Freshly squeezed generosity

The lemonade was sweet — but their purpose was sweeter

March 31, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Three-year-old Sarah Darrah and 21-month-old Robert Woodard make for one pretty effective business partnership.
She provides the charm and he brings his limitless energy to the project.
Together, they sell lots and lots of lemonade — and for a good cause, too.
OK, so the initial idea for the lemonade stand began with Robert’s mom, Doris Woodard. But don’t most good ideas always start with Mom?
And while it’s wholly possible that young Sarah and Robert — who are next-door neighbors and god-siblings — might consume nearly as much product as the customers, if you focused on that you’d be missing the point.
The point is this: Giving (to church or charity) is not merely constituted by dropping money in a passing plate or sending in a check.
It’s the personal experience that counts most.
“I’m a missions person,” Doris Woodard said. “We wanted to give to missions, and I thought, ‘What better way for them to give than for them to have the experience and see there are more ways to give to missions rather than just writing out a check?’ They can earn it and do little simple things.”
Both children come from Connie Maxwell families.
Henry Woodard works on the grounds crew that keeps the grounds at the Connie Maxwell Children’s Home beautiful, and Brian Darrah (with wife Elizabeth) is a team leader. The lessons taught in their homes will prove valuable learning tools as the youngsters travel life’s road.
“Obviously, they had some help with the lemonade stand, but it was a wonderful learning experience for them later on when their moms tell them they were out selling lemonade for missions,” Connie Maxwell Baptist Church Pastor Doug Kauffmann said. “So many times when you talk to children, the things they treasure are small events, and from small events come great lessons and encouragement.”
The local Chick-fil-A restaurant donated cups, lids and straws to the youngsters, who made their own brand of fresh-squeezed lemonade for the event.
And boy, was it an experience.
First, the weather chose not to cooperate, providing clouds, wind and cold rather than clear skies, sunshine and higher temperatures.
“It was more like weather for selling hot chocolate,” Doris added.
And Robert had it placed into the business contract that he was precluded from having to actually stand behind the lemonade stand for any length of time longer than, say, oh, about three seconds or so.
“Robert was all over the place,” Doris said. “It was interesting.”
Which often left responsible young Sarah to stand the post.
After several attempts at a group photo Friday (Robert has other ideas), the tiny entrepreneur throws her hands up in mock frustration at her god-brother’s restlessness.
However, she’s not mad.
She knows it’s just the little guy’s curiosity getting the better of him.
When Sarah is asked what she liked most about selling the lemonade, she replies with a predictable answer — “the lemonade.”
But there were other high points to the experience.
Sarah was glad her daddy stopped by, along with the pastor and other important figures in her small world.
And it was good lemonade, no doubt — not too sweet and not too tart.
Maybe that’s why this dynamic sales duo was able to accumulate a $55 profit (at 25 cent per cup) in just two hours. Or maybe some of the grown folks paid a little more per cup than that, dropping in a larger bill here and there before walking away.
Then again, the lemonade was pretty good.
But when one thinks about it, the lemonade is more like the state of the two little hearts that braved the cold for two hours — just right.
“It’s not about the amount,” Doris said as Robert finds something new to chase. “It’s the experience.”

Former GHS standout honored
for performance with Furman team

March 31, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

GREENVILLE — Former Greenwood High School standout and Hodges resident Jeremy Blocker capped off his college football career at Furman University by taking home quite a few trophies at the Paladins’ annual football awards banquet, including one of the top honors.
The 6-0 free safety was presented the 2006 Vince Perone (MVP) Award, which is voted on by teammates, after finishing the season with 66 tackles and a team-high four interceptions to go along with seven pass deflections. “I really wasn’t expecting it (MVP),” Blocker said. “I finally got a chance to start this season, which was a blessing. I just went out and competed every game.”
The son of Janet and John H. Blocker Jr. said that one of the things that made him happy about the MVP award was the fact that it’s voted on by teammates.
“It just shows the respect that your teammates have for you, and that means a lot,” Blocker said.
Blocker’s road to success wasn’t as easy as he expected it would be when he first joined the Paladins.
With limited playing time over the course of his first two years on the team, Blocker finally earned a starting spot during spring practice heading into the 2005 season.
A torn pectoral muscle forced Blocker to miss the first two games that season. When he returned, his starting position had vanished and he was forced to play a reserve role.
His numbers hardly reflected that, though, as he finished his junior season with 56 tackles and two interceptions.
His perseverance paid off as he moved back into the Paladins’ starting lineup for his senior year.
“It’s been a tough road,” Blocker said. “The entire college experience made me stronger, though, and a much better person, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Never giving up was something that my parents instilled in me, and it paid off.”
In addition to the MVP trophy, Blocker received the Captain’s Award and Best Defensive Back Award.
Blocker’s defensive efforts helped the Paladins finish the season with an 8-4 record and a No. 12 ranking in the Sports Network NCAA I-AA poll.
“Honestly, it was a blessing just to get to Furman,” Blocker said. “When I came I didn’t want to be a star. I just wanted to help the team. I overcame a lot and I was able to do that.”

Obituaries

Franklin Jerome Dunlap

DUMFRIES, Va. — Franklin Jerome Dunlap, 50, formerly of Greenwood, SC, died Friday, March 30, 2007, in Virginia.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood.

Coream W. Hart Ladson

COLUMBIA — Mrs. Coream W. Hart Ladson, wife of Rev. James Ladson, died March 27, 2007 at Providence Hospital. She was born in Parksville, SC, April 9, 1922, a daughter of the late Josh and Mollie O. Bryant Wiggleton. Survivors are her husband of the home; a daughter, Ms. Krystal Martin and son, Gilbert Hart of Columbia; a goddaughter, Betty White of Charlotte, NC; two sisters, Mollie (Foster) Rogers of Plum Branch, Frances (James) Talbert of McCormick; two brothers, Josh (Georgette) Wiggleton, McCormick and Wyatt (Annie) Wiggleton of Parksville; a niece, Dorothy Hart. Services are Saturday at 1 p.m. at Refuge Temple Church. Interment is in Columbia. Bostick & Tompkins Funeral Home. Announcement courtesy of Walker Funeral Home.

Julian Sanders

Julian “Red” Sanders, 81, of 230 Cambridge Ave., widower of Georgia Lee Sanders, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2007, at HospiceCare of the Piedmont.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Emanuel Sanders and Ida Scurry Sanders. He was a member of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and member of the senior choir. He retired from Snead Builders Supply as a truck driver, and he was employed with Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
He is survived by four daughters, Linda L. Sanders and Alice M. (James) Jones of Greenwood, Shirley (Ellis) Jordan of Hampton, GA, and Jacquelyn (Nathaniel) Stewart of Columbia, SC; a son, Paul (Henrietta) Gary of Greenwood; a brother, Booker T. Sanders of Greenwood; three sisters, Lottie Harrison and Betty Wideman, both of Greenwood and Mattie Lukie of Newberry; 14 grandchildren, one reared in the home, Tyler D. Phillips; and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, with Rev. Ulysses Parks officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Flower bearers will be the Ushers and Missionaries. Pallbearers will be the Deacons and Trustees. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Alice Jones, 312 Davis Ave.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice House.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Sanders family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Albert Smith Sr.

Albert Deason Smith, Sr., 65, resident of 110 Creekside Court, husband of Rebecca “Becky” M. Smith, died March 29, 2007 at his home.
Born in Woodruff, Sept. 8, 1941, he was a son of the late Albert Clifton and Lucille Elrod Smith. He was a graduate of Mississippi College and the University of South Carolina, having earned his Master’s degree in Music Education. He retired from the Newberry County School District, serving as the Music Director and as Assistant Principal of Newberry Middle School. He was formerly the Minister of Music at Lucas Avenue Baptist Church in Laurens for 16 years. Mr. Smith was an avid researcher of family genealogy for the last 10 years.
A member of First Baptist Church in Greenwood, he was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Phi Mu Alpha Sinphonia Fraternity and was the Honor Roll South Carolina Teacher of the Year.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are two sons, Jonathan David Smith of the home and Albert Deason, Jr. and wife, Amanda of Piedmont; two daughters, Katherine Elizabeth Smith of the home and Dee Anne Smith Bishop and husband, Dustin of Surfside Beach; a sister, Nancy Brunner of Ocala, Fla.; five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church, with Dr. Tony Hopkins, Rev. Kenneth Standley and Rev. John Hipp officiating.
Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Curtis Lyons, Richard Fuller, Dale Satterfield, Jimmy Bagwell, Michael Coates and Johnny Workman.
Honorary escort will be members of the Chancel Choir of Chapin United Methodist Church and the Chapel Choir of Lucas Avenue Baptist Church, along with Mike and Peggy Marchant, Babette Alderman, Beulah Pope and Ben and Barbara Taylor.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home.
The family is at the home in Creekside and will receive friends in the First Baptist Church Parlor from 1:30 to 3:30 Sunday afternoon.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Smith family.

CORRECTION

For the obituary of “Buddy” Sartain in Friday’s paper, there were omissions in the information given to The Index-Journal. Survivors include a brother, Pete Sartain of Monroe, N.C., and a sister, Mary Alice Howie of Hamlett, N.C.

Opinion

‘Get Bush’ preoccupation hurting interests of U. S.

March 31, 2007

Get Bush! Get Bush! Get Bush! Get Bush! Get Bush!
That sounds like a broken record, to be sure, but it seems to be the name of the political game in Washington these days. Actually, considering history, it would be difficult to prove it hasn’t been standard operating procedure for anti-Bush zealots since he first entered the White House.
Unfortunately, it’s really an understatement to say there is an organized effort by his enemies to discredit and undermine Mr. Bush at every step of the way in Washington. A good case can be made for there being a systematic assault on his character, his intelligence and anything that can be exploited, whether true or false. Take the new “leaders” of Congress. They talk cooperation but act contrarily. They use the old magician’s misdirection trick. So it pays to watch what they do and disregard what they say.

THE REPETITIVENESS OF THE “get Bush” attempts has had such a debilitating influence it’s hard to discount. The cumulative effect is disturbing. The damage it causes hurts more than pure politics might indicate. It eats away at public confidence that sustains our entire way of life.
What caused such animosity? Is it because of accusations that Mr. Bush stole the first election from Al Gore?
Subsequent analysis has debunked such thinking. Nevertheless, it’s hard to refute the deliberate preoccupation of doing almost anything to add to constant attempts at character assassination. Or, is it because he professes his faith that disturbs some people?
There are, certainly, those South Carolinians who will disagree with this kind of assessment. That’s OK ..... if based on honest beliefs and not for an echo effect.

THERE ARE THOSE, TOO, WHO have legitimate disagreements with the Bush Administration. It would be foolhardy for anyone to deny there have been mistakes made by Mr. Bush and some who work for him. He should be held accountable for them, no question.
That kind of criticism, though, goes with the Oval Office job. All presidents have political opposition. If there were no disagreements something would be badly wrong. Still, Mr. Bush is the only president we have at the moment and there is too much trouble in the world for us to condone the kind of divisiveness and obvious hatred, that weaken our nation.
Some say he brought it on himself. History, though, shows U. S. interests were Middle East targets long before he ever ran.
Democrat, Republican or Independent, it would be wise to follow the sage advice of Benjamin Franklin: “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
That’s the way the world is, like it or not.
That goes for whites and blacks.