is at the home. Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Kennedy family.
Online: pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Charles Laye

Charles Edward Laye Sr., formerly of 109 Pine Circle, widower of Eva Coleman Laye, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Velvie Ogle

WINTERVILLE — Velvie Ogle, 76, widow of Shep Ogle, died Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006 at the Hospice House of Greenwood, SC.
Born in Oglethorpe County, GA, she was the daughter of the late Vernon and Flury Helton Gooch. She was retired from ABB of Athens, GA, and the Ty Cobb Nursing Home in Comer, GA. She was of the Baptist Faith.
Surviving are three sisters, Nellie Dixon, Frances Christian and Effie Callaway, all of Greenwood, SC; and a brother, J.D. Gooch of Greenwood.
Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006 at Lord & Stephens East Chapel with Revs. Dennis Campbell and Kenneth Callaway officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. prior to the services. Burial will be held at Colliers Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her nephews.
Lord & Stephens, East, is in charge of arrangements.

James K. Snoddy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lieutenant Colonel James K. Snoddy, USAFR, died on Nov. 21 in Charlotte, NC, at the age of 87. Snoddy was born in Cross Anchor, SC, in 1919. He is survived by his wife, Doris, of the home and children, Rip of IL, Kathryn of OR, Jon of CA, Phillip of TN and Jane of NC, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Snoddy began his Air Force career in 1942 at the age of 23. As a B24 bomber pilot, he flew 55 missions over Germany as part of the famous Squadron of Deception. He later served in Japan and Korea. After retired in 1962 in San Antonio, TX, the family settled in Greenwood, SC, where he served as an administrator of Brewer Hospital, then Assistant to the City Manager of the City of Greenwood, retiring in 1983.
In 2000, the family moved to Charlotte, NC. He was an active member of Flint Hill Baptist Church and a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class.
Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 25, at 11 a.m. at Flint Hill Baptist Church in Fort Mills, SC, and burial will be at the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the McEwen Funeral Home, 10500 Park Road, Pineville, NC 28210 (704) 544-1412.
Memorials may be made to Flint Hill Baptist Church refurbishment fund at 269 Flint Hill Road, Fort Mills, SC 29732.

Giving thanks for practice

Eagles spend Thanksgiving preparing for playoff game

November 24, 2006

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports editor

Most people don’t like their Thanksgiving interrupted by work.
However, the Greenwood High School football team had been hoping for that interruption since January.
The Eagles took time out of their usual Thanksgiving Day feasting to spend time at the practice field and film room to get ready for tonight’s Class AAAA, Division II semifinal matchup with Region I-AAAA rival Westside. The game is set for 7:30 p.m.
“I’m really glad I’m practicing today,” said senior Pat Aiken, a North-South All-Star offensive lineman. “With this being my senior year, I really wanted to set an example for the little boys on the team to keep this tradition going.
“All day today, I haven’t been able to get football out of my mind.”
The Eagles (10-2) and the Rams (8-4) are two of 10 teams in the state that had the opportunity to practice on Thanksgiving. Four of those teams — all Class A squads — will play today in state championship matchups, while Greenwood, Westside and the other four will vie for a place in next week’s Weekend of Champions.
The Greenwood-Westside winner will play the winner of Conway-Berkeley at 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.
“The holiday isn’t that big of a deal for me,” said senior linebacker Mackenzie Tharpe, who joined Aiken on the All-Lakelands team. “We’re so close to our main goal of getting to state. We’ve all been so antsy this week to get out there. We’re all just looking forward to (tonight).”
This is the first Thanksgiving football practice for seniors like Aiken and Tharpe. In fact, the last time Greenwood had the opportunity for some Turkey Day field work, Aiken, Tharpe and the rest of the Class of ’07 were eighth-graders. The 2002 Eagles reached the semifinals, before losing at Conway.
“Since I’ve been here, this is the farthest we’ve made it. So it means a lot to me and the senior class,” Tharpe said. “We want to leave our mark.”
Greenwood offensive coordinator Chris Liner tried to make that point very clear during a break in Thursday’s practice.
Liner gave an impassioned speech to the Eagles, making sure to stress to the underclassmen, just how important the opportunity the team has in front of them.
Liner said, “Don’t take this moment for granted. There are a number of coaches and players around the state that have never gotten the chance to practice on this day (Thanksgiving). You may not realize how precious these moments are.”
Precious moments though they are, practicing on Thanksgiving is nothing new for the Eagles under head coach Shell Dula. This is the fifth time in Dula’s 10-year Greenwood tenure that the Eagles have reached the semifinals. The team went on to qualify and win two state titles: 1999 and 2000.
“It (practicing on Thanksgiving) means that we’re playing for the chance to play for a state title,” Dula said. “If you’re practicing on Thanksgiving, then you’re in round three for (Class) AAAA. It’s a great accomplishment, but there’s still one more step.
“This is what it’s all about. It’s a tribute to our players and coaches and their hard work. It’s a culmination of that hard work.”
So, the Dula family has grown accustomed over the years of having their Thanksgiving meal at night ... after practice.
“Our daughter’s coming in from Charleston. So, we’re going to do it tonight,” Dula said.
Content that his players had the opportunity to work up an appetite with a little low-contact practice session, Dula said he wasn’t going to check on his players to see if they went for seconds or third.
“That’s up to them,” Dula said. “They know what they have to do to get ready for tomorrow night.”
The players understand and appreciate the coach’s trust in them.
“I don’t want to go overboard or anything,” Tharpe said. “I’ll eat until I’m full, but I’m not going to go crazy.” Aiken agreed.
“I’m going to try to lay low so I’ll be ready for tomorrow,” Aiken said.
The practice was a welcome sight for the Eagles, especially after last year’s finish, where the team suffered an opening-round loss at home to York.
“I think we worked a whole lot more this year than we did last year,” Tharpe said. “We do have something still to prove.”

Ron Cox is the sports editor for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: rcox@indexjournal.com.

Opinion

Too many bond questions remain; check 2A column

November 25, 2006

Sometimes when you open a door you never know what you’ll find. That was done a couple of months ago and it opened more than a door. It opened a Pandora’s box that let loose a flood of unanswered questions.
Back in September, when this newspaper editorially asked questions about the installment purchase bond plan proposed by Greenwood School District 50 trustees, it rightly led to what obviously has become a heated public dialogue. That dialogue has demonstrated doubts by taxpayers about the proposal like few things have in this community.
The public debate over the wisdom of putting taxpayers in heavy debt for a long period of time by spending a surprising amount of taxpayer money, also led to questions about the openness of related meetings.

THE PUBLIC DEBATE HAS grown considerably since then, as it should. Many other questions have been forthcoming from taxpayers. Most of them deserve more and/or more complete answers.
There are many more questions that could and should be answered before the situation is resolved satisfactorily, too.
Many of those questions - pertinent questions - can be found in two columns by Executive News Editor Richard Whiting on Page 2A of today’s and Sunday’s editions of The Index-Journal. They should be required reading for all taxpayers. They provide a lesson in what used to be called civics, something that gets too little attention these days.