Artwork for a community

Artist Jeffery Callaham creates calendar sponsored by bank

March 14, 2007

By CAROLINE KLAPPER
Index-Journal staff writer

Owning a piece of original artwork from McCormick artist Jeffery Callaham might be beyond the reach of many, but now thanks to a project sponsored by First Citizens Bank in Greenwood, anyone can take home a little bit of his work.
Callaham, local author Juanita Pittman-Brown and First Citizens have teamed up to put together a calendar featuring Callaham’s colorful artwork and evocative captions by Pittman-Brown to go with the images.
The bank usually highlights a business of the month to promote the local community, First Citizens senior vice president marketing executive Lisa Sanders. Since Callaham and his mother are good customers of the bank, and Sanders is a fan of his work, it seemed natural that the bank would feature Callaham in some way.
“I personally just love Jeffery’s work: the colors, the history and the heritage,” Sanders said.
A calendar was decided on as the perfect way to present the artwork, and the bank ended up with small desktop calendars.
“We wanted one that was convenient for people to have, but we wanted to have it large enough so you could see the detail,” Sanders said.
But as the project was developing, something was missing. That’s when Callaham decided to call in Pittman-Brown to help.
Pittman-Brown is the author of “Words in Bloom,” and she knew Callaham first by his work, although she didn’t actually meet the artist until much later.
“It caught my heart,” Pittman-Brown said of her feelings upon seeing Callaham’s work.
When she was a guest on a radio show about following passions in life and the host asked her if she knew anyone else who would fit that topic, she immediately thought of Callaham. She called him several times to ask him to do the interview, and he finally agreed.
“I’d never met him at that point,” she said with a laugh.
“That’s what’s so funny,” Callaham added.
When the subject of writing captions for the calendar came up, Callaham got in touch with Pittman-Brown, and asked her if she could have some words ready by the next evening.
“We originally talked about doing the stories (behind the paintings) with them, but there’s not enough room,” Callaham said. “I called (Pittman-Brown), and she said, ‘Well, um, I’ll make it happen.’”
Although she didn’t know the paintings’ stories, she was able to write two captions for each piece that really fit well, Callaham said. “I think she spiritually connected with the images.”
The bank then chose which caption to use, and the calendar was completed with the help of American Speedy Printing.
“For the first time it was nice to plug in to an existing organization and be able to promote your work that way,” Callaham said. “This way more people will have a Jeffery Callaham than just the executive suite. I think that as the months go along it’s not just a calendar, it’s a piece of you.”
Sanders said it’s been hard to keep a supply because the calendars have been so popular. She said since the artwork is so representative of South Carolina, they would like to go statewide with the calendars and possibly have shows including some of Callaham’s original work at other First Citizens locations.
“The calendars will be available on a limited basis through upcoming events sponsored by First Citizens Bank and the artists,” Sanders said.
“This little calendar is a symbol of pride for us all and what we do,” Callaham said.
But that hasn’t stopped them from having a favorite image from a particular month.
For Sanders, June is her favorite.
“It’s the detail,” she said, describing the painting that depicts three boys playing baseball.
Pittman-Brown said December is her personal favorite “because of the values I see in there.”
And for Callaham, the November painting depicting a boy with an older woman collecting eggs and turning it into a counting game is the one that stands out the most. In addition to being his birth month, November’s painting reminds him of being afraid to collect eggs as a young boy after being attacked by a chicken but then being guided by his grandmother toward conquering that fear.
“You can’t forget being afraid, but then someone (comes along) who can get you to face your fears,” he said.
After the calendar’s success, Callaham and Pittman-Brown are talking about doing more projects together, although nothing has been finalized.
Callaham will have a calendar signing 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at First Citizens Bank on Main Street. There will be original art on display during the signing. For information, call First Citizens at 388-9924.

Obituaries

Markwood A. Kistler

McCORMICK — Mr. Markwood A. Kistler, 58, of Holly Lane, Savannah Lakes Village, entered into rest on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at Heartland Hospice in Augusta, GA.
Mr. Kistler was a veteran of the United States Navy and served his country honorably in Vietnam. He was a member of McCormick United Methodist Church and an avid golfer and fisherman.
The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, March 15, 2007, at McCormick United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jerry James and Rev. Bobbi Taylor officiating.
Pallbearers will be Matt Kistler, Richard Kistler, Bruce McLean, Steve Shaw, Jim Brissey, Cliff Ruble, Bob Beane and John Hornsby.
Survivors include his wife, Sherry Kistler; son, Matt Allen Kistler of Jacksonville, FL; mother, Ruth Leopard of Dayton, Ohio; brother, Richard Kistler of McCormick; three sisters, Carolyn Noland, Marilyn Bowles and Sharon Kistler, all of Dayton, Ohio; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to McCormick United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 267, McCormick, S.C. 29835.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service on Thursday, March 15,2007 at McCormick United Methodist Church fellowship hall.
Rees Funeral Home, 195 Peachtree Street, Lincolnton, GA, (706) 359-3222, is in charge of arrangements.

Geraldine Holloway ‘Pig’ McDuffie

Geraldine Holloway “Pig” McDuffie, 59, of 909 Taggart Avenue, wife of Benjamin McDuffie, died on March 10, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Edgefield, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Eula Mae Holloway Steward. She was a member of Springfield Baptist Church, where she was on the Gospel Chorus and was a member of the Missionary Society.
Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Schanen McDuffie of Greenwood; one daughter, Annissa (Darryl) Robinson of Ninety Six; one stepson, Rossi Martin of Columbia, SC; five brothers, Calvin (Catherine) Lanier and Willie Lanier, both of Troy, Jeffery Lanier and Dennis Lanier, both of Lithonia, Georgia, and Eric (Lynn) Lanier of Stone Mountain, Georgia; five sisters, Sylvia (Robert) Bell of McCormick, Dr. Diana (Anthony) Smith of Parrish, Florida, Jackie Murcier (Carnell) Syrkett of Greenwood, Valerie (Anthony) Armstrong of Stockbridge, Georgia, and Cassandra (Wallace) Whitfield of South Field, Michigan; and 13 grandchildren, three of whom were reared in the home, Andre Holloway, Naporshia McDuffie and Stephon Rouse.
Services are 1 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2007 at Springfield Baptist Church in Edgefield County, conducted by Bishop Emanuel Spearman. Presiding will be Pastor Lonnie Jones, and assisting will be Apostle Jessie Simmons and Pastor Kevin Simmons. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Burial will be in the Evening Star Cemetery. The family will receive friends on this evening from 7-8 at Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com.

Frances McGaha

DONALDS — Frances Jane Seawright McGaha, 73, resident of 324 Church St., Donalds, SC, wife of Homer McGaha, died Monday, March 12, 2007, at AnMed Medical Center in Anderson, SC.
Born in Abbeville, SC, she was a daughter of the late George G. and Bessie Ferguson Seawright, Sr.
She was a retired seamstress with the Abbeville Shirt Plant and was a member of Little Mountain Presbyterian Church.
Survivors are husband, Homer McGaha of the home; 3 sons, Daniel McGaha of Honea Path, SC, Johnny McGaha of Belton, SC, and Shaun McGaha of the home; 4 daughters, Jane McGaha of Honea Path, SC, Patti McGaha of the home, Tammy Willis of Greenwood, SC, and Michelle Thomas of Williamston, SC; 1 sister, Juanita Clamp of Donalds, SC; 1 brother, George Seawright, Jr. of Antreville, SC; 12 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother Milton Seawright.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, March 15, 2007, at 11 a.m. from Little Mountain Presbyterian Church, with the Revs. John Parks and Sandy Scott officiating. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family is at the home, 324 Church St., Donalds, SC.
The body is at the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday evening.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 566, Due West, SC 29639, c/o Mrs. Conway Shirley.
Online condolences may be sent to the McGaha family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

Mildred McNeill

ABBEVILLE — Mildred Ann Stone McNeill, 70, of 303 Miller St., wife of Mayor Harold E. McNeill, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at Emory-Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, GA.
Services will be announced by the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.

Jamaar Mims

McCORMICK — Funeral services for Mr. Jamaar Mims will be Thursday at Walker Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m., with Rev. Peggy Zellars officiating. Interment is at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. Walker Funeral Home, directors.

Katie Morgan Settles

Katie Morgan Settles, formerly of Liberty Hill Road, Plum Branch, widow of Jessie H. Settles, died Monday, March 12, 2007, at National Health Care.
The family is at the home of a daughter Mrs. William (Emma) Gilchrist, 2808 Liberty Hill Road, Plum Branch.
Services will be announced by Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda.

William L. Smith

WARE SHOALS — William L. Smith, 82, widower of Annie Elizabeth Bowie Smith, died Monday, March 12, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center. He was born in Abbeville County, a son of the late John Frank and Kate O’Dell Smith.
Surviving are: one son, Jimmy Smith, Hodges, one brother, O’Dell Smith, Charlotte, N.C., three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted Thursday at 1 p.m. at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, with Rev. Leon Jones officiating.
The family is at 20 Sparks Ave. and will receive friends after the service. Parker-White Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Doris Watts in Tuesday’s paper, there were errors in the information given to The Index-Journal. Survivors include her father, Pierce Simpkins of Greenwood and a son, Kendall Watts of Atlanta, GA.

Opinion

Praiseworthy ideas give public education a boost

March 14, 2007

If more of us did what the Abbeville teacher of the year did at Calhoun Falls Middle School we would, no doubt, be important factors in helping more youngsters in more ways than one.
What Deirdre McCullough did, if anyone missed it, was to create her own “Renaissance” program to guide and nurture her students through an incentive plan and to recognize them for their academic achievements.
Many students, to be sure, excel on the athletic fields of competition. Their incentive often is immediate recognition for their efforts, not to mention the trophies and awards. A few are able to parlay their athletic skills into college and/or professional futures.

SOME ATHLETES ARE RECOGNIZED for their academic work, of course. Overall, though, there could be a lot more emphasis put on the education process to encourage students to reach learning goals.
Recognizing those who meet those classroom goals is not only a positive reassurance for those achieving students, but it addresses, without having to make a big deal of it, that “self esteem” factor that so many have talked about in recent years.
In short, it helps build pride in youngsters, and nothing’s wrong with that where education is concerned. Some students are proud to be athletes. Why can’t all of them be proud of their school-day academic achievements? That’s something valuable for all, including athletes?

PUBLIC EDUCATION IN SOUTH Carolina is blessed with a lot of people who never tire of seeking new and better ways to give our children a boost into better futures. We have so many teachers and administrators who go the extra mile to give their students a chance to succeed. After all, nothing succeeds like a good education. It is, in fact, the greatest equalizer we have readily available for every child. We could, naturally, do more, perhaps, to encourage more youngsters to take advantage of the education opportunities available to them.
When we see innovative ideas like Deirdre McCullough’s come to fruition, it’s working proof one more time that humans are bound only by their imaginations. There are, fortunately, many others in South Carolina education that are like McCullough. Unfortunately, though, the public doesn’t always get to see or hear about the positive things going on in the classroom. It always hears about the negative things, it seems. We need - we must - do more to rectify that shortcoming.