Center helps WPM

Keyboard program teaching kids the keys

July 10, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

The keyboards in Greenwood’s Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Center computer rooms are getting a workout this summer.
Enter one of the rooms and you’ll probably go unnoticed. That’s because all the attention is focused on the computer screens, the tapping of keyboards and the clicking of computer mice — the only sounds in the room.
What’s the reason for the technological racket?
Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Center is hosting a six-week computer camp for children, teenagers and adults.
“Adults start with basic computer and they’ll learn computer operations which they did not know,” said Wilhelmenia Robinson, Magic Johnson summer program director. “They’re learning how to take care of the computer, how to log in and get their e-mail and how to use the Internet period.”
The curriculum for children is slightly different.
“Keyboarding is stressed, how to take care of the computer. How to use it to do homework or find information.”
The younger kids, even as young as preschoolers, start at 10 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., the middle school and high school campers get their turn in front of the monitor.
Two groups exist for adults, with one session at 3 p.m. and the other at 5:30 p.m.
No matter what group a person is in, he gets to use the new computers.
“It’s state of the art,” said Dr. J.D. Patton, CEO of GLEAMNS Human Resource Commission Inc. “Brand new stuff.”
Patton said the computers were furnished by Magic Johnson in partnership with GLEAMNS. Though the center opened in March, it took until June to get everything up and running. June 11 was the beginning of the computer camp. It will continue until July 26.
On that day, campers will receive certificates and Magic Johnson T-shirts for completing the program.
Patton and Robinson said Greenwood needs more programs such as this.
“We know the needs of many of the children in the Greenwood area,” Robinson said.
“Ron Davis, it was his idea, that we go with a computer camp based on his involvement with a couple of our youth programs,” he said.
Davis is the chief operations officer for GLEAMNS. According to Patton, Davis wanted to “enhance the computer skills in the community.”
The camp received a great deal of support from within the community.
Patton said funding coming through state Department of Commerce and there has been help from the city, county, the Self Foundation and the Sheriff’s Office. Patton also said CountyBank, First Citizens Bank, Capital Bank and Community Bank in Columbia have contributed.
Though Patton, Robinson, Davis, project manager the Rev. Alvin Deal and many others are in charge of the camp, it needed some true computer people — like Terry Morse.
Morse is a computer instructor for the camp. He, along with instructor Phyllis Jones, work with the campers.
Morse helps teach keyboarding techniques and PowerPoint.
“They’re having a lot of fun with that,” he said about PowerPoint. “They love that.”
But another aspect of learning about computers is maintaining the right attitude.
“We teach not go get frustrated.”
“The program is designed to be very relaxed so they can accomplish or meet their goals,” Robinson said. “There is no stress in our classes.”
To eliminate stress and enhance learning, the instructors use a couple different programs that are user-friendly for both children and adults.
“Cartoon movies where kids can relate to it better,” Morse said of one of the computer programs. “Adults get into it, too.”

Obituaries

Edgar ‘Unk’ Elam Jr.

Edgar “Unk” Elam, Jr., husband of Carrie Lujean Robinson Elam, died Friday, July 6, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
He was born in Greenwood County, the son of the late Edgar and Anna Hentz Elam. He was a member of Pine Grove AME Church, where he served as a trustee. He was a retired carpenter and construction worker and an Army Veteran of the Korean War.
Surviving are his wife of the home; eight sons, Calvin (Mary) H. Elam of Irmo, E. Andre (Monica) Elam of Atlanta, GA, Robert Robinson, Wilbur Robinson, Ricky (Cassandra) Quarles, Michael Quarles, Roger Quarles and Raymond Quarles, all of Greenwood; eight daughters, Glenna Elam of Hopkinsville, KY, Patricia Elmore, Mary Cunningham, Betty J. Williams, Matilda (Oscar) Burton, Patricia Robinson, Tammy (James) Williams and C. Lynn (Joey) Nicholson; two sisters, Daisy Bell Day and Mary Faulkner of Greenwood; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 1 p.m. at Pine Grove AME Church, with Rev. Kenneth Aiken presiding and Rev. James Bates officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at noon.
Pallbearers will be Mike Williams, Edward Coleman, George Coleman, Jr., Michael Smith, Bernard Fisher and Edward Williams.
Flower bearers will be grandchildren and nieces.
The family is at the home, 121 Taggart Ave.
The family is being assisted by Parks Funeral Home.

John Albert Freeman

PLUM BRANCH — John Albert Freeman, husband of Beatrice C. Freeman, died Sunday, July 8, 2007 at Hospice Care of the Piedmont, Greenwood.
The family is at his home, 160 Pine Grove Church Road.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home, McCormick.

Ada Lee Holloway Goodman

Ada Lee Holloway Goodman, 81, of 313 Morton Road, widow of Youngblood “Tobe” Goodman, died July 8, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Greenwood, she was the daughter of the late Furman “Yank” Holloway and the late Louvenia Carter Coleman Holloway. She was a former member of Old Mt. Zion in Epworth.
Survivors include one son, Stanley “BuckWheat” Goodman of the home; six daughters, Shirley Jean Goodman of Greenwood, Mrs. Adam (Wynetta) Hill of Anniston, AL, Mrs. Calvin (Janice) Lark of Greenwood, Mrs. Charles (Christine) Graves of Greenwood, Mrs. James (Frances) Norman of Greenwood and Francine Goodman of the home; one brother, M.C. Coleman of Greenwood; five sisters, Julia Mae Roundtree of Greenwood, Sara Davis of Greenwood, Frances Roundtree of Greenwood, Janie Singleton of Greenwood and Lizzie Fuller of Greenwood; fourteen grandchildren, four that were reared in the home, Danita Goodman, Christina Goodman, Tremayne Goodman and Josh Goodman of the home.
Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens Chapel, conducted by Rev. Norris Turner. The body will be placed in the chapel at 1 p.m. The family will receive friends at the Chapel of Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. from 7-8 this evening. The family is at the home. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com

Clarence ‘Jack’ Hawes Sr.

Clarence “Jack” Hawes, Sr., 75, of 720 Macedonia Ave., widower of Orie Mae Jennings Hawes, died July 8, 2007 at his home. Born in Lincolnton, GA, he was the son of the late Robert Quarles and the late Mary Bently White. He was a member of Goshen Baptist Church in Lincolnton, GA.
Survivors include six sons, Larry Hawes, Sr., Clarence Hawes, Jr., James Hawes, William Hawes, Alonzo Hawes, Sherman Hawes, all of Greenwood; two daughters, Deloris Williford of Anderson and Dorothy Hawes of Greenwood; two stepbrothers, Robert Steadman of McCormick and Heck Steadman of Lincolnton, GA; twenty-three grandchildren; and twenty-one great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2007 at Zion Chapel AME Church in McCormick. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the chapel of Robinson & Son Mortuary from 7-8 on Wednesday evening. The family is at the home. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com

Odell Jackson

TROY — Odell Jackson, 86, of 9522 Highway 25 S., died Sunday, July 8, 2007 at his home. The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Octazvus Monterrio Prince

CALHOUN FALLS — Octazvus Monterrio Prince, 9, of 1040 Seneca Street Ext., Calhoun Falls, SC, son of Barry and Annie Heard Prince, died Saturday, July 7, 2007 at MCMC in Charlotte, NC.
Services will be Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at noon at Rockford A.M.E. Church, with Rev. Albert Thompson officiating.
The body will be placed in church at 11 a.m. Interment is in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
The family is at the home.
Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc., is in charge of arrangements.

Opinion

Confusion on sales taxes and property tax boosts

July 10, 2007

If one thing has been heard around Greenwood in recent weeks it’s talk about how confusing the sales tax picture is. Most taxpayers are wondering if it’s 5 cents, 6 cents, 7 cents or 9 cents ..... or what!
There is an added tax, of course, approved by Greenwood voters to finance work on the Lake Greenwood dam and to build a new county library on South Main Street, just off the Uptown Square. There are other additions, too, such as a restaurant tax and more. Considering the various levels of taxation, it’s not hard to see why there is some confusion among local consumers.

ONE ADDITION TO THE STATE sales tax was to help property owners lower the tax they pay on what they own. There should be evidence of that in the not too distant future.
Nevertheless, it could turn out to be something that most taxpayers wouldn’t expect ..... and, no doubt, would be awfully upset if it happens.
It has happened, for example, in Berkeley County. There the school board has taxing power and, guess what! They need money so what happens? The board increased the property tax. It argues that the tax increase is necessary to fund salary raises for administrators and bus drivers, instructional initiatives and operations at new facilities.
Salary hikes may be needed, of course. Still, the question has to arise: What relief will property owners realize?

WHEN THE INCREASED SALES tax is supposed to reduce property taxes but is offset by a school board or anyone else having the ability to raise property taxes, what kind of relief is that? The first time extra revenue is needed by a taxing authority, it raises the property tax?
And ..... we wonder why taxpayers and the people in general have a healthy skepticism when it comes to tax-and-spend lawmakers? Then, in school districts all over the state, there are millions of dollars in bonds that must be paid off by taxpayers. The whole rigmarole appears to be deja vu all over again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!
Skepticism? It’s more like old-fashioned distrust ..... and it appears to get worse, never better.