Who keeps the green in Greenwood?
October 27, 2006
By
BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer
Theres a secret team of people in charge of maintaining
Greenwoods namesake trees.
They also protect shrubs, grass and keep the streets clean for
everyone else.
Its not the CIA; its Greenwood Public Works. And
Public Works employees dont actually work in secret.
But the crews that cut the grass in Uptown Greenwood, prune the
trees along Main Street and do upkeep on the bushes spend a lot
of time working to make sure everything looks good for Greenwood
residents.
We put our all into it, said public works director
Billy Allen.
Public Works deals with most of the maintenance of Uptown, from
streets and right of ways to the grass, trees and shrubbery. For
example, maintenance crews cut the grass along Uptown on a weekly
basis no matter the season, Allen said.
Crews also built and put up games during Thursday nights
Boo Bash for kids in Uptown, he said Erek Leary has been with
Public Works cutting grass for a few weeks now and likes the job.
He was helping put up portable lights for the celebration
Thursday night.
Leary said hes proud of the work he does.
Residents often stop and comment on the condition of the plant
life around Uptown, whether its good or bad.
People notice this stuff, Leary said.
Public Works also does a little extra street cleaning before the
festivities, Allen said. Boo Bash brought several hundred kids to
Uptown this year.
Crews plan rye grass in the winter to keep the green going during
December, Allen said.
They take the existing grass and scalp it, almost
cutting it to the ground, then plant rye grass between the stems
of the regular grass, Allen said. The rye grass will stay in
until the summer of next year, when it dies out and the other
grass, which is dormant during the winter, will regrow.
Allen, who has worked for the city for 14 years, said Public
Works does its best to make sure the town is looking the best
that it can. Theyre trying to keep the green in Greenwood,
after all, Allen said.
Public Works also trims the tree. Plant life in Uptown gets
watered regularly during the summer, Allen said. Watering usually
happens at 3 a.m. and stops when the temperature drops.
Crews also put out fertilizer and lime as needed, prune shrubbery
and edge grass, Allen said.
Theres something to do up there all the time,
he said. We would like to do more.
Public Works maintains plant life for the rest of the city as
well. Its employees also make sure Greenwood is safe to travel
during South Carolinas winter ice storms, Allen said.
Uptown isnt much of a problem compared to the rest of the
city.
Public Works will take care of the new Greenwood sign near
Greenwood High Apartments.
Allen said he occasionally points out to his 8-year-old son some
of the projects Public Works does as they drive through town.
He knows I work for the city, he said.
Ware Shoals dominates Dixie
October 27, 2006
By
RON COX
Index-Journal sports editor
DUE WEST The Ware Shoals High School
football team has had its troubles with converting extra points
this season.
The team had plenty of chances to work on that in the first half,
as the Ware Shoals offense put up six touchdowns in the first 24
minutes, cruising to a 39-6 win over rival Dixie Thursday night
at Henry C. Oates Stadium in Due West.
Were getting ready to come into the playoffs and we
wanted to come out in the first half injury-free and looking like
a state championship team, Ware Shoals coach Jeff Murdock
said. I thought we executed pretty good out there.
However, the lone bad news for Region I-A champion Ware Shoals
was that the teams only converted on three of those six
extra-point kick attempts. Sophomore Bo Brown connected on two
kicks, while senior Damien Robinson added the other.
We hit them at practice, but if it isnt one thing or
another for us in games, Murdock said. Im about
like (Clemson University coach) Tommy Bowden, Im just not
going to kick. Were kicking off well. Were punting
well. Its just our extra-point kicking.To get where
we want to go, were going to have to hit some of those. It
might come down to something like that in the playoffs.
The Ware Shoals offense touched the ball six times in the first
half, and it crossed the goal line all six times from four
different Hornets, racking up 239 yards of offense along the way.
Junior wingback Patorious Leverette, who finished with a
team-high 66 rushing yards, picked up a pair of touchdowns,
scoring on runs of 6 and 5 yards in the first quarter. Sophomore
fullback Lance Richardson followed with two touchdowns of his own
on a 1-yard run and a 53-yard punt return.
Senior wingback Tony Lomax, who chipped in 58 yards rushing, took
an inside reverse 35 yards for the score to put Ware Shoals up
32-0 with a 5 minutes, 9 seconds left in the first half.
Sophomore quarterback LaDarius Hawthorne capped the first-half
onslaught by connecting with Letavious Williams on a 33-yard
touchdown pass with 10 seconds remaining for the 39-0 halftime
lead.
Dixie, facing primarily Ware Shoals second string, mounted
a scoring drive late in the fourth quarter. Senior running back
Kyle Crawford, who led Dixie with 55 yards rushing, keyed the
series with five carries. Demario Washington capped the 11-play,
75-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
Opinion
Some
of the new issues will play on 06 races
October 27, 2006
Candidates
for political offices this year, whether in South Carolina or
federal races, face tough choices on issues that have become more
than the usual issues that dominate elections.
This year there are considerations that may be relatively new to
candidates and voters. Nevertheless, they are extremely high on
the priority lists of Americans all over and could well be the
issues that win or lose elections for many candidates.
There will likely be some candidates and voters who have
different opinions about what the critical issues are.
However, if they dont recognize the importance of a few
concerns that have recently become subject to debate, and give
them the priority they demand, they may look back and wonder why
they didnt win.
Take just four issues, for example: The English language, illegal
immigration, religious discord and security.
English: There is a growing concern that the language should be
official. Some say wanting to do that is racist. Others see it as
a natural part of being a citizen.
Illegal immigration: Many people are anxious to solve this
rapidly growing problem, particularly controlling our borders.
They see it as a growing threat to stability and security.
Religious discord: The debate is over same-sex marriage. Theres
a concern that Christianity is under assault more and more.
Security: The terrorist threat is a constant concern since 9/11
and is magnified by the attacks around the world against innocent
civilians. The fear of more attacks in the U. S. is never far
from anyones mind.
This is not to agree or disagree with any of these issues. It is
a commentary on what have become serious concerns among many
Americans, and the likelihood that they are people issues but not
necessarily candidate issues ..... of any political party.
It doesnt matter what Congress, the President, the S. C.
Legislature or the Governor might do or say, these are issues
that are on the minds of the average voters. The normal
issues - economic, education, etc. - are relevant, certainly, but
theres a new urgency that envelops new issues. That will
impact candidates chances, and those who recognize and
address voters concerns about language immigration,
religious questions and security are likely to fare better.
Obituaries
Hazel Abercrombie
SIMPSONVILLE
Hazel Ouztes Abercrombie, 80, of 103 Steeple Chase Court,
formerly of Ware Shoals, widow of John Allen Abercrombie died
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006 at Summit Place. She was born in
Franklin County, Ga., a daughter of the late ODell Ouztes
and the late Eula Ouztes and Paul Traynham. She was a member of
Calvary Baptist Church, Ware Shoals, SC.
Surviving are: one son, Johnny P. Abercrombie, Simpsonville, one
daughter, Elaine A. Lee, Ware Shoals, two sisters, Helen Davis
Smith, Ware Shoals and Pauline T. Cooley, Honea Path,
grandchildren, Josh Lee, Jessica Lee, Jeff Abercrombie, Tricia A.
Sturgill, Greg Abercrombie and Mark Abercrombie and seven
great-grandchildren.
She was pre-deceased by a son, Milton Eugene Abercrombie and a
daughter, Joyce Allen Abercrombie, brothers, Franklin Traynham,
Berlin Ouztes and Carl Ouztes and sisters, Eva Nell Gunnells,
Sara Mae Martinez and Gatha Martin.
Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday at 3 p.m. at Calvary
Baptist Church in Ware Shoals with Rev. Robert Emory and Rev.
Hans Wunch officiating. Burial will follow in Lickville
Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Grandsons will serve as active pallbearers.
The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Saturday. The
family is at the home of Ralph and Helen Davis Smith, 4 Parkway
Dr., Ware Shoals and will receive friends at Parker-White Funeral
Home, Ware Shoals, Friday 6-8 p.m. Memorials may be made to
Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 420, Ware Shoals,
S.C.
Dollie Bernice Anderson
Mrs. Dollie Bernice Anderson, 49, wife of Jessie J. Anderson, of
109 Wheat Dr., died Oct. 26, 2006 at the Hospice House of the
Piedmont.
She was born in McCormick County to the late Clyde and Hazel
Briggs Martin. She was a member of Durham Temple C.M.E. Church,
where she served on the Usher Board.
Surviving besides her husband of the home is one daughter,
Jessica S. Anderson of the home; three sons, Arentha and Tracy L.
Martin of McCormick, SC and Algenor Anderson of Spartanburg, SC;
three sisters, Hazel Green of Columbia, SC, Linda M. Freeman and
Teresa K. Young of McCormick, SC; two brothers, Jimmy Martin of
Greenwood, SC and James Martin of McCormick, SC; eight
grandchildren, two that were reared in the home, Jadicas and
Agenia Anderson.
The family is at the home.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Parks
Funeral Home.
Donnie Rice Blackwell
MYRTLE
BEACH Donnie Marie Rice Blackwell, 85, resident of The
Lakes at Litchfield Retirement Community, widow of Homer DeWitt
Blackwell, died Oct. 24, 2006 at her home following a long
illness.
Born in Greenwood, Sept 22, 1921, she was the fourth daughter of
the late Richard Donnie and Sarah Jane Geddens Rice.
She was a graduate of Ninety Six High School where she starred on
the 1936 S.C. State Champion H.S. Girls Basketball team. She
co-captained the 1937 and 1938 state semi-finalist squads. She
was a 1941 graduate of Spartanburg Junior College and later
attended Lander College.
She taught a one room school in Newry, SC for several years
before becoming a homemaker. She was a longtime active member of
Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA.
Surviving are two sons, H. DeWitt Blackwell, Jr. and wife, Susan
of Hickory, NC and J. Mark Blackwell and wife, Lisa of Myrtle
Beach; four sisters-in-law, Mrs. L. Milford (Ellen) Rice of
Ninety Six, Mrs. George (Hazel) Nelson, Mrs. Gene (Marcelle)
Grindle and Mrs. Harvey (Catherine) Bowick, all of Greenwood; two
brothers-in-law, Harold Blackwell and Carroll Blackwell and wife
Evelyn, all of Greenwood; two grandsons, J. Clayton Blackwell and
Benjamin R. Blackwell, both of Hickory, NC.
Mrs. Blackwell was predeceased by her sisters, Mrs. Eddie (Alma)
Seigler, Mrs. Robert (Nell) Winchester, Mrs. Tully (Sara) Graham,
Mrs. William (Clara) Hanvey and a brother, L. Milford Rice.
Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday in
Greenwood Memorial Gardens with Rev. Wade Burton officiating.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home where the family will receive
friends from 7 to 8:30 Friday evening. Memorials may be made to
the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648
or to the Alzheimers Association, Upstate SC Chapter, P.O.
Box 658, Greenwood, SC 29648.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the
Blackwell family.
Charles Bridges
Charles
David Bridges, 55, resident of 2302 Highway 221 South, husband of
Virginia Elaine Ridlehoover Bridges, died Oct. 25, 2006.
Born March 29, 1951 in Washington, GA, he was son of the late
Bowden Wills and Zadie Mae Brown Bridges. A Trade Supervisor with
the McCormick Correctional Institute for almost 20 years, he was
an avid outdoors man and was a lifelong member of the Phillips
Mill Baptist Church in Washington, GA.
In addition to his wife of 34 years of the home is his son, Dan
Bridges of Parksville; sisters, Carolyn Burnam of Washington, GA;
Dorothy B. and husband, William T. McCord of Thompson, GA;
father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert E. and Doris B.
Ridlehoover of Modoc.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m.
at Plum Branch Cemetery with Reverend Robert C. Rayner
officiating.
The family is at the home and will receive friends following the
service at the graveside.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the
Bridges family.
Margaret H. Johnson
Maragaret
Gene Hines Johnson departed this earth on Oct. 25,
2006, in the home of her daughter Becky Johnson. Gene was born
Dec. 22, 1928 in Mt. Olive, North Carolina to Eugene Harvey Hines
and Ruth Hatch Hines. She grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina.
She was pre-deceased by her beloved Sister Ruth Hines
Swearingen.
She is survived by her husband, James T. Johnson of Ahoskie,
North Carolina and her sister, Rebecca Hines Harmon and brother,
Cullen Hatch Hines and sister-in-law Norma of Greenwood, South
Carolina.
She was the proud mother of three children and their spouses,
James W. Lea III and wife Catherine Lea of Wilmington, North
Carolina and Rebecca Lea Johnson and husband James T. Johnson Jr.
and Margaret Rhett Quattlebaum and Corey Quattlebaum of Ahoskie,
North Carolina and the stepmother to James T. Johnson, Jr., Hugh
Johnson, Mandy Johnson, Katy Lewis, and Evans Johnson.
She was MiMi to six grandchildren Tillery, Loftin,
and Steed Johnson, Cullen Lea and Eliza and Addy Quattlebaum and
step-grandchildren Lauren, Ashley, Scarlett, Jason and Michael.
Gene lived a full and blessed life. She attended St. Marys School
in Raleigh and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
where she excelled academically, socially and athletically. She
was a Tri Delt, was on the honor roll and the May Court at both
St. Marys and Carolina and in 1950 was a beauty sponsor for the
annual Blue White football game amongst many other honors.
She was an accomplished artist and avid sportswoman who loved to
play tennis and golf and was often seen at the pool of Coral Bay
condominium at Atlantic Beach and ViQuest in Ahoskie doing water
aerobics. Gene was elegant, opinionated, fun loving, loyal to her
friends, and devoted to her family. She lived a spiritual and
Christian life. Gene was a member of the Daughters of the King of
St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ahoskie.
Her children have made a donation to her alma mater, St. Marys
School in Raleigh, North Carolina where a student activity room
will be named in her honor. Genes life will be memorialized
on Oct. 29, 2006 at 2 p.m. at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in
Ahoskie, North Carolina, with a celebration following at the home
of Corey and Rhett Quattlebaum at 901 Memorial Dr., Ahoskie,
North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the
St. Marys Capital Campaign, Hospice, St. Thomas Episcopal Church,
All Saints Church of Atlantic Beach or All Gods Children
Church in Aulander, North Carolina.
Garrett Funeral Home Ahoskie, N.C. is assisting the Johnson
Family with arrangements.
Joseph Rapley, Jr.
ABBEVILLE
Mr. Joseph Rapley, Jr., age 54, of 105 Pettigrew St., died
Oct. 24, 2006 at his home. He was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas,
and was the son of Mamie Rapley Pinson and the late Joseph
Rapley, Sr. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a retired
textile employee.
Surviving are his mother of Abbeville; a daughter, Contessa R.
Hill of Abbeville; a son, Damien J. Rapley of New York; sisters
Mamie L. Waller of Columbia, SC, Patricia Stinson of Athens, GA,
and Linda Craig of Comer, GA; brothers James T. Hill of Atlanta,
GA, Michael Rapley of Abbeville and Carl Rapley of Greenville,
SC; and five grandchildren.
Services will be Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. at Glovers
Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. M.L. Taylor officiating. Burial
will be in the church cemetery. The family is at the home of his
mother, Mamie R. Pinson, 105 Pettigrew St.
Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Alice W. Tolbert
Alice
Webb Tolbert, 81, of 328 Milford Springs Road, widow of Roy
Howard Tolbert, died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006 at the Hospice
House.
Born in Elberton, GA, she was a daughter of the late George and
Cora Phelps Webb. She was a graduate of Ninety Six High School,
where she was valedictorian of her graduating class and attended
Greenwood College of Commerce. She retired from Bank of America
after 32 years of service as an executive secretary and banking
officer and was a member of I.A.A.P. (International Association
of Administrative Professionals) since 1962, where she served as
president of the Emerald Chapter and SC Division President. She
was an active charter member of North Side Baptist Church, where
she was a member of the Dorcas Sunday School Class and the Senior
Citizens Group.
Surviving are two sons, Samuel Howard Tolbert of Greenwood and
Terry Lee Tolbert of Anderson; a sister, Barbara Cauthen of
Jekyll Island, GA; five grandchildren, Jessica L. Tolbert, Mary
Elizabeth Tolbert, Luke W. Tolbert, Jonathan D.
Tolbert and Allison K. Tolbert; and two great grandchildren.
Services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at North Side Baptist Church
with the Rev. Steve Watson and Dr. Jeff Lethco officiating. A
private family entombment will be held following the service in
Oakbrook Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be J. Felton Burton, Frank Setzler, Horace
Culbertson, W.G. Stevens, J.W. Davis, Ray Berry and Bill Lloyd.
Honorary escort will be members of the Dorcas Sunday School Class
of North Side Baptist Church and members of the International
Association of Administrative Professionals.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Friday
from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home of her son Sam Tolbert, 115 Parkwood
Road, Gatewood.
It is respectfully requested that flowers be omitted and
memorials made to North Side Baptist Church, 409 Northside Drive,
Greenwood, SC 29649.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.
Caroline Whitener
Caroline
McAlister Whitener, of 119 Carmel Circle, wife of Newell R.
Whitener, died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006, at Hospice House.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation
Services.
CORRECTION
For
the obituary of Florence F. Richey Finley in Tuesdays
paper, there was an error in the information provided to The
Index-Journal.
She was formerly married to the late B.F. Manning and the late
Capt. Ralph Richey.