For festival founder, it all began with a catalog ...

June 10, 2007

By JESSICA SMOAKE
Index-Journal intern



It began in 1968 as a small-town festival that included an arts-and-crafts show, a photo exhibit, military band concerts and a tour of the gardens at Park Seed Co.
Most of the events were outside the Greenwood County Courthouse, and admission was free.
Today, the Festival of Flowers is a monthlong event filled with activities ranging from a triathlon to concerts. Thousands of visitors flock to the Greenwood area to experience all the festival has to offer.
In 1968, Al Parker, Festival of Flowers co-founder and executive vice president, was looking for an idea for a town festival. As Chamber of Commerce manager, it was Parker’s job to meet with members of what was then the “Tourist and Convention Center.” The popular topic was that every other town in the state seemed to have a festival except for Greenwood. So, Parker began to brainstorm.
For Parker, the Festival of Flowers idea was sparked by a Park Seed catalog.
“I saw the catalog lying on my desk, and I said, ‘Now, that’s an idea,’” Parker said.
The catalog advertised Park Seed Co.’s “Annual Field Day,” and the event immediately gave Parker the idea to name the local event “The Festival of Flowers.”Parker first presented the idea to Barrett Park, son of George W. Park, who was president of Park Seed at the time. He was in favor of the idea, so Parker moved on to present the idea to Greenwood’s Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber unanimously approved the idea — and the festival has been a hit ever since.
The main goal of the Festival of Flowers was to bring something to the Greenwood community that residents could become involved in. Parker also hoped that in the future, the festival’s popularity would grow and bring in tourists.
“When the festival began, admission was free,” he said. “It wasn’t an event that we were trying to make money off of. The only event that we charged people to attend was the beauty pageant.”
There was no book for the first festival — only a small program that contained the events.
“The second year, we sold advertisements in the souvenir book that visitors could purchase,” Parker said.
He has a collection of mementos in his office, including the very first Festival of Flowers bulletin and every book up to his last year with the festival.
He holds very dear to his heart another memento hanging on the wall. He received The Order of the Palmetto on June 24, 1992. It is the highest honor that a civilian can receive from the governor of South Carolina. Parker is very humble when speaking about the award.
“My name is on the award, but I received it because of the volunteers that helped with the Festival of Flowers,” he said. “You have to have good volunteers, and we have them in Greenwood. Without volunteers, you can’t do anything.”
Parker has many fond memories from the Festival of Flowers over the years, but one that sticks out is working with the South Carolina Princess of Flowers winners.
“I’d work on the float that they rode on myself and make something different,” he said. “I loved pulling the float with my tractor and driving through the parades.”
The Festival of Flowers has seen the success and failure of planned events through the years.
Parker remembers the biggest flop occurred when he was executive director.
“We booked a country music band for the festival, and we decided to have the concert at a ballfield,” he said. “We planned it there because we expected a huge turnout. When the concert started, they had just about as many people on stage as we had in the stands.”
Parker took it as a learning experience.
“That’s just how you learn; you have to test things,” he said.
An idea that was started by a glance at a catalog has grown into one of the most popular events of the year in the Lakelands. Parker has a positive outlook for the future of the Festival of Flowers.
“I believe it will continue to grow as long as Park Seed Co., volunteers and hard-working people are involved in it,” he said. “I see only good things in the future of the festival.”

Schools crack down on phones

June 10, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

You hear them ringing at home, in restaurants, shops, bars and theaters, and even in church. But one place you won’t hear cell phones ringing — as long as the rules are adhered to — is in Lakelands-area schools.
Many local school districts have updated their cell phone policies for students and faculty, with one — Ware Shoals District 51— set to update its policy in the coming months. The policies are meant to cut down on disruptions cell phones might cause during instructional time.
Ware Shoals administrators are seeking public feedback on how, or if, they think the district’s cell phone policy should be modified. There is a link on the district’s Web site (www.gwd51.k12.sc.us) visitors can click so they c an e-mail suggestions to Superintendent Fay Sprouse.
Sprouse discussed District 51’s current policy for students.
“Currently, they have to have them turned off and out of sight during school hours,” Sprouse said. “However, many students seem to be having difficulty remembering this. So, we wanted to get some feedback from parents and faculty as to what changes we may need to make. That’s why we have provided a link right off the Web site.”
Sprouse said she has received moderately steady feedback from faculty and some residents. She added that the district is looking at adopting a new policy that prohibits students from carrying cell phones on their person under normal conditions.
Under that policy, if students were to have phones on school grounds, the phones would have to be kept in their lockers or cars.
“We are looking at taking action on this possibly sometime around July,” Sprouse said, “certainly before the new school year begins.”
The rule Ware Shoals is considering is one that is already in place in Abbeville School District 60. Assistant Superintendent Kathy Stevenson said students in Abbeville are not permitted to have cell phones in their possession during school hours, which officially run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. She said this rule was adopted Aug. 23, 2006.
Stevenson, however, did say concessions were made for students with certain circumstances.
“Specifically, for students in upper grades that are participating in sports or extra-curricular activities,” Stevenson said. “They often have the need to call parents or relatives to arrange transportation to and from practices, games or extracurricular events.”
As far as faculty is concerned, Stevenson said teachers are permitted to possess and use cell phones with discretion.
“Obviously, we don’t want them using (cell phones) in the presence of students,” Stevenson said. “However, if they need to make a call in private or during their planning period, that is certainly acceptable.”
Greenwood District 50 Assistant Superintendent Robert McClinton said his district’s student cell phone guidelines were revised in January.
“We have tried to tailor the cell phone policy so that it is a fair and consistent one,” McClinton said. “Students are not allowed to use their cell phone during the school day. It is not to be turned on and they are not to be talking on it.
McClinton said if a pupil is caught using his/her phone, the phone will be taken by administration and returned to the student’s parent at the end of the day Friday of the following week.
On the second offense, the phone is taken from the student and returned to the parent during the last week of the school year. The student also receives one day of in-school suspension. On the third offense, the phone will be taken from the student and returned on the last day of school, plus the student gets three days of in-school suspension.
McClinton said students are not supposed to have phones in their possession during the school day, though he said he realizes some students likely bend that rule.
“Look, we’re not going to start searching students for cell phones,” McClinton said. “They just need to make absolutely sure they are turned off and kept out of sight.”
Ninety Six District 52 Superintendent Dan Powell touched on how communications technology has changed over time.
“At one time, cell phones and similar devices were not allowed in our schools,” Powell said.
“However, things have changed, times have changed. Parents have safety concerns and want their kids to have ways to contact them. Also, students are participating in athletics, clubs and other activities and need to arrange rides and that type of thing.”
Ninety Six’s policy is similar to the current one in Ware Shoals, which is that students can have the phones in their possession during school hours, but they must be turned off and out of sight.
If a student is seen activating or using his/her phone, the device is taken and returned to the student’s parent after an undisclosed period of time.

Making a splash

Kids dive into summer at Abbeville pool

June 10, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

ABBEVILLE — Jartavious Morton is soaking wet — and he couldn’t be happier.
The 5-year-old is a bit encumbered by his protective life vest, but all in all he’s having a blast. There are plenty of friends to be found, and cousins, too.
And the funny thing is — no one has mentioned anything about homework all day.
School is out for the summer, and for many Abbeville kids, the pool is the place to be.
Youngsters like Morton, who are younger than 6, must be accompanied by a parent or adult on trips to the pool, but that hardly cramps the fun. The adults here are pretty cool.
And that includes Brad Cuttill, who is the Abbeville County recreation director.
He stands nearby and takes in all the fun.
“We average about 100 kids a day in the pool here,” Cuttill said. “We have four (life) guards here all the time, so everyone has a good time and stays safe. We probably see about 5,000 kids in the summer.”
The pool, which is located behind the Abbeville Civic Center, is now open Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. It is also available for private parties on Saturdays and Sundays.
Most of the kids here are pretty laid-back. They float along — unless a friend squirts them with water or splashes them suddenly, and then “it’s on” for the next several minutes or so.
The diving board is also a big attraction. Many of the young males want to test themselves by seeing who can jump and perform aerial feats of greatness, or how high or far they can get off the board.
“I like the 9-foot water,” Jyquis Callaham said, referring to the pool depth. “You can go off the diving board.”
Guys like Calvin Hill and brothers George and Avery Thomas take their turns wowing the rest of the pool visitors by launching huge dives — the “eagle” or the standard cannonball. Avery Thomas even swims from one end of the pool to the other in one breath.
“Sometimes I’ll do a one-and-a-half, or some front flips,” Avery Thomas said. “I’ve been swimming since I was 5 or 6 years old. Now I just come up here and help out with some of the younger kids. I try to show them that it’s OK to learn to swim. I do my best to help them understand that they don’t have to be afraid of the water.”
The fun thing is that, no matter how many times they come here, the pool never gets old for these kids.
They never know who will be there, or how high they might go off the board this time.

Stephens leading women’s tourney

June 10, 2007

From staff reports


NINETY SIX — Haley Stephens, who finished second in the Festival of Flowers junior golf tournament girls division a week ago at Greenwood Country Club, leads the field after Saturday’s first-round play in the Festival of Flowers Women’s Open Tournament at The Patriot Golf Club at Grand Harbor.
Stephens, of Greer, fired a 1-under 71 to take a five-shot lead in the opening round. She leads Taylor Pleier, a rising sophomore at Spartanburg’s Dorman High School, who carded a 4-over 76.
Stephens and Pleier received exemptions into the tournament after finishing in the top three of the junior golf tournament.
Third in the championship flight is defending champion Cecelia Barksdale, who posted a 77.
In the second day of the tournament, which has a 9 a.m. shotgun start today, the field of 32 is split into three flights.
Leading the first flight with 91s are Beverly Lowe, Shirley Cheek and Rhan Parhan. Pat McCutcheon and Jamie Brooks are one shot back with 92s.
In the second flight, Jane McCaffrey leads with a 102, while Teenie Simmons posted a 103 and is one shot back.

Obituaries

Ruth Carlock

DUE WEST — Ruth McCardle Carlock passed away at 4 a.m., the 9th of June.
Beloved wife of Dr. J. Bruce Carlock of Due West, Ruth was born on April 22, 1928 in Washington, PA, the youngest of ten children, all of whom predeceased her. She attended the University of Pittsburg, Wesleyan University in Connecticut and the University of New Mexico.
She graduated from the University of South Carolina where she received her Master’s Degree in Education. She taught at CA Johnson High School in Columbia, Wright Middle School in Abbeville and McDuffie High School in Anderson. Upon retirement she was very active in AA and the Guardian Ad Litem program.
She leaves three children, Elizabeth Carlock of Clemson, Rebecca Webb Landry of Knoxville, TN, and John B. Carlock of Greenville; another son, David Carlock, predeceased her; six grandchildren, Benjamin Carlock Goldstein of Philadelphia, Sydney Carlock of Boston, Michael Webb of Knoxville, Madeline Carlock of Amherst, NH, Ryan Webb of Knoxville and Jianna Carlock of Clemson.
Ruth was an active Democrat and her trenchant letters to local papers expressing her political ideas, created constant stir in the local area. She was a woman of strong moral conscience and a warm loving nature, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory are in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the Carlock family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Annie Doolittle

LAURENS — Funeral services for Annie Eturlia Dickson Doolittle will be held 2 p.m. on Monday at Oakbrook Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum, with the Reverend Thomas Cartledge officiating. Burial will follow at Oakbrook Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery.
The family is at the home of her granddaughter Nikki Fuller, 400 Bond Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Annie, 68, of Agape Assisted Living, widow of William Doolittle, died Friday, June 8, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Anderson, she was a daughter of the late Grover Monroe and Lillie Gibbs Dickson. She was formerly employed at Americans Fibers & Finish in Newberry.
She was predeceased by three brothers and three sisters.
Surviving are a daughter, Debra Wells Sumerel of Greenwood; three sons, William “Rocky” Doolittle of Atlanta, Franklin D. Wells, Jr. and William Marty Wells, both of Greenwood; three sisters, Maybell Hayes of Iva, Marjorie Durham of Liberty, and Grace Childress of Six Mile; three brothers, William Dickson of Saluda, Ray Dickson of Morganton, GA, and Grover Dickson of Pink Hill, NC; thirteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen,VA 23058-5216 or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory are in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the Doolittle family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Mozelle Freeman

McCORMICK — Mozelle Freeman, of Savannah Heights Living Center, died Saturday, June 9, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
The family is at her home, 275 Pine Grove Church Road.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

Leslie Fuller

Leslie C. Fuller, 88, of 1110 Marshall Road husband of Elizabeth Doolittle Fuller died Saturday, June 9, 2007 at Wesley Commons.
Born in Greenwood, he was the son of the late John Conway and Mamie Jester Fuller. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II and was formerly employed with Greenwood Mills.
Surviving in addition to his wife of Wesley Commons are two sons, Jerry Wayne Fuller of Greenwood and Joseph L. Fuller of Ninety Six; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Monday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Reverend Sherrill Green officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be nephews and Leon Jay.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home of his son Jerry Fuller, 408 E. Sproles Avenue.
Online condolences may be sent to the Fuller family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Ada C. Godfrey

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Ada C. Godfrey, 86, of Valdosta, died Saturday, June 9.
She was born in Greenville County, SC, to the late Enoch and Ada Cooley Cothran. Mrs. Godfrey was a member of the Bemiss Road Baptist Church. She partnered in ministry with her husband, who started seven churches in South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia over a period of 53 years.
Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Dr. H.C. Godfrey, Sr. of Valdosta; daughters and son-in-law, Faye and Rick Setser, Judi Cronk of Valdosta; four sons and daughters-in-law, Haskell and Sibbie Godfrey of Valdosta, W. Terry and Pam Godfrey of Macon, Daniel K. Godfrey of Panacea, FL, J. Barry and Peggy Godfrey of Valdosta; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Louvenia Ridgeway of Ware Shoals, SC.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 11, at the Bemiss Road Baptist Church.
Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.
Carson McLane Funeral Home.

Odessia Miller

Odessia Miller, 60, of 702 Tabor St., died Saturday, June 9, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
The family is at the home of a son, 7-B Woodson Alley and the home of a daughter, 124 Dorchester St., Pinehurst subdivision.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Robert F. Rodgers

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Robert F. Rodgers died Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at Peninsula General Hospital.
The family is at the home of a sister, Gennie Middleton, Ike Road, Mount Carmel, S.C.
Services will be announced by Brown and Walker Funeral Home, Abbeville, S.C.

Tolly ‘Tot’ Shaw

CALHOUN FALLS — Tolly “Tot” Shaw, age 74, of 299 Butler Ave., Calhoun Falls, died Friday, June 8, 2007.
A native of Calhoun Falls, Mr. Shaw was the son of the late Leonard F. Shaw and Clara Powell Shaw Grimes. He was preceded in death by his son Neil Shaw. Mr. Shaw was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served in Korea. He was an active member of Lake Russell Baptist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Deacons.
Survivors include his wife, Willie Shaw of the home; daughter, Linda Harris of Calhoun Falls; son, Scott Shaw of Asheville, NC; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Billy Ray, Bobby and Mike Shaw; and sister, Livia Manners, Linda Todd and Lisa Trotter.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 11 at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of Calhoun Falls Funeral Home, with burial following at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Abbeville. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Calhoun Falls Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Lake Russell Baptist Church, 1047 Bobby Brown State Park Road, Elbertson, GA 30635.
Calhoun Falls Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

James Williams

Minister James Gibson Williams of Greenwood, South Carolina, moved on to his Heavenly Home on Thursday, June 7, 2007. Minister James was a 1976 graduate of Greenwood High and attended South Carolina State University from 1976 through 1979.
He graduated in 1981 from Tri-County Technical College in Radio and Broadcasting and recently graduated from Interdenominational Theological Center in May 2007.
Minister James leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife, Anita Williams (home); two sons, James Evon Sterling Williams (Wisconsin) and Immanuel A. Martinez (home); parents, Marion Sr. and Kathryn Williams (Greenwood); brothers, Marion Williams Jr. (Denver, NC), Mike Williams (Smyrna, GA) and Tony McNeil (Greenville, SC); a sister and brother-in law; parents-in-law; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, relatives and dear friends.
Minister James has been a devoted member of Morris Chapel Baptist Church Sunday School, Inspirators Choir and the Praise and Worship Team for many years.
Funeral services for James Williams will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. from Morris Chapel Baptist Church, with Rev. Ricky Syndab officiating, assisted by Revs. Thessa G. Smith and Thomas Yeargin.
Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Anthony Bryant, Larry Dinkins, Byron Smith, James Gilchrist, Gonza Bryant and Blair Beander.
Flower bearers will be Ladies of the Morris Chapel Inspirators Choir.
The body will be placed in the church at 9 to await the service hour.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening from 6-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sickle Cell Foundation.
The family is at the home, 1019 Northlake Drive, Greenwood.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Williams family.

Lillian E. Yarbrough

WHITMIRE — Lillian E. Yarbrough, formerly of Whitmire, died Saturday, June 9, 2007, at Laurens County Hospital in Clinton.
Services will be announced by Gray Funeral Home, Whitmire.

Opinion

We’ve always supported each other’s ‘traditions’

June 10, 2007

There obviously was a good reason the Founding Fathers of this nation added the Bill of Rights to the new Constitution they had just written ..... after much debate and bruised feelings. That should be evident from the First Amendment.
Look at what that amendment says:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
In short, the Bill of Rights protects Americans’ right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

FOR ALMOST TWO CENTURIES everything worked as intended and anticipated ..... except for the struggle that black Americans have had to go through to overcome the physical and mental bonds of slavery. There have been much progress, to be sure, but there still is progress to be made.
Still, while there have been improvements in race relations, something else - another form of prejudice - has been eroding the constitutional rights of every American, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or anything else.
For example, over the years Jewish Americans, in general, have supported the customs and practices of their Christian neighbors. They’ve accepted Christian celebrations such as Christmas and Easter. Likewise, Christians, by and large, have returned the support as American Jews observed their holidays and customs.

AMERICANS OF EVERY STRIPE have gladly upheld the rights of those with different traditions and practices, be they religious or secular. Many have even joined in various celebrations and shared the joy and fun. Just think of St. Patrick’s Day and the multitude of Americans that celebrate with Americans that have Irish roots.
Of course, we reinforce separatism when we become hyphenated Americans, such as Irish-American, Italian-American and so on.
That, however, is not as bad as the damages we’ve provoked through politically correct nonsense. We seem to have reversed course. That, maybe, can be reduced to one word: “empowerment.” Why and how did that become such an omnipotent endowment?
Empowerment? Isn’t that what the Constitution and Bill of Rights are all about in the first place! One thing’s for sure. When we seek to restrict the rights, customs and traditions of others, we restrict our own.