Tool time at Long Cane

Elementary school offers glimpse into professions

April 27, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

ABBEVILLE — Sommer Dubose asked only for their polite attention.
The seven or eight excited Long Cane Elementary students gathering around her gave it at once, with wide and eager eyes betraying their curiosity.
Dubose — a dance instructor with Wendy’s Dance Studio in the Abbeville square — was about to teach them some moves.
“Step, step ... that’s right, remember what we just learned,” Dubose said, encouraging the laughing, giggling students as they attempted to mimic her smooth, professional motions. “Now let’s try it with some music.”
She hits the CD player’s “play” button, and the pulsating, pounding beat escapes into the morning air. They give it their best shot.
But trying to follow her lead isn’t not the easiest thing in the world.
Honed after years of practice, she basically glides around, rotating directions and jumping while the students look on, stunned and amazed.
By the time she stops, all the kids are staring at her, as are most of the adults within eyesight — and others looking on from inside the gym.
Thursday was Career “Tool” Day at Long Cane Elementary, with area professionals encouraged to bring in their “tools of the trade.”
A boom box was about all Dubose needed.
“We love it,” Dubose said of her downtown studio. “I teach a lot of the kids here, and they are hardly paying me any attention. The others are the ones giving me most of the attention. “To the others I’m just the goofy old dance teacher they know. The kids here were great. They listened and we had some fun.”
As popular as Dubose’s steps were outside, Kim Steele ruled the career roost indoors, where she kept crowds of students at her Self Regional booth. Steele — an employment coordinator at Self Regional — had some help, though, with surgical caps and thermometer strips.
As word began to spread as to where the cool doctor caps were, students began to gravitate to Steele in large numbers.
“I don’t think I’m going to have enough thermometer strips for everyone,” she said, before mentioning the severe shortfall of professionals working in the health care industry. “I think we should have events like this in all the schools. We have a shortage of professionals in the health care industry, so we need to spread the word among kids.
“There are a lot of professional positions where we have vacancies. I travel all over the country recruiting for these positions.”
Barber Charlie Norris, who works at Tom’s Place in Abbeville, had his instruments displayed on a table for the students to hold and touch.
“I get to meet and see a lot of different people,” he stated as one of the advantages to being a barber. “It’s pretty laid-back and we have a good time. It’s definitely an art to a degree. You want people to leave with something that you can be proud of, for yourself and the customer.”
Donna Brown and Deanne Williamson are guidance counselors at Long Cane Elementary. They were pleased, both with the turnout of the professionals and the opportunity for their students to take a peek into the lives of adults working in the community.
“This is a good hands-on experience for the students,” Brown said. “I think this is a special event. Through something like this, they get to experience what it’s like to work in a variety of trades and jobs.”
“A lot of times the students may only be exposed to whatever their parents do (for a living). That’s their own little world,” Williamson said. “This way they get to see and be exposed to a lot of different worlds.”
About 30 businesses were invited to participate.
The professionals ran the gamut, from artists to funeral director and from mechanics to photographers. Another popular booth was that of Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, where chips and dip were in ready supply.
The event was given another special treat by some orange-clad friends.
Several members of the Clemson University swim team — Jay Crout, Matt Balderson and Sarah Porri — stopped by to ask the students to be T.I.G.E.Rs (or to work together as a TEAM, display INTEGRITY, always show GRATITUDE, make EDUCATION a priority and RESPECT yourself and others) through several skits and games.
Students in kindergarten through the second grade used the day as an opportunity to dress as their favorite career professional.

Presbyterian church to close after 60 years

April 27, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

The beautiful white doors of Fraser Presbyterian Church, the remarkable brick building and steeple in the Mathews Mill Village are closing for good after almost 60 years of ministry and worship.
Sunday marks the last service for the church. It will be at 3 p.m. and followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.
Though the day is one where many will say goodbye to their home church, it will be a time of remembrance and celebration of the church’s past — a past that began in 1947.
What started as a Sunday school soon became Second Presbyterian Church. In 1974, the name Fraser was applied to the church to honor the Rev. Harry B. Fraser, who was the first pastor.
The building came to its location after the late James C. Self, Greenwood’s mill magnate, gave the property to the church. Self also contributed toward the costs of the building, which was completed with a sanctuary, fellowship hall and educational building on Sept. 12, 1954.
Six pastors have occupied the pulpit; however, the church has not had a regular pastor since the Rev. Rudolph H. Chasteen left in 1989. He began in November 1975.
The Rev. Shauna Kelly has been the stated-supply pastor since she was called to the church about a year ago. She commutes from her home in Lexington to Greenwood every Sunday.
According to Kelly, the church has about 23 active members. The decline in membership over the years, along with financial circumstances, led to the church shuttering its doors.
“This is very sad,” Kelly said. “The people are very dedicated. They’ve been there for a long time. No one ever thinks their church will just close. Just think of the 70- and 80-year-olds who have to look for a new church.”
The church’s fate went to a vote, but the outcome was to close the church and have it remembered. No one is certain what will become of the building.
“They aren’t in a hurry,” Kelly said. “The desire is to see if there is some other kind of ministry for it. We’re all called on to carry out the ministry.”
Other Presbyterian churches have expressed interest in bringing in Fraser church members to their locations, but for now, Sunday’s 3 p.m. service will be the last at Fraser Presbyterian Church. The church is at Cross and Piedmont streets.
“Anyone who has ever had an affiliation, or has ever been a member, is invited to be at Fraser Presbyterian Church on Sunday,” Kelly said.

‘Five more games’

Eagles have eyes set on state title

April 27, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Greenwood Eagles boys varsity soccer team finished its region schedule undefeated with a 10-0 record.
Now, they prepare for the opening round of the Class AAAA playoffs where they’ll meet Hillcrest for the second time this season.
Greenwood lost to Hillcrest, 2-0, on March 14 in Simpsonville.
This time around, the Rams will have to travel to Greenwood, where the Eagles are guaranteed home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
“I think we’ll do well this time around,” junior Patrick Hobson said. “We’re playing pretty well as a team, and we’ve been focusing on that this week.”
Hobson said that in the loss to the Rams, fatigue might have been a factor.
“It was the third game of the week when we played them the first time,” Hobson said. “But they’re very good as well. We just have to limit their ability to attack.”
Jacovie Anderson, another junior on the Eagles squad who has scored several game-winning goals, said the Eagles are going to have to fight for what they want.
“We’ve come this far,” Anderson said. “I think we won’t turn back this year. Over the past two years, it’s been hard because a lot of us were the younger players. I think this year we have more of a chance and we’ll have a shot at making a difference in the playoffs.”
Anderson said the Eagles have worked hard during the past week in preparation for the game.
“We’ve been working on attacking a bit more and how to feed balls behind the defense,” Anderson said. “We’re getting a lot better on striking, and I think we’re finishing. At the beginning of the season, we were letting in goals a bit more. Right now, we’re not letting in any.”
Hobson and Anderson spoke for their entire team when they said they’re expecting a large crowd for Tuesday night’s game.
Eagles’ coach John Kinard said his team is focused and ready to play five more games; the number it will take to get to the state championship.
Kinard added that the Eagles are hoping to be at 100 percent come game time.
“Eladio Montero appears to be healthy after some midseason injuries to his ankle,” Kinard said. “We had a tune-up game Monday against No. 9 South Aiken. We lost the game on penalty kicks, but were without the services of Gray Johnson and Andrew Tims, who has been battling pneumonia.”
Kinard said the Eagles will look to freshmen Trent Uldrick and Stephen Woolbright for additional help, while he considers seniors MacKenzie Tharpe and Brenden Feucht impact players who will fill in the gaps.
“The team has worked hard to get to this point,” Kinard said. “We just keep saying, ‘five more games,’ that’s all it takes. Five more games to win state.”

Obituaries

Charles B. Adams Jr.

WARE SHOALS — Charles B. Adams, Jr., 78, son of the late Ban and Bertha McClain Adams, Sr., died at Self Regional Medical Center April 26, 2007. He had been employed by Riegel Textile Corp. and Sara Lee Corp.
He is survived by one brother, Marvin T. Adams, Donalds, S.C.
Graveside services will be conducted Sunday, 3 p.m. at Ware Shoals Cemetery, by Rev. Jim Warren.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
Parker-White Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Frank Jackson Jr.

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. — Frank Jackson, Jr., 73, of 21-66 33rd Road, Apt.10-D, husband of Edna Wideman Jackson, died on Sunday, April 22, 2007, at Cabrini Hospice Hospital. Born on May 11, 1933 in Hodges, he was the son of the late Bessie and Frank Jackson.
He attended public schools in Hodges and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. He had resided in New York City since 1980, where he was employed as a store manager in Brooklyn, N.Y., until he retired in 1995.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a niece, Darlene (Mac) Meyers of Washington, D.C.; one aunt, Bertha Gilbert of Greenwood; and one uncle, Charlie (Fannie) Gilbert of Cokesbury.
Services are 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2007, at the Chapel of Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc., conducted by the Rev. James E. Speed, Sr. Assisting will be the Rev. Willie N. Norman, Jr. and the Rev. Gracie Smith. Burial will be in the Evening Star Cemetery. Flower bearers are nieces and pallbearers are nephews. The family is at the home of a sister-in-law, Margaret Wideman Smith, 3528 McCormick Hwy. (Promised Land Community). Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is assisting the family. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com.

Betty Perry

NINETY SIX — Bettie Jean R. Perry, 68, of 2517 Louden Road, wife of Isaiah Perry, died April 24 at Self Regional Medical Center. She was born in Greenwood County Aug. 7, 1938, a daughter of the late Lawyer Robinson and Evelyn L. Williams Robinson. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Missionary Society, Gospel Chorus and Church Choir. She was a member of the Home Demonstration Club, formerly employed with the Dept. of Social Services and was a private caregiver.
Surviving, in addition to her husband of the home, are three sons, Ronnie (Paula) Perry of Greenwood, Vernon (Peggy) Perry and Rickey (Danielle) Perry of Charleston, SC; one sister, Ruby Hackett of Ninety Six, SC; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. from Bethlehem Baptist Church, with Rev. James W. Price officiating. Burial will be in Ninety Six Community Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Deacons and Trustees of the church. Flower bearers will be Missionaries.
The family is at the home. Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Perry family. Online condolences: pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

John A. Singletery Jr.

DETROIT — John Archie Singletery Jr., of 1610 E. Statefair St., died Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at Receiving Hospital in Detroit.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home, McCormick, S.C.

Gloria ‘Toot’ Thomas

Services for Gloria “Toot” Thomas, of 317 Gray St., are 11 a.m. Sunday, April 29, 2007, at the Chapel of Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc., conducted by the Rev. Curtis Carter. Burial will be in Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 at Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. on Saturday evening. The family is at the home of a daughter, Shenika Thomas, 1524 Parkway Dr., Apt. 713, and at the home of Thomas Williams, 317 Gray St. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is assisting the family. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com.

Jessie Madden Wright

LAURENS — Jessie Pearl Madden Wright, 95, of 100 Price Street, passed away Monday, April 23, 2007, at her home.
Born in Laurens County, she was a daughter of the late Will and Connie Finley Bennett. She was twice married, first to the late Ozzie B. Madden and second to the late James Wright. She was a member of Laurel Hill Baptist Church and attended Springfield Baptist Church and St. Paul First Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Woman’s Aide Society Lodge No. 109.
She is survived by a daughter, Mary Frances (Izell) Copeland of Laurens; a sister, Maude Starks of Greenwood; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Laurel Hill Baptist Church, with Reverend Herbert E. Glenn officiating and Reverend Bryant Cheek assisting.
Burial will be in Calvary Memorial Gardens. Flower bearers and pallbearers will be friends of the family.
The body will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m.
Public viewing will be from noon until 9 p.m. Saturday at Goins Funeral Home in Laurens.
The family is at the home. Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Opinion

There is big difference in leftwing and liberal

April 27, 2007

Leftwing and liberal don’t necessarily mean the same thing, even though some of us may sometimes see no difference.
Leftwing is, more often than not, radical, embracing political philosophies contrary to the ideals and the stability of the United States.
Liberal, on the other hand, is at the other end of the political spectrum from conservative. Liberalism embraces different ideas, naturally, but they are honest and well-meaning ideas that are just as important as conservative ideas are to the values of all the freedoms of government that make this nation unique in today’s world.

AT THE RISK OF BEING ACCUSED of being paranoid and seeing a monster behind every bush (the way some used to accuse others of seeing communists) it is hard to deny that a leftwing slant is at large these days.
There appear to be intentional efforts to trash this country, particularly among some involved in the “entertainment” industry. Pay attention to many of the television programs and motion pictures. How many times are the plots about police and intelligence agencies being underhanded and downright criminal? How many times are elected offices - presidency, senator, Congressman, etc. - portrayed as scofflaws who resort to any means, criminal or otherwise, to promote some nefarious scheme?

IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH TO realize that these are the things that fill scripts. Isn’t it possible they have a cumulative and subliminal effect after a while and go a long way toward undermining public confidence?
Is that a ridiculous and/or scaremongering thought? We are all free, of course, to believe what we wish, and freedom of speech allows wide interpretation. It’s not that difficult, then, for those who would wish us harm to exploit the very freedoms we hold dear and use them against us.
Farfetched? Sometimes it may seem that way. Look around, though. Look at how the First Amendment is exploited by those who see America as evil and who do things like hijack airliners and crash them into tall buildings.
And doubts?