TheState.com: Neighbors

Tourists staying closer to home

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:47 EDT

Lake Murray officials are eyeing tourism closer to home these days. That reflects a tight economy and advertising concentrated on marketing to areas within a day’s drive of the Midlands playground, officials say.

Trends show people “are more cautious in spending for leisure travel and are choosing trips that are more meaningful than extravagant,” said Miriam Atria, president of the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board.

Marina operators say more boaters are opting for at-home vacations instead of traveling elsewhere.

“We see a lot more people not heading out and staying here instead,” said Stan Jones, manager of Lighthouse Marina in Ballentine.

The lake visitor center near Irmo is a popular spot for tourists to check out brochures and learn more about fun on the water.

New president has watched her own neighborhood blossom

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:47 EDT

Bessie Watson was sworn in last week as the 21st president of the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods with the goal of expanding the organization’s reach.

Watson, president of Edisto Court Neighborhood Association — which last week celebrated the opening of a $500,000 city park on the site of a former nuclear laundry facility — will serve as president for two years.

She succeeds Tige Watts, a political consultant who is president of the Brandon Acres-Cedar Terrace Neighborhood Association.

Watson, in an e-mail to The State, said she wants to “enhance our outreach to more neighborhoods.”

CCN, formed in the 1970s, recently passed the 100-neighborhood mark with the addition of two Garners Ferry Road neighborhoods — Hampton Leas, which is behind the VA Hospital, and Ellen’s Glenn, which is near Britton Lane and I-77.

Fun on the Fourth

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:48 EDT

For many, it’s a long holiday weekend — and that means an extra day for fun. We’ve put together a few ideas in Richland, Lexington and Kershaw counties to get you started:

Buy local fruit and vegetables for your Fourth of July potluck at the all-local farmers market, which has found a permanent home and holds a grand-opening celebration Saturday. The location is 701 Whaley St. in the historic Olympia neighborhood. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organizers promise music along with fresh produce, healthy meats and flowers.

If peaches are your produce of choice, the Lexington County Peach Festival starts with Fourth of July parade at 9:30 a.m. and ends with fireworks at 10 p.m. In between, the town of Gilbert hosts a day filled with peaches — from peach ice cream and parfait to peach cobbler and tea. See www.lexingtoncountypeachfestival.com for details of this event, which began in 1958. The festivities start Friday, by the way. Call (803) 892-5207.

Families who enjoy fireworks have plenty of options this weekend, including the annual display on Lake Wateree. The show starts about 9:10 p.m. Saturday. Don’t have a boat? For a good view, show up at the Clearwater Cove Marina, 2029 Baron Dekalb Road, off Hwy. 97, north of Camden.

In Columbia, baseball and fireworks go hand-in-glove when the Blowfish host the Asheboro Copperheads for the 4th of July at Capital City Stadium on Assembly Street. For a half-hour before the game, starting about 6:10 p.m., kids can bring a ball and glove to play catch on the field with Blowfish players. For a preview, a USC Alum vs. Blowfish game Friday also ends in fireworks. For details, see blowfishbaseball.com or call (803) 254-3474.

Public libraries

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:36 EDT

Advance registration required for most programs

RICHLAND COUNTY

Richland County Public Library will be closed Friday through Sunday in observance of Independence Day.

ST. ANDREWS REGIONAL BRANCH: Family Story Time for all ages, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Teen Video Game Time, 4-6 p.m. Thursdays. Sew Divine, A Gathering of Crafters for adults, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Hey! Listen to This!, stories and songs for all ages, 4 p.m. Tuesdays. Storyteller/songwriter Mr. Richard, A Summer Reading Club Celebration for all ages, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Teen Screen, 2 p.m. Thursday, July 9; join your friends for a special screening of “Blade Runner,” rated PG-13. 2916 Broad River Road, (803) 772-6675

SANDHILLS BRANCH: Hey! Listen to This!, stories and songs for all ages, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Island Close By, A Summer Reading Club Celebration for ages 3-12, performance by Caribbean steel band, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Sew Divine, A Gathering of Crafters for adults, 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Book Group for adults, 7 p.m. Wednesday; selection is “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. Pop Art for ages 9-12, 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9. 1 Summit Parkway, (803) 699-9230

Day camps

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:36 EDT

BETHEL CHRISTIAN CAMP

(803) 926-5511

www.bethelchristiancamp.org

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 10, at 750 Boy Scout Road, Gaston. Swimming, canoeing, zipline, climbing wall, paintball, ropes course, archery, sports and more. Ages 6-11, $130; optional Thursday night sleepover.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBSOF THE MIDLANDS

Community needs

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:36 EDT

DONATIONS

CHILDREN’S CHANCE is conducting a school supplies drive for children with cancer and their siblings from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, July 10, at Allstate, 795 Greenlawn Drive, and AFLAC, 8807 Two Notch Road, Suite I. Wish list of new school supplies includes packs of loose notebook paper (college and wide-ruled), mechanical pencils, black pens, packs of crayons, markers, colored pencils, yellow highlighters, glue sticks, dividers, three-ring binders (1½ to 3-inches), graph paper, protractors, rulers, composition books and notebooks, index cards, folders with pockets and prongs, hole reinforcers, pencil cases, erasers (cap and large) and pencil sharpeners. (803) 254-5996 or e-mail deeannjones@bellsouth.net

THE COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT’S Fan the Heat program is seeking donations of box fans and window air conditioners for senior citizens and families with disabled children. Monetary donations are welcome as well as business partners to assist with installation of air conditioners or repair of used air conditioners. For more information, call Cpl. Ron Felder with the Crime Prevention Unit, (803) 545-3555.

THE WEST COLUMBIA POLICE OFFICERS FOUNDATION is seeking donations of fans and window air conditioners for the elderly and those who have no way to stay cool during the hot summer months. Financial donations are also welcome (all donations are tax deductible); call Maj. Jackie Brothers at (803) 939-3182. West Columbia residents who are in need of a fan should call (803) 794-0721, ext. 221 or 222.

VOLUNTEERS

Vital Zips

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:36 EDT

ZIP CODE 29016

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

319 Beaumont Park Circle, Blythewood, from Gregory and Michelle Jones to Patrick and Heather Kelly, $268,000

1029 Buttercup Circle, Blythewood, from Hurricane Construction Inc. to Africa Edwards and Lortoria Watson, $194,500

1061, 1065 and 1069 Buttercup Circle, Blythewood, from High Duck LLC to Hurricane Construction Inc., $102,000

Milestones

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:48 EDT

THE S.C. ASSOCIATION OF VETERINARIANS has announced Tyson, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, was inducted into the SCAV Animal Hall of Fame professional category for his work as a full-time police dog with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Tyson, who has played a pivotal role in criminal and drug-related arrests, lives with his handler Cpl. Marvin Willis.

ERNEST LAWHORNE of West Columbia has been presented with the Order of the Silver Crescent from the Governor’s Office. The Order of the Silver Crescent is the state’s highest award for volunteer and community service. Lawhorne was recognized for starting the Columbia Sertoma Club’s Carolina Children’s Home Campaign in 1968 and for a lifetime of service spent supporting the effort. To date, the campaign has raised more than $3.3 million.

MILITARY

ARMY PVT. PADRAIG D. DARROW has completed basic combat training at Fort Jackson. Darrow is a 2009 graduate of Army Preparatory School at Fort Jackson.

ARMY PFC. JACINTA C. WILLIAMS has completed basic combat training at Fort Jackson. Williams is the daughter of Georgia Turner of Columbia.

School news

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:36 EDT

KERSHAW COUNTY

DISTRICT NEWS

THE FINE ARTS CENTER OF KERSHAW COUNTY will conduct its Arts Scholars program 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 10, at 810 Lyttleton St., Camden. The program is for Kershaw County public school students entering grades 8-11. Students audition for the program and are selected based on performance and potential in an individual arts area (visual art or drama). (803) 425-7676, ext. 310

LEXINGTON 2

AIRPORT HIGH

Almanac

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:36 EDT

MEETINGS

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

PALMETTO PERSONAL COMPUTER CLUB: 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Terry Leverette of the S.C. Genealogy Society will use Legacy 7.0, GenSmart and Family Atlas programs to show you how to trace your family tree. Special Interest Groups meet before the main meeting; SIGs include Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Windows, Advanced Users and Beginner/Intermediate Users. www.palmettopc.org

COLUMBIA CAMERA CLUB: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). www.columbiacameraclub.com, (803) 786-7022

PALMETTO PAINTERS: 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Lexington County Library, 5440 Augusta Road, Lexington. Program will be a seashell ornament painted in acrylics. (803) 781-2340; www.palmettopainters.com

Show your spirit

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:13 EDT

5 POINTS TO TEACH ABOUT PATRIOTISM

From grandparents.com:

The meaning of Independence Day: Talk with kids about the events of July 4, 1776 — the day our country's founders declared independence from Great Britain and would no longer follow the orders of Britain’s king. While going against the king was a crime punishable by death, founders decided it was worth the risk of war to be able to govern themselves. In 1783, the new United States won that war — today called the Revolutionary War. And, it may be worth a trip to nearby Camden, South Carolina’s oldest inland city, an area with several historic sites connected to that war.

The stars and stripes: Young children, in particular, might not know the meaning of the flag’s symbols: the 50 stars stand for the 50 states, and the 13 stripes stand for the 13 British colonies, which declared their independence that July 4, 1776. Tell children the flag is one way to show we are connected to one another — that we're on the same team. And because the flag is special, we treat it with respect.

Rights and freedoms: One thing that makes our country special is that it guarantees certain rights and freedoms. Explain how you use these rights every day when you pray (or decide not to), read a newspaper, or meet and talk with friends. Talk with older kids about the rights spelled out in the U.S. Constitution (a great excuse for a refresher, if you’ve forgotten them) and discuss with kids which they think are the most important ones.

Neighborhood businesses

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:13 EDT

This is compiled from staff writer Kristy Rupon’s weekly “Shop Around” column. Contact her with openings, closings and special events happening at area businesses: krupon@thestate.com or (803) 771-8308.

• Lacrosse shop

Charles Haywood didn’t have much luck when he was looking for lacrosse equipment for his sons in Columbia several years ago.

One store told him the only lacrosse equipment it stocked was what was shipped to it by accident. So he relied on the Internet and hoped the fit would be right.

So Haywood opened Palmetto Lacrosse at 806 Pavilion Ave. in Five Points earlier this year to serve a growing field of players in the Midlands.

Community needs

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:13 EDT

DONATIONS

VOLUNTEERS

ROAD TO RECOVERY is a program that provides cancer patients with transportation to and from treatments. Training is weekly at the American Cancer Society office, 128 Stonemark Lane. Volunteers must have a driver’s license, good driving record and a reliable vehicle. Lang Hunt, (803) 750-1693.

Meetings

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:13 EDT

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

PUBLIC FORUM: 6:30 tonight, at Pelion Town Hall, 1010 Main St. Seeking community input on the possibility of sewer service for the Pelion area. (803) 727-5631

HOBBIES/RECREATION

AGES 18 AND YOUNGER

CHILDREN’S NATURE SERIES: 10 a.m. Wednesdays, July 1-22 at Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Road. For ages 5-12 and an accompanying adult; $5 per participant. Children who attend all four programs will be awarded a certificate. Meet at the park office and dress appropriately for the outdoors. Registration deadline is Monday prior to each program. (803) 788-2706 or e-mail sesqui@scprt.com

Milestones

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:13 EDT

COMMUNITY

CLYDE DORNBUSCH has been recognized by the Richland County Public Library for contributing more than 1,000 hours of volunteer service. A volunteer patron assistant at the Main Library’s Information Desk since April 1993, Dornbusch was named the 2008 Adult Volunteer of the Year.

RICHLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES cycled over 275 miles in the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure event, raising more than $1,000. Participants could ride between 10 and 100 miles. Cyclists included civilian Barney Billy, Reserve Deputy Terri Boyer, Deputy Kristy Boyles, Maj. Wash James, Capt. Roxanne Meetze, Deputy Chief Randy Scott, Deputy Scott Stover and Deputy Cornell Young, who completed the 100-mile ride.

MILITARY

ARMY PFC. JOSHUA D. ABBOTT has graduated from Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. He is the son of Tony Abbott of Columbia.

Vital Zip codes

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:13 EDT

ZIP CODE 29006

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

326 Highland Ave., Batesburg, from Brenda Grant to Michael Leaphart, $85,900

339 Marion St., Batesburg, from Joseph and Sherry Whittaker to Lonnie Mason, $110,000

ZIP CODE 29016

Something to make a splash about

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:58 EDT

LAKES AND POOLS

Myrtle Beach isn't the only place with a sandy beach.

The south side of the Lake Murray dam has one — a perfect place for swimming and sunning. There are picnic facilities, too, so bring snacks or a meal. No lifeguards are on duty.

SCE&G’s Public Park and beach is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends. It’s $3 for most vehicles. (803) 217-9221.

Among the city of Columbia’s public pool offerings:

Lexington’s Main Street bricks to be replaced

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:58 EDT

Downtown Lexington’s facelift is getting a touch-up.

Red brick crosswalks in the 100 block of East Main Street will be replaced with asphalt colored to look the same.

The crosswalks installed six years ago are crumbling under heavy traffic.

The $204,500 project — approved by Town Council Monday — will be done in stages from mid-July through mid-October.

Using brick for the crosswalks turned out to be “botched” given the big trucks that regularly travel on Main, Mayor Randy Halfacre said.

Neighborhood businesses

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:58 EDT

This is compiled from staff writer Kristy Rupon’s weekly “Shop Talk” column. Contact her with openings, closings and special events happening at area businesses: krupon@thestate.com or (803) 771-8308.

AT THE MALL

The Belk store in Dutch Square mall has consolidated its operations to two floors, leaving only the hair salon and spa on the third floor.

The store, at Bush River and Broad River roads, recently held a grand reopening to unveil the changes.

Belk moved into Dutch Square in 1998. The company has three other stores in the area — at Columbiana Centre on Harbison Boulevard, Village at Sandhill in Northeast Richland and Midtown at Forest Acres. No renovations are planned at those stores, a spokesman said.

Milestones

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:58 EDT

COMMUNITY

GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA — MOUNTAINS TO MIDLANDS has received a grant from the Central Carolina Community Foundation for the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience program. The $8,000 grant will be used to purchase and distribute curriculum books for 850 girls and leaders.

YOUTH

RICHLAND COUNTY graduates of the Youth Options Under Teen Health program include Danielle Burns, Jasmine Manning and Kenya Samuel. Participants in the Y.O.U.T.H. Inc. Pregnancy Prevention Program learn to identify risky behaviors of adolescent sexuality and develop skills to help resist peer pressure to participate in premarital sexual activities.

MILITARY

Almanac

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:58 EDT

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

TUESDAY TEA TALK: Juneteenth celebration, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Desserts & More, 4611 Hard Scrabble Road, Suite 101. Call (803) 754-5620 to reserve a spot for a little tea and history.

PUBLIC FORUM: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at Pelion Town Hall, 1010 Main St. Seeking community input on the possibility of sewer service for the Pelion area. (803) 727-5631

HOBBIES/RECREATION

AGES 18 AND YOUNGER

Community needs

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:58 EDT

DONATIONS

THE ANIMAL PROTECTION LEAGUE is seeking donations for its Saturday and June 27 rummage sales. Items may be dropped off between 6:30-8 tonight and Tuesday at 1727 Laurel St. (803) 603-5443, (803) 782-5738 or go to www.aplsc.org.

VOLUNTEERS

Vital zips

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:58 EDT

ZIP CODE 29016

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

1012 Buttercup Circle, Blythewood, from Hurricane Construction Inc. to William and Dominique Turner, $198,815

75 Glen Ord Court, Blythewood, from Shumaker Homes Inc. to Jeffery Flowers, $208,561

617 Harlequin Court, Blythewood, from C&C Builders of Columbia Inc. to Peter Duffy and Patricia Walker, $150,000

What are your kids doing this summer?

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:30 EDT

DAY CAMPS

BETHEL CHRISTIAN CAMP

(803) 926-5511

www.bethelchristiancamp.org

9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 6-10 at 750 Boy Scout Road, Gaston. Swimming, canoeing, zipline, climbing wall, paintball, ropes course, archery, sports and more. Ages 6-11, $130; optional Thursday night sleepover.

Lexington football program makes changes to keep playing

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:30 EDT

The Lexington County youth football program emerged from an off-season challenge with a few new rules and a new lease on life, according to its organizers.

“It’s going to be a lot more safe and a lot more fun,” said Lexington Youth Football and Cheerleading Association board member Brent McGee.

Interest is up, according to league president Mike Anderson. In the first two weeks the league’s Web site was in operation, it had 1,300 hits.

Registration for the new season begins 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 20 at the Ball Park Road gym in Lexington. A few months ago, there were doubts if the season would even happen.

The Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission was ready to wash its hands of the league late last year because of concerns about player safety and parental control. The agency owns and maintains the fields where the games are played and sets rules for the league.

Cayce residents on board with development near river

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:30 EDT

A new plan for developing low-lying property in the Richland County portion of Cayce has drawn initial support from city residents long opposed to construction on the east side of the Congaree River.

“If it has the desired side effects, I would welcome it,” said Chris Kueny, a Cayce businessman and leader of a citizens group that opposed the 2007 annexation of 3,100 acres across the river and new levees there.

The side effects Kueny wants are to make it impossible to develop the remaining 1,700 acres and to stop more levees.

Kueny said organizers of Citizens for a Smart Cayce, whom he has talked to about the plan that was disclosed June 2 by Greenville developer Larry McNair, favor the $80 million project.

McNair told Cayce leaders at a council meeting that he has an option to buy 1,400 acres and plans to build Cayce East, a golf course development of more than 1,000 homes, retail stores, a hotel and several lakes. It would cater to university sports fans and downtown Columbia workers.

Gilbert begins facelift

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:30 EDT

The first part of Gilbert’s small-town version of urban renewal is finished.

A run-down building in the center of town was torn down this month, with restoration of an adjoining building next.

But town leaders first must decide the future of a century-old structure that historic preservationists say is as old as the community of 500.

“We have not a clue,” Mayor Randy Clamp said.

Buying both buildings near Town Hall and razing one cost nearly $100,000, work partly paid for by state aid. Getting that done took four years.

Milestones

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:30 EDT

CORPORATE

LOWE’S RED BANK STORE has been named 2009 Medium Employer of the Year by the S.C. Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. The annual award is presented to an employer with between 26 and 250 employees who has demonstrated willingness to hire people with disabilities. Gina Barton, the store’s human resources director, actively pursues job candidates with disabilities to work in all areas, hiring 13 people with disabilities last year. The committee also recognized Ernest Rhodes, a Lowe’s employee and former S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Department client, for his achievement. Rhodes is a commercial sales loader.

MILITARY

ARMY SPEC. JAMES R. TURNER is returning after a deployment to the Iraqi Theater of Operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. An AH-64D armament/electrical/avionic systems repairer with four years of military service, Turner is assigned to Company B, 404th Aviation Support Batallion, Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas. The son of Bobby Turner of Leesville and Lucia Summer of Columbia, he is a 2000 graduate of Batesburg-Leesville High School.

NAVY SEAMAN BRANDON M. GOODWIN has completed basic military training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Goodwin is the son of Tarsha L. Smith of Columbia and a 2007 graduate of A.C. Flora High School.

Almanac

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:23 EDT

MEETINGS

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

HOWARD SCHOOL COMMUNITY CLUB: 3 p.m. Saturday at Arsenal Hill Center, 1800 Lincoln St. (Lincoln and Laurel streets). (803) 754-3095

PALMETTO PERSONAL COMPUTER CLUB: 6-8:30 tonight at Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Harry Rogers will give a presentation on Microsoft’s Windows-7 system. Special Interest Groups meet before the main meeting; SIGs include Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Windows, Advanced Users and Beginner/Intermediate Users. www.palmettopc.org

PALMETTO PAINTERS: S.C. Chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters, 10 a.m. Saturday at Green Hill Baptist Church, 1734 Augusta Road, West Columbia. Program will be the club’s annual White Elephant Sale. (803) 781-2340

Vital Zips

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:30 EDT

ZIP CODE 29016

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

437 Holly Berry Circle, Blythewood, from Michael and Darlene Turner to George and Esther Murray, $325,000

405 Ruddy Duck Court, Blythewood, from VIP Developers Inc. to Terry Graham, $157,990

ZIP CODE 29020

Community needs

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:30 EDT

GETTING HELP

SENIORS FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM offers nutrition assistance to ages 60 and older by providing coupons for free produce at local farmers’ markets. Eligibility is based on household income. In order to receive free coupons, applications must be residents of Richland county, apply in person, provide proof of infome, identity and residence. Individuals wishing to apply for homebound seniors must being a statement authorizing the submission of an application on their behalf as well as income and identity verification for the homebound senior. Coupons will be issued on a first come first served basis 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at Capitol Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle, Maxcy Gregg Park.

DONATIONS

THE ANIMAL PROTECTION LEAGUE is seeking donations for its June 20 and 27 rummage sale. Items may be dropped off between 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through June 23 at 1727 Laurel St. (803) 603-5443, (803) 782-5738 or go to www.aplsc.org.

Salute to retiring educators: Q&A with Donna Shealy, a school counselor, in her own words:

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:08 EDT

Describe one moment when you knew you’d chosen the right career.

Shealy: A boy entered the school as a third-grader. I learned that he had lived with his mother in another state. She was murdered when he was 6, and he came to South Carolina to live with his father. I placed the student in a grief and loss support group and talked with him on days he was feeling especially sad or mad.

Right before Mother’s Day that year, his teacher helped the students make tissue paper flowers. Her instructions were for each child to give the flower to a special lady in his/her life. At the end of the school day, the boy appeared at my door and handed me his flower saying, “We made these today and I wanted you to have mine.” That flower still sits in a little vase on a shelf in my office.

What would your students say you are best known for?

Shealy: Unconditional positive regard. That’s a counseling term. The students don’t know the term but they know it when they experience it — being valued, cared for, accepted and understood without judgment is a powerful experience for children.

Salute to retiring educators: A Q&A with Carol Anderson, a second-grade teacher, in her own words:

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:09 EDT

Describe one moment when you knew you'd chosen the right career.

Anderson: When I first started teaching, I found that working with inner city children was quite challenging. At the end of my first year, a parent, who was illiterate herself, thanked me for teaching her daughter how to read. That thank you defined the moment that I knew I had chosen the right career.

What would your students say you are best known for?

Anderson: My students would probably say that I have all kinds of neat stuff in my classroom, like human teeth, animal skulls and a kangaroo hide.

What has been one of the most challenging aspects of being an educator?

Almanac

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:44 EDT

Meetings

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

RICHLAND DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Adult Activity Center, 7494 Parklane Road. Guests and visitors welcome.

PALMETTO PERSONAL COMPUTER CLUB: 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Harry Rogers will give a presentation on Microsoft’s Windows-7 system. Special Interest Groups meet before the main meeting; SIGs include Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Windows, Advanced Users and Beginner/Intermediate Users. www.palmettopc.org

COLUMBIA CAMERA CLUB: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). www.columbiacameraclub.com, (803) 786-7022

Community needs

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:44 EDT

DONATIONS

THE ANIMAL PROTECTION LEAGUE is seeking donations for its June 20 and 27 rummage sale. Items may be dropped off between 6:30-8 p.m. tonight and Tuesdays and Thursdays through June 23 at 1727 Laurel St. (803) 603-5443, (803) 782-5738 or go to www.aplsc.org.

GETTING HELP

SENIORS FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM offers nutrition assistance to ages 60 and older by providing coupons for free produce at local farmers’ markets. Eligibility is based on household income. In order to receive free coupons, applications must be residents of Richland county, apply in person, provide proof of infome, identity and residence. Individuals wishing to apply for homebound seniors must being a statement authorizing the submission of an application on their behalf as well as income and identity verification for the homebound senior. Coupons will be issued on a first come first served basis 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Capitol Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle, Maxcy Gregg Park.

A Q&A with Hall, a French teacher, in her own words:

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:44 EDT

Describe one moment when you knew you'd chosen the right career.

Hall: While studying French at the Sorbornne University in Paris, France, and at Montana State University in Missoula, Mont., I had the opportunity to work with students who were constantly seeking “more” use of the language; more time with the language. More time for conversations in French. These experiences gave me the desire to teach. I knew that I had chosen the right career when I saw the gleam in the eyes of the students who had an insatiable desire to learn throughout the many years! This made teaching so rewarding.

What would your students say you are best known for?

Hall: Speaking in French when they entered the classroom. I would say to them, “Nous sommes intelligents” (“we are intelligent”); “Nous sommes polis” (“we are polite”); and “Nous sommes adorable” (“we are adorable”). They also would say that I did not stand for any “mess” in the classroom — “pas de mess” (no mess).

Talk about one of your most memorable classroom experiences.

Milestones

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:44 EDT

COMMUNITY

COLUMBIA POLICE OFFICER WALTER B. PARKER was presented the J.P. Strom Award on May 29 during the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy graduation ceremonies. The award is presented to the graduate with the highest grade-point average during the nine-week basic training program. Other members of the department graduating from the SCCJA included Randall T. Fitzgerald, Ronald W. Manning, Brian W. Phelps, Thomas P. Schaffer and Kevin D. Singleton.

YOUTH

CLAUDIA MARIE CROW has been selected to represent the Fairfield Electric Cooperative at the Washington Youth Tour June 13-18 in Washington, D.C. A rising senior at Spring Valley High School, she is the daughter of Richard and Kathy Crow of Columbia.

MILITARY

Summer camps

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:44 EDT

DAY CAMPS

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBSOF THE MIDLANDS

(803) 463-5410

www.bgcmidland.org

Blast From the Past Summer Camps: 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekdays at various locations for students in elementary and middle school. Sessions I, II, four weeks in June and July, $360 each; Session III, two weeks in August; $180.

Salute to retiring educators: Q&A with Jimmy Hoover, in his own words:

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:11 EDT

Describe one moment when you knew you’d chosen the right career.

Hoover: The moment I knew that I chose the right career was the first nine weeks of my first year. I was teaching a unit in flag football. As the days went by, I could see the students put into play the skills I had taught them, and they were having a lot of fun. That made me feel very proud to see young people having fun and enjoying something that I taught them.

What would your students say you are best known for?

Hoover: My fairness. I have always tried to treat each student equally. My class rules have always applied to every student, no matter who they are.

What has been one of the most challenging aspects of your job?

Salute to retiring educators: Q&A with Patricia Mitchell, kindergarten teacher, in her own words:

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:10 EDT

Describe one moment when you knew you’d chosen the right career.

Mitchell: Whenever a child looks at you with a smile on his/her face and says, “Now I get it.”

What would your students say you are best known for?

Mitchell: Dressing up for all of our special days (Halloween, 100 Day Celebration, Clown Day, etc.)

What has been one of the most challenging aspects of being an educator?