TheState.com: Neighbors

Lexington 4: The end of an era at Swansea High

Wed, 14 May 2008 20:52 EDT

Joye Hoffman can still remember the days following the Dec. 29, 1976 fire that destroyed the old Swansea High building.

Not just because it took the staff days to sort through records, brushing off the singed edges of student files.

But because she’d made students leave their workbooks at school to ensure they didn’t lose them over winter break.

Hoffman had no idea she would be the one to blame for “losing” the books.

“They did not ever let me forget that,” she said before laughing.

Richland 2: Arts teacher taking a bow

Wed, 14 May 2008 20:55 EDT

Harriette Edmonds has spent most of her life in the Richland 2 school system, but now she’s saying her good-byes.

A student at Dentsville High School (now Dent Middle School), and later a visual arts teacher, Edmonds will retire at the end of this school year. She’s been teaching for 32 years, and had always planned to retire once she turned 65. At that point, she’d told herself, the children would need a younger teacher.

“I never had a clue that I would be teaching for 32 years,” she said. “But, one year led to another year, and pretty soon I said, ‘Gee, I love doing this and,’ and I just stayed.”

Edmonds, a mother of one son, said her parents — a seamstress and a gardener — were a big influence on her love of art. And, then it was her mother who suggested she go into teaching because she’d get the summers off.

Eventually, teaching proved a natural fit for Edmonds who loved to learn as much as she loved art.

Lexington 1: Kindergarten teacher ready to pass on her legacy

Wed, 14 May 2008 20:58 EDT

When Angela Halfacre walks out of her kindergarten classroom in June, she’ll end a 37-year teaching career that she said has brought her unending joy.

But in August, the retiring teacher will take on a new role — that of a classroom volunteer at Pleasant Hill Elementary.

That’s where her daughter Hope, who graduated from USC this year, will begin her own teaching career.

Hope, 22, said she always dreamed of becoming a teacher like her mother.

“I obviously grew up in my mother’s classroom,” she said. “I’m looking forward to continuing my mom’s legacy. ”

Richland 1: Teaching blind children the skills of life

Wed, 14 May 2008 21:01 EDT

David Atkinson works in what is perhaps the most challenging teaching environment in public education.

“The street is my classroom,” he says.

It is not uncommon this time of year to see Atkinson and one of his students repeatedly crossing busy Columbia intersections on foot.

His job is to teach blind children the skills they’ll need the rest of their lives to function in the world.

After four decades teaching students how to do what most of us take for granted, Atkinson will retire later this month. He and his wife will relocate to a cabin they’re building on a lake in North Carolina.

Lexington 2: Principal leaves his markin special education

Wed, 14 May 2008 20:56 EDT

For Ted Keister, a stint as a summer camp counselor during his college days set him on the path to becoming an educator.

He was working at Camp Burnt Gin, a summer camp in Wedgefield, for children who have physical disabilities and chronic illnesses.

He met a young man who was a triple amputee. That summer he taught him to swim.

“That kind of spurred me on,” he said. “Every kid can succeed.”

Keister, principal at Granby Education Center, will retire at the end of this school year and return to his hometown of Beaufort.

Kershaw: Friends, colleagues ready to hit the road

Wed, 14 May 2008 20:59 EDT

Three decades ago, Nancy Cheek and Lynelle Rush banded together to help bring gifted and talented educational programs to Kershaw County schools.

Hundreds of children later, the two veteran educators are saying good-bye to the classroom. It has been their second home, a place where they created a lasting professional and personal bond. It is a place they will miss, even as they start gallivanting across the globe in retirement.

“We decided that we would go out together because we teach side-by-side,” said Rush, who leaves with nearly 33 years of experience. “You just finally feel like it’s time to start something else.”

The two plan to tour places they’ve not visited in South Carolina, across the U.S. and abroad. Rush is headed to France in June, and Cheekwill tour Italy soon.

It’s the eager students and everyday learning that kept the two friends teaching so long. But, it’s ironic also, because neither one thought they would grow up to be teachers. Cheek was a computer programmer who was persuaded to go into teaching by a superintendent. And, Rush had planned to go to business school.

Lexington-Richland 5: Going out on a high note

Wed, 14 May 2008 20:53 EDT

In her college days Marjorie Turner had her sights set on becoming an opera singer.

One day her father gave the mezzo soprano a bit of unsolicited advice.

“He said, ‘In case the opera thing doesn’t work out, you probably need to have a backup plan,’” she recalled.

After taking some education courses and doing some student teaching, Turner said she was hooked and most thoughts of performing disappeared.

“It’s been a wonderful career,” the Dutch Fork High music teacher said. “I’m so glad I made this choice. I did the right thing.”

Lexington 3: Education was her calling

Wed, 14 May 2008 20:57 EDT

There is a quote hanging in fourth-grade teacher Lynda Smallen’s classroom that she adopted during her college days.

It says: “You may be just one person in the world but you may be the world to one person.”

The Batesburg-Leesville Elementary teacher will retire at the end of this school year, leaving behind a 35-year career but taking with her thousands of memories.

And that quote.

“I can apply this wherever I go,” she said. “Where God carries me I can certainly be of help to one person.”

Police gain 3 officers in spending plan

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:57 EDT

Three more police officers might be keeping an eye on gangs and patrolling Lexington streets in coming months.

The officers — bringing the town force to 43 — are the only new employees included in a proposed $19.9 million spending plan that would take effect July 1.

A specialist in gangs is vital as problems like graffiti, youth fights and intimidation “are coming our way,” police chief Terrence Green said. “We need to be proactive in handling that.”

More officers are needed to patrol mainly along U.S. 378 as new stores, offices and apartments open on the east side of town, he said.

The officers will be hired in stages through spring, bringing town staff overall to 128.

Milestones

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:02 EDT

MILITARY

ARMY SGT. KENDRA S. WILLIAMS has completed basic combat training at Fort Jackson. The daughter of Sherry Williams of Columbia, she is a 1992 graduate of Irmo High School and received a bachelor’s degree from Carson-Newman College in 1996.

ARMY RESERVE PFC. DELORIAN A. BROWN has completed basic combat training at Fort Jackson. The son of Aaron and Delores Brown of Columbia, he is a 2006 graduate of Columbia High School.

AIRMAN BRENT M. ARCHIE has completed basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The son of Betty Archie of Columbia, he is a 2007 graduate of Airport High School.

ARMY RESERVE 1st LT. BRIAN R. HAMPTON has been decorated with the Army Commendation Medal for participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hampton is a platoon leader and automated logistical specialist with five years’ military service. The son of Richard and Joyce Hampton of Columbia, he is a 2001 graduate of Richland Northeast High School and received a bachelor’s degree from USC Upstate in 2005.

Meetings

Wed, 14 May 2008 19:02 EDT

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS NEWCOMERS’ CLUB OF GREATER COLUMBIA: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 22, at Spring Valley Country Club, 300 Spring Valley Road. Guest speaker will be Karen Hood of Karen’s Garden Creations. (803) 750-6695

RETIRED ENLISTED ASSOCIATION, CHAPTER 38: 5:30 p.m. Friday in the third floor staff room at Moncrief Hospital, Fort Jackson. All retired military, guard and reserves are encouraged to attend. (803) 740-2319; jrodgers11@sc.rr.com

JOHN BACHMAN GROUP OF THE SIERRA CLUB: 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Columbia, Heyward and Woodrow streets. This month’s guest speaker will be Eliott Powell, interim chair of the Gills Creek Watershed Association. Supper will be served at 6 p.m. for a small donation. www.southcarolina.sierraclub.org/bachman/

U.S. SUBMARINE VETERANS INC.: 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Crab Shack, 711 E. Main St. (Old Mill), Lexington. (803) 786-5757

FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION BRANCH, UNIT 202: 1 p.m. the third Tuesday at the Naval Reserve Center, 2620 Lee Road, Fort Jackson. New members welcome. The Ladies Auxiliary meets at the same time. (803) 482-4456

Community Needs

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:02 EDT

VOLUNTEERS

HOME WORKS OF AMERICA is seeking youth and adults to make repairs to homes of the elderly and the disadvantaged in the greater Columbia area June 8-15; sessions for middle schoolers (grades 6-8) and a senior high session (ages 14 and older). A planning meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at Benedict-Allen Community Development Center, 2001 Two Notch Road. Refreshments will be served. (803) 781-4356 or go to www.homeworksofamerica.org

HISTORIC COLUMBIA FOUNDATION is looking for volunteers to lead tours of historic house museums and special tours, educate visitors about Columbia’s history, work with school groups and meet interesting people. Volunteet training sessions will be offered 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Seibels House, 1601 Richland St. (803) 252-1770, ext. 24

SEXUAL TRAUMA SERVICES OF THE MIDLANDS will hold volunteer advocate training June 17-23, sessions will meet 6-9 p.m. June 17-19, 23; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 21 and 1:30-6 p.m. June 22 (attendance at all sessions is required) at 3700 Forest Drive, Suite 300. Volunteers must be 18 or older; complete the training program, available during required times (on-call at least two shifts per month); and have reliable transportation. (803) 790-8208; www.stsm.org

ROAD TO RECOVERY is a program that provides cancer patients with transportation to and from treatments. Training is scheduled weekly at the American Cancer Society office, 128 Stonemark Lane. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record and a reliable vehicle. Lang Hunt, (803) 759-1693.

Skate park clears another barrier

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:58 EDT

The design and location of the new Owens Field Skate Park approved last week balanced the needs of skaters with the wishes of neighbors upset at the loss of trees during other park projects.

The plan by Wally Hollyday Design features a linear skate park with bulges for bowls and ledges at either end. It would be tucked between the existing baseball field parking area and the forest.

If the skate park is laid out as designed, no trees would have to be cut down, according to city parks planner Damon McDuffie.

The skate park would be only slightly larger than the old one, but it will have more efficient use of space. The concrete surface flows from one bowl or ramp to the next.

“I have heard only good things from the skateboarders,” said Ryan Cockrell, who helped organize Pour It Now, an advocacy group that has raised $6,000 for the skate park. “The designs are better than I could have imagined.”

Vital Zips

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:02 EDT

ZIP CODE 29006

LEXINGTON SHERIFF

Old Two Notch Road, 9800 block, between 6:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. May 5. Someone broke into a home and stole firearms and other items worth $9,570. Damage was $300.

ZIP CODE 29016

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Where moms meet

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:29 EDT

No. 1 on Celeste Osterberg’s speed dial is her husband.

No. 2 is her best friend and fellow mom, Charise Dockery.

The two women get together once a week to walk along riverfront park and talk, much of their conversation about family.

“She’s a great listener,” said Osterberg, who met Dockery at church about five years ago.

Coming up this weekend is Mother’s Day, a time to reflect on life’s first relationship between mother and child.

A boatload of work

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:36 EDT

For Cindy Tyner it was a monstrosity of a project that took over her back yard.

For Elizabeth Tyner, it was a distraction that occupied too much of her father and brother’s time.

But for Terry and Will Tyner, building a wooden boat in their Chapin back yard was a dream come true.

Terry started thinking about building a boat 10 years ago.

“It was on my list of the things I want to do before I die,” he said.

Lexington tree protection plan OK'd

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:33 EDT

Restrictions on clear-cutting trees for new stores and offices are taking root in Lexington.

Those limits won final Town Council approval Monday, as another measure to discourage golf course redevelopment is delayed temporarily.

The tree protection plan is an effort to ensure natural buffers remain when commercial development adjoins neighborhoods.

It requires developers to keep a 20-foot buffer of landscaping on parts of a tract abutting homes and to look for ways to save major trees elsewhere.

Trees still will but lost but “this will help slow it down,” councilman Ted Stambolitis said of the plan unanimously adopted.

District names Teacher of the Year

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:36 EDT

The five finalists nervously sat through a long dinner, filled with speeches, pictures and applause.

Only one would be chosen as Kershaw County’s newest Teacher of the Year.

And, when Angie Lawson, a music teacher at Pine Tree Hill Elementary, heard her name called, it was surreal.

“I’m very honored and thrilled and nervous and shaking to be Teacher of the Year,” Lawson said after receiving a standing ovation from a room full of her colleagues.

“I truly feel that we all should share the spotlight tonight.”

Richland 2 continues to verify residency of students

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:35 EDT

Richland 2 often finds itself at odds with parents who want their children to attend school in the district, and the end of the school year is hardly an exception.

With just a few weeks left until summer vacation, Richland 2 officials still do routine checks to verify district residency.

If officials learn that families don’t live in or own property in the district, their children could be asked to leave school — up until eight weeks before the end of the school year.

They say it’s an issue of fairness — ensuring that at all times, funds for education are spent on the right students, and not poachers.

“We get pressure from taxpayers that people who are in our district are legitimately in it,” said Roger Wiley, the district’s registrar.

Community needs

Tue, 06 May 2008 17:09 EDT

VOLUNTEERS

HISTORIC COLUMBIA FOUNDATION is looking for volunteers to lead tours of historic house museums and special tours, educate visitors about Columbia’s history, work with school groups and meet interesting people. Volunteet training sessions will be offered 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 19, 20 at the Seibels House, 1601 Richland St. (803) 252-1770, ext. 24

DONATIONS