Still business as usual

After 59 years, brothers hand market to new owners

June 14, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

HODGES — Sometimes, even the smallest change can seem like a sweeping departure from what has become a given situation’s accepted reality.
Such is the case with Godfrey’s Market in Hodges. Last month, brothers Pete and Frank Godfrey sold the ultra-popular country store they had operated since 1948.
“It was a tough decision, it really was,” said Pete, 69, who first started working at the store as a teenager in 1957. “It wasn’t a decision we wanted to make, but we felt like it was the right decision, considering our age and all.”
Frank agreed. “We just got too old for it,” said the 81-year-old as a smile crossed his face.
The Godfreys sold the business to a pair of Hodges residents: Emerald High School Assistant Principal Chip Tinsley and former chemical salesman David Jackson.
Tinsley talked about what interested him in purchasing the community hub, which serves as a breakfast gathering place, lunch counter, hardware store, butcher shop and gas station.
“I remember when this place burned,” Tinsley said, referring to the fire that claimed the market’s original building in 2002. “I remember how it affected people the day it burned down and how insistent people were that they wanted this store built back.
“It’s the center of this community, the core of the community. It’s a special place for our family and many others all over the Upstate.”
Pete Godfrey said he thinks the fire that claimed the original structure actually was a benefit in the end.
“Part of the reason we did build this store back is because we did have so much encouragement from friends, family and customers,” Pete said. “At the time, we were thinking about retiring then. But obviously, we decided to build it back.
“And business is good. In fact, it’s better than ever.”
Tinsley and Jackson each noted Pete has been integral in helping them segue into ownership of the business. He has assisted them in some of the finer points of running the store, as well as with inventory and other aspects.
“You won’t get that with the sale of just any store,” Jackson said. “Pete has been very good with helping us out so far, and we appreciate it.”
It wasn’t hard to tell when instinct kicked in for the 69-year-old former owner Wednesday afternoon.
As the two brothers relaxed in a back booth of the market while being interviewed, Pete naturally looked back over his shoulder when customers approached the lunch counter. Later, as he walked across the dining room floor, he bent over to pick up and discard a few pieces of debris, then reached over in an almost singular motion to open the door for a woman customer.
“We do miss it, and we knew we would,” Pete said. “We feel good about it, though. It’s great to have local guys like Chip and David to agree to take it. They are local guys and they have been customers and friends of ours through the years. They know something about the business and they know many of the customers already.”
Jackson said the brothers even went so far as to call long-time customers of the store and ask them to please continue frequenting the store, despite the fact they were selling it.
At the same time Jackson said the first few days under new ownership of the locally famous market were not easy.
“On our side of things, I found it totally overwhelming,” said Jackson, as Tinsley smiled and nodded. “(The Godfrey brothers) made it look easy, but it’s probably the hardest I’ve ever worked.”
Tinsley echoed that thought.
“They did indeed make it look easy,” he said. “It’s amazing the work they put into it.”
Tinsley and Jackson had high praise for the staff at Godfrey’s, saying they have taken the changeover in stride and have worked hard and professionally. Tinsley said he is particularly proud of how clean the employees keep the market’s kitchen and dining room.
As the Godfrey brothers sat Wednesday and discussed the store they spent so many years working in, it was apparent how close the two have become over the years. Numerous times Frank reached over and patted his younger brother on the back and expressed how much he appreciated everything Pete has done for him over the years.
On more than one occasion during the conversation, Frank paused to pull out a neatly folded handkerchief and wipe away tears from the corners of his eyes.
It wasn’t all tear-inducing memories for the popular former business owner, however. Frank beamed as he talked about the market’s many championship-level softball teams.
Godfrey’s sponsored one of the most feared adult slow-pitch softball teams in the state for many years in the 1970s, ’80s and early ’90s. The team gobbled up multiple state championships and played in dozens of national tournaments. To this day a large photo of the 1986 state championship team, wearing the trademark orange Godfrey’s jerseys, hangs in the back of the store.
“I financed the whole thing, and Pete managed it,” said Frank, a World War II veteran. “A lot of the boys couldn’t afford to travel like that, which is why I financed it. But they didn’t care about who was getting money and who wasn’t. They just wanted to win.
“And that’s what they did.”
Tinsley said he and Jackson plan to keep the market going strong.
“What we want to do is continue things as they are,” he said. “There may be things we look to add over time. We may look during football season to add some tailgate packages, and at Christmastime we may add some other packages. But right now, we are just working with some pretty good groundwork that has been laid for us.”

Three sports to be added in 2008 at Erskine

June 14, 2007

By SCOTT J. BRYAN
Index-Journal sports editor

The quaint and quiet nature of Erskine College isn’t going to change with the addition of four sports, but athletic director Mark Peeler hopes the added activities help build the athletic department for the future.
Erskine announced Wednesday it would add three sports — women’s lacrosse, men’s golf and women’s golf — in the fall of 2008, plus volleyball will be reintroduced in the fall of 2009.
Erskine currently offers 10 intercollegiate sports at the Division II level. Men’s golf returns to Erskine after last being played in 1996, the same year volleyball was dropped.
“We’ve been intentionally small,” Peeler said. “Our conference has expanded, it seems like, every year, and we stayed at 10 sports for the last 14-15 years. We watched all the other conference schools grow.
“It’s time for Erskine to grow a little bit. Athletics is a way to do that. We’re adding four conference sports, and we’re looking to be more competitive in the conference.”
Golf is a natural fit for the Lakelands, and Erskine will play its home matches at Hunter’s Creek in Greenwood.
Volleyball is another popular sport in the region, and Peeler said they held off on that sport starting until 2009 to allow the athletic staff to focus on the other three sports.
Lacrosse, however, is the one sport that might raise some eyebrows. While popular on the coast and up north, the sport has a dearth of popularity in the region. None of the Lakelands high schools field a lacrosse team, and the South Carolina High School League doesn’t sponsor a state championship since only a handful of public schools have lacrosse teams.
Peeler, however, said lacrosse could serve as a bridge to the north to help get more students to attend the Due West institution.
“You look at most of the rosters of teams in our conference, and those girls are coming from Maryland, New York and Canada,” Peeler said. “It’s a logical draw for us. We’ll try to pull some northern females down to Erskine. But lacrosse is also growing in North and South Carolina.”
In a press release, Erskine president Randall T. Ruble said the money to support the new programs won’t hinder other athletic programs.
“The funding for people to coach golf and lacrosse has come from outside the budget,” Ruble said. “We’ve raised that money.”
Peeler said he hopes to have a women’s lacrosse coach on staff by September, while he hopes to hire golf and volleyball coaches by September 2008.
The four sports Erskine added might not be the limit for the Flying Fleet. Peeler said a committee was formed in February to discuss the “feasibility of football” at Erskine.
“Part of this is laying the possible foundation for football,” Peeler said. “We’re considering considering it.”

Obituaries

Mary R. Buchanan

Mary Richards Buchanan, 72, of 116 Linda Lane, widow of Robert Buchanan, died Monday, June 11, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Madison County, VA, she was a daughter of the late Luther and Annie Seal Richards. She was predeceased by a sister Daisy Batman and a brother Martin Richards.
Surviving are a son and daughter in-law, Jesse and Becky Sheckler of Stanardsville, VA; two sisters, Rosie Aylor of Reva, VA, and Bertha Miller of Orange, VA; two stepsons and a stepdaughter; two grandchildren, Melissa and Ashley Sheckler; a close friend Jimmy Dyer of Abbeville; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The body is at Harley Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends Friday from 10 until 10:30 a.m.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Jerry King

McCORMICK — Jerry Gordon “Pee Wee” King, 44, resident of 851 Jefferson Street, husband of Janice Smith King, died June 12, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood June 25, 1962, he was a son of the late John Willie and Ruth Wideman King. He was employed by George Gable Construction Company.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a son, Jeremiah Gordon King and daughter, Kristi Lee King, both of the home; three brothers, John Willie King, Jr. of Greenwood, James Claude King of McCormick, and Jackson Ray “Butch” King of Callison; two sisters, Betty Ruth Weeks of Greenwood and Ruby Beatrice King of McCormick.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Plum Branch Cemetery, with Rev. John Noblin and Rev. Darrell Engle officiating. Pallbearers will be Clifton White, George Gable, Wayne Gable, Robert Lee Gable, William McDonald, and Jimmy Wall.
Honorary escort will be Junior McKee, June Gable, and Tony McKee.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood and will be placed in Plum Branch Baptist Church, where the family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2 p.m. Friday.
Memorials may be made to Plum Branch Baptist Church, P.O. Box 150, Plum Branch, SC 29845.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the King family.

Leroy Moss

COLUMBIA — Services for Mr. Leroy Moss of 3815 Abington Road, Columbia, South Carolina, will be held Saturday, June 16, 2007 at Noon (viewing, celebration and remarks at 10 a.m.) in the Antisdel Chapel on Benedict College Campus in Columbia, with burial in the Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Leevy’s Funeral Home, Taylor Street Chapel is in charge.
Mr. Moss died Saturday, June 9, 2007. Born in Greenwood, SC, to the late Daniel and Lizzie Hill Moss, he was raised by his grandparents, Fellie Henry and Hannah Hill.
Surviving are his daughter, Rosalind Moss (Jerome) Jacobs; son, Leroy (Denise) Moss; grandchildren; great-grandchildren. He was a faithful member of the Ridgewood Baptist Church in Columbia, SC.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Mr. Leroy Moss requests that memorials be made to the Seeing Eye, Inc., at P.O. Box 2068, Morristown, NJ 07962-9921, federal tax ID 22-1539721 or the SCOA Cares (who assist cancer patients), federal tax ID 57-0787600 at 166 Stonebridge Drive, Columbia, SC 29210.

Jimmie Peake Jr.

CLINTON — Mr. Jimmie Peake Jr. passed on June 10, 2007 at the Wallace Thomason Hospital, Union, S.C. Born Dec. 22, 1945, he is survived by a daughter, Karen Blackwell, Greenville; a devoted friend Gwendolyn Moody of Whitmire; four brothers; five sisters.
Services will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2 p.m. at Mt. Cowell Baptist Church, Joanna, S.C.
The family is at 11001 Highway 56 N., Clinton, S.C.
Childs Funeral Home Inc., Clinton, S.C.

Willie B. Pinson

WATERLOO — Mr. Willie B. Pinson, 63, of 102 Keith Drive, entered into Eternal Rest on Monday, June 11, 2007 at the Laurens County Hospital, Clinton, South Carolina. Born Jan. 20, 1944, he was the son of the late Lizzie Byrd and the late Robert Pinson.
Services will be held on Friday, 2 p.m., June 15, 2007 at the St. Vaughnville Baptist Church, Chappells, S.C.
The family is at the residence, 74 Ball Park Drive, Cross Hill, S.C.
Childs Funeral Home Inc., Clinton, S.C.

Marie T. Ridings

BOILING SPRINGS — Fairy Marie Teseniar Ridings, 91, formerly of 12285 Hwy. 11, Campobello, passed away Wednesday, June 13, 2007, at the home of her daughter, Barbara, in Boiling Springs. She was the wife of the late Woodrow Ridings for 59 years and daughter of the late William David and Inez Fowler Teseniar.
Mrs. Ridings was a graduate of the Class of 1934 at Spartanburg High School, a homemaker and a devoted, active member of Morningside Baptist Church. She was a charter member of Sassee Red Hat Ladies of Boiling Springs. She was a loving, caring wife and mother, and the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She is survived by a son, Woodrow D. “Buddy” Ridings and wife, Helen of Spartanburg; daughters, Barbara “Bobbi” R. Powell and husband, Butch of Boiling Springs, Beverly R. Cooke and husband, Henry of Boiling Springs, and Claudette R. McKinney and husband, George of Hodges, SC; a nephew, Wayne Teseniar of Orlando, FL; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and her faithful dog, Bully. She was predeceased by a son, William “Butch” T. Ridings, a brother, Boyd Teseniar, and a nephew, Warren Teseniar.
The family would like to give special thanks to her dedicated, loving caregivers for the past four years: Kelli Hicks, Deb Hicks, Sam Hawkins, Casey Brown, and Beth Harvey.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Friday, June 15, 2007, at Bobo Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 16, at Bobo Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. Jack Dodds. Interment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, 897 S. Pine St., Spartanburg, SC, 29302, or to your favorite charity.
The family will be at the home of daughter, Bobbi and Butch Powell, 8726 Valley Falls Road, Boiling Springs and also the home of son, Buddy and Helen Ridings, 130 Egg A Day Farm Road, Spartanburg.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bobofuneralchapel.com.

Charles Edward Watson

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Charles Edward “Lil Charles” Watson, 39, died Saturday, June 2, 2007.
The local family is at the home of Debra Ann “Debbie” Watson, 338 E. Creswell Ave., Greenwood, S.C.
Preciado Funeral Home, 923 W. Mill St., San Bernardino, is in charge.

Vera Kate Williams

NINETY SIX — Vera Kate Williams, 65, of 97 Kinard Ave., died Tuesday, June 12, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center. The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Opinion

Voters know about what, but how about the how?

June 14, 2007

Voters in South Carolina are no different than voters in any other state. Regardless of political affiliation all make their decisions about candidates for various public offices based on a variety of perceptions. It may be difficult for some of them, however, to decipher the pros and cons ..... depending, of course, on the campaign verbal dexterity of the now-you-see-me-now-you-don’t candidates.
It doesn’t matter whether candidates are Democrats, Republicans or represent some other political party. They all appear to speak in generalities. They bring up the issues that should be brought up, no doubt about that. Iraq. Terror. Abortion.
Immigration. You name it.

THAT’S NOTHING NEW TO most voters, though. They already know what the issues are. In fact, they are issues mostly because voters make them issues.
All candidates list the issues one by one. That’s it. One will say, for example, “I’ll get us out of Iraq.” Another will say “we have to stay until the job is completed.” Seldom, if ever, though, does any candidate offer any kind of explanation about how he or she would address one of the issues, let alone all of them. They seldom, if ever, lay out for the voters just how they would go about solving the problems that each issue embodies.
None says how he or she would get us out of Iraq and none says how he or she would complete the job ..... just that it’s an issue.

HAVE VOTERS BECOME sophisticated enough to take it all for what it is: political rhetoric and nothing more ..... something designed to attract voters? Or, are they looking for a candidate who offers more than rhetoric?
It ought to take more than a candidate saying he or she is against or for the war or whatever. Or is the next president to be chosen on whether he or she is for or against the war - the same for other issues - or whether he or she has a real plan.
Generalities? Specifics? Voters don’t really have to be all that sophisticated to read between those lines.