Green thumbs’ paradise

Park Seed Co. hosts huge crowd on Flower Day

June 24, 2007

By LARRY SINGER
Index-Journal staff writer

Although Flower Day at Park Seed Co. officially opened at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, by 8:15 hundreds of people looking for bargain plants were already crowding the bloom-packed, nine-acre facility.
“This is our biggest event of the year,” said Tiffaney Murphy, public relations director of Park Seed Co. “In addition to what we have for sale, this is the only day out of the year that we give guided tours through our trial gardens. We have 2,000 varieties of plants and flowers.”
Although guests were invited to tour the trial gardens, many of the plants in the gardens would not be leaving with customers.
“We trial a product before we sell it to see how it grows,” Murphy said. “If it proves to be a quality plant, then we’ll sell it in our catalog.”
As Murphy looked at the crowd of plant-lovers swarming throughout Park Seed, she estimated the number of people attending Saturday’s event would exceed the number who showed up a day earlier.
“We had a really big turnout yesterday,” Murphy said, “Hopefully we’ll have over 5,000 today.” Because Park Seed reduced its prices for the event, Murphy said there was a plant available for every budget.
“I know that it was 50 percent off all potted plants yesterday,” Murphy said. “Today, we have dollar bulbs, $10 bare-root trees and $3 bare-root shrubs. If anyone buys 10 or more roses, they’re $2 apiece.”
Being in a wheelchair didn’t hamper Eileen Laucette, who came from Augusta, Ga., to spend the day at Park Seed Co.
“I’ve wanted to come up here for Festival of Flowers for a long time, but this is the first time I was able to make it,” Laucette said. “We heard a lot about the 40th anniversary and thought now is the time to make it happen.”
Carolyn Kelly, of Honea Path, ignored the crowd surging around her as she filled her basket with daisies.
“I really love shopping here today,” Kelly said. “The prices are wonderful. I’m a gardener and I come up here every year.”
Kelly said she is an equal-opportunity bargain hunter.
“I’m also going to buy lilies, trees and just about anything I think is pretty,” Kelly said.
Sliding through the mob of flower-lovers, Phyllis Dunn, of Anderson, was hauling a cart filled with Alberta spruce and day lilies.
“I love it out here,” Dunn said. “I really love it. The weather is wonderful and I always try and make it down here for the Festival of Flowers because Greenwood is in the general vicinity of my home. I love the plants, the hospitality is wonderful, and the employees here are always nice.”
June Hawkins, of Leicester, N.C., had a wide selection of plants and bulbs in her basket.
“I’m very pleased,” Hawkins said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been here, but it’s great. I love flowers, I love to garden and I’m looking for everything.”
Jean Perez had to travel 270 miles from Jacksonville, Ala., to get to the flowering festivities.
“My husband, Al, loves plants,” Perez said. “He was born in the city, raised in the city, and now he likes plants.”
Deborah Kay, of Townville, was specifically and happily looking for lots of flowers.
“I’ve bought peonies and day lilies,” Kay said. “Those are my favorites. When I shop here, it’s like giving a drunk a key to the liquor cabinet.”

Loving the ride

Bike tour attracts 150 riders from across the Carolinas

June 24, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

As soon as Lance Armstrong captured his first Tour de France victory in 1998, David Graham was hopelessly hooked on the sport of cycling.
Saturday morning the Greenwood resident suited up along with his wife, Ruthie, for the 62.5-mile Greenwood County Bee Buzzin’ Bicycle Tour associated with the weekend’s Festival of Flowers activities.
Sitting comfortably astride his maroon Cannondale bike before the ride, and with his wife riding a snazzy pink speeder, Graham recalled his first “real” ride — a grueling 106-mile affair that tested his stamina and resolve.
“That was my first real ride,” Graham said. “It was tough one.”
The Grahams weren’t looking for anything nearly that trying Saturday, the two of them having turned out for a nice, quiet road trip through portions of Greenwood.
Ruthie said she is just getting started in the sport.
“I’ve been riding for about three months now,” she said. “Now I’m hooked.”
Saturday’s ride got started at Greenwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
Meanwhile, the men of Team Colavita — a competitive cycling team of 18 members — traveled to the Emerald City from Spartanburg to participate.
The team is sponsored by Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which supplies the team with its own red-and-green-branded sports equipment. Before the ride, they sat at the front of nearly 150 riders making small talk and anticipating the start.
Team member Richard Ridlehuber, a Greenwood native, said he and a three-man contingent of the regular team — which included Dennis Johnson, Rick Casteneda and Greg Kyzer on Saturday — make the ride through Greenwood an annual event.
“We come down and ride every year,” he said. “It’s a fast ride and just a great event. It’s very well organized. I get to come back home and have some fun. We just try to have a good time and stay as safe as possible so that we can come back next year.”
The heat is a bit of a concern, which makes the riders thrilled with the 8 a.m. start time.
“It’s going to be hot,” Ridlehuber said. “We’ll have to stay as cool as possible.”
Overhearing the topic of conversation, team member Dennis Johnson says they’ll likely be trailing something closely resembling their sponsor’s product along the way.
“There will be a trail of olive oil (sweat) out there for sure,” he said jokingly.
The event was sponsored locally by Performance Cycle and Technico Inc., and supported with rest stops by Greenwood Motorcycle Club.

Plans for Grace Street park still in negotiations

June 24, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

For a number of years, there has been deliberation and discussion regarding the construction of a public park at the corner of Grace Street and Bypass 72 in Greenwood.
The 44-acres plot, commonly known as the Old Water Plant, is owned by CPW. There are deliberations going on between CPW, the City of Greenwood and Greenwood County that would call for CPW to deed the land to the city, which would then deed it over to the county.
In April, county council issued a resolution that included several terms and conditions upon which it would accept the deed.
One condition is that the deed must convey the property to be used for the construction of a public park.
Another requires that the deed provide Greenwood County the option of conveying the property to CPW at any time, without restriction or limitation.
The resolution also calls for the county to release the city from any liability the city might incur in its interim ownership of the property. The resolution also offered that the property will revert to the city, or alternatively CPW, if the parks commission does not construct a park on the land within five years of conveyance of the deed or if the property ceases to be used as a public park.
The county also proposes to provide liability insurance covering the property. The insurance is said to be consistent with the liability coverage the county provides for other properties it owns.
City Manager Steven Brown discussed Friday where everything stood with the resolution.
“The last action I am aware of is the resolution made by the county,” Brown said. “There was some language in that resolution that was not acceptable to the city or to CPW. Some language was substituted that revised that resolution that addressed the concerns of the city and CPW. It has been presented to the county.”
Brown said the city would serve only as a “conduit” between the county and CPW. He said, should an acceptable deal be reached, he envisions all three parties sitting at the same table and signing all the necessary paperwork, which would give the city possession of the park only for the brief amount of time it would take to sign the deed over to the county.
The county parks commission has worked diligently in trying to get the project off the ground. On Friday, parks commission member Josh Fennell strolled about the grounds of the proposed park, discussing the features he expects to be prominent at the location.
“There are talks about converting the area near the old artesian well into an amphitheater of some sort,” Fennell said. “Along with that, the building just behind it could be converted into a banquet hall or museum of some sort.”
Fennell said there will be more than two miles of trails for walking and running, two separate playgrounds and two ponds, though one pond might be filled in so that an open meadow could be used for multiple purposes.
Fennell said the walking/running trails will cut through scenic, forested hillsides at some points. He said the park would spread from just off the 72 Bypass up to Laurel Avenue and will be bordered to the west by Merrywood Drive.
As Fennell observed one of the two ponds on the property, he discussed why he and the parks commission have been so keen on getting a deal done for a new park.
“Look at this nice greenspace,” Fennell said. “I think this location would give access to so many people. It trends a little more toward the north side of town. But it’s just a good general access for people to get to it.
“Greenwood is a big enough town to support a bigger park. At West Cambridge Park, it gets so busy on the weekends that sometimes you have to wait for a swing or a slide. I think a park (at Grace Street) would be an unbelievable asset for Greenwood in attracting new residents, young couples with kids and even new businesses.”
Fennell said the parks commission will meet Monday, when there will likely be discussion on where everything stands with the negotiations.

Liebler owns 2-shot lead

June 24, 2007

By SCOTT J. BRYAN
Index-Journal sports editor

Steven Liebler shot an impressive 7-under-par 65 on Saturday in the Festival of Flowers Invitational Golf Classic, but there are plenty of low scorers trailing him.
Baxter Culler fired a 5-under 67 and trails by two shots, and five players trail by three shots and another five by only four heading into today’s final round at Greenwood Country Club.
Firing 68s in the first round were Baker Elmore, Luke Hopkins, Crawford Reeves, Jeremy Revis and Blaine Rogers. Patrick Cunning, Ben Martin, Jeff McCutcheon, Wesley Bryan and Michael Sims all fired 69. Martin is the defending champion in the tournament.
All total, 33 of the 86 golfers shot par or better.
Liebler, an Irmo native and 2002 champion in the tournament, had a fine front nine to set the tone for his round. Liebler birdied the first two holes, plus Nos. 5, 7 and 8 to hit the turn at 5 under.
“The golf course was set up so you could shoot a good score,” Liebler said. “I hit the ball well and I hit some putts when I really needed to make them.
“I played the par-5s well. I had one hiccup on No. 11 where I missed a short putt. Other than that, I hit the ball well and had a few opportunities.”
Liebler bogeyed No. 11 when he missed that short putt, but finished the final seven holes at 3 under with birdies at Nos. 12, 14 and 18.
Liebler’s strong start Saturday is what he hopes to duplicate today in the final round.
“The key to this golf course is getting off to a good start,” he said. “I’ve got to play one shot at a time and play my game. Hopefully, I’ll get to the backside with a lead and play a little match play from there.”
Liebler said he thinks previous experience as a winner in this tournament has its advantages. Seven former winners are participating this year, but only three are really in contention — Liebler, Martin and Ron Schroder, the 1987 winner who shot a 1-under 71. Other defending champions are Chip Whitt (72), Mike Gravley (74), Darran Womack (76) and Jim Hamilton Jr. (77) “I think it’s a definite advantage,” Liebler said. “The experience I’ve had over the years playing and having won some tournaments, I have an understanding of how to win. Hopefully, the last five or six holes I can prove that.”
Another big factor Liebler said is working in his favor is his improved fitness. His family has a weight-loss contest going, and he’s dropped 12 pounds in the last eight months.
“I feel like my game is coming around, and I’ve lost a little weight to get back into better shape,” Liebler said. “I’m able to do some things I haven’t been able to do in the last few years. I’m starting to feel good.
“I feel lighter on my feet.”

Only leader in red at senior tourney

June 24, 2007

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

NINETY SIX — Friday’s practice round was the first time Tommy Lever had seen the Golf Club at Star Fort course since the mid 1980s, but it didn’t matter. The 90-plus degrees temperature didn’t bother him either.
All he did was shoot a 2-under-par 70 and was the only player in the field to put a sub-par round on the scoreboard Saturday after the first round of the Festival of Flowers Senior Golf Classic.
“I got a little tip on putting on Bermuda grass, because we play a lot on bent grass,” said Lever, of Greer.
“It was useful, so I used it yesterday afternoon (Friday’s practice) and again today.”
Lever kept the ball in play on every hole except No. 1 where, he said, “I drove the ball way right at No. 1, where I had to chip up. I made bogey.”
From that point, he had six birdies and three more bogeys to take a three-shot lead into today’s final round.
Lever said his play on the greens was his strong point.
“I didn’t three-putt any greens,” Lever said.
“The greens are good. They will be a lot better later in the year, but right now, you need to hit the ball within 15 feet of the hole so you can make a good stroke with it.”
His string included four birdies on the back side and three in a row at Nos. 13, 14 and 15, where he barely missed an eagle putt.
Ronnie Branyon, of Honea Path, trails Lever by three shots and is the only player at 73, followed by three at 74, three at 75 and four at 76.
Among those with 75 is Joe Ponder, of Greenwood, who has won championships at the Ninety Six course in past years.
“I started bad and was 3 over after three holes,” Ponder said. “I got it back to 1 over and lost it on (Nos.) 16 and 17, but I’m still in the running. Everybody can play, and if I shoot under par Sunday I’ll be all right.
“With the construction going on, the greens are a little bumpy, but everybody had to play them. I made some and I missed some. It wasn’t too bad, but I just gave out.”
For the final round, Ponder said, “I’ll just have to be prepared.”
The field was divided into Championship A, B and C flights, according to first-round scores.
“It wasn’t what we wanted, but it was a good start,” Fort pro Tommy Pendley said of the number of players in the first seniors tournament played in conjunction with the annual Festival of Flowers.
“You always want more, but I was pleased with the players we had. We had some who have played all over the state and can still play the game, even though they are little older now.”
The final round starts at 8:30 a.m. today.

Obituaries

Ethel Dobbins Fagan

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Ethel Dobbins Fagan, age 100, widow of Joseph Clifford Fagan, passed away Friday, June 22, 2007, at Western N.C. Baptist Home in Asheville.
Mrs. Fagan was born in Rutherfordton County on December 25, 1906 to the late John and Hattie Cathey Dobbins. She lived most of her life in the vicinity of Spartanburg, S.C., having resided a few years in Union, S.C., Greenwood, S.C. and Asheville, N.C. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Greenwood. Her granddaughter, Janet Jones preceded her in death.
Surviving are her sons, Joseph C. Fagan, Jr. and his wife, Rose of Greenwood, S.C. and Hulon Fagan and his wife, Jane of Asheville; six grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 25, in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Spartanburg, S.C. with the Rev. Edgar Ferrell officiating. The family will greet friends following the graveside.
In lieu of flowers, if you desire, please make memorial contributions to First Baptist Church, 772 Grace St., Greenwood, S.C. 29649.
West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Avenue, Weaverville is in charge of arrangements.

Wilma McCracken Moore

COLUMBIA — Wilma McCracken Moore, 95, widow of Perry Martin Moore, passed away June 21, 2007, at Lowman Home in White Rock/Columbia. The daughter of Waldo F. McCracken and Jessie Massie McCracken, she was born July 4, 1912 in the Crabtree Community of Waynesville, NC. Mrs. Moore attended Brevard College. After their marriage, the Moores lived in Rock Hill before moving to Clinton, SC in 1938, where she was the owner of Moore’s Dress Shoppe and co-owner of Citizens Finance Company. They were members of First Presbyterian Church in Clinton over 50 years before transferring their membership to Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia. While in Clinton, she was a successful businesswoman, was active in civic events, the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, the Clinton Merchants Association and was founding member of the Business and Professional Women’s Organization. She served as an Officer in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Steven D. Lee Chapter. Mrs. Moore was known for her quick wit, indomitable spirit and her absolute determination. She enjoyed competitive bridge, her summer home on Lake Greenwood and “cane pole fishing”. In the 1991 book “McCracken, A Family History” (Scot Irish history in America), a dedication was made to Wilma McCracken Moore and Jessie Massie McCracken for their “tenacity and firm determination to conquer, or at least not to submit to, the vicissitudes and travails of life”......and those characteristics served her well and helped to instill determination, with some stubbornness, into her descendants.
Surviving are her two sons, Milton Perry Moore (Jean Arnold) of Columbia and Ronald Martin Moore of Greenwood; three grandchildren, Martin Arnold Moore (Lauri Walsh), Meredith Moore Housman (Gary) of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Matthew McCracken Moore (Ryan Holler) of Mt. Pleasant; four great-grandchildren, Ross Martin Moore, John Bailey Moore, Lyndsay Meredith Moore, of Colombia, and Adlai Vassy Moore of Mt. Pleasant. As the last surviving member of her family, she was predeceased by brothers Paul Revere McCracken, York, and twin brother William David McCracken, Sumter.
Interment will be in the Moore Family section of Bethesda Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Monday June 25, 2007, at 5 p.m. A memorial service will be Tuesday, June 26 at 11 a.m. at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Rd., Columbia, SC 29204, Lake Murray Presbyterian Church, 2721 Dutch Fork Rd, Chapin, SC 29036, or The Lowman Home, 2101 Dutch Fork Rd, White Rock, SC 29177.
Bratton Funeral Home, York, is providing the services.

Mary Helen Dunlap Norman

Mary Helen Dunlap Norman, 79, wife of the Rev. Moses B. Norman, of 102 Biscayne Drive, died Saturday, June 23, 2007, at Magnolia Manor. The Family is at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary is assisting the Norman Family.

Martin Sammons

Services for Martin H. Sammons, Jr. will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2007, at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Frank Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Sal Cervone, William L. Wyatt, Thomas Wyatt, Bobby Henderson and Bob Lowry.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 10 to 11 a.m.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greenwood Chapter, PO Box 658, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Mr. Sammons, 83, widower of Constance Sammons, died Thursday, June 21, 2007 at NHC of Laurens.
Born in Greenville County, he was a son of the late Martin H. Sammons, Sr. and Ada Mae Bagwell Sammons. He was retired from the Greenwood Mills Compound and was a US Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was of the Catholic faith.
Surviving are two daughters, Kathleen Schmidt of Greenwood and Donna Cervone of Manorville, NY; a sister, Leona Mouzon of Columbia; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Brunette Wyatt.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Christopher Steven Wethington

MULLINS — Christopher Steven Wethington, 19, died Friday, June 22, 2007.
Services will be announced by Meares Funeral Home.

Opinion

Fire tragedy reminds us of the many we overlook

June 24, 2007

Nine Charleston firefighters died last week while doing their jobs. They were battling a fire that destroyed a furniture store and warehouse. Witnesses say the roof caved in and debris fell on about two dozen rescue workers.
While it is a tragedy for the families and friends of those who perished, it is a stark reminder for the rest of us that sometimes we take too many things for granted.
It should remind all of us that firefighters, police officers and others too often are overlooked on a day-to-day basis.
We should never forget, though, that these dedicated men and women put their lives on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe and secure.

NO DOUBT THE VERY REASON we take them for granted is the fact that they do their jobs so well they are often “out of sight, out of mind.”
The only time we notice firefighters in Greenwood, perhaps, is when there is a fire. Fire Department members and volunteers know that when they respond to a call it could end in tragic circumstances. Nevertheless, they do it, and do it well, knowing that disaster could strike at any given moment.
The same goes for police officers, whether municipal, county, or state. When they answer a distress signal, whether for domestic abuse or to make an arrest, or to give a ticket for speeding, they never know what they will encounter or how it will end. In the violent culture we often live in these days, that means police officers know that every day presents another challenge and it could always be fatal.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, as noted with firefighters, do such a good job fighting crime that it’s typical to take their presence and the protection they provide for granted.
The least we can do is to thank them and recognize the importance of the peace of mind they bring us. Some might say it’s their job - what they are paid to do - and that no special acknowledgment is necessary. After all, most people do their jobs every day and don’t expect anything for doing those jobs. Most jobs, however, don’t have the built-in dangers that confront firefighters and police officers every time they answer a call.
Nine deaths in Charleston make that abundantly clear.